bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Analyses of the 2011 Joplin Tornado Mortality: Deaths by Interpolated Damage Zones and Location of Victims
Authors: Kanti Paul Bimal , Stimers Mitchel
Published: January 2014

On 22 May 2011, a massive tornado tore through a densely populated section of Joplin, Missouri, killing 162 people. The EF5 tornado was the deadliest single tornado to occur in the United States since modern record keeping began in 1950, surpassing the tornado of 8 June 1953, which claimed 116 lives in Flint, Michigan. The Joplin tornado death toll was also far higher than the average annual number of deaths caused by tornadoes in the United States between 2000 and 2011. This study analyzed Joplin deaths by damage zone and place of death. Tabular data collected primarily from secondary sources revealed the number of deaths and death rates differ significantly by zone of destruction. The central zone (labeled as “catastrophic”) had the most deaths, with the number decreasing systematically in both directions from the center of that zone. The results of this study further show that more people died in nonresidential buildings in Joplin than is usual in a U.S. tornado event, calling into question how well such structures protect occupants. Finally, the lack of basements in residential and other structures most likely contributed greatly to the high death toll, although the degree remains uncertain. Several recommendations are offered to reduce future U.S. tornado fatalities.
Hopelessness and Suicide Proneness in U.S. and Japanese College Students
Authors: Lamis Dorian A. , Saito Motoko , Osman Augustine , Klibert Jeffrey , Malone Patrick S. , Langhinrichsen-Rohling Jennifer
Published: January 2014

Few empirical studies have focused on the associations among suicide proneness, hopelessness, and depression cross-culturally. The current study examined the potential to determine differences in the overall expression of suicide proneness between Japanese ( n = 396) as compared with U.S. ( n = 417) college students. Depressive symptoms were considered as a potential mediator of the relation between hopelessness and suicide proneness in both samples of students. Preliminary analyses focused on estimates of internal consistency reliability and differential item functioning (DIF) on the measures of hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and suicide proneness. Results of the primary analyses revealed that Japanese students reported more suicide proneness, greater hopelessness, and higher levels of depressive symptoms than did U.S. students. As expected, hopelessness and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with suicide proneness in both cultures. Additionally, the hopelessness–suicide proneness link was significantly mediated by depressive symptoms in both samples. Implications are offered for improved identification and treatment of college students at risk of suicidal behaviors both in the United States and in Japan.
Cross-National and Religious Relationships With Posttraumatic Growth
Authors: Taku Kanako , Cann Arnie
Published: January 2014

Posttraumatic growth (PTG)—positive changes experienced as a result of psychological struggle with highly challenging life circumstances—generally correlates with greater religiosity and optimism, and often shows gender and cross-national differences. The current study examined the relationship of national background and religion with PTG, as well as individual differences variables (i.e., optimism, pessimism, and gender) and individuals’ appraisal or perceptions of the event (i.e., whether the event was perceived as having a direct or indirect impact, and whether the event was perceived as deliberate or accidental). American and Japanese college students identified a highly stressful life event and completed the PTG Inventory and the revised Life Orientation Test. Results showed that national background and religiosity (religious affiliation and strengths of religious beliefs) predicted the level of overall PTG. In addition to the national and religious associations, gender and optimism had positive associations with PTG. The role of individual differences variables and perceptions of the triggering event varied cross-nationally across the PTG domains. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Obesity, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior of Youth With Learning Disabilities and ADHD
Authors: Cook Bryan G. , Li Dongmei , Heinrich Katie M.
Published: January 2014

Obesity, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in childhood are important indicators of present and future health and are associated with school-related outcomes such as academic achievement, behavior, peer relationships, and self-esteem. Using logistic regression models that controlled for gender, age, ethnicity/race, and socioeconomic status, we investigated the likelihood that youth with learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are obese, physically active, and sedentary using a nationally representative sample of 45,897 youth in the United States from 10 to 17 years of age. Results indicated that youth with comorbid LD/ADHD were significantly more likely than peers without LD or ADHD to be obese; that youth with LD only, ADHD only, and comorbid LD/ADHD were significantly less likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity; and that youth with LD only were significantly more likely to exceed recommended levels of sedentary behavior. Medication status mediated outcomes for youth with ADHD. We offer school-based recommendations for improving health-related outcomes for students with LD and ADHD.
Discouraged finance seekers: An analysis of Australian small and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Xiang Dong , Worthington Andrew C. , Higgs Helen
Published: January 2014

This article investigates the effects of firm-level factors, including size, profitability, number of employees, business strategy and life-cycle, on finance seeking (debt and/or equity) by Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study identifies firms seeking (or not seeking) finance and those who successfully (or unsuccessfully) acquired finance over a three-year period. Taking advantage of the longitudinal nature of the the data, the study finds that experience as a discouraged finance seeker significantly affects future behaviours. This has important policy implications: the observed demand for finance by SMEs and the capital rationing implied may understate the actual level as potential finance seekers anticipate rejection. The study also finds that SMEs become relatively more discouraged in seeking debt than equity finance.
The personalization of politics in comparative perspective: Campaign coverage in Germany and the United Kingdom
Authors: Holtz-Bacha Christina , Langer Ana Ines , Merkle Susanne
Published: January 2014

In the last few decades personalization has been identified as a defining trend of contemporary political communication. The empirical evidence, however, is mixed and there are very few studies that explore more than a single-case study. This article investigates media personalization in comparative perspective by analysing the press coverage of recent general elections in Germany (2009) and the United Kingdom (2010). Was the reporting in both campaigns (equally) personalized? How and to what extent does the phenomenon vary across the two countries? What does this mean for our understanding of personalization? The analysis shows that there are at least as many differences between the countries as there are similarities; although both campaigns can be considered personalized in some respects, the form it takes is substantially different due to structural variations in the media and political systems, as well as the more transient, but key, impact of the distinctive characteristics of the campaigns and each of the candidates.
A novel approach to safe redo-sternotomy in a patient with aortocutaneous fistula from an infected ascending aorta graft
Authors: Al-Atassi T , Kimmaliardjuk DM , Labinaz M , Dickie S , Rubens F
Published: January 2014

This case describes a novel approach to a safe redo-sternotomy in a patient presenting with an aortocutaneous fistula from a previous infected ascending aorta graft.
Strategies for Efficient Computation of the Expected Value of Partial Perfect Information
Authors: Madan Jason , Ades Anthony E. , Price Malcolm , Maitland Kathryn , Jemutai Julie , Revill Paul , Welton Nicky J.
Published: January 2014

Expected value of information methods evaluate the potential health benefits that can be obtained from conducting new research to reduce uncertainty in the parameters of a cost-effectiveness analysis model, hence reducing decision uncertainty. Expected value of partial perfect information (EVPPI) provides an upper limit to the health gains that can be obtained from conducting a new study on a subset of parameters in the cost-effectiveness analysis and can therefore be used as a sensitivity analysis to identify parameters that most contribute to decision uncertainty and to help guide decisions around which types of study are of most value to prioritize for funding. A common general approach is to use nested Monte Carlo simulation to obtain an estimate of EVPPI. This approach is computationally intensive, can lead to significant sampling bias if an inadequate number of inner samples are obtained, and incorrect results can be obtained if correlations between parameters are not dealt with appropriately. In this article, we set out a range of methods for estimating EVPPI that avoid the need for nested simulation: reparameterization of the net benefit function, Taylor series approximations, and restricted cubic spline estimation of conditional expectations. For each method, we set out the generalized functional form that net benefit must take for the method to be valid. By specifying this functional form, our methods are able to focus on components of the model in which approximation is required, avoiding the complexities involved in developing statistical approximations for the model as a whole. Our methods also allow for any correlations that might exist between model parameters. We illustrate the methods using an example of fluid resuscitation in African children with severe malaria.
Establishment of a Rat Model for Canine Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (NME)
Authors: Park E.-S. , Uchida K. , Nakayama H.
Published: January 2014

The pathogenesis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), necrotizing leukoencephalitis (NLE), and granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) is still uncertain, although they are considered immune-mediated diseases. The purpose of the present study is to generate a rodent model(s) of these diseases. Rats were injected with rat cerebral or cerebellar homogenate. Rats injected with cerebral homogenate (Cbr) exhibited vacuolar or malacic changes mainly in the cerebral cortex. CD3-positive T cells and Iba-1–positive and CD163-negative microglia infiltrated and activated around the lesions. IgG deposited in the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)–positive glia limitans from the early phase, and CD3-positive T cells attached to GFAP-positive astrocytes. Autoantibodies against GFAP were detected in the sera. These pathological features of Cbr rats were consistent with those of canine NME. In contrast, rats injected with cerebral homogenate (Cbe) exhibited demyelinating lesions with inflammatory reactions in the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. The presence of demyelination and autoantibodies against myelin proteins in Cbe rats was similar to murine experimental autoimmune encephalitis and differed from NME, NLE, and GME. All the present findings indicate that autoantibodies together with microglia and T cells may play a major role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic canine meningoencephalomyelitis.
Examining US news media discourses about North Korea: A corpus-based critical discourse analysis
Authors: Kim Kyung Hye
Published: January 2014

A quantitative, corpus-based approach is most illuminating for describing collocational and other recurrent patterns associated with specific lexical items across an entire corpus, while a qualitative, critical discourse analysis approach is best suited for scrutinising specific stretches of text at various levels. By incorporating both approaches, this study examines US news stories published in mainstream media with an attempt to identify specific discursive practices relating to North Korea. The analysis reveals that three US media outlets ( CNN, Newsweek and The New York Times) divide the world into certain sets of countries, and that being pro- or anti-USA might have an impact on which country is associated with North Korea.
Level of evidence for promising subgroup findings in an overall non-significant trial
Authors: Tanniou Julien , Tweel Ingeborg van der , Teerenstra Steven , Roes Kit CB
Published: January 2014

In drug development and drug licensing, it sometimes occurs that a new drug does not demonstrate effectiveness for the full study population, but there appears to be benefit in a relevant, pre-defined subgroup. This raises the question, how strong the evidence from such a subgroup is, and which confirmatory testing strategies are the most appropriate ones. Hence, we considered the type I error and the power of a subgroup result in a trial with non-significant overall results and of suitable replication strategies. In the case of a single trial, the inflation of the overall type I error is substantial and can be up to twice as large, especially in relatively small subgroups. This also increases to the risk of starting a replication trial that should not be done, if such a second trial is not already available. The overall type I error is almost controlled by using an appropriate replication strategy. This confirms the required cautious interpretation of promising subgroups, even in the case that overall trial results were perceived to be close to significance.
Graphical model-based O/E control chart for monitoring multiple outcomes from a multi-stage healthcare procedure
Authors: Sibanda Nokuthaba
Published: January 2014

Most statistical process control programmes in healthcare focus on surveillance of outcomes at the final stage of a procedure, such as mortality or failure rates. Such an approach ignores the multi-stage nature of these procedures, in which a patient progresses through several stages prior to the final stage. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to statistical process control programmes in healthcare. Our proposed approach is based on the regression adjustment and multi-stage control charts that have been in use in industrial applications for decades. Three advantages of the approach are: better understanding of how outcomes at different stages relate to each other, explicit monitoring of upstream stage outcomes may help curtail trends that lead to poorer end-stage outcomes and understanding the impact of each stage can help determine the most effective allocation of quality improvement resources. A test statistic for the control charts is proposed. Simulations are performed to test the control charts, and the results are summarised using an empirical probability of true detection. An illustrative example using data from a maternity unit is included. A main result from the simulation study is that taking a multi-stage approach makes it easer to explicitly identify shifts in upstream stage outcomes that might otherwise be signalled in final stage outcomes if dependence between stages is ignored.
A comparison of ethical issues in nursing practice across nursing units
Authors: Park Mihyun , Jeon Sang Hee , Hong Hyun-Ja , Cho Sung-Hyun
Published: January 2014

Background:

The complexity and variety of ethical issues in nursing is always increasing, and those issues lead to special concerns for nurses because they have critical impacts on nursing practice.

Research objectives:

The purpose of this study was to gather comprehensive information about ethical issues in nursing practice, comparing the issues in different types of nursing units including general units, oncology units, intensive care units, operating rooms, and outpatient departments.

Research design:

The study used a descriptive research design. Ethics/human rights issues encountered by nurses in their daily nursing practice were identified by using the Ethical Issues Scale.

Participants:

The study sample included 993 staff nurses working in a university hospital in South Korea.

Ethical considerations:

This study was approved by the University Institutional Review Board. Completed questionnaires were returned sealed with signed informed consent.

Findings:

The most frequently and disturbingly encountered issues across nursing units were “conflicts in the nurse–physician relationship,” “providing care with a possible risk to your health,” and “staffing patterns that limit patient access to nursing care.” The findings of this study showed that nurses from different nursing units experienced differences in the types or frequency of ethical issues. In particular, intensive care units had the greatest means of all the units in all three component scales including end-of-life treatment issues, patient care issues, and human rights issues.

Discussion:

Nurses experienced various ethical challenges in their daily practice. Of the ethical issues, some were distinctively and frequently experienced by nurses in a specific unit.

Conclusion:

This study suggested that identifying and understanding specific ethical issues faced by nurses in their own areas may be an effective educational approach to motivate nurses and to facilitate nurses’ reflection on their experiences.
Revisiting the Convergence Hypothesis of Tourism Markets: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Solarin Sakiru Adebola
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this article is to examine the convergence hypothesis in South Africa’s tourism markets over the period January 2000–December 2011. To check the existence of convergence, the study follows existing papers by applying a unit root test on the difference series and a cointegration test on the original series of visitor arrivals. Premised on geographical dimension, we further investigate cluster-based convergence within African and overseas source markets in South Africa. The results provide evidence for long-run convergence in tourism markets. Furthermore, the findings of cluster-based convergence provide greater support for the convergence within African and overseas source markets, respectively. These findings imply that previous policies aimed at boosting total visitor arrivals in South Africa have been successful, and maintaining such (or similar) strategies may continue to enhance international visitor arrivals in the country.

JEL Classification: L83, O47, O55
Australia and the system of arbitration in Singapore
Authors: Leggett Chris , Stewart Gordon
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this article is to record and analyse the historical circumstances in which Singapore complemented its legacy of British-type collective bargaining with the compulsory arbitration system long practiced in Australia. It notes the role of Australians (particularly one Australian industrial relations scholar at the University of Malaya) in the inception and adoption of industrial arbitration in Singapore. It seeks to identify, analyse, explain and assess the extent of the subsequent divergence of Singapore’s regulatory industrial relations regime from that of Australia since the 1960s. In doing so, it contributes to Asia-Pacific labour history and adds to the literature on international and comparative labour relations with its focus on cross-national influences on national industrial relations regimes.
The impact of privatisation on union membership and density: A Western Australian case study
Authors: Oliver Bobbie
Published: January 2014

Falling membership numbers and declining union density are issues of concern for many Australian unions. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that between 2005 and 2008, trade union membership declined from 22.4% to 18.9% of the workforce. Studies and statistics consistently show that union membership and density are lowest in Western Australia, despite trend reversals elsewhere. Using the Western Australian branches of two ‘blue-collar’ unions – the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union, Western Australian Branch and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, covering a range of transport, metal working, printing and manufacturing trades – as examples, this article examines whether privatisation has contributed significantly to falling trade union density and membership in this state. These unions represented large public sector workforces. In order to test the hypothesis that privatisation has adversely affected union membership and density, the article examines three areas: changing policies in the Australian Labor Party, the breaking down of union culture and changes in trade training, and concludes that privatisation is a significant factor in the recent decline of these two unions.
Prediction of fracture characteristics of high strength and ultra high strength concrete beams based on relevance vector machine
Authors: Yuvaraj P , Murthy A Ramachandra , Iyer Nagesh R , Samui Pijush , Sekar SK
Published: January 2014

This paper examines the applicability of relevance vector machine-based regression to predict fracture characteristics and failure load ( Pmax) of high strength and ultra high strength concrete beams. Fracture characteristics include fracture energy ( GF), critical stress intensity factor ( KIC) and critical crack tip opening displacement. Characterization of mix and testing of beams of high strength and ultra high strength concrete have been described briefly. The procedure to compute GF , KIC and CTODC has been outlined. Relevance vector machine is a machine learning technique that uses Bayesian inference to obtain parsimonious solutions for regression and classification. The relevance vector machine has an identical functional form to the support vector machine, but provides probabilistic classification and regression. Relevance vector machine is based on a Bayesian formulation of a linear model with an appropriate prior that results in a sparse representation. Four relevance vector machine models have been developed using MATLAB software for training and prediction of Pmax, KIC, GF and CTODC. Relevance vector machine models have been trained with about 70% of the total 87 datasets and tested with about 30% of the total datasets. It is observed that the predicted values from the relevance vector machine models are in good agreement with those of the experimental values.
Three-dimensional finite element analysis of interfacial delamination in traveling wave ultrasonic motors
Authors: Shen Shengnan , Lee Heow P , Lim Siak P , Ong Chong J
Published: January 2014

Ultrasonic motors (USMs) are novel electric motors used for positioning controls. Due to the drive characteristic of USMs, wear and fatigue of friction material at the contact friction interface are inevitable. Contact deformation can cause local damage of USMs. Therefore, obtaining the details of the stress distribution due to the inelastic deformation is important. In this paper, a contact model of traveling wave ultrasonic motor (TWUSM) is proposed. A three-dimensional finite element model with cohesive zone elements embedded between friction layer and rotor is then developed. Infinite finite elements are included in this modeling as the boundary condition. The evolution of deformation in friction layer and rotor due to the mechanical surface loading is presented. The possible interfacial delamination process between friction material and rotor is also numerically investigated.
Economic Burden of Foot and Ankle Surgery in the US Medicare Population
Authors: Belatti Daniel A. , Phisitkul Phinit
Published: January 2014

Background:

Musculoskeletal diseases affecting the foot and ankle are common and can result in debilitating pain and chronic disability. The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic burden associated with operative interventions targeting these afflictions in the Medicare population.

Methods:

Procedure incidence was determined using data from Medicare Part B National Summary Data Files (for 2000-2011). Health care and productivity costs were estimated for each year using an incidence-based cost model, using demographic information from 10 633 patient encounters at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics over the period January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2010.

Results:

The estimated economic burden of foot and ankle surgery in the Medicare population was $11 billion in 2011, up 38.2% since 2000. Direct health care costs were responsible for only 11% of this total, while indirect productivity costs contributed the remainder. Procedures targeting the foot accounted for over two-thirds of total economic burden, or $7.6 billion. Treatments for fracture and dislocation contributed the most to overall economic burden (31.0% of total), followed by reconstructive procedures (30.7%) and amputations (13.3%).

Conclusion:

Even in an older population, considerable productivity losses are associated with foot and ankle surgery. An increasing share of the population older than 65 expects to be fit to work, making disability in older Americans more monetarily important. At the same time, trends in chronic disease mean that the incidence of foot and ankle problems is likely to increase in the Medicare population.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, economic analysis.
You Have to EARN Access: A Case Study of Arizona Tribes and Reporting about Indigenous Religion around the Pacific Rim
Authors: Kemper Kevin R.
Published: January 2014

Because some of the 22 American Indian tribes in Arizona define various spaces through clear laws and policies to control whether religion, culture and other private matters are accessed and reported, journalists have to ‘EARN’ access to any spaces if they want to avoid legal liability or other constraints. This applied research article outlines and explains updated legal requirements in Arizona and their practical applications for covering religion around the Pacific Rim. To ‘EARN’ access, journalists must ‘educate’ themselves about these spaces or boundaries, ‘appreciate’ why and how those spaces have been created, ‘reciprocate’ as much as possible with the tribes and ‘negotiate’ when their professional ethics conflict with tribal demands. This approach has universal application to coverage of any religion, as many people around the world expect privacy and respect for the most sacred in their lives. Journalists often are more effective with gaining access to the sacred when they build relationships before they demand rights.
Barriers and Solutions to the Coverage of Mental Health and Well-being Stories in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Authors: Stewart Heather , Griffiths Judith , Mulligan Pauline
Published: January 2014

Suicide is having a devastating impact on remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities in Australia. In 2002, the Hunter Institute of Mental Health first distributed a set of resources on the reporting of mental illness and suicide to Australian journalists. Funded under the Mindframe National Media Initiative, this study investigates why Australian journalists decide to report or avoid the coverage of issues related to the social and emotional well-being of ATSI Australians and what barriers journalists face, particularly those of ATSI descent, in generating coverage of these sensitive issues. Participants raised serious concerns about the social and cultural responsibilities of covering issues related to mental health, mental illness and suicide in an informed way. They further highlighted the need for specific training of journalists and the need to create new resources to help journalists generate informed coverage of ATSI mental health issues. This study examines the possibility for ATSI and mainstream media to contribute to improved mental health among its target audience. In order to do so, the study examines: how mental health is promoted currently; whether barriers to positive coverage might exist; and if so, to suggest ways that such barriers might be overcome.
A Skewed Balance: Religion Reporting in Kerala’s Media
Authors: Koshy Swapna
Published: January 2014

This article considers the enigma that characterizes Kerala—a sliver of land at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. The state takes credit for high social development in spite of its low per capita income. Kerala is also famed for religious tolerance. Many Indian newspapers, including those from Kerala, came into existence with a political, social or religious agenda. Most media houses today, however, seem to ignore their commitment to society and ethical and accurate journalism in their effort to generate a robust bottom line. News, including news on religion, has lost flavour and is homogenized to suit every palate. Good news situations are celebrated but conflicts do not receive critical coverage. The consequence of this reticence has been a dearth of responsible journalism that short-changes media consumers.
Clash of Civilization or Clash of Newspaper Ideologies? An Analysis of the Ideological Split in British Newspaper Commentaries on the 2002 Miss World Riots in Nigeria
Authors: Kperogi Farooq A.
Published: January 2014

Riots that erupted in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna over a newspaper article that some Muslims interpreted as blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad on account of Nigeria’s decision to host the 2002 edition of the Miss World beauty pageant captured the attention of the world’s media. This article investigates how the British press framed the riots in their opinion columns and editorials. Through an interpretive textual analysis of the opinion pages, the study shows that while the ideological persuasions of left-leaning British press predisposed them to express opinions on the Miss World riots that resonated with what might loosely be characterized as the ‘Islamic perspective’, those of the conservative British press shared ideological similarities with the standpoints of the ‘liberal’, predominantly Christian, southern Nigerian newspapers. This highlights the limited utility of such facile labels as ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ in describing the ideological temperaments of the press. It also problematizes notions of media imperialism and exposes the theoretical and empirical inadequacy of gazing at local religious conflicts from the perspectives of international religious contexts.
The Dynamics of Relationship between Media and Think Tanks in Bangladesh
Authors: Rashid Ahmed Khaled
Published: January 2014

Media and think tanks have strong incentives to engage with each other. While think tanks require media to propagate their research findings to policymakers and the attentive public, media need think tanks’ expertise to explain issues and analyze current affairs. This study examines various dimensions of the engagements between media and think tanks in Bangladesh. Primary data is collected via structured questionnaire with 57 journalists and key informant interviews with eight senior media professionals. The findings show that extensive interactions between journalists and think tanks do not necessarily result in quality coverage of think tanks’ policy-oriented research and advocacy initiatives. Lack of capacity of journalists to understand and report on development and policy issues, political inclinations of both think tanks and media and weak media relations expertise of think tanks pose obstacles to the effective engagement.
Socio-ecological correlates of mental health among ethnic minorities in areas of political conflict: A study of Druze adolescents in Israel
Authors: Scrimin Sara , Moscardino Ughetta , Natour Miras
Published: January 2014

Children and youths living in areas of political conflict are at increased risk of mental health problems, but little is known about psychosocial adjustment among ethnic minorities living in war-afflicted settings. This cross-sectional study used an ecological approach to investigate the unique contributions of child, family/social, and minority related factors as well as traumatic exposure and perceived discrimination to the mental health of 167 Druze adolescents in Northern Israel. Outcome measures included participants’ self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, psychological distress, and emotional and behavioral problems. Adolescents reported high indirect exposure, moderate discrimination, strong ethnic identity and high religious involvement. Regression analyses showed that female gender, number of traumatic events, and perceived discrimination were associated with more severe mental health outcomes. In addition, low social support and high religious involvement predicted increased PTSD symptom severity, while stronger ethnic identity was associated with less emotional and behavioral problems. Findings are discussed in terms of the cultural characteristics of the Druze community and highlight the need to consider additional stressors, such as discrimination, when working with ethnic minority youth in conflict zones.
Nanoparticle effect over the boundary layer flow over an exponentially stretching cylinder
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Nadeem S , Iqbal S , Malik Muhammad Y , Naseer M
Published: January 2014

This study provides an analysis of the nanoparticle effects over the steady boundary layer flow and heat transfer of viscous fluid flowing over a vertical cylinder that is stretched along its axial direction. The system of nonlinear partial differential equations associated with the problem along with the appropriate boundary conditions is nondimensionalized by means of the boundary layer estimates and invoking a suitable similarity transformation. The resulting nonlinear coupled system of ordinary differential equations subject to the appropriate boundary conditions is solved through the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg numerical scheme. A comparison of the obtained numerical results is also presented with the help of homotopy analysis method. At the end, effects of the allied physical features for the flow, heat transfer and nanoparticle concentration profiles are also discussed.
Using Transformative Experiences to Prepare Instructional Leaders Through Doctoral Education
Authors: Ginsberg Margery B. , Knapp Michael S. , Farrington Camille A.
Published: January 2014

This article examines two questions: (a) In what ways can doctoral-level learning experiences help executive-level P-12 leaders to develop instructional leadership expertise and commitment to high levels of learning among diverse student groups? (b) How can educators be supported in this learning within the context of an Education Doctorate (EdD)? To explore these questions, we first draw on the literature concerning adult professional learning, instructional leadership, and the doctoral education of educators aiming for administrative roles and practice, to create a framework for examining university-based efforts to guide aspiring leaders’ learning in these realms. Then, focusing on the “instructional leadership” strand of an EdD program in which we are instructors, we examine how an appropriate learning environment can be constructed, and then illustrate the nature and evidence of learning with mini-cases of three different kinds of students who participated in the program.
SET-NUP214 is a recurrent γδ lineage-specific fusion transcript associated with corticosteroid/chemotherapy resistance in adult T-ALL
Authors: Ben Abdelali Raouf , Roggy Anne , Leguay Thibaut , Cieslak Agata , Renneville Aline , Touzart Aurore , Banos Anne , Randriamalala Edouard , Caillot Denis , Lioure Bruno , Devidas Alain , Mossafa Hossein , Preudhomme Claude , Ifrah Norbert , Dombret Hervé , Macintyre Elizabeth , Asnafi Vahid
Published: January 2014

Key Points

SET-NUP214 is a recurrent (6%) γδ lineage-specific fusion transcript in adult T-ALL. SET-NUP214 is strongly associated with corticosteroid and chemotherapy resistance but does not negatively influence clinical outcome.
The Rbf1, Hfl1 and Dbp4 of Candida albicans regulate common as well as transcription factor-specific mitochondrial and other cell activities
Authors: Khamooshi Kasra , Sikorski Patricia , Sun Nuo , Calderone Richard , Li Dongmei
Published: January 2014

Background

Our interest in Candida albicans mitochondria began with the identification of GOA1. We demonstrated its role in cell energy production, cross-talk among mitochondria and peroxisomes, non-glucose energy metabolism, maintenance of stationary phase growth, and prevention of premature apoptosis. Its absence results in avirulence. However, what regulated transcription of GOA1 was unknown.

Results

To identify transcriptional regulators (TRs) of GOA1, we screened a C. albicans TF knockout library (TRKO) and identified Rbf1p, Hfl1p, and Dpb4p as positive TRs of GOA1. The phenotypes of each mutant (reduced respiration, inability to grow on glycerol, reduced ETC CI and CIV activities) are reasonable evidence for their required roles especially in mitochondrial functions. While the integration of mitochondria with cell metabolic activities is presumed to occur, there is minimal information on this subject at the genome level. Therefore, microarray analysis was used to provide this information for each TR mutant. Transcriptional profiles of Rbf1p and Hfl1p are more similar than that of Dpn4p. Our data demonstrate common and also gene-specific regulatory functions for each TR. We establish their roles in carbon metabolism, stress adaptation, cell wall synthesis, transporter efflux, peroxisomal metabolism, phospholipid synthesis, rRNA processing, and nuclear/mtDNA replication.

Conclusions

The TRs regulate a number of common genes but each also regulates specific gene transcription. These data for the first time create a genome roadmap that can be used to integrate mitochondria with other cell processes. Of interest, the TRs are fungal-specific, warranting consideration as antifungal drug targets.
External validation of the CURSI criteria (confusion, urea, respiratory rate and shock index) in adults hospitalised for community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Nüllmann Harald , Pflug Marc Andre , Wesemann Thomas , Heppner Hans-Jürgen , Pientka Ludger , Thiem Ulrich
Published: January 2014

Background

For patients hospitalised due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), mortality risk is usually estimated with prognostic scores such as CRB-65 or CURB-65. For elderly patients, a new score referred to as CURSI has been proposed which uses shock index (SI) instead of the blood pressure (B) and age (65) criteria. The new score has not been externally validated to date.

Methods

We used data from a hospital-based CAP registry to compare the ability of CURSI, CURB-65 and CRB-65 to predict mortality at day 30 after hospital admission. Patients were stratified by score points as well as score-point-based risk categories, and mortality for each group was assessed. To compare test performance, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed, and the areas under the curve (AUROC) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

We analysed 553 inpatients (45% females, median age 78 years) hospitalised between 2005 and 2009 for CAP. Overall, mortality at day 30 was 11% (59/553). The study sample was characterised by advanced comorbidity (chronic heart failure: 22%, chronic kidney failure: 27%) and functional impairment (nursing home residency: 26%, dementia: 31%). All risk scores were significantly associated with 30-day mortality. The AUROC values with 95% CI using score points for risk prediction were as follows: 0.63 [0.56-0.71] for CRB-65, 0.68 [0.61-0.75] for CURB-65 and 0.68 [0.61-0.75] for CURSI. The CURSI-defined low-risk group (0 or 1 score point) had a higher mortality (8%) than the low-risk groups defined by CURB-65 and CRB-65 (4% and 3%, respectively). Lowering the cut-off for the CURSI-defined low-risk group (0 point only) would lower the mortality to 4%, making it comparable to the CURB-65-defined low-risk group.

Conclusions

In our study, the CURSI-defined low-risk group had a higher 30-day mortality than the low-risk groups defined by CURB-65 and CRB-65. Lowering the cut-off value for the CURSI low-risk group would result in a mortality comparable to the CURB-65-defined low risk group. Even then, however, CURSI does not perform better than the established risk scores.
The epidemiological impact of childhood influenza vaccination using live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Germany: predictions of a simulation study
Authors: Rose Markus A , Damm Oliver , Greiner Wolfgang , Knuf Markus , Wutzler Peter , Liese Johannes G , Krüger Hagen , Wahn Ulrich , Schaberg Tom , Schwehm Markus , Kochmann Thomas F , Eichner Martin
Published: January 2014

Background

Routine annual influenza vaccination is primarily recommended for all persons aged 60 and above and for people with underlying chronic conditions in Germany. Other countries have already adopted additional childhood influenza immunisation programmes. The objective of this study is to determine the potential epidemiological impact of implementing paediatric influenza vaccination using intranasally administered live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Germany.

Methods

A deterministic age-structured model is used to simulate the population-level impact of different vaccination strategies on the transmission dynamics of seasonal influenza in Germany. In our base-case analysis, we estimate the effects of adding a LAIV-based immunisation programme targeting children 2 to 17 years of age to the existing influenza vaccination policy. The data used in the model is based on published evidence complemented by expert opinion.

Results

In our model, additional vaccination of children 2 to 17 years of age with LAIV leads to the prevention of 23.9 million influenza infections and nearly 16 million symptomatic influenza cases within 10 years. This reduction in burden of disease is not restricted to children. About one third of all adult cases can indirectly be prevented by LAIV immunisation of children.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that vaccinating children 2–17 years of age is likely associated with a significant reduction in the burden of paediatric influenza. Furthermore, annual routine childhood vaccination against seasonal influenza is expected to decrease the incidence of influenza among adults and older people due to indirect effects of herd protection. In summary, our model provides data supporting the introduction of a paediatric influenza immunisation programme in Germany.
PMA synergistically enhances apicularen A-induced cytotoxicity by disrupting microtubule networks in HeLa cells
Authors: Seo Kang-Sik , Kim Jong-Seok , Park Ji-Hoon , Song Kyoung-Sub , Yun Eun-Jin , Park Jong-Il , Kweon Gi Ryang , Yoon Wan-Hee , Lim Kyu , Hwang Byung-Doo
Published: January 2014

Background

Combination therapy is key to improving cancer treatment efficacy. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a well-known PKC activator, increases the cytotoxicity of several anticancer drugs. Apicularen A induces cytotoxicity in tumor cells through disrupting microtubule networks by tubulin down-regulation. In this study, we examined whether PMA increases apicularen A-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells.

Methods

Cell viability was examined by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium (MTT) assays. To investigate apoptotic potential of apicularen A, DNA fragmentation assays were performed followed by extracting genomic DNA, and caspase-3 activity assays were performed by fluorescence assays using fluorogenic substrate. The cell cycle distribution induced by combination with PMA and apicularen A was examined by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide (PI). The expression levels of target proteins were measured by Western blotting analysis using specific antibodies, and α-tubulin mRNA levels were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To examine the effect of combination of PMA and apicularen A on the microtubule architecture, α-tubulin protein and nuclei were visualized by immunofluorescence staining using an anti-α-tubulin antibody and PI, respectively.

Results

We found that apicularen A induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells. PMA synergistically increased cytotoxicity and apoptotic sub-G1 population induced by apicularen A. These effects were completely blocked by the PKC inhibitors Ro31-8220 and Go6983, while caspase inhibition by Z-VAD-fmk did not prevent cytotoxicity. RNA interference using siRNA against PKCα, but not PKCβ and PKCγ, inhibited cytotoxicity induced by combination PMA and apicularen A. PMA increased the apicularen A-induced disruption of microtubule networks by further decreasing α- and β-tubulin protein levels in a PKC-dependent manner.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the synergy between PMA and apicularen A is involved by PKCα activation and microtubule disruption, and that may inform the development of novel approaches to treat cancer.
Adiponectin, chemerin, cytokines, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 are released from human adipose tissue in a depot-dependent manner: an in vitro system including human serum albumin
Authors: Svensson Henrik , Odén Birgitta , Edén Staffan , Lönn Malin
Published: January 2014

Background

Adipose tissue (AT) contributes to metabolic dysfunction through imbalanced production of adipokines, including cytokines. Visceral AT in particular is associated with metabolic disorders, indicating a specific secretory status. The relative significance of different human AT depots in adipokine release is not fully known. Further, previous in vitro systems usually included medium containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), which may induce cytokine release. Our aim was to compare release of a number of adipokines/cytokines – all implicated in insulin resistance – from human subcutaneous and visceral AT in a short-term incubation system minimizing cytokine induction and including repeated measurements during 24 h. A prerequisite was to evaluate a potential alternative to BSA in the incubation medium.

Methods

Subcutaneous and/or visceral AT from 17 patients (age 20–68 years; BMI 22.6–56.7 kg/m2) undergoing elective surgery was incubated for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h in medium with or without 1% BSA or human serum albumin (HSA). Medium concentrations of adiponectin, chemerin, nine cytokines, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), and omentin were analyzed by multiplex immunoassay or ELISA. Adipocyte size, AT macrophage density, and medium concentrations of endotoxin were determined.

Results

Cytokine release was induced by BSA but not by HSA. In evaluation of the final incubation protocol including 1% HSA, and as expected, adiponectin release was higher from subcutaneous biopsies of nonobese than of obese subjects and inversely associated with adipocyte size; omentin was released almost exclusively from visceral AT. Exploratory incubations revealed more abundant release of chemerin, cytokines (except IL-6), and DPP4 from the visceral depot, while adiponectin release was higher from subcutaneous than visceral AT. Release was linear for a maximum of 2–6 h. Macrophage density was higher in visceral than subcutaneous AT. Levels of endotoxin in the medium were negligible.

Conclusions

Adiponectin, chemerin, many cytokines, and DPP4 are released from human AT in a depot-dependent manner. These results highlight functional differences between visceral and subcutaneous AT, and a mechanistic link between regional fat accumulation and metabolic disorders. Supplementation of human AT incubation medium with HSA rather than BSA is recommended to minimize induction of cytokine release.