bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperate or compete? Influence of sex and body size on sheltering behaviour in the wall lizard, Podarcis muralis
Authors: Aubret Fabien , Tort Mélodie , Michniewicz Radika J. , Blanvillain Gaëlle , Coulon Aurélie
Published: October 2014

Reptile sheltering behaviour, despite profound life history ramifications, remains poorly investigated. Whether or not individuals share a suitable shelter or, conversely, exclude conspecifics may depend on associated costs (resource partitioning, sexual harassment, disease or parasite contamination) and benefits (predation risk dilution, thermal resilience, information sharing). We performed two experiments on field caught wall lizards (Podarcis muralis), a highly territorial species, to investigate the relative roles of sex and body size in night sheltering. In the first experiment, random pairs of lizards were offered two identical shelters. Lizards either shared a shelter, or sheltered separately. In the second experiment, different random pairs of lizards were offered only one shelter so as to elicit a share or compete response. Body size and sex both appeared as significant drivers for sheltering patterns. Unexpectedly, wall lizards often chose to share shelters. When only one shelter (too small to accommodate two adult lizards) was available, many lizards rejected the sheltering option in preference for aggregation. Such aggregative behaviour was not sex dependant, and may reflect thermoregulatory or anti-predatory benefits. Our results nevertheless suggest that cooperative behaviour may exist in wall lizards.
The Remuneration of a Court Companion in Theory and Practice: A Case Study
Authors: Osti Letizia
Published: October 2014

This study follows the financial adventures of Abū Bakr al-Ṣūlī (d. 335/947) as he served at the court of three Abbasid caliphs in various capacities over thirty-eight years. In hisKitāb al-Awrāq, chronicles covering this period, al-Ṣūlī frequently refers to payments he himself or his colleagues had received as regular salaries, occasional presents, or inheritances, and he describes in some detail the physical appearance of material gifts and the circumstances in which they were given. Al-Ṣūlī wrote the last part of his chronicles at the end of his life, residing in Basra, living in reduced circumstances after he had left the court. Especially in the part of the book which records the reign of al-Rāḍī (r. 322/934-329/940), al-Ṣūlī recollects his prosperity as court companion at the time and contrasts it with his present worries. Based on the information provided by al-Ṣūlī, different components of a courtier’s income and the sources they are extracted from are identified and discussed in the broader context of the financial dynamics at the Abbasid court, disclosing a complicated network of affiliations, loyalties and patronage defied by an ever increasing financial crisis for the central power in Baghdad.
Camarosporium sensu stricto in Pleosporinae, Pleosporales with two new species
Authors: WIJAYAWARDENE NALIN N. , BHAT D. JAYARAMA , HYDE KEVIN D. , CAMPORESI E. , CHETHANA K. W.T. , TANGTHIRASUNUN NARUMON , WANG Y.
Published: October 2014

Three coelomycete species with muriform conidia were collected in Italy and subjected to morpho-molecular analyses. In morphology, all species are similar to Camarosporium sensu stricto. Based on morphology, one was identified as C. spartii and the other two taxa are introduced as new species, viz. C. clematidis and C. robiniicola. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of the combined LSU, SSU and ITS dataset show that the three taxa cluster with C. quaternatum, the type species of Camarosporium, with high bootstrap and PP values. All four species can be considered as Camarosporium sensu stricto. Cucurbitaria elongata groups in the Camarosporium clade near to Camarosporium robiniicola and is considered that it is not congeneric with Cucurbitaria sensu stricto (Cucurbitariaceae).
A new species of Bothriochloa (Poaceae, Andropogoneae) endemic to montane grasslands of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Dalmolim Emilaine Biava , Zannin Ana
Published: October 2014

Bothriochloa catharinensis, a new species of Andropogoneae (Poaceae: Panicoideae, Andropogoneae) endemic to montane grasslands associated with araucaria forest in the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Morphological similarities between the new taxon and other species of Bothriochloa are discussed. Comments on habitat, morphology, distribution and conservation status are provided.
Two new species of Paraphilopterus Mey, 2004 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from New Guinean bowerbirds (Passeriformes: Ptilonorhynchidae) and satinbirds (Passeriformes: Cnemophilidae)
Authors: GUSTAFSSON DANIEL R. , BUSH SARAH E.
Published: October 2014

Two new species of Paraphilopterus Mey, 2004 are described and named. Paraphilopterus knutieae n. sp. is described from two subspecies of Macgregor's bowerbirds: Amblyornis macgregoriae nubicola Schodde & McKean, 1973 and A. m. kombok Schodde & McKean, 1973, and Sanford's bowerbird: Archboldia sanfordi (Mayr & Gilliard, 1950) (Ptilonorhynchidae). Paraphilopterus meyi n. sp. is described from two subspecies of crested satinbirds: Cnemophilus macgregorii macgregorii De Vis, 1890 and C. m. sanguineus Iredale, 1948 (Cnemophilidae). These new louse species represent the first records of the genus Paraphilopterus outside Australia, as well as from host families other than the Corcoracidae. The description of Paraphilopterus is revised and expanded based on the additional new species, including the first description of the male of this genus. Also, we provide a key to the species of Paraphilopterus.
Two new species and new records of Syndicus Motschulsky (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae) from SE Asia and Australia
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: October 2014

Two new species of the cyrtoscydmine ant-like stone beetle genus Syndicus are described: S. (s. str.) birmanicus sp. n. (from Myanmar) and S. (Semisyndicus) chiangmaianus sp. n. (from Thailand). A previously unknown male of S. (s. str.) puncticollis Jałoszyński is described, and for the first time the spermatheca of S. (Semisyndicus) sumatrensis Schaufuss is illustrated. Syndicus puncticollis, S. (s. str.) difficilis Jałoszyński, and S. (s. str.) saketianus Jałoszyński, all previously known only from Thailand, are recorded for the first time from Myanmar. Additionally new records are given for S. (s. str.) lamdongianus Jałoszyński (from Laos), S. (s. str.) kingii (King) (from Australia), S. (s. str.) malandae Franz (from Australia), and S. (Semisyndicus) leai ranongianus Jałoszyński (from Thailand).
Notocrater christofferseni n. sp. (Vetigastropoda: Pseudococculinidae): first record of the genus in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: LIMA SILVIO FELIPE BARBOSA
Published: October 2014

This paper reports the genus Notocrater Finlay, 1926 from the South Atlantic Ocean based on the description of a new species, Notocrater christofferseni n. sp. from deep waters off northeastern Brazil. Notocrater christofferseni n. sp. is compared with N. houbricki McLean & Harasewych, 1995 and N. youngi McLean & Harasewych, 1995. The new species differs from these congeners mainly by the anterior region, which comprises about 95% of shell length and has double pustule rows (about 50) arranged concentrically from the anterior margin to the center of the shell. The present study extends knowledge of the latitudinal and bathymetric distribution of Notocrater from the Bahamas (26°N; 518 m) to the Southeastern Atlantic (northeastern Brazil: 10°S; 720 m).
Two new species of Aphidini Latreille, 1802 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Turkey
Authors: BARJADZE SHALVA , ÖZDEMIR IŞIL , BLACKMAN ROGER
Published: October 2014

Apterous and alate viviparous females of Protaphis kvavadzei sp. n. on Eryngium campestre (Apiaceae) and Aphis matricariae sp. n. on Matricaria sp. (Asteraceae) from Turkey are described. The new species are differentiated from other aphids colonising these host plants and from species with similar morphology.
Numerical Evidence of Turbulence Generated by Nonbreaking Surface Waves
Authors: Tsai Wu-ting , Chen Shi-ming , Lu Guan-hung
Published: October 2014

Numerical simulation of monochromatic surface waves propagating over a turbulent field is conducted to reveal the mechanism of turbulence production by nonbreaking waves. The numerical model solves the primitive equations subject to the fully nonlinear boundary conditions on the exact water surface. The result predicts growth rates of turbulent kinetic energy consistent with previous measurements and modeling. It also validates the observed horizontal anisotropy of the near-surface turbulence that the spanwise turbulent intensity exceeds the streamwise component. Such a flow structure is found to be attributed to the formation of streamwise vortices near the water surface, which also induces elongated surface streaks. The averaged spacing between the streaks and the depth of the vortical cells approximates that of Langmuir turbulence. The strength of the vortices arising from the wave–turbulence interaction, however, is one order of magnitude less than that of Langmuir cells, which arises from the interaction between the surface waves and the turbulent shear flow. In contrast to Langmuir turbulence, production from the Stokes shear does not dominate the energetics budget in wave-induced turbulence. The dominant production is the advection of turbulence by the velocity straining of waves.
Feeding unrest
Authors: Smith Todd Graham
Published: October 2014

While both academics and politicians have long acknowledged the connection between food price shocks and so-called ‘food riots’, this article asks whether rising domestic consumer food prices are a contributing cause of sociopolitical unrest, more broadly defined, in urban areas of Africa. In order to unravel the complex and circular relationship between rising food prices and unrest, an instrumental approach with country fixed effects is used to isolate causality at the country-month unit of analysis for the period 1990 through 2012. Two instrumental variables, changes in international grain commodity prices and local rainfall scarcity, are evaluated and used individually and jointly as instruments for changes in domestic food prices. The main finding is that a sudden increase in domestic food prices in a given month significantly increases the probability of urban unrest, especially spontaneous events and riots, in that month. Undeniably, more fundamental economic and political grievances are also drivers of such events and are likely to determine how the unrest ultimately manifests, even when triggered by rising food prices. Although more research is necessary to determine why people choose particular protest methods and targets, the findings of this research provide evidence that sociopolitical unrest of different types is driven, or at least triggered, by a consumer response to economic pressure from increasing food prices regardless of the cause of the increase.
Searching for non-aggressive targets
Authors: Jung Sung Chul
Published: October 2014

Faced with the possibility of losing their position due to domestic opposition, political leaders may sometimes consider initiating a foreign conflict as a means to redirect attention away from domestic issues. In such instances, which states are most likely to become diversionary targets? This study assumes that unpopular leaders prefer small-scale conflicts that can create rally-round-the-flag effects without triggering substantial domestic opposition to the use of military force abroad. Based on this assumption, hypotheses are developed which predict that states under constraint (i.e. states with democratic institutions or showing high trade openness) tend to attract diversionary-motivated actions, while states likely to reciprocate harshly (i.e. states experiencing their own domestic troubles or in relative decline) are less likely to become diversionary targets. Logit analyses of directed dyad-years from 1960 to 2001 and illustrations of marginal effects provide strong support for three of the four hypotheses – namely, that democracies and trading states are more likely, and that declining powers are less likely to be targets of diversionary actions. This study’s findings show that not all potential targets are equally attractive for diversionary actions, and that a state’s democratization, economic openness, and power growth can worsen, rather than improve, its security.
Magnetic resonance imaging-directed transperineal limited-mapping prostatic biopsies to diagnose prostate cancer: a Scottish experience
Authors: Mukherjee Ankur , Morton Simon , Fraser Sioban , Salmond Jonathan , Baxter Grant , Leung Hing Y
Published: October 2014

Background

Transperineal prostatic biopsy is firmly established as an important tool in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The benefit of additional imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) to target biopsy remains to be fully addressed.

Methods

Using a cohort of consecutive patients undergoing transperineal template mapping biopsies, we studied positive biopsies in the context of magnetic resonance imaging findings and examined the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting the location of transperineal template mapping biopsies-detected prostate cancer.

Results

Forty-four patients (mean age: 65 years, range 53–78) underwent transperineal template mapping biopsies. Thirty-four patients had 1–2 and 10 patients had ≥3 previous transrectal ultrasound scan-guided biopsies. The mean prostate-specific antigen was 15 ng/mL (range 2.5–79 ng/mL). High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was found in 12 (27%) patients and prostate cancer with Gleason <7, 7 and >7 in 13, 10 and 8 patients, respectively. Suspicious lesions on magnetic resonance imaging scans were scored from 1 to 5. In 28 patients, magnetic resonance imaging detected lesions with score ≥3. Magnetic resonance imaging correctly localised transperineal template mapping biopsies-detected prostate cancer in a hemi-gland approach, particularly in a right to left manner (79% positive prediction rate), but not in a quadrant approach (33% positive prediction rate).

Conclusion

Our findings support the notion of magnetic resonance imaging-based selection of patients for transperineal template mapping biopsies and that lesions revealed by magnetic resonance imaging are likely useful for targeted biopsies.
Typhoid and dengue coinfection: Case reports
Authors: Bansal Rohit , Bansal Priya , Tomar Laxmikant Ramkumarsingh
Published: October 2014

Both dengue and typhoid fever have emerged as major public health problems in India. Coinfection with both these diseases is rarely reported. Here we report two confirmed cases of concurrent illness of dengue with typhoid fever; both patients were managed as outpatients and recovered completely.
Agonistic Moderation
Authors: Stanisevski Dragan
Published: October 2014

The article argues that despite frequent debates about the excesses of government, public administration lacks a systematic theoretical examination of the concept of moderation. To that end, the article first questions the ancient Hellenic wisdom of moderation, which necessitates observance of the limits of the self. In concluding that the classic approach is restrictively conservative, the article builds on Nietzsche to propose an alternative approach, agonistic moderation. Agonistic moderation offers a possibility for challenging the situational boundaries of the self in a healthy contest in a community that serves as both the soil and the weight on the individual ambition.
Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Cholestasis in Premature Infants
Authors: Gupta Kunal , Wang Hongyue , Amin Sanjiv B.
Published: October 2014

Purpose: To evaluate whether intravenous lipid (IL) intake is associated with the development of parenteral nutrition–associated cholestasis (PNAC) in infants younger than 32 weeks gestational age (GA). Methods: A retrospective matched case‐control study (1:1) was performed including infants younger than 32 weeks GA admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit within 48 hours after birth. Infants with a chromosomal disorder, TORCH infection (toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, human immunodeficiency virus, and parvovirus), metabolic disorder, and/or surgical abnormality of the hepatobiliary system were excluded. Infants with PNAC (direct bilirubin 2 mg/dL or higher) comprised the case group, while infants without PNAC comprised the control group. Duration of parenteral nutrition, intravenous fluid intake on the day of development of PNAC, and GA were used as matching criteria. Results: A total of 46 subjects were studied. Daily average intravenous dextrose (ID) intake was significantly higher in infants with PNAC compared with infants without PNAC (12.72 ± 2.5 g/kg/d and 10.64 ± 2.1 g/kg/d, respectively, P = .004). On comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve for ID intake (0.74) was significantly higher (P = .01) compared with the area under the curve for IL intake (0.59) and intravenous protein (IP) intake (0.52). On logistic regression, daily ID intake was associated with PNAC (odds ratio 1.7; 95% CI, 1.04–2.9, P = .03) after controlling for daily IP and IL intake. Conclusions: ID intake may be associated with the development of PNAC in premature infants. Our findings suggest that limiting ID intake may be more useful than limiting IL intake in reducing the incidence of PNAC in premature infants.
Association Between Serum 25(OH)D Level and Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Pain in Acute Rehabilitation Unit Patients
Authors: Matossian‐Motley Debbie L. , Drake Diane A. , Samimi John S. , Camargo Carlos A. , Quraishi Sadeq A.
Published: October 2014

Objective: Nonspecific musculoskeletal pain can be difficult to manage in acute rehabilitation unit (ARU) patients. We investigated whether vitamin D status is a potential modifiable risk factor for nonspecific musculoskeletal pain in ARU patients. Materials and Methods: This cross‐sectional study focused on 414 adults from an inpatient ARU in Mission Viejo, California, between July 2011 and June 2012. On ARU admission, all patients had serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels measured and were assessed for nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. We performed multivariable logistic regression to test the association of serum 25(OH)D level with nonspecific musculoskeletal pain while adjusting for clinically relevant covariates. Results: Among these 414 patients, mean (SD) 25(OH)D level was 29 (12) ng/mL, and 30% had nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. After adjustment for age, sex, race, body mass index, Functional Independence Measure score, Deyo‐Charlson Comorbidity Index, fractures, steroid use, history of osteoporosis/osteomalacia, and patient type (orthopedic, cardiac, neurological, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury), serum 25(OH)D level was inversely associated with nonspecific musculoskeletal pain (odds ratio [OR] per 10 ng/mL, 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48–0.82). When 25(OH)D level was dichotomized, patients with levels <20 ng/mL had higher odds of nonspecific musculoskeletal pain (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.23–4.17) compared with patients with levels ≥20 ng/mL. Conclusions: In adult patients, serum 25(OH)D level on admission to ARU was inversely associated with nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. These data support the need for randomized, controlled trials to test the role of vitamin D supplementation to improve nonspecific musculoskeletal pain in ARU patients.
Ultrasound Image Edge Detection Based on a Novel Multiplicative Gradient and Canny Operator
Authors: Zheng Yinfei , Zhou Yali , Zhou Hao , Gong Xiaohong
Published: October 2014

To achieve the fast and accurate segmentation of ultrasound image, a novel edge detection method for speckle noised ultrasound images was proposed, which was based on the traditional Canny and a novel multiplicative gradient operator. The proposed technique combines a new multiplicative gradient operator of non-Newtonian type with the traditional Canny operator to generate the initial edge map, which is subsequently optimized by the following edge tracing step. To verify the proposed method, we compared it with several other edge detection methods that had good robustness to noise, with experiments on the simulated and in vivo medical ultrasound image. Experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm has higher speed for real-time processing, and the edge detection accuracy could be 75% or more. Thus, the proposed method is very suitable for fast and accurate edge detection of medical ultrasound images.
Zero-Inflated Poisson Modeling of Fall Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Jung Dukyoo , Kang Younhee , Kim Mi Young , Ma Rye-Won , Bhandari Pratibha
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for falls among community-dwelling older adults. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data from 658 community-dwelling older adults and were analyzed using logistic and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression. Perceived health status was a significant factor in the count model, and fall efficacy emerged as a significant predictor in the logistic models. The findings suggest that fall efficacy is important for predicting not only faller and nonfaller status but also fall counts in older adults who may or may not have experienced a previous fall. The fall predictors identified in this study—perceived health status and fall efficacy—indicate the need for fall-prevention programs tailored to address both the physical and psychological issues unique to older adults.
The effects of chronic stress on hippocampal adult neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity are reversed by selective MAO-A inhibition
Authors: Morais Mónica , Santos Paulo AR , Mateus-Pinheiro António , Patrício Patrícia , Pinto Luísa , Sousa Nuno , Pedroso Pedro , Almeida Susana , Filipe Augusto , Bessa João M
Published: October 2014

There is accumulating evidence that adult neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity in the hippocampus are neuroplastic phenomena, highly sensitive to the effects of chronic stress and treatment with most classes of antidepressant drugs, being involved in the onset and recovery from depression. However, the effects of antidepressants that act through the selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase subtype A (MAO-A) in these phenomena are still largely unknown. In the present study, adult neurogenesis and neuronal morphology were examined in the hippocampus of rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) and treated with the selective reversible MAO-A inhibitor (RIMA) drug, pirlindole and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine. The results provide the first demonstration that selective MAO-A inhibition with pirlindole is able to revert the behavioural effects of stress exposure while promoting hippocampal adult neurogenesis and rescuing the stress-induced dendritic atrophy of granule neurons.
Glacial and glacially conditioned lake types in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru
Authors: Iturrizaga Lasafam
Published: October 2014

The article presents a conceptual approach for the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of principal lake types in the context of the glaciation history in the Cordillera Blanca. The tropical mountain range hosts one of the main concentrations of proglacial lakes in high-mountain settings worldwide, which have formed as a result of the dominant trend of modern glacier retreat. In the 20th century, glacial lake outbursts have severely affected large settlement areas in the Rio Santa Basin. Additionally to the striking newly emerged lakes, geomorphological evidence of paleolakes is found throughout the middle and lower valley sections. Based on empirical data from field research in over 20 valleys and the analysis of air and satellite images, the study provides a genetic classification of major lake types and a generalized model for the distribution of the present lakes and paleolakes. The origin of the lakes and their recurrent distribution pattern are associated with the individual stages of the Pleistocene to modern glaciation and their corresponding geomorphological landforms. Apart from the individual lake, the focus is put on the spatial arrangement of the lakes to each other based on a holistic landscape assessment. Implications are drawn for the hazard potential, in particular in terms of outburst cascades involving two or more lakes. On a supraregional scale, a clustering of certain lake types occurs in different mountain ranges of the Andes according to their specific topographical and glaciological settings. Even though the glaciated areas have all been subject to major ice losses, only some mountain regions are prone to form moraine-dammed lakes such as in the Cordillera Blanca. The key controlling factors for their formation are highlighted from a glacial-geomorphological point of view. The distribution of principal types of glacial lakes is outlined in a N–S profile along the Andes.
A legacy of absence
Authors: Wohl Ellen
Published: October 2014

The historical removal of accumulations of wood on medium to large rivers in the continental United States caused a fundamental change in river corridors that has received relatively little attention in the scientific literature. Although scientific literature discusses the natural wood rafts present on the Red and the Atchafalaya Rivers in the southeastern United States, there is little awareness that similar extensive masses of wood are documented in the historical record from forested river catchments as diverse and widespread as those in the northeast, southeast, Texas Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest, and upper Great Lakes regions of the country. While present, these natural wood rafts decreased channel conveyance, increased channel-floodplain connectivity, and facilitated anastomosing channels and floodplain lakes. Removal of natural wood rafts began in the 17th century in the eastern United States and proceeded westward with the movement of European settlers, accelerating during the 19th-century era of steamboats and floating of cut timber. Removal of the natural wood rafts likely forced many rivers from a multi thread planform with high channel-floodplain connectivity into an alternative stable state of single-thread channels with substantially reduced overbank flow, sedimentation, and avulsions. There is now widespread recognition among the geomorphic community of how upland clearance increased sediment yields and floodplain aggradation. I propose that widespread removal of instream wood for steamboat routes, timber rafts, and flood control was equally significant in decreasing floodplain sedimentation and river complexity, and in causing a fundamental, extensive, and intensive change in forested river corridors throughout the United States.
Media Exposure, Extracurricular Activities, and Appearance-Related Comments as Predictors of Female Adolescents’ Self-Objectification
Authors: Slater Amy , Tiggemann Marika
Published: October 2014

Our study examined three potential predictors of self-objectification in female adolescents, namely media exposure, extracurricular activities, and appearance-related comments (both positive and negative). Participants were 1,087 female adolescents ranging in age from 12 to 16, who completed questionnaire measures of media exposure (television, magazines, Internet, and social networking), time spent on extracurricular activities, positive and negative appearance-related comments, self-objectification, self-surveillance, body shame, and disordered eating. Tests of the hypothesized path model revealed that self-reported exposure to magazines and social networking sites each independently was associated positively with self-objectification. In addition, positive appearance-related comments were shown to be associated positively with self-objectification. On the other hand, time spent on extracurricular activities was not related to self-objectification. The results offer support for the role of media exposure and appearance-related comments in the development of self-objectification in female adolescents. In particular, the results suggest that positive appearance-related comments (compliments) may be just as, or even more, likely to give rise to self-objectification as negative appearance-related comments. The findings suggest practical strategies for the potential protection of the development of self-objectification and its deleterious consequences.
Stroke-like Phenomena Revealing Multifocal Cerebral Vasculitis in Pediatric Lyme Neuroborreliosis
Authors: Kurian Mary , Pereira Vitor Mendes , Vargas Maria Isabel , Fluss Joel
Published: October 2014

Stroke-like presentation in Lyme neuroborreliosis is rare in the pediatric age group. We report a previously healthy 12-year-old boy who presented with acute left hemiparesis and meningeal signs. Neuroimaging failed to reveal any cerebral infarction but demonstrated a multifocal cerebral vasculitis involving small, medium and large-sized vessels affecting both the anterior and posterior circulation. Concentric contrast enhancement of the basilar artery was also observed. Further investigations and laboratory findings were consistent with Lyme neuroborreliosis. A rapidly favorable clinical outcome was obtained with appropriate antibiotic treatment along with antiaggregants and steroids. Lyme neuroborreliosis should be considered in the diagnostic differential, not only in adults but also among children, especially in the context of an unexplained cerebral vasculitis.
Novel NTRK1 Frameshift Mutation in Congenital Insensitivity to Pain With Anhidrosis
Authors: Liu Sen , Wu Nan , Liu Jiaqi , Ming Xuan , Chen Jun , Pavelec Derek , Su Xinlin , Qiu Guixing , Tian Ye , Giampietro Philip , Wu Zhihong
Published: October 2014

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. It has been reported that the defect in the NTRK1 gene encoding tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) can cause congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. Nerve growth factor (NGF), the product of NGFB, mediates biological effects by binding to and activating tropomyosin-related kinase A. In addition, necdin (encoded by NDN) is also essential in nerve growth factor–tropomyosin-related kinase A pathway. We performed mutation analysis in NTRK1, NGFB, and NDN genes in a Chinese Han 17-year-old female patient with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis and her healthy family members. As a result, the patient was found to have a novel insertion in exon 7 (c.727insT) of NTRK1, which causes premature termination, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2192206 G>A) in NDN. Our findings imply that the genetic variations of the nerve growth factor–tropomyosin-related kinase A pathway play an important role in congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing capability of electrospun gelatin/PLLCL nanofibers
Authors: Jin Guorui , Li Yong , Prabhakaran Molamma P , Tian Weiming , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: October 2014

Recent progress in tissue-engineered skin grafts has alleviated the demand for autologous split thickness skin grafts for treatment of large skin wounds. In this study, a series of cost-effective nanofibrous scaffolds aimed at full-thickness wound healing are fabricated by blending gelatin (Gel) with poly(l-lactic acid)-b-poly( ε-caprolactone) (PLLCL) and electrospun to obtain composite Gel/PLLCL nanofibers in four different weight ratios (w/w) of 80:20 [Gel/PLLCL(20)], 70:30 [Gel/PLLCL(30)], 60:40 [Gel/PLLCL(40)], and 50:50 [Gel/PLLCL(50)]. The mechanical properties of these nanofibrous scaffolds were evaluated in both dry and wet conditions, and the Gel/PLLCL(40) retained suitable tensile stress (1.16 ± 0.03 MPa) to be handled even in wet conditions. Moreover, the proliferations of fibroblast cells on Gel/PLLCL(40) were 15%, 7% and 10% higher compared to cell proliferations on Gel/PLLCL(20), Gel/PLLCL(30), and Gel/PLLCL(50), respectively. In vitro results confirmed Gel/PLLCL(40) as the optimized scaffold composition suitable for skin tissue engineering. The healing ability of this scaffold was studied in vivo using mouse models. The Gel/PLLCL(40) greatly accelerated wound closure and regeneration occurring in the first 10 days of implantation compared to the control group. In addition, newly regenerated epidermis was only found in the nanofibrous scaffolds–treated group, and it was comparable to the epidermis of normal skin.
Early Trophic Enteral Nutrition Is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Septic Shock
Authors: Patel Jayshil J. , Kozeniecki Michelle , Biesboer Annie , Peppard William , Ray Ananda S. , Thomas Seth , Jacobs Elizabeth R. , Nanchal Rahul , Kumar Gagan
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

Current guidelines provide weak recommendations for starting enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with septic shock (on vasopressor support). Outcomes of patients receiving EN in septic shock on vasopressor support have not been well studied. We hypothesize that early trophic EN in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock is associated with improved outcomes.

Methods:

Single-center retrospective study of mechanically ventilated patients admitted with septic shock to identify patients receiving (1) no EN, (2) <600 kcal/d within 48 hours, and (3) ≥600 kcal/d within 48 hours. Outcomes studied included in-hospital mortality, length of intensive care unit stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation (DOMV), and complications of feeding intolerance.

Results:

Sixty-six patients were identified. In all, 15 received no EN, 37 received <600 kcal/d, and 14 received ≥600 kcal/d EN daily. Median LOS was 12, 5, and 13 days, respectively. The LOS was lower in patients receiving <600 kcal/d when compared to either no EN ( P < .001) or those receiving ≥600 kcal/d ( P < .001). Median DOMV was lower in patients receiving <600 kcal/d (median 3, P < .001) as compared to no EN (median 7, P < .001) or those receiving ≥600 kcal/d (median 7.5, P < .001). Mortality was not different. There were no significant complications among groups.

Conclusion:

In patients with septic shock, those receiving <600 kcal/d EN within 48 hours had lower DOMV and LOS when compared to those who did not receive EN or those who received ≥600 kcal/d. These observations provide strong justification for prospective evaluation of the effect of early trophic EN in patients with septic shock.
Reciprocal Psychological Aggression in Couples
Authors: Cuenca Montesino María Luisa , Graña Gómez José Luis , Martínez Arias Rosario
Published: October 2014

The present study analyzes reciprocal psychological aggression assessed by the Conflict Tactics Scale–Revised (CTS-2) in a sample of 590 adult couples from the Region of Madrid. Psychological aggression is the most frequent form of partner aggression. Results showed high percentages of psychological aggression perpetrated and suffered in men and women and showed significant statistical differences in severe psychological aggression in the case of women. Partner agreement about acts of psychological aggression was significant, albeit at moderate levels. Generalized Hierarchical Linear Models with the HLM-6.0 program were proposed to examine reciprocal psychological aggression. The models confirmed the pattern of reciprocal psychological aggression and also that couples are more aggressive when they are younger. Duration of cohabitation was not a predictor of reciprocal psychological partner aggression.
Reevaluating the Pursuit of Defense Investment
Authors: Doussard Marc
Published: October 2014

In 2015, the Pentagon will likely announce a round of military base closures and expansions with the power to remake regional economies throughout the United States. Current estimates of the impact of base realignments implicitly assume that military bases have similar economic impacts. But the military is a diverse institution engaged in thousands of distinct activities, each with their own benefits to local economies. Using detailed soldier, civilian, and contracting data from two army bases, this article compares the economic impact of the main activities in which military bases engage. Because military bases source their inputs from national defense procurement networks, the economic benefits of soldier-based activities are smaller than most economic development alternatives. This finding suggests that regions facing defense contracting cuts are significantly more economically vulnerable than regions facing base closures.
Secondary school art
Authors: Etherington Margaret
Published: October 2014

This case study explores the way that school art in England remains a marginalised subject at secondary level, despite the expansion of art-based career opportunities. A recent government document evaluating art, craft and design education highlights the potential role of head teachers in raising an art department’s profile. The current study found that school management having low expectations of the art department, together with the unimportance attached to art by parents, contribute to the continued undermining of the subject. It is proposed that leadership has a part to play in expecting the art curriculum to include effective differentiation in order to improve subject esteem and attainment without alienating less engaged students. In particular, individualised learning can ensure that academic drawing skills are taught where appropriate, enabling access to vocational degree courses.
Education for Social Transformation: Infusing Feminist Ethics and Critical Pedagogy into Community-Based Research
Authors: Ganote Cynthia , Longo Patrizia
Published: October 2014

In this paper we lay bare the theoretical underpinnings for the pervasive individualist model that shapes many community engagement courses, and then we present and analyze a case study based on a collaborative community-based research model developed by the co-authors. By shifting the theoretical foundations for community-based research, and more specifically, grounding our work in feminist ethics and critical pedagogy theories, we created linked courses that weave both collaborative theory and practice into the fabric of the courses. Upon teaching these courses, we found that students responded in an overwhelmingly positive way to collaborative theoretical models and to collaborative dialogical practice in the classroom, but when it came to team-based work conducted with community members, student responses were mixed. Reactions to collaborative grading practice conducted by faculty members and the community partner were more unanimous: a majority of students expressed confusion and discomfort with this practice. Collaborative theory and dialogical practice, then, were uniformly embraced in the classroom, while team-based work and evaluation in the community provided more discomfort and displeasure. This finding reiterates the pervasiveness of individualist thinking, even when students have chosen courses that are expressly collaborative in both theory and practice.
Interconnected maximum likelihood estimator and extended Kalman filter for inertial measurement unit calibration fusing three-dimensional camera information
Authors: Sadeghzadeh-Nokhodberiz Nargess , Poshtan Javad
Published: October 2014

This article presents a method for calibration of inertial sensors (gyroscopes and accelerometers). In the proposed self-calibration method, interacted extended Kalman filter and maximum likelihood estimator are applied for estimation of motion state parameters and calibration parameters (biases and scaling factors), respectively. The extended Kalman filter is employed to estimate nonlinear Gaussian attitude kinematics fusing three-dimensional camera information given the estimated calibration parameters. These parameters are estimated in maximum likelihood–based system identification module and transferred to the state estimation module to estimate motion parameters. The calibration square error is then formulated and the effect of model mismatch is evaluated. The approach takes advantage of modular design, sensor fusion, and self-calibration. Self-calibration makes the method economically efficient because it does not rely on using a mechanical platform rotating the inertial measurement unit into different precisely controlled orientations. Experimental results based on data from a three-dimensional microelectromechanical system–based inertial measurement unit and a three-dimensional camera system are used to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. Comparisons are also provided to compare the method with state-of-the-art approaches.
Validation of the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey for older people care
Authors: Suhonen Riitta , Stolt Minna , Katajisto Jouko , Charalambous Andreas , Olson Linda L
Published: October 2014

Background:

The exploration of the ethical climate in the care settings for older people is highlighted in the literature, and it has been associated with various aspects of clinical practice and nurses’ jobs. However, ethical climate is seldom studied in the older people care context. Valid, reliable, feasible measures are needed for the measurement of ethical climate.

Objectives:

This study aimed to test the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey in healthcare settings for older people.

Design:

A non-experimental cross-sectional study design was employed, and a survey using questionnaires, including the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and multivariable methods.

Participants and research context:

Survey data were collected from a sample of nurses working in the care settings for older people in Finland (N = 1513, n = 874, response rate = 58%) in 2011.

Ethical considerations:

This study was conducted according to good scientific inquiry guidelines, and ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee.

Results:

The mean score for the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey total was 3.85 (standard deviation = 0.56). Cronbach’s alpha was 0.92. Principal component analysis provided evidence for factorial validity. LISREL provided evidence for construct validity based on goodness-of-fit statistics. Pearson’s correlations of 0.68–0.90 were found between the sub-scales and the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey.

Discussion:

The Hospital Ethical Climate Survey was found able to reveal discrimination across care settings and proved to be a valid and reliable tool for measuring ethical climate in care settings for older people and sensitive enough to reveal variations across various clinical settings.

Conclusion:

The Finnish version of the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey, used mainly in the hospital settings previously, proved to be a valid instrument to be used in the care settings for older people. Further studies are due to analyze the factor structure and some items of the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey.
Sustaining hope as a moral competency in the context of aggressive care
Authors: Peter Elizabeth , Mohammed Shan , Simmonds Anne
Published: October 2014

Background:

Nurses who provide aggressive care often experience the ethical challenge of needing to preserve the hope of seriously ill patients and their families without providing false hope.

Research objectives:

The purpose of this inquiry was to explore nurses’ moral competence related to fostering hope in patients and their families within the context of aggressive technological care. A secondary purpose was to understand how this competence is shaped by the social–moral space of nurses’ work in order to capture how competencies may reflect an adaptation to a less than ideal work environment.

Research design:

A critical qualitative approach was used.

Participants:

Fifteen graduate nursing students from various practice areas participated.

Ethical considerations:

After receiving ethics approval from the university, signed informed consent was obtained from participants before they were interviewed.

Findings:

One overarching theme ‘Mediating the tension between providing false hope and destroying hope within biomedicine’ along with three subthemes, including ‘Reimagining hopeful possibilities’, ‘Exercising caution within the social–moral space of nursing’ and ‘Maintaining nurses’ own hope’, was identified, which represents specific aspects of this moral competency.

Discussion:

This competency represents a complex, nuanced and multi-layered set of skills in which nurses must be well attuned to the needs and emotions of their patients and families, have the foresight to imagine possible future hopes, be able to acknowledge death, have advanced interpersonal skills, maintain their own hope and ideally have the capacity to challenge those around them when the provision of aggressive care is a form of providing false hope.

Conclusion:

The articulation of moral competencies may support the development of nursing ethics curricula to prepare future nurses in a way that is sensitive to the characteristics of actual practice settings.
Worksheets with embedded checklists support IV chemotherapy safer practice
Authors: Dobish Roxanne , Shultz Jonas , Neilson Sheena , Raven Amanda , Chambers Carole R
Published: October 2014

Following a review of a chemotherapy medication adverse event where the incorrect medication was prepared by a pharmacy, a number of steps were taken to review the literature and best practice information related to checking processes for the preparation of parenteral chemotherapy. Concepts such as identification of critical stop check points, independent double checks, and human factors principles were reviewed and incorporated into newly designed chemotherapy preparation worksheets with embedded checklists. Usability testing and staff feedback during implementation revealed a number of key learning points that resulted in additional work to further improve the chemotherapy worksheets with embedded checklists and highlighted the need for a culture of continuous quality improvement.
A pilot study of telemedicine for post-operative urological care in children
Authors: Canon Stephen , Shera Annashia , Patel Ashay , Zamilpa Ismael , Paddack John , Fisher Paige L , Smith Jacob , Hurtt Robbie
Published: October 2014

We conducted a retrospective study of paediatric urological surgery patients over a 12-month period. We compared patients followed up by telemedicine with those who had post-operative follow-up on site at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock. All pre-operative patients living in northwest Arkansas were given the opportunity to use telemedicine from a satellite clinic at Lowell, 328 km from the hospital. Of 61 patients, 10 chose telemedicine and 51 chose to be evaluated at the ACH clinic. All telemedicine visits were completed successfully, but in four cases, the video clarity of the telemedicine images was not sufficient for decision-making, and a digital photograph was sent by email to the physician at the ACH. There were no post-operative surgical complications in either patient group. In the telemedicine group, the median distance to the ACH was 330 km, and the median distance to the remote clinic was 35 km. In the on-site group, the median distance to the ACH was 293 km, which was significantly less ( P = 0.03). In the on-site group, the median travel time to the ACH was 174 min. If the telemedicine group had driven to the hospital, the median travel time would have been 192 min. Logistic regression showed that for every 37 km increase in distance to ACH, patients had a 111% increase in the odds of receiving telemedicine compared to receiving on-site care (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.0, 4.4). The pilot study supports the use of telemedicine for the post-operative evaluation of paediatric urology surgery patients and suggests that substantial travel distance and time savings can be made.