bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined Effect of a Low Permeable Film and Edible Coatings or Calcium Dips on the Quality of Fresh‐Cut Pineapple
Authors: Benítez Sheila , Soro Luis , Achaerandio Isabel , Sepulcre Francesc , Pujolá Montserrat
Published: January 2014

This work investigates the effectiveness of alginate and chitosan edible coatings and ascorbate and lactate calcium salts combined with a low permeable film to maintain the quality of fresh‐cut pineapple through 15 days at 4C. Respiration rate, color, firmness, pH, ripening index, juice leakage, total soluble solids in juice leakage and ascorbic acid content were measured. Neither chitosan nor alginate coatings reduce the respiration rate of fresh‐cut pineapple and oxygen values of less than 2% were obtained at the end of the storage. Significant correlations were found between ripening index, pH and luminosity, indicating that these parameters could point to the quality of the pineapple. According to our findings, a calcium lactate dip combined with the use of low permeable film retards the ripening process and reduces the loss of luminosity, enhancing the quality of fresh‐cut pineapple for up to 15 days at 4C.

Practical Applications

The juice leakage and color changes are the major causes of deterioration of fresh‐cut pineapple during storage time. Edible coatings and calcium dips are commonly used to prolong the shelf life of fresh‐cut fruits. The present study demonstrates that neither alginate nor chitosan slow down the gas exchange of fresh‐cut pineapple tissue. Calcium lactate prolongs the shelf life of fresh‐cut pineapple by preventing juice leakage production and luminosity reduction. Calcium lactate dips are simple treatments that can improve the marketability of fresh‐cut pineapple.
Ten‐Year Effects of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly Cognitive Training Trial on Cognition and Everyday Functioning in Older Adults
Authors: Rebok George W. , Ball Karlene , Guey Lin T. , Jones Richard N. , Kim Hae‐Young , King Jonathan W. , Marsiske Michael , Morris John N. , Tennstedt Sharon L. , Unverzagt Frederick W. , Willis Sherry L.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To determine the effects of cognitive training on cognitive abilities and everyday function over 10 years.

Design

Ten‐year follow‐up of a randomized, controlled single‐blind trial (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE)) with three intervention groups and a no‐contact control group.

Setting

Six U.S. cities.

Participants

A volunteer sample of 2,832 persons (mean baseline age 73.6; 26% African American) living independently.

Intervention

Ten training sessions for memory, reasoning, or speed of processing; four sessions of booster training 11 and 35 months after initial training.

Measurements

Objectively measured cognitive abilities and self‐reported and performance‐based measures of everyday function.

Results

Participants in each intervention group reported less difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (memory: effect size = 0.48, 99% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12–0.84; reasoning: effect size = 0.38, 99% CI = 0.02–0.74; speed of processing: effect size = 0.36, 99% CI = 0.01–0.72). At a mean age of 82, approximately 60% of trained participants, versus 50% of controls (P < .05), were at or above their baseline level of self‐reported IADL function at 10 years. The reasoning and speed‐of‐processing interventions maintained their effects on their targeted cognitive abilities at 10 years (reasoning: effect size = 0.23, 99% CI = 0.09–0.38; speed of processing: effect size = 0.66, 99% CI = 0.43–0.88). Memory training effects were no longer maintained for memory performance. Booster training produced additional and durable improvement for the reasoning intervention for reasoning performance (effect size = 0.21, 99% CI = 0.01–0.41) and the speed‐of‐processing intervention for speed‐of‐processing performance (effect size = 0.62, 99% CI = 0.31–0.93).

Conclusion

Each Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly cognitive intervention resulted in less decline in self‐reported IADL compared with the control group. Reasoning and speed, but not memory, training resulted in improved targeted cognitive abilities for 10 years.
Effect of Age on the Profile of Psychotropic Users: Results from the 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
Authors: Maust Donovan T. , Oslin David W. , Marcus Steven C.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To describe the effect of age on psychotropic coprescribing, psychiatric diagnoses, and other clinical characteristics.

Design

Analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Setting

A national sample of outpatient visits to physicians (N = 2,406) in office‐based practice in 2010.

Participants

Adults prescribed psychotropic medication (N = 31,229).

Measurements

Office visits at which antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, antipsychotic, or mood stabilizer medications were prescribed were grouped according to participant age (21–64, ≥65) and then compared within each medication class on visit characteristics. and then compared according to variables including provider type, sex, and race; presence of diagnosed mental illness; prescription of other psychotropic agents; total number of chronic conditions; time spent with physician; and total number of medications.

Results

In 2010, there were 90.3 million antidepressant office visits; 77.7 million anxiolytic/sedative/hypnotic visits; 15.5 million antipsychotic visits; and 9.5 million mood stabilizer visits. Nonpsychiatrists prescribed the majority of psychotropic medications for every class and age group; 17.3% of older adult antipsychotic visits and 44.9% of younger adult antipsychotic visits were to a psychiatrist (chi‐square = 19.58, P = .001). Older adults in every medication class were less likely to have a diagnosed mental disorder.

Conclusion

Older adults prescribed psychotropic medication were less likely to have a diagnosed mental disorder than their younger counterparts. Efforts to promote quality prescribing should seek to minimize nonspecific use of psychotropic medication.
The Effect of Time between Handling and Photoactivation on Self‐Adhesive Resin Cement Properties
Authors: da Silva Fonseca Andrea Soares Quirino , Mizrahi Jamil , Menezes Livia Rodrigues , Valente Lisia Lorea , de Moraes Rafael Ratto , Schneider Luis Felipe
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the degree of conversion, absorption, and solubility in water of self‐adhesive resin cements subjected to different time intervals between material preparation and the photoactivation procedure.

Materials and Methods

Two dual self‐adhesive resin cements were tested: RelyX Unicem and SmartCem2. The degree of conversion as a function of time was evaluated by Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy using the attenuated total reflectance technique. Three time intervals between handling and photoactivation were applied: Group 1 = immediately; Group 2 = a 1‐minute interval; Group 3 = a 4‐minute interval. All specimens were irradiated with a light‐emitting diode source for 40 seconds. Thirty discs of each cement (1 mm thick × 6 mm diameter, n = 10) were prepared for the absorption and solubility tests. These specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 90 days. The results were subjected to ANOVA with two factors (material and activation time intervals) and Tukey's test (95% significance).

Results

The 4‐minute interval significantly reduced the degree of conversion of SmartCem2 (30.6% ± 8.3%). No other significant changes were observed for the degree of conversion; however, the time intervals before photoactivation interfered significantly in the water absorption of the RelyX Unicem specimens but not the SmartCem2 specimens. The time intervals did not affect the solubility of either cement. In all cases, SmartCem2 had higher solubility than RelyX Unicem.

Conclusion

The time interval between handling and photoactivation significantly influenced the degree of conversion and water sorption of the resin‐based cements. In general, one can say that the self‐adhesive resin cements should be photoactivated as soon as possible after the material handling process.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Mandibular Conventional and Implant Prostheses in a Group of Turkish Patients: A Quality of Life Study
Authors: Cakir Onur , Kazancioglu Hakki Oguz , Celik Gozde , Deger Sabire , Ak Gulsum
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) in a group of patients using mandibular complete dentures, implant‐retained overdentures, removable partial dentures (RPDs), or implant‐supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs).

Materials and Methods

A total of 116 patients (aged 36 to 81, mean age 58 ± 10.03 years) were assigned to four groups (n = 29) and treated with mandibular implant‐retained overdentures, implant‐supported FPDs (two implants/three unit FPDs), conventional complete dentures, or RPDs. The groups were well matched in terms of gender, age, and the edentulous period. All patients had edentulous maxillary arches and completely or partially edentulous mandibles. All prostheses were mandibular prostheses. The OHIP‐14, OHQoL‐UK, and SF‐36 surveys were used to determine QoL before implant surgery and 1 year after prosthetic treatment.

Results

The baseline and 1‐year data from 116 patients were analyzed. A significant improvement was found among the QoL scales for all groups (p < 0.05). The most significant improvement was found in the implant‐retained overdenture group (15.67 ± 2.47), while the least improvement was found among the implant‐supported FPD group (5.14 ± 2.08). The SF‐36 test revealed no differences between the before and after treatment scores for general health, pain, vitality, social function, and physical function difficulties (p > 0.05). The only significant difference was found for mental health (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

A positive influence on oral health‐related QoL was observed in all groups. The QoL values were the most improved in the implant‐retained overdenture group.
Maxillary Sinusitis Caused by Dental Implants Extending into the Maxillary Sinus and the Nasal Cavities
Authors: Biafora Matteo , Bertazzoni Giacomo , Trimarchi Matteo
Published: January 2014

This report describes the case of a patient who underwent osseointegrated dental implant placement. The implants were misplaced inside the nasal fossae and in the right maxillary sinus, causing chronic purulent sinusitis. CT scan without contrast showed signs of right maxillary sinusitis and confirmed the misplacement of four dental implants that surfaced into the nasal cavities. The imaging also revealed the presence of another implant that emerged inside the maxillary sinus. The patient underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery with complete symptom remission at the long‐term follow‐up. We propose that sinusitis caused by protrusion of implants and by sinus floor lift procedures could share common physiopathological patterns and predisposing factors.
Effect of Various Veneering Techniques on Mechanical Strength of Computer‐Controlled Zirconia Framework Designs
Authors: Kanat Burcu , Çömlekoğlu Erhan M. , Dündar‐Çömlekoğlu Mine , Hakan Sen Bilge , Özcan Mutlu , Ali Güngör Mehmet
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the fracture resistance (FR), flexural strength (FS), and shear bond strength (SBS) of zirconia framework material veneered with different methods and to assess the stress distributions using finite element analysis (FEA).

Materials and Methods

Zirconia frameworks fabricated in the forms of crowns for FR, bars for FS, and disks for SBS (N = 90, n = 10) were veneered with either (a) file splitting (CAD‐on) (CD), (b) layering (L), or (c) overpressing (P) methods. For crown specimens, stainless steel dies (N = 30; 1 mm chamfer) were scanned using the labside contrast spray. A bilayered design was produced for CD, whereas a reduced design (1 mm) was used for L and P to support the veneer by computer‐aided design and manufacturing. For bar (1.5 × 5 × 25 mm3) and disk (2.5 mm diameter, 2.5 mm height) specimens, zirconia blocks were sectioned under water cooling with a low‐speed diamond saw and sintered. To prepare the suprastructures in the appropriate shapes for the three mechanical tests, nano‐fluorapatite ceramic was layered and fired for L, fluorapatite‐ceramic was pressed for P, and the milled lithium‐disilicate ceramics were fused with zirconia by a thixotropic glass ceramic for CD and then sintered for crystallization of veneering ceramic. Crowns were then cemented to the metal dies. All specimens were stored at 37°C, 100% humidity for 48 hours. Mechanical tests were performed, and data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey's, α = 0.05). Stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the failure modes and surface structure. FEA modeling of the crowns was obtained.

Results

Mean FR values (N ± SD) of CD (4408 ± 608) and L (4323 ± 462) were higher than P (2507 ± 594) (p < 0.05). Mean FS values (MPa ± SD) of CD (583 ± 63) and P (566 ± 54) were higher than L (428 ± 41) (p < 0.05). Mean SBS values (MPa ± SD) of CD (49 ± 6) (p < 0.05) were higher than L (28 ± 5) and P (30 ± 8). For crown restorations, while cohesive failures within ceramic and zirconia were seen in CD, cohesive failures within ceramic were found in both L and P. Results were verified by FEA.

Conclusion

The file splitting technique showed higher bonding values in all mechanical tests, whereas a layering technique increased the FR when an anatomical core design was employed. Clinical significance: File splitting (CAD‐on) or layering veneering ceramic on zirconia with a reduced framework design may reduce ceramic chipping.
Use of Pindex System in Fabrication of the Sectional Custom Tray
Authors: Jabbari Ehsan , Savabi Omid , Nejatidanesh Farahnaz
Published: January 2014

This article describes a new, precise, and simple method for making an impression with an individual tray for a patient with microstomia. In this method, a Pindex system on the handle of the tray was used for attaching two parts of the sectional tray.
Analysis of diversity of chromophytic phytoplankton in a mangrove ecosystem using rbcL gene sequencing
Authors: Samanta Brajogopal , Bhadury Punyasloke
Published: January 2014

Phytoplankton forms the basis of primary production in mangrove environments. The phylogeny and diversity based on the amplification and sequencing of rbcL, the large subunit encoding the key enzyme ribulose‐1, 5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was investigated for improved understanding of the community structure and temporal trends of chromophytic eukaryotic phytoplankton assemblages in Sundarbans, the world's largest continuous mangrove. Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) were by far the most frequently detected group in clone libraries (485 out of 525 clones), consistent with their importance as a major bloom‐forming group. Other major chromophytic algal groups including Cryptophyceae, Haptophyceae, Pelagophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, and Raphidophyceae which are important component of the assemblages were detected for the first time from Sundarbans based on rbcL approach. Many of the sequences from Sundarbans rbcL clone libraries showed identity with key bloom forming diatom genera namely Thalassiosira, Skeletonema and Nitzschia. Similarly, several rbcL sequences which were diatom‐like were also detected highlighting the need to explore diatom communities from the study area. Some of the rbcL sequences detected from Sundarbans were ubiquitous in distribution showing 100% identities with uncultured rbcL sequences targeted previously from the Gulf of Mexico and California upwelling system that are geographically separated from study area. Novel rbcL lineages were also detected highlighting the need to culture and sequence phytoplankton from the ecoregion. Principal component analysis revealed that nitrate is an important variable that is associated with observed variation in phytoplankton assemblages (operational taxonomic units). This study applied molecular tools to highlight the ecological significance of diatoms, in addition to other chromophytic algal groups in Sundarbans.
Sequential observation of infant regulated and dysregulated behavior following soothing and stimulating maternal behavior during feeding
Authors: Brown Lisa F. , Pridham Karen A. , Brown Roger
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To describe maternal behaviors occurring before infant regulated or dysregulated behavior at three times in early infancy and examine behavioral patterns over time with their prematurely born infants.

Design and Methods

Video recordings of 37 dyads were coded on infant regulated and dysregulated behaviors following maternal soothing and stimulating behaviors.

Results

At each time, infants showed more regulation after maternal soothing than after maternal stimulating. Further study is merited.

Practice Implications

Knowing infant regulation and dysregulation following categories of maternal behavior could help mothers anticipate infant regulatory or dysregulatory behavior in response to their own behavior and identify supportive caregiving strategies.
Use of Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to Quantify Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Alpaca Serum
Authors: Burns J. , Hou S. , Riley C.B. , Shaw R.A. , Jewett N. , McClure J.T.
Published: January 2014

Background

Rapid, economical, and quantitative assays for measurement of camelid serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) are limited. In camelids, failure of transfer of maternal immunoglobulins has a reported prevalence of up to 20.5%. An accurate method for quantifying serum IgG concentrations is required.

Objective

To develop an infrared spectroscopy‐based assay for measurement of alpaca serum IgG and compare its performance to the reference standard radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay.

Animals

One hundred and seventy‐five privately owned, healthy alpacas.

Methods

Eighty‐two serum samples were collected as convenience samples during routine herd visits whereas 93 samples were recruited from a separate study. Serum IgG concentrations were determined byRIDassays and midinfrared spectra were collected for each sample. Fifty samples were set aside as the test set and the remaining 125 training samples were employed to build a calibration model using partial least squares (PLS) regression with Monte Carlo cross validation to determine the optimum number ofPLSfactors. The predictive performance of the calibration model was evaluated by the test set.

Results

Correlation coefficients for theIR‐based assay were 0.93 and 0.87, respectively, for the entire data set and test set. Sensitivity in the diagnosis of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) ([IgG] <1,000 mg/dL) was 71.4% and specificity was 100% for theIR‐based method (test set) as gauged relative to theRIDreference method assay.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study indicated that infrared spectroscopy, in combination with chemometrics, is an effective method for measurement of IgG in alpaca serum.
Levetiracetam Rectal Administration in Healthy Dogs
Authors: Peters R.K. , Schubert T. , Clemmons R. , Vickroy T.
Published: January 2014

Background

Levetiracetam is used to manage status epilepticus (SE) and cluster seizures (CS) in humans. The drug might be absorbed after rectal administration and could offer a practical adjunct to rectal administration of diazepam in managingSEandCS.

Hypothesis

Levetiracetam is rapidly absorbed after rectal administration in dogs and maintains target serum concentrations for at least 9 hours.

Animals

Six healthy privately owned dogs between 2 and 6 years of age and weighing 10–20 kg.

Methods

Levetiracetam (40 mg/kg) was administered rectally and blood samples were obtained immediately before (time zero) and at 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 180, 360, and 540 minutes after drug administration. Dogs were observed for signs of adverse effects over a 24‐hour period after drug administration.

Results

CLEVat 10 minutes was 15.3 ± 5.5 μg/mL (mean, SD) with concentrations in the target range (5–40 μg/mL) for all dogs throughout the sampling period.Cmax(36.0 ± 10.7 μg/mL) andTmax(103 ± 31 minutes) values were calculated and 2 disparate groups were appreciated. Dogs with feces in the rectum at the time of drug administration had lower meanCmaxvalues (26.7 ± 3.4 μg/mL) compared with those without (45.2 ± 4.4 μg/mL). Mild sedation was observed between 60 and 90 minutes without other adverse effects noted.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study supports the use of rectally administered levetiracetam in future studies of clinical effectiveness in the management of epileptic dogs.
Morphometric Parameters of Peripheral Nerves in Calves Correlated with Conduction Velocity
Authors: Schenk H.C. , Haastert‐Talini K. , Jungnickel J. , Grothe C. , Meyer H. , Rehage J. , Fehr M. , Bokemeyer J. , Rohn C. , Tipold A.
Published: January 2014

Background

Peripheral nerve injuries are the most frequent neurologic disorder in cattle. So far, no physiologic values have been established for the motor nerve conduction velocity (mNCV) in this precocial species.

Objectives

The electrophysiologic and morphometric reference values of peripheral nerves in calves were determined. It was hypothesized that these parameters would correlate to the high degree of maturity in the first days of life in this species compared to other species.

Animals

Twenty‐six healthy calves were used in this study.

Methods

The mNCV of the radial and the sciatic/common peroneal nerve was measured in all 26 calves. Nerve biopsies from a group of 6 calves were taken to correlate the obtained electrophysiologic data with morphological parameters.

Results

The mean mNCV of the radial nerve was 48.3 ± 10.6 m/s, whereas the mean mNCV of the sciatic/peroneal nerve was with 83.8 ± 5.9 m/s significantly faster (P < .0001). The average fiber diameter was 8.40 ± 2.80 μm (range, 1.98–17.90 μm) and the average g‐ratio was 0.61 ± 0.04 SD.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The established reference values for mNCV in calves correlate well with the evaluated morphometric parameters. Attributable to their comparably fast mNCV and high fiber diameters, juvenile calves appear to be much more mature individuals than other mammals. Electrophysiologic characterization of peripheral nerve injury now is feasible in this species.
Long‐Term Outcome and Use of 6‐Minute Walk Test in West Highland White Terriers with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Lilja‐Maula L.I.O. , Laurila H.P. , Syrjä P. , Lappalainen A.K. , Krafft E. , Clercx C. , Rajamäki M.M.
Published: January 2014

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable interstitial lung disease occurring mainly in West Highland White Terriers (WHWTs). The effects of IPF on survival and on exercise tolerance in WHWTs are unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate survival, prognostic factors, and exercise tolerance in WHWTs with IPF.

Animals

Privately owned WHWTs; 15 with IPF and 11 healthy controls.

Methods

Prospective case‐control study conducted in 2007–2012. For survival, descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival curves with Cox proportional hazard ratios were performed. For the prognostic factor study, KM curves, Cox regression analysis, and logistic regression models were used. The 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) was used for measurement of exercise tolerance.

Results

The median IPF‐specific survival of deceased WHWTs (7/15) with IPF was 32 (range 2–51) months from onset of clinical signs. The risk of death from birth in WHWTs with IPF in age‐adjusted Cox model was significantly higher (hazard ratio 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.05–19.74, P = .04) than in control WHWTs. No significant prognostic factors were identified. In 6MWT, WHWTs with IPF walked a shorter distance, median 398 m (range 273–519 m), than healthy controls, median 492 m (420–568 m), P = .05, and the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood in diseased dogs had a moderate positive correlation with walking distance (Kendall′s tau‐b = 0.69, P = .06).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

IPF had a negative impact on life expectancy, but individual survival varied considerably. 6MWT proved to be a well‐tolerated, noninvasive test to evaluate exercise tolerance.
Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Renal Diseases
Authors: Hsu W.‐L. , Lin Y.‐S. , Hu Y.‐Y. , Wong M.‐L. , Lin F.‐Y. , Lee Y.‐J.
Published: January 2014

Background

Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) is released from renal tubular cells after injury and serves in humans as a real‐time indicator of active kidney damage, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, NGAL concentrations in dogs with naturally occurring AKI or CKD rarely have been explored in detail.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The goal of this study was to evaluate whether NGAL can serve as a useful biomarker in dogs with naturally occurring renal disease.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs with renal disease (57) and control dogs without any disease (12) were examined.

Methods

Serum NGAL (sNGAL) and urine NGAL (uNGAL) concentrations were measured in each animal by a newly developed ELISA system. Demographic, hematologic, and serum biochemical data were recorded. Survival attributable to AKI and CKD was evaluated at 30 days and 90 days, respectively.

Results

Serum and urine NGAL concentrations in azotemic dogs were significantly higher than in nonazotemic dogs and were highly correlated with serum creatinine concentration (P < .05). Among CKD dogs, death was associated with significantly higher sNGAL and uNGAL concentrations compared with survivors. Receiver‐operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that sNGAL was better than serum creatinine concentration when predicting clinical outcomes for CKD dogs (P < .05). The best cutoff point for sNGAL was 50.6 ng/mL, which gave a sensitivity and a specificity of 76.9 and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, dogs that had higher concentrations of sNGAL survived for a significantly shorter time.

Conclusion

sNGAL is a useful prognostic marker when evaluating dogs with CKD.
Make the butterflies fly in formation? Management of copyright created by academics in UK universities
Authors: Rahmatian Andreas
Published: January 2014

Universities have increasingly become aware of the fact that the intellectual property (IP) rights that attach to the work of their academics could become significant and valuable assets to the university as an institution and economic organisation. The study involved analysis of the copyright and intellectual property policies of universities in the UK and the interviewing of specialised representatives of universities in relation to the policies of their respective institutions. The principal question of the study was the way in which university policies deal with the issue of ownership of copyright generated by academic staff, which proved to be a sensitive area. University policies presume that, by default, they own all work that academics create as their employees. There seems to be insufficient appreciation of the differentiated legal interpretation of the employees' copyright rule. At least in relation to core academic work (scholarly books and journal articles in particular), initial copyright ownership by the university, by virtue of the statutory employee-copyright rule, is highly doubtful. As a result of the universities' principal position with regard to ownership, university IP policies have resorted to complicated and artificial assignment and licencing provisions, with questionable enforceability.
Intestinal parasitic infections and atopic dermatitis among Venezuelan Warao Amerindian pre‐ school children
Authors: Hagel Isabel , Puccio Franca , López Elianska , Lugo Dennis , Cabrera Maira , Di Prisco María C.
Published: January 2014

Background

We evaluated the influence of intestinal parasitic infection on food sensitization associated to the severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in a group of Warao Amerindian pre‐ school children.

Methods

Feces examinations were performed in fresh stool specimens. Diagnosis of AD was done according to Hannifin and Rajka criteria and SCORAD index. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed using extracts of cow's milk (CM), hen's egg (HE), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae . Serum CM and HE‐IgE levels (ELISA) were measured. Quantikine (R&D systems) assays were used for the determination of IL‐13, TNF‐α IL‐6, and sCD23 in supernatants of CM‐ and HE‐ whole blood stimulated samples.

Results

Atopic Dermatitis was reported in 23% of the children. It was significantly (p < 0.0001) associated toward both CM and HE‐ SPT positivity (p < 0.001). Giardia duodenalis infection (37%) was associated to the presence of AD (p = 0.005) and to a significant increase in the levels of CM stimulated TNF‐α (), IL‐13 (p = 0.01), sCD23 (p = 0.001), CM‐IgE (p = 0.012) and CM‐SPT (p < 0.0001). Similarly, G. duodenalis infection was particularly associated with the increase on the levels of HE‐stimulated TNF‐α (p = 0.001), sCD23 (p = 0.001), HE‐IgE levels (p = 0.002) and HE‐SPT (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Gut inflammation caused by G. duodenalis may enhance food allergic reactivity contributing to the manifestation of AD in these children. However, other environmental factors (not considered in this work) as well as an atopic background among the Warao population would also contribute to the presence of AD.
Anesthesia‐ and opioids‐related malpractice claims following tonsillectomy in USA: LexisNexis claims database 1984–2012
Authors: Subramanyam Rajeev , Chidambaran Vidya , Ding Lili , Myer Charles M. , Sadhasivam Senthilkumar
Published: January 2014

Background

Although commonly performed, tonsillectomy is not necessarily a low‐risk procedure for litigation. We have reviewed malpractice claims involving fatal and nonfatal injuries following tonsillectomy with an emphasis on anesthesia‐ and opioid‐related claims and their characteristics.

Methods

Tonsillectomy‐related malpractice claims and jury verdict reports from the United States (US) between 1984 and 2012 found in the LexisNexis MEGA™ Jury Verdicts and Settlements database were reviewed by two independent reviewers. LexisNexis database collects nationwide surgical, anesthesia, and other malpractice claims. Data including years of case and verdicts, surgical, anesthetic and postoperative opioid‐related complications, details of injury, death, cause of death, litigation result, and judgment awarded were analyzed. When there were discrepancies between the two independent reviewers, a third reviewer (SS) was involved for resolution. Inflation adjusted monetary awards were based on 2013 US dollars.

Results

There were 242 tonsillectomy‐related claim reports of which 98 were fatal claims (40.5%) and 144 nonfatal injury claims (59.5%). Verdict/settlement information was available in 72% of cases (n = 175). The median age group of patients was 8.5 years (range 9 months to 60 years). Primary causes for fatal claims were related to surgical factors (n = 39/98, 39.8%) followed by anesthesia‐related (n = 36/98, 36.7%) and opioid‐related factors (n = 16/98, 16.3%). Nonfatal injury claims were related to surgical (101/144, 70.1%), anesthesia (32/144, 22.2%)‐ and opioid‐related factors (6/144, 4.2%). Sleep apnea was recorded in 17 fatal (17.4%) and 15 nonfatal claims (10.4%). Opioid‐related claims had the largest median monetary awards for both fatal ($1 625 892) and nonfatal injury ($3 484 278) claims.

Conclusions

Tonsillectomy carries a high risk from a medical malpractice standpoint for the anesthesiologists and otolaryngologists. Although surgery‐related claims were more common, opioids‐ and anesthetic‐related claims were associated with larger median monetary verdicts, especially those associated with anoxic, nonfatal injuries. Caution is necessary when opioids are prescribed post‐tonsillectomy, especially in patients with sleep apnea.
Role of root hydrophobic barriers in salt exclusion of a mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis
Authors: KRISHNAMURTHY PANNAGA , JYOTHI‐PRAKASH PAVITHRA A. , QIN LIN , HE JIE , LIN QINGSONG , LOH CHIANG‐SHIONG , KUMAR PRAKASH P.
Published: January 2014

Salt exclusion at the roots and salt secretion in the leaves were examined in a mangrove, Avicennia officinalis. The non‐secretor mangrove Bruguiera cylindrica was used for comparative study of hydrophobic barrier formation in the roots. Bypass flow was reduced when seedlings were previously treated with high salt concentration. A biseriate exodermis was detected in the salt‐treated roots, along with an enhanced deposition of hydrophobic barriers in the endodermis. These barriers reduced Na+ loading into the xylem, accounting for a 90–95% salt exclusion in A. officinalis. Prominent barriers were found in the roots of B. cylindrica even in the absence of salt treatment. A cytochrome P450 gene that may regulate suberin biosynthesis was up‐regulated within hours of salt treatment in A. officinalis roots and leaves, corresponding with increased suberin deposition. X‐ray microanalysis showed preferential deposition of Na+ and Cl− in the root cortex compared with the stele, suggesting that the endodermis is the primary site of salt exclusion. Enhanced salt secretion and increased suberin deposition surrounding the salt glands were seen in the leaves with salt treatment. Overall, these data show that the deposition of apoplastic barriers increases resistance to bypass flow leading to efficient salt exclusion at the roots in mangroves.
Vitamin D status in children with attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Goksugur Sevil Bilir , Tufan Ali Evren , Semiz Murat , Gunes Cemalettin , Bekdas Mervan , Tosun Mehmet , Demircioglu Fatih
Published: January 2014

Background

Attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood, has an early onset, affecting 2–18% of children worldwide. The etiopathogenesis of ADHD is obscure. In recent studies, a low level of vitamin D has been found in association with many disorders as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate serum vitamin D level in pediatric ADHD patients.

Methods

A total of 60 ADHD patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The age of both groups was in the 7–18‐year‐old range. Serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were investigated.

Results

Serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D was found to be significantly lower in children and adolescents with ADHD compared to healthy controls, and no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of other variables. 25‐OH‐vitamin D level in the ADHD group and control group was, respectively, 20.9 ± 19.4 ng/mL and 34.9 ± 15.4 ng/mL (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

There is an association between lower 25‐OH‐vitamin D concentration and ADHD in childhood and adolescence. To the authors' knowledge this is the first study to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and ADHD in children.
Locating Gunky Water and Wine
Authors: Leonard Matt
Published: January 2014

Can material objects be weakly located at regions of spacetime and yet fail to be exactly located anywhere? In this paper, I discuss a case which, at least according to one interpretation, answers affirmatively: the case of blending gunky water and wine, in gunky space. Perhaps after such a blend, the water and wine aren't exactly located anywhere while being weakly located at the location of the blend and any region which overlaps it. I show that the case is interesting and complicated, and has consequences for some ideas found in papers by Daniel Nolan and Josh Parsons.
Informal Caregiving: A Reappraisal of Effects on Caregivers
Authors: Brown R. Michael , Brown Stephanie L.
Published: January 2014

For decades caregiver distress (psychological and physical) has been considered an inevitable outcome of providing care for family members, loved ones, and others who require assistance. This negative assessment of informal caregiving pervades not only peer‐reviewed scientific articles, but also caregiving‐relevant agency reports, fact sheets, policy recommendations, advice columns, and media discussions. Our review critically examines this assessment in light of important methodological limitations of supporting studies, and considers theory and research that suggest an alternative appraisal of caregiving. We find that the case for an overall negative evaluation of caregiver effects is, for the most part, unjustified. Indeed, recent data suggest that giving may yield beneficial health and well‐being outcomes, including reduced mortality for informal caregivers. An alternative, more balanced view of caregiving has important implications for research and theory, caregiver assessment and intervention, and public policy.
The Social and Educational Consequences of Identity‐Based Rejection
Authors: London Bonita , Ahlqvist Sheana , Gonzalez Angel , Glanton Kiana V. , Thompson Gregory A.
Published: January 2014

Legal and social sanctions on overt discrimination in educational institutions were implemented to redress the inequalities associated with years of segregation and unequal treatment of groups on the basis of social identity characteristics such as race, gender, and nationality. In this article, we draw on research and theory demonstrating that, despite sanctions on overt discrimination, biases and cues of threat persist in educational institutions and are often present in subtle and ambiguous forms. These threats burden members of historically stigmatized groups (e.g., women, racial minority group members) with stress in the form of negative achievement expectations that ultimately undermine their psychological well‐being and academic achievement and success outcomes. To capture the process by which these threats impact students from historically stigmatized groups, we present a critical review and analysis of research and theory from the identity‐based Rejection Sensitivity literature. This literature demonstrates the interplay between the individual's appraisals and coping mechanisms with the threatening messages present in the environment. Our analysis applies a stress and coping framework to integrate the literatures on social identity threat and identity‐based Rejection Sensitivity, and to ground education policy recommendations.
Workplace Diversity: A Social–Ecological Framework and Policy Implications
Authors: Bond Meg A. , Haynes Michelle C.
Published: January 2014

The diversification of the global workforce brings both challenges and opportunities. We focus on diversity defined by membership in traditionally underrepresented groups. To harness the power of diversity, organizations must: increase representation of diverse individuals throughout the organizational hierarchy, attend to the social processes that emerge once diversity is present, and foster an organizational climate that supports the full inclusion of diverse individuals. We review dynamics at multiple levels of analysis that affect organizations in these three realms. Policy recommendations are grounded in the following ecological principles: (1) organizational issues are nested within multiple levels of context, (2) any organizational event can have reverberating effects throughout the system, (3) people's experiences of events shape their reactions and the impact of practices on varied groups shapes organizational consequences, and (4) people are continually adapting to one another and to organizational resources and requirements.
Generalized Scan Statistics for Disease Surveillance
Authors: Lin Pei‐Sheng
Published: January 2014

In applying scan statistics for disease surveillance, it would be valuable to have an integrated model that simultaneously includes environmental covariates and spatial correlation. In this paper, a generalized scan statistics under quasi‐likelihood functions is proposed to address this issue. We use a two‐step estimation process to obtain estimates of coefficients and adapt a bootstrapping method for the minimal p‐value to address the multiple‐testing problem. Under suitable conditions, the proposed method is consistent and can control the type I error rate. Simulations and applications to real data sets are used to evaluate the method.
Valuing the Benefit of Reducing Adverse Effects from Polluting Heating Fuels
Authors: Liu Zheng , Pagoulatos Angelos , Hu Wuyang , Schieffer Jack
Published: January 2014

Objectives

Indoor air pollution (IAP) from combustion‐generated pollutants, which are generated by solid fuel combustion for heating, has received considerable attention in recent years based on its health hazards for the human body. This article focuses on the health risk of heating fuel choice and estimates the health benefit (monetary benefits from medical expense savings) related to the improvement of the heating system.

Methods

Using the Kentucky Homeplace Program survey data and a health production function framework, this article explored the health implications of heating fuel choice by estimating the relationship between individuals’ use of polluting heating fuel and the number of medical services received annually.

Results

The results show that using polluting heating increases doctor visits and medical expenses. Individuals may pay as much as about $135.99 for shifting from using polluting heating to nonpolluting heating.

Conclusions

The result provides some evidence to support the linkage between health risks and polluting heating use. Some demographic and lifestyle characteristics did have significant effects on medical care expenses. Government could consider subsidies to encourage lower income groups to shift to nonpolluting heating fuels or use improved technology in order to reduce the public insurance cost.
Surviving Scandal: An Exploration of the Immediate and Lasting Effects of Scandal on Candidate Evaluation
Authors: Vonnahme Beth Miller
Published: January 2014

Objective

This study explores the immediate and long‐term effects of scandal on candidate evaluation. Because scandals involve politicians behaving in ways inconsistent with prevailing moral standards, an immediate negative reaction to such information is largely unavoidable. However, the present study examines whether there are any long‐term effects of scandal.

Methods

Results from a longitudinal experiment are presented. The nature of the design facilitated the exploration of the immediate and lasting effects of exposure to scandal and the consistency of these effects across individuals.

Results

Exposure to scandalous information about a candidate had an immediate negative effect on evaluation, but the magnitude of this negative effect declined over time, especially among the candidate's supporters.

Conclusion

This research suggests that understanding the effects of scandal requires distinguishing between immediate and long‐term effects.
Minority Representation and Order Maintenance Policing: Toward a Contingent View
Authors: Sharp Elaine B.
Published: January 2014

Objective

This article's aim is to test the impact of black political and bureaucratic representation on the rate at which blacks are arrested for order maintenance violations in U.S. cities.

Methods

Using data from the Law Enforcement Management and Administration Survey, the Census Bureau, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, for all U.S. cities over 100,000 population, the article first documents the continuing influence of black elected officials in promoting black representation on police forces. After establishing the appropriateness of order maintenance policing as a follow‐up focus, the article then tests hypotheses that link variation in the rate of black order maintenance arrests to black political and bureaucratic representation, contingent upon form of government.

Results

Black political representation does constrain black order maintenance arrests, while black representation on the police force does not.

Conclusion

Even with a more racially representative police force in place, black political representation is what matters in constraining controversial patterns of police practice.
Litigation in gynaecology
Authors: Jha Swati , Rowland Sarah
Published: January 2014

Key content

Reasons for litigation and pitfalls in patient care.

Knowledge of civil law and basic Acts governing clinical negligence in a medicolegal claim.

Specific problem areas relating to consent, sterilisation, laparoscopy, colposcopy, hysteroscopy, urogynaecology and hysterectomy.

Issues of education, training and clinical governance.

Learning objectives

To understand the anatomy of a claim.

How to avoid litigation.

What to do when things go wrong.

Ethical issues

Increased litigation leads to clinicians practicing defensive medicine.

Are patients being exposed to unnecessary investigations and invasive procedures to prevent clinicians from being sued?

Litigation has an adverse impact on healthcare professionals and affects recruitment to particular specialties.
Selective progesterone receptor modulators and their use within gynaecology
Authors: Murdoch Megan , Roberts Mark
Published: January 2014

Key content

Mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist, was initially discovered in the 1980s and has been licensed for use in medical termination since 1991. Subsequently, selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRM), which have both agonist and antagonist properties, have been developed and have therapeutic advantages over alternative therapies.

Ulipristal acetate, a SPRM, was licensed as emergency contraception in 2009 and, in May 2012, as a preoperative treatment for fibroids. There is ongoing research on its use for the long‐term management of uterine fibroids.

Learning objectives

History of the development of SPRM.

Mechanism of action of SPRM.

Summary of research on ulipristal acetate for the management of fibroids.

Potential advantages of SPRM over the current medical treatments for uterine fibroids.

Current licensed uses for ulipristal acetate.

Potential uses of SPRM in other gynaecological conditions.

Risks and side effects of SPRM.
The iRoCS Toolbox – 3D analysis of the plant root apical meristem at cellular resolution
Authors: Schmidt Thorsten , Pasternak Taras , Liu Kun , Blein Thomas , Aubry‐Hivet Dorothée , Dovzhenko Alexander , Duerr Jasmin , Teale William , Ditengou Franck A. , Burkhardt Hans , Ronneberger Olaf , Palme Klaus
Published: January 2014

To achieve a detailed understanding of processes in biological systems, cellular features must be quantified in the three‐dimensional (3D) context of cells and organs. We described use of the intrinsic root coordinate system (iRoCS) as a reference model for the root apical meristem of plants. iRoCS enables direct and quantitative comparison between the root tips of plant populations at single‐cell resolution. The iRoCS Toolbox automatically fits standardized coordinates to raw 3D image data. It detects nuclei or segments cells, automatically fits the coordinate system, and groups the nuclei/cells into the root's tissue layers. The division status of each nucleus may also be determined. The only manual step required is to mark the quiescent centre. All intermediate outputs may be refined if necessary. The ability to learn the visual appearance of nuclei by example allows the iRoCS Toolbox to be easily adapted to various phenotypes. The iRoCS Toolbox is provided as an open‐source software package, licensed under the GNU General Public License, to make it accessible to a broad community. To demonstrate the power of the technique, we measured subtle changes in cell division patterns caused by modified auxin flux within the Arabidopsis thaliana root apical meristem.