bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An integrated framework to improve the concept of resource specialisation
Authors: Jorge Leonardo R. , Prado Paulo I. , Almeida‐Neto Mário , Lewinsohn Thomas M.
Published: August 2014

Resource specialisation, although a fundamental component of ecological theory, is employed in disparate ways. Most definitions derive from simple counts of resource species. We build on recent advances in ecophylogenetics and null model analysis to propose a concept of specialisation that comprises affinities among resources as well as their co‐occurrence with consumers. In the distance‐based specialisation index (DSI), specialisation is measured as relatedness (phylogenetic or otherwise) of resources, scaled by the null expectation of random use of locally available resources. Thus, specialists use significantly clustered sets of resources, whereas generalists use over‐dispersed resources. Intermediate species are classed as indiscriminate consumers. The effectiveness of this approach was assessed with differentially restricted null models, applied to a data set of 168 herbivorous insect species and their hosts. Incorporation of plant relatedness and relative abundance greatly improved specialisation measures compared to taxon counts or simpler null models, which overestimate the fraction of specialists, a problem compounded by insufficient sampling effort. This framework disambiguates the concept of specialisation with an explicit measure applicable to any mode of affinity among resource classes, and is also linked to ecological and evolutionary processes. This will enable a more rigorous deployment of ecological specialisation in empirical and theoretical studies.
Epilepsy transition: Challenges of caring for adults with childhood‐onset seizures
Authors: Borlot Felippe , Tellez‐Zenteno Jose F. , Allen Anita , Ali Anfal , Snead O. Carter , Andrade Danielle M.
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Children with severe chronic epilepsy are living longer, and they eventually transition to the adult health care system. Additional research is required to better define the population that is being transferred and the qualifications of those who are assuming their care. We aimed to evaluate the complexity of epilepsy patients transitioning between tertiary centers, and to evaluate neurologists' confidence in dealing with childhood‐onset epilepsies.

Methods

Patients aged from 18 to 25 years were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised patients referred from the pediatric tertiary center; and Group 2 comprised patients referred from the community. Clinical data were retrospectively studied and groups were compared using appropriate statistics. We also created a survey to evaluate neurologists' levels of confidence in diagnosing and treating childhood‐onset epilepsies. Differences among responders were compared.

Results

Group 1 comprised 170 patients, whereas group 2 had 132. Patients in group 1 had earlier seizure onset, longer epilepsy duration (p < 0.001), and more patients with symptomatic etiologies, epileptic encephalopathy, and cognitive delay (p < 0.001). Group 1 patients required more referrals to other specialties (p = 0.001). Treatment with polytherapy (p = 0.003), epilepsy surgery (p < 0.001), ketogenic diet (p < 0.001), and vagus nerve stimulator were more common in group 1 (p < 0.001). In addition, our survey applied to adult (n = 86) and pediatric (n = 29) neurologists indicated that adult neurologists have lower levels of confidence in diagnosing and treating severe forms of childhood‐onset epilepsies (p < 0.001), as well as epilepsy associated with cognitive delay (p < 0.001).

Significance

These findings suggest that patients from tertiary centers present more complex health care needs and require more resources than age‐matched patients from the community; and that adult neurologists may not feel prepared to diagnose and treat adult patients with some childhood‐onset epilepsies.
Clinical, EEG, MRI, MEG, and surgical outcomes of pediatric epilepsy with astrocytic inclusions versus focal cortical dysplasia
Authors: Alshafai Laila , Ochi Ayako , Go Cristina , McCoy Blathnaid , Hawkins Cynthia , Otsubo Hiroshi , Snead Orlando C. , Rutka James , Widjaja Elysa
Published: August 2014

Objective

Astrocytic inclusions (AIs) have been identified on histologic specimens of patients with early onset seizures, and the proteomic contents have been described. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and surgical outcomes of AIs relative to focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).

Methods

We assessed the clinical manifestations, semiology, ictal and interictal features on video‐EEG, MEG, MRI features, and surgical outcomes of children with histologically proven AIs compared to FCD.

Results

Six children had AIs and 27 had FCD. Children with AIs had an earlier age at seizure onset, periodic spasms (all children), and interictal epileptiform discharges consisting of a mixture of generalized or diffuse hemispheric slow waves, sharp waves, spikes and polyspikes. Children with FCD were less likely to have spasms (4/27 [15%]), and the morphology of the diffuse hemispheric or generalized discharges were different from those of AI, consisting of spike‐and‐waves, polyspike‐and‐waves, sharp‐and‐slow waves, and paroxysmal fast activity. Patients with AIs were less likely to have tightly clustered MEG spike sources (3/6 [50%] vs. 23/27 [85%]), and more likely to demonstrate abnormal sulcation and gyration pattern (4/6 [67%] vs. 2/27 [7%]) and gray matter heterotopia (2/6 [33%] vs. 0/27 [0%]) than patients with FCD. Four children with AIs had resection and two had biopsy but did not undergo resection. Children with AIs had lower rates of seizure freedom after surgery compared to FCD (1/4 [25%] vs. 15/27 [56%], respectively).

Significance

Although there were some similarities between AIs and FCD, patients with AIs were more likely to present with early onset periodic spasms, have unusual interictal epileptiform discharges, abnormal sulcation, gyration pattern, and gray matter heterotopia, and were less likely to be seizure free following surgical resection relative to FCD. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to validate our findings.
Guttural pouch empyema secondary to a periocular foreign body
Authors: M. Dias D. P. , G. Macoris D. , Alessi A. C.
Published: August 2014

This report describes a 3‐year‐old gelding presenting with signs of injury to its left eye following an accident in which the horse crashed into a hedge. The first treatment attempted to treat infections in the eye and respiratory tract due to secretions identified in the trachea. The horse did not improve and further clinical and radiographic evaluations detected a guttural pouch empyema. Surgical drainage was performed and antimicrobial treatment continued. However, the horse presented with severe epistaxis and euthanasia was elected due to suspected arterial rupture. At necropsy, a round and stiff branch plant was found creating a fistula from the left orbit to the left guttural pouch. Another branch was found inside the pouch, confirming the origin of the persistent infection and severity of the tissue lesion.
A simplified surgical technique for correction of orbital adipose prolapse in the horse
Authors: Foote B. C. , Beccar‐Varela A. , Carastro S.
Published: August 2014

AQuarterHorse gelding underwent standing surgical correction of an orbital adipose prolapse through a subconjunctival approach removing the prolapsed fat without use of electrocautery or closure of the conjunctiva. This technique provided an acceptable long‐term cosmetic outcome. There was no recurrence of orbital adipose prolapse up to 15 months post operatively. The surgical procedure performed in this case is a simple technique, which could be performed in the field under sedation and local anaesthesia.
Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of neonatal sepsis
Authors: Dunkel B. , Corley K. T. T.
Published: August 2014

Sepsis is a major cause of death in neonatal foals and, in recent years, significant progress in the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology has been made. To achieve a successful outcome, early diagnosis and treatment focusing on supporting vital functions and neutralising the effects of the causative organisms are essential. The pharmacokinetics of many drugs differ in neonatal foals and more information for appropriate dosing of antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory drugs for neonatal foals is now available to guide clinicians in choosing the best dosages. Prevention remains difficult and focuses on early recognition while prophylactic use of antimicrobials is discouraged.
The role of dispersal mode and habitat specialisation in metacommunity structuring of aquatic macroinvertebrates in isolated spring fens
Authors: Rádková Vanda , Bojková Jindřiška , Křoupalová Vendula , Schenková Jana , Syrovátka Vít , Horsák Michal
Published: August 2014

The relevance of environmental and spatial processes for species distributions varies among environments and types of metacommunities. Here, for the first time, we use modern statistical approaches to test the contribution of these two processes in structuring ecologically unique and threatened biotas of insular spring fens. We applied two species categorisations, common/rare and generalists/specialists, to disentangle the roles of dispersal capacity and habitat specialisation.

In accordance with current understanding of headwater ecosystems, we found that environmental processes played a major role in most of the spring fen taxonomic and functional groups. However, we observed significant spatial structure in passive dispersers (Clitellata, a class of annelid worms), common species and habitat specialists.

Spatial processes played the leading role in structuring the metacommunity of passively dispersing specialists. In contrast, all analysed insect groups, even those known to be poor dispersers, were able to reach virtually all favourable sites.

We conclude that dispersal mode (active versus passive) and, to a lesser extent, habitat specialisation are the main factors determining the mechanism of spring fen metacommunity structuring.
Evaluating the use of macroscale variables as proxies for local aquatic variables and to model stream fish distributions
Authors: Frederico Renata G. , De Marco Paulo , Zuanon Jansen
Published: August 2014

The geographical ranges of species are influenced by three components: spatial distribution of environmental conditions, biotic interactions and the dispersal capacity of species. The scarcity of distributional records in vast regions such as the Amazon impedes understanding of fish distribution. Predictive distribution models have emerged as a better alternative to surpass this problem, but the absence of large‐scale maps for aquatic variables has been suggested as an important limitation.

We aimed to evaluate the use of macroclimatic variables as surrogates for local limnological variables in the Brazilian Amazon. Ordinary least squares model were used to predict the local habitat variables from climatic and geomorphological information as macroscale variables. Models for six stream‐dwelling fish were built in MaxEnt and validated using area under curve and true skill statistics (TSS).

All local variables were predicted successfully (R2 > 0.39), and MaxEnt models had good suitability using the macroscale variables (TSS higher than 0.70). We conclude that macroscale variables can be effective surrogates for local habitat variables, at least for large‐scale analyses on poorly sampled regions such as the Brazilian Amazon.
Perceived disability from hearing and voice changes in the elderly
Authors: Monini Simonetta , Filippi Chiara , Baldini Rossella , Barbara Maurizio
Published: August 2014

Aim

Dysphonia and hearing loss are underestimated conditions in the elderly, despite their significant prevalence (18% and 50%, respectively) and their sociopsychological implications. Previous studies have shown that the reason for this lack of consideration is related to the general misconception of a simple age‐related issue, as well as to the reduced communication requirements of this population, which can result in infrequent requests/supply of care. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate, within an elderly population, the subjective perception of hearing and voice dysfunctions, the resulting changes in communication skills, and the perception of handicap and disability.

Methods

Four anonymous questionnaires were administered to 400 participants (218 men, 182 women) aged older than 65 years, some of whom (276) were hospitalized and some of whom (124) were outpatients. The questionnaires consisted of questions regarding age‐related changes in voice, multiple‐choice questions on the qualitative characteristics of the voice, questions regarding verbo‐acoustic communication (hearing), the Voice Handicap Index, and the Self Assessment of Communication regarding the perception of hearing loss‐related handicap and disability. Statistical correlations were calculated for voice dysfunction between the perception of disability and the clinical assessment of voice quality obtained by the Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain scale, and between the perception of disability and the demand for care.

Results

More than half of the elderly patients reported not perceiving voice changes throughout their lives. Most of the participants were satisfied with their own voices, although 65% of them judged them to be qualitatively altered, and in 31.5% of the participants, pathology was found on phoniatric evaluation. Low scores for vocal handicap (Voice Handicap Index) were found, and the type of perceived disability was mainly physical, although the association between Voice Handicap Index scores and Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain was statistically significant. A total of 62% of the patients perceived hearing changes over their lifetimes not related to previous ear infections, but significantly correlated with a family history of hearing problems and with the need for specialist consultations. However, the perception of hearing loss handicaps and disability showed lower mean values, showing that older patients recognized dysfunction, but did not consider it to be a disability.

Conclusions

The present study showed that, despite the relevant incidence of hearing and voice disorders among the elderly population, the implications for communication abilities seems to be underestimated. Hence, it appears to be extremely important to undergo specialist screening consultations to detect eventual voice and hearing alterations, and to correct them with appropriate therapeutic strategies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 147–155.
Salicylideneamino‐2‐thiophenol modulates nuclear factor‐κB through redox regulation during the aging process
Authors: Sung Bokyung , Park Seongjoon , Ha Young Mi , Kim Dae Hyun , Park Chan Hum , Jung Kyung Jin , Kim Min Sun , Kim You Jung , Kim Mi Kyung , Moon Jeon‐Ok , Yokozawa Takako , Kim Nam Deuk , Yu Byung Pal , Chung Hae Young
Published: August 2014

Aim

Many intracellular components have been implicated in the regulation of redox homeostasis, but homeostasis can be unbalanced by reactive species (RS), which also probably contribute to underlying inflammatory processes. Nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) is a well‐known redox‐sensitive transcription factor that controls the genes responsible for regulating inflammation.

Methods

In the present study, the authors investigated the effect of short‐term salicylideneamino‐2‐thiophenol (SAL‐2) administration on the modulation of pro‐inflammatory NF‐κB through redox regulation in aged rats. In addition, we compared the effects of SAL‐2 and caloric restriction (CR) on inflammation and redox balance. The subjects were 24‐month‐old (old) Fischer 344 rats administered SAL‐2 (10 mg/kg/day) by dietary supplementation or placed on a 30% restricted diet for 10 days, and 6‐month‐old (young) rats fed ad libitum for 10 days.

Results

We found that NF‐κB activation and the expressions of its related genes (vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, cyclooxygenase‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase) were suppressed by SAL‐2 supplementation in old CR rats to the levels observed in young rats. In addition, our molecular studies showed that the inhibitory effect of SAL‐2 on the activation of NF‐κB was mediated by the ability of SAL‐2 to block the nuclear translocations of cytosolic thioredoxin and redox factor‐1.

Conclusion

These findings strongly indicate that SAL‐2 stabilizes age‐related redox imbalance and modulates the signal transduction pathway involved in the age‐associated molecular inflammatory process. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 211–219.
Reliability of the interRAI Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF) and interRAI Home Care (HC)
Authors: Kim Hongsoo , Jung Young‐Il , Sung Moonhee , Lee Ji‐Yoon , Yoon Ju‐Young , Yoon Jong‐Lull
Published: August 2014

Aim

Sharing clinical information across care settings is a cornerstone to providing quality care to older people with complex conditions. The purpose of the present study was to examine the reliability of the interRAI Long Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF) and the interRAI Home Care (interRAI HC), comprehensive and integrated assessment instruments with common core items, in Korea, an Asian county where comprehensive geriatric assessment is not widely used in long‐term care.

Methods

The Korean version of the instruments was developed through field tests, as well as multiple iterations of translations, back‐translations and expert reviews. For the reliability test, a random sample of 908 older people in 27 long‐term care hospitals or nursing homes, or at home with home care, were assessed by regular staff, among which a subsample of 534 people were dually assessed. The Cronbach's alphas of seven major composite scales in the instruments were examined for internal consistency. Interrater reliability was tested using agreement, kappa coefficients and interclass correlation coefficients.

Results

The internal consistencies of all key measures were adequate (Cronbach's alpha ≥0.75). The overall mean kappa statistics of the items in the interRAI LTCF and those in the interRAI HC were 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. All key common items in the interRAI LTCF and the interRAI HC had almost perfect (κ ≥ 0.81) or substantial (0.61 ≤ κ ≤ 0.80) interrater reliability.

Conclusions

The findings show the interRAI LTCF and the interRAI HC have adequate reliability for assessing the function and health of frail older adults across various long‐term settings, which can promote continuity of care for the aged. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 220–228.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Treatment Expectation and Intravenous Fluid in Pediatric Migraine
Authors: Richer Lawrence , Craig William , Rowe Brian
Published: August 2014

Objective

(1) The primary objectives were (1) to assess the response to intravenous (IV) fluid in children presenting to the ED with migraine and; (2) to assess the effect of treatment expectation on the response to I.

Background

Despite a lack of evidence for the practice, many emergency department (ED) migraine treatment protocols include a bolus of IV fluid. This study assessed the overall response to IV fluid hydration and the effect of expected medication treatment on the pain response among children and adolescents with migraine in an urban ED.

Methods

A single‐blind, randomized parallel arm trial of 10 mL/kg IV 0.9% sodium chloride for children and adolescents aged 5‐17 years presenting to a pediatric ED with migraine. Patients were randomized into group A (no expectation of medication in combination with IV fluid) and group B (expectation that medication may be given simultaneously). All participants were treated with standard care following the 30‐minute assessment.

Results

Forty‐seven participants were randomized and 2 were excluded; mean age was 13.3 years and 31 (67.4%) were females. Demographics and baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference for the primary outcome – change from baseline on the visual analog scale (VAS) at 30 minutes with a mean change of −12.3 mm (standard deviation [SD] 17.9) in group A and −12.7 mm (SD 13.2) in group B (P = .936). The standardized difference between the 2 means (Cohen's d effect size) was low at 0.024 (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.56 to 0.61). Overall, complete headache relief was observed in only 1 participant; 16 of 45 (35.6%; 95% CI 21.8 to 51.2) had a reduction in headache of 33% or more and 8 of 45 (17.8%; 95% CI 6.1 to 29.4%) had a minimum clinical significant difference of 30 mm or more on VAS with 4 in each group. Thirteen of 39 patients with follow‐up data (33.3%; 95% CI 19.1 to 50.2%) reported a moderate or severe headache at the 24‐hour follow up with no difference between groups; only 3 patients returned to the ED. One participant reported a minor IV‐related adverse event.

Conclusions

The overall decrease in pain with IV fluid is small and clinically insignificant. Treatment expectation did not significantly influence headache relief at 30 minutes with IV fluid hydration in children or adolescents with migraine in the ED. The average relief of headache with IV fluid alone was small; however, a clinically meaningful response was observed in 17.8%. Recurrence of headache is common in 33% after ED discharge.
Predictors of malignancies and overall mortality in Japanese patients with biopsy‐proven non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Seko Yuya , Sumida Yoshio , Tanaka Saiyu , Taketani Hiroyoshi , Kanemasa Kazuyuki , Ishiba Hiroshi , Okajima Akira , Nishimura Takeshi , Yamaguchi Kanji , Moriguchi Michihisa , Mitsuyoshi Hironori , Yasui Kohichiroh , Minami Masahito , Itoh Yoshito
Published: August 2014

Aim

Some patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and have higher mortality than others. The evidence causally linking NAFLD to extrahepatic malignancies is scarce. Our aim was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for HCC, extrahepatic cancer and mortality in Japanese patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed outcomes including onset of malignant tumors and death in 312 patients with NAFLD diagnosed by liver biopsy.

Results

Of 312 patients, 176 (56.4%) were diagnosed with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. During a median follow‐up period of 4.8 years (range, 0.3–15.8), six patients (1.9%) developed HCC, and 20 (6.4%) developed extrahepatic cancer. Multivariate analysis identified fibrosis stage (≥3; hazard ratio [HR], 12.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–136.0; P = 0.041) as a predictor for HCC and type IV collagen 7s (>5 ng/mL; HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.08–2.79; P = 0.022) as a predictor for extrahepatic cancer. Eight patients (2.6%) died during the follow‐up period. The most common cause of death was extrahepatic malignancy. None died of cardiovascular disease. Multivariate analysis identified type IV collagen 7s (>5 ng/mL; HR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.17–9.76; P = 0.024) as a predictor for mortality.

Conclusion

The incidence of extrahepatic cancer was higher than that of HCC. Severe fibrosis was a predictor for HCC. Patients with NAFLD and elevated type IV collagen 7s levels are at increased risk for extrahepatic cancer and overall mortality.
Workforce re‐entry for Japanese unemployed dental hygienists
Authors: Usui Y , Miura H
Published: August 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to define the profile of unemployed dental hygienists who could be enticed to re‐enter the workforce and the factors that could facilitate their re‐entry into the dental field in Japan.

Methods

The questionnaire was mailed with a postage‐paid return envelope to a sample of 3095 licensed dental hygienists. A 50.4% response rate (S = 1477) was observed.

Results

The rate of working dental hygienists was 60.3% (n = 891), and of unemployed dental hygienists was 39.7% (n = 586). Of the latter, 31.9% (n = 187) stated intentions of returning to the workplace. The unemployed dental hygienists seeking employment were more often married and had more children, compared with working dental hygienists currently. This group also had significantly fewer total service years. Moreover, only 11.96% of them belonged to the Japan Dental Hygienists' Association, and 41.3% of those attended training workshops. According to their response, they perceived their top three major barriers to re‐entry as ‘lack sufficient dental hygiene skill’, ‘child rearing’ and ‘poor working atmosphere’. ‘Flexibility in the work schedule’ and ‘location’ were the most important factors for re‐entry from their perspective.

Conclusion

There were not many dental hygienists hoping to return to the dental field. The findings suggested that strategies to encourage non‐practicing dental hygienists to re‐entry should be emphasized in the areas of a flexible working atmosphere, easy access to information on how to return to practice and guidance on how to maintain professionalism during inactivity.
Sonochemical Synthesis of SrTiO3 Nanocrystals at Low Temperature
Authors: Ashiri Rouholah , Ajami Reza , Moghtada Abdolmajid
Published: August 2014

This work aims to develop an innovative low‐temperature sonochemical synthesis pathway for synthesizing the carbonate‐free SrTiO3 nanocrystals with tailored morphology. Ultrasonication causes the formation of stoichiometric SrTiO3 nanocrystals and accelerates their formation. Moreover, SrTiO3 nanocrystals are synthesized at low temperature. The methodology described here is simple, fast, cost‐effective, and useful for large‐scale production purposes.
Rotation of Auditing Firms and Political Costs: Evidence from Spanish Listed Companies
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel María , Gallego‐Álvarez Isabel , Rodríguez‐Domínguez Luis , Cuadrado‐Ballesteros Beatriz , García‐Rubio Raquel
Published: August 2014

This study analyses a potential factor behind a change in auditor – that is, the minimization of political costs – given that the most important companies are more closely scrutinized and will attempt to prevent political costs resulting from unfavourable changes in the regulation of auditing activities. For that purpose, we analyse 82 Spanish non‐financial companies during the period from 1996 to 2009. The results obtained emphasize that the rotation of auditing firms takes place mainly when new regulations modifying or abolishing the current norms for auditing are discussed and enacted. These findings suggest that the real objective of these firms is to send out signals of good conduct to the public administration in order to avoid stricter regulation.
A Fresh Look at Stock Market Short‐termism
Authors: Moore Marc T. , Walker‐Arnott Edward
Published: August 2014

In this article, we develop a novel understanding of stock market short‐termism as a social phenomenon. Contrary to formerly popular academic belief, short‐termism is a problem that is highly unlikely to be structurally self‐correcting. An important driver of short‐termism typically elided within standard legal‐academic analyses is the informational centricity of modern stock markets, and resulting pressure on corporate managers to generate fresh ‘news’ indicative of perceived business ‘progress’. We highlight the growing enthusiasm of policy‐makers for a discriminatory ‘two‐tiered’ approach to public company investor relations. Accordingly, long‐term and committed investors are expected to be brought into the company's governance ‘inner circle’, while other investors are implicitly relegated to lowertier ‘outsider’ status. We argue that this supports a discriminatory approach to the allocation of voting entitlements in newly listing companies, enabling committed investors to develop cooperative and sustained governance relations with management unencumbered by ‘outside’ stock market pressures for short‐term financial‐performance outcomes.
Preequating With Empirical Item Characteristic Curves: An Observed‐Score Preequating Method
Authors: Zu Jiyun , Puhan Gautam
Published: August 2014

Preequating is in demand because it reduces score reporting time. In this article, we evaluated an observed‐score preequating method: the empirical item characteristic curve (EICC) method, which makes preequating without item response theory (IRT) possible. EICC preequating results were compared with a criterion equating and with IRT true‐score preequating conversions. Results suggested that the EICC preequating method worked well under the conditions considered in this study. The difference between the EICC preequating conversion and the criterion equating was smaller than .5 raw‐score points (a practical criterion often used to evaluate equating quality) between the 5th and 95th percentiles of the new form total score distribution. EICC preequating also performed similarly or slightly better than IRT true‐score preequating.
A Nonparametric Approach to Estimate Classification Accuracy and Consistency
Authors: Lathrop Quinn N. , Cheng Ying
Published: August 2014

When cut scores for classifications occur on the total score scale, popular methods for estimating classification accuracy (CA) and classification consistency (CC) require assumptions about a parametric form of the test scores or about a parametric response model, such as item response theory (IRT). This article develops an approach to estimate CA and CC nonparametrically by replacing the role of the parametric IRT model in Lee's classification indices with a modified version of Ramsay's kernel‐smoothed item response functions. The performance of the nonparametric CA and CC indices are tested in simulation studies in various conditions with different generating IRT models, test lengths, and ability distributions. The nonparametric approach to CA often outperforms Lee's method and Livingston and Lewis's method, showing robustness to nonnormality in the simulated ability. The nonparametric CC index performs similarly to Lee's method and outperforms Livingston and Lewis's method when the ability distributions are nonnormal.
Predictors of distress and well‐being in parents of young children with developmental delays and disabilities: the importance of parent perceptions
Authors: Minnes P. , Perry A. , Weiss J. A.
Published: August 2014

Background

Moving from family‐centred to child‐centred models of service delivery can be stressful for parents as their young children with developmental delays and disabilities transition into school. The purpose of this paper was to explore and compare predictors of both distress and well‐being in parents during this transition period.

Methods

A sample of 155 mothers of 113 boys and 42 girls participated in the study. The mean age of the children was 4.9 years and their diagnoses included autism spectrum disorder (52%); unspecified intellectual disability/developmental delay (26%); Down syndrome (12%); other genetic conditions (4%) and other diagnoses (6%). Participants completed surveys primarily online focusing on child characteristics, family resources, parent coping strategies, parental distress and positive gain.

Results

Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of parent reported distress and positive gain. Parent coping variables were the strongest predictors of both positive gain and parental distress, with reframing emerging as a predictor of positive gain and parent empowerment emerging as a predictor of both greater positive gain and lower parental distress.

Conclusions

The results of this study highlight not only the importance of including positive as well as negative outcomes in research with parents but also the importance of including parent characteristics such as coping strategies (e.g. reframing and empowerment/self‐efficacy) as potential predictors of outcome in such studies.
Single‐cell recordings in the human medial temporal lobe
Authors: Rey Hernan G. , Ison Matias J. , Pedreira Carlos , Valentin Antonio , Alarcon Gonzalo , Selway Richard , Richardson Mark P. , Quian Quiroga Rodrigo
Published: August 2014

Recordings from individual neurons in patients who are implanted with depth electrodes for clinical reasons have opened the possibility to narrow down the gap between neurophysiological studies in animals and non‐invasive (e.g. functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, magnetoencephalography) investigations in humans. Here we provide a description of the main procedures for electrode implantation and recordings, the experimental paradigms used and the main steps for processing the data. We also present key characteristics of the so‐called ‘concept cells’, neurons in the human medial temporal lobe with selective and invariant responses that represent the meaning of the stimulus, and discuss their proposed role in declarative memory. Finally, we present novel results dealing with the stability of the representation given by these neurons, by studying the effect of stimulus repetition in the strength of the responses. In particular, we show that, after an initial decay, the response strength reaches an asymptotic value after approximately 15 presentations that remains above baseline for the whole duration of the experiment.
The Perils of Productivity: Making ‘Good Farmers’ in Malwa, India
Authors: Kumar Richa
Published: August 2014

The idea of a ‘good farmer’ who adheres to scientific methods of crop production and produces high yields was commonly articulated by scientists and some farmers in Malwa, central India, while evaluating soybean farming. However, through detailed ethnographic description of the everyday practices of soybean farmers in Malwa, this paper argues that there is no direct link between scientific methods and high productivity, defined as yield per unit of land, because the outcome is dependent on variables that cannot be controlled by farmers. Rather, the metaphor of a ‘good farmer’ was selectively used by upper‐caste farmers to reinforce their power and authority in the face of declining state support to emphasize their continued importance to agriculture and the state. When upper‐caste farmers were less productive, they placed the blame on the environment, but when lower‐caste farmers produced less, the blame was placed on their (lack of) capability to understand scientific techniques that were expected to increase productivity. This paper suggests that instead of using the productivity discourse to evaluate farming, a different valuation reveals the positive contribution of soybean as a poor farmer's crop due to its agronomic characteristics and market environment.
Inhibitors in haemophilia: what have we learned from registries? A systematic review
Authors: Osooli M. , Berntorp E.
Published: August 2014

Congenital haemophilia A and B are genetic disorders affecting factor VIII and factor IX production, respectively. Factor replacement is the only effective treatment for these deficiencies, but a patient's immune system can develop inhibitory antibodies which bind and interfere with the function of the replaced factor in a variety of ways. The main treatment goal for patients with inhibitors is to induce immune tolerance to the injected factor. If not successful, a different treatment termed bypass therapy is needed to treat bleeds. The goal of this review is to demonstrate the usefulness of haemophilia registries as information sources to supplement available evidence regarding predictors of inhibitor development and immune tolerance induction (ITI) outcomes. In this systematic review, relevant keywords were used to search online academic databases during February 2014. Inclusion criteria were original publication and data obtained from a haemophilia or ITI registry with a minimum of 30 patients. A data collection form was created to extract information from selected manuscripts. Titles, abstracts and then full texts were screened to determine the eligibility of reports for this review. Eleven manuscripts from nine registries were determined eligible and included in the study. Registries have reported on some core variables, but are inconsistent in reporting less practiced predicting variables. Variables that may affect inhibitor and ITI outcomes were each divided into two categories: patient characteristics (such as age and family history) and treatment‐related variables (including exposure days, treatment duration and dose). It is recommended that, in addition to exploratory hypothesis testing, a minimum set of variables should be collected and reported by registries. International collaboration and well‐designed prospective registries are of major importance to advance this field in order to determine inhibitor risks and ITI outcomes and facilitate the development of new treatments.
Tumor budding correlates with occult cervical lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in clinical early‐stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xie Nan , Wang Cheng , Liu Xiqiang , Li Ruyao , Hou Jinsong , Chen Xiaohua , Huang Hongzhang
Published: August 2014

Background

Tumor budding has been suggested to be a prognostic factor in various human cancers. However, the prognostic value of tumor budding for early‐stage (cT1/2N0) tongue squamous cell carcinoma remains inconclusive. This study analyzed the correlation of tumor budding with the clinicopathologic features, and its prognostic significance for cT1/2N0 stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

One hundred and ninety‐five patients with T1/2 stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma enrolled in the retrospective study. Tumor invasive depth, the intensity of tumor budding, and other clinicopathological features were reviewed. Overall survivals were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method. For multivariable analysis, Cox's proportional hazards regression models were performed.

Results

The frequency of tumor buds in tongue squamous cell carcinoma is about 85.6% in this study. The intensity of tumor budding showed strong correlations with occult lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), local relapse (P < 0.01), worse invasive pattern (P < 0.01), and invasive depth (P < 0.05). The invasive depth was significantly associated with T classification (P < 0.01) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). And both high intensity of tumor budding and deeper invasive depth correlated with reduced overall survival. Cox's regression models proved tumor budding to be an independent prognostic factor in clinical early‐stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor local relapses were also a predictor of tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression.

Conclusions

Tumor budding is a frequent event in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. It independently predicted prognosis of patients with T1/2 stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma and may be used for routing pathological diagnosis and the decision of elective lymph node dissection.
Cell‐autonomous defense, re‐organization and trafficking of membranes in plant–microbe interactions
Authors: Dörmann Peter , Kim Hyeran , Ott Thomas , Schulze‐Lefert Paul , Trujillo Marco , Wewer Vera , Hückelhoven Ralph
Published: August 2014

Plant cells dynamically change their architecture and molecular composition following encounters with beneficial or parasitic microbes, a process referred to as host cell reprogramming. Cell‐autonomous defense reactions are typically polarized to the plant cell periphery underneath microbial contact sites, including de novo cell wall biosynthesis. Alternatively, host cell reprogramming converges in the biogenesis of membrane‐enveloped compartments for accommodation of beneficial bacteria or invasive infection structures of filamentous microbes. Recent advances have revealed that, in response to microbial encounters, plasma membrane symmetry is broken, membrane tethering and SNARE complexes are recruited, lipid composition changes and plasma membrane‐to‐cytoskeleton signaling is activated, either for pre‐invasive defense or for microbial entry. We provide a critical appraisal on recent studies with a focus on how plant cells re‐structure membranes and the associated cytoskeleton in interactions with microbial pathogens, nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia and mycorrhiza fungi.
Histopathologic grading of oral mucositis
Authors: Sunavala‐Dossabhoy G , Abreo F , Timiri Shanmugam PS , Caldito G
Published: August 2014

Objective

Oral mucositis is a common adverse effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation, and it causes debilitating morbidity that may necessitate interruptions in cancer treatment. Animal models of oral mucositis are invaluable tools for testing novel therapeutics, but grading of lesions based on subjective assessments makes conformism between studies difficult. A standardized scoring system that can objectively and reproducibly grade the severity of oral mucositis is critical in comparing and validating efficacies of developing therapeutics.

Materials and methods

The head region of male Balb/C animals was exposed to collimated radiation delivered as fractions of 8 Gy on three consecutive days, or as a single large dose of 22.5 Gy. The development of oral toxicity was assessed by histologic analysis of the tongue at various days postradiation.

Results

After fractionated radiation, early epithelial atypia of basal cell layer disorganization and nuclear aberrations was evident by day 6. The disease displayed moderate changes of epithelial atrophy and dyskeratosis by day 7.5 with subsequent epithelial breakdown and ulceration by day 9. In contrast, exposure to a single large‐dose radiation resulted in bulla formation by day 9 in most animals.

Conclusions

An oral mucositis grading system based on histopathologic scoring of tissues is proposed.
Intranasal Ketorolac as Part of a Multimodal Approach to Postoperative Pain
Authors: Pergolizzi Joseph V. , Taylor Robert , Raffa Robert B.
Published: August 2014

Despite recent advances in the knowledge of pain mechanisms and pain management, postoperative pain continues to be a problem. Inadequately managed postsurgical pain has both clinical and economic consequences such as longer recovery times, delayed ambulation, higher incidence of complications, increased length of hospital stay, and potential to develop into chronic pain. Generally, opioids are the mainstay option for pain management in patients with moderate‐to‐severe postsurgical pain; however, opioids have significant side effects and have abuse potential. To improve patient and economic outcomes after surgery, postoperative pain guidelines have suggested incorporating a multi‐modal/multi‐mechanistic approach to pain treatment. A multi‐modal approach is the simultaneous use of a combination of two or more (usually opioid and non‐opioid) analgesics that provide two different mechanisms of actions. Utilizing a multi‐modal approach may result in a greater reduction in pain vs. single therapies in addition to minimizing opioid use, thus reducing opioid related side effects. However, not all approaches may be effective for all types of patients and not all analgesics may be a viable option for outpatient settings, ambulatory surgery, or the fast‐track surgical procedures. In this report, we present a review of the literature with a focus on intranasal ketorolac in order to provide a timely update regarding past, present, and future multi‐modal treatment options for postoperative pain.
Rationalization, Evidence, and Pretense
Authors: D'Cruz Jason
Published: August 2014

In this paper I distinguish the category of “rationalization” from various forms of epistemic irrationality. I maintain that only if we model rationalizers as pretenders can we make sense of the rationalizer's distinctive relationship to the evidence in her possession. I contrast the cognitive attitude of the rationalizer with that of believers whose relationship to the evidence I describe as “waffling” or “intransigent”. In the final section of the paper, I compare the rationalizer to the Frankfurtian bullshitter.
Family Centered Brief Intensive Treatment: A Pilot Study of an Outpatient Treatment for Acute Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Anastasia Trena T. , Humphries‐Wadsworth Terresa , Pepper Carolyn M. , Pearson Timothy M.
Published: August 2014

Family Centered Brief Intensive Treatment (FC BIT), a hospital diversion treatment program for individuals with acute suicidal ideation, was developed to treat suicidal clients and their families. Individuals who met criteria for hospitalization were treated as outpatients using FC BIT (n = 19) or an intensive outpatient treatment without the family component (IOP; n = 24). Clients receiving FC BIT identified family members or supportive others to participate in therapy. FC BIT clients had significantly greater improvement at the end of treatment compared to IOP clients on measures of depression, hopelessness, and suicidality. Further research is needed to test the efficacy of FC BIT.
Factors Associated with Current Versus Lifetime Self‐Injury Among High School and College Students
Authors: Taliaferro Lindsay A. , Muehlenkamp Jennifer J.
Published: August 2014

We sought to identify factors associated with current versus lifetime nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) and factors that show consonant and distinct relationships with current NSSI for adolescents and young adults. Data came from a population‐based survey of high school students (n = 9,985) and a national survey of college students (n = 7,801). Among both samples, factors associated with current NSSI included male gender, younger age, greater depressive symptoms, more hopelessness, and being the victim of a verbal or physical assault. For high school students, greater anxiety, and for college students, identifying as non‐White, negative perceptions of one's weight, a same‐sex sexual experience, and involvement in dating violence also distinguished the groups. Findings suggest that clinical and research assessments of lifetime NSSI might not extend to current behavior, and some differences exist in the factors associated with current behavior between adolescents and young adults. Clinical practice and prevention programming efforts should target certain intrapersonal and interpersonal factors associated with current NSSI among younger students during stressful transition periods in their lives, such as entering high school or college, when they might consider initiating or continuing this behavior.
The Olsen P/solution P relationship as affected by soil properties
Authors: Sánchez‐Alcalá I. , del Campillo M. C. , Barrón V. , Torrent J.
Published: August 2014

Little attention has so far been given to the relationship of Olsen P to solution P at P levels in the soil solution within the range relevant to plant growth. In this work, we investigated the relationship between these two P forms in 24 noncalcareous and 25 calcareous Spanish soils, using the concentration of P in the 0.01 m CaCl2 extract (1:10 soil:solution ratio; 30 min shaking) as a proxy for the P concentration in the soil solution. Application of the Freundlich equation (y = axb) in linearized form provided a parsimonious, largely accurate description of the Olsen P/CaCl2‐P relationship. The average value of exponent b, 0.53, suggests that Olsen P relates to the quantity of P in soil rather than to its intensity. The estimated Olsen P values at a CaCl2‐P concentration of 0.01 and 0.03 mg/L (viz., Olsen P0.01 and Olsen P0.03, respectively) varied over wide ranges (0.6–33.9 and 2.0–38.9 mg/kg, respectively). Based on the results of a regression analysis, silicate clays, carbonates and, especially, Fe oxides contribute positively to Olsen P0.01 and Olsen P0.03. The fact that, as shown here, Olsen P at a specific solution P concentration can be predicted from easily measured soil properties can facilitate decision‐making in managing fertilizer P.
Tracking a Person Over Time Is Tracking What?
Authors: Brook Andrew
Published: August 2014

Tracking persons, that is, determining that a person now is or is not a specific earlier person, is extremely common and widespread in our way of life and extremely important. If so, figuring out what we are tracking, what it is to persist as a person over a period of time, is also important. Trying to figure this out will be the main focus of this chapter.