bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workplace mobbing and bystanders' helping behaviour towards victims: The role of gender, perceived responsibility and anticipated stigma by association
Authors: Mulder Roelie , Pouwelse Mieneke , Lodewijkx Hein , Bolman Catherine
Published: January 2014

We examined victims' perceived responsibility and bystanders' anticipated risk of being victimized themselves when others associate them with the victim (stigma by association, SBA) as possible antecedents of bystanders' helping behaviour towards a victim of workplace mobbing, and explored the effects of gender. Guided by the attribution model of social conduct (Weiner, 2006), a 2 × 2 vignette experiment was conducted. Participants were Dutch regional government employees (N = 161). Path analyses generally supported the hypotheses, but showed different results for women and men. In the strong (Vs. weak) responsibility condition, women reported less sympathy and more anger and men only more anger, which resulted in lower helping intention. Additionally, for men the results showed an unexpected direct positive effect of responsibility on helping intention. Furthermore, in the strong SBA condition, women and men reported more fear and men, unexpectedly, more anger. Consequently, helping intention decreased. The findings on gender are discussed in the context of social role theory, gender and emotion. Our findings suggest that to prevent and tackle mobbing, organizations and professionals should be aware of the attributional and emotional processes and gender differences in bystanders' helping behaviour.
FROM INSTITUTIONAL CARE TO FAMILY SUPPORT: DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE EARLY INTERVENTION NETWORK IN THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD REGION, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, TO SUPPORT FAMILY CARE FOR CHILDREN AT RISK FOR INSTITUTIONALIZATION
Authors: Johnson Dana E. , Dovbnya Svyatoslav V. , Morozova Tatiana U. , Richards Melinda A. , Bogdanova Julia G.
Published: January 2014

Despite efforts of the government to reform child protection, Russia continues to rely on institutional care due to the lack of support services for families in crisis, children with disabilities, and foster and adoptive parents.The project goal was to establish a replicable professional model that would direct the child welfare system in the Nizhny Novgorod Region away from institutional care and toward services for young children and their families that reduce the risk of institutionalization. The program was carried out over a 3‐year period through a public–private partnership, which included the Ministries of Social Policy and Health of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Firefly, and KPMG with partial funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Participation of professionals was excellent, attitudinal changes were extensive, and there were significant improvements in the understanding and utilization of early intervention concepts. The number of visits to program sites increased from essentially none to almost 1,000/month during the course of the project. Difficulties employing standardized child‐based measures of success and developing ministry data‐collection systems were encountered. Changes within the child welfare system in Russia are possible, but require a knowledgeable and adequately funded and supported program within regions receptive to change.
Percentage of pain intensity difference on an 11‐point numerical rating scale underestimates acute pain resolution
Authors: Chauny J.‐M. , Paquet J. , Lavigne G. , Daoust R.
Published: January 2014

Background

A 50% reduction in pain intensity difference (50%PID) between baseline and follow‐up evaluation is commonly accepted as adequate pain relief in emergency departments (EDs). However, 50%PID seems to be problematic with the 11‐point numerical rating scale (NRS) since even baseline values are more divisible by 2 (50% reduction) than odd baseline values. This study evaluated the impact of this bias and integrated time between baseline and follow‐up measurements, hypothesizing that the slope of relative pain intensity difference (SRPID) is a more accurate gauge of pain relief that can decrease bias and incorporate the time component of pain relief.

Methods

A post‐hoc analysis of real‐time data on an adult population from an urban ED identified 3199 consecutive patients who received an analgesic, had baseline NRS > 3 and a follow‐up NRS within 2 h. Primary outcome was the percentage of patients with pain relieved from the 50%PID and the 50%SRPID criteria.

Results

Results showed that with 50%PID, even pain intensity levels on baseline NRS comprised a higher percentage of patients [60.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 58.8–63.0] with pain relief compared to odd pain intensity levels (51.7%; 95% CI: 48.8–54.6; p < 0.001), underestimating pain‐relieved patients by 9% [95% CI: 0.05–0.13; effect size (ES) = 0.09]. The percentage of pain‐relieved subjects with the 50%SRPID criteria was not affected by baseline NRS values (59.7% for whole sample; 95% CI: 58.0–61.4; ES = 0.02).

Conclusions

The 50%PID method with an 11‐point NRS for assessing adequate pain relief is significantly biased for specific baseline pain intensity level. In the particular context of ED acute pain, the SRPID seems less biased.
Treatment of acute abdominal pain in the emergency room: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Falch C. , Vicente D. , Häberle H. , Kirschniak A. , Müller S. , Nissan A. , Brücher B.L.D.M.
Published: January 2014

Appropriate pain therapy prior to diagnosis in patients with acute abdominal pain remains controversial. Several recent studies have demonstrated that pain therapy does not negatively influence either the diagnosis or subsequent treatment of these patients; however, current practice patterns continue to favour withholding pain medication prior to diagnosis and surgical treatment decision. A systematic review of PubMed, Web‐of‐Science and The‐Cochrane‐Library from 1929 to 2011 was carried out using the key words of ‘acute’, ‘abdomen’, ‘pain’, ‘emergency’ as well as different pain drugs in use, revealed 84 papers. The results of the literature review were incorporated into six sections to describe management of acute abdominal pain: (1) Physiology of Pain; (2) Common Aetiologies of Abdominal Pain; (3) Pre‐diagnostic Analgesia; (4) Pain Therapy for Acute Abdominal Pain; (5) Analgesia for Acute Abdominal Pain in Special Patient Populations; and (6) Ethical and Medico‐legal Considerations in Current Analgesia Practices. A comprehensive algorithm for analgesia for acute abdominal pain in the general adult population was developed. A review of the literature of common aetiologies and management of acute abdominal pain in the general adult population and special patient populations seen in the emergency room revealed that intravenous administration of paracetamol, dipyrone or piritramide are currently the analgesics of choice in this clinical setting. Combinations of non‐opioids and opioids should be administered in patients with moderate, severe or extreme pain, adjusting the treatment on the basis of repeated pain assessment, which improves overall pain management.
Bone responses to zirconia implants with a thin carbonate‐containing hydroxyapatite coating using a molecular precursor method
Authors: Hirota Masatsugu , Hayakawa Tohru , Ohkubo Chikahiro , Sato Mitsunobu , Hara Hiroki , Toyama Takeshi , Tanaka Yasuhiro
Published: January 2014

Thin carbonate‐containing hydroxyapatite (CA) films coating partially stabilized zirconia (Y‐TZP) were prepared (CA‐Y‐TZP) to establish a metal‐free implant system. CA was coated using a molecular precursor method. The CA film was deposited on the surface of Y‐TZP using a precursor solution, which was a mixture of a calcium–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complex and phosphate compounds. The deposited CA film was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy measurements. A focus ion beam system technique revealed that the thickness of the CA film was less than 1.0 µm. Biological evaluations of CA‐Y‐TZP were performed by immersion experiments in simulated body fluid (SBF) and implantation experiments in the tibiae and femoral condyles of rabbits. In the SBF immersion experiment, apatite deposition progressed more on CA‐Y‐TZP at the early stage of immersion than on Y‐TZP without the CA coating. Animal experiments revealed that bone formation on CA‐Y‐TZP was similar with than on Y‐TZP. Histomorphometrical evaluations showed a significantly higher bone‐to‐implant contact ratio and bone mass on CA‐Y‐TZP after implantation into the femoral trabecular bone of rabbits. Therefore, CA‐Y‐TZP appears to be applicable as a metal‐free implant. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1277–1288, 2014.
Ultrasonographic features of renal oncocytoma with histopathologic correlation
Authors: Lou Li , Teng Jianbo , Lin Xiaoyan , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2014

Background

To analyze the sonographic (US) features of renal oncocytoma and correlate them with histopathologic findings.

Methods

The medical records of 12 patients with a histologic diagnosis of renal oncocytomas were reviewed. The location, size, shape, margin, echogenicity, homogeneity, and blood flow distribution of the lesions were analyzed, and the US features were compared with histopathologic findings.

Results

Oncocytomas appeared as solid, solitary, well‐marginated, unencapsulated, fairly homogeneous renal cortical masses (n = 10), with regular shape, relatively isoechoic (n = 5) or slightly hyperechoic (n = 7) to the adjacent renal parenchyma, and an exophytic growth pattern was exhibited in most cases (n = 9). Two larger masses (≥9 cm) demonstrated a central stellate scar and a characteristic of spoke‐wheel vascular pattern. The tumors with a low percentage of stroma (<20%) were associated with an echotexture isoechoic to renal parenchyma, whereas oncocytomas with a higher percentage of stroma (>20%) were slightly hyperechoic.

Conclusions

Although the US features are not pathognomonic, their presence should alert to the possible diagnosis of renal oncocytoma. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:129–133, 2014
Educational benefits of fusing magnetic resonance imaging with sonograms
Authors: Vollman Andrew , Hulen Rachel , Dulchavsky Scott , Pinchcofsky Howard , Amponsah David , Jacobsen Gordon , Dulchavsky Alexandria , van Holsbeeck Marnix
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To investigate whether providing sonographic (US)/MRI fusion images will enhance the ability of medical students and radiology residents to identify MSK anatomy on sonograms alone.

Methods

Medical students (n = 31) and radiology residents (n = 23) were each randomly divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Subjects in Group A were shown 10 MSK sonograms with arrows pointing to a specific anatomic structure or anatomic region. Subjects in Group B were shown the exact same 10 annotated sonograms as Group A as well as an additional fusion image consisting of an MRI of the same anatomy in the same plane fused with the sonogram without arrows. Sonograms and MRI were obtained from adult patients who consented to have their images used. The anatomic regions included the shoulder, hip, and pelvis. Both groups were given the same 10‐question multiple choice examination to identify the anatomic structure that the arrow was marking on the sonogram. The transducer's location was given for every question. One minute was allowed to answer each question. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to assess if there was a difference between Group A and Group B in both the medical student and the radiology resident cohorts.

Results

Medical students: subjects in Group A (n = 16) gave the correct answers in 33.8% of the cases (54/160). Subjects in Group B (n = 15) gave correct answers in 26.0% of the cases (39/150) (p value <0.110). Radiology residents: subjects in Group A (n = 11) gave correct answers in 40.9% of the cases (45/110). Subjects in Group B (n = 12) gave correct answers in 72.5% of the cases (87/120) (p value <0.001).

Conclusion

The addition of a fusion MRI/US image enhances radiology residents' ability to identify MSK US anatomy accurately compared with the sonogram alone. The medical students, however, did not show improvement with the addition of the fusion MRI/sonogram. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:257–263, 2014
Transplanting neural progenitors into a complete transection model of spinal cord injury
Authors: Medalha Carla Christina , Jin Ying , Yamagami Takaya , Haas Christopher , Fischer Itzhak
Published: January 2014

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI) because of the potential for cell replacement and restoration of connectivity. Our previous studies have shown that transplants of NPC, composed of neuron‐ and glia‐restricted progenitors derived from the embryonic spinal cord, survived well in partial lesion models and generated graft‐derived neurons, which could be used to form a functional relay. We have now examined the properties of a similar NPC transplant using a complete transection model in juvenile and adult rats. We found poor survival of grafted cells despite using a variety of lesion methods, matrices, and delays of transplantation. If, instead of cultured progenitor cells, the transplants were composed of segmental or dissociated segments of fetal spinal cord (FSC) derived from similar‐staged embryos, grafted cells survived and integrated well with host tissue in juvenile and adult rats. FSC transplants differentiated into neurons and glial cells, including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Graft‐derived neurons expressed glutaminergic and GABAergic markers. Grafted cells also migrated and extended processes into host tissue. Analysis of axon growth from the host spinal cord showed serotonin‐positive fibers and biotinylated dextran amine‐traced propriospinal axons growing into the transplants. These results suggest that in treating severe SCI, such as complete transection, NPC grafting faces major challenges related to cell survival and formation of a functional relay. Lessons learned from the efficacy of FSC transplants could be used to develop a therapeutic strategy based on neural progenitor cells for severe SCI. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aesthetic outcomes in women undergoing breast‐conserving therapy followed by mastectomy and microsurgical reconstruction
Authors: Khansa Ibrahim , Boehmler James H.
Published: January 2014

Background

In women with early‐stage breast cancer, breast‐conserving therapy (BCT) provides comparable survival to mastectomy. BCT has the advantage of preserving most of the breast, its skin envelope and the nipple–areola complex. However, deformity may result from the excision of significant amounts of breast tissue, as well as radiation therapy. Several studies have compared patients who underwent BCT to different patients who underwent mastectomy and reconstruction, and found superior aesthetic outcomes in the latter group. Our goal in this study was to compare the aesthetic outcomes in the same women who underwent BCT followed by mastectomy and reconstruction.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2012, 42 women with a history of BCT developed cancer recurrence and underwent mastectomy and microsurgical breast reconstruction at our institution. Photographs before and after mastectomy and reconstruction were rated by a panel of nine judges (two independent plastic surgeons, three surgical oncologists, one radiation oncologist, one medical oncologist, and two medical students), using a validated scale

Results

Overall, patients received a significantly higher aesthetic score after mastectomy and reconstruction than after BCT. The greatest areas of aesthetic improvement were breast volume, contour, and projection. Patients whose lumpectomy was in the lower inner quadrant, those undergoing bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction and those completing all stages of their reconstruction had the greatest aesthetic improvement

Conclusions

When advising patients with early‐stage breast cancer, the superior aesthetic outcome of mastectomy and microsurgical reconstruction compared to BCT must be weighed against disadvantages such as loss of sensation, length of surgery, and donor‐site morbidity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:21–28, 2015.
Modeling and correction of bolus dispersion effects in dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI
Authors: Mehndiratta Amit , Calamante Fernando , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Crane David E. , Payne Stephen J. , Chappell Michael A.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Bolus dispersion in DSC‐MRI can lead to errors in cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimation by up to 70% when using singular value decomposition analysis. However, it might be possible to correct for dispersion using two alternative methods: the vascular model (VM) and control point interpolation (CPI). Additionally, these approaches potentially provide a means to quantify the microvascular residue function.

Methods

VM and CPI were extended to correct for dispersion by means of a vascular transport function. Simulations were performed at multiple dispersion levels and an in vivo analysis was performed on a healthy subject and two patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Results

Simulations showed that methods that could not address dispersion tended to underestimate CBF (ratio in CBF estimation, CBFratio = 0.57–0.77) in the presence of dispersion; whereas modified CPI showed the best performance at low‐to‐medium dispersion; CBFratio = 0.99 and 0.81, respectively. The in vivo data showed trends in CBF estimation and residue function that were consistent with the predictions from simulations.

Conclusion

In patients with atherosclerotic disease the estimated residue function showed considerable differences in the ipsilateral hemisphere. These differences could partly be attributed to dispersive effects arising from the stenosis when dispersion corrected CPI was used. It is thus beneficial to correct for dispersion in perfusion analysis using this method. Magn Reson Med 72:1762–1774, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safely assessing radiofrequency heating potential of conductive devices using image‐based current measurements
Authors: Griffin Gregory H. , Anderson Kevan J.T. , Celik Haydar , Wright Graham A.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Many procedures involving catheters and implanted medical devices could benefit from MRI guidance but are currently contraindicated due to risk of significant heating near linear conductive structures. A priori safety prediction is impossible in vivo and thus, safety is typically investigated in vitro by directly measuring temperature rise. Existing methods of investigating safety are inflexible and provide few data. Furthermore, they are fundamentally limited because dangerous temperatures rises can only be investigated if induced. A method of remotely predicting safety is necessary for ensuring safety in patients.

Theory and Methods

Electric current induced on the metallic object causes any dangerous heating; thus a remote method of safely characterizing the induced radiofrequency (RF) current distribution would suffice to evaluate safety assuming conservative estimates for local tissue properties. Here we propose a method of analyzing induced phase artifacts seen in low‐specific absorption rate characterization images, to determine induced current on an interventional device. This induced current distribution can then be used to predict RF heating behavior under application of any other imaging sequence.

Results

This method has been successfully used to reproduce numerical simulations in a phantom. Furthermore, the heating behavior around a conductive wire produced by a scan other than that used to characterize current was successfully predicted.

Conclusion

It has been shown in phantom experiments that remote current characterization can safely prevent dangerous scans as well as enable safe scans that previously would not have been attempted. Magn Reson Med 73:427–441, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Testing of DNT and TNT by the Mini‐Autoclave Method
Authors: Knorr Annett , Krebs Holger
Published: January 2014

Autoclave methods are commonly used when pressure progress under thermal stress is of interest. One of them is the mini‐autoclave method by Kühner AG. To test the robustness of the equipment under powerful exposure, two known high energetic materials, DNT and TNT, were investigated. The sample mass was increased stepwise in the range from 0.25 g to 1.0 g. For one test (1 g TNT), gas burners instead of the usually employed 2‐zone heating block, were used to intensify the test conditions. Results showed the expected slower pressure generation of DNT in comparison to TNT. The mechanical robustness of the apparatus could be approved in all runs. Pressure data were used to calculate the energy release of decomposition. The values were in good agreement with the heat of decomposition, estimated by DSC.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis RpfE crystal structure reveals a positively charged catalytic cleft
Authors: Mavrici Daniela , Prigozhin Daniil M. , Alber Tom
Published: January 2014

Resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) proteins, which hydrolyze the sugar chains in cell‐wall peptidoglycan (PG), play key roles in prokaryotic cell elongation, division, and escape from dormancy to vegetative growth. Like other bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) expresses multiple Rpfs, none of which is individually essential. This redundancy has left unclear the distinct functions of the different Rpfs. To explore the distinguishing characteristics of the five Mtb Rpfs, we determined the crystal structure of the RpfE catalytic domain. The protein adopts the characteristic Rpf fold, but the catalytic cleft is narrower compared to Mtb RpfB. Also in contrast to RpfB, in which the substrate‐binding surfaces are negatively charged, the corresponding RpfE catalytic pocket and predicted peptide‐binding sites are more positively charged at neutral pH. The complete reversal of the electrostatic potential of the substrate‐binding site suggests that the different Rpfs function optimally at different pHs or most efficiently hydrolyze different micro‐domains of PG. These studies provide insights into the molecular determinants of the evolution of functional specialization in Rpfs.
The intracellular carboxyl terminal domain of Vangl proteins contains plasma membrane targeting signals
Authors: Iliescu Alexandra , Gros Philippe
Published: January 2014

Vangl1 and Vangl2 are integral membrane proteins that play a critical role in establishing planar cell polarity (PCP) in epithelial cells and are required for convergent extension (CE) movements during embryogenesis. Their proper targeting to the plasma membrane (PM) is required for function. We created discrete deletions at the amino and carboxy termini of Vangl1 and monitored the effect of the mutations on PM targeting in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells. Our results show that the Vangl1 amino terminus lacks PM targeting determinants, and these are restricted to the carboxy terminus, including the predicted PDZBM motif at the C‐terminus.
Evaluation of an InAlN/AlN/GaN HEMT with Ta‐based ohmic contacts and PECVD SiN passivation
Authors: Malmros Anna , Gamarra Piero , Thorsell Mattias , Forte‐Poisson Marie‐Antoinette di , Lacam Cedric , Tordjman Maurice , Aubry Raphaël , Zirath Herbert , Rorsman Niklas
Published: January 2014

An InAlN/AlN/GaN HEMT with Au‐free Ta‐based ohmic contacts and a high‐quality PECVD SiN pas‐sivation is reported. The ohmic contacts were annealed at 550 °C, resulting in a contact resistance of 0.64 Ωmm. The gate length was 50 nm. The device performance and the process were evaluated by performing DC‐, pulsed IV‐, RF‐, and load‐pull measurements. It was observed that current slump was effectively mitigated by the passivation layer. The DC channel current density increased by 71 % to 1170 mA/mm at the knee of the IV curve, and the transconductance increased from 382 to 477 mS/mm after passivation. At the same time the gate leakage increased, and the extrinsic fmax decreased from 207 to 140 GHz. Output powers of 4.1 and 3.5 W/mm were measured after passivation at 31 and 40 GHz, respectively. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Assessment of factors limiting conversion efficiency of single‐junction III‐nitride solar cells
Authors: Bulashevich Kirill A. , Karpov Sergey Yu.
Published: January 2014

Using simulations, we have identify the major factors controlling the conversion efficiency of single‐junction n‐GaN/i‐InxGa1‐xN/p‐GaN solar cells, including absorptivity of solar radiation, heterostructure polarity, composition of the InGaN active layer, and non‐radiative life‐times of generated electrons and holes. The interplay of these factors, their hierarchy, and the possible effect of stress relaxation in InGaN on the conversion efficiency are discussed in terms of modeling. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
4DEnVar: link with 4D state formulation of variational assimilation and different possible implementations
Authors: Desroziers Gérald , Camino Jean‐Thomas , Berre Loïk
Published: January 2014

The four‐dimensional ensemble variational (4DEnVar) formulation is receiving increasing interest, especially in numerical weather prediction centres, which until now have mostly relied on the four‐dimensional variational (4D‐Var) formalism. It may indeed combine some of the best features of variational and ensemble methods. In this article, it is shown that the 4DEnVar formulation is linked with the 4D state formulation of variational assimilation, and that the 4DEnVar is relatively easy to precondition, in addition of being parallelizable. Practical implementations of the 4DEnVar are also investigated and two new preconditioned algorithms are proposed. The hybrid formulation of 4DEnVar, combining static and ensemble background‐error covariances, is discussed for the different possible algorithms. An application of the proposed implementations of 4DEnVar is shown with the Burgers model and compared to the use of 4D‐Var.
Seasonality in the biplot of Northern Hemisphere temperature anomalies
Authors: Ivanov Martin A. , Evtimov Stilian N.
Published: January 2014

Northern Hemisphere mean monthly temperature anomalies for the 1890–2010 period are examined for seasonality. The statistical method of biplotting visually synthesizes the major features of the time series for the 12 calendar months into a single plot. The common upward trend in all months and the winter–summer temperature contrast capture more than 80% of the total data variance. A temperature seasonalization is established: winter (January–March), summer (May–October) and transitional months (November, December and April). Two uncorrelated factors underlie this seasonality. The ﬁrst is the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation, which is indicated by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and which statistically determines the summer temperature anomalies. The second is the cold ocean–warm land pattern, which is indicated by the hemispheric land–ocean temperature contrast and which statistically determines the winter anomalies. The interannual effect of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, volcanism and also the Arctic Oscillation/North Atlantic Oscillation mode compete with the background trend to produce a few extreme and outlier years.
Transparency as a Precondition of Systemic Behavior: the Case of European Retailing Banks Regarding Social Responsibility Communication
Authors: Pejić Bach Mirjana , Ante Omazić Mislav , Zoroja Jovana
Published: January 2014

Social responsibility (SR) informally promotes systemic behavior by concepts of interdependence and holism in ISO 26000. SR principles demand transparency including communication of SR covered in company communications with its public. Banks are found problematic in transparency world‐wide but are active regarding SR communication, which is especially important because banks critically impact society and its economic development. The banks' role in developing and underdeveloped countries is especially important because of their impact on countries' development, which increases the importance of their SR. Often, banks in these countries are subsidiaries of the large international banks. This article compares SR websites communication of large European multinational banks in their parent and subsidiary countries; content analysis is applied. Results implicate that banks in subsidiary countries have a significantly lower level of SR communication than the parent countries, and the difference tends to be higher in less developed countries. This endangers banks' systemic behavior and the international economy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carboxylic Acid Free Novel Isocyanide‐Based Reactions
Authors: Soeta Takahiro , Ukaji Yutaka
Published: January 2014

In order to develop a practical method for the construction of drug‐like and heterocyclic compounds, we have designed a novel Passerini‐ or Ugi‐type reaction system where a compound (which we write in the general form as Z–X) composed of an electrophilic (Z) and a nucleophilic group (X) could essentially perform the same function as the carboxylic acid. Based on this concept, we have developed the O‐silylative Passerini reaction and the borinic acid catalyzed α‐addition of isocyanides to aldehydes and water. In addition, we have designed and demonstrated the addition reaction of isocyanides to nitrones in the presence of TMSCl to afford the corresponding 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐1‐carboxyamides. Furthermore, a novel [5 + 1] cycloaddition of isocyanide was explored with C,N‐cyclic N′‐acyl azomethine imines as a “1,5‐dipole” via a strategy involving intramolecular trapping of the isocyanide.
Reframing research on informal teaching and learning in science: Comments and commentary at the heart of a new vision for the field
Authors: Rahm Jrène
Published: January 2014

Informal science education is a broad field of research marked by fuzzy boundaries, tensions, and muddles among many disciplines, making for an unclear future trajectory (or trajectories) for the field of study. In this commentary, I unpack some of the hidden dimensions, tensions and challenges the five articles raise or point to implicitly in terms of theory, methodology, and future research. I explore ideas to think with in terms of learning pathways or trajectories and time‐space dimensions of science learning. I also explore future dimensions for partnerships, collaborations, boundary encounters and boundary objects. I conclude by raising issues pertaining to diversity, equity and the position of the research and researcher. Together, I call for attention to the subtle dimensions of ISE learning and development. I make the case for the legitimacy of yet marginalized theories in science education grounded in sociocultural theory and CHAT, social practice theory, and network theory. Most important, together with the authors, I make the case for a relational perspective of learning, identity and affect, as culturally and historically grounded. I suggest that these theories can be used to work through conceptions of partnerships that will help erase boundaries among cultures, practices, teaching and learning, constitutive of life‐long, life‐wide, and life‐deep science learning, science teaching and science education, and that in the end, will be transformative. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 395–406, 2014
Ecotoxicity of single‐wall carbon nanotubes to freshwater snail Lymnaea luteola L.: Impacts on oxidative stress and genotoxicity
Authors: Ali Daoud , Ahmed Mukhtar , Alarifi Saud , Ali Huma
Published: January 2014

Mammalian studies have raised concerns about the toxicity of carbon nanotubes, but there is very limited data on ecogenotoxicity to aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to determine eco‐geno toxic effects of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in fresh water snail, Lymnea luteola (L. luteola). A static test system was used to expose L. luteola to a freshwater control, 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 0.46 mg/L SWCNTs for up to 4 days. SWCNTs changed a significant reduction in glutathione, glutathione‐S‐transferase, and glutathione peroxidase with in hepatopancreas of L. luteola. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and catalase showed dose‐ and time‐dependent and statistically significant increase in hepatopancreas during SWCNTs exposure compared with control. However, a significant (p < 0.01) induction in DNA damage was observed by the comet assay in hepatopancreas cells treated with SWCNTs. These results demonstrate that SWCNTs are ecogenotoxic to freshwater snail L. luteola. The oxidative stress and comet assay can successfully be used as sensitive tools of aquatic pollution biomonitoring. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 674–682, 2015.
Falsification and corroboration of conceptual hydrological models using geophysical data
Authors: Linde Niklas
Published: January 2014

Geophysical data may provide crucial information about hydrological properties, states, and processes that are difficult to obtain by other means. Large data sets can be acquired over widely different scales in a minimally invasive manner and at comparatively low costs, but their effective use in hydrology makes it necessary to understand the fidelity of geophysical models, the assumptions made in their construction, and the links between geophysical and hydrological properties. Geophysics has been applied for groundwater prospecting for almost a century, but it is only in the last 20 years that it is regularly used together with classical hydrological data to build predictive hydrological models. A largely unexplored venue for future work is to use geophysical data to falsify or rank competing conceptual hydrological models. A promising cornerstone for such a model selection strategy is the Bayes factor, but it can only be calculated reliably when considering the main sources of uncertainty throughout the hydrogeophysical parameter estimation process. Most classical geophysical imaging tools tend to favor models with smoothly varying property fields that are at odds with most conceptual hydrological models of interest. It is thus necessary to account for this bias or use alternative approaches in which proposed conceptual models are honored at all steps in the model building process.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes
Distributed power control for multiuser cognitive radio networks with quality of service and interference temperature constraints
Authors: Xu Yongjun , Zhao Xiaohui
Published: January 2014

One of the most challenging problems in dynamic resource allocation for cognitive radio networks is to adjust transmission power of secondary users (SUs) while quality of service needs of both SUs and primary users (PUs) are guaranteed. Most power control algorithms only consider interference temperature constraint in single user scenario while ignoring the interference from PUs to SUs and minimum signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) requirement of SUs. In this paper, a distributed power control algorithm without user cooperation is proposed for multiuser underlay CNRs. Specifically, we focus on maximizing total throughput of SUs subject to both maximum allowable transmission power constraint and SINR constraint, as well as interference temperature constraint. To reduce the burden of information exchange and computational complexity, an average interference constraint is proposed. Parameter range and convergence analysis are given for feasible solutions. The resource allocation is transformed into a convex optimization problem, which is solved by using Lagrange dual method. In computer simulations, the effectiveness of our proposed scheme is shown by comparing with distributed constrained power control algorithm and Nash bargaining power control game algorithm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A low complexity approach to equalization for doubly selective channels
Authors: Qaisrani Muhammad T. N. , Barhumi Imad
Published: January 2014

In this manuscript, a low complexity scheme for linear and decision feedback equalization of doubly selective channels is introduced, and it is further extended to low complexity turbo equalization of doubly selective channels. The proposed low complexity scheme involves time‐varying equalizer design by explicitly solving for the equalizer at a few sparse points within the transmit block. The obtained equalizer coefficients at these uniformly spaced points within the transmit block are then interpolated to obtain the equalizer coefficients in the remainder of the block. This interpolation‐based approach to time‐varying equalizer design ensures a low design complexity. The performance of the proposed low complexity equalizer is assessed through numerical simulations. Furthermore, its effectiveness in a turbo equalization setup is studied by numerical simulations, which show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barriers to Addressing Substance Abuse in Domestic Violence Court
Authors: Riger Stephanie , Bennett Larry W. , Sigurvinsdottir Rannveig
Published: January 2014

Substance abuse commonly co‐occurs with intimate partner violence among both perpetrators and survivors. Specialized courts that focus on intimate partner violence provide a unique opportunity to address both problems simultaneously, but research has yet to identify whether this happens. In this qualitative study of a domestic violence court in a large midwestern metropolitan area, key informants were interviewed to understand how the Court treats substance abuse. Results indicate that substance abuse typically is not identified among perpetrators or survivors going through the Court unless it is mentioned in a police report. Barriers to such identification are the organization of the Court, bounded definition of actors’ roles in the Court, limited resources, and negative attitudes towards survivors. These results suggest that specialized courts that attend to only one problem may overlook the possibility of addressing issues that commonly co‐occur.
Wavering Azerbaijani Literati Views of America: From the Russian Tsarist through the Modern Periods
Authors: ISAKHANLI HAMLET
Published: January 2014

The historical thoughts and opinions of one nation regarding another are useful both for the purpose of analyzing global events and for understanding both nations. Until modern times, the Azerbaijani people did not have contact with the USA or widespread knowledge of American people, but throughout the past two centuries elite Azerbaijani thinkers and scholars have expressed interest in America from various viewpoints, including the political, scientific, and educational fields. The article reviews statements about the USA as they are documented in the publications by Azerbaijani historians, journalists, creative writers, educators, and politicians from the 1830s through to contemporary times. Using these documents, and poetry of Soviet times, the article analyzes Azerbaijani perspectives on America, which over time have wavered, both upwards and downwards, but often reflected the prevailing political ideology towards the USA, particularly during the Soviet period.
Location of the middle cranial fossa dural plate in patients with chronic otitis media
Authors: Genc S , Genc M G , Arslan I B , Selcuk A
Published: January 2014

Aim:

This study aimed to determine whether or not the middle cranial fossa dural plate is located lower (i.e. more caudally) in patients with chronic otitis media, relative to adjacent structures.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively investigated computed tomography temporal bone scans of 267 ears of 206 patients who had undergone surgery with a diagnosis of chronic otitis media, together with scans of 222 ears of 111 patients without chronic otitis media. The depth of the middle cranial fossa dural plates was recorded.

Results:

The mean depth of the middle cranial fossa dural plate was 4.59 mm in the study group and 2.71 mm in the control group (p < 0.001). The middle cranial fossa dural plate was located lower in the right ear in both the study and control groups.

Conclusion:

The middle cranial fossa dural plate was located lower in patients with chronic otitis media, and in the right ears of both patients and controls. Surgeons should take this low location into consideration, and take extra care, during relevant surgery on patients with chronic otitis media.
Effect of neighbourhood deprivation and social cohesion on mental health inequality: a multilevel population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Fone D. , White J. , Farewell D. , Kelly M. , John G. , Lloyd K. , Williams G. , Dunstan F.
Published: January 2014

Background

The common mental disorders (CMDs) of anxiety and depression are the most common form of poor mental health in the general population. Evidence from the small number of previous cohort studies on the role of neighbourhood factors in mental health is inconclusive. We tested the hypothesis that high levels of neighbourhood social cohesion modify an adverse association between change in individual mental health and neighbourhood deprivation.

Method

We carried out a longitudinal multilevel analysis using data from the Caerphilly Health and Social Needs Cohort Study with a 7-year follow-up (n = 4426; age range 18–74 years at baseline). Neighbourhood deprivation and neighbourhood social cohesion were assessed at baseline and change in mental health between follow-up and baseline was assessed using the five-item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5).

Results

Residence in the most deprived neighbourhoods was negatively associated with change in mental health, after adjusting for baseline individual socio-economic risk factors and transitions in life events. This negative effect was significantly reduced in high social cohesion neighbourhoods. The predicted change in mental health score was calculated for the 10th and 90th centiles of the household low-income distribution. The difference between them was −2.8 in the low social cohesion group and 1.1 in the high cohesion group. The difference between the groups was 3.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2–7.6].

Conclusions

The public health burden of poor mental health and mental health inequality could potentially be reduced by strengthening social cohesion in deprived neighbourhoods. This offers a mechanism to address the adverse effect of neighbourhood deprivation on population mental health.
Dilated cardiomyopathy due to a phospholamban duplication
Authors: Lee Teresa M. , Addonizio Linda J. , Chung Wendy K.
Published: January 2014

Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterised by dilation and impaired systolic function. We present the case of a child with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by a 624 kb duplication of 6q22.31, which includes the phospholamban gene. The patient also has failure to thrive and developmental delay due to complex cytogenetic abnormalities including a 5p15 deletion associated with Cri du Chat and an 11p15 duplication associated with Russell–Silver syndrome.
Chromosome 22q11.21 microduplication in association with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries
Authors: McMahon Colin J. , Morgan Conall T. , Greally Marie T.
Published: January 2014

We describe a case of a baby girl born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome consisting of mitral atresia, aortic atresia, hypoplastic ascending aorta, and left ventricle. The pulmonary arteries were hypoplastic, measuring 3 mm. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis demonstrated a microduplication of chromosome 22q11.2. Subsequent array comparative genomic hybridisation showed a gain of 2.3 Mb in one copy of chromosome 22q at band 22q11.21. The proband underwent a successful Norwood procedure with Sano shunt and subsequently underwent bi-directional Glenn shunt and Fontan procedure. This report highlights the association between hypoplastic left heart syndrome with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries and chromosome 22q11.21 microduplication.
Olfactory Impairment and Subjective Olfactory Complaints Independently Predict Conversion to Dementia: A Longitudinal, Population-Based Study
Authors: Stanciu Ingrid , Larsson Maria , Nordin Steven , Adolfsson Rolf , Nilsson Lars-Göran , Olofsson Jonas K.
Published: January 2014

We examined whether conversion to dementia can be predicted by self-reported olfactory impairment and/or by an inability to identify odors. Common forms of dementia involve an impaired sense of smell, and poor olfactory performance predicts cognitive decline among the elderly. We followed a sample of 1529 participants, who were within a normal range of overall cognitive function at baseline, over a 10-year period during which 159 were classified as having a dementia disorder. Dementia conversion was predicted from demographic variables, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and olfactory assessments. Self-reported olfactory impairment emerged as an independent predictor of dementia. After adjusting for effects of other predictors, individuals who rated their olfactory sensitivity as “worse than normal” were more likely to convert to dementia than those who reported normal olfactory sensitivity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.40, 3.37]). Additionally, low scores on an odor identification test also predicted conversion to dementia (OR per 1 point increase = 0.89; 95% CI [0.81, 0.98]), but these two effects were additive. We suggest that assessing subjective olfactory complaints might supplement other assessments when evaluating the risk of conversion to dementia. Future studies should investigate which combination of olfactory assessments is most useful in predicting dementia conversion. (JINS, 2014,20, 1–9)
Improved visualisation of cervix applicators for magnetic resonance-only-guided brachytherapy planning
Authors: Liney Gary P. , Marsden Jenny E. , Horsfield Carl J. , Murray Tom , Manton David J. , Beavis Andrew W.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

Current guidelines for image-guided cervical cancer brachytherapy planning recommend both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for adequate visualisation of the applicator and soft tissues, respectively. MRI-only planning would be ideal as it would save time within the patient pathway and avoid the concomitant CT exposures. However, applicator visualisation on MRI is usually achieved using fluid-filled fiducial marker tubes, which can be awkward to use and suffer from unwanted air bubble artefacts. Therefore, a new fiducial-free imaging technique was developed.

Methods

A dual echo time (TE) turbo spin echo sequence was used, at 1·5 T, to provide both T2-weighted images (100 ms TE) for tissue visualisation and strongly proton density-weighted images (17 ms TE) for improved applicator visualisation. In-house software was used to automatically segment the applicator in the short TE images (using Otsu's method) and transfer the information to the long TE images to provide a single fused dataset.

Results

The method was evaluated successfully using titanium applicators in three patient cases and using a plastic applicator in a tissue-equivalent gel phantom.

Conclusions

The dual-echo technique provides a simple and efficient method for improving the visualisation of brachytherapy applicators in cervical cancer MRI images without the need for marker tubes.
An application of answer set programming to the field of second language acquisition
Authors: INCLEZAN DANIELA
Published: January 2014

This paper explores the contributions of Answer Set Programming (ASP) to the study of an established theory from the field of Second Language Acquisition:Input Processing. The theory describes default strategies that learners of a second language use in extracting meaning out of a text based on their knowledge of the second language and their background knowledge about the world. We formalized this theory in ASP, and as a result we were able to determine opportunities for refining its natural language description, as well as directions for future theory development. We applied our model to automating the prediction of how learners of English would interpret sentences containing the passive voice. We present a system,PIas, that uses these predictions to assist language instructors in designing teaching materials.