bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of occupational therapy on functional and emotional outcomes after hip fracture treatment: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Martín-Martín Lydia M , Valenza-Demet Gerald , Jiménez-Moleón José Juan , Cabrera-Martos Irene , Revelles-Moyano Francisco Javier , Valenza Marie Carmen
Published: November 2013

Objective:

To explore whether an occupational therapy intervention combined with physiotherapy rehabilitation improved hip fracture patient outcomes regarding emotional distress, fatigue, independence and function.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Inpatient trauma ward in a rehabilitation and trauma hospital.

Participants:

One hundred and twenty-two patients admitted into hospital for hip fracture.

Intervention:

Patients were randomly assigned to a standard care group (SC, n = 61) or a combined treatment group (CT, n = 61). The SC group received conventional hospital care for hip fracture patients and the CT group underwent occupational therapy as well.

Main measures:

Patients’ emotional distress (GHQ-28), perceived fatigue (the first item of the BASDAI using a 0–100 visual analogue scale scale), level of independence (Modified Barthel Index) and function (Harris Hip Score) were measured at baseline and one, three and six months after the intervention.

Results:

Patients in the CT group experienced a considerable decrease of emotional distress at three and six months ( p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). A between-group analysis showed significant differences in emotional distress at one, three and six months ( p < 0.001). Although fatigue levels decreased in the SC group, the most significant decline was reported by the CT group at six months ( p < 0.001, mean difference = 14 points). Regarding independence level, significant differences were found within groups at each stage, but also between groups at one month in favor of the CT group. Function improved in both groups compared with baseline ( p < 0.001), but no significant differences were found in functionality between groups.

Conclusion:

Although both groups reported significant improvements, patients in the CT group had better scores in emotional distress and dependence throughout follow-up and better scores in all measures at six months.
Repairing the harm of victims after violent conflict
Authors: Parmentier Stephan , Rauschenbach Mina , Weitekamp Elmar
Published: November 2013

Almost 20 years after the end of the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, the debates on how to deal with the past in Serbia are still ongoing. From the very start the international community has put major emphasis on the criminal prosecution and conviction of the persons mostly responsible for the war crimes in the region, both by establishing the International Criminal Tribunal for ex-Yugoslavia and encouraging national prosecutions. In the discussions about transitional justice in the region, little if any attention has been paid to the victimisation of the population in Serbia and repairing the harm incurred during and after the armed conflict. Moreover, the views and expectations of the local population have hardly been the object of any scientific studies. The purpose of this article is to report about the opinions of the population in Serbia in relation to reparation for victims, by drawing on the main findings of a quantitative survey conducted in the country in 2007. It highlights the importance of paying attention to the population’s needs and, in particular, material and non-material forms of reparation.
70 kV computed tomography of the thorax: valence for computer-assisted nodule evaluation and radiation dose – first clinical results
Authors: Bodelle Boris , Klement Dorothée , Kerl Josef Matthias , Lehnert Thomas , Frellesen Claudia , Bauer Ralf , Vogl Thomas Josef , Sedlmair Martin , Schulz Boris
Published: November 2013

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for evaluation of pulmonary nodules and is at the same time responsible for the majority of the collective effective dose.

Purpose

To evaluate radiation dose and efficacy of computer-assisted detection (CAD) for solid pulmonary nodules in low dose chest CT performed at 70 kV.

Material and Methods

CAD was performed upon chest CT with 70 kV and 100 kV (gold standard) at manufacture’s recommended tube current of 87 mAs (collimation, 64 × 0.6 mm). Detection rate for pulmonary nodules and size measurements of both techniques were compared to each other. Radiation dosage in terms of effective dose (E) was measured using an Alderson-Rando Phantom.

Results

Seventy-four patients with 301 solid nodules were included in the study. CAD detection rate was similar for 70 kV (94.7%) and 100 kV (92.4%). Mean transversal nodule diameter was 5.5 mm for 70 kV and 5.7 mm for 100 kV with an average volume of 0.12 mL (both techniques). Derived from the phantom measurements patient examinations resulted in an E of 0.51 mSv (70 kV) versus 2.02 mSv (100 kV).

Conclusion

70 kV low-dose chest CT is suitable for CAD based lung nodule analysis at a fraction of the radiation burden of the standard technique. Since the measurements are highly accurate, 70 kV CT could be used for detection of pulmonal lesions as well as follow-up studies.
Rare clinical findings in a patient with sporadic hemiplegic migraine: FDG-PET provides diminished brain metabolism at 10-year follow-up
Authors: Topakian R , Pischinger B , Stieglbauer K , Pichler R
Published: November 2013

Background

Sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM) is defined as migraine attacks associated with some degree of motor weakness during the aura phase and where no first-degree relative has identical attacks. SHM has a wide inter- and intraindividual clinical spectrum and, in case of prolonged aura symptoms and disturbed consciousness, can mimic several other acute neurological diseases.

Case

In 1996, during his wedding night, a 28-year-old man developed left face, arm and leg weakness, nausea and a throbbing headache. Neurological examination on presentation revealed stupor, fever, meningism and left hemiplegia. There were no abnormalities on emergency magnetic resonance. Lumbar puncture showed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis and slightly elevated protein. He received symptomatic treatment. Subsequent genetic analysis revealed the T666M mutation in the CACNA1A gene of chromosome 19. He was diagnosed with SHM. In 2005, at the end of another episode of hemiplegic migraine (HM), he for the first time developed an episode of paranoid psychosis with anxiety and visual hallucinations. The psychiatric symptoms resolved within a week.

Discussion

All perfusion SPECT and transcranial Doppler studies performed in the first days of HM attacks were consistent with hyperemia of the hemisphere contralateral to the neurological signs. FDG-PET/CT in January 2013 revealed a diffusely reduced glucose metabolism of the supratentorial cortex and marked asymmetric hypometabolism of the left cerebellum. The finding of progressive cortical metabolic dysfunction over years appears as a new finding. Glucose hypometabolism may indicate primary neuronal dysfunction as the cause of the prolonged deficits.
Sibling Position and Marriage Timing in the Netherlands, 1840–1922
Authors: Suanet Bianca , Bras Hilde
Published: November 2013

Research on the effects of sibling position on marriage timing has produced ambivalent findings, suggesting that birth order effects were contingent on social, local, and historical contexts. Based on a large database of marriage certificates from five Dutch provinces between 1840 and 1922, we examine the influence of birth order on marriage timing. Our main conclusion is that sibling position became less important for marriage timing during the nineteenth century. This trend can be considered part of the transition from the West-European marriage pattern to a marriage pattern characterized by more universal marriage in which personal preferences became more significant.
Arthroscopic Repair of Small and Medium-Sized Bony Bankart Lesions
Authors: Kim Young-Kyu , Cho Seung-Hyun , Son Won-Su , Moon Sung-Hoon
Published: November 2013

Background:

There has been no study about treatment guidelines for arthroscopic repair according to the size of bony Bankart lesions of less than 25% of the glenoid width.

Purpose:

To evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair for bony Bankart lesions managed with different repair techniques based on their size.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Between March 2005 and February 2009, 44 of 52 consecutive patients with bony Bankart lesions with a size of less than 25% of the entire glenoid were managed with an arthroscopic approach. Of those patients, 34 (77%) were available for outcome analysis at a minimum 24 months’ follow-up (mean, 34 months; range, 24-60 months). The size of the fragment was measured by computed tomography (CT) and classified as small (<12.5% of the inferior glenoid width) and medium (12.5%-25%). Sixteen lesions were classified as small (small group), and 18 were classified as medium (medium group). For small lesions, capsulolabral repair using suture anchors without excision of the bony fragment was performed. For medium lesions, anatomic reduction and fixation using suture anchors was performed, and the adequacy of reduction was assessed by CT postoperatively. The visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score and modified Rowe score for bony Bankart repair were compared and the postoperative recurrence rate investigated.

Results:

One patient from the small group (6.3%) and 1 patient without anatomic reduction of the bony fragment in the medium group (5.6%) experienced traumatic redislocations. The mean VAS score improved from 1.7 preoperatively to 0.5 at final follow-up, and the mean Rowe score improved from 59 to 91 (both P < .001). The mean postoperative Rowe scores increased from 58 to 92 in the small group and from 60 to 91 in the medium group (both P < .001). Residual joint incongruity measuring ≤2 mm on both axial and coronal scans, which was considered an anatomic reduction, was present in 14 cases (77.8%) in the medium group. In the medium group, the mean postoperative Rowe scores increased from 60 to 95 in cases of anatomic reduction compared with an increase from 56 to 76 in cases of nonanatomic reduction. The Rowe score was statistically correlated with anatomic reduction of medium-sized bony fragments ( P = .046).

Conclusion:

In small Bankart lesions, restoration of capsulolabral soft tissue tension alone may be enough, whereas in medium lesions, the osseous architecture of the glenoid should be reconstructed for more functional improvement and less pain.
The Demographics and Epidemiology of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Kessler Jeffrey I. , Nikizad Hooman , Shea Kevin G. , Jacobs John C. , Bebchuk Judith D. , Weiss Jennifer M.
Published: November 2013

Background:

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disorder of subchondral bone and articular cartilage whose incidence in children is not clearly known.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess the demographics and epidemiology of OCD of the knee in children.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of an integrated health system was performed on patients with OCD of the knee aged 2 to 19 years from 2007 to 2011, with over 1 million patients in this cohort. Lesion location, laterality, and all patient demographics were recorded. The incidence of OCD was determined for the group as a whole and by sex and age group (2-5 years, 6-11 years, and 12-19 years). Patient differences based on age, sex, and ethnicity were analyzed, and using multivariable logistic regression models, associations between age, sex, ethnicity, and diagnosis of OCD of the knee were evaluated.

Results:

One hundred ninety-two patients with 206 OCD lesions of the knee fit the inclusion criteria. No OCD lesion of the knee was found in 2- to 5-year-old children. One hundred thirty-one (63.6%) lesions were in the medial femoral condyle, 67 (32.5%) were in the lateral femoral condyle, 96 (50.0%) lesions were right sided, 82 (42.7%) were left sided, and 14 (7.3%) were bilateral. The incidence of patients with OCD of the knee aged 6 to 19 years was 9.5 per 100,000 overall and 15.4 and 3.3 per 100,000 for male and female patients, respectively. Those aged 12 to 19 years represented the vast majority of OCD, with an incidence of 11.2 per 100,000 versus 6.8 per 100,000 for those aged 6 to 11 years. For those aged 6 to 11 and 12 to 19 years, female patients had an incidence of 2.3 and 3.9 per 100,000, respectively, while male patients had an incidence of 11.1 and 18.1 per 100,000, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a 3.3-fold increased risk of OCD of the knee in patients aged 12 to 19 years compared with those aged 6 to 11 years ( P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.37-4.48), and male patients had 3.8 times a greater risk of OCD of the knee than female patients ( P < .001; 95% CI, 2.71-5.41). Based on race and ethnicity, blacks had the highest odds ratio of OCD of the knee compared with all other ethnic groups.

Conclusion:

In this population-based cohort study of pediatric OCD of the knee, male patients had a much greater incidence of OCD and almost 4 times the risk of OCD compared with female patients. Also, patients aged 12 to 19 years had 3 times the risk of OCD of the knee as compared with 6- to 11-year-old children.
Elementary Teachers Negotiating Discourses in Writing Instruction
Authors: McCarthey Sarah J. , Woodard Rebecca , Kang Grace
Published: November 2013

Using Ivanic’s (2004) framework, the study of 20 elementary teachers examines the relationships among teachers’ beliefs about writing, their instructional practices, and contextual factors. While the district-adopted curriculum reflected specific discourses, teachers’ beliefs and practices reflected a combination of discourses. The nature of the professional development tended to reinforce particular discourses, but occasionally offered an alternative. The three cases revealed how teachers negotiated the tensions among various discourses. Beth exemplified a skills discourse, but demonstrated beliefs about writing as communication; however, she did not articulate tensions between the discourses and followed the district, skillsinfused curriculum. Amber borrowed from skills, traits, process, and genre discourses without resolving potential contradictions, resulting in instructional practices that had little coherence. Jackson, who brought in his own writing as a hip-hop artist, illustrated the social practices discourse as well as creativity and genre discourses to create an enhanced version of a district-adopted curriculum. Implications for practice include raising teacher’s awareness of the contradictory discourses that surround them.
How Private Is the Relation With God? Religiosity and Family Religious Socialization in Romanian Emerging Adults
Authors: Negru Oana , Haragâş Cosmina , Mustea Anca
Published: November 2013

This qualitative study explores the dynamics of religious cognitions, behaviors, and emotions in emerging adult discourse in a sample of Romanian youth of heterogeneous socioeconomic, denominational (Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic, Neo-protestant), and educational background. Also, from a parent-child dyad perspective, we investigate the role of family religious socialization when children have reached emerging adulthood. Findings bring forward personal conceptualizations of religiosity and specific strategies of religious exploration the youth employ. In addition, family religious socialization is portrayed through the lens of the autonomy-support parents provide their offspring from childhood to emerging adulthood. Emerging adults tend to integrate childhood family religious socialization into the context of their lifelong religious development and also report more present-day parental influence than their parents.
Effects of Youth Football on Selected Clinical Measures of Neurologic Function
Authors: Munce Thayne A. , Dorman Jason C. , Odney Tryg O. , Thompson Paul A. , Valentine Verle D. , Bergeron Michael F.
Published: November 2013

We assessed 10 youth football players (13.4 ± 0.7 y) immediately before and after their season to explore the effects of football participation on selected clinical measures of neurologic function. Postseason postural stability in a closed-eye condition was improved compared to preseason ( P = .017). Neurocognitive testing with the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) battery revealed that reaction time was significantly faster at postseason ( P = .015). There were no significant preseason versus postseason differences in verbal memory ( P = .507), visual memory ( P = .750), or visual motor speed ( P = .087). Oculomotor performance assessed by the King-Devick test was moderately to significantly improved ( P = .047-.115). A 12-week season of youth football did not impair the postural stability, neurocognitive function, or oculomotor performance measures of the players evaluated. Though encouraging, continued and more comprehensive investigations of this at-risk population are warranted.
Acute Ischemic Stroke in a 12-Year-Old Successfully Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy
Authors: Maza Susana Sainz de la , Felipe Alicia De , Matute Maria Consuelo , Fandiño Eduardo , Méndez José Carlos , Morillo Pablo , Masjuan Jaime
Published: November 2013

We report the case of a healthy 12-year-old girl with an acute ischemic stroke successfully treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The child was referred to our hospital 6 hours after sudden onset of severe headache and left hemiparesis. Cerebral angiography findings were consistent with right distal internal carotid artery occlusion in addition to ipsilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Subsequent mechanical thrombectomy with Solitaire AB device resulted in complete vessel recanalization. The patient experienced progressive neurologic improvement with good clinical recovery at the 3-month follow-up. To our knowledge, only 3 cases of primary mechanical thrombectomy in children have been previously reported in the literature. Safety and efficacy data for endovascular therapies in pediatric acute ischemic stroke are lacking. We propose mechanical thrombectomy as an option in children with significant neurologic deficits and proven arterial occlusion, especially when the therapeutic window for intravenous thrombolysis has been exceeded.
Evaluation of skin regeneration after burns in vivo and rescue of cells after thermal stress in vitro following treatment with a keratin biomaterial
Authors: Poranki D , Whitener W , Howse S , Mesen T , Howse E , Burnell J , Greengauz-Roberts O , Molnar J , Van Dyke M
Published: November 2013

Thermal burns typically display an injury pattern dictated by the transfer of the thermal energy into the skin and underlying tissues and creation of three zones of injury represented by a necrotic zone of disrupted cells and tissue, an intermediate zone of injured and dying cells, and a distant zone of stressed cells that will recover with proper treatment. The wound healing capabilities of a keratin biomaterial hydrogel were studied in two pilot studies, one using a chemical burn model in mice and the other a thermal burn model in swine. In both studies, keratin was shown to prevent enlargement of the initial wound area and promote faster wound closure. Interestingly, treating thermally stressed dermal fibroblast in culture demonstrated that soluble keratin was able to maintain cell viability and promote proliferation. Separation of so-called alpha and gamma fractions of the keratin biomaterial had differential effects, with the gamma fraction producing more pronounced cell survival and recovery. These results suggest that the gamma fraction, composed essentially of degraded alpha keratin proteins, may facilitate cell rescue after thermal injury. Treatment of burns with gamma keratin may therefore represent a potential therapy for wounds with an intermediate zone of damaged tissue that has the potential to contribute to spontaneous healing.
Technology-Based Interpersonal Victimization
Authors: Korchmaros Josephine D. , Mitchell Kimberly J. , Ybarra Michele L.
Published: November 2013

The objective of this study was to identify factors that could predict youth’s future technology-based interpersonal victimization and the pattern of that future victimization over time. Data from Growing up With Media, a national, longitudinal, online study were analyzed. At baseline, participants ( N = 1,018) were 10- to 15-year-old English speakers who had used the Internet at least once in the last 6 months. Twenty-nine percent reported repeat technology-based interpersonal victimization over a 2-year period (re-victimized group); 10% were victims during only Year 1 (desisted victimized group); and 17% reported victimization during only Year 2 (later victimized group). Of the individual risk factors examined, prior technology-based interpersonal victimization and current amount of Internet use had the strongest overall associations with pattern of technology-based interpersonal victimization over the subsequent 2-year period. There was substantial overlap among the individual risk factors. Thus, they could be thought of more simply in terms of four latent risk and three individual risk factors. On average, across these seven risk factors, repeat victims had the greatest average risk score (0.21) and the not victimized group had the lowest (−0.16). Repeat victims were more likely to be female and older and had more prior experience with problem behaviors, substance use, and negative parent–child relationships as compared with the other three groups. Being female, prior experience with problem behavior, prior substance use, and prior negative parent–child relationships were also associated with frequency of technology-based interpersonal victimization in the near (Year 1) and more distant (Year 2) future. Many of these risk factors related to technology-based victimization over time are malleable, suggesting opportunities for effective targeting of future prevention efforts.
Overseas Work Assignments
Authors: Chamberlain Donna
Published: November 2013

The prominence of foreign work assignments in our increasingly global workforce poses a labyrinth of challenges for employers and employees alike. Not only must employers lure often hesitant employees to accept overseas work posts, they must also navigate the complicated waters of global HR policies and programs. Applying the findings of Mobilising Talent: The Global Mobility Challenge Survey, jointly sponsored by BDO International, one of the leading accounting and consulting networks, and Ipsos, the author discusses the key incentives, other than increased salaries, that are value-adds to relocation packages. The author also shares a population demographic comparison of employees who are more and less willing to work abroad as well as the important HR policies and regulations that both employers and employees must keep in mind when tailoring international compensation and benefits packages.
Comparative performance of carbon nanotube and organo montmorillonite as a thermo-oxidative-stabilizing modifier for polypropylene- and polyethylene-based thermoplastic composites
Authors: Attharangsan Supalak , Saikrasun Sunan
Published: November 2013

The thermo-oxidative decomposition behavior of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) filled with carbon nanotube (CNT) and organo montmorillonite (OMMT) as a heat stabilizing filler was comparatively investigated using nonisothermal- and isothermal–thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The isoconversional method was employed to evaluate the kinetic parameters ( Ea, ln A, and n) under dynamic heating in air. OMMT and CNT exhibited respective lowest and highest thermo-oxidative stability as revealed from the lowest and highest Tonset values, respectively, whereas thermo-oxidative stability of PE was better than PP. The TG profiles and calculated kinetic parameters strongly depended on the sorts of fillers and polyolefins. From TG data and calculated kinetic parameters, the incorporation of CNT and OMMT into PP and PE significantly improved the thermo-oxidative stability of the composites. The highest relative Ea value was observed for CNT-containing composites in the conversion extent region of 0.10–0.45. Simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry thermograms revealed that the degradation processes for the neat polyolefins and their composites were exothermic in air. By adding the same filler, the thermo-oxidative stability of the PE-containing composite system under isothermal heating at 320°C was much higher than that of PP composite systems. The obtained results of nonisothermal and isothermal investigations and morphological observation of the samples after heating suggested the improved thermo-oxidative stability of polyolefins modified by CNT over that by OMMT.
Effect of heating of test pin above ambient temperatures on tribological behavior of two-phase and three-phase polystyrene composites
Authors: Krishna Venkatesh , Keshavanarayana Gopalakrishna , Bhoganarasimhaiah Mohan C , Lakshminarayana Bhatta KG
Published: November 2013

The tribological behavior of the sliding surfaces is dependent on the frictional heating. Surface and near surface temperatures may become high enough to cause changes in structure and properties of the sliding surfaces. It can also cause oxidation and even melting. Wear and frictional behavior of materials above ambient (25°C) conditions would become critical for polymers as the operating temperature bands of polymers are always limited. In the present study, tribological studies on two-phase and three-phase polystyrene composites at temperatures of 45 and 60°C have been reported. It is found that with increase in temperature the wear rate increases, whereas the friction coefficient decreases. Polymer–ceramic composite exhibited higher friction coefficient than other composites. At temperature of 45°C, the wear rate of the neat polymer increases exponentially whereas at 60°C it decreased. However, addition of fillers into polystyrene brought in drastic reduction in the wear rate of polymer composites. Scanning electron microscopic pictures revealed melting, flowing, and glazing after wear test. Higher pressure velocity resulted in higher wear coefficient.
Development of bio-based F-SBA-15 reinforced epoxy nanocomposites for low-k dielectric applications
Authors: Prabunathan P. , Sethuraman K. , Alagar Muthukaruppan
Published: November 2013

The present work focuses on the utilization of renewable biomaterial as reinforcement for the development of nanocomposites for high-performance low- k microelectronic applications. In the present work, rice husk ash (RHA) was chemically treated and processed to obtain two-dimensional mesoporous silica (SBA-15), which was functionalized using 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane through sonication process. The surface functionalized SBA-15 (F-SBA-15) with varying weight percentages (1, 3, and 5 wt%) was incorporated into the epoxy resin. The resulting F-SBA-15-reinforced epoxy composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and impedance analyzer. Among the composite samples with varying loadings, the dielectric behavior of 5 wt% F-SBA-15-loaded composite sample possesses the lowest value of dielectric constant, that is, 2.14 at 1 MHz frequency when compared with that of other samples. Further, the thermal stability was also enhanced to an appreciable extent, when compared with that of the samples with lower F-SBA-15 loadings.
Control system design of a multivectored thrust stratospheric airship
Authors: Chen L , Zhang H , Duan DP
Published: November 2013

Given their hovering ability, static lift airships, such as airships and balloons, are proposed as stratospheric platforms flying at a high altitude of 20 km. The shape of the envelope has a major influence on the lift and drag efficiency of an airship. Furthermore, the efficiency of a conventional actuator, such as an aerodynamic control surface for stratospheric platforms, is decreased by the low-atmospheric density and flight speed. Thus, a new type of effector configuration must be proposed. A new multivectored thrust airship called flat peach is proposed in this paper. The name is attributed to the shape of the airship, which resembles a flat peach that is a cross between a ball and a water droplet. Thus, this airship has a smaller drag coefficient than the spherical airship and higher lift efficiency than a conventional airship. A control allocation strategy among the multivectored thrusters is proposed, and a composite control structure is designed for the airship to realize accurate position control and to decrease energy consumption.
Separate Mechanisms for Perception of Numerosity and Density
Authors: Anobile Giovanni , Cicchini Guido Marco , Burr David C.
Published: November 2013

Despite the existence of much evidence for a number sense in humans, several researchers have questioned whether number is sensed directly or derived indirectly from texture density. Here, we provide clear evidence that numerosity and density judgments are subserved by distinct mechanisms with different psychophysical characteristics. We measured sensitivity for numerosity discrimination over a wide range of numerosities: For low densities (less than 0.25 dots/deg2), thresholds increased directly with numerosity, following Weber’s law; for higher densities, thresholds increased with the square root of texture density, a steady decrease in the Weber fraction. The existence of two different psychophysical systems is inconsistent with a model in which number is derived indirectly from noisy estimates of density and area; rather, it points to the existence of separate mechanisms for estimating density and number. These results provide strong confirmation for the existence of neural mechanisms that sense number directly, rather than indirectly from texture density.
The Price Had Better Be Right
Authors: Vohs Kathleen D. , Sengupta Jaideep , Dahl Darren W.
Published: November 2013

Two experiments tested when and why women’s typically negative, spontaneous reactions to sexual imagery would soften. Sexual economics theory predicts that women want sex to be seen as rare and special. We reasoned that this outlook would translate to women tolerating sexual images more when those images are linked to high worth as opposed to low worth. We manipulated whether an ad promoted an expensive or a cheap product using a sexually charged or a neutral scene. As predicted, women found sexual imagery distasteful when it was used to promote a cheap product, but this reaction to sexual imagery was mitigated if the product promoted was expensive. This pattern was not observed among men. Furthermore, we predicted and found that sexual ads promoting cheap products heightened feelings of being upset and angry among women. These findings suggest that women’s reactions to sexual images can reveal deep-seated preferences about how sex should be used and understood.
Toddlers Infer Higher-Order Relational Principles in Causal Learning
Authors: Walker Caren M. , Gopnik Alison
Published: November 2013

Children make inductive inferences about the causal properties of individual objects from a very young age. When can they infer higher-order relational properties? In three experiments, we examined 18- to 30-month-olds’ relational inferences in a causal task. Results suggest that at this age, children are able to infer a higher-order relational causal principle from just a few observations and use this inference to guide their own subsequent actions and bring about a novel causal outcome. Moreover, the children passed a revised version of the relational match-to-sample task that has proven very difficult for nonhuman primates. The findings are considered in light of their implications for understanding the nature of relational and causal reasoning, and their evolutionary origins.
The Ultra-Rare-Item Effect
Authors: Mitroff Stephen R. , Biggs Adam T.
Published: November 2013

Accuracy is paramount in radiology and security screening, yet many factors undermine success. Target prevalence is a particularly worrisome factor, as targets are rarely present (e.g., the cancer rate in mammography is ~0.5%), and low target prevalence has been linked to increased search errors. More troubling is the fact that specific target types can have extraordinarily low frequency rates (e.g., architectural distortions in mammography—a specific marker of potential cancer—appear in fewer than 0.05% of cases). By assessing search performance across millions of trials from the Airport Scanner smartphone application, we demonstrated that the detection of ultra-rare items was disturbingly poor. A logarithmic relationship between target detection and target frequency (adjusted R2 = .92) revealed that ultra-rare items had catastrophically low detection rates relative to targets with higher frequencies. Extraordinarily low search performance for these extraordinarily rare targets—what we term the ultra-rare-item effect—is troubling given that radiological and security-screening searches are primarily ultra-rare-item searches.
Health and the running body
Authors: Shipway Richard , Holloway Immy
Published: November 2013

This article aims to develop one of the major themes from an ethnographic study of the culture of distance running – the desire for health and fitness. Research was undertaken over a 2-year period using a variety of flexible qualitative data sources, most notably observation and in-depth interviews. The body, especially the ‘running body’, is seen by participants in this study as a source of health and well-being and affirmation of their identity. The results highlight the various contradictions and tensions that emerged whilst exploring the behaviour of distance runners in their desire to achieve a healthy body and mind.
Student, Cooperating, and Supervising Teacher Perceptions of Educational and Musical Interactions During Student Teaching
Authors: Pellegrino Kristen
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the participants’ perceptions of the concurrent educational and musical interactions among student teachers, cooperating teachers, and me as a supervising teacher and participant observer. Two cooperating teachers and two student teachers worked together daily for 2 months while teaching elementary and middle school string orchestra students. Concurrently, these four teachers and I participated in chamber music experiences each week. Data included individual interviews, observations of student teachers’ teaching and music-making interactions, and researcher’s reflections and notes. Participants described advantages of working together in an educational setting: student teachers formed a support system, student and cooperating teachers learned from each other, and sectionals benefited the string students and cooperating teachers. Participants found musical interactions were considered positive and valued experiences, helped the student teachers reach a higher level of chamber music performance, helped forge relationships between participants, and had personal and educational implications.
Management of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome and Fascial Hernias in the Anterior Lower Leg With the Forefoot Rise Test and Limited Fasciotomy
Authors: Finestone Aharon S. , Noff Matityahu , Nassar Yussuf , Moshe Shlomo , Agar Gabriel , Tamir Eran
Published: November 2013

Background:

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome can present either as anterolateral lower leg pain or as painful muscle herniation. If an athlete or a soldier wants to continue training, there is no proven effective nonoperative treatment, and fasciotomy of 1 or more of the lower leg muscle compartments is usually recommended. Our clinical protocol differs from most reported ones in the use of the forefoot rise test to increase pressure and provoke pain and our recommending minimal surgery of the anterior compartment only. We present results of surgery based on our clinical management flowchart.

Methods:

Patients who had surgery during a 12-year period were reviewed by telephone interview or office examination. Pain was graded from 0 (none) to 4 (unbearable). Preoperative resting and exercise anterior compartment pressures were evaluated in most subjects before and immediately following a repeated weight-bearing forefoot rise test. Surgery was under local anesthesia, limited to the anterior compartment only and percutaneous (excepting muscle hernias). There were 36 patients, mean age 24 years.

Results:

Of 16 patients who were originally operated unilaterally, 5 patients were later operated on the other side. Mean presurgery resting pressure was 56 mm Hg (40-80 mm Hg) rising to 87 mm Hg (55-150 mm Hg) with exercise. Mean exercise pain score dropped from 2.9 presurgery to 1.3 postsurgery (n = 35, P < .0001). Complications included superficial peroneal nerve injury (3 legs in 3 patients, 1 requiring reoperation).

Conclusion:

When we used our clinical management flowchart based on the forefoot rise test, percutaneous fasciotomy of the anterior compartment alone provided good clinical results. Care must be taken to prevent injury to the superficial peroneal nerve in the distal lower leg.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
First Molecular Analysis of F8 Gene in Algeria
Authors: Abdi Meriem , Zemani-Fodil Faouzia , Fodil Mostefa , Aberkane Meriem Samia , Touhami Hadj , Saidi-Mehtar Nadhira , Costa Catherine , Boudjema Abdallah
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to detect the genetic alterations in the Factor 8 gene in 26 patients from Western Algeria. We detected the presence of “intron 22 inversion” with long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Negative patients for this inversion were analyzed for “intron 1 inversion” using multiplex PCR. Patients who were negative for both inversions were analyzed using a direct sequencing. Deleterious effects of novel mutations on protein were assayed with bioinformatics tools. Causing mutations were identified in 85.71% of the families, including 11 “intron 22 inversion,” 1 “intron 1 inversion,” and 6 different point mutations (2 nonsense, 1 splice site, and 3 missense mutations). Among these mutations, c.2189G > A (p.Cys711Tyr) and c.5219+1G>T are novel. This is the first study that reports spectrum of mutations in the Factor 8 gene in the Western Algerian population. Knowledge of these mutations is important for genetic counseling and medical care of affected families.
Childhood Abuse Is Related to Working Memory Impairment for Positive Emotion in Female University Students
Authors: Cromheeke Sofie , Herpoel Laure-Anne , Mueller Sven C.
Published: November 2013

Childhood abuse is an important risk factor for depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use later in life. One possible mechanism underlying this association could be deficits in cognitive processing of emotional information. This study tested the impact of distracting emotional information on working memory performance in 21 young women with a history of sexual and physical abuse during childhood/adolescence (mean age = 20.0), and compared their performance to 17 individuals reporting nonabuse-related childhood stress (mean age = 19.6) and a control group of 17 women without a history of childhood stress (mean age = 20.0). During the most difficult distractor condition, working memory accuracy for positive versus neutral incidental emotional stimuli was reduced in women reporting a history of abuse relative to both control groups (with and without nonabuse-related childhood stress). The current results reveal aberrant responses to positive stimuli and are consistent with the notion of persistent influence of childhood abuse on processes critical for emotional well-being and emotion control.
Personality Traits and Comorbidity in Adults With ADHD
Authors: Instanes Johanne Telnes , Haavik Jan , Halmøy Anne
Published: November 2013

Objective: To assess personality traits using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in a group of 63 previously diagnosed ADHD patients and 68 population controls and investigate the impact of common comorbid psychiatric disorders on these personality measures. Method: Psychiatric comorbidity was assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus and personality traits by the TCI. Results: The patient group had significantly higher scores on the TCI dimensions Harm avoidance and Novelty seeking compared with the control group. However, when adjusting for comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder, the ADHD group no longer showed higher Harm avoidance than the control group. The difference in Novelty seeking between the patient and control groups was correlated with lifetime diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Conclusion: It is important to take comorbid psychiatric disorders into account while investigating personality traits in ADHD.
Glitter(Foot)ball Tactics
Authors: Stasi Mafalda , Evans Adrienne
Published: November 2013

Sterken are an Icelandic gay football team, whose practices fit with a wider discourse of gender mainstreaming. Iceland provides an exceptional context to investigate gender mainstreaming: it has been rated first for gender equality by the World Economic Forum and until recently had a lesbian Prime Minister dedicated to introducing gender equality-led policy; but Iceland has long maintained a commitment to neoliberal ideology. In this article, we present field data collected with Sterken, and introduce the analytic of “glitter(foot)ball tactics:” the glitter representing gay identity politics, while the original shape of the football maintaining hegemonic concepts of masculinity. Drawing on the metaphor of gliter(foot)ball tactics, our analysis shows how masculinity in homonormative cultures was able to uphold male gender power through reconciling both sides of the glitter(foot)ball. Gender mainstreaming here acts as a depoliticized discursive tool in constructing these versions of gay male identities in the context of neoliberal politics.
Influence of material properties and operating conditions on the predicted performance of poroelastic faced bearings
Authors: Hu Rui , Hewson Rob , Morina Ardian , Liu Zuomin
Published: November 2013

A new lubrication model of poroelastic lubrication of materials with low Young’s modulus and permeability is presented based on Darcy’s law and linear elastic solid mechanics and a contact model. A rotating bearing surface moving against a flat surface is considered and the effect of material parameters and operating conditions is analyzed. The results show that the material parameters (permeability ( k), Young’s modulus ( E), and viscosity ( μ)) and operating conditions (angular velocity ( ω) and material deformation ( δ)) have significant effects on the lubrication performance of the poroelastic bio-inspired materials. It is also observed that the load ratio (the ratio of pressure-borne load to the applied load along the contact boundary) increases as k and E decrease, and as μ, ω, and δ increase. Conversely maximum solid stress decreases with decreasing of E, μ, ω, δ and with increasing of k. The relationship of the load ratio, contact stress, and deformation relative to E and k has been illustrated in this paper.
Implicit theories of the body among college women: Implications for physical activity
Authors: Lyons Claire , Kaufman Annette R , Rima Brandi
Published: November 2013

This study explored the relationship between implicit theories of the body (ITB) and self-reported physical activity. ITB are beliefs about the malleability of the body. Individuals may hold entity ITB (that body appearance is fixed) or incremental ITB (that body appearance can be changed). Female undergraduate students (N = 313) completed an online survey assessing ITB, physical activity, and discrepancy between actual and ideal body weight. Participants endorsing incremental ITB reported more physical activity. A significant ITB by weight discrepancy interaction emerged. Developing interventions targeting implicit theories of the body may be one way to increase physical activity.
The stress-buffering effects of hope on changes in adjustment to caregiving in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Madan Sindia , Pakenham Kenneth I
Published: November 2013

This study examined the direct and stress-buffering effects of global hope and its components (agency and pathways) on changes in adjustment to multiple sclerosis caregiving over 12 months. A total of 140 carers and their care-recipients completed questionnaires at Time 1 and 12 months later, Time 2. Focal predictors were stress, hope, agency and pathways, and the adjustment outcomes were anxiety, depression, positive affect, positive states of mind and life satisfaction. Results showed that as predicted, greater hope was associated with better adjustment after controlling for the effects of initial adjustment and caregiving and care-recipient illness variables. No stress-buffering effects of hope emerged. Regarding hope components, only the agency dimension emerged as a significant predictor of adjustment. Findings highlight hope as an important protective resource for coping with multiple sclerosis caregiving and underscore the role of agency thinking in this process.
The impact of pluralistic ignorance on the provision of health care for people who inject drugs
Authors: Brener Loren , von Hippel Courtney , Horwitz Robyn , Hamwood Jade
Published: November 2013

Health workers who work with people who inject drugs may believe that their colleagues hold less favorable attitudes toward health services for people who inject drugs than themselves—a phenomenon termed pluralistic ignorance. This research explores whether the presumed attitudes of their colleagues, rather than their own attitudes, predict the behavioral intentions of health workers toward people who inject drugs. A total of 57 hospital-based health workers were surveyed to assess their attitudes toward harm reduction services for people who inject drugs and their perceptions of colleagues’ attitudes. They then responded to a scenario assessing their likelihood of prescribing opiate-based medication to people who inject drugs. Data illustrate that participants support harm reduction services for people who inject drugs more than they believe their colleagues do, demonstrating pluralistic ignorance. Interestingly, participants’ prescription of opiate-based pain medication was predicted by beliefs about their colleagues’ support for services for people who inject drugs, rather than their own beliefs.
Utilizing correspondence analysis to characterize the mental health of cardiac patients with diabetes
Authors: Annunziato Rachel A , Kim Se-Kang , Fussner Marlene , Ahmad Tahir , Jerson Bradley , Rubinstein David
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to examine the mental health of cardiac patients with diabetes and whether symptoms varied by gender and/or age. Screening for depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms was conducted on 1003 patients with cardiovascular disease. Correspondence analysis was utilized to identify clinical core profiles. Results suggested that cardiovascular disease patients with diabetes, particularly males, experience high rates of depression, suicide ideation, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Clinical implications of these findings include targeted mental health screening options as well as offering a closer look at the specific concerns of cardiovascular disease patients with diabetes.