bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Control and Discourse Comprehension in Schizophrenia
Authors: Boudewyn Megan A. , Carter Cameron S. , Swaab Tamara Y.
Published: April 2012

Cognitive deficits across a wide range of domains have been consistently observed in schizophrenia and are linked to poor functional outcome (Green, 1996; Carter, 2006). Language abnormalities are among the most salient and include disorganized speech as well as deficits in comprehension. In this review, we aim to evaluate impairments of language processing in schizophrenia in relation to a domain-general control deficit. We first provide an overview of language comprehension in the healthy human brain, stressing the role of cognitive control processes, especially during discourse comprehension. We then discuss cognitive control deficits in schizophrenia, before turning to evidence suggesting that schizophrenia patients are particularly impaired at processing meaningful discourse as a result of deficits in control functions. We conclude that domain-general control mechanisms are impaired in schizophrenia and that during language comprehension this is most likely to result in difficulties during the processing of discourse-level context, which involves integrating and maintaining multiple levels of meaning. Finally, we predict that language comprehension in schizophrenia patients will be most impaired during discourse processing. We further suggest that discourse comprehension problems in schizophrenia might be mitigated when conflicting information is absent and strong relations amongst individual words are present in the discourse context.
Vascular Accesses for Haemodialysis in the Upper Arm Cause Greater Reduction in the Carotid-Brachial Stiffness than Those in the Forearm: Study of Gender Differences
Authors: Bia Daniel , Cabrera-Fischer Edmundo I. , Zócalo Yanina , Galli Cintia , Graf Sebastián , Valtuille Rodolfo , Pérez-Cámpos Héctor , Saldías María , Álvarez Inés , Armentano Ricardo L.
Published: April 2012

Purpose. To evaluate in chronically haemodialysed patients (CHPs), if: (1) the vascular access (VA) position (upper arm or forearm) is associated with differential changes in upper limb arterial stiffness; (2) differences in arterial stiffness exist between genders associated with the VA; (3) the vascular substitute (VS) of choice, in biomechanical terms, depends on the previous VA location and CHP gender.Methods. 38 CHPs (18 males; VA in upper arm: 18) were studied. Left and right carotid-brachial pulse wave velocity (PWVc-b) was measured. Inin vitrostudies, PWV was obtained in ePTFE prostheses and in several arterial and venous homografts obtained from donors. The biomechanical mismatch (BM) between CHP native vessel (NV) and VS was calculated.Results/Conclusions.PWVc-bin upper limbs with VA was lower than in the intact contralateral limbs (P<0.05), and differences were higher (P<0.05) when the VA was performed in the upper arm. Differences betweenPWVc-bin upper limbs with VA (in the upper arm) with respect to intact upper limbs were higher (P<0.05) in males. Independently of the region in which the VA was performed, the homograft that ensured the minimal BM was the brachial artery. The BM was highly dependent on gender and the location in the upper limb in which the VA was performed.
Risk and Determinants of Dementia in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Brain Subcortical Vascular Changes: A Study of Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Biological Markers—The VMCI-Tuscany Study: Rationale, Design, and Methodology
Authors: Poggesi Anna , Salvadori Emilia , Pantoni Leonardo , Pracucci Giovanni , Cesari Francesca , Chiti Alberto , Ciolli Laura , Cosottini Mirco , Del Bene Alessandra , De Stefano Nicola , Diciotti Stefano , Dotti Maria Teresa , Ginestroni Andrea , Giusti Betti , Gori Anna Maria , Nannucci Serena , Orlandi Giovanni , Pescini Francesca , Valenti Raffaella , Abbate Rosanna , Federico Antonio , Mascalchi Mario , Murri Luigi , Inzitari Domenico
Published: April 2012

Dementia is one of the most disabling conditions. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia (VaD) are the most frequent causes. Subcortical VaD is consequent to deep-brain small vessel disease (SVD) and is the most frequent form of VaD. Its pathological hallmarks are ischemic white matter changes and lacunar infarcts. Degenerative and vascular changes often coexist, but mechanisms of interaction are incompletely understood. The term mild cognitive impairment defines a transitional state between normal ageing and dementia. Pre-dementia stages of VaD are also acknowledged (vascular mild cognitive impairment, VMCI). Progression relates mostly to the subcortical VaD type, but determinants of such transition are unknown. Variability of phenotypic expression is not fully explained by severity grade of lesions, as depicted by conventional MRI that is not sensitive to microstructural and metabolic alterations. Advanced neuroimaging techniques seem able to achieve this. Beside hypoperfusion, blood-brain-barrier dysfunction has been also demonstrated in subcortical VaD. The aim of the Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment Tuscany Study is to expand knowledge about determinants of transition from mild cognitive impairment to dementia in patients with cerebral SVD. This paper summarizes the main aims and methodological aspects of this multicenter, ongoing, observational study enrolling patients affected by VMCI with SVD.
Short-Term Change in Occlusal Function after Using Mandibular Advancement Appliance for Snoring: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ueda Hiroshi , Watanabe Genki , Horihata Atsushi , Koh Myongsun , Tanne Kazuo
Published: April 2012

The main aim was to evaluate the influence on occlusal contact area (OCA), maximum bite force (MBF), center of occlusal load (COL), and tooth pain after the nocturnal use of different mandibular advance appliances (MAAs) for snoring. Subjects were consisted of ten adult volunteers with mild snoring in Hiroshima University Hospital. Recordings of occlusal function were performed six times for two hours, that is, immediately and 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after the nocturnal use of MAA. The subjects continuously scored their pain intensity on a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) when MBF was measured. Comparing two MAAs, OCA and MBF were significantly larger in two-piece MAA than in one-piece MAA five minutes after removing the appliance. Significant difference in COL and VAS score compared to baseline disappeared more quickly with two-piece MAA than with one-piece MAA. In conclusion, it is shown that two-piece MAA could be superior to the one-piece one in terms of the degree side effect on occlusal function.
Alterations in Cell Cycle and Induction of Apoptotic Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells Treated withα-Mangostin Extracted from Mangosteen Pericarp
Authors: Kurose Hitomi , Shibata Masa-Aki , Iinuma Munekazu , Otsuki Yoshinori
Published: April 2012

The development of molecularly targeted drugs has greatly advanced cancer therapy, despite these drugs being associated with some serious problems. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the anticancer effects of natural products.α-Mangostin, a xanthone isolated from the pericarp of mangosteen fruit, has been shown to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines and to exhibit antitumor activity in a mouse mammary cancer model. In this study, we investigated the influence ofα-mangostin on apoptosis and cell cycle in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231 (carrying a p53 mutation, and HER2, ER, and PgR negative) in order to elucidate its anticancer mechanisms. Inα-mangostin-treated cells, induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis was observed. On cell-cycle analysis, G1-phase arrest, increasedp21cip1expression and decreases in cyclins, cdc(s), CDKs and PCNA were observed. In conclusion,α-mangostin may be useful as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer carrying a p53 mutation and having HER2- and hormone receptor-negative subtypes.
Energy-Efficient Secure Path Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Jean de Dieu Imanishimwe , Assouma Nyirabahizi , Muhamad Maniraguha , Jin Wang , Lee Sungyoung
Published: April 2012

To collect the data and transmit them on the base station is the main task of the sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This transmission requires a specific routing algorithm. To prolong the network lifetime, sensor nodes need a secure load-balancing route. In this paper, we investigate the facts of ensuring secure sensed data in a balanced energy network backbone, and propose energy-efficient secure path algorithm (ESPA) for WSNs. It is a process of ensuring sensed data authenticity and integrity under a well-structured energy-efficient routing. To overcome the limitation caused by the symmetric key cryptography algorithms for securing data in WSNs, we proposed a mechanism for checking data integrity in a balanced energy network backbone. On this basis, we use the combined version of distance energy aware routing and a checking data integrity method for WSNs. ESPA provides a better performance in maximizing the network lifetime.
Reconstruction of Exposure tom-Xylene from Human Biomonitoring Data Using PBPK Modelling, Bayesian Inference, and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: McNally Kevin , Cotton Richard , Cocker John , Jones Kate , Bartels Mike , Rick David , Price Paul , Loizou George
Published: April 2012

There are numerous biomonitoring programs, both recent and ongoing, to evaluate environmental exposure of humans to chemicals. Due to the lack of exposure and kinetic data, the correlation of biomarker levels with exposure concentrations leads to difficulty in utilizing biomonitoring data for biological guidance values. Exposure reconstruction or reverse dosimetry is the retrospective interpretation of external exposure consistent with biomonitoring data. We investigated the integration of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling, global sensitivity analysis, Bayesian inference, and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation to obtain a population estimate of inhalation exposure tom-xylene. We used exhaled breath and venous bloodm-xylene and urinary 3-methylhippuric acid measurements from a controlled human volunteer study in order to evaluate the ability of our computational framework to predict known inhalation exposures. We also investigated the importance of model structure and dimensionality with respect to its ability to reconstruct exposure.
Heterogeneous Breast Phantom Development for Microwave Imaging Using Regression Models
Authors: Hahn Camerin , Noghanian Sima
Published: April 2012

As new algorithms for microwave imaging emerge, it is important to have standard accurate benchmarking tests. Currently, most researchers use homogeneous phantoms for testing new algorithms. These simple structures lack the heterogeneity of the dielectric properties of human tissue and are inadequate for testing these algorithms for medical imaging. To adequately test breast microwave imaging algorithms, the phantom has to resemble different breast tissues physically and in terms of dielectric properties. We propose a systematic approach in designing phantoms that not only have dielectric properties close to breast tissues but also can be easily shaped to realistic physical models. The approach is based on regression model to match phantom's dielectric properties with the breast tissue dielectric properties found in Lazebnik et al. (2007). However, the methodology proposed here can be used to create phantoms for any tissue type as long asex vivo,in vitro, orin vivotissue dielectric properties are measured and available. Therefore, using this method, accurate benchmarking phantoms for testing emerging microwave imaging algorithms can be developed.
Mealybug Chromosome Cycle as a Paradigm of Epigenetics
Authors: Prantera Giorgio , Bongiorni Silvia
Published: April 2012

Recently, epigenetics has had an ever-growing impact on research not only for its intrinsic interest but also because it has been implied in biological phenomena, such as tumor emergence and progression. The first epigenetic phenomenon to be described in the early 1960s was chromosome imprinting in some insect species (sciaridaeandcoccoideae). Here, we discuss recent experimental results to dissect the phenomenon of imprinted facultative heterochromatinization in Lecanoid coccids (mealybugs). In these insect species, the entire paternally derived haploid chromosome set becomes heterochromatic during embryogenesis in males. We describe the role of known epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, in this phenomenon. We then discuss the models proposed to explain the noncanonical chromosome cycle of these species.
An Unusual Cause of Vomiting in an Infant of 3 Months of Age
Authors: Nibhanipudi Kumara , Al-Husaini Akram , Kahlon Samrina , Stone Richard K.
Published: April 2012

This is a 3-month-old infant with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis presenting with projectile vomiting and no fever and no abdominal pain.
Cervical Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials: Norms and Protocols
Authors: Isaradisaikul Suwicha , Navacharoen Niramon , Hanprasertpong Charuk , Kangsanarak Jaran
Published: April 2012

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing is a vestibular function test used for evaluating saccular and inferior vestibular nerve function. Parameters of VEMP testing include VEMP threshold, latencies of p1 and n1, and p1-n1 interamplitude. Less commonly used parameters were p1-n1 interlatency, interaural difference of p1 and n1 latency, and interaural amplitude difference (IAD) ratio. This paper recommends using air-conducted 500 Hz tone burst auditory stimulation presented monoaurally via an inserted ear phone while the subject is turning his head to the contralateral side in the sitting position and recording the responses from the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle. Normative values of VEMP responses in 50 normal audiovestibular volunteers were presented. VEMP testing protocols and normative values in other literature were reviewed and compared. The study is beneficial to clinicians as a reference guide to set up VEMP testing and interpretation of the VEMP responses.
Gender Differences in Schizophrenia and First-Episode Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Ochoa Susana , Usall Judith , Cobo Jesús , Labad Xavier , Kulkarni Jayashri
Published: April 2012

Recent studies have begun to look at gender differences in schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis in an attempt to explain the heterogeneity of the illness. However, a number of uncertainties remain. This paper tries to summarize the most important findings in gender differences in schizophrenia and first-psychosis episodes. Several studies indicate that the incidence of schizophrenia is higher in men. Most of the studies found the age of onset to be earlier in men than in women. Findings on symptoms are less conclusive, with some authors suggesting that men suffer more negative symptoms while women have more affective symptoms. Premorbid functioning and social functioning seem to be better in females than males. However, cognitive functioning remains an issue, with lack of consensus on differences in neuropsychological profile between women and men. Substance abuse is more common in men than women with schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis. In terms of the disease course, women have better remission and lower relapse rates. Lastly, there is no evidence of specific gender differences in familial risk and obstetric complications. Overall, gender differences have been found in a number of variables, and further study in this area could help provide useful information with a view to improving our care of these patients.
Mycological Analysis of the Oral Cavity of Patients Using Acrylic Removable Dentures
Authors: Loster Bartłomiej W. , Loster Jolanta , Wieczorek Aneta , Ryniewicz Wojciech
Published: April 2012

Background. The problems of fungal infections in edentulous have been discussed in literature. Findings show that oral mycosis has an influence on the mycosis of oesophageal mucosa. Based on this we started to follow from 2007 in patients who wear dentures mycological examination, to evaluate changes of yeasts numbers, the sensitivity to antibiotics and determine the impact of types of prosthesis, time of using, gender and age of patients. 1230 patients who were wearing dentures participated in the retrospective study. The material for mycological examination was sampled as a smear from the palate. After the mycological identification ofCandidaspecies and assessment of growth, the susceptibility testing with Fluconazole and Nystatin was made. The number of 23Candidaspecies was diagnosed microbiologically in five years.C. albicansandC. glabratawere increasing in number—from 33,7% to 46,9% and 6,7% to 14,0%, respectively. There was a significant statistical difference between yeasts growth and gender (P=0,017<0.05). The conclusion is that a large percentage of persons wearing removable denture has been affected byCandidaspecies and that could lead to the mycosis of farther gastrointestinal tract sections. The mycological examination before treatment, especially in patients using acrylic denture, appears to be necessary.
Outlier-Detection-Based Indoor Localization System for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Yu-Chi , Juang Jyh-Ching
Published: April 2012

The paper exploits the outlier detection techniques for wireless-sensor-network- (WSN-) based localization problem and proposes an outlier detection scheme to cope with noisy sensor data. The cheap and widely available measurement technique—received signal strength (RSS)—is usually taken into account in the indoor localization system, but the RSS measurements are known to be sensitive to the change of the environment. The paper develops an outlier detection scheme to deal with abnormal RSS data so as to obtain more reliable measurements for localization. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified experimentally in an indoor environment.
Effects of Molecular Structure on Intramolecular Charge Carrier Transport in Dithieno [3,2-b: -d] Pyrrole-Based Conjugated Copolymers
Authors: Honsho Yoshihito , Saeki Akinori , Seki Shu
Published: April 2012

Intramolecular mobility of positive charge carriers in conjugated polymer films based on dithieno [2,3-b: -d] pyrrole (DTP) is studied by time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC). A series of DTP homopolymer and copolymers combined with phenyl, 2,-biphenyl, thiophene, 2,-bithiophene, and 9,-dioctylfluorene were synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura and Yamamoto coupling reactions. Polymers containing DTP unit are reported to show high value of hole mobility measured by FET method, and this type of polymers is expected to have stable HOMO orbitals which are important for hole transportation. Among these copolymers, DTP coupled with 9,-dioctylfluorene copolymer showed the highest charge carrier mobility as high as 1.7 cm2/Vs, demonstrating an excellent electrical property on rigid copolymer backbones.
An Antibody Fusion Protein for Cancer Immunotherapy Mimicking IL-15 trans-Presentation at the Tumor Site
Authors: Kermer Vanessa , Baum Volker , Hornig Nora , Kontermann Roland E. , Müller Dafne
Published: April 2012

Cytokines driving the immune response are powerful tools for cancer immunotherapy, but their application is generally limited by severe systemic toxicity. Targeted approaches by means of antibody–cytokine fusion proteins might enable focus on the cytokine activity to the tumor site, thereby reducing unwanted side effects. Here, we investigated the possibility to improve the efficiency of interleukin (IL)-15 presentation in a targeted approach by the incorporation of an IL-15Rα chain fragment, mimicking physiologic trans-presentation. Therefore, an antibody cytokine fusion protein (scFv_RD_IL-15) composed of an antibody moiety targeting the tumor stromal fibroblast activation protein (FAP), an extended IL-15Rαsushi domain (RD) and IL-15 was generated, exhibiting antibody-mediated specific binding and cytokine activity in soluble and targeted form. Comparative analysis with a corresponding antibody fusion protein devoid of RD (scFv_IL-15) showed for scFv_RD_IL-15 in solution enhanced stimulatory activity on Mo7e (IL-15Rβγ) cells and reduced proliferation response on CTLL-2 (IL-15Rαβγ) cells, while in FAP-targeted, that is, membrane-bound form, comparable proliferation of CTLL-2 (IL-15Rαβγ) cells was obtained. In addition, scFv_RD_IL-15 achieved in its soluble and target-bound form stronger proliferation and cytotoxicity on unstimulated and activated T cells, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo analysis in a lung metastasis tumor mouse model revealed a superior antitumor effect for scFv_RD_IL-15 in comparison with that obtained by an untargeted or RD missing version of IL-15 fusion protein. Thus, tumor-directed trans-presentation of IL-15 in association with RD in form of an antibody fusion protein seems to be a promising approach to further improve the antitumor effect of IL-15. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(6); 1279–88. ©2012 AACR.
The Early Prevention of Mathematics Difficulty
Authors: Fuchs Lynn S. , Fuchs Douglas , Compton Donald L.
Published: April 2012

In this article, the authors consider the power and limitations of responsiveness-to-intervention (RTI) for reducing the need for ongoing and intensive services for the segment of the school population traditionally identified as having a learning disability in mathematics. To assess the robustness of RTI, the authors describe four studies with strong demonstrations of efficacy, as they considered the percentage of students who failed to respond, the post-tutoring achievement gap between tutored and not-at-risk students, and the extent of transfer across components of the mathematics curriculum. The authors then discuss implications and additional research questions pertaining to mathematics intervention generally and within the context of RTI. They conclude with a proposal for an expanded conceptualization of RTI.
Ordering the Disorderly Slum
Authors: Nasiali Minayo
Published: April 2012

During the post–World War II boom, France implemented a comprehensive urbanism program intended to modernize and rationalize the nation by putting the city, the home, and the citizen in order. Local modernization efforts were part of the state’s broader postwar reconstruction initiatives implemented in both the metropole and the colonies. Local techniciens (technocratic experts such as urban planners and public health officials) were charged with assessing and classifying diverse populations in terms of centrally defined standards of need. By situating local modernization efforts in a broader imperial context, this article examines how government officials produced and reinforced social and racial hierarchies within developing postwar welfare institutions.
A Motivational Peer Support Program for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Delivered by People With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Murray Nikki J. , Gasper Amy V. , Irvine Lisa , Scarpello Tracey J. , Sampson Mike J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a peer support program for individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes as part of a novel Diabetes Prevention Programme (The UEA-IFG Study). Lay members of the public with existing type 2 diabetes volunteered as peer supporters (termed type 2 trainers) for participants at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The feasibility of type 2 trainer recruitment, training, and retention was tested.

Methods

Between January and September 2009, 1500 potential type 2 trainers with existing type 2 diabetes were contacted and 168 (11%) expressed an interest. From this group, 26 type 2 trainers were appointed to begin training. All completed 7 training seminars, covering diabetes prevention, nutrition, physical activity, listening skills, motivation, and goal planning. Motivational calls were made every 12 weeks to each study participant by each type 2 trainer in addition to health care professional–delivered education sessions.

Results

Twenty-six type 2 trainers were recruited to enter the program. One type 2 trainer withdrew before beginning their role. The retention rate was high, with 22 (89%) of the type 2 trainers continuing until study end (July 2010; 20 months), with a total of 240 phone calls made.

Conclusion

The recruiting and training of lay volunteers with existing type 2 diabetes as type 2 trainers to support study participants at risk of developing the same condition was a cost-effective strategy in comparison to employing salaried health care professionals and warrants further investigation on health outcomes.
Building Capacity to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes
Authors: Colleran Kathleen , Harding Erika , Kipp Billie Jo , Zurawski Andrea , MacMillan Barbara , Jelinkova Lucie , Kalishman Summers , Dion Denise , Som Dara , Arora Sanjeev
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an innovative interactive distance training program is an effective modality to train community health workers (CHWs) to become members of the diabetes health care team. The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has developed a rigorous diabetes training program for CHWs involving both distance and hands-on learning as part of Project ECHO™ (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes).

Methods

Twenty-three diverse CHW participants from across New Mexico were enrolled in the first training session. Participants completed surveys at baseline and at the end of the program. They attended a 3-day hands-on training session, followed by weekly participation in tele/video conferences for 6 months. Wilcoxon signed-rank statistics were used to compare pre- and posttest results.

Results

Participants demonstrated significant improvements in diabetes knowledge ( P = .002), diabetes attitudes ( P = .04) and confidence in both clinical and nonclinical skills ( P < .001 and P = .04, respectively). Additionally, during focus group discussions, participants reported numerous benefits from participation in the program.

Conclusions

Community health worker participation in the Project ECHO diabetes training program resulted in significant increases in knowledge, confidence, and attitudes in providing care to patients with diabetes. Studies are ongoing to determine whether the training has a positive impact on patient outcomes.
Effect of a Short-Duration, Culturally Tailored, Community-Based Diabetes Self-management Intervention for Korean Immigrants
Authors: Choi Sarah E. , Rush Elizabeth B.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a short-duration, culturally tailored, community-based diabetes self- management program (CTCDSP) for Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes delivered at a non-clinic-affiliated community center.

Methods

Forty-one Korean adults with type 2 diabetes participated in a 2-session CTCDSP delivered by a bilingual nurse practitioner at a Korean community center. Outcome measures included biological, behavioral, and general health well-being; diabetes knowledge; and self-efficacy assessed at baseline, post-education, and 3-month follow-up. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were used to explore mean differences in outcomes across the 3 assessment points.

Results

From baseline to 3-month follow-up assessment, participants exhibited significant improvement on several physiological and behavioral measures. Mean levels of hemoglobin A1c and waist circumference decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein levels increased. Additionally, participants reported an increase in weekly feet checks, and there was a trend increase in participants’ reported frequency of exercise activities. The feasibility of the CTCDSP was established, and participant satisfaction with the program was high.

Conclusions

A short-duration CTCDSP may be an effective, feasible, and favorably received approach to improving diabetes outcomes in Korean and potentially other underserved ethnic minority immigrants who have limited access to mainstream clinic-based diabetes self-management programs.
Choices, Challenges, and Career Consequences of Global Work Experiences
Authors: Shaffer Margaret A. , Kraimer Maria L. , Chen Yu-Ping , Bolino Mark C.
Published: April 2012

Over the past 20 years, there has been increased interest in global forms of employment. Researchers have identified and investigated a number of global work experiences, including corporate and self-initiated expatriates as well as more novel forms of corporate global employees (flexpatriates, short-term assignees, and international business travelers). In this article, the authors review the empirical research that has investigated individual choices, challenges, and career consequences associated with the various types of global work. They summarize and synthesize this growing body of literature and then develop a taxonomy of global work experiences. Based on their review of this literature and their taxonomy, the authors outline an agenda for future research on global work experiences.
Minimizing Morbidity in Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery
Authors: Rawal Rounak B. , Kimple Adam J. , Dugar Deepak R. , Zanation Adam M.
Published: April 2012

Objective

The novel nasoseptal rescue flap has been proven to provide complete coverage of dural defects that may be encountered during endoscopic pituitary surgery through cadaveric studies. In this case series, the authors report outcomes from the first cohort of patients who had a nasoseptal rescue flap raised prior to surgery.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.

Subjects and Methods

Patients requiring nasoseptal rescue flaps were identified from the senior author’s database.

Results

Nasoseptal rescue flaps were harvested in 26 consecutive patients, with only 7 (27%) patients actually requiring use of the rescue flap for skull base reconstruction due to intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Six patients had low‐flow CSF leaks, whereas 1 patient had a high‐flow CSF leak. Nineteen patients had pituitary adenomas, whereas 7 patients had Rathke cleft cyst. Mean follow‐up time was 6 months (range, 1‐16 months). Since surgery, no patients have presented with CSF leak or septal perforation. The success rate in those 7 patients with rescue flap utilization was 100%.

Conclusion

The nasoseptal rescue flap is an effective surgical technique for patients undergoing pituitary surgery without a planned nasoseptal flap. It allows for vascularized skull base reconstruction if an intraoperative CSF leak is encountered and minimizes donor site morbidity if a leak is not encountered.
Creating Discursive Order at the End of Life
Authors: Schryer Catherine , McDougall Allan , Tait Glendon R. , Lingard Lorelei
Published: April 2012

This article investigates an emerging practice in palliative care: dignity therapy. Dignity therapy is a psychotherapeutic intervention that its proponents assert has clinically significant positive impacts on dying patients. Dignity therapy consists of a physician asking a patient a set of questions about his or her life and returning to the patient with a transcript of the interview. After describing the origins of dignity therapy, the authors use a rhetorical genre studies framework to explore what the dignity interview is doing, how it shapes patients’ responses, and how patients improvise within the dignity interview’s genre ecology. Based on a discourse analysis of the interview protocol and 12 dignity interview transcripts (legacy documents) gathered in two palliative care settings in Canadian hospitals, the findings suggest that these patients appear to be using the material and genre resources (especially eulogistic strategies) associated with dignity therapy to create discursive order out of their life events. This process of genre negotiation may help to explain the positive psychotherapeutic results of dignity therapy.
Language Acquisition Among Adult Immigrants in Canada
Authors: Adamuti-Trache Maria
Published: April 2012

Gaining proficiency in the host country language is a key element to successful integration of new immigrants. In this article, the author adopts Bourdieu’s perspective that accumulation and conversion of forms of capital is only possible through practice in a social field; therefore, the author puts forward the idea that language capital acquisition occurs through active participation in the host society. By employing data from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada, this article demonstrates the variability in premigration language capital among recent adult immigrants to Canada and the effect of premigration language capital and individual factors on language proficiency gains over 4 years of arrival. The study examines opportunities for language acquisition through formal and informal learning and demonstrates that vulnerable groups, such as women, older immigrants, and less educated immigrants who have less language capital at arrival, report also limited access to learning opportunities.
The creative knowledge city in Europe: Structural conditions and urban policy strategies for competitive cities
Authors: Musterd Sako , Gritsai Olga
Published: April 2012

Results of a new large-scale study question the role of creative talents in fostering economic prospects. It is shown that in Europe, with its cultural diversity and long urban history, Florida’s concepts have to be used with caution. The new study suggests that in Europe, along with so-called ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ factors, there is a third crucial group of factors, related to personal networks, which impacts on economic perspectives. These networks include personal links, professional and social relations and other types of local social connections related to people’s life courses. This appeared to be strong and consistent outcomes of a survey among employees and interviews with employers, managers and trans-national migrants, conducted simultaneously in 13 European cities. It was also made clear that so-called hard conditions, especially job availability, were the second most important factor. Incidentally soft conditions were relevant, but never of prime importance. ‘Soft’ factors such as diversity, openness, amenities, and tolerance were hardly mentioned as relevant deciding factors for settling in a specific city. It also became clear that contemporary conditions that make some European cities more attractive than others for these industries offer only a partial explanation. The current fashionable focus on fostering ‘creative talents’ to improve economic prospects is not an option for all European cities. An alternative view on urban policies, associated with concepts that seem to be crucial for Europe, has been suggested.
Quality of life and spatial inequality in London
Authors: Higgins Paul , Campanera Josep , Nobajas Alexandre
Published: April 2012

In contrast to London’s image as a global city and its position as the most affluent region in Europe, the formally established empirical evidence assembled in this paper suggests that spatial inequality in the capital is a key economic and social problem that is unlikely to be resolved by the prevailing localism doctrine of the ‘big society’. Isolated from an initial and non-discriminate England-wide clustering analysis of 73 Audit Commission-defined quality of life indicators, the results of our study reveal that pivotal to London’s prevailing quality of life distribution is the influence of deprivation, health and educational inequalities, all of which are masked at a pure ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ London comparison, capable only of distinguishing the city’s borough-level transport and community safety diversity. The policy implications of our study are duly considered and several methodological insights are advanced for future research.
Social Support, Acculturation, and Optimism
Authors: Ayres Cynthia G. , Mahat Ganga
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

This study developed and tested a theory to better understand positive health practices (PHP) among Asian Americans aged 18 to 21 years. It tested theoretical relationships postulated between PHP and (a) social support (SS), (b) optimism, and (c) acculturation, and between SS and optimism and acculturation. Optimism and acculturation were also tested as possible mediators in the relationship between SS and PHP.

Design:

A correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 163 Asian college students in an urban setting completed four questionnaires assessing SS, PHP, optimism, and acculturation and one demographic questionnaire.

Findings:

There were statistically significant positive relationships between SS and optimism with PHP, between acculturation and PHP, and between optimism and SS. Optimism mediated the relationship between SS and PHP, whereas acculturation did not.

Discussion/Conclusion:

Findings extend knowledge regarding these relationships to a defined population of Asian Americans aged 18 to 21 years.

Implications for Further Research:

Findings contribute to a more comprehensive knowledge base regarding health practices among Asian Americans. The theoretical and empirical findings of this study provide the direction for future research as well. Further studies need to be conducted to identify and test other mediators in order to better understand the relationship between these two variables.
Corrective Reading as a Supplementary Curriculum for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: McDaniel Sara C. , Houchins David E. , Terry Nicole P.
Published: April 2012

Reading deficits among students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) are well documented. One approach to addressing these deficits has been providing students with intensive and explicit reading instruction. In this study, 31 students with E/BD and reading deficits in self-contained settings were provided with 8 weeks of Corrective Reading plus Language! instruction following a 4-week baseline phase with Language! instruction only. Standardized Reading Fluency, Comprehension, Word Attack, and Letter-Word Identification subtests and general reading achievement results yielded statistically significant reading growth. Weekly oral reading fluency rates grew at a rate of 1.592 words per week during the baseline phase and 3.563 words per week during the intervention phase. Reading achievement gains were consistent across settings (self-contained classrooms and self-contained schools) and the Corrective Reading intervention was perceived as effective and beneficial to teachers and students. Limitations addressed include brief duration of intervention and relatively small sample size. Increasing the length of the intervention and number of participants are presented as future directions for research.
How We Learn to Teach
Authors: Peirce Kate L. , Martinez Gilbert D.
Published: April 2012

A survey of more than three hundred journalism instructors who belong to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication sought to find out by what methods they learned to teach journalism, what advice they had for new teachers and academic units seeking to improve teaching, and what effective and/or innovative teaching techniques they use in the classroom. Learning by doing was not the only way instructors learned how to teach journalism.
The Influence of Geology on Indoor Radon Concentrations in Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Rafique Muhammad , Qayyum Sajid , Rahman Saeed Ur , Matiullah
Published: April 2012

Geology of parent rock controls strongly the soil properties which in turn effect the generation and transportation of radon from its point of production to the surface of earth’s crust. Indoor radon concentrations mainly depend upon uranium and thorium content beneath the earth surface and diffusion of radon from rock and soil fractures, stoma and fissures. This paper presents the results of a survey of indoor radon concentrations in Neelum Valley District. CR-39 detectors were installed in 210 houses covering the entire study area. The detectors were retrieved after exposing to indoor radon for a period of 90 days and then etched in 6 M NaOH at 80°C for 16 h. The observed track densities were converted into the indoor radon concentrations using calibration factor of 2.7 tracks cm−2·h−1 per kBq·m−3. Mean annual effective doses were calculated for each measured value of radon concentration using UNSCEAR 2000 model. Effects of geology, fissures, crevice and cracks on radon levels have also been discussed. Results obtained from this study have been compared with radon concentration action levels given by the World Health Organisation and US Environmental Protection Agency and UK Health Protection Agency.
Experimental Investigation of Indoor Air Pollutants in Residential Buildings
Authors: Tan Caren C. L. , Finney Karen N. , Chen Qun , Russell Nigel V. , Sharifi Vida N. , Swithenbank Jim
Published: April 2012

Indoor air quality is affected by many factors, including energy provision/use. The main objective of this research was to investigate indoor air pollutant emissions due to energy use in residential buildings, with a specific focus on particulate matter (PM). Three environments were compared: (a) a rural house with an electric cooker; (b) a city-centre flat with a gas cooker; and (c) an urban flat on a main road, also with gas appliances. Concentrations of PM, CO, NO2 and VOCs were measured in the kitchens and emission rates were calculated for cooking periods. Although there has been a great deal of research examining the effects of gaseous pollutants in the indoor environment, this is one of the first studies to specifically focus on PM. Most particles were small (≤2.5 µm) and thus respirable. The elemental analysis of the PM revealed high metal concentrations (Fe/Na/Zn), whilst their morphologies indicated these were present as salt, skin and particles of biological origin. Gaseous emissions, particularly NO2 and CO, were more prevalent in homes with gas appliances, since these are a significant source of both pollutants.
Relationship between Housing and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of an Urban Centre of India
Authors: Firdaus Ghuncha , Ahmad Ateeque
Published: April 2012

Poor housing is an important public health risk worldwide. Addressing this issue offers an opportunity to highlight a vital social determinant of health. This study aimed to evaluate housing conditions and their potential health consequences in three different zones of National Capital Territory of Delhi, India. A cross-sectional design used for data collection from random sample of 1896 households through door to door survey method was adopted for this study. It is hypothesised that housing conditions and health outcomes vary in different parts of the city according to their geographical location, and historical background of development. A trend of overcrowded housing condition was reported by nearly 65% of the respondents in city zone, while the respective percentage for Najafgarh and Shahdara was 35% and 46%. Regression analysis of household level data controlling individual socio-economic and demographic covariates indicates, respiratory infections were the main health outcomes ( p<0.006) and attached to overcrowding; ARI (OR 1.62, CI 1.42–1.84), tuberculosis (OR 1.26, CI 1.11–1.44) and asthma (OR 1.17, C.I 1.03–1.33). The study concludes that a uniform approach cannot solve the problem. A combination of programmes and policies including implementation of housing codes, renovation work, and generating awareness among the dwellers can lead to a better health.
Lifestyle Modification
Authors: Johnston Craig A. , Moreno Jennette P.
Published: April 2012

Early detection of cancer through screening is an important step in decreasing both morbidity and mortality. Likewise, specific modifiable lifestyle behaviors are associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Lifestyle practices have also been shown to maximize health after the primary treatment of cancer. Both these roles for lifestyle interventions are discussed.
Understanding Chronic Pain in a Lifestyle Context
Authors: Hayes Christopher , Naylor Richard , Egger Garry
Published: April 2012

This article reviews both traditional and emerging aspects of pain medicine within the context of a “whole-person,” lifestyle-based approach. This is consistent with contemporary systems theory formulations of chronic disease in general. A traditional approach sees ongoing pain as a fixed biological disorder and much of its management as the task of medically palliating or learning to cope. Within this framework, chronic pain has been conceptualized by some authors as a disease in its own right based on underlying alterations in nervous system processing. This explains the stronger correlation of chronic pain with neural sensitization than with structural change in bodily tissues. However, recent research findings are expanding current views of causation and management, and there is now a growing recognition that pain-related nervous system changes are potentially reversible. The so-called paradox of plasticity proposes that the same property of changeability in the nervous system that allows chronic pain to develop can also lead to its resolution. Nutrition and personal story are key aspects of an emerging whole-person approach and can be combined with traditional biomedical and cognitive behavioral interventions to enhance therapeutic gains. An interesting hypothesis deriving from recent research is that multiple unhelpful aspects of lifestyle contribute to systemic metaflammation, which in turn spills over to sensitize the nervous system and facilitate pain-related transmission. Therefore, addressing lifestyle factors therapeutically has the potential to desensitize the nervous system and reduce pain.
Tendinopathy in Sport
Authors: Ackermann Paul W. , Renström Per
Published: April 2012

Context: Tendinopathy is increasing in prevalence and accounts for a substantial part of all sports injuries and occupational disorders. Despite the magnitude of the disorder, high-quality scientific data on etiology and available treatments have been limited.

Evidence Acquisition: The authors conducted a MEDLINE search on tendinopathy, or “tendonitis” or “tendinosis” or “epicondylitis” or “jumpers knee” from 1980 to 2011. The emphasis was placed on updates on epidemiology, etiology, and recent patient-oriented Level 1 literature.

Results: Repetitive exposure in combination with recently discovered intrinsic factors, such as genetic variants of matrix proteins, and metabolic disorders is a risk factor for the development of tendinopathy. Recent findings demonstrate that tendinosis is characterized by a fibrotic, failed healing response associated with pathological vessel and sensory nerve ingrowth. This aberrant sensory nerve sprouting may partly explain increased pain signaling and partly, by release of neuronal mediators, contribute to the fibrotic alterations observed in tendinopathy. The initial nonoperative treatment should involve eccentric exercise, which should be the cornerstone (basis) of treatment of tendinopathy. Eccentric training combined with extracorporeal shockwave treatment has in some reports shown higher success rates compared to any therapies alone. Injection therapies (cortisone, sclerosing agents, blood products including platelet-rich plasma) may have short-term effects but have no proven long-term treatment effects or meta-analyses to support them. For epicondylitis, cortisone injections have demonstrated poorer long-time results than conservative physiotherapy. Today surgery is less indicated because of successful conservative therapies. New minioperative procedures that, via the endoscope, remove pathologic tissue or abnormal neoinnervation demonstrate promising results but need confirmation by Level 1 studies.

Conclusions: Novel targeted therapies are emerging, but multicenter trials are needed to confirm the results of exercise and mini-invasive treatments.