bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Quality Improvement in Acute Ischemic Stroke Care: Interrupted Time Series Analysis of Door-to-Needle Time
Authors: van Dishoeck Anne Margreet , Dippel Diederik W.J. , Dirks Maaike , Looman Caspar W.N. , Mackenbach Johan P. , Steyerberg Ewout W.
Published: June 2014

Background: In patients with acute ischemic stroke, early treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) improves functional outcome by effectively reducing disability and dependency. Timely thrombolysis, within 1 h, is a vital aspect of acute stroke treatment, and is reflected in the widely used performance indicator ‘door-to-needle time' (DNT). DNT measures the time from the moment the patient enters the emergency department until he/she receives intravenous rtPA. The purpose of the study was to measure quality improvement from the first implementation of thrombolysis in stroke patients in a university hospital in the Netherlands. We further aimed to identify specific interventions that affect DNT. Methods: We included all patients with acute ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to a large university hospital in the Netherlands between January 2006 and December 2012, and focused on those treated with thrombolytic therapy on admission. Data were collected routinely for research purposes and internal quality measurement (the Erasmus Stroke Study). We used a retrospective interrupted time series design to study the trend in DNT, analyzed by means of segmented regression. Results: Between January 2006 and December 2012, 1,703 patients with ischemic stroke were admitted and 262 (17%) were treated with rtPA. Patients treated with thrombolysis were on average 63 years old at the time of the stroke and 52% were male. Mean age (p = 0.58) and sex distribution (p = 0.98) did not change over the years. The proportion treated with thrombolysis increased from 5% in 2006 to 22% in 2012. In 2006, none of the patients were treated within 1 h. In 2012, this had increased to 81%. In a logistic regression analysis, this trend was significant (OR 1.6 per year, CI 1.4-1.8). The median DNT was reduced from 75 min in 2006 to 45 min in 2012 (p < 0.001 in a linear regression model). In this period, a 12% annual decrease in DNT was achieved (CI from 16 to 8%). We could not find a significant association between any specific intervention and the trend in DNT. Conclusion and Implications: The DNT steadily improved from the first implementation of thrombolysis. Specific explanations for this improvement require further study, and may relate to the combined impact of a series of structural and logistic interventions. Our results support the use of performance measures for internal communication. Median DNT should be used on a monthly or quarterly basis to inform all professionals treating stroke patient of their achievements.
The Effect of Topical Corticosteroids, Topical Antihistamines, and Preservatives on Human Ciliary Beat Frequency
Authors: Jiao Jian , Meng Na , Zhang Luo
Published: June 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the corticosteroids, the antihistamines, and the preservatives benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and potassium sorbate (PS) in intranasal medications on human nasal epithelial ciliary beat frequency (CBF). Methods: Primary ciliated epithelial cell cultures from the human nasal mucosa of chronic sinusitis patients were established. Changes in CBF of epithelial cell cultures treated/untreated with intranasal medications or preservatives were assessed using high-speed digital imaging methods. Results: Budesonide caused a rapid but reversible ciliostasis and showed no ciliotoxic effect at 10% dilution. Fluticasone propionate induced an irreversible ciliostatic activity and showed a reversible decrease in CBF at 10% dilution. Azelastine hydrochloride and levocabastine hydrochloride both induced a dose-dependent and irreversible decrease in CBF, although the ciliotoxic effect was not evident at 5% dilution. BKC resulted in an irreversible ciliostasis at 0.005 or 0.01% concentrations, whereas PS did not show any change in CBF at 0.12 or 0.24% concentrations. Conclusions: Crystalline BKC and BKC-containing intranasal medications, including fluticasone propionate, azelastine hydrochloride and levocabastine hydrochloride, but not PS or PS-containing intranasal budesonide spray, led to irreversible ciliostasis in human nasal epithelial cell cultures when applied at clinically relevant concentrations.
Pulmonary Vein Stenosis After Catheter Ablation
Authors: van Driel Vincent J.H.M. , Neven Kars G.E.J. , van Wessel Harry , du Pré Bastiaan C. , Vink Aryan , Doevendans Pieter A.F.M. , Wittkampf Fred H.M.
Published: June 2014

Background—

Radiofrequency ablation inside pulmonary vein (PV) ostia can cause PV stenosis. A novel alternative method of ablation is irreversible electroporation, but the long-term response of PVs to electroporation ablation is unknown.

Methods and Results—

In ten 6-month-old pigs (60–75 kg), the response of PVs to circular electroporation and radiofrequency ablation was compared. Ten consecutive, nonarcing, electroporation applications of 200 J were delivered 5 to 10 mm inside 1 of the 2 main PVs, using a custom-deflectable, 18-mm circular decapolar catheter. Inside the other PV, circular radiofrequency ablation was performed using 30 W radiofrequency applications via an irrigated 4-mm ablation catheter. PV angiograms were made before ablation, immediately after ablation, and after 3-month survival. PV diameters and heart size were measured. With electroporation ablation, PV ostial diameter decreased 11±10% directly after ablation, but had increased 19±11% after 3 months. With radiofrequency ablation, PV ostial diameter decreased 23±15% directly after ablation and remained 7±17% smaller after 3 months compared with preablation diameter despite a 21±7% increase in heart size during aging from 6 to 9 months.

Conclusions—

In this porcine model, multiple circumferential 200-J electroporation applications inside the PV ostia do not affect PV diameter at 3-month follow-up. Radiofrequency ablation inside PV ostia causes considerable PV stenosis directly after ablation, which persists after 3 months.
Discontinuation of Smokeless Tobacco and Mortality Risk After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Arefalk Gabriel , Hambraeus Kristina , Lind Lars , Michaëlsson Karl , Lindahl Bertil , Sundström Johan
Published: June 2014

Background—

Given the indications of increased risk for fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in people who use snus, a moist smokeless tobacco product, we hypothesized that discontinuation of snus use after an MI would reduce mortality risk.

Methods and Results—

All patients who were admitted to coronary care units for an MI in Sweden between 2005 and 2009 and were <75 years of age underwent a structured examination 2 months after discharge (the baseline of the present study). We investigated the risk of mortality in post-MI snus quitters (n=675) relative to post-MI continuing snus users (n=1799) using Cox proportional hazards analyses. During follow-up (mean 2.1 years), 83 participants died. The mortality rate was 9.7 (95% confidence interval, 5.7–16.3) per 1000 person-years at risk in post-MI snus quitters and 18.7 (14.8–23.6) per 1000 person-years at risk in post-MI continuing snus users. After adjustment for age and sex, post-MI snus quitters had half the mortality risk of post-MI continuing snus users (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–0.91). In a multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratio was 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.32–1.02). The corresponding estimate for people who quit smoking after MI versus post-MI continuing smokers was 0.54 (95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.69).

Conclusions—

In this study, discontinuation of snus use after an MI was associated with a nearly halved mortality risk, similar to the benefit associated with smoking cessation. These observations suggest that the use of snus after MI should be discouraged.
Effect of Periodontal Therapy on Arterial Structure and Function Among Aboriginal Australians
Authors: Kapellas Kostas , Maple-Brown Louise J. , Jamieson Lisa M. , Do Loc G. , O’Dea Kerin , Brown Alex , Cai Tommy Y. , Anstey Nicholas M. , Sullivan David R. , Wang Hao , Celermajer David S. , Slade Gary D. , Skilton Michael R.
Published: June 2014

Observational studies and nonrandomized trials support an association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease. Both diseases occur frequently in Aboriginal Australians. We hypothesized that nonsurgical periodontal therapy would improve measures of arterial function and structure that are subclinical indicators of atherosclerotic vascular disease. This parallel-group, randomized, open label clinical trial enrolled 273 Aboriginal Australians aged ≥18 years with periodontitis. Intervention participants received full-mouth periodontal scaling during a single visit, whereas controls received no treatment. Prespecified primary end points measured 12-month change in carotid intima-media thickness, an indicator of arterial structure, and 3- and 12-month change in pulse wave velocity, an indicator of arterial function. ANCOVA used complete case data to evaluate treatment group differences. End points could be calculated for 169 participants with follow-up data at 3 months and 168 participants at 12 months. Intima-media thickness decreased significantly after 12 months in the intervention group (mean reduction=−0.023 [95% confidence interval {CI}, −0.038 to −0.008] mm) but not in the control group (mean increase=0.002 [95% CI, −0.017 to 0.022] mm). The difference in intima-media thickness change between treatment groups was statistically significant (−0.026 [95% CI, −0.048 to −0.003] mm;
P
=0.03). In contrast, there were no significant differences between treatment groups in pulse wave velocity at 3 months (mean difference, 0.06 [95% CI, −0.17 to 0.29] m/s;
P
=0.594) or 12 months (mean difference, 0.21 [95% CI, −0.01 to 0.43] m/s;
P
=0.062). Periodontal therapy reduced subclinical arterial thickness but not function in Aboriginal Australians with periodontal disease, suggesting periodontal disease and atherosclerosis are significantly associated.
Critical Blood Pressure Threshold Dependence of Hypertensive Injury and Repair in a Malignant Nephrosclerosis Model
Authors: Griffin Karen A. , Polichnowski Aaron , Litbarg Natalia , Picken Maria , Venkatachalam Manjeri A. , Bidani Anil K.
Published: June 2014

Most patients with essential hypertension do not exhibit substantial renal damage. Renal autoregulation by preventing glomerular transmission of systemic pressures has been postulated to mediate this resistance. Conversely, malignant nephrosclerosis (MN) has been postulated to develop when severe hypertension exceeds a critical ceiling. If the concept is valid, even modest blood pressure (BP) reductions to below this threshold regardless of antihypertensive class (1) should prevent MN and (2) lead to the healing of the already developed MN lesions. Both predicates were tested using BP radiotelemetry in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats receiving 1% NaCl as drinking fluid for 4 weeks. Severe hypertension (final 2 weeks average systolic BP, >200 mm Hg) and MN (histological damage score 36±5; n=27) developed in the untreated stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats but were prevented by all antihypertensive classes (enalapril [n=15], amlodipine [n=13], or a hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide combination [n=15]) if the final 2-week systolic BP remained <190 mm Hg. More impressively, modest systolic BP reductions to 160 to 180 mm Hg (hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide regimen) initiated at ≈4 weeks in additional untreated rats after MN had already developed (injury score 35±4 in the right kidney removed before therapy) led to a striking resolution of the vascular and glomerular MN injury over 2 to 3 weeks (post-therapy left kidney injury score 9±2,
P
<0.0001; n=27). Proteinuria also declined rapidly from 122±9.5 mg/24 hours before therapy to 20.5±3.6 mg 1 week later. These data clearly demonstrate the barotrauma-mediated pathogenesis of MN and the striking capacity for spontaneous and rapid repair of hypertensive kidney damage if new injury is prevented.
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Resistant Hypertension in a Large Health Maintenance Organization in Israel
Authors: Weitzman Dahlia , Chodick Gabriel , Shalev Varda , Grossman Chagai , Grossman Ehud
Published: June 2014

Previous assessments of the prevalence of resistant hypertension (RH) in uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) have ranged from 3% to 30%. Using real-world data, our aim was to estimate the prevalence of RH in patients belonging to the Maccabi Healthcare Services, a 2-million-member health organization in Israel. From 2010 to 2011, all hypertensive patients with ≥2 recorded BP measurements during a minimum period of 6 months were identified. Patients were considered uncontrolled if their most recent BP during the study period and their mean systolic BP or diastolic BP during a preceding period of ≥6months were systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, or systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg in chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. Uncontrolled patients taking diuretics and ≥2 antihypertensive therapy classes at their maximal recommended dose were regarded as resistant hypertensives. A total of 172 432 patients were eligible for the study. Uncontrolled BP was found in 35.9% (n=65 710). Overall, 2.2% of the uncontrolled patients (n=1487) were resistant hypertensives. Patients with RH were characterized by a significantly (
P
<0.01) older age, higher body mass index, and multicomorbidity (including dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and impaired renal function) compared with patients with controlled hypertension receiving equivalent treatment. The results of this large population-based study indicate a substantially lower prevalence of RH than previously reported. Most patients with uncontrolled BP took less than the maximal recommended antihypertensive treatment.
The TeleStroke Mimic (TM)‐Score: A Prediction Rule for Identifying Stroke Mimics Evaluated in a Telestroke Network
Authors: Ali Syed F. , Viswanathan Anand , Singhal Aneesh B. , Rost Natalia S. , Forducey Pamela G. , Davis Lawrence W. , Schindler Joseph , Likosky William , Schlegel Sherene , Solenski Nina , Schwamm Lee H. ,   on Behalf of Partners Telestroke Network
Published: June 2014

Background

Up to 30% of acute stroke evaluations are deemed stroke mimics (
SM
). As telestroke consultation expands across the world, increasing numbers of
SM
patients are likely being evaluated via Telestroke. We developed a model to prospectively identify ischemic
SM
s during Telestroke evaluation.

Methods and Results

We analyzed 829 consecutive patients from January 2004 to April 2013 in our internal New England–based Partners TeleStroke Network for a derivation cohort, and 332 cases for internal validation. External validation was performed on 226 cases from January 2008 to August 2012 in the Partners National TeleStroke Network. A predictive score was developed using stepwise logistic regression, and its performance was assessed using receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. There were 23% SM in the derivation, 24% in the internal, and 22% in external validation cohorts based on final clinical diagnosis. Compared to those with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (
iCVD
), SM had lower mean age, fewer vascular risk factors, more frequent prior seizure, and a different profile of presenting symptoms. The TeleStroke Mimic Score (TM‐Score) was based on factors independently associated with SM status including age, medical history (atrial fibrillation, hypertension, seizures), facial weakness, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >14. The TM‐Score performed well on ROC curve analysis (derivation cohort AUC=0.75, internal validation AUC=0.71, external validation AUC=0.77).

Conclusions

SMs differ substantially from their
iCVD
counterparts in their vascular risk profiles and other characteristics. Decision‐support tools based on predictive models, such as our TM Score, may help clinicians consider alternate diagnosis and potentially detect SMs during complex, time‐critical telestroke evaluations.
Arrhythmogenic Calmodulin Mutations Disrupt Intracellular Cardiomyocyte Ca
2+
Regulation by Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Yin Guo , Hassan Faisal , Haroun Ayman R. , Murphy Lisa L. , Crotti Lia , Schwartz Peter J. , George Alfred L. , Satin Jonathan
Published: June 2014

Background

Calmodulin (CaM) mutations have been identified recently in subjects with congenital long
QT
syndrome (
LQTS
) or catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (
CPVT
), but the mechanisms responsible for these divergent arrhythmia‐susceptibility syndromes in this context are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that
LQTS
‐associated CaM mutants disrupt Ca
2+
homeostasis in developing cardiomyocytes possibly by affecting either late Na current or Ca
2+
‐dependent inactivation of L‐type Ca
2+
current.

Methods and Results

We coexpressed CaM mutants with the human cardiac Na channel (Na
V
1.5) in tsA201 cells, and we used mammalian fetal ventricular cardiomyocytes to investigate
LQTS
‐ and
CPVT
‐associated CaM mutations (
LQTS
‐ and
CPVT
‐CaM).
LQTS
‐CaM mutants do not consistently affect L‐type Na current in heterologous cells or native cardiomyocytes, suggesting that the Na channel does not contribute to
LQTS
pathogenesis in the context of CaM mutations.
LQTS
‐CaM mutants (D96V, D130G, F142L) impaired

Ca
2+
‐dependent inactivation,

whereas the
CPVT
‐CaM mutant N54I had no effect on

Ca
2+
‐dependent inactivation

.
LQTS
‐CaM mutants led to loss of Ca
2+
‐transient entrainment with the rank order from greatest to least effect: CaM‐D130G~CaM‐D96V>>CaM‐F142L. This rank order follows measured Ca
2+
‐CaM affinities for wild‐type and mutant CaM. Acute isoproterenol restored entrainment for CaM‐130G and CaM‐D96V but caused irreversible cytosolic Ca
2+
overload for cells expressing a
CPVT
‐CaM mutant.

Conclusions

CaM mutations associated with
LQTS
may not affect L‐type Na
+
current but may evoke defective

Ca
2+
‐dependent inactivation

of L‐type Ca
2+
current.
Trial History Effects in the Ventral Attentional Network
Authors: Scalf Paige E. , Ahn JeeWon , Beck Diane M. , Lleras Alejandro
Published: June 2014

The ventral attentional network (VAN) is thought to drive “stimulus driven attention” [e.g., Asplund, C. L., Todd, J. J., Snyder, A. P., & Marois, R. A central role for the lateral prefrontal cortex in goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention. Nature Neuroscience, 13, 507–512, 2010; Shulman, G. L., McAvoy, M. P., Cowan, M. C., Astafiev, S. V., Tansy, A. P., D' Avossa, G., et al. Quantitative analysis of attention and detection signals during visual search. Journal of Neurophysiology, 90, 3384–3397, 2003]; in other words, it instantiates within the current stimulus environment the top–down attentional biases maintained by the dorsal attention network [e.g., Kincade, J. M., Abrams, R. A., Astafiev, S. V., Shulman, G. L., & Corbetta, M. An event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging study of voluntary and stimulus-driven orienting of attention. The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 25, 4593–4604, 2005]. Previous work has shown that the dorsal attentional network is sensitive to trial history, such that it is challenged by changes in task goals and facilitated by repetition thereof [e.g., Kristjánsson, A., Vuilleumier, P., Schwartz, S., Macaluso, E., & Driver, J. Neural basis for priming of pop-out during visual search revealed with fMRI. Cerebral Cortex, 17, 1612–1624, 2007]. Here, we investigate whether the VAN also preserves information across trials such that it is challenged when previously rejected stimuli become task relevant. We used fMRI to investigate the sensitivity of the ventral attentional system to prior history effects as measured by the distractor preview effect. This behavioral phenomenon reflects a bias against stimuli that have historically not supported task performance. We found regions traditionally considered to be part of the VAN (right middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus) [Shulman, G. L., McAvoy, M. P., Cowan, M. C., Astafiev, S. V., Tansy, A. P., D' Avossa, G., et al. Quantitative analysis of attention and detection signals during visual search. Journal of Neurophysiology, 90, 3384–3397, 2003] to be more active when task-relevant stimuli had not supported task performance in a previous trial than when they had. Investigations of the ventral visual system suggest that this effect is more reliably driven by trial history preserved within the VAN than that preserved within the visual system per se. We conclude that VAN maintains its interactions with top–down stimulus biases and bottom–up stimulation across time, allowing previous experience with the stimulus environment to influence attentional biases under current circumstances.
Nonmotor Aspects of Action Concepts
Authors: Leshinskaya Anna , Caramazza Alfonso
Published: June 2014

Reading an action verb elicits the retrieval of its associated body movements as well as its typical goal—the outcome to which it is directed. Two fMRI experiments are reported in which retrieval of goal attributes was isolated from retrieval of motoric ones by contrasting actions that are either done intentionally (e.g., drink) and thus have associated goal information or by accident (e.g., hiccup). Orthogonally, the actions also varied in their motoricity (e.g., drink vs. imagine). Across both levels of motoricity, goal-directedness influenced the activity of a portion of left posterior inferior parietal lobe (pIPL). These effects were not explicable by the grammatical properties, imageability, or amount of body movement associated with these different types of verbs. In contrast, motoricity (across levels of goal-directedness) activated primarily the left middle temporal gyrus. Furthermore, pIPL was found to be distinct from the portion of left parietal lobe implicated in theory of mind, as localized in the same participants. This is consistent with the observation that pIPL contains many functionally distinct subregions and that some of these support conceptual knowledge. The present findings illustrate that, in particular, the pIPL is involved in representing attributes of intentional actions, likely their typical goals, but not their associated body movements. This result serves to describe an attribute-selective semantic subsystem for at least one type of nonmotor aspect of action knowledge.
“Green” Reproduction, Resource Conservation, and Ecological Responsibility
Authors: Richie Cristina
Published: June 2014

This paper will draw on Catholic resources to examine the impact of population and consumption vis-à-vis reproduction in the developed world as it relates to theological/ moral obligations to the earth. By examining both natural and artificial means of procreation, an assessment of “green” reproduction can be made. I will explore contraception as an option for limiting natural procreation, and the avoidance of assisted reproductive technologies [ARTs] as a way of preventive artificial reproduction. However, both family size and carbon footprint must be scrutinized for ecologically sound consumer practices in accordance with biblical principles to ensure the global magnitude of the ecological crisis is examined; therefore the role of consumption that stems from procreation will also be discussed. The paper will conclude by envisioning alternative parenting options as they relate to ecological practices, and I will assert that all things considered, on the continuum of ecologically oriented reproductive choices, non-biological parenting and thereby a reduction in procreation and consumerist practices is the most ethical and ecological solution to the environmental crisis that surely escalates with each birth.
Should Pentecostal Theology be Analytic Theology?
Authors: Stephenson Christopher A.
Published: June 2014

As pentecostal theology develops, it will become more sophisticated philosophically. Pentecostal theology should benefit from the gains of analytic theology, an approach to systematic theology characterized by certain tendencies within analytic philosophy. In addition to qualities like clarity and precision, such methodology may also enhance spiritual practice by encouraging meditation and discursive prayer in connection with speculative theology.
Four new species of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) from New Caledonia, including one presumed to be extinct
Authors: Barrabé Laure
Published: June 2014

Psychotria (Rubiaceae) is the second largest genus of flowering plants in New Caledonia. A taxonomic revision in progress for this archipelago estimates the number of species as 81, all of them endemic, and 25 of which are new to science. Four of them are described and illustrated here: P. fambartiae, P. ireneae, P. nigotei and P. veillonii. Robust morphological characteristics were found to distinguish these four from other New Caledonian species. Psychotria veillonii, which is known only from the massif of Tiébaghi, might already be extinct as a result of intensive nickel mining in the area. According to the IUCN criteria, P. nigotei, should be considered Critically Endangered as it occurs only in two locations, which are close to one another; P. ireneae and P. fambartiae are considered Endangered and Vulnerable respectively, given their somewhat larger but limited distributions.
Phylogenetic relationships of Discyphus scopulariae (Orchidaceae, Cranichideae) inferred from plastid and nuclear DNA sequences: evidence supporting recognition of a new subtribe, Discyphinae
Authors: SALAZAR GERARDO A. , Van den Berg Cássio , POPOVKIN ALEX
Published: June 2014

The monospecific genus Discyphus, previously considered a member of Spiranthinae (Orchidoideae: Cranichideae), displays both vegetative and floral morphological peculiarities that are out of place in that subtribe. These include a single, sessile, cordate leaf that clasps the base of the inflorescence and lies flat on the substrate, petals that are long-decurrent on the column, labellum margins free from sides of the column and a column provided with two separate, cup-shaped stigmatic areas. Because of its morphological uniqueness, the phylogenetic relationships of Discyphus have been considered obscure. In this study, we analyse nucleotide sequences of plastid and nuclear DNA under maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood criteria with the aim of clarifying its systematic position and discussing its peculiar morphology in an explicit phylogenetic context. Our analyses failed to support inclusion of Discyphus in Spiranthinae, signifying instead that this genus represents an additional isolated lineage of “core spiranthids.” The notable morphological disparity among such major lineages, as compared with the short internal branches subtending them in the molecular trees, would support the hypothesis that Discyphus represents a relict from an early radiation that also gave rise to Cranichidinae and Spiranthinae, putatively driven by adaptation to different pollinators given the morphological differences in floral morphology among these taxa.
New neotropical species of Trupanea (Diptera: Tephritidae) with unusual wing patterns
Authors: NORRBOM ALLEN L. , NEDER LILIA ESTELA
Published: June 2014

Four species of Trupanea Shrank (Diptera: Tephritidae) with unusual wing patterns are described from the Neotropical Region: T. dimorphica (Argentina), T. fasciata (Argentina), T. polita (Argentina and Bolivia), and T. trivittata (Argentina). Celidosphenella Hendel, 1914 and Melanotrypana Hering, 1944 are considered new synonyms of Trupanea, and the following species are transferred from Celidosphenella to Trupanea: Acinia bella Blanchard, 1852; Acanthiophilus benoisti Séguy, 1933; Tephritis diespasmena Schiner, 1868; Celidosphenella maculata Hendel, 1914; Sphenella poecila Schiner, 1868; Trypanea simulata Malloch, 1933; Trupanea stonei Stuardo, 1946; and Trypanea vidua Hering, 1942. Aphyllocladus spartioides Wedd. (Asteraceae: Mutisieae) is reported as a probable host plant for Trupanea dimorphica.
Rasch Mixture Models for DIF Detection
Authors: Frick Hannah , Strobl Carolin , Zeileis Achim
Published: June 2014

Rasch mixture models can be a useful tool when checking the assumption of measurement invariance for a single Rasch model. They provide advantages compared to manifest differential item functioning (DIF) tests when the DIF groups are only weakly correlated with the manifest covariates available. Unlike in single Rasch models, estimation of Rasch mixture models is sensitive to the specification of the ability distribution even when the conditional maximum likelihood approach is used. It is demonstrated in a simulation study how differences in ability can influence the latent classes of a Rasch mixture model. If the aim is only DIF detection, it is not of interest to uncover such ability differences as one is only interested in a latent group structure regarding the item difficulties. To avoid any confounding effect of ability differences (or impact), a new score distribution for the Rasch mixture model is introduced here. It ensures the estimation of the Rasch mixture model to be independent of the ability distribution and thus restricts the mixture to be sensitive to latent structure in the item difficulties only. Its usefulness is demonstrated in a simulation study, and its application is illustrated in a study of verbal aggression.
Exploring the Relationship between Access and Retention among Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions
Authors: Brucker Debra
Published: June 2014

To explore whether relationships exist among the timeliness of access to outpatient (OP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) substance abuse assessment and treatment and the participation, retention and completion of treatment, admission data from the State of Maine substance abuse treatment data system, reflecting episodes both admitted and discharged during state fiscal year 2008 (N=6,157) were examined using linear and logistic regression techniques. Shorter wait times for assessment were found to lead to lower rates of treatment completion for both OP and IOP and to fewer numbers of sessions attended and shorter lengths of stay for IOP. Shorter waits between assessment and treatment were found to lead to lower attendance at OP treatment sessions, shorter lengths of stay for OP and IOP, but higher rates of treatment completion for IOP. Policy implications are discussed.
Popularity among Peers as a Condition for a Child's Risk of Substance Abuse
Authors: Cheung Chau-Kiu , Tse John Wing-Ling
Published: June 2014

Popularity or recognition as a friend among peers is a core element in some approaches to substance abuse prevention and treatment. Its effect on a child's risk of substance abuse has not been conclusive in view of the findings involving both positive and negative effects. This study analyzing survey data from 2,051 pupils in Hong Kong, China, ascertain the effects of popularity in the presence of other predictors. Results show that the effect of popularity on substance abuse risk was not significant. Nonetheless, the interaction between popularity and substance abuse generated a significant positive effect on the risk that a child who has experienced substance abuse has a high tendency to have a relapse. This effect embodies the logic of reinforcement in social learning theory. The findings imply that preventive approaches relying on the promotion of popularity among peers need to be cautious and selective to avoid the reinforcement effect.
Prescription Drug Abuse & Diversion: Role of the Pain Clinic
Authors: Rigg Khary K. , March Samantha J. , Inciardi James A.
Published: June 2014

The goal of this research is to better understand the role that South Florida pain management clinics may be playing in the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. This study explores 1) the characteristics and practices of pain clinics that may be facilitating the drug-seeking endeavors of prescription drug abusers and 2) the drug-seeking behaviors of prescription drug abusers who use pain clinics as a primary source for drugs. Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with prescription drug abusers in South Florida. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and codes were generated based on thematic analyses of the data. Using grounded theory strategies, the analyses revealed six main themes: “pill mills,” on-site pharmacies, liberal prescribing habits, “sponsoring” drug diversion, pain doctor/pharmacy shopping, and falsifying symptoms/documentation. These findings should provide insights for law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and industry as they attempt to develop appropriate policy initiatives and recommendations for best practices.
Not All Women Are Mothers
Authors: Michalsen Venezia , Flavin Jeanne
Published: June 2014

Research has consistently shown that most women under the control of the criminal justice system are mothers. The robustness of this finding has been accompanied by a failure to consider the characteristics and needs of women without children. In this study, we examine data on 1,334 formerly incarcerated women. Findings indicate that while mothers and non-mothers share some characteristics, they differ on several others, most notably demographic profile, mental health, and timing of contacts with the criminal justice system. These results suggest a need to recognize the diversity among women offender groups, particularly when developing policies and programs need.
Night and the city: Clubs, brothels and politics in Jakarta
Authors: Tadié Jérôme , Permanadeli Risa
Published: June 2014

This article analyses the significance of Jakarta’s night venues, defined in a narrow way (bars, clubs and prostitution complexes). They represent not only forms of modernisation and their acceptance in a city from the developing world, but they show how usual means of controlling the night have different understandings and produce different types of arrangements, regarding where one is located. We show how informal agreements are central to ordering the night and to governance processes, and how they produce different types of territories within an Indonesian context. The first part draws a topography of the night-time economy in Jakarta, showing how the evolution of the venues reflects both the growth of the metropolis and Indonesia’s different political regimes. Then the paper analyses the inner (dis)organisation of the venues and neighbourhoods in which they are concentrated, before assessing the meaning of the policies aimed at creating order in the city at night, showing how appearances of order take precedence over the effective planning of the metropolis.
A conceptual framework on modes of governance for the regeneration of Chinese ‘villages in the city’
Authors: Lin Yanliu , Hao Pu , Geertman Stan
Published: June 2014

China’s rapid urbanisation has created a special form of urban built environment known as ‘village in the city’ (ViC). Various governance approaches have been applied to redevelop ViCs, which are prevalent in big cities. However, owing to the specific conditions of ViCs and the diverse contexts of urban development within and across cities, those approaches remain largely case-specific and are hampered by a lack of guiding principles. This article presents a framework on modes of governance to understand the choice of and the differences between modes of governance as well as their positive and negative consequences for the regeneration of ViCs. Case studies of various types of ViC regeneration practices in Guangzhou and Shenzhen are used to illustrate the framework’s application. The article concludes that new modes of governance that are interactive, inclusive and collaborative are called for to achieve the sustainable regeneration of ViCs.
Biogeography-based optimization in noisy environments
Authors: Ma Haiping , Fei Minrui , Simon Dan , Chen Zixiang
Published: June 2014

Biogeography-based optimization (BBO) is a new evolutionary optimization algorithm that is based on the science of biogeography. In this paper, BBO is applied to the optimization of problems in which the fitness function is corrupted by random noise. Noise interferes with the BBO immigration rate and emigration rate, and adversely affects optimization performance. We analyse the effect of noise on BBO using a Markov model. We also incorporate re-sampling in BBO, which samples the fitness of each candidate solution several times and calculates the average to alleviate the effects of noise. BBO performance on noisy benchmark functions is compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), self-adaptive DE (SaDE) and PSO with constriction (CPSO). The results show that SaDE performs best and BBO performs second best. In addition, BBO with re-sampling is compared with Kalman filter-based BBO (KBBO). The results show that BBO with re-sampling achieves almost the same performance as KBBO but consumes less computational time.
Observer-based tracking control for a class of switched fuzzy systems with fast switching controller
Authors: Yang Hong , Lü Huanhuan , Liu Xiaodong
Published: June 2014

Observer-based robust tracking control for a class of switched fuzzy (SF) systems with time delay is investigated in this paper. An SF system, which differs from the existing systems, is first employed to describe a non-linear system. Next, a fast switching controller consisting of a number of simple sub-controllers is proposed. The designed controller based on measured output instead of the state information integrates the advantages of both the linear and switching state-feedback controllers but eliminates their disadvantages. Tracking hybrid control schemes, which are based upon a combination of the H∞ tracking theory, fast switching control algorithm and switching law design, are developed such that the observer-based H∞ model reference tracking performance is guaranteed. Sufficient conditions for the solvability of the tracking control problem are given for the case in which the state of system is not available. Since convex combination techniques are used to derive the delay independent criteria, some subsystems are allowed to be unstable. Finally, various comparisons of the elaborated examples are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control design approach.
Impact evaluation of wind power integration on power system using optimal power flow tool
Authors: Li Xue , Cao Jia , Du Dajun
Published: June 2014

With wind power integrated into a grid, the impact of wind power on a power system becomes a major concern. This paper mainly investigates the impact of wind power integration considering three issues – wind speed, number of wind turbines or wind power penetration (WPP) level. The impact of wind power is analysed by the optimal power flow (OPF) tool. First, the OPF model with WPP is constructed. The Levenberg–Marquardt method was then employed to solve the OPF problem. Finally, numerical simulations for the modified IEEE-30 node system with WPP are carried out. According to the simulation results, the impacts of wind speed, wind turbine number and WPP level on the static performance of the power system are systematically analysed.
Implications of Multiple Concurrent Pay Comparisons for Top-Team Turnover
Authors: Ridge Jason W. , Hill Aaron D. , Aime Federico
Published: June 2014

This article relies on tournament and social comparison theorizing to understand how multiple concurrent pay structures and, thus, potential for comparison to multiple referents, affect turnover in the CEO’s top team. Specifically, we explore how the concurrent effects of pay dispersion within the CEO’s top team, pay disparity between the team and the CEO, and pay level in comparison to top teams at other firms in the industry affect turnover among members of the CEO’s top team. Consistent with social comparison theorizing, we find that pay dispersion is positively associated with turnover within CEO’s top teams. We also find that pay disparity has an effect consistent with tournament theorizing in which firms with greater tournament prizes (i.e., CEO salary gap) have lower turnover within their CEOs’ top teams. Furthermore, we find that pay disparity interacts with both pay dispersion and pay level to affect turnover within CEOs’ top teams. These results have theoretical and practical implications for CEOs’ top-team pay design in organizations. Specifically, our findings imply that theoretical mechanisms associated with how firms compensate executives—and the inherent comparisons in which those pay structures result—work in concert to affect turnover within the CEO’s top team. Hence, to understand the effect that compensation has on executives’ subsequent responses, researchers and practitioners must consider multiple concurrent pay references simultaneously.
Predictors of Identity Management
Authors: King Eden B. , Mohr Jonathan J. , Peddie Chad I. , Jones Kristen P. , Kendra Matt
Published: June 2014

This study examined workplace interactions in which lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) workers faced decisions related to revealing or concealing their LGB identities at work (i.e., identity management situations). Participants were 61 LGB adults who completed a baseline survey about their organization and, over 3 weeks, responded to event-based surveys immediately after identity management situations. Results suggested that LGB workers manage their stigmatized identity strategically according to situational characteristics. Indeed, much of the variance in use of revealing and concealing strategies was due to differences within people from situation to situation. Use of identity management strategies was predicted by interaction partner cues of acceptance or rejection as well as perception of LGB-related organizational climate and policies. Results at the within-person and between-person levels diverged in noteworthy ways.
Stability of child behavioral style in the first 30 months of life
Authors: Parade Stephanie H. , Dickstein Susan , Schiller Masha , Hayden Lisa , Seifer Ronald
Published: June 2014

The current study examined the stability of temperament over time. Observers and mothers rated child behavior at eight timepoints across three assessment waves (8, 15, and 30 months of age). Internal consistency reliability of aggregates of the eight observer reports and eight mother reports were high. When considering single timepoint assessments, stability of temperament between assessment waves was generally low to moderate in magnitude. When the eight observations were aggregated, rather than when single timepoints were considered, between-wave stability of temperament increased. Mother reports of temperament were generally more stable than observer reports. Results have important methodological implications and suggest multiple observations of child behavior within a single developmental period are necessary to evaluate the stability of temperament over time.
Inhibitory control in preschool predicts early math skills in first grade
Authors: Ng Florrie Fei-Yin , Tamis-LeMonda Catherine , Yoshikawa Hirokazu , Sze Irene Nga-Lam
Published: June 2014

Preschoolers’ inhibitory control and early math skills were concurrently and longitudinally examined in 255 Chinese, African American, Dominican, and Mexican 4-year-olds in the United States. Inhibitory control at age 4, assessed with a peg-tapping task, was associated with early math skills at age 4 and predicted growth in such skills from age 4 to age 6 among these ethnic minority children after adjusting for ethnic background. Chinese children outperformed other groups on inhibitory control at age 4 and early math skills across ages. Mediation analyses indicated that their advanced inhibitory control at age 4 partially accounted for their advantage in early math skills concurrently at age 4 and longitudinally at age 6, highlighting the role of inhibitory control in the early math skills of ethnic minority children.
Gene Expression of Mesothelioma in Vinylidene Chloride–exposed F344/N Rats Reveal Immune Dysfunction, Tissue Damage, and Inflammation Pathways
Authors: Blackshear Pamela E. , Pandiri Arun R. , Nagai Hiroaki , Bhusari Sachin , Hong Hue-Hua , Ton Thai-Vu T. , Clayton Natasha P. , Wyde Michael , Shockley Keith R. , Peddada Shyamal D. , Gerrish Kevin E. , Sills Robert C. , Hoenerhoff Mark J.
Published: June 2014

A majority (∼80%) of human malignant mesotheliomas are asbestos-related. However, non-asbestos risk factors (radiation, chemicals, and genetic factors) account for up to 30% of cases. A recent 2-year National Toxicology Program carcinogenicity bioassay showed that male F344/N rats exposed to the industrial toxicant vinylidene chloride (VDC) resulted in a marked increase in malignant mesothelioma. Global gene expression profiles of these tumors were compared to spontaneous mesotheliomas and the F344/N rat mesothelial cell line (Fred-PE) in order to characterize the molecular features and chemical-specific profiles of mesothelioma in VDC-exposed rats. As expected, mesotheliomas from control and VDC-exposed rats shared pathways associated with tumorigenesis, including cellular and tissue development, organismal injury, embryonic development, inflammatory response, cell cycle regulation, and cellular growth and proliferation, while mesotheliomas from VDC-exposed rats alone showed overrepresentation of pathways associated with pro-inflammatory pathways and immune dysfunction such as the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-12 signaling, interleukin responses, Fc receptor signaling, and natural killer and dendritic cells signaling, as well as overrepresentation of DNA damage and repair. These data suggest that a chronic, pro-inflammatory environment associated with VDC exposure may exacerbate disturbances in oncogene, growth factor, and cell cycle regulation, resulting in an increased incidence of mesothelioma.
Knowledge quality
Authors: Waheed Mehwish , Kaur Kiran
Published: June 2014

This paper presents the theoretical underpinnings and measures employed in the assessment of knowledge quality. It aims to identify a conceptual and operational measure of knowledge quality within the context of an e-learning environment. The review is conducted in two phases. First, the conceptual and operational measures of knowledge quality are explained based on the epistemic concept of the essence of knowledge and the knowledge hierarchy structure. Next, a detailed analysis of the dimensions measuring data quality (DQ), information quality (IQ), and knowledge quality (KQ) in 33 studies ranging from research on information systems (IS), to knowledge and information management, e-learning, and data warehouses is presented. Minimal biased methods were used to acquire the literature for this review. The findings reveal that there is an evident lack of research in measuring KQ based on a definite conceptual understanding of the hierarchical structure of knowledge. Furthermore, researchers’ repeated use of the DQ and IQ dimensions to measure KQ has failed to develop a reliable KQ measure. Subsequently, an operational view of KQ is proposed with six distinct dimensions: Adaptable, Applicable, Expandable, True, Innovative, and Justified. This proposed KQ model that is based on the hierarchical structure of knowledge; it identifies the dimensions distinct to the KQ construct. It may be useful for the conceptualization and measure of KQ in various information environments, including e-learning and IS. The proposed model provides a more explicit way to conceptualize and measure the KQ construct by acknowledging that it is an extension of the IQ construct but with distinct and unique dimensions.