bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Adaptation And Ability Of Roma And Non-Roma Children Living In Turkey
Authors: Orçan Maide , Güven Zuhal , Kandır Adalet
Published: October 2013

It is a fact that Roma people are among socially disadvantaged people who live in unenviable conditions. As education is one of the most important tools in the social integration of different groups in society, the identification of subgroups is a must for further steps on the way to providing scientifically valid and reliable studies. Considering these points and the insufficient amount of academic research in the field in Turkey, the researchers of the study aimed at investigating the social adaptation and abilities of five or six-year-old Roma children living in Konya, a city with nearly a million dwellers in Turkey. The study was conducted on 71 children, aged five or six years old, from Roma and non-Roma families. The data were gathered by means of the Social Adaptation and Ability Scale, and a survey form including some demographic questions. As a result, significant differences against the Roma children were found between the groups, and comprehensive studies and urgent measures were recommended on the issue.
Methodological Foundations Concepts Of Norms And Institutions For Institutional Analysis
Authors: Kovalenko Boris
Published: October 2013

Institutional analysis of the Russian economy becomes relevant in the process of transformation and development. Relevance of research institutions due to the fact that institutions have an impact on the national business model. The long process of institution building, the difference between their composition and properties in comparison with the economies of the European Union and the U.S., confirms the inevitability of self-development of each country. The author sees a problem in the fact that the development of a market economy in Russia, by the standards of industrialized countries, are inevitable: a long time, significant social costs and social consequences. As the research activities of Russian corporations and for the establishment of a modern economy the problem is not to create a market mechanism of the economy, and to build its institutional environment, which allows the market to function efficiently with acceptable social consequences. Investigation of the role of institutions in the prosperity and well-being of countries with market economies, led me to the need to separate the coordination and distribution functions of institutions. It is suggested that in the context of asymmetric information these functions determines the appearance and coordinating the distribution of effects. The first mechanism is to reduce the uncertainty of the market environment, the second - the mechanism of diversification of resources and the benefits of economic agents. The interaction of these mechanisms, in my opinion leads to lower costs of economic agents. Moreover, the degree of asymmetry of information, the level of costs and the role of institutions in regulating the interactions of agents are directly proportional. As a result, it was concluded that the institutions are the most important instrument of formation, development and management behaviors of economic agents.
Medios de comunicación y escándalos de corrupción en España: ¿denunciantes, magnificadores, cómplices?
Authors: Martínez Gallego Francesc-Andreu
Published: October 2013

Partiendo de la idea según la cual el periodismo es, en regímenes de tradición liberal democrática, un freno a la arbitrariedad de los que gobiernan y de que los medios de comunicación, y en especial la prensa escrita, han acometido la tarea de vigilancia de los casos de corrupción acaecidos en la España democrática, se indaga sobre los mecanismos que dificultan el ejercicio de un periodismo de denuncia de la corrupción política y se proponen orientaciones para acercar la ética periodística a la ética cívica propia de la democracia.
Participar sin pertenecer. La participación política de los ciudadanos no nacionales en dos áreas urbanas: Alicante y Florencia
Authors: Santoni Irene
Published: October 2013

El estudio sobre el activismo político y la participación de los ciudadanos no nacionales se considera un tema estratégico para muchas investigaciones a nivel local e internacional. Recientemente, aparece una nueva perspectiva de estudio en diferentes autores que pone el enfoque en la participación en un nivel más amplio que el de la Unión Europea. Hay numerosos estudios que tratan el tema de la participación política de los ciudadanos no comunitarios y también de los residentes comunitarios. Sin embargo, faltan estudios que pongan sistemáticamente en comparación los tres diferentes estatus de ciudadanía que se manifiestan en el contexto de la Unión Europea. Este artículo se centra en tres categorías de individuos, que se diferencian en base a la dimensión formal y sustancial de la ciudadanía: ciudadanos comunitarios, neo-comunitarios y no comunitarios. Este trabajo se centra en dos contextos urbanos de la eurozona mediterránea, Alicante (España) y Florencia (Italia) que se pueden considerar most similar systems por la historia migratoria.
When Three Charms but Four Alarms: Identifying the Optimal Number of Claims in Persuasion Settings
Authors: Shu Suzanne B. , Carlson Kurt A.
Published: October 2013

How many positive claims should firms use to produce the most positive impression of a product or service? This article posits that when consumers know that the message source has a persuasion motive, the optimal number of positive claims is three. Increasing the number of claims improves consumer perceptions until the fourth claim, at which point consumers’ persuasion knowledge causes them to view all the claims with skepticism. The studies herein establish and explore this pattern, which the authors refer to as the “charm of three.” An initial experiment indicates that impressions peak at three claims for sources with a persuasion motive but not for sources without a persuasion motive. The second experiment indicates that this effect occurs for attitudes and impressions and that increased skepticism at four or more claims explains the effect. Two final experiments examine the mental process by which the charm of three occurs by investigating how cognitive load and sequential claims influence the effect.
Notch signaling in the pathologic adult brain
Authors: Mathieu Patricia , Adami Pamela V. Martino , Morelli Laura
Published: October 2013

Along the entire lifetime, Notch is actively involved in dynamic changes in the cellular architecture and function of the nervous system. It controls neurogenesis, the growth of axons and dendrites, synaptic plasticity, and ultimately neuronal death. The specific roles of Notch in adult brain plasticity and neurological disorders have begun to be unraveled in recent years, and pieces of experimental evidence suggest that Notch is operative in diverse brain pathologies including tumorigenesis, stroke, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. In this review, we will cover the recent findings of Notch signaling and neural dysfunction in adult human brain and discuss its relevance in the pathogenesis of diseases of the central nervous system.
Interoperability optimization in healthcare collaboration networks
Authors: Alrajeh Nabil A. , Elmir Badr , Bounabat Bouchaïb , El Hami Norelislam
Published: October 2013

Interoperability is one of the most challenging concerns that face healthcare information system (HIS) actors. Interoperability implementation in this context may be a data exchange interfacing, a service oriented interaction or even a composition of new composite healthcare processes. In fact, optimizing efforts of interoperability achievement is a key requirement to effectively setup, develop and evolve intra- and interorganizational collaboration. To ensure interoperability project effectiveness, this paper proposes a modeling representation of health processes interoperability evolution. Interoperability degrees of involved automated processes are assessed using a ratio metric, taking into account all significant aspects, such as potentiality, compatibility and operational performance. Then, a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) is used as a heuristic optimization method to find the best distribution of effort needed to establish an efficient healthcare collaborative network.
Three-dimensional image fusion across PET+MRI modalities based on the approach of characteristic coregistration
Authors: Peng Matthew Jian-qiao , Yin Wei-qiang , Ju Xiangyang , Ayoub Ashraf F. , Khambay Balvinder S. , Chen Chin-Tu , Deng Fang-ge , Han Pei , Bai Bo
Published: October 2013

Because there is no complete three-dimensional (3D) hybrid detector integrated PET+MRI internationally, this study aims to investigate a registration approach for a two-dimensional (2D) hybrid based on characteristic localization to achieve a 3D fusion from the images of PET and MRI as a whole.

A cubic-oriented scheme of “9-point and 3-plane” for a coregistration design was verified to be geometrically practical. Through 3D reconstruction and virtual dissection, human internal feature points were sorted to combine with preselected external feature points for matching process. By following the procedure of feature extraction and image mapping, the processes of “picking points to form planes” and “picking planes for segmentation” were executed. Eventually, the image fusion was implemented at the real-time workstation Mimics based on auto-fuse techniques called “information exchange” and “signal overlay”.

A complementary 3D image across PET+MRI modalities, which simultaneously present metabolic activities and anatomic structures, was created with a detectable rate of 56%. This is equivalent to the detectable rate of PET+CT or MRI+CT with no statistically significant difference, and it facilitates a 3D vision that is not yet functional for 2D hybrid imaging.

This cross-modality fusion is doubtless an essential complement for the existing toolkit of a 2D hybrid device. Thus, it would potentially improve the efficiency of diagnosis and therapy for oncology.
Sparse Optimal Control of the Schlögl and FitzHugh–Nagumo Systems
Authors: Casas Eduardo , Ryll Christopher , Tröltzsch Fredi
Published: October 2013

We investigate the problem of sparse optimal controls for the so-called Schlögl model and the FitzHugh–Nagumo system. In these reaction–diffusion equations, traveling wave fronts occur that can be controlled in different ways. The L1-norm of the distributed
control is included in the objective functional so that optimal controls exhibit effects of sparsity. We prove the differentiability
of the control-to-state mapping for both dynamical systems, show the well-posedness of the optimal control problems and derive first-order
necessary optimality conditions. Based on them, the sparsity of optimal controls is shown. The theory is illustrated by various numerical
examples, where wave fronts or spiral waves are controlled in a desired way.
Prolonged cultivation of hippocampal neural precursor cells shifts their differentiation potential and selects for aneuploid cells
Authors: Nguyen The Duy , Widera Darius , Greiner Johannes , Müller Janine , Martin Ina , Slotta Carsten , Hauser Stefan , Kaltschmidt Christian , Kaltschmidt Barbara
Published: October 2013

Neural precursor cells (NPCs) are lineage-restricted neural stem cells with limited self-renewal, giving rise to a broad range of neural cell types such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Despite this developmental potential, the differentiation capacity of NPCs has been controversially discussed concerning the trespassing lineage boundaries, for instance resulting in hematopoietic competence. Assessing their in vitro plasticity, we isolated nestin+/Sox2+, NPCs from the adult murine hippocampus. In vitro-expanded adult NPCs were able to form neurospheres, self-renew, and differentiate into neuronal, astrocytic, and oligodendrocytic cells. Although NPCs cultivated in early passage efficiently gave rise to neuronal cells in a directed differentiation assay, extensively cultivated NPCs revealed reduced potential for ectodermal differentiation. We further observed successful differentiation of long-term cultured NPCs into osteogenic and adipogenic cell types, suggesting that NPCs underwent a fate switch during culture. NPCs cultivated for more than 12 passages were aneuploid (abnormal chromosome numbers such as 70 chromosomes). Furthermore, they showed growth factor-independent proliferation, a hallmark of tumorigenic transformation. In conclusion, our findings substantiate the lineage restriction of NPCs from adult mammalian hippocampus. Prolonged cultivation results, however, in enhanced differentiation potential, which may be attributed to transformation events leading to aneuploid cells.
Vitamin D in Pediatric Inpatients With Respiratory Illnesses
Authors: Iqbal Sabah , Mosenkis Edward V. , Jain Pankaj , Wiles Andrew , Lerner Jennifer , Benton Angela S. , Chamberlain James M. , Freishtat Robert J. , Teach Stephen J.
Published: October 2013

Background and Objective:

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels have been associated with increased susceptibility to and severity of respiratory viral infections. Hypovitaminosis D may be a modifiable risk factor in the severity of viral respiratory illnesses. The hypothesis for this study was that children hospitalized for respiratory illnesses would have lower serum 25(OH)D levels than controls and that 25(OH)D levels would be associated with illness severity among cases.

Methods:

A case–control study of a sample of patients aged 6 months through 12 years hospitalized from January to May 2010 at an urban pediatric referral hospital was performed. Cases were children hospitalized for acute respiratory illnesses, and controls were children hospitalized for nonrespiratory illnesses. Illness severity among cases was assessed according to hospital length of stay, ICU admission, peripheral oxygen saturation, and pediatric risk of admission II score. Associations between serum 25(OH)D levels and dependent variables were tested for by using binary logistic and multivariable linear regression while controlling for admission diagnosis, age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Results:

The majority of cases (n = 38) and controls (n = 83) were African American (65.8% and 59.0%, respectively). Of the entire cohort (N = 121), 64.8% had vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D level ≤30 ng/mL) and 31.1% had vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D level ≤20 ng/mL). Mean ± SD 25(OH)D levels did not differ between cases and controls (26.8 ± 11.5 vs 26.1 ± 10.6 ng/mL, respectively; P = .73).

Conclusions:

Hypovitaminosis D was common among cases and controls, but it was not significantly associated with the presence or severity of respiratory illnesses.
Comparison of Administrative Data Versus Infection Control Data in Identifying Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Harris J. Mitchell , Gay James C. , Neff John M. , Patrick Stephen W. , Sedman Aileen
Published: October 2013

Objective:

As of July 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services prohibited state Medicaid programs from paying for medical care related to certain provider-preventable conditions. The most prevalent provider-preventable condition in pediatrics is central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), which cause significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the uses of administrative data and infection control data in measuring CLABSIs.

Methods:

Retrospective chart reviews were performed in 3 children’s hospitals to compare CLABSIs identified according to administrative data diagnostic coding versus infections identified by hospital infection control departments. Clinical criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network were used.

Results:

A total of 166 CLABSIs were identified in 35 698 discharges in the 3 children’s hospitals in 2010. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria as the standard, administrative data had 34.78% sensitivity and 99.92% specificity. The positive predictive value was 63.16% whereas the negative predictive value was 99.75%.

Conclusions:

Administrative data and National Healthcare Safety Network criteria identify discordant numbers of CLABSIs.
Neonatal Biomarkers of Brain Injury
Authors: Douglas-Escobar Martha , Weiss Michael D.
Published: October 2013

Several biomarkers of neonatal brain injury have already been investigated, including proteins that indicate blood brain barrier integrity and neuroinflammation, as well as axonal, neuronal, and astroglial damage. This review will provide insight on potential biomarkers for the most common brain injury in newborns such as intraventricular hemorrhage, posthemorrhagic ventricular dilation, periventricular leukomalacia, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. The description of biomarkers includes source, specificity, and underlying physiologic mechanism of release. Some of the most promising biomarkers for intraventricular hemorrhage are S100β and Activin. Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilation biomarkers like transforming growth factor-β1, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 could be used to discriminate neonates who will require ventricular peritoneal shunt. Biomarkers of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with good potential clinical applications include neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and S100β.
Early Intervention, IDEA Part C Services, and the Medical Home: Collaboration for Best Practice and Best Outcomes
Authors: Adams Richard C. , Tapia Carl ,   THE COUNCIL ON CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, Murphy Nancy A. , Norwood Kenneth W. , Adams Richard C. , Burke Robert T. , Friedman Sandra L. , Houtrow Amy J. , Kalichman Miriam A. , Kuo Dennis Z. , Levy Susan E. , Turchi Renee M. , Wiley Susan E.
Published: October 2013

This Clinical Report was reaffirmed April 2024.

The medical home and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Part C Early Intervention Program share many common purposes for infants and children ages 0 to 3 years, not the least of which is a family-centered focus. Professionals in pediatric medical home practices see substantial numbers of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and/or complex chronic conditions. Economic, health, and family-focused data each underscore the critical role of timely referral for relationship-based, individualized, accessible early intervention services and the need for collaborative partnerships in care. The medical home process and Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Part C policy both support nurturing relationships and family-centered care; both offer clear value in terms of economic and health outcomes. Best practice models for early intervention services incorporate learning in the natural environment and coaching models. Proactive medical homes provide strategies for effective developmental surveillance, family-centered resources, and tools to support high-risk groups, and comanagement of infants with special health care needs, including the monitoring of services provided and outcomes achieved.
Sunlight for fuel generation by way of carbon dioxide recycling
Authors: Varghese Oomman K.
Published: October 2013

Keeping atmospheric carbon dioxide level under control while continuing uncontrolled use of carbon-based fuels may sound paradoxical. However, such a situation is possible if sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide from atmosphere and/or point sources like coal power plants back to fuels such as hydrocarbons and alcohols. This article gives an overview of atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation problem and discusses three routes, the biomass, concentrated solar thermochemical cycle and solar photocatalysis, to convert carbon dioxide to fuel using sunlight. While biomass and concentrated solar thermochemical approaches involve indirect ways to store solar energy in the bonds of alcohols or hydrocarbon fuels, direct conversion is possible through solar photocatalysis route. Material challenges to be addressed for enhancing the efficiency and enabling commercial viability of solar photocatalytic carbon dioxide conversion technology for a sustainable future are also discussed.
The role of functional traits and individual variation in the co‐occurrence of Ficus species
Authors: Lasky Jesse R. , Yang Jie , Zhang Guocheng , Cao Min , Tang Yong , Keitt Timothy H.
Published: October 2013

The processes that structure assemblages of species in hyper‐diverse genera, such as Ficus (Moraceae), are not well understood. Functional diversity of co‐occurring species can reveal evidence for assembly processes; however, intraspecific variation may weaken species‐level patterns. We studied whether functional and phylogenetic diversity of Ficus species indicated the effects of spatial variation in filters associated with topography or niche partitioning related to resource use and biotic interactions. We also asked whether individual trait patterns supported species‐level patterns. We studied six traits (leaf area, succulence, specific leaf area [SLA], maximum diameter breast high [dbh], fruit size, and latex exudation) for 22 Ficus species and 335 individuals ≥10 cm dbh on a 20‐ha forest plot in China. We found that higher elevation was correlated to changes in mean and reduced diversity of five traits, possibly due to frequent disturbances at higher elevations that favored fast‐growing, poorly defended species with high SLA. Maximum dbh showed phylogenetic conservatism but high diversity among co‐occurring species, suggesting adult stature is an important axis of within‐quadrat niche partitioning. At the individual level, trait patterns were qualitatively consistent but were stronger than species‐level patterns, especially for the leaf traits with the greatest intraspecific variation (SLA and succulence). Individual‐level SLA exhibited the strongest evidence for both traits among and within‐quadrat niche partitioning and indicated elevational filtering. Local niche partitioning and elevational filtering likely play an important role in maintaining species and functional diversity in the most speciose genus at our study site. Our results highlight the importance of individual variation, as it may reveal otherwise obscured niche effects.
Firm-Value Effects of Carbon Emissions and Carbon Disclosures
Authors: Matsumura Ella Mae , Prakash Rachna , Vera-Muñoz Sandra C.
Published: October 2013

Using hand-collected carbon emissions data for 2006 to 2008 that were voluntarily disclosed to the Carbon Disclosure Project by S&P 500 firms, we examine the effects on firm value of carbon emissions and of the act of voluntarily disclosing carbon emissions. Correcting for self-selection bias from managers' decisions to disclose carbon emissions, we find that, on average, for every additional thousand metric tons of carbon emissions, firm value decreases by $212,000, where the median emissions for the disclosing firms in our sample are 1.07 million metric tons. We also examine the firm-value effects of managers' decisions to disclose carbon emissions. We find that the median value of firms that disclose their carbon emissions is about $2.3 billion higher than that of comparable non-disclosing firms. Our results indicate that the markets penalize all firms for their carbon emissions, but a further penalty is imposed on firms that do not disclose emissions information. The results are consistent with the argument that capital markets impound both carbon emissions and the act of voluntary disclosure of this information in firm valuations.

JEL Classifications: G14, Q51, M14.

Data Availability: Data are available from the sources identified in the study.
Analysis of the EU Territorial Differences in Terms of Natural Conditions with Special View of Czech Nuts 2 Regions
Authors: Hlavsa Tomáš , Čapkovičová Andrea
Published: October 2013

This paper analyses differences and similarities between the NUTS 2 regions of the European Union in terms of natural conditions with the subsequent evaluation of differences in land use, size structure, enterprise focus and selected economic indicators. The paper is also focused on the evaluation of the position of regions of the Czech Republic. NUTS 2 EU regions were classified into four groups, where the first represented favorable conditions for agriculture, on the other side the other group with conditions unsuitable for intensive agriculture - mountainous areas and the last two groups represented a transition between them. Czech regions were found in all groups except mountainous areas. Based on the analysis can we say that between clusters were found significant differences in the structure of farms, size of the enterprises, business focus but differences were not found in the economic indicators.
Management Strategies and Landscape Diversity in Commonly Governed Mountain Pastures: A Case Study from Austrian Alps
Authors: Kurz Peter
Published: October 2013

The paper explores the relationships between alpine pasture management and pastoral landscape ecosystems, based on research set in the Austrian limestone Alps. The focus of inquiry is laid upon the different management practices employed by pasturing communities. Therefore, the concept of “farming styles”, as introduced by Ploeg (1994) is adapted. Five different types of alpine pasture management could be identified. Those types are investigated further on their impacts on natural environments of vegetation- and landscape patterns, taking diversity of plant communities as an indicator. It is figured out that management strategies as a central factor shaping diversity in mountain pastureland shall be considered in the design of agro-environmental policies and in nature conservation.
A Potential Framework for Integration of Architecture and Methodology to Improve Statistical Production Systems
Authors: Eltinge John L. , Biemer Paul P. , Holmberg Anders
Published: October 2013

This article outlines a framework for formal description, justification and evaluation in development of architectures for large-scale statistical production systems. Following an introduction of the main components of the framework, we consider four related issues: (1) Use of some simple schematic models for survey quality, cost, risk, and stakeholder utility to outline several groups of questions that may inform decisions on system design and architecture. (2) Integration of system architecture with models for total survey quality (TSQ) and adaptive total design (ATD). (3) Possible use of concepts from the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) and the Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM). (4) The role of governance processes in the practical implementation of these ideas.
Discussion
Authors: Karr Alan F.
Published: October 2013

These five articles and the framework proposed by Eltinge, Biemer, and Holmberg illuminate an exciting view of the future of official statistics. The articles are innovative, forward-looking, and remarkably complementary to one another. Below, for brevity, I refer to the five articles as the NASS, StatsNL, StatsNZ, RTI and Westat/NCHS articles. I will comment on each article individually, on them collectively in the context of the framework, and on the entire concept of “systems and architectures for high-quality statistics production.” First, however, I present two complementary perspectives on official statistics.
Measuring and Developing Customer Satisfaction – By Balanced Critical Factor Index
Authors: Kuronen Mika , Takala Josu
Published: October 2013

This short analysis presents perspective and a holistic method for approaching and measuring customer satisfaction. The Balanced Critical Factor Index (BCFI) method is a measurement tool to indicate which attribute of a business process is critical and which is not, based on the experience and expectations of the company’s employees, customers or business partners. This paper focuses on to detect and define critical business processes and factors, which have influence to effective co-operation and customer satisfaction. The use of a questionnaire is one of the most efficient approaches to gather the required information. Due to the fact that each process has its own attributes and the questionnaires cannot be standardized, but the information from the phase is essential and could be measured. In this study case company’s all gathered information will be analyzed and furthermore the BCFI measurement tools will be applied. The original research has been testified that, with the above-mentioned method (BCFI) customer’s experience of the “gap” between expected and received service can be easily resolved. Using this BCFI method it is also possible to find easier so called “weak” customer satisfaction indicators, which are not directly obvious. Companies have crucial to take the right decisions upon the areas of business interest. To have it done, the company should have able to made decisions with the right amount of customer’s needs. The correct allocation and fast adaption of customer’s needs with the right amount of standards is a key to competitive advantage. This paper shows use of this BCFI method and how it could help companies to define there’s customer’s needs and required development target area more specifically
Measurement of activated sludge particle diameters using laser diffraction method / Pomiary średnicy cząstek osadu czynnego za pomocą metody dyfrakcji laserowej
Authors: Bieganowski Andrzej , Łagód Grzegorz , Ryżak Magdalena , Montusiewicz Agnieszka , Chomczyńska Mariola , Sochan Agata
Published: October 2013

The paper presents a study on the possibility of using the laser diffraction method for measuring the size of the activated sludge particles. Susceptibility of the particles to mechanical disintegration, dependent on the programmed value of stirring intensity, was observed (stirring was caused by required dynamic flow of analysed suspension through the measurement unit). According to the conclusions presented in this paper, it may be assumed that the laser diffraction method can be applied for measurement of activated sludge particle diameters under the following conditions: 1) the size of activated sludge particles measured by the laser diffraction method is not a real value, but after standardisation of measurement conditions can be treated as a parameter describing the sludge; 2) the particle diameters of activated sludge should be stabilised before the measurement, eg by mixing in the measurement unit or by ultrasound waves application.
Laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease: effect of the Hajj vaccination policy, Saudi Arabia, 1995 to 2011
Authors: Memish Z , Al Hakeem R , Al Neel O , Danis K , Jasir A , Eibach D
Published: October 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Jane Austen’s “Excellent Walker”: Pride, Prejudice, and Pedestrianism
Authors: Murphy Olivia
Published: October 2013

When Mrs Hurst calls Elizabeth Bennet “an excellent walker,” in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813), the remark is meant to ridicule. For a modern reader, understanding this connotation requires a small exercise in historical imagination. Recent critical studies explore the rise of rambling and the Romantic poets’ penchant for lengthy pedestrian excursions, but Pride and Prejudice does not feature the sort of lonely wanderings that lead to conversations with leech gatherers and mystical mariners. To appreciate the centrality of walking to the novel, we must appropriate Miss Bingley’s question, “What could she mean by it?” Before we can understand the attitudes towards walking and the responses to walking exhibited by characters in the novel—and the function of walking in the plot—it is first necessary to explore the changing place of walking in late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century society, and the uses of walking in Romantic-era literature. This article examines eighteenth-century accounts of athletic, touristic, sentimental, and performative pedestrianism, including Austen’s attitudes towards her own walks, in order to read walking in the novel.
Orthotic (helmet) therapy in the treatment of plagiocephaly
Authors: Goh Jo Ling , Bauer David F. , Durham Susan R. , Stotland Mitchell A.
Published: October 2013

Object

The goal of this study was to review the current literature on orthotic (helmet) therapy use in the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly.

Methods

PubMed was used to search English articles using the medical subject headings “deformational plagiocephaly” and “orthosis,” and “deformational plagiocephaly” and “helmet.”

Results

Forty-two articles were found. There were no Class I studies, 7 Class II studies, 1 Class III study, and 13 Class IV studies. Cranial orthoses have been shown to be effective in treating deformational plagiocephaly. It continues to be debated as to whether the statistical significance of treatment with cranial orthoses compared with conservative therapies is clinically significant. Children older than 12 months of age with deformational plagiocephaly may still benefit from orthotic therapy. The long-term effects of orthotic therapy are controversial.

Conclusions

There is a lack of Class I literature evidence supporting the use of helmet therapy in deformational plagiocephaly. There are controversies surrounding the use of orthotic therapy such as appropriate use, cost, use in older children, and long-term outcomes. Clinical indications for orthotic therapy need to be better defined with further research studies.
Efficacy of passive helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly: report of 1050 cases
Authors: Couture Daniel E. , Crantford John C. , Somasundaram Aravind , Sanger Claire , Argenta Anne E. , David Lisa R.
Published: October 2013

Object

There has been a tremendous increase in the incidence of deformational plagiocephaly in children throughout the world. Therapeutic options include observation, active counterpositioning, external orthotics, and surgery. The current treatment in the US is highly debated, but it typically includes external orthotic helmets in patients with moderate to severe plagiocephaly presenting between 4 and 10 months of age or in children with significant comorbidities limiting passive (no-pressure) therapy. The present study was designed to evaluate 3 key issues: 1) the accuracy of the Argenta classification in defining a progressive degree of severity, 2) identification of an upper age limit when treatment is no longer effective, and 3) the effectiveness of an off-the-shelf prefabricated helmet in correcting deformational plagiocephaly.

Methods

An institutional review board–approved retrospective study was conducted of all patients at the authors' clinic in whom deformational plagiocephaly was assessed using the Argenta classification system over a 6-year period; the patients underwent helmet therapy, and a minimum of 3 clinic visits were recorded. Inclusion criteria consisted of an Argenta Type II–V plagiocephalic deformity. Patients' conditions were categorized both by severity of the deformity and by patients' age at presentation. Statistical analysis was conducted using survival analysis.

Results

There were 1050 patients included in the study. Patients with Type III, IV, and V plagiocephaly required progressively longer for deformity correction to be achieved than patients with Type II plagiocephaly (53%, 75%, and 81% longer, respectively [p < 0.0001]). This finding verified that the Argenta stratification indicated a progressive severity of deformity. No statistically significant difference in the time to correction was noted among the different age categories, which suggests that the previously held upper time limit for correction may be inaccurate. An overall correction rate to Type I plagiocephaly of 81.6% was achieved irrespective of severity and degree of the original deformity. This suggests that an inexpensive off-the-shelf molding helmet is highly effective and that expensive custom-fitted orthoses may not be necessary. The patients in the older age group (> 12 months) did not have a statistically significant longer interval to correction than the patients in the youngest age group (< 3 months). The mean length of follow-up was 6.3 months.

Conclusions

Patients treated with passive helmet therapy in the older age group (> 12 months) had an improvement in skull shape within the same treatment interval as the patients in the younger age group (< 3 months). This study supports the use of passive helmet therapy for improvement in deformational plagiocephaly in infants from birth to 18 months of age and verifies the stratification of degree of deformity used in the Argenta classification system.
Positional plagiocephaly: an analysis of the literature on the effectiveness of current guidelines
Authors: Shweikeh Faris , Nuño Miriam , Danielpour Moise , Krieger Mark D. , Drazin Doniel
Published: October 2013

Object

Positional plagiocephaly (PP) has been on the rise in recent years. In this review, the authors' aim was to assess the effectiveness of current recommendations to parents on this exceedingly common problem through a comprehensive literature search. Additionally, the current treatment options and the most recent studies on PP are reviewed.

Methods

A search of the existing literature was conducted to obtain all relevant studies on guidelines, recommendations, parental and clinician practices, and epidemiological aspects.

Results

Although the incidence and risk factors for PP have been well delineated, there continues to be debates on its management and association with developmental delays. Current guidelines and recommendations on prevention set by the American Association of Pediatrics may not be easily followed by both parents and clinicians. There is also evidence that certain populations, including those with lower education, socioeconomic status, and in particular geographic regions may be more affected by the condition. Additionally, the marketing and financial aspects of PP treatments exist and should be addressed.

Conclusions

Better awareness and education are necessary to inform the population as a whole, although certain populations should be given special attention. Additionally, current guidelines and recommendations can be modified to foster a better grasp of the condition by both parents and clinicians. Adjusting current recommendations, introducing initiatives, and offering elaborate educational campaigns would help deliver these aims. Educating parents on PP as early as possible through clearer guidelines and close monitoring is central to preventing and managing this common condition.
A seventeenth-century warthog skull in Oxford, England
Authors: d'Huart J. P. , Nowak-Kemp M. , Butynski T. M.
Published: October 2013

There are two widely recognized species of warthog: the Cape warthog, Phacochoerus aethiopicus ( Pallas, 1766 ), and the common warthog, P. africanus ( Gmelin, 1788 ). On this basis, it has been assumed that the first warthog specimen arrived in Europe in about 1766. This paper documents the discovery of a common warthog skull in the Tradescant Collection at Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) that probably reached Europe sometime between 1656 and 1678, and that was listed in the Ashmolean Museum 1685 catalogue. This specimen represents the oldest evidence for a warthog in Europe. The skull pre-dates the 1766 naming of the Cape warthog by more than 80 years, and the 1788 naming of the common warthog by at least 100 years. It is surprising that this skull was never the subject of scientific investigations. This is particularly astonishing as, prior to being transferred to the OUMNH in the 1860s, it was in the Ashmolean Museum from at least 1685.
Functional Perspectives on Emotion, Behavior, and Cognition
Authors: Lench Heather , Darbor Kathleen , Berg Logan
Published: October 2013

This Editorial reviews the challenges and advantages posed by a functional perspective on the relationships among emotion, behavior, and cognition. We identify the core themes among the articles published as part of this Special Issue. The articles generally address two important questions: (1) are emotions functional and what is their impact on behavioral and cognitive processes, and (2) how do the interactions among emotion, cognition, and behavior play out in particular situations that present adaptive challenges? We also identify two core questions raised by the articles included in this Special Issue. Future research must address the extent to which emotions are best represented as discrete emotional constructs (e.g., anger, sadness, fear) versus emotions that vary along dimensions, such as valence and arousal. Functional perspectives would also be facilitated by identification of situations or environments that are likely to elicit particular emotions and reactions.
Orthogonal bone plate stabilization for limb-sparing surgery
Authors: Scurrell E , Renwick A.
Published: October 2013

This report describes limb-sparing surgery in a 35 kg, six-year-old Hungarian Vizsla with a distal radial lytic bone lesion. Preoperative biopsy had suggested a bone cyst, however histopathology on the excised bone segment was indicative of an osteosarcoma. Following excision of the tumour, the bone defect was filled with a composite bone graft and stabilized with a custom-made dorsal 3.5/2.7 mm pancarpal arthrodesis plate and an orthogonally positioned medial 2.7 mm compression plate. This technique has not previously been described for limb-sparing procedures. No complications were encountered, and despite the owners declining adjunctive chemotherapy, the dog was alive 34 months postoperatively with near normal limb function.
A retrospective study of the short-term complication rate following 750 elective elbow arthroscopies
Authors: Li L. , Perry K. L.
Published: October 2013

Arthroscopy is the gold standard for articular surface examination and is commonly advocated for diagnosing and treating cases of canine elbow dysplasia. Arthroscopy is generally regarded as a low-risk procedure, however there is a paucity of information in the small animal veterinary literature regarding the associated complication rates. In a retrospective study spanning a ten year period, 750 elective elbow arthroscopies were evaluated. Complications necessitating repeat surgery were defined as major, and were documented in 4.8% of dogs. Minor perioperative complications occurred in 17.1% dogs. The failure of arthroscopic treatment necessitating unplanned conversion to arthrotomy was the most frequently encountered complication in this category, having been reported in five percent of dogs. Minor postoperative complications occurred in 10.7% dogs; these included a worsened postoperative lameness (5.5%), severe pain (2.8%), severe swelling (2%), infection (0.2%), and neurapraxia (0.2%). A total of 204 dogs returned for a postoperative re-examination and in seven percent, lameness was more severe than that noted preoperatively. The results of the study show that the major complication rate associated with elective elbow arthroscopy is low, but that the minor peri- and postoperative complication rate is concerning. These findings will assist veterinarians in their preoperative discussions with owners to ensure the achievement of informed consent.
PARTICIPATION: HOUSING AND URBAN VIABILITY
Authors: Miles Malcolm
Published: October 2013

In the global North, housing tends to be seen as a sub-sector of the construction industry. In the global South, in contrast, it might be considered more as a verb – housing as the activity of meeting basic needs for shelter. As such, this process is frequently undertaken by users themselves, in the informal settlements which surround most cities. While these settlements were once regarded as a threat to the urban order (or urbanization), today there is increasing recognition that self-build and self-managed housing meets the needs of urban development in ways which are usually more sustainable as well as lower-cost than standard housing schemes (whether in the public or the private sector). This paper begins from the question as to how far the lessons of informal settlements in the South can be applied in the North. It looks at the status of informal settlements in the new South Africa, and at two schemes in the UK: the Coin Street development in London, managed by tenants; and Ashley Vale self-build housing in Bristol, in southwest England. These are not seen as exemplary but simply two cases which can be compared and contrasted in the terrain of new approaches to building cities for the future.
Le secret, c'est le médium
Authors: Soriano Paul
Published: October 2013

Qu’est-ce qui fait d’un secret un secret ? Le message est par définition inconnu. Ne reste alors que le médium, support et véhicule protégés de l’information confidentielle. C’est le sceau qui fait le secret.
Diplomatie
Authors: Védrine Hubert
Published: October 2013

La diplomatie est l’art de négocier. Or, sans secrets, il n’y a plus de négociation possible.
L'espion et ses prothèses
Authors: Nart Raymond
Published: October 2013

Pour l’ancien directeur adjoint de la DST, le facteur humain est toujours déterminant, comme l’enseigne la longue histoire des secrets d’État. À ceci près qu’à l’ère numérique le facteur en question est équipé d’outils sans précédent.
Merci Assange
Authors: Gaillard Françoise
Published: October 2013

Je cache, donc je suis : ce que suggèrent les chasseurs de secrets, c’est qu’il y a encore un pouvoir. Les ennemis de l’État n’en seraient-ils pas à leur insu les agents ?
Les origines
Authors: Renucci France
Published: October 2013

À l’heure où la technique et les mœurs promettent de dissocier filiation et procréation, l’auteure débusque l’origine du secret des origines : la présomption du père. La loi « met en survivance un monde aboli par la technique » : il est temps d’en prendre acte. Plaidoyer pour le droit de savoir.
Le sale quart d'heure de célébrité
Authors: Chédeville Pierre
Published: October 2013

Autrefois, le délateur, honteux, dénonçait anonymement. Stimulé par les nouveaux moyens de communication, ils s’en donne à cœur joie, bonne conscience et civisme en sus : sortez, les mouchards !
Éloge du secret bancaire
Authors: Bonnant Marc
Published: October 2013

Franco-Suisse : nos vertus sont leurs vices et vice versa. La question du secret bancaire illustre à merveille cette radicale divergence.
Secret des sources
Authors: Perraud Antoine
Published: October 2013

Dans un contexte d’attaques récurrentes contre les médias et les « lanceurs d’alerte », l’idéal serait d’accorder une meilleure garantie aux journalistes qui persévèrent dans l’éthique de vérité, moyennant une éthique de responsabilité plus affirmée de leur part...
Psychiatre
Authors: François-Purssell Irène
Published: October 2013

Le secret médical s’exacerbe quand il touche à l’âme du patient. La sûreté d’un secret est inversement proportionnelle au nombre de ceux qui le détiennent. Aussi, quand on découvre le nombre d’institutions qu’un patient psychiatrique chronique doit informer, on se prend à douter.
Industrie : la lutte contre la montre
Authors: de Biasi Pierre-Marc
Published: October 2013

Une variable capitale des secrets de fabrication : la durée. Du papier millénaire à la milliseconde numérique, une formidable contraction du temps.