bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Fracture Fixation in 6 Dogs With Appendicular Osteosarcoma
Authors: Covey Jennifer L. , Farese James P. , Bacon Nicholas J. , Schallberger Sandra P. , Amsellem Pierre , Cavanaugh Ryan P. , Milner Rowan J.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To evaluate clinical outcome of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and subsequent internal fixation of a pathologic fracture.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Dogs with spontaneous‐occurring appendicular OSA (n = 6).

Methods

Medical records (May 2002–January 2008) of dogs that had SRS for appendicular OSA were reviewed. Dogs were included if they had a pathologic fracture either before or after SRS and were treated with internal fixation. Signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic imaging findings, biopsy results, surgical complications, number of surgeries, adjuvant therapy, development of metastatic disease and cause of death were recorded.

Results

Six dogs met the inclusion criteria. Two dogs had a pathologic fracture at admission and 4 dogs developed a fracture after SRS with a mean ± SD time to fracture development of 6.25 ± 1.65 months. The first 3 fractures were repaired using an open approach and the latter three using minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO). Infection occurred in 5 dogs and implant failure in 3. Limb function was subjectively assessed as good in all dogs when the implants were stable and infections were subclinical. Survival times ranged from 364–897 days; 1 dog was lost to follow‐up.

Conclusions

Fracture repair using internal fixation should be considered a viable limb‐sparing alternative for pathologic fractures that have been treated with SRS.
Does Radiographic Arthrosis Correlate With Cartilage Pathology in Labrador Retrievers Affected by Medial Coronoid Process Disease?
Authors: Farrell Michael , Heller Jane , Solano Miguel , Fitzpatrick Noel , Sparrow Tim , Kowaleski Mike
Published: January 2014

Objective

To compare radiographic elbow arthrosis with arthroscopic cartilage pathology in Labrador retrievers with elbow osteoarthritis secondary to medial coronoid process (MCP) disease.

Study Design

Retrospective epidemiological study.

Animals

Labrador retrievers (n = 317; 592 elbow joints).

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively (June 2007–June 2011) to identify Labrador retrievers with thoracic limb lameness and elbow pain, a complete set of elbow radiographs, and a comprehensive arthroscopic surgery report. Each radiograph was scored for osteophytosis on the anconeal process and ulnar subtrochlear sclerosis using a modification of the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG) scoring system. Elbows affected by traumatic MCP fracture, humeral condylar osteochondrosis, or ununited anconeal process were excluded. The arthroscopic report was used to generate a composite cartilage score (CCS; 0 = normal, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) for each elbow joint. Ordinal regression analysis was performed to test the relationship between radiographic arthrosis score and CCS.

Results

There was a significant relationship between radiographic elbow arthrosis and CCS (P < .001). Elbows with a higher radiographic score were significantly more likely to have a higher CCS than elbows with a lower radiographic score. For every month increase in age, the odds of having a higher CCS increased by 0.016 (1.6%).

Conclusions

Radiographic arthrosis can be used to predict the severity of arthroscopic cartilage pathology in Labrador retrievers affected by MCP disease.
Comparison of Two Minimally Invasive Approaches to the Thoracolumbar Spinal Canal in Dogs
Authors: Lockwood Abigail A. , Griffon Dominique J. , Gordon‐Evans Wanda , Matheson Jodi A. , Barthélémy Nicolas , Schaeffer David J.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To describe 2 minimally invasive approaches to the spinal canal for treatment of intervertebral disc disease and compare their efficacy to conventional hemilaminectomy.

Study Design

Experimental; randomized, controlled design.

Animals

Canine cadavers (n = 10; 5 small and 5 large dogs).

Methods

Barium‐impregnated agarose gel (BA‐gel) was injected into the spinal canal at 3 intervertebral spaces of the thoracolumbar spine in each cadaver. Sites were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 approaches: conventional (standard) hemilaminectomy (SH), endoscopic foraminotomy (EF), or foraminotomy via an illuminated port (FP). Computed tomographic scans were performed before and after the procedures. Procedures were compared for duration, bone window size, incision length, complications and percentage of BA‐gel removed via repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

The incisions created during EF and FP were similar and smaller to that of a SH. The duration of EF was prolonged compared to FP and SH. The size of the vertebral window created was greater after SH in large dogs, while no difference was found between procedures in small dogs. The amount of simulated disc material removed from the spinal canal did not differ between procedures, regardless of the size of the dog.

Conclusions

The two minimally invasive approaches were feasible in small and large dogs. Both techniques allowed similar removal of simulated disc material and may decrease soft tissue morbidity compared to SH.
Theoretical Predictions on Elastic Stiffness and Intrinsic Thermal Conductivities of Yttrium Silicates
Authors: Luo Yixiu , Wang Jiemin , Wang Jingyang , Li Junning , Hu Zijun
Published: January 2014

Yttrium silicates are promising candidates for environmental and thermal barrier coatings owing to their excellent high‐temperature performances. Previous works have experimentally attested to their low thermal conductivity, nevertheless, the experimental data were significantly affected by measurement inaccuracy and the existence of defects such as point defects, dislocations, grain boundaries, and pores in measured samples. In this study, the temperature dependences of intrinsic lattice thermal conductivities of γ‐Y2Si2O7 and Y2SiO5 are predicted based on the first‐principles calculations of crystal structure, elastic moduli, Debye temperature, and Grüneisen constant. Both silicates display very low thermal conductivities over the range of 300–2000 K; and in addition, Y2SiO5 exhibits relatively lower thermal conductivity than γ‐Y2Si2O7. We also show certain discrepancies between experimental and theoretical thermal conductivities, and it strengthens the important role of theoretical prediction of intrinsic lattice thermal conductivities of promising materials.
Guidelines for facilitating the development of learning communities in online courses
Authors: Yuan J. , Kim C.
Published: January 2014

Online learning has grown exponentially in recent years; however, dropout problem remains challenging for some online programmes. The dropout problem can be attributed to a number of reasons, with a lack of interaction between learners and the instructor constituting one of the main reasons. The lack of interaction also leads to learners' feeling of isolation. Learning communities can provide learners with an environment conducive to increased interactions and alleviate their feeling of isolation. Unfortunately, there are no clear rules that instructors can follow to help learners create learning communities. In this paper, we propose guidelines for online instructors to facilitate the development of learning communities in online courses. We first review the definition of a learning community, importance of a learning community and factors affecting the development of a learning community. Afterwards, based on a review of the existing guidelines and other relevant literature, we propose guidelines for facilitating the development of learning communities in online courses.
Head shape evolution in monitor lizards (Varanus): interactions between extreme size disparity, phylogeny and ecology
Authors: Openshaw G. H. , Keogh J. S.
Published: January 2014

Characterizing patterns of observed current variation, and testing hypotheses concerning the potential drivers of this variation, is fundamental to understanding how morphology evolves. Phylogenetic history, size and ecology are all central components driving the evolution of morphological variation, but only recently have methods become available to tease these aspects apart for particular body structures. Extant monitor lizards (Varanus) have radiated into an incredible range of habitats and display the largest body size range of any terrestrial vertebrate genus. Although their body morphology remains remarkably conservative, they have obvious head shape variation. We use two‐dimensional geometric morphometric techniques to characterize the patterns of dorsal head shape variation in 36 species (375 specimens) of varanid, and test how this variation relates to size, phylogenetic history and ecology as represented by habitat. Interspecific head shape disparity is strongly allometric. Once size effects are removed, principal component analysis shows that most shape variation relates to changes in the snout and head width. Size‐corrected head shape variation has strong phylogenetic signal at a broad level, but habitat use is predictive of shape disparity within phylogenetic lineages. Size often explains shape disparity among organisms; however, the ability to separate size and shape variation using geometric morphometrics has enabled the identification of phylogenetic history and habitat as additional key factors contributing to the evolution of head shape disparity among varanid lizards.
A systematic review investigating associations between parenting style and child feeding behaviours
Authors: Collins C. , Duncanson K. , Burrows T.
Published: January 2014

Background

A direct association between parenting style and child feeding behaviours has not been established. This review explores whether an authoritative, authoritarian or permissive parenting style is associated with parental pressure to eat, responsibility, monitoring or restriction of child dietary intake.

Methods

A search of eight electronic health databases was conducted. Inclusion criteria were children aged <12 years, published between 1975 and 2012, measured and reported associations between parenting style and child feeding behaviours.

Results

Seven studies (n = 1845) were identified in the review. An authoritarian parenting style was associated with pressuring a child to eat and having restrictive parental food behaviours. Authoritative parenting was associated with parental monitoring of child food intake. A permissive parenting style was inversely related to monitoring of child dietary intake.

Conclusions

Parenting styles showed only weak to moderate associations with individual domains of child feeding. The most consistent relationship found was a negative association between permissive parenting and monitoring for both mothers and fathers in two studies. Progress in this field could be achieved by conducting studies targeting fathers and culturally diverse populations, and development of a tool which could reflect overall child feeding behaviour rather than individual domains.
Different measurements of waist circumference and sagittal abdominal diameter and their relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors in elderly men
Authors: Anunciação P. C. , Ribeiro R. C. L. , Pereira M. Q. , Comunian M.
Published: January 2014

Background

Measures of central adiposity such as waist circumference (PC) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) are better predictors of metabolic complications than measures of total body fat. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship of different measures of WC and SAD with cardiometabolic risk factors in elderly men.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study that included 69 men (aged 60–92 years old) enrolled in the Family Health Program of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The evaluations comprised anthropometric, biochemical and haemodynamic measurements. The WC (i.e. umbilical level; the narrowest waist; immediately above the iliac crests; and the midpoint between the last rib and iliac crest) and SAD (i.e. the narrowest point between the last rib and the iliac crest; higher abdominal diameter; umbilical level; and the midpoint between the iliac crests) were measured at different anatomical sites. Statistical analysis consisted of correlation coefficients between measures of abdominal adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Results

The strongest correlations were between the WC measured at the narrowest waist and triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels, and between the SAD measured at the midpoint between the iliac crests and TG, FBG and HDL‐C.

Conclusions

SAD measured at the midpoint between the iliac crests and WC measured at the narrowest waist showed the best relationships with cardiometabolic risk factors in elderly men.
Comparative Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Melaleuca Oil and Fluconazole when Incorporated in Tissue Conditioner: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Sharma Sunanda , Hegde Veena
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This in vitro study sought to compare the antifungal activity of melaleuca alternifolia oil and fluconazole mixed with a tissue conditioner.

Materials and Methods

By testing several concentrations of fluconazole and melaleuca oil in Visco‐gel, the minimum most effective concentration of each antifungal agent against Candida albicans was determined. Mean inhibition diameter (MID) was used to measure the antifungal activity, and data were analyzed statistically for significance of findings. To determine the minimum most effective concentration of fluconazole, different concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% w/w in Visco‐gel were tested on Sabouraud dextrose agar pregrown with C. albicans. MIDs were measured at 24 hours and on day 7, while carrying out the monitoring every day. Similarly, the minimum most effective concentration of melaleuca oil in Visco‐gel was found by testing it in several concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 27.5%, 30%, 35% w/w). Subsequently, the minimum most effective concentration of each antifungal agent was used to compare the antifungal activity against C. albicans over 7 days using the same procedure and using plain tissue conditioner as the control.

Result

The minimum most effective concentrations of melaleuca oil in Visco‐gel and fluconazole in Visco‐gel were 30% w/w and 5% w/w, respectively. Thirty percent w/w melaleuca oil was found to be the most effective (p < 0.001) and superior to 5% fluconazole in Visco‐gel, as it retained substantial antifungal activity (MID), even on day 7 when fluconazole had lost its antifungal effect completely as evidenced by regrowth of C. albicans by day 7.

Conclusion

Thirty percent melaleuca oil in tissue‐conditioner Visco‐gel was superior to 5% fluconazole in Visco‐gel as an antifungal agent. Though both showed comparable antifungal activity at 24 hours against C. albicans, fluconazole had completely lost it by day 7, whereas melaleuca oil had substantially retained its antifungal action.
High intention to fall asleep causes sleep fragmentation
Authors: Rasskazova Elena , Zavalko Irina , Tkhostov Alexander , Dorohov Vladimir
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intention to fall asleep on sleep quality in good sleepers using polysomnographic and subjective nap parameters. We hypothesized that high intention to sleep would lead to arousal, worsening sleep quality. A counterbalanced 2 × 2 experimental design with one intra‐individual (neutral versus motivating instruction) and one inter‐individual (instruction sequence) variable was used. Thirty‐three good sleepers (22 females; mean age: 24.1 ± 8.4 years) each attended two 1‐h daytime polysomnographic recording sessions in the laboratory. When providing motivating instruction, the experimenter insisted on the importance of falling asleep as quickly as possible and promised a financial reward. Compared with neutral instruction, motivating instruction was associated with increased waking after sleep onset, number of awakenings and arousal index during napping. No relationship between instruction and subjective nap appraisal was found. The effect of high intention on sleep fragmentation remained significant after controlling for habitual napping, depression, anxiety and sleepiness. Thus, our findings suggest that high intention to fall asleep worsened sleep quality, especially in terms of sleep fragmentation, in good sleepers.
Critical Anthropology of Global Health “Takes a Stand” Statement: A Critical Medical Anthropological Approach to the U.S.'s Affordable Care Act
Authors: Horton Sarah , Abadía Cesar , Mulligan Jessica , Thompson Jennifer Jo
Published: January 2014

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010—the U.S.'s first major health care reform in over half a century—has sparked new debates in the United States about individual responsibility, the collective good, and the social contract. Although the ACA aims to reduce the number of the uninsured through the simultaneous expansion of the private insurance industry and government‐funded Medicaid, critics charge it merely expands rather than reforms the existing fragmented and costly employer‐based health care system. Focusing in particular on the ACA's individual mandate and its planned Medicaid expansion, this statement charts a course for ethnographic contributions to the on‐the‐ground impact of the ACA while showcasing ways critical medical anthropologists can join the debate. We conclude with ways that anthropologists may use critiques of the ACA as a platform from which to denaturalize assumptions of “cost” and “profit” that underpin the global spread of market‐based medicine more broadly.
Do bacterial and fungal communities assemble differently during primary succession?
Authors: Schmidt S. K. , Nemergut D. R. , Darcy J. L. , Lynch R.
Published: January 2014

High‐throughput sequencing technologies are now allowing us to study patterns of community assembly for diverse microbial assemblages across environmental gradients and during succession. Here we discuss potential explanations for similarities and differences in bacterial and fungal community assembly patterns along a soil chronosequence in the foreland of a receding glacier. Although the data are not entirely conclusive, they do indicate that successional trajectories for bacteria and fungi may be quite different. Recent empirical and theoretical studies indicate that smaller microbes (like most bacteria) are less likely to be dispersal limited than are larger microbes – which could result in a more deterministic community assembly pattern for bacteria during primary succession. Many bacteria are also better adapted (than are fungi) to life in barren, early‐successional sediments in that some can fix nitrogen and carbon from the atmosphere – traits not possessed by any fungi. Other differences between bacteria and fungi are discussed, but it is apparent from this and other recent studies of microbial succession that we are a long way from understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of microbial community assembly during ecosystem succession. We especially need a better understanding of global and regional patterns of microbial dispersal and what environmental factors control the development of microbial communities in complex natural systems.
Phenotypic differentiation and phylogenetic signal of wing shape in western European biting midges, Culicoides spp., of the subgenus Avaritia
Authors: MUÑOZ‐MUÑOZ F. , TALAVERA S. , CARPENTER S. , NIELSEN S. A. , WERNER D. , PAGÈS N.
Published: January 2014

In the past decade biting midges of the subgenus Avaritia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have been popular subjects of applied entomological studies in Europe owing to their implication as biological vectors in outbreaks of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. This study uses a combination of cytochrome oxidase subunit I barcode sequencing and geometric morphometric analyses to investigate wing shape as a means to infer species identification within this subgenus. In addition the congruence of morphological data with different phylogenetic hypotheses is tested. Five different species of the subgenus Avaritia were considered in the study (C. obsoletus (Meigen); C. scoticus Kettle and Lawson; C. chiopterus (Meigen); C. dewulfi Goetghebuer and C. imicola (Kieffer)). The study demonstrated that over 90% of individuals could be separated correctly into species by their wing shape and that patterns of morphological differentiation derived from the geometric morphometric analyses were congruent with phylogenies generated from sequencing data. Morphological data produced are congruent with monophyly of the subgenus Avaritia and the exclusion of C. dewulfi from the group containing C. obsoletus, C. scoticus and C. chiopterus. The implications of these results and their importance in a wider context of integrating multiple data types to interpret both phylogeny and species characterization is discussed.
Histopathologic findings in patients with idiopathic megacolon: a comparison between dilated and non‐dilated loops
Authors: Ohkubo H. , Masaki T. , Matsuhashi N. , Kawahara H. , Yokoyama T. , Nakajima A. , Ohkura Y.
Published: January 2014

Background

Idiopathic megacolon (IMC) is an intractable motility disorder in which chronic symptoms of colonic dysmotility appear with no mechanical cause. Although a pathological analysis is essential to understand the mechanism of IMC, no study has compared the histopathologic findings between dilated and non‐dilated loops in IMC cases, and little is known about the proportion of each disease subtype.

Methods

Fifty‐three full‐thickness samples (dilated loops, n = 31; non‐dilated loops, n = 22) from 31 IMC cases and 16 samples (dilated loops; n = 8, non‐dilated loops; n = 8) from eight controls were collected. All the samples were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin (HE), Hu C/D antibody, and CD117 antibody to assess degenerative myopathy, degenerative neuropathy, inflammatory neuropathy, hypoganglionosis, and mesenchymopathy according to the London Classification. Findings of the dilated and non‐dilated loop samples were compared, and the proportions of each subtype were analyzed.

Key Results

Based on a control study, <60 ganglion cells/cm was defined as hypoganglionosis in our series. Myopathy was observed in 11 patients (35.5%), neuropathy was in 19 patients (61.3%), and mesenchymopathy was in 10 patients (32.2%). An overlap between subtypes was observed in some cases. Surprisingly, the non‐dilated loop samples exhibited very similar histopathologic abnormalities to those observed in the dilated loop samples in most cases.

Conclusions & Inferences

Our study is the first to compare the histopathologic findings between dilated and non‐dilated loops in IMC patients. Histopathologic abnormalities precede the clinical manifestation of IMC, and may consequently lead to gradual colonic dilatation; however, detailed mechanism including dilation triggering factor needs further elucidation.
To open or to close: species‐specific stomatal responses to simultaneously applied opposing environmental factors
Authors: Merilo Ebe , Jõesaar Indrek , Brosché Mikael , Kollist Hannes
Published: January 2014

Plant stomatal responses to single environmental factors are well studied; however, responses to a change in two (or more) factors – a common situation in nature – have been less frequently addressed. We studied the stomatal responses to a simultaneous application of opposing environmental factors in six evolutionarily distant mono‐ and dicotyledonous herbs representing different life strategies (ruderals, competitors and stress‐tolerators) to clarify whether the crosstalk between opening‐ and closure‐inducing pathways leading to stomatal response is universal or species‐specific.

Custom‐made gas exchange devices were used to study the stomatal responses to a simultaneous application of two opposing factors: decreased/increased CO2 concentration and light availability or reduced air humidity.

The studied species responded similarly to changes in single environmental factors, but showed species‐specific and nonadditive responses to two simultaneously applied opposing factors. The stomata of the ruderals Arabidopsis thaliana and Thellungiella salsuginea (previously Thellungiella halophila) always opened, whereas those of competitor‐ruderals either closed in all two‐factor combinations (Triticum aestivum), remained relatively unchanged (Nicotiana tabacum) or showed a response dominated by reduced air humidity (Hordeum vulgare).

Our results, indicating that in changing environmental conditions species‐specific stomatal responses are evident that cannot be predicted from studying one factor at a time, might be interesting for stomatal modellers, too.
New therapeutic strategies for squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wijnhoven Bas P.L. , Toxopeus Eelke L.A. , Vallböhmer Daniel , Knoefel Wolfram T. , Krasna Mark J. , Perez Kimberly , van Rossum Peter S.N. , Ruurda Jelle P. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Schiesser Marc , Schneider Paul , Felix Valter Nilton
Published: January 2014

This paper presents commentaries on neoadjuvant treatment esophagectomy; the prognostic and predictive effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the multimodality therapy of esophageal cancer; optimal preoperative treatment prior to surgery for esophageal cancer; a possible role for trastuzumab in treating esophageal adenocarcinoma or any esophageal dysplasia/intra‐epithelial neoplasia; surgery after chemoradiation in resectable esophageal cancer; whether para‐aortic lymph node dissection should be performed in esophagogastric junction (EGJ) tumors; and transhiatal esophagectomy in treatment of the esophageal cancer
Understanding care and feeding practices: building blocks for a sustainable intervention in India and Pakistan
Authors: Lingam Raghu , Gupta Pallavi , Zafar Shamsa , Hill Zelee , Yousafzai Aisha , Iyengar Sharad , Sikander Siham , Haq Zaeem ul , Mehta Shilpa , Skordis‐Worrel Jolene , Rahman Atif , Kirkwood Betty
Published: January 2014

Undernutrition and inadequate stimulation both negatively influence child health and development and have a long‐term impact on school attainment and income. This paper reports data from India and Pakistan looking at how families interact, play with, and feed children; their expectations of growth and development; and the perceived benefits, consequences, opportunities, and barriers of adopting recommended feeding and developmental behaviors. These data were collected as part of formative research for the Sustainable Program Incorporating Nutrition and Games (SPRING) trial. This trial aims to deliver an innovative, feasible, affordable, and sustainable intervention that can achieve delivery at a scale of known effective interventions that maximize child development, growth, and survival and improve maternal psychosocial well‐being in rural India and Pakistan.
Monitoring food and non‐alcoholic beverage promotions to children
Authors: Kelly B. , King L. , Baur L. , Rayner M. , Lobstein T. , Monteiro C. , Macmullan J. , Mohan S. , Barquera S. , Friel S. , Hawkes C. , Kumanyika S. , L'Abbé M. , Lee A. , Ma J. , Neal B. , Sacks G. , Sanders D. , Snowdon W. , Swinburn B. , Vandevijvere S. , Walker C. ,   INFORMAS
Published: January 2014

Food and non‐alcoholic beverage marketing is recognized as an important factor influencing food choices related to non‐communicable diseases. The monitoring of populations' exposure to food and non‐alcoholic beverage promotions, and the content of these promotions, is necessary to generate evidence to understand the extent of the problem, and to determine appropriate and effective policy responses. A review of studies measuring the nature and extent of exposure to food promotions was conducted to identify approaches to monitoring food promotions via dominant media platforms. A step‐wise approach, comprising ‘minimal’, ‘expanded’ and ‘optimal’ monitoring activities, was designed. This approach can be used to assess the frequency and level of exposure of population groups (especially children) to food promotions, the persuasive power of techniques used in promotional communications (power of promotions) and the nutritional composition of promoted food products. Detailed procedures for data sampling, data collection and data analysis for a range of media types are presented, as well as quantifiable measurement indicators for assessing exposure to and power of food and non‐alcoholic beverage promotions. The proposed framework supports the development of a consistent system for monitoring food and non‐alcoholic beverage promotions for comparison between countries and over time.
Developmental coordination disorder and overweight and obesity in children: a systematic review
Authors: Hendrix C. G. , Prins M. R. , Dekkers H.
Published: January 2014

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) find themselves less competent than typically developing children with regard to their physical abilities and often experience failure. They are therefore likely to avoid physical activity. Physical inactivity is considered an important risk factor for developing overweight and obesity. The aim of this study is to assess the association between DCD and overweight and obesity in children and whether this association is influenced by age and/or gender. Six electronic databases were systematically searched. Titles and abstracts were screened for relevance. Remaining studies were subjected to full paper review. The quality of the included articles was assessed and relevant data were extracted for comparison. The search yielded 273 results. Twenty‐one studies, based on 10 cohorts, were included. Participants' ages ranged from 4 to 14 years. In all cohorts, children with DCD had higher body mass index scores, larger waist circumference and greater percentage body fat compared with controls. Seven studies assessed the effect of gender and four studies provided information on the effect of age. Children with DCD seem to be at greater risk for overweight and obesity. This risk may be higher for boys and seems to increase with age and with the severity of motor impairment.
Middle Ordovician Aporthophyla brachiopod fauna from the roof of the World, southern Tibet
Authors: Zhan Renbin , Harper David A. T. , Jin Jisuo , Liang Yan , Liu Jianbo , Stemmerik Lars , Stouge Svend
Published: January 2014

A Darriwilian (late Middle Ordovician) brachiopod fauna from the Lower Formation of the Chiatsun Group at Jiacun, northern Nyalam, southern Tibet, consists of ten brachiopod species, forming a distinct Aporthophyla–Paralenorthis Association. Its taxonomic composition is typical of the Aporthophyla Fauna that occupied lower BA2 to upper BA3 benthic environments on sandy lime mud substrates. The occurrence of Paralenorthis in southern Tibet is confirmed for the first time, represented by P. costata sp. nov. Numerical analyses (PCA and CA) of 18 Darriwilian brachiopod faunas from ten palaeoplates or terranes indicate that: (1) the Aporthophyla Fauna was confined to a specific latitudinal belt although it had a wide lateral distribution from the large palaeocontinents of Gondwana to Laurentia; (2) the Saucrorthis Fauna, a typical late Middle Ordovician regional fauna, is limited to a much smaller area, marginal to the Gondwana supercontinent; (3) the strong provincialism persistent in the late Middle Ordovician contributed to increased gamma biodiversity during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.
Paul de Man's Philosophical Poetics
Authors: Eyers Tom
Published: January 2014

When details of the literary critic Paul de Man's anti‐Semitic wartime journalism surfaced in the 1980s, enemies of deconstruction in the academy claimed that the always‐controversial style of thought tended inherently towards nihilism in its tight focus on the paradoxes of language and in its relative indifference to truth claims. More recently, ‘speculative realists’ in philosophy have lambasted deconstruction and critical theory more generally with neglecting the reality of the physical world as it exists outside language and human comprehension. But what if Paul de Man's own engagements with Kant and the European philosophical tradition in the latter years of his life reveal a side of deconstruction that was as concerned with the intransigence of the material world as it was with the paradoxes of language? In this article, I take the measure of recent debates in Continental philosophy around realism and language, with the aim of bringing to light a less visible side of de Man's philosophical poetics, one that has nonetheless been pursued by scholars critically concerned with the precisely philosophical resonances of de Man's bracing theories of language and materiality.
Restructuring of the Financial Industry: The Disappearance of Locally Owned Traditional Financial Services in Rural America
Authors: Tolbert Charles M. , Mencken F. Carson , Riggs T. Lynn , Li Jing
Published: January 2014

Restructuring in the financial services industry has altered the relationship between small business owners and capital. In the past small businesses have relied on relational, or soft data, lending from locally owned banks for capital. The proliferation of absentee‐owned local branch networks brought standardized practices, thus eliminating the autonomy of local loan officers to utilize soft data in loan decisions. In this article we examine the changes in the percentage of traditional financial services that are locally owned in three county types: metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore. We utilize the Longitudinal Business Database at the U.S. Census Bureau Center for Economic Studies. We examine changes in local ownership of traditional financial services between 1976 and 2007. We find that the rate of decline of local ownership has been greatest in the noncore (most rural) counties. We also explore to what extent these patterns are related to the emergence of alternative financial services during the same period. We find that such alternative services are growing in all three county types, but at rates not significantly different than the population growth for these county types. We supplement our analysis with data from qualitative interviews with small business owners throughout rural Texas. We conclude with a discussion of implications and plans for future research.
Nurses' experiences with the implementation of the Kinaesthetics movement competence training into elderly nursing care: a qualitative focus group study
Authors: Fringer André , Huth Martina , Hantikainen Virpi
Published: January 2014

Background

Supporting the movement of older people is one among the daily duties of geriatric nurses. Nurses exhibit a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Nurses should also possess interaction skills to support active participation of older people in their own daily activities. Kinaesthetics movement competence training claims to be a recommendable approach that benefits both nurses and nursing home residents. However, implementing Kinaesthetics into daily practice is a challenging process.

Aim

This study aimed to examine nurses' experiences with regard to the implementation of Kinaesthetics movement competence training into a nursing home.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design with focus groups' interviews.

Method

Thirty‐two (three men) geriatric nurses from a Swiss nursing home who participated first time in Kinaesthetics training were interviewed in three focus groups (average 79 minutes). Interviews were analysed using inductive coding, categorisation and abstraction. The ethics committees of the cantons Basel‐Stadt and Basel‐Land (Switzerland) approved the study on 16 September 2010 (reference no. 224/10).

Findings

Nurses' experiences with the implementation of Kinaesthetics were divided into two categories: nurses' attitudes with regard to the implementation of Kinaesthetics and nurses experience of Kinaesthetics with regard to integration into daily practice. Even though the participants showed a positive attitude towards the design and structure of the Kinaesthetics training, its implementation into daily practice initially posed a noticeable challenge for the participating nurses. The results indicate that various factors exist that may either promote or impede the implementation of Kinaesthetics in nursing.

Conclusion

The successful implementation of Kinaesthetics can be promoted by the structural integration of the concept at various levels of nursing home as well as complementary supporting measures. Regular professional support and education after Kinaesthetics training appears to be a necessary approach to sustainably implement the concepts into daily nursing practice.
Cannabis Use and Antisocial Behavior among Youth
Authors: Popovici Ioana , French Michael T. , Pacula Rosalie L. , Maclean Johanna C. , Antonaccio Olena
Published: January 2014

Despite the numerous efforts to curb substance use and abuse through legislation and interventions, marijuana consumption continues to be a major social problem, particularly among young adults in the United States. We provide new information on the relationship between cannabis use and antisocial behavior by analyzing a sample of young adults (aged 18–20) from the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). We examine a broad set of cannabis use patterns and multiple dimensions of antisocial behaviors and test the empirical importance of two prominent criminological theories—general strain and social bond—in explaining associations between cannabis use and antisocial behavior. We include important socioeconomic, demographic, health and health behaviors, and contextual information in all regressions to control for confounding factors. Our results imply that cannabis use is positively and significantly related to antisocial behavior among young adults, and general strain and social bond theories cannot fully explain our findings. As expected, the estimated association with antisocial behavior is stronger for more frequent cannabis users.
A new transfectant panel cell line‐based MoAb‐independent antigen capture assay system for detection of CD36 antibody
Authors: Amakishi E. , Hayashi T. , Koh Y. , Matsuyama N. , Ishii H. , Matsukura H. , Yasui K. , Hirayama F.
Published: January 2014

Background and Objectives

CD36 antibody (Ab) causes several disorders: neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, platelet transfusion refractoriness and non‐haemolytic transfusion reactions. However, there is no gold‐standard test for CD36 Ab.

Materials and Methods

We developed a transfectant panel cell line‐based MoAb‐independent antigen capture assay system for detection of CD36 Ab and compared it with the monoclonal antibody‐specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) system in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Our new system was characterized by (1) gene‐transfected cell lines, but not panel platelets; (2) not being hampered by HLA Abs; and (3) no need to use CD36 MoAbs to ensure the antigen specificity of this detection system. In addition, it showed a much better receiver operating characteristic curve than the MAIPA system.

Conclusions

The present results indicate that our new system permits highly sensitive and specific detection of CD36 Ab.
Expression of modulators of extracellular matrix structure after anterior cruciate ligament injury
Authors: Haslauer Carla M. , Proffen Benedikt L. , Johnson Victor M. , Murray Martha M.
Published: January 2014

The ability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to heal after injury declines within the first 2 weeks after ACL rupture. To begin to explore the mechanism behind this finding, we quantified the expression of genes for collagen I and III, decorin, tenascin‐C, and alpha smooth muscle actin, as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and ‐13 gene expression within multiple tissues of the knee joint after ACL injury in a large animal model over a 2‐week postinjury period. Gene expression of collagen I and III, decorin, and MMP‐1 was highest in the synovium, whereas the highest MMP‐13 gene expression levels were found in the ACL. The gene expression for collagen and decorin increased over the 2 weeks to levels approaching that in the ligament and synovium; however, no significant increase in either of the MMPs was found in the provisional scaffold. This suggests that although the ACL and synovium up‐regulate both anabolic and catabolic factors, the provisional scaffold is primarily anabolic in function. The relative lack of provisional scaffold formation within the joint environment may thus be one of the key reasons for ACL degradation after injury.
Cell surface engineering using glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 stimulates cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Djafarzadeh Roghieh , Conrad Claudius , Notohamiprodjo Susan , Hipp Stephanie , Niess Hanno , Bruns Christiane J. , Nelson Peter J.
Published: January 2014

The balance between matrix metalloproteinases and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) is an important component in effective wound healing. The biologic action of these proteins is linked in part to the stoichiometry of TIMP/matrix metalloproteinases/surface protein interactions. We recently described the effect of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored version of TIMP‐1 on dermal fibroblast biology. Here, cell proliferation assays, in vitro wound healing, electrical wound, and impedance measurements were used to characterize effects of TIMP‐1‐GPI treatment on primary human epidermal keratinocytes. TIMP‐1‐GPI stimulated keratinocyte proliferation, as well as mobilization and migration. In parallel, it suppressed the migration and matrix secretion of dermal myofibroblasts, and reduced their secretion of active TGF‐β1. Topical application of TIMP‐1‐GPI in an in vivo excisional wound model increased the rate of wound healing. The agent positively influenced different aspects of wound healing depending on the cell type studied. TIMP‐1‐GPI counters potential negative effects of overactive myofibroblasts and enhances the mobilization and proliferation of keratinocytes essential for effective wound healing. The application of TIMP‐1‐GPI represents a novel and practical clinical solution for facilitating healing of difficult wounds.
Evolution of morphology and structure of Pb thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition at different substrate temperatures
Authors: Lorusso Antonella , Gontad Francisco , Maiolo Berlinda , Maruccio Giuseppe , Tasco Vittorianna , Perrone Alessio
Published: January 2014

Pb thin films were prepared by pulsed laser deposition on a Si (100) substrate at different growth temperatures to investigate their morphology and structure. The morphological analysis of the thin metal films showed the formation of spherical submicrometer grains whose average size decreased with temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed that growth temperature influences the Pb polycrystalline film structure. A preferred orientation of Pb (111) normal to the substrate was achieved at 30 °C and became increasingly pronounced along the Pb (200) plane as the substrate temperature increased. These thin films could be used to synthesize innovative materials, such as metallic photocathodes, with improved photoemission performances.
Laboratory Identification of Arthropod Ectoparasites
Authors: Mathison Blaine A. , Pritt Bobbi S.
Published: January 2014

The collection, handling, identification, and reporting of ectoparasitic arthropods in clinical and reference diagnostic laboratories are discussed in this review. Included are data on ticks, mites, lice, fleas, myiasis-causing flies, and bed bugs. The public health importance of these organisms is briefly discussed. The focus is on the morphological identification and proper handling and reporting of cases involving arthropod ectoparasites, particularly those encountered in the United States. Other arthropods and other organisms not of public health concern, but routinely submitted to laboratories for identification, are also briefly discussed.
Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Simonsen Kari A. , Anderson-Berry Ann L. , Delair Shirley F. , Davies H. Dele
Published: January 2014

Early-onset sepsis remains a common and serious problem for neonates, especially preterm infants. Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common etiologic agent, whileEscherichia coliis the most common cause of mortality. Current efforts toward maternal intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis have significantly reduced the rates of GBS disease but have been associated with increased rates of Gram-negative infections, especially among very-low-birth-weight infants. The diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is based on a combination of clinical presentation; the use of nonspecific markers, including C-reactive protein and procalcitonin (where available); blood cultures; and the use of molecular methods, including PCR. Cytokines, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and cell surface antigens, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) and CD64, are also being increasingly examined for use as nonspecific screening measures for neonatal sepsis. Viruses, in particular enteroviruses, parechoviruses, and herpes simplex virus (HSV), should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Empirical treatment should be based on local patterns of antimicrobial resistance but typically consists of the use of ampicillin and gentamicin, or ampicillin and cefotaxime if meningitis is suspected, until the etiologic agent has been identified. Current research is focused primarily on development of vaccines against GBS.
Gamma Interferon Release Assays for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Pai Madhukar , Denkinger Claudia M. , Kik Sandra V. , Rangaka Molebogeng X. , Zwerling Alice , Oxlade Olivia , Metcalfe John Z. , Cattamanchi Adithya , Dowdy David W. , Dheda Keertan , Banaei Niaz
Published: January 2014

Identification and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) can substantially reduce the risk of developing active disease. However, there is no diagnostic gold standard for LTBI. Two tests are available for identification of LTBI: the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA). Evidence suggests that both TST and IGRA are acceptable but imperfect tests. They represent indirect markers of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
exposure and indicate a cellular immune response to
M. tuberculosis
. Neither test can accurately differentiate between LTBI and active TB, distinguish reactivation from reinfection, or resolve the various stages within the spectrum of
M. tuberculosis
infection. Both TST and IGRA have reduced sensitivity in immunocompromised patients and have low predictive value for progression to active TB. To maximize the positive predictive value of existing tests, LTBI screening should be reserved for those who are at sufficiently high risk of progressing to disease. Such high-risk individuals may be identifiable by using multivariable risk prediction models that incorporate test results with risk factors and using serial testing to resolve underlying phenotypes. In the longer term, basic research is necessary to identify highly predictive biomarkers.
UNORGANIZED MACHINES FOR SEASONAL STREAMFLOW SERIES FORECASTING
Authors: SIQUEIRA HUGO , BOCCATO LEVY , ATTUX ROMIS , LYRA CHRISTIANO
Published: January 2014

Modern unorganized machines — extreme learning machines and echo state networks — provide an elegant balance between processing capability and mathematical simplicity, circumventing the difficulties associated with the conventional training approaches of feedforward/recurrent neural networks (FNNs/RNNs). This work performs a detailed investigation of the applicability of unorganized architectures to the problem of seasonal streamflow series forecasting, considering scenarios associated with four Brazilian hydroelectric plants and four distinct prediction horizons. Experimental results indicate the pertinence of these models to the focused task.