bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan: Comparing Canadian and Soviet efforts
Authors: Tchantouridzé Lasha
Published: July 2013

After a decade of bloodshed and suffering, the western-sponsored coalition in Afghanistan led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has failed to win the “hearts and minds” of locals. The tremendous sacrifices by the United States, Canada, and their allies have produced some tangible results, but steps forward have been made on the shaky ground of overall insecurity and violence and have primarily been associated with certain urban developments, while most of Afghanistan remains deeply rural in its feudal social order and conservative Islamic traditions. Although the Canadian experience in Afghanistan has been very different in its scope and objectives from the Soviet Union’s operations of the 1980s, certain important parallels, particularly concerning counterinsurgency, can be discerned.
The Contextual Underpinnings of Voting Patterns for Black Statewide Candidates
Authors: Lee Jongho , Boeckelman Keith , Day Jonathan
Published: July 2013

African American candidates have usually struggled to win statewide elections, but they often perform relatively well in some localities, while doing badly in others. Drawing on unique time-series cross-section data collected in the State of Illinois, we examine how racial and socioeconomic contexts determine support for Black candidates in statewide elections. We show that African American candidates tend to do better primarily in counties that have witnessed a growing inflow of highly educated residents. Furthermore, only in communities where a high level of racial diversity interacts with a highly educated environment do residents seem to become more willing to embrace Black statewide candidates. Our findings may help shed light on the enduring question of what the future of a diversifying society holds.
Is Big Really Beautiful? Understanding Body Image Perceptions of African American Females
Authors: Sanderson Sonya , Lupinski Kirsten , Moch Peggy
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to obtain body image information from African American (AA) college-age women (age 18-25) from a historically Black college and/or university (HBCU) and a predominately White college (PWC) with regard to their body image, body shape, appearance, and related factors. Findings from this study will provide the health education profession with valuable information on body image from a cultural perspective of AA women. A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze comparisons between the two groups. Results from the Young Women’s Experiences with Body Weight and Shape were analyzed using five different factors: weight dissatisfaction, slimness as quality of life, interpersonal messages regarding slimness, rejecting the value of thinness, and valuing exercise. Significant differences were found with: weight dissatisfaction ( p = .010), slimness as quality of life ( p = .000), and interpersonal messages regarding slimness ( p = .000). AA women at the HBCU were more satisfied with their body image on these three factors and similar to AA women at the PWC on two factors: rejecting the value of thinness ( p = .229) and valuing exercise ( p = .828). These findings will assist in developing programming based on racial differences and similarities.
Identifying Learning Disabilities Through a Cognitive Deficit Framework
Authors: Callinan Sarah , Theiler Stephen , Cunningham Everarda
Published: July 2013

Traditionally, students with learning disabilities (LD) have been identified using an aptitude–achievement discrepancy or response to intervention approach. As profiles of the cognitive deficits of discrepancy-defined students with LD have already been developed using these approaches, these deficits can in turn be used to identify LD using the discrepancy approach as a benchmark for convergent validity. Australian Grade 3 ( N = 172) students were administered cognitive processing tests to ascertain whether scores in these tests could accurately allocate students into discrepancy-defined groups using discriminant function analysis. Results showed that 77% to 82% of students could be correctly allocated into LD, low achievement, and regular achievement groups using only measures of phonological processing, rapid naming, and verbal memory. Furthermore, verbal memory deficits were found, along with phonological processing and rapid naming deficits, in students that would be designated as low achieving by the discrepancy method. Because a significant discrepancy or lack of response to intervention is a result of cognitive deficits rather than the other way around, it is argued that LD should be identified via cognitive deficits.
A new optimization approach for multi-machine power system stabilizer design using a smart bacteria foraging algorithm
Authors: Khodabakhshian Amin , Daryabeigi Ehsan , Moazzami Majid
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a new optimization method for designing the parameters of a power system stabilizer (PSS) using a smart bacteria foraging algorithm (SBFA). The proposed technique, which is a modification of the bacteria foraging method (BFA), can direct bacteria by performing a tumble with a smart unit of length, decreasing the cost function better than the conventional BFA method. This algorithm not only considers social intelligence, but also emphasizes the individual intelligence of bacteria for finding a better nutritional path. A new cost function in the proposed SBFA has been used for specifying the direction of movement after a tumble. This approach led to a higher convergence speed and also better performance than the BFA. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been tested on a multi-machine power system while considering a frequency error-based objective function to enhance damping of the electromechanical oscillation modes. Simulation results for the proposed method are compared with conventional PSS, BFA- and fuzzy-based PSS methods. The results show the superior performance of the proposed SBFA-based PSS in comparison with other techniques for damping power system oscillations.
Under What Assumptions Do Site-by-Treatment Instruments Identify Average Causal Effects?
Authors: Reardon Sean F. , Raudenbush Stephen W.
Published: July 2013

The increasing availability of data from multisite randomized trials provides a potential opportunity to use instrumental variables (IV) methods to study the effects of multiple hypothesized mediators of the effect of a treatment. We derive nine assumptions needed to identify the effects of multiple mediators when using site-by-treatment interactions to generate multiple instruments. Three of these assumptions are unique to the multiple-site, multiple-mediator case: (1) the assumption that the mediators act in parallel (no mediator affects another mediator); (2) the assumption that the site-average effect of the treatment on each mediator is independent of the site-average effect of each mediator on the outcome; and (3) the assumption that the site-by-compliance matrix has sufficient rank. The first two of these assumptions are nontrivial and cannot be empirically verified, suggesting that multiple-site, multiple-mediator IV models must be justified by strong theory.
The Bias and Efficiency of Incomplete-Data Estimators in Small Univariate Normal Samples
Authors: von Hippel Paul T.
Published: July 2013

Widely used methods for analyzing missing data can be biased in small samples. To understand these biases, we evaluate in detail the situation where a small univariate normal sample, with values missing at random, is analyzed using either observed-data maximum likelihood (ML) or multiple imputation (MI). We evaluate two types of MI: the usual Bayesian approach, which we call posterior draw (PD) imputation, and a little used alternative, which we call ML imputation, in which values are imputed conditionally on an ML estimate. We find that observed-data ML is more efficient and has lower mean squared error than either type of MI. Between the two types of MI, ML imputation is more efficient than PD imputation, and ML imputation also has less potential for bias in small samples. The bias and efficiency of PD imputation can be improved by a change of prior.
Employment protection under fire: Labour market deregulation and employment in the European Union
Authors: Heyes Jason , Lewis Paul
Published: July 2013

Employment protections are currently being targeted by European policy makers seeking solutions to persistently high levels of unemployment and weak economic growth. This article argues that labour market deregulation is unlikely to usher in a period of renewed growth in good quality jobs. The findings point to the important role of employment protections in stemming job losses in the initial stages of the economic crisis that began in 2008, although protections have not prevented subsequent heavy job losses in the most distressed economies. The study also finds that involuntary participation in non-standard employment has increased since the crisis and shows that this has resulted in an increased risk of in-work poverty.
Identifying Patient‐Centered Quality Indicators for the Care of Adult Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) Patients
Authors: Dreesen Mira , Foulon Veerle , Vanhaecht Kris , De Pourcq Lutgart , Hiele Martin , Willems Ludo
Published: July 2013

Background: Previous qualitative research, aimed at eliciting the experiences and views of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients in daily life, revealed little information on HPN care. However, to perform patient‐centered care, it is important to understand what “quality of care” means for adult HPN patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify quality indicators through patients’ perspectives. Materials and Methods: In‐depth, face‐to‐face, semistructured interviews were conducted between June and November 2011 with adult patients who recently started HPN. Patients were selected by purposive sampling. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a framework approach. Nvivo 9.0 software was used for managing transcripts. Results: Twelve adult patients (7F/5M) were interviewed. At the time of the interview, median HPN experience was 59 days. Two structure, 31 process, and 9 outcome indicators were identified. The majority of process indicators are related to the home nurse, indicating the important role of these healthcare professionals in HPN care. In addition, all interviewees reported communication as an essential aspect of the complex care pathway. The identified outcome indicators are comparable with the indicators that were previously developed by an expert panel. For example, improvement in quality of life during HPN treatment and incidence of catheter‐related infections were identified by both groups. Conclusion: Interviews with HPN patients revealed an interesting set of indicators that can be used to perform, evaluate, or improve current HPN care and are a starting point for a more patient‐centered approach.
Religion, Finding Interests in Life, and Change in Self-Esteem During Late Life
Authors: Krause Neal , Hayward R. David
Published: July 2013

Research indicates that greater involvement in activities is essential for successful aging. The purpose of the current study is to examine a construct that motivates involvement in activities—finding interests in life. In the process, we also show how involvement in religion may help promote interests. In order to examine these issues, a conceptual model is tested that contains the following core hypotheses: (1) older people who go to church more often will be more likely to have stronger God-mediated control beliefs (i.e., the belief that God works together with people to resolve problems and reach desired goals); (2) older adults with a stronger sense of God-mediated control will be more likely to find things in life that are interesting; and (3) older individuals with more interests experience a greater sense of self-worth over time. Findings from a nationwide survey provide support for the key relationships described above.
Nurses As Knowledge Workers
Authors: Matney Susan A. , Maddox Lory J. , Staggers Nancy
Published: July 2013

Patient care handoffs are critical to ensuring continuity of care and patient safety. Current definitions of handoffs focus on information, but preventing errors and improving quality require knowledge. The objective of this study was to determine whether knowledge and wisdom were exchanged during medical and surgical patient care handoffs and to discover how these were expressed. The study was a directed content analysis of 93 handoffs using the data/information/knowledge/wisdom framework. Results indicated knowledge was present in all handoffs, comprising 41% of the phrases across the two types of units. No wisdom was coded. The percentage and types of knowledge phrases differed between medical and surgical units. Handoffs could be more knowledge based by linking handoff content to patient problems and goals. Future handoffs could be computationally derived, context-specific, and linked to problem-focused care plans and patient summaries. Improved data visualization and cognitive support are needed.
Laryngeal Melanosis
Authors: Cordes Susan , Halum Stacey , Hansen Lauren
Published: July 2013

Objective

Laryngeal melanosis (LM) is an unusual condition. Little is known about its clinical significance. To learn more about this unusual disorder, we prospectively gathered data on a series of patients with LM and compared the data with the summarized findings from the cases currently available in the literature.

Study Design

Case series with planned data collection.

Setting

Two hundred fifty‐five–bed urban indigent care hospital located on a university medical center campus.

Subjects and Methods

Demographics, history, examination findings, and concurrent head and neck disorders were prospectively recorded for all patients with LM who presented to our institution between 2005 and 2012.

Results

Eighteen patients with laryngeal melanosis were enrolled. All patients are African American, and all have a history of chronic tobacco use. The most common presenting symptom was dysphonia, and examination most often revealed flat, pigmented lesions of the larynx. Nine patients (50%) had concomitant squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. There are 19 previous cases of laryngeal melanosis reported by 12 different authors, with a concomitant carcinoma rate of 26%. Our patients are similar in age and are all African American, with a greater percentage of women and greater rate of concomitant carcinoma. Our study represents the single largest case series of laryngeal melanosis and is more complete given the prospective nature of the data collection.

Conclusion

Laryngeal melanosis is an unusual disorder that is associated with chronic tobacco use. Clinicians should be aware of the association between laryngeal melanosis and squamous cell carcinoma and perform a thorough evaluation for concomitant carcinoma.
Airway Management following Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Authors: Wilson Meghan N. , Bergeron Lauren M. , Kakade Anagha , Simon Lawrence M. , Caspi Joseph , Pettitt Timothy , Kluka Evelyn A.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

(1) Review airway management in pediatric patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery (CTS); (2) determine the incidence of airway‐related complications of CTS in this population.

Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care children's hospital.

Patients

Children undergoing CTS over a 4‐year period.

Methods

Patients who underwent CTS at a single, tertiary care, children's hospital between June 1, 2007, and May 31, 2011, were retrospectively reviewed; those <18 years who had open CTS were included. Statistical analysis examined relationships of intubation duration, complications, and need for tracheotomy while comparing patient characteristics, comorbidities, and types of surgery.

Results

Eight hundred seventy‐five primary surgeries in 745 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean postoperative intubation duration was 7.2 days and median 3 days. On univariate analysis, significantly longer postoperative intubation requirements were found in patients younger in age, with congenital comorbidities or prematurity, with preoperative ventilation requirements, and those with early postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis found younger age, presence of congenital comorbidities, preoperative intubation requirements, and early postoperative complications each lengthen ventilation requirements. Four patients developed vocal cord paralysis and 5 developed phrenic nerve palsy. Nineteen patients required tracheotomy.

Conclusions

In this large cohort, CTS in the pediatric population is associated with few long‐term or permanent airway‐related complications. Patients who are younger in age and those with congenital comorbidities, preoperative ventilation requirements, or early postoperative complications required longer periods of postoperative intubation.
Malpractice in Otology
Authors: Blake Danielle M. , Svider Peter F. , Carniol Eric T. , Mauro Andrew C. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Jyung Robert W.
Published: July 2013

Objective

(1) Analyze otologic procedural malpractice litigation in the United States of America. (2) Discuss ways to prevent future malpractice litigation.

Study Design and Setting

Case series with record review.

Methods

The study is a case series with review of court records pertaining to otologic procedures using the Westlaw legal database. The phrase medical malpractice was searched with terms related to otology and neurotology obtained from the AAO‐HNS website.

Results

Of the 47 claims that met inclusion criteria, 63.8% were decided in the physician's favor, 25.5% were decided in the plaintiff's favor (average payment $446,697), and 10.6% were settled out of court (average payment $372,607). Cerumen removal was the most common procedure leading to complaint (21.3%) and the most likely procedure to lead to payment (50.0%). Hearing loss was the most common injury claimed among all cases (53.2%) and resulted in a high proportion of cases that led to payment (40.0%). Other common alleged injuries were facial nerve injury (27.7%), tympanic membrane perforation (23.4%), need for additional surgery (42.6%), and lack of informed consent (31.9%). In addition, cases resulting from acoustic neuroma or stapedectomy resulted in higher payments to the plaintiffs (average $3,498,597 and $2,733,000, respectively).

Conclusions

Malpractice trials were resolved in the defendant's favor in the majority of cases. Cerumen removal was the most common procedure leading to complaint and the procedure most likely to result in payment. Hearing loss was the most common injury cited. Payment was highest in acoustic neuroma and stapedectomy cases.
Reconceptualizing Resources
Authors: Campbell Norah , O’Driscoll Aidan , Saren Michael
Published: July 2013

This article examines the interactive relationship between intangible, human capabilities (operant resources) and tangible, physical assets (operand resources) in an era of global interconnectedness. It does so within the context of service-dominant logic and the challenge of sustainability in a world of resource scarcity. Introducing object-oriented philosophy as an alternative framework, this paper challenges ideas about the superiority of certain kinds of resources while confronting a pervasive culture of demateriality in marketing and contemporary post-industrial theory – the idea that “stuff” does not count. The article offers a parsimonious model of a more holistic conceptualization of resources. It demonstrates the complex entanglement of operant and operand resources, finding that this entanglement is a precondition to marketing-related issues of natural resource selection, globalization, sustainability, and distributive justice.
Myodegeneration With Fibrosis and Regeneration in the Pectoralis Major Muscle of Broilers
Authors: Sihvo H.-K. , Immonen K. , Puolanne E.
Published: July 2013

A myopathy affecting the pectoralis major muscle of the commercial broiler has emerged creating remarkable economic losses as well as a potential welfare problem of the birds. We here describe the macroscopic and histologic lesions of this myopathy within 10 pectoralis major muscles of 5- to 6-week-old broilers in Finland. Following macroscopic evaluation and palpation of the muscles, a tissue sample of each was fixed in formalin, processed for histology, and histologically evaluated. The muscles that were macroscopically hard, outbulging, pale, and often accompanied with white striping histologically exhibited moderate to severe polyphasic myodegeneration with regeneration as well as a variable amount of interstitial connective tissue accumulation or fibrosis. All affected cases also exhibited perivenular lymphocyte accumulation. The etiology of this myodegenerative lesion remains yet open. Polyphasic myodegeneration is associated with several previously known etiologies, but palpatory hardness focusing on the pectoralis major, together with perivenular lymphocytes, has not been described in relation to them. The results of this study provide the pathological basis for further studies concerning the etiology of the currently described myopathy.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Authors: Kesikburun Serdar , Tan Arif Kenan , Yılmaz Bilge , Yaşar Evren , Yazıcıoğlu Kamil
Published: July 2013

Background:

Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT) is a significant source of disability and loss of work. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been suggested to be beneficial in the treatment of RCT.

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of PRP injections on pain and shoulder functions in patients with chronic RCT.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

A total of 40 patients, 18 to 70 years of age, with (1) a history of shoulder pain for >3 months during overhead-throwing activities, (2) MRI findings of RCT or partial tendon ruptures, and (3) a minimum 50% reduction in shoulder pain with subacromial injections of an anesthetic were included in this placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized into a PRP group (n = 20) or placebo group (n = 20). Patients received an ultrasound-guided injection into the subacromial space that contained either 5 mL of PRP prepared from autologous venous blood or 5 mL of saline solution. All patients underwent a 6-week standard exercise program. Outcome measures (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC], Shoulder Pain and Disability Index [SPADI], 100-mm visual analog scale [VAS] of shoulder pain with the Neer test, and shoulder range of motion) were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks and 1 year after injection.

Results:

Comparison of the patients revealed no significant difference between the groups in WORC, SPADI, and VAS scores at 1-year follow-up ( P = .174, P = .314, and P = .904, respectively). Similar results were found at other assessment points. Within each group, the WORC, SPADI, and VAS scores showed significant improvements compared with baseline at all time points ( P < .001). In the range of motion measures, there were no significant group × time interactions.

Conclusion:

At 1-year follow-up, a PRP injection was found to be no more effective in improving quality of life, pain, disability, and shoulder range of motion than placebo in patients with chronic RCT who were treated with an exercise program.
Extending geographically weighted regression from points to flows: a rail-based case study
Authors: Blainey Simon P , Preston John M
Published: July 2013

At present in the UK an elasticity-based approach is used to forecast changes in rail passenger demand resulting from changes in both the rail service offer and external conditions, with uplift factors calculated based on the proportional change in the level of explanatory variables over time. Changes in these explanatory variables may have differing effects on rail demand in different areas. This is currently controlled for via a limited segmentation of the market with different elasticities estimated for each segment, which inevitably limits the complexity of the variations which can be captured. This paper describes the use of geographically weighted regression (GWR) to enhance the modelling of such spatial variation. First, conventional cross-sectional demand models were calibrated covering major rail flows across the Great Britain. These models were then recalibrated using GWR to allow assessment of spatial variations in rail demand elasticities. Previous applications of GWR have almost exclusively focused on spatial data which have a single point location. This is not the case for rail flows, and this paper compares the results given by several different methods for defining point locations for flows. It also assesses different methods for approximating GWR results to simplify their application in real-life forecasting situations. The results show that the use of GWR can give a significant improvement in the fit of flow-based rail demand models, and that it is possible to spatially segment the UK passenger rail market based on the results from these models. In order to integrate such segmentations with the standard UK rail demand forecasting methodology it would, however, be necessary to extend the GWR methodology further to allow the calibration of GWR models on panel data.
Seeing in 3-D With Just One Eye
Authors: Vishwanath Dhanraj , Hibbard Paul B.
Published: July 2013

Humans can perceive depth when viewing with one eye, and even when viewing a two-dimensional picture of a three-dimensional scene. However, viewing a real scene with both eyes produces a more compelling three-dimensional experience of immersive space and tangible solid objects. A widely held belief is that this qualitative visual phenomenon (stereopsis) is a by-product of binocular vision. In the research reported here, we empirically established, for the first time, the qualitative characteristics associated with stereopsis to show that they can occur for static two-dimensional pictures without binocular vision. Critically, we show that stereopsis is a measurable qualitative attribute and that its induction while viewing pictures is not consistent with standard explanations based on depth-cue conflict or the perception of greater depth magnitude. These results challenge the conventional understanding of the underlying cause, variation, and functional role of stereopsis.
Ecological validity and the study of publics: The case for organic public engagement methods
Authors: Gehrke Pat J.
Published: July 2013

This essay argues for a method of public engagement grounded in the criteria of ecological validity. Motivated by what Hammersly called the responsibility that comes with intellectual authority: “to seek, as far as possible, to ensure the validity of their conclusions and to participate in rational debate about those conclusions” (1993: 29), organic public engagement follows the empirical turn in citizenship theory and in rhetorical studies of actually existing publics. Rather than shaping citizens into either the compliant subjects of the cynical view or the deliberatively disciplined subjects of the idealist view, organic public engagement instead takes Asen’s advice that “we should ask: how do people enact citizenship?” (2004: 191). In short, organic engagement methods engage publics in the places where they already exist and through those discourses and social practices by which they enact their status as publics. Such engagements can generate practical middle-range theories that facilitate future actions and decisions that are attentive to the local ecologies of diverse publics.
Further Evidence for Hemisity Sorting During Career Specialization
Authors: Morton B. E. , Svard L. , Jensen J.
Published: July 2013

Hemisity refers to binary thinking and behavioral style differences between right and left brain-oriented individuals. The inevitability of hemisity became clear when it was discovered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that an anatomical element of the executive system was unilaterally embedded in either the right or the left side of the ventral gyrus of the anterior cingulate cortex in an idiosyncratic manner that was congruent with an individual’s inherent hemisity subtype. Based upon the MRI-calibrated hemisity of many individuals, a set of earlier biophysical and questionnaire hemisity assays was calibrated for accuracy and found appropriate for use in the investigation of the hemisity of individuals and groups. It had been reported that a partial sorting of individuals into hemisity right and left brain-oriented subgroups occurred during the process of higher education and professional development. Here, these results were extended by comparison of the hemisity of a putative unsorted population of 1,049 high school upper classmen, with that of 228 university freshmen. These hemisity outcomes were further compared with that of 15 university librarians, here found to be predominantly left brain-oriented, and 91 academically trained musicians, including 47 professional pianists, here found to be mostly right brainers. The results further supported the existence of substantial hemisity selection occurring during the process of higher education and in professional development.
Increased Career Self-Efficacy Predicts College Students’ Motivation, and Course and Major Satisfaction
Authors: Komarraju Meera , Swanson Jane , Nadler Dustin
Published: July 2013

In two studies, we assessed the effectiveness of a careers in psychology course in increasing students’ career decision self-efficacy, and the role of increased career decision self-efficacy in predicting motivation as well as course, and major satisfaction. Students completed assignments involving career self-exploration, planning future semesters, resume creation, job search, interviewing a professional in the field, exploring subfields, visiting a research lab, and internship opportunities. In Study 1, paired-sample t-tests for 79 students revealed significant increases in career decision self-efficacy. In Study 2, at pretest and posttest, 226 students completed measures of career decision self-efficacy, self-determined motivation, career information, course, and major satisfaction. Regression analyses indicated that career self-efficacy explained significant variance in self-determined motivation, course, and major satisfaction. Further, perceived gains in career information mediated the relationship between increased career self-efficacy and self-determined motivation, course, and major satisfaction. Finally, assignments providing concrete professional experiences predicted increases in career self-efficacy.
Metatarsal Shortening Osteotomy for Decompression of Morton’s Neuroma
Authors: Park Eui Hyun , Kim Yong Sang , Lee Ho Jin , Koh Yong Gon
Published: July 2013

Background:

Among the various operative treatments of Morton’s neuroma, deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML) release has been performed for decompression of neuroma. However, the main lesion of Morton’s neuroma is located between the metatarsal head and the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and more distal than the DTML. Hence we performed the metatarsal shortening osteotomy along with DTML release for decompression of neuroma, and investigated the clinical outcomes of it and compared the outcomes with those of DTML release alone.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 84 consecutive patients (86 neuromas) who underwent surgery for a Morton’s neuroma between February 2008 and March 2011. The first 46 neuroma (group A) were treated with DTML release alone, and the next 40 neuroma (group B) underwent the metatarsal shortening osteotomy with DTML release. Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups and the associations between clinical outcomes and neuroma size were assessed.

Results:

Clinical outcomes were significantly improved after surgery in both groups but there were significant differences in clinical outcomes between the 2 groups at final follow-up. There were significant correlations between neuroma size and outcomes in group A, whereas no significant correlations were found between neuroma size and outcomes in group B.

Conclusion:

The metatarsal shortening osteotomy with DTML release resulted in better outcomes compared with DTML release alone in patients with Morton’s neuromas.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative series.
The Impact of Technology on News Reporting
Authors: Reich Zvi
Published: July 2013

Based on measurements across the past decade, this paper challenges common wisdom about new technologies’ transformative impact on news reporting. The telephone still reigns as queen of the news production battlefield, while use of the Internet and social media as news sources remains marginal. In face-to-face reconstruction interviews, news reporters at three leading national Israeli dailies detailed reporting of recently published items. Findings conform to the Compulsion to Proximity theory, in which technological impact on professional and lay actors is restrained by the need to maintain richer interactions based on copresence.
Association between multiple sclerosis risk-associated SNPs and relapse and disability – a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Rui , Taylor Bruce V , Simpson Steve , Charlesworth Jac , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Pittas Fotini , Dwyer Terry , van der Mei Ingrid
Published: July 2013

Background:

The modulating effects of the multiple sclerosis (MS) risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on MS clinical course are not well established.

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is to investigate whether known MS risk-associated SNPs were associated with clinical course, and whether these SNPs modified the 25(OH)D-relapse association.

Methods:

Using a prospective cohort of 141 participants with relapsing–remitting MS and genotype data followed between 2002 and 2005, genotype-vitamin D interactions and the genetic predictors of relapse were assessed using survival analysis, and genetic predictors of 25(OH)D and disability progression were evaluated by multilevel mixed-effects linear regression.

Results:

While no SNP reached statistical significance after multiple testing, five SNPs were associated with relapse, with significant cumulative genotype risk effects and two demonstrated significant allele dose-response. Two SNPs altered the 25(OH)D-relapse association with significant allele dose-response. Five SNPs modified levels of 25(OH)D, with significant cumulative genotype ‘risk’ effect, and three demonstrated significant allele dose-response. We found no consistent evidence for an association between any SNPs and disability.

Conclusions:

Our study provides evidence for an association between known MS risk-associated SNPs and relapse. Our findings indicate gene-environment interactions may be an important mechanism on MS clinical course, and provide support for the role of vitamin D in MS relapse.
The interactive spectrum
Authors: Canter Lily
Published: July 2013

The rise in use of social media platforms as tools of communication has presented journalists with an abundance of opportunities and challenges in equal measure. These platforms have enabled journalists to engage directly with their readers and develop new forms of interactivity, both pertinent and banal in nature. By analysing the content of multiple social media profiles at two daily regional newspapers in the United Kingdom, it has been possible to determine how interactivity between journalists and readers is being shaped. This article has identified a spectrum of interactivity, which indicates that individual journalists are engaging with their readers in an informal, personal and reciprocal manner via social media platforms. This is in contrast to the formal approach being taken by their associated media companies that are transferring traditional top–down forms of communication from the offline world to the online world. Research for this article was conducted via interviews and content analysis.
Genetic variation in the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 gene (DDAH1) is related to asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, but not to endothelium-dependent vasodilation
Authors: Lind Lars , Ingelsson Erik , Kumar Jitender , Syvänen Ann-Christine , Axelsson Tomas , Teerlink Tom
Published: July 2013

Objectives:

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. The breakdown of ADMA is mainly governed by the activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs). We investigated if genetic variation in the DDAH1 and DDAH2 genes were related to ADMA and l-arginine levels, as well as measures of endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

Methods:

In 1016 70-year-old participants of the population-based Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (50% women), we measured endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) using the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine given in the brachial artery and the brachial artery ultrasound technique with measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Plasma l-arginine and ADMA levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DDAH1 and DDAH2 genes were genotyped.

Results:

Several of the genotypes in the DDAH1 gene were highly significantly related to ADMA levels ( p = 10−7 at best), but not to the l-arginine levels. No relationships between the genotypes in the DDAH2 gene and ADMA or l-arginine levels were found. None of the DDAH1 genotypes being closely related to ADMA levels were significantly related to EDV or FMD. Neither were any of the DDAH2 genotypes closely related to any of the measurements of vasoreactivity.

Conclusion:

A close relationship was seen between SNPs in the DDAH1, but not DDAH2, gene and ADMA levels. However, variation in those genes was not related to measures of EDV in this elderly population.
Exposure to bullying among students with autism spectrum conditions: A multi-informant analysis of risk and protective factors
Authors: Hebron Judith , Humphrey Neil
Published: July 2013

Research has consistently shown that children and young people with autism spectrum conditions are more likely to be bullied than those with other or no special educational needs. The aim of this study was to examine risk and protective factors that could help to explain variation in exposure to bullying within this group. A sample of 722 teachers and 119 parents reported on their child’s experience of being bullied. This response variable was regressed onto a range of explanatory variables representing individual and contextual factors. The teacher- and parent-rated regression models were statistically significant, explaining large proportions of variance in exposure to bullying. Behaviour difficulties and increased age were associated with bullying in both models. Positive relationships and attending a special school were associated with a decrease in bullying in the teacher model, with use of public/school transport predicting an increase. In the parent model, special educational needs provision at School Action Plus (as opposed to having a Statement of Special Educational Needs) was a significant risk factor, and higher levels of parental engagement and confidence were associated with reductions in bullying. These findings are discussed in relation to the autism spectrum conditions literature, and opportunities for intervention are considered.
Metformin effects on treatment satisfaction and quality of life in gestational diabetes
Authors: Latif Lamis , Hyer Steve , Shehata Hassan
Published: July 2013

There is increasing interest in the use of metformin in gestational diabetes (GDM) but limited data on its impact on patients’ quality of life or treatment satisfaction. We assessed patients’ perspectives using the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) and Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) in GDM women recruited postnatally and treated with metformin (n=68), insulin (n=32) or metformin and insulin (n=28) during pregnancy. Women with GDM taking either metformin or insulin demonstrated a higher quality of life (QoL) amongst each of the 19 life domains tested than women on the combination. Metformin treatment was associated with the least negative impact on QoL (−1.6) as compared with insulin and insulin + metformin groups (−1.7, -1.9) respectively. The Total Treatment Satisfaction (TTS) was highest in metformin treated patients (5.2) compared with insulin (4.7) or the combination (4.6). Metformin, compared with insulin either alone or in combination had the most favourable overall impact on patient reported quality of life and treatment satisfaction. These findings strengthen the case for considering metformin in GDM if lifestyle measures alone do not provide adequate glucose control.
A practical method for predicting the propulsive performance of energy efficient ship with wave devouring hydrofoils at actual seas
Authors: Feng Peiyuan , Ma Ning , Gu Xiechong
Published: July 2013

The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is made mandatory by the International Maritime Organization to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping. In this study, wave energy recovery using a pair of hydrofoils fixed at the ship bow to realize energy efficient propulsion is proposed. This so-called wave devouring hydrofoil (WDH) functions both as an anti-motion fin and a wave energy device, which can help reduce the ship wave added resistance, heave and pitch responses. To evaluate its performance, the coupled interaction between the hydrofoils and the ship under head sea condition is first modeled in the frequency domain together with the evaluation of wave added resistance in the presence of the WDHs. Model test is then conducted using a sample containership. Both the beneficial effect of the WDHs and the validity of the numerical model are proved. The peak response is reduced by 80%, 30% and 25% for added resistance, heave and pitch, respectively. This model is then further modified to include other wave directions. Based on frequency domain results, short-term and long term predictions of speed loss, engine power increase and propeller racing are performed for a 3100TEU containership along her transportation route. The merit of this prediction model is that the hull -propeller -engine interactions is considered from a system balance point of view. It is demonstrated that the WDHs can contribute to the energy-efficient ship propulsion at actual seas, achieving a slight reduction of EEDI and ensuring less speed loss and propeller racing.
Kayak blade–hull interactions: A body force approach for self-propelled simulations
Authors: Banks Joseph , Phillips Alexander B , Turnock Stephen R , Hudson Dominic A , Taunton Dominic J
Published: July 2013

A sprint kayak experiences an unsteady flow regime due to the local influence of the paddle. However, kayak designs are usually optimised for steady-state, naked hull resistance. To determine whether unsteady paddle effects need to be included in kayak design, the hydrodynamic interactions between a kayak paddle and a hull are assessed using computational fluid dynamics. A body force model of a drag-based paddle stroke is developed using a blade element approach and validated against experimental data. This allows the paddle-induced local velocities to be simulated without the need to fully resolve the detailed flow around a moving paddle geometry. The increase in computational cost, compared to the naked hull simulation, is 8%. A case study investigating the impact of different paddle techniques on the hydrodynamic forces acting on a self-propelled kayak is conducted. A 0.23% difference in self-propelled resistance was observed, while an estimated 0.5% additional increase can be attributed to paddle-induced draught increases. An estimate of small changes in resistance on race times indicates that reductions of even a fraction of a percent are worth pursuing, indicating that the developed methodology may provide a useful design tool in the future.
Antegrade retrieval of a distal ureteric stone during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a novel approach to a rare but important problem
Authors: Dyer JE , Kocklebergh RC
Published: July 2013

A concurrent diagnosis of renal cancer and ipsilateral obstructing ureteric calculi is rare. This scenario poses questions about order and approach of treating each condition. We present the case of a 51-year-old man who was thought to have passed a ureteric stone prior to undergoing left radical nephrectomy for cancer. Ongoing ureteric obstruction, however, became apparent intraoperatively. Rather than electing for retrograde treatment we were able to successfully remove the stone in an antegrade fashion, using a laparoscopic port to facilitate antegrade flexible ureteroscopy.
Dissolution behaviour of soil kaolinites in acidic solutions
Authors: Khawmee K. , Suddhiprakarn A. , Kheoruenromne I. , Bibi I. , Singh B.
Published: July 2013

Highly weathered soils of the tropics and subtropics commonly have kaolinitedominated clay fractions. Under acidic conditions prevailing in these soils kaolinite dissolution occurs, contributing to the high levels of soluble Al in these soils. This study evaluates the dissolution behaviour of kaolinites from subsurface horizons of highly weathered soils from Thailand, along with a soil kaolinite from Western Australia (WA kaolinite) and Georgia kaolinite (KGa-2). Kaolinite-dominated clay fractions were isolated from soils by sedimentation and chemically treated to remove iron oxides. The dissolution rate of kaolinites was measured in 0.01 M NaCl as a function of pH (1–4; HCl) at 25±1°C using non-stirred flow-through reactors. Kaolinite dissolution rates were calculated from the release of Al and Si at the steady state. In most of the experiments and at all pH values, the release of both Si and Al underwent a distinct transition from an initial period of rapid release to significantly slower release at the steady state. Aluminium and Si concentrations at the steady state were higher for soil kaolinites than the reference sample (KGa-2). At the steady state the dissolution of all kaolinites was stoichiometric except for the soil kaolinites from Thailand at pH 4, where the Al/Si ratio was well below the stoichiometric ratio. Log dissolution rate (RSi) of soil kaolinites ranged from –13.75 to –12.51, with the dissolution rate increasing significantly with decreasing solution pH. However, the dissolution rate was similar or pH independent between pH 2 and 3, which is the pH range of the point of zero net charge (PZNC) for both soil and reference kaolinites. The dissolution rate of soil kaolinite was significantly higher than the KGa-2 sample at pH < 3. The results obtained on kaolinite samples from highly weathered soils show that in highly acidic systems kaolinite is a source of soluble Al. Soil kaolinites with poorly ordered small crystals dissolve faster than better crystalline reference kaolinite (KGa-2) with larger crystals.
Alteration of glassy volcanic rocks to Naand Ca-smectites in the Neogene basin of Manisa, western Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Çiflikli M. , Çiftçi E. , Bayhan H.
Published: July 2013

Alkali- and Ca-rich smectites occur in association with Neogene lacustrine sedimentary rocks and high-K calc-alkaline volcanic rocks with compositions ranging from andesite to rhyolite in western Anatolia (Turkey). Major clay occurrences are associated predominantly with the Foça and Akçaköy ignimbrites and with the ignimbrites within the Rahmanlar pyroclastics. Experimental studies indicate that the main clay minerals present are Na- and Ca-smectite and subordinate illite, associated with silica polymorphs, trace clinoptilolite and chlorite. The authigenic minerals formed by weathering and metasomatic reactions between hot volcanic material and lake water. Smectite was produced as a result of argillic alteration of the volcanic glass and feldspars of the ignimbrites, Rahmanlar pyroclastics and reworked volcaniclastic sediments through chemical weathering and dissolution-precipitation processes and formed as authigenic phases both in terrestrial and nearby shallow lacustrine environments under prevalent humid or semi-humid climate during the Neogene.