bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Becoming a writer
Authors: Garner Lynne
Published: September 2014

As part of her series of articles on creative jobs, Lynne Garner explores different types of jobs and roles involving a strong element of writing, such as author, poet, journalist and songwriter, for example.
From the concept of generation to an intergenerational lens on family lives
Authors: Brannen Julia
Published: September 2014

This piece discusses the concept of ‘generation’ and its several meanings. While it argues that generation is an important concept for putting lives in historical context, it needs to take account of social differences within and between generations. Looking at family generations, such differences become evident together with the processes through which they come about, especially when understood in their historical context. Some of the methodological approaches to analysing intergenerational family research are briefly outlined.
Observation-centered Approach to ASD Assessment in Tanzania
Authors: Harrison Ashley J. , Zimak Eric H. , Sheinkopf Stephen J. , Manji Karim P. , Morrow Eric M.
Published: September 2014

In many lower-income countries, there is a paucity of assessment services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD)., Guidelines will be provided for conducting cross-cultural assessments in the context of limited validated resources in Tanzania. By examining behavioral, social, and adaptive differences we were able to provide differential diagnostic evaluations aligning with best practice standards for 41 children in Tanzania age 2–21 years. We describe the utility of a flexible, behavioral observation instrument, the Childhood Autism Rating Scales, Second Edition (CARS2), to gather diagnostic information in a culturally sensitive manner. We observed that the ASD group was characterized by significantly higher scores on the CARS2, F  =  21.09, p < .001, η2  =  .37, than the general delay comparison group. Additional recommendations are provided for making cultural adaptations to current assessment instruments for use in a country without normed instruments, such as Tanzania.
Dimensions of Temporality in President Obama’s Tucson Memorial Address
Authors: Amsden Brian
Published: September 2014

President Obama’s speech following the January 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona employed a series of temporal shifts to help the nation integrate the tragedy into its collective consciousness. This essay identifies four dimensions of temporality that were developed in the Tucson Memorial Address and analyzes their interrelationships. It argues that rhetoric can better facilitate judgment by providing auditors with multiple interrelated but individually untotalizable temporal perspectives. By that standard, the Tucson Address employs a temporal network that serves as a significant impediment to rhetorical judgment.
Manners of human gait: a crosslinguistic event-naming study
Authors: Slobin Dan I. , Ibarretxe-Antuñano Iraide , Kopecka Anetta , Majid Asifa
Published: September 2014

Crosslinguistic studies of expressions of motion events have found that Talmy's binary typology of verb-framed and satellite-framed languages is reflected in language use. In particular, Manner of motion is relatively more elaborated in satellite-framed languages (e.g., in narrative, picture description, conversation, translation). The present research builds on previous controlled studies of the domain of human motion by eliciting descriptions of a wide range of manners of walking and running filmed in natural circumstances. Descriptions were elicited from speakers of two satellite-framed languages (English, Polish) and three verb-framed languages (French, Spanish, Basque). The sampling of events in this study resulted in four major semantic clusters for these five languages: walking, running, non-canonical gaits (divided into bounce-and-recoil and syncopated movements), and quadrupedal movement (crawling). Counts of verb types found a broad tendency for satellite-framed languages to show greater lexical diversity, along with substantial within group variation. Going beyond most earlier studies, we also examined extended descriptions of manner of movement, isolating types of manner. The following categories of manner were identified and compared: attitude of actor, rate, effort, posture, and motor patterns of legs and feet. Satellite-framed speakers tended to elaborate expressive manner verbs, whereas verb-framed speakers used modification to add manner to neutral motion verbs.
Structure, mechanism and application of vinyl alcohol oligomers grafted onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate): a proposal
Authors: Torres Maykel González , Pérez Manuel González , Cervantes Eric Reyes , Cerna Cortez Jorge Raúl , Muñoz Susana Vargas , Rodríguez Talavera José Rogelio
Published: September 2014

Oligomers of poly(vinyl alcohol) were grafted onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by radiation-induced polymerization. The aim of this study was to elucidate the structure of these copolymers using nuclear magnetic resonance (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence) spectroscopy supported by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was concluded that vinyl alcohol (VA) was grafted onto PHB for the methylenic and methynic sites. A mechanism for the grafting reaction was proposed based on the experimental evidence. AFM and DLS allowed the characterization of the particles obtained from P(HB-g-VA). The prepared materials showed suitable properties for use in drug delivery systems.
Comparison of Physicochemical and Gel Characteristics of Hydroxypropylated Oat and Wheat Starches
Authors: Majzoobi Mahsa , Saberi Bahareh , Farahnaky Asgar , Mesbahi Gholamreza
Published: September 2014

The main objective of this study was to compare the characteristics of hydroxypropylated (HP) wheat and oat starches. Higher degree of modification was obtained for HP wheat starch. Hydroxypropylation did not change the morphological features of HP oat starch granules, while it had some effects on the granular structure of HP wheat starch. The relative crystallinity of HP oat starch was higher than that of HP wheat starch. The water swelling and solubility of the HP wheat starch were higher than the HP oat starch. In contrast to HP wheat starch, the HP oat starch gel showed improved textural properties. After hydroxypropylation, peak and breakdown viscosity increased while set back viscosity and peak time decreased. Higher onset, peak and conclusion temperatures, and higher enthalpy of gelatinization were obtained for the HP oat starch. HP wheat starch gel had less syneresis than the HP oat starch.
MHD Stagnation Point Flow of Second Grade Fluid over a Stretching Cylinder with Heat and Mass Transfer
Authors: Hayat T. , Anwar M. S. , Farooq M. , Alsaedi A.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stagnation point flow of second grade fluid over a permeable stretching cylinder. Analysis has been carried out with heat and mass transfer. Viscous dissipation and Joule heating effects are also investigated. Suitable transformations are used to convert non-linear partial differential equations into the non-linear ordinary differential equations. Variation of different parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are shown graphically. Numerical values of skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are computed. Comparison of f″(0), −θ′(0) and −c′(0) with the previous results are also examined.
Linear Solutions for Irregularly Decimated Generators of Cryptographic Sequences
Authors: Fúster-Sabater A.
Published: September 2014

In the present work, it is shown that the sequences obtained from a cryptographic sequence generator, the so-called shrinking generator, are just particular solutions of a type of linear difference equations. Moreover, all these sequences are simple linear combinations of m-sequences weighted by other sequences that correspond to the diagonals of the Sierpinski's triangle. These facts suggest a subtle link between irregular decimation and linearity that can be conveniently exploited in the analysis of cryptographic sequences. Previous ideas can be easily extended to other decimation-based cryptographic generators as well as to interleaved sequence generators.
Can we use seasonally adjusted variables in dynamic factor models?
Authors: Camacho Maximo , Lovcha Yuliya , Quiros Gabriel Perez
Published: September 2014

We examine the short-term performance of two alternative approaches of forecasting from dynamic factor models. The first approach extracts the seasonal component of the individual variables before estimating the model, while the alternative uses the non seasonally adjusted data in a model that endogenously accounts for seasonal adjustment. Our Monte Carlo analysis reveals that the performance of the former is always comparable to or even better than that of the latter in all the simulated scenarios. Our results have important implications for the factor models literature because they show the that the common practice of using seasonally adjusted data in this type of models is very accurate in terms of forecasting ability. Using five coincident indicators, we illustrate this result for US data.
Using Ants, Animal Behavior & the Learning Cycle to Investigate Scientific Processes
Authors: Ligon Russell A. , Dolezal Adam G. , Hicks Michael R. , Butler Michael W. , Morehouse Nathan I. , Ganesh Tirupalavanam G.
Published: September 2014

The behavior of animals is an intrinsically fascinating topic for students from a wide array of backgrounds. We describe a learning experience using animal behavior that we created for middle school students as part of a graduate-student outreach program, Graduate Partners in Science Education, at Arizona State University in collaboration with a K–8 public school. This activity capitalizes on the interest that animal behavior can generate to introduce and reinforce student understanding of the scientific method. Specifically, our activity highlights the general utility of the scientific method and uses this method to examine ant social behavior, with emphasis on generating and testing hypotheses. Furthermore, this activity introduces the idea of animal societies and encourages students to apply the concepts they learn to other species, including humans. By collecting ants locally, from schoolyards or nearby habitats, this experience situates learning in the context of students’ own communities. We also provide optional assessment materials that teachers can use to assess learning objectives and standard mastery.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Diagnostic Accuracy of the Transverse Dural Venous Sinus Attenuation on CT Scans
Authors: Ibrahim Yosra Abdelzaher , Mironov Oleg , Deif Ahmed , Mangla Rajiv , Almast Jeevak
Published: September 2014

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a clinical disorder of unknown etiology. It may exhibit several non-specific imaging findings. We observed that patients with intracranial hypertension demonstrate intracranial venous sinus attenuation with changes in the contour and caliber of the distal transverse sinus. This can be seen on routine non-contrast sagittal reformatted CT images of the brain. We have termed this the venous attenuation sign (VAS). This study evaluated the VAS as a marker for IIH assessing the transverse sinuses on sagittal reformatted non-contrast CT for the presence of a VAS in 25 patients with IIH and 24 control patients. Scans were independently assessed in a blinded fashion by three readers. The readers identified the VAS in 96% of patients with IIH; 83.3% of the control patients were negative for VAS. Our study supports the VAS as an additional imaging marker which may be incorporated into the evaluation of patients suspected to have this condition.
Synchronous GH- and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas
Authors: Rahman Maryam , Jusué-Torres Ignacio , Alkabbani Abdulrahman , Salvatori Roberto , Rodríguez Fausto J , Quinones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: September 2014

Pituitary adenomas are usually solitary lesions. Rarely, patients may present with two distinct pituitary tumors. We report a case of synchronous secretory pituitary adenomas in a woman who initially presented with elevated prolactin levels. She was initially treated with cabergoline, but, after many years, she began developing symptoms consistent with acromegaly. Imaging revealed two distinct tumors within the pituitary gland. Endocrinological investigation confirmed acromegaly. At the time of surgery, two separate tumors were identified and resected. Pathological analysis demonstrated one tumor as a prolactinoma, and the other tumor as a GH-secreting adenoma. Postoperatively, her GH and IGF1 levels normalized, while the prolactin level remained slightly above normal. This case highlights that GH and prolactin level elevation is not always from co-secretion by the same adenoma.

Learning points

Synchronous pituitary adenomas represent <0.5% of pituitary tumors requiring surgery.

In the setting of elevated GH and prolactin levels, one cannot assume that they are co-secreted by the same adenoma.

A careful study of hormonal workup and pre-operative imaging is necessary for synchronous pituitary adenomas to assure resection of both tumors.
The use of cinacalcet in pregnancy to treat a complex case of parathyroid carcinoma
Authors: Nadarasa K , Bailey M , Chahal H , Raja O , Bhat R , Gayle C , Grossman A B , Druce M R
Published: September 2014

We present the case of a patient with metastatic parathyroid carcinoma whose hypercalcaemia was medically managed through two pregnancies. The diagnosis was made when the patient presented with chronic knee pain and radiological findings consistent with a brown tumour, at the age of 30. Her corrected calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly elevated. Following localisation studies, a right parathyroidectomy was performed with histology revealing parathyroid carcinoma, adherent to thyroid tissue. Aged 33, following biochemical recurrence of disease, the patient underwent a second operation. A subsequent CT and FDG–PET revealed bibasal pulmonary metastases. Aged 35, the patient was referred to our unit for treatment of persistent hypercalcaemia. The focus of treatment at this time was debulking metastatic disease using radiofrequency ablation. Despite advice to the contrary, the patient conceived twice while taking cinacalcet. Even though there are limited available data regarding the use of cinacalcet in pregnancy, both pregnancies continued to term with the delivery of healthy infants, using intensive medical management for persistent hypercalcaemia.

Learning points

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Hypercalcaemia during pregnancy can result in significant complications for both the mother and the foetus.

The use of high-dose cinacalcet in pregnancy has been shown, in this case, to aid in the management of resistant hypercalcaemia without teratogenicity.
Decorin induced by progesterone plays a crucial role in suppressing endometriosis
Authors: Ono Yoshihiro Joshua , Terai Yoshito , Tanabe Akiko , Hayashi Atsushi , Hayashi Masami , Yamashita Yoshiki , Kyo Satoru , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: September 2014

Dienogest, a synthetic progestin, has been shown to be effective against endometriosis, although it is still unclear as to how it affects the ectopic endometrial cells. Decorin has been shown to be a powerful endogenous tumor repressor acting in a paracrine fashion to limit tumor growth. Our objectives were to examine the direct effects of progesterone and dienogest on thein vitroproliferation of the human ectopic endometrial epithelial and stromal cell lines, and evaluate as to how decorin contributes to this effect. We also examinedDCNmRNA expression in 50 endometriosis patients. The growth of both cell lines was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by both decorin and dienogest. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, it was noted that progesterone and dienogest directly induced the binding of the decorin promoter in the EMOsis cc/TERT cells (immortalized human ovarian epithelial cells) and CRL-4003 cells (immortalized human endometrial stromal cells). Progesterone and dienogest also led to significant induced cell cycle arrest via decorin by promoting production of p21 in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Decorin also suppressed the expression of MET in both cell lines. We confirmed thatDCNmRNA expression in patients treated with dienogest was higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, decorin induced by dienogest appears to play a crucial role in suppressing endometriosis by exerting anti-proliferative effects and inducing cell cycle arrest via the production of p21 human ectopic endometrial cells and eutopic endometrial stromal cells.
Population- and Sex-Biased Gene Expression in the Excretion Organs ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Huylmans Ann Kathrin , Parsch John
Published: September 2014

Within species, levels of gene expression typically vary greatly between tissues, sexes, individuals, and populations. To investigate gene expression variation between sexes and populations in a single somatic tissue, we performed a quantitative analysis of the Malpighian tubule transcriptome in adult males and females of Drosophila melanogaster derived from two distinct populations (one from sub-Saharan Africa and one from northern Europe). We identified 2308 genes that differed in expression between the sexes and 2474 genes that differed in expression between populations at a false discovery rate of 5%. We also identified more than 1000 genes that showed a sex-by-population interaction in their expression. The genes that differed in expression between sexes showed enrichment for a wide variety of functions, although only 55% of them overlapped with sex-biased genes identified in whole-fly studies. The genes expressed differentially between populations included several that were previously implicated in adaptive regulatory evolution, an excess of cytochrome P450 genes, and many genes that were not detected in previous studies of whole flies. Our results demonstrate that there is abundant intraspecific gene expression variation within in a single, somatic tissue and uncover new candidates for adaptive regulatory evolution between populations.
The Genetic Architecture of Seed Composition in Soybean Is Refined by Genome-Wide Association Scans Across Multiple Populations
Authors: Vaughn Justin N , Nelson Randall L , Song Qijian , Cregan Perry B , Li Zenglu
Published: September 2014

Soybean oil and meal are major contributors to world-wide food production. Consequently, the genetic basis for soybean seed composition has been intensely studied using family-based mapping. Population-based mapping approaches, in the form of genome-wide association (GWA) scans, have been able to resolve loci controlling moderately complex quantitative traits (QTL) in numerous crop species. Yet, it is still unclear how soybean’s unique population history will affect GWA scans. Using one of the populations in this study, we simulated phenotypes resulting from a range of genetic architectures. We found that with a heritability of 0.5, ∼100% and ∼33% of the 4 and 20 simulated QTL can be recovered, respectively, with a false-positive rate of less than ∼6×10−5 per marker tested. Additionally, we demonstrated that combining information from multi-locus mixed models and compressed linear-mixed models improves QTL identification and interpretation. We applied these insights to exploring seed composition in soybean, refining the linkage group I (chromosome 20) protein QTL and identifying additional oil QTL that may allow some decoupling of highly correlated oil and protein phenotypes. Because the value of protein meal is closely related to its essential amino acid profile, we attempted to identify QTL underlying methionine, threonine, cysteine, and lysine content. Multiple QTL were found that have not been observed in family-based mapping studies, and each trait exhibited associations across multiple populations. Chromosomes 1 and 8 contain strong candidate alleles for essential amino acid increases. Overall, we present these and additional data that will be useful in determining breeding strategies for the continued improvement of soybean’s nutrient portfolio.
Single-Family Room Care and Neurobehavioral and Medical Outcomes in Preterm Infants
Authors: Lester Barry M. , Hawes Katheleen , Abar Beau , Sullivan Mary , Miller Robin , Bigsby Rosemarie , Laptook Abbot , Salisbury Amy , Taub Marybeth , Lagasse Linda L. , Padbury James F.
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether a single-family room (SFR) NICU, including factors associated with the change to a SFR NICU, is associated with improved medical and neurobehavioral outcomes.

METHODS:

Longitudinal, prospective, quasi-experimental cohort study conducted between 2008 and 2012 comparing medical and neurobehavioral outcomes at discharge in infants born <1500 g. Participants included 151 infants in an open-bay NICU and 252 infants after transition to a SFR NICU. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the role of mediators of relations between type of NICU and medical and neurobehavioral outcomes.

RESULTS:

Statistically significant results (all Ps ≤.05) showed that infants in the SFR NICU weighed more at discharge, had a greater rate of weight gain, required fewer medical procedures, had a lower gestational age at full enteral feed and less sepsis, showed better attention, less physiologic stress, less hypertonicity, less lethargy, and less pain. NICU differences in weight at discharge, and rate of weight gain were mediated by increased developmental support; differences in number of medical procedures were mediated by increased maternal involvement. NICU differences in attention were mediated by increased developmental support. Differences in stress and pain were mediated by maternal involvement. Nurses reported a more positive work environment and attitudes in the SFR NICU.

CONCLUSIONS:

The SFR is associated with improved neurobehavioral and medical outcomes. These improvements are related to increased developmental support and maternal involvement.
Self-Reported Quality of Life of Young Children With Conditions From Early Infancy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jardine Jenni , Glinianaia Svetlana V. , McConachie Helen , Embleton Nicolas D. , Rankin Judith
Published: September 2014

CONTEXT:

There is little consistency in the use of instruments for measuring self-reported quality of life (QoL) in young children.

OBJECTIVE:

To systematically review studies of self-reported QoL in children aged <12 years with congenital health conditions, and to examine the agreement between self- and proxy-reports.

DATA SOURCES:

Literature databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsychINFO) were systematically searched, reference lists of eligible studies were scanned.

STUDY SELECTION:

We included studies published in English between January 1989 and June 2013 which used validated instruments to assess self-reported QoL in children aged <12 years with a distinct congenital health condition identified in early infancy.

DATA EXTRACTION:

We extracted data on study design, objective, sample characteristics, QoL assessment instrument, statistical techniques and results.

RESULTS:

From 403 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, 50 studies underwent detailed review, and 37 were included in a narrative synthesis. Children’s self-reported QoL was assessed by using a variety of generic and/or condition-specific instruments, with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory being the most frequently used (25% [9 studies]). Regardless of the condition or the instrument used, children often reported QoL similar to the reference population, except for lower scores in the physical functioning/health domain. There were differences between younger and older age groups according to QoL domain. The child’s perception of QoL differed from that of his or her parents, in particular for subjective domains such as emotional functioning, and these differences were age related. The main limitation of the review resulted from the lack of published studies on self-reported QoL in young children, in particular, lacking both self-reports and proxy reports. Existing studies demonstrated wide variability in the QoL instruments used and approaches to statistical analyses, lack of information about the formation of the study sample (response rate; comparison of responders and nonresponders) and low sample sizes in the age group of interest.

CONCLUSIONS:

The reviewed studies demonstrated that, even for younger children, both child and parent perspectives are essential to understanding the impact of a condition on a child’s QoL.
Early Neonatal Bilirubin, Hematocrit, and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Status
Authors: Badejoko Bolaji O. , Owa Joshua A. , Oseni Saheed B.A. , Badejoko Olusegun , Fatusi Adesegun O. , Adejuyigbe Ebunoluwa A.
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To document the patterns of bilirubin and hematocrit values among glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient and G6PD-normal Nigerian neonates in the first week of life, in the absence of exposure to known icterogenic agents.

METHODS:

The G6PD status of consecutive term and near-term neonates was determined, and their bilirubin levels and hematocrits were monitored during the first week of life. Infants were stratified into G6PD deficient, intermediate, and normal on the basis of the modified Beutler’s fluorescent spot test. Means of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and hematocrits of the 3 groups of infants were compared.

RESULTS:

The 644 neonates studied comprised 353 (54.8%) boys and 291 (45.2%) girls and 540 (83.9%) term and 104 (16.1%) near-term infants. They consisted of 129 (20.0%) G6PD-deficient, 69 (10.7%) G6PD-intermediate, and 446 (69.3%) G6PD-normal neonates. The G6PD-deficient and G6PD-intermediate infants had higher mean TSB than their G6PD-normal counterparts at birth and throughout the first week of life (P < .001). Mean peak TSB levels were 14.1 (9.48), 10.2 (3.8), and 6.9 (3.3) mg/dL for G6PD-deficient, G6PD-intermediate, and G6PD-normal neonates, respectively. Peak TSB was attained on approximately day 4 in all 3 groups, and trends in TSB were similar. Mean hematocrits at birth were similar in the 3 G6PD groups. However, G6PD-deficient and -intermediate infants had higher declines in hematocrit, bilirubin levels, and need for phototherapy than G6PD-normal infants (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The G6PD-deficient and G6PD-intermediate neonates had a higher risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and would therefore need greater monitoring in the first week of life, even without exposure to known icterogenic agents.
Parental Awareness and Use of Online Physician Rating Sites
Authors: Hanauer David A. , Zheng Kai , Singer Dianne C. , Gebremariam Achamyeleh , Davis Matthew M.
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The US public is increasingly using online rating sites to make decisions about a variety of consumer goods and services, including physicians. We sought to understand, within the context of other types of rating sites, parents’ awareness, perceptions, and use of physician-rating sites for choosing primary care physicians for their children.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of 3563 adults was conducted in September 2012. Participants were asked about rating Web sites in the context of finding a primary care physician for their children and about their previous experiences with such sites.

RESULTS:

Overall, 2137 (60%) of participants completed the survey. Among these respondents, 1619 were parents who were included in the present analysis. About three-quarters (74%) of parents were aware of physician-rating sites, and about one-quarter (28%) had used them to select a primary care physician for their children. Based on 3 vignettes for which respondents were asked if they would follow a neighbor's recommendation about a primary care physician and using multivariate analyses, respondents exposed to a neighbor’s recommendation and positive online physician ratings were significantly more likely to choose the recommended physician (adjusted odds ratio: 3.0 [95% confidence interval: 2.1–4.4]) than respondents exposed to the neighbor’s recommendation alone. Conversely, respondents exposed to the neighbor’s recommendation and negative online ratings were significantly less likely to choose the neighbor children’s physician (adjusted odds ratio: 0.09 [95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.3]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Parents are beginning to use online physician ratings, and these ratings have the potential to influence choices of their children’s primary care physician.
Infants’ Best Interests in End-of-life Care for Newborns
Authors: Willems Dick L. , Verhagen A.A. Eduard , van Wijlick Eric
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Pediatric bioethics presumes that decisions should be taken in the child’s best interest. If it’s ambiguous whether a decision is in the child's interest, we defer to parents. Should parents be permitted to consider their own interests in making decisions for their child? In the Netherlands, where neonatal euthanasia is legal, such questions sometimes arise in deciding whether to hasten the death of a critically ill, suffering child. We describe the recommendations of a national Dutch committee. Our objectives were to analyze the role of competing child and family interests and to provide guidance on end-of-life decisions for doctors caring for severely ill newborns.

METHODS:

We undertook literature review, 7 consensus meetings in a multidisciplinary expert commission, and invited comments on draft report by specialists’ associations.

RESULTS:

Initial treatment is mandatory for most ill newborns, to clarify the prognosis. Continuation of treatment is conditional on further diagnostic and prognostic data. Muscle relaxants can sometimes be continued after withdrawal of artificial respiration without aiming to shorten the child's life. When gasping causes suffering, or protracted dying is unbearable for the parents, muscle relaxants may be used to end a newborn's life. Whenever muscle relaxants are used, cases should be reported to the national review committee.

CONCLUSIONS:

New national recommendations in the Netherlands for end-of-life decisions in newborns suggest that treatment should generally be seen as conditional. If treatment fails, it should be abandoned. In those cases, palliative care should be directed at both infant and parental suffering. Sometimes, this may permit interventions that hasten death.
Universal Bilirubin Screening and Health Care Utilization
Authors: Darling Elizabeth Kathleen , Ramsay Timothy , Sprague Ann E. , Walker Mark C. , Guttmann Astrid
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the impact of the implementation of universal bilirubin screening on neonatal health care use in the context of a large jurisdiction with universal health insurance.

METHODS:

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of all newborns discharged after birth between April 2003 and February 2011 from 42 hospitals that implemented universal bilirubin screening between July 2007 and June 2010 in Ontario, Canada. We surveyed hospitals to determine their screening implementation date. We used multiple linked administrative health data sets to measure phototherapy use, length of stay (LOS), jaundice-related emergency department visits, and jaundice-related readmissions. We modeled the relationship between universal bilirubin screening and outcomes using generalized estimating equations to account for clustering by hospital, underlying temporal trends, and important covariates.

RESULTS:

Screening was associated with an increase in phototherapy during hospitalization at birth (relative risk, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.59) and a decrease in jaundice-related emergency department visits (relative risk, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–0.96) but no statistically significant difference in phototherapy after discharge, LOS, or jaundice-related readmissions after accounting for preexisting temporal trends in health care service use and other patient sociodemographic and hospital characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS:

Universal bilirubin screening may not be associated with increased neonatal LOS or increased subsequent hospital use. Our findings are relevant for determining the resource implications of universal bilirubin screening in Ontario. They highlight the limitations in generalizability of previous research on health care utilization associated with similar programs and underline the importance of context-specific local evaluation of guideline implementation.
Building information modelling: the tide is turning
Authors: Gilkinson Norman , Raju Pathmeswaran , Kiviniemi Arto , Chapman Craig
Published: September 2014

The concept of building information modelling (BIM) under various names such as building product models has been around over 30 years. Other industries such as aerospace and automotive have used similar informational models on their products to analyse their design, performance and manufacturability. The architecture, engineering and construction industry is now moving towards the adoption of such concepts, driven by the need to be competitive in the market, to reduce cost and time, and to satisfy the government regulations. In view of the recent interest in BIM, this paper reports on the findings of several case study research projects and discusses how this innovative solution works in practice. The introductory sections discuss the current consistent problems that occur during the engineering design and production processes despite the introduction of good practice management techniques. Case study empirical data are used to provide insight regarding the implications for BIM development, implementation and execution. Collectively the barriers to adoption, benefits achievable and opportunities for the future are discussed with the help of illustration. The contribution to knowledge is a BIM state-of-the-art review and its potential in future engineering practice.
Fungal symbiosis and precipitation alter traits and dune building by the ecosystem engineer, Ammophila breviligulata
Authors: Emery Sarah M. , Bell-Dereske Lukas , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: September 2014

Ecosystem engineer species influence their community and ecosystem by creating or altering the physical structure of habitats. The function of ecosystem engineers is variable and can depend on both abiotic and biotic factors. Here we make use of a primary successional system to evaluate the direct and interactive effects of climate change (precipitation) and fungal endophyte symbiosis on population traits and ecosystem function of the ecosystem engineering grass species, Ammophila breviligulata. We manipulated endophyte presence in A. breviligulata in combination with rain‐out shelters and rainfall additions in a factorial field experiment established in 2010 on Lake Michigan sand dunes. We monitored plant traits, survival, growth, and sexual reproduction of A. breviligulata from 2010–2013, and quantified ecosystem engineering as the sand accumulation rate. Presence of the endophyte in A. breviligulata increased vegetative growth by up to 19%, and reduced sexual reproduction by up to 46% across all precipitation treatments. Precipitation was a less significant factor than endophyte colonization for A. breviligulata growth. Reduced precipitation increased average leaf number per tiller but had no other effects on plant traits. Changes in A. breviligulata traits corresponded to increases in sand accumulation in plots with the endophyte as well as in plots with reduced precipitation. Sand accumulation is a key ecosystem function in these primary successional habitats, and so microbial symbiosis in this ecosystem engineer could lead to direct effects on the value of these dune habitats for humans.
New Gyro While Drilling Technology Delivers Accurate Azimuth and Real-Time Quality Control for All Well Trajectories
Authors: Weston John , Ledroz Adrián , Ekseth Roger
Published: September 2014

In response to the increasing demand for a reduction in the uncertainty of wellbore placement to minimize drilling risks and potential liabilities, a new gyroscopic survey tool capable of operating at any attitude during the drilling process has been developed: an all-attitude gyro while drilling (GWD) tool.

Gyro survey systems determine the direction of the survey tool in the wellbore, the tool azimuth, by use of measurements of the horizontal components of Earth's rotation in a process known as gyrocompassing or north finding. Current GWD systems are based on angular rate measurements taken about two axes only. These measurement axes are perpendicular to the direction of the wellbore and perpendicular to each other. Although two-axis systems provide accurate estimates of azimuth near vertical, this accuracy degrades as inclination increases, with the azimuth becoming indeterminate because of a mathematical singularity at 90° inclination. To overcome this, an additional rate measurement about the along-hole axis of the tool needs to be performed. Only gyroscopic instruments with three orthogonal sensitive axes, as adopted in the new tool, are capable of measuring the full horizontal Earth rate signal in all wellbore geometries.

This paper describes a number of innovative technological developments that have allowed all-attitude GWD to become a reality, including a new gyroscope designed specifically for the downhole drilling environment, a new system mechanization to control gyroscope biases, a signal-processing technique known as continuous adaptive processing that estimates the g-sensitive bias errors at each gyrocompass station, and a more robust quality control scheme.

The new high angle GWD system is well-suited to handle any wellbore-placement needs. These include high inclination kickoffs, infill drilling, relief wells, and the provision of improved accuracy in east/west wells. With the improved reliability of the data comes increased confidence that the resulting survey is representative of the true wellbore trajectory. The detection of gross errors can also be accomplished by comparing real-time GWD and measurement-while-drilling (MWD) data. Further, with the memory multishot capability that is available, reliable high accuracy surveys from section total depth (TD) to surface are generated, verifying both MWD and GWD performance on the trip out and eliminating the need for separate and rig-time-dependent gyroscopic surveys.

Finally, a number of case studies are presented to illustrate the performance capabilities of the new gyroscopic system over a range of well trajectories and latitudes.

The all-attitude GWD system not only allows the survey-reliability goals to become a reality in a cost-effective manner—as set out in the earlier quality control papers published in conjunction with the SPE Well Positioning Technical Section—but also does this in real time while drilling.
A New Wrapper Scan Chain Balance Algorithm for Intellectual Property in SoC
Authors: Zhu Aijun , Li Zhi , Xu Chuanpei , Zhu Wangchun
Published: September 2014

Recent patents and progress on scan chain balance algorithms have been reviewed. With a significant increase
of the SoC (System on Chip) integration and scale, the test time of SoC increase dramatically, and this makes the test cost
of SoC grow rapidly. In order to reduce test cost and expense, the paper proposes an OBBO (Opposition-based learning
and Biogeography Based Optimization) algorithm and designs wrapper scan chains for the IP(Intellectual Property) using
OBBO algorithm, which can make wrapper scan chains equilibration so that we can make the test time of IP be minimum.
The new method is a random optimization algorithm which combines BBO (Biogeography Based Optimization) algorithm
with OBL (Opposition-based learning). By using migration operation, mutation operation and OBL operation, we
achieve a balance between different wrapper chains so that we can shorten the wrapper scan chain which is longest. Experimental
results show that OBBO can obtain shorter longest wrapper scan chain in most case and at the same time the
convergence speed can be faster.
Resistance Balance Simulation of Centralized Air Supplying and Dust Removing System for Cigarette Making and Tipping Machines
Authors: Xinqiao Zhang , Feihu Chen
Published: September 2014

The operating stability of centralized air supplying and dust removing system (CASDRS) is the guarantee of
efficiency and the quality of the cigarette making process. The pressure changing in the network, the value of the flow rate
of the branch and especially the system resistance balance are the main evaluate indexes of the system. In this paper, a
simulation model of CASDRS is built, as an evaluate tool of the system to analyze stability and energy saving potential.
The simulation toolbox MATLAB/simulink is employed to analysis the resistance balance of the system, a pipe-net model
is developed to the ventilation system. Through the connection of the blocks in the simulink toolbox, the operation of the
matrixes which including constraining parameter input matrixes, the connection of the matrix and the calculation of the
element of the matrix and the matrix itself, the system simulation model is obtained. The sensitivity result is given as the
input parameters varied hourly and the result about energy consumption is more accurate.
Pre-Conditioning with Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy: Light before the Storm
Authors: Agrawal Tanupriya , Gupta Gaurav K. , Rai Vikrant , Carroll James D. , Hamblin Michael R.
Published: September 2014

Pre-conditioning by ischemia, hyperthermia, hypothermia, hyperbaric oxygen (and numerous other modalities) is a rapidly growing area of investigation that is used in pathological conditions where tissue damage may be expected. The damage caused by surgery, heart attack, or stroke can be mitigated by pre-treating the local or distant tissue with low levels of a stress-inducing stimulus, that can induce a protective response against subsequent major damage. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) has been used for nearly 50 years to enhance tissue healing and to relieve pain, inflammation and swelling. The photons are absorbed in cytochrome(c) oxidase (unit four in the mitochondrial respiratory chain), and this enzyme activation increases electron transport, respiration, oxygen consumption and ATP production. A complex signaling cascade is initiated leading to activation of transcription factors and up- and down-regulation of numerous genes. Recently it has become apparent that LLLT can also be effective if delivered to normal cells or tissue before the actual insult or trauma, in a pre-conditioning mode. Muscles are protected, nerves feel less pain, and LLLT can protect against a subsequent heart attack. These examples point the way to wider use of LLLT as a pre-conditioning modality to prevent pain and increase healing after surgical/medical procedures and possibly to increase athletic performance.
Morphological and molecular identification of phytophthora species from maple trees in Serbia
Authors: Milenkovic Ivan , Nowakowska Justyna , Oszako Tomasz , Mladenovic Katarina , Lucic Aleksandar , Rakonjac Ljubinko , Karadzic Dragan
Published: September 2014

The paper presents the results of the study performed with aims to determine
the presence and diversity of Phytophthora species on maple trees in Serbia.
Due to high aggressiveness and their multicyclic nature, presence of these
pathogens is posing significant threat to forestry and biodiversity. In
total, 29 samples of water, soil and tissues were taken from 10 different
localities, and six different maple hosts were tested. After the isolation
tests, 17 samples from five different maple hosts were positive for the
presence of Phytophthora spp., and 31 isolates were obtained. After the
detailed morphological and physiological classification, four distinct groups
of isolates were separated. DNA was extracted from selected representative
isolates and molecular identification with sequencing of ITS region was
performed. Used ITS4 and ITS6 primers successfully amplified the genomic DNA
of chosen isolates and morphological identification of obtained isolates was
confirmed after the sequencing. Four different Phytophthora species were
detected, including P. cactorum, P. gonapodyides, P. plurivora and P.
lacustris. The most common isolated species was homothallic, and with very
variable and semipapillate sporangia, P. plurivora with 22 obtained isolates.
This is the first report of P. plurivora and P. gonapodyides on A. campestre,
P. plurivora and P. lacustris on Acer heldreichii and first report of P.
lacustris on A. pseudoplatanus and A. tataricum in Serbia.
Genetic analysis of yield and yield related traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under well-watered and water-stressed conditions
Authors: Darvishzadeh Reza , Maleki Hatami , Pirzad Alireza , Kholghi Maryam , Mandoulakani Abdollahi
Published: September 2014

Drought stress is one of the factors which influence sunflower (Helianthus
annuus L.) production. Breeding for tolerance to drought stress has become a
major focus. In the present investigation, combining ability, gene action and
genetic analysis of several characteristics were studied in six pure lines of
sunflower and their 15 hybrids. The materials were evaluated in two separate
experiments using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three
replications in two states (well-watered and water-stressed) under controlled
conditions. Comparison of mean values exhibited that under water- stressed
condition the average performance of sunflower genotypes were decreased for
all studied traits. In well-watered condition the highest value for seed
yield per plant (SY) was observed in the cross 'LR4?LR25', whereas in
water-stressed condition the highest value for this trait was observed in the
hybrid 'C104?LR25'. Combining ability analysis revealed that most of
agronomical traits such as head diameter, number of achene per head, head
weight and seed yield inherited differently in stressed and non-stressed
conditions. In water-stressed conditions, the non-additive effects played a
more important role for controlling the number of achene per head (NA), seed
yield per plant (SY), head diameter (HD), and days from flowering to
physiological maturity (DFM) than additive. Based on results yield
improvement for water-stressed conditions requires selection under drought
conditions. In well-watered condition, the cross 'LR4?C10' showed the best
SCA value for seed yield per plant (SY). In water-stressed conditions,
'RHA266?C100' had the highest SCA for seed yield per plant (SY) and number of
achene (NA) per head.