bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of fiber density and plasma modification of nanofibrous membranes on the adhesion and growth of HaCaT keratinocytes
Authors: Bacakova Marketa , Lopot Frantisek , Hadraba Daniel , Varga Marian , Zaloudkova Margit , Stranska Denisa , Suchy Tomas , Bacakova Lucie
Published: August 2014

It may be possible to regulate the cell colonization of biodegradable polymer nanofibrous membranes by plasma treatment and by the density of the fibers. To test this hypothesis, nanofibrous membranes of different fiber densities were treated by oxygen plasma with a range of plasma power and exposure times. Scanning electron microscopy and mechanical tests showed significant modification of nanofibers after plasma treatment. The intensity of the fiber modification increased with plasma power and exposure time. The exposure time seemed to have a stronger effect on modifying the fiber. The mechanical behavior of the membranes was influenced by the plasma treatment, the fiber density, and their dry or wet state. Plasma treatment increased the membrane stiffness; however, the membranes became more brittle. Wet membranes displayed significantly lower stiffness than dry membranes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed a slight increase in oxygen-containing groups on the membrane surface after plasma treatment. Plasma treatment enhanced the adhesion and growth of HaCaT keratinocytes on nanofibrous membranes. The cells adhered and grew preferentially on membranes of lower fiber densities, probably due to the larger area of void spaces between the fibers.
Training Teachers in Evidence-Based Practice for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Alexander Jennifer L. , Ayres Kevin M. , Smith Katie A.
Published: August 2014

In this review, the authors include 23 studies where researchers experimentally evaluated training for teachers of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Authors summarized qualitative information on study and participant characteristics. Next, variables related to teacher practice and student learning targets were categorized based on Odom, Collet-Klingenberg, Rogers, and Hatton’s list of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for individuals with ASD. Training components were also categorized based on instructional format (i.e., self-instruction, individual, group). Finally, application of standards (What Works Clearinghouse [WWC]) facilitated the evaluation of each study’s rigor. Findings suggest that research has most frequently focused on individually training teachers in the use of behavioral interventions to improve students’ communication. From the evaluation of design quality, only 2 of the 23 studies met WWC quality indicators for single-case or group-design standards. A discussion of the findings, limitations to the review, and recommendations for practitioners and future research on teacher training conclude the study results.
The Highest and Best Use? Urban Industrial Land and Job Creation
Authors: Chapple Karen
Published: August 2014

Policy makers seeking to rezone urban industrial land often cite the need to attract or retain non-industrial or high-tech businesses that would otherwise locate in outlying areas or other regions. Yet industrial land may still play an important role in the 21st-century economy. This article describes how industrially-zoned land shapes the dynamics of business relocation and expansion in four San Francisco Bay Area cities. The analysis combines two unique data sets (the National Establishment Time Series and historic zoning maps) and uses multivariate analysis to examine the role of zoning in firm expansion, controlling for firm characteristics, industry, building characteristics, and location. Firm size plays the most important role, but the availability of industrially-zoned land and large buildings also helps firms to expand. The article concludes by outlining land use and economic development strategies that help cities target firms creating jobs on industrial land.
Clusters and Cluster-Based Development Policy
Authors: Wolman Harold (Hal) , Hincapie Diana
Published: August 2014

Clusters and cluster policy have become a dominant paradigm in the world of both economic development theory and practice. Cluster theory suggests that firms that are part of a geographically defined cluster benefit from being part of that cluster and that these benefits result in growth in economic activity and output for the region. From here it is only a short step to argue that economic development practitioners can devise policies that can facilitate cluster development through various forms of intervention. Yet despite the large amount of writing on clusters, there is substantial vagueness and ambiguity about the concept itself as well as how clusters work to bring about economic growth and whether policies put in place to build or strengthen clusters actually achieve the desired result. In this article, the authors conduct a review of literature related to clusters to try to set forth what we know and do not know about clusters, what remains uncertain, and what the implications are for economic development practitioners.
Opportunities and Expectations
Authors: Bolzendahl Catherine
Published: August 2014

As men and women increasingly share access to state power, there has been a question of whether women’s rising descriptive representation leads to substantive change, and a sizable body of literature suggests it does. As a mechanism for this effect, I theorize legislatures as gendered organizations that build gender into their institutional operation, as enmeshed in legislative committee systems. Using case studies of Germany, Sweden, and the United States, I examine 40 years of data collected on legislative committees and memberships. This study reveals some similarities, where all committee systems emphasize gender-typed roles, particularly female legislators’ greater segregation into social issue committees. Yet, gender is constructed differentially across these organizations, and the nations vary in the gender structure of their committee systems, degree of gender segregation and typing, and gendered relations of power and prestige. Implications for integrating theories of gender as an institution, gendered organizations, and feminist institutionalism are discussed.
Tasimelteon (Hetlioz™)
Authors: Bonacci Janene M. , Venci Jineane V. , Gandhi Mona A.
Published: August 2014

In January 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration approved tasimelteon (Hetlioz™), a melatonin-receptor agonist for the treatment of non-24-hour sleep–wake disorder. This article provides an overview of the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic properties, as well as the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of tasimelteon. Relevant information was identified through a comprehensive literature search of several databases using the key words tasimelteon, Non-24-hour Sleep–Wake disorder, Non-24, and melatonin. Further information was obtained from the tasimelteon package insert, fda.gov , clinicaltrials.gov , briefing materials provided by Vanda Pharmaceuticals, and posters from scientific meetings.
Synthesis and properties of chiral poly(ester–imide)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites containing 4,4′-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol) and s-valine amino acid moieties
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Soltanian Samaneh
Published: August 2014

Chiral poly(ester–imide) (PEI) was synthesized from N-trimellitylimido- S-valine diacid with 4,4′-thiobis(2- tert-butyl-5-methylphenol) by a direct polycondensation method. S-Valine was covalently attached to carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and effectively dispersed in an aromatic polymer as a continuous medium to prepare PEI/MWCNT nanocomposites (NCs). X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were carried out to characterize the obtained NCs. The microstructural study of the NCs showed the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs throughout the polymer matrix. The results from thermal analysis indicated that the thermal stability of the NCs was improved, in comparison with that of pure PEI.
Micromanufacturing: A review—Part I
Authors: Jain VK , Sidpara Ajay , Balasubramaniam R , Lodha GS , Dhamgaye VP , Shukla R
Published: August 2014

Micromanufacturing processes are expanding in their length and breadth as long as the related research and development (R&D) activities and applications are concerned. Products are getting miniaturized and their performance efficiency is getting enhanced by the addition of micro/nanofeatures and devices. In the set of these two articles (Part I and Part II), an attempt has been made to review the latest R&D activities of the selected micromanufacturing processes. This article (Part I) deals with a review of the literature related to attrition (subtractive, or machining and finishing) processes (both types—traditional and advanced) including microturning, micromilling, microdrilling, abrasive jet micromachining, laser beam micromachining, electrochemical micromachining, magnetorheological finishing, abrasive flow finishing, magnetic abrasive finishing, ion beam micromachining and so on. Apart from the subtractive processes, an overview of the X-ray lithography has also been presented. An attempt has been made to report some applications to help the readers to evolve more new applications of these processes. At the end of different sections/subsections, some research areas have been identified, which would hopefully fill the gaps between the theoretical analysis, experimental work and applications.
Multi load-transmitting device based support layout optimization for large fuselage panels in digital assembly
Authors: Bi Yunbo , Yan Weimiao , Ke Yinglin
Published: August 2014

A large fuselage panel is always connected to a full-scale shape-preserving bracket to enhance its stiffness in digital assembly processes and reduce assembly deformation induced by factors such as gravity. However, the full-scale shape-preserving bracket’s characteristics, such as large size and weight, usually result in a complex installation process and high maintenance costs. A method for optimizing a multi load-transmitting device based discrete support layout is presented in this paper. By constructing finite element model including the fuselage panel and LTDs, the panel’s strain energy under different support layout parameters is obtained according to the principle of mixed uniform design. Using the method of partial least squares regression, the mathematical relationship between the strain energy and the support layout parameters is established, which is then used to obtain the optimum multi LTD based support layout. Furthermore, by comparing the panel deformation under the optimum multi LTD based support with that under the full-scale shape-preserving bracket-based support, we conclude that the optimum multi LTD based support can not only suppress panel deformation effectively, but also keep the panel’s stiffness comparable to that under the full-scale shape-preserving bracket-based support.
An optimal age–usage maintenance strategy containing a failure penalty for application to railway tracks
Authors: Shafiee Mahmood , Patriksson Michael , Chukova Stefanka
Published: August 2014

Railway track maintenance plays a key role in enhancing the reliability and safety of railway transportation, as it reduces the potential risks of defects and derailments. A railway track degrades over time, due to its cumulative usage (in terms of million gross tons) that results from traffic movements. When the cumulative usage reaches a failure threshold, the railway track breaks and has to be replaced with a new section. Moreover, the infrastructure owner charges the maintenance agent a specific penalty due to traffic disrruption and passenger dissatisfaction. To avoid such costly defects, the railway tracks must be preventively replaced at regular time intervals. In this paper, we propose an optimal bivariate (age–usage) maintenance strategy for railway tracks such that the average long-run maintenance cost per unit time is minimized. The proposed model is applied to 60E1 track on a small part of the Swedish heavy haul line ‘Malmbanan’, and the results are compared with two conventional age-based and usage-based maintenance policies. The results show that the proposed maintenance policy has a substantial potential to reduce the servicing costs of railway track maintenance.
The influence of computational assumptions on analysing abdominal aortic aneurysm haemodynamics
Authors: Ene Florentina , Delassus Patrick , Morris Liam
Published: August 2014

The variation in computational assumptions for analysing abdominal aortic aneurysm haemodynamics can influence the desired output results and computational cost. Such assumptions for abdominal aortic aneurysm modelling include static/transient pressures, steady/transient flows and rigid/compliant walls. Six computational methods and these various assumptions were simulated and compared within a realistic abdominal aortic aneurysm model with and without intraluminal thrombus. A full transient fluid–structure interaction was required to analyse the flow patterns within the compliant abdominal aortic aneurysms models. Rigid wall computational fluid dynamics overestimates the velocity magnitude by as much as 40%−65% and the wall shear stress by 30%−50%. These differences were attributed to the deforming walls which reduced the outlet volumetric flow rate for the transient fluid–structure interaction during the majority of the systolic phase. Static finite element analysis accurately approximates the deformations and von Mises stresses when compared with transient fluid–structure interaction. Simplifying the modelling complexity reduces the computational cost significantly. In conclusion, the deformation and von Mises stress can be approximately found by static finite element analysis, while for compliant models a full transient fluid–structure interaction analysis is required for acquiring the fluid flow phenomenon.
Automated segmentation of the incus and malleus ossicles in conventional tri-dimensional computed tomography images
Authors: Oliveira Francisco PM , Faria Diogo Borges , Tavares João Manuel RS
Published: August 2014

This article proposes a fully automated computational solution to segment the incus and malleus ear ossicles in conventional tri-dimensional X-ray computed tomography images. The solution uses a registration-based segmentation paradigm, followed by image segmentation refinement. It was tested against a dataset comprising 21 computed tomography volumetric images of the ear acquired using standard protocols and with resolutions varying from 0.162 × 0.162 × 0.6 to 0.166 × 0.166 × 1.0 mm3. The images used were randomly selected from subjects who had had a computed tomography examination of the ear due to ear-related pathologies. Dice’s coefficient and the Hausdorff distance were used to compare the results of the automated segmentation against those of a manual segmentation performed by two experts. The mean agreement between automated and manual segmentations was equal to 0.956 (Dice’s coefficient), and the mean Hausdorff distance among the shapes obtained was 1.14 mm, which is approximately equal to the maximum distance between the neighbouring voxels in the dataset tested. The results confirm that the automated segmentation of the incus and malleus ossicles in tri-dimensional images acquired from patients with ear-related pathologies, using conventional computed tomography scanners and standard protocols, is feasible, robust and accurate. Thus, the solution developed can be employed efficiently in computed tomography ear examinations to help radiologists and otolaryngologists in the evaluation of bi-dimensional slices by providing the related tri-dimensional model.
Validation of an optical system to measure acetabular shell deformation in cadavers
Authors: Dold Philipp , Bone Martin C , Flohr Markus , Preuss Roman , Joyce Tom J , Deehan David , Holland James
Published: August 2014

Deformation of the acetabular shell at the time of surgery can result in poor performance and early failure of the hip replacement. The study aim was to validate an ATOS III Triple Scan optical measurement system against a co-ordinate measuring machine using in vitro testing and to check repeatability under cadaver laboratory conditions. Two sizes of custom-made acetabular shells were deformed using a uniaxial/two-point loading frame and measured at different loads. Roundness measurements were performed using both the ATOS III Triple Scan optical system and a co-ordinate measuring machine and then compared. The repeatability was also tested by measuring shells pre- and post-insertion in a cadaver laboratory multiple times. The in vitro comparison with the co-ordinate measuring machine demonstrated a maximum difference of 5 µm at the rim and 9 µm at the measurement closest to the pole of the shell. Maximum repeatability was below 1 µm for the co-ordinate measuring machine and 3 µm for the ATOS III Triple Scan optical system. Repeatability was comparable between the pre-insertion (below 2 µm) and post-insertion (below 3 µm) measurements in the cadaver laboratory. This study supports the view that the ATOS III Triple Scan optical system fulfils the necessary requirements to accurately measure shell deformation in cadavers.
Factors associated with failure to return for HIV test results in a free and anonymous screening centre
Authors: Laanani Moussa , Dozol Adrien , Meyer Laurence , David Stéphane , Camara Sékou , Segouin Christophe , Troude Pénélope
Published: August 2014

Free and anonymous screening centres (CDAG: Centres de Depistage Anononyme et Gratuit) are public facilities set up for HIV infection diagnosis in France. Some people visiting CDAG fail to return for test results and are not informed of their serology. This study aimed to assess factors associated with failure to return for HIV test results. Patients visiting the Fernand-Widal CDAG (Paris) for an HIV test in January–February 2011 were eligible to take part in the study. Data were collected with an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Factors associated with failure to return were assessed using logistic regression models. Of the 710 participants (participation rate 88%), 46 patients failed to return. Not specifying birthplace and not living in the region of Paris were associated with failure to return. Those who perceived no risk of HIV infection and those who felt they were more at risk than other people were both statistically associated with failure to return. Self-perceived risk seemed to be of chief concern for failure to return for HIV test results and should be considered during pre-test counselling.
Components of resilience in gender: a comparative analysis of HIV outcomes in Kenya
Authors: Nikolova Silviya P , Small Eusebius , Mengo Cecilia
Published: August 2014

Gender is a critical concept of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sexual risk; yet, few studies have examined the intersection between risk and protective factors associated with incidence of HIV among couples. The paper examines gender-specific constructs of resiliency among couples in Kenya. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys, Kenya (2008/2009), we apply logistic regression techniques to analyse three resilience-related outcomes (condom use, HIV test and knowing an HIV test place) in estimating the gender differences and barriers to HIV/AIDS sexual risk. Men’s outcomes were significantly associated with previous HIV testing, urban residence, being insured and higher levels of education. Predictors for women’s indicators included previous experience of sexual violence, previous HIV test, urban residence, number of children and willingness to care for a relative with AIDS. Practical implications are discussed to include providing protective factors to women and formulating policies that minimise the challenges faced by women.
Perceptual Expertise
Authors: Tso Ricky Van-yip , Au Terry Kit-fong , Hsiao Janet Hui-wen
Published: August 2014

Holistic processing and left-side bias are both behavioral markers of expert face recognition. By contrast, expert recognition of characters in Chinese orthography involves left-side bias but reduced holistic processing, although faces and Chinese characters share many visual properties. Here, we examined whether this reduction in holistic processing of Chinese characters can be better explained by writing experience than by reading experience. Compared with Chinese nonreaders, Chinese readers who had limited writing experience showed increased holistic processing, whereas Chinese readers who could write characters fluently showed reduced holistic processing. This result suggests that writing and sensorimotor experience can modulate holistic-processing effects and that the reduced holistic processing observed in expert Chinese readers may depend mostly on writing experience. However, both expert writers and writers with limited experience showed similarly stronger left-side bias than novices did in processing mirror-symmetric Chinese characters; left-side bias may therefore be a robust expertise marker for object recognition that is uninfluenced by sensorimotor experience.
Death Row Statements: A discourse of play
Authors: Rizza Chris
Published: August 2014

In this article, I discuss Death Row Statements from the perspective of ludic language within the context of ritual. Beyond its role as a form of deterrent, means of punishment or manifestation of state power, execution can be seen to function as a form of community ritual, where individuals who are a threat to society are removed. Execution has many ritual features, from its liminal spatio-temporal context to the precise ordering of events and, with reference to Huizinga’s conception of ‘play’ (encompassing serious activities such as litigation, war and trade), can be considered a ludic activity. I argue that the ludic nature of execution is manifested in the language of the last words of the condemned. Employing Cook’s taxonomy of the features of Language Play (dealing with both serious and light-hearted uses of language), I discuss the effect that the ludic nature of state execution has on the formal, semantic and pragmatic nature of the language. I argue that Death Row Statements represent a discourse of play in relation to both the language of last statements and the character of the event.
Working-time flexibility and autonomy: A European perspective on time adequacy
Authors: Lott Yvonne
Published: August 2014

This study examines the effect of working-time flexibility and autonomy on time adequacy, using the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey. It addresses gender differences and institutional contexts in the UK, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, and reveals that time arrangements have gendered meanings. While working-time flexibility and autonomy are positively related to time adequacy for women, for men they tend to imply overtime and work intensification. Furthermore, working-time regimes also shape time arrangements. In the UK, employees have time adequacy primarily when they work fixed hours, while in the Netherlands, employees profit most from working-time autonomy. Moreover, unlike in Germany and the UK, men and women in the Netherlands and Sweden benefit more equally from working-time flexibility and autonomy.
Late Quaternary glacial advances in the Tons River Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India and regional synchronicity
Authors: Mehta Manish , Dobhal DP , Pratap Bhanu , Majeed Zahid , Gupta Anil K , Srivastava Pradeep
Published: August 2014

The glacial history of the Tons River Valley reveals significant changes in the glacier extent during the late Quaternary driven by regional and global climatic changes. The successions of moraines in glaciated valley of the upper Tons River, Garhwal Himalaya, provide evidence of at least five glacial advances during the late Quaternary Period. This study discusses about the synchronicity of Himalayan glaciers and comparison between results of Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Cosmogenic Radio Nuclide (CRN 10Be) dates. The OSL dates of moraine sediments deposited by glacier in the upper Tons valley show parallelism with the ages deduced from the CRN of 10Be by Scherler et al. in the same area. The five episodes of glacier advances are dated at 20 ± 3, 16 ± 2, 8 ± 1.2, 6 ± 0.7 and 3 ± 0.6 kyr (between Marine Isotope Stages (MISs) I and II). Two of the more extensive phases of glaciation were during the early and later parts of MIS II, which attributed to the lower temperature and enhanced the mid-latitude westerlies. During the periods between 20 ± 3 kyr and present day, the glacier lost ~47 km2 (33%) area, 0.88 × 1010 m3 water equivalent (w.e.) volume with the rate of 0.44 × 106 m3 w.e./yr, which is close to the current melting rates of Central Himalayan glaciers. The estimation of equilibrium line altitude (ELA) using these dates and geomorphic data suggests a vertical shift of ~451 m for Jaundhar Glacier and ~598 m for Bandarpunch Glacier since 20 kyr. The results from Tons valley glaciation show synchronicity with the records of glacial advancements from the other Himalayan glacier valleys. These data allow testing of two widely used dating techniques and importance of global climate change and monsoon influence on glaciation in the Himalaya.
Is Neolithic land use correlated with demography? An evaluation of pollen-derived land cover and radiocarbon-inferred demographic change from Central Europe
Authors: Lechterbeck Jutta , Edinborough Kevan , Kerig Tim , Fyfe Ralph , Roberts Neil , Shennan Stephen
Published: August 2014

The transformation of natural landscapes in Middle Europe began in the Neolithic as a result of the introduction of food-producing economies. This paper examines the relation between land-cover and demographic change in a regionally restricted case study. The study area is the Western Lake Constance area which has very detailed palynological as well as archaeological records. We compare land-cover change derived from nine pollen records using a pseudo-biomisation approach with 14C date probability density functions from archaeological sites which serve as a demographic proxy. We chose the Lake Constance area as a regional example where the pollen signal integrates a larger spatial pattern. The land-cover reconstructions for this region show first notable impacts at the Middle to Young Neolithic transition. The beginning of the Bronze Age is characterised by increases of arable land and pasture/meadow, whereas the deciduous woodland decreases dramatically. Changes in the land-cover classes show a correlation with the 14C density curve: the correlation is best with secondary woodland in the Young Neolithic which reflects the lake shore settlement dynamics. In the Early Bronze Age, the radiocarbon density correlates with open land-cover classes, such as pasture, meadow and arable land, reflecting a change in the land-use strategy. The close overall correspondence between the two archives implies that population dynamics and land-cover change were intrinsically linked. We therefore see human impact as a key driver for vegetation change in the Neolithic. Climate might have an influence on vegetation development, but the changes caused by human land use are clearly detectable from Neolithic times, at least in these densely settled, mid-altitude landscapes.
Regional patterns of settlement and woodland developments: Dendroarchaeology in the Neolithic pile-dwellings on Lake Constance (Germany)
Authors: Billamboz André
Published: August 2014

For the period of the Neolithic lake-shore occupation on Lake Constance (~4000–2400 bc), settlement and woodland developments are investigated in parallel using dendrotypology, a dendroarchaeological approach based on the classification of oak timber according to tree age, growth patterns, and degree of stem conversion. Along with characteristics related to architectural adaptations and settlement relocations, dendro-groups allow an insight into the structure and dynamics of the exploited forest stands. From clearing activities through intermediate coppice practices to forest degradation, dendrotypological models show a strong relationship between demographic developments and woodland use in a region largely covered by forest at that time. It appears that against a background of climate evolution, regional patterns of settlement development can be directly linked at a higher resolution of time to the management of woodland as well as to the intensity of land use. Regarding the varying ecological susceptibility of a mosaic-like landscape around Lake Constance, the consideration of the ecological components enhanced by dendrotypology allows a better balance in the interpretation of the interaction between climate impact and settlement behavior. Consequently, dendrotypology has to be seen as a reliable interface between humanology and natural sciences in wetland archaeology, and from this perspective, further prospects of this approach are presented.
Holocene (~4.5–1.7 cal. kyr BP) paleoenvironmental conditions in central Argentina inferred from entire-shell and intra-shell stable isotope composition of terrestrial gastropods
Authors: Yanes Yurena , Izeta Andrés D , Cattáneo Roxana , Costa Thiago , Gordillo Sandra
Published: August 2014

The isotopic fingerprint of terrestrial gastropods has been increasingly used as a credible natural paleoenvironmental archive. Most published work has used this proxy at tropical and temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, and focused on entire-shell analysis. The present study provides entire-shell and intra-shell isotopic profiles to infer average and seasonal late Holocene environmental conditions in central Argentina (30°S). Shells of Plagiodontes daedaleus (Gastropoda: Odontostomidae) were retrieved from the Alero Deodoro Roca–Sector B site, one of the few archaeological sites in central Argentina rich in shells collected by pre-Hispanic hunter-gatherer groups. Ancient entire shells exhibited values that were ~2.5‰ higher in δ13C and ~1.8‰ higher in δ18O than modern individuals, pointing to higher abundance of C4 plants and overall drier conditions (lower relative humidity and/or higher rain δ18O) during 4.5–1.7 cal. kyr BP than today, in agreement with published regional proxies. Intra-shell isotopic profiles suggest that modern and fossil specimens deposited their shells throughout two-to-three summer/winter cycles. Intra-shell δ18O values varied ~5‰, matching with the seasonal variation of rain δ18O values. The extent of seasonality was similar during 4.5–1.7 cal. kyr BP and today. Intra-shell δ13C values varied ~2–3‰ and did not portray distinct seasonal cycles, depicting minimal seasonal variations in the snail diet. This work illustrates that South American terrestrial gastropods have great potential for paleoenvironmental studies.
Holocene shifts in riverine fine-grained sediment supply to the East China Sea Distal Mud in response to climate change
Authors: Hu Bangqi , Yang Zuosheng , Qiao Shuqing , Zhao Meixun , Fan Dejiang , Wang Houjie , Bi Naishuang , Li Jun
Published: August 2014

Holocene changes in fine-grained sediment supplies to the East China Sea outer shelf were uncovered, through the mineralogical and geochemical analysis of Core B3 in the East China Sea Distal Mud (ECSDM). Based on the lithology, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating, and sea-level change, Core B3 can be divided into two major units: transgressive stage (Unit 1: 12.5–6.8 kyr) and highstand stage (Unit 2: 6.8–0 kyr). Significant discrepancy of dolomite/calcite ratio in the fine fractions (<16 µm) of Changjiang (dolomite/calcite = 3:1) and Huanghe (dolomite/calcite = 1:22) sediments was used as a new uniqueness provenance tracer to distinguish these two riverine sources. Both of the dolomite/calcite ratio and rare earth elements fractionation parameters in the fine-grained sediment indicated distinct provenance shifts of Core B3 during the Holocene. Unit 1 of Core 3 (12.5–6.8 kyr) mainly consists of the reworked and resuspension sediments of the East China Sea shelf during the Holocene transgression, while Unit 2 sediments (6.8–0 kyr) are most likely sourced from the Changjiang and Huanghe. Moreover, mixing curves of dolomite/calcite ratio reveal that the ECSDM continuously received the Changjiang sediment since 6.1 kyr with notable fluctuations, whereas the Huanghe sediment supply began in 6.8 kyr but abruptly stopped during 4.2–0.8 kyr and then appeared again since 0.8 kyr. Temporal changes of the Changjiang and Huanghe fine-grained sediment contribution to the ECSDM are closely related to the formation of modern oceanic circulation system since 6.8 kyr (shelf sea-level change), the ‘4.2 kyr’ climate event, and the followed transition to cold and dry climate condition in the northeastern China (global climate change), as well as the artificial shift of lower Huanghe course in ad 1128 in the war against invasion of the northern nomadic nation (human activities).
Sample size calculations for prevalent cohort designs
Authors: Liu Hao , Shen Yu , Ning Jing , Qin Jing
Published: August 2014

Cross-sectional prevalent cohort design has drawn considerable interests in the studies of association between risk factors and time-to-event outcome. The sampling scheme in such design gives rise to length-biased data that require specialized analysis strategy but can improve study efficiency. The power and sample size calculation methods are however lacking for studies with prevalent cohort design, and using the formula developed for traditional survival data may overestimate sample size. We derive the sample size formulas that are appropriate for the design of cross-sectional prevalent cohort studies, under the assumptions of exponentially distributed event time and uniform follow-up for cross-sectional prevalent cohort design. We perform numerical and simulation studies to compare the sample size requirements for achieving the same power between prevalent cohort and incident cohort designs. We also use a large prospective prevalent cohort study to demonstrate the procedure. Using rigorous designs and proper analysis tools, the prospective prevalent cohort design can be more efficient than the incident cohort design with the same total sample sizes and study durations.
A “placement of death” approach for studies of treatment effects on ICU length of stay
Authors: Lin Winston , Halpern Scott D , Prasad Kerlin Meeta , Small Dylan S
Published: August 2014

Length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a common outcome measure in randomized trials of ICU interventions. Because many patients die in the ICU, it is difficult to disentangle treatment effects on length of stay from effects on mortality; conventional analyses depend on assumptions that are often unstated and hard to interpret or check. We adapt a proposal from Rosenbaum that addresses concerns about selection bias and makes its assumptions explicit. A composite outcome is constructed that equals ICU length of stay if the patient was discharged alive and indicates death otherwise. Given any preference ordering that compares death with possible lengths of stay, we can estimate the intervention’s effects on the composite outcome distribution. Sensitivity analyses can show results for different preference orderings. We discuss methods for constructing approximate confidence intervals for treatment effects on quantiles of the outcome distribution or on proportions of patients with outcomes preferable to various cutoffs. Strengths and weaknesses of possible primary significance tests (including the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney rank sum test and a heteroskedasticity-robust variant due to Brunner and Munzel) are reviewed. An illustrative example reanalyzes a randomized trial of an ICU staffing intervention.
Adult Criminals With Psychopathy
Authors: Polaschek Devon L. L.
Published: August 2014

Criminals with psychopathy have historically been thought to be resistant to change and unresponsive to psychological treatment. But despite vast amounts of empirical research on psychopathy, very little of it has investigated treatment or change. In this article, I review a small and recent scientific research literature suggesting that (a) psychopathic characteristics, especially those most related to criminal offending, can change over the life course; (b) although adult criminals with psychopathy are among the hardest to work with in treatment, treatment causes them—like other offenders—to reoffend less; and (c) there is no good evidence that criminals with psychopathy take advantage of treatment services to wreak havoc on therapists or the community. Taken together, these findings suggest that like other high-risk criminals, those with psychopathy can benefit from psychological treatment.
Early-Life Stress and Adult Inflammation
Authors: Fagundes Christopher P. , Way Baldwin
Published: August 2014

The origins of modern psychology are deeply rooted in the notion that stressful early-life experiences negatively impact people’s mental health. Emerging work in the field of health psychology suggests that early-life stress also impacts physical well-being. Indeed, those who experienced severe early-life stress as children are more at risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer compared with those who did not have those early-life experiences. Recent work in the field of psychoneuroimmunology suggests that inflammation may be one mechanism underlying these associations. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the literature on early-life stress and inflammation and how psychological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and epigenetic responses to the early environment lead to potentiated inflammation in adulthood. We conclude by highlighting the need for health-promotion and disease-prevention programs that are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of early-life stress.
Effectiveness of ethics education as perceived by nursing students
Authors: Vynckier Tine , Gastmans Chris , Cannaerts Nancy , de Casterlé Bernadette Dierckx
Published: August 2014

Background:

The effectiveness of ethics education continues to be disputed. No studies exist on how nursing students perceive the effectiveness of nursing ethics education in Flanders, Belgium.

Objectives:

To develop a valid and reliable instrument, named the ‘Students’ Perceived Effectiveness of Ethics Education Scale’ (SPEEES), to measure students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of ethics education, and to conduct a pilot study in Flemish nursing students to investigate the perceived efficacy of nursing ethics education in Flanders.

Research design:

Content validity, comprehensibility and usability of the SPEEES were assessed. Reliability was assessed by means of a quantitative descriptive non-experimental pilot study.

Participants and research context:

86 third-year baccalaureate nursing students of two purposefully selected university colleges answered the SPEEES.

Ethical considerations:

Formal approval was given by the ethics committee. Informed consent was obtained and anonymity was ensured for both colleges and their participating students.

Findings:

The scale content validity index/Ave scores for the subscales were 1.00, 1.00 and 0.86. The comprehensibility and user-friendliness were favourable. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.94 for general effectiveness, 0.89 for teaching methods and 0.85 for ethical content. Students perceived ‘case study’, ‘lecture’ and ‘instructional dialogue’ to be effective teaching methods and ‘general ethical concepts’ to contain effective content. ‘Reflecting critically on their own values’ was mentioned as the only ethical competence that, was promoted by the ethics courses. The study revealed rather large differences between both schools in students’ perceptions of the contribution of ethics education to other ethical competences.

Discussion and conclusion:

The study revealed that according to the students, ethics courses failed to meet some basic objectives of ethics education. Although the SPEEES proved to be a valid and reliable measure, the pilot study suggests that there is still space for improvement and a need for larger scale research. Additional insights will enable educators to improve current nursing ethics education.
Evaluating clinical ethics support in mental healthcare
Authors: Hem Marit Helene , Pedersen Reidar , Norvoll Reidun , Molewijk Bert
Published: August 2014

A systematic literature review on evaluation of clinical ethics support services in mental healthcare is presented and discussed. The focus was on (a) forms of clinical ethics support services, (b) evaluation of clinical ethics support services, (c) contexts and participants and (d) results. Five studies were included. The ethics support activities described were moral case deliberations and ethics rounds. Different qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilized. The results show that (a) participants felt that they gained an increased insight into moral issues through systematic reflection; (b) there was improved cooperation among multidisciplinary team members; (c) it was uncertain whether clinical ethics support services led to better patient care; (d) the issue of patient and client participation is complex; and (e) the implementation process is challenging. Clinical ethics support services have mainly been studied through the experiences of the participating facilitators and healthcare professionals. Hence, there is limited knowledge of whether and how various types of clinical ethics support services influence the quality of care and how patients and relatives may evaluate clinical ethics support services. Based on the six excluded ‘grey zone articles’, in which there was an implicit focus on ethics reflection, other ways of working with ethical reflection in practice are discussed. Implementing and evaluating clinical ethics support services as approaches to clinical ethics support that are more integrated into the development of good practice are in focus. In order to meet some of the shortcomings of the field of clinical ethics support services, a research project that aims to strengthen ethics support in the mental health services, including patients’ and caregivers’ views on ethical challenges, is presented.
Financial Sectors Reform and Economic Growth in Morocco: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Yu Jung-Suk , Hassan M. Kabir , Mamun Abdullah , Hassan Abul
Published: August 2014

This study analyses the impact of financial sector reforms from the early 1990s on promoting economic growth in Morocco. To derive feasible policy implications, we estimate not only pooled regressions, but also variance decompositions of GDP growth rates to examine what proxy measures of financial development are most important in economic growth over time and how much they contribute to economic growth across geographic regions and income groups. We find strong linkages between financial development and economic growth in high-income OECD countries, but not in East Asia and Pacific, South Asian and Sub-Saharan African regions, in the short run. Therefore, it may be necessary for Morocco to make different policy efforts to achieve steady economic growth in the long run.

JEL Classification: G21, O16, C33
Clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical findings in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) naturally infected with West Nile virus
Authors: Wünschmann Arno , Timurkaan Necati , Armien Aníbal G. , Bueno Padilla Irene , Glaser Amy , Redig Patrick T.
Published: August 2014

Fifteen bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and 3 golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos) were diagnosed with West Nile disease based on 1) presence of lesions in brain, eyes, and heart, 2) viral antigen detection in brain, eyes, heart, kidney, and/or liver by immunohistochemical staining, 3) detection of viral RNA in tissue samples and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by polymerase chain reaction, and/or 4) detection of West Nile virus (WNV)-specific antibodies in CSF by serum neutralization assay. West Nile virus–associated gross lesions included cerebral pan-necrosis with hydrocephalus ex vacuo (7/15 bald eagles), fibrin exudation into the fundus in 1 golden eagle, retinal scarring in 1 bald eagle, and myocardial pallor and rounded heart apex in 4 bald eagles. Histologic lesions included lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis, most prominently in the cerebrum (17 eagles), lymphoplasmacytic pectenitis and choroiditis (15 and 8 eagles, respectively), and myocarditis (12 eagles). West Nile virus antigen was detected in the majority of the eagles in neurons of the brain (cerebrum and cerebellum), and less commonly present in neurons of the retina, tubular epithelial cells of the kidney, and cardiomyocytes. West Nile disease was diagnosed in 2 bald eagles based on the presence of cerebral pan-necrosis and WNV-specific antibodies in the CSF despite lacking viral antigen and RNA. In conclusion, WNV infection causes a fatal disease in bald and golden eagles. A variety of gross and histologic lesions are highly suggestive of WN disease in most eagles. A combination of detection of viral antigen and/or RNA or virus-specific antibodies proved useful in confirming the diagnosis.
Cerebral Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in a captive African pygmy falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) in southern California
Authors: Burns Rachel E. , Bicknese Elizabeth J. , Qvarnstrom Yvonne , DeLeon-Carnes Marlene , Drew Clifton P. , Gardiner Chris H. , Rideout Bruce A.
Published: August 2014

A 10-month-old, female African pygmy falcon ( Polihierax semitorquatus) hatched and housed at the San Diego Zoo developed neurologic signs and died from a cerebral infection with the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. There was an associated mild nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis. This infection was diagnosed on histology and confirmed by detection of species-specific A. cantonensis DNA in formalin-fixed and frozen brain tissue by a polymerase chain reaction assay. To the authors’ knowledge, this infection has not previously been reported in a bird in the United States and has not been known to be naturally acquired in any species in this region of the world. The source of the infection was not definitively determined but was possibly feeder geckos ( Hemidactylus frenatus) imported from Southeast Asia where the parasite is endemic.
Hybanthus calceolaria poisoning in cattle
Authors: Carvalho Fabricio K. L. , Nascimento Eduardo M. , Rocha Brena P. , Mendonça Fábio S. , Veschi Josir L. A. , Silva Silvana M. M. S. , Medeiros Rosane M. T. , Riet-Correa Franklin
Published: August 2014

Hybanthus calceolaria, also known as “papaconha” or “ipepacuanha,” is a herbaceous plant found in northeastern Brazil, which is often implicated by farmers as the cause of neurological signs in livestock grazing. Several poisoning outbreaks associated with the ingestion of this plant were observed in cattle in the municipalities of Colônia de Gurguéia in the state of Piauí and Sirinhaém in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The main clinical signs were ataxia, recumbency, and myokymia. No significant lesions were observed during necropsy or on histological examination. The disease was experimentally reproduced by the administration of 2 daily doses of 40 g/kg/body weight of the fresh green plant containing fruits. The plants without fruits were nontoxic, which is in accordance with the farmers’ information, as it was stated that the poisoning only occurs when the plant is fruiting.