bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of the Internet in Improving Breastfeeding Outcomes
Authors: Giglia Roslyn , Binns Colin
Published: March 2014

Breastfeeding is the normal and safest way to nurture an infant, and prolonged exclusive breastfeeding duration to 6 months will yield the greatest gains in optimum infant development. Despite this knowledge fewer than 35% of infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed during the first 4 months of life. With the advent of the Internet has been the development of many varied e-Health interventions. Using the Internet to support breastfeeding is a relatively novel method of health intervention in an area which has traditionally always been face-to-face. The aim of this article is to review the literature on the provision of Internet-based breastfeeding information and support intervention programs. A systematic literature review of current evidence was conducted using the electronic databases CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Medline, Current Contents, PsycINFO, and Web of Knowledge for English-language publications from 2000 to May 2013. Inclusion criteria limited interventions to those delivered to women of childbearing age who accessed the Internet to source breastfeeding information and support. Only studies reporting breastfeeding outcomes (eg, breastfeeding duration) were included. A total of 1379 articles with citations and abstracts were identified as potentially relevant after searching the identified databases. One study was eligible for inclusion and reported positive outcomes, however methodological issues limit the interpretation of these results. Numerous study limitations and problems with scientific rigor make it difficult to extend study findings to antenatal and postnatal care. More rigorous evidence is needed before breastfeeding Internet interventions replace traditional methods of support and education for women intending to breastfeed.
Trends in live birth rates and adverse neonatal outcomes among HIV-positive women in Ontario, Canada, 2002–2009: a descriptive population-based study
Authors: Antoniou Tony , Zagorski Brandon , Macdonald Erin M , Bayoumi Ahmed M , Raboud Janet , Brophy Jason , Masinde Khatundi-Irene , Tharao Wangari E , Yudin Mark H , Ng Ryan , Loutfy Mona R , Glazier Richard H
Published: March 2014

To characterise trends in live birth rates, adverse neonatal outcomes and socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women with diagnosed HIV between the ages of 18 and 49 in Ontario, Canada from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2010, we conducted a population-based study. Utilising linked administrative healthcare databases we used generalised estimating equations to characterise secular trends and examine the association between live births and socio-demographic characteristics, including age, region of birth and neighbourhood income quintile. Between 2002/2003 and 2009/2010, there were 551 live births during 15,610 person-years of follow-up. The proportion of HIV-positive mothers originally from Africa or the Caribbean increased from 26.7% to 51.6% over the study period. The risk of pre-term (risk ratio 2.13, 95% confidence interval 1.74 to 2.61) and small for gestational age births (risk ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 1.94) was higher in women with HIV compared with provincial estimates for these outcomes. Women with HIV have rates of pre-term and small for gestational age births that exceed provincial estimates for these outcomes. Further research is required to identify factors mediating these disparities that are amenable to pre-natal risk reduction initiatives.
Effects of gestational administration of nickel on postnatal development in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Saini S , Nair N , Saini MR
Published: March 2014

Effects on postnatal development of Swiss albino mice exposed to nickel (Ni2+) ions as nickel chloride haxahydrate (NiCl2·6H2O) during the gestation periods were evaluated in this study. Administration of Ni to pregnant females by gavage (46.125, 92.25, and 184.5 mg Ni/kg body weight (b.w.)) at doses below median lethal dose during 0–5 (preimplantation period), 6–13 (organogenetic period), and 14–18 days (fetal period) postconception. The dams were allowed to deliver and raise their pups. Significant ( p < 0.05) decrease in litter size was observed after 184.5 mg Ni/kg b.w. during the three gestation periods particularly from preimplantation period as compared to organogenetic and fetal periods in comparison with the control group. Exposure to 184.5 mg Ni/kg b.w. during fetal period revealed higher mortality as compared to organogenetic period. Exposure to 184.5 mg Ni/kg b.w. increased the eye, limb, and tail anomalies during organogenetic period. Gestation index from preimplantation period was low at all the doses. Live birth index decreased during preimplantation and organogenetic periods after 184.5 mg Ni/kg b.w. The viability and weanling of pups decreased during all periods after 92.25 and 184.5 mg Ni/kg b.w. doses. A dose-dependent highly significant ( p < 0.01) decrease in the body weight of offspring from day 0 to 6 weeks of age at all the doses during different gestation periods were observed. Maximum body weight decrease was observed in offspring from organogenetic period. This study concludes that young ones are vulnerable during different gestational and lactation period which indicates that Ni ingested by mothers constitutes a great threat to the progeny.
Cost, Revenue and Profit Efficiency of Islamic and Conventional Banking Sector: Empirical Evidence from Gulf Cooperative Council Countries
Authors: Kamarudin Fakarudin , Nordin Bany Ariffin Amin , Muhammad Junaina , Hamid Mohamad Ali Abdul
Published: March 2014

This article examines the cost, revenue and profit efficiency levels of 74 banks (47 conventional and 27 Islamic banks) in Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) countries over the periods 2007 to 2011. The level of efficiencies was measured using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method which applied the intermediation approach. We find that, revenue efficiency seems to play the main factor leading to the lower or higher profit efficiency levels. In essence, the higher revenue efficiency only affects a higher profit efficiency levels in Islamic banks. However, the profit efficiency on conventional banks will not be affect by the higher revenue efficiency levels since the result shows the level of profit efficiency is lower than cost efficiency due to the higher revenue efficiency. In addition, the result of this study also shows that they are statistically significant difference on cost, revenue and profit efficiency between Islamic and conventional banks in GCC countries. The findings of this study are expected to contribute significantly to the existing knowledge on the operating performance of the GCC Islamic and conventional banking sector, bank’s specific management, policy makers and may also facilitate directions for sustainable competitiveness of the GCC Islamic and conventional banking sector operations in the future.
Psychological Empowerment as a Predictor of Employee Engagement: An Empirical Attestation
Authors: Jose Geetha , Mampilly Sebastian Rupert
Published: March 2014

Interest in psychological empowerment and employee engagement has increased substantially over the last decade among practitioners and academicians. However they have emerged independent of each other with little diligence as to how they are associated. The study attempts to predict employee engagement through dimensions of psychological empowerment. This article will contribute to our understanding of the relationship between psychological empowerment and employee engagement. The study is based on primary data collected from 101 employees working in three service organizations in central Kerala. Statistical techniques like correlation and multiple regression analysis were employed to measure the significance and strength of relationship between psychological empowerment and its dimensions (meaning, competence, self-determination and impact) and employee engagement. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between psychological empowerment and employee engagement. Further analysis showed that all the dimensions of psychological empowerment, other than self-determination are predictors of employee engagement. Findings of the study are discussed, together with limitations and suggestions for future research.
Ontological Stakeholder View: An Innovative Proposition
Authors: Retolaza Jose-Luis , San-Jose Leire , Ruiz-Roqueñi Maite
Published: March 2014

This article describes a theoretical way of understanding business enterprise, for what it is used the stakeholder theory as a theory of the firm. Thus, the purpose of this article is to show an innovative perspective called ontological perspective of stakeholders that relies on a phenomenological model where the subjective perspective of agents is the key, from a purely monetarist model to an economic, social and emotional value creation model, and from a deductive model of stakeholder interests to an inductive model. The main contributions are: add a new perspective to the different classifications made of stakeholder theory, avoid monetarist reductionism under the concept of value in a way that the manager takes into account all interconnected interests of stakeholders, and finally prioritize interests map instead of roles map without accepting the assumption that the role involves joint and no conflicting interests.
Occupational Self Efficacy Expectations among Indian Executives: Examining the Psychometric Properties of Occupational Self Efficacy Scale (OSES)
Authors: Chaudhary Richa
Published: March 2014

The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of scores from occupational self efficacy scale (OSES) by Pethe et al. ( 1999 ). Data were obtained from Indian business executives, a population previously untested with OSES. Three interpretable factors were extracted as a result of exploratory factor analysis instead of six-factor structure proposed by the authors of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results provided support for superiority of three-factor model over alternative models. All the three factors were found to be internally consistent. Results indicated that Pethe et al.’s scale, with minor modification, showed promise for self-efficacy research.
Book Review: Gagandeep Singh and Raghu Ananthanarayanan, Organizational Development and Alignment: The Tensegrity Mandala Framework
Authors: Agrawal Soni
Published: March 2014

Gagandeep Singh and Raghu Ananthanarayanan, Organizational Development and Alignment: The Tensegrity Mandala Framework. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd, 2013, 268 pp. ₹ 795 (ISBN: 978-81-321-1060-6 [HB])
The Impact of a Web-Based Educational and Support Intervention on Parents’ Perception of Their Children’s Cancer Quality of Life
Authors: Sigurdardottir Anna Olafia , Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrun , Rayens Mary Kay , Gokun Yevgeniya
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this exploratory study was to (1) describe the development of an evidence-based web educational and support intervention for families of children with cancer and (2) assess the favorability of the website, and whether there was any impact on the cancer communication aspect of the quality of life instrument. In the study, 38 persons participated—15 mothers, 12 fathers, and 11 children. The favorability score of the website was found to be very high. The mothers rated the website most favorable, followed closely by the fathers. Furthermore, even though it was not significant, an increase was found in the mothers’ evaluation of cancer communication based on the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) after the intervention as compared with before. The findings suggest that the use of an evidence-based website is feasible, appears to enhance cancer knowledge and might, in that way, contribute to better management of the cancer situation for the families.
Feasibility and Preliminary Findings From a Pilot Study of Allostatic Load in Adolescent–Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors and Their Siblings
Authors: Santacroce Sheila Judge , Crandell Jamie B.
Published: March 2014

Adolescent–young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors experience at least 2 types of chronic stress that can increase their risk for cardiovascular disease: the physiological stress of cancer and its treatment and the psychosocial stress inherent in the cancer experience. Their siblings can also experience ongoing cancer-related psychosocial stress. The composite biomarker allostatic load (AL) describes the cumulative impact of responses to chronic stress on interrelated organ systems and risk for stress-related diseases including cardiovascular disease. AL could be useful as a surrogate response indicator in research and care that aims to improve cardiovascular outcomes of childhood cancer. However, the measurement of AL has requirements to which AYA might not agree or adhere. This study aimed to (a) evaluate the feasibility of studying AL in AYA cancer populations and (b) briefly describe preliminary findings concerning psychological distress, cancer-related stress symptoms, health behavior and AL in AYA survivors and their siblings within the context of a small pilot study. The results support the feasibility of studying AL in AYA survivors and their siblings, and also suggest that further study of AL and risk for cardiovascular disease in both groups is indicated.
Assessing Expressive Movement
Authors: Butke Marla A.
Published: March 2014

Expressive movement, created by students to demonstrate musical elements and artistry, provides a valid assessment opportunity for general music teachers. This purposeful movement, plastique animée, was developed by Swiss composer, Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, in the early 20th century. Plastique animée can serve as a useful tool, allowing teachers to observe an authentic, artistic musical experience for assessment purposes. Rubrics are based on predetermined criteria involving music elements, creativity, and expression. Students can self-assess by viewing a video recording of the movement and answering questions about the plastique animée experience. This article explains plastique animée and the process of implementation; provides two rubrics for assessing expressive, purposeful movement; and lists self-assessment questions and procedures. By assessing both objective and subjective elements, teachers and students can receive beneficial feedback regarding how a student comprehends musical concepts and demonstrates expressivity.
Ductile damage measurement and necking analysis of metal sheets based on digital image correlation and direct current potential drop methods
Authors: Zhang Saijun , Xia Qinxiang , Li Wenfang , Zhou Xuhui
Published: March 2014

In this study, a damage measurement procedure is proposed, which combines both digital image correlation and direct current potential drop techniques to evaluate quantitatively the ductile damage in metal sheets during uniaxial tensile loading. Digital image correlation and direct current potential drop techniques are applied to measure the full-field deformation and overall electrical resistance of the region of interest of the specimen during tensile loading. The basic principles, methodology and derivation process are presented in detail. A professional data processing system based on MATLAB is developed to characterize the deformation–resistance–damage relationship during uniaxial tensile loading. The ductile damage can be evaluated conveniently by the proposed approach, and the experimental results so obtained are consistent with those derived by using micro-hardness technique. The necking stage during uniaxial tension is discussed in detail, and it has been shown that the onsets of diffused necking and localized necking can be determined according to the relationship between the major principle true strain and loading steps. Further, the onset of the localized necking can be used to estimate accurately whether the material is going to rupture.
Study of the short-term effect of Fe3O4 particles in rolling element bearings: Observation of vibration, friction and change of surface topography of contaminated angular contact ball bearings
Authors: Schnabel Stephan , Marklund Pär , Larsson Roland
Published: March 2014

The harsh environment rolling element bearings are exposed to in iron-mining industries is replicated in a laboratory scale in this work. Bearings (SKF 7204BEP) were tested both with and without magnetite oxide (Fe3O4) contamination. In order to study the interaction between contaminants and extreme pressure additives, the rolling element bearings were lubricated with two different greases: Grease without extreme pressure and grease containing sulphur-based extreme pressure additives. Further, the effect of the contamination–additive interaction on rolling bearing performance and monitoring signals (vibration and acoustic emission) was investigated. The obtained results indicate an advantage of extreme pressure additive in case of the investigated operating conditions. Furthermore, the use of extreme pressure additives decreased wear, surface roughness, vibration and acoustic emission for both test durations of 24 h and 168 h. The decrease of the acoustic emissions and the surface roughness parameter Rq in case of the tests with a duration of 168 h as high as 70% and 60%, respectively using extreme pressure additives in comparison with the plain grease was observed. The major cause for this reduction seems to be the interaction between contaminants and extreme pressure additives.
Long-term efficacy, tolerability and retention rate of azathioprine in 103 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients: a multicentre retrospective observational study from the UK
Authors: Elsone Liene , Kitley Joanna , Luppe Sebastian , Lythgoe Daniel , Mutch Kerry , Jacob Saiju , Brown Rachel , Moss Kathryn , McNeillis Benjamin , Goh Yee Yen , Leite M Isabel , Robertson Neil , Palace Jackie , Jacob Anu
Published: March 2014

Background:

Azathioprine (AZA) is a common immunosuppressive drug used for relapse prevention in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is to assess efficacy, tolerability and retention of AZA in a large NMO cohort.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 103 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMO and NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients treated with AZA.

Results:

This is the largest reported cohort of AQP4-Ab positive patients treated with AZA. Eighty-nine per cent ( n = 92) had reduction in median annualised relapse rates from 1.5 (IQR 0.6–4.0) to 0 (IQR 0–0.27, p < 0.00005) with treatment. Sixty-one per cent ( n = 63) remained relapse free at a median follow-up of 18 months. Neurological function improved or stabilised in 78%. At last follow-up, treatment was discontinued in 46% ( n = 47). Of these, 62% ( n = 29) were because of side effects, 19% ( n = 9) because of death, 15% ( n = 7) because of ongoing disease activity, and 2% ( n = 1) because of pregnancy. Using Kaplan-Meyer curves, we estimate that 73%, 58%, 47% and 33% of patients will remain on AZA for longer than one, three, five and 10 years, respectively, after initiation of treatment.

Conclusions:

AZA is a modestly effective treatment for NMO. However, many patients discontinue AZA over time and this seems to reflect poor tolerability more than lack of efficacy.
Layar-ed places: Using mobile augmented reality to tactically reengage, reproduce, and reappropriate public space
Authors: Liao Tony , Humphreys Lee
Published: March 2014

As augmented reality (AR) is becoming technologically possible and publicly available through mobile smartphone and tablet devices, there has been relatively little empirical research studying how people are utilizing mobile AR technologies and forming social practices around mobile AR. This study looks at how mobile AR can potentially mediate the everyday practices of urban life. Through qualitative interviews with users of Layar, a mobile AR browser, we found several emerging uses. First, users are creating content on Layar in ways that communicate about and through place, which shapes their relationship and interpretations of places around them. Second, we found a growing segment of users creating augmented content that historicizes and challenges the meanings of place, while inserting their own narratives of place. Studying emerging uses of AR deepens our understanding of how emerging media may complicate practices, experiences, and relationships in the spatial landscape.
Determinants of individuals’ self-disclosure and instant information sharing behavior in micro-blogging
Authors: Lai Cheng-Yu , Yang Heng-Li
Published: March 2014

Micro-blogging is a new social networking service (SNS) that can be viewed as an easily accessible, simplified blog. The simple and swift spread properties of micro-blogging make it different to the conventional SNS. However, little empirical results were provided in prior literature to elaborate individual’s behavior of micro-blogging use. Consequently, this study aims to explore the possible influence of individuals’ motivations on their self-disclosure and instant information sharing behavior as well as the extent of perceived social support in micro-blogging. Individuals who had experiences on Plurk usage were invited as subjects. The partial least squares (PLS) was utilized to examine the proposed model and hypotheses. Analytical results indicate that popularity and interpersonal needs significantly influence individual’s self-disclosure, while interpersonal and entertainment needs significantly influence individual’s instant information sharing behavior. Moreover, both individual’s self-disclosure and instant information sharing behavior have a positive relationship with the perceived extent of social support.
Improving Rural Newspaper Coverage of Nutrition Stories
Authors: Nothwehr Faryle , Chrisman Matthew , Andsager Julie L.
Published: March 2014

Local newspapers are an important source of information for rural residents but often lack accurate or helpful nutrition-related information. To improve the quantity and quality of nutrition stories in rural, local newspapers, it is important to understand the perspective of editors. An online survey of 51 rural Midwest editors was conducted to assess attitudes toward writing nutrition stories, sources of information, perceived challenges, and interest in learning more about writing such stories. Of respondents, 49% were female, and 63% had at least a 4-year college degree. Through a mix of closed- and open-ended questions, the majority indicated positive attitudes toward nutrition stories, were confident in their abilities to write them, and expressed interest in learning more. Challenges cited include lack of print space, small staff, lack of specific requests from readers for nutrition stories, and the need to avoid offending local agricultural businesses. Results should be useful in planning an educational intervention for editors. Meanwhile, public health practitioners should provide concise press releases to their local newspapers about their activities. Also, greater expressions of appreciation from public health professionals and other readers may lead to higher prioritization of nutrition-related stories, and ultimately to an environment more supportive of healthy eating.
Educational needs, practice patterns and quality indicators to improve geriatric pharmacy care
Authors: Zou Dan , Tannenbaum Cara
Published: March 2014

Background:

As the population ages and pressure increases to reduce adverse drug reactions and drug-related hospitalizations in the elderly, there will be a growing demand for pharmacists to competently take on shared responsibility for effective and safe prescribing in older adults.

Methods:

A cross-sectional postal survey was distributed to 3927 hospital and community pharmacists across Québec about their educational needs and practice patterns in geriatric care. Perceptions of different quality performance indicators were sought. Modifiable factors associated with higher performance were determined using univariate logistic regression.

Results:

Seven hundred six pharmacists (18%) completed the survey. Less than 50% were aware of the prevalence of polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing, drug-related hospitalizations or falls in the geriatric population. Forty-one percent of community pharmacists and 74% of hospital pharmacists acknowledged familiarity with the Beers criteria of drugs to avoid in the elderly. The likelihood of screening for inappropriate prescriptions was 2.96 (95% confidence interval = 1.97-4.47) among pharmacists familiar with the Beers criteria and 2.24 (95% confidence interval = 1.50-3.34) among those who received continuing geriatric education in the workplace. On average, pharmacists reported having time to conduct detailed medication reviews in 30% of their older patients. The 2 quality indicators of geriatric care that were ranked most pertinent were being able to track the number of patients requiring hospitalization for drug-related problems and monitoring rates of inappropriate prescriptions. Ninety-six percent of respondents desired continuing education about geriatric care.

Conclusion:

Exposure to continuing education in geriatric pharmacotherapy in the workplace is the most consistent determinant of professional performance to improve drug outcomes in the elderly.
Comparison of the innate immune responses of porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells and splenic dendritic cells stimulated with LPS
Authors: Qu Xueqi , Cinar Mehmet U , Fan Huitao , Pröll Maren , Tesfaye Dawit , Tholen Ernst , Looft Christian , Hölker Michael , Schellander Karl , Uddin Muhammad J
Published: March 2014

Dendritic cell (DC) subsets form a remarkable cellular network that regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Although pigs are the most approximate model to humans, little is known about the regulation of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) and splenic DCs (SDCs) in the initiation of immune responses under inflammatory conditions. We investigated the activation and maturation of porcine moDC and SDC subpopulations following LPS stimulation. Porcine monocytes that would differentiate into moDCs were isolated. SDCs were isolated directly from the porcine spleen. Following LPS stimulation, phagocytosis activity, TLR4/MyD88-dependent gene expression, co-stimulatory molecule, and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β) and chemokine (IL-8) expressions were increased in both cell subsets. Furthermore, moDCs showed higher levels of gene and protein expression compared with SDCs. Interestingly, moDCs were found to be more responsive via the TLR4/TRAF-dependent signalling pathway of activation. Only SDCs expressed higher level of IL-12p40 gene and protein, whereas, IFN-γ gene and protein expression were likely to be unchanged after LPS stimulation in both cell subtypes. These data demonstrate that porcine moDCs display a greater ability to initiate innate immune responses, and could be used as a model to investigate immune responses against Ags.
Are Local Public Health Department Services Related to Racial Disparities in Mortality?
Authors: Bekemeier Betty , Grembowski David , Yang Youngran , Herting Jerald R.
Published: March 2014

Our study aim was to determine whether local health department (LHD) services were associated with U.S. racial disparities in 1993-to-2005 mortality rates. In a national sample of LHDs, we examined 10 LHD service domains and gaps in Black–White all-cause mortality rates, drawing data from the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ National Profile of Local Health Departments surveys, as well as mortality and other public data files. Two service domains, maternal/child health and other activities, were significantly associated with decreases in the Black–White mortality gap for 15- to 44-year-olds. The health services domain approached significance in decreasing this gap. Screening was associated unexpectedly with a significant increase in the Black–White mortality gap for 15- to 44-year-olds. Selected LHD services that are provided directly to individuals and are allocated by need may have particular benefit for reducing Black–White mortality disparities for U.S. adults aged 15 to 44.
From Stones to Gendered Bodies: Regional Differences in the Production of the Body and Gender on the Copper Age Statue-Menhirs of Northern Italy and the Swiss Valais
Authors: Harris Susanna , Hofmann Kerstin P.
Published: March 2014

Much research has been carried out on identifying gendered iconography on statue-menhirs. This paper seeks to develop this perspective by considering the broader body concepts. Body concepts are of interest to archaeologists because they are closely connected to issues of sex, gender, and age. By investigating stone sculptures, however, we are looking at an ideological view of the body that was produced by reducing the stone from its natural form into a statue-menhir. The presence of bodily features on the statue-menhirs suggests that it was important to construct a body, and that certain aspects of the body were chosen to be represented, either through the size and shape of the stone or iconography, while others were neglected. We propose this is a significant means by which stones were made into bodies and gendered beings. To investigate body concepts, we pose two questions: how was a statue-menhir body made, and how was it gendered? By following the reduction sequence of the stone as the technique of production, we investigate which bodily features were important in constructing a body and in gendering it. We do this through analysing and comparing three regional examples of anthropomorphic statue-menhirs: (1) The Lunigiana groups A and B in northwestern Tuscany and eastern-most Liguria, (2) the Atesino group in Trentino-Alto Adige, and (3) the Sion Type A in the Swiss Valais and the Aosta Style I in northern Italy. Although there is a shared statue-menhir tradition in the three regions and beyond, the observations in this paper suggest that the bodily gender categories were negotiated regionally.
Levonorgestrel in Cases of Rape: How Does it Work?
Authors: Raviele Kathleen Mary
Published: March 2014

The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services allows the use of an emergency contraceptive for a woman who has been raped, as a defense against her attacker's sperm, provided the drug prevents fertilization and does not act against a conceived human life. Catholic emergency rooms around the country have been pressured to provide Plan B (LNG-EC) to patients seeking help after a sexual assault. Catholic bioethicists have supported the use of this drug based on their interpretation of the scientific literature regarding its mechanism of action. This paper presents a review of the mechanisms of action of LNG-EC when given during the fertile window, showing a high probability that it acts against human life rather than preventing fertilization, and proposes another class of drugs as a possible alternative.
Homosexual Inclinations and the Passions: A Thomistic Theory of the Psychogenesis of Same-Sex Attraction Disorder
Authors: Kinney Robert Loyd
Published: March 2014

The Catholic Church has held that every human being is a child of God, and every person deserves to be treated with dignity and love regardless of their actions. The phrase “love the sinner, hate the sin” is a simple summary of the approach the Church takes to loving all human beings. The Church has also held firmly that both homosexual acts and homosexual inclinations are disordered, although the origins or contributing factors of homosexual inclinations are not entirely understood. In this paper, I apply principles from St. Thomas Aquinas's treatise on the passions to show that habitual mis-identification of the cause of pleasure associated with the apprehension of beauty, or misjudgments, may be involved in the psychogenesis of same-sex attraction disorder.
Targeted disruption of hepcidin in the liver recapitulates the hemochromatotic phenotype
Authors: Zumerle Sara , Mathieu Jacques R. R. , Delga Stéphanie , Heinis Mylène , Viatte Lydie , Vaulont Sophie , Peyssonnaux Carole
Published: March 2014

Key Points

Liver-specific hepcidin KO mice fully recapitulate the severe iron overload phenotype observed in the total KO mice. The hepcidin produced by hepatocytes is the main regulator of body iron homeostasis.
PSPHL and breast cancer in African American women: causative gene or population stratification?
Authors: Rummel Seth , Penatzer Cayla E , Shriver Craig D , Ellsworth Rachel E
Published: March 2014

Background

Phophoserine phosphatase-like (PSPHL) is expressed at significantly higher levels in breast tumors from African American women (AAW) compared to Caucasian women (CW). How overexpression of PSPHL contributes to outcome disparities is unclear, thus, molecular mechanisms driving expression differences between populations were evaluated.

Results

PCR was used to detect deletion of 30-Kb of chromosome 7p11 including the first three exons of PSPHL using genomic DNA from AAW (199 with invasive breast cancer, 360 controls) and CW (invasive breast cancer =589, 364 controls). Gene expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR using RNA isolated from tumor tissue and blood. Data were analyzed using chi-square analysis and Mann–Whitney U-tests; P < 0.05 was used to define significance. Gene expression levels correlated with deletion status: patients homozygous for the deletion had no detectable expression of PSPHL, while heterozygous had expression levels 2.1-fold lower than those homozygous for retention of PSPHL. Homozygous deletion of PSPHL was detected in 61% of CW compared to 6% of AAW with invasive breast cancer (P < 0.0001); genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between AAW with and without breast cancer (P = 0.211).

Conclusions

Thus, deletion of 7p11, which prevents expression of PSPHL, is significantly higher in CW compared to AAW, suggesting that this 30-kb deletion and subsequent disruption of PSPHL may be a derived trait in Caucasians. The similar frequency of the deletion allele in AAW with and without invasive breast cancer suggests that this difference represent population stratification, and does not contribute to cancer disparities.
CYP19A1 promoter methylation in saliva associated with milestones of pubertal timing in urban girls
Authors: Stueve Theresa Ryan , Wolff Mary S , Pajak Ashley , Teitelbaum Susan L , Chen Jia
Published: March 2014

Background

Childhood obesity and early puberty are intermediate risk factors for later metabolic and reproductive disorders including diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and breast cancer. Atypical methylation patterns in genes related to hormone and adipose metabolism, such as CYP19A1 (aromatase) and PPARG (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma), are associated with alterations in gene expression which may contribute to pathogenesis of these diseases. If present in early life, it is conceivable similar methylation aberrations may result in hormone perturbations that alter pubertal timing.

Methods

We used Cox proportional hazard models to investigate whether promoter methylation of CYP19A1 and PPARG, independently or in concert with body weight, was associated with age at breast (B2) or pubic hair development (PH2) when assayed in saliva DNA collected from a cohort of New York City, Black and Hispanic girls (N = 130) enrolled in a study of pubertal timing between 6–8 years of age.

Results

An inverse association between CYP19A1 methylation and risk of early PH2 was suggested (HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.90-1.00, p = 0.05). CYP19A1 methylation also appeared to modify risk of early B2 associated with body weight. Specifically, compared to normal weight girls with ‘high’ CYP19A1 methylation, significantly increased risk of early B2 was observed in overweight girls with ‘low’ but not ‘high’ CYP19A1 methylation (HR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.23- 3.76). However, in formal tests for effect modification, the interaction between body weight and methylation did not reach statistical significance (p for interaction = 0.085). PPARG methylation was not significantly associated with PH2 or B2.

Conclusions

Though limited by sample size, our findings suggest methylation of CYP19A1, a critical gene in estrogen biosynthesis, may influence timing of breast development in overweight girls. Consistent with emerging reports, these data support the notion that epigenetic marks in surrogate tissues may improve risk prediction when added to standard plasma and anthropometric indicators, and warrant further study.
Novel application of simultaneous multi-image display during complex robotic abdominal procedures
Authors: Woo Yanghee , Choi Gi Hong , Min Byung Soh , Hyung Woo Jin
Published: March 2014

Background

The surgical robot offers the potential to integrate multiple views into the surgical console screen, and for the assistant’s monitors to provide real-time views of both fields of operation. This function has the potential to increase patient safety and surgical efficiency during an operation. Herein, we present a novel application of the multi-image display system for simultaneous visualization of endoscopic views during various complex robotic gastrointestinal operations.

All operations were performed using the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) with the assistance of Tilepro, multi-input display software, during employment of the intraoperative scopes. Three robotic operations, left hepatectomy with intraoperative common bile duct exploration, low anterior resection, and radical distal subtotal gastrectomy with intracorporeal gastrojejunostomy, were performed by three different surgeons at a tertiary academic medical center.

Results

The three complex robotic abdominal operations were successfully completed without difficulty or intraoperative complications. The use of the Tilepro to simultaneously visualize the images from the colonoscope, gastroscope, and choledochoscope made it possible to perform additional intraoperative endoscopic procedures without extra monitors or interference with the operations.

Conclusion

We present a novel use of the multi-input display program on the da Vinci Surgical System to facilitate the performance of intraoperative endoscopies during complex robotic operations. Our study offers another potentially beneficial application of the robotic surgery platform toward integration and simplification of combining additional procedures with complex minimally invasive operations.
Some fixed point theorems for mappings satisfying contractive conditions of integral type
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Wu Heng , Ume Jeong Sheok , Kang Shin Min
Published: March 2014

Five fixed point theorems for mappings satisfying contractive conditions of integral type in complete metric spaces are proved. Two examples are added to illustrate the results obtained.

MSC:54H25.
Local uniqueness solution of illuminated solar cell intrinsic electrical parameters
Authors: Jarray Abdennaceur , Abdelkrim Mahdi , Bouchiba Mohamed , Boukricha Abderrahman
Published: March 2014

Starting from an electrical dissipative illuminated one-diode solar cell with a given model data at room temperature (I

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, I

max
); we present under physical considerations a specific mathematical method (using the Lambert function) for unique determination of the intrinsic electrical parameters (n, I

s
, I

ph
, R

s
, R

sh
). This work proves that for a given arbitrary fixed shunt resistance R

sh
, the saturation current I

S
and the ideality factor n are uniquely determined as a function of the photocurrent I

ph
, and the series resistance R

s
. The correspondence under the cited physical considerations: R

s
does not exceed ]0, 20[Ω and n is between ]0, 3[ and I

ph
and I

s
are arbitrary positive

I

R
+
*

, is biunivocal. This study concludes that for both considered solar cells, the five intrinsic electrical parameters that were determined numerically are unique.
Find the rocks and the fluids will follow — AVO as a tool for lithology classification
Authors: Waters Kester D. , Kemper Michael A. C.
Published: March 2014

Full-stack seismic interpretation continues to be the primary means of subsurface interpretation. However, the underlying impact of amplitude variation with offset (AVO) is effectively ignored or overlooked during the full-stack interpretation process. Recent advances in well-logging and rock physics techniques highlight the fact that AVO is a useful tool not only for detection of fluid anomalies, but also for the detection and characterization of lithology. We evaluated an overview of some of the key steps in the rock physics assessment of well logs and seismic data, and highlight the potential to move toward a new convention of interpretation on so-called lithology stacks. Lithology stacks may come in a variety of forms but should form the focus of interpretation efforts in the early part of the exploration and appraisal cycle. Several case studies were used to highlight that subtle fluid effects can only be extracted from the seismic data after careful assessment of the lithology response. These case studies cover a wide geography and variable geology and demonstrate that the techniques we tested are transferable and applicable across many different oil and gas provinces. The use of lithology stacks has many benefits. It allows interpretation on a single stack rather than many different offset or angle stacks. A lithology stack provides a robust, objective framework for lithostratigraphic interpretation and can be calibrated to offset wells when available. They are conceptually simple, repeatable, and transferable, allowing close cooperation across the different subsurface disciplines.
Prestack seismic amplitude analysis: An integrated overview
Authors: Russell Brian H.
Published: March 2014

In this tutorial, I present an overview of the techniques that are in use for prestack seismic amplitude analysis, current and historical. I show that these techniques can be classified as being based on the computation and analysis of either some type of seismic reflection coefficient series or seismic impedance. Those techniques that are based on the seismic reflection coefficient series, or seismic reflectivity for short, are called amplitude variation with offset methods, and those that are based on the seismic impedance are referred to as prestack amplitude inversion methods. Seismic reflectivity methods include: near and far trace stacking, intercept versus gradient analysis, and the fluid factor analysis. Seismic impedance methods include: independent and simultaneous P and S-impedance inversion, lambda-mu-rho analysis, Poisson impedance inversion, elastic impedance, and extended elastic impedance inversion. The objective of this tutorial is thus to make sense of all of these methods and show how they are interrelated. The techniques will be illustrated using a 2D seismic example over a gas sand reservoir from Alberta. Although I will largely focus on isotropic methods, the last part of the tutorial will extend the analysis to anisotropic reservoirs.
Automatic approaches for seismic to well tying
Authors: Herrera Roberto H. , Fomel Sergey , van der Baan Mirko
Published: March 2014

Tying the synthetic trace to the actual seismic trace at the well location is a labor-intensive task that relies on the interpreter’s experience and the similarity metric used. The traditional seismic to well tie suffers from subjectivity by visually matching major events and using global crosscorrelation to measure the quality of that tying. We compared two automatic techniques that will decrease the subjectivity in the entire process. First, we evaluated the dynamic time warping method, and then, we used the local similarity attribute based on regularized shaping filters. These two methods produced a guided stretching and squeezing process to find the best match between the two signals. We explored the proposed methods using real well log examples and compared to the manual method, showing promising results with both semiautomatic approaches.
Quest to delineate shale channel hazard in sandy reservoir
Authors: Lee Jessa-lyn
Published: March 2014

Using a combined amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) and inversion workflow, a 2D seismic data set was used to predict the lateral lithology changes in a sand bar deposit cut by shale-filled channels. Drilling into a shale channel drastically affects the success of a well, so understanding the spatial extent of such a feature is considered important to the economics of the development program. Based on results from extensive pre- and poststack modeling, a combination of AVO and inversion attributes provided the best chance at lithology prediction. Using this method, a channel map was created for a small study area. It is important to identify the risks and uncertainties intrinsic in the processes that are being applied as well as the effect of the overlying geology. This example in particular showed how vital it is to understand the geology in a specific area, know the technical limits of the data being used, and adapt workflows accordingly.
Facile Synthesis of 3,3′-Disubstituted 2,2′-Binaphthyls by Transition-metal-catalyzed Double Benzannulation
Authors: Umeda Rui , Tabata Hiromasa , Tobe Yoshito , Nishiyama Yutaka
Published: March 2014

3,3′-Disubstituted 2,2′-binaphthyls were prepared by the Cu- or Re-catalyzed double benzannulation reaction of 2-(phenylethynyl)benzaldehyde with various butadiynes in the presence of trichloroacetic acid, in moderate to good yields. Acceleration of the second benzannulation was clearly observed.
Information Content When Mutual Funds Deviate from Benchmarks
Authors: Jiang Hao , Verbeek Marno , Wang Yu
Published: March 2014

The consensus wisdom of active mutual fund managers, as reflected in their average over- and underweighting decisions, contains valuable information about future stock returns. Analyzing a comprehensive sample of active U.S. equity funds from 1984 to 2008, we find that stocks heavily overweighted by active funds outperform their underweighted counterparts by more than 7% per year, after adjustments for their loadings on the market, size, value, and momentum factors. This large premium dissipates quickly as the consensus view becomes publicly available. These results are consistent with the notion that informed investing by active mutual funds enhances the informativeness of stock prices. In addition, active mutual funds invest only a small portion of fund assets in high alpha stocks, in accordance with the consensus view that active mutual funds on average fail to outperform passive benchmarks.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1847 .

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, finance.