bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
About my Child: measuring ‘Complexity’ in neurodisability. Evidence of reliability and validity
Authors: Ritzema A. M. , Lach L. M. , Rosenbaum P. , Nicholas D.
Published: February 2016

Background

About my Child, 26‐item version (AMC‐26) was developed as a measure of child health ‘complexity’ and has been proposed as a tool for understanding the functional needs of children and the priorities of families.

Methods

The current study investigated the reliability and validity of AMC‐26 with a sample of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD; n = 258) who completed AMC‐26 as part of a larger study on parenting children with NDD. A subsample of children from the larger study (n = 49) were assessed using standardized measures of cognitive and adaptive functioning.

Results

Factor analysis revealed that a four‐component model explained 51.12% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for each of the four factors and for the scale as a whole, and ranged from 0.75 to 0.85, suggesting a high level of internal consistency. Construct validity was tested through comparisons with the results of standardized measures of child functioning. Predicted relationships for factors one, two and three were statistically significant and in the expected directions. Predictions for factor four were partially supported. AMC‐26 was also expected to serve as an indicator of caregiver distress. Drawing on a sample of caregivers from the larger study (n = 251) the model was found to be significant and explained 23% of the variance in caregiver depressive symptoms (R2 = .053, F (1, 249) = 14.06, P < .001).

Conclusions

Based on these observations, the authors contend that AMC‐26 may be used by clinicians and researchers as a tool to capture child function and child health complexity. Such a measure may help elucidate the relationships between child complexity and family well‐being. This is an important avenue for further investigation.
Morphological Changes of Cortical and Hippocampal Neurons after Treatment with VEGF and Bevacizumab
Authors: Latzer Pauline , Schlegel Uwe , Theiss Carsten
Published: February 2016

Aims

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a hallmark of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and plays an important role in brain development and function. Recently, it has been reported that treatment of GBM patients with bevacizumab, an anti‐VEGF antibody, may cause a decline in neurocognitive function and compromise quality of life. Therefore, we investigated the effects of VEGF and bevacizumab on the morphology and on survival of neurons and glial cells.

Methods

Dissociated cortical and hippocampal cell cultures of juvenile rats were treated with VEGF, bevacizumab, and VEGF + bevacizumab. Neuronal and glial cell viability was analyzed, and the morphology of neurons was objectified by morphometric analysis.

Results

In cortical cultures, bevacizumab significantly decreased the number of neurons after 20 days and the number of glial cells subsequent 30 days. Additionally, an increase in the dendritic length of cortical neurons was obvious after 10 days of incubation with bevacizumab, but returned to control level after 30 days. In hippocampal cultures, cell viability was not affected by bevacizumab; however, dendritic length increased at day 10, but decreased after long‐term treatment.

Conclusion

Therefore, bevacizumab obviously has a cytotoxic effect in cortical cultures and decreases the dendritic length in hippocampal neurons after long‐term treatment.
Fatal pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV seronegative AIDS patient
Authors: Zhang Hong , Wang Huan‐ling , Zhong Ding‐rong , Liu Yan , Li Ning‐ning , Zhang Wei , Xiao Yi , Li Tai‐sheng
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Although HIV antibody tests have been widely accepted in clinical diagnosis of HIV infection, they may not be sufficient to diagnose all subjects with HIV infection. Except negative result of antibody test in the well‐known” acute window phase”, in rare cases, patients do not develop HIV antibodies despite demonstrable infection. Primary pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma (KS) without mucocutaneous involvement accounts for only 0‐15% of all AIDS‐related KS. KS is rare among Chinese subjects, especially in persons of Han descent.

Methods

A case of seronegative AIDS with primary pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma (KS) was reported. It's a 46‐year‐old Chinese man presented with sore throat, hemoptysis, fever, dyspnea and multiple lung nodules. The lung lesions grew over a 5‐month period so as the symptoms worsened. The possibility of AIDS was discounted by his physicians because of the repeatedly negative HIV antibodies tests despite the ELISA tests or Western blot tests. Histopathologic diagnosis of fine needle lung biopsy in local hospital was undetermined. After admission, HIV infection was eventually confirmed by plasma HIV RNA testing. Histopathologic diagnosis of Lung Kaposi sarcoma was made through repeated fine needle aspiration biopsy as well as the review of former one. Multiple antibiotics and chemotherapy were administrated with no clinical effect due to advanced stage and the patient passed away soon after diagnosis.

Results

This is the first case of seronegative HIV‐1 infection with presentation of primary pulmonary KS.

Conclusion

This case underscores the importance of plasma RNA test in conjunction with HIV antibody test for some rare patients with HIV infection who present with severe immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections or malignancy.
Projected impacts of climate change on three freshwater fishes and potential novel competitive interactions
Authors: Van Zuiden Thomas M. , Chen Miranda M. , Stefanoff Samantha , Lopez Lianna , Sharma Sapna
Published: February 2016

Aim

As global air temperatures continue to rise in response to climate change, environmental conditions for many freshwater fish species will change. Warming air temperatures may lead to warming lake temperatures, and subsequently, the availability of suitable thermal habitat space. Our objectives are to identify the responses of three fish species from three thermal guilds to climate change in Ontario and consequently, the potential for novel competitive interactions between two top predators. We focus on lakes in Ontario because it is a dynamic region that encapsulates the northern and southern range extents of warm and cold‐water fish species.

Location

Ontario, Canada.

Methods

Using lake morphology, water chemistry, climate and fish occurrence data for smallmouth bass (warmwater predator), walleye (coolwater predator) and cisco (cold‐water forage fish), we modelled the occurrence rates of three fish in 2050 and 2070 under 126 scenarios of climate change. We also calculated the percentage change in co‐occurrence of walleye and smallmouth bass in 2050 and 2070.

Results

Smallmouth bass occurrence rates were predicted to increase by ~306% (ranging between 55 and 422%) by 2070 relative to their current distributions. Walleye were projected to decline by 22% (−42 to a +6% change) and cisco by 26% (−7 to −47%) by 2070. By 2070, walleye–smallmouth bass co‐occurrence was predicted to increase by 11%, with walleye in central and northern Ontario at greatest vulnerability due to increased competition with smallmouth bass.

Main conclusions

These results highlight three unique responses to climate change: range expansion, northward range shift, and range contraction for warmwater, coolwater and cold‐water fish species, respectively. Alterations in distributions of these three ecologically important fish species may lead to shifts in fish community structure and novel species interactions in Ontario lakes, exacerbating the vulnerability of native coolwater predators to climate change.
Political Leaders' Socioeconomic Background and Public Budget Deficits: Evidence from OECD Countries
Authors: Hayo Bernd , Neumeier Florian
Published: February 2016

This paper empirically analyzes the relationship between political leaders' socioeconomic backgrounds and public budget deficits utilizing panel data on 21 OECD countries from 1980 to 2008. Building on sociological, as well as economic research, we argue that the socioeconomic status of political decision‐makers, i.e., presidents or prime ministers, is an important determinant of fiscal budget decisions. Our theory‐consistent findings show that the tenures of lower‐class leaders – i.e., leaders of low socioeconomic status – are associated with a deficit‐to‐GDP ratio which is 1.6 percentage points higher than that during tenures of upper‐class leaders.
Before‐school and after‐school childcare and children's risk of obesity
Authors: Shah P.M. , Sudharsanan N. , Cunningham S.A.
Published: February 2016

Background

In the USA, half of children are regularly cared for before or after school by someone other than a parent.

Objective

Describe the relationship between childcare arrangements and obesity among school‐aged children.

Methods

Data are from the fifth‐grade wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Cohort 1998–1999, a nationally representative study of US children who were in kindergarten in 1998–1999 or first grade in 1999, collected in spring 2004 (analytic sample = 9617). We estimated survey‐adjusted logistic regression models to examine the association between childcare arrangements before and after school and obesity.

Results

The prevalence of obesity was highest among fifth graders who received care from multiple sources and lowest among children who received care from adults not related to them in either the child's or the caregiver's home [29.9%, 95% confidence interval {CI}: 18.7%, 44.3%; and 17.3%, 95% CI: 12.1%, 24.0%]. Childcare arrangement was not an independent risk factor for obesity for most children. However, Hispanic children who were cared for by a person who was not a relative had significantly higher odds of obesity compared with non‐Hispanics in similar care arrangements (odds ratio: 5.11, 95% CI: 2.00, 13.06).

Conclusion

Type of childcare before or after school was not an independent risk factor for obesity in most fifth graders, but implications of childcare for Hispanic children should be explored further.
The maximum‐impact coloring polytope
Authors: Braga Mónica , Delle Donne Diego , Linfati Rodrigo , Marenco Javier
Published: February 2016

Given two graphs and over the same set of vertices and given a set of colors C, the “impact on H” of a coloring of G, denoted , is the number of edges such that . In this setting, the “maximum‐impact coloring” problem asks for a proper coloring of G maximizing the impact on H. This problem naturally arises in the assignment of classrooms to courses, where it is desirable—but not mandatory—to assign lectures from the same course to the same classroom. Since the maximum‐impact coloring problem is NP‐hard, we propose in this work an integer programming based approach for tackling this problem. To this end, we present an integer programming formulation and study the associated polytope. We provide several families of valid inequalities, and we study under which conditions these inequalities define facets of the associated polytope. Finally, we show computational evidence over real‐life instances suggesting that some of these families may be useful in a cutting‐plane environment.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Pressureless Sintered Silicon Carbide Ceramics with Alumina–Yttria–Calcia
Authors: Eom Jung‐Hye , Seo Yu‐Kwang , Kim Young‐Wook
Published: February 2016

The effect of sintering temperature on the mechanical and thermal properties of SiC ceramics sintered with Al2O3–Y2O3–CaO without applied pressure was investigated. SiC ceramics containing A2O3–Y2O3–CaO as sintering additives can be sintered to >97% theoretical density at temperatures between 1750°C and 1900°C without applied pressure. A toughened microstructure, consisting of relatively large elongated grains and relatively small equiaxed grains, has been obtained when sintered at temperatures as low as 1800°C for 2 h in an argon atmosphere without applied pressure. The achievement of toughened microstructures under such mild conditions is the result of the additive composition. The thermal conductivity of the SiC ceramics increased with increasing sintering temperature because of the decrease in the lattice oxygen content of the SiC grains. Typical sintered density, flexural strength, fracture toughness, hardness, and thermal conductivity of the 1850°C‐sintered SiC, which consisted of 62.2% 4H, 35.7% 6H, and 2.1% 3C, were 99.0%, 628 MPa, 5.3 MPa·m1/2, 29.1 GPa, and 80 W·(m·K)−1, respectively.
Properties of Phosphorus‐Doped Silicon‐Rich Amorphous Silicon Carbide Film Prepared by a Solution Process
Authors: Masuda Takashi , Iwasaka Akira , Takagishi Hideyuki , Shimoda Tatsuya
Published: February 2016

Using a polymeric precursor synthesized from a mixture of cyclopentasilane, white phosphorus, and 1‐hexyne, we deposited phosphorus‐doped silicon‐rich amorphous silicon carbide (a‐SiC) films via a solution‐based process. Unlike conventional polymeric precursors, this polymer requires neither catalysts nor oxidation for its synthesis and cross‐linkage. Therefore, the polymeric precursor is sufficiently pure for effective doping and fabricating semiconducting a‐SiC. This study presents the results of a detailed study of the effect of carbon and phosphorus concentrations on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of a‐SiC films. The lowest activation energy for these films is 0.39 eV, which leads to an optical gap and a dark conductivity of 2.1 eV and 109 Ω cm, respectively. Moreover, these films satisfy the Meyer–Neldel rule for thermally activated conductivity, which indicates that white‐phosphorus doping of solution‐processed a‐SiC produces films with the same characteristics as phosphine‐doped vacuum‐processed a‐SiC.
The Band Structure of Polycrystalline Al2O3 and Its Influence on Transport Phenomena
Authors: Heuer Arthur H. , Zahiri Azar Maryam , Guhl Hannes , Foulkes Matthew , Gleeson Brian , Nakagawa Tsubasa , Ikuhara Yuichi , Finnis Mike W.
Published: February 2016

The electronic (band) structure of polycrystalline Al2O3, in particular the density of near‐band edge grain‐boundary localized states, plays a significant role in a host of high‐temperature phenomena, including sintering, high‐temperature creep, oxygen permeability in dense “dry” Al2O3 ceramics, and Al2O3 scale formation on Al2O3 scale‐forming alloys. All these phenomena involve creation or annihilation of charged point defects (vacancies and/or interstitials) at grain boundaries and interfaces, and must of necessity involve electrons and holes. Thus, the density of states associated with grain boundaries in Al2O3 assume great importance, and has been calculated using DFT for both nominally undoped and Y‐doped Σ7 bi‐crystal boundaries. These quantum mechanical calculations must be taken into account when considering why Y2O3 segregation to Al2O3 grain boundaries is so effective in enhancing high‐temperature creep resistance of polycrystalline Al2O3, and in understanding the reactive element effect in Al2O3 scale‐forming alloys. Finally, a case will be made that grain‐boundary diffusion is mediated by the migration of a class of grain‐boundary ledge defects called disconnections, which are characterized by a step height h and a Burgers vector b.
Bypassing Primary Care Facilities for Childbirth: Findings from a Multilevel Analysis of Skilled Birth Attendance Determinants in Afghanistan
Authors: Tappis Hannah , Koblinsky Marge , Doocy Shannon , Warren Nicole , Peters David H.
Published: February 2016

Introduction

The objective of this study was to assess the association between health facility characteristics and other individual/household factors with a woman's likelihood of skilled birth attendance in north‐central Afghanistan.

Methods

Data from a 2010 household survey of 6879 households in 9 provinces of Afghanistan were linked to routine facility data. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to assess determinants of skilled birth attendance.

Results

Women who reported having at least one antenatal visit with a skilled provider were 5.6 times more likely to give birth with a skilled attendant than those who did not. The odds of skilled birth attendance were 84% higher for literate women than those without literacy skills and 79% higher among women in the upper 2 wealth quintiles than women in the poorest quintile. This study did not show any direct linkages between facility characteristics and skilled birth attendance but provided insights into why studies assuming that women seek care at the nearest primary care facility may lead to misinterpretation of care‐seeking patterns. Findings reveal a 36 percentage point gap between women who receive skilled antenatal care and those who received skilled birth care. Nearly 60% of women with a skilled attendant at their most recent birth bypassed the nearest primary care facility to give birth at a more distant primary care facility, hospital, or private clinic. Distance and transport barriers were reported as the most common reasons for home birth.

Discussion

Assumptions that women who give birth with a skilled attendant do so at the closest health facility may mask the importance of supply‐side determinants of skilled birth attendance. More research based on actual utilization patterns, not assumed catchment areas, is needed to truly understand the factors influencing care‐seeking decisions in both emergency and nonemergency situations and to adapt strategies to reduce preventable mortality and morbidity in Afghanistan.
Expansion of Safe Abortion Services in Nepal Through Auxiliary Nurse‐Midwife Provision of Medical Abortion, 2011‐2013
Authors: Andersen Kathryn L. , Basnett Indira , Shrestha Dirgha Raj , Shrestha Meena Kumari , Shah Mukta , Aryal Shilu
Published: February 2016

Introduction

The termination of unwanted pregnancies up to 12 weeks’ gestation became legal in Nepal in 2002. Many interventions have taken place to expand access to comprehensive abortion care services. However, comprehensive abortion care services remain out of reach for women in rural and remote areas. This article describes a training and support strategy to train auxiliary nurse‐midwives (ANMs), already certified as skilled birth attendants, as medical abortion providers and expand geographic access to safe abortion care to the community level in Nepal.

Methods

This was a descriptive program evaluation. Sites and trainees were selected using standardized assessment tools to determine minimum facility requirements and willingness to provide medical abortion after training. Training was evaluated via posttests and observational checklists. Service statistics were collected through the government's facility logbook for safe abortion services (HMIS‐11).

Results

By the end of June 2014, medical abortion service had been expanded to 25 districts through 463 listed ANMs at 290 listed primary‐level facilities and served 25,187 women. Providers report a high level of confidence in their medical abortion skills and considerable clinical knowledge and capacity in medical abortion.

Discussion

The Nepali experience demonstrates that safe induced abortion care can be provided by ANMs, even in remote primary‐level health facilities. Post‐training support for providers is critical in helping ANMs handle potential barriers to medical abortion service provision and build lasting capacity in medical abortion.
Elevated VEGFA mRNA levels in oral squamous cell carcinomas and tumor margins: a preliminary study
Authors: Sales Caroline Brandi Schlaepfer , Buim Marcilei Eliza Cavichiolli , de Souza Renata Oliveira , de Faro Valverde Ludmila , Mathias Machado Maria Cecília , Reis Mitermayer Galvão , Soares Fernando Augusto , Ramos Eduardo Antônio Gonçalves , Gurgel Rocha Clarissa Araújo
Published: February 2016

Background

New blood vessel formation events are essential for tumor clonal expansion and progression. Despite the importance of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) for tumor angiogenesis, few studies have evaluated the expression profile of this gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and tumor margins (TM). This study aimed to evaluate the expression of the VEGFA gene and its protein in OSCC and TM.

Methods

Gene expression was evaluated in cryopreserved samples of OSCCs (n = 44), TM (n = 7), and normal mucosa from healthy patients (n = 3; NM). Quantitative PCRs were performed using the TaqMan system for the VEGFA gene, and gene expression was determined using the 2−∆∆CQ method. For immunohistochemical evaluation, 27 OSCC samples were embedded in a tissue microarray (TMA) block and reactions were performed using the Advance system.

Results

VEGFA transcript levels were 1.7‐fold higher in OSCC than in NM samples. VEGFA mRNA was overexpressed in TM samples compared to NM (3.4‐fold) and OSCC (2.0‐fold) samples. VEGFA transcript level was overexpressed in T3–T4 tumors, metastatic lymph nodes, and stage III‐IV OSCCs. Immunoreactivity of the VEGFA protein was detected in the cytoplasm of parenchymal and stromal cells, mainly in endothelial cells and fibroblasts.

Conclusion

Our results show that VEGFA was overexpressed in aggressive OSCCs and that VEGFA expression may be an important prognostic factor in this type of cancer. Finally, tumor margins may be involved in the production of angiogenic molecules.
Effect of Age, Season, Body Condition, and Endocrine Status on Serum Free Cortisol Fraction and Insulin Concentration in Horses
Authors: Hart K.A. , Wochele D.M. , Norton N.A. , McFarlane D. , Wooldridge A.A. , Frank N.
Published: February 2016

Background

Increased free cortisol fraction is associated with insulin dysregulation (ID) in people with Metabolic Syndrome and Cushing's Disease. Free cortisol has not been investigated in equine endocrine disorders.

Hypotheses

(1) In healthy horses, sex, age, body condition score (BCS), and season impact free cortisol; (2) free cortisol is increased in horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).

Animals

Fifty‐seven healthy horses; 40 horses and ponies with PPID (n = 20) or EMS (n = 20).

Methods

Prospective study. Serum collected seasonally from healthy animals and archived serum from PPID and EMS animals was analyzed for insulin, total and free cortisol concentrations, and free cortisol fraction (FCF). Linear mixed models were used to determine effects of age, sex, season, and BCS on hormones in controls. Hormone measurements were compared between disease groups and age‐ and season‐matched controls with t‐tests. EMS and hyperinsulinemic PPID animals were combined in an ID (hyperinsulinemia) group.

Results

Free cortisol concentrations were increased in overweight/obese controls (0.3 ± 0.1 μg/dL) compared to lean controls (0.2 ± 0.1 μg/dL; P = .017). Mean FCF was significantly higher in animals with PPID (8.8 ± 5.8 μg/dL, P = .005) or ID (8.8 ± 10.2 μg/dL, P = .039) than controls (5.0 ± 0.9 μg/dL), but total cortisol concentrations were similar (P ≥ .350) (PPID: 4.2 ± 4.3 μg/dL; ID: 5.0 ± 4.5 μg/dL; controls: 4.6 ± 1.7 and 5.1 ± 2.1 μg/dL).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Increased FCF is associated with obesity in healthy horses and with ID (hyperinsulinemia) in horses and ponies with endocrine disease. Decreased plasma cortisol‐binding capacity could be a component of these endocrine disorders in horses.
Winner of the SLS Annual Conference Best Paper Prize 2015: Towards an understanding of the basis of obligation and commitment in family law
Authors: Douglas Gillian
Published: February 2016

Much family law scholarship in recent years has been focused on the recognition of different types of family relationship. Often, the rationale for the grant of rights and duties to new forms of relationship is said to be because the parties have shown commitment, or the same degree of commitment, as those in formally recognised unions, such as marriage. But there has been relatively little consideration of why or how commitment can provide an adequate rationale for the imposition of legal consequences, in particular, legal obligations, especially when such commitment may be lacking on the part of one of the parties, or comes to an end. This paper explores the meanings of obligation and commitment within the family and questions whether commitment provides a necessary or sufficient justification for the imposition of legal obligations in family relationships.
Depression in dialysis patients
Authors: Ma Terry King‐Wing , Li Philip Kam‐Tao
Published: February 2016

Depression is the most common psychiatric illness in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). The reported prevalence of depression in dialysis population varied from 22.8% (interview‐based diagnosis) to 39.3% (self‐ or clinician‐administered rating scales). Such differences were attributed to the overlapping symptoms of uraemia and depression. Systemic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies showed that depression was a significant predictor of mortality in dialysis population. The optimal screening tool for depression in dialysis patients remains uncertain. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) have been validated for screening purposes. Patients who scored ≥14 using BDI should be referred to a psychiatrist for early evaluation. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM disorders (SCID) remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Non‐pharmacological treatment options include cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise training programs. Although frequent haemodialysis may have beneficial effects on patients' physical and mental well‐being, it cannot and should not be viewed as a treatment of depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally effective and safe in ESRD patients, but most studies were small, non‐randomized and uncontrolled. The European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) guideline suggests a trial of SSRI for 8 to 12 weeks in dialysis patients who have moderate–major depression. The treatment effect should be re‐evaluated after 12 weeks to avoid prolonging ineffective medication. This review will discuss the current understanding in the diagnosis and management of depression in dialysis patients.
Effective treatment with rituximab for the maintenance of remission in frequently relapsing minimal change disease
Authors: Papakrivopoulou Eugenia , Shendi Ali M. , Salama Alan D. , Khosravi Maryam , Connolly John O. , Trompeter Richard
Published: February 2016

Aim

Treatment of frequently relapsing or steroid‐dependent minimal change disease (MCD) in children and adults remains challenging. Glucocorticoids and/or other immunosuppressive agents are the mainstay of treatment, but patients often experience toxicity from prolonged exposure and may either become treatment dependent and/or resistant. Increasing evidence suggests that rituximab (RTX) can be a useful alternative to standard immunosuppression and allow withdrawal of maintenance immunosuppressants; however, data on optimal treatment regimens, long‐term efficacy and safety are still limited.

Methods

We undertook a prospective study of RTX to allow immunosuppression minimization in 15 young adults with frequently relapsing or steroid‐dependent, biopsy‐proven MCD. All patients were in remission at the start of treatment and on a calcineurin inhibitor. Two doses of RTX (1 gr) were given 6 months apart. A subset of patients also received an additional dose 12 months later, in order to examine the benefit of re‐treatment. Biochemical and clinical parameters were monitored over an extended follow‐up period of up to 43 months.

Results

Median steroid‐free survival after RTX was 25 months (range 4–34). Mean relapse frequency decreased from 2.60 ± 0.28 to 0.4 ± 0.19 (P < 0.001) after RTX. Seven relapses occurred, five of which (71%) when CD19 counts were greater than 100 µ. Immunoglobulin levels remained unchanged, and no major side effects were observed throughout the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

Rituximab therapy is effective at maintaining prolonged steroid‐free remission and reducing relapse frequency in this group of patients. Our study lends further support for the role of RTX in the treatment of patients with frequently relapsing or steroid‐dependent MCD.
Hyperpigmented Plaques of the Alar Crease: An Unusual Presentation of Acanthosis Nigricans
Authors: Guffey Darren , Narahari Swetha , Alinia Hossein
Published: February 2016

Although acanthosis nigricans of the posterior neck and intertriginous areas is common, acanthosis nigricans of the supra‐alar creases is rare. We present the case of an obese 16‐year‐old African American boy with hyperpigmented plaques along the supra‐alar creases of his nose. Clinicians should be aware of this rare manifestation, because newly diagnosed acanthosis nigricans should prompt examination for insulin resistance.
Predictors of alcohol consumption on dates and sense of intimacy
Authors: IP SONIA H. L. , HEUBECK BERND G.
Published: February 2016

The drinking culture in Western societies infiltrates many aspects of life, including early romantic relationships. This study investigated factors that predict drinking on dates and the impact of date drinking on feelings of intimacy. Regression analyses of questionnaire data revealed that expectancies, general drinking tendencies, and partner's drinking as well as their interactions with gender and ethnicity contributed to explaining alcohol consumption on dates. Intimacy was significantly predicted by alcohol usage on dates, but the effects of drinking by self and partner varied by gender. Women's own drinking positively predicted their sense of intimacy, but their partner's drinking was linked to decreased intimacy. Men's reports showed significant effects but in the opposite direction. The Discussion section considers implications for dating and future research.
Four‐model approach to adolescent–parent attachment relationships and adolescents' loneliness, school belonging, and teacher appraisal
Authors: AL‐YAGON MICHAL , KOPELMAN‐RUBIN DAPHNE , BRUNSTEIN KLOMEK ANAT , MIKULINCER MARIO
Published: February 2016

This study tested monotropy, hierarchy, independence, and integration conceptual models of adolescent–mother and adolescent–father attachment to explain adolescents' perceived social interrelationships with extrafamilial attachment figures (peers, teachers). Participants included 356 Israeli adolescents (12–15 years). More adolescents were significantly classified as securely attached to mothers than to fathers, but high concordances emerged. Results supported two of the attachment models, hierarchy and integration, as explaining variation in adolescents' perceived extrafamilial interrelationships. As per the hierarchy attachment model, adolescent–mother attachment outweighed adolescent–father attachment to some extent in predicting adolescents' perceived social interrelationship measures. As per the integration attachment model, significant differences emerged on most social interrelationship measures between the 4 distinct subgroups: secure attachment to both parents, neither, only father, only mother. The Discussion section focuses on the unique importance of attachment to each parent for typically developing junior high students.
Results of pediatric living donor compared to deceased donor liver transplantation in the PELD/MELD era: Experience from two centers on two different continents
Authors: Yankol Yucel , Fernandez Luis A. , Kanmaz Turan , Leverson Glen E. , Mezrich Joshua D. , Foley David , Mecit Nesimi , D'Alessandro Anthony M. , Acarli Koray , Kalayoglu Munci
Published: February 2016

The LDLT option in the pediatric population allows recipients to be transplanted early. A total of 202 consecutive pediatric liver transplants from two different institutions—108 (LDLT) and 94 (DDLT)—were retrospectively compared. Overall, one‐ and three‐yr patient and graft survival were similar between DDLT and LDLT. ACR was greater in recipients of DDLT at one and three yr (50.8% and 61.0%) compared to LDLT (30.8% and 32.2%) (p = 0.002). When the data were stratified according to PELD/MELD score, LDLT with a low score had better one‐ and three‐yr graft survival (96.2% and 96.2%) compared to DDLT (88.2% and 85.2%) (p = 0.02), with comparable patient survival (p = 0.75). Patient and graft survival were similar between DDLT and LDLT in the high PELD/MELD group. Lower incidence of ACR in both low and high PELD/MELD groups was (29.6% and 34.3%) for LDLT compared to DDLT (50.3% and 53.3%, p = 0.002 and p = 0.028, respectively). Regardless of PELD/MELD score, status, age group, and recipient weight, LDLT provides excellent patient and graft survival with a lower incidence of rejection compared to DDLT.
Multisensory Processing and Perceptual Consciousness: Part I
Authors: Briscoe Robert Eamon
Published: February 2016

Multisensory processing encompasses all of the various ways in which the presence of information in one sensory modality can adaptively influence the processing of information in a different modality. In Part I of this survey article, I begin by presenting a cartography of some of the more extensively investigated forms of multisensory processing, with a special focus on two distinct types of multisensory integration. I briefly discuss the conditions under which these different forms of multisensory processing occur as well as their important perceptual consequences and interrelations. In Part II, I then turn to examining of some of the different possible ways in which the structure of conscious perceptual experience might also be characterized as multisensory. In addition, I discuss the significance of research on multisensory processing and multisensory consciousness for philosophical attempts to individuate the senses.
Introductions and Histories: How, When, and Where of Race in Philosophy
Authors: Peterson Charles F.
Published: February 2016

Introductions and Histories: How, When, and Where of Race in Philosophy Africana Philosophy has successfully argued itself to be an important area of philosophical discourse. Fundamental to this effort is Africana Philosophy's work to bring race, race thinking, and racism to the fore of philosophical examination. In the wake of Africana Philosophy's influence, discussions of race, race thinking, and racism are becoming central to regular philosophical discourse. The production of introductory works on race and philosophy and works examining the place of race and race thinking in the history of European canonical philosophy points to philosophy's growing self awareness of race as foundational to what philosophy as a body of knowledge is and its self awareness of how race and race thinking informed the development of the field. These types of texts contribute to the normalization of race as a subfield of philosophy. Specifically, this essay will analyze four contemporary texts that exemplify this trend and what they contribute to mainstream philosophy's evolution as a site that understands race and race's role as a part of human experience and a necessary part of the larger philosophical project.
The Questionable Presupposition Underlying Hartian Accounts of Legal Facts
Authors: Sciaraffa Stefan
Published: February 2016

Per the standard reading of his view, Hart held that the legally valid norms of any legal system are those identified as such by the criteria of validity effectively accepted in common by the system's officials (i.e. the system's rule of recognition). Here, I focus on the presupposition underlying this Hartian account of legal facts – namely, that the officials of any legal system share a perspective that fixes the identity of their system's legally valid norms. Below, I hope to establish the appeal of this presupposition and the attendant Hartian project of providing an account of the identity of the legally valid norms of any legal system. Nonetheless, as I explain, the phenomenon of disagreement that Ronald Dworkin describes threatens Hart's crucial presupposition, thereby posing a mortal threat to his account of legal facts. Moreover, as I hope the following survey illustrates, the phenomenon of disagreement similarly threatens many other contemporary theories of law (including Dworkin's), for these theories join the project of providing a Hartian account of legal facts. A final objective of this survey is to highlight two mutually exclusive strategies for responding to the phenomenon of disagreement: rejecting the Hartian presupposition and commitment to legal facts or affirming this Hartian project by explaining how officials share a legal fact‐fixing perspective despite disagreeing about their system's criteria of validity.
Natural Law Theories
Authors: Crowe Jonathan
Published: February 2016

This article considers natural law perspectives on the nature of law. Natural law theories are united by what Mark Murphy calls thenatural law thesis: law is necessarily a rational standard for conduct. The natural law position comes in strong and weak versions: the strong view holds that a rational defect in a norm renders it legally invalid, while the weak view holds that a rational defect in a legal norm renders it legally defective. The article explores the motivations for the natural law position, before considering three lines of natural law argument found in the literature. I conclude by examining the arguments offered by John Finnis and Murphy in support of the weak natural law view. I suggest that these arguments fail to impugn the strong natural law thesis. Indeed, the functional argument outlined by Murphy provides a plausible route to a hybrid natural law view that incorporates both weak and strong claims.
Development and Validation of an Algorithm to Determine Spontaneous versus Provider‐Initiated Preterm Birth in US Vital Records
Authors: Klebanoff Mark A. , Yossef‐Salameh Lina , Latimer Cheryl , Oza‐Frank Reena , Kachoria Rashmi , Reagan Patricia B. , Oliver Emily A. , Buhimschi Catalin S. , Buhimschi Irina A.
Published: February 2016

Background

Determining whether initiation of preterm birth was spontaneous, or through labour induction or caesarean without labour or membrane rupture is critical in surveillance and aetiological research on preterm birth, although this information is not explicitly included on the US Birth Certificate. Algorithms combining several fields from birth certificates have been developed to infer the initiating event, but none has been validated against manual review of original obstetric records. Our objective was to develop a birth certificate‐based algorithm to determine initiation of preterm birth and validate it by manual review of original records.

Methods

We developed an algorithm from the 2003 US Standard Birth Certificate to determine spontaneous vs. indicated preterm birth. The algorithm was first tested on obstetrical records from 80 preterm (<37 weeks) births in Columbus OH (2006–12) abstracted by an obstetrics research nurse and reviewed by an obstetrician–gynecologist. Onset of delivery was spontaneous if the initiating event was premature rupture of membranes (PROM) or contractions, or indicated if the initiating event was induction or caesarean without labour or PROM. The algorithm was validated in an independent sample of 100 preterm births from four hospitals.

Results

Codes for tocolysis, fetal intolerance of labour, and anaesthesia during labour did not predict labour and were dropped. The final algorithm correctly classified 73/80 cases, kappa = 0.83. In the validation, 86/100 cases were correctly classified. The kappa statistic was 0.68 (0.52, 0.83); predictive values for spontaneous and indicated onset were 85% (75%, 92%) and 89% (71%, 98%).

Conclusions

The algorithm distinguished spontaneous from indicated preterm birth, using birth certificates, with good accuracy.
The relative influence of in situ and neighborhood factors on reptile recolonization in post‐mining restoration sites
Authors: Triska Maggie D. , Craig Michael D. , Stokes Vicki L. , Pech Roger P. , Hobbs Richard J.
Published: February 2016

Restoration can be important in slowing, or reducing, rates of biodiversity loss, but needs to consider the factors influencing fauna recolonization as part of the recovery process. Although many studies of factors influencing faunal recolonization have examined the influence of in situ site factors, fewer have examined the influence of neighborhood landscape factors, especially in landscapes with permeable matrices. To assess the relative influence of landscape and site factors on reptile recolonization in a production landscape with a permeable matrix, we surveyed reptiles at intact reference sites and post‐mining restoration sites (3–20 years post‐mining [YPM]) in a forest ecosystem in southwestern Australia. Reptile assemblages in restoration sites never converged on those in reference habitat. Reptile species composition and individual species abundances (>20 detections) in restoration sites were primarily influenced by site factors such as canopy height, litter cover, and coarse woody debris volume, and not by landscape factors. We suggest that the most common reptile species in our study area are primarily influenced by site factors, not landscape factors, and most reptiles detected in restoration sites were present by 3–4 YPM. Therefore, it is likely that habitat suitability is the main barrier to most species' recolonization of restoration sites in landscapes with permeable matrices. Management should continue to focus on restoring microhabitats and vegetation structure, which is similar to reference habitat to promote recolonization of restoration sites by reptiles.
Using trait‐based ecology to restore resilient ecosystems: historical conditions and the future of montane forests in western North America
Authors: Laughlin Daniel C. , Strahan Robert T. , Huffman David W. , Sánchez Meador Andrew J.
Published: February 2016

Historical reference conditions have provided empirical benchmarks for guiding ecological restoration but the relevance of historical conditions has been questioned in this era of rapid global change. Trait‐based ecology offers an alternative approach for setting restoration objectives. If we understand which phenotypic traits confer high survival in a given environment, then we can restore assemblages of species with favorable trait combinations to reduce mortality risk, achieve functional outcomes, and enhance restoration success. Our objective was to compare restoration prescriptions based on historical reference conditions versus trait‐based objectives in southwestern United States mixed conifer forests. To optimize survival and enhance resilience under projected increasing frequencies of fire and drought, we constructed and evaluated models based on combinations of three traits: thick bark, dense wood, and moderate leaf nitrogen concentration. Models with multiple traits accurately derived historical species abundance distributions, which is a necessary condition for the application of trait‐based models under less certain future conditions. Model results indicated that trait‐based restoration objectives could be achieved in two ways: by manipulating abundances of species that already coexist at a site or by adding native species from warmer climates to the local species pool. The latter approach may create no‐analog communities of native species. Restoration goals based on either historical reference conditions or future projections are special cases of a more general class of desired future conditions that are derived from trait‐based objectives. Functional ecology provides a general, flexible, and theory‐based approach to restoring resilient ecosystems at a time of rapid environmental change.
Quality of Life of Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving Conservative Care without Dialysis
Authors: Song Mi‐Kyung
Published: February 2016

With the evidence that dialysis may not necessarily be beneficial for older adults with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is a growing interest in promoting conservative care without dialysis as a viable treatment option for these individuals. This review summarizes the current empirical evidence of symptom experiences and quality of life of patients receiving conservative care. Data suggest that conservative care may yield symptom experiences and quality of life that are compatible with those of patients on dialysis. However, these data are exclusively from studies conducted outside of the United States in which there were often no comparison groups or study designs that could provide high quality evidence. There is an urgent need for further research and developing a conservative care model suitable for CKD populations in the U.S.
Alteration of Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor and Neonatal Fc Receptor Expression in the Gut Mucosa of Immunodeficiency Virus‐Infected Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Wang Y. , Yang GB.
Published: February 2016

Polymeric immunoglobulin receptors (pIgR) and neonatal Fc receptors (FcRn) are crucial immunoglobulin (Ig) receptors for the transcytosis of immunoglobulins, that is IgA, IgM and IgG, the levels of which in mucosal secretions were altered in both HIV‐ and SIV‐infected individuals. To gain an insight into the changes of pIgR and FcRn expression after immunodeficiency virus (SHIV/SIV) infection, real‐time RT‐PCR methods were established and the mRNA levels of pIgR and FcRn in normal and SHIV/SIV‐infected rhesus macaques were quantitatively examined. It was found that the levels of pIgR mRNA were within a range of 107 copies per million copies of GAPDH mRNA in the gut mucosa of rhesus macaques, which were up to 55 times higher than that in the oral mucosa, the highest among the non‐gut tissues examined. Levels of FcRn mRNA were generally lower than that of pIgR, and the levels of FcRn mRNA in the gut mucosa were also lower than that in most non‐gut tissues examined. Notably, the levels of pIgR mRNA in the duodenal mucosa were positively correlated with that of IL‐17A in normal rhesus macaques. Both pIgR and FcRn mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the duodenal mucosa during acute SHIV infection and in the jejunum and caecum during chronic SHIV/SIV infection. These data expanded our knowledge on the expression of pIgR and FcRn in the gastrointestinal tract of rhesus macaques and demonstrated altered expression of pIgR and FcRn in SHIV/SIV, and by extension HIV infections, which might have contributed to HIV/AIDS pathogenesis.
Personality traits, gender differences and symptoms of anhedonia: What does the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) measure in nonclinical settings?
Authors: Langvik Eva , Hjemdal Odin , Nordahl Hans M.
Published: February 2016

In healthy populations men report more depressive symptoms than women when depression is measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study aims to investigate the role of neuroticism and extroversion in symptom reporting by men and women and whether anhedonia can explain these reversed gender differences in depression observed when using HADS. HADS, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO FFI) were administered twice to a sample of university students. Number of subjects at T1 was 372 and 160 at T2, measured two months apart. Men had a higher average score on depressive symptoms measured by HADS‐D compared to women (p = 0.029). Women scored higher than men on HADS‐A (p = 0.012), neuroticism (p < 0.001) and PANAS‐negative affect (p < 0.029). No significant gender differences were observed in extroversion and positive affect. Test‐retest stabilities on HADS‐A and HADS‐D were high. Neuroticism predicted HADS‐A at Time 2. Gender, extroversion, and neuroticism predicted HADS‐D at Time 2. The anhedonic content in HADS may be a plausible explanation of reversed gender differences in the HADS depression scale. HADS‐D represents a specific anhedonic subtype of depression where symptom reporting reflects dispositional tendencies related specifically to extroversion.