bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Relations Among Prosocial-Media Use, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Prot Sara , Gentile Douglas A. , Anderson Craig A. , Suzuki Kanae , Swing Edward , Lim Kam Ming , Horiuchi Yukiko , Jelic Margareta , Krahé Barbara , Liuqing Wei , Liau Albert K. , Khoo Angeline , Petrescu Poesis Diana , Sakamoto Akira , Tajima Sachi , Toma Roxana Andreea , Warburton Wayne , Zhang Xuemin , Lam Ben Chun Pan
Published: December 2013

Despite recent growth of research on the effects of prosocial media, processes underlying these effects are not well understood. Two studies explored theoretically relevant mediators and moderators of the effects of prosocial media on helping. Study 1 examined associations among prosocial- and violent-media use, empathy, and helping in samples from seven countries. Prosocial-media use was positively associated with helping. This effect was mediated by empathy and was similar across cultures. Study 2 explored longitudinal relations among prosocial-video-game use, violent-video-game use, empathy, and helping in a large sample of Singaporean children and adolescents measured three times across 2 years. Path analyses showed significant longitudinal effects of prosocial- and violent-video-game use on prosocial behavior through empathy. Latent-growth-curve modeling for the 2-year period revealed that change in video-game use significantly affected change in helping, and that this relationship was mediated by change in empathy.
Wetness loss prediction for a low pressure steam turbine using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Starzmann Jörg , Casey Michael M , Mayer Jürgen F , Sieverding Frank
Published: December 2013

Two-phase computational fluid dynamics modelling is used to investigate the magnitude of different contributions to the wet steam losses in a three-stage model low pressure steam turbine. The thermodynamic losses (due to irreversible heat transfer across a finite temperature difference) and the kinematic relaxation losses (due to the frictional drag of the drops) are evaluated directly from the computational fluid dynamics simulation using a concept based on entropy production rates. The braking losses (due to the impact of large drops on the rotor) are investigated by a separate numerical prediction. The simulations show that in the present case, the dominant effect is the thermodynamic loss that accounts for over 90% of the wetness losses and that both the thermodynamic and the kinematic relaxation losses depend on the droplet diameter. The numerical results are brought into context with the well-known Baumann correlation, and a comparison with available measurement data in the literature is given. The ability of the numerical approach to predict the main wetness losses is confirmed, which permits the use of computational fluid dynamics for further studies on wetness loss correlations.
A knight in white satin armour? New institutionalism and mayoral leadership in the era of governance1
Authors: Steyvers Kristof
Published: December 2013

This article connects two streams in the literature on local political leadership by identifying the effect of leadership in form on the altering nature of leadership behaviour in the era of governance as a promising field of research. In particular, it argues to proceed with a comparative new institutionalism agenda. In order to illustrate this approach it uses data from a comparative project on local political leadership in Europe and focuses on mayor business orientation as an aspect of external networking. The analysis shows institutional form matters, but is highly contingent upon leadership context and characteristics. Future research should not only improve the conceptualization of form and extend the scope of leadership behaviour under study, but also probe into the causal mechanisms that relate form, context and characteristics.
International Students as a Resource for Internationalization of Higher Education
Authors: Urban Ewa L. , Palmer Louann Bierlein
Published: December 2013

This study used a cross-sectional survey to examine the perceptions of undergraduate and graduate international students enrolled at a public university in the Midwest, regarding international students’ perspectives on how their university engages them as cultural resources, and how such engagement might impact students’ perceptions of the value they receive from U.S. higher education. The data suggest that international students are not actively engaged as cultural resources although they would like to do more to help others learn about their countries and cultures. The level of desired engagement as a cultural resource was the highest among South and Central American students, and the lowest among European students. The study identifies multiple areas of opportunities for higher education to facilitate international students’ active contributions to the university’s strategic goal of global engagement and internationalization while also positively impacting the manner in which international students perceive their higher education experience.
The influences of polarization-maintaining fiber length and sensing length on axial strain sensitivity of polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror
Authors: Jiang Ying , Zeng Jie , Liang Dakai , Ni Xiaoyu
Published: December 2013

It is difficult to make sure that the spliced polarization-maintaining fiber length is the same in every fabricating polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror sensor, and it is also difficult to make sure that sensing length is the same in every experiment. To find out how these uncertain factors influence the axial strain sensitivity of polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror, we perform the research on the influences of polarization-maintaining fiber length and sensing length on axial strain sensitivity. In this article, a theoretical model for axial strain sensitivity of polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror is deduced first. By analyzing the theoretical model, we find that the axial strain sensitivity is unrelated to polarization-maintaining fiber length and sensing length. Then, we experimentally investigate the influences of polarization-maintaining fiber length and sensing length on axial strain sensitivity of polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror. The axial strain sensitivities in the experiments are almost the same for different polarization-maintaining fiber lengths and different sensing lengths. The experimental results agree with the theoretical ones. The results can provide help for fabricating and applying polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror sensor. The results can be applied in the temperature, displacement, and vibration sensors of polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror and can also be applied in photonic crystal fiber loop mirror sensor.
Psychometric Properties of a Korean Measure of Person-Directed Care in Nursing Homes
Authors: Choi Jae-Sung , Lee Minhong
Published: December 2013

Objective:

This study examined the validity and reliability of a person-directed care (PDC) measure for nursing homes in Korea.

Method:

Managerial personnel from 223 nursing homes in 2010 and 239 in 2012 were surveyed.

Results:

Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis for the first sample generated a 33-item PDC measure with eight factors. Item analysis for the second sample resulted in 32 items. Confirmatory factor analysis verified the acceptability of the revised instrument with seven factors of 30 items (χ2 = 650.96, root mean square error of approximation = .059, nonnormed fit index = .88, comparative fit index = .90, and incremental fit index = .90). The overall scale had high internal consistency and reliability (α = .925).

Conclusion:

Findings from this study confirm the validity of the revised Korean PDC scale.
Prevalence of the Factor V E666D Mutation and Its Correlation With Activated Protein C Resistance in the Chinese Population
Authors: Xin-guang Chen , Yong-qiang Zhao , Shu-jie Wang , Lian-kai Fan , Hua-cong Cai
Published: December 2013

Background:

Factor V (FV) Leiden mutation-related activated protein C resistance (APCR) is one of the common inherited risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in caucasian population. Although APCR could be identified in some of the Chinese healthy people and patients with VTE, it was not related to FV Leiden mutation. In 2008, we have identified a novel FV mutation (FV E666D) in exon 13 in a hereditary APCR family. And we presumed that the novel mutation might be a genetic defect of APCR in the Chinese population. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of FV E666D mutation and its correlation with APCR in the Chinese population in a larger series.

Methods:

From June 2009 to January 2011, 163 consecutive patients who underwent thrombophilia tests in our hospital were recruited. The clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Thrombophilia tests included APCR, anticoagulant proteins, and antiphospholipid antibodies. Factor V E666D mutation was detected.

Result:

Of the 163 patients, 6 (3.7%) were identified as APCR positive, 2.9% for patients without thrombosis and 5.1% for patients with thrombosis or thrombosis history. Factor V E666D mutation was not detectable in all the 163 patients including 6 APCR-positive patients.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of APCR either in the nonthrombotic patients or in the patients with thrombosis was lower than that reported in other Chinese studies. Our study couldn’t provide illustration whether FV E666D mutation is correlated with APCR in the Chinese population.
Lower Incidence of M2/ANXA5 Carriage in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Patients With Elevated Lipoprotein(a) Levels
Authors: Rogenhofer Nina , Engels Laura , Bogdanova Nadja , Tüttelmann Frank , Thaler Christian J , Markoff Arseni
Published: December 2013

This study compared the incidence of M2/ANXA5 haplotype carriage, a documented repeated miscarriage risk factor, in patient groups with normal and elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels. A total of 138 women with ≥2 consecutive, idiopathic recurrent miscarriages, categorized in patients with elevated (≥30 mg/dL, n = 44) and normal Lp(a) level (<30 mg/dL, n = 94) were recruited at the recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) clinic of Munich Großhadern University Hospital. A total of 500 fertile women served as controls. All patients were genotyped for ANXA5 promoter haplotypes, genetic frequencies were compared, and odds ratios (ORs) and relative risks of M2 carriers were calculated. Women with M2 haplotype had an almost 2 times higher relative risk of RPL (OR 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5-4.6, P = .001) than fertile controls. Furthermore, risk rises to 2.47 in patients having normal Lp(a) levels (OR 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.7-5.9, P = .001), whereas women with high Lp(a) levels exhibit notably lower apparent RPL risk of 1.39 (OR 1.4, 95% confidence interval 0.5-4.1, P = .659).
Dynamic non-probabilistic reliability-based topology optimization of truss with uncertain-but-bounded parameters
Authors: Xu Bin
Published: December 2013

In this paper, non-probabilistic reliability indices for frequency and static displacement constraints are analyzed based on the ellipse convex model of elastic modulus and mass density. The dynamic non-probabilistic reliability-based topology optimization model of a truss is built, where the cross-sectional areas and nodal topology variables are taken as design variables. The objective is to minimize the structural total mass. Constraints are imposed on static stresses and non-probabilistic reliability indices of static displacement and natural frequency. A genetic algorithm is used as the optimization method to find optimal solutions in the outer loop and an analysis method is adopted to seek non-probabilistic reliability index according to implicit forms of the limit state function in the inner loop. Results of numerical examples show that the optimal mass of a non-probabilistic reliability-based topology optimization is larger than that of the deterministic topology optimization and the optimal mass increases with the increase of the non-probabilistic reliability requirement in order to ensure structural safety.
Passive and active controllers for suppressing the torsional vibration of multiple-degree-of-freedom system
Authors: El-Sayed Ashraf Taha , Bauomy Hany Samih
Published: December 2013

In this paper, passive and active control methods are applied to reduce the torsional vibration of a nonlinear dynamical system. This system is subjected to multi parametric excitation forces and modeled by the coupled nonlinear differential equations. This leads to two degrees of freedom and three degrees of freedom when the torsional absorber is connected to the system. A multiple scale perturbation technique is applied to obtain an approximate solution and investigate the response of the system. The stability and the steady-state response of the system near the simultaneous sub-harmonic and internal resonances are studied and discussed using the frequency response function method. The numerical solution and chaotic response of the nonlinear dynamical system for different parameters are also studied. The simulation results are achieved using MATLAB 7.0 programs.
Parenting stress and child physical health among a low-income sample: The moderating role of child anxiety
Authors: Kidwell Katherine M , Nelson Timothy D , Van Dyk Tori
Published: December 2013

This study examined child anxiety as a potential moderator of the relationship between parenting stress and child physical health. Low-income youth ( N = 109, M = 9.51 years old) and their parents completed measures of anxiety, health-related quality of life, and parenting stress in an outpatient clinic. As an objective measure of physical health, medical service utilization was extracted from medical records. Parenting stress was associated significantly with worse health-related quality of life and higher service utilization. Child anxiety moderated the relationship between stress and health. Health psychologists should target both family stress and child anxiety in promoting better health outcomes among low-income families.
Supporting the Development of Latino Bilingual Mental Health Professionals
Authors: Peters Michelle L. , Sawyer Cheryl B. , Guzmán Michele R. , Graziani Cate
Published: December 2013

Latino individuals who prefer to communicate in Spanish lack linguistically and culturally proficient mental health professionals with whom they can communicate effectively. This study illustrates the components necessary to facilitate the overall success of Latino, Spanish-speaking students in attaining advanced degrees in mental health services and developing them into competent bilingual service providers. Findings indicate that this shortage may be addressed with the assistance of higher education programs providing financial support, cultural and linguistic competency training, and both peer and faculty mentoring.
Corticospinal Tract Integrity and Lesion Volume Play Different Roles in Chronic Hemiparesis and Its Improvement Through Motor Practice
Authors: Sterr Annette , Dean Phil J. A. , Szameitat Andre J. , Conforto Adriana Bastos , Shen Shan
Published: December 2013

Background. Initial evidence suggests that the integrity of the ipsilesional corticospinal tract (CST) after stroke is strongly related to motor function in the chronic state but not the treatment gain induced by motor rehabilitation. Objective. We examined the association of motor status and treatment benefit by testing patients with a wide range of severity of hemiparesis of the left and right upper extremity. Method. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 22 patients beyond 12 months after onset of stroke with severe to moderate hemiparesis. Motor function was tested before and after 2 weeks of modified constraint-induced movement therapy. Results. CST integrity, but not lesion volume, correlated with the motor ability measures of the Wolf Motor Function Test and the Motor Activity Log. No differences were found between left and right hemiparesis. Motor performance improved significantly with the treatment regime, and did so equally for patients with left and right arm paresis. However, treatment benefit was not associated with either CST integrity or lesion volume. Conclusion. CST integrity correlated best in this small trial with chronic long-term status but not treatment-induced improvements. The CST may play a different role in the mechanisms mediating long-term outcome compared to those underlying practice-induced gains after a chronic plateau in motor function.
Ten-year long-term results of total joint arthroplasties with ARPE® implant in the treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis
Authors: Martin-Ferrero M.
Published: December 2013

Between May 1999 and April 2002 a total of 69 consecutive thumb carpometacarpal joint arthoplasties were performed in a total of 64 patients for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis using the cementless hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated unconstrained ARPE implant. Clinical, functional and radiological results at 10-year follow-up are presented. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Of the 64 patients, four were lost to follow-up, 60 implants (92.3%) were functional and five (7.7%) were not (two dislocated, two were removed and one with aseptic loosening). Survival estimate for functional implants over 10 years was 93.9% (95% confidence interval 82.3–97.9). The radiographs were satisfactory in 82.4%. There was subsidence of the cup in 15.8%. Thumb carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty with the ARPE implant offers a reliable treatment alternative in patients with Eaton grade III or IV thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis in the presence of good bone stock.
Characteristic changes in microbial community composition and expression of innate immune genes in acute appendicitis
Authors: Arlt Alexander , Bharti Richa , Ilves Imre , Häsler Robert , Miettinen Pekka , Paajanen Hannu , Brunke Gabriele , Ellrichmann Mark , Rehman Ateequr , Hauser Charlotte , Egberts Jan-Hendrik , Ott Stephan J , Schreiber Stefan , Rosenstiel Philip , Herzig Karl-Heinz
Published: December 2013

Appendicitis represents a common and severe gastrointestinal illness in younger individuals worldwide. The disease is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response and it is believed that bacterial overgrowth due to blockage of the appendix lumen might be involved. Despite the high incidence, only limited data on the pathophysiological changes exist; in particular, the innate immune responses involved are largely unknown. Real-time PCR analysis of tissue samples from inflamed and normal appendices demonstrated differentially regulated expression patterns of epithelial-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMP). The α-defensins human neutrophil peptides 1–3, HD5 and HD6, as well as the two β-defensins, human β-defensins (hBD)-2 and hBD-3, were up-regulated, whereas hBD-1 was down-regulated in acute appendicitis. Expression of upstream regulators of AMP expression, NOD-2 and TLRs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10 was significantly increased as detected by real-time PCR. Finally, we confirmed the involvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8, and detected characteristic changes in microbial community composition in appendicitis tissue specimens by 16S rDNA based detection techniques. In this study, we demonstrate a differential regulation of the innate immune system along with an altered bacterial diversity in acute appendicitis.
Development of levofloxacin inhalation solution to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Stockmann Chris , Sherwin Catherine M.T. , Ampofo Krow , Spigarelli Michael G.
Published: December 2013

Inhaled therapies allow for the targeted delivery of antimicrobials directly into the lungs and have been widely used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) acute pulmonary exacerbations. Nebulized levofloxacin solution (MP-376) is a novel therapy that is currently being evaluated in phase I, II, and III clinical trials among patients with stable CF and recent isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum. Phase I studies have investigated the single and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of MP-376 and shown that it is rapidly absorbed from the lungs and results in low systemic concentrations. A subsequent phase IB study found that MP-376 pharmacokinetics were comparable among adults and children 6–16 years of age. Further phase II studies reported that sputum P. aeruginosa density decreased in a dose-dependent manner among patients who were randomized to MP-376 when compared with patients who received placebo. Improvements in pulmonary function and a decrease in the need for other antipseudomonal antibiotics were also reported for patients who received inhaled levofloxacin. The most common adverse event was dysgeusia (abnormal taste sensation), which was reported by nearly half of the participants who received MP-376. No serious drug-related adverse events were reported. These findings are encouraging; however, data from the two ongoing phase III trials are needed to determine whether MP-376 demonstrates substantial evidence of safety and efficacy as a chronic CF maintenance therapy and therefore may be useful in routine clinical practice.
Comparison of outcomes following stereotactic body radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with and without pathological confirmation
Authors: Haidar Yarah M. , Rahn Douglas A. , Nath Sameer , Song William , Bazhenova Lyudmila , Makani Samir , Fuster Mark M. , Sandhu Ajay P.
Published: December 2013

Purpose/objective:

Treatment of presumed early-stage lung cancer with definitive radiation therapy in the absence of a pathologically confirmed specimen frequently occurs. However, it is not well described in the literature, and there are few North American series reporting on this patient population. We report outcomes in patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for presumed lung cancer and compare them to outcomes in patients treated with SBRT with pathologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials/methods:

This study is based on a retrospective review of 55 patients with presumed or confirmed lung cancer: 23 patients had nondiagnostic or absent pathologic specimens while 32 patients had pathologically confirmed NSCLC. All patients had hypermetabolic primary lesions on a positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/computed tomography (CT) scan. SBRT was delivered as 48–56 Gy in four to five fractions via a four-dimensional CT treatment plan.

Results:

Of the patients without pathological confirmation, the mean age was 78 (range 63–89 years) and 17 (74%) were men. The mean tumor size was 2.5 cm (range 1.0–5.1). Reasons for not having confirmed pathologic diagnosis included indeterminate biopsy specimen or an inability to tolerate a biopsy procedure due to poor respiratory status. SBRT was chosen due to noncandidacy for surgery in 17 patients (74%) or patient refusal of surgery in six (26%). Median follow up was 24.2 months (range 1.9–64.6): 2 of the 23 patients (8.7%) had local failure at the site of SBRT and 3 (13%) had regional failure. The actuarial 12-month overall survival was 83%. The median overall survival was 30.2 months. At last follow up, 12 patients (52%) were alive up to 64.6 months after treatment. SBRT was tolerated well in this series. Acute toxicity was noted in two patients (8.7%) and chronic toxicity in three (13%). These patient characteristics and results were shown to be similar to the 32 patients with pathologically confirmed NSCLC. On Kaplan–Meier analysis, there was no significant difference ( p = 0.27) in overall survival between patients with pathologically confirmed NSCLC and those with presumed lung cancer (which was deemed most likely NSCLC).

Conclusion:

While biopsy confirmation remains a goal in the workup of suspected NSCLC, SBRT without pathologic confirmation may represent a safe and effective option for the treatment of presumed NSCLC among patients who cannot tolerate or refuse surgery.
Should HRT be duration limited?
Authors: Pitkin Joan
Published: December 2013

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has received consistently bad press, despite re-analysis of previous data new studies and supporting Consensus Statements from leading national and international societies. Many women have been convinced by women's journals and the media not to even consider HRT as an option and, General Practitioners, still limit duration to 5 years or, will, arbitrarily, discontinue prescriptions in the early 50s. This article seeks to make sense of our current position. Previous and new evidence on the safety of HRT is reviewed. New data on the long-term consequences of non-treatment of women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is presented and the dichotomy of the older female workforce is explored. From this, a logical plan of management emerges.
Endoscopic approach to subepithelial lesions
Authors: Menon Laila , Buscaglia Jonathan M.
Published: December 2013

Endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) play a critical role in the detection and management of subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common subepithelial lesions detected by endoscopists are gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyomas, lipomas, granular cell tumors (GCTs), pancreatic rests and carcinoid tumors. These lesions can be classified based on unique histochemical staining and the gastrointestinal layer of origin. While the majority of the lesions are considered benign, some tumors such as GISTs and carcinoids have a strong propensity for malignant transformation. Therefore, appropriate endoscopic versus surgical management based on size and location is crucial in the prevention of malignant transformation and metastasis. In this review, we provide a systematic approach to the diagnosis, management and treatment of commonly encountered subepithelial lesions.
Assessment of Undernutrition Among the Under-5 Children in a Slum of Kolkata
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Sanjib , Das Saibal , Mondal Somnath
Published: December 2013

Background. This cross-sectional study was done to assess undernutrition among children under the age of 5 years in a slum of Kolkata (n = 188) and to compare these results with z score and the conventional Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) system. Methods. Data were collected by interviewing the mothers of the children, conducting anthropometric measurements, and using World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16. The chi-square test was used, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Overall, around 60% children were undernourished (z score < −2 SD). The conventional growth monitoring detected only underweight children, but when the z score system of WHO Child Growth Standards was used, those children were further classified as wasting and stunting. As per the IAP criteria, 104 children were undernourished and 7 were severely undernourished, but by z score, 98 children were undernourished and 29 were severely undernourished. Conclusion. The z score system identified a much higher prevalence of severe undernutrition compared with the IAP system (15.4% vs 3.7%). The conventional use of underweight (low weight for age) instead of z score as the sole criterion for identifying undernourished children may underestimate the true incidence of undernutrition in a community, which might prevent those children from receiving the deserved benefits of nutritional supplementation from different programs. More widespread use of the z score system, especially in community-based studies, may be thus recommended.
Family Systems Theory and Obesity Treatment
Authors: Kaplan Sebastian G. , Arnold Elizabeth Mayfield , Irby Megan B. , Boles Katherine A. , Skelton Joseph A.
Published: December 2013

Family-based approaches are recommended for the treatment of pediatric obesity, although most of the literature describes programs that only include the identified child and one parent in the treatment process. As a result, the clinical application of research protocols in nutrition settings may be inadequate; multiple representations of a “family” will be encountered in the clinical environment. Mental health professionals, particularly those who work with children, often engage families in psychotherapy. Developing an understanding of their methods may be beneficial to Dietitians and other clinicians who wish to follow a more family-based approach and may present new avenues for effective treatment. In our tertiary care pediatric obesity clinic, we routinely involve multiple family members throughout the treatment process. Here we discuss our experiences and introduce Bowen’s Family Systems Theory as a model for translating family therapy principles into nutrition-focused treatment settings.
Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Offerings to Somali Children
Authors: Hearst Mary O. , Kehm Rebecca , Sherman Shelley , Lechner Kate E.
Published: December 2013

Objective: To determine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a parent-centered intervention to increase fruit and vegetable servings and consumption among Somali children living in the United States. Design: Pilot intervention that included Somali community health workers who organized groups of 3 or 4 women to participate in 2 initial educational sessions, including topics of health and nutrition, serving size, and label reading. A third session taught interactive cooking to increase skills in preparing fruits and vegetables and increasing the numbers of vegetables included in traditional Somali dishes. The final session was a trip to the grocery store to identify fruits and vegetables, determine ripeness, and explore frozen and canned fruits and vegetables for halal, low-sodium, and low-sugar products. Surveys were completed pre- and post-intervention. Setting: Study participants were recruited from a large housing complex in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a high population of Somali immigrants. Participants: Somali women (N = 25) with children aged 3 to 10 years. Results: The intervention was feasible and well accepted. In comparing pre- and post-intervention surveys, mothers reported providing their children significantly more frequent servings of fruits and vegetables at dinner, lunch, snack, and breakfast (vegetable only). There was a statistically significant increase in parent-reported intake of fruits and vegetables for themselves and their children. Conclusion: The FAV-S study was feasible and acceptable, and it demonstrated potential for increasing fruit and vegetable servings and consumption among Somali children. A larger-scale randomized trial is needed to assess the impact of this intervention.
Molecular and serological evidence for the circulation of the tick symbiont Midichloria (Rickettsiales: Midichloriaceae) in different mammalian species
Authors: Bazzocchi Chiara , Mariconti Mara , Sassera Davide , Rinaldi Laura , Martin Elena , Cringoli Giuseppe , Urbanelli Sandra , Genchi Claudio , Bandi Claudio , Epis Sara
Published: December 2013

Background

The Midichloriaceae is a novel family of the order Rickettsiales, that encompasses intracellular bacteria associated with hard ticks (Ixodidae) and other arthropods. The most intensively investigated member of this family is Midichloria mitochondrii, a symbiotic bacterium of the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus, characterized by the capacity of multiplying inside the mitochondria. A recent study suggested that these bacteria might be inoculated into the human host during the tick bite. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential infectivity of Midichloria bacteria for non-human animals exposed to the risk of tick bite.

Methods

Blood from horses, cattle, sheep and dogs exposed to the risk of tick bite was included in this study. DNAs were extracted, and amplified using 16S ribosomal RNA primers conserved in the Midichloria genus. Furthermore, sera from dogs exposed to the risk of tick bite were analyzed in order to evaluate the presence of antibodies against the recombinant flagellar protein (rFliD) from M. mitochondrii using an ELISA test.

Results

Here we present two lines of evidence that support the possibility that bacteria from the genus Midichloria are inoculated into vertebrate hosts during a tick bite: (i) a direct evidence, i.e. the detection of circulating DNA from bacteria related with M. mitochondrii, in the blood of vertebrates exposed to tick parasitism; (ii) a further indirect evidence, i.e. the presence of antibodies against an antigen from M. mitochondrii in dogs exposed to the risk of tick bite. It is interesting to note that variability was detected in the Midichloria gene sequences recovered from positive animals, and that some of these sequences were identical to those generated from tick-associated Midichloria.

Conclusions

Based on the results, and on the overall information so far published on the genus Midichloria, we suggest that these bacteria are likely to represent a novel group of vector-borne agents, with the potential of infecting mammalian hosts. Whether inoculation of Midichloria bacteria could cause a true infection and pathological alteration in mammalian hosts is still to be determined. Surely, results emphasize the relevance of Midichloria bacteria in investigations on tick immunology and tick-bite markers.
Crosstalk between circulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, adipokines and metabolic syndrome in obese subjects
Authors: Mirzaei Khadijeh , Hossein-nezhad Arash , Keshavarz Seyed Ali , Koohdani Fariba , Saboor-Yaraghi Ali Akbar , Hosseini Saeed , Eshraghian Mohammad Reza , Djalali Mahmoud
Published: December 2013

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has direct and indirect function in adipokines production process. We aimed to assess the possible influence of circulating PPARγ on relative risk of metabolic syndrome and also examine the association between circulating PPARγ and adipokines levels among obese subjects.

Methods

A total of 96 obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) ≥30) were included in the current cross-sectional study. We assessed the body composition with the use of Body Composition Analyzer BC-418MA - Tanita. The MetS (metabolic syndrome) was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. All baseline blood samples were obtained following an overnight fasting. Serum concentrations of adipokines including Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), omentin-1, vaspin, progranulin, nesfatin-1 and circulating PPARγ was measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Statistical analyses were performed using software package used for statistical analysis (SPSS).

Results

We found main association between circulating PPARγ and body composition in obese population. The risk of metabolic syndrome in subjects with higher concentration of PPARγ was 1.9 fold in compared with lower concentration of PPARγ after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. There was significant association between PPARγ and adipokines, specially nesfatin-1 and progranulin. Defined adipokines pattern among participants demonstrated the markedly higher concentration of vaspin, RBP4 and nesfatin-1 in participants with MetS compared to non-MetS subjects.

Conclusions

It appears all of studied adipokines might have association with PPARγ level and might simultaneously be involve in some common pathway to make susceptible obese subjects for MetS.
Vascular Pool of Releasable Soluble VEGF Receptor-1 (sFLT1) in Women With Previous Preeclampsia and Uncomplicated Pregnancy
Authors: Weissgerber Tracey L. , Rajakumar Augustine , Myerski Ashley C. , Edmunds Lia R. , Powers Robert W. , Roberts James M. , Gandley Robin E. , Hubel Carl A.
Published: December 2013

Context:

Research examining the source of excess soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1) in preeclampsia has focused on the placenta. The potential contribution of the releasable store of sFLT1 in the systemic vasculature is unknown.

Objective:

We asked whether the nonplacental releasable store of sFLT1 is larger in women with previous preeclampsia than in women with a previous uncomplicated pregnancy.

Design:

We administered heparin to nulligravid women and to women with previous preeclampsia or a previous uncomplicated pregnancy. We compared post-heparin sFLT1 concentrations with those observed in uncomplicated pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Setting:

The study was performed at Magee-Womens Hospital.

Patients:

Participants included nulligravidas (n = 8), women 6–24 months postpartum (previous uncomplicated pregnancy, n = 16; previous preeclampsia, n = 15), and pregnant women (uncomplicated pregnancy, n = 30; preeclampsia, n = 25).

Intervention:

Nonpregnant women received an unfractionated heparin bolus.

Main Outcome Measures:

Pre- and post-heparin plasma sFLT1, placental growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor were measured.

Results:

In nonpregnant women, heparin increased plasma sFLT1 by 250-fold (P < .01), increased placental growth factor by 7-fold (P < .01), and decreased free vascular endothelial growth factor (P < .01). These changes did not differ between nulligravidas, women with previous preeclampsia, and women with a previous uncomplicated pregnancy. Post-heparin sFLT1 in nonpregnant women was higher than sFLT1 in uncomplicated pregnancy, but lower than sFLT1 in preeclampsia. Baseline and post-heparin sFLT1 were positively correlated (r2 = 0.19; P < .01). Heparin increased the concentration of the 100-kDa sFLT1 isoform. Adding heparin to whole blood or plasma did not increase sFLT1.

Conclusions:

Nonpregnant women have a significant vascular store of releasable sFLT1. The size of this store does not differ between women with previous preeclampsia vs women with previous uncomplicated pregnancy.
Asymptotic Behaviour of Gossip Processes and Small-World Networks
Authors: Barbour A. D. , Reinert G.
Published: December 2013

Both small-world models of random networks with occasional long-range connections and gossip processes with occasional long-range transmission of information have similar characteristic behaviour. The long-range elements appreciably reduce the effective distances, measured in space or in time, between pairs of typical points. In this paper we show that their common behaviour can be interpreted as a product of the locally branching nature of the models. In particular, it is shown that both typical distances between points and the proportion of space that can be reached within a given distance or time can be approximated by formulae involving the limit random variable of the branching process.
Reducing Response Time in Fork-Join Systems under Heavy Traffic Via Imbalance Control
Authors: Leite Saul C. , Fragoso Marcelo D.
Published: December 2013

We consider the problem of reducing the response time of fork-join systems by maintaining the workload balanced among the processing stations. The general problem of modeling and finding an optimal policy that reduces imbalance is quite difficult. In order to circumvent this difficulty, the heavy traffic approach is taken, and the system dynamics are approximated by a reflected diffusion process. This way, the problem of finding an optimal balancing policy that reduces workload imbalance is set as a stochastic optimal control problem, for which numerical methods are available. Some numerical experiments are presented, where the control problem is solved numerically and applied to a simulation. The results indicate that the response time of the controlled system is reduced significantly using the devised control.
Stochastic Spatial Model of Producer-Consumer Systems on the Lattice
Authors: Lanchier N.
Published: December 2013

The objective of this paper is to give a rigorous analysis of a stochastic spatial model of producer-consumer systems that has been recently introduced by Kang and the author to understand the role of space in ecological communities in which individuals compete for resources. Each point of the square lattice is occupied by an individual which is characterized by one of two possible types, and updates its type in continuous time at rate 1. Each individual being thought of as a producer and consumer of resources, the new type at each update is chosen at random from a certain interaction neighborhood according to probabilities proportional to the ability of the neighbors to consume the resource produced by the individual to be updated. In addition to giving a complete qualitative picture of the phase diagram of the spatial model, our results indicate that the nonspatial deterministic mean-field approximation of the stochastic process fails to describe the behavior of the system in the presence of local interactions. In particular, we prove that, in the parameter region where the nonspatial model displays bistability, there is a dominant type that wins regardless of its initial density in the spatial model, and that the inclusion of space also translates into a significant reduction of the parameter region where both types coexist.
Biotin ligase tagging identifies proteins proximal to E-cadherin, including lipoma preferred partner, a regulator of epithelial cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion
Authors: Van Itallie Christina M. , Tietgens Amber Jean , Aponte Angel , Fredriksson Karin , Fanning Alan S. , Gucek Marjan , Anderson James M.
Published: December 2013

Known proteins associated with the cell-adhesion protein E-cadherin include catenins and proteins involved in signaling, trafficking and actin organization. However, the list of identified adherens junction proteins is likely to be incomplete, limiting investigation into this critical cell structure. To expand the inventory of potentially relevant proteins, we expressed E-cadherin fused to biotin ligase in MDCK epithelial cells, and identified by mass spectrometry neighboring proteins which were biotinylated. The most abundant of the 303 proteins identified were catenins and nearly 40 others that had been previously reported to influence cadherin function. Many others could be rationalized as novel candidates for regulating the adherens junction, cytoskeleton, trafficking or signaling. We further characterized lipoma preferred partner (LPP), which is present at both cell-contacts and focal adhesions. Knockdown of LPP demonstrated its requirement for E-cadherin dependent adhesion and suggested it plays a role in coordination of the cell-cell and cell-substrate cytoskeletal interactions. The analysis of LPP function demonstrates proof of principle that the proteomic analysis of E-cadherin proximal proteins expands the inventory of components and tools for understanding E-cadherin function.
General Economics and Teaching: What Is Wrong with Islamic Economics? Analysing the Present State and Future Agenda
Authors: El-Gamal Mahmoud
Published: December 2013

Mahmoud El-Gamal of Rice University reviews, “What Is Wrong with Islamic Economics? Analysing the Present State and Future Agenda” by Muhammad Akram Khan. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Explores the state of the art in Islamic economics and finance, analyzes reasons for perceived stagnation, and considers a way forward. Discusses Islamic economics—state of the art; the “why” of Islamic economics; what is Islamic economics?; methodology of Islamic economics; the move from Islamic theology to Islamic economics; expanding the frontiers of economics; an Islamic economic system or spiritual capitalism?; elimination of interest—from divine prohibition to human interpretation; prohibition of riba in the primary sources of Islam; the theory of riba—the orthodox interpretation; assessment of the orthodox interpretation; modernist thinking on riba; prohibition of riba—the continuing debate; unresolved issues in the orthodox interpretation of riba; practice of interest-based finance among Muslims; prohibition of riba—the way forward; the theoretical basis of Islamic banking; problems of profit–loss sharing; practice of Islamic banking and finance; a trajectory of legal tricks—hiyal; Islamic insurance takaful; and contemporary application of the law of zakah. Khan is former Deputy Auditor General of Pakistan and Chief Resident Auditor of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.”
Business Administration and Business Economics • Marketing • Accounting: The Fracturing of the American Corporate Elite
Authors: Palmer Donald
Published: December 2013

Donald Palmer of University of California, Davis reviews, “The Fracturing of the American Corporate Elite” by Mark S. Mizruchi. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Examines the rise and fall of the American corporate elite between 1945 and the present and considers the role of this decline in the current crises of American democracy and economics. Discusses the rise of the American corporate elite; the state and the economy; labor as uneasy partner; the banks as mediators; the breakdown of the postwar consensus; winning the war but losing the battle—the fragmentation of the American corporate elite; the aftermath; and the ineffectual elite. Mizruchi is Barger Family Professor of Organizational Studies and Professor of Sociology and Business Administration at the University of Michigan.”
Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth: The Growth Spiral: Money, Energy, and Imagination in the Dynamics of the Market Process
Authors: Perla Jesse
Published: December 2013

Jesse Perla of University of British Columbia reviews, “The Growth Spiral: Money, Energy, and Imagination in the Dynamics of the Market Process” by Hans Christoph Binswanger. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Revised translation of Die Wachstumsspirale (2006). Presents a new theoretical approach to understanding the modern economy, focusing on its dynamic aspects. Discusses the difference between market and barter—money and the making of markets; capital and the firm—the firm as the engine of the market process; money and money creation in a two-stage banking system; the development of the theories of production—valid insights and shortcomings; production involving nature and imagination; income distribution in the process of growth; the move from the theory of growth to the theory of the growing economy; the economic process as a growth spiral; the increase of the present value of profits as the growth impetus; the avoidance of losses as the growth imperative; and growth opportunities and growth obstacles—the role of the state. Binswanger is with the Institute for Economy and the Environment at the University of St. Gallen.”
Microeconomics: Behavioural Economics and Finance
Authors: Shogren Jason F.
Published: December 2013

Jason F. Shogren of University of Wyoming reviews, “Behavioural Economics and Finance” by Michelle Baddeley. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Explores key concepts and insights from behavioral economics and its interdisciplinary approach to real-world decision making. Discusses foundations—psychology; foundations—neuroscience and neuroeconomics; learning; sociality and identity; heuristics and biases; prospects and regrets; personality, moods, and emotions; time and plans; bad habits; financial instability; and behavioral macroeconomics, happiness, and well-being. Baddeley is Fellow and Director of Studies (Economics) at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University.”
Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics: The Redistribution Recession: How Labor Market Distortions Contracted the Economy
Authors: Foote Christopher L.
Published: December 2013

Christopher L. Foote of Federal Reserve Bank of Boston reviews, “The Redistribution Recession: How Labor Market Distortions Contracted the Economy” by Casey B. Mulligan. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Explores the decline of employment in the United States after the financial crisis and its failure to recover and considers the role of economic activity and public policy. Discusses the rise of labor productivity; the expanding social safety net; supply and demand—labor market consequences of safety net expansions; means-tested subsidies and economic dynamics since 2007; cross-sectional patterns of employment and hours changes; Keynesian and other models of safety net stimulus; recession-era effects of factor supply and demand—evidence from the seasonal cycle, the construction market, and minimum wage hikes; incentives and compliance under the federal mortgage modification guidelines; and uncertainty, redistribution, and the labor market. Mulligan is Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago.”