bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
John Dewey and Henry Schaefer-Simmern: The wholeness of artistic activity
Authors: Gradle Sally Armstrong
Published: February 2014

How can art as experience or education build a more humanized world? What are the benefits of an artful education that extend beyond the art itself? This work examines how two scholars of education and proponents of the arts have responded through their writing. The title of this article derives from John Dewey’s foreword to the book The Unfolding of Artistic Activity ([1948] 1961), which is a unique collection of case studies on artistic growth written by art educator Henry Schaefer-Simmern. In this text, as in John Dewey’s Art as Experience (1934), there is an underlying implication that creative activity which is supported by the individual’s life experiences leads to wholeness of the person, and, by extension, contributes to a revitalized society. This article is a further exploration of these exemplars’ thinking on the topics of art and education. The intention is to highlight their consonance and consider ways that their theories broaden the meaning of art, experience and education.
And yet she moves! – The earth rests on water: Thales on the role of water in Earth’s mobility and in nature’s transformations
Authors: Heyd Thomas
Published: February 2014

Thales often is regarded as the first philosopher and as one of the first empirical scientists of the Western tradition. In classical times Thales was also famed for astronomical observations, the prediction of an eclipse, as well as for political acumen, the application of geometrical techniques to practical problems and an astute investment in an agricultural process (olive presses). It is argued here that better sense can be made of two key extant claims attributed to him if they are less considered as grand metaphysical theses or as systematic scientific conclusions than as speculative hypotheses aimed at re­solving particular puzzles raised by everyday experience. In this sense, the analysis presented here argues that the claims concerning water attributed to Thales ought to be seen as pronouncements reflecting a kind of speculative engineering, grounded in the observational givens of his time, common sense and practical concerns.
Ein Schmökerabend als neues Format für die Lange Nacht einer wissenschaftlichen Bibliothek
Authors: Kusserow Nicole , Oertel Pit
Published: February 2014

Mit dem Schmökerabend soll ein neues Veranstaltungsformat speziell für wissenschaftliche Bibliotheken, wie der Hochschulbibliothek der TH Wildau, geschaffen werden. Diese Art des Zusammenkommens von Jung und Alt und des gemeinschaftlichen Lesens findet in der Regel in öffentlichen Bibliotheken statt. Im Fokus soll die Hochschulbibliothek mit diesem Event als frei zugängliche und öffentliche Bildungseinrichtung stehen. Mit einem gutem Konzept unter einem vorgeschlagenen Motto kann diese Veranstaltung für jede Bibliothek ein Mehrwert sein.
Rogue State Behavior and Markets: the Financial Fallout of North Korean Nuclear Tests
Authors: Kollias Christos , Papadamou Stephanos , Psarianos Iacovos
Published: February 2014

Financial markets react to major political events. The three nuclear tests conducted by North Korea in 2006, 2009 and 2013 are a sober confirmation of its on-going nuclear weapons program with the concomitant potential security threat this poses for the stability of the greater region. This article examines how nine regional stock exchanges reacted to the three nuclear tests given their important security repercussions. The results, although not uniformed across all countries and markets, revealed a greater adverse effect in the case of the second of the three tests. Given that the first test was announced in advance and the third was conducted in the midst of an on-going military crisis, this finding suggests that following the initial shock an unanticipated event can cause, markets can evaluate and absorb in a more efficient manner the news.
Hsp90 Chaperone Inhibitor 17-AAG Attenuates Aβ-Induced Synaptic Toxicity and Memory Impairment
Authors: Chen Yaomin , Wang Bin , Liu Dan , Li Jing Jing , Xue Yueqiang , Sakata Kazuko , Zhu Ling-qiang , Heldt Scott A. , Xu Huaxi , Liao Francesca-Fang
Published: February 2014

The excessive accumulation of soluble amyloid peptides (Aβ) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly in synaptic dysfunction. The role of the two major chaperone proteins, Hsp70 and Hsp90, in clearing misfolded protein aggregates has been established. Despite their abundant presence in synapses, the role of these chaperones in synapses remains elusive. Here, we report that Hsp90 inhibition by 17-AAG elicited not only a heat shock-like response but also upregulated presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins, such as synapsin I, synaptophysin, and PSD95 in neurons. 17-AAG treatment enhanced high-frequency stimulation-evoked LTP and protected neurons from synaptic damage induced by soluble Aβ. In AD transgenic mice, the daily administration of 17-AAG over 7 d resulted in a marked increase in PSD95 expression in hippocampi. 17-AAG treatments in wild-type C57BL/6 mice challenged by soluble Aβ significantly improved contextual fear memory. Further, we demonstrate that 17-AAG activated synaptic protein expression via transcriptional mechanisms through the heat shock transcription factor HSF1. Together, our findings identify a novel function of Hsp90 inhibition in regulating synaptic plasticity, in addition to the known neuroprotective effects of the chaperones against Aβ and tau toxicity, thus further supporting the potential of Hsp90 inhibitors in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
IMAX and Its Doubles
Authors: Parker Ben
Published: February 2014

A study of recent concert films by Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Metallica, as well as live broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera, exploring the relation of “liveness” to cinema.
Cinematic Encounters in Beijing
Authors: Neves Joshua
Published: February 2014

Contemporary film exhibition in the PRC is undergoing a host of striking changes. Shifts from rural to urban sites, collective to individualized viewing, communal to commercial exchange, signal the transition of cinema going from the thing to do, to a thing to do—part of a ‘day’s outing.’ This essay investigates cinema, as a social space and practice in contemporary Beijing, China, and seeks to understand a spatial aesthetics that links particular sites of viewing (e.g. the cineplex, outdoor theater, art house, informal screens) to specific developmental time zones and social imaginaries. These shifting social architectures are the focus of this essay.
Sensational Scientology!
Authors: Doherty Bernard
Published: February 2014

The role of communications and information media long has been acknowledged as a key factor in religious controversy. Since the 1970s “cult wars,” new religions scholars have focused considerable attention on how the media communicate, influence and frame public perception of new religious movements. In this article, I briefly survey ways in which constant changes in communications media and consumption require scholars to reassess interaction between the media and new religious movements. Using as a test-case the Church of Scientology’s interaction with Australian “tabloid television” programs in a series of heavily publicized controversies, I outline some traditional journalistic practices and media constraints, identified by scholars, in television coverage of Scientology in Australia. I will introduce a series of additional practices and contingent factors dealing specifically with tabloid television which may assist scholars in assessing the complex relationship between the media and new religions.
“The Full Realization of This Desire”
Authors: Prentiss Craig R.
Published: February 2014

Garland Anderson was an African American playwright who parlayed his New Thought beliefs into a successful Broadway play, a career as a lecturer, and the distinction of being the first to introduce milkshakes to England. Yet his name is absent from every survey on the history of New Thought. This article introduces Anderson to readers and argues that while his race may have kept him from garnering the attention of white practitioners of New Thought, his application of New Thought to questions of race impeded Anderson’s ability to make a lasting impact on many African Americans in an age of legal segregation.
Dense calcification in a GH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma
Authors: Ibrahim Ramez , Kalhan Atul , Lammie Alistair , Kotonya Christine , Nannapanenni Ravindra , Rees Aled
Published: February 2014

A 30-year-old female presented with a history of secondary amenorrhoea, acromegalic features and progressive visual deterioration. She had elevated serum IGF1 levels and unsuppressed GH levels after an oral glucose tolerance test. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhancing space-occupying lesion with atypical extensive calcification within the sellar and suprasellar areas. Owing to the extent of calcification, the tumour was a surgical challenge. Postoperatively, there was clinical, radiological and biochemical evidence of residual disease, which required treatment with a somatostatin analogue and radiotherapy. Mutational analysis of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene was negative. This case confirms the relatively rare occurrence of calcification within a pituitary macroadenoma and its associated management problems. The presentation, biochemical, radiological and pathological findings are discussed in the context of the relevant literature.

Learning points

Calcification of pituitary tumours is relatively rare.

Recognising calcification in pituitary adenomas on preoperative imaging is important in surgical decision-making.

Gross total resection can be difficult to achieve in the presence of extensive calcification and dictates further management and follow-up to achieve disease control.
Decline in calcitonin receptor expression in osteocytes with age
Authors: Gooi Jonathan H , Chia Ling Yeong , Walsh Nicole C , Karsdal Morten A , Quinn Julian M W , Martin T John , Sims Natalie A
Published: February 2014

We have previously shown that co-administration of the transient osteoclast inhibitor, salmon calcitonin (sCT), blunts the anabolic effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in young rats and increases osteocytic expression of the bone formation inhibitor sclerostin (Sost). To determine whether this also occurs in adult animals, we co-administered sCT with PTH to 6-month-old sham-operated (SHAM) and ovariectomised (OVX) rats. While sCT reduced the stimulatory effect of PTH on serum amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen levels, in contrast to its influence in young rats, sCT did not reduce the anabolic effect of PTH on femoral bone mineral density, tibial trabecular bone volume or bone formation rate in 6-month-old SHAM or OVX rats. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of femoral metaphyses collected 1 and 4 h after a single PTH injection confirmed a significant increase in mRNA levels for interleukin 6 (Il6) and ephrinB2 (EfnB2), and a significant reduction in Sost and dentin matrix protein-1 (Dmp1) in response to PTH. However, in contrast to observations in young rats, these effects were not modified by co-administration of sCT, nor did sCT significantly modify Sost, Dmp1, or matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (Mepe) mRNA levels. Furthermore, while CT receptor (CTR) mRNA (Calcr) was readily detected in GFP+ osteocytes isolated from young (3-week-old) DMP1–GFP mice, Calcr levels in osteocytes declined as mice aged, reaching levels that were undetectable in long bone at 49 weeks of age. These data indicate that osteocyte-mediated responses to CT are most likely to be of physiological relevance in young rodents.
Non-canonical progesterone signaling in granulosa cell function
Authors: Peluso John J , Pru James K
Published: February 2014

It has been known for over 3 decades that progesterone (P4) suppresses follicle growth. It has been assumed that P4 acts directly on granulosa cells of developing follicles to slow their development, as P4 inhibits both mitosis and apoptosis of cultured granulosa cells. However, granulosa cells of developing follicles of mice, rats, monkeys, and humans do not express the A or B isoform of the classic nuclear receptor for P4 (PGR). By contrast, these granulosa cells express other P4 binding proteins, one of which is referred to as PGR membrane component 1 (PGRMC1). PGRMC1 specifically binds P4 with high affinity and mediates P4's anti-mitotic and anti-apoptotic action as evidenced by the lack of these P4-dependent effects in PGRMC1-depleted cells. In addition, mice in which PGRMC1 is conditionally depleted in granulosa cells show diminished follicle development. While the mechanism through which P4 activation of PGRMC1 affects granulosa cell function is not well defined, it appears that PGRMC1 controls granulosa cell function in part by regulating gene expression in T-cell-specific transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer factor-dependent manner. Clinically, altered PGRMC1 expression has been correlated with premature ovarian failure/insufficiency, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and infertility. These collective studies provide strong evidence that PGRMC1 functions as a receptor for P4 in granulosa cells and that altered expression results in compromised reproductive capacity. Ongoing studies seek to define the components of the signal transduction cascade through which P4 activation of PGRMC1 results in the regulation of granulosa cell function.
PARP1 during embryo implantation and its upregulation by oestradiol in mice
Authors: Joshi Anubha , Mahfooz Sahil , Maurya Vineet Kumar , Kumar Vijay , Basanna Chadchan Sangappa , Kaur Gurpreet , Hanif Kashif , Jha Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2014

Pregnancy requires successful implantation of an embryo, which occurs during a restricted period defined as ‘receptivity of the endometrium’ and is influenced by the ovarian steroids progesterone and oestradiol. The role of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP1) in apoptosis is well established. However, it is also involved in cell differentiation, proliferation and tissue remodelling. Previous studies have described the presence of PARP in the uterus, but its exact role in embryo implantation is not yet elucidated. Hence, in this study, we studied the expression of PARP1 in the uterus during embryo implantation and decidualisation, and its regulation by ovarian steroids. Our results show upregulation of the native form of PARP1 (∼116 kDa) in the cytosolic and nuclear compartments of implantation and non-implantation sites at day 5 (0500 h), followed by downregulation at day 5 (1000 h), during the embryo implantation period. The transcript level of Parp1 was also augmented during day 5 (0500 h). Inhibition of PARP1 activity by the drug EB-47 decreased the number of embryo implantation sites and blastocysts at day 5 (1000 h). Further, cleavage of native PARP1 was due to the activity of caspase-3 during the peri-implantation stage (day 5 (0500 h)), and is also required for embryo implantation, as inhibition of its activity compromised blastocyst implantation. The native (∼116 kDa) and cleaved (∼89 kDa) forms of PARP1 were both elevated during decidualisation of the uterus. Furthermore, the expression level of PARP1 in the uterus was found to be under the control of the hormone oestrogen. Our results clearly demonstrate that PARP1 participates in the process of embryo implantation.
Membrane Organization and Cell Fusion During Mating in Fission Yeast Requires Multipass Membrane Protein Prm1
Authors: Curto M-Ángeles , Sharifmoghadam Mohammad Reza , Calpena Eduardo , De León Nagore , Hoya Marta , Doncel Cristina , Leatherwood Janet , Valdivieso M-Henar
Published: February 2014

The involvement of Schizosaccharomyces pombe prm1+ in cell fusion during mating and its relationship with other genes required for this process have been addressed. S. pombe prm1Δ mutant exhibits an almost complete blockade in cell fusion and an abnormal distribution of the plasma membrane and cell wall in the area of cell–cell interaction. The distribution of cellular envelopes is similar to that described for mutants devoid of the Fig1-related claudin-like Dni proteins; however, prm1+ and the dni+ genes act in different subpathways. Time-lapse analyses show that in the wild-type S. pombe strain, the distribution of phosphatidylserine in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane undergoes some modification before an opening is observed in the cross wall at the cell–cell contact region. In the prm1Δ mutant, this membrane modification does not take place, and the cross wall between the mating partners is not extensively degraded; plasma membrane forms invaginations and fingers that sometimes collapse/retract and that are sometimes strengthened by the synthesis of cell-wall material. Neither prm1Δ nor prm1Δ dniΔ zygotes lyse after cell–cell contact in medium containing and lacking calcium. Response to drugs that inhibit lipid synthesis or interfere with lipids is different in wild-type, prm1Δ, and dni1Δ strains, suggesting that membrane structure/organization/dynamics is different in all these strains and that Prm1p and the Dni proteins exert some functions required to guarantee correct membrane organization that are critical for cell fusion.
The Fates of Mutant Lineages and the Distribution of Fitness Effects of Beneficial Mutations in Laboratory Budding Yeast Populations
Authors: Frenkel Evgeni M , Good Benjamin H , Desai Michael M
Published: February 2014

The outcomes of evolution are determined by which mutations occur and fix. In rapidly adapting microbial populations, this process is particularly hard to predict because lineages with different beneficial mutations often spread simultaneously and interfere with one another’s fixation. Hence to predict the fate of any individual variant, we must know the rate at which new mutations create competing lineages of higher fitness. Here, we directly measured the effect of this interference on the fates of specific adaptive variants in laboratory Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations and used these measurements to infer the distribution of fitness effects of new beneficial mutations. To do so, we seeded marked lineages with different fitness advantages into replicate populations and tracked their subsequent frequencies for hundreds of generations. Our results illustrate the transition between strongly advantageous lineages that decisively sweep to fixation and more moderately advantageous lineages that are often outcompeted by new mutations arising during the course of the experiment. We developed an approximate likelihood framework to compare our data to simulations and found that the effects of these competing beneficial mutations were best approximated by an exponential distribution, rather than one with a single effect size. We then used this inferred distribution of fitness effects to predict the rate of adaptation in a set of independent control populations. Finally, we discuss how our experimental design can serve as a screen for rare, large-effect beneficial mutations.
Infantile Postoperative Encephalopathy: Perioperative Factors as a Cause for Concern
Authors: McCann Mary Ellen , Schouten A.N.J. , Dobija Nicole , Munoz Carlos , Stephenson Lianne , Poussaint Tina Y. , Kalkman C.J. , Hickey Paul R. , de Vries Linda S. , Tasker Robert C.
Published: February 2014

We report on 6 infants who underwent elective surgery and developed postoperative encephalopathy, which had features most consistent with intraoperative cerebral hypoperfusion. All infants were <48 weeks’ postmenstrual age and underwent procedures lasting 120 to 185 minutes. Intraoperative records revealed that most of the measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) values were <60 mm Hg (the threshold for hypotension in awake infants according to the Pediatric Advanced Life Support guidelines) but that only 11% of the measured SBP values were <1 SD of the mean definition of hypotension (<45 mm Hg) as reported in a survey of members of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia in 2009. Four infants also exhibited prolonged periods of mild hypocapnia (<35 mm Hg). One infant did not receive intraoperative dextrose. All infants developed new-onset seizures within 25 hours of administration of the anesthetic, with a predominant cerebral pathology of supratentorial watershed infarction in the border zone between the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries. Follow-up of these infants found that 1 died, 1 had profound developmental delays, 1 had minor motor delays, 2 were normal, and 1 was lost to follow-up. Although the precise cause of encephalopathy cannot be determined, it is important to consider the role that SBP hypotension (as well as hypoglycemia, hyperthermia, hyperoxia, and hypocapnia) plays during general anesthesia in young infants in the development of infantile postoperative encephalopathy. Our observations highlight the lack of evidence-based recommendations for the lower limits of adequate SBP and end-tidal carbon dioxide in anesthetized infants.
Trial of Daily Vitamin D Supplementation in Preterm Infants
Authors: Natarajan Chandra Kumar , Sankar M. Jeeva , Agarwal Ramesh , Pratap O. Tejo , Jain Vandana , Gupta Nandita , Gupta Arun Kumar , Deorari Ashok K. , Paul Vinod K. , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effect of 800 vs 400 IU of daily oral vitamin D3 on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) at 40 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants of 28 to 34 weeks’ gestation.

METHODS:

In this randomized double-blind trial, we allocated eligible infants to receive either 800 or 400 IU of vitamin D3 per day (n = 48 in both groups). Primary outcome was VDD (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <20 ng/mL) at 40 weeks’ PMA. Secondary outcomes were VDD, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density at 3 months’ corrected age (CA).

RESULTS:

Prevalence of VDD in the 800-IU group was significantly lower than in the 400-IU group at 40 weeks (38.1% vs 66.7%; relative risk: 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.37–0.88) and at 3 months’ CA (12.5% vs 35%; relative risk: 0.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.14–0.90). One infant (2.4%) in the 800-IU group had vitamin D excess (100–150 ng/mL). Bone mineral content (mean ± SD: 79.6 ± 16.8 vs 84.7 ± 20.7 g; P = .27) and bone mineral density (0.152 ± 0.019 vs 0.158 ± 0.021 g/cm2; P = .26) were not different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Daily supplementation with 800 IU of vitamin D reduces the prevalence of VDD at 40 weeks’ PMA and at 3 months’ CA in preterm infants without showing any improvement in bone mineralization. However, there is a possibility that this dose may occasionally result in vitamin D excess.
Status Epilepticus: A Possible Association With Human Metapneumovirus Infection
Authors: Webster Danielle L. , Gardner Aaron H. , Dye Thomas J. , Chima Ranjit S.
Published: February 2014

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a relatively recent addition to the multiplicity of viruses causing respiratory illness in infants and children. Although well described in its ability to cause respiratory illness, there is limited data detailing the association of hMPV with neurologic complications. In this report, we describe 2 toddlers with hMPV infection who presented in status epilepticus and went on to develop respiratory failure. Both patients fully recovered over 2 weeks and were discharged from the hospital with no sequelae. The association between hMPV infection and neurologic complications is increasingly being reported in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of these uncommon manifestations of a common respiratory pathogen and consider testing for hMPV when managing pediatric patients who present with unexplained status epilepticus or encephalitis.
Cost Analysis of Youth Violence Prevention
Authors: Sharp Adam L. , Prosser Lisa A. , Walton Maureen , Blow Frederic C. , Chermack Stephen T. , Zimmerman Marc A. , Cunningham Rebecca
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Effective violence interventions are not widely implemented, and there is little information about the cost of violence interventions. Our goal is to report the cost of a brief intervention delivered in the emergency department that reduces violence among 14- to 18-year-olds.

METHODS:

Primary outcomes were total costs of implementation and the cost per violent event or violence consequence averted. We used primary and secondary data sources to derive the costs to implement a brief motivational interviewing intervention and to identify the number of self-reported violent events (eg, severe peer aggression, peer victimization) or violence consequences averted. One-way and multi-way sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS:

Total fixed and variable annual costs were estimated at $71 784. If implemented, 4208 violent events or consequences could be prevented, costing $17.06 per event or consequence averted. Multi-way sensitivity analysis accounting for variable intervention efficacy and different cost estimates resulted in a range of $3.63 to $54.96 per event or consequence averted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our estimates show that the cost to prevent an episode of youth violence or its consequences is less than the cost of placing an intravenous line and should not present a significant barrier to implementation.
Dexamethasone for Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Children: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Keeney Grant E. , Gray Matthew P. , Morrison Andrea K. , Levas Michael N. , Kessler Elizabeth A. , Hill Garick D. , Gorelick Marc H. , Jackson Jeffrey L.
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Dexamethasone has been proposed as an equivalent therapy to prednisone/prednisolone for acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients. Although multiple small trials exist, clear consensus data are lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether intramuscular or oral dexamethasone is equivalent or superior to a 5-day course of oral prednisone or prednisolone. The primary outcome of interest was return visits or hospital readmissions.

METHODS:

A search of PubMed (Medline) through October 19, 2013, by using the keywords dexamethasone or decadron and asthma or status asthmaticus identified potential studies. Six randomized controlled trials in the emergency department of children ≤18 years of age comparing dexamethasone with prednisone/prednisolone for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations were included. Data were abstracted by 4 authors and verified by a second author. Two reviewers evaluated study quality independently and interrater agreement was assessed.

RESULTS:

There was no difference in relative risk (RR) of relapse between the 2 groups at any time point (5 days RR 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46–1.78, Q = 1.86, df = 3, I2 = 0.0%, 10–14 days RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.77–1.67, Q = 0.84, df = 2, I2 = 0.0%, or 30 days RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.03–56.93). Patients who received dexamethasone were less likely to experience vomiting in either the emergency department (RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12–0.69, Q = 3.78, df = 3, I2 = 20.7%) or at home (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.74, Q = 2.09, df = 2, I2 = 4.2%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Practitioners should consider single or 2-dose regimens of dexamethasone as a viable alternative to a 5-day course of prednisone/prednisolone.
A 6-Month-Old With Vaccine-Hesitant Parents
Authors: Opel Douglas J. , Feemster Kristen A. , Omer Saad B. , Orenstein Walter A. , Richter Monica , Lantos John D.
Published: February 2014

Many primary care pediatricians find vaccine hesitancy to be one of the most frustrating situations that they face. Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children implicitly call into question an intervention that most pediatricians see as one of the safest and most effective health care interventions of all time. Many pediatricians respond by refusing to care for children whose parents refuse vaccines, and some may consider that the parent’s refusal warrants referral to child protective services. We present a case in which a pediatrician faces this dilemma, with responses from pediatricians in academia and private practice.
Trends in Caffeine Intake Among US Children and Adolescents
Authors: Branum Amy M. , Rossen Lauren M. , Schoendorf Kenneth C.
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Physicians and policy makers are increasingly interested in caffeine intake among children and adolescents in the advent of increasing energy drink sales. However, there have been no recent descriptions of caffeine or energy drink intake in the United States. We aimed to describe trends in caffeine intake over the past decade among US children and adolescents.

METHODS:

We assessed trends and demographic differences in mean caffeine intake among children and adolescents by using the 24-hour dietary recall data from the 1999–2010 NHANES. In addition, we described the proportion of caffeine consumption attributable to different beverages, including soda, energy drinks, and tea.

RESULTS:

Approximately 73% of children consumed caffeine on a given day. From 1999 to 2010, there were no significant trends in mean caffeine intake overall; however, caffeine intake decreased among 2- to 11-year-olds (P < .01) and Mexican-American children (P = .003). Soda accounted for the majority of caffeine intake, but this contribution declined from 62% to 38% (P < .001). Coffee accounted for 10% of caffeine intake in 1999–2000 but increased to nearly 24% of intake in 2009–2010 (P < .001). Energy drinks did not exist in 1999–2000 but increased to nearly 6% of caffeine intake in 2009–2010.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mean caffeine intake has not increased among children and adolescents in recent years. However, coffee and energy drinks represent a greater proportion of caffeine intake as soda intake has declined. These findings provide a baseline for caffeine intake among US children and young adults during a period of increasing energy drink use.
Biopolymer Hydrogels Regenerated From Agave Tequilana Waste For Cytocompatable Materials
Authors: Kobayashi Takaomi , Tovar-Carrillo Karla L. , Nakasone Kazuki , Tagaya Motohiro
Published: February 2014

Agave fibers were used to elaborate a transparent and flexible cellulose hydrogel films used as scaffold for tissue regeneration and tested by in vitro assays with NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. Using dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) system was possible to obtain cellulose solutions and hydrogel films were prepared by phase inverse method without cross-linker. The concentration of LiCl in the DMAc solution was varied from 4 to 12 wt% in the phase inversion process and then the cytotoxicity was tested for 14 days on the cultivation. The resultant hydrogel films showed better cytocompatibility than the PS dish used as control. The cell growing images showed that the hydrogel films with lower LiCl apparently contained ordered and aggregated fiber orientation. This comparison suggested that the segmental microstructure in the hydrogel films influenced fibroblast cells spreading. In addition, the agave hydrogel films displayed good stability without biodegradiation through the cell cultivation.
Controlling Environment and Contact Materials to Optimize Ohmic Microrelay Lifetimes
Authors: Brand Vitali , Baker Michael S , de Boer Maarten P
Published: February 2014

There has been a recent resurgence in interest in developing ohmic switches to complement transistors in order to address challenges associated with electrical current leakage. A critical limitation in ohmic switches remains the reliability of their electrical contacts. These contacts are prone to hydrocarbon induced contamination which progressively inhibits signal transmission, eventually leading to device failure. We report on progress made towards controlling the contamination phenomenon. We discuss how contact materials and operating environment affect device performance, showing that RuO2 coated microswitch contacts operating in the presence of O2 experience very limited contaminant accumulation even in hydrocarbon-rich environments. We then demonstrate that devices which have experienced contamination can recover their original performance by being operated in clean N2:O2 environment. Finally, we suggest that this resistance recovery is associated with the chemical transformation of the contaminant as opposed to its removal and that the transformed contaminant may shield the Pt coating from oxidation.
On the Biocompatibility of High Technology Materials
Authors: Williams David F.
Published: February 2014

This review is intended to place in perspective the requirements for biocompatibility of the merging high-technology materials and to describe the mechanisms by which these materials might interact with the tissues of the body.
Shape and Fantasy of Fullerenes
Authors: Ōsawa Eiji , Yoshida Mitsuho , Fujita Mitsutaka
Published: February 2014

One of the many wonders that fullerenes have brought to us during the past few years is the variety of their shapes. When the elusive C60 finally showed up in 1990, the perfect symmetry and astounding beauty of its molecular structure touched the hearts of scientists before they could consider the molecule's vast technical possibilities. Already much has been said about the unique shape of C60 and its potentialities. C70 and higher fullerenes have simultaneously been found in the same soot that produced C60 and were quickly revealed to be shaped like rugby balls or oblong eggs. Hence we were aware that there had to be an extensive series of roundish polyhedral clusters of carbon atoms.

Then, in the following year, multilayered tubular fullerenes (Figures 1a and 1b) were discovered by Iijima and were named buckytubes (see the article by Iijima in this issue). Iijima also observed similarly huge and multilayered carbon balls, before C60 was discovered. Soon after, buckyonions were recognized as an important class of fullerene (Figure 1c, see article by Ugarte in this issue). So, in the early days of fullerene research, we already knew three forms of fullerene: sphere, tube, and particle. At that time, however, nobody anticipated that this was only the beginning of a big show of stunning variations in the shapes of fullerenes. This article introduces current developments in the study of these fullerene styles.
Preparing Monodisperse Metal Powders in Micrometer and Submicrometer Sizes by the Polyol Process
Authors: Fievet F. , Lagier J.P. , Figlarz M.
Published: February 2014

One of the newer tendencies in materials science has been to tailor-make classical products (long associated with old applications) with controlled properties for special uses, especially in high technology. Preparing dispersed systems in which all particles have nearly uniform size (monodisperse solids) is a typical example. This goal can be achieved in some cases through cleverly controlled particle growth from a liquid medium. Examples of such preparations include gold colloids prepared by Zsigmondy and later by Turkevich et al., sulfur sols obtained by LaMer, metal oxides and hydrous oxides prepared by Matijević et al., silica, etc. These dispersions have been used either to check theories of colloid science, or to a lesser extent, for industrial purposes. In the case of fine metal particles, a uniform size distribution associated with a low degree of agglomeration, and sometimes the spherical shape, appear as particularly convenient characteristics for certain applications. The production of conductive inks or pastes for electronic materials and for the preparation of conductive paints are particularly good examples.

In so-called thick film technology, conductive inks and pastes are screen printed on a ceramic substrate in order to form, after firing, a conductive film with a thickness less than 10 μm. This technique is, for instance, used to form the network in hybrid integrated circuits or the internal electrodes of multilayer ceramic capacitors.

Metallic powders in thick film compositions are usually precious metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd), their mixtures, or alloys. Cheaper metals such as copper or nickel are tested and may be potential substitutes for precious metals in different specific applications. Powders for thick film composition are mainly obtained through chemical precipitation from aqueous or organic solutions, which yield high purity powders. Modification of precipitation parameters (such as the nature and the concentration of the starting metallic compound and of the reducing agent, reaction temperature, viscosity of the medium) and the addition of additives and surfactants, can often be used to control particle size and agglomeration.

Over the past few years, we have developed a new process for preparing finely divided metal powders of easily reducible metals (such as precious metals and copper) or less reducible metals (such as cobalt, nickel, cadmium, or lead) by precipitation in liquid polyols. This reaction will be used as an example in order to discuss the mechanism of formation of uniform micrometer and submicrometer size metal particles by precipitation reactions.
As Câmaras e o ensino régio na América portuguesa
Authors: Fonseca Thais Nivia de Lima e
Published: February 2014

O artigo tem o objetivo de discutir a atuação das Câmaras municipais de diferentes regiões da América portuguesa, analisando seu papel como porta-vozes dos súditos e como instrumentos de controle sobre o ensino régio, criado na segunda metade do século XVIII, e as relações de poder estabelecidas no processo. O estudo privilegiou documentos produzidos pelas Câmaras municipais, pelos professores e pela administração central, resultantes das relações políticas e administrativas entre eles. Esses documentos permitem perceber os mecanismos que organizavam essas relações e que tinham impacto direto sobre as reformas educacionais realizadas pela Coroa portuguesa naquela época.
Viabilidade econômica da utilização dos resíduos da bananicultura na alimentação de cordeiros confinados
Authors: Gerassev Luciana Castro , Moreira Sóstenes de Jesus Magalhães , Alves Dorismar David , Aguiar Ana Cássia Rodrigues , Monção Flávio Pinto , Dos Santos Antonio Carlos Ramos , Santana Claudia Juliane Lopes , Viegas Carlos Renato
Published: February 2014

Objetivou-se analisar a viabilidade econômica da substituição do feno de Cynodon spp por feno de resíduos da bananicultura na dieta de cordeiros. Foram utilizados 25 cordeiros Santa Inês, com idade média de cinco meses e peso médio inicial de 26,5kg, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (40% de feno Cynodon spp. + 60% concentrado, 20% de feno de folha de bananeira e 20% de feno de Cynodon spp. + 60% concentrado, 40% de feno de folha de bananeira + 60% concentrado, 20% de feno de pseudocaule de bananeira e 20% de feno de Cynodon spp. + 60% concentrado, 40% de feno de pseudocaule de bananeira + 60% concentrado), em cinco repetições. Após 69 dias de experimentação os animais foram abatidos. De posse do custo de cada dieta e do consumo dos animais, foi calculada a viabilidade econômica. O tratamento com 40% de feno de folha da bananeira + 60% concentrado apresentou os melhores indicadores econômicos, baseados na maior receita líquida, na maior taxa de retorno e na maior lucratividade para comercialização dos animais vivos ou abatidos. A inclusão de resíduos da bananicultura na dieta de cordeiros em crescimento aumenta a viabilidade econômica da atividade.
Máxima absorção ressonante em espectroscopia Mössbauer
Authors: Nascimento C.K. , Oliveira J.M. , Braga J.P. , Fabris J.D.
Published: February 2014

Os argumentos físicos fundamentais para a descrição da linha de ressonância resultante de transições de estados quânticos induzidos por radiações eletromagnéticas não são, muitas vezes, suficientemente bem compreendidos por estudantes iniciantes em ciências naturais ou não-especialistas em espectroscopia. Livros didáticos em geral tendem a tratar o problema com base em formalismos teóricos complexos, inacessíveis a todos aqueles que não estão suficientemente familiarizados com os argumentos físicos e matemáticos avançados da mecânica quântica. Neste artigo, são apresentados desenvolvimentos algébricos mais diretos e mais simples, com a intenção de oferecer uma alternativa didática e servir como fonte de referência a leitores com graus variáveis de domínio teórico em física avançada. O ponto central é mostrar que a largura da linha de ressonância da radiação gama é conceitualmente o dobro da largura de linha natural para a energia relacionada ao estado nuclear excitado da transição. Os argumentos algébricos são utilizados de modo a oferecer uma via direta e dedutiva, intencionalmente mais prontamente alcançáveis do que os ora encontrados na literatura científica. Este estudo de caso foi escolhido na perspectiva particular do princípio físico correspondente à espectroscopia nuclear Mössbauer.
Hydrated Portland cement as an admixture to alkali-activated slag cement
Authors: Rakhimova Nailya R. , Rakhimov Ravil Z.
Published: February 2014

Waste concrete powder is a promising mineral admixture to Portland cements and alternative binders such as alkali-activated slag cements (AASC). The individual constituent of the waste concrete powder is mechanically activated in the ground hardened cement paste (GHCP). This influence on the properties of AASC fresh, hardened pastes and hardened concretes was assessed depending on the concentration (5–60%) and the fineness (200–800 m2/kg) of the GHCP, the nature of the alkali activator (sodium carbonate and sodium silicate) and the curing conditions (normal conditions and steam curing). The considered properties for the fresh paste were the water/binder ratio and the setting time; for the hardened paste, the water absorption, density and compressive strength after 2, 7, 14, 28, 180 and 360 d of ageing were assessed. The GHCP accelerated setting and hardening, improved the early strength and long-term strength of the AASC paste and replaced slag by up to 45%. The influencing factors affected the strength of the AASC with GHCP as an admixture in the following order: alkali activator type > curing conditions > GHCP fineness. The accelerating and strengthening effects of the GHCP were more intense under normal curing conditions than under steam curing, and the GHCP activated more AASC using sodium carbonate than sodium silicate. The compressive and flexural strength of concrete samples based on AASCs with 7·5–10% GHCP included improved up to 30–40% compared with the reference samples.
Living close to your neighbors: the importance of both competition and facilitation in plant communities
Authors: Wright Alexandra , Schnitzer Stefan A. , Reich Peter B.
Published: February 2014

Recent work has demonstrated that competition and facilitation likely operate jointly in plant communities, but teasing out the relative role of each has proven difficult. Here we address how competition and facilitation vary with seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions, and how the effects of these fluctuations change with plant ontogeny. We planted three sizes of pine seedlings (Pinus strobus) into an herbaceous diversity experiment and measured pine growth every two weeks for two growing seasons. Both competition and facilitation occurred at different times of year between pines and their neighbors. Facilitation was important for the smallest pines when environmental conditions were severe. This effect decreased as pines got larger. Competition was stronger than facilitation overall and outweighed facilitative effects at annual time scales. Our data suggest that both competition and the counter‐directional effects of facilitation may be more common and more intense than previously considered.
Are large‐scale flow experiments informing the science and management of freshwater ecosystems?
Authors: Olden Julian D , Konrad Christopher P , Melis Theodore S , Kennard Mark J , Freeman Mary C , Mims Meryl C , Bray Erin N , Gido Keith B , Hemphill Nina P , Lytle David A , McMullen Laura E , Pyron Mark , Robinson Christopher T , Schmidt John C , Williams John G
Published: February 2014

Greater scientific knowledge, changing societal values, and legislative mandates have emphasized the importance of implementing large‐scale flow experiments (FEs) downstream of dams. We provide the first global assessment of FEs to evaluate their success in advancing science and informing management decisions. Systematic review of 113 FEs across 20 countries revealed that clear articulation of experimental objectives, while not universally practiced, was crucial for achieving management outcomes and changing dam‐operating policies. Furthermore, changes to dam operations were three times less likely when FEs were conducted primarily for scientific purposes. Despite the recognized importance of riverine flow regimes, four‐fifths of FEs involved only discrete flow events. Over three‐quarters of FEs documented both abiotic and biotic outcomes, but only one‐third examined multiple taxonomic responses, thus limiting how FE results can inform holistic dam management. Future FEs will present new opportunities to advance scientifically credible water policies.
Battered Police: Risk Factors for Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers
Authors: Covington Michele W. , Huff-Corzine Lin , Corzine Jay
Published: February 2014

Although we hear more about violence committedbythe police, violenceagainstpolice officers is also a major problem in the United States. Using data collected from the Orlando, Florida Police Department files, this study examines situational variables, offender characteristics, and officer demographics that may correlate with violence directed at law enforcement officers. Logistic regression results indicate that battery against one or more police officers is significantly more likely when multiple officers are involved, when offenders are women, when offenders are larger than average as measured by body mass index (BMI), and when offenders are known to have recently consumed alcohol. We close with a discussion of policy implications and directions for future research.
Exploring the Experiences of Violence Among Individuals Who Are Homeless Using a Consumer-Led Approach
Authors: Meinbresse Molly , Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren , Grassette Amy , Benson Joseph , Hall Carol , Hamilton Reginald , Malott Marianne , Jenkins Darlene
Published: February 2014

Homelessness increases vulnerability to violence victimization; however, the precise factors associated with victimization and injury are not clearly understood. Thus, this study explores the prevalence of and characteristics associated with violence victimization among homeless individuals by surveying approximately 500 individuals experiencing homelessness in 5 cities across the United States. Our findings reveal that nearly one-half of our sample reported experiencing violence and that prolonged duration of homelessness (greater than 2 years) and being older increased the risk of experiencing a violent attack. In addition, increased length of homelessness and female gender predicted experiencing rape. Women were also significantly more likely to know one’s perpetrator and experience continued suffering after a violent attack. We conclude that certain subpopulations within the homeless population are at an increased risk for victimization and, subsequently, require added protective services; implications for health care and policy recommendations are also discussed.