bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic gradients in breast and cervical cancer screening in Korea: the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS) 2005-2009
Authors: Park Mi Jin , Park Eun-Cheol , Choi Kui Son , Jun Jae Kwan , Lee Hoo-Yeon
Published: June 2011

Background

Cancer screening rates in Korea for five cancer types have increased steadily since 2002. With regard to the life-time cancer screening rates in 2009 according to cancer sites, the second highest was breast cancer (78.1%) and the third highest was cervical cancer (76.1%). Despite overall increases in the screening rate, disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening, based on sociodemographic characteristics, still exist.

Methods

Data from 4,139 women aged 40 to74 years from the 2005 to 2009 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey were used to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and receiving mammograms and Pap smears. The main outcome measures were ever having had a mammogram and ever having had a Pap smear. Using these items of information, we classified women into those who had had both types of screening, only one screening type, and neither screening type. We used logistic regression to investigate relationships between screening history and sociodemographic characteristics of the women.

Results

Being married, having a higher education, a rural residence, and private health insurance were significantly associated with higher rates of breast and cervical cancer screening after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors. Household income was not significantly associated with mammograms or Pap smears after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions

Disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening associated with low sociodemographic status persist in Korea.
Immobilized Rhizopus oryzaelipase catalyzed synthesis of palm stearin and cetyl alcohol wax esters: Optimization by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sellami Mohamed , Aissa Imen , Frikha Fakher , Gargouri Youssef , Miled Nabil
Published: June 2011

Background

Waxes are esters of long-chain fatty acids and long-chain alcohols. Their principal natural sources are animals (sperm whale oil) and vegetables (jojoba) which are expensive and not easily available. Wax esters synthesized by enzymatic transesterification, using palm stearin as raw material, can be considered as an alternative to natural ones.

Results

Palm stearin is a solid fraction obtained by fractionation of palm oil. Palm stearin was esterified with cetyl alcohol to produce a mixture of wax esters. A non-commercial immobilized lipase from Rhizopus oryzae was used as biocatalyst. Response surface methodology was employed to determine the effects of the temperature (30-50°C), the enzyme concentration (33.34-300 IU/mL), the alcohol/palm stearin molar ratio (3-7 mol/mol) and the substrate concentration (0.06-0.34 g/mL) on the conversion yield of palm stearin. Under optimal conditions (temperature, 30°C; enzyme concentration, 300 IU/mL; molar ratio 3 and substrate concentration 0.21 g/mL) a high conversion yield of 98.52% was reached within a reaction time of 2 h.

Conclusions

Response surface methodology was successfully applied to determine the optimum operational conditions for synthesis of palm stearin based wax esters. This study may provide useful tools to develop economical and efficient processes for the synthesis of wax esters.
The clinical burden of malaria in Nairobi: a historical review and contemporary audit
Authors: Mudhune Sandra A , Okiro Emelda A , Noor Abdisalan M , Zurovac Dejan , Juma Elizabeth , Ochola Sam A , Snow Robert W
Published: June 2011

Background

Widespread urbanization over the next 20 years has the potential to drastically change the risk of malaria within Africa. The burden of the disease, its management, risk factors and appropriateness of targeted intervention across varied urban environments in Africa remain largely undefined. This paper presents a combined historical and contemporary review of the clinical burden of malaria within one of Africa's largest urban settlements, Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods

A review of historical reported malaria case burdens since 1911 within Nairobi was undertaken using archived government and city council reports. Contemporary information on out-patient case burdens due to malaria were assembled from the National Health Management and Information System (HMIS). Finally, an audit of 22 randomly selected health facilities within Nairobi was undertaken covering 12 months 2009-2010. The audit included interviews with health workers, and a checklist of commodities and guidelines necessary to diagnose, treat and record malaria.

Results

From the 1930's through to the mid-1960's malaria incidence declined coincidental with rapid population growth. During this period malaria notification and prevention were a priority for the city council. From 2001-2008 reporting systems for malaria were inadequate to define the extent or distribution of malaria risk within Nairobi. A more detailed facility review suggests, however that malaria remains a common diagnosis (11% of all paediatric diagnoses made) and where laboratories (n = 15) exist slide positivity rates are on average 15%. Information on the quality of diagnosis, slide reading and whether those reported as positive were imported infections was not established. The facilities and health workers included in this study were not universally prepared to treat malaria according to national guidelines or identify foci of risks due to shortages of national first-line drugs, inadequate record keeping and a view among some health workers (17%) that slide negative patients could still have malaria.

Conclusion

Combined with historical evidence there is a strong suggestion that very low risks of locally acquired malaria exist today within Nairobi's city limits and this requires further investigation. To be prepared for effective prevention and case-management of malaria among a diverse, mobile population in Nairobi requires a major paradigm shift and investment in improved quality of malaria diagnosis and case management, health system strengthening and case reporting.
Towards patient-specific cardiovascular modeling system using the immersed boundary technique
Authors: Tay Wee-Beng , Tseng Yu-Heng , Lin Liang-Yu , Tseng Wen-Yih
Published: June 2011

Background

Previous research shows that the flow dynamics in the left ventricle (LV) reveal important information about cardiac health. This information can be used in early diagnosis of patients with potential heart problems. The current study introduces a patient-specific cardiovascular-modelling system (CMS) which simulates the flow dynamics in the LV to facilitate physicians in early diagnosis of patients before heart failure.

Methods

The proposed system will identify possible disease conditions and facilitates early diagnosis through hybrid computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and time-resolved magnetic resonance imaging (4-D MRI). The simulation is based on the 3-D heart model, which can simultaneously compute fluid and elastic boundary motions using the immersed boundary method. At this preliminary stage, the 4-D MRI is used to provide an appropriate comparison. This allows flexible investigation of the flow features in the ventricles and their responses.

Results

The results simulate various flow rates and kinetic energy in the diastole and systole phases, demonstrating the feasibility of capturing some of the important characteristics of the heart during different phases. However, some discrepancies exist in the pulmonary vein and aorta flow rate between the numerical and experimental data. Further studies are essential to investigate and solve the remaining problems before using the data in clinical diagnostics.

Conclusions

The results show that by using a simple reservoir pressure boundary condition (RPBC), we are able to capture some essential variations found in the clinical data. Our approach establishes a first-step framework of a practical patient-specific CMS, which comprises a 3-D CFD model (without involving actual hemodynamic data yet) to simulate the heart and the 4-D PC-MRI system. At this stage, the 4-D PC-MRI system is used for verification purpose rather than input. This brings us closer to our goal of developing a practical patient-specific CMS, which will be pursued next. We anticipate that in the future, this hybrid system can potentially identify possible disease conditions in LV through comprehensive analysis and facilitates physicians in early diagnosis of probable cardiac problems.
A Facile Synthesis of Polypyrrole/Carbon Nanotube Composites with Ultrathin, Uniform and Thickness-Tunable Polypyrrole Shells
Authors: Zhang Bin , Xu Yiting , Zheng Yifang , Dai Lizong , Zhang Mingqiu , Yang Jin , Chen Yujie , Chen Xudong , Zhou Juying
Published: June 2011

An improved approach to assemble ultrathin and thickness-tunable polypyrrole (PPy) films onto multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been investigated. A facile procedure is demonstrated for controlling the morphology and thickness of PPy film by adding ethanol in the reaction system and a possible mechanism of the coating formation process is proposed. The coated PPy films can be easily tuned by adding ethanol and adjusting a mass ratio of pyrrole to MWCNTs. Moreover, the thickness of PPy significantly influences the electronic conductivity and capacitive behavior of the PPy/MWCNT composites. The method may provide a facile strategy for tailoring the polymer coating on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for carbon-based device applications.
A new approach to geographic routing for location aided cluster based MANETs
Authors: Mangai Senthil Velmurugan , Tamilarasi Angamuthu
Published: June 2011

Routing has been the main challenge for ad hoc networks due to dynamic topology as well as resource constraints. Completely GPS(Global Positioning System) free as well as GPS scarce positioning systems for wireless, mobile, ad-hoc networks has been proposed recently by many authors. High computational overhead and high mobility of the nodes typically require completely GPS enabled MANETs for higher performance. In this article, Improved Location aided Cluster based Routing Protocol (ILCRP) for GPS enabled MANETs has been evaluated for performance metrics such as end to end delay, control overhead, and packet delivery ratio. Use of cluster based routing as well as exact location information of the nodes in ILCRP reduces the control overhead resulting in higher packet delivery ratio. GPS utility in nodes reduces the end to end delay even during its high mobility. Simulations are performed using NS2 by varying the mobility (speed) of nodes as well as number of the nodes. The results illustrate that ILCRP performs better compared to other protocols.
Zangfu zheng (patterns) are associated with clinical manifestations of zang shang (target-organ damage) in arterial hypertension
Authors: Luiz Alexandre Bastos , Cordovil Ivan , Filho José Barbosa , Ferreira Arthur Sá
Published: June 2011

Background

Hypertension is a clinical condition that manifests target-organ damage (TOD) with symptoms. This study investigates the association between Zangfu patterns and symptomatic manifestations of TOD.

Methods

Datasets with manifestations of Zangfu patterns (Liver-fire blazing upwards; Kidney-yin deficiency and Liver-yang rising; obstruction of phlegm and dampness of Heart/Liver/Gallbladder; qi and blood deficiency leading to Liver-yang rising; Kidney-yin/yang deficiency) and TODs (cerebrovascular, heart and kidney) were compiled from literature. The Pattern Differentiation Algorithm was used to test and to determine diagnostic accuracy with these datasets. A questionnaire was developed from datasets and applied to 43 subjects newly diagnosed with hypertension. Pattern differentiation was performed and the results were statistically analyzed for association between descriptions of patterns and TOD.

Results

The observed diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 98.0%, 96.2% and 99.8% respectively. Similarity between patterns and TOD datasets was mostly negligible. Twelve manifestations demonstrated high prevalence, namely red tongue (81.4%), headache (72.1%), irritability (67.4%), palpitation (60.5%), blurred vision, insomnia and mental fatigue (58.1%), frequent nocturnal urination, numbness in feet and hands, shortness of breath (55.8%), and heavy limbs sensation, wiry pulse (51.2%). No significant association was found between blood pressure variables (systolic, diastolic, mean, pulse pressure) and manifestations.

Conclusion

Zangfu patterns are associated with clinical manifestations of TOD. Manifestations associated patterns indicate morbid conditions to be secondary to hypertension rather than simple blood pressure.
Incidence, Phenotypic Features and Molecular Genetics of Kallmann Syndrome in Finland
Authors: Laitinen Eeva-Maria , Vaaralahti Kirsi , Tommiska Johanna , Eklund Elina , Tervaniemi Mari , Valanne Leena , Raivio Taneli
Published: June 2011

Background

Kallmann syndrome (KS), comprised of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and anosmia, is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. Its exact incidence is currently unknown, and a mutation in one of the identified KS genes has only been found in ~30% of the patients.

Methods

Herein, we investigated epidemiological, clinical, and genetic features of KS in Finland.

Results

The minimal incidence estimate of KS in Finland was 1:48 000, with clear difference between males (1:30 000) and females (1:125 000) (p = 0.02). The reproductive phenotype of 30 probands (25 men; 5 women) ranged from severe HH to partial puberty. Comprehensive mutation analysis of all 7 known KS genes (KAL1, FGFR1, FGF8, PROK2, PROKR2, CHD7, and WDR11) in these 30 well-phenotyped probands revealed mutations in KAL1 (3 men) and FGFR1 (all 5 women vs. 4/25 men), but not in other genes.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that Finnish KS men harbor mutations in gene(s) yet-to-be discovered with sex-dependent penetrance of the disease phenotype. In addition, some KS patients without CHD7 mutations display CHARGE-syndrome associated phenotypic features (e.g. ear or eye anomalies), possibly implying that, in addition to CHD7, there may be other genes associated with phenotypes ranging from KS to CHARGE.
Efficacy and long-term follow-up of IL-1R inhibitor anakinra in adults with Still's disease: a case-series study
Authors: Laskari Katerina , Tzioufas Athanasios G , Moutsopoulos Haralampos M
Published: June 2011

Introduction

To assess the efficacy and safety of the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) inhibitor anakinra in adult patients with refractory Still's disease.

Methods

Twenty-five patients (13 males and 12 females, median age 32 years, median disease duration seven months) with Still's disease were treated with subcutaneous injections of anakinra (100 mg/day). Treatment was given as adjunct therapy in 16 patients and as standalone in 9 patients for a median time of 15 months (range 1.5-71). The clinical and laboratory parameters during follow-up were recorded.

Results

In 84% of patients the clinical activity resolved completely within a few days (median time 0.2 months), and response was maintained until the last visit in all but one patient. A complete response of all disease-related symptoms (clinical and laboratory) occurred subsequently within a median time of three months in 80% of patients. A partial clinical and laboratory improvement was shown in 12% and 16% of patients, respectively. The Visualized Analogue Scale and Health Assessment Questionnaire scores significantly decreased during treatment. The proportion of patients achieving the American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) score (20% improvement) was 82% at one month and improved to 100% at one year. The mean oral corticosteroid dose was significantly reduced at each visit. Anakinra was discontinued due to unresponsiveness in one patient and due to relapsing disease in another. Treatment was also withdrawn in three patients with severe skin reactions (urticaria). Seven patients experienced an infection during follow-up.

Conclusions

The rapid and sustained response in the majority of our patients encourages the use of anakinra in adults with Still's disease.
A randomized questionnaire based study on the impact of providing numerical information on colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Patanwala Imran M , Brocklebank Victoria , Inglis Janet , Trewby Peter N
Published: June 2011

Summary

Objectives

To establish whether the provision of numerical data using pictograms and framed as event rates affects subjects’ attitudes to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Design

Randomized questionnaire and telephone study comparing a control group given standard NHS CRC information leaflets with an intervention group given the same leaflet but enhanced with additional numerical and pictorial information.

Setting

District General hospital and two general practices in North East England. Study carried out immediately prior to the introduction of CRC screening.

Participants

A total of 478 non-gastroenterological subjects (age range 60–70 years).

Main outcome measures

The difference in the two groups’ overall wish to be screened; comparison of the impact of enhanced vs. unenhanced summary points in the NHS information leaflet; the summary point that most influenced their decision on screening; the views of the intervention group on the additional numerical and pictorial information provided.

Results

A total of 256 (54%) responded (124 from the control group and 117 from the intervention group); 22% were interviewed by telephone; 90% of the control group and 85% of the intervention group wished to be screened (P = 0.34). Provision of numerical and pictorial information significantly changed the impact of five of the six summary points on the decision to be screened. Sixty-two percent of the intervention group found the pictograms helpful while 83% of those interviewed by telephone found the numerical data helpful; 73% of the control group when given by telephone the additional numerical information given to the intervention group said this would have been useful in aiding their decision-making.

Conclusion

Providing additional numerical information would enhance the credibility of the screening programme without necessarily reducing the numbers screened.
On the Prevention of Fraud and Privacy Exposure in Process Information Flow
Authors: Bai Xue , Gopal Ram , Nunez Manuel , Zhdanov Dmitry
Published: June 2011

Our work addresses internal information breaches that emanate from organizational workflows. Information breaches are particularly piquant in organizational workflows, as the underlying tasks constitute natural points where private information on individuals is accessed to execute the workflows. Our work builds on and extends the widely used role-based access controls by considering processwide security considerations to both optimize the efficiency of workflow staffing and minimize data exposure in complex workflows. We employ a Jackson queueing network modeling framework, which allows both predictable and stochastic variability as well as varied employee skill sets. This framework enables the modeling of internal security threats that emanate from cross-task and cross-personnel assignments and the development of optimal staffing strategies that meet security requirements at minimum operational costs. Our detailed implementation analysis reveals that the model developed is not demanding in terms of required parameters and that the proposed approach is practical and adaptable to evolving business, regulatory, and workforce conditions. Our model is applicable to any digital transformation that involves confidential data sequences that carry security vulnerability, as is often the case in many settings such as health care, online banking, electronic payment systems, and interorganizational data interchange.
Sourcing Flexibility, Spot Trading, and Procurement Contract Structure
Authors: Pei Pamela Pen-Erh , Simchi-Levi David , Tunca Tunay I.
Published: June 2011

We analyze the structure and pricing of option contracts for an industrial good in the presence of spot trading. We combine the analysis of spot trading and buyers' disparate private valuations for different suppliers' products, and we jointly endogenize the determination of three major dimensions in contract design: (i) sales contracts versus options contracts, (ii) flat-price versus volume-dependent contracts, and (iii) volume discounts versus volume premia. We build a model in which a supplier of an industrial good transacts with a manufacturer who uses the supplier's product to produce an end good with an uncertain demand. We show that, consistent with industry observations, volume-dependent optimal sales contracts always demonstrate volume discounts (i.e., involve concave pricing). However, options are more complex agreements, and optimal option contracts can involve both volume discounts and volume premia. Three major contract structures commonly emerge in optimality. First, if the seller has a high discount rate relative to the buyer and the seller's production costs or the production capacity is low, the optimal contracts tend to be flat-price sales contracts. Second, when the seller has a relatively high discount rate compared to the buyer but production costs or production capacity are high, the optimal contracts are sales contracts with volume discounts. Third, if the buyer's discount rate is high relative to the seller's, then the optimal contracts tend to be volume-dependent options contracts and can involve both volume discounts and volume premia. However, when the seller's production capacity is sufficiently low, it is possible to observe flat-price option contracts. Furthermore, we provide links between production and spot market characteristics, contract design, and efficiency.
Valuation of Storage at a Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal
Authors: Lai Guoming , Wang Mulan X. , Kekre Sunder , Scheller-Wolf Alan , Secomandi Nicola
Published: June 2011

The valuation of the real option to store liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the downstream terminal of an LNG value chain is an important problem in practice. Because the exact valuation of this real option is computationally intractable, we develop a novel and tractable heuristic model for its strategic valuation that integrates models of LNG shipping, natural gas price evolution, and inventory control and sale into the wholesale natural gas market. We incorporate real and estimated data to quantify the value of this real option and its dependence on the throughput of an LNG chain, the type of price variability, the type of inventory control policy employed, and the level of stochastic variability in both the shipping model and the natural gas price model used. In addition, we develop an imperfect information dual upper bound to assess the effectiveness of our heuristic and find that our method is near optimal. Our approach also has potential relevance to value the real option to store other commodities in facilities located downstream from a commodity production or transportation stage, such as petroleum and agricultural products, chemicals, and metals, or the real option to store the input used in the production of a commodity such as electricity.
Building Employee Commitment to Change Across Organizational Levels: The Influence of Hierarchical Distance and Direct Managers' Transformational Leadership
Authors: Hill N. Sharon , Seo Myeong-Gu , Kang Jae Hyeung , Taylor M. Susan
Published: June 2011

Research has shown that employees' affective and normative commitment to change (ACC and NCC, respectively) positively influence their behaviors supporting change; however, organizations are frequently unsuccessful in motivating appropriate levels of employee commitment to change. Using longitudinal, multilevel data collected from a large federal government agency implementing radical organizational change, we extend extant research related to antecedents of commitment to change by examining how employees' hierarchical distance (the number of reporting levels between an employee and the top management team) and the transformational leadership of their direct (immediate) manager both relate to their ACC and NCC. We also shed light on important mechanisms that explain these two relationships by examining the mediating role of employees' perceived effectiveness of top management's change-related communications (TMCs), including the top-down and bottom-up components of TMC. Taking advantage of a longitudinal field design, we tested these antecedents of commitment to change at Time 1 and the longitudinal effects of the Time 1 predictors on commitment to change 12 months later (Time 2). At Time 1, findings supported both the predicted direct and mediated effects. Hierarchical distance and perceived TMC remained significant predictors of ACC and NCC over a one-year follow-up period; however, direct managers' transformational leadership behaviors did not. The study extends previous findings related to antecedents of employee commitment to change and also shows the interplay between different levels of leadership in shaping employee affective and normative commitment to radical organizational change.
Reproducing Knowledge: Inaccurate Replication and Failure in Franchise Organizations
Authors: Winter Sidney G. , Szulanski Gabriel , Ringov Dimo , Jensen Robert J.
Published: June 2011

The recognition that better use of existing knowledge can enhance performance has spawned substantial interest in the replication of productive knowledge within organizations. An enduring belief is that when expanding by replication, organizations can and should strive to adapt to fit the salient characteristics of new environments. Yet some have argued that the exploitation of an established template for doing business by replication can be more successful when the template is copied precisely. Using unique longitudinal data, we report a large-sample empirical investigation of the survival consequences of accurate replication versus local adaptation by examining the effect that deviation from the template has on the survival chances of franchise units within a large franchise organization.
Tribunal Specialization and Institutional Targeting in Patent Enforcement
Authors: Somaya Deepak , McDaniel Christine A.
Published: June 2011

Recent scholarship on nonmarket strategies has sought to understand organizational decisions to target specific institutional venues for nonmarket actions. We contribute to this emerging literature by studying institutional targeting between specialized and general-purpose tribunals, which are available to resolve disputes in a number of settings. Whereas prior work on institutional targeting has primarily focused on the differences in the policy preferences of public actors and the susceptibility of policy positions to influence activities, we focus on the differences in expertise and procedural flexibility that typically accompany tribunal specialization. We develop a theory about targeting decisions (forum shopping) in such contexts, which suggests two main drivers of tribunal targeting—expected settlement and expected returns. Drawing on these mechanisms, we formulate hypotheses linking tribunal targeting decisions to firm-level attributes such as (market) strategic stakes, institutional distance from competitors, and tribunal-specific capabilities. Our hypotheses are tested using a novel data set of patent enforcement against U.S. imports, which also sheds light on nonmarket strategies in patents.
Enhanced frequency of CFTR gene variants in couples who are candidates for assisted reproductive technology treatment
Authors: Tomaiuolo Rossella , Fausto Marsia , Elce Ausilia , Strina Ida , Ranieri Antonio , Amato Felice , Castaldo Giuseppe , De Placido Giuseppe , Alviggi Carlo
Published: June 2011

Background: An increased frequency of (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) CFTR mutations has been detected in some types of male infertility. The aim of this study was to shed light on the link between CFTR mutations and infertility.

Methods: We sequenced the CFTR gene in 294 subjects (190 males) affected by infertility of different origin who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART). As a control group, we studied 1000 (353 males) unrelated, unselected subjects from the general population of southern Italy.

Results: The frequency of CFTR mutations, some of which are detected only by gene sequencing, and of the IVS8 poly(TG)12-poly(T)5-V470 haplotype was significantly higher in obstructive [congenital bilateral absence of vasa defer-entes (CBAVD, five cases)] and secretory (23 cases) azoospermic patients than in the general population. Some patients, primarily those with CBAVD, were compound heterozygous for two mutations. Interestingly, the frequency of the TG12-T5-V470 variant haplotype was significantly higher in severe oligospermic patients (88 cases) and in patients with tubal sterility (74 cases) compared with the general population. Finally, neither the frequency of CFTR mutations nor the frequency of the TG12-T5 variants differed between patients with mild oligospermia (74 cases) and patients with ovulatory sterility (30 cases) compared with the general population.

Conclusions: All subjects affected by obstructive or secretory azoospermia should undergo molecular analysis and counselling for CF using gene scanning which has a high detection rate and also reveals rare CFTR mutations. Molecular analysis seems to be less mandatory in other types of male/female infertility. Furthermore, we found that the CFTR TG12-T5-V470 variant haplotype was associated with both severe oligospermia and tubal infertility, thereby implicating the CFTR protein in both spermatogenesis and tubal functionality.
Implementation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in a school with a religious background: a case study
Authors: Shek Daniel T.L. , Ng Catalina S.M. , Chak Yammy L.Y.
Published: June 2011

This paper reports the findings of a case study that attempted to identify school-related factors influencing the quality of implementation of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong. The case study method was utilized to investigate perceptions of the program implementers of program effectiveness, and to identify the crucial factors for program success in a school with a religious background that admits students with high academic achievement. Findings demonstrated that incorporation of the program into the formal curriculum, good administrative support, efficient management from school, and presence of dedicated teachers contributed to program success. The present findings provide insight for the implementation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in schools with a religious background.
Healthcare utilization for pain in children and adolescents: a prospective study of laboratory and non-laboratory predictors of care-seeking
Authors: Tsao Jennie C.I. , Evans Subhadra , Seidman Laura C. , Zeltzer Lonnie K.
Published: June 2011

Background:Few studies have focused on identifying predictors of medical consultation for pain in healthy children and adolescents.

Objective:This investigation sought to identify parent and child laboratory and non-laboratory predictors of pediatric healthcare utilization for pain problems.

Study group:Participants were 210 healthy children and adolescents (102 girls), aged 8–17 years who took part in a laboratory pain session.

Methods:Three months after the laboratory session, participants were contacted by telephone to ascertain whether they had experienced pain and whether they had seen a healthcare professional for pain. Zero-order correlations among sociodemographic status, child laboratory pain responses, parent physical/mental health status and medical consultation for pain were conducted to identify relevant correlates of pediatric healthcare utilization; these correlates were subjected to multivariate analyses.

Results:Bivariate analyses indicated that higher anticipated pain and bother for the cold pressor task, as well as poorer parent physical health status, were associated with pediatric medical consultation for pain, but only among girls. Sequential logistic regression analyses controlling for child age indicated that only parent physical health status, not the laboratory indicators, significantly predicted healthcare consultation for pain among girls. No parent or child correlates of care-seeking for pain emerged for boys.

Conclusion:The findings suggest that parents’ perceived physical health plays a role in determining whether medical care is sought for pain complaints in healthy girls. These results suggest that interventions to assist parents in managing their own physical health problems could lead to reductions in medical consultation for girls’ pain.
Left Ventricular Hemangioma
Authors: Strecker Thomas , Schmid Axel , Zielezinski Thorsten , R�sch Johannes , Agaimy Abbas
Published: June 2011

Cardiac hemangiomas are quite rare benign tumors of vascular origin often detected incidentally during routine examinations. Here we present the diagnostic evaluation and excisional biopsy of such a cardiac tumor in a 20-year-old man.
Transient Bilateral Blindness in a Patient after Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang , Dibardino Daniel J. , Bolman R. Morton
Published: June 2011

Our report describes a case of temporary bilateral blindness in a patient after undergoing mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis and coronary artery bypass grafting.
One-Stage Surgical Removal of Intravenous Leiomyomatosis with Right Heart Extension is Safe
Authors: Li Qiang , Ma Jie , Hao Bin , Pi Xintao , Li Hao
Published: June 2011

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a rare smooth muscle tumor. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with both intravenous and intracardiac extension of leiomyomatosis who underwent 3 operations within 9 years. During the last admission, she underwent a successful single-stage surgical approach while under cardiopulmonary bypass with circulatory arrest. A postoperative histopathologic examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis.
Late Cardiac Tamponade by Chylous Pericardial Effusion after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Case Report
Authors: Albåge Anders , Eggertsen Gösta , Parini Paolo
Published: June 2011

Chylopericardium is an uncommon but serious complication after open heart surgery that often necessitates surgical treatment. We describe a case of continuous and severely symptomatic chylous pericardial effusion after coronary artery bypass grafting in which the diagnosis was established by lipid electrophoresis. Initial conservative management failed, and ligation of the thoracic duct and pericardial fenestration were finally required for a successful outcome.
Distributional Changes and Range Predictions of Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) in Rocky Mountain National Park
Authors: Bromberg James E. , Kumar Sunil , Brown Cynthia S. , Stohlgren Thomas J.
Published: June 2011

Downy brome (Bromus tectorumL.), an invasive winter annual grass, may be increasing in extent and abundance at high elevations in the western United States. This would pose a great threat to high-elevation plant communities and resources. However, data to track this species in high-elevation environments are limited. To address changes in the distribution and abundance of downy brome and the factors most associated with its occurrence, we used field sampling and statistical methods, and niche modeling. In 2007, we resampled plots from two vegetation surveys in Rocky Mountain National Park for presence and cover of downy brome. One survey was established in 1993 and had been resampled in 1999. The other survey was established in 1996 and had not been resampled until our study. Although not all comparisons between years demonstrated significant changes in downy brome abundance, its mean cover increased nearly fivefold from 1993 (0.7%) to 2007 (3.6%) in one of the two vegetation surveys (P = 0.06). Although the average cover of downy brome within the second survey appeared to be increasing from 1996 to 2007, this slight change from 0.5% to 1.2% was not statistically significant (P = 0.24). Downy brome was present in 50% more plots in 1999 than in 1993 (P = 0.02) in the first survey. In the second survey, downy brome was present in 30% more plots in 2007 than in 1996 (P = 0.08). Maxent, a species–environmental matching model, was generally able to predict occurrences of downy brome, as new locations were in the ranges predicted by earlier generated models. The model found that distance to roads, elevation, and vegetation community influenced the predictions most. The strong response of downy brome to interannual environmental variability makes detecting change challenging, especially with small sample sizes. However, our results suggest that the area in which downy brome occurs is likely increasing in Rocky Mountain National Park through increased frequency and cover. Field surveys along with predictive modeling will be vital in directing efforts to manage this highly invasive species.
Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)–Invaded Sites with Elevated Levels of Available Soil Nutrients: Barrier to Restoration?
Authors: Turner Peter J. , Scott John K. , Spafford Helen
Published: June 2011

Bridal creeper has become a serious environmental weed in southern Australia. Historically the invaded areas had low soil nutrient levels. However, our field surveys indicate that soils in bridal creeper–invaded areas have higher phosphorus and iron levels than soils in nearby native reference areas regardless of the proximity to agriculture or other disturbances. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to determine the influence of increased nutrients on plants that co-occur with bridal creeper in order to (1) assess the impact of changed soil conditions and (2) predict the response of dominant species following the biological control of bridal creeper. The relative growth rate (RGR) of bridal creeper, two native shrubs (narrow-leaved thomasia [Thomasia angustifolia] and bluebell creeper [Billardiera heterophylla]), and an invasive exotic grass (annual veldt grass [Ehrharta longiflora]) were determined in three soil types: soil collected within a bridal creeper stand, soil collected from a nearby reference area, and a potting mix with nutrient levels higher than that recorded in the field. The plant species were chosen due to their association with bridal creeper. For example, the native species narrow-leaved thomasia was identified in a previous survey as the most abundant shrub at the invaded site where the soil was collected. The two other species, bluebell creeper and annual veldt grass, were identified from a previous seedbank trial as being abundant (in the seedbank) and able to readily germinate in invaded areas. When grown in either the bridal creeper–invaded soil or reference soil, bluebell creeper had significantly lower RGRs than narrow-leaved thomasia and annual veldt grass. However, as all these species showed increases in RGRs between reference soil and bridal creeper soil, this study indicates that for at least these three species the impact of increased nutrients may not be a barrier to the recovery of invaded areas following the control of bridal creeper.
Survival, Growth, and Fecundity of the Invasive Swallowworts (Vincetoxicum rossicum and V. nigrum) in New York State
Authors: Averill Kristine M. , DiTommaso Antonio , Mohler Charles L. , Milbrath Lindsey R.
Published: June 2011

Black and pale swallowwort (BSW and PSW, respectively) are perennial, herbaceous vines in the Apocynaceae that are native to Europe. The species are becoming increasingly abundant in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada and are difficult to manage. However, we know little about the demographic parameters of these species. We determined the survival, annual rate of vegetative growth, and fecundity of mature clumps of these swallowwort species. We selected four PSW sites (three of which comprised both old-field and forest habitats) in central New York and three BSW old fields in southeastern New York. BSW is largely restricted to higher light habitats in its introduced range. In each habitat, we followed the growth of 30 to 32 randomly selected clumps of similar size (2 to 5 stems clump−1 in the initial year) for 3 to 4 yr. Yearly survival was 99.6 ± 0.3% [mean ± standard error] for PSW and 100 ± 0% for BSW. In old fields, vegetative expansion varied from −0.01 ± 0.1 to 4.6 ± 0.4 stems clump−1 yr−1 for BSW and −0.02 ± 0.2 to 2.1 ± 0.5 stems clump−1 yr−1 for PSW. In forests, PSW growth was lower with vegetative expansion ranging from −0.01 ± 0.1 to 0.8 ± 0.2 stems clump−1 yr−1. Fecundity of PSW in 2007 and 2008 (130 ± 10 viable seeds stem−1 yr−1) was similar to BSW (100 ± 10 viable seeds stem−1 yr−1). Fecundity of PSW in forests was generally lower than PSW in old fields, but it varied greatly among sites (0 to 170 viable seeds stem−1 yr−1). We found that stem growth and fecundity did not vary with clump size (stems per clump). Since vegetative expansion and fecundity rates were high in old-field habitats, but were generally low or nonexistent in forest habitats, we suggest that management of these two invasive vines be focused in higher light environments to reduce overall seed production and its subsequent spread to surrounding areas.
Herbicide and Fire Effects on Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in Invaded Prairie Remnants
Authors: Bahm Matt A. , Barnes Thomas G. , Jensen Kent C.
Published: June 2011

Smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass are introduced cool-season perennial grasses known to invade grasslands throughout North America. During the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006, we implemented a restoration study at six native prairie sites in eastern South Dakota that have been invaded by smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass. Treatments included five herbicide combinations, a fall prescribed burn, and an untreated control to determine the potential of each for renovation of invaded native grasslands. Herbicide treatments tested were sulfosulfuron, imazapyr, imazapic + sulfosulfuron, and imazapyr + imazapic, and were applied in late September 2005 and mid-May 2006. Untreated control plots averaged 64% (± 3.1) smooth brome cover and 38% (± 5.5) Kentucky bluegrass cover after the third growing season. Smooth brome cover in herbicide treated plots ranged from 6 to 23% and Kentucky bluegrass cover ranged from 15 to 35% after the third growing season. Smooth brome cover was 20% (± 2.9) and Kentucky bluegrass cover was 19% (± 4.0) in burned plots after the third growing season. Spring and fall treatments had similar native plant cover after three growing seasons. Spring and fall application of 0.33 kg ai ha−1imazapyr and 0.10 kg ai ha−1imazapic + 0.16 kg ai ha−1imazapyr had ≤ 10% smooth brome cover and increased native species cover after three growing seasons. Herbicides were effective at reducing cover of smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, and can be incorporated with other management strategies to restore prairie remnants.
Woody Shrubs as a Barrier to Invasion by Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)
Authors: Yager Lisa Y. , Miller Deborah L. , Jones Jeanne
Published: June 2011

Cogongrass invades forests through rhizomatous growth and wind-dispersed seeds. Increased density and abundance of woody vegetation along forest edges may strengthen biotic resistance to invasion by creating a vegetative barrier to dispersal, growth, or establishment of cogongrass. We evaluated differences in dispersal of cogongrass spikelets experimentally released from road edges into tallgrass-dominated and shrub-encroached longleaf pine forests (Pinus palustris). Average maximum dispersal distances were greater in the pine–tallgrass forest (17.3 m) compared to the pine–shrub forest association (9.4 m). Spikelets were more likely to be intercepted by vegetation in pine–shrub forests compared to pine–tallgrass forests. Results suggest that dense woody vegetation along forest edges will slow spread from wind-dispersed cogongrass seeds.
Rehabilitating Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum)–Invaded Shrublands Using Imazapic and Seeding with Native Shrubs
Authors: Owen Suzanne M. , Sieg Carolyn Hull , Gehring Catherine A.
Published: June 2011

Rehabilitation of downy brome–infested shrublands is challenging once this invasive grass dominates native communities. The effectiveness of imazapic herbicide in reducing downy brome cover has been variable, and there is uncertainty about the impacts of imazapic on native species. We used a before-after-control-impact (BACI) field experiment and greenhouse studies to (1) determine if imazapic herbicide applied at 132 g ai ha−1(8 oz/ac−1) and seeding with two native shrub species (Wyoming big sagebrush [Artemisia tridentata] and Mexican cliffrose [Purshia mexicana]) reduced downy brome cover and promoted shrub establishment, (2) assess potential effects of imazapic on nontarget plant species and plant community composition, and (3) determine if imazapic affected downy brome or seeded shrub species when applied at different developmental stages. Seeding shrubs, alone, or in combination with imazapic application, did not significantly increase shrub density, possibly because of droughty conditions. In the field, imazapic reduced downy brome cover by 20% and nontarget forb cover by 25% and altered plant community composition the first year after treatment. Imazapic was lethal to downy brome at all growth stages in the greenhouse and reduced shrub germination by 50 to 80%, but older shrub seedlings were more tolerant of the herbicide. We conclude that a one-time application of imazapic combined with seeding shrubs was only slightly effective in rehabilitating areas with high downy brome and thatch cover and resulted in short-term impacts to nontarget species. These results highlight the need to treat downy brome infestations before they become too large. Also, removing thatch prior to treating with imazapic, although likely lethal to the native shrubs we studied, could increase the effectiveness of imazapic.
Field Trials for Herbicide Control of Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata) in Natural Areas of North-Central Florida
Authors: Hutchinson Jeffrey T. , Langeland Kenneth A. , Meisenburg Michael
Published: June 2011

Coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata) has been present in Florida for more than 100 yr as an ornamental and has become invasive in hammocks of natural areas. This plant forms dense understory cover, often greater than 90%, which can suppress native plant recruitment and growth. Results from herbicide trials at two sites in Florida indicate that a single foliar treatment applied as a spot application of triclopyr amine, triclopyr ester, glyphosate, imazapic, dicamba, triclopyr amine + imazapic, or triclopyr ester + fluroxypyr reducedArdisia crenatato less than 13% at 12 mo after treatment (MAT). A single treatment of imazapic (2.4 g ae L−1) or imazapic (2.4 g ae L−1) + triclopyr (10.8 g ae L−1) reduced cover of mature plants to less than 0.5% and seedlings to less than or equal to 4% at 12 MAT. Native plant cover was less than 5% prior to treatment indicating that dense infestations ofArdisia crenatamay suppress native vegetation. In the dense infestations ofArdisia crenataobserved in this study, nontarget damage was not a concern due to the rarity of native plants. However, applicators should use caution applying triclopyr and imazapic when small shrubs and trees are present in the treatment area. Additional follow-up treatments will be required for control of seedling and possible resprouts at 12 MAT.