bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Budgeting soil erosion from floodplain sediments of the central Rhenish Slate Mountains (Westerwald), Germany
Authors: Stolz Christian
Published: January 2011

The distribution, thickness and composition of the floodplain sediments in the valleys of the Gelbach (Lower Westerwald) and Große Nister (Upper Westerwald) depend on the occurrence of loessic periglacial cover beds in their catchments as well as on historical land use. The budget of floodplain sedimentation was derived from a study of the floodloams underlying the monastery garden of Marienstatt, a village in the Große Nister valley. From the study of two occupation levels, pottery shards and radiocarbon dating, 55% of the floodloam can be attributed to the Modern period (younger than c. AD 1450). From the radiocarbon age of a charcoal fragment extracted from the base of the floodloam at another site in the Nister valley, it can be concluded that the floodloams were almost exclusively deposited by human impact since the time of High Medieval expansion of settlement into the Uplands. The fine-grained loamy sediments blanket a rather irregular floodplain of channels and gravel bars. Similar results as to the age of the floodplain sediments were obtained from radiocarbon datings obtained for the Gelbach valley. Floodloam sediment budgets of the rivers and their tributaries have been calculated for the Große Nister and the Gelbach valleys of the Westerwald and, for including a catchment of higher sedimentation, the Aar River of the Taunus Mountains, followed by a comparative analysis of the results in relation to potential erosion areas in the catchment. The amount of areal soil erosion in upland areas in historical times has been found to be considerably higher than generally assumed. Average amounts of anthropogenic soil erosion could thus be calculated from the floodloam deposition: 1677.4 t/ha for the Aar catchment, 1084.5 t/ha for the Gelbach catchment, and 841.8 t/ha for that of the Nister. The calculated total amount of soil erosion is then subdivided by periods.
Minimizing the edge-effect in environmental reconstructions by trimming the calibration set: Chironomid-inferred temperatures from Spitsbergen
Authors: Velle Gaute , Kongshavn Katrine , Birks H. John B.
Published: January 2011

A core from Lake Skardtjørna on western Spitsbergen was analysed for subfossil chironomids with the aim of inferring past temperatures. The core spans the last 1760 years and has a low concentration and low diversity of chironomids. Three taxa dominate the record: Oliveridia tricornis, Micropsectra radialistype, and M. insignilobus-type, the latter not previously recorded on Svalbard. Compared with the full Norwegian modern climate—chironomid calibration data set, Skardtjørna is at the coldest end of the modern temperature gradient. In an attempt to decrease potential bias caused by the numerical edge-effect and to improve the taxon response functions, the training set was trimmed by excluding lakes dissimilar to the study site. Two trimming approaches are tested. In the first, lakes at the warm end of the gradient are excluded. In the second, the calibration data-set lakes are partitioned by TWINSPAN on the basis of their modern chironomid assemblages, and lakes most dissimilar to Skardtjørna are excluded. According to the training-set performance diagnostics, a WA-PLS inference model excluding lakes >9°C has the most promising results (component 1, R2 = 0.85, maximum bias = 0.58°C, RMSEP= 0.73°C). The performance diagnostics based on the trimmed inference model out-performs the performance diagnostics from the full model, and the reconstructed temperatures indicate different trends. According to the <9°C inference model, the long-term temperature trend has been decreasing, with cold periods 1630—1450, 1150—1050, and around 250 cal. yr BP. Warm periods occurred between 1760 and 1650, 1420 and 1180, and 1000 and 830 cal. yr BP. Temperatures have been increasing during the last 250 years.
New data and a morphodynamic perspective on mid- to late-Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes in the French Flanders coastal plain, southern North Sea
Authors: Mrani-Alaoui Méha , Anthony Edward J.
Published: January 2011

Eight mechanical cores, 50 auger holes, 145 borehole logs, and 19 radiocarbon ages are used to identify the sedimentary facies and patterns of mid- to late-Holocene development of the French North Sea coastal plain near the Belgian border. Stratigraphic sections show a shallow Pleistocene basement that deepens towards the North Sea, overlain by up to 11 m of deposits comprising basal peat representative of freshwater marsh development, covered inland by essentially muddy tidal sediments, and by sandy tidal deposits near the present North Sea. The peat is conspicuously absent in a well-defined circular depression, ‘Les Moëres’, lying astride the border. A widespread layer of sandy silt up to 3 m thick, absent in Les Moëres, and commonly overlying peat elsewhere, generally forms the topmost stratigraphic unit in inland areas, while near the North Sea, a well-defined inland aeolian sand unit, the Ghyvelde dune, overlies tidal flat sediments. The radiocarbon ages, ranging from 5651 cal. BP to 1070 cal. BP ( c. 4908 ± 52 yr BP to 1270 ± 48 yr BP), date the final 2—3 m of infill. The very slow sedimentation corresponding to this upper part of the overall infill appears to reflect a lower sediment accommodation space and very slow regional sea-level rise. The superposition of a layer of sandy silt over peat over much of the inner part of the plain highlights a dramatic change, probably associated with the tidal prism and tidal channel dynamics, from widespread freshwater marshes to renewed tidal sedimentation, as new sediment accommodation space was created through peat drainage and compaction. Further seaward, dominantly sand-flat sedimentation persisted throughout the Holocene, such sand flats forming the foundation for the Ghyvelde aeolian dune. This dune probably accumulated largely after c. 3500 yr BP, following the welding onto this sand-flat shore of one or more large nearshore sand banks that are the primary source of dune accretion on this southern North Sea coast. In this area, the persistence of the tidal Les Moëres depression may reflect a propensity for weaker sand supply from the sea to a coastal embayment that was being increasingly sheltered by such dune development, accompanied by increasingly underfit tidal inlets. These inlets were finally sealed off completely by the accretion of the modern aeolian dune barrier which also led to the isolation inland, within the tidal plain, of the Ghyvelde dune.
Late-Holocene land-use history and environmental changes at the high altitudes of St Antönien (Switzerland, Northern Alps): Combined evidence from pollen, soil and tree-ring analyses
Authors: Röpke Astrid , Stobbe Astrid , Oeggl Klaus , Kalis Arie J. , Tinner Willy
Published: January 2011

In climatically sensitive regions such as the Northern Alps, changes in climate and land use have a strong impact on landscapes, vegetation, animals and humans. Multidisciplinary investigations in the high St Antönien Valley (Switzerland) at 1400—3000 m a.s.l. have generated a reconstruction of land-use history. Humans began affecting the landscape of this high mountain region during the Bronze Age. Multiproxy palaeoenvironmental studies show that the present cultural landscape of the valley has been the result of long-term human environmental interactions. Pollen, soil and tree analyses were combined with archaeological and historical archives to provide strong evidence of the complexity of the high-mountain land-use system over the last 3500 years. Phases of agro-pastoral activity from Bronze Age (around 1300 BC), Iron Age (800—15 BC), Roman Period (15 BC—AD 450) and Middle Ages (AD 450—1500) are linked to climate and economic, social and cultural developments. Our results reveal that expansions of pasture land, in combination with climatic fluctuations, led to pronounced ecological changes in St Antönien Valley. Humans adjusted land-use practices according to changing environmental conditions. In this context, the use of fire was an important factor in land management. Forest clearances reached maximum intensity during the late Middle Ages (AD 1300—1500) and triggered natural catastrophes that were amplified during the most severe environmental phase (AD 1600—1850) of the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA).
Holocene carbon flux histories of the world’s peatlands
Authors: Yu Zicheng
Published: January 2011

This paper proposes a novel approach using basal peat ages and carbon (C) accumulation profiles from the world’s major peatland regions to decompose C flux terms from time-dependent C pool data observed from peat cores. Our peat-data syntheses show that the total peat C pools are 547 GtC, 50 GtC, and 15 GtC for northern, tropical and southern peatlands, respectively. The modeled net C balance (NCB) has a mean value of 41.8 TgC/yr for northern peatlands during the Holocene, ranging from 83.1 TgC/yr in the early Holocene around 9 ka (1 ka = 1000 cal. yr BP) to 21.5 TgC/yr around 2 ka, a temporal pattern mostly owing to the delayed effect of long-term decay of previously accumulated peat C. NCB from tropical and southern peatlands represents much smaller terms, mostly less than 10 TgC/yr. Northern peatlands represent about 90% of global total peatland C pool of 612 GtC and >90% of global peatland NCB. Our bottom-up global peatland synthesis indicates a decrease in rates of peatland area expansion and reduced CH4 emissions during the late Holocene, thus lending support for an anthropogenic source of late-Holocene CH4 rise. The C balance analysis of global peatland data indicates a cumulative net C uptake of 272 GtC in the early Holocene (11–7 ka), 151 GtC at 7–4 ka, and 116 GtC after 4 ka. The large cumulative fluxes and significant variations throughout the Holocene could greatly contribute to the observed atmospheric CO2 and δ13CO2 patterns derived from Antarctic ice cores. Thus, global mass-balance calculations or climate–carbon cycle simulations have to consider these large net C uptake terms from global peatlands and their variations over the Holocene.
Tree-ring dating of the nineteenth-century advance of Brady Glacier and the evolution of two ice-marginal lakes, Alaska
Authors: Capps Denny M. , Wiles Gregory C. , Clague John J. , Luckman Brian H.
Published: January 2011

We utilized dendrochronology and precise elevation-constrained mapping to date glacially overridden and drowned trees at the margin of Brady Glacier in southeast Alaska. This technique allowed determination of the timing of the former tidewater glacier’s last advance and consequent formation and filling of two marginal lakes. The subfossil tree-ring chronology spans the interval from AD 1370 to 1861. Brady Glacier impounded Spur Lake to an elevation of 83 m a.s.l. around 1830 and 121 m a.s.l. around 1839. Soon after, Spur Lake reached 125 m a.s.l. and began to overflow a stable bedrock sill. The glacier continued to advance, thickening by at least 77 m between c. 1844 and 1859 at a site down-glacier of Spur Lake on the opposite glacier margin. Farther down-glacier, North Trick Lake began to form by 1861 and reached its highest elevation at approximately 130 m a.s.l. when Brady Glacier reached its maximum extent around 1880. Our findings add precision to the chronology of the last advance of Brady Glacier and provide insight into the evolution of glacier-dammed lakes and calving glaciers.
Infertility, Women and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Authors: Madge Varada
Published: January 2011

This qualitative study discusses issues related to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment, the everyday experiences of and the reasons why women approach infertility clinics. I have attempted to show that ART imposes a double burden on women, namely, the burden of a social system that restricts women’s role to child bearing and the burden of what might be described as the medicalisation of their problems. There is an obvious gap between the ‘created’ desire for a biological child and the inability to produce one. Though the sample size is small and the results cannot be generalised, the study does point to certain trends.
Crime or Custom?
Authors: Nasrin Shahana
Published: January 2011

This article highlights the reasons behind the practice of dowry in rural Bangladesh. Despite being prohibited by Islam and the civil law, people do not abstain from the practice. Hypergamy, empowerment and social values underlie the theoretical framework for analysing the findings. This study finds both positive and negative motivations such as daughters’ well-being, gaining higher status in society and social values undergirding women’s subordination, women’s dependent status, etc., behind an escalating practice of dowry.
ICT and Employment Promotion among Poor Women
Authors: Pillai P. Mohanan , Shanta N.
Published: January 2011

This article deals with the integration of gender in policies relating to information and communication technology to empower socially excluded poor women as producers of this technology. In this context, it examines an interventionist ICT policy undertaken by Kudumbasree (an innovative women-based participatory programme) to empower poor women. The central part of the investigation is a survey of Kudumbasreesupported micro enterprises scattered across the states to understand the nature and characteristics of the enterprises, activity pattern and performance. The study clearly establishes that given the levels of basic literacy in the state, engendering ICT for poor women is feasible, provided the right organisational support is given.
Legal Aspects of Gender Reassignment Surgery in Turkey
Authors: Can İ.Özgür , Demiroğlu Zehra , Köker Murat , Ulaş Halis , Salaçin Serpil
Published: January 2011

The gender reassignment process has ethical, social and legal dimensions. However, European Union countries have recommended certain principles for such reassignment. The lack of special legislation regulating legal conditions and effects of gender reassignment creates a difficult situation for transsexuals. A new civil law was implemented in 2001 in Turkey recognising gender identity reassignment which has set new standards for procedures. According to the law, court permission is compulsory for gender reassignment surgery. Courts require expert analyses in a health council report which must include a psychiatric examination of the individual, who must also be permanently unreproductive as defined by the law. Although the new Civil Law arranges new standards for gender reassignment surgery procedures, there are several problems in reassigning the civil status of transsexuals in Turkey.
Silkworm Rearing by Rural Women in Karnataka
Authors: Geetha G.S. , Indira R.
Published: January 2011

Silkworm rearing is an important source of livelihood for rural women in Karnataka, South India. It means financial security, increased socioeconomic status, increased control over decision-making and the opportunity to save and spend. The women are self-employed, carry out silkworm rearing in the vicinity of or in their own homesteads with a known peer group, which helps them to balance both household and economic activity. Recognition of rural women as major contributors towards silk production and improvement of service delivery to them is the need of the hour.
India and Australia in the Twenty-first Century
Authors: Shekhar Vibhanshu
Published: January 2011

The India–Australia strategic engagement is an outcome of fundamental changes occurring within geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific as well as global politics during the first decade of twenty-first century—a shift in the gravity of power from the trans-Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific, emergence of China and India as new power centres, reconstruction of regional boundaries and growing emphasis on multi-polarity, greater regional integration and multilateralism. Viewed in this perspective, the bilateral relations have grown primarily as a response to (a) emerging prospects of cooperation and integration in the Asia-Pacific, (b) strategic constraints posed by the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the rise of China as the most dominant player in the region and (c) growing de-ideologisation of foreign policy priorities. Moreover, there has been growing inter-linkages among people and the non-governmental spaces across the region, facilitated by the process of globalisation, revolution in the information technology and shrinkage of business space. Though the pan-Asia-Pacific as well as global power structure offers a conducive atmosphere for strong strategic relationship between India and Australia, the governmental actors, despite being the most important facilitating factor, have proved to be a weak enabler in the bilateral relations.
Should Government Subsidize Caregiver Wages? Some Evidence on Worker Turnover and the Cost of Long-Term Care in Group Homes for Persons With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Powers Elizabeth T. , Powers Nicholas J.
Published: January 2011

High rates of worker turnover have been a persistent problem in the long-term care industry. Spending on individuals with developmental disabilities represents 20 percent of all long-term care spending and 40 percent of Medicaid spending on long-term care. Using detailed data on the providers of long-term community-based residential services for persons with developmental disabilities, this research examined the consequences of high worker turnover for long-term care costs and whether a wage-subsidy policy to reduce worker turnover would have been cost-effective in this sector. Higher turnover increased state-reimbursed training expenditures, the share of workers engaged in training, and workers’ compensation costs. Turnover had no effect on training expenditures that were not reimbursed by the state, nor did it affect residential vacancies. The findings indicated that providers were unlikely to reduce turnover on their own, since its associated costs were either tolerably small or borne by others. An analysis indicated that it was likely socially beneficial for the government to reduce turnover through wage subsidization in this sector.
Disability and Poverty: A Conceptual Review
Authors: Palmer Michael
Published: January 2011

The relationship of disability to poverty is of increasing interest to policy makers as persons with disabilities are being mainstreamed into national poverty reduction programs. However, previous reviews on disability and poverty have not systematically addressed the concept of poverty. This article examines the conceptual and empirical links of three definitions of poverty to disability: basic needs, capability, and economic resources. It is shown that different definitions of poverty have different implications when applied to disability and that however defined, it is defined, poverty is closely related to disability. By drawing attention to the limitations of existing studies, this article identifies areas for future research and their implications for policy.
Inclusion and Graduation Rates: What Are the Outcomes?
Authors: Goodman Janet I. , Hazelkorn Michael , Bucholz Jessica L. , Duffy Mary Lou , Kitta Yayoi
Published: January 2011

In response to federal and state mandates, students with disabilities increasingly are being educated in more inclusive settings. Although accountability related to state curriculum standards and standardized test scores is important, graduation rates may be the critical factor in deciding whether current educational policy is resulting in successful outcomes for students. This study examined the records of 67,749 students with mild disabilities in Georgia during a 6-year period to determine the effects of inclusion (i.e., the amount of time spent in general education classrooms) on graduation rates. Results indicated a 62% increase in the percentage rate in inclusion for students with mild disabilities, while graduation rates for students with mild disabilities have remained stable (+0.4%) at less than 30%.
The Live In-Class CEO Intervention
Authors: Rashford Nicholas S. , de Figueiredo João Neiva
Published: January 2011

This article describes a pedagogical technique that has been used successfully for more than 35 years in business education, primarily as a capstone experience in MBA and Executive MBA programs: the live in-class CEO intervention method. This method consists of a CEO bringing to the classroom a strategic issue that she or he is currently struggling with and addressing it real time with a team of students. The technique is most effective when used alongside a strategic framework of the instructor’s choice. The authors have used the method with an organization development and change framework that is described and that provides a blueprint for the student team to address in real time the CEO’s strategic issue through a question-and-answer format. The ensuing dialogue and analysis become a living example for the benefit of the whole class of how the CEO thinks and makes decisions. The authors describe the live intervention method in detail, examine process considerations, and discuss its advantages and limitations. They argue that the resulting active participation in the CEO’s thought process as she or he seeks to solve a significant problem, that is, the opportunity to “see the wheels turning” and follow all streams of thought (including those with a dead-end), is helpful in the development of a leadership skill-set. The authors further argue that a by-product of participation in several of these interventions is an expanded ability to engage in systemic thinking and bridge theory and application in an open way. The authors also report anecdotal evidence that both students and CEOs who have gone through this process have benefited substantially.
Taking the Next Step: Combining Incrementally Valid Indicators to Improve Recidivism Prediction
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: January 2011

The possibility of combining indicators to improve recidivism prediction was evaluated in a sample of released federal prisoners randomly divided into a derivation subsample ( n = 550) and a cross-validation subsample ( n = 551). Five incrementally valid indicators were selected from five domains: demographic (age), historical (prior convictions), adjustment (prior incident reports), rating scale (Violation scale of the Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form), and self-report (General Criminal Thinking score from the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles). After converting scores on the five indicators to a common scale ( z score), two combined scores were calculated: a simple summed score (unweighted summed score) and a score computed using beta weights from a Cox survival analysis of the derivation subsample (weighted summed score). Correlational and receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that the unweighted and weighted summed scores produced equivalent results and that both improved significantly on the results of the five contributing indicators.
‘Why is there no NATO in Asia?’ revisited: Prospect theory, balance of threat, and US alliance strategies
Authors: He Kai , Feng Huiyun
Published: January 2011

Why did the US prefer multilateral alliances in Europe, but bilateral alliances in Asia after World War II? Rationalists and constructivists debate the impact of power, institutions, and identities in explaining this highly contested question. We introduce a new argument embedded in prospect theory from political psychology — a prospect–threat alliance model — to account for the variation in US alliance strategy toward Europe and Asia after World War II. Through setting the threat level as a reference point for leaders’ prospects of gains or losses, we suggest: (1) high threats frame decision-makers in a domain of losses, and multilateral alliances become a favorable alliance choice because states are more likely to take the risk of constraining their freedom of action in return for more help from multiple allies as well as for avoiding further strategic losses; (2) low threats position leaders in a domain of gains, and bilateral alliances win out because states are risk-averse in terms of maintaining their freedom of action in seeking security through alliances with fewer allies. US alliance policy toward Asia after World War II is a within-case analysis that tests the validity of the prospect-threat alliance model.
District nurses’ use for an assessment tool in their daily work with elderly patients’ medication management
Authors: Gusdal Annelie K. , Beckman Christel , Wahlström Rolf , Törnkvist Lena
Published: January 2011

Aim: To explore the capability of the Safe Medication Assessment (SMA) tool in identifying factors highly related to unsafe medication management among elderly patients and to investigate the district nurses’ (DNs) opinions of the SMA’s usefulness as a tool in their daily primary healthcare practice. Introduction: Elderly patients who experience many medical conditions often use multiple drugs. As well as the combined decline in physical and cognitive functions, the elderly are at high risk for medication-related problems. It is essential to develop a screening procedure to distinguish elderly at risk of an unsafe medication management. Methods: An explorative study. During a 3—6-month period, 25 voluntary DNs used SMA with 160 patients (consecutively chosen and meeting four specified criteria) in their daily practice. Furthermore, DNs responded to questions regarding SMA’s usefulness. Results: The result showed that SMA had the capability to identify factors highly related to unsafe medication management among the elderly included in the study. In 64% of assessments DNs identified areas of new information and in 23% of the assessments DNs intervened. They found SMA to be satisfactory regarding its level of simplicity, relevance, completeness, intelligibility, and time for implementation. Conclusions: SMA alerted the DNs to patients’ attitudes about medication and empowered them in identifying elderly patients who had unsafe medication management. SMA was also perceived as a useful assessment tool by the DNs.
Breast cancer screening: ‘‘reassuring’’ the worried well?
Authors: Brodersen John , Siersma Volkert , Ryle Mette
Published: January 2011

Background: One of the suggested benefits of cancer screening is the peace of mind and reassurance experienced by those women who are given negative results. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there was a difference in the expression of psychosocial aspects in a population of women offered screening compared to a population of women not offered screening for breast cancer. Methods: One thousand women, aged 50—69 years, were randomly drawn from the Danish Civil Registration System to receive part I of the questionnaire Consequences of Screening in Breast Cancer (COS-BC1): the sample consisted of 500 women living in a geographical area where screening mammography had been offered for more than 10 years and 500 women living in an area where the public health authorities had never invited women to breast cancer screening. Results: A total of 759 women returned the questionnaire. Those living in areas where screening was not offered reported more negative psychosocial aspects compared to women living in areas where screening was offered. Conclusions: The results indicate that women tend to perceive breast cancer screening as a reassuring preventive initiative. Alternatively, the results indicate that the lack of invitation to breast cancer screening may have a negative psychosocial impact.
Pedagogy beyond the culture wars
Authors: West Brad , Pudsey Jason , Dunk-West Priscilla
Published: January 2011

In recent decades there have been various calls for a pedagogical revolution in universities to address a new technology-savvy generation of students. These developments have been met with concern about the postmodern relativizing of educational achievement and accusations of the ‘dumbing down’ of course content. Moving beyond such culture war divisions between orthodox and progressive worldviews, this article outlines how reference to popular culture and utilization of its styles can result in student re-engagement with traditional learning materials and formats. Drawing on focus group interviews with students from an introductory sociology class that incorporated a specifically designed DVD, we outline the individual and societal benefits of a de-differentiated pedagogy that combines traditional rationalist education with more playful forms of learning that directly link with students’ life-worlds.
Connection strategies: Social capital implications of Facebook-enabled communication practices
Authors: Ellison Nicole B. , Steinfield Charles , Lampe Cliff
Published: January 2011

This study assesses whether Facebook users have different ‘connection strategies,’ a term which describes a suite of Facebook-related relational communication activities, and explores the relationship between these connection strategies and social capital. Survey data ( N = 450) from a random sample of undergraduate students reveal that only social information-seeking behaviors contribute to perceptions of social capital; connection strategies that focus on strangers or close friends do not. We also find that reporting more ‘actual’ friends on the site is predictive of social capital, but only to a point. We believe the explanation for these findings may be that the identity information in Facebook serves as a social lubricant, encouraging individuals to convert latent to weak ties and enabling them to broadcast requests for support or information.
Captopril suppression: limitations for confirmation of primary aldosteronism
Authors: Westerdahl Christina , Bergenfelz Anders , Isaksson Anders , Valdemarsson Stig
Published: January 2011

Introduction: The aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) is the first line screening test for primary aldosteronism (PA). However, in hypertensive patients with an increased ARR, PA needs to be confirmed by other means.

Methods: A 25 mg oral captopril test was performed in 16 healthy subjects to obtain reference values for aldosterone and ARR at 120 minutes after the test. Subsequently these data were applied to 46 hypertensive patients screened for PA with an increased ARR.

Results: At 120 minutes after the captopril test ARR decreased in healthy subjects within a narrow range, but remained high in patients with PA and in patients with primary hypertension, especially for those with low renin characteristics. At 120 minutes after captopril, the range of ARR in primary hypertensive patients overlapped in 88% of the cases with the range of the ARR in the PA patients. Sensitivity and specificity of basal ARR and ARR after the captopril test to diagnose PA, calculated as receiver operator characteristics, showed an area under the curve of 0.595 for basal ARR and 0.664 for ARR at 120 minutes after the test.

Conclusion: The ARR at 120 minutes after the captopril test is only marginally better than basal ARR in diagnosing PA in hypertensive patients screened with an increased ARR. Owing to an overall limited capacity to clearly discriminate PA from primary hypertension, the test could not therefore be recommended for the confirmatory diagnosis of PA.
Use of Services by Community-Dwelling Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Weber Samuel R. , Pirraglia Paul A. , Kunik Mark E.
Published: January 2011

Dementia is a complicated disease requiring medical, psychological, and social services. Services to address these needs include medical care (outpatient physician/specialist, inpatient, emergency) and community care (home health, day care, meal preparation, transportation, counseling, support groups, respite care, physical therapy). This systematic review of articles published in English from 1991 to the present examines studies of ambulatory, community-dwelling dementia patients with established dementia diagnoses. Searches of the Medline database using 13 combinations of search terms, plus searches of Embase and PsycINFO databases using 3 combinations of terms and examination of reference lists of related articles, resulted in identification of 15 studies dealing with healthcare utilization among community-dwelling dementia patients in both medical and community care settings. Patients with dementia frequently use the full spectrum of medical services. Community resources are used less frequently. Community healthcare services may be a valuable resource in alleviating some burden of dementia care for physicians.
Knowledge of Documented Dementia Diagnosis and Treatment in Veterans and Their Caregivers
Authors: Bradford Andrea , Upchurch Christina , Bass David , Judge Katherine , Snow A. Lynn , Wilson Nancy , Kunik Mark E.
Published: January 2011

We studied perceptions of dementia diagnosis and treatment in patient-caregiver dyads enrolled in a care coordination intervention trial for veterans with dementia. We compared patient and caregiver perceptions of diagnosis and treatment to information in the medical record and assessed concordance between patient and caregiver perceptions. Data were derived from medical record abstraction and structured interviews with 132 patients and 183 caregivers. Most caregivers, but only about one fourth of patients, reported having received information about a diagnosis related to memory loss. Caregivers were more accurate than patients in recalling the patient’s use of memory-enhancing medications. Within dyads there was poor agreement regarding a diagnosis of dementia. Our findings suggest that there is substantial room for improvement in disclosure and education of dementia diagnosis, especially at the level of the patient-caregiver dyad.
Diurnal Variation of Cortisol in People With Dementia: Relationship to Cognition and Illness Burden
Authors: Kovach Christine R. , Woods Diana Lynn , Logan Brent R. , Raff Hershel
Published: January 2011

Cortisol patterns in nursing home residents with dementia are described and examined in relation to cognition and comorbid illnesses. Saliva was sampled 4 times in a 24-hour period (week 1) and at the same times 1 week later (week 2). In general, cortisol levels decreased from morning to evening, with 50% exhibiting a negative slope. In contrast, 38% of the participants had a relatively flat cortisol diurnal rhythm, and 7% exhibited an afternoon increase. The cortisol pattern was consistent between weeks 1 and 2 for 39% with a negative slope, 13% with a flat profile, and for 2% with an afternoon increase pattern. Cortisol rhythm was not statistically significantly related to cognition or illness burden. While this study contributes to the understanding of differences in the diurnal pattern of cortisol for older adults with dementia, more research is needed to understand the etiology of the differences and the biological mechanisms involved.
Interoperation between Engagement-and Engineering-level Models for Effectiveness Analyses
Authors: Jeong Hee Hong  , Kyung Min Seo  , Moon Gi Seok  , Tag Gon Kim
Published: January 2011

System effectiveness analyses are a longstanding challenge in defense modeling and simulation. While some techniques are accomplished through using an engagement-level model alone with given parameterized weapon performance data, this approach is prone to errors because of insufficient behavior information from the weapon systems. In order to overcome these limitations, engagement-level models should be supported by engineering-level models representing the detailed behavior of weapons. Hence, this paper proposes an interoperation approach between the engagement and engineering-level models. Our approach produces meaningful results in terms of various engagement tactic alternatives for the suitable performance of weapons under given situations, such as operational environments, operational errors, and so on. The proposed method is demonstrated through an anti-torpedo combat simulation, including the engagement and the engineering-level models. We perform experiments by varying tactical military scenarios or performance indices of decoy systems. Experimental results show suggestions for operational tactics and weapons specifications in order to meet requirements.
Qualitative study of high-cost patients in an urban primary care centre
Authors: Sledge William H , Wieland Melissa , Sells David , Walden David , Holmberg Christine , Zhenqiu Lin  , Davidson Larry
Published: January 2011

Objectives: We examined patient accounts of illness and care among primary care patients whose medical services costs were high in order to illuminate factors associated with high cost.

Methods: Thirty-three primary care patients with multiple chronic illnesses in an urban clinic serving a resource poor neighbourhood were selected from a range of high medical cost patients. Participants were interviewed with open-ended questions to investigate experiences of illnesses and care; their responses were examined for prominent themes using qualitative analysis methodology.

Results: Patients sorted themselves into two categories based on the dominant focus of the roles of the care givers: one termed ‘professional’, in which the focus was on the competence and effectiveness of the care giver; and the second, ‘personal’, in which the focus was on the interpersonal relationship.

Discussion: We examine similarities with other recent studies, suggest factors influencing these two different types of relationships such as intensity of involvement in the healthcare system as well as personality characteristics, and explore the challenge for healthcare programme development. We also noted that these two ways of conceptualizing the doctor—patient relationship may have adaptive or maladaptive consequences depending on the match between physician and patient.
Positive Emotions
Authors: Gracia Esther , Bakker Arnold B. , Grau Rosa M.
Published: January 2011

Although customer quality evaluations is a recognized precursor to loyalty, several studies have indicated that loyalty also depends on favorable customer emotions toward a hotel or restaurant. This model of developing loyalty can be summarized as a process that begins with the customer’s favorable assessment of service quality; continues with positive feelings toward the establishment; and ends with loyalty behavior, including repeat purchases and favorable recommendations. To assess this process, a cognitive-affective-conative model is tested, using separate constructs to clarify the specific role of customers’ positive affective responses in enhancing customer loyalty. Based on a sample of 586 hotel customers and 571 restaurant customers from 120 Spanish establishments, the results of the multigroup structural equation modeling analyses confirmed the proposed hypothesis that service quality increases positive affective responses, and these, in turn, increase customer loyalty. Thus, positive affective responses partially mediate the relationship between service quality perceptions and customer loyalty in hotels and restaurants simultaneously. These results suggest that customer loyalty in hotels and restaurants may follow a process were cognitive evaluations and emotions play an important role.
KIT signaling regulates MITF expression through miRNAs in normal and malignant mast cell proliferation
Authors: Lee Youl-Nam , Brandal Stephanie , Noel Pierre , Wentzel Erik , Mendell Joshua T. , McDevitt Michael A. , Kapur Reuben , Carter Melody , Metcalfe Dean D. , Takemoto Clifford M.
Published: January 2011

Activating mutations in codon D816 of the tyrosine kinase receptor, KIT, are found in the majority of patients with systemic mastocytosis. We found that the transcription factor, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), is highly expressed in bone marrow biopsies from 9 of 10 patients with systemic mastocytosis and activating c-KIT mutations. In primary and transformed mast cells, we show that KIT signaling markedly up-regulates MITF protein. We demonstrate that MITF is required for the proliferative phenotype by inhibiting colony-forming units with sh-RNA knockdown of MITF. Furthermore, constitutively active KIT does not restore growth of primary MITF-deficient mast cells. MITF mRNA levels do not change significantly with KIT signaling, suggesting posttranscriptional regulation. An array screen from mast cells identified candidate miRNAs regulated by KIT signaling. We found that miR-539 and miR-381 are down-regulated by KIT signaling and they repressed MITF expression through conserved miRNA binding sites in the MITF 3′-untranslated region. Forced expression of these miRNAs suppressed MITF protein and inhibited colony-forming capacity of mastocytosis cell lines. This work demonstrates a novel regulatory pathway between 2 critical mast cell factors, KIT and MITF, mediated by miRNAs; dysregulation of this pathway may contribute to abnormal mast cell proliferation and malignant mast cell diseases.
Origin, functional role, and clinical impact of Fanconi anemia FANCA mutations
Authors: Castella Maria , Pujol Roser , Callén Elsa , Trujillo Juan P. , Casado José A. , Gille Hans , Lach Francis P. , Auerbach Arleen D. , Schindler Detlev , Benítez Javier , Porto Beatriz , Ferro Teresa , Muñoz Arturo , Sevilla Julián , Madero Luis , Cela Elena , Beléndez Cristina , de Heredia Cristina Díaz , Olivé Teresa , de Toledo José Sánchez , Badell Isabel , Torrent Montserrat , Estella Jesús , Dasí Ángeles , Rodríguez-Villa Antonia , Gómez Pedro , Barbot José , Tapia María , Molinés Antonio , Figuera Ángela , Bueren Juan A. , Surrallés Jordi
Published: January 2011

Fanconi anemia is characterized by congenital abnormalities, bone marrow failure, and cancer predisposition. To investigate the origin, functional role, and clinical impact of FANCA mutations, we determined a FANCA mutational spectrum with 130 pathogenic alleles. Some of these mutations were further characterized for their distribution in populations, mode of emergence, or functional consequences at cellular and clinical level. The world most frequent FANCA mutation is not the result of a mutational “hot-spot” but results from worldwide dissemination of an ancestral Indo-European mutation. We provide molecular evidence that total absence of FANCA in humans does not reduce embryonic viability, as the observed frequency of mutation carriers in the Gypsy population equals the expected by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We also prove that long distance Alu-Alu recombination can cause Fanconi anemia by originating large interstitial deletions involving FANCA and 2 adjacent genes. Finally, we show that all missense mutations studied lead to an altered FANCA protein that is unable to relocate to the nucleus and activate the FA/BRCA pathway. This may explain the observed lack of correlation between type of FANCA mutation and cellular phenotype or clinical severity in terms of age of onset of hematologic disease or number of malformations.
Prevalence and risk factors of the metabolic syndrome in adult survivors of childhood leukemia
Authors: Oudin Claire , Simeoni Marie-Claude , Sirvent Nicolas , Contet Audrey , Begu-Le Coroller Audrey , Bordigoni Pierre , Curtillet Catherine , Poirée Maryline , Thuret Isabelle , Play Barbara , Massot Mara Carazza , Chastagner Pascal , Chambost Hervé , Auquier Pascal , Michel Gérard
Published: January 2011

We evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in young adults surviving childhood leukemia. During the years 2007 to 2008, assessment of MS was proposed to all adults included in the Leucémie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent program, a French prospective multicentric cohort of leukemia survivors. Among 220 eligible patients, 184 (83.6%) had complete evaluation. Median age at evaluation and follow-up duration were 21.2 and 15.4 years. Overall prevalence of MS was 9.2% (95% confidence interval, 5.5-14.4). There was no association of MS with sex, age at diagnosis, leukemia subtype, steroid therapy, and central nervous system irradiation. Patients were stratified according to 4 therapeutic modalities: chemotherapy alone (n = 97), chemotherapy and central nervous system irradiation (n = 27), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) without (n = 17) or with (n = 43) total body irradiation (TBI). MS occurred in 5.2%, 11.1%, 5.9%, and 18.6% of them, respectively. The higher risk observed in the HSCT-TBI group was significant in univariate and in multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.9, P = .03). HSCT with TBI was associated with a higher rate of hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 4.5, P = .004), low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 2.5, P = .02), and elevated fasting glucose (OR = 6.1, P = .04) So, TBI is a major risk factor for MS. Further studies are warranted to explain this feature.
Research Resource: Comparative Nuclear Receptor Atlas: Basal and Activated Peritoneal B-1 and B-2 Cells
Authors: Diehl Cody J. , Barish Grant D. , Downes Michael , Chou Meng-Yun , Heinz Sven , Glass Christopher K. , Evans Ronald M. , Witztum Joseph L.
Published: January 2011

Naïve murine B cells are typically divided into three subsets based on functional and phenotypic characteristics: innate-like B-1 and marginal zone B cells vs. adaptive B-2 cells, also known as follicular or conventional B cells. B-1 cells, the innate-immune-like component of the B cell lineage are the primary source of natural antibodies and have been shown to modulate autoimmune diseases, human B-cell leukemias, and inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis. On the other hand, B-2 cells are the principal mediators of the adaptive humoral immune response and represent an important pharmacological target for various conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and lymphomas. Using the resources of the Nuclear Receptor Signaling Atlas program, we used quantitative real-time PCR to assess the complement of the 49 murine nuclear receptor superfamily expressed in quiescent and toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulated peritoneal B-1 and B-2 cells. We report the expression of 24 nuclear receptors in basal B-1 cells and 25 nuclear receptors in basal B-2 cells, with, in some cases, dramatic changes in response to TLR 4 or TLR 2/1 stimulation. Comparative nuclear receptor profiling between B-1 and peritoneal B-2 cells reveals a highly concordant expression pattern, albeit at quantitatively dissimilar levels. We also found that splenic B cells express 23 nuclear receptors. This catalog of nuclear receptor expression in B-1 and B-2 cells provides data to be used to better understand the specific roles of nuclear receptors in B cell function, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disease.
Heteroassociation of Anions with Acidic Functionalities in Acetonitrile
Authors: Wada Taishi , Yamashita Masumi , Zheng Xin , Hou Xiaohong , Kobiro Kazuya
Published: January 2011

Simple aromatic acids showed successive 2:1 (acid:anion) and 1:1 heteroassociation with anions in polar CH3CN. The formation of 2:1 heteroassociate was rationalized from their sigmoidal titration profiles of acids by anions and ESI-MS measurement. Boronic acid and sulfonamide derivatives having different acidic functionalities also exhibited similar titration profiles.
Bacterial colonization of rings and cell phones carried by health-care providers: are these mobile bacterial zoos in the hospital?
Authors: Saxena Sonal , Singh Trishla , Agarwal Hemika , Mehta Geeta , Dutta Renu
Published: January 2011

Our objective was to assess the presence of pathogenic organisms on the rings (worn on fingers) and cell phones carried by health-care workers (HCWs) and the public. Forty-two percent of mobile phones carried by HCWs and 18% carried by the general public were found to carry one or more organisms; 82% of the rings worn by HCWs and 36% of those worn by the general public were found to be positive for the presence of at least one type of microbe.