bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is parenting a determinant of adolescent mental health? – A population based study in South India
Authors: Hegde Asha , Kamath Asha , Roy Kallol
Published: November 2015

Background: The transitional phase encompassing the physiological and psychological changes during our lifespan is termed as adolescence. Adolescents get mislead to substance use, violence related activities, dating relationships, unhealthy lifestyle. Minimal studies are conducted in India to identify the parenting factors that affect an adolescent’s mind. The aim of our study was to explore the role of parenting and social surroundings on – adolescent’s mental health and involvement in violence related activities.

Methods: Cross sectional study design was adopted. Semi structured questionnaire was used. Data obtained was entered and analyzed using SPSS 15. Proportions were used to report the findings. Chi-square test was used to find associations between mental health issues, involvement in violence related activities and Interpersonal Relationship (IPR) Status. Multiple logistic regressions were done to identify independent predictors of mental health.

Results: A total of 1770 adolescents participated. Proportion of adolescents with good IPR with parents reported to be having a better mental health status and low involvement in violent related activities. Schools also displayed similar effects. Neighborhood, peers did not display any significant effect on adolescent’s mental health. Most significant predictor for adolescent mental health was IPR with parents and at school.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need of a cordial environment at places which does influence the adolescent’s mental health. Interventions enhancing the relationship status of adolescents with parents, at school must be carried out to observe the change in adolescent behavior.
Optimization of a Large Scale Industrial Reactor Towards Tailor Made Polymers Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Pontes Karen Valverde , Embiruçu Marcelo , Maciel Rubens
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a computational procedure for producing tailor made polymer resins, satisfying customers’ needs while operating with maximum profit. The case study is an industrial large-scale polymerization reactor. The molecular properties considered are melt index (MI), which measures the molecular weight distribution, and stress exponent (SE), which is related to polydispersity. An economic objective function is associated to a deterministic mathematical model and the resulting optimization problem is solved by genetic algorithm (GA), a stochastic method. The GA parameters for both binary and real codifications are tuned by means of the design of experiments. Attempting to achieve the global optimum, a hybrid method, which introduces process knowledge into GA random initial population, is proposed. The binary codification performs better than the real GA, especially with hybridization. Results show that the GA can satisfactorily predict tailor made polymer resins with profits up to 25% higher than the industrial practice.
Oscillation results for higher order nonlinear neutral differential equations with positive and negative coefficients
Authors: Panigrahi Saroj , Basu Rakhee
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the authors investigated oscillatory and asymptotic behavior
of solutions of a class of nonlinear higher order neutral
differential equations with positive and negative coefficients. The results in this paper generalize the results of Tripathy, Panigrahi and Basu [Fasc. Math. 52 (2014), 155–174]. We establish new conditions which guarantees that every solution either oscillatory or converges to zero. Moreover, using the Banach Fixed Point Theorem sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of bounded positive solutions. Examples
are considered to illustrate the main results.
Delayed Recovery from General Anaesthesia: A Post-operative Diagnostic Dilemma and Implications of ICU Management of Serotonin Toxicity. Case report
Authors: Naik Asha , Rincon-Aznar Cristobal
Published: November 2015

We report a case of delayed recovery from general anesthesia following a routine parathyroidectomy. Our objectives are to describe the process of establishing a differential diagnosis and subsequent management of a patient presenting with atypical neurological signs from an unknown etiology and to increase awareness about the potential for serotonin syndrome and neurotoxicity due to known interactions between methylene blue and selective serotoninnoradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors. ICU management of Serotonin Toxicity is briefly described.
Cardiac Arrhythmias in a Septic ICU Population: A Review
Authors: Schwartz Andrei , Brotfain Evgeni , Koyfman Leonid , Klein Moti
Published: November 2015

Progressive cardiovascular deterioration plays a central role in the pathogenesis of multiple organ failure (MOF) caused by sepsis. Evidence of various cardiac arrhythmias in septic patients has been reported in many published studies. In the critically ill septic patients, compared to non-septic patients, new onset atrial fibrillation episodes are associated with high mortality rates and poor outcomes, amongst others being new episodes of stroke, heart failure and long vasopressor usage. The potential mechanisms of the development of new cardiac arrhythmias in sepsis are complex and poorly understood. Cardiac arrhythmias in critically ill septic patients are most likely to be an indicator of the severity of pre-existing critical illness.
Ventricular Septal Rupture – A Critical Condition as a Complication of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Novak Martin , Hlinomaz Ota , Groch Ladislav , Rezek Michal , Semenka Jiri , Sikora Jiri , Sitar Jan
Published: November 2015

Ventricular septal rupture is a potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. The key to management of this critical condition is an aggressive approach to haemodynamic stabilization and surgical closure of the rupture. Where there is a small rupture and the patient is in a haemodynamically stable condition, surgery can be delayed with the prospect of achieving better perioperative results. However, in unstable critically ill patients either immediate surgery or extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support and delayed surgery is indicated. In some patients, trans-catheter closure may be considered as an alternative to surgery.
Phylogenetic Assessment Of Arthrocnemum Macrostachyum (Chenopodiaceae) Genotypes, Using Ramp Markers
Authors: Saleh Basel
Published: November 2015

Random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) marker technique was employed to test its usefulness for assessing phylogenetic relationships in three genotypes of Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) Moris. & Delponte from Syria. PCR reactions with 21 RAMP primer combinations (PCs) distinguished 145 loci, 139 of which (95.862%) were polymorphic. The (AG)8TC/OPE18 primer combination generated the highest number of fragments (11 amplicons), and the (AC)8T/OPE04 primer combination the fewest (4 amplicons). Average estimated polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.431, with an average marker index (MI) of 2.836. Analysis by the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) was performed and a dendrogram was constructed. UPGMA cluster analysis based on RAMP markers distinguished genotype 2, suggested here to be a subspecies, from genotypes 1 and 3. In this study the RAMP marker method proved to be a reliable tool for discriminating and estimating genetic diversity within A. macrostachyum.
Long-term survival in glioblastoma: methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) promoter methylation as independent favourable prognostic factor
Authors: Smrdel Uros , Popovic Mara , Zwitter Matjaz , Bostjancic Emanuela , Zupan Andrej , Kovac Viljem , Glavac Damjan , Bokal Drago , Jerebic Janja
Published: November 2015

Background

In spite of significant improvement after multi-modality treatment, prognosis of most patients with glioblastoma remains poor. Standard clinical prognostic factors (age, gender, extent of surgery and performance status) do not clearly predict long-term survival. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate immuno-histochemical and genetic characteristics of the tumour as additional prognostic factors in glioblastoma.

Patients and methods

Long-term survivor group were 40 patients with glioblastoma with survival longer than 30 months. Control group were 40 patients with shorter survival and matched to the long-term survivor group according to the clinical prognostic factors. All patients underwent multimodality treatment with surgery, postoperative conformal radiotherapy and temozolomide during and after radiotherapy. Biopsy samples were tested for the methylation of MGMT promoter (with methylation specific polymerase chain reaction), IDH1 (with immunohistochemistry), IDH2, CDKN2A and CDKN2B (with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification), and 1p and 19q mutations (with fluorescent in situ hybridization).

Results

Methylation of MGMT promoter was found in 95% and in 36% in the long-term survivor and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). IDH1 R132H mutated patients had a non-significant lower risk of dying from glioblastoma (p = 0.437), in comparison to patients without this mutation. Other mutations were rare, with no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

Molecular and genetic testing offers additional prognostic and predictive information for patients with glioblastoma. The most important finding of our analysis is that in the absence of MGMT promoter methylation, longterm survival is very rare. For patients without this mutation, alternative treatments should be explored.
Gap junctions are essential for murine primordial follicle assembly immediately before birth
Authors: Teng Zhen , Wang Chao , Wang Yijing , Huang Kun , Xiang Xi , Niu Wanbao , Feng Lizhao , Zhao Lihua , Yan Hao , Zhang Hua
Published: November 2015

The reserve of primordial follicles determines the reproductive ability of the female mammal over its reproductive life. The primordial follicle is composed of two types of cells: oocytes and surrounding pre-granulosa cells. However, the underlying mechanism regulating primordial follicle assembly is largely undefined. In this study, we found that gap junction communication (GJC) established between the ovarian cells in the perinatal mouse ovary may be involved in the process. First, gap junction structures between the oocyte and surrounding pre-granulosa cells appear at about 19.0 dpc (dayspost coitum). As many as 12 gap junction-related genes are upregulated at birth, implying that a complex communication may exist between ovarian cells, because specifically silencing the genes of individual gap junction proteins, such asGja1,Gja4or both, has no influence on primordial follicle assembly. On the other hand, non-specific blockers of GJC, such as carbenoxolone (CBX) and 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid (AGA), significantly inhibit mouse primordial follicle assembly. We proved that the temporal window for establishment of GJC in the fetal ovary is from 19.5 dpc to 1 dpp (dayspostpartum). In addition, the expression of ovarian somatic cell (OSC)-specific genes, such asNotch2,Foxl2andIrx3, was negatively affected by GJC blockers, whereas oocyte-related genes, such asYbx2,NoboxandSohlh1, were hardly affected, implying that the establishment of GJC during this period may be more important to OSCs than to oocytes. In summary, our results indicated that GJC involves in the mouse primordial follicle assembly process at a specific temporal window that needs Notch signaling cross-talking.
La investigación formativa a través del aprendizaje orientado a proyectos: una propuesta de innovación en el Grado de Pedagogía
Authors: Vilà Baños Ruth , Rubio Hurtado M.José , Berlanga Silvente Vanesa
Published: November 2015

La investigación formativa sitúa al alumnado como protagonista activo de su propio proceso de aprendizaje. El rol del profesorado es acompañar a los estudiantes hacia el aprendizaje independiente, motivándolos a trabajar de forma autónoma. El alumnado adopta un rol activo, trabaja en equipo, busca información, y planifica el trabajo, tomando sus propias decisiones, integrando conocimientos, y desarrollando competencias diversas. En esta innovación apostamos por el aprendizaje orientado a proyectos (ABP) y la evaluación con portafolio digital, como estrategias para la investigación formativa. La finalidad del estudio que presentamos es el análisis de la innovación en una asignatura del grado de Pedagogía, desde la perspectiva del alumnado participante; mediante el método por encuesta, orientada al estudio de caso. Los principales resultados obtenidos evidencian la idoneidad de la innovación docente implementada para potenciar el desarrollo de habilidades de pensamiento de orden superior. El ABP favorece la adquisición e integración de los nuevos conocimientos, destacamos especialmente, el desarrollo de dos competencias básicas como son el trabajo colaborativo y la capacidad de reflexión. Para el desarrollo de estas competencias, han resultado especialmente útiles, según el alumnado, las actividades de aprendizaje autónomo, las actividades colaborativas, las del proyecto de investigación y el portafolio. El aspecto con el que el alumnado se siente más satisfecho es el nivel de autonomía alcanzado tras cursar la asignatura. Este resultado evidencia los beneficios de la metodología docente no directiva, donde el alumnado adopta un rol activo y el profesorado ofrece feed back, guía el proceso de aprendizaje y evalúa. Por todo concluimos que alentar el aprendizaje a través de proyectos está demostrando efectos positivos en el fomento de la investigación, en la medida que el alumnado se involucra en un proceso dinámico e interactivo de aprendizaje.http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/ie.24.1586
Global Analysis of Predicted G Protein−Coupled Receptor Genes in the Filamentous Fungus, Neurospora crassa
Authors: Cabrera Ilva E , Pacentine Itallia V , Lim Andrew , Guerrero Nayeli , Krystofova Svetlana , Li Liande , Michkov Alexander V , Servin Jacqueline A , Ahrendt Steven R , Carrillo Alexander J , Davidson Liza M , Barsoum Andrew H , Cao Jackie , Castillo Ronald , Chen Wan-Ching , Dinkchian Alex , Kim Stephanie , Kitada Sho M , Lai Taffani H , Mach Ashley , Malekyan Cristin , Moua Toua R , Torres Carlos Rojas , Yamamoto Alaina , Borkovich Katherine A
Published: November 2015

G protein−coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate facets of growth, development, and environmental sensing in eukaryotes, including filamentous fungi. The largest predicted GPCR class in these organisms is the Pth11-related, with members similar to a protein required for disease in the plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. However, the Pth11-related class has not been functionally studied in any filamentous fungal species. Here, we analyze phenotypes in available mutants for 36 GPCR genes, including 20 Pth11-related, in the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We also investigate patterns of gene expression for all 43 predicted GPCR genes in available datasets. A total of 17 mutants (47%) possessed at least one growth or developmental phenotype. We identified 18 mutants (56%) with chemical sensitivity or nutritional phenotypes (11 uniquely), bringing the total number of mutants with at least one defect to 28 (78%), including 15 mutants (75%) in the Pth11-related class. Gene expression trends for GPCR genes correlated with the phenotypes observed for many mutants and also suggested overlapping functions for several groups of co-transcribed genes. Several members of the Pth11-related class have phenotypes and/or are differentially expressed on cellulose, suggesting a possible role for this gene family in plant cell wall sensing or utilization.
Extreme Diversity in the Regulation of Ndt80-Like Transcription Factors in Fungi
Authors: Katz Margaret E , Cooper Sarah
Published: November 2015

The Saccharomyces cerevisiaeNdt80 protein is the founding member of a class of p53-like transcription factors that is known as the NDT80/PhoG-like DNA-binding family. The number of NDT80-like genes in different fungi is highly variable and their roles, which have been examined in only a few species, include regulation of meiosis, sexual development, biofilm formation, drug resistance, virulence, the response to nutrient stress and programmed cell death. The protein kinase Ime2 regulates the single NDT80 gene present in S. cerevisiae. In this study we used a genetic approach to investigate whether the Aspergillus nidulansIme2 homolog, ImeB, and/or protein kinases MpkC, PhoA and PhoB regulate the two NDT80-like genes (xprG and ndtA) in A. nidulans. Disruption of imeB, but not mpkC, phoA or phoB, led to increased extracellular protease activity and a defect in mycotoxin production similar to the xprG1 gain-of-function mutation. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that ImeB is a negative regulator of xprG expression and XprG is a negative regulator of xprG and ndtA expression. Thus, in contrast to Ime2, which is a positive regulator of NDT80 in S. cerevisiae, ImeB is a negative regulator as in Neurospora crassa. However, the ability of Ndt80 to autoregulate NDT80 is conserved in A. nidulans though the autoregulatory effect is negative rather than positive. Unlike N. crassa, a null mutation in imeB does not circumvent the requirement for XprG or NdtA. These results show that the regulatory activities of Ime2 and Ndt80-like proteins display an extraordinarily level of evolutionary flexibility.
Cell-Specific mRNA Profiling of the Caenorhabditis elegans Somatic Gonadal Precursor Cells Identifies Suites of Sex-Biased and Gonad-Enriched Transcripts
Authors: Kroetz Mary B , Zarkower David
Published: November 2015

The Caenorhabditis elegans somatic gonad differs greatly between the two sexes in its pattern of cell divisions, migration, and differentiation. Despite decades of study, the genetic pathways directing early gonadal development and establishing sexual dimorphism in the gonad remain largely unknown. To help define the genetic networks that regulate gonadal development, we employed cell-specific RNA-seq. We identified transcripts present in the somatic gonadal precursor cells and their daughter cells of each sex at the onset of sexual differentiation. We identified several hundred gonad-enriched transcripts, including the majority of known regulators of early gonadal development, and transgenic reporter analysis confirmed the effectiveness of this approach. Before the division of the somatic gonad precursors, few sex-biased gonadal transcripts were detectable; less than 6 hr later, after their division, we identified more than 250 sex-biased transcripts, of which about a third were enriched in the somatic gonad compared to the whole animal. This indicates that a robust sex-biased developmental program, some of it gonad-specific, initiates in the somatic gonadal precursor cells around the time of their first division. About 10% of male-biased transcripts had orthologs with male-biased expression in the early mouse gonad, suggesting possible conservation of gonad sex differentiation. Cell-specific analysis also identified approximately 70 previously unannotated mRNA isoforms that are enriched in the somatic gonad. Our data illustrate the power of cell-specific transcriptome analysis and suggest that early sex differentiation in the gonad is controlled by a relatively small suite of differentially expressed genes, even after dimorphism has become apparent.
Influences of LIN-12/Notch and POP-1/TCF on the Robustness of Ventral Uterine Cell Fate Specification inCaenorhabditis elegansGonadogenesis
Authors: Sallee Maria D , Aydin Taner , Greenwald Iva
Published: November 2015

The prospective ventral uterus of the hermaphrodite gonad primordium consists of two pairs of sister cells, with each pair consisting of a proximal “α” cell and a distal “β” cell. All four cells initially are competent to become the anchor cell (AC), a unique cell type that acts as the organizer of subsequent uterine and vulval development. However, the β cells soon lose this competence and always become ventral uterine precursor cells (VUs), whereas the α cells maintain their AC competence longer, until lin-12/Notch-mediated interactions between them specify one as the AC and the other as a VU. Here, we investigate this asymmetry in developmental potential and VU fate specification between the α and β sister cells. We find evidence that lin-12 activity contributes to the robustness of βVU fate at elevated temperature, that the Caenorhabditis elegans Notch paralog glp-1 is not functionally redundant with lin-12 in specifying βVU fate, and that the activity of POP-1, the sole C. elegans TCF ortholog, influences βVU fate. We propose a model for how Wnt and LIN-12/Notch signaling together lead to robust specification of the βVU fate.
Generation of a Maize B Centromere Minimal Map Containing the Central Core Domain
Authors: Ellis Nathanael A , Douglas Ryan N , Jackson Caroline E , Birchler James A , Dawe R Kelly
Published: November 2015

The maize B centromere has been used as a model for centromere epigenetics and as the basis for building artificial chromosomes. However, there are no sequence resources for this important centromere. Here we used transposon display for the centromere-specific retroelement CRM2 to identify a collection of 40 sequence tags that flank CRM2 insertion points on the B chromosome. These were confirmed to lie within the centromere by assaying deletion breakpoints from centromere misdivision derivatives (intracentromere breakages caused by centromere fission). Markers were grouped together on the basis of their association with other markers in the misdivision series and assembled into a pseudocontig containing 10.1 kb of sequence. To identify sequences that interact directly with centromere proteins, we carried out chromatin immunoprecipitation using antibodies to centromeric histone H3 (CENH3), a defining feature of functional centromeric sequences. The CENH3 chromatin immunoprecipitation map was interpreted relative to the known transmission rates of centromere misdivision derivatives to identify a centromere core domain spanning 33 markers. A subset of seven markers was mapped in additional B centromere misdivision derivatives with the use of unique primer pairs. A derivative previously shown to have no canonical centromere sequences (Telo3-3) lacks these core markers. Our results provide a molecular map of the B chromosome centromere and identify key sequences within the map that interact directly with centromeric histone H3.
Metabolomic and Gene Expression Profiles Exhibit Modular Genetic and Dietary Structure Linking Metabolic Syndrome Phenotypes in Drosophila
Authors: Williams Stephanie , Dew-Budd Kelly , Davis Kristen , Anderson Julie , Bishop Ruth , Freeman Kenda , Davis Dana , Bray Katherine , Perkins Lauren , Hubickey Joana , Reed Laura K
Published: November 2015

Genetic and environmental factors influence complex disease in humans, such as metabolic syndrome, and Drosophila melanogaster serves as an excellent model in which to test these factors experimentally. Here we explore the modularity of endophenotypes with an in-depth reanalysis of a previous study by Reed et al. (2014), where we raised 20 wild-type genetic lines of Drosophila larvae on four diets and measured gross phenotypes of body weight, total sugar, and total triglycerides, as well as the endophenotypes of metabolomic and whole-genome expression profiles. We then perform new gene expression experiments to test for conservation of phenotype-expression correlations across different diets and populations. We find that transcript levels correlated with gross phenotypes were enriched for puparial adhesion, metamorphosis, and central energy metabolism functions. The specific metabolites L-DOPA and N-arachidonoyl dopamine make physiological links between the gross phenotypes across diets, whereas leucine and isoleucine thus exhibit genotype-by-diet interactions. Between diets, we find low conservation of the endophenotypes that correlate with the gross phenotypes. Through the follow-up expression study, we found that transcript-trait correlations are well conserved across populations raised on a familiar diet, but on a novel diet, the transcript-trait correlations are no longer conserved. Thus, physiological canalization of metabolic phenotypes breaks down in a novel environment exposing cryptic variation. We cannot predict the physiological basis of disease in a perturbing environment from profiles observed in the ancestral environment. This study demonstrates that variation for disease traits within a population is acquired through a multitude of physiological mechanisms, some of which transcend genetic and environmental influences, and others that are specific to an individual’s genetic and environmental context.
Identification of Barriers to Pediatric Care in Limited-Resource Settings: A Simulation Study
Authors: Shilkofski Nicole , Hunt Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2015

OBJECTIVES:

Eighty percent of the 10 million annual deaths in children aged <5 years in developing countries are estimated to be avoidable, with improvements in education for pediatric emergency management being a key factor. Education must take into account cultural considerations to be effective. Study objectives were: (1) to use simulation to identify factors posing barriers to patient care in limited resource settings (LRS); and (2) to understand how simulations in LRS can affect communication and decision-making processes.

METHODS:

A qualitative study was conducted at 17 different sites in 12 developing countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Data from observations of 68 in situ simulated pediatric emergencies were coded for thematic analysis. Sixty-two different “key informants” were interviewed regarding perceived benefit of simulations.

RESULTS:

Coding of observations and interviews yielded common themes: impact of culture on team hierarchy, impact of communication and language barriers on situational awareness, systematic emergency procedures, role delineation, shared cognition and resource awareness through simulation, logistic barriers to patient care, and use of recognition-primed decision-making by experienced clinicians. Changes in clinical environments were implemented as a result of simulations.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ad hoc teams in LRS face challenges in caring safely for patients; these include language and cultural barriers, as well as environmental and resource constraints. Engaging teams in simulations may promote improved communication, identification of systems issues and latent threats to target for remediation. There may be a role for training novices in use of recognition-primed or algorithmic decision-making strategies to improve rapidity and efficiency of decisions in LRS.
Children’s Food and Beverage Promotion on Television to Parents
Authors: Emond Jennifer A. , Smith Marietta E. , Mathur Suman J. , Sargent James D. , Gilbert-Diamond Diane
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND:

Nutritionally poor foods are heavily advertised to children on television. Whether those same products are also advertised to parents on television has not been systematically examined.

METHODS:

This study is a content analysis of advertisements for children’s packaged foods and beverages aired over US network, cable, and syndicated television for 1 year (2012 to 2013). The target audience of each advertisement was defined as children or parents based on advertisement content, where parent-directed advertisements included emotional appeals related to family bonding and love. Advertisement characteristics and patterns of airtime were compared across target audience, and the proportion of total airtime devoted to advertisements targeting parents was computed.

RESULTS:

Fifty-one children’s food or beverage products were advertised over the study year, 25 (49%) of which were advertised directly to parents. Parent-directed advertisements more often featured nutrition and health messaging and an active lifestyle than child-directed advertisements, whereas child-directed advertisements more frequently highlighted fun and product taste. Over all products, 42.4% of total airtime was devoted to advertisements that targeted parents. The products with the most amount of airtime over the study year were ready-to-eat cereals, sugar-sweetened beverages, and children’s yogurt, and the proportion of total advertisement airtime for those products devoted to parents was 24.4%, 72.8%, and 25.8%, respectively.

DISCUSSION:

Television advertisements for children’s packaged foods and beverages frequently targeted parents with emotional appeals and messaging related to nutrition and health. Findings are of concern if exposure to such advertisements among parents may shape their beliefs about the appropriateness of nutritionally questionable children’s foods and beverages.
Consumers and health professionals’ perceptions of Participatory Action Research in developing a health resource
Authors: Mulligan Hilda , Wilkinson Amanda , Lusty Ashlee , Delmore Annelou , Bong Silas
Published: November 2015

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has a relatively high prevalence in New Zealand (NZ), which was the setting for this study. Fatigue is a common and one of the most disabling symptoms of MS. Recent research focus has been on developing other ways to manage fatigue than via medication. Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an innovative method of including consumers in the research process. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of consumers and health professionals of PAR methodology in the development of a selfmanagement programme for fatigue in MS and to identify considerations for health professionals when working with consumers in the development of health resources. Nine of the ten participants in the PAR group agreed to be interviewed. Semi-structured, individual interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed, then analysed thematically. The themes of ‘Having a voice’, ‘Accomplishment’ and ‘The process’ were all linked by an umbrella theme of ‘Empowerment’. Consumers and health professionals perceived that the PAR experience was positive  and valuable because it facilitated the sharing of knowledge between health professionals and people directly affected by MS. We believe PAR is a useful tool to facilitate a patient centred approach in developing relevant health resources.
Measurement Error in Macroeconomic Data and Economics Research: Data Revisions, Gross Domestic Product, and Gross Domestic Income
Authors: Chang Andrew C. , Li Phillip
Published: November 2015

We analyze the effect of measurement error in macroeconomic data on economics research using two features of the estimates of latent US output produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). First, we use the fact that the BEA publishes two theoretically identical estimates of latent US output that only differ due to measurement error: the more well-known gross domestic product (GDP), which the BEA constructs using expenditure data, and gross domestic income (GDI), which the BEA constructs using income data. Second, we use BEA revisions to previously published releases of GDP and GDI. Using a sample of 23 published economics papers from top economics journals that utilize GDP as a key component of an estimated model, we assess whether using either revised GDP or GDI instead of GDP in the published paper would change reported results. We find that estimating models using revised GDP generates the same qualitative result as the original paper in all 23 cases. Estimating models using GDI, both with the GDI data originally available to the authors and with revised GDI, instead of GDP generates larger differences in results than those obtained with revised GDP. For 3 of 23 papers (13%), the results we obtain with GDI are qualitatively different than the original published results.
The problem of a psychological definition of "Legally relevant situations"
Authors: Bogdanovich N.V. , Delibalt V.V. , Degtyarev A.
Published: November 2015

The article analyzes the concept of "legally significant situation." Discusses the classification of situations from the point of view of criminology and forensic psychological assessment. Highlights the main features of this type of situations from the point of view of psychology: the nature of conflict, involving the participation of third parties, as well as the presence of certain psychological consequences. This allows to describe the Genesis of certain situations, and to identify the States generated at each stage. It is also noted that the specificity of the legally significant cases involving minors is its group nature (the child as part of a family or other group). Thus, it is possible to give the following definition of a legally relevant situation within legal psychology, children and adolescents: a situation involving minors, subjects who are in relationships, conflict is caused by interactions in the legal context, which leads not only to legally relevant, but also to the psychological consequences for its participants.
Developing of students diagnostic skills for working with adolescents with deviant behavior as a factor in the ethical principle of objectivity
Authors: Busarova O.R.
Published: November 2015

The aim of the present article was to study the question of do special exercises for the formation of students-psychologists skills determine the causes of deviant behavior of adolescents, based on the provisions of the causal approach in psycho-diagnostics A. F. Anufrieva, the principle of objectivity. The study involved 30 future psychologists. After performing the exercises in the course "Psychodiagnostics" the students solved the task, which simulates diagnostic work of the psychologist with decriminalised teenager with deviant behavior. Students were asked to solve a problem in professional discourse – to put forward hypotheses about the causes of deviant behavior in everyday life is to point out the culprits of the situation. Additionally, students assessed their similarity with the hero of the diagnostic event. The results show that students who have managed to build up diagnostic skills to identify psychological causes of deviant behavior, both professionally and in everyday discourse grappled with the task model, regardless of the number of subjective similarities with her character. Students who have not sufficiently developed diagnostic skills, to avoid bias failed.
The relationship of personal qualities and efficiency of professional activity of employees of tax authorities
Authors: Kvashnina N. , Konopleva I.N.
Published: November 2015

The article is devoted to the relationship of personal qualities and efficiency of professional activity of employees of tax authorities. In work the analysis of professional activity of the employee of the tax authority, attempt to consider a set of actions included in the notion "efficiency of professional activity", and considers personal qualities necessary, from our point of view, for the tax officials of official duties. The article presents the results of empirical research on the relationship of personal qualities and efficiency of professional activity of employees of tax authorities. The study was conducted on the basis of Inspection of Federal tax service of Russia № 26 in Moscow. In research took part the employees of the following departments: in-house departments, field departments, division of work with taxpayers, the division of debt. The relationship between identified qualities as well as differences in manifestation of studied qualities in the employees of tax bodies with different lifetime.
Psychological characteristics of victims of trafficking
Authors: Larin A.N.
Published: November 2015

The article describes the main causes of falling into slavery, forms of slave labour, as well as moral-psychological properties and characteristics of potential victims of trafficking. Noted risk factors leading to victimization of the person and increase the possibility of becoming an object for criminal groups specializing in this kind of crime. The number of victims of international trafficking ranges from 600 to 800 thousand people a year, and when you consider human trafficking within the individual countries, the total number of victims ranges from 2 to 4 million people. 80% of trafficked people are women and children, of which 70% are sold to other countries for sexual exploitation. According to the International organization for migration (International Organization of Migration) annually only in the European markets of prostitution sold is not less than 500 thousand women. Among the personal factors that affect the increase in the number of such crimes, it is necessary to indicate family trouble, which manifests itself, primarily, to neglect, loss of relationships with family and parents, or in the absence of moral and material support from existing family and friends.
Features of the formation of the bodily aspect of gender identity in men
Authors: Harlanova M. , Dvoryanchikov N.V.
Published: November 2015

The article examines the peculiarities of the bodily aspect of gender identity in men. The urgency of this work due to the fact that currently in Russia to study the influence of the bodily aspect to the whole structure of gender identity is given little attention. At the present time the problem of studying the physicality involved in domestic psychologists: Arina G. A., V. V. Nikolaev, A. S. Kostov, A. N. Borojevic, B. T. Sokolov, V. Yu., Baskakov, who agree in opinion on the necessity to study the influence of the morpho-biological patterns of gender identity, her social and personal "add-on" – of sex-role stereotypes, perceptions, behavior, preferences. However, studies supporting their interaction was not performed [7]. In the paper the following definitions: "gender identity", "gender", "differential socialization", "the Adonis complex". Produced comprehensive analysis of foreign sources for a detailed understanding of the studied phenomenon; analysis of the structural components and characteristics of the formation of the bodily aspect of gender identity in men with the help of specifically chosen tutorials. Discovered the distinctive features of the formation of the bodily aspect of gender identity in men and their reflection in sex-role behavior. We assume that men who are not satisfied with the perception of his own body, prone to distorted perceptions of sex-role images. The data obtained can provide the basis and prospects for development of programs of prevention, diagnostics and correction.
Hemoglobin Screening Independently Predicts All-Cause Mortality
Authors: Fulks Michael , Dolan Vera F. , Stout Robert L.
Published: November 2015

Objective

Determine if the addition of hemoglobin testing improves risk prediction for life insurance applicants.

Method

Hemoglobin results for insurance applicants tested from 1993 to 2007, with vital status determined by Social Security Death Master File follow-up in 2011, were analyzed by age and sex with and without accounting for the contribution of other test results.

Results

Hemoglobin values ≤12.0 g/dL (and possibly ≤13.0 g/dL) in females age 50+ (but not age <50) and hemoglobin values ≤13.0 g/dL in all males are associated with progressively increasing mortality risk independent of the contribution of other test values. Increased risk is also noted for hemoglobin values >15.0 g/dL (and possibly >14.0 g/dL) for all females and for hemoglobin values >16.0 g/dL for males.

Conclusion

Hemoglobin testing can add additional independent risk assessment to that obtained from other laboratory testing, BP and build in this relatively healthy insurance applicant population. Multiple studies support this finding at older ages, but data (and the prevalence of diseases impacting hemoglobin levels) are limited at younger ages.
Converting Lab Report Files into Usable Data
Authors: Wesley David
Published: November 2015

Medical directors may be asked to analyze their company's experienced laboratory results. This practical research note uses the example of trying to help predict the distribution of proposed insured's under a new preferred risk program as a way to illustrate how to marshal a company's lab results into a suitable dataset for analysis.
Measures of Symptom Exaggeration for Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ebrahim Shanil , Bance Sheena , Mulla Sohail M. , Montoya Luis , Malachowski Cindy , Kamal el Din Mostafa , Busse Jason W.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Measures that help detect exaggeration of symptoms can be valuable for informing more accurate diagnoses and aid in treatment and case management. We completed a systematic review to identify measures that assess symptom exaggeration in mental health disorders.

Methods

Eligible studies assessed exaggeration of symptoms with a psychometrically validated measure in patients presenting with a mental health disorder. We searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO from inception to June 2013 for relevant studies. To determine study eligibility, reviewers screened title and abstracts of identified citations, and reviewed full texts of all potentially eligible citations. Data extractors completed data abstraction of eligible studies.

Results

Of 8435 unique citations, 105 studies consisting of 112 cohorts were eligible, and we identified 36 unique, validated measures assessing exaggeration of symptoms. The most frequently used measures were symptom validity indicators embedded in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) (n=48, 46%), the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) (n=12, 11%), and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) (n=11, 10%). Most studies (n=96; 91%) failed to test reliability of their measure of symptom exaggeration. The symptom validity indicators in the MMPI/MMPI-2 and the SIRS both showed moderate to high internal consistency, range 0.47 to 0.85 and 0.48 to 0.95, respectively.

Conclusions

Multiple measures assessing symptom exaggeration have been used in patients with mental health disorders. The symptom validity indicators of the MMPI/MMPI-2 are the most widely used measures to assess symptom exaggeration. Assessment and reporting of reliability is poor across studies; we require further assessment of psychometric properties for existing measures of symptom exaggeration.
Recursos digitais na formação de professores de Ciências: alargamento de sentidos
Authors: Rodrigues Alessandra , Rezende-Junior Mikael Frank , Stano Rita de Cássia M. T.
Published: November 2015

O ensino de ciências no Brasil historicamente apresenta um cenário tanto de carência de quantitativo docente nas áreas de Biologia, Fìsica, Química e Matemática quanto de necessidade de formação continuada dos profesores das redes pública e privada. Tal contexto é foco de atenção da Universidade no sentido de oferecer formação inicial e continuada de qualidade com vistas à melhoria da prática docente nas áreas específicas e ao uso de recursos didático-pedagógicos condizentes com a realidade atual. Assim, este trabalho é resultado de investigação realizada no período de 2013/2014 junto aos discentes do Programa de Mestrado Profissional em Ensino de Ciências de uma universidade pública brasileira dentro da linha de pesquisa “Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação no Ensino de Ciências”. Objetivou-se investigar os efeitos da utilização de recursos digitais no desenvolvimento das atividades da disciplina de “Tendências Contemporâneas de Currículo”. Foram foco do estudo as produções acadêmicas de duas turmas, totalizando 18 mestrandos (professores das redes pública e privada atuantes na Educação Básica e Superior). Tais produções visavam à constituição de um portifólio digital, tendo o blog como suporte em que cada mestrando disponibilizava as tarefas e atividades propostas na disciplina (resumos, resenhas, textos reflexivos etc). As análises indicam: a)   um processo gradativo de apropriação tecnológica bem como de atribuição de sentidos para o uso pedagógico das TDIC (Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação); b) desdobramentos da apropriação da tecnologia em uso e aplicação do recurso na prática docente dos mestrandos; c) alargamento da proposta inicial feita na disciplina em que o blog tornou-se, além de um recurso didático, um espaço de compartilhamento de experiências docentes; d) intensificação das  interações, para além da sala de aula (professor-alunos; alunos-alunos); e) desdobramentos de aprendizagem de outros recursos e ferramentas digitais para incrementação do blog. Dessa forma, destaca-se que as ferramentas digitais  constituem-se como valioso recurso para a formação de professores e podem instigar o uso pedagógico das tecnologias no Ensino de Ciências.
A identidade profissional de um formador de professores de matemática
Authors: Novo Christiane , Martinho Maria Helena
Published: November 2015

O presente texto apresenta um recorte de um trabalho realizado para o programa de doutoramento em Educação da primeira autora, para o qual foram entrevistados dez professores que atuam em licenciatura em Matemática, em duas instituições de ensino superior federais do Brasil e em uma universidade pública de Portugal. Neste artigo, trazemos a trajetória de formação e atuação profissional de um desses docentes, buscando analisar de que forma se dá a constituição de sua identidade profissional. Importou-nos investigar os saberes, (pré)conceitos, valores e conhecimentos dos quais o professor lança mão para o seu fazer profissional, e ainda, de que forma suas experiências pregressas interferem na forma como ele percebe os alunos da licenciatura na qual atua como docente. A relevância do presente estudo se destaca no sentido de  dedicar atenção a um professor formador de professores de matemática, campo assinalado por escassas oportunidades de compartilhamento de trabalho e reflexões conjuntas. A pesquisa, qualitativa, na perspectiva autobiográfica, baseou-se em uma entrevista narrativa, com duração de uma hora. As reflexões teóricas que embasam este trabalho centram-se nos estudos biográficos e nos estudos sobre a  identidade profissional e sua constituição. A análise da narrativa do professor demonstrou um considerável hiato entre as concepções e saberes que o docente obteve nos cursos de licenciatura e mestrado, e os conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes que se fazem prementes nas salas de aula dos cursos que formam professores. O docente, ao se ver formando professores, percebeu, nas interações com seus alunos, nos casos que estes lhe traziam de suas experiências enquanto estagiários ou como professores substitutos, que a bagagem teórica que construíra no decorrer de sua formação profissional não seria suficiente para sua atuação docente. Partiu, então, para sua autoformação de forma autônoma e isolada, formarndo-se a partir da prática e por reflexões sobre esta prática, ancorada pelas teorias as quais vai apreendendo. Para além deste hiato, fez-se igualmente evidente a angústia do narrador ante as condições de trabalho do professor das escolas públicas de ensino básico do Brasil, nomeadamente as do estado de São Paulo, nas quais o formador supõe que atuarão no futuro seus atuais alunos. Esse mal estar implica na maneira como o professor vê a profissão docente, constatando a grande distância entre suas atuais condições de trabalho e aquela vivida por seus colegas que continuam a atuar nas escolas básicas daquele estado. Estas concepções e formas de entender a escola influenciam a compreensão do professor sobre seu papel enquanto formador de professores de matemática, implicando, consequentemente, na constituição da sua identidade  profissional.