bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary intake and nutritional status of HIV-1-infected children and adolescents in Florianópolis, Brazil
Authors: Hillesheim Elaine , Lima Luiz RA , Silva Rosane CR , Trindade Erasmo BSM
Published: December 2013

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the nutritional status and dietary intake of HIV-infected children and adolescents and the relationship between nutritional status and dietary intake and CD4+ T-cell count and viral load. The sample was composed of 49 subjects aged 7–17 years and living in Florianópolis, Brazil. Nutritional status was assessed by height-for-age and body mass index-for-age. Dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Spearman correlations and multiple linear regressions were used to determine the relationship between energy, nutrient intake and body mass index-for-age and CD4+ T-cell count and viral load. The mean body mass index-for-age and height-for-age values were –0.26 ± 0.86 and −0.56 ± 0.92, respectively. The energy intake was 50.8% above the estimated energy requirement and inadequate intake of polyunsaturated fat, cholesterol, fibre, calcium and vitamin C was present in 100%, 57.1%, 40.8%, 61.2% and 26.5% of the sample, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that energy intake was correlated with CD4+ T-cell count (r = 0.33; p = 0.028) and viral load (r = −0.35; p = 0.019). These data showed low body mass index-for-age and height-for-age z-scores, high energy intake and inadequate intake of important nutrients for immune function, growth and control of chronic diseases. A lower energy intake was correlated with viral suppression and immune preservation.
Limited spread of hepatitis C among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Stockholm, Sweden
Authors: Blaxhult A , Samuelson A , Ask R , Hökeberg I
Published: December 2013

Summary

Reported cases of hepatitis C (HCV) have been increasing among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in many cities worldwide, including Stockholm, Sweden. This study was performed in order to see whether there is also an increase of HCV among HIV-negative MSM. A total number of 1008 MSM attending a clinic for sexually transmitted infections (STI) were screened for HCV. A confirmed positive HCV antibody screening test was found in five cases. Two of these also tested positive for HCV-RNA. We conclude that there is limited spread of HCV among MSM in Stockholm, and the prevalence of HCV among HIV-negative MSM is similar to that found in the general population.
Psychosocial correlates of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Italy: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Prati Gabriele , Breveglieri Michele , Lelleri Raffaele , Furegato Martina , Gios Lorenzo , Pietrantoni Luca
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study was to understand the psychosocial correlates of men having sex with men (MSM) who have never been tested (never testers), MSM who have been tested in the last 12 months (recent testers), and MSM who have been tested before (remote testers). A sample of 14,409 Italian HIV-negative adult MSM was recruited via instant messages to the members of five international commercial websites and through clickable banner advertisements on different websites. The most important correlates of never testers compared to recent testers were younger age, sexual orientation concealment, unawareness of free HIV services, having had a partner of unknown serostatus, and lower levels of HIV testing self-efficacy (i.e. the belief in one’s own ability to get a test for HIV). The most important correlates of remote testers compared to recent testers were older age, homosexual orientation, having had a partner of unknown serostatus, unawareness of free HIV services, and lower level of HIV testing self-efficacy. There are different psychosocial correlates of MSM based on HIV testing history. Based on the findings of this study, prevention efforts should be directed toward increasing awareness about the availability of HIV testing services and HIV testing self-efficacy among MSM.
Direct monthly highly active antiretroviral therapy supply – a method to increase patient's adherence and outcome. Experience of one AIDS centre in Israel
Authors: Elbirt Daniel , Asher Ilan , Mahlev-Guri Keren , Bezalel-Rozenberg Shira , Werner Ben , Cohen Yafa , Sthoeger Zev
Published: December 2013

In Israel, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available (at local pharmacies) without cost. Nevertheless, poor adherence, especially of immigrants from Africa, leads to a high rate of treatment failures. Our study looked whether direct monthly ART supply in our AIDS centre has an effect on adherence and outcome. A total of 385 HIV (clade C) immigrants from Africa that were treated with ART for >2 years prior to the initiation of the study were evaluated. During the first 2 years, ART medications were supplied by local pharmacies. Thereafter (next 2 years), all patients received medications, monthly at our centre. Adherence, immunological (CD4) and virological (VL) outcome at the end of the two study periods were determined. At baseline, only 75% of the patients attended more than 90% of scheduled visits with 57% treatment adherence. Virological failure (VL >40 copies/ml) was observed in 53% of the patients. As a result of our intervention (2 years of direct monthly ART supply), visits and treatment adherence significantly increased (90% and 84%, respectively; p < 0.001). Concomitantly, virological failure rate significantly dropped to 28% ( p < 0.001). Direct monthly supply of ART is a relatively low-cost mode to improve patient's adherence and immunological/virological outcomes.
Exploration of gender differences of Chlamydia trachomatis infection amongst young people reveals limitations of using sexual histories to assess risk in high-prevalence areas
Authors: Syred Jonathan , Engler Birgit , Campbell Lucy , Baraitser Paula , Sheringham Jessica
Published: December 2013

Summary

In England, chlamydia positivity in young men occurs at a slightly older age group (20–24 years) than positivity among young women (16–20 years) but total rates of infection among the population aged under 25 years are similar. Where there is variation, explanations often focus on individual sexual risk behaviours. We aimed to explore the extent to which variations in chlamydia positivity could be explained by reasons for attendance and sexual behaviour at a sexual health clinic in a high-prevalence area of England. Data routinely collected during clinic appointments were extracted retrospectively from the medical records of 952 clinic users (634 women) aged 16 to 24. We tested for associations with chlamydia positivity using the Chi square statistic and multiple logistic regression for men and women separately; 19.5% of men tested positive (95% CI: 15.1–23.8) compared to 11.5% of women (95% CI: 9.0–14.0). Reporting a partner with symptoms or a sexually transmitted infection diagnosis was significantly associated with a positive diagnosis (Men OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.5–6.25; Women OR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.83–7.83). All other reasons for attendance and all sexual behaviour variables were not significantly associated with a positive diagnosis. Differences in chlamydia positivity between men and women attending this service cannot be explained by individual sexual behaviours found to be associated with higher risk of infection in national studies. Our findings question the utility of individual behavioural data routinely collected during clinic appointments for predicting risk of sexually transmitted infections in high-prevalence areas.
A man with oral lesions, constipation and back pain
Authors: Mu Anandit , Nassar Naiel
Published: December 2013

We describe an unusual presentation of disseminated Kaposi sarcoma in a 49-year-old African-American man with AIDS who was admitted to the hospital for constipation and back pain. Magnetic resonance imagings of the thoracic and lumbar spine were grossly abnormal, however, a biopsy of the iliac crest was interpreted as normal. The patient remained a diagnostic enigma until disseminated Kaposi sarcoma was suspected, based on vascular plaque-like lesions observed on his hard palate and right conjunctiva. Slides of the bone biopsy with were stained for human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) antigen, and were positive. AIDS-related skeletal manifestations of Kaposi sarcoma have been reported in the literature but are infrequent.
Large-scale HIV testing in the older population in China: findings from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xie Tiansheng , Wang Guohua , Yan Haibo , Yang Liqun , Yu Wei , Fan Jun , Ruan Bing , Wu Nanping
Published: December 2013

Summary

Aiming to explore universal HIV testing, and to understand the exact HIV prevalence in the older general population, we conducted a community-based cross-sectional epidemiological investigation in two counties of Zhejiang province, China. Using census strategy and convenience sampling method, those participants who were older than 50 years and met eligibility criteria were enrolled, and HIV prevalence was presented as a crude infection rate. A total of 215,441 (64.82%) were enrolled into this study, HIV testing was added into their health exam plan and 18 were confirmed as HIV positive, giving a crude rate of 0.84/10,000. HIV prevalence was higher among men than among women in all age groups ( p < 0.05). Unlike previous research, 14 cases (78%) still had a relatively high CD4 + count; 17 cases (94%) had been infected by sexual transmission. Active large-scale HIV screening by integrating into routine health care can be an effective strategy to find people living with HIV at relative early stage of disease.
A patient with HIV and tuberculosis with diminished clopidogrel response
Authors: Metzger Nicole L , Momary Kathryn M
Published: December 2013

Patients with HIV are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, both as a result of treatment with protease inhibitors and from the disease itself. The medication regimens of patients with HIV and cardiovascular comorbidities are complex and require careful assessment for potentially serious drug–drug interactions. We report a case of clopidogrel non-responsiveness in a patient with HIV, latent tuberculosis and cardiovascular disease with a history of myocardial infarction. To our knowledge, this is the first report of significant drug interactions between clopidogrel, isoniazid and ritonavir. This case underscores the importance of a detailed drug interaction screening in infectious disease patients taking complex medication regimens, including clopidogrel.
The aetiology of vaginal symptoms in rural Haiti
Authors: Bristow Claire C , Desgrottes Tania , Cutler Lauren , Cutler David , Devarajan Karthika , Ocheretina Oksana , Pape Jean William , Klausner Jeffrey D
Published: December 2013

Vaginal symptoms are a common chief complaint amongst women visiting outpatient clinics in rural Haiti. A systematic sample of 206 consecutive women over age 18 with gynaecological symptoms underwent gynaecologic examination and laboratory testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV infection, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis. Among 206 women, 174 (84%) presented with vaginal discharge, 165 (80%) with vaginal itching, 123 (60%) with vaginal pain or dysuria, and 18 (9%) with non-traumatic vaginal sores or boils. Laboratory results were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis in 5.4% (11/203), syphilis in 3.5% (7/202), HIV in 1.0% (2/200), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 1.0% (2/203). Among those that had microscopy, hyphae suggestive of candidiasis were visualized in 2.2% (1/45) and no cases of trichomoniasis were diagnosed 0% (0/45). Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed in 28.3% (13/46). The prevalence of chlamydia was 4.9 (95% CI: 1.3–17.7) times greater among those 25 years of age and under (10.8%) than those older (2.3%). Chlamydia and bacterial vaginosis were the most common sexually transmitted infection and vaginal condition, respectively, in this study of rural Haitian adult women. The higher risk of chlamydia in younger women suggests education and screening programmes in young women should be considered.
Correlates of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a cohort of HIV-positive drug users receiving antiretroviral therapy in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Jordan MR , Obeng-Aduasare Y , Sheehan H , Hong SY , Terrin N , Duong DV , Trung NV , Wanke C , Kinh NV , Tang AM
Published: December 2013

The HIV epidemic in Vietnam is concentrated, with high prevalence estimates among injection drug users and commercial sex workers. Socio-demographics, substance use and clinical correlates of antiretroviral therapy non-adherence were studied in 100 HIV-1 infected drug users receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months in Hanoi, Vietnam. All study participants were men with a mean age of 29.9 ± 4.9 years. The median duration on antiretroviral therapy was 16.2 ± 12.7 months; 83% reported ‘very good’ or ‘perfect’ adherence in the past 30 days on a subjective one-item Likert scale at time of study enrollment; 48% of participants reported drug use within the previous 6 months, with 22% reporting current drug use. Injection drug use with or without non-injection drug use in the past 6 months (95% C.I. 2.19, 1.30–3.69) and years on antiretroviral therapy (95% C.I. 1.43, 1.14–1.78) were correlated with suboptimal adherence. These findings support Vietnam's ongoing scale-up of harm reduction programmes for injection drug users and their integration with antiretroviral therapy delivery. Moreover, results highlight the need to identify and implement new ways to support high levels of antiretroviral therapy adherence as duration on antiretroviral therapy increases.
Late-Holocene and Younger Dryas glaciers in the northern Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland
Authors: Kirkbride Martin , Everest Jez , Benn Doug , Gheorghiu Delia , Dawson Alastair
Published: December 2013

We present 17 cosmogenic 10Be ages of glacial deposits in Coire an Lochain (Cairngorm Mountains), which demonstrate that glacial and nival deposits cover a longer timescale than previously recognised. Five ages provide the first evidence of a late-Holocene glacier in the British Isles. A previously unidentified moraine ridge was deposited after c. 2.8 kyr and defines a small slab-like glacier with an equilibrium line altitude (ELA) at c. 1047 m. The late-Holocene glacier was characterised by rapid firnification and a dominance of sliding, enabling the glacier to construct moraine ridges in a relatively short period. Isotopic inheritance means that the glacier may have existed as recently as the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA) of the 17th or 18th century ad, a view supported by glacier-climate modelling. Nine 10Be ages confirm a Younger Dryas Stadial (YDS) age for a cirque-floor boulder till, and date the glacier maximum to c. 12.3 kyr when the ELA was at c. 963 m altitude. Both glaciers existed because of enhanced accumulation from wind-blown snow, but the difference in ELA of only c. 84 m belies the YDS–LIA temperature difference of c. 7°C and emphasises the glacioclimatic contrast between the two periods. Three 10Be ages from till boulders originally deposited in the YDS yield ages <5.5 kyr and indicate snow-avalanche disturbance of older debris since the mid-Holocene, as climate deteriorated towards marginal glaciation.
Transformative Autoethnography
Authors: Sykes Brent E.
Published: December 2013

The cultural experiences of minority learners are often omitted from the formal curriculum leading to exclusion and a sense of cultural loss. In this study, the researcher’s lived experience serves as the basis to develop a novel research strategy: transformative autoethnography. The researcher uses the method of autoethnography to more deeply understand his roles as Chickasaw and adult educator, amplified by his unique role as the developer of a tribal learning community situated at a research university. This immersive experience serves as the context for self-reflection, which includes an educational history marred by my perceptions of Whiteness and lack of cultural connectedness. Transformative learning theory serves as the theoretical framework by which the author comes to appreciate the intersection of culture, identity, and meaning. The research context is triangulated with the experiences of other Chickasaws, including learning community participants, providing an autoethnography steeped in phenomenological thought. This credible qualitative account serves as a roadmap for the educational journeys of Native Americans and other minority adult learners and the educators, advisors, and program developers who strive to support them.
Role of Professional Development Associations in the Future of Our Field
Authors: Berger Jim I.
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this article is to describe the interconnectedness of three professional development associations, the impact of various factors on collaboration and fragmentation, and suggestions for future directions. The three adult education professional associations being discussed in this article are the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), the Commission of Adult Basic Education (COABE), and the Kentucky Association of Adult and Continuing Education (KAACE). I provide some observations regarding the economy, fracturing among the associations, and their ability to advocate for our own interests. I suggest three recommendations for professional development organizations and the field.
Considering Ecological Métissage
Authors: Lowan-Trudeau Gregory
Published: December 2013

This article reports on a study that examined the ecological identities and philosophies of Canadian experiential environmental educators who incorporate Western and Indigenous traditions into their pedagogical praxis. Guided by the overarching question, “Can Western and Indigenous knowledge of the natural world be blended theoretically and in practice?” notable findings include the clarification of the relationship between Western and Indigenous knowledge and philosophies of Nature as one with the potential for bricolage (integration) but not absolute métissage (blending) unless Western perspectives other than science, such as deep ecology and bioregionalism, are also considered.
MenHibrix
Authors: Hale Sarah F. , Camaione Lauren , Lomaestro Ben M.
Published: December 2013

Objective: To review the immunogenicity and safety of the Haemophilus influenzae type b- Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (Hib-MenCY-TT) for infants and toddlers. Data Sources: Studies conducted in humans and limited to publication in English were identified through a MEDLINE (January 2000 to September 2013) search using the terms Hib-MenCY-TT, MenHibrix, and Haemophilus influenzae type b-Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine. Clinical trial registries, Web sites, and reference citations from publications identified were reviewed for additional sources. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Randomized controlled trials were included to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of Hib-MenCY-TT. Epidemiological data and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were also reviewed. Data Synthesis: Hib-MenCY-TT is available for primary vaccination of infants as a 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age. Hib-MenCY-TT has comparable immunogenicity to licensed Hib vaccines and produces high levels of N meningitidis antibodies against serogroups C and Y. The most common adverse events were pain and redness at the injection site, drowsiness, and irritability. Conclusions: Hib-MenCY-TT has been demonstrated to be a safe and immunogenic vaccination for prevention of disease caused by N meningitidis serogroups C and Y and H influenzae type b in healthy infants and toddlers. Currently, the ACIP recommends the use of Hib-MenCY-TT specifically in high-risk infants aged 6 weeks to 18 months. Hib-MenCY-TT provides the first therapeutic option for vaccination of infants as young as 6 weeks of age who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease.
Examination of Restaurant Quality, Relationship Benefits, and Customer Reciprocity From the Perspective of Relationship Marketing Investments
Authors: Ryu Kisang , Lee Jin-Soo
Published: December 2013

The current study adopted cluster and discriminant analyses to investigate how differentially upscale restaurant customers view (a) the four dimensions of restaurant quality (price fairness, food quality, service quality, and physical environment), (b) the three dimensions of relational benefits (confidence benefits, social benefits, and special treatment benefits), and (c) revisit intentions and favorable reciprocal behaviors as proxies for customer reciprocity when customers perceive different levels (high vs. low) of relationship marketing investment (RMI). When customers perceived high RMI, they (high-RMI customers) evaluated all the aforementioned factors positively. By contrast, customers who experienced low RMI (low-RMI customers) rated the same factors negatively. High- and low-RMI customers were best distinguished by service quality, confidence benefits, and favorable reciprocal behaviors. Understanding the distinction between high- and low-RMI customers will shed light on how operators of upscale restaurants develop and reinforce perceived RMI to achieve favorable customer reciprocity.
A meta-analysis of remote patient monitoring for chronic heart failure patients
Authors: Nakamura Naoto , Koga Tadashi , Iseki Hiroshi
Published: December 2013

Summary

We carried out a meta analysis of remote patient monitoring (RPM) for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. A literature search was used to identify randomised controlled trials with more than 40 patients, published between February 2003 and February 2013. The primary outcome (mortality) was analysed using a random effect model. Thirteen studies were included (3337 patients). RPM resulted in a significantly lower mortality (risk ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.93) compared to usual care. The test for heterogeneity showed that articles had been extracted homogeneously (I2=0%, P=0.67). In order to determine which RPM model was most effective, subgroup analyses were conducted by age, severity of illness, measurement frequency, medication management and speed of intervention. The group with rapid intervention had the lowest mortality (rapid group risk ratio=0.59, non-rapid group risk ratio=0.88, P=0.05). The group with high measurement frequency had lower mortality (high frequency group risk ratio=0.62, low frequency group risk ratio=0.89, P=0.07). The group with medication management had lower mortality (medication group risk ratio=0.65, non medication group risk ratio=0.85, P=0.19). RPM is effective in chronic heart failure and rapid intervention was the most important factor in the RPM model.
Access to services, quality of care, and family impact for children with autism, other developmental disabilities, and other mental health conditions
Authors: Vohra Rini , Madhavan Suresh , Sambamoorthi Usha , St Peter Claire
Published: December 2013

This cross-sectional study examined perceived access to services, quality of care, and family impact reported by caregivers of children aged 3–17 years with autism spectrum disorders, as compared to caregivers of children with other developmental disabilities and other mental health conditions. The 2009–2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs was utilized to examine the association between child’s special needs condition and three outcomes (N = 18,136): access to services (difficulty using services, difficulty getting referrals, lack of source of care, and inadequate insurance coverage), quality of care (lack of care coordination, lack of shared decision making, and no routine screening), and family impact (financial, employment, and time-related burden). Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to compare caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders to caregivers of children with developmental disabilities (cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delay, or intellectual disability), mental health conditions (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, behavioral/conduct problems, or depression), or both developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders were significantly more likely to report difficulty using services, lack of source of care, inadequate insurance coverage, lack of shared decision making and care coordination, and adverse family impact as compared to caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or both.
Exploring distributed leadership: Solving disagreements and negotiating consensus in a ‘leaderless’ team
Authors: Choi Seongsook , Schnurr Stephanie
Published: December 2013

This article explores how leadership is done in a ‘leaderless’ team. Drawing on a corpus of more than 120 hours of audio-recorded meetings of different interdisciplinary research groups and using a discourse analytic framework and tools, we examine how leadership is enacted in a team that does not have an assigned leader or chair. Our specific focus is the discursive processes through which team members conjointly solve disagreements and negotiate consensus – which are two activities associated with leadership. More specifically, we analyse how meaning is collaboratively constructed and how team members arrive at a solution in those instances where there is some kind of disagreement, or even conflict, among team members. This discourse analytic study thus contributes to leadership research in two ways: i) by exploring some of the discursive processes through which leadership is actually performed in a ‘leaderless team’; and ii) by looking at a largely under-researched leadership constellation, namely distributed leadership. We thereby illustrate some of the benefits that discourse analytical approaches offer to an understanding of the specific processes that are involved in the complexities of leadership performance.
Keeping the old name: Derrida and the deconstructive foundations of democracy
Authors: Dinan Matthew D.
Published: December 2013

This article explores Jacques Derrida’s notion of ‘democracy to come’, showing how democracy generates what might be described as a ‘deconstructive’ relation to foundational ideas. This article opens with an overview of the political theory literature on Derrida’s political thought, arguing that scholars mistakenly present it as naïvely anti-foundationalist. The body of this article then briefly demonstrates that a Derridean approach to foundations does not aim to destroy or transcend them, but to interrupt our expectation that foundations be stable and certain. Turning to Politics of Friendship and Rogues, this article shows that Derrida’s notion of the democracy to come hinges around the idea that there is precisely such a ‘deconstructive’ relation between democracy’s dual foundations of freedom and equality. Democracy is thus itself ‘deconstructive’. Far from the inconsistent and insincere defender of democracy that his critics describe, Derrida emerges as a provocative contributor to democratic theory.
Compensation of welding shrinkage in ship production by integrating computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering in a design for assembly technique
Authors: Heo Heeyoung , Chung Hyun , Park Junggoo , Won Seokhee
Published: December 2013

Welding is the primary joining process in ship production and inherently causes shrinkage and angular distortion that degrade the dimensional quality (adherence to tolerance specifications) of ship blocks during assembly. Considering that intermediate products of low quality are not scrapped but must be reworked, the productivity of each workstation greatly depends on the dimensional quality of these intermediate products. One of the major “design for assembly” methodologies to control welding shrinkage in shipbuilding is a shrinkage compensation design. This allows the artificial redesign of nominally shaped pieces of plate, to include optimal expansion values that accommodate welding shrinkage. This minimizes the amount of reworking caused by degraded dimensional quality. This research presents a new shrinkage compensation design methodology and technique combining computer-aided design with computer-aided engineering, which overcomes the shortcomings of the empirical approach used until now. An optimization procedure is proposed, by which to find the best shrinkage compensation design shape on the basis of the object function, which would minimize total rework cost (due to shrinkage) predicted for the next block-to-block assembly. The proposed design scheme was successfully applied to shipyard production design and was found to enhance the dimensional quality, as well as the productivity, of shipbuilding.
The fuel multiplier in multi-stage supply chains
Authors: Regnier Eva , Simon Jay , Nussbaum Daniel A , Whitney Laura K
Published: December 2013

Fuel requirements on the battlefield impose direct costs associated with the resources necessary to transport the fuel and protect logistics assets, in addition to indirect energy security costs. Estimating the enterprise-wide demand for fuel associated with fuel consumption on the battlefield is a challenging, but necessary, step to making good decisions. This paper presents a modeling framework for estimating the enterprise-wide fuel requirements associated with a multistage fuel supply chain, demonstrating a multiplicative increase in fuel demand with additional stages, and examining the fuel impact of protecting the supply chain.
Communication and Trust
Authors: Zepeda Sally J. , Mayers R. Stewart
Published: December 2013

In this case, a new superintendent has communicated what he perceives as a needed change affecting students and teachers on several campuses and a seemingly short timeline for making the decision to move off a block schedule. The abrupt nature of the announcement, combined with the circumstances surrounding the superintendent’s recent hiring has teachers and building level administrators wondering about his motives.
“If I Don’t Use the Word, I Shouldn’t Have to Hear it”
Authors: Diem Sarah , Ali Nazneen , Carpenter Bradley W.
Published: December 2013

This case outlines a dilemma encountered by an assistant professor and graduate teaching assistant teaching within an educational leadership preparation program. The case offers a detailed illustration of a race-related conflict occurring in a course focused on preparing school leaders to address issues of social justice within diverse settings. Addressing race-related issues within the classroom are of the utmost importance for today’s leadership preparation programs, as the influx of traditionally marginalized populations within public schools continues to rapidly increase. Implications for the development of school leaders include the purposeful examination of issues related to race, diversity, social justice, positionality, and the facilitation of critically-oriented conversations.
Work and Love During Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Seiffge-Krenke Inge , Luyckx Koen , Salmela-Aro Katariina
Published: December 2013

Emerging adults engage in greater experimentation in the areas of work and love, and the transitions to work and the establishment of firm partnerships are characterized by fluctuations, discontinuities, and reversals. Whereas earlier studies on emerging adults have examined the separate effects of work and relationship, in this special section 5 studies were presented which examined these two transitions simultaneously by using a longitudinal design to account for the reciprocal influences and the long-term effects on health outcomes. In addition, methodological concerns when investigating the reciprocal influences and dependencies between love and work were raised and a cross-cultural perspective applied, putting these transitions in the changing developmental context of emerging adults in many different countries nowadays.
Crop-Diversification for Conservation of Water Resource and Agricultural Growth: A Comparative Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Sasmal Joydeb
Published: December 2013

This article has addressed the problem of overexploitation of ground water for irrigation and built up a theoretical model to demonstrate how crop diversification in favour of water-saving crops can help conservation of water resource and agricultural growth. The comparative dynamic analysis on the optimal path of ground water stock has been done using variational differential equation. The qualitative results in Phase-Diagram show that if R&D expenditure is increased by the government or input subsidy and price support is increased for less water-intensive crops, water conservation will increase in a dynamic perspective.

JEL Classification: Q32 Q38, Q25, O13
Pregnancy planning, smoking behaviour during pregnancy, and neonatal outcome: UK millennium cohort study
Authors: Flower Anika , Shawe Jill , Stephenson Judith , Doyle Pat
Published: December 2013

Background

Pre-pregnancy health and care are important for the health of the future generations. Smoking during pregnancy has been well-researched and there is clear evidence of harm. But there has been little research on the health impact of planning for pregnancy. This study aims to investigate the independent effects of pregnancy planning and smoking during pregnancy on neonatal outcome.

Methods

This analysis made use of data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. The study sample consisted of 18,178 singleton babies born in UK between 2000 and 2001. The neonatal outcomes of interest were low birthweight (<2.5 Kg) and pre-term birth (<37 completed weeks gestation). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between pregnancy planning and/or smoking and neonatal outcome. Adjusted odds ratios were used to calculate population attributable risk fractions (PAFs).

Results

43% of mothers did not plan their pregnancy and 34% were smoking just before and/or during pregnancy. Planners were half as likely to be smokers just before pregnancy, and more likely to give up or reduce the amount smoked if smokers. Unplanned pregnancies had 24% increased odds of low birth weight and prematurity compared to planned pregnancies (AORLBW1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48; AORPREM1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.45), independent of smoking status. The odds of low birth weight for babies of mothers who were smoking just before pregnancy was 91% higher than that of mothers who were not (AORLBW1.91, 95% CI 1.56-2.34). Women who quit or reduced the amount smoked during pregnancy lowered the risk of a low birth weight baby by one third (AORLBW0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.85) compared with women whose smoking level did not change. Smaller effects were found for prematurity. If all women planned their pregnancy and did not smoke before or during pregnancy, 30% of low birthweight and 14% of prematurity could, in theory, be avoided.

Conclusions

Planning a pregnancy and avoiding smoking during pregnancy has clear, independent, health benefits for babies. Quitting or reducing the amount smoked during pregnancy can reduce the risk of low birthweight.
One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of Mn3O4 nanorods grown on Ni foam for high performance supercapacitor applications
Authors: Li Dongwei , Meng Fanhui , Yan Xiuling , Yang Lishan , Heng Hua , Zhu Ye
Published: December 2013

Mn3O4/Ni foam composites were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method in an aqueous solution containing only Mn(NO3)2 and C6H12N4. It was found that Mn3O4 nanorods with lengths of 2 to 3 μm and diameters of 100 nm distributed on Ni foam homogeneously. Detailed reaction time-dependent morphological and component evolution was studied to understand the growth process of Mn3O4 nanorods. As cathode material for supercapacitors, Mn3O4 nanorods/composite exhibited superior supercapacitor performances with high specific capacitance (263 F · g-1 at 1A · g-1), which was more than 10 times higher than that of the Mn3O4/Ni plate. The enhanced supercapacitor performance was due to the porous architecture of the Ni foam which provides fast ion and electron transfer, large reaction surface area, and good conductivity.
Models of gene gain and gene loss for probabilistic reconstruction of gene content in the last universal common ancestor of life
Authors: Kannan Lavanya , Li Hua , Rubinstein Boris , Mushegian Arcady
Published: December 2013

Background

The problem of probabilistic inference of gene content in the last common ancestor of several extant species with completely sequenced genomes is: for each gene that is conserved in all or some of the genomes, assign the probability that its ancestral gene was present in the genome of their last common ancestor.

Results

We have developed a family of models of gene gain and gene loss in evolution, and applied the maximum-likelihood approach that uses phylogenetic tree of prokaryotes and the record of orthologous relationships between their genes to infer the gene content of LUCA, the Last Universal Common Ancestor of all currently living cellular organisms. The crucial parameter, the ratio of gene losses and gene gains, was estimated from the data and was higher in models that take account of the number of in-paralogs in genomes than in models that treat gene presences and absences as a binary trait.

Conclusion

While the numbers of genes that are placed confidently into LUCA are similar in the ML methods and in previously published methods that use various parsimony-based approaches, the identities of genes themselves are different. Most of the models of either kind treat the genes found in many existing genomes in a similar way, assigning to them high probabilities of being ancestral (“high ancestrality”). The ML models are more likely than others to assign high ancestrality to the genes that are relatively rare in the present-day genomes.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Martijn A Huynen, Toni Gabaldón and Fyodor Kondrashov.
Fungal air quality in hospital rooms: a case study in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Azimi Faramarz , Naddafi Kazem , Nabizadeh Ramin , Hassanvand Mohammad Sadegh , Alimohammadi Mahmood , Afhami Shirin , Musavi Seyed Nejat
Published: December 2013

Fungi are usually presented in indoor environments and cause of many diseases. The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the level of fungal contamination in hospital rooms. Sampling was conducted with an Andersen one-stage viable impactor (Quick Take-30) and counting plates containing a fungus-selective medium. A total of 120 air samples from ten hospital environments were performed. Airborne fungi concentrations were determined 72-120 hours after sampling. Total mean concentration of detected fungi in the hospital rooms was 55 ± 56 (mean ± SD) cfu/m3. The findings of the fungal concentration in the various hospital rooms revealed different levels of contamination: the lowest mean counts (37 ± 17 cfu/m3) were observed in NS 1 (Nursing Stations 1), and the highest (97 ± 217 cfu/m3) were reported in Orthopedics Operating Room (OOR). The most common fungal genus isolated were Penicillium (70%), Aspergillus (14%), Cladosporium (12%), Alternaria (2%) and others (2%). The obtained results showed that fungal concentrations in the present study were nearly high and these conditions should be considered as a risk factor for patients and other persons in the hospital.
Decolorization and COD removal from real textile wastewater by chemical and electrochemical Fenton processes: a comparative study
Authors: Eslami Akbar , Moradi Mahsa , Ghanbari Farshid , Mehdipour Fayyaz
Published: December 2013

Background

Due to the presence of non-biodegradable and toxic compounds, textile wastewater is difficult to treat by conventional methods. In the present study, Electrochemical Fenton (EF) and Chemical Fenton (CF) processes were studied and compared for the treatment of real textile wastewater. The effects of electrical current, ferrous ion, hydrogen peroxide concentration and reaction time on the removal efficiencies of COD and color were investigated. All the experiments were carried out at pH = 3.

Results

Both EF and CF processes were mostly efficient within hydrogen peroxide concentration of 1978 mg/L (H2O2: COD ~ 1.1). The highest COD and color removal efficiencies were 70.6% and 72.9% respectively which were obtained through the EF process in 350 mA electrical current, 1978 mg/L hydrogen peroxide and 60 minutes reaction time. Furthermore, the operational costs of EF and CF processes were 17.56 and 8.6 US$ per kilogram of the removed COD respectively.

Conclusion

It was concluded that the electrochemical Fenton process was more efficient than the chemical Fenton process in the degradation of textile wastewater. Likewise, Although EF process imposed higher operational costs than the CF; it dramatically decreased the reaction time to gain the highest degradation efficiency.
Ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents: frequency and clinical characteristics
Authors: Onyiriuka Alphonsus N , Ifebi Emeka
Published: December 2013

Background

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening acute complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Although the frequency of DKA as first manifestation of T1DM is higher in developing compared developed countries, there is paucity of information on its characteristics in developing countries.

Methods

This retrospective study determined the frequency of ketoacidosis at diagnosis of new-onset type 1 diabetes and described the clinical characteristics of the patients seen between 1996 and 2011 by auditing the hospital records of all cases. The diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was based on the presence of hyperglycaemia (blood glucose > 11 mmol/L), acidosis (serum bicarbonate < 15 mmol/L) and ketonuria (urine ketone ≥1+).

Results

At diagnosis of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus, three-quarter (77.1%) of the children and adolescents presented with DKA. Comparing the frequency of DKA during the initial 8 years (1996–2003) with the later 8 years (2004–2011), it was 81.8% vs 73.1%; p > 005. The frequency has not shown any significant declined over a 16-year period. The frequency of re-admission in ketoacidosis was 24.3%.

Conclusion

Three-quarter of children and adolescents present with DKA as first manifestation of T1DM with no significant decline in frequency over a 16-year period in our hospital.
Trends in publication of evidence-based Traditional Iranian medicine in endocrinology and metabolic disorders
Authors: Hasani-Ranjbar Shirin , Zahedi Hoda Sadat , Abdollahi Mohammad , Larijani Bagher
Published: December 2013

Traditional Iranian medicine (TIM) is a main part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The popularity and use of alternative therapies are increasing due to adverse effects and ineffectiveness of pharmacologic treatments in some cases. Herbal medicine is one of the methods of traditional therapy that plays a key role in the treatment of various diseases specifically in diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and obesity that are growing rapidly in the world. In this article, trends of scientific publications of Iranian medicine in endocrinology and metabolic disorders have been investigated. Our data show that the numbers of related researches have uptrend from 2000 till now. These data are valuable to pharmaceutical companies to get the idea to invest and produce effective drugs.
Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and association with various risk factors among different Muslim populations of Manipur, India
Authors: Shah Ahsana , Afzal Mohammad
Published: December 2013

Background

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) are among the most common non-communicable chronic diseases in developed and developing countries around the world. The study reports the prevalence of DM and HT and its influence from its possible risk factors.

Methods

Individuals of both sexes (Male-1099, Female-669) belonging to six different populations were randomly selected and screened for diabetes and hypertension following from different districts of Manipur, which is a small hilly state, situated in the north eastern extreme corner of India sharing an international boundary with Myanmar (Burma). “Diabetes mellitus” and “hypertension” were defined by the American Diabetes Association and the Joint National Committee’s 7th Report guidelines, respectively.

Results

The overall prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the entire study population was found to be 16.63% and 18.16% respectively. About 13.8% individuals had shown co-prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. The association of Diabetes Mellitus with different risk factors such as consumption of alcohol and difference in physical activities were found to be statistically significant. The association of Diabetes Mellitus with different populations and age groups are also statistically significant. The association between Hypertension with different populations and different physical activities were also found to be statistically significant.
Associations of eating a late-evening meal before bedtime with low serum amylase and unhealthy conditions
Authors: Oshida Haruki , Kutsuma Ayano , Nakajima Kei
Published: December 2013

Little is known about the associations of eating a late-evening meal (ELM), a putative unhealthy eating behavior, with low serum amylase, other eating behaviors, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, we investigated whether ELM before bedtime was associated with low serum amylase or other clinical factors in 2,426 asymptomatic adults aged 20–80 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ELM was significantly associated with low serum amylase (<60 IU/l), overweight, smoking, daily alcohol consumption, skipping breakfast, and rapid eating, but not with abnormal glucose metabolism. In conclusion, ELM may be independently associated with low serum amylase and common unhealthy behaviors.
Crim1 maintains retinal vascular stability during development by regulating endothelial cell Vegfa autocrine signaling
Authors: Fan Jieqing , Ponferrada Virgilio G. , Sato Tomohito , Vemaraju Shruti , Fruttiger Marcus , Gerhardt Holger , Ferrara Napoleone , Lang Richard A.
Published: December 2013

Angiogenesis defines the process in which new vessels grow from existing vessels. Using the mouse retina as a model system, we show that cysteine-rich motor neuron 1 (Crim1), a type I transmembrane protein, is highly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. Conditional deletion of the Crim1 gene in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) causes delayed vessel expansion and reduced vessel density. Based on known Vegfa binding by Crim1 and Crim1 expression in retinal vasculature, where angiogenesis is known to be Vegfa dependent, we tested the hypothesis that Crim1 is involved in the regulation of Vegfa signaling. Consistent with this hypothesis, we showed that VEC-specific conditional compound heterozygotes for Crim1 and Vegfa exhibit a phenotype that is more severe than each single heterozygote and indistinguishable from that of the conditional homozygotes. We further showed that human CRIM1 knockdown in cultured VECs results in diminished phosphorylation of VEGFR2, but only when VECs are required to rely on an autocrine source of VEGFA. The effect of CRIM1 knockdown on reducing VEGFR2 phosphorylation was enhanced when VEGFA was also knocked down. Finally, an anti-VEGFA antibody did not enhance the effect of CRIM1 knockdown in reducing VEGFR2 phosphorylation caused by autocrine signaling, but VEGFR2 phosphorylation was completely suppressed by SU5416, a small-molecule VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor. These data are consistent with a model in which Crim1 enhances the autocrine signaling activity of Vegfa in VECs at least in part via Vegfr2.