bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lack of evidence for the presence of emerging HoBi-like viruses in North American fetal bovine serum lots
Authors: Bauermann Fernando V. , Flores Eduardo F. , Falkenberg Shollie M. , Weiblen Rudi , Ridpath Julia F.
Published: January 2014

The detection of an emerging pestivirus species, “HoBi-like virus,” in fetal bovine serum (FBS) labeled as U.S. origin, but packaged in Europe, raised concerns that HoBi-like virus may have entered the United States. In the current study, 90 lots of FBS originating in North America (NA) were screened for pestivirus antigen and antibodies. Lots in group 1 (G1, 72 samples) and group 2 (G2, 9 samples) originated in NA and were packaged in the United States. Group 3 (G3) was composed of 9 lots collected in NA and processed in Europe. Lots in G1 were claimed negative for Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), while lots in G2 and G3 were claimed positive by the commercial processor. All lots in G1 and G2 tested negative by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using HoBi-like–specific primers. Two G1 lots tested positive by BVDV RT-PCR. One of these was also positive by virus isolation. All G2 lots were positive by BVDV RT-PCR. In addition, four G2 lots were VI positive while 1 lot was antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) positive. Two G3 lots were positive by HoBi-like–specific RT-PCR tests. All lots were negative for HoBi_D32/00 neutralizing antibodies. Seven lots (4 G1; 1 G2; 2 G3) had antibodies against BVDV by virus neutralization and/or antigen-capture ELISA. While there is no evidence of HoBi-like viruses in NA based on tested samples, further studies are required to validate HoBi-like virus–free status and develop means to prevent the spread of HoBi-like virus into NA.
A Method of Phenomenological Interviewing
Authors: Bevan Mark T.
Published: January 2014

In this article I propose a method of interviewing for descriptive phenomenological research that offers an explicit, theoretically based approach for researchers. My approach enables application of descriptive phenomenology as a total method for research, and not one just focused on data analysis. This structured phenomenological approach to interviewing applies questions based on themes of experience contextualization, apprehending the phenomenon and its clarification. The method of questioning employs descriptive and structural questioning as well as novel use of imaginative variation to explore experience. The approach will help researchers understand how to undertake descriptive phenomenological research interviews.
Prehospital Providers’ Perceptions of Emergency Calls Near Life’s End
Authors: Waldrop Deborah , Clemency Brian , Maguin Eugene , Lindstrom Heather
Published: January 2014

The nature of emergency end-of-life calls is changing as people live longer and die from chronic illnesses. This study explored prehospital providers’ perceptions of (1) end-of-life 911 calls, (2) the signs and symptoms of dying, and (3) medical orders for life sustaining treatment (MOLST). The exploratory–descriptive pilot study was survey based and cross-sectional. Calls to nursing homes occur most often, (47.8% every shift). The MOLST was seen infrequently (57.9% rarely never). The most frequent signs and symptoms of dying were diagnosis (76%), hospice involvement (82%), apnea (75%), mottling (55%), and shortness of breath (48%). The MOLST identifies wishes about intubation (74%), resuscitation (74%), life-sustaining treatment (72%), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (70%). Synergy exists between the fields of prehospital, hospice, and palliative medicine which offers potential for improved education and care.
Using Video Effectively in Diverse Classes
Authors: Fee Anthony , Budde-Sung Amanda E. K.
Published: January 2014

This article presents the findings of an exploratory study into the perceptions of a culturally and linguistically diverse cohort of management students ( n = 236) about the use of video as a teaching and learning tool. The results show that while students are generally favorable toward audiovisual materials, the choice of content, how the medium is used, and the types of supporting pedagogical activities all influence the students’ perceived learning and enjoyment. Notably, students from non-English-speaking backgrounds reported different benefits and challenges to their native English-speaking classmates. We use the findings to outline some practical guidelines for instructors about the most effective ways of using video as a pedagogical tool with diverse classes.
Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries
Authors: Granger Nicolas , Franklin Robin J.M. , Jeffery Nick D.
Published: January 2014

During the last two decades, many experiments have examined the ability of cell transplants to ameliorate the loss of function after spinal cord injuries, with the hope of developing interventions to benefit patients. Although many reports suggest positive effects, there is growing concern over the quality of the available preclinical data. It is therefore important to ask whether this worldwide investigative process is close to defining a cell transplant protocol that could be translated into human patients with a realistic chance of success. This review systematically examines the strength of the preclinical evidence and outlines mechanisms by which transplanted cells may mediate their effects in spinal cord injuries. First, we examined changes in voluntary movements in the forelimb associated with cell transplants after partial cervical lesions. Second, we examined the efficacy of transplanted cells to restore electrophysiological conduction across a complete thoracic lesion. We postulated that cell therapies found to be successful in both models could reasonably have potential to treat human patients. We conclude that although there are data to support a beneficial effect of cell transplantation, most reports provide only weak evidence because of deficits in experimental design. The mechanisms by which transplanted cells mediate their functional effects remain unclear.
City Size and Political Participation in Local Government
Authors: Carr Jered B. , Tavares Antonio
Published: January 2014

J. Eric Oliver’s finding that city size influences the political participation of residents has been challenged by studies suggesting that differences in population density within cities and how the population is distributed across cities within regions may moderate any negative effects of city size. We analyze these propositions of contingent effects by examining self-reported participation activities from a random sample of residents from the state of Michigan in the summer of 2005. Our findings confirm the importance of the conditional effects of population density on the relationship between city size and political participation. The support provided by our analysis for the other contingent factors is more mixed.
Can Urban Regimes Travel in Time and Space? Urban Regime Theory, Urban Governance Theory, and Comparative Urban Politics
Authors: Pierre Jon
Published: January 2014

Urban regime theory has shaped the urban politics research agenda in the United States for the past two decades. The article argues that urban regime theory draws on public and corporate behavior and strategies that were typical to the industrial era in the United States. As a result, the theory is insensitive to changes in institutional hierarchies, economic globalization, and the emergence of new types of actors and issues in urban politics. Urban governance theory conceptualizes agency more generically that allows the theory to travel better than urban regime theory in time and space.
Denosumab in hypercalcemia of malignancy: A case series
Authors: Dietzek Amanda , Connelly Kelly , Cotugno Michael , Bartel Sylvia , McDonnell Anne M
Published: January 2014

Background

Denosumab is a nuclear factor-kappa ligand monoclonal antibody whose FDA-approved indications include treatment of osteoporosis, bone loss with certain anticancer hormonal agents, and prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. In clinical trials, the incidence of severe hypocalcemia has been reported as 3.1–10.8%. To date, case reports and two clinical trials have reported the use of denosumab in the management of hypercalcemia of malignancy. No reports of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia have been reported for the hypercalcemia of malignancy population.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who received denosumab for hypercalcemia of malignancy to describe the effects of denosumab on calcium levels at our institution.

Results

Seven patients received doses of denosumab for hypercalcemia of malignancy. The most common tumor types were breast cancer (n = 3) and hematologic malignancies (n = 2). All patients had bone involvement. Two patients received single doses of 60 mg. The other five patients received 120 mg. The mean corrected calcium levels were 13.7 mg/dL and 12.24 mg/dL for the days of admission and denosumab administration, respectively (p = 0.1889). The mean corrected calcium level for the last known value was 9.92 mg/dL, while in house (p = 0.0016). Supportive care prior to denosumab included hydration (n = 7), bisphosphonates (n = 6), and calcitonin (n = 5). One patient had a calcium level of 6.6 mg/dL on day 4 after denosumab, requiring calcium supplementation and telemetry. Of the seven patients treated with denosumab for hypercalcemia of malignancy at our institution, six patients were discharged alive. Of these, one patient died two days after discharge. Last-known follow-up was a median of 26 days, range, 3–195, for all patients.

Conclusions

Denosumab helped decrease calcium in patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy. However, symptomatic hypocalcemia may result from denosumab in hypercalcemia of malignancy.
Localized standing waves in a hyperelastic membrane tube and their stabilization by a mean flow
Authors: Fu YB , Il’ichev AT
Published: January 2014

We first give a complete analysis of the dispersion relation for travelling waves propagating in a pre-stressed hyperelastic membrane tube containing a uniform flow. We present an exact formula for the so-called pulse wave velocity, and demonstrate that as any pre-stress parameter is increased gradually, localized bulging would always occur before a superimposed small-amplitude travelling wave starts to grow exponentially. We then study the stability of weakly and fully nonlinear localized bulging solutions that may exist in such a fluid-filled hyperelastic membrane tube. Previous studies have shown that such localized standing waves are unstable under pressure control in the absence of a mean-flow, whether the fluid inertia is taken into account or not. Stability of such localized aneurysm-type solutions is desired when aneurysm formation in human arteries is modelled as a bifurcation phenomenon. It is shown that in the near-critical regime axisymmetric perturbations are governed by the Korteweg–de Vries equation, and so the associated (weakly nonlinear) aneurysm solutions are (orbitally) stable with respect to axisymmetric perturbations. Stability of the fully nonlinear aneurysm solutions are studied numerically using the Evans function method. It is found that for each wall–fluid density ratio there exists a critical mean-flow speed above which no axisymmetric unstable modes can be found, which implies that a fully nonlinear aneurysm solution may be completely stabilized by a mean flow.
Historical and epistemological point of view of mathematical physics
Authors: Capecchi Danilo
Published: January 2014

The objective of this paper is to use some historical instances to explain in detail the meaning of mathematical physics theories in selected historical periods. The paper presents, in order, the first instances of applications of mathematics to physics, the first appearance of something resembling modern mathematical physics and a particular kind of mathematical physics theory, called rational mechanics. At the end of the paper, epistemological considerations clarify the difference between physical, mathematical, and mathematical physics theories.
Prevalence of ADHD in Qatari School-Age Children
Authors: Bradshaw Lori G. , Kamal Madeeha
Published: January 2014

Objective: The purpose of this quantitative survey study is to provide current accurate estimates of the number of students with ADHD in Qatar Independent and English Medium Private Schools, so that adequate support will be available to assist in the educational growth and development of these students. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study of teacher observational ratings used a standardized rating scale. Teachers completed the SNAP-IV. Rating Scales for more than 5,000 students from Qatar Independent Schools and private English Medium Schools between November 2011 and November 2012 in Qatar Grades 1 through 12. Results: Results align with and extend the previous study of ADHD in Qatar and the current worldwide prevalence. Conclusion: Enhanced analyses were conducted to identify differences between age groups, genders, and between Private and Independent Schools. Implications for teachers, administrators, and medical personnel are discussed.
The Development of Comorbid Conduct Problems in Children With ADHD
Authors: Danforth Jeffrey S. , Connor Daniel F. , Doerfler Leonard A.
Published: January 2014

Objective: We describe interactions among factors that contribute to the development of conduct problems among children with ADHD. Method: An integrative developmental psychopathology analysis combines various approaches and posits one model of how diverse risk factors operate together to contribute to the development of conduct problems among children with ADHD. Results: Substantial genetic risk increases covariation between ADHD and conduct problems. Candidate genes are associated with CNS monoaminergic neurotransmission. Subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment interferes with executive function, with impaired verbal working memory playing an important role. Parent/child bi-directional influences exacerbate the risk for conduct problems when ADHD symptoms increase the likelihood of a coercive parenting style. Parent stress in reaction to child comorbid ADHD and conduct problems, and parent attribution for the child’s conduct problem behavior, add to the potential for coercion and reduce constructive parent-child interaction that might otherwise enhance the development of verbal working memory. Conclusion: In an integrated manner, these variables increase the risk that a child with ADHD will subsequently develop conduct problems.
Cerebellar Symptoms Are Associated With Omission Errors and Variability of Response Time in Children With ADHD
Authors: Goetz Michal , Schwabova Jaroslava , Hlavka Zdenek , Ptacek Radek , Zumrova Alena , Hort Vladimír , Doyle Robert
Published: January 2014

Objective: We examined the presence of cerebellar symptoms in ADHD and their association with behavioral markers of this disorder. Method: Sixty-two children with ADHD and 62 typically developing (TD) children were examined for cerebellar symptoms using the ataxia rating scale and tested using Conners’ Continuous Performance Test. Results: Children with ADHD had significantly more cerebellar symptoms compared with the TD children. Cerebellar symptom scores decreased with age in the ADHD group; in the TD group remained stable. In both groups, cerebellar symptoms were associated with parent-rated hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, variability of response time standard error (RT-SE) and increase of RT-SE as the test progresses. More variables were associated with cerebellar symptoms in the ADHD group including omission errors, overall RT-SE and its increase for prolonged interstimulus intervals. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of research into motor functions in children with ADHD and indicate a role for cerebellar impairment in this disorder.
In Search of Progressive Black Masculinities
Authors: McGuire Keon M. , Berhanu Jonathan , Davis Charles H. F. , Harper Shaun R.
Published: January 2014

During the last several decades, research concerning the developmental trajectories, experiences, and behaviors of college men as “gendered” persons has emerged. In this article, we first critically review literature on Black men’s gender development and expressions within college contexts to highlight certain knowledge gaps. We then conceptualize and discuss progressive Black masculinities by relying on Mutua’s germinal work on the subject. Further, we engage Black feminist scholarship, both to firmly situate our more pressing argument for conceptual innovation and to address knowledge gaps in the literature on Black men’s gender experiences. It is our belief that scholars who study gender development and expressions of masculinities among Black undergraduate men could benefit from employing autocritography, and its built-in assumptions, to inform several aspects of their research designs. Autocritography is a critical autobiography that some Black profeminist men engage to invite readers into their gendered lifeworlds.
The Effects of an Educational Self-Efficacy Intervention on Osteoporosis Prevention and Diabetes Self-Management Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ha Mei , Hu Jie , Petrini Marcia A. , McCoy Thomas P.
Published: January 2014

Background:

Prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) is high among Chinese adults with diabetes. Assessment of OP and fracture risk as well as patient education should be included as part of the management of diabetes.

Purpose:

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of an educational self-efficacy intervention on knowledge about OP, dietary calcium intake, the importance of physical activity (PA), and glycemic control among Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes residing in Wuhan, China.

Method:

A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was employed. Participants were assigned to either the intervention ( n = 23) or the control group ( n = 23). Intervention participants attended 6 weekly 1-hr educational sessions comprising presentations, demonstration, and discussions. Control participants received standard care. Data were collected via questionnaires at pre- and postintervention and at 3-month follow-up, and blood was drawn at preintervention and 3-month follow-up.

Results:

Participants in the intervention group had significant improvement in OP knowledge, F(2, 43) = 11.504, p < .001; OP self-efficacy, F(2, 43) = 6.915, p = .003; dietary calcium intake, F(2, 43) = 7.856, p = .002; level of PA, F(2, 43) = 4.787, p = .011; diabetes self-care activities, F(2, 43) = 14.009, p < .001; diabetes self-efficacy, F(2, 43) = 19.722, p < .001; and glycemic control (A1C level; t = 2.809, p = .010) compared to the control group at the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrate the effectiveness of OP prevention education based on self-efficacy theory among Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes.
Multiple sclerosis in the Iranian immigrant population of BC, Canada: prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Guimond Colleen , Lee Joshua D , Ramagopalan Sreeram V , Dyment David A , Hanwell Heather , Giovannoni Gavin , Criscuoli Maria , Yee Irene M , Vorobeychik Galina , Ebers George C , Sadovnick A Dessa
Published: January 2014

Background:

There is a well-documented increase in the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) when migrating from a region of low prevalence to one of high prevalence.

Objective:

We present here an investigation of MS prevalence and candidate environmental and genetic risk factors among Iranian immigrants to British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods:

MS cases of Iranian ancestry were ascertained from a population-based Canadian study. We collected blood samples for genetic and serological analyses, and administered a personal history questionnaire to the cases.

Results:

The crude prevalence of MS in this population of Iranian ancestry was 287/100,000 (95% CI: 229 – 356/100,000). MS cases were more likely to have a history of infectious mononucleosis (odds ratio (OR) = 7.5; p = 0.005) and smoking (OR = 17.0; p < 0.0001), as compared to healthy controls from previous studies in Iran. Cases were also more likely than controls to have been born between April and September (OR = 2.1; p = 0.019).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of MS among Iranian immigrants to Canada is greater than the overall prevalence of MS in Iran by a factor of at least four, and is similar to that recently observed among Iranian immigrants in other western nations. No major genetic susceptibility variants were identified, suggesting the environment in Canada may be what is increasing the risk of MS in this population.
A pharmacist-managed telemedicine clinic for hepatitis C care: a descriptive analysis
Authors: You Andy , Kawamoto Jenna , Smith Jason P
Published: January 2014

Summary

We established a pharmacist-led telemedicine clinic to manage patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. The clinic used individual pharmacist-to-patient consultations. There was also a group hepatitis C patient education class. The hepatitis C telemedicine service began in February 2011 and was available at three remote sites (Santa Maria, Bakersfield and East Los Angeles) from the main site in West Los Angeles. A total of 96 patients were seen through telemedicine in the first nine months. A patient satisfaction survey was conducted at the end of 2011 and 18 questionnaires were returned. In comparison with visits to the clinic in West Los Angeles, all patients were at least equally satisfied with telemedicine and there were no patients who were less satisfied with telemedicine. Telemedicine reduced the travelling distance and time it took for patients to attend their clinic appointment. 82% of patients preferred their future hepatitis C clinic visits to be conducted via telemedicine and 78% would prefer any future clinic visit for any disease state management to be conducted via telemedicine. The use of telemedicine increased the opportunities for patients living in remote areas to receive care for hepatitis C management.
A pilot study of a tool to stimulate physical activity in patients with COPD or type 2 diabetes in primary care
Authors: Verwey Renée , van der Weegen Sanne , Spreeuwenberg Marieke , Tange Huibert , van der Weijden Trudy , de Witte Luc
Published: January 2014

Summary

We tested the performance, acceptance and user satisfaction of a tool to stimulate physical activity. The tool consisted of an accelerometer, a smartphone app and a server/web application. Patients received feedback concerning their physical activity relative to a goal, which was set in dialogue with their practice nurse. Nurses could monitor their patients’ physical activity via a website. Twenty patients with COPD or type 2 diabetes used the tool for three months, combined with behaviour change counselling. Physical activity data were collected at the server and a log file was used to record technical problems. We interviewed patients and nurses after every consultation. At baseline, and after the intervention, patients completed questionnaires. Participants were positive about the tool, although motivation dropped when technical problems occurred caused by log-in and connectivity errors. On average, physical activity increased from 29 (SD 21) min per day in the first two weeks to 39 (SD 24) min per day in the last two weeks ( P = 0.02), and quality of life scores increased from 0.76 (SD 0.21) to 0.84 (SD 0.17) ( P = 0.04). Provided that no connectivity problems occur, the tool is a feasible intervention when embedded in primary care, and has a positive effect on physical activity levels.
Agreement between telepsychiatry assessment and face-to-face assessment for Emergency Department psychiatry patients
Authors: Seidel Richard W , Kilgus Mark D
Published: January 2014

Summary

We compared psychiatrists’ evaluations of Emergency Department (ED) mental health patients made face-to-face or by telemedicine. In a 39-month study, 73 patients presenting in the ED were enrolled after initial screening. Patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist either face-to-face in the ED or remotely by video. A second psychiatrist, acting as an observer, was in the room with the patient and independently completed the assessment. Based on the primary diagnosis of the interviewer, 48% of patients had a depressive disorder, 18% a substance use disorder, 14% a bipolar disorder, 11% a psychotic disorder, 6% an anxiety disorder and 4% other disorders. The raw agreement between the psychiatrists about disposition when both used face-to-face assessment was 84% and it was 86% when one used telemedicine. Using Cohen’s kappa to evaluate agreement, there were no significant differences for disposition recommendation, strength of recommendation, diagnosis or the HCR-20 dangerousness scale. There was no significant difference for the intraclass correlation coefficients for the suicide scale. The results provide preliminary support for the safe use of telepsychiatry in the ED to determine the need for admission to inpatient care.
Managing eating and drinking difficulties (dysphagia) with children who have learning disabilities: What is effective?
Authors: Harding Celia , Cockerill Helen
Published: January 2014

People who work with children who have neurological and learning disabilities frequently need to manage the health and emotional risks associated with eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia). Some approaches can support children to develop oral feeding competence or to maximise their ability to maintain some oral intake supplemented with tube feeding. However, some clinicians feel that oral-motor exercises can support eating and drinking skills as well as speech and language development, whereas there is little evidence to support this.

The implied “beneficial” association between oral-motor exercises, speech and swallowing skills gives a false impression in terms of future outcomes for parents and carers of children with learning disabilities. This paper considers oral-motor approaches in the remediation of dysphagia and the need for a cultural shift away from this view. Realistic and useful outcomes for people with learning disabilities need to be an essential part of therapeutic intervention.
Infrastructures of superdiversity: Conviviality and language in an Antwerp neighborhood
Authors: Blommaert Jan
Published: January 2014

This article develops an ethnographic approach to ‘linguistic landscapes’, applied to an inner-city neighborhood in Antwerp (Belgium). Linguistic landscapes are arrays of public signs, linguistic as well as non-linguistic, and range from shop windows and professional billboards to handwritten signs and announcements. An ethnographic approach to linguistic landscapes brings out the complexities of superdiverse arenas, such as those of inner-city Antwerp. In the neighborhood examined here, signs, index processes of demographic, social and economic change involving older residential immigrants moving up the social ladder because of new, real-estate and commercial opportunities created by the influx of more recent transient migrants as well as of more affluent native Belgian, inhabitants. We see how the use of languages, notably of a lingua franca, ‘oecumenical’ variety of Dutch, contributes to the perpetual shaping and re-shaping of an infrastructure for superdiversity: a space in which constant change and motion are the rule, in which complexity and unpredictability are rife, but within which important forms of conviviality are being articulated and sustained by means of language choice and language display.
Insight Islamophobia: Governing the public visibility of Islamic lifestyle in Turkey
Authors: Yel Ali Murat , Nas Alparslan
Published: January 2014

This article engages in a critical discussion of the ways in which public visibility of the Islamic lifestyle is governed through the practices within visual culture in Turkey. It is possible to observe that in a society with a predominantly Muslim population, the media is dominated by the secularized imagery of everyday life, which is systematically abstracted from Islamic signifiers. Following a Foucauldian theoretical framework, this article shows that visual culture provides the necessary ground for the Kemalist modernization project to legitimize particular drives, which are inherently reproduced by a state of anxiety and fear against the Islamic lifestyle. Recent controversies the Turkish context show that Islamophobia should not solely be regarded as a phenomenon, which originated and still operates mainly in the West. Rather, the case of Turkey encourages one to critically negotiate the boundaries of visual culture, which is invested with particular strategies of power that reproduce the images of Islamic lifestyle as undesirable signifiers of culture.
Totem and taboo: the embarrassing epistemic work of things in the research setting
Authors: Caronia Letizia
Published: January 2014

Recent research on multimodal communication in the material world shows how things matter in social contexts and make a traceable difference in the unfolding of interactions. Interestingly enough, the artifacts typically used as tools of inquiry (i.e. the recording devices) are rarely deemed worthy of similar analytical attention, as if they were irrelevant or inconsequential to the organization of social interaction taking place in the field. Adopting a theoretical framework on distributed and hybrid agency, this article discusses and empirically shows how these objects play a crucial role in defining the institutional goal of the interaction and, therefore, contribute to the crafting of the data. The analysis of examples from a collection of references made to the recording devices in different research interactions illustrates the circumstances in which these references occur and the activities accomplished by participants by referring to these ‘embarrassing’ objects. In the discussion we propose that the analytical underestimation of the role of things ‘talked-into being’ in the research setting is consistent with and can contribute to a vision of research practices as a mirror of the social reality out there.
China’s Ethical Dilemmas Under Globalization and Uncertainty
Authors: Ke Jie , Wang Greg G.
Published: January 2014

The Problem

Globalization has created increased economic and social uncertainty to China partially represented by daunting ethical dilemmas. It is critical for Chinese human resource development (HRD) researchers and practitioners to advice China to address the problems through balancing the need for short-term growth and long-term sustainability following the Global Financial Crisis era. However, little is known about how HRD can and should respond to these circumstances in a Chinese context.

The Solution

Linking China’s ethical dilemmas to traditional cultural beliefs and values is necessary to understand the ethical issues in dealing with increased uncertainty in future development. Three major cultural beliefs/ideologies that influence ethical behaviors in China are analyzed: Confucianism, Taoism, and Capitalism. Ethical imperatives derived from cultural analysis and HRD implications are presented at the national, organizational, and individual level.

The Stakeholders

The article offers HRD researchers and practitioners a framework to address how to create a benign ethical culture for China, which promotes and sustains ethical behaviors.
Social Marketing
Authors: Truong V. Dao
Published: January 2014

This article examines the development of social marketing research from 1998 to 2012. Drawing upon journal and database searches, 867 articles were retrieved and then analyzed in the light of the content analysis method. The article indicates that social marketing has captured increasing research attention, as evidenced by the growing number of articles published. U.S.- and U.K.-based researchers and institutions have contributed significantly to shaping knowledge in the field. Public health has predominantly been the research topic and hence more articles have been published in health-related journals than in marketing-related journals. Substantial research has focused on downstream social marketing, while the upstream and critical dimension has been given limited attention. Behavior change theories underlying social marketing studies were not always reported, leading to difficulties in identifying common factors in effective interventions. Social marketing research has been dominated by qualitative methods, although both quantitative and mixed methods are gaining prominence. Limitations to the article are discussed and gaps for further research indicated.
Choosing Effective Behavior Change Tools
Authors: McKenzie-Mohr Doug , Schultz P. Wesley
Published: January 2014

Achieving a sustainable future will require that people do things differently. Community-based social marketing (CBSM) provides a framework for fostering sustainable behavior, and the approach is being increasingly utilized across a range of domains including energy conservation, recycling, reducing water consumption, promoting sustainable seafood consumption, and many others. This article provides guidance to practitioners about the optimal use of specific behavior change tools. The article summarizes commitment strategies, social diffusion, goal setting, social norms, prompts, incentives, feedback, and convenience as effective tools for encouraging changes in behavior. For each, we summarize the basic approach and provide recommendations regarding when each tool is most appropriate, depending on the existing levels of barriers and benefits associated with the target behavior. The article concludes with three examples of CBSM to illustrate this selection process.
An Examination of the Factors Related to Dating Violence Perpetration Among Young Men and Women and Associated Theoretical Explanations
Authors: Dardis Christina M. , Dixon Kristiana J. , Edwards Katie M. , Turchik Jessica A.
Published: January 2014

This article provides a review of the literature on dating violence (DV) perpetration, specifically sex similarities and differences in the correlates and predictors of DV perpetration and the utility of current theories to explain young men’s and women’s DV perpetration. Overall, many of the correlates and predictors of DV perpetration are similar among young men and women (e.g., witnessing interparental violence, experiencing child abuse, alcohol abuse, traditional gender roles, relationship power dynamics). However, young women’s perpetration of DV is more strongly related to internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression), trait anger and hostility, and experiencing DV victimization than young men’s perpetration, whereas young men’s perpetration of DV is more consistently related to lower socioeconomic status and educational attainment, antisocial personality characteristics, and increased relationship length than young women’s perpetration. Each theory offers insights into but does not fully account for the correlates and predictors of DV perpetration. Sociocultural theories may be useful in explaining the use of coercive control in relationships, and learning/intergenerational transmission of violence theories may be useful in explaining bidirectional couple violence. Future research should focus on integrative theories, such as in the social–ecological theory, in order to explain various forms of DV. Our understanding of young men’s and young women’s DV perpetration is limited by cross-sectional research designs, methodological inconsistencies, a lack of sex-specific analytic approaches, and a lack of focus on contextual factors; more multivariate and longitudinal studies are needed. Further, as DV prevention programming is often presented in mixed-sex formats, a critical understanding of sex differences and similarities in DV perpetration could ultimately refine and improve effectiveness of programming efforts aimed at reducing DV.
A Theory-Based Approach to Understanding Suicide Risk in Shelter-Seeking Women
Authors: Wolford-Clevenger Caitlin , Smith Phillip N.
Published: January 2014

Women seeking shelter from intimate partner violence are at an increased risk for suicide ideation and attempts compared to women in the general population. Control-based violence, which is common among shelter-seeking women, may play a pivotal role in the development of suicide ideation and attempts. Current risk assessment and management practices for shelter-seeking women are limited by the lack of an empirically grounded understanding of increased risk in this population. We argue that in order to more effectively promote risk assessment and management, an empirically supported theory that is sensitive to the experiences of shelter-seeking women is needed. Such a theory-driven approach has the benefits of identifying and prioritizing targetable areas for intervention. Here, we review the evidence for the link between coercive control and suicide ideation and attempts from the perspective of Baumeister’s escape theory of suicide. This theory has the potential to explain the role of coercive control in the development of suicide ideation and eventual attempts in shelter-seeking women. Implications for suicide risk assessment and prevention in domestic violence shelters are discussed.
Possible Link Between Toxoplasma Gondii and the Anosmia Associated With Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Prandota Joseph
Published: January 2014

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan infecting 30% to 50% of global human population. Recently, it was suggested that chronic latent neuroinflammation caused by the parasite may be responsible for the development of several neurodegenerative diseases manifesting with the loss of smell. Studies in animals inoculated with the parasite revealed cysts in various regions of the brain, including olfactory bulb. Development of behavioral changes was paralleled by the preferential persistence of cysts in defined anatomic structures of the brain, depending on the host, strain of the parasite, its virulence, and route of inoculation. Olfactory dysfunction reported in Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia was frequently associated with the significantly increased serum anti– T gondii immunoglobulin G antibody levels. Damage of the olfactory system may be also at least in part responsible for the development of depression because T gondii infection worsened mood in such patients, and the olfactory bulbectomized rat serves as a model of depression.
Role of Medium Chain Triglycerides (Axona®) in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Sharma Alok , Bemis Marc , Desilets Alicia R.
Published: January 2014

Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists provides symptomatic relief but do not prevent its progression. Thus, additional approaches aimed at slowing the progression of the disease have been investigated. Reports detailing reduced brain glucose metabolism in the early stages of AD led to the hypothesis that alternate energy sources aimed at increasing neuronal metabolism may protect neurons and thus benefit patients with AD. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are metabolized to ketone bodies that serve as an alternative source of energy for neurons. Data from clinical trials suggest that MCTs improve cognition in patients with mild to moderate AD in apolipoprotein E4–negative patients. Adverse events observed were mild and included minor gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, dyspepsia, and flatulence. However, since genomic profiles are not routinely conducted in patients with AD in a clinical setting, the role of MCTs in clinical practice seems to be minimal.
Impact of Noncaregiving-Related Stressors on Informal Caregiver Outcomes
Authors: Austrom Mary Guerriero , Lu Yvonne Yueh-Feng , Perkins Anthony J. , Boustani Malaz , Callahan Christopher M. , Hendrie Hugh C.
Published: January 2014

Background:

Caregivers of persons with dementia are stressed. Stressors not related to care recipients’ needs impact caregiver outcomes, yet are seldom reported. The purpose of this study was to report the most stressful events experienced by spouse caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer s disease during a 6-month period.

Methods:

31 caregivers completed the Most Stressful Event form, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Revised Memory Behavioral Problem Checklist (R-MBPC). Fisher’s exact test and two-sample t-test were used to compare Most Stressful Events between caregivers. ANOVA model tested whether the PHQ-9 and R-MBPC subscales differed by stressor.

Results:

Caregivers reported no stressors 21.5% of the time, 1-2 stressors 25% of the time, and 3 stressors 53% of the time with 318 stressors reported in total. Care recipient needs (30.2%), caregiver needs (26.7%), and decision-making (16.7%) were the most frequently reported stressors. Using a mixed effects model, there were associations between the Most Stressful Events and depression (p = 0.016), mobility (p = 0.024) and caregiver issues (p = 0.009) subscales of R-MBPC.

Conclusion:

Results can be used to develop targeted intervention and support strategies for spouse caregivers experiencing non-caregiving related stressorsas well as the traditional challenges with caregiving related issues.
Functional Decline Predicts Emergency Department Use in Veterans With Dementia
Authors: Ng Stephanie , Morgan Robert O. , Walder Annette , Biswas Jonmenjoy , Bass David M. , Judge Katherine S. , Snow A. Lynn , Wilson Nancy , Kunik Mark E.
Published: January 2014

Background:

We examined emergency room (ER) utilization by persons with dementia (PWDs) using caregiver and patient characteristics as predictors.

Methods:

A secondary analysis of 296 veteran–caregiver dyads. Caregivers recorded PWD baseline characteristics and noted ER visits over the next year. Two sets of regression models analyzed categorical ER use and repeat ER use.

Results:

In the univariate analysis, categorical use of the ER was predicted by patients’ functional status ( P ≤ .008) and Veterans Affairs priority grouping ( P ≤ .02). Repeat ER admissions were predicted by functional status ( P ≤ .04), number of chronic conditions ( P ≤ .01), and caregiver-reported relationship strain ( P ≤ .04). In multivariate analysis, categorical ER use was predicted by functional status ( P ≤ .02), priority grouping ( P ≤ .03), and number of chronic conditions ( P ≤ .06).

Conclusions:

Functional status most strongly predicted ER use, highlighting the promise of home-based interventions to improve activities of daily living. Number of chronic conditions and caregiver-reported relationship strain are potential targets of intervention during discharge process.
Research Brief
Authors: Turk Kristina , Dugan Elizabeth
Published: January 2014

There is a growing body of research on Alzheimer’s disease and driving, but much less is known about less common dementias, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The purpose of this study was to review the empirical literature about FTD and driving. A study was included if it met the following criteria: published from 1992 to 2013 in English, research involving humans, and included both FTD and driving data. We searched the following electronic databases: EBSCOhost, PubMed, Google Scholar, Proquest, Web of Knowledge, and Publishing Connect. A total of 367 abstracts were reviewed; however, only 4 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Results showed that drivers with FTD had more problems than control groups. Specific driving issues were related to antisocial behaviors common among people with FTD (eg, hit and run crashes, failure to stop at red lights, speeding infractions, and failure to recognize pedestrians at intersections). More research on FTD and driving is needed.
Ischemic postconditioning alters the gene expression pattern of the ischemic heart
Authors: Csonka Csaba , Szűcs Gergő , Varga-Orvos Zoltán , Bencsik Péter , Csont Tamás , Zvara Ágnes , Puskás László G , Ferdinandy Péter
Published: January 2014

To profile changes in gene expression in response to ischemic postconditioning, isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion with or without postconditioning. At the end of reperfusion, cardiac RNA was assayed by DNA microarrays (31,000 format), verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Postconditioning significantly up-regulated 50 genes and down-regulated 58 different genes, including pyruvate dehydrogenase, 60 kDa heat shock protein 1, lipoprotein lipase, gamma-sarcoglycan, and phospholipase C. Gene ontology analysis revealed that most of the altered genes belong to the cellular metabolic processes cluster. Many of the genes have not previously been suspected to be involved in the mechanism of postconditioning.
Targeting the Wnt pathway in zebrafish as a screening method to identify novel therapeutic compounds
Authors: Robertson Joshua K , Danzmann Kestral , Charles Sherise , Blake Katherine , Olivares Annia , Bamikole Solape , Olson Meghan , Raay Terence J Van
Published: January 2014

Activating mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway account for the initiation of greater than 90% of all colorectal cancers and this pathway has been implicated in numerous other diseases. Therefore, identifying small molecule inhibitors of this pathway is of critical importance towards identifying clinically relevant drugs. Numerous screens have been employed to identify therapeutic reagents, but none have made it to advanced clinical trials, suggesting that traditional screening methods are ineffective at identifying clinically relevant targets. Here, we describe a novel in vivo screen to identify small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt pathway. Specifically, treatment of zebrafish embryos with LiCl inhibits GSK3 kinase function, resulting in hyperactivation of the signaling pathway and an eyeless phenotype at 1 day post fertilization. Using the small molecule XAV939, a known inhibitor of Wnt signaling, we rescued the LiCl induced eyeless phenotype, confirming efficacy of the screen. We next tested our assay with 400 known small molecule kinase inhibitors, none of which should inhibit Wnt signaling below the level of GSK3 based on their known targets. Accordingly, none of these small molecules rescued the eyeless phenotype, which demonstrates the stringency of the assay. However, several of these small molecule kinase inhibitors did generate a non-Wnt phenotype in accordance with the kinase they targeted. Therefore, combining the efficacy, sensitivity, and stringency of this preliminary screen, this model will provide an alternative to the traditional in vitro screen, generating potentially clinical relevant drugs in a rapid and cost-effective way.