bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of free light chains in the cerebrospinal fluid reliably predicts their intrathecal synthesis
Authors: Zeman David , Kušnierová Pavlína , Bartoš Vladimír , Hradílek Pavel , Kurková Barbora , Zapletalová Olga
Published: March 2015

Background

The results of free light chains quantitation in the cerebrospinal fluid were recently compared with the presence of cerebrospinal fluid-restricted oligoclonal IgG, but not oligoclonal free kappa light chains and oligoclonal free lambda light chains. We therefore aimed to compare the performance of the quantitative tests with the qualitative one for the same molecule.

Methods

Seventy-five paired cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples were analysed for oligoclonal IgG, oligoclonal free kappa light chains and oligoclonal free lambda light chains. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum free kappa and lambda light chains were quantified using Freelite™ kits on SPA Plus analyzer. ROC curves were analysed for the prediction of intrathecal synthesis and compared for cerebrospinal fluid concentration, cerebrospinal fluid/serum quotient (QfLC) and index (QfLC/QAlbumin). The presence of cerebrospinal fluid-restricted oligoclonal free kappa light chains and oligoclonal free lambda light chains bands was used as reference.

Results

No statistically significant differences were observed among cerebrospinal fluid concentration, QfLC and index for the prediction of free light chain intrathecal synthesis. Each parameter was able to predict the occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid-restricted oligoclonal free light chain bands (AUCs 0.932–0.999). However, we noted elevated cerebrospinal fluid free light chain concentrations in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid-restricted oligoclonal free light chain bands in two patients with very high serum free light chain values.

Conclusions

Quantitation of cerebrospinal fluid free light chains reliably predicts their intrathecal synthesis. Yet, cerebrospinal fluid/serum quotient may still be preferred to correct for high serum free light chain concentrations. An appropriate formula should be sought to correct for blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier status.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Gas Fractionation Unit Operation
Authors: Hou Ligang , Su Chengli , Li Ping , Cao Jiangtao
Published: March 2015

Gas fractionation unit is one of the main processes in refinery industries and consumes a significant portion of energy. Optimal operation of gas fractionation unit could reduce energy consumption and therefore minimize the production cost. This paper reports a real application of multi-objective optimization in a gas fractionation unit, in which energy consumption is minimized and product yield is maximized. The optimization algorithm is based on the non-dominate sorting genetic algorithm and the sequential unconstrained minimization technique. The optimization results show that the yield of product is increased and the energy consumption is reduced in the gas fractionation unit.
Composing With New Technology
Authors: Bruce David L. , Chiu Ming Ming
Published: March 2015

This study explores teachers’ reflections on their learning to compose with new technologies in the context of teacher education and/or teacher professional development. English language arts (ELA) teachers ( n = 240) in 15 courses learned to use digital video (DV), completed at least one DV group project, and responded to open-ended survey questions. The data examined connections they made between print and DV composing, the best and most frustrating aspects of DV, content they still wanted to learn, and its relevance in their classrooms. The findings demonstrate high engagement with DV, the use of transmediation in making connections between print and DV, the reporting of both enjoyment and frustration with DV, and perceived curricular value with DV in the classroom. Implications include the need for teachers to have practical experiences with DV and opportunities to reflect on content and pedagogical applications.
Fabrication of latex rubber reinforced with micellar nanoparticle as an interface modifier
Authors: Kim Sanghoon , Adkins Jason , Biswas Atanu
Published: March 2015

Reinforced latex rubbers were fabricated by incorporating small amount of nanoparticles as interface modifier. The rubbers were fabricated in a compression mold at 130 °C. The incorporated nanoparticles were prepared from wheat protein (gliadin) and ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA). These nanoparticles were disintegrated to the constituent amphiphilic block copolymers while mixing with latex suspension and adsorbed on the surface of latex particles. The disintegration of nanoparticles and adsorption of the constituent amphiphilic block copolymers on the surface of latex particles were investigated by dynamic light scattering. The improved mechanical properties of the produced reinforced latex rubbers were characterized by mechanical analysis (stress–strain) and hardness test. Incorporation of nanoparticle into latex improved most of the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, % elongation, energy at break, and toughness by 30% to 300%. On the other hand, tensile modulus and hardness were not much affected by the incorporation of nanoparticles. This research showed that the optimum percentage of nanoparticle is 2%, and the optimum gliadin:ECA weight ratio is 3:1.
ICRP’s approach to protection of the living environment under different exposure situations
Authors: Pentreath R.J. , Larsson C-M. , Copplestone D.
Published: March 2015

The International Commission on Radiological Protection’s (ICRP) system to protect the living components of the environment is designed to provide a broad and practical framework across all exposure situations. The objectives of ICRP are therefore also set in fairly broad terms, recognising that national and local environmental protection requirements may need to be set within them. The framework recognises the need to be able to demonstrate an adequate level of protection in relation to planned exposure situations, whilst also providing an ability to manage existing situations and accidents, as well as emergency situations, in a rational way. The objects of protection are always real biota in real exposure situations, and the scientific basis for their protection needs to be based on data originating from studies on the relationships between exposure and dose, dose and effects, and effects and consequences in real animals and plants. The framework that has been developed has therefore had to take such realities into account to make the optimum use of the data currently available, whilst being sufficiently flexible to accommodate new scientific information as it arises without having to alter the framework as a whole.
Training Engagement Theory: A Multilevel Perspective on the Effectiveness of Work-Related Training
Authors: Sitzmann Traci , Weinhardt Justin M.
Published: March 2015

Training engagement theory provides a multilevel depiction of the antecedents of training effectiveness. By multilevel, we are referring both to the hierarchical nature of constructs—such that employees are embedded in organizations and workgroups—and the temporal nature of processes—emphasizing that macro and within-person processes are not static phenomena. The hierarchical nature of training engagement theory provides a broad account of how processes at various levels in the organizational hierarchy influence one another and contribute to the success or failure of training programs. The temporal nature of the theory advocates for examining the processes that occur from before training is conceptualized until the completion of training when examining the antecedents of training effectiveness. Thus, training engagement theory proposes a sequence model of the independent and joint effects of establishing training goals, prioritizing those goals, and persisting during goal striving on training effectiveness. Finally, we propose testable multilevel propositions to spur future research.
Child reactivity moderates the over-time association between mother–child conflict quality and externalizing problems
Authors: Nelson Jackie A.
Published: March 2015

Constructive parent–child conflict interactions that teach children to problem-solve and negotiate can enhance children’s social adjustment. This paper identifies constructive and destructive qualities of mother–child conflict and explores whether child temperament moderated associations with changes in externalizing problems over time. One hundred and ninety mothers and their 5- to 7-year-old children participated in a laboratory conflict discussion rated on aspects of maternal sensitivity, child mood, and mothers’ and children’s contemptuous and planning comments. Mothers also reported on children’s negative reactivity and their externalizing behavior problems concurrently and one year later. Structural equation modeling revealed that constructive conflict quality was related to decreases in children’s externalizing problems, but only among children low in negative reactivity.
Anti-fibrotic Role of miR-214 in Thioacetamide-induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats
Authors: Izawa Takeshi , Horiuchi Takashi , Atarashi Machi , Kuwamura Mitsuru , Yamate Jyoji
Published: March 2015

An increasing number of studies have focused on the role of microRNAs in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. miR-214 has recently attracted more attention as a fibrosis-related factor; however, the molecular mechanisms in hepatic fibrogenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the pathological role of miR-214 during progression of liver cirrhosis in rats. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with thioacetamide at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, twice a week. The liver was collected at post first injection weeks 5, 10, 15, and 20. Hepatic expression of miR-214 was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and laser microdissection. The effects of miR-214 overexpression were investigated by in vitro transfection using fibroblastic MT-9 cells. miR-214 was highly upregulated in the fibrotic area in parallel with the cirrhosis progression. miR-214 overexpression in MT-9 cells under transforming growth factor-β1 stimulation resulted in decreased cell number and increased expression of cleaved caspase 3 and decreased expression of α-smooth muscle actin, suggesting that miR-214 induces apoptosis and inhibits myofibroblast differentiation in fibroblastic cells under stimulation of fibrogenic factors. These data indicate an anti-fibrotic role of miR-214 in chemically induced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.
Factors Associated with Hypertrophy of the Lingual Tonsils
Authors: Hwang Michelle S. , Salapatas Anna M. , Yalamanchali Sreeya , Joseph Ninos J. , Friedman Michael
Published: March 2015

Objective

To identify factors that may be associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary academic center.

Subjects and Methods

Retrospective chart review identified 380 patients from August 2013 to April 2014 with graded lingual tonsils, documented during routine flexible laryngoscopy. Lingual tonsils were graded using a 0 to 4 scale: 0 = complete absence of lymphoid tissue, 1 = lymphoid tissue scattered over tongue base, 2 = lymphoid tissue covers entirety of tongue base with limited thickness, 3 = lymphoid tissue 5 to 10 mm in thickness, 4 = lymphoid tissue >1 cm in thickness (rising above the tip of epiglottis). Reflux symptom index (RSI collected during patient intake), presence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS; confirmed by polysomnogram), smoking habits, and basic demographics were gathered. Chi‐square and linear multivariate regression analyses were used to identify significant relationships with LTH levels.

Results

Overall, 59.8% were male with a mean age of 50.2 ± 16.5 years and BMI of 30.1 ± 18.0. Chi‐square analysis revealed no significant relationship between OSAHS and LTH (P =. 059). When RSI was stratified to ≥10 or <10, a Cochran‐Armitage test supported the trend hypothesis that as RSI increases, lingual tonsil grading increases. Significant univariate correlates included younger age (r = −0.307, P <. 001) and smoking (r = 0.186, P =. 002). Multivariate regression revealed the combination of younger age, increasing RSI, and smoking (r = −0.297, P <. 001) to be a significant correlate.

Conclusion

LTH does not seem to be associated with OSAHS or BMI in this group of patients. High RSI, younger age, and gender may be factors associated with increased lingual tonsil thickness.
Rapamycin Inhibits Human Laryngotracheal Stenosis–derived Fibroblast Proliferation, Metabolism, and Function in Vitro
Authors: Namba Daryan R. , Ma Garret , Samad Idris , Ding Dacheng , Pandian Vinciya , Powell Jonathan D. , Horton Maureen R. , Hillel Alexander T.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To determine if rapamycin inhibits the growth, function, and metabolism of human laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS)–derived fibroblasts.

Study Design

Controlled in vitro study.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital in a research university.

Subjects and Methods

Fibroblasts isolated from biopsies of 5 patients with laryngotracheal stenosis were cultured. Cell proliferation, histology, gene expression, and cellular metabolism of LTS‐derived fibroblasts were assessed in 4 conditions: (1) fibroblast growth medium, (2) fibroblast growth medium with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), (3) fibroblast growth medium with 10−10 M (low‐dose) rapamycin dissolved in DMSO, and (4) fibroblast growth medium with 10−9 M (high‐dose) rapamycin dissolved in DMSO.

Results

The LTS fibroblast count and DNA concentration were reduced after treatment with high‐dose rapamycin compared to DMSO (P =. 0007) and normal (P =. 0007) controls. Collagen I expression decreased after treatment with high‐dose rapamycin versus control (P =. 0051) and DMSO (P =. 0093) controls. Maximal respiration decreased to 68.6 pMoles of oxygen/min/10 mg/protein from 96.9 for DMSO (P =. 0002) and 97.0 for normal (P =. 0022) controls. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production decreased to 66.8 pMoles from 88.1 for DMSO (P =. 0006) and 83.3 for normal (P =. 0003) controls. Basal respiration decreased to 78.6 pMoles from 108 for DMSO (P =. 0002) and 101 for normal (P =. 0014) controls.

Conclusions

Rapamycin demonstrated an anti‐fibroblast effect by significantly reducing the proliferation, metabolism, and collagen deposition of human LTS fibroblast in vitro. Rapamycin significantly decreased oxidative phosphorylation of LTS fibroblasts, suggesting at a potential mechanism for the reduced proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, rapamycin’s anti‐fibroblast effects indicate a promising adjuvant therapy for the treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis.
The promise of Occupy
Authors: Baber Zaheer
Published: March 2015

The Occupy Wall Street movement caught many analysts of social protest by surprise. Although there were isolated social protests against social inequality and disenfranchisement in many parts of the world, the Occupy movement as a global phenomenon was unprecedented. In this review essay, three recent books that focus on the social context that contributed to the Occupy Wall Street movement are discussed. The role of anarchism in imparting the distinctive characteristics of the movement is emphasized.
Theory of Mind and Children’s Engagement in Fantasy Worlds
Authors: Dore Rebecca A. , Lillard Angeline S.
Published: March 2015

We examined the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and engaging in fantasy worlds in a short-term longitudinal study. Engagement in fantasy worlds might advance ToM because engaging in alternative worlds is similar to imagining the world from others’ viewpoints. Fantasy might also be related to preference for describing others’ mental states. To test these theories, we examined relationships between preschoolers’ fantasy orientation, ToM, and preference for mentalistic descriptions. ToM and preference for mentalistic descriptions were measured at two time points, 7 months apart, allowing examination of change over time. None of the fantasy measures were related to preference for mentalistic descriptions, but three fantasy measures (child’s Fantasy Orientation Interview, parent-reported preference for fantasy media and games, and parent-reported belief in event-related fantasy entities) predicted improvement on ToM over the time period examined. Two of these three did not predict ToM concurrently, highlighting the importance of developmental study.
Fact or Fiction? Children’s Preferences for Real Versus Make-Believe Stories
Authors: Barnes Jennifer L. , Bernstein Emily , Bloom Paul
Published: March 2015

Some children and adults are more drawn to the imaginary than others. Here, we examine whether developmental differences also play a role in the degree to which individuals are drawn to make-believe stories over real ones (or vice versa). Experiment 1 explored the influence of the factuality of stories—whether or not stories reflect events that had actually happened—on children’s story preferences. Experiment 2 explored the effect of magical versus realistic content on participants’ story preferences. Age differences were found for both manipulations. The results suggest that despite the surplus of imaginary activity associated with childhood, young children are not more prone to liking “un-real” stories than adults and may in fact like them less.
The Interplay of Creativity, Imagination, Personality Traits, and Academic Performance
Authors: Liang Chaoyun , Lin Wei-Sheng
Published: March 2015

Three separate studies were conducted to examine the combined effects of creativity, imagination, and personality traits on the academic performance of design students. Both parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis were conducted in Study 1 to determine the appropriate structure of the Creativity Capability Scale in a sample of 148 university students. A two-factor structure, with explained variables of 50.02%, identified originality and flexibility dimensions of creativity. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in Study 2 to confirm the established structure of the Creativity Capability Scale in a sample of 436 university design students. Additionally, we also confirmed the structures of the Imaginative Capability Scale and the Big-Five Mini-Markers using the same sample. The analyses of composite reliability and construct validity gave good support to all the scales employed in this study. Study 3 then tested the combined effects on academic performance in a sample of 429 design students. Student performance was measured with grade point average. The hypothesis of Study 3—that conceiving imagination played a mediator role between creativity/imagination/personality and academic performance—was partially supported. The data showed that flexibility had the strongest indirect effect on academic performance, followed by conscientiousness, initiating imagination, transforming imagination, and extroversion.
For institutional ethnography
Authors: Billo Emily , Mountz Alison
Published: March 2015

In this paper we unpack how geographers have studied institutions, focusing specifically on institutional ethnography, often called ‘IE’. Sociologist Dorothy Smith is widely credited with developing institutional ethnography as an ‘embodied’ feminist approach. Smith studies the experiences of women in daily life, and the complex social relations in which these are embedded. Institutional ethnography offers the possibility to study up to understand the differential effects of institutions within and beyond institutional spaces and associated productions of subjectivities and material inequalities. We suggest that geographical scholarship on institutions can be enhanced and, in turn, has much to contribute to the broader interdisciplinary field on institutional ethnography, such as understandings of institutions that account for spatial differentiation. We argue that IE holds potential to enrich geographical research not only about a multitude of kinds of institutions, but about the many structures, effects, and identities working through institutions as territorial forces. In spite of recent interest by geographers, the broader literature on institutional ethnography remains under-engaged and under-cited by human geographers. Critical of this lack of engagement, we suggest that it has left a gap in geographical research on institutions. Our aim is to analyze and advance existing scholarship and offer this article as a tool for geographers thinking about employing IE. We develop a typology, categorized by methodological approach, to highlight ethnographic approaches to institutions undertaken by geographers.
Is migraine a risk factor for pediatric stroke?
Authors: Gelfand Amy A , Fullerton Heather J , Jacobson Alice , Sidney Stephen , Goadsby Peter J , Kurth Tobias , Pressman Alice
Published: March 2015

Importance

Our understanding of risk factors for childhood stroke is incomplete. In adults, migraine with aura is associated with a two-fold increase in ischemic stroke risk.

Objective

In this cohort study we examine the association between migraine and stroke among children in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC).

Design, setting, and participants

Children ages 2–17 years who were members of KPNC for ≥6 months between 1997 and 2007 were included. Migraine cohort members had one or more of: an ICD-9 code for migraine, migraine listed as a significant health problem, or a prescription for a migraine-specific medication. The comparison group was children with no evidence of headache.

Main outcome measures

Main outcome measures included stroke incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IR).

Results

Among the 1,566,952 children within KPNC during the study period, 88,164 had migraine, and 1,323,142 had no evidence of headache. Eight migraineurs had a stroke (three (38%) hemorrhagic; five (63%) ischemic). Eighty strokes occurred in children without headache (53 (66%) hemorrhagic; 27 (34%) ischemic). The ischemic stroke incidence rate was 0.9/100,000 person-years in migraineurs vs. 0.4/100,000 person-years in those without headache; IR 2.0 (95% CI 0.8–5.2). A post-hoc analysis of adolescents (12–17 years) showed an increased risk of ischemic stroke among those with migraine; IR 3.4 (95% CI 1.2–9.5). The hemorrhagic stroke incidence rate was 0.5/100,000 person-years in migraineurs and 0.9/100,000 person-years in those without headache; IR 0.6 (95% CI 0.2–2.0).

Conclusions

There was no statistically significant increase in hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke risk in pediatric migraineurs in this cohort study. A post-hoc analysis found that ischemic stroke risk was significantly elevated in adolescents with migraine. Future studies should focus on identifying risk factors for ischemic stroke among adolescent migraineurs. Based on adult data, we recommend that migraine aura status should be studied as a possible risk factor for ischemic stroke among adolescent migraineurs.
The Relationship Among Infertility, Self-Compassion, and Well-Being for Women With Primary or Secondary Infertility
Authors: Raque-Bogdan Trisha L. , Hoffman Mary Ann
Published: March 2015

The experience of infertility can cause distress in many women, and there is a dearth of research that addresses infertility type (i.e., primary or secondary) and strengths-based constructs, such as self-compassion. Although the prevalence of secondary infertility (i.e., experiencing infertility after having a child) is significantly greater than primary infertility (i.e., experiencing infertility without having prior children), the majority of infertility studies utilize samples of only women with primary infertility so that the voices of women with secondary infertility are largely uncaptured. The current study of 119 women experiencing primary infertility and 53 women experiencing secondary infertility explored the well-being of women with primary or secondary infertility, finding that both samples report similar levels of self-compassion, subjective well-being, and global fertility-related stress and that women with primary infertility report greater levels of fertility-related social concern. Self-compassion mediated the relation between the need for parenthood and subjective well-being for women with primary or secondary infertility. Further, self-compassion mediated the relation between social concern and subjective well-being for both groups of women, which may be especially important, given the stigmatized social identity and social isolation of those experiencing infertility. Self-compassion might serve as an emotional regulation strategy and a form of resiliency against feelings of self-blame or blame by society for infertility.
Tip of the Iceberg
Authors: Child Curtis
Published: March 2015

Market-based solutions to social and environmental problems in the form of for-profit social enterprise ventures have attracted considerable attention in recent years. According to popular discourse, the reason for their appeal is that they are not dependent on government grants or charitable support and are therefore more efficient and sustainable than existing alternatives. Using data collected from two social enterprise industries, this article challenges that discourse. It concludes that even though the recent focus on market-based ventures crowds out the importance of philanthropic ones, social enterprises rely substantially on civil society to accomplish their prosocial missions. By shifting attention away from the nonprofit–government relationship and toward the nonprofit–business one, these findings have implications for theorizing in nonprofit studies.
Co-producing inclusive city-wide sanitation strategies: lessons from Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
Authors: Banana Evans , Chitekwe-Biti Beth , Walnycki Anna
Published: March 2015

This paper explores how communities in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe have used community-led mapping and enumerations(1) to build partnerships with local government to support the development and co-production of innovative pro-poor city-wide sanitation strategies as part of the SHARE City-Wide Sanitation Project. This action research project is being conducted in four cities across sub-Saharan Africa: Chinhoyi (Zimbabwe), Kitwe (Zambia), Blantyre (Malawi) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). This programme of work responds to the failure of conventional approaches to urban sanitation to meet the needs of low-income urban communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Over three years it has supported Shack/Slum Dwellers International affiliates to develop and test pro-poor sanitation strategies that can be adopted and driven by networks of community organizations and residents’ associations, and supported by public authorities and private providers.
The prevalence of medical reasons for non-participation in the Scottish breast and bowel cancer screening programmes
Authors: Mead L , Porteous L , Tait M , Stoker R , Payne S , Calvert C , Maxwell D , Katikireddi SV
Published: March 2015

Objective

Increasing uptake of cancer screening is a priority for health systems internationally, however, some patients may not attend because they are undergoing active treatment for the cancer of interest or have other medical reasons that mean participation would be inappropriate. This study aims to quantify the proportion of non-participants who have a medical reason for not attending cancer screening.

Methods

Medical reasons for not participating in breast and bowel screening were defined a priori on the basis of a literature review and expert opinion. The notes of 700 patients at two GP practices in Scotland were reviewed, to ascertain the prevalence of medical reasons amongst non-participants. Simple proportions and confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

17.4% of breast and 2.3% of bowel screening non-participants had a medical reason to not participate. The two most common reasons were previous breast cancer follow up (8.86%) and recent mammogram (6.57%).

Conclusion

These patients may not benefit from screening while also being distressed by receiving an invitation. This issue also makes accurate monitoring and target-setting for improving uptake difficult. Further work is needed to estimate robustly the extent to which medical reasons account for screening non-participation in a larger population.
Barriers to Clinical Research Participation Among African Americans
Authors: Luebbert Rebecca , Perez Amelia
Published: March 2015

Clinical research requires representation of racially and ethnically diverse participants to accurately represent the general population. Overall life expectancy of African Americans is shorter than that of the general U.S. population. Compared with the other ethnic groups in the United States, African Americans have higher rates of hypertension, stroke, obesity, and diabetes, and higher rates of mortality related to stroke and cancer. Although many health disparities exist among African Americans, they are well underrepresented in clinical research. This article provides an overview of barriers that may influence participation in clinical research among African Americans. Issues of trust, experimentation, communication, and logistics are the most commonly identified barriers. The barriers and facilitators identified in this review may be useful in the development and implementation of recruitment and research strategies that are culturally sensitive and that may enhance trust and willingness to participate among African Americans.
A Multilevel Examination of the Impact of Team Interpersonal Processes
Authors: Killumets Elar , D’Innocenzo Lauren , Maynard M. Travis , Mathieu John E.
Published: March 2015

This study examined factors that affect individuals’ intentions to remain with their current organization, as well as team-level, manager-rated effectiveness, using a sample of 78 teams from a large grocery store chain within the Baltic region. The results suggest that team interpersonal processes play a key mediating role in facilitating both outcomes. Specifically, interpersonal processes had a positive effect on manager-rated team effectiveness. Furthermore, the quality of team interpersonal processes had a significant positive impact on employees’ commitment to the organization, which, in turn, was found to enhance employees’ intention to remain in that organization. Similarly, professional familiarity served as a salient antecedent of team interpersonal processes. This study, thus, offers evidence of the multilevel importance of interpersonal processes as a critical driver of both team- and individual-level outcomes.
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Meaning-Based Intervention for Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Spouses
Authors: Wagner Christina D. , Johns Shelley , Brown Linda F. , Hanna Nasser , Bigatti Silvia M.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Constructing meaning in cancer leads to improved psychosocial outcomes for patients and survivors.

Aim:

We tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a meaning-based intervention for couples.

Design:

The single-arm pilot study tested a 4-session, tailored, activities-based couple’s intervention.

Setting/Participants:

Twelve adults with incurable cancer and their partners participated either in a university office or at the couple’s home.

Results:

The study showed good feasibility. One of the two patients depressed at baseline was no longer depressed at postintervention. Patients’ threat appraisals decreased and transcendence increased. In partners, depression, anxiety, and challenge appraisal decreased; threat and secondary appraisals and peace with illness increased.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest feasibility and efficacy, and further research and continued evaluation of this intervention are warranted.
Immunoenzymatic and Biochip Array Profiling of the Biomarkers of Inflammation and Hemostatic Activation Processes in ESRD
Authors: Richards Jjais , Bansal Vinod , Iqbal Omer , Hoppensteadt Debra , Fareed Jawed
Published: March 2015

There is a high incidence of mortality due to cardiovascular events seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Through utilization of biochip microarrays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, we assessed various cardiac, inflammatory, thrombotic, and cerebral biomarkers to determine their roles in the hemostatic activation or inflammatory processes in ESRD. In this study, 72 patients on maintenance hemodialysis were recruited and 53 normal healthy male and female adults volunteers. Blood samples from patients with ESRD were drawn prior to maintenance hemodialysis. Of the 15 statistically significant biomarkers, 10 were elevated in the ESRD group, most notably soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, heart-type fatty acid binding protein, and von Willebrand factor activity. These results are consistent with previously reported studies proposing ESRD represents a poly-pathologic process with the activation of hemostatic and inflammatory processes, which contribute to the significant sequelae of cardiovascular disease seen in these patients.
Democratic Norms and Forces of Gatekeeping
Authors: Relly Jeannine E. , Zanger Margaret , Fahmy Shahira
Published: March 2015

Gatekeeping theory and the hierarchy of influences model were used as a framework to analyze democratic norm development in Iraq. The study developed three watchdog gatekeeping models that could be adapted for other conflict or postdictatorship environments or modified for longtime democracies. The study used hierarchical regression to analyze forces that influenced attitudes of 588 Iraqi journalists in their gatekeeping role. Individual-level forces, followed by ideological-level forces, contributed the most toward watchdog gatekeeping attitudes toward access to government meetings, and news media routine forces contributed the most toward influencing attitudes toward access to government records.
Thinking of Others
Authors: Zerback Thomas , Koch Thomas , Krämer Benjamin
Published: March 2015

Media contain various cues to opinions of others and therefore serve as an important source of information about the climate of opinion. We distinguish explicit cues directly describing opinion distributions in society, from implicit cues lacking such a direct reference. In an experiment, we examined the relative impact of survey data (explicit cue) and arguments (implicit cue) on climate of opinion judgments. While survey results strongly affected assessments, argumentation had an effect only when no survey information was available. However, arguments produced an indirect effect, as they strongly affected personal opinions, which in turn influenced climate of opinion judgments (projection).
A Commentary on “What Grounded Theory Is…”
Authors: Corley Kevin G.
Published: March 2015

In my editorial and authorial experiences, Grounded Theory approaches to organizational research have proven to be some of the most powerful forms of inquiry we have into modern organizing and organizations. And part of that power comes from its ability to utilize both qualitative and quantitative data. But unlike Walsh et al., I do not believe Grounded Theory is capable of being an all-encompassing research paradigm, nor should it be. The heart and soul of GT methodologies lies in engaging a phenomenon from the perspective of those living it, which means it is most suited toward inductive examinations seeking deep insight into a phenomenon and its connections with the context. Likewise, I also disagree that a GT approach is best used as a sequential, lockstep set of techniques that should be followed precisely; the power of GT approaches is partly derived from the potential to let those closest to the phenomenon influence how it is studied. Yes, I agree that there are key components to the methodology that must be used in combination, but each study is unique (because each phenomenon is unique) and thus there must be room for adaptation and creativity in the implementation of the approach. Ultimately, then, we agree that GT approaches are a powerful way to examine the world around us, but I see much more promise in letting GT bloom and adapt to the phenomena and contexts under study, as opposed to strictly adhering to the original ideas extended by Glaser & Strauss (1967).
Development and Validation of a Clinical Scale for the Evaluation of Forearm Skin Photoaging
Authors: Guimarães C.O.Z. , Bagatin E. , Guadanhim L.R.S. , Sternberg F. , Picosse F.R. , Nunes G. , Milanez C. , Miot H.A.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Despite the focus on facial photoaging ratings, there are few classifications developed for forearm skin aging assessment.

Objective:

To develop and validate a clinical scale for the evaluation of forearm skin aging.

Methods:

Three clinical dermatology faculty members selected, discussed, and appraised the main signs of forearm photoaging. The validation of the resulting scale was performed by 5 assessors who were previously trained to classify 102 photographs of forearms with different degrees of aging. Retests were performed in 15 days.

Results:

There was significant correlation between the selected variables and the subjective global aging scale. The developed scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.87) and high correlation with the global photoaging scale (rho = 0.92). Inter- and intraobserver final scores showed high agreement.

Conclusion:

A validated clinical photoaging scale for forearms with internal consistency, reliability, and validity was developed.
Blistering Distal Dactylitis in an Adult
Authors: Kollipara Ramya , Downing Christopher , Lee Michael , Guidry Jacqueline , Robare-Stout Samantha , Tyring Stephen
Published: March 2015

Background:

Blistering distal dactylitis is a localised infection of the anterior pad of the distal phalanx of the digits. It most commonly affects children and uncommonly adults with a history of immunosuppression or trauma.

Objective:

A case of blistering distal dactylitis in a 32-year-old male is reported. The patient was not immunocompromised and did not report trauma.

Conclusion:

Blistering distal dactylitis may rarely present in adults (including those who are not immunocompromised or reporting trauma) and thus should be in the differential diagnosis for an adult presenting with bullae at the fingertips. The differential diagnosis for this presentation also includes herpetic whitlow, epidermolysis bullosa, bullous impetigo, and friction blisters.
Contact Cryoprobe Sterilization Practices
Authors: Gavigan Geneviève , McEvoy Alana , Beecker Jennifer
Published: March 2015

Background:

Cryotherapy is a commonly employed treatment modality in dermatology. There is literature to suggest that sterilization of the contact cryotherapy probe is needed for proper decontamination.

Objective:

To determine the status on the usage and sterilization methods employed by dermatology staff and residents affiliated with an academic training centre in Ontario, Canada, with the overall goal of improving patient safety.

Methods:

An anonymous qualitative survey was conducted and analyzed.

Results:

The survey had a response rate of 71% (n = 34 of 48); 11 of 34 physicians reported using contact cryoprobes in their practice to treat viral infections, benign tumours, and malignant tumours. Out of the 11 using contact cryoprobes, 3 (27%) employed any type of cleaning method between patients.

Conclusions:

Current use of contact cryotherapy probes could be improved for safety considerations. Patient safety may be enhanced by the incorporation of routine autoclaving or other recommended decontamination methods of contact cryotherapy probes between patients.
Quality of Life of Patients With Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Gerard Arielle J. , Feldman Steven R. , Strowd Lindsay
Published: March 2015

Background:

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are painful and unsightly dermatologic disorders that have the potential to significantly decrease patients’ quality of life (QOL). Due to the difficulties associated with curing these conditions, QOL improvement is imperative.

Objective:

To determine if there are PG and HS disease-specific QOL measures and to assess whether QOL is being systematically studied in clinic populations or clinical trials.

Methods:

A PubMed search was performed to identify QOL studies for patients with PG and HS. Sources from other papers were also utilized.

Results:

QOL is rarely qualitatively or quantitatively assessed in HS and PG studies. We identified no validated disease-specific QOL measures for either PG or HS.

Conclusion:

Development of disease-specific QOL indices, clinical use of QOL measurement tool, and formal QOL evaluation in clinical trials would help to define the impact of PG and HS treatment in patients’ lives.
Systemic Sarcoidosis Revealed by Axillary Electrolysis
Authors: Morand Meggie , Beauregard Solange , Mathieu Steve
Published: March 2015

Background:

Sarcoidosis is a noncaseating granulomatous disease that affects a large variety of organs and tissues. Skin sarcoidosis is commonly found in scar and tattooed tissues.

Objective:

To report this particular case of sarcoidosis following electrolysis hair removal.

Method:

We report the case of a woman who developed sarcoidosis years after axillary electrolysis hair removal.

Results:

The diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis was suggested by the clinical manifestations and confirmed by histopathologic findings.

Conclusion:

Sarcoidosis should be considered during the investigation of skin lesions occurring in scar or traumatized tissue.
Do postal health surveys capture morbidity and mortality in respondents aged 65 years and older? A register-based validation study
Authors: Kelfve Susanne , Lennartsson Carin , Agahi Neda , Modig Karin
Published: March 2015

Aims: Non-response to population surveys is a common problem in epidemiological and public health research. Systematic non-response threatens the validity of results. Researchers rarely evaluate the magnitude of systematic non-response because of limited access to population data. This study explores how well morbidity and mortality in postal survey respondents aged 65 years and older represented that of the target population. Methods: The 2010 Stockholm Public Health Survey and the Swedish Population Register were linked to the Cause of Death Register and the National Patient Register in Sweden. Differences were analysed between the response group and the corresponding population in mortality, hospital admission, days spent in hospital and number of diagnoses. Finally, data were weighted for non-response to see if this improved generalizability. Results: Non-response increased with age, and this increase was more pronounced among women than men. Respondents were marginally less often admitted to hospital, hospitalized fewer days and had slightly fewer diagnoses than the population, in particular after age 80. Significantly fewer women died in the response group than in the population as a whole. In terms of mortality among men and in terms of hospitalizations for most age groups, the respondents represented the population fairly well. Non-response weighting adjustment did not improve generalizability. Conclusions: Postal questionnaires are likely to capture morbidity (hospitalization) among women and men aged 65-80 years old and mortality among men, while morbidity after age 80 and mortality in women are likely to be underestimated.
Three investigations of the utility of Textbook Technology Supplements
Authors: Gurung Regan A. R.
Published: March 2015

In three separate introductory psychology classes over a three-year period, I tested whether over 600 students’ exam scores were associated with the use of textbook technology supplements (TTSs). Each class used a different textbook and a different TTS ( Learnsmart, PsychPortal, and Aplia). In general, students who used TTSs more, performed better on their exams (controlling for GPA). Additionally, higher scores on assignments on TTSs also correlated with higher scores (controlling for GPA). Students reported not having enough time or adequate motivation as the top reasons for why they did not use TTSs. I present suggestions for the use of such systems based on how I required the aids over the years.
Community health workers as focus group facilitators: A participatory action research method to improve behavioral health services for farmworkers in a primary care setting
Authors: Ingram Maia , Murrietta Lucy , de Zapien Jill Guernsey , Herman Patricia M , Carvajal Scott C
Published: March 2015

Farmworkers living in US-Border communities experience numerous stressors in their daily lives that place them at risk for behavioral health problems, particularly anxiety and depression. Given challenges to accessing care, farmworkers are most likely to receive services in the primary care setting. In this paper, we describe a participatory action research (PAR) approach in which community health workers (CHWs) use focus groups to engage the patient population in discussing behavioral health issues and identifying preferences for care within a Federally Qualified Health Center. The CHWs were trusted members of the community who participated in the articulation of research questions, development and implementation of protocols, participant recruitment, and data collection. CHWs encouraged focus group members to represent their community in the co-construction of knowledge regarding perceptions of behavioral health and priorities for care. This research illustrates that CHWs, as representatives for patients’ needs and a bridge between the health care system and communities, can play a vital role as intermediate actors in generating patient participation in PAR.
Using poetry in a critically reflexive action research co-inquiry with nurses
Authors: Hopkinson Clare
Published: March 2015

There are few reports of healthcare action research using collaborative or co-operative inquiry (co-inquiry) while research featuring poetry is also rare. This paper presents a cycle from a critically reflexive action research co-inquiry that explored the tensions and possibilities of nurses’ reflecting during care-giving where poems emerged as data. These poems were inspired by reflections, observations, co-inquirers’ stories and interviews. They formed part of a first-, second- and third-person co-inquiry. Applying Bourdieu’s concepts of doxa, habitus and field to the poems revealed cultural aspects of nursing practice. The poems resonated with nurses’ experiences producing deeper conversations and powerful reflexive co-inquiries about practice. The poems evoked suppressed emotions and empathy. I argue poems derived from practice are embodied knowledge and thus have a legitimate place in healthcare action research. Practice-based poems could be valuable for other practice-orientated professions in producing practice learning and change.
Intelligence-led policing and transnational environmental crime: A process evaluation
Authors: Gibbs Carole , McGarrell Edmund F. , Sullivan Brandon
Published: March 2015

Transnational environmental crime (TEC) threatens human health and the natural environment. Its complexity also poses a challenge for regulation and enforcement. In the current paper, we present a process evaluation of one attempt to use innovations in policing to improve TEC enforcement. Specifically, we assess the implementation of intelligence-led policing (ILP) in the Environment Agency’s Securing Compliant Waste Exports Project. We find that the team was able to fully implement the UK National Intelligence Model to address illegal exports of hazardous waste, including combining regulatory and enforcement data to generate actionable intelligence. Future research should examine the implementation of ILP in other contexts and to address other forms of TEC to evaluate the generalizability of these results.