bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of a structured palliative care summary in patients with established cancer is associated with reduced hospital admissions by out-of-hours general practitioners in Grampian
Authors: Ali Asia Andeleeb , Adam Rosalind , Taylor David , Murchie Peter
Published: January 2013

Objectives

Palliative care summaries are used by general practices to provide structured anticipatory care information to those providing care during the out-of-hours period. We hypothesised that the availability of a palliative care summary for individuals with established cancer would influence emergency hospital admission during the out-of-hours period.

Methods

Each consultation with Grampian Medical Emergency Department (GMED) is recorded on the ADASTRA software system and the nature of the consultation is Read coded. We retrospectively reviewed consultations between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011 which had been coded as ‘neoplasm’ or ‘terminal care’. The availability of a palliative care summary on ADASTRA and admission status were recorded. χ2Test of association was performed. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis exploring the effect of a palliative care summary on admission, while adjusting for important confounders.

Results

401 patients with established cancer were identified who had presented to GMED in 2011. 35.7% had a palliative care summary available on ADASTRA. Of the 401 contacts, 100 patients were admitted to hospital. Not having a palliative care summary made admission significantly more likely; χ2=12.480, p=0.001. (OR 2.425, 95% CI 1.412 to 4.165).

Conclusions

Availability of a structured palliative care plan can aid decision making in the out-of-hours period and prevent unplanned hospital admissions.
Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the murine cardiovascular system
Authors: Akki Ashwin , Gupta Ashish , Weiss Robert G.
Published: January 2013

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a powerful and reliable tool to noninvasively study the cardiovascular system in clinical practice. Because transgenic mouse models have assumed a critical role in cardiovascular research, technological advances in MRI have been extended to mice over the last decade. These have provided critical insights into cardiac and vascular morphology, function, and physiology/pathophysiology in many murine models of heart disease. Furthermore, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has allowed the nondestructive study of myocardial metabolism in both isolated hearts and in intact mice. This article reviews the current techniques and important pathophysiological insights from the application of MRI/MRS technology to murine models of cardiovascular disease.
Spontaneous bursts of muscle sympathetic nerve activity decrease leg vascular conductance in resting humans
Authors: Fairfax Seth T. , Padilla Jaume , Vianna Lauro C. , Davis Michael J. , Fadel Paul J.
Published: January 2013

Previous studies in humans attempting to assess sympathetic vascular transduction have related large reflex-mediated increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) to associated changes in limb vascular resistance. However, such procedures do not provide insight into the ability of MSNA to dynamically control vascular tone on a beat-by-beat basis. Thus we examined the influence of spontaneous MSNA bursts on leg vascular conductance (LVC) and how variations in MSNA burst pattern (single vs. multiple bursts) and burst size may affect the magnitude of the LVC response. In 11 young men, arterial blood pressure, common femoral artery blood flow, and MSNA were continuously recorded during 20 min of supine rest. Signal averaging was used to characterize percent changes in LVC for 15 cardiac cycles following heartbeats associated with and without MSNA bursts. LVC significantly decreased following MSNA bursts, reaching a nadir during the 6th cardiac cycle (single bursts, −2.9 ± 1.1%; and multiple bursts, −11.0 ± 1.4%; both, P < 0.001). Individual MSNA burst amplitudes and the total amplitude of consecutive bursts were related to the magnitude of peak decreases in LVC. In contrast, cardiac cycles without MSNA bursts were associated with a significant increase in LVC (+3.1 ± 0.5%; P < 0.001). Total vascular conductance decreased in parallel with LVC also reaching a nadir around the peak rise in arterial blood pressure following an MSNA burst. Collectively, these data are the first to assess beat-by-beat sympathetic vascular transduction in resting humans, demonstrating robust and dynamic decreases in LVC following MSNA bursts, an effect that was absent for cardiac cycles without MSNA bursts.
Ambrisentan reduces pulmonary arterial hypertension but does not stimulate alveolar and vascular development in neonatal rats with hyperoxic lung injury
Authors: Wagenaar Gerry T. M. , Laghmani El Houari , de Visser Yvonne P. , Sengers Rozemarijn M. A. , Steendijk Paul , Baelde Hans J. , Walther Frans J.
Published: January 2013

Ambrisentan, an endothelin receptor type A antagonist, may be a novel therapeutic agent in neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD) by blocking the adverse effects of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1, especially pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-induced right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). We determined the cardiopulmonary effects of ambrisentan treatment (1–20 mg·kg−1·day−1) in neonatal rats with CLD in 2 models: early treatment during continuous exposure to hyperoxia for 10 days and late treatment starting on day 6 in rat pups exposed postnatally to hyperoxia for 9 days, followed by a 9-day recovery period in room air. Parameters investigated included survival, lung and heart histopathology, right ventricular function, fibrin deposition, and differential mRNA expression in the lungs. In the early treatment model, we investigated the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 25 mg·kg−1·day−1) during ambrisentan treatment. In the early treatment model, ambrisentan improved survival with reduced lung fibrin and collagen III deposition, arterial medial wall thickness, and RVH. These changes were not affected by l-NAME administration. Ambrisentan did not reduce the influx of macrophages and neutrophils or prevent reduced irregular elastin expression. In the late treatment model, ambrisentan diminished PAH, RVH, and right ventricular peak pressure, demonstrating that RVH is reversible in the neonatal period. Alveolarization and vascularization were not affected by ambrisentan. In conclusion, ambrisentan prolongs survival and reduces lung injury, PAH, and RVH via a NOS-independent mechanism but does not affect inflammation and alveolar and vascular development in neonatal rats with CLD.
Cholinergic regulation of epithelial sodium channels in rat alveolar type 2 epithelial cells
Authors: Takemura Yoshizumi , Helms My N. , Eaton Amity F. , Self Julie , Ramosevac Semra , Jain Lucky , Bao Hui-Fang , Eaton Douglas C.
Published: January 2013

We and others have shown that epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) in alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells are activated by β2 agonists, steroid hormones, elevated oxygen tension, and by dopamine. Although acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) have been previously described in the lung, there are few reports of whether cholinergic agonists alter sodium transport in the alveolar epithelium. Therefore, we investigated how cholinergic receptors regulate ENaC activity in primary cultures of rat AT2 cells using cell-attached patch-clamp recordings to assess ENaC activity. We found that the muscarinic agonists, carbachol (CCh) and oxotremorine, activated ENaC in a dose-dependent manner but that nicotine did not. CCh-induced activation of ENaC was blocked by atropine. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry suggested that muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors (mAChRs) but not nicotinic receptors were present in AT2 cells. Endogenous RhoA and GTP-RhoA increased in response to CCh and the increase was reduced by pretreatment with atropine. We showed that Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), abolished endogenous ENaC activity and inhibited the activation of ENaC by CCh. We also showed that ROCK signaling was necessary for ENaC stability in 2F3 cells, a model for AT2 cells. Our results showed that muscarinic agonists activated ENaC in rat AT2 cells through M2 and/or M3 mAChRs probably via a RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
Specific Elimination of CD133+ Tumor Cells with Targeted Oncolytic Measles Virus
Authors: Bach Patricia , Abel Tobias , Hoffmann Christopher , Gal Zoltan , Braun Gundula , Voelker Iris , Ball Claudia R. , Johnston Ian C.D. , Lauer Ulrich M. , Herold-Mende Christel , Mühlebach Michael D. , Glimm Hanno , Buchholz Christian J.
Published: January 2013

Tumor-initiating cells (TIC) are critical yet evasive targets for the development of more effective antitumoral strategies. The cell surface marker CD133 is frequently used to identify TICs of various tumor entities, including hepatocellular cancer and glioblastoma. Here, we describe oncolytic measles viruses (MV) retargeted to CD133. The viruses, termed MV-141.7 and MV-AC133, infected and selectively lysed CD133+ tumor cells. Both viruses exerted strong antitumoral effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma growing subcutaneously or multifocally in the peritoneal cavity of nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Notably, the CD133-targeted viruses were more effective in prolonging survival than the parental MV-NSe, which is currently assessed as oncolytic agent in clinical trials. Interestingly, target receptor overexpression or increased spreading kinetics through tumor cells were excluded as being causative for the enhanced oncolytic activity of CD133-targeted viruses. MV-141.7 was also effective in mouse models of orthotopic glioma tumor spheres and primary colon cancer. Our results indicate that CD133-targeted measles viruses selectively eliminate CD133+ cells from tumor tissue, offering a key tool for research in tumor biology and cancer therapy. Cancer Res; 73(2); 865–74. ©2013 AACR.
HOXB13 G84E Mutation in Finland: Population-Based Analysis of Prostate, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Authors: Laitinen Virpi H. , Wahlfors Tiina , Saaristo Leena , Rantapero Tommi , Pelttari Liisa M. , Kilpivaara Outi , Laasanen Satu-Leena , Kallioniemi Anne , Nevanlinna Heli , Aaltonen Lauri , Vessella Robert L. , Auvinen Anssi , Visakorpi Tapio , Tammela Teuvo L.J. , Schleutker Johanna
Published: January 2013

Background: A recently identified germline mutation G84E in HOXB13 was shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer. In a family-based analysis by The International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG), the G84E mutation was most prevalent in families from the Nordic countries of Finland (22.4%) and Sweden (8.2%).

Methods: To further investigate the importance of G84E in the Finns, we determined its frequency in more than 4,000 prostate cancer cases and 5,000 controls. In addition, 986 breast cancer and 442 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases were studied. Genotyping was conducted using TaqMan, MassARRAY iPLEX, and sequencing. Statistical analyses were conducted using Fisher exact test, and overall survival was analyzed using Cox modeling.

Results: The frequency of the G84E mutation was significantly higher among patients with prostate cancer and highest among patients with a family history of the disease, hereditary prostate cancer [8.4% vs. 1.0% in controls; OR 8.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9–15.7]. The mutation contributed significantly to younger age (≤55 years) at onset and high prostate-specific antigen (PSA; ≥20 ng/mL) at diagnosis. An association with increased prostate cancer risk in patients with prior benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) diagnosis was also revealed. No statistically significant evidence for a contribution in CRC risk was detected, but a suggestive role for the mutation was observed in familial BRCA1/2-negative breast cancer.

Conclusions: These findings confirm an increased cancer risk associated with the G84E mutation in the Finnish population, particularly for early-onset prostate cancer and cases with substantially elevated PSA.

Impact: This study confirms the overall importance of the HOXB13 G84E mutation in prostate cancer susceptibility. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(3); 452–60. ©2012 AACR.
A Comparison of the Polytomous Logistic Regression and Joint Cox Proportional Hazards Models for Evaluating Multiple Disease Subtypes in Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Xue Xiaonan , Kim Mimi Y. , Gaudet Mia M. , Park Yikyung , Heo Moonseong , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Strickler Howard D. , Gunter Marc J.
Published: January 2013

Background: Polytomous logistic regression models are commonly used in case–control studies of cancer to directly compare the risks associated with an exposure variable across multiple cancer subtypes. However, the validity, accuracy, and efficiency of this approach for prospective cohort studies have not been formally evaluated.

Methods: We investigated the performance of the polytomous logistic regression model and compared it with an alternative approach based on a joint Cox proportional hazards model using simulation studies. We then applied both methods to a prospective cohort study to assess whether the association of breast cancer with body size differs according to estrogen and progesterone receptor–defined subtypes.

Results: Our simulations showed that the polytomous logistic regression model but not the joint Cox regression model yielded biased results in comparing exposure and disease subtype associations when the baseline hazards for different disease subtypes are nonproportional. For this reason, an analysis of a real data set was based on the joint Cox proportional hazards model and showed that body size has a significantly greater association with estrogen- and progesterone-positive breast cancer than with other subtypes.

Conclusions: Because of the limitations of the polytomous logistic regression model for the comparison of exposure–disease associations across disease subtypes, the joint Cox proportional hazards model is recommended over the polytomous logistic regression model in prospective cohort studies.

Impact: The article will promote the use of the joint Cox model in a prospective cohort study. Examples of SAS and S-plus programming codes are provided to facilitate use by nonstatisticians. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(2); 275–85. ©2013 AACR.
No Association between Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility Variants and Breast Cancer Risk among Chinese Women
Authors: Ma Xiangyu , Cai Qiuyin , Delahanty Ryan J. , Shu Xiao-Ou , Zhang Ben , Lu Wei , Gao Yu-Tang , Zheng Wei , Long Jirong , Beeghly-Fadiel Alicia
Published: January 2013

Background: As breast and ovarian cancers may have similar etiologies, this study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that breast cancer shares common genetic susceptibility variants with ovarian cancer.

Methods: Ten genetic variants in nine loci were previously identified to be associated with ovarian cancer risk among Caucasian women; an additional 353 variants in high-linkage disequilibrium (r2 ≥ 0.6) among Han Chinese were identified. Data were available from the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Array (6.0) or MACH imputation for 25 and 78 common genetic variants [minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥0.05], respectively. Associations with breast cancer risk were evaluated by additive logistic regression models among 2,918 breast cancer cases and 2,324 controls.

Results: No associations with breast cancer risk were evident for 103 ovarian cancer susceptibility variants in five loci. Four loci were not evaluated, as they included only rare variants (MAF < 0.05).

Conclusions: Ovarian cancer susceptibility variants identified in Caucasian women were not associated with breast cancer risk among 5,242 Chinese women.

Impact: These findings suggest that breast and ovarian cancer may not share common susceptibility variants among Chinese women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(3); 467–9. ©2013 AACR.
Modernist Spirituality
Authors: Hill Harvey
Published: January 2013

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the biblical critic Alfred Loisy (1857–1940) advanced a reform agenda that had significant political and theological implications and that helped to define “Modernism.” Contemporary scholars have explored many facets of this reform agenda, but have not so far investigated Loisy’s ideas about ritual. Based on an analysis both of Loisy’s own religious practice and of his most important Modernist book, this article fills that gap. Loisy approached ritual, particularly the Eucharist, as an historian of religion with a growing interest in, and commitment to, comparative work. At the same time, Loisy celebrated the mystical and sacramental character of the Eucharist, its capacity to help Christians experience a genuine communion with God. This effort to combine critical history and Christian spirit, although imperfectly realized, defined Loisy’s Modernist spirituality.
Relationship of quality of life with coping and burden in primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Kate Natasha , Grover Sandeep , Kulhara Parmanand , Nehra Ritu
Published: January 2013

Background:

Very few studies have evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of schizophrenia patients. The aim of this paper is to study the QOL, including the spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs (SRPB) facets, of primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia using the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-SRPB scales. Additionally an attempt was made to study the relationship between QOL with coping and burden in caregivers.

Method:

One hundred primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia completed the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-SRPB scales. They were also assessed on the Family Burden Interview Schedule and Coping Checklist.

Results:

There were no significant associations of clinical variables and perceived burden with any of the WHOQOL-BREF domains and various WHOQOL-SRPB facets. There was a significant positive correlation between WHOQOL-BREF and various facets of WHOQOL-SRPB. There was a significant negative correlation between coercion as a coping strategy and the spiritual strength facet of WHOQOL-SRPB. Seeking social support as a coping strategy had a negative correlation with all domains of WHOQOL-BREF, whereas avoidance and use of problem-focused coping had no correlation with any of the domains of WHOQOL-BREF. Collusion as a coping skill had a negative correlation with the domains of physical health, social relationships and environment and the total WHOQOL-BREF score. Coercion as a coping strategy had a negative correlation with the general health and environment domains of WHOQOL-BREF.

Conclusions:

Findings of the present study suggest that there is a positive correlation between WHOQOL-BREF domains and WHOQOL-SRPB facets, which indicates that SRPB forms an integral component of the concept of QOL. Further, the QOL of caregivers is influenced by the coping skills used to deal with stress arising due to a patient’s illness.
The Process and Mechanisms of Organizational Healing
Authors: Powley Edward H.
Published: January 2013

Organizational healing refers to the work of repairing practices, routines, and structures in the face of disruption and strengthening organizational functioning through social relationships. Healing, more than resilience, coping, or recovery, enables greater organizational strength than what previously existed. Its unique characteristics make it an important construct for further explaining what accounts for developing exceptional organizational systems. Based on the financial and economic challenges facing Prudential Real Estate after the housing market crash in 2008, and parallels from physiological healing processes, I provide an in-depth description of the process of organizational healing that is supported by four mechanisms: empathy, interventions, collective effort, and leadership. Together the process and mechanisms explain how organizational healing enables both resilience and strengthening. These mechanisms point to activities practitioners and leaders may consider when promoting virtuous human systems.
How Pervasive is Eating Out in India?
Authors: Gaiha Raghav , Jha Raghbendra , Kulkarni Vani S
Published: January 2013

A key feature of India’s economic transformation has been a change in the nature of diets. There is a move away from inferior to superior foods and a substitution of traditional staples by primary food products, reflected in higher consumption of proteins, sugars, fats and vegetables. As part of this dietary transition, our analysis focuses on the pervasiveness of eating out and is based on a rich household survey for 2005. We broadly confirm the important role of urbanization, demographic changes, expansion of the middle class and its growing affluence on eating out. Since even more deprived sections are not immune to these evolving dietary patterns and given their limited access to medical care, health outcomes may well be grim.
The enhancement of community integration: Coping strategies of Chinese parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Wong Bernard P. H. , Lam Shui-fong , Leung Doris , Ho Daphne , Au-Yeung Peter
Published: January 2013

This study presents a collaborative research project by school psychologists and educators in Hong Kong. It investigated the coping strategies used by Chinese parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders ( N = 380) to enhance their children’s community integration and how these strategies were related to their perceptions of community integration and willingness to engage their children in community activities. A factor analysis of questionnaire responses revealed three clusters of coping strategies: Constructive, avoidant, and confrontational strategies. Parents’ willingness to engage their children in community activities was predicted positively by their use of constructive strategies but negatively by their use of avoidant strategies. Confrontational strategies had no predictive power. Parents who used constructive strategies often tended to report more positive emotions and perceive greater importance for engaging their children in community activities.
Understanding gypsy children’s conceptions of learning: A phenomenographic study
Authors: Rosário Pedro , Núñez José Carlos , Azevedo Raquel , Cunha Jennifer , Pereira Armanda , Mourão Rosa
Published: January 2013

In Portugal, as in other European countries, gypsy children remain largely at the margins of the educational system. Their underachievement and the associated dropout rates from school are serious educational issues and factors contributing to their marginalization in society. However, there is limited research qualitatively examining the different ways in which gypsy children think about learning. The current study examined data provided by 26 Portuguese gypsy elementary school children ranging from 9- to 13- years-old. Data analysis presented an outcome space representing the gypsy children’s qualitatively different conceptions of learning. Accordingly with their gypsy culture, these Portuguese students perceived their learning of basic numeracy and literacy skills as important for helping their families selling at fairs. These children indicated that they do not intend to continue studying beyond elementary school as they believe that learning of these basic skills is enough for living as a gypsy. The implications for educational processes and school practices are discussed.
Empirical approach to main drain system design and solid transportation performance in buildings
Authors: Cheng CL , Liao WJ , He KC , Hsieh CH , Liu YC
Published: January 2013

Water-saving facilities were constructed in response to the sustainability and global issues all over the world. However, the performance of drainage systems must be ensured as the volume of flush water is reduced. Otherwise, it might cause sanitary problems to indoor environments and interrupt building functions. According to the methodology of investigation and observation, this paper categorized parameters that dominate the solid transportation performance of main drains. An empirical experiment was executed to clarify the quantitative influence of these parameters. A calculation model for estimating the boundary condition of main drain design is conducted. Furthermore, an estimation interface is validated and proposed as an assessment tool for practical application.

Practical implication: This paper offers an evaluation tool by statistic methodology to ensure solid transportation performance. An estimating model and regulation proposal of solid transportation in main drains of buildings that can guide the designer and engineer to confirm the performance of drainage system is validated and proved to be practicable. Furthermore, this research conducted an estimation interface to validate the solid transportation performance, which can offer an assessment tool for practical application. The results can contribute to building code guidelines and lead to new technical development of building drainage systems.
Going Global
Authors: Sundell Knut , Ferrer-Wreder Laura , Fraser Mark W.
Published: January 2013

The spread of evidence-based practice throughout the world has resulted in the wide adoption of empirically supported interventions (ESIs) and a growing number of controlled trials of imported and culturally adapted ESIs. This article is informed by outcome research on family-based interventions including programs listed in the American Blueprints Model and Promising Programs. Evidence from these controlled trials is mixed and, because it is comprised of both successful and unsuccessful replications of ESIs, it provides clues for the translation of promising programs in the future. At least four explanations appear plausible for the mixed results in replication trials. One has to do with methodological differences across trials. A second deals with ambiguities in the cultural adaptation process. A third explanation is that ESIs in failed replications have not been adequately implemented. A fourth source of variation derives from unanticipated contextual influences that might affect the effects of ESIs when transported to other cultures and countries. This article describes a model that allows for the differential examination of adaptations of interventions in new cultural contexts.
Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in Appalachian Older Adults
Authors: DiNapoli Elizabeth A. , Wu Bei , Scogin Forrest
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Investigating the relation between social isolation and cognitive function will allow us to identify components to incorporate into cognitive interventions.

Method:

Data were collected from 267 Appalachian older adults ( M = 78.5, range 70–94 years). Overall cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains were assessed from data of a self-assembled neuropsychological battery of frequently used tasks. Social isolation, social disconnectedness, and perceived isolation were measured from the Lubben Social Network scale-6.

Results:

Results indicated a significant positive association between all predictor variables (e.g., social isolation, social disconnectedness, and perceived isolation) and outcome variables (e.g., overall cognitive function, memory, executive functioning, attention, and language abilities). Perceived isolation accounted for nearly double the amount of variance in overall cognitive functioning than social disconnectedness (10.2% vs. 5.7%).

Discussion:

Findings suggest that social isolation is associated with poorer overall cognitive functioning and this remains true across varied cognitive domains.
Investigating the information-seeking behaviour of genealogists and family historians
Authors: Darby Paul , Clough Paul
Published: January 2013

People are increasingly investigating their family history (or genealogy) as part of their everyday information-seeking activities. This paper provides insight into this behaviour and presents a new conceptual model that captures the stages of activity carried out during people’s lifelong family history research. The model offers a multi-phase view of the research process, intended to illustrate: (a) the different research phases themselves; (b) the inter-relationship between phases; (c) distinct phase-specific behaviours; and (d) phase-specific resource preferences. Data collected from amateur family historians by interview and questionnaire has helped to validate the model and provide insights into the information resources used. The findings complement existing knowledge about family history research and will benefit: family historians as they seek to navigate within the research process; providers of genealogical resources as they seek to better support users; and academics as they study information-seeking behaviours in various contexts.
How is a search system used in work task completion?
Authors: Toms Elaine G. , Villa Robert , McCay-Peet Lori
Published: January 2013

Typically studies of information retrieval and interactive information retrieval concentrate on the identification of relevant items. In this study, rather than stop at finding relevant items, we considered how people use a search system in the completion of a broader work task. To conduct the study, we created 12 tasks that required multiple queries and document views in order to find enough information to complete the task. A total of 381 people completed three tasks each in a laboratory setting using the wikiSearch system that was embedded into WiIRE. Results found that two-thirds of time spent on the task was spent after finding a relevant set of documents sufficient for task completion, and that time was mainly spent reviewing documents that had already been retrieved. Findings suggest that an open-source information retrieval system, such as Lucene, was adequate for this task. However, the ultimate challenge will be in building useful systems that aid the user in extracting, interpreting and analysing information to achieve work task completion.
Information management and quality of palliative care in general practices: Secondary analysis of a UK study
Authors: Carrington Lois , Bath Peter A. , Hughes Philippa , Ahmed Nisar , Noble Bill
Published: January 2013

Palliative care seeks to improve quality of life for patients with terminal, chronic or life-long, illnesses. In the UK, most palliative care occurs in primary care, for example, through general practices. A recent national UK survey of palliative care within general practices concluded that practices that utilized recognized initiatives to promote palliative care demonstrated better clinical care and higher perceived quality of palliative care. This paper reports on secondary analyses from that survey to investigate the management of information related to palliative care within practices. Relatively high levels of information provision to families and carers were reported, over two-thirds of practices reported having unified records for palliative care patients and over 90% of practices reported having a cancer/palliative care register that was fully or mostly operational. Larger practices, those using the Gold Standards Framework and practices using unified record keeping for palliative care, were independently more likely to give information to families and carers and were more likely to have a mostly or fully operational palliative care register. When testing for the relationship between measures of the structures and processes of information management and the perceived quality of care, as an outcome, within the practices, practices with a fully operational palliative care register and practices that had higher scores on the record-keeping scale were more likely to rate the quality of their palliative care as very good.
‘The presentation of self in the online world’: Goffman and the study of online identities
Authors: Bullingham Liam , Vasconcelos Ana C.
Published: January 2013

This paper presents an exemplification and discussion of the contemporaneity of Erving Goffman’s work and of its applicability to the analysis of identity and presentation of self in the blogging and Second Life (SL) contexts. An analysis of online identity and interaction practices in 10 different cases of bloggers and SL inhabitants and of their online spaces is presented in terms of: expressions given; embellishment as a minor form of persona adoption; dividing the self; conforming and ‘fitting in’; and masking, anonymity and pseudonimity. The key finding of the research is that, contrary to engaging with the process of whole persona adoption, participants were keen to re-create their offline self online, but engaged in editing facets of self. This emphasizes the key premise in Goffman’s work that, when in ‘front stage’, people deliberately chose to project a given identity. It is concluded that Goffman’s original framework is of great usefulness as an explanatory framework for understanding identity through interaction and the presentation of self in the online world. Equally, the online environment, with its enhanced potential for editing the self, can offer opportunities to contribute to the further development of the Goffman framework.
Number of Siblings and Friendship Nominations Among Adolescents
Authors: Bobbitt-Zeher Donna , Downey Douglas B.
Published: January 2013

Considerable social science research questions the benefit of siblings. The most prominent example is the consistent negative association between sibship size and educational outcomes. But more recent work among kindergartners uncovered a potentially positive outcome—greater social skills—at least for those who have at least one sibling. We extend this line of inquiry to adolescence to see if there are long-term negative consequences of growing up without any siblings. Analyzing 13,466 youths from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we find no evidence that only children receive fewer peer nominations of friendship than youths with one (or more than one) sibling(s). Our results suggest that the previously observed social skills deficit among only children in kindergarten appears to be overcome by adolescence.
Romantic Relationships Following Wartime Deployment
Authors: Karakurt Gunnur , Christiansen Abigail Tolhurst , Wadsworth Shelley M. MacDermid , Weiss Howard M.
Published: January 2013

This study examines the romantic relationships of reservists following wartime deployment. Members of an Army Reserve unit and their partners participated in seven waves of interviews in the year following the reservists’ return from deployment. Qualitative analysis of these 101 interviews from 19 participants revealed four themes: (a) intermittent idealized closeness, (b) transition from independence to interdependence, (c) transition in the primary source of social support, and (d) ongoing renegotiation of roles. Intermittent idealized closeness fluctuated over time and was an individual rather than a joint phenomenon. Couples had to relearn how to be interdependent, and for some this was the most difficult aspect of reunion. Individuals shifted away from partners for social support during deployment and gradually shifted back to relying on partners following reunion. Transitions in work and family roles were negotiated on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Social enterprise versus social entrepreneurship: An examination of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ in pursuing social change
Authors: Luke Belinda , Chu Vien
Published: January 2013

This article critically considers distinctions between, social enterprise and social entrepreneurship from a theoretical perspective. Using case study analysis of 10 non-governmental organisations the paper explores these concepts empirically. Findings on social enterprise reveal a focus on the purpose of social businesses, while findings on social entrepreneurship reveal an emphasis on the processes underlying innovative and entrepreneurial activity for social purposes. Discussion of these findings indicates important developments relevant to informing the growing area of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship research. Implications extend to understanding the need for action to achieve social change, and an acceptance of risk when existing actions fail to achieve their intended outcomes.
Bonus Wages
Authors: Cipolla Francisco Paulo
Published: January 2013

This paper argues that bonus wages, understood as lump sum payments contingent upon the achievement of a firm’s production goals, are superior to piece wages from the point of view of capital. While bonus wages reproduce the main traits of piece wages they also generate a higher degree of cohesion on the shop floor due to self-interest and mutual surveillance among workers. It is suggested that bonus wages are better analyzed within a Marxian framework for they are a manifestation of the capitalist need for control both of the labor process and the process of valorization, a double aspect that is not considered either in wage efficiency theories or in radical theories of cost of job loss. It is argued further that bonus wages cannot be understood on the basis of reciprocity or fairness theories for they are the result of conflict rather than the outcome of mutual comprehension and a taste for equity. It concludes that the separate goals of discipline and incentive are collapsed together because the use of bonus wages for incentive in the form of a bonus acts as an instrument of discipline.

Jel Classification: B 51; J33
Effects of smoking on the oxidant/antioxidant balance and the blood lipids in pesticide sprayers
Authors: Abdalla Mohgah Sh , Saad-Hussein Amal , Ibrahim Khadiga Salah , El-mezayen Hatem A , Osman Nehal FA
Published: January 2013

The present study was conducted on 80 pesticide male sprayers (42 nonsmokers and 38 smokers). Our aim was to estimate the smoking effects on blood lipids and oxidant/antioxidant status in pesticide sprayers. Results revealed that cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glutathion peroxidase (GPx) enzyme were significantly higher in the 38 smoker sprayers than in the 42 nonsmoker sprayers. Cholesterol and LDL were correlated with smoking index and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme and zinc (Zn) were inversely correlated with duration of pesticides' exposure. In nonsmokers, LDL and cholesterol were negatively correlated with SOD and correlated with malondialdehyde (MDA), and cholesterol was negatively correlated with Zn. HDL was negatively correlated with MDA in all the sprayers, but was correlated with GPx in smokers and with Zn in nonsmokers. In smokers, LDL was negatively correlated with GPx, HDL was negatively correlated with MDA and triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein were negatively correlated with Zn. MDA was negatively correlated with SOD, GPx and Zn. Smoking and pesticide exposure could be responsible for hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Therefore, improvement in the antioxidant status is mandatory for pesticide sprayers especially the ones who smoke.
The effects of dietary boron compounds in supplemented diet on hormonal activity and some biochemical parameters in rats
Authors: Kucukkurt Ismail , Akbel Erten , Karabag Funda , Ince Sinan
Published: January 2013

The aims of this study were to clarify the effects of dietary boric acid or borax, as a boron (B) source, on hormonal status (leptin, insulin, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine) and some biochemical parameter levels as glucose, carnitine, nonesterified fatty acids, and betahydroxybutyric acid in rats. A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three equal groups: the animals in the first group (control) were fed with a standard rodent diet containing 6.4 mg B/kg, and the animals in the experimental group were fed with a standard rodent diet added with boric acid and borax (100 mg B/kg) throughout the experimental period of 28 days. The B compounds especially borax decreased leptin, insulin, and glucose levels, whereas increased T3 and carnitine levels in plasma. In addition, body weight of rats was found to be low in the boric acid group at the end of 4 weeks. Consequently, our results demonstrate that B supplementation (100 mg/kg) in diet decreases body weight, leptin, and insulin, whereas increases T3 levels in plasma, so enhances the metabolic activity of rats. Between the B compounds used in this study, it was found that borax had a greater effect on hormonal status than boric acid.
Effects of trona on the redox status of cellular system of male rats
Authors: Ajiboye Taofeek O , Komolafe Yesirat O , Yakubu Musa T , Ogunbode Simiat M
Published: January 2013

The effects of trona ( Kaun), a food additive, on the redox status of the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats were investigated. A total of 60 male rats (145 ± 2.52 g) were grouped into four: A, B, C and D, where group A (the control) received 1 mL of distilled water orally while those in groups B, C and D (test groups) received orally, same volume of trona preparation corresponding to 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 28 days. Administration of trona significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver and kidney with corresponding increases in the serum enzyme. Acid phosphatase activity increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in the liver and kidney with no significant change ( p > 0.05) in the activity of the serum enzyme. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and the levels of reduced glutathione, vitamins C and E in the liver and kidney of the animals decreased significantly ( p < 0.05). In contrast, malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide of trona-treated animals increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in liver and kidney. Overall, data from this study revealed that trona exhibited its toxic effect by suppressing or depleting the antioxidant systems and increasing the risk of attack by oxidants generated either from its metabolites or from other in vivo means on the rat cellular system.
Phytotoxical effect of Lepidium draba L. extracts on the germination and growth of monocot (Zea mays L.) and dicot (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) seeds
Authors: Kaya Yusuf , Aksakal Ozkan , Sunar Serap , Erturk Filiz Aygun , Bozari Sedat , Agar Guleray , Erez Mehmet Emre , Battal Peyami
Published: January 2013

Laboratory experiments were performed to determine phytotoxic potentials of white top ( Lepidium draba) methanol extracts (root, stem and leaf) on germination and early growth of corn ( Zea mays) and redroot pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus). Furthermore, the effects of different methanol extracts of L. draba on the phytohormone (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), abscisic acid (ABA) and zeatin) levels of corn and redroot pigweed were investigated. It was observed that all concentrations of methanol extracts of root, stem and leaf of L. draba inhibited germination, radicle and plumule elongation when compared with the respective controls. Besides this, the degree of inhibition was increased in concert with increasing concentrations of extracts used. On the other hand, phytohormone levels changed with the application of different extract concentrations. Comparing with the control, the GA levels significantly decreased while the ABA levels increased in all the application groups. Zeatin and IAA levels showed changes depending upon the applied extracts and concentrations.
In vivo testing of a bioabsorbable magnesium alloy serving as total ossicular replacement prostheses
Authors: Lensing Rebecca , Behrens Peter , Müller Peter Paul , Lenarz Thomas , Stieve Martin
Published: January 2013

Magnesium alloys have been investigated in different fields of medicine and represent a promising biomaterial for implants due to characteristics like bioabsorbability and osteoinduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usability of magnesium as implant material in middle ear surgery. Magnesium implants were placed into the right middle ear of eighteen New Zealand White rabbits. Nine animals were euthanized after four weeks and nine animals after three month. The petrous bones were removed and embedded in epoxy resin. The specimens were then polished, stained and evaluated with the aid of a light microscope. The histological examination revealed a good biocompatibility. After four weeks, a beginning corrosion of the implant’s surface and low amount of trabecular bone formation in the area of the stapes base plate was observed. A considerable degradation of implants and obvious bone formation was found three month after implantation. The magnesium alloy used in the present study partly corroded too fast, so that a complete bone reconstruction could not be established in time. The increased osteoinduction on the stapes base plate resulted in a tight bone-implant bonding. Thus, a promising application of magnesium could be a coating of biomaterials in order to improve the bony integration of implants.
Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of polylactide-layered silicate nanocomposites
Authors: Mohapatra Aswini K , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K
Published: January 2013

Polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending technique. Two different commercially available nanoclays, Cloisite 93A (C93A) and Cloisite 30B (C30B) at various wt%, have been used to prepare the nanocomposites. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites have been studied to evaluate the effect of the nanoclay within the matrix polymer. Mechanical tests revealed an increase in the mechanical properties with the incorporation of organically modified nanoclays as compared with PLA matrix. PLA/C30B nanocomposites exhibited optimum tensile modulus at 3 wt% of clay loading. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were also performed to evaluate the thermal behavior of the nanocomposites. Further, viscoelastic behavior in the nanocomposites has been investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to study the damping behavior of the materials. Also the morphological study was carried out through X-ray diffraction analysis, and a better exfoliation or dispersion of C30B clay with PLA matrix was observed. The interaction between the clays and PLA matrix has also been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Experimental studies on rotary valves for single-tube pulse detonation rocket engines
Authors: Wang Ke , Fan Wei , Zhu Xu-dong , Jin Le , Chen Fan
Published: January 2013

Two types of rotary valve were designed and fabricated for single-tube pulse detonation rocket engines. According to their driving components, they were named as gear-driven and cam-driven rotary valve, respectively. Preliminary experimental investigations were carried out to test their feasibility for supply of the single-tube pulse detonation rocket engine. Based on the gear-driven rotary valve, the single-tube pulse detonation rocket engine operated at 10 Hz stably. When operating frequency was increased to 15 Hz, inconsecutive detonations happened which was due to signal output block in the encoder. It was found that optimal ignition timing needed to be adjusted to obtain stable operation in the gear-driven rotary-valved pulse detonation rocket engine. Discussion on this was conducted. Operations of the cam-driven rotary-valved pulse detonation rocket engine were also performed. Fully developed and successive detonations at 40 Hz were successfully obtained although an explosion happened in initial tests. Experimental results showed that these two types of rotary valve were able to realize supply control of single-tube pulse detonation rocket engines effectively.