bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Moderating Role of Different Sources of Perceived Social Support on the Dispositional Optimism— Posttraumatic Growth Relationship in Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Bozo Özlem , Gündoğdu Elçin , Büyükaşik-Çolak Canan
Published: September 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dispositional optimism—posttraumatic growth (PTG) relationship in postoperative breast cancer patients and to examine if perceived social support moderates this relationship. The study was conducted with 104 women undergoing postoperative chemotherapy treatment or coming to the hospital for their routine controls. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that breast cancer survivors high on dispositional optimism and perceived social support, are more likely to develop PTG. Among the different sources of social support, only social support perceived from a private person moderated the dispositional optimism—PTG relationship. Strengths, limitations and possible implications of the findings are discussed.
Preventing Disability through Exercise
Authors: Hardy Suzanne , Grogan Sarah
Published: September 2009

In this qualitative study focus groups were used to gain an in-depth understanding of personal and social influences on physical activity in 48 52—87-year-old participants. A model produced using a Grounded Theory analysis showed that preventing health decline was particularly important in determining physical activity participation. Other influences included enjoyment of exercise, others as motivators to exercise and perceived limited appreciation for older people’s needs. The results are discussed in relation to health and exercise interventions designed to motivate exercise behaviour in older adults.
Unsafe, Unwanted
Authors: Gavey Nicola , Schmidt Johanna , Braun Virginia , Fenaughty John , Eremin Maia
Published: September 2009

Individual and focus group interviews with a total of 40 gay and bisexual men, as well as with 23 community and/or professional key informants, highlighted that sexual coercion is an important, yet under-recognized, barrier to the practice of safer sex among men who have sex with men. In this article we discuss how the dynamics of sexual coercion, including subtle forms, can operate to compromise men’s ability to practise safer sex, leading men to have sex that is both unsafe and unwanted.
Unveiled
Authors: Prichard Ivanka , Tiggemann Marika
Published: September 2009

This study investigated the prevalence of appearance and weight-related concerns in 879 Australian brides-to-be recruited from five bridal websites. Close to 75 per cent of the sample intended to exercise more and follow a ‘healthy eating plan’, while over 35 per cent planned to cut fat or carbohydrates out of their diets. On average, participants wished to lose over 8kg (18lbs) by their wedding day, and one-third had been told to lose weight by someone else for the wedding. These findings demonstrate the salience of appearance concerns among brides-to-be and highlight the need to promote a healthier bridal body ideal.
Healthy Sex and Pop Porn: Pornography, Feminism and the Finnish Context
Authors: Paasonen Susanna
Published: September 2009

Objections to pornography as the commercialization of the intimate, as sexist or as generally harmful are voiced internationally, yet their investments and dynamics cannot be reduced to those expressed in the US in the wake of the sex wars. Addressing Finnish traditions of porn regulation, consumption and research, as well as the Nordic discourses of ‘good sex’, this article argues for the centrality of local histories in making sense of pornography. It conceptualizes pornography in terms of a dynamic nexus of actors, discourses, media economies, technologies and consumers that can only be studied through and within its specific articulations.
Sex Scandal Science in Hong Kong
Authors: Jacobs Katrien
Published: September 2009

This article gives an overview of my experience as a researcher using visual ethnography and sex studies to probe hidden strands of Chinese sex culture. More specifically, it shows how sexually explicit materials and sex studies became influential to undergraduate students at City University of Hong Kong on my course, ‘Gender Discourse’, in 2008 as a result of a celebrity sex scandal. The article considers the production and circulation of DIY pornographies made by ordinary people and attributed to celebrities by journalists, emotive and politicized reactions to pornographic media and sex scandals, and the development of teaching which encourages students to carry out creative experiments as sexually active subjects in media environments.
Social Scientists Don’t Say ‘Titwank’
Authors: McKee Alan
Published: September 2009

Drawing on the textual evidence of a number of referees’ reports this article maps key differences between the humanities and social sciences approaches to the study of pornography in order to facilitate better understanding and communication between the areas. 1. Social scientists avoid ‘vulgar’ language to describe sex. Humanities scholars need not do so. 2. Social scientists remain committed to the idea of ‘objectivity’ while humanities scholars reject the idea — although this may be a confusion in language, with the term in the social sciences used to mean something more like ‘falsifiability’. 3. Social science assumes that the primary effects of exposure to pornography must be negative. 4. More generally, social science resists paradigm changes, insisting that all new work agrees with research that has gone before. 5. Social science believes that casual sex and sadomasochism are negative; humanities research need not do so.
Evaluation of clinical checklists for fragile X syndrome screening in Brazilian intellectually disabled males
Authors: Christofolini Denise M. , Abbud Eduardo M. , Lipay Monica V.N. , Costa Silvia S. , Vianna-Morgante Angela M. , Bellucco Fernanda T.S. , Nogueira Sintia I. , Kulikowski Leslie D. , Brunoni Décio , Juliano Yára , Ramos Marco A.P. , Melaragno Maria Isabel
Published: September 2009

Patients with fragile X syndrome present a variable phenotype, which contributes to the underdiagnosing of this condition. The use of clinical checklists in individuals with intellectual disability can help in selecting patients to be given priority in the molecular investigation of the fragile X mutation in the FMR1 gene. Some features included in checklists are better predictors than others, but they can vary among different populations and with patient age. In the present study, we evaluated 20 features listed in four clinical checklists from the literature, using a sample of 192 Brazilian male patients presenting with intellectual disability (30 positive and 162 negative for fragile X mutation). After statistical analysis, 12 out of the 20 items analyzed showed significant differences in their distributions between the two groups. These features were grouped in a new checklist that can help clinicians in their referral for fragile X testing in patients with developmental delay.
On the computation of the Fréchet derivatives for seismic waveform inversion in 3D general anisotropic, heterogeneous media
Authors: Zhou Bing , Greenhalgh Stewart
Published: September 2009

We present a perturbation method and a matrix method for formulating the explicit Fréchet derivatives for seismic body-wave waveform inversion in 3D general anisotropic, heterogeneous media. Theoretically, the two methods yield the same explicit formula valid for any class of anisotropy and are completely equivalent if the model parameterization in the inversion is the same as that used in the discretization scheme (unstructured or structured mesh) for forward modeling. Explicit formulas allow various model parameterization schemes that try to match the resolution capability of the data and possibly reduce the dimensions of the Jacobian matrix. Based on the general expressions, relevant formulas for isotropic and 2.5D and 3D tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media are derived. Two computational schemes, constant-point and constant-block parameterization, offer effective and efficient means of forming the Jacobian matrix from the explicit Fréchet derivatives. The sensitivity patterns of the displacement vector to the independent model parameters in a weakly anisotropic medium clearly convey the imaging capability possible with seismic waveform inversion in such an anisotropic medium.
On convexity and detachment of innermost wavefront-slowness sheet
Authors: Bucataru Ioan , Slawinski Michael A.
Published: September 2009

We have proved that the innermost wavefront-slowness sheet of a Hookean solid is convex, whether or not it is detached from the other sheets. This theorem is valid for the generally anisotropic case, and it is an extension of theorems whose proofs require the detachment of the innermost sheet. Although the Hookean solids that represent most materials encountered in seismology exhibit a detached innermost sheet, the positive definiteness of the elasticity tensor, which is its sole fundamental constraint, allows for the existence of both detached and nondetached sheets. Besides the foundational considerations, the omnipresence of computer methods requires that we investigate cases that, even if not commonly encountered, are within the realm of physical possibility, and can appear as the output of modeling. The theorem proved for a general Hookean solid, has been exemplified using a particular case of transverse isotropy. For that case, it has been shown that the innermost sheet exhibits a polarization of a quasicompressional wave. However, this need not be a general property of that sheet because the presented theorem refers to convexity of the innermost sheet, not to its polarization.
Application of Snell’s law in weakly anisotropic media
Authors: Vanelle Claudia , Gajewski Dirk
Published: September 2009

Snell’s law describes the relationship between phase angles and velocities during the reflection or transmission of waves. It states that horizontal slowness with respect to an interface is preserved during reflection or transmission. Evaluation of this relationship at an interface between two isotropic media is straightforward. For anisotropic media, it is a complicated problem because phase velocity depends on the angle; in the anisotropic reflection/transmission problem, neither is known. Solving Snell’s law in the anisotropic case requires a numerical solution for a sixth-order polynomial. In addition to finding the roots, they must be assigned to the correct reflected or transmitted wave type. We show that if the anisotropy is weak, an approximate solution based on first-order perturbation theory can be obtained. This approach permits the computation of the full slowness vector and, thereby, the phase velocity and angle. In addition to replacing the need for solving the sixth-order polynomial, the resulting expressions allow us to prescribe the desired reflected or transmitted wave type. The method is best implemented iteratively to increase accuracy. The result can be applied to anisotropic media with arbitrary symmetry. It converges toward the weak-anisotropy solution and provides overall good accuracy for media with weak to moderate anisotropy.
On the nonuniqueness of traveltime inversion in elliptically anisotropic media
Authors: Grechka Vladimir
Published: September 2009

Elliptical velocity dependence on the direction of wave propagation is the simplest type of anisotropy that might be encountered in the subsurface. When the symmetry axis is vertical, describing elliptical anisotropy (EA) requires only one parameter — the ellipticity coefficient — in addition to the conventional isotropic velocity. It is tempting, therefore, to use elliptical anisotropy as a testing ground for various anisotropic parameter-estimation techniques. This apparently straightforward thinking, however, fails to deliver satisfactory results because traveltime inversion in certain EA media is known to be nonunique. Here, I prove this nonuniqueness to be a general property of all EA media and explicitly show that a constant depth stretch generates a family of kinematically equivalent EA models for any given spatial distribution of the ellipticity coefficient and the velocity.
Estimating effective elasticity tensors from Christoffel equations
Authors: Kochetov Mikhail , Slawinski Michael A.
Published: September 2009

We consider the problem of obtaining the orientation and elasticity parameters of an effective tensor of particular symmetry that corresponds to measurable traveltime and polarization quantities. These quantities — the wavefront-slowness and polarization vectors — are used in the Christoffel equation, a characteristic equation of the elastodynamic equation that brings seismic concepts to our formulation and relates experimental data to the elasticity tensor. To obtain an effective tensor of particular symmetry, we do not assume its orientation; thus, the regression using the residuals of the Christoffel equation results in a nonlinear optimization problem. We find the absolute extremum and, to avoid numerical instability of a global search, obtain an accurate initial guess using the tensor of given symmetry closest to the generally anisotropic tensor obtained from data by linear regression. The issue is twofold. First, finding the closest tensor of particular symmetry without assuming its orientation is challenging. Second, the closest tensor is not the effective tensor in the sense of regression because the process of finding it carries neither seismic concepts nor statistical information; rather, it relies on an abstract norm in the space of elasticity tensors. To include seismic concepts and statistical information, we distinguish between the closest tensor of particular symmetry and the effective one; the former is the initial guess to search for the latter.
Analysis of the symmetry of a stressed medium using nonlinear elasticity
Authors: Felício Fuck Rodrigo , Tsvankin Ilya
Published: September 2009

Velocity variations caused by subsurface stress changes play an important role in monitoring compacting reservoirs and in several other applications of seismic methods. A general way to describe stress- or strain-induced velocity fields is by employing the theory of nonlinear elasticity, which operates with third-order elastic (TOE) tensors. These sixth-rank strain-sensitivity tensors, however, are difficult to manipulate because of the large number of terms involved in the algebraic operations. Thus, even evaluation of the anisotropic symmetry of a medium under stress/strain proves to be a challenging task. We employ a matrix representation of TOE tensors that allows computation of strain-related stiffness perturbations from a linear combination of [Formula: see text] matrices scaled by the components of the strain tensor. In addition to streamlining the numerical algorithm, this approach helps to predict strain-induced symmetry using relatively straightforward algebraic considerations. For example, our analysis shows that a transversely isotropic (TI) medium acquires orthorhombic symmetry if one of the principal directions of the strain tensor is aligned with the symmetry axis. Otherwise, the strained TI medium can become monoclinic or even triclinic.
Estimation of interval anisotropy parameters using velocity-independent layer stripping
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiang , Tsvankin Ilya
Published: September 2009

Moveout analysis of long-spread P-wave data is widely used to estimate the key time-processing parameter [Formula: see text] in layered transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI). Inversion for interval [Formula: see text] values, however, suffers from instability caused by the trade-off between the effective moveout parameters and by subsequent error amplification during Dix-type layer stripping. We propose an alternative approach to nonhyperbolic moveout inversion based on the velocity-independent layer-stripping (VILS) method of Dewangan and Tsvankin. Also, we develop the 3D version of VILS and apply it to interval parameter estimation in orthorhombic media using wide-azimuth, long-spread data. If the overburden is laterally homogeneous and has a horizontal symmetry plane, VILS produces the exact interval traveltime-offset function in the target layer without knowledgeof the velocity field. Hence, Dix-type differentiation of moveout parameters used in existing techniques is replaced by the much more stable layer stripping of reflection traveltimes. The interval traveltimes are then inverted for the moveout parameters using the single-layer nonhyperbolic moveout equation. The superior accuracy and stability of the algorithm are illustrated on ray-traced synthetic data for typical VTI and orthorhombic models. Even small correlated noise in reflection traveltimes causes substantial distortions in the interval [Formula: see text] values computed by conventional Dix-type differentiation. In contrast, the output of VILS is insensitive to mild correlated traveltime errors. The algorithm is also tested on wide-azimuth P-wave reflection data recorded above a fractured reservoir at Rulison field in Colorado. The interval moveout parameters estimated by VILS in the shale layer above the reservoir are more plausible and less influenced by noise than those obtained by the Dix-type method.
Symmetry characterization and measurement errors of elasticity tensors
Authors: Bóna Andrej
Published: September 2009

It is often desirable to approximate a full anisotropic tensor, given by 21 independent parameters, by one with a higher symmetry. If one considers measurement errors of an elasticity tensor, the standard approaches of finding the best approximation by a higher symmetric tensor do not produce the most likely tensor. To find such a tensor, I replace the distance metric used in previous studies with one based on probability distribution functions of the errors of the measured quantities. In the case of normally distributed errors, the most likely tensor with higher symmetries coincides with the closest higher symmetric tensor, using a deviation-scaled Euclidean metric.
3D velocity-independent elliptically anisotropic moveout correction
Authors: Burnett William , Fomel Sergey
Published: September 2009

Azimuthal anisotropy or lateral velocity variations cause azimuthal variations in moveout velocity, which can degrade seismic images if handled improperly. In cases in which apparent azimuthally anisotropic moveout is present, a single picked velocity is inadequate to flatten an event on a 3D CMP gather. Conventional velocity-analysis techniques require a significant amount of time and effort, especially in areas where apparent anisotropy is observed. We propose a velocity-independent imaging approach to perform an elliptically anisotropic moveout correction in three dimensions. The velocity-independent approach relies on volumetric local traveltime slopes rather than aggregate velocities and therefore provides an azimuthally flexible description of traveltime geometries throughout the gather. We derive theoretical expressions for extracting the moveout slowness matrix and the angle between the symmetry and acquisition axes as volumetric local attributes. A practical inversion scheme to extract the same parameters is also developed. These parameters are used to solve for moveout slowness as a function of azimuth. Tests on a synthetic common-midpoint (CMP) gather show accurate results for the automatic moveout correction and the inversion scheme. A field data example from west Texas illustrates the application of the automatic moveout correction as a residual moveout.
Effective reflection coefficients for curved interfaces in transversely isotropic media
Authors: Ayzenberg Milana , Tsvankin Ilya , Aizenberg Arkady , Ursin Bjørn
Published: September 2009

Plane-wave reflection coefficients (PWRCs) are routinely used in amplitude-variation-with-offset analysis and for generating boundary data in Kirchhoff modeling. However, the geometrical-seismics approximation based on PWRCs becomes inadequate in describing reflected wavefields at near- and postcritical incidence angles. Also, PWRCs are derived for plane interfaces and break down in the presence of significant reflector curvature. Here, we discuss effective reflection coefficients (ERCs) designed to overcome the limitations of PWRCs for multicomponent data from heterogeneous anisotropic media. We represent the reflected wavefield in the immediate vicinity of a curved interface by a generalized plane-wave decomposition, which approximately reduces to the conventional Weyl-type integral computed for an apparent source location. The ERC then is obtainedas the ratio of the reflected and incident wavefields at each point of the interface. To conduct diffraction modeling, we combine ERCs with the tip-wave superposition method (TWSM), extended to elastic media. This methodology is implemented for curved interfaces that separate an isotropic incidence half-space and a transversely isotropic (TI) medium with the symmetry axis orthogonal to the reflector. If the interface is plane, ERCs generally are close to the exact solution, sensitive to the anisotropy parameters and source-receiver geometry. Numerical tests demonstrate that the difference between ERCs and PWRCs for typical TI models can be significant, especially at low frequencies and in the postcritical domain. For curved interfaces, ERCs provide a practical approximate tool to compute the reflected wavefield. We analyze the dependence of ERCs on reflector shape and demonstrate their advantages over PWRCs in 3D diffraction modeling of PP and PS reflection data.
Resistance of Adhesive Bonding of Ultra-High Performance Concrete to Hygrothermal, Corrosive, and Freeze-Thaw Cycling Environments
Authors: Krelaus R. , Wisner G. , Freisinger-Schadow S. , Schmidt M. , Böhm S. , Dilger K.
Published: September 2009

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with its unique material properties is suitable for the application of adhesive bonding as a joining technique. The results presented in this paper were generated as part of a research project aimed at investigating the properties of UHPC adhesive joints in terms of reliability, safety, and load bearing capacity. Fourteen adhesives were tested for strength and durability considering varying conditions of substrate surface pretreatment and different UHPC compositions. Tests under hygrothermal, freezing, and salt-spraying exposures were performed to investigate the long-term durability under different climatic conditions.
Do Parents Understand Growth Charts? A National, Internet-Based Survey
Authors: Ben-Joseph Elana Pearl , Dowshen Steven A. , Izenberg Neil
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess parental knowledge and understanding of growth charts.

METHODS: An online survey was conducted with 1000 parents selected to be demographically representative of the US population. Questions explored awareness of, knowledge of, and attitudes toward growth monitoring, as well as the ability to interpret growth chart data.

RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of parents surveyed claimed to have seen a growth chart before, with the majority thinking that they understood it well. Sixty-four percent of parents thought it was important to be shown growth charts to see how their child was growing, and 40% expressed the need to see their child's growth chart as confirmation of their health care provider's verbal interpretation. However, when provided with multiple-choice questions and answers, only 64% could identify a child's weight when shown a plotted point on a growth chart. Ninety-six percent had heard of the term “percentile,” but only 68% identified the percentile of the plotted point, and only 56% could identify the definition of percentile. Up to 77% interpreted incorrectly charts containing height/weight measurements in tandem.

CONCLUSIONS: Although growth charts are used frequently as visual aids to educate parents about their children's growth, many parents cannot comprehend the data. This finding is significant because many parents prefer to be shown growth charts by their health care provider, and many parents report recording their children's measurements on growth charts at home.
Relationship of Serum S100B Levels and Intracranial Injury in Children With Closed Head Trauma
Authors: Bechtel Kirsten , Frasure Sarah , Marshall Clement , Dziura James , Simpson Christine
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: To determine if serum levels of S100B are higher in children with CHT and ICI as detected by cranial CT and if long bone fractures affect the level of S100B in children with CHT and skeletal injury.

METHODS: Children <18 years of age who presented to an urban pediatric emergency department or were transferred from a referral hospital within 6 hours after accidental closed head trauma and who underwent cranial computed tomography were enrolled prospectively. Mean serum S100B levels for children with or without intracranial injury (ICI) and long-bone fractures were evaluated through analysis of covariance.

RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two children, 24 with ICI and 128 without ICI, were enrolled prospectively. Twenty-five children had long-bone fractures. Children with ICI were significantly younger than those without ICI (6.9 vs 9.8 years; P = .01). The time of venipuncture after injury was significantly later in children with ICI (P = .03). Mean S100B levels were significantly greater for children with ICI (212.9 vs 84.4 ng/L; P = .001), children with long-bone fractures (P = .008), and nonwhite children (P = .03). After controlling for time of venipuncture, long-bone fractures, and race, mean S100B levels were still greater for children with ICI (409 vs 118 ng/L; P = .001). The ability of serum S100B measurements to detect ICI, determined as the area under the curve, was 0.67.

CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for time of venipuncture, long-bone fractures, and race, S100B levels were still higher in children with ICI than in those without ICI. However, the ability of serum S100B measurements to detect ICI was poor.
Systematic Review of Screening for Bilirubin Encephalopathy in Neonates
Authors: Trikalinos Thomas A. , Chung Mei , Lau Joseph , Ip Stanley
Published: September 2009

CONTEXT: Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is associated with chronic bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus).

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effectiveness of specific screening modalities to prevent neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy.

METHODS: We identified studies through Medline searches, perusing reference lists and by consulting with US Preventive Services Task Force lead experts. We included English-language publications evaluating the effects of screening for bilirubin encephalopathy using early total serum bilirubin (TSB), transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements, or risk scores. Severe hyperbilirubinemia was used as a surrogate for possible chronic bilirubin encephalopathy, because no studies directly evaluated the latter as an outcome. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of early TSB, TcB measurements, or risk scores in detecting hyperbilirubinemia.

RESULTS: Ten publications (11 studies) were eligible. Seven (2 prospective) studies evaluated the ability of risk factors (n = 3), early TSB (n = 3), TcB (n = 2), or combinations of risk factors and early TSB (n = 1) to predict hyperbilirubinemia (typically TSB > 95th hour-specific percentile 24 hours to 30 days postpartum). Screening had good ability to detect hyperbilirubinemia: reported area-under-the-curve values ranged between 0.69 and 0.84, and reported sensitivities and specificities suggested similar diagnostic ability. Indirect evidence from 3 descriptive uncontrolled studies suggests favorable associations between initiation of screening and decrease in hyperbilirubinemia rates, and rates of treatment or readmissions for hyperbilirubinemia compared with the baseline of no screening. No study assessed harms of screening.

CONCLUSIONS: Effects of screening on the rates of bilirubin encephalopathy are unknown. Although screening can predict hyperbilirubinemia, there is no robust evidence to suggest that screening is associated with favorable clinical outcomes.
Research During Pediatric Residency Training: Outcome of a Senior Resident Block Rotation
Authors: Vinci Robert J. , Bauchner Howard , Finkelstein Jonathan , Newby P. K. , Muret-Wagstaff Sharon , Lovejoy Frederick H.
Published: September 2009

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Residency Review Committee requires programs to provide a curriculum that advances residents' knowledge of the basic principles of research. In July 2002, the Boston Combined Residency Program instituted a 3-month career-development block (CDB) rotation. During the rotation residents pursue an academic or clinical project under mentorship by a faculty member.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective for this study was to evaluate the outcome of the CDB rotation since it was implemented.

METHODS: A survey was administered to 165 residents who completed the CDB rotation.

RESULTS: Of 165 residents, 136 (82%) responded to the survey. Of 122 residents who reported the type of project they conducted, 59 (48%) completed a clinical/health services project, 24 (20%) completed a project in education or curriculum development, and 7 (6%) worked in basic science. Thirty-five residents (27%) received funding to support their work. Thirty-five residents (26%) presented at national meetings such as the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Fifteen (11%) residents have had manuscripts accepted for publication, and 22 (16%) additional residents have submitted manuscripts for publication. Factors associated with successful publication included having received funding (odds ratio: 3.37 [95% confidence interval: 1.34–8.42]) and the nature of the research project (odds ratio: 3.55 [95% confidence interval: 1.40–9.04]). The majority of residents (84%) stated that the CDB rotation enhanced residency training.

CONCLUSIONS: A dedicated academic rotation that includes protected time, senior faculty mentorship, and program funding, can lead to productive research accomplishments by pediatric residents. Support of academic work during residency training may encourage engagement in a variety of academically oriented activities.
Family-Based Treatment of Severe Pediatric Obesity: Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Kalarchian Melissa A. , Levine Michele D. , Arslanian Silva A. , Ewing Linda J. , Houck Patricia R. , Cheng Yu , Ringham Rebecca M. , Sheets Carrie A. , Marcus Marsha D.
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of family-based, behavioral weight control in the management of severe pediatric obesity.

METHODS: Participants were 192 children 8.0 to 12.0 years of age (mean ± SD: 10.2 ± 1.2 years). The average BMI percentile for age and gender was 99.18 (SD: 0.72). Families were assigned randomly to the intervention or usual care. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. The primary outcome was percent overweight (percent over the median BMI for age and gender). Changes in blood pressure, body composition, waist circumference, and health-related quality of life also were evaluated. Finally, we examined factors associated with changes in child percent overweight, particularly session attendance.

RESULTS: Intervention was associated with significant decreases in child percent overweight, relative to usual care, at 6 months. Intent-to-treat analyses documented that intervention was associated with a 7.58% decrease in child percent overweight at 6 months, compared with a 0.66% decrease with usual care, but differences were not significant at 12 or 18 months. Small significant improvements in medical outcomes were observed at 6 and 12 months. Children who attended ≥75% of intervention sessions maintained decreases in percent overweight through 18 months. Lower baseline percent overweight, better attendance, higher income, and greater parent BMI reduction were associated with significantly greater reductions in child percent overweight at 6 months among intervention participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Intervention was associated with significant short-term reductions in obesity and improvements in medical parameters and conferred longer-term weight change benefits for children who attended ≥75% of sessions.
Prediction of Birth Weight By Cotinine Levels During Pregnancy in a Population of Black Smokers
Authors: El-Mohandes Ayman A.E. , Kiely Michele , Gantz Marie G. , Blake Susan M. , El-Khorazaty M. Nabil
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to investigate the association between maternal salivary cotinine levels (SCLs) and pregnancy outcomes among black smokers.

METHODS: In a randomized, controlled trial conducted in 2001–2004 in Washington, DC, 714 women (126 active smokers [18%]) were tested for SCLs at the time of recruitment and later in pregnancy. Sociodemographic health risks and pregnancy outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS: Birth weights were significantly lower for infants born to mothers with baseline SCLs of ≥20 ng/mL in comparison with <20 ng/mL (P = .024), ≥50 ng/mL in comparison with <50 ng/mL (P = .002), and ≥100 ng/mL in comparison with <100 ng/mL (P = .002), in bivariate analyses. In linear regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic and medical factors, SCLs of ≥20 ng/mL were associated with a reduction in birth weight of 88 g when SCLs were measured at baseline (P = .042) and 205 g when SCLs were measured immediately before delivery (P < .001). Corresponding results were 129 g (P = .006) and 202 g (P < .001) for ≥50 ng/mL and 139 g (P = .007) and 205 g (P < .001) for ≥100 ng/mL. Gestational age was not affected significantly at any SCL, regardless of when SCLs were measured.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SCLs early in pregnancy or before delivery were associated with reductions in birth weight. At any cutoff level, birth weight reduction was more significant for the same SCL measured in late pregnancy. Maintaining lower levels of smoking for women who are unable to quit may be beneficial.
Risk Factors for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Death Among Infants in the United States, 1999–2004
Authors: Singleton Rosalyn J. , Wirsing Elisabeth A. , Haberling Dana L. , Christensen Krista Y. , Paddock Christopher D. , Hilinski Joseph A. , Stoll Barbara J. , Holman Robert C.
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal and birth-related risk factors associated with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) deaths among infants.

METHODS: Records for infants with LRTI as a cause of death were examined by using the linked birth/infant death database for 1999–2004. Singleton infants dying with LRTI and a random sample of surviving singleton infants were compared for selected characteristics.

RESULTS: A total of 5420 LRTI-associated infant deaths were documented in the United States during 1999–2004, for an LRTI-associated infant mortality rate of 22.3 per 100000 live births. Rates varied according to race; the rate for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) infants was highest (53.2), followed by black (44.1), white (18.7), and Asian/Pacific Islander infants (12.3). Singleton infants with low birth weight (<2500 g) were at increased risk of dying with LRTI after controlling for other characteristics, especially black infants. Both AI/AN and black infants born with a birth weight of ≥2500 g were more likely to have died with LRTI than other infants of the same birth weight. Other risk factors associated with LRTI infant death included male gender, the third or more live birth, an Apgar score of <8, unmarried mother, mother with <12 years of education, mother <25 years of age, and mother using tobacco during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS: Low birth weight was associated with markedly increased risk for LRTI-associated death among all of the racial groups. Among infants with a birth weight of ≥2500 g, AI/AN and black infants were at higher risk of LRTI-associated death, even after controlling for maternal and birth-related factors. Additional studies and strategies should focus on the prevention of maternal and birth-related risk factors for postneonatal LRTI and on identifying additional risk factors that contribute to elevated mortality among AI/AN and black infants.
Screening of Infants for Hyperbilirubinemia to Prevent Chronic Bilirubin Encephalopathy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
Authors:   US Preventive Services Task Force
Published: September 2009

DESCRIPTION: Recommendation on screening newborn infants, based on a recent supplemental review of a 2003 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality evidence report on the effectiveness of various screening strategies for preventing the development of chronic bilirubin encephalopathy, performed at the request of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This topic has not been previously considered by the USPSTF.

METHODS: The USPSTF reviewed experimental and observational studies that included comparison groups. For harms associated with phototherapy, case reports or case series were also included.

CONCLUSION: The evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for hyperbilirubinemia to prevent chronic bilirubin encephalopathy (I statement).
Familial Factors Do not Confound the Association Between Birth Weight and Childhood Asthma
Authors: Örtqvist Anne Kristina , Lundholm Cecilia , Carlström Eva , Lichtenstein Paul , Cnattingius Sven , Almqvist Catarina
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: Studies have found associations between low birth weight and asthma. However, this association could be due to familial confounding. Our objective was to investigate whether fetal growth and birth weight affect the risk of asthma in childhood, controlling for gestational age (GA), and shared (familial) environment and genetic factors.

PATIENT AND METHODS: Information on asthma, zygosity, birth characteristics, and potential confounders was collected for all 9- and 12-year-old twins through the Swedish Twin Register and Medical Birth Register. To obtain an overall effect of birth weight on risk of asthma, we performed cohort analyses on all twins (N = 10918). To address genetic and shared environmental confounding, we performed a co-twin control analysis by using the 157 monozygotic and 289 dizygotic same-sex twin pairs who were discordant for asthma.

RESULTS: The overall rate of asthma ever was 13.7%. In the cohort analysis, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for asthma in relation to a 1000-g decrease in birth weight was 1.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–1.79), and for each reduced gestational week the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.07–1.13). In the co-twin control analyses, a 1000-g decrease in birth weight corresponded to an OR of 1.25 (95% CI: 0.74–2.10) for dizygotic same-sex twins and 2.42 (95% CI: 1.00–5.88) for monozygotic twins.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between fetal growth and childhood asthma that is independent of GA and shared (familial) environment and genetic factors, which indicates that fetal growth restriction affects lung development, supporting additional studies on the early metabolic and physiologic mechanisms of childhood asthma.
Neonatal S100B Protein Levels After Prenatal Exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Pawluski Jodi L. , Galea Liisa A.M. , Brain Ursula , Papsdorf Michael , Oberlander Tim F.
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated neonatal S100B levels as a biomarker of prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure.

METHODS: Maternal (delivery; N = 53) and neonatal (cord; N = 52) serum S100B levels were compared between prenatally SSRI-exposed (maternal, N = 36; neonatal, N = 37; duration: 230 ± 71 days) and nonexposed (maternal, N = 17; neonatal, N = 15) groups. Measures of maternal depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed during the third trimester (33–36 weeks), and neonatal outcomes, including Apgar scores, birth weight, gestational age at birth, and symptoms of poor neonatal adaptation, were recorded.

RESULTS: S100B levels were significantly lower in prenatally SSRI-exposed neonates than in nonexposed neonates, controlling for gestational age and third-trimester maternal mood (P = .036). In contrast, SSRI-exposed mothers had significantly higher maternal serum S100B levels, compared with nonexposed mothers (P = .014), even controlling for maternal mood in the third trimester. S100B levels were not associated with maternal or neonatal drug levels, duration of prenatal exposure, demographic variables, or risk for poor neonatal adaptation.

CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal SSRI exposure was associated with decreased neonatal serum S100B levels, controlling for prenatal maternal mood. Neonatal S100B levels did not reflect neonatal behavioral outcomes and were not related to pharmacologic indices. These findings are consistent with prenatal alcohol and cocaine exposures, which also alter central serotonin levels.
The Prenatal Visit
Authors: Cohen George J. ,   Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health
Published: September 2009

As advocates for children and their families, pediatricians can support and guide expectant parents in the prenatal period. Prenatal visits allow the pediatrician to gather basic information from expectant parents, offer them information and advice, and identify high-risk conditions that may require special care. In addition, a prenatal visit is the first step in establishing a relationship between the family and the pediatrician (the infant's medical home) and in helping the parents develop parenting skills and confidence. There are several possible formats for this first visit. The one used depends on the experience and preference of the parents, the style of the pediatrician's practice, and pragmatic issues of reimbursement.
Policy Statement—Guidance for the Administration of Medication in School
Authors:   Council on School Health
Published: September 2009

This Policy Statement was revised. See https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-066839.

Many children who take medications require them during the school day. This policy statement is designed to guide prescribing health care professionals, school physicians, and school health councils on the administration of medications to children at school. All districts and schools need to have policies and plans in place for safe, effective, and efficient administration of medications at school. Having full-time licensed registered nurses administering all routine and emergency medications in schools is the best situation. When a licensed registered nurse is not available, a licensed practical nurse may administer medications. When a nurse cannot administer medication in school, the American Academy of Pediatrics supports appropriate delegation of nursing services in the school setting. Delegation is a tool that may be used by the licensed registered school nurse to allow unlicensed assistive personnel to provide standardized, routine health services under the supervision of the nurse and on the basis of physician guidance and school nursing assessment of the unique needs of the individual child and the suitability of delegation of specific nursing tasks. Any delegation of nursing duties must be consistent with the requirements of state nurse practice acts, state regulations, and guidelines provided by professional nursing organizations. Long-term, emergency, and short-term medications; over-the-counter medications; alternative medications; and experimental drugs that are administered as part of a clinical trial are discussed in this statement. This statement has been endorsed by the American School Health Association.
Anode‐voltage‐control circuit for compensation of luminance deterioration
Authors: Kasai Naruhiko , Kudo Yasuyuki , Ishii Masato , Kageyama Hiroshi , Akimoto Hajime , Nakamura Norihiro , Onoye Takao
Published: September 2009

Abstract— An external driving circuit that has realized long lifetime, power‐consumption control, and peak luminance for organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) displays have been developed. This circuit realizes an effective method for constant‐anode‐voltage (CV) driving refered to as clamped inverter (CI) driving. The feature of CV driving is to achieve low‐power consumption compared with constant‐anode‐current (CC) driving and to control the power consumption and peak luminance according to the image because display luminance can be easily changed by controlling the anode voltage. On the other hand, CV driving has the problem that luminance deterioration appears to be serious compared with that of CC driving because the current of the OLED element decreases according to usage time. To cope with this, a lifetime compensation circuit that has increased the anode voltage so that it compensates for the luminance deterioration has been developed. This circuit can compensate not only the decrease in current but also the decrease in luminance at a constant current that CC driving cannot. However, increasing the anode voltage causes an increase in stress on the OLED element. The influence of stress on OLED lifetime was verified. As a result, it was confirmed that this circuit can extend the lifetime by 32% even if the anode voltage is increased, causing stress on the OLED structure.
Digital‐to‐analog converter with gamma correction on glass substrate for TFT‐panel applications
Authors: Wang Tzu‐Ming , Li Yu‐Hsuan , Ker Ming‐Dou
Published: September 2009

Abstract—Low‐temperature polysilicon (LTPS) technology has a tendency towards integrating all circuits on glass substrate. However, the poly‐Si TFTs suffered poor uniformity with large variations in the device characteristics due to a narrow laser process window for producing large‐grained poly‐Si TFTs. The device variation is a serious problem for circuit realization on the LCD panel, so how to design reliable on‐panel circuits is a challenge for system‐on‐panel (SOP) applications. In this work, a 6‐bit R‐string digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC) with gamma correction on glass substrate for TFT‐panel applications is proposed. The proposed circuit, which is composed of a folded R‐string circuit, a segmented digital decoder, and reordering of the decoding circuit, has been designed and fabricated in a 3‐μm LTPS technology. The area of the new proposed DAC circuit is effectively reduced to about one‐sixth compared to that of the conventional circuit for the same LTPS process.
Zig‐zag electrode pattern for high brightness in a super in‐plane‐switching liquid‐crystal cell
Authors: Choi Hyunchul , Yeo Jun‐ho , Lee Gi‐Dong
Published: September 2009

Abstract— A novel electrode structure which can provide a high aperture ratio in a super in‐plane‐switching (S‐IPS) liquid‐crystal (LC) cell at high transmittance is proposed. To improve the aperture ratio of the S‐IPS cell, a zig‐zag electrode pattern was applied to the electrode edge in the active area that can effectively reduce the disclination area. In addition, a novel electrode structure was also applied to the bulk area which can reduce the cross‐talk and light leakage between the pixel lines and the data lines. As a result, it was found that the proposed electrode structure could provide a higher aperture ratio than that of the conventional type by reducing the black matrix (BM) area so that a high transmittance compared to that of the conventional structure can be achieved.
Novel light‐extraction film
Authors: Brewer John C. , Sudol Ronald J.
Published: September 2009

Abstract— A novel extractor's application to backlight‐unit (BLU) architectures of different size and application is presented. Critical material and design parameters are discussed. Seemingly trivial changes in design to accommodate different sizes and lighting geometries result in dramatic performance changes.