bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triceps and Subscapular Skinfold Thickness Percentiles and Cut-Offs for Overweight and Obesity in a Population-Based Sample of Schoolchildren and Adolescents in Bogota, Colombia
Authors: Ramírez-Vélez Robinson , López-Cifuentes Mario , Correa-Bautista Jorge , González-Ruíz Katherine , González-Jiménez Emilio , Córdoba-Rodríguez Diana , Vivas Andrés , Triana-Reina Hector , Schmidt-RioValle Jacqueline
Published: September 2016

The assessment of skinfold thickness is an objective measure of adiposity. The aims of this study were to establish Colombian smoothed centile charts and LMS L (Box–Cox transformation), M (median), and S (coefficient of variation) tables for triceps, subscapular, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds; appropriate cut-offs were selected using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis based on a population-based sample of children and adolescents in Bogotá, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 9618 children and adolescents (55.7% girls; age range of 9–17.9 years). Triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements were obtained using standardized methods. We calculated the triceps + subscapular skinfold (T + SS) sum. Smoothed percentile curves for triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were derived using the LMS method. ROC curve analyses were used to evaluate the optimal cut-off point of skinfold thickness for overweight and obesity, based on the International Obesity Task Force definitions. Subscapular and triceps skinfolds and T + SS were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.001). The ROC analysis showed that subscapular and triceps skinfolds and T + SS have a high discriminatory power in the identification of overweight and obesity in the sample population in this study. Our results provide sex- and age-specific normative reference standards for skinfold thickness values from a population from Bogotá, Colombia.
Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Pharmacy in the UK. A Study on IPE Activities across Different Schools of Pharmacy
Authors: Patel Nilesh , Begum Shahmina , Kayyali Reem
Published: September 2016

Interprofessional education (IPE) has been recognised internationally as a way to improve healthcare professional interactions and team working in order to enhance patient care. Since pharmacists are increasingly part of multi-professional healthcare teams and are expanding their clinical roles, many pharmacy regulators have stipulated IPE must be included in educational curricula. This study aimed to examine how different Schools of Pharmacy (SOPs) in the UK implement IPE within their pharmacy course. Information about IPE was mainly obtained through interviews with staff from various SOPs. Nine telephone interviews were conducted which were analysed using a thematic analysis approach in order to derive common categories. These were identified as students, activities, barriers and facilitators and benefits of IPE. It was found that teaching methods used for IPE varied across SOPs. No standard strategy to deliver IPE was identified. Students were thought to value the IPE experience, especially the interaction with other professionals. The main barriers to implementing IPE arose from limited financial and organisational support. In general, many SOPs in the UK are undertaking IPE but challenges remain in establishing it as a routine part of the course, something which seems to echo difficulties in implementation of IPE both nationally and internationally.
A Cluster-Based Dual-Adaptive Topology Control Approach in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Gui Jinsong , Zhou Kai , Xiong Naixue
Published: September 2016

Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) can improve wireless network performance. Sensors are usually single-antenna devices due to the high hardware complexity and cost, so several sensors are used to form virtual MIMO array, which is a desirable approach to efficiently take advantage of MIMO gains. Also, in large Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), clustering can improve the network scalability, which is an effective topology control approach. The existing virtual MIMO-based clustering schemes do not either fully explore the benefits of MIMO or adaptively determine the clustering ranges. Also, clustering mechanism needs to be further improved to enhance the cluster structure life. In this paper, we propose an improved clustering scheme for virtual MIMO-based topology construction (ICV-MIMO), which can determine adaptively not only the inter-cluster transmission modes but also the clustering ranges. Through the rational division of cluster head function and the optimization of cluster head selection criteria and information exchange process, the ICV-MIMO scheme effectively reduces the network energy consumption and improves the lifetime of the cluster structure when compared with the existing typical virtual MIMO-based scheme. Moreover, the message overhead and time complexity are still in the same order of magnitude.
A Wireless 32-Channel Implantable Bidirectional Brain Machine Interface
Authors: Su Yi , Routhu Sudhamayee , Moon Kee , Lee Sung , Youm WooSub , Ozturk Yusuf
Published: September 2016

All neural information systems (NIS) rely on sensing neural activity to supply commands and control signals for computers, machines and a variety of prosthetic devices. Invasive systems achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by eliminating the volume conduction problems caused by tissue and bone. An implantable brain machine interface (BMI) using intracortical electrodes provides excellent detection of a broad range of frequency oscillatory activities through the placement of a sensor in direct contact with cortex. This paper introduces a compact-sized implantable wireless 32-channel bidirectional brain machine interface (BBMI) to be used with freely-moving primates. The system is designed to monitor brain sensorimotor rhythms and present current stimuli with a configurable duration, frequency and amplitude in real time to the brain based on the brain activity report. The battery is charged via a novel ultrasonic wireless power delivery module developed for efficient delivery of power into a deeply-implanted system. The system was successfully tested through bench tests and in vivo tests on a behaving primate to record the local field potential (LFP) oscillation and stimulate the target area at the same time.
Electrocardiogram Signal Denoising Using Extreme-Point Symmetric Mode Decomposition and Nonlocal Means
Authors: Tian Xiaoying , Li Yongshuai , Zhou Huan , Li Xiang , Chen Lisha , Zhang Xuming
Published: September 2016

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals contain a great deal of essential information which can be utilized by physicians for the diagnosis of heart diseases. Unfortunately, ECG signals are inevitably corrupted by noise which will severely affect the accuracy of cardiovascular disease diagnosis. Existing ECG signal denoising methods based on wavelet shrinkage, empirical mode decomposition and nonlocal means (NLM) cannot provide sufficient noise reduction or well-detailed preservation, especially with high noise corruption. To address this problem, we have proposed a hybrid ECG signal denoising scheme by combining extreme-point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD) with NLM. In the proposed method, the noisy ECG signals will first be decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and adaptive global mean using ESMD. Then, the first several IMFs will be filtered by the NLM method according to the frequency of IMFs while the QRS complex detected from these IMFs as the dominant feature of the ECG signal and the remaining IMFs will be left unprocessed. The denoised IMFs and unprocessed IMFs are combined to produce the final denoised ECG signals. Experiments on both simulated ECG signals and real ECG signals from the MIT-BIH database demonstrate that the proposed method can suppress noise in ECG signals effectively while preserving the details very well, and it outperforms several state-of-the-art ECG signal denoising methods in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), root mean squared error (RMSE), percent root mean square difference (PRD) and mean opinion score (MOS) error index.
Effect of Nanoparticles on Modified Screen Printed Inhibition Superoxide Dismutase Electrodes for Aluminum
Authors: Barquero-Quirós Miriam , Arcos-Martínez María
Published: September 2016

A novel amperometric biosensor for the determination of Al(III) based on the inhibition of the enzyme superoxide dismutase has been developed. The oxidation signal of epinephrine substrate was affected by the presence of Al(III) ions leading to a decrease in its amperometric current. The immobilization of the enzyme was performed with glutaraldehyde on screen-printed carbon electrodes modifiedwith tetrathiofulvalene (TTF) and different types ofnanoparticles. Nanoparticles of gold, platinum, rhodium and palladium were deposited on screen printed carbon electrodes by means of two electrochemical procedures. Nanoparticles were characterized trough scanning electronic microscopy, X-rays fluorescence, and atomic force microscopy. Palladium nanoparticles showed lower atomic force microscopy parameters and higher slope of aluminum calibration curves and were selected to perform sensor validation. The developed biosensor has a detection limit of 2.0 ± 0.2 μM for Al(III), with a reproducibility of 7.9% (n = 5). Recovery of standard reference material spiked to buffer solution was 103.8% with a relative standard deviation of 4.8% (n = 5). Recovery of tap water spiked with the standard reference material was 100.5 with a relative standard deviation of 3.4% (n = 3). The study of interfering ions has also been carried out.
Prescribing under the Influence: The Business of Breastmilk Substitutes
Authors: Rios Rosa , Riquelme Hernan , El Beshlawy Sharif
Published: September 2016

This study draws on a general theoretical framework comprising of a decision maker (a doctor), perceived moral intensity of the issue (breastfeeding substitute prescription), and the situational environment (hospital policy, pharma company promotions, and mother’s beliefs regarding breastfeeding) to explain the physician’s role and influence on mothers’ infant feeding choices when prescribing infant formula in Kuwait, Middle East. Moral intensity is an issue-contingent model that suggests ethical decisions vary in terms of how much a moral imperative is present in a situation. The moral intensity of the issue is assessed using six components. Path Least Squares results indicate the following moral intensity components have significant impact on prescription behavior: magnitude of consequences, probability of effect, and temporal immediacy. Company promotion and hospital policy also significantly influence doctor’s prescription of infant formula. Doctors appear to disengage from the consequences of over prescribing infant formula.
Developmental Bisphenol A Exposure Modulates Immune-Related Diseases
Authors: Xu Joella , Huang Guannan , Guo Tai
Published: September 2016

Bisphenol A (BPA), used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, has a widespread exposure to humans. BPA is of concern for developmental exposure resulting in immunomodulation and disease development due to its ability to cross the placental barrier and presence in breast milk. BPA can use various mechanisms to modulate the immune system and affect diseases, including agonistic and antagonistic effects on many receptors (e.g., estrogen receptors), epigenetic modifications, acting on cell signaling pathways and, likely, the gut microbiome. Immune cell populations and function from the innate and adaptive immune system are altered by developmental BPA exposure, including decreased T regulatory (Treg) cells and upregulated pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Developmental BPA exposure can also contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, allergy, asthma and mammary cancer disease by altering immune function. Multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus may also be exacerbated by BPA, although more research is needed. Additionally, BPA analogs, such as bisphenol S (BPS), have been increasing in use, and currently, little is known about their immune effects. Therefore, more studies should be conducted to determine if developmental exposure BPA and its analogs modulate immune responses and lead to immune-related diseases.
Effects of Estrogen, Nitric Oxide, and Dopamine on Behavioral Locomotor Activities in the Embryonic Zebrafish: A Pharmacological Study
Authors: Murcia Vania , Johnson Luke , Baldasare Meredith , Pouliot Bridgette , McKelvey John , Barbery Brandon , Lozier Julie , Bell Wade , Turner James
Published: September 2016

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to affect motor function. Specifically, NO has been shown to act through regulation of dopamine (DA) release, transporter function, and the elicitation of neuroprotection/neurodegeneration of neurons. Recently, zebrafish have been proposed to be a new model for the study of various types of motor dysfunctions, since neurotoxin damage to their nigrostriatal-like neurons exhibit motor anomalies similar to those of mammalian models and human patients. Results from this study demonstrate that when NO synthesis is inhibited in zebrafish, using a neuronal NO synthase inhibitor (nNOSI), a condition called ‘listless’ occurs, where the fish lack swimming abilities, are rigid, and have difficulty maintaining balance. Additionally, co-treatment with either NO or estrogen (E2), an upstream regulator of NO synthase, can rescue fish from the ‘listless’ phenotype caused by exposure to the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6 OHDA). In turn, NO deprived zebrafish were rescued from the ‘listless’ phenotype when co-treated with L-DOPA, a precursor to DA. Interestingly, the longer fish are exposed to a 6 OHDA + nNOSI co-treatment, the slower the recovery after washout, compared to a single treatment of each. Most significantly, NO involvement in the motor homeostasis of the embryonic zebrafish was shown to be expressed through the NO-cGMP-dependent pathway, and response to nNOSI treatments is developmentally regulated. In conclusion, these results indicate that there is a link between E2, NO, and DA systems that regulate motor functions in the embryonic zebrafish.
Polyamines as Snake Toxins and Their Probable Pharmacological Functions in Envenomation
Authors: Aird Steven , Villar Briones Alejandro , Roy Michael , Mikheyev Alexander
Published: September 2016

While decades of research have focused on snake venom proteins, far less attention has been paid to small organic venom constituents. Using mostly pooled samples, we surveyed 31 venoms (six elapid, six viperid, and 19 crotalid) for spermine, spermidine, putrescine, and cadaverine. Most venoms contained all four polyamines, although some in essentially trace quantities. Spermine is a potentially significant component of many viperid and crotalid venoms (≤0.16% by mass, or 7.9 µmol/g); however, it is almost completely absent from elapid venoms assayed. All elapid venoms contained larger molar quantities of putrescine and cadaverine than spermine, but still at levels that are likely to be biologically insignificant. As with venom purines, polyamines impact numerous physiological targets in ways that are consistent with the objectives of prey envenomation, prey immobilization via hypotension and paralysis. Most venoms probably do not contain sufficient quantities of polyamines to induce systemic effects in prey; however, local effects seem probable. A review of the pharmacological literature suggests that spermine could contribute to prey hypotension and paralysis by interacting with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, blood platelets, ryanodine receptors, and Ca2+-ATPase. It also blocks many types of cation-permeable channels by interacting with negatively charged amino acid residues in the channel mouths. The site of envenomation probably determines which physiological targets assume the greatest importance; however, venom-induced liberation of endogenous, intracellular stores of polyamines could potentially have systemic implications and may contribute significantly to envenomation sequelae.
Botulinum Toxin A for Controlling Obesity
Authors: Pero Raffaela , Coretti Lorena , Lembo Francesca
Published: September 2016

Rapid growth of the overweight population and the number of obese individuals in recent decades suggests that current strategies based on diet, exercise, and pharmacological knowledge are not sufficient to address this epidemic. Obesity is the result of a high caloric intake and energy storage, not counterbalanced by an equally important energy expense. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) use is rapidly expanding to include treatment of a variety of ophthalmological, gastrointestinal, urological, orthopedic, dermatological, secretory, painful, and cosmetic disorders. Many studies evaluating the effect of BoNT-A in gastric antrum e/o fundus for the treatment of obesity have been published. This treatment modality was based on the observation that gastric injection of BoNT-A in laparatomized rats induced a significant reduction of food intake and body weight. These studies have been published yielding debated results. Differences in the selection of patients, the doses of BoNT-A, the method of administration of the toxin, and the instruments of evaluation of some parameters among these studies may be the cause. In this review, it will study the state-of-the-art use of BoNT-A in obesity basic science models and review the clinical evidence on the therapeutic applications of BoNT-A for obesity.
High performance Ce-doped ZnO nanorods for sunlight-driven photocatalysis
Authors: Chouchene Bilel , Ben Chaabane Tahar , Balan Lavinia , Girot Emilien , Mozet Kevin , Medjahdi Ghouti , Schneider Raphaël
Published: September 2016

Ce-doped ZnO (ZnO:Ce) nanorods have been prepared through a solvothermal method and the effects of Ce-doping on the structural, optical and electronic properties of ZnO rods were studied. ZnO:Ce rods were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, BET, DRS and Raman spectroscopy. 5% Ce-doped ZnO rods with an average length of 130 nm and a diameter of 23 nm exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of the Orange II dye under solar light irradiation. The high photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the substantially enhanced light absorption in the visible region, to the high surface area of ZnO:Ce rods and to the effective electron–hole pair separation originating from Ce doping. The influence of various experimental parameters like the pH, the presence of salts and of organic compounds was investigated and no marked detrimental effect on the photocatalytic activity was observed. Finally, recyclability experiments demonstrate that ZnO:Ce rods are a stable solar-light photocatalyst.
p-Nitrophenyl carbonate promoted ring-opening reactions of DBU and DBN affording lactam carbamates
Authors: Vangala Madhuri , Shinde Ganesh P
Published: September 2016

The amidine bases DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) and DBN (1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene) display nucleophilic behaviour towards highly electrophilic p-nitrophenyl carbonate derivatives with ring opening of the bicyclic ring to form corresponding substituted ε-caprolactam and γ-lactam derived carbamates. This simple method presents a unified strategy to synthesize structurally diverse ε-caprolactam and γ-lactam compounds with a large substrate scope.
REFLECTION OF POLITICAL RESTRUCTURING ON URBAN SYMBOLS: THE CASE OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE IN ANKARA, TURKEY
Authors: Orhan Ezgi
Published: September 2016

Ankara, capital of Turkey has been the revolution space of the country after the proclamation of republic in 1923. The city has carried out the urban symbols of the republican ideology and modernity vision created by the nationalist administrators and elites. The newly established state used architecture and urban planning in transmitting the ideals of national unity and sovereignty by breaking off its ties from Ottoman heritage. After the span of eighty years, Turkey has experienced a new political hegemony. Post-2000s’ political approach changed the urban symbols of early Republican period and redesigned the capital in line with its ideological basis. One of the most concrete transformations is observed in the presidential palace of the country which conveys the political intents of each period through its spatial and architectural organizations. This study, therefore, aims to put forward the change in urban symbols and their meanings by focusing on the presidential palace. The palaces are investigated in observational domains; their spatial configurations, buildings, and symbols in relation to the political intents on urban areas and public realm. This paper concludes that in both periods presidential palaces with respect to their spatial and architectural designs are regarded as the icons in representing the dominant political power; the former used it as an instrument of national sovereignty whereas the latter used it as a mark of dominancy over the nation.
“THE OUTSIDE IS ALWAYS AN INSIDE”: THE IDEA OF SPACE AND ITS THEORETICAL HERITAGE IN “TOWARD AN ARCHITECTURE”
Authors: Cattaneo Daniela Alejandra , Cutruneo Jimena Paula
Published: September 2016

The article proposes to delve deeper in the idea of space in Le Corbusier’s Toward an Architecture (1923), focalizing in its connections with the past and urban design. When in his book Le Corbusier presents his “trois rappels a messieurs les architectes” – volume, surface and plan (in its broad sense) – he outlines the keys to his idea of space. It proves imperative to use Le Corbusier’s original term “Rappel” as its word play transcends any possible translation. Space is therefore defined as a Rappel (call) to architects, but also as a Rappel (reminder, evocation) to multiple theorizations and ideas that have traversed architecture throughout history. Le Corbusier’s argument understands the directions of space as an extension, showing his affiliation with a tradition of French thinking that, in architecture, subscribes since Viollet le Duc to the Cartesian Method, in which spatiality is understood – from the Barroque – both Outside and Inside. It is proven that, in clear continuity with French architectural tradition and drawing inspiration from the ideas of Auguste Choisy, Le Corbusier defines with the mass and the void a space in which “the Outside is always an Inside”. Thus, it is demonstrated that not only the links with the past but also the material resources for the definition of such space are common in different scales, from the definition of an inside up to the urban design.
A MEGACAM SURVEY OF OUTER HALO SATELLITES. VI. THE SPATIALLY RESOLVED STAR-FORMATION HISTORY OF THE CARINA DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXY*
Authors: Santana Felipe A. , Muñoz Ricardo R. , Boer T. J. L. de , Simon Joshua D. , Geha Marla , Côté Patrick , Guzmán Andrés E. , Stetson Peter , Djorgovski S. G.
Published: September 2016

We present the spatially resolved star-formation history (SFH) of the Carina dwarf spheroidal galaxy, obtained from deep, wide-field g and r imaging and a metallicity distribution from the literature. Our photometry covers ∼2 deg2, reaching up to ∼10 times the half-light radius of Carina with a completeness higher than 50% at g ∼ 24.5, more than one magnitude fainter than the oldest turnoff. This is the first time a combination of depth and coverage of this quality has been used to derive the SFH of Carina, enabling us to trace its different populations with unprecedented accuracy. We find that Carina’s SFH consists of two episodes well separated by a star-formation temporal gap. These episodes occurred at old (

Gyr) and intermediate (2–8 Gyr) ages. Our measurements show that the old episode comprises the majority of the population, accounting for 54 ± 5% of the stellar mass within 1.3 times the King tidal radius, while the total stellar mass derived for Carina is

, and the stellar mass-to-light ratio is 1.8 ± 0.2. The SFH derived is consistent with no recent star formation, which hints that the observed blue plume is due to blue stragglers. We conclude that the SFH of Carina evolved independently of the tidal field of the Milky Way, since the frequency and duration of its star-formation events do not correlate with its orbital parameters. This result is supported by the age–metallicity relation observed in Carina and the gradients calculated indicating that outer regions are older and more metal-poor.
ELECTRICALLY CHARGED MATTER IN PERMANENT ROTATION AROUND MAGNETIZED BLACK HOLES: A TOY MODEL FOR SELF-GRAVITATING FLUID TORI
Authors: Trova A. , Karas V. , Slaný P. , Kovář J.
Published: September 2016

We present an analytical approach for the equilibrium of a self-gravitating charged fluid embedded in a spherical gravitational and dipolar magnetic fields produced by a central mass. Our scheme is proposed, as a toy model, in the context of gaseous/dusty tori surrounding supermassive black holes in galactic nuclei. While the central black hole dominates the gravitational field and remains electrically neutral, the surrounding material has a non-negligible self-gravitational effect on the torus structure. By charging mechanisms it also acquires non-zero electric charge density, so the two influences need to be taken into account to achieve a self-consistent picture. Using our approach we discuss the impact of self-gravity, represented by the term

(ratio of the torus total mass to the mass of the central body), on the conditions for existence of the equilibrium and the morphology and typology of the tori. By comparison with a previous work without self-gravity, we show that the conditions can be different. Although the main aim of the present paper is to discuss a framework for the classification of electrically charged, magnetized, self-gravitating tori, we also mention potential astrophysical applications to vertically stratified fluid configurations.
THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE CHEMICAL EVOLUTION IN LOW-MASS GALAXIES
Authors: Liu Yiqing , Ho Luis C. , Peng Eric
Published: September 2016

The mean alpha-to-iron abundance ratio ([α/Fe]) of galaxies is sensitive to the chemical evolution processes at early time, and it is an indicator of star formation timescale (

). Although the physical reason remains ambiguous, there is a tight relation between [α/Fe] and stellar velocity dispersion (σ) among massive early-type galaxies (ETGs). However, no work has shown convincing results as to how this relation behaves at low masses. We assemble 15 data sets from the literature and build a large sample that includes 192 nearby low-mass (

km s−1) ETGs. We find that the [α/Fe]–σ relation generally holds for low-mass ETGs, except in extreme environments. Specifically, in normal galaxy cluster environments, the [α/Fe]–σ relation and its intrinsic scatter are, within uncertainties, similar for low-mass and high-mass ETGs. However, in the most massive relaxed galaxy cluster in our sample, the zero point of the relation is higher and the intrinsic scatter is significantly larger. By contrast, in galaxy groups the zero point of the relation offsets in the opposite direction, again with substantial intrinsic scatter. The elevated [α/Fe] of low-mass ETGs in the densest environments suggests that their star formation was quenched earlier. For the low-mass ETGs in the lowest-density environments, we suggest that their more extended star formation histories suppressed their average [α/Fe]. The large scatter in [α/Fe] may reflect stochasticity in the chemical evolution of low-mass galaxies.
Short-term Exposure to 50-Hz Electromagnetic Field and Alterations in NQO1 and NQO2 Expression in MCF-7 Cells
Authors: Mahmoudinasab Hamideh , Saadat Mostafa
Published: September 2016

AIM: Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) have some genotoxic effects and it may alter the mRNA levels of antioxidant genes. The NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) and NQO2 are ubiquitously expressed. Considering that there is no published data on the effect(s) of ELF-EMF (50-Hz) exposure and expression levels of NQO1 and NQO2 in the human MCF-7 cells, the present study was carried out.METHODS: The ELF-EMF (0.25 and 0.50 mT) exposure patterns were: 5 min field-on/5 min filed-off, 15 min field-on/15 min field-off, and 30 min field-on continuously. In all exposure conditions, total exposure time were 30 minutes. The RNA extraction was done at two times; immediately post exposure and two hours post exposure. The effect of ELF-EMF on gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR.RESULTS: The NQO1 mRNA level (at 0h) decreased in the cells exposed to 5 min field-on/5 min filed-off condition at 0.25 mT EMF when compared with the unexposed cells. The NQO2 mRNA level (at 0h and 2h) increased in the cells exposed to 5 min field-on/5 min filed-off condition at 0.50 mT EMF when compared with the unexposed cells.CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the NQO1 and NQO2 mRNA levels seem at the "5 min field-on/5 min field-off" condition.
O Blood Group as Risk Factor for Preeclampsia among Sudanese Women
Authors: Elmugabil Abdelmageed , Rayis Duria A. , Ahmed Mohamed A. , Adam Ishag , Gasim Gasim I.
Published: September 2016

AIM: To investigate blood groups and the other possible risk factors for preeclampsia among Sudanese women.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case â€“ control study was conducted at Saad Abualila Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan during the period of July 2013 through December 2014. The cases were women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women were the controls.RESULTS: Two hundred eighty pregnant women were enrolled (140 in each arm of the study). Around one-quarter of all women (280) were primiparae (74.0, 26.4%), the majority were housewives (201, 71.7%). Seventy-nine (28.2%) were illiterate or had no informal education. Around half of the women (130, 46.4%) had O blood group. Binary logistic regression showed association between preeclampsia and lack of antenatal care (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.172â”€6.494, P = 0.020) as well as O blood group (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.088â”€2.934, P=0.022).CONCLUSION: The current study showed that women with blood group O were at higher risk of preeclampsia.
Anxiety, Nursing Students, and Simulation: State of the Science
Authors: Shearer Jennifer N.
Published: September 2016

Background:

The purpose of this state-of-the-science article is to review the existing literature on the effect of anxiety on nursing students' simulation experience and to identify gaps for future research.

Method:

A comprehensive literature review to determine the state of the science focused on anxiety, nursing students, and simulation in peer-reviewed journal articles and dissertations. The review led to a critical appraisal of 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria.

Results:

Three clear themes emerged from the review: (a) The Unknown, (b) Critique by Peers and Faculty, and (c) The Experience of Making Mistakes. In addition to these themes, knowledge gaps were identified.

Conclusion:

Research is needed to develop interventions to effectively decrease student anxiety during simulation and to develop best practices for student preparation. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(10):551–554.]
Shifts in Attitudes, Knowledge, and Social Goals in Nursing Students Following Structured Contact With Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Redfield Carol S. , McGuire Adam P. , Lin Ting-Chun , Orton Valorie J. , Aust Melissa , Erickson Thane M.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Traditional nursing pedagogies have not systematically addressed the ageist perspectives students bring into training that threaten competent care for older adults. The current study evaluated nursing students' shifts in attitudes, knowledge about aging, and social goals during a program of repeated and structured social interactions with community-dwelling older adults.

Method:

Beginning nursing students in pairs met with high-functioning older adults four times over 8 months to provide brief health promotion activities. Students' knowledge and attitudes on aging were assessed at baseline and prior to each visit; social goals were assessed after each visit.

Results:

Multilevel growth curves revealed increases in students' knowledge about aging and positive views on caring for older adults. Motivation to help older adults (i.e., compassionate goals) did not change, but students' motivation to defend their competence (i.e., self-image goals) declined.

Conclusion:

A relational contact-based program may shift knowledge, attitudes, and social goals in nursing students, complementing traditional classroom nursing education. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2016;55(10):569–573.]
Policy-Focused Service-Learning as a Capstone: Teaching Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education
Authors: O'Neill Moira
Published: September 2016

Background:

The advancing accountability of nurses and nurse educators requires students to develop knowledge, skills, and judgment on a continuum of focus from individual patients to the broader context of care.

Method:

A dynamic capstone policy course was developed by applying the American Association of Colleges of Nursing'sEssentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practiceand capitalizing on related benefits of service-learning pedagogy. It shifts the approach from an intangible didactic lecture on policy and institutional structures to hands-on experiences in actual policy environment and patient health intersections. Acting as nurse consultants, students help clients address a system-based problem. Reflective assignments reinforce student learning as they take cumulative inventory of baccalaureate accomplishments.

Results:

Competencies in professionalism, teamwork and collaboration, communication, problem solving, and quality assurance are assessed. Students have engaged at sophisticated levels of practice and advocacy.

Conclusion:

Situating capstone service-learning in a nursing policy course appears to sensitize students to perspectives of all ecological levels and desensitizes their discomfort in the policy arena. Implications for research include identifying and implementing measures of success in program outcomes. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(10):583–586.]
Comparison of Pediatric and Adult Ophthalmology Consultations in an Urban Academic Medical Center
Authors: Patel Sejal H. , Park Sunju , Rosenberg Jamie B.
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to compare pediatric and adult ophthalmology consultations in an urban academic center.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of patients evaluated by the ophthalmology consultation service from January through June 2014 was conducted.

Results:

A total of 751 inpatients and emergency department patients were evaluated by the ophthalmology consultation service, of whom 152 (20.4%) were children and 598 (79.6%) were adults. The emergency department requested most of these consultations (42.8%), followed by internal medicine (39.1%) and pediatrics (18.4%) inpatients. More adult patients (94.5%) than children (76.5%) had abnormal findings on examination (
P
< .001). Altering management was recommended at a similar rate: 51.6% of pediatric patients and 54.3% of adult patients (
P
= .59). All children were initially seen by residents; children (38.6%) were more likely than adults (9.0%) to be seen with an attending physician (
P
< .001). Children (54.9%) were also more likely than adults (42.7%) to attend their recommended outpatient appointments (
P
= .027).

Conclusions:

The authors identified several interesting differences between the pediatric and adult consultation services. Although adult patients were more likely to have abnormal findings, the ophthalmology team recommended a change in management for more than half of each group. These rates of intervention suggest that it is equally important that children be considered for an ophthalmology consultation and examined as soon as possible. In addition, residents may need particular guidance in evaluating pediatric inpatients.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabimus
. 2017;54(1):17–21.]
Effects of Support Groups for Individuals with Early-Stage Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Integrative Review
Authors: Jao Ying-Ling , Epps Fayron , McDermott Caroline , Rose Karen M. , Specht Janet K.
Published: September 2016

Support groups have demonstrated promising outcomes for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia (ESD) in previous literature reviews. However, evidence has not been updated since 2007. The current review aimed to update current evidence on the use and effects of support groups for individuals with MCI and ESD and their care partners. A literature search was conducted in seven databases and 18 eligible research articles were retrieved. Support groups showed positive impacts on participant acceptance of cognitive impairment; performance and satisfaction of meaningful activity; resilience; self-help; and care partner coping self-efficacy, perceived support, and preparation and task effectiveness. Findings also revealed that support groups were well accepted by participants and care partners. Few studies included ethnic diversity, limiting the generalizability of findings. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm the effects of support groups for individuals with MCI and ESD in all populations.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2017; 10(1):35–51.]
Falls and Fall Prevention in Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia: An Integrative Review
Authors: Lach Helen W. , Harrison Barbara E. , Phongphanngam Sutthida
Published: September 2016

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia have an increased risk of falling, with risks to their health and quality of life. The purpose of the current integrative review was to evaluate evidence on fall risk and fall prevention in this population. Studies were included if they examined falls or fall risk factors in older adults with MCI or early-stage dementia, or reported interventions in this population; 40 studies met criteria. Evidence supports the increased risk of falls in individuals even in the early stages of dementia or MCI, and changes in gait, balance, and fear of falling that may be related to this increased fall risk. Interventions included exercise and multifactorial interventions that demonstrated some potential to reduce falls in this population. Few studies had strong designs to provide evidence for recommendations. Further study in this area is warranted.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2017; 10(03):139–148.]
Modes of Decision Making Used by Nursing Home Residents and Their Families When Confronted With Potential Hospital Readmission
Authors: Tappen Ruth M. , Elkins Deborah , Worch Sarah , Weglinski MaryAnn
Published: September 2016

The purpose of the current study was to characterize the decision-making processes used by nursing home (NH) residents and their families when confronted with an acute change in condition and the choice of transfer to the hospital or treatment in the NH. Using cognitive task analysis, 96 residents and 75 family members from 19 NHs were asked how they would make this choice. Fifty-one residents (53%) and 61 family members (81%) used a deliberative mode characterized by seeking information and weighing risks and benefits. Ten residents (10%) and five family members (7%) used a predominantly emotion-based mode characterized by references to feelings and prior experiences in these facilities. Thirty-six residents (38%) and nine family members (12%) delegated the decision to a family member or provider. Age and resident/family status were associated with mode used; transfer choice, gender, religion, education, and ethnic group were not. Although classic theories of information processing posit two modes of decision making, deliberative and affective, the current data suggest a third mode, that of delegating the decision to trusted others, particularly family members and providers.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2016; 9(6):288–299.]
Predicting Off-Label Antipsychotic Medication Use in a Randomly Selected Nursing Home Sample Based on Resident and Facility Characteristics
Authors: Mansbach William E. , Mace Ryan A. , Clark Kristen M. , Firth Isabella M. , Breeden Jacqueline K.
Published: September 2016

Reducing off-label antipsychotic medication use for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in nursing home residents has been a centerpiece of government regulation, but without insight into utilization differences based on resident and facility characteristics. To examine whether resident and facility characteristics can predict off-label antipsychotic medication treatment for BPSD, residents prescribed antipsychotic medication (
N
= 216) from 17 Maryland nursing facilities were randomly selected. Based on physician diagnoses, 59.7% of participants were taking off-label antipsychotic medications for BPSD. Hierarchical logistic regression results suggest that dementia level (indicated by Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool scores) and age, but not facility characteristics, significantly predict greater likelihood of using off-label antipsychotic medications for BPSD. Having moderate-severe dementia was associated with more than a four-fold increase in off-label antipsychotic medication use for BPSD. Off-label use of antipsychotic medications for BPSD remains high, especially for older nursing home residents with more severe dementia, indicating that more targeted reduction approaches are needed.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2016; 9(6):257–266.]
Students with hearing impairment at a South African university: Self-identity and disclosure
Authors: Bell Diane , Carl Arend , Swart Estelle
Published: September 2016

Background: A growing number of students with hearing loss are being granted access to higher education in South Africa due to the adoption of inclusive educational policies. However, available statistics indicate that participation by students with hearing impairments in higher education remains low and research suggests that support provisioning for those who do gain access is inadequate.Objectives:  This article aims to illustrate that the assumed self-identity of students with hearing impairment influences their choice to disclose their disability. The choice not to disclose their hearing loss prevents them from accessing the necessary reasonable accommodations and this in turn may affect their eventual educational success.Method: Reported here is a qualitative descriptive case study at a South African university. Purposive sampling methods were employed. Data were gathered from in-depth interviews with seven students with hearing impairment ranging from moderate to profound, using spoken language. Constructivist grounded theory was used as an approach to the process of generating and transforming the data, as well as the construction of theory.Findings: All the student participants identified as having a hearing rather than a D/deaf identity cultural paradigm and viewed themselves as ‘normal’. Linked to this was their unwillingness to disclose their hearing impairment and thus access support.Conclusion: It is crucially important for academic, support and administrative staff to be aware of both the assumed ‘hearing’ identity and therefore subsequent non-disclosure practices of students with a hearing impairment using the oral method of communication. Universities need to put measures in place to encourage students to voluntarily disclose their hearing impairment in order to provide more targeted teaching and learning support. This could lead to improved educational outcomes for students.
Reading protest and myth in Malawian literature: 1964–1990s
Authors: Kalua Fetson
Published: September 2016

Following Malawi’s attainment of independence from the British rule in 1964, its citizens endured more than three decades of highly autocratic rule under Dr Hastings Banda. Remarkably, this period also exemplified the flowering of Malawian literature, a literature in which a new generation of writers demonstrated their intense engagement with politics in their work by taking a swipe at Dr Banda’s tyrannical rule. Using postcolonial theory as a lens for cultural analysis, this article examines the work of selected Malawian writers whose main focus was to pinpoint how Malawi had found itself in the grip of the kind of political malaise that left its populace in a state of great despair and hopelessness. To that end, the article examines literary works by Malawian writers, notably Legson Kayira, Frank Chipasula, Felix Mnthali, Jack Mapanje and Steve Chimombo, in order to demonstrate the ambivalence of cultural identity rendered visible in these works through the personal fears, anxieties and frustrations of living in an era of such repressive politics and political heavyhandedness. Thus the writers of this particular generation produced the kind of texts which reflected and gave voice to the pain, unease and the malaise attendant on this postcolonial state, and the concomitant identity crises such pain brings about in a people. The argument of the article is that, for Malawi, the unfortunate state of politics engendered a cultural identity that was confusing and confused at best, and this found expression in the works being examined.
Are we teaching critical literacy? Reading practices in a township classroom
Authors: Lloyd Glynis
Published: September 2016

Despite improvements in educational provision in South Africa since 1994, the opportunities for learners from historically under-resourced schools to gain access to powerful English resources remain limited and unequal (Prinsloo 2012). In this article I will provide a detailed description of literacy practices in a township high school in Cape Town, specifically of the orientations to text that are made available to learners. I will draw on feminist poststructuralist theory, in which the subject is theorised as constructed and contested in language to construct difference. The analysis of classroom discourse and text-based tasks shows that the orientations to reading that were offered were characterised by a focus on the surface meaning of the texts and by an absence of critical engagement, despite the latter being required in the new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. The analysis reveals how the power dynamics of our racialised past and dominant ideologies about gender, class and race continue to define teaching in our classrooms in ways that limit access to the English resources that learners in under-resourced schools need for academic success.