bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a moister media, from Aquaponics to multi-scalar navigation
Authors: Pothier Benjamin
Published: August 2014

The aquatic, the virtual and the zero-gravity medium share some similarities in the way they are experienced by human beings. Present-day realities are uncertain and fluid. As the term ‘Aquaponics’ refers to agriculture and suggest a very static process, I would advance that the metaphors of travel and movement should be more appropriate to describe today’s challenges regarding the exploration and understanding of those medium. I have included in this article a personal interview with Dr Sarah Jane Pell, a researcher, Artist and professional diver, in order to gain some perspectives on the testimonies of Kitsou Dubois, a French Choreographer who conducted zero-gravity performances. Based on their statements, I give further in the text an insight on my personal practice of Aikido, a Japanese martial art and mind–body harmonization technique. Using references from popular Culture, my own experiences and the testimonies of Kitsou Dubois and Dr Sarah Jane Pell, as well as examples taken from ancestral spiritual traditions from around the world, I try to draw a map of contemporary and multi-scalar realities with a critical approach to the concept of aquaponics.
Local regularity results for value functions of tug-of-war with noise and running payoff
Authors: Ruosteenoja Eero
Published: August 2014

We prove local Lipschitz continuity and Harnack's inequality for value functions of the stochastic game tug-of-war with noise and running payoff. As a consequence, we obtain game-theoretic proofs for the same regularity properties for viscosity solutions of the inhomogeneous p-Laplace equation when p > 2.
The interaction of sodium carboxymethylcellulose with gelatin in the absence and presence of NaCl, CaCl2 and glucose
Authors: Bazid Sihem , El Kolli Meriem , Medjahed Aicha , Doufnoune Rachida
Published: August 2014

The behavior of gelatin/sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) mixtures in an aqueous medium was investigated as a function of the pH, the protein to polysaccharide weight ratio and the total biopolymer concentration. The polydispersity of these solutions was investigated by measuring the UV-vis absorbance of the mixture at 650 nm. The change in the absorbance at 650 nm for all gelatin/NaCMC/water dispersions showed that the most significant interaction by this technique was at a pH of 4.2. Increasing the total concentration of biopolymers greatly increased the interaction between gelatin and NaCMC. It was also found that at this value of pH, and at a remarkable value of the protein to polysaccharide weight ratio of 1:1, the electrostatic interactions between gelatin and NaCMC were maximum. It was demonstrated that the addition of an anionic polysaccharide such as NaCMC can affect the behavior of gelatin in solution. In addition to the pH of the solution, other factors such as the presence of NaCl, CaCl2 and glucose may affect the rate of helicity and the scattering power of the gelatin. This has been confirmed by infrared spectroscopy as well as polarimetry.
A View from Scotland’s coast
Authors: Dawson Tom
Published: August 2014

Coastal erosion is one of the gravest natural threats to our shared heritage. Although climate change predictions suggest that things will worsen in the future, the problem is already with us. In Scotland, the SCAPE (Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion) Trust and the University of St Andrews have been working with the public for many years. Their latest project, SCHARP, works with the public to update previous surveys and to nominate and undertake practical projects at locally valued sites. The project is increasing public knowledge about how climatic events are altering coastlines and informing management decisions, while providing the public a stake in their coastal heritage.
The Genetic Architecture of Coordinately Evolving Male Wing Pigmentation and Courtship Behavior inDrosophila elegansandDrosophila gunungcola
Authors: Yeh Shu-Dan , True John R
Published: August 2014

Many adaptive phenotypes consist of combinations of simpler traits that act synergistically, such as morphological traits and the behaviors that use those traits. Genetic correlations between components of such combinatorial traits, in the form of pleiotropic or tightly linked genes, can in principle promote the evolution and maintenance of these traits. In the Oriental Drosophila melanogaster species group, male wing pigmentation shows phylogenetic correlations with male courtship behavior; species with male-specific apical wing melanin spots also exhibit male visual wing displays, whereas species lacking these spots generally lack the displays. In this study, we investigated the quantitative genetic basis of divergence in male wing spots and displays between D. elegans, which possesses both traits, and its sibling species D. gunungcola, which lacks them. We found that divergence in wing spot size is determined by at least three quantitative trait loci (QTL) and divergence in courtship score is determined by at least four QTL. On the autosomes, QTL locations for pigmentation and behavior were generally separate, but on the X chromosome two clusters of QTL were found affecting both wing pigmentation and courtship behavior. We also examined the genetic basis of divergence in three components of male courtship, wing display, circling, and body shaking. Each of these showed a distinct genetic architecture, with some QTL mapping to similar positions as QTL for overall courtship score. Pairwise tests for interactions between marker loci revealed evidence of epistasis between putative QTL for wing pigmentation but not those for courtship behavior. The clustering of X-linked QTL for male pigmentation and behavior is consistent with the concerted evolution of these traits and motivates fine-scale mapping studies to elucidate the nature of the contributing genetic factors in these intervals.
A Test of Double Interspecific Introgression of Nucleoporin Genes in Drosophila
Authors: Sawamura Kyoichi , Maehara Kazunori , Keira Yoko , Ishikawa Hiroyuki O , Sasamura Takeshi , Yamakawa Tomoko , Matsuno Kenji
Published: August 2014

In interspecific hybrids between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans, the D. simulans nucleoporin-encoding Nup96sim and Nup160sim can cause recessive lethality if the hybrid does not also inherit the D. simulans X chromosome. In addition, Nup160sim leads to recessive female sterility in the D. melanogaster genetic background. Here, we conducted carefully controlled crosses to better understand

the relationship between Nup96sim and Nup160sim. Nup96sim did not lead to female sterility in the D. melanogaster genetic background, and double introgression of Nup96sim and Nup160sim did not generally lead to lethality when one was heterozygous and the other homozygous (hemizygous). It appears that introgression of additional autosomal D. simulans genes is necessary to cause lethality and that the effect of the introgression is dominant to D. melanogaster alleles. Interestingly, the genetic background affected dominance of Nup96sim, and double introgression carrying homozygous Nup96sim and hemizygous Nup160sim resulted in lethality. Thus, Nup96sim and Nup160sim seem to be two components of the same incompatibility.
Computer technology as a pedagogical innovation in physical education of schoolchildren
Authors: Borysova Yu.Yu. , Vlasyuk E.A.
Published: August 2014

Purpose : determine the status of implementation of computer programs in physical education of students of Dnipropetrovsk region and the need for automated monitoring systems components of the physical condition of schoolchildren. Material : This survey was attended by 21 physical education teacher: teacher-trainers - 19.05%, with the highest category of teachers - 33.3%, with the first - 23.8%, in the second - 19.05%, professionals - 4.8%. Found that 90.5% of employees feel the need to create an automated system for complete monitoring of the physical condition of students grades 1-11 for the introduction of a differentiated approach in physical education of students. Conclusions . The study results give reason to believe it expedient to establish a comprehensive program of monitoring the physical condition of students based on physical development, functional and physical preparedness depending on features weighty growth indicators.
The influence of special acrobatic classes on the expression levels of sustainability of the vestibular analyzer of young 6-8 year-old all-round fighters attending basic training groups
Authors: Voropay S.M. , Buryanovatiy O.M.
Published: August 2014

Purpose : to increase the level of manifestation sustainability of the vestibular analyzer young fighters-all-rounders aged 6-8 years in initial training through a shift from the technical and tactical training in the direction of general physical and acrobatic. The research task was to prove the effectiveness of training, aimed at special acrobatic training at the level of the manifestation of stability of the vestibular analyzer young fighters-all-rounders aged 6-8 years who are engaged in military-sports-around in initial training. Material : the research has been done at the premises of the Kirovograd Federation of military and sports all-rounders. It covered 40 young sportsmen divided into two groups of 20 persons each: an experimental and control group. The research was conducted during the two years engaging steady student population. Results : it is established that after the execution of the experimental training program most likely changes were observed among the indicators vestibular illusions against rotation (VIAR) (43.3 %), after performing traditional training programs respectively to 10.6 %; less noticeable changes among the indicators heart rate and eyes nystagmus (2,6%, 1,62% and 0,4%). Conclusions : shifting focus from technical and tactical training in the direction of the general physical and acrobatic increase the level of manifestation of the stability of the vestibular young fighters all-rounders aged 6-8 years.
Psychological and psycho-physical training as a part of physical education of students in higher educational establishments
Authors: Pichurin V.V.
Published: August 2014

Purpose: to analyze the phenomenon of psychological and psycho-physical training as part of physical education of students. Material: literary sources about problem investigation. Results: are given and analyzed a number of factors that determine the need for higher education in the special psychological and psycho-physical preparation for professional work. The question of psychological and psycho-physical preparation of students for professional work in the structure of physical education has considered. The difference has shown in the proposed concept of "psychological and psycho-physical training" known in physical education concept of "professionally applied physical training" and "psycho-physical preparation". Psychological and psycho-physical readiness is considered in the work as a kind of substructure overall personality structure. A model of psychological and psycho-physical preparedness of the student has proposed in this work. Conclusions: psychological and psycho-physical preparation of students for professional work can be done in physical education. It should be considered as part of physical education students in relation to specialized psychological and psychophysical characteristics of future careers.
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS, DAIRY PRODUCTS AND CALCIUM INTAKES ON RISK FACTORS OF OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION IN FEMALE STUDENTS OF ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY OF DAMAVAND, IRAN
Authors: Marya Rehmani Ghobadi , Rastegar Hoseini
Published: August 2014

Aim: Osteoporosis is a serious metabolic bone disorder that often results in hip fracture and usually asymptomatic in its initial stages. Since the majority of bone formation occurs during childhood and adolescence, it is important to begin primary prevention at an early age, although the optimal way for instilling this preventive behavior in youth has not yet been defined. The purpose of this study was to investigating the effects of physical activity levels, dairy products and calcium intakes on risk factors of osteoporosis prevention in female students of Islamic Azad university of Damavand in Iran. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 280 healthy female university students aged between 18 to 24 years old who were selected randomly from the university students of Islamic Azad university of Damavand, Iran. Subjects completed an informed consent form, health history questionnaire; food questionnaire was used to assess the entire dietary component intakes and physical activity questionnaire (Baecke). Result: The result shows that Increase in physical activity and diary product consumption, the calcium intake with a decrease in BMI, and increase in BMD. Also results shows that there were significant negative correlations between the physical activity levels, diary product consumption, the calcium intake and risk factors of osteoporosis. Conclusions: Increased physical activity and diary product consumption, the calcium intake is associated with an increase in BMD and a concomitant decrease in BMI. These findings suggest that population-level interventions to increase physical activity and diary product consumption, the calcium intake would favorably impact bone and other health outcomes. Thus, dietary pattern coupled with higher education levels and greater physical activity favored bone health and osteoporosis prevention in middle school females.
Nanodiamond-based Nanolubricants: Experiment and Modeling
Authors: Brenner D. , Mahbooba Z. , Saberi-Movahed F. , Krim J. , Liu Z. , Ivanov M.G. , Osawa E. , Shenderova O.
Published: August 2014

Our recent efforts using primarily nanodiamonds as lubricant additives are discussed. For traditional high performance engine oils, our results show a reduction in friction for steel surfaces for both laboratory experiments under controlled conditions and in a pilot study of passenger cars under typical driving conditions. Examination of the surfaces suggests that surface polishing at the sub-micron scale may be responsible for these results. A separate set of experiments using a quartz crystal microbalance to measure dissipation and drag due to friction has shown that when added to water the charge of the nanodiamond acquired from surface functionalization can have a large influence on uptake and friction at the water-metal interface. More importantly, these results suggest the possibility of creating nanodiamonds with controllable frictional drag at the solid-liquid interface through surface processing. Companion simulation results for nanodiamonds in water sliding between diamond surfaces are also presented. Future possibilities for further understanding and tuning the properties of nanodiamonds as lubricant additives through synergistic experiments and modeling are also discussed.
FDA Approval Summary: Crizotinib for the Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Rearrangements
Authors: Kazandjian Dickran , Blumenthal Gideon M. , Chen Huan-Yu , He Kun , Patel Mona , Justice Robert , Keegan Patricia , Pazdur Richard
Published: August 2014

On August 26, 2011, crizotinib received accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is ALK-positive as detected by a test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approval was based on two single-arm trials demonstrating objective response rates (ORRs) of 50% and 61% and median response durations of 42 and 48 weeks. On November 20, 2013, crizotinib received regular approval based on confirmation of clinical benefit in study A8081007, a randomized trial in 347 patients with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC who had previously received one platinum-containing regimen. Patients were assigned (1:1) to receive crizotinib 250 mg orally twice daily or standard of care (docetaxel or pemetrexed). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) determined by independent radiology review; secondary endpoints were ORR and overall survival (OS). PFS was significantly longer in the crizotinib arm, with median PFS of 7.7 and 3.0 months in the crizotinib and chemotherapy arms, respectively, and a 46% absolute increase in ORR but no difference in OS between treatment arms at the interim analysis. The most common adverse drug reactions (>25%) in crizotinib-treated patients were vision disorders, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, edema, elevated transaminases, and fatigue. The most serious toxicities of crizotinib were hepatotoxicity, interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis, and QT-interval prolongation. Crizotinib's rapid clinical development program (6 years from identification of ALK rearrangements in a subset of NSCLC to full FDA approval) is a model of efficient drug development in this new era of molecularly targeted oncology therapy.
Species associations structured by environment and land‐use history promote beta‐diversity in a temperate forest
Authors: Murphy Stephen J. , Audino Lívia D. , Whitacre James , Eck Jenalle L. , Wenzel John W. , Queenborough Simon A. , Comita Liza S.
Published: August 2014

Patterns of diversity and community composition in forests are controlled by a combination of environmental factors, historical events, and stochastic or neutral mechanisms. Each of these processes has been linked to forest community assembly, but their combined contributions to alpha and beta‐diversity in forests has not been well explored. Here we use variance partitioning to analyze ~40 000 individual trees of 49 species, collected within 137 ha of sampling area spread across a 900‐ha temperate deciduous forest reserve in Pennsylvania to ask (1) To what extent is site‐to‐site variation in species richness and community composition of a temperate forest explained by measured environmental gradients and by spatial descriptors (used here to estimate dispersal‐assembly or unmeasured, spatially structured processes)? (2) How does the incorporation of land‐use history information increase the importance attributed to deterministic community assembly? and (3) How do the distributions and abundances of individual species within the community correlate with these factors? Environmental variables (i.e., topography, soils, and distance to stream), spatial descriptors (i.e., spatial eigenvectors derived from Cartesian coordinates), and land‐use history variables (i.e., land‐use type and intensity, forest age, and distance to road), explained about half of the variation in both species richness and community composition. Spatial descriptors explained the most variation, followed by measured environmental variables and then by land‐use history. Individual species revealed variable responses to each of these sets of predictor variables. Several species were associated with stream habitats, and others were strictly delimited across opposing north‐ and south‐facing slopes. Several species were also associated with areas that experienced recent (i.e., <100 years) human land‐use impacts. These results indicate that deterministic factors, including environmental and land‐use history variables, are important drivers of community response. The large amount of “unexplained” variation seen here (about 50%) is commonly observed in other such studies attempting to explain distribution and abundance patterns of plant communities. Determining whether such large fractions of unaccounted for variation are caused by a lack of sufficient data, or are an indication of stochastic features of forest communities globally, will remain an important challenge for ecologists in the future.
EMDR With Traumatized Refugees: From Experience-Based to Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Heide F. Jackie June ter , Mooren Trudy T. M. , Knipscheer Jeroen W. , Kleber Rolf J.
Published: August 2014

Many refugees resettled in Western countries suffer from an accumulation of traumatic and current stressors that contribute to mental health problems and may complicate trauma-focused treatment. Consequently, the acceptability, safety, and efficacy of trauma-focused treatment with refugees have been a matter of clinical and scientific interest. In recent years, the evidence has accumulated for narrative exposure therapy and culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy. Although eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is practiced with resettled refugees, only five small studies of limited quality have been conducted on EMDR with this population. In the absence of strong evidence, therapists practising EMDR with refugees may be aided by transcultural psychiatric principles, especially matching of explanatory models. In addition, high-quality research is needed to reliably determine acceptability, safety, and efficacy of EMDR with traumatized refugees.
Agronomic Factors Affecting Dryland Grain Sorghum Maturity and Production in Northeast Colorado
Authors: Sauer Sally M. , Johnson Jerry J. , McMaster Gregory S. , Vigil Merle F.
Published: August 2014

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important dryland crop in southeastern Colorado, but expansion into northeastern Colorado is thought to be limited due to the shorter growing season. The study examined whether sorghum production could be expanded into northeastern Colorado. A 2‐yr study in northeastern Colorado at Akron (2010, 2011), Fort Collins (2011), and Stratton (2010) investigated row orientation, seeding rate, and row spacing effects for three hybrids within early to medium‐early maturity classes on the time to physiological maturity and grain yield. All treatments reached physiological maturity in the four trial environments. Hybrid selection and seeding rate significantly impacted the thermal time to reach physiological maturity. The medium‐early hybrid (5745) matured significantly later than the early maturity hybrids (88P68 and DKS29‐28). The seeding rate of 20 seeds m−2 matured significantly earlier than 11 seeds m−2, which matured much earlier than 3 seeds m−2. Row orientation and row spacing did not influence maturity. Yields were generally acceptable across all environments, hybrids, and agronomic treatments, and average yields among environments ranged from 1690 to 4845 kg ha−1. Probabilities of the hybrids reaching maturity were high at Akron and Stratton (at least 62 and 86%, respectively, for the latest simulated planting date), but low for Fort Collins (highest of 75% for the earliest simulated planting date). Grain sorghum can successfully be grown in northeast Colorado, especially if planting early maturity hybrids using 0.76 m row spacing at a seeding rate close to 11 seeds m−2.
Comparison of Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics in Forested Riparian Wetlands and Adjacent Uplands
Authors: Ricker Matthew C. , Stolt Mark H. , Zavada Michael S.
Published: August 2014

Wetland riparian soils typically have greater C pools than adjacent uplands, yet quantifying soil organic C (SOC) sequestration in riparian systems remains difficult. Quantification of major inputs and losses of autochthonous SOC through process‐based measurements would allow for better comparisons between riparian and upland systems. In this study, we quantified major soil C fluxes within five paired headwater riparian and upland sites in Rhode Island. The difference between total C inputs and losses were used to construct net annual landscape‐scale SOC sequestration rates. Annual SOC inputs were statistically similar between landscapes, with the exception of those from understory herbaceous vegetation, which were significantly greater (p < 0.001) in riparian zones than uplands. Mean annual C losses via soil respiration were also statistically similar between landscapes, but estimates of microbial respiration (actual loss of SOC) were significantly less (p < 0.01) in riparian ecosystems. Thus, riparian forests had greater net annual SOC sequestration (range 2.4–3.4 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) than paired upland sites (range 0.4–2.1 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). Our results suggest that process‐based SOC sequestration measures can yield similar results to traditional methods, such as chronosequences, but our averaged estimates (2.0 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) were greater than those typically reported using alternate approaches.
Electromagnetic Conductivity Imaging of Soil Salinity in an Estuarine–Alluvial Landscape
Authors: Goff A. , Huang J. , Wong V.N.L. , Monteiro Santos F.A. , Wege R. , Triantafilis J.
Published: August 2014

In coastal–estuarine agricultural landscapes, shallow and often saline water tables are problematic because they limit agricultural productivity. To understand the dynamics of rainfall events and tidal influences, natural resource management baseline data need to be collected to describe the heterogeneous nature of the soil and interactions with fluctuating groundwater tables, particularly in areas characterized by coastal acid sulfate soil. Electromagnetic induction instruments are increasingly being used because they measure the apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa, mS m−1), which is related to soil salinity and hydrologic properties. Our aim was to demonstrate how the ECa data from a DUALEM‐421 can be used in conjunction with inversion software (EM4Soil) to develop electromagnetic conductivity images, which are two‐dimensional cross‐sections of estimates of the true electrical conductivity (σ, mS m−1). We show how the estimates of σ can be related to the electrical conductivity of a saturated soil paste extract (ECe, dS m−1) across an estuarine landscape and situated within Quaternary fluvial sediments adjacent to Rocky Mouth Creek on the far northern coast of New South Wales, Australia. Our results indicate that a good linear relationship (r2 = 0.70) can be established between σ and ECe, and the results reflect the existing soil landscape units.
Dysregulation of gene expression in ABCC6 knockdown HepG2 cells
Authors: Miglionico Rocchina , Armentano Maria , Carmosino Monica , Salvia Antonella , Cuviello Flavia , Bisaccia Faustino , Ostuni Angela
Published: August 2014

ABCC6 protein is an ATP-dependent transporter that is mainly found in the basolateral plasma membrane of hepatocytes. ABCC6 deficiency is the primary cause of several forms of ectopic mineralization syndrome. Mutations in the human ABCC6 gene cause pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), an autosomal recessive disease characterized by ectopic calcification of the elastic fibers in dermal, ocular and vascular tissues. Mutations in the mouse ABCC6 gene were also associated with dystrophic cardiac calcification. Reduced levels of ABCC6 protein were found in a β-thalassemic mouse model. Moreover, some cases of generalized arterial calcification in infancy are due to ABCC6 mutations. In order to study the role of ABCC6 in the pathogenesis of ectopic mineralization, the expressions of genes involved in this process were evaluated in HepG2 cells upon stable knockdown of ABCC6 by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology. ABCC6 knockdown in HepG2 cells causes a significant upregulation of the genes promoting mineralization, such as TNAP, and a parallel downregulation of genes with anti-mineralization activity, such as NT5E, Fetuin A and Osteopontin. Although the absence of ABCC6 has been already associated with ectopic mineralization syndromes, this study is the first to show a direct relationship between reduced ABCC6 levels and the expression of pro-mineralization genes in hepatocytes.
Infants Born Preterm Demonstrate Impaired Object Exploration Behaviors Throughout Infancy and Toddlerhood
Authors: Lobo Michele A. , Kokkoni Elena , Cunha Andrea Baraldi , Galloway James Cole
Published: August 2014

Background

Object exploration behaviors form the foundation for future global development, but little is known about how these behaviors are exhibited by infants born preterm.

Objective

The study objective was to longitudinally compare a comprehensive set of object exploration behaviors in infants born preterm and infants born full-term from infancy into toddlerhood.

Design

Twenty-two infants born full-term and 28 infants born preterm were monitored as they interacted with objects throughout their first 2 years.

Methods

Infants were provided up to 30 seconds to interact with each of 7 objects across 9 visits. Experimenters coded videos of infants' behaviors. Growth modeling and t tests were used to compare how much infants exhibited behaviors and how well they matched their behaviors to the properties of objects.

Results

Infants born preterm explored objects less in the first 6 months, exhibited less visual-haptic multimodal exploration, displayed reduced variability of exploratory behavior in a manner that reflected severity of risk, and were less able to match their behaviors to the properties of objects in a manner that reflected severity of risk. Infants born preterm with significant brain injury also had impaired bimanual abilities.

Limitations

There was a limited sample of infants born preterm with significant brain injury.

Conclusions

Infants born preterm have impaired abilities to interact with objects even in the first months of life. This impairment likely limits the knowledge they acquire about objects and about how they can act on them; this limited knowledge may, in turn, impair their early learning abilities. These results highlight the need for assessment and intervention tools specific for object exploration in young infants.
Minority Applicants to Physical Therapist Education Programs 2010–2012
Authors: Nuciforo Matthew A.
Published: August 2014

Background

In 2011–2012, despite comprising 35% of the US population, minorities comprised 20% of applicants to and 15% of enrolled students in accredited physical therapist education programs. Solutions aimed at addressing current disparities in health care may include educating physical therapists in environments reflecting the increasing diversity of the US population.

Objective

The purposes of this study were: (1) to describe the underrepresented minority (URM) applicant pool to Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) member programs and (2) to investigate differences in application patterns between white and URM applicants in 2010–2012, including total number of programs to which they applied, likelihood of applying out of state, and application to programs with minority faculties.

Design

This was a national, retrospective descriptive study.

Methods

De-identified data for 11,690 applicants in 2010–2011 and 13,462 applicants in 2011–2012 were obtained, including applicant demographics, selected metrics, and admission decisions. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance with multiple comparison procedures (Tukey honestly significant difference test) were used to investigate differences between white and URM applicant metrics and application patterns.

Results

White applicants achieved significantly greater grade point average and Graduate Record Examination scores than Hispanic and African American applicants. Although there were no significant differences in the average number of programs applied to between white and URM applicants, Hispanic applicants were significantly more likely to apply to programs within their state of residence. Underrepresented minority applicants were significantly more likely to apply to programs with minority faculties.

Limitations

This study did not attempt to generalize the results beyond PTCAS institutions.

Conclusions

Hispanic applicants demonstrated a significantly increased likelihood of applying within their state of residence. Underrepresented minority applicants demonstrated a significantly greater tendency to apply to PTCAS member institutions with minority faculties.
Reliability and Validity of Play-Based Assessments of Motor and Cognitive Skills for Infants and Young Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: O'Grady Michael G. , Dusing Stacey C.
Published: August 2014

Background

Play is vital for development. Infants and children learn through play. Traditional standardized developmental tests measure whether a child performs individual skills within controlled environments. Play-based assessments can measure skill performance during natural, child-driven play.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to systematically review reliability, validity, and responsiveness of all play-based assessments that quantify motor and cognitive skills in children from birth to 36 months of age.

Data Sources

Studies were identified from a literature search using PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases and the reference lists of included papers.

Study Selection

Included studies investigated reliability, validity, or responsiveness of play-based assessments that measured motor and cognitive skills for children to 36 months of age.

Data Extraction

Two reviewers independently screened 40 studies for eligibility and inclusion. The reviewers independently extracted reliability, validity, and responsiveness data. They examined measurement properties and methodological quality of the included studies.

Data Synthesis

Four current play-based assessment tools were identified in 8 included studies. Each play-based assessment tool measured motor and cognitive skills in a different way during play. Interrater reliability correlations ranged from .86 to .98 for motor development and from .23 to .90 for cognitive development. Test-retest reliability correlations ranged from .88 to .95 for motor development and from .45 to .91 for cognitive development. Structural validity correlations ranged from .62 to .90 for motor development and from .42 to .93 for cognitive development. One study assessed responsiveness to change in motor development.

Limitations

Most studies had small and poorly described samples. Lack of transparency in data management and statistical analysis was common.

Conclusions

Play-based assessments have potential to be reliable and valid tools to assess cognitive and motor skills, but higher-quality research is needed. Psychometric properties should be considered for each play-based assessment before it is used in clinical and research practice.
Incidence and hospitalisation rates of Lyme borreliosis, France, 2004 to 2012
Authors: Vandenesch A , Turbelin C , Couturier E , Arena C , Jaulhac B , Ferquel E , Choumet V , Saugeon C , Coffinieres E , Blanchon T , Vaillant V , Hanslik T
Published: August 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Tumor location and IDH1 mutation may predict intraoperative seizures during awake craniotomy
Authors: Gonen Tal , Grossman Rachel , Sitt Razi , Nossek Erez , Yanaki Raneen , Cagnano Emanuela , Korn Akiva , Hayat Daniel , Ram Zvi
Published: August 2014

Object

Intraoperative seizures during awake craniotomy may interfere with patients' ability to cooperate throughout the procedure, and it may affect their outcome. The authors have assessed the occurrence of intraoperative seizures during awake craniotomy in regard to tumor location and the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) status of the tumor.

Methods

Data were collected in 137 consecutive patients who underwent awake craniotomy for removal of a brain tumor. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the incidence of seizures based on the tumor location and its IDH1 mutation status, and then compared the groups for clinical variables and surgical outcome parameters.

Results

Tumor location was strongly associated with the occurrence of intraoperative seizures. Eleven patients (73%) with tumor located in the supplementary motor area (SMA) experienced intraoperative seizures, compared with 17 (13.9%) with tumors in the other three non-SMA brain regions (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, there was no significant association between history of seizures and tumor location (p = 0.44). Most of the patients (63.6%) with tumor in the SMA region harbored an IDH1 mutation compared with those who had tumors in non-SMA regions. Thirty-one of 52 patients (60%) with a preoperative history of seizures had an IDH1 mutation (p = 0.02), and 15 of 22 patients (68.2%) who experienced intraoperative seizures had an IDH1 mutation (p = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis, tumor location was found as a significant predictor of intraoperative seizures (p = 0.002), and a trend toward IDH1 mutation as such a predictor was found as well (p = 0.06). Intraoperative seizures were not associated with worse outcome.

Conclusions

Patients with tumors located in the SMA are more prone to develop intraoperative seizures during awake craniotomy compared with patients who have a tumor in non-SMA frontal areas and other brain regions. The IDH1 mutation was more common in SMA region tumors compared with other brain regions, and may be an additional risk factor for the occurrence of intraoperative seizures.
Increased rate of positive penicillin skin tests among patients with glioma: insights into the association between allergies and glioma risk
Authors: Han Sheng , Huang Yanming , Wang Zixun , Li Zhonghua , Qin Xiaofei , Wu Anhua
Published: August 2014

Object

Allergy and immunoglobulin E levels are inversely associated with glioma risk. Previous studies have focused on respiratory and food allergies, and little information is available regarding drug allergies. This study evaluated the rate of positive penicillin skin tests (PenSTs) and blood eosinophil counts in a large population of patients with glioma compared with nontumor controls to provide evidence for the relationship between drug allergies and glioma risk.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study was conducted in patients diagnosed with glioma (n = 913) between January 2004 and June 2013. The study patients were matched with nontumor controls (n = 1091) for age, sex, and date of admission to the hospital. Preoperative results of the PenST and eosinophil counts were obtained, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression models, while a Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess overall survival.

Results

The percentage of positive PenSTs was higher among patients with glioma than in control subjects. The age-, sex-, and admission date–adjusted OR for positive versus negative PenSTs was 2.392 (95% CI 1.891–3.026). Eosinophil counts were also higher in glioma cases than in controls: the OR for eosinophil > 0.06 × 109/L versus ≤ 0.06 × 109/L was 1.923 (95% CI 1.608–2.301). There was no association between positive PenST/eosinophil counts and glioma grade or patient survival (n = 105).

Conclusions

In contrast to previously reported relationships between allergy and glioma, in the present study a significantly higher rate of positive PenSTs and higher eosinophil counts were found in patients with glioma than in nontumor controls. These results suggest a complex relationship between allergies and glioma development.
Avoiding early complications and reoperation during occipitocervical fusion in pediatric patients
Authors: Mazur Marcus D. , Sivakumar Walavan , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Jones Jaes , Brockmeyer Douglas L.
Published: August 2014

Object

Surgical arthrodesis for pediatric occipitocervical (OC) instability has a high rate of success in a wide variety of challenging circumstances; however, identifying potential risk factors can help to target variables that should be the focus of improvement. The aim of this paper was to examine risk factors predictive of failure in a population of patients who underwent instrumented OC arthrodesis using a uniform surgical philosophy.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who underwent OC fusion from 2001 to 2013 at a single institution to determine risk factors for surgical failure, defined as reoperation for revision of the arthrodesis or instrumentation. The primary study outcome was either radiographic confirmation of successful OC fusion or surgical failure requiring revision of the arthrodesis or instrumentation. The secondary outcome was the underlying cause of failure (hardware failure, graft failure, or infection). Univariate analysis was performed to assess the association between outcome and patient demographics, cause of OC instability, type of OC instrumentation, bone graft material, biological adjuncts, and complications.

Results

Of the 127 procedures included, 20 (15.7%) involved some form of surgical failure and required revision surgery. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with deep wound infections requiring debridement were more likely to require surgical revision of the hardware or graft (p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with skeletal dysplasia or congenital spinal anomalies were more likely to develop hardware failure than patients with other causes of OC instability (p = 0.020). Surgical failure was not associated with the method of C-2 fixation, type of rigid OC instrumentation, bone graft material, use of bone morphogenetic protein or biological adjuncts, cause of instability, sex, age, or having previous OC fusion operations.

Conclusions

Pediatric patients in the present cohort with postoperative wound infections requiring surgical debridement had higher surgical failure rates after OC fusion. Those with skeletal dysplasia and congenital spinal anomalies were more likely to require reoperation for hardware failure. Better understanding of the mode of surgical failure may enable surgeons to develop strategies to decrease the need for reoperation in pediatric patients with OC instability.
Nationwide practice patterns in the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein–2 in pediatric spine surgery as a function of patient-, hospital-, and procedure-related factors
Authors: Lam Sandi K. , Sayama Christina , Harris Dominic A. , Briceño Valentina , Luerssen Thomas G. , Jea Andrew
Published: August 2014

Object

Current national patterns as a function of patient-, hospital-, and procedure-related factors, and complication rates in the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein–2 (rhBMP-2) as an adjunct to the practice of pediatric spine surgery have scarcely been investigated.

Methods

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, and p values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results

The authors identified 9538 hospitalizations in pediatric patients 20 years old or younger who had undergone spinal fusion in the US in 2009; 1541 of these admissions were associated with rhBMP-2 use. By multivariate logistic regression, the following factors were associated with rhBMP-2 use: patient age 15–20 years; length of hospital stay (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.01, p = 0.017); insurance status (private [aOR 1.49, p < 0.001] compared with Medicaid); hospital type (nonchildren's hospital); region (Midwest [aOR 2.49, p = 0.008] compared with Northeast); spinal refusion (aOR 2.20, p < 0.001); spinal fusion approach/segment (anterior lumbar [aOR 1.73, p < 0.001] and occipitocervical [aOR 1.86, p = 0.013] compared with posterior lumbar); short segment length (aOR 1.42, p = 0.016) and midlength (aOR 1.44, p = 0.005) compared with long; and preoperative diagnosis (Scheuermann kyphosis [aOR 1.56, p < 0.017] and spondylolisthesis [aOR 1.93, p < 0.001]).

Conclusions

Use of BMP in pediatric spine procedures now comprises more than 10% of pediatric spinal fusion. Patient-related (age, insurance type, diagnosis); hospital-related (children's hospital vs general hospital, region in the US); and procedure-related (redo fusion, anterior vs posterior approach, spinal levels, number of levels fused) factors are associated with the variation in BMP use in the US.
Zero-profile hybrid fusion construct versus 2-level plate fixation to treat adjacent-level disease in the cervical spine
Authors: Healy Andrew T. , Sundar Swetha J. , Cardenas Raul J. , Mageswaran Prasath , Benzel Edward C. , Mroz Thomas E. , Francis Todd B.
Published: August 2014

Object

Single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is an established surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy. Within 10 years of undergoing ACDF, 19.2% of patients develop symptomatic adjacent-level degeneration. Performing ACDF adjacent to prior fusion requires exposure and removal of previously placed hardware, which may increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Zero-profile cervical implants combine an interbody spacer with an anterior plate into a single device that does not extend beyond the intervertebral disc space, potentially obviating the need to remove prior hardware. This study compared the biomechanical stability and adjacent-level range of motion (ROM) following placement of a zero-profile device (ZPD) adjacent to a single-level ACDF against a standard 2-level ACDF.

Methods

In this in vitro biomechanical cadaveric study, multidirectional flexibility testing was performed by a robotic spine system that simulates flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation by applying a continuous pure moment load. Testing conditions were as follows: 1) intact, 2) C5–6 ACDF, 3) C4–5 ZPD supraadjacent to simulated fusion at C5–6, and 4) 2-level ACDF (C4–6). The sequence of the latter 2 test conditions was randomized. An unconstrained pure moment of 1.5 Nm with a 40-N simulated head weight load was applied to the intact condition first in all 3 planes of motion and then using the hybrid test protocol, overall intact kinematics were replicated subsequently for each surgical test condition. Intersegmental rotations were measured optoelectronically. Mean segmental ROM for operated levels and adjacent levels was recorded and normalized to the intact condition and expressed as a percent change from intact. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the ROM between test conditions with a 95% level of significance.

Results

No statistically significant differences in immediate construct stability were found between construct Patterns 3 and 4, in all planes of motion (p > 0.05). At the operated level, C4–5, the zero-profile construct showed greater decreases in axial rotation (–45% vs –36%) and lateral bending (–55% vs –38%), whereas the 2-level ACDF showed greater decreases in flexion-extension (–40% vs –34%). These differences were marginal and not statistically significant. Adjacent-level motion was nearly equivalent, with minor differences in flexion-extension.

Conclusions

When treating degeneration adjacent to a single-level ACDF, a zero-profile implant showed stabilizing potential at the operated level statistically similar to that of the standard revision with a 2-level plate. Revision for adjacent-level disease is common, and using a ZPD in this setting should be investigated clinically because it may be a faster, safer alternative.
Anglo-American Inter-Imperialism: US Expansion and the British World, c.1865–1914
Authors: Tuffnell Stephen
Published: August 2014

This article examines the overlooked synergy between American economic expansion and British imperialism in the late nineteenth century. The established scholarship on American empire in this period focuses on the domestic origins of US expansion into the markets of the Western Hemisphere. This article contends, however, that informal American expansion was shaped by external collaborations with the British World. Between 1865 and 1914, an American “colony” of expatriate businessmen emerged in London that is central to this study. The American “colony” integrated itself within the social and economic networks upon which British imperialism depended and mediated new inter-imperial collaborations. Migrants, knowledge, and investment flowed through these intersections, shaping the geography of American expansion around the global footprint of the British World. A snapshot of the pharmaceutical firm Burroughs Wellcome & Co. spotlights these processes, highlighting the mutual imbrications of the British and American empires and the inter-imperial reciprocities sustaining late-nineteenth century globalisation.