bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severity of Voice Handicap in Children Diagnosed with Elevated Lesions
Authors: Carroll Linda M. , Mudd Pamela , Zur Karen B.
Published: August 2013

Objective

This study sought to determine the impact of voice disability on children with elevated vocal fold lesions (nodules, cysts, polyps). The Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) was used to assess the impact on functional, physical, and emotional aspects of voice and oral communication. The degree of talkativeness and overall severity of dysphonia were also determined.

Study Design

Case series with chart review of children evaluated at a voice clinic from 2007 to 2011.

Setting

Tertiary specialized children's hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Medical records of 33 children (11 girls, 22 boys) diagnosed with an elevated vocal fold lesion by a pediatric laryngologist were reviewed for voice disability using the pVHI. The pVHI is a parental proxy of perceived voice handicap in functional, physical, and emotional aspects and includes a talkativeness rating scale and visual analog overall severity rating of voice (VAS). Data were examined for young children (age 2‐5 years), children (age 6‐10 years), and adolescents (age 11‐17 years).

Results

The VAS was significantly correlated with pVHI‐total. There was no significant difference between age groups for overall pVHI (mean, 29.3) or talkativeness, but all groups had significantly higher functional disability (mean, 16) compared with physical (mean, 8.2) or emotional (mean, 5.1) disability.

Conclusions

Children across all age groups with elevated vocal fold lesions have significant voice disability, greatest for functional aspects of voice. Voice care team professionals must recognize the functional impact of dysphonia on the pediatric patient.
Therapeutic Efficacy of the Combination of Intratympanic Methylprednisolone and Oral Steroid for Idiopathic Sudden Deafness
Authors: Gundogan Onur , Pinar Ercan , Imre Abdulkadir , Ozturkcan Sedat , Cokmez Ozge , Yigiter Ali Cihan
Published: August 2013

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of systemic steroid alone and combined with intratympanic methylprednisolone in the treatment of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Settings

Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.

Subject and Methods

Seventy‐nine patients who met the inclusion criteria for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to treatment: group A received combination therapy (intratympanic methylprednisolone + oral steroid) and group B received oral steroid alone. Of the 79 patients included, 6 patients missed the 1‐month follow‐up visit. Overall, 73 patients (37 combination group, 36 oral steroid group) who completed the 1‐month follow‐up and study intervention were included in the per‐protocol analysis. Both the relationship between certain prognostic factors and the clinical outcome after treatment were analyzed.

Results

Combination therapy showed significant hearing improvement and speech discrimination scores compared with the use of systemic steroids alone (P <. 05). In hearing outcomes in patients with severe hearing loss, combination therapy had statistically significant hearing improvement compared with oral steroid alone (P <. 05).

Conclusion

We recommend that combination therapy can be considered as initial treatment especially for patients with severe hearing loss.
Critiquing recent abortion law and policy in Northern Ireland
Authors: Bloomer Fiona , Fegan Eileen
Published: August 2013

The lack of a clear and accessible law specifically outlining when abortion is legal in Northern Ireland has led to confusion and misinformation among the public, health professionals, politicians, lobby groups and the media. Hard won Departmental Guidance and legal challenges to it provide evidence of religious and cultural bias at an institutional level against abortion in any circumstances. The introduction of Northern Ireland’s first private abortion clinic in 2012 has brought the debate into sharper focus. This commentary explores recent developments in abortion regulation and the failings of the two legislatures in Belfast and Westminster to live up to both domestic legal standards and international human rights law on reproductive health.
An Aesthetics of the Invisible: Nanotechnology and Informatic Matter
Authors: Black Daniel
Published: August 2013

The molecule, as a perfect and ageless building block of matter that exists beyond human reach, has been an object of fascination and admiration since the 19th century. However, the discourse surrounding nanotechnology – at least at its most optimistic – promises the possibility of human mastery over this domain and, as a result, over all matter. This belief carries forward the old idea of a division between a realm of the base, material and particular, on one hand, and a realm of the perfect, immaterial and abstract, on the other, one which today is most powerfully expressed in information discourse. Within this framework, nanotechnology promises the ability to negotiate and even dissolve this division, allowing matter itself to be treated as a kind of information. The most enthusiastic adherents of this idea believe that this will one day allow us to ‘reprogram’ material reality itself.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder after neonatal surgery: review of the pathophysiology and risk factors
Authors: Sistino JJ
Published: August 2013

There are many factors that influence the long-term neurological outcomes in children following cardiac surgery. Because there is also complex interaction between these many factors, it is difficult to assess which are primary and modifiable and which can be used to make improvements in outcomes. As survival after complex neonatal heart surgery has increased, the number of children with long-term neurological deficits is becoming more evident and this affects quality of life for children and their families.

One area of long-term assessment is the incidence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The incidence rate for ADHD following pediatric cardiac surgery is significantly higher than the normal rate for children of the same age. Because this is a measureable long-term outcome, it can be used to evaluate methods for cerebral protection during surgery as well as the timing of surgical procedures to maximize cerebral oxygen levels.

This paper will review the pathophysiological basis for ADHD in this population, based on the similarities between neonatal cardiac surgical patients and pre-term infants. Both populations have an increased risk for ADHD and the etiology and pathological changes in pre-term infants have been widely investigated over the past 25 years. The rate of ADHD in this population is a window into the effects of these pathological changes on long-term outcomes.

Reducing the incidence of ADHD in the future in this population should be a primary goal in developing and assessing new cerebral protective strategies during cardiac surgery.
Nicotine effects on attentional reorienting in mid-age adults, and interactions with apolipoprotein E status
Authors: Evans Simon , Dowell Nicholas G , Tabet Naji , Tofts Paul S , King Sarah L , Gray Marcus , Rusted Jennifer M
Published: August 2013

Nicotine has been shown to speed attentional reorienting in cued target detection tasks, and work in young adults suggest that individuals carrying the apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele might show greater sensitivity to the cognitive effects of nicotine. The APOE e4 allele is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and increased sensitivity to nicotine might reflect early cholinergic differences that relate to an enhanced risk of AD. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of nicotine and APOE on attentional reorienting in mid-age participants. APOE e4 (e4+) were compared to non-APOE e4 (e4–) carriers, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired. Neural data showed that nicotine effects, and the network involved in reorienting, was consistent with studies in young adults. Nicotine improved attentional reorienting at the trend level. Although there were no behavioural effects of genotype, genotype effects were present neurally: e4+ showed decreased extrastriate activation, and enhanced effects of nicotine on reorienting in right middle frontal regions. Drug by genotype interactions were present in hippocampal and anterior cingulate regions. These results are consistent with differential sensitivity to nicotine according to APOE status, possibly reflecting abnormal cholinergic function and accelerated cognitive ageing in mid-age e4+.
Background music can aid second language learning
Authors: Kang Hi Jee , Williamson Victoria J.
Published: August 2013

The presence of music can both help and hinder performance on a concurrent cognitive task. Music that is low in complexity has been associated with improved performance on language learning tasks, although previous studies have typically used artificial stimuli or tested only short-term recognition. The present study examined the effect of background music as part of an ecologically valid two-week second language learning trial. Participants took a beginners’ CD-based course in either Mandarin Chinese or Arabic, and matched groups (age, gender, verbal intelligence, musical training and working memory ability) were randomly assigned to a CD that contained accompanying music or not. Individuals who chose to learn Chinese performed better on all outcome tests compared to those who learned Arabic. Within the Chinese learners, those who received music CDs performed significantly better on tests of recall and translation compared to those who received no music CDs. No music effects were observed in the Arabic learners or on pronunciation ability in Chinese. This study demonstrates that the presence of certain music can facilitate the first stages of language learning in the real world.
Robust Revascularization, Despite Impaired VEGF Production, After Meniscus Allograft Transplantation in Rabbits
Authors: Xue Chao , Zhang Lei , Shuang Feng , Zhang Yadong , Zhang Yichao , Luo Dianzhong , Kang Xiaoqi , Wang Xishun , Hou Shuxun , Zhong Hongbin
Published: August 2013

Background:

Little is known about vascularization restoration and vascular circulation after allogenic graft transplantation, which are both important prerequisites for optimal use of allograft meniscus transplantation.

Purpose:

To study vascularization restoration through autograft and allograft meniscus models in Oryctolagus cuniculus.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Forty-eight rabbits at mature bone age were randomized to receive either an autograft or allograft after the meniscus of the left knee was completely resected. Vascularization, blood circulation, histological characteristics of the grafted meniscus and surrounding tissues, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the meniscus were assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after allograft or autologous transplantation.

Results:

The grafted meniscus was in good condition and was well connected to the surrounding joint capsule, and no obvious damage of the joint cartilage at the tibial plateau was observed. Even though the revascularization pattern was similar in the 2 groups, the meniscus body showed vessel growth mainly at the adhesion margin for less than one-third of the meniscus transverse diameter, and no significant vascular distribution was found at the free margin. Blood circulation peaked after 8 weeks at the anterior and posterior horns and declined thereafter. This was mimicked by VEGF expression, which showed a progressive decrease with time, even though the vascular endothelial cells gradually increased over time. There were no statistical differences in the various assessments between the allograft and autograft groups.

Conclusion:

At 12 weeks after meniscus allografting, the vascular circulation had almost recovered and gradual reconstruction of cells and fibers had begun, mimicking similar observations in the autograft group.

Clinical Relevance:

Our data provide test reference for clinical rehabilitation after meniscus autograft.
Elevation in Circulating Biomarkers of Cartilage Damage and Inflammation in Athletes With Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Bedi Asheesh , Lynch Evan B. , Sibilsky Enselman Elizabeth R. , Davis Max E. , DeWolf Paul D. , Makki Tarek A. , Kelly Bryan T. , Larson Christopher M. , Henning Phillip T. , Mendias Christopher L.
Published: August 2013

Background:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is one of the most common causes of early cartilage and labral damage in the nondysplastic hip. Biomarkers of cartilage degradation and inflammation are associated with osteoarthritis. It was not known whether patients with FAI have elevated levels of biomarkers of cartilage degradation and inflammation.

Hypothesis:

Compared with athletes without FAI, athletes with FAI would have elevated levels of the inflammatory C-reactive protein (CRP) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a cartilage degradation marker.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Male athletes with radiographically confirmed FAI (n = 10) were compared with male athletes with radiographically normal hips with no evidence of FAI or hip dysplasia (n = 19). Plasma levels of COMP and CRP were measured, and subjects also completed the Short Form–12 (SF-12) and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) surveys.

Results:

Compared with controls, athletes with FAI had a 24% increase in COMP levels and a 276% increase in CRP levels as well as a 22% decrease in SF-12 physical component scores and decreases in all of the HOOS subscale scores.

Conclusion:

Athletes with FAI demonstrate early biochemical signs of increased cartilage turnover and systemic inflammation.

Clinical Relevance:

Chondral injury secondary to the repetitive microtrauma of FAI might be reliably detected with biomarkers. In the future, these biomarkers might be used as screening tools to identify at-risk patients and assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions such as hip preservation surgery in altering the natural history and progression to osteoarthritis.
Aid, minds and hearts: The impact of aid in conflict zones
Authors: Böhnke Jan Rasmus , Zürcher Christoph
Published: August 2013

It is widely assumed that development aid can help to stabilize regions in or after conflict. However, we lack empirical evidence for this assumption, and the assumed causal mechanisms are poorly specified. We conducted a micro-level longitudinal study of 80 communities in northeast Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009 and investigated the impact of aid on (perceived) security. We also investigated two possible causal mechanisms that may link aid to security: whether aid has an impact on attitudes toward international civilian and military actors (“hearts and minds”) and whether aid can help to increase the legitimacy of the state (“state reach”). While we find that aid neither increases perceived security nor fosters more positive attitudes toward international actors, we also find that aid is positively correlated with state legitimacy.
Resistance and Common Ground as Functions of Mis/aligned Attitudes
Authors: Walsh Lynda
Published: August 2013

Writing scholars interested in stakeholder attitudes need ways to reconstruct them from archives because (a) interview/survey studies are not always feasible (particularly in historical work) and (b) the question/answer format of these studies may exclude key attitudes that emerge in unprompted expressions of opinion. Accordingly, this article argues for filter theory—a pragmatic model of interpretive attitudes—as an effective hermeneutic for archival reception studies. Complementing a previous study of administrative attitudes about the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project, the present study applies filter theory to a sample of ranchers’ written opinions about the Project. The main findings are as follows: Ranchers and administrators differentially value resident rights versus Project goals; ranchers warrant resistance to the Project based on these misaligned attitudes; nonetheless, both groups value the ideal of a balanced environment and evidence collected on the ground. These findings suggest the need to redefine rhetorical resistance and common ground as arguments warranted by mis/alignments between groups’ interpretive attitudes. They also indicate revisions to initial recommendations for extending rhetorical common ground in the Project.
The Role of Digital Skills in the Formation of Generalized Trust Among Latinos and African Americans in the United States
Authors: Monforti Jessica Lavariega , Marichal José
Published: August 2013

A number of scholars have noted a digital skill divide among racial and ethnic groups in the United States (e.g. Hargittai, 2002). The ability to leverage information communication technologies (ICTs) in productive ways has been linked to greater levels of prodemocratic attitudes and behaviors (Horrigan, Wellman, & Rainie, 2006; Valenzuela, Park, & Kee, 2009; Vitak et al., 2011 ). However, no work to date has explored how this relationship between digital skills and political behavior is mediated by racial and ethnic identity. Using an ordered logistic regression to analyze a 2010 PEW data set of social media use, we test the proposition that proficiency in digital skills enhances generalized trust among Latinos and African Americans. We find that the acquisition of digital skills is associated with generalized trust for African Americans but not for Latinos or Anglo-Americans. Our work suggests that ICTs in general and digital skills in particular might provide a distinct pathway to enhance generalized trust for African Americans, a key precondition for civic engagement for historically marginalized groups in the U.S. society. We discuss the implications of this research for enhancing generalized trust among historically marginalized groups in the United States.
Computer Audio-Recorded Interviewing as a Tool for Survey Research
Authors: Thissen M. Rita
Published: August 2013

Developers must understand the needs of user populations and the potential benefits of the new software to them, so that the development team can create an effective system. Especially for applications employed outside the computing profession, it is important for the software team to learn context and workflow and to understand the value that their development work will bring to the users. This article discusses design and implementation considerations for computer audio-recorded interviewing (CARI), a method coming into widespread use for survey research in the social sciences. When implemented as part of the data collection process, CARI allows a survey manager to listen to the exact circumstances of how questions were asked and answered during the interview, a much more powerful approach than prior indirect methods of quality control and improvement. Design considerations can be complex when planning an integrated system. Based on a decade of experience and prior implementation of several distinct CARI systems, this article explores a part of the operational world of survey research from the eye of the system developer. It offers context for those developers who are unfamiliar with survey research or for anyone who is unfamiliar with CARI operations. Discussion focuses on benefits, requirements, user goals, system design challenges, and options.
The Holistic Worldview in Action
Authors: Erickson Helen Lorraine , Erickson Margaret Elizabeth , Sandor M. Kay , Brekke Mary E.
Published: August 2013

The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC), the only national credentialing body for holistic nurses, has a responsibility to offer valid, reliable, and rigorous certification examinations and to grow and evolve as indicated by social and professional changes. This article describes four major changes in the work of AHNCC since 2004: a detection of an evolution in the domain of holistic nursing through review of the literature; clarification and specification of levels of practice by educational level; development of the nurse coach role in nursing, designed within the precepts of holistic nursing; and AHNCC’s response to the social paradigm shift for health care, and nursing’s advanced practice registered nurse consensus model. Each of these is discussed in detail describing the circumstances that perpetuated AHNCC’s consideration and the actions taken by AHNCC.
Case Managed Community Aged Care
Authors: You Emily (Chuanmei) , Dunt David Robert , Doyle Colleen
Published: August 2013

Objective: To evaluate the effects of case management in community aged care (CMCAC) interventions on service use and costs. Method: Five databases were searched from inception to 2011 July to include randomized control trials and comparative observational English studies. Results were summarized by using the best-evidence synthesis approach. Results: Twenty-one studies were included. Available studies supported improvements in clients’ use of case management services (all of the four studies), some community services (8 of the 10) and nursing home admission and stay (around one half), delay of nursing home placement (all of the two studies), and achieving cost neutrality (8 of the 11). The effects on medical care utilization were varying. Discussion: In general, these positive effects justify the further development and refinement of CMCAC programs. Result applicability is limited by only including English studies. Cost studies applying a societal perspective, and full economic appraisals where appropriate are warranted.
Serrated chip formation mechanism based on mixed mode of ductile fracture and adiabatic shear
Authors: Wang Bing , Liu Zhanqiang
Published: August 2013

Serrated chip is the frequent chip morphology during high-speed machining of ductile materials, while the mechanism of serrated chip formation still remains some ambiguous aspects. This article presents the investigation of chip morphology from the viewpoint of chip free surface and cross section. Experiments of orthogonal cutting hardened AISI 1045 steel and 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy were carried out. The cutting speed of AISI 1045 steel was varied from 100 to 1000 m/min, while 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy was machined at the cutting speed of 100–2500 m/min. The feed rate per tooth was varied from 0.025 to 0.20 mm/z corresponding to each experimental cutting speed. The research shows that the microstructure of chip free surface evolves from lamellae to folds and then to dimples. According to the experimental results, a new model of serrated chip formation based on mixed mode of ductile fracture and adiabatic shear is proposed. For the “ductile fracture–adiabatic shear” serrated chips, two distinct zones of ductile fracture and dimples were observed on the slide surface of serrated segments. Through studying chip morphology evolution under different combinations of cutting speed and feed rate, it is found that the degree of chip segmentation has positive correlation with the two parameters. The concept of “critical cutting load” is then proposed to illustrate the conditions under which serrated chips may occur. And the critical cutting load of AISI 1045 steel and 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy is determined by experiments as 0.024 and 0.10 m2/(min z), respectively.
A kinematical analysis of the polishing processes of hard magnetic disk substrate
Authors: Lu Yushan , Shu Qilin , Wang Jun , Liu Yueming
Published: August 2013

This article presents a comprehensive study of material removal distribution in the polishing processes using kinematical simulation and experimental validation. The equations of material removal rate and dimensionless distribution of material removal volume are developed based on the randomly distributed abrasive grains and the kinematical–geometrical parameters of the polisher. These equations are used to generate the motion paths of abrasive grains to describe their cutting trajectories and the dimensionless distribution of material removal volume in three parameters (the crank length, rotational speed of the crank and rotational speed of the carrier). Then, the corresponding experiments are carried out to validate the numerical results. Measuring the material removal thickness of the polished hard disk substrates, the results are approximately consistent with the numerical trends. According to the demand of the polished surface, choosing reasonable geometrical and kinematical parameters can improve the machining efficiency and accuracy.
Poly(ethylene) glycol–capped silver and magnetic nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and comparison of bactericidal and cytotoxic effects
Authors: Mandal A , Sekar S , Chandrasekaran N , Mukherjee A , Sastry TP
Published: August 2013

Silver and magnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have attracted wide attention as novel antimicrobial agents due to their unique chemical and physical properties. In order to study the comparative effects on antibacterial and animal cytotoxicity, Staphylococcus aureus and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were used, respectively. Both nanoparticles were synthesized via a novel matrix-mediated method using poly(ethylene) glycol. Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by fluorescence and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopic techniques. The poly(ethylene) glycol–coated silver and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, zeta potential, particle size analysis, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The antimicrobial results indicate that both poly(ethylene) glycol–coated silver and Fe3O4 nanoparticles inhibited S. aureus growth at the concentrations of 5 and 10 µg/mL at all time points without showing any significant cytotoxicity on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The particle size of both the poly(ethylene) glycol–coated silver and Fe3O4 nanoparticles dominated in the range 10–15 nm, obtained by particle size analyzer. The poly(ethylene) glycol coating on the particles showed less aggregation of nanoparticles, as observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The overall obtained results indicated that these two nanoparticles were stable and could be used to develop a magnetized antimicrobial scaffolds for biomedical applications.
The epidemiology of HIV infection in Morocco: systematic review and data synthesis
Authors: Kouyoumjian S P , Mumtaz G R , Hilmi N , Zidouh A , El Rhilani H , Alami K , Bennani A , Gouws E , Ghys P D , Abu-Raddad L J
Published: August 2013

Summary

Morocco has made significant strides in building its HIV research capacity. Based on a wealth of empirical data, the objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive and systematic literature review and analytical synthesis of HIV epidemiological evidence in this country. Data were retrieved using three major sources of literature and data. HIV transmission dynamics were found to be focused in high-risk populations, with female sex workers (FSWs) and clients contributing the largest share of new HIV infections. There is a pattern of emerging epidemics among some high-risk populations, and some epidemics, particularly among FSWs, appear to be established and stable. The scale of the local HIV epidemics and populations affected show highly heterogeneous geographical distribution. To optimize the national HIV response, surveillance and prevention efforts need to be expanded among high-risk populations and in geographic settings where low intensity and possibly concentrated HIV epidemics are emerging or are already endemic.
Testicular and kidney masses in a HIV-infected man
Authors: Liang Raymond , Chaudhry Shauhab
Published: August 2013

A 37-year-old Caucasian male presented with what appeared clinically and diagnostically as testicular and kindey tomour's. However, syphilis serology and histology confirm that the lesions were gumma's. Without routine syphilis serology, the correct diagnosis may have been missed.
Impact of Bullying in Childhood on Adult Health, Wealth, Crime, and Social Outcomes
Authors: Wolke Dieter , Copeland William E. , Angold Adrian , Costello E. Jane
Published: August 2013

Bullying is a serious problem for schools, parents, and public-policymakers alike. Bullying creates risks of health and social problems in childhood, but it is unclear if such risks extend into adulthood. A large cohort of children was assessed for bullying involvement in childhood and then followed up in young adulthood in an assessment of health, risky or illegal behavior, wealth, and social relationships. Victims of childhood bullying, including those that bullied others ( bully-victims), were at increased risk of poor health, wealth, and social-relationship outcomes in adulthood even after we controlled for family hardship and childhood psychiatric disorders. In contrast, pure bullies were not at increased risk of poor outcomes in adulthood once other family and childhood risk factors were taken into account. Being bullied is not a harmless rite of passage but throws a long shadow over affected people’s lives. Interventions in childhood are likely to reduce long-term health and social costs.
Performance improvement of a radial organic Rankine cycle turbine by means of automated computational fluid dynamic design
Authors: Harinck John , Pasquale David , Pecnik Rene , van Buijtenen Jos , Colonna Piero
Published: August 2013

There is a growing interest in organic Rankine cycle turbogenerators because of their ability to efficiently utilize external heat sources at low-to-medium temperature in the small-to-medium power range. High-temperature organic Rankine cycle turbines typically operate at very high pressure ratio and expand the organic working fluid in the dense-vapour thermodynamic region, thus requiring computational fluid dynamics solvers coupled with accurate thermodynamic models for their performance assessment and design. In this article we present a steady-state three-dimensional viscous computational fluid dynamics study of the Tri-O-Gen organic Rankine cycle radial turbine, including the radial nozzle, the rotor and the diffuser. The turbine operates with toluene as the working fluid, whose accurate thermophysical properties are obtained with a look-up table approach. Based on the three-dimensional simulation results, together with a two-dimensional fluid dynamic optimisation procedure documented elsewhere, an improved nozzle geometry is designed, manufactured and experimentally tested. Measurements show it delivers 5 kWe or 4% more net power output, as well as improved off-design performance.
High-resolution palynology, climate change and human impact on a late Holocene peat bog on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Huntley Matthew JW , Mathewes Rolf W , Shotyk William
Published: August 2013

Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands) is an archipelago on the outer central coast of British Columbia. Drizzle Bog on Graham Island is a Sphagnum-dominated peatland selected for a multiproxy palaeoecological analysis using pollen, spores and other microfossils to see whether climatic changes such as the ‘Mediaeval Climate Anomaly’ (MCA), ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA) and post-LIA warming could be detected in this hypermaritime region. A 90-cm-long Wardenaar peat core was sliced into 1-cm-thick subsamples and dated using 210Pb back to ad 1892, and four accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates back to 1800 cal. yr BP. Low pollen accumulation rates between ~ad 1600 and 1875 support cool growing seasons during the LIA. At 34 cm (~1875), total pollen and spore accumulation rates increased dramatically, coinciding with the end of the LIA based on evidence from glacier recession in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. We suggest that the increased pollen production is likely a reflection of climatic warming and increased vegetation productivity following the LIA. Direct human impact is only apparent above 12 cm depth (~1958) correlated with road building across the southwestern edge of the wetland.
Physician-patient interactions and outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a conceptual model
Authors: Beusterien K , Bell JA , Grinspan J , Utset TO , Kan H , Narayanan S
Published: August 2013

Objective

The objective was to develop a conceptual model illustrating the relationships between the physician-patient relationship and patient outcomes, including health status and regimen satisfaction, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey of a geographically diverse sample of adults with SLE in the United States. Patients completed a Web-based survey that focused on physician interactions, clinical management, and patient outcomes, including patient perception of treatment regimen and health status. All survey variables related to physician interactions and patient perceptions of their health and satisfaction were evaluated for incorporation into a patient-centered model using cluster analysis. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to assess the inter-relationships observed among the variables to inform the development of a conceptual model of SLE patient-centered care.

Results

A total of 302 SLE patients completed the survey. The majority of patients were female (94.3%) with a mean age of 46 years. The cluster analysis resulted in six main factors: 1) physician interactions, 2) current health and hope, 3) satisfaction with treatment, 4) bedside manner, 5) discussion of lupus impacts during physician visits, and 6) steroid treatment. The significant relationships among the factors showed that positive physician interactions, such as including the patient in treatment decisions, were associated with higher satisfaction with treatment regimen and patients feeling that SLE was well controlled, a more favorable perception of current health, and being more hopeful about future health. Among the components of physician interactions, setting goals with patients is particularly important, as this was significantly associated with the patient being more hopeful about future health. Being steroid free was significantly related to higher treatment satisfaction.

Conclusion

The study findings informed a conceptual model of SLE patient-centered care that may be used to create more targeted education programs in the management of SLE, with the goal to improve patient outcomes.
Learning Together? Experiences on a China–U.K. Articulation Program in Engineering
Authors: Hou Junxia , McDowell Liz
Published: August 2013

This article reports some of the findings of a longitudinal ethnographic research study on the intercultural transition experiences of 50 engineering students in a China–U.K. articulation program. It focuses on the interaction between these students and the U.K.-based cohort, mainly home students. The findings indicate that lack of suitable interventions at the initial stage, the competition for insufficient resources, double-language barriers, and different questioning behaviors led the Chinese and U.K. students to self-categorize themselves into “us” and “them.” The separation has a negative impact on peer learning. This research suggests that integration in the class can be promoted through developing a low-stakes learning environment, enhancing intercultural competence and developing a common in-group identity as engineering students on the same program.
The psychotherapeutic implications of functional neuroimaging studies of anxiety disorders
Authors: Cheung Peter
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To explore and discuss the psychotherapeutic implications of functional neuroimaging findings in anxiety disorders.

Conclusions:

Therapeutic implications of the neural system dysfunctions found in functional neuroimaging studies of anxiety disorders include: emotional dysregulation can probably be found in all anxiety disorders except obsessive compulsive disorder and needs to be addressed; the probable salience of enhancing implicit emotion regulation in improving overall treatment outcome; the importance of addressing insecure attachment in establishing and maintaining the therapeutic relationship; the need to enhance the reward-approach system especially in chronic treatment-resistant patients; the need to address traumatic memory in anxiety disorders other than PTSD among those with a traumatic history. There is likely to be a need for therapeutic techniques and strategies of different psychotherapy schools to be utilized to adequately address the various neural dysfunctions in patients with anxiety disorders.
Seroprevalence study of Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) in Australian weanling horses using serotype-specific ERBV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
Authors: Horsington Jacquelyn , Hartley Carol A. , Gilkerson James R.
Published: August 2013

Respiratory infections are a major burden in the performance horse industry. Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) has been isolated from horses displaying clinical respiratory disease, and ERBV-neutralizing antibodies have been detected in 50–80% of horses in reported surveys. Current ERBV isolation and detection methods may underestimate the number of ERBV-positive animals and do not identify multiple serotype infections. The aim of the current study was to develop a serotyping ERBV antibody-detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and examine the seroprevalence of ERBV in a group of Australian weanling horses. ELISAs with high sensitivity and specificity were developed. The seroprevalence of ERBV in the weanling horses was high (74–86%); ERBV-3 antibodies were most prevalent (58–62%) and ERBV-2 antibodies were least prevalent (10–16%). Many horses were seropositive to 2 or more serotypes. All 3 serotypes of ERBV were detected, and concurrent positivity to multiple serotypes was common.
The Synergistic Effect of Growing Older With Hoarding Behaviors
Authors: Eckfield Monika B. , Wallhagen Margaret I.
Published: August 2013

Clinically significant hoarding behaviors (HB) have been defined as acquisition of, and failure to discard, large numbers of items, which limits the use of one’s home and causes functional impairment or distress. HB disproportionally affect adults aged 55 and older, and although research on HB has accelerated in the past decade, few studies focus on older adults. This qualitative study, based on grounded theory methodology, utilized interview data from 22 older adults with HB to understand the dynamic interaction between HB and the aging process. Participants described the specific ways that their chronic HB were complicated by changes in their health status, social context, and home setting, resulting in greater functional impairment and distress. By identifying these changes that commonly occur with age and their synergistic relationship with HB, nurses and other health professionals can develop targeted interventions to improve home safety and support the independence of these older adults.
It Takes a Black Candidate
Authors: Shah Paru
Published: August 2013

The ongoing underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in most levels of office continues to warrant our attention. However, scholars have only focused on what factors contribute to the electoral success of minorities, without attention to a vital precursor—the supply of minority candidates. Using data from the Local Elections in America Project, this study provides one of the first glimpses into the supply side of minority representation, detailing how demographic, electoral, and political factors affect the likelihood a black candidate is on the ballot, and the subsequent impact on the likelihood of a black candidate winning.
BRAF Mutation Is Associated With the Unique Morphology of Traditional Serrated Adenoma of the Colorectum
Authors: Shi Yan , Li Juan , Wu Si-Yu , Qin Ling , Jiao Yu-Fei
Published: August 2013

Traditional serrated adenoma (TSA) consists of glands with tall cells and short cells. Two kinds of cells alternate to give a unique serrated configuration. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between the alterations of both Wnt and serrated pathways and the unique morphology of TSAs. The tall and short cells in 28 TSAs were separated by microdissection. Semi-nested polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the mutations of BRAF, β-catenin, APC, and KRAS. BRAF mutations were observed in 22 of 28 (78.6%) TSAs, and all mutations occurred at the tall cells. In conclusion, BRAF mutation is associated with the serrated morphology of TSAs. Genetic alterations in both the serrated pathway and the Wnt signaling pathway may both contribute to TSAs.
EITC and the Self-employed
Authors: Kuka Elira
Published: August 2013

Saez finds that the budget constraint nonlinearities caused by the earned income tax credit (EITC) lead to bunching behavior for the self-employed but not for salaried workers. Possible explanations for these findings are both differences in flexibility of hours worked and differences in tax noncompliance opportunities among these two groups. This article provides evidence on the mechanism underlying this differential bunching behavior. By comparing estimates of labor supply effects of the EITC from two different data sets, where individuals have different incentives to misreport income, my article suggests that the bunching behavior found in Saez is mainly driven by tax noncompliance. Moreover, I find that real labor supply responses of the self-employed are similar to those of salaried workers.
Housing Crisis and Vertical Equity of the Property Tax in a Market Value–based Assessment System
Authors: Krupa Olha
Published: August 2013

Market value–based assessment systems introduce objectivity and transparency into the assessment process by partially removing assessors’ bias while benchmarking assessed values against the recently sold properties. This article explores vertical equity of Indiana’s new market value–based assessment system over a decade of 2000s including the years of the housing crisis (2008–2010). Five methods are used to assess vertical equity of the system, including locally weighted and quantile regressions. The results demonstrate a significant increase in vertical inequity during the years of the housing crisis. Assessment regressivity is particularly acute at the tails of the ratio distribution: the least expensive properties are overassessed, while the most expensive ones are underassessed. While a self-regulating assessment system is yet to be discovered, I recommend reducing the time intervals between mass reassessments and introducing independent audits for properties that are most susceptible to overassessment and underassessment to remedy vertical inequity of the property tax.
Redistributive Impact and Efficiency of Mexico’s Fiscal System
Authors: Scott John
Published: August 2013

A comprehensive tax and benefit incidence analysis is presented covering the redistributive fiscal instruments implemented in Mexico in 2008 and 2010, representative of the urban and rural sectors, as well as nationally. The expansion of basic social programs and effectively targeted direct monetary transfers have increased the progressivity of Mexico’s fiscal system in recent years. However, the overall redistributive impact of this system is limited by a comparatively unproductive tax system, a comparatively small share of resources allocated to direct transfers, and a significant share of spending tied to instruments with low redistributive effectiveness (subsidies to contributory social security systems, generalized consumer subsidies, and tertiary public education). The transition to a more effective and equitable fiscal system will require a comprehensive tax–benefits reform designed to improve tax productivity and benefit equity, combining a broad tax base with universally accessible public services and social protection.
Distributional Implications of Tax Evasion
Authors: Doerrenberg Philipp , Duncan Denvil
Published: August 2013

We study the differential effects of tax reforms on actual and observed net income inequality in a laboratory experiment where participants first supply effort and then make a tax reporting decision. We show that for a group with relatively homogeneous levels of true gross income, higher taxes increase both actual and observed inequality but have a larger effect on actual inequality. We decompose the effect of tax rates into a mechanical tax effect and two behavioral (effort and evasion) effects. Our results indicate that the mechanical and effort effects on actual inequality are larger than on observed inequality while the evasion effect is generally larger on observed inequality. We also find that the size of the effects, relative to each other, depends on the measure of income.
The relationship between total and regional corpus callosum atrophy, cognitive impairment and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Yaldizli Özgür , Penner Iris-Katharina , Frontzek Karl , Naegelin Yvonne , Amann Michael , Papadopoulou Athina , Sprenger Till , Kuhle Jens , Calabrese Pasquale , Radü Ernst Wilhelm , Kappos Ludwig , Gass Achim
Published: August 2013

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total and regional corpus callosum (CC) atrophy, neuropsychological test performance and fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 113 MS patients: mean age 48±11 years, 75/113 women, 84/113 relapsing–remitting MS, mean disease duration 21±9 years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3.2±1.7. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, standardised neurological assessment and comprehensive cognitive testing including assessments for fatigue and depression. Total and regional CC atrophy was assessed using the corpus callosum index (CCI).

Results:

CCI correlated more strongly with T2- and T1-lesion volume and whole brain volume than with disease duration or EDSS score. CCI correlated strongly with the verbal fluency test (VFT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that atrophy of the posterior CC segment was significantly associated with poor outcome in the PASAT, VFT and SDMT. In contrast, atrophy of the anterior CC segment was significantly associated with fatigue severity and poor outcome in the long-term memory test.

Conclusions:

Atrophy of the CC is associated with cognitive impairment and fatigue. Regional CCI results indicate that these associations are partially spatially segregated.
Oxysterols and cholesterol precursors correlate to magnetic resonance imaging measures of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis
Authors: van de Kraats C , Killestein J , Popescu V , Rijkers E , Vrenken H , Lütjohann D , Barkhof F , Polman CH , Teunissen CE
Published: August 2013

Background:

Cholesterol homeostasis is important for formation and maintenance of myelin and axonal membranes in the central nervous system (CNS). The concentrations of the brain specific cholesterol metabolite 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OHC) and cholesterol precursors have been shown to be altered in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, how changes in sterol levels relate to the pathological processes in MS is not clear.

Methods:

In this study, we compared serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sterol levels between 105 MS (51 relapsing–remitting (RR); 39 secondary progressive (SP) and 15 primary progressive (PP)) and 49 control patients. Sterol levels were correlated to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of disease activity.

Results:

We found decreased serum 24OHC and 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHC) and increased CSF lathosterol in MS patients compared to control patients ( p=0.018, p=0.002 and p=0.002, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed that serum 24OHC levels were negatively correlated to normalized brain volume measurements in relapse-onset MS patients ( r= −0.326, p=0.004).

Conclusions:

These results confirm that cholesterol homeostasis is disturbed in MS and suggest that changes in cholesterol synthesis are related to neurodegenerative pathological processes as seen on the MRI. The data seem to be in line with the recently reported observation that high dose statins may have a positive effect on clinical disability in secondary progressive MS.