bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of accelerometry to measure physical activity in adults and the elderly
Authors: Bento Teresa , Cortinhas António , Leitão José Carlos , Mota Maria Paula
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of accelerometry as an objective measure of physical activity in adults and elderly people. METHODS: A systematic review of studies on the use of accelerometty as an objective measure to assess physical activity in adults were examined in PubMed Central, Web of Knowledge, EBSCO and Medline databases from March 29 to April 15, 2010. The following keywords were used: "accelerometry," "accelerometer," "physical activity," "PA," "patterns," "levels," "adults," "older adults," and "elderly," either alone or in combination using "AND" or "OR." The reference lists of the articles retrieved were examined to capture any other potentially relevant article. Of 899 studies initially identified, only 18 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures abstracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven studies were conducted in North America (United States), five in Europe, one in Africa (Cameroon) and one in Australia. Very few enrolled older people, and only one study reported the season or time of year when data was collected. The articles selected had different methods, analyses, and results, which prevented comparison between studies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to standardize study methods for data reporting to allow comparisons of results across studies and monitor changes in populations. These data can help design more adequate strategies for monitoring and promotion of physical activity.
Stressful working conditions and poor self-rated health among financial services employees
Authors: Silva Luiz Sérgio , Barreto Sandhi Maria
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between exposure to adverse psychosocial working conditions and poor self-rated health among bank employees. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including a sample of 2,054 employees of a government bank was conducted in 2008. Self-rated health was assessed by a single question: "In general, would you say your health is (...)." Exposure to adverse psychosocial working conditions was evaluated by the effort-reward imbalance model and the demand-control model. Information on other independent variables was obtained through a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed and odds ratio calculated to assess independent associations between adverse psychosocial working conditions and poor self-rated health. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of poor self-rated health was 9%, with no significant gender difference. Exposure to high demand and low control environment at work was associated with poor self-rated health. Employees with high effort-reward imbalance and overcommitment also reported poor self-rated health, with a dose-response relationship. Social support at work was inversely related to poor self-rated health, with a dose-response relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to adverse psychosocial work factors assessed based on the effort-reward imbalance model and the demand-control model is independently associated with poor self-rated health among the workers studied.
Os Estados Unidos, a Revolução Cubana e a contra-insurreição
Authors: Martins Filho João Roberto
Published: March 2012

Este artigo estuda o impacto da Revolução Cubana sobre as relações interamericanas entre 1959 e 1964 e, especificamente, a herança deixada pela teoria da contra-insurreição, exportada com entusiasmo durante o governo Kennedy. Nesse período, a América Latina figurou com destaque na pauta do Departamento de Estado e do Pentágono, o que se expressou na multiplicação da ajuda militar americana e no reforço do papel anti-subversão, historicamente desempenhado pelos militares da área. Ao contrário, nos próprios Estados Unidos, o emprego das chamadas Forças Especiais foi problemático, gerando resistências e tensões dentro das Forças Armadas.
O cinema brasileiro no Estado Novo: o diálogo com a Itália, Alemanha e URSS
Authors: Almeida Cláudio Aguiar
Published: March 2012

Este artigo analisa a relação entre os produtores cinematográficos brasileiros e o Estado na criação de órgãos de incentivo e proteção ao cinema nacional e na elaboração de projetos culturais que pretendiam utilizar o cinema como instrumento de educação e propaganda durante o Estado Novo (1937-1945). Nos anos trinta e quarenta, os cineastas brasileiros, fascinados pelos sistemas de produção cinematográfica oficiais da Alemanha, Itália e URSS, reivindicavam intervenções semelhantes do governo brasileiro, considerando-as como necessárias para a implantação de uma indústria cinematográfica nacional.
Dilemas éticos en el trabajo de campo: temas olvidados en la investigación cualitativa en salud en Iberoamérica
Authors: Robles-Silva Leticia
Published: March 2012

En este trabajo se exploran algunos dilemas éticos enfrentados durante el trabajo de campo en la investigación cualitativa en salud. La premisa es que los códigos éticos no son suficientes para orientar las relaciones entre los investigadores y los informantes siendo necesaria una práctica reflexiva para enfrentar los mismos. La reflexión se centra en cuatro situaciones del trabajo de campo y sus dilemas. El tiempo social de la vida académica estructura la agenda de trabajo y el investigador se enfrenta a la disyuntiva de seguir los tiempos y ritmos de la academia o negociar con los informantes una agenda conjunta. El investigador también debe decidir cuál de sus múltiples identidades habrá de utilizar para ser aceptado, y al mismo tiempo decidir si oculta o no quien es realmente. En el establecimiento de una relación de intimidad con los informantes el investigador debe resolver si abre su vida personal. Y al momento de definir las formas de reciprocidad, decidir si lo hará de acuerdo a los valores de la academia o a los de los nativos. Se concluye argumentando la necesidad de crear una práctica reflexiva sobre estos y otros dilemas dirigida a colocar una agenda de temas y formas de descolonización en el debate ético en Iberoamérica.
Análise qualitativa: teoria, passos e fidedignidade
Authors: Minayo Maria Cecília de Souza
Published: March 2012

Neste ensaio busca-se aprofundar a reflexão sobre o processo de análise na pesquisa qualitativa a partir de autores referenciais e da experiência da própria autora. O texto está organizado em forma de decálogo por meio do qual é tratado o tema processualmente. A hipótese é de que uma análise para ser fidedigna precisa conter os termos estruturantes da investigação qualitativa que são os verbos: compreender e interpretar; e os substantivos: experiência, vivência, senso comum e ação social. A seguir a proposta avança por 10 passos que se iniciam na construção científica do objeto pela sua colocação no âmbito do conhecimento nacional e internacional, na elaboração de instrumentos que tornem concretos os conceitos teóricos, na execução de um trabalho de campo que envolva empaticamente o investigador no uso de vários tipos de técnicas e abordagens, tornando-o um construtor de relações, de observações e de uma narrativa em perspectiva. Por fim, a autora trata da análise propriamente dita, mostrando como o objeto, que já vem pensado em todas as etapas anteriores, deve se tornar um construto de segunda ordem, em que predomine a lógica dos atores em sua diversidade e não apenas as suas falas, dentro de uma narrativa teorizada, contextualizada, concisa e clara.
Autoavaliação da postura por idosos com e sem hipercifose torácica
Authors: Gasparotto Lívia Pimenta Renó , Reis Camila Costa Ibiapina , Ramos Luiz Roberto , Santos José Francisco Quirino dos
Published: March 2012

No presente artigo enumeram-se certas diferenças categoriais da percepção de si de idosos, cuja análise é importante para possíveis intervenções. Objetivo: analisar a relação entre a postura apresentada e a autopercepção desta por idosos. Metodologia: participaram 18 idosos do projeto Epidoso II-Unifesp submetidos à avaliação postural. As posturas foram fotografadas e as imagens entregues aos idosos, cujas opiniões foram analisadas por metodologia qualitativa. As falas foram transcritas e categorizadas pela técnica de codificação teórica axial e seletiva, na perspectiva do interacionismo simbólico. Resultados: Identificou-se uma atitude passiva do idoso em relação às alterações posturais. Há uma distorção da imagem corporal por aqueles que apresentam desvio de postura. Participantes que possuíam o alinhamento vertebral adequado mostraram-se mais conscientes sobre seu posicionamento corporal e a importância deste assimilada em fases anteriores à do envelhecimento. Conclusão: a aderência ao autocuidado postural parece ocorrer em fases anteriores à do envelhecimento, devendo ser realizado nestas épocas o trabalho efetivamente preventivo. A despreocupação com a questão postural relaciona-se com a concepção do idoso sobre a noção de envelhecimento que é, em si, o acúmulo de disfunções inevitavelmente simultâneas ou sucessivas.
Violência intrafamiliar: a experiência dos profissionais de saúde nas Unidades de Saúde da Família de São Joaquim do Monte, Pernambuco
Authors: Oliveira Marluce Tavares de , Samico Isabella , Ishigami Ana Beatriz Matos , Nascimento Renata Maria Moura
Published: March 2012

O objetivo do estudo é verificar a associação entre atendimento, encaminhamento e notificação de violência intrafamiliar/VIF contra adolescentes grávidas e características sociodemográficas de 84 profissionais vinculados ao Programa de Saúde da Família/PSF no agreste pernambucano. Trata-se de recorte de projeto multicêntrico, com desenho de corte transversal, realizado entre outubro de 2008 e abril de 2009. Foi aplicado um questionário estruturado referente às diversas manifestações da violência (psicológica, física ou sexual) e validado para o Brasil, ao qual foram acrescidas variáveis sociodemográficas e da experiência de atendimento de situações de VIF: formas identificadas, cuidados dispensados, encaminhamentos e notificação. A análise dos dados evidencia o grande número de profissionais que nunca identificaram (72%) casos de violência. Entre os 23 que relataram atendimento, predominou a forma psicológica (86,9%), seguida da física (60,8%) e da sexual (43,5%), sendo que apenas oito profissionais (34,8%) encaminharam as adolescentes para Conselho Tutelar, Delegacia de Polícia e/ou Promotoria Pública. A análise da associação com atendimento e notificação relacionou aumento da idade (p = 0,018; IC95 1,31 - 17,1) e ter filhos (p = 0,039; IC95 0,04 - 17,1) como sendo estatisticamente significante, enquanto trabalhar na área urbana e ter nível educacional superior de ocupação mostraram-se limítrofes. Sexo, situação marital e tempo na ocupação não mostraram associação. Conclui-se que, a despeito da "invisibilidade' da VIF, a análise das ações empreendidas no PSF representou uma aproximação deste fenômeno, complexo e multifacetado, ampliando as possibilidades de reflexão crítica sobre as diferentes formas de apreensão social do mesmo.
Prevalência de diarreia em crianças e condições de saneamento e moradia em áreas periurbanas de Guarulhos, SP
Authors: Paz Mariana Gutierres Arteiro da , Almeida Márcia Furquim de , Günther Wanda Maria Risso
Published: March 2012

Foi realizado estudo transversal em área periurbana do Município de Guarulhos, SP, atendida pelo Programa Saúde da Família (PSF) para verificar associação entre ocorrência de diarreia em crianças de 0-2 anos de idade e características da criança, condições de saneamento e tipo de moradia. Os dados foram coletados nas fichas de registro do PSF. Foi realizada análise de regressão logística multivariada, a qual indicou a interação Moradia*Esgoto (outros materiais e ausência de rede de esgoto, p < 0,001) e idade (4 - 9 meses, p = 0,054; e 10 meses e mais, p = 0,008) como fatores de risco para ocorrência de diarreia. Em localidades com falta de dados para compor indicadores de saneamento básico que permitem identificar populações que vivem situações de risco para a ocorrência de diarréia, as informações coletadas pelo PSF podem se constituir em excelente ferramenta para identificação de núcleos populacionais com precárias condições de habitação e saneamento.
Distribuição espacial da tuberculose e a relação com condições de vida na área urbana do município de Campina Grande - 2004 a 2007
Authors: Queiroga Rodrigo Pinheiro Fernandes de , Sá Lenilde Duarte de , Nogueira Jordana de Almeida , Lima Eduardo Rodrigues Viana de , Silva Ana Cristina Oliveira , Pinheiro Patrícia Geórgia Oliveira Diniz , Braga José Ueleres
Published: March 2012

A pesquisa objetivou estudar a distribuição espacial da tuberculose e a sua relação com condições de vida na área urbana do município de Campina Grande no período de 2004 a 2007. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico que utilizou a malha dos bairros do município; dados demográficos, sociais e econômicos do censo 2000; e os casos novos de tuberculose notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos e Notificação. Realizou-se o georeferenciamento dos casos de tuberculose e calculou-se a taxa de incidência da doença por bairro. Foi feita suavização das taxas e calculado o Índice de Moran Global. Os dados socioeconômicos foram agrupados em quartis segundo o Índice de Condições de Vida e calculou-se a incidência da tuberculose em cada estrato de condições de vida. Os resultados mostram que a distribuição espacial da tuberculose na cidade não é uniforme. O agrupamento dos bairros de acordo com o Índice de Condições de Vida revelou diferenças sociais que podem justificar a ocorrência das maiores taxas de incidência nas regiões social e economicamente mais vulneráveis. O estrato de melhor condição de vida apresentou elevada incidência, possivelmente devido à subnotificação dos casos de tuberculose causada principalmente pela centralização do serviço de controle da doença. Espera-se que este estudo possa subsidiar o delineamento das estratégias de controle no município de Campina Grande, na perspectiva da promoção da saúde, de uma doença tão caracteristicamente de determinação social como a TB.
Competition-Based Reform of the National Health Service in England: A One-Way Street?
Authors: Reynolds Lucy , Attaran Amir , Hervey Tamara , McKee Martin
Published: March 2012

The Conservative-led government in the United Kingdom is embarking on massive changes to the National Health Service in England. These changes will create a competitive market in both purchasing and provision. Although the opposition Labour Party has stated its intention to repeal the legislation when it regains power, this may be difficult because of provisions of competition law derived from international treaties. Yet there is an alternative, illustrated by the decision of the devolved Scottish government to reject competitive markets in health care.
Capital Relations and Health: Mediating and Moderating Effects of Cultural, Economic, and Social Capitals on Mortality in Alameda County, California
Authors: Veenstra Gerry , Patterson Andrew C.
Published: March 2012

Inspired by Bourdieu's theories on various forms of capital, conversions among them, and the fields (social spaces) delineated by possession of them, the authors investigate distinct and interconnected effects of cultural, economic, and social capitals on risk of mortality. Using 35 years of longitudinal data from the Alameda County Study (n = 6,157), they created discrete-time hazard models to predict all-cause mortality from educational attainment (institutionalized cultural capital), household income (economic capital), and different forms of personal ties (social capital). The results show that education, income, having three or more close friends, regularity of church attendance, and participation in social/recreational groups were all negatively and significantly associated with risk of mortality. Income mediated a significant portion of the education effect. None of the personal ties variables mediated the effects of education or income. Relative composition of the sum total of education and income did not have an effect. Lastly, examination of statistical interactions between capitals determined that protective effects of church attendance and participation in community betterment groups applied only to non-wealthy people. These findings speak to the structure of the U.S. social space within which health-delimiting relationally defined social classes may be made manifest.
Not Just Smoking and High-Tech Medicine: Socioeconomic Inequities in U.S. Mortality Rates, Overall and by Race/Ethnicity, 1960–2006
Authors: Krieger Nancy , Chen Jarvis T. , Kosheleva Anna , Waterman Pamela D.
Published: March 2012

Recent research on the post-1980 widening of U.S. socioeconomic inequalities in mortality has emphasized the contribution of smoking and high-tech medicine, with some studies treating the growing inequalities as effectively inevitable. No studies, however, have analyzed long-term trends in U.S. mortality rates and inequities unrelated to smoking or due to lack of basic medical care, even as a handful have shown that U.S. socioeconomic inequalities in overall mortality shrank between the mid-1960s and 1980. The authors accordingly analyzed U.S. mortality data for 1960–2006, stratified by county income quintile and race/ethnicity, for mortality unrelated to smoking and preventable by 1960s' standards of medical care. Key findings are that relative and absolute socioeconomic inequalities in U.S. mortality unrelated to smoking and preventable by 1960s' medical care standards shrank between the 1960s and 1980 and then increased and stagnated, with absolute rates on a par with several leading causes of death, and with the burden greatest for U.S. populations of color. None of these findings can be attributed to trends in smoking-related deaths and access to high-tech medicine, and they also demonstrate that socioeconomic inequities in mortality can shrink and need not inevitably rise.
Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes and Renal Vascular Pathology among Patients with Lupus
Authors: Barber Claire , Herzenberg Andrew , Aghdassi Ellie , Su Jiandong , Lou Wendy , Qian Gan , Yip Jonathan , Nasr Samih H. , Thomas David , Scholey James W. , Wither Joan , Urowitz Murray , Gladman Dafna , Reich Heather , Fortin Paul R.
Published: March 2012

Background and objectives

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical significance of renal vascular lesions in lupus nephritis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Renal vascular lesions defined as thrombotic microangiopathy, lupus vasculopathy, uncomplicated vascular immune deposits, and arterial sclerosis were evaluated in relation to renal and vascular morbidity and overall mortality.

Results

Biopsies from 161 patients revealed thrombotic microangiopathy (13), lupus vasculopathy (5), and arterial sclerosis (93). No renal vascular lesions were found in 24.8% of patients. At the time of biopsy, arterial sclerosis or lupus vasculopathy patients were older (arterial sclerosis=37.9±13.0 and lupus vasculopathy=44.4±8.9 versus controls=33.1±8.9 years, P<0.05), and the mean arterial pressure was higher in all groups compared with controls. Nephritis subtype, activity indices, and proteinuria were similar between groups, estimated GFR was lower in arterial sclerosis (70.5±33.3 versus 84.5±26.6 ml/min per 1.73 m2, P=0.03), and chronicity index (thrombotic microangiopathy=3.5, lupus vasculopathy=4.5, and arterial sclerosis=2.5) was higher in all renal vascular lesions subgroups versus controls (1.0, P<0.05). In 133 patients with similar follow-up, the association between renal vascular lesions and vascular events was significant (Fisher exact test, P=0.002) and remained so after multivariate analysis (exact conditional scores test, P=0.04), where the difference between arterial sclerosis and uncomplicated vascular immune deposits was most noticeable (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=8.35[0.98, 83.12], P=0.05). The associations between renal vascular lesions, renal outcomes, and death were not significant, likely because of insufficient power.

Conclusions

Renal vascular lesions are common in SLE patients with nephritis and may be associated with arterial vascular events.
Living Donor Age and Kidney Allograft Half-Life
Authors: Chang Peter , Gill Jagbir , Dong James , Rose Caren , Yan Howard , Landsberg David , Cole Edward H. , Gill John S.
Published: March 2012

Background and objectives

Living donor paired exchange programs assume that kidneys from living donors are of comparable quality and anticipated longevity. This study determined actual allograft t
1/2 within different recipient age groups (10-year increments) as a function of donor age (5-year increments), and juxtaposed these results against the probabilities of deceased donor transplantation, and exclusion from transplantation (death or removal from the wait-list).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Data from the US Renal Data System (transplant dates 1988–2003 with follow-up through September 2007) were used to determine allograft t
1/2, whereas data from patients on the United Network for Organ Sharing waiting list between 2003 and 2005 (with follow-up through February 2010) were used to determine wait-list outcomes.

Results

With the exception of recipients aged 18–39 years, who had the best outcomes with donors aged 18–39 years, living donor age between 18 and 64 years had minimal effect on allograft t
1/2 (difference of 1–2 years with no graded association). The probability of deceased donor transplantation after 3 years of wait-listing ranged from 21% to 66% by blood type and level of sensitization, whereas the probability of being excluded from transplantation ranged from 6% to 27% by age, race, and primary renal disease.

Conclusions

With the exception of recipients aged 18–39 years, living donor age between 18 and 64 years has minimal effect on allograft survival.
Design of Clinical Trials in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Okusa Mark D. , Molitoris Bruce A. , Palevsky Paul M. , Chinchilli Vernon M. , Liu Kathleen D. , Cheung Alfred K. , Weisbord Steven D. , Faubel Sarah , Kellum John A. , Wald Ron , Chertow Glenn M. , Levin Adeera , Waikar Sushrut S. , Murray Patrick T. , Parikh Chirag R. , Shaw Andrew D. , Go Alan S. , Chawla Lakhmir S. , Kaufman James S. , Devarajan Prasad , Toto Robert M. , Hsu Chi-yuan , Greene Tom H. , Mehta Ravindra L. , Stokes John B. , Thompson Aliza M. , Thompson B. Taylor , Westenfelder Christof S. , Tumlin James A. , Warnock David G. , Shah Sudhir V. , Xie Yining , Duggan Emily G. , Kimmel Paul L. , Star Robert A.
Published: March 2012

AKI is an important clinical problem that has become increasingly more common. Mortality rates associated with AKI remain high despite advances in supportive care. Patients surviving AKI have increased long-term mortality and appear to be at increased risk of developing CKD and progressing to ESRD. No proven effective pharmacologic therapies are currently available for the prevention or treatment of AKI. Advances in addressing this unmet need will require the development of novel therapeutic agents based on precise understanding of key pathophysiological events and the implementation of well designed clinical trials. To address this need, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases sponsored the “Clinical Trials in Acute Kidney Injury: Current Opportunities and Barriers” workshop in December 2010. The event brought together representatives from academia, industry, the National Institutes of Health, and the US Food and Drug Administration. We report the discussions of workgroups that developed outlines of clinical trials for the prevention of AKI in two patient populations: patients undergoing elective surgery who are at risk for or who develop AKI, and patients who are at risk for contrast-induced AKI. In both of these populations, primary prevention or secondary therapy can be delivered at an optimal time relative to kidney injury. The workgroups detailed primary and secondary endpoints for studies in these groups, and explored the use of adaptive clinical trial designs for trials of novel preventive strategies to improve outcomes of patients with AKI.
Transgenerational Glucose Intolerance With Igf2/H19 Epigenetic Alterations in Mouse Islet Induced by Intrauterine Hyperglycemia
Authors: Ding Guo-Lian , Wang Fang-Fang , Shu Jing , Tian Shen , Jiang Ying , Zhang Dan , Wang Ning , Luo Qiong , Zhang Yu , Jin Fan , Leung Peter C.K. , Sheng Jian-Zhong , Huang He-Feng
Published: March 2012

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been shown to be associated with high risk of diabetes in offspring. However, the mechanisms involved and the possibilities of transgenerational transmission are still unclear. We intercrossed male and female adult control and first-generation offspring of GDM (F1-GDM) mice to obtain the second-generation (F2) offspring in four groups: C♂-C♀, C♂-GDM♀, GDM♂-C♀, and GDM♂-GDM♀. We found that birth weight significantly increased in F2 offspring through the paternal line with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Regardless of birth from F1-GDM with or without IGT, high risk of IGT appeared as early as 3 weeks in F2 offspring and progressed through both parental lineages, especial the paternal line. IGT in male offspring was more obvious than that in females, with parental characteristics and sex-specific transmission. In both F1 and F2 offspring of GDM, the expression of imprinted genes Igf2 and H19 was downregulated in pancreatic islets, caused by abnormal methylation status of the differentially methylated region, which may be one of the mechanisms for impaired islet ultrastructure and function. Furthermore, altered Igf2 and H19 gene expression was found in sperm of adult F1-GDM, regardless of the presence of IGT, indicating that changes of epigenetics in germ cells contributed to transgenerational transmission.
Earlier Onset and Greater Severity of Disordered Mineral Metabolism in Diabetic Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wahl Patricia , Xie Huiliang , Scialla Julia , Anderson Cheryl A.M. , Bellovich Keith , Brecklin Carolyn , Chen Jing , Feldman Harold , Gutierrez Orlando M. , Lash Jim , Leonard Mary B. , Negrea Lavinia , Rosas Sylvia E. , Anderson Amanda Hyre , Townsend Raymond R. , Wolf Myles , Isakova Tamara ,   on behalf of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study Group
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

Disordered mineral metabolism is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a novel risk factor for CKD progression, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Although diabetes is the leading cause of CKD and is associated with worse clinical outcomes than other etiologies, few studies have evaluated mineral metabolism in CKD according to diabetes status.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study, we tested the hypothesis that diabetes is independently associated with lower serum calcium and higher serum phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23).

RESULTS

Compared with participants without diabetes (n = 1,936), those with diabetes (n = 1,820) were more likely to have lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lower serum albumin, and higher urinary protein excretion (all P < 0.001). Unadjusted serum phosphate, PTH, and FGF23 levels were higher and calcium was lower among those with compared with those without diabetes (all P < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, diabetes remained a significant predictor of serum phosphate, PTH, and FGF23 but not calcium. The eGFR cut point at which 50% of participants met criteria for secondary hyperparathyroidism or elevated FGF23 was higher in participants with diabetes compared with those without (PTH: eGFR 30–39 vs. 20–29, P < 0.001; FGF23: eGFR 50–59 vs. 40–49, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Disordered mineral metabolism begins earlier in the course of CKD and is more severe among CKD patients with compared with those without diabetes. Future studies should explore mechanisms for these differences and whether they contribute to excess risks of adverse clinical outcomes among diabetic patients with CKD.
Veterinarian satisfaction with companion animal visits
Authors: Shaw Jane R. , Adams Cindy L. , Bonnett Brenda N. , Larson Susan , Roter Debra L.
Published: March 2012

Objective—To measure veterinarian satisfaction with companion animal visits through an adaptation of a previously validated physician visit satisfaction scale and to identify demographic, personality, appointment, and communication factors that contribute to veterinarian visit satisfaction.

Design—Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Sample—Random sample of 50 companion animal practitioners in southern Ontario, Canada, and convenience sample of 300 clients and their pets.

Procedures—For each practitioner, 6 clinical appointments were videotaped, and the resulting 300 videotapes were analyzed by use of the Roter interaction analysis system. The physician satisfaction scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and interpersonal reactivity index were used to measure veterinarian visit satisfaction, self-esteem, and empathy, respectively. Linear regression analysis was conducted to study the relationship between factors and veterinarian visit satisfaction.

Results—Veterinarian visit satisfaction ranged from 1 to 5 (mean ± SD, 3.97 ± 0.99) and differed significantly between wellness appointments (mean scale score, 4.13) and problem appointments (mean scale score, 3.81). Various elements of client and veterinarian communication as well as personality measures of veterinarian self-esteem and empathy were associated with veterinarian satisfaction. The specific factors differed depending on the nature of the appointment.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that veterinarian visit–specific satisfaction is enhanced through the use of communication that builds relationships with clients and is associated with degrees of veterinarian empathetic concern and veterinarian self-esteem. The implications extend to overall job satisfaction and its potential link to the health and well-being of individual veterinarians.
Pretexts: Some Thoughts on the Militarization of Print Rationality in the Early Republic
Authors: Wertheimer Eric
Published: March 2012

Abstract:

This essay simply asks how “the culture of the pretext” prepares a nation not just for a war, but for modern war, with its peculiar mediational circumstances. Focussing on James Madison and his arguments and stratagems leading to the War of 1812, the essay briefly describes and conceptualizes the manufacturing of an emergency that mobilizes a public inclined to fragmentation and dissensus. The constitutional directives laid out by republican print textuality are, in this argument, stressed in ways that endure through American civic and political life.
A State of Necessity: International Legal Obligations in Times of Crises
Authors: Kent Avidan K. , Harrington Alexandra R.
Published: March 2012

Abstract:

The purpose of the necessity doctrine is to assist countries in dealing with crises. The necessity doctrine allows, under certain conditions, a State to breach its international obligations in order to cope with the crisis it faces. The conditions of the necessity doctrine have been, and continue to be, clarified by international bodies such as the International Law Commission, and adjudicative tribunals such as the International Court of Justice. In recent years, the necessity doctrine has been the center of several international investment law cases, mainly following Argentina's financial crisis. The application of the doctrine's conditions by some of these tribunals has not been uniform, and has been criticized by academics and practitioners. This article provides an overview of the necessity doctrine and asks whether it can be used to justify measures concerning some of the near future's most urgent challenges.
Nucleic Acid Based Fluorinated Derivatives: New Tools for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Dolain Christel , Patwa Amit , Godeau Guilhem , Barthélémy Philippe
Published: March 2012

Nucleic acid-based fluorinated derivatives, e.g., nucleosides or oligonucleotides connected to highly fluorinated chains or labeled with one or more fluorine atoms, have been investigated recently due to their high potential for biomedical applications. This review deals with recent works on nucleoside and oligonucleotide fluorocarbon amphiphiles as well as with properties and applications of fluorine-labeled oligonucleotide analogues.
Modeling Time’s Arrow
Authors: Jejjala Vishnu , Kavic Michael , Minic Djordje , Tze Chia-Hsiung
Published: March 2012

Quantum gravity, the initial low entropy state of the Universe, and the problem of time are interlocking puzzles. In this article, we address the origin of the arrow of time from a cosmological perspective motivated by a novel approach to quantum gravitation. Our proposal is based on a quantum counterpart of the equivalence principle, a general covariance of the dynamical phase space. We discuss how the nonlinear dynamics of such a system provides a natural description for cosmological evolution in the early Universe. We also underscore connections between the proposed non-perturbative quantum gravity model and fundamental questions in non-equilibrium statistical physics.
History Curriculum, Geschichtsdidaktik, and the Problem of the Nation
Authors: Parkes Robert J. , Vinterek Monika
Published: March 2012

The field of curriculum studies has become increasingly sensitive to the “effects of global flows, transnational connections, and transcultural interactions” ([1], p. 43), and an international dialogue has begun to take shape between the European bildung-influenced tradition of Didaktiks and the Anglo-American psychologised Curriculum Studies tradition. As it stands, the dialogue has concentrated on a comparative analysis of the traditions at the level of general curriculum theory or Allgemeine Didaktik (see for example, [2]), and has rarely, if ever, drilled down into an area of subject-specific pedagogy or fachdidaktiks. This special issue seeks to address this directly, by encouraging a dialogue between various regional and national traditions of history education or Geschichtsdidaktik. [...]
Properties of Newly-Synthesized Cationic Semi-Interpenetrating Hydrogels Containing Either Hyaluronan or Chondroitin Sulfate in a Methacrylic Matrix
Authors: Gatta Annalisa La , Schiraldi Chiara , D’Agostino Antonella , Papa Agata , Rosa Mario De
Published: March 2012

Extracellular matrix components such as hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were combined with a synthetic matrix of p(HEMA-co-METAC) (poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate-co-2-methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium)) at 1% and 2% w/w concentration following a previously developed procedure. The resulting semi-interpenetrating hydrogels were able to extensively swell in water incrementing their dry weight up to 13 fold depending on the glycosamminoglycan content and nature. When swollen in physiological solution, materials water uptake significantly decreased, and the differences in swelling capability became negligible. In physiological conditions, HA was released from the materials up to 38%w/w while CS was found almost fully retained. Materials were not cytotoxic and a biological evaluation, performed using 3T3 fibroblasts and an original time lapse videomicroscopy station, revealed their appropriateness for cell adhesion and proliferation. Slight differences observed in the morphology of adherent cells suggested a better performance of CS containing hydrogels.
Meaning in History—A Comparison Between the Works of Karl Löwith and Erich Auerbach
Authors: Bormuth Matthias
Published: March 2012

Karl Löwith (1897–1973) and Erich Auerbach (1892–1957) were assimilated German Jewish scholars who came to America during and after World War II. In the early 1940s both émigrés wrotetheir masterpieces From Hegel to Nietzsche and Mimesis in Japan and Turkey. In these books, the philosopher as well as the philologist, provide a certain philosophy of history forced by the historical crisis of Europe. The differences in their viewpoints can clearly be seen in their decisive judgments on Goethe and the French Revolution. The comparison first looks at the question what impact the reality of being expelled from the German University of Marburg had on the development of their thoughts. The expanding war and the persecution of the European Jews is taken into account as well. The second focus is directed on the experience both made at the American East Coast and how this might have influenced their later writings namely Meaning in History and Philology of World-Literature. And at last the question is raised which significance the Jewish-Christian background had for Löwith and Auerbach especially for their attitude towards the religious sphere.
Resonant Frequency Characteristics of a SAW Device Attached to Resonating Micropillars
Authors: Ramakrishnan N. , Nemade Harshal B. , Palathinkal Roy Paily
Published: March 2012

Recently we reported experimental and simulation results on an increase in resonance frequency of a SAW resonator caused by mass loading of micropillars made of SU-8, attached normal to the surface of the resonator. We concluded that SAW resonator and the SU-8 micropillars in unison form a system of coupled resonators. We have now extended this work and performed a finite element method simulation to study the resonance frequency characteristics of the SAW-based coupled resonator. In this paper we report the effect of the resonance frequency of the micropillars on the resonance frequency of the system of coupled resonators, and observe the coupling of micropillar resonance and the propagating SAW as described in the well known Dybwad system of coupled resonators.
CD8 T Cells Recruited Early in Mouse Polyomavirus Infection Undergo Exhaustion
Authors: Wilson Jarad J. , Pack Christopher D. , Lin Eugene , Frost Elizabeth L. , Albrecht Joshua A. , Hadley Annette , Hofstetter Amelia R. , Tevethia Satvir S. , Schell Todd D. , Lukacher Aron E.
Published: March 2012

Repetitive Ag encounter, coupled with dynamic changes in Ag density and inflammation, imparts phenotypic and functional heterogeneity to memory virus-specific CD8 T cells in persistently infected hosts. For herpesvirus infections, which cycle between latency and reactivation, recent studies demonstrate that virus-specific T cell memory is predominantly derived from naive precursors recruited during acute infection. Whether functional memory T cells to viruses that persist in a nonlatent, low-level infectious state (smoldering infection) originate from acute infection-recruited naive T cells is not known. Using mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) infection, we previously showed that virus-specific CD8 T cells in persistently infected mice are stably maintained and functionally competent; however, a sizeable fraction of these memory T cells are short-lived. Further, we found that naive anti-MPyV CD8 T cells are primed de novo during persistent infection and contribute to maintenance of the virus-specific CD8 T cell population and its phenotypic heterogeneity. Using a new MPyV-specific TCR-transgenic system, we now demonstrate that virus-specific CD8 T cells recruited during persistent infection possess multicytokine effector function, have strong replication potential, express a phenotype profile indicative of authentic memory capability, and are stably maintained. In contrast, CD8 T cells recruited early in MPyV infection express phenotypic and functional attributes of clonal exhaustion, including attrition from the memory pool. These findings indicate that naive virus-specific CD8 T cells recruited during persistent infection contribute to preservation of functional memory against a smoldering viral infection.
Complications of Intrathecal Baclofen Pump: Prevention and Cure
Authors: Awaad Yasser , Rizk Tamer , Siddiqui Iram , Roosen Norbert , Mcintosh Kelly , Waines G. Michael
Published: March 2012

Increasingly, spasticity is managed with surgically implanted Intrathecal Baclofen pumps. Intrathecal Baclofen pump revision surgery unrelated to programmable pump end-of-life is not uncommon, requiring special attention during pre-, intra-, and postoperative management. We aimed to identify and describe complications of Intrathecal Baclofen pump as well as to report avoidance and management of complications. Methods and Materials. Through 2002–2006, at the department of neurosurgery, Henry Ford and Oakwood Health Systems, Intrathecal Baclofen pumps were implanted in 44 patients: 24 children versus 20 adults; 30 “primary-implant-patients”; 14 “revision-only patients”. We evaluated reasons for revision surgeries and diagnostic workup requirements. Results. Eight primary-implant-patients required 14 revisions and 7 of revision-only patients needed 13 procedures. Seven patients with slowly increasing baclofen-resistant spasticity had either (i) unsuspected pump-catheter connector defects, (ii) an X-ray-documented pump-catheter connector defect, (iii) X-ray-demonstrated fractured catheter with intrathecal fragment. Implant infections occurred in 4 cases. Scintigraphy revealed occult CSF leakage and intrinsic pump failure . Conclusion. Intrathecal Baclofen pumps, although very gratifying, have a high, technique-related complication incidence during implant life. Meticulous technique, high clinical suspicion, appropriate workup, and timely surgical management can reduce surgical complications of Intrathecal Baclofen pump implantation.
Modeling and optimization of electrospun PAN nanofiber diameter using response surface methodology and artificial neural networks
Authors: Nasouri Komeil , Bahrambeygi Hossein , Rabbi Amir , Shoushtari Ahmad Mousavi , Kaflou Ali
Published: March 2012

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a three‐level, three‐variable Box‐Benkhen design (BBD), and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques were compared for modeling the average diameter of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural networks were trained by the sets of input–output patterns using a scaled conjugate gradient backpropagation algorithm. The three important electrospinning factors were studied including polymer concentration (w/v%), applied voltage (kV) and the nozzle‐collector distance (cm). The predicted fiber diameters were in agreement with the experimental results in both ANN and RSM techniques. High‐regression coefficient between the variables and the response (R2 = 0.998) indicates excellent evaluation of experimental data by second‐order polynomial regression model. The R2 value was 0.990, which indicates that the ANN model was shows good fitting with experimental data. Moreover, the RSM model shows much lower absolute percentage error than the ANN model. Therefore, the obtained results indicate that the performance of RSM was better than ANN. The RSM model predicted the 118 nm value of the finest nanofiber diameter at conditions of 10 w/v% polymer concentration, 12 cm of nozzle‐collector distance, and 12 kV of the applied voltage. The predicted value (118 nm) showed only 2.5%, difference with experimental results in which 121 nm at the same setting were observed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Isolated β‐Turn Model Systems Investigated by Combined IR/UV Spectroscopy
Authors: Schwing Kirsten , Fricke Holger , Bartl Kristina , Polkowska Jolanta , Schrader Thomas , Gerhards Markus
Published: March 2012

The functionality of bioactive molecules sensitively depends on their structure. For the investigation of intrinsic structural properties, molecular beam experiments combined with laser spectroscopy have proven to be a suitable tool. Herein we present an analysis of the two isolated tripeptide model systems Ac‐Phe‐Tyr(Me)‐NHMe and Boc‐Phe‐Tyr(Me)‐NHMe. For this purpose, mass‐selective combined IR/UV spectroscopy is applied to both substances in a molecular beam experiment. The comparison of the experimental data with DFT calculations, including different functionals as well as dispersion corrections, allows an assignment of both tripeptide models to β‐turns formed independently from the protection groups and supported by the interaction of the two aromatic chromophores.
Coastal and inland karst morphologies driven by sea level stands: a GIS based method for their evaluation
Authors: Canora Filomena , Fidelibus Dolores , Spilotro Giuseppe
Published: March 2012

Sea level is the base level for groundwater circulation in coastal aquifers. The evolution of karst surface landforms and subsurface drainage systems in these aquifers has been conditioned in geological time by tectonics and glacio‐eustatic sea‐level changes. Present morpho‐structural settings and the type/distribution of karst surface and subsurface forms have developed in different carbonate formations according to differences in lithology, climate and exposure time, all driving the intensity of morphologic and karst processes. The repeated and significant changes of groundwater level linked to ‘sea‐level changes’ have had the most important role in driving the continuous evolution of karstic drainage systems, and has resulted in most cases in a multiphase karst. This study aims at defining a general method for identifying, in karst coastal settings, the elevations of flat or low topographic gradient surfaces (using morphometric analysis of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and geographical information systems (GISs), and their comparison with elevations of distinctive karstic levels (passages, lateral solution cavities) observed in vertical shafts and horizontal caves. Of the elevations of flat or low topographic gradient surfaces only those agreeing, within ±10 m or ±20 m, with elevation ranges marked by the high frequency of distinctive karst levels were considered as representative of the more probable past sea‐level stands. The method is applied to a regional coastal carbonate formation in southern Italy, by using a 10 m DEM and information on 140 complex caves and 85 shafts. Of the 15 elevations indicated by DEM analysis [620, 600, 470, 450, 425, 385, 355, 315, 270, 250, 205, 180, 150, 110, and 70 m above sea level (a.s.l.)], 13 match clearly those highlighted by significant frequencies of distinctive karstic levels. These elevations are validated by comparison to the elevation of terraces and karst plains indicated in the literature. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of U.S. EPA guidelines in a bioavailability-based assessment of ambient water quality criteria for zinc in freshwater
Authors: DeForest David K. , Van Genderen Eric J.
Published: March 2012

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) current ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) for zinc in freshwater are hardness-based and were last updated in 1995. The acute and chronic freshwater toxicity databases have since expanded substantially and the U.S. EPA's minimum phylogenetic diversity requirements for chronic zinc toxicity are now met (an acute:chronic ratio was previously required). Additionally, several acute and chronic biotic ligand models (BLMs) for zinc have since been developed and validated for freshwater organisms. Using the expanded toxicity database and existing BLMs, we developed a unified zinc BLM that could efficiently predict both acute and chronic toxicity over a wide range of zinc bioavailabilities. The unified BLM, developed by objectively averaging the biotic ligand binding constants for zinc (Zn2+) and competing cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, H+) from existing BLMs, performed better in predicting toxicity to a diverse set of organisms than any individual existing BLM. Performance of the unified BLM was further improved by optimizing the biotic ligand binding constant for the ZnOH+ species. The updated freshwater zinc toxicity database and unified BLM were then used to estimate the fifth percentiles of the acute and chronic species sensitivity distributions following the U.S. EPA guidelines for AWQC development. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1264–1272. © 2012 SETAC