bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Spanish version of the Position on Nursing Diagnosis scale: cross‐cultural adaptation and psychometric assessment
Authors: Romero‐Sánchez José Manuel , Paramio‐Cuevas Juan Carlos , Paloma‐Castro Olga , Pastor‐Montero Sonia María , O'Ferrall‐González Cristina , Gabaldón‐Bravo Eva María , González‐Domínguez María Eugenia , Castro‐Yuste Cristina , Frandsen Anna J
Published: March 2013

Aim

To report the adaptation into Spanish and psychometric testing of the Position on Nursing Diagnosis scale.

Background

The Position on Nursing Diagnosis is a scale that uses the semantic differential technique to measure nurses' attitudes towards the nursing diagnosis concept.

Design

Methodological design.

Method

The scale was cross‐culturally adapted through a process including translation, comparison with versions in other languages, back‐translation, review, and pre‐testing. An opportunistic sample of 621 Spanish registered nurses was recruited from August–December 2011. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Construct validity, using both exploratory factor analysis and the known‐group technique, and concurrent validity were assessed.

Findings

The Position on Nursing Diagnosis‐Spanish Version was obtained from the cross‐cultural adaptation process. High internal consistency and satisfactory test‐retest reliability over a two week period (n = 240) were found. In the principal component analysis, all items loaded strongly on a single‐factor which accounted for adequate variance, supporting the unidimensionality of the scale. A statistically significant difference was found comparing the scores of nurses who were members of the Spanish Association of Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Nursing Diagnosis and those who were not. Concurrent validity was supported by the significant correlation found between the scores and the degree of nursing diagnosis utilization and attendance to training sessions.

Conclusion

The findings support the validity and reliability of the Position on Nursing Diagnosis‐Spanish Version for its use among Spanish registered nurses as a measurement of their attitude towards the nursing diagnosis concept.
Reproductive and phylogenetic divergence of tidepool copepod populations across a narrow geographical boundary in Baja California
Authors: Peterson Dennis L. , Kubow Karen B. , Connolly Maren J. , Kaplan Laran R. , Wetkowski Melissa M. , Leong Wai , Phillips Barret C. , Edmands Suzanne
Published: March 2013

Aim

Previous work on the tidepool copepodTigriopus californicusrevealed a curious case of incipient speciation at the southern end of the species' range in Baja California, Mexico. The present study expands on the geography of this pattern and tests for congruence between reproductive and phylogenetic patterns.

Location

The Pacific coast of North America, from central Baja California to south‐eastern Alaska (27–57° N), including the full range ofT. californicus.

Methods

Primary techniques included mating experiments (> 4000 crosses), phylogeny reconstruction (mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I) and screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, 42 loci). Analyses used > 8000 copepods for the mating experiments, 86 copepods for the phylogeny and 41 copepods for theSNPassays. Phylogenies were constructed using Bayesian, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods.

Results

Populations were found to fall into three reproductive groups: northern and southern groups that were reproductively isolated from each other, and an intermediate group that could serve as a conduit for gene flow. The northern and intermediate populations fell into one clade while all southern populations fell into a second clade. These two clades are now separated by less than 12 km at latitude 29.35° N. NuclearSNPdata for a subset of locations confirmed striking divergence between populations on either side of this boundary. The second (southern) clade was further subdivided into two clades separated by the lagoon region of Guerrero Negro (latitude 28° N).

Main conclusions

Reproductive assays and molecular data (both mitochondrial and nuclear) reveal a sharp break at 29.35° N, a region with no obvious barriers to dispersal, with no evidence for mixing across this narrow transition zone. Results also showed a milder break at the Guerrero Negro Lagoon (28° N), a location where breaks have been reported for other taxa.
Semiquantitative assessment of breath hydrogen testing
Authors: Barrett Jacqueline S , Kalubovila Udaya , Irving Peter M , Gibson Peter R
Published: March 2013

Background and Aim

A major use of breath hydrogen testing is to assess absorptive capacity for sugars to assist dietary design for management of gut symptoms. Qualitative reporting takes no account of the vigor of hydrogen response and provides little insight into degrees of malabsorption. This study aimed to describe a semiquantitative reporting method and to compare results with those reported qualitatively.

Methods

In consecutive Caucasian patients with Crohn's disease (n = 87), ulcerative colitis (59), functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) (162), and healthy controls (76), area under the curve was calculated for lactulose (15 g). This was compared with that for lactose (50 g) and fructose (35 g). Degree of malabsorption was categorized into arbitrary groups.

Results

Semiquantitative results for ≥ 30% (designated “convincing”) malabsorption was most similar to those using a qualitative cutoff value of 20 ppm, but in 38% and 21% of patients, the classification of malabsorption (nil or clinically significant) changed for fructose and lactose, respectively. Using a cutoff of 10 ppm, 49% and 5% were classified differently. Crohn's disease had a higher prevalence (42%) of convincing fructose malabsorption than controls (24%) or patients with FGID (33%) (P < 0.02). Highest prevalence of convincing lactose malabsorption (38%) was in ulcerative colitis, greater than controls (18%) and FGID (18%) (P < 0.02).

Conclusions

Semiquantitative assessment provides different results with different clinical implications in more than one third of patients, but disease‐related alterations in prevalence are similar to those defined qualitatively. This method may be preferable because it lessens the confounding influence of the vigor of the hydrogen response.
Intratumoral regulatory T cells with higher prevalence and more suppressive activity in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Wu Han , Chen Pei , Liao Rui , Li Yi‐Wei , Yi Yong , Wang Jia‐Xing , Cai Xiao‐Yan , He Hong‐Wei , Jin Jian‐Jun , Cheng Yun‐Feng , Fan Jia , Sun Jian , Qiu Shuang‐Jian
Published: March 2013

Background and Aim

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a vital role in immunosuppressive crosstalk; however, Tregs from different locations lead to different clinical outcomes. Our aim was, therefore, to compare the prevalences and suppressive phenotypes of Tregs in the peripheral blood, peritumor, and intratumor of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods 

The frequencies and phenotypes of CD4+CD25+CD127low/−CD49d− Tregs in the periphery, peritumor, and intratumor of 78 HCC patients and 12 healthy controls were evaluated by flow cytometry. Treg‐cell suppressive activity was determined using an in vitro CD154 expression assay. Tregs from tumor and paired peritumor were then hybridized using an Agilent whole genome oligo microarray, and selected genes were validated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Functional analysis of the microarray data was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analyses.

Results 

Intratumoral Tregs exhibited higher frequencies and more suppressive phenotypic functions than those in peritumor and periphery, whereas there was no difference between the latter two. Functional analysis showed that complement cascades, p53, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchor biosynthesis pathways were significantly upregulated in intratumoral Tregs; the salivary secretion pathway was significantly downregulated in intratumoral Tregs, and immune cells and tumor‐immuno‐related Gene Ontology terms were significantly affected.

Conclusions 

Tregs in different locations exhibited different functional statuses. A higher prevalence and more suppressive phenotype suggested a critical role for intratumoral Tregs in the formation of multicellular immunosuppressive networks. HCC immunotherapy may be improved, therefore, by specific locational Tregs elimination or suppression.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetics – prevalence and predictive factors in a multiracial hospital clinic population in Malaysia
Authors: Chan Wah‐Kheong , Tan Alexander Tong‐Boon , Vethakkan Shireene Ratna , Tah Pei‐Chien , Vijayananthan Anushya , Goh Khean‐Lee
Published: March 2013

Background and Aim

There is currently no published study comparing prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated factors among diabetics of different ethnicity in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of consecutive patients in the Diabetic Clinic in University of Malaya Medical Centre. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and a semiquantitative food‐frequency questionnaire were used to assess physical activity and dietary intake, respectively. Diagnosis of NAFLD was ultrasound‐based and following exclusion of significant alcohol intake.

Results

Data for 399 patients were analyzed (mean age 62.3 ± 10.5 years, 43.1% men). The racial distribution was Chinese 43.6%, Indian 33.1%, Malay 22.3%, and others 1.0%. The prevalence of NAFLD was 49.6%. On univariate analysis, factors associated with NAFLD were age < 65 years, race, obesity, central obesity, glycated hemoglobin ≥ 7.0%, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Patients with low physical activity were more likely to have NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–2.63, P = 0.020). The prevalence of NAFLD was highest among Malays (60.7%), followed by Indians (51.5%), and lowest among Chinese (42.0%) consistent with higher prevalence of central obesity and higher percentage calorie intake from fat in the former groups of patients. On multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with NAFLD were central obesity (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.29–3.75, P = 0.004) and elevated serum ALT level (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.21–3.25, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

NAFLD was seen in half of a cohort of diabetic patients and was independently associated with central obesity and elevated serum ALT level. Prevalence of NAFLD was different and paralleled the difference in prevalence of central obesity and in percentage calorie intake from fat among the different ethnic groups.
Intellectual disabilities and power spectra analysis during sleep: a new perspective on borderline intellectual functioning
Authors: Esposito M. , Carotenuto M.
Published: March 2013

Background

The role of sleep in cognitive processes has been confirmed by a growing number of reports for all ages of life. Analysing sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) spectra may be useful to study cortical organisation in individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF), as seen in other disturbances even if it is not considered a disease. The aim of this study was to determine if the sleep EEG power spectra in children with BIF could be different from typically developing children.

Methods

Eighteen BIF (12 males) (mean age 11.04; SD ± 1.07) and 24 typical developing children (14 men) (mean age 10.98; SD ± 1.76; P = 0.899) underwent an overnight polysomnography (PSG) recording in the Sleep Laboratory of the Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, after one adaptation night. Sleep was subdivided into 30‐s epochs and sleep stages were scored according to the standard criteria and the power spectra were calculated for the Cz‐A2 channel using the sleep analysis software Hypnolab 1.2 (SWS Soft, Italy) by means of the Fast Fourier Transform and the power spectrum was calculated for frequencies between 0.5 and 60 Hz with a frequency step of 1 Hz and then averaged across the following bands delta (0.5–4 Hz), theta (5–7 Hz), alpha (8–11 Hz), sigma (11–15 Hz), and beta (16–30 Hz), gamma (30–60 Hz) for S2, SWS and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep stages.

Results

BIF have a reduced sleep duration (total sleep time; P < 0.001), and an increased rate of stage shifts (P < 0.001) and awakenings (P < 0.001) and WASO (wakefulness after sleep onset) % (P < 0.001); the stage 2% (P < 0.001), and REM% (P < 0.001) were lower and slow‐wave sleep percentage was slightly higher (P < 0.001). All children with BIF had an AHI (apnoea–hypopnea index) less than 1 (mean AHI = 0.691 ± 0.236) with a mean oxygen saturation of 97.6% and a periodic leg movement index (PLMI) less than 5 (mean PLMI = 2.94 ± 1.56). All sleep stages had a significant reduction in gamma frequency (30–60 Hz) (P < 0.001) and an increased delta frequency (0.5–4.0 Hz) (P < 0.001) power in BIF subjects compared with typically developing children.

Conclusion

Our findings shed light on the importance of sleep for cognition processes particularly in cognitive borderline dysfunction and the role of EEG spectral power analysis to recognize sleep characteristics in BIF children.
Dissecting γ‐secretase function
Authors: Chávez‐Gutiérrez Lucía
Published: March 2013

Read the full article ‘Important functional role of residue x of the presenilin GxGD protease active site motif for APP substrate cleavage specificity and substrate selectivity of γ‐secretase’ on doi: 10.1111/jnc.12124.
The anti‐AD cookbook: a new recipe
Authors: Gulyaeva Natalia V. , Stepanichev Mikhail Y.
Published: March 2013

Read the full article ‘Dietary energy substrates reverse early neuronal hyperactivity in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease’ on doi: 10.1111/jnc.12127.
Development and psychometric testing of a Chinese‐language instrument for assessing institutionalised older males' motivations for living
Authors: Wang Yi‐Wen , Tsai Yun‐Fang , Wong Thomas KS , Ku Yan‐Chiou
Published: March 2013

Aims and objectives

To develop and psychometrically test a Chinese‐language instrument, the Motivations for Living Inventory, for use with older adult institutionalised males.

Background

While tools exist for testing reasons for living among English‐speaking individuals, none are available to assess Chinese‐speaking older adults' motivation for living.

Design

This study had three steps: cross‐sectional survey to collect data on instrument items, instrument development and psychometric testing.

Methods

Participants were 247 older male residents of five veterans' homes, including 22 who had attempted suicide in the previous three months and 225 nonsuicide attempters. The Chinese‐language instrument, Motivations for Living Inventory, was developed based on individual interviews with older male residents of nursing homes and veterans' homes, focus groups with workers at nursing and veterans' homes, the literature and the authors' clinical experiences. The resulting Inventory was examined by content validity, construct validity, criterion‐related validity, internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability.

Results

The inventory had good content validity index (1·00). Factor analysis yielded a five‐factor solution, accounting for 82·02% of the variance. Veterans' home male residents who had not attempted suicide tended to have higher scores than residents who had attempted suicide in the previous three months across the global inventory and all its subscales, indicating good criterion validity. Inventory reliability (Cronbach's α for the total scale was 0·86 and for subscales ranged from 0·80–0·94) and intraclass correlation coefficient (0·81) was satisfactory.

Conclusions

The Chinese‐language Motivations for Living Inventory can be completed in five to seven minutes and is perceived as easy to complete. Moreover, the inventory yielded highly acceptable parameters of validity and reliability.

Relevance to clinical practice

The Chinese‐language Motivations for Living Inventory can be used to assess reasons for living in Chinese‐speaking, institutionalised older male adults.
Explaining the Positive Relationship Between Fourth‐Grade Children's Body Mass Index and Energy Intake at School‐Provided Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)
Authors: Guinn Caroline H. , Baxter Suzanne D. , Royer Julie A. , Hitchcock David B.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

A 2010 publication showed a positive relationship between children's body mass index (BMI) and energy intake at school‐provided meals (as assessed by direct meal observations). To help explain that relationship, we investigated 7 outcome variables concerning aspects of school‐provided meals: energy content of items selected, number of meal components selected, number of meal components eaten, amounts eaten of standardized school‐meal portions, energy intake from flavored milk, energy intake received in trades, and energy content given in trades.

METHODS

Fourth‐grade children (N = 465) from Columbia, SC, were observed eating school‐provided breakfast and lunch on 1 to 4 days per child. Researchers measured children's weight and height. For daily values at school meals, a generalized linear model was fit with BMI (dependent variable) and the 7 outcome variables, sex, and age (independent variables).

RESULTS

BMI was positively related to amounts eaten of standardized school‐meal portions (p < .0001) and increased 8.45 kg/m2 per serving, controlling for other variables in the model. BMI was positively related to energy intake from flavored milk (p = .0041) and increased 0.347 kg/m2 for every 100 kcal consumed. BMI was negatively related to energy intake received in trades (p = .0003) and decreased 0.468 kg/m2 for every 100 kcal received. BMI was not significantly related to 4 outcome variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing that relationships between BMI and actual consumption, not selection, at school‐provided meals explained the (previously found) positive relationship between BMI and energy intake at school‐provided meals is helpful for school‐based obesity interventions.
Barriers to Providing the Sexuality Education That Teachers Believe Students Need
Authors: Eisenberg Marla E. , Madsen Nikki , Oliphant Jennifer A. , Sieving Renee E.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

Sexuality education teachers' perspectives are important to gain a full understanding of the issues surrounding teaching this subject. This study uses a statewide sample of public school teachers to examine what sexuality education content is taught, what barriers teachers face, and which barriers are associated with teaching specific topics.

METHODS

Participants included 368 middle and high school teachers with sexuality education assignments in Minnesota. Survey data included topics they teach, what they think they should teach, and barriers they face. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between barriers and teaching each of 9 sexual health topics, among those who believed the topic should be taught.

RESULTS

Almost two thirds of participants faced structural barriers; 45% were concerned about parent, student, or administrator response; and one quarter reported restrictive policies. Structural barriers were inversely associated with teaching about communication (OR = 0.20), teen parenting (OR = 0.34), and abortion (OR = 0.32); concerns about responses were associated only with teaching about sexual violence (OR = 0.42); and restrictive policies were inversely associated with teaching about abortion (OR = 0.23) and sexual orientation (OR = 0.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing teachers' barriers requires a multipronged approach, including curriculum development and evaluation, training, and reframing the policy debate to support a wider range of sexuality education topics.
Hospitalizations due to hepatitis C in Los Angeles County, 2007–2009: case characteristics and factors associated with mortality
Authors: Sie L. , Gatto N. M. , Bancroft E.
Published: March 2013

Morbidity and mortality due to hepatitis C (HCV) infection are rising in the United States as the highest risk cohort (those born between 1945 and 1965) ages. It is important for governments and healthcare providers to have timely, readily obtainable data to estimate the burden of HCV locally. Demographic factors, hospital charges and comorbid conditions were summarized for Los Angeles County (LAC) residents who had at least one hospitalization in California during 2007–2009 with HCV as a primary or secondary diagnosis using statewide hospital discharge data. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for factors associated with dying during hospitalization. A total of 19 907 unique patients were hospitalized with HCV during the 3‐year study period; 63.0% were aged 45–65 years; 1874 (9.4%) died. Hospitalizations for HCV doubled during this time period. Total charges for hospitalizations for which HCV was coded as the principal diagnosis increased from $18 million to $58 million, with over 70% charged to government sources. After adjusting for demographic factors, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV), current alcohol abuse and kidney disease were associated with dying during hospitalization. Based on statewide hospital discharge data, morbidity and mortality from HCV infections increased in LAC from 2007–2009, and pose an economic burden to government. To lower mortality risk, HCV patients should be referred for follow‐up. The expected increase in HCV hospitalizations as infected patients' age poses an increasing burden to healthcare systems.
Differential Effects of Adiposity and Childhood Growth Trajectories on Retinal Microvascular Architecture
Authors: Tapp Robyn J. , Ness Andrew , Williams Cathy , Howe Laura D. , Tilling Kate , Witt Nicholas , Chaturvedi Nish , McG Thom Simon A. , Hughes Alun D.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

We hypothesized that trajectories of adiposity across childhood would be associated with retinal microcirculatory diameters at age 12 years, independent of BP.

Methods

The ALSPAC followed a cohort of children born in 1991–1992. The current study includes all children with retinal images acquired at the 12 years clinic and individual trajectories of PI from 0 to 2 years and BMI from 2 to 10 years. Retinal microvascular measures included retinal arteriolar and venular diameters.

Results

Children in this analysis had a birth weight of 3.5 ± 0.4 kg, a PI of 26.2 ± 2.4 kg/m3 and a gestational age of 39.7 ± 1.4 weeks (mean ± SD). Analysis of growth trajectories showed that lower PI at birth was associated with narrower retinal arterioles. Higher PI at birth was associated with wider venular diameter, and a stronger positive association was evident between BMI change at 5–5.5 and 8.5–10 years with wider venular diameters. Current fat mass was also associated with wider venular diameters.

Conclusions

Retinal arterioles and venules are differentially associated with growth in early life and childhood adiposity. Early adiposity may adversely affect the microcirculation, with important implications for cardiovascular risk in adulthood.
Missense substitutions reflecting regulatory control of transmitter phosphatase activity in two‐component signalling
Authors: Huynh TuAnh Ngoc , Noriega Chris E. , Stewart Valley
Published: March 2013

Negative control in two‐component signal transduction results from sensor transmitter phosphatase activity for phospho‐receiver dephosphorylation. A hypothetical mechanism for this reaction involves a catalytic residue in the H‐box active‐site region. However, a complete understanding of transmitter phosphatase regulation is hampered by the abundance of kinase‐competent, phosphatase‐defective missense substitutions (K+ P– phenotype) outside of the active‐site region. For the Escherichia coli NarX sensor, a model for the HisKA_3 sequence family, DHp domain K+ P– mutants defined two classes. Interaction mutants mapped to the active site‐distal base of the DHp helix 1, whereas conformation mutants were affected in the X‐box region of helix 2. Thus, different types of perturbations can influence transmitter phosphatase activity indirectly. By comparison, K+ P– substitutions in the HisKA sensors EnvZ and NtrB additionally map to a third region, at the active site‐proximal top of the DHp helix 1, independently identified as important for DHp‐CA domain interaction in this sensor class. Moreover, the NarX transmitter phosphatase activity was independent of nucleotides, in contrast to the activity for many HisKA family sensors. Therefore, distinctions involving both the DHp and the CA domains suggest functional diversity in the regulation of HisKA and HisKA_3 transmitter phosphatase activities.
Reciprocal regulation of the autophosphorylation of enzyme INtr by glutamine and α‐ketoglutarate in Escherichia coli
Authors: Lee Chang‐Ro , Park Young‐Ha , Kim Miri , Kim Yeon‐Ran , Park Soyoung , Peterkofsky Alan , Seok Yeong‐Jae
Published: March 2013

In addition to the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (sugar PTS), most proteobacteria possess a paralogous system (nitrogen phosphotransferase system, PTSNtr). The first proteins in both pathways are enzymes (enzyme Isugar and enzyme INtr) that can be autophosphorylated by phosphoenolpyruvate. The most striking difference between enzyme Isugar and enzyme INtr is the presence of a GAF domain at the N‐terminus of enzyme INtr. Since the PTSNtr was identified in 1995, it has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes in many proteobacteria and many of these regulations have been shown to be dependent on the phosphorylation state of PTSNtr components. However, there has been little evidence that any component of this so‐called PTSNtr is directly involved in nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, a signal regulating the phosphorylation state of the PTSNtr had not been uncovered. Here, we demonstrate that glutamine and α‐ketoglutarate, the canonical signals of nitrogen availability, reciprocally regulate the phosphorylation state of the PTSNtr by direct effects on enzyme INtr autophosphorylation and the GAF signal transduction domain is necessary for the regulation of enzyme INtr activity by the two signal molecules. Taken together, our results suggest that the PTSNtr senses nitrogen availability.
Regulation of V‐nitrogenase genes in Anabaena variabilis by RNA processing and by dual repressors
Authors: Pratte Brenda S. , Sheridan Ryan , James Jessie A. , Thiel Teresa
Published: March 2013

Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 fixes nitrogen in specialized cells called heterocysts using either a Mo‐nitrogenase or a V‐nitrogenase. V‐nitrogenase structural genes, vnfDGK, as well as vnfEN form an operon with ava4025, located upstream of vnfDG that is repressed by fixed nitrogen and by Mo. The ava4025‐vnfDGKEN operon is under the control of a Mo‐repressible promoter located nearly 600 bp upstream of ava4025. Levels of vnfDG transcript were about 500‐fold higher than ava4025, the first gene of the operon. This may be the result of RNA processing at a site 87 bp upstream of vnfDG that was initially identified as the transcription start site. A strain with a deletion in the coding region of ava4025 grew diazotrophically with Mo or with V. Two similar proteins, VnfR1 and VnfR2, whose genes are located some distance from the ava4025‐vnfDGKEN operon, each repressed transcription from the ava4025‐vnfDGKEN promoter and a mutant lacking both VnfR1 and VnfR2 made the V‐nitrogenase in the presence of Mo. Overexpression of the V‐nitrogenase in the double vnfR1 vnfR2 mutant resulted in decreased activity of the Mo‐nitrogenase. VnfR1 bound specifically, in vitro, to a region upstream of the ava4025 promoter.
The biosynthetic gene cluster for sophorolipids: a biotechnological interesting biosurfactant produced by Starmerella bombicola
Authors: Van Bogaert Inge N. A. , Holvoet Kevin , Roelants Sophie L. K. W. , Li Bing , Lin Yao‐Cheng , Van de Peer Yves , Soetaert Wim
Published: March 2013

Sophorolipids are promising biological derived surfactants or detergents which find application in household cleaning, personal care and cosmetics. They are produced by specific yeast species and among those, Starmerella bombicola (former Candida bombicola) is the most widely used and studied one. Despite the commercial interest in sophorolipids, the biosynthetic pathway of these secondary metabolites remained hitherto partially unsolved. In this manuscript we present the sophorolipid gene cluster consisting of five genes directly involved in sophorolipid synthesis: a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, two glucosyltransferases, an acetyltransferase and a transporter. It was demonstrated that disabling the first step of the pathway – cytochrome P450 monooxygenase mediated terminal or subterminal hydroxylation of a common fatty acid – results in complete abolishment of sophorolipid production. This phenotype could be complemented by supplying the yeast with hydroxylated fatty acids. On the other hand, knocking out the transporter gene yields mutants still able to secrete sophorolipids, though only at levels of 10% as compared with the wild type, suggesting alternative routes for secretion. Finally, it was proved that hampering sophorolipid production does not affect cell growth or cell viability in laboratory conditions, as can be expected for secondary metabolites.
Population genetic structure and taxonomy of the common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) at its southernmost range limit: New Zealand waters
Authors: Stockin Karen A. , Amaral Ana R. , Latimer Julie , Lambert David M. , Natoli Ada
Published: March 2013

New Zealand is the southernmost limit of the common dolphin's (genus Delphinus) distribution in the Pacific Ocean. In this area, common dolphins occur in both coastal and oceanic habitats, exhibit seasonal and resident occurrence, and present high morphological variability. Here we investigated the population structure and the taxonomic identity of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) within New Zealand waters using 14 microsatellite loci, 577 bp of the mtDNA control region, and 1,120 bp of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene across 90 individuals. We found high genetic variability and evidence of population expansion. Phylogenetic analyses conducted to clarify the taxonomic status of New Zealand common dolphins did not show any clustering reflecting geographic origin or morphotypes. The microsatellite analysis showed genetic differentiation between Coastal and Oceanic putative populations, while mtDNA revealed significant genetic differentiation only between the Hauraki Gulf and other putative groups. Our results suggest that differences in habitat choice and possible female site fidelity may play a role in shaping population structure of New Zealand common dolphins.
Conceptualizing structural violence in the context of mental health nursing
Authors: Choiniere Jacqueline A , MacDonnell Judith A , Campbell Andrea L , Smele Sandra
Published: March 2013

This article explores how the intersections of gendered, racialized and neoliberal dynamics reproduce social inequality and shape the violence that nurses face. Grounded in the interviews and focus groups conducted with a purposeful sample of 17 registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) currently working in Ontario's mental health sector, our analysis underscores the need to move beyond reductionist notions of violence as simply individual physical or psychological events. While acknowledging that violence is a very real and disturbing experience for individual nurses, our article casts light on the importance of a broader, power structure analysis of violence experienced by nurses in this sector, arguing that effective redress lies beyond blame shifting between clients/patients and nurses. Our analysis illustrates how assumptions about gender, race and care operate in the context of global, neoliberal forces to reinforce, intensify and create, as well as obscure, structural violence through mechanisms of individualization and normalization.
A parietal‐to‐frontal shift in the P300 is associated with compensation of tactile discrimination deficits in late middle‐aged adults
Authors: Reuter Eva‐Maria , Voelcker‐Rehage Claudia , Vieluf Solveig , Winneke Axel H. , Godde Ben
Published: March 2013

Tactile perception declines with age on both behavioral and neurophysiological levels. Less well understood is how neurophysiological changes relate to tactile discrimination performance in middle adulthood. A tactile discrimination task was conducted while ERPs were measured in three groups of healthy adults aged 20 to 66 years. Accuracy was lowest in late middle adulthood (56–66 years) while somatosensory ERP components (P50, N70, P100, N140) were comparable across age groups. The cognitive P300 revealed age‐related differences in scalp distribution typical for older adults to already be present in late middle adulthood. Increased recruitment of frontal cognitive processes was positively related to performance in later middle adulthood. Our results further the understanding of age‐related differences in tactile perception during middle adulthood and the importance of cognitive processes to compensate for age‐related decline.
A Systematic Literature Review of the Resistance Exercises That Promote Maximal Muscle Activity of the Rotator Cuff in Normal Shoulders
Authors: Ganderton Charlotte , Pizzari Tania
Published: March 2013

Background

There are numerous resistance exercises that can be used to activate the rotator cuff. However, the optimal exercises to achieve maximal muscle activation in supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this systematic review is to identify the optimal resistance exercises for producing maximal muscle activation of the rotator cuff in normal shoulders. Methods A literature search was completed using six key databases - MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, SPORTdiscus and Cochrane Library (from inception to January 2012). The search yielded 452 records using terms relating to rotator cuff, exercise, and electromyography. Eighteen papers remained after duplicates were removed and selection criteria applied. Quality assessment, data extraction and data synthesis of included papers was undertaken.

Results

Prone horizontal abduction at 90–100° with external rotation, push-up-plus, empty can and full can produced greatest activity in supraspinatus; prone horizontal abduction at 90–100° with full external rotation, standing external rotation at 0° abduction and the push-up-plus exercise produced greatest activity in infraspinatus and push-up-plus and shoulder flexion exercise in subscapularis. There was limited data for teres minor.

Discussion

Exercises to elicit maximal activity of supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis in normal shoulders were identified.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
Authors: Impelmans Bianca , Vanhees Matthias , Eygendaal Denise , van Riet Roger
Published: March 2013

The ulnar collateral ligament is the primary static constraints of the elbow to valgus stress. Injuries to this ligament may lead to significant functional impairment and potential secondary intra-articular damage to the elbow. A diverse group of patients can present with symptoms related to ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency, ranging from children with acute elbow dislocations to professional athletes with chronic overload injuries. The current review will discuss, anatomy, biomechanics and clinical findings regarding ulnar collateral ligament injuries. An overview of treatment options will also be presented.
High‐frequency use of over‐the‐counter analgesics among adolescents: reflections of an emerging difficult life, a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Skarstein Siv , Rosvold Elin O. , Helseth Sølvi , Kvarme Lisbeth G. , Holager Tanja , Småstuen Milada C. , Lagerløv Per
Published: March 2013

Aims

To examine characteristics of 15‐ to 16‐year‐old adolescents who used over‐the‐counter analgesics daily to weekly (high‐frequency users) as compared to those who used less or no analgesics (low‐frequency users). Further to analyse the differences in pain experience, lifestyle, self‐esteem, school attendance and educational ambition.

Methods

An anonymous cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study. The questionnaire covered the use of over‐the‐counter analgesics, pain experience, sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, self‐esteem, school absence and future educational plans. The study took place in the 10th grade in six junior high schools in a medium‐sized town in Norway. The local sales data for analgesics and antipyretics were close to the national average. We invited 626 adolescents to participate. Of the 367 adolescents (59%) who responded, 51% were girls. Associations between the frequency of use of over‐the‐counter analgesic and the mentioned variables were analysed using multiple logistic regression.

Results

In total, 26% (42 boys and 48 girls) used over‐the‐counter analgesics daily to weekly. These high‐frequency users experienced more widespread pain, slept less, had more paid spare‐time work, drank more caffeinated drinks, participated more often in binge drinking, had lower self‐esteem, less ambitious educational plans and more frequent school absence than did the low‐frequency users. These associations remained significant when controlling for gender, cultural background and self‐evaluated economic status.

Conclusion

Adolescent, who are high‐frequency users of over‐the‐counter analgesics, suffer more pain and have identifiable characteristics indicative of complex problems. Their ability to handle stress appears to be discordant with the kind of situations to which they are exposed. The wear and tear associated with allostatic mechanisms counteracting stress may heighten their pain experience.
Downhill turn techniques and associated physical characteristics in cross‐country skiers
Authors: Bucher Sandbakk S. , Supej M. , Sandbakk Ø. , Holmberg H.‐C.
Published: March 2013

Three dominant techniques are used for downhill turning in cross‐country skiing. In this study, kinematic, kinetic, and temporal characteristics of these techniques are described and related to skier strength and power. Twelve elite female cross‐country skiers performed six consecutive turns of standardized geometry while being monitored by a Global Navigation Satellite System. Overall time was used as an indicator of performance. Skiing and turning parameters were determined from skier trajectories; the proportional use of each technique was determined from video analysis. Leg strength and power were determined by isometric squats and countermovement jumps on a force plate. Snow plowing, parallel skidding, and step turning were utilized for all turns. Faster skiers employed less snow plowing and more step turning, more rapid deceleration and earlier initiation of step turning at higher speed (r = 0.80–0.93; all P < 0.01). Better performance was significantly correlated to higher mean speed and shorter trajectory (r = 0.99/0.65; both P < 0.05) and to countermovement jump characteristics of peak force, time to peak force, and rate of force development (r = −0.71/0.78/−0.83; all P < 0.05). In conclusion, faster skiers used step turning to a greater extent and exhibited higher maximal leg power, which enabled them to combine high speeds with shorter trajectories during turns.
As the Current Account Turns: Disaggregating the Effects of Current Account Reversals in Industrial Countries
Authors: Craighead William D. , Hineline David R.
Published: March 2013

This paper extends the study of current account (CA) reversals by considering the implications for the composition of output and employment. It is shown that decreases in CA deficits imply increases in tradable relative to non‐tradable output and/or declines in investment. The impact of CA ‘rebalancing’ should therefore be expected to vary considerably across sectors of an economy. This intersectoral variation is studied by examining the dynamics of output, employment and prices using data for 55 sectors of the economy during 14 industrial country reversal episodes. The output and employment declines associated with CA reversals are most clearly evident in investment‐related sectors, while sectors related to primary commodities generally perform relatively well following reversals. Reversals are also followed by increases in relative inflation for tradable goods sectors.
Fusion of License Plate and Face Recognition for Secure Parking
Authors: Md Noor Siti Salwa , Md Tahir Nooritawati
Published: March 2013

Integration of multimodal biometrics is widely explored for the purpose of security enhancement. Hence, in this research we deemed further to evaluate the integration of car plate and face recognition as security enhancement in parking lot. Firstly, the acquired face and car plate that acted as database is encrypted based on Hill Cipher matrix manipulation using random numbers and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) as encryption algorithm. Next, Unconstrained Minimum Average Correlation Energy (UMACE) was applied for car plate recognition process during parking entrance in identifying the intruder via Peak to Side lobe Ratio (PSR) value. During exit, UMACE is once again utilized for both plate and face recognition for verification of registered driver based on decision fusion of PSR value. Results attained specifically Total Success Rate (TSR) of 96% during parking entrance along with over 99% during exit at PSR value of 10, confirmed that the proposed method is apt as security in parking space.
Computing the Nonabelian Tensor Square of Metacyclic p–Groups of Nilpotency Class Two
Authors: Basri A. M. , Sarmin N. H. , Mohd Ali N. M. , Beuerle J. R.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we develop appropriate programme using Groups, Algorithms and Programming (GAP) software enables performing different computations on various characteristics of all finite nonabelian metacyclic p–groups, p is prime, of nilpotency class 2. Such programme enables to compute structure of the group, order of the group, structure of the center, the number of conjugacy classes, structure of commutator subgroup, abelianization, Whitehead’s universal quadratic functor and other characteristics. In addition, structures of some other groups such as the nonabelian tensor square and various homological functors including Schur multiplier and exterior square can be computed using this programme. Furthermore, by computing the epicenter order or the exterior center order the capability can be determined. In our current article, we only compute the nonabelian tensor square of certain order groups, as an example, and give GAP codes for computing other characteristics and some subgroups.
Analysis of Physicality Aspects in Physical User Interfaces of Embedded Systems
Authors: Ashraf Mahmood , Ghazali Masitah
Published: March 2013

Embedded systems are becoming more significant in our daily lives with the advent of ubiquitous computing. The increasing demands of multifarious functionalities and other factors lead to an increased focus of development on internal software issues. Negligence towards the interaction aspects of physical interface is resulting in the generation of interaction complexities for the user. This work evaluates, compares, and highlights the significance of physicality aspects of embedded system interfaces using five subjects including; washing machine; camera; oven; sound system; and MP3 player. The quantitative evaluation approach helps in a simple investigation by applying the numeric values for each aspect. The result analysis highlights the significance of exposed state, tangible transition, and inverse action over other physicality aspects. This study is especially valuable for the embedded system developers who may not have exposure or expertise to Human–Computer Interaction or its sub–field, Physicality. Managing and incorporating physicality aspects in embedded systems is a key factor for producing natural interaction products.
Prediction of Unmeasured Mode Shape Using Artificial Neural Network for Damage Detection
Authors: Goh L. D. , Bakhary N. , Rahman A. A. , Ahmad B. H.
Published: March 2013

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have received much attention in the field of vibration–based damage detection since the 1990s, due to their capability to predict damage from modal data. However, the accuracy of this method is highly dependent on the number of measurement points, especially when the mode shape is used as an indicator for damage detection. With a high number of measurement points, more information can be fed to the ANN to detect damage; therefore, more reliable results can be obtained. Nevertheless, in practice, it is uneconomical to install sensors on every part of a structure; thus the capability of ANNs to detect damage is quite limited. In this study, an ANN is applied to predict the unmeasured mode shape data based on a limited number of measured data. To demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method, the results are compared with the Cubic Spline interpolation (CS) method. A parametric study is also conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the number of measurement points to the proposed method. The results show that the ANN provides more reliable results compared to the CS method as it is able to predict the magnitude of mode shapes at the unmeasured points with a limited number of measurement points. The application of a two–stage ANN showed results with a high potential for overcoming the issue of using a limited number of sensors in structural health monitoring.
An Approach to Brain Tumor MR Image Detection and Classification using Neuro Fuzzy
Authors: Mohd Basri Mohd Ariffanan , Othman Mohd Fauzi , Husain Abdul Rashid
Published: March 2013

Segmentation is an important step in many applications, being also important in those that deal with medical images. Thresholding is one of the most important and used techniques for image segmentation. Some segmentation techniques based on thresholding are performed in order to segment the tumors. The conventional method used in medicine for brain magnetic resonance (MR) images classification and tumors detection is by human inspection. The use of artificial intelligent techniques, for instance, neural networks, fuzzy logic and neuro fuzzy have shown great potential in this field. Hence, in this study, the neuro fuzzy system or ANFIS is applied for classification purposes. ANFIS is applied to classify the abnormal brain based on the location of the tumors. The performance of the ANFIS classifier is evaluated in terms of training performance and classification accuracy and the results confirmed that the proposed ANFIS classifier has potential in classifying the tumors.
An Evaluation of Children’s Structural Drawing Strategies
Authors: Tabatabaey–Mashadi Narges , Sudirman Rubita , Khalid Puspa Inayat
Published: March 2013

Inspecting children’s structural drawing is developmentally and psychologically important. Today’s digital availability of such data from electronic tablets, inspires automatic analysis; however, converting such data to an informative feature vector for further analysis and identification of related indicators, needs appropriate algorithms. This study presents simple, fast methods for detecting X, O and 4 basic lines’ drawing strategies. The functionality of the algorithms is tested on an available database subtending the performances of 74 (6–7years) pupils. Results demonstrate typical behaviors such as counterclockwise popularity in circle drawing, and other tendencies in the population’s structural pattern drawing’s performance. Algorithms clearly reveal all different strategies used by participators. Consequently the suitability of the algorithms, in effectively detecting strategic features, is clarified. In addition, according to the data labels in database, some features are suggested to serve as attributes distinguishing handwriting ability.