bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes on facial profile in the mixed dentition, from natural growth and induced by Balters' bionator appliance
Authors: Landázuri Denise Rocha Goes , Raveli Dirceu Barnabé , Santos-Pinto Ary dos , Dib Luana Paz Sampaio , Maia Savana
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the facial profile changes induced by Balters' bionator appliance in Class II division 1 patients, at mixed dentition stage. METHODS: The sample consisted of 28 prepubertal individuals at stages 1 and 2 of skeletal maturation (CVM), which were divided in two groups. The experimental group consisted of 14 individuals (7 boys and 7 girls, initial mean age of 8y12m) which were treated with Balters' bionator appliance for 14.7 months. The effects of treatment were compared to a control group of 14 subjects (7 boys and 7 girls, initial mean age of 8y5m) with Class II malocclusion, division 1, not orthodontically treated, which were followed up for 15.4 months. The statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test, at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The results showed that the Balters' bionator appliance promoted a significant increase on the mentolabial angle, in addition to demonstrating a tendency to reduce the facial skeletal convexity, to restrict the maxillary growth and to increase the nasolabial angle and the lower anterior facial height. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the Balters' bionator appliance improved the facial profile of children treated at mixed dentition stage.
Assessing the predictability of ANB, 1-NB, P-NB and 1-NA measurements on Steiner cephalometric analysis
Authors: Navarro Ana Cláudia Laureano , Carreiro Luiz Sérgio , Rossato Claudenir , Takahashi Ricardo , Lima Carlos Eduardo de Oliveira
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in the initial and final stages of corrective orthodontic treatment, the predictability of the ANB, 1-NB, PNB and 1-NA during case individualization, which considers the characteristics of the patient, professional experience and the mechanics to be used. METHODS: Ninety patients were selected at the State University of Londrina (UEL, Brazil), presenting Angle Class I and II malocclusions, treated with and without extraction of four premolars and divided into three groups: Horizontal, balanced and vertical. The cephalometric variables were evaluated in the initial, prognosis and final stages of treatment in order to observe the behavior of the estimates, or how they were higher or lower than the values obtained. RESULTS: It was noticed the influence of the facial pattern on the behavior of the measures examined, the values proposed for the ANB were statistically different from values obtained at the end of the treatment; in the vertical group the final value was the one that most approached the proposed value; regarding 1-NB the values proposed with the Steiner analysis for the balanced and vertical groups were not achieved. For P-NB, there was no difference between genders. For 1-NA it was observed that the values obtained at the end of treatment differ from estimates in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The limitations of the estimates of the measures do not invalidate its clinical or teaching use, if aware of its deficiencies, the analysis can be used with restrictions.
Vertical control in the Class III compensatory treatment
Authors: Sobral Márcio Costa , Habib Fernando A. L. , Nascimento Ana Carla de Souza
Published: August 2013

INTRODUCTION: Compensatory orthodontic treatment, or simply orthodontic camouflage, consists in an important alternative to orthognathic surgery in the resolution of skeletal discrepancies in adult patients. It is important to point that, to be successfully performed, diagnosis must be detailed, to evaluate, specifically, dental and facial features, as well as the limitations imposed by the magnitude of the discrepancy. The main complaint, patient's treatment expectation, periodontal limits, facial pattern and vertical control are some of the items to be explored in the determination of the viability of a compensatory treatment. Hyperdivergent patients who carry a Class III skeletal discrepancy, associated with a vertical facial pattern, with the presence or tendency to anterior open bite, deserve special attention. In these cases, an efficient strategy of vertical control must be planned and executed. OBJECTIVE: The present article aims at illustrating the evolution of efficient alternatives of vertical control in hiperdivergent patients, from the use, in the recent past, of extra-oral appliances on the lower dental arch (J-hook), until nowadays, with the advent of skeletal anchorage. But for patients with a more balanced facial pattern, the conventional mechanics with Class III intermaxillary elastics, associated to an accentuated curve of Spee in the upper arch and a reverse Curve of Spee in the lower arch, and vertical elastics in the anterior region, continues to be an excellent alternative, if there is extreme collaboration in using the elastics.
On modeling animal movements using Brownian motion with measurement error
Authors: Pozdnyakov Vladimir , Meyer Thomas , Wang Yu-Bo , Yan Jun
Published: August 2013

Modeling animal movements with Brownian motion (or more generally by a Gaussian process) has a long tradition in ecological studies. The recent Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM), which incorporates measurement errors, has been quickly adopted by ecologists because of its simplicity and tractability. We discuss some nontrivial properties of the discrete‐time stochastic process that results from observing a Brownian motion with added normal noise at discrete times. In particular, we demonstrate that the observed sequence of random variables is not Markov. Consequently the expected occupation time between two successively observed locations does not depend on just those two observations; the whole path must be taken into account. Nonetheless, the exact likelihood function of the observed time series remains tractable; it requires only sparse matrix computations. The likelihood‐based estimation procedure is described in detail and compared to the BBMM estimation.
Profiling of HLA-B Alleles for Association Studies with Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Chinese Population
Authors: Yi Lin , Wang Jiucun , Guo Xinjian , Espitia Maribel G. , Chen Enuo , Assassi Shervin , Jin Li , Zou Hejian , Reveille John D. , Zhou Xiaodong
Published: August 2013

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) B*27 is a susceptibility allele to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, major AS-associated subtypes of HLA-B*27 and other HLA-B alleles vary in different ethnic populations. Herein, we examined HLA-B alleles in a total of 360 AS patients and 350 controls of Chinese Han ancestry. The HLA-B genotyping was performed with sequence-based typing (SBT) method. Six HLA-B*27 subtypes B*27:04, B*27:05, B*27:07, B*27:08, B*27:10 and B*27:15 were observed in the cohorts. HLA-B*27:04:01 and -B*27:05:02 appeared significantly increased in AS patients, which indicated as two major susceptibility alleles to AS. Homozygous B*27 was observed only in AS patients. There are 30 HLA-B alleles identified in the studies. HLA-B*15, especially B*15:01:01:01, appeared as the major allele type in the Chinese controls. Some common HLA-B alleles such as HLA-B*15, B*13, B*46 and B*51 were significantly reduced in Chinese AS patients. In conclusion, the studies profiled the HLA-B alleles, and identified major susceptibility subtypes of B27 to AS in Han Chinese population
Persistent Effects of Adapalene Gel After Chemical Peeling with Glycolic Acid in Patients with Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Uede Mikiko , Kaminaka Chikako , Yonei Nozomi , Furukawa Fukumi , Yamamoto Yuki
Published: August 2013

We investigated the usefulness of adapalene gel as maintenance therapy following chemical peeling with
glycolic acid in patients with acne vulgaris. The study period was 14 weeks. The subjects were 23 patients with mild to
moderate acne vulgaris (1 male, 22 females). After chemical peeling (CP) of the face was performed 3 times at 2-week
intervals, adapalene was applied for 6 weeks using a randomized, double-blind half-side method. On the day of
observation, dermatologists examined dermal findings, and measurement was conducted using instruments to analyze the
physiological skin function. After the third session of CP was completed, both the inflammatory and non-inflammatory
lesion counts significantly decreased. Subsequently, on the adapalene-treated side there were no change in the
inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts after the CP 3 times, but on placebo-treated side, there significant
increase in the inflammatory and non inflammatory lesion counts. Concerning the results of measurement with
instruments, the sebum capacity significantly decreased after the third session of CP. Subsequently, there were no changes
after the 6-week application of adapalene or a placebo. These results suggest that post-CP adapalene application is an
effective acne treatment method to improve efficacy and treatment adherence.
Exploring the Influence of Select Demographic, Academic, and Athletic Variables on the Retention of Student-Athletes
Authors: Johnson James E. , Wessel Roger D. , Pierce David A.
Published: August 2013

The population of 674 first-year student-athletes culled from 5 successive freshman classes (2004–2008) at a mid-size midwestern university was examined to determine what combination of demographic, academic, and athletic variables best predicted retention into the 2nd academic year. The dependent variable of retention was chosen because it is a primary component of the Academic Progress Rate, a semester by semester evaluation of team academic performance used by the NCAA. Pearson correlations revealed student-athletes were less likely to drop out if they were Caucasian, attended college close to their hometown, scored well on standardized tests, had a respectable high school GPA, were ranked high in their graduating high school class, were not a member of a revenue sport, and earned a considerable amount of playing time. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that predicting retention is possible with information about race, distance from hometown, type of sport, and amount of playing time.
Differences in Populating First Year Seminars and the Impact on Retention and Course Effectiveness
Authors: Rogerson C. Lisa , Poock Michael C.
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the methods by which first year seminars are populated at a large research institution and the impact on student retention and the perception of content, student satisfaction with the course as a vehicle for successful transition to the institution, and building relationships with peers/faculty/institution. Race and gender were considered as well. Findings suggest differences in population method have significant impact on building relationships with peers and faculty. Race and gender had minimal impact. Both implications and recommendations based on outcomes of the study focused on how the first year seminar, currently a viable retention tool, might be enhanced to yield greater student benefits resulting in increased retention.
Approaching the Challenge of Student Retention through the Lens of Quality Control: A Conceptual Model of University Business Student Retention Utilizing Six Sigma
Authors: Jenicke Lawrence O. , Holmes Monica C. , Pisani Michael J.
Published: August 2013

Student retention in higher education is a major issue as academic institutions compete for fewer students and face declining enrollments. A conceptual model of applying the quality improvement methodology of Six Sigma to the problem of undergraduate student retention in a college of business is presented. Improvement techniques such as cause and effect analysis, process maps and failure models, and effects analysis are illustrated with representative student retention variables and outcomes from a large midwestern university. The use of Six Sigma in academic settings is rare and its utilization to improve student retention is a novel application.
Class Counts: Exploring Differences in Academic and Social Integration between Working-Class and Middle/Upper-Class Students at Large, Public Research Universities
Authors: Soria Krista M. , Stebleton Michael J. , Huesman Ronald L.
Published: August 2013

This multi-institutional study examines differences between working-class and middle/upper-class students at large, public research universities. Significant differences in factors related to working-class students' social integration (including satisfaction, campus climate, and sense of belonging) and academic integration (including collaborative work with peers, academic involvement and initiative, and time spent employed or in academic activities), in addition to students' perceived obstacles to academic success, were found through non-parametric bootstrapping. Using Tinto's (1993) theory of student departure as a framework, it is hypothesized that these differences may negatively impact working-class students' persistence and retention.
University 100 Orientation Courses and Living-Learning Communities Boost Academic Retention and Graduation via Enhanced Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Cambridge-Williams Tiffany , Winsler Adam , Kitsantas Anastasia , Bernard Elizabeth
Published: August 2013

Nationwide, almost a third of 1st-year college students do not return to begin their sophomore year, and the 5-year graduation rate for undergraduates is only around 40%. It is important for universities to implement interventions, such as freshman transition courses, to help new students adjust to college life and succeed, and it is critical that such programs are evaluated to see if they are reaching their goals. The present study examined short-term self-efficacy and self-regulated learning, and long-term academic performance, retention, and graduation rates over 7 years for 1st-year students enrolled in George Mason University's “University 100” orientation courses ( N = 284) and demo-graphically similar students who did not take the course ( N = 299). Results indicate strong effects of University 100 course participation on academic retention and graduation—90% of University 100 students returned to school for their sophomore year whereas this was true for only 78% of comparison students. Five years later, 75% of the students involved in the orientation course were still in school or graduated compared to 60% of students not enrolled in the course. The graduation rate after 7 years for those in the orientation course was 70%, compared to 56% for comparison students. Effects on retention and graduation were even stronger for sections of University 100 that involved Living-Learning Communities. Finally, those in University 100 courses had higher academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning and these motivational variables mediated the positive effects of the program on graduation and retention.
Sink or Swim: Managing the Academic Transition to College for Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Connor David J.
Published: August 2013

This article focuses on ways in which students with learning disabilities (LD) successfully self-manage the academic demands placed upon them when transitioning into college. Using a conceptual framework guided by Disability Studies in Education (DSE), the author analyzes experiences of 2 college students to: (1) identify student actions that contribute to academic success, and (2) capture to what degree students view disability being an integral part of their identity. The experiences of each participant are represented in story form, consisting of: an introduction, a narration of specific concerns in relation to college academics, and a description of ways the student strategizes to “stay afloat” and ultimately “survive” in the college environment. The subsequent discussion analyzes instances of student agency, the relationship between LD and identity, and the value of using a DSE approach in researching disability. Suggestions for further research are included.
On Track for Success: An Innovative Behavioral Science Curriculum Model
Authors: Freedy John R. , Carek Peter J. , Dickerson Lori M. , Mallin Robert M.
Published: August 2013

This article describes the behavioral science curriculum currently in place at the Trident/MUSC Family Medicine Residency Program. The Trident/MUSC Program is a 10-10-10 community-based, university-affiliated program in Charleston, South Carolina. Over the years, the Trident/MUSC residency program has graduated over 400 Family Medicine physicians. The current behavioral science curriculum consists of both required core elements (didactic lectures, clinical observation, Balint groups, and Resident Grand Rounds) as well as optional elements (longitudinal patient care experiences, elective rotations, behavioral science editorial experience, and scholars project with a behavioral science focus). All Trident/MUSC residents complete core behavioral science curriculum elements and are free to participate in none, some, or all of the optional behavioral science curriculum elements. This flexibility allows resident physicians to tailor the educational program in a manner to meet individual educational needs. The behavioral science curriculum is based upon faculty interpretation of existing “best practice” guidelines (Residency Review Committee-Family Medicine and AAFP). This article provides sufficient curriculum detail to allow the interested reader the opportunity to adapt elements of the behavioral science curriculum to other residency training programs. While this behavioral science track system is currently in an early stage of implementation, the article discusses track advantages as well as future plans to evaluate various aspects of this innovative educational approach.
Finding, Keeping, and Revitalizing the Meaning in Family Medicine
Authors: Van Dyke Anne , Seger Amy M.
Published: August 2013

The culture of medicine is undergoing revolutionary change. Physicians are pulled in many directions involving the practice of medicine, the business of medicine, and the technology of medicine. Financial incentives and career promotions may be dependent upon such things as patient satisfaction scores, as well as adherence to guidelines for admissions and diagnostic testing. Of course, these metrics are monitored closely by hospitals, insurance companies, and the federal government. The resultant seemingly endless paperwork, deadlines, and multiple demands may result in a sense of time famine for physicians. Unfortunately, these expectations and demands can subsequently diminish the passion for medicine. Moreover, physicians are at high risk for significant physical and emotional exhaustion, often leading to a sense of demoralization. Physicians can ultimately lose sight of their reasons for choosing the field of medicine. Indeed, they can lose the inspiration and “meaning” derived from work in medicine all together. How, then, does one buffer oneself against such perils, and maintain the original passion and meaning in a chosen career of service to others? This article will describe one program's approach to promoting resilience and maintaining meaning during the residency training years through the establishment of a Meaning in Family Medicine Group. The conceptual background, approach to curriculum development, goals and objectives, resident feedback, and suggestions about how to carry this curriculum beyond the residency training years will be discussed.
Creating a Culture of Wellness: Conversations, Curriculum, Concrete Resources, and Control
Authors: Place Stephanie , Talen Mary
Published: August 2013

Burnout and depression across the career life cycle of healthcare providers are increasing at alarming rates. We need to devote our resources and efforts to bolster the next generation of healthcare providers who have the capacity for resiliency and well-being—the antidote to burnout and depression. A handful of organizations have implemented general wellness programs to combat burnout but there are surprisingly few documented, well-researched interventions to build resiliency. Wellness provides an alternative framework to approach the epidemic rates of burnout and depersonalization within the healthcare profession. In this article we describe our rationale for developing a culture of wellness among primary care physicians along with the specific activities and initiatives for creating a culture of wellness throughout medical educational training. Examples of the four core components of a residency wellness program—concrete resources, positive conversations, curriculum, and control—are described with regard to our Family Medicine Residency. A brief description of early efforts to empirically examine the impact of the wellness initiative across systemwide residency programs (Family Medicine and other programs) is described.
Faculty Development Activities in Family Medicine: In Search of Innovation
Authors: Lawrence Elizabeth A. , Oyama Oliver N.
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To describe the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) faculty development requirements, explore the range of faculty development activities and support currently used by family medicine residencies to meet these requirements, and describe one innovative approach to satisfy this need.

Method:

An electronic survey of faculty development activities and support offered to faculty by residency programs was sent to a random sample of 40 medical school and community based family medicine residency programs across the United States. Data were examined using t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, and Analysis of Variance.

Results:

Faculty development, beyond traditional clinical CME, was strongly encouraged or required by a large proportion of the sample (73%). Only 58% of programs reported having discussed the ACGME's faculty development component areas (clinical, educational, administrative, leadership, research, and behavioral). In each component area except the “clinical” area, the absence of discussing the ACGME component areas with residency faculty was associated with fewer faculty development activities and support being offered by the program.

Conclusions:

These results, although preliminary, suggest that family medicine residency programs may value and encourage faculty development. The majority of programs use traditional activities and strategies such as CME, faculty meetings, faculty conferences and workshops; and a smaller number of programs are exploring the utility of mentoring programs, faculty discussion groups, and technology based learning systems. The challenge is to develop faculty development activities tailored to individual program and faculty needs and resources.
Training Family Medicine Residents to Practice Collaboratively with Psychology Trainees
Authors: Porcerelli John H. , Fowler Shannon L. , Murdoch William , Markova Tsveti , Kimbrough Christina
Published: August 2013

Objective:

This article will describe a training curriculum for family medicine residents to practice collaboratively with psychology (doctoral) trainees at the Wayne State University/Crittenton Family Medicine Residency program.

Methods:

The collaborative care curriculum involves a series of patient care and educational activities that require collaboration between family medicine residents and psychology trainees. Activities include: 1) clinic huddle, 2) shadowing, 3) pull-ins and warm handoffs, 4) co-counseling, 5) shared precepting, 6) feedback from psychology trainees to family medicine residents regarding consults, brief interventions, and psychological testing, 7) lectures, 8) video-observation and feedback, 9) home visits, and 10) research. The activities were designed to teach the participants to work together as a team and to provide a reciprocal learning experience.

Results:

In a brief three-item survey of residents at the end of their academic year, 83% indicated that they had learned new information or techniques from working with the psychology trainees for assessment and intervention purposes; 89% indicated that collaborating with psychology trainees enhanced their patient care; and 89% indicated that collaborating with psychology trainees enhanced their ability to work as part of a team. Informal interviews with the psychology trainees indicated that reciprocal learning had taken place.

Conclusions:

Family medicine residents can learn to work collaboratively with psychology trainees through a series of shared patient care and educational activities within a primary care clinic where an integrated approach to care is valued.
Win/Win: Creating Collaborative Training Opportunities for Behavioral Health Providers within Family Medicine Residency Programs
Authors: Ruddy Nancy Breen , Borresen Dorothy , Myerholtz Linda
Published: August 2013

Integrating behavioral health into primary healthcare offers multiple advantages for patients and health professionals. This model requires a new skill set for all healthcare professionals that is not emphasized in current educational models. The new skills include interprofessional team-based care competencies and expanded patient care competencies. Health professionals must learn new ways to efficiently and effectively address health behavior change, and manage behavioral health issues such as depression and anxiety. Learning environments that co-train mental health and primary care professionals facilitate acquisition of both teamwork and patient care competencies for mental health and primary care professional trainees. Family Medicine Residency programs provide an excellent opportunity for co-training. This article serves as a “how to” guide for residency programs interested in developing a co-training program. Necessary steps to establish and maintain a program are reviewed, as well as goals and objectives for a co-training curriculum and strategies to overcome barriers and challenges in co-training models.
An Innovative Model for Systems-Based Curriculum: The Complex Continuity Clinic
Authors: Valeras Andrew , Gunn William , Valeras Aimee
Published: August 2013

Dealing with complexity in a healthcare context requires the recognition of multiple variables impacting the interaction between the patient, the provider, and the care delivery system, resulting in situations in which usual treatments do not work as well as patients and clinicians expect. The Complex Continuity Clinic is presented as an innovative model for understanding and responding to complexity, particularly in a medical education setting, and for implementing different patient-engagement strategies. “Real world” clinical examples are provided to illustrate how pioneering approaches that embrace complex biopsychosocial health issues can result in higher quality of care and potentially reduced costs.
Balint Groups: The Nuts and Bolts of Making Better Doctors
Authors: Mahoney David , Brock Clive , Diaz Vanessa , Freedy John , Thiedke Carolyn , Johnson Alan , Mallin Kim
Published: August 2013

Balint Group seminars were developed by Michael and Enid Balint based on the application of psychological principles in a group setting for the purpose of developing an improved understanding of the doctor-patient relationship. This article focuses on the development and application of the Balint method to the training of resident physicians (particularly Family Physicians) within the United States. An effort is made to describe the practicalities of resident physician Balint training (e.g., size, frequency, duration of such groups), conceptual underpinnings (e.g., biphasic nature of patient identification, disease versus illness concept, transference/counter-transference, over-identification, under-identification, biphasic nature of physician empathy), and pedagogic goals (mastering empathic skills inherent in being a good doctor) of residency-based Balint groups. In aggregate, this article provides a useful framework for behavioral science educators interested in applying the Balint seminar method to resident physician training. The authors encourage both the continued study and educational application of the Balint seminar method in the training of physicians both within and outside of the United States.
Error Management in Audit Firms: Error Climate, Type, and Originator
Authors: Gold Anna , Gronewold Ulfert , Salterio Steven E.
Published: August 2013

This paper examines how the treatment of audit staff who discover errors in audit files by superiors affects their willingness to report these errors. The way staff are treated by superiors is labelled as the audit office error management climate. In a “blame-oriented” climate errors are not tolerated and those committing errors are punished. In contrast, an “open” climate characterizes error commitment as a normal, albeit unfortunate aspect of organizational life that offers opportunities for learning without sanctions on the originator. We examine error management climate in the context of audit-specific factors that might affect the decision to report errors: audit error type (conceptual or mechanical) and who committed the error (the individual who discovered it or a peer). An open climate results in an increase in the reporting of mechanical (but not conceptual) errors and all peer errors versus a blame climate. Post hoc findings suggest that one obstacle to reporting conceptual errors stems from an auditor's own impression management concerns. We discuss how auditing standards and regulatory inspections may impact audit firm error management climates.

Data Availability: Experimental data are available from the second author subject to data confidentiality restrictions issued by the participating firms.
Long-Lasting Improvements in Liver Fat and Metabolism Despite Body Weight Regain After Dietary Weight Loss
Authors: Haufe Sven , Haas Verena , Utz Wolfgang , Birkenfeld Andreas L. , Jeran Stephanie , Böhnke Jana , Mähler Anja , Luft Friedrich C. , Schulz-Menger Jeanette , Boschmann Michael , Jordan Jens , Engeli Stefan
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE

Weight loss reduces abdominal and intrahepatic fat, thereby improving metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Yet, many patients regain weight after successful diet-induced weight loss. Long-term changes in abdominal and liver fat, along with liver test results and insulin resistance, are not known.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed 50 overweight to obese subjects (46 ± 9 years of age; BMI, 32.5 ± 3.3 kg/m2; women, 77%) who had participated in a 6-month hypocaloric diet and were randomized to either reduced carbohydrates or reduced fat content. Before, directly after diet, and at an average of 24 (range, 17–36) months follow-up, we assessed body fat distribution by magnetic resonance imaging and markers of liver function and insulin resistance.

RESULTS

Body weight decreased with diet but had increased again at follow-up. Subjects also partially regained abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. In contrast, intrahepatic fat decreased with diet and remained reduced at follow-up (7.8 ± 9.8% [baseline], 4.5 ± 5.9% [6 months], and 4.7 ± 5.9% [follow-up]). Similar patterns were observed for markers of liver function, whole-body insulin sensitivity, and hepatic insulin resistance. Changes in intrahepatic fat und intrahepatic function were independent of macronutrient composition during intervention and were most effective in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

A 6-month hypocaloric diet induced improvements in hepatic fat, liver test results, and insulin resistance despite regaining of weight up to 2 years after the active intervention. Body weight and adiposity measurements may underestimate beneficial long-term effects of dietary interventions.
Disturbed Eating Behavior and Omission of Insulin in Adolescents Receiving Intensified Insulin Treatment
Authors: Wisting Line , Frøisland Dag Helge , Skrivarhaug Torild , Dahl-Jørgensen Knut , Rø Øyvind
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of disturbed eating behavior (DEB) and insulin omission among adolescents with type 1 diabetes using intensive insulin treatment in a nationwide population-based study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The Diabetes Eating Problem Survey–Revised (DEPS-R) is a diabetes-specific screening tool for DEB. Clinical data and HbA1c were obtained from the Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry.

RESULTS

A total of 770 children and adolescents 11–19 years of age with type 1 diabetes completed the DEPS-R. A total of 27.7% of the females and 8.6% of the males scored above the DEPS-R cutoff. Participants scoring above the cutoff had significantly higher HbA1c (9.2% [77 mmol/mol]; SD, 1.6) than participants scoring below the cutoff (8.4% [68 mmol/mol]; SD, 1.3; P < 0.001). The prevalence of DEB increased significantly with age and weight, from 7.2% in the underweight group to 32.7% in the obese group, and from 8.1% in the youngest age-group (11–13 years) to 38.1% in the oldest age-group (17–19 years). A total of 31.6% of the participants reported insulin restriction and 6.9% reported insulin omission after overeating. Patients reporting insulin restriction had significantly higher HbA1c (9.0% [75 mmol/mol]; SD, 1.7) than nonrestrictors (8.3% [67 mmol/mol]; SD, 1.2; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

One-fourth of girls with type 1 diabetes scored above the cutoff for DEB and one-third reported skipping their insulin dose entirely at least occasionally after overeating. Both DEB and insulin restriction were associated with poorer metabolic control, which may increase the risk of serious late diabetes complications.
Young Urban Saudi Women’s Transgressions of Official Rules and the Production of a New Social Group
Authors: Le Renard Amélie
Published: August 2013

This article deals with young urban Saudi women’s transgressions of rules regulating dress and public conduct in Riyadh. Many researchers on Middle Eastern societies interpret as resistance the silent practices adopted by subalterns such as women or youth. The existence of such social groupings is scarcely questioned in these works, which focus mainly on the interpretation of practices as political or subversive. In this article, I emphasize the collective and public aspect of transgressions in order to show how transgressive acts participate in shaping collective identifications and in producing young urban Saudi women as a group. In the first section, I argue that transgressions have a public aspect that makes them transformative, as they are tacitly coordinated, reproduced among young women, and repeated every day. The second section states that the transgressions’ impact does not imply that they should be interpreted as resistance. In fact, transgressive acts are embedded in shifting power relations in the context of reform. In the third section, I show how transgressions have long-term implications for shaping groupings, identifications, and exclusions. Some transgressive practices that involve specific consumerist self-presentations have become norms among urban young women who conform to prevent rejection from the group. This study draws on ten months of ethnographic fieldwork in Riyadh between 2005 and 2009. I conducted interviews with young, urban Saudi women who studied or worked in Riyadh.
Architectural History and Painting Art at Ajanta: Some Salient Features
Authors: Singh Manager , Arbad Babasaheb
Published: August 2013

The present paper deals with the period of India’s greatest cultural fluorescence, The Golden Age. A lively intellectual debate has been going on among historians and archaeologists on the subject of the chronology of the caves at Ajanta. The study shows addition of many iconographic styles from Ajanta to Bagh caves and vice-versa due to movement of skilled workers and craftsmen between these two Buddhist sites. Many iconographic figures were added / deleted depending on the local condition of rock at both the sites. The art and architecture of these sites reflects India’s great materials culture. The Ajanta paintings are not just a milestone in the history of development of world art but they also convey unique insights about the life of ancient Indians and their culture. This paper outlines some of the architectural features introduced from Ajanta into the other cultures. Furthermore, structural conservation measures and scientific methodology adopted for the preservation of Ajanta murals have also been highlighted.
Nanostructured Carbon Materials as Supports in the Preparation of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts
Authors: Gálvez María , Calvillo Laura , Alegre Cinthia , Sebastián David , Suelves Isabel , Pérez-Rodríguez Sara , Celorrio Verónica , Pastor Elena , Pardo Juan , Moliner Rafael , Lázaro María
Published: August 2013

Different advanced nanostructured carbon materials, such as carbon nanocoils, carbon nanofibers, graphitized ordered mesoporous carbons and carbon xerogels, presenting interesting features such as high electrical conductivity and extensively developed porous structure were synthesized and used as supports in the preparation of electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The main advantage of these supports is that their physical properties and surface chemistry can be tailored to adapt the carbonaceous material to the catalytic requirements. Moreover, all of them present a highly mesoporous structure, diminishing diffusion problems, and both graphitic character and surface area can be conveniently modified. In the present work, the influence of the particular features of each material on the catalytic activity and stability was analyzed. Results have been compared with those obtained for commercial catalysts supported on Vulcan XC-72R, Pt/C and PtRu/C (ETEK). Both a highly ordered graphitic and mesopore-enriched structure of these advanced nanostructured materials resulted in an improved electrochemical performance in comparison to the commercial catalysts assayed, both towards CO and alcohol oxidation.
Entropy and Computation: The Landauer-Bennett Thesis Reexamined
Authors: Hemmo Meir , Shenker Orly
Published: August 2013

The so-called Landauer-Bennett thesis says that logically irreversible operations (physically implemented) such as erasure necessarily involve dissipation by at least kln2 per bit of lost information. We identify the physical conditions that are necessary and sufficient for erasure and show that the thesis does not follow from the principles of classical mechanics. In particular, we show that even if one assumes that information processing is constrained by the laws of classical mechanics, it need not be constrained by the Second Law of thermodynamics.
The Lost South Gobi Microcontinent: Protolith Studies of Metamorphic Tectonites and Implications for the Evolution of Continental Crust in Southeastern Mongolia
Authors: Taylor Joshua , Webb Laura , Johnson Cari , Heumann Matthew
Published: August 2013

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt, or Altaids, is an amalgamation of volcanic arcs and microcontinent blocks that records a complex late Precambrian–Mesozoic accretionary history. Although microcontinents cored by Precambrian basement are proposed to play an integral role in the accretion process, a lack of isotopic data hampers volume estimates of newly produced arc-derived versus old-cratonic crust in southeastern Mongolia. This study investigates metamorphic tectonites in southern Mongolia that have been mapped as Precambrian in age, largely on the basis of their high metamorphic grade and high strain. Here we present results from microstructural analyses and U-Pb zircon geochronology on samples from Tavan Har (44.05° N, 109.55° E) and the Yagan-Onch Hayrhan metamorphic core complex (41.89° N, 104.24° E). Our results show no compelling evidence for Precambrian basement in southeastern Mongolia. Rather, the protoliths to all tectonites examined are Paleozoic–Mesozoic age rocks, formed during Devonian–Carboniferous arc magmatism and subsequent Permian–Triassic orogenesis during collision of the South Mongolia arc with the northern margin of China. These results yield important insights into the Paleozoic accretionary history of southern Mongolia, including the genesis of metamorphic and igneous basement during the Paleozoic, as well as implications for subsequent intracontinental reactivation.
Open Access Integrated Therapeutic and Diagnostic Platforms for Personalized Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Gladding Patrick , Cave Andrew , Zareian Mehran , Smith Kevin , Hussan Jagir , Hunter Peter , Erogbogbo Folarin , Aguilar Zoraida , Martin David , Chan Eugene , Homer Margie , Shevade Abhijit , Kassemi Mohammad , Thomas James , Schlegel Todd
Published: August 2013

It is undeniable that the increasing costs in healthcare are a concern. Although technological advancements have been made in healthcare systems, the return on investment made by governments and payers has been poor. The current model of care is unsustainable and is due for an upgrade. In developed nations, a law of diminishing returns has been noted in population health standards, whilst in the developing world, westernized chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease have become emerging problems. The reasons for these trends are complex, multifactorial and not easily reversed. Personalized medicine has the potential to have a significant impact on these issues, but for it to be truly successful, interdisciplinary mass collaboration is required. We propose here a vision for open-access advanced analytics for personalized cardiac diagnostics using imaging, electrocardiography and genomics.
BMAA Inhibits Nitrogen Fixation in the Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Berntzon Lotta , Erasmie Sven , Celepli Narin , Eriksson Johan , Rasmussen Ulla , Bergman Birgitta
Published: August 2013

Cyanobacteria produce a range of secondary metabolites, one being the neurotoxic non-protein amino acid β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), proposed to be a causative agent of human neurodegeneration. As for most cyanotoxins, the function of BMAA in cyanobacteria is unknown. Here, we examined the effects of BMAA on the physiology of the filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. Our data show that exogenously applied BMAA rapidly inhibits nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction assay), even at micromolar concentrations, and that the inhibition was considerably more severe than that induced by combined nitrogen sources and most other amino acids. BMAA also caused growth arrest and massive cellular glycogen accumulation, as observed by electron microscopy. With nitrogen fixation being a process highly sensitive to oxygen species we propose that the BMAA effects found here may be related to the production of reactive oxygen species, as reported for other organisms.
Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides toward the Development of Novel Antibiotics
Authors: Aoki Wataru , Ueda Mitsuyoshi
Published: August 2013

Antimicrobial agents have eradicated many infectious diseases and significantly improved our living environment. However, abuse of antimicrobial agents has accelerated the emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, and there is an urgent need for novel antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted attention as a novel class of antimicrobial agents because AMPs efficiently kill a wide range of species, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, via a novel mechanism of action. In addition, they are effective against pathogens that are resistant to almost all conventional antibiotics. AMPs have promising properties; they directly disrupt the functions of cellular membranes and nucleic acids, and the rate of appearance of AMP-resistant strains is very low. However, as pharmaceuticals, AMPs exhibit unfavorable properties, such as instability, hemolytic activity, high cost of production, salt sensitivity, and a broad spectrum of activity. Therefore, it is vital to improve these properties to develop novel AMP treatments. Here, we have reviewed the basic biochemical properties of AMPs and the recent strategies used to modulate these properties of AMPs to enhance their safety.
Modulated Acquisition of Spatial Distortion Maps
Authors: Volkov Alexey , Gros Jerneja , Žganec Mario , Javornik Tomaž , Švigelj Aleš
Published: August 2013

This work discusses a novel approach to image acquisition which improves the robustness of captured data required for 3D range measurements. By applying a pseudo-random code modulation to sequential acquisition of projected patterns the impact of environmental factors such as ambient light and mutual interference is significantly reduced. The proposed concept has been proven with an experimental range sensor based on the laser triangulation principle. The proposed design can potentially enhance the use of this principle to a variety of outdoor applications, such as autonomous vehicles, pedestrians’ safety, collision avoidance, and many other tasks, where robust real-time distance detection in real world environment is crucial.
Optical-Based Artificial Palpation Sensors for Lesion Characterization
Authors: Lee Jong-Ha , Kim Yoon , Ku Jeonghun , Park Hee-Jun
Published: August 2013

Palpation techniques are widely used in medical procedures to detect the presence of lumps or tumors in the soft breast tissues. Since these procedures are very subjective and depend on the skills of the physician, it is imperative to perform detailed a scientific study in order to develop more efficient medical sensors to measure and generate palpation parameters. In this research, we propose an optical-based, artificial palpation sensor for lesion characterization. This has been developed using a multilayer polydimethylsiloxane optical waveguide. Light was generated at the critical angle to reflect totally within the flexible and transparent waveguide. When a waveguide was compressed by an external force, its contact area would deform and cause the light to scatter. The scattered light was captured by a high-resolution camera and saved as an image format. To test the performance of the proposed system, we used a realistic tissue phantom with embedded hard inclusions. The experimental results show that the proposed sensor can detect inclusions and provide the relative value of size, depth, and Young’s modulus of an inclusion.
Enhancing the Simulation Speed of Sensor Network Applications by Asynchronization of Interrupt Service Routines
Authors: Joe Hyunwoo , Woo Duk-Kyun , Kim Hyungshin
Published: August 2013

Sensor network simulations require high fidelity and timing accuracy to be used as an implementation and evaluation tool. The cycle-accurate and instruction-level simulator is the known solution for these purposes. However, this type of simulation incurs a high computation cost since it has to model not only the instruction level behavior but also the synchronization between multiple sensors for their causality. This paper presents a novel technique that exploits asynchronous simulations of interrupt service routines (ISR). We can avoid the synchronization overheads when the interrupt service routines are simulated without preemption. If the causality errors occur, we devise a rollback procedure to restore the original synchronized simulation. This concept can be extended to any instruction-level sensor network simulator. Evaluation results show our method can enhance the simulation speed up to 52% in the case of our experiments. For applications with longer interrupt service routines and smaller number of preemptions, the speedup becomes greater. In addition, our simulator is 2 to 11 times faster than the well-known sensor network simulator.