bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional composition of commonly consumed composite dishes from rural villages in Empangeni, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Spearing K. , Kolahdooz F. , Lukasewich M. , Mathe N. , Khamis T. , Sharma S.
Published: December 2012

Background

Accurate nutrient composition data for composite dishes unique to a population is essential for the development of a nutrient database and the calculation of dietary intake. The present study aimed to provide the nutritional composition of composite dishes frequently consumed in rural KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa.

Methods

Commonly consumed composite dishes were identified using 24‐h recalls collected from 79 randomly selected community members. Multiple recipes were collected for each reported dish. The mean nutritional composition of each dish was calculated per 100 g using the nutribase clinical nutrition manager (Cybersoft Inc., Phoenix, AZ, USA).

Results

A total of 79 recipes were collected for 16 commonly consumed dishes (seven meat‐based, five starch‐based and four legume/vegetable‐based). ‘Fried chicken’ contained the most energy [1469 kJ (351 kcal)], protein (29.7 g), fat (23.7 g), cholesterol (123 mg) and niacin (8.4 mg). ‘Fried beef’ contained the most potassium (495 mg) and zinc (6.4 mg), whereas ‘fish stew’ had the most vitamin D (4.2 μg) and calcium (215 mg). ‘Fried cabbage’ and ‘fried spinach’ contained the largest percent energies from fat, at 79% and 76%, respectively. A traditional sweet bread, ‘jeqe’, made with fortified flour contributed significantly to iron (4.6 mg), niacin (4.5 μg) and folate (129 μg). The sodium content of dishes ranged from 88 to 679 mg per 100 g.

Conclusions

The nutritional composition data for commonly consumed dishes in rural KwaZulu‐Natal is presented. Although the dishes are good sources of protein, vitamins and minerals, they also contain substantial amounts of fat. This culturally appropriate information will enable the calculation of dietary intake and can be used to encourage the consumption of recipes rich in key nutrients.
Dietary intake in population‐based adolescents: support for a relationship between eating disorder symptoms, low fatty acid intake and depressive symptoms
Authors: Allen K. L. , Mori T. A. , Beilin L. , Byrne S. M. , Hickling S. , Oddy W. H.
Published: December 2012

Background

Relatively little is known about the dietary intake and nutritional status of community‐based individuals with eating disorders. This research aimed to: (i) describe the dietary intake of population‐based adolescents with an eating disorder and (ii) examine associations between eating disorder symptoms, fatty acid intake and depressive symptoms in adolescents with and without an eating disorder.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, a population‐based cohort study that has followed participants from birth to young adulthood. This research utilised self‐report data from the 17‐year Raine Study assessment. Participants comprised 429 female adolescents who completed comprehensive questionnaire measures on dietary intake, eating disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms.

Results

Adolescents with an eating disorder (n = 66) reported a significantly lower intake of total fat, saturated fat, omega‐6 fatty acid, starch, vitamin A and vitamin E compared to adolescents without an eating disorder (n = 363). Adolescents with an eating disorder and pronounced depressive symptoms (n = 23) also reported a significantly lower intake of polyunsaturated fat and omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acid than adolescents with an eating disorder but no marked depression (n = 43). In the eating disorder sample but not the control sample, omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acid correlated significantly and negatively with eating disorder symptoms and with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Support is provided for a relationship between low omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acid intake and depressive symptoms in adolescents with eating disorders. Research is needed to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of fatty acid supplementation in this high‐risk group.
Long‐term impact of surgical repair for stress urinary incontinence on female sexual functions, distress and behaviours
Authors: Witek Andrzej , Drosdzol‐Cop Agnieszka , Nowosielski Krzysztof , Solecka Agnieszka , Mikus Karolina
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectives

To evaluate sexual functions, distress and behaviours in women who underwent surgical repair of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in long‐term follow‐up.

Background

Contemporary management of SUI includes conservative therapy and surgical repair – the choice of treatment modality depends on the severity of symptoms. If conservative treatment fails, surgical correction is necessary. The outcomes of the surgery for SUI and their influence on sexual functions are satisfactory in short‐term follow‐up.

Design

A total of 50 women diagnosed with SUI according to International Continence Society standards were included in the study. The patients were qualified for surgical procedures such as: transobturator suburethral tape (TOT) (n = 35), Perigee (n = 6) or MiniArc (n = 9).

Methods

Sexual functions and behaviours were evaluated prior to the operation and 1–3 years postoperatively in all patient using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and non‐validated questions.

Results

The mean time after the operation was 1·96 ± 0·83 years. Postoperatively, all women reported significant reduction of urinary incontinence symptoms. According to DSM‐IV criteria, female sexual dysfunctions were diagnosed in 12% of females after the urogenital operation. However, sexual complaints (FSFI scores equal or <26·55 points) without distress were reported by 62% of the patients. The comparison of sexual complaints declared prior to and after the operation showed significant differences in the prevalence of decreased desire, decreased arousal and decreased orgasm frequency. In addition, we documented significant improvement of sexual attractiveness and sexual life evaluation after the SUI operation.

Conclusions

Surgical repair for SUI improves female sexual functions and reduces sexual distress, as observed in a long‐term follow‐up.

Relevance to clinical practice

Sexual functions, distress and behaviours in women who underwent surgical repair of SUI; the impact of SUI female quality of life as well as on sexual functions.
HETEROGENEITY IN ORDERED CHOICE MODELS: A REVIEW WITH APPLICATIONS TO SELF‐ASSESSED HEALTH
Authors: Greene William , Harris Mark N. , Hollingsworth Bruce , Weterings Timothy A.
Published: December 2012

Discrete variables that have an inherent sense of ordering across outcomes are commonly found in large data sets available to many economists, and are often the focus of research. However, assumptions underlying the standard ordered probit (which is usually used to analyse such variables) are not always justified by the data. This study provides a review of the ways in which the ordered probit might be extended to account for additional heterogeneity. Differing from other reviews in scope, application and relevance in economic settings, a series of issues pertaining to choices of variables, and the economic assumptions underlying each model are discussed in the context of measuring the underlying health of respondents. The models are applied to a wave of the household, income and labour dynamics in Australia survey, in order to check the appropriateness of such assumptions in an applied context.
QUALITATIVE AND MIXED‐METHODS RESEARCH IN ECONOMICS: SURPRISING GROWTH, PROMISING FUTURE
Authors: Starr Martha A.
Published: December 2012

Qualitative research in economics has traditionally been unimportant compared to quantitative work. Yet there has been a small explosion in use of quantitative approaches in the past 10–15 years, including ‘mixed‐methods’ projects which use qualitative and quantitative methods in combination. This paper surveys the growing use of qualitative methods in economics and closely related fields, aiming to provide economists with a useful roadmap through major sets of qualitative methods and how and why they are used. We review the growing body of economic research using qualitative approaches, emphasizing the gains from using qualitative‐ or mixed‐methods over traditional ‘closed‐ended’ approaches. It is argued that, although qualitative methods are often portrayed as less reliable, less accurate, less powerful and/or less credible than quantitative methods, in fact, the two sets of methods have their own strengths, and how much can be learned from one type of method or the other depends on specific issues that arise in studying the topic of interest. The central message of the paper is that well‐done qualitative work can provide scientifically valuable and intellectually helpful ways of adding to the stock of economic knowledge, especially when applied to research questions for which they are well suited.
LABOR MARKET EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DESIGN
Authors: Tatsiramos Konstantinos , van Ours Jan C.
Published: December 2012

With the emergence of the Great Recession unemployment insurance (UI) is once again at the heart of the policy debate. In this paper, we review the recent theoretical and empirical evidence on the labor market effects of UI design. We also discuss policy issues related to UI design, including the structure of benefits, the role of liquidity constraints and the pros and cons of a UI system in which the generosity of UI benefits is varying over the business cycle. Finally, we identify potential areas of future research.
SURVEY OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SE EUROPE – A NEW CONCEPTUAL FRAME FOR SUSTAINABILITY METRICS
Authors: Golušin Mirjana , Ivanović Olja Munitlak , Andrejević Andrea , Vučenov Simonida
Published: December 2012

The practice so far has indicated that there is a sensitive relationship that exists between social and economic subsystem of sustainable development, therefore this research suggests comparison of the states of these two subsystems as a new conceptual frame which is essential for strategic conceptualization of development. The research pointed out a rather visible collision between the achieved degree of economic and social development in the countries of South Eastern Europe in respect to Germany and France, which were taken into consideration as two of the most developed countries in the European Union and in the entire world. The indicators which are given in this research point to the necessity of further scientific and practical consideration of strategic conceptualization of relationship between economics and society.
Exposing Humanism: Prudence, Ingenium, and the Politics of the Posthuman
Authors: Harfield Timothy D.
Published: December 2012

This article examines posthumanism and its relationship to humanism. First, it is argued that the term “posthumanism” relies upon an incomplete conception of humanism, and in a way that forecloses the possibility of looking to the humanist tradition for support. Addressing Foucault's often quoted comments about the recent invention and imminent demise of man, it is argued that Foucault is not anti‐humanist, but is rather critical of the use of humanism as an axis of reflection. Second, the posthumanist perspective is summarized as attending to a set of interrelated ethical and epistemological concerns. Calling into question the boundary between human and nonhuman animals, posthumanism also challenges the primacy of empirico‐deductive reasoning and advocates a re‐legitimization of rhetoric as a mode of thought. Lastly, using Ernesto Grassi's interpretation of the early Italian humanists, this article demonstrates not only the compatibility of Renaissance humanism with posthumanist concerns, but also the fruitfulness of this tradition as a conceptual resource. Although the Renaissance notion of ingenium, the ability to adapt and make concrete situations meaningful without also affirming strong ontological commitments, is absent from posthumanist discourse, it is a concept that has the power to enrich the posthumanist project. Consequently, posthumanism is not actually at odds with the humanist tradition in general, but rather only with a very limited and relatively recent conception.
Differential Organ Distribution, Pathogenicity and Benomyl Sensitivity of Colletotrichum spp. from Blackberry Plants in Northern Colombia
Authors: Rueda‐Hernández Kelly Rosana , Cardona Alegría Saldarriaga , Cadavid‐Restrepo Gloria Ester , Benjumea Clara Ines Saldamando , Gutierrez Gloria Patricia Cañas , Isaza Rafael Eduardo Arango
Published: December 2012

Blackberry anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is an important disease of cultivated blackberry in the world. In Colombia, it is the number one limiting factor for commercial production. This study was conducted to determine the species of Colletotrichum infecting blackberry plants as well as the organ distribution, pathogenicity and response to benomyl of the isolated strains. Sixty isolates from stems (n = 20), thorns (n = 20) and inflorescences (n = 20) were identified as Colletotrichum acutatum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by a species‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both Colletotrichum species were found in the same plant but on different organs. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species predominated in thorn lesions (n = 16) and C. acutatum in stems (n = 15) and inflorescence (n = 15). Pathogenicity assays on detached blackberry organs demonstrated differences between the two species with an average period of lesion development of 8.7 days for C. gloeosporioides and 10.3 days for C. acutatum. Wound inoculated organs had 90% disease development compared to 17.5% in non‐wounded. All C. acutatum isolates (n = 34) were benomyl tolerant, whereas C. gloeosporioides isolates (n = 26) were 30.7% sensitive and 69.2% moderately tolerant. Phylogenetic analysis with ITS sequences of a subset of 18 strains showed that strains classified as C. gloeosporioides had 100% identity to Colletotrichum kahawae, which belongs to the C. gloeosporioides species complex, whereas C. acutatum strains clustered into two different groups, with high similarity to the A2 and the A4 molecular groups. These data demonstrate for the first time the differential distribution of both species complexes in blackberry plant organs and further clarifies the taxonomy of the strains.
Oral Health Literacy Assessment: development of an oral health literacy instrument for Spanish speakers
Authors: Lee Jessica , Stucky Brian , Rozier Gary , Lee Shoou‐Yih , Zeldin Leslie P.
Published: December 2012

Objective

To develop an oral health literacy instrument for Spanish‐speaking adults, evaluate its psychometric properties, and determine its comparability to an English version.

Methods

The Oral Health Literacy Assessment in Spanish (OHLA‐S) and English (OHLA‐E) are designed with a word recognition section and a comprehension section using the multiple‐choice format developed by an expert panel. Validation of OHLA‐S and OHLA‐E involved comparing the instrument with other health literacy instruments in a sample of 201 Spanish‐speaking and 204 English‐speaking subjects. Comparability between Spanish and English versions was assessed by testing for differential item functioning (DIF) using item response theory.

Results

We considered three OHLA‐S scoring systems. Based on validity and reliability comparisons, 24 items were retained in the OHLA‐S instrument. OHLA‐S was correlated with another health literacy instrument, Spanish Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were also found between OHLA‐S and years of schooling, oral health knowledge, overall health, and an understanding of written health‐care materials (P < 0.05). OHLA‐S displayed satisfactory reliability with a Cronbach Alpha of 0.70‐0.80. DIF results suggested that OHLA‐S and OHLA‐E scores were not comparable at a given level of oral health literacy.

Conclusions

OHLA‐S has acceptable reliability and validity. OHLA‐S and OHLA‐E are two different measurement tools and should not be used to compare oral health literacy between English‐ and Spanish‐speaking populations.
Nitrogen Utilization and Toxin Production by Two Diatoms of the Pseudo‐nitzschia pseudodelicatissima Complex: P. cuspidata and P. fryxelliana
Authors: Auro Maureen E. , Cochlan William P.
Published: December 2012

The toxigenic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata, isolated from the U.S. Pacific Northwest, was examined in unialgal batch cultures to evaluate domoic acid (DA) toxicity and growth as a function of light, N substrate, and growth phase. Experiments conducted at saturating (120 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1) and subsaturating (40 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), demonstrate that P. cuspidata grows significantly faster at the higher PPFD on all three N substrates tested [nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), and urea], but neither cellular toxicity nor exponential growth rates were strongly associated with one N source over the other at high PPFD. However, at the lower PPFD, the exponential growth rates were approximately halved, and the cells were significantly more toxic regardless of N substrate. Urea supported significantly faster growth rates, and cellular toxicity varied as a function of N substrate with NO3−‐supported cells being significantly more toxic than both NH4+‐ and urea‐supported cells at the low PPFD. Kinetic uptake parameters were determined for another member of the P. pseudodelicatissima complex, P. fryxelliana. After growth of these cells on NO3− they exhibited maximum specific uptake rates (Vmax) of 22.7, 29.9, 8.98 × 10−3 · h−1, half‐saturation constants (Ks) of 1.34, 2.14, 0.28 μg‐at N · L−1, and affinity values (α) of 17.0, 14.7, 32.5 × 10−3 · h−1/(μg‐at N · L−1) for NO3−, NH4+ and urea, respectively. These labo‐ratory results demonstrate the capability of P. cuspidata to grow and produce DA on both oxidized and reduced N substrates during both exponential and stationary growth phases, and the uptake kinetic results for the pseudo‐cryptic species, P. fryxelliana suggest that reduced N sources from coastal runoff could be important for maintenance of these small pennate diatoms in U.S. west coast blooms, especially during times of low ambient N concentrations.
Lack of clinical and histological progression of chronic hepatitis C in individuals with true persistently normal ALT: the result of a 17‐year follow‐up
Authors: Nunnari G. , Pinzone M. R. , Cacopardo B.
Published: December 2012

Thirty to 40% of patients with chronic hepatitis C have persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT). Even though traditionally considered as healthy people, most PNALT carriers actually have some degree of clinical progression and histological liver damage. We evaluated the clinical and histological outcome of a 17‐year follow‐up on a cohort of patients with chronic HCV infection and PNALT. Between 1994 and 2011, 70 PNALTs and 55 Hyper‐alanine aminotransferase (ALT) subjects underwent a clinical, biochemical, virological and histological follow‐up. At the end of the follow‐up, all patients were alive. In the PNALT group, none of the patients developed hepatic decompensation, while 14.5% of Hyper‐ALTs were diagnosed as affected by decompensated cirrhosis. No significant variation of the Metavir grading and staging scores was observed among PNALTs by comparing pre‐ and post‐follow‐up liver specimens. On the contrary, a significant increase in both Metavir grading and staging scores was noticed within the Hyper‐ALT group. Finally, the analysis of IL28B single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs12979860 revealed no difference between Hyper‐ALTs and PNALTs in terms of frequency of C/C genotype. In conclusion, progression of chronic hepatitis C among PNALTs is slow or even absent, because at the end of the 17‐year follow‐up histological and clinical parameters had not worsened significantly.
Client involvement in home care practice: a relational sociological perspective
Authors: Glasdam Stinne , Henriksen Nina , Kjær Lone , Praestegaard Jeanette
Published: December 2012

‘Client involvement’ has been a mantra within health policies, education curricula and healthcare institutions over many years, yet very little is known about how ‘client involvement’ is practised in home‐care services. The aim of this article is to analyse ‘client involvement’ in practise seen from the positions of healthcare professionals, an elderly person and his relative in a home‐care setting. A sociologically inspired single case study was conducted, consisting of three weeks of observations and interviews. The study has a focus on the relational aspects of home care and the structural, political and administrative frames that rule home‐ care practice. Client involvement is shown within four constructed analytical categories: ‘Structural conditions of providing and receiving home care’; ‘Client involvement inside the home: performing a professional task and living an everyday life’; ‘Client involvement outside the home: liberal business and mutual goal setting’; and ‘Converting a home to a working place: refurnishing a life’. The meaning of involvement is depending on which position it is viewed from. On the basis of this analysis, we raise the question of the extent to which involvement of the client in public home‐care practice remains limited.
Comprehensive assessment of gastric emptying with a stable isotope breath test
Authors: Bharucha A. E. , Camilleri M. , Veil E. , Burton D. , Zinsmeister A. R.
Published: December 2012

Background  The [13C]‐Spirulina platensis gastric emptying breath test (GEBT) with five samples is accurate relative to scintigraphy. This study was primarily designed to further validate this GEBT using a slightly different process for incorporating [13C] in Spirulina and to evaluate the utility of additional samples for assessing early gastric emptying.

Methods  After a 223 kcal, test meal labeled with 99mTc and [13C]‐S. platensis, scintigraphic images, and five breath samples (45, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min, GEBT5) were collected in 14 controls (Part A). In Part B, nine breath samples were collected at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min (GEBT9) in 30 subjects (15 controls, 15 dyspepsia). Using correlation between [13C] breath excretion and scintigraphic emptying, lag time (t10, time for 10% emptying), emptying at 30 min (GE30), and half time (t50) were estimated for GEBT5 (Parts A and B) and GEBT9 (Part B).

Key Results  Half time values for scintigraphy, GEBT5, and GEBT9 were highly concordant. t10 by GEBT9 (90%CI, 6–15 min) was more strongly correlated [CCC 0.80 (95% CI, 0.63–0.90)] with scintigraphy (90% CI, 5–12 min), than GEBT5 [10–19 min, CCC 0.73 (95% CI, 0.54–0.85)]. The correlation between estimated values (GEBT9) and linearly interpolated values (GEBT5) was closer at 60 [CCC 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91–0.97)] than 30 min [CCC 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71–0.89)].

Conclusions & Inferences  The [13C]‐S. platensis GEBT can accurately measure GE. While 5‐ and 9‐samples are equally accurate for measuring t50, GEBT9 provides a more comprehensive assessment of early GE (t10 and GE30).
Test of the child/adolescent Rome III criteria: agreement with physician diagnosis and daily symptoms
Authors: van Tilburg M. A. L. , Squires M. , Blois‐Martin N. , Leiby A. , Langseder A.
Published: December 2012

Background  Establishment of the Rome criteria advanced diagnosis of children with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. The criteria were overhauled in 2006, but these revisions were never systematically tested. The aim of the current study was to assess psychometric properties of the childhood Rome III criteria and determine how well they agree with physician diagnoses and daily symptoms.

Methods  A total of N = 135 families from two pediatric gastroenterology clinics completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms (QPGS‐ RIII). Half of the families completed the QPGS‐RIII again in 2 weeks, the other half completed 2‐week daily diaries. Children above the age of 10 also provided data (N = 64). Physician diagnoses were obtained from the medical records.

Key Results  Diagnoses: The most common diagnoses per child/parent report were Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS; 43–47%) and Abdominal Migraine (26–36%). The most frequent physician diagnoses were Functional Constipation (FC; 53%) and Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP; 29%).

Reliability: Moderate to substantial agreement was found between baseline and 2‐week follow‐up for most diagnoses (kappa = .19–.78) and between parent and child reports (kappa = −.04–.64).

Validity: There was low agreement between QPGS‐RIII and physician diagnosis (kappa =−.02–.34) as well as diaries (kappa = .06–30).

Conclusions & Inferences  The Rome criteria have reasonable test–retest reliability and seem to be inclusive, as the majority of children obtain a diagnosis. However, validity is still an issue: The Rome criteria do not overlap well with physician diagnosis or daily symptoms. These issues will need to be addressed in future revisions of the Rome criteria.
Two closely linked tomato HKT coding genes are positional candidates for the major tomato QTL involved in Na+/K+ homeostasis
Authors: ASINS MARIA JOSÉ , VILLALTA IRENE , ALY MOHAMED M. , OLÍAS RAQUEL , ÁLVAREZ DE MORALES PAZ , HUERTAS RAÚL , LI JUN , JAIME‐PÉREZ NOELIA , HARO ROSARIO , RAGA VERÓNICA , CARBONELL EMILIO A. , BELVER ANDRÉS
Published: December 2012

Control of intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations in plant tissues under saline conditions is crucial for salt tolerance. In this study, two Na+‐selective class I‐HKT transporters, HKT1;1 and HKT1;2, from tomato were found to be closely linked in proximity to the position with the maximum LOD score for major QTLs in chromosome 7 (at a distance of 35 kb), thus contributing to stem and leaf Na+ and K+ in two populations of tomato RILs derived from two salt‐tolerant lines from wild tomato species S. pimpinellifolium and S. cheesmaniae. This result, together with their patterns of expression and phenotypic effects on a pair of near isogenic lines (NILs) differing in terms of HKT1‐like alleles, support the hypothesis that HKT1;1 and/or HKT1;2 genes underlies a major tomato QTL for shoot Na+/K+.
Lack of host specificity of Colletotrichum spp. isolates associated with anthracnose symptoms on mango in Brazil
Authors: de Souza A. , Delphino Carboni R. C. , Wickert E. , de Macedo Lemos E. G. , de Goes A.
Published: December 2012

The aim of the present study was to analyse the genetic and pathogenic variability of Colletotrichum spp. isolates from various organs and cultivars of mango with anthracnose symptoms, collected from different municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates from symptomless citrus leaves and C. acutatum isolates from citrus flowers with post‐bloom fruit drop symptoms were included as controls. Sequencing of the ITS region allowed the identification of 183 C. gloeosporioides isolates from mango; only one isolate was identified as C. acutatum. amova analysis of ITS sequences showed larger genetic variability among isolates from the same municipality than among those from different populations. fAFLP markers indicated high levels of genetic variability among the C. gloeosporioides isolates from mango and no correlation between genetic variability and isolate source. Only one C. gloeosporioides mango isolate had the same genotype as the C. gloeosporioides isolates from citrus leaves, as determined by ITS sequencing and fAFLP analysis. Pathogenicity tests revealed that C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum isolates from either mango or citrus can cause anthracnose symptoms on leaves of mango cvs Palmer and Tommy Atkins and blossom blight symptoms in citrus flowers. These outcomes indicate a lack of host specificity of the Colletotrichum species and suggest the possibility of host migration.
Health Care Utilisation in the First Year of Life Among Infants of Mothers With Perinatal Depression or Anxiety
Authors: Farr Sherry L. , Dietz Patricia M. , Rizzo Joanne H. , Vesco Kimberly K. , Callaghan William M. , Bruce F. Carol , Bulkley Joanna E. , Hornbrook Mark C. , Berg Cynthia J.
Published: December 2012

Background:  Limited information is available on associations between maternal depression and anxiety and infant health care utilisation.

Methods:  We analysed data from 24 263 infants born between 1998 and 2007 who themselves and their mothers were continuously enrolled for the infant's first year in Kaiser Permanente Northwest. We used maternal depression and anxiety diagnoses during pregnancy and postpartum to categorise infants into two depression and anxiety groups and examined effect modification by timing of diagnosis (pregnancy only, postpartum only, pregnancy and postpartum). Using generalised estimating equations in multivariable log‐linear regression, we estimated adjusted risk ratios (RR) between maternal depression and anxiety and well baby visits (<5 and ≥5), up to date immunisations (yes/no), sick/emergency visits (<6 and ≥6) and infant hospitalisation (any/none).

Results:  Infants of mothers with perinatal depression or anxiety were as likely to attend well baby visits and receive immunisations as their counterparts (RR = 1.0 for all). Compared with no depression or anxiety, infants of mothers with prenatal and postpartum depression or anxiety, or postpartum depression or anxiety only were 1.1 to 1.2 times more likely to have ≥6 sick/emergency visits. Infants of mothers with postpartum depression only had marginally increased risk of hospitalisation (RR = 1.2 [95% confidence interval 1.0, 1.4]); 70% of diagnoses occurred after the infant's hospitalisation.

Conclusions:  An understanding of the temporality of the associations between maternal depression and anxiety and infant acute care is needed and will guide strategies to decrease maternal mental illness and improve infant care for this population.
Trending Elective Preterm Deliveries Using Administrative Data
Authors: Korst Lisa M. , Fridman Moshe , Lu Michael C. , Fleege Laura , Mitchell Connie , Gregory Kimberly D.
Published: December 2012

Background

We propose a methodology for identifying and analysing ‘elective’ preterm births (PTBs) using administrative data, and apply this methodology to California data with the objective of providing a framework to further explore the potential rationales for early delivery.

Methods

Using the California linked birth cohorts for 1999, 2002 and 2005, singleton PTBs were identified using birth certificate gestational age ≥ 24 and <37 weeks. Through a hierarchical scheme that first removed cases with standard or ‘hard’ indications for early delivery (e.g. severe preeclampsia, placenta previa), cases of ‘elective’ PTB were identified with coding for medical intervention, that is, elective caesarean or labour induction. We calculated rates of elective PTB, with subanalyses of early (<34 weeks of gestational age) and late PTB (34 to <37 weeks of gestational age) using hierarchical logistic regression models.

Results

Of 1 387 565 singleton deliveries, 99 614 (7.2%) were preterm. Elective PTBs increased 27.7% over the 6‐year study period, with nearly all cases confined to the late PTB stratum; elective late PTB rates rose from 10.5% to 13.5% of all late PTBs (P < 0.0001). Indications for delivery in this Elective Group (‘soft indications’) included prior pelvic floor repair, mental health conditions, fetal anomalies, malpresentation and oligohydramnios. Six per cent of patients with a late PTB had a medical intervention with no hard or soft indication for delivery.

Conclusions

Using administrative data, we developed a method for identifying and trending the proportion of PTBs that is ‘elective’. This method can be used to explore and monitor potential strategies for the prevention of elective PTB.
Anogenital Distances in Newborns and Children from Spain and Greece: Predictors, Tracking and Reliability
Authors: Papadopoulou Eleni , Vafeiadi Marina , Agramunt Silvia , Basagaña Xavier , Mathianaki Kleopatra , Karakosta Polykseni , Spanaki Arianna , Koutis Antonis , Chatzi Leda , Vrijheid Martine , Kogevinas Manolis
Published: December 2012

Background

Anogenital distance has been associated with prenatal exposure to chemicals with anti‐androgenic effects. There are limited data in humans concerning descriptive patterns, predictors, and the reliability of measurement of anogenital distances. We examined anogenital distance measurements and their predictors in males and females and further estimated the reliability of these measurements.

Methods

Anogenital distances were measured in repeated time periods among 352 newborns and 732 young children in two cohorts, one in Crete, Greece and one in Barcelona, Spain. Mixed effect models were used to estimate the between‐children, between‐ and within‐examiners variance, as well as the reliability coefficients.

Results

Genitalia distances were longer in males than in females. Anogenital distances in both sexes increased rapidly from birth to 12 months, while the additional increase during the second year was small. Birthweight was associated with an increase of 1.9 mm/kg [95% CI 0.1, 3.8] (CI, confidence interval) in the anogenital distance measured from the anus to anterior base of the penis in newborn males, 2.9 mm/kg [95% CI 1.8, 3.9] in anoclitoral distance and 1.0 mm/kg [95% CI 0.0, 2.0] in anofourchettal distance in newborn females, after adjustment for gestational age. In children, body weight was the main predictor of all genitalia measurements. Moreover, anogenital distances at birth were associated with the corresponding distances at early childhood. High reliability coefficients (>90%) were found for all anogenital distances measurements in males and females.

Conclusions

Anogenital distances are strongly related to gestational age and birthweight and later, to growth. They track through early life and are highly reliable measures in both sexes.
Experimental Technique for Measuring the Long‐term Transfer Length in Prestressed Concrete
Authors: Martí‐Vargas J. R. , Caro L. A. , Serna P.
Published: December 2012

Abstract:  This article presents a proposal of a test set‐up and methodology for testing the transfer length evolution through time of prestressing reinforcement in pretensioned prestressed concrete members, aimed at providing a basis for standardization. The proposed test method is based on the instantaneous and time‐related analysis of the prestressing reinforcement force profile at only one end of a pretensioned prestressed concrete member. The basis of the test method and the requirements of the prestressing frame and its components are presented, as well as the test procedure stages and the measurement devices. The interpretation of the test results and the criteria to determine both the initial and the long‐term transfer lengths are explained. A test method application and the equipment for testing seven‐wire prestressing strands have been designed. Some experimental results are provided to validate the test. A comparative analysis of test reliability with other existing experimental methods is also included.
A new human leukocyte antigen class I allele: HLA‐A*02:374
Authors: De Zorzi M. , Caggiari L. , Crovatto M. , Talamini R. , Garziera M. , De Re V.
Published: December 2012

HLA‐A*02:374 differs from HLA‐A*02:01:01 by one amino acid change at codon 112 where G is replaced by V.
Gene family evolution in green plants with emphasis on the origination and evolution of Arabidopsis thaliana genes
Authors: Guo Ya‐Long
Published: December 2012

Gene family size variation is an important mechanism that shapes the natural variation for adaptation in various species. Despite its importance, the pattern of gene family size variation in green plants is still not well understood. In particular, the evolutionary pattern of genes and gene families remains unknown in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in the context of green plants. In this study, eight representative genomes of green plants are sampled to study gene family evolution and characterize the origination of A. thaliana genes, respectively. Four important insights gained are that: (i) the rate of gene gains and losses is about 0.001359 per gene every million years, similar to the rate in yeast, Drosophila, and mammals; (ii) some gene families evolved rapidly with extreme expansions or contractions, and 2745 gene families present in all the eight species represent the ‘core’ proteome of green plants; (iii) 70% of A. thaliana genes could be traced back to 450 million years ago; and (iv) intriguingly, A. thaliana genes with early origination are under stronger purifying selection and more conserved. In summary, the present study provides genome‐wide insights into evolutionary history and mechanisms of genes and gene families in green plants and especially in A. thaliana.
Malaysia: A Success Story Stuck in the Middle?
Authors: Hill Hal , Yean Tham S. , Zin Ragayah H. M.
Published: December 2012

This study examines the Malaysia development record in the context of widespread concerns that the country, and others like it, may encounter major difficulties in graduating to the ranks of high‐income economies. It stresses the country’s rapid socioeconomic development, built on openness, reasonably competent macroeconomic management and attention to equity issues. It then investigates the country’s significant slowdown in investment and economic growth since the late 1990s, and asks whether this trend is related to the more general graduation issue. Our principal conclusion is that the slowdown has less to do with the problem of graduation and more to do with a set of country‐specific institutional and political economy challenges. Thus, the current concern within the country that it is in some sense ‘stuck in the middle’ points to the need for a set of major policy reforms to accelerate growth.
Fabrication Uncertainty in B2 for Nuclear Pipe Bends Subjected to In-Plane Opening Moment
Authors: Roy Pronab , Ghosh Siddhartha
Published: December 2012

For reliability-based design of pipe bends and elbows, a probabilistic characterization of the primary stress indices (B1 and B2) is essential. This paper aims at the characterization of the fabrication/geometric uncertainty in B2, for thin stainless steel long radius pipe bends, subjected to in-plane opening moment. This characterization is performed in a framework based on Monte Carlo simulation and nonlinear finite element analysis. A revision of the code-based expression for B2 is proposed where a random variable K replaces the constant numerator in this expression. The statistics for K are provided for different pipe nominal dimensions, which indicates that the existing provision gives a very conservative estimate of the plastic collapse moment for pipe bends subjected to in-plane opening flexure.
A Simplified Strength Checking Approach for a Header–Nozzle Intersection Under Combined Piping Loads
Authors: Wang Wei , Zou Xianping , Yao Ligang
Published: December 2012

To investigate the strength checking methods for a semi-cylindrical header–nozzle intersection under combined piping loads, the simplified strength checking formulae for two piping load combinations, which are typical in engineering practice, are suggested based on the combined limit piping load interactions of the header. Furthermore, three methods for determining the allowable piping load parameters of the proposed formulae, namely the plastic work curvature (PWC) method of inelastic analysis route for design by analysis (DBA), the twice elastic slope (TES) method of inelastic analysis route for DBA, and the elastic finite element analysis (FEA) method of elastic analysis route for DBA, are presented and compared. Based on the theoretical analyses and the parametric comparison study results of the three methods, it can be concluded that the PWC method, which can take the hardening material effect on the plastic load results into account well and use the engineers' experience independent plastic work as the global indicator of gross collapse, is the most reliable one among the three methods, while the elastic FEA method is of great value for engineers to estimate the allowable piping loads quickly and conveniently.
A Meshless Method for Modeling Convective Heat Transfer
Authors: Pepper Darrell W. , Wang Xiuling , Carrington D. B.
Published: December 2012

A meshless method is used in a projection-based approach to solve the primitive equations for fluid flow with heat transfer. The method is easy to implement in a matlab format. Radial basis functions are used to solve two benchmark test cases: natural convection in a square enclosure and flow with forced convection over a backward facing step. The results are compared with two popular and widely used commercial codes: comsol, a finite element-based model, and fluent, a finite volume-based model.
Benjamin Franklin and Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Population Approach to Turbulence
Authors: Brian Spalding D.
Published: December 2012

Turbulent fluids can be usefully considered as populations, the members of which are distinguished by their positions in non-geometric spaces of which the dimensions may be arbitrarily chosen. These dimensions can be discretised in the same manner as is customary for distance and time. In a distance-time “cell,” variations in mass per unit volume are computed from balances of mass, energy, etc., in which the influences of neighbouring cells are represented in terms of convection and diffusion. Just so can distributions in population space be deduced from balances of mass migration effected by other physical or chemical processes. One such process is movement in population space, as when exothermic chemical reaction moves fluid from a lower to a higher temperature interval; it is akin to convection in geometric space. Another is coalescence, by way of which population members having differing attributes merge and are replaced by elements of intermediate attribute. A third is differential convection, whereby the differing body forces experienced by population elements of differing densities, by reason of the pressure gradients which they share, cause “sifting” and “filtering” to change the population composition. Just as turbulent diffusion is expressed by man-created hypotheses, so hypotheses must be invented for movement in population space, coalescence, and differential convection. The above ideas are explained in the present paper and represented mainly by reference to the age distribution in human populations, to swirling flows and to the distributions of mixture ratio and temperature within turbulent combusting gases.
Emergence of Computational Fluid Dynamics at Imperial College (1965–1975): A Personal Recollection
Authors: Runchal Akshai K.
Published: December 2012

This paper is a personal recollection of the development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at Imperial College (IC) in the 1960s by a group founded by Brian Spalding who was the charismatic leader of a dedicated team for a decade. I was a member of this team during the development of the basic engineering practice that came to be known as the IC approach to “CFD.” I hope to capture the essence and the significance of those developments. A version of this paper was delivered at the occasion of the seminar organized at Villanova University to celebrate the award of the 2010 Franklin Prize to Prof. Spalding. In a very strict sense the IC group invented neither the art and science of CFD nor the name. However it did excel in adapting and developing the methodology and technology of CFD, testing and verifying it against empirical data, and developing innovative and practical computational tools that had widespread application and relevance to problems of interest to engineers. In a nutshell the IC group heralded the CFD revolution and was the pioneer of the practice and technology of CFD. Most of today's commercially available software tools trace their origin to the work done by the IC group in the decade spanning the mid-60s to mid-70s. The group at IC benefitted tremendously and borrowed liberally from the innovative and groundbreaking work being carried out around this time at Los Alamos National Laboratory under the leadership of Frank Harlow—this is described elsewhere in this volume.
Modeling and Simulations of Laminar Mixed Convection in a Vertical Pipe Conveying Slurries of a Microencapsulated Phase-Change Material in Distilled Water
Authors: Scott David A. , Lamoureux Alexandre , Baliga Bantwal R.
Published: December 2012

Steady, laminar, mixed convection in a straight and vertically oriented pipe conveying slurries of a microencapsulated phase-change material (MCPCM) suspended in distilled water (flowing upwards), with essentially uniform heat flux imposed on its outside surface, are considered. A cost-effective homogenous mathematical model is proposed and shown to be applicable to the aforementioned mixed convection phenomena with slurries of a sample MCPCM. Correlations for the effective properties of the sample MCPCM slurries and procedures for their implementation are presented. The energy equation, in which the latent-heat effects are handled using an effective specific heat, is cast in a form akin to that of a general advection-diffusion transport equation. Difficulties with the standard definition of bulk temperature when the specific heat of the fluid changes significantly with temperature are elaborated, and a modified bulk temperature that overcomes these difficulties is proposed. A finite volume method (FVM) was used to solve the mathematical model. The proposed model and FVM were validated by using them to solve problems involving slurries of the sample MCPCM, and comparing the results to those of a complementary experimental investigation. The numerical results compare very well with those of the complementary experimental investigation. They also demonstrate the need for optimizing the various parameters involved, if full benefits of the MCPCM slurries are to be achieved for specific applications.
Spectroscopic study of polysilicon traps by means of fast capacitance transients
Authors: Toledano-Luque Maria , Tang Baojun , Degraeve Robin , Kaczer Ben , Simoen Eddy , Van Houdt Jan , Groeseneken Guido
Published: December 2012

The energy distribution of polysilicon traps is studied by means of a simple methodology based on the measurement of fast capacitance transients observed after disturbing metal/oxide/poly-Si/Si structures with positive and negative gate voltage pulses. This methodology relies on the well-known deep-level-transient spectroscopy technique. Amorphous silicon presents two defect bands at 0.31 and 0.58 eV below the conduction band whose magnitudes are significantly reduced after spike anneal. An increasing defect tail is observed toward the valance band whose magnitude can be drastically suppressed by a proper postdeposition anneal.
Wavelength stable, p-side-down green light emitting diodes grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Newman Scott , Gallinat Chad , Wright Jonathan , Enck Ryan , Sampath Anand , Shen Hongen , Reed Meredith , Wraback Michael
Published: December 2012

p-side-down, single heterostructure n-InGaN/p-GaN light emitting diodes grown by molecular beam epitaxy exhibited stable peak emission wavelengths as long as 550 nm for current densities in excess of 100 A/cm2, and minimal efficiency droop up to 150 A/cm2 without the use of an electron blocking layer. This behavior is consistent with the formation of a two-dimensional hole gas in the n-InGaN layer and a higher barrier to electron overflow in the conduction band due to the negative polarization charge at the n-InGaN/p-GaN interface.