bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Self-Efficacy Predicts AHEI Diet Quality in Women With Previous Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Ferranti Erin Poe , Narayan K. M. Venkat , Reilly Carolyn M. , Foster Jennifer , McCullough Marjorie , Ziegler Thomas R. , Guo Ying , Dunbar Sandra B.
Published: June 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of intrapersonal influences of diet quality as defined by the Health Belief Model constructs in women with recent histories of gestational diabetes.

Methods

A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used to analyze relationships between diet quality and intrapersonal variables, including perceptions of threat of type 2 diabetes mellitus development, benefits and barriers of healthy eating, and dietary self-efficacy, in a convenience sample of 75 community-dwelling women (55% minority; mean age, 35.5 years; SD, 5.5 years) with previous gestational diabetes mellitus. Diet quality was defined by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Multiple regression was used to identify predictors of AHEI diet quality.

Results

Women had moderate AHEI diet quality (mean score, 47.6; SD, 14.3). Only higher levels of education and self-efficacy significantly predicted better AHEI diet quality, controlling for other contributing variables.

Conclusions

There is a significant opportunity to improve diet quality in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus. Improving self-efficacy may be an important component to include in nutrition interventions. In addition to identifying other important individual components, future studies of diet quality in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus are needed to investigate the scope of influence beyond the individual to potential family, social, and environmental factors.
Predictors of Physical Inactivity in Men and Women With Type 2 Diabetes From the Detection of Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetics (DIAD) Study
Authors: McCarthy Margaret M. , Davey Janice , Wackers Frans J. Th. , Chyun Deborah A.
Published: June 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to determine changes in physical inactivity from baseline to 5 years and to identify factors associated with and predictive of physical inactivity among individuals with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the Detection of Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetics (DIAD) study.

Methods

DIAD was a prospective randomized screening trial that assessed the prevalence of silent ischemia in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes. Subjects were recruited from diabetes and primary care practices at 14 centers throughout the United States and Canada. This is a secondary data analysis of the physical activity data (type and hours/week) collected. No intervention was conducted.

Results

In all subjects, physical inactivity rose from 24% at baseline to 33% at 5 years (S = 28.93; P < .0001). This change was significant in both men (S = 11.44; P < .0001), increasing from 23% to 31%, and women (S = 18.05; P < .0001), increasing from 25% to 36%. Gender differences were noted in several factors associated with baseline physical inactivity as well as in factors predictive of physical inactivity at 5 years. Important factors associated at both time points included lower level of education, current employment, presence of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and indicators of overweight/obesity. Baseline physical inactivity was strongly predictive of physical inactivity at 5 years (odds ratio, 3.27; 95% confidence interval, 2.36-4.54; P < .0001).

Conclusions

Gender-related differences were noted in factors associated with and predictive of physical inactivity.
Mirroring the National Archives of Zimbabwe Act in the context of electronic records
Authors: Mutsagondo Samson , Chaterera Forget
Published: June 2014

Many countries in the Eastern and Southern African Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) have embraced electronic government as a matter of priority. This is a programme where government business is conducted through use of different information communication technologies. Unfortunately, many members of the organization, including Zimbabwe, do not have archival legislation that specifically caters for the creation, use, maintenance and disposal of electronic records. This has resulted in records management practitioners resorting to a hit or miss approach when managing electronic records. This paper highlights the inadequacies of the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) Act (1986) as well as the challenges facing records management practitioners in as far as the management of electronic records is concerned. The survey research method was used to collect data specifically on inadequacies of the NAZ Act and challenges faced by information practitioners in using the act to deal with the creation, use, maintenance and disposal of electronic records.
Motivational interviewing to increase physical activity in people with chronic health conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: O’Halloran Paul D , Blackstock Felicity , Shields Nora , Holland Anne , Iles Ross , Kingsley Mike , Bernhardt Julie , Lannin Natasha , Morris Meg E , Taylor Nicholas F
Published: June 2014

Objective:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine if motivational interviewing leads to increased physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness or functional exercise capacity in people with chronic health conditions.

Data sources:

Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE, AMED, CINHAL, SPORTDiscus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials) were searched from inception until January 2014.

Trial selection:

Two reviewers independently examined publications for inclusion. Trials were included if participants were adults (>18 years), had a chronic health condition, used motivational interviewing as the intervention and examined physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness or functional exercise capacity.

Data extraction:

Two reviewers independently extracted data. Risk of bias within trials was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale.

Data synthesis:

Meta-analyses were conducted with standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence.

Results:

Eleven publications (of ten trials) were included. There was moderate level evidence that motivational interviewing had a small effect in increasing physical activity levels in people with chronic health conditions relative to comparison groups (standardized mean differences = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.32, p = 0.004). Sensitivity analysis based on trials that confirmed treatment fidelity produced a larger effect. No conclusive evidence was observed for cardiorespiratory fitness or functional exercise capacity.

Conclusion:

The addition of motivational interviewing to usual care may lead to modest improvements in physical activity for people with chronic health conditions.
The Value of Heterogeneity for Cost-Effectiveness Subgroup Analysis
Authors: Espinoza Manuel A. , Manca Andrea , Claxton Karl , Sculpher Mark J.
Published: June 2014

This article develops a general framework to guide the use of subgroup cost-effectiveness analysis for decision making in a collectively funded health system. In doing so, it addresses 2 key policy questions, namely, the identification and selection of subgroups, while distinguishing 2 sources of potential value associated with heterogeneity. These are 1) the value of revealing the factors associated with heterogeneity in costs and outcomes using existing evidence (static value) and 2) the value of acquiring further subgroup-related evidence to resolve the uncertainty given the current understanding of heterogeneity (dynamic value). Consideration of these 2 sources of value can guide subgroup-specific treatment decisions and inform whether further research should be conducted to resolve uncertainty to explain variability in costs and outcomes. We apply the proposed methods to a cost-effectiveness analysis for the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome. This study presents the expected net benefits under current and perfect information when subgroups are defined based on the use and combination of 6 binary covariates. The results of the case study confirm the theoretical expectations. As more subgroups are considered, the marginal net benefit gains obtained under the current information show diminishing marginal returns, and the expected value of perfect information shows a decreasing trend. We present a suggested algorithm that synthesizes the results to guide policy.
Cone calorimeter study of polyethylene flame retarded with expandable graphite and intumescent fire-retardant additives
Authors: Kruger Hermanus Joachim , Focke Walter Wilhelm , Mhike Washington , Taute Albertus , Roberson Albert , Ofosu Osei
Published: June 2014

Polyethylene was flame retarded with two intumescent-type additives, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid phosphate and ethylenediamine phosphate, which differ with respect to their decomposition onset temperatures, along with varying ratios of two grades of expandable graphite, also differing with respect to their onset temperatures for exfoliation. Hot-pressed sheet specimens were subjected to evaluation in a cone calorimeter. Although the best char yields were obtained with formulations containing the higher decomposition temperature intumescent, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid phosphate, the overall best performance was realized using the lower decomposition temperature intumescent, ethylenediamine phosphate, when compounded together with the low exfoliation temperature expandable graphite. These results are attributed to the formation, at the burning surface, of a more cohesive char with better thermal and mass transfer barrier properties.
Preparation, characterization, and properties of heterocyclic polyimide/titania nanocomposite thin films
Authors: Sadeghipour Hojjatolah , Rafiee Zahra , Ashouri Davoud , Ahmadi Ali , Mousavian Saman , Hekmati Arash
Published: June 2014

A series of heterocyclic polyimides (PIs) having triazole moieties in their main chain were successfully prepared by the polycondensation of 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole with four dianhydrides (3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2,4,5-dianhydride, 4,4′-(hexaflouroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride, and 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride) via the soluble poly(amic acid) (PAA) precursors. Different amounts of titania (TiO2) nanoparticles were incorporated into the PAA matrix and then thermally imidized to form PI/TiO2. The obtained PAAs exhibited high compatibility with the TiO2 nanoparticles, thereby resulting in highly transparent PI nanocomposite films. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM results indicated that the nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously in the PI matrix on nanoscale. TGA confirmed that the heat stability of the nanocomposites was improved in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles.
Synthesis and characterization of novel pyrimidine-containing poly(arylene ether)s
Authors: Wang Ying
Published: June 2014

Two novel thermally stable high-performance polymers, poly(arylene ether pyrimidine)s have been prepared with 2,4-dichloropyrimidine and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol and bisphenol A by nucleophilic displacement reaction, respectively. Gel permeation chromatography results show that the obtained polymers exhibited 20,000 g mol−1 weight-average molecular weight. Thermal analysis studies indicate glass transition temperature values up to 156°C in differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis results revealed outstanding thermal stability up to 430 and 427°C for 5% weight loss under nitrogen and in air atmospheres, respectively. The polymers are soluble in a wide range of organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N, N-dimethylacetamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and toluene at room temperature. The cutoff wavelengths of the resulting polymers were in the range of 278–283 nm.
Applications of digital tryout to stampings of hard-to-form parts
Authors: Shim Hyun B
Published: June 2014

A tryout process is a series of procedures to obtain robust stamping by a trial stamping before transferring to a press shop. During the tryout, control of the drawbead, determination of the blank shape, modification of the binder surface, and so on are carried out mainly using a trial-and-error approach. As the level of difficulty increases, the formability involved in the stamping becomes sensitive to the contour of the deformed shape, or the blank shape. In order to solve the formability problems involved in the stamping of parts that are very difficult to form, a digital tryout that simulates the real tryout process in conjunction with a beadless stamping is demonstrated. Furthermore, the possibility of practical applications is investigated by showing a solution procedure for the proposed digital tryout. Since the digital tryout is carried out on the desktop rather than in the press shop, precise control of the deformed contour can be realized if the optimal blank design technique is used in the determination of the blank shape. The validity and advantages of the digital tryout method are confirmed with examples of auto parts that are very difficult to find robust stamping condition.
Regional variation of wall shear stress in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms
Authors: Rinaudo Antonino , Pasta Salvatore
Published: June 2014

The development of an ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm is likely caused by excessive hemodynamic loads exerted on the aneurysmal wall. Computational fluid-dynamic analyses were performed on patient-specific ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms obtained from patients with either bicuspid aortic valve or tricuspid aortic valve to evaluate hemodynamic and wall shear parameters, imparting aneurysm enlargement. Results showed an accelerated flow along the outer aortic wall with helical flow in the aneurysm center for bicuspid aortic valve ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms. In a different way, tricuspid aortic valve ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms exhibited normal systolic flow without substantial secondary pattern. Analysis of wall shear parameters evinced a high and locally varying wall shear stress on the outer aortic wall and high temporal oscillations in wall shear stress (oscillatory shear index) on either left or right side of aneurysmal aorta. These findings may explain the asymmetric dilatation typically observed in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms. Simulations of a hypertensive scenario revealed an increase in wall shear stress upon 44% compared to normal systemic pressure models. Computational fluid-dynamics–based analysis may allow identification of wall shear parameters portending aneurysm dilatation and hence guide preventative intervention.
Jean Decima Jacomb (1894–1988), matron of The London Clinic, 20 Devonshire Place, London W1 from 1938 to 1949
Authors: Perkins Kathy
Published: June 2014

Miss Jean Jacomb born into a wealthy family, was at the age of 22 a student nurse at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London in 1917 where she nursed convalescent soldiers from World War I. Her midwifery training was in the slums around Whitechapel where a nurses uniform and medical bag provided a safe passage in the East End of London. For a while she worked in South Africa and India and returning to UK in 1923 she progressed to appointment as matron at the now re-named Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. In 1938 she was appointed matron to The London Clinic during the years of World War II following which in 1949 she retired at the age of 55. She then travelled the world extensively by ship, always first class. She died in 1988.
The enigmatic figure of Dr Henry Maudsley (1835–1918)
Authors: Pantelidou Maria , Demetriades Andreas K
Published: June 2014

In spite of his contribution to psychiatry in 19th century Britain, Henry Maudsley remains a mysterious figure, a man mostly known for his donation to the London County Council for the building of the Maudsley Hospital and for The Maudsley Annual Lecture created in honour of his benevolence. Besides Sir Aubrey Lewis’ article in 1951 and Michael Collie’s attempt in 1988 to construct a biographical study on Maudsley, there does not seem to be any current endeavour to tell the story of his life, whereas Trevor Turner’s contribution to the 2004 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography gives a somewhat scathing but unattributed account of Maudsley’s personality. This essay attempts to explore his contributions to the Medico-Psychological Association (MPA), the current Royal College of Psychiatrists, his editorship of the Journal of Mental Health (currently named the British Journal of Psychiatry), his literary contributions and his vision for a psychiatric hospital. This essay is an attempt to demystify his figure and to explore some of the rumours and criticisms surrounding his name and the reasons why so little has been written about him. It is also a venture to unravel his complex personality and his intricate philosophy.
Transactive Memory System Coordination Mechanisms in Organizations
Authors: Peltokorpi Vesa
Published: June 2014

This article integrates the organizational coordination and transactive memory system (TMS) literatures and provides an empirical study on organizational TMS coordination mechanisms. The study findings, based on 60 interviews in a Japanese manufacturing company, show that organization design (team-based structure, small unit size), human resource management (HRM) practices (recruitment and selection, training, promotion, and reward systems and performance evaluations), and relational interactions (roles, routines) coordinate organizational TMSs. Organization design and HRM practices as more formal coordination mechanisms also support and provide continuity to relational interactions. Contributing to the organizational TMS literature in which employees are described to form TMSs through informal, face-to-face interactions, the findings provide evidence of formal and informal coordination mechanisms and suggest that team-based structures without reinforcing vertical mechanisms are insufficient to coordinate organizational TMSs.
Antiretroviral-Related Alopecia in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Woods Erin A. , Foisy Michelle M.
Published: June 2014

Objective: To review the literature evaluating antiretroviral-related alopecia and to provide guidance on the differential diagnosis and management of this condition. Data Sources: A literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), and the Cochrane database (through May 2014). Relevant conference abstracts and product monographs were reviewed. Search terms included antiretroviral, individual antiretroviral classes and names, highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV, AIDS, alopecia, hair, hair loss and drug. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language studies and case reports were included. A total of 16 articles and 1 conference abstract were retrieved, with a total of 46 patients with hair loss. Data Synthesis: The protease inhibitor class, in particular indinavir, was most commonly reported to cause hair loss, followed by the NRTI, lamivudine. The majority of cases presented with alopecia of the scalp alone, with a median time of onset of 2.5 months. Management involved discontinuing the drug in most cases, with at least partial reversal in half the cases. Conclusions: In antiretroviral-induced alopecia, discontinuation of the suspected agent is the optimal management, and hair regrowth should occur within 1 to 3 months. Management may also include replacing the offending medication with an antiretroviral less likely to cause hair loss. It is essential to rule out other causes of alopecia with a complete patient history, including characterization of the hair loss and assessment of the patient’s medical history, medication use, and family history of alopecia.
Bifurcation behavior of steady vibrations of cantilever plates with geometrical nonlinearities interacting with three-dimensional inviscid potential flow
Authors: Avramov KV
Published: June 2014

Cantilever plates with geometrical nonlinearities interacting with three-dimensional inviscid potential flow are considered. The new method for analysis of stability and bifurcations of the plate self-sustained vibrations is suggested. The basis of this method is the solution of the singular integral equations with respect to aerodynamic derivatives of the plate pressure drop. The Von Karman equations with respect to transversal displacements and a stress function are used to describe the plate vibrations with geometrical nonlinearity. The combination of the shooting technique and the continuation algorithm are used to analyze bifurcations and stability of the plate self-sustained vibrations. The plate aeroelastic self-sustained vibrations lose stability due to the Naimark-Sacker bifurcation. As a result of this bifurcation, almost periodic and chaotic vibrations are observed. It is shown, when it is acceptable to use one-dimensional models of plate self-sustained vibrations and when the plate model must be two-dimensional.
Linear matrix inequality-based robust proportional derivative control of a two-link flexible manipulator
Authors: Mohamed Z , Khairudin M , Husain AR , Subudhi B
Published: June 2014

This paper presents the design and development of a robust proportional derivative (PD) controller based on linear matrix inequality (LMI) for the control of a hub angular position and end-point deflection of a planar two-link flexible manipulator. The dynamics of the manipulator is uncertain and time varying due to the variation of payloads that result in large variations in the excitation of flexible modes. Practical design steps are presented in which the LMI-based conditions are formulated to obtain a robust PD gains to control the flexible manipulator. The robust controller has an advantage as compared to the Ziegler-Nichols tuned PD controller as the identified PD gains can be used to control the system under various loading conditions. The performances of the proposed controller are evaluated in terms of input tracking capability of the hub angular position response and level of deflection of both links of the flexible manipulator. Experimental results show that despite using the same sets of PD gains, LMI-PD control provides better robustness and system performance.
Affect Consciousness in children with internalizing problems: Assessment of affect integration
Authors: Taarvig Eva , Solbakken Ole André , Grova Bjørg , Monsen Jon T
Published: June 2014

Affect integration was operationalized through the Affect Consciousness (AC) construct as degrees of awareness, tolerance, nonverbal expression and conceptual expression of 11 affects. These aspects are assessed through a semi-structured Affect Consciousness Interview (ACI) and separate rating scales (Affect Consciousness Scales (ACSs)) developed for use in research and clinical work with adults with psychopathological disorders. Age-adjusted changes were made in the interview and rating system. This study explored the applicability of the adjusted ACI to a sample of 11-year-old children with internalizing problems through examining inter-rater reliability of the adjusted ACI, along with relationships between the AC aspects and aspects of mental health as symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety, social competence, besides general intelligence. Satisfactory inter-rater reliability was found, as well as consistent relationships between the AC aspects and the various aspects of mental health, a finding which coincides with previous research. The finding indicates that the attainment of the capacity to deal adaptively with affect is probably an important contributor to the development of adequate social competence and maybe in the prevention of psychopathology in children. The results indicate that the adjusted ACI and rating scales are useful tools in treatment planning with children at least from the age of 11 years.
Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behaviors Related to Salt Use Among Philadelphia Chinese Take-Out Restaurant Owners and Chefs
Authors: Ma Grace X. , Shive Steve , Zhang Yolanda , Aquilante Jennifer , Tan Yin , Zhao Mei , Solomon Sara , Zhu Steven , Toubbeh Jamil , Colby Lisa , Mallya Giridhar , Zeng Qiaoling
Published: June 2014

Most of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed and restaurant foods. An upstream global strategy to promote health is to work with local restaurants to reduce sodium content in their food offerings, while accounting for food taste and economic considerations. In urban communities, Chinese take-out restaurants serve meals with large amounts of sodium and are clustered in low-income, racial/ethnic minority communities with a high prevalence of hypertension. The objective of this study is to assess baseline knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sodium use/consumption among Chinese take-out owners and chefs recruited to participate in the Philadelphia Healthy Chinese Take-Out Initiative. A cross-sectional study of 221 Chinese take-out restaurants was conducted from August 2012 to February 2013. Items measured knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to salt use, salt consumption, and health. Most owners/chefs knew that excess sodium consumption contributes to high blood pressure but were less aware of other health effects and of major sources of sodium in the U.S. diet. The majority were willing and able to reduce sodium content in meals if customer demand could be maintained, and they desired training in food preparation, procurement, and marketing. Findings show a need to provide education, strategies, and support to Chinese take-out owners/chefs in preparing low-salt dishes. The results of this and future studies to reduce sodium content in meals by working with restaurant owners and chefs have global health promotion implications.
Heterogeneous Contestants and the Intensity of Tournaments
Authors: Berger Johannes , Nieken Petra
Published: June 2014

We empirically investigate whether tournaments between heterogeneous contestants are less intense. To test our hypotheses, we use professional sports data from the TOYOTA Handball-Bundesliga, the major handball league in Germany. Based on sports betting odds, we estimate the differences in winning probabilities of the competing teams and find evidence for a negative impact of the matchup’s heterogeneity on the intensity of the game. The decrease is significant not only at the beginning but also toward the end of the game. Further analysis shows that the overall intensity decrease is almost entirely driven by the reaction of the ex ante favorite team.
Professional Sports Firm Values
Authors: Scelles Nicolas , Helleu Boris , Durand Christophe , Bonnal Liliane
Published: June 2014

Since 2004, Forbes has proposed a list of the most valuable soccer clubs. One year later, Transfermarkt began to estimate European soccer players’ value. This article estimate the determinants of firm values in European soccer over the period 2005-2013 incorporating player valuations, clubs’ operating income, and new ownership, three variables not included previously. The results of this study demonstrate that these variables are significant factors in club valuations. More generally, club assets including stadium age, club ownership type, supporter numbers and income, and past sports performances all have a significant impact.
A Latent Class Analysis of Spanish Travelers’ Mobile Internet Usage in Travel Planning and Execution
Authors: Okazaki Shintaro , Campo Sara , Andreu Luisa , Romero Jaime
Published: June 2014

A study of 476 Spanish travelers found mixed interest and use for the many travel-related mobile internet services that are involved in planning and executing a trip. The findings indicate that these Spanish respondents can be classified into four segments based on the timing of using mobile apps for over a dozen activities involved in travel planning and execution: Savvies, Planners, Opportunists, and Low-techs. Each segment exhibits distinct patterns of mobile internet services usage. Savvies tend to be heavy mobile device users both before and during their trip, while Planners make heavy use of mobile devices in advance of but not during their trip. The Opportunists show a pattern opposite the Planners, and fire up their phones and pads when they arrive at a destination. Low-techs generally do not participate in the mobile internet. The respondents generally saw four benefits from mobile device use: ubiquity, immediacy, personalization, and information access, but the four groups ranked those benefits differently.
A Systematic Review of Nutritional Supplementation in HIV-Infected Children in Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: McHenry Megan S. , Dixit Avika , Vreeman Rachel C.
Published: June 2014

Background:

In resource-limited settings, malnutrition is the major cause of death in young children, but the precise benefits of nutritional supplementation for HIV-infected children are not well understood.

Methods:

Two researchers reviewed studies conducted in low- or middle-income countries that involved macro- and micronutrient supplementation in HIV-infected individuals ≤18 years.

Results:

Fifteen studies focused on micronutrients, including vitamin A, zinc, multivitamins, and multiple-micronutrient supplementation. The 8 macronutrient studies focused on ready-to-use foods (4 studies), spirulina, whey protein, general food rations, and F75 and F100 starter formulas. Vitamin A was associated with improved mortality rates, ranging from 28% to 63%. Multiple-micronutrient supplementations were not associated with improvement of measured health outcomes. Ready-to-use foods were associated with improvement in certain anthropometrics.

Conclusion:

Periodic vitamin A supplementation is associated with reduced mortality. Macronutrient supplementation is linked to improved anthropometrics. More research is needed to determine how nutritional supplementation benefits this particularly vulnerable population.
Invasive Prenatal Genetic Testing: A Catholic Healthcare Provider's Perspective
Authors: Bringman Jay J.
Published: June 2014

Invasive prenatal testing is performed for a variety of reasons, but the most common indication is for genetic testing of the fetus. Although many times the information obtained from this type of testing results in selective termination of fetuses with genetic diagnoses, the information itself may be morally neutral. Should a Catholic healthcare provider be willing to perform invasive prenatal testing in the setting of uncertainty with respect to the patient's plans following a diagnosis of a genetic abnormality?
Prolonged acute migraine with aura and reversible brain MRI abnormalities after liquid sclerotherapy
Authors: Zouitina Yassine , Terrier Mathilde , Hyra Marie , Seryer Djohar , Chillon Jean-Marc , Bugnicourt Jean-Marc
Published: June 2014

Transient visual disturbances constitute the most commonly reported neurological side effect during and immediately after sclerotherapy. A few studies, based on clinical and diffusion-weighted MRI assessments, have suggested that these transient neurological symptoms correspond to migraine with aura. Recently, it has been reported that brain magnetic resonance imaging can reveal transient T2*-weighted abnormalities during the acute phase of migraine with aura. We reported a 36-year-old man who presented with transient neurological symptoms and concomitant T2*-weighted abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging immediately after liquid sclerotherapy. We hypothesize that the reversible nature of the patient’s T2*-weighted abnormalities may indicate a relationship with the post-sclerotherapy migraine with aura attack.
Health service barriers to HIV testing and counseling among pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic; a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kwapong Golda Dokuaa , Boateng Daniel , Agyei-Baffour Peter , Addy Ernestina A
Published: June 2014

Background

HIV testing and counseling (HTC) remains critical in the global efforts to reach a goal of universal access to prevention and timely human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment and health care. Routine HIV testing has been shown to be cost-effective and life-saving by prolonging the life expectancy of HIV patients and reducing the annual HIV transmission rate. However, these benefits of routine HIV testing may not be seen among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) due to health facility related factors. This paper presents the influence of health facility related factors on HTC to inform HTC implementation.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional in design and used structured questionnaire and interview guides to gather information from 300 pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years and had attended ANC for more than twice at the time of the study. Twelve health workers were interviewed as key informants. Respondents were selected from the five sub metro health facilities in the Kumasi Metropolis through systematic random sampling from August to November 2011. Pregnant women who had not tested after two or more ANC visits were classified as not utilizing HTC. Data was analyzed with STATA 11. Logistic regression was run to assess the odds ratios at 95% confidence level.

Results

Twenty-four percent of the pregnant women had not undergone HTC, with “never been told” emerging as the most cited reason as reported by 29.5% of respondents. Decisions by pregnant women to take up HTC were mostly influenced by factors such as lack of information, perceptions of privacy and confidentiality, waiting time, poor relationship with health staff and fear of being positive.

Conclusions

Access to HTC health facility alone does not translate into utilization of HTC service. Improving health facility related factors such as health education and information, confidentiality, health staff turnaround time and health staff-client relationship related to HTC will improve implementation.
Multiple local feature representations and their fusion based on an SVR model for iris recognition using optimized Gabor filters
Authors: He Fei , Liu Yuanning , Zhu Xiaodong , Huang Chun , Han Ye , Dong Hongxing
Published: June 2014

Gabor descriptors have been widely used in iris texture representations. However, fixed basic Gabor functions cannot match the changing nature of diverse iris datasets. Furthermore, a single form of iris feature cannot overcome difficulties in iris recognition, such as illumination variations, environmental conditions, and device variations. This paper provides multiple local feature representations and their fusion scheme based on a support vector regression (SVR) model for iris recognition using optimized Gabor filters. In our iris system, a particle swarm optimization (PSO)- and a Boolean particle swarm optimization (BPSO)-based algorithm is proposed to provide suitable Gabor filters for each involved test dataset without predefinition or manual modulation. Several comparative experiments on JLUBR-IRIS, CASIA-I, and CASIA-V4-Interval iris datasets are conducted, and the results show that our work can generate improved local Gabor features by using optimized Gabor filters for each dataset. In addition, our SVR fusion strategy may make full use of their discriminative ability to improve accuracy and reliability. Other comparative experiments show that our approach may outperform other popular iris systems.
Primary malignant chest wall tumors: analysis of 40 patients
Authors: Bagheri Reza , Haghi Seyed Ziaollah , Kalantari Mahmoud reza , Sharifian Attar Alireza , Salehi Maryam , Tabari Azadeh , Soudaneh Maliheh
Published: June 2014

Background

Primary chest wall tumors originate from different constructions of thoracic wall. We report our multidisciplinary experience on primary thoracic tumor resection and thoracic reconstruction, the need to additional therapy and evaluating prognostic factors affecting survival.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database of 40 patients treated for malignant primary chest wall tumor from 1989 to 2009. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, sex, clinical presentation, type of imaging, tissue diagnosis methods, pathology, surgical technique, early complications, hospital mortality, prevalence of recurrence and distant metastases, additional treatment, 3 years survival and factors affecting survival.

Results

Male/Female (F/M) = 1, with median age of 43.72 years. Mass was the most common symptoms and the soft tissue sarcoma was the most common pathology. Resection without reconstruction was performed in 5 patients and Thirty-five patients (87.5%) had extensive resection and reconstruction with rotatory muscular flap, prosthetic mesh and/or cement. Overall, 12.5% (5/40) of patients received neoadjuvant therapy and 75% (30/40) of patients were treated with adjuvant therapy. The 3-year survival rate was 65%. Recurrences occurred in 24 patients (60%), 14 developed local recurrences, and 10 developed distant metastases. The primary treatment modality for both local and distant recurrences was surgical resection; among them, 10 underwent repeated resection, 9 adjuvant therapy and 5 were treated with lung metastasectomy. The most common site of distant metastasis was lung (n = 7). Factors that affected survival were type of pathology and evidence of distant metastasis.

Conclusion

Surgery with wide margin is the safe and good technique for treatment of primary chest wall tumors with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
Lack of replication of higher genetic risk load in men than in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Alonso-Perez Elisa , Suarez-Gestal Marian , Calaza Manuel , Blanco Francisco J , Suarez Ana , Santos Maria Jose , Papasteriades Chryssa , Carreira Patricia , Pullmann Rudolf , Ordi-Ros Josep , Marchini Maurizio , Skopouli Fotini N , Bijl Marc , Barrizone Nadia , Sebastiani Gian Domenico , Migliaresi Sergio , Witte Torsten , Lauwerys Bernard R , Kovacs Attila , Ruzickova Sarka , Gomez-Reino Juan J , Gonzalez Antonio ,   for the European Consortium of SLE DNA Collections
Published: June 2014

Introduction

We aimed to replicate a recent study which showed higher genetic risk load at 15 loci in men than in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This difference was very significant, and it was interpreted as indicating that men require more genetic susceptibility than women to develop SLE.

Methods

Nineteen SLE-associated loci (thirteen of which are shared with the previous study) were analyzed in 1,457 SLE patients and 1,728 healthy controls of European ancestry. Genetic risk load was calculated as sex-specific sum genetic risk scores (GRSs).

Results

Our results did not replicate those of the previous study at either the level of individual loci or the global level of GRSs. GRSs were larger in women than in men (4.20 ± 1.07 in women vs. 3.27 ± 0.98 in men). This very significant difference (P < 10−16) was more dependent on the six new loci not included in the previous study (59% of the difference) than on the thirteen loci that are shared (the remaining 41%). However, the 13 shared loci also showed a higher genetic risk load in women than in men in our study (P = 6.6 × 10−7), suggesting that heterogeneity of participants, in addition to different loci, contributed to the opposite results.

Conclusion

Our results show the lack of a clear trend toward higher genetic risk in one of the sexes for the analyzed SLE loci. They also highlight several limitations of assessments of genetic risk load, including the possibility of ascertainment bias with loci discovered in studies that have included mainly women.
How Far Can We Go If We Keep Marching?
Authors: Smith Cauleen
Published: June 2014

From “Black Collectivities: A Conference,” held May 3–4, 2013, at Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator. This article combines remarks and images offered at the conference in response to a presentation by Claire Tancons with an article written for an unpublished collection, edited by filmmaker Mark Street, that ruminates on the city as a cinematic utopia. Both the conference and the book echoed concerns in Cauleen Smith’s current art practice, which involve collaboration with a high school marching band and her research into Sun Ra’s time in Chicago. Together the cinematic and the social relational threads highlight the complex roles of a filmmaker who engages her community and examines art’s political and creative stakes. Smith concludes that an artist must sometimes operate outside civil codes but that ethics are always in play.
El Anatsui: Art and Life
Authors: Sanyal Sunanda K.
Published: June 2014

Susan Mullin Vogel’s El Anatsui: Art and Life examines the artist’s recent studio practice and the bottle-top tapestries that have won him international acclaim. Vogel’s meticulous investigation of Anatsui’s experiment with medium and process and his commitment to nonfixed forms presents the metal sculptures as complex hybrid objects and the artist as a cultural nomad, escaping the static “African artist” identity for the global arena. But by focusing entirely on the bottle-top projects of the last decade, Vogel takes an equivocal position with regard to Anatsui’s creative identity and in the process succumbs to a naive view of “globalism” as an uncomplicated utopia.
It May Be Useful to Assume the Policeman’s Perspective Now and Then
Authors:   The Otolith Group (Kodwo Eshun and Anjali Sagar)
Published: June 2014

From “Black Collectivities: A Conference,” held May 3–4, 2013, at Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator. The text proceeds from the point of view of a fictional research consortium that seeks to leverage its role as a stakeholder in the aftermath of the earthquake, the tsunami, and the partial nuclear meltdown on March 11, 2011, on the northeastern coast of Japan. The consortium can be understood as a personification of the type of collective agent that constitutes the infrastructure of the global nuclear regime, as analyzed by the critic Sabu Kohso. The article adopts the perspective of a transnational scientific-corporate entity to unfold the implications of understanding the high scientific uncertainty of low-level radiation as a laboratory of financial and necropolitical calculation.
Notes on Creative Music and Collective Action
Authors: Corbett John
Published: June 2014

From “Black Collectivities: A Conference,” held May 3–4, 2013, at Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator. This article consists of a meditation on modes of self-organization within jazz and improvised music, with particular attention to the varieties of musical and social configuration. Starting with the concept of the solo and its place in ad hoc ensembles and in working bands, the article then considers other manifestations of organization in creative music, especially in a Chicago context, including the musicians’ unions and the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, ending with an exceptional example, the Sun Ra Arkestra.
The Artist Corporation and the Collective
Authors: Gates Theaster
Published: June 2014

From “Black Collectivities: A Conference,” held May 3–4, 2013, at Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator. After examining the vast structural responses to the need for collective organizing and synergistic effort, Gates has decided that the traditional corporation may offer us both relief and pleasure. His jest “I am fifteen corporations” is a declaration of radical business acumen (or foolishness) and a cry about the need for additional structures of inclusivity, including corporations. While examining the role of legal entities, Gates also posits the necessity for temporary and informal collectives, the gatherings that convene and dissolve around caring for places, things, and people. Referencing the archives housed at his Dorchester Projects, Gates discusses the collective in relationship to collections.
Yours in Blackness: Blocks, Corners, and Other Desire Settings
Authors: Crawford Romi
Published: June 2014

From “Black Collectivities: A Conference,” held May 3–4, 2013, at Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator. This article attends to the various loci that promote black collectivity. Often the instances of black collectivity it maps are physically grounded in a prime setting, such as “the corner” and “the block,” pointing to the possibility of new forms and formations that allow for conscious placing, burrowing, and settling. The work of Theaster Gates serves as a point of departure. The act of collecting can be interpreted as a deep structural expression in Gates’s Dorchester Projects and Black Cinema House, which involve various modes of collecting and collectivizing. Such activities may expose “soft collectivities,” which are informally construed, highly representational, and performative.
Shape-controlled Synthesis of CoNi2S4 Microstructures from Precursors: A Study of Their Catalytic Application to p-Nitrophenol Reduction
Authors: Wang Xian-Wen , Li Xiang-Zi , Wu Kong-Lin , Zhao Meng-Li , Yue Yao-Xiang , Cheng Juan , Ma Cheng-Cheng , Ming Jiang , Wei Xian-Wen
Published: June 2014

In this study, CoNi2S4 microstructures (CoNi2S4 MSs) with urchin-like and flower-like shapes were synthesized by a sacrificial template method based on the Kirkendall effect. The as-prepared CoNi2S4 MSs were used, for the first time, to catalyze the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) by NaBH4. A comparison experiment revealed that the flower-like CoNi2S4 MSs showed better catalytic activity for hydrogenation of PNP than the urchin-like CoNi2S4 MSs at room temperature. The improved catalytic activity of the CoNi2S4 MSs can be attributed to their unique structures under nearly the same sizes.
Hole Doping of Tin Bromide and Lead Bromide Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Semiconductors
Authors: Lorena Giancarlo S , Hasegawa Hiroyuki , Takahashi Yukihiro , Harada Jun , Inabe Tamotsu
Published: June 2014

Isomorphous layered A2MBr4 perovskite (A = C6H5C2H4NH3+ and C6H9C2H4NH3+; M = Sn and Pb) semiconductors with energy gaps of 2.5–2.9 eV were prepared. Though the as-grown A2MBr4 perovskites displayed lower conductivities than the iodide analogs, they were found to be spontaneously doped. Furthermore, we demonstrated that hole doping is effective in wide-ranging A2MX4 materials that have sizable valence and conduction bands with tunable band gaps, showing potential as soluble semiconductors.