bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Tai Chi on Cognition and Fall Risk in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sungkarat Somporn , Boripuntakul Sirinun , Chattipakorn Nipon , Watcharasaksilp Kanokwan , Lord Stephen R
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To examine whether combined center‐ and home‐based Tai Chi training can improve cognitive ability and reduce physiological fall risk in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a‐MCI).

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Participants

Adults aged 60 and older who met Petersen's criteria for multiple‐domain a‐MCI (N = 66).

Intervention

Three weeks center‐based and 12 weeks home‐based Tai Chi (50 minutes per session, 3 times per week).

Measurements

Cognitive tests, including Logical Memory (LM) delayed recall, Block Design, Digit Span forward and backward, and Trail‐Making Test Part B–A (TMT B–A), and fall risk index using the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA).

Results

At the end of the trial, performance on LM, Block Design, and TMT B–A were significantly better for the Tai Chi group than the control group after adjusting for baseline test performance. The Tai Chi group also had significantly better composite PPA score and PPA parameter scores: knee extension strength, reaction time, postural sway, and lower limb proprioception.

Conclusion

Combined center‐ and home‐based Tai Chi training three times per week for 15 weeks significantly improved cognitive function and moderately reduced physiological fall risk in older adults with multiple‐domain a‐MCI. Tai Chi may be particularly beneficial to older adults with this condition.
Nurses’ shift reports: a systematic literature search and critical review of qualitative field studies
Authors: Buus Niels , Hoeck Bente , Hamilton Bridget Elizabeth
Published: November 2016

Aims and objectives

To identify reporting practices that feature in studies of nurses’ shift reports across diverse nursing specialities. The objectives were to perform an exhaustive systematic literature search and to critically review the quality and findings of qualitative field studies of nurses’ shift reports.

Background

Nurses’ shift reports are routine occurrences in healthcare organisations that are viewed as crucial for patient outcomes, patient safety and continuity of care. Studies of communication between nurses attend primarily to 1:1 communication and analyse the adequacy and accuracy of patient information and feature handovers at the bedside. Still, verbal reports between groups of nurses about patients are commonplace. Shift reports are obvious sites for studying the situated accomplishment of professional nursing at the group level. This review is focused exclusively on qualitative field research for nuanced and contextualised insights into nurses’ everyday shift reporting practices.

Design

The study is a systematic literature search and critical review of qualitative field analyses of nurses’ shift reports. We searched in the databases CIHAHL, PubMed and PsycINFO and identified and reviewed 19 articles published 1992–2014. Data were systematically extracted using criteria for the evaluation of qualitative research reports.

Results

The studies described shift report practices and identified several factors contributing to distribution of clinical knowledge. Shift report practices were described as highly conventionalised and locally situated, but with occasional opportunities for improvisation and negotiation between nurses. Finally, shift reports were described as multifunctional meetings, with individual and social effects for nurses and teams.

Conclusion

Innovations in between‐shift communications can benefit from this analysis, by providing for the many functions of handovers that are revealed in field studies.

Relevance to clinical practice

Leaders and practising nurses may consider what are the best opportunities for nurses to work up clinical knowledge and negotiate care.
Mothers’ experience of not breastfeeding in a breastfeeding culture
Authors: Hvatum Ingjerd , Glavin Kari
Published: November 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe women's experience of not breastfeeding in a breastfeeding culture.

Background

Breastfeeding represents a fundamental cultural value in Norway and many other countries, and a mother may often have intense emotions about breastfeeding her child. Political and health authorities in many countries have given high priority to encourage breastfeeding among mothers. However, breastfeeding can be challenging and sometimes affects mothers’ mental health and the joy of interaction.

Design

Qualitative design.

Methods

Individual semistructured interviews with 12 mothers. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

Results

Three main categories emerged from the data: (1) desire to adapt to Norwegian culture, (2) feeling as though one was breaking the law and (3) lack of and unbalanced information. The mothers in this study wanted to breastfeed, both to do the best for their child and to fulfil cultural expectations. They knew about the advantages of breastfeeding. When breastfeeding was stopped, they needed social support because they felt it was difficult to do the opposite of what was most common in the culture.

Conclusion

Healthcare workers should consider the mother's individual situation when providing breastfeeding guidance. Information about the advantages should be adequately balanced and nuanced to prevent shame and guilt. Healthcare workers should have sufficient knowledge about how to ensure that infant formula is used correctly.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare workers should pay attention to the mother if she has limited social support, and they should organise peer support. Healthcare workers must ensure that mothers get balanced information about the benefits of breastfeeding and about the differences between breastmilk and infant formula. To ensure that infant formula is used correctly and to reduce stigma, healthcare workers should have sufficient knowledge about formula feeding and health authorities could provide information about how to prepare infant formula.
Patients’ self‐perceived burden, caregivers’ burden and quality of life for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Geng Dan , Ou RuWei , Miao XiaoHui , Zhao LiHong , Wei QianQian , Chen XuePing , Liang Yan , Shang HuiFang , Yang Rong
Published: November 2016

Aims and objectives

This study surveys the quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and the factors associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients’ self‐perceived burden and their caregivers’ burden.

Background

Burdens of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers in Chinese population are largely unknown.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 81 pairs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and their caregivers.

Methods

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients’ self‐perceived burden and caregivers’ burden were assessed by the Self‐Perceived Burden Scale and Zarit‐Burden Interview, respectively. Quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life‐Bref. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale‐Revised questionnaire was used to estimate patients’ physical function.

Results

Both patients and caregivers reported a mild to moderate burden. The World Health Organization quality of life‐Bref scores were decreased in respondents with lower amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale‐Revised, higher Self‐Perceived Burden Scale and higher Zarit‐Burden Interview scores. Self‐Perceived Burden Scale scores were associated with patients’ knowledge of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respiratory function and female sex. Zarit‐Burden Interview scores were associated with caregivers’ age, patients’ motor function and out‐of‐pocket payment.

Conclusion

With increase in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients’ self‐perceived burden and caregivers’ burden, quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients decreased. Female patients, who had known more about the disease, and those with severe respiratory dysfunction were subject to higher self‐perceived burden. Older caregivers and caregivers of patients with severe motor dysfunction and more out‐of‐pocket payment experienced more care burdens.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our study suggests that paying more attention to female amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients might benefit patients in China or other South‐East Asian countries under the Confucian concept of ethics. There is an urgent demand to expand medical insurance coverage to cover amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China and other developing countries. Long and adequate supports are needed for relieving caregiver's burden. To improve the quality of life of patients, relieving the patients’ SBP and caregivers’ burden is likely to be not only required, but also essential.
Patient‐ and family‐centred care in the intensive care unit: a challenge in the daily practice of healthcare professionals
Authors: van Mol Margo MC , Boeter Trudi GW , Verharen Lisbeth , Kompanje Erwin JO , Bakker Jan , Nijkamp Marjan D
Published: November 2016

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the impact of supportive interventions perceived by both the intensive care unit patients’ relatives and the healthcare providers, such as deferred intake interviews for providing information and discussing the emotional impacts, encouragement to keep a diary, and the introduction of weekly psychosocial rounds, on the perceptions of relatives of patients in the intensive care unit.

Background

Patient‐ and family‐centred care is gaining interest, with a shift from provider‐centric norms to care arranged around patients’ and relatives individual beliefs and needs. This is expected to have a positive influence on the quality of care. Communication is one of the most important factors impacting the perceived quality of care in the intensive care unit from the perspective of patients’ relatives. New interventions have been introduced to help the patients’ relatives to meet their communication needs.

Design

A time‐trend quantitative design.

Methods

Two convenience samples of relatives were included (in 2012 and 2013) in four different intensive care units from a large university medical centre in the Netherlands.

Results

Survey data from 211 relatives (75% net response rate in 2012) and 123 relatives (66% net response rate in 2013) were used for the analysis. The second measurement showed significant improvements regarding informational aspects of care, clarification of roles in participatory caretaking and shared decision‐making.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the additional support offered to patients’ relatives increased perceived quality of care, particularly with respect to informational needs. However, patient‐ and family‐centred care still requires a change in the mindset of healthcare professionals. This new point of view should overcome perceived barriers and foster a culture of partnership with patients’ relatives in the intensive care unit.

Relevance to clinical practice

Training in providing psychosocial support for the needs of relatives leads to a stronger perception of patient‐centredness.
An update on the current management of head and neck mucosal melanoma
Authors: Green Ben , Elhamshary Ahmed , Gomez Ricardo , Rahimi Siavash , Brennan Peter A.
Published: November 2016

Primary mucosal melanomas of the head and neck are rare and aggressive tumours that arise in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and more rarely in the oral cavity. The current treatment options include radical surgical resection with adjuvant external beam radiotherapy being offered in high‐risk patients. Although the latter can improve regional control, it does not reduce overall survival. Elective neck dissection is recommended for nodular oral mucosal melanoma, but its role in the clinically node negative neck is controversial. Systemic therapies including the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for tumours with c‐KIT mutations are suitable for patients with advanced loco‐regional and/or metastatic disease, but current results are variable. Patients with head and neck mucosal melanoma have a poor prognosis due to the high incidence of metastatic disease. This review assesses the latest evidence in the diagnosis and management of primary oral and head and neck mucosal melanoma including details of systemic therapies.
Hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhounds and its Association with Hypofolatemia and Other Clinicopathologic Variables
Authors: Heilmann R.M. , Grützner N. , Iazbik M. C. , Lopes R. , Bridges C.S. , Suchodolski J.S. , Couto C. G. , Steiner J.M.
Published: November 2016

Background

Folate and cobalamin are essential cofactors for homocysteine (HCY) metabolism. Hyperhomocysteinemia, a multifactorial condition, may reflect B vitamin deficiency and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, and neurodegenerative and chronic gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been reported in Greyhounds with suspected chronic enteropathy.

Objectives

To evaluate the frequencies of and the association between hypofolatemia and hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhounds.

Animals

Data and serum samples from 559 Greyhounds.

Methods

Nested case‐control study. The frequency of hypofolatemia in Greyhounds was determined by a laboratory database search. The relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia (measured by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry) and hypocobalaminemia and hypofolatemia was evaluated, and its frequency compared between healthy Greyhounds and Greyhounds with thrombosis or chronic diarrhea.

Results

Hypofolatemia was identified in 172 of 423 (41%) Greyhounds and was more common in hypo‐ than in normocobalaminemic dogs (49% vs. 35%; P = .0064). Hyperhomocysteinemia was detected in 53 of 78 (68%) of Greyhounds, being more common in hypo‐ than in normofolatemic dogs (88% vs. 59%; P = .0175). All healthy Greyhounds, 21 of 30 (70%) of dogs with chronic diarrhea and 6 of 8 (75%) of those with thrombosis, were hyperhomocysteinemic. Serum HCY concentrations were inversely correlated with serum folate concentration (ρ = −0.28; P = .0386) and were positively associated with serum albumin concentration (ρ = 0.66; P = .0022).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Hyperhomocysteinemia occurs frequently in the Greyhound population. Its association with hypofolatemia suggests decreased intracellular availability of B vitamins, but the functional implications warrant further investigation. Hyperhomocysteinemia in Greyhounds potentially may serve as a spontaneous canine model to further investigate hyperhomocysteinemia in humans.
PROFIT SHARING IN HEDGE FUNDS
Authors: He Xue Dong , Kou Steven
Published: November 2016

In a new scheme for hedge fund managerial compensation known as the first‐loss scheme, a fund manager uses her investment in the fund to cover any fund losses first; by contrast, in the traditional scheme currently used in most US funds, the manager does not cover investors' losses in the fund. We propose a framework based on cumulative prospect theory to compute and compare the trading strategies, fund risk, and managers' and investors' utilities in these two schemes analytically. The model is calibrated to the historical attrition rates of US hedge funds. We find that with reasonable parameter values, both fund managers' and investors' utilities can be improved and fund risk can be reduced simultaneously by replacing the traditional scheme (with 10% internal capital and 20% performance fee) with a first‐loss scheme (with 10% first‐loss capital and 30% performance fee). When the performance fee in the first‐loss scheme is 40% (a current market practice), however, such substitution renders investors worse off.
Pregnant women's perceptions of gestational weight gain: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative research
Authors: Vanstone Meredith , Kandasamy Sujane , Giacomini Mita , DeJean Deirdre , McDonald Sarah D.
Published: November 2016

Excess gestational weight gain has numerous negative health outcomes for women and children, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cesarean section (maternal) and high birth weight, trauma at birth, and asphyxia (infants). Excess weight gain in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of long‐term obesity in both mothers and children. Despite a concerted public health effort, the proportion of pregnant women gaining weight in excess of national guidelines continues to increase. To understand this phenomenon and offer suggestions for improving interventions, we conducted a systematic review of qualitative research on pregnant women's perceptions and experiences of weight gain in pregnancy. We used the methodology of qualitative meta‐synthesis to analyze 42 empirical qualitative research studies conducted in high‐income countries and published between 2005 and 2015. With this synthesis, we provide an account of the underlying factors and circumstances (barriers, facilitators, and motivators) that pregnant women identify as important for appropriate weight gain. We also offer a description of the strategies identified by pregnant women as acceptable and appropriate ways to promote healthy weight gain. Through our integrative analysis, we identify women's common perception on the struggle to enact health behaviors and physical, social, and environmental factors outside of their control. Effective and sensitive interventions to encourage healthy weight gain in pregnancy must consider the social environment in which decisions about weight take place.
Inferring contemporary and historical genetic connectivity from juveniles
Authors: Feutry Pierre , Berry Oliver , Kyne Peter M. , Pillans Richard D. , Hillary Richard M. , Grewe Peter M. , Marthick James R. , Johnson Grant , Gunasekera Rasanthi M. , Bax Nicholas J. , Bravington Mark
Published: November 2016

Measuring population connectivity is a critical task in conservation biology. While genetic markers can provide reliable long‐term historical estimates of population connectivity, scientists are still limited in their ability to determine contemporary patterns of gene flow, the most practical time frame for management. Here, we tackled this issue by developing a new approach that only requires juvenile sampling at a single time period. To demonstrate the usefulness of our method, we used the Speartooth shark (Glyphis glyphis), a critically endangered species of river shark found only in tropical northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. Contemporary adult and juvenile shark movements, estimated with the spatial distribution of kin pairs across and within three river systems, was contrasted with historical long‐term connectivity patterns, estimated from mitogenomes and genome‐wide SNP data. We found strong support for river fidelity in juveniles with the within‐cohort relationship analysis. Male breeding movements were highlighted with the cross‐cohort relationship analysis, and female reproductive philopatry to the river systems was revealed by the mitogenomic analysis. We show that accounting for juvenile river fidelity and female philopatry is important in population structure analysis and that targeted sampling in nurseries and juvenile aggregations should be included in the genomic toolbox of threatened species management.
The lek mating system of the worm pipefish (Nerophis lumbriciformis): a molecular maternity analysis and test of the phenotype‐linked fertility hypothesis
Authors: Monteiro N. M. , Carneiro D. , Antunes A. , Queiroz N. , Vieira M. N. , Jones A. G.
Published: November 2016

The origin and maintenance of mating preferences continues to be an important and controversial topic in sexual selection research. Leks and lek‐like mating systems, where individuals gather in particular spots for the sole purpose of mate choice, are particularly puzzling, because the strong directional selection imposed by mate choice should erode genetic variation among competing individuals and negate any benefit for the choosing sex. Here, we take advantage of the lek‐like mating system of the worm pipefish (Nerophis lumbriciformis) to test the phenotype‐linked fertility hypothesis for the maintenance of mating preferences. We use microsatellite markers to perform a parentage analysis, along with a mark–recapture study, to confirm that the worm pipefish has an unusual mating system that strongly resembles a female lek, where females display and males visit the lek to choose mates. Our results show that the most highly ornamented females occupy positions near the centre of the breeding area, and males mating with these females receive fuller broods with larger eggs compared to males mating with less‐ornamented females. We also conduct a laboratory experiment to show that female ornaments are condition‐dependent and honestly signal reproductive potential. Overall, these results are consistent with the predictions of a sex‐independent version of the phenotype‐linked fertility hypothesis, as male preference for female ornaments correlates with fertility benefits.
Number needed to eat: pizza and resident conference attendance
Authors: Cosimini Michael J , Mackintosh Liza , Chang Todd P
Published: November 2016

The didactic conference is a common part of the resident education curriculum. Given the demands of clinical responsibilities and restrictions on duty hours, maximising education is a challenge faced by all residency programmes. To date, little research exists with respect to how the provision of complimentary food affects physician and resident conference attendance. The objective of this study was to determine whether complimentary food improves resident arrival times and attendance at educational conferences and, furthermore, to test whether this provision is a potentially cost‐effective tool for improving education. A retrospective review of 36 resident educational Friday noon conferences, including 1043 resident arrivals, was performed. Data were analysed for total attendance, arrival times, number needed to eat (NNE) and the percentage of residents arriving on time, and compared between days on which food was and was not provided. Median attendance was 3.7% higher (p = 0.04) on days on which food was provided, at a cost of US$46 for each additional resident in attendance. Arrival times were also statistically significantly improved when food was provided, with a median improvement of 0.7 minutes (p = 0.02) and an 11.0% increase in on‐time arrivals (p < 0.001). The NNE was 10.6. Complimentary food improves both attendance and arrival times by a small, but statistically significant, degree. The provision of complimentary food can be considered as an incentive for attendance and on‐time arrival at didactic educational sessions, although more cost‐effective modalities may exist.
The 10 most wanted test cheaters in medical education
Authors: Royal Kenneth , Hedgpeth Marian‐Wells , Mulkey Jamie , Fremer John
Published: November 2016

This paper takes on a list of the 10 most wanted test cheaters comparable with ‘most wanted’ lists used by law enforcement agencies to bring attention to the issue of test cheating in medical education. The research provides an overview of test cheating in modern medical education, presents a typology of common cheaters, and provides guidelines for the prevention and detection of cheating.
Oral hairy leukoplakia in an immunocompetent patient: a case report
Authors: O'Brien K. , Qudairat E. , Napier S.
Published: November 2016

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is a viral infection of the oral mucosa which most dental practitioners will associate with patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The condition can also present in patients who are immunocompromised without HIV infection such as steroid use or organ transplant. This article presents a case of OHL in a patient who was not immunocompromised and which healed spontaneously following biopsy only. While perhaps surprising, this occurrence may not seemingly be rare and is one of which dentists should be aware of as it appears to be age related. With an increasing ageing population, this may become a more frequent presentation and highlights the importance of clinic‐pathological correlation when presenting patients with the results of laboratory investigations.
Maternal dietary intake in pregnancy and lactation and allergic disease outcomes in offspring
Authors: Venter Carina , Brown Kari R. , Maslin Kate , Palmer Debra J.
Published: November 2016

As the prevalence of allergic disease dramatically rises worldwide, prevention strategies are increasingly being considered. Given the potential modulatory effect of nutritional factors on disease, altering maternal diet during pregnancy and/or lactation has been considered in preventing allergic disease in offspring. Although there are a number of observational studies that have examined possible associations between maternal diet and allergic outcomes in offspring, interventional trials are limited. Furthermore, there is a paucity of studies that have prospectively studied maternal dietary intake as well as measuring maternal and infant biologic samples (blood, urine, breast milk) and their relation to allergic outcomes in infants. There is also a particular need to define terminology such as ‘fruit and vegetables intake’, ‘healthy diet’, and ‘diet diversity’ in order to make studies comparable. In this review, we discuss current evidence of maternal dietary factors during pregnancy and/or lactation that may play a role in the offspring developing allergic disease, including factors such as overall dietary intake patterns, specific whole food consumption (fish, fruit and vegetables, and common allergic foods), and individual immunomodulatory nutrient intakes. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of previous studies and propose improvements to study design for future investigation.
Nail Psoriasis: A Systematic Evaluation in 313 Children with Psoriasis
Authors: Pourchot Diane , Bodemer Christine , Phan Alice , Bursztejn Anne‐Claire , Hadj‐Rabia Smaïl , Boralevi Franck , Miquel Juliette , Hubiche Thomas , Puzenat Eve , Souillet Anne‐Laure , Kupfer Ingrid , Piram Maryam , Beauchet Alain , Mahé Emmanuel ,   Groupe de Recherche de la Société Française de Dermatologie Pédiatrique
Published: November 2016

Background/Objectives

Little information is available on the prevalence and clinical aspects of nail involvement in children with psoriasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical aspects of and the risk factors for nail involvement in French children with psoriasis.

Methods

We performed a multicenter, cross‐sectional study in 23 French dermatology centers. All children seen during the 1‐year study were systematically included. Clinical features of the nails were collected. Association with clinical aspects of the disease and comorbidities were evaluated.

Results

Of 313 children with psoriasis (mean age 9.1 ± 4.2 yrs; 149 boys, 164 girls), 31.1% had familial psoriasis and 30% had severe psoriasis. The mean age at onset was 6.1 ± 3.7 years. Nails were involved in 32.3% of children. The main clinical aspects were pitting (69.1%) for fingernails and onycholysis (40.0%) and pachyonychia (27.5%) for toenails. All of the fingers were involved at similar frequencies, whereas the big toe was involved twice as often as the others (p < 0.005). Nail involvement was associated with male sex (p < 0.001), palmoplantar psoriatic (p < 0.001), severity of disease (p = 0.003), and psoriatic arthritis (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The prevalence of nail involvement was 32.3% in children with psoriasis. Clinical aspects in children are reported, as well as clinical associations. As in adults, nail psoriasis is closely associated with psoriatic arthritis.
Follicular Psoriasis: Differentiation from Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris—An Illustrative Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Nguyen Cuong V. , Farah Ronda S. , Maguiness Sheilagh M. , Miller Daniel D.
Published: November 2016

The follicular presentation of psoriasis is a well‐described but uncommon variant. In some cases, follicular psoriasis may clinically and histopathologically mimic pityriasis rubra pilaris. There are several reports discussing the resemblance of widespread follicular psoriasis in children to pityriasis rubra pilaris. We describe a case of follicular psoriasis in a 16‐year‐old black girl with acrally distributed follicular hyperkeratotic papules with associated keratoderma of her plantar surfaces resembling pityriasis rubra pilaris.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies Used by Patients of Pediatric Dermatology Outpatient Clinics in Turkey: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Can Burce , Akan Hülya , Topaloglu Demir Filiz , Zindanci Ilkin , Cebeci Filiz , Turkoglu Zafer , Kavala Mukaddes
Published: November 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods used in children and adolescents with chronic skin diseases, which methods parents prefer, and to what extent these methods are useful.

Material and methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted between June and November 2014 in patients with chronic skin diseases attending the outpatient pediatric dermatology clinics of three hospitals in Turkey. Data were collected using self‐administered questionnaires from the parents of the patients.

Results

A total of 307 patients were included in the study, 168 (54.7%) of whom were female and 139 (45.3%) male. The mean age was 12.3 ± 4.3 years. Eighty of the children (26.1%) had used CAM methods in the previous year. Longer disease duration and having a father with at least a university degree were highly associated with CAM use (p < 0.05). The most used method was herbal remedies available at home. Most patients used CAM methods to support the primary treatment given by their dermatologists. Only eight CAM users (2.6%) reported any side effects. Thirty‐nine (48.8%) did not mention CAM use to their doctors. The overall satisfaction rate was 4.5 ± 3.1 on a 10‐point rating scale.

Conclusion

CAM use rates are high in children with chronic skin problems, and parents generally prefer herbal treatments. Satisfaction with the results of CAM use is moderate. Parents generally do not share CAM use information with their doctors unless they are asked.
Adult attachment and perceptions of closeness
Authors: HUDSON NATHAN W. , FRALEY R. CHRIS
Published: November 2016

An online sample of more than 150,000 participants was used to examine whether—in addition to predicting how much intimacy people want—attachment styles also predict how people define and perceive intimacy. Results indicated that, as compared with relatively secure individuals, people with high levels of attachment anxiety required more time, affection, and self‐disclosure to construe a relationship as “close.” Additionally, anxious individuals perceived less intimacy in relationship vignettes than did their less anxious peers. In contrast, highly avoidant individuals required less time, affection, and self‐disclosure to define a relationship as “close,” and they perceived more intimacy in vignettes than did their more secure peers. These findings indicate that people who are relatively anxious not only want more intimacy in their relationships, but they are also less likely to perceive intimacy, as compared with their less anxious peers. Conversely, people high in avoidance not only want less intimacy, but they are also more sensitive to its presence, as compared with their less avoidant peers.
Social Media: How One City Opens the Evidence Black Box
Authors: Kagarise Warren , Zavattaro Staci M.
Published: November 2016

Related Content: Isett, Head and VanLandingham (PAR July/August 2017)

Related Content: Mergel (PAR July/August 2017)
Application of the Fisher's “Horizon Viewshed” to a proposed power transmission line in Nozzano (Italy)
Authors: Fontani Federico
Published: November 2016

Visibility algorithms have progressed very little since early GIS software, and today the typical approach is still based on the simple binary logic (visible – not visible). Specialized packages, such as Esri's 3DAnalyst, provide tools able only to identify the cells from which an observer can see the evaluated target object. This technical note presents an experimental approach to combining different Esri tools into a model in order to return the visibility analysis based on the Fisher's “horizon viewshed” approach (Fisher, ). The latter consists in evaluating whether an object in the landscape rises above the skyline or remains below it. The model has been applied to study the visual impact of an High Voltage Power line in the area of Nozzano Castle, Lucca (Italy).
Biosynthesis of the psychotropic plant diterpene salvinorin A: Discovery and characterization of the Salvia divinorum clerodienyl diphosphate synthase
Authors: Pelot Kyle A. , Mitchell Rod , Kwon Moonhyuk , Hagelthorn Lynne M. , Wardman Jacob F. , Chiang Angela , Bohlmann Jörg , Ro Dae‐Kyun , Zerbe Philipp
Published: November 2016

Salvia divinorum commonly known as diviner's sage, is an ethnomedicinal plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Salvia divinorum is rich in clerodane‐type diterpenoids, which accumulate predominantly in leaf glandular trichomes. The main bioactive metabolite, salvinorin A, is the first non‐nitrogenous natural compound known to function as an opioid‐receptor agonist, and is undergoing clinical trials for potential use in treating neuropsychiatric diseases and drug addictions. We report here the discovery and functional characterization of two S. divinorum diterpene synthases (diTPSs), the ent‐copalyl diphosphate (ent‐CPP) synthase SdCPS1, and the clerodienyl diphosphate (CLPP) synthase SdCPS2. Mining of leaf‐ and trichome‐specific transcriptomes revealed five diTPSs, two of which are class II diTPSs (SdCPS1‐2) and three are class I enzymes (SdKSL1‐3). Of the class II diTPSs, transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana identified SdCPS1 as an ent‐CPP synthase, which is prevalent in roots and, together with SdKSL1, exhibits a possible dual role in general and specialized metabolism. In vivo co‐expression and in vitro assays combined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis identified SdCPS2 as a CLPP synthase. A role of SdCPS2 in catalyzing the committed step in salvinorin A biosynthesis is supported by its biochemical function, trichome‐specific expression and absence of additional class II diTPSs in S. divinorum. Structure‐guided mutagenesis revealed four catalytic residues that enabled the re‐programming of SdCPS2 activity to afford four distinct products, thus advancing our understanding of how neo‐functionalization events have shaped the array of different class II diTPS functions in plants, and may promote synthetic biology platforms for a broader spectrum of diterpenoid bioproducts.
USE OF A NOVEL BOARD GAME IN A CLINICAL ROTATION FOR LEARNING THORACIC DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES IN VETERINARY MEDICAL IMAGING
Authors: Ober Christopher P.
Published: November 2016

When confronted with various findings on thoracic radiographs, fourth‐year veterinary students often have difficulty generating appropriate lists of differential diagnoses. The purpose of this one‐group, pretest, posttest experimental study was to determine if a game could be used as an adjunct teaching method to improve students’ understanding of connections between imaging findings and differential diagnoses. A novel board game focusing on differential diagnoses in thoracic radiography was developed. One hundred fourth‐year veterinary students took a brief pretest, played the board game, and took a brief posttest as a part of their respective clinical radiology rotations. Pretest results were compared to posttest results using a paired t‐test to determine if playing the game impacted student understanding. Students’ mean scores on the posttest were significantly higher than mean pretest scores (P < 0.0001). Thus, results indicate that playing the board game resulted in improved short‐term understanding of thoracic differential diagnoses by fourth‐year students, and use of the board game on a clinical rotation seems to be a beneficial part of the learning process.
Explanation and Elaboration Document for the STROBE‐Vet Statement: Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – Veterinary Extension
Authors: O'Connor A. M. , Sargeant J. M. , Dohoo I. R. , Erb H. N. , Cevallos M. , Egger M. , Ersbøll A. K. , Martin S. W. , Nielsen L. R. , Pearl D. L. , Pfeiffer D. U. , Sanchez J. , Torrence M. E. , Vigre H. , Waldner C. , Ward M. P.
Published: November 2016

The STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) statement was first published in 2007 and again in 2014. The purpose of the original STROBE was to provide guidance for authors, reviewers and editors to improve the comprehensiveness of reporting; however, STROBE has a unique focus on observational studies. Although much of the guidance provided by the original STROBE document is directly applicable, it was deemed useful to map those statements to veterinary concepts, provide veterinary examples and highlight unique aspects of reporting in veterinary observational studies. Here, we present the examples and explanations for the checklist items included in the STROBE‐Vet Statement. Thus, this is a companion document to the STROBE‐Vet Statement Methods and process document, which describes the checklist and how it was developed.
An integrative approach to the evolution of shrimps of the genus Palaemon (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)
Authors: Carvalho Fabrício L. , De Grave Sammy , Mantelatto Fernando L.
Published: November 2016

Shrimps of the genus Palaemon Weber, 1795 comprise of 86 species with a wide morphological and ecological variability along the tropical and temperate regions. Studies based on molecular data have indicated that despite a recent taxonomic rearrangement, it may remain not monophyletic. On the other hand, cladistic, morphological analyses have suggested the presence of synapomorphies, implying a natural status for the genus. In this work, a broad taxonomic and molecular sampling is applied to verify whether Palaemon is a monophyletic taxon and, based on the recovered phylogeny, identify geographical and morphological patterns related to the lineages. Partial sequences of 16S rRNA, histone H3 and 18S rRNA from 60 species of Palaemon and 15 species from other genera of Palaemonidae were analysed. In addition, previously used characters as well as novel diagnostic characters were scrutinized. The present phylogeny indicates that the species of Palaemon fall into three distinct lineages and that the colonization of America and Europe likely occurred multiple times. Morphological characters allow for the identification of at least four monophyletic groups in Palaemon; two of which are monospecific at the moment. Based on the present results, it may become necessary to establish two new genera (to accommodate Palaemon concinnus and Palaemon mercedae, respectively), as well as re‐erect the genus Alaocaris Holthuis, 1949 for Palaemon antrorum, potentially including a further six American species.
Noise filtering for accurate measurement of line edge roughness and critical dimension from SEM images
Authors: Li Dehua , Guo Rui , Lee Soo-Young , Choi Jin , Kim Seom-Beom , Park Sung-Hoon , Shin In-Kyun , Jeon Chan-Uk
Published: November 2016

Measurements of the line edge roughness (LER) and critical dimension (CD) from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images are often required for analyzing circuit patterns transferred onto substrate systems. A common approach is to employ image processing techniques to detect feature boundaries from which the LER and CD are computed. SEM images usually contain a significant level of noise which affects the accuracy of measured LER and CD. This requires reducing the noise level by a certain type of low-pass filter before detecting feature boundaries. However, a low-pass filter also tends to destroy the boundary detail. Therefore, a careful selection of low-pass filter is necessary in order to achieve the high accuracy of LER and CD measurements. In this paper, a practical method to design a Gaussian filter for reducing the noise level in SEM images is proposed. The method utilizes the information extracted from a given SEM image in adaptively determining the sharpness and size of a Gaussian filter. The results from analyzing the effectiveness of the Gaussian filter designed by the proposed method are provided.
Delayed photo-emission model for beam optics codes
Authors: Jensen Kevin L. , Petillo John J. , Panagos Dimitrios N. , Ovtchinnikov Serguei , Moody Nathan A.
Published: November 2016

Future advanced light sources and x-ray free electron lasers require fast response from the photocathode to enable short electron pulse durations as well as pulse shaping, and so the ability to model delays in emission is needed for beam optics codes. The development of a time-dependent emission model accounting for delayed photoemission due to transport and scattering is given, and its inclusion in the particle-in-cell code MICHELLE results in changes to the pulse shape that are described. The model is applied to pulse elongation of a bunch traversing an rf injector, and to the smoothing of laser jitter on a short pulse.
Virtual Ray Tracing as a Conceptual Tool for Image Formation in Mirrors and Lenses
Authors: Heikkinen Lasse , Savinainen Antti , Saarelainen Markku
Published: November 2016

The ray tracing method is widely used in teaching geometrical optics at the upper secondary and university levels. However, using simple and straightforward examples may lead to a situation in which students use the model of ray tracing too narrowly. Previous studies show that students seem to use the ray tracing method too concretely instead of as a conceptual model. This suggests that introductory physics students need to understand the nature of the ray model more profoundly. In this paper, we show how a virtual ray tracing model can be used as a tool for image formation in more complex and unconventional cases. We believe that this tool has potential in helping students to better appreciate the nature of the ray model.
The Wire Balance
Authors: Oostra Benjamin
Published: November 2016

I describe an easy-to-build instrument for illustrating the Lorentz force and measuring magnetic fields in introductory physics labs.
On the inflation of a rubber balloon
Authors: Vandermarlière Julien
Published: November 2016

It is a well-known fact that it is difficult to start a balloon inflating. But after a pressure peak that occurs initially, it becomes far easier to do it! The purpose of this article is to establish the experimental pressure-radius chart for a rubber balloon and to compare it to the theoretical one. We will demonstrate that the barometer of a smartphone is a very suitable tool to reach this goal. We hope that this phenomenon will help students realize that sometimes very simple questions can lead to very interesting and counterintuitive science.
Curvature of spacetime: A simple student activity
Authors: Wood Monika , Smith Warren , Jackson Matthew
Published: November 2016

The following is a description of an inexpensive and simple student experiment for measuring the differences between the three types of spacetime topology—Euclidean (flat), Riemann (spherical), and Lobachevskian (saddle) curvatures. It makes use of commonly available tools and materials, and requires only a small amount of construction. The experiment applies to astronomical topics such as gravity, spacetime, general relativity, as well as geometry and mathematics.
Detection of fricatives using S-transform
Authors: Vydana Hari Krishna , Vuppala Anil Kumar
Published: November 2016

Two prime acoustic characteristics of fricatives are the concentration of spectral energy above 3 kHz and having noisy nature. Spectral domain approaches for detecting fricatives rely on capturing the information from spectral energy distribution. In this work, S-transform based time-frequency representation is explored for detecting fricatives from continuous speech. S-transform based time-frequency representation exhibits a progressive resolution which is tailored for localizing the high frequency events (i.e., onset and offset of fricative regions) with time. Spectral evidence computed from S-transform based time-frequency representation is observed to perform better compared to the spectral evidence computed from short time Fourier transform. The existing predictability measure based approach relies on capturing the noisy nature of fricatives. A phone level comparative analysis is carried out between S-transform and predictability measure based approaches and the phone distribution of the detected fricatives is observed to be complimentary. In this work, a combination of S-transform and predictability based approaches is put forth for detecting fricatives from continuous speech. Apart from detecting the presence of a fricative, the proposed S-transform based approach and combined approach exhibit better accuracy in detecting the boundaries of fricatives, i.e., extracting the durational information of fricatives.
Vibration analysis of coupled conical-cylindrical-spherical shells using a Fourier spectral element method
Authors: Su Zhu , Jin Guoyong
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a Fourier spectral element method (FSEM) to analyze the free vibration of conical-cylindrical-spherical shells with arbitrary boundary conditions. Cylindrical-conical and cylindrical-spherical shells as special cases are also considered. In this method, each fundamental shell component (i.e., cylindrical, conical, and spherical shells) is divided into appropriate elements. The variational principle in conjunction with first-order shear deformation shell theory is employed to model the shell elements. Since the displacement and rotation components of each element are expressed as a linear superposition of nodeless Fourier sine functions and nodal Lagrangian polynomials, the global equations of the coupled shell structure can be obtained by adopting the assembly procedure. The Fourier sine series in the displacement field is introduced to enhance the accuracy and convergence of the solution. Numerical results show that the FSEM can be effectively applied to vibration analysis of the coupled shell structures. Numerous results for coupled shell structures with general boundary conditions are presented. Furthermore, the effects of geometric parameters and boundary conditions on the frequencies are investigated.
Cognitive Predictors of Performance in Well-Trained Table Tennis Players With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Van Biesen Debbie , Mactavish Jennifer , Kerremans Janne , Vanlandewijck Yves C.
Published: November 2016

Evidence-based classification systems in Paralympic sport require knowledge of the underlying effect of impairment in a specific sport. This study investigated the relationship between cognition and tactical proficiency in 88 well-trained table tennis players with intellectual disability (ID; 29 women, 59 men, M ± SD IQ 59.9 ± 9.6). Data were collected at 3 competitions sanctioned by the International Federation for Para-Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities (INAS). A generic cognitive test consisting of 8 neuropsychological subtests was used to assess cognitive abilities relevant to sport (reaction time, processing speed, and decision speed; spatial visualization; fluid reasoning; memory; executive functioning; and visual processing). The backward stepwise-regression analysis model revealed that 18% of the variance in tactical proficiency was attributed to spatial visualization and simple reaction time. Applications of these findings resulted in an evidence-based classification system that led to the reinclusion of athletes with ID in Paralympic table tennis and provide the basis for future research in this important area.