bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of vitamin C with the risk of age‐related cataract: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wei Lin , Liang Ge , Cai Chunmei , Lv Jin
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Whether vitamin C is a protective factor for age‐related cataract remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis to summarize the evidence from epidemiological studies of vitamin C and the risk of age‐related cataract.

Methods

Pertinent studies were identified by searching in PubMed and in Webscience. The random effect model was used to combine the results. Meta‐regression and subgroups analyses were used to explore potential sources of between‐study heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated using Egger's regression asymmetry test.

Results

Finally, 15 articles with 20 studies for vitamin C intake and eight articles with 10 studies for serum ascorbate were included in this meta‐analysis. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval of cataract for the highest versus the lowest category of vitamin C intake was 0.814 (0.707–0.938), and the associations were significant in America and Asia. Significant association of cataract risk with highest versus the lowest category of serum ascorbate was found in general [0.704 (0.564–0.879)]. Inverse associations were also found between serum ascorbate and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract.

Conclusions

Higher vitamin C intake and serum ascorbate might be inversely associated with risk of cataract. Vitamin C intake should be advocated for the primary prevention of cataract.
Cortical motor output decreases after neuromuscular fatigue induced by electrical stimulation of the plantar flexor muscles
Authors: Alexandre F. , Derosiere G. , Papaiordanidou M. , Billot M. , Varray A.
Published: March 2015

Aim

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) causes early onset of neuromuscular fatigue. Peripheral electrophysiological explorations suggest that supra‐spinal alterations are involved through sensitive afferent pathways. As sensory input is projected over the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), S1 area involvement in inhibiting the central motor drive can be hypothesized. This study assessed cortical activity under a fatiguing NMES protocol at low frequency.

Methods

Twenty healthy males performed five NMES sequences of 17 trains over the plantar flexors (30 Hz, 4 s on/6 s off). Before and after each sequence, neuromuscular tests composed of maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) were carried out. Cortical activity was assessed during MVCs with functional near‐infrared spectroscopy over S1 and primary motor (M1) areas, through oxy‐ [HbO] and deoxy‐haemoglobin [HbR] variation. Electrophysiological data (H‐reflex during MVC, EMG activity and level of voluntary activation) were also recorded.

Results

MVC torque significantly decreased after the first 17 NMES trains (P < 0.001). The electrophysiological data were consistent with supra‐spinal alterations. In addition, [HbO] declined significantly during the protocol over the S1 and M1 areas from the first 17 NMES trains (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 respectively), while [HbR] increased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively), indicating early decline in cortical activity over both primary cortical areas.

Conclusions

The declining cortical activity over the M1 area is highly consistent with the electrophysiological findings and supports motor cortex involvement in the loss of force after a fatiguing NMES protocol. In addition, the declining cortical activity over the S1 area indicates that the decreased motor output from M1 is not due to increased S1 inhibitory activity.
Flower functional trait responses to restoration time
Authors: Garcia Letícia Couto , Cianciaruso Marcus Vinicius , Ribeiro Danilo Bandini , dos Santos Flavio Antonio Maës , Rodrigues Ricardo Ribeiro
Published: March 2015

Questions

(1) Do species richness, flower functional diversity and redundancy of tree and non‐tree species increase with restoration age; (2) are the flower traits of the reference forest similar to those found in restored sites; and (3) does species originality, in terms of unique combinations of different set of flower traits, differ among sites?

Location

Forests restored by planting a high diversity assemblage of tree species, within the Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil.

Methods

We sampled all reproductive individuals (353 species) and classified them in terms of floral type, colour, size, generalization level and openness. As most trees were planted and non‐tree species (sub‐shrub, shrub, herbs, epiphytes, climbers and hemi‐parasitic plants) were mostly naturally established, we analysed them in separate analyses. We compared species richness, functional diversity, redundancy and originality among sites. Moreover, we identified optimal subsets of flower traits to describe vegetation succession trends.

Results

(1) Flower functional diversity of tree species could be achieved after two decades of restoration, but remained far from reference values for non‐tree species. The same gap regarding reference values occurred with species richness, which increased over restoration periods, although were far from the reference values. Redundancy and functional diversity are not related to restoration age. (2) Red/burgundy colour, gullet and bell‐funnel shape and large size were identified as indicators of the reference forest flowers. Different indicator traits were found for each restoration sites. (3) Sites were similar regarding originality for tree and for non‐tree species.

Conclusion

A highly diverse species pool seems to promise to increase richness and functional diversity of tree species, but not of non‐tree species. Trait analyses have important implications for restoration projects and can be used instead of species taxonomic identity, especially for highly diverse tropical forests. Such functional diversity may be advanced through a priori definition of which species from the regional pool can be used in plantings for forest restoration, with special attention to functional traits of non‐tree species. Otherwise, restoration sites in highly fragmented landscapes will not reach functional diversity of reference sites, even after a five‐decade period.
Amplifying a Relational Ethic: A Contribution to PRME Praxis
Authors: Verbos Amy Klemm , Humphries Maria
Published: March 2015

Western economically driven instrumental ethics fuel the dominant institutional logic in many business schools and are associated with the negative social and environmental situation widely linked to the mode of global development. Other ethical framings have been subordinated, marginalized, or denied. Through the explicit commitment of prominent international certifying bodies of management education, educators, researchers, and practitioners will be encouraged to give increasing effect to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). The PRME is a United Nations‐led, institution‐level mechanism for reorienting the direction of business schools and for increasing both educator and student capacities to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable mode of development globally. We propose greater emphasis be given to various forms of relational ethics from which to guide the functional aspirations of institutions. We explore the creative opportunity for institutional change by contrasting the prevailing Western economically driven instrumental institutional logic with indigenous ethical framings. We draw upon Seo and Creed's conceptual framework of institutional change to discuss two films—Mann v. Ford and Waste = Food—to bring greater attention to the generative potential of indigenous perspectives in institutional praxis. Our examples could equally invite an application of other systems of relational ethics that have been overshadowed by the current domination of economic instrumentalism in almost all realms of decision making. We conclude by providing some teaching resources that can be used or adapted for geographical‐ or disciplinary‐specific attention to the issues we raise.
Lies in the Sky: Effects of Employee Dishonesty on Organizational Reputation in the Airline Industry
Authors: Jehn Karen A. , Scott Elizabeth D.
Published: March 2015

Conventional wisdom suggests that dishonesty on the part of an organization's employees has a negative effect on the organization's reputation. However, many organizations condone (or even require) dishonesty under certain circumstances. In this research of 128 airline passengers, we examine situations in which employees are perceived to be dishonest within one such industry, the international airlines, and examine the impact of this dishonesty on organizational reputation and customer satisfaction. We found that the reputation of the firm was most damaged when the lie benefited the company or the employee, rather than the passenger. In addition, the view of the airline significantly decreased when the lie caused a high amount of harm (compared with a low amount) to the passenger.
Engaging preservice primary and preprimary school teachers in digital storytelling for the teaching and learning of mathematics
Authors: Istenic Starčič Andreja , Cotic Mara , Solomonides Ian , Volk Marina
Published: March 2015

A significant criticism made of preservice teacher education is that it fails to prepare teachers in such a way that they would feel confident in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching, despite the assumed digital literacy of student‐teachers and the children they will eventually teach. New technologies have enabled multimodal design and digital storytelling in meaning‐making and communication and are now often instrumental and influential in shaping students' social practices and identities. The purpose of this study was to explore an integrative approach in applying ICT in learning with specific reference to the formation of mathematics teaching capability in preservice teachers. It takes into consideration student‐teachers' lived experiences when introducing ICT supported learning into their classrooms as well as their exposure to related university courses such as educational technology, special didactics of mathematics and mathematics. This paper describes the instructional design framework and assessment criteria for mathematical problem solving and digital storytelling introduced to an ICT course for student‐teachers. Based on the analysis of pre‐ and posttesting of the subjects' capabilities and reports of their perceptions, it is suggested that preservice teachers can efficiently develop their content knowledge in mathematics problem solving and that an integrative approach such as that described here may facilitate both mathematical problem‐solving competences and pedagogical competences for applying digital storytelling in solving mathematical problems. The cohort of preservice teachers had no prior experiences of digital storytelling or multimodal design and perceived them as new practices. Their conceptions changed during the course from the passive recipients to active producers of media content. They demonstrated reflection relative to learning‐by‐design and representation modelling. They perceived digital storytelling as a strategy and means for empowering the “student‐voice” and the active construction of knowledge. The findings of the study contribute to preservice teacher education indicating that an integrated approach of instruction that deploys digital storytelling and multimodal design can help facilitate preservice teachers' pedagogical competencies and mathematical content knowledge.
The TNM system (version 7) is the most accurate staging system for the prediction of loss of life expectancy in differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Tanase Karina , Thies Elena‐Daphne , Mäder Uwe , Reiners Christoph , Verburg Frederik A.
Published: March 2015

Objective

Many prognostic systems have been developed for differentiated thyroid cancer. It is unclear which one of these performs ‘best’. Our aim was to compare staging systems applicable to our patient database to identify which best predicts DTC‐related loss of life expectancy and DTC‐specific mortality.

Design

Database study of patients with DTC treated in our centre between 1978 (earliest available data) up to and including 1 July 2014. All were staged in accordance with the AMES, Clinical Class, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Ohio State University, TNM versions 5 and 6/7, University of Alabama, University of Münster and qTNM systems.

Patients

A total of 2257 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Measurements

Loss of life expectancy expressed as relative survival and thyroid cancer‐specific mortality. Comparison was based on P values of univariate Cox regression analyses as well as analysis of the proportion of variance explained (PVE).

Results

Median available follow‐up time was 7·2 years (range: 0–35·1 years). Three hundred and twenty‐seven patients died, 149 of whom died of DTC. Version 7 of the TNM system was best for predicting DTC‐related mortality (P = 7·1 × 10−52; PVE = 0·296), followed by TNM version 5 (P = 6·7 × 10−44; PVE = 0·255). For prediction of loss of life expectancy, version 7 of the TNM system was also best, closely followed by the Clinical Class system (P both < 2 × 10−16).

Conclusions

The UICC/AJCC TNM system version 7 outperforms other prognostic classification systems based on extent of disease at the start of treatment both for prediction of differentiated thyroid cancer‐related death and for prediction of loss life expectancy.
MicroRNA in intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Li Zheng , Yu Xin , Shen Jianxiong , Chan Matthew T.V. , Wu William Ka Kei
Published: March 2015

Aetiology of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is complex, with genetic, developmental, biochemical and biomechanical factors contributing to the disease process. It is becoming obvious that epigenetic processes influence evolution of IDD as strongly as the genetic background. Deregulated phenotypes of nucleus pulposus cells, including differentiation, migration, proliferation and apoptosis, are involved in all stages of progression of human IDD. Non‐coding RNAs, including microRNAs, have recently been recognized as important regulators of gene expression. Research into roles of microRNAs in IDD has been very active over the past 5 years. Our review summarizes current research enlightenment towards understanding roles of microRNAs in regulating nucleus pulposus cell functions in IDD. These exciting findings support the notion that specific modulation of microRNAs may represent an attractive approach for management of IDD.
Analytic morphomics identifies predictors of new‐onset diabetes after liver transplantation
Authors: Vaughn Valerie M. , Cron David C. , Terjimanian Michael N. , Gala Zachary S. , Wang Stewart C. , Su Grace L. , Volk Michael L.
Published: March 2015

Among liver transplant recipients, development of post‐transplant complications such as new‐onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is common and highly morbid. Current methods of predicting patient risk are inaccurate in the pre‐transplant period, making implementation of targeted therapies difficult. We sought to determine whether analytic morphomics (using computed tomography scans) could be used to predict the incidence of NODAT. We analyzed peri‐transplant scans from 216 patients with varying indications for liver transplantation, among whom 61 (28%) developed NODAT. Combinations of visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, and psoas area were considered in addition to traditional risk factors. On multivariate analysis adjusting for usual risk factors such as type of immunosuppression, subcutaneous fat thickness remained significantly associated with NODAT (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.00–1.88, p = 0.047). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with later‐onset of NODAT had higher visceral fat, whereas subcutaneous fat thickness was more correlated with earlier‐onset of NODAT (using 10 months post‐transplant as the cut‐off).

Conclusion

Analytic morphomics may be used to help assess NODAT risk in patients undergoing liver transplantation.
Long‐term follow‐up of biliary complications after adult right‐lobe living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Kim Peter T.W. , Marquez Max , Jung James , Cavallucci David , Renner Eberhard L. , Cattral Mark , Greig Paul D. , McGilvray Ian D. , Selzner Markus , Ghanekar Anand , Grant David R.
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Long‐term biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are not well described in the literature. This study was undertaken to determine the long‐term impact of biliary complications after adult right‐lobe LDLT.

Methods

This retrospective review analyzed an 11‐yr experience of 344 consecutive right‐lobe LDLTs with at least two yr of follow‐up.

Results

Biliary leaks occurred in 50 patients (14.5%), and strictures occurred in 67 patients (19.5%). Cumulative biliary complication rates at 1, 2, 5, and 10 yr were 29%, 32%, 36%, and 37%, respectively. Most early biliary leaks were treated with surgical drainage (N = 29, 62%). Most biliary strictures were treated first with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (42%). There was no association between biliary strictures and the number of ducts (hazard ratio [HR] 1.017 [0.65–1.592], p = 0.94), but freedom from biliary stricture was associated with a more recent era (2006–2010) (HR 0.457 [0.247–0.845], p = 0.01). Long‐term graft survival did not differ between those who had or did not have biliary complications (66% vs. 67% at 10 yr).

Conclusions

Biliary strictures are common after LDLT but may decline with a center's experience. With careful follow‐up, they can be successfully treated, with excellent long‐term graft survival rates.
Pathways to change: Use trajectories following trauma‐informed treatment of women with co‐occurring post‐traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders
Authors: López‐Castro Teresa , Hu Mei‐Chen , Papini Santiago , Ruglass Lesia M. , Hien Denise A.
Published: March 2015

Introduction and Aims

Despite advances towards integration of care for women with co‐occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low abstinence rates following SUD/PTSD treatment remain the norm. The utility of investigating distinct substance use trajectories is a critical innovation in the detection and refining of effective interventions for this clinical population.

Design and Methods

The present study reanalysed data from the largest randomised clinical trial to date for co‐occurring SUD and PTSD in women (National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network; Women and Trauma Study). Randomised participants (n = 353) received one of two interventions in addition to treatment as usual for SUD: (i) trauma‐informed integrative treatment for PTSD/SUD; or (ii) an active control psychoeducation course on women's health. The present study utilised latent growth mixture models (LGMM) with multiple groups to estimate women's substance use patterns during the 12‐month follow‐up period.

Results

Findings provided support for three different trajectories of substance use in the post‐treatment year: (i) consistently low likelihood and use frequency; (ii) consistently high likelihood and use frequency; and (iii) high likelihood and moderate use frequency. Covariate analyses revealed improvement in PTSD severity was associated with membership in a specific substance use trajectory, although receiving trauma‐informed treatment was not. Additionally, SUD severity, age and after‐care efforts were shown to be related to trajectory membership.

Discussion and Conclusions

Findings highlight the necessity of accounting for heterogeneity in post‐treatment substance use, relevance of trauma‐informed care in SUD recovery and benefits of incorporating methodologies like LGMM when evaluating SUD treatment outcomes. [López‐Castro T, Hu M‐C, Papini S, Ruglass LM, Hien DA. Pathways to change: Use trajectories following trauma‐informed treatment of women with co‐occurring post‐traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015]
Gender differences in access to methadone maintenance therapy in a Canadian setting
Authors: Bach Paxton , Milloy M‐J , Nguyen Paul , Koehn John , Guillemi Silvia , Kerr Thomas , Wood Evan
Published: March 2015

Introduction and Aims

Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is an evidence‐based treatment for opioid addiction. While gender differences in MMT pharmacokinetics, drug use patterns and clinical profiles have been previously described, few studies have compared rates of MMT use among community‐recruited samples of persons who inject drugs (PWID).

Design and Methods

The present study used prospective cohorts of PWID followed between May 1996 and May 2013 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We investigated potential factors associated with time to methadone initiation using Cox proportional hazards modelling. Stratified analyses were used to examine for gender differences in rates of MMT enrolment.

Results

Overall, 1848 baseline methadone‐naïve PWID were included in the study, among whom 595 (32%) were female. In an adjusted model, male gender was independently associated with increased time to MMT initiation and an overall lower rate of enrolment [adjusted relative hazard = 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.65–0.85)]. Among both female and male PWID, Caucasian ethnicity and daily injection heroin use were associated with decreased time to methadone initiation, while in females, pregnancy was also associated with more rapid initiation.

Discussion and Conclusions

These data highlight gender differences in methadone use among a population of community‐recruited PWID. While factors associated with methadone use were similar between genders, rates of use were lower among male PWID, highlighting the need to consider gender when designing strategies to improve recruitment into MMT. [Bach P, Milloy M‐J, Nguyen P, Koehn J, Guillemi S, Kerr T, Wood E. Gender differences in access to methadone maintenance therapy in a Canadian setting. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:503–7]
Daily affect variability and context‐specific alcohol consumption
Authors: Mohr Cynthia D. , Arpin Sarah , McCabe Cameron T.
Published: March 2015

Introduction and Aims

Research explored the effects of variability in negative and positive affect on alcohol consumption, specifying daily fluctuation in affect as a critical form of emotion dysregulation. Using daily process methodology allows for a more objective calculation of affect variability relative to traditional self‐reports. The present study models within‐person negative and positive affect variabilities as predictors of context‐specific consumption (i.e. solitary vs. social drinking), controlling for mean levels of affect.

Design and Methods

A community sample of moderate‐to‐heavy drinkers (n = 47; 49% women) from aUSmetropolitan area reported on affect and alcohol consumption thrice daily for 30 days via a handheld electronic interviewer. Within‐person affect variability was calculated using daily standard deviations in positive and negative affect.

Results

Within person, greater negative and positive variabilities are related to greater daily solitary and social consumption. Across study days, mean levels of negative and positive affect variabilities related to greater social consumption between persons; yet, aggregated negative affect variability was related to less solitary consumption.

Discussion and Conclusions

Results affirm affect variability as a unique predictor of alcohol consumption, independent of mean affect levels. Yet, it is important to differentiate social context of consumption, as well as type of affect variability, particularly at the between‐person level. These distinctions help clarify inconsistencies in the self‐medication literature regarding associations between average levels of affect and consumption. Importantly, consistent within‐person relationships for both variabilities support arguments that both negative and positive affect variabilities are detrimental and reflect an inability to regulate emotional experience.[Mohr CD, Arpin S, McCabe CT. Daily affect variability and context‐specific alcohol consumption.Drug Alcohol Rev2015;34:581–7]
Long‐term glycaemic response and tolerability of dapagliflozin versus a sulphonylurea as add‐on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: 4‐year data
Authors: Del Prato S. , Nauck M. , Durán‐Garcia S. , Maffei L. , Rohwedder K. , Theuerkauf A. , Parikh S.
Published: March 2015

Aims

To assess the long‐term efficacy and tolerability of dapagliflozin versus glipizide as add‐on to metformin in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.

Methods

The present study was an extension of an earlier randomized, double‐blind, phase III study of dapagliflozin (n = 406) vs glipizide (n = 408) to 208 weeks (4 years). Patients continued to receive their assigned medication. No statistical treatment‐group comparisons were calculated.

Results

At 208 weeks, dapagliflozin compared with glipizide produced sustained reductions in glycated haemoglogin (HbA1c): −0.30% [95% confidence interval (CI), −0.51 to −0.09], in total body weight: −4.38 kg (95% CI −5.31 to −3.46) and in systolic blood pressure (SBP): −3.67 mmHg (95% CI −5.92 to −1.41). The HbA1c coefficient of failure was significantly lower for dapagliflozin than for glipizide: 0.19 (95% CI 0.12–0.25) versus 0.61 (95% CI 0.49–0.72, difference −0.42; p = 0.0001). Dapagliflozin was not associated with glomerular function deterioration, while this occurred more frequently in patients in the glipizide group. Fewer patients reported hypoglycaemia in the dapagliflozin compared with the glipizide group (5.4 vs 51.5%). Genital and urinary tract infections were more common with dapagliflozin than with glipizide, but their incidence decreased with time and all events responded well to antimicrobial treatment.

Conclusions

In patients completing 4 years of treatment, dapagliflozin was well tolerated and associated with sustained glycaemic efficacy and greater reductions in body weight and SBP versus glipizide.
The contribution of NF‐κB signalling to immune regulation and tolerance
Authors: van Delft Myrthe A. M. , Huitema Leonie F. A. , Tas Sander W.
Published: March 2015

Background

Immune regulation is necessary to control inflammatory responses and to prevent autoimmune diseases. Therefore, mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance have evolved to ensure that T cells recognize antigens as self‐ or non‐self‐antigens. The thymus is crucially important for central tolerance induction to self‐antigens via negative selection of T cells. However, if T cells escape negative selection in the thymus and enter the periphery, peripheral mechanisms are active to warrant immune tolerance. Secondary lymphoid organs, as well as tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells, play an important role in peripheral tolerance. In chronic inflammatory diseases, tertiary lymphoid organs are sometimes formed that may also be involved in the induction of peripheral tolerance. This review discusses the main processes that are involved in immune regulation and tolerance, and focuses on the contribution of NF‐κB signalling to these processes.

Material and methods

This narrative review is based on peer‐reviewed publications listed on PubMed up to December 2014. The focus of our literature search was on studies investigating the role of (non)canonical NF‐κB signalling in central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance. Only studies published in English language were considered.

Results

This review discusses the immune phenotype of mutant mice with defective (non)canonical NF‐κB signalling, corroborated with human data, and emphasizes the contribution of the noncanonical NF‐κB pathway to immune regulation and tolerance induction.

Conclusions

Noncanonical NF‐κB signalling has an important immunoregulatory role in the immune system and contributes to both central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance.
Steps Toward an Integration of Psychological and Visual Anthropology: Issues Raised in the Production of the Film SeriesAfflictions: Culture and Mental Illness in Indonesia
Authors: Lemelson Robert , Tucker Annie
Published: March 2015

Afflictions: Culture and Mental Illness in Indonesia, the first ethnographic documentary film series on mental illness in the developing world, examines the lives of people with neuropsychiatric disorders and mental illness on the islands of Bali and Java and considers the impact of personal experience, family, culture, and community on the course of their illness. This article reflects on issues that arose in production and explores the theoretical underpinnings of the films in order to highlight the rich potential of psychologically oriented ethnographic films and advocate for them as a genre. While ethnographic film provides an opportunity to explore the theories and methods of psychological anthropology, psychological anthropology's insights into the nature of subjectivity and emotion can help craft stirring and character‐driven ethnographic films. Psychologically oriented ethnographic films can inject new life into data presentation, illuminate the interpenetration between culture and mental health, and illustrate contemporary anthropology's relevance to current global issues. The article concludes by suggesting future directions for both research and filmmaking.
“No One Has to Be Your Friend”: Asperger's Syndrome and the Vicious Cycle of Social Disorder in Late Modern Identity Markets
Authors: Fein Elizabeth
Published: March 2015

The past 40 years have seen a significant increase in diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition characterized by social impairments and restricted or repetitive behaviors. This increase has been particularly marked in the United States, where prevalence estimates have risen from 1 in 2,500 children in 1987 to 1 in 88 today (Baio and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; Ritvo et al. ). I argue that changing social environments are one factor contributing to this increase by altering trajectories of social development, particularly among those with social‐cognitive vulnerabilities in the absence of comorbid intellectual impairment. In a sociocultural milieu in which friendships and other extra‐familial relationships are increasingly determined by individual choice, with affiliations formed around likeability and the negotiation of mutual positive affect, those who are slower to develop nonverbal awareness, perspective taking, and emotional self‐regulation are often excluded from the flow of social life. Such exclusion results in the rapid amplification of characteristics considered to be deviant, thus perpetuating worsening cycles of exclusion and atypical development.
The Perceived Relationship Knowledge Scale: An Initial Validation
Authors: Bradford Kay , Wade Stewart J. , Higginbotham Brian J. , Skogrand Linda
Published: March 2015

The rationale, development, and initial validation of the Perceived Relationship Knowledge Scale (PRKS), a brief six‐item instrument designed to measure central aspects of perceptions of relationship knowledge, are described in this article. To test the instrument's psychometric properties, two studies were conducted: an exploratory study with a small clinical sample (n = 54; Study 1), and the second with a sample of participants in a statewide relationship education initiative (n = 2,183; Study 2). In both studies, exploratory factor analyses yielded a single‐factor structure. Maximum‐likelihood confirmatory factor analyses in Study 2 indicated good internal consistency and good model fit. Analyses of construct validity in both studies indicated that the PRKS measures relationship knowledge in psychometrically expected ways, and that the instrument discriminates low versus high levels of perceived relationship knowledge. The use of the instrument is described and research implications are discussed.
dUTPase expression correlates with cell division potential in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Horváth András , Batki Júlia , Henn László , Lukacsovich Tamás , Róna Gergely , Erdélyi Miklós , Vértessy Beáta G.
Published: March 2015

dUTP pyrophosphatase (dUTPase) is a dNTP‐sanitizing enzyme that prevents the appearance of potentially harmful uracil bases in DNA by hydrolyzing cellular dUTP. This function of dUTPase is found to be essential in many organisms including Drosophila melanogaster. Previously, we showed that the expression pattern of dUTPase determines the extent of uracil accumulation in the genome of different tissues. We wished to find the regulatory mechanism that eventually leaves a set of tissues with a uracil‐free and intact genome. We found that the expression pattern established by the promoter of Drosophila dUTPase overlaps with mRNA and protein expression, excluding the involvement of other post‐transcriptional contributions. This promoter was found to be active in primordial tissues, such as in the imaginal discs of larvae, in the larval brain and in reproductive organs. In the case of brain and imaginal tissues, we observed that the promoter activity depends on a DNA replication‐related element motif, the docking site of DNA replication‐related element binding factor, which is known as a transcriptional activator of genes involved in replication and proliferation. These results suggest that dUTPase expression is fine‐tuned to meet the requirements of DNA synthesis in tissues where the maintenance of genome integrity is of high importance.
Temperature alone does not explain phenological variation of diverse temperate plants under experimental warming
Authors: Marchin Renée M. , Salk Carl F. , Hoffmann William A. , Dunn Robert R.
Published: March 2015

Anthropogenic climate change has altered temperate forest phenology, but how these trends will play out in the future is controversial. We measured the effect of experimental warming of 0.6–5.0 °C on the phenology of a diverse suite of 11 plant species in the deciduous forest understory (Duke Forest, North Carolina, USA) in a relatively warm year (2011) and a colder year (2013). Our primary goal was to dissect how temperature affects timing of spring budburst, flowering, and autumn leaf coloring for functional groups with different growth habits, phenological niches, and xylem anatomy. Warming advanced budburst of six deciduous woody species by 5–15 days and delayed leaf coloring by 18–21 days, resulting in an extension of the growing season by as much as 20–29 days. Spring temperature accumulation was strongly correlated with budburst date, but temperature alone cannot explain the diverse budburst responses observed among plant functional types. Ring‐porous trees showed a consistent temperature response pattern across years, suggesting these species are sensitive to photoperiod. Conversely, diffuse‐porous species responded differently between years, suggesting winter chilling may be more important in regulating budburst. Budburst of the ring‐porous Quercus alba responded nonlinearly to warming, suggesting evolutionary constraints may limit changes in phenology, and therefore productivity, in the future. Warming caused a divergence in flowering times among species in the forest community, resulting in a longer flowering season by 10‐16 days. Temperature was a good predictor of flowering for only four of the seven species studied here. Observations of interannual temperature variability overpredicted flowering responses in spring‐blooming species, relative to our warming experiment, and did not consistently predict even the direction of flowering shifts. Experiments that push temperatures beyond historic variation are indispensable for improving predictions of future changes in phenology.
Consumer participation in nurse education: A national survey of Australian universities
Authors: Happell Brenda , Platania‐Phung Chris , Byrne Louise , Wynaden Dianne , Martin Graham , Harris Scott
Published: March 2015

Consumers of mental health services have an important role to play in the higher education of nursing students, by facilitating understanding of the experience of mental illness and instilling a culture of consumer participation. Yet the level of consumer participation in mental health nursing programmes in Australia is not known. The aim of the present study was to scope the level and nature of involvement of consumers in mental health nursing higher education in Australia. A cross‐sectional study was undertaken involving an internet survey of nurse academics who coordinate mental health nursing programmes in universities across Australia, representing 32 universities. Seventy‐eight percent of preregistration and 75% of post‐registration programmes report involving consumers. Programmes most commonly had one consumer (25%) and up to five. Face‐to‐face teaching, curriculum development, and membership‐to‐programme committees were the most regular types of involvement. The content was generally codeveloped by consumers and nurse academics (67.5%). The frequency of consumer involvement in the education of nursing students in Australia is surprisingly high. However, involvement is noticeably variable across types of activity (e.g. curriculum development, assessment), and tends to be minimal and ad hoc. Future research is required into the drivers of increased consumer involvement.
Phase Stability and Phase Structure of Ru–Ti–O Complex Oxide Electrocatalyst
Authors: Wang Xin , Shao Yanqun , Liu Xuehua , Tang Dian , Wu Bo , Tang Zhongzhi , Wang Xin , Lin Wei
Published: March 2015

Phase stability of (Ru1−x,Tix)O2 solid solution was investigated via materials computation and X‐ray diffraction phase analyses. The unit cell volume of (Ru1−x,Tix)O2 was found not increasing monotonously with the fraction of TiO2, making the volume–composition relationship no longer suitable for the quantitative phase analysis. A monotonous nonlinear c/a–x relation obtained from the ab initio density functional theory (DFT) computation was proved critical to achieving accurate phase analysis results. Gibbs free energy of mixing and its derivatives were determined for (Ru1−x,Tix)O2 by a combination of DFT and thermodynamic calculations, where approximation of the temperature dependence of the interaction parameter (Ω) played a critical role. It was found that the conventional approximation method of arbitrarily choosing a value & [10,25] kJ (mole of atoms)−1 for Ω near a critical temperature of a solid solution structure failed to predict the correct symmetry and span of the miscibility gap for (Ru1−x,Tix)O2. In comparison, Ω calculated from disordered (Ru1−x,Tix)O2 was found a good approximation at the critical temperature. The calculated miscibility gap for (Ru1−x,Tix)O2, therefore, showed good agreement with the accurate quantitative phase analysis results for the samples prepared by a sol–gel method.
Understanding the Flash Sintering of Rare‐Earth‐Doped Ceria for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Jiang Taizhi , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Jing , Hao Xiaoming , Rooney David , Liu Yajie , Sun Wang , Qiao Jinshuo , Sun Kening
Published: March 2015

A novel electrical current applied technique known as flash sintering has been applied to rapidly (within 10 min) densify electrolytes including Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 (GDC20), Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC10), and Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC20) for application in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). The densification temperature for the three electrolytes was 554°C, 635°C, and 667°C, respectively, which is far below conventional sintering temperatures. All specimens after flash sintering maintained the pure fluorite structure and exhibited a well‐densified microstructure. To investigate the flash‐sintering mechanism, we have applied Joule heating effect with blackbody radiation theory, and found that this theory could reasonably interpret the flash‐sintering phenomenon by matching theoretically calculated temperature with the real temperature. More importantly, one of the materials inherent properties, the electronic conductivity, has been found correlated with the onset of flash sintering, which indicates that the electrons and holes are the primary current carriers during the start of flash‐sintering process. As a result, potential densification mechanisms have been discussed in terms of spark plasma discharge.
Advancement of Tooling for Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Giuntini Diletta , Raethel Jan , Herrmann Mathias , Michaelis Alexander , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: March 2015

A combined experimental and numerical study is conducted to investigate temperature nonhomogeneities within a Spark Plasma Sintering tooling setup. Radial thermal gradients through a powder compact are encountered, a cause of microstructural nonuniformities in sintered specimens, which tend to become more significant when increasing the setup's characteristic size. In the insulating silicon nitride powder compact employed for the experimental procedures, a double pyrometer arrangement detects a strong temperature disparity between the overheated die and the area adjacent to the tooling's axis. A previous finite‐element simulations campaign had individuated a possible solution in a novel punch design, consisting in the drilling of three concentric ring‐shaped holes according to a specific geometrical pattern, whose efficacy is here experimentally verified. Further punch optimization strategies are drawn, involving a refinement of the three‐rings geometry by linearly varying the drilled holes characteristic dimensions along the radial direction, or the selective coating and consequent insulation of the punch cross section with a thin layer of hexagonal boron nitride. Ideal configurations are identified, consisting in a concentration of the graphite punch's mass at its center by means of a tailored holes pattern, or in the coating of a portion of the conventionally shaped punch with boron nitride.
Chemical Vapor Synthesis of FeOx–BaTiO3 Nanocomposites
Authors: Mojić‐Lanté Bojana , Djenadic Ruzica , Chakravadhanula Venkata Sai Kiran , Kübel Christian , Srdić Vladimir V. , Hahn Horst
Published: March 2015

Nanocomposite powders of FeOx–BaTiO3 (FO‐BTO) have been prepared by chemical vapor synthesis (CVS) in a single‐step process. The optimal parameters (reactor temperature, reactor length, precursor ratio) for the synthesis were investigated in an initial step for the individual systems, iron oxide (FO), and barium titanate (BTO); and in a second step optimized for the synthesis of the nanocomposites. The solid iron precursor was thermally evaporated, whereas the solid Ba‐ and Ti precursors were vaporized using laser flash evaporation to obtain ultrafine crystalline FO, BTO, and FO‐BTO nanoparticles. The possibility to influence the mass ratios of the two phases in FO‐BTO mixture by adjusting the ratio of the precursor in the two precursor delivery units has been investigated. The potential of CVS for the synthesis of nanocomposites containing iron oxide and barium titanate ultrafine crystalline nanopowders with particle size bellow 10 nm is demonstrated.
Al2O3 Colloidal Nanocrystals with Strong UV Emission
Authors: Gaeeni Mohammad Reza , Ghamsari Morteza Sasani , Majd Abadi Abbas , Majles Ara Mohammad Hossein , Han Wooje , Park Hyung‐Ho
Published: March 2015

A facile sol–gel procedure has been developed for the synthesis of colloidal alumina nanocrystals. For the first time, optical characterization procedures were employed to study the quantum confinement effects in optical properties of the prepared Al2O3 sol. Accordingly, the hyperbolic band model was used to determine the optical band gap of colloidal alumina nanocrystals. X‐Ray diffraction pattern was used to study the crystallographic phase of the dried gel. Morphological characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy was used to determination purity of the Al2O3 powder. High‐resolution TEM showed that the diameter of colloidal nanocrystals is about 10 nm. Photoluminescence spectroscopy demonstrated that quantum yields for colloidal nanocrystals are 68% with 300 nm excitation wavelength. The experimental observations confirm that highly stable alumina sol with strong UV emission was synthesized. The mentioned optical properties have not been reported before.
Selective targeting of bioengineered platelets to prostate cancer vasculature: new paradigm for therapeutic modalities
Authors: Montecinos Viviana P. , Morales Claudio H. , Fischer Thomas H. , Burns Sarah , San Francisco Ignacio F. , Godoy Alejandro S. , Smith Gary J.
Published: March 2015

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) provides palliation for most patients with advanced prostate cancer (CaP); however, greater than 80% subsequently fail ADT. ADT has been indicated to induce an acute but transient destabilization of the prostate vasculature in animal models and humans. Human re‐hydrated lyophilized platelets (hRL‐P) were investigated as a prototype for therapeutic agents designed to target selectively the tumour‐associated vasculature in CaP. The ability of hRL‐P to bind the perturbed endothelial cells was tested using thrombin‐ and ADP‐activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), as well as primary xenografts of human prostate tissue undergoing acute vascular involution in response to ADT. hRL‐P adhered to activated HUVEC in a dose‐responsive manner. Systemically administered hRL‐P, and hRL‐P loaded with super‐paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, selectively targeted the ADT‐damaged human microvasculature in primary xenografts of human prostate tissue. This study demonstrated that hRL‐P pre‐loaded with chemo‐therapeutics or nanoparticles could provide a new paradigm for therapeutic modalities to prevent the rebound/increase in prostate vasculature after ADT, inhibiting the transition to castration‐recurrent growth.
Total and Differential White Blood Cell Counts in Late Life Predict 8‐Year Incident Stroke: The Honolulu Heart Program
Authors: Huh Ji Young , Ross George Webster , Chen Randi , Abbott Robert D. , Bell Christina , Willcox Bradley , Launer Lenore , Petrovitch Helen , Kaya Brock , Masaki Kamal
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To study the association between total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count and incident stroke in an older Asian population.

Design

Prospective population‐based study with 8 years of follow‐up.

Setting

The Honolulu Heart Program, Oahu, Hawaii.

Participants

Japanese‐American men aged 71 to 93 who were free of stroke and had baseline WBC counts measured in 1991–93 (N = 3,342).

Measurements

Participants were divided into quartiles of total and differential WBC count for analysis and were followed for incident stroke (thromboembolic and hemorrhagic (hemorrhagic)) for 8 years using data from a comprehensive hospital surveillance system.

Results

Age‐adjusted incident stroke rates increased significantly with increasing WBC quartile (Q1, 7.68; Q2, 9.04; Q3, 9.26; Q4, 14.10 per 1,000 person‐years of follow‐up, P = .001). Hazard ratios (HRs) for stroke for each quartile of total and differential WBC count were obtained using Cox regression analysis, with the lowest quartile as the reference group. After full adjustment, including age; cardiovascular risk factors; fibrinogen; prevalent coronary heart disease, cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use, HRs were 1.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–2.52, P = .03) in the highest quartile of total WBC and 2.19 (95% CI = 1.41–3.39, P < .001) in the highest quartile of neutrophil counts. Significant associations were also seen for thromboembolic but not for hemorrhagic strokes. No significant associations were found between lymphocyte or monocyte counts and incident stroke or subtypes.

Conclusion

In elderly Japanese‐American men, higher total WBC and neutrophil counts were independent predictors of overall stroke, as well as thromboembolic stroke.