bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the Receptivity model to uncover ‘urine blindness’: perceptions on the re-use of urine
Authors: Roma Elisa , Benoit Natalie , Buckley Chris , Bell Sarah
Published: March 2013

Population growth, climatic changes and over-exploitation of natural resources are at the basis of the world’s food crisis, which counts almost one million people without sufficient food sustenance. These changes require novel environmental practices which are based on nutrient recovery and management in agriculture. This contribution analyses and discusses users’ perceptions on re-use of urine as fertilizer through the lenses of the Receptivity model. A search was performed on Scopus (as well as other web search engines) using the keywords: urine, nutrient recovery and sanitation. Results shows how questions related to awareness, association, acquisition and application of the environmental change can represent hurdles to novel models of nutrient recovery and the use of urine in agriculture. Examples of hurdles identified from the literature relate to poor understanding of potential for urine reuse, social stigma attached to using dry sanitation and applying urine in agriculture and poor operational knowledge of application of urine in agriculture. Conclusion relates to the illustration of implications of such challenges on the design of environmental interventions.
Environmental assessment of waste management in Greenland: current practice and potential future developments
Authors: Eisted Rasmus , Christensen Thomas H
Published: March 2013

The majority of the waste in Greenland is disposed of in open dumps or incinerated in simple small-scale incinerators. There are relatively few environmental regulations that control the emissions of leachate, landfill gas and/or flue gases from incineration. Only some scrap metal and hazardous waste are collected separately and exported to Europe. The impacts from the current waste management system were modelled from a life-cycle perspective using the LCA-waste model EASEWASTE. Impacts with regard to global warming, acidification, etc. are small (a few hundred person-equivalents (PE) for a system serving 56 000 inhabitants), but significant environmental loads are caused by air emissions from the incinerators and leachate from the landfills. Several alternative management scenarios were modelled and results show that increased use of incineration, full utilization of the heat production for district heating and separation of hazardous waste probably could improve Greenland’s waste management system. Segregation of recyclable materials as paper, cardboard and biowaste will do little to environmentally improve the waste management system due to loss of energy recovery from incineration and the long transport of the recyclables to markets. Export of waste to Denmark for incineration at modern waste incinerators with advanced flue gas cleaning could also be considered as a means to achieve better environmental performance of the waste management system.
The Invisible Animal
Authors: York Richard , Mancus Philip
Published: March 2013

Animals have had a profound influence on human societies, playing a major role in the course of human history. However, their presence and theoretical significance has been overlooked in sociological theory, while being the central concern of the growing field of anthrozoology (the study of the interaction between humans and other animals). To illustrate how a focus on other animal species can improve our understanding of sociocultural evolution, we assess the influential work of Gerhard Lenski and Patrick Nolan and their materialist approach to macrosociology. Animals are largely invisible in Lenski and Nolan’s Ecological-Evolutionary Theory, yet they underlie the key subsistence technologies identified by Lenski and Nolan as crucial for explaining uneven development. By considering the history of domestication, the role animals played in the development of agricultural technology, and the translocation of Eurasian livestock during the colonial era, we show how sociocultural evolution is situated within a larger nexus of socioecological and historical conditions that reciprocally determine technological development and cultural heritage. Our analysis illustrates that anthrozoology, far from being an esoteric field of study, has the potential to contribute to a refined understanding of a wide array of social phenomena.
The Politics of Theory and the Constitution of Meaning
Authors: Selg Peeter
Published: March 2013

How should sociologists use the word theory? Gabriel Abend’s recent insistence that this question should be tackled politically raises two important issues: Is sociology political? And if so, what normative implications follow for its organization? Drawing on Wittgenstein’s notion of family resemblance and post-Gramscian theories of hegemony, I argue that Abend’s proposal that semantic questions about theory can be addressed separately from ontological, evaluative, and teleological ones is untenable. Disagreements about the latter are constitutive, not merely supplementary to the meaning of theory. Against Abend’s deliberative-democratically oriented vision, I propose an agonistic politics of theory. In doing so, I consider both the internal inconsistencies of deliberativism and the practical advantages and sociological relevance of agonism.
Differential propensity of citrate- and polyethylene glycol-coated silver nanoparticles to bovine hemoglobin
Authors: Zolghadri Samaneh , Saboury Ali Akbar , Atri Maliheh Sadat , Moosavi-Movahedi AA
Published: March 2013

Propensity of two different silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) to bovine hemoglobin (BHb) was investigated by means of spectroscopic methods. We have combined spectrophotometric and calorimetric methods to show that there is no significant interaction between citrate-coated Ag-NPs and BHb at physiological pH and 20°C. However, our previous results show that polyethylene glycol-coated Ag-NPs strongly bind to Hb and effect on the secondary and tertiary structures of BHb. Thus, a suitable surface coating and modification of surface charge would increase the NPs safety and reduce adverse biological responses.
What Sleeping Babies Hear
Authors: Graham Alice M. , Fisher Philip A. , Pfeifer Jennifer H.
Published: March 2013

Experiences of adversity in the early years of life alter the developing brain. However, evidence documenting this relationship often focuses on severe stressors and relies on peripheral measures of neurobiological functioning during infancy. In the present study, we employed functional MRI during natural sleep to examine associations between a more moderate environmental stressor (nonphysical interparental conflict) and 6- to 12-month-old infants’ neural processing of emotional tone of voice. The primary question was whether interparental conflict experienced by infants is associated with neural responses to emotional tone of voice, particularly very angry speech. Results indicated that maternal report of higher interparental conflict was associated with infants’ greater neural responses to very angry relative to neutral speech across several brain regions implicated in emotion and stress reactivity and regulation (including rostral anterior cingulate cortex, caudate, thalamus, and hypothalamus). These findings suggest that even moderate environmental stress may be associated with brain functioning during infancy.
Negotiating heteronormativity: Exploring South African bisexual women’s constructions of marriage and family
Authors: Lynch Ingrid , Maree David JF
Published: March 2013

Although heteronormativity remains firmly in place in many contexts, challenges to a construction of heterosexuality as natural and superior increasingly emerge. However, despite increasing visibility of such challenges, bisexuality remains largely absent from such debates. Bisexual women occupy a potentially interesting position in discourses around heteronormativity and this paper explores how heteronormativity functions in the accounts of 13 South African bisexual women. Through a discourse analysis of interview data, a discourse of heterosexual marriage as normative and socially valued is identified as exerting a powerful influence on participants’ constructions of relationships and families. The findings further explore ways in which bisexuality is complicated by such a heteronormative marriage discourse and indicate a lack of integration of a bisexual identity in participants’ accounts. We suggest that drawing bisexuality into debates around heteronormativity can contribute to increased positions from which to challenge the coercive effects of heteronormativity.
Toward a More Culturally Responsive General Music Classroom
Authors: Abril Carlos R.
Published: March 2013

This article seeks to characterize culturally responsive teaching; consider how it differs from other pedagogical approaches in music education informed by culture, such as multicultural music education; and offer ideas for making the general music classroom more culturally responsive.
An Adapted Brief Strategic Family Therapy for Gang-Affiliated Mexican American Adolescents
Authors: Valdez Avelardo , Cepeda Alice , Parrish Danielle , Horowitz Rosalind , Kaplan Charles
Published: March 2013

Objective:

This study assessed the effectiveness of an adapted Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) intervention for gang-affiliated Mexican American adolescents and their parents.

Methods:

A total of 200 adolescents and their family caregivers were randomized to either a treatment or a control condition. Outcomes included adolescent substance use, conflict resolution, gang identification, parent substance use knowledge, gang awareness, family cohesion, child conduct problems and stress. Participants were assessed at baseline, treatment exit at 16 weeks, and 6 months follow-up. General linear mixed-effects and generalized estimating equations models were used to evaluate between-group differences in outcomes.

Results:

There were significant differences between the BFST and control groups on adolescent alcohol use at 6 months and parents’ reported conduct problems. No impact on marijuana use was found.

Conclusions:

Results provide emerging evidence supporting the adapted BSFT for gang-affiliated Mexican American adolescents and their families for alcohol and behavioral outcomes. Future adaptations may be needed to reduce drug use.
Thinking Differentially
Authors: Fluke John D. , Merkel-Holguin Lisa , Schene Patricia
Published: March 2013

This is a response to the document by Hughes et al. in this issue that offers a critique of the status of differential response (DR). We find the document to be helpful in intent, but do not find that it reflects scientifically sound methods, and contains many mischaracterizations of the status, impetus, research, and evaluation of DR to date. We attempt to define DR, provide a national overview, and in doing so clarify some inaccuracies portrayed by the authors on the implementation of DR. Second, we provide some observations about the critique of the research, our sense of what is coming, and what is needed in the way of research and evaluation going forward.
“Trouble Won’t Last Always”
Authors: Harris Grant M. , Allen Rebecca S. , Dunn Linda , Parmelee Patricia
Published: March 2013

Meaning-based coping, particularly religious coping, might lead to positive emotions in stressful situations. Religious coping is common among older adults. We explored the experience of religious coping, organizational religious affiliation, and one’s relationship with God among older adults with advanced chronic illness and their caregivers. Research questions included: How is religious coping experienced in this context? How is a relationship with God experienced in coping? How is meaning experienced in this context? Brief qualitative interviews uncovered descriptions of experiences using the qualitative descriptive method. Three themes were identified: God is a provider, one’s religion and relationship with God when coping are essential, and the God–person relationship is intimate. Care recipients coped through their personal relationship with God, whereas caregivers coped through religious beliefs and support. Meaning was defined as purpose, responsibility, and duty.
In Their Own Voices
Authors: Le Huynh-Nhu , Perry Deborah F. , Genovez Marta , Cardeli Emma
Published: March 2013

We conducted exit interviews with a random sample of 39 predominantly Central American immigrant mothers who had completed a longitudinal randomized controlled trial to prevent perinatal depression. We found that rates and levels of perinatal depression in the intervention and control groups were lower than expected and did not differ between groups at 1 year postpartum. Therefore, we conducted extensive semistructured interviews to (a) understand why these high-risk women had such low rates of major depressive episodes and depressive symptoms, and (b) determine if the mechanisms responsible for reductions in depression differed between the intervention and usual care groups. We discovered that the intervention group learned specific mood-management skills from their participation in the intervention, and that the control group experienced their participation in the study as a “low-dose” intervention. Our experience highlights the importance of conducting qualitative studies to understand quantitative outcomes of intervention studies.
Identification of damage parameters and plastic properties of an anisotropic damage model by micro-hardness measurements
Authors: Ganjiani M
Published: March 2013

In this paper, an elastoplastic-anisotropic damage constitutive model is proposed for the identification of damage parameters of Al2024-T3 by micro-hardness measurements. For this purpose, micro-hardness experiments are conducted on the surface of the specimens after the standard tensile tests. A procedure for the identification of the damage as a tensor variable is followed and then, the parameters of the model are calibrated. Also, the constitutive equations are implemented in a finite element explicit code to simulate the double-edge-notched specimen under shear loads and the tensile test. The results of the simulations are in a good agreement with those obtained in the experiments.
Cardioprotective Effect of Calcitriol on Myocardial Injury Induced by Isoproterenol in Rats
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Zhu Yanhe , Wang Xinghui , Yang Yubai , Cheng Shaoli
Published: March 2013

Background

Calcitriol (CAL), an active form of vitamin D, plays a vital role in controlling cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The aim of the present study is to explore the effects of CAL and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms on myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol (ISO).

Methods

Myocardial impairment was induced by the subcutaneous injection of ISO in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, and the therapeutic effect of CAL was assessed. Biometric and echocardiographic parameters, interstitial fibrosis, oxidant–antioxidant status, and protein expression relevant to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were then measured.

Results

Calcitriol treatment improved the cardiac injury resulting from excessive ISO stimulation, as supported by the suppression of the development of myocardial hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and H2O2 level in heart tissue. The decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities induced by ISO were also improved by CAL. Finally, the administration of CAL downregulated the protein expression of Bax and caspase-9.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that CAL ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and oxidative stress in ISO-induced cardiac injury and might play a vital cardioprotective role in such injuries.
Challenges, Strategies, and Gender Relations Among Parents of Children Recently Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Sparud-Lundin Carina , Hallström Inger , Erlandsson Lena-Karin
Published: March 2013

This study explored (a) parents’ process of changes and challenges in their patterns of daily activities after the onset of diabetes in their children; and (b) how personal gender relations can restrain or create functional strategies for managing the changes and challenges of illness. Interviews were conducted with 21 mothers and 15 fathers of 23 children with type 1 diabetes 8 to 10 months after onset. Using a constant comparative analysis method, the core category depicts how the illness forced parents to reconstruct their family project with respect to patterns of daily activities and gender structures. The emerging subcategories of reinforced mothering and adjusted fathering illustrate the parents’ effort to handle contemporary and contradictory demands. With increased knowledge of the dynamics of gender relations of families in the context of a child’s illness, health care professionals can assist in promoting well-being and functional strategies in families when a child is newly diagnosed with diabetes.
The Oligarchic Diffusion of Public Policy
Authors: Smith Michael Peter , Koikkalainen Saara , Casanueva Leticia Jáuregui
Published: March 2013

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) policies are characterized as “magic bullets in development.” The New York City (NYC) CCT program, Opportunity NYC, was framed as a policy transfer experiment from Mexico’s Oportunidades. This article shows how Opportunity NYC was used to legitimate Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s power and symbolize his policy efficacy, while its private funding overrode concerns of democratic accountability. The policy rationales that justify CCTs cannot explain why particular models travel across borders, nor how such ideas are globally diffused. The case is discussed in relation to theories on diffusion of public policies and a new type, oligarchic diffusion, is proposed.
Evaluating Infrastructure Development in Complex Home Visiting Systems
Authors: Hargreaves Margaret , Cole Russell , Coffee-Borden Brandon , Paulsell Diane , Boller Kimberly
Published: March 2013

In recent years, increased focus on the effectiveness and accountability of prevention and intervention programs has led to greater government funding for the implementation and spread of evidence-based health and human service delivery models. In particular, attention has been paid to programs that require significant infrastructure investment and systems change to support large-scale replication. For conceptual and methodological reasons, such systems change initiatives can be a challenge to evaluate. To overcome these challenges, this article outlines a mixed methods approach to systems change evaluation and offers a case study of how this approach has been used to evaluate the development of system infrastructure supporting the implementation, spread, and sustainability of evidence-based home visiting projects. The approach combined systems concepts (boundaries, relationships, perspectives, ecological levels, and dynamics) and qualitative methods (project site visits, telephone interviews, reviews of project documents and logic models) with quantitative methods (a web-based partner survey) to directly measure the projects' system properties and contextual dynamics, and to assess how these factors were associated with the projects' infrastructure development. In the case study, the projects worked at four ecological levels (organization, community, state, and national) to build eight types of infrastructure (planning, collaboration, operations, workforce development, fiscal capacity, community and political support, communications, and evaluation). The evaluation found that the size of the projects' partner networks was not as important as the quality of their collaboration or their sharing of common goals in the projects' infrastructure development.
‘Beasts, burrowers and birds’: The enactment of researcher identities in UK business schools
Authors: Bell Emma , Clarke Daniel W
Published: March 2013

In this article, we suggest that management research constitutes a field of practice that is made practically intelligible through embodied enactment. This relies on imagination, constructing modes of belonging within communities of management research practice. Undergraduate students constitute a significant audience towards whom these self-presentational performances are directed. Our analysis is based on findings from four UK business schools where students participated in a free drawing and focus group exercise and were asked to visualize a management researcher. Through identification of three dominant animal metaphors of management research practice, we explore the symbolic relations whereby a prevailing image of the management researcher, as untouchable, solitary, aggressive, competitive and careerist, is socially constructed. We argue that this competitive, self-interested impression of research is detrimental to ethical, critically reflexive, reciprocal and participatory modes of research, and to the development of management research as a broadly inclusive system of social learning.
Experiences of environmental odors among self-reported hyperosmics
Authors: Knaapila Antti , Tuorila Hely
Published: March 2013

We investigated everyday odor experiences in 55 people (14–75 years old) who rated their sense of smell as far better than average. Compared to 55 gender- and age-matched controls, the self-reported hyperosmics scored higher on the Affective Impact of Odor Scale, rated negative consequences and unpleasant memories due to odors as more likely, rated environmental odors as more annoying, reported increased sensitivity to specific odors more frequently, paid more attention to odors, and agreed more strongly that their sense of smell has caused inconvenience to them. Based on these data, subjective hyperosmia is associated with primarily negative odor-related experiences.
Enhancing preschool educators’ ability to facilitate conversations during shared book reading
Authors: Milburn Trelani F , Girolametto Luigi , Weitzman Elaine , Greenberg Janice
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether professional development enhanced educators’ use of conversational strategies during shared book reading with small groups of preschoolers. Twenty preschool educators and small groups of children from each of their classrooms were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The 10 educators in the experimental group received instruction in shared book reading strategies as well as individual classroom coaching sessions. Each educator was video-recorded reading two storybooks to a small group of preschoolers at pretest and posttest. The video-recordings were transcribed and coded to yield the measures of the book-related talk. The findings revealed that the educators in the experimental group used a greater number of open questions, responsive statements and different words compared to the control group. The educators and children in the experimental group also maintained longer book-related conversations and had more conversations that were five or more turns in length compared to the control group. These findings suggest that professional development that includes group instruction and individual coaching can enhance educators’ ability to facilitate book-related conversations with preschool-age children.
Importance of the time of initiation of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on risk of mortality in patients with heart failure
Authors: Rossi Rosario , Crupi Nicola , Coppi Francesca , Monopoli Daniel , Sgura Fabio
Published: March 2013

Introduction:

Several studies have definitively shown the benefit of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in patients with heart failure (HF). However, very few prior studies examined the relationship between the timing of initiation of MRAs and prognosis. In addition, on this topic, there is no information regarding the specific population of patients suffering a first episode of decompensated congestive HF.

Methods:

We studied a homogenous cohort of patients discharged alive from our hospital after a first episode of decompensated congestive HF, in order to clarify the association between time of aldosterone receptor antagonist (ARA) initiation (within the first 90 days after hospital discharge) and mortality. Our population was composed of a series of consecutive patients. All-cause mortality was compared between patients who initiated MRAs at discharge (early group) and those who initiated MRAs one month later and up to 90 days after discharge (delayed group). We used prescription time distribution matching to control for survival difference between groups.

Results:

The early and delayed groups consisted of 365 and 320 patients, respectively. During the one-year follow-up, a significant difference in mortality was demonstrated between groups. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for early versus delayed initiation were 1.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96 to 2.84) at six months, and 1.93 (95% CI 1.18 to 3.14) at one year.

Conclusions:

Delay of MRA initiation up to 30 to 90 days after discharge implies a significant increase in mortality compared with MRA initiation at discharge, after a first episode of decompensate congestive HF.
Increased circulatory RAS activity can be inhibited by statins in patients with hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Long Huang , Wang Ling , Su Hai , Xu Jinsong , Li Juxiang , Peng Qiang , Dong Yifei , Cheng Xiaoshu
Published: March 2013

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to investigate a profile on circulatory renin−angiotensin system (RAS) activity in hypercholesterolemic (HC) patients treated with statins.

Methods:

Eighteen primary HC patients and 18 sex- and age-matched healthy adults were included in this study as controls. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-C, blood glucose, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels were measured before and four and eight weeks after beginning statin treatment in the HC group. Similar measurements were taken in the control group at baseline.

Results:

At baseline, TC, TG and LDL-C levels, as well as ACE activity and Ang II concentrations, were significantly higher in the HC group than in the control group. Based on the baseline data collection of 36 participants, there were significant positive correlations between ACE activity and TC ( r = 0.54) or LDL-C ( r = 0.51), and between Ang II level and TC ( r = 0.34) or LDL-C ( r = 0.27). TC, LDL-C, Ang II (35.46±14.49 vs 71.10±20.47 pg/ml, p < 0.05) levels and ACE activity (108.9±51.9 vs 180.1±71.3 U/L, p < 0.05) were decreased in HC patients eight weeks after starting statin treatment. In HC patients, RAS activity correlated positively with TC and LDL-C levels before and after treatment.

Conclusions:

In HC patients, lowering serum cholesterol with statins is associated with decreased circulatory RAS activity.
The impact of early intervention on the school readiness of children born to teenage mothers
Authors: Brown Amber L
Published: March 2013

This study examined the effect of participation in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program on the school readiness of children born to teenage mothers versus children born to traditional-age mothers participating in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program. A 45-item survey was collected from the kindergarten teachers of both the children of teenage mothers in the Texas Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program and a matched control group. The survey consisted of five subsections: socioemotional development, approaches to learning, physical development, language development, and general knowledge. Results of independent samples t-tests indicated no statistical difference between the two groups. These results seem to suggest that the curriculum used by the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program, which focuses on supporting parents as their child’s first teacher, helps to mitigate any potential negative effects on being a child of a teenage mother.
Career Development Through Local Chapter Involvement
Authors: Thomas Melissa , Inniss-Richter Zipporah , Mata Holly , Cottrell Randall R.
Published: March 2013

The importance of career development in professional organizations has been noted in the literature. Personal and professional benefits of membership regardless of discipline can be found across the career spectrum from student to executive. The benefits of professional membership with respect to career development in local chapter organizations have seldom been studied. Local chapter participation may offer significant career development opportunities for the practitioner, faculty member, and student. The purpose of this study was to explore the importance of local chapter involvement to the career development of health education practitioners. An 18-item questionnaire was disseminated to the membership of three local SOPHE (Society for Public Health Education) chapters that explored the level of local chapter involvement and the impact of how specific professional development activities impacted career development. The results of the survey highlighted the importance of continuing education programs, networking, and leadership experience in developing one’s career that are offered by local SOPHE chapter involvement. Making a positive impact in the community and earning the respect of one’s peers were most often reported as indicators of career success. These factors can directly impact local chapter participation. Career development can certainly be enhanced by active participation in the local chapter of a professional association.
Apartment Therapy, Everyday Modernism, and Aspirational Disposability
Authors: Ryan Maureen
Published: March 2013

In this article, I consider the formal and textual attributes of Apartment Therapy, a popular design blog, to argue that it offers “aspirational disposability” as an imaginative solution to commodity capitalism’s problems of both overconsumption and conformity. I first historically ground my discussion in an examination of the roots of midcentury modernism and the notion of the home as a curative space. I then discuss “everyday modernism” as a consumerist formation that informs aspirational disposability, particularly through Ikea goods. Finally, I turn to an analysis of the main features of Apartment Therapy that articulate aspirational disposability. Midcentury modernism, and its disposable incarnations from Ikea, allows readers to “hack” material culture to construct an affective domestic space, engaging in therapeutics of the self while substituting taste for class mobility.
A dynamic sweat transfer tester for analyzing transverse sweat transfer properties of multi-weave structure fabrics
Authors: Raja Dhanakodi , Babu Venugopal Ramesh , Senthilkumar Mani , Ramakrishnan Govindan , Kannan Natarajan
Published: March 2013

The dynamic sweat transfer tester for analyzing the sweat transfer behavior of multi-weave structure fabrics (single fabric contains different weave structures) has been designed and developed. This instrument has been developed to evaluate the sweat transfer rate in 16 different directions and 48 different regions for a test specimen of 7 cm diameter. The concept of the sweat measurement is to measure the sweat transport time required to reach the unit area of the fabric. The instrument works under the principle of electrical conductivity, that is, wetted cotton fabric acts as an electrical conductor between the power connected (5 V) copper pins and ground connected copper pins. The unique feature of this instrument is that the sweat transfer rate can be measured in fabrics which have irregular spreading behavior (single fabric that has different weave structures) at one step. Twelve different woven fabrics have been analyzed for the sweat transfer behavior using the instrument, and the results were well correlated ( R2 = 0.925) with manual test method.
Beta-blocker management of refractory hemoptysis in cystic fibrosis: a novel treatment approach
Authors: Moua John , Nussbaum Eliezer , Liao Eileen , Randhawa Inderpal S.
Published: March 2013

Background/objective:

Recurrent hemoptysis is a debilitating complication of cystic fibrosis (CF) and likely results from mucosal erosions into abnormal bronchial blood vessels due to chronic respiratory infection. We hypothesize that the use of beta-blockade will decrease mean arterial pressure resulting in lower bronchial artery blood flow and, subsequently, decrease the frequency and severity of hemoptysis, rate of hospitalizations, and usage of intravenous antibiotics.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review was performed on 12 CF patients with recurrent hemoptysis, aged 13–40 years old, along with a follow-up telephone survey to assess the effectiveness of beta-blockade for hemoptysis, tolerance of inhaled respiratory medications, activity tolerance, and potential adverse effects. A beta-blocker, specifically atenolol, was initiated in all subjects within 24 hours after experiencing recurrent hemoptysis episodes.

Results:

A majority of patients (72.7%) had complete cessation of hemoptysis. There were significant decreases in the frequency of hemoptysis ( p = 0.02) and the amount of hemoptysis ( p = 0.004). The rate of hospitalizations significantly decreased from 1.33 to 0.67 ( p = 0.05) after initiation of atenolol. There was a trend toward statistical significance in the reduction of intravenous antibiotics use ( p = 0.08). No statistical difference was found when comparing the pre- and post-treatment means of forced expiratory volume in 1-second ( p = 0.59). Very minimal adverse effects were observed with only one patient reporting intermittent facial flushing.

Conclusion:

Beta-blockade, particularly with atenolol, appears to successfully treat, if not resolve, recurrent hemoptysis refractory to conservative therapy in CF. Beta-blocker therapy appears to maintain an effective safety profile in CF.
The influence of ethnicity and gender on the association between measured obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness with self-rated overweight, physical activity and health
Authors: Kuk Jennifer L , Ardern Chris I
Published: March 2013

Background:

Little is known about how ethnicity may influence how self-rated physical activity (PA) and obesity relates to measured obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness and self-rated health.

Aims:

To examine the influence of ethnicity on the association between: (1) self-rated and measured obesity; (2) self-reported PA and cardiorespiratory fitness; and (3) obesity and PA with self-rated health.

Methods:

Data from NHANES 1999–2004 (2,981 adults) was used.

Results:

Compared to white and overweight black men, Hispanic men were less likely to consider themselves overweight (OR = 0.36–0.56). Compared to white men, black active men were more likely to report being more active than their peers (OR = 1.44) but were less likely to be fit (OR = 0.74). Black active women and non-white overweight women were less likely to self-rate as having very good or excellent health as compared to white women with similar self-reported and measured health factors.

Conclusions:

Ethnicity and gender influence how self-rated and measured health factors interrelate.
An evaluation of the condom distribution scheme (C-Card) with young people in northeast England
Authors: Kinsella Karina , Cross Ruth , South Jane
Published: March 2013

Aims:

To evaluate a local C-Card scheme from the perspectives of young people in order to determine how well it had worked in improving access to condoms and in providing young people with appropriate information to make healthier choices around safer sex.

Methods:

Secondary analysis of a year’s worth of existing registration and monitoring data routinely collected by the C-Card scheme, two focus group discussions with 14 young people (eight males and six females) and a short questionnaire-based survey of 55 young people.

Results:

The evidence suggested that the C-Card scheme is an effective tool for ensuring that young people know how to use a condom correctly. Ease of access and increased knowledge were key issues of effectiveness to emerge from the findings. The scheme also served as a mechanism for young people to be referred on to other sexual health services and the data appear to indicate that this was something that was taken up by young people.

Conclusions:

The young people who used C-Card generally viewed the scheme as an effective mechanism in terms of accessing condoms and the number of outlets available for acquiring condoms. In order for C-Card to become successful with young people, advertising needs to be improved to increase their awareness of the scheme.
An Examination of Job Skills Required by Top U.S. Broadcast News Companies and Potential Impact on Journalism Curricula
Authors: Wenger Deb , Owens Lynn C.
Published: March 2013

Journalism programs in America’s colleges and universities are seeing record enrollments, despite dire predictions that journalism may be a dying industry and that jobs are scarce and getting scarcer. In order to prepare broadcast journalism students for the dynamic nature of the industry, it has become more important than ever for educators to stay abreast of the evolution of skills and attributes that are most important for employment and success in the journalism profession today. For the third consecutive year, a content analysis was conducted over a period of 3 months in 2008, 2009, and 2010 for all the employment opportunities posted by the top 10 broadcast journalism companies in the United States. The researchers identified several important findings over the 3-year period, including a significant increase in multimedia skills required by employers. In addition, findings consistent from year to year may boost educator confidence in using the results as a guide to specific curricular reforms. For example, the need for students to work in teams and for educators to create or simulate deadline pressure in assignments is critical. The ability to post content to the web, to write for the web, to shoot video and still photos and to work within the mobile and social media spaces seem to be essential.
Audio-Enhanced Tablet Computers to Assess Children’s Food Frequency From Migrant Farmworker Mothers
Authors: Kilanowski Jill F. , Trapl Erika S. , Kofron Ryan M.
Published: March 2013

This study sought to improve data collection in children’s food frequency surveys for non-English speaking immigrant/migrant farmworker mothers using audio-enhanced tablet computers (ATCs). We hypothesized that by using technological adaptations, we would be able to improve data capture and therefore reduce lost surveys. This Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), a paper-based dietary assessment tool, was adapted for ATCs and assessed consumption of 66 food items asking 3 questions for each food item: frequency, quantity of consumption, and serving size. The tablet-based survey was audio enhanced with each question “read” to participants, accompanied by food item images, together with an embedded short instructional video. Results indicated that respondents were able to complete the 198 questions from the 66 food item FFQ on ATCs in approximately 23 minutes. Compared with paper-based FFQs, ATC-based FFQs had less missing data. Despite overall reductions in missing data by use of ATCs, respondents still appeared to have difficulty with question 2 of the FFQ. Ability to score the FFQ was dependent on what sections missing data were located. Unlike the paper-based FFQs, no ATC-based FFQs were unscored due to amount or location of missing data. An ATC-based FFQ was feasible and increased ability to score this survey on children’s food patterns from migrant farmworker mothers. This adapted technology may serve as an exemplar for other non-English speaking immigrant populations.
Long-term remission in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: results from the risperidone long-acting injectable versus quetiapine relapse prevention trial (ConstaTRE)
Authors: Smeraldi Enrico , Cavallaro Roberto , Folnegović-Šmalc Vera , Bidzan Leszek , Emin Ceylan Mehmet , Schreiner Andreas
Published: March 2013

Objective:

The objective of this study was to report the long-term remission results from the ConstaTRE relapse prevention trial, in which clinically stable adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated with oral risperidone, olanzapine, or oral conventional antipsychotics were randomized to risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI) or oral quetiapine, dosed according to package-insert recommendations.

Methods:

In the ConstaTRE trial, efficacy and tolerability were recorded for up to 24 months. This post hoc analysis presents remission data, defined, according to the Schizophrenia Working Group criteria, as achieving and maintaining eight core symptoms of schizophrenia that are mild or less over 6 months. Additional secondary outcome measures are also presented.

Results:

A total of 710 patients were randomized to RLAI ( n = 355) or quetiapine ( n = 355). Mean mode ± standard deviation (SD) drug doses were RLAI 33 ± 10 mg every 2 weeks and quetiapine 413 ± 159 mg daily. Full remission was achieved by 51.1% of patients with RLAI and 39.3% with quetiapine ( p = 0.003). Mean ± SD of full remission durations were not significantly different with RLAI (540 ± 181 days) and quetiapine (508 ± 188 days). Overall tolerability was similar between treatment groups.

Conclusions:

Among stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, remission was more likely after switching to RLAI than quetiapine.
The effect ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection and eradication in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease: A parallel‐group, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicentre study
Authors: Schwizer Werner , Menne Dieter , Schütze Kurt , Vieth Michael , Goergens Reiner , Malfertheiner Peter , Leodolter Andreas , Fried Michael , Fox Mark R
Published: March 2013

Objectives

This study aimed to resolve controversy regarding the effects ofHelicobacter pylorieradication therapy andH. pyloriinfection in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease.

Design

A randomized, double‐blind, multicentre trial was performed in patients presenting with reflux symptoms.H. pylori‐positive patients were randomized to receive either antibiotics or placebo for 7 days.H. pylori‐negative patient controls received placebo. All received esomeprazole 20 mg b.d. for 7 days, followed by 40 mg o.d. to complete an 8‐week course, and were followed up for 32 weeks by telephone.

Results

In this study, 198/589 (34%) patients wereH. pylori‐positive and 113H. pylori‐negative patients served as controls. Baseline endoscopy revealed 63% Los Angeles grade 0A and 37% Los Angeles grade BCD oesophagitis with no difference between patient groups. Symptom improvement on esomeprazole was seen in 89%.H. pylorieradication was successful in 82%.H. pylorieradication had no effect on symptomatic relapse (hazard ratio 1.15, 95% CI 0.74–1.8;p = 0.5). Overall,H. pylori‐positive patients had a lower probability of relapse compared toH. pylori‐negative controls (hazard ratio 0.6, 95% CI 0.43–0.85;p = 0.004). Relapse hazard was modulated also by oesophagitis grade (BCD vs. 0A, hazard ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.5–3.0).

Conclusion

Relapse of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms after a course of high dose acid suppression took longer forH. pylori‐positive patients thanH. pylori‐negative controls; however eradication therapy had no effect on the risk of relapse; ClincialTrials.gov number, NCT00574925.
Late Nest Leaving in Portugal
Authors: Mendonça Marina , Fontaine Anne Marie
Published: March 2013

In Southern European countries, the number of emerging adults living with their parents is particularly high; however, the developmental and relational implications of this situation has not been yet systemically studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to (a) examine how emerging adult’s individuation process (i.e. conflictual, functional and financial independence) and the quality of parent–child relationship relationships (i.e. satisfaction and criticism) was related to emerging adult’s living arrangements and (b) investigate how the different individuation domains were associated with parent–child relationships and additionally test the moderation effect of living arrangements in this process. Four hundred and fifty-seven Portuguese emerging adults of age between 20 and 29 were assessed through self-report questionnaires. Results showed that living arrangements were associated with interpersonal forms of independence but were unrelated to the quality of parent–child relations. Moreover, distinct domains of individuation differently predicted parent–child relationships.
Novel homozygous VHL mutation in exon 2 is associated with congenital polycythemia but not with cancer
Authors: Lanikova Lucie , Lorenzo Felipe , Yang Chunzhang , Vankayalapati Hari , Drachtman Richard , Divoky Vladimir , Prchal Josef T.
Published: March 2013

Key Points

We describe a novel homozygous mutation in exon 2 of the VHL gene causing congenital polycythemia. We demonstrate the VHLP138L effect on the augmentation of erythropoiesis, along with structural and functional studies of this mutation.
Geochip-based analysis of microbial communities in alpine meadow soils in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau
Authors: Zhang Yuguang , Lu Zhenmei , Liu Shanshan , Yang Yunfeng , He Zhili , Ren Zuohua , Zhou Jizhong , Li Diqiang
Published: March 2013

Background

GeoChip 3.0, a microbial functional gene array, containing ~28,000 oligonucleotide probes and targeting ~57,000 sequences from 292 functional gene families, provided a powerful tool for researching microbial community structure in natural environments. The alpine meadow is a dominant plant community in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, hence it is important to profile the unique geographical flora and assess the response of the microbial communities to environmental variables. In this study, Geochip 3.0 was employed to understand the microbial functional gene diversity and structure, and metabolic potential and the major environmental factors in shaping microbial communities structure of alpine meadow soil in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Results

A total of 6143 microbial functional genes involved in carbon degradation, carbon fixation, methane oxidation and production, nitrogen cycling, phosphorus utilization, sulphur cycling, organic remediation, metal resistance, energy process and other category were detected in six soil samples and high diversity was observed. Interestingly, most of the detected genes associated with carbon degradation were derived from cultivated organisms. To identify major environmental factors in shaping microbial communities, Mantel test and CCA Statistical analyses were performed. The results indicated that altitude, C/N, pH and soil organic carbon were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the microbial functional structure and a total of 80.97% of the variation was significantly explained by altitude, C/N and pH. The C/N contributed 38.2% to microbial functional gene variation, which is in accordance with the hierarchical clustering of overall microbial functional genes.

Conclusions

High overall functional genes and phylogenetic diversity of the alpine meadow soil microbial communities existed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Most of the genes involved in carbon degradation were derived from characterized microbial groups. Microbial composition and structures variation were significantly impacted by local environmental conditions, and soil C/N is the most important factor to impact the microbial structure in alpine meadow in Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.