bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to prothrombin
Authors: Bertolaccini ML
Published: May 2012

Research on antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and the thrombotic manifestations associated with these antibodies has grown since the description of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) by Harris and colleagues in the early 1980s. Antiprothrombin (aPT) antibodies are commonly detected by ELISA, using irradiated plates (aPT) or prothrombin in complex with phosphatidylserine (aPS/PT). Although aPT and/or aPS/PT are associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) -related clinical features and these antibodies correlate with each other, aPT and aPS/PT belong to different populations of autoantibodies even though they can both be present in the same patient. Early studies suggested that these antibodies might be the antigenic target of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and their correlation and clinical significance is being investigated.
Complementemia and obstetric outcome in pregnancy with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: De Carolis S , Botta A , Santucci S , Salvi S , Moresi S , Di Pasquo E , Del Sordo G , Martino C
Published: May 2012

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of serum C3 and C4 complement component levels in relation to pregnancy outcome in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Materials and methods: A prospective study of 47 pregnancies associated with APS was performed. Pregnancy outcome was analyzed in terms of: fetal loss, preterm delivery (≤34 gestational weeks), fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), birth weight <2500 g and preeclampsia. Week at delivery, neonatal birth weight and neonatal birth weight percentile were also investigated. Hypocomplementemia, positivity for anti-dsDNA and triple positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were related to pregnancy outcome.

Results: Forty-three pregnancies ended in live births with a fetal loss rate of 8.5%. Fetal death, preterm delivery and birth weight <2500 g were associated with hypocomplementemia ( p = 0.019, p = 0.0002, p < 0.0001 respectively). Lower neonatal birth weight, lower neonatal birth weight percentile and lower week at delivery were associated with hypocomplementemia ( p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, p < 0.0001 respectively) and with triple aPL positivity ( p = 0.008, p = 0.014, p = 0.03 respectively). A poor pregnancy outcome was confirmed among primary APS (PAPS) pregnancies with hypocomplementemia. Multivariate analysis confirmed that hypocomplementemia was an independent predictor of lower neonatal birth weight ( p = 0.0001) and lower week at delivery ( p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Hypocomplementemia could be considered a novel prognostic factor for pregnancy outcome in APS patients.
Antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex as an additional diagnostic marker of APS?
Authors: Žigon P , Čučnik S , Ambrožič A , Šemrl S Sodin , Kveder T , Božič B
Published: May 2012

Antiprothrombin antibodies can be measured by ELISA using either a prothrombin/phosphatidylserine complex (aPS/PT) or prothrombin alone (aPT) as antigen. We aimed to compare the clinical features of autoimmune patients with avidity of aPS/PT and determine the diagnostic efficiency of aPS/PT and aPT for assessing antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). aPS/PT were of low ( n = 9), heterogeneous ( n = 31) and high ( n = 8) avidity out of 48 cases. None of the samples with low avidity were positive in aPT ELISA. Among patients with heterogeneous or high avidity aPS/PT, there was a significantly greater number of patients with APS as compared to patients with low avidity (38/39 vs. 7/9; p < 0.05). No SLE patients had high avidity antiprothrombin antibodies.
Primary prevention in antiphospholipid antibody carriers
Authors: Bertero MT
Published: May 2012

The discovery of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) positivity in individuals who have never experienced thrombosis or pregnancy complications is not a rare event, and is one of the unresolved issues in the field of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This paper focuses on primary prophylaxis for thrombotic events in aPL carriers. In our view, patients with high risk aPL profiles and/or other cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and patients with an history of obstetric APS (OAPS) should be offered thromboprophylaxis. Chronic thromboprophylaxis with low-dose aspirin and hydroxychloroquine in aPL positive SLE patients should be prescribed both to prevent thrombosis and to avoid early organ damage.
Risk-based secondary prevention of obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Ruffatti A , Calligaro A , Del Ross T , Favaro M , Tonello M , Banzato A , Punzi L , Pengo V
Published: May 2012

Treatment of pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) should be set apart from that from thrombotic APS patients. Patients with a history of pregnancy morbidity but no vascular thrombosis are usually treated with a prophylactic dose of heparin plus low-dose aspirin; whereas, those with previous vascular thrombosis alone or associated with previous pregnancy morbidity, are commonly treated with a therapeutic dose of heparin generally combined with low-dose aspirin. However, in about 20% of pregnant APS women these regimens fail. In this context, we conducted a case-control study on a large multicentre cohort of conventionally treated pregnancies to verify whether specific laboratory profiles and/or clinical characteristics are predictive of unsuccessful pregnancy outcome during conventional treatments. Multivariate analysis showed that pregnancy failure during conventional therapies was independently associated with a history of both thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity, the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other systemic autoimmune diseases and triple antiphospholipid antibody positivity. With the aim to discover the most effective and safe treatments in high-risk pregnant APS women a large-scale multicentre study focusing on the effect of treatments on pregnancy outcome in women with APS and further risk factors for pregnancy failure has been designed.
The relationship between TORCH complex false positivity and obstetric outcome in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: De Carolis S , Santucci S , Botta A , Salvi S , Degennaro VA , Garufi C , Garofalo S , Ferrazzani S , Scambia G
Published: May 2012

Objective: The presence of TORCH IgM positivity is not a specific indicator of primary infection; the assessment of IgG avidity index has been shown to be useful in identifying or excluding primary infection in pregnant women with no pre-gestational TORCH serology. TORCH is an acronym for Toxoplasmosis, Others (HBV, syphilis, Varicella–Zoster virus, Epstein Barr virus, Coxsackie virus and Parvovirus), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Herpes Simplex. Patients and methods: Data from 54 pregnancies in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) were assessed in comparison with data from 222 healthy pregnant women as controls. Each woman in both groups was systematically screened for TORCH IgG and IgM during pre-conceptional evaluation and/or at the beginning of pregnancy. The assessment of IgG avidity was also evaluated in order to identify primary infection or false positivity. Results: A significant increase of CMV IgM false positivity in APS in comparison with controls was detected. A worse pregnancy outcome was observed among APS patients having CMV IgM false positivity in comparison with APS patients without false positivity; in particular a statistically significant lower neonatal birth weight and a lower neonatal birth weight percentile were observed. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the presence of CMV IgM false positivity could represent a novel prognostic factor for poor pregnancy outcome in APS patients.
Protein-losing enteropathy and premature ovarian failure in a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Chang YS , Lai CC , Chen WS , Wang SH , Chou CT , Tsai CY
Published: May 2012

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and autoimmune oophoritis are unusual manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Autoimmune oophoritis may result in menstrual disturbance and spontaneous premature ovarian failure. However, there is no validated examination to confirm the diagnosis and it is easily neglected in patients with ovarian insufficiency. A 31-year-old woman with SLE presented with PLE and autoimmune oophoritis during the long course of flares and remissions in her lupus activity. The synchronism implied the association between the two. Moreover, both conditions simultaneously had a good response to cyclosporine A (CsA) therapy.
Bayesian approach to non-inferiority trials for normal means
Authors: Gamalo M Amper , Wu Rui , Tiwari Ram C
Published: May 2012

Regulatory framework recommends that novel statistical methodology for analyzing trial results parallels the frequentist strategy, e.g. the new method must protect type-I error and arrive at a similar conclusion. Keeping these in mind, we construct a Bayesian approach for non-inferiority trials with normal response. A non-informative prior is assumed for the mean response of the experimental treatment and Jeffrey's prior for its corresponding variance when it is unknown. The posteriors of the mean response and variance of the treatment in historical trials are then assumed as priors for its corresponding parameters in the current trial, where that treatment serves as the active control. From these priors, a Bayesian decision criterion is derived to determine whether the experimental treatment is non-inferior to the active control. This criterion is evaluated and compared with the frequentist method using simulation studies. Results show that both Bayesian and frequentist approaches perform alike, but the Bayesian approach has a higher power when the variances are unknown. Both methods also arrive at the same conclusion of non-inferiority when applied on two real datasets. A major advantage of the proposed Bayesian approach lies in its ability to provide posterior probabilities for varying effect sizes of the experimental treatment over the active control.
One country, two systems, three flags: Imagining Olympic nationalism in Hong Kong and Macao
Authors: Ho Glos , Bairner Alan
Published: May 2012

In 2008, the Olympic Games were held in Beijing, capital city of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). As Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of China, Hong Kong and Macao, despite existing as separate sporting entities under the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, were surprisingly enthused with what Chinese people called an Olympic nationalism. Using a cognitive–affective–conative attitude framework, this paper examines how secondary school students ( n=1391) in the two SARs constructed ‘imagined communities’ through their attitudes toward the Beijing Olympics. The average mean scores and Cohen’s Effect Size ( d) were calculated between the two groups of students to reveal similarities and differences. The study concludes that, regardless of three different flags under one country, Hong Kong and Macao shared the Olympic spirit and nationalist sentiment with the rest of the Chinese in the motherland. Internal competition within the Chinese community did not necessarily exacerbate division and, indeed, resisted transcending the two systems in a one nation approach. On the contrary, the profound Chinese culture displayed throughout the Games and an appreciation of international solidarity united students in the two regions and provided a watershed in their understanding of their Chinese identity.
Domestic moves: An exploration of intra-national labour mobility in the working lives of professional footballers
Authors: Roderick Martin
Published: May 2012

This article investigates the domestic, intra-state labour mobility of professional footballers. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with a snowball sample of 49 male professional footballers who represent a range of career trajectories; the specific object of 19 interviews was to examine meanings and experiences tied to job relocation. An interactionist perspective was employed to highlight the ways in which players came to define, control and negotiate their workplace social realities. The article explores the working contexts that lead players to find new employment and appreciate the temporally oriented workplace situations that colour their experiences. The interview data illuminate the way ‘work’ opportunities are denied, how players are marginalised from the club’s central activity, and why these contexts lead to the dilution of feelings of job security. The conclusion argues that the spirit of community needs to be retained in professional football, and offers direction for further research for an activity that has become somewhat instrumental and expedient.
Development and evaluation of a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to bovine respiratory diseases on the Meso Scale Discovery platform
Authors: Mayers Jo , Sawyer Jason
Published: May 2012

A multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), Bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPV-3), and Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was developed on the commercially available Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) platform. The multiplex ELISA used the same antigens (relatively crude lysates of cultured virus) that are used in the current in-house separate ELISAs. Testing a panel of field samples demonstrated the multiplex assay could simultaneously detect the presence of several antibodies in a single assay and that there was good agreement between the multiplex ELISA and the in-house ELISAs. The use of a multiplex ELISA could offer significant benefits for routine serological testing through reduced staff time, reduced reagent cost, and streamlined laboratory operation.
Evaluation of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for Pseudorabies virus surveillance purposes
Authors: Zanella Eraldo L. , Miller Laura C. , Lager Kelly M. , Bigelow Troy T.
Published: May 2012

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is the cause of Aujeszky’s disease, a disease that is significant economically for the swine industry worldwide. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on the gB and gE genes was used to identify PRV nucleic acid in diagnostic samples. Using virus isolation (VI) as the gold standard, the PCR assay performed well in a variety of diagnostic matrices. Testing was conducted on 1,027 nasal swabs with the following findings: gB sensitivity: 94.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 92.3–96.4%), specificity: 71.0% (95% CI: 64.0–77.3%); gE sensitivity: 94.6% (95% CI: 92.3–96.4%), specificity: 79.3% (95% CI: 72.9–84.7%). Diagnostic performance of the real-time PCR assay developed as a testing method indicates that it is a rapid, accurate assay that can provide reliable results on clinical samples.
Association of canine splenic hemangiosarcomas and hematomas with nodular lymphoid hyperplasia or siderotic nodules
Authors: Cole Patricia Ann
Published: May 2012

Hemorrhagic splenic masses diagnosed as hemangioma or hemangiosarcoma were reviewed. Lymphoid hyperplasia was present in none of the hemangiosarcoma cases and in 27% of the hematoma cases. Siderotic nodules in the capsule or trabeculae were present in 25% of hemangiosarcoma cases and in 36% of hematoma cases. Hemoabdomen was noted in the clinical history of 54% of hemangiosarcoma cases and in 22% of hematoma cases. The average age (10.3 and 9.6 years, respectively), sex ratios (slightly more males), and most common breeds (Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd Dog) were similar for the hemangiosarcoma and hematoma cases. Since lymphoid hyperplasia is much more common in cases of hematoma, the presence of this feature lends support to a diagnosis of hematoma rather than hemangiosarcoma. Signalment, history of hemoabdomen, and presence of siderotic nodules do not point to one diagnosis over the other.
Computational modeling of observational learning inspired by the cortical underpinnings of human primates
Authors: Hourdakis Emmanouil , Trahanias Panos
Published: May 2012

Recent neuroscientific evidence in human and non-human primates indicates that the regions that become active during motor execution and motor observation overlap extensively in the cerebral cortex. This suggests that to observe an action, these primates employ their motor and somatosensation areas in order to simulate it internally. In line with this finding, in the current paper, we examine relevant neuroscientific evidence in order to design a computational agent that can facilitate observational learning of reaching movements. For this reason, we develop a novel motor control system, inspired from contemporary theories of motor control, and demonstrate how it can be used during observation to facilitate learning, without the active involvement of the agent’s body. Our results show that novel motor skills can be acquired only by observation, by optimizing the peripheral components of the agent’s motion.
A symplectic eigenfunction expansion approach for free vibration solutions of rectangular Kirchhoff plates
Authors: Bai Eburilitu , Chen Alatancang
Published: May 2012

The eigenfunction system of the Hamiltonian operator appearing in the free vibration of rectangular Kirchhoff plates with two opposite edges simply supported is studied. The governing differential equations for free vibration of rectangular Kirchhoff plates is rewritten as a Hamiltonian system based on the known results, and the associated Hamiltonian operator is obtained. Then, in the sense of Cauchy's principal value, the completeness of the symplectic eigenfunction system is proved. It offers a theoretical guarantee of the feasibility of variable separation methods based on the Hamiltonian system for the problem. The exact general solution for the corresponding Hamiltonian system of the problem is given by the symplectic eigenfunction expansion method. The general solution is more simple and convenient than the existing result. Examples are given to illustrate that, combining the general solution with the corresponding boundary conditions, the frequency equations and the transverse displacement functions for Lévy-type plates can be directly derived. Furthermore, the boundary conditions for the problem, which can be solved by this approach, are indicated.
Broadcast Journalism Education and the Capstone Experience
Authors: Tanner Andrea , Forde Kathy Roberts , Besley John C. , Weir Tom
Published: May 2012

This study assesses the current state of the television news capstone experience in accredited journalism and mass communication programs in the United States. Specifically, the authors employed a mixed-methods approach, interviewing 20 television news capstone instructors and conducting an analysis of broadcast journalism curriculum information obtained from 113 schools. More than 90 percent of accredited schools offer a television news capstone, and faculty had similar insights about television news instruction and how best to teach the television news capstone course.
Do Journalists’ Opinions Affect News Selection in a Low-Key Conflict? Newspaper Coverage of the Discussion of Smoking Bans in Switzerland
Authors: Schulz Peter J. , Hartung Uwe , Fiordelli Maddalena
Published: May 2012

This quantitative content analysis applies the theory of instrumental actualization to Swiss newspaper coverage of smoking bans in public places. The theory holds that journalists’ opinions affect news selection; it is studied here for the weighting and evaluation of arguments in news stories. The editorial stance of newspapers was related to the weighting of argumentative fields and the frequency of contradiction of different standpoints. Therefore, elements of both a dialectical (papers of different stance explicitly contradicting one another) and a rhetorical (papers of different stance speaking of different matters) model of discourse were found.
Free Press vs. Free Speech? The Rhetoric of “Civility” in Regard to Anonymous Online Comments
Authors: Reader Bill
Published: May 2012

This study explores the issue of “civility” in anonymous comments posted to news media websites. A textual analysis of journalistic essays about the issue and more than 900 audience-member responses to those essays suggests a disconnect between professional journalists and most forum participants over the purpose of such “virtual village squares,” particularly with regard to the role of anonymity. Using the theoretical framework of “concordance,” the analysis suggests that journalists and audiences have very different conceptualizations about “civility” and the role of anonymity in civil discourse.
Handwriting in Children With ADHD
Authors: Langmaid Rebecca A. , Papadopoulos Nicole , Johnson Beth P. , Phillips James G. , Rinehart Nicole J.
Published: May 2012

Objective: Children with ADHD–combined type (ADHD-CT) display fine and gross motor problems, often expressed as handwriting difficulties. This study aimed to kinematically characterize the handwriting of children with ADHD using a cursive letter l’s task. Method: In all, 28 boys (7-12 years), 14 ADHD-CT and 14 typically developing (TD), without developmental coordination disorder (DCD) or comorbid autism, wrote a series of four cursive letter l’s using a graphics tablet and stylus. Results: Children with ADHD-CT had more inconsistent writing size than did TD controls. In addition, ADHD-CT symptom severity, specifically inattention, predicted poorer handwriting outcomes. Conclusion: In a sample of children with ADHD-CT who do not have DCD or autism, subtle handwriting differences were evident. It was concluded that handwriting might be impaired in children with ADHD in a manner dependent on symptom severity. This may reflect reports of underlying motor impairment in ADHD.
A 9-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Dose-Finding Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Modafinil as Treatment for Adults With ADHD
Authors: Arnold Valerie K. , Feifel David , Earl Craig Q. , Yang Ronghua , Adler Lenard A.
Published: May 2012

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of modafinil at a range of doses, versus placebo, in alleviating symptoms of ADHD in adults. Method: Adult patients with ADHD were randomized in 1:1:1:1:1 fashion to double-blind treatment with modafinil 255, 340, 425, or 510 mg daily or placebo for 9 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was the change from baseline at final visit in the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) total score. Results: A total of 338 patients were enrolled, of whom 330 received at least 1 dose of study medication (modafinil or placebo). No statistically significant difference in the AISRS total score was observed at final visit between any modafinil group and placebo; however, some observations among patients who completed the trial may warrant further investigation. Conclusion: Modafinil was reasonably tolerated but did not demonstrate a benefit on ADHD symptoms in adults.
Screening for Working Memory Deficits in the Classroom
Authors: Normand Sébastien , Tannock Rosemary
Published: May 2012

Objective: The aim of this 18-month longitudinal study was to explore the psychometric properties of the recently developed Working Memory Rating Scale (WMRS) within a general school population of 524 six- to nine-year-old children (259 boys, 265 girls) and with an examination of sex and time differences. Method: Teachers completed the WMRS and children completed objective measures of WM and standardized measures of academic achievement. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses indicated a poor fit for the 20 original WMRS items. Post hoc analyses, however, revealed that the factor structure of an alternative five-item short form was strong for both boys and girls and at the two time points, spanning two consecutive academic years. Internal consistency, criterion-related validity, and convergent validity of this alternative five-item WMRS were also excellent. Conclusion: The short five-item WMRS may eventually provide teachers with a useful and time-effective method to screen for WM deficits at school.
No Link Between Date of Birth and ADHD Symptoms in Adults
Authors: Kowalyk Terra V. , Davis Caroline , Wattie Nick , Baker Joseph
Published: May 2012

Objective: Research has highlighted several negative consequences for individuals born in the later part of the academic year, including increased likelihood of being diagnosed with learning disabilities. In this study, we considered whether birthdate predicted ADHD symptomatology using two well known mechanisms, the relative age effect (RAE) and the season of birth effect (SOBE). Methods: Study participants completed two ADHD measures: Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS). Results: There were gender effects in the WURS data indicating that males scored higher than females on ADHD symptoms as well as a significant interaction in the CAARS data to support differential patterns among males and females. Conclusion: Overall, results did not support a RAE or SOBE among males or females. Possible reasons for these findings and their implications are discussed.
Flypaper Nonprofits
Authors: Thornton Jeremy P.
Published: May 2012

This article examines the influence of federal grants on nonprofit expenditure decisions. The topic is of particular concern for governments who wish to stimulate private provision of public services. Recent research shows that grants may inadvertently reduce private sector provision by causing a reduction in fund-raising effort. This study extends line of inquiry by examining the influence of conditional versus lump-sum-style grants. The article draws detailed grant data from the Federal Assistance Award Data System (FAADS), which includes structural characteristics of the grant. FAADS grant information is combined with a panel of nonprofit financial data. Empirical results demonstrate that, though relatively uncommon in the data, conditional grants are particularly effective at stimulating both additional fund-raising activity and output of the firm. Block-Formula grants appear to significantly reduce both fund-raising and output decisions. The study implies that the use of conditional grants could mitigate crowd-out due to nonprofit management decisions.
A double cantilever beam specimen for foam core fracture characterization
Authors: Saenz Elio E , Hernández-Pérez Adrián , Carlsson Leif A , Karlsson Anette M
Published: May 2012

This article presents the analysis and test results for a new sandwich double cantilever beam specimen for foam fracture characterization. The foam is sandwiched between two stiff and strong aluminum adherends. The specimen is analyzed using a modified version of the classical Kanninen elastic foundation model. Finite element analysis is conducted to determine the stress state near the crack tip and compliance of the double cantilever beam sandwich specimen. Model predictions are compared to experimental compliance data and crack growth paths for double cantilever beam specimens with polyvinyl chloride and polyethersulfone foams. The elastic foundation model and finite element analysis compliance results were in close agreement with experimental data over a range of crack lengths. The experiments revealed crack kinking for double cantilever beam specimens with 25.4 mm thick cores, whereas the crack path was stable in specimens with thinner (12.7 mm) cores. The distributions of T-stress ahead of the crack tip indicate crack instability for thicker cores while thinner cores promote stable growth, in agreement with experimentally observed crack paths. Hence thinner foam cores should be considered when conducting fracture testing of foam cores. An expression for the minimum admissible length of the uncracked specimen region was determined from the foundation model.
The impact of a hybrid Sport Education–Invasion Games Competence Model soccer unit on students’ decision making, skill execution and overall game performance
Authors: Mesquita Isabel , Farias Cláudio , Hastie Peter
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a hybrid Sport Education–Invasion Games Competence Model (SE-IGCM) unit application on students’ improvements in decision making, skill execution and overall game performance, during a soccer season. Twenty-six fifth-grade students from a Portuguese public elementary school participated in a 22-lesson season, in which pre-test, post-test and retention test measures were analyzed through the instrument developed by Blomqvist et al. (2005). Results showed that teaching a soccer unit in a SE environment sustained by the learning tasks structure provided by the IGCM offered students a chance to improve skill execution, as well their tactical decision making. The overall results showed a strong impact on students’ learning, especially for girls and low skill-level students, fostered by the equitable participation. The retention test was particularly important to assess gains of students of all skill levels, particularly the low-skilled students.
Addressing trauma in collaborative mental health care for refugee children
Authors: Rousseau Cecile , Measham Toby , Nadeau Lucie
Published: May 2012

Primary care institutions, including clinics, schools and community organizations, because of their closeness to the family living environment, are often in a privileged position to detect problems in traumatized refugee children and to provide help. In a collaborative care model, the child psychiatrist consultant can assist the primary care consultee and family in holding the trauma narrative and organizing a safe network around the child and family. The consultant can support the establishment of a therapeutic alliance, provide a cultural understanding of presenting problems and negotiate with the consultee and the family a treatment plan. In many settings, trauma focused psychotherapy may not be widely available, but committed community workers and primary care professionals may provide excellent psychosocial support and a forum for empathic listening that may provide relief to the family and the child.
Perception of overweight and obesity from different angles: A qualitative study
Authors: Sikorski Claudia , Riedel Christiane , Luppa Melanie , Schulze Beate , Werner Perla , König Hans-Helmut , Riedel-Heller Steffi G
Published: May 2012

Aims: Up to this date, the obesity pandemic has yet to be confined, with prevalence rates still rising in most countries. Aside from numerous negative consequences such as comorbid diseases and a reduction in life expectancy due to excessive bodyweight and the economic impact of obesity on healthcare systems, negative outcomes in overweight and obese individuals are also affected by perceived stigmatisation and discrimination. Knowledge of common views and perception overweight and obesity in the general public as well as in specific populations (e.g. healthcare professionals) is crucial in order to develop stigma-reduction interventions. The specific aim of the current study was to develop an appropriate questionnaire to be used in the survey to follow and further to enhance existing instruments. Methods: This qualitative study reports results from focus groups with normal-weight and overweight individuals as well as healthcare professionals. Results: Contents of the discussion of overweight and obesity did not differ substantially between the three groups. Results show that the definition of obesity in our focus groups is a subjective construct influenced mainly by aesthetics, sympathy, and activity. Within the groups, obesity was mainly seen as a controllable condition; however, external, such as societal, factors were named as well. In line with this and as expected from theoretical background, obese individuals are ascribed mainly negative attributions. Conclusions: With these results, this study enlightens lived realities of different groups of people. The results can be applied to improve existing instruments for the measurement of attitudes towards obesity.
When dimensions collide: The electoral success of issue entrepreneurs
Authors: De Vries Catherine E. , Hobolt Sara B.
Published: May 2012

Theories of issue evolution and issue manipulation suggest that ‘political losers’ in the party system can advance their position by introducing a new issue dimension. According to these theories, a strategy of issue entrepreneurship, that is the attempt to restructure political competition by mobilizing a previously non-salient issue dimension, allows political losers to attract new voters and reap electoral gains. In this study, we examine the extent to which these expectations hold by exploring issue entrepreneurial strategies of political parties when applied to the issue of European integration. Using multi-level modelling to analyse European Election Study data, we first show that voters are more likely to cast their ballot for parties that are losers on the extant dimension based on concerns related to European integration. Secondly, a time-series cross-sectional analysis demonstrates that parties that employ an issue entrepreneurial strategy are more successful electorally. Put differently, voters are responsive to the issue entrepreneurial strategies of parties. These findings have important implications for our understanding of party competition and electoral behaviour in multi-party systems.
Micro-skills of group formulations in care settings
Authors: Jackman Louisa J , Wood-Mitchell Amy , James Ian A
Published: May 2012

This study examines some of the micro-skills associated with the moment-to-moment decisions and actions involved in delivering group formulation sessions in dementia care settings. We discuss the therapeutic framework used by therapists from a number of Challenging Behaviour Services in the UK (Newcastle, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Teesside, Sutton and Merton, Northern Ireland) which is frequently referred to as the Newcastle or Colombo approach. Through a theoretical review and practice illustration, the study pays particular attention to the role of therapists’ questions and questioning styles in group formulation sessions, providing a framework which aims to facilitate care staffs’ understanding, reflection and empathy regarding their residents who are displaying ‘challenging behaviours’. The study also provides a potential guide to the training of therapists working in this area and thereby attempts to benefit clinical practices in an area where pharmacological approaches are usually the treatment of choice.
Engaging fathers from disadvantaged areas in children’s early educational transitions: A UK perspective
Authors: Potter Carol , Walker Gary , Keen Bev
Published: May 2012

Findings presented here relate to the evaluation of an innovative one-year pilot project in an area of multiple deprivation in the north of England, the goal of which was to engage fathers and male carers in their children’s transition from an early years setting to formal schooling to enhance children’s enjoyment, achievement and learning at this critical early stage of development. The project was successful in engaging men, recording 76 male attendances at activities during the project period, 19 of which were recorded at school-based activities, following transition. Strategies found to be effective in engaging men at a strategic level were partnership working with an expert agency on male inclusion and the use of a highly gender differentiated approach. At an operational level, successful approaches included the use of a highly individualized, strengths-based, empowerment orientated approach, within a partnership context, implemented by an extremely skilled Fathers Transition Worker, complemented by intensive follow-up contact via mobile phone, the use of male orientated activities and the engagement of mothers, as well as fathers.
The many measurements of self-control: How re-operationalized self-control compares
Authors: Gunter Whitney D. , Bakken Nicholas W.
Published: May 2012

Since Gottfredson and Hirschi’s A General Theory of Crime was published in 1990, self-control has become a major focus in criminological theory and research and the issue of measuring self-control has been the topic of many debates. Much of this research has used Grasmick and colleagues’ 1993 attitudinal scale. In 2004, Hirschi provided a new definition for self-control designed to spur new measurements of the concept. Despite this effort, only Piquero and Bouffard (2007) have provided an in-depth attempt to measure the redefined concept. This study replicates the Piquero and Bouffard measurement and a traditional measure of self-control in order to compare their effectiveness in predicting criminal or deviant behaviours. The data used come from a random sample of undergraduate students. Results indicate that the strength of the relationship between self-control and crime/deviance varies significantly based on the way self-control is measured.
Prolonged Exposure, Mindfulness, and Emotion Regulation for the Treatment of PTSD
Authors: Frye Lauren A. , Spates C. Richard
Published: May 2012

Although several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of prolonged exposure (PE) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are concerns regarding its clinical applications. The exacerbation of symptoms during exposure, poor adherence to treatment, and early treatment dropout are suggested to occur because of an unwillingness for some PTSD clients to confront feared trauma-relevant stimuli and experience anxious arousal during exposure. The application of mindfulness and emotion regulation skills during PE may be a useful substitute for clients’ attempts to escape, avoid, or control anxious arousal during treatment. Presented is the clinical case of a 19-year-old college student with severe PTSD resulting from a childhood sexual assault. The article discusses the client’s success with the mindfulness, emotion regulation, and PE approach, in addition to reductions in anxiety sensitivity over the course of treatment, as well as implications for practice and further research.
Compensated Taking
Authors: Cooke Jason
Published: May 2012

In the first decades of the twentieth century, the concept of comprehensive zoning emerged in the United States as a legal method of imposing order upon unregulated urban growth. Despite formidable limitations on the extension of the police power before Euclid v. Ambler in 1926, the first comprehensive zoning ordinances were passed in New York city (1916) and Chicago (1923) where existing patterns of corporate-commercial development added complexity to the political process. This article examines how the zoning problem assumed particular dimensions in Chicago, shaped by a distinctive local geography, vested interests of an established real estate market and long-term planning objectives articulated in the 1909 Plan of Chicago. By focusing on the contentious issue of regulating building height and bulk in an established corporate-commercial district, this article illustrates how health and safety considerations were necessary to the political success of comprehensive zoning in Chicago, providing the necessary justification for the extension of the municipal police power.
Innovative Use of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder for Occlusion of a Large Right Subclavian Artery Aneurysm and Reconstruction of the Posterior Aortic Arch Wall
Authors: Suthananthan Arul , Sieunarine Kishore
Published: May 2012

Purpose: To highlight the efficacy of the Amplatzer septal occluder in endovascular exclusion of an aberrant right subclavian artery aneurysm and reconstruction of the posterior aortic arch wall for subsequent endovascular placement of a thoracic graft. Case Report:A 73-year-old lady with prohibitive surgical risk was found to have a 35 × 39 mm aberrant right subclavian artery aneurysm as well as a 7.6 cm wide thoracic aortic aneurysm. Repair of both defects was performed endoluminally with the patient awake. An Amplatzer septal occluder was used for successful exclusion of the subclavian artery. Additionally, the device enabled reconstruction of the posterior aortic arch wall, thereby providing a landing zone for subsequent placement of a custom-made thoracic endograft. Conclusion: The Amplatzer septal occluder provides an innovative endovascular alternative for complex, large subclavian artery aneurysms.
The Impact of an Organization’s Procedural Justice and Transformational Leadership on Employees’ Citizenship Behaviors in the Korean Business Context
Authors: Song Ji Hoon , Kang In Gu , Shin Yeon Ho , Kim Hye Kyoung
Published: May 2012

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an organization’s procedural justice and transformational leadership on employees’ citizenship behaviors and the mediating effect of the transformational leadership in Korean for-profit business firms. A total of 202 cases were collected from one of the three major conglomerates in Korea and a total of 182 responses were used for data analysis after the data screening process. The structural equation modeling approach was mainly used based on the model comparison between the full research model and the controlled model. The results indicate that an organization’s procedural justice positively affects both variables of transformational leadership and employees’ citizenship behaviors whereas the transformational leadership also positively affects employees’ citizenship behaviors. The model comparison based on chi-square differences indicates that transformational leadership plays the role of a partial mediating variable to explain the relationship between the organization’s procedural justice and employees’ citizenship behaviors. Conclusions are presented, followed by limitations and further research recommendations.
The Continuum of Sexual Violence
Authors: Kavanaugh Philip R.
Published: May 2012

Despite the fact that a substantial amount of research has been conducted on sexual victimization among youth and young adults with active night lives, few of these studies have provided an analysis of the varied types of victimization that have occurred. I attempt to fill this gap with a qualitative analysis of women’s accounts of sexual victimization. Based on the substantive content of these women’s accounts, a three-part typology was generated, comprised of: (a) competing definitions of the situation, (b) opportunistic predation, and (c) involuntary incapacitation. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Sanofi-Aventis et al. v. Apotex Inc. et al.: The one hundred eight million dollar question
Authors: Rein Frederick H , Crystal Joseph B
Published: May 2012

In Sanofi-Aventis et al. v. Apotex, Inc. et al., 659 F.3d 1171 (Fed. Cir. 2011), the Federal Circuit reversed a lower court's grant of prejudgment interest to Sanofi in view of a settlement agreement between the parties, affirmed the lower court's determination that Canadian-based Apotex Inc. was jointly and severally liable with American-based Apotex Corp. for all damages and denied a motion of Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. for leave to amend to add an affirmative defense of patent misuse and a counterclaim for breach of contract. Regarding the denial of prejudgment interest in the amount of $107,930,857, the Federal Circuit found that the term “actual damages” in the settlement agreement included all the damages to which Sanofi was entitled. This decision, accordingly, highlights the importance of drafting carefully crafted settlement agreements.
Analyzing the generic penetration trend in the Japanese dispensing market by therapeutic category
Authors: Shimura Hirohisa , Masuda Sachiko , Kimura Hiromichi
Published: May 2012

Japanese government has started to implement several actions to promote the use of generics; however, the generic penetration rate in value advanced rather slowly from 15.4% in March 2006 to 18.7% in December 2009. Japanese pharmaceutical market has at least two unique facts which differentiate from other markets: timing of generics launch and pricing. These unique features may require a new entrant to consider the different marketing strategy. In this article, we observed that the penetration rate varies among therapeutic categories and the penetration curve for vasodilators, miscellaneous antineoplastics, and synthetic antibacterials is similar. Particularly, these categories had a launch of major original drugs within the examined period and the logistic regression for each category indicated that the reflection point of the curve was 21, 33, and 39 days after the generics launch, accordingly. As previous research suggests that the estimated sales revenue of the original drug is considered as a key determinant for generic drug penetration even in Japan. Japanese generics market will likely grow with a support of government generic promotion policy and the upcoming patent expiry of blockbusters. It is important to consider the entry strategy by therapeutic category and plan the early market penetration strategy.
Lamb boning — an occupational cause of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Authors: Wyatt M. C. , Gwynne-Jones D. P. , Veale G. A.
Published: May 2012

Whether an occupation can cause carpal tunnel syndrome requiring carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) is contentious. We compared the demographics and incidence rates in lamb-freezing workers with the general population who had CTD. In the general population there were 1002 (63%) females and 583 (37%) males, mean age 48 years, and the rate of CTD was 1.36/1000 per annum. In lamb-freezing workers there were 225 males (mean age 38.4 years) and 60 females (mean age 44.6 years); most workers required CTD in their first three seasons. Compared with the general population, the incidence rate ratios in all freezing workers was 16.8; boners, 51.6; meat packers, 22.8; and slaughtermen, 5.4. All groups had a greater rate of CTD than the general population. This study suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome can be directly caused by an occupation.
Effects of a Gastric Feeding Protocol on Efficiency of Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Infants and Children
Authors: Brown Ann-Marie , Forbes Michael L. , Vitale Victoria S. , Tirodker Urmila H. , Zeller Richard
Published: May 2012

Objective: Enteral nutrition (EN) has well-established benefits in critically ill children. Optimally, full nutritional support should be achieved expeditiously. The authors hypothesized that a protocolized continuous gastric EN (GEN) approach would decrease time to goal feeding rate and calories (TTG). Design: 96 patients were enrolled, divided equally into control (pre) and treatment (post) groups. Patients were monitored every 4 hours for 5 signs of feeding intolerance. Significance was defined as P < .05. Setting: 23-bed multidisciplinary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Subjects: PICU patients <18 years of age in whom GEN was to be started were eligible. Exclusion criteria included patients receiving total parental nutrition, <24 hours postoperative, had transpyloric feeding, had previous fundoplication, had preexisting gastrointestinal disease or chronic regimen. Interventions: The authors instituted a protocolized, weight-based approach to GEN and collected outcomes and tolerance data on both the control and treatment groups. Measurements and Main Results: There was no difference in TTG between the control and treatment groups. However, for patients less than 10 kg (74/96 patients), TTG was 15 hours faster in the treatment group compared with the control (56.85 ± 22.71, 70.44 ± 32.45 hours, respectively). Conclusions: The authors investigated the value of a GEN protocol in improving efficiency to goal nutrition in critically ill children. While no difference was found overall, in the subgroup analysis (77%) a significant improvement in TTG was found in infants <10 kg. Further investigation is needed to define impact on patient outcomes, such as length of stay, weight gain, and ICU morbidities.