bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Co-Occurrence of Physical and Cyber Dating Violence and Bullying Among Teens
Authors: Yahner Jennifer , Dank Meredith , Zweig Janine M. , Lachman Pamela
Published: July 2014

This study examined the overlap in teen dating violence and bullying perpetration and victimization, with regard to acts of physical violence, psychological abuse, and—for the first time ever—digitally perpetrated cyber abuse. A total of 5,647 youth (51% female, 74% White) from 10 schools participated in a cross-sectional anonymous survey. Results indicated substantial co-occurrence of all types of teen dating violence and bullying. Youth who perpetrated and/or experienced physical, psychological, and cyber bullying were likely to have also perpetrated/experienced physical and sexual dating violence, and psychological and cyber dating abuse.
In Search of Homo economicus
Authors: Yamagishi Toshio , Li Yang , Takagishi Haruto , Matsumoto Yoshie , Kiyonari Toko
Published: July 2014

Homo economicus, a model for humans in neoclassical economics, is a rational maximizer of self-interest. However, many social scientists regard such a person as a mere imaginary creature. We found that 31 of 446 residents of relatively wealthy Tokyo suburbs met the behavioral definition of Homo economicus. In several rounds of economic games, participants whose behavior was consistent with this model always apportioned the money endowed by the experimenter to themselves, leaving no share for their partners. These participants had high IQs and a deliberative decision style. An additional 39 participants showed a similar disregard for other people’s welfare, although they were slightly more altruistic than those in the Homo economicus group. The psychological composition of these quasi– Homo economicus participants was distinct from that of participants in the Homo economicus group. Although participants in the latter group behaved selfishly on the basis of rational calculations, those in the former group made selfish choices impulsively. The implications of these findings concerning the two types of extreme noncooperators are discussed.
Holocene landscape dynamics at the tell Arslantepe, Malatya, Turkey – Soil erosion, buried soils and settlement layers, slope and river activity in a middle Euphrates catchment
Authors: Dreibrodt Stefan , Lubos Carolin , Lomax Johanna , Sipos Gyorgy , Schroedter Tim , Nelle Oliver
Published: July 2014

Alluvial and colluvial sequences were studied around the prehistoric tell Arslantepe in 11 exposures and additional auger cores. The chronology is based on 11 optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages, four radiocarbon ages, and the embedded artifacts. Sediments contained wood charcoals, providing information on former vegetation. Fluvial activity is documented during Late Glacial times (15.4 ± 2.5, 12.8 ± 3.1 kyr) and frequently after Roman times. Slope and soil erosion occurred in the early (10.6 ± 1.4, 8.2 ± 0.7 kyr) and mid–late Holocene (6.7 ± 0.9, 5.4 ± 0.7–4.7 ± 0.7, 2.6 ± 0.2–2.5 ± 0.2, 1.9 ± 0.2–1.8 ± 0.2 kyr, and during the last 1000 years). The early Holocene erosion phases pre-date the so far established onset of settlement at the tell. This either indicates an earlier onset of agricultural land use than assumed or climatic influence on erosion, such as the 10.3 and 8.2 kyr climate events known from Western Europe. The erosion phases at around 5.0 and 2.6 kyr could reflect geomorphic responses to societal collapse (Late Chalcolithic state, Neo-Hittite kingdom) at Arslantepe. Most intensive Holocene soil erosion and landscape degradation occurred after occupation of the region by the Roman Empire. This is paralleled by the onset of river activity. A part of the lower neo-Hittite town as well as an early Holocene Terra Rossa–like soil that had formed rapidly were found buried. So far, no indication for mid–late Holocene fluvial activity of the adjacent creeks until Roman times has been found. Our results illustrate the large potential of slope deposits for long term reconstructions of human induced landscape transformation in Anatolia.
Imaging underwater neotectonic structures in the Amazonian lowland
Authors: Rossetti Dilce F
Published: July 2014

Previous documentation has proposed tectonic activity from the Neogene to Holocene as one important control on drainage development in the Amazonian lowland. However, recording tectonic structures in this region has been challenging due to environmental difficulties, including the low topography and dense vegetation cover that do not favor natural exposures. For this reason, the role of tectonics in determining river dynamics, morphology, and sediment deposition in Amazonia has been suggested with caution. Despite limitations, morphostructural lineaments have provided useful information to support fault reactivation in several areas of the Amazonian lowland. However, further documentation is required to map the faults and describe their geometry. This approach is essential to better understand the geotectonic model of this region. In this work, analyses of high-resolution optical imagery of three Amazonian shallow water lakes provided exceptional views of an abundance of linear features on the beds of these lakes. Although based on indirect evidence from remote sensing data, the quality of the images allowed the geometry of these underwater features to be characterized in detail. The most striking are sets of NE–SW lineaments that frequently intercept NW–SE trending lineaments with offsets of up to 500 m in the horizontal plane. These characteristics support dextral faults with strike–slip rates in the study areas. The faults display trends compatible with the geotectonic model proposed for the Brazilian Amazonia region. They also control the morphology of lakes and rivers, as indicated by the parallelism and/or continuity into straight lineaments that define lake margins and river courses, including the courses of large rivers, such as the Solimões and Amazonas Rivers. Available radiocarbon ages of deposits from the lake bed sediments and from related floodplain deposits are consistent with the proposal of faulting during the latest Holocene, even only a few hundred years ago.
Preliminary report on a mid-19th century Cannabis pollen peak in NE Spain: Historical context and potential chronological significance
Authors: Rull Valentí , Vegas-Vilarrúbia Teresa
Published: July 2014

Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) was introduced in Europe from Asia Minor during classical Greek and Roman times. Since then, hemp pollen abundances between 10% and 80% in Late Holocene sediments have been considered indicative of the local or regional cultivation and/or retting of this plant. In this paper, a unique pollen peak of >60% recorded in Lake Montcortès (pre-Pyrenean foothills, NE Spain) is evaluated as a potential chronostratigraphic marker. Previously, this pollen peak was dated to ad 1757 using a depth–age model based on AMS 14C dates from sedimentary macrofossils, but a recent calibration of the model using varve counting has refined the date of the hemp pollen maximum to ad 1839. This date coincides with an outstanding socio-political shift from feudalism to liberalism in Spain and the corresponding dismantling of the royal navy, the main consumer of hemp fibre. These events produced a well-documented decline in Cannabis cultivation across the Iberian Peninsula. The sharpness of the Cannabis pollen peak, its accurate dating using annual varves and its almost exact coincidence with outstanding and widespread historical events suggest that this palynological landmark could be used as a chronostratigraphic marker for recent centuries. This possibility, as well as the geographical extent of this potential datum, should be confirmed with further studies.
Hierarchical mixture models for longitudinal immunologic data with heterogeneity, non-normality, and missingness
Authors: Huang Yangxin , Chen Jiaqing , Yin Ping
Published: July 2014

It is a common practice to analyze longitudinal data frequently arisen in medical studies using various mixed-effects models in the literature. However, the following issues may standout in longitudinal data analysis: (i) In clinical practice, the profile of each subject’s response from a longitudinal study may follow a “broken stick” like trajectory, indicating multiple phases of increase, decline and/or stable in response. Such multiple phases (with changepoints) may be an important indicator to help quantify treatment effect and improve management of patient care. To estimate changepoints, the various mixed-effects models become a challenge due to complicated structures of model formulations; (ii) an assumption of homogeneous population for models may be unrealistically obscuring important features of between-subject and within-subject variations; (iii) normality assumption for model errors may not always give robust and reliable results, in particular, if the data exhibit non-normality; and (iv) the response may be missing and the missingness may be non-ignorable. In the literature, there has been considerable interest in accommodating heterogeneity, non-normality or missingness in such models. However, there has been relatively little work concerning all of these features simultaneously. There is a need to fill up this gap as longitudinal data do often have these characteristics. In this article, our objectives are to study simultaneous impact of these data features by developing a Bayesian mixture modeling approach-based Finite Mixture of Changepoint (piecewise) Mixed-Effects (FMCME) models with skew distributions, allowing estimates of both model parameters and class membership probabilities at population and individual levels. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method, and an AIDS clinical data example is analyzed to demonstrate the proposed methodologies and to compare modeling results of potential mixture models under different scenarios.
Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Cofactors Associated With Alcohol Consumption Among School-Going Adolescents in Malaysia
Authors: Manickam Mala A. , Abdul Mutalip Mohd Hatta B , Hamid Hamizatul Akmal Bt Abdul , Bt Kamaruddin Rozanim , Sabtu Mohd Yusoff B
Published: July 2014

Alcohol is deleterious to physical and mental health as well as social well-being. This study aims to examine the prevalence of alcohol consumption and factors associated with its use among school-going Malaysian adolescents. The Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2012 employed 2-stage clustering design to Malaysian secondary school respondents aged 12 to 17 years. The prevalence of current alcohol usage was 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.8-10.07) overall, 11.2% (95% CI: 9.80-12.80) among males, and 23.4 (95% CI: 21.40-25.50) among Chinese students. Multivariate logistic regression showed that adolescents who had used alcohol were more likely to have used substance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.39; 95% CI: 2.33-4.99), experienced injury (aOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.20-1.95), and engaged in sexual behaviors (aOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12-1.79), and fights (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.08-1.41). The current national policies on alcohol should be strengthened to curb alcohol consumption among adolescents.
Illicit Drug Use Among School-Going Adolescents in Malaysia
Authors: Yusoff Fadhli , Sahril Norhafizah , Rasidi Naim M. , Zaki Nor Azian M. , Muhamad Norazlina , Ahmad NoorAni
Published: July 2014

Illicit drug use among adolescents has become a public health issue in Malaysia. This study was from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with illicit drug use among school-going adolescents in Malaysia. A 2-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used and data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 25 507 students participated in the study. The prevalence of adolescents who ever used illicit drugs was 1.7%. Adolescents who ever used illicit drugs were associated with current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.99; 95% CI = 5.19, 9.40), current alcohol use (aOR = 4.63; 95% CI = 3.43, 6.26), ever having sex (aOR = 4.76; 95% CI = 3.54, 6.41), truancy (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.90), lack of peer support (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.03), and lack of parental monitoring (aOR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.22, 2.39). Public health intervention should be addressed to prevent illicit drug used among adolescents.
Does Parent–Child Interaction Therapy Reduce Future Physical Abuse? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kennedy Stephanie C. , Kim Johnny S. , Tripodi Stephen J. , Brown Samantha M. , Gowdy Grace
Published: July 2014

Objective:

To use meta-analytic techniques to evaluating the effectiveness of parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) at reducing future physical abuse among physically abusive families.

Methods:

A systematic search identified six eligible studies. Outcomes of interest were physical abuse recurrence, child abuse potential, and parenting stress.

Results:

Parents receiving PCIT had significantly fewer physical abuse recurrences and significantly greater reductions on the Parenting Stress Index than parents in comparison groups. Reductions in child abuse potential were nonsignificant, although 95% confidence intervals suggest clinically meaningful treatment effects. The studies examining physical abuse recurrence had a medium treatment effect ( g = 0.52), while results from pooled effect size estimates for child abuse potential ( g = 0.31) and parenting stress ( g = 0.35) were small.

Conclusions:

PCIT appears to be effective at reducing physical abuse recurrence and parenting stress for physically abusive families, with the largest treatment effects seen on long-term physical abuse recurrence. Applications to social work practice are discussed.
Gender and Ethnic Differences in Health-Promoting Behaviors of Rural Adolescents
Authors: Rew Lynn , Arheart Kristopher L. , Horner Sharon D. , Thompson Sanna , Johnson Karen E.
Published: July 2014

Although much is known about health-risk behaviors of adolescents, less is known about their health-promoting behaviors. The purpose of this analysis was to compare health-promoting behaviors in adolescents in Grades 9–12 by gender and ethnicity and explore how these behaviors changed over time. Data were collected from 878 rural adolescents (47.5% Hispanic; mean age at baseline 14.7 years). Males from all ethnic groups scored significantly higher than all females on physical activity; non-Hispanic Black males and females scored significantly higher than other ethnic groups on safety behaviors. Hispanic and non-Hispanic White females scored higher than males in these ethnic groups on stress management. Nutrition, physical activity, and safety behaviors decreased significantly for most participants from Grade 9 to 12 whereas stress management remained relatively stable. Findings are similar to those from nationally representative samples that analyzed cross-sectional data and have implications for school nursing interventions to improve health-promoting behaviors in rural adolescents.
Foot Disorders Associated With Overpronated and Oversupinated Foot Function
Authors: Golightly Yvonne M. , Hannan Marian T. , Dufour Alyssa B. , Hillstrom Howard J. , Jordan Joanne M.
Published: July 2014

Background:

The occurrence of musculoskeletal foot disorders differs by race and obesity, and these disorders may be related to pronated (low arch) or supinated (high arch) foot structure. This cross-sectional analysis examined relationships of foot disorders and foot function by race and obesity in a community-based observational study of adults 50+ years old with and without osteoarthritis.

Methods:

Members of a prospective cohort study in North Carolina were included in this analysis (N = 1466, 67.2% women, 29.5% African American, mean age 68.5 years). Foot disorders were identified with a validated assessment tool, and each foot was categorized as overpronated, oversupinated, and referent using the center of pressure excursion index from foot pressure scans during normal-paced walking. Logistic regression models estimated associations between foot function and each foot disorder with age, body mass index (BMI), gender, and race as covariates.

Results:

Compared to referent, an overpronated foot was associated with hallux valgus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.65) and overlapping toes (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12-1.64), especially in the obese. An oversupinated foot was inversely associated with hallux valgus (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.97). An oversupinated foot was less likely to be associated with bunionettes among the obese and was more likely to be associated with plantar fasciitis in Caucasians.

Conclusion:

Foot function was related to hallux valgus and overlapping toes, especially among the obese. In clinical patients as well as in the community of older adults, treatments for both the foot disorder and the pronated/supinated foot may be needed.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, comparative cohort study.
Cilia
Authors: Métin Christine , Pedraza Maria
Published: July 2014

While the presence of a primary cilium on neural progenitors and on post-mitotic neurons was noted long ago, a primary cilium has been observed on migrating cortical interneurons only recently. As in fibroblasts, the cilium of interneurons controls the directionality of migration. It plays an important role in the reorientation of cortical interneurons toward the cortical plate. The morphogen Shh, which is expressed in the migratory pathway of interneurons, is one of the signals that control this reorientation. After a short description of the migratory pathways of cortical interneurons, we focus on cellular mechanisms that allow interneurons to reorient their trajectory during their long-distance migration. Then we examine the role of the primary cilium in cell migration and how ciliogenesis might be related to the migration cycle in interneurons. Finally, we review the molecular mechanisms at the basis of the sensory function of the primary cilium and examine how Shh signals could influence the migratory behavior of cortical interneurons. These novel data provide a cellular basis to further understanding cognitive deficits associated with human ciliopathies.
The Effects of Different Lying Positions on Interface Pressure, Skin Temperature, and Tissue Blood Flow in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Källman Ulrika , Engström Maria , Bergstrand Sara , Ek Anna-Christina , Fredrikson Mats , Lindberg Lars-Göran , Lindgren Margareta
Published: July 2014

Background:

Although repositioning is considered an important intervention to prevent pressure ulcers, tissue response during loading in different lying positions has not been adequately explored.

Aim:

To compare the effects of different lying positions on interface pressure, skin temperature, and tissue blood flow in nursing home residents.

Method:

From May 2011 to August 2012, interface pressure, skin temperature, and blood flow at three tissue depths were measured for 1 hr over the sacrum in 30° supine tilt and 0° supine positions and over the trochanter major in 30° lateral and 90° lateral positions in 25 residents aged 65 years or older. Measurement of interface pressure was accomplished using a pneumatic pressure transmitter connected to a digital manometer, skin temperature using a temperature sensor, and blood flow using photoplethysmography and laser Doppler flowmetry.

Results:

Interface pressure was significantly higher in the 0° supine and 90° lateral positions than in 30° supine tilt and 30° lateral positions. The mean skin temperature increased from baseline in all positions. Blood flow was significantly higher in the 30° supine tilt position compared to the other positions. A hyperemic response in the post pressure period was seen at almost all tissue depths and positions.

Conclusion:

The 30° supine tilt position generated less interface pressure and allowed greater tissue perfusion, suggesting that this position is the most beneficial.
Why public trust in health care systems matters and deserves greater research attention
Authors: Gille Felix , Smith Sarah , Mays Nicholas
Published: July 2014

Considering the underlying importance of trust, there is too little research into the understanding, protection and recovery of trust in health care systems, not only for the effective functioning of health care systems but also for society in general. Several researchers have pointed towards a contemporary crisis of trust in health care systems and there have been many examples that show the severe effects of mistrust. More research into public trust in health care systems could contribute to improving efficiency while protecting the health of the public.
Smartphone applications for seizure management
Authors: Pandher Puneet Singh , Bhullar Karamdeep Kaur
Published: July 2014

Technological advancements continue to provide innovative ways of enhancing patient care in medicine. In particular, the growing popularity of smartphone technology has seen the recent emergence of a myriad of healthcare applications (or apps) that promise to help shape the way in which health information is delivered to people worldwide. While limited research already exists on a range of such apps, our study is the first to examine the salient features of smartphone applications as they apply to the area of seizure management. For the purposes of this review, we conducted a search of the official online application stores of the five major smartphone platforms: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Nokia-Symbian. Apps were included if they reported to contain some information or tools relating to seizure management and excluded if they were aimed exclusively at health professionals. A total of 28 applications met these criteria. Overall, we found an increasing number of epilepsy apps available on the smartphone market, but with only a minority offering comprehensive educational information alongside tools such as seizure diaries, medication tracking and/or video recording.
The role of short messaging service in supporting the delivery of healthcare: An umbrella systematic review
Authors: Househ Mowafa
Published: July 2014

Short messaging service (SMS) messages may present a convenient and cost-effective method to support healthcare interventions. This work assesses the effects of short messaging service on various healthcare interventions found in systematic reviews. The search strategy was based on two key concepts: short messaging service and healthcare delivery. The initial search was conducted in December 2012 and was updated in June 2013. Of the 550 identified references, 13 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria, of which 8 were published in peer-reviewed journals and 5 were retrieved from the Cochrane library. Data analysis shows that low to moderate research evidence exists on the benefits of short messaging service interventions for appointment reminders, promoting health in developing countries and preventive healthcare. In many interventions, however, there were a few studies that were of high quality, and most of the studies were rated from low to moderate quality or had no rating at all. Healthcare organizations, policy makers, or clinicians using short messaging service messages to support healthcare interventions should (1) implement interventions that have been found to work in healthcare settings, (2) continue evaluating short messaging service interventions that have not been adequately assessed, and (3) improve collaboration between various healthcare entities to develop studies targeted at specific populations to evaluate the long-term impact of short messaging service on healthcare outcomes.
We Like Copies, Just Don’t Let the Others Fool You
Authors: McKelvey Fenwick
Published: July 2014

The Facebook page of the anti-copyright The Pirate Bay (TPB) explains much about the group in few words. “We like copies,” it explains, “just don’t let the others fool you.” The paradoxical phrase reveals the contradictions of TPB. Their use of “copies” deliberately chaffs with their opponents who equate piracy with theft of intellectual property. Pirates copy digital bits; they do not steal intellectual property. Championing copying is problematic for a group at the center of the Piracy Movement. The warning that “others [might] fool you” acknowledges the tensions brought about by celebrating copying while depending on their privileged voice. This article addresses these contradictions by describing TPB as an assemblage defined by conflicting forces of centripetal pull and centrifugal push. Understanding the contradictions of TPB offers greater insights into the challenges faced by other Hacktivism groups as they struggle for political change and legitimacy.
The contribution of perceived fit between job demands and abilities to teachers’ commitment and job satisfaction
Authors: Bogler Ronit , Nir Adam E
Published: July 2014

The current study aims at exploring the common means that may improve organizational effectiveness by focusing on two main facets of organizational qualities: teacher commitment and job satisfaction. Data were collected from 841 randomly sampled teachers employed in 118 elementary schools in Israel. A quantitative questionnaire, which included scales measuring organizational and professional commitment, extrinsic and intrinsic satisfaction and organizational and job-related characteristics, was employed. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the single variable that predicted both types of commitment (organizational and professional) and both types of satisfaction (intrinsic and extrinsic) was teachers’ perceptions of the fit between one's job demands and abilities. The second most influential predictor was principals’ interaction with the teachers. Job-related characteristics had the least impact on teacher’s professional commitment and extrinsic satisfaction. The finding, that perceived job fit predicted both commitment and job satisfaction, reinforces the importance of the assumption about the significance of best practice in recruitment and placement processes, which has long been known to be significant in determining professional conduct. Other implications of the findings are discussed, and recommendations are provided to school principals.
Is hormone replacement therapy in post‐menopausal women associated with a reduced risk of oesophageal cancer?
Authors: Menon Shyam , Nightingale Peter , Trudgill Nigel
Published: July 2014

Purpose

The rise in oesophageal adenocarcinoma incidence in women with age is delayed compared with men until the post‐menopausal period. A matched cohort study was therefore undertaken of post‐menopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to examine the association between HRT, oesophageal cancer and the potentially associated conditions, reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus.

Methods

Women aged over 50 years within the UK General Practice Research Database with a history of HRT exposure were matched by age and general practice with controls without HRT exposure (1:1). Matched Cox‐regression analysis was performed to estimate adjusted hazard ratios.

Results

51,851 HRT users and controls were studied. Prolonged HRT use for 5–10 years (hazard ratio 0.25 (95% CI 0.07–0.95)) and time‐dependent covariates for increasing duration of HRT use (0.06 (0.01–0.43)) were associated with a reduced oesophageal cancer risk. HRT use was associated with reflux oesophagitis (1.27 (1.12–1.43)), but when analysis was confined to women with codes for both reflux oesophagitis and endoscopy there was no association (1.1 (0.81–1.44)), suggesting increased reporting of reflux symptoms among HRT users rather than an association with endoscopic reflux oesophagitis.

Conclusion

Long‐term post‐menopausal HRT may be associated with a reduced risk of oesophageal cancer.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Is Associated With Broad Impairments in Executive Function
Authors: Snyder Hannah R. , Kaiser Roselinde H. , Warren Stacie L. , Heller Wendy
Published: July 2014

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious and often chronically disabling condition. The current dominant model of OCD focuses on abnormalities in prefrontal-striatal circuits that support executive function (EF). Although there is growing evidence for EF impairments associated with OCD, results have been inconsistent, which makes the nature and magnitude of these impairments controversial. The current meta-analysis uses random-effects models to synthesize 110 studies in which participants with OCD were compared with healthy control participants on at least one neuropsychological measure of EF. The results indicate that individuals with OCD are impaired on tasks measuring most aspects of EF, consistent with broad impairment in EF. EF deficits were not explained by general motor slowness or depression. Effect sizes were largely stable across variation in demographic and clinical characteristics of samples, although medication use, age, and gender moderated some effects.
Dynamics of complement activation in aHUS and how to monitor eculizumab therapy
Authors: Noris Marina , Galbusera Miriam , Gastoldi Sara , Macor Paolo , Banterla Federica , Bresin Elena , Tripodo Claudio , Bettoni Serena , Donadelli Roberta , Valoti Elisabetta , Tedesco Francesco , Amore Alessandro , Coppo Rosanna , Ruggenenti Piero , Gotti Eliana , Remuzzi Giuseppe
Published: July 2014

Key Points

Endothelial-restricted complement activation occurs in aHUS, and clinical remission relies on efficient endothelial complement inhibition. Ex vivo serum-induced endothelial C5b-9 deposits are a sensitive tool to monitor complement activation and eculizumab effectiveness in aHUS.
Factors influencing readiness to deploy in disaster response: findings from a cross-sectional survey of the Department of Veterans Affairs Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System
Authors: Zagelbaum Nicole K , Heslin Kevin C , Stein Judith A , Ruzek Josef , Smith Robert E , Nyugen Tam , Dobalian Aram
Published: July 2014

Background

The Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System (DEMPS) program provides a system of volunteers whereby active or retired Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel can register to be deployed to support other VA facilities or the nation during national emergencies or disasters. Both early and ongoing volunteer training is required to participate.

Methods

This study aims to identify factors that impact willingness to deploy in the event of an emergency. This analysis was based on responses from 2,385 survey respondents (response rate, 29%). Latent variable path models were developed and tested using the EQS structural equations modeling program. Background demographic variables of education, age, minority ethnicity, and female gender were used as predictors of intervening latent variables of DEMPS Volunteer Experience, Positive Attitude about Training, and Stress. The model had acceptable fit statistics, and all three intermediate latent variables significantly predicted the outcome latent variable Readiness to Deploy.

Results

DEMPS Volunteer Experience and a Positive Attitude about Training were associated with Readiness to Deploy. Stress was associated with decreased Readiness to Deploy. Female gender was negatively correlated with Readiness to Deploy; however, there was an indirect relationship between female gender and Readiness to Deploy through Positive Attitude about Training.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that volunteer emergency management response programs such as DEMPS should consider how best to address the factors that may make women less ready to deploy than men in order to ensure adequate gender representation among emergency responders. The findings underscore the importance of training opportunities to ensure that gender-sensitive support is a strong component of emergency response, and may apply to other emergency response programs such as the Medical Reserve Corps and the American Red Cross.
Bioactive proteins and peptides isolated from Chinese medicines with pharmaceutical potential
Authors: Wong Kam Lok , Wong Ricky Ngok Shun , Zhang Liang , Liu Wing Keung , NG Tzi Bun , Shaw Pang Chui , Kwok Philip Chi Lip , Lai Yau Ming , Zhang Zhang Jin , Zhang Yanbo , Tong Yao , Cheung Ho-Pan , Lu Jia , Sze Stephen Cho Wing
Published: July 2014

Some protein pharmaceuticals from Chinese medicine have been developed to treat cardiovascular diseases, genetic diseases, and cancer. Bioactive proteins with various pharmacological properties have been successfully isolated from animals such as Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech), Eisenia fetida (earthworm), and Mesobuthus martensii (Chinese scorpion), and from herbal medicines derived from species such as Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma, Momordica cochinchinensis, Viscum album, Poria cocos, Senna obtusifolia, Panax notoginseng, Smilax glabra, Ginkgo biloba, Dioscorea batatas, and Trichosanthes kirilowii. This article reviews the isolation methods, molecular characteristics, bioactivities, pharmacological properties, and potential uses of bioactive proteins originating from these Chinese medicines.
Critical Perspectives on Wellness
Authors: Kirkland Anna
Published: July 2014

Workplace wellness programs are written into law as exceptions to otherwise protective antidiscrimination provisions, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act expands employers' ability to treat workers differently based on their health. Rather than assume that wellness programs promote health and save money, here I approach them as legally sanctioned discrimination. What exactly wellness discrimination might look like in practice across many contexts is an open question, but there is good reason to be wary of the power of wellness to create and reproduce hierarchy, to promote homogeneity, narrow-mindedness, and moralism about how to live one's life, and to cover for discrimination based on health, weight, income, age, pregnancy, and disability.
Repositioning drugs for inflammatory disease-fishing for new anti-inflammatory agents
Authors: Hall Christopher J. , Wicker Sophie M. , Chien An-Tzu , Tromp Alisha , Lawrence Lisa M. , Sun Xueying , Krissansen Geoffrey W. , Crosier Kathryn E. , Crosier Philip S.
Published: July 2014

Inflammation is an important and appropriate host response to infection or injury. However, dysregulation of this response, with resulting persistent or inappropriate inflammation, underlies a broad range of pathological processes, from inflammatory dermatoses to type 2 diabetes and cancer. As such, identifying new drugs to suppress inflammation is an area of intense interest. Despite notable successes, there still exists an unmet need for new effective therapeutic approaches to treat inflammation. Traditional drug discovery, including structure-based drug design, have largely fallen short of satisfying this unmet need. With faster development times and reduced safety and pharmacokinetic uncertainty, drug repositioning is emerging as an alternative strategy to traditional drug design that promises an improved risk-reward trade-off. Drug repositioning is the process of finding new uses for existing drugs. Using a zebrafish in vivo neutrophil migration assay, we undertook a drug repositioning screen to identify new anti-inflammatory activities for known drugs. By interrogating a library of 1,280 approved drugs for their ability to suppress the recruitment of neutrophils to tail fin injury, we identified a number of drugs with significant anti-inflammatory activity that have not previously been characterized as general anti-inflammatories. Importantly, we reveal the 10 most potent repositioned drugs from our zebrafish screen displayed conserved anti-inflammatory activity in a mouse model of skin inflammation (atopic dermatitis). This study provides compelling evidence that exploiting the zebrafish as an in vivo drug repositioning platform holds promise as a strategy to reveal new anti-inflammatory activities for existing drugs.
Activation of a TRP-like channel and intracellular calcium dynamics during phospholipase C-mediated cell death
Authors: Gonçalves A. Pedro , Cordeiro J. Miguel , Monteiro João , Muñoz Alberto , Correia-de-Sá Paulo , Read Nick D. , Videira Arnaldo
Published: July 2014

The model organism Neurospora crassa undergoes programmed cell death when exposed to staurosporine. Here we show that staurosporine causes defined changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) dynamics and a distinct Ca2+-signature that involves Ca2+ influx from the external medium and internal Ca2+ stores. We investigated the molecular basis of this Ca2+-response with [Ca2+]c measurements combined with pharmacological and genetic approaches. Phospholipase C was identified as a pivotal player during cell death since modulation of the phospholipase C signaling pathway and deletion of PLC-2, that we show to be involved in hyphal development, results in inability to trigger the characteristic staurosporine-induced Ca2+-signature. Using Δcch-1, Δfig-1 and Δyvc-1 mutants and a range of inhibitors, we show that extracellular Ca2+ entry does not occur through the hitherto described high- and low-affinity Ca2+ uptake systems, but through the opening of plasma membrane channels with properties resembling the transient receptor potential (TRP) family. Partial blockage of the response to staurosporine after inhibition of a putative inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor suggests that Ca2+ release from internal stores following IP3 formation combines with the extracellular Ca2+ influx.
Identification and characterization of Salmonella typhi isolates from Southwest Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara based on 16S rRNA gene sequences
Authors: AMARANTINI CHARIS , SEMBIRING LANGKAH , KUSHADIWIJAYA HARIPURNOMO , ASMARA WIDYA
Published: July 2014

Amarantini C, Sembiring L, Kushadiwijaya H, Asmara W TÂ . It was also found that the isolates which belong to S. typhi species formed several different centers of diversityÂ within the 16S rRNA gene tree. Each clade consisted of the strains from different geographical places in the District. Thus, to concludeÂ the inquiry, there was evident inter-geographical spread of the strains and it tended to spread further into more remote areas in theÂ District.
Species diversity of Amorphophallus (Araceae) in Bali and Lombok with attention to genetic study in A. paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson
Authors: KURNIAWAN AGUNG , WIBAWA I PUTU AGUS HENDRA , ADJIE` BAYU
Published: July 2014

Kurniawan A, Wibawa IPAH, Adjie B (2011).Â Species diversity of Amorphophallus (Araceae) in Bali and Lombok with attention to genetic study in A. paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson. Biodiversitas 12: 7-11. Amorphophallus belongs to Araceae family that consists ofÂ more than 170 species worldwide and distributed predominantly in tropical countries, especially in Asia and Africa. The study ofÂ Amorphophallus in Bali and Lombok Islands had been conducted to reveal its diversity. Genetic study was also conducted amongÂ Amorphophallus paeoniifolius species to recognize the variation within the species. The fieldworks showed three speciesÂ Amorphophallus distributed in Bali, notably A. muelleri Blume, A. paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson, A. variabilis Blume and twoÂ species in Lombok, notably A. muelleri and A. paeoniifolius. Var. hortensis and var. sylvestris were two varieties of A. paeoniifolius thatÂ commonly found either in Bali or in Lombok. Genetic study on A. paeoniifolius indicated that there was no genetic variation in cpDNAÂ region of trnL-F IGS within the species.
Diversity and phosphate solubilization by bacteria isolated from Laki Island coastal ecosystem
Authors: WIDAWATI SRI
Published: July 2014

Widawati S. (2011). Diversity and phosphate solubilization by bacteria isolated from Laki Island coastal ecosystem. Biodiversitas 12: 1721.Â Soil,Â water,Â sand,Â andÂ plantÂ rhizosphereÂ samplesÂ collected from coastal ecosystem of Laki Island, Jakarta, Indonesia were screened for phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). While the population was dependent on the cultivation media and the sample type, the highest bacterial population was observed in the rhizosphere of Ipomoea aquatica. The PSB strains isolated from the sample registered 18.59 g-1 L-1. 18.31 g-1 L-1, and 5.68 g-1 L-1Â of calcium phosphate (Ca-P), Al-P and rock phosphate solubilization after 7-days. PhosphateÂ solubilizing capacity was the highest in the Ca-P medium. Two strains, 13 and 14, registered highest phosphomonoesterase activities (2.01 ÂµgNP.g-1.h-1 and 1.85NP Âµg.g-1.h-1) were identified as Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively. BothÂ strains were isolated from the crops of Amaranthus hybridus and I. aquatica, respectively, which are commonly observed in coastalÂ ecosystems. The presence of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and their ability to solubilize various types of phosphate species areÂ indicative of the important role of both species of bacteria in the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus and the plant growth in coastalÂ ecosystems.
Epiphytic orchids and host trees diversity at Gunung Manyutan Forest Reserve, Wilis Mountain, Ponorogo, East Java
Authors: YULIA NINA DWI , BUDIHARTA SUGENG
Published: July 2014

Yulia ND, Budiharta S (2011). Epiphytic orchids and host trees diversity at Gunung Manyutan Forest Reserve, Wilis Mountain, Ponorogo, East Java. Biodiversitas 12: 22-27. Natural forests in Wilis Mountain have been destroyed by forest fires, landslides and illegal logging. As a consequence, biological diversity in this area is threatened by local extinctions, particularly of orchid species. ThisÂ study was aimed to explore, document and analyze the diversity of epiphytic orchids at Gunung Manyutan Forest Reserve, a naturalÂ forest area in Wilis Mountain. Purposive sampling on 1 hectare (50 x 200 m2)Â eight subplots (25 x 50 m2) All data on orchid species were recorded including its number, host trees and zone of the host tree where the orchid attached. The results showed that there were 29 epiphytic orchid species recorded. Flickingeria angulata was the most abundant species (Relative Abundance of orchids/ %Fo = 38.74), continued by Appendicula sp. (%Fo = 10.91) and Eria hyacinthoides (%Fo=6.57). The three most important host trees were Pinus merkusii, Schima wallichii and Engelhardia spicata. Zone 3 (bottom part of theÂ branches) was revealed as the most favorable part at the host tree (281 individuals), while Zone 1 (bottom part of the main stem) was the least preferable one.
Inventory and habitat study of orchids species in Lamedai Nature Reserve, Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi
Authors: LESTARI DEWI AYU , SANTOSO WIDJI
Published: July 2014

Lestari DA, Santoso W (2011) Inventory and habitat study of orchids species in Lamedai Nature Reserve, Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi. Biodiversitas 12: 28-33. Orchid is one of the ornamental plants which have been high commercial value. Therefore, orchid often has been over exploitation. Finally, some of orchid species are becoming threatened or even endangered. Purwodadi Botanical Garden as an institute of ex-situ conservation play role with it. The aim of this research is to inventory orchidâ€™s species in Lamedai Nature Reserve, Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi by explorative method. Observation for habitat study was focused on some ecological factors supported to orchids growth like host tree, zone growth on host tree, abundance of sunlight, thickness of substrate (moss), orchid species and number of individual species. The result showed that there were 27 orchids species, consist of, 25 species (16 genera) epiphytic orchid and 2 species terrestrial orchid such as Eulophia keithii var. celebica and Goodyera rubicunda (Blume) Lindl. The host preference for theepiphytic orchid is the group of Myrtaceae family like Syzygium sp., Metrosideros vera Niederen and Metrosideros sp. They mostly grow on the main stem of the tree zone 1 on thick substrate (moss) and get a little abundance of sunlight (calm).
Herpetofaunal community structure and habitat associations in Gunung Ciremai National Park, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: RIYANTO AWAL
Published: July 2014

Riyanto A (2011) Herpetofaunal community structure and habitat associations in Gunung Ciremai National Park, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 12: 38-44. Community structure and habitat associations of amphibians and reptiles on both rainy and dry seasons of six habitat types of three sites in Gunung Ciremai National Park, West Java were investigated in March and October 2008. The data of herpetofauna was obtained by opportunistic searches. Herpetofaunal diversity for each habitat was determined by using Shannon Wienerindex, the species abundance per unit area was calculated by using Margalefâ€™s index, and the homogeneity of distribution of species in relation to other species in a sampled per unit area was evaluated using Evenness index. The similarity in herpetofauna communities among habitat types was determined using Sorensenâ€™s coefficient, meanwhile the Jaccardâ€™s index was used to estimate similarities in habitat utilization. Thus, both community similarities and habitat utilization displayed in cluster dendrogram. A total of 46 amphibian and reptile taxa were recorded, comprising 16 anurans, 22 lizards and 8 snakes. Of the total taxa, four anurans are endemic and unusual specimens probably new in sciences referred to the genus Cyrtodactylus and Eutropis. There were differed in sequential of biological indices among habitat types but not much different in their values. The result of cluster analysis showed different patterns on the community similarity among habitat type and habitat utilization during rainy and dry seasons.Key words: community, habitat utilization, amphibians, reptiles, Gunung Ciremai, Indonesia
Genetic variability in apomictic mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and its close relatives (Garcinia spp.) based on ISSR markers
Authors: SOBIR SOBIR , POERWANTO ROEDHY , SANTOSA EDY , SINAGA SOALOON , MANSYAH ELINA
Published: July 2014

Sobir, Poerwanto R, Santosa E, Sinaga S, Mansyah E (2011) Genetic variability in apomictic mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and its close relatives (Garcinia spp.) based on ISSR markers. Biodiversitas 12: 59-63. In order to reveal phylogenetic relationship of mangosteen and several close relatives (Garcinia spp.), we employed seven ISSR dinucleotide primer systems on eleven close relatives of mangosteen and 28 mangosteen accessions from four islands in Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Lombok). ISSR analysissuccessfully amplified 43 bands on average 6.1 fragments for each primer system, and these all fragments were polymorphic. Seven close relatives of mangosteen were separated with mangosteen accessions at 0.22 level of dissimilarity, while other four including G. malaccensis, were clustered with mangosteen accessions, this results supported proposal that G. malaccensis was allopolyploid derivative of mangosteen. Clustering pattern among mangosteen accessions, however, not represented their origin, indicated that distribution of the accessions was not linked to their genetic properties.