bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erythropoietin Resistance Index and the All-Cause Mortality of Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Okazaki Masayuki , Komatsu Mizuki , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Tsuchiya Ken , Nitta Kosaku
Published: March 2014

Background: Evidence suggests hemodialysis (HD) patients with resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) have a higher mortality rate. We investigated the association between ESA responsiveness and mortality in our HD population. Methods: A prospective cohort study of chronic HD patients was conducted at Jyoban Hospital in Fukushima, Japan. We collected data on patient demographic factors, comorbidities, dialysis vintage, body weight, ESA dose and hemoglobin concentration, as well as data on known risk factors for ESA hyporesponsiveness. The erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) was calculated by dividing the weekly body-weight-adjusted epoetin dose by the hemoglobin concentration. The association between ESA hyporesponsiveness estimated by the highest tertile of ERI and mortality was investigated by using the Cox proportional hazards model with adjustments for demographic factors, comorbidities, dialysis adequacy and serum biochemical data. Results: A total of 248 patients were included as subjects in the cohort, and their overall 2-year mortality rate was 13.3%. According to the results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with an ERI in the highest tertile had significantly higher mortality than patients with an ERI in the lower two tertiles (p = 0.0121). The highest ERI tertile was associated with higher all-cause mortality in both the unadjusted hazards model (hazard ratio, HR: 4.429; 95% CI: 1.249-15.704) and the adjusted hazards model (HR: 4.204; 95% CI: 1.173-15.065). Conclusions: A higher degree of resistance to ESA in chronic HD patients is associated with increased mortality.
Plotting Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurements on Specific Transcutaneous Nomogram Results in Better Prediction of Significant Hyperbilirubinemia in Healthy Term and Near-Term Newborns: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mohamed I. , Blanchard A.C. , Delvin E. , Cousineau J. , Carceller A.
Published: March 2014

Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a systematic assessment before discharge for the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia. Plotting total serum bilirubin (TSB) or transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) on a TSB hour-specific nomogram is proposed as a tool for laboratory evaluation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the predictive characteristics, particularly the incidence of false negative rate (FNR), of the practice of plotting TcB values on the TSB hour-specific risk nomogram versus on transcutaneous nomogram. Methods: Paired TSB and TcB measurements were conducted on 141 newborns. Risk of developing significant hyperbilirubinemia was defined as infants with bilirubin level ≥75% on TSB or ≥95% on TcB nomogram. TSB values, plotted on the TSB nomogram of Bhutani et al. [Pediatrics 1999;103:6-14], were used as reference. TcB values were plotted on the TSB nomogram and on the transcutaneous nomograms of Maisels and Kring [Pediatrics 2006;117:1169-1173] and Fouzas et al. [Pediatrics 2010;125:e52-e57]. Results: Plotting TcB measurements on a TSB nomogram resulted in a trend towards a higher FNR when compared to Maisels' and Fouzas' nomograms (18.0/1,000 compared to 10.2/1,000 and 8.6/1,000 respectively). Although not statistically significant, plotting TcB on transcutaneous nomogram resulted in better predictive values with the Fouzas' nomogram, having the best sensitivity (90.0%) and specificity (87.79%) as well as the highest positive (35.97%) and negative (99.14%) predictive value. Conclusion: Plotting TcB on a TSB nomogram may result in increased rate of FNR and decreased predictive characteristics. The practice of plotting TcB on a TSB nomogram needs further evaluation.
Local Treatment of the Axilla in Early Breast Cancer: Concepts from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-04 to the Planned Intergroup Sentinel Mamma Trial
Authors: Reimer Toralf , Hartmann Steffi , Stachs Angrit , Gerber Bernd
Published: March 2014

Local treatment of the axilla in clinically node-negative, early-stage breast cancer patients has been hotly debated after the release of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 findings. However, this review does not focus on the ‘Z0011-eligible' patients alone, because this subgroup represents a minority of our patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The following topics are discussed: axillary diagnostics, timing of axillary procedures in the neoadjuvant setting, long-term follow-up of SLNB trials, omission of axillary surgery in randomized trials, management of the involved axilla with low tumor volume, positive sentinel lymph nodes and BCS, involved sentinel lymph nodes and mastectomy, and axillary radiotherapy. Finally, the current innovative study concepts (i.e. Sentinel Node versus Observation after Axillary Ultrasound (SOUND) and Intergroup Sentinel Mamma (INSEMA)) including patients with axillary observation alone in clinically node-negative women are presented.
Delay From First Medical Contact to Primary PCI and All‐Cause Mortality: A Nationwide Study of Patients With ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Koul Sasha , Andell Pontus , Martinsson Andreas , Gustav Smith J. , van der Pals Jesper , Scherstén Fredrik , Jernberg Tomas , Lagerqvist Bo , Erlinge David
Published: March 2014

Background

Early reperfusion in the setting of an
ST
‐elevation myocardial infarction (
STEMI
) is of utmost importance. However, the effects of early versus late reperfusion in this patient group undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI)
have so far been inconsistent in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in a nationwide cohort the effects of delay from first medical contact to
PCI
(first medical contact
[FMC]
‐to‐
PCI
) and secondarily delay from symptom‐to‐
PCI
on clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

Using the national Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Register
(SCAAR)
registry,
STEMI
patients undergoing primary
PCI
between the years 2003 and 2008 were screened for. A total of 13 790 patients were included in the
FMC
‐to‐
PCI
analysis and 11 489 patients were included in the symptom‐to‐
PCI
analyses. Unadjusted as well as multivariable analyses showed an overall significant association between increasing
FMC
‐to‐
PCI
delay and 1‐year mortality. A statistically significant increase in mortality was noted at
FMC
‐to‐
PCI
delays exceeding 1 hour in an incremental fashion.
FMC
‐to‐
PCI
delays in excess of 1 hour were also significantly associated with an increase in severe left ventricular dysfunction at discharge. An overall significant association between increasing symptom‐to‐
PCI
delays and 1‐year mortality was noted. However, when stratified into time delay cohorts, no symptom‐to‐
PCI
delay except for the highest time delay showed a statistically significant association with increased mortality.

Conclusions

Delays in
FMC
‐to‐
PCI
were strongly associated with increased mortality already at delays of more than 1 hour, possibly through an increase in severe heart failure. A goal of
FMC
‐to‐
PCI
of less than 1 hour might save patient lives.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Survival of Moyamoya Disease in Korea
Authors: Ahn Il Min , Park Dong-Hyuk , Hann Hoo Jae , Kim Kyoung Hoon , Kim Hyun Jung , Ahn Hyeong Sik
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose—

There is a scarcity of information on the epidemiology and natural course of moyamoya disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the nationwide epidemiological features of moyamoya disease in Korea, including incidence, prevalence, and survival.

Methods—

We used the data from nationwide, population-based Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database and Rare Intractable Disease registration program, which includes physician-certified diagnoses based on uniform criteria for moyamoya disease from 2007 to 2011. Age-specific incidence and prevalence were calculated, and survival was examined using Kaplan–Meier method.

Results—

The total number of patients with moyamoya disease was 8154 in 2011, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.8. The incidence from 2007 to 2011 was 1.7 to 2.3/10
5
, and the prevalence in 2011 was 16.1/10
5
. In total, 66.3% of patients aged 0 to 14 years underwent surgery, whereas only 21.5% in the older than 15 years age group underwent surgery. The 1- and 5-year survival rates of adult patients were 96.9% and 92.9%, respectively, and of child patients were 99.6% and 99.3%, respectively.

Conclusions—

The prevalence and incidence presented in this study are higher than those in previous studies. This study demonstrates that the burden of moyamoya disease in Korea is substantial.
La sémantique ockhamiste des catégories. Essai de reconstruction
Authors: Roques Magali
Published: March 2014

Abstract

In this paper, I intend to reconstruct Ockham’s semantics of the categories in order to prove first that his semantics is consistent. Second, Ockham is not skeptical about the possibility to derive the categories from primitives. According to Ockham, one must accept two principles in order to derive the categories. The first is the principle of ‘in quid’ predication, according to which a name of category can be predicated ‘in quid’ of a determined class of terms. The second is the principle of the transitivity of predication, according to which A is predicated of C if A is predicated of B and B is predicated of C. I will show that Ockham’s semantics of the categories makes two assumptions. According to the first assumption, there exist only two types of things, substances and qualities. According to the second, the categories are mutually exclusive. Ockham’s semantics of the categories implies that the categories are both ontological and conceptual and that it is not possible to prove that there is a determined number of categories.
A survey of Eupithecia Curtis, 1825 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) in Mongolia with descriptions of two new species
Authors: MIRONOV VLADIMIR , GALSWORTHY ANTHONY
Published: March 2014

The Eupithecia fauna of Mongolia is surveyed in this paper, drawing on previous publications and newly collected material. In total 57 species are recorded. Two species Eupithecia anikini Mironov & Galsworthy, sp. n. and Eupithecia munguata Mironov & Galsworthy, sp. n. are described as new. Twelve species are recorded as new for the fauna of Mongolia, E. olgae, E. illaborata, E. bastelbergeri, E. pusillata, E. actaeata, E. vicariata, E. saisanaria, E. simpliciata, E. impolita, E. assimilata, E. thalictrata and E. exactata. Habitus and genitalia are illustrated for new species, and for little known older species where illustrations are not available in recent papers. A further 2 previously described species are synonymised, E. mongolica Vojnits of E. satyrata Hübner, and E. procera Vojnits of E. exactata Staudinger.
A new species of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 from northern Laos (Squamata: Natricidae)
Authors: TEYNIé Alexandre , Lottier Anne , DAVID Patrick , Nguyen Truong Quang , VOGEL Gernot
Published: March 2014

Two specimens, a male and a female, of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 were collected in a karst formation of northern Louangphabang (or Luang Prabang) Province, North Laos. These specimens are assigned to the genus Opisthotropis on the basis of their morphology, dentition and cephalic scalation. However, they differ from all other known species of Opisthotropis by a combination of the following characters: (1) 21–19 scale rows on the fore part of the body, (2) 17 scale rows at midbody, (3) 22/23 maxillary teeth, (4) 177–181 ventrals, (5) 1 loreal on each side, in contact with internasal, (6) 7 supralabials, 4th entering orbit, (7) dorsum dark bronze-brown, with upper part of dorsum darker than lateral sides, without bands or crossbars, and (8) chin and throat blackish-brown with a sharp, transversal limit with the ventral colour crossing the posterior part of the throat. As a consequence, these specimens are here referred to a new species, Opisthotropis durandi spec. nov. The new species is compared with other species of the genus, especially the most similar species O. spenceri Smith, 1918 and O. atra Günther, 1872, the type species of the genus. An updated key to the genera Opisthotropis is provided. Opisthotropis durandi spec. nov. represents the first confirmed record of a species of Opisthotropis sensu stricto from Laos and it is the 108th snake species currently recorded from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Risk Factors for Perioperative Airway Difficulty and Evaluation of Intubation Approaches Among Patients With Benign Goiter
Authors: Loftus Patricia A. , Ow Thomas J. , Siegel Bianca , Tassler Andrew B. , Smith Richard V. , Cohen Hillel W. , Schiff Bradley A.
Published: March 2014

Objective:

The objective was to determine patient and gland characteristics associated with difficult intubation in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for goiter and to assess different methods of intubation in these patients.

Methods:

This study was an IRB-approved, retrospective chart review of 112 consecutive patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy for thyroid goiter from 2009-2012 at an academic tertiary care facility in Bronx, New York. Patient demographics, thyroid gland characteristics (gland weight and nodule size), presence of preoperative symptoms (dyspnea, dysphagia, and hoarseness), and radiographical findings (tracheal compression, tracheal deviation, and substernal extension of the thyroid gland) were recorded. Anesthesia records were reviewed for method of intubation, as well as success or failure of intubation attempts.

Results:

Nineteen patients (17.0%) were men and 93 (83.0%) were women. The age of the patients included in the study ranged from 14 to 86 years with a mean ± SD age of 53.5 ± 14.7 years. Difficult intubation was noted with 13 (11.6%) patients. Only patient age was significantly associated with difficult intubation. The mean age of patients with airway difficulty was 60.7 ± 3.7 years compared to 52.1 ± 1.5 years in those who did not experience airway difficulty ( P = .04). No other reviewed risk factors were found to be significantly associated with difficult intubation. Fiberoptic intubation (FOI) was used in 38 patients and difficult intubation occurred in 18.4% (7/38). Direct laryngoscopy with transoral intubation (LTOI) was used in 58 patients, in whom 3.4% (2/58) experienced a difficult intubation. FOI was aborted 6 times and LTOI was subsequently successful in each of these cases.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that benign nodular goiter disease does not pose significant challenges to intubation in our patient cohort. The technique of intubation deviated from the initial plan several times in the FOI group, whereas LTOI was ultimately successful in every case. Our data suggest that the role of fiberoptic intubation for patients with large goiters should be further refined.
Pinyin Invented Spelling in Mandarin Chinese-Speaking Children With and Without Reading Difficulties
Authors: Ding Yi , Liu Ru-De , McBride Catherine , Zhang Dake
Published: March 2014

This study examined analytical pinyin (a phonological coding system for teaching pronunciation and lexical tones of Chinese characters) skills in 54 Mandarin-speaking fourth graders by using an invented spelling instrument that tapped into syllable awareness, phoneme awareness, lexical tones, and tone sandhi in Chinese. Pinyin invented spelling was significantly correlated with Chinese character recognition and Chinese phonological awareness (i.e., syllable deletion and phoneme deletion). In comparison to good and average readers, poor readers performed significantly worse on the invented spelling task, and a difference was also found between average and good readers. To differentiate readers at different levels, the pinyin invented spelling task, which examined both segmental and suprasegmental elements, was superior to the typical phonological awareness task, which examined segments only. Within this new task, items involving tone sandhi (Chinese language changes in which the tones of words alter according to predetermined rules) were more difficult to manipulate than were those without tone sandhi. The findings suggest that this newly developed task may be optimal for tapping unique phonological and linguistic features in reading of Chinese and examining particular tonal difficulties in struggling Chinese readers. In addition, the results suggest that phonics manipulations within tasks of phonological and tonal awareness can alter their difficulty levels.
Using a Multidimensional Measure of Resilience to Explain Life Satisfaction and Academic Achievement of Adults With Reading Difficulties
Authors: Stack-Cutler Holly L. , Parrila Rauno K. , Torppa Minna
Published: March 2014

We assessed the impact of intrapersonal and interpersonal resilience, persistence, and number of difficulties in addition to reading problems on life satisfaction (general, social, and self) and academic achievement. A total of 120 adults with reading difficulties who either were completing a university degree or were recent graduates responded to an in-lab or online survey. Results indicated that intrapersonal resilience correlated positively with interpersonal resilience and persistence, and both resilience factors were negatively associated with number of difficulties. Using structural equation modeling, intrapersonal resilience explained general satisfaction, intrapersonal resilience and number of difficulties explained self satisfaction, and interpersonal resilience explained social satisfaction. Academic achievement did not correlate with any of the included variables.
Surgical and Anatomic Considerations in Endoscopic Revision of Failed External Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Liang Jonathan , Hur Kevin , Merbs Shannath L. , Lane Andrew P.
Published: March 2014

Objective

To identify key anatomic considerations in endoscopic revision dacryocystorhinostomy (r‐EnDCR) following failed external dacryocystorhinostomy (ExDCR).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care academic medical center.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing r‐EnDCR after failed ExDCR over the past 6 years was performed. Those with primary or previous EnDCR, proximal nasolacrimal procedures, and nasolacrimal lesions were excluded. All patients had a preoperative maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) scan. Data were collected on patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and radiographic findings. A classification system for the anterior ethmoid‐lacrimal fossa complex anatomy was developed.

Results

Twenty‐five r‐EnDCRs were performed on 22 patients after failed ExDCR. Concurrent sinusitis and previous maxillofacial trauma were seen in 9% (2/22) of patients. CT scan demonstrated anterior ethmoid pneumatization with agger nasi cells in 88% (22/25) of patients, and 95% (21/22) of these partially overlapped the medial aspect of the lacrimal fossa, resulting in a DCR ostium located within the middle meatus. The presence of ipsilateral septal deviation, concha bullosa, and middle turbinate lateralization or scarring to the lateral nasal wall was seen in 24% (6/25).

Conclusions

In this case series, a large proportion of patients who had failed an ExDCR had an agger nasi cell, suggesting that variability of the anterior ethmoid anatomy may contribute to surgical failure following ExDCR. CT imaging and endoscopy, which are not always performed prior to ExDCR, can help to elucidate the pattern of agger nasi pneumatization as it relates to the lacrimal fossa and to optimize placement of the DCR ostium.
Strategy Implementation Using Balanced Scorecard
Authors: Upadhyay Archana Yemeshvary Ashok , Upadhyay Ashok Kumar , Palo Sasmita
Published: March 2014

Personal values are at the core of any individual. One’s action, behaviour and decisions are largely guided by one’s values and beliefs. Since organizations are social set-ups, impact of the values of those in the leadership position is far-reaching. This article is a fallout of a bigger study on implementation of balanced scorecard. This qualitative study, following case study approach, provides empirical evidences about the ways in which personal values of the leaders and employees affect their pursuit of the strategy. It also highlights what impact leadership values have upon the team members, and how this impacts strategy implementation. The values of responsibility, sincerity, initiative, integrity, humility, optimism, zeal, compassion, righteousness and discipline have been discussed. Overall, the study indicates that when leaders and employees have strong moral values, they impact strategy implementation positively.
Association of tardive dyskinesia with variation in CYP2D6: Is there a role for active metabolites?
Authors: Koola Maju M , Tsapakis Evangelia M , Wright Padraig , Smith Shubulade , Kerwin (RIP) Robert W , Nugent Katie L , Aitchison Katherine J
Published: March 2014

Background:

The aim of this study was to examine whether there was an association between tardive dyskinesia (TD) and number of functional CYP2D6 genes.

Methods:

A Caucasian sample of 70 patients was recruited in 1996–1997 from South London and Maudsley National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, UK. Subjects had a DSM-IIIR diagnosis of schizophrenia and were treated with typical antipsychotics at doses equivalent to at least 100 mg chlorpromazine daily for at least 12 months prior to assessment. All patients were genotyped for CYP2D6 alleles *3–5, *41, and for amplifications of the gene.

Results:

There were 13 patients with TD. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) years of duration of antipsychotic treatment in TD-positive was 15.8 (7.9) vs TD-negative 11.1 (7.4) ( p=0.04). Increased odds of experiencing TD were associated with increased ability to metabolize CYP2D6, as measured by genotypic category (odds ratio (OR)=4.2), increasing duration in treatment (OR=1.0), and having drug-induced Parkinsonism (OR=9.7).

Discussion:

We found a significant association between CYP2D6 genotypic category and TD with the direction of effect being an increase in the number of functional CYP2D6 genes being associated with an increased risk of TD. This is the first study to examine the association between TD and CYP2D6 in Caucasians with this number of genotypic categories. In the future, metabolomics may be utilized in the discovery of biomarkers and novel drug targets.
Intrathecal bupivacaine or levobupivacaine: Which should be used for elderly patients?
Authors: Gulec Demet , Karsli Bilge , Ertugrul Fatma , Bigat Zekiye , Kayacan Nurten
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To compare two intrathecal anaesthetics, bupivacaine and levobupivacaine, for their effects on motor and sensory blockade and haemodynamics in patients aged ≥65 years undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) or transurethral resection of the urinary bladder (TUR-M).

Methods

Patients scheduled to undergo TUR-P or TUR-M were randomized to receive either 3 ml (15 mg) 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine (group L) or 3 ml (15 mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (group B) for spinal anaesthesia. The onset time, maximum level and time to reach the maximum level of sensory and motor blockade were recorded. Changes to haemodynamic parameters were also recorded.

Results

The study randomized 100 patients: 57 to group L and 43 to group B. Levobupivacaine did not cause any significant changes in haemodynamic parameters, including systolic blood pressure, and showed a similar sensory block onset time compared with bupivacaine, but it had a significantly longer motor block onset time compared with bupivacaine.

Conclusion

These current findings suggest that levobupivacaine can be used as a substitute for bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in elderly patients ≥65 years of age undergoing elective TUR-P or TUR-M operations.
Recombinant luteinizing hormone priming in early follicular phase for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Linli , Bu Zhiqin , Wang Keyan , Sun Yingpu
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To investigate the effect of recombinant human luteinizing hormone supplementation (rLH priming) during the early follicular phase on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.

Methods

In order to evaluate available evidence regarding the efficacy of rLH priming in IVF/ICSI procedures, a systematic review and meta-analysis was preformed. Searches were conducted on MEDLINE®, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials without language limitation, but were restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Results

Three RCTs including 346 patients were included in this meta-analysis, which demonstrated that rLH priming did not increase ongoing pregnancy rate. Although less recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) was required and the oestradiol level was higher on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in the rLH priming group, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and embryos produced were comparable between patients treated with rLH priming and those treated with rFSH alone.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis has demonstrated that at present there is insufficient evidence that patients undergoing IVF/ICSI may benefit from rLH priming during the early follicular phase.
Revisiting distinctions between ranching and pastoralism: A matter of interspecies relations between livestock, people, and predators
Authors: LaRocque Olivier
Published: March 2014

North American ranching did not evolve as a solution to the ecological contradictions of pastoralism. This has been the conventional view from an institutional perspective, but from a perspective of interspecies relations, the reverse is more plausible. Rather than invest in careful husbandry, early colonists released livestock to fend for themselves and henceforth partook in the eradication of predators. This estrangement of livestock from the domestic sphere and the persecution of predators have lasted beyond the open range era and persist on private ranches. Range science tailored its prescriptions to the free-roaming livestock practices of ranching. But stocking rate guidelines are not sufficient to prevent the degradation of rangelands. Trophic cascade ecology has since demonstrated that the sound distribution of grazing activities takes place on a landscape of fear where nonlethal predation effects prevent the overutilization of key sites. In order to replicate these effects without undue losses, now that predators are protected, ranchers are compelled to reformulate their interspecies relations of estrangement and persecution. Technologies are a poor substitute for human presence, and ranchers are faced with adopting pastoralist practices of herding in order to improve rangelands and maintain surveillance to prevent predation. Thus by turning to pastoralist interspecies relations and practices, ranching might resolve its ecological contradictions.
Reconsidering theoretical naïveté in psychological qualitative research
Authors: Bendassolli Pedro F.
Published: March 2014

This article proposes a reconsideration of the view that, in order to better grasp the objects they study, qualitative researchers should bracket their preconceived ideas, particularly their theoretical assumptions. This view has led to the advocacy of theoretical naïveté in the context of research, particularly in qualitative settings. We argue that such naïveté presupposes a simplistic dichotomy between theory and empirical data and, therefore, drawing from current developments in the philosophy of science, we propose reconsidering the view of theoretical naïveté in light of the distinction between theory, phenomena, and data. After discussing approaches that do not recognize the phenomenon as a mediator between theory and data or that do so only partially, we propose an approach that explicitly assigns a mediating role to phenomena. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications that substantive rehabilitation of theory in the construction of scientific phenomena will have for qualitative research in general and for psychology in particular.
Joint Use of Public Schools
Authors: Vincent Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2014

Despite the growing interest in expanding the joint use of K–12 public schools by public health and planning practitioners to promote healthy, sustainable communities, the topic has received little attention in the urban planning and public health scholarship. The objective of this article is to situate joint use in the academic literature focused on the links between built environments and health. I examine the “state of the field” of K–12 joint use through studying the academic and associated literature, interviews, participant observation, and case examples. I develop a joint use classification system to aid researchers and practitioners.
Public Pension Reform in California
Authors: Kilgour John G.
Published: March 2014

The Public Employee Pension Reform Act became effective in 2013. It will take many years before it has a meaningful impact on pension plan underfunding due to the so-called California Rule under which public employees are guaranteed the pension benefits in force on the date of hire. Meanwhile, three California cities have filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy and more will follow. In an effort to annul the California Rule, and allow employers to change benefit accruals prospectively, the mayors of San Jose and four other cities have sponsored an initiative to amend the California constitution to allow public employers to alter pension benefit formulas prospectively. This article appraises these several developments and their interaction.
Integrating Spiritual Care into a Baccalaureate Nursing Program in Mainland China
Authors: Yuan Hua , Porr Caroline
Published: March 2014

Holistic nursing care takes into account individual, family, community and population well-being. At the level of individual well-being, the nurse considers biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. However, in Mainland China spiritual factors are not well understood by nursing students. And accordingly, nursing faculty and students are reluctant to broach the topic of spirituality because it is either unknown to students or students believe that the provision of spiritual care is beyond their capabilities. We wonder then, what can we do as nurse educators to integrate spiritual care into a baccalaureate nursing program in Mainland China? The purpose of this article is to propose the integration of Chinese sociocultural traditions (namely religious/spiritual practices) into undergraduate nursing curricula as a means to enter into dialogue about spiritual well-being, to promote spiritual care; and to fulfill the requirements of holistic nursing care. However, prior to discussing recommendations, an overview of the cultural context is in order. Thus, this article is constructed as follows: first, the complexity of Chinese society is briefly described; second, the historical evolution of nursing education in Mainland China is presented; and, third, strategies to integrate Chinese religious/spiritual practices into curricula are proposed.
Towards a new framework: Understanding and managing the supply chain for product-service systems
Authors: Xu Zhitao , Ming Xinguo , Song Wenyan , Li Miao , He Lina , Li Xiuzhen
Published: March 2014

In the modern global economy, the product-service system strategy is increasingly popular with manufacturers. However, to the best of our knowledge, the publication focusing on the supply chain model for product-service system is still scant. Based on the findings of a half-year investigation in an air compressor manufacturer in China, the article is trying to develop a comprehensive framework of supply chain for product-service system. By exploring the structure and the unique features of the supply chain for product-service system, the research leads to a better understanding of the subject. Following the analysis, the supply chain model for product-service system is developed and elaborated in the value co-creation, functional process management, and the enabling process management. It is hoped that the exploration will form the frontier basis for further research on supply chain for product-service system.
2011 Panchayat Elections in Kashmir
Authors: Wani Aijaz Ashraf
Published: March 2014

A working democratic set-up provides ample space to mitigate the tensions in a society to a large extent. Unfortunately, democracy could not work in Jammu and Kashmir the way it is expected to work in a free society. Denial of democracy and misgovernance became almost an accepted way of political life in the state, which became one of the main reasons of the rise of militancy in the state. The 2011 panchayat elections provide the best opportunity to restore the confidence of the people in the democratic set-up by empowering the elected representatives in a real sense and bringing more and more people into the democratic setup. It also poses a great challenge to the government as far as fulfilling the democratic aspirations of the common people who have whole heartedly participated in this democratic exercise at the local level.
Community Resource Use Among Abused Immigrant Women
Authors: Gilroy Heidi , McFarlane Judith , Nava Angeles , Maddoux John
Published: March 2014

Purpose: To determine the community resources most often used, most needed, and most difficult to use for immigrants. Design: A naturalistic study using principles of community-based participatory research. Method: A group of 106 abused immigrant women were interviewed in person with the Community Agency Use, Frequency, Helpfulness, and Difficulty form as part of a 7-year prospective study. Results: The most frequently noted service needed most was counseling ( n = 34, 33.0%) followed by legal services ( n = 23, 22.3%) and social services ( n = 13, 12.6%). Law enforcement was the most commonly used service ( n = 63, 59.4%) and the most difficult to receive ( n = 16, 48.5%). Counseling ( n = 6, 18.2%) and legal services ( n = 5, 15.2%) were also reported as difficult. Discussion: Law enforcement is often called on to help in partner violence, but immigrant women report difficulty in using this service. Conclusions: Abused immigrant women have risk factors for abuse, and they face barriers in accessing the services they need. Implications for Practice: It is important for service providers in the community to be aware of the unique challenges of abused immigrant women and to address their needs accordingly.
Work Observer
Authors: Hansberger Jeffrey T.
Published: March 2014

Longitudinal communication data are needed to understand the dynamics, adaptation, and evolution of networks over time, particularly when the mode of interaction is face-to-face communication. Traditional means of collecting communication and interaction data that include questionnaires are often not appropriate for collecting this type of dynamic information. To push the field beyond the analysis of discrete snapshots of interactions and speculation about what occurs between those snapshots, an observational data-collection tool called Work Observer was designed by the Army Research Laboratory and is freely available to the research community.
Abandoning the Regular Order
Authors: Hanson Peter C.
Published: March 2014

There is a debate about the extent of the Senate majority party’s influence and the conditions under which it is used. This article demonstrates that the majority party influences legislative outcomes to meet electoral goals and protect its reputation by manipulating the consideration of the dozen annual appropriations bills. The majority party limits amendments and eases passage of the budget when it abandons the “regular order” and creates an omnibus appropriations bill. It is more likely to abandon the regular order when it is ideologically divided, has a small margin of control, or is distant from the minority.
Lived experience, funds of identity and education
Authors: Esteban-Guitart Moisès , Moll Luis C
Published: March 2014

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the discussion on funds of identity. First, we emphasize the extent to which history and time are constitutive dimensions of culture and experience and the affect this has on funds of identity and meaning construction. We then go on to explore some connections between lived experience and funds of identity. We prefer to use the term lived experience – rather than emotional experience, the term used by Nogueira (2014) – in order to emphasize (i) that cognition/thinking/meaning are inextricable from feeling/emotion/sense and (ii) that learning and experience are intrinsically situated in a matrix of life trajectories and ecological-transactional aspects throughout one’s life. Finally, in light of the commentaries by Nogueira (2014) and Hviid and Villadsen (2014) , we discuss the applicability of the concept of funds of identity in educational settings. Funds of identity are inscribed into artefacts – drawings, documents, images, tasks, etc. – and transported throughout the different sites connected to a person’s life trajectory. In our view, these artefacts can be used as resources for establishing connections within schools and beyond them. This implies seeing the students’ funds of identity as resources for learning and seeing schools as a context that must also be linked to other practices and activities in which people are involved.
Using a complex and nonlinear pedagogical approach to design practical primary physical education lessons
Authors: Atencio Matthew , Yi Chow Jia , Clara Tan Wee Keat , Miriam Lee Chang Yi
Published: March 2014

This paper describes several practical activities that reveal how complex and nonlinear pedagogies might underpin primary physical education and school sport lessons. These sample activities, involving track and field, tennis and netball components, are designed to incorporate states of stability and instability through the modification of task and environmental constraints that challenge students to learn about movement. These activities challenge students individually and collectively to learn in relation to the cognitive, social, emotional and physical domains. Within these conditions, students are expected to ‘self-organise’ in order to take responsibility for their learning; this approach links with recent calls for a more expansive version of physical education supporting the holistic and lifelong development of physically active individuals. We further suggest that teachers using constraints-led pedagogies require high levels of capacity as they must draw upon their judgement, knowledge and teaching skills to appropriately facilitate and ‘scale’ dynamic learning contexts.
Parental bookreading practices among families in the Netherlands
Authors: Duursma Elisabeth
Published: March 2014

Bookreading has proven to be beneficial for children’s language and literacy development (e.g. Bus, Van Ijzendoorn and Pellegrini, 1995; Fletcher and Reese, 2005; Mol and Bus, 2011a). Families in Western countries are often advised to read to their young children, and many parents appear to be aware of the positive effects of bookreading. However, little is known about bookreading patterns among families in the Netherlands. In this study, we analysed the bookreading behaviours of 464 parents with children aged 0–12 residing in the Netherlands, as well as the reading behaviours of 275 children aged 8–12 years. The results demonstrate that 60% of parents read daily to their children. Parental education was significantly related to bookreading frequency but home language was not. Fathers were the primary reader in only 8% of families compared to 65% for mothers. Parents did not read for long periods of time: 40% of parents reported reading between 5 and 10 minutes and another 40% read from 10 to 15 minutes. Almost half of the children in this study reported reading at least once a day and a quarter read between 15 and 20 minutes a day. This study provides more insights into bookreading patterns among Dutch families. Although many families already report reading to their children, there is still room for improvement regarding the length of reading and paternal bookreading.
Assessing Opportunity-to-Learn for Students With Disabilities in General and Special Education Classes
Authors: Kurz Alexander , Elliott Stephen N. , Lemons Christopher J. , Zigmond Naomi , Kloo Amanda , Kettler Ryan J.
Published: March 2014

Current legislation encourages schools to educate students with disabilities (SWDs) in general education settings to the greatest extent appropriate. However, it is unclear whether inclusion in general education settings provides SWDs a sufficient opportunity to learn the academic content assessed by accountability measures. This initial study was designed to (a) describe the extent to which general and special educators provide their eighth-grade classes with an opportunity to learn the state-specific standards and to (b) examine the extent to which SWDs experience a differentiated opportunity to learn compared with their overall class. Across three states, we trained 38 general and special educators to use an online teacher log to report on various opportunity-to-learn (OTL) indices for 46 mathematics and reading classes and 89 nested SWDs. Based on an average logging period of 151 days, the results indicated that this sample’s SWDs included in general education classes experienced less time on standards, more non-instructional time, and less content coverage than their overall class. Limitations and implications for policy and future research are discussed.
STARD6 is expressed in steroidogenic cells of the ovary and can enhance de novo steroidogenesis
Authors: LaVoie Holly A , Whitfield Nicole E , Shi Bo , King Steven R , Bose Himangshu S , Hui Yvonne Y
Published: March 2014

STARD6 is a member of the StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain family of proteins whose function thus far remains obscure. While it recently was shown to facilitate steroidogenesis in a cell-free setting, it has not been localized to steroidogenic cells of normal reproductive tissues. In a recent microarray study, we detected STARD6 mRNA in cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells which are steroidogenic. In the present study, we examined regulation of STARD6 mRNA in porcine granulosa cultures, and found that it was not regulated by cyclic AMP, but it was reduced by combined knockdown of the transcription factors GATA4 and GATA6. We detected both STARD6 mRNA and protein in fresh granulosa cells and whole antral follicles and different stage corpora lutea of pig. The highest levels were discovered in the mid-luteal phase corpus luteum. Immunolocalization within ovarian tissues indicated robust STARD6 immunoreactivity in steroidogenic cells of the corpus luteum. Relatively lesser amounts of STARD6 signal were found in granulosa cells, theca cells, and oocytes. To test the ability of STARD6 to facilitate de novo steroidogenesis, non-steroidogenic COS-1 cells were co-transfected with components of the P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage system, enabling them to make pregnenolone, and STARD6. STARD6 increased pregnenolone production by two- to three-fold over the empty vector control. In summary, STARD6 is found in the pig ovary, exhibits the strongest expression in highly steroidogenic luteal cells, and significantly enhances pregnenolone production in transfected COS cells independent of cyclic AMP treatment. Collectively, these findings indicate that STARD6 may contribute to steroidogenesis in ovarian cells, but also suggests other cellular functions that require cholesterol trafficking.
Parental experiences of caring for a child with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Willingham-Storr Gemma Louise
Published: March 2014

A structured literature search and thematic analysis of six research articles relating to stress and parenting of a child with an intellectual disability in the United Kingdom identified four key themes: impact upon families, service provision and support networks, coping and transition. The findings identified that parenting a child with an intellectual disability is not always a negative role; it is a role that parents find both rewarding and empowering. However, the findings of the literature review primarily related to mothers of children with an intellectual disability with very little focus on the experiences of fathers.
Who’s in Charge Now? The Decision Autonomy of Hotel General Managers
Authors: Hodari Demian , Sturman Michael C.
Published: March 2014

The general manager (GM) is the key position in a hotel, but the changing structure of the industry has altered the scope of the GM’s decision-making autonomy. In many hotels, the GM is an employee of a hotel operating firm and is effectively an agent of the operator or owner (and sometimes both parties). These principals have authority over several aspects of hotel operation, although the GM also has responsibility. A study of the GM’s role and authority in 115 upscale European hotels finds a mixed picture in decision autonomy, depending on the individual’s experience and education, as well as whether the hotel is independent or chain managed. Overall, independent GMs have greater autonomy in their properties than chain GMs, and highly experienced managers are often given greater autonomy by independent owners, while operating companies give greater autonomy to GMs who offer a combination of education and experience. With regard to individual functional areas, chain GMs have relatively greater authority in human resources, marketing, and strategy but limited autonomy in finance and operations.
Morphology evolution of unstable γ′ in Ni–Co based superalloy
Authors: Xu L. , Tian C. G. , Cui C. Y. , Gu Y. F. , Sun X. F.
Published: March 2014

The evolution of γ′ morphology was investigated during cooling and isothermal aging in a newly developed Ni–Co based wrought superalloy. The results showed that unstable flowery γ′ precipitated at a cooling rate of 5°C min−1 and became stable during isothermal aging, and its shape was either spherical or cuboidal depending on the aging temperatures. The evolution mechanism of γ′ morphology was discussed in terms of the diffusion effects, the elastic strain energy and the γ′/ γ interface energy.
Methylene blue-assisted technique for harvesting lymph nodes after radical surgery for gastric cancer: a prospective randomized phase III study
Authors: Aoyama Toru , Yoshikawa Takaki , Morita Satoshi , Shirai Junya , Fujikawa Hirohito , Iwasaki Kenichi , Hayashi Tsutomu , Ogata Takashi , Cho Haruhiko , Yukawa Norio , Oshima Takashi , Rino Yasushi , Masuda Munetaka , Tsuburaya Akira
Published: March 2014

Background

This randomized Phase III trial will evaluate whether the methylene blue-assisted technique is efficient for harvesting lymph nodes after radical surgery for gastric cancer.

Methods/design

Patients that undergo distal or total gastrectomy with radical nodal dissection will be randomly assigned to Group A: the standard group, the lymph nodes (LNs) will be harvested from the fresh specimen immediately after surgery, or Group B: the methylene blue-assisted group, where the LNs will be harvested from specimens fixed with 10% buffered formalin with methylene blue for 48 hours after surgery. The primary endpoint is the ratio of the number of the harvested LNs per time (minute). The secondary endpoint is the number of harvested LNs. A 25% reduction in the ratio of harvested lymph-node/time (minute) was determined to be necessary for this test treatment, considering the balance between the cost and benefit. Retrospective data was used to estimate the ratio of the number of the harvested LNs per time (minute) to be 40/30 minutes in Group A. A 25% risk reduction and a rate of 40/22.5 minutes is expected in Group B. Therefore, the sample size required ensuring a two-sided alpha error of 5% and statistical power of 80% is 52 patients, with 26 patients per arm. The number of patients to be accrued was set at 60 in total, due to the likelihood of enrolling ineligible patients.

Trial registration

UMIN000008624