bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Company Stakeholders on Executive Pay
Authors: Ellig Bruce R.
Published: September 2013

Company stakeholders have varying degrees of interest and influence on executive pay actions. These are analyzed in terms of their relative importance on the pay elements and time periods beginning with 1900. The ratio of CEO pay to other workers is reviewed. The stakeholders include executives themselves, other employees, shareholders (and their representatives on the board of directors and compensation committee), company customers and suppliers, as well as the community (business press, governmental regulators and rule makers and shareholder watchdogs).
Intersectionality at Work
Authors: Flippen Chenoa A.
Published: September 2013

This article borrows from the intersectionality literature to investigate how legal status, labor market position, and family characteristics structure the labor supply of immigrant Latinas in Durham, North Carolina, a new immigrant destination. The analysis takes a broad view of labor force participation, analyzing the predictors of whether or not women work, whether and how the barriers to work vary across occupations, and variation in hours and weeks worked among the employed. I also explicitly investigate the extent to which family constraints interact with other social characteristics, especially legal status, in shaping women’s labor market position. Results highlight that immigrant Latinas experience multiple, interrelated constraints on employment owing to their position as low-skill workers in a labor market highly segregated by gender and nativity, as members of a largely undocumented population, and as wives and mothers in an environment characterized by significant work–family conflict.
Understanding changing disability-related employment gaps in Britain 1998–2011
Authors: Jones Melanie , Wass Victoria
Published: September 2013

A large and enduring employment gap attaches to impairment and disability. Nevertheless, disability remains a neglected area of research in both labour economics and sociology of work when compared to other protected groups. The government has looked to health professionals (Dame Carol Black, and Sir Michael Marmot), rather than to social scientists, for policy advice, including in relation to the workplace. The Black Review charts an improvement in employment prospects for those reporting disability (1998–2007), a reversal of a prior trend. The purpose of this study is to uncover and disentangle the drivers of employment growth for those reporting disability. The effects of changes in group characteristics, some of which may be linked to an increase in the rate of ill health reporting, are considered; and also the effects of changes in the employment structure towards flexible working, the public sector and non-manual jobs. The analysis extends to 2011 to capture the effects of the recession.
Exploring the interplay between Buddhism and career development: a study of highly skilled women workers in Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando Weerahannadige Dulini Anuvinda , Cohen Laurie
Published: September 2013

This article adopts a socio-cultural lens to examine the role of Buddhism in highly skilled women workers’ careers in Sri Lanka. While Buddhism enabled women’s career development by giving them strength to cope with difficult situations in work, it also seemed to restrict their agency and constrain their career advancement. The article argues, based on its findings, that being perceived as a good Buddhist woman worked as a powerful form of career capital for the respondents in the sample, who used their faith to combat gender disadvantage in their work settings.
The intersections of work time and care time: nurses’ and builders’ family time economies
Authors: Lindsay Jo , Maher JaneMaree
Published: September 2013

In post-industrial societies labour market de-regulation, the growth of non-standard work schedules and shifting gender patterns in the paid labour market are re-shaping family care practices and work/family balance. In this article, the work/family arrangements and practices of nurses are compared with those of builders in Melbourne, Australia. The concept of family time economies is used to explore the intersections of work time and family time. Some change in traditional gender divisions of labour was evident in the nurses’ families but in the builders’ families more traditional gender specialization was displayed. The article contends that the organization of work time shapes the temporal structures of family life. Gendered patterns of employment in sex-segregated industries intersect with gendered family care practices in complicated and sometimes contradictory ways, but gendered differences at work and at home have a significant influence on how time for paid work and care is distributed between parents.
Effects on braking distance from the use of traction fluid as a wheel/rail lubricant
Authors: Sone Yasutomo , Suzumura Junichi , Koga Hidetoshi , Tamoto Yoshitaka , Ishida Makoto , Yamazaki Hiro-o , Sasaki Toshihiko
Published: September 2013

Mineral oil and other lubricants are commonly applied to the gauge corner of high rails to avoid wheel/rail interface wear on railways. Although not directly applied to the top of the rail, these lubricants sometimes end up on this surface, and the relatively low coefficient of friction they produce can cause slipping or sliding at the wheel/rail interface during vehicle acceleration or braking. It has been reported in the literature that the application of traction fluid (a modern technique involving the use of a synthetic lubricant) produced a higher coefficient of friction than that of a conventional wheel/rail interface lubricant. In this study, tests were performed using traction fluid to evaluate its influence on a vehicle’s braking distance and other important performance elements from a practical point of view. The results of the braking performance evaluation carried out on a braking test stand showed that the braking distance increase with synthetic traction fluids was roughly one-half of that observed with conventional wheel/rail lubrication oil. This suggests the potential of using traction fluid as a wheel/rail lubricant.
Testosterone Inhibits Trust but Promotes Reciprocity
Authors: Boksem Maarten A. S. , Mehta Pranjal H. , Van den Bergh Bram , van Son Veerle , Trautmann Stefan T. , Roelofs Karin , Smidts Ale , Sanfey Alan G.
Published: September 2013

The steroid hormone testosterone has been associated with behavior intended to obtain or maintain high social status. Although such behavior is typically characterized as aggressive and competitive, it is clear that high social status is achieved and maintained not only through antisocial behavior but also through prosocial behavior. In the present experiment, we investigated the impact of testosterone administration on trust and reciprocity using a double-blind randomized control design. We found that a single dose of 0.5 mg of testosterone decreased trust but increased generosity when repaying trust. These findings suggest that testosterone may mediate different types of status-seeking behavior. It may increase competitive, potentially aggressive, and antisocial behavior when social challenges and threats (i.e., abuse of trust and betrayal) need to be considered; however, it may promote prosocial behavior in the absence of these threats, when high status and good reputation may be best served by prosocial behavior.
Validation of the Palliative Prognostic Index and Palliative Prognostic Score in a Palliative Care Consultation Team Setting for Patients With Advanced Cancers in an Acute Care Hospital in Japan
Authors: Sonoda Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Takashi , Matsumoto Mina , Hisahara Ko
Published: September 2013

This study aims to clarify the predictive value of two prognostic prediction tools, the palliative prognostic index (PPI) and the palliative prognostic score (PaPS), in a setting of general hospital palliative care team for patients with advanced cancers in an acute care hospital in Japan. The retrospective observational study includes 247 patients for the PPI analysis and 187 patients for the PaPS analysis, all patients are older than 18 years, hospitalized with an advanced cancer, and referred to the palliative care team in an acute care hospital in Japan. The study successfully show that both the PPI and PaPS have an ability to divide patients into three groups, each with significantly different survival length (p<0.001). However, there are discrepancies in the results for predicting the length of survival between the study and the original studies conducted in hospice settings. The results suggest that although PPI and PaPS successfully divide patients into three groups with significantly different survival times, discrepancies exist in predicting the actual length of survival.
Preservice Music Teachers’ Recognition of Western Art Music Found in Popular Culture
Authors: VanWeelden Kimberly
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate preservice educators’ knowledge of basic information about classical repertoire found in popular culture. Specifically, preservice music teachers answered whether they (a) had heard the music before, (b) could name the titles of the music, (c) could name the composers of the music, and (d) could identify the music history periods in which the music was composed. Participants ( N = 200) for this study were preservice music educators who listened to 30 classical music excerpts and answered the research questions for each piece. The majority of preservice educators (94%) reported previously hearing the music. However, many could not correctly title the music (71%), name the composer of the music (65%), or identify the period the music was composed (61%). Further results and implications are discussed within the article.
Rethinking Trait Conceptions of Social Desirability Scales
Authors: de Vries Reinout E. , Zettler Ingo , Hilbig Benjamin E.
Published: September 2013

Numerous researchers have noted that, instead of response sets or styles, most social desirability scales seem to measure personality traits instead. In two studies, we investigated the substantive interpretation of the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding in terms of the HEXACO model of personality. Because of its focus on honesty and integrity, the Impression Management (IM) scale was hypothesized to be mainly related to HEXACO Honesty-Humility. In the main study among 1,106 students and well-acquainted others (friends, family, or partners), positive self–other agreement correlations were found for both IM ( r = .45) and Self-Deceptive Enhancement (SDE; r = .34), supporting a trait conception of IM and SDE. In both self- and other ratings, the most important predictors of SDE were (low) Emotionality, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness. IM was associated with Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, but Honesty-Humility was by far its most important predictor. In a subsample ( n = 465), Honesty-Humility and IM were unrelated to GPA.
Active vibration control of a flexible beam using system identification and controller tuning by evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Saad Mohd Sazli , Jamaluddin Hishamuddin , Darus Intan Zaurah Mat
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a new approach of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller tuning via an evolutionary algorithm that optimally suppresses the vibration of a flexible beam system using a piezoelectric actuator. The system’s dynamic model is identified based on autoregression with exogenous input (ARX) structure using recursive least square. The input-output data were obtained experimentally. This ARX model represents the physical system and is used for the controller optimization process. Evolutionary algorithms such as differential evolution (DE) and genetic algorithms (GA) were applied to optimize and tune the controller parameters offline based on a defined performance index, i.e. mean square error of the vibration signals. The optimum PID parameters were validated experimentally. The performance of PID tuned by DE and GA are compared with conventional PID tuning (using Ziegler Nichols method). Experimental study showed that PID tuned by DE and GA offer a better transient response than the conventional tuning method.
“As Cited In” Writing Partnerships
Authors: Van Cleave Jessica , Bridges-Rhoads Sarah
Published: September 2013

Despite that qualitative researchers have persistently positioned research as a collaborative endeavor, single-authorship is ultimately valued in the academy, producing tension between the expectation and (im)possibility of such single-authorship. In this article, we demonstrate how we attend to this tension by focusing on how our citational practices within the text and in authorship bylines enable us to continuously interrogate and deconstruct how the author functions in our work. Specifically, we describe how our writing partnership produces each other as secondary sources for all of our writing, and we explore how American Psychological Association’s (APA) phrase “as cited in” helps us do authorship differently, even in those texts where our contributions are not acknowledged in authorship bylines. This exploration highlights how writing and methodology are completely imbricated in qualitative research, so we propose that choices about how we produce the author should be as philosophically informed as other methodological decisions.
Season of infectious mononucleosis and risk of multiple sclerosis at different latitudes; the EnvIMS Study
Authors: Lossius Andreas , Riise Trond , Pugliatti Maura , Bjørnevik Kjetil , Casetta Ilaria , Drulovic Jelena , Granieri Enrico , Kampman Margitta T , Landtblom Anne-Marie , Lauer Klaus , Magalhaes Sandra , Myhr Kjell-Morten , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Wesnes Kristin , Wolfson Christina , Holmøy Trygve
Published: September 2013

Background:

Seasonal fluctuations in solar radiation and vitamin D levels could modulate the immune response against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and influence the subsequent risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

Altogether 1660 MS patients and 3050 controls from Norway and Italy participating in the multinational case-control study of Environmental Factors In Multiple Sclerosis (EnvIMS) reported season of past infectious mononucleosis (IM).

Results:

IM was generally reported more frequently in Norway ( p=0.002), but was associated with MS to a similar degree in Norway (odds ratio (OR) 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64–2.73) and Italy (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.17–2.52). For all participants, there was a higher reported frequency of IM during spring compared to fall ( p<0.0005). Stratified by season of IM, the ORs for MS were 1.58 in spring (95% CI 1.08–2.31), 2.26 in summer (95% CI 1.46–3.51), 2.86 in fall (95% CI 1.69–4.85) and 2.30 in winter (95% CI 1.45–3.66).

Conclusions:

IM is associated with MS independently of season, and the association is not stronger for IM during spring, when vitamin D levels reach nadir. The distribution of IM may point towards a correlation with solar radiation or other factors with a similar latitudinal and seasonal variation.
The presence of migraines and its association with sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety symptomatology in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sullivan Jillian C , Miller Lucy J , Nielsen Darcy M , Schoen Sarah A
Published: September 2013

Migraine headaches are associated with sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety in the general population, but it is unknown whether this is also the case in autism spectrum disorders. This pilot study asked parents of 81 children (aged 7–17 years) with autism spectrum disorders to report their child’s migraine occurrence, sensory hyperreactivity (Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory), and anxiety symptoms (Spence Child Anxiety Scale). Children with autism spectrum disorders who experienced migraine headaches showed greater sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety symptomatology (p < 0.01; medium effect size for both) than those without migraines. Sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety symptomatology were additionally correlated (ρ = 0.31, p = 0.005). This study provides preliminary evidence for a link between migraine headaches, sensory hyperreactivity, and anxiety symptomatology in autism spectrum disorders, which may suggest strategies for subtyping and exploring a common pathogenesis.
New approaches to engineer the yarn structure; Part A: For better carpet performance
Authors: Ishtiaque SM , Sen Kushal , Kumar Ajay
Published: September 2013

Invariably different fibres are mixed homogeneously at yarn stage to obtain the desired carpet characteristics such as resiliency, lustre, reduced shedding and cost reduction. In order to fully exploit the individual fibre characteristics, i.e. fibre diameter, medullation and bending rigidity, an attempt has been made to engineer the carpet yarns to strategically position different characteristics of fibre across the yarn cross-section. Accordingly three layered engineered yarns of 4 Nm linear density of different fibre components as in control yarns, i.e. Malpura Magra and Chokla wools to 1:4:5 in inner, middle and outermost layer, respectively, were produced by using modified SIRO spinning method on worsted spinning system. The recovery property of yarns was found to be better for all engineered yarns as compared to control yarns. Carpet made from considered yarns were subjected to compression, dynamic loading and abrasion for assessing their performance. Higher bending rigidity and recovery properties of control and engineered yarns have improved the carpet performance. Carpet resiliency was found to be better for carpet made from engineered yarns. The engineered yarn carpets give lower abrasion loss and carpet thickness loss under dynamic loading. Among all the control and engineered yarns, carpets made from two layered roving to obtain three-layered yarn have yielded best results.
Longitudinal assessment in COPD patients: multidimensional variability and outcomes
Authors: Casanova Ciro , Aguirre-Jaíme Armando , de Torres Juan P. , Pinto-Plata Victor , Baz Rebeca , Marin Jose M. , Divo Miguel , Cordoba Elizabeth , Basaldua Santiago , Cote Claudia , Celli Bartolomé R.
Published: September 2013

The value and timing of multidimensional assessments in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear because there is little information about their variability and relationship to outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the progression of COPD using clinical and spirometric variability over time with mortality as the outcome.

We determined the annual intra-individual variability of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea, exercise capacity) index in 403 patients with at least five measurements. The pattern was defined as “stable” if the annual change remained constant in ≥66% of the observations and “unstable” if it did not meet that threshold. We explored the minimum number of yearly observations that related to mortality in the 704 patients of the cohort.

The “unstable” pattern of FEV1was seen in 53% and 40% of patients using a threshold of 40 mL·year−1and 100 mL·year−1, respectively. There was a slightly more “stable” pattern in the BODE index (62% for 1 point). A profile associated with mortality was defined by a baseline measurement followed by annual measurements for 2 years of the BODE index, but not its individual components, including FEV1(p<0.001).

Progression of COPD measured using FEV1is inconsistent and relates poorly to outcome. Monitoring the more stable BODE index better assesses disease progression.
Impact of heart failure on the behavior of human neonatal stem cells in vitro
Authors: Klose Kristin , Roy Rajika , Brodarac Andreja , Kurtz Andreas , Ode Andrea , Kang Kyung-Sun , Bieback Karen , Choi Yeong-Hoon , Stamm Christof
Published: September 2013

Background

Clinical cardiac cell therapy using autologous somatic stem cells is restricted by age and disease-associated impairment of stem cell function. Juvenile cells possibly represent a more potent alternative, but the impact of patient-related variables on such cell products is unknown. We therefore evaluated the behavior of neonatal cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (CB-MSC) in the presence of serum from patients with advanced heart failure (HF).

Methods

Human serum was obtained from patients with severe HF (n = 21) and from healthy volunteers (n = 12). To confirm the systemic quality of HF in the sera, TNF-α and IL-6 were quantified. CB-MSC from healthy neonates were cultivated for up to 14 days in medium supplemented with 10% protein-normalized human HF or control serum or fetal calf serum (FCS).

Results

All HF sera contained increased cytokine concentrations (IL-6, TNF-α). When exposed to HF serum, CB-MSC maintained basic MSC properties as confirmed by immunophenotyping and differentiation assays, but clonogenic cells were reduced in number and gave rise to substantially smaller colonies in the CFU-F assay. Cell cycle analysis pointed towards G1 arrest. CB-MSC metabolic activity and proliferation were significantly impaired for up to 3 days as measured by MTS turnover, BrdU incorporation and DAPI + nuclei counting. On day 5, however, CB-MSC growth kinetics approached control serum levels, though protein expression of cell cycle inhibitors (p21, p27), and apoptosis marker Caspase 3 remained elevated. Signal transduction included the stress and cytokine-induced JNK and ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathways.

Conclusions

Heart failure temporarily inhibits clonality and proliferation of “healthy” juvenile MSC in vitro. Further studies should address the in vivo and clinical relevance of this finding.
Four issues in undernutrition-related health impact modeling
Authors: Scovronick Noah , Chalabi Zaid , Wilkinson Paul
Published: September 2013

Undernutrition modeling makes it possible to evaluate the potential impact of such events as a food-price shock or harvest failure on the prevalence and severity of undernutrition. There are, however, uncertainties in such modeling. In this paper we discuss four methodological issues pertinent to impact estimation: (1) the conventional emphasis on energy intake rather than dietary quality; (2) the importance of the distribution of nutrient intakes; (3) the timing of both the ‘food shock’ and when the response is assessed; and (4) catch-up growth and risk accumulation.
Endoglucanases: insights into thermostability for biofuel applications
Authors: Yennamalli Ragothaman M , Rader Andrew J , Kenny Adam J , Wolt Jeffrey D , Sen Taner Z
Published: September 2013

Obtaining bioethanol from cellulosic biomass involves numerous steps, among which the enzymatic conversion of the polymer to individual sugar units has been a main focus of the biotechnology industry. Among the cellulases that break down the polymeric cellulose are endoglucanases that act synergistically for subsequent hydrolytic reactions. The endoglucanases that have garnered relatively more attention are those that can withstand high temperatures, i.e., are thermostable. Although our understanding of thermostability in endoglucanases is incomplete, some molecular features that are responsible for increased thermostability have been recently identified. This review focuses on the investigations of endoglucanases and their implications for biofuel applications.
Decision aid on disclosure of mental health status to an employer: feasibility and outcomes of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Henderson Claire , Brohan Elaine , Clement Sarah , Williams Paul , Lassman Francesca , Schauman Oliver , Dockery Lisa , Farrelly Simone , Murray Joanna , Murphy Caroline , Slade Mike , Thornicroft Graham
Published: September 2013

Background

Many mental health service users delay or avoid disclosing their condition to employers because of experience, or anticipation, of discrimination. However, non-disclosure precludes the ability to request ‘reasonable adjustments’. There have been no intervention studies to support decisionmaking about disclosure to an employer.

Aims

To determine whether the decision aid has an effect that is sustained beyond its immediate impact; to determine whether a large-scale trial is feasible; and to optimise the designs of a larger trial and of the decision aid.

Method

In this exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) in London, participants were randomly assigned to use of a decision aid plus usual care or usual care alone. Follow-up was at 3 months. Primary outcomes were: (a) stage of decision-making; (b) decisional conflict; and (c) employment-related outcomes (trial registration number: NCT01379014).

Results

We recruited 80 participants and interventions were completed for 36 out of 40 in the intervention group; in total 71 participants were followed up. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that reduction in decisional conflict was significantly greater in the intervention group than among controls (mean improvement −22.7 (s.d. = 15.2) v. −11.2 (s.d. = 18.1), P = 0.005). More of the intervention group than controls were in full-time employment at follow-up (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The observed reduction in decisional conflict regarding disclosure has a number of potential benefits which next need to be tested in a definitive trial.
Meeting report – Oocyte maturation and fertilization: lessons from canonical and emerging models
Authors: Oulhen Nathalie , Mori Masashi , Dumollard Remi
Published: September 2013

The EMBO workshop ‘Oocyte maturation and fertilization: lessons from canonical and emerging models’ was held at the Oceanologic Observatory of Banyuls in France in June 2013 and was organized by Anne-Marie Geneviere, Olivier Haccard, Peter Lenart and Alex McDougall. A total of 78 participants shared their research on germline formation, oocyte development, sperm, fertilization and early development. Here, we report the highlights of this meeting.
The outcome of the Mobility total ankle replacement at a mean of four years
Authors: Muir D. , Aoina J. , Hong T. , Mason R.
Published: September 2013

We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive series of 178 Mobility total ankle replacements (TARs) performed by three surgeons between January 2004 and June 2009, and analysed radiological parameters and clinical outcomes in a subgroup of 129 patients. The mean follow-up was 4 years (2 to 6.3). A total of ten revision procedures (5.6%) were undertaken. The mean Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) pain score was 17 (0 to 88) and 86% of patients were clinically improved at follow-up. However, 18 patients (18 TARs, 14%) had a poor outcome with an AOS pain score of > 30. A worse outcome was associated with a pre-operative diagnosis of post-traumatic degenerative arthritis. However, no pre- or post-operative radiological parameters were significantly associated with a poor outcome. Of the patients with persistent pain, eight had predominantly medial-sided pain. Thirty TARs (29%) had a radiolucency in at least one zone.

The outcome of the Mobility TAR at a mean of four years is satisfactory in > 85% of patients. However, there is a significant incidence of persistent pain, particularly on the medial side, for which we were unable to establish a cause.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1366–71.
Can computer navigation-assisted surgery reduce the risk of an intralesional margin and reduce the rate of local recurrence in patients with a tumour of the pelvis or sacrum?
Authors: Jeys L. , Matharu G. S. , Nandra R. S. , Grimer R. J.
Published: September 2013

We hypothesised that the use of computer navigation-assisted surgery for pelvic and sacral tumours would reduce the risk of an intralesional margin. We reviewed 31 patients (18 men and 13 women) with a mean age of 52.9 years (13.5 to 77.2) in whom computer navigation-assisted surgery had been carried out for a bone tumour of the pelvis or sacrum. There were 23 primary malignant bone tumours, four metastatic tumours and four locally advanced primary tumours of the rectum. The registration error when using computer navigation was <  1 mm in each case. There were no complications related to the navigation, which allowed the preservation of sacral nerve roots (n = 13), resection of otherwise inoperable disease (n = 4) and the avoidance of hindquarter amputation (n = 3). The intralesional resection rate for primary tumours of the pelvis and sacrum was 8.7% (n = 2): clear bone resection margins were achieved in all cases. At a mean follow-up of 13.1 months (3 to 34) three patients (13%) had developed a local recurrence. The mean time alive from diagnosis was 16.8 months (4 to 48).

Computer navigation-assisted surgery is safe and has reduced our intralesional resection rate for primary tumours of the pelvis and sacrum. We recommend this technique as being worthy of further consideration for this group of patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1417–24.
Family-Centered Rounds and Medical Student Education: A Qualitative Examination of Students’ Perceptions
Authors: Paradise Black Nicole M. , Kelly Maria N. , Black Erik W. , Sessums Christopher D. , DiPietro Meredith K. , Novak Maureen A.
Published: September 2013

Background:

Although current literature supports the benefits of family-centered rounds on medical education, few studies have explored students’ perceptions of family-centered rounds.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to provide a better and broader understanding of the effect of family-centered rounds on medical student education.

Methods:

During the inpatient portion of the third-year pediatric clerkship at a southeastern United States 4-year medical school, students were exposed to family-centered and conference room work rounds and completed a post-hoc reflective open-ended questionnaire. The study was conducted from July to December 2007 and the inpatient experience was at one of two large academic medical centers. Using a constant comparative approach, the qualitative content of 45 of the 63 potential students’ responses was analyzed.

Results:

Family-centered rounds served as an opportunity for medical students to build their practice-based knowledge through direct and simultaneous interaction with the medical team, patients, and families. Family member communication, medical team communication, and increased exposure to patients allowed for unique learning opportunities such as augmentation of communication skills, practice with use of lay terms, legitimate peripheral participation, and humanizing cognitive understanding of diseases. Areas of concern noted by the students included space limitations, length of rounds, potential anxiety provoked in the patient, and faculty and resident comfort with teaching certain topics.

Conclusions:

Our qualitative analysis of medical student perceptions on family-centered rounds suggests that pediatric medical student education may benefit by improving knowledge and practice with communication and humanizing disease processes. However, perceived barriers, such as concerns about space or instructor comfort with teaching certain topics, existed. Further studies are warranted to gain a better understanding of the educational impact of conducting this type of rounds.
Pediatric Hospitalist Research Productivity: Predictors of Success at Presenting Abstracts and Publishing Peer-reviewed Manuscripts Among Pediatric Hospitalists
Authors: Teufel Ronald J. , Bekmezian Arpi , Wilson Karen
Published: September 2013

Objective:

To identify factors associated with research productivity among pediatric hospitalists.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional online survey of pediatric hospitalists recruited from the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Hospital Medicine from May to August 2009. We used abstract presentations at a national meeting (intermediate outcome) and ≥2 first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts (primary outcome) to measure research productivity. Information was also collected on environmental and physician characteristics. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify independent associations with research productivity.

Results:

Two hundred fifteen pediatric hospitalists completed the survey. The respondents included 82% in an academic environment, 15% fellowship trained, 25% with additional degrees, and 67% with no protected time for research. Fifty-six percent presented an abstract, and 17% had 2 or more publications. After adjusting for potential confounders, pediatric hospitalists were more likely to have presented an abstract if they had fellowship training, an additional degree, were “very interested” or “interested” in performing research, or worked in a free-standing children’s hospital or children’s hospital within a hospital. Pediatric hospitalists were more likely to have 2 or more publications if they had an additional degree or had presented an abstract.

Conclusions:

Among pediatric hospitalists, obtaining an additional degree and presenting an abstract at a national meeting are associated with research productivity. A minority of this group of pediatric hospitalists had fellowship training, degree training, or 2 or more first-author manuscripts published even though the majority are in an academic environment. These results suggest that structured training and a focus on abstract presentations at meetings could be a programmatic solution.
La Crosse Viral Infection in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients in Western North Carolina
Authors: Miller Ansley , Carchman Rebecca , Long Rachel , Denslow Sheri A.
Published: September 2013

Objective:

La Crosse infection, caused by a rare mosquito-transmitted virus, is endemic in Western North Carolina. Given the large number of cases at our institution, our goal was to describe the presentation, management, and clinical course for pediatric patients with this disease.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed medical records from pediatric patients with antibody-confirmed La Crosse infection admitted to Mission Hospital July 2004 through August 2009. Demographics, clinical characteristics, management methods, length of hospital stay, and complications were analyzed. Regression analysis was used to assess relationships between presentation and clinical course.

Results:

Forty-seven pediatric patients were identified with antibody-confirmed La Crosse infection. Seventy percent were male, and the median age was 8 years. Admission signs and symptoms included fever (43%), headache (94%), vomiting (78%), altered mental status (58%), and seizures (61%). All patients had pleocytosis on cerebrospinal fluid studies (range 10–1063 cells/mm3). Median length of stay was 5 days. Seizure at admission was associated with an increased length of stay (2.4 additional days, 95% confidence interval 0.7–4.1). Eighteen patients (38%) received intensive care, 7 (19%) received parenteral or enteral (via nasogastric tube) nutrition, and 4 (9%) received mechanical ventilation. No statistically significant associations between presenting signs and symptoms and complications were found. Treatments included antibiotics (87%), antiviral medication (55%), seizure prophylaxis (47%), and isotonic fluids (98%).

Conclusions:

Our data reflect few indicators to predict clinical course during hospital stay. Management strategies should include attention to development of seizure activity and preventive measures for syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.
Using Patient Characteristics to Predict Usefulness of Abdominal Computed Tomography in Children
Authors: Biondi Eric , Macduff Sabrina , Capucilli Peter , Tsuboyama Melissa , Wu Shuang , Beck Christopher , Lynn Justin , der Jagt Elise van , Wilson Karen
Published: September 2013

Objective:

The study goal was to determine whether clinical symptoms, physical findings, or laboratory values predict the usefulness of abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans in children.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients who received an abdominal CT scan between June 2009 and November 2011 at an urban medical center. A panel of pediatric hospitalists independently categorized each CT read as: (1) necessary for diagnosis; (2) unnecessary but helpful for diagnosis; or (3) neither necessary nor helpful for diagnosis. Two multiple logistic regression models examined 21 clinical variables to assess their ability to differentiate between: (1) necessary and unnecessary CT scans; and (2) helpful and unhelpful CT scans.

Results:

A total of 399 CT scans were analyzed. Seventy (18%) of these were categorized as necessary, 103 (26%) as unnecessary but helpful, and 226 (57%) as neither necessary nor helpful. Three variables were strongly correlated with necessary CT scans: leukocytosis, peritoneal signs, and male gender. The probability of a CT scan being necessary was 57% in patients with all 3 findings and 8% in those with none. Three variables were also strongly correlated with unnecessary but helpful CT scans: history of abdominal surgery, tachypnea, and leukocytosis. The probability of a CT scan being helpful was 84% in patients with all 3 findings and 35% in those with none of the 3 findings.

Conclusions:

The majority of abdominal CT scans were unnecessary and unhelpful. Knowing which clinical variables correlate strongly with necessary or helpful abdominal CT scans may assist clinicians in deciding whether to order this test; however, the predictive power of these variables remains relatively low.
Pollen Dispersal of Cultivated Soybean into Wild Soybean under Natural Conditions
Authors: Wang Ke‐Jing , Li Xiang‐Hua
Published: September 2013

Gene flow composed of successful seed migration and pollen dispersal strongly influences geographical population genetic structure in the self‐pollinating wild soybean (Glycine soja Siebold & Zucc.). Pollen outcrossing is important in this species because it is involved in the recombination, spread, and fixation of introgressive genes and also includes the threat of introgression from genetically modified cultivated soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. We investigated pollen dispersal in four wild soybean populations situated near farmlands using microsatellite variation. Results showed that interspecies outcrossing occurred in all four study populations. Evidence showed that some soybean individuals in wild soybean natural populations contained cultivated genes, but their genetic backgrounds tended towards wild soybean owing to many generations of gene background selection under the natural environments. A pollen dispersal distance of 40 m was found and a pollen dispersal distance of 50 m was inferred based on the morphological behaviors and geographical and population genetic structures. All the semiwild plants (Glycine gracilis Skvortsov [syn. Glycine max (L.) Merr.]) were genetically close to their mother populations, indicating that they originated in these populations through pollen flow from nearby soybeans into wild plants.
Genetic Analysis of Grain Shape for Paddy and Brown Rice Using Introgression Lines
Authors: Bian Jianmin , He Haohua , Shi Huan , Li Cuijuan , Zhu Changlan , Peng Xiaosong , Yu Qiuying , Fu Junru , He Xiaopeng , Chen Xiaorong , Hu Lifang , Ouyang Linjuan
Published: September 2013

Grain shape–related traits are important components determining rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield, and they are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL). To study the genetic basis of grain shape–related traits, we performed an experiment using a population of rice introgression lines (ILs) in two different environments. The results revealed that the 10 traits investigated were affected by 84 QTL that individually explained 5.04 to 66.26% of the phenotypic variation. Most of these QTL explained a modest proportion of the phenotypic variance, confirming that grain shape was inherited polygenically. Meanwhile, 75 of all the 84 QTL showed a pleiotropic effect or linkage association as a cause of these observed phenotypic correlations between the grain shape traits. Among the regions showing pleiotropic effect or linkage association, 71.4% were associated with both paddy and brown grain shape traits, which suggested that paddy and brown grain shape might be controlled by the same genes. Furthermore, 13 major stable QTL were detected in both environments, which offers an opportunity for marker‐aided improvement of rice grain shape quality and QTL cloning. The introgression lines harboring the 13 major stable QTL also represent a useful genetic resource for rice yield improvement via a design‐breeding approach in the future.
Rapid Cycling Recurrent Selection for Increased Carotenoids Content in Cassava Roots
Authors: Ceballos H. , Morante N. , Sánchez T. , Ortiz D. , Aragón I. , Chávez A.L. , Pizarro M. , Calle F. , Dufour D.
Published: September 2013

Improving total carotenoids content (TCC) in cassava roots is an important strategy to reduce vitamin A deficiency in human populations that rely on cassava as a source of energy in their diets. The high heritability for TCC in the roots allowed the International Center for Tropical Agriculture to implement a rapid cycling recurrent selection approach that reduced the standard length of each cycle from the ordinary 8 yr to 3. Data from successive evaluation nurseries suggested that gains have been made through time. However, no comparison of different cycles of selection has been made when representatives of each cycle were grown together. This study compares 4 to 5 clones representative of cycles of selection from 2004 to 2009. Results demonstrated significant gains for TCC as well as for total β‐carotene (TBC) expressed both in a fresh and dry weight basis. Although dry matter content (DMC) was not a selection criterion during the selection process, it increased with the successive cycles of selection. This suggests that indeed, simultaneous gains for TCC, TBC, and DMC are feasible. This finding is relevant for the important ongoing efforts at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and African National Programs to release biofortified cassava clones in Africa with adequate levels of dry matter content.
Finding Linked Markers to En for Efficient Selection of Pea Enation Mosaic Virus Resistance in Pea
Authors: Jain Shalu , Weeden Norman F. , Porter Lyndon D. , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , McPhee Kevin
Published: September 2013

Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) causes an important disease of cool‐season food legumes, resulting in significant yield loss worldwide. The present investigation was carried out to study the inheritance and identify the molecular markers linked with the PEMV resistance gene (En) in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) using an F7–derived mapping population developed from the cross ‘Lifter’ (resistant)/‘Radley’ (susceptible). Three hundred ninety‐three recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were phenotyped for reaction to PEMV in the field under natural inoculation and in the greenhouse using artificial inoculation. The RILs segregated in the expected 1:1 ratio for resistance and susceptibility in the field and greenhouse evaluations. Sequence tagged site markers were developed through an intron targeted amplified polymorphism approach based on comparative mapping with Medicago truncatula Gaertn. and a targeted region amplified polymorphism approach was also used to enrich the genomic region segregating for the En gene. Our results demonstrate that resistance to PEMV in pea is governed by a single gene, En, located on linkage group III between markers CNGC (2.5 cM) and tRNAMet2 (1.3 cM) with many other closely associated markers. These two markers in combination predict the presence of En with 99.4% accuracy in the Lifter/Radley mapping population and have implications for marker‐assisted selection for PEMV resistance in pea improvement breeding programs.
The relationship between clinical phenotype and early staged bilateral deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease
Authors: Sung Victor W. , Watts Ray L. , Schrandt Christian J. , Guthrie Stephanie , Wang Deli , Amara Amy W. , Guthrie Barton L. , Walker Harrison C.
Published: September 2013

Object

While many centers place bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems simultaneously, unilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS followed by a staged contralateral procedure has emerged as a treatment option for many patients. However, little is known about whether the preoperative phenotype predicts when staged placement of a DBS electrode in the opposite STN will be required. The authors aimed to determine whether preoperative clinical phenotype predicts early staged placement of a second STN DBS electrode in patients who undergo unilateral STN DBS for Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods

Eighty-two consecutive patients with advanced PD underwent unilateral STN DBS contralateral to the most affected hemibody and had at least 2 years of follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined preoperative characteristics that predicted staged placement of a second electrode in the opposite STN. Preoperative measurements included aspects of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), motor asymmetry index, and body weight.

Results

At 2-year follow-up, 28 (34%) of the 82 patients had undergone staged placement of a contralateral electrode while the remainder chose to continue with unilateral stimulation. Statistically significant improvements in UPDRS total and Part 3 scores were retained at the end of the 2-year follow-up period in both subsets of patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the most important predictors for early staged placement of a second subthalamic stimulator were low asymmetry index (OR 13.4, 95% CI 2.8–64.9), high tremor subscore (OR 7.2, CI 1.5–35.0), and low body weight (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.4–22.3).

Conclusions

This single-center study provides evidence that elements of the preoperative PD phenotype predict whether patients will require early staged bilateral STN DBS. These data may aid in the management of patients with advanced PD who undergo STN DBS.
Little-known Swiss contributions to the description, diagnosis, and surgery of lumbar disc disease before the Mixter and Barr era
Authors: Stienen Martin Nikolaus , Surbeck Werner , Tröhler Ulrich , Hildebrandt Gerhard
Published: September 2013

The understanding of lumbar spine pathologies made substantial progress at the turn of the twentieth century. The authors review the original publication of Otto Veraguth in 1929 reporting on the successful resection of a herniated lumbar disc, published exclusively in the German language. His early report is put into the historical context, and its impact on the understanding of pathologies of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is estimated. The Swiss surgeon and Nobel Prize laureate Emil Theodor Kocher was among the first physicians to describe the traumatic rupture of the IVD in 1896. As early as 1909 Oppenheim and Krause published 2 case reports on surgery for a herniated lumbar disc. Goldthwait was the first physician to delineate the etiopathogenes is between annulus rupture, symptoms of sciatica, and neurological signs in his publication of 1911. Further publications by Middleton and Teacher in 1911 and Schmorl in 1929 added to the understanding of lumbar spinal pathologies. In 1929, the Swiss neurologist Veraguth (surgery performed by Hans Brun) and the American neurosurgeon Walter Edward Dandy both published their early experiences with the surgical therapy of a herniated lumbar disc. Veraguth's contribution, however, has not been appreciated internationally to date. The causal relationship between lumbar disc pathology and sciatica remained uncertain for some years to come. The causal relationship was not confirmed until Mixter and Barr's landmark paper in 1934 describing the association of sciatica and lumbar disc herniation, after which the surgical treatment became increasingly popular. Veraguth was among the first physicians to report on the clinical course of a patient with successful resection of a herniated lumbar disc. His observations should be acknowledged in view of the limited experience and literature on this ailment at that time.