bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Love and resistance of mothers with intellectual disability from ethnocultural communities in Canada
Authors: Pacheco Laura , McConnell David 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundMothers with intellectual disability are thought to be passive, dependent and in need of protection. This study contributes to a nascent body of research that challenges this schema, revealing how women with intellectual disability who are mothers resist oppression.MethodsNarrative research methods underpinned by intersectionality theory were used to explore the lives of eight mothers with intellectual disability from various ethnocultural communities in Canada. A total of 33 in‐depth interviews were conducted with these eight women over a period of 2 years.ResultsThe lives of the women who took part in this study were marked by violence. The women resisted. Their resistance strategies addressed two kinds of relationships: their relationships with others and their relationship with themselves.ConclusionThe women in this study employed strategies of resistance, sometimes at great personal cost, to provide their children with a better life.
Feasibility of electronic peer mentoring for transition‐age youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Project Teens making Environment and Activity Modifications
Authors: Kramer Jessica M. , Ryan Cathryn T. , Moore Rachel , Schwartz Ariel 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundThere is a need for mentoring interventions in which transition‐age youth and young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) participate as both mentors and mentees. Project TEAM (Teens making Environment and Activity Modifications) is a problem‐solving intervention that includes an electronic peer‐mentoring component.MethodsForty‐two mentees and nine mentors with I/DD participated. The present authors analysed recorded peer‐mentoring calls and field notes for mentee engagement, mentor achievement of objectives and supports needed to implement peer mentoring.ResultsOverall, mentees attended 87% of scheduled calls and actively engaged during 94% of call objectives. Across all mentoring dyads, mentors achieved 87% of objectives and there was a significant relationship between the use of supports (mentoring script, direct supervision) and fidelity.ConclusionsTransition‐age mentees with I/DD can engage in electronic peer mentoring to further practice problem‐solving skills. Mentors with I/DD can implement electronic peer mentoring when trained personnel provide supports and individualized job accommodations.
Finally Time for Realistic and Determinate Standards in Family Court
Authors: Gupta‐Kagan Josh 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe child protection field has long recognized that legal standards applied by family courts are both broad and vague—definitions of abuse and neglect encompass a wide range of behavior, and substantive standards governing disposition hearings, foster care placements, and permanency hearings provide little guidance. This status quo empowers child protection agencies—who can take advantage of broad and vague standards to obtain judicial approval when they want to intervene. As a result, judicial checks and balances are weaker and reform efforts are more agency‐dependent than they ought to be. The weak legal and judicial checks enable the child protection pendulum to swing widely. Narrower and more precise legal standards can mitigate those problems. They can also improve current reform efforts by providing clearer standards for when court intervention is appropriate, and thus help distinguish cases which need court intervention from those that do not—a central challenge of existing reform efforts. This Article outlines several principles for stronger legal standards. First, standards should balance future risk, with adequate weight given both to risks of future child maltreatment and to risks of harms imposed by the court or foster care systems. Second, standards should apply lessons from social science research—and should evolve in light of future research. Third, they should follow a firm evidentiary record in the case. These principles should shape standards for all essential decisions, not only those that are typically litigated at a trial. Whether a child is removed, what conditions are required for reunification, and where and with whom a child lives while in foster care, for instance, can all be the most important questions in any given case, and deserve clearer legal guidance. This Article will apply these principles to several such decisions. Finally, this Article will identify two systemic features necessary to make standards more effective—vigorous advocacy for all parties, and access to appellate courts to decide interlocutory—but often decisive—issues.
In Search of a Silver Bullet: Child Welfare's Embrace of Predictive Analytics
Authors: Church Christopher E. , Fairchild Amanda J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPredictive analytics has shaken up a number of fields, including child welfare. Predictive analytics refers to the process of applying statistical algorithms to data to make informed guesses about future events. Although predictive analytics can help professionals make decisions more accurately, objectively, and quickly, there is a concern that some methods may result in discriminatory practices or consequences for vulnerable children and families. This paper examines a number of programmatic and ethical considerations for determining the appropriate role of predictive analytics in child welfare.
The Illusion of Appellate Review in Dependency Proceedings
Authors: LeVezu Alicia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn the realm of state trial courts, child abuse and neglect (dependency) proceedings are unique. Dependency proceedings place courts in the position, not of determining an ultimate result, but of overseeing the ongoing actions of a state agency. The court proceedings can continue on up to twenty‐one years without a culminating trial. We must revise our rules of appellate procedure to protect review of dependency decisions so that children and families have the access to justice they deserve.
Making America's Children Safe Again
Authors: Harfeld Amy , Marlowe Kendall 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
With government's response to child abuse and neglect seen as one of the most daunting challenges for public policy and law, legislative reform on this issue struggles to adequately protect children while preserving the integrity of family. The authors utilize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) as an example of the funding and policy challenges in reforming federal child welfare law, as well as a lens through which advocates can locate both conventional and unconventional tools to move forward. CAPTA is examined as an important but weak and flawed federal statute. Authors present an array of opportunities to improve CAPTA during the next reauthorization cycle. Noting exemplary successes, in other recent and related legislation reforms, are suggested for CAPTA to more effectively address ongoing challenges of child welfare.
Adiposity, Change in Adiposity, and Cognitive Decline in Mid‐ and Late Life
Authors: West Nancy A. , Lirette Seth T. , Cannon Victoria A. , Turner Stephen T. , Mosley Thomas H. , Windham Beverly G. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo examine associations between adiposity and adiposity change (loss, stable, gain) and subsequent longitudinal cognitive performance in African Americans in mid and late life.DesignCohort study using linear mixed models.SettingGenetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy.ParticipantsAfrican‐American sibships with hypertension in Jackson, Mississippi (N = 1,108).MeasurementsWaist circumference and body mass index (BMI) were measured at two examinations 5 years apart. Stable adiposity was defined as values within 5% of the first measure. A composite cognitive Z‐score was derived from individual cognitive test Z‐scores at two study visits 6 years apart.ResultsLarger waist circumference was associated with greater rate of cognitive decline during follow‐up (beta = −0.0009 per year, P = .001); BMI, change in waist circumference, and change in BMI were not associated with rate of decline. Loss of adiposity in midlife was associated with higher cognitive Z‐scores in middle‐aged individuals, and loss of adiposity in late life was associated with lower Z‐scores in older adults (P = .01 for interaction between waist circumference and age; P = .04 for interaction between BMI and age). Simultaneous inclusion of waist circumference and BMI in the cross‐sectional model suggested an association between larger waist circumference and poorer cognitive performance (beta = −0.009, P = .006) and between higher BMI and better cognitive performance (beta = 0.014, P = .06).ConclusionThe results suggested a differential pattern of the relationship between adiposity and cognition according to age (mid‐ or late life) and regional distribution of adiposity.
Three‐Year Changes in Physical Activity and Decline in Physical Performance Over 9 Years of Follow‐Up in Older Adults: The Invecchiare in Chianti Study
Authors: Martinez‐Gomez David , Bandinelli Stefania , Del‐Panta Vieri , Patel Kushang V. , Guralnik Jack M. , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo examine the associations between cumulative physical activity (PA) and its changes over 3 years and changes over 9 years of follow‐up in physical performance in older adults.DesignLongitudinal.SettingCommunity‐based.ParticipantsMen and women aged 65 and older from the Invecchiare in Chianti study (N = 782).MeasurementsPhysical performance was assessed at baseline and at 3‐, 6‐, and 9‐year follow‐up using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). PA was assessed through an interviewer‐administered questionnaire at baseline and 3‐year follow‐up. Analyses were adjusted for education, body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, cancer, lung disease, lower extremity osteoarthritis, depression, and Mini‐Mental State Examination.ResultsOver 3 years of follow‐up, 27.8% of participants were inactive, 52.2% were minimally active, and 20.0% were active, and the PA of 37.2% decreased, there was no change in PA of 50.1% and the PA of 12.7% increased. After adjustment for potential covariates, being mostly active (−1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −1.43 to −0.73) and minimally active (−1.33, 95% CI = −1.53 to −1.12) over 3 years of follow‐up was associated with less decline in SPPB score than being mostly inactive (−2.60, 95% CI = −2.92 to −2.27). When analyzing changes, increasing PA (−0.57, 95% CI = −1.01 to −0.12) was associated with less decline in SPPB score over 9 years than decreasing PA (−2.16, 95% CI = −2.42 to −1.89).ConclusionMaintaining or increasing PA levels may attenuate age‐associated physical performance decline.
Defeating Urinary Incontinence with Exercise Training: Results of a Pilot Study in Frail Older Women
Authors: Talley Kristine M.C. , Wyman Jean F. , Bronas Ulf , Olson‐Kellogg Becky J. , McCarthy Teresa C. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo determine whether combining behavioral urinary incontinence (UI) treatments with physical activity improves UI in frail older women.DesignSingle‐blind, two‐arm pilot randomized controlled trial.SettingSenior apartments.ParticipantsFrail women (mean age 84.9 ± 6.4) without dementia (n = 42).InterventionTwelve‐week program of customized behavioral UI treatments: 150 minutes of weekly walking and twice weekly strength training classes.MeasurementsUI was measured using 3‐day bladder diaries, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), and UI global improvement questions. Toileting skills were measured using the Performance Oriented Timed Toileting Instrument (POTTI) and the Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire (MTSQ). Physical function was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery. UI‐related quality of life was measured using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and Urogenital Distress Inventory.ResultsThe treatment group reported a 50% reduction in daily leaks using bladder diaries, and the control group reported no change (P = .04). Although there were no group differences in total ICIQ scores (P = .66), the treatment group reported significantly greater improvement on the ICIQ item for urine leakage (P = .01). More than 81% of the treatment group and 36% of the control group reported improvement in UI (χ2 = 4.84, P = .01), with mean estimated percentage improvement of 65.3 ± 32.0 versus 34.1 ± 41.3 (P = .03). Although the difference was not statistically significant, treatment group participants improved their toileting skills, whereas those of the control group declined (P = .42 POTTI, P = .11 MTSQ). Balance (P = .33) and gait (P = .24) improved more in the treatment group, whereas chair stands improved more in the control group (P = .14).ConclusionUI may be improved in frail older women by combining behavioral strategies for UI with physical activity, but larger trails are needed to determine whether these findings can be replicated and sustained.
Biology of Falls: Preliminary Cohort Study Suggesting a Possible Role for Oxidative Stress
Authors: Verghese Joe , Ayers Emmeline 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundBiological underpinnings of falls in older adults are not well established.ObjectivesTo examine the validity of selected oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers for predicting incident falls in community‐dwelling older adults.DesignProspective cohort study.Setting And Participants266 non‐demented and ambulatory community‐dwelling older adults (mean age 78 years, 55% women).MeasurementsOxidative stress (malondialdehyde) and inflammatory (interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]) biomarkers were selected based on associations with fall risk factors, and values were log‐transformed to account for non‐normal distributions.ResultsOver a mean follow‐up of 20.5 ± 10.1 months, 119 participants fell. In Cox proportional hazards models, each one standard deviation increase in baseline log‐malondialdehyde levels predicted incident falls (Hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for age, gender, education, comorbidity count, medications, log‐IL‐6 levels, prior falls, depressive symptoms, cognitive status, gait velocity, and balance 1.53, 95% CI 1.11–2.16). Log‐IL‐6 levels were not associated with falls. Participants in the highest log‐malondialdehyde quartile at baseline had increased risk for incident falls than those in the lowest quartile (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.41–4.34).ConclusionOxidative stress predicted falls in a community‐based cohort, and should be further examined as a fall risk biomarker as well as a potential target to prevent falls.
The effects of accounting regulations on stock valuation and volatility: Evidence from the banking industry
Authors: Song Liang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBanking regulators and market participants learn from price signals in the stock market (e.g., Flannery, Journal of Money, Credit and Banking 30: 273, 1998). Therefore, the system becomes more secure and developed as stock prices become more informative about banks’ financial conditions. Using a sample that includes major banks from 35 countries, this study investigates how accounting regulations affect bank stock valuation and volatility. The evidence suggests that bank stocks have higher valuation and lower volatility in countries that strictly regulate the quality of external audits and financial statement transparency. This study presents a comprehensive picture of the effects of bank accounting regulations on the stock market.
Image scanning microscopy: an overview
Authors: WARD E.N. , PAL R. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryFor almost a century, the resolution of optical microscopy was thought to be limited by Abbé’s law describing the diffraction limit of light. At the turn of the millennium, aided by new technologies and fluorophores, the field of optical microscopy finally surpassed the diffraction barrier: a milestone achievement that has been recognized by the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Many super‐resolution methods rely on the unique photophysical properties of the fluorophores to improve resolution, posing significant limitations on biological imaging, such as multicoloured staining, live‐cell imaging and imaging thick specimens. Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) is one branch of super‐resolution microscopy that requires no such special properties of the applied fluorophores, making it more versatile than other techniques. Since its introduction in biological imaging, SIM has proven to be a popular tool in the biologist's arsenal for following biological interaction and probing structures of nanometre scale. SIM continues to see much advancement in design and implementation, including the development of Image Scanning Microscopy (ISM), which uses patterned excitation via either predefined arrays or raster‐scanned single point‐spread functions (PSF). This review aims to give a brief overview of the SIM and ISM processes and subsequent developments in the image reconstruction process. Drawing from this, and incorporating more recent achievements in light shaping (i.e. pattern scanning and super‐resolution beam shaping), this study also intends to suggest potential future directions for this ever‐expanding field.
Treatment of functional mitral regurgitation by percutaneous annuloplasty using the Carillon Mitral Contour System—Currently available data state
Authors: Bail Dorothee H. L. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to provide a systematic review of currently available data about the percutaneous trans‐coronary‐venous mitral annuloplasty with the Carillon Mitral Contour System.MethodA systematic literature search was conducted using the common medical and scientific databases. The documented parameters included among others grade of mitral regurgitation (MR), vena contracta (VC), effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), 6 minute‐walk‐test (6MWT), NYHA‐classification, and Quality of Life (QoL) at baseline, 30 days and in the long‐term follow‐up.ResultsThe exact total number of successfully implantations with available data remains unclear because so many publications are either of the same institution or study group, or they present overlapping results. Reduction of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) was associated with significant inverse left‐ventricular (LV)) remodeling, improvement in 6MWT, QoL and NYHA‐class during the 12‐month follow‐up. In almost half of the enrolled patients, the Carillon System could not be implanted or had to be removed due to coronary compromission. Adverse advent rate (AE) ranged between 2.8–39%.ConclusionsResults with regard to reduction of MR and inverse LV remodeling have been remarkable. Indication and selection criteria for suitable patients, the expected complications, and the long‐term results with regard to survival and quality of life still remain unclear. The available results do not establish superiority of the Carillon Mitral Contour System and support the lack of a clear benefit. The approach with the Carillon Mitral Contour System should be limited to participants of prospective and randomized trials.
Safety of standardized Macleaya cordata extract in an eighty‐four‐day dietary study in dairy cows
Authors: Wang W. , Dolan L. C. , von Alvensleben S. , Morlacchini M. , Fusconi G. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of a standardized Macleaya cordata Extract Product (MCEP) containing the quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, when fed to dairy cows. Thirty‐six dairy cows were randomized into three groups with twelve cows/treatment in two replica pens for each treatment group: control (C) without MCEP added to feed, treatment 1 (SANG‐1000) with MCEP added to feed at 1,000 mg/animal/day (1.5 mg/kg bw/day) and treatment 2 (SANG‐10000) with MCEP added to feed at 10,000 mg/animal/day (15.5 mg MCEP/kg bw/day). After two weeks of acclimation, animals were observed for an 84‐day experimental period, with body weight, feed intake and milk production measured daily. Milk composition was analysed every two weeks. Haematological analyses were performed on Day 0 and Day 84, and clinical chemistry analyses were performed on Day 84 of the study. There was no statistically significant difference (p > .10) among the three groups on body condition score, milk production or milk composition over the study period. There were no significant differences in body weight gain or feed consumption among the three groups. Animals in the SANG‐10000 group had significantly higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than the C group (p < .1) and lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) than the SANG‐1000 group (p < .1). Concentrations of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in milk samples collected on Day 84 were below the detection limit (LOD) as measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). In conclusion, this study presents compelling data supporting the hypothesis that the test product MCEP, when included in the TMR at up to 10,000 mg/animal/day (15.5 mg MCEP/kg bw/day), is well tolerated by dairy cows.
Canine pancytopoenia in a Mediterranean region: a retrospective study of 119 cases (2005 to 2013)
Authors: Frezoulis P. S. , Angelidou E. , Karnezi D. , Oikonomidis I. L. , Kritsepi‐Konstantinou M. , Kasabalis D. , Mylonakis M. E. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo further clarify the causes of pancytopoenia and to investigate whether underlying cause or severity were associated with survival in an area endemic for vector‐borne pathogens.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records of 119 dogs with and 238 dogs without pancytopoenia.ResultsMixed‐breed dogs and dogs younger than one year had higher odds of being pancytopoenic. The most common diagnoses included monocytic ehrlichiosis (n=42), leishmaniasis (n=28) and parvoviral enteritis (n=19). The mean white blood cell counts were lower in dogs with ehrlichiosis and parvoviral enteritis compared to dogs with leishmaniasis, while platelet counts were lower in ehrlichiosis compared to leishmaniasis or parvoviral enteritis. Total protein concentrations were lower in dogs with parvoviral enteritis compared to ehrlichiosis and leishmaniasis. Higher haematocrit, platelet and white cell counts were associated with better odds of survival.Clinical SignificanceInfectious diseases appear to be the leading causes of canine pancytopoenia in endemic areas; severe leukopoenia (ehrlichiosis, parvoviral enteritis), thrombocytopoenia (ehrlichiosis) and hypoproteinaemia (parvoviral enteritis), represented potentially useful disease‐specific diagnostic determinants. The severity of pancytopoenia significantly affects the clinical outcome.