bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Juvenile eye growth, when completed? An evaluation based on IOL‐Master axial length data, cross‐sectional and longitudinal
Authors: Fledelius Hans C. , Christensen Anders S. , Fledelius Christian 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.Purpose: To test Sorsby’s classical statement of axial eye growth as completed at the age of 13 years, with a view also to differentiating between basic eye growth and juvenile elongation associated with eventual refractive change towards myopia.Methods: (i) A total of 160 healthy eyes close to emmetropia were included in a cross‐sectional set‐up (age 4–20 years, 91 males, 69 females), and (ii) 78 longitudinal data sets (67 male and 11 female annual repeat exams over 2–7 years, n = 30; age span 4–19 years) were available for evaluating individual axial elongation. The IOL‐Master equipment was preferred for conventional ultrasound oculometry due to its extreme repeatability of measuring values, thus making it well fitted for evaluating very small differences. In particular, this had bearing for the decelerating end phase of growth in the longitudinal investigation.Results: Sorby’s statement about age 13 as general limit found support from the cross‐sectional data, which suggested stable emmetropic eye size from about 11–12 years, with an average apparently outgrown male emmetropic value of 23.5 mm versus females’ 22.9 mm. The longitudinal data, however, showed emmetropic growth also beyond this age, with individual data to establish continued axial elongation also at age 13–18 years. The final basic teenage growth is however minute and without practical implications.Conclusions: Individual ocular growth curves have indicated axial elongation to occur also after the age of 13 years. With regard to the – mainly academic – discrepancy between cross‐sectional and longitudinal results, bigger samples are needed, and the juvenile myopic trend has to be acknowledged.
Co‐evolution of mobile language learning: Going global with games consoles in higher education
Authors: Hemmi Akiko , Narumi‐Munro Fumiko , Alexander Wilma , Parker Helen , Yamauchi Yoko 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGame consoles have been adopted as a learning platform in school education. However, there is a scarcity of studies examining the utility of games consoles with built‐in WiFi as affordable learning platforms in universities. This paper contributes to knowledge about the capacity of the Nintendo DSi to create new learning spaces mediated and supported by DSi consoles, free Flipnote Studio software for DS and a dedicated course website. An application of the DSi is described for remote supplemental language tutorial activities linking a dispersed body of students on a year‐abroad programme. It was found that the use of DSi as a mobile learning platform has great potential if it is used in combination with shared webspace, such as Hatena, by increasing students' learning motivation and eliminating fears/uncertainty about their progress.
A framework of combining case‐based reasoning with a work breakdown structure for estimating the cost of online course production projects
Authors: He Wu 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCurrently, a work breakdown structure (WBS) approach is used as the most common cost estimation approach for online course production projects. To improve the practice of cost estimation, this paper proposes a novel framework to estimate the cost for online course production projects using a case‐based reasoning (CBR) technique and a WBS. A prototype was developed to illustrate the effectiveness of the framework. Preliminary results suggest that the combined approach of using CBR and WBS is preferred and enables project managers to generate reasonable estimates for online course production projects more efficiently.
Effects of mitochondrial ferritin overexpression in normal and sideroblastic erythroid progenitors
Authors: Invernizzi Rosangela , Travaglino Erica , Della Porta Matteo G. , Gallì Anna , Malcovati Luca , Rosti Vittorio , Bergamaschi Gaetano , Erba Benedetta G. , Bellistri Francesca , Bastia Raffaella , Santambrogio Paolo , Levi Sonia , Cazzola Mario 
Published: April 2013

SummaryIn myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts (MDS‐RS), the iron deposited in the mitochondria of RS is present in the form of mitochondrial ferritin (FTMT), but it is unknown whether FTMT overexpression is the cause or the result of mitochondrial iron deposition. Lentivirus FTMT‐transduced CD34+ bone marrow cells from seven healthy donors and CD34+ cells from 24 patients with MDS‐RS were cultured according to a procedure that allowed the expansion of high numbers of erythroid progenitors. These cells were used to investigate the possible influence of experimentally‐induced FTMT overexpression on normal erythropoiesis and the functional effects of FTMT in sideroblastic erythropoiesis. In MDS‐RS progenitors, FTMT overexpression was associated with reduced cytosolic ferritin levels, increased surface transferrin receptor expression and reduced cell proliferation; FTMT effects were independent of SF3B1 mutation status. Similarly, FTMT overexpressing normal erythroid progenitors were characterized by reduced cytosolic ferritin content and increased CD71 expression, and also by higher apoptotic rate in comparison with the FTMT‐ controls. Significantly lower levels of STAT5 phosphorylation following erythropoietin stimulation were found in both sideroblastic and normal FTMT+ erythroid cells compared to the FTMT‐ cells. In conclusion, experimental overexpression of FTMT may modify mitochondrial iron availability and lead to ineffective erythropoiesis.
A cost‐minimisation analysis comparing photoselective vaporisation (PVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Whitty Jennifer A. , Crosland Paul , Hewson Kaye , Narula Rajan , Nathan Timothy R. , Campbell Peter A. , Keller Andrew , Scuffham Paul A. 
Published: April 2013

Objectives
To compare the costs of photoselective vaporisation (PVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from the perspective of a Queensland public hospital provider.
Patients and Methods
A decision‐analytic model was used to compare the costs of PVP and TURP.
Cost inputs were sourced from an audit of patients undergoing PVP or TURP across three hospitals.
The probability of re‐intervention was obtained from secondary literature sources.
Probabilistic and multi‐way sensitivity analyses were used to account for uncertainty and test the impact of varying key assumptions.
Results
In the base case analysis, which included equipment, training and re‐intervention costs, PVP was AU$ 739 (95% credible interval [CrI] –12 187 to 14 516) more costly per patient than TURP.
The estimate was most sensitive to changes in procedural costs, fibre costs and the probability of re‐intervention.
Sensitivity analyses based on data from the most favourable site or excluding equipment and training costs reduced the point estimate to favour PVP (incremental cost AU$ –684, 95% CrI –8319 to 5796 and AU$ –100, 95% CrI –13 026 to 13 678, respectively). However, CrIs were wide for all analyses.
Conclusions
In this cost minimisation analysis, there was no significant cost difference between PVP and TURP, after accounting for equipment, training and re‐intervention costs.
However, PVP was associated with a shorter length of stay and lower procedural costs during audit, indicating PVP potentially provides comparatively good value for money once the technology is established.
Children's Naive Theories of Intelligence Influence Their Metacognitive Judgments
Authors: Miele David B. , Son Lisa K. , Metcalfe Janet 
Published: April 2013

Recent studies have shown that the metacognitive judgments adults infer from their experiences of encoding effort vary in accordance with their naive theories of intelligence. To determine whether this finding extends to elementary schoolchildren, a study was conducted in which 27 third graders (Mage = 8.27) and 24 fifth graders (Mage = 10.39) read texts presented in easy‐ or difficult‐to‐encode fonts. The more children in both grades viewed intelligence as fixed, the less likely they were to interpret effortful or difficult encoding as a sign of increasing mastery and the more likely they were to report lower levels of comprehension as their perceived effort increased. This suggests that children may use naive theories of intelligence to make motivationally relevant inferences earlier than previously thought.
The development and validation of a questionnaire to measure the clinical learning environment for undergraduate dental students (DECLEI)
Authors: Kossioni A. E. , Lyrakos G. , Ntinalexi I. , Varela R. , Economu I. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to develop and validate according to psychometric standards a self‐administered instrument to measure the students' self‐perceptions of the undergraduate clinical dental environment (DECLEI).Materials and methodsThe initial questionnaire was developed using feedback from dental students, experts' opinion and an extensive literature review. Critical incident technique (CIT) analysis was used to generate items and identify domains. Thirty clinical dental students participated in a pilot validation that generated a 67‐item questionnaire. To develop a shorter and more practical version of the instrument, DECLEI‐67 was distributed to 153 clinical students at the University of Athens and its English version to 51 students from various dental schools, attending the 2012 European Dental Students Association meeting. This final procedure aimed to select items, identify subscales and measure internal consistency and discriminant validity.ResultsA total of 202 students returned the questionnaires (response rate 99%). The final instrument included 24 items divided into three subscales: (i) organisation and learning opportunities, (ii) professionalism and communication and (iii) satisfaction and commitment to the dental studies. Cronbach's α for the total questionnaire was 0.89. The interscale correlations ranged from 0.39 to 0.48. The instrument identified differences related to school of origin, age and duration of clinical experience. An interpretation of the scores (range 0–100) has been proposed.ConclusionsThe 24‐item DECLEI seemed to be a practical and valid instrument to measure a dental school's undergraduate clinical learning environment.
The impact of haemarthropathy on the QoL of Korean severe haemophilia A patients: the critical level of haemarthropathy for the QoL
Authors: You C. W. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe minimum goal of secondary prophylaxis may be to delay the progression of haemarthropathy below a critical level over which it has a great impact on the QoL of haemophilia patients. However, the critical level of haemarthropathy may be different across countries. For these reasons, the impact of haemarthropathy on the QoL in Korean haemophilia A patients was investigated. Depending on observed Pettersson scores of 27 severe haemophilia A patients, they were divided into three groups, P (Pettersson score) ≤10, P11~19 and P ≥ 20 groups. The QoL of each patient, assessed by the SF36, was compared between the groups. In addition, the changes in the QoL of the patients were observed according to the changes of Pettersson scores to find out the critical level of arthropathy. None of the scores of the SF36 scales were different between the P ≤ 10 and P11~19 groups. In contrast, the scores of PF and MH scales were significantly different between the P11~19 and P ≥ 20 groups. When changes in the scores of each scale in the SF36 were observed according to changes in Pettersson scores, the average P score of 13.0 ± 2.7 was thought to be the critical level of haemarthropathy because above that level, haemarthropathy and physical and mental health of the patients rapidly deteriorated. The progression of haemarthropathy to the critical level should be delayed as long as possible to prevent or to delay a rapid deterioration of the QoL of Korean patients with haemophilia.
Epicrania Fugax: 19 Cases of an Emerging Headache
Authors: Cuadrado María Luz , Ordás Carlos M. , Sánchez‐Lizcano María , Casas‐Limón Javier , Matías‐Guiu Jordi A. , García‐García María Eugenia , Fernández‐Matarrubia Marta , Barahona‐Hernando Raúl , Porta‐Etessam Jesús 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveEpicrania fugax (EF) is a primary headache of recent description. We aimed to report 19 new cases of EF, and thus contribute to the characterization of this emerging headache.BackgroundEF is characterized by painful paroxysms starting in a particular area of the head, and rapidly radiating forwards or backwards through the territories of different nerves. The pain is felt in quick motion along a lineal or zigzag trajectory. To date, 47 cases have been published, 34 with forward EF and 13 with backward EF.MethodsWe performed a descriptive study of all EF cases attending our Headache Unit from April 2010 to December 2012. Demographic and clinical data were recorded with a structured questionnaire.ResultsOverall, there were 12 women and 7 men. Mean age at onset was 51.7 ± 16.2. Fourteen patients had forward EF, while 5 patients had backward EF. Painful paroxysms lasted 1‐4 seconds. Pain intensity was usually moderate or severe, and pain quality was mostly electric. Four patients had ocular autonomic accompaniments. Pain frequency was extremely variable, and 7 patients identified some triggers. Between attacks, 13 patients had some pain or tenderness in the stemming area. Thirteen patients required therapy for their pain. Neuromodulators, indomethacin, anesthetic blockades, and steroid injections were used in different cases, with partial or complete response.ConclusionEF appears as a distinct headache syndrome and could be eventually included in future editions of the International Classification of Headache Disorders.
Risk Factors for Headache in the UK Military: Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses
Authors: Rona Roberto J. , Jones Margaret , Goodwin Laura , Hull Lisa , Wessely Simon 
Published: April 2013

AimsTo assess the importance of service demographic, mental disorders, and deployment factors on headache severity and prevalence, and to assess the impact of headache on functional impairment.BackgroundThere is no information on prevalence and risk factors of headache in the UK military. Recent US reports suggest that deployment, especially a combat role, is associated with headache. Such an association may have serious consequences on personnel during deployment.MethodsA survey was carried out between 2004 and 2006 (phase 1) and again between 2007 and 2009 (phase 2) of randomly selected UK military personnel to study the health consequences of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This study is based on those who participated in phase 2 and includes cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses. Headache severity in the last month and functional impairment at phase 2 were the main outcomes.ResultsForty‐six percent complained of headache in phase 2, half of whom endorsed moderate or severe headache. Severe headache was strongly associated with probable post‐traumatic stress disorder (multinomial odds ratio [MOR] 9.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.4‐14.2), psychological distress (MOR 6.15, 95% CI 4.8‐7.9), multiple physical symptoms (MOR 18.2, 95% CI 13.4‐24.6) and self‐reported mild traumatic brain injury (MOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4‐8.6) after adjustment for service demographic factors. Mild headache was also associated with these variables but at a lower level. Moderate and severe headache were associated with functional impairment, but the association was partially explained by mental disorders. Mental ill health was also associated with reporting moderate and severe headache at both phase 1 and phase 2. Deployment and a combat role were not associated with headache.ConclusionModerate and severe headache are common in the military and have an impact on functional impairment. They are more strongly associated with mental disorders than with mild traumatic brain injury.
Screening for Gastric Cancer and Surveillance of Premalignant Lesions: a Systematic Review of Cost‐Effectiveness Studies
Authors: Areia Miguel , Carvalho Rita , Cadime Ana Teresa , Rocha Gonçalves Francisco , Dinis‐Ribeiro Mário 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundCost‐effectiveness studies are highly dependent on the models, settings, and variables used and should be based on systematic reviews. We systematically reviewed cost‐effectiveness studies that address screening for gastric cancer and/or surveillance of precancerous conditions and lesions.Materials and MethodsA systematic review of cost‐effectiveness studies was performed by conducting a sensitive search in seven databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Current Contents Connect, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Academic Search Complete, and CINAHL Plus), independently evaluated by two investigators. Articles were evaluated for type of study, perspective, model, intervention, incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio, clinical or cost variables, and quality, according to published guidelines.ResultsFrom 2395 abstracts, 23 articles were included: 19 concerning population screening and 4 on following up premalignant lesions. Studies on Helicobacter pylori screening concluded that serology was cost‐effective, depending on cancer incidence and endoscopy cost (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio: 6264–25,881), and eradication after endoscopic resection was also cost‐effective (dominant) based on one study. Studies on imaging screening concluded that endoscopy was more cost‐effective than no screening (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio: 3376–26,836). Articles on follow‐up of premalignant lesions reported conflicting results (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio: 1868–72,519 for intestinal metaplasia; 18,600–39,800 for dysplasia). Quality assessment revealed a unanimous lack of a detailed systematic review and fulfillment of a median number of 23 items (20–26) of 35 possible ones.ConclusionsThe available evidence shows that Helicobacter pylori serology or endoscopic population screening is cost‐effective, while endoscopic surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions presents conflicting results. Better implementation of published guidelines and accomplishment of systematic detailed reviews are needed.
In vitro induction of melanin synthesis and extrusion by tamoxifen
Authors: Matamá T. , Araújo R. , Preto A. , Cavaco‐Paulo A. , Gomes A. C. 
Published: April 2013

SynopsisObjectivesPhysical appearance has significant importance psychologically and socially, with skin and hair being of prime relevance. Effective ingredients that modulate melanin synthesis are of growing interest. Tamoxifen, a widely used selective oestrogen receptor modulator, SERM, was described occasionally in medical case reports as causing grey hair repigmentation. This work aimed to study, in vitro, the effect of tamoxifen and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen, one of its most bioactive derivatives, on melanin production in human melanocytes.MethodsAdult normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM) were treated with physiological concentrations of tamoxifen and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen during 72 hours. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Total melanin was quantified by spectrophotometry, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was determined by competitive ELISA. The relative mRNA levels of several genes involved in melanogenesis were investigated by real‐time PCR.ResultsUnder the conditions used, the results showed that tamoxifen and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen treatments, none of them toxic to NHEM, induced a time‐dependent increase in the amount of melanin released to the culture medium. cAMP, one of the major second messenger in signalling pathways important to melanogenesis, was decreased after treatment. The transcript levels of genes coding for catalase, premelanosome protein and melan‐A, directly related to skin and hair pigmentation, showed an increased tendency upon tamoxifen and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen treatment. Induction of catalase gene expression in NHEM points towards a promelanogenic effect mediated by ROS.ConclusionAccording to the results, even in such a short treatment period, tamoxifen and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen promoted melanin extrusion and they seem to act as melanogenesis stimulators at the molecular level. Our data suggest that SERMs might be a new tool for increasing melanogenesis and might be of great interest for topical formulations in cosmetic industry.
In Vitro Dissolution, Microstructural and Mechanical Characterizations of Microplasma‐Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coating
Authors: Dey Arjun , Mukhopadhyay Anoop K. 
Published: April 2013

Hydroxyapatite coating was developed with high degree of crystallinity on SS316L substrate by the microplasma spraying technique. Systematic in vitro study of the coating was conducted after the immersion into the simulated body fluid for 1–14 days. Inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized for physicochemical and microstructural characterizations. Nanoindentation technique employed to evaluate the nanohardness and Young's modulus of the coating at a constant load of 100 mN. Further, the tribological characteristic was also examined by microscratch testing at a ramping normal load of 10–10.6 N.
Mathematical Sociology in Japan: Its Powerful Development and a Problem
Authors: Sato Yoshimichi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMathematical sociology in Japan was born in the mid‐1970s and has actively developed since then. Mathematical sociologists in Japan have studied various topics of mathematical sociology as well as of quantitative sociology. The Japanese Association for Mathematical Sociology (JAMS) was established in 1986. It holds semi‐annual conferences and publishes Sociological Theory and Methods, its official journal. Thus, the JAMS is a platform for mathematical sociologists in Japan to present and publish papers, contributing to the institutionalization of mathematical sociology in Japan. It has also co‐sponsored five joint conferences with the Section on Mathematical Sociology of the American Sociological Association. Based on these activities, mathematical sociology in Japan could be judged to be vibrant domestically and internationally; it has a bright future. I argue, however, that mathematical sociologists in Japan have tended to confine themselves to areas where mathematical modeling is relatively easy. These areas are not necessarily attractive to sociologists in other fields. I propose that mathematical sociologists in Japan should tackle social phenomena that other sociologists think are critical to sociology so that they further contribute to advances in the discipline.