bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construct validity of the FOCUS© (Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six): a communicative participation outcome measure for preschool children
Authors: Washington K. , Thomas‐Stonell N. , Oddson B. , McLeod S. , Warr‐Leeper G. , Robertson B. , Rosenbaum P. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to establish the construct validity of the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS©). This measure is reflective of concepts in the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health – Children and Youth framework. It was developed to capture ‘real‐world’ changes (e.g. communicative participation) in preschoolers' communication following speech‐language intervention.MethodA pre–post design was used. Fifty‐two parents of 3‐ to 6‐year‐old preschoolers attending speech‐language therapy were included as participants. Speech‐language therapists provided individual and/or group intervention to preschoolers. Intervention targeted: articulation/phonology, voice/resonance, expressive/receptive language, play, and use of augmentative devices. Construct validity for communicative participation was assessed using pre‐intervention and post‐intervention parent interviews using the FOCUS© and the communication and socialization domains of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales‐II (VABS‐II).ResultsSignificant associations were found between the FOCUS©, measuring communicative participation, and the VABS‐II domains for: (i) pre‐intervention scores in communication (r = 0.53, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.30–0.70) and socialization (r = 0.67, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.48–0.80); (ii) change scores over‐time in communication (r = 0.45, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.201–0.65) and socialization (r = 0.39, P = 0.002; 95% CI 0.13–0.60); and (iii) scores at post‐intervention for communication (r = 0.53, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.30–0.70) and for socialization (r = 0.37, P = 0.003; 95% CI 0.11–0.50).ConclusionsThe study provided evidence on construct validity of the FOCUS© for evaluating real‐world changes in communication. We believe that the FOCUS© is a useful measure of communicative participation.
Community participation patterns among preschool‐aged children who have receivedPartCearly intervention services
Authors: Khetani M. , Graham J. E. , Alvord C. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundWe examined activity‐specific patterns and child, family and environmental correlates of participation restriction in nine community‐based activities among preschoolers with disabilities who have receivedPartCearly intervention services.MethodsData were gathered from a subsample of 1509 caregivers whose children (mean age = 67.7 months) had enrolled in theNationalEarlyInterventionLongitudinalStudy (NEILS) and completed a 40‐min computerized telephone interview or 12‐page mailed survey. Data were analysed on cases with complete data on the variables of interest. Bivariate relationships were examined between variables, including patterns of co‐reporting participation difficulties for pairs of community activities.ResultsCaregivers were more than twice as likely to report difficulty in one activity (20%) than difficulties in 2–3, 4–5, or 6–9 activities. Co‐reporting paired difficulties was strong for activities pertaining to neighbourhood outings but less conclusive for community‐sponsored activities and recreation and leisure activities. Our data show strong and positive associations between child functional limitations in mobility, toileting, feeding, speech, safety awareness, and friendships and participation difficulty in 7–9 activities. Lower household income was associated with participation difficulty in 7 out of 9 activities and difficulty managing problematic behaviour was strongly associated with participation difficulty in all 9 activities. Each of the three environmental variables (limited access to social support, transportation and respite) was associated with participation restrictions in all nine activities.ConclusionResults provide practitioners with detailed descriptive knowledge about modifiable factors related to the child, family and environment for promoting young children's community participation, as well information to support development of a comprehensive assessment tool for research and intervention planning to promote community participation for children enrolled in early intervention.
‘I could never do that before’: effectiveness of a tailored Internet support intervention to increase the social participation of youth with disabilities
Authors: Raghavendra P. , Newman L. , Grace E. , Wood D. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundYouth use the Internet for a variety of purposes including social networking. Youth with disabilities are limited in their social networks and friendships with peers. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of tailored one‐on‐one support strategies designed to facilitate social participation of youth with disabilities through the use of the Internet for social networking.MethodsEighteen youth aged 10–18 years with cerebral palsy, physical disability or acquired brain injury received support, training and assistive technology at their home to learn to use the Internet for building social networks. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) were used to evaluate objective changes in performance and satisfaction. Interviews with the youth identified subjective changes they experienced through participation in the programme and to determine whether and how the intervention influenced their social participation.ResultsYouth showed an increase in performance and satisfaction with performance on identified goals concerning social networking on the COPM; Paired T‐test showed that these differences were statistically significant at P < 0.001. GAS T‐scores demonstrated successful outcomes (>50) for 78% of the youth. Interviews showed that youth were positive about the benefits of hands‐on training at home leading to increased use of the Internet for social networking.ConclusionsThe Internet could be a viable method to facilitate social participation for youth with disabilities. Youth identified the benefits of one‐to‐one support at home and training of the family compared with typical group training at school. Despite its success with this group of youth, the time and effort intensive nature of this approach may limit the viability of such programmes. Further longitudinal research should investigate whether Internet use is sustained post intervention, and to identify the factors that best support ongoing successful and safe use.
Measuring communicative participation using the FOCUS©: Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six
Authors: Thomas‐Stonell N. , Washington K. , Oddson B. , Robertson B. , Rosenbaum P. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe FOCUS© is a new outcome tool for use by both parents and clinicians that measures changes in the communicative participation skills of preschool children. Changes in communicative participation skills as measured by the FOCUS were compared across three groups of children: those with speech impairments only (SI), those with language impairments only (LI) and those with both speech and language impairments (S/LI).MethodsParticipating families (n = 112, 75 male children) were recruited through 13 Canadian organizations. Children ranged from 10 months to 6 years 0 months (mean = 2.11 years; SD = 1.18 years) and attended speech‐language intervention. Parents completed the FOCUS at the start and end of treatment. There were 23 children in the SI group, 62 children in the LI group and 27 children in the S/LI group. The average amount of the children's therapy varied from 7 to 10 h.ResultsThe FOCUS captures changes in communicative participation for children with a range of communication disorder types and severities. All three groups of children made clinically important improvements according to their FOCUS scores (MCID ≥ 16 points). The FOCUS captured improvements in intelligibility, independent communication, play and socialization.ConclusionsThe FOCUS measured positive changes in communicative participation skills for all three groups of children after 7–10 h of speech‐language therapy. An outcome measure that targets only specific speech and language skills would miss many of the important social function changes associated with speech‐language treatment.
Differences in incidence and outcome of ventilator‐associated pneumonia in surgical and medical ICUs in a tertiary hospital in China
Authors: Song Xiaochun , Chen Yongming , Li Xiuhua 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundVentilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital‐acquired infection in intensive care units (ICUs). The incidences and outcomes of VAP in a medical ICU (MICU) and a surgical ICU (SICU) were compared.MethodsA total of 329 patients admitted to the MICU or SICU who were mechanically ventilated for ≥48 h were included.ResultsThe incidence of VAP in the MICU was 25%, with 29.7 cases per 1000 ventilator days, and the incidence of VAP in the SICU was 26.7%, with 27.4 cases per 1000 ventilator days. In the MICU patients without VAP spent 6.0 days on the ventilator and those with VAP spent 8.5 days (P < 0.001); the length of stay (LOS) in the ICU was 9.0 days vs 14.0 days for patients without and with VAP, respectively (P < 0.001). The mortality in the MICU was 34.1% for patients without VAP vs 55.8% for those with VAP (P = 0.012), and 30‐day mortalities were 31.8% and 41.9%, respectively (P = 0.228); 60‐day mortalities were 34.1% and 53.5%, respectively (P = 0.024). In the SICU, patients without and with VAP were ventilated for 5.0 and 10.0 days, respectively (P < 0.001). The ICU LOS was 7.0 days for patients without VAP vs 15.0 days for patients with VAP (P < 0.001). The mortality rates of VAP‐free and VAP‐positive patients in the SICU were 38.9% and 54.5%, respectively (P = 0.076). The 30‐day mortalities were 36.3% and 43.2% (P = 0.424), and 60‐day mortalities were 38.9% and 50.0%, for patients without and with VAP, respectively (P = 0.061).ConclusionsThese data indicate that VAP prolonged time on ventilator and ICU stay in our institute and increased the mortality in the MICU. There were no differences in incidence of or mortality from VAP in the MICU and SICU.
Head stereotypies in STXBP1 encephalopathy
Authors: Kim Young Ok , Korff Christian M , Villaluz Mel Michel G , Suls Arvid , Weckhuysen Sarah , De Jonghe Peter , Scheffer Ingrid E 
Published: June 2013

STXBP1 encephalopathy is associated with a range of movement disorders. We observed head stereotypies in three patients. These comprised a slow (<1Hz), high‐amplitude, horizontal, ‘figure‐of‐eight’ pattern, beginning at age 4–6 years and resulting in neck muscle hypertrophy, in two males; a faster (2–3Hz), side‐to‐side, ‘no’ movement, starting at the age of 9 years 6 months was observed in one female. Upper limb and truncal stereotypies and vocalization occurred intermittently with the head movements. The stereotypies increased with excitement but settled with concentration and sleep. Head and upper limb stereotypies are valuable clinical clues to the diagnosis of STXBP1 encephalopathy in patients with profound impairments.
Similar patterns of individual niche use are revealed by different time‐integrated trophic tracers (stable isotopes and parasites)
Authors: Knudsen Rune , Siwertsson Anna , Adams Colin E. , Newton Jason , Amundsen Per‐Arne 
Published: June 2013

AbstractTwo unconnected time‐integrated tracers of niche use provided similar conclusions about individual foraging behaviour and niche adaptations (functional traits in head shape) within a subarctic lake population of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Zooplanktivorous individuals mainly from the pelagic zone were characterised by having low δ13C values, high infections of the parasites transmitted by pelagic copepods (especiallyDiphyllobothriumspp.) and slender heads with long snouts. In contrast, fish individuals that had consumed benthic prey in the littoral zone were enriched in δ13C and had high abundances of parasites transmitted byGammarus lacustris(Cyathocephalus truncatusandCystidicola farionis) and a robust head shape. There were strong positive correlations between individual δ13C values and the abundance of the two parasite species transmitted byGammarus, but a negative correlation between δ13C and the infection of copepod‐borne parasites. The close relationships between diet variation (foraging behaviour), the time‐integrated ecological tracers (SIand parasites) and functional trophic morphology (niche adaptations) evidently reflect long‐term temporally stable niche use of each individual predator. The two independent time‐integrated tracers both gave valuable information of specialised trophic behaviour at the individual level, which is an important basis for studies related to ecological (e.g., resource partitioning) and evolutionary (e.g., polymorphism) topics within a population.
Unilateral inactivation of the basolateral amygdala attenuates context‐induced renewal of Pavlovian‐conditioned alcohol‐seeking
Authors: Chaudhri N. , Woods C. A. , Sahuque L. L. , Gill T. M. , Janak P. H. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractEnvironmental contexts associated with drug use promote craving in humans and drug‐seeking in animals. We hypothesized that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) itself as well as serial connectivity between the BLA and nucleus accumbens core (NAC core) were required for context‐induced renewal of Pavlovian‐conditioned alcohol‐seeking. Male Long‐Evans rats were trained to discriminate between two conditioned stimuli (CS): a CS+ that was paired with ethanol (EtOH, 20%, v/v) delivery into a fluid port (0.2 mL/CS+, 3.2 mL per session) and a CS− that was not. Entries into the port during each CS were measured. Next, rats received extinction in a different context where both cues were presented without EtOH. At test, responding to the CS+ and CS− without EtOH was evaluated in the prior training context. Control subjects showed a selective increase in CS+ responding relative to extinction, indicative of renewal. This effect was blocked by pre‐test, bilateral inactivation of the BLA using a solution of GABA receptor agonists (0.1 mm muscimol and 1.0 mm baclofen; M/B; 0.3 μL per side). Renewal was also attenuated following unilateral injections of M/B into the BLA, combined with either M/B, the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.6 μg per side) or saline infusion in the contralateral NAC core. Hence, unilateral BLA inactivation was sufficient to disrupt renewal, highlighting a critical role for functional activity in the BLA in enabling the reinstatement of alcohol‐seeking driven by an alcohol context.
Contributions of retinal direction‐selective ganglion cells to optokinetic responses in mice
Authors: Sugita Yuko , Miura Kenichiro , Araki Fumiyuki , Furukawa Takahisa , Kawano Kenji 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn the mouse retina, there are two distinct groups of direction‐selective ganglion cells, ON and ON–OFF, that detect movement of visual images. To understand the roles of these cells in controlling eye movements, we studied the optokinetic responses (OKRs) of mutant mice with dysfunctional ON‐bipolar cells that have a functional obstruction of transmission to ON direction‐selective ganglion cells. Experiments were carried out to examine the initial and late phases of OKRs. The initial phase was examined by measurement of eye velocity using stimuli of sinusoidal grating patterns of various spatiotemporal frequencies that moved for 0.5 s. The mutant mice showed significant initial OKRs, although the range of spatiotemporal frequencies that elicited these OKRs was limited and the response magnitude was weaker than that in wild‐type mice. To examine the late phase of the OKRs, the same visual patterns were moved for 30 s to induce alternating slow and quick eye movements (optokinetic nystagmus) and the slow‐phase eye velocity was measured. Wild‐type mice showed significant late OKRs with a stimulus in an appropriate range of spatiotemporal frequencies (0.0625–0.25 cycles/°, 0.75–3.0 Hz, 3–48°/s), but mutant mice did not show late OKRs in response to the same visual stimuli. The results suggest that two groups of direction‐selective ganglion cells play different roles in OKRs: ON direction‐selective ganglion cells contribute to both initial and late OKRs, whereas ON–OFF direction‐selective ganglion cells contribute to OKRs only transiently.
Climate and litter quality differently modulate the effects of soil fauna on litter decomposition across biomes
Authors: García‐Palacios Pablo , Maestre Fernando T. , Kattge Jens , Wall Diana H. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractClimate and litter quality have been identified as major drivers of litter decomposition at large spatial scales. However, the role played by soil fauna remains largely unknown, despite its importance for litter fragmentation and microbial activity. We synthesised litterbag studies to quantify the effect sizes of soil fauna on litter decomposition rates at the global and biome scales, and to assess how climate, litter quality and soil fauna interact to determine such rates. Soil fauna consistently enhanced litter decomposition at both global and biome scales (average increment ~ 27%). However, climate and litter quality differently modulated the effects of soil fauna on decomposition rates between biomes, from climate‐driven biomes to those where climate effects were mediated by changes in litter quality. Our results advocate for the inclusion of biome‐specific soil fauna effects on litter decomposition as a mean to reduce the unexplained variation in large‐scale decomposition models.
A new baseline of organic carbon stock in European agricultural soils using a modelling approach
Authors: Lugato Emanuele , Panagos Panos , Bampa Francesca , Jones Arwyn , Montanarella Luca 
Published: June 2013

AbstractProposed European policy in the agricultural sector will place higher emphasis on soil organic carbon (SOC), both as an indicator of soil quality and as a means to offset CO2 emissions through soil carbon (C) sequestration. Despite detailed national SOC data sets in several European Union (EU) Member States, a consistent C stock estimation at EU scale remains problematic. Data are often not directly comparable, different methods have been used to obtain values (e.g. sampling, laboratory analysis) and access may be restricted. Therefore, any evolution of EU policies on C accounting and sequestration may be constrained by a lack of an accurate SOC estimation and the availability of tools to carry out scenario analysis, especially for agricultural soils. In this context, a comprehensive model platform was established at a pan‐European scale (EU + Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Norway) using the agro‐ecosystem SOC model CENTURY. Almost 164 000 combinations of soil‐climate‐land use were computed, including the main arable crops, orchards and pasture. The model was implemented with the main management practices (e.g. irrigation, mineral and organic fertilization, tillage) derived from official statistics. The model results were tested against inventories from the European Environment and Observation Network (EIONET) and approximately 20 000 soil samples from the 2009 LUCAS survey, a monitoring project aiming at producing the first coherent, comprehensive and harmonized top‐soil data set of the EU based on harmonized sampling and analytical methods. The CENTURY model estimation of the current 0–30 cm SOC stock of agricultural soils was 17.63 Gt; the model uncertainty estimation was below 36% in half of the NUTS2 regions considered. The model predicted an overall increase of this pool according to different climate‐emission scenarios up to 2100, with C loss in the south and east of the area (involving 30% of the whole simulated agricultural land) compensated by a gain in central and northern regions. Generally, higher soil respiration was offset by higher C input as a consequence of increased CO2 atmospheric concentration and favourable crop growing conditions, especially in northern Europe. Considering the importance of SOC in future EU policies, this platform of simulation appears to be a very promising tool to orient future policymaking decisions.
Preliminary studies on microbial polysaccharides from different Penicillium species as flavour stabiliser in cloudy apple juice
Authors: Housseiny Manal M. , Abo‐Elmagd Heba I. , Ibrahim Gamil E. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThis research deals with the production of water‐soluble polysaccharides from six polysaccharide‐producing Penicillium species. Eup. pinetorum ATCC 14770 was promising for exo‐ and endopolysaccharides production under various cultural conditions. pH 5.0, 7 days, and pH 8.0, 10 days, were the optimum for the production of exo‐ and endopolysaccharides, respectively, at 30 °C in medium containing glucose and peptone. HPLC results revealed that both polysaccharides were composed of pectin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Exopolysaccharides produced by Eup. pinetorum was subjected to evaluation as a natural flavour stabiliser in cloudy apple juice (CAJ). Twenty‐one volatile compounds classified into esters, aldehydes, alcohols and ketone were detected, only eighteen compounds of which were characterised by their odours threshold. The esters and alcohols are accounting for 87.64% and 5.44% of total volatiles, respectively. This study indicates that the use of exopolysaccharides as an alternative flavour stabiliser in CAJ is very promising.
The Occupational Integration of Male Migrants in Western European Countries: Assimilation or Persistent Disadvantage?
Authors: Ballarino Gabriele , Panichella Nazareno 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis paper looks at the migrants' occupational integration process. Two main theoretical perspectives are tested: the first one (assimilation view) claims that in the short‐run migrants are penalized, but as they settle in the receiving country they get integrated into the host society; the second one (segmented assimilation view) claims that disadvantages persist in the long‐run. EU‐LFS and ESS data are described and modelled, in order to compare the labour market performances of migrants in four European old‐receiving countries (Germany, France, Great Britain and Sweden) and in two new‐receiving countries (Spain and Italy) both in a short‐term and in a long‐run perspective. We find that a) in the short‐run, migrants' labour market condition is worst with respect to the natives; b) this gap decreases with older migrants; c) the ethnic penalty disappears with the second generation, when they achieve a level of education comparable to that of the natives.
Policy Implications

Labour market policies appear to face a trade‐off: policies oriented towards the flexibilization could improve migrants’ occupational integration, but such policies are also likely to increase the risk of poverty for the natives.

In the case of the Southern new‐receiving countries, a similar tradeoff could emerge for policies aiming at stopping the underground economy.

Concerning integration in the long run, our results definitely point to the importance of education. We would suggest policies oriented towards a full educational integration of the migrants’ offspring, since such policies could eliminate the gap separating them from the natives.