bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Politics of U.S. Ambassadorial Appointments: From the Court of St. James to Burkina Faso*
Authors: Waterman Richard W. , Bretting John , Stewart Joseph 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesWhile there is great deal of scholarship on the nature of presidential appointments in the realm of domestic policy (e.g., cabinet departments and regulatory agencies), foreign policy appointments have received far less attention. Yet, these appointments are important because they have global implications, dealing with such basic issues as trade, diplomacy, war, and peace. We examine one type of foreign policy appointment, the ambassadorial appointments of Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.MethodsWe employ data provided by the U.S. Department of State and data collected from various sources on the background characteristics of their U.S. ambassadors.ResultsWe find that while both presidents promoted loyalty over competence in their ambassadorial appointments, they did so in different ways. The first President Bush used a personal “friends and neighbors” approach, while Clinton rewarded former campaign officials. Though it generally is assumed that presidents reward key contributors from their presidential campaign with key assignments, we find that Clinton was more likely than Bush to reward contributors with appointments to choice countries. Finally, we demonstrate that women and minorities received appointments of lesser quality during the Bush administration.ConclusionsThe determinants of ambassadorial appointments are more complex than previously assumed. While presidents appoint ambassadors on the basis of campaign contributions, they do not reward them equally with plum assignments.
Training students in serologic reaction grading increased perceptions of self‐efficacy and ability to recognize serologic reactions but decreased grading accuracy
Authors: Perry Holly , Henry Stephen 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundThe ability to recognize and grade serologic reactions in manual techniques remains an important skill both for reference laboratories and in disaster‐relocated laboratory services. Developing skills in recognizing and grading serologic reactions is limited to some extent by the range of samples available.Study Design And MethodsTwenty‐six students studying transfusion science were presented with blinded grading panels consisting of mixes of natural cells and kodecytes (natural cells modified with synthetic blood group antigens) representing a range of serologic grades. Results from 15‐minute exercises over 17 contact weeks were assessed to determine if training with grading panels would have an impact on the ability of students to recognize and correctly grade serologic reactions. Twenty‐one clinically active practitioners also took part in a single analysis.ResultsGrading exercises found that the use of kodecytes and natural negative cells were able to identify deficiencies in both students' and practitioners' ability to recognize negative and grade serologic reactions. The seventeen 15‐minute exercises undertaken with students revealed that although there was some improvement in performance in recognizing positive and negative serologic reactions there was also a degradation in ability to accurately grade. Self‐assessment showed a major improvement in students' self‐efficacy.ConclusionsThe use of serologic grading panels created with kodecytes was suitable as a tool to recognize and monitor serologic grading abilities. Evidence suggests that for both students and practitioners to gain and sustain competency in serologic reaction recognition and grading, they will require ongoing training and monitoring of competence.
The targeting accuracy of a preclinical MRI‐guided focused ultrasound system
Authors: Ellens N. P. K. , Kobelevskiy I. , Chau A. , Waspe A. C. , Staruch R. M. , Chopra R. , Hynynen K. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose:Assess the accuracy, precision, and sources of error using a preclinical MR‐guided focused ultrasound system.Methods:A preclinical focused ultrasound system, described previously [Chopra et al., Med. Phys. 36(5), 1867–1874 (2009)], was tested on a benchtop and with 3T GE, 3T Philips, and 7T Bruker MR scanners for spatial targeting accuracy and precision. Randomly distributed water‐filled holes drilled into a polystyrene plate were imaged using MRI and targeted using treatment planning software. The ultrasound focus of a 72 mm, f‐number 0.8, 1.16 MHz transducer was aimed at the target locations, and 1–2 s continuous‐wave sonications were performed on clear polystyrene plates to create localized spots of melted plastic. The distance between target and observed locations was measured and analyzed. Retrospective analysis of targeting accuracy was performed on preclinical data obtained from other experiments at their institution using the same system.Results:The results suggest that the sources of targeting error under MR guidance can be roughly separated into three components—normally distributed random error; constant shift from inaccuracy in detection of the initial ultrasound focus; and angular misalignment between MR and focused ultrasound (FUS) coordinates. The lower bound on the targeting error was estimated to be 0.25 ± 0.13 mm, while the maximum observed targeting error did not exceed 2 mm. Measures required to reduce errors and improve targeting were developed to reduce the registration and misalignment errors such that maximum error was reduced to 0.36 ± 0.14 mm. Retrospective in vivo analysis indicated that the error was 1.02 ± 0.43 mm, including error extrinsic to the system.Conclusions:The FUS system, as described, is capable of precise and accurate sonications. The largest source of error—misregistration of the coordinate systems of the scanner and ultrasound system—was addressed which reduced the error to 0.36 ± 0.14 mm, sufficient for many preclinical applications.
Predicting Adherence of Adults to a 12-Month Exercise Intervention
Authors: Cadmus-Bertram Lisa , Irwin Melinda , Alfano Catherine , Campbell Kristin , Duggan Catherine , Foster-Schubert Karen , Wang Ching-Yun , McTiernan Anne 
Published: January 2015

Background:The purpose of this study was to (a) examine demographic, psychosocial, and physiological predictors of exercise adherence in a yearlong exercise intervention and (b) describe the trajectory of adherence over time.Methods:Participants were 51 men and 49 women aged 40 to 75 years. The supervised and home-based intervention consisted of 60 minutes/day, 6 days/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. Three adherence measures were used: (1) minutes/week, (2) MET-hours/week, and (3) change in cardiopulmonary fitness (VO2max). Predictors of adherence were determined separately by sex using mixed models and multivariable regression.Results:Participants performed 287 ± 98 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity with 71% adhering to at least 80% (288 minutes/week) of the prescription. Men adhered better than women (P < .001). Among women, adiposity-related variables were significantly related to poorer adherence on all 3 measures (P < .05). A less consistent pattern was observed among men but in follow-up analyses, adiposity was associated with fewer MET-hours/week of exercise. Social support, pain, and perceived benefits were predictive in some models. Men and nonobese women experienced peak adherence at 4 to 6 months, while obese women peaked during months 0 to 3.Conclusions:When provided with supervision and support, previously sedentary men and women can achieve and maintain high levels of aerobic activity.
Physical Activity Levels in Family Child Care Homes
Authors: Delaney Shannon L. , Monsivais Pablo , Johnson Donna B. 
Published: January 2015

Background:Although more than 1 million US children attend licensed family child care homes, little is known about children’s physical activity in this setting. The purpose of this study is to describe the physical activity of children cared for in child care homes.Methods:The study sample included 31 licensed family child care homes in Washington State. Children aged 3 to 6 wore accelerometers while in child care over 5 days. Minutes per hour spent at 4 activity levels were calculated and averaged for all children in the home. Contextual factors such as provider practices, staff training, and home characteristics were assessed using standardized questions.Results:Accelerometer data from 144 children were included, with 2 to 11 children monitored per home. The mean minutes of sedentary activity per hour (min/h) was 34.3 (SD = 4.6, range 27.7 to 46.6). For moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) it was 8.8 min/h (SD = 2.6, range 3.6 to 14.1) and for vigorous physical (VPA) activity it was 3.1 min/h (SD = 1.4, range: 0.9 to 7.0).Conclusions:The low levels of MVPA and VPA in many homes reinforces the need for additional research to identify policy and practice recommendations that will be most effective in increasing physical activity in this setting.
Changes in Sedentary Time and Physical Activity in Response to an Exercise Training and/or Lifestyle Intervention
Authors: Kozey-Keadle Sarah , Staudenmayer John , Libertine Amanda , Mavilia Marianna , Lyden Kate , Braun Barry , Freedson Patty 
Published: January 2015

Background:Individuals may compensate for exercise training by modifying nonexercise behavior (ie, increase sedentary time (ST) and decrease nonexercise physical activity [NEPA]).Purpose:To compare ST and NEPA during a 12-week exercise training and/or lifestyle intervention.Methods:Fifty-seven overweight/obese participants (19 M/39 F) completed the study (mean ± SD; age 43.6 ± 9.9 y, BMI 35.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2). There were no between-group differences in activity levels at baseline. Four-arm quasi-experimental intervention study 1) EX: exercise 5 days per week at a moderate intensity (40% to 65% VO2peak) 2) rST: reduce ST and increase NEPA, 3) EX-rST: combination of EX and rST and 4) CON: maintain habitual behavior.Results:For the EX group, ST did not decrease significantly (mean ((95% confidence interval) 0.48 (–2.2 to 3.1)% and there was no changes in NEPA at week-12 compared with baseline. The changes were variable, with approximately 50% of participants increasing ST and decreasing NEPA. The rST group decreased ST (–4.8 (0.8 to 7.9)% and increased NEPA. EX-rST significantly decreased ST (–5.1 (–2.2 to 7.9)% and increased time in NEPA at week-12 compared with baseline. The control group increased ST by 4.3 (0.8 to 7.9)%.Conclusions:Changes in nonexercise ST and NEPA are variable among participants in an exercise-training program, with nearly half decreasing NEPA compared with baseline. Interventions targeting multiple behaviors (ST and NEPA) may effectively reduce compensation and increase daily activity.
Middle-Aged Women’s Preferred Theory-Based Features in Mobile Physical Activity Applications
Authors: Ehlers Diane K. , Huberty Jennifer L. 
Published: January 2015

Background:The purpose of this study was to describe which theory-based behavioral and technological features middle-aged women prefer to be included in a mobile application designed to help them adopt and maintain regular physical activity (PA).Methods:Women aged 30 to 64 years (N = 120) completed an online survey measuring their demographics and mobile PA application preferences. The survey was developed upon behavioral principles of Social Cognitive Theory, recent mobile app research, and technology adoption principles of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Frequencies were calculated and content analyses conducted to identify which features women most preferred.Results:Behavioral features that help women self-regulate their PA (PA tracking, goal-setting, progress monitoring) were most preferred. Technological features that enhance perceived effort expectancy and playfulness were most preferred. Many women reported the desire to interact and compete with others through the application.Conclusions:Theory-based PA self-regulation features and theory-based design features that improve perceived effort expectancy and playfulness may be most beneficial in a mobile PA application for middleaged women. Opportunities to interact with other people and the employment of social, game-like activities may also be attractive. Interdisciplinary engagement of experts in PA behavior change, technology adoption, and software development is needed.
Trends in Leisure-Time Physical Activity in a Southern Brazilian City: 2003-2010
Authors: da Silva Inacio Crochemore Mohnsam , Knuth Alan Goularte , Mielke Grégore Iven , Azevedo Mario Renato , Gonçalves Helen , Hallal Pedro Curi 
Published: January 2015

Background:Most of physical activity surveillance data are derived from high-income countries. The aim of the current study was to report time trends in leisure-time physical activity.Methods:Population-based surveys were conducted in the city of Pelotas, Brazil in 2003 and 2010, including individuals aged 20+ years. Physical activity was assessed using the leisure-time section of the long version of the IPAQ. A cut-off point of 150 min/wk was used in the analyses. Methodologies were virtually identical in both surveys.Results:In 2003, 26.8% (95% CI 24.3; 29.2) of the participants were classified as active in leisuretime, as compared with 24.4% (95% CI 22.6; 26.2) in 2010. The proportion of subjects reporting 0 minutes per week of walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity practice also did not vary between 2003 and 2010. However, the proportion of active adults decreased from 39.9% (95% CI 33.0; 42.7) in 2003 to 29.7% (95% CI 24.9; 34.5) in 2010 among high-income participants. Males were more active than females in both surveys.Conclusions:Leisure-time physical activity is stable among adults living in the South of Brazil, but high-income participants are becoming less active over time. Scaling up effective and promising physical activity interventions is urgently needed in Brazil.
Moderate Physical Activity of Music Aerobic Exercise Increases Lymphocyte Counts, Specific Subsets, and Differentiation
Authors: Yeh Shu-Hui , Lai Hsiu-Ling , Hsiao Chiu-Yueh , Lin Li-Wei , Chuang Yu-Kuan , Yang Yu-Ying , Yang Kuender D. 
Published: January 2015

Background:Moderate physical activity has been shown to promote immunity. Different moderate physical activities may have different effects on immunity. This study investigated the impacts of a 12-week regular music aerobic exercise (MAE) program on leukocyte distribution, lymphocyte subsets, and lymphocyte polarization.Methods:The study used a case-control design with pretest and posttest. Forty-seven middle-age women were recruited for this study. Three participants dropped out, 22 completed the 12-week MAE program, and the other 22 participants who had heat-intolerance or limited schedule eligibility were enrolled as the control group without the MAE exercise.Results:Results showed that the MAE exercise for 12 weeks didn’t change red blood cells or total leukocytes but increased lymphocyte counts. The women in MAE group revealed significant increases (P ≤ 0.01) of CD3CD4, CD3CD8, and CD4CD25 cells, associated with Treg polarization showing enhanced FoxP3 but not T-bet, Gata-3, or RORγT expression (P < .01). The control group without exercise revealed insignificant change of lymphocyte subsets or lymphocyte polarization.Conclusions:This study shows that MAE increases specific lymphocyte subsets and enhances Treg cell differentiation. It is suggested to encourage moderate physical activity of music aerobic exercise to enhance lymphocyte function of middle-aged women.
Outcome of children with hereditary tyrosinaemia following newborn screening
Authors: McKiernan P J , Preece Mary Anne , Chakrapani Anupam 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundNitisinone has transformed the management of hereditary tyrosinaemia type 1 (HT1). However, the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma is related to the age at which treatment is commenced. Little data on the outcome of children treated pre-emptively exist.AimTo describe the outcome of children with HT1 treated with nitisinone following selective newborn screening (NBS) and to compare their outcome with index siblings who had presented clinically.Subjects12 children with HT1 were detected by NBS. Seven children were screened for HT1 because of an affected sibling (n=5). Four children were detected due to raised tyrosine concentrations on routine NBS and one child was born in a country with universal NBS for HT1.OutcomeNitisinone was commenced at 4 (1–52) days old. 6 children had an initial coagulopathy which resolved after 4 (1–7) days treatment. Currently at median age 8.5 (3–12.5) years all are clinically normal, with normal liver function tests and imaging. Those of school age are in normal classes but four have reported learning difficulties. Five index siblings presented clinically with acute liver failure (four) and chronic liver disease (one) at median 4 (1.5–17) months. One died of liver failure prior to nitisinone's availability. Four were treated with nitisinone; one failed to respond and underwent liver transplantation and three responded. One responder died from complications of prematurity and the remaining two have compensated liver disease.SummaryChildren with HT1 treated with nitisinone following NBS have an excellent outcome.ConclusionsUniversal NBS for HT1 should be introduced in the UK.
Using criteria-based interview models for assessing clinical expertise to select physiotherapists at major multisport games
Authors: Phillips Nicola , Grant Marie-Elaine , Booth Lynn , Glasgow Philip 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundBenchmarking is an established means of identifying levels of specialist practice and competence-based interviews are a tool used to facilitate this. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) provided an opportunity to introduce a pragmatic approach to assess expert behaviour in large numbers of volunteer physiotherapists.AimTo test inter-tester repeatability of an assessment matrix used to score clinical expertise in a sporting context, followed by reporting on the findings for physiotherapy selection.MethodsFour volunteers were videoed answering an identical sport-specific clinical scenario. Recordings were initially scored by two experienced assessors (gold standard). Subsequently, nine assessors scored the same videos then compared with the gold standard. 602 physiotherapists were assessed during volunteer interviews for LOCOG. Scores were compared to those based on self-reported clinical experience. Cross-tabulation was used to determine levels of agreement for the initial scoring matrix and the relationship between the two scoring systems was analysed.ResultsLevels of agreement ranged from 22% to 88%. A good correlation (r=0.754 p>0.001) was found between self-reported clinical experience and scenario scores. Marginal data points in the correlational analysis indicated that only 52% of participants attained the same score across assessments.ConclusionsA tool to facilitate assessment for large scale selection could be used for Host Nation physiotherapist selection for Major Games. There is a need to train assessors in this environment, as well as provide detailed matrices, specific to each context being assessed, to ensure that observations can be made on domain-specific and general, non-technical aspects.
Need for nutritional support, eating-related distress and experience of terminally ill patients with cancer: a survey in an inpatient hospice
Authors: Amano Koji , Maeda Isseki , Morita Tatsuya , Tatara Ryohei , Katayama Hirofumi , Uno Teruaki , Takagi Ibuki 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesCancer cachexia creates a large burden for terminally ill patients with cancer. The main causes are a lack of knowledge of cancer cachexia and unsuccessful attempts to increase body weight. The role of nutritional support has not been clarified, and patients’ eating-related distress is poorly understood. There has been no study investigating into needs for nutritional support in an inpatient hospice. The primary aim of this study was to explore needs for nutritional support, eating-related distress and patients’ experiences.MethodsA survey was conducted involving 60 patients with advanced cancer in an inpatient hospice. We first asked about need for nutrition therapy in the inpatient hospice. We then asked whether patients had unmet needs for four items. The last question was composed of 19 items concerning patients’ experience of eating-related distress.ResultsThirty-seven patients responded (62%). Most of the patients, 28 of 37 (76%), had general unmet needs for nutrition therapy for cancer cachexia, and more than half needed specific support, such as ‘attention’ and ‘explanation’. The top 5 of the 19 items were mainly about daily diet, nutrition and losing weight. Of these, the top four belonged to the group of coping strategies and the fifth to the group of mechanisms originating from patients themselves.ConclusionsA number of terminally ill patients with cancer admitted to an inpatient hospice had need for nutritional support and experienced high levels of eating-related distress.
Alcohol use and misuse, self-harm and subsequent mortality: an epidemiological and longitudinal study from the multicentre study of self-harm in England
Authors: Ness Jennifer , Hawton Keith , Bergen Helen , Cooper Jayne , Steeg Sarah , Kapur Navneet , Clarke Martin , Waters Keith 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesAlcohol use and misuse are strongly associated with self-harm and increased risk of future self-harm and suicide. The UK general population prevalence of alcohol use, misuse and alcohol-attributable harm has been rising. We have investigated the prevalence of and trends in alcohol use and misuse in self-harm patients and their associations with repeat self-harm and subsequent death.MethodsWe used patient data from the Multicentre Study of Self-Harm in England for 2000–2009 and UK mortality data for patients presenting from 2000 to 2007 who were followed up to the end of 2009.ResultsAlcohol involvement in acts of self-harm (58.4%) and alcohol misuse (36.1%) were somewhat higher than found previously in self-harm patients. Alcohol involvement and misuse were most frequent in men, those aged 35–54 years and those from white ethnicities. The frequency of alcohol misuse increased between 2000 and 2009, especially in women. Repetition of self-harm was associated with alcohol involvement in self-harm and particularly with alcohol misuse. Risk of suicide was increased significantly in women misusing alcohol.ConclusionsAlcohol use and misuse in self-harm patients appears to have increased in recent years, particularly in women. The association of alcohol with greater risk of self-harm repetition and mortality highlights the need for clinicians to investigate alcohol use in self-harm patients. Ready availability of alcohol treatment staff in general hospitals could facilitate appropriate aftercare and the prevention of adverse outcomes.