bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantification of skin lesions with a 3D stereovision camera system: validation and clinical applications
Authors: Skvara Hans , Burnett Patrick , Jones Julie , Duschek Nikolaus , Plassmann Peter , Thirion Jean‐Philippe 
Published: June 2012

Background/purposeThree‐dimensional (3D) imaging of the skin is a challenging technique. A new 3D digital camera system has been developed that enables 3D reconstruction of the skin and subsequently allows volumetric quantification. Herein we present validation data on calibrated phantoms and the clinical application of this technology.MethodsAbsolute and relative geometric 3D measurements were validated with a static imaging phantom manufactured by a metrology institution and a dynamic imaging phantom adjustable for different volume quantities, respectively. Consecutively, in a clinical study, 3D baseline and follow up images from 27 basal cell carcinomas under topical therapy were captured for volumetric analysis.ResultsValidation experiments have demonstrated an average accuracy for surface position of 55 μm and a precision of 8 μm, as well as excellent correlation (0.999) between injected and measured volumes. The geometric baseline analysis of 27 basal cell carcinomas exhibited a high correlation and agreement between 2D and 3D surface measurements. Under topical therapy, it was possible to gain statistically significant differences between verum‐ and vehicle‐treated basal cell carcinomas when analyzing geometric measurements of 3D volume (P = 0.01) and 3D surface (P = 0.001).ConclusionIn our study we were able to demonstrate that this newly developed 3D camera system offers a precise objective dimensional representation of the skin. This technique is easily applicable and sensitive enough to measure small differences in area and volume before and after intervention.
Goals, dilemmas and assumptions in infant feeding education and support. Applying theory of constraints thinking tools to develop new priorities for action
Authors: Trickey Heather , Newburn Mary 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThree important infant feeding support problems are addressed: (1) mothers who use formula milk can feel undersupported and judged; (2) mothers can feel underprepared for problems with breastfeeding; and (3) many mothers who might benefit from breastfeeding support do not access help. Theory of constraints (TOC) is used to examine these problems in relation to ante‐natal education and post‐natal support. TOC suggests that long‐standing unresolved problems or ‘undesirable effects’ in any system (in this case a system to provide education and support) are caused by conflicts, or dilemmas, within the system, which might not be explicitly acknowledged. Potential solutions are missed by failure to question assumptions which, when interrogated, often turn out to be invalid. Three core dilemmas relating to the three problems are identified, articulated and explored using TOC methodology. These are whether to: (1) promote feeding choice or to promote breastfeeding; (2) present breastfeeding positively, as straightforward and rewarding, or focus on preparing mothers for problems; and (3) offer support proactively or ensure that mothers themselves initiate requests for support. Assumptions are identified and interrogated, leading to clarified priorities for action relating to each problem. These are (1) shift the focus from initial decision‐making towards support for mothers throughout their feeding journeys, enabling and protecting decisions to breastfeed as one aspect of ongoing support; (2) to promote the concept of an early‐weeks investment and adjustment period during which breastfeeding is established; and (3) to develop more proactive mother‐centred models of support for all forms of infant feeding.
A Proximal Promoter Region of Arabidopsis DREB2C Confers Tissue‐specific Expression under Heat Stress
Authors: Chen Huan , Je Jihyun , Song Chieun , Hwang Jung Eun , Lim Chae Oh 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe dehydration‐responsive element‐binding factor 2C (DREB2C) is a member of the CBF/DREB subfamily of proteins, which contains a single APETALA2/Ethylene responsive element‐binding factor (AP2/ERF) domain. To identify the expression pattern of the DREB2C gene, which contains multiple transcription cis‐regulatory elements in its promoter, an approximately 1.4 kb upstream DREB2C sequence was fused to the β‐glucuronidase reporter gene (GUS) and the recombinant p1244 construct was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. The promoter of the gene directed prominent GUS activity in the vasculature in diverse young dividing tissues. Upon applying heat stress (HS), GUS staining was also enhanced in the vasculature of the growing tissues. Analysis of a series of 5′‐deletions of the DREB2C promoter revealed that a proximal upstream sequence sufficient for the tissue‐specific spatial and temporal induction of GUS expression by HS is localized in the promoter region between −204 and −34 bps relative to the transcriptional start site. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that nuclear protein binding activities specific to a −120 to −32 bp promoter fragment increased after HS. These results indicate that the TATA‐proximal region and some latent trans‐acting factors may cooperate in HS‐induced activation of the Arabidopsis DREB2C promoter.
Condom Use: Slippage, Breakage, and Steps for Proper Use Among Adolescents in Alternative School Settings
Authors: Coyle Karin K. , Franks Heather M. , Glassman Jill R. , Stanoff Nicole M. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: School‐based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI), and pregnancy prevention programs often focus on consistent and correct condom use. Research on adolescents' experience using condoms, including condom slippage/breakage, is limited. This exploratory study examines proper condom use and the occurrence of condom slippage/breakage among alternative school youth.METHODS: Data are from an HIV/STI prevention trial for youth in continuation school settings (N = 776). Analyses included separate hierarchical logistic regression analyses to explore the relationship between potential correlates and each outcome variable.RESULTS: Students' use of steps for proper condom use varied—73.8% put on the condom before sexual contact, 71.1% squeezed air from the tip, and 92.0% unrolled the condom fully. Notably, 28.5% reported condom slippage/breakage. Results from the regression analyses showed that 4 sets of variables (demographic, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and condom psychosocial factors) were associated with putting on a condom before sexual contact; none of the variable sets were associated with the other 2 condom steps measured. For slippage/breakage, the demographic and sexual risk behaviors were significant correlates; steps for proper condom use approached statistical significance (p = .058).CONCLUSIONS: This study extends the limited research on how adolescents use condoms, and highlights important targets for prevention interventions.
Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use in Middle School Students in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Poms Laura W. , Fleming Lila C. , Jacobsen Kathryn H. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Parenting practices have been shown to have a strong influence on adolescent tobacco use in high‐income countries. This study examined whether parenting practices also were associated with tobacco use by middle school students (approximately ages 13‐15) in low‐ and middle‐income countries.METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data from 106,041 middle school students in 27 countries who participated in the Global School‐Based Health Survey conducted between 2003 and 2007.RESULTS: In nearly all countries, boys and older students were significantly more likely to use tobacco than girls and younger students. In most countries, students who reported a high level of parental understanding or a high level of parental awareness of their children's activities were significantly less likely to use tobacco than other students. The children of parents who used tobacco were significantly more likely to use tobacco than children of non‐users. After adjustment for age, sex, and parental tobacco use, the associations between parental understanding and awareness were statistically significant in 16 and 24 countries, respectively, of the 26 countries with parental tobacco use data.CONCLUSION: This multivariate analysis shows that positive parenting practices are significantly associated with decreased tobacco use among adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries, which matches previous findings from high‐income countries. Educating parents on the importance of their parenting practices may be an effective component of school‐based programs aimed at reducing adolescent tobacco use.
Protective Connections and Educational Attainment Among Young Adults With Childhood‐Onset Chronic Illness*
Authors: Maslow Gary , Haydon Abigail A. , McRee Annie‐Laurie , Halpern Carolyn T. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Youth with childhood‐onset chronic illness (COCI) are at risk of poor educational attainment. Specific protective factors that promote college graduation in this population have not been studied previously. In this study, we examine the role protective factors during adolescence play in promoting college graduation among young adults with COCI.METHODS: Data were collected from 10,925 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Protective factors present before 18 years of age included mentoring, parent relationship quality, school connectedness, and religious attendance. College graduation was the outcome of interest assessed when participants had a mean age of 28 years. Analysis was stratified by presence of COCI.RESULTS: About 2% of participants (N = 230) had 1 of 4 COCIs (cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, or heart disease). All 4 protective factors were associated with college graduation for youth without COCI. In the final multivariate model, only school connectedness was associated with college graduation for youth with COCI.CONCLUSION: School connectedness is of particular importance in promoting educational attainment for youth with COCI.
Alcohol as a Gateway Drug: A Study of US 12th Graders
Authors: Kirby Tristan , Barry Adam E. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: The Gateway Drug Theory suggests that licit drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, serve as a “gateway” toward the use of other, illicit drugs. However, there remains some discrepancy regarding which drug—alcohol, tobacco, or even marijuana—serves as the initial “gateway” drug subsequently leading to the use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The purpose of this investigation was to determine which drug (alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana) was the actual “gateway” drug leading to additional substance use among a nationally representative sample of high school seniors.METHODS: This investigation conducted a secondary analysis of the 2008 Monitoring the Future 12th‐grade data. Initiation into alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use was analyzed using a Guttman scale. Coefficients of reliability and scalability were calculated to evaluate scale fit. Subsequent cross tabulations and chi‐square test for independence were conducted to better understand the relationship between the identified gateway drug and other substances' use.RESULTS: Results from the Guttman scale indicated that alcohol represented the “gateway” drug, leading to the use of tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit substances. Moreover, students who used alcohol exhibited a significantly greater likelihood of using both licit and illicit drugs.CONCLUSION: The findings from this investigation support that alcohol should receive primary attention in school‐based substance abuse prevention programming, as the use of other substances could be impacted by delaying or preventing alcohol use. Therefore, it seems prudent for school and public health officials to focus prevention efforts, policies, and monies, on addressing adolescent alcohol use.
Active Generations: An Intergenerational Approach to Preventing Childhood Obesity
Authors: Werner Danilea , Teufel James , Holtgrave Peter L. , Brown Stephen L. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Over the last 3 decades, US obesity rates have increased dramatically as more children and more adults become obese. This study explores an innovative program, Active Generations, an intergenerational nutrition education and activity program implemented in out‐of‐school environments (after school and summer camps). It utilizes older adult volunteers to implement a version of the evidence‐based childhood obesity prevention program, Coordinated Approach to Child Health, in 8 US cities.METHODS: Approximately 760 children in third‐ to fifth‐grade participated in Active Generations, a 10‐lesson, intergenerational, childhood obesity prevention program. Children completed an age‐appropriate survey instrument, the Active Generations survey (AGS). The AGS is a valid and reliable, self‐administered, self‐report, paper‐and‐pencil survey designed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. It was administered by trained volunteers on the first day and last day of the program. Constructs assessed included physical activity, nutrition, and media use.RESULTS: Students significantly increased their reported fruit and vegetable consumption post‐program. For example, the percentage of students reporting eating 3 or more servings of vegetables per day was 16% greater post‐program. Students were more likely to report reading food labels and greater confidence that they could participate in physical activity. They also significantly decreased their daily screen time.CONCLUSIONS: Active Generations is a promising childhood obesity prevention program.
Does Grade Level Relate to School‐Based Youth Health Center Utilization Among Male Youth? Quantitative Findings From a Mixed‐Methods Study in Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Gahagan Jacqueline C. , Jason Timothy , Leduc Derek 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Male adolescents underutilize youth health centers' (YHC) services despite facing a variety of significant health issues. The purpose of our study was to explore adolescent males' perceptions of health service needs, utilization of YHC services, and barriers and facilitators for such utilization as a function of school grade among a sample of males from rural Nova Scotia in Canada.METHODS: A 76‐item self‐completion survey was developed to obtain quantitative data on male students' use and perceptions of YHCs. The survey was pilot tested in June of 2009 and subsequently revised for readability and layout purposes. In October 2009, the revised survey was administrated to male youth in grades 10‐12 at 4 high schools in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.RESULTS: Although more than 50% of the participants reported that they would be comfortable using the YHC in their school, only 16.5% had ever accessed the center, and only 5% indicated frequent use. Differences according to grade were noted, especially regarding knowledge of YHCs and intention to use a variety of YHC services.CONCLUSIONS: School‐based YHCs are becoming more common as a means of responding to adolescent health needs. Despite experiencing numerous health challenges, male youth continue to underutilize these services. Multisectoral health promotion strategies are needed, especially in higher grades, to help create an environment that encourages utilization of YHCs.
Arguments in Health Geography: On Sub‐Disciplinary Progress, Observation, Translation
Authors: Andrews Gavin J. , Evans Joshua , Dunn James R. , Masuda Jeffrey R. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTo introduce the sub‐discipline of health geography and its developing interests, this paper initially reviews the different forms of arguments mounted by researchers. First, arguments on the nature and progress of inquiry that speak to directions, concepts, theories and methods. Second, using health care settings, public health and environmental health as illustrations, arguments that interpret and explain health and health care in different ways. A final series of discussions takes the theme of arguments further in terms of how they might affect change in the world. Specifically, health geography is situated within four broad movements currently unfolding in the larger disciplines to which it contributes. With regard to the parent discipline of human geography, the ‘policy turn’ and more generally the idea of ‘public geography’. With regard to the health sciences, Evidenced‐Based Health Care and Knowledge Translation.
Latino Fathers and Their Children
Authors: Cabrera Natasha J. , Bradley Robert H. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis article examines Latino fathers and their influence on child well‐being in light of recent demographic, cultural, and social shifts. Through use of a heuristic model of father involvement, this study found great heterogeneity in the way Latino fathers are engaged with their offspring and at least suggests an emerging hybrid that blends traditional with more modern views of parenting. Findings imply that a father's personal characteristics and experiences (such as cultural values and beliefs, immigration experience, motivation to parent, and financial, social, and human capital) and quality of his relationships (coparenting and couple) are important correlates of involvement with his children. There appear to be multiple mechanisms linking aspects of paternal involvement to child outcomes, including the quality of the mother–father and parent–child relationship and the father's own interactions (language input, supportiveness) with the child. These findings are considered in the context of methodological, conceptual, and measurement challenges that future studies should address.
The Paleo‐Proterozoic High Heat Production Richardson Granite, Great Bear Magmatic Zone, Northwest Territories, Canada: Source of U for Port Radium?
Authors: SOMARIN Alireza K. , MUMIN A. Hamid 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAirborne radiometric survey and field studies outlined a large, elongate, high‐level plutonic suite within the Richardson pluton south of the Contact Lake Belt in the Great Bear Magmatic Zone, Northwest Territories, Canada. In terms of content of radioactive elements, the Richardson pluton is composed of two distinct granite types, low heat production (LHP) and high heat production (HHP). Uranium content in the LHP and HHP granites ranges from 3.0 to 4.9 ppm and 6.5 to 24.6 ppm, respectively, showing similarity of the LHP granite to average granites. Geochemical studies indicate that there is a genetic relationship between these two types of granite; the LHP granite was the early product of magma crystallization, whereas the HHP granite is the result of extensive crystal fractionation of biotite, plagioclase and apatite. The presence of magmatic fluorite in granite suggests that high fluorine content lowered the liquidus temperature of magma causing lower temperature fractionation during ascent to high crustal levels, which increased U and Th concentrations in the resultant HHP granite. Weak U mineralization occurs locally as discontinuous quartz ± hematite ± pitchblende veins and veinlets within the HHP granite. Stronger U mineralization (U ± Ag ± Ni ± Co ± Cu) occurred in the past‐producing Contact Lake and Port Radium deposits. It appears that such mineralization may have had a spatial and temporal genetic‐paragenetic relationship with the HHP granite.
A comprehensive analysis of hemoglobin variants by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Authors: Szuberski J. , Oliveira J. L. , Hoyer J. D. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryIntroductionHigh‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a method commonly used for the detection of hemoglobin (Hb) variants. In addition to providing precise quantitation of Hb A2 and Hb F, the reported retention time and peak shape of a high number of hemoglobin (Hb) variants are very helpful for presumptive identification. However, there is a scarcity of summarized data in the literature of the mobility of Hb variants on this method.MethodsA total of 383 Hb variants were studied on the Bio‐Rad Variant ™ Classic HPLC instrument. Hb variant identification used a number of methods, including confirmation by DNA sequencing in at least one case for all alpha and beta chain Hb variants.ResultsRetention time data and the number of occurrences of each Hb variant were obtained. This showed that rare Hb variants can have similar retention times to the five most common alpha or beta chain Hb variants.ConclusionHPLC is a very powerful tool in the evaluation of Hb variants, particularly when combined with other methods. However, it should not be used as a stand‐alone method for definitive identification of Hb variants.
The effect of instrumentation and laboratory site on the accuracy of the APTT‐based heparin therapeutic range
Authors: Marlar R. A. , Gausman J. N. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBackgroundMonitoring of unfractionated heparin therapy by activated partial thromboplastin time using the ex vivo method for determining the heparin therapeutic range (HTR) is the standard of practice. Many extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence accuracy of the HTR. This study investigates the affect of instrumentation and laboratory site on the accuracy of the ex vivo
HTR method.MethodsPatients on unfractionated heparin are used to determine the HTR by published guidelines. Various instruments and different laboratories are compared to investigate the affect of these variables on the HTR.ResultsThe HTR is the same when the same model of instrument or even different models (same methodology) are used in the same laboratory. However, a significant clinical difference is observed when different hospital laboratories using same lot and instrument model are compared.ConclusionsThe ex vivo method for HTR is the best protocol currently available. The HTR should be determined and averaged on all of the same method instruments used in the laboratory. However, determination of the HTR in different laboratories should not be shared.
Do flood risk perceptions provide useful insights for flood risk management? Findings from central Vietnam
Authors: Bubeck P. , Botzen W.J.W. , Suu L.T.T. , Aerts J.C.J.H. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractFollowing the renewed attention for non‐structural flood risk reduction measures implemented at the household level, there has been an increased interest in individual flood risk perceptions. The reason for this is the commonly‐made assumption that flood risk perceptions drive the motivation of individuals to undertake flood risk mitigation measures, as well as the public's demand for flood protection, and therefore provide useful insights for flood risk management. This study empirically examines these assumptions by presenting data from a survey conducted among 300 households in central Vietnam. The main implications for flood risk communication and the stimulation of precautionary behaviour are that the current predominant focus on flood risk perceptions in the academic literature, and risk communication policy is not supported. Hence, the study provides an important contribution to the existing literature that mainly studies flood risk perceptions in developed countries.