bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploration of the value of social interaction in a boys' group for adolescents with muscular dystrophy
Authors: Parkyn H. , Coveney J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground/Aim  Engagement in peer‐based social activities is a normal and important aspect of adolescence. Adolescent boys with muscular dystrophy typically lack opportunities for participation in peer‐based recreation and socialization activities. ‘MD Mafia’ is a group which aims to reduce social isolation and offer social and recreational opportunities for adolescent boys with muscular dystrophy. This research is a qualitative exploration of the value of ‘MD Mafia’ and seeks to answer the question: ‘what does the experience of participating in “MD Mafia”, a group for adolescent boys with muscular dystrophy, mean to the boys and their parents’?Methods  This research sought the views of the boys who participate in MD Mafia and their parents. The sample included seven boys and four mothers. Data collection methods included creative group activities, specifically chosen to match the participants' age, interests and skills, and online data collection. The theoretical perspective of symbolic interactionism guided the theoretical analysis of the data.Results  Analysis of the data provided a description of the meaning and value of ‘MD Mafia’ from the participants' perspective. MD Mafia has a strong collective identity, which reflects ideals of masculinity and common interests. The group provides much valued opportunity for socialization in a safe and familiar environment, but parents also felt that MD Mafia could offer greater opportunities for skill development by increasing the challenge level of the activities and social environment. The theoretical analysis provides insight into the value of social interactions between participants in a group which has had positive implications for the boys as individuals and for MD Mafia as a group.Conclusions  The research supports a group model of service delivery for boys with muscular dystrophy and has implications for the development of the group into the future.
Assessing psychosocial well‐being of adolescents: a systematic review of measuring instruments
Authors: Tsang K. L. V. , Wong P. Y. H. , Lo S. K. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  The paradigm shift from the clinically deficit‐oriented approach to that of educationally strength‐based model in assessing adolescents' psychosocial well‐being has brought about a recent increase in school‐based health promotion and prevention initiatives. This prompted this systematic review of measuring instruments designed to assess psychosocial well‐being of children and adolescents.Methods  Using electronic databases on Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE, PROQUEST, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus and Psychosocial and Health Instrument, a systematic review of literature of measuring instruments was conducted from their inception to December 2009 using the keywords of child, emotion, assessment, scale and measure. Measuring instruments from selected articles were critically appraised using a predetermined set of quality indicators which guided the rating of the psychometric properties of the instruments into grades of A, B, and C. The constructs of psychosocial well‐being from the measuring instruments were categorized into themes.Results  Twenty‐nine out of the 908 articles met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen instruments identified from the selected articles were examined using preset quality indicators. In construct building, the themes identified from the strength‐based instruments distinguished the construct of psychosocial well‐being primarily into the dimensions of personal emotional competency and social functioning. In the ratings of psychometric properties, one instrument was rated 5A, five rated 4A and four rated 3A. For reliability testing, eight measures received grade A when their intraclass correlation is higher than 0.7; whereas only two instruments reported sensitivity and none investigated responsiveness.Conclusions  Strength‐based measures focusing on social emotional behavioural outcomes open up a possibility to link up assessment with promotion of psychosocial well‐being, away from clinical settings and into adolescents' homes, schools and community. Future research should focus more on investigating the sensitivity and responsiveness of measuring instruments using longitudinal design in efficacy studies to assess change in adolescents' psychosocial status over extended time.
Plankton metabolism and physical forcing in a productive embayment of a large oligotrophic lake: insights from stable oxygen isotopes
Authors: BOCANIOV SERGHEI A. , SCHIFF SHERRY L. , SMITH RALPH E. H. 
Published: December 2011

Summary1. The metabolic balance of plankton communities, commonly assessed by the photosynthesis‐to‐respiration ratio (P : R), has received much attention recently in connection with allochthonous organic subsidies to lakes, while the role of physical, climate‐related forces has received less attention.2. Here we evaluated the effects of wind and upwelling events on plankton metabolism and the potential of stable oxygen isotopes to characterise P, R and P : R on the scales necessary to characterise properly physical forcing effects in large lakes.3. We measured the 18O/16O ratio of dissolved oxygen and water in a large productive embayment of Lake Ontario (Hamilton Harbour, Canada) and estimated P, R and P : R from the steady state solutions of a widely accepted mass balance model, together with estimates of wind‐driven gas exchange, and compared the results with those from experimental incubations of plankton samples.4. Estimates of P, but not R, from the isotope model were significantly correlated with bottle estimates while average P : R was similar by both methods. Closer examination of physical forcing events led to a model of how wind events induce mixing, upwelling, exchange and consequent changes in P and R. These physical forcing events were captured more by the isotope model than by the bottle estimates, as episodes of immediately increased R and decreased P : R, with a subsequent stimulation of P.5. The oxygen isotope approach provided valuable measures of plankton metabolism and helped to characterise more effectively the substantial effects on P : R of physical forcing and, in particular, mixing and exchange events.
Optimisation of vacuum frying of gold kiwifruit slices: application of response surface methodology
Authors: Diamante Lemuel M. , Savage Geoffrey P. , Vanhanen Leo 
Published: December 2011

SummaryResponse surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of the level of maltodextrin (MD), frying temperature and time on the moisture, colour and texture properties of the vacuum‐fried gold kiwifruit slices and to determine the optimised conditions for vacuum frying. The moisture content of vacuum‐fried gold kiwifruit slices decreased with increasing frying temperature and frying time. The colour change of the product increased with increasing frying temperature. The browning index of the product increased with increasing frying temperature and frying time. The breaking force of the product gave higher values when processed at middle range of frying temperature and MD level. When processing vacuum‐fried gold kiwifruit slices, there was a need to use frying temperatures of 72.0–76.3 °C, frying times of 35.0–65.0 min and an MD level of 40% to achieve products with acceptable moisture, colour and texture properties.
In vitro bioaccessibility of β‐carotene in dried carrots pretreated by different methods
Authors: Hiranvarachat Bhudsawan , Devahastin Sakamon , Chiewchan Naphaporn 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe effects of selected pretreatment methods, i.e. soaking in citric acid, blanching in water and blanching in citric acid, as well as hot‐air drying (at 70, 80 and 90 °C), on the retention and relative in vitro bioaccessibility of β‐carotene in dried carrots were investigated. The results indicated that the selected pretreatments and drying could enhance the relative bioaccessibility of β‐carotene in dried carrots. The relative bioaccessibility of β‐carotene in dried carrots increased to 47–73%, while the values in the fresh (13%) and dried untreated (31–47%) carrots were lower. Although significant losses of β‐carotene occurred during both the pretreatment and drying processes, bioaccessible β‐carotene contents of dried pretreated carrots were in a similar order to those of the fresh carrots, indicating the ability and hence the benefit of appropriate pretreatment and drying processes in maintaining the nutritive quality of a food product.
Lesioning of TRPV1 expressing primary afferent neurons prevents PAR‐2 induced motility, but not mechanical hypersensitivity in the rat colon
Authors: Suckow S. K. , Anderson E. M. , Caudle R. M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Proteinase activated receptor 2 (PAR‐2) is expressed by many neurons in the colon, including primary afferent neurons that co‐express transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Activation of PAR‐2 receptors was previously found to enhance colonic motility, increase secretion and produce hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli. This study examined the functional role of TRPV1/PAR‐2 expressing neurons that innervate the colon by lesioning TRPV1 bearing neurons with the highly selective and potent TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin.Methods  Colonic motility in response to PAR‐2 activation was evaluated in vitro using isolated segments of descending colon and in vivo using manometry. Colonic mechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured using colorectal distension. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 expressing neurons were selectively lesioned with resiniferatoxin.Key Results  In vitro, the PAR‐2 agonists, trypsin and SLIGRL did not alter contractions of colon segments when applied alone, however, the agents enhanced acetylcholine stimulated contraction. In vivo, PAR‐2 agonists administered intraluminally induced contractions of the colon and produced hypersensitivity to colorectal distention. The PAR‐2 agonist enhancement of colonic contraction was eliminated when TRPV1 expressing neurons were lesioned with resiniferatoxin, but the PAR‐2 agonist induced hypersensitivity remained in the lesioned animals.Conclusions & Inferences  Our findings indicate that TRPV1/PAR‐2 expressing primary afferent neurons mediate an extrinsic motor reflex pathway in the colon. These data, coupled with our previous studies, also indicate that the recently described colospinal afferent neurons are nociceptive, suggesting that these neurons may be useful targets for the pharmacological control of pain in diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Grain Yield and Charcoal Rot Resistance Stability in Common Beans under Terminal Drought Conditions
Authors: García‐Olivares Jesus G. , López‐Salinas Ernesto , Cumpián‐Gutiérrez Javier , Cantú‐Almaguer Miguel A. , Zavala‐García Francisco , Mayek‐Pérez Netzahualcoyotl 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCharcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) is a major disease of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Mexico. The use of germplasm combining high‐yield stability with resistance to drought and charcoal rot could reduce damage from this disease. In this study, we compared the Eberhart and Russell method and the Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model plus biplot analysis for measuring grain yield (GY) and charcoal rot resistance (CHRR) stabilities in 98 F8 : 10 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between bean adapted to the tropics (BAT) 477 (resistant) × Pinto UI‐114 (susceptible). Experiments were conducted from 2007 to 2009 in Isla, Cotaxtla, Río Bravo and Díaz Ordaz, México, under irrigated or terminal drought conditions. anova detected significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in GY and CHRR among environments, genotypes and genotype × environment interactions (GEI). Most RILs showed good responses to unfavourable environments based on GY (48) and CHRR (40). AMMI anova s for both traits showed that all sources of variation in the model accounted for approximately 49% of the total squared sum. For the first principal component (PC1), we found 13 RILs that were stable for GY, and for the second (PC2), we found 9 that were stable for GI. For CHRR, we detected 14 stable RILs (PC1) and eight (PC2). Biplot analysis showed the largest vectors for Díaz Ordaz (irrigated and drought, 2008), where the highest and most variable GYs were detected. The shortest vectors were found in Isla (drought, 2007) and Río Bravo (irrigated and drought, 2008), where the lowest and least variable GY were found. We found differential responses of RILs to locations, years and soil humidity conditions as well as significant GEI based on GY and CHRR. The two methods were complementary, and both gave us information to select stable, high‐yield germplasm associated with resistance to charcoal rot disease.
Stress before Consumption: A Proposal to Reform Agency Ratings*
Authors: Woo Sarah Pei 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe financial turmoil starting in late 2007 has engendered serious criticisms of major credit rating agencies (CRAs), crystallising in a groundbreaking Regulation on CRAs in the EU. This article considers that the Regulation might have failed to take into account a fundamental problem relating to credit ratings—the single, through‐the‐cycle rating system—which probably contributed to the ratings of entities highly sensitive to changes in overall market conditions, including banks and financial institutions, to be vulnerable to cascading ratings downgrades during downturns. The first part of the article analyses the performance of such credit ratings to support the above argument, while the second part explores a proposed solution of moving away from the single rating system to one where ‘standard’ ratings are supplemented by ‘stressed ratings.’ This solution can be based on a public–private partnership where CRAs produce stressed ratings based on scenarios set by regulators—an idea that entails recognition that regulatory efforts in this area ultimately entails a complex balancing of the roles of both the CRAs and regulators as gatekeepers in making safety‐and‐soundness judgements together for global financial markets.
The third described case of transfusion‐transmitted Babesia duncani
Authors: Bloch Evan M. , Herwaldt Barbara L. , Leiby David A. , Shaieb Annette , Herron Ross M. , Chervenak Michael , Reed William , Hunter Robert , Ryals Rosilyn , Hagar Ward , Xayavong Maniphet V. , Slemenda Susan B. , Pieniazek Norman J. , Wilkins Patricia P. , Kjemtrup Anne M. 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: Almost all of the reported US tick‐borne and transfusion‐associated Babesia cases have been caused by Babesia microti, which is endemic in the Northeast and upper Midwest. We investigated a case caused by B. duncani (formerly, the WA1‐type parasite), in a 59‐year‐old California resident with sickle cell disease (HbSS) whose only risk factor for infection was receipt of red blood cell transfusions.CASE REPORT: The patient's case was diagnosed in September 2008: intraerythrocytic parasites were noted on a blood smear, after a several‐month history of increasing transfusion requirements. Molecular and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) analyses were negative for B. microti but were positive for B. duncani (IFA titer, 1:1024). The complete 18S ribosomal RNA gene of the parasite was amplified from a blood specimen; the DNA sequence was identical to the sequence for the index WA1 parasite isolated in 1991. The patient's case prompted a transfusion investigation: 34 of 38 pertinent blood donors were evaluated, none of whom tested positive by B. microti IFA. The implicated donor—a 67‐year‐old California resident—had a B. duncani titer of 1:4096; B. duncani also was isolated by inoculating jirds (Mongolian gerbils) with a blood specimen from March 2009, more than 10 months after his index donation in April 2008. The patient's case was diagnosed more than 4 months after the implicated transfusion in May 2008.CONCLUSIONS: This patient had the third documented transfusion case caused by B. duncani. His case underscores the fact that babesiosis can be caused by agents not detected by molecular or serologic analyses for B. microti.
Microcirculation follows macrocirculation in heart and gut in the acute phase of hemorrhagic shock and isovolemic autologous whole blood resuscitation in pigs
Authors: van Iterson Mat , Bezemer Rick , Heger Michal , Siegemund Martin , Ince Can 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: Disparity between the macro‐ and microcirculation is thought to occur as a result of (micro)vascular dysfunction in some types of shock. Whether this occurs during hemorrhagic shock, however, is unknown. We therefore investigated both macro‐ and microcirculatory variables in the heart as a vital organ and the gut as a nonvital organ. We hypothesized that the microcirculation in the gut would follow the macrocirculation in the acute phase of hemorrhagic shock and isovolemic autologous whole blood resuscitation, but that the microcirculation in the heart would be preserved even under conditions of macrocirculatory depression.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Eleven pigs (23 ± 4 kg) were anesthetized and subjected to a controlled hemorrhagic shock (30 and 45% reduction of total blood volume) and isovolemic resuscitation with autologous blood. Quantitative measurement of microvascular oxygen pressures (µpO2) was performed by phosphorimetry on the gut and heart simultaneously. Measurements of systemic hemodynamic and regional oxygen‐derived variables as well as µpO2 were performed at baseline, after the first and second phases of hemorrhage, and after resuscitation.RESULTS: Five pigs responded to resuscitation, while six pigs died spontaneously within 20 to 30 minutes after reinfusion of the withdrawn blood, without significant differences in macro‐ or microcirculatory variables at baseline and after hemorrhage. Correlation analysis showed that microvascular pO2 in the heart and the gut were closely related to macrocirculatory variables (cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, and oxygen delivery) during hemorrhage and resuscitation.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the microcirculation in the gut (being a nonvital organ) and heart (being a vital organ) follow the macrocirculation in the acute phase of hemorrhagic shock and isovolemic autologous whole blood resuscitation.
Frequencies of MICA alleles in patients from southern Brazil with multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy
Authors: Sergio do Sacramento W. , Mazini P. S. , Franceschi D. A. S. , de Melo F. C. , Braga M. A. , Sell A. M. , Tsuneto L. T. , Laguila Visentainer J. E. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryLeprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which mainly affects the skin and nervous system. The disease has several clinical forms. This study investigated the MICA and HLA‐B genes in 223 samples from leprosy patients and 201 samples from healthy individuals matched for age, gender and ethnical background. Of the patients, 153 had multibacillary, 45 paucibacillary and 25 indeterminate leprosy. The aim of this case–control study was to assess whether the MICA alleles influence susceptibility for leprosy or affect the subtype of the disease in a population of southern Brazil. There were significant differences in frequencies of the MICA*027 allele (4.7% vs 1.8%, P‐value = 0.01, OR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.16–0.85) between leprosy patients and controls, and of the MICA*010 (4.5% vs 1.6%, P‐value = 0.05, OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.13–0.97) and MICA*027 alleles (4.7% vs 1.3%, P‐value = 0.01; OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.09–0.79) between multibacillary leprosy patients and the control group. There were no significant differences in the frequency of MICA alleles between paucibacillary leprosy patients and controls. Thus, the MICA*027 allele is associated with a protective effect for leprosy per se, while the MICA*010 and MICA*027 alleles are associated with protection against multibacillary leprosy, the most severe clinical subtype.
Influence of silane and solvated bonding agents on the bond strength to glass‐fibre posts
Authors: Oliveira Aline S. , Ramalho Elisa S. , Spazzin Aloísio O. , Naves Lucas Z. , Moraes Rafael R. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe combined use of silane and solvated bonding agents on the bond strength to glass‐fibre posts was investigated. A model Bis‐GMA/HEMA adhesive was formulated with no solvent, 30% of ethanol or 80% of acetone. The surfaces of rectangular‐shaped posts were silanated or not and one of the agents was applied, except for the control group. Cylinders of resin cement (RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE, Saint Paul, MN, USA) were built‐up on the surfaces (n = 20) and submitted to shear testing. All groups showed higher bond strengths when the surfaces were silanated. When no silanization was carried out, the use of bonding agents, either solvated or non‐solvated, increased the bond strengths. All groups treated with both silane and bonding agent showed higher bond strengths than the group that was only silanated. Control and ethanol‐based adhesives were similar, whereas the acetone‐based agent yielded higher bond strengths. Adhesive failures were predominant. Combination of silane and adhesive enhanced the bond to fibre posts.
A comparison of correlates of suicidal ideation prior to initial hospitalization for first‐episode psychosis with prior research on correlates of suicide attempts prior to initial treatment seeking
Authors: Flanagan Peggy , Compton Michael T. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim: Individuals with first‐episode psychosis, like those with chronic psychotic disorders, are at elevated risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, relatively little is known about suicidality among first‐episode patients prior to their initial presentation for treatment. This analysis was designed as a US‐based examination of recent findings on prior suicide attempts from Dublin, Ireland, here focusing on prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation during the weeks prior to initial treatment‐seeking.Methods: Participants included 109 first‐episode inpatients with primary psychotic disorders in public‐sector settings that serve an urban, low‐income, socially disadvantaged, predominantly African American population. Eligible patients had received <3 months of prior antipsychotic treatment and had not been hospitalized for psychosis >3 months prior to the index admission, though most were completely treatment naïve. Assessments included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Birchwood Insight Scale, and a rigorous method for determining age at onset of first psychotic symptoms and duration of untreated psychosis.Results: Disconcertingly, nearly one quarter of patients (23%) endorsed a history of suicidal ideation in the 2 weeks prior to first admission. In the model designed to replicate the prior study in Ireland, Calgary Depression score (calculated omitting hopelessness and suicidal ideation as these were separate variables in the analysis) was a predictor of suicidal ideation (P < 0.01). In separate bivariate analyses analogous to the original study, two domains of insight were associated with suicidal ideation.Conclusions: Findings suggest that depression, insight, and suicidality should be carefully monitored among first‐episode patients initiating treatment and during the early course of illness. As insight improves, coping strategies should be enhanced with a goal of minimizing depression and preventing suicidality.