bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Change in vision disorders among Hong Kong preschoolers in 10 years
Authors: Fan Dorothy SP , Lai Connie , Lau Henry HW , Cheung Eva YY , Lam Dennis SC 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground: To determine the change in refractive error and the prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus among preschool children in Hong Kong over a period of 10 years.Design: Two cross‐sectional population‐based studies conducted in 1996 to 1997 (part A) and 2006 to 2007 (part B)Participants: Children attending randomly selected kindergarten participated in the study.Methods: Ocular alignment, visual acuity, cover and uncover tests, cycloplegic refraction, slit‐lamp and fundi examination were performed under a standardized testing environment.Main Outcome Measures: The prevalence of amblyopia (best‐corrected visual acuity ≤6/12 in one or both eyes, or a bilateral difference of ≥2 best‐corrected visual acuity lines), strabismus and significant refractive error (hyperopia ≥+2.50 D; myopia ≥−1.00 D; astigmatism ≥2.00 D) among preschool children.Results: Of the 601 children in part A of the study, reduced visual acuity was presented in 3.8%; whereas strabismus was found in 1.8%. The commonest type of refractive error was astigmatism in 6.3% of children, followed by hyperopia (5.8%) and myopia (2.3%). Among 823 children in part B, reduced visual acuity was presented in 2.7% of children, and strabismus was found in 1.7%. The commonest type of refractive error was myopia (6.3%), followed by astigmatism (5.7%) and hyperopia (5.1%). The percentage of children having myopia has significantly increased (P = 0.001).Conclusion: A significant increase in myopia has been noted in Hong Kong preschoolers. Visual screening programmes may need to be tailored to correspond to the local population and be adjusted accordingly from time to time.
Central corneal thickness and related factors in an elderly American Chinese population
Authors: Wang Dandan , Singh Kuldev , Weinreb Robert , Kempen John , He Mingguang , Lin Shan 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground:  To assess central corneal thickness and related factors in an elderly American Chinese population residing in San Francisco.Design:  Cross‐sectional community based study.Participants:  American Chinese aged 40 years and older were enrolled using random cluster sampling and volunteer screening in the Chinatown district of San Francisco.Methods:  The following data were obtained: central corneal thickness by ultrasound pachymetry, intraocular pressure by Goldmann applanation tonometry, axial length by A‐scan biometry, refractive status and corneal curvature by autorefractor. History of systemic and ocular diseases was collected via standard questionnaire.Main Outcome Measures:  Central corneal thickness.Results:  Of 311 eligible subjects, 274 consented to study participation, and 228 phakic eyes were analyzed. Mean corneal thickness was 524.1 ± 31.1 µm, 545.5 ± 30.9 µm and 538.9 ± 31.8 µm in the sampling cluster, volunteer group and all subjects, respectively. A multiple linear regression model showed corneal thickness to be negatively associated with age (standardized regression coefficient [SRC] = −0.21; P = 0.016) and corneal curvature (SRC = −0.19; P = 0.018) but positively correlated with intraocular pressure (SRC = 0.20; P = 0.023).Conclusions:  The distribution of central corneal thickness among this American Chinese population is similar to that reported in studies from East Asia. The independent factors associated with thinner corneas included older age, lower intraocular pressure and greater corneal curvature. While descendents of Chinese immigrants in America have, on average, thicker corneas than their ancestors, this phenomenon is potentially impacted by the level of intraocular pressure.
Population‐based study of self‐reported ocular trauma in Fiji
Authors: Brian Garry , du Toit Renee , Ramke Jacqueline , Szetu John 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground:  To characterize causes, risk factors and outcomes for ocular trauma among adults aged ≥40 years in Fiji.Design:  Population‐based cross‐sectional survey; multistage cluster random sampling.Participants:  1381 (= 73.0% participation); eight provinces on Viti Levu.Methods:  Interview‐based questionnaire. Visual acuity measurement. Dilated ocular examination.Main Outcome Measures:  Circumstances, management and consequences of self‐reported ocular trauma.Results:  Of participants, 20.6% recalled ocular trauma: being Melanesian (P < 0.001) and male (P < 0.001) were predictive. Age at injury was ≤15 years for 13.0%: 78.4% occurred at home; 72.4% caused by sharp objects. For injury at >15 years: 38.5% occurred inside the home, most by sharp objects (51.6%) and domestic violence (28.4%); agricultural activities caused 20.6% of injuries; non‐agricultural workplace incidents caused 16.2%, with chemicals responsible for 27.5% of these; public alcohol consumption was associated with 13.8% of injuries, mostly by assault (91.2%). Conventional medical services were the primary source of care for 47.2% of injured participants: 61.9% attended on injury day. For trauma: sample prevalence of vision impairment in at least one eye was 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.1–2.4%), and 0.1% (95% confidence interval 0.02–0.5) for bilateral blindness. Injury at ≤15 years (P = 0.008) and at the workplace (P = 0.044) were predictive of ongoing vision impairment. Of visually impaired eyes, 36% had corneal opacity that may have been caused by relatively minor trauma.Conclusions:  Ophthalmic service strengthening (including minor corneal trauma management) and specific injury prevention strategies (including behaviour change education and advocacy for legislation) are required to decrease the ocular trauma burden in Fiji.
Cataract and its surgery in Fiji
Authors: Brian Garry , Ramke Jacqueline , Szetu John , Qoqonokana Mundi Qalo 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground:  To characterize cataract and its surgery among adults aged ≥40 years in Fiji.Design:  Population‐based cross‐sectional survey using multistage cluster random sampling.Participants:  1381 (= 73.0% participation); eight provinces on Viti Levu.Methods:  Interview‐based questionnaire; visual acuity measured; autorefraction; dilated ocular examination.Main Outcome Measures:  Prevalence; predictors; surgical outcomes.Results:  Being Indian (P = 0.001), elderly (P < 0.001), and previous/current smoker (P = 0.036) were predictive of at least one unoperated vision‐impairing or operated cataract. Gender (P = 0.062) and diabetes (P = 0.384) were not. Unoperated cataract (predominantly nucleosclerosis) was the second most frequent (25.0%) cause of low vision (<6/18, ≥6/60) and commonest (71.1%) of blindness (<6/60). Ethnicity‐gender‐age‐domicile adjusted and extrapolating to the Fiji population aged ≥40 years, prevalence of cataract‐induced low vision and blindness were each 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–2.4%). At least one eye of 4.6% and both of 1.8% participants had surgery (86.4% extracapsular). Gender (P = 0.213), age (P = 0.472) and rural/urban domicile (P = 0.895) were not predictors of surgery among those who required it in at least one eye. After intraocular lens surgery: 50.7% had pupillary posterior capsular opacification; mean spherical equivalent was −1.37 ± 1.95D (range, −6.38 to +2.25D); mean cylindrical error was 2.31 ± 1.75D (range, 0.0 to 8.75D); ≥N8 for 39.5%; ≥6/18 for 56.6%; <6/60 for 19.7%, with 2.6% no light perception. Ethnicity‐gender‐age‐domicile adjusted and extrapolating to the Fiji population aged ≥40 years, Cataract Surgical Coverage (Person) was 47.5% (95%CI 29.2–65.8%) at <6/18, and 65.2% (95%CI 37.8–92.6%) at <6/60.Conclusions:  Fiji cataract services and outcomes compare favourably with those of neighbouring Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.
Intraprostatic botulinum toxin type A administration: evaluation of the effects on sexual function
Authors: Silva João , Pinto Rui , Carvalho Tiago , Botelho Francisco , Silva Pedro , Silva Carlos , Cruz Francisco , Dinis Paulo 
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Intraprostatic injection of botulinum toxin type A was shown to be effective in decreasing symptoms of BPH in several recent studies. However, the possible impairment of sexual function caused by the neurotoxin had never been investigated.This study shows that intraprostatic administration of botulinum toxin type A neither causes deterioration of sexual function (libido, orgasm, erectile function or ejaculation), nor alteration of serum testosterone levels.OBJECTIVE• To evaluate the consequences on male sexual function of intraprostatic injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although BoNT/A is effective in decreasing symptoms of BPH, neuronal impairment caused by the neurotoxin might affect emission/ejaculation. These aspects have not been evaluated before.PATIENTS AND METHODS• In all, 16 sexually active men aged >60 years with BPH/benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥8 and a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) <15 mL/s refractory to standard medical therapy volunteered for the study.• Patients were injected transrectally, under ultrasonographic control, with 200 U of BoNT/A in the prostate. Evaluation was carried out at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months post‐treatment. Erectile function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function – Short Form (IIEF‐5) questionnaire.• Orgasmic/ejaculatory function and libido were evaluated using questions 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the IIEF – Long Form. Total testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin were also investigated.RESULTS• The mean age was 73 ± 6 years. The IIEF‐5 score was 16.5 ± 6 at baseline, 15.7 ± 6 at 1 month, 16.6 ± 6 at 3 months and 15.7 ± 5 at 6 months (differences nonsignificant).• The score for ejaculatory/orgasmic function (questions 9 and 10) remained fairly constant from baseline to the sixth month, 8.3 ± 1.9 and 8 ± 2.1 respectively.• The sexual desire score (questions 11 and 12 of the IIEF) also remained little changed from baseline (5.9 ± 1.6) to month 6 (6.1 ± 2). Total serum testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin did not change during the study.CONCLUSIONS• Intraprostatic injection of BoNT/A in patients with BPE does not impair erectile, orgasmic or ejaculatory functions and does not change libido.• The male hormonal profile is not altered by BoNT/A injection. This facilitates the acceptance of BoNT/A as a treatment for BPH/BPE lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) refractory to standard medical management.
Bilharzial vs non‐bilharzial related bladder cancer: pathological characteristics and value of cyclooxygenase‐2 expression
Authors: Youssef Ramy , Kapur Payal , Kabbani Wareef , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Mosbah Ahmed , Abol‐Enein Hassan , Ghoniem Mohamed , Lotan Yair 
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Prognostic (case series)  Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Bilharziasis is the reason for the high incidence of bladder cancer in Egypt. Some of the clinico‐pathological characteristics of bilharzia‐associated bladder cancer has been published before. This paper adds insight about the biology of the disease. COX‐2 shows usefulness as a prognostic marker for bilharzia‐associated bladder cancer, which might open avenues for preventive and therapeutic strategies utilizing COX‐2 inhibitors in the management of bladder cancer arising on top of chronic inflammation.OBJECTIVE• To assess the expression pattern of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in bilharzial and non‐bilharzial related bladder cancer (BBC and NBBC) and its association with clinical outcome after radical cystectomy (RC). We also determined the clinico‐pathological differences between BBC and NBBC.PATIENTS AND METHODS• Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for COX‐2 was performed on archival bladder specimens from 315 patients treated with RC between 1997 and 2003.• Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 comprised 205 patients (65%) with BBC and group 2 comprised 110 patients (35%) with NBBC.• Clinico‐pathological differences were compared and altered IHC expression of COX‐2 was correlated with clinical outcome in both groups.RESULTS• The study included 315 patients (239 males and 76 females) with median age 54 y (range 31–79) and median follow up of 63.2 months after RC.• There was significant difference in histological types, tumor stage, grade, and architecture and COX‐2 alterations between both groups (P < 0.05).• BBC presented with lower grade, higher stage, and non‐papillary non‐urothelial carcinoma. COX‐2 overexpression was associated with pathological T stage (P= 0.01), grade (P < 0.001) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P= 0.041).• COX‐2 expression was an independent predictor of disease recurrence (HR 1.9, CI 0.99–3.626 and P= 0.05) and cancer specific mortality (HR 2.8, CI 1.155–6.73 and P= 0.023) only in BBC but not in NBBC (HR 1.6, CI 0.598–4.364, P= 0.344 and HR 0.349, CI 0.076–1.595, P= 0.175, respectively).CONCLUSIONS• BBC differs pathologically and biologically from NBBC. BBCs present more frequently as low‐grade, high stage non‐papillary and non‐urothelial cancers. BBCs with COX‐2 alterations are associated with worse outcome after RC.• Our findings support the need for further evaluation of COX‐2 and inflammatory signaling pathways as well as COX‐2‐targeted prevention and therapies in BC.
Adoption and Coverage of Performance‐Related Pay during Institutional Change: An Integration of Institutional and Agency Theories
Authors: Kang Sung‐Choon , Yanadori Yoshio 
Published: November 2010

abstractWhether or not to adopt and how extensively to use a newly legitimized practice are discrete decisions made by firms undergoing institutional change. The aim of this paper is to identify the distinct effects of economic, social, and political factors on the adoption of performance‐related pay practices and their coverage (i.e. the proportion of employees covered by the practices) by integrating institutional and agency theories. An empirical analysis is performed with a unique sample of Korean firms that experienced the East Asian financial crisis of 1997. The results show that while performance‐related pay adoption was influenced by economic and social factors, performance‐related pay coverage was related to political factors as well as economic and social factors. This finding suggests that while firms adopt performance‐related pay practices in search of legitimacy, they do not blindly imitate such practices but rather proactively adapt them based on economic efficiency considerations. This study makes valuable contributions to research on institutionalism and remuneration by empirically identifying the conditions under which a pay practice adopted for social legitimacy fits or fails to fit the economic needs of the adopters.
Creating a Population of 12‐Digit Headwater Basins within the Albemarle‐Pamlico Estuary System
Authors: Cyterski Mike , Prieto Lourdes 
Published: November 2010

AbstractEcological research within the US Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development has recently changed its focus to quantifying and mapping ecosystem services provided to humans. Our local research group has been charged to develop a regional assessment of several ecosystem services in the Albemarle‐Pamlico Estuary System (APES). Time, data, and funding constraints precluded explicit modeling of the entire APES, so in Phase 1 of our research plan we chose to model ecosystem services in a random sample of headwater catchments. After observing numerous inconsistencies between the National Hydrography Dataset‐Plus (NHDPlus) stream network and the Virginia/North Carolina Watershed Boundary Dataset 12‐digit HUC coverage, we began by creating modified 12‐digit hydrologic units (HUCs) by aggregating smaller catchments delineated within the NHDPlus. In defining our population of interest (headwater 12‐digit HUCs with perennial, natural, wadeable pour points), we generally excluded HUCs that had multiple pour points, no pour points, or whose pour points were intermittent streams, artificial segments, ditches/canals, or lentic systems (lakes and reservoirs). After taking these actions, 318 HUCs remained and a stratified random sample (Omnerik ecoregions as strata) of 50 HUCs was chosen from this population.
A Road Network Selection Process Based on Data Enrichment and Structure Detection
Authors: Touya Guillaume 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIn the context of geographical database generalization, this article deals with a generic process for road network selection. It is based on the geographical context, which is made explicit, and on the preservation of characteristic structure. It relies on literature that is adapted and collected. The first step is to detect significant structures and patterns of the road network such as roundabouts or highway interchanges. It allows the initial dataset to be enriched with explicit geographic structures that were implicit in the initial data. It helps both to make the geographical context explicit and to preserve characteristic structures. Then this enrichment is used as knowledge input for the following step: that is, the selection of roads in rural areas using graph theory techniques. After that, urban roads are selected by means of a block aggregation complex algorithm. Continuity between urban and rural areas is guaranteed by modelling continuity using strokes. Finally, the previously detected characteristic structures are typified to maintain their properties in the selected network. This automated process has been fully implemented on Clarity™ and tested on large datasets.
An Assessment of Deforestation Models for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)
Authors: Kim Oh Seok 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWith the increasing concerns in developing methodologies for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) projects, there is a need to understand the characteristics of existing Land‐Use/Cover Change (LUCC) modules. This research presents a modular framework for assessing predictive accuracy of business‐as‐usual deforestation in the future by comparing two existing approaches: GEOMOD Modeling (GM) and Land Change Modeler (LCM). The comparison uses data from a case study in Chiquitanía, Bolivia. Data from 1986 and 1994 are used to simulate land‐cover of 2000; the resulting maps are compared with an observed land‐cover map of 2000. GM and LCM simulate business‐as‐usual deforestations at the pixel level. The model structures of GM's linear extrapolation and LCM's Markov Chain are compared to review quantity of LUCC; and the model structures of GM's empirical frequency, LCM's logistic regression, and LCM's multilayer perceptron are compared to review (spatial) allocation of LUCC. Relative operating characteristics, figure of merit, and multiple resolution analysis are employed to assess predictive accuracy of multiple transition modeling. By design, GM lacks the potential to model multiple transitions, and the LCM's multilayer perceptron may produce different results for each simulation due to its stochastic element. Based on the model structure and predictive accuracy comparisons, the LCM seems more suitable than the GM for a REDD application. When a project is to employ a predictive method for its spatially explicit baseline setting, then it is highly recommended to use the proposed framework to assess accuracy of the baseline as part of a project design document.
Modeling the Potential Distribution of Pine Forests Susceptible toSirex NoctilioInfestations in Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: Ismail Riyad , Mutanga Onisimo , Kumar Lalit 
Published: November 2010

AbstractReducing the impact of the siricid wasp,Sirex noctiliois crucial for the future productivity and sustainability of commercial pine resources in South Africa. In this study we present a machine learning model that serves as a spatial guide and allows forest managers to focus their existing detection and monitoring efforts on key areas and proactively adopt the most appropriate course of intervention. We implemented the random forest model within a spatial framework to determine which pine forests in Mpumalanga are highly susceptible toS. noctilioinfestations. Results indicate that a majority (63%) of pine forest plantations located in Mpumalanga have a high susceptibility (>70%) toS. noctilioinfestation. A KHAT value of 0.84 and F measures above 0.87 indicate that the random forest model is a robust classifier that produces accurate results. Additionally, the use of the backward variable selection method enabled us to simplify the random forest modeling process and identify the minimum number of explanatory variables that offer the best discriminatory power and help in the empirical interpretation of the final random forest model. Overall, the results show that pine forests that experience stress caused by evapotranspiration and evaporation followed by rainfalls, especially during the summer months are more susceptible toS. noctilioinfestations.
The Aesthetic Collision: Hans Urs von Balthasar on the Trinity and the Cross
Authors: LUY DAVID 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe relationship envisioned by Hans Urs von Balthasar between the Trinity and the events of Christ's passion and death has elicited concern from various theologians that he has muddled the important distinction between God's eternal life ad intra and his interaction with the world through the economy of his actions. This article argues that such a reading of Balthasar's theology is ultimately a serious misconstrual of his work since it overlooks the aesthetic categories established early in The Glory of the Lord through which his narration of the cross‐event must ultimately be interpreted. By interpreting Balthasar in this manner, this article clarifies the content of what is perhaps Balthasar's most important theological contribution, and provides a creative alternative for how best to situate the relationship (oft‐discussed in twentieth‐century theology) between the Trinity and the crucifixion.
Transnational Migration, Gender, and Rights: Advocacy and Activism in the Malaysian Context
Authors: Elias Juanita 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis paper explores the intersection between gender and migration through an analysis of the advocacy strategies undertaken by Malaysian non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and trade unions on behalf of female transnational migrant workers. In particular, the paper looks at the different ways in which local NGOs and trade unions have engaged with the so‐called “rights‐based approach” to migration that has been emphasized by transnational NGOs and key intergovernmental organizations – in particular the International Labour Organization (ILO). The paper suggests that despite the widespread feminization of migration in the region, the rights‐based approach has tended to employ a gender‐blind perspective on migration. It is only in the arena of activism around the rights of migrant domestic workers (an overwhelmingly feminized sector) that gender issues are brought to the fore of the migrant rights debate. The appropriation of rights‐talk by activists organizing on behalf of migrant domestic workers does indicate that the language of human rights can be employed strategically in ways that place the concerns of women workers at their centre. However, there are significant limitations posed by the employment of a human rights “master frame” by pro‐migrant worker activists. These limitations include: the continued association between rights and gender‐blind universal (labour) standards; the linkage between rights and “public sphere” activities outside of the household realm; and the problematic relationship between universal notions of human rights and particularistic notions of citizenship under conditions of political authoritarianism.