bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal or Early-Life Exposure to Antibiotics and Risk of Childhood Asthma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Murk William , Risnes Kari R. , Bracken Michael B. 
Published: May 2011

CONTEXT:The increasing prevalence of childhood asthma has been associated with low microbial exposure as described by the hygiene hypothesis.OBJECTIVE:We sought to evaluate the evidence of association between antibiotic exposure during pregnancy or in the first year of life and risk of childhood asthma.METHODS:PubMed was systematically searched for studies published between 1950 and July 1, 2010. Those that assessed associations between antibiotic exposure during pregnancy or in the first year of life and asthma at ages 0 to 18 years (for pregnancy exposures) or ages 3 to 18 years (for first-year-of-life exposures) were included. Validity was assessed according to study design, age at asthma diagnosis, adjustment for respiratory infections, and consultation rates.RESULTS:For exposure in the first year of life, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for all studies (N = 20) was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30–1.77). Retrospective studies had the highest pooled risk estimate for asthma (OR: 2.04 [95% CI: 1.83–2.27]; n = 8) compared with database and prospective studies (OR: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.08–1.45]; n = 12). Risk estimates for studies that adjusted for respiratory infections (pooled OR: 1.16 [95% CI: 1.08–1.25]; n = 5) or later asthma onset (pooled OR for asthma at or after 2 years: OR: 1.16 [95% CI: 1.06–1.25]; n = 3) were weaker but remained significant. For exposure during pregnancy (n = 3 studies), the pooled OR was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.02–1.50).CONCLUSIONS:Antibiotics seem to slightly increase the risk of childhood asthma. Reverse causality and protopathic bias seem to be possible confounders for this relationship.
Trends in the Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in US Children, 1997–2008
Authors: Boyle Coleen A. , Boulet Sheree , Schieve Laura A. , Cohen Robin A. , Blumberg Stephen J. , Yeargin-Allsopp Marshalyn , Visser Susanna , Kogan Michael D. 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE:To fill gaps in crucial data needed for health and educational planning, we determined the prevalence of developmental disabilities in US children and in selected populations for a recent 12-year period.PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS:We used data on children aged 3 to 17 years from the 1997–2008 National Health Interview Surveys, which are ongoing nationally representative samples of US households. Parent-reported diagnoses of the following were included: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; intellectual disability; cerebral palsy; autism; seizures; stuttering or stammering; moderate to profound hearing loss; blindness; learning disorders; and/or other developmental delays.RESULTS:Boys had a higher prevalence overall and for a number of select disabilities compared with girls. Hispanic children had the lowest prevalence for a number of disabilities compared with non-Hispanic white and black children. Low income and public health insurance were associated with a higher prevalence of many disabilities. Prevalence of any developmental disability increased from 12.84% to 15.04% over 12 years. Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental delays increased, whereas hearing loss showed a significant decline. These trends were found in all of the sociodemographic subgroups, except for autism in non-Hispanic black children.CONCLUSIONS:Developmental disabilities are common and were reported in ∼1 in 6 children in the United States in 2006–2008. The number of children with select developmental disabilities (autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental delays) has increased, requiring more health and education services. Additional study of the influence of risk-factor shifts, changes in acceptance, and benefits of early services is needed.
Single‐Flap Approach for Surgical Debridement of Deep Intraosseous Defects: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Trombelli Leonardo , Simonelli Anna , Schincaglia Gian Pietro , Cucchi Alessandro , Farina Roberto 
Published: May 2011

Background: The single‐flap approach (SFA) consists of the elevation of a limited mucoperiosteal flap to allow surgical access to periodontal defects from either the buccal or oral aspect only, leaving the interproximal supracrestal gingival tissues intact. The aim of the present randomized controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of a buccal SFA used for the surgical debridement of deep intraosseous defects compared to the double‐flap approach (DFA).Methods: Fourteen patients were treated according to SFA principles and 14 patients received the DFA. In all patients, root surfaces and defects were thoroughly debrided, and conditions for the primary intention healing and blood clot stability were ensured by a proper flap design and suture technique. The clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), and gingival recession (REC) were assessed immediately before surgery and at 6 months post‐surgery.Results: The results of the study indicate that: 1) the SFA and DFA resulted in significant CAL gains and PD reductions at 6 months post‐surgery; and 2) the SFA was similarly effective compared to the DFA in terms of CAL gain and PD reduction.Conclusion: The surgical debridement of intraosseous periodontal defects resulted in comparable, substantial CAL gains and PD reductions as well as limited postoperative REC increases when defects were accessed with the SFA or DFA.
Levels of Serum Immunoglobulin G Specific to Bacterial Surface Protein A of Tannerella forsythia are Related to Periodontal Status
Authors: Hall Lindsay M. , Dunford Robert G. , Genco Robert J. , Sharma Ashu 
Published: May 2011

Background: Tannerella forsythia (Tf) is a Gram‐negative anaerobe implicated in the development of periodontal disease. Bacterial surface protein A (BspA) is a surface‐expressed and ‐secreted protein that is recognized as an important virulence factor of Tf. This study was undertaken to determine whether Tf BspA induces an antibody response in periodontal disease. We hypothesized that serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody levels against BspA correlate with the disease of patients.Methods: Sera were obtained from 100 patients with cardiac disorders and periodontal disease and 73 patients who experienced myocardial infarction but were periodontally healthy. Sera samples were assayed for anti‐BspA antibody (total IgG and IgG subtypes) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody levels were measured in ELISA units by using an arbitrary patient as a standard.Results: A negative correlation was found with BspA‐specific total IgG antibody titers and the severity of disease measured as the clinical attachment level (CAL) when healthy and diseased groups were analyzed separately (healthy group: [−0.23, correlation value] Student's t value [73 degrees of freedom] = 1.99; P = 0.05; diseased group: [−0.21] t [100 degrees of freedom] = 2.12; P = 0.03]). However, there was a positive correlation ([0.18 correlation value] Student's t value [173 degrees of freedom] = 2.39; P = 0.017) when healthy and diseased groups were combined. A strong positive correlation ([0.338 correlation value] Student's t value [173 degrees of freedom] = 4.69; P <0.0001) between the BspA‐specific IgG titers and periodontal probing depth was observed when healthy and disease groups were combined.Conclusions: Data demonstrated that antibodies to Tf BspA were elicited in patients with periodontal disease, and antibody levels were associated with the disease severity. Furthermore, data suggested that anti‐BspA IgG might have a protective function in periodontal disease by minimizing the loss of tooth attachment tissue.
Carotid Artery Stenosis: Does the World Wide Web Provide Sufficient Information to These Patients?
Authors: Sadat Umar , Chang Guohao , Sorani Alan , Walsh Stewart , Gaunt Michael 
Published: May 2011

As the use of the Internet is at its highest at present, it is reasonable to assume that patients suffering from carotid artery stenosis and its complications may use this as a potential source of information prior to hospital attendance. The relevant Web sites were initially identified and the quality of information therein was assessed independently by two assessors on the author panel. We also tested whether established Web site scoring systems (HON and DISCERN score) could predict the quality of information included on the medical Web sites. The overall quality of relevant information for these patients was found to be poor. The Spearman rank correlation between the two scoring systems was /0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–0.74, p < .0001). There was a good correlation between the assessors' scores for each scoring system, with a Spearman rank correlation for the DISCERN score of 0.99 (95% CI 0.99–0.99, p < .0001) and for the HON score of 0.98 (95% CI 0.97–0.98, p < .0001). We also found a good correlation between these scores and guidelines set by the assessors. Available scoring systems provide a good means of assessment. However, significant improvement is required to enhance the overall quality of health-related Web sites.
Diastasis Recti and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Moesbergen Todd , Law Alice , Roake Justin , Lewis David R. 
Published: May 2011

An association between abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and abdominal wall hernia has been suggested, possibly reflecting a common collagen disorder. The same mechanism may also cause a greater frequency of diastasis recti among patients at risk of developing AAA. Diastasis recti could be used to identify patients at risk of AAA, with implications for AAA screening. The aim of this study was to determine whether an association between diastasis recti and AAA could be demonstrated. The preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans of 75 male patients undergoing elective AAA repair were retrospectively examined and linea alba width recorded at supraumbilical and subumbilical levels. Measurements were compared with controls frequency matched for age. Fifty patients with AAA were observed to have supraumbilical diastasis recti on preoperative CT compared with 47 controls. Mean linea alba width was not significantly different between the two groups at either the supraumbilical (19.3 mm vs 20.7 mm, p = .45) or subumbilical (3.6 mm vs 4.3 mm, p = .43) level. The findings do not support the hypothesis that the presence of diastasis recti can serve as an indication to select male patients for screening for AAA.
Le Maroc, en transition démographique
Authors: Escallier Robert 
Published: May 2011

L'engagement de la population marocaine dans la deuxième phase de la transition démographique est très avancé et paraît irréversible. Pourtant, l'élément le plus caractéristique est le différentiel de comportement selon les milieux de résidence et les régions. Malgré l'imperfection des données, il a été possible de souligner à la fois :
- les lourds retards des campagnes et des régions périphériques (montagnes et zones arides) où perdurent des pratiques traditionnelles à l'égard de la fécondité,
- la remarquable transition de la fécondité en milieu urbain, dans les domaines socio-spatiaux ouverts aux modernisations, significative d'une meilleure participation des femmes (scolarisation et travail) à la vie de la cité.
Alimentation et élevage à Marseille au Ve siècle après J.-C. d'après les études de faunes
Authors: Leguilloux Martine 
Published: May 2011

Cet article propose un aperçu sur l'exploitation des animaux domestiques à Marseille au Ve siècle de notre ère en insistant sur deux aspects : l'alimentation et l'artisanat. Un premier type, les dépotoirs urbains de consommateurs, permet de définir la composition de l'alimentation carnée des Marseillais qui reste dominée par la viande d'ovicaprinés, sans variation avec les périodes antérieures.
Le second type, un dépotoir d'artisans, constitué de déchets rejetés dans le port, nous permet d' aborder des activités artisanales. Ces restes donnent des indications sur les espèces utilisées — moutons, chèvres et boucs — et les modes de traitement des peaux. Au Ve s. ap. J.-C. la ville se modifie, avec l'ensablement du port de la Bourse. L'abandon des activités portuaires est contrebalancé dans ce secteur par la présence d'artisanat mal odorant.
Présentation du bloc-diagramme : Grand Canyon du Verdon
Authors: Nicod Jean 
Published: May 2011

Ce document synthétise les principaux aspects géomorphologiques étudiés dans le secteur du Grand Canyon :
- de vieilles formes : lambeaux d' aplanissement basculés, paléo- poljés (Canjuers) et paléoformes karstiques (sur les blocs soulevés au nord ) ;
- les champs de dolines des monts, les formes nivales, les formations périglaciaires ou dues aux mouvements de masse ;
- l'incision des canyons dans leur rapport avec les données structurales et tectoniques.
Les données fournies par les formations sur la bordure du piémont de Valensole permettent d'analyser les phases morphotectoniques et de discuter des stades d'évolution du canyon.
Electronic Architectures for Bridging the Global Digital Divide
Authors: Dholakia Nikhilesh , Kshetri Nir K. 
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a comparative view of e-business systems designed to extend the benefits of e-business to the poor demographic segments of the developing world and to reach populations that are on the “wrong side of the digital divide.” Four such systems are selected: the Global Trade Point Network (GTPN) of the United Nations, Alcatel Telemedicine Network, Little Intelligent Communities (LINCOS), and Johns Hopkins International’s (JHI) Telemedicine Network. The four networks are compared across various network architecture dimensions. Our analysis indicates that LINCOS offers reduced capital cost, flexible architectures, and at the same time access to worldwide information systems, and hence has the highest potential to reach effectively the most excluded population in developing countries. Collaborations among technology marketers, national governments and international agencies are needed to identify the needs of the digitally excluded population and select appropriate architectures to serve the needs.
One Method for Design of Narrowband Low-Pass Filters
Authors: Jovanovic-Dolecek Gordana , Diaz-Carmona Javier 
Published: May 2011

Fast change, uncertainty, and strong competition are challenges of the actual worldwide economic context. Competitiveness is a main requirement of enterprises, whose satisfaction requires the definition of new organisational concepts, with extremely high performances that are strongly time-oriented while highly focused on cost and quality. Several factors appear as supreme factors of competitiveness: (1) the organisations’ capability to achieve and explore competitive advantages in synergy, by using or integrating the optimal available resources for the functions that the organisation undertakes; (2) the capability of fast adaptability to the market; together with (3) the capability of managing all business processes independently of distance, to be achieved through the recent virtual enterprise (VE) organisational models (Cunha & Putnik, 2002; Cunha, Putnik, & Ávila, 2000).
Modeling an Artificial Stock Market
Authors: Lavigne S. , Sanchez S. 
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents an artificial stock market created to analyze market dynamics from the behavior of investors. It argues that information—delivered by financial intermediaries as rating agencies and considered as cognitive institution—directs the decisions of investors who are heterogeneous agents endowed with capabilities of learning in a changing environment. The objective is to demonstrate that information influences market dynamics as it allows the coordination of the decisions of investment in the same direction: information is a focal point for investors and contributes to generate a speculative dynamic on the market.
Knowledge Management Systems
Authors: Maier Ronald , Hadrich Thomas 
Published: May 2011

Knowledge management systems (KMSs) are seen as enabling technologies for an effective and efficient knowledge management (KM). However, up to date the term knowledge management system has often been used ambiguously. Examples are its use for specific KM tools, for KM platforms, or for (a combination of) tools that are applied with KM in mind. So far, investigations about the notion of KMS remain on the abstract level of what a KMS is used for, for example, “a class of information systems applied to managing organizational knowledge” (Alavi & Leidner, 2001, p. 114). The following two sections define the term KMS and obtain a set of characteristics that differentiates KMS from traditional information systems, such as intranet infrastructures, document- and content-management systems, groupware, or e-learning systems. Then, two ideal architectures for KMS are contrasted. It is discussed which KMS architecture fits what type of KM initiatives, and some empirical findings on the state of practice of KMS are summarized. The last sections give an outlook on future trends and conclude the article.
The Proliferation, Pitfalls, and Power of Online Education
Authors: Blakey Leah 
Published: May 2011

Accreditation, Assessment, Asynchronous Discussion, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Case Study, Classroom Instruction, Continuing Studies, Course Evaluation, Course Objectives, Curriculum Designers,Distance Education, Electronic Mail (Email), Faculty, Higher Education,instructional designers, Interactive Assignments, Internet Access, Learning Management System (LMS), learning styles, Online Classroom, Online Course,online education, Online Teaching,Pedagogy, Synchronous Tools, Virtual World
Second Language E-Learning and Professional Training with Second Life®
Authors: Edwards Patricia , Rico Mercedes , Dominguez Eva , Agudo J. Enrique 
Published: May 2011

Web 2.0 technologies are described as new and emerging for all fields of knowledge, including academia. Innovativee-learning formats like on-demand video, file sharing, blogs, Wikis, podcasting and virtual worlds are gaining increasing popularity among educators and students due to their emphasis on flexible, collaborative and community-building features, a promising natural channel for the social constructivist learning theory. This chapter addresses the application of e-learning in university degree programs based on exploiting the practical, intensive and holistic aspects of Second Life® (SL™). Although the specific framework dealt with is English as a foreign language, it seems feasible to assume that the learning processes are equally transferable to other disciplines. In light of the aforementioned premises, the outlook of e-learning 2.0 approaches require action research and shared experiences in order to back up or challenge the claims andexpectations of the academic community concerned withbest practices in education.
Some Key Success Factors in Web-Based Corporate Training in Brazil
Authors: Joia Luiz A. 
Published: May 2011

Brazilian companies are increasingly turning to Web-basedcorporate training by virtue of the fact that they need to train their employees within tight budget constraints in a country of continental dimensions. However, most of these companies do not know what the critical success factors in these endeavors are. Therefore, this article seeks to investigate some key success factors associated with such digital enterprises. In order to achieve this, the multiple case study method is used, whereby two cases, both conducted within the same Brazilian company, leading to opposite outcomes—a success and a failure—are analyzed in depth. The conclusions reached in this article were that goal orientation, source of motivation, and metacognitive support were the three critical dimensions in these twoWeb-based corporate training programs under analysis. Lastly, some managerial implications of these results are outlined.
Redefining Web Users' Optimal Flow Experiences in Online Environments
Authors: Arora Anshu Saxena , Raisinghani Mahesh S. 
Published: May 2011

The article highlights a research study on consumer navigation behavior through the Web users’ optimal Flowexperiences in the online environments. The research study establishes the empirical groundwork for measuring Webusers’ Flow experiences in the Web environment. The article proposes a comprehensive definition of Flow on the basis of Comprehensive Process (Flow) Model of Network Navigation, considering that the Flow concept is a multidimensional concept in the “multi-activity” medium of the Web. Flow has been defined as a multi-dimensional and context-specific concept. Furthermore, the research article proposes that there are 10 Flow constructs (also called “the antecedents of Flow”) along with the three states of Flow, namely, Perfect Flow, Imperfect-IntensiveFlow, and Imperfect Flow. Consumer Behavior on the Webis studied using the Flow concept for three categories ofFlow users, namely, Perfect and Imperfect-Intensive Flow(PIIF) users, Imperfect Flow (IF) users, and Non-Flow (NF) users. These users achieve Flow depending on 10 Flow-constructs and three Flow states. Empirical results suggest a direct relationship between the Flow states and the Flowuser categories and between expected Web user in the future (EXPUSE) and the Flow user categories. This research study provides a basis for future researchers to study consumer navigation behavior on the Web using theFlow concept for three categories of Flow users through 10Flow constructs and three Flow states. The research has significant implications for theory and practice.
The eLogBook Framework
Authors: Rekik Yassin , Gillet Denis , El Helou Sandy , Salzmann Christophe 
Published: May 2011

Convinced by the important role of CoPs (communities of practice) and the innovative learning modality they offer,the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne is currently developing a framework to sustain interaction,collaboration, and learning in laboratory-oriented CoPs, namely the eLogBook. This paper describes the services provided by this framework, the 3A model on which it is based, and the main features it presents. The eLogBookpresents several innovative features that make it different from other classical collaboration workspaces. TheeLogBook offers a high level of flexibility and adaptability so that it can fit the requirements of various CoPs. It allowsCoPs’ members to define their own rules, protocols, andvocabularies. The eLogBook also focus on usability anduser acceptance thanks to its personalization andcontextualization mechanisms. Finally, the eLogBookprovides a community’s members with ubiquitous services thanks to its multiple views and its advanced awareness services.