bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Blood and Cardiac Stem Cells Synergize to Enhance Cardiac Repair When Cotransplanted Into Ischemic Myocardium
Authors: Latham Nicholas , Ye Bin , Jackson Robyn , Lam Bu-Khanh , Kuraitis Drew , Ruel Marc , Suuronen Erik J. , Stewart Duncan J. , Davis Darryl R.
Published: September 2013

Background—

Blood-derived circulatory angiogenic cells (CACs) and resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have both been shown to improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction. The superiority of either cell type has long been an area of speculation with no definitive head-to-head trial. In this study, we compared the effect of human CACs and CSCs, alone or in combination, on myocardial function in an immunodeficient mouse model of myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

CACs and CSCs were cultured from left atrial appendages and blood samples obtained from patients undergoing clinically indicated heart surgery. CACs expressed a broader cytokine profile than CSCs, with 3 cytokines in common. Coculture of CACs and CSCs further enhanced the production of stromal cell–derived factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (
P
≤0.05). Conditioned media promoted equivalent vascular networks and CAC recruitment with superior effects using cocultured conditioned media. Intramyocardial injection of CACs or CSCs alone improved myocardial function and reduced scar burdens when injected 1 week after myocardial infarction (
P
≤0.05 versus negative controls). Cotransplantation of CACs and CSCs together improved myocardial function and reduced scar burdens to a greater extent than either stem cell therapy alone (
P
≤0.05 versus CAC or CSC injection alone).

Conclusions—

CACs and CSCs provide unique paracrine repertoires with equivalent effects on angiogenesis, stem cell migration, and myocardial repair. Combination therapy with both cell types synergistically improves postinfarct myocardial function greater than either therapy alone. This synergy is likely mediated by the complimentary paracrine signatures that promote revascularization and the growth of new myocardium.
Screening Drug-Induced Arrhythmia Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes and Low-Impedance Microelectrode Arrays
Authors: Navarrete Enrique G. , Liang Ping , Lan Feng , Sanchez-Freire Verónica , Simmons Chelsey , Gong Tingyu , Sharma Arun , Burridge Paul W. , Patlolla Bhagat , Lee Andrew S. , Wu Haodi , Beygui Ramin E. , Wu Sean M. , Robbins Robert C. , Bers Donald M. , Wu Joseph C.
Published: September 2013

Background—

Drug-induced arrhythmia is one of the most common causes of drug development failure and withdrawal from market. This study tested whether human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) combined with a low-impedance microelectrode array (MEA) system could improve on industry-standard preclinical cardiotoxicity screening methods, identify the effects of well-characterized drugs, and elucidate underlying risk factors for drug-induced arrhythmia. hiPSC-CMs may be advantageous over immortalized cell lines because they possess similar functional characteristics as primary human cardiomyocytes and can be generated in unlimited quantities.

Methods and Results—

Pharmacological responses of beating embryoid bodies exposed to a comprehensive panel of drugs at 65 to 95 days postinduction were determined. Responses of hiPSC-CMs to drugs were qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the reported drug effects in literature. Torsadogenic hERG blockers, such as sotalol and quinidine, produced statistically and physiologically significant effects, consistent with patch-clamp studies, on human embryonic stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes hESC-CMs. False-negative and false-positive hERG blockers were identified accurately. Consistent with published studies using animal models, early afterdepolarizations and ectopic beats were observed in 33% and 40% of embryoid bodies treated with sotalol and quinidine, respectively, compared with negligible early afterdepolarizations and ectopic beats in untreated controls.

Conclusions—

We found that drug-induced arrhythmias can be recapitulated in hiPSC-CMs and documented with low impedance MEA. Our data indicate that the MEA/hiPSC-CM assay is a sensitive, robust, and efficient platform for testing drug effectiveness and for arrhythmia screening. This system may hold great potential for reducing drug development costs and may provide significant advantages over current industry standard assays that use immortalized cell lines or animal models.
Species of Bicellaria (Diptera: Hybotidae) from Asia
Authors: BARTÁK MIROSLAV , PLANT ADRIAN , KUBÍK ŠTĚPÁN
Published: September 2013

Bicellaria amankutanensis sp. nov. (Uzbekistan), B. chimganensis sp. nov. (Uzbekistan), B. farkaci sp. nov. (China), B. globulicauda sp. nov. (Uzbekistan), B. koreana sp. nov. (North Korea, Russia), B. kovalevi sp. nov. (Georgia), B. setitibia sp. nov. (Georgia), B. shatalkini sp. nov. (Russia), B. thailandica sp. nov. (Thailand), and B. woodi sp. nov. (Japan) are described and illustrated. Bicellaria montana Kato is newly synonymised with B. uvens Melander. Bicellaria spuria ingrata Collin is considered a distinct species. A key to all known Asian species of Bicellaria is provided.
The nursery-web spider Hygropoda tanganus (Roewer, 1955) comb. nov. (Araneae: Lycosoidea: Pisauridae); generic transfer, first description of the female and redescription of the male
Authors: DA SILVA ESTEVAM L. CRUZ
Published: September 2013

The genus Hygropoda Thorell, 1894 comprises 27 known species, which are distributed in the Australasian, Afrotropical and Oriental zoogeographical regions (Platnick 2013), with the majority of species described from the latter region. Currently, no modern monographic revision reviewing all species assigned to the genus exists and putative apomorphies of the genus, except for the flexible tarsi, have not been assessed.
Planning for an Uncertain Future: Climate Change Sensitivity Assessment toward Adaptation Planning for Public Water Supply
Authors: Bardsley Tim , Wood Andrew , Hobbins Mike , Kirkham Tracie , Briefer Laura , Niermeyer Jeff , Burian Steven
Published: September 2013

Assessing climate change risk to municipal water supplies is often conducted by hydrologic modeling specific to local watersheds and infrastructure to ensure that outputs are compatible with existing planning frameworks and processes. This study leverages the modeling capacity of an operational National Weather Service River Forecast Center to explore the potential impacts of future climate-driven hydrologic changes on factors important to planning at the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLC). Hydrologic modeling results for the study area align with prior research in showing that temperature changes alone will lead to earlier runoff and reduced runoff volume. The sensitivity of average annual flow to temperature varies significantly between watersheds, averaging −3.8% °F−1 and ranging from −1.8% to −6.5% flow reduction per degree Fahrenheit of warming. The largest flow reductions occur during the high water demand months of May–September. Precipitation drives hydrologic response more strongly than temperature, with each 1% precipitation change producing an average 1.9% runoff change of the same sign. This paper explores the consequences of climate change for the reliability of SLC's water supply system using scenarios that include hydrologic changes in average conditions, severe drought scenarios, and future water demand test cases. The most significant water management impacts will be earlier and reduced runoff volume, which threaten the system's ability to maintain adequate streamflow and storage to meet late-summer water demands.
Seasonal Hydrological Forecasts for Watersheds over the Southeastern United States for the Boreal Summer and Fall Seasons
Authors: Bastola Satish , Misra Vasubandhu , Li Haiqin
Published: September 2013

The authors evaluate the skill of a suite of seasonal hydrological prediction experiments over 28 watersheds throughout the southeastern United States (SEUS), including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The seasonal climate retrospective forecasts [the Florida Climate Institute–Florida State University Seasonal Hindcasts at 50-km resolution (FISH50)] is initialized in June and integrated through November of each year from 1982 through 2001. Each seasonal climate forecast has six ensemble members. An earlier study showed that FISH50 represents state-of-the-art seasonal climate prediction skill for the summer and fall seasons, especially in the subtropical and higher latitudes. The retrospective prediction of streamflow is based on multiple calibrated rainfall–runoff models. The hydrological models are forced with rainfall from FISH50, (quantile based) bias-corrected FISH50 rainfall (FISH50_BC), and resampled historical rainfall observations based on matching observed analogs of forecasted quartile seasonal rainfall anomalies (FISH50_Resamp).

The results show that direct use of output from the climate model (FISH50) results in huge biases in predicted streamflow, which is significantly reduced with bias correction (FISH50_BC) or by FISH50_Resamp. On a discouraging note, the authors find that the deterministic skill of retrospective streamflow prediction as measured by the normalized root-mean-square error is poor compared to the climatological forecast irrespective of how FISH50 (e.g., FISH50_BC, FISH50_Resamp) is used to force the hydrological models. However, our analysis of probabilistic skill from the same suite of retrospective prediction experiments reveals that, over the majority of the 28 watersheds in the SEUS, significantly higher probabilistic skill than climatological forecast of streamflow can be harvested for the wet/dry seasonal anomalies (i.e., extreme quartiles) using FISH50_Resamp as the forcing. The authors contend that, given the nature of the relatively low climate predictability over the SEUS, high deterministic hydrological prediction skills will be elusive. Therefore, probabilistic hydrological prediction for the SEUS watersheds is very appealing, especially with the current capability of generating a comparatively huge ensemble of seasonal hydrological predictions for each watershed and for each season, which offers a robust estimate of associated forecast uncertainty.
Radial-Based Noise Power Estimation for Weather Radars
Authors: Ivić Igor R. , Curtis Christopher , Torres Sebastián M.
Published: September 2013

A radar antenna intercepts thermal radiation from various sources including the ground, the sun, the sky, precipitation, and man-made radiators. In the radar receiver, this external radiation produces noise that constructively adds to the receiver internal noise and results in the overall system noise. Consequently, the system noise power is dependent on the antenna position and needs to be estimated accurately. Inaccurate noise power measurements may lead to reduction of coverage if the noise power is overestimated or to radar data images cluttered by noise speckles if the noise power is underestimated. Moreover, when an erroneous noise power is used at low-to-moderate signal-to-noise ratios, estimators can produce biased meteorological variables. Therefore, to obtain the best quality of radar products, it is desirable to compute meteorological variables using the noise power measured at each antenna position. In this paper, an effective method is proposed to estimate the noise power in real time from measured powers at each radial. The technique uses a set of criteria to detect radar range resolution volumes that do not contain weather signals and uses those to estimate the noise power. The algorithm is evaluated using both simulated and real time series data; results show that the proposed technique accurately produces estimates of the system noise power. An operational implementation of this technique is expected to significantly improve the quality of weather radar products with a relatively small computational burden.
India’s Health-care Sector under GATS: Inquiry into Backward and Forward Linkages
Authors: Lahiri Kausik , Banerjee Sarmila
Published: September 2013

With the opening up of trade in health services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), India is finding herself in an advantageous position in terms of reaping the benefit of this enhanced global connectivity. Here, the presence of a sizeable middle class in urban areas, availability of information technology (IT)–skilled personnel and favourable domestic policies are encouraging all modes of service–trade flows to flourish. Consequently, the nature of forward and backward linkages of the medical and health services sector in the input–output chain is changing rapidly, indicating a major shift in both ( a) composition of demand and ( b) types of treatment provided. These changes are generally expanding the size of the market for medical care but a gradual transformation of a merit good (defined out of equity consideration) into a market good (defined out of efficiency consideration) cannot be denied. This concern calls for more comprehensive regulatory vigilance.
FDI in Services and India
Authors: Mukherjee Arpita , Goyal Tanu M.
Published: September 2013

Developing countries, including India, are increasing relying on foreign direct investments (FDI) for raising finance for infrastructure development and other projects. Consequently, countries are undertaking policy reforms for facilitating investment flows. In India, services sector is the largest recipient of inward and outward FDI since liberalization. Yet, India continues to face certain challenges to both inward and outward foreign investments as a result of which, it has not been able to exploit its full potential. This article studies the trends and patterns in India’s inward and outward investment flows and analyzes its international agreements to examine the degree of openness across different services sector, assess barriers and suggest reforms. The article uses the Fink and Molinuevo (2008) framework to examine the architectural design of India’s trade agreements and their level of openness in investment in services. The article found that despite progressive liberalization, India continues to impose operating restrictions and regulatory barriers on foreign investors. India is not willing to take forward-looking commitments in investment in services and bind the autonomous regime. The article suggests that FDI is a ‘market access’ issue and it should be delinked from domestic regulation. Domestic regulation should not discriminate between foreign and domestic investors.
Effect of the mold on the residual strain field monitored with optical fibers sensors in resin transfer molding processes
Authors: Waris Marc , Liotier Pierre-Jacques , Drapier Sylvain
Published: September 2013

Fiber Bragg gratings provide accurate and non-intrusive strain sensors. They can be embedded into fibrous preforms to deliver real-time information on ongoing processes. The possibility of using the strain-induced birefringence of the fiber Bragg gratings to extract information on the effective strain state of the composite at the end of the process has already been demonstrated. This effect can be used to estimate the residual strain field in composites manufactured by resin transfer molding. The strain fields calculated with the associated optoelastic three-dimensional model are shown to compare well with the strain fields calculated using classical laminated plate theory. The fiber Bragg gratings are then used here in order to study the influence of the nature of the mold on the residual strain field in composite plates and furthermore to infer the kinematic conditions applied by the mold on the part during cooling by using two different molds, an aluminum mold and a HexTool™ composite mold. It is demonstrated by both in situ measurements using fiber Bragg grating in a closed mold under thermomechanical loading and mesoscopical external observations that the thermal expansion of the mold is determinant in the residual strain field development from the onset of the resin curing stage.
Legitimacy in Interlocal Partnerships: Balancing Efficiency and Democracy
Authors: Gjertsen Arild
Published: September 2013

This article answers the question of why interlocal partnerships are seen as a viable route to effective governance among local elites in Norway. Co-operation between local governments is often seen as a way of overcoming transaction costs, increasing the quantity and quality of public service delivery—even if it comes at the price of less transparent local democratic processes. The analysis presented here shows that the legitimacy of interlocal partnerships is not only based on a perception of increased effectiveness in terms of direct policy outputs. Such partnerships are also based on a more general perception of increased decision-making power, specifically in relation to forces exogenous to the regional context in which such co-operation is forged. Nevertheless, the local elites’ perceptions are conditioned by regional and local contexts. The article argues that demography, perceptions of local governance and ideology matter when elites assess the importance of interlocal partnerships.
Migration and Cognitive Representations of Hypertension in African Immigrant Women
Authors: Daramola Olubunmi I. , Scisney-Matlock Margaret
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this study was to use the Self-Regulation Model on African immigrant women, to determine the association of migration and residence in the United States with cognitive representations and dietary behavior, and also to explore migration stress and blood pressure (BP) in them. Participants included a convenience sample of 91 Nigerian immigrant women (NIW) and 38 African American women (AAW). Data collection instruments were the Acculturative Stress Scale and the Women’s and Men’s Hypertension Experiences and Emerging Lifestyle Survey of 2008-2009. Descriptive t test and ANOVA statistics were used to analyze study variables comparing groups and NIW duration of residency in the United States. Knowledge of Hypertension and Cognitive Representation of Hypertension were significantly increased in the NIW by years of residency. Migration stress had no significant relationship with BP level. A longitudinal study initiated on immigrants’ arrival in the United States is recommended to understand the trajectory of chronic illnesses such as hypertension.
Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
Authors: Geneste Louis , Galvin Peter
Published: September 2013

This article investigates the role of trust in knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the conversion of the knowledge to knowledge-related outcomes. The specific context of the research is the weak client–firm exchange relationship where neither party expects further transactions. Research has overlooked these relationships as a potential source of resources, especially knowledge-based resources, because they are considered devoid of trust. An empirical analysis of survey data collected from 293 SME owners was undertaken using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The findings suggest that trust contributes to an SME owner’s acquisition of knowledge from the ‘one-off’, arm’s-length client, and that weak client–firm exchange relationships should not be overlooked as a potential source of knowledge to the SME.
Serum ischaemia–modified albumin level is an irrelevant predictive factor for ischaemic duration in mesenteric ischaemia
Authors: Caliskan A , Yavuz C , Karahan O , Demirtas Sinan , Yazici S , Guclu O , Mavitas B
Published: September 2013

Background:

Acute mesenteric ischaemia is an emergency condition that requires urgent and expeditious diagnosis and immediate surgical or medical intervention. The initial hours are critical for the recovery of the affected bowel segment. Thus, its clinic diagnostic biomarkers are important when it comes to reducing mortality and morbidity rates.

Methods:

Twenty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were included in the study. The rats were divided into three equal groups. Those in Group I were sacrificed to determine the basal serum values of ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) after a simple laparotomy. The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was clamped in a simple laparotomy in Groups II and III; blood samples were taken at 120 minutes in Group II and 360 minutes in Group III. The serum IMA levels were identified from the blood samples and the results obtained were compared statistically.

Results:

The serum IMA levels were determined to be 22±6 (22) μ/L, 34±7 (34) μ/L and 36±4 (37) μ/L in Groups I, II and III, respectively. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that the serum IMA level is not an appropriate biomarker for acute mesenteric ischaemia. Additionally, the IMA level is not an appropriate biomarker for the detection of ischaemia duration. However, future studies should be conducted to clarify the efficacy of serum IMA levels under different ischaemic conditions.
Age-specific Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia-associated myocardial damage in children
Authors: Li Cheng-Mei , Gu Li , Yin Shao-Jun , Yang Rong , Xie Yuan , Guo Xiao-Zhi , Fu Yu-Xuan , Cheng Dan
Published: September 2013

Objective

To measure Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP)-associated myocardial damage in different age groups of children with pneumonia.

Methods

Children aged 0–14 years with pneumonia and myocardial damage (serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB [CK-MB] concentration >25 U/l) were enrolled in the study. The children were classified as Mycoplasma pneumoniae immunoglobulin M positive ( M. pneumoniae IgM+) or negative ( M. pneumoniae IgM−) based on a serological test. Children were stratified into four age groups in order to analyse age-specific MPP-associated myocardial damage.

Results

The incidence of fever was significantly higher in children who were M. pneumoniae IgM+ compared with M. pneumoniae IgM− children. The median serum CK-MB concentration was significantly higher in children who were M. pneumoniae IgM+ compared with those who were M. pneumoniae IgM−. Children who were M. pneumoniae IgM+ in the 13–36 months and 72 months–14 years age groups had significantly higher median serum CK-MB concentrations than those who were M. pneumoniae IgM− in the same age group.

Conclusions

M. pneumoniae infection was associated with greater myocardial damage in children aged 13–36 months and 72 months–14 years. This suggests age-specific immune responses to M. pneumoniae.
Characterization of Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis in 3 Cats
Authors: Chalkley M. D. , Armien A. G. , Gilliam D. H. , Johnson G. S. , Zeng R. , Wünschmann A. , Kovi R. C. , Katz M. L.
Published: September 2013

Three young domestic shorthair cats were presented for necropsy with similar histories of slowly progressive visual dysfunction and neurologic deficits. Macroscopic examination of each cat revealed cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, dilated lateral ventricles, and slight brown discoloration of the gray matter. Histologically, there was bilateral loss of neurons within the limbic, motor, somatosensory, visual, and, to a lesser extent, vestibular systems with extensive astrogliosis in the affected regions of all 3 cases. Many remaining neurons and glial cells throughout the entire central nervous system were distended by pale yellow to eosinophilic, autofluorescent cytoplasmic inclusions with ultrastructural appearances typical of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCLs). Differences in clinical presentation and neurological lesions suggest that the 3 cats may have had different variants of NCL. Molecular genetic characterization in the 1 cat from which DNA was available did not reveal any plausible disease-causing mutations of the CLN1 ( PPT1), CLN3, CLN5, CLN8, and CLN10 ( CTSD) genes. Further investigations will be required to identify the mutations responsible for NCLs in cats.
A Child With Benign Neonatal Jitteriness and Spasmus Nutans
Authors: Chillag Kipp L. , Chillag Erin M.
Published: September 2013

This patient, a 26-month-old girl, developed benign neonatal jitteriness soon after birth that subsequently resolved at 3 months of age. At 6 months of age, she developed spasmus nutans with left monocular nystagmus and head shaking in a “no-no” pattern. Physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, optic nerves, and orbits was normal. The spasmus nutans also gradually resolved by 18 months of age. To our knowledge, the co-occurrence of these 2 benign movement disorders in an individual has not previously been reported. The pathogenesis of benign neonatal jitteriness and spasmus nutans is unknown. Their co-occurrence may reflect a shared underlying mechanism.
Single sensor-based 3D feature point location for a small flying robot application using one camera
Authors: Shah Syed Irtiza Ali , Johnson Eric N , Wu Allen , Watanabe Yoko
Published: September 2013

Finding the location of feature points in 3D space from 2D vision data in structured environments has been done successfully for years and has been applied effectively on industrial robots. Miniature flying robots flying in unknown environments have stringent weight, space, and security constraints. For such vehicles, it has been attempted here to reduce the number of vision sensors to a single camera. At first, feature points are detected in the image using Harris corner detector, the measurements of which are then statistically corresponded across various images, using knowledge of vehicle’s pose from onboard inertial measurement unit. First approach attempted is that of ego-motion perpendicular to camera axis and acceptable results for 3D feature point locations have been achieved. Next, except for a small region around the focus of expansion, forward translations along the camera axis have also been attempted with acceptable results, which is an improvement to the previous relevant work. The 3D location map of feature points thus obtained is utilizable for trajectory planning while ensuring collision avoidance through 3D space. Reduction of vision sensors to a single camera while utilizing minimum ego-motion space for 3D feature point location is a significant contribution of this work.
Whose games? The costs of being “Olympic citizens” in Beijing
Authors: Shin Hyun Bang , Li Bingqin
Published: September 2013

Mega-events such as the Olympic Games tend to be accompanied by copious media coverage of the negative social impacts of these events, and people in the affected areas are often thought to share similar experiences. The research in this paper, which focused on the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, unpacks the heterogeneous groups in a particular sector of the housing market to gain a better understanding of how the Games affected different resident groups. The paper critically examines the experience of migrant tenants and Beijing citizens (landlords in particular) in “villages-in-the-city” (known as cheongzhongcun), drawing on their first-hand accounts of the citywide preparations for the Games and the pervasive demolition threats to their neighbourhoods. The paper argues that the Beijing Summer Olympiad produced an uneven, often exclusionary, Games experience for a certain segment of the urban population.
Propellants of a New FATA or Galvanizers of Stability? Reducing Autocatalytic Conflict Dynamics by Brokering Intergovernmental Cooperation between the Ferghana States
Authors: Meland Alexander Jacob
Published: September 2013

The potential for disruption of the post-2014 Afghanistan transformation process will likely, as it has done historically, largely be influenced by the interplay of regional1 actors’ political, socio-economic and security endeavours. In consideration of various geopolitical dynamics, including the rising prominence of Kazakhstan’s influence in the region, this article examines some of the tensions between the Ferghana States (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) that likely need to be addressed in order to help provide an enabling environ for Afghanistan to flourish unimpeded in the post-2014 era. This article illustrates that regional intergovernmental bodies could play a pivotal role in strategically co-managing the coordination of stabilizing efforts and the pursuit of collective shared interests amongst Central Asian2 actors. In particular, this commentary suggests that an intergovernmental approach could fill capacity gaps to help address political and socio-economic tensions between the Ferghana States, specifically, measures aimed at reducing social volatility in Central Asia’s centre of gravity, the Ferghana Valley, an area considered to have the potential of becoming a safe haven for spoilers of Afghanistan’s post-2014 transformation, further infusing autocatalytic conflict dynamics.
‘Just don’t hit on me and I’m fine’: Mapping high school wrestlers’ relationship to inclusive masculinity and heterosexual recuperation
Authors: Michael B
Published: September 2013

This article examines the gender and sexual understandings of high school wrestlers, mainly through the lens of inclusive masculinity theory. It does so by exploring the level of acceptance participants exhibited toward gay wrestlers, as well as by how they made sense of and negotiated the popular claim: ‘wrestling is gay.’ Through 10 months of ethnographic research and 15 qualitative interviews, this research shows that the high school wrestlers in my study were by and large gay friendly, accepting both their presumably gay teammate and other openly gay wrestlers, but not without their own qualifications. While they were inclusive in this regard, they also took offense to the characterization that ‘wrestling is gay.’ How the wrestlers responded to this specific claim expands the literature on heterosexual recuperation, namely by illustrating how groups maintain heterosexual boundaries without referencing homophobia or heterosexuality explicitly.
An integrated conceptual design study using span morphing technology
Authors: Ajaj Rafic M , Friswell Michael I , I Saavedra Flores Erick , Keane Andy , Isikveren Askin T , Allegri Giuliano , Adhikari Sondipon
Published: September 2013

A comprehensive conceptual design study is performed to assess the potential benefits of span morphing technology and to determine its feasibility when incorporated on medium altitude long endurance unmanned air vehicles. A representative medium altitude long endurance unmanned air vehicle based on the BAE Systems Herti unmanned air vehicle was selected. Stability and control benefits are investigated by operating the morphing span asymmetrically to replace conventional ailerons. The Tornado vortex lattice method was incorporated for aerodynamic predictions. The sensitivity of rolling moment generated by span morphing for different flight parameters (instantaneous vehicular weight and angle of attack) is studied. The variation of roll rate (steady and transient response) with span morphing (for constant rolling moment) for different rolling strategies (extension and retraction) is investigated. It turns out that the optimum rolling strategy is to extend one side of the wing by 22% while retract the other by 22%. Operational performance benefits are investigated by operating the morphing span symmetrically to reduce drag, increase endurance and reduce take-off and landing distances. Twenty-two per cent symmetric span morphing reduces the total drag by 13%, enhances the endurance capability by 6.5% and reduces the take-off field length and landing distance by 28% and 10%, respectively.
Differential Effect of Cognitive Training on Executive Functions and Reading Abilities in Children With ADHD and in Children With ADHD Comorbid With Reading Difficulties
Authors: Horowitz-Kraus Tzipi
Published: September 2013

The comorbidity of ADHD and reading difficulties (ADHD + RD) is believed to be a disability distinct from ADHD alone, with unique challenges faced by individuals suffering from one disability versus the other. We aimed to examine the differential effect of 8 weeks of cognitive training on reading abilities and on executive functions, through use of the Wisconsin task, in children with ADHD and in children with ADHD + RD. Greater impairments in reading and executive functions, especially in speed of processing, were found in the comorbid group at baseline. The comorbid group showed greater improvements in most measures after training as well. We propose that the cognitive training used in the present study affected not only the immediate abilities of executive functioning but also the secondary ability of reading, especially in the comorbid group, by improving in particular, speed of processing. We suggest that a differential approach should be taken when treating children with ADHD + RD versus treating ADHD children.
Relationship Duration Moderates Associations Between Attachment and Relationship Quality
Authors: Hadden Benjamin W. , Smith C. Veronica , Webster Gregory D.
Published: September 2013

Although research has examined associations between attachment dimensions and relationship outcomes, theory has ignored how these associations change over time in adult romantic relationships. We proposed the Temporal Adult Romantic Attachment (TARA) model, which predicts that the negative associations between anxious and avoidant attachment on one hand and relationship satisfaction and commitment on the other will be more negative as relationship durations increase. Meta-analyses largely confirmed that negative associations between both insecure attachment dimensions and both relationship outcomes were more negative among longer relationship durations in cross-sectional samples. We also explored gender differences in these associations. The present review not only integrates the literature on adult attachment and romantic relationship satisfaction/commitment but also highlights the importance of relationship duration as a key moderator of the associations among these variables. We discuss the broad implications of these effects and our meta-analytic findings for the TARA model, attachment theory, and romantic relationships.
Idiopathic generalised tremor syndrome in two cats
Authors: Mauler Daniela A , Van Soens Iris , Bhatti Sofie F , Cornelis Ine , Martlé Valentine A , Van Ham Luc M
Published: September 2013

Two male neutered domestic shorthair cats were evaluated for generalised tremors. On neurological examination both cats showed whole-body tremors, worsening with stress. A mainly cerebellar disorder was suspected. Blood examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and electrophysiological examination of both cats and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in one cat were normal. Idiopathic generalised tremor syndrome (IGTS) was suspected owing to the exclusion of underlying causes and the clinical similarities with the syndrome in dogs. Treatment as recommended for dogs was initiated and resulted in improvement. This report describes the first cases of IGTS in cats.
Objects, agency and context: Australian Aboriginal expressions of connection in relation to museum artefacts
Authors: Hafner Diane
Published: September 2013

This article discusses the interactions of a group of Australian Aboriginal people with museum-based artefacts and photographic images, and their re-connection to these materials inside and outside the museum setting. Themes of connection and agency relating to these materials were invoked in the process. The complex social biographies of some objects mean they are at times discussed as having agency, or interpreted as being culturally perceived as such. In the case detailed here, the affect expressed in responses to a variety of objects indicates different interpretations. The discussion therefore considers the logic of connection expressed in Aboriginal ontologies to argue against ideas of the agency of objects. It is instead suggested that the meaning invested in them is related more to their material qualities and the contexts in which they are perceived. This consideration is grounded in a discussion of a collaborative project between researchers and Aboriginal people in which these matters arose.
Clothing sociality: Materiality and the everyday among the Kuna of Panama
Authors: Margiotti Margherita
Published: September 2013

Kuna women’s making and using molakana, the female blouses that have long intrigued visitors and collectors, provide evidence for discussing how the life cycle of persons and things function as aspects of one another. Kept in the main world museums and collected by private individuals, molakana have become famous worldwide. Studies of molakana have mainly focused on their significance as an index of Kuna identity or as wealth repositories linked to forms of female handicrafts. This article looks at the everyday dimensions of mola as part of the Kuna female wardrobe, and examines the overlooked aspect of their life cycle in relation to the wider domain of Kuna sociality. The attention is on the experiential values of molakana and on the ways in which they materialize relations and the aesthetics of Kuna sociality. The ethos of social life unfolds by means of the specific material practices through which molakana and social relations are sewn together.
‘A post-transplant person’: Narratives of heart or lung transplantation and intensive care unit delirium
Authors: Flynn Katy , Daiches Anna , Malpus Zoey , Yonan Nizar , Sanchez Melissa
Published: September 2013

Exploring patients’ narratives can lead to new understandings about perceived illness states. Intensive Care Unit delirium is when people experience transitory hallucinations, delusions or paranoia in the Intensive Care Unit and little is known about how this experience affects individuals who have had a heart or lung transplant. A total of 11 participants were recruited from two heart and lung transplant services and were invited to tell their story of transplant and Intensive Care Unit delirium. A narrative analysis was conducted and the findings were presented as a shared story. This shared story begins with death becoming prominent before the transplant: ‘you live all the time with Mr Death on your shoulder’. Following the operation, death permeates all aspects of dream worlds, as dreams in intensive care ‘tunes into the subconscious of your fears’. The next part of the shared story offers hope of restitution; however, this does not last as reality creeps in: ‘I thought it was going to be like a miracle cure’. Finally, the restitution narrative is found to be insufficient and individuals differ in the extent to which they can achieve resolution. The societal discourse of a transplant being a ‘gift’, which gives life, leads to internalised responsibility for the ‘success’ or ‘failure’ of the transplant. Participants describe how their experiences impact their sense of self: ‘a post-transplant person’. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
‘There’s a lot of tasks that can be done by any’: Findings from an ethnographic study into work and organisation in UK community crisis resolution and home treatment services
Authors: Hannigan Ben
Published: September 2013

Across the United Kingdom, large numbers of crisis resolution and home treatment services have been established with the aim of providing intensive, short-term care to people who would otherwise be admitted to mental health hospital. Despite their widespread appearance, little is known about how crisis resolution and home treatment services are organised or how crisis work is done. This article arises from a larger ethnographic study (in which 34 interviews were conducted with practitioners, managers and service users) designed to generate data in these and related areas. Underpinned by systems thinking and sociological theories of the division of labour, the article examines the workplace contributions of mental health professionals and support staff. In a fast-moving environment, the work which was done, how and by whom, reflected wider professional jurisdictions and a recognisable patterning by organisational forces. System characteristics including variable shift-by-shift team composition and requirements to undertake assessments of new referrals while simultaneously providing home treatment shaped the work of some, but not all, professionals. Implications of these findings for larger systems of work are considered.
Surfing aircraft vortices for energy
Authors: Blake William B. , Bieniawski Stefan R. , Flanzer Tristan C.
Published: September 2013

Extraction of energy from the trailing wakes of aircraft is discussed. The objective is to reduce the fuel burn for trailing aircraft in a formation. Past formation flight experiments showing the feasibility of the concept are reviewed. Results from a series of C-17 mission simulations are shown that provide fuel savings estimates for various mission lengths. The effects of operational constraints such as holding times for landing and formation joining, fuel reserve requirement, and spacing between origin and destination bases are also shown.
Angular correction related to excision of specific cords in fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s disease
Authors: Trickett R. W. , Savage R. , Logan A. J.
Published: September 2013

Named cords were excised sequentially at fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s disease and the resultant correction in the joint angle was measured intra-operatively in 99 fingers. Eighty-two metacarpophalangeal and 59 proximal interphalangeal joints were affected. At the metacarpophalangeal joint, excision of the central cord resulted in 82% correction in 69 joints, and spiral/lateral cord excision resulted in an additional 12% correction in 10 joints. At the proximal interphalangeal joint, excision of the central cord resulted in 44% correction in 36 joints, spiral/lateral cord excision resulted in an additional 19% correction in 16 joints, and retrovascular cord excision resulted in a further 23% correction in 27 joints. Subsequent division of the accessory collateral ligament resulted in a further 14% correction in 14 joints. Larger pre-operative angles of the proximal interphalangeal joint were associated with a retrovascular cord, and larger combined angles were associated with an increasing number of pathological structures involved. The data explain the complexity of surgery at the proximal interphalangeal joint, where four structures are implicated in causing flexion deformity.
The Unexpected With Ankle Fracture: Traumatic Tibialis Posterior Tendon Dislocation
Authors: Al Khudairy A. , Zafar MM , Padinjarathala B.A.
Published: September 2013

Traumatic dislocation of tibialis posterior is infrequently reported in the literature. It is rare but potential cause of persistent pain that can be easily missed. Concomitant ankle fracture may obscure the clinical picture and if unsuspected, consequences such as iatrogenic injury to tibialis posterior tendon while fixing the medial malleolus may occur. We report our experience in the management of a tibialis posterior tendon dislocation associated with ankle fracture. A review of all English literature had been carried with a focus on treatment options.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV, Case report
Newspaper Accounts of Racial Profiling
Authors: Archbold Carol A. , Dahle Thorvald O. , Fangman Melinda , Wentz Ericka , Wood McKenzie
Published: September 2013

There is both speculation and debate surrounding the prevalence of racial profiling in the United States. Since most people do not directly experience this problem themselves, many rely on information provided to them by various media sources (including newspapers). This study investigates trends in the presentation of racial profiling by three major American newspapers. A content analysis of newspaper articles from 1986 to 2010 reveals the frequency and context of the reporting of racial profiling, the extent to which it is presented as a problem for all racial minority groups as opposed to a select few, and the identification of the “primary definers” of the problem of racial profiling.
Reference loci for RT-qPCR analysis of differentiating human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Vossaert Liesbeth , O’Leary Thomas , Van Neste Christophe , Heindryckx Björn , Vandesompele Jo , De Sutter Petra , Deforce Dieter
Published: September 2013

Background

Selecting stably expressed reference genes is essential for proper reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction gene expression analysis. However, this choice is not always straightforward. In the case of differentiating human embryonic stem (hES) cells, differentiation itself introduces changes whereby reference gene stability may be influenced.

Results

In this study, we evaluated the stability of various references during retinoic acid-induced (2 microM) differentiation of hES cells. Out of 12 candidate references, beta-2-microglobulin, ribosomal protein L13A and Alu repeats are found to be the most stable for this experimental set-up.

Conclusions

Our results show that some of the commonly used reference genes are actually not amongst the most stable loci during hES cell differentiation promoted by retinoic acid. Moreover, a novel normalization strategy based on expressed Alu repeats is validated for use in hES cell experiments.
Men having sex with men serosorting with casual partners: who, how much, and what risk factors in Switzerland, 2007-2009
Authors: Lociciro Stéphanie , Jeannin André , Dubois-Arber Françoise
Published: September 2013

Background

Serosorting is practiced by men who have sex with men (MSM) to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. This study evaluates the prevalence of serosorting with casual partners, and analyses the characteristics and estimated numbers of serosorters in Switzerland 2007-2009.

Methods

Data were extracted from cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2007 and 2009 among self-selected MSM recruited online, through gay newspapers, and through gay organizations. Nested models were fitted to ascertain the appropriateness of pooling the datasets. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed on pooled data to determine the association between serosorting and demographic, lifestyle-related, and health-related factors. Extrapolations were performed by applying proportions of various types of serosorters to Swiss population data collected in 2007.

Results

A significant and stable number of MSM (approximately 39% in 2007 and 2009) intentionally engage in serosorting with casual partners in Switzerland. Variables significantly associated with serosorting were: gay organization membership (aOR = 1.67), frequent internet use for sexual encounters (aOR = 1.71), having had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at any time in the past 12 months (aOR = 1.70), HIV-positive status (aOR = 0.52), regularly frequenting sex-on-premises venues (aOR = 0.42), and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with partners of different or unknown HIV status in the past 12 months (aOR = 0.22). Approximately one-fifth of serosorters declared HIV negativity without being tested in the past 12 months; 15.8% reported not knowing their own HIV status.

Conclusion

The particular risk profile of serosorters having UAI with casual partners (multiple partners, STI history, and inadequate testing frequency) requires specific preventive interventions tailored to HIV status.