bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of the Coronary Artery Calcium Score in Combination With Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Pletcher Mark J. , Sibley Christopher T. , Pignone Michael , Vittinghoff Eric , Greenland Philip
Published: July 2013

Background—

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score predicts coronary heart disease (CHD) events, but methods for interpreting the score in combination with conventional CHD risk factors have not been established.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed CAC scores and CHD risk factor measurements from 6757 black, Chinese, Hispanic, and white men and women aged 45 to 84 years in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). CAC was associated with age, sex, race/ethnicity, and all conventional CHD risk factors. Multivariable models using these factors predicted the presence of CAC (C statistic=0.789) and degree of elevation (16% of variation explained) and can be used to update a “pretest” CHD risk estimate, such as the 10-year Framingham Risk Score, that is based on an individual’s conventional risk factors. In scenarios in which a high CAC score is expected, a moderately elevated CAC score of 50 is reassuring (eg, reducing risk from 10% to 6% in a healthy older white man), but when a low/zero CAC score is expected, even with identical pretest CHD risk, the same CAC score of 50 may be alarmingly high (eg, increasing risk from 10% to 20% in a middle-aged black woman with multiple risk factors). Both the magnitude and direction of the shift in risk varied markedly with pretest CHD risk and with the pattern of risk factors.

Conclusions—

Knowledge of what CAC score to expect for an individual patient, based on their conventional risk factors, may help clinicians decide when to order a CAC test and how to interpret the results.
Seven new species and one new species record of Sabatieria (Nematoda: Comesomatidae) from the continental slope of New Zealand
Authors: LEDUC DANIEL
Published: July 2013

Sabatieria is the most abundant nematode genus on the upper continental slope of New Zealand but no Sabatieria species have yet been recorded/described from the region’s deep-sea habitats. The present study describes seven new and one known species of this genus from the continental margin of New Zealand. S. bitumen Botelho et al. 2007 was originally described from the South Atlantic Ocean, and is recorded from the first time in the Pacific Ocean. Sabatieria challengerensis sp. n. is characterised by a combination of short cephalic setae, large fovea amphidialis with 3 turns, short arcuate spicules without distal hook, and short tail with cylindrical proximal portion and blunt, rounded distal portion. Sabatieria parapraedatrix sp. n. is characterised by having a slender body, cuticle with striations resulting from fusion of every second lateral row of dots, fovea amphidialis with 2.0–2.5 turns, spicules with distal hook, and short conico-cylindrical tail. Sabatieria bubulba sp. n. is characterised by the presence of a large muscular pharyngeal bulb, secretory-excretory system with large ventral gland at level of intestine and with cuticularised pore opening. Sabatieria exculta sp. n. is characterised by having a slender body, cuticle with faint annulations resulting from fusion of every second or third lateral row of dots, short cephalic setae, a large ventral gland, and long, narrow gubernacular apophyses. Sabatieria balbutiens sp. n. is characterised by having a dorsally-directed mouth opening and assymetrical mouth cavity and spicules with small distal hook. Sabatieria pumila sp. n. is characterised by the combination of short body length, short cephalic setae, spicules with distal hook and short distal lamella, and 8–9 precloacal supplements. Sabatieria bathycopia sp. n. is characterised by having a stout body, short cephalic setae, curved gubernaculum, and spicules with swollen, lightly cuticularised distal tip.
Backscatter Differential Phase—Estimation and Variability
Authors: Trömel Silke , Kumjian Matthew R. , Ryzhkov Alexander V. , Simmer Clemens , Diederich Malte
Published: July 2013

On the basis of simulations and observations made with polarimetric radars operating at X, C, and S bands, the backscatter differential phase δ has been explored; δ has been identified as an important polarimetric variable that should not be ignored in precipitation estimations that are based on specific differential phase KDP, especially at shorter radar wavelengths. Moreover, δ bears important information about the dominant size of raindrops and wet snowflakes in the melting layer. New methods for estimating δ in rain and in the melting layer are suggested. The method for estimating δ in rain is based on a modified version of the “ZPHI” algorithm and provides reasonably robust estimates of δ and KDP in pure rain except in regions where the total measured differential phase ΦDP behaves erratically, such as areas affected by nonuniform beam filling or low signal-to-noise ratio. The method for estimating δ in the melting layer results in reliable estimates of δ in stratiform precipitation and requires azimuthal averaging of radial profiles of ΦDP at high antenna elevations. Comparisons with large disdrometer datasets collected in Oklahoma and Germany confirm a strong interdependence between δ and differential reflectivity ZDR. Because δ is immune to attenuation, partial beam blockage, and radar miscalibration, the strong correlation between ZDR and δ is of interest for quantitative precipitation estimation: δ and ZDR are differently affected by the particle size distribution (PSD) and thus may complement each other for PSD moment estimation. Furthermore, the magnitude of δ can be utilized as an important calibration parameter for improving microphysical models of the melting layer.
Microphysical Structure of the Marine Boundary Layer under Strong Wind and Sea Spray Formation as Seen from a 2D Explicit Microphysical Model. Part III: Parameterization of Height-Dependent Droplet Size Distribution
Authors: Shpund J. , Zhang J. A. , Pinsky M. , Khain A.
Published: July 2013

This paper completes a series of studies using a 2D hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian model to investigate the effect of sea spray on the thermodynamics and microphysics of the hurricane mixed layer. The evolution of the mixed layer was simulated by mimicking the motion of an air volume (in a Lagrangian sense) toward a tropical cyclone eyewall along a background airflow. During the radial motion, sea surface temperature, pressure, background wind speed, sea spray production rate, and turbulence intensity were altered according to the available observations. Analysis of the interaction between the hurricane mixed layer and the upper layers in terms of entrainment heat and moisture fluxes gives a new insight into the role of sea spray in the thermodynamics and microphysics of the mixed layer. The evaporation of sea spray leads to an increase in the relative humidity by 10%–15% and to a decrease in temperature by about 1–1.5 K, as compared to cases where sea spray is excluded. Sea spray leads to formation of drizzling clouds with the cloud base at the height of about 250 m. Taking the sea spray effect into account provides a good agreement between the thermodynamics of a simulated mixed layer and the observation data.

A parameterization of droplet mass and size distributions as functions of height and wind speed is proposed. The horizontally averaged size distributions are approximated by a sum of lognormal distributions. The moments of size distributions and other integral properties are parameterized as functions of 10-m wind speed by means of simple polynomial expressions.
An Examination of Meteorological and Soil Moisture Conditions in the Babocomari River Basin before the Flood Event of 2008
Authors: Zamora Robert J. , Clark Edward P. , Rogers Eric , Ek Michael B. , Lahmers Timothy M.
Published: July 2013

The NOAA Hydrometeorology Testbed (HMT) program has deployed a soil moisture observing network in the Babocomari River basin located in southeastern Arizona. The Babocomari River is a major tributary of the San Pedro River. At 0000 UTC 23 July 2008, the second-highest flow during the period of record was measured just upstream of the location where the Babocomari River joins the main channel of the San Pedro River.

Upper-air and surface meteorological observations and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) satellite images of integrated water vapor were used to establish the synoptic and mesoscale conditions that existed before the flood occurred. The analysis indicates that a weak Gulf of California surge initiated by Hurricane Fausto transported a warm moist tropical air mass into the lower troposphere over southern Arizona, setting the stage for the intense, deep convection that initiated the flooding on the Babocomari River. Observations of soil moisture and precipitation at five locations in the basin and streamflow measured at two river gauging stations enabled the documentation of the hydrometeorological conditions that existed before the flooding occurred. The observations suggest that soil moisture conditions as a function of depth, the location of semi-impermeable layers of sedimentary rock known as caliche, and the spatial distribution of convective precipitation in the basin confined the flooding to the lower part of the basin. Finally, the HMT soil moisture observations are compared with soil moisture products from the NOAA/NWS/NCEP Noah land surface model.
Partisan Politics and Privatization in OECD Countries
Authors: Obinger Herbert , Schmitt Carina , Zohlnhöfer Reimut
Published: July 2013

Many scholars have argued that partisan differences have disappeared since the 1980s because of the ever-increasing economic globalization and the deepening of European integration. Using a new primary data set on public ownership that contains detailed information on privatization in 20 countries between 1980 and 2007, we test these claims empirically in relation to state ownership. We pay special attention to the question of whether changes in the international political economy, notably globalization and different aspects of European integration, condition partisan politics. Our empirical findings suggest that political parties have continued to significantly shape national privatization trajectories in line with the classic partisan hypothesis. While partisan differences are somewhat reduced by the liberalizing and market-building efforts of the European Union, globalization does not condition partisan effects. Moreover, the run-up to the European Monetary Union even seems to have reinforced partisan differences.
How Big Powers Fight Small Wars
Authors: Chew Emrys
Published: July 2013

“Globalized” low-intensity conflicts renew debates about how leading world powers contend with evolving complexities in unconventional warfare. The “foreign entanglements” of America’s imperial present have been compared with the “savage wars of peace” from Britain’s colonial past.1 Beyond the template of Anglo-American civilization, however, military, economic, and cultural manifestations of power must be set in their systemic and structural context for more meaningful comparison. Britain’s variegated experience of unconventional warfare stemmed from its vast colonial milieu of “small wars” and “imperial policing.” America’s experience reflects transformational civil–military responses to both existential and ideological threats, reinforcing the evolution of a massive “way of war” over persistent frontier warfare. Integral to reading these small war traditions is the historical method, emphasizing particularity of causation while underscoring the value of flexible, hybrid approaches against overinstitutionalized “ways in warfare.”2 Operational success, delivered by blending military skills with political savvy and cultural sensitivity, not only secured populations but support and legitimacy, without which even global powers risked defeat.
When Visibility Matters
Authors: Girme Yuthika U. , Overall Nickola C. , Simpson Jeffry A.
Published: July 2013

Sixty-one couples engaged in two video-recorded discussions in which one partner (the support recipient) discussed a personal goal with the other partner (the support provider). The support provider’s visible and invisible support behaviors were coded by independent raters. Measures of perceived support, discussion success, and support recipients’ distress during the discussion were gathered. Recipients also reported their goal achievement at 3-month intervals over the following year. Greater visible emotional support was associated with greater perceived support and discussion success for highly distressed recipients, but it was costly for nondistressed recipients who reported lower discussion success. In contrast, greater invisible emotional support was not associated with perceived support or discussion success, but it predicted greater goal achievement across time. These results advance our current understanding of support processes by indicating that the costs and benefits of visible support hinge on recipients’ needs, whereas invisible support shapes recipients’ long-term goal achievement.
Availability of essential drugs for managing HIV-related pain and symptoms within 120 PEPFAR-funded health facilities in East Africa: A cross-sectional survey with onsite verification
Authors: Harding Richard , Simms Victoria , Penfold Suzanne , Downing Julia , Powell Richard A , Mwangi-Powell Faith , Namisango Eve , Moreland Scott , Gikaara Nancy , Atieno Mackuline , Kataike Jennifer , Nsubuga Clare , Munene Grace , Banga Geoffrey , Higginson Irene J
Published: July 2013

Background:

World Health Organization’s essential drugs list can control the highly prevalent HIV-related pain and symptoms. Availability of essential medicines directly influences clinicians’ ability to effectively manage distressing manifestations of HIV.

Aim:

To determine the availability of pain and symptom controlling drugs in East Africa within President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief–funded HIV health care facilities.

Design:

Directly observed quantitative health facilities’ pharmacy stock review. We measured availability, expiration and stock-outs of specified drugs required for routine HIV management, including the World Health Organization pain ladder.

Setting:

A stratified random sample in 120 President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief–funded HIV care facilities (referral and district hospitals, health posts/centres and home-based care providers) in Kenya and Uganda.

Results:

Non-opioid analgesics (73%) and co-trimoxazole (64%) were the most commonly available drugs and morphine (7%) the least. Drug availability was higher in hospitals and lower in health centres, health posts and home-based care facilities. Facilities generally did not use minimum stock levels, and stock-outs were frequently reported. The most common drugs had each been out of stock in the past 6 months in 47% of facilities stocking them. When a minimum stock level was defined, probability of a stock-out in the previous 6 months was 32.6%, compared to 45.5% when there was no defined minimum stock level ( χ2 = 5.07, p = 0.024).

Conclusion:

The data demonstrate poor essential drug availability, particularly analgesia, limited by facility type. The lack of strong opioids, isoniazid and paediatric formulations is concerning. Inadequate drug availability prevents implementation of simple clinical pain and symptom control protocols, causing unnecessary distress. Research is needed to identify supply chain mechanisms that lead to these problems.
Fish bone foreign bodies in the pharynx and upper esophagus: evaluation with 64-slice MDCT
Authors: Park Soyeon , Choi Dae Seob , Shin Hwa Seon , Cho Jae Min , Jeon Kyung Nyeo , Bae Kyung-Soo , Koh Eun Ha , Park Jung Je
Published: July 2013

Background

Fish bone (FB) is one of the common causes of foreign body impaction in the pharynx and esophagus.

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for the evaluation of pharynx and upper esophageal FB foreign bodies.

Material and Methods

Sixty-six patients with suspected FB foreign body ingestion were examined by plain radiography ( n = 40) and unenhanced MDCT ( n = 66). We analyzed the presence, location, size, shape, and lying position of the foreign bodies.

Results

On MDCT, 46 foreign bodies were detected. Among them, 45 were confirmed by endoscopy. The sensitivity of MDCT for the detection of foreign bodies was 100%, which was superior to that of the plain radiography (51.7%). The location of the foreign bodies was most common in the upper esophagus ( n = 22, 47.8%), followed by pharyngoesophageal junction ( n = 10, 21.7%), transjunctional ( n = 7, 15.2%), hypopharynx ( n = 5, 10.9%), and oropharynx ( n = 2, 4.3%). Their longest length was 5.3–40.1 mm (mean, 21.3 mm). Thirty-three FBs (71.7%) were linear and 13 (28.3%) were flat in shape. They showed transverse ( n = 23, 50.0%), parallel ( n = 13, 28.3%), and oblique positions ( n = 10, 21.7%) to the long axis of the pharynx and esophagus, respectively.

Conclusion

MDCT is useful for the evaluation of the pharynx and upper esophageal FB foreign bodies.
Trunk and Hip Biomechanics Influence Anterior Cruciate Loading Mechanisms in Physically Active Participants
Authors: Frank Barnett , Bell David R. , Norcross Marc F. , Blackburn J. Troy , Goerger Benjamin M. , Padua Darin A.
Published: July 2013

Background:

Excessive trunk motion and deficits in neuromuscular control (NMC) of the lumbopelvic hip complex are risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, the relationship between trunk motion, NMC of the lumbopelvic hip complex, and triplanar knee loads during a sidestep cutting task has not been examined.

Purpose:

To determine if there is an association between multiplanar trunk motion, NMC of the lumbopelvic hip complex, and triplanar knee loads with ACL injury during a sidestep cutting task.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

The hip and knee biomechanics and trunk motion of 30 participants (15 male, 15 female) were analyzed during a sidestep cutting task using an optoelectric camera system interfaced to a force plate. Trunk and lower extremity biomechanics were calculated from the kinematic and ground-reaction force data during the first 50% of the stance time during the cutting task. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were calculated between trunk and lower extremity biomechanics. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out to determine the amount of variance in triplanar knee loading explained by trunk motion and hip moments.

Results:

A greater internal knee varus moment (mean, 0.11 ± 0.12 N·m/kg*m) was associated with less transverse-plane trunk rotation away from the stance limb (mean, 20.25° ± 4.42°; r = −0.46, P = .011) and a greater internal hip adduction moment (mean, 0.33 ± 0.25 N·m/kg*m; r = 0.83, P < .05). A greater internal knee external rotation moment (mean, 0.11 ± 0.08 N·m/kg*m) was associated with a greater forward trunk flexion (mean, 7.62° ± 5.28°; r = 0.42, P = .020) and a greater hip internal rotation moment (mean, 0.15 ± 0.16 N·m/kg*m; r = 0.59, P = .001). Trunk rotation and hip adduction moment explained 81% ( P < .05) of the variance in knee varus moment. Trunk flexion and hip internal rotation moment explained 48% ( P < .05) of the variance in knee external rotation moment.

Conclusion:

Limited trunk rotation displacement toward the new direction of travel and hip adduction moment are associated with an increased internal knee varus moment, while a combined increase in trunk flexion displacement and hip internal rotation moment is associated with a higher internal knee external rotation moment.

Clinical Relevance:

Prevention interventions for ACL injury should encourage trunk rotation toward the new direction of travel and limit excessive trunk flexion while adjusting frontal- and transverse-plane hip NMC.
A performance study on composites made from bamboo fabric and poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Rawi Nurul Fazita Mohammad , Jayaraman Krishnan , Bhattacharyya Debes
Published: July 2013

The objective of this study is to investigate the performance of bamboo fabric–poly(lactic acid) composites manufactured by compression moulding. The effects of compression moulding parameters on the mechanical properties of the bamboo fabric–poly(lactic acid) composite sheets were evaluated. Optimum compression moulding parameters to achieve the “best” mechanical properties of the composites was determined using the Taguchi method of experimental design. A rheology test was also conducted to measure the viscosity of the poly(lactic acid) at different temperatures. The processing parameters were found to affect the consolidation and quality of the composites. It appeared that the impact strength of the bamboo fabric–poly(lactic acid) composites in warp direction was enhanced by 240% in comparison to pure poly(lactic acid), whereas the improvements of tensile and flexural properties were lower than expected. When compared with theoretical predictions, the measured values of warp and weft tensile modulus show good agreement than those predicted by rules of mixture. On the other hand, the experimental values of tensile strength were lower than theoretical values due to poor fibre matrix adhesion.
Women’s Parliamentary Representation in the Czech Republic
Authors: Stegmaier Mary , Tosun Jale , Vlachová Klára
Published: July 2013

The U-shaped trajectory of women’s parliamentary representation in Central and Eastern Europe over the post-communist era has generated interest among scholars and non-governmental organizations. One particularly interesting case of the recent increase in women’s parliamentary representation can be found in the Czech Republic. After the initial post-communist drop in representation, the proportion of female members of parliament (MPs) hovered around 15 percent for nearly 15 years. However, in the 2010 parliamentary election, something happened. After years of little change, the percentage of women MPs jumped from 15.5 percent to 22 percent. What caused this increase? Here, we conceive the 2010 elections as a “natural experiment” and discuss the primary factors that produced such an increase: the change in preference voting rules, activities of non-governmental organizations, and the political context surrounding the election. To test the effectiveness of these factors, we carry out a multi-method research design based on original data. We find that the reduction in the preference vote share threshold required to move up the ballot benefitted female candidates more than men in the 2010 election.
Dynamics, control and real-time issues related to substructuring techniques: application to the testing of isolated structure systems
Authors: Tu Jia-Ying , Yang Hao-Ting , Lin Pei-Yang , Chen Pei-Ching
Published: July 2013

This article presents the designs of output-based adaptive and numerical-substructure-based controllers for the testing of a base-isolated substructured system. The linear numerical-substructure-based controllers, which are developed using state-space and transfer-function methods and a higher-order actuator model, are introduced in order to address new substructured eigenvalue techniques in relation to testing stability and accuracy. An output-based framework for the synthesis of new adaptive substructuring controllers and for the associated stability proof is discussed, based upon an ad hoc reference model concept. Implementation studies favourably verify the proposed control and analysis strategies, showing that the adaptive controller effectively compensates for time-varying and unwanted parameters within the actuator systems, and using the substructured eigenvalue can explicitly predict the testing performance in advance. In addition, the results also indicate that a feedforward controller incorporating closed-loop control schemes could be disadvantageous if the numerical substructure contains the dynamic parameters, which possibly may yield slow substructured eigenvalues.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for advanced valvular disease in active SLE and APS
Authors: Bert JS , Abdullah M , Dahle TG , Gertner E
Published: July 2013

Valvular heart disease is a relatively common finding in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), sometimes necessitating valve surgery. Valve replacement may result in significant early and late morbidity and mortality. Surgical risks are even greater when co-morbid conditions including active SLE and renal involvement are present. This is the first report of the successful use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe critical aortic stenosis in a patient with active SLE, renal failure and APS. TAVR may represent an additional, safer, approach to cardiac valve replacement in appropriately selected patients particularly where surgical risk is high and active disease present.
The socialization of young cyclists and the culture of doping
Authors: Ohl Fabien , Fincoeur Bertrand , Lentillon-Kaestner Vanessa , Defrance Jacques , Brissonneau Christophe
Published: July 2013

The objective of this article is to understand how the specific interactions between actors involved in the production of performance influence the socialization process by which cyclists learn their job. In particular, we try to understand how these interactions determine the reported attitudes towards doping products and methods. We focused on the interactions within the work group to understand how young cyclists learn their job. While analysing this organization of work, our goal is to understand how it influences the perception of the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). We compared socialization of young elite and U23 cyclists in Belgium, France and Switzerland. We analysed the economic, legal and organizational conditions in each country, and we conducted 70 semi-structured interviews with cyclists and their staff.
Rejuvenate career counselling training in counsellor education
Authors: Chen Charles P
Published: July 2013

In addressing the significant role of career counselling as a key element for the entire counselling profession, this article points to the need of strengthening career counselling training in counsellor education. It argues that counsellor training programs and counsellor educators should draw more attention to the career counselling component in training. It also proposes some considerations of consolidating and refining the career counselling component in counsellor preparation, with a focus on helping counsellor trainees acquire theoretical knowledge and accumulate clinical competency in the career counselling domain.
Some Australian data on a career interest card sort for use in adult vocational assessments
Authors: Athanasou James
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this paper is to provide some Australian data on the use of the Career Interest Card Sort. Results from 196 adult clients who participated in a vocational evaluation are analysed. The assessment provided a hierarchy of career interest results that reflected demographic features such as gender and education. The vocational interest results were consistent with the pre-accident occupational background of clients. The findings provided support for a direct approach to vocational interest assessment that may find some application in practice.
Career management skills: Assessing for learning
Authors: Sultana Ronald G
Published: July 2013

This paper explores approaches to assessing career learning. A distinction is drawn between formative and summative assessment, in terms of their underpinning philosophy, the learning theories that inform them, and the relative emphasis they place on process and outcome. Both approaches are considered valid. It is however argued that formative assessment is particularly suitable for evaluating career management skills, and that the use of career learning portfolios opens up opportunities for insightful reflection on one’s career development, and for career conversations with mentors. The paper concludes by highlighting practical, ethical, and equity issues related to the use of portfolios.
Constructing a space for career reflection: ‘The gift of time to think’
Authors: Bassot Barbara , Reid Hazel
Published: July 2013

This paper reports on an in-depth qualitative pilot study with three participants which adapted Nancy Kline’s thinking session to develop a new approach for career counselling. The Career Thinking Session focuses on enabling clients to challenge their limiting assumptions. This paper outlines the approach and a brief review of the literature that underpins the work is then offered. The research methodology is then critiqued and the approach taken to data analysis is described, noting the questions that we continue to ask of the material. The case study of Helen is used to illustrate the possible strengths of the model and the challenges it poses. Some commonalities and themes that are suggested across the transcripts are then discussed. This paper concludes with thoughts about the usefulness of the model and its potential for further development.
Low-Budget Apps for Students of All Abilities
Authors: VanWeelden Kimberly , Heath Julia
Published: July 2013

With more than 850,000 apps currently on the market, there are multiple apps that can be used to help all students in music education, particularly those with special needs. This article lists low-budget apps useful for the elementary or secondary general music classroom.
An Examination of Music Student Teaching Seminars at Midwestern Universities
Authors: Baumgartner Christopher M.
Published: July 2013

This study was designed to (a) provide teacher educators and researchers with information about the structure and content of music student teaching seminars by gathering data on current practices and (b) examine whether the perceived needs of music student teachers were being met through the content and structure of the student teaching seminars. Music education professors ( N = 45) participated in a researcher-designed survey that included questions pertaining to the student teaching internship and accompanying seminar course. Results indicated that seminar instructors addressed student teacher responsibilities and preparation, classroom management, and employment more extensively than any other areas. Professional portfolios, résumé writing, and mock interviews represented the most common seminar activities. Findings suggest that with the exception of classroom management, the topics that instructors addressed most extensively in the music student teaching seminar did not align with the perceived needs of music student teachers, as reported in extant research.
Synchronization in a nonidentical fractional order of a proposed modified system
Authors: Golmankhaneh Alireza K , Arefi Rouhiyeh , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: July 2013

In this paper, the fractional order of a new chaotic system was studied and the minimum effective dimension for which the system remains chaotic was calculated. We have presented the chaos synchronization of two identical and nonidentical fractional orders of the new system by using active control. Furthermore, the Laplace transform and the Niemann–Trouvaille fractional integral operator were used for synchronizing two system.
Design of minimax-linear quadratic Gaussian controller using the frequency domain subspace identified model of flexible plate
Authors: Ahmadizadeh Saeed , Montazeri Allahyar , Poshtan Javad
Published: July 2013

This paper addresses identification and robust control of vibration of a flexible plate attached to the upper side of an enclosure. The frequency domain subspace methods and minimax-linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control are utilized to identify the model and to control the vibration of the flexible plate, respectively. In order to identify the model of the flexible plate, several frequency domain subspace identification algorithms with Instrumental Variable idea are used. Considering the fact that the flexible plate system is stable by nature, all identified unstable models are passed through a stabilized process using an iterative algorithm with different initial values. The first three modes of the plate are selected for control purposes, and the other modes are chosen as uncertainty term. To design the weighting function for the minimax-LQG controller, Chebychev and Yule–Walker filters are utilized to consider the effect of modeling uncertainty. These weights have a great effect on robust stability and performance of the control system. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the designed controllers for the reference model. Results confirm that some indexes that show the quality of the identified models can be used as suitable measures to predict performance of the designed controller.
Evaluation of fluorescence in situ hybridization for the detection of bacteria in feline inflammatory liver disease
Authors: Twedt David C , Cullen John , McCord Kelly , Janeczko Stephanie , Dudak Julie , Simpson Kenny
Published: July 2013

The etiopathogenesis of feline inflammatory liver disease (ILD) is unclear. Therefore, we sought to determine the presence and distribution of bacteria within the livers of cats with ILD using eubacterial fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Histopathology from 39 cats with ILD and 19 with histologically normal livers (C) were classified using World Small Animal Veterinary Association guidelines. Hepatic sections were examined by 16 and 23S ribosomal RNA FISH. Antibodies against cytokeratins and factor VIIIa were used to distinguish bile ducts and vascular structures. Histopathologic findings included non-specific reactive hepatitis (12), neutrophilic cholangitis (NC; 12), lymphocytic cholangitis (seven), cholestasis/obstruction (three), probable lymphoma (three) and acute hepatitis (two). Bacteria were observed in 21/39 ILD and 3/19 C ( P = 0.0054). In 8/39 ILD and 2/19 C bacteria were restricted to the outer liver capsule ( P = 0.29) and may represent contaminants. The prevalence of intrahepatic bacteria was higher ( P = 0.008) in ILD (13/31) than C (1/17). Bacteria in ILD were more frequently ( P <0.0001) localized to portal vessels, venous sinusoids and parenchyma (12/13) than bile duct (1/13). Bacterial colonization was highest in Escherichia coli-positive NC cats. Concurrent non-hepatic disease, predominantly pancreatic and intestinal (8/10 cats biopsied), was present in all 13 cats with intrahepatic bacteria. Bacterial culture was positive (predominantly E coli and Enterococcus species) in 11/23 (48%) samples, and concurred with FISH in 15/23 cases. The presence of intrahepatic bacteria in 13/31 (41%) cats with ILD suggests a role in etiopathogenesis. The distribution of bacteria within the liver supports the possibility of colonization via either enteric translocation or hematogenous seeding.
Ethnic and religious discrimination: The multifaceted role of religiosity and collective self-esteem
Authors: Hassan Ghayda , Rousseau Cécile , Moreau Nicolas
Published: July 2013

This study analyses the roles of collective self-esteem and religiosity in the relationship between discrimination and psychological distress among a sample of 432 recent immigrants from Haiti and Arab countries living in Montreal, Quebec. Collective self-esteem (CSE), religiosity, discriminatory experiences, and psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed. Regression analyses revealed direct negative effects of discrimination, CSE, and religiosity on psychological distress for the entire sample. CSE, however, also appeared to moderate the effects of discrimination on psychological distress. Participants with higher CSE reported lower levels of anxiety and depression as a result of discrimination compared to those who expressed lower CSE levels. The results suggest that the relationship between CSE, discrimination, and psychological distress must be reexamined in light of recent sociopolitical changes and the upsurge in ethnic and religious tensions following the war on terror.
Early Life Loss and Trauma
Authors: McCormack Lynne , Lewis Vivienne , Wells Jonathan R.
Published: July 2013

The onset of an eating disorder in middle-age men is poorly researched as are eating disorders in men generally. Therefore, life events that influence eating disorders in men, including delayed onset of an eating disorder remains unknown. Given the limited understanding of males with eating disorders and limited access to large samples of men with eating disorders, an in-depth analysis of a single case of a male in middle age with an eating disorder was chosen to gain insight and understanding into this phenomenon. A Life History approach explored the case of Joseph (pseudonym), who was diagnosed at age 44 years with an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Data were collected through (a) life course open-ended questioning through interviews, (b) written statements, and (c) comments on transcripts. Three themes emerged, loss and unworthiness, becoming bigger, and wanting to change reflecting eating behaviors associated with attachment disruption, loss and trauma, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect. Later in life, an emotional “tipping point” precipitated an eating disorder. Results indicate traumatic loss leading to early attachment disruption as influential in Joseph’s delayed onset of an eating disorder. The value of thorough narrative life histories during therapy when eating disorders occur late in life is discussed as well as the significance for men.
Green Coffee for Pharmacological Weight Loss
Authors: Buchanan Rachel , Beckett Robert D.
Published: July 2013

This review article evaluates if clinical data support the use of green coffee for weight loss. A literature search was conducted that yielded 5 clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis. Studies were evaluated for quality in accordance to clinical practice and US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The amount of weight loss ranged from approximately 1 to 8 kg, with the meta-analysis finding a statistically significant difference in body weight, with a mean difference of −2.47 kg between green coffee and placebo (95% confidence interval = −4.23 to −0.72). The duration of trials varied between 4 and 12 weeks, and the dose of chlorogenic acid varied from 81 to 400 mg. Few published studies were in compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Despite the potentially clinically significant weight loss achieved in some published studies, all held significant limitations. Green coffee extract is not recommended as a safe or effective treatment for weight loss.
Deflocculant consumption of clay suspensions as a function of specific surface area and cation exchange capacity
Authors: Delavi D. G. G. , De Noni A. , Hotza D.
Published: July 2013

Ceramic tile production by the wet route requires clay suspensions with a high solid content and low viscosity. In this work the deflocculation of clays in aqueous suspensions was investigated by varying the type of clay and additive. Three kaolinitic and two illitic clays were characterized and dispersed with deflocculants based on lithium, sodium and potassium silicates and polyacrylates. The clays were characterized by chemical and mineralogical analyses, particle size distribution, zeta potential, organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and specific surface area (BET). Deflocculation curves were determined by measuring the viscosity for 50 wt.% clay slips. The results indicate that additive consumption is closely related to CEC and BET, which correspond respectively to the chemical and physical characteristics of the clay mineral's surface. Moreover, viscosity values at the deflocculation point are closely related to BET.
Incorporation of Al in iron oxyhydroxides: implications for the structure of ferrihydrite
Authors: Manceau A. , Gates W.P.
Published: July 2013

The incomplete miscibility of Al into the ferrihydrite structure has been a recurring issue in understanding the environmental geochemistry of this important oxyhydroxide. During co-precipitation from acidic aqueous solution, ferrihydrite has been observed to accept only up to ∼25 at.% Al without the formation of multi-phasic Al and Fe oxyhydroxides. Using basic chemistry and crystal-chemical relationships we propose here that the saturation limit of Al substitution in the structure of Fe oxyhydroxides is controlled by Al – Al avoidance in a manner that conforms to Pauling's distortion rule. Employing this hypothesis, we show that the predicted miscibility limit for Al incorporation is 25 at.% in ferrihydrite and 33 at.% in goethite, in agreement with previous observations. These results indicate that the classical f-phase model for ferrihydrite best represents observations. Incorrect assignment of Fe site occupancy and other shortcomings of the akdalaite/tohdite model for ferrihydrite are also discussed.
Specific gene delivery to liver sinusoidal and artery endothelial cells
Authors: Abel Tobias , El Filali Ebtisam , Waern Johan , Schneider Irene C. , Yuan Qinggong , Münch Robert C. , Hick Meike , Warnecke Gregor , Madrahimov Nodir , Kontermann Roland E. , Schüttrumpf Jörg , Müller Ulrike C. , Seppen Jurgen , Ott Michael , Buchholz Christian J.
Published: July 2013

Key Points

CD105-mediated cell entry using targeted lentiviral vectors leads to specific gene transfer of LSEC upon systemic administration.
COP1 targets C/EBPα for degradation and induces acute myeloid leukemia via Trib1
Authors: Yoshida Akihiro , Kato Jun-ya , Nakamae Ikuko , Yoneda-Kato Noriko
Published: July 2013

Key Points

Ectopic COP1 decreases C/EBPα and blocks granulocyte differentiation in 32D cells. Trib1 binds to COP1 to enhance its ubiquitin ligase activity for C/EBPα. COP1 accelerates development of AML induced by Trib1.
Integrated OMICS guided engineering of biofuel butanol-tolerance in photosynthetic Synechocystissp. PCC 6803
Authors: Zhu Hongji , Ren Xiaoyue , Wang Jiangxin , Song Zhongdi , Shi Mengliang , Qiao Jianjun , Tian Xiaoxu , Liu Jie , Chen Lei , Zhang Weiwen
Published: July 2013

Background

Photosynthetic cyanobacteria have been recently proposed as a ‘microbial factory’ to produce butanol due to their capability to utilize solar energy and CO2 as the sole energy and carbon sources, respectively. However, to improve the productivity, one key issue needed to be addressed is the low tolerance of the photosynthetic hosts to butanol.

Results

In this study, we first applied a quantitative transcriptomics approach with a next-generation RNA sequencing technology to identify gene targets relevant to butanol tolerance in a model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The results showed that 278 genes were induced by the butanol exposure at all three sampling points through the growth time course. Genes encoding heat-shock proteins, oxidative stress related proteins, transporters and proteins involved in common stress responses, were induced by butanol exposure. We then applied GC-MS based metabolomics analysis to determine the metabolic changes associated with the butanol exposure. The results showed that 46 out of 73 chemically classified metabolites were differentially regulated by butanol treatment. Notably, 3-phosphoglycerate, glycine, serine and urea related to general stress responses were elevated in butanol-treated cells. To validate the potential targets, we constructed gene knockout mutants for three selected gene targets. The comparative phenotypic analysis confirmed that these genes were involved in the butanol tolerance.

Conclusion

The integrated OMICS analysis provided a comprehensive view of the complicated molecular mechanisms employed by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 against butanol stress, and allowed identification of a series of potential gene candidates for tolerance engineering in cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
The effect of shoe toe box shape and volume on forefoot interdigital and plantar pressures in healthy females
Authors: Branthwaite Helen , Chockalingam Nachiappan , Greenhalgh Andrew
Published: July 2013

Background

Ill‐fitting footwear can be detrimental to foot health with the forefoot being an area for most discomfort. Studies on footwear have primarily examined sports or orthopaedic prescription shoes and little is known about the effects that everyday flat shoes have on the forefoot. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of toe box shape in a popular slip‐on pump on dorsal and plantar pressures with particular interest around the forefoot in a healthy female population.

Method

A convenience sample of 27 female participants with no known foot pathologies was recruited. After assessment of foot size, plantar foot pressure and interdigital pressures were recorded for each of the 3 different toe box styles; round, square and pointed. Participants walked at a self‐selected speed over a 10 m walkway whilst wearing each of the 3 styles of shoe and also whilst barefoot. Processed and analysed data extracted included peak pressure, time to peak pressure, contact time and pressure time integral. ANOVA and Freidman analysis was used to test for statistical significance.

Results

Shoes with a round toe showed least pressure around the medial aspect of the toes whilst the pointed shoe had least pressure on the lateral toes. Contact times for the plantar regions were not altered in any shoe condition yet contact around the medial aspect of the toes was highest in the pointed shoe.

Conclusion

This study highlights that the shape of the toe box in footwear can significantly influence the amount of pressure applied to the forefoot. Furthermore, the contours of the shoe also have an impact on the contact time and pressure time integral around the forefoot and also the peak plantar pressure in the toe region. The changes observed could be significant in the development of pathology in certain footwear toe box shapes. Consideration should be given to footwear design around the toe box to improve fit and reduce pressure. Further work is required to investigate the effect of toe box shape and volume on a pathological population with pressure related lesions.
Biological activity and microscopic characterization of Lythrum salicaria L
Authors: Manayi Azadeh , Khanavi Mahnaz , Saiednia Soodabeh , Azizi Ebrahim , Reza Mahmoodpour Mohammad , Vafi Fatemeh , Malmir Maryam , Siavashi Farideh , Hadjiakhoondi Abbas
Published: July 2013

Background

There are several plants have been used worldwide in the folk medicine with high incidence for treatment of human disorders, of whichLythrum salicariabelongs to the Lythraceae family has traditionally reputation for some medicinal usage and recently many biological and pharmacological activity of the plant have been studied.

Methods

In this study, microscopic characterizations of the aerial parts of the plant were determined. Moreover, the plant extract (aqueous methanol 80%) was subjected to an anti-diabetic activity test (in a rat model of streptozocin induced diabetes), anti-Helicobacter pylori(using disc diffusion method) along with antioxidant activity against DPPH (stable free radical) tests. Besides, total flavonoids, phenols, tannins, as well as polysaccharides contents have been assessed using spectroscopic methods.

Results

The microscopic properties of the plant fragments revealed anomocytic stomata, conical shape trichomes, and abundant spherical pollen grains as a characteristic pattern for the aerial parts of the plant. The extract of the plant at concentration of 15 g/kg showed mild lowering activity on blood glucose level to 12.6% and 7.3% after 2 and 3 h of administration. Additionally, clinically isolatedH. pyloristrain was inhibited with the plant extract at concentration of 500 mg/mL (zone of inhibition: 17 ± 0.08 mm). Moreover, IC50values for DPPH inhibition of the plant extract, vitamin E, BHA were examined as 13.5, 14.2, and 7.8 μg/mL, respectively. Total flavonoids, phenols, tannin, and polysaccharides contents of the extract were successfully evaluated as 5.8 ± 0.4 μg QE/mg EXT, 331 ± 3.7 μg GAE/mg EXT, 340 ± 2.3 μg TAE/mg EXT, 21 ± 0.2 μg GE/mg EXT, respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggested thatL. salicariahas low anti-diabetic and anti-Helicobacter pylorieffects, but high antioxidant activity, just the same as positive standard (vitamin E), which might be attributed to the high content of phenolic compounds in the extract.