bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triterpenes and the Antimycobacterial Activity ofDuroia macrophyllaHuber (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Martins Daiane , Carrion Lillian Lucas , Ramos Daniela Fernandes , Salomé Kahlil Schwanka , da Silva Pedro Eduardo Almeida , Barison Andersson , Nunez Cecilia Veronica
Published: February 2013

Duroia macrophyllapopularly known as “cabeça-de-urubú,” “apuruí,” or “puruí-grande-da-mata” occurs in the Amazon Forest. Its leaves and branches were collected twice and extracted with dichloromethane and methanol. All extracts were subjected to phytochemical investigation and terpenes and flavonoids were found in all dichloromethane and methanol extracts, respectively. Methanol extracts from both branches (1st collection) and leaves (2nd collection) presented hydrolyzed tannins, yet alkaloids were only detected in the dichloromethane and methanol extracts from branches at the 2nd collection. Phenol compounds were found in both dichloromethane extracts’ collections. The action of every extract was assayed againstMycobacterium tuberculosis(RMPr, H37Rv, and INHr strains), showing that the dichloromethane extract from leaves (1st collection) has the major biological activity, with a MIC of 6.25 μg/mL for the INHr strain, 25.0 μg/mL for the RMPr strain, and ≤6.25 μg/mL for the H37Rv strain. The chromatographic fractioning of the dichloromethane extract from leaves (1st collection) yielded the isolation of two triterpenes: oleanolic and ursolic acids, which were identified by NMR analysis and reported for the first time in theDuroiagenus.
Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Challenges in Acute Porphyrias
Authors: Trier Henry , Krishnasamy Vikram P. , Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza
Published: February 2013

The porphyrias are a group of disorders characterized by an enzyme deficiency in the heme biosynthetic pathway. These can be classified into either erythropoietic or hepatic forms depending on the site of the major enzyme deficiency. The diagnosis of acute porphyrias, however, can be very challenging due to overlapping features amongst the various types. Initial suspicion is based on a myriad of clinical manifestations, which then are confirmed by laboratory testing where available. Genetic testing is now also available for the different types of porphyrias, aiding in the definitive diagnosis. Here, we present a challenging case of porphyria in a patient with end-stage renal disease and present the diagnostic challenges associated with the case and the ways forward.
Treatment of Congenital Absence of the Mammary Gland
Authors: Yazawa Masaki , Watanabe Mika , So Masahiro , Kishi Kazuo
Published: February 2013

Breast reconstruction for breast deformity is significant not only for esthetic purposes but also from a psychological perspective. There have been a few reports on treatment of congenital simple absence of the mammary gland. For patients in puberty, even if they are in the middle of the growth phase, breast reconstruction is very important for the mental quality of life. In our two cases of congenital absence of unilateral mammary gland, breast reconstruction with a tissue expander worked well in terms of esthetic results and the psychological condition of the young patients. In our institute, operative indications are as follows: (1) a girl over 15 years old (this age is selected as breast growth can be determined at this time), (2) no endocrine-related disorders, (3) preoperative examination of breast MRI or US showing the absence or significant hypoplasia of mammary gland, and (4) a wish for breast reconstruction by the patient herself. For patients in the middle of the growth phase, silicone breast implant does not require a donor site and is easily adjustable in terms of volume to match the growth of the breast on the unaffected side by exchanging the silicone breast implant. Therefore, silicone breast implant is a better procedure than skin flaps with their accompanying large donor sites.
Maxillary and Mandibular First Premolars Showing Three-Cusp Pattern: An Unusual Presentation
Authors: Nayak Ramakant , Kotrashetti Vijayalakshmi , Nayak Aarati , Patil Viraj , Kulkarni Mayuri , Somannavar Pradeep , Hosmani Jagadish
Published: February 2013

Dental anatomy is the study of morphology of various teeth in human dentitions. The application of dental anatomy in clinical practice is important, and dentist should have a thorough knowledge regarding the morphology of the teeth. At times as a result of genetic variation, environmental factors, diet of an individual and race, variations in the morphology of the teeth can be observed. These variations have been extensively studied by the researcher in the field of anthropology to define a particular race. The most commonly observed changes include peg-shaped laterals, shovel-shaped incisors, and extra cusp on molar. Common variations documented with regard to maxillary and mandibular first premolars are the variation in the number of roots. But the variations with respect to crown morphology are few. We report a first documented unusual presentation of maxillary and mandibular first premolars with three-cusps pattern in a female patient.
Biogenesis and Biological Activity of Secondary siRNAs in Plants
Authors: Vazquez Franck , Hohn Thomas
Published: February 2013

Two important hallmarks of RNA silencing in plants are (1) its ability to self-amplify by using a mechanism called transitivity and (2) its ability to spread locally and systemically through the entire plant. Crucial advances have been made in recent years in understanding the molecular mechanisms of these phenomena. We review here these recent findings, and we highlight the recently identified endogenous small RNAs that use these advantageous properties to act either as patterning signals in important developmental programs or as a part of regulatory cascades.
A Novel del(20q) in Aggressive Nodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma
Authors: Kern Jason B. , Duff Deiter J. , Odem Jamie L. , Esebua Magda , Smith Lisa R. , Doll Donald , Wang Michael
Published: February 2013

This is a case report of a previously undescribed 20q chromosomal deletion (del(20q)) in marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). A 54-year-old Caucasian male presented with an enlarging neck mass and multiple violaceous skin nodules over his chest. Biopsy of the neck mass and cervical lymph nodes revealed MZL. Cytogenetic evaluation of both lymph node and bone marrow tissue revealed del(20q). This was an unexpected finding, as del(20q) is associated with myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms and rarely seen in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and T-cell lymphoma, but has not previously been described in MZL. We describe the case presentation and histologic findings and discuss the significance of this novel finding.
Paratesticular Pleomorphic Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Boulma Rami , Gargouri Mohamed Mourad , Sallemi Ahmed , Chlif Mohamed , Fitouri Zouhaier , Kallel Yosri , Nouira Yassine
Published: February 2013

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare tumor with an aggressive behavior, described mainly in adulthood. Herein we present two cases of paratesticular pleomorphic RMS in 71- and 16-year-old patients with metastases at initial diagnosis. Histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings were essential to confirm diagnosis. Few months after radical orchiectomy, both patients died before or just after starting adjuvant chemotherapy.
Cyclic Voltammetric Investigations of Thiazine Dyes on Modified Electrodes
Authors: Chakraborty Amitabha , Ahamed Shamsuzzaman , Pal Subrata , Saha Swapan K.
Published: February 2013

Electrochemical behavior of five progressively alkylated thiazine dyes has been investigated at glassy carbon/montmorillonite and glassy carbon/zeolite electrodes. Quantitative characteristics, associated with the positions of peak potentials (Ea and Ec) and current ratios (ia/ic), are measured with scan rates. The peak current observed in the modified electrodes is dependent on both the porosity and nature and number of sites involved in partitioning the complex into film. The values of diffusion coefficient for different dyes have been calculated from electrochemical data. It is suggested that in clay-modified electrode along with physical diffusion the process of electron hopping seems to be most likely.
Oscillatory Criteria for Higher Order Functional Differential Equations with Damping
Authors: Wang Peiguang , Cai Hai
Published: February 2013

We investigate a class of higher order functional differential equations with damping. By using a generalized Riccati transformation and integral averaging technique, some oscillation criteria for the differential equations are established.
LOH in the HLA Class I Region at 6p21 Is Associated with Shorter Survival in Newly Diagnosed Adult Glioblastoma
Authors: Yeung Jacky T. , Hamilton Ronald L. , Ohnishi Koji , Ikeura Maki , Potter Douglas M. , Nikiforova Marina N. , Ferrone Soldano , Jakacki Regina I. , Pollack Ian F. , Okada Hideho
Published: February 2013

Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) shows downregulated expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, thereby escaping from cytotoxic T cells and limiting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of HLA class I (6p21) and/or β-2 microglobulin (B2m) (15q21) regions represents irreversible downregulation. In this study, we examined the prevalence of these LOH events and their relations with overall survival in GBM.

Experimental Design: In a cross-sectional analysis on 60 adult patients with GBM, DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were evaluated for 10 microsatellite regions of HLA class I, B2m, HLA class II, HLA class III, and 6q by PCR as well as immunohistochemical evaluation of HLA class I expression and CD8+ T-cell infiltration.

Results: LOH in HLA class I, B2m, HLA class II, HLA class III, and 6q regions was present in 41.4%, 18.2%, 9.4%, 77.8%, and 36.0% of informative cases, respectively. LOH of HLA class I was associated with shorter overall survival (HR = 4.89, P = 0.0078). HLA class I was downregulated in 22% to 43% of cases based on immunohistochemistry. Cases that displayed negative staining were significantly younger. HLA class I expression correlated with intratumoral CD8+ T-cell infiltration.

Conclusion: LOH in the HLA class I region is frequent in adult GBMs. The association of shorter survival with LOH in this region suggests a crucial role for these genes in immunosurveillance. Clin Cancer Res; 19(7); 1816–26. ©2013 AACR.
The German Translation and Validation of the Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language and Communication: A Factor Analytic Study
Authors: Nagels Arne , Stratmann Mirjam , Ghazi Sayed , Schales Christian , Frauenheim Michael , Turner Lena , Fährmann Paul , Hornig Tobias , Katzev Michael , Müller-Isberner Rüdiger , Krug Axel , Kircher Tilo
Published: February 2013

The Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language and Communication (TLC) represents an instrument for the assessment of formal thought disorder (FTD). The factorial dimensionality of the TLC has yielded ambiguous results for a distinction between positive (e.g. circumstantiality) and negative (e.g. poverty of speech) FTD. The purpose of the current study was to first translate and validate the TLC scale in German. Second, the internal structure was explored in order to identify different FTD dimensions. Two hundred and ten participants (146 patients with ICD-10 diagnoses: depression n = 63, schizophrenia n = 63, mania n = 20; 64 healthy subjects) were interviewed and FTD was rated with the TLC. The principal component analysis of the German TLC version revealed a 3-factor solution, reflecting a disorganized factor, an emptiness factor and a linguistic control factor. The current investigation yielded similar results to those originally reported for the TLC. Thus, a distinction between a positive disorganized, a negative and a semantic word level factor can be supported for the German translation.
Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Swiss Guidelines
Authors: Russi E.W. , Karrer W. , Brutsche M. , Eich C. , Fitting J.W. , Frey M. , Geiser T. , Kuhn M. , Nicod L. , Quadri F. , Rochat T. , Steurer-Stey C. , Stolz D.
Published: February 2013

The new Swiss Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Guidelines are based on a previous version, which was published 10 years ago. The Swiss Respiratory Society felt the need to update the previous document due to new knowledge and novel therapeutic developments about this prevalent and important disease. The recommendations and statements are based on the available literature, on other national guidelines and, in particular, on the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) report. Our aim is to advise pulmonary physicians, general practitioners and other health care workers on the early detection and diagnosis, prevention, best symptomatic control, and avoidance of COPD as well as its complications and deterioration.
Acetate-Free Biofiltration Reduces Intradialytic Hypotension: A European Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tessitore Nicola , Santoro Antonio , Panzetta Giovanni Oliviero , Wizemann Volker , Perez-Garcia Rafael , Martinez Ara Jorge , Perrone Bruno , Mantovani William , Poli Albino
Published: February 2013

Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IH) is a common complication of bicarbonate hemodialysis (BD) and contributes to the intolerance of dialysis and the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among dialysis patients, the risk of which can be contained by convective therapies. Aims/Methods: To assess whether acetate-free biofiltration (AFB), a hemodiafiltration technique found to improve intradialytic cardiovascular stability in short-term studies, can influence long-term IH rates, predialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by comparison with BD, we analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial enrolling 371 new-to-dialysis patients, 194 on BD and 177 on AFB. Results: During a 3-year follow-up, AFB carried a significantly lower risk of IH (incidence rate ratio 0.60 (95% CI 0.53–0.68), p < 0.0001). SBP dropped on AFB (p = 0.01), while it did not change on BD. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were similar between AFB and BD. Conclusion: AFB carries a lower long-term IH rate and reduces SBP by comparison with BD.
Right-Sided Hydronephrosis Secondary to Swallowing a Headscarf Pin
Authors: Alkan Erdal , Ozkanli Oguz , Balbay Derya
Published: February 2013

A majority of foreign objects ingested pass through the gastrointestinal tract without any complications. Sometimes, complications such as perforation and adhesions of the neighboring organs occur and surgical treatment becomes necessary. We report the case of a 22-year-old female who was admitted with right flank pain. Past medical history revealed that the patient had accidentally swallowed a headscarf pin 11 months earlier. A computed tomography scan confirmed the swallowed foreign body posterior to and around the ileocecal region. The headscarf pin, causing stenosis and proximal ureteral dilatation, was removed surgically. To the authors' knowledge there has been no previous report of such ureteral obstruction published in the English literature.
Systematic Review of Publications on Economic Evaluations of Caries Prevention Programs
Authors: Mariño R.J. , Khan A.R. , Morgan M.
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of economic evaluations (EEs) of dental caries prevention programs to objectively retrieve, synthesize and describe available information on the field. Several strategies were combined to search for literature published between January 1975 and April 2012. MEDLINE, EconoLit and ISI formed the basis of the literature search. The study selection was done using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bibliographic listings of all retrieved articles were hand-searched. The search identified 206 references. An evaluative framework was developed based on the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination’s ‘Guidance for undertaking reviews in health care’ (York University, 2009). Background information included publication vehicle, year of publication, geographic focus, type of preventive program and type of economic analysis. 63 studies were included in the review. The most common preventive strategies evaluated were dental sealants (n = 13), water fluoridation (n = 12) and mixed interventions (n = 12). By type of EE undertaken, 30 were cost-effectiveness analyses, 22 were cost-benefit analyses, and 5 presented both cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses. Few studies were cost-utility analyses (n = 5) or cost minimization analyses (n = 2). By year of publication, most were published after 2003. The review revealed that, although the number of publications reporting EEs has increased significantly in recent years, the quality of the reporting needs to be improved. The main methodological problems identified in the review were the limited information provided on adjustments for discounting in addition to inadequate sensitivity analyses. Attention also needs to be given to the analysis and interpretation of the results of the EEs.
Macrophage Gene Expression and Foam Cell Formation Are Regulated by Plasminogen
Authors: Das Riku , Ganapathy Swetha , Mahabeleshwar Ganapati H. , Drumm Carla , Febbraio Maria , Jain Mukesh K. , Plow Edward F.
Published: February 2013

Background—

Deciphering the molecular and cellular processes that govern macrophage foam cell formation is critical to understanding the basic mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and other vascular pathologies.

Methods and Results—

Here, we identify a pivotal role of plasminogen (Plg) in regulating foam cell formation. Deficiency of Plg inhibited macrophage cholesterol accumulation on exposure to hyperlipidemic conditions in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Gene expression analysis identified CD36 as a regulated target of Plg, and macrophages from Plg
−/−
mice had decreased CD36 expression and diminished foam cell formation. The Plg-dependent CD36 expression and foam cell formation depended on conversion of Plg to plasmin, binding to the macrophage surface, and the consequent intracellular signaling that leads to production of leukotriene B
4
. Leukotriene B
4
rescued the suppression of CD36 expression and foam cell formation arising from Plg deficiency.

Conclusions—

Our findings demonstrate an unanticipated role of Plg in the regulation of gene expression and cholesterol metabolism by macrophages and identify Plg-mediated regulation of leukotriene B4 as an underlying mechanism.
Current Optimal Assessment and Management of Carotid and Vertebral Spontaneous and Traumatic Dissection
Authors: Mohan Irwin V.
Published: February 2013

Dissection of the internal carotid or vertebral artery has been recognized as a cause of stroke in young patients. It is disproportionate in its representation as a cause of stroke in this age group. Intimal tears, intramural hematomas, and dissection aneurysms may be the result of trauma or may occur spontaneously. Spontaneous dissection may be the result of inherent arterial weakness or in association with other predisposing factors. Clinical diagnosis is often difficult, but increased awareness and a range of modern investigations such as computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may aid in diagnosis. Management options include antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and surgical or endovascular procedures. Prognosis is variable, and dissection may be asymptomatic but may lead to profound neurological deficit and death.
“A Friend With Weed Is a Friend Indeed”
Authors: Belackova Vendula , Vaccaro Christian Alexander
Published: February 2013

The importance of friendship networks and drug sharing is a well-documented feature of marijuana use. Recent studies show an increased role of acquiring marijuana through friends, especially in settings with rather punitive drug policy. This article aims at gaining insight into the definitions and roles that marijuana users attribute to friendship. Forty-four marijuana users and retailers recruited in North Central Florida were subjected to semistructured interviews, with extensive probes on respondents’ “friends.” Data were analyzed with the use of inductive analysis, and were framed in identity theory. Respondents’ definitions of friendship contained expectations on marijuana sharing and reciprocation, purchases for friends, and introduction to dealers—who were also referred as “friends.” The study findings suggest that marijuana users’ definitions of friendship include expectations for behavior that sustain the distribution chain. Role-based expectations on “friendly” behavior served as a social control tool that protected marijuana users from illicit market risks.
Collective Pedagogical Teacher Culture and Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Moller Stephanie , Mickelson Roslyn Arlin , Stearns Elizabeth , Banerjee Neena , Bottia Martha Cecilia
Published: February 2013

Scholars have not adequately assessed how organizational cultures in schools differentially influence students’ mathematics achievement by race and socioeconomic status (SES). We focus on what we term collective pedagogical teacher culture, highlighting the role of professional communities and teacher collaboration in influencing mathematics achievement. Using cross-classified growth models, we analyze data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study and illustrate that schools where teachers perceive the presence of professional communities and teacher collaboration foster greater mathematics achievement throughout elementary school. Furthermore, achievement gaps by race and socioeconomic status are lessened in schools with professional communities and teacher collaboration.
The Political Economy of Social Production Companies in Venezuela
Authors: Purcell Thomas Francis
Published: February 2013

In 2005, shortly after the Venezuelan government declared “twenty-first-century socialism” as its development goal, Chávez launched “social production companies” to change the way communities produced and exchanged goods. Investigation of the relationship between these companies, agrarian cooperatives, and the oil economy calls into question assessments by both the right and the left, the former portraying Venezuelan development initiatives as populist profligacy and the latter seeing them as a socialist alternative to neoliberal hegemony. An analytical focus upon ground rent and the way it is distributed through the social production companies that draws upon insights from the Marxian critique of political economy provides an original window onto the contradictions and limits of the Chávez government’s development policies. Three case studies suggest that social production companies and their links with small agrarian cooperatives are reproducing a limited and ground-rent-dependent form of capital accumulation that, coupled with the ideology of popular power, is being presented as a step toward twenty-first-century socialism.

En 2005, poco después de que el gobierno venezolano declarara el “socialismo del siglo veintiuno” como su objetivo de desarrollo, Chávez lanzó las “empresas de producción social” para cambiar la forma en que las comunidades producían e intercambiaban bienes. Una investigación de la relación entre estas empresas, las cooperativas agrarias, y la economía petrolera pone en tela de juicio las evaluaciones tanto de la derecha como la izquierda, la primera representando las iniciativas del desarrollo venezolano como derroche populista y la segunda viéndolas como la alternativa socialista a la hegemonía neoliberal. Un enfoque analítico sobre la renta de la tierra y su distribución por medio de las empresas de producción social que se fundamenta en la critica marxiana de la economía política ofrece una ventana original hacia las contradicciones y límites de la política de desarrollo chavista. Tres estudios de caso sugieren que las empresas de producción social y sus vínculos con pequeñas cooperativas agrícolas están reproduciendo una forma de acumulación de capital limitada y dependiente de la renta de la tierra, la cual, junta con la ideología de poder popular, se está presentando como un paso hacia el socialismo del siglo veintiuno.
Conducting chelating polymer composites based on grafted waste polystyrene for removal of toxic copper ions
Authors: Elhalawany Noha , Haroun Ahmed , Abbas Hussein , Hammad Fadwa
Published: February 2013

A new type of synthesis route for the preparation of conducting chelating polymer composites (CCPCs) based on waste polystyrene grafted with acrylic (AA) and maleic (MA) acids in the presence of montmorillonite clay was investigated. The prepared composites were characterized using various techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, light microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. The prepared composites of different AA and MA weight percentage (wt%) have been used as adsorbents for removal of toxic copper ions from their aqueous solutions. The copper uptake by the CCPC grafted with AA was found to be much higher than that of the CCPCs grafted with MA. The key parameters that can affect copper ion uptake such as time and pH were also investigated, and it was found that the increase in pH highly enhanced the copper uptake. The study was further extended to measure the alternating current (AC) conductivities of the prepared composites and their copper complexes which proved that the AC conductivities of the copper-free composites are higher than the AC conductivities of the composites complexed with copper ions.
Age and the effects of news media attention and social media use on political interest and participation: Do social media function as leveller?
Authors: Holt Kristoffer , Shehata Adam , Strömbäck Jesper , Ljungberg Elisabet
Published: February 2013

This article investigates how media use differs across age groups- and whether this matters for people’s inclination to participate politically. More specifically, the study investigates the impact of social media use for political purposes and of attention to political news in traditional media, on political interest and offline political participation. The findings, based on a four-wave panel study conducted during the 2010 Swedish national election campaign, show (1) clear differences in media use between age groups and (2) that both political social media use and attention to political news in traditional media increase political engagement over time. Thus, this study suggests that frequent social media use among young citizens can function as a leveller in terms of motivating political participation.
Revisiting the regulation approach: Critical reflections on the contradictions, dilemmas, fixes and crisis dynamics of growth regimes
Authors: Jessop Bob
Published: February 2013

Capitalist growth regimes are analysed drawing on Marx’s insights into the fundamental contradictions of the capitalist mode of production, regulation theoretical arguments about the five basic structural forms of accumulation regimes and their modes of regulation, historical geographical materialism’s emphasis on spatio-temporal fixes, and state-theoretical accounts of the ‘government + governance’ of capitalist social formations in the shadow of hierarchy. This framework is then applied to four specific growth regimes and their crisis tendencies. These regimes are Atlantic Fordism, two (among many) alternative post-Fordist trajectories – the knowledge-based economy and finance-dominated capitalism – and a radical ‘no-growth’ variant of the ‘Green New Deal’. The article highlights the crisis tendencies of the first three and assesses whether the Green New Deal represents an alternative route out of crisis or the capture of an eco-social project by the forces that brought us finance-dominated accumulation. It concludes with a future research agenda.
Experimental verification and finite element modeling of radial truck tire under static loading
Authors: Wang Wei , Yan Shan , Zhao Shugao
Published: February 2013

Based on taking comprehensively into account the actual structure of the radial truck tire, including the contact non-linearity boundaries, such as tire-rim and tire-road interactions, an axisymmetric model and a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element tire model having four circumferential ribs are constructed in this investigation. With the aid of ABAQUS finite element analysis code, the static vertical loading procedure of the tire is simulated. The relationship between vertical load and vertical deflection, the contact patches with pressure distribution obtained by pressure-sensing pad experiment and finite element modeling are exhibited in this paper. It is shown that the results predicted by simulation are in good agreement with those of experiment. Moreover, the forces of belts and carcass obtained from finite element model are also presented when the tire is subjected to vertical load and contacted with rigid road. The reliability of the proposed finite element tire model and analysis methodology is verified.
The Central Nervous System Phenotype of X-Linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Authors: Al-Mateen Majeed , Craig Alexa Kanwit , Chance Phillip F.
Published: February 2013

We describe 2 patients with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, type 1 (CMTX1) disease and central nervous system manifestations and review 19 cases from the literature. Our first case had not been previously diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and the second case, although known to have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, was suspected of having CMTX1 after presentation with central nervous system manifestations. The most common central nervous system manifestations were transient and included dysarthria, ataxia, hemiparesis, and tetraparesis resembling periodic paralysis. Of the 21 patients, 19 presented at 21 years of age or younger, implicating CMTX1 with transient central nervous system manifestations as a disorder that predominantly affects children and adolescents. CMTX1 should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with transient central nervous system phenomena, including stroke-like episodes, tetraparesis suggestive of periodic paralysis, dysarthria, ataxia, or combinations of these deficits. Reversible, bilateral, nonenhancing white matter lesions and restricted diffusion on magnetic resonance imaging are characteristic features of the central nervous system phenotype of CMTX1.
Factors Influencing the Relationship Between Sexual Trauma and Risky Sexual Behavior in College Students
Authors: Johnson Nicole L. , Johnson Dawn M.
Published: February 2013

While the relationship between sexual trauma and risky sexual behavior (RSB) has received much attention, only a handful of studies have investigated the factors that protect victims of sexual trauma from developing this maladaptive pattern of behavior. The current study investigated the protective role of social support, quality and quantity, in developing RSB, through the mechanism of problematic substance use. Two hundred and seventy-five female college students completed a series of self-reports assessing sexual trauma, problematic substance use, social support quality and quantity, and RSB. The results indicated a positive relationship between sexual trauma severity and RSB. Further, this relationship was mediated by participants’ problematic substance use. Social support quality acted as a buffer against the relationship described above where quantity exacerbated this relationship. Implications will be discussed.
Race to the East, race to the bottom? Multi-nationals and industrial relations in two sectors in the Czech Republic
Authors: Meardi Guglielmo , Strohmer Sonja , Traxler Franz
Published: February 2013

The article addresses the issue of multi-national employers’ effects on employment practices and industrial relations through the findings of 12 case studies of multi-nationals in the Czech Republic, in the automotive and finance sectors. It is found that in the automotive sector, where product markets are international, there is more transnational organizational co-ordination, but companies avoid transferring their employee participation practices, preferring unilateral management and leading to vertical segmentation between Western and Eastern European sites. In finance, companies from liberal market economies transfer sophisticated direct participation practices, also for anti-union purposes, as firm-specific advantages. The industrial relations outcome shows enduring gaps with Western European practices.
Mechanical, thermal and flame-retardant properties of epoxy–nylon fabric–clay hybrid laminates
Authors: Prabhu T. Niranjana , Demappa T. , Harish V. , Prashantha K.
Published: February 2013

Epoxy–nylon fabric laminate composites containing 0.1–0.7 phr clay reinforcements were prepared using a hand layup technique. The fabricated laminates were tested for thermal stability, impact resistance, mechanical properties and flame retardancy. The results indicated an increase in impact resistance, tensile strength, flexural strength and Young’s modulus to an extent and then a decrease as the clay content is increased. Overall results show that a 0.2-phr clay reinforcement into the epoxy–nylon fabric laminate has shown better impact resistance (33.9% more than the neat epoxy–nylon fabric laminate), tensile strength (nearly two times the neat sample), flexural strength (nearly five times the neat sample) and Young’s modulus (39.4% more than the neat sample). Thermal stability is found to decrease slightly upon addition of clay. UL-94 tests conducted on the composite laminate samples have shown a reduction in the burning rate. Also, the tests performed in the present study indicate that the materials under investigation have promising applications in construction, agriculture and decorative purposes.
Effects of CO2 dilution on combustion instabilities in dual premixed flames
Authors: Lee Kangyeop , Kim Hyungmo , Park Poomin , Yang Sooseok , Ko Youngsung
Published: February 2013

There has been a rapid increase in the demand for biogas applications in recent years, and dry low NOx and dry low emission gas turbine combustors are promising platforms for such applications. Combustion instability is the most important drawback in dry low NOx gas turbine combustors and has, therefore, attracted considerable research interest lately. As a fundamental study towards the use of biogas in dry low NOx and dry low emission gas turbine combustors, this article investigates the influence of CO2 in surrogate biogas on combustion instability. Tests were conducted using a dry low NOx type, a dual lean premixed gas turbine combustor. For a dual flame with dual swirl, the pilot fuel mass fraction affects the flame structure, and the flame structure, in turn, determines the temperature distribution in the combustion chamber and the combustion instability. The effects of the pilot fuel mass fraction, which is an important parameter of the combustor, and the CO2 dilution rate, which is a major contributor of biogas combustion, on the combustion characteristics and instability are investigated through dynamic pressure signal and phase-resolved OH* images. Combustion instability decreases for higher CO2 dilution rates, whose effects depend on the pilot fuel mass fraction. The instability reaches its maximum at a pilot fuel mass fraction of 0.3. Tests confirm that combustion instability diminishes with CO2 dilution, as it reduces the perturbation in the heat emission, and the flame speed decreases resulting in a greater flame surface or volume. Further, investigation of the Rayleigh Index, which represents the coupling strength of the heat release fluctuation and the natural frequency, shows that CO2 dilution weakens the coupling strength, resulting in less combustion instability.
Gastrocnemius Recession for Chronic Noninsertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Kiewiet Nathan J. , Holthusen Scott M. , Bohay Donald R. , Anderson John G.
Published: February 2013

Background:

In patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy, several operative techniques have been described for treatment. A case report has shown that gastrocnemius recession as treatment can normalize MRI findings and relieve clinical symptoms consistent with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. The purpose of this study was to present the results of the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy with gastrocnemius recession.

Methods:

Of 12 patients, 8 (7 females, 1 male) who underwent gastrocnemius recession for refractory Achilles tendinopathy between July 2004 and January 2009 were available for follow-up. All patients filled out a SF-36 health survey, a foot function index, an AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scale, and a simple survey formulated by our group of investigators. Of the 8 patients, 7 were available to return for clinical assessment. Patients had an average age of 49.9 years (SD = 11.6) at the time of surgery and average time of follow-up was 34.6 months (SD = 18.1).

Results:

The mean pain score (VAS 0-10 scale) significantly decreased from 7.3 (SD = 1.7) preoperatively to 1 (SD = 1.8) postoperatively at the time of follow-up ( P < .001). The mean AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was 94.4 (SD = 9.8), which was significantly improved when compared with previously published scores for patients who underwent Achilles debridement with FHL transfer ( P = .007). All 8 categories on the SF-36 health survey showed no significant difference with published data for US population values and previously published data for patients who underwent FHL transfer.

Conclusion:

Gastrocnemius recession for the treatment of refractory Achilles tendinopathy was a viable treatment option following the failure of nonoperative management. All 8 of our patients had excellent pain relief, good clinical outcome, and were satisfied at the time of follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Comparison of On-Road Driving Between Young Adults With and Without ADHD
Authors: Merkel Richard L. , Nichols J. Quyen , Fellers Jonathan C. , Hidalgo Priscilla , Martinez Lady A. , Putziger Ivan , Burket Roger C. , Cox Daniel J.
Published: February 2013

Objective: This study compared video recordings from routine driving of ADHD and non-ADHD young adults to identify differences in driving behaviors. Method: A matched sample of young adult drivers with and without ADHD are compared via blinded ratings of videoed g-force events recorded by DriveCam technology over 3 months of on-road driving. Results: ADHD drivers were significantly more likely to have more crashes, minor events, and g-force events. G-force events for the ADHD drivers involved significantly more risky and illegal, hyperactive/impulsive, and distracted behaviors. The g-force events of non-ADHD drivers were due to evasive, defensive driving or lapses in attention. Conclusion: Increased risk for ADHD drivers may be the result of increased risk taking, increased hyperactivity/impulsivity or distraction behavior, and increased vulnerability to factors that interfere with driving in general, whereas the consequences of faulty driving were either higher or potentially higher in those drivers with ADHD.
Chaste
Authors: Bernabeu Miguel O , Southern James , Wilson Nicholas , Strazdins Peter , Cooper Jonathan , Pitt-Francis Joe
Published: February 2013

The simulation of cardiac electrophysiology is a mature field in computational physiology. Recent advances in medical imaging, high-performance computing and numerical methods mean that computational models of electrical propagation in human heart tissue are ripe for use in patient-specific simulation for diagnosis, for prognosis and for selection of treatment methods. However, in order to move in this direction, it is necessary to make efficient use of modern petascale computing resources.

This paper focuses on an existing open source simulation framework (Chaste) and documents work done to improve the parallel scaling on a small range of electrophysiology benchmark problems.

These benchmarks involve the numerical solution of the monodomain or bidomain equations via the finite-element method. At the beginning of this study the electrophysiology libraries within Chaste were already enabled to run in parallel and were able to solve for electrical propagation using the monodomain or bidomain equations, but parallel efficiency dropped rapidly when run on more than about 64 processors.

Throughout the course of the study, improvements were made to problem definition input; geometric mesh partitioning; finite-element assembly of large, sparse linear systems; problem-specific matrix preconditioning; numerical solution of the linear system; and output of the approximate solution. The consequence of these improvements is that, at the end of the study, Chaste is able to solve a monodomain benchmark problem in close to real time. While some of the improvements made to the parallel Chaste code are specific to cardiac electrophysiology, many of the techniques documented in this paper are generic to the parallel finite-element method in other scientific application areas.
The High Line, “The Balloon,” and Heterotopia
Authors: Wesselman Daan
Published: February 2013

The High Line, a new park on an old elevated railway on Manhattan, is an otherworldly space that invites an understanding in terms of Foucault’s concept of heterotopia. However, this often-used term requires critical reflection, particularly to extend it beyond the immediately spatial to include the realm of the discursive. To this end, an analysis of the High Line is paired with a reading of a similarly different space in Donald Barthelme’s short story “The Balloon.” Bringing together a real park and a literary space shows how Foucault’s concept requires combining the focus on the spatial in “Of Other Spaces” with the focus on structural order in The Order of Things, if it is to be used for understanding not just theoretical or fictional but also actual spaces.
Illness representations of type 2 diabetes patients are associated with perceptions of diabetes threat in relatives
Authors: van Esch Suzanne CM , Nijkamp Marjan D , Cornel Martina C , Snoek Frank J
Published: February 2013

In the fight against the type 2 diabetes epidemic, patients might be asked to discuss familial susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in their family. Illness representations of patients ( N = 546) were assessed to explore their impact on perceived type 2 diabetes threat in relatives. Reporting high type 2 diabetes burden, emotional impact and perceiving type 2 diabetes as an inheritable disease seemed to increase patients’ family risk perception and worries about relatives’ future health. Patients with coherent illness understanding reported positive beliefs regarding type 2 diabetes prevention in relatives. Findings may give direction in how illness representations may be used to guide patients in the process of family risk disclosure.
The White Girl’s Burden
Authors: Finnegan Amy C.
Published: February 2013

Sociologist Amy C. Finnegan provides a critical analysis of the movement behind the Kony 2012 campaign and how this unique form of activism coalesces with the biographies of the activists, who are notably white, privileged, Christian, adolescent females.
Is Marriage for Anyone?
Authors: McGee Micki
Published: February 2013

Two recent books on marriage— Is Marriage for White People? by Ralph Richard Banks and Unhitched by Judith Stacey—are considered in this review essay by sociologist Micki McGee. Banks argues that the decline of marriage among African American women constitutes a social problem that could be remedied if more women from this group opted for interracial marriages. Stacey’s cross-cultural study contends that marriage is an institution that attempts the near impossible task of reconciling the goals of domesticity with those of erotic life, and that in the process an extraordinary range of marital arrangements have emerged. Taken together these arguments ask us to consider who marriage serves.
Housing the “Front Office to the World”
Authors: Shkuda Aaron
Published: February 2013

The planning philosophy of David Rockefeller and his Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association shaped the development of New York’s Battery Park City. Although the project’s plans evolved from a superblock development resembling a space station to an example of New Urbanism, each design was aimed at creating a walkable, mixed-use, twenty-four-hour city in Lower Manhattan that would support the nearby financial district. Overall, the history of the project demonstrates that continuity exists between a philosophy of slum clearance urban renewal and current urban planning thinking. Additionally, Battery Park shows how planners sought to remake financial districts at a time of urban crisis.
Integrated dynamic modeling for energy optimization in the building: Part 2: An application of the model to analysis of XYZ building
Authors: Heibati S Mohammadreza , Atabi Farideh
Published: February 2013

A model has been designed to dynamically analyze and optimize energy consumption in building as integrated in Iran and other countries. This model can cover all characteristics and potentials of different types of building energy models and improve their weaknesses. The first part of this article discusses the capabilities and equations dominating the designed model. It also compares the strengths and weaknesses of the model with those of the existing models considering their historical literature. In this article, the application of the designed model for a XYZ case study building located at north of Tehran has been evaluated. Aiming at verification of the model, the outcomes were compared with the actual data for a 10-story high rise in 2011, and accuracy of the data was then verified by statistical standards. Finally, the typical optimized integrated multienergy systems model for the residential high rise was adopted after fulfilling the energy optimization phases. Using this model, with the initial investment cost of US$751,867 allotted to optimization, payback period of 6.1 years, and adjusted internal rate of return equal to 20.6%, energy consumption saving of nearly 60% can be achieved during 2011.
Activating farmers: Uses of entrepreneurship discourse in the rhetoric of policy implementers
Authors: Pyysiäinen Jarkko , Vesala Kari Mikko
Published: February 2013

Research on entrepreneurship as a policy discourse has focused mostly on relations between the discourse and targets of the policy, that is, actors intended to become entrepreneurial or entrepreneurs, while the role of policy implementers has received much less attention. The present study examines the ‘rationality’ of entrepreneurship policies by analyzing how actors in charge of the grassroots level policy implementation in the farming context use entrepreneurship discourse and argue for the communicative and interactive viability of their mission. The analysis of stances and positioning in interview talk reveals that policy implementers are active discourse users who, on the one hand, are able to reflect on the dilemmas and problems inherent in their task but, on the other hand, use their rhetorical agency to maintain and defend their mission as promoters of entrepreneurship policy and to save and support their own face as experts. As a result, the implementation emerges as a delicately managed interaction process.
The role of three-ligament tenodesis in the treatment of chronic scapholunate instability
Authors: Pauchard N. , Dederichs A. , Segret J. , Barbary S. , Dap F. , Dautel G.
Published: February 2013

Restoring ligamentous control in dissociative carpal instability is a major issue in protecting against osteoarthritis. We present clinical and radiological results for 20 patients who underwent flexor carpi radialis three-ligament tenodesis and were prospectively reviewed at a mean follow-up of 25.1 months. Three-ligament tenodesis significantly relieved pain and increased grip strength, wrist function at the expense of joint stiffness. This improvement was not seen in cases of dynamic instability. However, ligamentous loosening did result in rapid recurrence of radiological anomalies and frequent complications. This study challenges the long-term benefit of three-ligament tenodesis in both dynamic and static chronic scapholunate instability.