bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Typology of the Unintended Consequences of Drug Crop Reduction
Authors: Chouvy Pierre-Arnaud
Published: December 2012

Drug control policies and interventions, like any other policies and interventions, generate many unintended consequences. Most often, such consequences are mentioned without being defined or presented in a typology, and they are rarely explained in terms of causality. This article will stress how the existing work on the unintended consequences of drug control policies and interventions suffers from little or no definition and will then provide such a definition and a typology applied to three major interventions meant to achieve drug crop reduction—forced eradication, alternative development, and opium bans. In the end, it will explain how a typology of unintended consequences can help to better understand the failure and even the counterproductivity of some interventions. Differentiating between direct and collateral unintended consequences allows us to better attribute the occurring of unintended consequences to a specific intervention and/or to the intended consequence of the interventions.
Pharmaceutical Regulation Failures and Changes
Authors: Griffin O. Hayden , Spillane Joseph F.
Published: December 2012

OxyContin, a controlled-release opioid developed and produced by Purdue Pharma, was given Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in December 1995. By 1999, to the apparent surprise of Purdue Pharma, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FDA, extensive reports of OxyContin abuse and diversion began to circulate. The drug abuse assessment liability system in the United States has often been criticized and the experience with OxyContin did nothing but buttress those criticisms. However, as seven investigational hearings conducted by the U.S. Congress would expose, several changes were made to the abuse liability assessment to correct deficiencies in the system which had aggravated OxyContin abuse and diversion—a welcome sign from what many have considered an American tragedy.
Classification and Identification of Reading and Math Disabilities
Authors: Branum-Martin Lee , Fletcher Jack M. , Stuebing Karla K.
Published: December 2012

Much of learning disabilities research relies on categorical classification frameworks that use psychometric tests and cut points to identify children with reading or math difficulties. However, there is increasing evidence that the attributes of reading and math learning disabilities are dimensional, representing correlated continua of severity. We discuss issues related to categorical and dimensional approaches to reading and math disabilities, and their comorbid associations, highlighting problems with the use of cut points and correlated assessments. Two simulations are provided in which the correlational structure of a set of cognitive and achievement data are simulated from a single population with no categorical structures. The simulations produce profiles remarkably similar to reported profile differences, suggesting that the patterns are a product of the cut point and the correlational structure of the data. If dimensional approaches better fit the attributes of learning disability, new conceptualizations and better methods to identification and intervention may emerge, especially for comorbid associations of reading and math difficulties.
Intervention Effects for Students With Comorbid Forms of Learning Disability
Authors: Fuchs Lynn S. , Fuchs Douglas , Compton Donald L.
Published: December 2012

In this article, we considered evidence from our intervention research programs on whether students with learning disability (LD) in reading and mathematics (comorbid LD) respond differently to intervention, compared to students with reading LD alone (RD) or to students with mathematics LD alone (MD). The goal was to gain insight into whether comorbid disorder represents an LD subtype distinct from RD or from MD, which requires differentiated forms of intervention. Our analysis suggested that students with comorbid LD respond differently than those with MD, depending on the nature of mathematics intervention, and may therefore represent a distinctive subtype. By contrast, students with RD appear to respond to intervention in similar ways, regardless of whether they experience RD alone or in combination with MD. Results also suggest that distinctions between comorbid and single-order LD may depend on whether LD is defined in terms of lower- versus higher-order academic skill. Recommendations for future study are provided.
Access to, Use of, and Attitudes Toward Telecommunication Among Rural VR Clients
Authors: Ipsen Catherine , Rigles Bethany , Arnold Nancy , Seekins Tom
Published: December 2012

Telecommunication offers rural vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients a method of communicating with their VR counselor between face-to-face visits. Unfortunately, certain telecommunication methods may not be available to many rural VR clients or may pose barriers in the rehabilitation process. This article describes findings from an exploratory survey of 225 rural VR clients recruited from seven VR agencies across the United States. The mail-based survey explored client access to telecommunication, current telecommunication use during the VR process, and client attitudes about using telecommunication to receive VR services. Although 61% of respondents said they had personal access to a computer with Internet and 63% reported that email would be a “very” acceptable or “somewhat” acceptable method of communicating with their counselors, only 39% reported communicating via email with their counselors. Although a variety of factors play into the effectiveness of telecommunication as a VR service delivery mode, email communication might increase the frequency and productivity of VR client and counselor interactions.
Sustaining Mobility
Authors: Bassett Thomas E. , Marpillero-Colomina Andrea
Published: December 2012

Bogotá, Colombia, has been a pioneer in the development of efficient, low-cost urban transportation networks with its innovative bus rapid transit system. As the TransMilenio enters its second decade of operation, the long-term sustainability of the system has come into question. The current mayoral administration supports the construction of a subway network, which it claims will elevate Bogotá to the status of a “global city.” An examination of transportation development in Bogotá using interviews, field research, and primary source data in addition to extensive theoretical and comparative research reveals the ways in which politics and neoliberal policies have limited this development.

La ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, ha sido pionera en el desarrollo de transporte eficiente de bajo costo con su sistema innovador de transito rápido por autobús. Mientras el Transmilenio entra en su segunda década de operación, se cuestiona la sustentabilidad del sistema al largo plazo. La administración actual de la alcaldía apoya la construcción de una red subterránea, la cual se dice elevará a la ciudad de Bogotá al estatus de una “ciudad global.” Un examen del desarrollo del transporte en Bogotá por medio de entrevistas, trabajo de campo, y fuentes primarias de datos, aumentados con investigación teórica y comparativa, revela las formas en que la política y el neoliberalismo le han puesto limite a este desarrollo.
Living educational theory research as transformational continuing professional development
Authors: Whitehead Jack , Huxtable Marie
Published: December 2012

Continuing professional development (CPD) living educational theory offers an approach to CPD that enables educators to enhance their own professional practice and enable them to offer as gifts the knowledge, expertise and talents they develop to extend the knowledge base of the profession. In this paper we briefly introduce living theory research and the international CPD project, ‘Living Values Improving Practice Cooperatively’, that began in the process of supporting educators through a Master’s programme.
The influence of distributor support and price adaptation on the export performance of small and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Sousa Carlos M.P. , Novello Simone
Published: December 2012

Although a number of studies have examined the antecedents of export performance, little empirical attention has been given to the influence of distribution support and price adaptation on this issue. To address this gap in the literature, this article develops a new model which integrates these two constructs as key variables affecting export performance. The results suggest that support given to the distributor has a strong and positive impact on export performance. In addition, the findings indicate that distribution support plays a mediating role in the model. Contrary to expectations, the results show that price adaptation has no significant impact on export performance. Although in the literature price adaptation and export performance is assumed to have a linear relationship, further analysis shows a non-linear (U-shaped) relationship between these two constructs. The implications of these findings along with the limitations of the study are discussed.
Transient response of carbon nanotubes with inhomogeneous coating under radial impact loading and magnetic field
Authors: Li H , Wang X
Published: December 2012

An analytical method is presented to solve magnetoelastic dynamic stress responses and perturbation of the magnetic field vector in carbon nanotubes with inhomogeneous costing subjected to radial internal pressure shock and axial magnetic field. By utilizing finite Hankle transforms and Laplace transforms, the analytical solution for magnetodynamic stress response and perturbation of an axial magnetic field vector in the carbon nanotubes with inhomogeneous coating are obtained. From example calculations both magnetodynamic stress and perturbation of the axial magnetic field vector in carbon nanotubes with inhomogeneous coating are described and discussed.
Thermal and mechanical characterization of polypropylene/eggshell biocomposites
Authors: Ghabeer Tojan , Dweiri Radwan , Al-Khateeb Shadi
Published: December 2012

This study extends a work started on the new bio-composite materials; polymer/eggshell composites. Polypropylene/chicken eggshell composites were chosen and prepared via melt extrusion. The mechanical and thermal behavior of composites containing 10–40 wt% of untreated and strearic acid-treated eggshell were studied. The results show improvements in tensile modulus of composites while the values of tensile strength, strain at break, and impact strength decrease compared to that of neat polypropylene. The crystallization temperature, Tc, is clearly increased by incorporating 10 wt.% eggshell into polypropylene while a margin effect on the degree of crystallinity is seen. It can be concluded that composites need to be further studied and modified for possible use of eggshell as filler without scarifying the mechanical properties of the neat polymer matrix.
Electrical, optical, and rheological properties of ozone-treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes–polystyrene nanocomposites
Authors: Ayesh Ayman S , Ibrahim Sobhy S , Aljaafari Abdullah A
Published: December 2012

The functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was performed through the treatment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with ozone using UV-ozone irradiation to improve their dispersion in polystyrene matrix. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes–polystyrene nanocomposites were prepared at different multiwalled carbon nanotubes weight ratios to investigate the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes loadings on the electrical, optical, and rheological properties of polystyrene matrix. The obtained results revealed that incorporation of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes into polystyrene improved the electrical, optical, and rheological properties of neat polystyrene which indicated that multiwalled carbon nanotubes were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Results obtained from DC and AC electrical measurements revealed that the percolation threshold was around 0.8 wt% multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation of 3% multiwalled carbon nanotubes into polystyrene increased polystyrene electrical conductivity up to six orders of magnitude. Besides, increasing of multiwalled carbon nanotubes loadings increased the relative dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss, and loss tangent while decreased the total impedance of polystyrene matrix. Rheological results indicated that incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes into polystyrene elevated the magnitudes of storage modulus and loss modulus up to two orders of magnitude with increasing of multiwalled carbon nanotubes loadings up to 3 wt%. Finally, the addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes to polystyrene matrix enhanced the UV/visible absorption of polystyrene and decreased the optical energy gap with a total reduction ratio of 5.8% compared to neat polystyrene with increasing multiwalled carbon nanotubes loadings up to 2 wt%.
Evaluation of Ethanol Lock Therapy in Pediatric Patients on Long‐Term Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Pieroni Kevin P. , Nespor Colleen , Ng Marisa , Garcia Manuel , Hurwitz Melissa , Berquist William E. , Kerner John A.
Published: December 2012

Background: Pediatric home parenteral nutrition (PN) patients present a unique challenge with risks of catheter‐associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs), sometimes requiring subsequent catheter removal. Recurrent infections can lead to line removal and potential loss of venous access in the future. Objective: Demonstrate that weekly ethanol lock therapy decreases CABSIs in long‐term home PN patients and decreases line removals due to infections. Methods: Beginning August 2007, patients receiving PN with a history of multiple previous CABSIs were started on ethanol lock therapy. Seventy percent ethanol solution was instilled into the central venous catheter (CVC) for 2 hours weekly. Episodes of CABSIs and catheter removal due to infection were documented in patients prior to and after ethanol lock therapy. Results: Fourteen patients were followed for an average of 690 days after ethanol lock therapy was initiated. These patients were found to average 9.8 CABSIs per 1000 catheter days prior to starting ethanol lock therapy and only 2.7 CABSIs per 1000 catheter days after ethanol lock therapy (P < .001). Prior to ethanol lock therapy, the group averaged 4.3 catheter removals per 1000 catheter days but only 1.0 catheter removal per 1000 catheter days after ethanol lock therapy. Conclusion: Our group of patients showed a 73% reduction in CABSIs and a 77% reduction in catheter removal due to infection after ethanol lock therapy. In our patient population, weekly ethanol lock therapy for 2 hours is an effective technique to reduce CABSIs and catheter removal in long‐term home PN patients.
Citizen Participation, Open Innovation, and Crowdsourcing
Authors: Seltzer Ethan , Mahmoudi Dillon
Published: December 2012

Open innovation, taken from the fields of business strategy and technology development, can offer planners fresh insights into their own practice. Open innovation, like citizen participation, goes outside the boundaries of the organization to find solutions to problems and to hand ideas off to partners. A key technique for open innovation is “crowdsourcing,” issuing a challenge to a large and diverse group in hopes of arriving at new solutions more robust than those found inside the organization. The differences between citizen participation and Internet-based crowdsourcing are discussed. Crowdsourcing case studies are provided as a means for extending an emerging literature.
Adam Ferguson and ethnocentrism in the science of man
Authors: Smith Craig
Published: December 2012

The Scottish moral philosopher Adam Ferguson (1723–1816) is recognized as one of the founding fathers of sociology and social science more generally. This article examines his early ruminations on what has come to be seen as one of the most pressing methodological concerns for social science: the problem of ethnocentrism. The article explores Ferguson’s attempts to deal with this problem and his attempt to plot the relationship between empirical research, theory formation and normative moral judgement. It argues that Ferguson was well aware of the danger of cultural bias and that his understanding of moral science is marked by a concern that empirical and normative judgements are freed from the danger of such bias.
Sanitation survey of two urban slum Muslim communities in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Adubofour Kwame , Obiri-Danso Kwasi , Quansah Charles
Published: December 2012

The Millennium Development Goals call for a 50 per cent reduction in the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Provision of these services by city authorities is often absent in slum(1) settlements in developing countries as these settlements are classified as illegal by city authorities. A field survey was conducted in two urban slums in the Asawase constituency of Kumasi, Ghana to ascertain the extent of “improved” water and sanitation coverage as defined by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. The study revealed adequate levels of improved water coverage, but both communities had extremely low coverage for improved sanitation (toilet) facilities within the households and most people depended on a very inadequate number of poorly maintained public toilets. Waste management practices in the two communities were also very poor. Findings from this study can be used by city authorities in planning effective sanitation intervention strategies for the communities.
Work values and job satisfaction
Authors: Ravari Ali , Bazargan-Hejazi Shahrzad , Ebadi Abbas , Mirzaei Tayebeh , Oshvandi Khodayar
Published: December 2012

This study aimed to describe the effect of nursing profession work-related values on job satisfaction among a sample of Iranian nurses. We used in-depth interviews with 30 nurses who worked in university-affiliated and public hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The results of thematic analysis of interviews are reported in four themes to present the participants’ articulations in linking their work-related values to job satisfaction. The themes consist of values that “encourage tolerance,” “enhance inner harmony,” “reflect traditional commitment,” “enhance unity,” and are “centered around altruism and spiritual values.” The most satisfied participants considered nursing a divine profession and a tool by which they could gain spiritual pleasure and satisfaction. Our findings highlight the potential role of nursing work-related values in reducing dissatisfaction with one’s job. For the nursing profession, this may have implications in reducing job instability and turnover.
After Florida: Towards an economics of diversity
Authors: Nathan Max
Published: December 2012

In recent years, most European countries have experienced substantial demographic changes and rising cultural diversity. Understanding the social and economic impacts of these shifts is a major challenge for policymakers. Richard Florida’s ideas have provided a popular – and pervasive – framework for doing so. This paper assess Florida’s legacy and sets out a ‘post-Florida’ framework for ‘technology, talent and tolerance’ research. The paper first traces the development of Florida’s ideas. ‘Florida 1.0’, encapsulated by the Three Ts framework, has performed badly in practice. There are problems in bringing causality to the fundamental relationships, and in consistently replicating the results in other countries. ‘Florida 2.0’, though suggests that Creative Class metrics have value as alternative measures of human capital. This create space for a post-Florida agenda based on economic micro-foundations. I argue that the growing body of ‘economics of diversity’ research meets these conditions, and review theory and empirics. Urban ‘diversity shocks’ shift the size and composition of populations and workforces, with impacts operating via labour markets, and through wider production and consumption networks. While short-term labour market effects are small, over time low-value industrial sectors may become migrant-dependent. Diversity may help raise productivity and wages through innovation, entrepreneurship, market access and trade channels. Bigger, more diverse cities help generate hybridised goods and services, but may also raise local costs through crowding. All of this presents new challenges for policymakers, who need to manage diversity’s net effects, and address both economic costs and benefits.
Italian banks and business services as knowledge pipelines for SMEs: Examples from Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Sellar Christian
Published: December 2012

There are few analyses available of the role played by finance and business consultancies in post-socialist economic geographies and even fewer on the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Both issues are addressed in this paper with a focus on Italian banks and business services as well as their relationship to SME outsourcing in Central and Eastern Europe. The basic premise of this paper is that a relationship exists between the internationalization of banks, services, and SMEs when analyzed within the framework of the Uppsala Internationalization Process Model. Specifically, banks and services allow the mobilization of resources forming knowledge pipelines between Italian firms and Central and Eastern European regional economies.
Marital Satisfaction Among Adults With Disabilities in South Korea
Authors: Lee Eun-Kyoung Othelia , Oh Heakyung
Published: December 2012

In the family-oriented, collectivistic Korean culture, people with disabilities experience extreme challenges in finding an appropriate marital partner, due to discrimination at sociocultural levels. Such discrimination is not unique to South Korea. Because marital status and quality of life is significant for individuals with disabilities, this study examined factors associated with marital satisfaction among individuals with disabilities in South Korea using an existing data set. The sample included married individuals with disabilities, using data drawn from the 2008 Korean Disability Survey ( N = 1,028; 507 women and 521 men). In this South Korean sample, major challenges to maintaining a happy marriage were related to financial demands such as securing sufficient household income, finding assistance in performing housework, and improving relational quality among family members. The study revealed interesting gender differences: For female respondents, structural factors of family and marriage—household income, housework, quality of family relations, and younger age at marriage—were significant. For their male peers, along with such structural factors, their health, activities, and quality of life were also significant. The findings of this study have implications for improving the quality of marital life among people with disabilities in South Korea and other developing countries.
Variability on nucleation and growth of short fatigue cracks due to material anisotropy in aluminum 2024-T351
Authors: Makas Admir , Avallone Jaclyn , MacKinnon Ross , Atodaria Ikshwaku , Peralta Pedro
Published: December 2012

Early fatigue life behavior is important for the prediction of residual useful life of aerospace structures via computational modeling. In particular, the influence of rolling-induced anisotropy on fatigue properties has not been studied extensively, but it is likely to be an important effect. Therefore, fatigue behavior of a 2024-T351 plate was studied using notched uniaxial samples with load axes along either longitudinal or long transverse directions. Interrupted fatigue testing at stresses close to yielding was performed to nucleate and propagate short cracks, and local nucleation sites were located and characterized using optical and electron microscopy techniques. Results show that crack nucleation occurred due to fractured particles for longitudinal samples, while either debonded or fractured particles led to nucleation for transverse samples. Crack nucleation from debonded particles reduced life till matrix fracture because sharper flaws were generated when compared to those from fractured particles. Longitudinal samples experienced multisite crack initiation because of preferential fracture of inclusions for that loading direction. Conversely, long transverse samples showed reduced particle fracture, which eliminated multisite cracking. Crystallography of individual grains also played a role related to bulk plasticity in the grains, as estimated by their individual Taylor factors, and to environmental effects.
On the optimal bending deflection of piezoelectric scavengers
Authors: Benasciutti Denis , Moro Luciano , Gallina Marco
Published: December 2012

This study aims at exploring the possibility to optimize the electromechanical efficiency of piezoelectric cantilevers by imposing an optimal deflection to classical rectangular devices, rather than designing non-conventional geometries. Focusing on non-vibrating loading conditions, the proposed approach is to apply a constant bending moment to the beam in order to reach the maximum allowable stress on the whole outermost surface. This is realized in practice by pressing the cantilever over a cylindrical-shaped support. Theoretical and numerical models with electromechanical coupling are developed to evaluate the performance improvement compared to the deflection of a classical tip-load configuration. Finally, experimental tests have been performed to further verify the electrical power enhancement given by the proposed optimized layout.
Design and experimental evaluation of a multidisk magnetorheological fluid actuator
Authors: Wang Daoming , Hou Youfu
Published: December 2012

A new multidisk magnetorheological fluid actuator was proposed using the shear stress of magnetorheological fluid between rotating disks. The transmission torque was calculated based on the Bingham model, and the magnetic circuit was designed in accordance with electromagnetic theory. Then, a magnetostatic simulation was conducted to validate the designed magnetic circuit. Furthermore, an experimental study was performed to investigate the performance of the prototype. The results show that the transmission torque increases approximately linearly with the input current within the saturation range of magnetorheological fluid. Both the input current and the gap thickness have little influence on the dynamic response property of the proposed magnetorheological fluid actuator. Moreover, the temperature of magnetorheological fluid increases linearly with the time in the slip and loaded states, and the greater the slip power is, the faster the temperature rises. Furthermore, the temperature rise of magnetorheological fluid will result in the reductions of the torque transmission ability and the dynamic response speed. On the whole, the proposed multidisk magnetorheological fluid actuator has a higher torque capacity and a slightly slower dynamic response in comparison with the present magnetorheological devices. It is promising for applications in many high torque occasions.
Broadside Ballads
Authors: Junda Mary Ellen
Published: December 2012

This article highlights a group ballad project which is a part of student experiences in Sing and Shout!, a course that integrates academic study with singing and song writing to develop a deeper understanding of problems in society. Students explore the intricacies of song composition and social consciousness drawn from past events that reflect the effects of cultural, political, technological, and natural change. And, by extension, they continue the folk tradition by reliving their own stories in the ballads they create. A brief history of the ballad, sequence of instruction, and resources are included so that others can use the ballad-writing experience as a means for students to understand the value of collaboration to achieve artistic goals, the role of music as an expression of social consciousness, and the power of song as voices join together with a common purpose.
Supervisor Attachment, Supervisory Working Alliance, and Affect in Social Work Field Instruction
Authors: Bennett Susanne , Mohr Jonathan , Deal Kathleen Holtz , Hwang Jeongha
Published: December 2012

Objective: This study focused on interrelationships among supervisor attachment, supervisory working alliance, and supervision-related affect, plus the moderating effect of a field instructor training. Method: The researchers employed a pretest–posttest follow-up design of 100 randomly assigned field instructors and 64 students in two universities, using linear growth models to estimate relations among variables concurrently and over time. Result: Positive associations existed between attachment anxiety and negative affect among field instructors and between positive affect and supervisory alliance for all participants. Results suggested the training might have allowed field instructors to separate initial impressions of the alliance from change in positive affect over the year. Conclusion: This study underscores the need for research on field instructor training models and attachment styles in supervision.
Combining Critical Reflection and Design Thinking to Develop Integrative Learners
Authors: Welsh M. Ann , Dehler Gordon E.
Published: December 2012

In this article, we argue for advancing grounded curricula, which explicitly link theory and pedagogy, and executing them in authentic and multidisciplinary settings as a means to facilitate student growth into integrative learners. We describe the development of a student-centered learning experience that combines elements of critical management education, situated learning, and design thinking. The commonalities between a critically based pedagogy and design thinking create a context for collaboration that enables students to acquire attributes consistent with integrative learners: critical reflection, multiliteracy, the ability to negotiate identity, engage in constructive critique, become skilled in knowledge transformation, and create tangible and implementable outcomes. Drawing from 13 years of pedagogical experimentation, this article contributes to the domain of management education by providing greater specification to the concept of integrative learning, as well as articulating a novel and effective pedagogy based in design thinking. We present our story in three acts, showing how our methodology can enable transformative student learning and offer faculty invigorating teaching experiences.
Transition from Student to Teacher: Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices
Authors: Schmidt Margaret
Published: December 2012

This literature review examines research focusing on preservice music teachers’ developing beliefs about teaching and the ways those beliefs influence their practices. Dewey’s theory of experience suggests that experience influences beliefs, and studies of preservice music teachers support this theory. Music education researchers have examined sources of preservice teachers’ beliefs and the challenges for teacher educators in helping preservice teachers identify and articulate them. Studies are also reviewed documenting methods that music teacher educators have explored in helping preservice teachers link their beliefs with teaching practices in methods courses and early teaching experiences. Future research could examine the longitudinal development of beliefs from preservice through in-service teaching and effective methods for assessing preservice teachers’ development. Further research is also needed in preparing teachers with the desire and the skills needed to address the needs of culturally and musically diverse students.
Platelet P2Y12 Blockers Confer Direct Postconditioning-Like Protection in Reperfused Rabbit Hearts
Authors: Yang Xi-Ming , Liu Yanping , Cui Lin , Yang Xiulan , Liu Yongge , Tandon Narendra , Kambayashi Junichi , Downey James M. , Cohen Michael V.
Published: December 2012

Background:

Blockade of platelet activation during primary percutaneous intervention for acute myocardial infarction is standard care to minimize stent thrombosis. To determine whether antiplatelet agents offer any direct cardioprotective effect, we tested whether they could modify infarction in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion caused by reversible ligation of a coronary artery.

Methods and Results:

The P2Y12 (adenosine diphosphate) receptor blocker cangrelor administered shortly before reperfusion in rabbits undergoing 30-minute regional ischemia/3-hour reperfusion reduced infarction from 38% of ischemic zone in control hearts to only 19%. Protection was dose dependent and correlated with the degree of inhibition of platelet aggregation. Protection was comparable to that seen with ischemic postconditioning (IPOC). Cangrelor protection, but not its inhibition of platelet aggregation, was abolished by the same signaling inhibitors that block protection from IPOC suggesting protection resulted from protective signaling rather than anticoagulation. As with IPOC, protection was lost when cangrelor administration was delayed until 10 minutes after reperfusion and no added protection was seen when cangrelor and IPOC were combined. These findings suggest both IPOC and cangrelor may protect by the same mechanism. No protection was seen when cangrelor was used in crystalloid-perfused isolated hearts indicating some component in whole blood is required for protection. Clopidogrel had a very slow onset of action requiring 2 days of treatment before platelets were inhibited, and only then the hearts were protected. Signaling inhibitors given just prior to reperfusion blocked clopidogrel’s protection. Neither aspirin nor heparin was protective.

Conclusions:

Clopidogrel and cangrelor protected rabbit hearts against infarction. The mechanism appears to involve signal transduction during reperfusion rather than inhibition of intravascular coagulation. We hypothesize that both drugs protect by activating IPOC’s protective signaling to prevent reperfusion injury. If true, patients receiving P2Y12 inhibitors before percutaneous intervention may already be postconditioned thus explaining failure of recent clinical trials of postconditioning drugs.
Adaptive time-delay synchronization of chaotic systems with uncertainties using a nonlinear feedback coupling
Authors: Louodop Patrick , Fotsin Hilaire , Bowong Samuel , Kammogne A Soup Tewa
Published: December 2012

This paper treats the adaptive synchronization problem of a class of uncertain chaotic systems with uncertainties, delay and unknown inputs in a drive-response framework. A robust adaptive observer-based response system is designed to synchronize a given delayed chaotic system without the knowledge of upper bounds of uncertainties and unknown inputs. Furthermore, the unknown inputs can be approximately recovered directly by the concept of equivalent control signal. To highlight our method, we improve the robustness of ciphering in a secure communication system. Computer simulation is also given for the purpose of illustration and verification.
Control experiments on time-delayed dynamical systems
Authors: Qin Zhi-Chang , Li Xiang , Zhong Shun , Sun Jian-Qiao
Published: December 2012

This paper presents simulation and experimental studies of controls for time-delayed dynamical systems. An inverted pendulum made by Quanser is used as a model system. We investigate two control design methods: optimal feedback gain with the semi-discretization method and a high-order control design. Both simulations and experiments are carried out to demonstrate the utility of the control. The semi-discretization method offers optimal controls without increasing the dimensions of the gain vector, while high-order control involves an increased number of gains. The disadvantages and advantages of both methods are discussed with the support of simulation and experimental results. This paper highlights the fact that high-order control is determined by an Nth order filter where N is the discretization level. We have also found that the performance of high-order control appears to be insensitive to N.
Restructuring Japan’s Rustbelt
Authors: Edgington David W.
Published: December 2012

The crisis of Japan’s political economy raises the question of how it has dealt with the restructuring of its peripheral industrial regions, and the degree to which it has embraced neoliberal policies. I argue that the spread of neoliberalism in Japan has been uneven, shaped by local settings and adopted only selectively. To make this case, the article focuses on restructuring in Muroran City (2010 population, 94,600), a city of steel and heavy industry that lies on the southern coast of Hokkaido. I examine the changing fortunes of Muroran over the 1985-2010 period based upon a number of site visits made in the last 25 years or so. Set against contemporary industrial restructuring in Japan, the article evaluates the actions of the city’s major employer (Nippon Steel Corporation), central government ministries, and programs of the City of Muroran. The results show that despite the rise of the neoliberal rhetoric in Japan, restructuring in Muroran reflected a commitment to manufacturing and the local workforce by corporate as well as central and local governments.
Changes in Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors Across Seven Semesters of College
Authors: Small Meg , Bailey-Davis Lisa , Morgan Nicole , Maggs Jennifer
Published: December 2012

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is an important period for establishing behavioral patterns that affect long-term health and chronic disease risk. Nelson and colleagues speculated that developmental changes and changes in living situation may play an important role in the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of college students. Data from the University Life Study, a longitudinal study of college students that includes web-based surveys administered 14 consecutive days each semester, were used to examine fruit, vegetable, and sugared soda consumption, physical activity, and sedentary activity behaviors across seven semesters. Estimates for each semester were calculated to determine the frequency with which students consumed fruits, vegetables, and sugared soda, engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity, and engaged in sedentary activities. Four models, estimated with HLM 6.04, were used to predict changes in these behaviors across the seven semesters. Living on or off campus was included to determine if this explained additional variance. Results indicated that few college students consumed fruits and vegetables or exercised at optimal levels during the seven semesters surveyed. Daily fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity declined significantly from the first to the seventh semester. For both of these findings, living off campus exacerbated the problem. Average number of hours of sedentary behaviors declined over time, as did number of days on which at least one sugared soda was consumed. Living location did not explain additional variance in these positive trends. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.
The effect of plasma exchange on serum anti-JC virus antibodies
Authors: Subramanyam Meena , Plavina Tatiana , Khatri Bhupendra O , Fox Robert J , Goelz Susan E
Published: December 2012

Objective:

Natalizumab, a highly effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn’s disease, is associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Upon suspicion or diagnosis of PML, plasma exchange (PLEX) is performed to remove natalizumab from the circulation, allowing immune reconstitution of the central nervous system. Since PLEX may also remove other circulating antibodies, we examined the effects of PLEX on serum immunoglobulin (IgG) and anti–JC virus (JCV) antibody levels in MS patients with and without PML.

Methods:

Serum samples from 12 natalizumab-treated patients without PML collected before, during and after PLEX were tested for IgG isotypes using a commercial assay, and for anti-JCV antibodies using a two-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Five natalizumab-treated PML patients who underwent PLEX were also tested for anti-JCV antibodies.

Results:

PLEX produced a two- to three-fold reduction in all IgG isotypes. Among patients without PML, 42% (five of 12 patients) had detectable anti-JCV antibodies before PLEX; in these patients, anti-JCV antibodies were reduced approximately two- to five-fold, with levels returning to 50–100 percent of baseline two weeks after the final PLEX. The five PML patients, all of whom had detectable anti-JCV antibodies before PLEX, experienced similar reductions in anti-JCV antibody levels following PLEX.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that PLEX effectively removes circulating antibodies; however, levels of endogenous anti-JCV antibody, unlike exogenously administered natalizumab, were replenished relatively quickly following PLEX. While interpretation of anti-JCV antibody levels during or within two weeks after PLEX may be problematic, humoral JCV immunity is not abolished by PLEX and antibody levels are rapidly restored.
MRI characteristics of familial and sporadic multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Tipirneni Anita , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Ramanathan Murali , Abdelrahman Nadir , Hussein Sara , Hagemeier Jesper , Durfee Jacqueline , Teter Barbara E , Hojnacki David , Dwyer Michael G , Zivadinov Robert
Published: December 2012

Purpose:

To investigate the MRI characteristics in a large cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without a family history of MS.

Methods:

Enrolled in this prospective study were 758 consecutive MS patients (mean age 46.2 ± 10.1 years, disease duration 13.6 ± 9.2 years and EDSS 3.4 ± 2.1), of whom 477 had relapsing–remitting, 222 secondary-progressive, and 30 primary-progressive disease courses and 29 had clinically isolated syndrome. One hundred and ninety-six patients (25.9%) had a positive family history of MS. Patients were assessed using measurements of lesions, brain atrophy, magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and diffusion-weighted imaging.

Results:

The familial MS group had greater T1-lesion volume ( p=0.009) and a trend for lower MTR of T1-lesion volume ( p=0.047) than the sporadic MS group. No clinical differences were found between familial versus sporadic group, or by a degree of affected relative subgroups.

Conclusions:

While familial MS was associated with more severe T1-lesion volume and its MTR characteristics, there were no clinical status differences between familial and sporadic MS patients. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetic and/or epigenetic influences causing these differences can advance the understanding and management of MS.
Laquinimod prevents inflammation-induced synaptic alterations occurring in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Ruffini Francesca , Rossi Silvia , Bergamaschi Andrea , Brambilla Elena , Finardi Annamaria , Motta Caterina , Studer Valeria , Barbieri Francesca , De Chiara Valentina , Hayardeny Liat , Comi Giancarlo , Centonze Diego , Martino Gianvito
Published: December 2012

Background

There are two generally accepted strategies for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), preventing central nervous system (CNS) damage indirectly through immunomodulatory interventions and/or repairing CNS damage by promoting remyelination. Both approaches also provide neuroprotection since they can prevent, indirectly or directly, axonal damage.

Objective

Recent experimental and clinical evidence indicates that the novel immunomodulatory drug laquinimod can exert a neuroprotective role in MS. Whether laquinimod-mediated neuroprotection is exerted directly on neuronal cells or indirectly via peripheral immunomodulation is still unclear.

Methods

C57Bl/6 experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice, immunised with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55 peptide, were treated for 26 days with subcutaneous daily injections of laquinimod (from 1 to 25 mg/kg). Patch clamp electrophysiology was performed on acute brain striatal slices from EAE mice treated with daily (25 mg/kg) laquinimod and on acute brain striatal slices from control mice bathed with laquinimod (1–30 µM).

Results

Both preventive and therapeutic laquinimod treatment fully prevented the alterations of GABAergic synapses induced by EAE, the first limiting also glutamatergic synaptic alterations. This dual effect might, in turn, have limited glutamatergic excitotoxicity, a phenomenon previously observed early during EAE and possibly correlated with later axonal damage. Furthermore, laquinimod treatment also preserved cannabinoid CB1 receptor sensitivity, normally lost during EAE. Finally, laquinimod per se was able to regulate synaptic transmission by increasing inhibitory post-synaptic currents and, at the same time, reducing excitatory post-synaptic currents.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a novel neuroprotective mechanism by which laquinimod might in vivo protect from neuronal damage occurring as a consequence of inflammatory immune-mediated demyelination.
Finding a jewel: Identity and gendered space in Islamic finance
Authors: Ahmed Karen Hunt
Published: December 2012

In this article, I explore how globalization discourses practices work together to form the identities of female Islamic bankers working in the first stand-alone women’s Islamic bank in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. An Islamic bank interacts with the individual by providing a discursive and physical space in which the subject can shape and respond to her desire to identify and engage with the debates in the global Muslim community about morality, practice and the role of Islam in everyday life. Global financial systems and local gender practices are embodied in these buildings in a kind of financial purdah: building spaces become both a marketing tool and a support for globally-based economic activity under the auspices of morality and tradition. Based upon fieldwork and interviews with Islamic bankers, I show how normative global financial practices and local moral gender practices work together for the advancement of both.
The veil and Muslim women’s identity: Cultural pressures and resistance to stereotyping
Authors: Wagner Wolfgang , Sen Ragini , Permanadeli Risa , Howarth Caroline S
Published: December 2012

This study compares Muslim women’s views on wearing the veil in a Muslim majority society, Indonesia, with the Muslim minority in India. In-depth interviews reveal significant differences between the two: Majority women talk in terms of convenience, fashion, and modesty with little reference to religion as their reasons for veiling. The responses of Muslim minority women are diverse: their account of veiling stretches from religiously inspired arguments through to reasons of convenience, and to opposition against stereotypes and discrimination. Most minority women see the veil as a way of affirming their cultural identity. We argue that religious minorities are forced into constructing their cultural identity in ways that exaggerate their group belonging and difference from broader society. This may be motivated either by falling back on religious resources or by using ethnic markers to overtly oppose endemic prejudice. No such identity issue exists for the Muslim majority women. This contradicts the dominant view in non-Muslim countries in the West, where the female scarf is primarily considered a symbol of religious fundamentalism and patriarchal oppression.