bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of the Aortic Dissection Detection Risk Score, a Novel Guideline-Based Tool for Identification of Acute Aortic Dissection at Initial Presentation
Authors: Rogers Adam M. , Hermann Luke K. , Booher Anna M. , Nienaber Christoph A. , Williams David M. , Kazerooni Ella A. , Froehlich James B. , O'Gara Patrick T. , Montgomery Daniel G. , Cooper Jeanna V. , Harris Kevin M. , Hutchison Stuart , Evangelista Arturo , Isselbacher Eric M. , Eagle Kim A.
Published: May 2011

Background—

In 2010, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with thoracic aortic disease, which identified high-risk clinical features to assist in the early detection of acute aortic dissection. The sensitivity of these risk markers has not been validated.

Methods and Results—

We examined patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection from 1996 to 2009. The number of patients with confirmed acute aortic dissection who presented with 1 or more of 12 proposed clinical risk markers was determined. An aortic dissection detection (ADD) risk score of 0 to 3 was calculated on the basis of the number of risk categories (high-risk predisposing conditions, high-risk pain features, high-risk examination features) in which patients met criteria. The ADD risk score was tested for sensitivity. Of 2538 patients with acute aortic dissection, 2430 (95.7%) were identified by 1 or more of 12 proposed clinical risk markers. With the use of the ADD risk score, 108 patients (4.3%) were identified as low risk (ADD score 0), 927 patients (36.5%) were intermediate risk (ADD score 1), and 1503 patients (59.2%) were high risk (ADD score 2 or 3). Among 108 patients with no clinical risk markers present (ADD score 0), 72 had chest x-rays recorded, of which 35 (48.6%) demonstrated a widened mediastinum.

Conclusions—

The clinical risk markers proposed in the 2010 thoracic aortic disease guidelines and their application as part of the ADD risk score comprise a highly sensitive clinical tool for the detection of acute aortic dissection.
Endothelium-Derived Neuregulin Protects the Heart Against Ischemic Injury
Authors: Hedhli Nadia , Huang Qunhua , Kalinowski April , Palmeri Monica , Hu Xiaoyue , Russell Raymond R. , Russell Kerry S.
Published: May 2011

Background—

Removal of cardiac endothelial cells (EC) has been shown to produce significant detrimental effects on the function of adjacent cardiac myocytes, suggesting that EC play a critical role in autocrine/paracrine regulation of the heart. Despite this important observation, the mediators of the protective function of EC remain obscure. Neuregulin (NRG, a member of the epidermal growth factor family) is produced by EC and cardiac myocytes contain receptors (erbB) for this ligand. We hypothesized that NRG is an essential factor produced by EC, which promotes cardioprotection against ischemic injury.

Methods and Results—

We demonstrate that human cardiac EC express and release NRG in response to hypoxia–reoxygenation. Under conditions where hypoxia–reoxygenation causes significant cardiac myocyte cell death, NRG can significantly decrease apoptosis of isolated adult ventricular myocytes. Coculturing adult murine myocytes with human umbilical vein, murine lung microvascular, or human coronary artery EC can also protect myocytes against hypoxia–reoxygenation–induced apoptosis. These protective effects are abolished by NRG gene deletion or silencing of NRG expression in EC. Finally, endothelium-selective deletion of NRG in vivo leads to significantly decreased tolerance to ischemic insult, as demonstrated by impaired postischemic contractile recovery in a perfused whole-organ preparation and larger infarct sizes after coronary artery ligation.

Conclusion—

Together, these data demonstrate that EC-derived NRG plays an important role in cardiac myocyte protection against ischemic injury in the heart and supports the idea that manipulation of this signaling pathway may be an important clinical target in this setting.
Continuous Low-Level Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Stellate Ganglion Nerve Activity and Paroxysmal Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Ambulatory Canines
Authors: Shen Mark J. , Shinohara Tetsuji , Park Hyung-Wook , Frick Kyle , Ice Daniel S. , Choi Eue-Keun , Han Seongwook , Maruyama Mitsunori , Sharma Rahul , Shen Changyu , Fishbein Michael C. , Chen Lan S. , Lopshire John C. , Zipes Douglas P. , Lin Shien-Fong , Chen Peng-Sheng
Published: May 2011

Background—

We hypothesize that left-sided low-level vagus nerve stimulation (LL-VNS) can suppress sympathetic outflow and reduce atrial tachyarrhythmias in ambulatory dogs.

Methods and Results—

We implanted a neurostimulator in 12 dogs to stimulate the left cervical vagus nerve and a radiotransmitter for continuous recording of left stellate ganglion nerve activity, vagal nerve activities, and ECGs. Group 1 dogs (N=6) underwent 1 week of continuous LL-VNS. Group 2 dogs (N=6) underwent intermittent rapid atrial pacing followed by active or sham LL-VNS on alternate weeks. Integrated stellate ganglion nerve activity was significantly reduced during LL-VNS (7.8 mV/s; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.94 to 8.66 versus 9.4 mV/s [95% CI, 8.5 to 10.3] at baseline;
P
=0.033) in group 1. The reduction was most apparent at 8
am
, along with a significantly reduced heart rate (
P
=0.008). Left-sided low-level vagus nerve stimulation did not change vagal nerve activity. The density of tyrosine hydroxylase–positive nerves in the left stellate ganglion 1 week after cessation of LL-VNS were 99 684 μm
2
/mm
2
(95% CI, 28 850 to 170 517) in LL-VNS dogs and 186 561 μm
2
/mm
2
(95% CI, 154 956 to 218 166;
P
=0.008) in normal dogs. In group 2, the frequencies of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and tachycardia during active LL-VNS were 1.4/d (95% CI, 0.5 to 5.1) and 8.0/d (95% CI, 5.3 to 12.0), respectively, significantly lower than during sham stimulation (9.2/d [95% CI, 5.3 to 13.1];
P
=0.001 and 22.0/d [95% CI, 19.1 to 25.5],
P
<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions—

Left-sided low-level vagus nerve stimulation suppresses stellate ganglion nerve activities and reduces the incidences of paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias in ambulatory dogs. Significant neural remodeling of the left stellate ganglion is evident 1 week after cessation of continuous LL-VNS.
Adipose Tissue-Derived Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 Is an Obesity-Relevant Endogenous Paracrine Adipokine
Authors: Herse Florian , Fain John N. , Janke Juergen , Engeli Stefan , Kuhn Christian , Frey Norbert , Weich Herbert A. , Bergmann Astrid , Kappert Kai , Karumanchi S. Ananth , Luft Friedrich C. , Muller Dominik N. , Staff Anne C. , Dechend Ralf
Published: May 2011

Adipose tissue growth depends on angiogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that adipose tissue produces factors relevant to angiogenesis. We obtained fat biopsies in 2 different patient cohorts, cultured adipose-derived stem cells and studied mature adipocytes. We performed microarray, RT-PCR, and Western blotting; studied a rat obesity/metabolic syndrome model; and conducted viral gene transfer experiments in leptin-deficient mice. The microarray identified the splice variant of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), as an antiangiogenesis candidate. We verified the expression findings and found that sFlt-1 was secreted by isolated mature human adipocytes. Tumor necrosis factor-α decreased sFlt-1 expression in mature adipocytes, whereas hypoxia had no effect. Separating cells from adipose tissue showed that the highest sFlt-1 expression was present in adipose-tissue nonfat cells rather than in the adipocytes themselves. We also found that sFlt-1 expression and sFlt-1 release by adipose-tissue explants were inversely correlated with body mass index of the corresponding patients but was directly correlated with adiponectin expression. In the obesity/metabolic syndrome rat model, we observed that circulating sFlt-1 levels and sFlt-1 expression in adipose tissue were also inversely correlated with body weight. To model our putative antiangiogenic factor further, we next overexpressed sFlt-1 by viral transfer in a mouse genetic model of leptin deficiency and observed that the transfected mice gained less weight than controls. We suggest that sFlt-1 could act as a paracrine factor inhibiting adipose tissue growth. Local sFlt-1 may regulate angiogenic potential and thereby influence adipose tissue mass.
Brain Regions Engaged by Part- and Whole-task Performance in a Video Game: A Model-based Test of the Decomposition Hypothesis
Authors: Anderson John R. , Bothell Daniel , Fincham Jon M. , Anderson Abraham R. , Poole Ben , Qin Yulin
Published: May 2011

Part- and whole-task conditions were created by manipulating the presence of certain components of the Space Fortress video game. A cognitive model was created for two-part games that could be combined into a model that performed the whole game. The model generated predictions both for behavioral patterns and activation patterns in various brain regions. The activation predictions concerned both tonic activation that was constant in these regions during performance of the game and phasic activation that occurred when there was resource competition. The model's predictions were confirmed about how tonic and phasic activation in different regions would vary with condition. These results support the Decomposition Hypothesis that the execution of a complex task can be decomposed into a set of information-processing components and that these components combine unchanged in different task conditions. In addition, individual differences in learning gains were predicted by individual differences in phasic activation in those regions that displayed highest tonic activity. This individual difference pattern suggests that the rate of learning of a complex skill is determined by capacity limits.
Evidence for Early Morphological Decomposition: Combining Masked Priming with Magnetoencephalography
Authors: Lehtonen Minna , Monahan Philip J. , Poeppel David
Published: May 2011

Are words stored as morphologically structured representations? If so, when during word recognition are morphological pieces accessed? Recent masked priming studies support models that assume early decomposition of (potentially) morphologically complex words. The electrophysiological evidence, however, is inconsistent. We combined masked morphological priming with magneto-encephalography (MEG), a technique particularly adept at indexing processes involved in lexical access. The latency of an MEG component peaking, on average, 220 msec post-onset of the target in left occipito-temporal brain regions was found to be sensitive to the morphological prime–target relationship under masked priming conditions in a visual lexical decision task. Shorter latencies for related than unrelated conditions were observed both for semantically transparent (cleaner–CLEAN) and opaque (corner–CORN) prime–target pairs, but not for prime–target pairs with only an orthographic relationship (brothel–BROTH). These effects are likely to reflect a prelexical level of processing where form-based representations of stems and affixes are represented and are in contrast to models positing no morphological structure in lexical representations. Moreover, we present data regarding the transitional probability from stem to affix in a post hoc comparison, which suggests that this factor may modulate early morphological decomposition, particularly for opaque words. The timing of a robust MEG component sensitive to the morphological relatedness of prime–target pairs can be used to further understand the neural substrates and the time course of lexical processing.
Is It a Baby? Perceived Age Affects Brain Processing of Faces Differently in Women and Men
Authors: Proverbio Alice Mado , Riva Federica , Zani Alberto , Martin Eleonora
Published: May 2011

It is known that infant faces stimulate visual and anterior brain regions belonging to the mesocortical limbic system (orbito-frontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and nucleus accumbens) as well as the fusiform gyrus during face coding, suggesting a preferential response to baby schema. In the present investigation, faces of infants, children, and adults were presented to 40 male and female right-handed university students with technological objects (and inanimate scenarios to serve as targets) in a randomly mixed fashion. EEG was recorded from 128 scalp sites. In both sexes, the N1 response to infant faces was larger than the response to adult faces; however, the baby-specific N1 response was much larger in women than in men across the left hemisphere. The anterior N2 response to infants was greater than the response to children only in women, whereas the response to children of any age was larger than the response to adults in men. LORETA identified the intracranial sources of N2 response to infants in the left fusiform gyrus (FG), as well as the uncus, cingulate, and orbito-frontal cortices. The FG, the limbic, and especially the orbito-frontal sources were much larger in women than in men. The data suggest a sex difference in the brain response to faces of different ages and in the preferential response to infants, especially with regard to activation of the mesocorticolimbic system.
Self-Stratification of Tropical Cyclone Outflow. Part I: Implications for Storm Structure
Authors: Emanuel Kerry , Rotunno Richard
Published: May 2011

Extant theoretical work on the steady-state structure and intensity of idealized axisymmetric tropical cyclones relies on the assumption that isentropic surfaces in the storm outflow match those of the unperturbed environment at large distances from the storm’s core. These isentropic surfaces generally lie just above the tropopause, where the vertical temperature structure is approximately isothermal, so it has been assumed that the absolute temperature of the outflow is nearly constant. Here it is shown that this assumption is not justified, at least when applied to storms simulated by a convection-resolving axisymmetric numerical model in which much of the outflow occurs below the ambient tropopause and develops its own stratification, unrelated to that of the unperturbed environment. The authors propose that this stratification is set in the storm’s core by the requirement that the Richardson number remain near its critical value for the onset of small-scale turbulence. This ansatz is tested by calculating the Richardson number in numerically simulated storms, and then showing that the assumption of constant Richardson number determines the variation of the outflow temperature with angular momentum or entropy and thereby sets the low-level radial structure of the storm outside its radius of maximum surface winds. Part II will show that allowing the outflow temperature to vary also allows one to discard an empirical factor that was introduced in previous work on the intensification of tropical cyclones.
Airborne Measurement of Liquid and Total Water Content
Authors: Vidaurre German , Hallett John , Rogers David C.
Published: May 2011

Two identical liquid water content (LWC) King probes—one total water content/liquid water content (TWC/LWC) Nevzorov probe and two constant-temperature T probes that are different in size to distinguish particles of different densities and diameters (section 2c)—were flown during the Alliance Icing Research Study (AIRS) II field campaign in the fall of 2003. This paper assesses measurements performed during several flights in mostly stratiform clouds. The two LWC King probes tracked well; however, discrepancies of up to 0.1 g m−3 for 1-s LWC measurements of 0.3 g m−3 were observed. Agreement between probes of different geometry and size was generally favorable, while levels of disagreement between the probes changed during numerous cloud penetrations from less than 20% up to a factor of 2, varying with flight conditions and microphysical structure of the cloud. Disagreement between probes was even larger when detecting ice water content (IWC). Measurement differences were attributed to different collection efficiencies resulting from preferred particle size, shape, and density and local aerodynamic effects around the aircraft. Measurements from a single probe are subject to uncertainty at a single point in time beyond the noise and drift level of the instrument. This uncertainty is evaluated considering particle habit, diameter, and density, and probe geometry and size, in addition to particle impact, breakup/splash, and bounce. From a working point of view, the intercomparison of several probes is subject to real but unknown spatial differences because of different locations between air samples. Comparison of identical probes is not appropriate because each measurement in itself is unique by definition. Thus, instead of duplication of instruments, subject to these levels of agreement, the use of a single probe is a practical approach while remaining aware of its limitations and capabilities.
Precipitation Forecasting Using Doppler Radar Data, a Cloud Model with Adjoint, and the Weather Research and Forecasting Model: Real Case Studies during SoWMEX in Taiwan
Authors: Tai Sheng-Lun , Liou Yu-Chieng , Sun Juanzhen , Chang Shao-Fan , Kuo Min-Chao
Published: May 2011

The quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) capability of the Variational Doppler Radar Analysis System (VDRAS) is investigated in the Taiwan area, where the complex topography and surrounding oceans pose great challenges to accurate rainfall prediction. Two real cases observed during intensive operation periods (IOPs) 4 and 8 of the 2008 Southwest Monsoon Experiment (SoWMEX) are selected for this study. Experiments are first carried out to explore the sensitivity of the retrieved fields and model forecasts with respect to different background fields. All results after assimilation of the Doppler radar data indicate that the principal kinematic and thermodynamic features recovered by the VDRAS four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVAR) technique are rather reasonable. Starting from a background field generated by blending ground-based in situ measurements (radiosonde and surface mesonet station) and reanalysis data over the oceans, VDRAS is capable of capturing the evolution of the major precipitation systems after 2 h of simulation. The model QPF capability is generally comparable to or better than that obtained using only in situ observations or reanalysis data to prepare the background fields. In a second set of experiments, it is proposed to merge the VDRAS analysis field with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF), and let the latter continue with the following model integration. The results indicate that through this combination, the performance of the model QPF can be further improved. The accuracy of the predicted 2-h accumulated rainfall turns out to be significantly higher than that generated by using VDRAS or WRF alone. This can be attributed to the assimilation of meso- and convective-scale information, embedded in the radar data, into VDRAS, and to better treatment of the topographic effects by the WRF simulation. The results illustrated in this study demonstrate a feasible extension for the application of VDRAS in other regions with similar geographic conditions and observational limitations.
The 1-Year Clinical Impact of Rotational Aspiration Atherectomy of Infrainguinal Lesions
Authors: Sixt Sebastian , Rastan Aljoscha , Scheinert Dierk , Krankenberg Hans , Steinkamp Hermann , Schmidt Andrej , Sievert Horst , Minar Erich , Bosiers Marc , Peeters Patrick , Balzer Jörn O. , Tübler Thilo , Wissgott Christian , Cancino Oscar Gerardo Carpio , Schwarzwälder Uwe , Zeller Thomas
Published: May 2011

The present study was carried out to provide information about outcome of the Jetstream atherectomy device for treatment of infrainguinal arteries. From February 2006 to February 2007, 172 patients with Rutherford class 1 to 5 lower limb ischemia were enrolled at 9 study sites. The endpoints were evaluation of quality of life according to the walking impairment questionnaire (WIQ) besides technical parameters. In the total study cohort, the WIQ scale maintained improved up to 12-month follow-up. Furthermore, target lesion revascularization rate was 26% (42/162), ankle-brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.59 ± 0.21 at baseline to 0.82 ± 0.27 ( P < 0.05), and mean Rutherford class dropped from 3.0 ± 0.9 at baseline to 1.5 ± 1.3 at 1 year ( P < .05). The results of this prospective, multicenter, clinical study demonstrate that the Jetstream atherectomy device is a potential treatment alternative for the endovascular management to improve clinical outcome in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
Incremental Value of Arterial Stiffness Over Traditional Risk Factors in Predicting Subclinical Cardiovascular Remodeling in Patients With Moderate Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Ticulescu Cristian-Razvan , Vriz Olga , Sparacino Lina , Popescu Bogdan A , Ginghina Carmen , Nicolosi Gian Luigi , Cervesato Eugenio , Panarello Giacomo , Carerj Scipione , Antonini-Canterin Francesco
Published: May 2011

Cardiovascular remodeling in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is responsible for the high mortality found in this condition. A total of 89 consecutive outpatients with stage III CKD and 52 patients with stage II CKD with similar degree of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors underwent routine echocardiographic and carotid Doppler examination, evaluating vascular and cardiac remodeling (intima—media thickness [IMT] and left ventricular mass index [LVMi]), and its relation with arterial stiffness, determined in the same examination, using an echo-tracking technique. Also the absolute values of LVMi and IMT were statistically similar between the 2 groups, their determinants were completely different, only in stage III the markers of renal impairment and arterial stiffness being independent predictors of cardiac and vascular modifications. We concluded that macroanatomical measurements do not fully describe cardiovascular remodeling in this setting. Arterial stiffness echo-tracking derived could add valuable information, being an easy-to-perform parameter during a routine examination.
Have You Been HIT?
Authors: Cross Jane , Weisters Mary , Aslam Robina , Keeling David , Handa Ashok
Published: May 2011

This review is specifically designed to aid the vascular surgeon in the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare complication of heparin administration, which poses significant morbidity and mortality. Its onset is usually 5 to 10 days after the heparin administration and should be suspected if platelet counts drop by at least 50%. Confirmation is given by the presence of HIT antibodies on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or in functional platelet activation assays. The major complication is thrombosis and surprisingly bleeding is rare. Heparin must be stopped immediately if there is a clinical suspicion of HIT and alternative anticoagulation must be started. Anticoagulation is required for at least 2 to 3 months to prevent recurrence of thrombosis. Oral anticoagulation with warfarin should not be initiated until the platelet count has been recovered and there should be an overlap of at least 5 days between starting warfarin and stopping the alternative anticoagulant.
Impact of Diabetes and Smoking Epidemic in the Middle East on the Presentation With Acute Coronary Syndrome in Very Young Patients
Authors: Alanbaei Muath , Zubaid Mohammad , Al-Mallah Mouaz H. , Rashed Wafa A , Shehab Abdullah , Al-Lawati Jawad , ChB MB , Amin Haitham , Suwaidi Jassim Al , Al-Hamdan Rashed , Zubair Shahid
Published: May 2011

We describe the baseline characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients of age ≤40 in the Gulf region of the Middle East. We studied 8176 hospitalized patients (≤40 years) with ACS. Ten percent (805) of the recruited patients were ≤40 years. The mean age was 37 years and 89% were males. The prevalence of smoking and diabetes in the young patients was high (58% and 21%, respectively). The most common ACS was ST elevation myocardial infarction. Younger patients were more aggressively treated with more frequent use of glycoprotein inhibitors, thrombolytics, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention. They had less in-hospital heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, shock, stroke, and low rate of in-hospital mortality (1%). Measures to combat the rising prevalence of diabetes and smoking are needed.
Soluble Fas and Fas Ligand in Pregnancy
Authors: Karthikeyan Velore J. , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Baghdadi Sabah , Lane Deirdre A. , Beevers D. Gareth , Blann Andrew D.
Published: May 2011

The pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia may involve abnormalities in placentation and the Fas/Fas ligand system. Hypothesizing abnormal plasma Fas and Fas ligand in pregnancy-induced hypertension, we recruited 20 hypertensive pregnant women at mean week 15 and 29 at week 30: 18 were studied at both time points. Control groups were 20 normotensive pregnant women at week 20, 29 women at week 27, and 50 nonpregnant women. sFas and sFas ligand (sFasL) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The hypertensive women had lower sFasL at both stages of their pregnancy ( P < .05). There were no differences in sFas. In 18 hypertensive pregnant women, sFasL fell from week 15 to week 29 ( P < .03). We conclude that sFas and sFasL is unchanged in normal pregnancy. Hypertension in pregnancy is characterized by low sFasL, and levels fall from weeks 15 to 29. This may reflect differences in placentation in the differing physiological and pathological states.
Social Issues in Management Division Dissertation Award Competition for 2010: Acknowledging Exemplary Research Processes and Outcomes in Doctoral Study
Authors: Mattingly James E.
Published: May 2011

This special dissertation forum, the first of its type to be published in this journal, reports the outcome and process for the 2010 annual Dissertation Award Competition for the Social Issues in Management (SIM) Division of the Academy of Management. The special forum comprises this introductory essay by the chair of the award committee and three dissertation abstracts by the award finalists. In addition, each finalist has provided a thoughtful essay reflecting on their experiences of the research process as junior scholars. The dissertation abstracts, with reflection essays, are in alphabetical order by last name of award finalist.
Omnes ProUno! Investors’ Collaboration Networks to Influence Responsible Corporate Management
Authors: Lee Jegoo
Published: May 2011

This dissertation abstract and reflection commentary presents the work of Dr. Jegoo Lee. The dissertation addresses collaboration networks among social investors seeking to influence responsible corporate management. The dissertation abstract explains the research questions, setting, and methods. The reflection commentary discusses the author’s views of research process as a junior scholar.
Understanding Thai Nationalism and Ethnic Identity
Authors: Thananithichot Stithorn
Published: May 2011

This article examines three approaches to the study of nations, nationalism, and ethnic identity: primordialism, instrumentalism, and constructivism. The discussion relies primarily on qualitative methods consisting of documentary and explanatory research to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. More importantly, an attempt is made to understand Thai nationalism and ethnic identity. Applying each theoretical framework to explain the Thai nation, nationalism, and ethnic identity, this article finds that each approach has both pros and cons. This article thus proposes the mechanism of the political entrepreneur to discuss how Thai political leaders define and utilize Thai (or ‘Thai-ness’) as well as Thai nationalism.
The Impact of Smoking on Oral and Nasopharyngeal Bacterial Flora
Authors: Brook I.
Published: May 2011

Exposure to direct and passive tobacco smoking has significant impact on the gingival and oropharyngeal flora. The effects of exposure to smoking are evident in both children as well as adults. It increases the acquisition of periodontal pathogens and periodontal disease, colonization by respiratory pathogens, and the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections, including otitis media. The flora of smokers contains fewer aerobic and anaerobic organisms with interfering activity against bacterial pathogens and harbors more potential pathogens as compared with the flora of non-smokers. The high number of pathogens and the low number of interfering organisms found in the nasopharynx of smokers revert to normal levels after complete cessation of smoking. Since parents who smoke harbor more potential pathogens and fewer interfering organisms, they may serve as a source of pathogens that can colonize and/or infect their children. The reduction in the number of members of the normal flora that interfere with the growth of pathogens and the greater adherence of bacterial pathogens to the oral mucosa are associated with the greater frequency of respiratory infections. Analysis of the data presented illustrates the adverse effects of direct and indirect exposure to smoking on colonization with potential pathogens.
The Impact of Vitamin D Status on Periodontal Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Bashutski J.D. , Eber R.M. , Kinney J.S. , Benavides E. , Maitra S. , Braun T.M. , Giannobile W.V. , McCauley L.K.
Published: May 2011

Vitamin D regulates calcium and immune function. While vitamin D deficiency has been associated with periodontitis, little information exists regarding its effect on wound healing and periodontal surgery outcomes. This longitudinal clinical trial assessed outcomes of periodontal surgery and teriparatide administration in vitamin-D-sufficient and -insufficient individuals. Forty individuals with severe chronic periodontitis received periodontal surgery, daily calcium and vitamin D supplements, and self-administered teriparatide or placebo for 6 wks to correspond with osseous healing time. Serum 25(OH)D was evaluated at baseline, 6 wks, and 6 mos post-surgery. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated over 1 yr. Placebo patients with baseline vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D, 16-19 ng/mL] had significantly less clinical attachment loss (CAL) gain (-0.43 mm vs. 0.92 mm, p < 0.01) and probing depth (PPD) reduction (0.43 mm vs. 1.83 mm, p < 0.01) than vitamin-D-sufficient individuals. Vitamin D levels had no significant impact on CAL and PPD improvements in teriparatide patients at 1 yr, but infrabony defect resolution was greater in teriparatide-treated vitamin-D-sufficient vs. -deficient individuals (2.05 mm vs. 0.87 mm, p = 0.03). Vitamin D deficiency at the time of periodontal surgery negatively affects treatment outcomes for up to 1 yr. Analysis of these data suggests that vitamin D status may be critical for post-surgical healing. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, CT00277706)
A Theory of Social Categories
Authors: Banton Michael
Published: May 2011

The study of ethnicity, race and nationalism lacks theoretical cohesion because its three central constructs are tied to the circumstances of time and geographical space; they are culture-bound. Their limitations can be reduced if they are seen as three items in a larger set of social categories. A synthesis of existing knowledge is presented in the form of 16 propositions about the genesis of social categories, both physical and cultural, and the significance attributed to them. Changes in the significance of social categories are illustrated by reference to recent immigration into the United Kingdom from outside Europe. The study of ethnicity, race and nationalism might be better integrated were future sociological research to investigate the circumstances in which behaviour is structured by social categorization and when it is not. To be culture-free, that research will have to uncover determinants that underlie the consciousness of the individuals involved.
Gender Convergence in Domestic Work: Discerning the Effects of Interactional and Institutional Barriers from Large-scale Data
Authors: Man Yee Kan  , Sullivan Oriel , Gershuny Jonathan
Published: May 2011

Cross-national trends in paid and unpaid work time over the last 40 years reveal a slow and incomplete convergence of women’s and men’s work patterns. A simplistic extrapolation would indicate a 70—80 year process of gender convergence, with the year 2010 representing an approximate mid-point. However, in conformity with the expectations of gender theory, time use data show that gender segregation in domestic work is quite persistent over time. Women still do the bulk of routine housework and caring for family members while men have increased their contributions disproportionately to non-routine domestic work, suggesting that gender ideologies and the associated ‘doing’ of gender in interaction remain important features of the division of domestic labour. The effects of institutional barriers are also apparent, with differential changes in women’s proportional contribution to routine housework and caring activities related to different national policy clusters.
Within School and Beyond the Gate: The Complexities of Being Educationally Successful and Working Class
Authors: Ingram Nicola
Published: May 2011

Much educational research on working-class boys has focused on their failure and lack of aspiration. However, there has been little research on working-class boys’ experiences of success. The very idea of being educationally successful and working class is problematic, as success has been argued to be dependent on the abandonment of aspects of working-class background. This article highlights the difficulties that some working-class grammar school boys face in reconciling their identity with educational success. For these boys the issue of identity is complex and there is a conflict between their identity, based on their class background, and their identity as an aspiring student. Using Bourdieu’s theory of habitus, this article explores the complexities associated with identities that are developing in social fields different from those in which they originated, and discusses how this impacts emotionally on working-class boys.
MyTribe: Post-subcultural Manifestations of Belonging on Social Network Sites
Authors: Robards Brady , Bennett Andy
Published: May 2011

Since the early 2000s, sociologists of youth have been engaged in a debate concerning the relevance of ‘subculture’ as a theoretical framework in the light of more recent postmodern-influenced interpretations of youth identities as fluid, dynamic and reflexively constructed. Utilizing ethnographic data collected on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, this article considers such debates in relation to social network sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Although online identity expression has been interpreted as exhibiting subcultural qualities, preliminary empirical research informing this article lends itself to a more neo-tribal reading.
Population Objects: Interpassive Subjects
Authors: Ruppert Evelyn
Published: May 2011

While Foucault described population as the object of biopower he did not investigate the practices that make it possible to know population. Rather, he tended to overemphasize it as an object on which power can act. However, population is not an object awaiting discovery, but is represented and enacted by specific devices such as censuses and what I call population metrics. The latter enact populations by assembling different categories and measurements of subjects (biographical, biometric and transactional) in myriad ways to identify and measure the performance of populations. I account for both the object and subject by thinking about how devices consist of agencements; that is, specific arrangements of humans and technologies whose mediations and interactions not only enact populations but also produce subjects. I suggest that population metrics render subjects interpassive whereby other beings or objects take up the role and act in place of the subject.
Perception of Insecurity in French Poor Neighbourhoods
Authors: Pan Ké Shon Jean-Louis
Published: May 2011

Many poor neighbourhoods, home to both socially disadvantaged populations and to foreigners, are characterised by a strong perception of insecurity. The purpose of this article is determine the origin of this perception. To do so, two possible causes are dissociated: racial prejudice and racial proxy (the ethnic minorities are perceived in terms of the negative social characteristics that are often associated with them). More specifically, it is shown that the ‘ethnic’ variable captures the effects of an overconcentration of poverty, approximated here by the concentration of unemployment, but that these two variables act separately. This result should be taken into account in the policies implemented by public authorities and local actors. In this study, an original methodology is applied based simultaneously on individual geocoded data, the proportion of foreigners, the unemployment rate at the neighbourhood level and an indirect indicator of perceived insecurity.
The Power of the Program: How the Academic Program Can Improve Community College Student Success
Authors: Nitecki Elena M.
Published: May 2011

This case study examines two successful career-focused programs at an urban community college struggling with retention. The findings show how these programs create a unique institutional subculture, resulting in relatively higher rates of retention and graduation, and highlight the tremendous potential of the program to mitigate limitations of retention efforts undertaken at the institutional level.
Second-Generation Prisoners
Authors: Novero Caitlin M. , Booker Loper Ann , Warren Janet I.
Published: May 2011

The authors investigated whether prisoners who had a parent in prison, “second-generation prisoners,” had poorer rates of adjustment compared to those inmates who did not report a history of parental incarceration. Among a sample of 459 men and women in prison, approximately half reported having had a parent in prison or jail. There was considerable self-reported childhood adversity within the entire sample, with relatively higher levels reported by the second-generation prisoner group. Second-generation prisoners self-reported more anger and prison violence and demonstrated a greater presence of institutional rule breaking in comparison to first-generation prisoners. Results were maintained after statistical control for the high rates of adversities in childhood. Post hoc analysis revealed differences on adjustment variables between first-generation prisoners and individuals with a mother incarcerated or with both parents incarcerated, suggesting the pronounced impact of maternal incarceration on long-term well-being. Results indicate that the negative effects of parental incarceration are evident within the prison community and have a significant relationship to inmates’ adjustment while incarcerated.
Pseudo Cluster Randomization: Balancing the Disadvantages of Cluster and Individual Randomization
Authors: Melis René J. F. , Teerenstra S. , Olde Rikkert M.G.M. , Borm G.F.
Published: May 2011

While designing a trial to evaluate a complex intervention, one may be confronted with the dilemma that randomization at the level of the individual patient risks contamination bias, whereas cluster randomization risks incomparability of study arms and recruitment problems. Literature provides only few solutions to this dilemma and these are not always feasible. As an alternative solution for this dilemma, we developed a new two-stage randomization method called pseudo cluster randomization. In the first stage, the clusters (e.g., recruiting physicians) are randomized into two groups: one group of clusters in which the majority of the participants (e.g., 80%) will receive the experimental treatment; one group of clusters in which the majority will receive the control condition. Following this, the second stage of the randomization involves randomly assigning participants within clusters in the proportions determined by the first stage. This has important advantages. Compared with cluster randomization the potential occurrence of baseline incomparability of treatment arms and poor recruitment is reduced, because the physicians who recruit the participants are unable to know in advance which treatment condition the next participant they recruit will be assigned to. Limiting the exposure of half of the physicians to the innovative intervention lowers risk of contamination bias. When this type of contamination bias is present, pseudo cluster randomization can be more efficient than individual or cluster randomization in that smaller number of study participants is needed to achieve a predefined power.
Digital spaces, material traces: How matter comes to matter in online performances of gender, sexuality and embodiment
Authors: van Doorn Niels
Published: May 2011

This article argues that in order to cultivate a more thorough understanding of how gender, sexuality and embodiment come to ‘matter’ in digital environments, it is necessary to reconsider the notion of the virtual as it relates to everyday reality, in addition to rethinking the digital in relation to our common conception of materiality. To develop such an understanding, the discussion is organized around three sections. The first section addresses the notion of ‘virtuality’ by arguing that empirical inquiries into new media cultures should expand their conception of the ‘virtual’ beyond its common associations with digitally mediated environments, in order to properly recognize the materiality of everyday digital practices. The second section focuses on how ‘virtual’ performances of gender, sexuality and embodiment become materialized in digital space. Finally, the third section addresses gender performance and embodied memory in relation to the archival properties of internet platforms that feature user-generated content. It is concluded that that the virtual plays a constitutive role in the materialization of gender, sexuality and embodiment in both digital and physical spaces. Rather than approaching digitally virtual images in terms of disembodied information and signification, we should continue to ask how they in- form and are in- formed by the volatile and intractable matter of gender, sexuality and embodiment.
Are the abstracts of high impact articles more readable? Investigating the evidence from top research institutions in the world
Authors: Gazni Ali
Published: May 2011

This paper examines the abstracts of the articles of the five most cited institutions in the world to determine their text reading level. Around 260,000 articles were analysed during 2000—2009 and the Flesch reading ease (RE) formula was applied to calculate the difficulty level of the abstracts according to the readability scores. The present study tries to: determine the abstracts reading level; discover the difference in the abstracts reading level among various disciplines; check the changes in the reading level of the abstracts during the examined years; test the correlation between the readability of the abstracts and their scientific impact. The results revealed that the texts of the abstracts are very difficult to read. Although this fact is true for all disciplines, disciplines can be divided into two groups based on their reading level, with some clearly less readable than others. No considerable change was observed in the readability scores of the abstracts over the examined years. Although the results of this research indicate that academics always write their abstracts in a difficult manner, these findings may result from the limitations in the readability formulas. Some researchers argue that these formulas ignore the readers’ prior knowledge, interest and motivation and, based on the findings, it is clear that academics do tolerate such apparently difficult texts (RE score).
Terrorism and trauma: Negotiating Derridean ‘autoimmunity’
Authors: La Caze Marguerite
Published: May 2011

I begin by examining the logic of autoimmunity as characterized by Jacques Derrida, ‘that strange behaviour where a living being, in quasi-suicidal fashion, ‘‘itself’’ works to destroy its own protection, to immunize itself against its own immunity’ (Borradori, 2003: 94). According to Derrida, religion, democracy, terrorism and recent responses to the trauma of terrorism can be understood in terms of this logic. Responses to terrorism are ‘autoimmune’ and increase the trauma of terrorism as well as risking democratic values. I argue that the risks of autoimmunity can be negotiated in better ways if we see how autoimmunity relates to another important Derridean concept, hospitality.
Building the national memory in Uganda: the role of legal deposit legislation
Authors: Kawalya Jane
Published: May 2011

The paper presents the role of legal deposit legislation in building the national memory in Uganda. It defines the concepts of legal deposit and national memory and how they relate to each other. The historical background of legal deposit is outlined. This is followed by the development of legal deposit Acts in Uganda, namely the Makerere University College (Deposit Library) Act, 1964, the Deposit Library and Documentation Centre Act, 1969 and the National Library Act, 2003. The article discusses the roles played by Makerere University Library, the Deposit Library and Documentation Centre and the National Library of Uganda in building the national memory. The differences and similarities between the three legal depositories are analysed. Finally the challenges faced by these institutions are discussed and suggestions given.
Bibliometrics and the brain dead
Authors: Johnson Ian M.
Published: May 2011

Many bibliometric and webometric studies are superficial, failing to explore the reasons underlying the phenomenon that they measure. Why do so many LIS researchers show so little curiosity about the context within which information is produced and used? Why do they neglect this opportunity to demonstrate the importance of information to development? What more do teachers need to communicate about the purpose of bibliometrics and how to apply them in an influential way?
Hemodynamic evaluation of arterial and venous cannulae performance in a simulated neonatal extracorporeal life support circuit
Authors: Qiu F. , Clark J.B. , Kunselman A.R. , Ündar A. , Myers J.L.
Published: May 2011

Objective: To construct an ideal extracorporeal life support (ECLS) circuit in terms of hemodynamic performance, each component of the circuit should be evaluated. Most cannulae manufacturers evaluate their products using water as the priming solution. We conducted this study to evaluate the different sizes of arterial and venous cannulae in a simulated neonatal ECLS circuit primed with human blood.

Methods: The simulated neonatal ECLS circuit was composed of a Capiox Baby RX05 oxygenator, a Rotaflow centrifugal pump and a heater & cooler unit. Three Medtronic Bio-Medicus arterial cannulae (8Fr, 10Fr, 12Fr) and three venous cannulae (10Fr, 12Fr, 14Fr) were tested in seven combinations (8A-10V, 8A-12V, 10A-10V, 10A-12V, 10A-14V, 12A-12V, 12A-14V). All the experiments were conducted using human blood at a hematocrit of 40% and at a constant temperature of 37°C. The “tip to tip” priming volume of the entire circuit was 135ml. The blood volume of the pseudo patient was 500ml.

Results: Flow rates increased linearly with increasing size in both venous and arterial cannulae at the same pump speeds. The increase in flow rate was greater when changing the arterial cannulae (next size larger) compared to changing the venous cannulae (next size larger). The pressure drops of the arterial cannula were correlated with the flow rates, regardless of the pseudo patient pressure and the venous cannula used simultaneously.

Conclusions: The results show the difference in flow ranges and pressure drops of seven combinations of arterial and venous cannulae. It also suggests that the arterial cannula, not the venous cannula, has greater impact on the flow rate when a centrifugal pump is used in a neonatal ECLS circuit. The results of this study have been translated to further advancing the clinical practice in our institution.