bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-Stage BAHA and Mastoid Obliteration
Authors: George Ajith , Coulson Chris , Ross Elizabeth , De Ranit
Published: October 2012

A single-stage fitting of a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) implant and abutment with mastoid obliteration both obviates the need for two separate procedures and utilises the BAHA soft tissue reduction in the mastoid obliteration. Such a procedure has good outcomes in terms of osseointegration and achieving a dry ear. We present a 6-patient case series report highlighting the technique of combined BAHA insertion and mastoid obliteration in six patients. All patients at twelve-month followup have a good degree of sound localisation and hearing thresholds with their BAHA and are free from the social stigma associated with a foul smelling discharging ear.
A Technique to Perform PCI and Stenting in an Anomalous RCA from the Left Sinus of Valsalva
Authors: Sun Dazhong , Bogart Douglas
Published: October 2012

This describes a technique for the successful performance of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients whose right coronary artery arises from the left sinus of Valsalva and in whom the standard guiding catheters do not allow coaxial support.
Engineering Geological Assessment of Diversion Tunnel of Bakhtiari Damsite (Biggest Two-Arch Concrete Dam in Southern Iran)
Authors: Ajalloeian R. , Soofi A. R. Samadi , Salavati M.
Published: October 2012

Bakhtiari dam is located on the Bakhtiari river, 120 km away from the north of the Andimeshk city. Upper diversion tunnel of this dam with large cross section (13.7 m excavation diameter) and more than 1 km length is a huge construction. The tunnel is placed in the Sarvak formation carbonate rocks of Bangestan group which passes through seven different geological zones with various specifications (SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, SV5, SV6, and SV7). Joint studies show two main discontinuit including bedding and a main group of joint (J1) together with random joints (faults and fractures). Most of discontinuities have been filled mainly by calcite or calcite and clay. Data deduced from testing and analysis shows good-to-excellent RQD classes with 75 to 90 values. Based on RMR and Q methods, generally rock masses have good to very good quality with 61 to 95 values for RMR and 10 to 35 values for Q. Based on conducted stability analysis, suitable supports were suggested for tunnel by RMR and Q methods. As a result, it can be concluded that all units have a good stability. Therefore, systematic rock bolting with 40–50 mm unreinforced shotcrete has been proposed for some special place. For rock support, according to RMR method, 3 m rock bolts in crown, 2.5 m spacing and with 50 mm shotcrete in crown has been proposed also 3 m rock bolts, based on Q method, 2.3-2.4 m spacing with systematic Bolting without shotcrete or 40 mm unreinforced shotcrete in some units, has been proposed. According to RMR method, for SV5 zone with very good and excellent quality, local 33 bolting without shotcrete and 3m rock bolts, 3 m spacing and spot bolting according to Q method has been proposed.
Nanocouplers for Infrared and Visible Light
Authors: Andryieuski A. , Lavrinenko A. V.
Published: October 2012

An efficient and compact coupler—a device that matches a microwaveguide and a nanowaveguide—is an essential component for practical applications of nanophotonic systems. The number of coupling approaches has been rapidly increasing in the past ten years with the help of plasmonic structures and metamaterials. In this paper we overview recent as well as common solutions for nanocoupling. More specifically we consider the physical principles of operation of the devices based on a tapered waveguide section, a direct coupler, a lens, and a scatterer and support them with a number of examples.
The Dynamics of an Eco‐Epidemiological Model with Nonlinear Incidence Rate
Authors: Naji Raid Kamel , Mustafa Arkan N.
Published: October 2012

This paper treats the dynamical behavior of eco‐epidemiological model with nonlinear incidence rate. A Holling type II prey‐predator model with SI‐type of disease in prey has been proposed and analyzed. The existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution of the system are studied. The local and global dynamical behaviors are investigated. The conditions, which guarantee the occurring of Hopf bifurcation of the system, are established. Finally, further investigations for the global dynamics of the proposed system are carried out with the help of numerical simulations.
Attitudes towards Mathematics: Effects of Individual, Motivational, and Social Support Factors
Authors: Mata Maria de Lourdes , Monteiro Vera , Peixoto Francisco
Published: October 2012

This paper aims to understand how certain different but interrelated variables such as background, motivation, and social support could lead to an explanation of student attitudes towards math and to an understanding of the defining characteristics of these attitudes in the school environment. Participants consisted of 1719 Portuguese students, from fifth-to-twelfth grade. The study utilizes an adaptation of the “Intrinsic Motivation Inventory” assessing main determinants of intrinsic motivation. One section of the questionnaire—“In my Math Class”—also assesses student perceptions of teacher and peer support as well as student attitudes. The results revealed that, in general, students held positive attitudes towards mathematics and also highlighted the main effects of grade and math achievement on these attitudes. No gender effect was identified although the girls showed a continuous decline in attitudes the further they progressed in school. A hierarchical analysis using structural equation modeling showed that motivation-related variables are the main predictors of attitudes towards mathematics and that teachers and the social support of peers are also highly significant in understanding these attitudes.
An Unusual Mishap during Root Canal Access in Retreatment Case
Authors: Hampanna Malur Manjunath , Krishna Akash , Sapna D. V.
Published: October 2012

Varieties of objects have been introduced into the root canal system accidentally or intentionally; removal of these objects necessitates the success of the treatment. This paper explains an unusual bur fracture during nonsurgical endodontic treatment and its removal by ultrasonic energy with ease and without the removal of extra large amount of root dentin.
Generalizations of 𝒩‐Subalgebras in BCK/BCI‐Algebras Based on Point 𝒩‐Structures
Authors: Jun Young Bae , Lee Kyoung Ja , Kang Min Su
Published: October 2012

The aim of this article is to obtain more general forms than the papers of (Jun et al. (2010); Jun et al. (in press)). The notions of
𝒩‐subalgebras of types (∈, qk), (∈, ∈∨qk), and (q, ∈∨qk) are introduced, and the concepts of   qk‐support and ∈∨qk‐support are also introduced. Several related properties are investigated. Characterizations of 𝒩‐subalgebra of type (∈, ∈∨qk) are discussed, and conditions for an 𝒩‐subalgebra of type (∈, ∈∨qk) to be an 𝒩‐subalgebra of type (∈, ∈) are considered.
A Multi-Layered Control Approach for Self-Adaptation in Automotive Embedded Systems
Authors: Zeller Marc , Prehofer Christian
Published: October 2012

We present an approach for self-adaptation in automotive embedded systems using a hierarchical, multi-layered control approach. We model automotive systems as a set of constraints and define a hierarchy of control loops based on different criteria. Adaptations are performed at first locally on a lower layer of the architecture. If this fails due to the restricted scope of the control cycle, the next higher layer is in charge of finding a suitable adaptation. We compare different options regarding responsibility split in multi-layered control in a self-healing scenario with a setup adopted from automotive in-vehicle networks. We show that a multi-layer control approach has clear performance benefits over a central control, even though all layers work on the same set of constraints. Furthermore, we show that a responsibility split with respect to network topology is preferable over a functional split.
Synthesis of Zirconia Nanoparticles and Their Ameliorative Roles as Additives Concrete Structures
Authors: Negahdary Masoud , Habibi-Tamijani Amir , Asadi Asadollah , Ayati Saeid
Published: October 2012

We investigated synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (Nps) and their ameliorative roles as additives concrete structures. Synthesized Zirconia Nps were studied with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV‐visible spectrophotometer, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). We used standard Portland cement in related experiment Concrete Structures. The experimental or E series (E1–E4) mixtures were prepared with different amounts of ZrO2 Nps with an average particle size of 20 nm. The experimental mixtures were prepared 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 2.0% ZrO2 Nps/cement by weight. The modified cement with ZrO2 nanoparticles was studied with split tensile strength, flexural strength and setting time methods. Final results showed that Zirconia Nps could be used for their Ameliorative roles as Additives Concrete Structures.
Crystal Structure of Ruthenium Phthalocyanine with Diaxial Monoatomic Ligand: Bis(Triphenylphosphine)Iminium Dichloro(Phthalocyaninato(2‐))Ruthenium(III)
Authors: Yu Derrick Ethelbhert , Kikuchi Akira , Taketsugu Tetsuya , Inabe Tamotsu
Published: October 2012

Axially‐ligated iron phthalocyanines have been found to be good molecular conductors with giant negative magnetoresistance (GNMR) which originates from a strong intramolecular π‐d interaction between the metal and phthalocyanine. Ab initio theoretical calculations showed that substitution of ruthenium into the phthalocyanine complex would result in a significant increase in the
π‐d interaction of the system, potentially intensifying GNMR. This paper presents the crystal preparation and X‐ray structural characterization of bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium dichloro(phthalocyaninato(2‐))ruthenium(III), PNP [RuIII(Pc2−)Cl2]. It is observed that [RuIII(Pc2−)Cl2] system has a symmetric planar RuPc unit with perpendicular axial ligands which results in a unidirectional and uniform solid‐state arrangement, suitable for π‐d interaction‐based molecular conductors with potentially exceptional GNMR.
Simple Cocasting Method to Prepare Magnetic Mesoporous FePt/C Composites and Their Protein Adsorption Property
Authors: Zhu Yufang , He Xing
Published: October 2012

A simple cocasting method has been developed to prepare magnetic mesoporous FePt/C composites with superparamagnetic FePt nanoparticles embedded in carbon walls. Furfuryl alcohol, iron(III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)3), and platinum(II) acetylacetonate (Pt(acac)2) were used as the carbon and FePt nanoparticle precursors to be simultaneously incorporated into the channels of mesoporous silica SBA‐15 template by the incipient wetness impregnation technique. After the polymerization of furfuryl alcohol, the carbonization in argon, and the removal of silica template, magnetic mesoporous FePt/C composites were finally obtained. Magnetic mesoporous FePt/C composites have high surface area of 1244 m2/g and narrow mesopore size distribution peaked at 4.93 nm. FePt nanoparticles were well embedded in mesoporous carbon walls, and mesoporous FePt/C composites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior. Using cytochrome c (Cyt c), myoglobin (Mb), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model proteins, the adsorption capacities of Cyt c, Mb, and BSA on magnetic mesoporous FePt/C composites can reach ca. 200, 162, and 121 μg/mg, respectively. These results indicated that mesoporous FePt/C composites have potential as magnetically separable adsorbent for biomolecules separation.
Catalytic Performance of Fe‐Mn/SiO2 Nanocatalysts for CO Hydrogenation
Authors: Feyzi Mostafa , Nadri Shirin , Joshaghani Mohammad
Published: October 2012

A series of x(Fe, Mn)/SiO2 nanocatalysts (x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt.%) were prepared by sol‐gel method and studied for the light olefins production from synthesis gas. It was found that the catalyst containing 20 wt.% (Fe, Mn)/SiO2 is an optimal nano catalyst for production of C2–C4 olefins. Effects of sulfur treatment on the catalyst performance of optimal catalyst have been studied by espousing different volume fractions of H2S in a fixed bed stainless steel reactor. The results show that the catalyst treated with 6 v% of H2S had high catalytic performance for C2–C4 light olefins production. The best operational conditions were H2/CO = 3/2 molar feed ratio at 260°C and GHSV = 1100 h−1 under 1 bar total pressure. Characterization of catalysts was carried out using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and surface area measurements.
Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Supplemental Oxygen and Their Prognostic Implications in Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Leuchte Hanno H. , Baezner Carlos J. , Baumgartner Rainer A. , Mernitz Philipp , Neurohr Claus , Behr Jürgen
Published: October 2012

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) of various causes leads to a poor prognosis. Pulmonary vasoreactivity testing during right heart catheterization (RHC) has prognostic and therapeutic consequences. Objective: To characterize the acute hemodynamic response to short-term oxygen supplementation (SHOT) in adult PH patients and its impact on prognosis. Methods: After a stable baseline period, 104 patients with PH [pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; n = 56), chronic thromboembolic (PH; n = 22) or respiratory diseases (PH; n = 26)], who were mainly therapy-naïve (86.5%) (mean pO2 64.5 ± 1.2 mm Hg), received a standardized SHOT during RHC and hemodynamic response was assessed for its prognostic potential. Results: SHOT significantly reduced heart rate (HR: 78.9 ± 1.5 to 74 ± 1.5 beats/min), cardiac output (4 ± 0.1 to 3.8 ± 0.1 l/min), pulmonary arterial pressure (46.4 ± 1.3 to 42.3 ± 1.3 mm Hg) and pulmonary vascular resistance (10.1 ± 0.5 to 9.6 ± 0.5 Wood units; all p < 0.001) compared to baseline. The magnitude of this effect varied between the different PH groups. During a median follow-up of 25.1 months (range: 0.2-73.3 months), HR <72 beats/min in response to SHOT was associated with a better prognosis in patients with PH due to chronic thromboembolism to the lung and PH from chronic lung disease. Conclusions: SHOT leads to characteristic hemodynamic responses across different forms of PH. The preserved capability to acutely respond to SHOT with HR reduction is of prognostic significance in patients with non PAH PH.
Accessing Carboxylesterase Diversity from Termite Hindgut Symbionts through Metagenomics
Authors: Rashamuse Konanani , Mabizela-Mokoena Nobalanda , Sanyika Tendai Walter , Mabvakure Batsirai , Brady Dean
Published: October 2012

A shotgun metagenomic library was constructed from termite hindgut symbionts and subsequently screened for esterase activities. A total of 68 recombinant clones conferring esterolytic phenotypes were identified, of which the 14 most active were subcloned and sequenced. The nucleotide lengths of the esterase-encoding open reading frames (ORFs) ranged from 783 to 2,592 bp and encoded proteins with predicted molecular masses of between 28.8 and 97.5 kDa. The highest identity scores in the GenBank database, from a global amino acid alignment ranged from 39 to 83%. The identified ORFs revealed the presence of the G-X-S-X-D, G-D-S-X, and S-X-X-K sequence motifs that have been reported to harbour a catalytic serine residue in other previously reported esterase primary structures. Five of the ORFs (EstT5, EstT7, EstT9, EstT10, and EstT12) could not be classified into any of the original eight esterase families. One of the ORFs (EstT9) showed a unique primary structure consisting of an amidohydrolase-esterase fusion. Six of the 14 esterase-encoding genes were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified enzymes exhibited temperature optima of between 40–50°C. Substrate-profiling studies revealed that the characterised enzymes were ‘true’ carboxylesterases based on their preferences for short to medium chain length p-nitrophenyl ester substrates. This study has demonstrated a successful application of a metagenomic approach in accessing novel esterase-encoding genes from the gut of termites that could otherwise have been missed by classical culture enrichment approaches.
Pediatric Astroblastoma: A Rare Case with a Review of the Literature
Authors: Khosla Divya , Yadav Budhi S. , Kumar Ritesh , Agrawal Pallivi , Kakkar Nandita , Patel Firuza D. , Sharma Suresh C.
Published: October 2012

Astroblastoma is a rare glial tumor with uncertain histopathological origin and unpredictable clinical behavior. We present a case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with headache and blurring of vision for 2 months. A well-demarcated mass was found in the right frontoparietal lobe on a brain MRI. The patient was treated with total tumor resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy. Histologically, the features were suggestive of high-grade astroblastoma. The patient is alive and disease free 23 months after surgery. The characteristic radiological and histopathological features and treatment of this case are described with a literature review.
Efficacy and Anticarcinogenic Activity of Ribavirin Combination Therapy for Hepatitis C Virus-Related Compensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Akuta Norio , Suzuki Fumitaka , Seko Yuya , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kobayashi Mariko , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: October 2012

Objective: Anticarcinogenic activity of ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related compensated cirrhosis is still unclear. Methods: In study 1, in 157 consecutive patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis, treatment efficacy with interferon plus ribavirin therapy was evaluated for 48 weeks of HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b) or 24 weeks of HCV-2a/2b. In study 2, in 185 consecutive patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis, who showed no sustained virological response following the first course of interferon monotherapy, hepatocarcinogenesis rates were evaluated according to the additional treatment, and they were classified into three groups: no treatment, interferon monotherapy, and ribavirin combination therapy. Results: In study 1, in HCV-1b, rates of sustained virological response and sustained biochemical response were 21 and 56%, respectively. In HCV-2a/2b, rates of sustained virological response and sustained biochemical response were 70 and 78%, respectively. In HCV-1b, sustained biochemical response rates were significantly higher than those of sustained virological response. In study 2, the hepatocarcinogenesis rates in ribavirin combination therapy were significantly lower than those in interferon monotherapy and no treatment, respectively. Conclusion: Ribavirin combination therapy for HCV-related compensated cirrhosis reduces the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in comparison with interferon monotherapy, and higher rates of sustained biochemical response might be associated with lower hepatocarcinogenesis rates.
Influence of Erythropoietin on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Bartels Valerie , Hillebrand Uta , Kosch Markus , Hausberg Martin , Kisters Klaus , Di Marco Giovana Seno , Reiermann Stefanie , Pavenstaedt Hermann , Lang Detlef
Published: October 2012

Background/Aims: Recent retrospective studies suggest an association of therapy with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and increased mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Large artery structure and function are significantly impaired in RTR which contributes to their high cardiovascular morbidity and could be altered by erythropoietin. We aimed to examine the influence of ESA therapy on large artery stiffness and endothelial function in RTR. Methods: 63 RTR with chronic allograft dysfunction and renal anemia were randomized to a group receiving darbepoetin alfa (Dar) and a control group (Co). At baseline and after 8 months of treatment (cumulative Dar dose 11.1 µg/kg b.w.) brachial and common carotid artery distensibility coefficients, aortic pulse wave velocity, brachial artery flow-mediated and nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation were measured as well as the following biomarkers of vascular function: vWF, sVCAM, sICAM, E-selectin, t-PA and PAI-1. Results: 23 patients in the Dar group and 17 patients in the Co group were available for per-protocol analysis. Hemoglobin increased significantly from 10.9 to 12.6 g/dl after 8 months in the Dar group, whereas it remained stable at 11.3 g/dl in the Co group. Effects on large artery stiffness, endothelial function and biomarkers of vascular function did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Therapy with Dar during 8 months did not significantly impact parameters of large artery stiffness and endothelial function in RTR. These data suggest that therapy with erythropoietin does not deteriorate arterial stiffness and endothelial function in RTR.
Childhood Obesity Is Associated with Changes in the Serum Metabolite Profile
Authors: Wahl Simone , Yu Zhonghao , Kleber Michaela , Singmann Paula , Holzapfel Christina , He Ying , Mittelstrass Kirstin , Polonikov Alexey , Prehn Cornelia , Römisch-Margl Werner , Adamski Jerzy , Suhre Karsten , Grallert Harald , Illig Thomas , Wang-Sattler Rui , Reinehr Thomas
Published: October 2012

Objective: The human serum metabolite profile is reflective of metabolic processes, including pathophysiological changes characteristic of diseases. Therefore, investigation of serum metabolite concentrations in obese children might give new insights into biological mechanisms associated with childhood obesity. Methods: Serum samples of 80 obese and 40 normal-weight children between 6 and 15 years of age were analyzed using a mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach targeting 163 metabolites. Metabolite concentrations and metabolite ratios were compared between obese and normal-weight children as well as between children of different pubertal stages. Results: Metabolite concentration profiles of obese children could be distinguished from those of normal-weight children. After correction for multiple testing, we observed 14 metabolites (glutamine, methionine, proline, nine phospholipids, and two acylcarnitines, p < 3.8 × 10–4) and 69 metabolite ratios (p < 6.0 × 10–6) to be significantly altered in obese children. The identified metabolite markers are indicative of oxidative stress and of changes in sphingomyelin metabolism, in β-oxidation, and in pathways associated with energy expenditure. In contrast, pubertal stage was not associated with metabolite concentration differences. Conclusion: Our study shows that childhood obesity influences the composition of the serum metabolome. If replicated in larger studies, the altered metabolites might be considered as potential biomarkers in the generation of new hypotheses on the biological mechanisms behind obesity.
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Propagation of Idealized Sea-Breeze Density Currents
Authors: Robinson F. J. , Patterson M. D. , Sherwood S. C.
Published: October 2012

Sea breezes are often modeled as a wave response to transient heating in a stratified environment. They occur, however, as density currents with well-defined fronts, the understanding of which rests primarily on experiments and theory that do not include the stratification within and above the current and the steady heat input at the land surface. These gaps are investigated here via a sequence of idealized 2D density current simulations, progressing from the simplest classical case to more realistic surface heating and stratification.

In the classical situation where the entire horizontal density contrast is imposed initially, the front quickly attains a constant speed determined by traditional formulas based on the density contrast across the front and the current depth, or by the amount of heat needed to produce it from an initially barotropic fluid. However, these diagnostic and prognostic tools fail completely if the current is driven by a gradual input of heat, analogous to a real sea-breeze situation. In this case the current accelerates slowly at first, remaining much slower than would be expected based on classical formulas.

The motion of a classical density current is mostly inertial, with accelerations occurring at the current head; while in the continuously heated case, the entire current accelerates, requiring interior body forces to develop slowly owing to heating of the density current itself. This explains why observed sea-breeze fronts propagate more slowly than predicted from classical formulas, and may help to explain why larger landmasses, where fronts have more time to accelerate, often experience stronger convective storms when triggered by sea-breeze effects.
A Numerical Simulation Study of the Effects of Anvil Shading on Quasi-Linear Convective Systems
Authors: Oberthaler Andrew J. , Markowski Paul M.
Published: October 2012

Numerical simulations are used to investigate how the attenuation of solar radiation by the intervening cumulonimbus cloud, particularly its large anvil, affects the structure, intensity, and evolution of quasi-linear convective systems and the sensitivity of the effects of this “anvil shading” to the ambient wind profile. Shading of the pre-gust-front inflow environment (as opposed to shading of the cold pool) has the most important impact on the convective systems. The magnitude of the low-level cooling, associated baroclinicity, and stabilization of the pre-gust-front environment due to anvil shading generally increases as the duration of the shading increases. Thus, for a given leading anvil length, a slow-moving convective system tends to be affected more by anvil shading than does a fast-moving convective system. Differences in the forward speeds of the convective systems simulated in this study are largely attributable to differences in the mean environmental wind speed over the depth of the troposphere.

Anvil shading reduces the buoyancy realized by the air parcels that ascend through the updrafts. As a result, anvil shading contributes to weaker updrafts relative to control simulations in which clouds are transparent to solar radiation. Anvil shading also affects the convective systems by modifying the low-level (nominally 0–2.5 km AGL) vertical wind shear in the pre-gust-front environment. The shear modifications affect the slope of the updraft region and system-relative rear-to-front flow, and the sign of the modifications is sensitive to the ground-relative vertical wind profile in the far-field environment. The vertical wind shear changes are brought about by baroclinic vorticity generation associated with the horizontal buoyancy gradient that develops in the shaded boundary layer (which makes the pre-gust-front, low-level vertical wind shear less westerly) and by a reduction of the vertical mixing of momentum due to the near-surface (nominally 0–300 m AGL) stabilization that accompanies the shading-induced cooling. The reduced mixing makes the pre-gust-front, low-level vertical shear more (less) westerly if the ambient, near-surface wind and wind shear are westerly (easterly).
Analytical solution of linear elastic beams cracked in flexure and strengthened with side plates
Authors: Kolšek Jerneja , Hozjan Tomaž , Saje Miran , Planinc Igor
Published: October 2012

A new mathematical model and its analytical solution for the analysis of the stress–strain state of a linear elastic beam cracked in flexure and strengthened with plates on its lateral sides is presented. Both the longitudinal and the transversal interactions at the side plate/beam interface are considered. Linear behaviour of the contact connection is assumed. The method is based upon the linearised planar beam theory of Reissner. The weakening of the beam induced by the flexural crack is modelled conventionally as a rotational spring. The suitability of the theory is demonstrated in a case presentation involving the comparison between analytical results of the present beam (one-dimensional) model, the experiments and the numerical results of a full three-dimensional solid model created in the LUSAS finite element analysis software. An excellent agreement between the results is observed and the proposed formulation is found to be accurate and reliable. Finally, the solution is employed in an engineering analysis, discussing the effects of the material and the geometric properties of selected characteristic cases of the observed beams on the static and kinematic quantities, including the boundary conditions of the side plates, the longitudinal and the transversal stiffness of the connection, the size of the cracks, the span of the beam, and the length and the stiffness of the side plates. For the cracked cantilever beam, a substantial effect of any of these parameters is found. In contrast, for the cracked two-span continuous beam, only the effect of the stiffness of the side plates and the effect of the length of the beam spans are noticeable.
The effects of fiber’s surface roughness on the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Yao Yin , Chen Shaohua
Published: October 2012

An improved shear-lag model is developed in this paper to study the effects of interface roughness on the mechanical properties of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer composites with a staggered structure, in which the roughness is incorporated by establishing equilibrium equations for the fiber platelets with varying thickness along its axial direction. The stress transfer and effective Young’s modulus of composites are mainly investigated due to the influence of fiber’s surface roughness. Since the polymer matrix can be chosen as thermoplastic or thermosetting materials, a uniformly interfacial shear stress distribution due to the frictional transfer along fiber/matrix interfaces and a non-uniformly one due to the elastic transfer are analyzed, respectively. It is found that when the surface roughness becomes larger, fibers in the former will carry more tensile loads, while the tensile loads keep almost invariant in fibers and the shear stress reduces in matrix in the latter. Moreover, the effective Young’s modulus of composites will be enhanced due to increasing fiber’s surface roughness. However, the enhancing effect will gradually reduce with an increasing aspect ratio of fibers. The results should be very useful for the design of novel fiber-reinforced polymer composites, especially for those that needed interfacial modifications in order to improve the interfacial adhesion, for example, carbon-fiber reinforced polymer composites.
Climate Change, India and the Global Negotiations
Authors: Bidwai Praful
Published: October 2012

Climate change caused by greenhouse-gas emissions has become the greatest threat to Planet Earth. The impact of relentlessly rising temperatures is already apparent in frequent extreme weather events, people’s displacement and economic devastation. The North’s industrialised countries are primarily responsible for causing climate change, but its harshest effects are manifest in the developing South. The world’s leadership has persistently failed to negotiate a fair, ambitious and binding agreement to cap and drastically reduce emissions, which redresses such injustices, before dangerous warming thresholds are crossed. The Northern countries, and increasingly the South’s emerging economies including India, are shirking their climate responsibility. India pays lip-service to fighting climate change, but follows elitist policies that promote luxury consumption and raise emissions. This must change through a grassroots-up participatory process which radically revises India’s global negotiations stance and the National Action Plan on Climate Change towards greater environmental effectiveness, and global and domestic equity.
Accentuate the Positive
Authors: del Río Esteban
Published: October 2012

At the turn of the century, data from the 2000 U.S. Census announced an emergent population of 35 million Latina/os, and focused the attention of journalists, media producers, politicians, and marketing demographers on Latina/o individuals and Latinidad as a coherent structure of feeling that might unite a disparate group who share a common ancestry. Since then, Latina/os have garnered an extraordinary amount of attention from cultural producers and audiences alike. This essay conducts a dual analysis of the textual and extratextual features of Americanos: Latino Life in the United States/La Vida Latina en Los Estados Unidos, a coproduction of Olmos Productions, Time Warner, and the Smithsonian Institution, that presents a generous vision of both Latina/os and America. While Americanos does indeed display affirmative representations of Latina/o life, the conditions of its production yield a text that adheres to the dominant ideologies of multiculturalism and the American Dream. By articulating Latinidad without oppositional politics, Americanos cannot fully address the relations of power that define both lived experience of Latinidad and minority representation in the United States.
The Governmental Topologies of Database Devices
Authors: Ruppert Evelyn
Published: October 2012

In business and government, databases contain large quantities of digital transactional data (purchases made, services used, finances transferred, benefits received, licences acquired, borders crossed, tickets purchased). The data can be understood as ongoing and dynamic measurements of the activities and doings of people. In government, numerous database devices have been developed to connect such data across services to discover patterns and identify and evaluate the performance of individuals and populations. Under the UK’s New Labour government, the development of such devices was part of a broader policy known as ‘joined-up thinking and government’. Analyses of this policy have typically understood joining up as an operation of adding together distributed data about subjects, which can then be used in the service of government surveillance, the database state or informational capitalism. But rather than such technical or managerialist analytics, I argue that topological analytics capture what these database devices enact and do: they materialize the ‘individuality’ of subjects in intensified, distributed and fluctuating ways and materialize and intensify a logic of what Deleuze describes as modulating controls. Through examples of UK New Labour social policy initiatives over the past decade, I argue that topological analytics can account for these as immanent rather than exceptional properties of database devices and, as such, part and parcel of a governmental logic and ontology of subjects.
Comparison of the therapeutic effects of ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection and dry needling in rotator cuff disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rha Dong-wook , Park Gi-Young , Kim Yong-Kyun , Kim Min Tae , Lee Sang Chul
Published: October 2012

Objective:

To compare the effects of platelet-rich plasma injection with those of dry needling on shoulder pain and function in patients with rotator cuff disease.

Design:

A single-centre, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study.

Setting:

University rehabilitation hospital.

Participants:

Thirty-nine patients with a supraspinatus tendon lesion (tendinosis or a partial tear less than 1.0 cm, but not a complete tear) who met the inclusion criteria recruited between June 2010 and February 2011.

Intervention:

Two dry needling procedures in the control group and two platelet-rich plasma injections in the experimental group were applied to the affected shoulder at four-week intervals using ultrasound guidance.

Measurements:

The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, passive range of motion of the shoulder, a physician global rating scale at the six-month follow-up, adverse effects monitoring and an ultrasound measurement were used as outcome measures.

Results:

The clinical effect of the platelet-rich plasma injection was superior to the dry needling from six weeks to six months after initial injection ( P < 0.05). At six months the mean Shoulder Pain and Disability Index was 17.7 ± 3.7 in the platelet-rich plasma group versus 29.5 ± 3.8 in the dry needling group ( P < 0.05). No severe adverse effects were observed in either group.

Conclusions:

Autologous platelet-rich plasma injections lead to a progressive reduction in the pain and disability when compared to dry needling. This benefit is certainly still present at six months after treatment. These findings suggest that treatment with platelet-rich plasma injections is safe and useful for rotator cuff disease.
Short-term effects of interferential current electro-massage in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lara-Palomo Inmaculada Carmen , Aguilar-Ferrándiz María Encarnación , Matarán-Peñarrocha Guillermo A , Saavedra-Hernández Manuel , Granero-Molina José , Fernández-Sola Cayetano , Castro-Sánchez Adelaida María
Published: October 2012

Objectives:

To analyse the effectiveness of a combined procedure of massage and electrotherapy with interferential current in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain of mechanical aetiology.

Design:

A single blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Clinical setting.

Participants:

Sixty-two individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. For 10 weeks the experimental group underwent treatment comprising 20 sessions (twice a week) of massage with interferential current in the lumbar and dorsal–lumbar area, and the control group received superficial lower back massage (effleurage, superficial pressure and skin rolling).

Main outcome variables:

Oswestry Disability Index, pain visual analogue scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, McQuade Test, Side Bridge Test, quality of life scores and the range of trunk anteflexion motion, which were all assessed before the treatment and immediately after the last treatment session.

Results:

The 2 × 2 mixed model ANOVA with repeated measurements showed statistically significant group * time interactions for the visual analogue scale ( F = 12.839; P = 0.001), Oswestry Disability Index ( F = 5.850; P = 0.019), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire ( F = 8.237; P = 0.006) and quality of life (physical function ( F = 16.792; P = 0.001), physical role ( F = 14.839; P = 0.001) and body pain ( F = 11.247; P = 0.001)).

Conclusions:

In individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain, interferential current electro-massage achieved a significantly greater improvement in disability, pain and quality of life in comparison to superficial massage after 20 treatment sessions.
Identifying Individual Changes in Performance With Composite Quality Indicators While Accounting for Regression to the Mean
Authors: Gajewski Byron J. , Dunton Nancy
Published: October 2012

Almost a decade ago Morton and Torgerson indicated that perceived medical benefits could be due to “regression to the mean.” Despite this caution, the regression to the mean “effects on the identification of changes in institutional performance do not seem to have been considered previously in any depth” (Jones and Spiegelhalter). As a response, Jones and Spiegelhalter provide a methodology to adjust for regression to the mean when modeling recent changes in institutional performance for one-variable quality indicators. Therefore, in our view, Jones and Spiegelhalter provide a breakthrough methodology for performance measures. At the same time, in the interests of parsimony, it is useful to aggregate individual quality indicators into a composite score. Our question is, can we develop and demonstrate a methodology that extends the “regression to the mean” literature to allow for composite quality indicators? Using a latent variable modeling approach, we extend the methodology to the composite indicator case. We demonstrate the approach on 4 indicators collected by the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. A simulation study further demonstrates its “proof of concept.”
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients
Authors: Dai Boyi , Butler Robert J. , Garrett William E. , Queen Robin M.
Published: October 2012

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reinjury rates are high in adolescent patients. Knee braces are commonly used after ACL reconstruction to prevent reinjury during return to sports.

Hypothesis:

Adolescent patients following ACL injury would demonstrate a decreased vertical ground-reaction force, knee extension moment, knee flexion angle, and knee flexion velocity on the surgical limb when compared with the nonsurgical limb during a side-cutting task. A functional knee extension–resistant brace would decrease the limb asymmetries.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twenty-three adolescent patients 6 months after ACL reconstruction were recruited for this study. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected bilaterally (surgical, nonsurgical) during a 35° side-cutting task while the patient was wearing and not wearing a functional knee extension–resistant brace (nonbraced, braced) on the surgical limb.

Results:

The surgical limb demonstrated a significant decrease in peak impact vertical ground-reaction force (2.55 body weight [BW] vs 2.8 BW; P < .01), peak propulsion vertical ground-reaction force (2.15 BW vs 2.3 BW; P < .01), peak knee extension moment (0.13 BW × body height [BH] vs 0.17 BW × BH; P < .01), knee flexion angle at peak knee flexion velocity (27.8° vs 30.0°; P = .01), peak knee flexion angle (44.1° vs 48.5°; P < .01), and peak knee flexion velocity (571.3 deg/sec vs 640.1 deg/sec; P < .01) when compared with the nonsurgical limb during both nonbraced and braced conditions. Bracing increased the initial knee flexion velocity (42.4 deg/sec vs −40.2 deg/sec; P = .01) and decreased the initial knee flexion angle on the surgical limb (13.1° vs 15.7°; P < .01). Bracing also affected kinematics of the nonsurgical limb. Bracing did not decrease the asymmetry between surgical and nonsurgical limbs.

Conclusion:

Adolescent patients 6 months after ACL reconstruction demonstrated significant kinematic and kinetic asymmetries between the surgical and nonsurgical limbs. The limb asymmetries persisted when the patients were wearing a functional knee brace. There were changes in the surgical knee kinematics with and without bracing, especially near initial ground contact.

Clinical Relevance:

The limb asymmetries are of concern with regard to injuring the graft or the contralateral limb when the patients return to sport.
Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children With Dystonia
Authors: Young Scott J. , Bertucco Matteo , Sheehan-Stross Rebecca , Sanger Terence D.
Published: October 2012

Studies suggest that dystonia is associated with increased motor cortex excitability. Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation can temporarily reduce motor cortex excitability. To test whether stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce dystonic symptoms in children, we measured tracking performance and muscle overflow using an electromyogram tracking task before and after stimulation. Of 10 participants, 3 showed a significant reduction in overflow, and a fourth showed a significant reduction in tracking error. Overflow decreased more when the hand contralateral to the cathode performed the task than when the hand ipsilateral to the cathode performed the task. Averaged over all participants, the results did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that cathodal stimulation may allow a subset of children to control muscles or reduce involuntary overflow activity. Further testing is needed to confirm these results in a blinded trial and identify the subset of children who are likely to respond.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis in an Adult Patient With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II
Authors: LaMarca Nicole Holuba , Golden Lauren , John Rita Marie , Naini Ali , Vivo Darryl C. De , Sproule Douglas M.
Published: October 2012

Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by homozygous mutation to the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Historically, spinal muscular atrophy has been considered to almost exclusively affect the function and survival of alpha motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem. With the development of animal models of spinal muscular atrophy, the presence of widespread systemic abnormalities affecting the brain, heart, and pancreas has been repeatedly noted among animals with diminished survival motor neuron protein expression. While these observations suggest similar possible effects in humans, reports of primary systemic disease manifestations among humans affected by spinal muscular atrophy are strikingly lacking. Here we report a case of a 29-year-old man with genetically confirmed spinal muscular atrophy type II who presented with new onset diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Novel Mutation in Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome Is Associated With Divergent Neurologic Phenotypes
Authors: Davis Kathleen , Holden Kenton R. , S’Aulis Dana , Amador Claudia , Matheus M. Gisele , Rizzo William B.
Published: October 2012

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome is an inherited disorder of lipid metabolism caused by mutations in the ALDH3A2 gene that codes for fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase, which results in accumulation of fatty aldehydes and alcohols and is characterized by ichthyosis, intellectual disability, and spastic diplegia/quadriplegia. The authors describe 2 unrelated Honduran patients who carried the same novel homozygous nonsense mutation (c.1309A>T, p.K437X) and ALDH3A2 DNA haplotype, but widely differed in disease severity. One patient exhibited spastic quadriplegia with unusual neuroregression, whereas the other patient had the usual static form of spastic diplegia with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Biochemical analyses showed a similar profound deficiency of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and impaired fatty alcohol metabolism in both patients’ cultured fibroblasts. These results indicate that variation in the neurologic phenotype of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome is not strictly determined by the ALDH3A2 mutation or the biochemical defect as expressed in cultured fibroblasts, but by unidentified epigenetic/environmental factors, gene modifiers, or other mechanisms.
Research Ethics in Accessing Hospital Staff and Securing Informed Consent
Authors: Franklin Paula , Rowland Emma , Fox Rebekah , Nicolson Paula
Published: October 2012

Qualitative researchers cannot rely on research ethics to be a static practice. In this article we discuss how observation of guidelines for inquiry and international agreements on the dignity of health care research are not sufficient on their own to ensure that the challenges inherent in the everyday management of a project are regulated. We focus in particular on ethics in accessing participants and the construction of informed consent. During our study, important contrasts emerged between the ideal presented for the standard ethics review process and practical ethics. As a result, we focused on building open communication with the participants through rigorous project management. We analyzed the data and wrote this article collaboratively to represent the empirical reality of a team of researchers aiming to take ethical challenges seriously while collecting data in three National Health Service Trusts in the United Kingdom.