bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Markers of Inflammation and Coagulation May Be Modulated by Enteral Feeding Strategy
Authors: Bastarache Julie A. , Ware Lorraine B. , Girard Timothy D. , Wheeler Arthur P. , Rice Todd W.
Published: February 2012

Background: Although enteral nutrition (EN) is provided to most mechanically ventilated patients, the effect of specific feeding strategies on circulating markers of coagulation and inflammation is unknown. Methods: Markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]‐α, interleukin [IL]‐1β, interferon [IFN]‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12) and coagulation (tissue factor [TF], plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1) were measured at baseline (n = 185) and 6 days (n = 103) in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients enrolled in a randomized controlled study of trophic vs full‐energy feeds to test the hypothesis that trophic enteral feeds would be associated with decreases in markers of inflammation and coagulation compared to full‐energy feeds. Results: There were no differences in any of the biomarkers measured at day 6 between patients who were randomized to receive trophic feeds compared to full‐energy feeds. However, TF levels decreased modestly in patients from baseline to day 6 in the trophic feeding group (343.3 vs 247.8 pg/mL, P = .061) but increased slightly in the full‐calorie group (314.3 vs 331.8 pg/mL). Lower levels of TF at day 6 were associated with a lower mortality, and patients who died had increasing TF levels between days 0 and 6 (median increase of 39.7) compared to decreasing TF levels in patients who lived (median decrease of 95.0, P = .033). Conclusions: EN strategy in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure does not significantly modify inflammation and coagulation by day 6, but trophic feeds may have some modest effects in attenuating inflammation and coagulation.
Body Composition Analysis in Critically Ill Survivors
Authors: Baldwin Claire E. , Paratz Jennifer D. , Bersten Andrew D.
Published: February 2012

Background: Body composition is commonly altered in response to critical illness and can be estimated at the bedside with bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS). Different electrode configurations may be used to mitigate assumptions of the technique, but the reliability of tetra‐polar and octo‐polar arrangements has yet to be established. This study aimed to compare both configurations, in a prospective observational study of 17 critically ill survivors and 12 healthy controls. Methods: Weight, supine body length, and BIS on both tetra‐polar and octo‐polar configured devices were recorded, then repeated 2 days later. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was subsequently performed using data from the tetra‐polar device at a frequency of 50 kHz. Results: Test‐retest agreement was acceptable for the tetra‐polar device (intraclass correlation coefficient range, patients: 0.876–0.988 vs controls: 0.983–0.998, P ≤ 0.001). However, lower and wider ranging test‐retest intraclass correlation coefficients were obtained with the octo‐polar instrument in both groups. Furthermore, there was a difference in the mass/volume of body compartments measured on each device in both patients (P ≤ .017) and controls (P ≤ .045). A change in the composition profile of critically ill males was evident between measurement occasions, which was reflected by a reduction in body weight of 1.6 (1.5) kg (P ≤ 0.001) across the sample over the same period. Conclusions: BIS devices should not be used interchangeably in the clinical setting. The reliability of the tetra‐polar instrument was good, but daily fluctuations in body weight may have affected the results.
Immunohistochemical Features of 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachloroazobenzene-Induced Rat Gingival Lesions
Authors: Ramot Yuval , Vered Marilena , Malarkey David E. , Hooth Michelle J. , Painter J. Todd , Dayan Dan , Clayton Natasha , Masinde Tiwanda , Nyska Abraham
Published: February 2012

Gingival lesions of squamous hyperplasia, cystic keratinizing hyperplasia (CKH), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be induced in rats treated by chronic gavage with 10–100 mg/kg 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachloroazobenzene. We evaluated gingival squamous hyperplasia (GSH), CKH, and SCC for the immunohistochemical pattern of expression of carcinogenesis-associated markers. The 3 types of lesions and controls were stained with proliferation markers (proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] and cyclin-D1), tumor-suppressor markers (β-catenin and mammary serine protease inhibitor [maspin]) and stroma-related markers (α-smooth muscle actin [SMA] and osteonectin/SPARC). The lesions had common immunohistochemical characteristics that differed in their expression patterns among the various diagnoses. PCNA and cyclin-D1 expression was higher in GSH, CKH, and SCC than in controls. The normal membranous expression of β-catenin was lower in GSH, and almost absent in CKH and SCC. Maspin expression was similar in GSH and controls, whereas both CKH and SCC showed decreased expression. SMA and/or osteonectin/SPARC were seen in stromal cells in CKH and SCC. Collectively, there appears to be a progression from hyperplastic and cystic lesions toward malignancy based on the morphological changes, supported by the expression of carcinogenesis-associated proteins. The exact sequence of events leading to SCC remains to be defined in a time-dependent manner.
Victims’ needs as basic human needs1
Authors: ten Boom Annemarie , Kuijpers Karlijn F
Published: February 2012

The authors report a systematic review of 33 empirical studies into the needs of victims of crime. They were especially interested in differences in needs between groups of victims, like differences for type of crime, gender and ethnic background. The needs were interpreted against the background of basic human needs theories. The expressed victims’ needs seem to occur among victims of crimes across the entire spectrum, and this appears to be particularly true for the need for information and for financial needs. However, the surviving relatives of victims of homicides and victims of violence (including victims of domestic and/or sexual violence committed by a known offender, in particular) were found to have specific needs. With regard to the correlation between needs and the variables gender, ethnic origin and the question of whether or not a person is a repeat victim, the most striking finding is that very few results were found. More victims of violent crimes than victims of crimes against property report ‘basic needs’ (in terms of the human needs theories) in the ‘safety’ category. In this category there are also more people with a need for a court decision. For victims of crimes against property, the ‘non-basic needs’, such as practical needs and the need for financial restoration, play a role more frequently.
Return to Athletic Activity After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in the Knee
Authors: Krych Aaron J. , Robertson Catherine M. , Williams Riley J. ,   the Cartilage Study Group
Published: February 2012

Background: Fresh-stored osteochondral allografts have been used successfully to resurface large chondral and osteochondral defects of the knee. However, there are limited data available for the return to athletic activity.

Purpose: To review the rate of return to athletic activity after osteochondral allograft transplantation in the knee and to identify any potential risk factors for not returning to sport.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: Forty-three athletes were treated with fresh-stored osteochondral allograft transplantation for symptomatic large chondral or osteochondral defects of the knee from 2000 to 2010. The average age of the athletes (30 men, 13 women) was 32.9 years (range, 18-49 years). Patients were prospectively evaluated by International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), activities of daily living scale of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Marx Activity Rating Scale, and Cincinnati Sports Activity Scale scores. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for failure to return to sport at the preinjury level.

Results: At an average 2.5-year follow-up, limited return to sport was possible in 38 of 43 athletes (88%), with full return to the preinjury level achieved in 34 of 43 athletes (79%). In these 34 athletes, time to return to sport was 9.6 ± 3.0 months. Age ≥25 years ( P = .04) and preoperative duration of symptoms greater than 12 months (odds ratio, 37; P = .003) negatively affected the ability to return to sport. In the athletes who returned to their previous level of competition, IKDC ( P < .001), KOOS ( P = .02), and Marx Activity Rating Scale ( P < .001) scores were all significantly greater than in those athletes who did not return to sport.

Conclusion: Osteochondral allograft transplantation in an athletic population for chondral and osteochondral defects in the knee allows for a high rate of return to sport. Risk factors for not returning to sport included age ≥25 years and preoperative duration of symptoms ≥12 months.
Fuel bulk density and fuel moisture content effects on fire rate of spread: a comparison between FIRETEC model predictions and experimental results in shrub fuels
Authors: Marino Eva , Dupuy Jean-Luc , Pimont François , Guijarro Mercedes , Hernando Carmen , Linn Rodman
Published: February 2012

Fuel bulk density and fuel moisture content effects on fire rate of spread were assessed in shrub fuels, comparing experimental data observed in outdoor wind tunnel burns and predictions from the physically-based model FIRETEC. Statistical models for the combined effects of bulk density and fuel moisture content were fitted to both the experimental and the simulated rate of spread values using non-linear regression techniques. Results confirmed a significant decreasing effect of bulk density on rate of spread in a power law in both laboratory burns and simulations. However, experimental data showed a lesser effect than simulations, suggesting a difference in the effective drag. Fuel moisture content effect was highly consistent, showing a similar exponential relationship with rate of spread in laboratory and in simulations. FIRETEC simulations showed similar orders of magnitude with predictions of two field-based empirical models, finding a significant correlation between rate of spread values. The study confirms the efficacy of the combined approach through experimental data and simulations to study fire behaviour.
Self-Worth as a Mediator Between Attachment and Posttraumatic Stress in Interpersonal Trauma
Authors: Lim Ban Hong (Phylice) , Adams Lauren A. , Lilly Michelle M.
Published: February 2012

It is well documented that most trauma survivors recover from adversity and only a number of them go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, survivors of interpersonal trauma (IPT) appear to be at heightened risk for developing PTSD in comparison to survivors of noninterpersonal trauma (NIPT). Despite a robust association between IPT exposure and attachment disruptions, there is a dearth of research examining the role of attachment-related processes implicated in predicting PTSD. Using a sample of college undergraduates exposed to IPT and NIPT, this study explores the mediating effect of self-worth in the relationship between attachment and PTSD. It is hypothesized that insecure attachment will be related to posttraumatic symptomatology via a reduced sense of self-worth in IPT survivors but not in NIPT survivors. Mediation analyses provide support for this hypothesis, suggesting the importance of considering negative cognitions about the self in therapeutic interventions, particularly those offered to IPT survivors.
Are the Perpetrators of Violence One and the Same? Exploring the Co-occurrence of Perpetration of Physical Aggression in the United States
Authors: Klevens Joanne , Simon Thomas R. , Chen Jieru
Published: February 2012

Important gaps exist in our understanding of aggressive behavior and the extent to which aggression involves one or more types of victims. This information is critical for determining the utility of integrated approaches for violence prevention versus continuation of independent efforts for reducing community violence, partner violence, and child maltreatment. To better understand the overlap in aggressive behaviors within the general population, the authors examine the co-occurrence of self-reports of physically striking strangers, acquaintances, intimate partners, and children among a nationally representative sample of 3,024 U.S. adults. The findings from this cross-sectional random digit dial telephone survey show that more than a third of the population reports engaging in at least one form of aggression and that, of these, a third had perpetrated violence against more than one type of victim. The percent of respondents who reported perpetrating violence against more than one type of victim range from 13% (percent of those striking a friend or acquaintance who also struck a child) to 34% (percent of those striking a friend or acquaintance who also struck a stranger). Furthermore, engaging in one type of aggression substantially increases the odds of engaging in another from 1.5 to 4 times. The findings suggest potential value in pursuing both integrated and independent approaches in research and prevention.
Functions of Parental Involvement and Effects of School Climate on Bullying Behaviors Among South Korean Middle School Students
Authors: Lee Chang-Hun , Song Juyoung
Published: February 2012

This study uses an ecological systems theory to understand bullying behavior. Emphasis is given to overcome limitations found in the literature, such as very little empirical research on functions of parental involvement and the impacts of school climate on bullying as an outcome variable. Two functions of parental involvement investigated are (a) bridging the negative experiences within the family with bullying behaviors at schools, and (b) influencing school climate. Bullying behaviors were measured by a modified Korean version of Olweus’ bully/victim questionnaire (reliability range: .78-.84) from 1,238 randomly selected Korean middle school students in 2007. Findings from structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses showed that (a) individual traits are one of the most important influence on bullying, (b) negative experiences in the family do not have direct influence on bullying behaviors at school, (c) parental involvement influences school climate, and (d) positive school climate was negatively related to bullying behaviors.
Canadian Firearms Legislation and Effects on Homicide 1974 to 2008
Authors: Langmann Caillin
Published: February 2012

Canada has implemented legislation covering all firearms since 1977 and presents a model to examine incremental firearms control. The effect of legislation on homicide by firearm and the subcategory, spousal homicide, is controversial and has not been well studied to date. Legislative effects on homicide and spousal homicide were analyzed using data obtained from Statistics Canada from 1974 to 2008. Three statistical methods were applied to search for any associated effects of firearms legislation. Interrupted time series regression, ARIMA, and Joinpoint analysis were performed. Neither were any significant beneficial associations between firearms legislation and homicide or spousal homicide rates found after the passage of three Acts by the Canadian Parliament—Bill C-51 (1977), C-17 (1991), and C-68 (1995)—nor were effects found after the implementation of licensing in 2001 and the registration of rifles and shotguns in 2003. After the passage of C-68, a decrease in the rate of the decline of homicide by firearm was found by interrupted regression. Joinpoint analysis also found an increasing trend in homicide by firearm rate post the enactment of the licensing portion of C-68. Other factors found to be associated with homicide rates were median age, unemployment, immigration rates, percentage of population in low-income bracket, Gini index of income equality, population per police officer, and incarceration rate. This study failed to demonstrate a beneficial association between legislation and firearm homicide rates between 1974 and 2008.
Does Recent Physical and Sexual Victimization Affect Further Substance Use for Adult Drug-Involved Offenders?
Authors: Zweig Janine M. , Yahner Jennifer , Rossman Shelli B.
Published: February 2012

This study examined whether physical and sexual victimization experiences were related to further substance use for a sample of drug-involved adult offenders and whether this increase could be attributed to depression experienced after the victimization occurred. A total of 674 men and 284 women from the longitudinal Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation (MADCE) were included in analyses. The study included 23 drug court and 6 comparison sites. Study participants completed three interviews: at baseline enrollment and then at 6 and 18 months after baseline. Multilevel path modeling showed that physical and sexual victimization experiences during the year before the baseline interview were associated with further substance use at 18 months and that this relationship was mediated by depression. All relationships held for both men and women, and beyond the contribution of several control variables, including drug court program participation. Public health and criminal justice personnel working with substance-using offenders should screen individuals for victimization-related trauma and, if identified, provide assistance to evaluate and improve such individuals’ mental health and, subsequently, decrease their likelihood of using substances.
Characteristics of Sexual Assault and Disclosure Among Women in Substance Abuse Recovery Homes
Authors: Hunter Bronwyn A. , Robison Emily , Jason Leonard A.
Published: February 2012

Research suggests that many women experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime and that women who engage in substance abuse often have a higher incidence of past sexual assault than women in the general population. Given the documented rates of sexual assault among women in recovery from substance use, it is important to explore community interventions that promote positive recovery from substance use and sexual assault. One model that promotes successful substance use recovery is the Oxford House—a democratic, self-supported substance use recovery home. Research demonstrated that living in an Oxford House provides sober social support and that this increased social support may promote the use of positive coping strategies to strengthen recovery from substance use, however; the relationship between social support and sexual assault for women is unclear. Thus, the current study examines the Oxford House model for women in recovery from substance use who have experienced sexual assault. A cross-sectional sample of women living in Oxford Houses in the United States was obtained to examine the relationship among disclosure of sexual assault, social support, and self-esteem. Results suggested that many women used Oxford House as a setting in which to disclosure prior sexual assault. Results also indicated that women who disclosed their assault experience reported higher self-esteem and social support than women who had not disclosed. Possible implications include the value of substance abuse recovery homes as a safe, supportive environment for women to address issues related to sexual assault.
A three-dimensional compressible flow model for rotating waves in vaneless diffusers with unparallel walls
Authors: Sheng Feng , Chen Hua , Zhu Xiao-cheng , Du Zhao-hui
Published: February 2012

A three-dimensional compressible flow model is presented to study the occurrence of weak rotating waves in unparallel wall vaneless diffusers in centrifugal compressors. The model extends the three-dimensional compressible flow model for parallel wall diffusers recently developed by present authors. Linearised three-dimensional compressible Euler equations casted on a rotating frame of reference travelling at the same speeds as the waves are employed and the viscous effects are ignored. Complex functions of the solutions to the linearised Euler equations are then obtained by a second-order finite difference method and the singular value decomposition technique. Undisturbed flow is assumed potential and first solved by numerical method of strongly implicit procedure. Critical inlet flow rate and rotating wave speed of diffusers of three different shroud wall shapes, namely, convergent, convergent then divergent and constant area tapered, are studied for three different diffuser outlet-to-inlet radius ratios and for different inlet Mach numbers, and results compared with those from diffusers with parallel walls. The results show suppression effects on rotating stall by the contracting walls and the suppression effects vary with wall contraction rate, wall shape, inlet Mach number and the diffuser radius ratio. Further, the effects of diffuser inlet contraction are studied and prediction of the model is compared with experimental result.
Sequential design of two orthogonal dynamic vibration absorbers in a pendulum based on stability maximization
Authors: Viet LD
Published: February 2012

A dynamic vibration absorber moving in the tangential or in the normal direction of a pendulum’s orbit can reduce the free vibration of the pendulum. This article discusses the problem of a pendulum structure attached with two dynamic vibration absorbers moving orthogonally at the same time. The analytical optimization is proposed to be done in two steps, in which the parameters of the linear dynamic vibration absorber moving in tangential direction and the non-linear dynamic vibration absorber moving in normal direction are chosen sequentially based on the stability maximization criterion. The analytical analysis shows that the two-dynamic vibration absorber scheme has small benefit in comparison with the single-dynamic vibration absorber scheme. The analytical conclusions are verified by numerical calculations. Although the conclusion of the article is unexpected, it is important in practice because the two-dynamic vibration absorber arrangement can be excluded in the design.
Investigation on parametric sensitivity of topologically optimized structures
Authors: Javed Arshad , Rout BK
Published: February 2012

Topology optimization is a powerful method of material minimization in structural design problems. The obtained topology and the compliance values by this method are very sensitive to each of the input parameters such as, applied force, volume fraction, dimensions, and support-rigidity. In real-life situations, these parameters may vary due to material uncertainty, manufacturing imperfections, and operating conditions. Hence, the topology obtained during the conceptual design phase may not suffice the actual working condition. Thus, it is desirable to explore individual and the combined effects of the parametric variations and uncertainties. This study describes a systematic approach utilized to investigate the effect of different input parameters on compliance values along with material and load uncertainties for a topologically optimized structure. In this paper, applied force, volume fraction, and aspect ratio of the domain are treated as input parameters and their effects are analyzed. Proposed work modifies the solid isotropic microstructure with penalization method to incorporate the effect of uncertainties and uses design of experiments approach to investigate statistically significant input parameters. Four different benchmark problems available in the literature are analyzed and the results are obtained for aforesaid input parameters along with uncertainties. Results obtained from this investigation will help designers/practitioners to select suitable input parameters combination to achieve targeted compliance.
A disassembly sequence planning approach with an advanced immune algorithm
Authors: Lu Cong , Liu Ya-Chao
Published: February 2012

This article proposes a disassembly sequence planning approach with an advanced immune algorithm. First, an enhanced support matrix considering the fasteners is constructed to represent the stability of a product, by which the method to derive the stability of parts in the product is given, and this stability is considered as one of the evaluation objectives in disassembly sequence planning. Second, the immune algorithm is improved to solve the disassembly sequence planning problem, where, a multiple single-parent mutation method is used to replace the crossover; two kinds of vaccines are extracted in two ways and inoculated with different probabilities, and the elite metabolism is used to ensure the effectiveness of the antibodies and also maintain the diversity of the population. Finally, the influence of different factors such as the vaccine extraction interval, the inoculation probability, elite metabolism probability on the evolution performance of the algorithm is investigated, and the validity of the proposed approach is verified through a case study.
Particle image velocimetry study of the impinging height effect on the overexpanded supersonic impinging free jet of Ma = 1.754. Part 2: detailed velocity distribution
Authors: Xu Jinglei , Lin Chunfeng , Sha Jiang
Published: February 2012

In this article, the flowfield of an overexpanded axisymmetric supersonic impinging jet with exit Mach number 1.754 is studied using particle image velocimetry. In particular, the influence of the impinging height on the detailed flowfield velocity distributions has been investigated. The velocity distribution precisely indicates where the Mach disk and the plate shock are generated. With the increasing impinging height, the plate shock position is found to move away from the impinging wall, until it reaches the maximum of 0.767 D for the dimensionless impinging height of Z/ D = 2.5. With a further increasing of the impinging height, the plate shock moves back to the impinging wall. Furthermore, the shape, position, as well as size of the stagnation bubble zone can also be deduced from the velocity distribution. According to the time-averaged flowfield result, the velocity coefficient of the radial wall jet is found to be as high as 0.8146, which is critical to the ground erosion problem in the application. It indicated that although the radial velocity appeared to be supersonic in the instantaneous result in Part I [Xu J, Lin C and Sha J. Particle image velocimetry study of the impinging height effect on the overexpanded supersonic impinging free jet of Ma = 1.754. Part I: global coherent structure. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2012; 226(1): 64–73.], it is high subsonic in the mean result in this part. This disagreement is due to the intrinsic highly unsteady nature of the flow under investigation. The vorticity isopleths demonstrate that the stagnation bubble and the recirculating flow are formed due to the impingement of the nozzle inner shear layer of the main jet.
Linking Entrepreneurial Infrastructures and New Business Development
Authors: Tseng Chien-Chi
Published: February 2012

This research explores the relationship between entrepreneurial infrastructure and new business development in Taiwan. The study develops a concept of entrepreneurial infrastructure and its nine criteria that determine whether new businesses will participate in these networks. Then, it reports on the results of exploratory, in-depth interviews among 40 entrepreneurs in Taiwan. A model was developed based on the interview data. The research results indicate that entrepreneurial infrastructures that are designed to facilitate new business development may reflect biases toward opportunity-motivated rather than necessity-motivated entrepreneurs. The findings generate a suggestion that a different set of policies and entrepreneurial infrastructures are important to support the necessary entrepreneurship development. The research of new business development adds considerable information to the understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurial development, and the decision to participate in entrepreneurial infrastructures.
Androgyny and Rational Emotive Behaviour as Antecedents of Managerial Effectiveness
Authors: Srivastava Nivedita , Nair Shreekumar K.
Published: February 2012

Today’s organizations require more than just technically qualified and intelligent employees to manage the highly complex as well as competitive business environment. Of late, considerable attention is being given to certain personality dimensions or individual difference variables which are found to affect organizational outcomes. Androgyny and rational emotive behaviour are two such variables which have implications for managerial performance. This article presents the results of an empirical study undertaken to see the relationships of the two individual difference variables, namely, androgyny and rational emotive behaviour, with perceived managerial effectiveness. The sample for the study consisted of 305 managers from diverse industries in the public and private sectors. Results based on statistical analyses showed rational emotive behaviour and managerial effectiveness to be higher among the androgynous employees. Both androgyny and rational emotive behaviour were found to be positively related to managerial effectiveness. Further, rational emotive behaviour was found to moderate the relationship between androgyny and managerial effectiveness. Implications of these findings are discussed in the article.
Impact of Knowledge Management Practices on Innovative Capacity
Authors: Jyoti Jeevan , Gupta Pooja , Kotwal Sindhu
Published: February 2012

Knowledge management is a process that enables organizations to learn, create, develop and apply necessary knowledge which makes organizations more profitable and innovative. The purpose of this article is to investigate the impact of knowledge management on the innovative capacity of an organization. Questionnaire method has been used to collect data from employees working in private telecommunication organizations. Extensive review of literature has been done to frame the dimensions of knowledge management and innovative capacity. Both scales have been duly purified and validated before the data analysis. Structural equation modelling has been done to investigate the relationship between knowledge management and innovation. The results revealed a significant relationship between knowledge management and innovation. Further, knowledge approach, knowledge protection and knowledge utilization processes of knowledge management affect technical as well as non-technical innovation.
Volatility Transmission from Global Stock Exchanges to India
Authors: Pandey Alok , Kumar Surya Bhushan
Published: February 2012

The Indian economy post structural economic reform in mid-1990s is getting integrated with rest of the world. Allowing foreign institutional investors (FIIs) to invest in Indian stock markets is an example of this integration. Volatility in Indian stock markets is increasing and it is now being hypothesized that it is getting increasingly affected by volatility from global stock markets. This article attempts to find out the volatility spillover of developed and developing economies on Indian stock exchanges, primarily the returns and volatility levels at India’s oldest stock exchange BSE (The Stock Exchange, Mumbai). This article analyzes daily index return data from a set of nine countries (including India) from 4 January 2000 to 17 July 2009 and examines levels of cointegration and unidirectional volatility spillovers using Johanssen’s Cointegration test and GARCH (1,1) model with BHHH algorithm. The results show evidence of cointegration along with increasing impact of several international indices on returns and volatility levels of the BSE Sensex of India.
Bulk Deal in Bagri Market
Authors: Mukherjee Jaydeep
Published: February 2012

The case highlights the challenges of using the wholesalers as an element of distribution network. The case discusses the evolution of distribution channel of luggage, primarily following selective distribution strategy. The decision making focus is about the nature of actions the Branch Manager could take to control the very powerful dealers located in major wholesale market.

These wholesale dealers had high turnover from retail and wholesale business. They traditionally enjoyed high discounts and credit which was used by them for price cutting. Their activities disturbed the rest of distribution channel of Aristocrat as well as all other competitors and prevented growth of the rest of the distribution channel. These dealers enjoyed enormous bargaining power and were known to throw tantrum and hold the branch sales to ransom by not giving order till the end of the month and then negotiating hard. The situation had reached such an impasse that the Branch Manager and sales officers were rendered ineffective in managing the sales.
Salmonella serovar distribution in cobras (Naja kaouthia), snake-food species, and farm workers at Queen Saovabha Snake Park, Thailand
Authors: Prapasarakul Nuvee , Pulsrikarn Chaiwat , Vasaruchapong Taksa , Lekcharoen Pisin , Chanchaithong Pattrarat , Lugsomya Kittitat , Keschumras Nitiwadee , Thanomsuksinchai Natthakarn , Tanchiangsai Kanittha , Tummaruk Padet
Published: February 2012

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the prevalence and serovar distribution of Salmonella isolates in cobras and their environment at a snake park. A total of 166 fecal or intestinal samples were examined, comprising 39 samples from captive cobras ( Naja kaouthia), 70 from recently wild-caught cobras, 19 from wild-caught cobras that had been kept on the farm for over 3 months, 18 from mice ( Mus musculus), 12 from frogs ( Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), and 8 from farm workers. Specific serological identification was performed, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was utilized for DNA analysis. Out of all snakes ( n = 128), 20 of the 30 animals used for snake food and 3 of the 8 samples from personnel were positive for Salmonella spp. There were 228 Salmonella isolates, with a total of 29 serovars from subspecies I and IIIb, composed of 24 serovars from cobras and 5 from the other sources. Salmonella Amsterdam was predominant in captive-born and captive cobras, followed by S. Poona and S. Bareilly, respectively ( P < 0.05). Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- was the sole serovar detected from the mice, while 3 serovars including Ramatgan, I 4,[5],12:e,h:-, and rough strain were detected only from frogs ( P < 0.001). Salmonella Derby was only detected in workers. On the basis of the PFGE results, evidence of movement of isolates between human beings and snakes, and between snakes and frogs, was found for S. Poona and S. Wandsworth, respectively. The study suggests that Salmonella spp. act as true residents in the intestinal tract of cobras with high risk of environmental contamination through fecal shedding.
Urinary clusterin as a renal marker in dogs
Authors: García-Martínez Juan D. , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Cerón José J. , Caldin Marco , Martínez-Subiela Silvia
Published: February 2012

A validation of a species-specific enzyme immunoassay for urinary clusterin measurement in dogs was performed, and the use of urinary clusterin as a marker of renal damage was evaluated in a population of dogs with leishmaniasis. Urine was obtained from 75 dogs; 64 dogs had leishmaniasis and 11 were healthy. The dogs with leishmanias were divided into 5 groups: I ( n = 9; serum creatinine [SCr] < 1.4 mg/dl, urinary protein-to-creatinine [UPC] ratio ≤ 0.5); II ( n = 29; SCr < 1.4 mg/dl, UPC > 0.5); III ( n = 6; SCr ≥ 1.4 mg/dl to <2 mg/dl, UPC > 0.5); IV ( n = 13; SCr ≥ 2 mg/dl to <5 mg/dl, UPC > 0.5); and V ( n = 7; SCr ≥ 5 mg/dl, UPC > 0.5). The urinary clusterin concentration was measured, and the urinary clusterin-to-creatinine ratio was calculated. Canine urinary clusterin assay showed good analytical performance based on precision accuracy and limit-of-detection results. There was a statistically significant increase in urinary clusterin and clusterin-to-creatinine ratio in groups II–V compared with group I and healthy group. The results of the current study showed that urinary clusterin concentration and urinary clusterin-to-creatinine ratios are increased in dogs with analytical evidences of renal damage and that the urinary clusterin-to-creatinine ratio might be used as a potential early biomarker of chronic kidney disease.
Demonstration of Mycoplasma bovis by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in an aborted bovine fetus and neonatal calf
Authors: Hermeyer Kathrin , Peters Martin , Brügmann Michael , Jacobsen Björn , Hewicker-Trautwein Marion
Published: February 2012

Mycoplasmas are host-specific commensals on mucous membranes of the genital tract, but infection and clinical disease by Mycoplasma bovis in the genital tract of cattle is not well described. In the current study, 1 aborted bovine fetus and 1 neonatal calf were examined macroscopically and histologically. For the detection of M. bovis, bacterial isolation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and in situ hybridization (ISH) were performed. For further characterization of the inflammatory infiltrates, IHC was performed using antibodies to cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD79a, lysozyme, L1, S-100A8, S-100A9, and von Willebrand factor VIII. Gross examination revealed a lobular consolidation of the lung. Histologically, the lungs of both animals showed an interstitial pneumonia associated with suppurative bronchopneumonia, intraalveolar multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytic aggregates. The expression of L1, S-100A8, and S-100A9 in multinucleated giant cells supports a histiocytic origin. Mycoplasma bovis antigen was detected by IHC in brain, lung, liver, and placenta of the fetus, and M. bovis DNA was detected by ISH in various organs of the fetus, including lung and placenta and within the lung of the calf.
Multiple endocardial neurofibromas in a rosy-billed pochard (Netta peposaca)
Authors: Miller Andrew D. , Baitchman Eric J. , Masek-Hammerman Katherine
Published: February 2012

Endocardial neoplasms are uncommon in veterinary species with most cases restricted to endocardial schwannomas in aged rats. A 15-year-old male rosy-billed pochard ( Netta peposaca) was diagnosed following necropsy with numerous, proliferative endocardial masses. Histologically, these masses were composed of interlacing streams and bundles of neoplastic spindle cells supported by a fine fibrovascular stroma. Rare areas of cellular and nuclear palisading were present in the nodules. Approximately 60% of the neoplastic cells were strongly positive for S-100, whereas none of the neoplastic cells was positive for desmin, synaptophysin, neurofilament, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. The histologic features coupled with the S-100 immunoreactivity led to a diagnosis of endocardial neurofibroma.
Physical model-based active vibration control using a dielectric elastomer actuator
Authors: Sarban Rahimullah , Jones Richard W
Published: February 2012

Dielectric elastomer is a new type of electroactive material, which has the potential to provide effective actuation for a wide range of applications. The force, strain and speed of response properties of dielectric elastomer material place it somewhere between those of piezoceramics and shape memory alloys. In this study, the use of a dielectric elastomer tubular actuator for adaptive vibration isolation, where an electromechanical model of the actuator is utilised as a part of the feedforward controller estimation scheme, is examined. Active vibration isolation, with time-varying loads, is considered using a feedforward adaptive control approach. In this approach, a black-box cancellation path model is generally used to ensure convergence of the filtered-x least mean squares estimated controller parameters. Here the feasibility of using a cancellation path model comprising of the physical-based electromechanical model of the combined dielectric elastomer actuator and its ‘sensitive’ load is investigated. The implementation presented involves auto-tuning a finite impulse response filter representation of the physical-based cancellation path model whenever a loading change in the system is detected. When the finite impulse response filter representation has been updated, the adaptive feedforward control automatically turns back on. Load sensing is required to supply a value of the time-varying load to the model.
Magnetic induction control with embedded sensor for elimination of hysteresis in magnetorheological brakes
Authors: Erol Ozan , Gonenc Berk , Senkal Doruk , Alkan Sait , Gurocak Hakan
Published: February 2012

This research explored a novel control scheme for magnetorheological brakes to eliminate hysteresis. A Hall-effect sensor is embedded in the flux path to measure the magnetic flux across the magnetorheological fluid. A proportional–integral–derivative controller then controls the magnetic induction directly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such design incorporated into a magnetorheological brake. Even though magnetorheological brakes have very desirable characteristics, such as high torque-to-volume ratio and inherent stability, they have a major drawback since they exhibit hysteresis behavior. The hysteresis creates control challenges and significant residual off-state torque, which prevents use of high gear ratios with magnetorheological brakes. The proposed approach is easy to implement and very inexpensive compared to hysteresis modeling techniques or using force/torque sensors. A prototype brake has been experimentally evaluated using three different closed-loop compensation schemes: (a) the Preisach hysteresis model, (b) torque sensor, and (c) the proposed new approach. Results showed that the proposed control scheme could eliminate the hysteretic behavior and reduce the off-state torque in the magnetorheological brake to negligible levels.
Theoretical analyses of the electronic breaker switching method for nonlinear energy harvesting interfaces
Authors: Zhu Liya , Chen Renwen , Liu Xiangjian
Published: February 2012

It has been proved that the harvested energy can be greatly improved by applying nonlinear treatments on the piezoelectric element. These treatments consist of switching the piezoelectric element on a resonant electrical network intermittently. To implement these treatments with little power consumption, a self-powered switching circuit called electronic breaker has been researched. Although the operation of the switching control circuit has been introduced, the theoretical model of the circuit has not been set up. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to further investigate the mechanism of this circuit and to establish its theoretical model. Furthermore, this switching circuit is employed in the parallel synchronized switch harvesting on inductor interface and the synchronous charge extraction interface. It is proved that the electronic breaker can fulfill different switching times in these interfaces. It is shown both theoretically and experimentally that the parallel synchronized switch harvesting on inductor interface allows a gain of 18.4 of power compared to a standard circuit, while the synchronous charge extraction interface results in a gain of 4. Meanwhile, the switching circuits consume less than 2% power of that harvested. Thus, the electronic breaker circuit has been proved an efficient way of charging control for self-powered vibration generators.
Evidence for the Criterion Validity and Clinical Utility of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory
Authors: Thomas Katherine M. , Wright Aidan G. C. , Lukowitsky Mark R. , Donnellan M. Brent , Hopwood Christopher J.
Published: February 2012

In this study, the authors evaluated aspects of criterion validity and clinical utility of the grandiosity and vulnerability components of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) using two undergraduate samples ( N = 299 and 500). Criterion validity was assessed by evaluating the correlations of narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability with established indices of normal personality traits, psychopathology and clinical concerns, and pathological personality traits. Overall, the pattern of correlations supported the convergent and discriminant validity of grandiose and vulnerable conceptualizations of pathological narcissism as measured by the PNI. Clinical utility was assessed by evaluating the extent to which clinicians without specific training in pathological narcissism as well as clinicians with expertise in pathological narcissism could accurately predict the correlates of PNI grandiosity and vulnerability with normal and pathological personality traits and psychopathology. The rcontrast-cv coefficient provided a global index of accuracy in clinicians’ predictions that was more fully elaborated by examining systematic discrepancies across groups. Overall, novice and expert clinicians were generally able to predict criterion correlations, with some exceptions (e.g., counter to predictions, pathological narcissism was negatively associated with treatment resistance). These results provide further evidence regarding the validity and utility of the narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability constructs as measured by the PNI.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Thought–Action Fusion Scale in a Large Clinical Sample
Authors: Meyer Joseph F. , Brown Timothy A.
Published: February 2012

This study examined the psychometric properties of the 19-item Thought–Action Fusion (TAF) Scale, a measure of maladaptive cognitive intrusions, in a large clinical sample ( N = 700). An exploratory factor analysis ( n = 300) yielded two interpretable factors: TAF Moral (TAF-M) and TAF Likelihood (TAF-L). A confirmatory bifactor analysis was conducted on the second portion of the sample ( n = 400) to account for possible sources of item covariance using a general TAF factor (subsuming TAF-M) alongside the TAF-L domain-specific factor. The bifactor model provided an acceptable fit to the sample data. Results indicated that global TAF was more strongly associated with a measure of obsessive-compulsiveness than measures of general worry and depression, and the TAF-L dimension was more strongly related to obsessive-compulsiveness than depression. Overall, results support the bifactor structure of the TAF in a clinical sample and its close relationship to its neighboring obsessive-compulsiveness construct.
Music, power and symbolic violence: The Turkish state’s music policies during the early republican period
Authors: Erol Ayhan
Published: February 2012

The importance and significance of music in terms of the state and society were discovered and redefined at particular junctures in the history of the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey. This history is simultaneously Turkey’s history of modernization and westernization, extending back to the institutional reforms of the late Ottoman era and epitomized by the establishment of a secular nation-state in 1923. The musical values of the people and their popular experiences were simply ignored by the Kemalist reform of music and this caused a great deal of unrest and discussion. Given the definition by Bourdieu, who extended Weber’s definition of state, it might be argued that music reform is a paradigm example of ‘symbolic violence’ operated by the state. This article provides a historical analysis of the Turkish state’s music policies with the aim of examining their changing meanings within the general context of the history of modernization in Turkey.