bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells in Infarct Hearts by Gene Transfer of Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5
Authors: Inagawa Kohei , Miyamoto Kazutaka , Yamakawa Hiroyuki , Muraoka Naoto , Sadahiro Taketaro , Umei Tomohiko , Wada Rie , Katsumata Yoshinori , Kaneda Ruri , Nakade Koji , Kurihara Chitose , Obata Yuichi , Miyake Koichi , Fukuda Keiichi , Ieda Masaki
Published: August 2012

Rationale:

After myocardial infarction (MI), massive cell death in the myocardium initiates fibrosis and scar formation, leading to heart failure. We recently found that a combination of 3 cardiac transcription factors, Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT), reprograms fibroblasts directly into functional cardiomyocytes in vitro.

Objective:

To investigate whether viral gene transfer of GMT into infarcted hearts induces cardiomyocyte generation.

Methods and Results:

Coronary artery ligation was used to generate MI in the mouse. In vitro transduction of GMT retrovirus converted cardiac fibroblasts from the infarct region into cardiomyocyte-like cells with cardiac-specific gene expression and sarcomeric structures. Injection of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) retrovirus into mouse hearts, immediately after MI, infected only proliferating noncardiomyocytes, mainly fibroblasts, in the infarct region. The GFP expression diminished after 2 weeks in immunocompetent mice but remained stable for 3 months in immunosuppressed mice, in which cardiac induction did not occur. In contrast, injection of GMT retrovirus into α-myosin heavy chain (αMHC)-GFP transgenic mouse hearts induced the expression of αMHC-GFP, a marker of cardiomyocytes, in 3% of virus-infected cells after 1 week. A pooled GMT injection into the immunosuppressed mouse hearts induced cardiac marker expression in retrovirus-infected cells within 2 weeks, although few cells showed striated muscle structures. To transduce GMT efficiently in vivo, we generated a polycistronic retrovirus expressing GMT separated by 2A “self-cleaving” peptides (3F2A). The 3F2A-induced cardiomyocyte-like cells in fibrotic tissue expressed sarcomeric α-actinin and cardiac troponin T and had clear cross striations. Quantitative RT-PCR also demonstrated that FACS-sorted 3F2A-transduced cells expressed cardiac-specific genes.

Conclusions:

GMT gene transfer induced cardiomyocyte-like cells in infarcted hearts.
Acute Psychological Stress Accelerates Reverse Cholesterol Transport via Corticosterone-Dependent Inhibition of Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption
Authors: Silvennoinen Reija , Escola-Gil Joan Carles , Julve Josep , Rotllan Noemi , Llaverias Gemma , Metso Jari , Valledor Annabel F. , He Jianming , Yu Liqing , Jauhiainen Matti , Blanco-Vaca Francisco , Kovanen Petri T. , Lee-Rueckert Miriam
Published: August 2012

Rationale:

Psychological stress is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the connecting mechanisms of the stress-inducing activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with atherosclerosis are not well-understood.

Objective:

To study the effect of acute psychological stress on reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), which transfers peripheral cholesterol to the liver for its ultimate fecal excretion.

Methods and Results:

C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to restraint stress for 3 hours to induce acute psychological stress. RCT in vivo was quantified by measuring the transfer of [
3
H]cholesterol from intraperitoneally injected mouse macrophages to the lumen of the small intestine within the stress period. Surprisingly, stress markedly increased the contents of macrophage-derived [
3
H]cholesterol in the intestinal lumen. In the stressed mice, intestinal absorption of [
14
C]cholesterol was significantly impaired, the intestinal mRNA expression level of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α increased, and that of the sterol influx transporter Niemann-Pick C1–like 1 decreased. The stress-dependent effects on RCT rate and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α gene expression were fully mimicked by administration of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) to nonstressed mice, and they were blocked by the inhibition of CORT synthesis in stressed mice. Moreover, the intestinal expression of Niemann-Pick C1–like 1 protein decreased when circulating levels of CORT increased. Of note, when either peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α or liver X receptor α knockout mice were exposed to stress, the RCT rate remained unchanged, although plasma CORT increased. This indicates that activities of both transcription factors were required for the RCT-accelerating effect of stress.

Conclusions:

Acute psychological stress accelerated RCT by compromising intestinal cholesterol absorption. The present results uncover a novel functional connection between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and RCT that can be triggered by a stress-induced increase in circulating CORT.
Predictors of Early and Late Enrollment in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Among Those Referred, After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Parashar Susmita , Spertus John A. , Tang Fengming , Bishop Kathy L. , Vaccarino Viola , Jackson Charles F. , Boyden Thomas F. , Sperling Laurence
Published: August 2012

Background—

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a Class I recommendation. Although referral to CR after an AMI has recently become a performance measure, many patients may not participate. To illuminate potential barriers to participation, we examined the prevalence of, and patient-related factors associated with, CR participation within 1 and 6 months after an AMI.

Methods and Results—

We studied 2096 AMI patients enrolled from 19 US sites in the Prospective Registry Evaluating outcomes after Myocardial Infarction: Events and Recovery (PREMIER) registry. Analyses were limited to those patients referred for CR at the time of AMI hospitalization. A multivariable, conditional logistic regression model, stratified by hospital, was used to identify sociodemographic, comorbidity, and clinical factors independently associated with CR participation within 1 and 6 months of AMI hospital discharge. Only 29% (419/1450) and 48.25% (650/1347) of AMI patients who received referral for CR participated within 1 and 6 months after discharge, respectively. Women (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44–0.86), uninsured (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.21–0.71), and patients with hypertension (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43–0.78) and peripheral arterial disease (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22–0.85) were less likely to participate at 1 month. At 6 months after AMI, older patients (OR, 0.85 for each 10-year increment; 95% CI, 0.74–0.97), smokers (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44–0.80), and patients with economic burden (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.38–0.81) were less likely to participate. Caucasians (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.16–2.58) and educated patients (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.42–2.30) were more likely to participate at 6 months. Patients with previous percutaneous interventions were less likely to participate at both 1 and 6 months post-AMI.

Conclusions—

Among patients referred for CR post-AMI, participation remains low both at 1 and 6 months after AMI. Because CR is associated with beneficial changes in cardiovascular risk factors and better outcomes after AMI, more aggressive efforts are needed to increase CR participation after referral.
Therapeutic Impact of Follistatin-Like 1 on Myocardial Ischemic Injury in Preclinical Models
Authors: Ogura Yasuhiro , Ouchi Noriyuki , Ohashi Koji , Shibata Rei , Kataoka Yoshiyuki , Kambara Takahiro , Kito Tetsutaro , Maruyama Sonomi , Yuasa Daisuke , Matsuo Kazuhiro , Enomoto Takashi , Uemura Yusuke , Miyabe Megumi , Ishii Masakazu , Yamamoto Takashi , Shimizu Yuuki , Walsh Kenneth , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: August 2012

Background—

Acute coronary syndrome is a leading cause of death in developed countries. Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a myocyte-derived secreted protein that is upregulated in the heart in response to ischemic insult. Here, we investigated the therapeutic impact of FSTL1 on acute cardiac injury in small and large preclinical animal models of ischemia/reperfusion and dissected its molecular mechanism.

Methods and Results—

Administration of human FSTL1 protein significantly attenuated myocardial infarct size in a mouse or pig model of ischemia/reperfusion, which was associated with a reduction of apoptosis and inflammatory responses in the ischemic heart. Administration of FSTL1 enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the ischemia/reperfusion–injured heart. In cultured cardiac myocytes, FSTL1 suppressed apoptosis in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expression of proinflammatory genes through its ability to activate AMP-activated protein kinase. Ischemia/reperfusion led to enhancement of bone morphogenetic protein-4 expression and Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation in the heart, and FSTL1 suppressed the increased phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 in ischemic myocardium. Treating cardiac myocytes with FSTL1 abolished the bone morphogenetic protein-4–stimulated increase in apoptosis, Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation, and proinflammatory gene expression. In cultured macrophages, FSTL1 diminished lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expression of proinflammatory genes via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and abolished bone morphogenetic protein-4–dependent induction of proinflammatory mediators.

Conclusions—

Our data indicate that FSTL1 can prevent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory response through modulation of AMP-activated protein kinase– and bone morphogenetic protein-4–dependent mechanisms, suggesting that FSTL1 could represent a novel therapeutic target for post-myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome.
Microglia/Macrophage Polarization Dynamics Reveal Novel Mechanism of Injury Expansion After Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Hu Xiaoming , Li Peiying , Guo Yanling , Wang Haiying , Leak Rehana K. , Chen Songela , Gao Yanqin , Chen Jun
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—

Mononuclear phagocytes are highly plastic cells that assume diverse phenotypes in response to microenvironmental signals. The phenotype-specific roles of microglia/macrophages in ischemic brain injury are poorly understood. A comprehensive characterization of microglia/macrophage polarization after ischemia may advance our knowledge of poststroke damage/recovery.

Methods—

Focal transient cerebral ischemia was induced in mice for 60 minutes; animals were euthanized at 1 to 14 days of reperfusion. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining for M1 and M2 markers were performed to characterize phenotypic changes in brain cells, including microglia and infiltrating macrophages. In vitro experiments using a transwell system, a conditioned medium transfer system, or a coculture system allowing cell-to-cell contacts were used to further elucidate the effect of neuronal ischemia on microglia/macrophage polarization and, conversely, the effect of microglia/macrophage phenotype on the fate of ischemic neurons.

Results—

Local microglia and newly recruited macrophages assume the M2 phenotype at early stages of ischemic stroke but gradually transformed into the M1 phenotype in peri-infarct regions. In vitro experiments revealed that ischemic neurons prime microglial polarization toward M1 phenotype. M1-polarized microglia or M1-conditioned media exacerbated oxygen glucose deprivation–induced neuronal death. In contrast, maintaining the M2 phenotype of microglia protected neurons against oxygen glucose deprivation.

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that microglia/macrophages respond dynamically to ischemic injury, experiencing an early “healthy” M2 phenotype, followed by a transition to a “sick” M1 phenotype. These dual and opposing roles of microglia/macrophages suggest that stroke therapies should be shifted from simply suppressing microglia/macrophage toward adjusting the balance between beneficial and detrimental microglia/macrophage responses.
Quantification of Cerebral Volumes on MRI 6 Months After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: de Bresser Jeroen , Vincken Koen L. , Kaspers Anne J. , Rinkel Gabriel J.E. , Viergever Max A. , Biessels Geert Jan
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—

MRI can be used to assess structural damage to the brain after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We tuned, validated, and applied k-Nearest Neighbor-based segmentation to quantify cerebral volumes on MRI 6 months after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Methods—

After tuning, the accuracy of k-Nearest Neighbor-based segmentation was assessed with manual segmentations. Next, supratentorial cerebral parenchymal, peripheral cerebrospinal fluid, and lateral ventricular volumes of 55 patients were compared with those of 25 age- and sex-matched control subjects and related to clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale).

Results—

k-Nearest Neighbor-based segmentation showed good agreement with manual segmentations. Compared with control subjects, patients had a larger lateral ventricular volume (difference: log-transformed values 0.54; 95% CI,0.33–0.75), smaller peripheral cerebrospinal fluid volume (−26 mL; 95% CI, −40 to −11), and similar cerebral parenchymal volume (2 mL; 95% CI, −10 to 15). In patients, parenchymal (median split; OR, 38.8; 95% CI, 4.6–329.0) and ventricular volumes (7.4; 95% CI, 1.6–33.5) correlated with functional outcome.

Conclusions—

k-Nearest Neighbor-based segmentation provides accurate cerebral volume measurements after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this proof-of-principle study of this volumetric technique, we demonstrated volume changes relative to controls, which correlated with functional outcome.
Variability in Carotid Endarterectomy Practice Patterns Within a Metropolitan Area
Authors: Kansara Amit , Miller Daniel , Damani Rahul , Fuerst Darren , Silver Brian , Chaturvedi Seemant
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—

Previous clinical studies have suggested that patients with carotid stenosis with high surgical risk features may fare better with carotid artery stenting or aggressive medical therapy. The extent to which carotid endarterectomy is still being performed in this group of patients is unclear.

Methods—

A retrospective audit was performed among 4 hospitals over a 2-year period. The proportion of high surgical risk patients was compared and the in-hospital stroke, myocardial infarction, and death rates were compared among conventional and high surgical risk patients.

Results—

Three hundred thirty-five carotid endarterectomy operations were performed (63% asymptomatic) with 37.9% being high surgical risk subjects. The stroke, myocardial infarction, and death rate was 4.6% in conventional risk subjects and 10.2% in high surgical risk patients (
P
<0.05). The only hospital with multidisciplinary carotid conferences had the lowest proportion of carotid endarterectomy operations in asymptomatic patients.

Conclusions—

A substantial proportion of carotid endarterectomy operations are performed in patients with high surgical risk features. These patients experienced a 2-fold increase in major in-hospital complications, raising doubts about whether they benefit from carotid surgery. The use of preintervention multidisciplinary conferences may improve patient safety.
Effectiveness of a Breath-Actuated Nebulizer Device on Asthma Care in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Titus M. Olivia , Eady Maya , King Lydia , Bowman C. Michael
Published: August 2012

The breath-actuated nebulizer (BAN) is a new respiratory device to deliver short-acting β-agonists to patients with asthma exacerbations. This pediatric convenience sample experimental study compares the BAN with conventional nebulizers and demonstrates that the BAN allows for shorter treatment times to achieve improved clinical asthma scores with less albuterol, shorter emergency department length of stay, and fewer hospitalizations.
Structural Changes in Amelogenin upon Self-assembly and Mineral Interactions
Authors: Beniash E. , Simmer J.P. , Margolis H.C.
Published: August 2012

Amelogenin, the major protein of forming dental enamel, plays a crucial role in the biomineralization of this tissue. Amelogenin is soluble at low pH and self-assembles to form higher order structures at physiological pH. To understand the mechanisms of its assembly and interactions with calcium phosphate mineral, we conducted FTIR spectroscopy (FTIRS) studies of pH-triggered assembly of recombinant porcine amelogenin rP172 and its interactions with mature hydroxyapatite and apatitic mineral formed in situ. Analysis of our data indicated that rP172 at pH 3.0 exists in an unfolded disordered state, while increases in pH led to structural ordering, manifested by increases in intra- and intermolecular β-sheet structures and a decrease in random coil and β-turns. Amelogenin assembled at pH 7.2 was also found to contain large portions of extended intramolecular β-sheet and PPII. These FTIRS findings are consistent with those previously obtained with other techniques, thus verifying the validity of our experimental approach. Interestingly, interactions with mineral led to a reduction in protein structural organization. The findings obtained show that amelogenin has intrinsic structural flexibility to accommodate interactions with both forming and mature calcium phosphate mineral phases, providing new insights into the potential importance of amelogenin-mineral interactions in enamel biomineralization.
Simulation of points of interest distribution in vehicular networks
Authors: Rivas David Antolino , Guerrero-Zapata Manel
Published: August 2012

Over the last few years Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) have become a major research topic. Security mechanisms such as Public Key Infrastructure have been customized to provide privacy, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation to vehicle communications. Once the security foundations were established, different applications were built on top: intelligent driving systems, parking spot finders, peer-to-peer content, advertisements distribution, etc. In order to verify the feasibility of those applications in the VANET environment, simulation tools such as ns-2 or Glomosim are used, basing their mobility model on non-uniform distributions. The major difficulty for those simulations resides in the complexity of correctly characterizing vehicular mobility at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. This article leaves the generation of mobility traces to simulators such as Multi-Agent Traffic Simulator or VanetMobiSim and focuses on the implementation of the network application simulator poiSim. poiSim simulates Chains of Trust, a secure points of interest distribution protocol for vehicular networks. This article discusses how, by using customized application simulators, we can obtain more realistic results than by using general network simulators such as ns-2. poiSim processes a 24-hour mobility trace produced by a Multi-Agent Traffic Simulator with over 260,000 nodes, which realistically simulates public and private traffic over regional maps of Switzerland. The result is a Chains of Trust simulation, which accurately portrays reality and can be executed in a personal computer. Finally, it should be noted that poiSim could easily be modified to simulate other protocols in vehicular networks.
Validly Measuring Destination Image in Survey Studies
Authors: Dolnicar Sara , Grün Bettina
Published: August 2012

Destination image is among the most frequently measured constructs in empirical survey research. Academic tourism researchers tend to use multi-category scales, often referring to them as “Likert scales,” while industry typically uses “pick-any” measures. But which leads to results that are more valid? Findings from a large-scale experimental study show that a “forced-choice full binary” format (where respondents have to tick “yes” and “no” for each destination-attribute combination) performs better than both current preferred formats in academic and applied studies.
Epistemological beliefs as predictors of self-regulated learning strategies in middle school students
Authors: Metallidou Panayiota
Published: August 2012

This study examines the contribution of epistemological beliefs to middle school students’ reported use of self-regulated learning strategies. One hundred and sixty 8th and 9th graders from three public middle schools participated in the study. Gender was about equally represented in the sample (89 girls, 71 boys). During the group examination phase, the participants were asked to complete a Greek version of Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ), based on Schommer-Aikins, Mau, Brookhart and Hutter’s (2000) middle school version of EBQ. During the individual examination phase, they were interviewed using the Self-Regulated Learning Interview Schedule (SRLIS). Epistemological beliefs about the speed of learning and the ability to learn significantly predicted the reported use of cognitive as well as motivational regulation strategies. The educational implications of the results are discussed in relation to cultural influences on the formation of epistemological beliefs.
How Far Do Owners Reach Into the Divestiture Process? Blockholders and the Choice Between Spin-Off and Sell-Off
Authors: Bergh Donald D. , Sharp Barton M.
Published: August 2012

Recently, outside blockholders, external owners that hold 5% or more of their firms’ outstanding common stockholdings, have been pressuring their firms to engage in divestiture activities. This study considers whether the influence of those owners also extends to how the divestiture is implemented, whether through spin-off or sell-off. Tests of an agency theory model using data from 205 divestitures show that the adoption of spin-offs or sell-offs is associated with the amount of outstanding common stockholdings held by outside blockholders and the size of the unit divested. Spin-offs are used more frequently when outside blockholders own more of the divesting firm’s stockholdings and the divested unit is larger, while sell-offs tend to be selected when outside blockholders own less stock and the divested business is smaller. Consistent with agency theory expectations, spin-offs would allow the blockholders to decide whether to hold or sell their interests in the divested firm, a decision they could make in accordance with their individual portfolio risks. Sell-offs of small units could be used to preserve organizational diversity and produce proceeds that would help the divesting firm’s managers pursue their self-interests. Overall, outside blockholders appear to shape how divestitures are done, even if they cannot directly intervene in their firms’ operations.
Urban Configurations with Suburban Employment by a Monopoly Vendor
Authors: Tsai Jyh-Fa , Lai Fu-Chuan
Published: August 2012

Lai and Tsai (2008) incorporate a monopoly vendor in the Alonso-Mills-Muth model and find that the vendor will locate at one of the city boundaries. This article extends Lai and Tsai (2008) by embodying the production side and labor market for the monopoly. It endogenizes the composite good price, the wage, and the location of the subcenter to investigate the pricing behavior, the determination of the wage in the subcenter, and the urban configurations. It is shown that the monopoly will locate itself in the suburb to form a subcenter. Moreover, the rent-maximizing government will regulate the vendor to locate itself to form an overlapping land rent pattern between the central city and the suburban area.
Is a Response to Intervention (RTI) Approach to Preschool Language and Early Literacy Instruction Needed?
Authors: Greenwood Charles R. , Carta Judith J. , Atwater Jane , Goldstein Howard , Kaminski Ruth , McConnell Scott
Published: August 2012

Preschool experience plays a role in children’s development. However, for programs with language and early literacy goals, the question remains whether preschool instructional experiences are sufficiently effective to achieve these goals for all children. In a multisite study, the authors conducted a process-product description of preschool instruction, and children’s growth and outcomes in typical programs (i.e., Pre-K, Title 1, Head Start, Tuition-Based) using a response to intervention (RTI) perspective. Results indicated that (a) students in their preschool year prior to kindergarten made small gains, but students starting the year in lower Tier 2 and 3 performance levels did not close initial skills gaps, (b) variations were noted by program types with varying sociodemographics and instructional processes, and (c) the quality of instruction (Tier 1) received by all was low with room for improvement. Implications for future research on the application of the RTI approach and potential benefits are discussed.
High-velocity impact characteristic of carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite at low temperature
Authors: Shimamoto Akira , Kubota Ryo , Takayama Kazuyoshi
Published: August 2012

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite materials have unique mechanical properties and could substitute aluminum alloys used in harsh environments. We performed high-speed impact experiments to study carbon fiber reinforced plastic fracture behavior at cryogenic temperatures for two specimens of different laminated constitution. The effect of temperature, impact velocity, and layered composition on the fracture behavior of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was examined. Perforation hole-sizes and shapes, as well as damaged regions on the specimens varied systematically depending on layered compositions. We found that carbon fiber reinforced plastic layered composition played an important role and damage regions were controllable by manipulating carbon fiber reinforced plastic layered compositions.
Who Says? Authority, Voice, and Authorship in Narratives of Planning Research
Authors: Lake Robert W. , Zitcer Andrew W.
Published: August 2012

Recent developments in communicative planning theory and participatory research methods emphasize collaboration between researcher and research subject in the process of knowledge production. We ask how the ideal of collaboration that is integral to the process of data collection extends to the authorial phase of planning narratives and we identify ethical, pragmatic, and substantive justifications for collaborative authorship. The multidisciplinary literature on the city reveals a variety of approaches to authorship including empathetic evocation, selective deployment, dialogic collaboration, and uninterpreted transcription. More successful collaboration might require the avoidance of abstraction, an emphasis on contextualization and intersubjectivity, and a reimagining of social science from inquiry to conversation.
Adhesive properties and biocompatibility of tissue adhesives composed of various hydrophobically modified gelatins and disuccinimidyl tartrate
Authors: Matsuda Miyuki , Inoue Motoki , Taguchi Tetsushi
Published: August 2012

Adhesives comprising hydrophobically modified gelatin and disuccinimidyl tartrate were prepared with the aim of developing novel tissue adhesives with tissue-penetrating capability and biocompatibility. The hydrophobic groups employed were hexanoyl (Hx; C6), palmitoyl (Pam; C16), stearoyl (Ste; C18), and oleoyl (Ole; C18 unsaturated) groups. The bonding strength of the resulting tissue adhesives against fresh arterial media increased with increasing chain length of the saturated hydrocarbon up to C18 (Ste) when the degree of substitution of hydrocarbons in the hydrophobically modified gelatin molecule was 10% (10Ste) with a fixed succinimidyl group:amino group ratio of 1:1. The 10Ole–disuccinimidyl tartrate adhesive showed slightly lower bonding strength compared with 10Ste–disuccinimidyl tartrate adhesive. In contrast, the use of hydrophobically modified gelatin with a high substitution ratio (50%) showed lower bonding strength compared with the original gelatin. The peeling strength of 10Ste–disuccinimidyl tartrate and 10Ole–disuccinimidyl tartrate adhesives was similar and high compared with other adhesives. Based on the quantitative determination of biocompatibility, using nuclear factor-kappa B/luciferase transgenic mice (BALB/C-Tg (NF-κB-RE-luc)-Xen), the level of inflammation associated with 10Ste–disuccinimidyl tartrate adhesive was quite low compared with commercial aldehyde-based adhesive. From these results, 10Ste–disuccinimidyl tartrate adhesive possesses excellent biocompatibility as well as high bonding/peeling strength and, therefore, has potential use in clinical applications.
Affect and State Dysregulation as Moderators of the Relationship Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Nonsuicidal Self-injury
Authors: Bolen Rebecca M. , Winter Virginia Ramseyer , Hodges Liz
Published: August 2012

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant problem in both clinical and nonclinical populations. Affect and state dysregulation are frequently observed in survivors of childhood sexual abuse and in those who engage in NSSI. Both have been found to predict NSSI, and affect regulation has also been modeled as a mediator of NSSI. This study extends present research by modeling both affect and state dysregulation as moderators of NSSI. The findings are discussed as an extension of the tension reduction theory and within a conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an asymmetry of the approach-avoidance neurophysiological system.
“That’s so Gay”
Authors: Woodford Michael R. , Howell Michael L. , Kulick Alex , Silverschanz Perry
Published: August 2012

“That’s so gay,” a popular expression on campuses, is a sexual orientation microaggression that can contribute to a hostile environment for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students. Using data from a campus climate survey conducted at a large urban university, we investigated use of the phrase among heterosexual male undergraduates who are emerging adults (18–25 years). Multiple regression analysis suggested that saying the phrase is positively associated with hearing peers say it and with holding negative perceptions of feminine men, whereas having LGB acquaintances was negatively associated with use of this expression. We offer practice and policy recommendations for curbing its use, thereby enhancing campus climate.
Effect of Type and Severity of Intimate Partner Violence on Women’s Health and Service Use
Authors: Hegarty Kelsey L. , O’Doherty Lorna J. , Chondros Patty , Valpied Jodie , Taft Angela J. , Astbury Jill , Brown Stephanie J. , Gold Lisa , Taket Ann , Feder Gene S. , Gunn Jane M.
Published: August 2012

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has major affects on women’s wellbeing. There has been limited investigation of the association between type and severity of IPV and health outcomes. This article describes socio-demographic characteristics, experiences of abuse, health, safety, and use of services in women enrolled in the Women’s Evaluation of Abuse and Violence Care (WEAVE) project. We explored associations between type and severity of abuse and women’s health, quality of life, and help seeking. Women (aged 16–50 years) attending 52 Australian general practices, reporting fear of partners in last 12 months were mailed a survey between June 2008 and May 2010. Response rate was 70.5% (272/386). In the last 12 months, one third (33.0%) experienced Severe Combined Abuse, 26.2% Physical and Emotional Abuse, 26.6% Emotional Abuse and/or Harassment only, 2.7% Physical Abuse only and 12.4% scored negative on the Composite Abuse Scale. A total of 31.6% of participants reported poor or fair health and 67.9% poor social support. In the last year, one third had seen a psychologist (36.6%) or had 5 or more general practitioner visits (34.3%); 14.7% contacted IPV services; and 24.4% had made a safety plan. Compared to other abuse groups, women with Severe Combined Abuse had poor quality of life and mental health, despite using more medications, counseling, and IPV services and were more likely to have days out of role because of emotional issues. In summary, women who were fearful of partners in the last year, have poor mental health and quality of life, attend health care services frequently, and domestic violence services infrequently. Those women experiencing severe combined physical, emotional, and sexual abuse have poorer quality of life and mental health than women experiencing other abuse types. Health practitioners should take a history of type and severity of abuse for women with mental health issues to assist access to appropriate specialist support.
The Impact of Different Types of Intimate Partner Violence on the Mental and Physical Health of Women in Different Ethnic Groups
Authors: Lacey Krim K. , McPherson Melnee Dilworth , Samuel Preethy S. , Powell Sears Karen , Head Doreen
Published: August 2012

Intimate partner violence, including threats, stalking, emotional, physical, and sexual assault by a spouse or partner, has significant influences on the well-being of women of all racial and social backgrounds. This study of a nationally representative sample of women from varying racial and ethnic groups examined specific types of violent acts on health and well-being. An association between intimate partner violence and poor physical and mental health was found. Types of partner violence also had different associations with the well-being of women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Social and demographic factors played an important role in moderating women’s outcomes. Suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Walsh Kate , DiLillo David , Klanecky Alicia , McChargue Dennis
Published: August 2012

Sexual assault occurring when the victim is unable to consent or resist due to the use or administration of alcohol or drugs (i.e., incapacitated/drug-or-alcohol facilitated rape; IR/DAFR) is a particularly prevalent form of victimization experienced by college women. By definition, substance use precedes IR/DAFR; however, few studies have examined other potential risk factors for IR/DAFR that may be unique from those associated with forcible rape (FR; i.e., sexual assault occurring due to threats or physical restraint). The present investigation tested a model of risk for IR/DAFR and FR suggesting that child or adolescent sexual abuse (CASA) leads to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which in turn increase the likelihood of IR/DAFR, but not FR. Results revealed full mediation for PTSD hyperarousal symptoms in the pathway between CASA and IR/DAFR, and partial mediation for hyperarousal symptoms in the pathway between CASA and FR. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Intimate Partner Violence and Welfare Participation
Authors: Cheng Tyrone C.
Published: August 2012

This longitudinal study examined the temporal-ordered causal relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV), five mental disorders (depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic attack, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), alcohol abuse/dependence, drug abuse/dependence, treatment seeking (from physician, counselor, and self-help group), employment, child support, and welfare participation. It was a secondary data analysis of records of 571 women; the records were extracted from the study “Violence Against Women and the Role of Welfare Reform” (VAWRWR). Results from generalized estimating equations (GEE) showed that experiencing controlling behaviors reduced likelihood of welfare participation whereas experiencing physical abuse increased it. Significant impact on welfare participation was wielded by panic attack, drug abuse/dependence, and employment; treatment seeking and child support made no significant impact. The study found no significant mediating effect wielded by panic attack, drug abuse/dependence, employment, or child support on welfare participation’s relationship to controlling behaviors or physically abusive behaviors experienced. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Canadian Mock Juror Attitudes and Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases Involving Asian and White Interracial and Intraracial Couples
Authors: Maeder Evelyn M. , Mossière Annik , Cheung Liann
Published: August 2012

This study manipulated the race of the defendant and the victim (White/White, White/Asian, Asian/Asian, and Asian/White) in a domestic violence case to examine the potential prejudicial impact of race on juror decision making. A total of 181undergraduate students read a trial transcript involving an allegation of spousal abuse in which defendant and victim race were manipulated using photographs. They then provided a verdict and confidence rating, a sentence, and responsibility attributions, and completed various scales measuring attitudes toward wife abuse and women. Findings revealed that female jurors were harsher toward the defendant than were male jurors. When controlling for attitudes toward Asians, jurors found the defendant guilty more often in cases involving interracial couples, as compared to same-race couples. Path analyses revealed various factors and attitudes involved in domestic violence trial outcomes. Findings contribute to the scarce literature on legal proceedings involving Asians, particularly in domestic violence cases. Outcomes also provide a model for relevant factors and characteristics of jurors in domestic violence cases. Roadblocks inherent in jury research are also discussed.
AIDS, metaphor and ritual: The crafting of care in rural South African childhoods
Authors: Henderson Patricia C
Published: August 2012

Based on a two-year study of 31 young people aged 14–20 who had lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS, in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the article draws on an in-depth ethnographic account of a 17-year-old girl’s life process. It traces forms of care between adults and children within her family across several generations, exploring how social repertoires and forms of ritual pre-dating the HIV/AIDS epidemic are brought to bear on relationships compromised through death, dispersal and disappearance. Temporalities in relation to loss, the reconfiguration of the past and of imagined possible futures emerge from the account.
Development of a tuneable test problem generator for assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing
Authors: Ab Rashid Mohd Fadzil Faisae , Hutabarat Windo , Tiwari Ashutosh
Published: August 2012

Assembly optimisation activities that involve assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing have been extensively studied because of the importance of optimal assembly efficiency to manufacturing competitiveness. Numerous research works in assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing mainly focus on developing algorithms to solve problems and to optimise assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing. However, there is a scarcity in works that focus on developing problems to test these algorithms. In optimisation algorithm development, testing algorithms by a broad range of test problems is crucial to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This article proposes a generator of assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing test problems with tuneable complexity levels. Experiments confirm that the selected combination of input attributes does control the generated assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing problem complexity, and also that the generated problems can be used to identify the suitability of a given algorithm to problem types.
Manufacturable mechanical part design with constrained topology optimization
Authors: Lu Jianan , Chen Yonghua
Published: August 2012

In recent years, topology optimization has been actively researched in computer-aided mechanical part design. However, practical applications of topology optimization to mechanical part design are still very limited in today’s industries. One of the major reasons is that current topology optimization methods always have the tendency to generate hollow and framework-like structures. These structures are very difficult to interpret and most often not directly manufacturable or not manufacturable at all. In this study, a multi-directional constrained method is developed for topology optimization so that topologies of optimized structures similar to mechanical design could be generated. The main objective of this method is to ensure that mechanical parts generated from topology optimization will be simple and manufacturable. Since there is a large diversity of manufacturing technologies, the proposed method allows the customization of constraint directions so that different manufacturing technologies may be catered for. In the proposed method, a modified solid isotropic material with penalization scheme is used for the topology optimization. To demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method, a number of sample studies have been presented. Even though the proposed method is currently implemented only for two-dimensional case studies, it will be extended to three-dimensional applications in the future.
A support vector machine-based online tool condition monitoring for milling using sensor fusion and a genetic algorithm
Authors: Kaya Bulent , Oysu Cuneyt , Ertunc Huseyin M , Ocak Hasan
Published: August 2012

In machining systems, the quality of the manufactured part is directly related to the condition of the tool used. Sharp tools are mostly used on the final machining pass to obtain enhanced dimensional accuracy and surface smoothness. Worn tools on the other hand are typically used for coarse machining. The operator usually makes tool assignments based on his experience, the wear levels of the tools and the type of machining task. However, this kind of operator judgment is bound to errors and may not be reliable in processes requiring high precision. Therefore, a tool condition monitoring system is highly desirable to achieve the best results in machining quality. In this study, three-axis cutting forces, torque, three-axis accelerometer and acoustic emission signals were analyzed and used for the development of an online tool condition monitoring system. Various time domain and statistical features extracted from these signals were used to train support vector machine models in a binary decision tree, which was used to predict the condition of the cutting tool. The genetic algorithm was employed for reducing the dimensionality of the feature set by selecting the features that correlates best with the tool condition. Nine experiments were carried out at different cutting conditions. Experimental results demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed scheme. The classification rates for the tool condition monitoring system before and after inclusion of the genetic algorithm step were determined as 89% and 100%, respectively.
The effect of cup orientation and coverage on contact mechanics and range of motion of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty
Authors: Wang Ling , Williams Sophie , Udofia Itoro , Isaac Graham , Fisher John , Jin Zhongmin
Published: August 2012

Implant malpositioning has been identified as a factor associated with clinical failures of metal-on-metal hip resurfacings (MoMHRs). This study investigated the effect of cup orientation and cup coverage on the contact mechanics (incidence of edge-loading) and range of motion (ROM) of MoMHR. Three generic MoMHRs with differing amounts of cup coverage were considered at various orientations. Contact area and contact pressure at the bearing surface were predicted for each design using finite element (FE) method. The ROM was determined based on the geometry overlap. Edge contact was found at lower angles of inclination (65°) for lower coverage cup designs; however, they also provided the greatest ROM. Conversely, cups with greater coverage did not exhibit edge contact until the cup was more steeply positioned (75°), however ROM was reduced. This study enables both sets of variable to be considered in the design of metal-on-metal bearings in hip.
Feminism versus femininity? Exploring feminist dilemmas through cooperative inquiry research
Authors: Riley Sarah CE , Scharff Christina
Published: August 2012

This article analyses the findings from a cooperative inquiry study with seven feminist identified women based in the UK. It explores the tensions participants experienced in negotiating their feminist identification on the one hand and engagements in normative beauty practices on the other. A discourse analysis of participants’ talk identified an ideological dilemma of ‘feminism versus femininity’, a contemporary re-working of long-standing constructions of feminism and femininity as mutually exclusive. In exploring how this dilemma was negotiated, the article supports existing arguments that femininity is increasingly constructed as a bodily practice. The article also examines the consequences of employing the feminist versus femininity dilemma which included the use of anti-feminist and homophobic constructions. Strategies to resist the dilemma involved postfeminist individual choice arguments or refusal to participate in practices that were critiqued. These strategies were individualist, only partially successful, and failed to engage with the classed and racialised aspects of contemporary beauty ideals.
Pure cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a population of African descent in French Guiana: a retrospective population-based description
Authors: Deligny C , Marie D Sainte , Clyti E , Arfi S , Couppié P
Published: August 2012

The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, excluding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in patients of African descent. Indeed, since the description of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), which had been included in chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), there has been no description of the disease in black patients. In 2000, we performed a retrospective epidemiological study by querying multiple sources to identify all patients with lupus in French Guiana – a part of France in South America having western living conditions, free healthcare and 157,000 inhabitants, most of whom are of African origin. We found 45 patients with pure cutaneous lupus, which included CCLE (mostly discoid), SCLE and bullous lupus. The disease characteristics of these patients exhibited few differences compared with those of the Caucasian patients cited in the literature. However, the age of onset for our patients of African descent was younger than that of Caucasian patients. In contrast to the race-related differences reported for SLE, we found no major differences in terms of demographic, clinical and biological presentation between this cohort of pure cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients of African origin and Caucasian patients with similar forms of lupus.
‘Anyone but England’? Exploring anti-English sentiment as part of Scottish national identity in sport
Authors: Whigham Stuart
Published: August 2012

This article explores the reasons behind the expression of anti-English sentiment by Scots in relation to both sporting and wider social contexts, whilst also considering the impact of migration to England on the attitudes expressed by members of the Scottish diaspora. Drawing upon the conceptual framework of ‘narrative identity’ proposed elsewhere, data was generated through semi-structured interviews which focused upon the ‘ontological’ and ‘public’ narratives of Scottish identity as expressed by Scots living in England. The findings demonstrate the influence of a wide range of personal, social, historical and political factors in highlighting the cleavage between Scotland and England within the context of sport and society, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between these two nations in the context of sporting rivalry. This relationship is argued to be heavily influenced by the existence of an ‘underdog mentality’-style grand ‘public narrative’ for Scots in relation to their English neighbours, based on perceived differences in economic and sporting resources between the two countries. This ‘underdog mentality’ therefore acts as a legitimating force for the expression of anti-English sentiment in both a sporting and wider social context as part of some individuals’ ‘ontological narrative’, although the extent of such sentiment was found to vary significantly between individuals and contrasting contexts.