bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nasal Allergies in the Asian–Pacific Population: Results from the Allergies in Asia–Pacific Survey
Authors: Katelaris Constance H. , Lai Christopher K.W. , Rhee Chae-Seo , Lee Sang Hag , De Yun Wang , Lim-Varona Linda , Quang Vo Thanh , Hwang Jason , Singh Harvinder , Kim Jungsoo , Boyle John M. , Dhong Hun Jong , Narayanan Prepageran , Vicente Gil , Blaiss Michael , Sacks Raymond
Published: December 2011

Background

The Allergies in Asia–Pacific Survey describes the symptoms, impact, and treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) across Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The Allergies in Asia–Pacific Survey was undertaken to further clarify the prevalence of physician-diagnosed nasal allergies (NAs), impact on quality-of-life (QOL), existing treatment paradigms and gaps, and NA medications currently used in treatment.

Methods

Thirty-three thousand three hundred seventy-eight households were screened for individuals, ≥ 4 years old, with a physician diagnosis of AR or NA and either symptoms or treatment in the past 12 months. Standardized questionnaires were used to make comparisons across regions. A total of 1043 adults and 192 children were included in the survey.

Results

Nine percent of participants were diagnosed with AR with two of three responding that their NAs were seasonal in nature. Nasal congestion was the most common and bothersome symptom of AR. Most participants reported that AR impacted their QOL with nearly one-half citing impairments in school/work performance/productivity. Sleep disturbances, secondary to AR, were also shown to be appreciable. Two-thirds of patients took medication for their AR. Less than one-quarter of survey respondents reported taking an intranasal corticosteroid and the satisfaction rate was similar to that of over-the-counter medications. The most common reasons cited for dissatisfaction were related to inadequate efficacy and bothersome side effects.

Conclusion

AR appears to be extremely common across Asia–Pacific nations. Many individuals with AR suffer from symptoms that reduce QOL and treatment gaps exist with current therapies. Through identification of disease impact and highlighting treatment gaps, clinicians may better understand and treat AR, leading to improvements in overall patient satisfaction and QOL.
Counting, Resonance, and Form, A Speculative Manifesto (with Notes)
Authors: Brewer David A.
Published: December 2011

The recent quantitative turn in literary studies has reminded us of the breadth and variety of the literary field of the past. In so doing, however, it has necessarily levelled out the felt distinctions between various texts, and so risks working against the very sort of literary history that its new vistas promise: one which does justice to the workings of form across time and space. In particular, the presumptive interchangeability of texts that is required to put them into a series susceptible to quantitative analysis ignores the massively different footprint left by commercially successful (and socially canonical) texts as we move beyond their moment of initial publication. Evelina, for example, may have been just another novel of 1778 when it first appeared, but it loomed far above all other productions of that year a decade later (or anywhere beyond the metropole). Such footprints, I argue, changed the significance of their texts' form, making it seem richer, thicker, more resonant or definitive—perhaps, for some, more stifling or oppressive—than that of their apparently similar but less successful counterparts.
The Architectural Design of Beckford's Vathek
Authors: Jung Sandro
Published: December 2011

In this article, I interrogate the textual form and discuss the central importance and meaning of the architectural design of William Beckford's Vathek, and I trace the formal features of architecture that inform the novel. Rather than contextualizing the novel in terms of biography, reading it as inscribed with Beckford's personality, or offering an exploration of the characters' psychological makeup, I focus on Beckford's narrative and his ability to construct a polygeneric tale of Gothic didacticism. Despite writing Vathek in 1782, at the age of twenty-one, and retailing a myth of its spontaneous composition, Beckford crafted a text that reveals a highly finished architectural design and skilful inversion of the conventions of romance.
“Nothing Really in It”: Gothic Interiors and the Externals of the Courtship Plot in Northanger Abbey
Authors: Baudot Laura
Published: December 2011

The washing bills that the heroine discovers in a cabinet in Jane Austen's early novel Northanger Abbey are traditionally read as parodying the Gothic trope of hidden manuscripts. The mundane itemization of male clothing, I argue, does not merely pit the everyday against Gothic improbability. The washing bill plot invites readers to reflect critically on courtship plots and their own emotional investment in happy endings. By drawing attention to the papers' appearance, content, and location, Austen uses the washing bills as evidence for how courtship novels and readers' affective expectations repress the material facts central to both marriage and novel reading: men and books have bodies. The complex interplay of surface and depth that characterizes the washing bill plot is central to Austen's quest to devise a form for the novel that engages the reader both critically and emotionally. By linking the washing bills to the novel's other jarring reminders of the materiality of books and reading, this article makes the broader claim that a full understanding of the form of eighteenth-century novels requires combining the methods of formalism and book history.
Location-Based Data for Estimated Traffic on Urban Arterial in Heterogeneous Traffic Conditions
Authors: Kumar S. Vasantha , Vanajakshi Lelitha , Subramanian Shankar C.
Published: December 2011

Accurate estimation of traffic in intelligent transportation system applications, such as the advanced traveler information system and the advanced traffic management system, requires fixed location-based measurements, vehicle-based measurements, or both. Using both data sources is too expensive for most government agencies, especially in developing countries such as India, and also leads to issues related to installation and maintenance, especially on urban roads. The main drawback of vehicle-based measurements is the potential lack of participation because of privacy concerns; lack of participation would limit data collection to a sample of the population, primarily on public transport vehicles. The study aims to overcome such difficulties by using only location-based flow data for the estimation of spatial parameters, such as density and travel time. These parameters are difficult to measure or estimate on an urban arterial, especially under heterogeneous traffic conditions, because of lack of lane discipline and because of complex interactions among different vehicle types. The Lighthill–Whitham–Richards macroscopic traffic flow model discretized in both space and time was employed in the estimation scheme. The resulting partial differential equations were solved numerically with the finite difference formulation of forward–time backward–space. Both linear and exponential speed–density relationships were considered and incorporated into the macroscopic model. Linear and cubic spline interpolations of input flow values were compared. The estimated density was corroborated with the density obtained from input–output analysis. Estimated travel times were compared with manually observed travel times and travel times obtained from probe vehicles fitted with Global Positioning System devices.
Development of Railway Regulatory Scheme in Central Java Region of Indonesia
Authors: Wachi Tomokazu , Kawaguchi Hirohisa , Kennedy Thomas L. , Yagi Sadayuki , Hagiwara Takayuki
Published: December 2011

Although the current business environment for railway transportation in the Central Java region of Indonesia is not promising, it is essential to revitalize the railway transport sector to support and sustain the social and economic needs and activities of the region. In the recent past, the wholly state-owned company, PT Kereta Api, was the only organization authorized for the operation and administration of railway services in Indonesia. To some extent because of this monopoly, the railway system currently confronts a variety of facility and operational problems caused by regulatory issues (or lack of regulation), such as an insufficient and unreliable subsidy system from the central government, poorly defined terms of shared responsibility between the government and the railway operator, and the absence of regulations for a new railway law. The new railway law allows for local government and private-sector participation in the railway industry. The regional railway regulatory scheme, which is composed of an infrastructure manager, a rail regulator, and a new railway operator, was formulated to take advantage of the opportunity provided under the new law. This regulatory scheme may encourage the private sector to participate in the railway business and stimulate the existing state-owned company through competition. From a case study of the Semarang–Solo–Yogyakarta freight railway, this paper presents an overall picture of how the regional railway system may materialize and how efficient railway operation could be achieved.
Measurement of Company Car Drivers’ Aberrant Behaviors, Safety Attitudes, and Safety Climate Perceptions
Authors: Musicant Oren
Published: December 2011

Company car drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in a crash compared with the general driving population. A 34-item questionnaire was used to study the responses of 110 company car drivers to questions regarding their aberrant behaviors, safety attitudes, and safety climate perceptions. The author evaluated the questionnaire's psychometric properties (factor structure and reliability) and investigated how company car drivers could be classified into subgroups on the basis of their reported behaviors, attitudes, and safety climate perceptions. An exploratory factor analysis yielded six factors: traffic violations, attitudes toward speeding and alcohol use, law enforcement, driver ability, work pressure, and management commitment to safety. With the K-means procedure, three subgroups were identified. One subgroup reports positive attitudes across all factors. The other two subgroups share higher rates of involvement in traffic violations and riskier attitudes toward speeding and alcohol use, but the two subgroups differ in their road safety attitudes as well as in their safety climate perceptions. An understanding of the characteristics of the different subgroups of company car drivers can help inform safety countermeasures. In addition, the questionnaire may serve as a practical tool for researchers and safety officers because it covers multiple safety-related factors but remains relatively brief.
Acoustic Characteristics of Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Safety of Blind Pedestrians
Authors: Hastings Aaron , Scarpone Chris , Samiljan Bob , Garay-Vega Lisandra , Pollard John K.
Published: December 2011

Quieter cars, such as electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), may reduce auditory cues used by pedestrians to assess the state of nearby traffic and, as a result, their use may have an adverse impact on pedestrian safety. To document differences in the sound levels of HEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the authors measured the sound pressure levels in one-third octave bands of three HEVs and three corresponding ICE vehicles for the following operating conditions: idle, backing up at 5 mph, approaching at a constant speed (6, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mph), accelerating from stop, and slowing from 20 to 10 mph at 3.28 ft/s2. Sound level results comparing the HEVs with the ICE vehicles are presented. In general, HEVs have lower sound levels than ICE vehicles for operating conditions below 20 mph; but above 20 mph, the sound from road–tire interactions dominates and the sound levels of the two vehicle types converge.
Simulator Study of Effects of Alternative Distraction Mitigation Strategies in Driver Workload Manager
Authors: Tijerina Louis , Blommer Mike , Curry Reates , Greenberg Jeff , Kochhar Dev , Simonds Craig , Watson David
Published: December 2011

This simulator study examined a workload manager developed by Delphi Electronics for the SAVE-IT program and the effects of several different workload mitigation strategies on driver response to a surprise forward collision hazard. The strategies included no in-vehicle task or distraction (baseline); task allowed; task interrupted; and task denied. Forty-eight test participants (24 males and 24 females) between 35 and 55 years of age were randomly assigned in groups of 12 (balanced for gender) to each of the four conditions. Each participant then drove in the Ford VIRTTEX moving-base driving simulator on simulated urban and rural roads and was asked to perform various in-vehicle tasks. During a requested in-vehicle information system task, a vehicle parked on the side of the road would suddenly enter the travel lane, and the driver's response was assessed. Braking response to this critical event indicated no significant differences in mean brake response time as a function of type of mitigation strategy or gender. However, variability in driver responses was significantly less in the task denied condition as compared with the other conditions, possibly because drivers were sensitized to an increased driving demand. Three of 12 test participants in the task interrupted condition showed relatively large brake reaction times attributable to long delays between initial foot motion and braking onset. This delay may indicate an additional delay associated with processing the task interruption and the forward collision warning event itself. Recommendations are provided for further research and for mitigation and driver alerting on the basis of a workload manager's assessment of the driving situation.
Nondestructive NIR Reflectance Spectroscopic Method for Rapid Fatty Acid Analysis of Peanut Seeds
Authors: Sundaram Jaya , Kandala Chari V. , Butts Christopher L. , Chen Charles Y. , Sobolev Victor
Published: December 2011

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to rapidly and nondestructively analyze the fatty acid concentration present in peanut seeds samples. Absorbance spectra were collected in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 2500 nm using NIRS. The oleic, linoleic and palmitic fatty acids were converted to their corresponding methyl esters and their concentrations were measured using a gas chromatograph (GC). Partial least square (PLS) analysis was performed on a calibration set, and models were developed for prediction of fatty acid concentrations. The best model was selected based on the coefficient of determination (R2), Root Mean Square Error of Prediction, residual percent deviation (RPD) and correlation coefficient percentage between the gas chromatography measured values and the NIR predicted values. The NIR reflectance model developed yielded RPD values of three and above for prediction of the three fatty acids, indicating that this nondestructive method would be suitable for fatty acid predictions in peanut seeds.
Determining the Oleic/linoleic Acid Ratio in a Single Peanut Seed: a Comparison of Two Methods
Authors: Chamberlin K.D. , Melouk H.A. , Madden R. , Dillwith J.W. , Bannore Y. , El Rassi Z. , Payton M.
Published: December 2011

Peanut varieties with high oleic/linoleic acid ratios have become preferred by the peanut industry due to their increased shelf life and improved health benefits. Many peanut breeding programs are trying to incorporate the high oleic trait into new and improved varieties and are in need of diagnostic tools to track its inheritance early in development and at the single seed level. Traditionally, gas chromatography has been used to accurately determine the properties of peanut oil. Recently a method was developed to carry out this analysis by capillary elecrophoresis providing researchers with an alternative analytical platform. In this study, the use of capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography for analysis of oleic/linoleic acid ratios are compared. Oil was extracted from approximately 0.10 g of peanut seed tissue taken from the distal end, leaving the embryonic end of the seed intact for subsequent germination. Over 100 samples inclusive of runner, Spanish and Virginia market types were processed. Oil extracts were analyzed for oleic/linoleic acid ratio using (1) capillary electrophoresis (CE) and (2) gas chromatography (GC). Results showed that the two methods are 100% in agreement in determining whether a peanut seed is “high-oleic” or “normal oleic” in oil content. Furthermore, the two methods are highly correlated (r  =  0.96; p < 0.0001) with respect to determining the exact oleic/linoleic acid ratio from each sample. Results from this study validate the use of CE as a diagnostic tool for breeding programs to identify individual high oleic peanut seed for further testing and development.
Variations In Different Isolates Of Rhizoctonia Solani Based On Temperature And pH
Authors: Goswami BK , Rahaman MM , Hoque AKMA , Bhuiyan K , Mian IH
Published: December 2011

An experiment was conducted to find out variation in isolated Rhizoctonia solani based on radial mycelial growth and sclerotial production. Five isolates of Rhizoctonia solani representing five clusters group were selected and were grown at different levels of temperature and pH on potato dextrose agar (PDA). It was observed that optimum temperature and pH for growth and scierotial production varied among the isolates. The rates of growth and sclerotial formation were not uniform at the same levels of the two growth factors. The maximum mycelial growth of all isolates was found at 30°C. At 35°C, only GAZ-9 and GAZ-18 showed initiation of growth, but the rate was very slow. The optimum temperature for sclerotial production of the isolates GAZ-9, JES- 16, GAZ-18 SYL-26 was 30°C and for the isolate DIN-8 was 25°C. The optimum pH for maximum radial growth was 6 for DIN-8 and 7 for other four isolates. The maximum number of sclerotia was produced by DIN-8, GAZ-9, and SYL-30 at pH 8, 4, and 7, respectively. The optimum pH for sclerotia formation in JES-16 and GAZ-18 was pH 6. Keywords: Rhizoctonia solani; variations; temperature; pH. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i3.9267 BJAR 2011; 36(3): 389-396
Field Performance And Economic Analysis Of Some Commonly Used Insecticides Against Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis Theivora W.
Authors: Ahmed M , Paul SK , Mamun MSA
Published: December 2011

A study was undertaken to evaluate the field performance and economic analysis of some commonly used insecticides against Tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse at Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), Srimangal, Moulvibazar. Six different insecticides–Thiodan 35EC (Endosulfan), Ripcord 10EC (Cypermethrin), Decis 2.5EC (Deltamethrin), Dimethion 40EC (Dimethoate), Metasystox 25EC (Oxydemeton), and Malathion 57EC (Malathion) were applied in the plots as recommended dose of BTRI. The shoot infestation reduction as well as yield response of all the insecticides treated plots were superior over the control but there was no significant difference among the insecticidal treatments. Better field performance against Helopeltis was found in Malathion 57 EC treated plots in respect to shoot infestation reduction over control (87.09%). Per hectare yield (1910.33 kg) as well as per hectare net return (Tk. 300927.80) were also higher in Malathion 57EC treated plots. The highest marginal rate of return (2580.57%) was obtained by spraying Metasystox 25EC over control followed by Ripcord IOEC (1710.87%) and other insecticides. The most economically acceptable insecticide against tea mosquito bug was Metasystox. Keywords: Field performance; economic analysis; insecticides; tea; Helopeltis theivora. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i3.9273 BJAR 2011; 36(3): 449-454
Integrated Use Of Inorganic And Organic Fertilizers On Yield Of Wheat In Wheat-T.Aus/Mungbean-T.Aman Cropping Pattern
Authors: Bhuiyan MAH , Mian MH , Islam MR , Alam F
Published: December 2011

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i3.9282BJAR 2011; 36(3): 543-552
INFLUENCE OF ASPHALT ADDITION AND CONSOLIDATION METHOD ON THE DURABILITY OF CEMENT CONCRETE / ASFALTO PRIEDŲ IR KONSOLIDACIJOS METODO ĮTAKA CEMENTBETONIO ILGAAMŽIŠKUMUI
Authors: Michał Michał , Pawluczuk Edyta , Rutkowska Wioleta
Published: December 2011

At present the durability of engineering structures built of high performance cement concrete constitutes a very important issue especially when we consider the reliability of these structures under the impact of different classes of aggressive environment and dynamic loads acting on them. In the authors’ opinion the above problem can be solved by applying chemical-mechanical methods to ensure proper material-structural protection of building structures in specific operating conditions. In order to chemically modify concrete microstructure, asphalt addition dissolved in high boiling organic solvent was applied. On the other hand, in order to form concrete structure, special consolidation methods of concrete mixture was used. Santrauka Statybinių konstrukcijų, pagamintų iš gerų eksploatacinių savybių cementbetonio, ilgaamžiškumas yra labai svarbus veiksnys. Ypač tai svarbu apibrėžiant pastato konstrukcijų patikimumą, kai jas veikia smūginės ir dinaminės apkrovos bei įvairių klasių agresyvioji aplinka. Autorių nuomone, ši problema gali būti sprendžiama taikant cheminius ir mechaninius metodus, užtikrinant geresnę statybinių konstrukcijų, naudojamų specifinėmis sąlygomis, apsaugą. Siekiant chemiškai pakeisti betono mikrostruktūrą, siūloma betono sudėtį papildyti aukčtos temperatūros asfalto priedais, ištirpintais verdančiame tirpale. Kita vertus, norint pagaminti betoninę konstrukciją, buvo taikyti specialūs betono mišinio konsolidacijos metodai.
OPTIMUM MULTIPLE TUNED MASS DAMPERS FOR THE WIND EXCITED BENCHMARK BUILDING / OPTIMALŪS MASĖS SLOPINTUVAI VĖJO VEIKIAMUOSE AUKŠTYBINIUOSE PASTATUOSE
Authors: Patil Veeranagouda B. , Jangid Radhey Shyam
Published: December 2011

The performance of multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) installed at the top floor of the wind excited benchmark building under across wind loads is investigated. The performance of MTMD is compared with that of single tuned mass damper (TMD) having same total mass. The governing equations of motion of the building with MTMD/ TMD are solved by employing state space formulation. Initially, the TMD is installed at the top floor of the benchmark building and the optimum parameters of the damper for the minimization of various performance criteria of the building are obtained for different mass ratios. Later on, the MTMD is installed at the top floor of the building and the optimum parameters are obtained for the minimization of various performance criteria of the building for different mass ratios and number of dampers. As it is easier to maintain the same stiffness of dampers, the stiffness of each damper in MTMD is maintained as constant. From the study, it is found that the MTMDs are quite effective and robust in the vibration control of the benchmark building. Santrauka Straipsnyje tiriamas kelių masės slopintuvų (KMS), įrengtų aukštybinio pastato, kurį veikia vėjo apkrovos, viršutiniame aukšte, poveikis konstrukcijai. Šis KMS poveikis lyginamas su vieno masės slopintuvo (VMS) poveikiu, teigiant, kad abiem atvejais suminės masės reikšmė yra ta pati. Pagal KMS ir VMS sudarytos judėjimo lygtys išspręstos pritaikius erdvinio būvio formuluotę. Iš pradžių VMS įrengiamas viršutiniame pastato aukšte ir šiam atvejui suskaičiuojami optimalus slopintuvo parametrai, minimizuojant įvairius darbo kriterijus ir įvertinant skirtingus masės koeficientus. Po to KMS įrengiami viršutiniame pastato aukšte ir optimalūs parametrai apskaičiuojami šiam atvejui, įvertinant skirtingus masės koeficientus ir skirtingą slopintuvų skaičių. Kiekvieno slopintuvo standumas KMS atveju nekinta. Daroma išvada, kad KMS įrengimas – gana efektyvi ir veiksminga priemonė siekiant išvengti vibracijų aukštybiniuose pastatuose.
B-Lymphocyte Reconstitution after Repeated Rituximab Treatment in a Child with Steroid-Dependent Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: van der Linde Annelieke A.A. , Schatorjé Ellen J.H. , van der Weij Annemieke M. , Gemen Eugenie F.A. , de Vries Esther
Published: December 2011

We report the detailed long-term reconstitution of B-lymphocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulins, and specific antibody production after two courses of rituximab in a young, previously healthy girl with steroid-dependent autoimmune hemolytic anemia. B-lymphocyte subpopulations were surprisingly normal directly after reconstitution. However, there was a slower reconstitution after the second rituximab course, especially of non-switched and switched memory B-lymphocytes, and a temporary decline in IgM below age-matched reference values.
Radiotherapy for marginally resected, unresectable or recurrent giant cell tumor of the bone: a rare cancer network study
Authors: Bhatia Sumita , Miszczyk Leszek , Roelandts Martine , Nguyen Tan Dat , Boterberg Tom , Poortmans Phillip , Vallow Laura , Dincbas Fazilet O. , Lassen-Ramshad Yasmin , Botros Maikel , Miller Robert C.
Published: December 2011

The role of radiotherapy for local control of marginally resected, unresectable, and recurrent giant cell tumors of bone (GCToB) has not been well defined. The number of patients affected by this rare disease is low. We present a series of 58 patients with biopsy proven GCToB who were treated with radiation therapy. A retrospective review of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of GCToB was conducted in participating institutions of the Rare Cancer Network. Eligibility criteria consisted of the use of radiotherapy for marginally resected, unresectable, and recurrent GCToB. Fifty-eight patients with biopsy proven GCToB were analyzed from 9 participating North American and European institutions. Forty-five patients had a primary tumor and 13 patients had a recurrent tumor. Median radiation dose was 50 Gy in a median of 25 fractions. Indication for radiation therapy was marginal resection in 33 patients, unresectable tumor in 13 patients, recurrence in 9 patients and palliation in 2 patients. Median tumor size was 7.0 cm. A significant proportion of the tumors involved critical structures. Median follow-up was 8.0 years. Five year local control was 85%. Of the 7 local failures, 3 were treated successfully with salvage surgery. All patients who received palliation achieved symptom relief. Five year overall survival was 94%. None of the patients experienced grade 3 or higher acute toxicity. This study reports a large published experience in the treatment of GCToB with radiotherapy. Radiotherapy can provide excellent local control for incompletely resected, unresectable or recurrent GCToB with acceptable morbidity.
Goal Setting, Social Support, and Financial Incentives in Stress Management Programs: A Pilot Study of Their Impact on Adherence
Authors: Stachnik Thomas , Brown Barbara , Hinds William , Mavis Brian , Stoffelmayr Bertram , Thornton Dozier , Van Egeren Larry
Published: December 2011

A stress management program was implemented at two worksites to answer the following questions: 1) Is it feasible to design a stress management program that is of sufficient duration to change old habits, is tailored to the specific needs of the individual, and yet is administratively manageable? 2) To what degree does the use of powerful, reliable, independent variables make it possible for program participants to adhere to a stress management goal of their choosing? A program of six months duration that included personal stress management projects attracted a total of 21 participants at the two worksites. They met their weekly personal project commitments more than 80 percent of the time, and significant changes occurred on a measure of social anxiety.
Self-Efficacy and Exercise Participation in Sedentary Adult Females
Authors: McAuley Edward , Jacobson Lynn
Published: December 2011

Background.

This study examined the importance of selected psychosocial and biometric variables in the prediction of exercise behavior in sedentary adult females. Specifically, the relationships among exercise behavior and instructor influence, self-efficacy cognitions, self-motivation, and body composition and their ability to predict exercise participation were evaluated.

Methods.

Fifty-eight females volunteered to participate in an eight-week aerobic exercise program. Biometric and psychosocial variables were assessed prior to and following the program. Attendance data and activity logs provided participation data. Subjects were also contacted three months after program termination to assess their activity patterns at that time.

Results.

Multivariate analyses of variance indicated that subjects categorized as high or low in either program or overall exercise participation differed significantly on body weight, efficacy cognitions, and post-program perceptions. Multiple regression analyses indicated that instructor influence (R2 = .116) and self-efficacy cognitions (R2 = .093) contributed to the variance in subjects' program attendance. However, only self-efficacy was a significant predictor of overall exercise levels (R2 = .125). Correlational analyses revealed a modest but significant difference between self-efficacy and regularity of exercise (r = . 28) and duration of activity (r = . 32) at follow-up.

Discussion.

The findings are discussed in relation to the role that efficacy might play in exercise behavior.
Cardiovascular Health among African-Americans: A Review of the Health Status, Risk Reduction, and Intervention Strategies
Authors: Magnus Marcia H.
Published: December 2011

Background.

This article reviews the literature of African-American risk and identifies the disparity in cardiovascular health status, particularly hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and cigarette smoking, and mortality rates between African-Americans and whites.

Methods.

Data on African-Americans' knowledge and attitudes toward preventing hypertension and heart disease are summarized and compared to that of whites.

Results.

Program implementation details such as communication channels, activities, and health outcomes in cardiovascular risk reduction programs in African-American communities are summarized.

Discussion.

Promising approaches to program planning and implementation for cardiovascular risk reduction among African-Americans are recommended.
Comparison of Health Risk Prevalence Reported in a Health Risk Appraisal and Predicted through Demographic Analysis
Authors: Kaman Robert L. , Licciardone John C. , Hoffmann Marilyn A.
Published: December 2011

Background.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Healthier People Health Risk Appraisal and the RiskPlan Report, two different methods for measuring health risks of an employee population, produce the same estimates of health risk prevalence.

Methods.

The prevalence of each of seven risk factors, directly measured by the Healthier People Health Risk Appraisal and predicted by the RiskPlan Report using demographic and normative data, were compared for a group of 239 employees participating in a voluntary health screening. Further, the 239 participants and 426 nonparticipants were compared with respect to demographic factors gleaned from personnel records, and risk factor prevalence derived from the RiskPlan Report.

Results.

Significant differences were found in the prevalence of six of the seven risk factors measured by the Healthier People Health Risk Appraisal and predicted by the RiskPlan Report. Also, risk factor prevalence predicted by the RiskPlan Report was not significantly different in the participants and nonparticipants although three critical sociodemographic variables were significantly different.

Discussion.

The results suggest that the prevalence of health risks based on normative data and the demographic profile of a population are not similar to those directly measured, and some doubt is raised about predicting health risks based on these data.
Results of a Long-Term Community Smoking Cessation Contest
Authors: Lando Harry A. , Hellerstedt Wendy L. , Pirie Phyllis L. , Fruetel Jerry , Huttner Patrick
Published: December 2011

Background.

Successive quit smoking contests undertaken as part of the Minnesota Heart Health Program had generated diminishing impact. The 1988 contest attempted to rejuvenate community interest and participation through a substantially extended enrollment period.

Method.

Smokers were eligible for monthly prize drawings and a grand prize drawing by entering the contest at any point between June 1988 and January 1989 and remaining abstinent for at least one month. The contest was promoted through newspaper advertisements, contest flyers, schools, and a community-wide direct mail campaign.

Results.

A total of 1,328 smokers returned initial interest cards and 918 (69.1 %) of these smokers returned quit pledges. Self-reported abstinence for pledgers and nonpledgers was 16.7% and 9.2%, respectively. Survival analysis indicated significantly longer periods of abstinence for pledgers (p = . 0001).

Discussion.

The extended contest was successful in recruiting smokers (almost 7% of the entire Bloomington smoking population vs. 1 % for a previous one-month contest), especially those with less than a high school education. The current contest required substantial expenditures. However, these costs could be dramatically reduced through innovative use of donated resources.
Development of a Scale to Measure Barriers to Health Promotion Activities among Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Becker Heather , Stuifbergen Alexa K. , Sands Dolores
Published: December 2011

Subjectively-defined barriers to engaging in health promoting activities are one of the most important, yet least well operationalized, components in our models of health promotion. This article describes the development of a tool to measure barriers to health promotion among persons with disabilities.

The Barriers to Health Activities among Disabled Persons scale (BHADP) is comprised of 16 items reflecting barriers to taking care of one's health identified from previous barriers literature and interviews with disabled persons.

In a study of 135 disabled adults living in two southwestern cities, the BHADP yielded a Cronbach Alpha of .82 as a measure of internal consistency reliability. In addition, t-test analyses demonstrated a significant difference in scores between the disabled sample and a comparison group of 144 nondisabled adults, suggesting the BHADP discriminate between these groups.

The BHADP may be useful in sensitizing health care providers to the wide range of barriers experienced by persons with disabilities, thereby enabling them to work more effectively with this special population.
The Relationship of Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Fitness to Absenteeism and Medical Care Claims among Law Enforcement Officers
Authors: Steinhardt Mary , Greenhow Linda , Stewart Joy
Published: December 2011

Background.

Previous research has shown an inverse relationship between cardiovascular fitness and both absenteeism and health care costs. The documentation of these relationships with law enforcement officers will support the usefulness of providing health promotion programs for this population.

Methods.

Data were collected over a one-year period to examine the relationship of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness to absenteeism and medical care claims among law enforcement officers (N = 734).

Results.

Analysis of covariance indicated that sedentary officers were absent significantly more often than active officers; also, female officers were absent significantly more than male officers. Although proportionally more female officers than males scored above the 50th percentile on fitness (based on Cooper's norms), increased fitness for females was not related to decreased absenteeism. Increased fitness for male officers was related to decreased absenteeism. Medical care claims for a sub-sample of male officers (N = 363) were lower for more fit and more active officers, although this relationship was nonsignificant.

Discussion.

These observational data strengthen the hypothesis that absenteeism levels of physically active officers are lower than those of sedentary officers. For females, the relationship of absenteeism to family issues associated with child care and pregnancy leave in the workplace appears worthy of examination.
Seasonal variation in nitrogen pools and 15N/13C natural abundances in different tissues of grassland plants
Authors: Wang L. , Schjoerring J. K.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Seasonal changes in nitrogen (N) pools, carbon (C) content and natural abundance of 13C and 15N in different tissues of ryegrass plants were investigated in two intensively managed grassland fields in order to address their ammonia (NH3) exchange potential. Green leaves generally had the largest total N concentration followed by stems and inflorescences. Senescent leaves had the lowest N concentration, indicating N re-allocation. The seasonal pattern of the Γ value, i.e. the ratio between NH4+ and H+ concentrations, was similar for the various tissues of the ryegrass plants but the magnitude of Γ differed considerably among the different tissues. Green leaves and stems generally had substantially lower Γ values than senescent leaves and litter. Substantial peaks in Γ were observed during spring and summer in response to fertilization and grazing. These peaks were associated with high NH4+ rather than with low H+ concentrations. Peaks in Γ also appeared during the winter, coinciding with increasing δ15N values, indicating absorption of N derived from mineralization of soil organic matter. At the same time, δ13C values were declining, suggesting reduced photosynthesis and capacity for N assimilation. δ15N and δ13C values were more influenced by mean monthly temperature than by the accumulated monthly precipitation. In conclusion, ryegrass plants showed a clear seasonal pattern in N pools. Green leaves and stems of ryegrass plants generally seem to constitute a sink for NH3, while senescent leaves have a large potential for NH3 emission. However, management events such as fertilisation and grazing may create a high NH3 emission potential even in green plant parts. The obtained results provide input for future modelling of plant-atmosphere NH3 exchange.
Historical flash floods retromodelling in the Ondara River in Tàrrega (NE Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Balasch J. C. , Ruiz-Bellet J. L. , Tuset J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Flash floods in the Ondara River have caused many fatalities and damages in the town of Tàrrega in the last 400 yr. Unfortunately, no flow records are available. However, floods can sometimes be reconstructed thanks to available historical information: limnimarks, written accounts and archaeological surveys. Indeed, from these data and using the retromodelling method on three different scenarios to take into account morphology changes, the peak flows of the seven greatest floods occurred in Tàrrega since the 17th century were estimated. The results showed that the heaviest flood's specific peak flow (10.7 m3 s−1 km−2) ranks among the highest ever modelled or measured in similar-sized catchments in the Western Mediterranean region. The results pointed out, as well, that the changes in channel's morphology (mainly, the disappearance of a mediaeval bridge under sediment) caused by one of the floods increased the hydraulic capacity of a crucial cross-section. All this resulted in modest floods invading the town less often, but with much faster and, thus, more destructive flows. A preliminary estimation of the results' uncertainty was 4% for great floods and 18% for modest floods. The reconstructed peak flows will be introduced in a database for a future use in climatic and hydrological studies.
Glacier ice in rock glaciers: a case study in the Vanoise Massif, Northern French Alps
Authors: Monnier S. , Camerlynck C. , Rejiba F. , Kinnard C. , Galibert P.-Y.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. We investigated the Sachette rock glacier, Vanoise Massif, Northern French Alps, using former equilibrium line altitude reconstruction from glacial deposits, aerial photograph analysis, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The rock glacier is a young (probably <6000 yr) and active landform. The GPR survey consisted of two CMP measurements and four constant-offset profiles. From CMP measurements, the radar wave velocity in exposed shallow massive ice is 0.165–0.17 m ns−1. The constant-offset GPR data was processed and analysed in order to reconstruct the stratigraphy and model the radar wave velocity in two dimensions. The integration of the morphology, the velocity models, and the stratigraphy emphasized, in the upper half of the rock glacier, the good correspondence between high radar wave velocities (>0.15–0.16 m ns−1) and reflectors having a dipping-syncline structure, typical of true glaciers. Consequently, the rock glacier structure is described as being constituted of a glacial massive ice core embedded into diamictons. Our study of the Sachette rock glacier highlights possible significance of rock glaciers and interactions between glacier and permafrost in alpine environments.
False Identity and Multiple Identities in Russian History: The Mongol Empire and Ivan the Terrible
Authors: Halperin Charles
Published: December 2011

Anatolii Fomenko, the “New Chronology,”and Russian History*The ludicrous reconstruction of Russian history by the Moscow mathematicians Anatolii Fomenko and Gleb Nosovskii, called the “New Chronology,” has elicited a heated response in Russia from professional historians and other scholars. Fomenko and Nosovskii’s methodology purports to be good natural science (mathematics and astronomy), but it is actually bad humanities (history and linguistics) research. Because its conclusions are worthless, the support engendered by the New Chronology among the Russian public requires explanation and sheds light on the current status of historiography and historical memory in Russia. In addition, more study is needed of the New  Chronology’s relationship to Marxism, nationalism, and  Eurasianism, its attitude toward religion and possible anti-Semitism.Who Was Not Ivan the Terrible,Who Ivan the Terrible Was NotThe New Chronology’s contention that “Ivan IV” is really a composite of four rulers is science fi ction, but legitimate scholars have also proposed that Ivan had multiple identities to resolve contradictions and shed more light upon Ivan’s reign. However, newer attempts to attribute multiple names to Ivan and to ascribe literary alter egos to him are as unconvincing as earlier theories that Ivan’s reign was divided into “good” and “bad” phases or the more recent contention that Ivan’s writings are seventeenth-century apocrypha. There was one and only one Ivan the Terrible, and one is more than enough.
The OUN, the UPA and the Holocaust: A Study in the Manufacturing of Historical Myths
Authors: Rudling Per A.
Published: December 2011

During the past decade, particularly under the presidency of the third Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko (2005–2010) there have been repeated attempts to turn the leading fi gures of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and its armed wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) into national heroes. As these fascist organizations collaborated with the Nazi Germany, carried out ethnic cleansing and mass murder on a massive scale, they are problematic symbols for an aspiring democracy with the stated ambition to join the European Union. Under Yushchenko, several institutes of memory management and myth making were organized, a key function of which was to deny or downplay OUN-UPA atrocities. Unlike many other former Soviet republics, the Ukrainian government did not need to develop new national myths from scratch, but imported ready concepts developed in the Ukrainian diaspora. Yushchenko’s legitimizing historians presented the OUN and UPA as pluralistic and inclusive organizations, which not only rescued Jews during the Holocaust, but invited them into their ranks to fight shoulder to shoulder against Hitler and Stalin. This mythical narrative relied partly on the OUN’s own post-war forgeries, aimed at cover up the organization’s problematic past. As employees of the Ukrainian security services, working out of the offices of the old KGB, the legitimizing historians ironically dismissed scholarly criticism as Soviet myths. The present study deals with the myth-making around the OUN, the UPA, and the Holocaust, tracing their diaspora roots and following their migration back and forth across the Atlantic.
Critical Study on Rotational Flow of a Fractional Oldroyd-B Fluid Induced by a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Kamran M. , Athar M. , Imran M.
Published: December 2011

We considered the unsteady flow of a fractional Oldroyd-B fluid through an infinite circular cylinder with the help of infinite Hankel and Laplace transforms. The motion of the fluid is produced by the cylinder that, at time t=0+ is subject to a time-dependent angular velocity. The established solutions have been presented under series form in terms of the generalized G functions satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions. The corresponding solutions for ordinary Oldroyd-B, ordinary and fractional Maxwell, ordinary and fractional second-grade, and Newtonian fluids, performing the same motion, are acquired as limiting cases of general solutions. The keynote points regarding this work to mention are that (1) we extracted the expressions for velocity field and shear stress corresponding to the motion of fractional second-grade fluid as a limiting case of general solutions; (2) the expressions for velocity field and shear stress are in the most simplified form in contrast with the studies of Siddique and Sajid (2011), in which the expression for the velocity field involves the convolution product as well as the integral of the product of generalized G functions. Finally, numerical results are presented graphically and discussed in order to reveal some physical aspects of obtained results.
Modelling bird species richness with neural networks for forest
Authors: Gil-Tena Assu , Vega-García Cristina , Brotons Lluís , Saura Santiago
Published: December 2011

For preserving biodiversity of European-Mediterranean forest ecosystems in current and future scenarios of global change by means of sustainable forest management it is necessary to determine how environment and forest characteristics correlate with biodiversity. For this purpose, neural networks were used to model forest bird species richness as a function of environment and forest structure and composition at the 1x1 km scale in Catalonia (NE Spain). Univariate and multivariate models respectively allowed exploring individual variable response and obtaining a parsimonious (ecologically meaningful) and accurate neural network. Forest area (with a canopy cover above 5%), mean forest canopy cover, mean annual temperature and summer precipitation were the best predictors of forest bird species richness. The resultant multivariate network had a good generalization capacity that failed however in the locations with highest species richness. Additionally, those forests with different degrees of canopy closure that were more mature and presented a more diverse tree species composition were also associated with higher bird species richness. This allowed us to provide management guidelines for forest planning in order to promote avian diversity in this European-Mediterranean region.