bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three new monotypic genera of Trichopolydesmidae from Croatia, Balkan Peninsula (Diplopoda, Polydesmida)
Authors: ANTIĆ DRAGAN Ž. , REIP HANS S. , DRAŽINA TVRTKO , RAĐA TONĆI , MAKAROV SLOBODAN E.
Published: November 2014

Three new monotypic genera are described from underground habitats in Croatia: Balkanodesmus biokovensis gen. n., sp. n., Solentanodesmus insularis gen. n., sp. n. and Velebitodesmus cavernicolus gen. n., sp. n. In all three new genera the prefemoral part of the gonopods is orientated transversely to the main body axis, and all three new genera possess numerous metatergal setae arranged in a few transverse irregular rows, a condition observed in several European trichopolydesmids. These three new genera are very close to the genus Verhoeffodesmus. A distribution map and a brief discussion about the relationship with congeners are provided.
Polyphyly of Hylophilus and a new genus for the Tawny-crowned Greenlet
(Aves: Passeriformes: Vireonidae)
Authors: SLAGER DAVID L. , KLICKA JOHN
Published: November 2014

Once a catch-all taxon for various small, greenish passerines (Sclater 1881), today the genus Hylophilus Temminck contains 15 species of Neotropical greenlets in the avian family Vireonidae (Clements et al. 2013). Although Hylophilus species do share some common anatomical proportions and plumage features (Baird 1866; Ridgway 1904), some striking and concordant differences in habitat, voice, and iris color led Ridgely and Tudor (1989) to posit that the genus might contain sufficient diversity to warrant splitting into multiple genera.
A new species of Taeniothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from India
Authors: KUMAR VIKAS , TYAGI KAOMUD , GHOSH BISWATOSH , SINGHA DEVKANT
Published: November 2014

The genus Taeniothrips, one of the oldest generic names in the Thysanoptera, was established by Amyot & Serville (1843) for four species described by Haliday (1836) in the genus Thrips: primulae, decora, dispar and brevicornis. The type species of Taeniothrips was designated by Karny (1907: 45) as primulae. Ahlberg (1918) recognised that primulae and picipes Zetterstedt represent the same species, but mistakenly considered that picipes dated from 1840 not 1828. Of the four species listed originally by Amyot & Serville, primulae and decora are now considered synonyms of picipes, and brevicornis is a synonym of dispar in the genus Baliothrips (see ThripsWiki 2014). The genus Taeniothrips is found in Holarctic region, Southeast Asia and India, but of the 45 listed species 21 are fossils (Mound et al. 2012). In India, Taeniothrips is known by only three species, T. major Bagnall, T. orchidi Ananthakrishnan and T. tigris Bhatti (Bhatti 1990, 1995).
Selecting GCM Scenarios that Span the Range of Changes in a Multimodel Ensemble: Application to CMIP5 Climate Extremes Indices*
Authors: Cannon Alex J.
Published: November 2014

Logistical constraints can limit the number of global climate model (GCM) simulations considered in a climate change impact assessment. When dealing with annual or seasonal variables, one can visualize and manually select GCM scenarios to cover as much of the ensemble’s range of changes as possible. Most environmental systems are sensitive to climate conditions (e.g., extremes) that cannot be described by a small number of variables. Instead, algorithms like k-means clustering have been used to select representative ensemble members. Clustering algorithms are, however, biased toward high-density regions of climate variable space and tend to select scenarios that describe the central tendency rather than the full spread of an ensemble. Also, scenarios selected via clustering may not be ordered: that is, scenarios in the five-cluster solution may not appear in the six-cluster solution, which makes recommending a consistent set of scenarios to researchers with different needs difficult. Alternatively, an automated procedure based on a cluster initialization algorithm is proposed and applied to changes in 27 climate extremes indices between 1986–2005 and 2081–2100 from a large ensemble of phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) simulations. Selections by the method are ordered and are designed to span the overall range of the ensemble. The number of scenarios required to account for changes spanned by at least 90% of the CMIP5 ensemble members is reported for 21 regions of the globe and compared with k-means clustering. On average, the proposed method requires 40% fewer scenarios to meet this threshold than k-means clustering does.
Comparison of the properties of polyimide nanocomposites containing three different nanofillers: Organoclay, functionalized graphene, and organoclay/functionalized graphene complex
Authors: Kwon Kidae , Chang Jin-Hae
Published: November 2014

Polyimide nanocomposites containing three different types of nanofillers were compared in terms of their thermal properties, morphology, and oxygen permeability. Organically modified hectorite clay (STN), functionalized hexadecylamine-graphene sheets, and an STN/hexadecylamine-graphene sheets complex were utilized as nanofillers in the fabrication of polyimide nanocomposite films. Hybrid films were obtained from blended solutions of the precursor polymer and the three types of nanofillers, and the filler content with respect to the polyimide was varied from 0 to 20 wt%. The variations in the properties of the polyimide matrix with respect to the filler content are discussed. Transmission electron microscopy photographs confirmed that most of the STN and hexadecylamine-graphene sheets were dispersed homogeneously throughout the matrix polymer on the nanoscale, although some agglomerate STN/hexadecylamine-graphene sheet complex particles were also formed. The coefficients of thermal expansion and the O2 transmission rates of the hybrid materials were found to improve linearly as the filler content of the polyimide matrix increased.
Mg/BN nanocomposites: Nano-BN addition for enhanced room temperature tensile and compressive response
Authors: Sankaranarayanan S , Sabat RK , Jayalakshmi S , Suwas S , Almajid A , Gupta M
Published: November 2014

The present study elucidates the effects of nanoscale boron nitride particles addition on the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of monolithic magnesium. Novel light-weight Mg nanocomposites containing 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 vol% nano-size boron nitride particulates were synthesized using the disintegrated melt deposition method followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization of developed Mg/x-boron nitride composites revealed significant grain refinement due to the uniform distribution of nano-boron nitride particulates. Texture analysis of selected Mg-1.2 boron nitride nanocomposite showed an increase in the intensity of fiber texture alongside enhanced localized recrystallization when compared to monolithic Mg. Mechanical properties evaluation under indentation, tension and compression loading indicated superior response of Mg/x-boron nitride composites in comparison to pure Mg. The uniform distribution of nanoscale boron nitride particles and the modified crystallographic texture achieved due to the nano-boron nitride addition attributes to the superior mechanical characteristics of Mg/boron nitride nanocomposites.
Free-standing flexible nanocrystalline-ZnO-impregnated polyvinylidene fluoride composite thin films
Authors: Bhunia R , Ghosh D , Ghosh B , Hussain S , Bhar R , Pal AK
Published: November 2014

Free-standing flexible films of nanocrystalline ZnO impregnated polyvinylidene fluoride composites were prepared by sol-gel technique. Effect of ZnO loading on the optical properties of the polyvinylidene fluoride host matrix was studied critically for the as-deposited as well as the poled samples. Bonding environment was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy measurements. Modulation of optical and microstructural properties with ZnO loading was also addressed.
Music Research in Inclusive School Settings
Authors: Jellison Judith A. , Draper Ellary A.
Published: November 2014

A search for music research in inclusive music school settings (1975–2013) resulted in 22 descriptive and experimental studies that can be classified and coded according to settings, participants, research variables, measures of generalization, and effectiveness of the interventions. Half of the studies reported data from both students with disabilities and typically developing students. All participants were at preschool or elementary levels; no participants were at secondary levels. Less than half of the studies were conducted in music classrooms, but few measured music knowledge or skills; most often, social skills were measured. Only a few studies reported the generalization of learned skills (music or other) to new situations. Participants with disabilities were most often described as having intellectual disabilities or autism; high-incidence populations (e.g., learning disabilities) were underrepresented. In a large majority of studies, authors reported effective outcomes for interventions (most were specifically designed music activities), and some reported partially effective results. Based on the results of this review, we conclude there is a pressing need to expand research in inclusive music education settings and answer the many questions about students’ participation and effective teaching strategies for classrooms and rehearsals that include a wide range of student abilities.
The use of chaperones in general practice: Is this just a ‘Western’ concept?
Authors: Van Hecke Oliver , Jones Kay
Published: November 2014

Background

The literature about medical chaperones in primary care is limited to a handful of English-speaking countries. It remains largely unknown to what extent chaperones are offered (and used) outside the published literature.

Objective

The current study aimed to explore the attitudes and experiences of a group of general practitioners (GPs; family doctors) attending an international primary care conference regarding their use of medical chaperones.

Methods

Ninety international GPs completed a validated questionnaire, providing information on their current practice, availability and preferred choice of chaperone. Participants expressed their opinion on the importance of, and facilitators and barriers for chaperone use.

Results

Although most participants had knowledge of the term ‘medical chaperone’ (75%), those with a qualification from Europe (other than the UK) were less likely to offer a chaperone. Two-thirds of all participants would consider offering a chaperone and were more likely to work in the public sector (p = .04; Cramér’s V = 0.27). A practice nurse was most commonly used as chaperone. Chaperone users ranked the ‘medico-legal protection of doctors’, ‘doctors’ professional practice’ and ‘protection of patients’ as the most important factors for using a chaperone. Non-users reported ‘personal choice of the doctor’, ‘confidentiality’ and ‘impact on the doctor–patient relationship’ as the main areas influencing their decision not to use a chaperone.

Conclusion

International doctors hold different views about the use (or not) of chaperones within their clinical practice and its effect on the doctor–patient consultation. Further research is needed to tease out the reasons for this.
The effect of needle-punched nonwoven fabric thickness on electromagnetic shielding effectiveness
Authors: Ozen Mustafa Sabri , Sancak Erhan , Akalin Mehmet
Published: November 2014

In this study, the effect of nonwoven fabric thickness on electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) was investigated and there was found to be a correlation between the thickness of needle-punched nonwoven fabric and EMSE.

The production of needle-punched nonwoven fabrics from stainless steel staple fiber in the experimental study was carried out. Stainless steel staple fibers provided by Bekaert were used as a raw material. The webs were formed using a wool-type carding machine. The webs were bonded using needling punching machines. The pre-needled, twice-needled and thrice-needled nonwoven fabrics at three different thicknesses were produced. The experimental studies were carried out using large-scale production machines instead of small-scale laboratory-type machines.

EMSE measurements of produced needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, in addition to physical properties such as strength, elongation and thickness, were performed. The coaxial transmission line method specified in ASTM D4935-10 was utilized to test the nonwoven fabrics and the needle-punched nonwoven fabrics were tested in the frequency range from 15 to 3000 MHz.

It was understood that needle-punched nonwoven fabric thickness was a very important parameter for EMSE. It was found that as the frequency increases, EMSE values of needle-punched nonwoven fabrics showed continuously increasing tendency by starting from a specific frequency in the frequency range of 15–3000MHz. There were no significant differences between absorption and reflection values of needle-punched nonwoven fabrics produced at different thicknesses.

It was found that pre-needle-punched, twice-needled and thrice-needle-punched nonwoven fabrics produced from the conductive stainless steel staple fibers in our study have, respectively, highest EMSE values of 22, 25 and 27 dB between 2100 and 2400 high frequency ranges.
Structural coloration of polyester fabrics with electrostatic self-assembly of (SiO2/PEI)n
Authors: Zhang Yun , Zhuang Guangqing , Jia Yanrong , Fan Qinguo , Shao Jianzhong
Published: November 2014

(SiO2/PEI) n films with structural colors on polyester fabrics were fabricated using negatively charged SiO2 nanoparticles and positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI) using the electrostatic self-assembly approach. The bright and variable structural colors of polyester fabrics coated with a (SiO2/PEI) n film were investigated through the color photos captured by a digital camera, and also through the reflectance spectra and the images measured by a DigiEye system and a multi-angle spectrophotometer. The morphological structure of (SiO2/PEI) n films was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the electrostatic self-assembly process and the driving forces of fabricating the (SiO2/PEI) n films were investigated and schematically illustrated. The results showed that the structural colors varied with the various assembly cycles and viewing angles; both the optical properties indicated by the structural colors and the morphological structures illustrated by the SEM images confirmed that the (SiO2/PEI) n film on a polyester fabric was a homogeneous porous composite monolayer, with structural colors originated from single thin film interference; the self-assembly process of (SiO2/PEI) n film on a polyester fabric was driven by multi-forces, with dominant forces equilibrium of electrostatic attraction and repulsion.
Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antibacterial sol–gel coated cotton textiles with prolonged release of curcumin
Authors: Pisitsak Penwisa , Ruktanonchai Uracha
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to develop a textile-based sol–gel release system with antibacterial properties intended for medical applications. Curcumin (a herbal compound extracted from Curcuma longa L.) was embedded in an acid-catalyzed silica xerogel coating on cotton textiles. The release of curcumin was found to be diffusion-controlled, as expressed by the Higuchi and the first-order models. Matrix dissolution release was ruled out by the absence of dissolved silica in the release medium. Results from nitrogen sorption analysis confirmed the presence of mesopores in the xerogel coating, and an increase in both the BET surface area from 1.95 to 2.23 m2 g−1 and in the mesopore volume from 0.003 to 0.004 cm3 g−1 after the sol–gel treatment. Thicker xerogel coatings therefore provided greater porosity for curcumin entrapment, leading to retardation of the diffusion processes and consequently extended release profiles. The treated samples showed better antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (99% reduction) compared with Escherichia coli (37% reduction). Overall, the developed sol–gel coated textiles demonstrate promising potential for use as wound dressing materials.
Resilience of crease recovery of woven fabrics in repeated tests
Authors: Wang Lei , Liu Jianli , Pan Ruru , Gao Weidong
Published: November 2014

Fabrics are often subject to repeated creasing and bending deformations, such as elbow movements, and the resilience of crease recovery is an important property that affects fabric’s serviceability. In this research, nine types of woven fabrics were examined on an automated crease recovery tester repetitively to investigate the crease recovery behaviors, and possible factors affecting the creasing resilience. Each specimen was pressed and its recovery process was recorded by sequential images, which allowed the recovery angle to be calculated in real-time. This process was repeated 30 times for the same specimen. The parameters, such as initial angular velocity, instant recovery time and angle, stable recovery time and angle, were extracted from the recovery curve of each cycle, and calculate the differences between different cycles to characterize the changes of crease recovery in repeated tests. The experimental results show that the more the circulating test conducts, the earlier the instant and stable recovery time appear. The stable recovery angles decrease rapidly in the first few cycles, fall more slowly when the testing cycle increases, and finally become stable at a cycle near the 25th cycle. Cotton fabrics take fewer cycles to reach steady than wool fabrics. The high elasticity of polyester fibers affects the resilience remarkably.
The Rights of Man and the Care of the Self
Authors: Lefebvre Alexandre
Published: November 2014

In this article, I claim that Mary Wollstonecraft and Edmund Burke both conceive of the rights of man as a medium for individuals to care for and cultivate the self. Beginning with Michel Foucault’s doubts that a concern with the care of the self can be found in modern political thought, I turn to Wollstonecraft and Burke in order to show that their debate turns precisely on the question of whether the rights of man enables or disables a care of the self. For Wollstonecraft, on the one hand, the rights of man provide women with a means to overcome a destructive set of virtues—such as beauty, chastity, and modesty—that leave them spiritually destitute and deeply unhappy. For Burke, on the other hand, such rights devastate the system of manners that had previously nurtured the self’s relation to itself. Regardless of this disagreement, my key claim is that both thinkers conceive of the rights of man not just as a juridical construction but also as a comprehensive way of life. In this way, I extend Foucault’s notion of the care of the self—along with his conception of ethics, conversion, and personal cultivation—to a foundational debate in the human rights tradition.
Stress and Mental Health
Authors: Donovan Roxanne A. , West Lindsey M.
Published: November 2014

Research indicates that Black women highly endorse the Strong Black Woman (SBW) stereotype—a perception that Black women are naturally strong, resilient, self-contained, and self-sacrificing. This endorsement appears to be a good thing, providing Black women protection against the numerous stressors they must contend with daily. However, anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests that SBW endorsement limits Black women’s ability to cope healthily which exacerbates the negative mental health outcomes of stress. Because few empirical studies of SBW have been conducted, how SBW endorsement might influence the stress–mental health association is unknown. The current study addresses this gap by quantitatively examining the relationships among SBW endorsement, stress, and anxious and depressive symptoms with a sample of 92 Black female college students. Results revealed that both moderate and high levels of SBW endorsement increase the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms, while low levels of SBW endorsement do not. These data extend previous qualitative findings and suggest that embracing the SBW stereotypic image increases Black women’s vulnerability to depressive symptoms associated with stress.
Dimensions of Race-Related Stress and African American Life Satisfaction
Authors: Driscoll Mark W. , Reynolds Jason R. , Todman Lynn C.
Published: November 2014

This study used a cultural stress and coping framework to investigate the influence of three dimensions of discrimination-based race-related stress (i.e., individual, institutional, and cultural) and collective efficacy on African American life satisfaction. African American adults ( N = 247) completed self-report measures of race-related stress, collective efficacy, and life satisfaction. Analyses indicated that all three forms of race-related stress were significantly associated with lower life satisfaction, and that collective efficacy was significantly associated with greater life satisfaction. Moderated analyses further revealed that collective efficacy significantly protected against the influence of race-related stress on life satisfaction for cultural race-related stress and, possibly, individual race-related stress. The results suggest that sociocultural resources such as collective efficacy may serve as protective factors against racial discrimination through enhanced social cohesion and community agency. Results are further considered in the context of stress and coping models that emphasize secondary coping processes and use of collective coping. Clinical and theoretical implications of collective efficacy as a sociocultural resource for the promotion of African American mental health are discussed.
Type 2 Diabetes Self-management Education Programs in High and Low Mortality Developing Countries
Authors: Dube Loveness , Van den Broucke Stephan , Housiaux Marie , Dhoore William , Rendall-Mkosi Kirstie
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Although self-management education is a key factor in the care for diabetes patients, its implementation in developing countries is not well documented. This systematic review considers the published literature on diabetes self-management education in high and low mortality developing countries. The aim is to provide a state of the art of current practices and assess program outcomes, cultural sensitivity, and accessibility to low literate patients.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and PsycArticles databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles on type 2 diabetes published in English between 2009 and 2013. The World Bank and WHO burden of disease criteria were applied to distinguish between developing countries with high and low mortality. Information was extracted using a validated checklist.

Results

Three reviews and 23 primary studies were identified, 18 of which were from low mortality developing countries. Studies from high mortality countries were mostly quasi-experimental, those from low mortality countries experimental. Interventions were generally effective on behavior change and patients’ glycemic control in the short term (≤9 months). While 57% of the studies mentioned cultural tailoring of interventions, only 17% reported on training of providers, and 39% were designed to be accessible for people with low literacy.

Conclusions

The limited studies available suggest that diabetes self-management education programs in developing countries are effective in the short term but must be tailored to conform to the cultural aspects of the target population.
Regulating Membership
Authors: Block Laura
Published: November 2014

In many European countries, family migration polices have grown increasingly restrictive in the past decade. At the same time, family migration rights are often highly stratified—for instance, depending on the nationality and also the occupation of the sponsor or the incoming family members, more or fewer conditions have to be fulfilled for reunification. This article maps out a framework for the analysis of family migration policies focusing on the concept of “membership.” Policies requiring certain levels of income, integration, or “attachment” all assess the membership of applicants in various ways. The stronger one’s membership and belonging to the community is considered to be, the stronger the claim to family migration rights. Different dimensions of membership, such as legal, socioeconomic and ethnocultural membership can thus be useful lenses of analysis to grasp how and why restrictive and stratifying family migration policies are conceptualized, justified, and implemented across Europe.
Family Migration Policies and Politics
Authors: Borevi Karin
Published: November 2014

This article aims at characterizing and explaining Swedish family migration policies from a European comparative point of view. The analysis shows that Sweden applies equally strict eligibility rules for members beyond the nuclear family as most other European countries. Moreover, Sweden introduced such stricter rules much earlier than other countries. In other respects, however, Swedish family migration policies stand out as exceptionally liberal in European comparison; few, if any, requirements are imposed on the sponsor and joining family members acquire equal rights status either immediately or 2 years after admission. To explain this situation, the article analyzes political processes behind two important family migration policy decisions in 1997 and 2010. The conclusion is that Swedish welfare state ideology and party politics importantly contribute to understanding why Sweden diverges from European trends in family migration policies.
Artifactual Stratum Corneum Calcification of the Beagle Dog Tongue
Authors: Glover Christiana , Ochoa Ricardo
Published: November 2014

Examination of H&E-stained tongue samples from a 26-week intravenous infusion study of Beagle dogs, utilizing a compound with no recognized effect on mineral metabolism, exhibited superficial stratum corneum calcification in both treated and control animals. This resulted in the search for possible causes of the finding to help clarify confounding issues. Retrospective examination of 11 studies performed before the signal case indicated that the problem existed in the testing facility but was not recognized. Prior to 2008, this finding was not observed, perhaps indicating the requirement for a change in procedures or suppliers. Based on the hypothesis that the calcium salts were deposited from bone during processing, a series of tests was performed by fixing tongue and femur along with different tissues, processed routinely to slide, and stained with H&E and von Kossa stains. We conclude that the presence of superficial stratum corneum calcification of the tongue in dogs demonstrated in toxicology studies is an artifactual change related to the processing of tissues, specifically the fixation of tongue in the same container as bone and stomach. This change should not be confused with compound-related effects, even when the incidence varies between controls and treated animals.
Toxicity of Hydroxyurea in Rats and Dogs
Authors: Morton Daniel , Reed Lori , Huang Wenhu , Marcek John M. , Austin-LaFrance Robert , Northcott Carrie A. , Schelling Scott H. , Enerson Bradley E. , Tomlinson Lindsay
Published: November 2014

The toxicity of hydroxyurea, a treatment for specific neoplasms, sickle-cell disease, polycythemia, and thrombocytosis that kills cells in mitosis, was assessed in repeat-dose, oral gavage studies in rats and dogs and a cardiovascular study in telemetered dogs. Hydroxyurea produced hematopoietic, lymphoid, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal toxicity with steep dose response curves. In rats dosed for 10 days, 50 mg/kg/day was tolerated; 500 mg/kg/day produced decreased body weight gain; decreased circulating leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets; decreased cellularity of thymus, lymph nodes, and bone marrow; and epithelial degeneration and/or dysplasia of the stomach and small intestine; 1,500 mg/kg/day resulted in deaths on day 5. In dogs, a single dose at ≥250 mg/kg caused prostration leading to unscheduled euthanasia. Dogs administered 50 mg/kg/day for 1 month had decreased circulating leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets; increased bone marrow cellularity with decreased maturing granulocytes; increased creatinine kinase activity; and increased iron pigment in bone marrow and hepatic sinusoidal cells. In telemetered dogs, doses ≥15 mg/kg decreased systolic blood pressure (BP); 50 mg/kg increased diastolic BP, heart rate, and change in blood pressure over time (+d P/d t), and decreased QT and PR intervals and maximum left ventricular systolic and end diastolic pressures with measures returning to control levels within 24 hr.
Thromboelastography in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Singh Sushil Kumar , Devenraj Vijayant , Tewarson Vivek , Kumar Sarvesh , Kaushal Dinesh , Chandra Tulika
Published: November 2014

Background

Thromboelastography enables complete evaluation of the process of clot initiation, the structural characteristics of the formed clot and its stability. Many previous studies have assessed the predictive role of thromboelastography in on-pump cardiac surgery, but there are no clear guidelines on its use in off-pump coronary artery bypass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of thromboelastography and its relevance during the postoperative period following off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Methods

This was a one-year prospective study on 55 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass for coronary artery disease. Thromboelastography was performed as a bedside investigation in the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery intensive care unit.

Results

The association between maximum amplitude and total blood loss <500 mL compared to blood loss >500 mL was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, it was seen that with increasing maximum amplitude values, a decrease in blood loss was observed. A cutoff value of maximum amplitude <49.63 mm was regressed to have a predicted sensitivity of 100% and a predicted specificity of 89.3% for prediction of blood loss >500 mL.

Conclusions

Thromboelastographic parameters show a reliable correlation with increased blood loss in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, and predict patients with an increased chance of blood requirement as well as those at risk of a hypercoagulable state.
Bioprosthetic mitral valve dysfunction due to native valve preserving procedure
Authors: Matsuno Yukihiro , Mori Yoshio , Umeda Yukio , Takiya Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

Mitral valve replacement with preservation of the mitral leaflets and subvalvular apparatus is considered to maintain left ventricular geometry and function and reduce the risk of myocardial rupture. However, the routine use of this technique may lead to early complications such as left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and even mitral inflow obstruction, requiring reoperation. We describe a rare case of bioprosthetic mitral valve dysfunction caused by a native valve preserving procedure.
Cross-Cultural Variability in Self-Continuity Warranting Strategies
Authors: Dunlop William L. , Walker Lawrence J.
Published: November 2014

Previous research has shown that (a) when individuals are pressed to justify their persistence through time (i.e., their self-continuity), they do so by constructing autobiographical life stories or by recognizing temporally stable personal attributes and (b) the prevalence in the endorsement of these strategies varies across cultural groups. Here we prompted for both life stories and temporally stable personal attributes among immigrant Asian Canadians and nonimmigrant Euro-Canadians. Life stories were coded for autobiographical reasoning processes and the frequency of stable personal attributes was noted. Immigrant Asian Canadians exhibited a heightened complexity of autobiographical reasoning, whereas nonimmigrant Euro-Canadians proffered more temporally stable attributes. These results inform understanding regarding self-continuity warranting strategies; the ways in which individuals use language to justify their sense of self through time vary culturally.
Immediate Attention for Public Speech
Authors: Lagerwerf Luuk , Boeynaems Amber , van Egmond-Brussee Charlotte , Burgers Christian
Published: November 2014

Political campaign speeches are deemed influential in winning people’s minds and votes. While the language used in such speeches has often been credited with their impact, empirical research in this area is scarce. We report on two experiments investigating how language variables such as rhetorical schemes (e.g., contrast, list of three) and valence framing (using positive vs. negative words) affect immediate attention and consecutive information processing of political radio speeches. Experiment 1 measured immediate attention for radio speeches measured through moment-to-moment, self-report measures. Negative framing, compared with positive framing, increased immediate attention. Rhetorical schemes only increased attention in positively (but not in negatively) framed speeches. No effects on recall were found. In Experiment 2, immediate attention for similar radio speeches was measured through secondary task reaction times. Experiment 2 replicated the first experiment’s effects on attention, and also yielded recall effects. A multiple-mediator model showed that comprehensibility mediated effects of rhetorical schemes and framing on recall.
Postmortem imaging in congenital heart disease: preliminary experience
Authors: Pluchinotta Francesca Romana , Porayette Prashob , Zaidi Abbas Haider , Baci John , Teot Lisa , Sanders Stephen P , Prabhu Sanjay P
Published: November 2014

Background

Despite the importance of the autopsy for quality improvement, autopsy rates have declined dramatically in recent decades due to poor acceptance by families and physicians and high costs to institutions.

Purpose

To compare postmortem imaging (PMI) with autopsy in patients with congenital heart defects to see if PMI could substitute in some or all cases and to compare costs of the two methods.

Material and Methods

Ten patients with congenital heart disease dying in hospital during the study period in whom an autopsy was planned underwent PMI using postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI) (6 patients) and postmortem computed tomographic angiography (PMCTA) (10 patients) with permission of the family. Four patients were excluded from PMMR because of metal ECMO cannulas. PMI was interpreted before autopsy using an organ system checklist and results compared to autopsy. The costs of each method were tracked.

Results

When both PMMR and PMCTA were performed the PMI findings corresponded closely with autopsy. PMI correctly diagnosed the principal heart defects in all six cases and correctly imaged central vessels, heart valves and chambers, brain, abdominal organs, and bone. Weak points were visualization of the coronary arteries and distinguishing postmortem pulmonary atelectasis from lung pathology. The cause of death by PMI matched autopsy findings in 5/6 cases in which both PMMR and PMCTA were performed and was incomplete in the other five cases. The cost of PMI was about 15% lower than the cost of autopsy.

Conclusion

PMI provided most gross anatomic cardiac diagnoses available by autopsy in our series of patients with congenital heart defects and the cost appears to be lower.
Early haemoperfusion with continuous venovenous haemofiltration improves survival of acute paraquat-poisoned patients
Authors: Gao Yanxia , Zhang Xiaofan , Yang Yanjie , Li Wenlu
Published: November 2014

Objective

To determine whether haemoperfusion (HP) with continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH) improves the survival of patients with acute paraquat poisoning, compared with those treated using HP alone.

Methods

Medical records of patients with acute paraquat poisoning were analysed. Patients were randomised to undergo HP or HP + CVVH within 24 h of paraquat ingestion. Mortality rate, survival duration and cause of death were recorded.

Results

There were no significant differences in mortality rate between the HP group ( n = 458) and the HP + CVVH group ( n = 226) (57.4% and 58.4%, respectively). The mean survival duration was significantly longer in the HP + CVVH group than the HP group (8.6 ± 3.1 and 5.1 ± 2.3 days, respectively). Early circulatory collapse was a major cause of death in the HP group. The major cause of death in the HP + CVVH group was late respiratory failure.

Conclusion

Combined therapy with HP and CVVH can prevent early death and prolong survival duration following acute paraquat poisoning, providing the opportunity for further treatment.
Experimental Transmission of AA Amyloidosis by Injecting the AA Amyloid Protein Into Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Knockout (IL-1raKO) Mice
Authors: Watanabe K. , Uchida K. , Chambers J. K. , Tei M. , Shoji A. , Ushio N. , Nakayama H.
Published: November 2014

The incidence of AA amyloidosis is high in humans with rheumatoid arthritis and several animal species, including cats and cattle with prolonged inflammation. AA amyloidosis can be experimentally induced in mice using severe inflammatory stimuli and a coinjection of AA amyloid; however, difficulties have been associated with transmitting AA amyloidosis to a different animal species, and this has been attributed to the “species barrier.” The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist knockout (IL-1raKO) mouse, a rodent model of human rheumatoid arthritis, has been used in the transmission of AA amyloid. When IL-1raKO and BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with mouse AA amyloid together with a subcutaneous pretreatment of 2% AgNO3, all mice from both strains that were injected with crude or purified murine AA amyloid developed AA amyloidosis. However, the amyloid index, which was determined by the intensity of AA amyloid deposition, was significantly higher in IL-1raKO mice than in BALB/c mice. When IL-1raKO and BALB/c mice were injected with crude or purified bovine AA amyloid together with the pretreatment, 83% (5/6 cases) and 38% (3/8 cases) of IL-1raKO mice and 17% (1/6 cases) and 0% (0/6 cases) of BALB/c mice, respectively, developed AA amyloidosis. Similarly, when IL-1raKO and BALB/c mice were injected with crude or purified feline AA amyloid, 33% (2/6 cases) and 88% (7/8 cases) of IL-1raKO mice and 0% (0/6 cases) and 29% (2/6 cases) of BALB/c mice, respectively, developed AA amyloidosis. These results indicated that IL-1raKO mice are a useful animal model for investigating AA amyloidogenesis.
Communicating change – meaningful moments, situated cognition and music therapy: A response to North (2014)
Authors: Fachner Jörg
Published: November 2014

How can we document and explain changes in, and outcomes of, music therapeutic work? In therapy, change is connected to a timeline of meaningful moments of insight and communication between therapist and client, which need to be understood through a situationist stance on musical experience. Social neuroscience research that describes time processes of musical communication and physiological change creates frameworks for researching such processes. What accounts for change in music therapy can be elucidated by recent research into music therapy praxis of improvising and verbal reflection and research on music’s effects on neural processing, particularly in fronto-temporal and right-hemisphere regions that are implicated in music, language and emotion processing.
Music interaction with others as conveyor of relational intent: A response to Cross (2014)
Authors: Chew Elaine
Published: November 2014

In ‘Music and communication in music psychology,’ Ian Cross presents the idea that music may be ‘an optimal means of managing situations of social uncertainty’ through its properties of entrainment and floating intentionality. Complementary to speech, music offers primarily a relational (as opposed to transactional) dimension to communication. While music cannot communicate abstract information or meaning, I posit that its requirement for entrainment can convey relational intent directly and unambiguously, to which one could then attribute the sense of honest communication and alignment described by Cross. Musical engagement with others exposes behavioural tendencies through the participants’ willingness for, and nature of, cooperation. Thus, while active engagement with others through music cannot reveal what one thinks (hence the floating intentionality), it can demonstrate how one thinks (relational intent). According to Cross, music acts as ‘an honest signal revealing attitudes and motivations’ in unscripted, participatory music making. I venture further to say that this relational honesty extends to scripted (and partially-scripted) music in a real and tangible way. The joint shaping of expressive forms that rise to the fore in scripted music offer experiences of reciprocity, and of honest communication of intent, akin to spontaneous dialogue in speech and unscripted music.
Preparation of polyvinyl alcohol-matrix z-pins and tests of their piercing properties
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Chen Li , Jiao Yanan , Li Jialu
Published: November 2014

In this study, we developed a molding process for a new type of z-pin applicable to C/C composites. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was adopted as the matrix of z-pins because it has few solid residues when subjected to an inert high-temperature environment. A highly concentrated PVA aqueous solution was prepared to impregnate the carbon fiber bundle. The draw forming method from small-hole-cavity dies was used to mold the PVA-matrix z-pins. Four z-pins with different resin content were made by four dies with the cavity diameters of 0.50, 0.60, 0.70 and 0.80 mm, respectively. The piercing processes and properties of the z-pins were analyzed by piercing them into carbon fiber laminated fabrics. The results showed that the measured value of the PVA resin volume content of the z-pins was slightly larger than the theoretical value. And the z-pin prepared in the molding die with a cavity diameter of 0.70 mm (P7) exhibited the best piercing property with a resin volume content of 45.6%. The maximum compressive stress in the whole piercing process of P7 was the lowest as compared to the z-pins molded by the other dies, and little damage to the piercing tip of P7 was observed after the penetration. In addition, the z-pins can fully pierce laminated fabrics with a thickness of 9 mm.
Assessment of heavy metals exposure, noise and thermal safety in the ambiance of a vacuum metallurgy separation system for recycling heavy metals from crushed e-wastes
Authors: Zhan Lu , Xu Zhenming
Published: November 2014

Vacuum metallurgy separation (VMS) is a technically feasible method to recover Pb, Cd and other heavy metals from crushed e-wastes. To further determine the environmental impacts and safety of this method, heavy metals exposure, noise and thermal safety in the ambiance of a vacuum metallurgy separation system are evaluated in this article. The mass concentrations of total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM10 are 0.1503 and 0.0973 mg m−3 near the facilities. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Sn in TSP samples are 0.0104, 0.1283 and 0.0961 μg m−3, respectively. Health risk assessments show that the hazard index of Pb is 3.25 × 10−1 and that of Cd is 1.09 × 10−1. Carcinogenic risk of Cd through inhalation is 1.08 × 10−5. The values of the hazard index and risk indicate that Pb and Cd will not cause non-cancerous effects or carcinogenic risk on workers. The noise sources are mainly the mechanical vacuum pump and the water cooling pump. Both of them have the noise levels below 80 dB (A). The thermal safety assessment shows that the temperatures of the vacuum metallurgy separation system surface are all below 303 K after adopting the circulated water cooling and heat insulation measures. This study provides the environmental information of the vacuum metallurgy separation system, which is of assistance to promote the industrialisation of vacuum metallurgy separation for recovering heavy metals from e-wastes.
The Sexual Exploitation of Girls in the United States
Authors: Roe-Sepowitz Dominique Eve , Gallagher James , Risinger Markus , Hickle Kristine
Published: November 2014

The role of women in the sex trafficking of minors in the United States has received limited research attention. Case study analysis of 49 female pimps from federal, state, and local cases were analyzed to explore whether there were differences in the penalties given to females when compared with their male co-defendants, and cross-case analysis was conducted to identify themes that represent female pimp typologies. Both prison sentence and probation sentences were significantly lower for female co-defendants when compared with their male co-defendants. Five discrete typologies were developed including Bottom, Madam/Business Partner, Family, Girilla, and Handler. Each of these had unique features regarding violence toward their minor victims, co-defendants, actions during the sexual exploitation of the minor, and sentencing outcomes. Implications for practice and future research were recommended.
Intimate Partner Violence and Its Association With Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Among Older Women in Germany
Authors: Stöckl Heidi , Penhale Bridget
Published: November 2014

Intimate partner violence is a commonly acknowledged health care issue. While numerous studies established the health implications of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age, the evidence is scarce for older women and for other forms of intimate partner violence. This study, therefore, investigates the prevalence of intimate partner violence in its different forms and its association with physical and mental health symptoms of older women, using women of reproductive age as a reference group. This study is a cross-sectional study, utilizing data from a national representative survey of 10,264 German women aged 16 to 86 years. Rates of physical and sexual intimate partner violence in the last year decreased from 8% to 3% and 1% among women aged 16 to 49 years, 50 to 65 years, and 66 to 86 years, respectively. The prevalence of emotional and economic abuse and controlling behavior by partners remained nearly the same. All forms of intimate partner violence had significant associations with women’s health symptoms, such as gastrointestinal, psychosomatic and psychological symptoms, and pelvic problems. Controlling behavior was most consistently associated with most health symptoms. Health and care professionals who screen women for intimate partner violence should, therefore, consider incorporating questions about controlling behavior as well, because this form of violence is not only frequent but also has multiple health outcomes among women across all ages.
Relations Between Intimate Partner Violence and Forgiveness Among College Women
Authors: Davidson M. Meghan , Lozano Nicole M. , Cole Brian P. , Gervais Sarah J.
Published: November 2014

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine forgiveness and intimate partner violence (IPV) among college women. Undergraduate women ( N = 502) participated in an online study in which overall experiences of IPV, as well as experiences of psychological and physical IPV, were investigated with respect to transgression-specific and dispositional forgiveness. Simultaneous multivariate regressions revealed that (a) the experience of IPV was associated with higher levels of avoidance and revenge, and lower levels of benevolence, forgiveness of self, forgiveness of others, and forgiveness of uncontrollable situations; (b) types of IPV demonstrated differing impacts on forgiveness; and (c) the mere experience of IPV is more salient than its frequency.