bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of hypnotic medication use for sleep disturbance amongst hospital inpatients
Authors: Rankin Katherine , Brakoulias Vlasios
Published: July 2012

Objective:

The objective of this article is to examine patterns of temazepam prescribing amongst inpatients at a Sydney teaching hospital.

Method:

The study involved a retrospective file audit of 98.8% ( n=410) of patients discharged from psychiatry, medical, surgical and obstetric and gynaecology wards of Nepean Hospital during a one-week period. Data was collected on patient demographics, temazepam and other sedative-hypnotic use, falls risk and analgesia use.

Results:

Sixteen per cent ( n=64) of patients were prescribed temazepam during their stay. All patients from the psychiatry wards had been prescribed temazepam. Fifteen per cent ( n=6) of falls risk patients had been prescribed temazepam. Temazepam prescription was associated with an increased length of stay, psychiatry and surgical wards, and higher use of analgesia.

Conclusions:

Temazepam continues to be a frequently prescribed medication in the acute psychiatry setting. Its frequent prescription to patients in surgical wards and to those prescribed analgesic agents indicates that it still has a role in settling patients to sleep in the hospital setting.
Corruption in Public Infrastructure Service and Delivery
Authors: Rafi Muhammad Masood , Lodi Sarosh Hashmat , Hasan Nadeem Manzoor
Published: July 2012

Petty corruption in infrastructure delivery and service affects common people. This article presents the results of a survey, which was conducted to determine the types and magnitude of bribes in utilities in Karachi, one of the largest cities of Pakistan. The surveyed utilities included electricity and water supply. The information regarding the corrupt behaviors of public officials in these utilities was gathered through interviews and survey questionnaires. It was found that for the provision of both legal and illegal services, bribes were demanded by corrupt public officials. A will, and most importantly a political will, in the government structure is a prime mover to eradicate corruption. In this context, spot checks, doubling of salaries, strict government actions against corrupt officials, active journalism, and more access to information were recommended drivers to reduce corruption.
Alternative Approach to Meet the Recreational Needs of Underserved Communities
Authors: Lau Clement
Published: July 2012

The traditional approach to meet recreational needs focuses on the development of new parks, requires substantial financial and land resources, presumes that the parks department is the only supplier of recreational opportunities, and is no longer typically feasible due to the lack of public funding and land in urban areas. This article presents an alternative approach of meeting recreational needs through multiple-use facilities and partnerships with a variety of organizations. This approach shifts park agencies from being producers and guardians of parks to facilitators of recreational services. Instead of devoting significant resources on land acquisition and facility construction, public agencies should actively identify and pursue alternative ways, locations, and partners to offer recreational services. Alternative ways may include the joint use of school facilities; the introduction of recreational uses on land owned by utilities; mobile gyms; transportation of residents to outside recreational facilities; and temporary use of parking and vacant lots, reuse of existing buildings, and temporary closure of streets for recreational purposes. This article demonstrates how this approach may work in Florence-Firestone, an underserved area in south Los Angeles.
Moderators of Youth Exercise Intention and Behavior
Authors: Ellis Rebecca , Kosma Maria , Symons Downs Danielle
Published: July 2012

This study tested moderators of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) based on geographical region, gender, race, and income among adolescents in an exercise context using multigroup path analyses. Participants were eighth- and ninth-grade students from Louisiana (LA; N = 448, Mage = 14.37 years) and Pennsylvania (PA; N = 681, Mage = 14.28 years). They completed measures of intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and exercise behavior. Based on two path analyses, geographical region was a significant moderator ( p < .001); therefore, the moderating effects of gender, race, and income were analyzed separately for each state. Gender was a significant moderator for LA ( p < .001) but not for PA ( p = .90). Race and income did not moderate the TPB relationships within each state. Findings support the moderating effect of geographical region on the TPB construct relationships and indicate that gender moderates the TPB construct relationships in LA youth.
Struggles over corporate social responsibility meanings in teaching practices: The case of hybrid problem-based learning
Authors: García-Rosell José-Carlos
Published: July 2012

Although experiential learning has been widely discussed in relation to the teaching of corporate social responsibility, the socially mediated and discursive nature of experiential learning approaches to corporate social responsibility has been either neglected or given only cursory coverage in the literature. Considering this gap, I problematise corporate social responsibility education within the axioms of managerialism, arguing that it should also allow business students to critically evaluate, analyse and question the basic premises underlying contemporary business practices. Using an action research approach, I explore the possibilities and challenges of using hybrid problem-based learning to help business students engage in critically reflexive processes and, thus, the social construction of corporate social responsibility meanings. Drawing on discourse analysis, I illustrate two central discursive patterns that characterise the struggle over corporate social responsibility meanings in a series of courses implemented in the business curriculum of a Nordic university between the years 2007 and 2010. The findings offer empirical support for several key arguments in the debate over corporate social responsibility education.
Practising and knowing management: A dialogic perspective
Authors: MacIntosh Robert , Beech Nic , Antonacopoulou Elena , Sims David
Published: July 2012

This article develops a dialogic perspective on practising and knowing management. It builds on prior work which has considered the nature of management research as well as the relationship between those who research organizations and those that manage them. The article argues that practising and knowing are co-constitutive, dialogic processes and that viewing the process in this way helps move beyond views of knowledge production and consumption which centre on translation between communities. The article sheds new light on the nature of research relationships by presenting two ways of mapping the dynamics of these relationships in terms of dialogue.
Constructing the moral body: Self-care among older adults with multiple chronic conditions
Authors: Clarke Laura Hurd , Bennett Erica V.
Published: July 2012

Older adults are increasingly living with and managing multiple chronic conditions. The self-management of illness occurs in a social and political context in which the responsibility for health has shifted from the State to the individual, who is expected to be an active consumer of health care. Although there has been extensive investigation of the management of single chronic conditions, the realities of living with multiple morbidities have largely been ignored, particularly among older adults. Addressing this gap, our study entailed in-depth interviews with 35 older Canadian adults, aged 73 to 91, who had between three and 14 chronic conditions. Self-care emerged as a primary means by which our participants managed their illnesses. Specifically, all of our participants were engaged in some form of self-care in order to cope with often debilitating physical symptoms and functional losses. They also utilized self-care because they had reached the limits of available medical treatment options. Finally, our participants argued that self-care was a moral responsibility that was underscored by gendered motivations. Whereas the men tended to emphasize the importance of self-care for the achievement of masculine ideals of control and invulnerability, the women suggested that self-care allowed them to maintain feminine norms of selflessness and sensitivity to the needs of others. In this way, self-care enabled the men and women to reframe their aging, chronically ill bodies as moral, socially valued bodies. We discuss our findings in relation to the extant research and theorizing pertaining to self-care, gender, and healthism.
Analysis of the importance of family in the development of sense of coherence during adolescence
Authors: García-Moya Irene , Rivera Francisco , Moreno Carmen , Lindström Bengt , Jiménez-Iglesias Antonia
Published: July 2012

Aims:

The aim of this work was to study the influence of several family dimensions on sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescence, controlling the possible effects from the demographic variables, gender and age.

Methods:

The sample consisted of 7580 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18, who had taken part in the 2010 edition of the WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in Spain.

Results:

The results showed that there were no significant gender differences in SOC levels. However, age had a significant influence on SOC. Higher levels of SOC were found in adolescents aged 13 and 14 compared to older participants. Family variables explained 18% of SOC variability, with affection, easy communication with parents, and parental knowledge as the most outstanding variables. In addition, positive relationships between parents and family affluence had a significant role in explaining SOC levels.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the family context plays an important role in providing meaningful experiences for the development of a strong SOC in adolescence.
Maternal literacy practices and toddlers’ emergent literacy skills
Authors: Edwards Claire Maples
Published: July 2012

Maternal emergent literacy practices during shared-reading interactions with 18–36-month-old toddlers were examined. The investigation of emergent literacy behaviours of both mothers and toddlers investigated included the examination of phonological awareness and written language awareness. Participants included 15 mother–toddler dyads from middle to upper socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. The main data collection measures included: (1) home literacy environment observation; (2) shared reading observations; and (3) parent questionnaire. Data were coded and organized into emergent literacy domains, phonological awareness and written language awareness. The results indicate that these mothers engaged in several emergent literacy behaviours with their toddlers during shared-reading interactions. Some of these behaviours were also exhibited by their children. The behaviours observed in mothers and toddlers were related to the written language awareness domain. These and other findings are discussed in relation to their theoretical foundations (e.g. Purcell-Gates, 2001 ) and implications for early intervention practices and programme development.
Predictive modeling of electromechanical impedance spectroscopy for composite materials
Authors: Gresil Matthieu , Yu Lingyu , Giurgiutiu Victor , Sutton Michael
Published: July 2012

The advancement of composite materials in aircraft structures has led to an increased need for effective structural health monitoring technologies that are able to detect and assess damage present in composite structures. The study presented in this article is interested in understanding self-sensing piezoelectric wafer sensors to conduct electromechanical impedance spectroscopy in glass fiber reinforced polymer composite to perform structural health monitoring. For this objective, multi-physics-based finite element method is used to model the electromechanical behavior of a free piezoelectric wafer active sensor and its interaction with the host structure on which it is bonded. The multi-physics-based modeling permits the input and output variables to be expressed directly in electric terms, while the two-way electromechanical conversion is done internally in the multi-physics-based finite element method formulation. The impedance responses are also studied in conditions when the sensor bonding layer is subject to degradation and when the sensor itself is subjected to breakage, respectively. To reach the goal of using the electromechanical impedance spectroscopy approach to detect damage, several damage models are generated on simplified orthotropic structure and laminated glass fiber reinforced polymer structures. The effects of the modeling are carefully studied through experimental validation. A good match has been observed for low and high frequencies.
Cannabis use and proximity to coffee shops in the Netherlands
Authors: Wouters Marije , Benschop Annemieke , van Laar Margriet , Korf Dirk J.
Published: July 2012

The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of coffee shop availability on the prevalence and intensity of cannabis use, as well as the effectiveness of the ‘separation of markets’ policy. A convenience sample of nightlife visitors and a sub-selection of previous year cannabis users were used for analyses on cannabis and hard drugs use. Logistic regression analyses showed that coffee shop proximity does not seem to be linked to prevalence of cannabis use or intensity of use. In addition, proximity of coffee shops does not seem to be linked directly to hard drugs use.
“I’m Ready to Eat and Grab Whatever I Can Get”
Authors: Griffith Derek M. , Wooley Alana M. , Allen Julie Ober
Published: July 2012

This article examines determinants and patterns of African American men’s dietary practices. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze data from nine exploratory focus groups conducted with 83 urban, middle-aged and older African American men from southeast Michigan. The men distinguished between healthy and unhealthy foods and “meals” versus other instances of eating. Eating patterns and content differed depending on the meal, work and family schedules, food availability, and whether it was a weekday or weekend. When eating alone or outside the home, men prioritized convenience and preferences for tasty, unhealthy foods. Men often reported skipping breakfast or lunch and grabbing snacks or fast food during the day. They emphasized sharing dinner with their spouses and families—usually a home-cooked, “healthy” meal. On weekends, spouses often cooked less and men snacked and dined out more frequently. Sunday dinners involving favorite, unhealthy comfort foods were the highlight of men’s eating practices. African American men tended not to follow healthy eating recommendations because of their busy lives, reliance on spouses to prepare food, and preferences for unhealthy foods. These findings suggest that healthy eating interventions must consider how the contexts of African American men’s lives shape their eating practices.
Preparing for Bike-Sharing
Authors: Webster Kassi M. , Cunningham Christopher J. L.
Published: July 2012

Objectives. To obtain in-depth community input using qualitative and quantitative methods to guide development and marketing of a bike-share program in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Method. Focus groups and surveys assessed bicycling attitudes, beliefs, barriers, and behaviors of residents, workers, and university students. The authors completed nine focus groups ( N = 56): five sessions with downtown workers, three with downtown residents, and one with university students. Results. Health, recreation and transportation benefits of bicycling were commonly identified. Concerns regarding bicycling in traffic are apparent because of lack of facilities and a need for public education on safe motorist and bicyclist behavior. Practical limitations can inhibit bicycling during the day, including shower access and personal hygiene concerns. Conclusions. Public desire for environmental, educational, and enforcement tactics to support safe bicycling was noted. Marketing tactics for bike-share usage should emphasize health, recreational, and transportation benefits. Worksites can reduce barriers related to bicycling and encourage bike-share use. Future studies should assess bike-share impact on perceptions and behavior, as well as the resulting policy and environmental changes.
Evaluation of high-modulus, puncture-resistance composite nonwoven fabrics by response surface methodology
Authors: Li Ting-Ting , Wang Rui , Lou Ching Wen , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: July 2012

Recycled high-modulus Kevlar fibers were blended with Nylon 6 staple fibers and biocomponent low- Tm/high- Tm polyester fibers to form high-modulus puncture-resistance nonwoven fabrics via opening, mixing, carding, lapping, needle-punching, as well as hot-pressing processes. In this paper, biocomponent low- Tm/high- Tm polyester fiber content, needle-punching density, and hot-pressing temperature were changed to evaluate the tensile strength, bursting strength and static puncture resistance of resulting nonwoven fabrics as related to aforementioned three parameters based on response surface methodology. The result shows that the tensile strength is highly related to needle-punching density and hot-pressing temperature; but the bursting strength and static puncture resistance are significantly involved with the aforementioned three parameters. The tensile strength, bursting strength, and static puncture resistance all present increasing and then decreasing trend with increase of its respective concerning parameters. Moreover, the static puncture resistance strength has linear dependence on bursting strength.
Media Use and Political Engagement in Three New Democracies
Authors: Tworzecki Hubert , Semetko Holli A.
Published: July 2012

Political communications literature has long been concerned with the question of whether media exposure results in symptoms of “malaise”—disaffection and withdrawal from politics—or, alternatively, whether it can mobilize people for political activity. Thus far, the results of research into this question have been inconclusive and at times contradictory in nature. However, nearly all such studies have been conducted in the context of the United States or other advanced democracies, and in these countries media use competes with a variety of other—perhaps much stronger—factors influencing political engagement, such as well-developed partisanship, strong group loyalties, lifelong personal experiences with the political system, and so forth. We chose to investigate the “malaise versus mobilization” question in the context of three new democracies—the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland—where the above-mentioned factors have not yet had a chance to mature, and where media use could potentially have an especially strong impact on attitudes and behavior. The project utilizes a series of comparable questions on national random-sample surveys carried out in each country during the parliamentary election campaigns of 2005 and 2006 to map party supporters and media audiences, and assess questions about malaise versus mobilization. Our maps of party supporters and media audiences show that TV news and tabloids reach larger and more diverse audiences than broadsheets and some niche broadcasting channels. In all three countries, while there were no significant relationships between media use and trust in government, there was some evidence to support the mobilization hypothesis: the use of broadsheets and politically opinionated weekly news magazines had a strong positive relationship with political engagement that remained when controlling for political interest and a number of sociodemographic characteristics. Our research suggests that the malaise versus mobilization debate continues to be an important basis for studying these more recent democracies.
Pulsed-low intensity ultrasound enhances extracellular matrix production by fibroblasts encapsulated in alginate
Authors: Bohari Siti PM , Grover Liam M , Hukins David WL
Published: July 2012

In this study, the effect of pulsed-low intensity ultrasound on cell proliferation, collagen production and glycosaminoglycan deposition by 3T3 fibroblasts encapsulated in alginate was evaluated. Hoechst 33258 assay for cell number, hydroxyproline assay for collagen content and dimethylamine blue assay for glycosaminoglycan content were performed on samples from cell cultures treated with pulsed-low intensity ultrasound and a control group. Pulsed-low intensity ultrasound shows no effect on cell proliferation, while collagen and glycosaminoglycan contents were consistently higher in the samples treated with pulsed-low intensity ultrasound, showing a statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05) on day 10. Alcian blue staining showed that glycosaminoglycans were deposited around the cells in both groups. These results suggest that pulsed-low intensity ultrasound shows no effect on cell proliferation but has potential for inducing collagen and glycosaminoglycan production in cells cultured in alginate gels.
Megakaryocyte pathology and bone marrow fibrosis: the lysyl oxidase connection
Authors: Papadantonakis Nikolaos , Matsuura Shinobu , Ravid Katya
Published: July 2012

Megakaryocytes (MKs), the platelet precursors, are capable of accumulating DNA greater than a diploid content as part of their cell cycle. MKs have been recognized as mediating fibrosis in a subset of hematologic malignancies, including acute megakaryoblastic leukemia and a subset of myeloproliferative neoplasms. The mechanisms responsible for fibrosis remain only partially understood. Past studies highlighted the role of growth factors in such pathologies, and recently, the protein lysyl oxidase (LOX) has been implicated in proliferation of MKs, ploidy and deposition of fibers. LOX was initially characterized as a protein responsible for the intermolecular cross-linking of elastin and collagen, and in recent years it has been identified as regulator of various pathologies, such as cancer and inflammation. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of the contribution of MKs to the progression of myelofibrosis, highlighting the newly identified role of LOX.
Syntaxin-11, but not syntaxin-2 or syntaxin-4, is required for platelet secretion
Authors: Ye Shaojing , Karim Zubair A. , Al Hawas Rania , Pessin Jeffery E. , Filipovich Alexandra H. , Whiteheart Sidney W.
Published: July 2012

The platelet release reaction plays a critical role in thrombosis and contributes to the events that follow hemostasis. Previous studies have shown that platelet secretion is mediated by Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor (SNARE) proteins from granule and plasma membranes. The SNAREs form transmembrane complexes that mediate membrane fusion and granule cargo release. Although VAMP-8 (v-SNARE) and SNAP-23 (a t-SNARE class) are important for platelet secretion, the identity of the functional syntaxin (another t-SNARE class) has been controversial. Previous studies using anti-syntaxin Abs in permeabilized platelets have suggested roles for both syntaxin-2 and syntaxin-4. In the present study, we tested these conclusions using platelets from syntaxin-knockout mouse strains and from a Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis type 4 (FHL4) patient. Platelets from syntaxin-2 and syntaxin-4 single- or double-knockout mice had no secretion defect. Platelets from a FHL4 patient deficient in syntaxin-11 had a robust defect in agonist-induced secretion although their morphology, activation, and cargo levels appeared normal. Semiquantitative Western blotting showed that syntaxin-11 is the more abundant syntaxin in both human and murine platelets. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that syntaxin-11 can form SNARE complexes with both VAMP-8 and SNAP-23. The results of the present study indicate that syntaxin-11, but not syntaxin-2 or syntaxin-4, is required for platelet exocytosis.
Orthogonally additive-additive and orthogonally quadratic-quadratic functional equation in orthogonality spaces
Authors: Park Choonkil , Kim Gwang Hui , Lee Jung Rye , Shin Dong Yun
Published: July 2012

Using fixed point method, we prove the Hyers-Ulam stability of the orthogonally additive-additive and orthogonally quadratic-quadratic functional equation

f

x
+
y
+
z

2

+
f

x
+
y
-
z

2

+
f

x
-
y
+
z

2

+
f

y
+
z
-
x

2

=
f

(

x

)

+
f

(

y

)

+
f

(

z

)

for all x, y, z with x ⊥ y, in orthogonality Banach spaces and in non-Archimedean orthogonality Banach spaces.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2010): Primary 39B55, 46S10, 39B72, 39B52, 54E40, 47H10, 47S10, 26E30, 12J25, 46H25.
Health facility-based malaria surveillance: The effects of age, area of residence and diagnostics on test positivity rates
Authors: Francis Damon , Gasasira Anne , Kigozi Ruth , Kigozi Simon , Nasr Sussann , Kamya Moses R , Dorsey Grant
Published: July 2012

Background

The malaria test positivity rate (TPR) is increasingly used as an indicator of malaria morbidity because TPR is based on laboratory-confirmed cases and is simple to incorporate into existing surveillance systems. However, temporal trends in TPR may reflect changes in factors associated with malaria rather than true changes in malaria morbidity. This study examines the effects of age, area of residence and diagnostic test on TPR at two health facilities in regions of Uganda with differing malaria endemicity.

Methods

The analysis included data from diagnostic blood smears performed at health facilities in Walukuba and Aduku between January 2009 and December 2010. The associations between age and time and between age and TPR were evaluated independently to determine the potential for age to confound temporal trends in TPR. Subsequently, differences between observed TPR and TPR adjusted for age were compared to determine if confounding was present. A similar analysis was performed for area of residence. Temporal trends in observed TPR were compared to trends in TPR expected using rapid diagnostic tests, which were modelled based upon sensitivity and specificity in prior studies.

Results

Age was independently associated with both TPR and time at both sites. At Aduku, age-adjusted TPR increased relative to observed TPR due to the association between younger age and TPR and the gradual increase in age distribution. At Walukuba, there were no clear differences between observed and age-adjusted TPR. Area of residence was independently associated with both TPR and time at both sites, though there were no clear differences in temporal trends in area of residence-adjusted TPR and observed TPR at either site. Expected TPR with pLDH- and HRP-2-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was higher than observed TPR at all time points at both sites.

Conclusions

Adjusting for potential confounders such as age and area of residence can ensure that temporal trends in TPR due to confounding are not mistakenly ascribed to true changes in malaria morbidity. The potentially large effect of diagnostic test on TPR can be accounted for by calculating and adjusting for the sensitivity and specificity of the test used.
Effect of obesity reduction on preservation of heart function and attenuation of left ventricular remodeling, oxidative stress and inflammation in obese mice
Authors: Wang Hui-Ting , Liu Chu-Feng , Tsai Tzu-Hsien , Chen Yung-Lung , Chang Hsueh-Wen , Tsai Ching-Yen , Leu Steve , Zhen Yen-Yi , Chai Han-Tan , Chung Sheng-Ying , Chua Sarah , Yen Chia-Hung , Yip Hon-Kan
Published: July 2012

Background

Obesity is an important cardiovascular risk factor. This study tested the effect of obesity reduction on preserving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress and LV remodeling in obese mice.

Methods and results

Eight-week-old C57BL/6 J mice (n=24) were equally divided into control (fed a control diet for 22 weeks), obesity (high-fat diet, 22 weeks), and obese reduction (OR) (high-fat diet, 14 weeks; then control diet, 8 weeks). Animals were sacrificed at post 22-week high-fat diet and the LV myocardium collected. Heart weight, body weight, abdominal-fat weight, total cholesterol level and fasting blood glucose were higher in obesity than in control and OR (all p<0.001). Inflammation measured by mRNA expressions of IL-6, MMP-9, PAI-1 and leptin and protein expression of NF-κB was higher, whereas anti-inflammation measured by mRNA expressions of adiponectin and INF-γ was lower in obesity than in control and OR (all p<0.003). Oxidative protein expressions of NOX-1, NOX-2 and oxidized protein were higher, whereas expression of anti-oxidant markers HO-1 and NQO-1 were lower (all p<0.01); and apoptosis measured by Bax and caspase 3 was higher, whereas anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was lower in obesity as compared with control and OR (all p<0.001). The expressions of fibrotic markers phosphorylated Smad3 and TGF-β were higher, whereas expression of anti-fibrotic phosphorylated Smad1/5 and BMP-2 were lower (all p<0.02); and LVEF was lower, whereas the LV remodeling was higher in obesity than in control and OR (all p<0.001).

Conclusion

Impaired LVEF, enhanced LV remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and apoptosis were reversed by reduction in mouse obesity.
GWIDD: a comprehensive resource for genome-wide structural modeling of protein-protein interactions
Authors: Kundrotas Petras J , Zhu Zhengwei , Vakser Ilya A
Published: July 2012

Protein-protein interactions are a key component of life processes. The knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of these interactions is important for understanding protein function. Genome-Wide Docking Database (http://gwidd.bioinformatics.ku.edu) offers an extensive source of data for structural studies of protein-protein complexes on genome scale. The current release of the database combines the available experimental data on the structure and characteristics of protein interactions with structural modeling of protein complexes for 771 organisms spanned over the entire universe of life from viruses to humans. The interactions are stored in a relational database with user-friendly interface that includes various search options. The search results can be interactively previewed; the structures, downloaded, along with the interaction characteristics.
On the ascent: the soleus operating length is conserved to the ascending limb of the force-length curve across gait mechanics in humans
Authors: Rubenson Jonas , Pires Neville J , Loi Hoek O , Pinniger Gavin J , Shannon Damian G
Published: July 2012

The region over which skeletal muscles operate on their force-length (F-L) relationship is fundamental to the mechanics, control and economy of movement. Yet, surprisingly little experimental data exist on normalized length operating ranges of muscle during human gait, or how they are modulated when mechanical demands (such as force output) change. Here we explore the soleus muscle (SOL) operating lengths experimentally in a group of healthy young adults by combining subject-specific F-L relationships with in vivo muscle imaging during gait. We test whether modulation of operating lengths occurs between walking and running, two gaits that require different levels of force production and different muscle-tendon mechanics, and examine the relationship between optimal fascicle lengths (L0) and normalized operating lengths during these gaits. We found that the mean active muscle lengths reside predominantly on the ascending limbs of the F-L relationship in both gaits (0.70 - 0.94 L0, walk; 0.65 - 0.99 L0, run). Furthermore, the mean normalized muscle length at the time of the muscle's peak activation was the same between the two gaits (0.88 L0). The active operating lengths were conserved, despite a fundamentally different fascicle strain pattern between walking (stretch-shorten cycle) and running (near continuous shortening). Taken together, these findings indicate that the SOL operating length is highly conserved despite gait-dependant differences in muscle-tendon dynamics, and appear to be preferentially selected for stable force production compared to optimal force output (although length-dependent force capacity is high when maximal forces are expected to occur). Individuals with shorter L0 undergo smaller absolute muscle excursions (p<0.05) so that the normalized length changes during walking and running remain independent of L0. The correlation between L0 and absolute length change was not explained on the basis of muscle moment arms or joint excursion, suggesting that regulation of muscle strain may occur via tendon stretch.
Tendon material properties vary and are interdependent among turkey hindlimb muscles
Authors: Matson Andrew , Konow Nicolai , Miller Samuel , Konow Pernille P. , Roberts Thomas J.
Published: July 2012

The material properties of a tendon affect its ability to store and return elastic energy, resist damage, provide mechanical feedback, and amplify or attenuate muscle power. While the structural properties of tendon are known to respond to a variety of stimuli, the extent to which material properties vary among individual muscles remains unclear. We studied the tendons of six different muscles in the hindlimb of Eastern wild turkeys to determine if there was variation in elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and resilience. A hydraulic testing machine was used to measure tendon force during quasi-static lengthening, and a stress strain curve was constructed. There was substantial variation in tendon material properties among different muscles. Average elastic modulus differed significantly between some tendons, and values for the six different tendons varied nearly two-fold, from 829±140 to 1479±106 MPa. Tendons were stretched to failure, and the stress at failure, or ultimate tensile stress, was taken as a lower-limit estimate of tendon strength. Breaking tests for four of the tendons revealed significant variation in ultimate tensile stress, ranging from 66.83±14.34 MPa to 112.37±9.39 MPa. Resilience, or the fraction of energy returned in cyclic length changes was generally high, and one of the four tendons tested was significantly different in resilience than the other tendons (range: 90.65±0.83 to 94.02±0.71). An analysis of correlation between material properties revealed a positive relationship between ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus (R2=0.79). Specifically, stiffer tendons were stronger, and we suggest that this correlation results from a constrained value of breaking strain, which did not vary significantly among tendons. This finding suggests an interdependence of material properties that may have a structural basis and may explain some adaptive responses observed in studies of tendon plasticity.
Jumping mechanisms in jumping plant lice (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Psyllidae)
Authors: Burrows Malcolm
Published: July 2012

Jumping mechanisms and performance were analysed in three species of psyllids (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha) that ranged from 2 to 4 mm in body length and from 0.7 to 2.8 mg in weight. Jumping was propelled by rapid movements of the short hind legs that were only 10-20% longer than the other legs and 61-77% of body length. Power was provided by large thoracic muscles that depressed the trochantera so that the two hind legs moved in parallel planes on either side of the body. These movements accelerated the body to take-off in 0.9 ms in the smallest psyllid and 1.7 ms in the largest, but in all species imparted a rapid forward rotation so that at take-off the head pointed downwards, subtending angles of about -60 degrees relative to the ground. The front legs thus supported the body just before take-off and either lost contact with the ground at the same time as, or even after the hind legs. In the best jumps from the horizontal, take-off velocity reached 2.7 m s-1 and the trajectory was steep at 62-80 degrees. Once airborne the body spun rapidly at rates up to 336 Hz in the pitch plane. In many jumps the wings did not open to provide stabilisation, but some jumps led directly to sustained flight. In their best jumps the smallest species experienced a force of 637 g. The largest species had an energy requirement of 13 µJ, a power output of 13 mW and exerted a force of nearly 10 mN. In a rare jumping strategy seen in only 2 of 211 jumps analysed, the femoro-tibial joints extended further and resulted in the head pointing upwards at take-off and the spin rate being greatly reduced.
Diuretics: a review
Authors: Wile David
Published: July 2012

Diuretics, in one form or another, have been around for centuries and this review sets out to chart their development and clinical use. Starting with the physiology of the kidney, it progresses to explain how diuretics actually work, via symports on the inside of the renal tubules. The different classes of diuretics are characterized, along with their mode of action. The clinical use of diuretics in conditions like congestive cardiac failure and hypertension, as well as some rarer, but clinically important, conditions is then examined. An account is given of the adverse effects of diuretics and how they come about. Common adverse effects like hypokalaemia and hyponatraemia are examined in some detail, and other electrolyte disturbances like hypomagnesaemia also gain a mention. Diuretic use in chronic kidney disease is examined and new guidelines that have been introduced are presented. A section on diuretic abuse is included as this is becoming an all too common clinical scenario, and the sometimes tragic consequences of this abuse are emphasized. Diuretics also find a role in the diagnosis of forms of renal tubular acidosis and this role is explored. Finally, a selection of some of the newer approaches to diuretic therapy are presented, often the consequence of the increasing development of molecular biology, and some of the novel compounds – which may be in drug formularies of the future – are revealed.
Practical Buddhist Thaumaturgy: The Great Dhāraṇī on Immaculately Pure Light in Medieval Sinitic Buddhism
Authors: McBride Richard D.
Published: July 2012

The Great Dhāraṇī on Immaculately Pure Light ( Wugou jingguang da tuoluoni jing , T 1024) was used extensively in Korea during the middle and late periods of Silla (668-935) after its introduction in the early eighth century. Although some scholars maintain that it provides evidence of Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism or the synthesis of Pure Land and Tantrism in Silla, my research indicates instead that the dhāraṇī and ritual procedures contained in this sūtra were mainstream Mahāyāna practices more closely associated with repentance practices in medieval East Asian Buddhism. Tantric/Esoteric Buddhism should be defined as consisting of ritual procedures such as initiations or coronations, graduated systems of meditation, and procedures using dhāraṇī in the recreation of the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha. The language of the Great Dhāraṇī provides little internal evidence of such conclusively Tantric or Esoteric elements, especially because many of the procedures and spells it describes—like most medieval Sinitic Buddhist ritual literature—attempt to resolve practical religious concerns for individuals and to protect states from harm, both internal and external: eradicating sins and extending one's lifespan; recovering from serious illnesses; avoiding rebirth in the evil paths and achieving rebirth in heavens; receiving predictions of the attainment of buddhahood; acquiring the spiritual penetrations and not backsliding in spiritual progress; generating merit and wholesome roots; destroying all obstacles and unwholesome karma and enabling practitioners to fulfill all their vows; and acquiring a fullness of the six perfections in one's life.
Light filtering devices using background wavelength processing techniques
Authors: Vieira M. A. , Vieira M. , Louro P. , Silva V. , Garção A. S.
Published: July 2012

This paper reports on light filtering devices based on a-SiC:H tandem pi´n/pin heterostructures. The spectral sensitivity is analyzed. Steady state optical bias with different wavelengths, are applied from each front and back sides and the photocurrent is measured. Results show that it is possible to control the sensitivity of the device and to tune a specific wavelength range by combining radiations with complementary light penetration depths. The transfer characteristics effects due to changes in the front and back optical bias wavelength are discussed.

Input red, green and blue pulsed communication channels are transmitted together, each one in a specific bit sequence and the multiplex signal is analyzed. By superimposing appropriate background and depending on the channel/background wavelength combinations, the device behaves as a long- or a short- pass filter, producing signal attenuation, or as an amplifier, producing signal gain. A physical model is presented to support the filter properties of the device.
When Small is Different: The Case of Membranes Inside Tubes
Authors: Perim Eric , Fonseca Alexandre F. , Galvão Douglas S.
Published: July 2012

Recently, classical elasticity theory for thin sheets was used to demonstrate the existence of a universal structural behavior describing the confinement of sheets inside cylindrical tubes. However, this kind of formalism was derived to describe macroscopic systems. A natural question is whether this behavior still holds at nanoscale. In this work, we have investigated through molecular dynamics simulations the structural behavior of graphene and boron nitride single layers confined into nanotubes. Our results show that the class of universality observed at macroscale is no longer observed at nanoscale. The origin of this discrepancy is addressed in terms of the relative importance of forces and energies at macro and nano scales.
Within-plant distribution of cotton aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in cotton cultivars with colored fibers
Authors: Fernandes Francisco S. , Ramalho Francisco S. , Malaquias José B. , Nascimento Junior José L. , Correia Ezequias T. , Zanuncio José C.
Published: July 2012

We describe the vertical and horizontal distribution of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover within a cotton plant in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum Linnaeus) cultivars (BRS Safira and BRS Rubí) with colored fiber over the time. Measurements of aphid population dynamics and distribution in the cotton plants were recorded in intervals of seven days. The number of apterous or alate aphids and their specific locations were recorded, using as a reference point the location of nodes on the mainstem of the plant and also those on the leaves present on branches and fruit structures. The number of apterous aphids found on the cultivar BRS Safira (56,515 aphids) was greater than that found on BRS Rubí (50,537 aphids). There was no significant difference between the number of alate aphids found on the cultivars BRS Safira (365 aphids/plant) and BRS Rubí (477 aphids/plant). There were interactions between cotton cultivar and plant age, between plant region and plant age, and between cultivar and plant region for apterous aphids. The results of this study are of great importance in improving control strategies for A. gossypii in the naturally-colored cotton cultivars BRS Safira and BRS Rubí.
Análise climatológica da precipitação e do transporte de umidade na região da ZCAS através da nova geração de reanálises
Authors: Quadro Mario Francisco Leal de , Dias Maria Assunção Faus da Silva , Herdies Dirceu Luis , Gonçalves Luis Gustavo Gonçalves de
Published: July 2012

O conhecimento do desempenho das reanálises e dos erros associados a elas apresenta um papel fundamental na compreensão dos processos físicos que ocorrem na atmosfera. Este trabalho tem por objetivo documentar as principais características da precipitação associada à Zona de Convergência do Atlântico Sul (ZCAS), baseado em seis conjuntos de reanálises atmosféricas (MERRA, ERA-Interim, ERA-40, NCEP 1, NCEP 2 e NCEP CFSR) e cinco conjuntos de produtos observados de precipitação (SALDAS, CPC, CMAP, GPCP e GLDAS). Através destes dados também foi analisado o transporte de umidade sobre a região da ZCAS, para os anos de 1979 a 2007. Em resumo, este trabalho evidencia o avanço das novas reanálises na tentativa de representar de forma mais adequada a variável precipitação acumulada. Os diagramas de Taylor mostram que os produtos de precipitação estão bem correlacionados com o ponto de referência (CPC), com coeficientes entre 0,6 e 0,9. Somente a reanálise do NCEP CFSR possui correlações próximas as dos produtos de precipitação. Os conjuntos mais antigos de reanálises apresentam correlações menores, abaixo de 0,6. O Oceano Atlântico é a fonte principal do fluxo de umidade para a direção da ZCAS, que diminui na direção do continente. Na Região SE do Brasil, a topografia tem um papel importante para a convergência de umidade. Já na parte noroeste da ZCAS, este fator deve estar associado a processos termodinâmicos.
Estudo da variabilidade anual e intra-anual da precipitação na região Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Silva Vicente de Paulo Rodrigues da , Pereira Emerson Ricardo Rodrigues , Almeida Rafaela Silveira Rodrigues
Published: July 2012

Este trabalho analisou as séries temporais de precipitação e do número de dias de chuva na região Nordeste do Brasil com o propósito de identificar as áreas mais susceptíveis às estiagens mais prolongadas. Os dados utilizados neste estudo foram obtidos da Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA) e da Superintendência do Desenvolvimento do Nordeste (SUDENE), para o período de 1935 a 2000. Foram construídos mapas do coeficiente de variação e do número de dias chuvosos para os períodos anual, seco e chuvoso. Os resultados deste trabalho permitiram concluir que os valores dos coeficientes de variação da precipitação e do número de dias chuvosos no semiárido são maiores do que no litoral, agreste e noroeste da região Nordeste do Brasil. Os maiores valores de coeficiente de variação são associados aos menores valores de precipitação e do número de dias chuvosos. A variabilidade da precipitação é maior no período seco do que no período chuvoso. A alta variabilidade da precipitação e do número de dias de chuva são fatores limitantes na agricultura de sequeiro nas microrregiões localizadas nas áreas semiáridas do Nordeste do Brasil.
Análise de desempenho de índices de instabilidade atmosférica na previsão de fenômenos convectivos de mesoescala na região metropolitana de São Paulo entre 28 de janeiro e 04 de fevereiro de 2004
Authors: Hallak Ricardo , Pereira Filho Augusto José
Published: July 2012

Discute-se o potencial prognóstico de índices de instabilidade para eventos convectivos de verão na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Cinco dos oito dias do período analisado foram considerados chuvosos, com observação de tempestades a partir do meio da tarde. O Índice K (IK) obteve valores abaixo de 31 nos 5 eventos, afetado pela presença de uma camada fria e seca em níveis médios da atmosfera em relação aos baixos níveis. O Índice Total Totals (ITT) falhou na detecção de severidade em 3 dos 5 eventos, apresentando valores inferiores ao mínimo limiar tabelado para fenômenos convectivos (ITT < 44) nesses dias. O Índice Levantado (IL) variou entre -4.9 e -4.3 em todos os 5 casos, valores associados a instabilidade moderada. O Índice de Showalter (IS) indicou possibilidade de tempestades severas em 4 dos 5 casos. Tanto o IS como o CAPE Tv tiveram seus valores fortemente reduzidos em uma sondagem com camada isotérmica entre 910 e 840 hPa. As séries temporais de CAPE Tv e IL mostraram significativa concordância de fase, com alta correlação linear entre ambas. CINE Tv ≈ 0 J kg-1 em associação com baixo cisalhamento vertical e com IS, IL e CAPE Tv, pelo menos moderados, parecem ser fatores comuns em dias de verão com chuvas abundantes e pequena influência da dinâmica de grande escala na área de estudo.