bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of split injections on high exhaust gas recirculation low-temperature diesel engine combustion
Authors: Sarangi Asish K , Garner Colin P , McTaggart-Cowan Gordon P , Davy Martin H , Wahab Emad , Peckham Mark
Published: August 2012

Diesel engine emissions of oxides of nitrogen and smoke can be reduced simultaneously through the use of high levels of exhaust gas recirculation to achieve low-temperature combustion. However, single fuel injection per cycle diesel low-temperature combustion is also characterized by high fuel consumption and high total unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions. This work focuses on investigating the potential of a split (50/50) main fuel-injection strategy to reduce smoke, total unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions at exhaust gas recirculation levels lower than those required to achieve single-injection diesel low-temperature combustion at a medium-load, medium-speed operating condition. Experiments were performed on a 0.51 l single-cylinder high-speed direct-injection diesel engine running at 1500 r/min at an operating condition corresponding to a gross indicated mean effective pressure of 500 kPa. At this load, exhaust gas recirculation levels of 62% are needed to realize near-zero nitrogen oxide and smoke emissions, but this leads to an unacceptable reduction in thermal efficiency as well as high total unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions. This work compares the effects of split fuel injections at an exhaust gas recirculation level of 52% by volume to those from single injections at exhaust gas recirculation levels of 52% and 62%. The results demonstrate that the combined effects of exhaust gas recirculation rate and split injections can achieve near-zero nitrogen oxide with good thermal efficiency and total unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions much lower than at 62% exhaust gas recirculation. Single injection at this point results in excessive smoke, which can be reduced by over 75% through the split-injection strategy. These results are particularly relevant as they demonstrate very low nitrogen oxide emissions from an engine operation with acceptable thermal efficiency and at practical exhaust gas recirculation levels.
Naturally aspirated and boosted controlled auto-ignition combustion with positive valve overlap in a four-stroke gasoline engine
Authors: Yang Changho , Zhao Hua
Published: August 2012

Extensive engine experiments were carried out on controlled auto-ignition combustion, also known as homogeneous charge compression ignition, in a four-stroke gasoline engine, by internally recycling burned gases through positive valve overlap, variable compression ratio, intake temperature control and boosting. The operational range of controlled auto-ignition combustion was determined for a range of compression ratios and intake air temperatures at wide-open throttle conditions. This was followed by further engine experiments with boosted intake and external exhaust gas recirculation in order to evaluate their effect on the operational range of controlled auto-ignition combustion and the engine’s performance and emissions. It has been found that the controlled auto-ignition operational region could be extended to the higher load region by boosting and running with leaner mixtures, whilst the use of external exhaust gas recirculation allowed the engine to operate controlled auto-ignition combustion optimized in the region between naturally aspirated and lean boosted controlled auto-ignition operational regions. The highest fuel conversion efficiency was obtained when the exhaust heat could be utilized to supply the intake air heating.
Modelling lubrication oil particle emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines
Authors: Tornehed Petter , Olofsson Ulf
Published: August 2012

The impact of lubrication oil on particle exhaust emissions has attracted increasing attention as emissions of fuel-derived particles have been reduced. This paper presents a model for assessing the oil-related exhaust particle emissions of heavy-duty diesel engines. The model contains four sub-models describing the hydrocarbon, ash, carbon and sulphate particles. All sub-models were developed based on the results of a literature review, complemented by controlled engine tests to fill the knowledge gaps and verify assumptions where necessary.

Exhaust after-treatment devices, such as diesel particulate filters, are not included in the model at this stage; in engines equipped with such devices, the modelling results could be used to assess the input of oil-related particulate matter into the exhaust after-treatment system or serve as a basis for further development.

The modelling results indicate that the contribution of oil to airborne exhaust particles is substantial under low-load and motoring conditions. Reducing oil consumption is an effective way to reduce oil-related particle emissions.
Interventions in log-linear Poisson autoregression
Authors: Fokianos Konstantinos , Fried Roland
Published: August 2012

We consider the problem of estimating and detecting outliers in count time series data following a log-linear observation driven model. Log-linear models for count time series arise naturally because they correspond to the canonical link function of the Poisson distribution. They yield both positive and negative dependence, and covariate information can be conveniently incorporated. Within this framework, we establish test procedures for detection of unusual events (‘interventions’) leading to different kinds of outliers, we implement joint maximum likelihood estimation of model parameters and outlier sizes and we derive formulae for correcting the data for detected interventions. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is illustrated with two real data examples. The first example offers a fresh data analytic point of view towards the polio data. Our methodology identifies different forms of outliers in these data by an observation-driven model. The second example deals with some campylobacterosis data which we analyzed in a previous communication, by a different model. The results are reconfirmed by the new model that we put forward in this communication. The reliability of the procedure is verified using artificial data examples.
Bayesian Tobit quantile regression model for medical expenditure panel survey data
Authors: Yue Yu Ryan , Hong Hyokyoung Grace
Published: August 2012

High expenditure on healthcare is an important segment of the U.S. economy, making healthcare cost modelling valuable in decision-making processes over a wide array of domains. In this paper, we analyze medical expenditure panel survey (MEPS) data. Tobit regression model has been popularly used for the medical expenditures. However, it is no longer sufficient for the MEPS data because: (i) the distribution of the expenditures shows skewness, heavy tails and heterogeneity; (ii) most predictors are categorical, including binary, nominal and ordinal variables; (iii) there are a few predictors which may be nonlinearly related to the response. We therefore propose a Bayesian Tobit quantile regression model to describe a complete distributional view on how the medical expenditures depend on the various predictors. Specifically, we assume an asymmetric Laplace error distribution to adapt the quantile regression to a Bayesian setting. Then, we propose a modified group Lasso for categorical factor selection, and a smoothing Gaussian prior for modelling the nonlinear effects. The estimates and their uncertainties are obtained using an efficient Monte Carlo Markov Chain sampling method. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated by modelling 2007 MEPS data.
Meta-analysis of diagnostic studies based upon SROC-curves: a mixed model approach using the Lehmann family
Authors: Holling Heinz , Böhning Walailuck , Böhning Dankmar
Published: August 2012

Meta-analysis of diagnostic studies experiences the common problem that different studies might not be comparable since they have been using a different cut-off value for the continuous or ordered categorical diagnostic test value defining different regions for which the diagnostic test is defined to be positive. Hence specificities and sensitivities arising from different studies might vary just because the underlying cut-off value had been different. To cope with the cut-off value problem, interest is usually directed towards the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve which consists of pairs of sensitivities and false positive rate (1–specificity). In the context of meta-analysis, one pair represents one study and the associated diagram is called SROC curve where the S stands for ‘summary’. The paper will consider—as a novel approach—modelling SROC curves with the Lehmann family that assumes log-sensitivity is proportional to the log-false positive rate across studies. The approach allows for study-specific false positive rates which are treated as (infinitely many) nuisance parameters and eliminated by means of the profile likelihood. The adjusted profile likelihood turns out to have a simple univariate Gaussian structure which is ultimately used for building inference for the parameter of the Lehmann family. The Lehmann model is further extended by allowing the constant of proportionality to vary across studies to cope with unobserved heterogeneity. The simple Gaussian form of the adjusted profile likelihood allows this extension easily as a form of a mixed model in which unobserved heterogeneity is incorporated by means of a normal random effect. Some meta-analytic applications on diagnostic studies including brain natriuretic peptides for heart failure, alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) and the consumption part of AUDIT for detection of unhealthy alcohol use as well as the mini-mental state examination for cognitive disorders are discussed to illustrate the methodology.
Functional prediction of intraday cumulative returns
Authors: Kokoszka Piotr , Zhang Xi
Published: August 2012

We define cumulative intraday returns and consider their prediction from such returns on a market index. We model these returns as curves in a function space. We propose several functional regression models which can be viewed as extensions of the capital asset pricing model to intraday returns defined as curves. After deriving parameter estimates and prediction functions for these models, we compare their prediction errors by application to cumulative intraday returns of large U.S. corporations. We find that complex functional regression models do not perform better than a simple model. In particular, we find that modelling error dependence does not improve forecasts.
The future of natural gas as a fuel in marine gas turbine for LNG carriers
Authors: El-Gohary M Morsy
Published: August 2012

This paper discusses the suitability of using natural gas as a fuel for marine gas turbine electric propulsion (DFGE), utilizing natural boil-off gas and forced boil-off gas, as well as investigating its economical and environmental beneﬁts over other propulsion options. The benchmark ship chosen for this study has a capacity of 150,000 m3 and is powered by conventional steam propulsion. For this purpose a spreadsheet model was developed to determine the liquefied natural gas carrier operating costs for different propulsion options. This is in addition to a sensitivity analysis to study the effect of varying range, heavy fuel oil (HFO) and natural gas prices on ship operating cost. Recently, about 40% of the new orders shifted to slow speed diesel engines with re-liquefaction plant and dual fuel diesel electric propulsion. To date, marine gas turbines are not used in liquefied natural gas carriers.

It was found that using natural gas as a fuel with the proposed marine gas turbine cycle at current HFO and natural gas prices provides the highest cost saving for a distance less than 4000 nautical miles (NM). With the expected changes in fuel prices, the proposed cycle achieves cost saving of 3% per round trip, and this saving is directly proportional to increasing fuel prices, compared to other options.
The Heroic Monster
Authors: Arellano Lisa
Published: August 2012

In this essay, I advance a reading of Dexter—the character and series—that focuses on the complicated ways that the construction of normative masculinity serves to define, and sometimes legitimate, certain types of violence. I demonstrate that the show locates violence within a series of masculine homosocial realms in order to highlight Dexter’s alienation from these spaces and, thus, his “monstrosity.” I am interested in achieving two things with this reading. First, I want to pay extended attention to Dexter’s location within the representational context of contemporary television—a context filled with police and forensic shows, murder, and hyperbolically violent (and masculine) men—in order to articulate what this program is doing differently. Second, I want to use Dexter as a means of thinking about the ways that violence and gender become linked through representational practices in ways that visibly and invisibly constitute social and gender norms.
Laparoscopic-Facilitated Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, Mucosal Resection, and Partial Circumferential (“Wedge”) Colon Wall Resection for Benign Colorectal Neoplasms That Come to Surgery
Authors: Jang Joon Ho , Kirchoff Daniel , Holzman Kevin , Park Koji , Grieco Michael , Cekic Vesna , Naffouje Samer , Kluft Jon , Whelan Richard L.
Published: August 2012

Background. Large polyps that come to surgery are removed via colectomy (CR). Alternatives are MIS-facilitated endoscopic submucosal dissection/endoscopic mucosal resection (ESD/EMR) or wedge resection (WR). This study presents the results of 26 polyp patients who had minimally invasive surgery (MIS)-monitored ESD/EMR, WR, or if necessary, standard CR. Methods. The authors used a retrospective review of 1 surgeon’s experience. ESD/EMR was the first choice, WR was the second, and CR was the last resort. Results. Polyp locations were as follows: right/transverse, 16 (62%); rectum, 7 (27%); and left/sigmoid, 3 (12%). ESD/EMR was successful in 13 patients and WR in 4; 9 patients required CR. Median flatus times were as follows: ESD/EMR, 1 day; WR, 2 days; and CR, 3 days (ESD/EMR vs CR, P = .01). Median length of stay was as follows: ESD/EMR, 3 days; WR, 5 days; and CR, 5 days (ESD/EMR vs CR, P = .0037). There were no leaks or abscesses. Carcinoma was found in 3 patients. Postoperatively, 2 ESD/EMR patients had residual polyp fully removed via a scope. Conclusions. ESD/EMR and WR appear to be safe but techniques are evolving. Larger studies are needed.
Specialized Instrumentation Facilitates Stable Peritoneal Access, Gastric Decompression, and Visualization During Transgastric Endoscopic Peritoneoscopy
Authors: Perry Kyle A. , Shah Nilay , Memark Vanchad , Nau Peter , Needleman Bradley J. , Hazey Jeffrey W.
Published: August 2012

Purpose. The lack of high-fidelity instrumentation has impeded the development and implementation of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). A steerable flexible trocar (SFT), a rotary access needle (RAN), and an articulating needle knife were developed as components of a flexible instrument set to facilitate transgastric peritoneal access and transluminal abdominal procedures. This cohort study aimed to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of these devices during transgastric peritoneoscopy. Methods. Ten morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass participated in the study. Following laparoscopic access, transgastric peritoneal access was established using the SFT and RAN, and transgastric peritoneoscopy performed. NOTES adhesiolysis was performed in 2 patients with significant intra-abdominal adhesions due to prior surgery. Outcome measures included time to enter the peritoneal cavity, ability to visualize each quadrant of the abdomen, ability to perform adhesiolysis, and complications. Results. Ten patients with a median body mass index as stated in table 1 of 47.5 kg/m2 were enrolled. Successful transgastric access was achieved in 8 of the 10 patients. One procedure was aborted because of difficulty creating the gastrotomy. Another procedure was aborted because of the difficult passage of the device through the oropharynx. An upper esophageal laceration occurred in one patient. Transgastric peritoneal access required 17.4 ± 5.5 minutes, and peritoneoscopy averaged 24.7 ± 7.6 minutes. The 4 abdominal quadrants were visualized and were accessible with the endoscope in all patients. Conclusions. The SFT and RAN facilitate transgastric peritoneal access and visualization of difficult-to-reach areas of the peritoneum. These devices provide advanced instrumentation for transgastric NOTES procedures; however, care must be taken during the transoral insertion to avoid complications.
Law and the Evolving Shape of Labor: Narratives of Expansion and Retrenchment
Authors: Fisk Catherine L.
Published: August 2012

This essay muses on the relationship between law, labor organizing, politics, and the role of academic scholarship on law and work since 1980. As globalization of manufacturing and labor migration have transformed American culture and labor, the boundaries of labor studies have expanded. The more expansive understanding of labor evident in modern scholarship is partly attributable to the decline in union density and the rise of social movements focused on expanding rights of marginalized workers. Yet hyper-capitalism and attacks on labor liberalism have threatened New Deal labor protections and social safety net programs that were core achievements of past labor organizing and foundations for future labor organizing. The rise of income inequality and the decline of middle class jobs, along with right-wing attacks on labor and social welfare legislation, signal a seismic cultural shift that we have only begun to experience and will shape the future of socio-legal studies of labor.
The effectiveness of a brief eating disorder training programme in medical settings
Authors: Linville Deanna , Aoyama Tessa , Knoble Naomi B. , Gau Jeff
Published: August 2012

Objective:

To investigate the longitudinal effectiveness of a brief eating disorder training on primary care providers’ self-perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding eating disorder screening and intervention.

Method:

We trained 45 primary care providers (including nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians) practicing in 10 medical sites and measured their self-perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes on eating disorder screening and intervention using a 23-item questionnaire prior to, 1 week and 6 months after the training.

Results:

The eating disorder knowledge score and eating disorder skill level score showed pretest to posttest gains that were associated with large effect sizes ( d = 1.25 and 1.31, respectively). The significance and magnitude of effects carried over through the 6-month follow-up evaluation. Unlike the eating disorder knowledge and skill scores, there was no significant improvement in eating disorder attitudes from pretest to posttest or from pretest to the 6-month follow-up.

Discussion:

Findings show support for the effectiveness of a brief eating disorder training on primary care providers’ reported knowledge and skills for addressing eating disorders in their practice. These results underscore the importance of providing information to primary care providers on how they can more adequately screen and intervene with eating disorders, as part of primary care to their patients.
Efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose amlodipine/olmesartan medoxomil with or without hydrochlorothiazide in Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients whose blood pressure is uncontrolled on antihypertensive monotherapy
Authors: Punzi Henry , Shojaee Ali , Maa Jen-Fue
Published: August 2012

Objectives:

This is a prespecified subgroup analysis in Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients of a study that evaluated blood pressure (BP) control with fixed-dose amlodipine/olmesartan medoxomil (AML/OM)-based therapy in patients whose condition was uncontrolled on prior monotherapy.

Methods:

In this prospective, open-label, dose-titration study, patients with uncontrolled BP after at least 1 month of antihypertensive monotherapy were switched to fixed-dose AML/OM 5/20 mg. Patients were uptitrated to AML/OM 5/40 and 10/40 mg, with uptitration to AML/OM + hydrochlorothiazide 10/40 + 12.5 mg and 10/40 + 25 mg to achieve target BP. The primary efficacy endpoint was the cumulative proportion of patients achieving seated cuff systolic BP (SeSBP) less than 140 mmHg (<130 mmHg in patients with diabetes mellitus) at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included SeBP goal rates, ambulatory BP (ABP) target rates, and mean change from baseline in seated cuff BP (SeBP) and ABP at weeks 12 and 20.

Results:

Mean baseline BP was similar in Hispanics (153.6/92.8 mmHg; n = 105) and non-Hispanics (153.7/91.8 mmHg; n = 894). At 12 weeks, 72.0% of Hispanics and 76.3% of non-Hispanics achieved the primary endpoint. At week 12, goal rates for cumulative SeBP (<140/90 mmHg or <130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes) were 69.0% and 71.5% in Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients, respectively. Mean change in SeBP in Hispanics ranged from −15.3/−7.3 mmHg for AML/OM 5/20 mg to −23.2/−13.8 mmHg for AML/OM 10/40 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, and in non-Hispanics from −14.1/−7.8 mmHg to −25.4/−13.7 mmHg (all p < 0.0001 versus baseline). A majority of patients achieved mean 24 h, daytime, and nighttime ABP targets in both subgroups. Greater proportions of Hispanics achieved ABP targets versus non-Hispanics at week 12; however, this trend was reversed at week 20. Treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions:

Switching to a fixed-dose combination of AML/OM ± hydrochlorothiazide provided significant BP lowering and effectively controlled BP in a large proportion of Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with hypertension uncontrolled on previous monotherapy.
Presumed Incapable
Authors: Gröschl Stefan
Published: August 2012

Research has shown that managers in the hotel industry perceive persons with disabilities as people who lack the required innate capacities and attributes, are unable to meet industry-specific work requirements, and are too costly to employ. A case study of hotels within the German Embrace hotel association finds little support for those negative judgments. Based on interviews with forty-nine managers, employees, and guests with and without disabilities as well as nine days of observations, the study found that employees with disabilities are loyal, are reliable, and, on balance, require moderate accommodations. On average, more than 60 percent of Embrace hotel employees are persons with disabilities. Embrace’s employment concept is based on the integrative model, which aims to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities who do not find employment in the regular labor market. Many disabilities had no effect on the mobility or shift work of employees. The processes of accommodating and training persons with disabilities were frequently associated with minimal costs, and expenses incurred for some accommodations were offset by German government grants. Moreover, the physical attributes of persons with disabilities did not negatively influence the experiences of guests. The findings indicate that developing an organizational climate of openness and tolerance, placing employees with disabilities at the center of managerial planning and operational processes, and investing in good human resources management practices are essential elements for the integration of persons with disabilities in the workplace.
Progress and Development of Information Technology in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Law Rob , Leung Daniel , Au Norman , Lee Hee “Andy”
Published: August 2012

In view of the synergistic interaction between technology and hospitality services, this article reports the findings of a study that analyzed articles related to information technology (IT) published in Cornell Hospitality Quarterly ( CQ) and its predecessor, Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly ( CHRAQ), a first-tier journal that places emphasis on the application of research to hospitality businesses. Through an examination of content from CHRAQ’s inaugural issue in the early 1960s to the latest volume (in mid-2011), ninety-five articles were identified as relevant. A content analysis revealed that more than half of the articles focused on the hospitality industry in general and that a substantial number of IT-related articles had been published since the 1980s. This article contributes to a better understanding of the progress of the IT research conducted by hospitality researchers over the past five decades.
An Examination of the Relationship between Online Travel Agents and Hotels
Authors: Lee Hee “Andy” , Denizci Guillet Basak , Law Rob
Published: August 2012

Although traditional travel agents have played an important role as proxies enabling travelers to make connections with hotels, the emergence of the internet has changed the traditional relationship between hotels and travel agents. Instead of a traditional agent–principal relationship, online travel agents (OTAs) seem to act as more than just intermediaries and more as business partners or vendors. Scholars have previously observed troubled, if not hostile, relationships between hotels and OTAs. This article reports a case study analyzing online comments on the 2009 feud between Choice Hotels International and Expedia.com . This analysis identified eight themes in three overall categories: the background to the feud (i.e., characteristics of the hotel industry, current business environment, Expedia’s business practices), the perspectives of hospitality industry professionals on the feud (i.e., wake-up call for hoteliers, Choice Hotels’ decision), and expectations concerning the nature of the relationship between hotels and OTAs (i.e., a symbiotic relationship between hotels and OTAs, experience of dealing with guests who book through OTAs and Expedia, and recommendations for hotels). Chief among the study’s conclusions is that hotels must find ways to make the most effective possible use of available technology and distribution channels, and perhaps even form consortia to share information about third-party distribution channels.
Got Support? The Impact of Supportive Work Practices on the Perceptions, Motivation, and Behavior of Customer-Contact Employees
Authors: Michel John W. , Kavanagh Michael J. , Tracey J. Bruce
Published: August 2012

While scholars know a great deal about the operational challenges faced by customer-contact employees in the hospitality industry, there is much to be learned about the factors associated with the work context that influences employee motivation, performance, and retention. In this study, the authors examined the nature and impact of perceptions about an organization’s customer service climate on ratings of self-efficacy, customer service job performance, and intentions to leave among employees in customer-contact positions. Results demonstrated that employees’ perceptions about the climate for service quality were significantly related to motivation, supervisor ratings of service job performance, and self-rated intentions to leave. The results offer insights regarding the role of service climate perceptions and the means for effectively managing customer-contact staff and generating higher levels of retention.
A School-Based Fruit and Vegetable Snacking Pilot Intervention for Lower Mississippi Delta Children
Authors: Tussing-Humphreys Lisa , Thomson Jessica , McCabe-Sellers Beverly , Strickland Earline , Lovera Dalia , Bogle Margaret
Published: August 2012

Background. In this pilot study, we examined school-aged children’s familiarity and willingness to try fruits and vegetables (FV) and the impact of a 6-week school-based snack feeding intervention on familiarity and consumption of FV. Methods. In all, 190 fourth- to sixth-grade students from a rural Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) school participated. Measures included surveys assessing familiarity and willingness to try FV and direct observation of FV snack consumption. Results. At baseline, the majority of students provided correct name recognition for 6 of the 11 snacks offered, whereas name recognition increased significantly for the other 5 FV postintervention. Similarly, previous eating experience increased for 7 of the 11 FV offered. On average, a higher percentage of the fruit (54% to 98%) and vegetable (49% to 50%) snacks offered were consumed by the students. Willingness to try and grade level were the strongest predictors of fruit and vegetable snack consumption. Conclusions. These results suggest that an FV snack feeding intervention can increase the familiarity, and thereby potentially, the amount of FV consumed by LMD school children. Further research is warranted to determine if the positive effects of such programs extend beyond the school environment and into the home.
Obesity and the Dual Diagnosis Child
Authors: Panzer Barry M. , Dhuper Sarita , Gupta Nitasha
Published: August 2012

Many children with excess weight and obesity struggle with comorbid psychiatric disorders and family stressors. These dual diagnosis presentations may be underestimated in epidemiologic surveys and frequently constitute exclusion criteria in childhood obesity treatment studies. As a result, clinical paradigms for this population are lacking and even multispecialty pediatric obesity centers do not provide comprehensive services to these children and their families. Hence, the need for this article, which is a preliminary exploration of possible dynamic mechanisms connecting several psychiatric diagnoses in childhood and excess weight. Based on correlations reported in the literature, depression, oppositional disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are offered as examples of linear and reciprocal relationships between the two conditions. Notably, eating may be viewed as a means of regulating emotion (depression) and family conflict (oppositionalism) as well as reflecting a lack of regulation (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). This article will hopefully generate subsequent research efforts in this area and enhance practitioner awareness of the complexity of providing effective services to this population.
Evaluation and Management of Elbow Tendinopathy
Authors: Taylor Samuel A. , Hannafin Jo A.
Published: August 2012

Context:

Elbow tendinopathy is a common cause of pain and disability among patients presenting to orthopaedic surgeons, primary care physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of these conditions facilitates a directed treatment regimen. A thorough understanding of the natural history of these injuries and treatment outcomes will enable the appropriate management of patients and their expectations.

Evidence Acquisitions:

The PubMed database was searched in December 2011 for English-language articles pertaining to elbow tendinopathy.

Results:

Epidemiologic data as well as multiple subjective and objective outcome measures were investigated to elucidate the incidence of medial epicondylitis, lateral epicondylitis, distal biceps and triceps ruptures, and the efficacy of various treatments.

Conclusions:

Medial and lateral epicondylitis are overuse injuries that respond well to nonoperative management. Their etiology is degenerative and related to repetitive overuse and underlying tendinopathy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and localized corticosteroid injections yield moderate symptomatic relief in short term but do not demonstrate benefit on long-term follow-up. Platelet-rich plasma injections may be advantageous in cases of chronic lateral epicondylitis. If 6 to 12 months of nonoperative treatment fails, then surgical intervention can be undertaken. Distal biceps and triceps tendon ruptures, in contrast, have an acute traumatic etiology that may be superimposed on underlying tendinopathy. Prompt diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes. While partial ruptures confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging can be treated nonoperatively with immobilization, complete ruptures should be addressed with primary repair within 3 to 4 weeks of injury.
Prevention of Elbow Injuries in Youth Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Fleisig Glenn S. , Andrews James R.
Published: August 2012

Context:

Although baseball is a relatively safe sport, numerous reports suggest a rapid rise in elbow injury rate among youth baseball pitchers.

Evidence Acquisition:

PubMed was searched for epidemiologic, biomechanical, and clinical studies of elbow injuries in baseball (keywords: “youth OR adolescent” AND baseball AND pitching AND “ulnar collateral ligament OR elbow”; published January 2000 – April 2012). Studies with relevance to youth baseball pitchers were reviewed. Relevant references from these articles were also retrieved and reviewed. Original data, insight, and recommendations were added.

Results:

The majority of baseball elbow injuries are noncontact injuries to the dominant arm resulting from repetitive pitching. Five percent of youth pitchers suffer a serious elbow or shoulder injury (requiring surgery or retirement from baseball) within 10 years. The risk factor with the strongest correlation to injury is amount of pitching. Specifically, increased pitches per game, innings pitched per season, and months pitched per year are all associated with increased risk of elbow injury. Pitching while fatigued and pitching for concurrent teams are also associated with increased risk. Pitchers who also play catcher have an increased injury risk, perhaps due to the quantity of throws playing catcher adds to the athlete’s arm. Another risk factor is poor pitching biomechanics. Improper biomechanics may increase the torque and force produced about the elbow during each pitch. Although throwing breaking pitches at a young age has been suggested as a risk factor, existing clinical, epidemiologic, and biomechanical data do not support this claim.

Conclusions:

Some elbow injuries to youth baseball pitchers can be prevented with safety rules, recommendations, education, and common sense. Scientific and medical organizations have published safety rules and recommendations, with emphasis on prevention of overuse and pitching while fatigued.

Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT):

A
Predictors of Tetanus–Diphtheria– Acellular Pertussis Vaccination Among Adults Receiving Tetanus Vaccine in the United States
Authors: Johns Tracy L. , Roetzheim Richard , Chen Ren
Published: August 2012

Background. The incidence of pertussis in the United States has been increasing. Adult vaccination is important to reduce disease burden and prevent transmission to infants at high risk of complications. The tetanus–diphtheria–acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine has been available in the United States since 2005 and is indicated as a one-time replacement for the routine tetanus–diphtheria (Td) booster. However, among adults receiving tetanus vaccination, only about half receive Tdap. Purpose. To identify predictors of adult Tdap vaccination among individuals who receive tetanus vaccine. Methods. National Health Interview Survey data from 2008 were analyzed in 2011. Respondents were 18 to 64 years old, received tetanus vaccination during 2005-2008, and were aware if it contained pertussis. Predictors of Tdap vaccination were identified with multivariate logistic regression using procedures for complex survey methods. Results. Overall, 51.1% of respondents received Tdap. Vaccination was less likely for those 50 to 64 years old compared with those 18 to 24 years old (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38-0.96). Some college education was associated with higher odds of vaccination compared with lower education levels (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.16-2.07). Having 2 to 3 office visits (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.32-3.06) or 4 to 9 office visits (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.06-2.42) in the previous year increased the odds of vaccination compared with no visits. Individuals with functional limitation due to illness had lower odds compared with no limitation (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.54-0.91). Conclusions. In 2008, 51.1% of adult Td vaccinations included pertussis, suggesting continued efforts to remove barriers are needed. Interventions should target older, functionally impaired, and educationally disadvantaged populations.
Induction of IL-4Rα–dependent microRNAs identifies PI3K/Akt signaling as essential for IL-4–driven murine macrophage proliferation in vivo
Authors: Rückerl Dominik , Jenkins Stephen J. , Laqtom Nouf N. , Gallagher Iain J. , Sutherland Tara E. , Duncan Sheelagh , Buck Amy H. , Allen Judith E.
Published: August 2012

Macrophage (MΦ) activation must be tightly controlled to preclude overzealous responses that cause self-damage. MicroRNAs promote classical MΦ activation by blocking antiinflammatory signals and transcription factors but also can prevent excessive TLR signaling. In contrast, the microRNA profile associated with alternatively activated MΦ and their role in regulating wound healing or antihelminthic responses has not been described. By using an in vivo model of alternative activation in which adult Brugia malayi nematodes are implanted surgically in the peritoneal cavity of mice, we identified differential expression of miR-125b-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-199b-5p, and miR-378-3p in helminth-induced MΦ. In vitro experiments demonstrated that miR-378-3p was specifically induced by IL-4 and revealed the IL-4–receptor/PI3K/Akt-signaling pathway as a target. Chemical inhibition of this pathway showed that intact Akt signaling is an important enhancement factor for alternative activation in vitro and in vivo and is essential for IL-4–driven MΦ proliferation in vivo. Thus, identification of miR-378-3p as an IL-4Rα–induced microRNA led to the discovery that Akt regulates the newly discovered mechanism of IL-4–driven macrophage proliferation. Together, the data suggest that negative regulation of Akt signaling via microRNAs might play a central role in limiting MΦ expansion and alternative activation during type 2 inflammatory settings.
CD25 expression status improves prognostic risk classification in AML independent of established biomarkers: ECOG phase 3 trial, E1900
Authors: Gönen Mithat , Sun Zhuoxin , Figueroa Maria E. , Patel Jay P. , Abdel-Wahab Omar , Racevskis Janis , Ketterling Rhett P. , Fernandez Hugo , Rowe Jacob M. , Tallman Martin S. , Melnick Ari , Levine Ross L. , Paietta Elisabeth
Published: August 2012

We determined the prognostic relevance of CD25 (IL-2 receptor-α) expression in 657 patients (≤ 60 years) with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial, E1900. We identified CD25POS myeloblasts in 87 patients (13%), of whom 92% had intermediate-risk cytogenetics. CD25 expression correlated with expression of stem cell antigen CD123. In multivariate analysis, controlled for prognostic baseline characteristics and daunorubicin dose, CD25POS patients had inferior complete remission rates (P = .0005) and overall survival (P < .0001) compared with CD25NEG cases. In a subset of 396 patients, we integrated CD25 expression with somatic mutation status to determine whether CD25 impacted outcome independent of prognostic mutations. CD25 was positively correlated with internal tandem duplications in FLT3 (FLT3-ITD), DNMT3A, and NPM1 mutations. The adverse prognostic impact of FLT3-ITDPOS AML was restricted to CD25POS patients. CD25 expression improved AML prognostication independent of integrated, cytogenetic and mutational data, such that it reallocated 11% of patients with intermediate-risk disease to the unfavorable-risk group. Gene expression analysis revealed that CD25POS status correlated with the expression of previously reported leukemia stem cell signatures. We conclude that CD25POS status provides prognostic relevance in AML independent of known biomarkers and is correlated with stem cell gene-expression signatures associated with adverse outcome in AML.
Genome-wide analysis reveals recurrent structural abnormalities of TP63 and other p53-related genes in peripheral T-cell lymphomas
Authors: Vasmatzis George , Johnson Sarah H. , Knudson Ryan A. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Braggio Esteban , Fonseca Rafael , Viswanatha David S. , Law Mark E. , Kip N. Sertac , Özsan Nazan , Grebe Stefan K. , Frederick Lori A. , Eckloff Bruce W. , Thompson E. Aubrey , Kadin Marshall E. , Milosevic Dragana , Porcher Julie C. , Asmann Yan W. , Smith David I. , Kovtun Irina V. , Ansell Stephen M. , Dogan Ahmet , Feldman Andrew L.
Published: August 2012

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are aggressive malignancies of mature T lymphocytes with 5-year overall survival rates of only ∼ 35%. Improvement in outcomes has been stymied by poor understanding of the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of PTCL, with a resulting paucity of molecular targets for therapy. We developed bioinformatic tools to identify chromosomal rearrangements using genome-wide, next-generation sequencing analysis of mate-pair DNA libraries and applied these tools to 16 PTCL patient tissue samples and 6 PTCL cell lines. Thirteen recurrent abnormalities were identified, of which 5 involved p53-related genes (TP53, TP63, CDKN2A, WWOX, and ANKRD11). Among these abnormalities were novel TP63 rearrangements encoding fusion proteins homologous to ΔNp63, a dominant-negative p63 isoform that inhibits the p53 pathway. TP63 rearrangements were seen in 11 (5.8%) of 190 PTCLs and were associated with inferior overall survival; they also were detected in 2 (1.2%) of 164 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. As TP53 mutations are rare in PTCL compared with other malignancies, our findings suggest that a constellation of alternate genetic abnormalities may contribute to disruption of p53-associated tumor suppressor function in PTCL.
Response to genomic selection: The Bulmer effect and the potential of genomic selection when the number of phenotypic records is limiting
Authors: Van Grevenhof Elizabeth M , Van Arendonk Johan AM , Bijma Piter
Published: August 2012

Background

Over the last ten years, genomic selection has developed enormously. Simulations and results on real data suggest that breeding values can be predicted with high accuracy using genetic markers alone. However, to reach high accuracies, large reference populations are needed. In many livestock populations or even species, such populations cannot be established when traits are difficult or expensive to record, or when the population size is small. The value of genomic selection is then questionable.

Methods

In this study, we compare traditional breeding schemes based on own performance or progeny information to genomic selection schemes, for which the number of phenotypic records is limiting. Deterministic simulations were performed using selection index theory. Our focus was on the equilibrium response obtained after a few generations of selection. Therefore, we first investigated the magnitude of the Bulmer effect with genomic selection.

Results

Results showed that the reduction in response due to the Bulmer effect is the same for genomic selection as for selection based on traditional BLUP estimated breeding values, and is independent of the accuracy of selection. The reduction in response with genomic selection is greater than with selection based directly on phenotypes without the use of pedigree information, such as mass selection. To maximize the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values when the number of phenotypic records is limiting, the same individuals should be phenotyped and genotyped, rather than genotyping parents and phenotyping their progeny. When the generation interval cannot be reduced with genomic selection, large reference populations are required to obtain a similar response to that with selection based on BLUP estimated breeding values based on own performance or progeny information. However, when a genomic selection scheme has a moderate decrease in generation interval, relatively small reference population sizes are needed to obtain a similar response to that with selection on traditional BLUP estimated breeding values.

Conclusions

When the trait of interest cannot be recorded on the selection candidate, genomic selection schemes are very attractive even when the number of phenotypic records is limited, because traditional breeding requires progeny testing schemes with long generation intervals in those cases.
miREvo: an integrative microRNA evolutionary analysis platform for next-generation sequencing experiments
Authors: Wen Ming , Shen Yang , Shi Suhua , Tang Tian
Published: August 2012

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (~19-24nt) non-coding RNAs that play important roles in various biological processes. To date, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has been widely used to discover miRNAs in plants and animals. Although evolutionary analysis is important to reveal the functional dynamics of miRNAs, few computational tools have been developed to analyze the evolution of miRNA sequence and expression across species, especially the newly emerged ones,

Results

We developed miREvo, an integrated software platform with a graphical user interface (GUI), to process deep-sequencing data of small RNAs and to analyze miRNA sequence and expression evolution based on the multiple-species whole genome alignments (WGAs). Three major features are provided by miREvo: (i) to identify novel miRNAs in both plants and animals, based on a modified miRDeep algorithm, (ii) to detect miRNA homologs and measure their pairwise evolutionary distances among multiple species based on a WGA, and (iii) to profile miRNA expression abundances and analyze expression divergence across multiple species (small RNA libraries). Moreover, we demonstrated the utility of miREvo with Illumina data sets from Drosophila melanogaster and Arabidopsis, respectively.

Conclusion

This work presents an integrated pipline, miREvo, for exploring the expressional and evolutionary dynamics of miRNAs across multiple species. MiREvo is standalone, modular, and freely available at http://evolution.sysu.edu.cn/software/mirevo.htm under the GNU/GPL license.
The M5nr: a novel non-redundant database containing protein sequences and annotations from multiple sources and associated tools
Authors: Wilke Andreas , Harrison Travis , Wilkening Jared , Field Dawn , Glass Elizabeth M , Kyrpides Nikos , Mavrommatis Konstantinos , Meyer Folker
Published: August 2012

Background

Computing of sequence similarity results is becoming a limiting factor in metagenome analysis. Sequence similarity search results encoded in an open, exchangeable format have the potential to limit the needs for computational reanalysis of these data sets. A prerequisite for sharing of similarity results is a common reference.

Description

We introduce a mechanism for automatically maintaining a comprehensive, non-redundant protein database and for creating a quarterly release of this resource. In addition, we present tools for translating similarity searches into many annotation namespaces, e.g. KEGG or NCBI's GenBank.

Conclusions

The data and tools we present allow the creation of multiple result sets using a single computation, permitting computational results to be shared between groups for large sequence data sets.