bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Globalization, socio-economic status and welfare chauvinism: European perspectives on attitudes toward the exclusion of immigrants
Authors: Mewes Jan , Mau Steffen
Published: July 2013

This article addresses the question of whether globalization impacts individual preferences to exclude immigrants from national welfare systems (‘welfare chauvinism’). Intergroup contact theory and arguments from the ‘new cosmopolitanism’ debate suggest that cross-border social contacts (‘social globalization’) foster a willingness to include and accept newcomers. However, group conflict theory suggests that trade openness (‘economic globalization’) can unleash feelings of insecurity and trigger welfare chauvinism. While these approaches point in different directions, we argue that the impact of globalization on welfare chauvinism differs across socio-economic status groups. Using cross-national data from the European Social Survey 2008/2009, we find scarce support for the hypothesis that social globalization reduces welfare chauvinism in general. However, there is evidence that it diminishes exclusionary attitudes among those with relatively high socio-economic statuses. Moreover, we find no general evidence for an impact of economic globalization on chauvinism, but a positive interaction of intensified engagement with global market forces and higher socio-economic status.
Effects of hydroxyapatite/collagen composite on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Huang Yan , Niu Xufeng , Wang Liyang , Fan Jie , Li Xiaoming , Zhou Gang , Feng Qingling , Fan Yubo
Published: July 2013

Combination of cells and materials opens a new option for tissue repair and regeneration. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hydroxyapatite/collagen composite on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. The hydroxyapatite/collagen composites are synthesized by bioinspired mineralization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis and laser particle size analyzer. Different concentrations of hydroxyapatite/collagen are co-cultured with the rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in passages 2–4 on a culture plate. Osteogenic differentiation is evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, alkaline phosphatase spectrophotometry as well as western blotting. The results demonstrate that the developed hydroxyapatite/collagen composite has microstructure and composition that are similar to the natural bone matrix. Hydroxyapatite/collagen treatment can induce osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, as confirmed by the expression of osteoblast-related markers at both messenger RNA and protein levels. The concentration of 75 µg/ml may be the optimal inducer. In addition, combining biochemical reagents and hydroxyapatite/collagen has a synergistic interaction on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. This provides a new avenue for mechanistic studies of stem cell differentiation and a novel approach to obtain more committed differentiated cells.
Combined effect of expansive and shrinkage-reducing admixtures on the properties of ultra high performance fiber-reinforced concrete
Authors: Yoo Doo-Yeol , Park Jung-Jun , Kim Sung-Wook , Yoon Young-Soo
Published: July 2013

In order to investigate the combined effect of expansive and shrinkage-reducing admixtures on shrinkage and mechanical properties of ultra high performance fiber-reinforced concrete, a series of experiments including three types of shrinkage tests, compressive and flexural tests, and penetration-resistance test were performed. Test results showed that about 51–53% of free shrinkage and 35–49% of restrained steel strains were reduced by adding 1% shrinkage-reducing admixture along with 7.5% expansive admixture with slight change of strength. Elastic stress, residual interface pressure and degree of restraint from ring specimens were also significantly reduced by using expansive and shrinkage-reducing admixtures. Although the elastic stress of the ring specimen without expansive and shrinkage-reducing admixtures was higher than the tensile strength, no shrinkage crack was observed for all test specimens due to the relaxation effect.
Total, Direct, and Indirect Effects in Logit and Probit Models
Authors: Breen Richard , Karlson Kristian Bernt , Holm Anders
Published: July 2013

This article presents a method for estimating and interpreting total, direct, and indirect effects in logit or probit models. The method extends the decomposition properties of linear models to these models; it closes the much-discussed gap between results based on the “difference in coefficients” method and the “product of coefficients” method in mediation analysis involving nonlinear probability models models; it reports effects measured on both the logit or probit scale and the probability scale; and it identifies causal mediation effects under the sequential ignorability assumption. We also show that while our method is computationally simpler than other methods, it always performs as well as, or better than, these methods. Further derivations suggest a hitherto unrecognized issue in identifying heterogeneous mediation effects in nonlinear probability models. We conclude the article with an application of our method to data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988.
Birth Order Has No Effect on Intelligence: A Reply and Extension of Previous Findings
Authors: Wichman Aaron L. , Lee Rodgers Joseph , MacCallum Robert C.
Published: July 2013

We address points raised by Zajonc and Sulloway, who reject findings showing that birth order has no effect on intelligence. Many objections to findings of null birth-order results seem to stem from a misunderstanding of the difference between study designs where birth order is confounded with true causal influences on intelligence across families and designs that control for some of these influences. We discuss some of the consequences of not appreciating the nature of this difference. When between-family confounds are controlled using appropriate study designs and techniques such as multilevel modeling, birth order is shown not to influence intelligence. We conclude with an empirical investigation of the replicability and generalizability of this approach.
Without Mercy: The Immediate Impact of Group Size on Lynch Mob Atrocity
Authors: Leader Tirza , Mullen Brian , Abrams Dominic
Published: July 2013

Two independent research traditions have focused on social contributions to lynching. The sociological power threat hypothesis has argued that lynching atrocity will increase as a function of the relative number of African Americans. The psychological self-attention theory has argued that lynching atrocity will increase as a function of the relative number of mob members. Two series of analyses (one using newspaper reports and the second using photographic records) using different and nonoverlapping samples of lynching events rendered a consistent pattern of results: Lynch mob atrocity did not increase as a function of the relative numbers of African Americans in the county population but it did increase as a function of the relative numbers of mob members in the lynch mob. Discussion considers the implications of these results.
National (Dis)identification and Ethnic and Religious Identity: A Study Among Turkish-Dutch Muslims
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Yildiz Ali Aslan
Published: July 2013

National (dis)identification is examined in three studies among Turkish-Dutch Muslim participants. In explaining national (dis)identification, the first study focuses on ethnic identity, the second on ethnic and religious identity, and the third on three dimensions of religious identity. Many participants show low commitment to the nation, and many indicate national disidentification. In addition, there is very strong ethnic and religious identification. Ethnic and Muslim identifications relate negatively to Dutch identification and, in Study 3, to stronger Dutch disidentification. Furthermore, perceived group rejection is associated with increased ethnic minority and religious identification but also with decreased national Dutch identification. In addition, in Studies 1 and 2 the effect of perceived rejection on Dutch identification is (partly) mediated by minority group identification. The findings are discussed in relation to social psychological thinking about group identification, dual identities, and the importance of religion for intergroup relations.
Seeing Future Success: Does Imagery Perspective Influence Achievement Motivation?
Authors: Vasquez Noelia A. , Buehler Roger
Published: July 2013

Imagining future success can sometimes enhance people's motivation to achieve it. This article examines a phenomenological aspect of positive mental imagery— the visual perspective adopted—that may moderate its motivational impact. The authors hypothesize that people feel more motivated to succeed on a future task when they visualize its successful completion from a third-person rather than a first-person perspective. Actions viewed from the third-person perspective are generally construed at a relatively high level of abstraction—in a manner that highlights their larger meaning and significance—which should heighten their motivational impact. Three studies in the domain of academic motivation support this reasoning. Students experience a greater increase in achievement motivation when they imagine their successful task completion from a third-rather than a first-person perspective. Moreover, mediational analyses reveal that third-person imagery boosts motivation by prompting students to construe their success abstractly and to perceive it as important.
Am I the Typical Student? Perceived Similarity to Student Prototypes Predicts Success
Authors: Lane David J. , Gibbons Frederick X.
Published: July 2013

Two studies assessed the relationships between perceived similarity to the college student prototype and academic outcomes. In Study 1, students' similarity to the prototypical good student and their levels of depressed mood were assessed. A year later, students high in depressed mood who did not see themselves as similar to the good student prototype did worse academically. In Study 2, students' perceived favorability and similarity to the prototypical student at their university were assessed along with their levels of neuroticism. Enrollment at their university was then tracked for 5 semesters. Students high in neuroticism who perceived the typical student as both favorable and dissimilar to themselves were less likely to stay enrolled. These findings highlight the importance of perceived dissimilarity in prototype perception, particularly among those high in negative affect.
It's for Your Own Good: Benevolent Sexism and Women's Reactions to Protectively Justified Restrictions
Authors: Moya Miguel , Glick Peter , Expósito Francisca , de Lemus Soledad , Hart Joshua
Published: July 2013

Three studies examined women's reactions to ostensibly protective restrictions. In Study 1, only benevolently sexist women accepted a protectively justified (hypothetical) prohibition against driving on a long trip, but only when imposed by a husband (not a coworker). In Study 2, when women's actual romantic partners opposed their participation in a practicum counseling dangerous men, most reacted positively to a personalized protective justification (“I am concerned for your safety”), but only benevolently sexist women reacted positively when no justification was given. In Study 3, only benevolently sexist women accepted an explicitly group-based protective justification (“It is not safe for any woman ”) for a partner's imagined opposition to an internship that involved interviewing criminals. By fusing benevolence with dominance, protective paternalism can lead women (especially those who are high on benevolent sexism) to accept restrictions.
Gender Bias in Leader Evaluations
Authors: Hoyt Crystal L. , Burnette Jeni L.
Published: July 2013

This research extends our understanding of gender bias in leader evaluations by merging role congruity and implicit theory perspectives. We tested and found support for the prediction that the link between people’s attitudes regarding women in authority and their subsequent gender-biased leader evaluations is significantly stronger for entity theorists (those who believe attributes are fixed) relative to incremental theorists (those who believe attributes are malleable). In Study 1, 147 participants evaluated male and female gubernatorial candidates. Results supported predictions, demonstrating that traditional attitudes toward women in authority significantly predicted a pro-male gender bias in leader evaluations (and progressive attitudes predicted a pro-female gender bias) with an especially strong effect for those with more entity-oriented, relative to incrementally oriented person theories. Study 2 (119 participants) replicated these findings and demonstrated the mediating role of these attitudes in linking gender stereotypes and leader role expectations to biased evaluations.
Cross-language patent matching via an international patent classification-based concept bridge
Authors: Chen Yen-Liang , Chiu Yu-Ting
Published: July 2013

Patent documents with sophisticated technical information are valuable for developing new technologies and products. They can be written in almost any language, leading to language barrier problems during retrieval. Traditionally, cross-language information retrieval and cross-language document matching have used text-translation-based or index-set-mapping methods. There are several challenges to the traditional methods, however, such as difficulties with natural language translation, complications owing to bilingual or multi-lingual translations (translating between two or more than two languages), and the unavailability of a parallel dual-language document set. This study offers a new and robust solution to cross-language patent document matching: the International Patent Classification (IPC) based concept bridge approach. The proposed method applies Latent Semantic Indexing to extract concepts from each set of patent documents and utilizes the IPC codes to construct a cross-language mediator that expresses patent documents in different languages. Experiments were carried out to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. There were 3000 English patents and 3000 Chinese patents gathered as training documents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, respectively. Another 30 English patents and another 30 Chinese patents were collected to be query patents. Finally, evaluations using an objective measure and subjective judgement were conducted to prove the feasibility and effectiveness of our method. The results show that our method out-performs the traditional text-translation methods.
Urokinase Plasminogen Activator and Its Inhibitor Type‐1 as Prognostic Factors in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Horvatic Herceg Gordana , Herceg Davorin , Kralik Marko , Kulic Ana , Bence‐Zigman Zdenka , Tomic‐Brzac Hrvojka , Bracic Irena , Kusacic‐Kuna Sanja , Prgomet Drago
Published: July 2013

Objective

To investigate the prognostic value of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor, type‐1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI‐1), in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

University hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Cytosolic concentrations of uPA and PAI‐1 were determined in 105 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma and normal matched tissues using an enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA).

Results

Both uPA and PAI‐1 concentrations were significantly higher in differentiated thyroid tumors (uPA = 0.509 ± 0.767 and PAI‐1 = 6.337 ± 6.415 ng/mg) compared to normal tissues (uPA = 0.237 ± 0.051, P <. 001; PAI‐1 = 2.368 ± 0.418 ng/mg, P <. 001). uPA and PAI‐1 were significantly higher if extrathyroidal invasion (uPA, P =. 015; PAI‐1, P <. 001) or distant metastasis (PAI‐1 P <. 001) was present, as well as in tumors whose size exceeded 1 cm in diameter (uPA, P =. 002; PAI‐1, P =. 001). Survival analysis revealed the significant impact of both uPA and PAI‐1 on progression‐free survival (PFS) (82.22 vs 49.478 months for patients with low and high uPA, respectively, P <. 001; 87.068 vs 44.964 months for patients with low and high PAI‐1, respectively, P <. 001). Univariate analysis showed that gender, tumor size, tumor grade, extrathyroid invasion, local lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, uPA, and PAI‐1 were significant predictors of PFS. However, multivariate analysis identified only distant metastasis and tumor tissue uPA and PAI‐1 as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that high uPA and PAI‐1 levels represent independent unfavorable prognostic factors in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
The English Company and the Catholics of Madras, in the Age of Religious Conflicts in England, 1640–1750
Authors: Guite Jangkhomang
Published: July 2013

This article seeks to explain how enduring anti-Catholic sentiment in England influenced the policy of the English Company towards the Catholic community in its overseas colonies. While England was struggling to get rid of the ‘dregs of popery’, the Company and its servants were struggling during the same period to finally evict their majority Catholic populations from Madras in 1749. The Company largely depended upon the strength of the Indo-Portuguese community members who were adherents of the Catholic faith for the growth of its trade and the security of its settlements in India until sufficient numbers of Protestants were available in the mid-eighteenth century. But the fear of ‘popery’ compelled them to initiate certain measures to check them from becoming too powerful: outright persecution, regulating their affairs through the church, preventing them from associating with other Catholic establishments in the region and more importantly the beginning of missionary works in English settlements to supercede the strength of Catholic populations.
The Coloniality of Folklore: Towards a Multi-Genealogical Practice of Folkloristics
Authors: Briggs Charles L. , Naithani Sadhana
Published: July 2013

This article challenges genealogies that trace the origins of folkloristics to the discovery of shared cultural forms emerging within European populations, thereby relegating colonialism to the status of temporary detours that did not seriously shape the discipline. We reread folklore study in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, pointing to ways that concepts, texts and methods were shaped by colonialism from the start. Using four cases from the twentieth century, we suggest that the legacy of colonialism—which we refer to as the coloniality of folkloristics—continues to exert intellectually and institutionally problematic effects on the discipline. We propose a multi-genealogical practice of folkloristics as a means of opening up the assumptions that inform and often limit existing concepts and approaches, forging tools more suited to the study of contemporary cultural forms and imagining more robust futures for folkloristics.
Cost-effectiveness of an adjustment group for people with multiple sclerosis and low mood: a randomized trial
Authors: Humphreys Ioan , Drummond Avril ER , Phillips Ceri , Lincoln Nadina B
Published: July 2013

Objective:

To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a psychological adjustment group shown to be clinically effective in comparison with usual care for people with multiple sclerosis.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial with comparison of costs and calculation of incremental cost effectiveness ratio.

Setting:

Community.

Participants:

People with multiple sclerosis were screened on the General Health Questionnaire 12 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and those with low mood were recruited.

Interventions:

Participants randomly allocated to the adjustment group received six group treatment sessions. The control group received usual care, which did not include psychological interventions.

Main measures:

Outcomes were assessed four and eight months after randomization, blind to group allocation. The costs were assessed from a service use questionnaire and information provided on medication. Quality of life was assessed using the EQ-5D.

Results:

Of the 311 patients identified, 221 (71%) met the criteria for having low mood. Of these, 72 were randomly allocated to receive treatment and 79 to usual care. Over eight months follow-up there was a decrease in the combined average costs of £378 per intervention respondent and an increase in the costs of £297 per patient in the control group, which was a significant difference ( p=0.03). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio indicated that the cost per point reduction on the Beck depression inventory–II was £118.

Conclusion:

In the short term, the adjustment group programme was cost effective when compared with usual care, for people with multiple sclerosis presenting with low mood. The longer-term costs need to be assessed.
Symptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears Show Higher Radioisotope Uptake on Bone Scintigraphy Compared With Asymptomatic Tears
Authors: Koike Yoichi , Sano Hirotaka , Kita Atushi , Itoi Eiji
Published: July 2013

Background:

Some patients with rotator cuff tears complain of pain, whereas others are asymptomatic. Previous studies have pointed out the presence of active bone metabolism in the painful shoulder, identified with increased radioisotope uptake during bone scintigraphy.

Hypothesis:

Shoulders with symptomatic rotator cuff tears will demonstrate higher radioisotope uptake than shoulders with asymptomatic tears with bone scintigraphy, reflecting active bone metabolism in symptomatic tears.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The study consisted of 3 groups: patients with symptomatic tears (symptomatic group), patients with asymptomatic tears (asymptomatic group), and controls (no tear group). The symptomatic group consisted of 28 shoulders from 28 patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears (pain score ≤4 on the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] shoulder evaluation form) who underwent bone scintigraphy followed by rotator cuff repair. Of 70 volunteers who had previously undergone bone scintigraphy for diseases unrelated to their shoulder, 34 were selected for the asymptomatic group (pain score ≥8 on the UCLA shoulder form), and 32 were selected for the no tear group.

Results:

The mean radioisotope uptake in the symptomatic group was significantly higher than that in the asymptomatic group ( P = .02) and the no tear group ( P = .02). Ten of 28 shoulders (36%) in the symptomatic group showed increased radioisotope uptake exceeding 2 standard deviations from the mean of the no tear group. This percentage was significantly higher when compared with the asymptomatic group (0%) ( P < .01).

Conclusion:

Shoulders with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear showed higher radioisotope uptake on bone scintigraphy than those with an asymptomatic tear. The radioisotope uptake in shoulders with an asymptomatic tear was comparable with that in shoulders without a tear.

Clinical Relevance:

Positive radioisotope uptake may be associated with pain in a subgroup of patients with rotator cuff tears.
Characterization of natural fiber and composites – A review
Authors: Sathishkumar TP , Navaneethakrishnan P , Shankar S , Rajasekar R , Rajini N
Published: July 2013

The natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials offered extensive range of properties which are suitable for large number of engineering application. The natural fibers have been abundantly available in the world. It has unique properties compared to synthetic fiber and reduces the plastic usage. This article reports the extraction process of natural fibers, characterization of natural fibers, and preparation of natural fiber-reinforced composites. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact, and dynamic properties as well as thermal and machinability properties of the composites with and without chemically treated fibers were reported. The water absorption capability of the composites and its effect on mechanical properties were also reported.
Post-fire integrity of composite gratings for offshore platforms
Authors: Gibson AG , Humphrey JK , Di-Modica P , Christke S , Kotsikos G , Holliday R
Published: July 2013

The post-fire integrity of pultruded phenolic/glass and polyester/glass floor gratings, of the type used offshore and elsewhere, was investigated. The aim was to determine whether glass/phenolic gratings may be safely walked on, post-fire, by offshore workers and fire-fighting teams. The load to be resisted was identified as equivalent to a running person carrying a load, the combined mass being 150 kg. The maximum resulting dynamic strains were determined by strain gauges on the undersides of the individual beam elements of gratings. This enabled target values of post-fire bending resistance to be identified. Individual beam elements from the gratings were exposed to heat fluxes of 12.5, 37.5 and 100 kW/m2 using a propane burner, for periods up to 16 min, after which the residual strength was measured. Phenolic gratings showed longer ignition times, with lower flame and smoke emission, as well as greater post-fire strength compared to polyester ones. At the lowest flux, 12.5 kW/m2, all gratings remained serviceable beyond 16 min. At higher heat fluxes, the phenolic gratings retained some post-fire strength, assisted by the formation of a carbonaceous char binding the fibres. However, this was somewhat below the target level. A study of the effect of testing speed indicated that fire-exposed gratings are not especially strain-rate sensitive.
Assessment of a potential agricultural application of Bangkok-digested sewage sludge and finished compost products
Authors: Sreesai Siranee , Peapueng Panadda , Tippayamongkonkun Taninporn , Sthiannopkao Suthipong
Published: July 2013

A study was conducted to investigate the levels of plant nutrients, heavy metals, parasites and fecal coliform bacteria in Bangkok-produced sewage sludge and finished compost products for potential agricultural application, as well as to compare the quality of compost under different composting conditions. The results indicated that digested sewage sludge had high fertilizing values for organic matter (19.01 ± 0.09%), total nitrogen (2.17 ± 0.07%), total phosphorus (2.06 ± 0.06%) and total potassium (1.16 ± 0.22%), but it was contaminated with human pathogens, including fecal coliform bacteria, viable helminthes egg and active forms of parasite cysts. Thus, fresh sewage sludge should not be disposed on land unless it has undergone pathogen reduction. It is proven that the quality of the sludge mixed with grass clippings at a ratio of 6:1 volume/volume after having passed a windrow composting process for 8 weeks can be classified as class A biosolids as the levels of remaining fecal coliforms were < 3 most probable number g−1 dry solid and all human parasites were destroyed. Concentrations of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium in the finished compost were 16.53 ± 1.25%, 1.39 ± 0.06%, 0.42 ± 0.10% and 1.53 ± 0.05% respectively. The total copper concentration was rather high (2291.31 ± 121.77 mg kg−1), but all heavy metal concentrations were also well below the United States Environmental Protection Agency pollutant limits for land application. The finished compost products can be considered as a soil conditioner as they have relatively low essential plant nutrient concentrations. It is recommended to be initially used for gardening and landscaping to ensure safety utilization.
Prospects for the use of municipal tree pruning wastes in particleboard production
Authors: Duarte da Silva Manuel Joaquim , Bezerra Barbara Stolte , Gomes Battistelle Rosane Aparecida , De Domenico Valarelli Ivaldo
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made   with pruning wastes from Ipê ( Tabebuia serratifolia) and Chapéu-de-Sol ( Terminalia catappa) trees. Particleboards were prepared with both wood species, using all the material produced by grinding the pruning wastes. The particleboards had dimensions of 45×45 cm, a thickness of approximately 11.5 mm and an average density of 664 kg/m3. A urea–formaldehyde adhesive was used in the proportion of 12% of the dry particle mass. The particleboards were pressed at a temperature of 130°C for 10 mins. The physical and mechanical properties analyzed were density, moisture content, thickness swelling, percentage of lignin and cellulose, modulus of resilience, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength parallel to the grain, accordingly to the standards NBR 14810 and CS 236-66 (1968). The particleboards were considered to be of medium density. The particle size significantly affected the static bending strength and tensile strength parallel to the grain. Ipê presented better results, demonstrating a potential for the production and use of particleboard made from this species.
United Nations peacekeeping personnel commitments, 1990–2011
Authors: Kathman Jacob D.
Published: July 2013

This paper presents new data on personnel commitments to United Nations peacekeeping operations from 1990 to 2011. For every operation during this period, data on the number of deployed troops, police and military observers are coded at the monthly level. Additionally, the number of each personnel type contributed by every UN member state is recorded. These data offer opportunities for testing theories of peacekeeping and conflict processes and present research avenues for which data have hitherto not existed. Herein, I introduce the data and coding processes, present trends, illustrate prospects for research that could benefit from these data and provide an empirical application.
Effects of L‐Carnosine and Its Zinc Complex (Polaprezinc) on Pressure Ulcer Healing
Authors: Sakae Kensaku , Agata Toshihiko , Kamide Ryoichi , Yanagisawa Hiroyuki
Published: July 2013

Background: L‐carnosine (CAR) is an endogenous dipeptide. We aimed to determine the effects of CAR and its zinc complex polaprezinc (PLZ) on pressure ulcer healing in institutionalized long‐term care patients.Methods: This study was a nonrandomized controlled trial with a maximum 4‐week follow‐up. Forty‐two patients with stage II–IV pressure ulcers for 4 or more weeks were allocated to 1 of 3 groups in order of recruitment: the control group (n = 14) was untreated, the PLZ group (n = 10) orally received 150 mg/d PLZ (containing 116 mg CAR and 34 mg zinc), and the CAR group (n = 18) orally received 116 mg/d CAR. Pressure ulcer severity was measured weekly using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score.Results: At baseline, no significant differences were found among groups in demographic and nutrition parameters and pressure ulcer characteristics (severity, size, and staging). After 4 weeks, the rate of pressure ulcer healing, assessed by the mean weekly improvement in PUSH score, was significantly greater in the CAR (1.6 ± 0.2,P= .02) and PLZ groups (1.8 ± 0.2,P= .009) than in the control group (0.8 ± 0.2). The difference between the CAR and PLZ groups was not significant (P= .73). Actual dietary intakes over this period did not differ significantly among groups.Conclusions: Our results suggest that CAR and PLZ may almost equally accelerate pressure ulcer healing during 4 weeks. The results need confirmation by randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes.
Preparation of in situ hardening composite microcarriers: Calcium phosphate cement combined with alginate for bone regeneration
Authors: Park Jung-Hui , Lee Eun-Jung , Knowles Jonathan C , Kim Hae-Won
Published: July 2013

Novel microcarriers consisting of calcium phosphate cement and alginate were prepared for use as three-dimensional scaffolds for the culture and expansion of cells that are effective for bone tissue engineering. The calcium phosphate cement-alginate composite microcarriers were produced by an emulsification of the composite aqueous solutions mixed at varying ratios (calcium phosphate cement powder/alginate solution = 0.8–1.2) in an oil bath and the subsequent in situ hardening of the compositions during spherodization. Moreover, a porous structure could be easily created in the solid microcarriers by soaking the produced microcarriers in water and a subsequent freeze-drying process. Bone mineral-like apatite nanocrystallites were shown to rapidly develop on the calcium phosphate cement–alginate microcarriers under moist conditions due to the conversion of the α-tricalcium phosphate phase in the calcium phosphate cement into a carbonate–hydroxyapatite. Osteoblastic cells cultured on the microspherical scaffolds were proven to be viable, with an active proliferative potential during 14 days of culture, and their osteogenic differentiation was confirmed by the determination of alkaline phosphatase activity. The in situ hardening calcium phosphate cement–alginate microcarriers developed herein may be used as potential three-dimensional scaffolds for cell delivery and tissue engineering of bone.
The Role of Mental Budgeting in Philanthropic Decision-Making
Authors: LaBarge Monica C. , Stinson Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2013

Mental budgeting (also known as mental accounting) has examined how consumers allocate and expend resources. However, the mental budgeting literature has not yet examined the availability and use of mental budgets for philanthropic, as opposed to day-to-day, consumption. Depth interviews with donors in both the United States and Canada reveal that donors do maintain mental budgets for philanthropy, that charitable gifts are expensed against the mental budget for philanthropy as well as against other budgets, and that donors’ mental budgets are malleable. Study findings extend the literature on the management and malleability of mental budgets, and provide insight to nonprofit organizations (NPO) to better position appeals to maximize donations and strengthen long-term donor relationships.
The birth of airplane stability theory
Authors: Magraner JP , Martinez-Val R
Published: July 2013

Airplane stability theory was born at the end of the XIX century and matured around 100 years ago, when airplanes were hardly controllable yet. The success and safety of flights in the pioneer years depended upon largely unknown stability and control characteristics. Understanding the modes of airplane motion has been of paramount importance for the development of aviation. The contributions made by a few scientists in the decades preceding and following the first flight by the Wright brothers set the concepts and equations that, with minor notation aspects, have remained almost unchanged till present day.
Hypophosphataemia with non-tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Wainwright E , Sherrard J , Duncan S , Shine B , Dorrell L
Published: July 2013

Summary

Hypophosphataemia with tenofovir (TDF) treatment has been well described. The role of HIV infection and of other antiretroviral (ART) agents in hypophosphataemia has received less attention. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypophosphataemia in HIV-positive adults. We measured the fasting plasma phosphate level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 123 HIV-positive patients. A total of 26% had hypophosphataemia and 11% had hypophosphataemia of grades 2–4 (0.65 mmol/L or less). Hypophosphataemia of any grade was more frequent in those who were ART-treated than ART-naive (35% versus 10%; P = 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed no significant association between phosphate level and gender, TDF status, duration of ART, duration of HIV infection and eGFR. Increasing age was significantly associated with a very small rise in phosphate level. Isolated hypophosphataemia was significantly more frequent in HIV-positive subjects receiving ART than ART-naive individuals, irrespective of the drug regimen.
Increasing screening frequency in men who have sex with men: impact of guidance on risk profiling on workload and earlier diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection and HIV
Authors: Baker A , Fleury C , Clarke E , Foley E , Samraj S , Rowen D , Patel R
Published: July 2013

Summary

Increasing screening frequency in men who have sex with men (MSM) engaging in high-risk behaviours can reduce prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This evaluation investigated the impact of applying stricter screening guidelines for MSM on service workload and earlier STI diagnoses. A validated risk assessment tool (RAT) was distributed to MSM attending a level 3 sexual health service over three months. Australian screening guidelines were applied to the data to identify MSM requiring more frequent screening and data projected to the larger MSM population. The RAT identified a 2–5-fold increase in the number of STI and HIV screenings required based on six- and three-monthly screening intervals, respectively, in the MSM cohort. When screening intervals are reduced from three-monthly to six-monthly there is a potential loss of 66.7% of earlier HIV diagnoses. The use of RATs will increase workload in sexual health services, but potentially diagnose a large proportion of disease earlier.
Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome after intra-articular triamcinolone in a patient receiving ritonavir-boosted darunavir
Authors: Hall Jill J , Hughes Christine A , Foisy Michelle M , Houston Stan , Shafran Stephen
Published: July 2013

Drug interactions involving human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors are common due to their inhibition of the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme. We describe the case of an HIV-infected patient treated with ritonavir-boosted darunavir who developed cushingoid features following an intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetate. We review the probable mechanism for this interaction and describe similar cases of Cushing syndrome in patients receiving concomitant ritonavir and triamcinolone.
In utero exposure to dicyclohexyl and di-n-hexyl phthalate possess genotoxic effects on testicular cells of male rats after birth in the comet and TUNEL assays
Authors: Ahbab M A , Ündeğer Ü , Barlas N , Başaran N
Published: July 2013

Phthalates are diester derivatives of phthalic acid widely used in many commercial applications. The aim of this study is therefore to evaluate possible genotoxicity of di- n-hexyl phthalate (DHP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) at different concentrations using single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assays in testes samples of male rat pups. DCHP and DHP in corn oil were administered to the pregnant rats by gavage at the doses of 0 (vehicle), 20, 100, and 500 mg kg−1 day−1 from gestational day 6 (GD6) to GD19. After delivery, male rats were allowed to grow until prepubertal, pubertal, and adulthood. At necropsy, the blood samples were collected from heart and were excised immediately. The apoptotic cells of prepubertal, pubertal, and adult testis were detected using TUNEL assay. The comet assay was performed on blood lymphocytes and testes samples of adult male rats. The comet assay results showed that tail length, tail intensity, olive tail moment (OTM), and percentage of DNA present in tail were higher when DHP content was increased. Judging from the values of OTM and percentage of DNA, DHP could significantly induce DNA breakage at doses of 100 and 500 mg kg−1 day−1 compared with the control group. An increase in TUNEL-positive cells of prepubertal, pubertal, and adult testicular cells was observed in the treated groups. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to DHP and DCHP may possess genotoxic risk to testicular cells of rats at all stages of development, even at adulthood.
Care of Children With Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department
Authors: Tanabe Paula , Dias Nancy , Gorman Lisa
Published: July 2013

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) present to the emergency department (ED) with complex medical and behavioral health needs. Little research has been conducted to understand elements necessary to provide a comprehensive approach. We conducted 9 focus groups and 2 individual interviews with ED nurses, ED physicians, parents, 1 SCD nurse practitioner, and 1 SCD hematologist in 6 states. The primary aim of the study was to assess the appropriateness of the Emergency Department Sickle Cell Assessment of Needs and Strengths for pediatric patients. Participants were asked to discuss important aspects of ED management. Transcripts were analyzed according to 5 key decision points, and common themes were identified for each decision. Decisions included triage, analgesic management, diagnostic evaluation, disposition, and high risk evaluation and referrals needed at discharge. Participants identified critical areas that can be used to organize and improve the assessment, management, and disposition/referral decisions in order to provide better care to children with SCD in the ED. Parent input was critical for each decision.
Evaluation of the Psychometric Measures for the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale–Spanish Version for Mexican Women
Authors: Lara Ma. Asunción , Navarrete Laura , Navarro Claudia , Le Huynh-Nhu
Published: July 2013

This study assessed the reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the Spanish Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS–Spanish Version) for Mexican women. The scale was administered at 6 weeks (T1; n = 149) and between 4 and 6 months postpartum (T2; n = 156). Women also completed the Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition (BDI-II) and the mood module of the Standardized Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). At both time points, the internal consistency value of the PDSS-Spanish Version was α = .96. Concurrent validity was adequate, compared with the BDI-II (T1: r = .75; T2: r = .74, ps < .01) and the SCID (T1: r = .43; T2: r = .36, ps < .01). Based on receiver operator characteristic curves, cutoff scores on the PDSS-Spanish Version of 60 for depressive symptoms (BDI-II as gold standard) and 80 for major depression (SCID) showed high sensitivity (>88.9%) but low specificity (60.9% to 70.6%). More parsimonious values are obtained at a cutoff of 77 for subsyndromal depression and 95 for major depression. The choice for using different cutoff scores may depend on the purpose of using the instrument. Overall, the psychometric properties for the PDSS-Spanish Version in Mexican women are similar to the ones obtained in Hispanic women in the United States.
Palliative Care Nursing Interventions in Thailand
Authors: Doorenbos Ardith Z. , Juntasopeepun Phanida , Eaton Linda H. , Rue Tessa , Hong Elizabeth , Coenen Amy
Published: July 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the nursing interventions that nurses in Thailand identify as most important in promoting dignified dying. Design: This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. Method: A total of 247 Thai nurses completed a paper-and-pencil survey written in Thai. The survey included both demographic questions and palliative care interventions, listed with summative rating scales, from the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) catalogue Palliative Care for Dignified Dying. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings: The five most important nursing interventions to promote dignified dying, ranked by average importance rating, were (a) maintain dignity and privacy, (b) establish trust, (c) manage pain, (d) establish rapport, and (e) manage dyspnea. Conclusions: This research identified the palliative care nursing interventions considered most important by nurses in Thailand to promote dignified dying. Implications for Practice: The ICNP catalogue Palliative Care for Dignified Dying can be used for planning and managing palliative nursing care in Thailand.
Two iterative algorithms for the reflexive and Hermitian reflexive solutions of the generalized Sylvester matrix equation
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed A , El-Danaf Talaat S , Bayoumi Ahmed M E
Published: July 2013

This paper is concerned with iterative solutions to the generalized Sylvester matrix equation [Formula: see text]. Two iterative algorithms are presented to obtain the reflexive and Hermitian reflexive solutions. With these iterative algorithms, for any initial reflexive and Hermitian reflexive matrices the solutions can be obtained. Some needed lemmas are first stated, then two theorems are stated and proved where the iterative solutions are obtained. Finally, we report two numerical examples to verify the theoretical results.
Adaptive tracking control for an uncertain chaotic permanent magnet synchronous motor based on fuzzy neural networks
Authors: Nguyen Tat-Bao-Thien , Liao Teh-Lu , Yan Jun-Juh
Published: July 2013

In this paper, an adaptive controller is developed to suppress chaos and track the desired speed in an uncertain chaotic permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system. The controller consists of computational and supervisory control schemes. The computational controller, based on fuzzy neural networks, is used to approximate the unknown nonlinear control signal, while the supervisory controller is employed to attenuate the approximation error effects of the neural network and ensure the system is robust. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed controller can successfully quash chaotic oscillation in a PMSM and allow speeds to follow the desired trajectory despite the existence of uncertainties.
Integrated technology fractional order proportional-integral-derivative design
Authors: Caponetto Riccardo , Dongola Giovanni , Maione Guido , Pisano A
Published: July 2013

In this paper an integrated circuit (IC) design of the fractional order proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is proposed. The development of the IC device is realized in Cadence environment, using the switched capacitors (SC) technology in order to reduce the area on the silicon wafer and to improve the electrical controllability. In order to obtain transfer functions that describe the fractional order of the differ-integral operator it is necessary to use interpolation methods, in particular, the choice in this work has fallen on the Oustaloup interpolation. This procedure is aimed at implementing a series of pole-zero blocks that approximate the non-integer order. The realized approach is able to guarantee a good approximation of the fractional order PID and simultaneously propose a detailed circuit analysis of the influence of the non-idealities, in particular the phenomenon of warping. This takes into account the distortion introduced by the s-domain to the z-domain transition, acting on the positions of poles and zeros, especially those at a higher frequency. Time and frequency domain result tests confirm the feasibility and reliability of the SC implementation.
Exact construction of beams with a finite number of given natural frequencies
Authors: Morassi Antonino
Published: July 2013

In this paper an analytical, exact procedure for the reconstruction of simply supported bending vibrating beams having given values of the first N natural frequencies is presented. The results hold for beams in which the product between the bending stiffness and the linear mass density is constant. The analysis is based on the fact that this class of beams is spectrally equivalent to a family of strings fixed at the ends, and uses recent results on the exact construction of second-order Sturm–Liouville operators with prescribed natural frequencies. The analysis can be adapted to beams with pinned–sliding and sliding–sliding ends.