bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clopidogrel Use Is Associated With an Increased Prevalence of Cerebral Microbleeds in a Stroke‐Free Population: The Rotterdam Study
Authors: Darweesh Sirwan K.L. , Leening Maarten J.G. , Akoudad Saloua , Loth Daan W. , Hofman Albert , Arfan Ikram M. , Vernooij Meike W. , Stricker Bruno H.
Published: September 2013

Background

Although clopidogrel reduces the incidence of atherothrombotic events, its use is associated with an increased risk of major bleeding. Cerebral microbleeds (
CMB
s) are indicative of subclinical microangiopathy in the brain and may prelude symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. We examined the association between use of clopidogrel and
CMB
s in persons without a history of stroke.

Methods and Results

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis using data from the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population‐based cohort of persons aged 45 years and older. Among 4408 stroke‐free individuals who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of
CMB
s, we identified 121 ever‐users and 4287 never‐users of clopidogrel before magnetic resonance imaging. We used multiple logistic regression to analyze the association between clopidogrel and
CMB
s with adjustment for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, and common cardiovascular medication. Users of clopidogrel had a higher prevalence of
CMB
s (odd ratio 1.55,
95% CI
1.01 to 2.37) than nonusers and more often had a high number (>4) of
CMB
s (odds ratio 3.19, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.72). Clopidogrel use was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of deep or infratentorial
CMB
s (odd ratio 1.90, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.45). Among clopidogrel users, we were unable to demonstrate differences in the prevalence of
CMB
s by indication of prescription, history of coronary heart disease, or common genetic variants in

CYP
2C19

.

Conclusions

In stroke‐free individuals, clopidogrel use was associated with a higher prevalence and higher number of
CMB
s. Whether this association is causal requires confirmation in prospective studies, especially given the small number of participants taking clopidogrel and the possibility of residual confounding in this study.
Nox2-Derived Superoxide Contributes to Cerebral Vascular Dysfunction in Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Lynch Cynthia M. , Kinzenbaw Dale A. , Chen Xunxheng , Zhan Shanshan , Mezzetti Erin , Filosa Jessica , Ergul Adviye , Faulkner Jessica L. , Faraci Frank M. , Didion Sean P.
Published: September 2013

Background and Purpose—

Obesity is an increasing epidemic worldwide; however, little is known about effects of obesity produced by high-fat diet (HFD) on the cerebral circulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the functional and temporal effects of a HFD on carotid and cerebral vascular function and to identify mechanisms that contribute to such functional alterations.

Methods—

Responses of cerebral arterioles (in vivo) and carotid arteries (in vitro) were examined in C57Bl/6 (wild-type) and Nox2-deficient (
Nox2
−/−
) mice fed a control (10%) or a HFD (45% or 60% kcal of fat) for 8, 12, 30, or 36 weeks.

Results—

In wild-type mice, a HFD produced obesity and endothelial dysfunction by 12 and 36 weeks in cerebral arterioles and carotid arteries, respectively. Endothelial function could be significantly improved with Tempol (a superoxide scavenger) treatment in wild-type mice fed a HFD. Despite producing a similar degree of obesity in both wild-type and
Nox2
−/−
mice, endothelial dysfunction was observed only in wild-type, but not in
Nox2
−/−
, mice fed a HFD.

Conclusions—

Endothelial dysfunction produced by a HFD occurs in a temporal manner and appears much earlier in cerebral arterioles than in carotid arteries. Genetic studies revealed that Nox2-derived superoxide plays a major role in endothelial dysfunction produced by a HFD. Such functional changes may serve to predispose blood vessels to reduced vasodilator responses and thus may contribute to alterations in cerebral blood flow associated with obesity.
Two Modes of Gulf Stream Variability Revealed in the Last Two Decades of Satellite Altimeter Data
Authors: Pérez-Hernández M. Dolores , Joyce Terrence M.
Published: September 2013

Monthly mapped sea level anomalies (MSLAs) of the NW Atlantic in the region immediately downstream of the Gulf Stream (GS) separation point reveal a leading mode in which the path shifts approximately 100 km meridionally about a nominal latitude of 39°N, producing coherent sea level anomaly (SLA) variability from 72° to 50°W. This mode can be captured by use of a simple 16-point index based on SLA data taken along the maximum of the observed variability in the region 33°–46°N and 45°–75°W. The GS shifts between 2010 and 2012 are the largest of the last decade and equal to the largest of the entire record. The second group of EOF modes of variability describes GS meanders, which propagate mainly westward interrupted by brief periods of eastward or stationary meanders. These meanders have wavelengths of approximately 400 km and can be seen in standard EOFs by spatial phase shifting of a standing meander pattern in the SLA data. The spectral properties of these modes indicate strong variability at interannual and longer periods for the first mode and periods of a few to several months for the meanders. While the former is quite similar to a previous use of the altimeter for GS path, the simple index is a useful measure of the large-scale shifts in the GS path that is quickly estimated and updated without changes in previous estimates. The time-scale separation allows a low-pass filtered 16-point index to be reflective of large-scale, coherent shifts in the GS path.
Numerical Simulations of Island-Induced Circulations and Windward Katabatic Flow over the Guadeloupe Archipelago
Authors: Cécé Raphaël , Bernard Didier , d’Alexis Christophe , Dorville Jean-François
Published: September 2013

This article deals with the first high-resolution numerical modeling of the weather over the small and high islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago. Its main goal is to analyze the mechanisms that drive local-scale airflow circulations over this archipelago, using the 1-km Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). Three meteorological situations corresponding to weak trade winds (WTW), medium trade winds (MTW), and strong trade winds (STW) have been selected and are linked with local Froude number values of 0.21, 0.41, and 0.82, respectively. For these three weather types, simulated typical meteorological variables present a good agreement with observational data at several locations. The 48-h simulations allow the completion of the previous coarse observational descriptions that did not include a map of the wind, skin temperature, cloud cover, and sensible heat flux for the whole archipelago. The expected local wind regime areas (windward, inland, and leeward) are retrieved in the model outputs, including the predominance of thermal and orographic effects over Grande-Terre Island and Basse-Terre Island, respectively. Under STW, the convection is inhibited and the local circulations are driven by the orography. In the case of WTW, the model simulates well a katabatic wind, inducing cold nocturnal reversed flow on the windward coast of Basse-Terre. This circulation, opposing the trade winds, extends to the sea and Grande-Terre Island. This flow has a maximum wind speed of 4.7 m s−1. This particular flow occurring in the most densely populated area produces an important nocturnal pollution period due to industrial sources (the diesel power plants of the archipelago).
Microscale damage mechanisms and degradation of fiber-reinforced composites for wind energy applications: results of Danish–Chinese collaborative investigations
Authors: Mishnaevsky L , Zhou HW , Yi HY , Peng RD , Wang HW , Dai GM , Gui LL , Zhang X
Published: September 2013

Recent research works in the area of experimental and computational analyses of microscale mechanisms of strength, damage and degradation of glass fiber polymer composites for wind energy applications, which were carried out in the framework of a series of Sino–Danish collaborative research projects, are summarized in this article. In a series of scanning electron microscopy in situ experimental studies of composite degradation under off-axis tensile, compressive and cyclic loadings as well as three-dimensional computational experiments based on micromechanics of composites and damage mechanics, typical damage mechanisms of wind turbine blade composites were clarified. It was demonstrated that the damage mechanisms in the composites strongly depend on the orientation angle of the applied loading with the fiber direction. The matrix cracking was observed to be the main damage mechanism for tensile axial (or slightly off-axis axial) loading; for all other cases (off-axis tensile, compressive and cyclic tensile loadings), the interface debonding and shear control the damage mechanisms.
Evaluation of a new side-stream, low dead space, end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring system in rats
Authors: Beck Christopher , Barthel Franziska , Hahn Anna-Maria , Vollmer Christian , Bauer Inge , Picker Olaf
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate a newly developed infrared side-stream capnograph with minimal sample volume for the continuous measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in small rodents. Thirty-four male Wistar rats (weight 345 ± 70 g) were treated in accordance with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for animal care. All experiments were performed with approval of the local animal care and use committee. Sepsis was induced by implanting an 18 gauge stent into the colon 24 h prior to the experiments, allowing a constant fecal leakage into the peritoneal cavity (25 septic and nine control animals). Hemodynamic variables and end-tidal CO2 were recorded continuously and arterial blood (5 × 120 µL) was sampled periodically for arterial blood gas analysis. After baseline controlled mechanical ventilation was randomized and titrated to either normocapnia (35–45 mmHg) or hypercapnia (65–75 mmHg) with exogenous application of CO2. A total of 155 paired CO2 measurements comparing end-tidal and arterial partial pressure were conducted. Side-stream capnography underestimated the CO2 partial pressure with a bias of −6.1 mmHg and a 95% limit of agreement from 6.7 to –19.1 mmHg. Our results suggest that side-stream end-tidal CO2 monitoring with a low dead space could be utilized in rats as a surrogate for the arterial CO2 measurement over a wide range of partial pressures in normal and septic animals.
Comparative assessment of effectiveness of ketoprofen and ketoprofen/beta-cyclodextrin complex in two experimental models of inflammation in rats
Authors: Grecu Mariana , Năstasă Valentin , Ilie Cornelia , Miron Liviu , Mareş Mihai
Published: September 2013

Oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal distress. The complexation of different groups of active substances with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has drawn considerable interest over recent years. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ketoprofen/β-cyclodextrin (K/β-CD) conjugate complex as well as to assess its anti-inflammatory effect after oral administration (doses of 30 mg/m2 and 15 mg/m2 of body surface), compared with ketoprofen. The studies were done on two models of experimentally-induced acute inflammation in rats ( n = 48, 6/group), by means of intraplantar administration of a 10% aqueous kaolin suspension and intraperitoneal administration of a 1% sodium thioglycolate solution. The dynamics of the acute inflammatory process and the anti-inflammatory effects were monitored using plethysmometric determinations after 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h (plantar inflammation), and the absorbance of the exudates (spectrophotometrically read) and nucleated cell counts after 24 h (peritoneal inflammation). The coupling of ketoprofen with β-CD resulted in increased solubility (100% in 60 min) of the newly-formed product, which further resulted in a higher bioavailability compared with ketoprofen (<40% in 120 min). In both models of experimentally-induced inflammation, the K/β-CD complex had a higher anti-inflammatory activity than ketoprofen.
Integrating Discourse, Construction and Objectivity: A Contemporary Realist Approach
Authors: Lau Raymond WK , Morgan Jamie
Published: September 2013

In recent developments in the realism-constructionism debate, attempts have been made by individual scholars on both sides to assimilate the other side’s insights into one’s own position. With respect to epistemology, such attempts have so far failed. Situated in this context, this article proposes a general approach in which valid insights from constructionism, discourse theory, and pragmatist critique of realism are integrated into realist epistemology. Discourses are distinguished along two dimensions; interrelating these two dimensions, the interplay between epistemic and extra-discursive factors along them in discursive contention are analyzed under different categories of situations across the entire discursive spectrum. The balance between the determinative effects of epistemic and extra-discursive factors varies from one type of situation to another. Our approach enables the retention of the critical edge of skepticism, shows realist epistemology to be useful in sociological research in ways previously unrealized, and provides heuristic guidelines for conducting sociological research.
Flocking control for multi-agent systems with stream-based obstacle avoidance
Authors: Wang Qiang , Chen Jie , Fang Hao , Ma Qian
Published: September 2013

The problems of flocking with both connectivity maintenance and obstacle avoidance for the network of dynamic agents are addressed. In the case where the initial network is connected, a decentralized flocking control protocol is proposed to enable the group to asymptotically achieve the desired stable flocking motion using artificial potential functions combined with stream functions, which could not only maintain the network connectivity of the dynamic multi-agent systems for all time but also make all the agents avoid obstacles smoothly without trapping into local minima. Finally, nontrivial simulations and experiments are worked out to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical methods.
The Key Ingredients of Personality Traits
Authors: Yang Yu , Read Stephen J. , Denson Thomas F. , Xu Yiyuan , Zhang Jin , Pedersen William C.
Published: September 2013

The trait and social cognitive perspectives are considered disparate approaches to understanding personality. We suggest an integrative view in which three elements derived from the social cognitive perspective (i.e., situations, behaviors, and explanations [SBEs]) form the basis of personality traits. Study 1 demonstrated strong associations between traits and SBEs across the Big Five dimensions. Studies 2 through 7 tested the discriminative validity, internal structure, and unique contributions of the individual components of SBEs. Studies 8 and 9 demonstrated that the strong associations between traits and SBEs generalize to different cultures. The present work suggests that SBEs may be a universal folk psychological mechanism underlying personality traits.
Malnutrition at Diagnosis Predicts Mortality in Patients With Systemic Immunoglobulin Light‐Chain Amyloidosis Independently of Cardiac Stage and Response to Treatment
Authors: Caccialanza Riccardo , Palladini Giovanni , Klersy Catherine , Cereda Emanuele , Bonardi Chiara , Cameletti Barbara , Quarleri Lara , Montagna Elisabetta , Foli Andrea , Milani Paolo , Lavatelli Francesca , Marena Carlo , Merlini Giampaolo
Published: September 2013

Background: Nutrition status was shown to be a prognostic factor in patients with immunoglobulin light‐chain amyloidosis (AL). However, malnutrition was associated with cardiac involvement, thus suggesting potential interactions. This study aim was to clarify the association among nutrition status, cardiac stage, and mortality in AL. Methods: One hundred twenty‐eight consecutive newly diagnosed, treatment‐naïve patients with histologically confirmed AL were enrolled. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical variables were assessed. Results: At multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, body mass index (BMI) < 22 kg/m2 (HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.09–3.56) and unintentional 6‐month weight loss (WL) ≥ 10% (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.00–3.74) resulted in independent predictors of survival after controlling for hematologic response to treatment (HR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.14–0.53) and cardiac stage (Mayo Clinic stage III, HR = 4.42, 95% CI = 2.61–7.51). There was no effect modification of malnutrition on mortality by cardiac stage (P for interaction = .27). Moderate and severe malnutrition (prevalence: 21.9% and 7.8%, respectively) similarly increased the risk of death (HR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.75–5.46; 2.88, 95% CI = 1.23–6.72, respectively). Conclusions: In AL, malnutrition at diagnosis is a frequent comorbidity that affects the prognosis independently of hematologic response to treatment and cardiac stage. Nutrition status should be systematically considered in future intervention trials in AL. Nutrition support trials are warranted.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Bloodstream Infections in a Home Parenteral Nutrition Program
Authors: Elfassy Sam , Kassam Zain , Amin Faizan , Khan Khurram J. , Haider Shariq , Armstrong David
Published: September 2013

Background: An increasing number of patients with intestinal failure are receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Associated complications include bloodstream infections (BSIs), but data on rates and risk factors for HPN‐related BSIs are scarce. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients enrolled in the regional HPN program between 2001 and 2008. Demographic information and data on indication for HPN, duration of PN therapy, type and date of insertion of central venous access device, and blood culture results were recorded. Results: In total, 155 patients (165 courses of HPN) were included for a total of 45,876 catheter days. The mean patient age was 49 years, and 105 (64%) patients were female. A total of 105 organisms were cultured from 93 distinct episodes of BSIs. The rate of BSI was found to be 2.0 per 1000 catheter days, but excluding BSIs with a single positive culture of coagulase‐negative staphylococcus and diphtheroid bacilli, the rate of infection was 1.4 per 1000 catheter days. Male sex and underlying malignancy were significant predictors of BSI, with hazard ratios of 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.60; P = .009) and 2.38 (95% CI, 1.53–3.50; P < .001). Conclusion: In a large heterogeneous group of HPN patients, the BSI rate ranged between 1.4 and 2.0 infections per 1000 catheter days. Isolated organisms were similar to those found in hospitalized patients. Male sex and underlying malignancy were significant risk factors for BSI. These high‐risk patients are likely to benefit from interventions aimed at reducing BSIs.
Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy for chronic venous leg ulcers
Authors: Williamsson Caroline , Danielsson Peter , Smith Lennart
Published: September 2013

Objectives

This study presents the results of catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (CDS) for chronic venous ulcer refractory to compression treatment, four weeks and one year after treatment.

Methods

In sum, 31 patients (32 limbs) with refractory chronic venous ulcer and duplex-verified superficial insufficiency were offered CDS. CDS was conducted with 10 ml of sclerosant foam of 3% polidocanol. Four weeks and one year after treatment, the patients were evaluated regarding ulcer healing and ultrasound appearance of the saphenous trunk.

Results

CDS was successfully performed in all patients. After one year, 65% of the ulcers were healed. Only two (6%) recurred. 86% of the treated saphenous trunk were completely occluded, 3% was partly occluded and 10% were recanalised. No serious side effects occurred.

Conclusions

CDS is one alternative of eliminating superficial venous reflux when treating refractory venous leg ulcers. This study suggests that the treatment is safe and induce a quick ulcer healing.
Sustaining the peace after ethnic civil wars
Authors: Gurses Mehmet , Rost Nicolas
Published: September 2013

We explore factors that influence the duration of peace after an ethnic civil war. Results from a series of survival models indicate that political and economic discrimination against the ethnic group that was involved in the war on the opposition side diminishes chances for peace. This finding is robust across different model specifications. Group size, group concentration, war duration and war outcome also influence the risk of war recurrence, although these results are not as robust as those for ethnic discrimination. The intensity of the war and its humanitarian consequences—deaths, displacement, and genocide—do not seem significantly to influence the duration of post-war peace. Taken together, our findings show that the way ethnic groups interact with each other after a war is a more important factor than the level of violence during the war. Peace and ethnic co-existence are possible in the aftermath of ethnic conflicts.
Neurologic Complications of Influenza
Authors: Shah Snehal , Keil Anthony , Gara Kieren , Nagarajan Lakshmi
Published: September 2013

We report on a child with Mild Encephalopathy with Reversible Splenial Lesion (MERS) associated with influenza infection and present a case series of neurological complications associated with influenza infections in children who presented to a tertiary children's hospital in Australia over a period of one year.
Lacunar Stroke in a Teenager After Minor Head Trauma
Authors: Zwank Michael D. , Dummer Benjamin W. , Danielson Levi T. , Haake Bret C.
Published: September 2013

Ischemic strokes in children and young adults are fortunately rare. Contrasted with adult ischemic strokes, pediatric stroke etiologies vary greatly and are often unknown. Childhood lacunar strokes and trauma-induced strokes represent particularly uncommon subsets and have been reported infrequently in the literature. It is unique to find a combination of the 2—a lacunar stroke induced by trauma. Underreporting of these trauma-induced ischemic strokes could be responsible for perpetuating the lack of recognition. Here we present a lacunar stroke in a young woman associated with a water sport accident and explore relevant literature encircling deep brain ischemia coinciding with trauma.
Successful Companies Compensate With Shares
Authors: Anderson Danyle , Gohm Bettina , Rapp Larissa , Filbert Dirk
Published: September 2013

The global financial crisis has put good corporate governance practices on the radar screen of investors, politicians, and the general public. To comply with corporate governance, executive compensation in general—and long-term incentives in particular—have become increasingly important for companies. Also, calls for more sustainable company performance have emerged all around the world, and politicians have put numerous reforms on the agenda. Some of these reforms especially emphasize the role of long-term incentives for sustainable business development. By doing so, an effective tool to foster a company’s long-term growth practices can be implemented. The article sheds light on global market practice of equity-based compensation, based on the GEO Global Equity Insights 2013 study—conducted by the Global Equity Organization, together with the global blue-chip company, Siemens, and Hostettler, Kramarsch & Partner, an international consulting firm with focus on performance management and compensation. The study identifies current market practice in 133 companies, including a number of the largest global corporations, across 13 countries and 10 industries.
How Can Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital Benefit the Understanding of Advocacy NGOs? Theoretical Framework and Empirical Illustration
Authors: Greenspan Itay
Published: September 2013

This article offers a Bourdieu-inspired organizational analysis of advocacy nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Pierre Bourdieu’s writings provide valuable propositions for understanding nonprofit advocacy resources that go beyond commonly analyzed economic, human, or social resources. The article describes the relational, accumulative, and transferable nature of Bourdieu’s forms of capital, and connects them to advocacy NGOs. By examining the forms of capital at the disposal of advocacy NGOs involved in the conflict between the State of Israel and the Negev Bedouin, the article empirically illustrates the applicability of Bourdieu’s ideas for the analysis of advocacy resources. The questions addressed are “How are NGOs using the various forms of capital to influence public perceptions and access decision-making forums?” and “What are the implications for nonprofit advocacy research?” Bourdieu’s theory could help nonprofit scholars better understand the prospect and limits of nonprofit advocacy within policy fields.
Engagement Motivations in Professional Associations
Authors: Hager Mark A.
Published: September 2013

This article follows Knoke in exploring how public incentives offered by professional associations (such as lobbying on behalf of collective interests) compete with private incentives (such as member networking opportunity) in promoting monetary gifts, voluntary coproduction of organizational outcomes, and commitment to the association. Olson’s contention that public goods do not motivate civic engagement has fostered several decades of research geared toward establishing the role of such goods in associational outcomes. Based on membership surveys of three engineering associations and two health care associations, the study concludes that private incentives are not universal motivators, while public incentives show some evidence of motivating engagement. Unexpected differences between the two fields of professional association are striking, prompting suggestions that current practitioners and future research give attention to field differences and resist overgeneralization regarding engagement motivations, outcomes, and commitment across professional fields.
New corporate elites and the erosion of the Keynesian social compact
Authors: Daguerre Anne
Published: September 2013

The role of corporate elites – notably financial elites – has been at the forefront of political debates in Western capitalist societies since the start of the Great Recession in 2008. The major structural unbalances that had accumulated in Anglo-American economies over the last quarter of the 20th century played a key role in the build up to the financial crisis. Taking advantage of the mobility of capital, business elites promoted a model of shareholder capitalism actively backed up by the state. A process of elite competition took place: financial intermediaries acting on behalf of institutional investors marginalized the alliance between traditional managerial elites and workers that had been at the heart of the Keynesian compromise. This contribution outlines the consequences of the unravelling of the 20th century social pact for workers and their families. It concludes by outlining ‘what is to be done’ to forge a 21st century social pact.
Experimental study of convective heat transfer at the surface of a rail due to train passage
Authors: Wang Mian , Zhang Yong-Heng , Bai Jun , Wang Liang-Bi
Published: September 2013

Frictional heat is generated when a train wheels pass over the rail. In addition heat is also generated by the use of an eddy current brake system. This generated heat causes a variation in the temperature of a rail’s surface; it accelerates the formation of both rolling contact fatigue and wear on the wheel/rail contact surface; and threatens the running safety of railway vehicles. The convective heat transfer characteristics on the surface of a rail when the train passes over it are very important in determining the temperature change of the rail. This paper reports experimental results of the convective heat transfer characteristics on a rail’s surface when a rolling wheel passes over the rail. A test model was created based on the configuration commonly used in a two-bogie car. The local and average heat transfer coefficients of the test section of the rail were obtained. The heat transfer results were extended to the real case using an analogy between the frequencies of the test wheel and train wheels. The results show that when the speed is less than 182 km/h, the intensity of convection heat transfer on the rail’s surface increases with an increase in the speed of the train, however, it decreases significantly when the speed is larger than 182 km/h.
Do Human Rights Transcend Citizenship? Lessons from the Buduburam Refugee Camp
Authors: Sagy Tehila
Published: September 2013

This article describes the practices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) relating to the protection of refugees’ rights to physical security and access to justice as observed by the author in the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana (2005–2007). It argues that UNHCR worked to ‘privatize’ these rights. The article suggests that the failure of UNHCR to administer criminal law in the camp is a breach of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, since no political authority assumes the duty to protect refugees’ rights to physical security and access to justice, according to standard conceptions of ‘human right’, refugees have no human rights to physical security and access to justice. The article concludes that ‘human rights’ are not universal and that those who are excluded from the human rights framework are the same persons who were excluded from the citizenship rights framework.
To be Truly Alive
Authors: Cloyes Kristin G. , Rosenkranz Susan J. , Wold Dawn , Berry Patricia H. , Supiano Katherine P.
Published: September 2013

Some US prisons are meeting the growing need for end-of-life care through inmate volunteer programs, yet knowledge of the motivations of inmate caregivers is underdeveloped. This study explored the motivations of inmate hospice volunteers from across Louisiana State (n = 75) through an open-ended survey, a grounded theory approach to analysis, and comparison of responses by experience level and gender. Participants expressed complex motivations; Inter-related themes on personal growth, social responsibility and ethical service to vulnerable peers suggested that inmate caregivers experience an underlying process of personal and social transformation, from hospice as a source of positive self-identity to peer-caregiving as a foundation for community. Better understanding of inmate caregiver motivations and processes will help prisons devise effective and sustainable end of life peer-care programs.
Barriers to Accessing Services for Young Children
Authors: Williams Marian E. , Perrigo Judith L. , Banda Tanya Y. , Matic Tamara , Goldfarb Fran D.
Published: September 2013

This study investigates barriers to accessing services for children under age 3 presenting with language delays and behavioral difficulties, including language barriers for Spanish-speaking families. Using a telephone script, researchers called 30 agencies in Los Angeles County, including regional centers (the state network of Part C agencies for children with developmental disabilities), mental health centers, and schools, requesting services for a 2-year-old child. Outcomes of calls were compared by agency and by language of call (Spanish or English). Regional center calls resulted in an appointment 90% of the time, whereas schools and mental health centers were significantly less likely to link callers with services. Calls in Spanish revealed language access barriers, with fewer than half of Spanish-speaking callers to schools and mental health agencies obtaining an appointment. The study indicated barriers including basic access (e.g., reaching a live person; response in the home language), and obtaining appropriate appointment or referral.
Where We Go From Here
Authors: Gieseking Jack Jen
Published: September 2013

The mental mapping method affords a lens into the way people produce and experience space, forms of spatial intelligence, and dynamics of human–environment relations. Mental mapping is the representation of an individual or group’s cognitive map, hand sketched and/or computer-assisted, in drafting and labeling a map or adding to and labeling an already existing map. Despite its long-term, rich, and multifaceted use across the social sciences, I found that the method’s development has been uneven and its analytics ad hoc and piecemeal. Drawing on 32 mental sketch maps and the interviews during which they were drafted, this article provides an extensive review of the method, and details a total of 57 analytic components and techniques drawn from the literature and my own work in this study. I address these analytics from a critical geographic perspective in four categories to follow trends the data reveal. In my discussion, I offer some future guidelines for research with mental sketch mapping (MSM) to continue to extend the method while growing from the body of knowledge already produced. This article contributes a deeper understanding of how the mental maps can inform qualitative studies of people, place, and space across the social sciences.
Effect of barley flour on rheological characteristics of dough, organoleptic, nutritional and storage characteristics of south Indian parotta
Authors: Maiya G Koushika , Shwetha BG , Indrani D
Published: September 2013

Barley ( Hordeum sativum) is a good source of dietary fibre, particularly β-glucan. Effect of 10, 20, 30 and 40% barley flour on the rheological characteristics of dough and quality characteristics of south Indian parotta was studied. Use of increasing amount of barley flour from 0 to 40% increased farinograph water absorption and decreased stability, increased extensograph resistance to extension and decreased extensibility, decreased amylograph set back and increased peak viscosity values. Sensory analysis showed that use of barley flour above 30% brought about adverse effect on the quality of parotta. Addition of combination of 2% dry gluten powder and 0.001% xylanase enzyme, XY (combination of improvers) decreased elasticity, increased extensibility of the dough and quality of parotta with 30% BF. During 48 h of storage, parottas with 30% barley flour remained softer than control parotta. The total dietary fibre and β-glucan contents of parotta with 30% BF were 2.0 and 10.5 times higher than the control parotta.
Food Enthusiasts and Tourism
Authors: Robinson Richard N. S. , Getz Donald
Published: September 2013

Involvement is a much theorized construct in the consumer behavior literature, yet extant food involvement scales have not been developed for leisure- or tourism-based contexts. Adopting a phenomenological approach, this article reports a study with two primary aims: to develop a customized food involvement scale and to administer the instrument to a sample of self-declared “food enthusiasts” with analysis focusing on identifying the underlying constructs of food involvement. An exploratory factor analysis finds four dimensions of food involvement: Food-Related Identity, Food Quality, Social Bonding, and Food Consciousness. The four dimensions are validated by discriminant analysis between the food enthusiast sample and a general population sample and logistic regression reveals that identity is the most powerful predictor of being a food enthusiast. We demonstrate the utility of the four factors by operationalizing them as variables in tests of difference vis-à-vis demographic variables and conclude the study by summarizing the theoretical and tourism destination implications. This research addresses a need for theory-driven knowledge to inform the burgeoning special interest tourism of food tourism.
The relation of parent–child interaction qualities to social skills in children with and without autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Haven Erin L , Manangan Christen N , Sparrow Joanne K , Wilson Beverly J
Published: September 2013

This study examined associations between parent–child interactions and the development of social skills in 42 children (21 typically developing and 21 with autism spectrum disorders) between the ages of 3 years, 0 months and 6 years, 11 months. We expected that positive parent–child interaction qualities would be related to children’s social skills and would mediate the negative relation between children’s developmental status (typical development vs autism spectrum disorders) and social skills. Videotapes of parents and children during a 5-min wordless book task were coded for parent positive affect and emotional support as well as parent–child cohesiveness. Emotional support and cohesiveness were significantly related to children’s social skills, such that higher emotional support and cohesiveness were associated with higher social skills, R2 = .29, p = .02, and R2 = .38, p = .002, respectively. Additionally, cohesiveness mediated the relation between children’s developmental status and social skills. These findings suggest that parent emotional support and cohesiveness between parents and children positively influence children’s social skills. Parent positive affect was unrelated to social skills. Implications of these findings for social skills interventions are discussed, particularly for young children with autism spectrum disorders.
Osteomyelitis of the hand
Authors: Gill Parneet , Lambah Alex
Published: September 2013

Osteomyelitis of the hand is uncommon. We report five (three women and two men) cases of delayed presentation of osteomyelitis. Two developed from septic arthritis, one followed a nailbed injury, one resulted from a chronic paronychia and one occurred spontaneously, and all cases presented to our department at least three weeks after the initial insult following treatment in Accident and Emergency or minor injuries department with antibiotics. Four patients underwent surgical exploration and debridement, with samples taken for bone culture which yielded Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus miribilis and mixed anaerobes; one case was diagnosed clinically and radiologically and managed conservatively. Osteomyelitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with persistent undiagnosed hand symptoms. Delayed diagnosis can lead to destruction of bony architecture with associated morbidity. Clinical outcome may be improved by early diagnosis, adequate surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Vlogging about school on YouTube: An exploratory study
Authors: Snelson Chareen
Published: September 2013

An exploratory mixed-methods study involving a combination of online ethnography and descriptive statistics was conducted to investigate school-related vlogging. Five areas were emphasized: (1) characteristics of school-related vlogs, vloggers, and viewers; (2) vlog context (where recording occurred); (3) vlog content (what was said and shown); (4) vlogger culture (patterns of speech or practice); and (5) motivations for vlogging about school. A purposive sample of 120 personal video blogs (vlogs) was collected through a systematic process on YouTube during a three-month period. Results of the study revealed that vloggers were young, recorded in multiple settings including classrooms, showed and described their school experiences, shared a vocabulary for interacting with an audience, and vlogged for a variety of reasons including the desire to alleviate boredom, for fun, because friends were doing it, to build confidence or improve their speaking skills, document their experiences, share information, or to connect with others.
Toward a Conceptualization of Mixed Methods Phenomenological Research
Authors: Mayoh Joanne , Onwuegbuzie Anthony J.
Published: September 2013

Increasingly, researchers are recognizing the benefits of expanding research designs that are rooted in one tradition (i.e., monomethod design) into a design that incorporates or interfaces with the other tradition. The flexibility of phenomenologically driven methods provides one such example. Indeed, phenomenological research methods work extremely well as a component of mixed methods research approaches. However, to date, a mixed methods version of phenomenological research has not been formally conceptualized. Thus, the purpose of this article is twofold. First, we provide a philosophical justification for using what we call mixed methods phenomenological research (MMPR). Second, we provide examples of MMPR in practice to underline a number of potential models for MMPR that can practically be used in future research.
Modeling and simulating a microelectromechanical system microsupercapacitor
Authors: Lu Wushuang , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Xiangyu , Yin Yajiang , You Zheng
Published: September 2013

A mathematical model for double-layer and faradaic processes in microsupercapacitor using finite element analysis is presented here. Different from previous work, the mathematical model here can be applied to an asymmetric geometrical model, other than traditional layer-to-layer structure. COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2 software is used to solve the system of partial differential equations, in order to simulate the electrochemical reactions in the electrodes of the microsupercapacitor dynamically. A microsupercapacitor was designed and fabricated according to the geometrical model, and charge/discharge curves were obtained by the galvanostatic charge/discharge test. The potential curves show good agreement with the simulation results and display the typical behavior of a steady voltage rise and subsequently a steady voltage drop during a cycle of charge and discharge. Besides, the H+ ion concentration profile development during charge and discharge can also be obtained through the simulation. Thus, the mode in this work can play a significant role in studying the detailed electrochemical process and predicting the performance of the supercapacitor.
Bone and soft tissue tumours
Authors: Varrall Ruth , Welch Ellen
Published: September 2013

Sarcomas are rare tumours of the connective tissues that account for less than 1% of all malignant tumours. Differentiating benign from possible malignant lesions is challenging and this uncertainty can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment. This article focuses on improving primary care awareness of the key clinical features of sarcoma and discusses which cases should be appropriately referred under the 2-week rule.
Stupid Doctors and Smart Construction Workers
Authors: Wang Cynthia S. , Ku Gillian , Tai Kenneth , Galinsky Adam D.
Published: September 2013

Numerous studies have found that perspective-taking reduces stereotyping and prejudice, but they have only involved negative stereotypes. Because target negativity has been empirically confounded with reduced stereotyping, the general effects of perspective-taking on stereotyping and prejudice are unclear. By including both positively and negatively stereotyped targets, this research offers the first empirical test of two competing hypotheses: The positivity hypothesis predicts that perspective-taking produces a positivity bias, with less stereotyping of negative targets but more stereotyping of positive targets. In contrast, the stereotype-reduction hypothesis predicts that perspective-taking reduces stereotyping, regardless of target valence. Three studies support the stereotype-reduction hypothesis. Perspective-taking also produced less positive attitudes toward positive targets, with reduced stereotyping mediating this effect. A final study demonstrated that perspective-taking reduced all stereotyping because it increased self–other overlap. These findings help answer fundamental questions about perspective-taking’s effects and processes, and provide evidence that perspective-taking does not improve attitudes invariantly.
The Allure of Sexism
Authors: Hammond Matthew D. , Sibley Chris G. , Overall Nickola C.
Published: September 2013

Benevolent sexism functions to uphold gender inequality by expressing caring and reverent attitudes exclusively toward women. Do these subjective benefits lure women to endorse benevolent sexism? We tested this by examining whether women’s psychological entitlement was associated with concurrent levels of benevolent sexism and longitudinal changes in benevolent sexism over 1 year in a national panel sample ( N = 4421 New Zealanders). As predicted, latent variable interaction analyses indicated that women higher in psychological entitlement more strongly endorsed benevolent sexism and increasingly endorsed benevolent sexism over the year. Men’s psychological entitlement was more weakly associated with benevolent sexism concurrently and unrelated to changes in benevolent sexism across time. These findings provide the first evidence that the benefits of benevolent sexism are central to women’s adoption and endorsement of sexist attitudes toward their own gender—attitudes which contribute more broadly to the maintenance of gender inequality.
Measurement of FEF25–75%and FEF75%does not contribute to clinical decision making
Authors: Quanjer Philip H. , Weiner Daniel J. , Pretto Jeffrey J. , Brazzale Danny J. , Boros Piotr W.
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the added value of measuring the forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of forced vital capacity (FVC) (FEF25–75%) and flow when 75% of FVC has been exhaled (FEF75%) over and above the measurement of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio.

We used spirometric measurements of FEV1, FVC and FEF25–75%from 11 654 white males and 11 113 white females, aged 3–94 years, routinely tested in the pulmonary function laboratories of four tertiary hospitals. FEF75%was available in 8254 males and 7407 females. Predicted values and lower limits of normal, defined as the fifth percentile, were calculated for FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF25–75%and FEF75%using prediction equations from the Global Lung Function Initiative.

There was very little discordance in classifying test results. FEF25–75%and FEF75%were below the normal range in only 2.75% and 1.29% of cases, respectively, whereas FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio were within normal limits. Airways obstruction went undetected by FEF25–75%in 2.9% of cases and by FEF75%in 12.3% of cases.

Maximum mid-expiratory flow and flow towards the end of the forced expiratory manoeuvre do not contribute usefully to clinical decision making over and above information from FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio.