bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subclinical arsenicosis in cattle in arsenic endemic area of West Bengal, India
Authors: Rana Tanmoy , Bera Asit Kumar , Das Subhashree , Bhattacharya Debasis , Pan Diganta , Das Subrata Kumar
Published: August 2012

Arsenic is ubiquitously found metalloid that commonly contaminates drinking water and agricultural food. To minimise the ecotoxicological effect of arsenic in the environment, it is important to ameliorate the deleterious effects on human and animal health. We investigated the effects of arsenic on cattle by estimating arsenic concentration in biological samples of cattle that consumed contaminated drinking water and feedstuffs directly or indirectly. We have selected arsenic prone village that is Ghentugachi, Nadia district, West Bengal, India, along with arsenic safe control village, Akna in Hoogli district, West Bengal, India. It is found that arsenic is deposited highly in blood, urine and faeces. Agricultural field is contaminated through cattle urine, hair, faeces, cow dung cakes and farmyard manure. Bioconcentration factor and biotransfer factor are two important biomarkers to assess the subclinical toxicity in cattle, as they do not exhibit clinical manifestation like human beings.
Protective effect of curcumin on cyclosporin A-induced endothelial dysfunction, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage
Authors: Sagiroglu Tamer , Kanter Mehmet , Yagci Mehmet Ali , Sezer Atakan , Erboga Mustafa
Published: August 2012

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is the most widely used immunosuppressive drug for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune disease. However, the therapeutic treatment induces several side effects such as nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, hypertension, and hepatotoxicity. Curcumin has been successfully used as a potent antioxidant against many pathophysiological states. This experimental study was performed to test, during CsA treatment, the alterations of curcumin antioxidant properties against CsA-induced endothelial dysfunction. Rats were divided into four groups: control, curcumin alone, CsA, and CsA + curcumin; each group containing eight animals. The animals in the CsA + curcumin group were treated with CsA (10 days, 25 mg/kg, orally) and curcumin (15 days, 200 mg/kg, orally, starting 5 days before CsA administration). At the end of the treatments, the animals were killed; serum and aorta tissue were treated for biochemical and morphological analyses. The results indicate that CsA-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction was characterized by morphological and ultrastructural alterations in tissue architecture, changes in malondialdehyde and ferric reducing/antioxidant power levels, and increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) expression. In conclusion, our data suggest that the imbalance between production of free oxygen radicals and antioxidant defence systems, due to CsA administration, is a mechanism responsible for oxidative stress. Moreover, we show that curcumin plays a protective action against CsA-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, as supported by biochemical, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and TUNEL results.
Protective effect of lutein against benzo(a)pyrene-induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes
Authors: VijayaPadma Viswanadha , Ramyaa Periasamy , Pavithra Dhayalan , Krishnasamy Rajashree
Published: August 2012

The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant properties and protective effect of lutein in human erythrocyte against benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P). It is a well-known environmental carcinogen that produces free radicals under normal metabolic circumstances. B(a)P reacts with cellular macromolecules and produces oxidation of protein, lipid and DNA. Lutein is a carotenoid possessing antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present investigation, the protective effect of lutein was assessed in vitro against B(a)P-induced oxidative stress by monitoring antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl content, total sulfhydryl (SH) and nonprotein SH groups and methemoglobin in five groups of erythrocytes that include (i) control group, (ii) vehicle control group, (iii) B(a)P-exposed group, (iv) lutein-exposed group and (v) B(a)P coincubation with lutein group. It was observed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes and SH groups were significantly decreased in B(a)P-treated group when compared with control group. LPO level and protein carbonyl and methemoglobin contents were increased in B(a)P-treated group when compared with control group. The erythrocyte that was coincubated with B(a)P and lutein showed significant increase in the  antioxidant enzyme activities and a significant reduction in the level of LPO, methemoglobin and protein carbonyl contents  when compared with B(a)P-treated group. The results of the present investigation suggest that lutein possess protective effect against B(a)P-induced oxidative stress, possibly by combating oxidative stress by its  free radical scavenging activity.
Effects of tributyltin on metamorphosis and gonadal differentiation of Xenopus laevis at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Shi Huahong , Zhu Pan , Guo Suzhen
Published: August 2012

Tributyltin (TBT), a well known endocrine disruptor, has high teratogenicity to embryos of amphibian ( Xenopus tropicalis). An amphibian metamorphosis assay (AMA) and a complete AMA (CAMA) were conducted for TBT. In AMA, the body weight, the snout-to-vent length and the hind limb length of X. laevis tadpoles were decreased in tributyltin chloride (TBTCl; 12.5–200 ng/L) treatment groups after 7 days exposure. TBT greatly retarded the development of tadpoles, decreased the number of follicle and induced thyroid follicle cell hyperplasia after 19 days exposure. In CAMA, 10 and 100 ng/L TBTCl led to various malformations of gonad, including intersex, segmental aplasia and multiple ovary cavities of X. laevis following exposure from stages 46 to stage 66. The sex ratio was male-biased in TBT treatment groups. These results suggest that TBT delayed the metamorphosis, inhibited the growth of tadpoles and disrupted the gonadal differentiation of X. laevis at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Genotoxic effects of sulfur dioxide in human lymphocytes
Authors: Uren Nihal , Yuksel Sengul , Onal Yunus
Published: August 2012

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), which is used as food preservative in apricot sulfurization and several fabricated foods, is a common air pollutant. The aim of this study was to reveal the possible genotoxic effects of SO2 using in vitro human lymphocytes. The different endpoints of genotoxicity: sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei (MN) tests and cell growth kinetics such as mitotic index (MI) and replication index (RI) were studied. The cells were treated with 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm concentrations of SO2. It was shown that SO2 caused significant increases in the frequency of SCE and MN in the middle and high dosage groups and also induced mitotic delays and decreased MI and RI. In conclusion, the results have confirmed that SO2 has potent mutagenicity and it can cause genetic damage leading to a malignancy.
Fungi species and red flour beetle in stored wheat flour under Jazan region conditions
Authors: Bosly Hanan AbuAlQasem , Kawanna Maha Adel
Published: August 2012

Infection of stored wheat flour with insects and toxic fungi can be an extremely serious problem. This study was conducted to isolate and identify the fungal species and insects in different stages, which infested and contaminated the stored flour under Jazan region conditions and changed its color and flavor. The obtained results revealed that the isolated insect was the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Live adult, larvae and cast skin were isolated. Four Aspergillus species were isolated from stored wheat flour; the isolated species prevalence being A. flavus >  A. niveus >  A. terreus >  A. niger by rate 44.5%, 37.8%, 10.9% and 6.7%, respectively. The same fungal species isolated from flour were also isolated from different insect stages. A. flavus was the most common fungus and A. niger was isolated with a lower rate. The results about the isolated fungi either from the suspension of adult insects, larvae or cast skins may confirm the role of T. castaneum to carry and distribute fungi in different parts of the stored flour.
The Experience of Head and Neck Cancer Patients With a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube at a Canadian Cancer Center
Authors: Osborne Joanna B. , Collin Laura A. , Posluns Elaine C. , Stokes Edith J. , Vandenbussche Katherine A.
Published: August 2012

Background: Many patients with advanced head and neck cancer become unable to obtain sufficient nutrition and hydration orally, leading to considerable weight loss and compromised clinical outcomes. The percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is ideal for this population who require longer term nutrition support due to the effects of cancer treatment. Although clinical experts at the Odette Cancer Centre (OCC) report positive patient feedback with PEG tubes, there is debate in the literature regarding the associated quality of life (QoL). The study objective was to learn about the experience of patients living with a PEG tube. Materials and Methods: A neutral questionnaire with closed‐ and open‐ended questions was developed, tested, and used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine whether the patients’ experiences were positive/neutral or negative. Qualitative data were assessed for common themes, and frequency was counted. Results: Of the 51 participants, 84% felt the PEG tube had a positive/neutral effect on their QoL. Ninety percent felt that the PEG tube was “very much” or “quite a bit” worthwhile. In addition, 96% would recommend it to another patient. The 11 questions reflecting domains of QoL affected by living with a PEG tube were answered positively or neutrally at least 71% of the time. Conclusion: Results indicate that the patient experience with the PEG tube is generally positive or neutral, thus demonstrating a different outcome than recent literature. This study will help improve understanding regarding the experience of living with a PEG tube from the patient perspective.
Police and Public Perceptions of Stalking
Authors: Weller Michelle , Hope Lorraine , Sheridan Lorraine
Published: August 2012

One in every five women will experience stalking in their lifetime. Research suggests the lifetime prevalence rate ranges between 12% and 32% for among women and 4% and 17% among men. The majority of stalking victims have had some form of prior relationship with their stalker. The aim of the current study was to examine whether victim–offender relationship influences police officers’ perception of a stalking event. Police officers ( n = 132) and lay participants ( n = 225) read one of three stalking scenarios where the nature of relationship between the victim and the stalker was manipulated to reflect an ex-intimate, work acquaintance, or stranger relationship. Results revealed that, for both samples, prior victim–offender relationship affected the extent to which the scenario was perceived to involve stalking behavior, with the stranger stalker scenario endorsed as most strongly constituting a case of stalking. Officer experience of stalking cases mitigated some prevalent stereotypical beliefs concerning stalking (e.g., victim responsibility). The findings suggest that further training is necessary to combat common misconceptions surrounding stalking. The importance of understanding how both lay and police responses are influenced by the perceived victim–offender relationship is discussed in relation to the development of public awareness campaigns and police officer training.
Teacher Reporting Attitudes Scale (TRAS)
Authors: Choo Wan Yuen , Walsh Kerryann , Chinna Karuthan , Tey Nai Peng
Published: August 2012

The Teacher Reporting Attitude Scale (TRAS) is a newly developed tool to assess teachers’ attitudes toward reporting child abuse and neglect. This article reports on an investigation of the factor structure and psychometric properties of the short form Malay version of the TRAS. A self-report cross-sectional survey was conducted with 667 teachers in 14 randomly selected schools in Selangor state, Malaysia. Analyses were conducted in a 3-stage process using both confirmatory (stages 1 and 3) and exploratory factor analyses (stage 2) to test, modify, and confirm the underlying factor structure of the TRAS in a non-Western teacher sample. Confirmatory factor analysis did not support a 3-factor model previously reported in the original TRAS study. Exploratory factor analysis revealed an 8-item, 4-factor structure. Further confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated appropriateness of the 4-factor structure. Reliability estimates for the four factors—commitment, value, concern, and confidence—were moderate. The modified short form TRAS (Malay version) has potential to be used as a simple tool for relatively quick assessment of teachers’ attitudes toward reporting child abuse and neglect. Cross-cultural differences in attitudes toward reporting may exist and the transferability of newly developed instruments to other populations should be evaluated.
Financial Crises and the Political Economy of Speculative Bubbles
Authors: Knafo Samuel
Published: August 2012

Finance has traditionally been conceptualized on the basis of what could be labelled a credit model. This model theorizes finance as a functional actor in the process of capitalist accumulation. This structural model has entertained a specific understanding of the contradictions of finance which emphasizes the imbalances in its relation to production. While the rich literature based on this template has generated important insights for understanding capitalist finance, it is debatable whether the credit model is sufficient to account for financial speculation. This article argues that the perception that speculation is essentially based on irrational optimism fails to capture what is important about recent developments of finance. New conceptual foundations are required, in order to develop a political economy of speculation which examines the way in which speculation is socially constructed, how it evolves through history and whether or not it is transforming the nature of capital accumulation.
Effect of internal pressure on hydro bending of double-layered tube
Authors: Hu Lan , Teng Bugang , Yuan Shijian
Published: August 2012

The double-layered tube hydro bending method is proposed to solve the difficulties encountered in manufacturing ultra-thin-walled elbow tubes by traditional bending processes. The effect of internal pressure on the section flattening, the wall thickness distribution, and the bending defects are investigated. The specimen consists of an outer tube made of carbon steel and an inner tube made of stainless steel, with the thickness ratio of outer to inner layers equal to 10. The expression of the yield pressure of the double-layered tube is derived from theoretical analysis. In addition, the mechanism of the wrinkling and stabilizing of the inner tube is clarified with the help of finite element analysis. It is shown that the stability of the inner layer during bending is improved with internal pressure increasing. The wrinkling could be avoided when the internal pressure exceeds 0.2 times the yield pressure. The maximum non-circularities of the inner and outer layers under the yield pressure are only 3.3% and 2.5%, respectively. Besides, the thickness distributions of two layers along the bending line are very similar, the positions of maximum thinning of the outer and inner layers are all located at an angle from the symmetrical section. The wall thickness of two layers decreases with increasing internal pressure. It is proved by the experiments that the double-layered tube hydro bending method is feasible for manufacturing the ultra-thin elbows.
Tooth geometry and bending stress analysis of conjugate meshing face-gear pairs
Authors: Saribay Zihni B
Published: August 2012

The conjugate meshing face-gear pairs are implemented to high shaft angle intersecting axis gears such as the pericyclic transmission system. The meshing face-gear pair tooth surfaces are generated with a mutually conjugate spur shaper. The established tooth geometry and the dimensions of the conjugate face-gear pairs are summarized in this article. Four different example face-gear pairs are generated at various shaft angles and numbers of tooth combinations. Tooth bending stresses of these face-gear pair teeth are investigated based on finite element analysis methods. In these analyses, only single pairs of teeth are investigated. These results are compared to analog the spur gear tooth bending stresses calculated by finite element analysis and standard spur gear stress formulas. Meshing face-gear pair single tooth bending stress levels show approximately 3% to 6% difference from same size spur gear tooth.
Investigating openability of rigid plastic containers with peelable lids: The link between human strength and grip and opening forces
Authors: Canty Laura A , Lewis Roger , Yoxall Alaster
Published: August 2012

As society ages there is a growing need to understand issues surrounding declining user capabilities. One such area has been accessibility of packaging by older people. To date much of the current research in this area has focused on measuring strength of older people and analysing the force needed to open various pack formats and has largely concentrated on accessibility of jam or sauce jars. However, a survey by ‘Yours’ magazine indicated that problems with thin film pack forms and peelable packaging was also an issue for older people. Hence the authors undertook a small-scale study to understand the issues surrounding accessing a rigid plastic container with a peelable lid. To that end the authors built a bespoke measuring device to measure container peeling forces, measured finger friction between pack and finger and undertook an observational analysis on 60 users accessing packaging of this type. Results indicated that the force needed to open containers of this type is lower than measured user forces including older people and it is therefore likely that the issues surrounding accessibility of this type of pack format are related to dexterity not strength. However, the authors also showed that this can be affected by context of use in that oily fingers could reduce the friction coefficient between finger and pack such that older people may not have sufficient strength to open packs of this type.
Inelastic behavior of smart recentering buckling-restrained braced frames with superelastic shape memory alloy bracing systems
Authors: Hu Jong Wan , Choi Dong Ho , Kim Dong Keon
Published: August 2012

Buckling-restrained braced frames are steadily replacing concentrically braced frames because buckling-restrained brace can yield without buckling when subjected to both tension and compression. Though buckling-restrained brace frames are being widely used as framing structures for construction in high seismicity areas, it is shown that at large strains, a considerable amount of permanent deformation is produced at the support connector between the brace and the frame. This drawback can be overcome by providing recentering capabilities to the braced frame system. By applying the concept of a recentering system to the design of buckling-restrained brace frames, we developed braced frames that incorporate buckling-restrained braces with superelastic shape memory alloy end-support connectors. Owing to the recentering capability, shape memory alloy materials have been used in the place where large deformation may feasibly occur. The primary advantages of the innovative braced frames proposed herein are verified through nonlinear pushover analyses. Analytical frame models are developed to estimate theultimate and residual inter-story drifts. The analysis results suggest that buckling-restrained brace frames with superelastic shape memory alloy bracing systems are more effective in controlling residual inter-story drifts than those with conventional steel bracing systems owing to the inherent self-healing characteristics of superelastic shape memory alloys.
The weak fault diagnosis and condition monitoring of rolling element bearing using minimum entropy deconvolution and envelop spectrum
Authors: Jiang Ruilong , Chen Jin , Dong Guangming , Liu Tao , Xiao Wenbin
Published: August 2012

In vibration analysis, weak fault detect and diagnosis is of great importance. A method based on minimum entropy deconvolution and envelop spectrum analysis is proposed in this article. Minimum entropy deconvolution technique searches for an optimal set of filter coefficients to enhance the impulse making the filtered signal to contain clearer fault information. When there is a fault in bearing, it can be obviously reflected by the power spectral density estimation of the filtered signal even if the power spectral density estimation of original signal denies the information. The filtered signals are then analyzed by performing envelop spectrum analysis, where the bearing characteristic frequencies are quite clear for further diagnosis. The feasibility and validity of utilizing the minimum entropy deconvolution in weak fault diagnosis and condition monitoring is demonstrated by both simulation and experiments. The analysis of actual data from accelerated life test of rolling bearing shows that it can detect and diagnose fault 7 min earlier than RMS can reflect while the entire life takes 1962 min. This is considered to be significant in condition monitoring and early incipient fault diagnosis. The results of gearbox test also demonstrates the effective bearing fault diagnosis under strong noise and gear vibration interactions.
Vibration energy harvesting to power condition monitoring sensors for industrial and manufacturing equipment
Authors: Waterbury Andrew C , Wright Paul K
Published: August 2012

To enable self-sustaining long-lasting wireless condition monitoring sensors, a small mechanical vibration energy harvester using electromagnetic transduction was constructed and used to harvest vibrations from large industrial pump motors and machine tool. The prototype harvester was roughly the size of a cube with 2.5 cm long sides. Power ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 mW was harvested from 15 to 30 kW water pump motors. For a machine tool, metal cutting vibrations and rapid jog events were explored as possible harvestable sources of energy. Power ranging from 0.9 to 1.9 mW was harvested during facemilling operations, and it was shown that rapid jog events could be harvested. The power levels harvested from the pump motors and machine tools are sufficient to provide the time-averaged power requirements of commercial wireless sensor nodes, enabling sensor nodes to overcome the finite life of replaceable batteries.
Reduction in the nitrogen oxide and soot emissions in a diesel engine combustion system using an approximate optimization method
Authors: Lee Seung Joo , Park Jae In , Lee Soo Hong , Lee Joon Kyu , Lee Jongsoo
Published: August 2012

The present study explores how to optimize a common-rail diesel engine to minimize nitrogen oxide and soot emissions with constraints on hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. A numerical diesel engine combustion and emission analysis is conducted using the zero-dimensional model. The simulation data are approximated, which accommodates the combustion characteristics of common-rail diesel engines and exhaust. The back-propagation neural network is used not only as a global function approximation tool for predicting non-linear characteristics but also for a global sensitivity analysis to examine causality between the input variables and the output responses. Given an engine operating condition, constrained bi-objective Pareto-optimal solutions are identified by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II. Optimal designs to minimize the nitrogen oxide and soot emissions subject to the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions requirements are identified. By comparing the number of Pareto solutions with a baseline design, a reduction in both nitrogen oxide emissions and soot emissions is achieved and these back-propagation-neural-network-based approximate designs are verified using the actual zero-dimensional model data.
Internalities and the Foundations of Corporate Governance
Authors: O’Kelly Ciarán , Wheeler Sally
Published: August 2012

This paper considers the potential contained in an ‘internalities’ approach to corporate governance. Rather than viewing the company as a ‘black box’ that can only be regulated through state action, we argue that corporate governance holds in tension the relationship between investors, managers and the corporate board. It is from that tension that a change in corporate culture will emerge. We argue that a state focus on promoting and managing the dialogical character of corporate governance will limit the negative effects of corporate power.
Commenting on Western Open Courses by Chinese Learners
Authors: Xia Jingfeng
Published: August 2012

This article examines web comments written by Chinese learners on online open courses that are originally produced by leading universities in the United States and United Kingdom and are later introduced to China with Chinese translation. It applies the thematic discourse analysis strategy to classify the comments into themes to explore the patterns of studying behaviors of the Chinese learners. The analysis reveals that open access as the concept and practice of educational resources sharing is overwhelmingly supported. With regard to open course content, the Chinese are more interested in course materials that echo their daily experience than in courses that merely deliver knowledge and skills. A debate on the social effect of foreign open courses on Chinese ideology is discussed.
Cross-Cultural Variations in Adolescents’ Perceived Maternal Expectancy and Sexual Initiation
Authors: Kao Tsui-Sui Annie , Guthrie Barbara , Loveland-Cherry Carol , Caldwell Cleopatra Howard
Published: August 2012

Purpose: This study built on previous findings and compared the effects of maternal influences on adolescents’ sexual initiation among four racial and ethnic groups: Asian American Pacific Islanders, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Caucasians. Design/Method: An exploratory, comparative secondary analysis of longitudinal data from 433 Asian American Pacific Islanders, 1,367 African Americans, 1,241 Hispanic Americans, and 4,567 Caucasian adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 years at Wave 1 was conducted using structural equation modeling. Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model guided the modeling and analyses. Results: Adolescents’ sexual initiation was significantly associated with mother–adolescent interactions and adolescents’ perceived maternal sexual expectations. Cross-cultural variations are noted and discussed. Conclusions: Nursing interventions designed to delay adolescents’ sexual initiation need to focus on familial and cultural variations associated with mother–adolescent interactions.
Objects-in-Use and Organizing in Action Nets
Authors: Lindberg Kajsa , Walter Lars
Published: August 2012

In this article, the authors engage in, and contribute to, the discussion about the role of objects (material arrangements) in processes of organizing. The point of departure of the study was a critical incident at a hospital when a drop infusion pump failed. By following the action, that is, to apply an action net perspective, initiated by incident aiming to secure the ongoing care and treatment of patients on the ward, the authors are able to illustrate the relation between objects-in-use (such as boundary objects) and ongoing organizing practices, and how such organizing activities are dependent on, and conditioned by, material arrangements and objects. Furthermore, they also show that objects, far from being stable entities, are also being constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed—dependent on what is appropriate in a specific time and place, and as part of ongoing organizing.
Meso-element equivalent method for the simulation of macro mechanical properties of concrete
Authors: Du Xiuli , Jin Liu , Ma Guowei
Published: August 2012

A meso-element equivalent method is proposed to investigate the macro mechanical properties of concrete. The randomly distributed aggregates with different sizes and shapes are built by using the Monte Carlo simulation approach, and they are discretized into a finite number of identical elements with a characteristic element size. Each meso-element formed is then processed to be a homogeneous and isotropic unit based on homogenization theory of composite materials. There are two key issues emphasized in the present research, they are the equivalence of the mechanical behaviors of the aggregated concrete material and the determination of the mesh-element size, respectively. The classical Voigt parallel approach is applied to establish the equivalent mechanical behaviors of the meso-elements containing the two-phase medium composed of aggregates and mortar matrix. Since the macroscopic nonlinearity of concrete material is essentially attributed to the inherent heterogeneities, the non-homogeneity of concrete is described by the dispersion coefficient of the effective elastic moduli of concrete meso-elements. And the characteristic element size is introduced and determined by means of a statistical analysis of the aggregate sizes and taken as an appropriate mesh size of concrete specimens. The proposed approach reflects the fact that the concrete nonlinearity originates from the inherent heterogeneity. Several two-dimensional samples of concrete specimens are carried out to verify the feasibility and the accuracy of the proposed meso-element equivalent method. Furthermore, the damage process and the deformation of a three-dimensional four-point bending concrete beam are studied. The numerical results show the high efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. Compared with other meso-mechanical methods, the advantage of the present meso-element equivalent method is that the degrees of freedom of the concrete specimens reduce significantly, making the computational efficiency improved drastically, especially for three-dimensional problems, while the accuracy of the numerical results is acceptable.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Emiru Tenbit , Bershad Eric M. , Zantek Nicole D. , Datta Yvonne H. , Rao Gundu H. R. , Hartley Eliza W. , Divani Afshin A.
Published: August 2012

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a higher mortality rate among stroke subtypes. The amount of hematoma at baseline and subsequent expansion are considered strong independent markers for determining poor clinical outcome. Even though reduction in blood pressure to prevent and control the amount of bleeding in ICH has received considerable amount of attention, the impact of coagulopathy and platelet dysfunction, on the bleeding diathesis has not been extensively investigated. With the increasing use of antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants, given the aging population, a deeper understanding of the interactions between ICH and hemostatic mechanisms is essential to help minimize the risk of a catastrophic coagulopathy-related ICH. In this review article, etiology and risk factors associated with coagulopathy-related ICH are discussed. An overview of coagulation abnormalities, hemostatic agents, and blood biomarkers pertaining to ICH is included.
In Honor of Margo Wilson
Authors: Dobash R. Emerson , Dobash Russell P.
Published: August 2012

Margo Wilson was a consummate scientist and an extraordinary person. In this short piece, we reflect on her qualities as a scholar and consider the nature of her legacy within the context of our three decades of work with her and Martin Daly, her personal and research partner. Within the broad context of the “sociology of knowledge,” we focus on the production of our joint publication about the perpetration of intimate partner violence and examine the challenges and benefits of working collaboratively across disciplines.
And What if the Tangible Were Not, and Vice Versa? On Boundary Works in Everyday Mobility Experience of People Moving Into Old Age
Authors: Nijs Greg , Daems Amélie
Published: August 2012

The article questions representationalist fixed boundaries between the material and the immaterial in the experience of the built environment. Opting to adopt a performative—more specifically, pragmatist—approach, the authors propose to consider practice(d) ontologies to look for ontological alternatives. Ethnographic accounts are drawn from research on the experience of everyday mobilities in people moving into old age. The plot line first runs through memory works as boundary works, trying to understand how ghostly presence and material absence perform experience of {im}materiality. Second, it provides accounts of humans and nonhumans performing rhythms and suggests that rhythmic attunement involves boundary works. Performing a collective body by walking together is further considered as a case in point. Supported by the examples and the epistemological framework, the article suggests the versatile enactment of boundaries between body and world, that is, between the material and the immaterial.
Communicating a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder - a qualitative study of parents’ experiences
Authors: Abbott Mandy , Bernard Paul , Forge Jenny
Published: August 2012

Not enough is known about parents’ experiences of receiving the news that their child warrants a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sharing this information with parents is an important and difficult part of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) practice. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the experiences of the ‘feedback session’ with nine sets of parents in a community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in North East England. Parents gave vivid accounts of their experiences and described issues relating to the structure, style and content of the session. The experiences of CAMHS users should inform the development of good practice in this important area.
Facilitating children’s views of therapy: An analysis of the use of play-based techniques to evaluate clinical practice
Authors: Jäger Jessica
Published: August 2012

This article reports on a follow-up study exploring the use of play-based evaluation methods to facilitate children’s views of therapy. The development and piloting of these techniques, with 12 children in the author’s own practice, was previously reported in this journal. It was argued that play-based evaluation methods reduce the power imbalance inherent in adult researcher/interviewer–child relationships and provide children with meaningful ways to share their views. In this article, follow-up research into play-based evaluations with 20 children and 7 different play therapists is drawn upon to explore in greater depth the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques. The study shows that play-based evaluation techniques are important and flexible methods for facilitating children’s views of child therapy. It is argued that those play therapists who incorporate their therapeutic skills effectively, maintain flexibility and sensitively attune to the child during the evaluation session, enable the child to explore their views most fully.
Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children: The case of the Mbagala bomb blasts in Tanzania
Authors: Messo Innocent Nasson
Published: August 2012

In April 2009, military bombs stockpiled in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, exploded uncontrollably, landing in the neighbourhood killing 26 people, injuring about 600 and destroying 9049 homes. This must have been a terrible experience, with psychological consequences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the children involved in the bomb blasts. It was hypothesized that children would not exhibit PTSD symptoms, as well as not showing sex differences in exhibiting PTSD symptoms. The study findings show 93% of children bomb survivors had PTSD symptoms, with no sex differences in the PTSD reported.
Grit, conscientiousness, and the transtheoretical model of change for exercise behavior
Authors: Reed Justy , Pritschet Brian L , Cutton David M
Published: August 2012

Grit and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) Conscientiousness dimension were examined with respect to the transtheoretical model (TTM) stages of change for exercise behavior. Participants ( N = 1171) completed an online survey containing exercise-related TTM staging questions, the Short Grit Scale and BFI Conscientiousness. Ordinal regression analyses showed that grit significantly predicted high intensity and moderate intensity exercise TTM stage while BFI Conscientiousness did not. The results suggest that grit is a potentially important differentiator of TTM stage for moderate and high intensity exercise.
Brief report: Maltreatment in childhood and body concerns in adulthood
Authors: Brooke Leah , Mussap Alexander J
Published: August 2012

Objective: We examined the relationship between maltreatment in childhood and body concerns in adulthood. Method: A community sample of 156 women and 143 men completed measures of maltreatment – frequency of sexual abuse, physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse and emotional neglect – in childhood. They also reported current dissatisfaction with body weight and shape and drive for thinness and drive for muscle. Results and conclusions: Childhood maltreatment was associated with drive for muscle in women and body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness in men. The results provide some evidence that adverse conditions in childhood can be associated with gender-atypical body concerns in adulthood.
‘I don’t know whether it is to do with age or to do with hormones and whether it is do with a stage in your life’: Making sense of menopause and the body
Authors: Rubinstein Helena R , Foster Juliet LH
Published: August 2012

This article discusses a mixed-methods study that explored women’s views about menopause and any relationship between these and several measures of body consciousness. A total of 270 women in the United Kingdom completed surveys of menopausal attitudes, self-objectification, body surveillance and body shame. There was a positive association between rating highly on body dissatisfaction scales and holding negative attitudes towards menopause. Interviews (n = 12) were conducted to investigate this further. Menopause was inextricably linked with aging for these women, and changing appearance was a particular concern for women who rated high on self-objectification. The implications of this are discussed.
Potential of spray-guided gasoline direct injection for reduction of fuel consumption and simultaneous compliance with stricter emissions regulations
Authors: Schumann Florian , Sarikoc Fatih , Buri Stefan , Kubach Heiko , Spicher Ulrich
Published: August 2012

The combination of gasoline direct injection and turbocharging is a promising method to reduce the fuel consumption of internal combustion engines through engine downsizing, which leads to increased engine efficiencies and a reduction of CO2 emissions at a comparable power output. Spray-guided direct injection allows overall lean and unthrottled operation, which is realized with a highly stratified mixture at part load. However, exhaust gas aftertreatment with conventional three-way catalysts is currently not possible. Furthermore, insufficient mixture preparation, especially at the upper load limit of stratified charge operation, causes increased particulate matter emissions. This paper discusses the advantages of engine downsizing, by gasoline direct injection in combination with turbocharging, to reduce fuel consumption and presents the results of experimental and numerical investigations of stratified exhaust gas recirculation in a single-cylinder gasoline engine to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The radial exhaust gas stratification was achieved by a spatial and temporal separated induction of exhaust gas and fresh air, performed by specially shaped baffles and impulse charge valves in the inlet port. The thermodynamic and optical investigations with injection pressures up to 1000 bar demonstrate the capability to reduce soot emissions in a spray-guided direct-injection engine.
Analysis of heavy-duty turbocharged diesel engine response under cold transient operation with a pre-turbo aftertreatment exhaust manifold configuration
Authors: Bermúdez Vicente , Serrano José Ramón , Piqueras Pedro , García-Afonso Óscar
Published: August 2012

Diesel particulate filters are the most useful technology to reduce particulate matter from the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines. Although these devices have suffered an intense development in terms of the management of filtration and regeneration, the effect of the system location on the engine performance is still a key issue that needs to be properly addressed. The present work is focused on a computational study regarding the effects of a pre-turbo aftertreatment placement under full and partial load transient operation at constant engine speed and low wall temperature along the exhaust line.

The aim of the paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the engine response to define the guidelines of a control strategy that is able to get the standards of engine driveability during sudden accelerations under restraining thermal transient conditions governed by the aftertreatment thermal inertia. The proposed strategy overcomes the lack of temperature at the inlet of the turbine caused by the thermal transient by means of the boost and EGR control. It leads to a proper management of the power in the exhaust gas for the expansion in the turbine.
A self narrative of life-long disability: A reflection on resilience and living with dementia
Authors: Angus Jocelyn , Bowen-Osborne Sally
Published: August 2012

Illness such as dementia has particular linguistic and cognitive difficulties, not the least of which is its depiction in narrative, which may not be taken seriously. This paper builds upon a recently published manuscript by the authors, that describes a methodological approach utilising structural and thematic forms of narrative analysis to keep the person with dementia ‘centre stage’ in their own life story narrative. The aim of this paper is to utilise the same methodological approach and data to explore the narrative threads of a life-long disability, as experienced by a person called Janet who lives with dementia. Janet’s story locates disability not as personal impairment but within the social and cultural context of family and religious life. This contributes to a better understanding of resilience built up over time; in so doing, provides further insight into Janet’s enduring sense of self as she embraced a more challenging journey along the pathway of dementia.
Gaps and spaces: Representations of dementia in contemporary British poetry
Authors: Zeilig Hannah
Published: August 2012

This article considers the work of a number of contemporary British poets who have attempted to articulate some of the experiences that dementia entails. The unique potential of poetry as a means of portraying the dislocations and reinventions of self that dementia involves has been mostly overlooked. The insights offered by critical gerontology are central to this article. This perspective calls for critical thought about the ways in which dementia has been socially constructed. The challenges posed by poets such as Vuyelwa Carlin, Valerie Laws and Jo Shapcott in particular, are examined. The complex poetic representations offered by these poets acknowledge the pathological declines of dementia and simultaneously celebrate the individuality and life of their subjects. Considering dementia with reference to the work of contemporary poets and critical gerontology is one way in which we can deepen our understanding of what this illness involves and humanise those who suffer from it.
Reminiscence in dementia: A concept analysis
Authors: Dempsey Laura , Murphy Kathy , Cooney Adeline , Casey Dympna , O’Shea Eamon , Devane Declan , Jordan Fionnuala , Hunter Andrew
Published: August 2012

This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of reminiscence in dementia and highlights its uses as a therapeutic intervention used on individuals with dementia. No single definition of reminiscence exists in healthcare literature; however, definitions offered have similar components. The term life review is commonly used when discussing reminiscence; however, both terms are quite different in their goals, theory base and content. This concept analysis identified reminiscence as a process which occurs in stages, involving the recalling of early life events and interaction between individuals. The antecedents of reminiscence are age, life transitions, attention span, ability to recall, ability to vocalise and stressful situations. Reminiscence can lead to positive mental health, enhanced self esteem and improved communication skills. It also facilitates preparation for death, increases interaction between people, prepares for the future and evaluates a past life. Reminiscence therapy is used extensively in dementia care and evidence shows when used effectively it helps individuals retain a sense of self worth, identity and individuality.
Young onset dementia: The impact of emergent age-based factors upon personhood
Authors: Tolhurst Edward , Bhattacharyya Sarmishtha , Kingston Paul
Published: August 2012

This paper evaluates how emergent age-based factors may impact upon the experience of dementia. A review of selected literature is undertaken to explore how personhood has been conceptualised in relation to dementia. It is then highlighted that very little literature explicitly addresses personhood with reference to young onset dementia. Young onset dementia is defined, and evaluation is then undertaken of the distinctive age-based factors that might shape the experience of the condition. It is noted that whilst there are separate literatures on both personhood and young onset dementia, there appears to be little endeavour to draw these two strands of thought together. The distinctive factors that shape young onset dementia suggest that a more heterogeneous perspective should be developed that accounts more appropriately for how personal characteristics shape the lived experience of dementia. The paper concludes that further research should be undertaken that has an explicit focus on personhood and young onset dementia.
Psychological effects of poetry workshops with people with early stage dementia: An exploratory study
Authors: Petrescu Ioana , MacFarlane Kit , Ranzijn Robert
Published: August 2012

Objective:

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of writing poetry on psychological functioning in people with early stage dementia.

Method:

A series of poetry writing workshops was conducted with four women, at the end of which a one-on-one short structured interview was conducted.

Results:

All of the women said that they benefited from the workshops, but their experiences differed greatly. Themes included competence and self-efficacy, personal growth, wanting to contribute and poetry writing as a way of coping with the progression of the condition.

Conclusion:

Creative activities such as writing poetry hold promise for enhancing the quality of life of people with dementia.