bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amyloid-Beta: A Crucial Factor in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Sadigh-Eteghad Saeed , Sabermarouf Babak , Majdi Alireza , Talebi Mahnaz , Farhoudi Mehdi , Mahmoudi Javad
Published: November 2014

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia which affects people older than 60 years of age. In AD, the dysregulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) level leads to the appearance of senile plaques which contain Aβ depositions. Aβ is a complex biological molecule which interacts with many types of receptors and/or forms insoluble assemblies and, eventually, its nonphysiological depositions alternate with the normal neuronal conditions. In this situation, AD signs appear and the patients experience marked cognitional disabilities. In general, intellect, social skills, personality, and memory are influenced by this disease and, in the long run, it leads to a reduction in quality of life and life expectancy. Due to the pivotal role of Aβ in the pathobiology of AD, a great deal of effort has been made to reveal its exact role in neuronal dysfunctions and to finding efficacious therapeutic strategies against its adverse neuronal outcomes. Hence, the determination of its different molecular assemblies and the mechanisms underlying its pathological effects are of interest. In the present paper, some of the well-established structural forms of Aβ, its interactions with various receptors and possible molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying its neurotoxicity are discussed. In addition, several Aβ-based rodent models of AD are reviewed.
Management of Vascular Risk Factors in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (CREST)
Authors: Meschia James F. , Voeks Jenifer H. , Leimgruber Pierre P. , Mantese Vito A. , Timaran Carlos H. , Chiu David , Demaerschalk Bart M. , Howard Virginia J. , Hughes Susan E. , Longbottom Mary , Howard Annie Green , Brott Thomas G.
Published: November 2014

Background

The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (
CREST
) is a multicenter randomized trial of stenting versus endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease. This study assesses management of vascular risk factors.

Methods and Results

Management was provided by the patient's physician, with biannual monitoring results collected by the local site. Therapeutic targets were low‐density lipoprotein, cholesterol <100 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg, fasting blood glucose <126 mg/dL, and nonsmoking status. Optimal control was defined as achieving all 4 goals concurrently. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare risk factors at baseline with those observed in scheduled follow‐up visits for up to 48 months. In the analysis cohort of 2210, significant improvements in risk‐factor control were observed across risk factors for all follow‐up visits compared with baseline. At 48 months, achievement of the low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol goal improved from 59.1% to 73.6% (
P
<0.001), achievement of the systolic blood pressure goal improved from 51.6% to 65.1% (
P
<0.001), achievement of the glucose goal improved from 74.9% to 80.7% (
P
=0.0101), and nonsmoking improved from 74.4% to 80.9% (
P
<0.0001). The percentage with optimal risk‐factor control also improved significantly, from 16.7% to 36.2% (
P
<0.001), but nearly 2 of 3 study participants did not achieve optimal control during the study.

Conclusions

Site‐based risk‐factor control improved significantly in the first 6 months and over the long term in
CREST
but was often suboptimal. Intensive medical management should be considered for future trials of carotid revascularization.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00004732.
Institutional Comparisons of the Perceived Value of Networks in China and the United States
Authors: Chua Vincent
Published: November 2014

Although scholars have long been interested in inter- and intra-national differences in the role of networks in status attainment, most studies focus on either one or the other. This study combines both by asking: how do inter-andintra-national differences affect the perception that networks are important for status attainment? Analyzing data from the World Values Survey (2006), it shows, firstly, that the perceived value of networks is greater in the United States than in China, which is counterintuitive, as it suggests that the effect of ‘guanxi’ culture in China may be overstated. Secondly, the study draws attention to the role of internal variations within the labour markets of both countries: in the United States, networks are perceived to be more important in the public sector than in the private sector; in China, networks are perceived to be equally important in both sectors. I offer a range of institutional explanations for these differences by invoking concepts such as ‘liberal market economy’ and ‘political patronage’ for the United States and, ‘institutional holes’ and ‘political technocracy’ for China.
Corrigenda to the Macquarrie-Robinson Translation of Heidegger’s Being and Time
Authors: Rojcewicz Richard
Published: November 2014

This is a list of corrigenda to the English translation of Martin Heidegger’s Being and Time (German original: Sein und Zeit, 1927, 8th edition 1957) by John Macquarrie and Edward Robinson (1962). The list includes 186 entries: most are corrections of outright mistakes in expressing the sense of Heidegger’s text, and twenty-two entries are marked as representing Heidegger’s own revisions to the work as found in the latest German edition (2006). Explanatory comments accompany many of the entries. The corrigenda are offered as a service to scholars of Heidegger’s magnum opus who work within the discipline of philosophy and also to humanistic psychologists who follow the tradition of continental philosophy in their work as practioners and researchers.
Aid Refugee Chinese Intellectuals, Inc. and the Political Uses of Humanitarian Relief, 1952-1962 援助中国知识人士协会与难民援助的政治作用, 1952-1962
Authors: Hsu Madeline Y.
Published: November 2014

This paper examines the operations of Aid Refugee Chinese Intellectuals (arci). It argues that arci’s project failed in ways that illuminate the politicized, symbolic operations of refugee relief and the difficulties of manipulating mid-twentieth century migration flows, particularly of Asians. arci’s challenges included registering too many, poorly qualified refugees for assistance rather than a useful “leadership” class; the limited willingness of the Nationalist regime to accept even well-educated new residents into the struggling economy of its tightly controlled political base; dependence on the State Department for funding and the imposition of its priorities onto arci’s programs; and the preferences and capacities of arci registrants in forging their own paths. These problems illuminate the complicated, codependency of the “special relationship” between American “China hands” and the China Lobby and the Christian leader of the Nationalists, as well as the politicized and perhaps intractably irreconcilable messiness of managing refugee flows.
Thailand’s Participation in un Peacekeeping Missions
Authors: Kraisoraphong Keokam , Howe Brendan
Published: November 2014

This paper traces experiences of the Royal Thai Armed Forces in un peacekeeping missions. A relatively small troop contributor at first, Thailand later took a high-profile role in the un operations in East Timor during 1999–2005, and has continued since then to support several un peacekeeping forces. The paper first discusses the rationales, development, and current status of Thailand’s contributions. It then goes on to explore how, and to what extent, tasks and duties assigned under the un peacekeeping framework to the dispatched forces, as well as experiences and lessons the Thai armed forces gained from their participation in missions, contribute to the diffusion of norms and the development of functional competencies relating to peacekeeping and human security protection within the Thai military. The paper finds that while the dispatched forces received invaluable benefits in terms of prestige, economic rewards and learning experiences from the peacekeeping operations under the un command, including approaches to humanitarian assistance during the time of acute conflict and monitoring human rights violations, the human security norm underlying these functional competencies has yet to be fully internalized by the military as an institution. Yet, there are some areas, especially in civil-military affairs where competencies developed from the internal security operations and international peacekeeping operations can be mutually reinforcing.
Observing War — Keeping Peace?
Authors: Edström Håkan , Gyllensporre Dennis
Published: November 2014

This study aims to increase the understanding on the strategic logic behind the un-led military non-force missions. Six out of 25 missions are evaluated to determine how strategy is elaborated within the un-system. The cases include observer missions, liaison missions and advisory missions. The analysis illuminates the interaction between the political and military strategic levels as well as the strategic awareness displayed by the un regarding non-force missions. Also the potential added value of non-force missions in peacekeeping is discussed. The authors conclude that there is an imbalance between the strategic preferences of the unsc and the unsg. The strategic awareness as well as the mission character is shown to differ between types of non-force missions. Their purpose seems to be keeping peace by observing war. It is up to the unsc and the unsg to judge whether passive oversight of the ongoing crisis is sufficient or if more active measures are justified.
The Comprehensive Approach — Doctrinal Overview and Swedish Leadership Implications at the Operative and Tactical Level
Authors: Ohlsson Alicia , Wallenius Claes , Larsson Gerry
Published: November 2014

This article is built upon a doctrinal and literature review of comprehensive approach (ca) concepts and the larger international actors that currently use them, such as the un, eu and nato. It also focuses on how small actors, such as Sweden, can contribute within this collaborative framework. There is a focus on possible leadership challenges and suggestions of individual characteristics that would be desirable to handle these types of challenges. Examples of leadership challenges from Swedish informants were used to enrich the text from a Swedish perspective.The findings can be summarized with the following:

(1)

The un, eu and nato differ on how far they have developed ca core conceptual documents and to what levels they have implemented the approach within their international missions.

(2)

Sweden does not currently have a comprehensive approach of its own but seems to be headed in that direction. Small actors, such as Sweden, can mainly contribute to the larger actors with “plug-in” capabilities.

(3)

Possible challenges and competencies were identified and compared to the current leadership model used for the Swedish Armed Forces, Developmental Leadership.

Our analysis indicates that although the current theoretical model of the Swedish Armed Forces holds up well to several ca factors, it could benefit to incorporate new concepts within the model that were identified as specific to a comprehensive approach context.
The Noulens Affair in East and Southeast Asia
Authors: Streets-Salter Heather
Published: November 2014

In June 1931, British authorities in Singapore arrested a Comintern operative using the name Joseph Ducroux. An address book found on his person then led the Shanghai Municipal Police to Hilaire Noulens and his wife, both Comintern agents, who were collectively in charge of funneling all monies and communications between the Comintern, the Chinese Communist Party, and Communist organizations throughout East Asia. The arrest of the Noulens, and the material found in their apartments, compromised hundreds of Communists and their international networks in East and Southeast Asia. The case materials themselves, found in British, French, and Dutch archives, expose the ways the Comintern’s Far Eastern Bureau used Soviet capital and an international cast of characters to combat European imperialism in East and Southeast Asia during the interwar period. Although these efforts suffered from serious weaknesses, European colonial administrators nevertheless worried constantly about the specter of an all-powerful Soviet machine bent on world domination. Their response was cross-colonial collaboration to undermine and destroy the Comintern’s activities in the region. This article explores the circumstances surrounding the Noulens Affair, as it came to be known, to argue that the global struggle between communism and anti-communism that marked the years of the Cold War after 1945 cannot be adequately understood without reference to this earlier, interwar period.
Dynamic Divisions
Authors: Olberding Garret P.
Published: November 2014

A major and as yet insurmountable obstacle in our comprehension of pre-modern Chinese military culture is the unfortunate dearth of detailed battle scenes or attack plans. The historiographical record simply does not include more than the barest outlines of how battles transpired. This essay offers a possible back-door method for accessing military movements and formations on an abstract level. It contends that the ancient game ofweiqi, commonly known in the West by its Japanese name, Go, may afford insight into some of the military maneuvers likely employed in the Tang and Song dynasties, and perhaps even earlier. Using the earliest game maps available, found in the Song-eraWangyou qingle ji, with additional input from Ming and Qing texts, the essay spatially analyzes the tactical terms from a manuscript attributed to an author from the Five Dynasties and early Song periods, theWeiqi yili, and illustrates their potential employment using two historical passages, one from theJiu Tangshuand another from theHanshu.
A further new species of Sarcofahrtiopsis Hall (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) associated with faeces of the disk-winged bat (Thyroptera Spix: Chiroptera) in Brazil and the redescription of the female terminalia of S. cuneata (Townsend)
Authors: CARVALHO-FILHO FERNANDO DA SILVA , ESPOSITO MARIA CRISTINA , SILVA AMANDA DE AZEVEDO
Published: November 2014

The male, female and puparium are described for Sarcofahrtiopsis cupendipe sp. nov., whose larvae live in the roosts of disk-winged bats (Thyroptera species). Sarcofahrtiopsis cupendipe and S. thyropteronthos Pape, Dechmann & Vonhof are both associated with the faeces of the disk-winged bat and are the only species of Sarcofahrtiopsis with wing vein R1 fully setose dorsally and a short parameral apodeme in the male terminalia. In addition, the female terminalia of S. cuneata (Townsend) is redescribed.
Idea nowego początku w słowackich wizjach dziejów z połowy XIX wieku
Authors: Kobylińska Anna
Published: November 2014

The idea of new beginning in the Slovak vision of history from the mid-19th centuryThe point of this paper is to show that the idea of new beginning was clearly present in mid-19th century Slovak literature. This idea became the means of conveying revisions of Slovak history. It was also a sign of a deep cultural change, resulting from factors including secularisation and the influence of nationalist ideology. The direction of change can be observed in selected works by Janko Kráľ, Viliam Pauliny-Tóth, and Jonáš Záborský. These writers challenge the optimistic view of the world by seeing in it a fundamental mistake that needs to be corrected. They propose correcting the myth of origin (Christian, national), but on the basis of a hermetic paradigm (magic and/or gnosis). Thus they create a false dimension of transcendence that becomes the foundation of the “new era”. Idea nowego początku w słowackich wizjach dziejów z połowy XIX wiekuArtykuł poświęcony jest kwestii obecności w literaturze słowackiej idei nowego początku, wyraźnie pojawiającej się w historiozoficznych projektach z połowy XIX wieku. Choć w kulturze słowackiej idea ta pojawia się w obszarze oddziaływania idei odrodzeniowej, w istocie niesie ze sobą alternatywne treści. Będąc znakiem głębokich zmian kulturowych związanych m.in. z sekularyzacją i nasilaniem się tendencji nacjonalistycznych, idea nowego początku w kontekście słowackim staje się nośnikiem znaczeń rewizyjnych, a zarazem kamieniem węgielnym modernistas. Różne jej warianty odnaleźć możemy w wybranych utworach Janka Kráľa, Viliama Pauliny-Tótha, Jonáša Záborskiego. Wskazani pisarze, zakwestionowawszy optymistyczną wizję świata, zaproponwali nowe warianty mitu początku (chrześcijańskiego, narodowego) oparte na paradygmacie hermetycznym (magicznym i/lub gnostycznym). Wykreowany przez nich nowy początek okazuje się jednakże ofiarować fałszywy wymiar transcendencji. Sam w sobie wykazuje cechy eklektycznej ideowej hybrydy, znamionuje podmiotowość jeszcze słabo ukonstytuowaną, lecz wyraźnie aspirującą do zmiany swego statusu ontologicznego.
Początek końca demonów zgody. Słowackie rozrachunki z ideologizacją kultury
Authors: Goszczyńska Joanna
Published: November 2014

The beginning of the end of the demons of consent. Coming to terms with ideologisation in Slovak cultureThe first part of the article focuses on demonstrating the process of ideologisation in Slovak culture after 1948, i.e. after the beginning of communist rule. This reveals the initial fascination with the idea of communism among the creative community and its gradual enslavement. Additionally, on the one hand it examines the results of repressive measures of power, and on the other it looks at conformist intellectual circles. The second half discusses how Dominik Tatarka, a leading Slovak intellectual, deals with the mechanisms of cultural ideologisation and writers’ attitudes, which concluded in his fictional-political-autobiographical novel Demon of Consent (Démon súhlasu). This work reveals the writer’s strategy to show how the experience of totalitarianism fits with the concept of biblical eschatology. The writer does not, however, ignore the different idealised communist conceptualisations of the era, and often incorporates and combines visions of the tragic, ironic and sometimes grotesque. Finally, the article also takes into account the wider context of the writer’s changes in attitude and their consequences. Początek końca demonów zgody. Słowackie rozrachunki z ideologizacją kulturyPierwsza część artykułu koncentruje się na pokazaniu przebiegu procesu ideologizacji kultury słowackiej po roku 1948, czyli po przejęciu władzy przez komunistów. Odsłania początkowe fascynacje środowiska twórczego ideą komunizmu i stopniowe jego zniewalanie, będące rezultatem z jednej strony represyjnych posunięć władzy, z drugiej zaś – konformizmu środowisk intelektualnych. Druga część pokazuje rozrachunek jednego z czołowych słowackich intelektualistów, Dominika Tatarki, z mechanizmami ideologizacji kultury oraz postawami pisarzy, zawarty w jego fantastyczno-polityczno-autobiograficznej noweli Demon zgody (Démon súhlasu). Odsłonięta zostaje strategia pisarza, który doświadczenie totalitaryzmu wpisuje w horyzont eschatologiczno-biblijny. Nie rezygnuje przy tym z różnych konceptualizacji zideologizowanej rzeczywistości okresu komunizmu, przeplatając wizję tragiczną z ujęciem ironicznym, miejscami groteskowym. Artykuł uwzględnia też szerszy kontekst przemian postaw pisarza i ich konsekwencji.
Utilization of finite element analysis for rapid curing of fiber-reinforced polymers in a novel two-phase curing technique for braided rebars
Authors: Hajihosseini A , Carey JP , Ayranci C
Published: November 2014

This study focused on determining the capability of a proposed two-step curing process for composite rebars production. A finite element analysis is carried out on rapid curing of fiber-reinforced polymer rebars during a continuous braid trusion manufacturing process. This process combines pultrusion and braiding techniques to produce fiber-reinforced polymer rebars. The system uses a novel two-step curing technique to obtain a uniform cure profile. This is achieved by embedding small diameter steel wires within the core of the rebar. In the first step, as the rebar passes through an induction coil, a curing radially in the outward direction is initiated due to the induction coil. In the second step, the induction-initiated curing rebar enters a series of ovens, initiating radially inward curing. The resulting fiber-reinforced polymer rebars can be used as alternative to steel reinforcement in applications where steel cannot be utilized due to its corrosive or metallic nature. The result of this study showcased the importance of induction unit in obtaining a uniform cure profile.
In Search of Matthew Effects in Reading
Authors: Protopapas Athanassios , Parrila Rauno , Simos Panagiotis G.
Published: November 2014

The concept of Matthew effects in reading development refers to a longitudinally widening gap between high achievers and low achievers. Various statistical approaches have been proposed to examine this idea. However, little attention has been paid to psychometric issues of scaling. Specifically, interval-level data are required to compare performance differences across performance ranges, but only ordinal-level data are available with current literacy measures. To demonstrate the interpretability problems of contrasting growth slopes, we use data from a longitudinal study of literacy development. We explore the possibility of comparing across ages, matched for performance, and we examine the consequences of nonlinear growth, temporal lag estimates, and individual differences in developmental progression. We conclude that, although conceptually appealing, the widening gap prediction is not empirically testable.
Nietzsche’s Critique of Religion: A Liberationist Perspective
Authors: Rodríguez Rubén Rosario
Published: November 2014

Engaging Nietzsche’s genealogy of religion from a liberationist perspective, the author argues that despite Nietzsche’s valuable insights on theology’s potential for limiting human freedom, a Christian theological anthropology is preferable to Nietzsche’s naturalistic view of humanity. The author offers a challenge to Nietzsche scholarship by demonstrating how Nietzsche’s critique of Christianity as a morality of ressentiment is grounded in 19th-century theories of racial inequality that equate religious belief with racial identity, and are opposed to the political liberation of all people.
Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Dating Violence Among North American Indigenous Adolescents
Authors: Hautala Dane S. , Sittner Hartshorn Kelley J. , Armenta Brian , Whitbeck Les
Published: November 2014

This study examined the lifetime prevalence of physical dating violence, including victimization, perpetration, and the overlap between the two (mutual violence), among a population sample of 551 reservation/reserve residing Indigenous (i.e., American Indian and Canadian First Nations) adolescents in the upper-Midwest of the United States and Canada. Potential correlates of four dating violence profiles (i.e., no dating violence, perpetration only, victimization only, and mutual violence) relevant to this population also were considered. The clearest pattern to emerge from multinomial logistic regression analyses suggested that adolescents who engage in problem behaviors, exhibit high levels of anger, and perceive high levels of discrimination have increased odds of lifetime mutual dating violence relative to those reporting no dating violence. Furthermore, gender comparisons indicated that females were more likely to report being perpetrators only, whereas males were more likely to report being victims only. Considerations of dating violence profiles and culturally relevant prevention strategies are discussed.
When Is Empowerment Effective? The Role of Leader-Leader Exchange in Empowering Leadership, Cynicism, and Time Theft
Authors: Lorinkova Natalia M. , Perry Sara Jansen
Published: November 2014

Applying arguments from social exchange theory, we theoretically derive and empirically test a multilevel model that informs theory on leadership, cynicism, and deviant withdrawal. Namely, we examine the moderating effect of the upward exchange relationship of a leader on empowering leadership behaviors as they affect subordinate psychological empowerment, cynicism, and time theft. In a sample of 161 employees across 37 direct supervisors, empowering leadership was associated with reduced employee cynicism both directly and indirectly through employee psychological empowerment. The positive relationship between empowering leadership and employee psychological empowerment, however, was significant only when the leader enjoyed a high-quality relationship with his or her own boss. In turn, cynicism was associated with increased time theft, suggesting that employees may reciprocate frustrating experiences by withdrawing in minor, yet impactful and deviant, ways in efforts to balance their exchange with the organization.
Developing a Relational View of the Organizing Role of Objects: A study of the innovation process in computer games
Authors: Scarbrough Harry , Panourgias Nikiforos S. , Nandhakumar Joe
Published: November 2014

Innovation processes create distinctive challenges for coordination. Objects are seen as supporting coordination in such settings by enabling the emergent action needed to deal with a dynamic and uncertain process. Thus, previous work has highlighted the role of different types of objects in coordinating the collaborative tasks undertaken by expert groups, either by motivating the creation of new knowledge or through the translation of understanding. Through an empirical study of innovation processes in the computer games sector, our paper adds to this previous work by finding that the relations between objects, and not the objects alone, help to orchestrate multiple collaborative tasks towards a final outcome within temporal and resource constraints. The relational view which emerges from this study shows how such a ‘system of objects’ is able to stabilize coordination of the process while preserving the emergence and autonomy of games developer practices needed to achieve innovation.
Vascular surgeries in West Africa: Challenges and prospects
Authors: Edaigbini Sunday A , Delia Ibrahim Z , Aminu Muhammad B , Bosan Istifanus B , Ibrahim Abdulrasheed , Anumenechi Ndubuisi
Published: November 2014

Background

The field of vascular surgery is evolving in sub-Saharan Africa but the practice is bedeviled by lack of expertise and infrastructure challenges. The consequences are a low volume of operations and a dearth of data. Available data are not representative of the wider picture, therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the practice of vascular surgery in a tertiary institution, in the light of the prevailing challenges.

Methods

Data from all patients with vascular-related pathologies managed in our surgical outpatient clinic and accident and emergency wards were obtained from the clinic and in-patient records from January 2008 to December 2012. Age, sex, diagnosis, treatment, and complications were noted. There were 73 patients comprising 45 (61.6%) males and 28 (38.4%) females. The age range was 1–90 years (mean 43.5 years).

Results

The pathologies managed included end-stage renal disease ( n = 36, 49.3%), nontraumatic and posttraumatic aneurysms ( n = 13, 17.8%), vascular trauma ( n = 12, 16.4%), peripheral vascular disease ( n = 5, 6.9%), congenital vascular malformations ( n = 4, 5.5%), and thrombotic diseases ( n = 3, 4.1%). Fifty-four (74.0%) surgeries were performed, with a complication rate of 5.5% and 2.7% mortality.

Conclusions

The practice of vascular surgery in Zaria, Nigeria, is fraught with challenges. The gap created by the dearth of skilled vascular surgeons is filled by competent cardiothoracic surgeons. Infrastructure decay and lack of prostheses limit the number and variety of operable cases. These challenges result in preventable morbidity and mortality.
Cross-sectional study on heredity and venous disorders: the end of the dominant maternal heredity dogma?
Authors: Crebassa V , Roucaute T , Guex JJ , Allaert FA
Published: November 2014

Objective

To evaluate the heredity factor of the chronic venous disorders and odds ratio linked to maternal or paternal heredity.

Methods

Cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in daily practice of medical practitioners on all patients consulting them. The practitioners described the venous status of all patients consulting them and recorded the familial past history of venous disease.

Results

Among 21319 patients, 60.4% have a familial history of chronic venous disorder: unilateral paternal 7.5%, unilateral maternal 40.9% and bilateral: 12.0%. Chronic venous disorder prevalence is 58.8% in the global population, 38.2% in the absence of parental history, 67.0% for unilateral paternal, 71.3% for unilateral maternal and 79.2% for bilateral ( p < 0.0001). After adjustment on age and sex, results show significant ( p < 0.0001) odds ratio of 3.2 for unilateral paternal, of 3.4 for unilateral maternal and of 5.6 for a history in both parents. In the context of a history in both parents, the odds ratio increased to 5.6 for women and 8.4 for men.

Conclusion

This large cross-sectional study confirms the association between heredity and venous disease, but its results could call into question the maternal predominant character of the chronic venous disorder heredity.
“We don't lie and cheat like the Collas do.” Highland–lowland regionalist tensions and indigenous identity politics in Amazonian Bolivia
Authors: Lopez Pila Esther
Published: November 2014

This paper adds to the growing discussion on Bolivia's conflictive highland–lowland regionalism, going beyond it as predominantly a tension between a mestizo elite and the indigenous poor. Indigenous lowland groups' as Tacana people in the Amazon utilize their new ‘indigenous identity’ to effectively challenge highland indigenous migrants ( colonos) claiming land in their region. For this they link ‘being Tacana’ to the lowland identity of ‘ Camba’. Tacana people align with lowland mestizo people participating in Camba spectacles as Beauty Contests to annunciate a common heritage. They situate themselves against highland indigenous migrants ( colonos), an arrangement which surprises in light of the ‘indigenous solidarity’ propagated by the indigenous movement and indigenous President Evo Morales.
Estimation of the components of municipal solid waste settlement
Authors: Sivakumar Babu GL , Lakshmikanthan P
Published: November 2014

Estimation of the municipal solid waste settlements and the contribution of each of the components are essential in the estimation of the volume of the waste that can be accommodated in a landfill and increase the post-usage of the landfill. This article describes an experimental methodology for estimating and separating primary settlement, settlement owing to creep and biodegradation-induced settlement. The primary settlement and secondary settlement have been estimated and separated based on 100% pore pressure dissipation time and the coefficient of consolidation. Mechanical creep and biodegradation settlements were estimated and separated based on the observed time required for landfill gas production. The results of a series of laboratory triaxial tests, creep tests and anaerobic reactor cell setups were conducted to describe the components of settlement. All the tests were conducted on municipal solid waste (compost reject) samples. It was observed that biodegradation accounted to more than 40% of the total settlement, whereas mechanical creep contributed more than 20% towards the total settlement. The essential model parameters, such as the compression ratio ( Cc’), rate of mechanical creep ( c), coefficient of mechanical creep ( b), rate of biodegradation ( d) and the total strain owing to biodegradation ( EDG), are useful parameters in the estimation of total settlements as well as components of settlement in landfill.
Automotive shredder residue: A survey of the hazardous organic micro-pollutants spectrum in landfill biogas
Authors: Raboni Massimo , Torretta Vincenzo , Urbini Giordano , Viotti Paolo
Published: November 2014

In this study, we report an extensive set of analytical results on the quality of the biogas produced by a landfill of automotive shredder residues. In particular, the investigation was directed towards the identification of a spectrum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 compounds) and a wide range of volatile organic compounds (35 compounds). This article highlights the most important indications of toxicological concern for the detected compounds. Among the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chrysene shows the highest concentration, followed by pyrene and benzo(b)fluoranthene. Dibenz(a,h)anthracene, the most carcinogenic of the tested compounds, displayed results below the limit of analytical detectability. Benzo(a)pyrene, another typical carcinogenic compound, was detected at low concentrations. With regard to volatile organic compounds, the survey revealed a relevant concentration of toluene (found in fuels and paint thinner) significantly higher than the other compounds. Noticeable amounts of hexane, trichloromethane, and acetone were also found.
The regulatory role of nickel on H3K27 demethylase JMJD3 in kidney cancer cells
Authors: Guo Xiaoqiang , Zhang Yanmin , Zhang Qiang , Fa Pingping , Gui Yaoting , Gao Guoquan , Cai Zhiming
Published: November 2014

Nickel compounds are an important class of environmental pollutants and carcinogens. Chronic exposure to nickel compounds has been connected with increased risks of numerous cancers, including lung and kidney cancers. But the precise mechanism by which nickel compounds exert their carcinogenic properties is not completely understood. In this study, kidney cancer cells namely human embryonic kidney 293-containing SV40 large T-antigen (HEK293T) and 786-0 were incubated with various concentrations of nickel chloride for 24 h before analysing the expression of three histone H3K27 methylation-modifying enzymes and H3K27me3 using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. Our results showed that incubation of nickel chloride upregulated the expression of H3K27me3 demethylase jumonji domain-containing protein 3 (JMJD3) in kidney cancer cells, which was accompanied by the reduction in the protein level of H3K27me3. Enhanced demethylation of H3K27me3 may represent a novel mechanism underlying the carcinogenicity of nickel compounds.
Association of Pediatric Obesity and Migraine With Comparison to Tension Headache and Samples From Other Countries
Authors: Eidlitz-Markus Tal , Haimi-Cohen Yishai , Zeharia Avraham
Published: November 2014

The link between body weight and headache has hardly been examined in children. The aim was to evaluate the association of obesity and migraine in selected pediatric patients and compare the findings with the literature. Data on clinical symptoms, headache type, and body mass index standard deviation score were derived from the medical files of 245 patients with migraine and 87 with tension headache. Comparison of the 3 subgroups of migraine patients of normal weight, overweight, and obese with the corresponding body mass index standard deviation score subgroups of patients with tension-type headache yielded no statistically significant differences in frequency of headache attacks per month, or duration of headache attacks in hours. These results call into question earlier reports linking headache and obesity in children. Differences in findings between our study and those in the literature highlight several factors that should be addressed in further studies. A larger sample size may reveal more significant results.
Ablation and fire-retardant properties of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene-based polyurethane-g-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane composites
Authors: Kim Ho-Joong , Kim Chang Kee , Kwon Younghwan
Published: November 2014

This study examined the ablation and flammability of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene-based polyurethane composites grafted by polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (HTPB-based PU- g-POSS) that were prepared by a one-step PU reaction using the HTPB prepolymer, two types of reactive POSS diol, and isophorone diisocyanate. The ablation property was measured using an oxyacetylene torch, and the ablation rate and relative ablation resistivity were evaluated. The results show that POSS molecules incorporated chemically into the HTPB-based PU matrix make a positive contribution to the ablative resistance. POSS molecules in the HTPB-based PU composites exhibited distinct microphase separation, aggregating into a spherical shape on the nanometer scale. This morphology of the POSS domain in the HTPB-based PU matrix leads to the formation of densely accumulated spherical silica (SiO2) droplets on the top of the ablated surface of materials under thermally oxidative conditions during ablation, resulting in improved ablation resistance compared with pristine HTPB-based PU. This unique SiO2-forming ability of POSS molecules can also enhance the flame-retardant behavior of the composites, as illustrated by the limited oxygen index and cone calorimeter measurements.
Workability studies of sintered aluminium composites during hot deformation
Authors: Narayan Sumesh , Rajeshkannan Ananthanarayanan
Published: November 2014

Experimental investigation has been carried out to evaluate the effect of titanium carbide (TiC), molybdenum carbide (Mo2C), iron carbide (Fe3C) and tungsten carbide (WC) addition on the composite aluminium preforms. The hot upsetting of the composite aluminium preforms with various carbide contents, namely, Al-4% TiC, Al-4% WC, Al-4% Fe3C and Al-4% Mo2C, and different aspect ratios, namely, 0.4 and 0.6, was carried out and the workability behaviour of the same was determined. The influence of carbide addition in the aluminium composite and initial preform geometry on the relative density ( R), stress ratio parameters, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and formability stress index was studied.
An accurate solution method for the vibration analysis of Timoshenko beams with general elastic supports
Authors: Shi Dongyan , Wang Qingshan , Shi Xianjie , Pang Fuzhan
Published: November 2014

In this investigation, an accurate solution method is presented for the free vibrations of Timoshenko beams with general elastic restraints at the end points, a class of problems which are rarely attempted in the literatures. Unlike in most existing studies where solutions are often developed for a particular type of boundary conditions, the current method can be generally applied to a wide range of boundary conditions with no need of modifying solution algorithms and procedures. Under the current framework, the displacement and rotation functions are generally sought, regardless of boundary conditions, as an improved trigonometric series in which several supplementary functions introduced to remove the potential discontinuities with the displacement components and its derivatives at the end points and accelerated the series expansion. Mathematically, the current Fourier series expansion is an exact solution for a class of problems with the Timoshenko beam such that both the governing equations and the boundary conditions simultaneously satisfy any specified degree of accuracy. The effectiveness and reliability of the presented solution are demonstrated by comparing the present results with those results published in literatures and finite element method data, and numerous new results for beams with elastic boundary restraints is presented, which may serve as benchmark solution for future researches.
Dynamic response of a non-uniform Timoshenko beam, subjected to moving mass
Authors: Roshandel Davod , Mofid Massood , Ghannadiasl Amin
Published: November 2014

In this article, the dynamic response of a non-uniform Timoshenko beam acted upon by a moving mass is extensively investigated. To this end, the eigenfunction expansion method is adapted to the problem, employing the natural mode shapes of a uniform Timoshenko beam. Moreover, the orthonormal polynomial series expansion method is successfully applied to the coupled set of governing differential equations pertaining to the dynamic behavior of non-uniform Timoshenko beam actuated by a moving mass. Some numerical examples are solved in which the excellent agreement of the two presented methods is illustrated.
What do GUM physicians think should be taught in a modern undergraduate GUM module? A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Fernando I
Published: November 2014

Traditional undergraduate Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) teaching in the UK concentrated on the management of individual sexually transmitted infections. There is significant variation, however, in the GUM teaching provided by different medical schools today. I undertook a qualitative interview study to gather views of GUM and other sexual health clinicians regarding what should be taught within a modern undergraduate GUM module. Nine GUM clinicians and two Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) clinicians participated in the study; all were directly involved in undergraduate teaching. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with study participants by a single interviewer, focusing on three key topics: their individual opinions regarding important learning outcomes (LOs) for a modern model GUM curriculum, their preferred teaching methods and the total recommended teaching time required. Interviews were audio-recorded with consent and professionally transcribed. Data were analysed by the content analysis method. Interviewees frequently stressed skill and attitudinal LOs, even above knowledge. Recommended important skills included sexual history taking, HIV risk assessment and testing, and male and female genital examination. Recommended attitudinal LOs were developing an open and non-judgemental approach to sexual health issues and understanding sexual well-being to be an important component of general health. Respondents were keen for a mixture of teaching methods, but generally agreed that clinic attendance and experiential learning were beneficial. They preferred that GUM teaching should be delivered in the latter years of the undergraduate curriculum.
Investigation of the internal flow field for a subsonic stage of high pressure compressor through model testing
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Chenkai , Hu Jun
Published: November 2014

A large-scale four-stage low-speed research compressor was designed to represent the flow field structure in a subsonic stage, which is the seventh stage of a high pressure compressor. The aim of the design work was to undertake a careful high-to-low speed transformation. The low-speed compressor was designed as an “approximate repeating-stage” configuration, in which the third stage is the model stage and is slightly different from the other stages, while the first two stages and the last stage set up inlet and outlet conditions for it, respectively. The tip–hub ratio, solidity, and aspect ratio of the low-speed research compressor were restricted to be as close as possible to those of high pressure compressor. The blade sections along the span were designed to match the distributions of high-speed surface static pressure coefficient; furthermore, stacking rules of high pressure compressor apply to low-speed blades. The low-speed blades have been tested at the 4-Stage Research Compressor Facility of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Detailed traverse flow measurements were conducted in the stator blade passages of the third stage and between blade rows, along with static pressure measurements on stator blade surface and particle image velocimetry measurements in the rotor passage. Experiment results show that due to the boundary layer separated below the mid-span of the rotor blade, the total pressure loss increases at the hub region of both the rotor and stator. In addition, the experimental results in the stator blade passage reflect the characteristics of the flow field in the bowed stator passage. The results indicated that the seventh stage of high pressure compressor needs to be optimized by inhibiting the boundary layer separation mainly on the rotor blade surface below the mid-span, which is our further work.
Late Holocene climate change and anthropogenic activities in north Xinjiang: Evidence from a peatland archive, the Caotanhu wetland
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Yun , Kong Zhaochen , Yang Zhenjing , Li Yumei , Tarasov Pavel E
Published: November 2014

Climate change and human activities interact to affect the vegetation landscape. We examined the interaction of these drivers using multiproxy records, including data on pollen, charcoal, phytoliths, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, and loss-on-ignition, from a 268-cm sediment profile in Xinjiang, China. By combining these data with information gained from 214 samples of surface pollen assemblages in north Xinjiang, we were able to reconstruct the late Holocene climate using a weighted averaging partial least squares regression model. Our results suggested that the typical desert vegetation of the region changed to Artemisia desert at 2400 cal. a BP, and returned to desert after 900 cal. a BP. A warm–dry and cold–humid climate pattern existed during the past 4000 years. The climate was characterized by obvious fluctuation prior to 2400 cal. a BP, after which it became wetter and colder with little fluctuation. The temperature maximum in our reconstruction occurred around 700 cal. a BP. The macrocharcoal particles reached their highest levels at c. 3500 cal. a BP, and again at 700 cal. a BP, suggesting increases in human activities at these times. An increased amount of anthropogenic plant pollen also appeared in sediment over the past 50 years. Large numbers of Thelypteris spores and Phragmites phytoliths in the surface pollen samples from modern desert vegetation also reflect recent human activities. Therefore, our data provide evidence that both climate and human activities are important drivers of changes in regional vegetation.
Body Image and the Role of Television
Authors: Kinnally William , Van Vonderen Kristen E.
Published: November 2014

This study attempts to bring some clarity to the relationships among genre-related television (TV) exposure, body image perceptions and body dissatisfaction. Female undergraduates ( n = 417) completed measures of thin-ideal reality TV viewing, perceptions of social value of thinness, peer and parental attitudes towards thinness, as well as the internalization of the thin ideal and body dissatisfaction measures. First-order effects (perceptions of social reality) and second-order effects (personal attitudes) were examined. Additionally, media exposure was juxtaposed with social influences such as perceptions of peer and parent attitudes to form a model of TV use, body image attitudes and body dissatisfaction. Results suggest thin-ideal reality TV viewing and other social sources such as peer and parent attitudes are linked directly to perceptions of the social value of thinness (first-order effect). However, thin-ideal reality TV exposure was indirectly related to the internalization of the thin ideal (second-order effect) and body dissatisfaction. A model of body dissatisfaction including thin-ideal reality TV viewing as well as perceptions of peer and parent attitudes was supported.
Ebola Virus Disease
Authors: Guarascio Anthony J. , Faust Andrew C. , Sheperd Lyndsay , O’Donnell Lauren A.
Published: November 2014

Ebola virus disease (EVD) poses significant clinical care implications for pharmacists. Emergency preparedness efforts should be undertaken to ensure vital response to EVD. Pharmacists should consider factors such as enhanced use of resources for front-line EVD patient care along with procurement of investigational medications. Appropriate and timely preparation, distribution, and administration of treatment for patients with EVD in the setting of substantial critical illness as well as infection control measures are essential. Aggressive supportive care and early, goal-directed therapy are cornerstones of therapy, whereas investigational treatments for EVD will likely play a larger, more well-defined role as future clinical trials are conducted.