bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of passive whole body heating on central conduction and cortical excitability in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls
Authors: White Andrea T. , VanHaitsma Timothy A. , Vener Jamie , Davis Scott L.
Published: April 2013

Heat stress is associated with increased fatigue perception and decrements in function for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Similarly, healthy individuals experience decrements in exercise performance during hyperthermia. Alterations in central nervous system (CNS) function during hyperthermia include reduced voluntary activation of muscle and increased effort perception. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that passive heat exposure in MS patients will produce increased subjective fatigue and impairments in physiological measures of central conduction and cortical excitability compared with healthy individuals. Eleven healthy individuals and 11 MS patients completed a series of transcranial magnetic stimulation studies to examine central conduction and cortical excitability under thermoneutral and heat-stressed (HS) conditions at rest and after a fatiguing thumb abduction task. Passive heat stress resulted in significantly greater fatigue perception and impairments in force production in MS patients. Central motor conduction time was significantly shorter during HS in controls; however, in MS patients normal increases in conduction velocity with increased temperature were not observed centrally. MS patients also exhibited decreased cortical excitability during HS, evidenced by significant increases in resting motor threshold, decreased MEP amplitude, and decreased recruitment curve slope. Both groups exhibited postexercise depression of MEP amplitude, but the magnitude of these decrements was amplified in MS patients during HS. Taken together, these results suggest that CNS pathology in MS patients played a substantial role in reducing cortical excitability during HS.
Identification of Two Distinct Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblast Subtypes with Differential Tumor-Promoting Abilities in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Costea Daniela Elena , Hills Allison , Osman Amani H. , Thurlow Johanna , Kalna Gabriela , Huang Xiaohong , Pena Murillo Claudia , Parajuli Himalaya , Suliman Salwa , Kulasekara Keerthi K. , Johannessen Anne Chr. , Partridge Max
Published: April 2013

Heterogeneity of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) has long been recognized, but the functional significance remains poorly understood. Here, we report the distinction of two CAF subtypes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) that have differential tumor-promoting capability, one with a transcriptome and secretome closer to normal fibroblasts (CAF-N) and the other with a more divergent expression pattern (CAF-D). Both subtypes supported higher tumor incidence in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) Ilγ2(null) mice and deeper invasion of malignant keratinocytes than normal or dysplasia-associated fibroblasts, but CAF-N was more efficient than CAF-D in enhancing tumor incidence. CAF-N included more intrinsically motile fibroblasts maintained by high autocrine production of hyaluronan. Inhibiting CAF-N migration by blocking hyaluronan synthesis or chain elongation impaired invasion of adjacent OSCC cells, pinpointing fibroblast motility as an essential mechanism in this process. In contrast, CAF-D harbored fewer motile fibroblasts but synthesized higher TGF-β1 levels. TGF-β1 did not stimulate CAF-D migration but enhanced invasion and expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in malignant keratinocytes. Inhibiting TGF-β1 in three-dimensional cultures containing CAF-D impaired keratinocyte invasion, suggesting TGF-β1–induced EMT mediates CAF-D–induced carcinoma cell invasion. TGF-β1–pretreated normal fibroblasts also induced invasive properties in transformed oral keratinocytes, indicating that TGF-β1–synthesizing fibroblasts, as well as hyaluronan-synthesizing fibroblasts, are critical for carcinoma invasion. Taken together, these results discern two subtypes of CAF that promote OSCC cell invasion via different mechanisms. Cancer Res; 73(13); 3888–901. ©2013 AACR.
Transcriptional Characterization of a Prospective Series of Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia Revealed Signatures Associated with Tumor Progression and Poorer Outcome
Authors: Todoerti Katia , Agnelli Luca , Fabris Sonia , Lionetti Marta , Tuana Giacomo , Mosca Laura , Lombardi Luigia , Grieco Vitina , Bianchino Gabriella , D'Auria Fiorella , Statuto Teodora , Mazzoccoli Carmela , De Luca Luciana , Petrucci Maria Teresa , Morabito Fortunato , Offidani Massimo , Di Raimondo Francesco , Falcone Antonietta , Omede' Paola , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Boccadoro Mario , Palumbo Antonio , Neri Antonino , Musto Pellegrino
Published: April 2013

Purpose: Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare form of plasma cell dyscrasia that presents either as a progression of previously diagnosed multiple myeloma, namely secondary PCL, or as initial manifestation of disease, namely primary PCL (pPCL). Although the presenting signs and symptoms include those seen in multiple myeloma, pPCL is characterized by several aspects that define a more aggressive course. Here, we have investigated the transcriptome of pPCLs and correlated differential expression profiles with outcome to provide insights into the biology of the disease.

Experimental Design: The expression profiles of 21 newly diagnosed pPCLs included in a multicenter prospective clinical trial were generated using high-density microarray, then evaluated in comparison with a representative series of patients with multiple myeloma and in association with clinical outcome.

Results: All but one of the pPCLs had one of the main immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus translocations, whose associated transcriptional signatures resembled those observed in multiple myeloma. A 503-gene signature distinguished pPCL from multiple myeloma, from which emerged 26 genes whose expression trend was associated with progressive stages of plasma cells dyscrasia in a large dataset from multiple institutions, including samples from normal donors throughout PCL. Finally, 3 genes were identified as having expression levels that correlated with response to the first-line treatment with lenalidomide/dexamethasone, whereas a 27-gene signature was associated with overall survival independently of molecular alterations, hematologic parameters, and renal function.

Conclusions: Overall, our data contribute to a fine dissection of pPCL and may provide novel insights into the molecular definition of patients with poorer prognosis. Clin Cancer Res; 19(12); 3247–58. ©2013 AACR.
DCDT2980S, an Anti-CD22-Monomethyl Auristatin E Antibody–Drug Conjugate, Is a Potential Treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Li Dongwei , Poon Kirsten Achilles , Yu Shang-Fan , Dere Randall , Go MaryAnn , Lau Jeffrey , Zheng Bing , Elkins Kristi , Danilenko Dimitry , Kozak Katherine R. , Chan Pamela , Chuh Josefa , Shi Xiaoyan , Nazzal Denise , Fuh Franklin , McBride Jacqueline , Ramakrishnan Vanitha , de Tute Ruth , Rawstron Andy , Jack Andrew S. , Deng Rong , Chu Yu-Waye , Dornan David , Williams Marna , Ho William , Ebens Allen , Prabhu Saileta , Polson Andrew G.
Published: April 2013

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), potent cytotoxic drugs linked to antibodies via chemical linkers, allow specific targeting of drugs to neoplastic cells. We have used this technology to develop the ADC DCDT2980S that targets CD22, an antigen with expression limited to B cells and the vast majority of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). DCDT2980S consists of a humanized anti-CD22 monoclonal IgG1 antibody with a potent microtubule-disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), linked to the reduced cysteines of the antibody via a protease cleavable linker, maleimidocaproyl-valine-citrulline-p-aminobenzoyloxycarbonyl (MC-vc-PAB). We describe the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of DCDT2980S in animal models to assess its potential as a therapeutic for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. We did not find a strong correlation between in vitro or in vivo efficacy and CD22 surface expression, nor a correlation of sensitivity to free drug and in vitro potency. We show that DCDT2980S was capable of inducing complete tumor regression in xenograft mouse models of NHL and can be more effective than rituximab plus combination chemotherapy at drug exposures that were well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys. These results suggest that DCDT2980S has an efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics profile that support potential treatment of NHL. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(7); 1255–65. ©2013 AACR.
The Achromatic ‘Philosophical Zombie', a Syndrome of Cerebral Achromatopsia with Color Anopsognosia
Authors: Carota Antonio , Calabrese Pasquale
Published: April 2013

We describe a patient with persistent cerebral achromatopsia occurring after bilateral occipital strokes. Blinded color recognition was assessed with a computerized experimental paradigm and the patient reported the degree of confidence in the response exactness on a visual percent scale. Color recognition was accurate and above chance (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.002). The degree of confidence in the answers showed a significant correlation with recognition scores (Spearman rank order correlation, p < 0.0001). These findings constitute the exceptional condition of what we called color anopsognosia (not knowing of seeing colors) and recall the theoretic figure of the ‘philosophical zombie'. However, the cognitive mechanisms of the dissociation between a subjective colorless vision and good performance for color naming still remain poorly understood.
Primary Osteosarcoma of the Heart: Experience of an Unusual Case
Authors: Özen Düriye Sıla Karagöz , Öztürk Mehmet Akif , Selcukbiricik Fatih , Esatoglu Sinem Nihal , Turna Zeynep Hande , Beyaz Pınar , Dervisoglu Sergülen , Özgüroglu Mustafa
Published: April 2013

Primary cardiac osteosarcomas are uncommon tumors. They have an aggressive biology and hence poor prognosis. This report describes a 23-year-old male patient who was referred to our hospital with chest pain. Echocardiography showed a left atrial mass, and tumor excision revealed a cardiac osteosarcoma. Adjuvant cisplatin plus ifosfamide combination chemotherapy provided a disease-free survival of 9 months; unfortunately the patient died of metastatic disease thereafter.
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1–Mediated Migration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Is a Source of Intimal Hyperplasia
Authors: Grudzinska Monika K. , Kurzejamska Ewa , Bojakowski Krzysztof , Soin Joanna , Lehmann Michael H. , Reinecke Hans , Murry Charles E. , Soderberg-Naucler Cecilia , Religa Piotr
Published: April 2013

Objective—

Intimal hyperplasia is considered to be a healing response and is a major cause of vessel narrowing after injury, where migration of vascular progenitor cells contributes to pathological events, including transplant arteriosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

In this study, we used a rat aortic–allograft model to identify the predominant cell types associated with transplant arteriosclerosis and to identify factors important in their recruitment into the graft. Transplantation of labeled adventitial tissues allowed us to identify the adventitia as a major source of cells migrating to the intima. RNA microarrays revealed a potential role for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), stromal cell–derived factor 1, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted, and interferon-inducible protein 10 in the induced vasculopathy. MCP-1 induced migration of adventitial fibroblast cells. CCR2, the receptor for MCP-1, was coexpressed with CD90, CD44, NG2, or sca-1 on mesenchymal stem cells. In vivo experiments using MCP-1–deficient and CCR2-deficient mice confirmed an important role of MCP-1 in the formation of intimal hyperplasia in a mouse model of vascular injury.

Conclusions—

The adventitia is a potentially important cellular source that contributes to intimal hyperplasia, and MCP-1 is a potent chemokine for the recruitment of adventitial vascular progenitor cells to intimal lesions.
Resting Heart Rate and the Risk of Heart Failure in Healthy Adults
Authors: Nanchen David , Leening Maarten J.G. , Locatelli Isabella , Cornuz Jacques , Kors Jan A. , Heeringa Jan , Deckers Jaap W. , Hofman Albert , Franco Oscar H. , Stricker Bruno H.Ch. , Witteman Jacqueline C.M. , Dehghan Abbas
Published: April 2013

Background—

An elevated resting heart rate is associated with rehospitalization for heart failure and is a modifiable risk factor in heart failure patients. We aimed to examine the association between resting heart rate and incident heart failure in a population-based cohort study of healthy adults without pre-existing overt heart disease.

Methods and Results—

We studied 4768 men and women aged ≥55 years from the population-based Rotterdam Study. We excluded participants with prevalent heart failure, coronary heart disease, pacemaker, atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular block, and those using β-blockers or calcium channel blockers. We used extended Cox models allowing for time-dependent variation of resting heart rate along follow-up. During a median of 14.6 years of follow-up, 656 participants developed heart failure. The risk of heart failure was higher in men with higher resting heart rate. For each increment of 10 beats per minute, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios in men were 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.28;
P
=0.005) in the time-fixed heart rate model and 1.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.25;
P
=0.017) in the time-dependent heart rate model. The association could not be demonstrated in women (
P
for interaction=0.004). Censoring participants for incident coronary heart disease or using time-dependent models to account for the use of β-blockers or calcium channel blockers during follow-up did not alter the results.

Conclusions—

Baseline or persistent higher resting heart rate is an independent risk factor for the development of heart failure in healthy older men in the general population.
Free-Breathing, Motion-Corrected Late Gadolinium Enhancement Is Robust and Extends Risk Stratification to Vulnerable Patients
Authors: Piehler Kayla M. , Wong Timothy C. , Puntil Kathy S. , Zareba Karolina M. , Lin Kathie , Harris David M. , Deible Christopher R. , Lacomis Joan M. , Czeyda-Pommersheim Ferenc , Cook Stephen C. , Kellman Peter , Schelbert Erik B.
Published: April 2013

Background—

Routine clinical use of novel free-breathing, motion-corrected, averaged late-gadolinium-enhancement (moco-LGE) cardiovascular MR may have advantages over conventional breath-held LGE (bh-LGE), especially in vulnerable patients.

Methods and Results—

In 390 consecutive patients, we collected bh-LGE and moco-LGE with identical image matrix parameters. In 41 patients, bh-LGE was abandoned because of image quality issues, including 10 with myocardial infarction. When both were acquired, myocardial infarction detection was similar (McNemar test,
P
=0.4) with high agreement (κ=0.95). With artifact-free bh-LGE images, pixelwise myocardial infarction measures correlated highly (
R
2
=0.96) without bias. Moco-LGE was faster, and image quality and diagnostic confidence were higher on blinded review (
P
<0.001 for all). During a median of 1.2 years, 20 heart failure hospitalizations and 18 deaths occurred. For bh-LGE, but not moco-LGE, inferior image quality and bh-LGE nonacquisition were linked to patient vulnerability confirmed by adverse outcomes (log-rank
P
<0.001). Moco-LGE significantly stratified risk in the full cohort (log-rank
P
<0.001), but bh-LGE did not (log-rank
P
=0.056) because a significant number of vulnerable patients did not receive bh-LGE (because of arrhythmia or inability to hold breath).

Conclusions—

Myocardial infarction detection and quantification are similar between moco-LGE and bh-LGE when bh-LGE can be acquired well, but bh-LGE quality deteriorates with patient vulnerability. Acquisition time, image quality, diagnostic confidence, and the number of successfully scanned patients are superior with moco-LGE, which extends LGE-based risk stratification to include patients with vulnerability confirmed by outcomes. Moco-LGE may be suitable for routine clinical use.
Using Centrally Held Data to Validate Carotid Surgery Outcome Data
Authors: Stuart Wesley P. , Hussey Keith K. , Eifell Ron K.G. , Drummond Robert , Ford Ian , Welch George H.
Published: April 2013

Background and Purpose—

Outcome audit data for peer group comparison must be transparent, objective, and independently reproducible. Personal data sets are difficult to maintain and often lack complete follow-up. Local coding difficulties make initial retrieval of centrally held data unreliable. However starting with a complete list of interventions, reliable identification of patients who have experienced an adverse postoperative event may be possible using record linkages.

Methods—

A surgical database, augmented by a hand-search of all theater registries and personal logbooks, identified 378 carotid endarterectomies performed for stroke prevention in symptomatic patients, in a single hospital between 2002 and 2009. A list of the names, unique patient identifiers, and operation dates was sent to the Information Services Division of National Health Service Scotland. Data were requested pertaining to all deaths and potential diagnoses of stroke after surgery. Every identified case was scrutinized.

Results—

There were 30 (8%) readmissions or transfers of care identified within 30 days of surgery. From this, 12 strokes were identified with another 2 strokes, occurring without readmission, diagnosed in the outpatient clinic. Only 6 of the postoperative strokes were identified during the index admission. There were 2 early deaths resulting in a combined stroke and death rate of 4.2% (95% confidence intervals, 2.4%–6.9%).

Conclusions—

These outcome data are similar to the outcomes of the major carotid surgery trials. Record-linked data retrieval seems to be an appropriate starting point for outcome-based audit. This has the potential to generate robust, transparent data for comparison between individuals and centers for a specific procedure.
Defamation and Political Comment in Post-Soviet Russia
Authors: Reid Elspeth
Published: April 2013

The law of defamation in Russia has a long history. Its roots are in the European tradition, but the discontinuity of its historical development has meant that there have been particular difficulties in reconfiguring the law for the new human rights era following Russia’s accession to the Council of Europe in 1996 and ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights in 1998. Defamation law must now be been tested against the fundamental standards enshrined in the ECHR, to ensure that appropriate levels of protection are provided not only for reputation but, also, for freedom of expression. It has been left largely to the judiciary and judge-made law to manage this difficult transition. This article analyses the elements that make up the law of defamation in Russia and assesses the challenges that remain in adapting it to the twenty-first century.
Non-Geographic Classes? Reformed Geography
Authors: van den Broeke Leon
Published: April 2013

Abstract

The Reformed Church in America is wrestling with an interesting question in ecclesiology and church order: is there a place within the church for so-called non-geographic classes. Non-geographic classes are classes which are not formed around a geographic regional principal, but by agreement in theological perspective or a peculiar way that a congregation is shaped. The question central to this article is then: is there a place in Reformed churches for non-geographical classes? In answering this question, the following will be considered: a similar proposal from the Gereformeerde Bond in the Netherlands Reformed Church in 1998; the geographic-regional principle; the Walloon Classis; the Classis of Holland; the Reformed Church in America; Flying, diocesan and titular bishops and finally a conclusion.
Reading Abdennour Bidar: New Pathways for European Islamic Thought
Authors: Hashas Mohammed
Published: April 2013

Abstract

This article introduces the work of the young French Muslim philosopher Abdennour Bidar (b. 1971). It argues that Bidar’s work may be the first attempt that innovatively outlines a theoretical framework for European Islamic thought that is neither Eurocentric nor Islamocentric in the classical senses of the terms. Through a theosophic approach,1 Bidar tries to put the two worldviews together in a genuine effort of a theologian-philosopher. I divide his project into three intellectual stages which correspond to his three basic concepts: Self-Islam, Islamic Existentialism, and Overcoming Religion.
Globalization of Education
Authors: Spring Joel
Published: April 2013

This article examines the political, economic, and social forces shaping global education policies. Of particular concern is global acceptance of human capital ideology and its stress on education as the key to economic growth. Human capital ideology encompasses consumerism which is a driving force in global economics. This article discusses the role of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Bank, and global education businesses in globalizing education policies and human capital ideology. An alternative to human capital ideology is an educational paradigm based on the goals of longevity and happiness.
The EU and China: The Race for Talent: The Relevance and Responsiveness of Education and Training
Authors: Zhong Zhou , Ulicna Daniela
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the main findings of an EU-China joint study that examines the ‘race for talent’ from the crucial perspective of the relevance and responsiveness of education and training systems in the EU and China. Relevance and responsiveness are explored in a comparative perspective as important, though not the only, aspects of the quality of education by investigating the differences in socio-economic and cultural realities in Europe and China. Specifically, the study explores similarities and differences in the profiles of college graduates in Europe and China against employers’ real expectations and needs. The study also analyses the strategies and measures that education systems, institutions and employers are putting in place to bring into better alignment the relationship between education and the world of work. The study is based on a qualitative and exploratory research design that combined primary data collection from 162 interviews (half in Europe and half in China) and the use of existing research literature in China and Europe. All interviewees had direct experience of education and training systems in Europe and China (through studying, teaching or program design) or work experience involving European and Chinese graduates. The study was one of the outcomes of the 2009 high-level policy dialogue between the European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) and the Chinese Ministry of Education. The research of this study was carried out by a joint taskforce with one team based at the Institute of Education Tsinghua University in China and the other team at GHK Consulting in Europe.
A Global View on the Swell and Wind Sea Climate by the Jason-1 Mission: A Revisit
Authors: Jiang Haoyu , Chen Ge
Published: April 2013

In this study, a global climatology of swells and wind seas was investigated using near-10-yr collocated wind speed and significant wave height (SWH) measurements from the basic Geophysical Data Record (GDR) of the Jason-1 mission. A statistical method to estimate the wind sea and swell SWHs, respectively, on the basis of wave energy and wind sea/swell probability was proposed. The global distributions of swell/wind sea probability displayed the swell's dominance in the World Ocean. Their seasonal variation showed not only the regions called “swell pools” with high swell probability throughout the year at low latitudes, which have been found in previous studies, but also the regions with high swell probability only in hemispheric summer, termed “seasonal swell pools,” located at the midlatitudes of open oceans. The seasonal geographical patterns of the swell SWH were similar to those of the SWH due to the swell's dominance, and the patterns of the wind SWH were similar to those of the wind speed because of their well-coupled nature. The results could be used as a reference for related applications such as ocean engineering, seafaring, validation of wave models, and studies on climate change.
Fuck Redux
Authors: Kravis Nathan
Published: April 2013

Leo Stone’s “On the Principal Obscene Word of the English Language” (1954) embodies a particular moment in the history of psychoanalysis, one that stands in contrast to our current zeitgeist. In a review that is both admiring and critical, Stone’s paper is compared with a recent book by an OED editor on the same topic (Sheidlower 2009). The latter totally neglects Stone, and psychoanalysis in general, and speculations are made regarding this neglect.
Technology-Assisted Psychoanalysis
Authors: Scharff Jill Savege
Published: April 2013

Teleanalysis—remote psychoanalysis by telephone, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), or videoteleconference (VTC)—has been thought of as a distortion of the frame that cannot support authentic analytic process. Yet it can augment continuity, permit optimum frequency of analytic sessions for in-depth analytic work, and enable outreach to analysands in areas far from specialized psychoanalytic centers. Theoretical arguments against teleanalysis are presented and countered and its advantages and disadvantages discussed. Vignettes of analytic process from teleanalytic sessions are presented, and indications, contraindications, and ethical concerns are addressed. The aim is to provide material from which to judge the authenticity of analytic process supported by technology.
National test performance of young Australian children with additional educational needs
Authors: Dempsey Ian , Davies Michael
Published: April 2013

While the national testing of Australian school students is now well-entrenched, the educational outcomes of students with additional needs in this country are unknown. Students with a disability may be exempted from national testing and, in the absence of consistent standards for test accommodations and alternative tests, Australian educational authorities continue to be unaccountable for these students. Using secondary data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, it is estimated that 12.3% of study children had additional educational needs (predominantly learning disabilities, emotional and behavioural disabilities and autism) that required specialist services. More than a third of students with additional needs did not participate in national testing. Those students with additional needs who did participate performed at a significantly lower level in comparison to students without additional needs. Further, students with additional needs in public schools were much more likely to have poorer academic outcomes than their counterparts in the Catholic and Independent education sectors.
The power of social capital in school choice in a Chinese city
Authors: Xiaoxin Wu
Published: April 2013

School choice in China is characterized by the payment of substantial amounts of additional (“choice”) fees by parents to the preferred school, and by the use of cultural, social and economic capital to obtain places in oversubscribed schools. This study examines the role of social capital in current parent-initiated school choice in China. It finds that it is common for parents to mobilize their social capital in the form of guanxi to acquire insider information, to facilitate or gain exceptional entry into the preferred school and to reduce or waive the choice fee. The paper also addresses the issue of educational inequality caused by such practice in the school choice process.
Vocational education and training in Australia and three-dimensional federalism
Authors: Klatt Malgorzata , Polesel John
Published: April 2013

Education policy-making in Australia remains one of the most complex of government’s responsibilities, affecting a broad spectrum of social and political advancements of national and international importance. The advancement of education policy has been accepted as a key factor in achieving the labour productivity and innovation capacity that are needed to compete within the global economy and to build social capital. Yet, the challenge of development and implementation of education policy in Australia has been significantly influenced by its unique federal model, where the state and commonwealth jurisdictions increasingly overlap. This article offers a descriptive account of federal policy involvement in Australian education since federation, with particular attention to vocational education. It demonstrates that national education policy development is characterised by downwards, upwards and horizontal patterns of cooperation between national and state governments, which are in turn influenced by contextual factors such as national economic policy goals, economic and social conditions and political configurations. The article presents an innovative approach to educational research as it brings together two fields of specialisation: vocational education and training research and political science.
How hard can it be? The relative job demands of rural, regional and remote Australian educational leaders
Authors: Drummond Aaron , Halsey R John
Published: April 2013

The demands placed upon employees in their roles have long been thought to be important in predicting employee well-being and in reducing the risk of anxiety and depression, increasing cardiovascular functioning and reducing employee burnout. The present study sought to examine the job demands of rural, regional and remote educational leaders. Demand ratings were generally lower for regional areas than rural areas and lower for rural areas than remote areas. Higher qualifications and experience were associated with lower demand ratings. Participants in desired areas rated themselves under lower demand than participants in undesired areas and participants who were undecided about the desirability of their locations. These findings have important implications for the selection, preparation and support of leaders in non-metropolitan contexts.
Accurate interpretation of the 12-lead ECG electrode placement: A systematic review
Authors: Khunti Kirti
Published: April 2013

Background:

Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients require monitoring through ECGs; the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is considered to be the non-invasive gold standard. Examples of incorrect treatment because of inaccurate or poor ECG monitoring techniques have been reported in the literature. The findings that only 50% of nurses and less than 20% of cardiologists correctly place leads V1 and V2 of a standard 12-lead ECG is of great concern.

Objective:

The review discusses the evidence base underpinning the use of 12-lead ECG electrode placement on patients with suspected heart disease and summarizes the results of 10 research papers.

Methods:

The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the British Nursing Index (BNI), Embase and Medline were searched, from 2000 up to May 2012 using the key words ‘electrocardiography’, ‘positioning’, ‘electrodes’, ‘electrocardiogram’, ‘lead placement’ and ’12-lead ECG’. The search was limited to studies in the English language. The quality of each study was rated against set inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results:

All the studies found that the incorrect connection of the electrode cables can alter ECG patterns simulating or concealing abnormalities, such as myocardial infarction (MI). Adherence to correct anatomical precordial lead placement methodology continues to be limited, especially with respect to leads V1 and V2 at the fourth intercostal space (ICS), which can potentially yield recorded waveforms that mimic the ECG diagnosis of septal MI.

Conclusions:

False ECG diagnosis of MI resulting from improper lead placement has the potential to trigger the wasteful use of healthcare resources and even cause harm to patients.
Performance of Young and Older Drivers on a Static Acuity Test under Photopic and Mesopic Luminance Conditions
Authors: Sturr Joseph F. , Kline Gary E. , Taub Harvey A.
Published: April 2013

Sixty young (18−25 years) and 91 older volunteers (60-87 years) were tested for static visual acuity under six different luminance levels ranging from 245.5 cd/m2 (photopic) to 0.2 cd/m2 (mesopic). The results showed significant differences in log decimal acuity and in passing a 20/40 acuity criterion score as a function of age and luminance level. There were no differences, however, in comparisons between young subjects and those aged 60-64. It seems, therefore, that when using visual acuity measures, as is done for driver licensing, 65 years is the critical age after which visual acuity becomes significantly poorer under conditions of degraded illumination. The implications for issuing driver's licenses to individuals over age 65 based on standard visual acuity testing are discussed.
Attenuation Performance of Four Hearing Protectors under Dynamic Movement and Different User Fitting Conditions
Authors: Casali John G. , Park Min-Yong
Published: April 2013

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of movement activities and alternative fitting procedures on protection levels afforded by four hearing protection devices (HPDs). Psychophysical attenuation measurements at nine onethird-octave bands from 125 to 8000 Hz were obtained prior to, during, and following a 2-hr wearing stint that included periods of either highly kinematic but controlled work activity or vigorous temporomandibular movement. The 40 subjects, who were nonusers of HPDs, initially fit the protectors according to either the instructions on the package (i.e., subject fit) or after receiving interactive training on proper fit (i.e., trained fit). Thereafter no further protector adjustments were allowed during the wearing period. The subject-fit condition resulted in significantly lower protection levels, from 4 to 14 dB, at 1000 Hz and below for a premolded polymer earplug, a user-molded foam earplug, and a double protector consisting of a muff over the foam plug. The muff alone was significantly more resilient to fitting effects on attenuation than were the plugs. Movement activity caused up to a 6-dB significant reduction in frequency-specific attenuation over time for the premolded plug, muff, and muff-plug combination. The compliant foam earplug was largely resistant to either type of movement effect but did benefit more than the other devices from use of the trained-fit procedure. Implications of the results for hearing protector testing protocol, device selection, and user training are discussed.
Limits of Fusion and Depth Judgment in Stereoscopic Color Displays
Authors: Yeh Yei-Yu , Silverstein Louis D.
Published: April 2013

The effective use of stereoscopic display systems is dependent, in part, on reliable data describing binocular fusion limits and the accuracy of depth discrimination for such visual display devices. These issues were addressed in three experiments, as were the effects of interocular cross talk. Results showed that limits of fusion were approximately 27.0 min arc for crossed disparity and 24.0 min arc for uncrossed disparity. Subjects were extremely accurate in distinguishing the relative distance among four groups of stimuli, were able to identify a pair of stimuli colocated at the same depth plane within each group, and were fairly accurate in scaling stimuli along the depth dimension. The mean error in using disparity as a depth cue was approximately 2.2 min arc. Interocular cross talk had little effect on fusion limits for 200-ms stimulus presentations but significantly affected fusion for longer (2 s) presentations that enabled vergence responses to be executed. Depth discrimination performance was essentially unaffected by interocular cross talk; however, cross talk significantly influenced subjective ratings of image quality and visual comfort.
Effects of Pyridostigmine Bromide on In-Flight Aircrew Performance
Authors: Gawron Valerie J. , Schiflett Samuel G. , Miller James C. , Slater Timothy , Ball John F.
Published: April 2013

The effects of a chemical defense pretreatment drug. pyridostigmine bromide (PB). on in-flight aircrew performance were assessed using the Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) aircraft. TIFS was used to supply appropriate control dynamics, handling characteristics, and cockpit instrumentation for a tactical transport airdrop simulation. Twenty-one C-130 pilots flew two familiarization and four data flights. During two data flights PB was given to both members of the aircrew using the dosage regimen of 30 mg/8 h prescribed by the U.S. Air Force surgeon general. The drug was administered using a double-blind technique. The results indicated that (1) aircrews successfully completed their assigned mission, (2) airdrop inaccuracies and navigation errors in time and distance were not specifically related to PB, (3) performance and crew coordination were not affected by PB, (4) PB and pilot/copilot order significantly affected copilot tasks, and (5) subjects and observers did not discriminate beyond chance between PB and placebo conditions.
Perception-Response Speed and Driving Capabilities of Brain-Damaged and Older Drivers
Authors: Korteling J. E.
Published: April 2013

Three experiments including reaction time (RT) tasks and driving tasks were conducted to identify variables that may be sensitive to the effects of brain damage or aging and to determine how RT tasks relate to driving performance. In Experiment 1 mean RTs of the brain-damaged and older subjects disproportionately increased relative to those of controls, with increasing difference between subsequent compound stimuli. In Experiment 2 response accuracy of brain-damaged subjects deteriorated more than that of controls when the similarity of a task to actual driving increased. In Experiment 3 brain-damaged patients were slower and less accurate than the controls on all measures of a platoon car-following task, whereas the older subjects were only less accurate. Compared with those of the controls, brake RTs of neither the older subjects nor the patients were disproportionately affected by increasing task load. Performance on the platoon driving task could be successfully predicted by a laboratory RT task on time estimation only for the brain-damaged subjects.
Optical Factors in Judgments of Size through an Aperture
Authors: Marsh James S. , Temme Leonard A.
Published: April 2013

An expression is derived relating retinal image size to object size when the object is seen through a pupil forming an aperture stop for the eye. The image size is related to object position, pupil position, and state of accommodation of the eye on the assumption that the chief ray determines the image of an out-of-focus object. Data obtained by Biersdorf and Baird agree with the expression. The expression is used as the basis of a quantitative discussion of Hennessy's informal experiment and Roscoe's zoom lens hypothesis.
Reading from Color Displays: A Psychophysical Model
Authors: Travis David S. , Bowles Susan , Seton John , Peppe Roger
Published: April 2013

We have investigated the effects of chromatic and luminance contrast on reading colored text on multicolor displays. Stimuli were defined in a color space with three cardinal axes. Two of these axes are chromatic and maximally modulate the opponent mechanisms of color vision; the third is an achromatic axis. We measured detection and discrimination of words and nonwords. The results show that near-perfect reading at equiluminance is possible and that in terms of machine units, luminance differences are more salient than purely chromatic differences, but these differences disappear when the discrimination data are scaled for detection threshold.
Legibility and Subjective Preference for Color Combinations in Text
Authors: Pastoor Siegmund
Published: April 2013

This study examined legibility performance and subjective preference for text/background color combinations displayed on a video monitor. Luminance contrast was fixed at two preoptimized levels, either with text brighter than the background (10:1) or vice versa (1:6.5). In Experiment 1, 32 subjects rated about 800 color combinations. No evidence suggested differential effects of luminance polarity or hue, with the only exception that cool background colors (blue and bluish cyan) tended to be preferred for the light-on-dark polarity. Saturation had the most important influence on ratings. Any desaturated color combination appears to be satisfactory for text presentation. In Experiment 2 a reduced set of 18 color combinations was investigated with a new sample of 18 subjects. Reading and search times as well as multidimensional ratings were evaluated. There was no evidence for an influence of luminance polarity or chromaticity on performance. Subjective ratings corresponded well with the results of Experiment 1.
Performance Consequences of Two Types of Stereo Picture Compression
Authors: Tzelgov Joseph , Henik Avishai , Dinstein Its'hak , Hrabany Josep
Published: April 2013

Two algorithms for stereo picture compression were evaluated. According to one algorithm, consistent with the fusion theory of depth perception, the reduction of information in the two pictures was about equal. The other algorithm, consistent with the suppression theory of depth perception, was based on very deep compression of one picture and minimal reduction of information in the second picture. Subjects performed depth decisions and object decisions on the compressed picture. They were able to perform both tasks on the compressed pictures, though performance generally was worse than in the uncompressed control conditions. In both tasks performance was better for an uneven division of information between the two pictures. These results are consistent with the suppression theory of depth perception.
Effects of Recognition Accuracy and Vocabulary Size of a Speech Recognition System on Task Performance and User Acceptance
Authors: Casali Sherry Perdue , Williges Beverly H. , Dryden Robert D.
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of recognizer accuracy and vocabulary size on performance of a speech recognition system. Subjects ranging in age from 20 to 55 years performed a data-entry task using a simulated speech recognizer that simulated three accuracy levels and three levels of available vocabulary. The accuracy level at which the recognizer was performing significantly influenced the time to complete the task as well as the user's acceptability ratings but had only a small effect on the number of errors left uncorrected. Available word-level vocabulary size also significantly affected the task completion time; however, its effect on the average number of uncorrected errors and on the acceptability ratings was negligible. Age of the subject was found to influence both objective and subjective measures. Older subjects required more time to complete the tasks, though they consistently rated the speech input systems more favorably than did the younger subjects. Minimal experience with computer text editors may account in part for the speed differences between older and younger subjects.
RESEARCH NOTE: Shoulder Belt Use and Effectiveness in Cars with and without Window Shade Slack Devices
Authors: Robertson Leon S.
Published: April 2013

Using National Acccident Sampling System files for the calendar years 1982-1986, shoulder belt use and effectiveness were compared among 1974-1980 model year cars with and without window shade devices, which human factors research has found to produce excess slack in the belts. Although shoulder belt use was not correlated to presence or absence of the window shade mechanism when model year and calendar year effects were controlled statistically, the effectiveness of belts in cars with the window shade device was consistently less than in cars without the device, particularly so in larger vehicles.
Eucharist, Communion, and Orthopraxis in the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger
Authors: Dalzell Thomas G.
Published: April 2013

In Joseph Ratzinger’s approach to the Eucharist, the Church as communion, and orthopraxis, there is a critique of horizontalizing trends. His solution is to stress what he calls the ‘vertical dimension’ of the Eucharist, the one Church’s participation in Trinitarian communion, and the transformation of praxis into Christian responsibility. This article argues that the reason for Ratzinger’s preference for the vertical over the horizontal is not his Platonism, but his theological idea of salvation as a gift received, not made, from the Logos sent from above.
Apocalyptic Ireland: 1580–1641
Authors: Ford Alan
Published: April 2013

Historians of early-modern Ireland have studied in some detail the association between religion and violence, but have failed to appreciate one important theological force—the application of apocalyptic passages of the bible to contemporary events. This ‘presentist’ interpretation of prophecy, common throughout Reformation Europe, began to be used in Ireland by Protestant soldiers, officials, and writers from the time of the Desmond Rising in 1579 onwards. By identifying the Pope as Antichrist, and Catholics as his followers, it served to sharpen the antipathy between Protestants and Catholics, and justify violent actions such as the massacre of the Spanish troops at Smerwick in 1580. The advent of peace in 1603 and the rise of Arminianism in England limited official enthusiasm for apocalyptic, but its central position in the Irish Protestant imagination was reinforced by the 1641 rising, which seemed to confirm biblical prophecies about the severity of the Antichristian Catholic threat.
Police Lies and the Catechism on Lying
Authors: Dixon Paul
Published: April 2013

This article examines the absolute proscription of lying in present-day Catholic teaching, as set out in the definitive edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This absolutism presents a particular problem for those whose occupations may require the use of lying. It illustrates the acute and common version of this problem for practising Roman Catholic members of the police service. It will explore the reasons for the change in the Catechism’s definition of lying between its provisional and definitive editions. Analysis is made of Kenneth W. Kemp and Thomas Sullivan’s distinction between speech acts contra mentem and assertions contra mentem. A solution is offered to the problematic nature of police lying by developing the distinction between speech acts and assertions, and this distinction is applied to various stages of police work.
A Response to Kevin Duffy on von Balthasar and the Immutability of God
Authors: O’Hanlon Gerard F.
Published: April 2013

Kevin Duffy has argued that von Balthasar’s attempt to combine analogy and metaphor in speaking about change and suffering in God results, in a classical context, in incoherence. Has Duffy given sufficient attention to von Balthasar’s trinitarian ontology of love and to the possibility that the classical framework itself may need some stretching?