bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neither commodities nor gifts: post‐socialist informal exchanges in the Romanian healthcare system
Authors: STAN SABINA
Published: February 2012

This article approaches informal relations in post‐socialist settings from a political economy perspective. Taking as a case study informal exchanges in the Romanian healthcare system, the article addresses the question of their continuity in the face of both divergent claims and increased monetarization of exchanges. It contends that informal exchanges are individual responses to the increased inequalities that followed the post‐socialist redesign of the state. However, by further heightening social inequalities and competition, contemporary neoliberal reforms exacerbate the predatory side of informal exchanges, thus threatening to disrupt their fragile accommodation with post‐socialist transformations.

L’auteure de cet article examine du point de vue de l’économie politique les relations informelles en contexte postsocialiste. À partir d’une étude de cas du système de santé roumain, elle interroge la pérennité des échanges informels face à des revendications divergentes et à une monétarisation croissante des échanges. Elle présente les échanges informels comme une réponse individuelle aux inégalités accrues ayant accompagné le remaniement postsocialiste de l’État. Les réformes néolibérales actuelles, accentuant encore les inégalités sociales et la compétition, exacerbent cependant l’aspect prédateur de ces échanges informels et menacent ainsi leurs fragiles accommodements avec les mutations de l’ère postsocialiste.
Anthropology and its many modernities: when concepts matter
Authors: THOMASSEN BJØRN
Published: February 2012

This article provides a critical review of the multiple modernities paradigm used in anthropology today. The article also indicates how the work of anthropologists intersects with social theory and historical sociology. It will be argued that by pointing to multiple or alternative modernities in attempts to ‘liberate’ modernity from its Eurocentric, modernistic connotations, anthropologists re‐inject modernity itself with new value. It will be questioned whether this is ultimately a meaningful strategy. With reference to certain branches of social theory, the article develops a position from which the multiple modernities paradigm may be readdressed. This position is based upon a recognition of the particularity of European modernity, and its defining characteristic: a continuous stress on transformation and transgression, a state of ‘permanent liminality’.

Cet article se veut une revue critique des multiples paradigmes de la modernité employés aujourd’hui en anthropologie. Il souligne également les intersections entre le travail des anthropologues, la théorie sociale et la sociologie historique. L’auteur avance qu’en pointant les modernités multiples ou alternatives dans les tentatives de « libérer » la modernité de ses connotations eurocentriques et modernistes, les anthropologues donnent une nouvelle valeur à la modernité elle‐même. On se demandera si cette stratégie peut, en définitive, avoir un sens. Faisant référence à certaines branches de la théorie sociale, l’article développe une position à partir de laquelle il serait possible de revisiter le paradigme des modernités multiples. Cette position se base sur la reconnaissance de la spécificité de la modernité européenne et sur la caractéristique qui la définit : l’accent constamment mis sur la transformation et la transgression, un état de « liminalité permanente ».
A Permissive Theory of Territorial Rights
Authors: Ypi Lea
Published: February 2012

This article explores the justification of states' territorial rights. It starts by introducing three questions that all current theories of territorial rights attempt to answer: how to justify the right to settle, the right to exclude, and the right to settle and exclude with reference to a particular territory. It proposes a ‘permissive’ theory of territorial rights, arguing that the citizens of each state are entitled to the particular territory they collectively occupy, if and only if they are also politically committed to the establishment of a global political authority realizing just reciprocal relations. The article is developed by introducing some key features of the permissive theory and by explaining how such an account addresses the questions of settlement, exclusion and particularity in ways that significantly improve on existing rival accounts (most prominently: acquisition theories, legitimacy‐based theories and nationalist theories).
Citizen Satisfaction with Democracy in the European Union*
Authors: HOBOLT SARA B.
Published: February 2012

The debate about the democratic deficit of the European Union has preoccupied scholars for decades. This article examines democracy in the Union from the perspective of citizens by asking what determines satisfaction with EU democracy? Two key models of regime support are applied to the European Union: the output‐oriented performance model and the input‐oriented procedural model. Contrary to previous work, it is argued here that there is a positive spillover effect from confidence in national institutions to the European level. These propositions are tested using survey data from 27 EU Member States. Using multi‐level modelling, it is found that both performance and procedural factors matter, and that confidence in EU institutions matters more to citizens who are knowledgeable about the EU.
Conclusion: A Voyage to the Unknown
Authors: MÉNY YVES
Published: February 2012

Three types of internal tensions have characterized the process of European integration. They are not new, but are exacerbated by factors such as globalization, enlargement, increased diversity of views and interests. The first one is the tension between law and politics. Legal instruments have been the main tool of integration, but politics come back with a vengeance as democratic practices are challenged by regulatory regimes and institutions. The second one is the alternative between the persistence of an international organization regime or the creation of a federation. This unresolved and lasting issue takes dramatic tones with the euro crisis. The third one relates to the growing gap between elites and peoples.
A senescent cell bystander effect: senescence‐induced senescence
Authors: Nelson Glyn , Wordsworth James , Wang Chunfang , Jurk Diana , Lawless Conor , Martin‐Ruiz Carmen , von Zglinicki Thomas
Published: February 2012

Senescent cells produce and secrete various bioactive molecules including interleukins, growth factors, matrix‐degrading enzymes and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, it has been proposed that senescent cells can damage their local environment, and a stimulatory effect on tumour cell growth and invasiveness has been documented. However, it was unknown what effect, if any, senescent cells have on their normal, proliferation‐competent counterparts. We show here that senescent cells induce a DNA damage response, characteristic for senescence, in neighbouring cells via gap junction‐mediated cell–cell contact and processes involving ROS. Continuous exposure to senescent cells induced cell senescence in intact bystander fibroblasts. Hepatocytes bearing senescence markers clustered together in mice livers. Thus, senescent cells can induce a bystander effect, spreading senescence towards their neighbours in vitro and, possibly, in vivo.
β−Amyloid exacerbates inflammation in astrocytes lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase through a mechanism involving PPAR‐α, PPAR‐γ and TRPV1, but not CB1 or CB2 receptors
Authors: Benito Cristina , Tolón Rosa María , Castillo Ana Isabel , Ruiz‐Valdepeñas Lourdes , Martínez‐Orgado José Antonio , Fernández‐Sánchez Francisco Javier , Vázquez Carmen , Cravatt Benjamin F , Romero Julián
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The endocannabinoid system may regulate glial cell functions and their responses to pathological stimuli, specifically, Alzheimer's disease. One experimental approach is the enhancement of endocannabinoid tone by blocking the activity of degradative enzymes, such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We examined the role of FAAH in the response of astrocytes to the pathologic form of β‐amyloid (Aβ). Astrocytes from wild‐type mice (WT) and from mice lacking FAAH (FAAH‐KO) were incubated with Aβ for 8, 24 and 48 h, and their inflammatory responses were quantified by elisa, western‐blotting and real‐time quantitative‐PCR.

KEY RESULTS FAAH‐KO astrocytes were significantly more responsive to Aβ than WT astrocytes, as shown by the higher production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Expression of COX‐2, inducible NOS and TNF‐α was also increased in Aβ‐exposed KO astrocytes compared with that in WTs. These effects were accompanied by a differential pattern of activation of signalling cascades involved in mediating inflammatory responses, such as ERK1/2, p38MAPK and NFκ B. PPAR‐α and PPAR‐γ as well as transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1), but not cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 receptors, mediate some of the differential changes observed in Aβ‐exposed FAAH‐KO astrocytes. The pharmacological blockade of FAAH did not render astrocytes more sensitive to Aβ. In contrast, exogenous addition of several acylethanolamides (anandamide, palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide) induced an antiinflammatory response.

CONCLUSIONS The genetic deletion of FAAH in astrocytes exacerbated their inflammatory phenotype against Aβ in a process involving PPAR‐α, PPAR‐γ and TRPV1 receptors.
High‐performance liquid chromatography of some natural dyes: analysis of plant extracts and dyed textiles
Authors: Deveoğlu Ozan , Torgan Emine , Karadağ Recep
Published: February 2012

In this study, wool fibre samples were mordanted by means of 25% alum mordant solution. The mordanted wool samples were dyed in 50%Reseda luteolaL. (weld), 20%Rhamnus petiolarisBoiss (buckthorn) and 50%Datisca cannabinaL. (bastard hemp) dyebaths. A reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection method was utilised for the identification of dyes in the dyed wool samples and the plant extracts. The extraction of dyes was carried out with a hydrogen chloride/methanol/water (2:1:1; v/v/v) mixture.
Development and application of a mathematical model to explain fading rate inconsistencies observed in light‐sensitive materials
Authors: Mecklenburg Marion F , del Hoyo‐Meléndez Julio M
Published: February 2012

Light fastness tests conducted on several areas of a light‐sensitive material may sometimes show inconsistent fading rates. These different fading behaviours suggest that colorants are not evenly distributed over the substrate surface or may be attributed to texture variations of the material. A mathematical model has been developed to help explain these discrepancies. Micro‐fade testing, a relatively novel technique, has allowed microspectroscopic detection of variations in the initial colour parameters of a sample, permitting assessment of its diverging fading rates. The method has been applied to fading data of various light‐sensitive materials resulting in more consistent fading patterns. It has been demonstrated that micro‐fading curves obtained for the same material are related by a constant value, which is the ratio of adjusted values of time and ΔE*.
Electronic Versus Manual Data Processing: Evaluating the Use of Electronic Health Records in Out‐of‐hospital Clinical Research
Authors: Newgard Craig D. , Zive Dana , Jui Jonathan , Weathers Cody , Daya Mohamud
Published: February 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:217–227 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The objective was to compare case ascertainment, agreement, validity, and missing values for clinical research data obtained, processed, and linked electronically from electronic health records (EHR) compared to “manual” data processing and record abstraction in a cohort of out‐of‐hospital trauma patients.

Methods:  This was a secondary analysis of two sets of data collected for a prospective, population‐based, out‐of‐hospital trauma cohort evaluated by 10 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies transporting to 16 hospitals, from January 1, 2006, through October 2, 2007. Eighteen clinical, operational, procedural, and outcome variables were collected and processed separately and independently using two parallel data processing strategies by personnel blinded to patients in the other group. The electronic approach included EHR data exports from EMS agencies, reformatting, and probabilistic linkage to outcomes from local trauma registries and state discharge databases. The manual data processing approach included chart matching, data abstraction, and data entry by a trained abstractor. Descriptive statistics, measures of agreement, and validity were used to compare the two approaches to data processing.

Results:  During the 21‐month period, 418 patients underwent both data processing methods and formed the primary cohort. Agreement was good to excellent (kappa = 0.76 to 0.97; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.49 to 0.97), with exact agreement in 67% to 99% of cases and a median difference of zero for all continuous and ordinal variables. The proportions of missing out‐of‐hospital values were similar between the two approaches, although electronic processing generated more missing outcomes (87 of 418, 21%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 17% to 25%) than the manual approach (11 of 418, 3%, 95% CI = 1% to 5%). Case ascertainment of eligible injured patients was greater using electronic methods (n = 3,008) compared to manual methods (n = 629).

Conclusions:  In this sample of out‐of‐hospital trauma patients, an all‐electronic data processing strategy identified more patients and generated values with good agreement and validity compared to traditional data collection and processing methods.
Melatonin suppresses migration and invasion via inhibition of oxidative stress pathway in glioma cells
Authors: Wang Juntao , Hao Hongbo , Yao Linli , Zhang Xiaodan , Zhao Shidou , Ling Eng‐Ang , Hao Aijun , Li Gang
Published: February 2012

Abstract:  Melatonin, an indolamine produced and secreted predominately by the pineal gland, exhibits a variety of physiological functions, possesses antioxidant and antitumor properties. In this study, we have shown that pharmacologic concentration (1 mm) of melatonin significantly reduced cell migration and invasion of T98G and U251 glioma cells after 24‐hr treatment and inhibited expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP 2) and MMP 9. The melatonin inhibition of cell migration and invasion was associated with its reduction of intracellular basal free radical generation. Melatonin at pharmacologic concentration also inhibited the constitutive activation of the reactive oxygen species downstream transcription factor nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB). Furthermore, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a NF‐κB‐specific inhibitor, at 10 μm displayed anti‐migration and invasion effects and inhibition of MMP 2 and MMP 9 expression resembling that of melatonin. Taken together, it is concluded that inhibition of migration and invasion of glioma cells by melatonin is associated with the latter in its inhibition of oxidative stress pathway. This suggests a potential therapeutic application of melatonin in the treatment of glioma.
Does pre‐exercise static stretching inhibit maximal muscular performance? A meta‐analytical review
Authors: Simic L. , Sarabon N. , Markovic G.
Published: February 2012

We applied a meta‐analytical approach to derive a robust estimate of the acute effects of pre‐exercise static stretching (SS) on strength, power, and explosive muscular performance. A computerized search of articles published between 1966 and December 2010 was performed using PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. A total of 104 studies yielding 61 data points for strength, 12 data points for power, and 57 data points for explosive performance met our inclusion criteria. The pooled estimate of the acute effects of SS on strength, power, and explosive performance, expressed in standardized units as well as in percentages, were −0.10 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.15 to −0.04], −0.04 (95% CI: −0.16 to 0.08), and −0.03 (95% CI: −0.07 to 0.01), or −5.4% (95% CI: −6.6% to −4.2%), −1.9% (95% CI: −4.0% to 0.2%), and −2.0% (95% CI: −2.8% to −1.3%). These effects were not related to subject's age, gender, or fitness level; however, they were more pronounced in isometric vs dynamic tests, and were related to the total duration of stretch, with the smallest negative acute effects being observed with stretch duration of ≤45 s. We conclude that the usage of SS as the sole activity during warm‐up routine should generally be avoided.
WISE circumstellar discs in the young Sco-Cen association
Authors: Rizzuto A. C. , Ireland M. J. , Zucker D. B.
Published: February 2012

We present an analysis of the WISE photometric data for 829 stars in the Sco-Cen OB2 association, using the latest high-mass membership probabilities. We detect infrared excesses associated with 135 BAF-type stars, 99 of which are secure Sco-Cen members. There is a clear increase in excess fraction with membership probability, which can be fitted linearly. We infer that 41 ± 5 per cent of Sco-Cen OB2 BAF stars have excesses, while the field star excess fraction is consistent with zero. This is the first time that the probability of non-membership has been used in the calculation of excess fractions for young stars. We do not observe any significant change in excess fraction between the three subgroups. Within our sample, we have observed that B-type association members have a significantly smaller excess fraction than A- and F-type association members.
Understanding Pediatricians' Views Toward School‐Based BMI Screening in Massachusetts: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pietras Stefanie A. , Rhodes Erinn T. , Meyers Alan , Goodman Elizabeth
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Massachusetts (MA) mandated body mass index (BMI) screening in schools in 2010. However, little is known about pediatricians' views on school‐based screening or how the pediatricians' perspectives might affect the school‐based screening process. We assessed MA pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices concerning BMI screening.

METHODS: An anonymous Web‐based survey was completed by 286 members of the MA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics who provided primary care (40% response rate).

RESULTS: Support for school‐based BMI screening was mixed. While 16.1% strongly supported it, 12.2% strongly opposed it. About one fifth (20.2%) believed school‐based screening would improve communication between schools and pediatricians; 23.0% believed school‐based screening would help with patient care. More (32.2%) believed screening in schools would facilitate communication with families. In contrast, pediatricians embraced BMI screening in practice: 91.6% calculated and 85.7% plotted BMI at every well child visit. Pediatricians in urban practices, particularly inner city, had more positive attitudes toward BMI screening in schools, even when adjusting for respondent demographics, practice setting, and proportion of patients in the practice who were overweight/obese (p < .001).

CONCLUSION: These data suggest MA pediatricians use BMI screening and support its clinical utility. However, support for school‐based BMI screening was mixed. Urban‐based pediatricians in this sample held more positive beliefs about screening in schools. Although active collaboration between schools and pediatricians would likely help to ensure that the screenings have a positive impact on child health regardless of location, it may be easier for urban‐based schools and pediatricians to be successful in developing partnerships.
Ciprofloxacin Photosensitized Oxidation of 2′‐Deoxyguanosine‐5′‐Monophosphate in Neutral Aqueous Solution
Authors: Liu Yancheng , Zhang Peng , Li Haixia , Wang Wenfeng
Published: February 2012

Laser flash photolysis studies have been carried out to investigate the reactions of ciprofloxacin (CPX) with 2′‐deoxyguanosine‐5′‐monophosphate (dGMP), N, N, N′, N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TMPD) and ferulic acid (FCA) in neutral aqueous solutions, respectively. CPX triplet state (3CPX*) can be quenched by TMPD, FCA and dGMP, with rate constants of 1.8 × 109, 1.5 × 109 and 5.8 × 107 dm3 mol−1 s−1, respectively. TMPD radical cation (TMPD·+) and FCA radical cation (FCA·+) were observed directly. The formation rate of CPX radical anion (CPX·−) was determined to be 1.5 × 109 dm3 mol−1 s−1. Redox reaction of dGMP was investigated through competing reactions using TMPD and FCA as probe. The triplet energy of CPX was determined to be 262 kJ mol−1. Electron transfer from TMPD, FCA and dGMP to 3CPX* was proposed.
Shared Knowledge Matters: Culture as Intersubjective Representations
Authors: Wan Ching
Published: February 2012

The intersubjective representation approach to culture focuses on cultural members’ shared knowledge representations about the culture that they are in. Members of the same culture tend to share certain knowledge representations of the central characteristics of the culture. These shared cultural representations are established and perpetuated through dynamic communicative processes. Recent empirical research has provided support for the incremental value of intersubjective cultural representations in research on cultural identity, social cognition, and behaviors. The intersubjective representation approach complements extant research on culture as self and external artifacts. In doing so, it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of culture’s role in social and personality psychological processes.
WHEN APPROVED IS NOT ENOUGH: DEVELOPMENT OF A SUPERVISION CONSULTATION MODEL
Authors: Green Shelley , Shilts Lee , Bacigalupe Gonzalo
Published: February 2012

The dramatic increase in the literature that addresses family therapy training and supervision over the last decade has been predominantly in the area of theory, rather than practice. This article describes the development of a meta‐supervisory learning context for approved supervisors and provides examples of interactions between supervisors that subsequently influenced both therapy and supervision. We delineate the assumptions that inform our work and offer specific guidelines for supervisors who wish to implement a similar model in their own contexts. We provide suggestions for a proactive refiguring of supervision that may have profound effects and benefits for supervisors and supervisees alike.
Changes in Negative Attributions during Couple Therapy for Abusive Behavior: Relations to Changes in Satisfaction and Behavior
Authors: Hrapczynski Katie M. , Epstein Norman B. , Werlinich Carol A. , LaTaillade Jaslean J.
Published: February 2012

This study examined effects of cognitive‐behavioral couple therapy (n = 25 couples) and a variety of systems‐oriented couple therapy models (n = 30 couples) in reducing negative attributions and degrees to which decreases in negative attributions were associated with improvements in other aspects of relationship functioning. Couples seeking treatment at a university clinic and experiencing psychological and/or mild‐to‐moderate physical abuse completed 10 weekly sessions. Attributions, relationship satisfaction, psychological abuse, communication, and negotiation were assessed before and after treatment. Women and men in both treatments exhibited decreased negative attributions, which moderated increases in satisfaction and decreases in negative communication, as well as increases in positive communication for men. The findings reinforce the importance of modifying negative attributions when intervening to reduce abuse.
Systemic Alliance in Individual Therapy: Factor Analysis of the ITAS‐SF and the Relationship with Therapy Outcomes and Termination Status
Authors: Owen Jesse
Published: February 2012

Clients providing systematic feedback to therapists via self‐report measures of psychological distress and working alliance have been shown to increase therapy outcomes. However, there are few systemic‐based measures that are feasible for therapists to use. Recently, Pinsof et al. (Family Process, 2008, 47, 281) developed a brief systemic alliance measure (ITAS‐SF) for individual therapy. The current study tested the factor structure of this measure and examined whether the subscales related to clients’ therapy outcomes and termination status (N = 570). The results demonstrated supported a 3‐factor model for the ITAS‐SF (as compared to the seven factors proposed by Pinsof et al.). In the first factor, content combined the goals for therapy, the tasks or methods to reach those goals and bond between the client and therapist. The second factor reflected how clients perceive the relationship with the therapist (i.e., interpersonal dimension–self/therapist), and the third factor reflected how clients perceive the alliance between their social network and the therapist (i.e., interpersonal dimension others/therapist). The two interpersonal factors were related to therapy outcome and termination status.
Clinicopathologic significance of Aurora kinase A expression in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lee Hee Jeong , Koh Eun Suk , Kwak Jeong Ja , Kim Hee Kyung , Park Sang‐Mo , Choi In‐Ho
Published: February 2012

Background and aim: Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is a member of the protein serine/threonine kinase family that plays critical roles in cell mitosis and in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of AURKA in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and analyze the correlation between AURKA expression and clinicopathological factors. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with NSCLC, including 56 with squamous cell carcinoma and 64 patients with adenocarcinoma who underwent operations, were analyzed. Immunostaining for AURKA was performed in a tissue microarray block. The clinicopathologic parameters of these patients were reviewed and analyzed for correlations with AURKA expression. Results: AURKA expression was positive in 66 patients (55.0%) and negative in 54 patients (45.0%). The correlation between AURKA expression and histologic grade was statistically significant (P= 0.013). Subset analysis revealed that AURKA expression was significantly associated with histologic grade in squamous cell carcinoma (P= 0.007), not in adenocarcinoma (P= 0.499). No association was found between AURKA expression and other clinicopathological parameters. Analysis of survival failed to reveal statistically significant differences between positive and negative groups in both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung. Conclusions: AURKA expression was associated with the histologic grade of squamous cell carcinoma of lung, but no significant effect on overall survival.
PTPN22 and CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms in resected thymomas and thymus for myasthenia gravis
Authors: Zheng Kai , Zhang Jun , Zhang Peng , Guo Yan
Published: February 2012

Background:  Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of striated muscle tissue mediated by autoantibodies. MG is often treated with thymectomy. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non‐receptor 22 (PTPN22) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) have recently been found to be the genes that predispose to autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms of PTPN22 and CTLA‐4 single nucleotide polymorphisms in resected thymomas and thymuses in MG remain unclear.

Methods:  In the present study, 90 patients with thymomas, including 44 patients with MG, 46 patients without MG, and 35 MG patients without thymoma were studied, with 50 healthy people as the controls. The +1858C>T polymorphism of the PTPN22 gene and the 49A>G polymorphism of the CTLA‐4 gene were investigated using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). The PTPN22 −1123G>C polymorphism at the promoter site was genotyped using single allele‐specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SASP‐PCR).

Results:  The PTPN22 +1858C>T polymorphism was not significantly different between the patients and the controls. Statistically significant differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of PTPN 22 −1123G>C and CTLA‐4 49A>G were observed between the MG(+)‐thymoma group and the controls (P = 0.000, 0.003), but not between the MG(‐)‐thymoma and MG‐thymoma(‐) groups and the controls (P = 0.192/P = 0.214 and P = 0.067/P = 0.254). Statistically significant differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies of the 49A>G for CTLA‐4 were observed between the MG(+)‐thymoma group and the controls (P = 0.000, P = 0.003), but not between the MG(‐)‐thymoma and MG‐thymoma(‐) groups and the controls (P = 0.077/P = 0.261 and P = 0.058/P = 0.058). Individuals with the PTPN22 CC genotype and the CTLA‐4 G alleles had an increased risk of developing paraneoplastic MG (odds ration [OR]= 4.722, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.460–15.277) compared with those with the PTPN22 G allele and the CTLA‐4 AA genotype.

Conclusion:  The results show an association between the PTPN22 1123G>C genotype and thymoma‐associated MG, with significant synergy with the CTLA‐4 G alleles.
Net Zero Housing: The Architects’ Small House Service Bureau and Contemporary Sustainable Single–Family House Design Methods for the United States
Authors: Tucker Lisa M.
Published: February 2012

Perhaps, the single biggest issue facing the design professions in the United States, and interior design in particular, is consumption. According to Phil Harrison, President and CEO of Perkins + Will (2010), architects today can easily handle the challenges of sustainable materials, water, and site using known technologies. The major challenge to sustainability is to produce a zero energy use, carbon–neutral solutions. Harrison argues there is no excuse for architects and designers in the twenty–first century not to use the easily available innovative water strategies, nontoxic, renewable, and recyclable materials and apply common knowledge about how to best site a building to maximize natural daylighting, prevailing winds, and sun cycles for thermal heating and natural cooling. This paper addresses how the approach of the Architects’ Small House Service Bureau (ASHSB) to single–family houses during the early twentieth century offers a significant model for addressing some of the challenges of net zero carbon housing solutions and sustainable houses in the United States. The ASHSB incorporated in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1919 in response to the need for affordable small houses that were also designed well. The principles upon which the ASHSB defined design excellence inform today's need for sustainable and smaller single–family house design. Members of the ASHSB dedicated themselves to the production of small house designs that maximized materials, minimized waste, and capitalized on synergies with manufacturers and builders. The members believed in social equity, economy, and ecology—the three–part approach informing twenty–first century sustainable design, including residential design efforts. Thus, the organization and its members’ designs provide a template for how to approach this daunting issue.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Enhancing Mental Health Care for Suicidal Individuals and Other People in Crisis
Authors: Gould Madelyn S. , Munfakh Jimmie L. H. , Kleinman Marjorie , Lake Alison M.
Published: February 2012

Linking at‐risk callers to ongoing mental health care is a key goal of crisis hotline interventions that has not often been addressed in evaluations of hotlines’ effectiveness. We conducted telephone interviews with 376 suicidal and 278 nonsuicidal crisis callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) to assess rates of mental health care utilization following Lifeline calls and to assess attitudinal and structural barriers to service utilization. Postcall utilization rates were approximately 50% for suicidal and crisis callers who received mental health care referrals. Lack of health insurance and callers’ perceptions about mental health problems emerged as significant barriers to accessing continued help.
Finite Element Calculation of Refractive Index in Optical Glass Undergoing Viscous Relaxation and Analysis of the Effects of Cooling Rate and Material Properties
Authors: Su Lijuan , Yi Allen Y.
Published: February 2012

In this research, a methodology based on a numerical simulation model is presented to predict refractive index change introduced to two low Tg optical glasses, namely, P‐SK57 and P‐LASF47, by cooling. To model the structural relaxation behavior of glass around glass transition temperature, the Tool–Narayanaswamy–Moynihan (TNM) model is used. In addition, the fictive temperature of the glass samples during cooling is discussed. The effect of cooling rate on the fictive temperature of the glass samples is also presented. This study demonstrated that finite element method is capable of predicting refractive index of optical glass undergoing viscous relaxation. The simulated results in this study confirm that a higher cooling rate leads to a lower refractive index and a larger variation of refractive index in glass optics. The results also suggest that for glass, materials with high thermal conductivity and low heat capacity are preferred for compression molding process.
Fracture‐ and Indentation‐Induced Structural Changes of Sodium Borosilicate Glasses
Authors: Yoshida Satoshi , Nishikubo Yoshinari , Konno Akiko , Sugawara Toru , Miura Yoshinari , Matsuoka Jun
Published: February 2012

It is known that indentation using a diamond indenter induces permanent densification to result in plastic or inelastic deformation of glass. However, it is still unclear whether a high tensile stress causes such a structural change or not. In this study, fracture‐ and indentation‐induced structural changes of glasses with the compositions of 20 Na2O − 40x B2O3 – (80−40x) SiO2 (in mol%, x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5) are investigated. Two‐point bending tests of the glass fibers are performed to apply a high tensile stress to the glasses, and Vickers indentation tests of the glasses are also carried out for comparison. The structural change of the glass is evaluated by using Raman spectroscopy. It is elucidated that a tensile side of the fractured fiber for every composition shows a permanent structural change, which is characterized by a lower wave number shift of Raman peak assigned to the Si‐O‐Si bending vibration mode. It is also found that the behaviors of Raman peaks of the fractured fiber are opposite to those of the indented glass under a high compressive stress.
Photoinduced Fluidity and Viscoelasticity in Chalcogenide Glasses
Authors: Gueguen Yann , Sangleboeuf Jean‐Christophe , Rouxel Tanguy , Keryvin Vincent
Published: February 2012

This work is an attempt to apply conventional mechanical testing to characterize the photoinduced viscoelastic behavior of chalcogenide glasses. Creep or relaxation‐recovery experiments are usually performed to characterize the delayed elastic contribution to deformation, during thermally activated flow. In this article, relaxation‐recovery is used to characterize delayed elasticity under irradiation condition and to investigate the influence of the photon irradiation on the viscoelastic behavior. It is showed that thermally activated processes and photoinduced ones are decoupled. The viscoplastic deformation under irradiation is the sum of thermally activated and photoinduced processes. As soon as the irradiation ceases, chalcogenide glasses behave exactly as if they had never been irradiated. The photoinduced viscoelastic behavior seems to be solely due to transient photoinduced structural defects.
Implementation Strategies of Measurement Instruments and Their Validity as Adopted in Italian Hospital Nursing Practice: An Italian Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Palese Alvisa , Colognese Stefano , Pellicciari Cecilia , Mecugni Daniela ,   in the name of VISPA's group
Published: February 2012

PURPOSE.  The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation strategies of measurement instruments and their validity as adopted in Italian hospital nursing practice.

METHOD.  A descriptive, regionally based study was adopted in 2008. Eight public hospitals were included. After collecting the available instruments used by nurses and/or patients in the measurement of patients' problems or perceptions of those problems (actual and/or potential), the researchers conducted two structured interviews per ward: the first with the chief nurse, the second with a clinical nurse. The interviews focused on each measurement instrument collected, on the implementation strategies adopted for the instruments, and on the perceived usefulness and appropriateness of each instrument.

FINDINGS.  Overall, 70 wards were included; 18 (25.7%) of the wards did not use any instrument. In the remaining 52 wards, 156 instruments were collected (from 1 to 10 per ward) evaluating 55 different actual or potential patient problems. Of the instruments adopted, 70.9% were not formally validated. Hospital administration primarily determined which instruments were to be used (67, 42.9%), and introduction to staff was mainly supported by continuing education courses (92, 59%). The level of appropriateness and usefulness of the instruments, as perceived by the clinical nurses and chief nurses, was high (>8 on a scale of 0–10, where 0 = not at all appropriate/useful and 10 = very appropriate/useful).

CONCLUSION.  Despite the increasing demands for reliable nursing data as a basis for measuring nursing effects on nursing outcomes and safety, a number of wards used no measurement instruments at all; within wards that used measurement tools, many instruments had not been validated.

IMPLICATIONS.  The introduction of nonvalidated instruments in Italian hospitals needs to be restricted because of the short‐ and long‐term negative effects these nonvalidated instruments may have. A national consensus on approved and validated instruments for nursing assessment should be made available in the wards as a priority.
A Lubrication Equation Incorporating Two-Dimensional Roughness Effects, With Emphasis on the Patterned Data Islands of a Recording Disk
Authors: White James
Published: February 2012

Current industrial applications require a consideration of two-dimensional surface roughness effects in design and optimization of fluid bearings. Although the influence of striated surface roughness on fluid lubrication is now at a fairly mature level of understanding, the knowledge and understanding of two-dimensional roughness effects is not nearly at the same level as that achieved over the past several decades for one-dimensional striations. The subject of this paper includes the formulation of a practical “roughness averaged” lubrication equation that is appropriate for two-dimensional surface roughness and applicable over a wide range of Knudsen numbers. After derivation by multiple-scale analysis, the resulting lubrication equation is specialized to treat the patterned data islands located on a storage medium as a two-dimensional roughness pattern, and then used to determine the effect of this roughness on the air-bearing interface between recording head slider and disk. The roughness averaged lubrication equation is solved numerically by a variable-grid finite-difference algorithm, and computed results are included for several bearing geometries.
Aerodynamics of Fixed and Rotating Spoked Cycling Wheels
Authors: Karabelas S. J. , Markatos N. C.
Published: February 2012

The performance of a semiracing spoked wheel is numerically and experimentally studied at full size in a wind tunnel. The numerical investigation is divided into two parts. In the first part, the wheel is considered to be fixed (no rotation) and the numerical results are compared to the experimental measurements. The flow past the wheel is treated as stationary and turbulent. The effects of cross wind and the wheel’s speed on the drag, side force, and yaw moment are investigated. Numerical results are presented via diagrams and plots at various yaw angles. Both the measurements and predictions agree quite well and they show a considerable increase in the yaw moment and side force at medium and high yaw angles. The axial drag force initially increases with yaw angle (up to 7.5 deg) and eventually decreases. Ground effects did not affect the overall loads, except for the vertical force at high yaw angles. In the second part, the effects of rotation have been taken into account. The wheel rotates at constant angular velocities and the flow is modeled as nonstationary and turbulent. The aerodynamic performance of the wheel is strongly affected by the rotational speed. In most of the cases, as the latter parameter increases, the loads nonlinearly increase. The rotation generates asymmetrical loading, since the flow is accelerated in one side and decelerated in the other (the Magnus effect). A vertical force is produced, which is dependent on the ratio of the rotational to the free-stream speed. Moreover, in an attempt to assess the effects of the number of spokes to the aerodynamic performance, two other models with 8 and 32 spokes have been numerically tested and compared to the original one (16 spokes). The results revealed, as expected, an increase in the axial drag and vertical force with the number of spokes.
Collection of Freight Car Load Environment Data
Authors: Coulborn John , Cackovic David , Sims Roger , Koch Kevin
Published: February 2012

Transportation Technology Center, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads, conducted over-the-road tests to collect thousands of miles of revenue service load environment data for two types of railcars. This data can be used by railcar and railcar component manufacturers to more accurately conduct fatigue damage analysis for their products. Structural fatigue is one of the most common failure modes for transportation equipment. In order for predictions of fatigue life to be reasonably accurate, the extended load and stress environment of the equipment must be known. This paper summarizes efforts to record such load environment information.
Maximum Allowable Speed on Curve
Authors: Hasan Nazmul
Published: February 2012

It is generally recognized by FRA, AREMA, Amtrak, OSHA, and many other applicable authorities that the maximum acceptable rate of radial acceleration for passengers comfort is 0.1g, where ‘g’ is 9.81 m/s/s. Jerk is limited to 0.03g/s. In the industry the maximum allowable speed (km/h) is calculated by: Vmax=(Ea+Eu′)R11.8 where Eu′ = Blanket unbalance usually greater than design unbalance (mm); Ea = Actual superelevation applied to track (mm); R = Curve radius (m). Clearly the purpose of the equation is to achieve a gain in speed with using the existing spiral at the cost of the comfort limit. It appears that there is a consensus in breaking the standard comfort limit. The value of blanket unbalance varies from operator to operator e.g. 65mm, 75mm, 100mm etc. This variation indicates that there is no consensus in an upper limit beyond standard passenger comfort limit to determine the maximum allowable speed. This is the main reason behind the variation of unbalance, Eu′ adopted by different railways. Other minor reasons are ability of the vehicle to negotiate unbalance, strength of track to withstand lateral load, maintenance standard of track etc. Current use of blanket unbalance superelevation for all types of curves is flawed because it leads to different values of jerk depending on design speed, radius, and incremental unbalance on top of design unbalance. Among these different values of jerk, all values may not be acceptable. The current practice of using a blanket unbalance superelevation may not generate the maximum allowable speed. Intuitively the actual and unbalance superelevation should vary together such that a higher unbalance should go with higher actual superelevation to ensure a consistent comfort. Thus the unbalance should be different for each individual curve. To overcome the weaknesses of using a blanket unbalance superelevation and to gain higher speed, a new formula is suggested.
Comparative Analysis of Various Kinds Concrete Creep Prediction Models
Authors: Lei Jun-Qing , Xu Hang , Zou Li-Qun
Published: February 2012

The ratio of bridges to High-speed Railway line in China is very high. The influence of concrete creep to bridge structure is very high, so it is necessary to study creep of concrete in depth. In this thesis, experimental data of four important regions in China are collected, and the curves of concrete creep are analyzed. While, by comparing the domestic and foreign curves of Concrete Creep Prediction Models, the difference between them could be found. In addition, the theory of long-term deformation of concrete obtained by short-time experiment, which is proposed by Professor Bazant is used. According to experimental data, the creep curves are fittd by regression method. Finally, the comparison between common prediction models and Bazants’ theory is carried out, it can be found that the regression value is closed to the measured value.
Case Study of Cluster Analysis in Intercity Passenger Rail Planning and Marketing
Authors: Sperry Ben , Morgan Curtis
Published: February 2012

Recent policy and regulatory initiatives have established new momentum for intercity passenger rail among planners, policymakers, and the general public. As a result, there is a great interest in developing new passenger rail lines and expanding existing routes in intercity corridors across the country. Moving forward, there exists a need to understand how current passenger rail services are being utilized, who is riding them, and what changes could be implemented to existing routes to attract ridership — as well as to document lessons learned from existing lines that can aid service development planning for newly proposed routes. In this paper, cluster analysis is applied to passenger survey data obtained in 2007 from riders of three Amtrak routes in the state of Michigan, USA. Cluster analysis is a multivariate data analysis method used extensively in marketing and customer profile research which seeks to identify similarities among potential customers that are not immediately evident using traditional grouping techniques. Data used in the formation of the passenger clusters include traveler alternatives to the passenger rail service and the importance of service attributes, on-board activities, and station amenities. These variables and other data from the passenger survey are then used to characterize the identified clusters in terms of what kinds of passengers are in each cluster and how these passengers benefit from the rail service. The passenger clusters are also analyzed for their potential response to service improvements such as reduced travel time, increased service frequencies, or improved intermodal connections. The findings of this case study can be applied in a number of activities related to intercity passenger rail service planning for existing as well as proposed routes. The findings provide valuable insight into the needs and preferences of current passengers and can be used to formulate strategies for equipment investments or the development of new on-board amenities. From a policy perspective, passengers’ preferences for alternative travel modes in the absence of the rail service reveal how the rail service supports intercity mobility for each of the clusters. Finally, from the cluster profile, potential strategies to attract new riders can be identified. The results show that clustering analysis methodology applied in this case study is a valuable tool for intercity passenger rail planning.