bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of 1‐methylcyclopropene treatment and controlled atmosphere storage retains overall fruit quality and bioactive compounds in mango
Authors: Sivakumar Dharini , Van Deventer Francois , Terry Leon Alexander , Polenta Gustavo Alberto , Korsten Lise
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: Postharvest application of fungicide prochloraz and hot‐water dip are commercially practiced to control postharvest diseases in mangoes. Owing to the increasing consumer demand for organically produced fruit, the search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products and processes has become important for the fruit industry. This study evaluated the combined effect of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) (500 nL L−1) and controlled atmosphere storage conditions (CA‐1, 5% O2 + 5% CO2 or CA‐2, 3% O2 + 8% CO2) on the maintenance of fruit quality and bioactive compounds on hot‐water treated mangoes (cv. Kent) during postharvest storage.

RESULTS: In comparison to the 1‐MCP + CA‐1 treatment, 1‐MCP + CA‐2 reduced the incidence of anthracnose, weight and firmness loss; delayed the skin and flesh colour development; prevented the increase of soluble solids concentration/titratable acidity ratio, ethanol and acetaldehyde content; and maintained the ascorbic acid, carotenoid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant scavenging activity in hot‐water treated mangoes. The untrained panel preferred 1‐MCP + CA‐2 treated fruit to the fruit subjected to other postharvest treatments adopted in this investigation.

CONCLUSION: Our investigation suggests that the combined effect of 1‐MCP and CA‐2 storage can be recommended as an alternative treatment to replace prochloraz application for hot‐water treated mangoes and can be adopted commercially for organic export markets. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Early leaf removal impact on volatile composition of Tempranillo wines
Authors: Vilanova Mar , Diago Maria Paz , Genisheva Zlatina , Oliveira José Maria , Tardaguila Javier
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: Early defoliation is a very innovative technique in viticulture used for yield management. The effects of early leaf removal performed manually and mechanically at two different phenological stages, pre‐bloom and fruit set, on the volatile composition of Tempranillo (Vitis vinifera L.) wines were studied. Volatiles were identified and quantified by gas chromatography.

RESULTS: Early leaf removal only modified the total concentrations of C6 compounds and acetates, whereas total alcohols, esters, volatile acids and terpenes remained generally unaffected. Early defoliation induced a significant reduction in C6 compounds and increased the concentrations of acetates in Tempranillo wines. An effect of timing (pre‐bloom vs fruit set) alone was observed for all acetates analysed. Regarding the method of defoliation (manual vs mechanical), significant differences in some ethyl ester (ethyl‐2‐methylbutyrate and ethyl octanoate) and volatile acid concentrations were observed among treatments. Ethyl octanoate, 2‐phenylethyl acetate, 3‐methylbutyl acetate and hexanoic acid, with OAV (odour activity value) > 1 and mainly fruity and floral odour descriptors, showed higher levels after early defoliation treatments compared with non‐defoliated vines. Principal component analysis illustrated the difference in wines from defoliated and non‐defoliated treatments based on their volatile composition.

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that early leaf removal significantly modified the wine aroma compounds, increasing or decreasing several of these compounds. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Executive functions in Parkinson's disease: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kudlicka Aleksandra , Clare Linda , Hindle John V.
Published: October 2011

Impairment of executive function (EF) is commonly reported as a feature of PD. However, the exact pattern of executive impairment remains unclear. Also, there is an ongoing discussion surrounding the definition and conceptualization of EF, which might affect the clarity of research evidence on cognition in PD. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the pattern of executive impairment in early‐stage PD emerging from the research literature and to identify critical issues for improving consistency in this field. The PsychInfo, MEDLINE, Science Direct, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the term “Parkinson's disease” combined with each of 14 cognitive abilities defined as representing aspects of EF. The review was limited to studies that investigated EF as the central variable in early‐stage, nondemented PD patients. The review identified 33 studies of EF that were operationalized in terms of 30 abilities tested by 60 measures and variously interpreted. Many measures were used only once, so only a small part of the available research evidence could be synthesized in the meta‐analysis. The meta‐analysis was undertaken using data from five commonly used tests of EF drawn from 18 studies. This revealed consistent evidence for cognitive difficulties across all five EF tests. Research on EF in PD is characterized by a considerable lack of clarity with regard to measure selection and interpretation. The findings support the view that EF impairments are evident in PD. However, the clinical significance of the cognitive abnormalities reported has yet to be clarified. 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Concentric needle jitter in stimulated frontalis in 20 healthy subjects
Authors: Kouyoumdjian João A. , Stålberg Erik V.
Published: October 2011

Normative data for jitter parameters using a disposable concentric needle have been presented in a few studies. Jitter, expressed as the mean consecutive difference (MCD), was measured in the frontalis muscle in 20 subjects by percutaneous bar stimulation of the temporal nerve branch. The mean MCD for individual studies (20) and for all potentials (600) were 16.05 ± 2.73 μs and 16.05 ± 5.96 μs, respectively. The suggested limit for mean MCD is 22 μs and for outliers is 28 μs. Muscle Nerve, 2012
New carbon nanotube–conducting polymer composite electrodes for drug delivery applications
Authors: Xiao Yinghong , Ye Xinxin , He Lei , Che Jianfei
Published: October 2011

A novel drug delivery system (DDS) based on a carbon nanotube (CNT)–poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composite was constructed via a layering method. Single‐walled CNTs (SWNTs) were immobilized on a gold electrode using a layer‐by‐layer technique. In particular, cysteamine (Cys) was firstly bonded to the gold surface through the strong SAu association and SWNTs were subsequently linked onto the Cys layer through condensation reaction of NH2 and carboxyl groups by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide/N‐hydroxysuccinimide coupling. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy demonstrate that this is a facile route for immobilizing CNTs on gold electrodes. Finally PEDOT was electropolymerized on the SWNT‐functionalized electrode to make a SWNT–PEDOT composite, and the modified electrode was applied as a DDS. Dexamethasone, as a model drug, was incorporated into PEDOT in the electropolymerization. Investigations of the electrochemical properties of SWNT–PEDOT demonstrate that SWNTs greatly improve the conductivity and increase the charge capacity of PEDOT. The composite exhibits a petal‐like surface structure, 20–30 nm thick and 100–200 nm wide. Compared to a DDS based on pure PEDOT synthesized under the same conditions, SWNT–PEDOT has the merits of higher drug release rate and larger release amount. The average mass release for every five voltammetry cycles increases from 1.4126 to 1.8864 mg cm−2. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Encapsulation of urease in double‐layered hydrogels of macroporous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) core and poly(ethylene oxide) outer layer: fabrication and biosensing properties
Authors: Petrov Petar , Jeleva Denitza , Tsvetanov Christo B
Published: October 2011

Double‐layered hydrogels of super‐macroporous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel core and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) hydrogel outer layer for encapsulation of the enzyme urease were constructed. The enzyme was entrapped into the pores of PHEMA cryogel by soaking and then the core was covered with a PEO layer. The leaking of urease from the core was prevented when the density of the PEO network was increased by incorporation of the crosslinking agent, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. The hybrid system exhibited a nearly constant enzyme activity with time and maintained its structural integrity after several reactions of hydrolysis of urea. The potential of double‐layered hydrogels containing urease for establishment of water pollution with copper was investigated as well. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Lenalidomide enhances the anti‐prostate cancer activity of docetaxel in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Henry J.Y. , Lu L. , Adams M. , Meyer B. , Bartlett J.B. , Dalgleish A.G. , Galustian C.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

In this study, we investigated the effects of combining lenalidomide and docetaxel on in vitro and in vivo models of prostate cancer as a potential strategy for treatment of castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODS

The effects of combining lenalidomide and docetaxel on proliferation, apoptosis, invasive potential, anchorage independent growth, and p53 activation in the PC3 and DU145 prostate cell lines were investigated. The effects of the lenalidomide and docetaxel combination on LNCaP prostate cancer cell growth and invasiveness in vitro was also studied. The combination of these two agents was finally tested on a xenograft model of PC3 tumor growth in nude mice.

RESULTS

Lenalidomide decreased the IC50 of docetaxel by up to 50% (P < 0.05) and also decreased invasion in PC3, LNCaP, and DU145 cells and anchorage independent growth in PC3 cells (P < 0.01). Apoptosis in lenalidomide/docetaxel‐treated cells was increased by 2.2‐fold over single agent docetaxel and a corresponding increase in p53, p38, and BAD activation was observed in Western blots (P < 0.001). When PC3 challenged mice were treated with lenalidomide and docetaxel, median survival increased from 48 to 59 days and the rate of tumor growth was significantly reduced (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lenalidomide may be a promising candidate for combination with docetaxel in the treatment of CRPC. Prostate 72:856–867, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative analysis of pesticide action plans in five European countries
Authors: Barzman Marco , Dachbrodt‐Saaydeh Silke
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom have launched national initiatives to reduce pesticide use or risk. Faced with multiple environmental, social and economic constraints such as ensuring the competiveness of European agriculture, the various programmes address goal setting, stakeholder involvement and the role of research and extension in different ways. These diverse experiences offer valuable insights for the development of national action plans required by new European legislation on pesticides.

RESULTS: The general trend is to move away from volume or use reduction targets towards reductions in risks and impact. All programmes studied pay attention to involving a wide range of stakeholders in the policy‐making process to ensure buy‐in. Research and extension services are important players that help to define appropriate goals and improve implementation. Collective approaches to implementation appear to be more effective than the classical linear research–extension–farmer model.

CONCLUSION: No matter the approach adopted in fine, member states can gain much from sharing their diverse experience through comparisons such as this study and via international policy seminars which serve as valuable forums for exchange. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
A New Statistical High‐Quality Process Monitoring Method: The Counted Number Between Omega‐Event Control Charts
Authors: He Yihai , Mi Kai , Wu Chunhui
Published: October 2011

Control chart techniques for high‐quality process have attracted great attention in modern precision manufacturing. Traditional control charts are no longer applicable because of high false alarm rate. To solve this problem, in this article a new statistical process monitoring method, the counted number between omega‐event statistical process control charts, abbreviated as CBΩ charts, is proposed. The phrase omega event denotes that one observation falls into some certain interval and the CBΩ chart is to monitor the number of consecutive parts between successive r omega events. On the basis of CBΩ charts, a dual‐CBΩ monitoring scheme is developed. This scheme sets up two CBΩ charts with symmetrical omega events, (μ + ςσ, + ∞) and (− ∞, μ − ςσ), respectively. The performance of CBΩ charts and dual‐CBΩ monitoring is investigated. Dual‐CBΩ monitoring has shown its capability in detecting both mean and variance shift and convenience in implementation compared with other traditional charts. Dual‐CBΩ monitoring can reduce false alarm rate greatly without introducing an unacceptable loss of sensitivity in detecting out‐of‐control signals in high‐quality process control. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The type I interferon response during viral infections: a “SWOT” analysis
Authors: Gaajetaan Giel R. , Bruggeman Cathrien A. , Stassen Frank R
Published: October 2011

The type I interferon (IFN) response is a strong and crucial moderator for the control of viral infections. The strength of this system is illustrated by the fact that, despite some temporary discomfort like a common cold or diarrhea, most viral infections will not cause major harm to the healthy immunocompetent host. To achieve this, the immune system is equipped with a wide array of pattern recognition receptors and the subsequent coordinated type I IFN response orchestrated by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and conventional dendritic cells (cDCs). The production of type I IFN subtypes by dendritic cells (DCs), but also other cells is crucial for the execution of many antiviral processes. Despite this coordinated response, morbidity and mortality are still common in viral disease due to the ability of viruses to exploit the weaknesses of the immune system. Viruses successfully evade immunity and infection can result in aberrant immune responses. However, these weaknesses also open opportunities for improvement via clinical interventions as can be seen in current vaccination and antiviral treatment programs. The application of IFNs, Toll‐like receptor ligands, DCs, and antiviral proteins is now being investigated to further limit viral infections. Unfortunately, a common threat during stimulation of immunity is the possible initiation or aggravation of autoimmunity. Also the translation from animal models to the human situation remains difficult. With a Strengths–Weaknesses–Opportunities–Threats (“SWOT”) analysis, we discuss the interaction between host and virus as well as (future) therapeutic options, related to the type I IFN system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confidence intervals for a random‐effects meta‐analysis based on Bartlett‐type corrections
Authors: Noma Hisashi
Published: October 2011

In medical meta‐analysis, the DerSimonian‐Laird confidence interval for the average treatment effect has been widely adopted in practice. However, it is well known that its coverage probability (the probability that the interval actually includes the true value) can be substantially below the target level. One particular reason is that the validity of the confidence interval depends on the assumption that the number of synthesized studies is sufficiently large. In typical medical meta‐analyses, the number of studies is fewer than 20. In this article, we developed three confidence intervals for improving coverage properties, based on (i) the Bartlett corrected likelihood ratio statistic, (ii) the efficient score statistic, and (iii) the Bartlett‐type adjusted efficient score statistic. The Bartlett and Bartlett‐type corrections improve the large sample approximations for the likelihood ratio and efficient score statistics. Through numerical evaluations by simulations, these confidence intervals demonstrated better coverage properties than the existing methods. In particular, with a moderate number of synthesized studies, the Bartlett and Bartlett‐type corrected confidence intervals performed well. An application to a meta‐analysis of the treatment for myocardial infarction with intravenous magnesium is presented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐compartmental estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters for flexible sampling designs
Authors: Jaki Thomas , Wolfsegger Martin J.
Published: October 2011

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies aim to understand the kinetics of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of a drug. Typically, such studies involve measuring the concentration of the drug in the plasma or blood at several time points after drug administration. In studying the PK behaviour, either the non‐compartmental approach or alternatively a modelling approach can be utilized. Traditionally, the non‐compartmental approach makes minimal assumptions about the data‐generating process but requires the data to be collected in a very structured way. Conversely, the modelling approach depends heavily on assumptions about the data‐generating process but does not impose a specific data structure. In this paper, we will discuss non‐compartmental methods for estimating the area under the concentration versus time curve and other common PK parameters that use minimal assumptions about the data structure making it applicable to a wide range of PK studies. We will evaluate the methods using simulation and give an illustrative example. Copycenter © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TinyVM: an energy‐efficient execution infrastructure for sensor networks
Authors: Hong Kirak , Park Jiin , Kim Sungho , Kim Taekhoon , Kim Hwangho , Burgstaller Bernd , Scholz Bernhard
Published: October 2011

Energy‐efficient implementation techniques for virtual machines (VMs) have received little attention yet: conventional wisdom claims that VMs have a diametrical effect on energy consumption, and VM‐based applications are therefore short‐lived. In this paper, we argue that bytecode interpretation is affordable if we synthesize VMs specifically for energy efficiency. We present TinyVM, an execution infrastructure that seamlessly integrates with C and nesC/TinyOS‐based programming environments. TinyVM achieves high code density through the use of compressed bytecode as the primary program representation. Compressed bytecode allows rapid application deployment with low communication overhead. TinyVM executes compressed bytecode in place, which eliminates the need for a decompression stage and thereby reduces memory consumption on sensor nodes. Our infrastructure automates the creation of energy‐efficient application‐specific VMs. Applications are partitioned in machine code, bytecode, and VM instruction set extensions. Partitioning is manually controlled and/or fully guided by a discrete optimization problem that produces a partitioning with lowest energy consumption for a given program size limit. We provide experimental results for sensor network benchmarks and for selected applications on various CPU architectures including Atmega128‐based motes and the ARM‐based Intel iMote2. TinyVM has been released under the GNU General Public License. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variable‐rate adaptive modulation with optimum switching thresholds for cooperative systems with relay selection
Authors: Torabi Mohammad , Haccoun David
Published: October 2011

In this paper, the performance of variable‐rate adaptive modulation schemes in the amplify‐and‐forward cooperative systems with relay selection is analyzed over Rayleigh fading channels. We consider constant power and discrete‐rate adaptive multi‐level modulation techniques. The switching levels required for discrete‐rate adaptive modulation have been determined for two schemes, namely fixed switching levels and optimum switching levels, both respecting a target bit error rate requirements, where in the later scheme, the switching levels are optimally determined in a way that the average spectral efficiency of the system is maximized. Two M‐ary modulation schemes, namely quadrature amplitude modulation and phase shift keying, are considered. Closed‐form expressions are derived for three performance metrics, namely average spectral efficiency, outage probability, and average bit error rate, for two cases: independent and identically distributed fading relay links and independent and non‐identically distributed links. It is shown that, compared with using fixed switching levels, employing optimum switching levels provides a slight improvement in the spectral efficiency and moderate improvements in the signal‐to‐noise ratio gain and in the outage probability of the system. It is also shown that compared with the independent and identically distributed links, independent and non‐identically distributed relay links yield a slight increase in the signal‐to‐noise ratio gain and a slight decrease in the diversity order of the system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blade element momentum modeling of inflow with shear in comparison with advanced model results
Authors: Madsen H. Aa. , Riziotis V. , Zahle F. , Hansen M.O.L. , Snel H. , Grasso F. , Larsen T.J. , Politis E. , Rasmussen F.
Published: October 2011

There seems to be a significant uncertainty in aerodynamic and aeroelastic simulations on megawatt turbines operating in inflow with considerable shear, in particular with the engineering blade element momentum (BEM) model, commonly implemented in the aeroelastic design codes used by industry. Computations with advanced vortex and computational fluid dynamics models are used to provide improved insight into the complex flow phenomena and rotor aerodynamics caused by the sheared inflow. One consistent result from the advanced models is the variation of induced velocity as a function of azimuth when shear is present in the inflow. This gives guidance to how the BEM modeling of shear should be implemented. Another result from the advanced vortex model computations is a clear indication of influence of the ground, and the general tendency is a speed up effect of the flow through the rotor giving a higher power than in uniform flow. On the basis of the consistent azimuthal induction variations seen in the advanced model results, three different BEM implementation methods are discussed and tested in the same aeroelastic code. A full local BEM implementation on an elemental stream tube in both azimuth and radial direction seems to be closest to the advanced model results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Balancing fatigue damage and turbine performance through innovative pitch control algorithm
Authors: Johnson Scott J. , Larwood Scott , McNerney Gerald , van Dam C.P.
Published: October 2011

Improvements to current pitch control strategies are explored by analysing the addition of a dynamic peak‐shaving algorithm, called the load limiting algorithm (LLA). The goal of this dynamic peak‐shaving algorithm is to reduce blade fatigue damage caused by wind gusts without sacrificing energy capture. This paper introduces a multivariate procedure based on the Taguchi method to systematically test different controller configurations and evaluate the algorithm's effectiveness. The LLA was tested through numerical analysis and field experiments. Numerical studies were performed on the Controls Advanced Research Turbine (CART) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 5 MW model. Field testing was conducted on the CART.

The primary metrics of LLA effectiveness were blade fatigue damage, measured in 20 year damage equivalent loads (DEL) for root flap bending and annual energy production (AEP). Numerical results indicate a reduction in weighted flap bending DEL (Flap DEL) for both turbine platforms. The CART demonstrates a reduction of 3.2% with a half‐percent loss in AEP. The LLA is markedly more effective on the NREL 5 MW, demonstrating a reduction of 5–9% in Flap DEL with a drop of 1–3% in AEP. Secondary benefits such as DEL reductions for other components, operating extreme blade loads, and pitch duty cycle were also explored.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New PVC Membrane Ion Selective Electrode for Determination of Cationic Surfactant in Mouthwash
Authors: Devi Sunaina , Chattopadhyaya Mahesh C.
Published: October 2011

A new membrane electrode was prepared, using cetylpyridinium chloride based Sn(IV) phosphate (CPC‐SnP) as the electroactive material. The electrode exhibits a linear response for the surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in the concentration range 5.0 × 10−3–5.0 × 10−6 mol dm−3 with a slope as a 29.1 mV/decade change in the concentration. The working pH range and the response time for the electrode are 2–6 and 30 s respectively. Selectivity coefficients for several cations were determined. The determination of CPC in mouth wash gave results that compare favorably with those obtained by the two phase titration method. This electrode has been utilized as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of cationic surfactant CPC as well as in direct determination of CPC.
Parental Divorce and Adult Religiosity: Evidence from the General Social Survey
Authors: Lau Hsien-Hsien , Wolfinger Nicholas H.
Published: October 2011

This study explores the relationship between parental divorce and religiosity, including religious affiliation change and church attendance. Data from the 1991, 1998, and 2008 waves of the General Social Survey provide information both on current religiosity and religiosity in respondents’ families of origin. The results suggest that living with a single divorced parent—but not a remarried or widowed parent—increases church attendance and the odds of a change in religious affiliation. Catholics and Protestants from divorced families are disproportionately likely to become apostates as adults, while people growing up in unaffiliated divorced families more often become affiliated as adults. However, parental divorce has fewer effects on the likelihood of moving from one denomination to another.
Ethnic and Gender Variation in Religious Involvement: Patterns of Expression in Young Adulthood
Authors: Jones Janine M. , St. Peter Josie R. , Fernandes Sherira J. , Herrenkohl Todd I. , Kosterman Rick , Hawkins J. David
Published: October 2011

This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to empirically derive profiles of religious involvement among a sample of 808 young adults and describe ethnic and gender differences within such religious involvement patterns. Items on the Duke Religion Index (DRI) were included as part of a larger longitudinal survey of emotional, physical, and behavioral health. The scale measured the organizational, nonorganizational, and intrinsic dimensions of religiosity (Koenig et al. in Handbook of religion and health, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2001 ) in a sample of young adults at two waves of the study—age 27 and age 30. At age 27, five religious profiles were distinguishable in the sample while at age 30 six profiles emerged. Ethnic differences were found for each of the religious profiles where religious involvement manifested in different ways. Religious profiles between ages 27 and 30 changed over time and were affected by gender and ethnicity.
Is Urban Fathers’ Religion Important for Their Children's Behavior?
Authors: Petts Richard J.
Published: October 2011

Previous research suggests that many men increase their religious involvement after the birth of a new child. Using data on low-income urban fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCW), this study extends this research by examining whether fathers maintain a higher rate of religious participation as children get older and how fathers’ religiosity may influence children's behavior. Results suggest that although many urban fathers slightly increase their religious involvement after the birth of a child, most fathers attend religious services at a fairly consistent rate during the early years of their child's life. Although there is only limited evidence suggesting that fathers’ religious involvement directly influences children's behavior, there is evidence that fathers’ religiosity moderates the influence of other family characteristics on children; parental relationship quality and mothers’ religiosity are associated with fewer problem behaviors among children when fathers believe that religion is important to family life. Results also suggest that having a Black Protestant father is associated with fewer externalizing problem behaviors among young children. Overall, this study suggests that religion may be a source of support that encourages urban fathers to be engaged in their family life and promote positive development among children.
The Challenge of Religious Pluralism: The Association between Interfaith Contact and Religious Pluralism
Authors: Brown R. Khari , Brown Ronald E.
Published: October 2011

This research contributes to increasing understanding of the ways in which Christians think about religious pluralism in the United States. It does so by empirically uncovering the relationship between inter-faith contact and the willingness of white Christians to support tenets of religious pluralism. To that end, this study largely intimates that religious identity reinforces a dualistic world view. For white Christians, it is likely that contact with Jews and not Muslims is salient to their religious pluralist understandings. Nonetheless, more so than other Christians, Evangelicals tend to embrace a theology that views their belief system as being in conflict and competition with non-Christians. To that end, it is plausible that even when Christians have positive contact experiences with Jews and Muslims, Evangelicals are less willing than are other Christians to recognize them as members of the American religious polity.
The Association between Religious Beliefs and Practices and End-of-Life Fears among Members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)
Authors: Silton Nava R. , Flannelly Kevin J. , Ellison Christopher G. , Galek Kathleen , Jacobs Martha R. , Marcum John P. , Silton Faye J.
Published: October 2011

This study examines the association between various religious beliefs and practices and fears pertaining to death and dying in a national sample of liberal Protestant U.S. adults. Data were analyzed from a 2002 survey of members and elders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) ( N = 935). Four measures of religion were tested together in models predicting four end-of-life fears. Church attendance ( p < .01), other church involvement ( p < .05), and belief in life after death ( p < .001) had negative associations with the fear of what happens after death. Private devotion was inversely related to the fear of dying in pain ( p < .05). Involvement in church activities ( p < .05), aside from religious services, was inversely related to the fear of leaving loved ones behind. Females tended to be more fearful than males of dying alone and dying in pain and older adults tended to be less fearful than younger adults of the unknown and of leaving loved ones behind.
Subsidizing Religious Participation through Groups: A Model of the “Megachurch” Strategy for Growth
Authors: von der Ruhr Marc , Daniels Joseph P.
Published: October 2011

Either despite or because of their non-traditional approach, megachurches have grown significantly in the United States since 1980. This paper models religious participation as an imperfect public good which, absent intervention, yields suboptimal participation by members from the church's perspective. Megachurches address this problem in part by employing secular-based group activities to subsidize religious participation that then translates into an increase in the attendees’ religious investment. This strategy not only allows megachurches to attract and retain new members when many traditional churches are losing members but also results in higher levels of an individual's religious capital. As a result, the megachurch may raise expectations of members’ levels of commitment and faith practices. Data from the FACT2000 survey provide evidence that megachurches employ groups more extensively than other churches, and this approach is consistent with a strategy to use groups to help subsidize individuals’ religious investment. Religious capital rises among members of megachurches relative to members of non-megachurches as a result of this strategy.
C-reactive protein as a marker of cardiovascular disease in patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder treated in routine medical practice
Authors: Sicras-Mainar A. , Rejas-Gutiérrez J. , Navarro-Artieda R. , Blanca-Tamayo M.
Published: October 2011

Objective

Interest in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in schizophrenia has grown recently due to documented incremental mortality. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been assessed as a marker in individuals with CVD and/or at high risk of developing it. However, its role in schizophrenia patients is unknown. The goal of this research was thus to explore the use of CRP as a marker of CVD risk in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the Badalona Serveis Assistencials (BSA) administrative claims database was conducted including all subjects aged > 18 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. CRP measurement, sociodemographics, medical history, 10-year CVD risk (Framingham function) and clinical chemistry data were extracted for analysis.

Results

Seven hundred and five patients (53.0% men, 48.2 [15.8] years, 78.7% on atypicals) met criteria for analysis. Mean 10-year CVD risk was high; 11.9 ± 5.7% and mean CRP levels were 2.6 ± 2.5 mg/L with 30.4% showing above-normative levels (> 3 mg/L). After adjusting for age, gender, smoking and presence of neoplasm or inflammatory diseases, CRP was linearly associated with 10-year CVD risk stratified by risk (low, moderate, high/very high): respectively, 2.3 (95% CI: 2.1–2.5), 3.1 (2.6–3.5) and 3.7 (3.2–4.1) mg/L; F = 13.5, P < 0.001. Patients with known CVD also showed higher CRP levels: 3.7 (2.9–4.5) vs. 2.5 (2.4–2.7) mg/L, P = 0.008; and higher probability of above-normal values; odds ratio = 4.71 (2.01–11.04), P < 0.001.

Conclusions

High CRP levels above normative were associated with both known CVD and high/very high 10-year risk of a CVD event in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting CRP could be a marker of CVD in this psychiatric disorder.
Effects of n‐3 fatty acids on cognitive decline: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in stable myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Geleijnse Johanna M. , Giltay Erik J. , Kromhout Daan
Published: October 2011

Background

Epidemiological studies suggest a protective effect of n‐3 fatty acids derived from fish (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) against cognitive decline. For α‐linolenic acid (ALA) obtained from vegetable sources, the effect on cognitive decline is unknown. We examined the effect of n‐3 fatty acid supplementation on cognitive decline in coronary heart disease patients.

Methods

The analysis included 2911 coronary patients (78% men) aged 60 to 80 years who participated in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial of n‐3 fatty acids and cardiovascular diseases (Alpha Omega Trial). By using a 2 × 2 factorial design, patients were randomly assigned to margarines that provided 400 mg/d of EPA–DHA, 2 g/d of ALA, both EPA–DHA and ALA, or placebo for 40 months. Cognitive function was assessed by the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and after 40 months. The effect of n‐3 fatty acids on change in MMSE score was assessed using analysis of variance. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects on risk of cognitive decline, defined as a decrease of 3 or more points in MMSE score or incidence of dementia.

Results

Patients in the active treatment groups had an additional intake of 384 mg of EPA–DHA, 1.9 g of ALA, or both. The overall MMSE score in this cohort was 28.3 ± 1.6 points, which decreased by 0.67 ± 2.25 points during follow‐up. Changes in MMSE score during intervention did not differ significantly between EPA–DHA and placebo (−0.65 vs −0.69 points, P = .44) or between ALA and placebo (−0.60 vs −0.74 points, P = .12). The risk of cognitive decline was 1.03 (95% confidence interval: 0.84–1.26, P = .80) for EPA–DHA (vs placebo) and 0.90 (0.74–1.10, P = .31) for ALA (vs placebo).

Conclusion

This large intervention study showed no effect of dietary doses of n‐3 fatty acids on global cognitive decline in coronary heart disease patients.
Vortex-induced vibrations of an elastically mounted sphere with three degrees of freedom at Re = 300: hysteresis and vortex shedding modes
Authors: Behara Suresh , Borazjani Iman , Sotiropoulos Fotis
Published: October 2011

Fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations are carried out to investigate vortex-induced vibrations of a sphere, mounted on elastic supports in all three spatial directions. The reduced velocity (${U}^{\ast } $) is systematically varied in the range ${U}^{\ast } = 4\text{{\ndash}} 9$, while the Reynolds number and reduced mass are held fixed at $\mathit{Re}= 300$ and ${m}^{\ast } = 2$, respectively. In the lock-in regime, two distinct branches are observed in the response curve, each corresponding to a distinct type of vortex shedding, namely, hairpin and spiral vortices. While shedding of hairpin vortices has been observed in several previous investigations of stationary and vibrating spheres, the shedding of intertwined, longitudinal spiral vortices in the wake of a vibrating sphere is reported herein for the first time. When the wake is in the hairpin shedding mode, the sphere moves along a linear path in the transverse plane, while when spiral vortices are shed, the sphere vibrates along a circular orbit. In the spiral mode branch, the simulations reveal hysteresis in the response amplitude at the beginning of the lock-in regime. Lower-amplitude vibrations are found as the sphere sheds hairpin vortices for increasing ${U}^{\ast } $ up until the beginning of the synchronization regime. On the other hand, higher-amplitude oscillations persist for the spiral mode as ${U}^{\ast } $ is decreased from the point of the start of the synchronization. The hairpin mode is found to be unstable for the value of reduced velocity where the spiral and hairpin solution branches merge together. When this point is approached along the hairpin solution branch, the sphere naturally transitions from shedding hairpin vortices and moving along a linear path to shedding spiral vortices and moving along a circular path in the transverse plane. The spiral mode was not observed in the work of Horowitz & Williamson (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 651, 2010, pp. 251–294), who studied experimentally the vibration modes of a freely rising or falling sphere and only reported zigzag vibrations. Our results suggest that this apparent discrepancy between experiments and simulations should be attributed to the fact that, for the range of governing parameters considered in the simulations, the elastic supports act to suppress streamwise vibrations, thus subjecting the sphere to a nearly axisymmetric elasticity constraint and enabling it to vibrate transversely along a circular path.
DHA-rich oil modulates the cerebral haemodynamic response to cognitive tasks in healthy young adults: a near IR spectroscopy pilot study
Authors: Jackson Philippa A. , Reay Jonathon L. , Scholey Andrew B. , Kennedy David O.
Published: October 2011

The impact of dietary n-3 PUFA on behavioural outcomes has been widely researched; however, very little attention has been given to their impact on brain functioning in physiological terms. A total of twenty-two healthy adults took part in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, wherein the cerebral haemodynamic effects of 12 weeks of daily dietary supplementation with either 1 g DHA-rich or 1 g EPA-rich fish oil (FO) or placebo (1 g olive oil) were assessed. Relative changes in the concentration of oxygenated Hb (oxy-Hb) and deoxygenated Hb were assessed in the prefrontal cortex using near IR spectroscopy (NIRS) during the performance of four computerised cognitive tasks. Supplementation with DHA-rich FO, in comparison with placebo, resulted in a significant increase in the concentrations of oxy-Hb and total levels of Hb, indicative of increased cerebral blood flow (CBF), during the cognitive tasks. In comparison, no effect on CBF was observed following supplementation with EPA-rich FO, where concentration changes in the chromophores followed the same pattern as placebo. These encouraging pilot data warrant further application of NIRS in this area.
d-Fagomine lowers postprandial blood glucose and modulates bacterial adhesion
Authors: Gómez Livia , Molinar-Toribio Eunice , Calvo-Torras María Ángeles , Adelantado Carles , Juan M. Emília , Planas Joana M. , Cañas Xavier , Lozano Carles , Pumarola Sergio , Clapés Pere , Torres Josep Lluís
Published: October 2011

d-Fagomine is an iminosugar originally isolated from seeds of buckwheat (Fagopyrum sculentumMoench), present in the human diet and now available as a pure crystalline product. We testedd-fagomine for activities connected to a reduction in the risk of developing insulin resistance, becoming overweight and suffering from an excess of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The activities were: intestinal sucrase inhibitionin vitro(rat mucosa and everted intestine sleeves), modulation of postprandial blood glucose in rats, bacterial agglutination and bacterial adhesion to pig intestinal mucosa. When ingested together with sucrose or starch,d-fagomine lowered blood glucose in a dose-dependent manner without stimulating insulin secretion.d-Fagomine reduced the area under the curve (0–120 min) by 20 % (P < 0·01) and shifted the time to maximum blood glucose concentration (Tmax) by 15 min at doses of 1–2 mg/kg body weight when administered together with 1 g sucrose/kg body weight. Moreover,d-fagomine (0·14 mm) agglutinated 60 % of Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli,Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium) populations (P < 0·01), while it did not show this effect onBifidobacteriumspp. orLactobacillusspp. At the same concentration,d-fagomine significantly (P < 0·001) inhibited the adhesion of Enterobacteriaceae (95–99 % cells in the supernatant) and promoted the adhesion ofLactobacillus acidophilus(56 % cells in the supernatant) to intestinal mucosa.d-Fagomine did not show any effect on bacterial cell viability. Based on all this evidence,d-fagomine may be used as a dietary ingredient or functional food component to reduce the health risks associated with an excessive intake of fast-digestible carbohydrates, or an excess of potentially pathogenic bacteria.
Management of malignant (necrotising) otitis externa
Authors: Hollis S , Evans K
Published: October 2011

Although malignant (necrotising) otitis externa is not a common diagnosis, there have been a number of recently reported cases with pathogens other thanPseudomonas aeruginosaas the causative organism. In addition, there are many published reports of resistance to antibiotics in cases of malignant otitis externa caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa. This review aims to assess the cases reported and to clarify the current opinion on the diagnostic criteria and management of such cases.
‘How does that sound?’: objective and subjective voice outcomes following CO2 laser resection for early glottic cancer
Authors: Lester S E , Rigby M H , MacLean M , Taylor S M
Published: October 2011

Objective:

To investigate the effect of transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer on subjective and objective vocal outcome measures.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary care cancer centre.

Participants:

All patients scheduled for transoral laser microsurgery for untreated early primary glottic cancer over a 22-month period and offered voice assessment (31 patients; 19 tumour stage one, 12 tumour stage two).

Main outcome measures:

Fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time, calculated jitter, shimmer and subjective voice rating, analysed by tumour stage.

Results:

Tumour stage T1 patients had significantly different fundamental frequencies and maximum phonation times at three months post-operatively, compared with pre-operative values; these differences resolved by 12 months. At 12 months, tumour stage T2 patients had significantly shorter maximum phonation times, and all patients reported significantly worse subjective voice ratings, compared with pre-operative values.

Conclusion:

We found no change in fundamental frequency, jitter and shimmer, one year post-operatively. Maximum phonation time deteriorated but stage one patients appeared to compensate, whereas stage two patients did not. Resection size may be a factor. All patients reported significantly worse subjective voice ratings at one year. Aerodynamic and subjective voice measures appear most sensitive to change in this patient group.
Botulinum toxin for Frey's syndrome: a closer look at different treatment responses
Authors: Steffen A , Rotter N , König I R , Wollenberg B
Published: October 2011

Objective:

Botulinum toxin is a widely accepted, effective treatment for Frey's syndrome. While some patients need only one injection, others require repeated treatments. We aimed to describe the clinical features of patients with a more challenging treatment course.

Design:

Literature review and retrospective analysis of eight consecutive patients treated at a university hospital.

Subjects:

These patients' treatment responses were categorised (using our own system) and compared with those of 25 published cases.

Results:

Combined analysis identified no significant correlation between treatment response and age, gender or the extent of primary salivary gland surgery. There was no significant correlation between botulinum toxin dosage and time between treatments.

Conclusion:

Frey's syndrome should be viewed as a dynamic process in which the stimulus for aberrant reinnervation of parasympathetic nerve fibres can be reduced, in some patients, with higher botulinum toxin dose injections to the treated areas. However, responses are unpredictable, and relapses may occur at different time points and in different areas.
DEVELOPING ASSESSMENT LITERACY
Authors: Taylor Lynda
Published: October 2011

Language testing and assessment have moved center stage in recent years, whether for educational, employment, or sociopolitical reasons. More and more people are involved in developing tests and using test score outcomes, though often without a background or training in assessment to equip them adequately for this role. Simultaneously, increasing professionalization of the field has led to the generation of standards, ethical codes, and guidelines for good testing practice. Although these can help make assessment practices more transparent and accessible to a wider constituency, they also risk promoting a view of language testing as highly technical and specialized–best left to experts. These trends have implications for both policy and practice. This article reviews efforts to promote understanding of assessment within the field of applied linguistics and within education and society more broadly. The role of professional associations, academic institutions, and commercial organizations in developing assessment literacy is considered, as well as the contribution of published material and other types of training resources. This article reflects on how the international language testing community can encourage the sharing of the core knowledge, skills, and understanding that underpin good quality assessment as widely and accessibly for the benefit of all.