bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International and European policy on work and retirement: Reinventing critical perspectives on active ageing and mature subjectivity
Authors: Moulaert Thibauld , Biggs Simon
Published: June 2012

In this article, the authors critically examine themes that have become associated with work and retirement in the context of demographic change. Two discourses are looked at in detail, those of ‘active’ and ‘productive’ ageing, with a focus upon International and European social policy. Drawing on the work of Foucault and others, the emergence of a dominant discourse and its effects on policy-based understandings of ageing are examined. A new orthodoxy of ageing subjectivity is identified, restricting the social contribution of older adults to work and work-like activities. A subtext refers to the co-option of liberal gerontological priorities into new and socially rigid forms of identity that legitimize particular ways of growing old. The authors conclude that a radical re-positioning, inspired by mature identity, is required to rely less upon economically determined roles and more upon alternative grounding in existential life tasks and experience to give space for a ‘mature subjectivity’ and a desirable ‘mature subject’.
A comparison of self-ratings and non-self-report measures of employee creativity
Authors: Ng Thomas WH , Feldman Daniel C
Published: June 2012

Both self-ratings and non-self-report measures of employee creativity (supervisor ratings, peer ratings, and objective measures of creativity) have been used frequently in the literature, but there have been no attempts to compare research results using different types of creativity measures. In the present meta-analysis, we examined the relationships of a wide array of personal characteristics and contextual factors with both types of creativity measures. The results suggest that, in a majority of cases, effect sizes are larger when self-ratings of employee creativity are used. The article concludes with a discussion of the circumstances when inflation of observed correlations is most likely to occur, some steps for reducing inflated observed correlations, and other issues germane to empirical creativity research.
Institutional reforms and age-graded labour market inequalities in Europe
Authors: Dieckhoff Martina , Steiber Nadia
Published: June 2012

This article examines how institutional change affects age-based labour market inequalities in Europe. We focus on the impact of labour regulation and of wage-setting institutions on the male population aged 25–54. Age-graded labour market inequalities within this group of prime-age individuals are hitherto under-researched. We estimate country panel regressions using data from the European Union Labour Force Survey and time-series data on institutional change for the years 1992–2007. The results present evidence that employment protection and the regulation of temporary work affect age-based inequality dynamics, while union strength has positive employment effects on all age-groups.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and palliative care: A report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Cotton Penelope Janet Helen , Le Brian
Published: June 2012

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but usually fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system in patients who are immunocompromised. It is characterized by rapid neurological deterioration associated with progressive white matter changes on imaging and is confirmed by isolation of the causative virus in the cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue. Currently there are no effective treatments for PML and outcomes remain poor even after reversal of the immunocompromised state. This case series describes three patients with different underlying pathologies and varying presentations who were all diagnosed with PML and referred to a palliative care service.
Self-Disclosure in Friendships as the Moderator of the Association Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Overweight Adolescents
Authors: Adams Ryan E. , Cantin Stéphane
Published: June 2012

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of self-disclosure in best friendships on the pathway from peer victimization to depressive symptoms as mediated by self-esteem for physical appearance (SEPA) in overweight adolescents. Utilizing data from 610 French-speaking Canadian adolescents in Grades 7 and 8, the current study examined self-reports of peer victimization, SEPA, self-disclosure in their best friendship, and depressive symptoms and researcher measured height and weight during two time periods over 1 year in overweight adolescents ( n = 137). Self-disclosure in friendships buffered the link between peer victimization and depressive symptoms in overweight adolescents. In addition, the protective effect of self-disclosure for the overweight adolescents was through the indirect pathway through SEPA.
Important Nonparental Adults as an Academic Resource for Youth
Authors: Farruggia Susan P. , Bullen Pat , Davidson Joy
Published: June 2012

This study examined the associations between various sources of social support and academic achievement. Participants were 313 ethnically diverse students attending a low-income intermediate school in New Zealand (mean age = 11.96 years). They reported on the presence and nature of a relationship with a very important nonparental adult in their lives (VIP), and on parent, peer, and VIP warmth and acceptance. Indicators of academic achievement (standardized tests) were also gathered from the school. Results showed that 62% of the youth reported the presence of at least one VIP in their lives, and there was a significant, positive correlation between VIP presence and the majority of academic achievement variables. VIP warmth was uniquely associated with all achievement variables, while parent and peer warmth were nonsignificant in the presence of VIP warmth. The results indicate that VIPs are an important resource for youth who are at risk of low achievement.
Recognizing and Responding to Retirement Obligations
Authors: Matkin David S. T. , Krivosheyev Alex Y.
Published: June 2012

With the implementation of recent accounting standards (GASB 43 and 45), local governments began reporting their liabilities and funding levels for postemployment benefits other than pensions—so-called OPEBs. In this article we pose three questions: (a) What factors affect the size of a government’s OPEB liability? (b) How did the OPEB standards affect the way governments manage their OPEB plans? and (c) What factors explain government responds to the OPEB standards? We draw data directly from audited financial reports in Florida counties and cities to examine those questions. Our results suggest that benefit policies, personnel characteristics, and actuarial cost methods are the most influential factors in determining a size of a government’s OPEB liability. Our results also provide evidence that many governments responded to the OPEB standards by reducing their benefits and changing their funding approaches. We show preliminary evidence of differences in governments that changed their policies or funding approaches with those that continued the status quo.
Certain uncertainties: Modes of patient safety in healthcare
Authors: Jerak-Zuiderent Sonja
Published: June 2012

The safety movement in healthcare approaches patient safety mainly by reducing uncertainty to prevent possible errors. This article is concerned with how this approach relates to other modes of conceptualising patient safety. Following the work of Georges Canguilhem, I argue that, depending on how we conceptualise knowing, acting and error, a different mode of patient safety is possible: one that involves ‘living with uncertainty’. Through ethnographic research on daily clinical work in Dutch primary care facilities, I show that the assumption that clinical work can be made safe by reducing errors not only is problematic, it also creates new forms of ‘unsafety’. My observations at general practitioners’ out-of-hours service units and other primary care facilities display a ‘continuous stream of knowing and acting’ in which care professionals adopt specific practices that avoid contradictions between uncertainty and safety. Although these practices differed in the various locations I studied, there were some common dimensions of ‘living with uncertainty’. By problematising the conceptions of safety and errors as antonyms I suggest that a reappraisal is in order, particularly of the notion of errors in healthcare. Keeping and protecting room for errors in a situated way is crucial for knowing and acting in a field riddled with uncertainty and dealing with human life.
Analysis of heavy metals concentration in water and sediment in the Hara biosphere reserve, southern Iran
Authors: Nowrouzi Mohsen , Mansouri Borhan , Nabizadeh Sahar , Pourkhabbaz Alireza
Published: June 2012

This study determined the concentration of heavy metals (Al, Cr, Cu, and Zn) in water and sediments at nine sites in the Hara biosphere reserve of southern Iran during the summer and winter 2010. Determination of Al, Cr, Cu, and Zn in water was carried out by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Shimadzu, AA 610s) and in sediment by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AA3030). Results showed that the heavy metal concentrations in the water samples decreased in the sequence of Zn > Al > Cu > Cr, while in sediment samples were Cr > Zn > Cu > Al. Data analysis indicated that with the exception of Al, there was a Pearson’s correlation coefficient between pH and Cu, Zn, and Cr at α = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.001 in sediment (in winter), respectively. There were also significant differences between heavy metals of Cr, Cu, and Zn during the two seasons ( p < 0.001) in the water and sediment.
Low-Wealth Minority Enterprises and Access to Financial Resources for Start-Up Activities
Authors: Casey Colleen
Published: June 2012

The role new start-ups may play in the economic recovery has been thrust into the political limelight, with a number of policy makers and advocates calling for network interventions to stimulate and foster an environment conducive to their growth and development. However, the design and implementation of these policies may have differential effects for low-wealth minority enterprises. In this article, the author draws on social resource theory to conceptualize the effects of social networks on access to financial resources. The findings suggest that disparities do exist among low-wealth minority enterprises in the amount of social resources they possess as well as in the formal financial resources obtained. Low-wealth minority enterprises that do obtain a higher level of formal financial resources have upward connections to those that possess greater social resources. The research has implications for the design and implementation of policies geared toward low-wealth minority entrepreneurs.
Numerical study of liquefied natural gas as a coolant in liquid rocket engines
Authors: Urbano Annafederica , Nasuti Francesco
Published: June 2012

Liquefied natural gas is a suitable propellant to be used, together with liquid oxygen as oxidizer, in a liquid rocket engine, because of possible advantages with respect to hydrogen in specific applications. Often approximated as pure methane, liquefied natural gas is a mixture of methane, other heavier hydrocarbons and nitrogen. If is to be used in a regeneratively cooled liquid rocket engine, the knowledge of the thermodynamic and heat transfer characteristics when it flows in the cooling channels is of primary importance. The present study is carried out to understand how the composition can influence the flow in cooling channels. Results show that increasing ethane and propane content in a mixture, the pressure drop decreases but the coolant capability worsens. On the other hand increasing nitrogen content causes both poorer coolant capability and larger pressure drop.
Investigation of the dynamic stability of a capsule in multidisciplinary methods
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao Hai-Yang
Published: June 2012

A preliminary exploration on active control methods of an unsteady reentry capsule with multi-disciplinary research methods, including computational fluid dynamics, flight mechanics and control technology, was implemented. The active control process of the dynamic instability of the capsule was studied with a simplified two-jet attitude control system. The effects of different control methods were analyzed and compared. With the pole placement method, the state of the capsule could transfer from the limit cycle vibration to the trim state by selecting appropriate control parameters corresponding to the different control efficiencies. The time of the capsule changing the limit cycle vibration and reaching a trim state, the deviation between the pitch angle and the equilibrium position and the maximum total pressure of the jet changed with different control parameters.
The age-risk relationship of haematologic malignancies in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Y-C , Yen J-H , Chang S-J , Lin Y-C
Published: June 2012

Background: The risks of haematologic malignancies in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been observed to be higher in young age groups than in old age groups. However, the age-risk relationship between haematologic malignancies and SLE is poorly defined. Design and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted nationwide with newly diagnosed SLE female patients during the period of 1997 to 2001 using the database acquired from the Taiwan National Health Research Institute. Each patient in the study was randomly frequency matched with five SLE-free people based on age. The subsequent developments of haematologic malignancies were observed until the date haematologic cancer was diagnosed or December 2008. The age-adjusted standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), the incidence per 1000 person-years, the follow-up duration to the diagnosis of haematologic malignancies and the cumulative hazard rates of haematologic malignancies between SLE and controls were analysed. Results: A total of 35 lymphoid and 14 myeloid malignancies were observed among 9349 female SLE patients. Further, significantly higher incidences of both lymphoid and myeloid malignancies were found in SLE patients (SIR: 3.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.20–4.93 and SIR: 2.86, 95% CI = 1.49–5.09). Also, two peaks of risk ratios for lymphoid malignancies were found in patients aged 21–30 years and 41–50 years. It was observed that the follow-up duration for haematologic malignancies was significantly shorter in SLE patients than in controls (73.21 vs. 105.25 months, respectively). In addition, higher cumulative hazard rates in both lymphoid and myeloid malignancies were found in SLE patients ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Female SLE patients have a higher incidence of haematologic malignancy in different age groups, and with shorter incubating time than SLE-free people.
Urinary MCP-1 as diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with lupus nephritis flare
Authors: Singh RG , Usha  , Rathore SS , Behura SK , Singh NK
Published: June 2012

Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess correlation of urinary monocytic chemoattractant protein-1 (UMCP-1) with severity of lupus nephritis and its role as predictor of outcome. Method: Twenty patients with lupus nephritis flare were included in the study. Ten patients in each group of stable systemic lupus erythematosus and non-renal flare were taken as controls. Biopsy was done to define lupus nephritis stage. UMCP-1 levels were measured in all patients at the time of entry and at four and eight weeks of follow-up. Results: Mild, moderate and severe lupus nephritis flare was noted in one, five and 15 patients, respectively. UMCP-1 levels were high in patients with severe lupus nephritis flare (2.74 ± 0.95 ng/mg creatinine) as compared to patients with moderate (1.43 ± 0.46 ng/mg creatinine) and mild lupus nephritis flare (0.76 ± 0.57 ng/mg creatinine) ( P = 0.0093). Baseline mean UMCP-1 levels in lupus nephritis flare, non-renal flare and stable SLE patients were 2.32 ± 1.06, 0.171 ± 0.03 and 0.213 ± 0.026 ng/mg creatinine, respectively. The difference among the three groups was very significant ( P < 0.001). Also, mean UMCP-1 levels correlated significantly with severity of lupus nephritis class ( P = 0.0358). During follow-up, 15 patients achieved complete or partial remission, and in these patients mean UMCP-1 levels had significant decline at eight weeks ( P < 0.0001). However, mean UMCP-1 levels in the remaining five non-responders did not show significant changes at four and eight weeks (P = 0.4858). Conclusion: Mean UMCP-1 levels were significantly higher in the lupus nephritis flare group as compared to non-renal flare and stable patients. Baseline mean UMCP-1 levels significantly correlated with both lupus nephritis class and severity of lupus nephritis flare, hence UMCP-1 could be used as a non-invasive marker for the judgement of lupus flare and lupus nephritis class.
Passive temperature compensation in piezoelectric vibrators using shape memory alloy–induced axial loading
Authors: Rhimi Mohamed , Lajnef Nizar
Published: June 2012

Piezoelectric materials have been widely studied as vibration energy harvesters in civil and mechanical systems, given their energy conversion ability and high mechanical to electrical coupling properties. Several external environmental effects, such as temperature, alter the performance of these transducers, thus limiting the longevity and the efficiency of the powered systems. Several techniques are applied to improve the harvesters’ properties and offset the environmental effects. These techniques include the optimization of the piezoelectric material, the use of matching networks to increase the power transfer, and, most importantly, the tuning of the harvester’s resonant frequency to match the fundamental frequency of the input excitation vibration, ensuring a maximum response. In this article, the effects of temperature variations on the energy harvesting characteristics of a bimorph cantilever lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric beam are studied. A proposed mechanical tuning, based on the application of an axial load to compensate the temperature effect, is presented. Mathematical models, which describe the combined effects of temperature and axial load on the natural frequency of the piezoelectric device, are derived. Finally, a fully passive temperature compensation mechanism is proposed. Experimental results are also shown to validate the presented results and the proposed concept.
Effects of the Language Barrier on Processes and Performance of International Scientific Collaboration, Collaborators’ Participation, Organizational Integrity, and Interorganizational Relationships
Authors: Hwang Kumju
Published: June 2012

This article investigates how the language barrier influences technical communication, behavior in the workplace, and communication among international collaborators by studying a case of international collaboration between R&D laboratories—one European based and the other a major Korean company. This study finds that the language barrier is a critical handicap not only to non–English-speaking partners but also to English speakers in scientific collaboration. The language barrier hinders organizational integrity by fostering polarized attitudes toward collaboration. This study reveals a “shadow structure” in the Korean company that contributes to structural deformation due to the language barrier and that Korean engineers often suffer from identity conflicts derived from tension between their professional identity as members of the international scientific community and their lack of proficiency in English.
Attitude control of miniature spacecraft under the gravitational effect using a hub-bimorph mechanism
Authors: Kuo Yong-Lin
Published: June 2012

This paper presents the attitude control of miniature spacecraft using a hub-bimorph mechanism, which is simplified from a so-called pseudowheel. A nonlinear mathematical model for the spacecraft coupled by the hub-bimorph mechanism is developed. The proposed model includes not only the inverse piezoelectric effect of the mechanism but also the gravitational effect. This paper also presents three controller designs – the pole assignment method, the linear quadratic regulator, and the time-delay control – which demonstrate the feasibility of spacecraft attitude control using the hub-bimorph mechanism.
A nonlinear programming approach to limit analysis of non-associated plastic flow materials
Authors: Li Hua-Xiang
Published: June 2012

A nonlinear programming approach, along with finite element implementation, has been developed to perform plastic limit analysis for materials under non-associated plastic flow, so the plastic stability condition of non-standard materials can be directly calculated. In the framework of Radenkovic’s theorems, a decoupled material model with non-associated plastic flow was introduced into kinematic limit analysis so that the classic limit theorems were extended for non-standard plastic flow materials, such as cohesive-frictional materials. A non-associated plastic dissipation power is derived, and a purely kinematic formulation is obtained for limit analysis. Based on the mathematical programming theory and the finite element method, the numerical implementation of kinematic limit analysis is formulated as a nonlinear programming problem subject only to one equality constraint. An extended direct iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the resulting programming problem. The developed method has a wide applicability for limit analysis. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method are validated through numerical examples and the influence of non-associated plastic flow on stability conditions of structures is numerically investigated.
Roadway Network Externalities in Project Finance Loan Arrangements
Authors: Damnjanovic Ivan , Vajdic Nevena
Published: June 2012

Project loans are one of the financial instruments widely used for delivering large infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, there is a lack of standardized procedures and quantitative methods for assessing the credit risk and determining banks’ total exposure. This article aims to fill this gap by presenting a methodological framework that can account for a unique risk factor in a toll road project development—roadway network externalities. In other words, the developed framework accounts for the effect of the changes in the publicly owned transportation network on a privately owned toll road link. These changes can come in multiple ways, as the roadway expansion, signal optimization, or application of intelligent transportation system technologies; and their effects are considered using typical loan risk indicators (e.g., probability of default, losses given default) and the implied capital requirement under Basel II accord. Hence the presented model provides a direct link between transportation planning and engineering decisions and their financial implications. The application of the model is tested on a simple network example for which identification of the feeder and competing links was possible. The case study results indicate that strategic position of a toll link in a roadway network and the size of the marginal change in the surrounding network have a significant effect on the loan risk indicators and the implied capital requirement.
Public Self-Insurance and the Samaritan’s Dilemma in a Federation
Authors: Lohse Tim , Robledo Julio R.
Published: June 2012

Motivated by recent disasters, this article analyzes the risk-sharing aspect in a federation. The regions can be hit by a shock leading to losses that occur with an exogenous probability and in a stochastically independent way. The regions can spend effort on self-insurance to reduce the size of the loss. Being part of a federation has two countervailing welfare effects. On one hand, there is the well-known welfare increase due to risk pooling. On the other hand, the self-insurance effort is a public good, because all regions benefit from the reduction of the loss. There exists a Samaritan’s dilemma kind of effect whereby regions reduce their self-insurance effort potentially leading to an overall welfare decrease. The central government can solve this dilemma by committing to fixed rather than to variable transfers. This induces regions that behave noncooperatively to choose the efficient level of self-insurance effort.
The effect of laser surface texturing on the tribological behavior of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Hu Tianchang , Hu Litian , Ding Qi
Published: June 2012

This article reports the surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V, which is widely used for mechanical engineering applications by laser texturing in order to enhance its tribological properties. Surface patterns with three different diametered dimples were prepared for Ti-6Al-4V. Two types of oil with different viscosities were evaluated as lubricants using a pin-disc tribometer. The results show that the textured surfaces exhibit lower friction coefficients and wear compared with the untextured surface. However, as the load increases, the effect of friction reduction for all the textured surfaces decreases when lubricated with lower viscosity oil. The beneficial effects of the dimples are more pronounced at higher speeds and loads when lubricated with higher viscosity oil. The influence of dimple sizes on lubricating-regime transitions is investigated in this study, and the mechanism for friction reduction is discussed.
Utility of neuropsychological testing for guiding treatment decisions in paediatric multiple sclerosis
Authors: Penner Iris-Katharina , Hubacher Martina , Rasenack Maria , Sprenger Till , Weber Peter , Naegelin Yvonne
Published: June 2012

In the past years, there has been growing awareness about childhood onset multiple sclerosis (MS) and the relevance of psychosocial aspects such as cognitive disturbances, fatigue and depression in this population. We describe a case of a 16-year-old patient with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who presented at our clinic with severe fatigue symptoms and who underwent repeated neuropsychological examinations. A sudden significant slowing indicated a new relapse while neurological examination did not. This case highlights the high sensitivity and clinical relevance of neuropsychological testing in patients with juvenile MS even in the context of treatment decisions.
Revisiting The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite: proceedings from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Task Force on Clinical Disability Measures
Authors: Ontaneda D , LaRocca N , Coetzee T , Rudick RA
Published: June 2012

This article describes proceedings from a meeting of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Task Force on Clinical Disability Measures (the TF). The TF was appointed by the NMSS Research Programs Advisory Committee with the goal of pooling and analyzing existing datasets to explore the utility of novel disability outcome measures based on the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) approach. The TF seeks to determine the suitability of the MSFC approach as a primary clinical outcome measure for registration trials in MS. The TF met in Washington, DC, Dec. 14 and 15, 2011, and provided unanimous support for a collaborative approach involving representatives from academic medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, the NMSS and the Critical Path Institute. There was also unanimous agreement that analysis of existing datasets would be useful in making progress toward the objective. The TF placed high value on determining the clinical meaning of individual component measures for the MSFC, and in establishing optimal analysis methods for MSFC so that scores would be more interpretable than the originally recommended z-score method. The background for a collaborative project aimed at developing an improved disability outcome measure is described in this paper.
Clinical correlates of size and number of collateral vessels in peripheral artery disease
Authors: Keeling Aoife N , Carroll Timothy J , McDermott Mary M , Liu Kiang , Liao Yihua , Farrelly Cormac T , Pearce William H , Carr James
Published: June 2012

We studied associations of the number and size of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-assessed lower extremity collateral vessels with the ankle–brachial index (ABI), severity of superficial femoral artery (SFA) plaque, and leg symptoms in participants with peripheral artery disease (PAD). A total of 303 participants with PAD underwent time-resolved MRA at the thigh station. Collaterals were categorized by number (Category 1: 0–3 collaterals; Category 2: 4–7 collaterals; Category 3: ≥ 8 collateral vessels) and size (Grade 1: ≤ 5 small collaterals; Grade 2: > 5 small vessels; Grade 3: ≤ 5 large collaterals; Grade 4: > 5 large collaterals). Adjusting for age, sex, race, comorbidities and other covariates, more numerous collateral vessels were associated with lower ABI values (Category 1: 0.79; Category 2: 0.67; Category 3: 0.60; p trend < 0.001). Similarly, larger collateral vessels were associated with lower ABI values (Grade 1: 0.75; Grade 2: 0.65; Grade 3: 0.62; Grade 4: 0.59; p trend < 0.001). More numerous ( p < 0.001) and larger ( p < 0.001) collateral vessels were associated with greater mean SFA plaque area ( p trend < 0.001). More numerous ( p trend = 0.007) and larger ( p trend = 0.017) collateral vessels were associated with a lower prevalence of asymptomatic PAD. In conclusion, among participants with PAD, larger and more numerous collaterals, measured by MRA, were associated with lower ABI values, greater plaque area in the SFA, and a lower prevalence of asymptomatic PAD. Further study is needed to determine the role of collateral vessels in maintaining functional performance in PAD.
Lessons from the old Green Revolution for the new: Social, environmental and nutritional issues for agricultural change in Africa
Authors: Kerr Rachel Bezner
Published: June 2012

Recent efforts for an ‘Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa’ (AGRA) promote fertilizer, hybrid seeds, pesticides and biotechnology to increase agricultural production. This article examines the original Green Revolution to understand potential effects of a recent promotion of related technologies in Africa. Using a case study of Malawi, the implications of promoting high-input, intensive agriculture on food security, social relations and nutrition are considered. I argue that unless social inequalities and environmental concerns are taken into account, these technologies will intensify inequalities, increase environmental degradation and exacerbate malnutrition for the rural majority, while benefitting the urban poor, larger-scale farmers, agro-input dealers and transnational corporations involved in agribusiness.
Assessment of the emissions from the use of California Air Resources Board qualified diesel fuels in comparison with Federal diesel fuels
Authors: Hajbabaei Maryam , Johnson Kent C , Guthrie Jim , Durbin Thomas D
Published: June 2012

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has regulated the properties of diesel fuel sold in California since 1988 to lower emissions of particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Although many studies have shown that reduced levels of aromatics and higher cetane numbers can improve emissions, the actual impact of CARB fuels on in-use diesel emissions has not yet been extensively studied, especially as diesel engine and aftertreatment technology has evolved over the years. This study evaluates the differences between California and Federal diesel fuels with heavy-duty engine and chassis dynamometer tests. The engine dynamometer results showed that NOx emissions for the Federal fuels ranged from 4.7% to 9.5% higher than the CARB diesel. These NOx reductions are similar to the estimates being used in the latest regulations. The chassis dynamometer test results did not show as consistent trends for NOx as those seen for the engine dynamometer testing. For the chassis dynamometer testing, four out of ten vehicles showed consistent reductions in NOx, with emissions for the Federal fuels ranging from 3.3% to 9.9% higher than the CARB diesel, while the other six vehicles did not show consistent fuel impacts. On an absolute level, the NOx benefit for CARB diesel shows a decline with continuing advances in engine technology. The results showed that CARB diesel did not show strong benefits for PM. The results also showed that the introduction of aftertreatment systems for PM and NOx will, over time, largely eliminate any potential benefits that might be obtained through the use of CARB diesel, although NOx benefits will persist through to 2020.
Penn State
Authors: Garoian Charles R.
Published: June 2012

This article addresses the furtive environment, and willful ignorance at Penn State University that resulted in the alleged molestations of children by a football coach. An audacious criticality is advocated to lift the fog of spectacle surrounding the University’s football program, and to prevent any such depraved violations of the body from occurring again.
Because “We Are . . .”
Authors: Elavsky C. Michael
Published: June 2012

This manuscript offers an insider’s critique of Penn State’s broader university culture as it relates to understanding more fully the Sandusky scandal and its fallout.
To Be or Not to Be A Snitch or a Whistle-Blower
Authors: Gutierrez Alberto “Beto” , McLaren Peter
Published: June 2012

This article is a critical response to the Penn State sex scandal, which we articulate as part of the distinctly American culture of silence. By way of popular culture, the authors explore the relationship between a snitch and a whistleblower and then correlate it with the culture of silence in other institutions and social practices: Catholic church, US domestic policies, Sports Industrial Complex and public educational institutions, all of which contribute to or have created their own culture of silence. Finally, the authors ask that educators evaluate their own pedagogy to avoid contributing, unconsciously, to a culture of silence that would parallel Penn State.
On Pragmatism and Esteem
Authors: Hoffer Melba
Published: June 2012

Is the Penn State controversy a public relations crisis or a moral one? While all relevant parties have made public efforts to carry out public relations campaigns to salvage their individual reputations, efforts to address the moral aspects of their actions are lacking. A proper pragmatic and post-pragmatic effort to regain public esteem demands an institutional commitment to transparency; to look to the truth for aid and then tell the truth. A true pragmatic approach demands ethical agents look beyond temporary benefits in order to properly calibrate human aims and purposes. More contemporary forms of pragmatism grounded in critical and radical inquiry demand an even stronger commitment to social justice and truth-telling as appropriate moral interventions in times of crisis.
Deliberation in the Midst of Crisis
Authors: Adams Heather , Engels Jeremy , Faris Michael J. , Hawhee Debra , Hlavacik Mark
Published: June 2012

This essay considers the challenges of responding to the Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal while in the midst of said crisis. It discusses how the authors chose to respond as scholars and teachers of rhetoric concerned with deliberation.
Public Memory and Penn State
Authors: Butterworth Michael L.
Published: June 2012

In the wake of the child abuse scandal at Penn State, much attention was given to the role of Joe Paterno, who had spent 46 years as the university’s head football coach. Paterno’s subsequent death, just months after he had been fired by the Board of Trustees, provoked numerous efforts in sports media to determine his “legacy.“ Such attempts to make sense of Paterno’s legacy, and to do so immediately, spotlight our collective anxieties and prompt the symbolic contests that are symptomatic of public memory. This essay reflects on the choices we make and the opportunities we miss when memorializing a figure of Paterno’s stature.
Joe Paterno, White Patriarchy and Privilege
Authors: Leonard David J.
Published: June 2012

The death of Joe Paterno prompted a national moment of silence, a treatment usually reserved for dignitaries. This paper argues that this level of national mourning says less about his importance as a football coach or even a man, but more about the meaning JoPa icon, especially in light of his firing from Penn State. It says as much about us and fears about a lost white masculinity than Paterno. Signifying the end of an “era” and a perceived community under attack, on the heals of Jerry Sandusky’s arrest, his death was reframed as a sad affair because of the cloud hanging over head at death’s door. Yet, as argued here, it was that cloud and the level of nostalgia that led to heightened media coverage and national sadness.
When Those We Call Great Fall
Authors: Pelias Ronald J.
Published: June 2012

This article moves beyond any specific case to explore through poetic inquiry how individuals who held considerable public admiration might deal with the disgrace of their shameful acts and how the public might process the downfall of those they once called great.
Quercetin Liposome Sensitizes Colon Carcinoma to Thermotherapy and Thermochemotherapy in Mice Models
Authors: He Bing , Wang Xin , Shi Hua-shan , Xiao Wen-jing , Zhang Jing , Mu Bo , Mao Yong-qiu , Wang Wei , Wang Yong-sheng
Published: June 2012

Thermotherapy and thermochemotherapy have been used in clinics to treat patients with malignant diseases, including colon cancer, and their efficacy has been well proved. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), especially Hsp70, play important roles in neutralizing their efficacy. It has been reported that quercetin can suppress cancer by inhibiting the intratumoral expression of Hsp70. This study was designed to investigate whether quercetin could enhance sensitivity to thermotherapy and thermochemotherapy. Soluble quercetin liposome was used in this study. The effects of quercetin were investigated in vitro and in mouse colon cancer models of subcutaneous tumor and peritoneal carcinomatosis. The results showed that quercetin liposome inhibited the upregulation of Hsp70 and enhanced apoptosis induced by hyperthermia and thermochemotherapy. Systemic administration of quercetin liposome can sensitize CT26 cells to thermotherapy and chemothermotherapy. This study suggests that quercetin liposome might be potentially applied for clinical cancer therapy.
Quercetin in Cancer Prevention and Therapy
Authors: Chirumbolo Salvatore
Published: June 2012

Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid known to possess anti-inflammatory property, but its use as a chemopreventive substance has been reviewed quite recently. A number of reports have assessed the pro-apoptotic action of quercetin in cancer cells, which contributes to the chemopreventive action of food, similar to many other flavonoids. Quercetin is a forthright inhibitor of PI3K, NF-B, and other kinases involved in intracellular signaling. However, a possible selective intracellular target for quercetin has still not been focused on. The challenge is to highlight an eligible target in order to address possible natural compounds, either in food extracts or as pharmaceuticals, as real drugs against cancer.
Broadcast News Salaries Stabilize
Authors: Papper Bob
Published: June 2012

The 2009 RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey found local television and radio news salaries largely stagnant, with increases of 2.5% in TV and radio salaries unchanged. That was a decided improvement for both TV and radio over the year before—when both radio and TV news salaries actually declined. And with inflation nonexistent in 2009, news people really did hold their own.
Working in our sleep
Authors: Barnes Christopher M.
Published: June 2012

A large body of sleep physiology research highlights a broad array of effects of sleep on human functioning. Until recently, this literature has been completely isolated from the organizational psychology literature. The purpose of this paper is to further extend the sleep literature into the organizational psychology literature, with a focus on self-regulation in the workplace. I summarize the sleep literature into a model of sleep self-regulation. Next, I highlight initial research in organizational psychology which has drawn from basic sleep physiology research. Following this, I generate new propositions linking sleep to work withdrawal, goal level, incivility, and defection in workplace social dilemmas. Finally, I close with a discussion of methods for conducting sleep research in organizational psychology, as well as some promising areas for future research.
All roads lead to “ome”: defining the DRiPome
Authors: Yewdell Jonathan W. , Princiotta Michael F.
Published: June 2012

In this issue of Blood, Granados et al explore the relationship between the cellular transcriptome and immunopeptidome,1,2 the repertoire of peptides presented by MHC class I molecules for immunosurveillance.
Equal opportunity targeting in chronic GVHD
Authors: Hess Allan D.
Published: June 2012

In this issue of Blood, studies by Rangarajan et al comprehensively analyzing the clonotypic T-cell response provide evidence that the effector T cells that mediate chronic GVHD may have a unique specificity that includes recognition of self.1
Pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular failure
Authors: Voelkel Norbert F. , Gomez-Arroyo Jose , Abbate Antonio , Bogaard Harm J. , Nicolls Mark R.
Published: June 2012

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is no longer an orphan disease. There are three different classes of drugs for the treatment of PAH that are currently being used and an increasing number of patients are being treated with a single drug or combination therapy. During the last 25 yrs, new insights into the pathobiology of PAH have been gained. The classical mechanical concepts of pressure, flow, shear stress, right ventricle wall stress and impedance have been complemented with the new concepts of cell injury and repair and interactions of complex multicellular systems. Integrating these concepts will become critical as we design new medical therapies in order to change the prognosis of patients with these fatal diseases. This review intends to summarise recent pathobiological concepts of PAH and right ventricle failure mainly derived from human studies, which reflect the progress made in the understanding of this complex group of pulmonary vascular diseases.
Multi-ethnic reference values for spirometry for the 3–95-yr age range: the global lung function 2012 equations
Authors: Quanjer Philip H. , Stanojevic Sanja , Cole Tim J. , Baur Xaver , Hall Graham L. , Culver Bruce H. , Enright Paul L. , Hankinson John L. , Ip Mary S.M. , Zheng Jinping , Stocks Janet ,   the ERS Global Lung Function Initiative
Published: June 2012

The aim of the Task Force was to derive continuous prediction equations and their lower limits of normal for spirometric indices, which are applicable globally. Over 160,000 data points from 72 centres in 33 countries were shared with the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Function Initiative. Eliminating data that could not be used (mostly missing ethnic group, some outliers) left 97,759 records of healthy nonsmokers (55.3% females) aged 2.5–95 yrs.

Lung function data were collated and prediction equations derived using the LMS method, which allows simultaneous modelling of the mean (mu), the coefficient of variation (sigma) and skewness (lambda) of a distribution family.

After discarding 23,572 records, mostly because they could not be combined with other ethnic or geographic groups, reference equations were derived for healthy individuals aged 3–95 yrs for Caucasians (n=57,395), African–Americans (n=3,545), and North (n=4,992) and South East Asians (n=8,255). Forced expiratory value in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) between ethnic groups differed proportionally from that in Caucasians, such that FEV1/FVC remained virtually independent of ethnic group. For individuals not represented by these four groups, or of mixed ethnic origins, a composite equation taken as the average of the above equations is provided to facilitate interpretation until a more appropriate solution is developed.

Spirometric prediction equations for the 3–95-age range are now available that include appropriate age-dependent lower limits of normal. They can be applied globally to different ethnic groups. Additional data from the Indian subcontinent and Arabic, Polynesian and Latin American countries, as well as Africa will further improve these equations in the future.
Rhinovirus infections in infancy and early childhood
Authors: Kieninger Elisabeth , Fuchs Oliver , Latzin Philipp , Frey Urs , Regamey Nicolas
Published: June 2012

Rhinovirus (RV) infections occur early and recurrently in life, imposing a significant burden of disease on infants and young children. They are the most frequent causative agents of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections in this age group and are associated with a broad variety of clinical outcomes, ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe respiratory disease requiring hospitalisation. In addition to their impact on short-term morbidity, RVs are also debated as important pathogens in the development of recurrent wheeze and/or asthma. Several studies in infants at high-risk for atopy and asthma and in hospitalised children have demonstrated that recurrent wheezing illnesses induced by RVs early in life are a risk factor for the development of asthma later in childhood. However, underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The question whether RVs are directly involved in the development of childhood wheeze and asthma, or whether symptomatic RV infections only represent a proxy for infants prone to develop obstructive lung diseases, is still open. In this review we provide an overview on the role of RVs as important disease-causing agents from infancy to early childhood and discuss their contribution to the subsequent development of childhood wheeze and/or asthma.
Impact of climate change on ozone-related mortality and morbidity in Europe
Authors: Orru Hans , Andersson Camilla , Ebi Kristie L. , Langner Joakim , Åström Christofer , Forsberg Bertil
Published: June 2012

Ozone is a highly oxidative pollutant formed from precursors in the presence of sunlight, associated with respiratory morbidity and mortality. All else being equal, concentrations of ground-level ozone are expected to increase due to climate change.

Ozone-related health impacts under a changing climate are projected using emission scenarios, models and epidemiological data. European ozone concentrations are modelled with the model of atmospheric transport and chemistry (MATCH)-RCA3 (50×50 km). Projections from two climate models, ECHAM4 and HadCM3, are applied under greenhouse gas emission scenarios A2 and A1B, respectively. We applied a European-wide exposure–response function to gridded population data and country-specific baseline mortality and morbidity.

Comparing the current situation (1990–2009) with the baseline period (1961–1990), the largest increase in ozone-associated mortality and morbidity due to climate change (4–5%) have occurred in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK. Comparing the baseline period and the future periods (2021–2050 and 2041–2060), much larger increases in ozone-related mortality and morbidity are projected for Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal, with the impact being stronger using the climate projection from ECHAM4 (A2). However, in Nordic and Baltic countries the same magnitude of decrease is projected.

The current study suggests that projected effects of climate change on ozone concentrations could differentially influence mortality and morbidity across Europe.