bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VisNIR DRS) for rapid measurement of organic matter in compost
Authors: McWhirt Amanda L , Weindorf David C , Chakraborty Somsubhra , Li Bin
Published: June 2012

Commercial compost is the inherently variable organic product of a controlled decomposition process. In the USA, assessment of compost’s physicochemical parameters presently relies on standard laboratory analyses set forth in Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC). A rapid, field-portable means of assessing the organic matter (OM) content of compost products would be useful to help producers ensure optimal uniformity in their compost products. Visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VisNIR DRS) is a rapid, proximal-sensing technology proven effective at quantifying organic matter levels in soils. As such, VisNIR DRS was evaluated to assess its applicability to compost. Thirty-six compost samples representing a wide variety of source materials and moisture content were collected and scanned with VisNIR DRS under moist and oven-dry conditions. Partial least squares (PLS) regression and principal component regression (PCR) were used to relate the VisNIR DRS spectra with laboratory-measured OM to build compost OM prediction models. Raw reflectance, and first- and second-derivatives of the reflectance spectra were considered. In general, PLS regression outperformed PCR and the oven-dried first-derivative PLS model produced an r2 value of 0.82 along with a residual prediction deviation value of 1.72. As such, VisNIR DRS shows promise as a suitable technique for the analysis of compost OM content for dried samples.
Effects of commercial formulations of deltamethrin and/or thiacloprid on thyroid hormone levels in rat serum
Authors: Şekeroğlu V , Şekeroğlu Z Atlı , Demirhan ES
Published: June 2012

Deltamethrin (DEL) and thiacloprid (THIA) are the two commonly used synthetic insecticides applied either separately or as a mixture. The aim of this study was to assess thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the serum levels of thyroid hormones exposure to these compounds in rats. The animals were orally gavaged with a single dose of DEL (15 mg/kg), THIA (112.5 mg/kg) or DEL + THIA (15 + 112.5 mg/kg) for 24 h (acute treatments) or DEL (3 mg/kg per day), THIA (22.5 mg/kg per day) or DEL + THIA (3 + 22.5 mg/kg per day) for 30 days (subacute treatments). Although all independent and combined treatments with DEL and THIA changed the levels of TSH, these alterations were not significant. Statistically significant increases in free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) serum hormone levels were observed in the independent treatment with THIA and the combined treatment with DEL and THIA for 30 days. The results of this study suggest that in vivo exposure to subacute treatments of commercial formulations of THI and mixture of DEL + THIA increased serum FT3 and FT4 levels in rats. Further studies are required to determine the effects of endocrine disruptors and potential health risks of these insecticides in human, especially in children because of the importance of these hormones during growth and development.
Do brains think? Comparative anatomy and the end of the Great Chain of Being in 19th-century Britain
Authors: Price Elfed Huw
Published: June 2012

The nature of the relationship between mind and body is one of the greatest remaining mysteries. As such, the historical origin of the current dominant belief that mind is a function of the brain takes on especial significance. In this article I aim to explore and explain how and why this belief emerged in early 19th-century Britain. Between 1815 and 1819 two brain-based physiologies of mind were the subject of controversy and debate in Britain: the system of phrenology devised by Franz Joseph Gall, and William Lawrence’s lectures at the Royal College of Surgeons. Both owed a profound intellectual debt to continental comparative anatomy. In the final quarter of the 18th-century, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, Petrus Camper and Johann Gottfried von Herder had broken away from the traditional doctrine of the Great Chain of Being by allowing for a clear anatomical distinction between ‘man’ and beast based on the morphology of the skull. This reconceptualization of man as an anatomically distinct being gave Gall and Lawrence grounds to propose that the peculiarities of the human mind were dependent on mankind’s unique cerebral size and structure.
Mimesis in Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan (1651)
Authors: Reagan Laura S.
Published: June 2012

How can citizens construct the political authority under which they will live? I argue that Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan (1651) answers this question concerning the constitutive power of political and normative agency by employing four dimensions of mimesis from the Greek and Roman traditions. And I argue that mimesis accounts for the know-how, or power/knowledge, the general ‘man’ draws upon in constructing the commonwealth. Hobbes revalues poetic mimesis through his stylistic decisions, including the invitation to the reader to read ‘himself’ in the portrait of the general man depicted in the text. Hobbes aims for Leviathan to change the ethical dispositions of its readers, turning them from bad to good men as they witness the general man undergoing this ethical transformation in the transition from the state of nature to the civil state. He emphasizes the anthropological dimension of mimesis to explain political disorder since he argues that men assess the honor others attribute them by observing signs and gestures in others’ behavior. Hobbes employs the linguistic dimension of mimesis to describe how men acting as agents can build a normative consensus out of the state of nature. This article positions mimesis as a key term for understanding the intersection between aesthetics and politics before the term ‘aesthetics’ came into parlance.
Turbine-based combined cycle propulsion system integration concept design
Authors: Chen Min , Tang Hailong , Zhang Kun , Hui Ouyang , Wang Yanjun
Published: June 2012

One of the most critical challenges for turbine-based combined cycle propulsion systems utilized in hypersonic civil aircrafts (Mach 0 to Mach 5) lies in guaranteeing the propulsion system to operate efficiently and stably along a very wide operating range. This has resulted in a need to investigate the matching restraints between the inlet and turbine-based combined cycle engine and nozzle from the integration point of view at the early stage of design. To get a good understanding of this integration concept design process, in this article, several basic design principles were first put forward. Next, a fast, versatile and trusted modular analysis tool for this concept design was developed and implemented. Third, several issues on this concept were analyzed including the design issues, the mechanisms of the variable geometries as well as the control schedules. Finally, a solution for the turbine-based combined cycle propulsion system was carried out and discussed. The results show that at least 11 total variables were required to be adopted in the variable cycle propulsion system to meet the basic mission requirements for Mach 5 civil airplane. How to guarantee these variable geometries function efficiently and reliably along the wide flight regime is one of the most critical technology challenges to make this concept feasible. The uniqueness of the developed analysis tool lies in that it affords a platform capable of investigating the design constraints and the matching relationships between the various propulsion components along a wide operating range, which is beneficial to predict the potential critical technological barriers at the early design stage.
Thinking critically about food security
Authors: Shepherd Benjamin
Published: June 2012

This article examines the tension between food security as strategic practice and as the human insecurity of hunger. It makes the case that hunger is a security matter that warrants greater attention from security scholars, but identifies some limitations with state-centric and human security approaches. The article explores Ken Booth’s ‘emancipatory realism’ security project as one avenue for overcoming these limitations and uses Booth’s work to assist in developing a reframing of food security. It proposes redefining food security in terms of securing vulnerable populations from the structural violence of hunger, and argues that such a framing offers both conceptual and practical value for efforts to confront the problem of increasing and widespread hunger.
European organizations and minority rights in Europe: On transforming the securitization dynamic
Authors: Galbreath David , McEvoy Joanne
Published: June 2012

Minority rights conditionality has been seen by scholars as a key part of the EU enlargement process. While the focus on minority rights has largely been discussed in terms of democracy and even human rights, this article argues that conditionality was a result of the securitization of minorities rather than part of an agenda to protect or empower. In this article, we look at the methods of desecuritization as factors of ‘narratives, norms and nannies’. In response to Paul Roe’s conclusions about the impossibility of desecuritizing societal security, we examine whether the EU, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe have the ability to change the societal dynamics among ethnic groups in such a way as to make the desecuritization of societal security more likely. Overall, we illustrate how a focus on ‘deconstructivist’ and ‘constructivist’ approaches to societal security has failed to make European organizations important transformative actors in interethnic relations.
‘This is how we survived’: Civilian agency and humanitarian protection
Authors: Baines Erin , Paddon Emily
Published: June 2012

The security of civilians in contemporary conflicts continues to tragically elude humanitarians. Scholars attribute this crisis in protection to macro-structural deficiencies, such as the failure of states to comply with international conventions and norms and the inability of international institutions to successfully reduce violence by warring parties. While offering important insights into humanitarianism and its limits, this scholarship overlooks the potential of endogenous sources of protection – the agency of civilians. On the basis of a case study of northern Uganda, we identify and discuss several civilian self-protection strategies, including (a) attempts to appear neutral, (b) avoidance and (c) accommodation of armed actors, and argue that each of these is shaped by access to local knowledge and networks. We illustrate how forced displacement of civilians to ‘protected villages’ limited access to local knowledge and, in turn, the options available to civilians in terms of self-protection. Analyses of the intersections of aid and civilian agency in conflict zones would afford scholars of humanitarianism greater explanatory insight into questions of civilian protection. The findings from our case study also suggest ways in which aid agencies could adopt protection strategies that empower – or at least do not obstruct – the often-successful protection strategies adopted by civilians.
Perceptions of psychiatry of old age amongst psychiatry registrars in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Flynn Brendan , Couzin-Wood Colin , Macfarlane Stephen
Published: June 2012

Objective:

To assess the perceptions of psychiatry registrars of their training experience in Psychiatry of Old Age (POA), and whether factors such as clinical exposure and stage of training correlate with these perceptions.

Method:

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) registrars were surveyed in September 2009. Demographic information, POA exposure and responses to 14 statements related to registrar experience were collected.

Results:

From 978 surveys sent, 226 responses were complete enough to be analysed. Themes that emerged included a high level of enjoyment of a POA rotation, favourable views of supervision, the challenging nature of managing medical co-morbidities and concerns regarding the teaching of cognitive assessment. In general, type or duration of POA exposure and demographic variables were not correlated with a significant difference in perceptions of the field.

Conclusion:

These data may be useful in addressing a shortfall of trainees in POA, which has implications for the health of older Australasians. It may inform service providers and the RANZCP of factors that could be modified or optimised to encourage registrars to consider subspecialty training in the area.
Psychiatry and online social media: potential, pitfalls and ethical guidelines for psychiatrists and trainees
Authors: Frankish Katherine , Ryan Christopher , Harris Anthony
Published: June 2012

Objective:

This paper proposes ethical guidelines for psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees when interacting with social media.

Methods:

A three-stage process was followed in the development of these guidelines. A literature review provided situations and possible broad rules as to how social media could be ethically engaged. A roundtable discussion by a panel of invited psychiatrists, psychiatry trainees, psychologists, e-health practitioners, lawyers and consumers was held to discuss the situations and to better formulate the ethical principles upon which psychiatrists could act. These vignettes and principles were then broadly discussed at a seminar held at the 2011 RANZCP Congress. Finally, this paper was circulated to the original invitees for final comment.

Results:

A set of recommendations for working with social media were developed.

Conclusions:

The new social media provides important avenues for communication, education and treatment. These avenues pose ethical and practical dilemmas that can be resolved by the application of established ethical principles. Practical recommendations for navigating social media are proposed.
Improved modeling of rods with periodic arrays of shunted piezoelectric patches
Authors: Shengbing Chen , Jihong Wen , Gang Wang , Dianlong Yu , Xisen Wen
Published: June 2012

This work improves the modeling of rods with periodic arrays of shunted piezoelectric patches. The modeling method abandons the previous incorrect assumptions and leads to a more precise result. A numerical investigation is based on an epoxy host rod with a periodic array of resistive–inductive shunted piezoelectric patches. The bandgaps are predicted by the application of Bloch theorem and transfer-matrix method. The results show that the boundary frequencies and attenuation extents both have some difference between the predications of the two models. In particular, the maximum attenuation in the locally resonant gap is much smaller in the result of the improved model.
A novel double-action actuator based on ferrofluid and permanent magnets
Authors: Olaru Radu , Petrescu Camelia , Hertanu Radu
Published: June 2012

In this article, an electromagnetic actuator with a movable non-magnetic disc immersed in a ferrofluid that is exposed to a non-uniform magnetic field generated by permanent magnets is presented. The position of the levitated disc is stably controlled by the current in a command coil. Numerical simulations and experimental tests show that the actuator has linear transfer characteristics force versus current and displacement versus current. The device can ensure the highest ratio of force/size and the best energy efficiency for the actuators using a non-magnetic body immersed in a ferrofluid. Examples of possible applications are precision positioning systems and semi-active vibration dampers.
Enhancement of the magnetoelectric coefficient in functionally graded multiferroic composites
Authors: Sladek Jan , Sladek Vladimir , Krahulec Slavomir , Pan Ernian
Published: June 2012

A meshless method based on the local Petrov–Galerkin approach is proposed to solve static and dynamic problems in functionally graded magnetoelectroelastic plates. Material properties on the bottom surface have a pure piezomagnetic behavior, and on the top surface, they are pure piezoelectric. Along the plate thickness, the material properties are continuously varying. The magnetoelectric coefficient is vanishing in pure piezoelectric as well as in pure piezomagnetic constituents. It is shown, however, that a finite electric potential in the functionally graded composite can be induced by an applied magnetic potential. It means that a finite magnetoelectric coefficient exists in a functionally graded composite plate made of different phases with vanishing magnetoelectric coefficients. It is a way to enhance the magnetoelectric coefficient in composites. Various gradations of material coefficients are considered to analyze their influence on the magnitude of magnetoelectric coefficients. Pure magnetic and combined magnetic–mechanical loads are analyzed. The meshless local Petrov–Galerkin is developed for the solution of boundary value problems in magnetoelectroelastic solids with continuously varying material properties.
Effective active vibration control of single link flexible manipulator with modified positive position feedback control in the presence of instrumentation phase lead/lag
Authors: Kumar Rajiv
Published: June 2012

Accurate trajectory regulation of flexible link manipulators is a challenging task. The presence of hardware filters with the cut-off frequency near the resonant frequency cause an additional closed loop instability problem in the control system. This problem can be solved using modified Kalman filters along with certain hardware circuits called compensators. A linear quadratic Gaussian controller has been used to control the hub position. A positive position feedback (PPF) controller has been used at the piezoelectric actuators at the flexible link in the present work to minimize the end-effector vibrations. Normally the design parameters (i.e. coefficients of the numerator and denominator polynomial) of the PPF controller are selected by hit and trial. Pattern search technique has been used as an efficient design method to design these controllers which otherwise have no systematic way to design.
Thirty Years of Nursing Turnover Research
Authors: Gilmartin Mattia J.
Published: June 2012

Despite the substantial amount of useful prior work on turnover among nurses, our understanding of the causal mechanisms explaining why nurses voluntarily leave their jobs is limited. The purpose of this article is to promote the development of stronger conceptual models of the causes of voluntary turnover among nurses. The author compares the nursing-specific literature to research on voluntary turnover from the general management field over the past 30 years and examines the evolution of key theories used in the nursing literature. Results of this review comparing nursing research with that in the broader field suggest that, over time, nursing research has not kept pace with conceptualizations from general management explaining why people either remain at or quit their jobs. The author argues that conceptual models of turnover among nurses can benefit significantly from drawing more effectively on particular models and concepts available in general management studies of turnover.
Trauma and Thrombelastography
Authors: Sawyer Michael M. , Myers Greg , Humphrey Jack , Chandler Mark
Published: June 2012

Bleeding disorders associated with trauma are of paramount importance when dealing with the acutely injured individual. Statistically, up to 40% of trauma related deaths are assumed to be related to hemorrhage.1,2 Historically, there have been many varying positions on the way to handle this entity.3–5 Ironically, it is not always the injury but the physiologic sequelae of that injury that lead to trauma associated deaths.6,7 Over time, newer theories have been developed to help the clinician begin to understand the etiology and treatment of this process.6,8,9 The purpose of this paper is to review current literature and explain how these new concepts helped change practice in an urban, academic, Level One Trauma Center.
Sunscreen use among recreational cyclists: How intentions predict reported behavior
Authors: Petty Kristen N , Knee C Raymond , Joseph Aaron K
Published: June 2012

A nationwide survey measured 927 recreational cyclists’ cognitions and perceptions about skin cancer risks, along with sun protection practices and predictors of sunscreen use while cycling. Multiple regressions evaluated associations between perceived costs, rewards, photoaging, self-efficacy and sunscreen use, and potential moderators of the associations between intentions and sunscreen use were examined. Results suggest that when cyclists see the advantages of using sunscreen, are worried about photoaging, and feel efficacious, they have stronger intentions to apply sunscreen before riding. Intentions to use sunscreen while cycling predict reported use of sunscreen, particularly when cyclists perceive sunscreen application as easy and viable.
Relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism, angiographically defined coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Narne Parimala , Ponnaluri Kamakshi C , Singh Shailender , Siraj Mohammed , Ishaq Mohammed
Published: June 2012

Introduction:

The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of ACE gene I/D polymorphism on the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients.

Materials and Methods:

We screened 283 T2DM patients, inclusive of 160 patients with angiographically defined CAD, 73 patients with MI, 89 patients without MI and 121 T2DM individuals with no evidence of CAD for ACE gene I /D polymorphism.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of ACE gene I/D polymorphism between T2DM+CAD and T2DM (non-CAD) groups. However, a significant association of this polymorphism with MI in T2DM+CAD patients ( p=0.024) was observed. Further analysis revealed that the frequencies of the DD and ID genotypes increased with the number of stenosed coronary vessels ( p=0.026). The DD genotype and the D allele were more frequent in the subgroup of T2DM patients with multivessel CAD ( p=0.01) than in individuals with single vessel stenosis.

Conclusions:

These findings reveal a significant relationship between ACE gene I/D polymorphism, multivessel CAD and also the occurrence of MI in T2DM individuals with significant coronary stenoses in our population.
Association of polymorphisms in prolylcarboxypeptidase and chymase genes with essential hypertension in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Wu Yanrui , Yang Hongju , Yang Benguan , Yang Ke , Xiao Chunjie
Published: June 2012

Introduction:

The prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) gene encodes a membrane protein that acts on angiotensin II (Ang II) and kallikrein to release vasoactive peptides. The chymase (CMA1) gene is important for Ang II generation. Therefore, the two genes might be involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH).

Materials and Methods:

Eleven tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PRCP gene and four tag SNPs and G-1903A (rs1800875) polymorphism in the CMA1 gene were genotyped in the Chinese Han population ( n=1020) using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results:

In the PRCP gene, single site analyses indicated that the rs7104980 G allele was a susceptible factor for EH (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62–2.43, p=0.3×10-10). The protective effect of Hap3 GAGCACTAACA was observed without carrying the susceptible rs7104908 G allele (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.56–0.81, p=0.3×10-4) by haplotype analyses. In the case of the CMA1 gene, no associations with EH were found through single site analyses. However, haplotype analyses showed that Hap16 TTTA significantly increased the risk of EH with OR=3.15 ( p=0.0002) which may be driven by interaction with a nearby SNP combination.

Conclusions:

The present results indicated PRCP rs7104980 can be considered as a marker for EH and Hap3 GAGCACTAACA (PRCP) and Hap16 TTTA (CMA1) might be associated with EH in Chinese Han population.
Emboldened Patriarchy in Higher Education
Authors: Cannella Gaile S. , Perez Michelle Salazar
Published: June 2012

The authors of this article provide multiple stories of capitalist violence within and outside of higher education as facilitated by patriarchy and evidenced by the recent stories of abuse and power embedded within college football at Pennsylvania State University. Acknowledging that the constructs patriarchy and feminist(s) have been heavily contested, the authors argue for resurrection of examinations of patriarchy, and specifically capitalist patriarchy, in contemporary analyses of power.
Success Without Honor
Authors: Cooky Cheryl
Published: June 2012

On November 5, 2011, Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator for football at Penn State University, was arrested on charges of abusing 8 boys over a 15-year period. In this paper, I strategically deploy feminist methodological considerations to “give voice” to marginalized groups, Foucault’s concept of discourse and discursive silences, and media framing analysis to interrogate silence as a means by which various forms of power and privilege operate in the scandal. I extend the discussion of silence to engage the critical sport studies’ critique of the “institutional center of sport” and examine what was left outside of the frame in the mainstream news media coverage. These silences within media frames rendered invisible an important critique of the contemporary culture of big time athletic programs. In this way, silence operated to simultaneously reaffirm the institutional power of big time athletic programs and the culture of sport wherein violence is normalized.
Cultural Anthropology of the Penn State Tragedy
Authors: Sydnor Synthia
Published: June 2012

The essay uses the theoretical-methodological strategy of notes and listing (following the practices of Susan Sontag and Umberto Eco, among others) to illuminate particular, unique historical and cultural-anthropological aspects of the Jerry Sandusky-Penn State scandal/tragedy. Special attention is devoted in the essay to critique of depictions of the Catholic Church, ancient Greece, the “unsayable,” and social memory in regard to their links to the Penn State tragedy. Tribute is paid to those such as Murray Sperber, Michael Bérubé and Cary Nelson, whose scholarly activism foresaw and attempted 0to prevent such a scandal. Influenced by ideas about ritual forwarded by Seligman, Weller, Piett and Simon, ultimately the essay seeks to forward a distinctive understanding of the nature of sport that goes against common scholarly and popular beliefs.
“Becoming Feminist”
Authors: Lather Patti
Published: June 2012

This essay looks at the intersection of Big Football, Big Money, and the Child-Sex Abuse Scandal at Penn State. It articulates a “becoming feminist” analysis in this context in order to conduct a diffractive reading that intra-acts from within by installing the self in the event. What is produced is beyond interpretation, autoethnography, reflexivity, intentionality and rationality in addressing both what happened and why so many keep silent about childhood sexual abuse. Trying to understand what is at stake in speaking out of a situation with so many emotional investments, I explore my engagement in a project on the weight of sports in US secondary schools and raise cautions for the kind of researcher subject position I might assume in this fraught space.
“Sexual Hyenas” and Programs for At-Risk Youth
Authors: Moore Ellen E.
Published: June 2012

This essay evaluates the relationship between commercial media representations and structural inequality through the lens of the recent Penn State scandal involving child abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Specifically, the research provides two central lines of inquiry: first, detailing the power structures in a profitdriven corporate culture that make systematic child predation possible in large institutions like Penn State; and second, encouraging recognition that the routines and rules adopted by the U.S. commercial media system-including episodic coverage of isolated, sensational stories-often preclude meaningful coverage of corrupt institutions or systems. In concert, the two approaches provide a two-pronged call for commercial media: to stop presenting crimes like the one at Penn State as isolated events, and instead to provide crucial connections that permit media audiences to understand how power structures shape society and foster inequality.
Quantifying Increased Hepatic Arterial Flow With Test Balloon Occlusion of the Splenic Artery in Liver Transplant Recipients With Suspected Splenic Steal Syndrome
Authors: Saad Wael E. , Anderson Curtis L. , Kowarschik Markus , Turba Ulku C. , Schmitt Timothy M. , Kumer Sean C. , Matsumoto Alan H. , Angle John F.
Published: June 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to quantify hepatic arterial flow (HAF) in liver transplants with splenic steal syndrome (SSS) pre- and post-test balloon occlusion of the splenic artery utilizing Doppler ultrasound (DUS) and quantitative digitally subtracted angiography (Q-DSA). Methods: A total of 193 liver transplants were evaluated retrospectively. Hepatic arterial velocity (HAV) and HAF were calculated utilizing DUS and Q-DSA (i-flow prototype, Siemens) pre- and post-splenic artery balloon occlusion. The rate of HAF increase, total HAF, and peak contrast density (PKD) by Q-DSA were compared with HAF by DUS. Results: Of all, 4 suspected SSS cases underwent test-balloon occlusion with DUS and Q-DSA. Using DUS, HAV and HAF increased by 1.6- to 1.8-fold and 1.7- to 2.6-fold, respectively. Using Q-DSA, the HAF rate, total HAF, and PKD increased by 1.1 to 12.8, 1.5 to 7.6, and 1.3 to 5.3, respectively. Conclusion: Occlusion of the splenic artery in liver transplants with SSS doubles the HAF (+1.7- to 2.6-fold). The Q-DSA parameters correlate qualitatively but overestimate the resultant increased HAF.
Competently Mixing
Authors: Vélez Ortiz Daniel , Sosulski Marya R. , Sherwood Dee Ann
Published: June 2012

The authors describe a model that incorporates cultural competence principles from clinical practice into a mixed methods framework, thus providing a new perspective that reconciles some of the historically perceived differences in paradigmatic stances. The authors present direct connections from each principle to the application of a mixed methods study. An example of a study of a welfare policy is presented along with a critique concerning the appropriate application of principles of clinical cultural competence. The authors conclude that in applying these principles to mixed methods cultural awareness efforts need to be fostered and encouraged comprehensively in research as well as education.
Living with diabetes on Buffalo, New York’s culturally diverse West Side
Authors: Kahn Linda S , Vest Bonnie M , Karl Renée , Tumiel-Berhalter Laurene , Taylor Robert , Schuster Roseanne C , Glaser Kathryn , Danakas Alexandra , Fox Chester H
Published: June 2012

Objectives: This study explores the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs that inform how people live with diabetes in a high poverty, ethnically diverse neighborhood with a growing population of refugees. The specific research objective was to examine participants’ explanations of how their diabetes began, understandings about the illness, description of symptoms, as well as physical and emotional reactions to the diagnosis.

Methods: Qualitative design using semi-structured interviews. The transcripts were analyzed using an immersion–crystallization approach.

Results: Thirty four individuals diagnosed with diabetes for at least 1 year participated. The sample included 14 refugees (from Somalia, Sudan, Burma, or Cuba), eight Puerto Ricans, six non-Hispanic Caucasians, six African-Americans, and two Native Americans. Three broad themes were identified across ethnic groups: (a) the diagnosis of diabetes was unexpected; (b) emotional responses to diabetes were similar to Kubler-Ross’s stages of grief; (c) patients’ understanding of diabetes focused on symptoms and diet.

Conclusions: Patients were frequently stunned by the diagnosis of diabetes, and expressed emotions associated with the stages of grief including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Our findings suggest that clinicians might consider addressing the patients’ emotions or grief reaction as an early priority to promote acceptance as a first step to self-management.
Rolling bearing steels – a technical and historical perspective
Authors: Zaretsky E V
Published: June 2012

Starting about 1920 it becomes easier to track the growth of bearing materials technology. Until 1955, with few exceptions, comparatively little progress was made in this area. AISI 52100 and some carburising grades (AISI 4320, AISI 9310) were adequate for most applications. The catalyst to quantum advances in high-performance rolling-element bearing steels was the advent of the aircraft gas turbine engine. With improved bearing manufacturing and steel processing together with lubrication technology, the potential improvements in bearing life can as much as 80 times that attainable in the late 1950s or as much as 400 times that attainable in 1940. This paper summarises the chemical, metallurgical and physical aspects of bearing steels and their effect on rolling bearing life and reliability: the single most important variable that has significantly increased bearing life and reliability is vacuum processing of bearing steel. Differences between through hardened, case carburised and corrosion resistant steels are discussed. The interrelation of alloy elements and carbides and their effect on bearing life are presented. An equation relating bearing life, steel hardness and temperature is given. Life factors for various steels are suggested and discussed. A relation between compressive residual stress and bearing life is presented. The effects of retained austenite and grain size are discussed.
On microstructure and properties of Si modified 100Cr6 bearing steels
Authors: Kim K-H , Lee J-S
Published: June 2012

As an alloying element to increase the resistance to softening during tempering, silicon content was modified to investigate its effect on the microstructure and properties of 100Cr6 bearing steel. It turned out that increasing the silicon content brought about two difficulties in the manufacturing process, promoting the decarburisation during heating and/or hot rolling and retarding the spheroidisation of cementite. The maximum size of non-metallic inclusions was predicted to reduce evidently with increasing silicon content, although the total oxygen content in steels was nearly the same. There has been no fine carbide precipitation during tempering that can be attributed to the increasing silicon content, leading to the stabilisation of retained austenite due to the diffusion of carbon atoms from martensite. As a result, the new Si modified high carbon chromium bearing steel showed superior rolling contact fatigue characteristics to conventional steel.
Rolling bearing applications: Some trends in materials and heat treatments
Authors: Tonicello E , Girodin D , Sidoroff C , Fazekas A , Perez M
Published: June 2012

Rolling contact fatigue resistance and dimensional stability are the two important requirements for rolling bearing materials. Rolling contact fatigue can be initiated under the surface due to the presence of elastic inhomogeneities (inclusions) in the material, and, on the surface due to starved or contamination lubrication conditions. Two classical solutions in terms of material or heat treatment are presented and criticised. First, it is shown that ceramic balls, classically used to reduce contact stress, may induce deeper dents under contaminated environment. Second, an integrated approach based on thermoelectric power measurement is used to predict and understand the dimensional stability of bainitic 100Cr6 steel that exhibits dimension change proportional to its retained austenite content.
Contrasting acute graft-versus-host disease effects of Tim-3/galectin-9 pathway blockade dependent upon the presence of donor regulatory T cells
Authors: Veenstra Rachelle G. , Taylor Patricia A. , Zhou Qing , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Hirashima Mitsuomi , Flynn Ryan , Liu Derek , Anderson Ana C. , Strom Terry B. , Kuchroo Vijay K. , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: June 2012

T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) is expressed on pathogenic T cells, and its ligand galectin-9 (gal-9) is up-regulated in inflamed tissues. When Tim-3+ T cells encounter high gal-9 levels, they are deleted. Tim-3 is up-regulated on activated T cells during GVHD. Inhibition of Tim-3/gal-9 binding by infusion of a Tim-3-Ig fusion protein or Tim-3−/− donor T cells increased T-cell proliferation and GVHD lethality. When the Tim-3/gal-9 pathway engagement was augmented using gal-9 transgenic recipients, GVHD lethality was slowed. Together, these data indicate a potential for modulating this pathway to reduce disease by increasing Tim-3 or gal-9 engagement. Paradoxically, when Tim-3/gal-9 was inhibited in the absence of donor T-regulatory cells (Tregs), GVHD was inhibited. GVHD reduction was associated with decreased colonic inflammatory cytokines as well as epithelial barrier destruction. CD25-depleted Tim-3−/− donor T cells underwent increased activation-induced cell death because of increased IFN-γ production. To our knowledge, these studies are the first to show that although the absence of Tim-3/gal-9 pathway interactions augments systemic GVHD, concurrent donor Treg depletion paradoxically and surprisingly inhibits GVHD. Thus, although donor Tregs typically inhibit GVHD, under some conditions, such Tregs actually may contribute to GVHD by reducing activation-induced T-cell death.
Ezh2 augments leukemogenicity by reinforcing differentiation blockage in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tanaka Satomi , Miyagi Satoru , Sashida Goro , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Yuan Jin , Mochizuki-Kashio Makiko , Suzuki Yutaka , Sugano Sumio , Nakaseko Chiaki , Yokote Koutaro , Koseki Haruhiko , Iwama Atsushi
Published: June 2012

EZH2, a catalytic component of the polycomb repressive complex 2, trimethylates histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27) to repress the transcription of target genes. Although EZH2 is overexpressed in various cancers, including some hematologic malignancies, the role of EZH2 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has yet to be examined in vivo. In the present study, we transformed granulocyte macrophage progenitors from Cre-ERT;Ezh2flox/flox mice with the MLL-AF9 leukemic fusion gene to analyze the function of Ezh2 in AML. Deletion of Ezh2 in transformed granulocyte macrophage progenitors compromised growth severely in vitro and attenuated the progression of AML significantly in vivo. Ezh2-deficient leukemic cells developed into a chronic myelomonocytic leukemia–like disease with a lower frequency of leukemia-initiating cells compared with the control. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing revealed a significant reduction in the levels of trimethylation at H3K27 in Ezh2-deficient leukemic cells, not only at Cdkn2a, a known major target of Ezh2, but also at a cohort of genes relevant to the developmental and differentiation processes. Overexpression of Egr1, one of the derepressed genes in Ezh2-deficient leukemic cells, promoted the differentiation of AML cells profoundly. Our findings suggest that Ezh2 inhibits differentiation programs in leukemic stem cells, thereby augmenting their leukemogenic activity.
MYH10 protein expression in platelets as a biomarker of RUNX1 and FLI1 alterations
Authors: Antony-Debré Iléana , Bluteau Dominique , Itzykson Raphael , Baccini Véronique , Renneville Aline , Boehlen Françoise , Morabito Margot , Droin Nathalie , Deswarte Caroline , Chang Yunhua , Leverger Guy , Solary Eric , Vainchenker William , Favier Rémi , Raslova Hana
Published: June 2012

RUNX1 gene alterations are associated with acquired and inherited hematologic malignancies that include familial platelet disorder/acute myeloid leukemia, primary or secondary acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Recently, we reported that RUNX1-mediated silencing of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIB (MYH10) was required for megakaryocyte ploidization and maturation. Here we demonstrate that runx1 deletion in mice induces the persistence of MYH10 in platelets, and a similar persistence was observed in platelets of patients with constitutional (familial platelet disorder/acute myeloid leukemia) or acquired (chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) RUNX1 mutations. MYH10 was also detected in platelets of patients with the Paris-Trousseau syndrome, a thrombocytopenia related to the deletion of the transcription factor FLI1 that forms a complex with RUNX1 to regulate megakaryopoiesis, whereas MYH10 persistence was not observed in other inherited forms of thrombocytopenia. We propose MYH10 detection as a new and simple tool to identify inherited platelet disorders and myeloid neoplasms with abnormalities in RUNX1 and its associated proteins.
Preclinical activity of a novel CRM1 inhibitor in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ranganathan Parvathi , Yu Xueyan , Na Caroline , Santhanam Ramasamy , Shacham Sharon , Kauffman Michael , Walker Alison , Klisovic Rebecca , Blum William , Caligiuri Michael , Croce Carlo M. , Marcucci Guido , Garzon Ramiro
Published: June 2012

Chromosome maintenance protein 1 (CRM1) is a nuclear export receptor involved in the active transport of tumor suppressors (eg, p53 and nucleophosmin) whose function is altered in cancer because of increased expression and overactive transport. Blocking CRM1-mediated nuclear export of such proteins is a novel therapeutic strategy to restore tumor suppressor function. Orally bioavailable selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINE) that irreversibly bind to CRM1 and block the function of this protein have been recently developed. Here we investigated the antileukemic activity of KPT-SINE (KPT-185 and KPT-276) in vitro and in vivo in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). KPT-185 displayed potent antiproliferative properties at submicromolar concentrations (IC50 values; 100-500nM), induced apoptosis (average 5-fold increase), cell-cycle arrest, and myeloid differentiation in AML cell lines and patient blasts. A strong down-regulation of the oncogene FLT3 after KPT treatment in both FLT3-ITD and wild-type cell lines was observed. Finally, using the FLT3-ITD–positive MV4-11 xenograft murine model, we show that treatment of mice with oral KPT-276 (analog of KPT-185 for in vivo studies) significantly prolongs survival of leukemic mice (P < .01). In summary, KPT-SINE are highly potent in vitro and in vivo in AML. The preclinical results reported here support clinical trials of KPT-SINE in AML.
Polymorphisms of protein tyrosine phosphatase CD148 influence FcγRIIA-dependent platelet activation and the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Rollin Jérôme , Pouplard Claire , Gratacap Marie-Pierre , Leroux Dorothée , May Marc-Antoine , Aupart Michel , Gouilleux-Gruart Valérie , Payrastre Bernard , Gruel Yves
Published: June 2012

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is due primarily to IgG antibodies specific to platelet factor 4/heparin complexes (PF4/Hs) that activate platelets via FcγRIIA. CD148 is a protein tyrosine phosphatase that regulates Src kinases and collagen-induced platelet activation. Three polymorphisms affecting CD148 (Q276P, R326Q, and D872E) were studied in HIT patients and 2 control groups, with or without antibodies to PF4/Hs. Heterozygote status for CD148 276P or 326Q alleles was less frequent in HIT patients, suggesting a protective effect of these polymorphisms. Aggregation tests performed with collagen, HIT plasma, and monoclonal antibodies cross-linking FcγRIIA showed consistent hyporesponsiveness of platelets expressing the 276P/326Q alleles. In addition, platelets expressing the 276P/326Q alleles exhibited a greater sensitivity to the Src family kinases inhibitor dasatinib in response to collagen or ALB6 cross-linking FcγRIIA receptors. Moreover, the activatory phosphorylation of Src family kinases was considerably delayed as well as the phosphorylation of Linker for activation of T cells and phospholipase Cγ2, 2 major signaling proteins downstream from FcγRIIA. In conclusion, this study shows that CD148 polymorphisms affect platelet activation and probably exert a protec-tive effect on the risk of HIT in patients with antibodies to PF4/Hs.
Higher Levels of Endogenous Estradiol are Associated with Frailty in Postmenopausal Women from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging
Authors: Carcaillon L. , García-García F. J. , Tresguerres J. A. F. , Gutiérrez Avila G. , Kireev R. , Rodríguez-Mañas L.
Published: June 2012

Background:

Adverse effects of higher endogenous estradiol (E2) levels on various clinical outcomes and on determinants of the frailty syndrome have recently been reported. However, there are no data about the potential relationship between E2 and frailty. We aimed to study the association between E2 levels and frailty among older postmenopausal women not taking hormonal therapy.

Methods:

We used data from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging, a Spanish population-based cohort study. Frailty was defined according to Fried's approach. Multivariate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with E2 levels were estimated using polytomous logistic regression.

Results:

E2 levels decreased significantly with age and educational level, whereas they increased with body mass index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and impairment in Katz activities of daily living. Higher E2 levels were associated with the prevalence of frailty among women younger than 79 yr, but not in the oldest group (p interaction = 0.047). After adjustment, OR of frailty associated with a 1 sd increase of E2 was 1.51 (95% CI, 1.04–2.20; P = 0.03). We identified an interaction between E2 and hs-CRP on the prevalence of frailty (P value = 0.042). Women with both higher E2 and hs-CRP (defined as values into the upper tertile) had an age-adjusted OR of 4.2 (95% CI, 1.7–10.5; P = 0.002), compared with women with low levels of both E2 and hs-CRP.

Conclusion:

Higher E2 levels were associated with frailty in postmenopausal women. The synergism between higher E2 and hs-CRP levels suggests the existence of physiopathological mechanisms connecting inflammation and estrogen to frailty.