bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Between Patients With Acute Limb Ischemia and Intermittent Claudication
Authors: Johner Fabian , Thalhammer Christoph , Jacomella Vincenzo , Husmann Marc , Amann-Vesti Beatrice
Published: May 2013

In this retrospective study, cardiovascular risk factors of patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) were compared with those of intermittent claudication (IC). Furthermore, the association of ALI with environmental temperature and/or hematocrit level was tested. A total of 436 patients treated for ALI and 832 patients with IC were included in the analysis. Diabetes ( P = .0001), smoking ( P < .0001), and hypertension ( P < .0001) were significantly less prevalent in the patients with ALI. Patients with IC had a higher rate of coronary artery disease ( P = .003), and patients with ALI had a higher rate of cerebrovascular disease ( P < .0001). There was no association between the outside temperature or hematocrit level and the occurrence of ALI. The hypothesis of seasonal incidence of ALI could not be confirmed, and there was no association of ALI with the hematocrit level.
Exploring PSC–military relations: Swedish officers and the private security sector in peace operations
Authors: Berndtsson Joakim
Published: May 2013

The increasing reliance on private security companies (PSCs) in and around international peace operations has created new public–private constellations, influencing both military and civilian efforts, sometimes generating problematic relationships and even violence between public and private actors, as well as unclear divisions of labour, authority and responsibility. To explain how and why these problems occur, mapping out the understandings that these different actors have of each other in different contexts is of key importance. Through an analysis of Swedish officers’ views of private security actors, this paper aims to contribute to our understanding of the complex relationships between civilian authorities, state militaries and commercial security actors. Particularly, the article will shed new light on ‘PSC–military’ relations and the ways in which the private security sector functions as both a competitor and a career option for former or active service personnel. The article draws on a study commissioned by the Swedish Armed Forces and is empirically based on in-depth interviews and a survey of Swedish officers’ attitudes to PSCs.
A Commentary on the Relationship Between Model Fit and Saturated Path Models in Structural Equation Modeling Applications
Authors: Raykov Tenko , Lee Chun-Lung , Marcoulides George A. , Chang Chi
Published: May 2013

The relationship between saturated path-analysis models and their fit to data is revisited. It is demonstrated that a saturated model need not fit perfectly or even well a given data set when fit to the raw data is examined, a criterion currently frequently overlooked by researchers utilizing path analysis modeling techniques. The potential of individual case residuals for saturated model fit assessment is revealed by showing how they can be used to examine local fit, as opposed to overall fit, to sense possible model deficiencies or misspecifications, and to suggest model improvements when needed. The discussion is illustrated with several numerical examples.
Impacts of Differences in Epidemiological Case Definitions on Prevalence for Upper-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Hegmann Kurt T. , Thiese Matthew S. , Wood Eric M. , Garg Arun , Kapellusch Jay M. , Foster James , Biggs Jeremy , Edwards Hannah , Wertsch Jacqueline , Kendall Richard
Published: May 2013

Objective:

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate prevalence based on variations in case definitions used for epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Background:

Prior studies of MSDs have mostly relied on a single case definition based on questionnaires.

Method:

In a multicenter prospective cohort study, we systematically collected data to evaluate impacts of differences in case definitions of MSDs on prevalence of three common musculoskeletal disorders: (a) shoulder tendinosis, (b) lateral epicondylalgia, and (c) carpal tunnel syndrome. Production workers were from 21 employment settings in three diverse U.S. states and performed widely varying work. All workers completed laptop-administered structured interviews, two standardized physical examinations, and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Case definitions included symptoms only, and symptoms plus physical examinations and/or NCS.

Results:

A total of 1,227 subjects had complete health data at baseline. The prevalence for shoulder tendinosis is 23.0% if only glenohumeral pain is used for a case definition, compared with 8.0% if a combination of pain plus a positive supraspinatus test is used. The prevalence for lateral epicondylalgia varied on the basis of lateral elbow pain (12.0%), pain plus tenderness on palpation (9.9%), or pain plus tenderness on palpation plus resisted wrist or middle finger extension (3.5%). Carpal tunnel syndrome prevalence varied on the basis of tingling or numbness in a median nerve–served digit (29.9%) or tingling or numbness plus NCS abnormalities consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome (9.0%).

Conclusion:

Variations in epidemiological case definitions have major impacts on prevalence of common MSDs. Wide-ranging differences in prevalence may have impacts on purported risk factors that need to be determined.
Neoliberalism and Growth without Development in Ghana: A Case for State-led Industrialization
Authors: Ayelazuno Jasper Abembia
Published: May 2013

Ghana witnessed decent economic growth in the last three decades of implementing neoliberal policy prescriptions. Indeed, this growth promoted it to a low middle income country in 2010. Paradoxically, the wellbeing of most Ghanaians in the subaltern classes has not improved significantly, and they still suffer grinding poverty. How to understand this paradox of growth without development? This paper argues that the failure of Ghana to diversify its economy into industrialization, particularly manufacturing, explains the paradox. With its relatively good politics and open economy, the Ghanaian state should spearhead industrialization, as South Korea and Malaysia did, by supporting selective manufacturing firms with capital, technology, and protective tariffs.
Dealing with the Grey Contours: Displacement Circumstances and Livelihood Adaptation between Congo Brazzaville and the United Kingdom
Authors: Mbakem Evarist A , Collins Andrew E
Published: May 2013

The categorization of displaced people is grounded in criteria enshrined by international and regional conventions as well as receiving states’ asylum and immigration policies. However, drawing distinctions between displaced people remains a controversial issue because the causes of displacement are more diverse than the categories assigned. Whilst various categories confer different rights and entitlement, the forcibly displaced are often obliged to aspire to particular identities driven by their resettlement livelihood objectives. This paper is based on a study carried out in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo and Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. The paper argues that the institutional and policy environments in the locations where resettlement is sought determine the way displaced people identify themselves in displacement and how they appraise their circumstances and their consequent adaptive livelihood reconstruction strategies. Furthermore, it is shown here that formalized displacement categorization adds complexity to the way displaced people must deal with their circumstances and negatively impacts on livelihood adaptation. Whilst categorization may serve perceived institutional needs, this study finds that displaced people’s self-identification makes them resilient and enables survivability.
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Targeted Public Distribution Scheme in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh: Complements or Substitutes?
Authors: Jha Raghbendra , Kaur Simrit , Gaiha Raghav , Pandey Manoj K
Published: May 2013

The workfare scheme, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), and the direct food subsidy programme, the Targeted Public Distribution Scheme (TPDS), represent two social safety nets instituted in India as anti-poverty measures. This paper examines whether from the point of view of individual households the two programmes are substitutes or complements, as this will shed light on the appropriateness of the design of the two programmes. Based on primary household data collected for the Indian states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (MP), we show that, in Rajasthan, a large percentage of households consider TPDS and NREGS programmes to be substitutes for each other, while in MP the households often perceive the two programmes as complements. Thus it appears that the two programmes are better designed in MP since an incentive for participation in one programme has desirable side effects on participation in the other. Correlates of participation in the two states are identified and the paper advances several policy conclusions.
Experimental studies of the deformation mechanisms of core-shell rubber-modified diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Brown Hayley R , Schneider Judy A , Murphy Taylor L
Published: May 2013

Epoxy polymers, although often used in fiber-reinforced polymeric composites, have an inherent low toughness that further decreases with decreasing temperatures. Second-phase additives have been effective in increasing the toughness of epoxies at room temperature; however, the mechanisms at low temperatures are still not understood. In this study, the deformation mechanisms of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy modified with MX960 core-shell rubber particles were investigated under quasi-static tensile and impact loads at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. Overall, the core-shell rubber had little effect on the tensile properties at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. The impact strength decreased from neat to 1 wt% and 3 wt% but increased from neat to 5 wt% at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature, with a higher impact strength at room temperature at all core-shell rubber loadings. While a large toughening effect was not seen in this study, the mechanisms analyzed herein will likely be of use for further material investigations at cryogenic temperatures.
Processing and characterization of 100% hemp-based biocomposites obtained by vacuum infusion
Authors: Francucci G , Manthey NW , Cardona F , Aravinthan T
Published: May 2013

Novel biocomposites made of an acrylated epoxidized hemp oil based bioresin reinforced with random hemp fiber mat were manufactured by the vacuum infusion technique. Mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, Charpy impact and interlaminar shear), dynamic mechanical properties (glass transition temperature, storage modulus and crosslink density) and moisture absorption properties (saturation moisture level and diffusion coefficient) were investigated and compared with samples manufactured under the same conditions but using a commercial synthetic vinylester resin as the polymeric matrix. Results showed that the 100% biocomposites mechanical performance is comparable to that of the hybrid composites made with the synthetic resin. Moisture absorption tests showed that acrylated epoxidized hemp oil based samples displayed both higher diffusion coefficient and saturation moisture content; however, fiber reinforcement was the dominant transfer mechanism. Vinyl ester based samples were found to have higher storage modulus, glass transition temperature and crosslink density than acrylated epoxidized hemp oil samples.
A new cost-saving vacuum infusion process for fiber-reinforced composites: Pulsed infusion
Authors: Ricciardi Maria R , Antonucci Vincenza , Durante Massimo , Giordano Michele , Nele Luigi , Starace Giuseppe , Langella Antonio
Published: May 2013

A new innovative infusion technology, pulsed infusion, has been developed for the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced thermoset-based composites. Pulsed infusion is a double-bag vacuum infusion process that is based on the use of a proper designed reusable pressure distributor and able to better control the vacuum pressure in pulsed way. Thus, the transverse resin flow through the dry fiber reinforcement is promoted and a better adhesion between the resin and the fibers is achieved. The new process allows to obtain laminates with the same fiber volume fraction and tensile properties of those produced by conventional infusion technologies. An average increase up to 9% for the flexural modulus and up to 24% for flexural strength has been assessed for pulse-manufactured composites compared to traditional vacuum infusion ones. Furthermore, due to a minor consumption of resin and the absence of the distribution net, pulse infusion provides a material cost-saving advantage around 19% and a significant waste reduction.
Physical Limitation and Emotional Well-Being
Authors: Caputo Jennifer , Simon Robin W.
Published: May 2013

Despite the proliferation of studies documenting the relationship between physical limitation and depressive symptoms in the United States, we currently do not know (1) whether physical impairment is associated with other dimensions of emotional well-being and (2) if these associations differ for men and women as well as married and nonmarried adults. We use panel data from two national samples to examine gender and marital status variations in the impact of physical limitation on four indicators of mental health. We find that physical limitation is associated with increases in depressive symptoms and negative feelings as well as decreases in positive emotions. Although the patterns are complex, we also find gender and marital status differences in these associations. Our results provide additional support for Aneshensel’s (1992; Aneshensel, Rutter, and Lachenbruch 1991) argument about the highly contingent nature of stress reactivity and contribute to theory about both gender and marital status differences in the impact of stress on mental health.
Understanding Cultural Variations in Giving Advice Among Americans and Chinese
Authors: Feng Hairong
Published: May 2013

This study examined underlying mechanisms of cultural variations in giving advice between American and Chinese college students by assuming a belief framework specified in the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). American ( N = 289) and Chinese college students ( N = 227) first completed belief-based measures of attitudes and subjective norms of giving advice, and later completed measures of behavioral intentions of giving advice. Results revealed that there were similarities as well as noteworthy cultural differences with respect to ratings of the TRA components and strengths of associations between attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions. The TRA model showed relatively stronger prediction for giving advice intentions for Chinese than it did for Americans. A belief framework specified by the TRA demonstrated stronger power to capture finer cultural variations in giving advice as a form of support provision.
Blind Dates and Arranged Marriages: Longitudinal Processes of Network Orchestration
Authors: Paquin Raymond L , Howard-Grenville Jennifer
Published: May 2013

Using longitudinal qualitative and network data capturing five years of evolution of an interorganizational network, this paper explores network orchestration – the process of assembling and developing an interorganizational network. In particular, we analyze shifts in the network orchestrator’s actions and the network’s structure and composition. We find that an orchestrator builds the capacity to assemble a network over time through the accumulation of resources and specialized expertise. However, as the network develops, an orchestrator faces an evolving set of dilemmas arising from the need to demonstrate value for various members and audiences. To resolve these dilemmas, orchestrators may shift their actions, moving from initially encouraging serendipitous encounters between network members (“blind dates”) to increasingly selecting members and more closely influencing their interactions (“arranging marriages”). We discuss implications of our findings for a processual understanding of orchestrated network assembly and growth.
Increasing the Degrees of Freedom in Future Group Randomized Trials
Authors: Murray David M. , Blitstein Jonathan L. , Hannan Peter J. , Shadish William R.
Published: May 2013

Background:

This article revisits an article published in Evaluation Review in 2005 on sample size estimation and power analysis for group-randomized trials. With help from a careful reader, we learned of an important error in the spreadsheet used to perform the calculations and generate the results presented in that article. As we studied the spreadsheet, we discovered other minor errors. When we corrected the errors, we found that the results were substantially different and that the conclusions reported in the original article were not always appropriate.

Objective:

This article corrects the errors and reports the results as they should have been reported originally.

Method:

Using a random-effects meta-analytic model, estimates of intraclass correlation were combined from two studies to guide sample size calculations for a new study.

Results:

The df* method can result in improved power or smaller studies when used a priori to plan future group-randomized trials, though the improvements will be modest in larger studies and will likely be insufficient to provide adequate power to small studies.

Conclusion:

Smaller group-randomized trials are often desirable, for example, as pilot studies to help plan for a full-scale efficacy trial, as replication studies, or in situations in which resource constraints prohibit a larger trial. We discuss the circumstances under which the df* method will be most helpful and the risks associated with conducting smaller studies.
Causation-in-the-world: A Contribution to Meta-theory of IR
Authors: Suganami Hidemi
Published: May 2013

This article examines critical realists’ key contention that ‘causing’, or the operation of causal powers, is real or mind-independent. Against their opponents (causal idealists), they point out the (seeming) empirical obviousness of the mind-independence of causal powers, causal idealism’s lack of ‘ontological grounding’, its ‘epistemic fallacy’ and so on. The validity or force of such arguments is ultimately dubious, however. Still, the understanding that causal powers are real is a necessary presupposition of scientific knowledge production and application and of our everyday thinking and practice; realists and idealists can converge on this point. Moreover, there is nothing in causal idealism as such that is incompatible with critical realists’ key insight that causal laws should be understood as stating the ways things work, producing observable regularities only in closed systems and that regularities are not an intrinsic feature of causal relations. I conclude by exploring the implications of this line of thinking for the study of world politics, endorsing a move from a search for parsimonious theories that explain regular patterns observable in the international system towards a historical study of global social relations, which pays attention to causal complexes, diversity of historical contexts and the contested nature of causal interpretations.
Lesbian Community Oughts and Ideals
Authors: Boyle Sarah C. , Omoto Allen M.
Published: May 2013

Our study investigated the importance of the lesbian community and the perceived fit of personal characteristics and behavior with the norms of this community as predictors of depression and anxiety among Young Sexual Minority Women (YSMW) aged 18–35 years. YSMW ( n = 504) completed an online survey in which they reported their degree of identification with the lesbian community, described their sexual minority selves, and rated how far away these descriptions were from their own standards, as well as perceived lesbian community standards, for the person they ought to be and would ideally like to be. Consistent with self-discrepancy theory, falling short of both self and lesbian community ideal standards uniquely predicted depression whereas discrepancies from both ought standards related to anxiety. Furthermore, the links to lesbian community standards were moderated by identification with the lesbian community such that discrepancies from community ideal and ought standards were more strongly associated with negative affect among YSMW who more strongly identified with the lesbian community. Although based on correlational data, results suggest that YSMW perceive strict norms in lesbian communities that they may find difficult to live up to, and these discrepancies may have powerful consequences for experiences of depression and anxiety. Findings highlight the need for both additional research and therapeutic focus on intragroup sources of stress (e.g., normative pressures in sexual minority communities) in addition to intergroup sources of stress (e.g., heterosexism) in order to better our understanding of mental health experiences among sexual minority women.
Biomechanical Properties of Double- and Single-Row Suture Anchor Repair for Surgical Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Beitzel Knut , Mazzocca Augustus D. , Obopilwe Elifho , Boyle James W. , McWilliam James , Rincon Lina , Dhar Yasmin , Arciero Robert A. , Amendola Annunziato
Published: May 2013

Background:

Because of intratendinous ossifications, retrocalcaneal bursitis, or intratendinous necrosis commonly found in insertional tendinosis, it is often necessary to detach the tendon partially or entirely from its tendon-to-bone junction.

Hypothesis:

Double-row repair for insertional Achilles tendinopathy will generate an increased contact area and demonstrate higher biomechanical stability.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eighteen cadaver Achilles tendons were split longitudinally and detached, exposing the calcaneus; an ostectomy was performed and the tendon was reattached to the calcaneus in 1 of 2 ways: 2 suture anchors (single row) or a 4-anchor (double row) construct. Footprint area measurements over time, displacement after cyclic loading (2000 cycles), and final load to failure were measured.

Results:

The double-row refixation technique was statistically superior to the single-row technique in footprint area measurement initially and 5 minutes after repair ( P = .009 and P = .01, respectively) but not after 24 hours ( P = .713). The double-row construct demonstrated significantly improved measures for peak load (433.9 ± 84.3 N vs 212.0 ± 49.7 N; P = .042), load at yield (354.7 ± 106.2 N vs 198.7 ± 39.5 N; P = .01), and slope (51.8 ± 9.9 N/mm vs 66.7 ± 16.2 N/mm; P = .021). Cyclic loading did not demonstrate significant differences between the 2 constructs.

Conclusion:

Double-row construct for reinsertion of a completely detached Achilles tendon using proximal and distal rows resulted in significantly larger contact area initially and 5 minutes after repair and led to significantly higher peak load to failure on destructive testing.

Clinical Relevance:

In treatment for insertional Achilles tendinosis, the tendon often has to be detached and anatomically reattached to its insertion at the calcaneus. To our knowledge there is a lack of biomechanical studies supporting either a number or a pattern of suture anchor fixation. Because the stresses going across the insertion site of the Achilles tendon are significant during rehabilitation and weightbearing activities, it is imperative to have a strong construct that allows satisfactory healing during the early postoperative process.
Acetabular Labral Reconstruction With an Iliotibial Band Autograft
Authors: Geyer Mark R. , Philippon Marc J. , Fagrelius Theodore S. , Briggs Karen K.
Published: May 2013

Background:

Injury to the acetabular labrum results from multiple causes including femoroacetabular impingement, dysplasia, and acute trauma. The patient’s labrum can be reconstructed utilizing an iliotibial band autograft that is tubularized and fixed to the acetabular rim, substituting for the patient’s own labrum.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of this technique with a follow-up from 3 to 6 years after reconstruction. The hypothesis was that midterm results would show excellent patient-reported outcomes and high patient satisfaction with outcome.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected registry was undertaken that identified 75 patients (76 hips) who underwent arthroscopic labral reconstruction using an iliotibial band autograft by a single surgeon from February 2005 to August 2008. Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and patient satisfaction level (on a scale of 1-10) were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively annually. Survivorship analysis curves were created to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique.

Results:

Among 76 hips, 19 progressed to total hip arthroplasty at an average of 28 months from the procedure. Mean survivor time (no arthroplasty) was 59.1 months (95% CI, 53.9-64.4). Follow-up on the surviving hips was available for 49 patients (86%) with a mean follow-up time of 49 months (range, 36-70 months). The mHHS significantly increased from a preoperative mean of 58.9 to the most recent follow-up score averaging 83 ( P = .0001); HOS values in the sports and the activities of daily living subscales also increased significantly ( P = .0001 and P = .001, respectively). Median patient satisfaction with outcome was 8. A joint space of ≤2 mm was found to be a poor prognostic factor for survival of the hip.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic labral reconstruction using an iliotibial band autograft resulted in a survivorship of 56 months. Of the 76% of patients who did not require total hip arthroplasty, improvement in function and high satisfaction with outcome were reported. Joint space of ≤2 mm is a contraindication for acetabular labral reconstruction.
Formulation of polyurea with improved flame retardant properties
Authors: Mariappan Thirumal , Wilkie Charles A
Published: May 2013

This article addresses the flame retardancy of polyurea using three different sulfonate salts, sodium diphenylamine-4-sulfonate, 3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propane sulfonate, and ammonium sulfamate, and their combination with some conventional flame retardants. Cone calorimetry and thermogravimetry are used for the evaluation of the flame retardancy and thermal stability. Among the sulfonate salts, ammonium sulfamate shows the best flame retardancy both alone and in combination. The conventional additives that have been used include ammonium polyphosphate, expandable graphite, aluminum diethylphosphinate, melamine polyphosphate, and a chloroalkylphosphonate, as binary and ternary mixtures at 15 wt.% total loading. The nonsulfur-containing binary system exhibits higher ignition time and better flame and smoke resistance than do the ternary mixtures.
Renal and hepatotoxic alterations in adult mice on inhalation of specific mixture of organic solvents
Authors: Ketan Vaghasia K , Bhavyata Kalariya , Linzbuoy George , Hyacinth Highland N
Published: May 2013

This study was aimed at investigating alterations in renal and hepatic toxicity induced by exposing to a combination of three solvents, namely, benzene, toluene and xylene in adult mice. The mice were divided into three groups (control, low-dose-treated (450 ppm) and high-dose (675 ppm) groups) using randomization methods. The treated groups were exposed to vapours of a mixture of benzene, toluene and xylene at doses of 450 and 675 ppm, for 6 h day−1 for a short-term of 7-day exposure period. The study revealed that the solvent exposure resulted in an increase in the weight of liver and kidney as compared to the control. Biochemical analyses indicated a significant decline in the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in both the treated groups, with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation. Liver aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) were elevated with significant alterations in the levels of protein, creatinine and cholesterol in these tissues upon solvent exposure. Correlated with these changes, serum thyroid hormones T3 and T4 were also significantly altered. This study, therefore, demonstrates that inhalation of vapours from the solvent mixture resulted in significant dose-dependent biochemical and functional changes in the vital tissues (liver and kidney) studied. The study has specific relevance since humans are increasingly being exposed to such solvents due to increased industrial use in such combinations.
Role of quercetin in cadmium-induced oxidative stress, neuronal damage, and apoptosis in rats
Authors: Unsal Cüneyt , Kanter Mehmet , Aktas Cevat , Erboga Mustafa
Published: May 2013

The present study was carried out to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of quercetin (QE) in protecting the cadmium (Cd)-induced neuronal injury in frontal cortex of rats. A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of 10 animals each: control, Cd treated and Cd treated with QE. The Cd-treated group was injected subcutaneously with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) dissolved in saline at a dose of 2 ml/kg/day for 30 days, resulting in a dosage of 1 mg/kg Cd. The rats in QE-treated groups were given QE (15 mg/kg body weight) once a day intraperitoneally starting 2 days prior to Cd injection, during the study period. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the study and the frontal cortex tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. To date, there is no available information on the effect of QE on neuronal injury after Cd exposure. Rats intoxicated with Cd for 30 days, significantly increased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significantly decreased enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the frontal cortex tissue. Administration of QE with Cd significantly diminished the levels of MDA and significantly elevated the levels of enzymatic antioxidants in the frontal cortex tissue. The histopathological studies in the brain of rats also supported that QE markedly reduced the Cd-induced histopathological changes and well preserved the normal histological architecture of the frontal cortex tissue. The caspase-3 immunopositivity was increased in degenerating neurons of the Cd group. Treatment with QE markedly reduced the immunoreactivity of degenerating neurons. In conclusion, the results of the current study suggest that QE may be beneficial in combating the Cd-induced neurotoxicity in the brain of rats. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of QE may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment for neurodegeneration after Cd exposure in rats.
Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Authors: Saleem Sahar N.
Published: May 2013

Knowledge of the anatomy of the developing fetal brain is essential to detect abnormalities and understand their pathogenesis. Capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the brain in utero and to differentiate between its various tissues makes fetal MRI a potential diagnostic and research tool for the developing brain. This article provides an approach to understand the normal and abnormal brain development through schematic interpretation of fetal brain MR images. MRI is a potential screening tool in the second trimester of pregnancies in fetuses at risk for brain anomalies and helps in describing new brain syndromes with in utero presentation. Accurate interpretation of fetal MRI can provide valuable information that helps genetic counseling, facilitates management decisions, and guides therapy. Fetal MRI can help in better understanding the pathogenesis of fetal brain malformations and can support research that could lead to disease-specific interventions.
Fatal Case of Tension Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous Emphysema After Open Surgical Tracheostomy
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Modrykamien Ariel
Published: May 2013

Tracheostomy tube placement remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in the intensive care unit. Its utilization permits ventilation in patients with severe compromise of the airway patency as well as facilitation of liberation of mechanical ventilation in patients with prolonged ventilatory needs. Despite its frequent use, the tracheostomy procedure, whether performed surgically or percutaneously, is not free of severe, and, in some cases devastating, complications. In fact, severe adverse events, such as pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, hemorrhage, infections, and, occasionally, death, have been described. We report a case of a surgical tracheostomy complicated with fatal tension pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema secondary to an iatrogenic posterior tracheal wall laceration. This complication is barely seen in usual practice, and its recognition and aggressive therapy may avoid fatal outcomes.
Hypertonic Saline in Elevated Intracranial Pressure
Authors: Surani Salim , Lockwood Geoff , Macias Melissa Y. , Guntupalli Bharat , Varon Joseph
Published: May 2013

Hypertonic Saline (HS) has been a proven and effective therapy and a safe alternative to mannitol in patients with increase intracranial pressure (ICP). We hereby present a case of 25-year-old women with intracranial bleed secondary to right parietal arteriovenous malformation. Patient underwent surgery for evacuation of hematoma and resection of arteriovenous malformation. Post- operative course was complicated by recurrent episodes of elevated ICP. She received total of 17 doses of 23.4% HS and 30 doses of mannitol with good outcome. Despite reluctance from some clinicians to use HS, hypertonic saline seems to be a safe and effective therapy.
The impact strength and electrical properties of polyimide-/polyolefin elastomer-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Nie WZ
Published: May 2013

Polyolefin elastomer-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (POE-MWCNTs) were incorporated in a polyimide (PI) matrix. The POE shell formed on the MWCNTs improved the dispersion of MWCNTs and enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the PI matrix and MWCNTs, leading to improvements in storage modulus and the glass transition temperature of the composites and enhancement of the electrical properties of PI. Thus, composites with 4–5 wt% POE-MWCNTs showed increased electrical properties by about 60–70% and retained the high impact strength when compared with the neat PI.
Constructing childhood at the boundaries of the nation: Chinese adoptee and refugee cases in Canada
Authors: Ballucci Dale , Dorow Sara
Published: May 2013

This article analyzes and compares two instances of national border crossing that involve decisions about children from China: children whose Canadian relatives have applied to adopt them, and unaccompanied children who seek refugee status. Discourse analysis of interviews, hearings, and official documents in the two cases demonstrates how the ‘innocence’ and ‘best interests’ of children are produced through three specific forms of knowledge: age, generational ordering, and most significantly, cultural readings of Chinese kinship. By examining the two cases of relative adoption and unaccompanied refugee claimants next to each other, the article reveals some of the institutional discourses through which childhood is constructed in the socio-legal discretionary power over immigration. The study also considers how the flexible deployment of conceptualizations of childhood, especially imaginaries of culturally ‘other’ kinship and childhood, serve the production of the nation-state.
Orbital, ice-sheet, and possible solar forcing of Holocene lake-level fluctuations in west-central Europe: A comment on Bleicher
Authors: Magny Michel
Published: May 2013

Bleicher (2013) discussed interpretations proposed by Magny (2004) that Holocene lake-level fluctuations in west-central Europe suggest possible solar forcing of climate. He pointed out that the method used by Magny (2004) is a variant of a cumulative probability function (CPF) and cannot prove solar forcing of central European lake-level changes. He concluded that only few episodes of lake-level changes are climatically driven and that non-climatic factors were dominating. While Bleicher’s paper offers a stimulating contribution to the general debate on CPFs, the present comment is based on an approach which, in contrast to CPFs, excludes any consideration of variations in the probabilities over the time intervals given by calibration of 14C dates, as well as any distinction between types of dates (radiocarbon versus tree ring). It produces a revised pattern of the mid-European high lake-level events for the whole Holocene, supporting the hypothesis proposed in Magny (2004). Comparisons with other regional and North Atlantic palaeoclimatic records suggest that, without excluding other forcing factors, the successive high lake-level events recognised in west-central Europe reflect a combination of three main forcing factors acting on millennial and centennial scales, i.e. orbitally driven changes in insolation, impacts of deglacial outbursts and, possibly, variations in solar activity. Finally, it is clear that further investigations are still needed in order to improve the chronological data set for mid-European lake-level fluctuations, with particular attention to better defining the beginning and end of events.
Flow, identity, achievement, satisfaction and ownership during therapeutic songwriting experiences with university students and retirees
Authors: Baker Felicity A. , MacDonald Raymond A. R.
Published: May 2013

A within-subjects study of non-music major university students and retirees aimed to measure the extent of flow, sense of self, achievement, identity, satisfaction and ownership experienced during the creation of personally meaningful songs. Twenty-six participants randomized into three groups created three artefacts (lyrics only, song parody, original song) each facilitated by a trained music therapist. Flow experiences during song creation were strong, and when compared with previous studies, were substantially higher than for sporting activities, dancing, yoga and performing music. Original songwriting yielded more meaningful songs when compared with lyric writing and song parody. We determined that there was a significant predictive relationship between the degree of flow experienced and the meaningfulness of the song creation. We conclude that song creation experiences generate high levels of flow in young and old participants and the degree of flow achieved predicts how meaningful the artefacts will be post-creation.
Improved self-sensing piezoelectric actuator for dither motor rate control
Authors: Xie Yuanping
Published: May 2013

A dither motor in self-sensing actuation configuration allows each of the piezoelectric (lead zirconate titanate) elements to be used concurrently for dither rate sensing and dither motion actuation, so that system of improved efficiency and reliability can be achieved. For a self-sensing actuator, bridge circuit either fixed or adaptive is usually required to resolve the mechanical response from the control signal. In this study, a new technique for accurately extracting the mechanical response from the control signal of dither motor is developed. The measured open-loop response of the dither motor in self-sensing actuation configuration compared well with the results from a separate lead zirconate titanate sensor. Closed-loop dither rate control and frequency tracing of the dither motor are implemented and verified upon temperature variations. Method for estimating the equivalent lead zirconate titanate capacitance of the dither motor more accurately online is also provided and confirmed experimentally. The maximum error between the equivalent capacitance measured online and that measured under static conditions is about 1.2%.
Effects of the viscoelastic interface bonding on a thickness-shear mode circular cylindrical piezoelectric transformer
Authors: Li Peng , Jin Feng
Published: May 2013

A cylindrical piezoelectric transformer with an imperfect interface operating with thickness-shear modes is used within the three-dimensional equations of piezoelectricity. The shear–slip interface model is used to simulate the effect of viscoelastic imperfect interface. The influence of interface parameters on the transforming ratio, input admittance, power density, efficiency, and the displacement and stress distributions along the radius direction is discussed. Numerical results show that the weak interface lowers the performance of the transformer overall, which may provide theoretical guidance for the design of piezoelectric transformers.
Time-domain hybrid global–local concept for guided-wave propagation with piezoelectric wafer active sensor
Authors: Gresil Matthieu , Giurgiutiu Victor
Published: May 2013

This article presents a combined finite element method and analytical process to predict the one-dimensional guided-wave propagation for nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring application. Analytical methods can perform efficient modeling of wave propagation but are limited to simple geometries. In response to today’s most complex cases not covered by the simulation tools available, we aim to develop an efficient and accessible tool for structural health monitoring application. This tool will be based on a hybrid coupling between analytical solution and time-domain numerical codes. Using the principle of reciprocity, global analytical calculation is coupled with local finite element method analysis to utilize the advantages of both methods and obtain a rapid and accurate simulation method. The phenomenon of interaction between the ultrasonic wave, the defect, and the structure, leading to a complex signature, is efficiently simulated by this hybrid global–local approach and is able to predict the specific response signal actually received by sensor. The finite element mesh is used to describe the region around the defects/flaws. In contrast to other hybrid models already developed, the interaction between Lamb waves and defects is computed in the time domain using the explicit solver of the commercial finite element method software ABAQUS.
Producing the “Problem” of Addiction in Drug Treatment
Authors: Moore David , Fraser Suzanne
Published: May 2013

In this article, we argue that the “problem” of addiction emerges as an effect of treatment policy and practice as well as a precursor to it. We draw on the work of Marrati to analyze interviews with policy makers and practitioners in Australia. The interviews suggest that the episode-of-care system governing service activity, outcomes, and funding relies on certain notions of addiction and treatment that compel service providers to designate service users as addicts to receive funding. This has a range of effects, not least that in acquiring the label of “addict,” service users enter into bureaucratic and epidemiological systems aimed at quantifying addiction. Rather than treating pre-existing addicts, the system produces “addicts” as an effect of policy imperatives. Because addiction comes to be produced by the very system designed to treat it, the scale of the problem appears to be growing rather than shrinking.
Toward Personalized Medicine of Lung Cancer
Authors: Hartel Paul H. , Hartel James V. , Fanburg-Smith Julie C. , Gilmore R. Wayde , Fleming Donald , Barnett Steve , Mudry Ronald , Parker John E.
Published: May 2013

We evaluated clinical parameters, histomorphology, and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) immunoreactivity in 40 epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation– and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement–negative invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas. Tumors were histomorphologically quantitated by a pulmonary pathologist and TTF-1 immunohistochemistry applied. EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement status was determined with polymerase chain reaction/DNA sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization, respectively. Treatment response was related to type of treatment ( P < .005) and clinical stage ( P = .001). EGFR mutation– and ALK rearrangement–negative pulmonary adenocarcinomas containing papillary/micropapillary histology showed greater morphologic heterogeneity ( P < .001), greater TTF-1 immunoreactivity ( P = .004), and were more common in treatment responders ( P < .05). These findings support that patients with pulmonary adenocarcinomas that are subject to nontargeted therapies may respond to treatment as a function of tumor cell differentiation with TTF-1 as a potential biomarker of this response.
Does Personality Regulate the Work Stressor–Psychological Detachment Relationship?
Authors: Potok Yotam , Littman-Ovadia Hadassah
Published: May 2013

Work stressors are related to poor psychological detachment (i.e., mentally “switching off”) from work during nonwork time, which in turn is related to low levels of recovery and health. This article examines two general personality orientations, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, and one vocation-specific personality tendency, overcommitment, as buffers of the work stressors–psychological detachment relationship. Survey data were collected from a sample of Israeli employees ( N = 210) and their significant others ( N = 109) to avoid same-source bias of psychological detachment assessments. Analyses showed that attachment avoidance moderated the negative association between workload and psychological detachment (self-reported), but attachment anxiety did not moderate the associations of role conflict and role ambiguity with psychological detachment. Overcommitment was a full mediator between job stressors (workload and role conflict) and psychological detachment. This study demonstrates the importance of personality, especially vocational personality, in the work stressor–psychological detachment relationship.
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Prior Stroke
Authors: Piazza Gregory , Goldhaber Samuel Z. , Kroll Aimee , Goldberg Robert J. , Emery Catherine , Spencer Frederick A.
Published: May 2013

Patients with prior stroke are susceptible to venous thromboembolism (VTE). We studied patients with stroke in the Worcester VTE study of 2488 consecutive patients hospitalized with VTE. In all, 288 (11.6%) had a clinical history of stroke and 2200 (88.4%) did not. Patients with stroke were more likely to die inhospital (9.2% vs 4%) and within 30 days of VTE diagnosis (16.7% vs 6.9%) compared with patients without stroke (all P < .001). Recent immobilization (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-4.09) and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion (adjusted OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.15-3.83) were associated with a doubling of inhospital death. Recent immobilization (adjusted OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.19-2.83) and IVC filter insertion (adjusted OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.2-3.14) were associated with an increased risk of death within 30 days of VTE. In conclusion, patients with VTE and prior stroke were more than twice as likely to die while hospitalized and within 30 days of VTE diagnosis.
Predictive Modeling for Transportation Infrastructure Preconstruction Costs
Authors: Hollar Donna A. , Rasdorf William
Published: May 2013

This article presents a model to enable managers to make better decisions regarding infrastructure construction management. The model accurately estimates preliminary engineering (PE) costs (synonymous with Preconstruction Services Costs [PCS]) of bridge infrastructure projects so that state, local, and private transportation departments can know what these activities actually cost and can better plan future budgets. It also enables managers of these public works to quickly identify potentially troublesome projects, thus enabling corrective actions to be initiated early. This article describes a comprehensive study of the factors affecting PE costs, a database containing 2001-2009 bridge project data, and models to estimate PE costs. The findings indicate that bridge projects exhibited a historical mean PE cost ratio of 27.8% of estimated construction costs, significantly more than expected or commonly believed.