bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of culture positivity in acute pancreatitis: Does the source matter?
Authors: Rao Chalapathi , Bhasin Deepak Kumar , Rana Surinder Singh , Gupta Rajesh , Gautam Vikas , Singh Kartar
Published: February 2013

Background and Aims

Sepsis is an important complication and cause of morbidity and mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP). The source of sepsis may be infected pancreatic and peripancreatic collections and/or necrosis or extrapancreatic including infections in the bloodstream or respiratory and urinary tracts. We studied the implications of the source of sepsis on various outcome parameters in AP like persistent organ failure (POF), length of hospital (LOH) stay, and mortality.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of culture reports of AP patients was done, and the outcome parameters were recorded.

Results

Three hundred fifty‐seven patients (229 M; age: 40.3 ± 14.04 years) of AP who had detailed culture reports were included. Eighty‐four (23.5%) patients had pancreatic (or peripancreatic) source (group 1), 52 (14.6%) patients had other (extrapancreatic) sources (group 2), 20 (5.6%) patients were noted to have positive cultures from sources, which were both pancreatic and extrapancreatic (combined) sources (group 3), while 201 patients had sterile cultures. POF was seen in 147 (48%) patients (group 1: 67.8%; group 2: 65%; group 3: 90%; group 4: 34% [P < 0.001]). The mean LOH stay was 22.1 ± 20.26 days (group 1: 30.2 ± 20.64 days; group 2: 26.4 ± 26.82 days; group 3: 47.3 ± 32.60 days; group 4: 15.2 ± 11.34 days [P < 0.001]). Seventy (19.7%) patients succumbed to their illness (group 1 [22.9%]; group 2 [36.5%]; group 3 [40%]; group 4 [12%] [P < 0.001]).

Conclusions

POF and LOH stay were more common in patients with combined pancreatic and extrapancreatic sources of sepsis. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with sepsis (groups 1, 2, 3) compared with sterile groups.
Descriptive Analysis of Toothpaste Flavor Using Novel Sample Preparation Procedure
Authors: Kim Ji‐Yoon , Sung Young‐Eun , Kim Kwang‐Ok
Published: February 2013

It is difficult to conduct a sensory (flavor) evaluation of toothpastes because toothbrushing can cause oral pain and memory loss. The effective descriptive test protocol for the evaluation of toothpaste was required. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop an alternative procedure for evaluation of toothpastes and (2) to identify sensory attributes of eight commercial toothpastes. An adequate form of toothpaste, which not only does not require toothbrushing but also contributes to the similar effects to toothbrushing, was developed. The diluting procedure and the ratio of toothpaste to water (1:4 w/v) for tasting were determined and applied in descriptive analysis. Fifteen sensory attributes, including flavor and mouthfeel attributes, were generated and evaluated by eight trained panelists. There were significant differences among the toothpaste samples and in all sensory attributes, indicating this alternative procedure was successfully used for the identification of flavor characteristics of toothpastes.

Practical Applications

We developed a new sample preparation and evaluation procedure of toothpastes, which does not require toothbrushing. Tasting diluted toothpaste, a developed method, could be spread evenly throughout the oral cavity in several seconds with similar feeling to tooth brushing. Diluted toothpaste would be effectively applied to identify flavor characteristics of toothpastes on the various stages of product development, which focuses on flavors. Our proposed protocol also could be used to evaluate the other products that are highly irritating or mentholated, such as alcohols, mouthwash, etc.
Facing Your Criminal Record: Expungement and the Collateral Problem of Wrongfully Represented Self
Authors: Myrick Amy
Published: February 2013

While substantial sociolegal research has analyzed the deleterious effects of criminal records on life outcomes, little has examined the records themselves, or their relationship to the people they represent. In this article I take a novel tact, treating criminal records as the material, textual documentations of an individual's past. I then observe expungement seekers—people who encounter their own records—to understand their reactions. From this data, I use inductive theories of symbolic interactionism to theorize another collateral effect of the criminal record: it represents people in ways that depersonalize their social identities, and prevents them from communicating corrective self-understandings to the governing bodies that author the records. I conclude with my main theoretical contribution: “having a criminal record,” literally, means having a textual proxy that the state has authored on its own terms, without input from the people whom it permanently represents, and while concealing from those people the apparatus behind authorship. As a consequence, the criminal records system serves as a barrier to reciprocal communication between ex-arrestees and a legal system that represents them in ways that they may want to contest. This “wrongful representation” is a collateral effect of having a criminal record that impedes the ability of ex-arrestees to manage or repair their relationship with the state that has punished them.
Translation and validation of the Japanese version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version A
Authors: Takegata Mizuki , Haruna Megumi , Matsuzaki Masayo , Shiraishi Mie , Murayama Ryoko , Okano Tadaharu , Severinsson Elisabeth
Published: February 2013

Severe antenatal fear of childbirth causes adverse effects on emotional well‐being during the postpartum period. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire is widely used to measure fear of childbirth among women before (version A) and after (version B) delivery. In this study, the original Swedish version was translated into Japanese, and its validity and reliability were examined among healthy, pregnant Japanese women. The Japanese‐translated version presented a multidimensional structure with four factors: fear, lack of positive anticipation, isolation, and riskiness. Exhibiting concurrent/convergent validity, the Japanese version correlated with other psychological measures at expected levels. The Cronbach's α (0.90) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.86, P < 0.001) were high. In conclusion, the results provide support for the Japanese version to be considered a valid and reliable measure of prenatal fear of childbirth among pregnant Japanese women.
Massive osteolysis of the mandible: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Munoyath S.K. , Prasad K. , Lalitha R.M. , Ranganath K. , Misra G.
Published: February 2013

Massive osteolysis (Gorham's disease) first described by Jackson in 1838, is a rare disorder characterised by the spontaneous and progressive resorption of one or more of the skeletal bones. Any bone may be affected although there is predilection for the pelvis, humeral head, humeral shaft, axial skeleton and mandible. To date, 150 cases have been described in the literature, with fewer than 37 cases involving a maxillofacial site.

Considering the rarity of the condition we have reported a case of massive osteolysis involving the mandible in a 41–year‐old male patient, with a brief review of literature.
Framing the Poor: Media Coverage and U.S. Poverty Policy, 1960–2008
Authors: Rose Max , Baumgartner Frank R.
Published: February 2013

Public policy toward the poor has shifted from an initial optimism during the War on Poverty to an ever‐increasing pessimism. Media discussion of poverty has shifted from arguments that focus on the structural causes of poverty or the social costs of having large numbers of poor to portrayals of the poor as cheaters and chiselers and of welfare programs doing more harm than good. As the frames have shifted, policies have followed. We demonstrate these trends with new indicators of the depth of poverty, the generosity of the government response, and media framing of the poor for the period of 1960–2008. We present a simple statistical model that explains poverty spending by the severity of the problem, gross domestic product, and media coverage. We then create a new measure of the relative generosity of U.S. government policy toward the poor and show that it is highly related to the content of newspaper stories. The portrayal of the poor as either deserving or lazy drives public policy.
Policy Entrepreneurship inChina's Response to Urban Poverty
Authors: Hammond Daniel R.
Published: February 2013

Recent studies of policy and policy actors inChina have made use of the policy entrepreneur concept that has been popular in studies of policy inNorthAmerica andEurope. These approaches have understood the concept in its traditional form dealing with agenda setting and nonstate actors. The policy entrepreneur has developed beyond these confines and now offers a broader descriptive framework within which to understand the successes and failures of particular initiatives.

This article uses these new developments, specifically the framework outlined byMintrom andNorman, to describe the success of policy entrepreneurship in the development of the urban residentMinimumLivelihoodGuarantee. This case was selected because existing scholarship has ignored the entrepreneurial role of bureaucrats in its development. The use of this framework without adaptation to describe policy actors inChina demonstrates the further application of policy entrepreneurs outside of Western democracies.
High Coverage of ART Associated with Decline in Risk of HIV Acquisition in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Tanser Frank , Bärnighausen Till , Grapsa Erofili , Zaidi Jaffer , Newell Marie-Louise
Published: February 2013

Cost-Benefit of ART

In the battle to control HIV, mass antiretroviral treatment (ART) costs $500 to $900 per person per year.

Bor
et al.

(p.
961
) calculated the impact of intensifying ART on the life expectancy of people living in rural KwaZulu Natal. The dates of death were collected from a population of about 100,000 people during 2000–2011: Four years before and 8 years after the scaling up of ART. Life expectancy of adults increased by more than 11 years after ART was expanded, and the economic value of the lifetimes gained were calculated to far exceed the cost of treatment.

Tanser
et al.

(p.
966
) followed nearly 17,000 HIV-uninfected individuals in KwaZulu-Natal over an 8-year period. Holding other HIV risk factors constant, individual HIV acquisition risk declined significantly with increasing ART coverage of HIV-infected people.
Structure and Dynamics of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 1 VP1-Unique N-Terminal Domain and Its Role in Capsid Trafficking
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Balasubramanian , Yarbrough Joseph , Domsic John , Bennett Antonette , Bothner Brian , Kozyreva Olga G. , Samulski R. Jude , Muzyczka Nicholas , McKenna Robert , Agbandje-McKenna Mavis
Published: February 2013

The importance of the phospholipase A
2
domain located within the unique N terminus of the capsid viral protein VP1 (VP1u) in parvovirus infection has been reported. This study used computational methods to characterize the VP1 sequence for adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes 1 to 12 and circular dichroism and electron microscopy to monitor conformational changes in the AAV1 capsid induced by temperature and the pHs encountered during trafficking through the endocytic pathway. Circular dichroism was also used to monitor conformational changes in AAV6 capsids assembled from VP2 and VP3 or VP1, VP2, and VP3 at pH 7.5. VP1u was predicted (computationally) and confirmed (in solution) to be structurally ordered. This VP domain was observed to undergo a reversible pH-induced unfolding/refolding process, a loss/gain of α-helical structure, which did not disrupt the capsid integrity and is likely facilitated by its difference in isoelectric point compared to the other VP sequences assembling the capsid. This study is the first to physically document conformational changes in the VP1u region that likely facilitate its externalization from the capsid interior during infection and establishes the order of events in the escape of the AAV capsid from the endosome en route to the nucleus.
Decline in new drug launches: myth or reality? Retrospective observational study using 30 years of data from the UK
Authors: Ward Derek J , Martino Orsolina I , Simpson Sue , Stevens Andrew J
Published: February 2013

Objective

To describe trends in new drugs launched in the UK from 1982 to 2011 and test the hypothesis that the rate of new drug introductions has declined over the study period. There is wide concern that pharmaceutical innovation is declining. Reported trends suggest that fewer new drugs have been launched over recent decades, despite increasing investment into research and development.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting and data source

Database of new preparations added annually to the British National Formulary (BNF).

Main outcome measures

The number of new drugs entered each year, including new chemical entities(NCEs) and new biological drugs, based on first appearance in the BNF.

Results

There was no significant linear trend in the number of new drugs introduced into the UK from 1982 to 2011. Following a dip in the mid-1980s (11–12 NCEs/new biologics introduced annually from 1985 to 1987), there was a variable increase in the numbers of new drugs introduced annually to a peak of 34 in 1997. This peak was followed by a decline to approximately 20 new drugs/year between 2003 and 2006, and another peak in 2010. Extending the timeline further back with existing published data shows an overall slight increase in new drug introductions of 0.16/year over the entire 1971 to 2011 period.

Conclusions

The purported ‘innovation dip’ is an artefact of the time periods previously studied. Reports of declining innovation need to be considered in the context of their timescale and perspective.
UNDERSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS STRATEGY: A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY ON SMALL FIRMS IN THE E.U. STATE OF MALTA
Authors: RIZZO ALEXANDER , FULFORD HEATHER
Published: February 2013

The common argument for the small business is that there simply is no strategy; that small businesses react heuristically to events, guided by the whims and passions of the owner-manager. Strategy, however, can be looked at from a behavioural perspective, as opposed to the more normative strategic planning schools that small firms rarely abide by. This concept of strategy as 'behaviour' encompasses the actions of the owner-manager, the context of the small firm, and the consequences of the actions taken. It looks at strategy as part deliberate and part emergent, allowing for the inclusion of both external influences and internal decision making. Grounded theory research on small firms in Malta has in fact shown strategy to be a dynamic phenomenon, one that can be viewed as a set of defined pathways between identifiable life cycle states. The paper shall outline the research findings that have identified five distinct patterns of small firm strategic behaviour, each with its own unique trajectory and performance implications. Understanding which strategic pathway a small firm belongs to allows for a comprehensive insight into the firm's competitive behaviour, and a prediction of the consequences of that behaviour.
TEMPERATURE RATE DEPENDENT GENERALIZED THERMOELASTICITY WITH MODIFIED OHM'S LAW
Authors: SARKAR NANTU , LAHIRI ABHIJIT
Published: February 2013

The present work is concerned with an electro-magneto-thermoelastic coupled problem for a homogeneous, isotropic, thermally and electrically conducting semi-infinite solid medium in two-dimensional space where an initial magnetic field with constant intensity acts parallel to the plane boundary of the half-space. The surface of the half-space taking as traction free which is subjected to a thermal shock. The modified Ohm's law including the temperature gradient and charge density effect to the governing equations of the generalized thermoelasticity under the temperature rate dependent thermoelasticity (TRDTE) proposed by Green and Lindsay (GL model) has been introduced. Normal mode analysis together with eigenvalue approach technique is used to obtain the general solutions for the physical quantities. Numerical results for the physical quantities are illustrated graphically and analyzed. The graphical results indicate that the effect of the coefficient connecting the temperature gradient and the electric current density of the modified Ohm's law on the plane waves is very pronounced. Comparison are made with the results obtained in the absence of the above coefficient.
Prior experience does not alter modulation of cutaneous reflexes during manual wheeling and symmetrical arm cycling
Authors: MacGillivray Megan K. , Klimstra Marc , Sawatzky Bonita , Zehr E. Paul , Lam Tania
Published: February 2013

Previous research has reported that training and experience influence H-reflex amplitude during rhythmic activity; however, little research has yet examined the influence of training on cutaneous reflexes. Manual wheelchair users (MWUs) depend on their arms for locomotion. We postulated that the daily dependence and high amount of use of the arms for mobility in MWUs would show differences in cutaneous reflex modulation during upper limb cyclic movements compared with able-bodied control subjects. We hypothesized that MWUs would demonstrate increased reflex response amplitudes for both manual wheeling and symmetrical arm cycling tasks. The superficial radial nerve was stimulated randomly at different points of the movement cycle of manual wheeling and symmetrical arm cycling in MWUs and able-bodied subjects naive to wheeling. Our results showed that there were no differences in amplitude modulation of early- or middle-latency cutaneous reflexes between the able-bodied group and the MWU group. However, there were several differences in amplitude modulation of cutaneous reflexes between tasks (manual wheeling and symmetrical arm cycling). Specifically, differences were observed in early-latency responses in the anterior and posterior deltoid muscles and biceps and triceps brachii as well as in middle-latency responses in the anterior and posterior deltoid. These data suggest that manual wheeling experience does not modify the pattern of cutaneous reflex amplitude modulation during manual wheeling. The differences in amplitude modulation of cutaneous reflexes between tasks may be a result of mechanical differences (i.e., hand contact) between tasks.
Dynamics of high-frequency synchronization during seizures
Authors: Krishnan Giri P. , Filatov Gregory , Bazhenov Maxim
Published: February 2013

Pathological synchronization of neuronal firing is considered to be an inherent property of epileptic seizures. However, it remains unclear whether the synchrony increases for the high-frequency multiunit activity as well as for the local field potentials (LFPs). We present spatio-temporal analysis of synchronization during epileptiform activity using wide-band (up to 2,000 Hz) spectral analysis of multielectrode array recordings at up to 60 locations throughout the mouse hippocampus in vitro. Our study revealed a prominent structure of LFP profiles during epileptiform discharges, triggered by elevated extracellular potassium, with characteristic distribution of current sinks and sources with respect to anatomical structure. The cross-coherence of high-frequency activity (500–2,000 Hz) across channels was reduced during epileptic bursts compared with baseline activity and showed the opposite trend for lower frequencies. Furthermore, the magnitude of cross-coherence during epileptiform activity was dependent on distance: electrodes closer to the epileptic foci showed increased cross-coherence and electrodes further away showed reduced cross-coherence for high-frequency activity. These experimental observations were re-created and supported in a computational model. Our study suggests that different intrinsic and synaptic processes can mediate paroxysmal synchronization at low, medium, and high frequencies.
Influence of Inflammation on Poststroke Plasticity
Authors: Liguz-Lecznar Monika , Kossut Malgorzata
Published: February 2013

Age-related brain injuries including stroke are a leading cause of morbidity and mental disability worldwide. Most patients who survive stroke experience some degree of recovery. The restoration of lost functions can be explained by neuronal plasticity, understood as brain ability to reorganize and remodel itself in response to changed environmental requirements. However, stroke triggers a cascade of events which may prevent the normal development of the plastic changes. One of them may be inflammatory response initiated immediately after stroke, which has been found to contribute to neuronal injury. Some recent evidence though has suggested that inflammatory reaction can be also neuroprotective. This paper attempts to discuss the influence of poststroke inflammatory response on brain plasticity and stroke outcome. We also describe the recent anti-inflammatory strategies that have been effective for recovery in experimental stroke.
Advising Obese Adults about Diet and Physical Activity in Sousse, Tunisia
Authors: Maatoug Jihene , Harrabi Imed , Hmad Sonia , Belkacem Mylene , Nouira Asma , Ghannem Hassen
Published: February 2013

Background. To our knowledge no study has been conducted in Tunisia to describe practice of health care providers towards chronic disease risk factors, particularly among obese adults. Aim. This study is aimed at assessing the level of giving advice on diet and physical activity by health care providers for obese adults comparing to nonobese adults in Tunisia. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2010 for adults aged from18 to 65 years living in the region of Sousse. The questionnaires were administered by an interview made by trained data collectors to standardize the administration of the questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight were obtained using a standardized protocol from each participant. Results. The findings from this study indicate that obesity is frequent among adults essentially among women and aged categories. It also shows that obese adults are not adequately diagnosed with few proportion of anthropometric measure evaluation among all the participants. Even if obese participants were significantly more advised than nonobese participants with, respectively, 28.5% to lose weight and 23.8% to increase physical activity, this proportion remains low.
Primary Thyroid-Like Follicular Renal Cell Carcinoma: An Emerging Entity
Authors: Malde S. , Sheikh I. , Woodman I. , Fish D. , Bilagi P. , Sheriff M. K. M.
Published: February 2013

Primary thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney is a rare but newly emerging histological variant of renal cell carcinoma RCC, with only nine cases reported in the literature to date. We present a further case of this unique condition, discuss the workup and typical histological findings, and review the literature regarding this rare histological variant.
Hydrotropic Solubilization by Urea Derivatives: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Cui Yong
Published: February 2013

Hydrotropy is a phenomenon where the presence of a large quantity of one solute enhances the solubility of another solute. The mechanism of this phenomenon remains a topic of debate. This study employed molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the hydrotropic mechanism of a series of urea derivatives, that is, urea (UR), methylurea (MU), ethylurea (EU), and butylurea (BU). A poorly water-soluble compound, nifedipine (NF), was used as the model solute that was solubilized. Structural, dynamic, and energetic changes upon equilibration were analyzed to supply insights to the solubilization mechanism. The study demonstrated that NF and urea derivatives underwent significant nonstoichiometric molecular aggregation in the aqueous solution, a result consistent with the self-aggregation of urea derivatives under the same conditions. The analysis of hydrogen bonding and energy changes revealed that the aggregation was driven by the partial restoration of normal water structure. The energetic data also suggested that the promoted solubilization of NF is favored in the presence of urea derivatives. While the solutes aggregated to a varying degree, the systems were still in single-phase liquid state as attested by their active dynamics.
Hair Loss after Varicella Zoster Virus Infection
Authors: El Hayderi Lara , Nikkels-Tassoudji Nazli , Nikkels Arjen F.
Published: February 2013

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) cutaneous infection occurs predominantly in epidermal and infundibular keratinocytes and accessorily in dermal dendritic cells. These latter cells play a role in cicatricial processes. Two patients are presented with localized alopecia after VZV infection. A 4-year-old girl presented localized hair loss affecting about 20% of her upper right eyelash immediately following the resolution of the varicella skin lesions. No regrowth was observed after 3 months. An 80-year-old woman with a prior history of localized alopecia areata of the left occipital area presented severe left herpes zoster affecting the V1 and V2 dermatomes. At precisely the same site of the previous episode, a localized plaque of alopecia areata recurred. After topical corticosteroid therapy, a progressive hair regrowth occurred after about 3 months. These case reports are the first relating cutaneous VZV infection as the origin for permanent cicatricial alopecia and transitory alopecia areata. Localized hair loss should be added to the cutaneous complications of VZV skin infection.
Effects of Weight Loss and Exercise on Apelin Serum Concentrations and Adipose Tissue Expression in Human Obesity
Authors: Krist Joanna , Wieder Katharina , Klöting Nora , Oberbach Andreas , Kralisch Susan , Wiesner Tobias , Schön Michael R. , Gärtner Daniel , Dietrich Arne , Shang Edward , Lohmann Tobias , Dreßler Miriam , Fasshauer Mathias , Stumvoll Michael , Blüher Matthias
Published: February 2013

Objective: Apelin is an adipokine which plays a role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and may contribute to the link between increased adipose tissue mass and obesity related metabolic diseases. Here we investigate the role of omental and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue apelin and its receptor APJ mRNA expression in human obesity and test the hypothesis that changes in circulating apelin are associated with reduced fat mass in three weight loss intervention studies. Methods: Apelin serum concentration was measured in 740 individuals in a cross-sectional (n = 629) study including a subgroup (n = 161) for which omental and SC apelin mRNA expression has been analyzed and in three interventions: 12 weeks exercise (n = 60), 6 months calorie-restricted diet (n = 19), 12 months after bariatric surgery (n = 32). Results: Apelin mRNA is significantly higher expressed in adipose tissue of patients with type 2 diabetes and correlates with circulating apelin, BMI, body fat, C-reactive protein, and insulin sensitivity. Obesity surgery-induced weight loss causes a significant reduction in omental and SC apelin expression. All interventions led to significantly reduced apelin serum concentrations which significantly correlate with improved insulin sensitivity, independently of changes in BMI. Conclusions: Reduced apelin expression and serum concentration may contribute to improved insulin sensitivity beyond significant weight loss.
Reuse of Pacemakers
Authors: Nava Santiago , Morales José L. , Márquez Manlio F. , Barrera Fausto , Gómez Jorge , Colín Luis , Brugada Josep , Iturralde Pedro
Published: February 2013

Background—

In developing economies, there are patients in whom pacemaker implantation is delayed because they cannot afford one. Reused devices have been a solution. To address concerns about safety, a cohort of consecutive patients implanted with a reused pacemaker was compared with a control group.

Methods and Results—

A cohort of 603 consecutive patients from 2000 to 2010 was studied in an ambispective noninferiority study. The study group patients (n=307) received resterilized pacemakers, and the control group patients (n=296) received a new pacemaker. A combined end point of 3 major outcomes–unexpected battery depletion, infection, and device dysfunction–was analyzed. A total of 85 pacemakers had to be explanted, 31 in the control group (10.5%) and 54 in the study group (17.6%; relative risk, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–2.5;
P
=0.02). Forty-three reached the primary end point, 16 in the control group (5.5%) and 27 in the study group (7.2%; relative risk, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–2.45;
P
=0.794). In terms of individual outcomes, 5 new pacemakers (1.7%) and 11 resterilized pacemakers (3.6%) had unexpected battery depletion (relative risk, 2.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–6;
P
=0.116); 3.7% new pacemakers and 3.2% reused pacemakers had a procedure-related infection (relative risk, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–2.03;
P
=0.46); and 1 pacemaker in the study group malfunctioned.

Conclusions—

Pacemaker reuse is feasible and safe and is a viable option for patient with bradyarrhythmias. Other than the expected shorter battery life, reuse of pacemaker generators is not inferior to the use of new devices.
Ten Questions Concerning Generative Computer Art
Authors: McCormack Jon , Bown Oliver , Dorin Alan , McCabe Jonathan , Monro Gordon , Whitelaw Mitchell
Published: February 2013

In this paper the authors pose 10 questions they consider the most important for understanding generative computer art. For each question, the authors briefly discuss its implications and suggest how it might form the basis for further discussion.
Sexual Misconduct and Punishment in Chinese Hospitals in the 1960s and 1970s
Authors: Fang Xiaoping
Published: February 2013

This article analyzes the official circulars relating to the punishment of male
physicians for sexual misconduct in Chinese hospitals during the 1960s and
1970s. It reveals how the puritanical and political ideology of this period
affected the images of male physicians who engaged in sexual misconduct, and
argues that their punishment demonstrates how the social responsibility for
upholding sexual morality, a task once ascribed to women in imperial China, had
shifted to men in socialist China. The circulars were a mechanism to impose a
new ‘socialist sexuality’ on Chinese society in order to
strengthen the Chinese Communist Party’s moral authority and ruling
legitimacy.
The Amazigh Movement in Morocco: New Generations, New References of Mobilization and New Forms of Opposition
Authors: Suárez Collado Ángela
Published: February 2013

The article discusses the activism, discourses and modes of opposition of the Amazigh movement in Morocco over its four decades of activity, its presence in the public arena and its relation with the country’s institutional public sphere. Therefore, insomuch as the Amazigh movement is a social movement with a significant youth presence, the article explores the youth activism within the Amazigh movement, addresses the continuities and ruptures caused by the ‘generation effect’, and the inter-generational relations among its members. Finally, it analyzes the influence of the regional context of uprisings and the emergence and activity of the February 20th movement on Amazigh militancy in the country.
Are There “Khoisan” Roots in Body-Part Vocabulary? On Linguistic Inheritance and Contact in the Kalahari Basin
Authors: Güldemann Tom , Loughnane Robyn
Published: February 2013

Lexical evidence has played an important role in trying to establish a “Khoisan” language family. With respect to the southern African languages there is indeed a considerable amount of shared vocabulary across all three major established non-Bantu families subsumed under “Khoisan,” viz. Khoe-Kwadi, Kx’a, and Tuu. A historical reevaluation of this phenomenon is presented in a first comparative treatment of body-part vocabulary, including newly collected data. While our research provides support for the above three main lineages (this evidence is not discussed in this paper), it contradicts the view that vocabulary shared across them should also be interpreted in genealogical terms. Such vocabulary can rather largely be explained as the result of different types of language contact, supporting the current dominant view among specialists about the untenability of a “Khoisan” family. From a general perspective, the article argues against superficial unqualified lexical comparison and for a canonical historical-comparative procedure, whereby one reconstructs bottom-up and evaluates at every step whether genealogical relations should be built up further. Although such an approach is deeply entrenched in the traditional method, it is often neglected in many areas of historical language research. We apply it for the first time to the evaluation of the purported “Khoisan” language family and, in addition, venture that contact scenarios should be given more scope in the assessment of historical relations between languages, both in the Kalahari Basin and in general.
Annotated checklist of the grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera) of the Czech Republic
Authors: HOLUŠA JAROSLAV , KOČÁREK PETR , VLK ROBERT , MARHOUL PAVEL
Published: February 2013

A checklist is presented of the Orthoptera of the CzechRepublic. Based on the critical revision of published data and pre-vious lists of species, which often contained only general or questionable data and which often inaccurately cited each other, we found 96 species of Orthoptera belonging to the fauna of the CzechRepublic. We emphasize those changes that are based on comparison with previous checklists. We provide information on missing, unclear, and extinct species and on newly detected species, and we confirm the status of species that have been missing for a long time (Leptophyes boscii, Polysarcus denticauda, Ruspolia nitidula, Eumodicogryllus bordigalensis, Tetrix bolivari, Mecostethus parapleurus). We also note those species for which only several individuals have been detected (Pteronemobius heydenii) or those survived only at a single locality (Platycleis montana, Aiolopus thalassinus, Dociostaurus brevicollis, Omocestus petraeus) or at two localities (Poecilimon intermedius, Platycleis veyseli, Pseudopodisma nagyi). Phaneroptera nana is recorded as new forBohemia.
Increases in salience of ethnic identity at work: The roles of ethnic assignation and ethnic identification
Authors: Kenny Etlyn J , Briner Rob B
Published: February 2013

To better understand how ethnicity is actually experienced within organizations, we examined reported increases in ethnic identity salience at work and responses to such increases. Thirty British black Caribbean graduate employees were interviewed about how and when they experienced their ethnic identity at work. The findings demonstrated that increased salience in ethnic identity was experienced in two key ways: through ‘ethnic assignation’ (a ‘push’ towards ethnic identity) and ‘ethnic identification’ (a ‘pull’ towards ethnic identity). We explore how and when ethnic assignation and ethnic identification occur at work, and their relevance to how workplaces are experienced by this group of minority ethnic employees. The findings suggest the need for further research attention to the dynamic and episodic nature of social identity – including ethnic identity – within organizations, and to the impact of such increases in salience of social identities on behaviour at work.
Hybrid composites of short acetylated kenaf bast fiber and conducting polyaniline nanowires in epoxy resin
Authors: Razak Saiful Izwan Abd , Rahman Wan Aizan Wan Abdul , Yahya Mohd Yazid
Published: February 2013

This article reports the preparation and characterization of newly developed hybrid composites consisting of epoxy resin (EP) matrix, acetylated kenaf bast fiber (AKF) and conducting polyaniline (PANI) nanowires. Initially, the EP/AKF composites were prepared by varying the AKF loading (5–30 wt%). The EP/AKF displayed an optimum tensile strength at 20 wt% AKF loading which was higher than that of untreated kenaf fiber EP composites (EP/UKF). The hybrid composites of EP/AKF/PANI were then prepared by using 20 wt% AKF loading with PANI inclusions from 2 to 14 wt%. The addition of PANI into EP/AKF induced positive electrical properties without considerably sacrificing its mechanical integrity. It was found that the electrical percolation threshold of these hybrid composites was at 11 wt% of PANI loading. PANI inclusions at above the percolation loading resulted in reduction of tensile and flexural strength. Meanwhile, no significant mechanical loss was observed below the threshold. The fracture morphological analysis revealed the occurrences of PANI nanowires pull out from the matrix. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the PANI component still maintained its doped condition inside the EP/20AKF. Water absorption and thermal analysis indicate that the PANI incorporation induced lower water uptakes and greater thermal stability to the EP/20AKF, respectively.
The Harms of Cocaine Trafficking
Authors: Paoli Letizia , Greenfield Victoria A. , Zoutendijk Andries
Published: February 2013

Seeking to fill a substantial gap in analytical infrastructure, this article lays out a summary of a newly developed framework for systematically assessing the harms of criminal activities and presents findings from an initial application to cocaine trafficking in Belgium. The application is based on a substantial data collection, which included an analysis of records in the Organized Crime Database of the Belgian Federal Police, 52 criminal proceedings, and interviews with 18 experts, and 12 convicted traffickers. First, we construct a business model for cocaine trafficking in Belgium to characterize the key operational phases and “accompanying” and “enabled” activities. On this basis, we identify the possible harms associated with cocaine trafficking and related activities, evaluate the severity and incidence of those harms, prioritize the harms, and establish their causality. The application demonstrates the merits of the approach and the conceptual and technical challenges confronting it.
To be involved or not to be involved: A survey of public preferences for self-involvement in decision-making involving mental capacity (competency) within Europe
Authors: Daveson Barbara A , Bausewein Claudia , Murtagh Fliss EM , Calanzani Natalia , Higginson Irene J , Harding Richard , Cohen Joachim , Simon Steffen T , Deliens Luc , Bechinger-English Dorothee , Hall Sue , Koffman Jonathan , Ferreira Pedro Lopes , Toscani Franco , Gysels Marjolein , Ceulemans Lucas , Haugen Dagny F , Gomes Barbara ,   on behalf of PRISMA
Published: February 2013

Background:

The Council of Europe has recommended that member states of European Union encourage their citizens to make decisions about their healthcare before they lose capacity to do so. However, it is unclear whether the public wants to make such decisions beforehand.

Aim:

To examine public preferences for self-involvement in end-of-life care decision-making and identify associated factors.

Design:

A population-based survey with 9344 adults in England, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Results:

Across countries, 74% preferred self-involvement when capable; 44% preferred self-involvement when incapable through, for example, a living will. Four factors were associated with a preference for self-involvement across capacity and incapacity scenarios, respectively: higher educational attainment ((odds ratio = 1.93–2.77), (odds ratio = 1.33–1.80)); female gender ((odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–1.41), (odds ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–1.42)); younger-middle age ((30–59 years: odds ratio = 1.24–1.40), (50–59 years: odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.04–1.46)) and valuing quality over quantity of life or valuing both equally ((odds ratio = 1.49–1.58), (odds ratio = 1.35–1.53)). Those with increased financial hardship (odds ratio = 0.64–0.83) and a preference to die in hospital (not a palliative care unit) (odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval = 0.60–0.88), a nursing home or residential care (odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval = 0.54–0.99) were less likely to prefer self-involvement when capable. For the incapacity scenario, single people were more likely to prefer self-involvement (odds ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.18–1.53).

Conclusions:

Self-involvement in decision-making is important to the European public. However, a large proportion of the public prefer to not make decisions about their care in advance of incapacity. Financial hardship, educational attainment, age, and preferences regarding quality and quantity of life require further examination; these factors should be considered in relation to policy.
Thermal and mechanical characterisation of Phormium tenax-reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Puglia D , Santulli C , Sarasini F , Kenny JM , Valente T
Published: February 2013

Composites including short and randomly arranged Phormium tenax fibres in a polypropylene (PP) matrix (fibre content of 20, 30 and 40 wt%) were produced by twin-screw compounding and injection moulding. They have been characterised by tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicated that tensile modulus has been increased by reinforcing the matrix with growing amounts of fibres, whilst the effect on tensile strength had lower evidence. Fracture surface characterisation by SEM indicated that debonding and pull-out are prevalent, which suggests the need to optimise the interfacial bonding. Thermal characterisation results have shown that the main degradation peak for PP was slightly shifted to higher temperatures with the increasing fibre contents, thus improving the thermal stability of the composites. The introduction of fibres did not result in a significant variation in the position of the peaks for calorimetric analysis, except for the melting peak, which appeared lower for the composites with respect to the neat matrix. A slight increase in crystallinity was also measured.
Sensitivity, persistence and resolution of the geomorphological record of valley-floor floods in an alpine glacier-fed catchment, Leirdalen, Jotunheimen, southern Norway
Authors: McEwen Lindsey J , Matthews John A
Published: February 2013

Coarse-grained flood deposits, including 52 discrete berms, bars, terraces, splays and sheets, were investigated along a 6.6 km stretch of the Leira river, in a catchment containing several alpine glaciers. These landforms were mapped, characterized in terms of clast size and reconstructed hydrological parameters, and dated using several techniques with differing temporal range and resolution. High-resolution lichenometric dating indicated that 60–65% of the deposits date from the 20th century whereas 5.7% are 300–600 years old. In contrast, low-resolution Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD) indicated that 85% of deposits have an age <500 years whereas 13.5% are older deposits with age estimates of 1000–6000 years. Simple indicators of soil development and vegetation succession demonstrated extensive recent disturbance of most surfaces by floods. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon dating of fine-grained flood layers and buried palaeosols confirmed the existence of flood deposits spanning the whole of the Holocene. Apparent discrepancies between dating techniques are explained by a complex pattern of overwashing and reworking, which is related to height of flood deposits above the active river channel, and downstream patterns of disturbance associated especially with tributary confluences. While, in general, these deposits are of low persistence and most are highly sensitive to disturbance, some elements of the valley-floor landscape have persisted throughout the Holocene. Comparison of this fragmentary geomorphological record of floods with the historical flood record shows that the surviving deposits are sensitive to recent multidecadal-scale glacier and climatic variations.
Interpretation of patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Cappelleri Joseph C , Bushmakin Andrew G
Published: February 2013

A patient-reported outcome is any report on the status of a patient’s health condition that comes directly from the patient. Clear and meaningful interpretation of patient-reported outcome scores are fundamental to their use as they can be valuable in designing studies, evaluating interventions, educating consumers, and informing health policy makers involved with regulatory, reimbursement, and advisory agencies. Interpretation of patient-reported outcome scores, however, is often not well understood because of insufficient data or lack of experience or clinical understanding to draw from. This article provides an update review on two broad approaches – anchor-based and distributed-based – aimed at enhancing the understanding and meaning of patient-reported outcome scores. Anchor-based approaches include percentages based on thresholds, criterion-group interpretation, content-based interpretation, and clinical important difference. Distributed-based approaches include effect size, probability of relative benefit, and responder analysis and cumulative proportions. A third strategy called mediation analysis, which can elucidate a health condition measured by a patient-reported outcome in the context of an intervention’s mechanism of action, is also highlighted and illustrated. Mediation analysis in the context of interpretation of patient-reported outcome scores is a relatively new development. The logic and rationale of the three methods are expressed generally. While the three approaches themselves are not new, some applications of them taken from their examples published in the past few years are original and coalesced in this article to add real-life implications of the different methodologies in one integrated report.
Optimal control for permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Wei Qiang , Wang Xing-yuan , Hu Xiao-Peng
Published: February 2013

This paper mainly analyzes the chaotic phenomenon of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) when the PMSM is turned off and the research parameters of PMSM identify the effect of chaotic phenomenon of PMSM. Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation is introduced and a proposed optimal control technique based on HJB equation to control chaos in PMSM. Based on HJB equation, the problem of the design optimal controller is summarized as that of partial differential equations. And then the optimal controller is got by constructing Lyapunov function. In theory, a chaotic system can be controlled to any expected state using this scheme. Applying this scheme to control the chaos of PMSM when the PMSM is turned off, the PMSM can be asymptotically stable to zero point. Numerical simulations further test the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Frequency domain modeling and experimental validation of surface vehicle-wave interaction for planar motion control
Authors: Thorp Owen , Piper George , Cortesi Roger
Published: February 2013

This paper aims at developing a model based on theoretical first principles involving nonlinear equations for the coupled heave and pitch dynamics of surface vehicles that is suitable for evaluating planar motion control strategies. The model developed uses a novel approach of representing the ship dynamics in the frequency domain that provides greater insight to the surface vehicle’s behavior over a wider operating range than the traditional time domain models. The theoretical model was validated by experimental data that was obtained from tow tank experiments. The theoretical model results compared well with the experimental data.