bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative Review of Balance and Strength Performance in Healthy Older Adults: Impact for Testing and Training
Authors: Granacher Urs , Muehlbauer Thomas , Gruber Markus
Published: January 2012

A continuously greying society is confronted with specific age-related health problems (e.g., increased fall incidence/injury rate) that threaten both the quality of life of fall-prone individuals as well as the long-term sustainability of the public health care system due to high treatment costs of fall-related injuries (e.g., femoral neck fracture). Thus, intense research efforts are needed from interdisciplinary fields (e.g., geriatrics, neurology, and exercise science) to (a) elucidate neuromuscular fall-risk factors, (b) develop and apply adequate fall-risk assessment tools that can be administered in clinical practice, and (c) develop and design effective intervention programs that have the potential to counteract a large number of fall-risk factors by ultimately reducing the number of falls in the healthy elderly. This paper makes an effort to present the above-raised research topics in order to provide clinicians, therapists, and practitioners with the current state-of-the-art information.
Neodymium-DopedTiO2with Anatase and Brookite Two Phases: Mechanism for Photocatalytic Activity Enhancement under Visible Light and the Role of Electron
Authors: Nassoko Douga , Li Yan-Fang , Li Jia-Lin , Li Xi , Yu Ying
Published: January 2012

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) doped with neodymium (Nd), one rare earth element, has been synthesized by a sol-gel method for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine-B under visible light. The prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement. The results indicate that the prepared samples have anatase and brookite phases. Additionally, Nd as Nd3+may enter into the lattice ofTiO2and the presence of Nd3+substantially enhances the photocatalytic activity ofTiO2under visible light. In order to further explore the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant, photoluminescence spectrometer and scavenger addition method have been employed. It is found that hydroxide radicals produced by Nd-dopedTiO2under visible light are one of reactive species for Rh-B degradation and photogenerated electrons are mainly responsible for the formation of the reactive species.
Mechanical and Structural Properties of Fluorine-Ion-Implanted Boron Suboxide
Authors: Machaka Ronald , Mwakikunga Bonex W. , Manikandan Elayaperumal , Derry Trevor E. , Sigalas Iakovos , Herrmann Mathias
Published: January 2012

Results on a systematic study on the effects of ion implantation on the near-surface mechanical and structural properties of boron suboxide (B6O) prepared by uniaxial hot pressing are reviewed. 150 keV fluorine ions at fluences of up to5.0×1016 ions/cm2were implanted into the ultrahard ceramic material at room temperature and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Evidence of ion-beam-assisted nucleation of novel clusteredBxOyFzparticles by ion implantation is revealed. In addition, obtained results also reveal that fluorine implantation into the B6O specimen leads to an overall degradation of near-surface mechanical properties with increasing fluorine fluence. Implications of these observations in the creation of amorphous near-surface layers by high-dose ion implantation are discussed in this paper.
Pericoronal Follicles of Asymptomatic Impacted Teeth: A Radiographic, Histomorphologic, and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Villalba Laura , Stolbizer Federico , Blasco Fabián , Mauriño Néstor Raúl , Piloni María Julia , Keszler Alicia
Published: January 2012

Objective. To associate radiographic and histopathological features of pericoronal follicles (PFs) of asymptomatic impacted teeth and evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis in the epithelium.Study Design. Epithelium and mesenchyme of radiographically normal (NPF≤2.5 mm) and hyperplastic (HPF 2.6 to 5 mm) PF (n=140) were studied histologically. Cell proliferation (PI) and epithelial apoptosis were evaluated by Ki-67 and bcl-2 expression in 14 NPFs and 10 dentigerous cysts (DCs).Results. Radiographically, 127 were NPFs and 13 were HPFs; 87.8% of total PFs exhibited epithelium on the surface. Reduced enamel epithelium was observed in 78 (61.4%) NPFs and 6 (46.2%) HPFs, squamous metaplasia in 17 (13.4%) NPFs and 4 (30.8%) HPFs, and cystic epithelium in 15 (11.8%) NPFs and 3 (23%) HPFs. Mean PI was1.97±1.25and7.97±1.74in the epithelial component of NPF and DC, respectively; bcl-2 positive expression was observed in 9 (64.3%) NPFs and 7 (70%) DCs.Conclusion. The scant epithelial remnant proliferation could imply low risk for development of odontogenic pathologies in the absence of an additional stimulus.
Effect of p-Layer and i-Layer Properties on the Electrical Behaviour of Advanced a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H Thin Film Solar Cell from Numerical Modeling Prospect
Authors: Jelodarian Peyman , Kosarian Abdolnabi
Published: January 2012

The effect of p-layer and i-layer characteristics such as thickness and doping concentration on the electrical behaviors of the a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H thin film heterostructure solar cells such as electric field, photogeneration rate, and recombination rate through the cell is investigated. Introducing Ge atoms to the Si lattice in Si-based solar cells is an effective approach in improving their characteristics. In particular, current density of the cell can be enhanced without deteriorating its open-circuit voltage. Optimization shows that for an appropriate Ge concentration, the efficiency of a-Si:H/a-SiGe solar cell is improved by about 6% compared with the traditional a-Si:H solar cell. This work presents a novel numerical evaluation and optimization of amorphous silicon double-junction (a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H) thin film solar cells and focuses on optimization of a-SiGe:H midgap single-junction solar cell based on the optimization of the doping concentration of the p-layer, thicknesses of the p-layer and i-layer, and Ge content in the film. Maximum efficiency of 23.5%, with short-circuit current density of 267 A/m2and open-circuit voltage of 1.13 V for double-junction solar cell has been achieved.
Anxiety Disorders through a Transcultural Perspective: Implications for Migrants
Authors: Agorastos Agorastos , Haasen Christian , Huber Christian G.
Published: January 2012

Background/Methods: This paper analyses the psychopathology and differential diagnosis of anxiety disorders and their worldwide prevalence. It focuses particularly on migrant-specific aetiopathogenetic factors and approaches prevalence and important cultural aspects of anxiety disorders in migrants as a narrative empirical review. Results: Transcultural research demonstrates the universal existence of anxiety disorders. However, the cross-cultural comparison of the epidemiological data is complicated and often leads to systematic bias. The described psychopathology varies significantly across cultures, indicating different ways of expressing and experiencing the basic emotion of anxiety. As a result, anxiety disorders manifest themselves differently across cultures, which may affect the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Migration is an additional extraordinary stressor playing a substantial role in the development of anxiety disorders. However, despite the high prevalence of anxiety disorders among migrants, a high threshold due to several barriers leads to an underrepresentation of migrants in the utilization of the mental health system. Conclusions: In the transcultural differential diagnosis of anxiety disorders, as among migrants, understanding and openness to other cultures and their standards is essential. Thereby, a migrant-specific treatment approach with a long-term binding of patients in a multimodal and culture-sensitive and -permissive treatment option is of vital importance.
Syndromal and Subsyndromal Illness Status and Five-Year Morbidity Using Criteria of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Compared to Alternative Criteria
Authors: De Dios C. , Agud J.L. , Ezquiaga E. , García-López A. , Soler B. , Vieta E.
Published: January 2012

Background: Subsyndromal symptoms have been recognized as relevant in the course and outcome of bipolar disorder (BD) patients. Nevertheless, their definition and cutoff points on current depression and mania scales are uncertain. The recently defined International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) operational criteria for the assessment of the course and outcome of bipolar illness have never been tested until now. Methods: A naturalistic longitudinal follow-up study of up to 5 years included a cohort of 317 DSM-IV-TR BD outpatients. For the first time, we assessed the proportion of visits in different affective states using the ISBD criteria. Secondarily, we compared the results with those obtained applying other cutoff points. Results: Patients were symptomatic in 39.1% (95% CI 35.3–42.9) of the visits. Subsyndromal symptoms, primarily subsyndromal depression, were present in 15.9% of patients (95% CI 13.4–18.4). No significant differences were found between bipolar I patients and bipolar II patients. There were differences in the total percentage of visits in euthymia depending on the cutoff points (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Applying ISBD criteria, bipolar patients have significant clinical morbidity and are often symptomatic, both with threshold symptoms and with subthreshold symptoms, especially with depression. The chosen cutoff points modify the apparent results. Limitations: The cutoff points used have not been validated. Psychopharmacologic treatments were naturalistic.
The Reconstruction of Parenting after Migration: A Perspective from Cultural Translation
Authors: de Haan Mariëtte
Published: January 2012

Migration induces complex processes of human transformation that are usually not reflected in theories that describe these changes. In most theories regarding these transformations, the implicit assumption is that immigrants undergo a transition to the culture of the mainstream population according to a modernization perspective. Based on a review of the literature as well as through illustrations with empirical data, it is argued that current conceptualizations, such as acculturation, cannot capture the complexities of the transformations that take place when multiple cultural traditions come into contact with each other. In this paper, alternative models of understanding the cultural complexities in migration settings are proposed with a focus on how these apply to child rearing practices.
Lenition and Phonemic Overlap in Rome Italian
Authors: Hualde José Ignacio , Nadeu Marianna
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to offer acoustic evidence for an unusual phonemic contrast in Rome Italian. In our corpus, about half of all tokens of intervocalic /p t k/ are realized with uninterrupted voicing (both word-internally and across word boundaries). Furthermore, the voiced realizations of /t/ and /k/ do not significantly differ from /d/ and /g/ in duration and/or degree of constriction (as acoustically determined). Phonemic contrast is maintained under substantial phonetic overlap. Regarding the labials, duration keeps /p/ and /b/ apart. Contrary to the universal tendency, it is /b/ that is considerably longer, due to complex diachronic facts.
Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Morphological Brain Changes in the Elderly: Results of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study
Authors: Sen Abhijit , Gider Pierre , Cavalieri Margherita , Freudenberger Paul , Farzi Aitak , Schallert Michael , Reichmann Florian , Watzinger Norbert , Zweiker Robert , Schmidt Reinhold , Schmidt Helena
Published: January 2012

Background: Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness relate to better cognitive performance. Little is known about the effects of fitness on structural brain abnormalities in the elderly. Objective: Assess the association between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), white matter lesion (WML) volume and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) in a large cohort of community-dwelling elderly individuals. Methods: The study population consisted of 715 participants of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study who underwent brain MRI with semi-automated measurement of WML volume (cm3) and automated assessment of BPF (%) by the use of SIENAX. A maximal exercise stress test was done on a bicycle ergometer. VO2max was calculated based on maximum and resting heart rate. Results: After adjustment for possible confounders, VO2max was independently associated with WML volume (β = –0.10; p = 0.02); no significant relationship existed with silent cerebral infarcts and BPF. Associations between VO2max and WML load were only significant in men, but not in women. Conclusion: Our findings may have important preventive implications because WMLs are known to be a major determinant of cognitive decline and disability in old age.
Apolipoprotein E4 and Brain White Matter Integrity in Alzheimer’s Disease: Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study under 3-Tesla MRI
Authors: Bagepally Bhavani Shankara , Halahalli Harsha N. , John John P. , Kota Lakshminarayan , Purushottam Meera , Mukherjee Odity , Sivakumar Palanimuthu Thangaraju , Bharath Srikala , Jain Sanjeev , Varghese Mathew
Published: January 2012

Introduction: Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE ε4) polymorphism is a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objectives: To evaluate the role of ApoE ε4 on white matter structural integrity in AD. Methods: Subjects were 32 patients with probable AD (ApoE ε4-positive: n = 15) and 18 matched controls (ApoE ε4-positive: n = 6). All subjects were right-handed, evaluated using standard scales and genotyped at the ApoE locus. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed with a 3-tesla MRI scanner and analyzed using the tract-based spatial statistics method. Results: AD patients had significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in bilateral temporoparietal, limbic and parahippocampal regions in comparison to healthy comparison subjects. ApoE ε4 carriers among both AD and healthy comparison subjects showed lower FA in limbic and medial temporal regions. Conclusions: There is a modest association between ApoE ε4 carrier status and reduction in white matter tract integrity at medial temporal and limbic regions in both healthy and AD subjects.
Intraneuronal Aβ Accumulation, Amyloid Plaques, and Synapse Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Capetillo-Zarate Estibaliz , Gracia Luis , Tampellini Davide , Gouras Gunnar K.
Published: January 2012

Background: β-Amyloid (Aβ) plaques are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple lines of evidence have linked Aβ with AD. However, synapse loss is known as the best pathological correlate of cognitive impairment in AD, and intraneuronal Aβ accumulation has been shown to precede plaque pathology. The progression of Aβ accumulation to synapse loss and plaque formation remains incomplete. The objective is to investigate the progression of intraneuronal Aβ accumulation in the brain. Methods: To visualize and analyze the development of Aβ pathology we perform immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies against different Aβ conformations, synaptic proteins and structural neuronal proteins in brain tissue of AD transgenic mouse models. Results: Our results show the intraneuronal onset of Aβ42 accumulation in AD mouse brains with aging. We observe an inverse correlation of Aβ and amyloid fibrils with structural proteins within neurites. Images reveal aggregated amyloid within selective pyramidal neurons, neurites and synapses in AD transgenic mice as plaques arise. Conclusion: The data support that Aβ42 accumulation and aggregation begin within AD-vulnerable neurons in the brain. Progressive intraneuronal Aβ42 aggregation disrupts the normal cytoarchitecture of neurites.
Clearance of Amyloid-β Protein Deposits in Transgenic Mice following Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Van Nostrand W.E. , Davis J. , Previti M.L. , Xu F.
Published: January 2012

Background/Aims: There is increased amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) expression and amyloid-β protein (Aβ) production in the brain shortly following cerebral ischemic stroke in rodent models. It has been postulated that this may seed amyloid deposition in the brain. On the other hand, it remains unclear how cerebral ischemia affects preexisting Aβ deposits in the brain. Here we determine the consequences of focal ischemic stroke on existing Aβ pathology in Tg-SwDI transgenic mice. Methods: At 12 months of age, Tg-SwDI mice were subjected to photo-induced focal cerebral ischemia in one hemisphere. One, 7, or 21 days after lesioning, the amount of deposited Aβ in the ischemic and control hemispheres was measured using ELISA. Image analysis was used to visualize deposited Aβ and the presence of microglia/macrophages. Results: After 7 days, and further after 21 days, there was a dramatic reduction in the amount of deposited Aβ and increased presence of microglia/macrophages in the ischemic hemisphere of the mice. Conclusions: Focal cerebral ischemia leads to clearance of deposited Aβ in Tg-SwDI mice starting at 7 days with almost complete removal in the ischemic area by 21 days. The delayed clearance of Aβ following focal cerebral ischemia may involve the infiltration of activated neuroinflammatory cells.
Default Mode Network and Extrastriate Visual Resting State Network in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Authors: Rektorova I. , Krajcovicova L. , Marecek R. , Mikl M.
Published: January 2012

Aims: Using fMRI, we evaluated the default mode network (DMN) and the extrastriate visual resting state network (ESV-RSN) in 14 patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) as compared with 18 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) without dementia and 18 healthy controls (HC). Methods: We analyzed the seed-based functional connectivity of both resting state data and deactivations during a visual complex scene-encoding task. Results: Using the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus as a seed for the DMN analysis, we observed significant decreases of connectivity in the right inferior frontal gyrus in PDD as compared to PD and HC. Using the caudate nucleus as a seed for the ESV-RSN analysis, we found significant decreases of connectivity in the left and right inferior occipital gyrus in PDD as compared to HC. Conclusion: Differences in functional connectivity patterns between PDD and PD/HC were observed in areas known to be engaged in stimulus-driven reorienting of attention and in visual processing.
Albuminuria Is Not Associated with Bacteriuria in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Kramer Caroline K. , Azevedo Mirela J. , Teló Gabriela , Gross Jorge L.
Published: January 2012

Background/Aims: It has been recommended that urinary albumin be measured in sterile urine for the proper diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. However, the association between bacteriuria and urinary albumin is controversial. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association of albuminuria and bacteriuria in patients with diabetes. Medline and Embase were searched (beginning in 1950 until November 2010). Data were extracted independently by two investigators. The pooled OR estimates were calculated using the random effects model. Results: We identified 305 studies in the database searches. A total of seven studies were included, providing data from 1,552 patients (mean age 56.4 years). The OR of bacteriuria for the presence of micro- and/or macroalbuminuria was 1.60 (95% CI: 0.97–2.66, I2 = 66.6%) as compared to patients without bacteriuria. Funnel plots and the Egger regression test suggested no significant asymmetry in the analysis (p = 0.21). In a sensitivity analysis including the five studies (1,197 participants) that evaluated microalbuminuria as the outcome, the OR of bacteriuria for microalbuminuria was 1.22 (95% CI: 0.68–2.19). Conclusion: In conclusion, no association was identified between albuminuria and bacteriuria considering the current literature. Further prospective studies of a large diabetic population are needed to clarify such an association.
Inhibition of Amyloid Precursor Protein Beta-Secretase Cleavage Site Affects Survival and Motor Functions of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Transgenic Mice
Authors: Rabinovich-Toidman Polina , Becker Maria , Barbiro Beika , Solomon Beka
Published: January 2012

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease defined by motor neuron loss. Recent studies have reported an increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) levels and in its cleavage products in ALS patients indicating their possible involvement in this disease. APP is a transmembrane protein processed either by β-secretase or α-secretase followed by γ-secretase. The APP cleavage products – soluble APP-β (sAPPβ), amyloidogenic Aβ, and amino-terminal fragment N-APP – mediate a reduction in synaptic transmission, synaptic loss, neurite retraction and, ultimately, programmed cell death. Objective: To elucidate the role of APP cleavage products in the pathology of ALS. Methods: ALS mouse models that express mutant superoxide dismutase 1 were treated intraventricularly with a monoclonal antibody that blocks the β-secretase cleavage site on APP. Levels of the APP cleavage product called sAPPβ, motor functions and survival were assessed. Results: Inhibition of APP cleavage at a presymptomatic stage resulted in a decrease in the levels of sAPPβ, delay of disease onset and deterioration while at the symptomatic stage there was almost no beneficial effect. Conclusion: APP cleavage products might contribute to the degeneration in ALS, and early inhibition of the APP process may ameliorate disease progression.
Accuracy of Office Spirometry Performed by Trained Primary-Care Physicians Using the MIR Spirobank Hand-Held Spirometer
Authors: Degryse J. , Buffels J. , Van Dijck Y. , Decramer M. , Nemery B.
Published: January 2012

Background: With the availability of compact, portable, effective microspirometers, pulmonary function tests no longer need to be performed only in specialized laboratories. However, the perception persists that small flow-sensing devices are less accurate than volume-sensing spirometers. Objectives: To study the accuracy of spirometry performed with the MIR Spirobank® and to investigate how accurately trained primary-care physicians can perform spirometry using a portable electronic spirometer. Methods: Patients with suspected occupational asthma were submitted to specific bronchial challenge tests in the pulmonary function laboratory according to published recommendations. Serial measurements were performed with the Jaeger MasterScope device (reference standard) or the Spirobank device. Data were generated from 908 parallel measurements on 34 patients. Furthermore, 16 patients with documented moderate to severe COPD were examined in a carousel set-up by four trained physicians who each used his/her own Spirobank device coupled to a laptop computer. Results: The Spirobank spirometer performed very well compared with the Jaeger MasterScope in a laboratory environment, displaying an underestimation of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) of 2–5%. High correlations were found for the pulmonary function parameters. The highest correlation was for FEV1 (r2 = 0.949) and the lowest for the maximum expiratory flow at 25% of FVC (MEF25) (r2 = 0.864). Only 2% of the observed variation in the measurement results could be explained by the type of device. Conclusions: The Spirobank device seems to be appropriate for research purposes if the standardized protocol is used correctly and the acceptability criteria are respected.
Association of Deprivation with Worse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: Findings from a Hospital-Based Cohort in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hossain M.P. , Palmer D. , Goyder E. , El Nahas A.M.
Published: January 2012

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence and complications are known to be associated with deprivation, but there is limited understanding of the underlying reasons for inequalities. Aims: To evaluate the association of both individual and area level socioeconomic status (SES) with heavy proteinuria at presentation, progression of CKD, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and death. Methods: A retrospective study of 918 CKD patients using integral multivariate logistic regression to adjust for known clinical and demographic explanatory variables. Results: During 3 years of median follow-up, 34% of the study population had progression of their CKD and of these, 32% experienced rapid progression. 23% presented with heavy proteinuria (urine protein:creatinine ratio ≥300 mg/mmol), 4% developed ESRD requiring renal replacement therapy and 10% died. Area level deprivation was independently associated with heavy proteinuria, progression and rapid progression of CKD. People living in the most deprived areas were more likely to develop ESRD. Unskilled professionals were more likely to experience a higher mortality rate. Conclusion: Area level SES is inversely associated with both heavy proteinuria on presentation and progression as well as rapid progression of CKD. In contrast, individual level SES, unskilled professionals found to have a marginally significant association with increased risk of mortality. People living in more deprived areas presenting with CKD are likely to be at increased risk of poor outcomes and may need more active management and earlier referral.
Morphology of Pilonidal Sinus Disease: Some Evidence of Its Being a Unilocalized Type of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: von Laffert Maximilian , Stadie Volker , Ulrich Jens , Marsch Wolfgang Christian , Wohlrab Johannes
Published: January 2012

Background: The term ‘pilonidal sinus’ (PS) reflects an acute exacerbating, purulent, fistulating chronic inflammation located in the coccyx region. Systematic histological investigations are scarce, and the etiology has remained controversial. Methods: Histological and immunohistochemical characterization of totally excised material of 27 patients (68 specimens) with PS (no antecedent and no current clinical signs of hidradenitis suppurativa, HS) and its correlation with data on HS which we published earlier. Results: Follicular hyperplasia/hyperkeratosis and interfollicular epidermal hyperplasia are main features of PS. Early pathology seems to take place at terminal hair follicles, whereas sinus tract formations are a secondary event. Focused regions show an inflammatory mixed infiltrate consisting of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD68+ and CD79+ cells. Conclusions: PS and HS have various common characteristics at the histological and immunohistochemical level. Considering PS as a unilocalized type of HS, risk factors known in the latter should henceforth be evaluated in PS as well.
Perceptually Informed Quantification of Speech Rhythm in Pairwise Variability Indices
Authors: Cumming Ruth E.
Published: January 2012

Two previous experiments demonstrated that f0 and duration are interdependent in the perception of rhythmic groups in speech and sentence rhythmicality, and that the relative weighting of tonal and durational cues depends on listeners’ native language. The listeners were native speakers of Swiss German, Swiss French, or Metropolitan French (i.e. from France). The experiment reported here investigates a means of applying this perceptual finding to production data from these three languages, to make a rhythm metric, the Pairwise Variability Index (PVI), perceptually informed. The relative weighting that an appropriate duration and an appropriate f0 contributed to listeners’ rhythmicality judgements is calculated, and these language-specific weighting values are incorporated into combined durational- tonal PVIs, to quantify rhythm in the three languages. The results demonstrate that Swiss German and Swiss/Metropolitan French are distinct according to classic durational PVIs, but more similar according to PVIs which are acoustically multidimensional and language-specifically weighted. It is concluded that rhythm produced by speakers, when quantified to account for the acoustic multidimensionality and language-specificity of rhythm perceived by listeners, may be less cross-linguistically divergent than durational rhythm metrics suggest. An evaluation of these language-specifically weighted PVIs concludes that if rhythm metrics remain in use, they should link rhythm perception with rhythm production.
Circulation
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: January 2012

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the most read of those performed in an animal model.
Rain-Rate Characteristics over the Korean Peninsula and Improvement of the Goddard Profiling (GPROF) Database for TMI Rainfall Retrievals
Authors: Ryu Geun-Hyeok , Sohn Byung-Ju , Kummerow Christian D. , Seo Eun-Kyoung , Tripoli Gregory J.
Published: January 2012

Summer rainfall characteristics over the Korean Peninsula are examined using six years of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) measurements and surface rain measurements from the densely populated rain gauges spread across South Korea. A comparison of the TMI brightness temperature at 85 GHz with the measured surface rain rate reveals that a significant portion of rainfall over the peninsula occurs at warmer brightness temperatures than would be expected from the Goddard profiling (GPROF) database. By incorporating the locally observed rain characteristics into the GPROF algorithm, efforts are made to test whether locally appropriate hydrometeor profiles may be used to improve the retrieved rainfall. Profiles are obtained by simulating rain cases using the cloud-resolving University of Wisconsin Nonhydrostatic Modeling System (UW-NMS) model and matching the calculated radar reflectivities to TRMM precipitation radar (PR) reflectivities. Selected profiles and the corresponding simulated TMI brightness temperatures (limited in this study to values that are larger than 235 K) are added to the GPROF database to form a modified database that is considered to be more suitable for local application over the Korean Peninsula. The rainfall retrieved from the new database demonstrates that heavy-rainfall events—in particular, those associated with warmer clouds—are better captured by the new algorithm as compared with the official TRMM GPROF version-6 retrievals. The results suggest that a more locally suitable rain retrieval algorithm can be developed if locally representative rain characteristics are included in the GPROF algorithm.
The Effect of Mesoscale Mountain over the East Indochina Peninsula on Downstream Summer Rainfall over East Asia
Authors: Qi Li , Wang Yuqing
Published: January 2012

The mesoscale mountain over the east Indochina Peninsula, named Annam Cordillera, plays a key role in shaping the South China Sea (SCS) summer climate in both the atmosphere and the ocean. However, its effect is not limited to the SCS. Ensemble simulations using a high-resolution regional atmospheric model with or without the mountain reveals that the Annam Cordillera has a significant impact on regional climate as far as 3000 km over south and east China, and western Northwest Pacific (WNP).

By blocking/lifting the warm and moist air from the Bay of Bengal, the Annam Cordillera forces upward motion and precipitation on the windward side and subsidence on the leeward side, and a low-level southwesterly jet to the southeast tip of the Indochina Peninsula over the SCS. The latter gives rise to coastal upwelling and cold sea surface temperature (SST) filaments in the western SCS, reducing surface sensible and latent heat fluxes and thus suppressing convection over the SCS. Heating associated with the orographic rainfall forces a low-level anomalous easterly over the SCS and an anomalous cyclone and anticyclone in the midlower troposphere to the south and north, respectively. The anomalous circulation modifies the low-level moisture transport, reducing rainfall over the SCS and to the east of Taiwan Island over the WNP, while increasing rainfall as much as 15%–30% in a southwest–northeast-oriented belt extending from south China to the East China Sea. The cold SST filaments in the western SCS enhance the orographically induced circulation; however, its effect accounts for less than 50% of the direct effect of the orographic lifting/blocking.
Assimilation of Satellite-Observed Snow Albedo in a Land Surface Model
Authors: Malik M. Jahanzeb , van der Velde Rogier , Vekerdy Zoltan , Su Zhongbo
Published: January 2012

This study assesses the impact of assimilating satellite-observed snow albedo on the Noah land surface model (LSM)-simulated fluxes and snow properties. A direct insertion technique is developed to assimilate snow albedo into Noah and is applied to three intensive study areas in North Park (Colorado) that are part of the 2002/03 Cold Land Processes Field Experiment (CLPX). The assimilated snow albedo products are 1) the standard Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) product (MOD10A1) and 2) retrievals from MODIS observations with the recently developed Pattern-Based Semiempirical (PASS) approach. The performance of the Noah simulations, with and without assimilation, is evaluated using the in situ measurements of snow albedo, upward shortwave radiation, and snow depth. The results show that simulations with albedo assimilation agree better with the measurements. However, because of the limited impact of snow albedo updates after subsequent snowfall, the mean (or seasonal) error statistics decrease significantly for only two of the three CLPX sites. Though the simulated snow depth and duration for the snow season benefit from the assimilation, the greatest improvements are found in the simulated upward shortwave radiation, with root mean squared errors reduced by about 30%. As such, this study demonstrates that assimilation of satellite-observed snow albedo can improve LSM simulations, which may positively affect the representation of hydrological and surface energy budget processes in runoff and numerical weather prediction models.
Observations of Mergers between Squall Lines and Isolated Supercell Thunderstorms
Authors: French Adam J. , Parker Matthew D.
Published: January 2012

A set of 21 cases in which an isolated supercell merged with a squall line were identified and investigated using analyses from the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model, archived data from the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) network, and severe storm reports. This analysis revealed two primary environments associated with these mergers: a weak synoptic forcing, weak to moderate shear environment (WF) and a strong synoptic forcing, strong shear environment (SF). These environments bear a strong resemblance to those identified for progressive (WF) and serial (SF) derechoes in past studies. Radar reflectivity data revealed a spectrum of storm evolution patterns that generally lead to the merged system organizing as a bow echo. At one extreme, observed exclusively in the WF environment, the entire squall line evolved into a large bow echo following the merger. At the other extreme, observed for several cases in the SF environment, a localized bowing segment developed embedded within the larger squall line. The remaining cases exhibited characteristics best described as a hybrid of these extremes. Storm rotation generally weakened and became concentrated in low levels following the merger, although the exact evolution differed between the two background environments. Finally, an analysis of storm reports revealed that hail reports were maximized premerger and severe wind reports postmerger in both environments, while the distribution of tornado reports varied. In the WF environment a larger fraction of tornado reports occurred postmerger, while tornado production was maximized premerger in the SF environment. This suggests an evolving severe weather threat during the course of the merger, the details of which depend on the background environment.
Synthetic Satellite Imagery for Real-Time High-Resolution Model Evaluation
Authors: Bikos Dan , Lindsey Daniel T. , Otkin Jason , Sieglaff Justin , Grasso Louie , Siewert Chris , Correia James , Coniglio Michael , Rabin Robert , Kain John S. , Dembek Scott
Published: January 2012

Output from a real-time high-resolution numerical model is used to generate synthetic infrared satellite imagery. It is shown that this imagery helps to characterize model-simulated large-scale precursors to the formation of deep-convective storms as well as the subsequent development of storm systems. A strategy for using this imagery in the forecasting of severe convective weather is presented. This strategy involves comparing model-simulated precursors to their observed counterparts to help anticipate model errors in the timing and location of storm formation, while using the simulated storm evolution as guidance.
International Entrepreneurship in Lebanon
Authors: Ahmed Zafar U. , Julian Craig C.
Published: January 2012

This article provides a review of Lebanese entrepreneurial business practices since the 1920s. The characteristics of Lebanese culture are covered with special reference to the value systems inherent within Lebanese management practices. The historical development of Lebanese business in the context of management, culture and practices; innovation; individualism and collectivism; the role of government; indigenous entrepreneurs; education and training; and internationalization of Lebanese business is also reviewed via the literature and selected case studies. It is clear that the historical development of domestic business in Lebanon is unique and has been influenced by the civil war to a large extent and Lebanon’s previous trading relationships with its Arab neighbours.
The Nexus between Resource Mobilization by Mutual Funds and Economic Growth in India
Authors: Mishra P.K.
Published: January 2012

Mutual funds allow for portfolio diversification and relative risk aversion through collection of funds from the households and investment of the same in the stock and debt markets. In this process, mutual funds industry plays the most important role of a resource mobilizer. As a resource mobilizer, the industry collects the investible surpluses from the surplus-spending units and channelizes the same to the deficit-spending units of an economy. Such a function has wide relevance for a developing country like India. Arguably, mutual funds industry as a resource mobilizer appears to contribute to real economic growth of a country by reducing the transaction costs and raising the purchasing power of the investors. Thus, this article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of the relationship between gross funds mobilized by mutual funds and the real economic growth of a developing country like India for the period 1970–71 to 2008–09. Using the time series econometric techniques of cointegration and error correction estimates, the study concludes that the growth in real gross domestic product Granger causes gross resource mobilization by mutual funds in the long run, but not in the short run. This finding supports the demand-following hypothesis and thus, the policy implication is that the real economic growth of India may be considered as the policy variable to augment the resource mobilization by mutual funds.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategy
Authors: Gupta Ananda Das
Published: January 2012

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate sustainability represent the way companies achieve enhanced ethical standards and a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives addressing the concerns and expectations of their stakeholders. Corporate governance reflects the way companies address legal responsibilities, and therefore provides the foundations upon which CSR and corporate sustainability practices can be built to enhance responsible business operations.

Operational uncertainties and difficulties are compounded by recent observations of ‘company anxiety’ regarding CSR communications. Over-promising or declarations of rightness and good intentions could cause the mistrust of consumers and stakeholders, creating the opposite effects from those expected. Companies are recognizing that corporate responsibility communications should be low tone and straightforward, reflected in the actual behaviour of every member of the company, which is extremely difficult to achieve before CSR is integrated into the company’s bloodstream.
Method versus Meaning
Authors: Bose Sukanya
Published: January 2012

The article examines the teaching of economics in the higher secondary classes in schools along two important dimensions: ( a) the ability to link theory meaningfully with descriptive analysis; and ( b) the normative premises of the overall framework. The major part of the analysis is based on fieldwork in schools, which also provides a glimpse into the institutional factors at work.
The challenges to effective outcome evaluation of a national, multi-agency initiative: The experience of Sure Start
Authors: Lloyd Nigel , Harrington Louise
Published: January 2012

This article uses the example of Sure Start, a national initiative introduced by the UK Government in the late 1990s, as a case study to explore the reasons why large-scale, complex, national initiatives often fail to adequately evidence the impact of their work. The authors explore a range of structural, cultural, methodological and practical factors that have acted to inhibit effective evaluation of the impacts of Sure Start. They argue that the potential exists for more effective and efficient evaluation of the outcomes of complex community initiatives such as Sure Start, if factors such as those outlined within the article are adequately addressed. This article provides important learning for those funding, commissioning and delivering complex community initiatives.
Cyber society and digital policies: Challenges to evaluation?
Authors: Leeuw Frans L , Leeuw Bastiaan
Published: January 2012

In this article, the authors explore the relationship between (impact) evaluations and cyber society, in particular digital policies. There appears to be a gap between the pace at which internet and digital policies are penetrating society and the attention professional evaluators are paying to these policies. First, we present an analytical framework for studying these policies, while examples of policies are described and categorized. Next, efforts evaluators have made in this area are described based on three different sources. We begin by looking at three public sector institutions and their evaluation activities; then study what peer reviewed evaluation journals have published about digital policies. Finally, we approach a specific field of interventions: digital piracy. A systematic review of 14 studies evaluating the impact of (hypothetical) interventions and mechanisms is presented. Although several studies use designs that are questionable, there is evidence that some mechanisms are able to influence behavioural intentions regarding illegal downloading.
A Speech-Language Pathologist’s Guide to Creating a Support Group for Caregivers of Persons With Dementia
Authors: Morrow-Odom K. Leigh , Robbins Sarah M.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this article is to provide basic guidelines to successfully establish a support group for caregivers of persons with dementia. Support groups should provide its members with a community of support, as well as coping and management strategies to improve daily function of loved ones. This should improve the care provided, and the quality of life for the caregiver and the care recipient. Suggestions related to establishing the foundation and creating a meeting agenda are discussed with examples from a recently established group. The appropriateness of the speech-language pathologist as a support group facilitator and the application of these guidelines to establishing support groups for other clinical populations are discussed.
Marketing Performance Measurement Systems: Does Comprehensiveness Really Improve Performance?
Authors: Homburg Christian , Artz Martin , Wieseke Jan
Published: January 2012

Comprehensive performance measurement systems such as the balanced scorecard have received considerable attention in marketing. However, whether and under which circumstances comprehensiveness as a performance measurement system property is desirable and contributes to firm performance is still a subject of debate in research and practice. To address this issue, the authors use dyadic field data from marketing managers and management accounting executives and extend prior work by developing and testing a more complex, contingency-based model. The empirical results confirm the developed framework. In particular, the results show that the relationship of comprehensiveness in a marketing performance measurement system to firm performance is conditional. Marketing alignment and market-based knowledge mediate this relationship, depending on marketing strategy, marketing complexity, and market dynamism. These insights explain mixed findings of previous research and provide important implications for research and managerial practice.
The Use of a Single-Level Construct Model to Evaluate Nonmetallic “Flexible” Rods
Authors: de la Borbolla Ian Rubín , Prevost Julien , Scifert Christopher , Turner Joe
Published: January 2012

The current ASTM F1717 standard specifies the static and fatigue testing conditions for extradiscal spinal implant assemblies. For the lumbar region, the standard stipulates a vertebrectomy model for said tests. While this testing setup has proven effective in analyzing overall construct stiffness, yield load, and displacement for rigid constructs, there is a growing segment of products and cases which amendments to the standard might better represent. One opportunity to evolve the current standard is in integrating test parameters which address the greater flexibility of semirigid or flexible systems such as those made from polymeric or metallic-polymeric materials. Since these rods are considerably more flexible when compared to rigid metallic rods, they create unique testing challenges. In addition, the current standard lacks a specification for testing single-level constructs. Considering that the overall dynamics of single-level cases vary greatly from the current vertebrectomy model, a modification or creation of a standard is needed. For the two reasons presented above, a single-level “discectomy” model has been developed to consider these unique testing conditions.
Photoactivity tests of TiO2 and ZnO sunscreen ingredients
Authors: Lewicka Zuzanna. A. , Colvin Vicki. L.
Published: January 2012

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are widely used as inorganic sunscreen pigments. However, these metal oxide particles may also be photocatalytic and generate DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species. Therefore, we evaluated the photochemical properties of the whole sunscreen emulsions that contained nanoscale components and the inorganic particles derived from these sunscreens using several assays such as dichlorofluorescein fluorescence, the decolorization of Congo red dye and DMPO spin trap electron paramagnetic resonant spectroscopy. The results of these three tests showed that samples with ZnO nanoscale materials were more photoactive than the samples that contained TiO2 nanoparticles.