bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brother can you Spare a Ride? Carpooling in Immigrant Neighbourhoods
Authors: Blumenberg Evelyn , Smart Michael
Published: September 2013

Immigrants are more likely to travel by carpool than the US-born. Strong ethnic ties within immigrant communities may contribute to immigrants’ propensity to carpool, enabling residents to find carpool partners more easily and increasing the likelihood that residents will travel to and from common destinations. Drawing on data from the 2000 US census and a 2001 regional travel survey, this paper examines whether residents of ethnic neighbourhoods in Southern California are more likely to carpool than other residents. A strong positive relationship is found between the percentage foreign-born in a census tract and carpooling rates. Analysis of individual data shows that this relationship is strongest for immigrants who live in immigrant neighbourhoods; immigrants living in non-immigrant neighbourhoods are less likely to carpool. These findings suggest an important role for social networks in travel behaviour and the potential benefits of linking land use to the specific needs of local residents.
Continuity and Change
Authors: Oomkens Rosanne , Hoogenboom Marcel , Knijn Trudie
Published: September 2013

This article aims to understand the evolution of health care governance in the Dutch hospital and home care sector. We pay particular attention to how institutionalized governance structures shape policy reform. Professionally-dominated governance structures are likely to continue to exist to some degree, even when new policy measures seek to introduce hierarchical control or market mechanisms in order to restrict professional autonomy. In contrast to the home care profession, the dominance of the medical profession with its high corporate power has been institutionalized into the governance structure, constraining actors’ choices in ways that only permit incremental changes in hospital care.
Compression versus inner sole for venous patients with foot static disorders: a prospective trial comparing symptoms and quality of life
Authors: Uhl Jean-François , Chahim Maxime , Allaert François-André
Published: September 2013

Objective

To prospectively compare the improvement in quality of life and symptoms achieved when using two treatments—medical compression stockings and inner sole—in subjects with symptomatic chronic venous disease in the presence of foot static disorders.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included 24 patients with a symptomatic chronic venous disease associated with foot static disorders. The basic CEAP was used to classify the patients. The venous symptoms were recorded using a 10-point visual analog scale and scored using a customized questionnaire. Patient-reported quality of life data were acquired using a CIVIC questionnaire. A standardized measurement of the Djian-Annonier angle was used to quantify the foot static disorders. We compared the use of the following two treatments: medical compression stockings (18 mm of Hg) and inner sole. For this comparison, we used a crossover technique over 4 successive weeks.

Results

One male and 23 female patients were included in this study. We found significant improvement in quality of life scores when only medical compression stockings were used ( p < 0.005), only inner sole were used ( p < 0.01) and also when both treatments were used together ( p < 0.001), compared with no treatment. This was mainly observed for the somatic component of CIVIC. The symptoms of pain, heaviness, swollen feeling, and cramps were significantly improved by the two treatments, whether given separately ( p < 0.001) or together ( p < 0.0001). No additive effect of the treatments was observed.

Conclusion

This study suggests that a number of leg symptoms occurring in varicose veins patients are not likely to have a venous origin. They are frequently related to a foot static disorder, which is responsible for postural changes. This study also strongly demonstrates the need for correction of the foot static disorder if such a disorder is present in any patient with chronic venous disease. The use of the inner sole will improve the symptoms and also the quality of life with an efficiency that is almost equal to that provided by the medical compression stockings and the combined use of both treatments is recommended.
Analyzing Discharge Strategies during Acute Care
Authors: Crawford Elizabeth A. , Parikh Pratik J. , Kong Nan , Thakar Charuhas V.
Published: September 2013

Background. When to discharge acute care patients is a complex decision that depends on both patient- and system-level factors. Such a decision for one patient affects other patients and operations in a hospital. The key tradeoff that we analyzed was the effect of discharge timing on several emergency department (ED)-related measures and the number of readmissions. Methods. We developed a discrete-event simulation model of patient pathway through an acute care hospital that comprises an ED and several inpatient units. The effects of discharge timing on ED waiting and boarding times, ambulance diversions, leave without treatment, and readmissions were explicitly modeled. We then analyzed the impact of 1 static and 2 proactive discharge strategies on these system outcomes. Results. Our analysis indicated that although the 2 proactive discharge strategies significantly reduced ED waiting and boarding times, and several other measures, compared with the static strategy ( P < 0.01), the number of readmissions increased substantially. Further analysis indicated that these findings are sensitive to changes in patient arrival rate and conditions for ambulance diversion. Conclusions. Determining the appropriate time to discharge patients not only can affect individual patients’ health outcomes, but also can affect various aspects of the hospital. The study improves our understanding of how individual inpatient discharge decisions can be objectively viewed in terms of their impact on other operations, such as ED crowding and readmission, in an acute care hospital.
Necrosuppurative Orchitis and Scrotal Necrotizing Dermatitis Following Intratesticular Administration of Zinc Gluconate Neutralized With Arginine (EsterilSol) in 2 Mixed-Breed Dogs
Authors: Forzán M. J. , Garde E. , Pérez G. E. , Vanderstichel R. V.
Published: September 2013

Intratesticular injection of EsterilSol (zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine) is a chemical sterilant for male dogs sometimes used in population control campaigns. Adverse reactions have been reported in 1% to 4% of treated dogs, but detailed histomorphologic descriptions are lacking. During a behavioral study conducted in the Chilean Patagonia in 2012, severe necrosuppurative orchitis and ulcerative dermatitis were observed in 2 of 36 (6%) dogs sterilized with EsterilSol according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Reactions were noted on days 8 and 7 postinjection and required scrotal ablation on days 8 and 13, respectively; neither reaction was associated with the injection site. Although self-trauma following administration may have contributed, the cause of the adverse reactions is uncertain. EsterilSol is a relatively uncomplicated method to sterilize male dogs, but the occurrence of severe adverse reactions several days after administration emphasizes the need for the provision of long-term monitoring and veterinary care during sterilization campaigns using this product.
Evaluation of Paulownia elongata wood polyethylene composites
Authors: Tisserat Brent , Reifschneider Louis , Joshee Nirmal , Finkenstadt Victoria L
Published: September 2013

Paulownia wood flour (PWF), a by-product of milling lumber, was employed as a biofiller and blended with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) via extrusion. Paulownia wood (PW) shavings were milled through a 1-mm screen and then separated via shaking into various particle fractions (600–≤74 µm) using sieves (#30–>#200 US Standards). The influence of a commercial coupling agent, maleated polyethylene (MAPE), used at various concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5, or 10% w/w) with HDPE and wood particles obtained from a #50-mesh sieve, is examined. Incorporation of high concentrations of MAPE (approximately 5%) in HDPE-PWF blends improved tensile strength compared to lower MAPE concentrations (≤3%). Particle size of wood significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the biocomposite. HDPE-MAPE blends containing smaller wood particles (<180 µm) had higher tensile strength than neat HDPE or blends containing larger particles (>300 µm). Young’s modulus for all HDPE-PWF-MAPE blends was 14–27% higher than that of neat HDPE. Generally, incubation of tensile bars of various HDPE-PWF blends in 95% humidity for 28 days reduced the mechanical properties approximately by 5%. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed a slight reduction in the percentage crystallinity among various HDPE-PW blends.
Reforming the Civil Service and revising the role of the mandarin in Britain: A view from the perspective of a study of eight permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Education between 1976 and 2011
Authors: Ribbins Peter , Sherratt Brian
Published: September 2013

This article summarises some problems currently faced by the Civil Service and considers how the June 2012 Reform Plan would address them. It focuses on what the Plan might mean for permanent secretaries and their future role in policy making. It seeks to supplement the research on which this aspect of the Plan and its recommendations can be reviewed. For this purpose it draws on a longitudinal study of the eight permanent secretaries at the Department for Education between 1975 and 2011. All were interviewed twice along with 35 relevant others involved in the policy process in education nationally. Following a discussion of the limited literature on permanent secretaries, aspects of the background and career of the eight are examined. Given the importance of “dual leadership” to the Plan, the time in office they had with the 16 Secretaries of State they served was often short – 8 less than a year. To facilitate scrutiny of such issues an analytical framework of types is proposed varying according to how far a permanent secretary takes an active or passive part in policy. Examples of each type – making, resisting, shaping, sharing and taking – are discussed. The article concludes with suggestions for future research.
Theoretical and experimental analyses of ultrasonic-assisted indentation forming of tube
Authors: Abdullah Amir , Paknejad Masih , Dashti Said , Pak Abbas , Beigi Alireza M
Published: September 2013

Indentation forming process is used for internal forming and sizing of thick-walled tubes working in high internal pressures. In this process, a mandrel with a diameter slightly larger than that of the tube is pressed and moved inside the tube, creating an internal profile. This article presents theoretically and experimentally influences of longitudinal ultrasonic vibration on this forming process. For this purpose, vibro-impact and continuous forming regimes have been investigated. Application of longitudinal ultrasonic vibration along the axis of the workpiece showed experimentally reduction of 15%–21% of axial forming forces and improvement of surface quality of the bore of the tube, while no effect on spring back of the formed zone was observed.
On the near wake of a Formula One front wheel
Authors: Knowles Robin D , Saddington Alistair J , Knowles Kevin
Published: September 2013

Velocity measurements were made in the near wake of the front wheel of a Formula One car using a laser Doppler anemometer. Tests were carried out on a 50% scale in a closed-return three-quarter open-jet wind tunnel. Three configurations were investigated to determine the effect of both the car and an external wheel support strut on the wheel wake. In each of the configurations the test Reynolds number, based on the wheel diameter, was 6.8 × 105. Three components of the velocity were measured at two planes less than than 1.0 D (where D is the wheel diameter) downstream of the wheel axis. These data were used to visualise the extent of the wake, the flow structures present and also the streamwise turbulence intensity. The presence of the car was found to alter significantly the structure of the wheel wake when compared with an isolated wheel. In addition, the external support strut was found to have less impact in the presence of the car than previous isolated wheel studies have suggested. No previous such studies appear to have been published in the open literature.
Immunogenicity and safety of two doses of a non-adjuvanted influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine in young autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients
Authors: Aikawa NE , Trudes G , Campos LMA , Pereira RMR , Moraes JCB , Ribeiro AC , Miraglia J , Timenetsky M do Carmo S , Bonfa E , Silva CA
Published: September 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine in children under 9 years old with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD).

Methods

Thirty-eight ARD patients and 11 healthy children received two doses of non-adjuvanted influenza A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) virus-like vaccine. Subjects were evaluated before and 21 days after vaccination. Seroprotection (SP) and seroconversion (SC) rates, geometric mean titers (GMT) and factor increases (FI) in GMT were calculated.

Results

Mean ages were comparable between patients and controls. Pre-vaccination SP and GMT were similar in patients and controls ( p > 0.05). Three weeks after immunization, SP (81.6% vs. 81.8%, p = 1.0), SC (81.6% vs. 90.9%, p = 0.66), GMT (151.5 vs. 282.1, p = 0.26) and the FI in GMT (16.7 vs. 36.3, p = 0.23) were similar in patients and controls, with both groups achieving an adequate response, according to the European Medicines Agency and Food and Drug Administration standards. Analysis of the possible factors influencing SC showed no difference in demographic data, leukocyte/lymphocyte counts or immunosuppressant use between seroconverted and non-seroconverted patients ( p > 0.05). The vaccine demonstrated a satisfactory safety profile in this population.

Conclusions

Two doses of influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccination induced an effective antibody response and caused adverse events in rare instances, suggesting this vaccine is appropriate and can be recommended for this age group.
Factors influencing patients’ dignity
Authors: Manookian Arpi , Cheraghi Mohammad A , Nasrabadi Alireza N
Published: September 2013

Dignity represents the essence of nursing care; hence, nurses are professionally responsible for promoting understanding about the promotion, provision, and preservation of every patient’s dignity, while considering contextual differences. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influence, promote, or compromise patient dignity. A purposeful sample of 14 participants with hospitalization experience was chosen, and individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Using inductive content analysis, the themes and subthemes related to factors influencing patients’ dignity were explored: “persona” (“personal beliefs” and “personal characteristics”), “communication behaviors” (“verbal interaction,” “body language,” “compassionate behavior,” and “devoting enough time”), and “staff conduct” (“professional commitment,” “adequate human resources,” and “staff’s proficiency and competency”). The findings revealed that it is essential to expand nurses’ insights and knowledge about preserving patients’ dignity and the factors that influence these. Recognizing and focusing on these factors will help nurses to establish practical measures for preserving and promoting patients’ dignity and providing more dignified care at the bedside.
Long-term performance of 1H, 1H′, 2H, 2H′-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (POTS) microcapsule-based self-healing anticorrosive coatings
Authors: Huang Mingxing , Yang Jinglei
Published: September 2013

Self-healing anticorrosive coatings were prepared based on the microencapsulation of 1H,1H′, 2H,2H′-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (POTS). Toluene played a critical role in the successful synthesis of POTS microcapsules although it was not contained in the resultant capsules. The excellent corrosion-resistant property of a POTS microcapsule-modified silicone elastomer coating was demonstrated by a long-term corrosion test, in which the prepared coating was unscratched and exposed to HCl solution for 1 month, and the metal substrate was inspected after peeling off the coating by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In addition, the self-healing behavior of a scribed POTS-based epoxy coating was characterized by an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement when the prepared coating was exposed to NaCl solution. The simulated parametric study from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy equivalent circuit demonstrated the process of corrosion-healing kinetics. The anticorrosive mechanism was proposed based on the self-healing functionality of POTS microcapsules.
Fatigue crack propagation in polyvinylchloride and polyethersulfone polymer foams
Authors: Saenz Elio E , Carlsson Leif A , Salivar Gary C , Karlsson Anette M
Published: September 2013

Crack growth in cross-linked polyvinylchloride and thermoplastic polyethersulfone foams under mode [Formula: see text] fatigue cycling has been experimentally examined. Polyvinylchloride foams of densities ranging from 45 to 100 kg/m3 and polyethersulfone foams of densities ranging from 60 to 130 kg/m3 were considered. All cyclic tests employed the sandwich double cantilever beam test specimen. The test results revealed that crack growth rate (da/dN) compared at a constant cyclic energy release rate (ΔG) decreased with increasing density of the foam. The crack propagation rates in low-density polyethersulfone foams were much less than in polyvinylchloride foams of similar density. The crack growth rate in the high-density polyethersulfone foam was highly dependent on the loading R-ratio. The crack front in the low-density polyethersulfone foam displayed marked deviations from a straight shape, where the edge regions propagated faster than the center of the specimen. All polyvinylchloride foams and high-density polyethersulfone foam displayed straight crack fronts.
Environmental factors acting during development to influence MS risk: insights from animal studies
Authors: Krementsov Dimitry N , Teuscher Cory
Published: September 2013

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with an increasing incidence in females. Epidemiological data strongly implicate environmental factors acting at the population level during gestation, childhood and adulthood in the increasing incidence of MS. Several such factors are implicated in disease risk, but their causality remains unproven, while other factors remain unknown. An understanding of the risk factors acting during development is particularly limited. Animal studies could potentially bridge the gap between observational epidemiology and clinical intervention, providing not only direct evidence of causality for a given environmental agent, but also an opportunity to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms. Given a rodent’s short gestational and developmental period, the effects of developmental exposure can also be readily addressed. Nonetheless, studies in this area so far are few. In this review, we summarize the insights gleaned from studies that test environmental influences in animal models of MS, with a particular focus on gestational and early life exposures.
Corporate fraud as misplaced confidence? Exploring ambiguity in the accuracy of accounts and the materiality of money
Authors: Haines Fiona
Published: September 2013

The corporate fraud narrative suggests that misleading and inaccurate accounts engender misplaced confidence that robs creditors and investors alike. Yet, this view underplays nested ambiguities in business accounts first in the (im)possibility of accuracy in a set of accounts and second in the constituent figures themselves as embodying uncertain monetary value. This article analyses these phenomena and argues that confidence, nurtured by governments through their regulatory practices, is essential to maintaining perceived integrity to both in spite of continuing ambiguity. This management of confidence is engendered through the interdependent yet contested relationships between government, business and professional elites. Corporate fraud is embedded within these relationships and hence difficult to dislodge without threatening the productiveness that business promises and government craves. Criminalization of corporate fraud deflects attention to one of these actors, the business and its directors, without clear recognition of the role played by government itself.
Communicating age in Second Life: The contributions of textual and visual factors
Authors: Martey Rosa Mikeal , Stromer-Galley Jennifer , Consalvo Mia , Wu Jingsi , Banks Jaime , Strzalkowski Tomek
Published: September 2013

Although considerable research has identified patterns in online communication and interaction related to a range of individual characteristics, analyses of age have been limited, especially those that compare age groups. Research that does examine online communication by age largely focuses on linguistic elements. However, social identity approaches to group communication emphasize the importance of non-linguistic factors such as appearance and non-verbal behaviors. These factors are especially important to explore in online settings where traditional physical markers of age are largely unseen. To examine ways that users communicate age identity through both visual and textual means, we use multiple linear regression and qualitative methods to explore the behavior of 201 players of a custom game in the virtual world Second Life. Analyses of chat, avatar movement, and appearance suggest that although residents primarily used youthful-looking avatars, age differences emerged more strongly in visual factors than in language use.
Among the colony: Ethnographic fieldwork, urban bees and intra-species mindfulness
Authors: Moore Lisa Jean , Kosut Mary
Published: September 2013

As a part of a larger ethnographic study of urban beekeepers in New York City, this article considers the challenges of conducting multispecies participant observation – being in the field with both human and non-human informants, beekeepers and bees. Keeping in mind the intra-active nature of human/insect entanglements, we explore how to interpret and translate the actions of another species while resisting anthropomorphic descriptions. Through a decentering of the authors, the bee is reflexively rendered as a non-human informant and an actor in its own right. The embodied experiences of conducting participation observation with humans and insects are used to speculate on the possibility of an ontology of bees and the idea of intra-species mindfulness. This work is in dialogue with the field of multispecies ethnography, actor-network theory and critical animal studies, positioning the bee though networks of ethnographic data and translation.
Cardiac Morbidity of Carotid Endarterectomy Using Regional Anesthesia Is Similar to Carotid Stent Angioplasty
Authors: Kfoury Elias , Leng David , Hashemi Homayoun , Mukherjee Dipankar
Published: September 2013

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) was presented by carotid revascularization endarterectomy versus stenting trial as a minimally invasive approach with less risk of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) when compared to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Our study aimed to compare the postoperative MI rate for CAS with CEA under general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA). A retrospective study was conducted at our institution comparing CAS with CEA under LA and CEA under GA. Thirty-day postoperative MI and strokes were evaluated for the different subgroups. A total of 1127 procedures were included in the analysis: 421 CEAs under GA, 611 CEAs under LA, and 95 CAS. No significant difference in postoperative MI was encountered between CAS and CEA under LA (0.2% vs 1.1%, P = .25). The CEA under GA was found to have a statistically significant higher risk of MI compared to LA (1.2% vs 0.2%, P = .044). Our evidence suggests that CEA under LA does not have an increased risk of MI compared to CAS.
The Effects of Birth Location and Sociological Influences on Violent Victimization Among Hispanic Youth
Authors: Eggers Amy , Jennings Wesley G.
Published: September 2013

Although prior research has found evidence of the relationship between acculturation and offending, a detailed examination as to whether acculturation extends to victimization is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether acculturation emerges as a factor relevant for violent victimization. Furthermore, this study sought to test the effects of sociological influences such as familial attachment to ascertain whether these effects account for the differences in violent victimization among foreign- and native-born Hispanics, while accounting for violent offending. Using data from a large nationally representative sample of Hispanic youth, the results indicated that there was a significant difference in violent victimization between foreign-born and native-born Hispanic youth. Also, despite the effect of familial attachment on violent victimization, elements of social learning (i.e., delinquent peers) and involvement in violent offending appear to better explain the violent victimization experiences among Hispanic youth.
Juvenile Status and Criminal Sentencing
Authors: Jordan Kareem L.
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of juvenile status on sentencing in the adult criminal justice system. This study includes four years (2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006) of national level data from the State Court Processing Statistics. The sample is comprised of over 35,000 offenders who were convicted in criminal court. In using multilevel modeling, the results indicate that juveniles are punished both equally and more harshly than adults, depending on the age of the adults and the specific sentencing outcome. The findings are partially consistent with existing research that suggests a juvenile penalty at the sentencing stage of criminal court proceedings.
Postmenopausal bleeding
Authors: Pugh Rebecca , Humphries Anna
Published: September 2013

Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is one of the most common reasons for referral to gynaecology services. This is due to the concern of possible underlying malignancy, as approximately 10% of women with PMB will have endometrial cancer. With growing use of hormone replacement therapy there is increased uncertainty as to what constitutes unscheduled bleeding and careful history and examination is required. Although benign conditions represent the most frequent cause of PMB, all women will require urgent referral and investigation in secondary care.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepatic and perihepatic abscess drainage: an evolving technique
Authors: Singhal Shashideep , Changela Kinesh , Lane Devin , Anand Sury , Duddempudi Sushil
Published: September 2013

Interventional radiology-guided percutaneous drainage of liver abscesses with concomitant use of antibiotics has been the conventional approach for the treatment of liver abscesses. Hepatic abscesses refractory or not amenable to percutaneous drainage have been treated with surgical drainage, either via laparoscopic or open laparotomy techniques. The aim of this review was to evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of liver abscesses. A literature review was performed to identify the studies describing the technique. In this review article we have summarized case series or reports describing EUS-guided liver abscess drainage. The indications, techniques, endoprostheses, limitations and complications reported are discussed. A total of seven cases have been described so far in the literature which included patients with failed conventional treatment modalities. The EUS-guided drainage technique involves puncturing the abscess using endosonography to gain access, passing a guidewire followed by tract dilation and placement of an endoprosthesis for drainage. Studies have reported 100% technical and clinical success rates in selected cases. No complications were reported. EUS-guided drainage of liver abscesses can be a safe and effective alternative approach in the management of liver abscesses in selected patients.
Working Conditions and Parents’ Ability to Care for Children’s Preventive Health Needs
Authors: Earle Alison , Heymann Jody
Published: September 2013

Objective: To determine whether workplace flexibility policies influence parents’ ability to meet their children’s preventive primary health care needs. Patients and Methods: Study sample included 917 employed adults with at least 1 child younger than 18 years in their household from a nationally representative survey of US adults. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of factors influencing parental ability to meet their children’s preventive primary health care needs were conducted. Analyses assessed the effect of having access to schedule flexibility, a supervisor who is accommodating about work adjustments when family issues arise, and the ability to make personal calls without consequences on the odds of a parents’ being unable to meet their child’s preventive health care needs. Results: Being able to make a personal phone call at work was associated with a 56% ( P < .05) reduction in the odds of being unable to meet children’s preventive health needs. Working at a job that allowed for schedule adjustments was associated with more than 40% ( P < .05) lower odds of being unable to meet preventive care needs. Conclusion: Feasible steps to increase flexibility at work could make a substantial difference in parents’ ability to obtain preventive care for their children.
Medium-Term Results After Treatment of Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis
Authors: Meknas Khaled , Al Hassoni Thabit N. , Odden-Miland Åshild , Castillejo Miguel , Kartus Jüri
Published: September 2013

Background:

Recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis (elbow extensor–origin tendinosis) is a common cause of elbow pain with many treatment options. In the present study, the medium-term results after open release and radiofrequency microtenotomy are reported.

Hypothesis:

Microtenotomy would provide long-term pain relief that was as good as the open release method.

Study Design:

Prospective, randomized trial.

Methods:

Twenty-four patients randomized to either open release or microtenotomy were assessed after 5 to 7 years. Clinical examination and dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) of both elbows were performed preoperatively and at the medium-term follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both elbows was performed at the medium-term follow-up.

Results:

Significant pain reduction was found using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the medium-term follow-up in both groups compared with the preoperative assessment ( P < .005). The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) increased significantly in both groups ( P < .01). The improvement in grip strength was not significant in either group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of VAS, strength, and the MEPS. On the DIRT examinations, there were significantly fewer hot spots at the medium-term follow-up than preoperatively ( P = .0067, both study groups together). The MRI examinations revealed grade II changes in the operated elbow in 1 patient in each group at the medium-term follow-up, while all the other MRI examinations revealed a normal tendon.

Conclusion:

In this prospective, randomized trial with a medium-term follow-up, the results were similar after surgical release and microtenotomy in patients with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. The hypothesis was thus verified.
Fatigue crack growth behaviour of ferrite–bainite dual phase steels
Authors: Kumar A , Singh S B , Ray K K
Published: September 2013

The effect of bainite content on the fatigue threshold characteristics of ferrite–bainite dual phase steels is reported. Five different ferrite–bainite dual phase microstructures are prepared through suitable heat treatment and are subjected to hardness, tensile and fatigue tests apart from microstructural characterisations. Fatigue threshold Δ Kth values of the steels are estimated using an earlier reported non-conventional method and the data are analysed to study the role of bainite content on Δ Kth. The Δ Kth values first decrease and then increase with increasing bainite content in the investigated steels. The nature of variation of Δ Kth with bainite content has been explained using the characteristics of the constituent phases.
An effective approach for purifying, cutting, and functionalising of multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: He F.-A. , Fan J.-T.
Published: September 2013

High purity, homogenous dispersion, and good compatibility of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymer composites are key factors to achieve excellent mechanical and electrical properties of polymer/CNTs composites. Although extensive efforts have been made in this area, it is still crucial to explore an effective method to purify, cut, and functionalise CNTs. Here the authors report an approach to purify, cut, and functionalise multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) simultaneously using KMnO4 as an oxidant in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The purification, cutting, and functionalisation of CNTs were confirmed by the results of energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), hydrodynamic radius characterisation, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. It was found that the modified CNTs are easily dispersible in a range of commonly used organic solvents, which provides an effective way to prepare polymer/CNT composites by solution blending.
Solder joint reliability of Sn–0·7Cu and Sn–0·3Ag–0·7Cu lead-free solder alloys solidified on copper substrates with different surface roughnesses
Authors: Satyanarayan  , Prabhu K N
Published: September 2013

The bond shear test was used to assess the integrity of Sn–0·7Cu and Sn–0·3Ag–0·7Cu lead-free solder alloy drops solidified on copper substrates with smooth and rough surface finishes. Solder alloys solidified on smooth substrates required higher shear force compared to that on rough substrates. Sn–0·3Ag–0·7Cu alloy required higher shear energy than Sn–0·7Cu alloy. Solder alloys solidified on smooth substrate surfaces exhibited complete ductile failure. On rough copper surfaces, solder alloys showed a transition ridge characterized by sheared intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and the presence of dimples. The peak shear strength decreased with increase in contact area of the solder bond on the substrate. Smooth surface and the presence of minor amount of Ag in the solder alloy enhance the integrity of the solder joint.
Laser controlled melting of Hastelloy X alloy with presence of B4C particles at surface
Authors: Yilbas B S
Published: September 2013

Laser controlled melting of pre-prepared Hastelloy X alloy surface is carried out at high nitrogen gas pressure environment. The pre-prepared workpiece surface consists of 40 μm carbon film with uniformly distributed 5B4C particles. The carbon film enhances the absorption of the incident laser irradiation and holds B4C particles at the workpiece surface prior to the laser treatment process. The morphological and metallurgical changes in the treated layer are characterised using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The microhardness at the treated surface and the residual stress formed in the surface vicinity are measured. It is found that dense layer consists of fine grains are formed at the surface because of the high cooling rates. Locally distributed undissolved B4C particles are observed at the surface due to high melting temperature of B4C. Although thermal expansion coefficients of B4C and the base material are different, no microcracks are took place in the close neighbourhood of the particles. The microhardness of the surface increased almost 2·2 times of the base material hardness and the residual stress formed at the surface is on the order of −1·4 GPa, which is compressive.
Crack growth process in GBF area of SUJ2 bearing steel in very high cycle fatigue regime
Authors: Li Y D , Guo W M , Xu N , Wu X F , Shi J B , Ma H
Published: September 2013

The crack growth process in GBF of high strength bearing steel JIS SUJ2 is qualitatively investigated by low–high two-step variable amplitude loading (TSAL) tests. It is demonstrated that the GBF size reduces with the increase in applied stress amplitude, and that the GBF size at a given stress amplitude is a constant which is independent of inclusion size at the crack origin. The fatigue life at a given stress amplitude, which is proportional to −8 power of the inclusion size, reduces with increasing inclusion size. It was shown by TSAL tests that GBF was formed at the earlier stage (approximate 105 cycles corresponding to less than 1 total fatigue life in the regime Nf≥107 cycles) and propagated hardly until near to the final life (more than 90 total fatigue life). After that the GBF crack will propagate rapidly to the ultimate size in a short time.
Precipitate morphology and effects on strength of laser welded Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr after aging treatment
Authors: Yang L , Dai J , Li L L , Guo G L , Guo L Z , Zhao G L
Published: September 2013

Magnesium rare earth alloys have been received extensive attention due to their attractive mechanical properties. The precipitation sequence in laser welded Mg–3Nd–0·2Zn–0·4Zr (NZ30K) alloy during aging treatment has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the tensile strength of laser welded NZ30K can be improved significantly after aging treatment at 200°C for 8 h. The precipitation in laser welded NZ30K alloy follows the sequence of super saturated solid solution→ β″(DO19)→ β′(fcc)→ β. The results of incremental of critical shear stress component are Δ τs/Δ τp/Δ τr/Δ τf = 1·86∶3·57∶3·14∶1. The platelet of precipitates with high volume fraction is the most important factor that enhances aging treatment strengthening.
Coarsening process of coherent β′ precipitates in Fe–10 wt-Ni–15 wt-Al and Fe–10 wt-Ni–15 wt-Al–1 wt-Cu alloys
Authors: Rosales-Dorantes H J , Cayetano-Castro N , Lopez-Hirata V M , Saucedo-Muñoz M L , Villegas-Cardenas D , Hernández-Santiago F
Published: September 2013

The coarsening process of the NiAl ordered β′ precipitates was studied in the isothermally aged Fe–10 wt-Ni–15 wt-Al and Fe–10 wt-Ni–15 wt-Al–1 wt-Cu alloys. The aging treatments at 750, 850 and 950°C caused the precipitation of the β′phase in a ferritic matrix. In general, the coarsening process of Cu containing alloy was slower with an activation energy of 248 kJ mol−1 compared to 194 kJ mol−1 for the other alloy. However, the coarsening kinetics for the former alloy was faster at 950°C. The precipitation hardening response was also better in the Cu containing alloy, with a slower overaging stage. The coarsening kinetics followed the behaviour predicted by the modified Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theories for coarsening controlled by volume diffusion.
Texture evolution in shocked Ni47Ti44Nb9 shape memory alloys
Authors: Liu H , Sun G , Wang Y , Chen B , Tian Q , Wang X , Zhang C
Published: September 2013

The shock loading experiments on Ni47Ti44Nb9 shape memory alloys were performed using the single stage gas gun under various shock conditions. The texture evolution of the shocked specimens was investigated. The results show that the initial sheet textures of {111} <[Formula: see text] > and {111} <[Formula: see text] > gradually evolve into {111} plane texture after shock loading. Meanwhile, a weak texture component {001} is also observed in all the shocked specimens, indicating that the recovery strains in shocked specimens decrease. Moreover, the evidence for the texture inheritance in the austenite and martensite phases of Ni47Ti44Nb9 alloys was also provided in this present work.
Dengue virus type 1 clade replacement in recurring homotypic outbreaks
Authors: Teoh Boon-Teong , Sam Sing-Sin , Tan Kim-Kee , Johari Jefree , Shu Meng-Hooi , Danlami Mohammed Bashar , Abd-Jamil Juraina , MatRahim NorAziyah , Mahadi Nor Muhammad , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: September 2013

Background

Recurring dengue outbreaks occur in cyclical pattern in most endemic countries. The recurrences of dengue virus (DENV) infection predispose the population to increased risk of contracting the severe forms of dengue. Understanding the DENV evolutionary mechanism underlying the recurring dengue outbreaks has important implications for epidemic prediction and disease control.

Results

We used a set of viral envelope (E) gene to reconstruct the phylogeny of DENV-1 isolated between the periods of 1987–2011 in Malaysia. Phylogenetic analysis of DENV-1 E gene revealed that genotype I virus clade replacements were associated with the cyclical pattern of major DENV-1 outbreaks in Malaysia. A total of 9 non-conservative amino acid substitutions in the DENV-1 E gene consensus were identified; 4 in domain I, 3 in domain II and 2 in domain III. Selection pressure analyses did not reveal any positively selected codon site within the full length E gene sequences (1485 nt, 495 codons). A total of 183 (mean dN/dS= 0.0413) negatively selected sites were found within the Malaysian isolates; neither positive nor negative selection was noted for the remaining 312 codons. All the viruses were cross-neutralized by the respective patient sera suggesting no strong support for immunological advantage of any of the amino acid substitutions.

Conclusion

DENV-1 clade replacement is associated with recurrences of major DENV-1 outbreaks in Malaysia. Our findings are consistent with those of other studies that the DENV-1 clade replacement is a stochastic event independent of positive selection.
RIP-seq of BmAgo2-associated small RNAs reveal various types of small non-coding RNAs in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Nie Zuoming , Zhou Fang , Li Dan , Lv Zhengbing , Chen Jian , Liu Yue , Shu Jianhong , Sheng Qing , Yu Wei , Zhang Wenping , Jiang Caiying , Yao Yuhua , Yao Juming , Jin Yongfeng , Zhang Yaozhou
Published: September 2013

Background

Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. Previously, only microRNAs (miRNAs) and piRNAs have been identified in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Furthermore, only ncRNAs (50-500nt) of intermediate size have been systematically identified in the silkworm.

Results

Here, we performed a systematic identification and analysis of small RNAs (18-50nt) associated with the Bombyx mori argonaute2 (BmAgo2) protein. Using RIP-seq, we identified various types of small ncRNAs associated with BmAGO2. These ncRNAs showed a multimodal length distribution, with three peaks at ~20nt, ~27nt and ~33nt, which included tRNA-, transposable element (TE)-, rRNA-, snoRNA- and snRNA-derived small RNAs as well as miRNAs and piRNAs. The tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) were found at an extremely high abundance and accounted for 69.90% of the BmAgo2-associated small RNAs. Northern blotting confirmed that many tRFs were expressed or up-regulated only in the BmNPV-infected cells, implying that the tRFs play a prominent role by binding to BmAgo2 during BmNPV infection. Additional evidence suggested that there are potential cleavage sites on the D, anti-codon and TψC loops of the tRNAs. TE-derived small RNAs and piRNAs also accounted for a significant proportion of the BmAgo2-associated small RNAs, suggesting that BmAgo2 could be involved in the maintenance of genome stability by suppressing the activities of transposons guided by these small RNAs. Finally, Northern blotting was also used to confirm the Bombyx 5.8 s rRNA-derived small RNAs, demonstrating that various novel small RNAs exist in the silkworm.

Conclusions

Using an RIP-seq method in combination with Northern blotting, we identified various types of small RNAs associated with the BmAgo2 protein, including tRNA-, TE-, rRNA-, snoRNA- and snRNA-derived small RNAs as well as miRNAs and piRNAs. Our findings provide new clues for future functional studies of the role of small RNAs in insect development and evolution.
Expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1) family members in breast cancer
Authors: Kharman-Biz Amirhossein , Gao Hui , Ghiasvand Reza , Zhao Chunyan , Zendehdel Kazem , Dahlman-Wright Karin
Published: September 2013

Background

The activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor is believed to be important in tumorigenesis and altered AP-1 activity was associated with cell transformation. We aimed to assess the potential role of AP-1 family members as novel biomarkers in breast cancer.

Methods

We studied the expression of AP-1 members at the mRNA level in 72 primary breast tumors and 37 adjacent non-tumor tissues and evaluated its correlation with clinicopathological parameters including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu status. Expression levels of Ubiquitin C (UBC) were used for normalization. Protein expression of AP-1 members was assessed using Western blot analysis in a subset of tumors. We used student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, logistic regression and Pearson’s correlation coefficient for statistical analyses.

Results

We found significant differences in the expression of AP-1 family members between tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues for all AP-1 family members except Fos B. Fra-1, Fra-2, Jun-B and Jun-D mRNA levels were significantly higher in tumors compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (p < 0.001), whilst c-Fos and c-Jun mRNA levels were significantly lower in tumors compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (p < 0.001). In addition, Jun-B overexpression had outstanding discrimination ability to differentiate tumor tissues from adjacent non-tumor tissues as determined by ROC curve analysis. Moreover, Fra-1 was significantly overexpressed in the tumors biochemically classified as ERα negative (p = 0.012) and PR negative (p = 0.037). Interestingly, Fra-1 expression was significantly higher in triple-negative tumors compared with luminal carcinomas (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Expression levels of Fra-1 and Jun-B might be possible biomarkers for prognosis of breast cancer.
Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in a middle-aged adult with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jia Changjun , Zhao Wei , Dai Chaoliu , Wang Xinlu , Bu Xianmin , Peng Songlin , Xu Feng , Xu Yongqing , Zhao Yang
Published: September 2013

Adult primary undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare disease. While the etiology of UESL remains largely unknown, association with systemic inflammatory disorders has been observed. Here, we report a case of UESL in a 46-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and without chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Systematic review of the publicly available English language medical literature identified only 27 cases of UESL in patients aged >45 years and none with SLE. Our patient presented with abdominal pain and had a 2-year history of SLE. Abdominal ultrasonography and enhanced computed tomography revealed a solid mass in the right lobe of the liver. Presumptive diagnosis of atypical hepatocellular carcinoma was made and the patient was treated with segmentectomy of S5 and S4a and cholecystectomy. The final diagnosis of UESL was made according to the pathology results. Since SLE patients may be at increased risk of malignancy, it is possible that the SLE pathogenesis may have contributed to the development of UESL in our patient. According to this case, UESL should be considered when SLE patients present with hepatic space-occupying lesions.