bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wireless Moisture Sensor Using a Microstrip Antenna
Authors: Toba Tatsuo , Kitagawa Akio
Published: December 2011

A wireless moisture sensor has been developed on the basis of the backscatter characteristic of the microstrip antenna, which works in the far field without a battery. This study aims to develop a wireless sensor with a long communication distance and to apply the wireless applications, such as monitoring the moisture in the wrapped products and surface adsorption of hydrogen peroxide in the biological isolation systems. The dropwise addition of the distilled water on the cleaning tissue is clearly detected by the measurement of the backscattered power from the sensor at the frequencies of 0.954 GHz and 2.45 GHz. The ratio of the backscattered power in two frequency bands can be used as an index to measure moisture.
Projection Algorithms for Variational Inclusions
Authors: Yu Youli , Yang Pei-Xia , Noor Khalida Inayat
Published: December 2011

We present a projection algorithm for finding a solution of a variational inclusion problem in a real Hilbert space. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed iterative algorithm converges strongly to a solution of the variational inclusion problem which also solves some variational inequality.
Incidence of Extrusion Following Type I Polypropylene Mesh “Kit” Repairs in the Correction of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Lukban James C. , Beyer Roger D. , Moore Robert D.
Published: December 2011

Introduction and Hypothesis. We sought to determine the mesh extrusion (vaginal exposure) rates and subject outcomes following IntePro (Type I polypropylene) mesh “kit” repairs for vaginal prolapse.Methods. Data were pooled from two prospective multicenter studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Perigee and Apogee (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minn, USA) to treat anterior and posterior/apical prolapses, respectively. Extrusions involving the anterior compartment (AC) or posterior compartment/apex (PC/A) were recorded.Results. Two hundred sixty women underwent mesh placement, with a total of 368 mesh units inserted (173 in the AC and 195 in the PC/A). Extrusions were noted in 13 (7.5%) of AC implants and 27 (13.8%) of PC/A implants through 12 months. No difference was seen between those with and without extrusion in regard to anatomic cure, postoperative painor quality of life at 1 year.Conclusions. Extrusion had no apparent effect on short-term outcomes. Given the unknown long-term sequellae of vaginal mesh exposure, a thorough assessment of risks and benefits of transvaginal mesh placement should be considered at the time of preoperative planning.
Argument Property for Certain Analytic Functions
Authors: Yang Qing , Liu Jin-Lin
Published: December 2011

Let P be the class of functions p(z) of the form which are analytic in the open unit disk U = {z :|z | < 1}. The object of the present paper is to derive certain argument inequalities of analytic functions p(z) in P.
Quantum Instanton Evaluations of the Thermal Rate Constants for
Complex Systems
Authors: Zhao Yi , Wang Wenji
Published: December 2011

Quantum instanton (QI) approximation is recently proposed for the evaluations of the chemical reaction rate constants with use of full dimensional potential energy surfaces. Its strategy is to use the instanton mechanism and to approximate time-dependent quantum dynamics to the imaginary time propagation of the quantities of partition function. It thus incorporates the properties of the instanton idea and the quantum effect of partition function and can be applied to chemical reactions of complex systems. In this paper, we present the QI approach and its applications to several complex systems mainly done by us. The concrete systems include, (1) the reaction of H+CH4→H2+CH3, (2) the reaction of H+SiH4→H2+SiH3, (3) H diffusion on Ni(100) surface; and (4) surface-subsurface transport and interior migration for H/Ni. Available experimental and other theoretical data are also presented for the purpose of comparison.
Statistical Estimation for CAPM with Long-Memory Dependence
Authors: Amano Tomoyuki , Kato Tsuyoshi , Taniguchi Masanobu
Published: December 2011

We investigate the Capital Asser Pricing Model (CAPM) with time dimension. By using time series analysis, we discuss the estimation of CAPM when market portfolio and the error process are long-memory process and correlated with each other. We give a sufficient condition for the return of assets in the CAPM to be short memory. In this setting, we propose a two-stage least squares estimator for the regression coefficient and derive the asymptotic distribution. Some numerical studies are given. They show an interesting feature of this model.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Hispanics: The University of Puerto Rico IBD Registry
Authors: Torres Esther A. , Cruz Abdiel , Monagas Mariola , Bernal Marina , Correa Yadira , Cordero Rafael , Carlo Víctor L.
Published: December 2011

A registry of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), was created at the University of Puerto Rico in 1995. Subjects with a documented diagnosis of IBD by clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and/or pathologic criteria were recruited from the IBD clinics, support groups, and community practices, and demographic and medical data was collected. All entries from 1995 to 2009 were analyzed for demographics, family history, disease extent, extraintestinal manifestations, surgery, and smoking history. Results were described using summary statistics. 635 Hispanics living in Puerto Rico, 299 with UC and 336 with CD, were included. Mean ages were 40.3 for UC and 30.9 for CD. Over half (56%) of UC and 41% of CD were females. Family history was present in 19.3% of UC and 17.5% of CD. Surgery for IBD had been performed in 31.9% of UC and 51.2% of the CD patients. Over one-fourth of the patients reported extraintestinal manifestations, most frequently arthropathies. Our findings contribute to the limited epidemiologic and clinical data on Hispanics with IBD.
Host Susceptibility toBrucella abortusInfection Is More Pronounced in IFN-γknockout than IL-12/β2-Microglobulin Double-Deficient Mice
Authors: Brandão Ana Paula M. S. , Oliveira Fernanda S. , Carvalho Natalia B. , Vieira Leda Q. , Azevedo Vasco , Macedo Gilson C. , Oliveira Sergio C.
Published: December 2011

Brucella abortusis a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes abortion in domestic animals and undulant fever in humans. IFN-γ, IL-12, and CD8+ T lymphocytes are important components of host immune responses againstB. abortus. Herein, IFN-γand IL-12/β2-microglobulin (β2-m) knockout mice were used to determine whether CD8+ T cells and IL-12-dependent IFN-γdeficiency would be more critical to controlB. abortusinfection compared to the lack of endogenous IFN-γ. At 1 week after infection, IFN-γKO and IL-12/β2-m KO mice showed increased numbers of bacterial load in spleens; however, at 3 weeks postinfection (p.i.), only IFN-γKO succumbed toBrucella. All IFN-γKO had died at 16 days p.i. whereas death within the IL-12/β2-m KO group was delayed and occurred at 32 days until 47 days postinfection. Susceptibility of IL-12/β2-m KO animals toBrucellawas associated to undetectable levels of IFN-γin mouse splenocytes and inability of these cells to lyseBrucella-infected macrophages. However, the lack of endogenous IFN-γwas found to be more important to control brucellosis than CD8+ T cells and IL-12-dependent IFN-γdeficiencies.
A Two-Stage Penalized Logistic Regression Approach to Case-Control Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Zhao Jingyuan , Chen Zehua
Published: December 2011

We propose a two-stage penalized logistic regression approach to case-control genome-wide association studies. This approach consists of a screening stage and a selection stage. In the screening stage, main-effect and interaction-effect features are screened by usingL1-penalized logistic like-lihoods. In the selection stage, the retained features are ranked by the logistic likelihood with the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) penalty (Fan and Li, 2001) and Jeffrey’s Prior penalty (Firth, 1993), a sequence of nested candidate models are formed, and the models are assessed by a family of extended Bayesian information criteria (J. Chen and Z. Chen, 2008). The proposed approach is applied to the analysis of the prostate cancer data of the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) project in the National Cancer Institute, USA. Simulation studies are carried out to compare the approach with the pair-wise multiple testing approach (Marchini et al. 2005) and the LASSO-patternsearch algorithm (Shi et al. 2007).
Spore Powder ofGanoderma lucidumImproves Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Endocrine Therapy: A Pilot Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhao Hong , Zhang Qingyuan , Zhao Ling , Huang Xu , Wang Jincai , Kang Xinmei
Published: December 2011

The fatigue prevalence in breast cancer survivors is high during the endocrine treatment. However, there are few evidence-based interventions to manage this symptom. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of spore powder ofGanoderma lucidumfor cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy. Spore powder ofGanoderma lucidumis a kind of Basidiomycete which is a widely used traditional medicine in China. 48 breast cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue undergoing endocrine therapy were randomized into the experimental or control group. FACT-F, HADS, and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires data were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and liver-kidney functions were measured before and after intervention. The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the domains of physical well-being and fatigue subscale after intervention. These patients also reported less anxiety and depression and better quality of life. Immune markers of CRF were significantly lower and no serious adverse effects occurred during the study. This pilot study suggests that spore powder ofGanoderma lucidummay have beneficial effects on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy without any significant adverse effect.
Bioactivity Evaluation of Plant Extracts Used in Indigenous Medicine against the Snail,Biomphalaria glabrata, and the Larvae ofAedes aegypti
Authors: Santos Edilson Alves dos , Carvalho Cenira M. de , Costa Ana L. S. , Conceição Adilva S. , Moura Flávia de B. Prado , Santana Antônio Euzébio Goulart
Published: December 2011

This investigation examined the molluscicidal and larvicidal activity of eight plants that are used in the traditional medicine of the Pankararé indigenous people in the Raso da Catarina region, Bahia state, Brazil. The tested plants were chosen based on the results of previous studies. Only those plants that were used either as insect repellents or to treat intestinal parasitic infections were included in the study. Crude extracts (CEs) of these plants were tested for their larvicidal activity (againstAedes aegyptilarvae in the fourth instar) and molluscicidal activity (against the snailBiomphalaria glabrata). The plant speciesScoparia dulcisandHelicteres velutinaexhibited the best larvicidal activities (LC5083.426 mg/L and LC50138.896 mg/L, resp.), andPoincianella pyramidalis,Chenopodium ambrosoides, andMimosa tenuiflorapresented the best molluscicidal activities (LC500.94 mg/L, LC5013.51 mg/L, and LC5020.22 mg/L, resp.). As we used crude extracts as the tested materials, further study is warranted to isolate and purify the most active compounds.
Long-Term Followup of Adolescent and Young Adult Females with Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism
Authors: Pantelis Tsimaris , Nikolaos Vrachnis , Zoe Iliodromiti , Efthymios Deligeoroglou
Published: December 2011

The condition characterized by elevated gonadotrophins (gonadotropins elevated into the menopausal range), low sex steroids, and menstrual disorders was previously termed Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). However, over the last two years an effort has been made by many authors to have the term Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) exclusively applied. Irrespective of the term, the condition concerns adolescent and young adult women under 40 years who experience cessation of menstruation for more than 3 cycles (whereas these women in the past had a rhythmic menstrual cycle) or amenorrhea for 4–6 months against the background of a previously disturbed menstrual cycle. Determining the cause of POI is difficult, and it is even harder to deal with problems arising from the paucity of estrogen as well as to draw up the plan for long-term monitoring of these patients. This paper presents long-term therapeutic management strategies concerning emotional health, hormone replacement therapy, maintenance of bone health, family planning, other associated disorders as well as possible research options for the future.
Adolescent Understanding and Acceptance of the HPV Vaccination in an Underserved Population in New York City
Authors: Blumenthal Jill , Frey Melissa K. , Worley Michael J. , Tchabo Nana E. , Soren Karen , Slomovitz Brian M.
Published: December 2011

Background. HPV vaccination may prevent thousands of cases of cervical cancer. We aimed to evaluate the understanding and acceptance of the HPV vaccine among adolescents.Methods. A questionnaire was distributed to adolescents at health clinics affiliated with a large urban hospital system to determine knowledge pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases and acceptance of the HPV vaccine.Results. 223 adolescents completed the survey. 28% were male, and 70% were female. The mean age for respondents was 16 years old. Adolescents who had received the HPV vaccine were more likely to be female and to have heard of cervical cancer and Pap testing. Of the 143 adolescents who had not yet been vaccinated, only 4% believed that they were at risk of HPV infection and 52% were willing to be vaccinated.Conclusions. Surveyed adolescents demonstrated a marginal willingness to receive the HPV vaccine and a lack of awareness of personal risk for acquiring HPV.
Chitin, Chitinase Responses, and Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Vega Karina , Kalkum Markus
Published: December 2011

The human immune system is capable of recognizing and degrading chitin, an important cell wall component of pathogenic fungi. In the context of host-immune responses to fungal infections, herein we review the particular contributions and interplay of fungus and chitin recognition, and chitin-degrading enzymes, known as chitinases. The mechanisms of host chitinase responses may have implications for diagnostic assays as well as novel therapeutic approaches for patients that are at risk of contracting fatal fungal infections.
Accelerated Circulant and Skew Circulant Splitting Methods for Hermitian Positive Definite Toeplitz Systems
Authors: Akhondi N. , Toutounian F.
Published: December 2011

We study the CSCS method for large Hermitian positive definite Toeplitz
linear systems, which first appears in Ng's paper published in (Ng, 2003), and CSCS stands for circulant and skew circulant splitting of the coefficient matrix . In this paper, we present a new iteration method for the
numerical solution of Hermitian positive definite Toeplitz systems of linear equations.
The method is a two-parameter generation of the CSCS method such that when the
two parameters involved are equal, it coincides with the CSCS method. We discuss the
convergence property and optimal parameters of this method. Finally, we extend our
method to BTTB matrices. Numerical experiments are presented to show the effectiveness of our new method.
Cancer Dormancy: A Model of Early Dissemination and Late Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Páez David , Labonte Melissa J. , Bohanes Pierre , Zhang Wu , Benhanim Leonor , Ning Yan , Wakatsuki Takeru , Loupakis Fotios , Lenz Heinz-Josef
Published: December 2011

Cancer dormancy is a stage in tumor progression in which residual disease remains occult and asymptomatic for a prolonged period of time. Dormant tumor cells can be present as one of the earliest stages in tumor development, as well as a stage in micrometastases, and/or minimal residual disease left after an apparently successful treatment of the primary tumor. The general mechanisms that regulate the transition of disseminated tumor cells that have lain dormant into a proliferative state remain largely unknown. However, regulation of the growth from dormant tumor cells may be explained in part through the interaction of the tumor cell with its microenvironment, limitations in the blood supply, or an active immune system. An understanding of the regulatory machinery of these processes is essential for identifying early cancer biomarkers and could provide a rationale for the development of novel agents to target dormant tumor cells. This review focuses on the different signaling models responsible for early cancer dissemination and tumor recurrence that are involved in dormancy pathways. Clin Cancer Res; 18(3); 645–53. ©2011 AACR.
Altered Metabolism of Low-Density Lipoprotein and Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Remnant in Autosomal Recessive Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Tada Hayato , Kawashiri Masa-aki , Ikewaki Katsunori , Terao Yoshio , Noguchi Tohru , Nakanishi Chiaki , Tsuchida Masayuki , Takata Mutsuko , Miwa Kenji , Konno Tetsuo , Hayashi Kenshi , Nohara Atsushi , Inazu Akihiro , Kobayashi Junji , Mabuchi Hiroshi , Yamagishi Masakazu
Published: December 2011

Background—

Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) exhibits different responsiveness to statins compared with that in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). However, few data exist regarding lipoprotein metabolism of ARH. Therefore, we aimed to clarify lipoprotein metabolism, especially the remnant lipoprotein fractions of ARH before and after statin therapy.

Methods and Results—

We performed a lipoprotein kinetic study in an ARH patient and 7 normal control subjects, using stable isotope methodology (10 mg/kg of [
2
H
3
]-leucine). These studies were performed at baseline and after the 20 mg daily dose of atorvastatin. Tracer/tracee ratio of apolipoprotein B (apoB) was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and fractional catabolic rates (FCR) were determined by multicompartmental modeling, including remnant lipoprotein fractions. FCR of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apoB of ARH was significantly lower than those of control subjects (0.109 versus 0.450±0.122 1/day). In contrast, the direct removal of very-low-density lipoprotein remnant was significantly greater in ARH than those in control subjects (47.5 versus 2±2%). Interestingly, FCR of LDL apoB in ARH dramatically increased to 0.464 1/day, accompanying reduction of LDL cholesterol levels from 8.63 to 4.22 mmol/L after treatment with atorvastatin of 20 mg/d for 3 months.

Conclusions—

These results demonstrate that ARH exhibits decreased LDL clearance associated with decreased FCR of LDL apoB and increased clearance for very-low-density lipoprotein remnant. We suggest that increased clearance of remnant lipoprotein fractions could contribute to the great responsiveness to statins, providing new insights into the lipoprotein metabolism of ARH and the novel pharmacological target for LDLRAP1.
Legislative Institutions and Corruption in Developing Country Democracies
Authors: Yadav Vineeta
Published: December 2011

This article extends the research on institutional sources of corruption by investigating whether legislative institutions play a significant role in driving corruption in developing country democracies. The author argues that when legislative rules (a) give parties control over agenda setting and (b) allow parties to strip legislators who vote against the party line of their legislative mandates, parties can exercise valuable influence over the legislative policy process, which allows them to engage in practices leading to higher corruption. The author derives two testable hypotheses linking higher party influence over agenda setting and voting in the legislature to higher corruption and test them by using a new data set on legislative rules for 64 developing country democracies from 1984 to 2004. The empirical results corroborate the hypotheses and remain robust when controlling for alternative explanations, employing different estimation techniques, and using different measures of corruption.
Carjacking and Copresence
Authors: Jacobs Bruce A.
Published: December 2011

Drawing from in-depth qualitative interviews, this research note explores how carjacking offenders establish copresence with victims. Two tactics are explored: normalcy illusions and blitzes. The paper links these tactics conceptually to the delivery of coercive actions. Discussion focuses on the offenders' manipulation of celerity and publicity in the approach process and its implications for compliance generation in an alternative coercive climate.
Soft skills and employability: Evidence from UK retail
Authors: Nickson Dennis , Warhurst Chris , Commander Johanna , Hurrell Scott A , Cullen Anne Marie
Published: December 2011

This article contributes to ongoing debates about soft skills in front-line interactive service work in considering employability in the UK retail sector. It recognizes how UK government policy has emphasized the importance of qualifications in enhancing employability. However, it suggests that for front-line work in retail it is soft skills that are required to access entry-level jobs. The article notes how these soft skills have traditionally been dominated by debates about emotional labour. Drawing on a survey of 173 clothing, footwear and leather goods retailers, the article argues for a need to recognize the broadening of soft skills to also include aesthetic labour. The article concludes by discussing the implications of the broadening of soft skills with regard to policy initiatives to encourage the long-term unemployed into the retail sector.
Incidences and Range of Spontaneous Findings in the Lymphoid and Haemopoietic System of Control Charles River CD-1 Mice (Crl: CD-1(ICR) BR) Used in Chronic Toxicity Studies
Authors: Bradley Alys , Mukaratirwa Sydney , Petersen-Jones Morven
Published: December 2011

The authors performed a retrospective study to determine the incidences and range of spontaneous pathology findings in the lymphoid and haemopoietic systems of control Charles River CD-1 mice (Crl: CD-1(ICR) BR). Data was collected from 2,560 mice from control dose groups (104-week and 80-week carcinogenicity studies; 13-week studies), from regulatory studies evaluated at the authors’ laboratory between 2005 and 2010. Lesions of the lymphoid and hematopoietic systems were uncommon in 13-week studies but were of high incidence in the carcinogenicity studies (80- or 104-week duration). The most common finding overall was lymphoid hyperplasia within the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. The finding of benign lymphoid hyperplasia of the thymus is unusual in other mouse strains. The most common cause of death in the carcinogenicity studies was lymphoma. It is hoped that the results presented here will provide a useful database of incidental pathology findings in CD-1 mice on carcinogenicity studies.
Association between Otitis Media and Gastroesophageal Reflux
Authors: Miura Mauricio Schreiner , Mascaro Miguel , Rosenfeld Richard M.
Published: December 2011

Objective

To systematically review the association between otitis media and gastroesophageal/laryngopharyngeal reflux in children.

Data Sources

Cochrane library, MEDLINE (1966–September 2011), EMBASE (1974–September 2011), proceedings of International Symposia on Recent Advances in Otitis Media, and reference lists of relevant selected articles.

Review Methods

Studies with planned data collection, in children with chronic otitis media with effusion/recurrent acute otitis media, assessing gastroesophageal/laryngopharyngeal reflux, pepsin/pepsinogen in middle ear, or antireflux therapy, were included.

Results

Of 242 initial studies, 15 met inclusion criteria. The authors found a mean prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with chronic otitis media with effusion of 48.4% (range, 17.6%‐64%) and in children with recurrent acute otitis media of 62.9% (range, 61.5%‐64.3%). A mean prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux of 48.6% (range, 27.3%‐70.6%) was found in children with otitis media. Mean pepsin/pepsinogen presence in otitis media was 85.3% (range, 60%‐100%) and of enzymatic activity was 34.2% (range, 14.5%‐73%). Two randomized trials could not find benefit after antireflux treatment for 3 months, with an absolute rate difference (95% confidence interval) of 0.23 (0.023‐0.42) and 0.13 (−0.086 to 0.34), respectively. Reporting of adverse events was limited, or absent, in most studies.

Conclusion

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with chronic otitis media with effusion/recurrent acute otitis media may be higher than the overall prevalence for children. Presence of pepsin/pepsinogen in the middle ear could be related to physiologic reflux. A cause‐effect relationship between pepsin/pepsinogen in the middle ear and otitis media is unclear. Antireflux therapy for otitis media cannot be endorsed based on existing research.
Double Impairment
Authors: Pothier David D. , Rutka John A. , Ranalli Paul J.
Published: December 2011

Objective

Following recently described small series of patients with the syndrome of cerebellar ataxia with bilateral vestibulopathy (CABV), the authors undertook a careful clinical and laboratory assessment of patients who presented to their unit with characteristics of this syndrome.

Study Design

Case note review.

Setting

Tertiary, university‐based, multidisciplinary neurootology clinic.

Subjects

Thirty‐three patients whose characteristics fit this syndrome.

Methods

Patients presenting to the Multidisciplinary Neurotology Clinic with characteristics of CABV were entered into a bespoke database. This was analyzed to identify the clinical findings and results of vestibular investigations for this group.

Results

Patients presented at a mean age of 54 years (SD, 17.6) with symptoms having been present for a median of 3 years (interquartile ratio, 2.0‐9.5). Caloric testing greatly underestimated the disorder, being subnormal in only 18% of patients; the head‐thrust test was abnormal and dynamic visual acuity testing was abnormal 88% and 91% of the time, respectively. Of the patients, 76% demonstrated gaze‐evoked nystagmus. Impaired smooth pursuit (97% of patients showed low gain with saccadic corrections) and impaired cancellation of the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (in 97% of patients) were found. Impaired saccular otolithic function was abnormal in 33%, adding to patient imbalance.

Conclusion

The unique double‐pathway balance impairment in CABV patients causes a high prevalence of subnormal function of both central and peripheral vestibular function. This is an easily missed clinical entity that is often associated with normal caloric investigations. As many patients with this syndrome are poor candidates for vestibular rehabilitation therapy, resources are better devoted to the early implementation of assistance with their safe ambulation and activities of daily living.
Study on the electrical conduction in poly (ethylene oxide) doped with calcium carbonate
Authors: Al-Ahmad Hayat , Zihlif AM
Published: December 2011

This work is based on studying the alternating current (AC) electrical properties of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) films doped with ultrafine calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The composite films with 80 μm thickness were prepared by casting method using the solution containing PEO resin, CaCO3, and water, forming a polymeric fluid system. The impedance was measured in the frequency range from 1 to 50 kHz at different temperatures. The concentrations of CaCO3 are 0, 1, 4, 6, and 10% by weight. From impedance results, it was found that the AC conductivity decreases with increasing dopant concentration and increases with increasing temperature. The values of the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss decrease with increasing frequency. The calculated activation energy and the relaxation time showed dependence on frequency and temperature. The determined values of the refractive index decrease with increasing frequency and CaCO3 concentration and increase with increasing temperature. The observed decreases in the AC-electrical quantities of the prepared thin films (fluid system) are attributed to the presence of water traces that enhance the polarization effects. The decreases in values of dielectric constants and conductivity indicate that the doped PEO system does not behave as a solid polymer electrolyte with enhanced ionic conduction.
Development of Novel Polymers prepared by vinyl acetate and N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide
Authors: Cui Hui-Wang , Du Guan-Ben
Published: December 2011

To improve the chemical, physical, mechanical and thermal properties of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide (NMA) was used to polymerize with vinyl acetate (VAc). During the emulsion polymerization of VAc using polyvinyl alcohol as protective colloid and ammonium persulfate as initiator, PVAc-NMA was prepared under the conventional conditions in laboratory. In the polymers, larger PVAc-NMA particles and other smaller NMA-NMA particles randomly dispersed together. Their dispersion was good. PVAc-NMA was a pseudo-plastic non-Newtonian fluid, also possessed the normal stress effect (or Weissenberg effect), the pole-climbing phenomenon. With the change of different synthesis processes and the increase in NMA content in the synthesis system, the molecular weight of PVAc-NMA increased. NMA could lower the glass transition temperature of PVAc, and then improved PVAc’s low temperature resistance, so PVAc-NMA could be applied in more harsh or much lower temperature conditions. The static tensile of PVAc-NMA was better. PVAc and PVAc-NMA all had the cold crystallization. The pyrolysis of PVAc and PVAc-NMA was similar. It was found to consist of eight phases. NMA had no obvious effect on the pyrolysis temperature but mainly delayed the thermal degradation process.
The Group-Member Mind Trade-Off
Authors: Waytz Adam , Young Liane
Published: December 2011

People attribute minds to other individuals and make inferences about those individuals’ mental states to explain and predict their behavior. Little is known, however, about whether people also attribute minds to groups and believe that collectives, companies, and corporations can think, have intentions, and make plans. Even less is known about the consequences of these attributions for both groups and group members. We investigated the attribution of mind and responsibility to groups and group members, and we demonstrated that people make a trade-off: The more a group is attributed a group mind, the less members of that group are attributed individual minds. Groups that are judged to have more group mind are also judged to be more cohesive and responsible for their collective actions. These findings have important implications for how people perceive the minds of groups and group members, and for how attributions of mind influence attributions of responsibility to groups and group members.
Mental Health Disability
Authors: Drake Robert E. , Bond Gary R. , Thornicroft Graham , Knapp Martin , Goldman Howard H.
Published: December 2011

Mental health disability imposes an enormous cost to patients, families, and society. Across free market countries, the rate of mental health disability is growing and now constitutes about one third of all disability claimants. Living on disability benefits begets demoralization and passivity. This article reviews (a) the current status of mental health disability and mental health disability systems, (b) the encouraging findings related to research on evidence-based treatments and supported employment, and (c) policy changes that might ameliorate the problem of rising rates (and costs) of mental health disability. Mental health treatments, employment services, and disability policies powerfully shape the disability experience. Evidence-based mental health and employment services can ameliorate disability and could potentially prevent disability if applied as early interventions. Yet evidence-based mental health treatments and supported employment services are rarely available. Furthermore, current disability policies tend to trap people in a “disability benefits culture.” Policy changes should recognize that people with mental health disabilities usually want to work, that they are often able to work when provided with appropriate mental health and vocational services, and that employment is highly therapeutic. Disability policies need to strengthen work incentives for beneficiaries, providers, and employers.
A model of the kinetics of the temperature-induced phase transformation in NiTi alloys and its experimental verification
Authors: Malukhin Kostyantyn , Ehmann Kornel
Published: December 2011

A model, describing the kinetics of the temperature-induced austenite phase transformation processes in shape memory alloys (SMAs) is presented. The model is formulated for a general stress and temperature state in the solid body and allows the computation of the austenite phase fraction evolution in it, that is, the dependence of the amount of the austenite phase fraction on the values of the temperature and stress. It is shown that the predicted amount of the austenite phase fraction is not dependent on the control volume discretization. The model does not take into account microstructural changes in the material and the existence of different phases in the material (R-phase, twinned martensite). The experimental verification of the model was conducted using SMA nitinol wire that was prestrained (detwinned martensite state) and subjected to a heat load. It was shown that the austenite phase fraction predicted by the model agrees very well with the tabulated (reference) and experimental data.
Recognizing Family Dynamics in the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Sperry Len
Published: December 2011

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an increasingly common chronic medical condition that affects not only patients but also their families. Because family dynamics, particularly the family life cycle, can and does influence the disease process, those providing counseling to CFS patients and their families would do well to recognize these dynamics. CFS as a disease process is experienced differently throughout the family cycle. This process is described and illustrated with case material.
From Hot Ashes to a Cool Recovery
Authors: Blanke Sandra J. , McGrady Elizabeth
Published: December 2011

This case discusses the importance of business continuity and disaster recovery planning (BCDRP) well in advance of a disaster. While the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Texas experienced a devastating fire, the agency continued operations without interruption and met the needs of all patients. The agency’s ability to continue operations was possible because this agency had planned for disaster and had a BCDRP. Still there were lessons learned. This case provides an opportunity for other agencies to review the eight lessons learned in this case and apply them to their own organizations. Organizations that fully support a culture of creating and maintaining a BCDRP will recover more quickly and be positioned to provide services to their patients without interruption.
Functional and Physiological Effects of Treadmill Training Induced by Buspirone, Carbidopa, and L-DOPA in Clenbuterol-Treated Paraplegic Mice
Authors: Ung Roth-Visal , Rouleau Pascal , Guertin Pierre A.
Published: December 2011

Background. Chronic spinal cord injury may be complicated by weight loss, muscle atrophy, and bone loss. Objective. The authors identified a combination pharmacotherapy using buspirone, carbidopa, and L-DOPA (BCD) that elicits bouts of locomotor-like movements in spinal cord–transected (Tx) mice. They then evaluated the effects of 8 weeks of treadmill training in Tx mice that received BCD or BCD + clenbuterol, a monoaminergic agent with anabolic properties, on locomotor function, muscle atrophy, adipose tissue loss, and bone density measures. Methods. Induced locomotor movement, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and femoral bone properties were compared in unoperated control mice, operated controls (untreated, untrained Tx mice), and 2 groups of treated, trained Tx mice (Tx + BCD, Tx + BCD + clenbuterol) that also received training. Results. BCD- and BCD + clenbuterol–treated mice showed comparable levels of locomotor movements that significantly improved over time. Soleus muscle mass and soleus and extensor digitorum longus cross-sectional area significantly increased in both groups of BCD-treated mice, with greater effects in BCD + clenbuterol–treated animals. Fiber type conversion, adipose tissues, bone mineral density, and content were reduced in all Tx groups compared with unoperated control mice. Conclusion. These findings suggest that locomotor movement and muscle properties can be restored to near-normal levels after several weeks of BCD treatment, regular training, and clenbuterol in completely paraplegic animals.
Disability impact and coping in mothers of children with intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities
Authors: Kishore M. Thomas
Published: December 2011

Understanding the disability impact on parenting and caregiving is important for intervention. The present study was designed to understand the differences in perceived disability impact and related coping in mothers having children with intellectual disabilities alone compared to those having children with intellectual disabilities and additional disabilities. Accordingly, 30 mothers of children with intellectual disabilities and 30 mothers of children with intellectual and additional disabilities were assessed for disability impact and coping. Group differences for disability impact were present in specific domains but not overall. Despite variations in coping pattern, both positive and negative coping strategies were observed in both groups. The results may imply that the impact of intellectual disability is so pervasive that except in certain domains mothers may not perceive the further impact of additional disabilities. Positive coping does not rule out negative coping strategies. These findings have specific relevance to service delivery in a cultural context.
Inter-plane artifact suppression in tomosynthesis using 3D CT image data
Authors: Kim Jae G , Jin Seung O , Cho Min H , Lee Soo Y
Published: December 2011

Background

Despite its superb lateral resolution, flat-panel-detector (FPD) based tomosynthesis suffers from low contrast and inter-plane artifacts caused by incomplete cancellation of the projection components stemming from outside the focal plane. The incomplete cancellation of the projection components, mostly due to the limited scan angle in the conventional tomosynthesis scan geometry, often makes the image contrast too low to differentiate the malignant tissues from the background tissues with confidence.

Methods

In this paper, we propose a new method to suppress the inter-plane artifacts in FPD-based tomosynthesis. If 3D whole volume CT images are available before the tomosynthesis scan, the CT image data can be incorporated into the tomosynthesis image reconstruction to suppress the inter-plane artifacts, hence, improving the image contrast. In the proposed technique, the projection components stemming from outside the region-of-interest (ROI) are subtracted from the measured tomosynthesis projection data to suppress the inter-plane artifacts. The projection components stemming from outside the ROI are calculated from the 3D whole volume CT images which usually have lower lateral resolution than the tomosynthesis images. The tomosynthesis images are reconstructed from the subtracted projection data which account for the x-ray attenuation through the ROI. After verifying the proposed method by simulation, we have performed both CT scan and tomosynthesis scan on a phantom and a sacrificed rat using a FPD-based micro-CT.

Results

We have measured contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) from the tomosynthesis images which is an indicator of the residual inter-plane artifacts on the focal-plane image. In both cases of the simulation and experimental imaging studies of the contrast evaluating phantom, CNRs have been significantly improved by the proposed method. In the rat imaging also, we have observed better visual contrast from the tomosynthesis images reconstructed by the proposed method.

Conclusions

The proposed tomosynthesis technique can improve image contrast with aids of 3D whole volume CT images. Even though local tomosynthesis needs extra 3D CT scanning, it may find clinical applications in special situations in which extra 3D CT scan is already available or allowed.
Hair analysis following chronic smoked-drugs-of-abuse exposure in adults and their toddler: a case report
Authors: Papaseit Esther , Joya Xavier , Velasco Marta , Civit Ester , Mota Pau , Bertran Marta , Vall Oriol , Garcia-Algar Oscar
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Over the past two decades, the study of chronic cocaine and crack cocaine exposure in the pediatric population has been focused on the potential adverse effects, especially in the prenatal period and early childhood. Non-invasive biological matrices have become an essential tool for the assessment of a long-term history of drug of abuse exposure.

Case report

We analyze the significance of different biomarker values in hair after chronic crack exposure in a two-year-old Caucasian girl and her parents, who are self-reported crack smokers. The level of benzoylecgonine, the principal metabolite of cocaine, was determined in segmented hair samples (0 cm to 3 cm from the scalp, and > 3 cm from the scalp) following washing to exclude external contamination. Benzoylecgonine was detectable in high concentrations in the child's hair, at 1.9 ng/mg and 7.04 ng/mg, respectively. Benzoylecgonine was also present in the maternal and paternal hair samples at 7.88 ng/mg and 6.39 ng/mg, and 13.06 ng/mg and 12.97 ng/mg, respectively.

Conclusion

Based on the data from this case and from previously published poisoning cases, as well as on the experience of our research group, we conclude that, using similar matrices for the study of chronic drug exposure, children present with a higher cocaine concentration in hair and they experience more serious deleterious acute effects, probably due to a different and slower cocaine metabolism. Consequently, children must be not exposed to secondhand crack smoke under any circumstance.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with mortality in the medical intensive care unit
Authors: Venkatram Sindhaghatta , Chilimuri Sridhar , Adrish Muhammad , Salako Abayomi , Patel Madanmohan , Diaz-Fuentes Gilda
Published: December 2011

Introduction

The incidence of vitamin D deficiency in critically ill patients has been reported to range from as low as 17% to as high as 79%. Data regarding the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and outcomes in the medical intensive care unit are sparse. The goal of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in the medical intensive care unit and its relationship with outcomes.

Method

This was a retrospective study in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) at an inner city community hospital. The study period was between October 2009 and February 2010.

Results

Of the 932 patients admitted during the study period, 25-hydroxyvitamin D vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were available in 523 (53%); 86 of them were excluded from the study due to readmission to the intensive care unit. Deficiency was defined as 0 to 19.9 ng/dL 25(OH)D levels, insufficiency as 20 to 29.9 ng/dL, and normal levels as ≥30 ng/dL. Of the 437 patients studied, 25(OH)D deficiency was identified in 340 (77.8%), insufficiency in 74 (16.9%), and normal levels in 23 (5.3%) patients. Patients with 25(OH)D deficiency/insufficiency were younger (P = 0.015), were male (P = 0.001), and had kidney disease (P = 0.017) and lower total serum calcium levels (P = 0.003). Hospital mortality was higher in patients with 25(OH)D deficiency (P = 0.01). No differences in ventilator days or length of stay in the MICU were evident among the three groups. Analysis by multiple logistic regression demonstrated that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) IV score ((odds ratio (OR) 1.036; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.024-1.048, P < 0.0001), ventilator requirement (OR 7.7; 95% CI 4.3-13.98, P < 0.0001), 25(OH) D levels(OR 0.942; 95% CI 0.942-0.904, P < 0.0005) and 25(OH) D deficiency (OR 8.7; 95% CI 1.03-72.8, P < 0.0469) showed statistical significance. There was no association between 25(OH)]D insufficiency and hospital mortality. The mean 25(OH)D level of survivors (27.9 ± 9.7 ng/dL) was higher than for non-survivors (9.7 ± 4.7 ng/dL; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The study results demonstrate an association between 25(OH)D deficiency and hospital mortality in MICU patients. A randomized prospective study to evaluate the effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on mortality is warranted.
Tout comprendre, c’est tout pardonner – Borzsák István és a francia civilizáció
Authors: Pataki Elvira
Published: December 2011

A tanulmány a Dragma írásaira támaszkodva igyekszik bemutatni a hagyományosan németes műveltségűként számon tartott professzor és a francia kultúra kapcsolatát, megjelölve a XX. század első évtizedeinek azon francia orientáltságú intézményeit és szellemi műhelyeit, amelyek döntő hatással voltak kutatói érdeklődésére és emberi habitusára (Eötvös Collegium, Parthenon), feltérképezve a francia literatúra több évszázadára kiterjedő jártasságát, kísérletet téve alapvetően latinos-klasszikus irodalmi ízlésének vázolására, végül utalva az élete meghatározó eseményeit kísérő Stendhal-élményre.
Avaliação de justiça e intenção de turnover em equipes de vendas: teste de um modelo teórico
Authors: Lopes Evandro Luiz , Moretti Sérgio Luiz do Amaral , Alejandro Thomas Brashear
Published: December 2011

O tema da justiça no contexto da gestão de uma equipe de vendas, embora importante para medir o relacionamento e a efetividade dessas equipes, é pouco ou nada explorado no Brasil. O principal propósito deste trabalho é entender a relação entre a avaliação de justiça em sua constituição tetradimensional (informacional, procedimental, distributiva e interpessoal) e a motivação, a lealdade e a intenção de turnover de equipes de vendas. O estudo de campo foi realizado por meio de um survey eletrônico com uma amostra final de 194 respondentes, todos profissionais de vendas. Uma contribuição acadêmica do estudo foi propor uma nova escala para mensuração da justiça percebida. Outra contribuição foi possibilitar o aprofundamento da compreensão da multidimensionalidade da percepção de justiça, lealdade, motivação e intenção de turnover. Nesse sentido, evidenciou-se a influência da justiça percebida na ligação psicológica da equipe de vendas com a empresa.
Inovatividade, envolvimento, atitude e experiência na adoção da compra on-line
Authors: Caro Abrão , Mazzon José Afonso , Caemmerer Barbara , Wessling Matthias
Published: December 2011

Este trabalho procura analisar as inter-relações entre a inovatividade, o envolvimento, a atitude dentro do modelo Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) decomposto desenvolvido na psicologia social, e a experiência com a Internet com o processo de adoção da compra pela internet. Foi elaborado um modelo integrativo que possibilitasse explicar a relação entre esses fatores e a compra pela internet, e foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa de campo considerando uma amostra não probabilística de estudantes. Foi utilizado o método multivariado de modelagem de equações estruturais, aplicado por meio da técnica Partial Least Squares (PLS) para a verificação, explicação e comparação das relações entre os construtos. Os resultados mostram que a intenção da compra pela internet é diretamente influenciada pela atitude e pela inovatividade, e a atitude é influenciada pelo envolvimento. Não foi encontrada relação entre a experiência com a internet e a compra pela internet.