bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presidential candidates’ ethos of credibility: The case of the presidential pronoun I in the 2012 Hollande–Sarkozy debate
Authors: Roitman Malin
Published: August 2014

The traditional televised debate remains a decisive event in the French presidential elections. This study aims to examine the ways in which French presidential candidates in 2012 reinforce their credibility, their ethos. More specifically, I will study the use of the pronoun I as used in the debate by the candidates, a text element that refers to a physically present I behind the discourse. This pronoun is essential in the ‘self-presentation’ being developed by candidates in the debates. So, I try to categorize the different types of ‘I’ relating to the concepts of, for example, solidarity, commitment, authority, patriotism. Second, I will analyze the relationship between ethos and rhetorical use of the French sentential negation ne … pas, the most significant and frequently used counter-argumentative tool used in electoral debates. My studies have shown that counter-argumentation by negation is a relevant parameter for determining the type of text (polemic) and the genre (political debate). The study therefore aims to highlight the relationship between constructions of credibility as presented through the candidates’ use of I, on the one hand, and the refutation of one or the other candidate’s arguments, on the other. This study is based on an assumption of the theory of polyphony that the sentence negation stratifies the utterance into two points of view that are hierarchically organized and semantically opposed: one that refutes and the other being refuted. My assumption is that candidates build ethos by developing a counter-image of the other candidate. Using the negation then allows the candidates to refer to a negative image of their protagonists, while at the same time providing a positive image of themselves: ‘I would not call my Prime Minister a traitor’ (Holland, 2012). Sentence negation also seems to be used to save their own ethos, which is the case when candidate A refutes an argument (from candidate B) which discriminates the positive image of candidate A: ‘Of course I do not take all the credit, but I also do not take all the blame Mr Hollande’ (Sarkozy, 2012). These types of examples show that the form ‘I’ in relation to the function of negation is relevant to an examination of the ethos rhetoric of the candidates.
Why Are There Different Age Relations in Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Comparisons of Cognitive Functioning?
Authors: Salthouse Timothy A.
Published: August 2014

A major challenge for researchers interested in investigating relations between aging and cognitive functioning is distinguishing influences of aging from other determinants of cognitive performance. For example, cross-sectional comparisons may be distorted because people of different ages were born and grew up in different time periods, and longitudinal comparisons may be distorted because performance on a second occasion is influenced by the experience of performing the tests on the first occasion. One way in which these different types of influences might be investigated is with research designs involving comparisons of people of different ages from the same birth cohorts who are all tested for the first time in different years. Results from several recent studies using these types of designs suggest that the age trends in some cognitive abilities more closely resemble those from cross-sectional comparisons than those from longitudinal comparisons. These findings imply that a major reason for different age trends in longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons of cognitive functioning is that the experience with the tests on the first occasion inflates scores on the second occasion in longitudinal studies.
The Spatial Semantics of Symbolic Attention Control
Authors: Gibson Bradley S. , Sztybel Pedro
Published: August 2014

A critical purpose of human communication is to inform others where to focus their attention, and humans use a wide variety of spatial symbols to accomplish this goal. Over the past several years, we have developed a theory of how spatial symbols control the orientation of attention in space. A key feature of this theory is that it uses spatial frames of reference to explain how the information conveyed by these symbols can influence the spatial distribution of attention. Here, we provide a brief summary of this theory, the evidence taken to support it, and how it has illuminated our understanding of attention control and the methods used to study it.
Deprivation Among U.S. Children With Disabilities Who Receive Supplemental Security Income
Authors: Ghosh Subharati , Parish Susan L.
Published: August 2014

This study analyzes data from the 2004 and 2008 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to examine demographic factors among low-income households with children with disabilities that were associated with greater likelihood of receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and their rates of material hardship ( n = 444), by comparing them to low-income households with children with disabilities who did not receive child SSI ( n = 1,942) and other low-income households that did not have children with disabilities ( n = 7,533). Results showed household characteristics, such as those headed by individuals who were single women and Black people and those with less than high school education, and the presence of any working-age adult with disability to be significantly associated with greater likelihood of receiving child SSI. The study also found that controlling for selected demographic characteristics, low-income households with children with disabilities, irrespective of whether or not they received child SSI, experienced significant rates of hardships compared to low-income households without children with disabilities. The study found no evidence that receipt of SSI was associated with reduced material hardships in households with children with disabilities. Implications for policy are discussed.
School-Based Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs
Authors: Fryda Candice M. , Hulme Polly A.
Published: August 2014

One prevention strategy for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) involves educational programs delivered to children in the school environment. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to determine the state of the science on school-based CSA prevention programs. The authors extracted data from 26 articles that fit inclusion criteria to answer research questions on types of programs, methods used to evaluate programs, and program success. Analysis of the extracted data led to the identification of seven categories of teaching learning content. Delivery methods included films, plays, discussion, and role play. Most authors used an untreated or placebo control group pretest/posttest design for evaluation. According to the child outcome measures chosen, the majority of programs were successful. The review also found school nurses rarely involved in these programs. Although not a traditional aspect of their responsibilities, information from this review can help school nurses implement a school-based CSA prevention program.
Epidemiology, Management, and Outcome of Sport-Related Ankle Fractures in a Standard UK Population
Authors: Robertson Greg A. J. , Wood Alexander M. , Aitken Stuart A. , Court Brown Charles
Published: August 2014

Background:

The literature on the outcome of sport-related ankle fractures has focused on operatively managed fractures, despite a large proportion being treated nonoperatively. We describe the epidemiology, management, and outcome of acute sport-related ankle fractures in a UK population.

Methods:

All sport-related ankle fractures sustained during 2007 to 2008 in the Lothian Population were prospectively collected when patients attended the only adult orthopaedic service in Lothian. Fractures were classified using the Lauge Hansen and the Pott’s Classification. The presence of fracture displacement was also recorded. Patients were contacted in February 2011 to ascertain their progress in return to sport.

Results:

Ninety-six sport-related ankle fractures were recorded in 96 patients. Eighty-four fractures (88%) were followed up at a mean interval of 36 months (range, 30-42). Most common associated sports were soccer (n = 49), rugby (n = 15), running (n = 5), and ice skating (n = 3). The mean time for return to sport was 26 weeks (range, 4-104), the return rate to sport 94%, and the persisting symptom rate 42%. Fifty-two fractures (all nondisplaced) were managed nonoperatively—43 isolated lateral malleolar (30 Weber B, 13 Weber A), 2 isolated medial malleolar, 7 bimalleolar. Forty-four fractures were managed operatively—42 were displaced (2 isolated lateral malleolar, 3 isolated medial malleolar, 18 bimalleolar equivalent, 9 bimalleolar, 3 trimalleolar equivalent, 7 trimalleolar), 2 were un-displaced (2 trimalleolar). The mean times for return to sport were 20 weeks (range, 4-52) for the nonoperative cohort (NOC) and 35 weeks (range, 8-104) for the operative cohort (OC) ( P < .001), the return rates to sport were 100% for NOC and 87% for OC ( P < .016), and the persisting symptom rates were 17% for NOC and 71% for OC ( P < .001).

Conclusions:

Nondisplaced ankle fractures in athletes were successfully managed with nonoperative care. They had greater return rates to sport, quicker return times, and lower persisting symptom rates but had less severe injuries.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Corporate Psychopathy and the Full-Range Leadership Model
Authors: Mathieu Cynthia , Neumann Craig , Babiak Paul , Hare Robert D.
Published: August 2014

The B-Scan 360 is a relatively new, purpose-built measure of corporate psychopathy that addresses many of the issues inherent in studying psychopathy in organizations. The primary goal of the present study was to measure the relationship between employees’ perception of psychopathic features in their supervisor and their rating of their supervisor on the Full-Range Model of Leadership. The second goal of the study was to test the B-Scan 360’s factor structure and test its interrater reliability in an organizational sample. A total of 491 civic employees and 116 employees from a branch of a large financial company completed the B-Scan 360 as well as the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire on their direct supervisor. The B-Scan 360 and all of its four factors were positively correlated with passive leadership (Laissez-Faire leadership) and negatively correlated with positive leadership (both Transactional and Transformational leadership). Furthermore, results revealed the same four-factor structure and good interrater reliability for the B-Scan 360 in this business sample as previously reported for a general population. Overall, the results provide additional support for the B-Scan 360 as a measure of psychopathic traits in corporate settings.
Hybrid viscous damper with filtered integral force feedback control
Authors: Høgsberg Jan , Brodersen Mark L
Published: August 2014

In hybrid damper systems active control devices are usually introduced to enhance the performance of otherwise passive dampers. In the present paper a hybrid damper concept is comprised of a passive viscous damper placed in series with an active actuator and a force sensor. The actuator motion is controlled by a filtered integral force feedback strategy, where the main feature is the filter, which is designed to render a damper force that in a phase-plane representation operates in front of the corresponding damper velocity. It is demonstrated that in the specific parameter regime where the damper force leads velocity the control is stable and yields a significant improvement in damping performance compared to the pure viscous damper.
Existence of torsional surface wave in a porous crustal layer over an initially stressed inhomogeneous half-space
Authors: Gupta Shishir , Sultana Rehena , Verma Arun Kumar
Published: August 2014

In this short communication, a mathematical model for torsional wave propagation in a porous crustal layer lying over an anisotropic inhomogeneous half-space has been studied. This study reveals that the inhomogeneity in the half-space is assumed to be present in the directional rigidities and density. The anisotropy nature of the half-space is due to the presence of initial stress. Bessels functions are taken to solve the problem and the frequency equations governing the propagation of torsional waves are derived. It has been observed that there are three sets of torsional wave fronts and one shear wave front. Each set of torsional wave front has a pronounced effect on phase velocity, whereas shear wave front remains un-affected. Numerical treatment is applied to seek these effects on phase velocity of the existing waves and presented graphically. Graphical user interface has been developed using MATLAB to generalize the effect of the various parameters discussed.
Experiencing Violence and Enacting Resilience
Authors: DiFulvio Gloria T.
Published: August 2014

Research about victimization among sexual minority youth has focused on documenting the prevalence and consequences of such experiences. Lacking in the literature is an in-depth exploration of the social context of both risk and resilience in the face of violence. This is especially true for transgender youth who are largely absent from the dominant discourse. This case story provides an example of how one transgender youth interpreted and adaptively responded to the discrimination and prejudice she encountered. Katie’s story illustrates the process of resilience. Despite the adversity she has faced, she shares stories of pride and strength in a culture that considers her as “other.”
Lower bounds of end effects for a nonhomogeneous isotropic linear elastic solid in anti-plane shear
Authors: Leseduarte MC , Quintanilla R
Published: August 2014

In this paper we give lower bounds for the spatial decay of the solutions for anti-plane shear deformations in the case of isotropic inhomogeneous elastic materials. We first consider the case when the shear modulus only depends on the lateral direction. By means of the logarithmic convexity arguments we obtain the required estimates. Some pictures illustrate our results. We also study the general inhomogeneity. We give some lower bounds whenever shear modulus satisfies several requirements.
Month of birth and risk of multiple sclerosis in Kuwait: A population-based registry study
Authors: Akhtar Saeed , Alroughani Raed , Al-Shammari Ahmad , Al-Abkal Jarrah , Ayad Yasser
Published: August 2014

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disorder of central nervous system with undefined etiology. This study examined the month of birth effect on subsequent MS risk later in the life in Kuwait.

Methods:

The month of birth of MS patients enrolled in Kuwait MS Registry between 1 January 1950–30 April 2013 was compared with the month of births in the general population during the comparable period. Multivariable log-linear Poisson regression model was used to analyze the data.

Results:

Data on 1035 confirmed MS patients were collected, of which 65.2% were female and 77.1% were Kuwaiti. The overall risk of MS births (per 105 births in general population) was 28.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.8–30.3). Multivariable log-linear Poisson regression model showed a significant ( p=0.004) peak in the number of MS births during December (θo=340o). During this month, the risk of MS birth was 1.3 times the risk of MS birth in the trough month after adjusting for the effects of gender and nationality (adjusted relative risk=1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.6). The amplitude (α±standard deviation: 0.13±0.014) of sinusoidal curve showed a significant ( p=0.004) difference of 13% from the mean to maximum MS births during peak month.

Conclusions:

This study showed a statistically significant month of birth effect on MS risk with 13% excess MS births during December in Kuwait. Future studies may contemplate ascertaining the seasonal factors eliciting the observed association. The insight gained by unraveling such factors may help curtail MS risk in this and other similar settings in the region.
Experimental investigation on vibration characteristics of woven carbon fabric-reinforced composite beams of various cross-sectional shapes
Authors: Senthamaraikannan C , Ramesh R
Published: August 2014

Vibration characteristics of carbon/epoxy composite beams await increased attention in structural industries such as aerospace, automotive, machine tools, marine industries. The objective of the present work is to investigate and analyze the shape effects of carbon/epoxy composite beams on vibration behavior. Specimens were fabricated using woven carbon fabric for basic shapes: I, box, and channel sections by hand layup method. The fabricated beams were subjected to impulse frequency response test under cantilever and fixed-end boundary conditions for free vibration test up to 3.5 kHz. Vibration response was measured using piezoelectric transducer and was recorded using computer-controlled data acquisition system for analyzing its behavior. The vibration characteristic of beams with various shapes shows modified performance under different boundary conditions. The experimental mode shapes and modal frequencies of beams are discussed and compared for successive resonance sets. At a lower frequency range of 3.5 kHz, the experimental modal responses of beam that were compared with modal results of finite element method analysis using software ANSYS V12® exhibited acceptable deviation in error maximum of up to 8.2%. Further, all deformed mode shapes of various shaped beams tested at increased frequency level of 12 kHz using finite element software were also observed and discussed.
Lack of association between ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism and lung cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Zhenshun , Ma Rongli , Tan Weijun , Zhang Li , Tan Qiuyue
Published: August 2014

Objective:

Previous case-control studies on the relation between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and lung cancer were controversial. In this study, we aimed to further evaluate the relation between the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and lung cancer.

Methods:

We selected eight case-control studies related to the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and lung cancer by searching PubMed, EMBase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang database. We utilized Q-test and I2 test to test the heterogeneity between each study. To merge the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval, we utilized the fixed-effects model during the analyses.

Results:

The present study included 1612 patients with lung cancer and 1442 cancer-free control subjects. By meta-analysis, we did not find any association between the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and lung cancer in either genotype or allele distribution (DD vs. (ID+II): OR = 0.96, 95% CI (0.80–1.14), p = 0. 61; D allele vs. I allele: OR = 1.01, 95% CI (0.91–1.13), p = 0.79).

Conclusion:

We concluded that the ACE gene I/D polymorphism was not associated with lung cancer.
Overcoming recruitment challenges in patients with multiple sclerosis: Results from an Italian survey
Authors: Maida Simona , Dalla Costa Gloria , Rodegher Mariaemma , Falautano Monica , Comi Giancarlo , Martinelli Vittorio
Published: August 2014

Background:

Recruiting patients for randomized clinical trials is still extremely difficult. While there has been much research in oncology patients, no previous studies have consistently addressed specific factors affecting the willingness to enroll in multiple sclerosis trials from the patient’s perspective. To this end, we conducted an exploratory study to assess the related factors and to find ways to improve recruitment.

Methods:

This is a single-center, observational study involving 352 consecutive outpatients followed at one site in Italy. Patients completed the Enrollment Problems Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory.

Results:

Over 50% of the patients would consider participating in a randomized trial. Willing patients are frequently older, with no children, have a diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, and have already participated in clinical trials. Patients’ choices were positively influenced by expectations of having (a) a greater chance of cure, (b) an unavailable drug, (c) a specialist’s care, and (d) the chance to contribute to medical research. Willingness was significantly increased by the use of optimistic language and practical/psychological assistance during the decision-making process.

Conclusion:

Multiple sclerosis patients’ willingness to participate in a randomized trial is mainly related to both altruistic and individual considerations, as well as to a greater chance of specialist/improved care. More effective information flow and an effective, long-standing patient–physician relationship may improve recruitment overall.
Is radiotherapy necessary for intermediate risk ductal carcinoma in situ after breast conserving surgery?
Authors: Kim Taeryung , Park Heung Kyu , Lee Kyung Hee , Kim Kwan Il , Lee Kyu Chan , Ahn Jeong Suk , Ko Kwang-Pil
Published: August 2014

Identifying ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients at highest risk for recurrence after breast conserving surgery (BCS) remains a clinical concern. Subjecting all such patients to radiotherapy may be unnecessary. The Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI) is a simple scoring system for predicting the risk of local recurrence in patients with DCIS. We reviewed patients with DCIS applying the VNPI score system. A total of 184 DCIS patients who underwent surgery at our institution between January 2003 and December 2011 were identified. Patients were not treated according to VNPI guidelines; rather, radiation therapy was applied at each surgeon’s discretion. All patients with hormonal receptor positive tumors were treated with hormonal therapy. Pathology reports were reviewed and VNPI scores of each DCIS calculated. Of the 184 patients, 52 (28.3%), 115 (62.5%) and 17 (9.2%) had low, intermediate and high VNPI scores, respectively. Six of the 184 patients (3.3%) developed ipsilateral local recurrence, five in the intermediate and one in the high VNPI score group. Of the five in the intermediate group, three (60%) were in patients with ER-negative tumors. VNPI score itself was not associated with recurrence (P = 0.145). Factors associated with recurrence included tumor size (hazard ratio [HR] 6.88), grade (HR 9.07) and hormone receptor status (HR 11.75). Radiotherapy did not significantly improve recurrence rates in patients with low and intermediate risk DCIS, especially in those with ER-positive tumors. Radiotherapy can be omitted in patients with ER-positive intermediate score DCIS and in patients with low score DCIS.
Pectoral nerves (PECS) and intercostal nerve block for cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation
Authors: Fujiwara Atsushi , Komasawa Nobuyasu , Minami Toshiaki
Published: August 2014

A 71-year-old man was scheduled to undergo cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRTD) implantation. He was combined with severe chronic heart failure due to ischemic heart disease. NYHA class was 3 to 4 and electrocardiogram showed non-sustained ventricular. Ejection fraction was about 20% revealed by transthoracic echocardiogram. He was also on several anticoagulation medications. We planned to implant the device under the greater pectoral muscle. As general anesthesia was considered risky, monitored anesthesia care utilizing peripheral nerve block and slight sedation was scheduled. Pectoral nerves (PECS) block and intercostal block was performed under ultrasonography with ropivacaine. For sedation during the procedure, continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine without a loading dose was performed. The procedure lasted about 3 hours, but the patient showed no pain or restlessness. Combination of PECS block and intercostal block may provide effective analgesia for CRTD implantation.
Life threatening illness in popular movies-a first descriptive analysis
Authors: Drukarczyk Laura , Klein Carsten , Ostgathe Christoph , Stiel Stephanie
Published: August 2014

In the last two decades, public attention towards illness, dying and death has evolved. In particular, advance care planning, living wills, end-of-life care, and autonomy are increasingly discussed. How this change in public awareness has influenced the presentation of dying and death in cinema needs clarification. Over a one year period, November 2011 until October 2012, a systematic search was conducted to identify movies dealing with incurable diseases produced in 1991–2010 35 movies could be identified and were analyzed in detail and investigated the presentation of illness and death. The number of movies focusing on terminal illness, dying, and death has increased since 1991. The total number of movies that made the yearly German Federal Film Board (FFA) hit list and included a focus on terminal illness, dying, and death increased from 1991 (1 movie) to 2011 (6 movies). The gender of the main characters suffering from terminal illness was distributed equally; three movies portrayed terminally ill children. More than one third of the terminally ill characters died in hospital. The terms “palliative” or “hospice care” were not mentioned once in any films. The number of movies dealing with terminal illness continues to increase and a considerable audience has shown interest in these films. Due to a limited true-to-life performance in the films, a presentation closer to reality could be a major public educational resource.
Identification of a novel AMPK-PEA15 axis in the anoikis-resistant growth of mammary cells
Authors: Hindupur Sravanth K , Balaji Sai A , Saxena Meera , Pandey Shubham , Sravan Gopalkrishnashetty Sreenivasmurthy , Heda Namrata , Kumar M Vijaya , Mukherjee Geetashree , Dey Devaveena , Rangarajan Annapoorni
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Matrix detachment triggers anoikis, a form of apoptosis, in most normal epithelial cells, while acquisition of anoikis resistance is a prime requisite for solid tumor growth. Of note, recent studies have revealed that a small population of normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) survive in suspension and generate multicellular spheroids termed ‘mammospheres’. Therefore, understanding how normal HMECs overcome anoikis may provide insights into breast cancer initiation and progression.

Methods

Primary breast tissue-derived normal HMECs were grown as adherent monolayers or mammospheres. The status of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PEA15 signaling was investigated by immunoblotting. Pharmacological agents and an RNA interference (RNAi) approach were employed to gauge their roles in mammosphere formation. Immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase assays were undertaken to evaluate interactions between AMPK and PEA15. In vitro sphere formation and tumor xenograft assays were performed to understand their roles in tumorigenicity.

Results

In this study, we show that mammosphere formation by normal HMECs is accompanied with an increase in AMPK activity. Inhibition or knockdown of AMPK impaired mammosphere formation. Concomitant with AMPK activation, we detected increased Ser116 phosphorylation of PEA15, which promotes its anti-apoptotic functions. Inhibition or knockdown of AMPK impaired PEA15 Ser116 phosphorylation and increased apoptosis. Knockdown of PEA15, or overexpression of the nonphosphorylatable S116A mutant of PEA15, also abrogated mammosphere formation. We further demonstrate that AMPK directly interacts with and phosphorylates PEA15 at Ser116 residue, thus identifying PEA15 as a novel AMPK substrate. Together, these data revealed that AMPK activation facilitates mammosphere formation by inhibition of apoptosis, at least in part, through Ser116 phosphorylation of PEA15. Since anoikis resistance plays a critical role in solid tumor growth, we investigated the relevance of these findings in the context of breast cancer. Significantly, we show that the AMPK-PEA15 axis plays an important role in the anchorage-independent growth of breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Our study identifies a novel AMPK-PEA15 signaling axis in the anchorage-independent growth of both normal and cancerous mammary epithelial cells, suggesting that breast cancer cells may employ mechanisms of anoikis resistance already inherent within a subset of normal HMECs. Thus, targeting the AMPK-PEA15 axis might prevent breast cancer dissemination and metastasis.
Effects of dust storm events on emergency admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Sanandaj, Iran
Authors: Ebrahimi Seyyed Jamal Aldin , Ebrahimzadeh Leila , Eslami Akbar , Bidarpoor Farzam
Published: August 2014

Background

In recent years, increasing dust storms from western neighboring countries of Iran influenced western and central parts of the country. In this case, level of concentration of atmospheric particulate matter greater than 10 μm (PM10) remained higher for several days compared to the levels before the event. Accordingly, Suspended particulate matters of dust storms in western Iran have caused PM10 pollution in Sanandaj (capital of the Iranian province of Kurdistan) and other Iranian cities. The present study aimed to evaluate possible effects of dust storms on incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases among residents of Sanandaj.

Materials and methods

Dust storm events defined based on the Environmental Protection Administration and Meteorological Announcements, 21 March 2009 to 21 June 2010. Data related to the dust events associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were obtained from the Center for Disaster and Emergency Medicine of Sanandaj, Iran. PM10 concentration and air quality data were obtained from air quality monitoring agency of Kurdistan Provincial Directorate of Environment Protection. Daily PM10 measurements were performed automatically according to β-ray absorption. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Also, linear regression model was used to investigate the relationship between variables.

Results

The average PM10 levels during dust episodes (187 μg/m3) were significantly higher than the other days (48.7 μg/m3). In addition, correlation coefficient between PM10 level and number of cardiovascular and emergency service during dust events were equal to 0.48 (P <0.05) and 0.19 (P >0.05) respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings showed significant increase in emergency admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases during dust storms episode in Sanandaj. Although correlation between respiratory diseases and dust storm events were statistically insignificant (0.19), numbers of cardiovascular diseases were significantly correlated with dust storm events (0.48).
Pore-scale modeling of electrical resistivity and permeability in FIB-SEM images of organic mudrock
Authors: Shabro Vahid , Kelly Shaina , Torres-Verdín Carlos , Sepehrnoori Kamy , Revil André
Published: August 2014

We have developed a new pore-scale method to quantify petrophysical properties of hydrocarbon (HC)-bearing shale. Recent studies indicate that slip flow, Knudsen diffusion, Langmuir desorption, and diffusion in kerogen contribute to the unconventional production properties of shale-gas formations. Conventional petrophysical interpretation methods do not account for the aforementioned phenomena and are often inconclusive when estimating petrophysical properties in shale formations. We constructed a pore-scale representation of the lower Eagle Ford Shale based on focused-ion-beam–scanning-electron-microscope (FIB-SEM) images. Permeability is calculated via previously developed finite-difference methods for the cases with and without slip flow and Knudsen diffusion. The method also calculates streamlines to describe sample pore connectivity. Weighted throat-size distributions are defined based on streamlines to represent the most resistive paths for fluid flow in the FIB-SEM image. Subsequently, permeability is estimated from the dominant throat size in the weighted throat-size distribution. We used a new fluid percolation model for HC-bearing shale that expands HC from kerogen surfaces and water from grain and clay surfaces into the pore space to vary fluid saturation. Isolated pores are randomly distributed within kerogen to increase kerogen maturity in the model. Electrical resistivity is calculated with a finite-difference solution of Kirchhoff’s voltage law applied at the pore scale. A parallel conductor model was used based on Archie’s equation for water conductivity in pores and a parallel conductive path for the Stern-diffuse layer. Calculations were compared with Waxman-Smits’ and Archie’s predictions of macroscopic electric conductivity. Using practical modeling parameters, the parallel conductor model yields the most accurate prediction of pore-scale sample conductivity for various cases of water saturation and conductivity.
Influence of variograms in 3D reservoir-modeling outcomes: An example
Authors: Orellana Ney , Cavero J. , Yemez I. , Singh V. , Sotomayor J.
Published: August 2014

Three-dimensional reservoir models are used routinely for various purposes in the E&P business to support value-based decisions. One of the key challenges in 3D reservoir modeling is distributing the identified facies and their associated properties in the defined 3D structural/stratigraphic framework respecting geologic knowledge and available well data. Different geostatistical techniques are used for populating the reservoir facies and properties in the 3D reservoir models which have different working inputs and assumptions. Most reservoir-characterization studies use variogram-based geostatistical-modeling methods to accurately and efficiently represent reservoir heterogeneities. The variogram-based techniques constrain 3D reservoir models to local data which represent the geologic knowledge and help to create appropriate flow behaviors through dynamic simulation. However, simulation results obtained from those techniques are highly dependent on available data, selected variogram model, and the geomodeler's geostatistical knowledge and geologic experience. To illustrate the impact of variogram modeling on 3D reservoir-modeling outcomes, multiple 3D reservoir models were generated using different variograms for a siliciclastic reservoir. As expected, the results obtained from the models show significant variations, which indicate that selection of appropriate variogram models, which is critical for facies and property distribution in 3D static models, affects original hydrocarbon in place (OHIP) and recoverable resources/reserves estimation and production forecasts. A sensitivity analysis of the variogram parameters in the 3D static models and its impact in the dynamic simulation should be considered an integral part of the 3D modeling workflow.
Statin Use After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Survival: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Cardwell Chris R. , Hicks Blanaid M. , Hughes Carmel , Murray Liam J.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To investigate whether statins used after colorectal cancer diagnosis reduce the risk of colorectal cancer-specific mortality in a cohort of patients with colorectal cancer.

Patients and Methods

A cohort of 7,657 patients with newly diagnosed stage I to III colorectal cancer were identified from 1998 to 2009 from the National Cancer Data Repository (comprising English cancer registry data). This cohort was linked to the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink, which provided prescription records, and to mortality data from the Office of National Statistics (up to 2012) to identify 1,647 colorectal cancer–specific deaths. Time-dependent Cox regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for cancer-specific mortality and 95% CIs by postdiagnostic statin use and to adjust these HRs for potential confounders.

Results

Overall, statin use after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer was associated with reduced colorectal cancer–specific mortality (fully adjusted HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.84). A dose-response association was apparent; for example, a more marked reduction was apparent in colorectal cancer patients using statins for more than 1 year (adjusted HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.79). A reduction in all-cause mortality was also apparent in statin users after colorectal cancer diagnosis (fully adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.84).

Conclusion

In this large population-based cohort, statin use after diagnosis of colorectal cancer was associated with longer rates of survival.
Disparities in Stage at Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival in Nonelderly Adult Patients With Cancer According to Insurance Status
Authors: Walker Gary V. , Grant Stephen R. , Guadagnolo B. Ashleigh , Hoffman Karen E. , Smith Benjamin D. , Koshy Matthew , Allen Pamela K. , Mahmood Usama
Published: August 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of insurance status with disease stage at presentation, treatment, and survival among the top 10 most deadly cancers using the SEER database.

Patients and Methods

A total of 473,722 patients age 18 to 64 years who were diagnosed with one of the 10 most deadly cancers in the SEER database from 2007 to 2010 were analyzed. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariable analyses to assess the effect of patient and tumor characteristics on cause-specific death.

Results

Overall, patients with non-Medicaid insurance were less likely to present with distant disease (16.9%) than those with Medicaid coverage (29.1%) or without insurance coverage (34.7%; P < .001). Patients with non-Medicaid insurance were more likely to receive cancer-directed surgery and/or radiation therapy (79.6%) compared with those with Medicaid coverage (67.9%) or without insurance coverage (62.1%; P < .001). In a Cox regression that adjusted for age, race, sex, marital status, residence, percent of county below federal poverty level, site, stage, and receipt of cancer-directed surgery and/or radiation therapy, patients were more likely to die as a result of their disease if they had Medicaid coverage (hazard ratio [HR], 1.44; 95% CI, 1.41 to 1.47; P < .001) or no insurance (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.42 to 1.51; P < .001) compared with non-Medicaid insurance.

Conclusion

Among patients with the 10 most deadly cancers, those with Medicaid coverage or without insurance were more likely to present with advanced disease, were less likely to receive cancer-directed surgery and/or radiation therapy, and experienced worse survival.
Brain-to-Brain (mind-to-mind) interaction at distance: a confirmatory study
Authors: Tressoldi Patrizio E. , Pederzoli Luciano , Bilucaglia Marco , Caini Patrizio , Fedele Pasquale , Ferrini Alessandro , Melloni Simone , Richeldi Diana , Richeldi Florentina , Accardo Agostino
Published: August 2014

This study reports the results of a confirmatory experiment testing the hypothesis that it is possible to detect coincidences of a sequence of events (silence-signal) of different length, by analyzing the EEG activity of two human partners spatially separated when one member of the pair receives the stimulation and the second one is connected only mentally with the first.

Seven selected participants with a long friendship and a capacity to maintain focused mental concentration, were divided into two groups located in two different laboratories approximately 190 km apart. Each participant  acted both as a “stimulated” and as a “mentally connected” member of the pair for a total of twenty sessions overall.

The offline analysis of EEG activity using a special classification algorithm based on a support vector machine, detected the coincidences in the sequence of events of the stimulation protocol between the EEG activity of the “stimulated” and the “mentally connected” pairs.

Furthermore the correlation of the power spectra of the five EEG frequency bands between each of the twenty pairs of data was analyzed using a bootstrap procedure.

The overall percentage of coincidences out of 88 events was 78.4% and the statistically significant average correlations between the EEG alpha and gamma bands among the pairs of participants, which confirmed the results observed in a pilot study, support the hypothesis that it is possible to connect two brains and hence two minds at distance.
Bredon cohomological dimensions for proper actions and Mackey functors
Authors: Degrijse Dieter
Published: August 2014

For groups with a uniform bound on the length of chains of finite subgroups, we study the relationship between the Bredon cohomological dimension for proper actions and the notions of cohomological dimension one obtains by restricting the coefficients of Bredon cohomology to (cohomological) Mackey functors or fixed point functors. We also investigate the closure properties of the class of groups with finite Bredon cohomological dimension for Mackey functors.
Fuzzy Set Regression Method to Evaluate the Heterogeneity of Misclassifications in Disease Screening with Interval-Scaled Variables: Application to Osteoporosis (KCIS No. 26)
Authors: Chen Li-Sheng , Yen Ming-Fang , Chiu Yueh-Hsia , Chen Hsiu-Hsi
Published: August 2014

Although the trade-off between the two misclassifications (false-positive fraction and false-negative fraction), corresponding to type I and type II error in statistical hypothesis testing based on Neyman–Pearson lemma, to determine the optimal cutoff in the province of evaluating the accuracy of medical diagnosis and disease screening using interval-scaled biomarkers has been attempted by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the heterogeneity of the two misclassifications in relation to the utility or individual preference for relative weights between the two errors has been barely addressed and has increasingly gained attention in disease screening when the optimal subject-specific or subgroup-specific cutoff (the heterogeneity of ROC curve) is underscored. We proposed a fuzzy set regression method to achieve such a purpose. The proposed method was illustrated with data on screening for osteoporosis with bone mineral density.
Behavioral economics and policy evaluation
Authors: Brennan Timothy J.
Published: August 2014

Behavioral economics posits a number of cognitive biases and limitations, which raises questions as to whether revealed willingness to pay equals true willingness to pay. If so, benefit-cost analysis, with a number of methodological advantages, would need to be replaced. Prior analyses of the issue by Sunstein, Sugden, and Bernheim and Rangel fail to offer guidance that would avoid substituting centralized judgments for decentralized information on benefits and costs. Alternatives including using post-implementation valuations, libertarian paternalism, and direct democracy on policy issues also have conceptual or practical limitations. A tentative suggestion is democratic delegation, somewhat appealing because it is already applied to cope with bounded rationality and non-efficiency values. Viewing benefit-cost analysis as a market analogue, and restricting the domain of behavioral economics to uninformed consumers, may be useful guides. The most important guidance may be to require very strong evidence of substantial choice failure before abandoning benefit-cost analysis.
The effect of gender on a frequency discrimination task in children
Authors: Zaltz Yael , Roth Daphne Ari-Even , Gover Hilla , Liran Shay , Kishon-Rabin Liat
Published: August 2014

Background: Physiological and behavioral sex-related differences have been previously reported in the human auditory system, although data are limited to adults and are equivocal. While physiological evidence showed some advantage for females, psychophysical data tended to show greater sensitivity for males in several auditory tasks. Possible explanations for the gender effect in the auditory system include differences between the sexes in physical dimensions of the ear, brain anatomy, exposure to androgens prenatally and/or at puberty, and/or environmental factors (e.g., auditory experience). The purpose of the present study was to investigate sex-related differences in an auditory frequency discrimination task in children prior to puberty.

Methods: A total of 24 normal-hearing children were divided into two age groups: 7- and 8-year-olds, with six girls and six boys in each age group. All children took part in a testing session that consisted of three Difference Limen for Frequency (DLF) measurements. Cognitive tests were also conducted.

Results: Results showed that (a) boys outperformed the girls regardless of age; (b) age effect was significant, with older children performing better than the younger ones, irrespective of gender; (c) intrameasurement variance was smaller for the older children; and (d) age, gender, and auditory working memory and capacity explained over 65% of the variance in DLF thresholds. This is the first evidence of a gender effect in the auditory system in children prior to puberty.

Conclusions: This evidence suggests that it is more likely that inherent physiological differences between the sexes influence the differential outcomes reported in the present study.
Initiation of growth hormone therapy in idiopathic short stature: do gender differences exist?
Authors: Ben-Ari Tal , Lebenthal Yael , Phillip Moshe , Lazar Liora
Published: August 2014

Growth hormone (GH) registries indicate that boys receive preferential GH treatment for idiopathic short stature (ISS). The aim was to determine whether age, auxological parameters, pubertal status, and target height differ between genders at GH initiation.

Review of the computerized files of the endocrine department of a tertiary pediatric medical center identified 184 patients who started GH therapy for ISS between 2003–2011. Data on auxologic parameters, predicted height, parental height, and pubertal status were collected and compared between boys and girls.

Boys accounted for a significantly higher percentage of the study group (65.8%, p<0.001). At onset of GH therapy, there were no significant differences between boys and girls in age (10.2±3.1 vs. 9.9±2.4 years), height-standard deviation score (SDS) (–2.64±0.5 vs. –2.79±0.5), body mass index-SDS[(–0.65±1.01) vs. (–0.80±1.13)], or pubertal status (66% vs. 63.5% prepubertal). Predicted height-SDS was significantly higher in boys (–1.95±1.05 vs. –2.56±0.73, p<0.001). Midparental height-SDS was similar in the two groups, as were paternal and maternal height.

The similar age, height deficit, and pubertal status at onset of GH treatment in boys and girls suggests that gender differences do not exist. Male predominance may stem from family preferences to treat boys. Future studies are warranted to assess the psychosocial aspects in the decision to initiate therapy.
Efficient transduction and optogenetic stimulation of retinal bipolar cells by a synthetic adeno‐associated virus capsid and promoter
Authors: Cronin Therese , Vandenberghe Luk H , Hantz Péter , Juttner Josephine , Reimann Andreas , Kacsó Ágota–Enikő , Huckfeldt Rachel M , Busskamp Volker , Kohler Hubertus , Lagali Pamela S , Roska Botond , Bennett Jean
Published: August 2014

In this report, we describe the development of a modified adeno‐associated virus (AAV) capsid and promoter for transduction of retinal ON‐bipolar cells. The bipolar cells, which are post‐synaptic to the photoreceptors, are important retinal targets for both basic and preclinical research. In particular, a therapeutic strategy under investigation for advanced forms of blindness involves using optogenetic molecules to render ON‐bipolar cells light‐sensitive. Currently, delivery of adequate levels of gene expression is a limiting step for this approach. The synthetic AAV capsid and promoter described here achieves high level of optogenetic transgene expression in ON‐bipolar cells. This evokes high‐frequency (~100 Hz) spiking responses in ganglion cells of previously blind, rd1, mice. Our vector is a promising vehicle for further development toward potential clinical use.