bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal association of preference‐weighted health‐related quality of life measures and substance use disorder outcomes
Authors: Pyne Jeffrey M. , Tripathi Shanti , French Michael , McCollister Kathryn , Rapp Richard C. , Booth Brenda M.
Published: November 2010

Aim To examine the construct validity of generic preference‐weighted health‐related quality of life measures in a sample of patients with a substance use disorder (SUD).

Design Longitudinal (baseline and 6‐month follow‐up) data from a research study that evaluated interventions to improve linkage and engagement with SUD treatment.

Setting A central intake unit that referred patients to seven SUD treatment centers in a Midwestern US metropolitan area.

Participants A total of 495 individuals with a SUD.

Measurements Participants completed two preference‐weighted measures: the self‐administered Quality of Well‐Being scale (QWB‐SA) and the standard gamble weighted Medical Outcomes Study SF‐12 (SF‐6D). They were also administered two clinical assessments: all seven domains of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and a symptom checklist based on the DSM‐IV. Construct validity was determined via the relationships between disease‐specific SUD and generic measures.

Findings In unadjusted analyses, the QWB‐SA and SF‐6D change scores were correlated significantly with six ASI subscale change scores, but not with employment status. In adjusted repeated‐measures analyses, three of seven ASI subscale scores were significant predictors of QWB‐SA and 5/7 ASI subscale scores were significant predictors of SF‐6D. Abstinence and problematic use at follow‐up were significant predictors of QWB‐SA and SF‐6D. Effect sizes ranged from 0.352 to 0.400 for abstinence and −0.484 to −0.585 for problematic use.

Conclusions Generic preference‐weighted health‐related quality of life measures show moderate to good associations with substance‐use specific measures and in certain circumstances can be used in their stead. This study provides further support for the use of the Quality of Well‐Being scale and Medical Outcomes Study SF‐12 in clinical and economic evaluations of substance use disorder interventions.
Modelling the In vivo Spike Activity of Phasically‐Firing Vasopressin Cells
Authors: Clayton T. F. , Murray A. F. , Leng G.
Published: November 2010

A minimalist model of magnocellular vasopressin neurones was developed to examine the hypothesis that their phasic behaviour is the product of intrinsic voltage‐ and activity‐dependent intracellular mechanisms that create a bistable dynamical system. The model can closely match a range of phasic behaviours recorded in vasopressin cells in vivo, as well as reproduce the three archetypal behaviours of vasopressin cells (continuous firing, sparse sporadic firing and phasic firing) by varying one of the fourteen model parameters. In addition, the mean and standard deviation of burst and silence periods can be matched by varying a further two parameters. In the model, the long‐term behaviour (phasic characteristics) of cells is largely independent of the short‐term behaviour (interspike intervals).
Taste receptor activity and feeding behaviour reveal mechanisms of white spruce natural resistance to Eastern spruce budwormChoristoneura fumiferana
Authors: DESPLAND EMMA , GUNDERSEN MARIA , DAOUST SIMON P. , MADER BRIAN J. , DELVAS NATHALIE , ALBERT PAUL J. , BAUCE ERIC
Published: November 2010

The pattern of feeding of Eastern spruce budwormChoristoneura fumiferana(Clem.) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) is compared on foliage from white sprucePicea glauca(Moench) Voss. (Pinaceae) trees previously determined to be susceptible and resistant to defoliation by budworm. No differences are observed in electrophysiological responses from taste sensilla to aqueous extracts of the two foliage types, nor is there a preference for either extract type in a choice test. Acetone extracts from the two foliage types are both preferred to a control sucrose solution, although neither elicits a preference relative to the other. These results suggest that there is no difference in phagostimulatory power of internal leaf contents of the two foliage types. Longer‐term observation of feeding behaviour in a no‐choice situation shows no difference in meal duration, confirming the lack of difference in phagostimulatory power. However, on average, intermeal intervals are twice as long on the resistant foliage, leading to an overall lower food consumption during the assay. This result suggests an anti‐digestive or toxic effect of the resistant foliage that slows behaviour and limits food intake. Previous research has shown that waxes of the resistant foliage deter initiation of feeding by the spruce budworm and that this foliage contains higher levels of tannins and monoterpenes. The data suggest that the resistant foliage contains a post‐ingestive second line of defence against the spruce budworm.
Reliability of EP3OS symptom criteria and nasal endoscopy in the assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis – a GA2LEN study
Authors: Tomassen P. , Newson R. B. , Hoffmans R. , Lötvall J. , Cardell L. O. , Gunnbjörnsdóttir M. , Thilsing T. , Matricardi P. , Krämer U. , Makowska J. S. , Brozek G. , Gjomarkaj M. , Howarth P. , Loureiro C. , Toskala E. , Fokkens W. , Bachert C. , Burney P. , Jarvis D.
Published: November 2010

To cite this article: Tomassen P, Newson RB, Hoffmans R, Lötvall J, Cardell LO, Gunnbjörnsdóttir M, Thilsing T, Matricardi P, Krämer U, Makowska JS, Brozek G, Gjomarkaj M, Howarth P, Loureiro C, Toskala E, Fokkens W, Bachert C, Burney P, Jarvis D. Reliability of EP3OS symptom criteria and nasal endoscopy in the assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis – a GA2LEN study. Allergy 2011; 66: 556–561.

Background:  The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EP3OS) incorporates symptomatic, endoscopic, and radiologic criteria in the clinical diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), while in epidemiological studies, the definition is based on symptoms only. We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of a symptom‐based definition of CRS using data from the GA2LEN European survey.

Methods:  On two separate occasions, 1700 subjects from 11 centers provided information on symptoms of CRS, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. CRS was defined by the epidemiological EP3OS symptom criteria. The difference in prevalence of CRS between two study points, the standardized absolute repeatability, and the chance‐corrected repeatability (kappa) were determined. In two centers, 342 participants underwent nasal endoscopy. The association of symptom‐based CRS with endoscopy and self‐reported doctor‐diagnosed CRS was assessed.

Results:  There was a decrease in prevalence of CRS between the two study phases, and this was consistent across all centers (−3.0%, 95% CI: −5.0 to −1.0%, I2 = 0). There was fair to moderate agreement between the two occasions (kappa = 39.6). Symptom‐based CRS was significantly associated with positive endoscopy in nonallergic subjects, and with self‐reported doctor‐diagnosed CRS in all subjects, irrespective of the presence of allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that a symptom‐based definition of CRS, according to the epidemiological part of the EP3OS criteria, has a moderate reliability over time, is stable between study centers, is not influenced by the presence of allergic rhinitis, and is suitable for the assessment of geographic variation in prevalence of CRS.
Relationship between serum osteocalcin and glycaemic variability in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bao Yu‐Qian , Zhou Mi , Zhou Jian , Lu Wei , Gao Yun‐Chao , Pan Xiao‐Ping , Tang Jun‐Ling , Lu Hui‐Juan , Jia Wei‐Ping
Published: November 2010

1. Recent reports have described the role of osteocalcin in glucose metabolism and glycaemic variability has been proven to be associated with an increased risk of diabetes complications. However, the relationship between osteocalcin and glycaemic variability remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between serum osteocalcin and glycaemic variability, as determined by a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

2. Fifty‐nine T2DM patients with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between 7.0% and 10.9% were recruited to the present study. Biochemical information and CGM parameters were collected at baseline and after 8 weeks of antihyperglycaemic therapy (either sulphonylurea, sulphonylurea + an α‐glucosidase inhibitor or insulin + metformin combination therapy).

3. Compared with baseline, serum osteocalcin increased significantly (P = 0.014), whereas parameters related to glucose variability, including the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (MAGE) and the standard deviation of blood glucose values, decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after the 8 week treatment period. At baseline, there was a positive correlation between serum osteocalcin levels and fasting C‐peptide levels (P = 0.004) and homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function (P = 0.048), but a negative correlation between serum osteocalcin levels and fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.023), HbA1c (P = 0.020), glycated albumin (P = 0.019) and 24 h mean blood glucose (P < 0.001). Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that baseline osteocalcin was the single parameter that best predicted the change in MAGE (β = −0.122; P = 0.039).

4. In conclusion, serum osteocalcin concentrations increased with improved glucose control. High initial osteocalcin levels were associated with subsequent improvements in glucose variability during glucose‐lowering treatment.
Prediction of outcomes after radical prostatectomy in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer of biopsy gleason score ≥ 8 via contemporary multi (≥12)‐core prostate biopsy
Authors: Hong Sung Kyu , Oh Jong Jin , Jeong Sung Jin , Jeong Chang Wook , Kim In Sung , Park Jung Min , Byun Seok‐Soo , Choe Gheeyoung , Lee Hak Jong , Lee Sang Eun
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Prognostic (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Currently, controversy continues with regards to the efficacy of performing radical prostatectomy (RP) and the potential predictor of outcome after surgery in patients with prostate cancers of higher biopsy Gleason score.

Among contemporary patients with biopsy Gleason score ≥8 who underwent RP alone, patients with pathologically organ‐confined disease demonstrated significantly better biochemical outcome than others. Serum PSA level and maximum tumour length in a biopsy core, independent predictors of organ‐confined disease, would be useful in the selection of candidates for RP among patients presenting with biopsy Gleason score ≥8.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcome of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer of biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8 diagnosed via contemporary prostate biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed records of 151 patients who underwent RP for prostate cancer of biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8 detected via multi (≥12)‐core prostate biopsy without any neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment.

Preoperative predictors of pathologically organ‐confined disease along with biochemical recurrence‐free survival were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

For 151 total subjects, 5‐year estimated biochemical recurrence‐free survival rate was 41.0%. Patients with pathologically organ‐confined disease were observed to have much higher 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival rate than those otherwise (72.1 vs 31.5%, P < 0.001).

Serum PSA level (P= 0.031) and maximum tumour length in a biopsy core (P= 0.005) were observed to be significant preoperative predictors of having pathologically organ‐confined disease.

As for biochemical recurrence‐free survival following RP, serum PSA (P= 0.023), biopsy Gleason score (P= 0.032), and percent of total tumour length in biopsy cores (P < 0.001) were observed be significant preoperative predictors on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Among contemporary patients with biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8 who underwent RP alone, patients with pathologically organ‐confined disease demonstrated significantly better biochemical outcome than others. Serum PSA level and maximum tumour length in a biopsy core, independent predictors of organ‐confined disease, would be useful in the selection of candidates for RP among patients presenting with biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8.
COGNITIVE AND EVOLUTIONARY FACTORS IN THE EMERGENCE OF HUMAN ALTRUISM
Authors: Van Slyke James A.
Published: November 2010

One of the central tenets of Christian theology is the denial of self for the benefit of another. However, many views on the evolution of altruism presume that natural selection inevitably leads to a self‐seeking human nature and that altruism is merely a façade to cover underlying selfish motives. I argue that human altruism is an emergent characteristic that cannot be reduced to any one particular evolutionary explanation. The evolutionary processes at work in the formation of human nature are not necessarily in conflict with the possibility of altruism; rather, aspects of human nature are uniquely directed toward the care and concern of others. The relationship between altruism, human nature, and evolution can be reimagined by adopting an emergent view of the hierarchy of science and a theological worldview that emphasizes self‐renunciation. The investigation of altruism necessitates an approach that analyzes several aspects of altruistic behavior at different levels in the hierarchy of sciences. This research includes the study of evolutionary adaptations, neurological systems, cognitive functions, behavioral traits, and cultural influences. No one level is able to offer a full explanation, but each piece adds a unique dimension to a much larger puzzle.
THE SPIRIT IN THE NETWORK: MODELS FOR SPIRITUALITY IN A TECHNOLOGICAL CULTURE
Authors: Coeckelbergh Mark
Published: November 2010

Can a technological culture accommodate spiritual experience and spiritual thinking? If so, what kind of spirituality? I explore the relation between technology and spirituality by constructing and discussing several models for spirituality in a technological culture. I show that although gnostic and animistic interpretations and responses to technology are popular challenges to secularization and disenchantment claims, both the Christian tradition and contemporary posthumanist theory provide interesting alternatives to guide our spiritual experiences and thinking in a technological culture. I analyze how creational, network, and cyborg metaphors defy suggestions of (individual) animation or alienation and instead offer different ways of conceptualizing and experiencing communion between the material and the spiritual.
Learned Attention Effects in L2 Temporal Reference: The First Hour and the Next Eight Semesters
Authors: Ellis Nick C. , Sagarra Nuria
Published: November 2010

This article relates adults’ difficulty acquiring foreign languages to the associative learning phenomena of cue salience, cue complexity, and the blocking of later experienced cues by earlier learned ones. It examines short‐ and long‐term learned attention effects in adult acquisition of lexical (adverbs) and morphological cues (verbal inflections) for temporal reference in Latin (1 hr of controlled laboratory learning) and Spanish (three to eight semesters of classroom learning). Our experiments indicate that early adult learning is characterized by a general tendency to focus on lexical cues because of their physical salience in the input and their psychological salience resulting from their simplicity of form‐function mapping and from learners’ prior first language knowledge. Later, attention to verbal morphology is modulated by cue complexity and language experience: Acquisition is better in cases of cues of lesser complexity, speakers of morphologically rich native languages, and longer periods of study. Finally, instructional practices that emphasize morphological cues by means either of preexposure or typographical enhancement increase attention to inflections thus to block reliance on adverbial cues.
Initial Incidental Acquisition of Word Order Regularities: Is It Just Sequence Learning?
Authors: Williams John N.
Published: November 2010

There is a long tradition of implicit learning research looking at learning of artificial grammars (finite‐state grammars that generate meaningless letter strings). Are the associative learning processes evident in these studies at work in learning word order in natural language? To what extent do meaning and prior linguistic knowledge need to be taken into account in the natural language case? In the study reported here, incidental learning of natural language word order is compared directly to a meaningless analogue (in which the same sequential regularities underlie meaningless syllable strings). The results of both experiments are compared to connectionist (simple recurrent network) simulations. The comparisons suggest that similar associative sequence learning mechanisms underlie learning of both the natural language and its meaningless analogue (with the result that there are certain limitations to what is learned). However, to achieve this alignment, it is necessary to take into account the linguistic categories and meaning structure that the participants are likely to impose on the natural language. It is concluded that the initial incidental learning of word order can be explained in terms of associative (sequence) learning and that linguistic knowledge is engaged to the extent that it defines the categories over which statistics are computed.
The Relative Importance of Symmetric and Asymmetric Shocks: The Case of United Kingdom and Euro Area*
Authors: Peersman Gert
Published: November 2010

We show how a simple model with sign restrictions can be used to identify symmetric and asymmetric supply, demand and monetary policy shocks in an estimated two‐country structural VAR for the UK and Euro area. The results can be used to deal with several issues that are relevant in the optimal currency area literature. We find an important role for symmetric shocks in explaining the variability of the business cycle in both economies. However, the relative importance of asymmetric shocks, being around 20% in the long run, cannot be ignored. Moreover, when we estimate the model for the UK and US, the degree of business cycle synchronization seems to be higher. Finally, we confirm existing evidence of the exchange rate being an independent source of shocks in the economy.
Childhood Abuse and Fear of Childbirth—A Population‐based Study
Authors: Lukasse Mirjam , Vangen Siri , Øian Pål , Kumle Merethe , Ryding Elsa Lena , Schei Berit ,   on behalf of the Bidens Study Group
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Background:  Childhood abuse affects adult health. The objective of this study was to examine the association between a self‐reported history of childhood abuse and fear of childbirth.

Methods:  A population‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted of 2,365 pregnant women at five obstetrical departments in Norway. We measured childhood abuse using the Norvold Abuse Questionnaire and fear of childbirth using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire. Severe fear of childbirth was defined as a Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire score of ≥85.

Results:  Of all women, 566 (23.9%) had experienced any childhood abuse, 257 (10.9%) had experienced emotional abuse, 260 (11%) physical abuse, and 290 (12.3%) sexual abuse. Women with a history of childhood abuse reported severe fear of childbirth significantly more often than those without a history of childhood abuse, 18 percent versus 10 percent (p = 0.001). The association between a history of childhood abuse and severe fear of childbirth remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors for primiparas (adjusted OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.30–3.08) but lost its significance for multiparas (adjusted OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.76–1.80). The factor with the strongest association with severe fear of childbirth among multiparas was a negative birth experience (adjusted OR: 5.50; 95% CI: 3.77–8.01).

Conclusions:  A history of childhood abuse significantly increased the risk of experiencing severe fear of childbirth among primiparas. Fear of childbirth among multiparas was most strongly associated with a negative birth experience. (BIRTH 37:4 December 2010)
Bridging the Gap Between Textbook and Maternity Patient: A Nurse‐Developed Teaching Model for First‐Year Medical Students
Authors: Cooksey Nancy Rumsey
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Background:  Providing more opportunities for first‐year medical students to interact with patients in clinical settings is a current discussion topic in medical student education reform. Early clinical experience helps students bridge the gap between textbook and patient while observing patient‐centered care, and serves as a first step for students to develop the skills needed to work cooperatively as members of a multidisciplinary health care team. The author developed a model to provide perinatal education to first‐year medical students, consistent with the concept of interprofessional education.

Methods:  Primarily first‐year medical students participated in the nurse‐developed education model, a component of a noncredit extracurricular, student‐run perinatal program at a Midwestern university medical center. Students were placed at the bedsides of hospitalized women to provide support and education to them during perinatal procedures, labor, childbirth, and cesarean delivery.

Results:  A total of 350 students participated over a period of 13 school calendar years. Students remarked that participation in the program reinforced the importance of their concurrent anatomy and physiology classes. They observed interdependence and cooperation among the members of the health care team caring for women, and their evaluations of their experiences at the bedside were highly positive. Women consistently expressed appreciation for the additional individualized attention and education received from our student and nurse team.

Conclusions:  Nurses can enhance the learning of first‐year medical students in the maternity care clinical setting. This nurse‐developed education program provided students with a variety of vivid clinical experiences with maternity patients. (BIRTH 37:4 December 2010)
Getting Feedback on Defined Contribution Pension Plans
Authors: MacDonald Bonnie‐Jeanne , Cairns Andrew J. G.
Published: November 2010

Abstract

With the growth of private and public defined contribution (DC) pension plans around the world, market rates of return should increasingly play a large role in the retirement patterns of individuals. The reverse could, however, also be true—i.e., a country's population demographics could influence the financial markets. In this article, we model the potential impact of aggregate retirement patterns on macroeconomic variables with the goal of further understanding the implications of a traditional DC pension becoming the predominant source of retirement income for an entire society. We find that the economic‐system feedback dampens fluctuations in the size of the working population.
Governance and Trust in Family Firms: An Introduction
Authors: Eddleston Kimberly A. , Chrisman James J. , Steier Lloyd P. , Chua Jess H.
Published: November 2010

We provide an overview of the articles and commentaries devoted to theories of family enterprise in this special issue and link them to the concept of trust. Trust is a governance mechanism and theoretical construct of particular relevance for family firms, encapsulating some of their advantages and disadvantages. Trust is also linked to theoretical frameworks such as agency theory, stewardship theory, social capital theory, and transaction cost economics that are often used in family business studies, including those found in this special issue. Consequently, we advance trust as a bridging concept to reconcile and enhance our understanding of family firms as a unique organizational form.
Is Blood Thicker Than Water? A Study of Stewardship Perceptions in Family Business
Authors: Davis James H. , Allen Mathew R. , Hayes H. David
Published: November 2010

Stewardship theory has been used to explain the culture and relationships within family businesses. Researchers have also demonstrated that stewardship leads to superior family business performance. To date, few empirical analyses have examined the situational mechanisms associated with stewardship in family business. This paper examines the role of the family in explaining stewardship within a family business, including the role of trust, value commitment, and agency. We find that value commitment, trust, and agency perceptions explain a significant portion of stewardship variance for family and nonfamily business employees. We further find that family member employees perceive significantly higher value commitment, trust, and stewardship perceptions and lower agency perceptions in family firm leadership than nonfamily members, suggesting that blood is indeed thicker than water.
Hypothyroid Patient with Brugada Electrocardiographic Waveforms: Case Report
Authors: ZHAO YONG‐HUI , ZHANG JIA‐YING , XU YU , ZHANG XUE‐YA
Published: November 2010

We report a 46‐year‐old man who presented with hypothyroidism. An electrocardiogram obtained at the time of the first examination revealed Brugada electrocardiographic (Brugada‐ECG) waveforms in leads V1 to V3. The patient and his family had no history of arrhythmia and syncopal attack. The Brugada‐ECG waveforms disappeared with the normalization of thyroid function. The case suggested that hypothyroidism could lead to secondary Brugada‐ECG waveforms because of its effect on myocardial ion channels. (PACE 2012; 35:e222–e225)
Atrial Fibrillation: What Have Recent Trials Taught Us Regarding Pharmacologic Management of Rate and Rhythm Control?
Authors: REIFFEL JAMES A.
Published: November 2010

The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) focuses on control of heart rate, correction of rhythm disturbance, prophylaxis of thromboembolism, treatment of underlying disorders, and pathophysiologic mechanisms, and more recently on costs, hospitalizations, and other AF consequences. The goals of therapy are to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life (QOL). Several large studies have examined the relative efficacy of rhythm‐ versus rate‐control strategies with respect to these outcomes, and have largely failed to demonstrate a survival advantage with either approach by intention‐to‐treat analysis—both in patients with and without heart failure (HF). However, the results do not support the hypothesis that rate control is preferable as first‐line therapy for AF with respect to survival and do not disprove the hypothesis that maintenance of sinus rhythm is preferable to the continuation of AF, particularly if rate control fails to restore adequate QOL or if selective approaches are employed. Many post hoc analyses and substudies have assessed QOL, functional status, and exercise tolerance, with the majority demonstrating important benefits associated with achievement of rhythm control. Moreover, some subanalyses and additional trials have suggested that sinus rhythm can be associated with longer survival, including in patients with HF. In addition, ATHENA demonstrated that a drug, dronedarone, could improve the composite endpoint of cardiovascular hospitalizations and all‐cause mortality in a carefully selected, high‐risk, nonpermanent AF population, in addition to its recognized reduction in AF. This review examines the clinical outcomes of several important AF trials, discusses the limitations in applying the major morbidity/mortality findings to everyday clinical practice, and summarizes the lessons learned. (PACE 2011; 34:247–259)
Brain Imaging in Cerebellar Ataxia Associated with Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 2
Authors: Manto Mario , Jissendi P
Published: November 2010

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) type 2 (Schmidt syndrome) is a disorder characterized by a combination of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency, autoimmune thyroid disease, and type 1 autoimmune diabetes mellitus. We describe the first case of subacute cerebellar syndrome associated with APS type 2. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed atrophy of the cerebellum and the vermis, as well as of the anterior pituitary gland. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed decreased N‐acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in the cerebellum and in the pons. Our findings expand the spectrum of neurological deficits in APS type 2 and underlines that cerebellar pathways may be a main target of the disorder.
A Comparative Research of Two Lifting Methods: Electrostatic Lifter and Gelatin Lifter*
Authors: Wiesner Sarena , Tsach Tsadok , Belser Charles , Shor Yaron
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Two‐dimensional dust shoeprints are often of very high resolution and contain unique features. Lifting these prints in the most effective method may contribute much to preserving these fine details. A research was conducted by experts from Israel and Switzerland to compare gelatin lifters and electrostatic lifters for lifting shoeprints. Several substrates were chosen, and on each material a set of dry dust shoeprints was made. A set of wet prints was made on paper as well. The shoeprints were approximately of the same quality, and the only variable was the nature of the material. On substrates indifferent to the method used, the preferable sequence was tested. Gelatin lifter was superior on most substrates and for wet prints. The superior sequence for using both methods is electrostatic lifting followed by gelatin lifter.
Experimental orthodontic tooth movement and extensive root resorption: periodontal and pulpal changes
Authors: Tripuwabhrut Polbhat , Brudvik Pongsri , Fristad Inge , Rethnam Sivakami
Published: November 2010

Tripuwabhrut P, Brudvik P, Fristad I, Rethnam S. Experimental orthodontic tooth movement and extensive root resorption: periodontal and pulpal changes.
 
Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 596–603. © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

Previous studies have reported changes both in dental pulp and in periodontal ligament (PDL) following orthodontic tooth movement. However, pulpal changes following extensive root resorption after orthodontic tooth movement have not been studied in detail. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate inflammatory changes, both in the dental pulp and in the compressed PDL, after experimentally induced extensive root resorption. Extensive root resorption was induced in rats by the activation and re‐activation of orthodontic force, with a short intervening period of no force application. The distribution of immune cells, nerve fibres and blood vessels was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies against CD68‐immunoreactive (IR) cells, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II Ia‐expressing cells, CD43‐IR cells, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), and laminin. In the compressed PDL of experimental first molars, significantly increased density of CD68‐IR cells and MHC class II Ia‐expressing cells were found, whereas the density of CD43‐IR cells were unchanged when compared with control second molars. In the compressed PDL, there was an increased density of blood vessels, but no sprouting of nerve fibres. In the dental pulp, however, no increased density of immune cells or sprouting of nerve fibres was recorded. In conclusion, inflammation after extensive root resorption was confined to the compressed PDL, whereas the dental pulp was unaffected.
Involvement of IbeA in Meningitic Escherichia coli K1‐Induced Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Transmigration Across Brain Endothelial Cells
Authors: Che Xiaojuan , Chi Feng , Wang Lin , Jong Timothy D. , Wu Chun‐Hua , Wang Xiaoning , Huang Sheng‐He
Published: November 2010

Transmigration of neutrophil [polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)] across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a critical event in the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis. We have shown that IbeA is able to induce meningitic Escherichia coli invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), which constitutes the BBB. In this report, we provide evidence that IbeA and its receptor, vimentin, play a key role in E. coli‐induced PMN transmigration across BMEC. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that the ibeA‐deletion mutant ZD1 was significantly less active in stimulating PMN transmigration than the parent strain E44. ZD1 was fully complemented by the ibeA gene and its product. E. coli‐induced PMN transmigration was markedly inhibited by withaferin A, a dual inhibitor of vimentin and proteasome. These cellular effects were significantly stimulated and blocked by overexpression of vimentin and its head domain deletion mutant in human BMEC, respectively. Our studies further demonstrated that IbeA‐induced PMN migration was blocked by bortezomib, a proteasomal inhibitor and correlated with upregulation of endothelial ICAM‐1 and CD44 expression through proteasomal regulation of NFκB activity. Taken together, our data suggested that IbeA and vimentin contribute to E. coli K1‐stimulated PMN transendothelial migration that is correlated with upregulation of adhesion molecule expression at the BBB.
Determinants of the dynamics of demand for highway transportation fuel in Nigeria
Authors: Nwachukwu Maxwell Umunna , Mba Harold Chike
Published: November 2010

The major problem with the existing forecasts of demand for highway transportation fuel in Nigeria is often assumed to be associated with poor identification of the factors of mobility upon which they are based. This may have been one of the factors responsible for continued shortfall in supply for highway transportation fuel in the country. The goal of this study was to determine the mobility factors and their effects on the dynamics of demand for highway transportation fuel in Nigeria. Four cities in Nigeria were chosen for this study on a representative basis of size, function and location. The cities are Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Enugu. A total sample size of 3800 questionnaires, representing 1 per cent of the sample frame of 3,800,000 vehicles, drawn using stratified random sampling technique from the four selected cities, were distributed among vehicle operators. A total of 2713 questionnaires representing 71.3 per cent were returned. Multiple linear regression was used to test the research hypothesis. The result suggests that the demand for highway transportation fuel was significantly related to the four of the eight mobility factors studied at 0.01 level (R2 = 0.975). These are real price of fuel, stock of vehicles, time spent in purchasing fuel and fuel subsidy. The data analysed readily fitted into a multiple linear regression model. The study showed that these four variables are significant in determining the demand for highway transportation fuel in Nigeria. The outcome of this study was useful in enhancing future public policy on fuel demand in Nigeria.
Near the End: Celan, between Scholem and Heidegger1
Authors: Lebovic Nitzan
Published: November 2010

In May 1967, at the bottom of a page in a book by Gershom Scholem, Celan jotted down three lines in Yiddish. This note, which alludes to a poem by Moyshe‐Leib Halpern, is the predecessor to “Nah, im Aortenbogen.” The poem, completed while Celan was intensely preoccupied with his meeting with Martin Heidegger, expressed his poetic reaction to Heidegger and Scholem, a sense that between the German and the German‐Jewish an ironic fissure might divide the wall of words. Confronting Scholem's return to Kabbalah (and Zion) and Heidegger's return to Meister Eckhart (and Germania), Celan's reference carries a clear ironic view of both the German and the German‐Jewish “return.” In contrast to previous interpretations of “Nah,” I contend that Celan's complex intertextual strategy resisted both, in favor of a non‐messianic force that debated all teleological courses. What opens with a declaration of “nearness” ends with a simple comma, separating the Hebrew and the German.
Application of hRad9 in lung cancer treatment as a molecular marker and a molecular target
Authors: Maniwa Yoshimasa , Nishio Wataru , Yoshimura Masahiro
Published: November 2010

DNA damage sensor proteins work as upstream components of the DNA damage checkpoint signaling pathways that are essential for cell cycle control and the induction of apoptosis. hRad9 is a member of a family of proteins that act as DNA damage sensors and plays an important role as an upstream regulator of checkpoint signaling. We clarified the significant accumulation of hRad9 in the nuclei of tumor cells in surgically‐resected non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens and found the capacity to produce a functional hRad9 protein was intact in lung cancer cells. This finding suggested that hRad9 was a vital component in the pathways that lead to the survival and progression of NSCLC and suggested that hRad9 was a good candidate for a molecular target to control lung cancer cell growth. RNA interference targeting hRad9 was performed to examine this hypothesis. The impairment of the DNA damage checkpoint signaling pathway induced cancer cell death. hRad9 might be a novel molecular target for lung cancer treatment.
Active Modeling: A Method for Creating and Simulating Variable-Complexity Models
Authors: Rideout D. Geoff , Haq Kazi T.
Published: November 2010

Effective and efficient simulation-based design is facilitated by models of appropriate complexity. A single model will not have the most appropriate level of complexity throughout all phases of a simulation maneuver if inputs or parameters vary. Ideally, a model for which complexity can be varied as necessary will achieve the best possible trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency. A method is presented for switching system model elements on and off as their importance changes, and predicting the response of the resulting variable-complexity model. A modified transformer element removes the dynamic output of a model element to the rest of the system when the moving average of its absolute power falls below a user-defined threshold. When the element is “off,” the input from the system to the element is still passed through the transformer so that an estimate of element power and importance can continue to be calculated and the element switched back “on” if necessary. The bond graph formalism is used to facilitate implementation. Switch configurations are defined for both causally weak and causally strong energy storage and dissipative elements. The method is applicable to linear or nonlinear systems that can be modeled with lumped parameter elements. The approach is demonstrated for quarter- and half-car vehicle models subject to a road profile of varying frequency. The appropriate model complexity at all stages is determined and implemented continuously without prior knowledge of input or parameter changes.
Controllability and Observability Analysis of the Liquid Water Distribution Inside the Gas Diffusion Layer of a Unit Fuel Cell Model
Authors: McCain Buz A. , Stefanopoulou Anna G. , Siegel Jason B.
Published: November 2010

We analyze the controllability and observability (C/O) of the liquid water distribution in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) using a one-dimensional channel-to-channel unit fuel cell model. This modeling domain is sufficient to illustrate the control objectives and analysis techniques but requires further development for stack level modeling. A comparison is made between first-principles-based numeric and reduced-order semi-analytic models with emphasis on the effects of model reduction on their analyses. The numeric model is a partial differential equation based model approximated by difference equations, including both channels and both GDLs of a PEMFC. The reduced model uses a semi-analytic solution method, which is a combination of analytic and numeric solutions, gaining physical intuition at lower computational cost. The C/O analysis is based on linearizations around three critical operating points. The results indicate that stabilizability of the anode liquid water states and, hence, management of anode water flooding is possible. If the channel water mass can be controlled to a constant value, then the GDL liquid distribution will be stable (McCain et al., 2007, “A Multi-Component Spatially-Distributed Model of Two-Phase Flow for Estimation and Control of Fuel Cell Water Dynamics,” Proceedings of the 46th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, pp. 584–589). Further, it will be shown that if the channel liquid water mass can be brought to zero, controllability of the GDL liquid modes will be obtained. Additionally, this study will indicate the input(s) best suited to obtain this control objective and the output(s) required.
Bond Graph Modeling of an Internally Damped Nonideal Flexible Spinning Shaft
Authors: Samantaray A. K. , Dasgupta S. S. , Bhattacharyya R.
Published: November 2010

The rotating internal damping or nonconservative circulatory force in a rotor shaft system causes instability beyond a certain threshold rotor spinning speed. However, if the source loading of the drive is considered, then the rotor spin is entrained at the stability threshold and a stable whirl orbit is observed about the unstable equilibrium. As we move toward the use of more and more lightweight rotor dynamic components such as the shaft and the motor, overlooking this frequency entrainment phenomenon while sizing the actuator in the design stage may lead to undesirable performance. This applies to many emerging areas of strategic importance such as in vivo medical robots where flexible probes are used and space robotics applications involving rotating tools. We analyze this spin entrainment phenomenon in a distributed parameter model of a spinning shaft, which is driven by a nonideal dc motor. A drive whose dynamics is influenced by the dynamics of the driven system is called a nonideal source and the whole system is referred to as a nonideal system. In particular, we show the advantages of representing such nonideal drive-system interactions in a modular manner through bond graph modeling as compared to standard equation models where the energetic couplings between dynamic variables are not explicitly shown. The developed modular bond graph model can be extended to include rotor disks and bearings placed at different locations on the shaft. Moreover, the power conserving property of the junction structure of the bond graph model is exploited to derive the source loading expressions, which are then used to analytically derive the steady-state spinning frequency and whirl orbit amplitude as functions of the drive and the rotor system parameters. We show that the higher transverse modes may become unstable before the lower ones under certain parametric conditions. The shaft spinning speed is entrained at the lowest stability threshold among all transverse modes. The bond graph model is used for numerical simulation of the system to validate the steady-state results obtained from the theoretical study.
Overspray and Interstage Fog Cooling in Gas Turbine Compressor Using Stage-Stacking Scheme—Part I: Development of Theory and Algorithm
Authors: Wang Ting , Khan Jobaidur R.
Published: November 2010

Compressor intercooling has traditionally been employed to reduce compressor work and augment gas turbine output power. Conventional intercooling schemes are usually applied through nonmixed heat exchangers between two compressor stages or by cooling the outside of the compressor casing. Any cooling schemes that may affect the flow field inside the compressors have not been favorably considered due to concerns of any disturbance that might adversely affect the compressor’s performance stability. As the inlet fog cooling scheme has become popular as an economic and effective means to augment gas turbine output power on hot or dry days, consideration has been given to applying fog cooling inside the compressors by injecting fine water droplets between stages (i.e., interstage fogging). This paper focuses on developing a stage-by-stage wet compression theory for overspray and interstage fogging that includes the analysis and effect of preheating and precooling at each small stage of the overall compressor performance. An algorithm has been developed to calculate the local velocity diagram and allow a stage-by-stage analysis of the fogging effect on airfoil aerodynamics and loading with known 2D meanline rotor and stator geometries. Thermal equilibrium model for water droplet evaporation is adopted. The developed theory and algorithm are integrated into the systemwise FogGT program to calculate the overall gas turbine system performance.
Dynamic Effects of Track Surface Condition on Vertical Wheel/Rail Forces and Energy Consumption
Authors: Zarembski Allan M. , Bonaventura Clifford S.
Published: November 2010

As track geometry degrades, and in particular as track surface and cross-level (as defined by a Track Quality Index or TQI) degrades, railway vehicles going over that degraded track experience increased vertical dynamic behavior and increased vehicle/track interaction. This in turn translates into increased wheel/rail dynamic forces as well as increased energy (fuel) consumption. While this concept has been known for many years, there has been limited study of the direct relationships between the degree of track degradation (as quantified by a Track Quality Index type parameter) and the magnitude of the dynamic force and energy consumption increase. This paper presents a recent study on the dynamic effects of track surface geometry degradation, which has direct impact on maintenance practices, policies, and economics. Specifically, this paper presents the results of a series of analyses looking at the effect of increased track geometry degradation, as measured by a track geometry inspection vehicle, and quantified by a Track Quality Index (TQI). The effects examined include loss of energy and wasted fuel due to dissipation of energy in the vehicle suspension, as well as the increase in dynamic vertical force at the wheel/rail interface. The analyses used over 100 miles of US main line (Class 1) railroad track geometry data for a broad range of track conditions (and corresponding Track and Surface Quality Indices); together with a sophisticated multi-degree of freedom vehicle dynamics model to develop a relationship between track condition and dynamic effects. The results are a series of non-linear relationships between track condition, as defined by TQI, and energy loss in the suspension system, i.e. energy dissipation. A second set of non-linear relations was also developed between track condition, as defined by TQI, and dynamic force multiplier, i.e. the ratio of dynamic force to static wheel/rail load. The paper presents these results in both mathematical and graphical form.
Top of Rail Friction Control as a Means to Mitigate Damaging Lateral Loads Due to Overbalanced Operation of Heavy Axle Load Freight Traffic in Shared High Speed Rail Corridors
Authors: Oldknow Kevin D. , Eadie Donald T.
Published: November 2010

The use of Top of Rail friction management (TORFM) to reduce lateral forces has been well established in both freight and passenger systems. In this paper the authors discuss how TORFM provides an important tool to track designers who need to balance the super-elevation requirements for both high speed trains and slower freight traffic. Data from full scale heavy haul revenue service case studies are presented and discussed with a particular emphasis on the mitigating role that can be played by appropriate TOR friction management strategies in shared High Speed Rail corridors.