bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
53BP1 Is a Haploinsufficient Tumor Suppressor and Protects Cells from Radiation Response in Glioma
Authors: Squatrito Massimo , Vanoli Fabio , Schultz Nikolaus , Jasin Maria , Holland Eric C.
Published: August 2012

The DNA damage response (DDR) plays a crucial role in tumor development in different tissues. Here, we show that p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1), a key element of the DDR, is heterozygously lost in approximately 20% of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) specimens, primarily of the Proneural subtype, and low 53BP1 expression levels are associated with worse prognosis. We present evidence that 53BP1 behaves as haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in a mouse model of platelet-derived growth factor–induced gliomagenesis. We also show that very low level of 53BP1 as found in 53BP1 null gliomas or robust 53BP1 gene silencing in glioma cell lines (but not 53BP1 heterozygous tumors or partial gene knockdown) sensitizes glioma cells to ionizing radiation (IR), both in vitro and in vivo. We further show the 53BP1 gene silencing induces defects in the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway. These deficiencies lead to a failure to fully repair the damaged DNA upon exposure of glioma cells to IR with a consequent prolonged cell-cycle arrest and increased apoptosis. Our data suggest that either 53BP1 or other NHEJ components may be critical molecules to be pharmacologically targeted in GBM in combination with standard therapies. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5250–60. ©2012 AACR.
Inhibition of Stathmin1 Accelerates the Metastatic Process
Authors: Williams Karin , Ghosh Ritwik , Giridhar Premkumar Vummidi , Gu Guangyu , Case Thomas , Belcher Scott M. , Kasper Susan
Published: August 2012

The oncoprotein stathmin 1 (STMN1) is upregulated in most, if not all, cancers of epithelial cell origin; therefore STMN1 is considered a target for cancer therapy. However, its role during metastasis has not been investigated. Here, we report for the first time that STMN1 strongly inhibits metastatic behavior in both normal epithelial and cancerous epithelial cells. Initially, loss-of-STMN1 compromises cell–cell adhesion. This is followed by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased cell migration, and metastasis via cooperative activation of p38 and through TGF-β–independent and -dependent mechanisms. In contrast, expressing STMN1 restores cell–cell adhesion and reverses the metastatic cascade. Primary prostate epithelial cell cultures from benign to undifferentiated adenocarcinoma (UA) clinical biopsies show that EMT-like cells arise while the cancer is still organ-confined and that their emergence is tumor-stage specific. Furthermore, primary EMT-like cells exhibit metastatic behavior both in vitro and in vivo as compared with their non-EMT counterpart. These observations predict that using STMN1 as a generic therapeutic target might accelerate metastasis. Instead, there may be a tumor stage-specific window-of-opportunity in which conserving STMN1 expression is required to inhibit emergence of metastatic disease. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5407–17. ©2012 AACR.
A 5-Year Longitudinal Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Primary Care Patients
Authors: Pérez Benítez Carlos I. , Zlotnick Caron , Stout Robert I. , Lou Fengjuan , Dyck Ingrid , Weisberg Risa , Keller Martin
Published: August 2012

Little is known about the clinical course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the clinical predictors of its recovery in primary care patients. We examined 5 years of follow-up of PTSD symptoms using rates of recovery and recurrence, and the predictive value of comorbid mental disorders, treatment participation and psychosocial functioning, on PTSD recovery. We examined 199 participants with PTSD diagnoses, from the Primary Care Anxiety Disorder Project. We found that the course of PTSD in a sample of primary care patients is chronic. Survival analysis revealed that the likelihood of PTSD recovery was 38.0% and of recurrence it was 29.5%. Cox regression analyses indicated that baseline clinical variables did not have a significant relationship with probability of PTSD recovery. However, time-varying models showed that the course of psychosocial impairment was a significant predictor of the likelihood of recovery from PTSD. Findings provide initial empirical support for treatment approaches that focus on psychosocial functioning to reduce PTSD symptoms.
Temperament, Character and Anxiety Sensitivity in Panic Disorder: A High-Risk Study
Authors: Perna Giampaolo , di Pasquale Danila , Grassi Massimiliano , Vanni Giovanna , Bellodi Laura , Caldirola Daniela
Published: August 2012

Background: Adult patients with panic disorder (PD) show high levels of harm avoidance and anxiety sensitivity. Peculiar temperament profiles and high anxiety sensitivity have been proposed as developmental risk factors for PD in adult age. Since familial-genetic influences play a role both in PD and in anxiety sensitivity and temperament profiles, this study aims to investigate the possible association between family history of PD and peculiar temperament-character profiles or high anxiety sensitivity in offspring of patients with PD. Sampling and Methods: Thirty-four children of patients with PD with/without agoraphobia and 30 children of healthy subjects were compared. Temperament and character dimensions and anxiety sensitivity levels of children were obtained by the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory and the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index. Results: Children of patients with PD and children of healthy subjects differed neither in temperament and character dimensions nor in anxiety sensitivity levels. Conclusions: Our results show that family history of PD is not associated with peculiar temperament and character profiles or high anxiety sensitivity in children, suggesting that these factors may not be early expressions of familial vulnerability to PD. Since the sample is small and the study has a cross-sectional design, longitudinal studies in larger samples are warranted to confirm these findings and to clarify the role of anxiety sensitivity and temperament-character dimensions in the development of PD.
Impact of Sinus Surgery on Pseudomonal Airway Colonization, Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome and Survival in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Recipients
Authors: Vital Domenic , Hofer Markus , Benden Christian , Holzmann David , Boehler Annette
Published: August 2012

Background: Lung transplantation (LTx) is a therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) end-stage lung disease. Pseudomonal airway colonization (PAC) is common in CF. Objectives: We investigated the influence of post-transplant sinus surgery and daily nasal douching on PAC after LTx and the influence of PAC on survival and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Methods: CF patients transplanted at our centre were included (November 1992 to December 2009). Clinical data, including microbiological data before and after LTx were collected. Survival and BOS following LTx were compared for CF recipients with and without PAC by Kaplan-Meier statistics and Cox regression analysis. Results: Ninety-four CF patients were transplanted, of whom 82 (87%) underwent sinus surgery after transplantation, and 65% of 66 patients with pre-transplant PAC had persistent PAC after transplantation. Upper and lower PAC is related. Patients without PAC after transplantation had a significantly better survival rate, and BOS was less frequent with a later onset. PAC was the only significant parameter for the development of BOS stage 2 in the multivariate analysis for cytomegalovirus infection, acute rejection and PAC. Conclusions: Sinus surgery and daily nasal douching reduced PAC in LTx recipients. Absence of post-transplant PAC had a positive impact on post-transplant survival and the development of BOS.
Mortality of Harmful Drinkers Increased after Reduction of Alcohol Prices in Northern Finland: A 10-Year Follow-Up of Head Trauma Subjects
Authors: Vaaramo Kalle , Puljula Jussi , Tetri Sami , Juvela Seppo , Hillbom Matti
Published: August 2012

Objective: Alcohol-related mortality may be influenced by the level of alcohol consumption. We investigated the effect of alcohol price reduction on mortality in a cohort of 827 subjects with head injury. Methods: We used the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register to identify all diagnoses recorded during hospital and health center visits for survivors of the index injury during a follow-up of 10 years. Mortality data were gathered from death records obtained from the Official Cause-of-Death Statistics. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent predictors for death. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to characterize the effect of alcohol price reduction on mortality of harmful and non-harmful drinkers. Results: Alcohol-related deaths increased after the reduction of alcohol prices on March 1, 2004. Subjects recorded as harmful drinkers during the follow-up period were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely than others to die after the price reduction. Older age (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.05–1.07), moderate-to-severe brain injury (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.59–3.60) and harmful drinking recorded after the index trauma (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.62–4.62) were significant (p < 0.001) predictors for death. Conclusion: We conclude that a political decision to lower the price of alcohol may cause a significant increase in the death rate of harmful drinkers.
β-Adrenergic Signaling Regulates Evolutionarily Derived Sleep Loss in the Mexican Cavefish
Authors: Duboué Erik R. , Borowsky Richard L. , Keene Alex C.
Published: August 2012

Sleep is a fundamental behavior exhibited almost universally throughout the animal kingdom. The required amount and circadian timing of sleep differs greatly between species in accordance with habitats and evolutionary history. The Mexican blind cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, is a model organism for the study of adaptive morphological and behavioral traits. In addition to loss of eyes and pigmentation, cave populations of A. mexicanus exhibit evolutionarily derived sleep loss and increased vibration attraction behavior, presumably to cope with a nutrient-poor environment. Understanding the neural mechanisms of evolutionarily derived sleep loss in this system may reveal critical insights into the regulation of sleep in vertebrates. Here we report that blockade of β-adrenergic receptors with propranolol rescues the decreased-sleep phenotype of cavefish. This effect was not seen with α-adrenergic antagonists. Treatment with selective β1-, β2-, and β3-antagonists revealed that the increased sleep observed with propranolol could partially be explained via the β1-adrenergic system. Morphological analysis of catecholamine circuitry revealed conservation of gross catecholaminergic neuroanatomy between surface and cave morphs. Taken together, these findings suggest that evolutionarily derived changes in adrenergic signaling underlie the reduced sleep of cave populations.
Lower Pole Midsize (1–2 cm) Calyceal Stones: Outcome Analysis of 56 Cases
Authors: Aboutaleb H. , El-Shazly M. , Badr Eldin M.
Published: August 2012

Objectives: To compare efficacy of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and retrograde ureterorenoscopy (RUR) in the management of midsize (1–2 cm) lower calyceal stones and the impact of lower pole (LP) anatomy on lithotripsy results. Patients and Methods: Between 2007 and 2011, 56 patients with lower calyceal stones 1–2 cm were indicated for intervention. 24 patients were treated with SWL, 19 with PNL, and 13 with RUR. Results: Mean age at surgery was 53, 45 and 47 years for SWL, PNL and RUR, respectively. Mean stone size was 15.6 ± 4.3, 17.3 ± 3.3 and 14.5 ± 3.2 mm, respectively. The stone-free rate was 62.5, 89.4 and 74.6%, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean time of procedures was 48.3 ± 16 min compared to 63 ± 32 and 76 ± 34 min in PNL and RUR, respectively (p > 0.05). In the SWL group there was a significant difference in LP anatomical measurements between the stone-free group and residual stone group. Conclusion: SWL is an effective treatment modality for patients with favorable LP calyceal anatomy. PNL and RUR with laser lithotripsy are effective therapeutic alternative options in midsize (1–2 cm) lower calyceal stones. This study may be limited by its retrospective nature and modest sample size, but it is enhanced by comparing three different treatment modalities.
Extracellular Matrix Promotes Highly Efficient Cardiac Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Klos Matthew , Wilson Gisela F. , Herman Amanda M. , Lian Xiaojun , Raval Kunil K. , Barron Matthew R. , Hou Luqia , Soerens Andrew G. , Yu Junying , Palecek Sean P. , Lyons Gary E. , Thomson James A. , Herron Todd J. , Jalife José , Kamp Timothy J.
Published: August 2012

Rationale:

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are increasingly being used for cardiovascular research, including disease modeling, and hold promise for clinical applications. Current cardiac differentiation protocols exhibit variable success across different PSC lines and are primarily based on the application of growth factors. However, extracellular matrix is also fundamentally involved in cardiac development from the earliest morphogenetic events, such as gastrulation.

Objective:

We sought to develop a more effective protocol for cardiac differentiation of human PSCs by using extracellular matrix in combination with growth factors known to promote cardiogenesis.

Methods and Results:

PSCs were cultured as monolayers on Matrigel, an extracellular matrix preparation, and subsequently overlayed with Matrigel. The matrix sandwich promoted an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as in gastrulation with the generation of N-cadherin-positive mesenchymal cells. Combining the matrix sandwich with sequential application of growth factors (Activin A, bone morphogenetic protein 4, and basic fibroblast growth factor) generated CMs with high purity (up to 98%) and yield (up to 11 CMs/input PSC) from multiple PSC lines. The resulting CMs progressively matured over 30 days in culture based on myofilament expression pattern and mitotic activity. Action potentials typical of embryonic nodal, atrial, and ventricular CMs were observed, and monolayers of electrically coupled CMs modeled cardiac tissue and basic arrhythmia mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Dynamic extracellular matrix application promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition of human PSCs and complemented growth factor signaling to enable robust cardiac differentiation.
Predictors of Recurrent Stroke in Patients With Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis
Authors: Jung Jin-Man , Kang Dong-Wha , Yu Kyung-Ho , Koo Ja-seong , Lee Ju-Hun , Park Jong-Moo , Hong Keun-Sik , Cho Yong-Jin , Kim Jong S. , Kwon Sun U.
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—

Our goal was to investigate whether initial ischemic lesion pattern can predict stroke recurrence in patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods—

Of the Trial of Cilostazol in Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis (TOSS)-2 trial participants, we included patients who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid attenuation inversion recovery imaging at baseline with a follow-up fluid attenuation inversion recovery imaging at 7 months. Based on the diffusion-weighted imaging findings, we classified the initial ischemic lesion patterns according to location (subcortical versus cortical versus subcorticocortical) and multiplicity (single versus multiple). We also evaluated the occurrence of new ischemic lesions on follow-up fluid attenuation inversion recovery as well as clinical stroke in the symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis territory.

Results—

Of 353 patients included in this study, 44 (12.5%) and 13 (3.7%) patients had new ischemic lesions and clinical recurrent stroke in the initial symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis territory, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the initial lesion patterns of subcorticocortical and multiple lesions were independent predictors of new ischemic lesions in the symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis territory (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.33–7.01;
P
=0.03; OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.34–5.9;
P
=0.006). These patterns also predicted clinical recurrent stroke.

Conclusion—

Subcorticocortical lesions and multiple lesions are radiological predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke in symptomatic patients with intracranial arterial stenosis.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00130039.
A Joint Model to Identify and Align Bilingual Named Entities
Authors: Chen Yufeng , Zong Chengqing , Su Keh-Yih
Published: August 2012

In this article, an integrated model is derived that jointly identifies and aligns bilingual named entities (NEs) between Chinese and English. The model is motivated by the following observations: (1) whether an NE is translated semantically or phonetically depends greatly on its entity type, (2) entities within an aligned pair should share the same type, and (3) the initially detected NEs can act as anchors and provide further information while selecting NE candidates. Based on these observations, this article proposes a translation mode ratio feature (defined as the proportion of NE internal tokens that are semantically translated), enforces an entity type consistency constraint, and utilizes additional new NE likelihoods (based on the initially detected NE anchors).

Experiments show that this novel method significantly outperforms the baseline. The type-insensitive F-score of identified NE pairs increases from 78.4% to 88.0% (12.2% relative improvement) in our Chinese–English NE alignment task, and the type-sensitive F-score increases from 68.4% to 83.0% (21.3% relative improvement). Furthermore, the proposed model demonstrates its robustness when it is tested across different domains. Finally, when semi-supervised learning is conducted to train the adopted English NE recognition model, the proposed model also significantly boosts the English NE recognition type-sensitive F-score.
Automatically Assessing Machine Summary Content Without a Gold Standard
Authors: Louis Annie , Nenkova Ani
Published: August 2012

The most widely adopted approaches for evaluation of summary content follow some protocol for comparing a summary with gold-standard human summaries, which are traditionally called model summaries. This evaluation paradigm falls short when human summaries are not available and becomes less accurate when only a single model is available. We propose three novel evaluation techniques. Two of them are model-free and do not rely on a gold standard for the assessment. The third technique improves standard automatic evaluations by expanding the set of available model summaries with chosen system summaries.

We show that quantifying the similarity between the source text and its summary with appropriately chosen measures produces summary scores which replicate human assessments accurately. We also explore ways of increasing evaluation quality when only one human model summary is available as a gold standard. We introduce pseudomodels, which are system summaries deemed to contain good content according to automatic evaluation. Combining the pseudomodels with the single human model to form the gold-standard leads to higher correlations with human judgments compared to using only the one available model. Finally, we explore the feasibility of another measure—similarity between a system summary and the pool of all other system summaries for the same input. This method of comparison with the consensus of systems produces impressively accurate rankings of system summaries, achieving correlation with human rankings above 0.9.
SOLAR RADIATION AND CLOUDS
Authors: Welch Ronald M. , Cox Stephen K. , Davis John M.
Published: August 2012

No Abstract available.
Principles and Prescriptions for Improved Experimentation in Precipitation Augmentation Research
Authors: Flueck John A.
Published: August 2012

Proper field experimentation in precipitation augmentation, or virtually any other topic, is not an easy task. Some general research considerations, i.e., the objectives of research, the quest for believability, and the two principal types of field studies, are discussed. The anatomy and stages of life of an experiment are presented, and the three levels or classes of an experiment (i.e., preliminary, exploratory, and confirmatory) are depicted. A number of prescriptions for improved experimentation are offered in regard to conceptual models, treatment design, treatment selection and allocation, treatment effect models, and analyses for treatment effects. Lastly, a few comments are appended on the role of statisticians in quality field research efforts.

When the well's dry, we know the worth of water. Ben Franklin, 1758 Poor Richard's Almanack
Summer Cumulus Cloud Lifetime—Importance to Static Mode Seeding
Authors: Isaac George A.
Published: August 2012

Any observing program studying summer cumulus clouds should attempt to measure cloud lifetime. This parameter is important for determining whether a cloud will last long enough for precipitation to form by either natural or artificially stimulated mechanisms. When reporting cloud lifetime, the definition used and the method of calculation should be clearly specified. In North America, after a summer cumulus cloud has been identified and selected, lifetimes, at temperatures below –5°C, of approximately 10 to 12 min are being reported. This lifetime must be considered marginal for static mode seeding to produce precipitation by artificial ice nucleants.
A Review of Dynamic-Mode Seeding of Summer Cumuli
Authors: Orville Harold D.
Published: August 2012

This paper reviews the field experiments and theoretical studies relating to the ice-phase seeding of summer convective clouds for the purpose of affecting their dynamic evolution and precipitation production. The review reports on studies of both tropical and extratropical clouds, citing the physical evidence for microphysical and dynamic changes and reviewing the numerical modeling efforts in support of the field experiments. The statistical evidence is also reviewed. A critique and discussion of the results is given, and many questions related to these dynamic-mode seeding hypotheses are posed. Strategies for attacking the many unsolved problems are presented briefly.
Modification of Mesoscale Convective Weather Systems
Authors: Fritsch J. Michael
Published: August 2012

Modification of mesoscale convective weather systems through ice-phase seeding is briefly reviewed. a simple mathematical framework for estimating the likely mesoscale response to convective cloud modification is presented, and previous mesoscale modification hypotheses are discussed in the context of this mathematical framework. Some basic differences between cloud-scale and mesoscale modification hypotheses are also discussed. Numerical model experiments to test the mesoscale sensitivity of convective weather systems are reviewed, and several focal points for identifying mesoscale modification potential are presented.
THE REPRESENTATION OF CUMULUS CONVECTION IN NUMERICAL MODELS
Authors: Emanuel Kerry A. , Raymond David J.
Published: August 2012

No Abstract available.
Adaptive Beamforming Technique for Accurate Vertical Wind Measurements with Multichannel MST Radar
Authors: Nishimura Koji , Nakamura Takuji , Sato Toru , Sato Kaoru
Published: August 2012

Aspect-sensitive backscattering of the atmosphere causes a small error in an effective line-of-sight direction in vertical beam observations leading to a serious degradation of vertical wind estimates due to contamination by horizontal wind components. An adaptive beamforming technique for a multichannel mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere (MST) radar is presented, which makes it possible to measure the vertical wind velocity with higher accuracy by adaptively generating a countersteered reception beam against an off-vertically shifted echo pattern. The technique employs the norm-constrained direction-constrained minimization of power (NC-DCMP) algorithm, which provides not only robustness but also higher accuracy than the basic direction-constrained minimization of power algorithm in realistic conditions. Although the technique decreases the signal-to-noise ratio, the ratio is controlled and bound at a specified level by the norm constraint. In the case that a decrease of −3 dB is acceptable in a vertical beam observation, for which usually a much higher signal-to-noise ratio is obtained than for oblique beams, the maximum contamination is suppressed to even for the most imbalanced aspect sensitivity.
Measuring the impacts of truth and reconciliation commissions: Placing the global ‘success’ of TRCs in local perspective
Authors: Hirsch Michal Ben-Josef , MacKenzie Megan , Sesay Mohamed
Published: August 2012

Truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) have emerged as an international norm and are assumed to be an essential element of national reconciliation, democratization, and post-conflict development. Despite the increase in the number of TRCs being initiated around the globe and the international consensus regarding their positive effects, there is little understanding of the long-term effects and consequences of TRCs. Specifically, currently there are no established methods or mechanisms for measuring the impacts of TRCs; furthermore, the few examples of efforts to measure these impacts have serious limitations. This article explores both the rise in TRCs as an international norm and the contradictions and inadequacies in existing efforts to measure the impacts and successes of commissions. Through this examination, we aim to demonstrate the need for more critical, interactive, and inclusive mechanisms of assessment for understanding the effects of TRCs. The objective is neither to promote nor to criticize a specific TRC or TRCs in general; however, this article emphasizes the need to think rigorously about how we assess the effects of TRCs and offers insights into the value of more comprehensive mechanisms for assessing the impacts and local perceptions of commissions.
Heterosexual Ally Development in Counseling Psychologists
Authors: Asta Elizabeth L. , Vacha-Haase Tammi
Published: August 2012

Fourteen pre-doctoral psychology interns and psychologists employed in university counseling settings who self-identified as heterosexual were interviewed concerning their experiences and development with ally work in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Guided by the tradition of interpretive phenomenological qualitative approach with constant comparison analysis serving as the strategy for inductive analysis, results indicated a significant variation concerning how the counseling psychologists viewed the ally experience. However, common meaning, challenges, and training experiences within their ally development were evident, with five main themes emerging: (a) ally meaning and essence, (b) ally growth and development, (c) ally challenges, (d) relationship between social justice and training, and (e) diversity within the LGBT community. Results highlight ongoing discussion, research, and training concerning ally development, with particular focus on modeling and mentorship.
Is Intention to Return a Valid Proxy for Actual Repeat Visitation?
Authors: McKercher Bob , Tse Tony SM
Published: August 2012

Intention to return is often used as a surrogate measure for actual repeat propensity, especially in loyalty studies. A direct, predictive correlation is assumed to exist between intention and actual repeat visitation rates in accordance with the principles of the theory of planned behavior. However, the existence of such a relationship has rarely if ever been tested empirically in a tourism context, and as such, the validity of this assumption is open to question. This article examines that relationship through an analysis of secondary data provided by a number of National Tourism Organizations. Two tests are conducted, one using longitudinal data from 30 markets that visited either Hong Kong or New Zealand, and a second one using cross-sectional data from 152 markets that visited 16 destinations. The study determined that no statistically significant correlation exists between intention and actual repeat visitation rates, primarily because intention is typically measured as a vague aspiration and not in a probabilistic manner.
The Future of Local Government
Authors: Ammons David N. , Smith Karl W. , Stenberg Carl W.
Published: August 2012

The Great Recession’s damaging effects on the finances of cities and counties have led some observers to predict dramatic, widespread, and enduring changes to local government in response to fiscal pressure. However, the history of change in local government suggests otherwise, as does the experience of individual cities and counties that have confronted fiscal duress in the past. The authors of this article suggest that financial problems will not overwhelm the balance among an array of competing pressures that already confronted local governments long before the recession. Although some cities and counties will respond to the downturn with major, permanent changes, most will not. For local governments as a whole, equilibrium among the host of tensions they face will continue to resist dramatic moves and favor only gradual change.
Predicting the Trajectories of Perceived Pain Intensity in Southern Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Sun Fei , Park Nan Sook , Wardian Jana , Lee Beom S. , Roff Lucinda L. , Klemmack David L. , Parker Michael W. , Koenig Harold G. , Sawyer Patricia L. , Allman Richard M.
Published: August 2012

This study focuses on the identification of multiple latent trajectories of pain intensity, and it examines how religiousness is related to different classes of pain trajectory. Participants were 720 community-dwelling older adults who were interviewed at four time points over a 3-year period. Overall, intensity of pain decreased over 3 years. Analysis using latent growth mixture modeling (GMM) identified three classes of pain: (1) increasing ( n = 47); (2) consistently unchanging ( n = 292); and (3) decreasing ( n = 381). Higher levels of intrinsic religiousness (IR) at baseline were associated with higher levels of pain at baseline, although it attenuated the slope of pain trajectories in the increasing pain group. Higher service attendance at baseline was associated with a higher probability of being in the decreasing pain group. The increasing pain group and the consistently unchanging group reported more negative physical and mental health outcomes than the decreasing pain group.
The influence of societal values on attitudes towards immigration
Authors: Arikan Gizem , Ben-Nun Bloom Pazit
Published: August 2012

This paper examines the influence of societal values on individual attitudes towards immigration and immigrants. We argue that conflict between individual and societal values leads individuals to be exposed to frames and opinions that are contrary to their values, evokes competing considerations and creates attitudinal ambivalence and volatility. To evade ambivalence, individuals whose values are in conflict with those of their society rely less on their core values to construct their attitudes. Using data from the first wave of European Social Surveys and relying on Heteroskedastic Maximum Likelihood Regression, we test our argument simultaneously for 18 European countries and show that deviations from society’s conservation and self-transcendence values lead to greater ambivalence in attitudes towards immigration and immigrants. Our results provide evidence of the importance of the social context and society’s shared values in influencing personal political attitudes and judgments.
Insufficient Evidence for the Effect of Corticosteroid Treatment on Recovery of Vestibular Neuritis
Authors: Wegner Inge , van Benthem Peter Paul G. , Aarts Mark C. J. , Bruintjes Tjasse D. , Grolman Wilko , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G.
Published: August 2012

The authors studied the effect of corticosteroid treatment on clinical recovery and recovery of vestibular function in patients with vestibular neuritis. The comprehensive search (March 29, 2012) yielded 496 original papers, of which 5 (including 199 patients) during full‐text screening satisfied our eligibility criteria. Methods assessment showed that 1 study (30 patients) provided direct evidence and carried low risk of bias. Two studies properly reported on their random and concealed allocation of treatment. In 1 study, patients were not randomly allocated to treatment. Blinding of outcomes was lacking in 2 studies, whereas outcome data were clearly incomplete for 2 studies. Given the wide variety in outcome measures and scales and follow‐up duration, the meaning of the size of reported effects is not clear. Therefore, the reported effects cannot simply be compared between studies, and this precludes pooling of study results. Still, there are large differences between studies in the size of the reported absolute effects after the placebo treatment. Moreover, the difference in effects between treatments is rather small and does not always favor corticosteroids. The moderate to high risk of bias of studies precludes firm conclusions, whereas the reported short‐term effects on symptom recovery and improvement of peripheral vestibular function are too small to be clinically important. No long‐term effect on symptom recovery has been shown. Recommendations or decisions for corticosteroid treatment in patients with vestibular neuritis cannot be based on current best evidence and therefore should be discussed with the patient.
Treatment Outcome of Additional Dextran to Corticosteroid Therapy on Sudden Deafness
Authors: Wang Chi‐Te , Chou Hsu‐Wen , Fang Kai‐Min , Lai Mei‐Shu , Cheng Po‐Wen
Published: August 2012

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether adding low‐molecular‐weight dextran to oral steroids in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss resulted in better hearing outcomes than those in patients receiving oral corticosteroids alone.

Study Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary teaching hospital.

Subjects and Methods

The authors reviewed the clinical records of 166 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Therapeutic effectiveness was measured by the gain of pure‐tone averages and 4 categories of hearing outcome (complete recovery, marked recovery, mild improvement, or no improvement). To manage potential confounding factors associated with treatment allocation, the authors matched the subjects from each group according to the propensity score (ie, the predicted probability that they would receive a specific treatment).

Results

The authors identified 50 pairs of propensity score–matched subjects (n = 100) without significant difference of all clinical factors (P >. 05). Subsequent analyses demonstrated that the average hearing gain in subjects receiving additional dextran to oral steroid was 31.7 ± 21.5 dB, which did not differ from 33.0 ± 21.8 dB in subjects receiving steroids alone (P =. 76). Difference of hearing outcomes between the 2 groups was also nonsignificant (P =. 92).

Conclusion

Matching propensity scores successfully balanced the heterogeneity between the dextran and steroid groups. Analytical results demonstrated that adding low‐molecular‐weight dextran to oral corticosteroids was not associated with greater hearing gain or better hearing outcome in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Security, War, Violence – The Politics of Critique: A Reply to Barkawi
Authors: Aradau Claudia
Published: August 2012

Tarak Barkawi has recently enjoined International Relations and security studies scholars to embark upon a critical study of the phenomenon of war. There is much to agree with in his argument and the idea of ‘critical war studies’ seems particularly apposite in a world where war and other forms of organised or dispersed violence have become increasingly constitutive of daily life. However, the turn to ‘critical war studies’ works by silencing disagreements and homogenising the heterogeneity of critical security studies. Instead, I propose a dialogue that brings to the fore the political stakes of a critique of war, security and violence. Not only have security and war been entwined in complex ways, but I argue that they need to be analysed within a continuum of violence that includes insurrections, revolts, revolutions, insurgencies, rebellions, seditions, disobediences, riots and uprisings.
Effect of coal to liquid fuel on combustion and emission in a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Zhang Guiyang , Qiao Xinqi , Miao Xuelong , Hong Jianhai , Zheng Jinbao
Published: August 2012

Coal to liquid fuel has the potential to substitute the petroleum fuels due to the huge reserves of coal in the earth, the development of direct coal liquefaction technology and the application of carbon dioxide capture and storage technology. The effect of coal to liquid fuel on the combustion and emission has been investigated experimentally in a heavy-duty diesel engine. The experimental results showed that compared to diesel, the coal to liquid fuel had obviously longer ignition delay but slightly later CA50, and the higher premixed combustion ratio and maximum rate of heat release; it had the benefit in soot reduction but slightly higher HC, CO and NO x emissions. The brake specific fuel consumption of coal to liquid fuel was slightly higher than that of diesel, while the brake fuel conversion efficiency of coal to liquid fuel was slightly lower than that of diesel.

Furthermore, the trade-off of NO x–soot emissions in diesel engines has been improved by coal to liquid fuel, due to the predominant evaporation rate, virtually free from sulfur and aromatics, and the longer ignition delay.
Computational optimisation of the thermal fusion bonding process in porous fibrous media for improved product capacity and energy efficiency
Authors: Peksen M , Acar M , Malalasekera W
Published: August 2012

A comprehensive parametric study to aid in optimising the thermal fusion bonding process in porous fibrous media is introduced. A systematic approach considering computational fluid dynamics, design of experiments and statistical process control is attempted. The effects of several operating and design parameters on the thermal bonding performance have been systematically investigated. An experimentally validated two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model based on the theory of porous media has been used for the study. The air velocity and the conveyer belt porosity are determined to be showing the greatest optimisation potential for higher production rates. The optimum thermal fusion bonding process for the highest production rates and energy efficiency has been determined considering the thermal bonding time and percentage increase in total web energy absorption. Another outcome is the improved product quality associated with the improved temperature gradients within the fibrous web.
Wave reflection at a stent
Authors: Crespo Antonio , García Javier , Manuel Fernando
Published: August 2012

A simple analytical expression has been derived to calculate the characteristics of a wave that reflects at a stent implanted in a uniform vessel. The stent is characterized by its length and the wave velocity in the stented region. The reflected wave is proportional to the time derivative of the incident wave. The reflection coefficient is a small quantity of the order of the length of the stent divided by the wavelength of the unstented vessel. The results obtained coincide with those obtained numerically by Charonko et al. The main simplifications used are small amplitude of the waves so that equations can be linearized and that the length of the stent is small enough so that the values of the wave functions are nearly uniform along the stent. Both assumptions hold in typical situations.
Supportive Social Relationships Attenuate the Appeal of Choice
Authors: Ybarra Oscar , Lee David Seungjae , Gonzalez Richard
Published: August 2012

People like having options when choosing, but having too many options can lead to negative decision-related consequences. The present study focused on how social-relational factors—common aspects of daily life—can maintain or attenuate the appeal of choice. Study 1 examined the effect of a supportive- or nonsupportive-relationship prime on the decision to pay for having more options in choosing a consumer product. People who thought of supportive relationships, compared with those who thought of nonsupportive ones (and control participants), were less willing to pay for a larger choice set. Study 2 showed that the activation of thoughts of security and calmness in participants recalling supportive relationships (compared with participants recalling nonsupportive relationships) mediated the appeal of choice. This finding offers one possible explanation for the reduced desire for options when people are reminded of supportive relationships.
Development and performance evaluation of calf diarrhea pathogen nucleic acid purification and detection workflow
Authors: Schroeder Megan E. , Bounpheng Mangkey A. , Rodgers Sandy , Baker Rocky J. , Black Wendy , Naikare Hemant , Velayudhan Binu , Sneed Loyd , Szonyi Barbara , Clavijo Alfonso
Published: August 2012

Calf diarrhea (scours) is a primary cause of illness and death in young calves. Significant economic losses associated with this disease include morbidity, mortality, and direct cost of treatment. Multiple pathogens are responsible for infectious diarrhea, including, but not limited to, Bovine coronavirus (BCV), bovine Rotavirus A (BRV), and Cryptosporidium spp. Identification and isolation of carrier calves are essential for disease management. Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory current methods for calf diarrhea pathogen identification include electron microscopy (EM) for BCV and BRV and a direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) for organism detection of Cryptosporidium spp. A workflow was developed consisting of an optimized fecal nucleic acid purification and multiplex reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for single tube concurrent detection of BCV, BRV, and Cryptosporidium spp., and an internal control to monitor nucleic acid purification efficacy and PCR reagent functionality. In “spike-in” experiments using serial dilutions of each pathogen, the analytical sensitivity was determined to be <10 TCID50/ml for BCV and BRV, and <20 oocysts for Cryptosporidium spp. Analytical specificity was confirmed using Canine and Feline coronavirus, Giardia spp., and noninfected bovine purified nucleic acid. Diagnostic sensitivity was ≥98% for all pathogens when compared with respective traditional methods. The results demonstrate that the newly developed assay can purify and subsequently detect BCV, BRV, and Cryptosporidium spp. concurrently in a single PCR, enabling simplified and streamlined calf diarrhea pathogen identification.
Cultural Influences on Causal Beliefs About Depression Among Latino Immigrants
Authors: Caplan Susan , Escobar Javier , Paris Manuel , Alvidrez Jennifer , Dixon Jane K. , Desai Mayur M. , Scahill Lawrence D. , Whittemore Robin
Published: August 2012

Purpose: This study describes causal beliefs about depression among Dominican, Colombian, and Ecuadorian immigrants. The authors describe participants’ narratives about how particular supernatural or religious beliefs may contribute to or alleviate depression. Method: Latino primary care patients ( n = 177) were interviewed with the Beliefs About Causes of Depression Scale, a list of 35 items rated from not at all important to extremely important. Participants had the option of expanding on responses using an informal conversational approach. Underlying themes of these explanatory comments were derived from narrative and content analysis. Results: Major themes that emerged were Psychosocial and Religious and Supernatural causal beliefs. A third theme emerged that represented the integration of these categories in the context of the immigrant experience. Discussion and Conclusions: This article adds to the understanding of cross-cultural beliefs about depression. Psychosocial stressors related to the immigrant experience and adverse life events were highly endorsed, but the meaning of these stressors was construed in terms of religious and cultural values. To provide culturally appropriate services, nurses should be aware of and discuss the patient’s belief systems, illness interpretations, and expectations of treatment.
Modes of Embodiment in Breast Cancer Patients Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Salamonsen Anita , Kruse Tove , Eriksen Sissel H.
Published: August 2012

Breast cancer patients are frequent users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). They often have complex reasons for, and experiences from, their use of CAM. Bodily experiences are important and almost unexplored elements in CAM use. Our aim was to explore the meaning and importance of bodily experiences among breast cancer patients who were using CAM as a supplement or an alternative to conventional treatment (CT). Our findings based on qualitative interviews with 13 women suggest that bodily experiences were particularly important when positioned outside conventional health care prior to medical diagnosis and as users of CAM as alternative to CT. We introduce three central modes of embodiment related to CAM use: the right to one’s body, the body used as a gauge, and the body used as a guide. Patients’ positioning between treatment systems should be further explored from a bodily perspective to safeguard and optimize their treatment choices.
Frail Elders’ Experiences With and Perceptions of Health
Authors: Ebrahimi Zahra , Wilhelmson Katarina , Moore Crystal Dea , Jakobsson Annika
Published: August 2012

In this study we explored frail elders’ experiences with and perceptions of the phenomenon of health so as to develop a deeper understanding of living with diseases and disorders in old age. Frail elders participated in qualitative interviews that explored the meaning of the phenomenon of health for them. Eleven men and 11 women, who had diverse ratings of self-perceived health ranging from poor to excellent, were selected by means of a purposeful strategic sampling of frail elders taken from a broader sample that participated in a larger quantitative study on health. In total, 22 individual interviews were analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenology. We found that frail elders described health as being in harmony and balance in everyday life, and this occurred when participants were able to adjust to the demands of their daily lives in the context of their resources and capabilities.
Honing Crisis Communication Skills
Authors: Foote Laura M.
Published: August 2012

Leaders need to be able to respond quickly to crisis situations when information is incomplete and the scope for damage is increasing rapidly. Communicating with a range of stakeholders during a crisis in a Web 2.0 environment is a general management competency that can best be learned through practice. The MBA elective course described here used interactive media tools and student-centered learning to build leadership skills. Participating as members of crisis response teams, students outlined action plans on wikis and delivered emergency messages to key stakeholders by online video. Student self-awareness increased through instructor feedback following weekly crisis role-play. The teaching techniques and class activities described here illustrate how business educators can develop agile, entrepreneurial leaders who can act and communicate effectively in the face of the unknown. Applications are possible to general management courses, for business, public, or nonprofit administration, as well as to elective courses on leadership and crisis management.