bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on a Solar Simulator for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Kyoung-Jun , Kim Jeong-Hoon , Kim Ho-Sung , Shin Dongsul , Yoo Dong-Wook , Kim Hee-Je
Published: March 2012

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are emerging low-cost, simple alternatives to conventional solar cells. While there has been considerable study on improving the efficiency of DSSCs, there has not been sufficient research on a photovoltaic power conditioning system adaptable to DSSCs or on a solar simulator for DSSCs. When DSSCs are commercialized in the near future, the DSSC modules must be connected to an adaptable power conditioning system in order to manage the energy produced and provide a suitable interface to the load. In the process of developing a power conditioning system, a solar simulator with the characteristics of DSSCs is essential to show the performance of the maximum power point tracking. In this paper, a virtual DSSC is designed and simulated in PSIM. Irradiation factors, temperature and shadow effects are considered in dynamic link library block in PSIM which is linked to the external C routine. A 100 W converter is built to show the performance of a DSSC as the solar simulator controlled by a digital signal processor.
Ustekinumab Biotherapy and Real-Time Psoriasis Capacitance Mapping: A Pilot Study
Authors: Piérard-Franchimont Claudine , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: March 2012

In recent years, the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis has benefited from the development of targeted biologicals. Assessing this new class of drugs calls for precise modalities of severity/improvement ratings of the disease. Bioengineering-driven dermometrology aims at improving objective and quantitative assessments of disease severity and treatment efficacy. Skin capacitance mapping/imaging is one of those emerging methods. Among its clinical applications, psoriasis capacitance mapping (PCM) was introduced in order to assess both skin scaliness and water trapping inside the stratum corneum (inflammatory serum deposits) on lesional skin. PCM was used for assessing the therapeutic effects of ustekinumab on target lesions of 5 psoriatic patients. The reduction in the inflammatory dampness of the stratum corneum was conveniently seen after a 1-month ustekinumab treatment. The present pilot study suggests that PCM could be used as a fast and convenient method for assessing the anti-inflammatory efficacy of ustekinumab and other biotherapies.
Does Antidepressant Treatment Improve Cognition in Older People with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder and Comorbid Subsyndromal Depression?
Authors: Dawes Sharron E. , Palmer Barton W. , Meeks Thomas , Golshan Shahrokh , Kasckow John , Mohamed Somaia , Zisook Sidney
Published: March 2012

Background: Subsyndromal symptoms of depression (SSD) in patients with schizophrenia are common and clinically important. While treatment of depression in major depressive disorder may partially ameliorate cognitive deficits, the cognitive effects of antidepressant medications in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and SSD are unknown. Methods: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of SSD and their treatment on cognition in participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder aged ≧40 years. Participants were randomly assigned to a flexible dose treatment with citalopram or placebo augmentation of their current medication for 12 weeks. An ANCOVA compared improvement in the cognitive composite scores, and a linear model determined the moderation of cognition on treatment effects based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Calgary Depression Rating Scale scores between treatment groups. Results: There were no differences between the citalopram and placebo groups in changes in cognition. Baseline cognitive status did not moderate antidepressant treatment response. Conclusions: Although there are other cogent reasons why SSD in schizophrenia warrant direct intervention, treatment does not substantially affect the level of cognitive functioning. Given the effects of cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia on functional disability, there remains an ongoing need to identify effective means of directly ameliorating them.
Pharmacokinetic, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of (Z)-2-Amino-1,5-Dihydro-1-Methyl-5-[4-(Mesyl)Benzylidene]-4H-Imidazol-4-One Mesilate (ZLJ-601) in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Zhang Lingli , Li Ning , Lai Yisheng , Zhang Yihua , Chen Xijing , Chen Li , Ji Hui , Li Cuiyun
Published: March 2012

(Z)-2-amino-1,5-dihydro-1-methyl-5-[4-(mesyl)benzylidene]-4H-imidazol-4-one mesilate (ZLJ-601) is an imidazolone COX/5-LOX inhibitor, which has excellent anti-inflammatory activity with an improved gastrointestinal safety profile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of ZLJ-601 in Sprague-Dawley rats. After intravenous or intragastric administration to rats, the concentration of ZLJ-601 in plasma, bile, urine, feces and various types of tissues was detected by LC-MS. We also conducted the identification of metabolites using tandem mass spectrometry. After the intravenous administration, the t1/2 ranged from 38.71 to 42.62 min and the AUC increased in a dose-proportional manner. After oral dosing, the plasma level of ZLJ-601 peaked at 28.33 min, having a Cmax value of 0.26 mg/l, and the bioavailability was only 4.92%. The highest tissue concentration of ZLJ-601 was observed in lung and kidney, but it was not found in brain. The majority of unchanged ZLJ-601 was excreted in urine (∼35.87%) within 36 h. Two main metabolites are the hydroxylation product and the glucuronide conjugate of the hydroxylation product.
Pioglitazone Prevents Capillary Rarefaction in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats Independently of Glucose Control and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression
Authors: Ashoff Astrid , Qadri Fatimunnisa , Eggers Reinhard , Jöhren Olaf , Raasch Walter , Dendorfer Andreas
Published: March 2012

Background/Aims: Reduction of capillary network density occurs early in the development of metabolic syndrome and may be relevant for the precipitation of diabetes. Agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ transcription factor are vasculoprotective, but their capacity for structural preservation of the microcirculation is unclear. Methods: Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin and treated with pioglitazone in chow for up to 12 weeks. Capillary density was determined in heart and skeletal muscle after platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) immunostaining. Hallmarks of apoptosis and angiogenesis were determined. Results: Capillary density deteriorated progressively in the presence of hyperglycemia (from 971/mm2 to 475/mm2 in quadriceps muscle during 13 weeks). Pioglitazone did not influence plasma glucose, left ventricular weight, or body weight but nearly doubled absolute and relative capillary densities compared to untreated controls (1.2 vs. 0.6 capillaries/myocyte in heart and 1.5 vs. 0.9 capillaries/myocyte in quadriceps muscle) after 13 weeks of diabetes. No antiapoptotic or angiogenic influence of pioglitazone was detected while a reduced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-3α and PPAR coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) mRNA as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein possibly occurred as a consequence of improved vascularization. Conclusion: Pioglitazone preserves microvascular structure in diabetes independently of improvements in glycemic control and by a mechanism unrelated to VEGF-mediated angiogenesis.
Tracking Cognitive Change over 24 Weeks with Longitudinal Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: McLaren Donald G. , Sreenivasan Aishwarya , Diamond Eli L. , Mitchell Meghan B. , Van Dijk Koene R.A. , DeLuca Amy N. , O’Brien Jacqueline L. , Rentz Dorene M. , Sperling Reisa A. , Atri Alireza
Published: March 2012

Background: Previous studies have revealed that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in specific brain regions correlates with cross-sectional performance on standardized clinical trial measures in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the relationship between longitudinal change in fMRI-BOLD signal and neuropsychological performance remains unknown. Objective: To identify changes in regional fMRI-BOLD activity that tracks change in neuropsychological performance in mild AD dementia over 6 months. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (mean age 71.6) with mild AD dementia (mean Mini Mental State Examination 21.7, Global Clinical Dementia Rating 1.0) on stable donepezil dosing participated in two task-related fMRI sessions consisting of a face-name paired associative encoding memory paradigm 24 weeks apart during a randomized placebo-controlled pharmaco-fMRI drug study. Regression analysis was used to identify regions where the change in fMRI activity for Novel > Repeated stimulus contrast was associated with the change scores on postscan memory tests and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT). Results: Correlations between changes in postscan memory accuracy and changes in fMRI activity were observed in regions including the angular gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus and cerebellum. Correlations between changes in FCSRT-free recall and changes in fMRI were observed in regions including the inferior parietal lobule, precuneus, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. Conclusion: Changes in encoding-related fMRI activity in regions implicated in mnemonic networks correlated with changes in psychometric measures of episodic memory retrieval performed outside the scanner. These exploratory results support the potential of fMRI activity to track cognitive change and detect signals of short-term pharmacologic effect in early-phase AD studies.
The Multiple Facets of Dermcidin in Cell Survival and Host Defense
Authors: Schittek Birgit
Published: March 2012

Eccrine sweat glands, which are distributed over the whole bodies of primates and humans, have long been regarded mainly to have a function in thermoregulation. However, the discovery of dermcidin-derived antimicrobial peptides in eccrine sweat demonstrated that sweat actively participates in the constitutive innate immune defense of human skin against infection. In the meantime, a number of studies proved the importance of dermcidin in skin host defense. Several reports also state that peptides processed from the dermcidin precursor protein exhibit a range of other biological functions in neuronal and cancer cells. This review summarizes the evidence gathered until now concerning the expression of dermcidin and the functional relevance of dermcidin-derived peptides.
Activation of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway and Its Prognostic Impact in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Saze Zenichiro , Terashima Masanori , Kogure Michihiko , Ohsuka Fumihiko , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Gotoh Mitsukazu
Published: March 2012

Background: The sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is critical in fetal organogenesis. Activation of the SHH pathway has been associated with several types of human cancer; however, the clinical impact of SHH activation in patients with gastric cancer is still unknown. Methods: The present study included 41 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between 2000 and 2004. SHH, Patched-1 (PTCH1), Smoothened (SMO) and Glioma-associated oncogene-1 (GLI1) were examined immunohistochemically, and these of mRNAs from the cancer lesions were evaluated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Immunohistological expressions of SHH-related molecules were relatively intense in cancer tissue, but no significant correlation was found with any clinicopathological factors of tumor. PTCH1 was only the molecule associated with poor prognosis of patients with differentiated type of tumor. For mRNA analysis, a significant correlation was demonstrated between certain clinicopathological factors and PTCH1, SMO or/and GLI1 mRNA levels. High levels of SHH and PTCH1 mRNA were associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the PTCH1 mRNA level and liver metastasis as significant independent prognostic factors. Conclusions:PTCH1 expression in the SHH pathway was possibly involved in gastric cancer tumor progression, and could be a useful indicator for the prognosis of gastric cancer.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients Treated by Dasatinib
Authors: Montani David , Bergot Emmanuel , Günther Sven , Savale Laurent , Bergeron Anne , Bourdin Arnaud , Bouvaist Helene , Canuet Matthieu , Pison Christophe , Macro Margareth , Poubeau Patrice , Girerd Barbara , Natali Delphine , Guignabert Christophe , Perros Frédéric , O'Callaghan Dermot S. , Jaïs Xavier , Tubert-Bitter Pascale , Zalcman Gérard , Sitbon Olivier , Simonneau Gérald , Humbert Marc
Published: March 2012

Background—

The French pulmonary hypertension (PH) registry allows the survey of epidemiological trends. Isolated cases of precapillary PH have been reported in patients who have chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib.

Methods and Results—

This study was designed to describe incident cases of dasatinib-associated PH reported in the French PH registry. From the approval of dasatinib (November 2006) to September 30, 2010, 9 incident cases treated by dasatinib at the time of PH diagnosis were identified. At diagnosis, patients had moderate to severe precapillary PH with functional and hemodynamic impairment. No other incident PH cases were exposed to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors at the time of PH diagnosis. Clinical, functional, or hemodynamic improvements were observed within 4 months of dasatinib discontinuation in all but 1 patient. Three patients required PH treatment with endothelin receptor antagonist (n=2) or calcium channel blocker (n=1). After a median follow-up of 9 months (min-max 3–36), the majority of patients did not demonstrate complete clinical and hemodynamic recovery, and no patients reached a normal value of mean pulmonary artery pressure (≤20 mm Hg). Two patients (22%) died at follow-up (1 of unexplained sudden death and 1 of cardiac failure in the context of septicemia, respectively, 8 and 12 months after dasatinib withdrawal). The lowest estimate of incident PH occurring in patients exposed to dasatinib in France was 0.45%.

Conclusions—

Dasatinib may induce severe precapillary PH fulfilling the criteria of pulmonary arterial hypertension, thus suggesting a direct and specific effect of dasatinib on pulmonary vessels. Improvement is usually observed after withdrawal of dasatinib.
Application of Geographic Modeling Techniques to Quantify Spatial Access to Health Services Before and After an Acute Cardiac Event
Authors: Clark Robyn A. , Coffee Neil , Turner Dorothy , Eckert Kerena A. , van Gaans Deborah , Wilkinson David , Stewart Simon , Tonkin Andrew M.
Published: March 2012

Background

Access to cardiac services is essential for appropriate implementation of evidence-based therapies to improve outcomes. The Cardiac Accessibility and Remoteness Index for Australia (Cardiac ARIA) aimed to derive an objective, geographic measure reflecting access to cardiac services.

Methods and Results

An expert panel defined an evidence-based clinical pathway. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the team developed a numeric/alphabetic index at 2 points along the continuum of care. The acute category (numeric) measured the time from the emergency call to arrival at an appropriate medical facility via road ambulance. The aftercare category (alphabetic) measured access to 4 basic services (family doctor, pharmacy, cardiac rehabilitation, and pathology services) when a patient returned to his or her community. The numeric index ranged from 1 (access to principal referral center with cardiac catheterization service ≤1 hour) to 8 (no ambulance service, >3 hours to medical facility, air transport required). The alphabetic index ranged from A (all 4 services available within a 1-hour drive-time) to E (no services available within 1 hour). The panel found that 13.9 million Australians (71%) resided within Cardiac ARIA 1A locations (hospital with cardiac catheterization laboratory and all aftercare within 1 hour). Those outside Cardiac 1A were overrepresented by people >65 years of age (32%) and indigenous people (60%).

Conclusions

The Cardiac ARIA index demonstrated substantial inequity in access to cardiac services in Australia. This methodology can be used to inform cardiology health service planning and could be applied to other common disease states within other regions of the world.
Rules Rule! Brain Activity Dissociates the Representations of Stimulus Contingencies with Varying Levels of Complexity
Authors: Tse Chun-Yu , Low Kathy A. , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele
Published: March 2012

The significance of stimuli is linked not only to their nature but also to the sequential structure in which they are embedded, which gives rise to contingency rules. Humans have an extraordinary ability to extract and exploit these rules, as exemplified by the role of grammar and syntax in language. To study the brain representations of contingency rules, we recorded ERPs and event-related optical signal (EROS; which uses near-infrared light to measure the optical changes associated with neuronal responses). We used sequences of high- and low-frequency tones varying according to three contingency rules, which were orthogonally manipulated and differed in processing requirements: A Single Repetition rule required only template matching, a Local Probability rule required relating a stimulus to its context, and a Global Probability rule could be derived through template matching or with reference to the global sequence context. ERP activity at 200–300 msec was related to the Single Repetition and Global Probability rules (reflecting access to representations based on template matching), whereas longer-latency activity (300-450 msec) was related to the Local Probability and Global Probability rules (reflecting access to representations incorporating contextual information). EROS responses with corresponding latencies indicated that the earlier activity involved the superior temporal gyrus, whereas later responses involved a fronto-parietal network. This suggests that the brain can simultaneously hold different models of stimulus contingencies at different levels of the information processing system according to their processing requirements, as indicated by the latency and location of the corresponding brain activity.
A Sensorimotor Network for the Bodily Self
Authors: Ferri Francesca , Frassinetti Francesca , Ardizzi Martina , Costantini Marcello , Gallese Vittorio
Published: March 2012

Neuroscientists and philosophers, among others, have long questioned the contribution of bodily experience to the constitution of self-consciousness. Contemporary research answers this question by focusing on the notions of sense of agency and/or sense of ownership. Recently, however, it has been proposed that the bodily self might also be rooted in bodily motor experience, that is, in the experience of oneself as instantiating a bodily structure that enables a specific range of actions. In the current fMRI study, we tested this hypothesis by making participants undergo a hand laterality judgment task, which is known to be solved by simulating a motor rotation of one's own hand. The stimulus to be judged was either the participant's own hand or the hand of a stranger. We used this task to investigate whether mental rotation of pictures depicting one's own hands leads to a different activation of the sensorimotor areas as compared with the mental rotation of pictures depicting another's hand. We revealed a neural network for the general representation of the bodily self encompassing the SMA and pre-SMA, the anterior insula, and the occipital cortex, bilaterally. Crucially, the representation of one's own dominant hand turned out to be primarily confined to the left premotor cortex. Our data seem to support the existence of a sense of bodily self encased within the sensorimotor system. We propose that such a sensorimotor representation of the bodily self might help us to differentiate our own body from that of others.
A Meta-analysis of Functional Neuroimaging Studies of Self- and Other Judgments Reveals a Spatial Gradient for Mentalizing in Medial Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Denny Bryan T. , Kober Hedy , Wager Tor D. , Ochsner Kevin N.
Published: March 2012

The distinction between processes used to perceive and understand the self and others has received considerable attention in psychology and neuroscience. Brain findings highlight a role for various regions, in particular the medial PFC (mPFC), in supporting judgments about both the self and others. We performed a meta-analysis of 107 neuroimaging studies of self- and other-related judgments using multilevel kernel density analysis [Kober, H., & Wager, T. D. Meta-analyses of neuroimaging data. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews, 1, 293–300, 2010]. We sought to determine what brain regions are reliably involved in each judgment type and, in particular, what the spatial and functional organization of mPFC is with respect to them. Relative to nonmentalizing judgments, both self- and other judgments were associated with activity in mPFC, ranging from ventral to dorsal extents, as well as common activation of the left TPJ and posterior cingulate. A direct comparison between self- and other judgments revealed that ventral mPFC as well as left ventrolateral PFC and left insula were more frequently activated by self-related judgments, whereas dorsal mPFC, in addition to bilateral TPJ and cuneus, was more frequently activated by other-related judgments. Logistic regression analyses revealed that ventral and dorsal mPFC lay at opposite ends of a functional gradient: The z coordinates reported in individual studies predicted whether the study involved self- or other-related judgments, which were associated with increasingly ventral or dorsal portions of mPFC, respectively. These results argue for a distributed rather than localizationist account of mPFC organization and support an emerging view on the functional heterogeneity of mPFC.
Nicotine Effects on Brain Function during a Visual Oddball Task: A Comparison between Conventional and EEG-informed fMRI Analysis
Authors: Warbrick Tracy , Mobascher Arian , Brinkmeyer Jürgen , Musso Francesco , Stoecker Tony , Shah N. Jon , Fink Gereon R. , Winterer Georg
Published: March 2012

In a previous oddball task study, it was shown that the inclusion of electrophysiology (EEG), that is, single-trial P3 ERP parameters, in the analysis of fMRI responses can detect activation that is not apparent with conventional fMRI data modeling strategies [Warbrick, T., Mobascher, A., Brinkmeyer, J., Musso, F., Richter, N., Stoecker, T., et al. Single-trial P3 amplitude and latency informed event-related fMRI models yield different BOLD response patterns to a target detection task. Neuroimage, 47, 1532–1544, 2009]. Given that P3 is modulated by nicotine, including P3 parameters in the fMRI analysis might provide additional information about nicotine effects on brain function. A 1-mg nasal nicotine spray (0.5 mg each nostril) or placebo (pepper) spray was administered in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject, randomized, cross-over design. Simultaneous EEG-fMRI and behavioral data were recorded from 19 current smokers in response to an oddball-type visual choice RT task. Conventional general linear model analysis and single-trial P3 amplitude informed general linear model analysis of the fMRI data were performed. Comparing the nicotine with the placebo condition, reduced RTs in the nicotine condition were related to decreased BOLD responses in the conventional analysis encompassing the superior parietal lobule, the precuneus, and the lateral occipital cortex. On the other hand, reduced RTs were related to increased BOLD responses in the precentral and postcentral gyri, and ACC in the EEG-informed fMRI analysis. Our results show how integrated analyses of simultaneous EEG-fMRI data can be used to detect nicotine effects that would not have been revealed through conventional analysis of either measure in isolation. This emphasizes the significance of applying multimodal imaging methods to pharmacoimaging.
Antarctic Automatic Weather Station Program: 30 Years of Polar Observation
Authors: Lazzara Matthew A. , Weidner George A. , Keller Linda M. , Thom Jonathan E. , Cassano John J.
Published: March 2012

Antarctica boasts one of the world's harshest environments. Since the earliest expeditions, a major challenge has been to characterize the surface meteorology around the continent. In 1980, the University of Wisconsin—Madison (UW-Madison) took over the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Automatic Weather Station (AWS) program. Since then, the UW-Madison AWS network has aided in the understanding of unique Antarctic weather and climate. This paper summarizes the development of the UW-Madison AWS network, issues related to instrumentation and data quality, and some of the ways these observations have and continue to benefit scientific investigations and operational meteorology.
A Flash-Flooding Storm at the Steep Edge of High Terrain: Disaster in the Himalayas
Authors: Rasmussen Kristen L. , Houze Robert A.
Published: March 2012

Flash floods on the edge of high terrain, such as the Himalayas or Rocky Mountains, are especially dangerous and hard to predict. The Leh flood of 2010 at the edge of the Himalayan Plateau in India is an example of the tragic consequences of such storms. The flood occurred over a high mountain river valley when, on three successive days, diurnally generated convective cells over the Tibetan Plateau gathered into mesoscale convective systems and moved off the edge of the Plateau over Leh. An easterly midlevel jet associated with a midlevel monsoon vortex over northern India and a high over Asia helped the convection organize into propagating mesoscale systems that moved over the edge of the Plateau. On the third day the mesoscale system moving off the plateau was greatly invigorated when it suddenly drew on moisture flowing upslope over the terrain. It gained maximum strength from this intake of moisture near Leh, and the heavy rains washed over the surrounding mountains and down and over the town.
Quasi-4-Yr Coupling between El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Water Vapor Transport over East Asia–WNP
Authors: Li Xiuzhen , Zhou Wen
Published: March 2012

The summer moisture circulation anomaly over East Asia and the western North Pacific (WNP) couples well with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in a quasi-4-yr period. The moisture circulation is dominated by two well-separated modes. The first mode exhibits an anticyclonic (cyclonic) moisture circulation over tropical–subtropical East Asia–WNP with an easterly (westerly) transport over the tropical WNP–Indian Ocean; the second mode displays an alternating pattern with an anticyclonic (cyclonic) moisture circulation over the subtropical WNP layered between two cyclonic (anticyclonic) circulations. Both modes couple well with the ENSO signal during its quasi-4-yr cycle. Within the cycle, in the summer of a developing warm episode, the positive phase of the second mode plays a key role, while in the transitional summer between a decaying warm episode and a developing cool episode, the positive phase of the first mode tends to take effect. In the summer of a developing cool episode, the negative phase of the second mode plays an important role, while the negative phase of the first mode tends to take effect in the transitional summer between a decaying cool episode and a developing warm episode.

The anticyclone (cyclone) over the Philippine Sea region serves as a bridge in the quasi-four-year coupling. Its establishment and eastward extension modify moisture circulation over East Asia–WNP. Conversely, the easterly (westerly) wind to the south of the anticyclone (cyclone) is beneficial for the formation and eastward propagation of the Kelvin wave and, hence, to the development of the quasi-4-yr periodic ENSO episode.
Aerosol Optical Depth and the Global Brewer Network: A Study Using U.K.- and Malaysia-Based Brewer Spectrophotometers
Authors: Kumharn Wilawan , Rimmer John S. , Smedley Andrew R. D. , Ying Toh Ying , Webb Ann R.
Published: March 2012

Aerosols play an important role in attenuating solar radiation reaching the earth's surface and are thus important inputs to climate models. Aerosol optical depth is routinely measured in the visible range but little data in the ultraviolet (UV) are available. In the UV range it can be determined from Langley plots of direct-sun measurements from the Brewer spectrophotometer (where conditions allow) and can also be determined as the residual once the ozone and sulfur dioxide have been accounted for in the extinction observed during a normal Brewer direct-sun measurement. By comparing aerosol optical depth derived from Brewer direct-sun data in both the United Kingdom and Malaysia, two very different locations, it is determined that while most of the existing global Brewer network could contribute to aerosol optical depth data, further analysis, such as calculation of the Ångström parameter, would be dependent on latitude and sky conditions.
The effect of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on knowledge sharing intentions of civil servants in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Olatokun Wole , Nwafor Chinazom Irene
Published: March 2012

This study investigated the effect of attitude on employee knowledge sharing intentions and examined the effect of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on employee attitude and intention toward knowledge sharing. To understand the motivators of employee knowledge sharing intentions, a modified Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) was adopted. Specifically, extrinsic and intrinsic motivations contexts were considered as factors that affect employee attitude and intentions toward knowledge sharing. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised civil servants in Ebonyi State in Southeastern Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to select 297 respondents across six ministries in the state’s Civil Service Commission. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage distribution and correlation. Findings revealed that attitude did not significantly influence employee intentions to share knowledge. Of the four motivational factors, knowledge self-efficacy (r = 0.171, p = 0.003) and enjoyment in helping others (r = 0.002, p = 0.000) were significant and pointed towards a strong role in employee attitudes and knowledge sharing intentions. However, expected organizational rewards and reciprocal benefits were found not to significantly influence employee attitudes and knowledge sharing intentions. These were attributable to the nature of the civil service and low incentives made available for motivating knowledge sharing. The study concluded that extrinsic motivation does not have a significant effect on the knowledge sharing intentions of the employees of the Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission but enjoyment in helping others and knowledge self-efficacy are motivating factors to their knowledge sharing intentions. It was recommended that organizations emphasize on intrinsic motivation as extrinsic motivation only secures temporary compliance. There should also be an enhancement of knowledge sharing facilities and creation of a feedback system to increase the employees’ knowledge self-efficacy.
Development of a Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) for end-of-life care practice at home: A qualitative study
Authors: Ewing Gail , Grande Gunn ,   on behalf of the National Association for Hospice at Home
Published: March 2012

Background:

Current end-of-life care policy and guidance recognises the important contribution of family carers, recommending that their needs should be assessed to support them in their caring role. How regular carer assessment is to be achieved is unclear, particularly because there is no evidence-based tool for directly assessing carers’ support needs that is suitable for use in end-of-life home care practice.

Aims:

To obtain carers’ perspectives of key aspects of support needed during provision of end-of-life care at home and to develop a carer support needs assessment tool suitable for use in everyday practice.

Design:

Qualitative using focus groups and telephone interviews. Thematic analysis uses a framework approach.

Setting/participants:

75 adult bereaved carers who were family members/friends of patients referred to five Hospice at Home services in the UK.

Results:

Carers’ needs fell into two distinct groupings of key support areas or ‘domains’: support to enable them to provide care for their relative and more direct personal support for themselves. Many aspects of supportive input were common across domains, for example, anticipatory information, explanations or being included in the care process. Therefore, the tool was designed as a screening measure, to identify support needs requiring further detailed assessment.

Conclusions:

The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) is an evidence-based direct measure of carers’ support needs in 14 domains. It is short but comprehensive in approach and thus suitable for both end-of-life care research and practice. Further work has been undertaken to test its psychometric properties.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of cancer cachexia: A systematic review
Authors: Reid J , Hughes CM , Murray LJ , Parsons C , Cantwell MM
Published: March 2012

Background:

Cancer cachexia is a devastating syndrome of advanced malignancy which negatively impacts on patients’ morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Chronic inflammation is a key characteristic of cancer cachexia. Therefore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be able to break the cycle of cachexia.

Aim:

To systematically review the literature on the use of NSAIDs for the treatment of cachexia in advanced cancer patients.

Design:

All titles retrieved through searching were downloaded to a reference management database, duplicates were removed and the remaining citations were checked for eligibility. Full copies of all eligible articles were obtained and reviewed.

Data sources:

Electronic searches (from inception up to 09/2011) included CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Reference lists from reviewed articles, trial registers and abstracts from relevant conferences were searched. Eligibility criteria were (a) Randomised Controlled Trial; (b) participants were adults with cancer with weight loss or a clinical diagnosis of cachexia; (c) administration of oral NSAIDs.

Results:

Four studies were included. These studies provided some evidence of positive therapeutic effect on quality of life, performance status, inflammatory markers, weight gain and survival, but there was insufficient evidence demonstrated for their widespread use in practice.

Conclusions:

Insufficient studies have been performed to allow a conclusion to be formed with regard to the effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of cachexia in advanced cancer. Major challenges in this patient cohort include the lack of uniformity of inclusion criteria across studies and the frailty of the patients recruited.
Interval Arthrometric Comparison of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft Versus Allograft
Authors: Ghodadra Neil S. , Mall Nathan A. , Grumet Robert , Sherman Seth L. , Kirk Spencer , Provencher Matthew T. , Bach Bernard R.
Published: March 2012

Background: There is little information regarding the incremental changes in the postoperative laxity of patellar tendon (PT) autografts versus allografts in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Hypotheses: (1) There would be no significant increase in laxity between 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively with PT autografts or allografts, (2) there would be no significant difference in laxity between PT autografts and allografts, (3) there would not be a significant difference in laxity between nonirradiated and low dose–irradiated PT allograft tissues, and (4) the physical examination findings would correlate with the instrumented laxity outcomes.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: A retrospective review of 238 ACL-deficient patients who underwent single-incision endoscopic ACL reconstruction with a PT autograft (n = 132) or allograft (n = 106; 58 irradiated and 48 nonirradiated) from a single surgeon was made looking at data from preoperatively and from 6 weeks to 1 year postoperatively. The objective measurements of ligament integrity included range of motion, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and KT-1000 arthrometer instrumented laxity examination. Failure was defined as arthrometric side-to-side differences (maximum manual difference) ≥3 mm or a positive pivot shift. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.

Results: There were no differences in postoperative examination findings or instrumented laxity between PT autografts and allografts (irradiated or nonirradiated) in either subgroup. The postoperative improvement based on the Lachman examination, pivot-shift test, and arthrometric data in all study groups was significant ( P < .001) in 98% (autograft: n = 130; allograft: n = 104) of patients, and arthrometric failure correlated with failure by physical examination. There was no significant change in graft laxity, as measured by KT-1000 arthrometer, from 6 weeks to 1 year postoperatively for 98% of patients. Finally, there was no statistical correlation in instrumented laxity results for either the autograft or allograft group with reference to age, gender, concurrent meniscectomy, meniscal repairs, interval to surgery, postoperative patellar pain, time to surgery, or irradiated versus nonirradiated allograft.

Conclusion: Laxity is not increased after the initial 6 weeks for either PT allograft or autograft constructs during the first postoperative year. There was no correlation between age, gender, concomitant injury, interval to surgery, or radiation of the graft with instrumented laxity results. Furthermore, our arthrometric data paralleled our clinical findings of stability at follow-up.
Does Increased Civil Service Pay Deter Corruption? Evidence from China
Authors: Gong Ting , Wu Alfred M.
Published: March 2012

The temporal persistence and geographical prevalence of corruption in the world have provoked a vast amount of research into its causes. Low civil service remuneration, especially in less developed nations, is believed to be an important contributing factor to corruption. The assumption is that when salaries are low but expectations for service remains high, government officials may demand more compensation from informal or even illegal channels than what is officially sanctioned; hence, corruption arises. Accordingly, increased pay level is assumed to be effective in deterring corruption. Using China as a case, we argue that the relationship between civil service pay and corruption is not as simple as suggested. The empirical evidence gathered from China casts doubt on the assumed connection between the two to debunk the myth that increasing civil service pay contributes to the control of corruption. The article also presents the policy implications of the above analysis for human resource management and civil service governance.
Theory-Guided Selection of Discrimination Measures for Racial/ Ethnic Health Disparities Research Among Older Adults
Authors: Thrasher Angela D. , Clay Olivio J. , Ford Chandra L. , Stewart Anita L.
Published: March 2012

Objectives:

Discrimination may contribute to health disparities among older adults. Existing measures of perceived discrimination have provided important insights but may have limitations when used in studies of older adults. This article illustrates the process of assessing the appropriateness of existing measures for theory-based research on perceived discrimination and health.

Method:

First, we describe three theoretical frameworks that are relevant to the study of perceived discrimination and health—stress-process models, life course models, and the Public Health Critical Race (PHCR) praxis. We then review four widely-used measures of discrimination, comparing their content and describing how well they address key aspects of each framework, and discussing potential areas of modification.

Discussion:

Using theory to guide measure selection can help improve understanding of how perceived discrimination may contribute to racial/ethnic health disparities among older adults.
The Role of Cognitive and Learning Theories in Supporting Successful EHR System Implementation Training
Authors: McAlearney Ann Scheck , Robbins Julie , Kowalczyk Nina , Chisolm Deena J. , Song Paula H.
Published: March 2012

Given persistent barriers to effective electronic health record (EHR) system implementation and use, the authors investigated implementation training practices in six organizations reputed to have ambulatory care EHR system implementation “best practices.” Using the lenses of social cognitive and adult learning theories, they explored themes related to EHR implementation training using qualitative data collected through 43 key informant interviews and 6 physician focus groups conducted between February 2009 and December 2010. The authors found consistent evidence that training practices across the six organizations known for exemplary implementations were congruent with the tenets of these theoretical frameworks and highlight seven best practices for training. The authors’ analyses suggest that effective training programs must move beyond technical approaches and incorporate social and cultural factors to make a difference in implementation success. Taking these findings into account may increase the likelihood of successful EHR implementation, thereby helping organizations meet “meaningful use” requirements for EHR systems.
Recursive Space
Authors: Wood Aylish
Published: March 2012

Space is reconfigured through the participations of both gamers and the game, where game is understood as the programming and hardware of a game technology. Extending our understandings of the contributions of both gamer and game, the outcome of play emerges as the agencies of each are co-constituted. This space is recursive, based on feedback between the state of the game (relations between the objects) and the state of the gamer, which includes their knowledge, skill, mood and attention. The idea of recursive space is developed in two ways. First, as another means of describing a gamer's engagement with space, one that gives a greater account of the participation of technology. Secondly, it gives us a way of thinking about play as a process of creating space.
Between the Game System and the Fictional World
Authors: Jørgensen Kristine
Published: March 2012

This article discusses the relationship between the user interface (UI) and the game world in computer games, with point of departure in qualitative studies including players and game developers. The developers’ evaluation of the relationship from a design point of view will first be presented, before the article goes on to discuss the degree to which the players accept the presence of UI features within the game world. We will see that developers find it challenging to balance between functionality and fiction, but see system features as a necessity that must be present for usability purposes. From the point of departure of players, they rarely consider system features intrusive to the game world, but accept them as integrated to the conventions established within modern computer game aesthetics.
Analysis of weld location effect and thickness ratio on formability of tailor welded blank
Authors: Riahi M , Amini A , Sabbaghzadeh J , Torkamany M J
Published: March 2012

Stretch forming is an important method in the production of complex parts of a vehicle's body. The main objective of this study is to analyse the effect of weld zone location coupled with differences in the thickness ratio of tailor welded blank (TWB) sheets on the formability and fracture location in biaxial stretch forming. Samples of TWB made from ST14 material were welded by an Nd/YAG pulsed laser. Standard ball punch testing procedure as well as finite element analysis was carried out to evaluate and hence conform the formability and its characteristics. In conducting simulation to determine fracture/necking occurrence, forming limit diagram criteria were used. The results obtained indicated that fracture takes place in the thin sheet in which, upon forming, the highest strain is exerted. By relocating the weld line toward the thick sheet and hence providing an increase in the thin sheet's share of TWB along with reduction in the thickness ratio, the generated cup height increases. This is a sign of an increase in formability. Moreover, the results obtained from the simulation, such as location, fracture shape and generated cup height, were compared with the results from experimental measurements of the same parameters, indicating a satisfactory affirmation of the findings.
Similar and dissimilar resistance spot welding of martensitic advanced high strength steel and low carbon steel: metallurgical characteristics and failure mode transition
Authors: Safanama D S , Marashi S P H , Pouranvari M
Published: March 2012

Safety, emissions and fuel economy of vehicles have always been of great importance to automakers. Advanced high strength steels (AHSSs) have proved to be effective in fulfilling these needs of the industry, and this has led to great opportunities for increasing usage of AHSSs. The present work aimed to investigate the resistance spot welding characteristics of martensitic steel (M130) having the thickness of 2 mm, utilising metallographic observation, microhardness and tensile–shear testing. The results were compared for different combinations of martensitic steel and low carbon steel (LCS). In the study of interfacial to pull-out failure mode transition, dissimilar M130/LCS welds exhibited the lowest tendency to fail in the interfacial failure mode. Weld nugget diameter is proposed as a main variable controlling the peak load and energy absorption of the welds along with other factors such as electrode indentation and hardness/strength of the failure location.
Study on spatter reduction of resistance spot welding of SPRC440 using hemispherically concaved electrode
Authors: Jun J , Rhee S
Published: March 2012

Resistance spot welding is one of the most popular welding processes used to join sheet metals. Weld quality sometimes decreases due to spatter. In this paper, a hemispherically concaved electrode, which has a hole on the end of it, is proposed to reduce spatter. To verify the weldability using spot welding with the hemispherically concaved electrode, tensile shear strength and cross-tensile strength were measured by a universal test machine. In addition, the cross-sectional area of the weld was observed by optical and electron microscopy to analyse defects. As a result, in the case of using the hemispherically concaved electrode, spatter was remarkably reduced. Spatter reduction is caused by the inflow of molten metal into the hole of the hemispherically concaved electrode. Furthermore, the allowable region in lobe curve became larger. Therefore, this hemispherically concaved electrode is useful for spatterless welding without the reduction of strength.