bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prolactin Levels Correlate with Abnormal B Cell Maturation in MRL and MRL/lpr Mouse Models of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Like Disease
Authors: Legorreta-Haquet Maria Victoria , Flores-Fernández Rocio , Blanco-Favela Francisco , Fuentes-Pananá Ezequiel M , Chávez-Sánchez Luis , Hernández-González Rafael , Tesoro-Cruz Emiliano , Arriaga-Pizano Lourdes , Chávez-Rueda Adriana Karina
Published: November 2013

Prolactin (PRL) plays an important role in modulating the immune response. In B cells, PRL enhances antibody production, including antibodies with self-specificity. In this study, our aims were to determine the level of PRL receptor expression during bone-marrow B-cell development and to assess whether the presence of high PRL serum concentrations influences absolute numbers of developing populations and disease outcome in lupus-prone murine models. We observed that the PRL-receptor is expressed in early bone-marrow B-cell; the expression in lupus-prone mice, which had the highest level of expression in pro-B cells and immature cells, differed from that in wild-type mice. These expression levels did not significantly change in response to hyperprolactinemia; however, populations of pro-B and immature cells from lupus-prone strains showed a decrease in the absolute numbers of cells with high PRL-receptor expression in response to PRL. Because immature self-reactive B cells are constantly being eliminated, we assessed the expression of survival factor BIRC5, which is more highly expressed in both pro-B and immature B-cells in response to PRL and correlates with the onset of disease. These results identify an important role of PRL in the early stages of the B-cell maturation process: PRL may promote the survival of self-reactive clones.
Dual Inhibiting Senescence and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition by Erythropoietin Preserve Tubular Epithelial Cell Regeneration and Ameliorate Renal Fibrosis in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
Authors: Tasanarong Adis , Kongkham Supranee , Khositseth Sookkasem
Published: November 2013

This study aims to investigate the renoprotective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) treatment could preserve tubular epithelial cell regeneration and ameliorate renal fibrosis by dual inhibition of stress-induced senescence and EMT in unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) mouse model. UUO or sham-operated mice were randomly assigned to receive rhEPO or vehicle treatment and were sacrificed on days 3, 7, and 14. Kidney specimens were fixed for histopathological and immunohistochemical study. The expression of S100A4, TGF-β1, BMP-7, Smad2/3, Smad1/5/8, andp16INK4awas determined by western blot and real-time RT-PCR. Vehicle treated UUO mice had increased tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis within 3 to 14 days. An increase in TGF-β1, Smad2/3, S100A4, andp16INK4aexpression and a decrease in BMP-7 and Smad1/5/8 expression were observed in the obstructed kidneys.p16INK4awas positively correlated with TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and negatively correlated with BMP-7/Smad1/5/8 in UUO mice. rhEPO treatment significantly suppressed the upregulation of TGF-β, Smad2/3, S100A4, andp16INK4aand preserved the downregulation of BMP-7 and Smad1/5/8, resulting in markedly reduced TA/IF compared to the vehicle treated mice. The renoprotective effects of rhEPO could ameliorate renal TA/IF by modulating senescence and EMT which could be a part of therapeutic option in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Microbial Removal of the Pharmaceutical Compounds Ibuprofen and Diclofenac from Wastewater
Authors: Langenhoff Alette , Inderfurth Nadia , Veuskens Teun , Schraa Gosse , Blokland Marco , Kujawa-Roeleveld Katarzyna , Rijnaarts Huub
Published: November 2013

Studies on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals show that the widely used pharmaceuticals ibuprofen and diclofenac are present in relevant concentrations in the environment. A pilot plant treating hospital wastewater with relevant concentrations of these pharmaceuticals was evaluated for its performance to reduce the concentration of the pharmaceuticals. Ibuprofen was completely removed, whereas diclofenac yielded a residual concentration, showing the necessity of posttreatment to remove diclofenac, for example, activated carbon. Successively, detailed laboratory experiments with activated sludge from the same wastewater treatment plant showed bioremediation potential in the treatment plant. The biological degradation pathway was studied and showed a mineralisation of ibuprofen and degradation of diclofenac. The present microbes were further studied in laboratory experiments, and DGGE analyses showed the enrichment and isolation of highly purified cultures that degraded either ibuprofen or diclofenac. This research illuminates the importance of the involved bacteria for the effectiveness of the removal of pharmaceuticals in a wastewater treatment plant. A complete removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater will stimulate water reuse, addressing the worldwide increasing demand for clean and safe fresh water.
Control Strategy Based on Wavelet Transform and Neural Network for Hybrid Power System
Authors: Song Y. D. , Cao Qian , Du Xiaoqiang , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: November 2013

This paper deals with an energy management of a hybrid power generation system. The proposed control strategy for the energy management is based on the combination of wavelet transform and neural network arithmetic. The hybrid system in this paper consists of an emulated wind turbine generator, PV panels, DC and AC loads, lithium ion battery, and super capacitor, which are all connected on a DC bus with unified DC voltage. The control strategy is responsible for compensating the difference between the generated power from the wind and solar generators and the demanded power by the loads. Wavelet transform decomposes the power difference into smoothed component and fast fluctuated component. In consideration of battery protection, the neural network is introduced to calculate the reference power of battery. Super capacitor (SC) is controlled to regulate the DC bus voltage. The model of the hybrid system is developed in detail under Matlab/Simulink software environment.
Existence of Nonoscillatory Solutions for System of Higher-Order Neutral Differential Equations with Distributed Deviating Arguments
Authors: Liu Youjun , Zhang Jianwen , Yan Jurang
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we consider the existence of nonoscillatory solutions for system of variable coefficients higher-order neutral differential equations with distributed deviating arguments. We use theBanachcontraction principle to obtain new sufficient conditions for the existence of nonoscillatory solutions.
An Element Weakly Primary to Another Element
Authors: Manjarekar C. S. , Kandale U. N.
Published: November 2013

We introduce the concept “An element weakly primary to another element” and using this concept we have generalized some result proved by Manjarekar and Chavan (2004). It is shown that if is a family of elements weakly primary to a in L, then is weakly primary to a.
Approximate Solutions of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations by Modifiedq-Homotopy Analysis Method
Authors: Huseen Shaheed N. , Grace Said R.
Published: November 2013

A modifiedq-homotopy analysis method (mq-HAM) was proposed for solvingnth-order nonlinear differential equations. This method improves the convergence of the series solution in thenHAM which was proposed in (see Hassan and El-Tawil 2011, 2012). The proposed method provides an approximate solution by rewriting thenth-order nonlinear differential equation in the form ofnfirst-order differential equations. The solution of thesendifferential equations is obtained as a power series solution. This scheme is tested on two nonlinear exactly solvable differential equations. The results demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of the algorithm developed.
Role of Intracellular Ca2+and Na+/Ca2+Exchanger in the Pathogenesis of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Yang Dingping , Yang Dingwei
Published: November 2013

The precise mechanisms underlying contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) are not well understood. Intracellular Ca2+overload is considered to be a key factor in CI-AKI. Voltage-dependent Ca2+channel (VDC) and Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) system are the main pathways of intracellular Ca2+overload in pathological conditions. Here, we review the potential underlying mechanisms involved in CI-AKI and discuss the role of NCX-mediated intracellular Ca2+overload in the contrast media-induced renal tubular cell injury and renal hemodynamic disorder.
Complete Characterization of Novel MHMICs for V-Band Communication Systems
Authors: Hannachi C. , Hammou D. , Djerafi T. , Ouardirhi Z. , Tatu S. O.
Published: November 2013

This paper presents the characterization results of several new passive millimeter wave circuits integrated on very thin ceramic substrate. The work is focused on the design and characterization of a novel rounded Wilkinson power divider, a 90° hybrid coupler, a rat-race coupler, and a novel six-port (multiport) circuit. Measurements show the wideband characteristics, allowing therefore their use for multi-Gb/s V-band wireless communication systems.
Effects of Slip Factors and Couple Stresses for Stagnation Point Flow over a Moving Plate
Authors: Khan Najeeb Alam , Riaz Fatima
Published: November 2013

An investigation is presented for the two-dimensional and axisymmetric stagnation flows of a couple stress fluids intrude on a moving plate under partial slip conditions. The governing partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations by a similarity transformation. The important physical parameters of skin friction coefficients of the fluid are also obtained. The homotopy analysis method (HAM) is employed to obtain the analytical solution of the problem. Also, the convergence of the solutions is established by plotting graphs of convergence control parameter. The impacts of couple stresses and slip conditions on the flow and temperature of the fluid have been observed. The numerical comparison for the considered fluid is compared with previous solutions as special case.
Prooxidant Mechanisms in Iron Overload Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cheng Ching-Feng , Lian Wei-Shiung
Published: November 2013

Iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC), defined as the presence of systolic or diastolic cardiac dysfunction secondary to increased deposition of iron, is emerging as an important cause of heart failure due to the increased incidence of this disorder seen in thalassemic patients and in patients of primary hemochromatosis. At present, although palliative treatment by regular iron chelation was recommended; whereas IOC is still the major cause for mortality in patient with chronic heart failure induced by iron-overloading. Because iron is a prooxidant and the associated mechanism seen in iron-overload heart is still unclear; therefore, we intend to delineate the multiple signaling pathways involved in IOC. These pathways may include organelles such as calcium channels, mitochondria; paracrine effects from both macrophages and fibroblast, and novel mediators such as thromboxane A2 and adiponectin; with increased oxidative stress and inflammation found commonly in these signaling pathways. With further understanding on these complex and inter-related molecular mechanisms, we can propose potential therapeutic strategies to ameliorate the cardiac toxicity induced by iron-overloading.
On the Relationship between Multicast/Broadcast Throughput and Resource Utilizations in Wireless Mesh Networks
Authors: Avokh Avid , Mirjalily Ghasem , Abouei Jamshid , Valaee Shahrokh
Published: November 2013

This paper deals with the problem of multicast/broadcast throughput in multi‐channel multi‐radio wireless mesh networks that suffer from the resource constraints. We provide a formulation to capture the utilization of the network resources and derive analytical relationships for the network’s throughput in terms of the node utilization, the channel utilization, and the number of transmissions. Our model relies on the on‐demand quality of service multicast/broadcast sessions, where each admitted session creates a unique tree with a specific bandwidth. As an advantage, the derived relationships are independent of the type of tree built for each session and can be used for different protocols. The proposed formulation considers the channel assignment strategy and reflects both the
wireless broadcast advantage and the interference constraint. We also offer a comprehensive discussion to evaluate the effects of load‐balancing and number of transmissions on the network’s
throughput. Numerical results confirm the accuracy of the presented analysis.
Self-Triggered Model Predictive Control Using Optimization with Prediction Horizon One
Authors: Kobayashi Koichi , Hiraishi Kunihiko
Published: November 2013

Self-triggered control is a control method that the control input and the sampling period are computed simultaneously in sampled-data control systems and is extensively studied in the field of control theory of networked systems and cyber-physical systems. In this paper, a new approach for self-triggered control is proposed from the viewpoint of model predictive control (MPC). First, the difficulty of self-triggered MPC is explained. To overcome this difficulty, two problems, that is, (i) the one-step input-constrained problem and (ii) theN-step input-constrained problem are newly formulated. By repeatedly solving either problem in each sampling period, the control input and the sampling period can be obtained, that is, self-triggered MPC can be realized. Next, an iterative solution method for the latter problem and an approximate solution method for the former problem are proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown by numerical examples.
Cavity-Backed Dipole Antenna for Intelligent Lock Communication
Authors: Yuan Bo , Wang Wen , Zhang Xiao Hong , Luo Guo Qing
Published: November 2013

This paper introduces a 20*40 mm2planar folded L-shaped dipole antenna operated under surroundings of an iron cavity for intelligent lock communication. The height of the slot antenna is shortened and the bandwidth for 2.4 GHz band has been widened. This antenna provides a solution for antenna surrounded by metal background. Good performances on return loss, radiation pattern are obtained over 2.4 GHz operating bands. The operation distance in front and back sides for the antenna has been calculated by Friis transmission equation.
From Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms to Constant Immunosuppression: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Chinnadurai Raghavan , Waller Edmund K. , Galipeau Jacques , Nooka Ajay K.
Published: November 2013

The regenerative abilities and the immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) make them potentially the ideal cellular product of choice for treatment of autoimmune and other immune mediated disorders. Although the usefulness of MSCs for therapeutic applications is in early phases, their potential clinical use remains of great interest. Current clinical evidence of use of MSCs from both autologous and allogeneic sources to treat autoimmune disorders confers conflicting clinical benefit outcomes. These varied results may possibly be due to MSC use across wide range of autoimmune disorders with clinical heterogeneity or due to variability of the cellular product. In the light of recent genome wide association studies (GWAS), linking predisposition of autoimmune diseases to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the susceptible genetic loci, the clinical relevance of MSCs possessing SNPs in the critical effector molecules of immunosuppression is largely undiscussed. It is of further interest in the allogeneic setting, where SNPs in the target pathway of MSC's intervention may also modulate clinical outcome. In the present review, we have discussed the known critical SNPs predisposing to disease susceptibility in various autoimmune diseases and their significance in the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs.
A Voxel-Map Quantitative Analysis Approach for Atherosclerotic Noncalcified Plaques of the Coronary Artery Tree
Authors: Li Ying , Chen Wei , Liu Kaijun , Wu Yi , Chen Yonglin , Chu Chun , Fang Bingji , Tan Liwen , Zhang Shaoxiang
Published: November 2013

Noncalcified plaques (NCPs) are associated with the presence of lipid-core plaques that are prone to rupture. Thus, it is important to detect and monitor the development of NCPs. Contrast-enhanced coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) is a potential imaging technique to identify atherosclerotic plaques in the whole coronary tree, but it fails to provide information about vessel walls. In order to overcome the limitations of coronary CTA and provide more meaningful quantitative information for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we proposed a Voxel-Map based on mathematical morphology to quantitatively analyze the noncalcified plaques on a three-dimensional coronary artery wall model (3D-CAWM). This approach is a combination of Voxel-Map analysis techniques, plaque locating, and anatomical location related labeling, which show more detailed and comprehensive coronary tree wall visualization.
Toll‐Like Receptor‐2 Mediates Adaptive Cardiac Hypertrophy in Response to Pressure Overload Through Interleukin‐1β Upregulation via Nuclear Factor κB Activation
Authors: Higashikuni Yasutomi , Tanaka Kimie , Kato Megumi , Nureki Osamu , Hirata Yasunobu , Nagai Ryozo , Komuro Issei , Sata Masataka
Published: November 2013

Background

Inflammation is induced in the heart during the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The initiating mechanisms and the role of inflammation in cardiac hypertrophy, however, remain unclear. Toll‐like receptor‐2 (
TLR
2) recognizes endogenous molecules that induce noninfectious inflammation. Here, we examined the role of
TLR
2‐mediated inflammation in cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods and Results

At 2 weeks after transverse aortic constriction,
Tlr2

−/−

mice showed reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis with greater left ventricular dilatation and impaired systolic function compared with wild‐type mice, which indicated impaired cardiac adaptation in
Tlr2

−/−

mice. Bone marrow transplantation experiment revealed that
TLR
2 expressed in the heart, but not in bone marrow–derived cells, is important for cardiac adaptive response to pressure overload. In vitro experiments demonstrated that
TLR
2 signaling can induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibroblast and vascular endothelial cell proliferation through nuclear factor–κB activation and interleukin‐1β upregulation. Systemic administration of a nuclear factor–κB inhibitor or anti–interleukin‐1β antibodies to wild‐type mice resulted in impaired adaptive cardiac hypertrophy after transverse aortic constriction. We also found that heat shock protein 70, which was increased in murine plasma after transverse aortic constriction, can activate
TLR
2 signaling in vitro and in vivo. Systemic administration of anti–heat shock protein 70 antibodies to wild‐type mice impaired adaptive cardiac hypertrophy after transverse aortic constriction.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that
TLR
2‐mediated inflammation induced by extracellularly released heat shock protein 70 is essential for adaptive cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. Thus, modulation of
TLR
2 signaling in the heart may provide a novel strategy for treating heart failure due to inadequate adaptation to hemodynamic stress.
Temperature and thermal regime effects on the specific dynamic action of Bothrops alternatus (Serpentes, Viperidae)
Authors: Gavira Rodrigo Samuel Bueno , Andrade Denis Vieira
Published: November 2013

Metabolic studies in ectothermic vertebrates are, almost always, conducted at a constant temperature, a valid and recommended procedure in most instances. However, for long term measurements, for example during snakes digestion, keeping experimental temperature constant subjects the animals to a condition potentially quite diverse from what animals may experience in nature. Thus, we investigated the influence of constant (20°C, 25°C, and 30°C) and fluctuating (circadian thermoperiod cycles of 20:30°C, 12:12 h) temperatures regimes on the post-prandial metabolic response of the Crossed pit viper, Bothrops alternatus. Maximum oxygen consumption rates () during digestion increased with temperature, while the time to reach these rates (Tpeak) and the duration of the digestive process decreased as temperature was elevated. Both, scope () and SDA coefficient were not influenced by temperature. When compared to the results obtained at constant 25°C (which is equivalent to the average temperature of the fluctuating regime), the fluctuating temperature regime caused a decrease in RMR and accompanied by an increase in digestion duration. Thermal regime did not affect the energetic cost of digestion in B. alternatus.
Phenotypic indicators of developmental instability in an endemic amphibian from an altered landscape (Monegros, NE Spain)
Authors: Burghelea Carmen , Zaharescu Dragos , Palanca Antonio
Published: November 2013

The great sensitivity of amphibians to land disturbance is one of the main causes that contributed to their worldwide decline. One fundamental approach in assessing amphibian ability to reflect habitat degradation is to measure their phenotypic changes in contrasting environments. We examined the extent to which several morphological traits of the endemic anuran Pelophylax perezi responded to agricultural conversion in Monegros, an arid region in NE Spain. Specifically, we determined how body size, body mass, body condition (BC) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of different frog classes varied among habitats with different degree of management, i.e. rice fields vs. control ponds (i.e. small reservoirs). Pelophylax perezi juveniles showed a decrease in size and mass in rice fields, revealing that early life stages are generally more susceptible to habitat alteration. Adult body condition, on the other hand, increased significantly in cultivated habitats, which apparently indicates a good fitness in this size class. Nonetheless, skeletal asymmetry of both, juveniles and adults was significantly higher in rice fields. Moreover, during postmetamorphic development FA increased significantly towards adult stage indicating that the development controlling mechanisms were not able to buffer the stress induced by land use change. Among traits, humerus, radio-ulna and metatarsal were highly sensitive in terms of expressing significant FA differences between habitats, contrary to tibio-fibula, whose precise symmetry is essential for animal locomotion. The former bones have therefore the potential to be used as sensitive indicators of stress in amphibians. FA showed no relationship with body condition. This, together with the previous results demonstrates that FA is able to capture habitat stress more reliably than the morphological estimates such as body size, mass and BC. Therefore, FA is a useful morphological tool, highly recommended to monitor stress levels in amphibian populations.
Additions to the Flora of China: three new species of Elatostema (Urticaceae) from Guangxi
Authors: WEI YI-GANG , Monro Alex , WANG WEN-TSAI
Published: November 2013

Three new species are described and illustrated and their conservation status assessed: Elatostema laevicaule W.T. Wang, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei, E. androstachyum W.T. Wang, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei and E. heterocladum W.T. Wang, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei. All are rare endemic species from Guangxi Province, China, and are only known only from their type localities. E. laevicaule is most similar to E. filipes and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU), E. androstachyum is most similar to E. parvum and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU); E. heterocladum is most similar to both E. androstachyum and E. luxiense and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU).
Midlatitude Tropopause and Low-Level Moisture
Authors: Wu Yutian , Pauluis Olivier
Published: November 2013

A new relationship between the surface distribution of equivalent potential temperature and the potential temperature at the tropopause is proposed. Using a Gaussian approximation for the distribution of equivalent potential temperature, the authors argue that the tropopause potential temperature is approximately given by the mean equivalent potential temperature at the surface plus twice its standard derivation. This relationship is motivated by the comparison of the meridional circulation on dry and moist isentropes. It is further tested using four reanalysis datasets: the Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim); the NCEP–Department of Energy (DOE) Reanalysis II; the NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis; and the Twentieth-Century Reanalysis (20CR), version 2. The proposed relationship successfully captures the annual cycle of the tropopause for both hemispheres. The results are robust among different reanalysis datasets, albeit the 20CR tends to overestimate the tropopause potential temperature. Furthermore, the proposed mechanism also works well in obtaining the interannual variability (with climatological annual cycle removed) for Northern Hemisphere summer with an above-0.6 correlation across different reanalyses. On the contrary, this mechanism is rather weak in explaining the interannual variability in the Southern Hemisphere and no longer works for Northern Hemisphere wintertime. This work suggests the important role of the moist dynamics in determining the midlatitude tropopause.
Float-Derived Isopycnal Diffusivities in the DIMES Experiment
Authors: LaCasce J. H. , Ferrari R. , Marshall J. , Tulloch R. , Balwada D. , Speer K.
Published: November 2013

As part of the Diapycnal and Isopycnal Mixing Experiment in the Southern Ocean (DIMES), 210 subsurface floats were deployed west of the Drake Passage on two targeted density surfaces. Absolute (single particle) diffusivities are calculated for the floats. The focus is on the meridional component, which is less affected by the mean shear. The diffusivities are estimated in several ways, including a novel method based on the probability density function of the meridional displacements. This allows the determination of the range of possible lateral diffusivities, as well as the period over which the spreading can be said to be diffusive. The method is applied to the float data and to synthetic trajectories generated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model (MITgcm). Because of ballasting problems, many of the floats did not remain on their targeted density surface. However, the float temperature records suggest that most occupied a small range of densities, so the floats were grouped together for the analysis. The latter focuses on a subset of 109 of the floats, launched near 105°W. The different methods yield a consistent estimate for the diffusivity of 800 ± 200 m2 s−1. The same calculations were made with model particles deployed on 20 different density surfaces and the result for the particles deployed on the neutral density surface γ = 27.7 surface was the same within the errors. The model was then used to map the variation of the diffusivity in the vertical, near the core of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). The results suggest mixing is intensified at middepths, between 1500 and 2000 m, consistent with several previous studies.
Mass Imprisonment and Trust in the Law
Authors: Muller Christopher , Schrage Daniel
Published: November 2013

This article examines the relationship between two facets of mass imprisonment—its novel comparative and historical scale and its pervasiveness in the lives of African Americans—and surveys respondents’ beliefs about the harshness of the courts, and bias in the courts or among police. Analyses of national survey data show that as states’ incarceration rates increased, so too did the probability that residents believed that courts were too harsh. However, while white Americans’ opinions about the courts were sensitive to changes in the white incarceration rate, African Americans’ opinions were not sensitive to changes in the African American incarceration rate. African American respondents who had been to prison or who had a close friend or family member who had been to prison were more likely to attribute racial disparities in incarceration to police bias and bias in the courts. The article concludes with a discussion of the possible consequences of declining trust in the law for the future of American punishment.
Do Voting Rights Notification Laws Increase Ex-Felon Turnout?
Authors: Meredith Marc , Morse Michael
Published: November 2013

Previous research documents widespread confusion about who can and cannot vote among people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. This research, and considerable activism drawing attention to the issue, has spurred a number of state legislatures to pass laws requiring the states to notify ex-felons about their voting rights. The purpose of this article is to better understand the policy processes that produce these notification laws and to assess whether the laws affect ex-felons’ registration and turnout rates. Data on discharges from the correctional system and voter files are merged from three states that have recently passed notification laws: New Mexico, New York, and North Carolina. Our findings show little evidence of an increase in ex-felon registration or turnout after notification laws are implemented.
The Criminal Justice System and the Racialization of Perceptions
Authors: Saperstein Aliya , Penner Andrew M. , Kizer Jessica M.
Published: November 2013

Recent research on how contact with the criminal justice system shapes racial perceptions in the United States has shown that incarceration increases the likelihood that people are racially classified by others as black, and decreases the likelihood that they are classified as white. We extend this work, using longitudinal data with information on whether respondents have been arrested, convicted, or incarcerated, and details about their most recent arrest. This allows us to ask whether any contact with the criminal justice system triggers racialization, or only certain types of contact. Additional racial categories allow us to explore the racialization of crime beyond the black-white divide. Results indicate even one arrest significantly increases the odds of subsequently being classified as black, and decreases the odds of being classified as white or Asian. This implies a broader impact of increased policing and mass incarceration on racialization and stereotyping, with consequences for social interactions, political attitudes, and research on inequality.
Coding one-sided violence from media reports
Authors: Otto Sabine
Published: November 2013

Event datasets on political violence, which are comprised of coded collected news reports, have enjoyed a renaissance within the academic community. The inclusion of civilian fatalities within these datasets is a promising and welcomed advancement regarding the availability of data on one-sided violence. However, these datasets are often criticised due to their heavy reliance on media records, which may be tainted by biases. So far, little attention has been paid to the specific problems that arise in the coding procedure with respect to one-sided violence. This article addresses such difficulties by discussing particular challenges presented by media biases and by providing empirical evidence from coding one-sided violence. Furthermore, solutions and strategies are offered to the issues that could affect the coding process, including increased transparency, definition-adaptation, and the use of appropriate statistical models.
The higher the better? The limits of analytical resolution in conflict event datasets
Authors: Weidmann Nils B
Published: November 2013

The majority of conflict event datasets rely on media reports as their sole source of information. Because of the various difficulties associated with media reports, it is useful to compare conflict events based on them with those obtained from other observers. A paper published in 2010 by O’Loughlin and colleagues makes a first attempt to do this by using (1) a media-based event dataset and (2) military records on Afghanistan. While the authors conclude that the level of agreement between the two datasets is high, my results show that this goes away once we aggregate to finer analytical resolutions – those that are typically used in micro-level conflict analyses. Thus, rather than giving us the ‘all-clear’ for the accuracy and quality of media-based conflict data, my results once again point to the importance of robustness tests in quantitative conflict research, but also to the need to study the discrepancies in different reporting mechanisms to find out what they can and what they cannot tell us.
Dealing with Ex-Combatants in a Negotiated Peace Process: Impacts of Transitional Politics on the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programme in Nepal
Authors: Subedi DB
Published: November 2013

This paper investigates the implications of transitional politics to the processes and outcomes of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme targeted to the Maoist ex-combatants in Nepal. It shows that the DDR programme in Nepal was unconventional because of (a) following its own context-specific model developed outside of an established DDR framework, (b) being a process led by national actors in the absence of external intervention, and (c) offering no space for non-state actors such as civil society and business to engage in designing and implementing management of the Maoist arms and armies. Highly politicized by conflicting needs and interests of key political actors, the DDR programme was stalled for nearly six years before a resolution about the future of the ex-combatants was forged. Failure of the political actors to forge a common shared outcome of the DDR programme, lack of clarity in the peace negotiation document in terms of processes of rehabilitation and integration of the ex-combatants, and minimal political will of the Maoist to participate in the DDR programme have been identified as key political constrains that have significantly implicated and altered the modality, function and outcome of the DDR programme in Nepal.
Optimising processing conditions of flax fabric reinforced Acrodur biocomposites
Authors: Islam MS , Miao M
Published: November 2013

Acrodur solution and dispersion have been developed as alternative wood adhesives to phenolic and urea formaldehyde resins. They are non-corrosive and do not emit carcinogenic gases. Contrary to most resins used in natural plant fibre composites, Acrodur has superior tolerance to moisture during composite fabrication and thus drying of the preforms may be minimised or eliminated. The aim of this study was to produce optimised flax fabric reinforced Acrodur biocomposites by varying the ratio between Acrodur solution and dispersion, relative humidity, curing time and temperature. The optimised biocomposites provided a combination of specific tensile strength 57.9 MPa-cm3/g and specific Young’s modulus 5.5 GPa-cm3/g at a low density 0.91 g/cm3. Thermogravimetric analysis and contact angle measurement showed that the biocomposites had higher thermal stability and hydrophobicity than the fabrics. The low loss of tensile properties upon water immersion was explained by tortuous wicking path in the biocomposites.
Factors affecting warm-up periods in discrete event simulation
Authors: Grassmann Winfried K
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we discuss the factors affecting the initialization bias in discrete event simulation. Specifically, we assume that the time average is used to find the equilibrium expectation of a certain variable [Formula: see text], say the number in a queueing network, and we would like to minimize the mean squared error (MSE) between the time average of [Formula: see text] and its equilibrium expectation. To do this, a warm-up period is often used during which no data is collected, and we want to find the length of this period such that the MSE is minimal. We show that if starting in what Tocher calls a “typical condition”, warm-ups tend to be redundant. This result is strengthened by theoretical arguments and numerical experiments. If starting in a typical state is inconvenient, warm-up periods should be used, and methods to find optimal warm-up periods are discussed. The numerical methods used for our experiments do not rely on Monte Carlo simulation. Instead, we determine the MSE of the time average by the randomization method and other deterministic methods.
Comparison of Relative and Non-Relative Adoptive Parent Health Status
Authors: Foli Karen J. , Lim Eunjung , Sands Laura P.
Published: November 2013

Across the United States, kinship parents, extended family members and close friends, render care to the 2.7 million children who have been removed from their birth parents’ care. However, differences between relative and non-relative parents reported health statuses have not been explored. The National Survey of Adoptive Parents data were used to investigate the health status of relative ( n = 469) and non-relative ( n = 1,599) adoptive parents. Perceived happiness in the parent–child relationship and the parents’ ability to cope appear to affect parental health status. Only non-related mothers of children younger than 6 years reported better emotional health than those mothers who were related to their children. With this exception, and despite caring for children who have a greater likelihood of abuse, neglect, and exposure to drugs and alcohol prior to birth, the reported health statuses of relative parents did not differ from non-relative parents.
Effects of short-term resistance training and pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone metabolism and joint function in severe haemophilia A patients with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Parhampour Behrouz , Torkaman Giti , Hoorfar Hamid , Hedayati Mehdi , Ravanbod Roya
Published: November 2013

Objectives:

To assess the effects of short-term resistance training and pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone metabolism and joint function in patients with haemophilia with osteoporosis.

Design:

A randomized, controlled, patient and blood sample assessor-blinded, six-week trial, three times weekly.

Setting:

Hospital outpatients with severe haemophilia A and osteoporosis.

Subjects:

Forty-eight patients were randomly assigned to resistance training (RT, n = 13), combined resistance training with pulsed electromagnetic fields (RTPEMF, n = 12), pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF, n = 11) and control ( n = 12) groups.

Intervention:

The RT group received 30–40 minutes of resistance exercises and placebo pulsed electromagnetic fields. The RTPEMF group received the same exercises with lower repetition and 30 minutes of pulsed electromagnetic fields. The PEMF group was exposed to 60 minutes of pulsed electromagnetic fields (30 Hz and 40 Gauss).

Main measures:

Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, N-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and joint function, using the modified Colorado Questionnaire, were measured before and after the programme.

Results:

The absolute change of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was significant in the RT and RTPEMF groups compared with the control group (25.41 ± 14.40, 15.09 ± 5.51, and −4.73 ± 2.93 U/L, respectively). The absolute changes in the total score for joint function were significant for knees, ankles, and elbows in the RT group (9.2 ± 1.38, 5.1 ± 0.5, and 3.2 ± 0.8, respectively) and the RTPEMF group (7.7 ± 1.0, 3.3 ± 0.6, and 2.5 ± 0.7, respectively) compared to the PEMF and control groups. This value was significant for knee joints in the PEMF group compared to the control group (3.4 ± 0.5 and 0.66 ± 0.4, respectively).

Conclusions:

Resistance training is effective for improving bone formation and joint function in severe haemophilia A patients with osteoporosis.
The effect of a novel core stabilization technique on managing patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled, experimenter-blinded study
Authors: You Joshua H , Kim Suhn-Yeop , Oh Duck-Won , Chon Seung-Chul
Published: November 2013

Objective:

To identify the effect of a novel augmented core stabilization exercise technique on physical function, pain and core stability in patients with chronic low back pain.

Design:

A block randomized controlled trial with two groups.

Setting:

A sports rehabilitation clinic.

Participants:

Forty patients with low back pain (20 experimental, mean (SD) age 50.35 (9.26) years and 20 control, 51.30 (7.01)), 19 men and 21 women.

Interventions:

In the experimental group ankle dorsiflexion was used in addition to drawing in the abdominal wall; the control group involved drawing in the abdominal wall alone. Both groups received the same conventional physical therapy training three days a week for eight weeks.

Main outcome measures:

Physical disability instruments; Oswestry Disability Index and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; pain intensity assessments; visual analogue scale, Pain Disability Index, and a pain rating scale; and core stability measures, such as the active straight leg raise, were determined at pretest, posttest and two-month follow-up.

Results:

After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant greater improvement at two months compared with the control group. Physical disability results included Oswestry Disability Index ( P = 0.001, from 24.25 (7.08) to 13.35 (4.17)) and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire ( P = 0.001, from 15.55 (1.99) to 8.15 (1.69)), pain intensity including visual analogue scale ( P = 0.001, from 6.30 (1.03) to 3.35 (0.59)), Pain Disability Index ( P = 0.001, 31.25 (5.44) to 19.00 (3.58)) and pain rating scale ( P = 0.001, from 72.25 (18.73) to 50.10 (15.47)), and the core stability test such as active straight leg raise ( P = 0.001, from 7.40 (0.75) to 2.15 (0.49)).

Conclusions:

This study provides the clinical evidence that adding ankle dorsiflexion to drawing in the abdominal wall gave increased benefit in terms of physical disability, pain and core stability in patients with chronic low back pain.
Images of deep neck space infection and the clinical significance
Authors: Wang Bing , Gao Bu-Lang , Xu Guo-Ping , Xiang Cheng
Published: November 2013

Background

Deep neck infection is not difficult to diagnose clinically, but correct localization of the involved space for timely incision and drainage is not easy without assistance of imaging.

Purpose

To investigate the images of deep neck space infection of phlegmon and abscess and the role of imaging examination in correct localization and treatment.

Material and Methods

Between June 2004 and June 2010, 28 patients were diagnosed with deep neck infection (14 men, 14 women; age range, 17–72 years; mean age, 46 years). Clinical presentations included neck swelling, pain, dysphagia, fever, and elevated white blood cell count. Of the 28 cases, 20 had computed tomography (CT) scans, 18 had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, and 10 had both CT and MRI.

Results

All 28 patients were confirmed by CT and/or MRI to have deep neck infection, with 11 cases in the retropharyngeal space, five in the parapharyngeal space, four in the masseteric space, and eight in multiple spaces. Thirteen cases had abscesses that were successfully treated with incision and drainage under CT guidance in combination with large doses of antibiotics, and 15 had phlegmon managed with large doses of antibiotics. Followed up for 5–20 months, all patients recovered completely. Two patients were confirmed by imaging examination to have retropharyngeal infection spreading to the superior mediastinum with abscess formation and another two patients had multiple space infection because inappropriate puncture or incision for drainage without imaging guidance in these patients caused the spread of infection. Clinical diagnosis was not accurate with only 12 patients (42.9%) being correctly diagnosed of the exact deep neck space involved before imaging confirmation. CT and/or MRI made the correct diagnosis in all 28 patients. CT and/or MRI also directly changed the treatment plan in seven patients and contributed to the recovery of these patients.

Conclusion

CT and MRI play a crucial role in both the diagnosis and correct puncture and incision for drainage of the deep neck space infection.
‘So, why did you decide to do this?’ Soliciting and formulating motives for speed dating
Authors: Hollander Matthew M , Turowetz Jason
Published: November 2013

We bring a conversation analytic perspective to the phenomenon of soliciting and providing motives for participation in speed dating. Using data from three speed-dating events, we analyze how college-aged volunteers in a research study collaboratively formulate motives for participation and identities as speed daters. The findings reveal detailed and sequentially organized procedures by which participants display, monitor, and enforce normative expectations about how people of their age should treat this institutional activity. In particular, participants use a three-turn motive solicitation sequence to produce ‘casual’ accounts for participation that suggest a disinvested orientation toward speed dating. In the few cases in which what might be considered the ‘obvious’ motive for speed dating is invoked – meeting someone to date – it tends to be done ironically. When offered in earnest, however, interlocutors withhold alignment with this motive and treat it as accountable.
The football fan and the pub: An enduring relationship
Authors: Dixon Kevin
Published: November 2013

This paper draws on qualitative interviews with a sample of English football fans to explore their relationship with one enduring site for fandom practice, the pub. In doing so, the work discusses the significance of structuration processes as a means of explaining the transcendent nature of this relationship across time and space. The findings complement existing ethnographic observations to illustrate that a progressive and multifaceted relationship exists between the institution (the pub) and its customers (football fans), based on historical reference to fan culture, emotive connection to the pub as a football space, associated sociability and the perception of cultural stability.
Efficacy and Gastrointestinal Tolerability of Oral Oxycodone/Naloxone Combination for Chronic Pain in Outpatients With Cancer
Authors: Cuomo Arturo , Russo Gennaro , Esposito Gennaro , Forte Cira Antonietta , Connola Marianna , Marcassa Claudio
Published: November 2013

Combination opioid agonist/antagonist therapy has been shown to preserve bowel function in patients with chronic cancer pain. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of prolonged-released fixed-dose oxycodone-naloxone (PR OXN) in consecutive outpatients with chronic cancer pain. Of 206 patients prescribed PR OXN (mean age 61.3 ± 12.9 years; 52.9% female), 31.5% were opioid naïve. PR OXN was associated with a significant decrease in pain score measured on a visual analogue scale over 28 days (P < .0001), without adverse effects on bowel function, nor change in laxative use. PR OXN efficacy and tolerability were similar in opioid-naïve and -experienced patients, and among age-stratified subgroups. No severe side effects occurred. In a real-life outpatient setting, PR OXN provided analgesia without bowel dysfunction in patients with chronic cancer pain.