bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Water from Likuyu Village in the Neighborhood of Mkuju Uranium Deposit
Authors: Mohammed Najat K. , Mazunga Mohamed S.
Published: May 2013

The discovery of high concentration uranium deposit at Mkuju, southern part of Tanzania, has brought concern about the levels of natural radioactivity at villages in the neighborhood of the deposit. This study determined the radioactivity levels of 30 soil samples and 20 water samples from Likuyu village which is 54 km east of the uranium deposit. The concentrations of the natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K were determined using low level gamma spectrometry of the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) Laboratory in Arusha. The average radioactivity concentrations obtained in soil samples for 238U (51.7 Bq/kg), 232Th (36.4 Bq/kg), and 40K (564.3 Bq/kg) were higher than the worldwide average concentrations value of these radionuclides reported by UNSCEAR, 2000. The average activity concentration value of 238U (2.35 Bq/L) and 232Th (1.85 Bq/L) in water samples was similar and comparable to their mean concentrations in the control sample collected from Nduluma River in Arusha.
Enhanced Dendritic Cell-Mediated Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cell Responses: IFN-Gamma Aids TLR Stimulation
Authors: Sheng Kuo-Ching , Day Stephanie , Wright Mark D. , Stojanovska Lily , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: May 2013

Phenotypic maturation and T cell stimulation are two functional attributes of DCs critical for immune induction. The combination of antigens, including those from cancer, with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands induces far superior cellular immune responses compared to antigen alone. In this study, IFN-gamma treatment of bone marrow-derived DC, followed by incubation with the TLR2, TLR4, or TLR9 agonists, enhanced DC activation compared to TLR ligation alone. Most notably, the upregulation of CD40 with LPS stimulation and CD86 with CpG stimulation was observed inin vitrocultures. Similarly, IFN-gamma coinjected with TLR ligands was able to promote DC activationin vivo, with DCs migrating from the site of immunization to the popliteal lymph nodes demonstrating increased expression of CD80 and CD86. The heightened DC activation translated to a drastic increase in T cell stimulatory capacity in both antigen independent and antigen dependent fashions. This is the first time that IFN-gamma has been shown to have a combined effect with TLR ligation to enhance DC activation and function. The results demonstrate the novel use of IFN-gamma together with TLR agonists to enhance antigen-specific T cell responses, for applications in the development of enhanced vaccines and drug targets against diseases including cancer.
Dual Analysis of the Capacity of Spectrum Sharing Cognitive Radio with MRC under Nakagami-m Fading
Authors: Oni Phillip Babatunde , Duan Ruifeng , Elmusrati Mohammed
Published: May 2013

In this study, the maximum achievable information transmission rate of spectrum sharing cognitive radio with maximal ratio combining (MRC) antenna diversity technique is investigated when the channel between the secondary transmitter and the primary receiver and that between the secondary transmitter and the secondary receiver suffer Nakagami-m fading. With an assumption that both channels encounter Nakagami-m fading and the transmission of the secondary transmitter is subject to average interference power constraint, the approximated expressions for analyzing the effective capacity and the ergodic capacity of cognitive radio users with MRC are presented. The two capacity models are compared. In the case of the effective capacity, it is shown that different applications or users with different quality of service (QoS) requirements can be supported in cognitive radio, and when the delay QoS decreases, the effective capacity approaches the ergodic capacity.
International Differences in the Links between Obesity and Physiological Dysregulation: The United States, England, and Taiwan
Authors: Vasunilashorn Sarinnapha , Kim Jung Ki , Crimmins Eileen M.
Published: May 2013

Excess weight has generally been associated with adverse health outcomes; however, the link between overweight and health outcomes may vary with socioeconomic, cultural, and epidemiological conditions. We examine associations of weight with indicators of biological risk in three nationally representative populations: the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, and the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study in Taiwan. Indicators of biological risk were compared for obese (defined using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference) and normal weight individuals aged 54+. Generally, obesity in England was associated with elevated risk for more markers examined; obese Americans also had elevated risks except that they did not have elevated blood pressure (BP). Including waist circumference in our consideration of BMI indicated different links between obesity and waist size across countries; we found higher physiological dysregulation among those with high waist but normal BMI compared to those with normal waist and normal BMI. Americans had the highest levels of biological risk in all weight/waist groups. Cross-country variation in biological risk associated with obesity may reflect differences in health behaviors, lifestyle, medication use, and culture.
Angiolipofibroma of the Cecum: A Rare Type of Submucosal Polyp
Authors: Groisman Gabriel M.
Published: May 2013

Mesenchymal type tumors originated in the submucosa represent a small percentage of colorectal polyps. This is particularly true for polyps composed of more than one mesenchymal tissue type. We herein present the pathological features of an unusual polypoid proliferation of mature fatty, fibrous, and vascular tissues including vessels of diverse nature and size. The histological findings support a hamartomatous rather than a true neoplastic origin for this rare lesion.
Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Protects against Acute Experimental Sepsis in Mice
Authors: Gui Huan , Sun Yang , Luo Zhu-Min , Su Ding-Feng , Dai Sheng-Ming , Liu Xia
Published: May 2013

The systemic inflammatory response syndrome can be self-limited or can progress to severe sepsis and septic shock. Despite significant advances in the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of septic shock, it is still one of the most frequent and serious problems confronting clinicians in the treatments. And the effects of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) on the sepsis still remain undefined. The present study was aimed to explore the role and mechanism of CB2R in acute sepsis model of mice. Here, we found that mice were more vulnerable for lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced death and inflammation after CB2R deletion (CB2R−/−). CB2R agonist, GW405833, could significantly extend the survival rate and decrease serum proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-treated mice. GW405833 dose-dependently inhibits proinflammatory cytokines release in splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages as well as splenocytes proliferation, and these effects were partly abolished in CB2R−/−splenocytes but completely abolished in CB2R−/−peritoneal macrophages. Further studies showed that GW405833 inhibits LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and STAT3 and blocks IκBαdegradation and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in macrophages. All data together showed that CB2R provides a protection and is a potential therapeutic target for the sepsis.
A Topologically Charged Black Hole in thefℛBraneworld
Authors: Larrañaga Alexis , Rengifo Andres , Cabarique Luis
Published: May 2013

We find a new general black hole solution in the braneworld scenario, considering a modified 5-dimensionalfℛaction in the bulk. We study the horizon structure and find the possibility of two, one, or no horizon depending on the value of the topological parameterβ. On the thermodynamics side, we show that the value of the topological parameter determines the black hole temperature to have a divergent behaviour at small scales or to present a maximum value before cooling down towards a zero temperature remnant.
A Case of Pancreatic Cancer in the Setting of Autoimmune Pancreatitis with Nondiagnostic Serum Markers
Authors: Chandrasegaram Manju D. , Chiam Su C. , Nguyen Nam Q. , Ruszkiewicz Andrew , Chung Adrian , Neo Eu L. , Chen John W. , Worthley Christopher S. , Brooke-Smith Mark E.
Published: May 2013

Background. Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) often mimics pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis of both conditions is difficult preoperatively let alone when they coexist. Several reports have been published describing pancreatic cancer in the setting of AIP.Case Report. The case of a 53-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain, jaundice, and radiological features of autoimmune pancreatitis, with a “sausage-shaped” pancreas and bulky pancreatic head with portal vein impingement, is presented. He had a normal serum IgG4 and only mildly elevated Ca-19.9. Initial endoscopic ultrasound-(EUS-) guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the pancreas revealed an inflammatory sclerosing process only. A repeat EUS guided biopsy following biliary decompression demonstrated both malignancy and features of autoimmune pancreatitis. At laparotomy, a uniformly hard, bulky pancreas was found with no sonographically definable mass. A total pancreatectomy with portal vein resection and reconstruction was performed. Histology revealed adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreatic head and autoimmune pancreatitis and squamous metaplasia in the remaining pancreas.Conclusion. This case highlights the diagnostic and management difficulties in a patient with pancreatic cancer in the setting of serum IgG4-negative, Type 2 AIP.
Ant-Mimicking Spiders: Strategies for Living with Social Insects
Authors: Ceccarelli Fadia Sara
Published: May 2013

Mimicry is a fascinating topic, in particular when viewed in terms of selective forces and evolutionary strategies. Mimicry is a system involving a signaller, a signal receiver, and a model and has evolved independently many times in plants and animals. There are several ways of classifying mimicry based on the interactions and cost-benefit scenarios of the parties involved. In this review, I briefly outline the dynamics of the most common types of mimicry to then apply it to some of the spider-ant associative systems known to date. In addition, this review expands on the strategies that ant-associating (in particular ant-mimicking) spiders have developed to minimise the costs of living close to colonies of potentially dangerous models. The main strategy that has been noted to date is either chemical mimicry or actively avoiding contact with ants. If these strategies warrant protection for the spider (living close to potentially dangerous models), then the benefits of ant associations would outweigh the costs, and the association will prevail.
Comparative Assessment of an Innovative Dry-Cooled CSP System
Authors: Poullikkas Andreas , Hadjipaschalis Ioannis , Kourtis George
Published: May 2013

A comparative optimization assessment is carried out in order to identify the competitiveness of an innovative modular air-cooled condenser (MACC) system in relation to conventional water- or air-cooled condensers. Specifically, the technoeconomic performance of the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology, the parabolic trough concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, and the solar tower CSP technology are compared when all are integrated (a) with a MACC condenser of an optimum tube geometry and size, (b) with a conventional water-cooled condenser, and (c) with a conventional dry-cooled condenser. The comparison is performed across three different solar potential levels. The simulations are carried out using an optimization model based on the IPP v2.1 algorithm for the calculation of the electricity unit cost and other financial indicators of each technology under investigation. The results demonstrate that, under certain parameters, the investigated MACC condenser system can become a cost-competitive alternative to water- or dry-cooled condensers in various solar potential environments.
Zeolites: Promised Materials for the Sustainable Production of Hydrogen
Authors: Chica Antonio
Published: May 2013

Zeolites have been shown to be useful catalysts in a large variety of reactions, from acid to base and redox catalysis. The particular properties of these materials (high surface area, uniform porosity, interconnected pore/channel system, accessible pore volume, high adsorption capacity, ion-exchange ability, and shape/size selectivity) provide crucial features as effective catalysts and catalysts supports. Currently, new applications are being developed from the considerable existing knowledge about these important and remarkable materials. Among them, those applications related to the development of processes with less impact on the environment (green processes) and with the production of alternative and cleaner energies are of paramount importance. Hydrogen is believed to be critical for the energy and environmental sustainability. It is a clean energy carrier which can be used for transportation and stationary power generation. In the production of hydrogen, the development of new catalysts is one of the most important and effective ways to address the problems related to the sustainable production of hydrogen. This paper explores the possibility to use zeolites as catalysts or supports of catalysts to produce hydrogen from renewable resources. Specifically, two approaches have been considered: reforming of biomass-derived compounds (reforming of bioethanol) and water splitting using solar energy. This paper examines the role of zeolites in the preparation of highly active and selective ethanol steam reforming catalysts and their main properties to be used as efficient water splitting photocatalysts.
Antiosteoclastic Activity of Milk Thistle Extract after Ovariectomy to Suppress Estrogen Deficiency-Induced Osteoporosis
Authors: Kim Jung-Lye , Kim Yun-Ho , Kang Min-Kyung , Gong Ju-Hyun , Han Seoung-Jun , Kang Young-Hee
Published: May 2013

Bone integrity abnormality and imbalance between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts are known to result in metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Silymarin-rich milk thistle extract (MTE) and its component silibinin enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblasts but reduced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity of osteoclasts. The osteoprotective effects of MTE were comparable to those of estrogenic isoflavone. Low-dose combination of MTE and isoflavone had a pharmacological synergy that may be useful for osteogenic activity. This study attempted to reveal the suppressive effects of MTE on bone loss. C57BL/6 female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) as a model for postmenopausal osteopenia and orally administered 10 mg/kg MTE or silibinin for 8 weeks. The sham-operated mice served as estrogen controls. The treatment of ovariectomized mice with nontoxic MTE and silibinin improved femoral bone mineral density and serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio, an index of osteoclastogenic stimulus. In addition, the administration of MTE or silibinin inhibited femoral bone loss induced by ovariectomy and suppressed femoral TRAP activity and cathepsin K induction responsible for osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Collectively, oral dosage of MTE containing silibinin in the preclinical setting is effective in preventing estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss.
A New Model of the Fractional Order Dynamics of the Planetary Gears
Authors: Nikolic-Stanojevic Vera , Veljovic Ljiljana , Dolicanin Cemal
Published: May 2013

A theoretical model of planetary gears dynamics is presented. Planetary gears are parametrically excited by the time-varying mesh stiffness that fluctuates as the number of gear tooth pairs in contact changes during gear rotation. In the paper, it has been indicated that even the small disturbance in design realizations of this gear cause nonlinear properties of dynamics which are the source of vibrations and noise in the gear transmission. Dynamic model of the planetary gears with four degrees of freedom is used. Applying the basic principles of analytical mechanics and taking the initial and boundary conditions into consideration, it is possible to obtain the system of equations representing physical meshing process between the two or more gears. This investigation was focused to a new model of the fractional order dynamics of the planetary gear. For this model analytical expressions for the corresponding fractional order modes like one frequency eigen vibrational modes are obtained. For one planetary gear, eigen fractional modes are obtained, and a visualization is presented. By using MathCAD the solution is obtained.
Photocatalytic Mineralization of Organic Acids over Visible-Light-Driven Au/BiVO4Photocatalyst
Authors: Pingmuang Kanlaya , Wetchakun Natda , Kangwansupamonkon Wiyong , Ounnunkad Kontad , Inceesungvorn Burapat , Phanichphant Sukon
Published: May 2013

Au/BiVO4visible-light-driven photocatalysts were synthesized by coprecipitation method in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a dispersant. Physical characterization of the obtained materials was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and Brunauer, and Emmett and Teller (BET) specific surface area measurement. Photocatalytic performances of the as-prepared Au/BiVO4have also been evaluated via mineralizations of oxalic acid and malonic acid under visible light irradiation. XRD and SEM results indicated that Au/BiVO4photocatalysts were of almost spherical particles with scheelite-monoclinic phase. Photocatalytic results showed that all Au/BiVO4samples exhibited higher oxalic acid mineralization rate than that of pure BiVO4, probably due to a decrease of BiVO4band gap energy and the presence of surface plasmon absorption upon loading BiVO4with Au as evidenced from UV-Vis DRS results. The nominal Au loading amount of 0.25 mol% provided the highest pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.0487 min−1and 0.0082 min−1for degradations of oxalic acid (C2) and malonic acid (C3), respectively. By considering structures of the two acids, lower pseudo-first-order rate constantly obtained in the case of malonic acid degradation was likely due to an increased complexity of the degradation mechanism of the longer chain acid.
Rhabdomyomatous (Mesenchymal) Hamartoma Presenting as Haemangioma on the Upper Lip: A Case Report with Immunohistochemical Analysis and Treatment with High-Power Lasers
Authors: Dal Vechio Aluana , Nakajima Edgar , Pinto Décio , Azevedo Luciane Hiramatsu , Migliari Dante A.
Published: May 2013

Rhabdomyomatous hamartoma is a rare disease that occurs predominantly in the skin. This paper describes a congenital lesion in a 17-year-old male, who came to our clinic presenting a circumscribed swelling involving the oral mucosa and vermillion border of the upper lip, purplish in color, and blanching under pressure. The patient reported that he had had lesion since his birth. A clinical diagnosis was of congenital haemangioma, and the patient was treated by photocoagulation using diode laser. When the lesion became smaller, by having its blood content reduced, the upper portion of the lesion was sliced off with CO2laser and the tissue was sent for microscopic analysis. Histopathological examination showed an oral mucosa fragment with proliferation of striated muscle bundles admixed with small blood vessels, collagen, and nerve fibres. A supplementary analysis with immunohistochemistry demonstrated positivity for desmin, HHF35, smooth muscle actin, S-100, and CD34. Based on these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as rhabdomyomatous hamartoma. The aesthetic result has been very satisfactory after a 14-month followup.
Pregnancy in the Setting of Asymptomatic Non-Cirrhotic Chronic Portal Vein Thrombosis Complicated by Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Üstüner Işık , Akdoğan Remzi Adnan , Güven Emine Seda Güvendağ , Şahin Figen Kır , Şentürk Şenol , Akdoğan Elif , Taşçı Filiz
Published: May 2013

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) can be chronic or acute in nature; it is characterized by a thrombus formation in the main portal vein and/or its right or left branches. Herein, we present a 36-year-old woman with asymptomatic noncirrhotic chronic PVT who developed preeclampsia in the later stage of pregnancy. This report will emphasize the clinical differential diagnosis, outcome, and management of pregnancies complicated by noncirrhotic PVT.
The Genetic Unity of Southern Uto-Aztecan
Authors: Merrill William L.
Published: May 2013

The internal structure of the Uto-Aztecan language family has been debated since the late 19th century, when the historical relationships among all of its major subdivisions were first recognized. Alexis Manaster Ramer’s identification in 1992 of a phonological innovation shared by languages belonging to the four northernmost subfamilies led to the acceptance of these languages as a genetic linguistic unit called Northern Uto-Aztecan, but no consensus has emerged regarding the organization into higher-level subgroups of the remaining five subfamilies. In this essay, I argue in support of a perspective, originally developed by Terrence Kaufman, that the languages in these subfamilies also constitute a genetic unit, Southern Uto-Aztecan, based on two shared, sequential innovations: *-n- > *-r- and *-ŋ- > *-n-. Key to my argument is the reconstruction of a Proto-Uto-Aztecan liquid phoneme with **[-r-] and **[-l-] as its allophones, which clarifies the diachronic relationships among reflexes of **-n-, **-ŋ-, and **-r- in the daughter languages. The model that I propose offers a parsimonious solution to several perennial issues in Uto-Aztecan historical phonology and a possible explanation for the absence of a liquid phoneme in the Numic languages.
ARM Research In The Equatorial Western Pacific: A Decade And Counting
Authors: Long C. N. , McFarlane S. A. , Genio A. Del , Minnis P. , Ackerman T. P. , Mather J. , Comstock J. , Mace G. G. , Jensen M. , Jakob C.
Published: May 2013

The tropical western Pacific (TWP) is an important climatic region. Strong solar heating, warm sea surface temperatures, and the annual progression of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) across this region generate abundant convective systems, which through their effects on the heat and water budgets have a profound impact on global climate and precipitation. In order to accurately evaluate tropical cloud systems in models, measurements of tropical clouds, the environment in which they reside, and their impact on the radiation and water budgets are needed. Because of the remote location, ground-based datasets of cloud, atmosphere, and radiation properties from the TWP region have come primarily from shortterm field experiments. While providing extremely useful information on physical processes, these short-term datasets are limited in statistical and climatological information. To provide longterm measurements of the surface radiation budget in the tropics and the atmospheric properties that affect it, the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program established a measurement site on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, in 1996 and on the island republic of Nauru in late 1998. These sites provide unique datasets now available for more than 10 years on Manus and Nauru. This article presents examples of the scientific use of these datasets including characterization of cloud properties, analysis of cloud radiative forcing, model studies of tropical clouds and processes, and validation of satellite algorithms. New instrumentation recently installed at the Manus site will provide expanded opportunities for tropical atmospheric science.
Evolution of the Population of Precipitating Convective Systems over the Equatorial Indian Ocean in Active Phases of the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Zuluaga Manuel D. , Houze Robert A.
Published: May 2013

Three-dimensional radar reflectivity fields from a dual-wavelength Doppler polarimetric radar (S-PolKa) deployed in the equatorial Indian Ocean are used to evaluate the composition of the population of convective cloud elements during active phases of the MJO. Rainfall in active periods was intermittent, occurring in 11 episodes of about 2–4 days, separated by several nonrainy days. Data for these 2-day periods were composited relative to the time of maximum rainfall. Analysis of the S-PolKa data shows the makeup of the convective population during the rainfall episodes. Four types of echo structures were analyzed statistically for the 11 rainfall episodes: shallow convective echoes (SCE), deep convective cores (DCC), wide convective echo cores (WCC), and broad stratiform (BSR) echo regions. SCE and DCC events were most frequent before the maximum rainfall, with the peak frequency of SCE leading that of DCCs. WCCs were most frequent during the rainfall maximum, and BSR regions were most frequent in the later part of the rainfall episode. Composited ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data and 3-hourly atmospheric soundings indicate that the 2–4-day episodes were related to the passage of equatorial waves. In the early part of a rainfall episode, the wave-passage conditions were unstable, favoring deep penetrating convective elements, while in the later period the wave divergence profile was commensurate with convective systems in late anvil-producing stages. These results support the stretched building-block notion of the life cycle of tropical convection and confirm satellite-based interpretations of SCE, DCC, WCC, and BSR statistics in the composition of the convective population.
Toward an Understanding of Vertical Momentum Transports in Cloud-System-Resolving Model Simulations of Multiscale Tropical Convection
Authors: Shaw Tiffany A. , Lane Todd P.
Published: May 2013

This study examines the characteristics of convective momentum transport (CMT) and gravity wave momentum transport (GWMT) in two-dimensional cloud-system-resolving model simulations, including the relationships between the two transports. A linear group velocity criterion is shown to objectively separate CMT and GWMT. The GWMT contribution is mostly consistent with upward-propagating gravity waves and is present in the troposphere and the stratosphere. The CMT contribution forms a large part of the residual (nonupward-propagating contribution) and dominates the fluxes in the troposphere. Additional analysis of the vertical sensible heat flux supports the physical interpretation of the two contributions, further isolating the effects of unstable convection from vertically propagating gravity waves.

The role of transient and nonconservative (friction and diabatic heating) processes in generating momentum flux and their dependence on changes in convective organization was assessed using a pseudomomentum budget analysis. Nonconservative effects were found to dominate the transports; the GWMT contribution involved a diabatic source region in the troposphere and a dissipative sink region in the stratosphere. The CMT contribution was consistent with transport between the boundary layer and free troposphere via tilted convection. Transient buoyancy–vorticity correlations highlighted wave sources in the region of convective outflow and the boundary layer. These sources were akin to the previously described “mechanical oscillator” mechanism. Fluxes associated with this upper-level source were most sensitive to convective organization, highlighting the mechanism by which changes in organization are communicated to GWMT. The results elucidate important interactions between CMT and GWMT, adding further weight to suggestions that the two transports should be linked in parameterizations.
Analysis of the post-filling phase of the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process
Authors: Robinson Marc J , Kosmatka John B
Published: May 2013

The vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process uses a compliant vacuum bagging material which allows the thickness of the saturated preform to change as a function of pressure. The final thickness of the part is dependent on the post-filling phase where excess resin is bled from the preform to achieve a desired final part thickness. The flow of resin during the bleeding process is dependent on the compaction and permeability characteristics of the preform material. This paper examines the post-filling stage of the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process through finite element-based flow simulation and experimental studies. The studies focus on thick laminates where both in-plane and through thickness flows are considered. Comparisons of experimental and simulation results for two different post-filling scenarios provide insight into the post-filling phase of the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process including model validation as well as understanding of limitations of compaction/relaxation constitutive models in predicting final preform thickness.
High School Religious Context and Reports of Same-Sex Attraction and Sexual Identity in Young Adulthood
Authors: Wilkinson Lindsey , Pearson Jennifer
Published: May 2013

The objectives of this study are to understand the association between high school religious context in adolescence and the reporting of same-sex attraction and sexual identity in young adulthood and how these associations vary by gender. Previous studies have considered how high school contexts shape the well-being of sexual minority youth, yet few have examined the extent to which these contexts shape sexual desire and identity. We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and find that among women, school religious context is negatively associated with the likelihood of reporting same-sex attraction in young adulthood. We also find a negative association between school religious context and reporting a bisexual or flexible sexual identity among men and women. Finally, we find a positive association between mean school religious attendance and reporting a homosexual identity among men and women.
Switching Dynamics and the Stress Process
Authors: Cornwell Benjamin
Published: May 2013

This article shows how maintaining social relationships can be a daily hassle that has implications for the stress process, depending on how often individuals transition, or “switch,” between various social roles and social settings throughout the day. I use nationally representative time-diary data on 7,662 respondents from the 2010 American Time Use Survey to measure individual rates of switching behavior and to examine how it relates to perceived stress. Regression analysis shows that net of how many social roles they play and settings they visit on a given day, individuals who switch more frequently between these elements report higher levels of stress. This finding holds for women but not men, suggesting that switching dynamics are disproportionately stressful for women. I close by discussing the implications of the findings for research on gender and health.
Drug Use Disorder (DUD) Questionnaire
Authors: Scherer Michael , Furr-Holden C. Debra , Voas Robert B.
Published: May 2013

Background:

Despite the ample interest in the measurement of substance abuse and dependence, obtaining biological samples from participants as a means to validate a scale is considered time and cost intensive and is, subsequently, largely overlooked.

Objectives:

To report the psychometric properties of the drug use disorder (DUD) questionnaire including oral fluid and blood sample screening indicators measuring the three most commonly used illicit substances—marijuana, cocaine, and extramedicinal painkillers.

Subjects:

Participants were a subset ( N = 2,702) of the 2007 U.S. National Roadside Survey that was administered to daytime and nighttime weekend drivers in the 48 contiguous states to examine the prevalence of substance use and misuse.

Measures:

Participants completed demographic and substance use questions as well as the DUD—a 12-item measure assessing substance abuse and dependence. Participants could potentially have completed the DUD three times for each of the three substances. Subscales of abuse and dependence were created using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition Text Revision [DSM-IV-TR]) criteria of these diagnoses.

Results:

The DUD displayed adequate internal consistency on both subscales of substance abuse and dependence (Cronbach’s α ranging from .71 to .84 and .83 to .92, respectively). The DUD also demonstrated construct validity in comparison to biological markers of each substance.

Conclusions:

The DUD is a biologically validated instrument that is both easy to utilize and may have valuable implications as a research tool among both clinical and nonclinical populations.
Indicating mediatization? Two decades of election campaign television coverage
Authors: Zeh Reimar , Hopmann David Nicolas
Published: May 2013

This article traces mediatization in the coverage of election campaigns in Danish and German television news over the past 20 years (1990–2009). The analysis is based on news content analyses focusing on the major candidates in the two countries. Considering that Denmark and Germany are similar but nevertheless different countries, the data show remarkable similarities in the coverage of elections and how it changes over time. Observing the amount of horse-race coverage, personalization, visualization and negativity, most findings fitted the mediatization hypothesis at a first glance. At a second glance, multivariate analyses controlling for important other variables confirmed the notion of mediatization for only three of the five content indicators studied. In addition, the mediatization process apparently stalled in the 1990s.
Family talk, peer talk and young people’s civic orientation
Authors: Ekström Mats , Östman Johan
Published: May 2013

This study focuses on interpersonal communication in the family and among peers in order to empirically examine the general idea that everyday civic talk might develop young people’s civic orientation. Two questions are addressed: (1) What is the significance of civic talk in relation to key dimensions of young people’s civic orientation? (2) What does civic talk in peer settings specifically contribute to young people’s civic orientation? The study is based on survey data from high school students and their parents ( N = 1148). The findings offer clear support to the idea that civic talk in everyday contexts matters for young people’s development of political knowledge, democratic values and different forms of civic practices. Civic talk in peer settings contributes uniquely to all dimensions of youths’ civic orientation. Implications of the findings for political socialization research and theories of the democratic mechanisms of civic talk are discussed.
The professionalization of campaigns in recent democracies: The Portuguese case
Authors: Lisi Marco
Published: May 2013

The fact that political campaigns in contemporary western democracies are fully professionalized seems to be unchallenged. Yet, the empirical evidence concerns few advanced democracies and mainly the main governing parties. We know little about the characteristics of political campaigns in recent democracies, as well as their main features in terms of political communication. This article aims to tackle these issues by examining the Portuguese case, a recent democracy characterized by relatively weak parties, television-centred communication and low levels of partisanship. In order to explore the features of political campaigns, this article draws on original data from both party elite interviews and a candidate survey for the 2009 legislative elections. The results show a relatively low degree of professionalization, especially in terms of marketing outlook. Overall, the findings provide support for hybrid models of campaign communication and suggest that political and institutional factors have important effects for party organization and communication tools.
Suppression of Aggressive Rorschach Responses Among Violent Offenders and Nonoffenders
Authors: Benjestorf Sue TaVoularis , Viglione Donald J. , Lamb Judy D. , Giromini Luciano
Published: May 2013

This Rorschach study explored the suppression of aggression content when violent offenders and nonoffenders are asked to present themselves as not posing a threat of dangerousness in a court role-playing context. Aggressive content and complexity in this suppressive role-play context was compared to a neutral control condition. A total of 41 participants, approximately half violent offenders and half nonoffenders took the Rorschach under both conditions. Results indicate that both groups suppressed aggression content on the Rorschach without altering response complexity. This large effect size for testing condition may partly explain the inconsistencies across previous studies. It is possible that violent offenders have typically been tested in highly suppressive conditions whereas nonoffender or normative groups may have been tested in relatively low suppression conditions. If so, aggression score differences may be a reflection of the testing condition, not group differences. Both instructional sets produced similar levels of complexity, so that individuals do not simplify responses when they screen out aggressive attributions. Violent offenders did not differ from nonviolent offenders in terms of aggression content, but did produce more simplistic records. In addition, this study also undertook a semantic, textual analysis and found that individuals in the suppressive condition tended to eliminate many response elaborations, particularly those with negative of threatening connotations.
Legislative pledges and coalition government
Authors: Zubek Radoslaw , Klüver Heike
Published: May 2013

When do coalitions do what they promise? Previous research has focused on the extent to which parties implement electoral pledges. In this article, we examine how coalition cabinets fulfil post-electoral legislative agendas. Many coalitions announce programmes identifying bills that they plan to introduce to parliament in the months ahead. Even though coalition parties publicly signal commitment to all such proposals, there is variation in the extent to which cabinets meet their own deadlines. We argue that pledge fulfilment is driven by differences in the divisiveness and salience of legislative initiatives. We test our theoretical expectations based on an empirical analysis of over 500 legislative pledges made by the Polish cabinet between 2008 and 2011. Our results confirm that pledges dealing with less divisive and more salient issues are likely to be fulfilled with less delay than those dealing with more divisive and less important issues.
Modern health worries, subjective somatic symptoms, somatosensory amplification, and health anxiety in adolescents
Authors: Freyler Anett , Kőhegyi Zita , Köteles Ferenc , Kökönyei Gyöngyi , Bárdos György
Published: May 2013

The cross-sectional study aimed at the psychometric evaluation of the Modern Health Worries Scale in adolescents and the exploration of the relationship among modern health worries, somatosensory amplification, health anxiety, and somatic symptoms. A total of 480 secondary school students (aged between 14 and 19 years) completed a set of questionnaires. Four-factor structure of the scale was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Modern health worries were connected to somatosensory amplification and health anxiety, and somatosensory amplification and health anxiety were partial mediators of the connection between modern health worries and somatic symptoms. Perceived vulnerability (conceptualized as somatosensory amplification and health anxiety) appears to build a “social-cognitive-emotional bridge” between symptoms and modern health worries.
Individualized glycaemic targets and pharmacotherapy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bailey Clifford J , Aschner Pablo , Del Prato Stefano , LaSalle James , Ji Linong , Matthaei Stephan ,   on behalf of the Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes Management
Published: May 2013

The Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes Management, established to provide practical guidance to improve patient outcomes in diabetes, has developed and modified recommendations to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. The Global Partnership advocates an individualized therapeutic approach and, as part of the process to customize therapy, has previously identified specific type 2 diabetes patient subgroups that require special consideration. This article builds on earlier publications, expanding the scope of practical guidance to include newly diagnosed individuals with complications and women with diabetes in pregnancy. Good glycaemic control remains the cornerstone of managing type 2 diabetes, and plays a vital role in preventing or delaying the onset and progression of diabetic complications. Individualizing therapeutic goals and treatments to meet glycaemic targets safely and without delay remains paramount, in addition to a wider programme of care to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and improve patient outcomes.
Current ciprofloxacin usage in children hospitalized in a referral hospital in Paris
Authors: Yang Zhi-Tao , Zahar Jean-Ralph , Méchaï Fréderic , Postaire Martine , Blanot Stéphane , Balfagon-Viel Sarah , Nassif Xavier , Lortholary Olivier
Published: May 2013

Background

Fluoroquinolones are used with increasing frequency in children with a major risk of increasing the emergence of FQ resistance. FQ use has expanded off-label for primary antibacterial prophylaxis or treatment of infections in immune-compromised children and life-threatening multi-resistant bacteria infections. Here we assessed the prescriptions of ciprofloxacin in a pediatric cohort and their appropriateness.

Methods

A monocenter audit of ciprofloxacin prescription was conducted for six months in a University hospital in Paris. Infected site, bacteriological findings and indication, were evaluated in children receiving ciprofloxacin in hospital independently by 3 infectious diseases consultants and 1 hospital pharmacist.

Results

Ninety-eight ciprofloxacin prescriptions in children, among which 52 (53.1%) were oral and 46 (46.9%) parenteral, were collected. 45 children had an underlying condition, cystic fibrosis (CF) (21) or an innate or acquired immune deficiency (24). Among CF patients, the most frequent indication was a broncho-pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (20). In non-CF patient, the major indications were broncho-pulmonary (25), urinary (8), intra-abdominal (7), operative site infection (5) and bloodstream/catheter (2/4) infection. 62.2% were microbiologically documented. Twenty-three (23.4%) were considered “mandatory”, 48 (49.0%) “alternative” and 27 (27.6%) “unjustified”.

Conclusion

In our university hospital, only 23.4% of fluoroquinolones prescriptions were mandatory in children, especially in Pseudomonas aeruginosa healthcare associated infection. Looking to the ecological risk of fluoroquinolones and the increase consumption in children population we think that a control program should be developed to control FQ use in children. It could be done with the help of an antimicrobial stewardship team.
Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum malaria and low birth weight in an area of unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan
Authors: Mohammed Amal H , Salih Magdi M , Elhassan Elhassan M , Mohmmed Ahmed A , Elzaki Salah E , El-Sayed Badria B , Adam Ishag
Published: May 2013

Background

Malaria, which frequently occurs in pregnant women in the tropics, is a leading cause of maternal anaemia and low birth weight (LBW) in infants. Few data exist concerning malaria infections that are present at submicroscopic levels during pregnancy and their LBW delivery in babies.

Methods

A case–control study (87 in each group) was conducted at the Medani Hospital, Central Sudan. Cases were women who had LBW deliveries where the infants weighed < 2,500 g. Controls were parturient women without having LBW babies. Obstetrical and medical characteristics were gathered from both groups through structured questionnaires. Both cases and controls were investigated for malaria using microscopic blood film analysis, placental histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Microscopic and PCR analyses were conducted on maternal peripheral blood, placenta, and umbilical cord samples. Infant weights were recorded immediately after birth.

Results

Plasmodium falciparum-positive blood films were not obtained from any of the women (cases or controls). Twenty-seven (31.0%) versus 22 (25.3%) (P = 0.500) of the cases and controls, respectively, had placental malaria infections as determined by histological examination. In comparison to the controls, the submicroscopic malaria infection prevalence rates were significantly higher in the cases; 24 (27.6%) vs six (7.0%), P < 0.001. Multivariate analysis showed that while malaria infection of the placenta (based on histology) was not associated with LBW, submicroscopic P. falciparum infection (OR = 6.89, 95% CI = 2.2–20.8; P = 0.001), or a combination of histologically determined and submicroscopic infections (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.2–4.9; P = 0.012), were significantly associated with LBW.

Conclusion

In Central Sudan, pregnant women were at a higher risk of having an LBW delivery if they had submicroscopic infections rather than a histological diagnosis of placental malaria.
Relationship between central and peripheral fatty acids in humans
Authors: Guest Jade , Garg Manohar , Bilgin Ayse , Grant Ross
Published: May 2013

Background

In recent years the physiological and pathological importance of fatty acids in both the periphery and central nervous system (CNS) has become increasingly apparent. However surprisingly limited research has been conducted comparing the fatty acid composition of central and peripheral lipid stores.

Methods

The present study compared the distribution of polyunsaturated (PUFA), as well as specific saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids in the whole blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of humans. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was used to determine the fatty acid profiles of twenty-eight matched CSF and whole blood samples. Multiple linear regression modeling, controlling for age, was used to identify significant relationships.

Results

A significant positive relationship was seen between whole blood total omega-3 fatty acids and the CSF omega-3 subfractions, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (P = 0.019) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (P = 0.015). A direct association was also observed between the whole blood and CSF omega-6 PUFA, arachidonic acid (AA) (P = 0.045). Interestingly an inverse association between central and peripheral oleic acid was also found (P = 0.045).

Conclusions

These findings indicate a relationship between central and peripheral fatty acids of varying degrees of unsaturation and chain length and support the view that some systemic fatty acids are likely to cross the human blood brain barrier (BBB) and thereby influence central fatty acid concentrations.