bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol Consumption Promotes Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Male Mice through Activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Mercer Kelly E. , Hennings Leah , Sharma Neha , Lai Keith , Cleves Mario A. , Wynne Rebecca A. , Badger Thomas M. , Ronis Martin J.J.
Published: April 2014

Although alcohol effects within the liver have been extensively studied, the complex mechanisms by which alcohol causes liver cancer are not well understood. It has been suggested that ethanol (EtOH) metabolism promotes tumor growth by increasing hepatocyte proliferation. In this study, we developed a mouse model of tumor promotion by chronic EtOH consumption in which EtOH feeding began 46 days after injection of the chemical carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and continued for 16 weeks. With a final EtOH concentration of 28% of total calories, we observed a significant increase in the total number of preneoplastic foci and liver tumors per mouse in the EtOH+DEN group compared with corresponding pair-fed (PF)+DEN and chow+DEN control groups. We also observed a 4-fold increase in hepatocyte proliferation (P < 0.05) and increased cytoplasmic staining of active-β-catenin in nontumor liver sections from EtOH+DEN mice compared with PF+DEN controls. In a rat model of alcohol-induced liver disease, we found increased hepatocyte proliferation (P < 0.05); depletion of retinol and retinoic acid stores (P < 0.05); increased expression of cytosolic and nuclear expression of β-catenin (P < 0.05) and phosphorylated-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β), P < 0.05; significant upregulation in Wnt7a mRNA expression; and increased expression of several β-catenin targets, including, glutamine synthetase (GS), cyclin D1, Wnt1 inducible signaling pathways protein (WISP1), and matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP7), P < 0.05. These data suggest that chronic EtOH consumption activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways to increase hepatocyte proliferation, thus promoting tumorigenesis following an initiating insult to the liver. Cancer Prev Res; 7(7); 675–85. ©2014 AACR.
Outcomes After Coronary Artery Calcium and Other Cardiovascular Biomarker Testing Among Asymptomatic Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Shreibati Jacqueline Baras , Baker Laurence C. , McConnell Michael V. , Hlatky Mark A.
Published: April 2014

Background—

Biomarkers improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction, but their comparative effectiveness in clinical practice is not known. We sought to compare the use, spending, and clinical outcomes in asymptomatic Medicare beneficiaries evaluated for CVD with coronary artery calcium (CAC) or other cardiovascular risk markers.

Methods and Results—

We used a 20% sample of 2005 to 2011 Medicare claims to identify fee-for-service beneficiaries aged ≥65.5 years with no CVD claims in the previous 6 months. We matched patients with CAC with patients who received high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; n=8358) or lipid screening (n=6250) using propensity-score methods. CAC was associated with increased noninvasive cardiac testing within 180 days (hazard ratio, 2.22, 95% confidence interval, 1.68–2.93,
P
<0.001, versus hs-CRP; hazard ratio, 4.30, 95% confidence interval, 3.04–6.06,
P
<0.001, versus lipid screening) and increased coronary angiography and revascularization. During 3-year follow-up, CAC was associated with higher CVD-related spending ($6525 versus $4432 for hs-CRP,
P
<0.001; and $6500 versus $3073 for lipid screening,
P
<0.001) and fewer CVD-related events when compared with hs-CRP (hazard ratio, 0.74, 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.94,
P
=0.017) but not compared with lipid screening (hazard ratio, 0.84, 95% confidence interval, 0.64–1.11,
P
=0.23).

Conclusions—

CAC testing among asymptomatic Medicare beneficiaries was associated with increased use of cardiac tests and procedures, higher spending, and slightly improved clinical outcomes when compared with hs-CRP testing.
ERK5 Activation in Macrophages Promotes Efferocytosis and Inhibits Atherosclerosis
Authors: Heo Kyung-Sun , Cushman Hannah J. , Akaike Masashi , Woo Chang-Hoon , Wang Xin , Qiu Xing , Fujiwara Keigi , Abe Jun-ichi
Published: April 2014

Background—

Efferocytosis is a process by which dead and dying cells are removed by phagocytic cells. Efferocytosis by macrophages is thought to curb the progression of atherosclerosis, but the mechanistic insight of this process is lacking.

Methods and Results—

When macrophages were fed apoptotic cells or treated with pitavastatin in vitro, efferocytosis-related signaling and phagocytic capacity were upregulated in an ERK5 activity–dependent manner. Macrophages isolated from macrophage-specific ERK5-null mice exhibited reduced efferocytosis and levels of gene and protein expression of efferocytosis-related molecules. When these mice were crossed with low-density lipoprotein receptor
−/−
mice and fed a high-cholesterol diet, atherosclerotic plaque formation was accelerated, and the plaques had more advanced and vulnerable morphology.

Conclusions—

Our results demonstrate that ERK5, which is robustly activated by statins, is a hub molecule that upregulates macrophage efferocytosis, thereby suppressing atherosclerotic plaque formation. Molecules that upregulate ERK5 and its signaling in macrophages may be good drug targets for suppressing cardiovascular diseases.
Dissociation of Pentameric to Monomeric C-Reactive Protein Localizes and Aggravates Inflammation
Authors: Thiele Jan R. , Habersberger Jonathon , Braig David , Schmidt Yvonne , Goerendt Kurt , Maurer Valentin , Bannasch Holger , Scheichl Amelie , Woollard Kevin J. , von Dobschütz Ernst , Kolodgie Frank , Virmani Renu , Stark G. Bjoern , Peter Karlheinz , Eisenhardt Steffen U.
Published: April 2014

Background—

The relevance of the dissociation of circulating pentameric C-reactive protein (pCRP) to its monomeric subunits (mCRP) is poorly understood. We investigated the role of conformational C-reactive protein changes in vivo.

Methods and Results—

We identified mCRP in inflamed human striated muscle, human atherosclerotic plaque, and infarcted myocardium (rat and human) and its colocalization with inflammatory cells, which suggests a general causal role of mCRP in inflammation. This was confirmed in rat intravital microscopy of lipopolysaccharide-induced cremasteric muscle inflammation. Intravenous pCRP administration significantly enhanced leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and transmigration via localized dissociation to mCRP in inflamed but not noninflamed cremaster muscle. This was confirmed in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Mechanistically, this process was dependent on exposure of lysophosphatidylcholine on activated cell membranes, which is generated after phospholipase A2 activation. These membrane changes could be visualized intravitally on endothelial cells, as could the colocalized mCRP generation. Blocking of phospholipase A2 abrogated C-reactive protein dissociation and thereby blunted the proinflammatory effects of C-reactive protein. Identifying the dissociation process as a therapeutic target, we stabilized pCRP using 1,6-bis(phosphocholine)-hexane, which prevented dissociation in vitro and in vivo and consequently inhibited the generation and proinflammatory activity of mCRP; notably, it also inhibited mCRP deposition and inflammation in rat myocardial infarction.

Conclusions—

These results provide in vivo evidence for a novel mechanism that localizes and aggravates inflammation via phospholipase A2–dependent dissociation of circulating pCRP to mCRP. mCRP is proposed as a pathogenic factor in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Most importantly, the inhibition of pCRP dissociation represents a promising, novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy.
Estrogen Metabolism by Cytochrome P450 1B1 Modulates the Hypertensive Effect of Angiotensin II in Female Mice
Authors: Jennings Brett L. , George L. Watson , Pingili Ajeeth K. , Khan Nayaab S. , Estes Anne M. , Fang Xiao R. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Malik Kafait U.
Published: April 2014

To determine the role of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1 in the sex difference in response to angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced hypertension, female
Cyp1b1

+/+

and
Cyp1b1

−/−

mice were infused with Ang II (700 ng/kg per minute) or vehicle with or without ovariectomy. In addition, mice were treated with the CYP1B1 inhibitor, 2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS; 300 μg/kg IP, every third day), and 17-β estradiol metabolites, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE), 4-OHE, or 2-methoxyestradiol (1.5 mg/kg per day IP, for 2 weeks) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured. Ang II increased SBP more in
Cyp1b1

−/−

than in
Cyp1b1

+/+

mice (119±3–171±11 versus 120±4–149±4 mm Hg;
P
<0.05). Ang II caused cardiovascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction and increased vascular reactivity and oxidative stress in
Cyp1b1

−/−

but not in
Cyp1b1

+/+

mice. The Ang II–induced increase in SBP was enhanced by ovariectomy and TMS in
Cyp1b1

+/+

but not in
Cyp1b1

−/−

mice. 2-OHE did not alter Ang II–induced increase in SBP in
Cyp1b1

+/+

mice but minimized it in
Cyp1b1

−/−

mice, whereas 4-OHE enhanced Ang II–induced increase in SBP in
Cyp1b1

+/+

mice but did not alter the increased SBP in
Cyp1b1

−/−

mice. 2-OHE–derived catechol-O-methyltransferase metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol, inhibited Ang II–induced increase in SBP in
Cyp1b1

−/−

mice. Ang II increased plasma levels of 2-methoxyestradiol in
Cyp1b1

+/+

but not in
Cyp1b1

−/−

mice and increased activity of cardiac extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated kinase, c-Src, and Akt in
Cyp1b1

−/−

but not in
Cyp1b1

+/+

mice. These data suggest that CYP1B1 protects against Ang II–induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular changes in female mice, most likely mediated by 2-methoxyestradiol–inhibiting oxidative stress and the activity of these signaling molecules.
Eleocharis pseudobulbosa, a new species of Cyperaceae from Southern Brazil (Capão Bonito, São Paulo)

Authors: LIMA TAMIRIS DAIANE DELGADO DE , GIL ANDRÉ DOS SANTOS BRAGANÇA , TREVISAN RAFAEL
Published: April 2014

Eleocharis pseudobulbosa, a new species of Cyperaceae from Southern Brazil (Capão Bonito, São Paulo), is here described based on external morphological studies. This species is characterized by the presence of conspicuous stolons with straw-colored scales, forming a bulb-like structure in the growing points of the new culms; circular to oval culms in cross section; spikelets with small number of flowers [10–25(–30)]; achene small (0.6 mm long) and slightly reticulate; and stylopodium as wide as the achene. A detailed illustration and a diagnostic comparison with close morphological related species are presented.
The man who loved flies: a biographical profile of Nelson Papavero
Authors: KLASSA BRUNA , SANTOS CHARLES MORPHY D.
Published: April 2014

Nelson Papavero is one of the major Brazilian zoologists. His contribution to the field began in the second half of the twentieth century, when he started publishing in the areas of entomology, systematics, biogeography, and history of science, while working at graduate courses and training teachers and students. Papavero was one of the earliest Brazilian advocates of Hennig’s phylogenetic systematics. In his entomological work, his first widely recognised works were the Catalogue of South American Diptera and his essays on the history of Neotropical Dipterology. Papavero’s greatest contribution however, is in his Special Courses on Zoological Systematics, as well as his numerous administrative positions during his academic career. All these were fundamental to the development of zoology and comparative biology in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Here we present a biography of Nelson Papavero, along with several personal anecdotes, and his role in the development of Brazilian biological systematics over the last 50 years.
Description of a new species of Aegosoma Audinet-Serville, 1832 from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae)
Authors: DO CUONG , DRUMONT ALAIN
Published: April 2014

Fourteen species have been recognized to belong to the genus Aegosoma Audinet-Serville, 1832 in the world: A. annulicornis (Komiya, 2001); A. musaamani Drumont, Do & Bosuang, 2013; A. cuneicornis (Komiya, 2000); A. giganteum Lansberge, 1884; A. guerryi (Lameere, 1915); A. ivanovi Danilevsky 2011; A. katsurai (Komiya, 2000); A. kusamai (Komiya, 1999); A. ossea Aurivillius, 1897; A. pallida Komiya & Drumont, 2012; A. scabricorne (Scopoli, 1763); A. sinicum White, 1853 (Danilevsky, 2011, Drumont & Komiya, 2010, Komiya & Drumont, 2012); A. ornaticolle White, 1853, and A. hainanensis Gahan, 1900 (Danilevsky, 2011). In addition, A. sinicum consists of four subspecies: A. sinicum legrandi Komiya & Drumont, 2012, A. sinicum sinicum White, 1853, A. sinicum savoryi (Kusui, 1973), and A. sinicum validicornis (Gressitt, 1951). Only two Aegosoma species are recorded in Vietnam: A. katsurai from Cao Bang and Lao Cai Provinces and A. sinicum sinicum from Da Lat, Lam Dong Province.
Individual Feedback Contributions to the Seasonality of Surface Warming
Authors: Sejas Sergio A. , Cai Ming , Hu Aixue , Meehl Gerald A. , Washington Warren , Taylor Patrick C.
Published: April 2014

Using the climate feedback response analysis method, the authors examine the individual contributions of the CO2 radiative forcing and climate feedbacks to the magnitude, spatial pattern, and seasonality of the transient surface warming response in a 1% yr−1 CO2 increase simulation of the NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4).

The CO2 forcing and water vapor feedback warm the surface everywhere throughout the year. The tropical warming is predominantly caused by the CO2 forcing and water vapor feedback, while the evaporation feedback reduces the warming. Most feedbacks exhibit noticeable seasonal variations; however, their net effect has little seasonal variation due to compensating effects, which keeps the tropical warming relatively invariant all year long. The polar warming has a pronounced seasonal cycle, with maximum warming in fall/winter and minimum warming in summer. In summer, the large cancelations between the shortwave and longwave cloud feedbacks and between the surface albedo feedback warming and the cooling from the ocean heat storage/dynamics feedback lead to a warming minimum. In polar winter, surface albedo and shortwave cloud feedbacks are nearly absent due to a lack of insolation. However, the ocean heat storage feedback relays the polar warming due to the surface albedo feedback from summer to winter, and the longwave cloud feedback warms the polar surface. Therefore, the seasonal variations in the cloud feedback, surface albedo feedback, and ocean heat storage/dynamics feedback, directly caused by the strong annual cycle of insolation, contribute primarily to the large seasonal variation of polar warming. Furthermore, the CO2 forcing and water vapor and atmospheric dynamics feedbacks add to the maximum polar warming in fall/winter.
Robust ENSO across a Wide Range of Climates
Authors: Manucharyan Georgy E. , Fedorov Alexey V.
Published: April 2014

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a pronounced mode of climate variability that originates in the tropical Pacific and affects weather patterns worldwide. Growing evidence suggests that despite extensive changes in tropical climate, ENSO was active over vast geological epochs stretching millions of years from the late Cretaceous to the Holocene. In particular, ENSO persisted during the Pliocene, when a dramatic reduction occurred in the mean east–west temperature gradient in the equatorial Pacific. The mechanisms for sustained ENSO in such climates are poorly understood. Here a comprehensive climate model is used to simulate ENSO for a broad range of tropical Pacific mean climates characterized by different climatological SST gradients. It is found that the simulated ENSO remains surprisingly robust: when the east–west gradient is reduced from 6° to 1°C, the amplitude of ENSO decreases only by 30%–40%, its dominant period remains close to 3–4 yr, and the spectral peak stays above red noise. To explain these results, the magnitude of ocean–atmosphere feedbacks that control the stability of the natural mode of ENSO (the Bjerknes stability index) is evaluated. It is found that as a result of reorganization of the atmospheric Walker circulation in response to changes in the mean surface temperature gradient, the growth/decay rates of the ENSO mode stay nearly constant throughout different climates. These results explain the persistence of ENSO in the past and, in particular, reconcile the seemingly contradictory findings of ENSO occurrence and the small mean east–west temperature gradient during the Pliocene.
Reduced-Rank Sigma-Point Kalman Filter and Its Application in ENSO Model
Authors: Manoj K. K. , Tang Youmin , Deng Ziwang , Chen Dake , Cheng Yanjie
Published: April 2014

The huge computational expense has been a main challenge while applying the sigma-point unscented Kalman filter (SPUKF) to a high-dimensional system. This study focuses on this issue and presents two methods to construct a reduced-rank sigma-point unscented Kalman filter (RRSPUKF). Both techniques employ the truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) to factorize the covariance matrix and reduce its rank through truncation. The reduced-rank square root matrix is used to select the most important sigma points that can retain the main statistical features of the original sigma points. In the first technique, TSVD is applied on the covariance matrix constructed in the data space [RRSPUKF(D)], whereas in the second technique TSVD is applied on the covariance matrix constructed in the ensemble space [RRSPUKF(E)]. The two methods are applied to a realistic El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) prediction model [Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory model, version 5 (LDEO5)] to assimilate the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. The results show that both the methods are more computationally efficient than the full-rank SPUKF, in spite of losing some estimation accuracy. When the truncation reaches a trade-off between cost expense and estimation accuracy, both methods are able to analyze the phase and intensity of all major ENSO events from 1971 to 2001 with comparable estimation accuracy. Furthermore, the RRSPUKF is compared against ensemble square root filter (EnSRF), showing that the overall analysis skill of RRSPUKF and EnSRF are comparable to each other, but the former is more robust than the latter.
Response of FSSP-100 and PVM-100A to Small Ice Crystals
Authors: Gerber H. , DeMott P. J.
Published: April 2014

Correction factors Cf are derived for ice-crystal volume and effective radius Re, measured by Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) and Particulate Volume Monitor (PVM) that are known to overestimate both parameters for nonspherical particles. Correction factors are based on ice-crystal volume and the projected area of randomly oriented model ice crystals with column, rosette, capped-column, and dendrite habits described by Takano and Liou. In addition, Cf are calculated for oblate and prolate spheroids. To test Cf, both probes are compared to small, predominately solid hexagonal ice-crystal plates and columns generated in the Colorado State University (CSU) Dynamic Cloud Chamber (DCC). The tendency of heat released by the PVM (placed inside the chamber) to evaporate ice crystals and the smaller upper size range of the PVM than the size range of the FSSP caused large differences in the probes’ outputs for most comparisons in the DCC. Correction factors improved the accuracy of Re measured by the FSSP for the solid hexagonal crystals, and both probes produced similar results for the projected area and ice water content when crystal sizes fell within the probes’ size ranges. The modification for minimizing ice-crystal shattering and the application of Cf for forward scatter probes such as the FSSP suggests the probes’ improved usefulness for measuring small ambient ice crystals.
Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
Authors: Gotsis Efthymios , Anagnostis Panagiotis , Mariolis Anargyros , Vlachou Athanasia , Katsiki Niki , Karagiannis Asterios
Published: April 2014

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been reported to be protective against the occurrence of several diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that the MedDiet could counter diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, obesity, pulmonary diseases, and cognition disorders. Adoption of a MedDiet was associated with beneficial effects on the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant cellular and circulating biomarkers as well as with regulation of gene polymorphisms involved in the atherosclerotic process. The MedDiet has been considered for the prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic degenerative diseases focusing on the impact of a holistic dietary approach rather than on single nutrients. Epidemiological dietary scores measuring adherence to a MedDiet have been developed. This narrative review considers the results of up-to-date clinical studies (with a focus on the last 5 years) that evaluated the effectiveness of the MedDiet in reducing the prevalence of chronic and degenerative diseases.
Clot Strength is Negatively Associated With Ambulatory Function in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease and Intermittent Claudication
Authors: Mauer Karin , Gardner Andrew W. , Dasari Tarun W. , Stoner Julie A. , Blevins Steve M. , Montgomery Polly S. , Saucedo Jorge F. , Exaire J. Emilio
Published: April 2014

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with exercise impairment and greater thrombotic risk. We investigated whether clot formation and platelet aggregation assessed by thromboelastography and light-transmission aggregometry correlate with the severity of symptomatic PAD assessed by ambulatory function measures. We studied 40 symptomatic patients with PAD in whom severity of disease was assessed using ankle–brachial index, peak walking time (PWT), claudication onset time, peak oxygen uptake, daily ambulatory activity, and walking impairment questionnaire (WIQ) scores. Clot strength correlated negatively with peak oxygen uptake, PWT, WIQ distance, and stair-climbing scores. Time to clot formation did not correlate with exercise parameters. Platelet aggregation was negatively correlated with WIQ distance score and was positively correlated with PWT and peak oxygen uptake. In conclusion, clot strength and platelet aggregation correlated with objective and self-perceived ambulatory measures. Patients with PAD having more severe walking impairment may be likely to form stronger clots.
Family Formation and Religious Service Attendance
Authors: Schleifer Cyrus , Chaves Mark
Published: April 2014

The positive relationship between family formation and regular weekly religious service attendance is well established, but cross-sectional data make it difficult to be confident that this relationship is causal. Moreover, if the relationship is causal, cross-sectional data make it difficult to disentangle the effects of three distinct family-formation events: marrying, having a child, and having a child who reaches school age. We use three waves of the new General Social Survey panel data to disentangle these separate potential effects. Using random-, fixed-, and hybrid-effect models, we show that, although in cross-section marriage and children predict attendance across individuals, neither leads to increased attendance when looking at individuals who change over time. Having a child who becomes school aged is the only family-formation event that remains associated with increased attendance among individuals who change over time. This suggests that the relationships between marriage and attending and between having a first child (or, for that matter, having several children) and attending are spurious, causal in the other direction, or indirect (since marrying and having a first child make it more likely that one will eventually have a school-age child). Adding a school-age child in the household is the only family-formation event that directly leads to increased attendance.
Variables Associated With Tic Exacerbation in Children With Chronic Tic Disorders
Authors: Himle Michael B. , Capriotti Matthew R. , Hayes Loran P. , Ramanujam Krishnapriya , Scahill Lawrence , Sukhodolsky Denis G. , Wilhelm Sabine , Deckersbach Thilo , Peterson Alan L. , Specht Matt W. , Walkup John T. , Chang Susanna , Piacentini John
Published: April 2014

Research has shown that motor and vocal tics fluctuate in frequency, intensity, and form in response to environmental and contextual cues. Behavioral models have proposed that some of the variation in tics may reflect context-dependent interactive learning processes such that once tics are performed, they are influenced by environmental contingencies. The current study describes the results of a function-based assessment of tics (FBAT) from a recently completed study comparing Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) with supportive psychotherapy. The current study describes the frequency with which antecedent and consequence variables were reported to exacerbate tics and the relationships between these functional variables and sample baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and measures of tic severity. Results showed that tic-exacerbating antecedents and consequences were nearly ubiquitous in a sample of children with chronic tic disorder. In addition, functional variables were related to baseline measures of comorbid internalizing symptoms and specific measures of tic severity.
The Effectiveness of the Snug Vest on Stereotypic Behaviors in Children Diagnosed With an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Watkins Nicholas , Sparling Elizabeth
Published: April 2014

Various reviews of the effects of sensory integration therapy (SIT) have concluded that such interventions fail to reduce stereotypy. However, a new, and as yet untested, SIT iteration, an inflatable wearable vest known as the Snug Vest purports to decrease such repetitive behavior. In the current study, three children who emitted different forms of stereotypy participated in an alternating treatments design in which each participant wore a fully inflated vest and either a fully deflated vest or no vest. The results of the study show that the Snug Vest failed to reduce any participants’ stereotypy. We highlight our findings in the context of professional practice and discuss several potential limitations.
Planned missing data designs with small sample sizes: How small is too small?
Authors: Jia Fan , Moore E. Whitney G. , Kinai Richard , Crowe Kelly S. , Schoemann Alexander M. , Little Todd D.
Published: April 2014

Utilizing planned missing data (PMD) designs (ex. 3-form surveys) enables researchers to ask participants fewer questions during the data collection process. An important question, however, is just how few participants are needed to effectively employ planned missing data designs in research studies. This article explores this question by using simulated three-form planned missing data to assess analytic model convergence, parameter estimate bias, standard error bias, mean squared error (MSE), and relative efficiency (RE).Three models were examined: a one-time-point, cross-sectional model with 3 constructs; a two-time-point model with 3 constructs at each time point; and a three-time-point, mediation model with 3 constructs over three time points. Both full-information maximum likelihood (FIML) and multiple imputation (MI) were used to handle the missing data. Models were found to meet convergence rate and acceptable bias criteria with FIML at smaller sample sizes than with MI.
Alumni Perceptions of a University’s Decision to Remove Native American Imagery From Its Athletic Program
Authors: Toglia Jessica M. , Harris Othello
Published: April 2014

One of the more contentious issues North American athletic organizations face is how to deal with Native American imagery that is associated with their sports teams. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has, in recent years, banned member organizations from using and displaying Native American nicknames and mascots at postseason events, with a few exceptions. This has led to protests, especially by alumni, at some schools. This case study examines how alumni at one university perceive and experience the removal of a Native American team nickname from the University’s athletic program. Fourteen semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with alumni from Miami University representing one of three cohorts: those who graduated by 1993 (before the removal of the nickname was discussed or implemented), those who graduated between 1993 and 2000 (during the time the nickname was removed), and those who graduated after 2000 (after the change was implemented). Borrowing from the narrative inquiry approach, thematic analysis was utilized. Two major themes that arose irrespective of cohort are presented and discussed.
On the use of Conversation Analysis and retrospection in intervention for children with language impairment
Authors: Samuelsson Christina , Plejert Charlotta
Published: April 2014

Models of speech and language intervention for communicative disabilities vary from structured programmes to more interactive and ecological methods (Fey, 1986). Ideally, a model for intervention should fit the interests and personality of the patient, focus on crucial aspects of speech and language, and be suited to the patient’s everyday communication needs (Johnston, 2006). The present article addresses how features of everyday interaction and speech and language intervention may be captured and used for children with language impairment (LI), their caretakers, and speech and language therapists (SLTs), within and outside of clinical practice. Specifically, the aim of the study is to explore the use of retrospection (Erickson and Schultz, 1982), based on Conversation Analytical (CA) methodology (e.g. Schegloff, 2007), and to establish if and how CA-based retrospection may contribute to raising participants’ awareness of their own and others’ interactional behaviours. Retrospection here refers to sessions where participants watch and comment on sequences of video-recordings from intervention, as well as from situations captured in a variety of everyday settings. Four children with LI and three speech and language therapists participated, as well as parents of the children. The procedure comprised analysis and transcription of video-recordings of everyday interaction and intervention involving the children, retrospections with the children, the parents of the children with LI, and the SLTs, and analysis and transcription of the recordings made of the retrospections. The analysis of the retrospections generated four categories of phenomena relevant for intervention and everyday interaction: (1) Observations of well-functioning interaction strategies; (2) Observations of less well-functioning interaction strategies; (3) Assessment of positive performance; and (4) Comments relating to intervention. The results show that CA-based retrospection may be used to raise the participants’ awareness of their own interactional behaviours, and provide the opportunity to discuss strategies relevant for both intervention and everyday interaction for children with LI.
Public Values in Governance Networks
Authors: Casey Colleen
Published: April 2014

The contextual nature of management approaches is important for understanding administrative centrality in governance networks in the public values process. This is of particular concern in a policy domain such as community development, which is characterized by the extensive involvement of nongovernmental actors in determining what ought to be done as well as carrying out those objectives. Using qualitative data, I explore the management approaches and policy tools used to fulfill Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) objectives in two different management contexts to analyze administrative centrality in governance networks in the public values process. Two different approaches emerge, suggesting different administrative trajectories to public values authorization and creation. Furthermore, the findings suggest that administrative centrality in the public values process may be influenced by the management context in which local agencies are embedded.
Mitigation Planning
Authors: Highfield Wesley E. , Peacock Walter Gillis , Van Zandt Shannon
Published: April 2014

Increasing interest in fostering resilient communities requires a more comprehensive approach to hazard mitigation planning that overcomes the limitations of traditional hazard assessments, notably the failure to explicitly incorporate an analysis of social vulnerability. We statistically analyzed a random sample of 1500 damage assessments of single-family homes collected following Hurricane Ike to assess the contributions of hazard exposure, structural vulnerability, and social vulnerability. The results indicate that hazard exposure, structural characteristics, and socioeconomic characteristics are significant predictors of structural damage. The implications suggest that comprehensive hazard assessments can provide additional insights for mitigation planning and community resiliency.
Speakers’ Acceptance of Real-Time Speech Exchange Indicates That We Use Auditory Feedback to Specify the Meaning of What We Say
Authors: Lind Andreas , Hall Lars , Breidegard Björn , Balkenius Christian , Johansson Petter
Published: April 2014

Speech is usually assumed to start with a clearly defined preverbal message, which provides a benchmark for self-monitoring and a robust sense of agency for one’s utterances. However, an alternative hypothesis states that speakers often have no detailed preview of what they are about to say, and that they instead use auditory feedback to infer the meaning of their words. In the experiment reported here, participants performed a Stroop color-naming task while we covertly manipulated their auditory feedback in real time so that they said one thing but heard themselves saying something else. Under ideal timing conditions, two thirds of these semantic exchanges went undetected by the participants, and in 85% of all nondetected exchanges, the inserted words were experienced as self-produced. These findings indicate that the sense of agency for speech has a strong inferential component, and that auditory feedback of one’s own voice acts as a pathway for semantic monitoring, potentially overriding other feedback loops.
Investigating the interaction between Crescent Spring and groundwater in a Chinese dune-lake environment using hydraulic gradient and isotope analysis methods
Authors: Li Guoshuai , Li Xuzhi , Qu Jianjun
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates the interaction between groundwater and groundwater-dominated Crescent Spring in an aeolian sand environment to determine the drainage source of groundwater for the lake using hydraulic gradient and isotope analysis methods. The precipitation is found to have an insignificant effect on the lake in an arid climate environment. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic evidence presents at least two aquifer contributions that recharge 87% and 13% water supply of the lake, respectively. The flow direction of groundwater is theoretically established based on the hydraulic gradient and isotope analysis methods.
Conscientization from Within lo Cotidiano: Expanding the Work of Ada María Isasi-Díaz
Authors: Tirres Christopher D.
Published: April 2014

This essay explores the methodological contributions of leading ethicist, activist, and mujerista theologian Ada María Isasi-Díaz (1943-2012), for whom the category of lo cotidiano (‘the everyday’) is central. Her work on lo cotidiano begs a basic epistemological question: How does one think critically from the standpoint of the everyday? What does conscientization look like from the perspective of lo cotidiano? In light of such questions, I explore what I find to be one of Isasi-Díaz’s most significant, yet underdeveloped, ideas — her articulation of a ‘conscientized cotidiano.’ I expand this category further, drawing on the work of Agnes Heller, a major influence on Latin American and US Latina feminism, and John Dewey. Conversely, I show how Isasi-Díaz’s attention to issues of religion and gender serves as a constructive counterpoint to the work of these philosophers.
Nonlinear numerical predictions of three-dimensional orthogonal woven composite under low-cycle tension using multiscale repeating unit cells
Authors: Jia Xiwen , Xia Zihui , Gu Bohong
Published: April 2014

This paper reports the low-cyclic tensile responses of three-dimensional orthogonal woven composites based on the micro/meso-scale repetitive unit cells with elastic/viscoelastic models. The repetitive unit cell models for the resin impregnated fiber tows and the three-dimensional orthogonal woven composites at the fabric microstructure level were established. In the micro/meso-repetitive unit cells model, a nonlinear viscoelastic relationship with switch rule is introduced to characterize the mechanical behavior of the resin for the loading/unloading conditions. The fiber/fiber tows are characterized with linear elastic models. And damage initiation and postdamage constitutive models are also included for matrix/fiber and matrix impregnated fiber tows in the finite element analysis. The fatigue model with the mechanical parameters transferred from micro-scale to meso-scale model is numerically simulated with user-defined material subroutine and incorporated into commercial finite element software ABAQUS/Standard. The calculated results manifest the multiscale fatigue behaviors of three-dimensional orthogonal woven composites, such as the global stiffness degradation, decrease of peak stress, and even local damage behavior. The fatigue behaviors are also verified with the data in experimental and indicated that the model is an efficient strategy to predict the low-cyclic fatigue behaviors of polymer matrix composites.
Grafted Bone Marrow Stromal Cells
Authors: Zhang Li-Xin , Yin Yan-Mei , Zhang Zhi-Qiang , Deng Ling-Xiao
Published: April 2014

In the CNS, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglias are involved in not only development but also pathology such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Glial cells play dual roles (negative vs. positive effects) in these processes. After SCI, detrimental effects usually dominate and significantly retard functional recovery, and curbing these effects is critical for promoting neurological improvement. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) represent a new therapeutic approach for SCI by enabling improved sensory and motor functions in animal models. Although transdifferentiation to spinal neurons was poor, because of their pleiotropic nature, the protective effects of BMSCs are broad and are primarily mediated through modulation of transdifferentiation into host spinal glial components. Transplantation of BMSCs can positively alter the spinal microenvironment and enhance recovery. The objective of this review is to discuss these and other related mechanisms. Since BMSCs transplantation has been applied in other clinical fields, we hope to provide useful clues for the clinical application of BMSCs to treat the SCI in the near future.
Nurses’ Experiences of Providing Care to Dementia Patients Through Home Health Care
Authors: Aasgaard Heid Svenkerud , Fagerstrom Lisbeth , Landmark Bjørg
Published: April 2014

Most Western countries aim to enable dementia sufferers to live at home for as long as possible. Person centeredness, continuity of care, and competence level are all important for the quality of home health care (HHC). The aim of this qualitative study is to describe staff’s experiences of providing care to home-dwelling dementia clients through HHC services. The study used a phenomenological-hermeneutic interpretation of focus group interviews. This study supports the value of continuous interpersonal relationships in HHC services. The findings show that specialized teams facilitate continuity and person-centered care, and that after training, staff become more holistically oriented, involve clients in daily care, and experience greater job confidence.
Culturally Responsive Social Skill Instruction for Latino Male Students
Authors: Lo Ya-yu , Correa Vivian I. , Anderson Adrienne L.
Published: April 2014

Cross-cultural friendships and peer interactions are important skills for Latino students to become socially adjusted in U.S. schools. Culturally responsive social skill instruction allows educators to teach essential social skills while attending to the native culture and personal experiences of the students. The present study examined the effects of culturally responsive social skill instruction through a peer-mediated format on the social interactions of eight Mexican-heritage elementary Latino male participants with non-Latino students during recess. Four participants were trained to serve as tutors to deliver 12 computer-assisted social skill lessons with embedded video models on friendship building to their peers. Using a single case, multiple probe across student dyads design, the results of this study indicated that all participants increased the number of appropriate verbal social interactions with non-Latino peers. Implications for practice and future research are discussed in relation to culturally responsive social skill instruction for Latino students.
A hybrid method of FEM, modified NSGAII and TOPSIS for structural optimization of sandwich panels with corrugated core
Authors: Khalkhali Abolfazl , Khakshournia Sharif , Nariman-Zadeh Nader
Published: April 2014

Low weight and high load capacity are remarkable advantages of sandwich panels which make them more considerable by structure designers. In this paper, multi-objective optimization of sandwich panels with corrugated core is carried out using modified Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGAII) considering two objective functions: the structure’s weight and deflection. Deflection of the panel as one of the objective functions is calculated using finite element analysis by commercial software ANSYS. To employ this FE model in the multi-objective optimization process, the software products ANSYS and MATLAB have been coupled together during the run time. Finally, nearest to ideal point (NIP) method and technique for ordering preferences by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method are used to find the some trade-off optimum design points from all non-dominated optimum design points represented by the Pareto fronts.
A theoretical and experimental study of viscoelastic rolling contacts incorporating thermal effects
Authors: Putignano C , Le Rouzic J , Reddyhoff T , Carbone G , Dini D
Published: April 2014

Viscoelastic contacts are present in countless industrial components including tires, dampers and rubber seals. The effective design of such components requires a full knowledge of viscoelastic contact mechanics in terms of stresses, strains and hysteric dissipation. To assess some of these issues, this paper describes a series of experiments on the contact area and penetration in a rolling contact between a nitrile rubber ball and a glass disk. The experimental results are compared with the theory proposed by Carbone and Putignano1 showing close agreement at low speeds. However, discrepancies arise at speeds above 100 mm/s because of the frictional heating. In order to evaluate this effect, the temperature of the sliding interface is measured for different rolling speeds using infrared microscopy. Thermal results showed that interfacial temperature remained constant at low rolling speeds before rising significantly when speeds above 100 mm/s were reached. These temperature effects are incorporated into the numerical simulations by means of an approximated approach, which corrects the viscoelastic modulus based on the mean measured temperature in the contact. The result of this approach is to extend the region of agreement between experimental and numerical outcomes to higher speeds.
Improving resistance welding of aluminum sheets by addition of metal powder
Authors: Al Naimi Ihsan K , Al-Saadi Moneer H , Daws Kasim M , Bay Niels
Published: April 2014

In order to ensure good quality joints between aluminum sheets by resistance spot welding, a new approach involving the addition of metal powder to the faying surfaces before resistance heating is proposed. Three different metal powders (pure aluminum and two powders corresponding to the alloys AA2024 and AA7075) are investigated for the resistance spot welding of AA1050 aluminum sheets of three different thicknesses. Microstructural and mechanical analysis demonstrates that significant improvement in weld bead morphology and strength are obtained with the addition of metal powder. The improvement obtained is shown to be due to the development of a secondary bond in the joint beside the weld nugget increasing the total weld area. The application of powder additive is especially feasible, when using welding machines with insufficient current capacity for producing the required nugget size. In such cases the best results are obtained with pure aluminum powder.
Sky-luminance distribution in Beijing
Authors: Luo T , Yan D , Lin R , Zhao J
Published: April 2014

Sky-luminance distribution is the basic requirement for daylighting calculations and design. It is also important for describing and defining the different sky types. However, owing to the lack of test equipment and measurement data, research on sky-luminance distribution in China has been limited. Therefore, for the first time, we have obtained the sky-luminance distribution data using our self-developed spectrum sky scanner from observations over 12 months. Furthermore, we have established a relationship between the actual sky types of Beijing and the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage standard sky model. These data are very important in the study of the daylight climate of China.
Hepatitis C Virus Testing Perspectives Among Primary Care Physicians in Four Large Primary Care Settings
Authors: Jewett Amy , Garg Arika , Meyer Katherine , Wagner Laura Danielle , Krauskopf Katherine , Brown Kimberly A. , Pan Jen-Jung , Massoud Omar , Smith Bryce D. , Rein David B.
Published: April 2014

Background. In 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related Chronic Disease, recommending HCV testing for populations most likely to be infected with HCV. However, the implementation of risk-based screening has not been widely adopted in health care settings, and 45% to 85% of infected U.S. adults remain unidentified. Objectives. To develop a better understanding of why CDC’s 1998 recommendations have had limited success in identifying persons with HCV infection and provide information about how CDC’s 2012 Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945-1965 may be implemented more effectively. Design. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed from a multidisciplinary team as part of the Birth Cohort Evaluation to Advance Screening and Testing for Hepatitis C project. Respondents. Nineteen providers were asked open-ended questions to identify current perspectives, practices, facilitators, and barriers to HCV screening and testing. Providers were affiliated with Henry Ford Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, the University of Alabama, and the University of Texas Health Science Center. Results. Respondents reported the complexity of the 1998 recommendations, and numerous indicated risk factors were major barriers to effective implementation. Other hindrances to hepatitis C testing included physician discomfort in asking questions about socially undesirable behaviors and physician uncertainty about patient insurance coverage. Conclusion. Implementation of the CDC’s 2012 recommendations could be more successful than the 1998 recommendations due to their relative simplicity; however, effective strategies need to be used for dissemination and implementation for full success.