bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mid-latitude glaciation on Mars
Authors: Souness Colin , Hubbard Bryn
Published: February 2012

Near-surface water ice, either pure or mixed with regolith, forms a widespread suite of distinctive landforms in Mars’ mid-latitudes. These landforms are in many cases sufficiently similar to cryospheric features on Earth to allow analogue-based comparisons to be made. However, our understanding of glacial processes in Mars’ subpolar latitudes remains far from complete, and crucial fundamental issues remain unresolved. These include basic glaciological information such as the internal physical and thermal structure of martian ice masses, whether (and how) those ice masses move, and the nature of any mass-balance regime they are subject to. Addressing these issues is complicated by the fact that any current knowledge, being based overwhelmingly on the visual interpretation of remotely sensed images, is insufficient to determine the extent to which these landforms are currently active or relict. Addressing these issues would contribute not only to our understanding of Mars’ current landscape but also to our knowledge of Mars’ long-term climatic variability and to our awareness of where and in what form H2O exists on Mars – information that would be of value to future space missions. The aim of this review is to bring the state of knowledge regarding mid-latitude glaciation on Mars to the attention of the wider research community. As background, we provide an overview of the geological and planetary framework within which Mars’ mid-latitude ice was deposited. We then define and describe the various ice-related landforms that have been identified within Mars’ mid-latitudes, and we review the processes that have been proposed to explain the origin and physical characteristics of those landforms. Finally, we present what we consider to be key avenues for further research.
Cluster headache shows no association with rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Zaremba Sebastian , Holle Dagny , Wessendorf Thomas E , Diener Hans C , Katsarava Zaza , Obermann Mark
Published: February 2012

Background: The connection of cluster headache (CH) attacks with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been suggested by various studies, while other authors challenge this assumption. We performed serial polysomnography to determine the association of nocturnal CH attacks and sleep.

Methods: Five patients diagnosed with CH (two with the episodic and three with the chronic subtype) were included and studied over four consecutive nights to evaluate connections between attacks onset and sleep stage.

Results: Twenty typical CH attacks were reported. Thirteen of these attacks arose from sleep. Seven attacks were reported after waking in the morning or shortly before going to sleep. The beginnings of sleep-related attacks were distributed arbitrarily between different non-REM sleep stages. No association of CH attacks with REM or sleep disordered breathing was observed. Increased heart rate temporally associated with transition from one sleep state to another was observed before patients awoke with headache. Total sleep time, total wake time, arousal index and distribution of non-REM sleep stages were different between chronic and episodic CH.

Conclusion: CH attacks are not associated with REM sleep. Brain regions involved in sleep stage transition might be involved in pathophysiology of CH. Differences in sleep characteristics between subgroups might indicate adaptation processes or underlying pathophysiology.
The Prevalence of Radiographic Hip Abnormalities in Elite Soccer Players
Authors: Gerhardt Michael B. , Romero Alex A. , Silvers Holly Jacinda , Harris David J. , Watanabe Diane , Mandelbaum Bert R.
Published: February 2012

Background: Hip injuries, both intra- and extra-articular, are becoming a more commonly recognized, diagnosed, and treated injury in athletes of all competitive levels. Our goal is to establish a previously undefined value in this athletic population—the prevalence of radiographic hip abnormalities in elite soccer athletes.

Purpose: To provide a foundation for the future body of literature regarding hip pathologic abnormalities and “at-risk” hips in athletes of all ages and levels of participation.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the anteroposterior pelvis and frog-leg lateral radiographs of 95 elite male and female soccer players to determine the prevalence of hip abnormalities. Athletes with a history of hip or groin injuries were included. Multiple radiographic parameters were used to assess the presence of cam and pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement. Measurements were conducted by a blinded, sports medicine fellowship–trained orthopaedic surgeon with experience in treating hip disorders.

Results: In total, 72% (54/75) of male and 50% (10/20) of female players demonstrated some evidence of radiographic hip abnormality. Cam lesions were present in 68% (51/75) of men (76.5% [39/51] bilateral involvement) and 50% (10/20) of women (90% [9/10] bilateral involvement). Pincer lesions were present in 26.7% (20/75) of men and 10% (2/20) of women. The average male alpha angle overall was 65.6°. Cam-positive hips averaged 70.7°. The average female alpha angle overall was 52.9°, with cam-positive hips averaging 60.8°.

Conclusion: The prevalence of radiographic hip abnormalities in elite soccer athletes is considerable, particularly in young male athletes. The establishment of the prevalence of these findings represents the first step in identifying the relationship between radiographic abnormalities and injuries of the hip and groin in athletes.
Predictors and Outcomes of Pneumonia in Patients With Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Alsumrain Mohammad , Melillo Nicholas , DeBari Vincent A. , Kirmani Jawad , Moussavi Mohammad , Doraiswamy Vikram , Katapally Ram , Korya Daniel , Adelman Marc , Miller Richard
Published: February 2012

Objectives.

Pneumonia is an important complication of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors and outcomes of the development of pneumonia in patients with sICH.

Methods.

In total, 290 consecutive patients with sICH admitted within 24 hours of stroke onset were investigated in a single center, retrospective study from January 2006 to July 2009. Clinical, biochemical, and imaging variables were registered. Stroke severity and functional outcomes were evaluated with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Baseline variables that predicted pneumonia were investigated and outcomes were assessed.

Results.

The association of our primary exposure variables, such as mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, dysphagia, and tracheostomy, with pneumonia was highly significant ( P < .0001, for each variable). For mechanical ventilation, we observed an odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of 9.42 (4.24-20.9); for tube feeding, OR = 22.3 (8.91-55.8); for dysphagia, OR = 13.1 (4.66-36.7); and for tracheostomy, OR = 26.8 (8.02-89.3). After adjustment of potential confounders including GCS and mRS on admission, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers, all the adjusted OR (ORa) remained significant. For mechanical ventilation, the minimum ORa was 3.72 (95% CI: 1.68-8.26) when adjusted for GCS. For both dysphagia and tracheostomy, mRS reduced OR to 7.46 (95% CI: 3.34-10.6) in the case of dysphagia with an ORa of 16.2 (95% CI: 4.98 to 52.8) for tracheostomy. For tube feeding, both GCS and mRS reduced ORa; the former to 14.7 (95% CI: 6.16-35.0) and the latter to 15.7 (95% CI: 6.63-37.0). Pneumonia shows a significant effect on the morbidity ( P = .003), length of stay ( P < .0001), and mortality ( P = .041) rate of the patients.

Conclusion.

Mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, dysphagia, and tracheostomy are exposures associated with increased risk of the development of pneumonia in patients with sICH. Pneumonia is associated with an increase in morbidity, length of stay, and mortality among patients with sICH.
Multi-objective multi-parameter optimization of the industrial LBW process using a new optimization algorithm
Authors: Rao Ravipudi V , Kalyankar Vivek D
Published: February 2012

The concept of automation has been brought into the industries in order to increase the production rate and at the same time to minimize the production cost. The LBW process is widely replacing manual welding processes in many fabrication industries owing to the high level of automation. In the present work, an attempt is made to achieve conflicting objectives by finding optimum parameter settings for the LBW process. A recently developed advanced optimization algorithm is applied for parameter optimization of the LBW process. Two different multi-objective optimization examples are considered and significant improvement is obtained by the proposed optimization algorithm as compared with the earlier works.
The Road Not Taken
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Jang Yoonhee , Mednick Sara C. , Huber David E.
Published: February 2012

To investigate individual differences in creativity as measured with a complex problem-solving task, we developed a computational model of the remote associates test (RAT). For 50 years, the RAT has been used to measure creativity. Each RAT question presents three cue words that are linked by a fourth word, which is the correct answer. We hypothesized that individuals perform poorly on the RAT when they are biased to consider high-frequency candidate answers. To assess this hypothesis, we tested individuals with 48 RAT questions and required speeded responding to encourage guessing. Results supported our hypothesis. We generated a norm-based model of the RAT using a high-dimensional semantic space, and this model accurately identified correct answers. A frequency-biased model that included different levels of bias for high-frequency candidate answers explained variance for both correct and incorrect responses. Providing new insight into the nature of creativity, the model explains why some RAT questions are more difficult than others, and why some people perform better than others on the RAT.
Late-Holocene environmental dynamics and climate variability in a Mediterranean high mountain environment (Sierra Nevada, Spain) inferred from lake sediments and historical sources
Authors: Oliva Marc , Gómez-Ortiz A
Published: February 2012

Landscape dynamics in the periglacial belt of a high mountain Mediterranean environment is a process of rapid evolution but complex reconstruction. Following this purpose, in this paper we discuss data from two sources concerning the past evolution of the present-day periglacial environment in the Sierra Nevada (southern Iberian Peninsula): mountain lake sediments and documentary sources. La Mosca lake sedimentary record provides information about the palaeocological evolution in the Mulhacén cirque over the last three millennia, while documentary sources enable us to reconstruct the landscape evolution in the high lands of this massif over the last eight centuries. During the late Holocene cold and wet phases have favoured the activity of geomorphic processes, with ephemeral development of glaciers in the highest northern cirques, abundance of late-lying snow patches and a decrease of the vegetation cover in the highest catchments. By contrast, warm periods have been more conducive to geomorphic stability, with an extension of the vegetation grass cover, but without glaciers and with a lower density of snow patches in summer. The comparison of the palaeocological evolution and associated palaeoclimatic conditions in the Sierra Nevada with other regional proxies shows evidence of the moderate sensitivity of the geomorphological processes occurring in the massif during the late Holocene with respect to the climate variability prevailing in the Iberian Peninsula and neighbouring areas. According to lake sedimentary records, the ‘Little Ice Age’ has been the coldest period during the late Holocene. Historical sources suggest a temperature increase of 0.93°C since the middle of the 19th century.
Unscaled Bayes factors for multiple hypothesis testing in microarray experiments
Authors: Bertolino Francesco , Cabras Stefano , Castellanos Maria Eugenia , Racugno Walter
Published: February 2012

Multiple hypothesis testing collects a series of techniques usually based on p-values as a summary of the available evidence from many statistical tests. In hypothesis testing, under a Bayesian perspective, the evidence for a specified hypothesis against an alternative, conditionally on data, is given by the Bayes factor. In this study, we approach multiple hypothesis testing based on both Bayes factors and p-values, regarding multiple hypothesis testing as a multiple model selection problem. To obtain the Bayes factors we assume default priors that are typically improper. In this case, the Bayes factor is usually undetermined due to the ratio of prior pseudo-constants. We show that ignoring prior pseudo-constants leads to unscaled Bayes factor which do not invalidate the inferential procedure in multiple hypothesis testing, because they are used within a comparative scheme. In fact, using partial information from the p-values, we are able to approximate the sampling null distribution of the unscaled Bayes factor and use it within Efron's multiple testing procedure. The simulation study suggests that under normal sampling model and even with small sample sizes, our approach provides false positive and false negative proportions that are less than other common multiple hypothesis testing approaches based only on p-values. The proposed procedure is illustrated in two simulation studies, and the advantages of its use are showed in the analysis of two microarray experiments.
The influence of the EU’s eastern frontier on the socioeconomic situation of border areas
Authors: Bański Jerzy , Janicki Wojciech
Published: February 2012

For several decades, Poland’s eastern border was a spatial barrier hindering any development of near-border regions, which were thus afflicted by unfavourable demographic processes and growing peripheralization. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, more positive experiences of development associated with the opening of the border became apparent. However, Poland’s accession to the European Union (EU) and the Schengen area limited flows of people and goods once more. Is it true, then, to say that today’s eastern frontier of the Union is a spatial barrier limiting borderland socioeconomic development? Or perhaps the reverse is true, with the EU frontier actually stimulating local development? To address such questions, this paper discusses research carried out in Poland’s Lubelskie Province ( voivodship), which borders both Belarus and Ukraine. The research is based on extensive interviews with representatives of local authorities and on questionnaires distributed among residents of the communes ( gminas) located in closest proximity to the border. The results obtained show that socioeconomic development is first and foremost present near border crossings, reflecting both EU support for improved border-crossing infrastructure and local-level entrepreneurship reflecting locational benefits, especially for firms in the services, commerce and logistic sectors. In turn, areas located further away from border crossings are seen to feature distinct economic peripheralization, to the extent that the EU’s external frontier has to be perceived as a spatial barrier that hinders local development.
Ritualistic Games, Boundary Control, and Information Uncertainty
Authors: Harviainen J. Tuomas
Published: February 2012

This article examines the information environment of ritual-like games. Using tools from library and information science and the cognitive study of religion, it shows that certain key phenomena in games can be modeled as patterns of information and thus examined to a deeper level than before. This is of particular use to game scholars wishing to understand the intricacies of the play experience and to educational simulation/game researchers wanting to develop more efficient role-play based learning. Of particular significance to these so-called liminal games is boundary control, a system of maintaining the necessary fictional reality within the magic circle. Its maintenance results from a shared need to preserve the game-reality intact, an understanding of what is relevant to play, and a heightened reliance on information sources within the game-space. Continual boundary control makes the play function as a self-referential system, where the activity becomes rewarding and meaningful to the players because of the very limitations it contains. This condition, along with the manipulation of uncertainty about information needs during play, is then used to explain processes that take place while being engrossed in/absorbed by playing a ritualistic game as well as in game-based learning in liminal environments.
A Review of Managerial Skills Training in the Classroom
Authors: Paglis Laura L.
Published: February 2012

Courses designed specifically to develop students’ managerial skills began to emerge in the 1980s, in response to criticism of the theoretical and quantitative orientation of business school coursework. Since then, a number of management textbooks focusing on skills-based learning have been published, and many instructors have become acquainted with both the benefits and challenges of adopting these approaches in their classrooms. This article reviews the literature on teaching managerial skills, including its history, foundation in learning theory, course design issues, and unique challenges. The overall purpose is to provide a comprehensive guide for instructors interested in offering a managerial skills course for the first time or those seeking to refresh an existing one.
A hybrid approach for modeling and solving product configuration problems
Authors: Yang Dong , Dong Ming
Published: February 2012

Within the context of build-to-order or assembly-to-order production strategy, an end product satisfying the requirements of a customer often comprises various components or parts that may be provided by the partnering suppliers. More probably, there exist a numerous number of alternative components or parts to be chosen when an end product is configured. Meanwhile, structures and constraints within the configurable product must be observed. To represent structures of products and constraints, object-oriented modeling method is employed to enable the share and reuse of configuration knowledge. To derive optimal configuration, product configuration problem with object-oriented configuration knowledge is formalized as a mixed-integer programming problem. The algorithm for product configuration optimization is implemented using Java CPLEX. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate and compare the performance of the algorithm. The results show that the computational time is reasonable and acceptable for medium-sized configuration problems.
Legislative Coalitions and Judicial Turnover under Political Uncertainty
Authors: Basabe-Serrano Santiago , Polga-Hecimovich John
Published: February 2012

While judicial turnover in Latin American high courts is often the result of political realignments within the executive branch, the judiciary may also be sensitive to realignments in the legislative branch. The authors use data from the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court to show that under some circumstances, congressional deputies will seek to remove judges further from their own ideal points as the composition of the legislative coalition changes. This provides some of the first empirical evidence of the role legislatures play in Latin American judicial instability and may be broadly generalizable to other countries with similar institutional profiles and rates of interbranch crisis.
The Correspondent, the Comic, and the Combatant
Authors: Vraga Emily K. , Edgerly Stephanie , Bode Leticia , Carr D. Jasun , Bard Mitchell , Johnson Courtney N. , Kim Young Mie , Shah Dhavan V.
Published: February 2012

Tailored within the increasingly competitive news environment, political talk shows have adopted a range of styles, heralding a rise in “combatant” and “comic” hosts to complement the conventional “correspondent.” Using an experimental design to rule out self-selection biases, this study isolates the impact of host style on media judgments. In comparison to the other styles, the correspondent host increases perceptions of informational value, enhances host and program credibility, and reduces erosion of media trust, while a comic host mitigates some of the negative impact compared to a combatant host. Implications for media accountability and democratic functioning are discussed.
Credibility of TV News in a Developing Country
Authors: Andaleeb Syed Saad , Rahman Anis , Rajeb Mehdi , Akter Nasrin , Gulshan Sabiha
Published: February 2012

Television has recently experienced unprecedented expansion in Bangladesh. Given its popularity and influence, and with more people using it for their information, research on the credibility of TV news is warranted. Perceived independence of TV channels, their social role, source expertise, objectivity, and audiovisual quality were hypothesized to influence credibility perceptions of TV news. Based on factor analysis and multiple regression analysis, four of these five factors had a significant effect. Implications of TV news credibility in Bangladesh’s development efforts are discussed.
Recommendations for the Development of a New operational classification System For The Foodservice Industry
Authors: Barrows Clayton , Vieira Edward T.
Published: February 2012

The foodservice industry is large and diverse, demanding an adequate system for classifying its many different types of operations. There are many different classification systems in use by industry and researchers. Although many of the current systems offer certain benefits, some do not provide the necessary framework for researchers and some do not provide realistic groupings for purposes of industry benchmarking. Furthermore, in many cases, classification systems are not compatible with one another. This article reviews some of the systems that are currently in use and argues for the need for a single common classification system. Finally, it proposes a new system, based on certain operational factors, which can be used by both industry and academics in the effort to provide consistency across academia and industry.
Familial Mediterranean fever-associated mutation pyrin E148Q as a potential risk factor for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kümpfel T , Gerdes L-A , Wacker T , Blaschek A , Havla J , Krumbholz M , Pöllmann W , Feneberg W , Hohlfeld R , Lohse P
Published: February 2012

Background:

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the MEFV gene and characterized by recurrent febrile polyserositis. A possible association of FMF and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested in cohorts from Turkey and Israel.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MEFV mutations in subjects with MS and in controls in Germany.

Methods:

One-hundred and fifty seven MS patients with at least one symptom or without symptoms suggestive of FMF from our outpatient clinic were investigated for mutations in exons 2, 3, and 10 of the MEFV gene (group 1). 260 independent MS patients (group 2) and 400 unrelated Caucasian controls (group 3) were screened selectively for the low-penetrance pyrin mutations E148Q and K695R

Results:

In group 1, 19 MS patients (12.1%) tested positive for a mutation in the MEFV gene, mainly the E148Q ( n=7) substitution. Fifteen of the 19 mutation-positive individuals reported at least one symptom suggestive of FMF. In three cases, we could identify additional family members with MS. In these pedigrees, the E148Q exchange co-segregated with MS ( p=0.026). Frequencies of the pyrin E148Q and K695R mutations were not statistically different between MS group 2 and controls but they occurred with a surprisingly high frequency in the German population.

Conclusion:

The MEFV gene appears to be another immunologically relevant gene locus which contributes to MS susceptibility. In particular, the pyrin E148Q mutation, which co-segregated with disease in three MS families, is a promising candidate risk factor for MS that should be further explored in larger studies.
The interest group effect on citizen contact with Congress
Authors: Holyoke Thomas T
Published: February 2012

To what extent is citizen political participation, such as electronic or personal contact with members of Congress, stimulated by membership in organized interest groups? I use data from a nationwide survey conducted by Zogby in 2007 to assess the extent to which Americans contact congressional offices, and whether membership in more activist-oriented groups, such as citizen groups, stimulates greater rates of contact than membership in professional associations or no group membership at all. I also examine whether this group ‘effect’ on participation breaks down by the method used, low-effort electronic contact (mail, email, web-based contact pages, on-line petitions) versus high-effort contact such as personal meetings with lawmakers. I find that the role played by interest groups in facilitating communication can be substantial. In the case of members from lower socio-economic backgrounds in particular, membership in a citizen group helps compensate for lack of knowledge and resources regarding how to contact Congress.
Towards a classification of the world’s democratic party systems, step 2
Authors: Golosov Grigorii V
Published: February 2012

This article classifies the democratic party systems of the world by using the relative-size triangle, a bounded diagram that graphically represents information about seat distributions by party. In particular, the article solves identification problems stemming from the fact that party systems, as recurring patterns of party competition, involve systemic properties that are not reducible to the properties of individual party constellations. On this basis, 162 party systems that existed or continue to exist in the world’s democracies from 1792 to 2009 are assigned to the predominant party, two-party and multiparty types, each of the types being divided into two subcategories. A new measure of party system fragmentation, the systemic effective number of parties, complements the resulting classification with a methodologically consistent assessment of the degrees of multipartism. On this basis, the article arrives at several empirical conclusions regarding the geographical/chronological spread of different party systems and their relative longevity.
The Special Needs Program for Inmate-Patients with Dementia (SNPID): A psychosocial program provided in the prison system
Authors: Hodel Bettina , Sánchez Heriberto G
Published: February 2012

This article discusses a comprehensive psychosocial program developed for a prison in California – the Special Needs Program for Inmate-Patients with Dementia (SNPID). It describes the individual steps of the program, their content and their application in a system that has safety and security as its highest priority. An important and innovatory aspect of SNIPD is the role of other inmates in supporting inmates with dementia. The article concludes that psychosocial interventions can be appropriately applied in prison settings and make a difference in the quality of life for inmate-patients with dementia.
Will switching to LED outdoor lighting increase sky glow?
Authors: Bierman A
Published: February 2012

As LED sources are increasingly being used for outdoor lighting, concerns are being raised about their impact on man-made sky glow. This paper compares the amount of light scattered back to Earth from a 6500 K phosphor-converted white LED light source to that from a 2050 K high pressure sodium (HPS) light source. Calculations based solely on molecular Rayleigh scattering provide an upper limit of 22% more scatter from the LED source, but are not realistic because the atmosphere has significant scatter from aerosol content. Adding in the effects of aerosols in the atmosphere, as derived from aerosol optical depth measurements and Mie scattering distributions, reduces the wavelength dependency of scattered light to where the LED source has roughly 10–20% more scattered light contributing to sky glow. Scattering ratios (LED:HPS) are calculated for different angles and atmospheric conditions.
Soluble RAGE and malondialdehyde in type 1 diabetes patients without chronic complications during the course of the disease
Authors: Reis Janice S , Veloso Clara A , Volpe Caroline MO , Fernandes Jamille S , Borges Erica A , Isoni Camila A , Dos Anjos Paula MF , Nogueira-Machado José A
Published: February 2012

Malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation and biomarker for oxidative stress, and its soluble receptor (sRAGE) were evaluated in 42 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, but without chronic complications, during the early years after diagnosis (0–10 years) and through the further progression of the disease (10–20 and > 20 years after diagnosis). Clinical and biochemical parameters of the cohort of diabetic patients were compared with those determined in 24 healthy individuals. The median levels of MDA in plasma were similar in type 1 diabetes patients and in healthy subjects. In contrast, statistically significant increases were detected in the median values of sRAGE in patients with type 1 diabetes compared with healthy subjects (2423.75 versus 1472.75 pg/ml; p=0.001, Mann–Whitney test). However, no significant between-group differences ( p>0.05) were observed in levels of sRAGE when diabetic patients were grouped according to time elapsed after diagnosis. It is concluded that increased plasma levels of sRAGE in type 1 diabetes may provide protection against cell damage and may be sufficient to eliminate excessive circulating MDA during early years after disease onset.
Silver plating on hollow glass microsphere and coating finishing of PET/cotton fabric
Authors: Zhang Hui
Published: February 2012

In order to develop the functional fabric endowed with electromagnetic shielding and thermal protection ability, hollow glass microspheres were first deposited with silver by electroless plating using silver nitrate 0.03 mol/L, ammonium hydroxide 0.008 mol/L, sodium hydroxide 0.1 mol/L, glucose 0.005 mol/L, tartaric acid 0.0006 mol/L, and anhydrous alcohol 0.18 mol/L. The Ag-deposited hollow glass microspheres were subsequently coated on the surface of PET/cotton fabric by adhesive printing process. The particle integrity, morphology, composition, and crystal texture of Ag-deposited microspheres were investigated by means of size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The diffuse reflectance spectrum, electrical conduction, shielding effectiveness, and thermal radiant protection performances were also measured. The results showed that a specific performance of PET/cotton fabric coated with Ag-deposited glass microspheres was obtained.
Content and Complexity in Policy Reinvention and Diffusion: Gay and Transgender-Inclusive Laws against Discrimination
Authors: Taylor Jami K. , Lewis Daniel C. , Jacobsmeier Matthew L. , DiSarro Brian
Published: February 2012

This article sheds new light on policy diffusion by exploring policy complexity in state-level lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) antidiscrimination policies. The multiple component event history approach taken in this research allows for the concurrent study of both policy content and the factors that affect policy adoption. Results reveal that the factors influencing policy adoption vary depending on both the content and scope of the policy in question. In addition to addressing laws that protect gay people from discrimination, this article is one of the first studies in the political science and policy literature to empirically investigate the spread of transgender-inclusive laws. Despite combined advocacy and public conflation of identities, gay and transgender-inclusive laws appear to be influenced by different internal and external factors.
Custom-Made Orthesis and Shoes in a Structured Follow-Up Program Reduces the Incidence of Neuropathic Ulcers in High-Risk Diabetic Foot Patients
Authors: Rizzo Loredana , Tedeschi Anna , Fallani Eliana , Coppelli Alberto , Vallini Valerio , Iacopi Elisabetta , Piaggesi Alberto
Published: February 2012

Objective. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a structured follow-up program on the incidence of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) in high-risk diabetic patients. Research Design and Methods. A total of 1874 diabetic patients referred to the Diabetic Foot Unit of the University of Pisa were ranked based on the ulcerative risk score proposed by the International Consensus on Diabetic Foot. Out of 334 patients (17.8%) with a score ≥2, 298 accepted to participate in this prospective trial and were randomized into 2 groups: group A, which received standard treatment, and group B, in which the patients received, as a part of a structured prevention program, custom-made orthesis and shoes. Incidence of new DFUs was observed for no less than 1 year and in a subset of patients after 3 and 5 years, respectively. Incidence of new DFUs and recurrences were considered as primary endpoints to establish the effectiveness of the program; costs were also compared. Results. Among the patients enrolled in this follow-up analysis, 46% had neuropathy and deformities, 20% had previous ulceration, 25% had previous minor amputation, and 9% had neuro-osteoarthropathy. During the first 12-month follow-up, 11.5% of patients in group B developed a DFU compared with 38.6% in group A ( P < .0001). In the extended follow-up, the cumulative incidence of ulcer in group B compared with group A was 17.6% versus 61% ( P < .0001) after 3 years and 23.5% versus 72% ( P < .0001) after 5 years, respectively. The net balance at the end of the follow-up was highly in favor of the prevention program, with a saving of more than €100 000 per year. Conclusions. The implementation of a structured follow-up with the use of orthesis and shoes can reduce the incidence of DFU in diabetic patients who are at high ulcerative risk and its related costs.
Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Chasan-Taber Lisa
Published: February 2012

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and is strongly related to subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes. The epidemics of obesity and diabetes and the increasing incidence of GDM in recent years highlight the importance of preventing GDM among women at high risk to avoid the associated short- and long-term adverse health outcomes for both mothers and their offspring. Indeed, women may be more likely to adopt healthy lifestyle habits during pregnancy and maintain these habits into the postpartum period. Although there is substantial evidence that targeting at-risk groups for type 2 diabetes prevention is effective if lifestyle changes are made, relatively little attention has been paid to the prevention of GDM. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review the scientific evidence regarding the association between modifiable risk factors and GDM; discuss how lifestyle interventions, including weight management through diet and exercise could be successful in reducing the risk for GDM; and provide recommendations for future lifestyle intervention programs with a focus on translation and dissemination of research findings.
Media coverage and public understanding of sentencing policy in relation to crimes against children
Authors: Berry Mike , Philo Greg , Tiripelli Giuliana , Docherty Stevie , Macpherson Colin
Published: February 2012

This research examines how the media report on sentences given to those who commit serious crimes against children and how this impacts on public knowledge and attitudes. Three months of press and television coverage were analysed in order to establish the editorial lines that are taken in different sections of the media and how they are promoted by selective reporting of sentencing. Results indicate that a small number of very high profile crimes account for a significant proportion of reporting in this area and often, particularly in the tabloid press, important information regarding sentencing rationale is sidelined in favour of moral condemnation and criticism of the judiciary. Polling data indicate that public attitudes are highly critical of sentencing but also confused about the meaning of tariffs. The article concludes by discussing what can be done to promote a more informed public debate over penal policy in this area.
Boceprevir: a novel nonstructural 3 (NS3) protease inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Kwo Paul Y.
Published: February 2012

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with hepatitis C related cirrhosis being the most common indication for transplant and a major cause for the increase in hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Treatment for hepatitis C has consisted of nonspecific immunomodulatory therapies that stimulate the immune system and inhibit hepatitis C replication. Pegylated (peg-)interferon and ribavirin have been the standard of care with an overall sustained response rate of 40–50% in patients with genotype 1 infection, and 80% in genotype 2 or 3. Recently, direct-acting antiviral agents, including boceprevir, have demonstrated improved sustained response rates in patients with genotype 1 infection when given in combination with interferon and ribavirin. Boceprevir is a structurally novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural 3 (NS3) protease inhibitor that has demonstrated robust antiviral activity in HCV replicons. Clinically, in phase II and III trials, boceprevir 800 mg three times daily with peginterferon and ribavirin has led to improved sustained response rates in genotype 1 infection treatment-naive patients, relapsers, partial responders, and null responders. Phase II data have demonstrated that ribavirin is essential for optimal boceprevir response. Moreover, phase II data have suggested that a 4-week peginterferon or ribavirin lead-in strategy may reduce relapse rates and provide crucial on-treatment data for treatment response with boceprevir addition. Side effects of boceprevir when added to peginterferon and ribavirin are similar to peginterferon and ribavirin, though higher rates of anemia have been noted, with an incremental increase in erythropoietin use. The addition of boceprevir represents a major advance in patients with genotype 1 infection who are treatment naïve.
Teduglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide 2 analog, in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome
Authors: Jeppesen Palle Bekker
Published: February 2012

Short bowel syndrome results from surgical resection, congenital defect or disease-associated loss of absorption. Parenteral support (PS) is lifesaving in patients with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure who are unable to compensate for their malabsorption by metabolic or pharmacologic adaptation. Together, the symptoms of short bowel syndrome and the inconvenience and complications in relation to PS (e.g. catheter-related blood steam infections, central thrombosis and intestinal failure associated liver disease) may impair the quality of life of patients. The aim of treatment is to maximize intestinal absorption, minimize the inconvenience of diarrhea, and avoid, reduce or eliminate the need for PS to achieve the best possible quality of life for the patient. Conventional treatments include dietary manipulations, oral rehydration solutions, and antidiarrheal and antisecretory treatments. However, the evidence base for these interventions is limited and treatments that improve the structural and functional integrity of the remaining intestine are needed. Teduglutide, an analog of glucagon-like peptide 2, improves intestinal rehabilitation by promoting mucosal growth and possibly by restoring gastric emptying and secretion, thereby reducing intestinal losses and promoting intestinal absorption. In a 3-week, phase II balance study, teduglutide reduced diarrhea by around 700 g/day and fecal energy losses by around 0.8 MJ/day. In two randomized, placebo-controlled, 24-week, phase III studies, similar findings were obtained when evaluating the fluid composite effect, which is the sum of the beneficial effects of teduglutide – reduction in the need for PS, increase in urine production and reduction in oral fluid intake. The fluid composite effect reflects the increase in intestinal fluid absorption (and the concomitant reduction in diarrhea) and may be used in studies in which metabolic balance assessments are not performed. In studies of up to 24 weeks’ duration, teduglutide appears to be safe and well tolerated. Treatment with teduglutide was associated with enhancement or restoration of the structural and functional integrity of the remaining intestine with significant intestinotrophic and proabsorptive effects, facilitating a reduction in diarrhea and an equivalent reduction in the need for PS in patients with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure.
Optimization of the Expansion and Differentiation of Rabbit Chondrocytes In Vitro
Authors: Mounts T. , Ginley N. , Schluchter M. , Dennis J.E.
Published: February 2012

Objective:

To develop a tissue culture expansion method for rabbit chondrocytes that promotes robust expansion while preserving chondrogenic potential.

Design:

Rabbit chondrocytes isolated from articular or auricular chondrocytes were assessed for chondrogenic differentiation potential versus population doubling using different expansion and differentiation conditions. Expansion conditions included serum alone, serum plus basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), and serum plus insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and FGF-2. Differentiation conditions consisted of defined medium with and without bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2).

Results:

Nonsupplemented chondrocytes showed limited expandability, whereas supplementation with FGF-2 allowed articular chondrocytes to be expanded past 10 population doublings (PDs) and allowed auricular chondrocytes to expand past 15 population doublings. Differentiation, as measured by glycosaminoglycan production in aggregate cultures, was minimal in articular chondrocytes without BMP-2 supplementation and diminished to less than 50% maximal in auricular chondrocytes by PD 20. However, when FGF-2 was used during expansion and BMP-2 used during differentiation, both articular and auricular chondrocytes retained greater than 50% maximal differentiation for more than 25 PDs. The addition of IGF-1 to FGF-2 during expansion decreased chondrogenicity of auricular chondrocytes exposed to BMP-2, whereas for articular chondrocytes, chondrogenic expression increased.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that FGF-2, for expansion, and BMP-2, for differentiation, dramatically increase the functional expansion of auricular and articular chondrocytes and provide a methodology to expand sufficient numbers of chondrocytes for tissue engineering applications.
Evaluating Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes through a Novel 3-Dimensional In Vitro System for Cartilage Tissue Engineering and Regeneration
Authors: Li Hanwei , Davison Noel , Moroni Lorenzo , Feng Felicia , Crist Joshua , Salter Erin , Bingham Clifton O. , Elisseeff Jennifer
Published: February 2012

Objective:

To characterize and evaluate osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes, in comparison to normal chondrocytes, through a novel 3-dimensional (3-D) culture system, poly(ethylene-glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). The cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) was also used to simulate an in vitro OA model.

Methods:

Normal and OA chondrocytes were cultured in monolayer and analyzed for changes in cartilage-specific gene expressions due to passage number. Then, cells were encapsulated in PEGDA to evaluate phenotype and matrix production capabilities through the in vitro culture system. Characterization was conducted with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), biochemical analyses, and histological staining. 3-D encapsulated chondrocytes (human and bovine) were also treated with IL-1β to characterize how the cytokine affects gene transcription and extracellular matrix (ECM) content.

Results:

In 2-dimensional monolayer, anabolic genes were down-regulated significantly in both normal and OA chondrocytes. In 3-D culture, OA chondrocytes demonstrated significantly higher expressions of catabolic genes when compared to normal cells. Differentiation medium resulted in significantly more matrix production than growth medium from OA chondrocytes, indicated through histological staining. In addition, normal chondrocytes responded more significantly to exogenous administration of IL-1β than OA chondrocytes. Temporary initial stimulation of IL-1β to OA chondrocytes resulted in comparable gene expressions to untreated cells after 3 weeks of in vitro culture.

Conclusions:

Our findings demonstrate the use of OA chondrocytes in tissue engineering and their significance for potential future cartilage regeneration research through their matrix production capabilities and the use of a hydrogel culture system.
Part 2
Authors: Russell Anne F. , Gosbee Laura Lin , Huber Mary M.
Published: February 2012

Management of food allergy on a daily basis is multifaceted, time consuming, costly, and becomes compounded when multiple food allergies are involved. Allergen avoidance methodologies, monitoring of signs/symptoms of allergic reactions, handling serious medication needs, and planning ahead for a potential emergency due to an accidental exposure can be demanding concerns to the patient/family. Due to the complexity of this diagnosis, its implications to health-related quality of life, and extensive patient/family informational needs, it was necessary to divide this article into a 2-part series. This is the second article of the series. The content of Part 1 of the series focused on patient education associated with common food allergens, food allergy avoidance (eg, allergen identification, ingredient label reading, hidden allergens, cross-contact, precautionary labeling, potential routes of accidental exposures) and the food allergy action plan. Part 2 of the series reviews food-induced anaphylaxis and associated patient educational interventions (eg, use of self-injectable epinephrine, medical identification). Both parts of the series consider developmental concerns of the food allergic young child and adolescent. Parts 1 and 2 should be read collectively to acquire a complete view of suggested patient education for the newly diagnosed food hypersensitive pediatric patient and the role of a food allergy educator in an ambulatory care setting.
Commentary
Authors: Bose-Brill Seuli , Pressler Taylor R.
Published: February 2012

In the last 20 years, progress has been made to develop resources for advance care planning (ACP). Several ACP delivery tools have demonstrated progress, but more are needed to improve ACP delivery systems. Providers continue to indicate that increasing patient volume, increasing patient complexity, and an increasing paperwork burden have adversely affected quality ACP delivery. An increasing and ubiquitous use of health information technology, such as electronic health records and electronic health record–tethered patient portals, affords opportunities for innovation to streamline communication methods between providers and patients. In a medical culture that provides only limited time for physician and patient interactions, physician-patient communication using electronic health record–tethered patient portals may provide a time-efficient, low-cost mechanism for effective ACP.