bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arab Women: Duality of Deprivation in Decision-making under Patriarchal Authority
Authors: Said-Foqahaa Nader , Maziad Marwa
Published: June 2011

This paper addresses the challenges impeding Arab women from fully participating in decision-making processes. A gender-based Dual deprivation is defined, analyzed and diagnosed as vicious and multi-layered circles surrounding women’s abilities to make decisions concerning their own lives on the one hand, and restricting their capacity to delve into established institutional mechanism of decision making, on the other hand. This “dual deprivation” not only isolates women from decision-making processes, even on issues directly impacting their lives, but also denies them the ability to act as agents of change and create an empowering environment, due to women’s absence from decision-making positions. Other challenges addressed include high fertility rates, circumcision, early marriage, domestic violence, and inequitable laws. Employing testimonial interviews with women from various countries in the Arab World, the data offer in-depth analysis of the status of men and women, in relation to decision making in the private and public spheres in Arab societies. Findings show some progress despite its insufficiency, confirming that authority is still patriarchal in Arab countries. The study also shows that as opposed to men, women tend to be more participatory and democratic in their decision-making processes, veering towards ending conflict and favoring dialogue. Other issues addressed include high fertility rates, circumcision, early marriage, domestic violence, and inequitable laws. An action plan regarding social, economic, legislative, cultural, administrative, political, and communicative issues is recommended for women’s empowerment.
Pragmatism and Naturalism in Religious Studies
Authors: Blum Jason
Published: June 2011

Given the close relationship between pragmatism and naturalism, incorporation of the former into religious studies methodology might seem to privilege the latter. I question this intuition by examining dimensions of pragmatism which suggest that it is more amenable to theism, and less closely tied to naturalism, than many suppose. Pragmatism encourages theoretical openness and reflectivity, which militate against exclusively privileging any particular philosophical perspective. Pragmatism’s most valuable contribution to methodology is the endorsement of a methodological pluralism that relativizes naturalism as one among numerous viable approaches to religious studies.
Uneasy Repetitions: A Response
Authors: Mandair Arvind
Published: June 2011

This essay is responds to the critical essays by Nijhawan, Mas and Hawthorne. The case is made that each criticism is based on a misreading or misunderstanding of “Religion and the Specter of the West.”
Water Cures in Japan: The Case of a Health Manual in the Early Nineteenth Century1
Authors: Daidoji Keiko
Published: June 2011

This article examines a variety of practices that involve water cures in Japanese medical history. Focusing on a health manual, Byōka suchi (What a household with sick persons should know, published between 1832‐1835), by Hirano Jūsei , this article describes how water cures were applied for many symptoms and include listening, washing, bathing in hot water, spitting, imbibing, soaking and immersion. Hirano’s text about the application of water cures referenced both Japanese and Chinese classical literature, but also incorporated Western ideas of hydrotherapy.
Amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
Authors: Ofo Nat
Published: June 2011

The amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 has not been free of controversies. The latest controversy dogging the amendment relates to whether or not it is necessary for the President to assent to the Bill of the National Assembly amending the Constitution, even after the amendment has been ratified by at least two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the States of the Federation. There are two schools of thought on this issue; each with sound arguments in support of their respective position. A dispassionate and realistic consideration of the issue has been undertaken in this article. The conclusion is reached that the provision of the constitution dealing with its amendment is not free from ambiguity. Its lack of clarity on its amendment procedure has made it obviously in dire need of amendment. Consequently, necessary suggestions on how to resolve the issues, including the amendment of the amendment-provision of the constitution have been proffered.
Bans on the Wearing of Religious Symbols in British Schools: A Violation of the Right to Non-Discrimination?
Authors: Howard Erica
Published: June 2011

Bans on the wearing of religious symbols in education have been said to violate the right to freedom of religion and/or anti-discrimination legislation. This article builds on an earlier article published in this journal which examined whether bans constitute a violation of the fundamental human right to freedom of religion. It analyses such bans as a breach of anti-discrimination measures by looking at cases of the European Court of Human Rights and the British courts. This analysis leads to the conclusion that a claim based on anti-discrimination law is not likely to be more successful in court than a claim based on freedom of religion because similar issues are taken into account in both decisions.
Convective Generation of Equatorial Superrotation in Planetary Atmospheres
Authors: Liu Junjun , Schneider Tapio
Published: June 2011

In rapidly rotating planetary atmospheres that are heated from below, equatorial superrotation can occur through convective generation of equatorial Rossby waves. If the heating from below is sufficiently strong that convection penetrates into the upper troposphere, then the convection generates equatorial Rossby waves, which can induce the equatorward angular momentum transport necessary for superrotation. This paper investigates the conditions under which the convective generation of equatorial Rossby waves and their angular momentum transport lead to superrotation. It also addresses how the strength and width of superrotating equatorial jets are controlled.

In simulations with an idealized general circulation model (GCM), the relative roles of baroclinicity, heating from below, and bottom drag are explored systematically. Equatorial superrotation generally occurs when the heating from below is sufficiently strong. However, the threshold heating at which the transition to superrotation occurs increases as the baroclinicity or the bottom drag increases. The greater the baroclinicity is, the stronger the angular momentum transport out of low latitudes by baroclinic eddies of extratropical origin. This competes with the angular momentum transport toward the equator by convectively generated Rossby waves and thus can inhibit a transition to superrotation. Equatorial bottom drag damps both the mean zonal flow and convectively generated Rossby waves, weakening the equatorward angular momentum transport as the drag increases; this can also inhibit a transition to superrotation. The strength of superrotating equatorial jets scales approximately with the square of their width. When they are sufficiently strong, their width, in turn, scales with the equatorial Rossby radius and thus depends on the thermal stratification of the equatorial atmosphere.

The results have broad implications for planetary atmospheres, particularly for how superrotation can be generated in giant planet atmospheres and in terrestrial atmospheres in warm climates.
Culture and the Irish border
Authors: McCall Cathal
Published: June 2011

The Irish border (between Northern Ireland – the ‘North’ and the Republic of Ireland – the ‘South’) has been described as a ‘natural’ cultural divide between the island’s two dominant indigenous ethno-national communities. However, an examination of key resources of ethno-national group culture – religion, sport and language – provides evidence to challenge this representation. Moreover, in the post-1994 period of conflict transformation, evidence is also presented to support the proposition that the Irish border region has developed into a cultural space in which Irish nationalist and Ulster unionist ethno-national communities can explore cultural differences and commonalities through cross-border, cross-community contact and communication in small group encounters. This space underpins the reconfiguration of the border from barrier to political bridge between North and South. European Union (EU) Peace programmes for Ireland, beginning in 1995, provided the support for a cross-border approach to escaping the cage of ethno-national conflict in Northern Ireland. However, post-2004 EU enlargement signalled the beginning of the end for EU Peace funding, and severe economic recession has undermined the expectation of British–Irish intergovernmental intervention to support cross-border partnerships and their work. Therefore, the outlook for the sustainability of this cross-border cultural space is gloomy, with potentially deleterious consequences for the continued reconfiguration of the border from barrier to bridge.
Pragmatic power EUrope?
Authors: Wood Steve
Published: June 2011

Many portrayals of the European Union (EU) as an international actor are based on selective appraisals of its external activity or restraint. This article explores the concept of a pragmatic power EUrope. It considers pragmatism as an academic approach or philosophy, and as an attitude or method of political practice. It then aims to generate interaction between these understandings by applying them to important contemporary ‘partnerships’ for the EU: Russia and China. These examples reveal the EU as a composite rather than unified actor, with the pragmatism of individual components undermining a more influential collective power.
An unbreakable path? A comparative study of decentralization and local government development trajectories in Ghana and Uganda
Authors: Awortwi Nicholas
Published: June 2011

The evolutionary theory of path dependency suggests that the longer an institution has been in place, the more resilient it is to change. Given enough time and self-reinforcing mechanisms, an organizational and institutional path develops and becomes highly resistant to change and likely to endure for a long time. Since the path benefits those who created it, the same actors cannot unlock it. Only an ‘exogenous shock’ (an event outside the path) can radically change the incentives or constraints facing the actors and enable a country to break free of the path. This article applies these propositions to explain the past, present and future trajectories of decentralization and local government (LG) institutional development in Ghana and Uganda. The article shows that Uganda pursued a sequence of political, administrative and fiscal decentralization whereas in Ghana the order was administrative, political and fiscal. As a result, Uganda has made a little progress, more than Ghana, in strengthening LG institutions. However, given that neither Uganda nor Ghana followed an ideal sequence of decentralization reforms that would have strengthened LGs against unbridled central government (CG) interference, currently CGs in both countries are retaking much of what was initially decentralized. The article concludes that recentralization and further weakening of LGs are likely to continue in both countries because the initial path that was created benefited CG politicians and bureaucrats and they are committed to staying on that course.

Points for practitioners

Many countries have developed a decentralization policy that aims at streamlining the relationship between central and local governments. However, professionals working in the field of public management and administration need to bear in mind that recentralization is possible even in the midst of a decentralization policy. This is because while central government leadership finds it expedient to appear to support a decentralization policy they do not wish to see the growth of powerful local institutions that might challenge their monopoly over power and resources that are needed for local development. Sustained donor pressure as a condition for budgetary support is a plausible exogenous factor that can force central government leadership in developing countries to commit to the tenets of decentralization.
Delinquency Balance and Time Use
Authors: McGloin Jean Marie
Published: June 2011

McGloin (2009) recently demonstrated that an imbalance in delinquency between a subject and his or her best friend predicted within-individual changes in offending behavior. Still, the precise mechanism(s) whereby subjects moved toward delinquency balance remained unclear. It is possible that this process has little to do with the transmission of deviant values, but instead is a reflection of unstructured and unsupervised time spent with peers. The results suggest that an imbalance in time use between peers predicts an imbalance in deviance between peers, but not within-individual change in delinquency. The discussion considers the implication of these findings for theory and research on peer processes.
Access to palliative care services in hospital: a matter of being in the right hospital. Hospital charts study in a Canadian city
Authors: Cohen Joachim , Wilson Donna M , Thurston Amy , MacLeod Rod , Deliens Luc
Published: June 2011

Access to palliative care (PC) is a major need worldwide. Using hospital charts of all patients who died over one year (April 2008–March 2009) in two mid-sized hospitals of a large Canadian city, similar in size and function and operated by the same administrative group, this study examined which patients who could benefit from PC services actually received these services and which ones did not, and compared their care characteristics.

A significantly lower proportion (29%) of patients dying in hospital 2 (without a PC unit and reliant on a visiting PC team) was referred to PC services as compared to in hospital 1 (with a PC unit; 68%). This lower referral likelihood was found for all patient groups, even among cancer patients, and remained after controlling for patient mix. Referral was strongly associated with having cancer and younger age.

Referral to PC thus seems to depend, at least in part, on the coincidence of being admitted to the right hospital. This finding suggests that establishing PC units or a team of committed PC providers in every hospital could increase referral rates and equity of access to PC services. The relatively lower access for older and non-cancer patients and technology use in hospital PC services require further attention.
Polyphonic Listening and Associative Work in a Psychoanalytic Group of Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Gimenez Guy
Published: June 2011

Based on sequences recorded during a group therapy session attended by schizophrenic patients in a psychiatric hospital, this study explores the process of constructing a group associative chain. It highlights the way in which the disjointed and dissociated productions of delusional (and hallucinating) schizophrenic patients in a group setting can, in certain conditions (described in this article), gradually be turned into a group associative chain, taking each person’s productions into account.
Sepsis Bundles and Compliance With Clinical Guidelines
Authors: Stoneking Lisa , Denninghoff Kurt , DeLuca Lawrence , Keim Samuel M. , Munger Benson
Published: June 2011

Realizing the vast medical benefits of validated protocols, recommendations and practice guidelines requires acceptance and implementation by frontline care providers. Knowledge translation is the science of accelerating the transfer of knowledge to practice by understanding and creatively addressing the barriers that prevent adoption of new professional standards. In an attempt to improve patient care and reduce mortality, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and The Institute for Healthcare Improvement created the resuscitation and management bundles for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. These bundles have been accepted as best practice by many clinicians since multiple clinical trials have produced similar positive results when they were implemented. However, transferring these research outcomes-based guidelines to the clinical practice arena has been associated with poor compliance due to important barriers to implementation. Delays in the adoption of sepsis bundles are not surprising since the time from validation to implementation of a new clinical practice is typically 17 years. Using sepsis bundles as a model, this article explores why guidelines are important, examines physician adherence to protocols, and reviews the literature on strategies to improve clinical compliance and enhance knowledge translation.
Lubricant ash particles in diesel engine exhaust. Literature review and modelling study
Authors: Tornehed P , Olofsson U
Published: June 2011

Reducing particulate emissions from diesel engines has been a concern in recent decades. The increasing use of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) has highlighted the importance of predicting ash emissions from lubricant, since ash accumulates in DPFs. Ash accumulation will increase the pressure drop across the filter, and thereby also the fuel consumption, eventually necessitating filter cleaning or replacement.

This paper examines the ash transfer rate, calculated as accumulated ash divided by calculated ash consumption (oil consumption times oil ash content). Three times 500 hours of ash accumulation testing was performed on a Scania heavy-duty diesel engine; in addition, the relevant literature was reviewed.

The main results of the study are: (a) the main contributor to ash particulate emissions is lubricant ash; (b) the oil ash transfer rate was found to be oil specific; testing indicated transfer rates of 38–59 per cent; (c) the slight increase in ash transfer rate when reducing the engine load indicated that the load might be dependent on the oil ash transfer rate, although the effect was clearly lower than that of the changing oil.
Rural–Urban Differences in India’s School Sanitation Programme
Authors: Katrak Homi
Published: June 2011

The background to this article is the concern about Health Inequities (HI), recently voiced by the World Health Organization. This short article concerns HI in the context of India’s school sanitation programme. Lack of proper sanitation is a major environmental health risk for children, leading to illness and deaths. Analysis of school sanitation coverage in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan states showed up the following results. Coverage has been significantly lower in the rural schools, than those in the urban areas, and has also been lower in the Primary schools, than in the Higher-grade schools. These findings are of some concern since rural areas have fewer health facilities for treatment and children in Primary schools are younger and so are more vulnerable to health risks. Some parents may have been reluctant to enrol their children in the ‘without sanitation’ schools and this may affect children’s education.
Physician Knowledge and Awareness of CA-125 as a Screen for Ovarian Cancer in the Asymptomatic, Average-Risk Population
Authors: Stewart Sherri L. , Rim Sun Hee , Gelb Cynthia A.
Published: June 2011

Effective early detection strategies for ovarian cancer do not exist. Current screening guidelines recommend against routine screening using CA-125 alone or in combination with transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). In this study, the authors used the 2008 DocStyles survey to measure clinician beliefs about the effectiveness of CA-125 and TVS in the asymptomatic, average-risk population in the United States. To assess the need for provider education, the authors used the 2008 HealthStyles survey to examine public awareness of CA-125. Of 1,250 physician respondents, 40.4% said both CA-125 and TVS were effective screens, and 28.3% said neither was an effective ovarian cancer screen in the asymptomatic, average-risk population. Obstetrician/gynecologists [OB/GYNs] more often had responses consistent with current guidelines: 56.5% of OB/GYNs, compared with 34.4% and 29.8% of family/general practitioners and internists, respectively, said neither CA-125 nor TVS was an effective screen. Almost one third of women surveyed reported having heard of CA-125, and about one tenth said they had the CA-125 test. These findings support the need for additional provider education. Educational efforts should include lack of evidence for, as well as the potential harms of, screening for ovarian cancer with CA-125.
A Path Analysis of a Randomized Promotora de Salud Cardiovascular Disease–Prevention Trial Among At-Risk Hispanic Adults
Authors: de Heer Hendrik Dirk , Balcazar Hector G. , Castro Felipe , Schulz Leslie
Published: June 2011

This study assessed effectiveness of an educational community intervention taught by promotoras de salud in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Hispanics using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Model development was guided by a social ecological framework proposing CVD risk reduction through improvement of protective health behaviors, health beliefs, contextual and social factors. Participants were 328 Hispanic adults with at least one CVD risk factor. SEM analyses assessed direct and indirect effects of intervention participation on CVD risk (Framingham score) and latent variables nutrition intake and health beliefs. The model fit was adequate (root mean square error of approximation = .056 [90% confidence interval = .040, .072], comparative fit index = .967, normed fit index = .938, nonnormed fit index = .947). Intervention participation was associated with improved nutritional consumption, but not lower CVD risk. Stronger health beliefs predicted healthier nutritional habits. This project provided evidence for the adequacy of a conceptual framework that can be used to elicit new pathways toward CVD risk reduction among at-risk Hispanic populations.
RETRACTED: Color and texture analysis on emerging parallel architectures
Authors: Igual Francisco D , Mayo Rafael , Hartley Timothy D R , Çatalyürek Ümit V , Ruiz Antonio , Ujaldon Manuel
Published: June 2011

The following article has been retracted from publication in International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications due to duplicate publication arising from error. Color and texture analysis on emerging parallel architectures Francisco D Igual, Rafael Mayo, Timothy DR Hartley, Ümit V Çatalyürek, Antonio Ruiz, and Manuel Ujaldon, International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications August 2012 26:237-259. Below version of the article stands as the version on record. Color and texture analysis using emerging parallel architectures Francisco D Igual, Rafael Mayo, Timothy DR Hartley, Ümit V Çatalyürek, Antonio Ruiz, and Manuel Ujaldon, International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications November 2011 25: 404-427. Our special thanks to the author for drawing attention to the duplication, thereby allowing for the literature to be corrected.
Students’ motivation to study music: The Finnish context
Authors: Juvonen Antti
Published: June 2011

This article reports the Finnish component of an international mapping exercise concentrating on students’ motivation to study music as compared to other school subjects. The study was based on expectancy-value theoretical framework, and the data was collected using a questionnaire. The questions focused on students’ competence beliefs, values and perceptions of task difficulty. A sample of 1654 students (grades 5—12) was taken from the Finnish elementary (lower and higher levels) and upper secondary schools. The questionnaire was sent to all Finnish schools, with the principals acting as gatekeepers. The data was generated at schools from all over Finland, and it may be considered representative. The results show that Finnish children like music education, although they do not consider it among the most valuable school subjects. Those students who learned music also outside school seemed to be more interested in all schools subjects than were other students.
From reactive to reflective: Evidence for shifts in parents’ state of mind during brief under-fives psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Authors: Pozzi-Monzo Maria , Lee Anthony , Likierman Meira
Published: June 2011

This article describes a study that was designed to examine the impact of brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy with children under-five years of age and their families. The work took place in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in England, to which children are routinely referred with a range of behavioural and emotional problems. The study examined the hypothesis that through formulating the emotional forces that underpin the family’s here-and-now experiences and bringing into the frame the child’s perspective, a shift in the parents’ states of mind from being less reactive and more reflective would be observed. Further, the less reactive parental state would result in the child feeling more contained, and impact positively in relation to symptom presentation. Using clinical description and quantitative data drawn from the videotaped clinical material the hypothesis was tested on seven families. The prediction was borne out, significantly so in relation to the parents being less blaming and more reparative in their comments. Parental reports also highlighted that six of the seven children exhibited a significant reduction / termination of symptoms for which they had been originally referred. The therapeutic process underlying these results is considered.
Safety of Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Complications, Risk Factors, and Newer Technologies
Authors: Miller Daniel J. , Simpson Jennifer R. , Silver Brian
Published: June 2011

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) was approved for use in acute ischemic stroke in the United States in 1996. Approximately 2% to 5% of patients with acute ischemic stroke receive r-tPA. Complications related to intravenous r-tPA include symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, major systemic hemorrhage, and angioedema in approximately 6%, 2%, and 5% of patients, respectively. Risk factors for symptomatic hemorrhage include age, male gender, obesity, increased stroke severity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, uncontrolled hypertension, combination antiplatelet use, large areas of early ischemic change, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and leukoariosis. A risk factor for angioedema is the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Risk assessment scores, novel imaging strategies, and telemedicine may offer methods of optimizing the risk–benefit ratio.
Pneumatic servo valve models based on artificial neural networks
Authors: Falcão Carneiro J , Gomes de Almeida F
Published: June 2011

This paper presents a study where static models for the flow stage of three-port pneumatic servo valves are obtained using artificial neural networks. A new approach to build the models is introduced in detail. This approach considers two distinct models: for simulation purposes, the air mass flow is determined for a given working pressure and command input; for control purposes, the command input is determined given the working pressure and the desired air mass flow. This approach enables the use of air mass flow as the synthesized control action, thus rendering the overall pneumatic system affine. Therefore, control techniques requiring this condition on the system model can be directly used. The use of this approach in two different industrial pneumatic servo valves is presented in detail. A comparison between the different characteristics of each servo valve is also provided.
Microflow valve control system design
Authors: Zante R , Yan X T
Published: June 2011

A design synthesis for a microflow control system is presented based on the interrogation of an analytical model, testing, and observation. The key issues relating to controlling a microflow using a variable geometry flow channel are explored through the implementation and testing of open and closed-loop control systems. The reliance of closed-loop systems on accurate flow measurement and the need for an open-loop strategy are covered. A valve and control system capable of accurately controlling flowrates between 0.09 and 400 ml/h and with a range of 900:1 is demonstrated.
Design of a genetic-algorithm-based self-tuning sliding fuzzy controller for an active suspension system
Authors: Wang Y-H , Shih M-C
Published: June 2011

Due to the fixed damping coefficient of the passive suspension system, it is difficult to enhance ride comfort and driving quality. An active suspension system provides extra force through the actuator which allows it to effectively isolate energy from vibrations and improve passenger comfort. This paper investigates ride comfort of a quarter-vehicle active suspension system according to the ISO 2631-1 standard. Using feedback information about the sprung mass acceleration, unsprung mass acceleration, and suspension deflection, an extended Kalman filter is developed to estimate the six unknown state variables: the sprung mass displacement and velocity; unsprung mass displacement and velocity; actuating force; and spool valve displacement. In addition, the road surface irregularities are also estimated. As compared to conventional controllers, the hydraulic actuator has time-varying, uncertain, and highly non-linear characteristics; thus, this paper applies a genetic-algorithm-based self-tuning sliding fuzzy controller and feedback linearization technique to design the actuating force. Simulation results are presented that show that the proposed controller demonstrates significant improvements in the vibration suppression of the vehicle body and ride comfort compared to a linear quadratic Gaussian controller design.
Performance tuning for robot manipulators using intelligent robust controller
Authors: Hassanzadeh I , Alizadeh G , Hashemzadeh F , Kharrati H
Published: June 2011

This paper introduces a robust controller with performance tuning for robot manipulators. A new hybrid idea based on feedback linearization, Lyapunov’s second method and the genetic algorithm (GA) are applied for designing an intelligent robust controller. The inverse dynamic method is used to design a controller linearizing and decoupling the nonlinear manipulator dynamics. Because of the uncertainties in manipulator dynamics, the additional controller is used to achieve robustness designed by Lyapunov’s second method. Hence, robust stability is satisfied for manipulator dynamics. To attain robust performance, an uncertainty area is defined in an error phase portrait which must be minimized. In order to optimize this criterion, GA is employed to find the robust controller parameters. In fact, our criterion in designing the intelligent robust controller is both robust stability and robust performance simultaneously. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed method through a four-bar linkage robot as a case study. The introduced theory might be considered as a promising way for the wide range class of nonlinear dynamic systems with uncertainties. Experiments are implemented on the robot using xPC target bearing the Hardware In the Loop property.
Design a pre-compensator to guarantee the finiteness of integral performance indices in fractional-order control systems
Authors: Tavazoei M S
Published: June 2011

It is known that due to the existence of non-exponential modes in the step response of a fractional-order control system having zero steady-state error, integral performance indices of such a system may be unbounded. In the present study, a pre-compensator is designed to guarantee the boundedness of different integral performance indices (such as the integral of absolute error (IAE), the integral of squared error (ISE), the integral of time multiplied absolute error (ITAE), the integral of time multiplied squared error (ITSE), and the integral of squared of time multiplied error (ISTE)) in fractional-order control systems. Using this pre-compensator can improve the convergence rate of the step responses of fractional-order control systems. Numerical simulation results are presented to show the usefulness of the proposed method.
Release of angiogenesis regulatory proteins from platelet alpha granules: modulation of physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis
Authors: Battinelli Elisabeth M. , Markens Beth A. , Italiano Joseph E.
Published: June 2011

An association between platelets, angiogenesis, and cancer has long been recognized, but the mechanisms linking them remains unclear. Platelets regulate new blood vessel growth through numerous stimulators and inhibitors of angiogenesis by several pathways, including differential exocytosis of angiogenesis regulators. Herein, we investigated the differential release of angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors from platelets. Activation of human platelets with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulated the release of VEGF, but not endostatin whereas, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) released endostatin but not VEGF. Platelet releasates generated by activation with ADP promoted migration and formation of capillary structures by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUV-EC-Cs) in in vitro angiogenesis models. Conversely, TXA2-stimulated platelet releasate inhibited migration and formation of capillary structures. Because tumor growth beyond 1-2 mm3 is angiogenesis-dependent, we hypothesized that cancer cells preferentially stimulate platelets to secrete their pro-angiogenic payload. In support of this, the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 stimulated secretion of VEGF and a pro-angiogenic releasate from platelets. Furthermore, the antiplatelet agent aspirin inhibited platelet–mediated angiogenesis after exposure to ADP or MCF-7 cells providing a potential mechanism for how aspirin may impact malignancy. Manipulation of differentially mediated release of angiogenic factors from platelets may provide a new modality for cancer treatment.
RNA interference in marine and freshwater sponges: actin knockdown in Tethya wilhelma and Ephydatia muelleriby ingested dsRNA expressing bacteria
Authors: Rivera Ajna S , Hammel Jörg U , Haen Karri M , Danka Elizabeth S , Cieniewicz Brandon , Winters Ian P , Posfai Dora , Wörheide Gert , Lavrov Dennis V , Knight Scott W , Hill Malcolm S , Hill April L , Nickel Michael
Published: June 2011

Background

The marine sponge Tethya wilhelma and the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri are emerging model organisms to study evolution, gene regulation, development, and physiology in non-bilaterian animal systems. Thus far, functional methods (i.e., loss or gain of function) for these organisms have not been available.

Results

We show that soaking developing freshwater sponges in double-stranded RNA and/or feeding marine and freshwater sponges bacteria expressing double-stranded RNA can lead to RNA interference and reduction of targeted transcript levels. These methods, first utilized in C. elegans, have been adapted for the development and feeding style of easily cultured marine and freshwater poriferans. We demonstrate phenotypic changes result from 'knocking down' expression of the actin gene.

Conclusion

This technique provides an easy, efficient loss-of-function manipulation for developmental and gene regulatory studies in these important non-bilaterian animals.
A novel recombinant pseudorabies virus expressing parvovirus VP2 gene: Immunogenicity and protective efficacy in swine
Authors: Chen Yang , Guo Wanzhu , Xu Zhiwen , Yan Qigui , Luo Yan , Shi Qian , Chen Dishi , Zhu Ling , Wang Xiaoyu
Published: June 2011

Background

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) VP2 gene has been successfully expressed in many expression systems resulting in self-assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs) with similar morphology to the native capsid. Here, a pseudorabies virus (PRV) system was adopted to express the PPV VP2 gene.

Methods

A recombinant PRV SA215/VP2 was obtained by homologous recombination between the vector PRV viral DNA and a transfer plasmid. Then recombinant virus was purified with plaque purification, and its identity confirmed by PCR amplification, Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) analyses. Electronic microscopy of PRV SA215/VP2 confirmed self-assembly of both pseudorabies virus and VLPs from VP2 protein.

Results

Immunization of piglets with recombinant virus elicited PRV-specific and PPV-specific humoral immune responses and provided complete protection against a lethal dose of PRV challenges. Gilts immunized with recombinant viruses induced PPV-specific antibodies, and significantly reduced the mortality rate of (1 of 28) following virulent PPV challenge compared with the control (7 of 31). Furthermore, PPV virus DNA was not detected in the fetuses of recombinant virus immunized gilts.

Conclusions

In this study, a recombinant PRV SA215/VP2 virus expressing PPV VP2 protein was constructed using PRV SA215 vector. The safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of the recombinant virus were demonstrated in piglets and primiparous gilts. This recombinant PRV SA215/VP2 represents a suitable candidate for the development of a bivalent vaccine against both PRV and PPV infection.
Simulation of borehole sonic waveforms in dipping, anisotropic, and invaded formations
Authors: Mallan Robert K. , Torres-Verdín Carlos , Ma Jun
Published: June 2011

A numerical simulation study has been made of borehole sonic measurements that examined shoulder-bed, anisotropy, and mud-filtrate invasion effects on frequency-dispersion curves of flexural and Stoneley waves. Numerical simulations were considered for a range of models for fast and slow formations. Computations are performed with a Cartesian 3D finite-difference time-domain code. Simulations show that presence of transverse isotropy (TI) alters the dispersion of flexural and Stoneley waves. In slow formations, the flexural wave becomes less dispersive when the shear modulus (c44) governing wave propagation parallel to the TI symmetry axis is lower than the shear modulus (c66) governing wave propagation normal to the TI symmetry axis; conversely, the flexural wave becomes more dispersive when c44 > c66. Dispersion decreases by as much as 30% at higher frequencies for the considered case where c44 < c66. Dispersion of Stoneley waves, on the other hand, increases in TI formations when c44 > c66 and decreases when c44 < c66. Dispersion increases by more than a factor of 2.5 at higher frequencies for the considered case where c44 < c66. Simulations also indicate that the impact of invasion on flexural and Stoneley dispersions can be altered by the presence of TI. For the case of a slow formation and TI, where c44 decreases from the isotropic value, separation between dispersion curves for cases with and without the presence of a fast invasion zone increases by as much as 33% for the flexural wave and by as much as a factor of 1.4 for the Stoneley wave. Lastly, presence of a shoulder bed intersecting the sonic tool at high dip angles can alter flexural dispersion significantly at low frequencies. For the considered case of a shoulder bed dipping at 80°, ambiguity in the flexural cutoff frequency might lead to shear-wave velocity errors of 8%–10%.
Drosophila14-3-3ε has a crucial role in anti-microbial peptide secretion and innate immunity
Authors: Shandala Tetyana , Woodcock Joanna M. , Ng Yeap , Biggs Lisa , Skoulakis Efthimios M. C. , Brooks Doug A. , Lopez Angel F.
Published: June 2011

The secretion of anti-microbial peptides is recognised as an essential step in innate immunity, but there is limited knowledge of the molecular mechanism controlling the release of these effectors from immune response cells. Here, we report that Drosophila 14-3-3ε mutants exhibit reduced survival when infected with either Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, indicating a functional role for 14-3-3ε in innate immunity. In 14-3-3ε mutants, there was a reduced release of the anti-microbial peptide Drosomycin into the haemolymph, which correlated with an accumulation of Drosomycin-containing vesicles near the plasma membrane of cells isolated from immune response tissues. Drosomycin appeared to be delivered towards the plasma membrane in Rab4- and Rab11-positive vesicles and smaller Rab11-positive vesicles. RNAi silencing of Rab11 and Rab4 significantly blocked the anterograde delivery of Drosomycin from the perinuclear region to the plasma membrane. However, in 14-3-3ε mutants there was an accumulation of small Rab11-positive vesicles near the plasma membrane. This vesicular phenotype was similar to that observed in response to the depletion of the vesicular Syntaxin protein Syx1a. In wild-type Drosophila immune tissue, 14-3-3ε was detected adjacent to Rab11, and partially overlapping with Syx1a, on vesicles near the plasma membrane. We conclude that 14-3-3ε is required for Rab11-positive vesicle function, which in turn enables antimicrobial peptide secretion during an innate immune response.
Synthesis, Physical Properties, and Crystal Structure of Acetetracenylene-1,2-dione
Authors: Okamoto Toshihiro , Suzuki Tsuyoshi , Kojima Shungo , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: June 2011

Acetetracenylene-1,2-dione was synthesized by double Friedel–Crafts acylation of tetracene with oxalyl chloride in 46–54% yield. Photophysical, electrochemical, and thermal analysis of the compound revealed its band gap (Eg = 1.77 eV for the solid state), electron-accepting nature (Epcred = −1.35 V vs. Fc/Fc+), and thermal stability (Tdecomp > 300 °C). Single crystals were successfully grown by physical vapor transport, and parallel π-stacking of the molecules was observed by X-ray crystallography.
Vascular and metabolic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: a review
Authors: Murray Ian V J , Proza Joseph F , Sohrabji Farida , Lawler John M
Published: June 2011

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is thought to start years or decades prior to clinical diagnosis. Overt pathology such as protein misfolding and plaque formation occur at later stages, and factors other than amyloid misfolding contribute to the initiation of the disease. Vascular and metabolic dysfunctions are excellent candidates, as they are well-known features of AD that precede pathology or clinical dementia. While the general notion that vascular and metabolic dysfunctions contribute to the etiology of AD is becoming accepted, recent research suggests novel mechanisms by which these/such processes could possibly contribute to AD pathogenesis. Vascular dysfunction includes reduced cerebrovascular flow and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Indeed, there appears to be an interaction between amyloid β (A β) and vascular pathology, where A β production and vascular pathology both contribute to and are affected by oxidative stress. One major player in the vascular pathology is NAD(P)H oxidase, which generates vasoactive superoxide. Metabolic dysfunction has only recently regained popularity in relation to its potential role in AD. The role of metabolic dysfunction in AD is supported by the increased epidemiological risk of AD associated with several metabolic diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension, in which there is elevated oxidative damage and insulin resistance. Metabolic dysfunction is further implicated in AD as pharmacological inhibition of metabolism exacerbates pathology, and several metabolic enzymes of the glycolytic, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and oxidative phosphorylation pathways are damaged in AD. Recent studies have highlighted the role of insulin resistance, in contributing to AD. Thus, vascular and metabolic dysfunctions are key components in the AD pathology throughout the course of disease. The common denominator between vascular and metabolic dysfunction emerging from this review appears to be oxidative stress and A β. This review also provides a framework for evaluation of current and future therapeutics for AD.
Hereditary angioedema: an unusual cause of genital swelling presenting to a genitourinary medicine clinic
Authors: Dhairyawan R , Harrison R , Buckland M , Hourihan M
Published: June 2011

We report a case of a new diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE) presenting with genital swelling to a genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic. There is often a significant delay in diagnosing HAE, but it commonly presents with genital swelling before manifesting as potentially life-threatening visceral attacks. This case highlights the fact that HAE should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of genital oedema, as early recognition may help to prevent more serious future visceral episodes.
Raltegravir in pregnancy: a case series presentation
Authors: Taylor N , Touzeau V , Geit M , Gisinger M , Egle A , Greil R , Rieger A , Zangerle R
Published: June 2011

Adequate antiretroviral therapy is essential for HIV-positive pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission. We report a small case series of five women receiving raltegravir as part of their antiretroviral regimen during pregnancy.
Sedation in a radiology department – do radiologists follow their own guidelines?
Authors: Eason D , Chakraverty S , Wildsmith J A W
Published: June 2011

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) published guidelines in 2003 which aimed to standardise and improve the safety of sedation in the modern Radiology department. As sedation requirements increase, we decided to audit our own departments understandings and practice with respect to sedation. A repeat audit cycle was performed following a re-educational lecture, one year later. Three common sedation case scenarios were incorporated into a questionnaire which detailed questioning on requirements for fasting, monitoring and the order and use of sedation drugs alongside analgesics. These were compared to the 2003 RCR guidelines. The audit was recycled at one year. Despite the RCR guidelines, freely available on the RCR website, there was a persisting variation in practice which revealed a lack of awareness of the requirements for adequate fasting and the importance of giving the opiate before the benzodiazepine (sedative) agent in cases where a combination are chosen. The audit did show a trend towards using shorter acting benzodiazepines, which is in keeping with the guidelines. Monitoring of vital signs was generally, well carried out. General awareness of the RCR guidelines for safe sedation in the Radiology department was initially low and practice found to be variable. Re-education saw some improvements but also, some persisting habitual deviations from the guidelines, particularly with respect to the order in which the opiate and sedative benzodiazepine were given.
Compliance to oseltamivir and subsequent occurrence of self-reported adverse drug reactions among nursery and primary school children following exposure to Influenza A(H1N1)v
Authors: Van Velzen E , Hutchinson S , Penrice G , Ahmed S , Mcmenamin J
Published: June 2011

During the containment phase of Influenza A(H1N1)v, a nursery, a primary school and an afterschool club were closed after two pupils were found confirmed cases. Classmates were prescribed postexposure oseltamivir. Compliance was expected to be low. The objective of this study was to assess compliance, the number of children developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the reasons for stopping the course prematurely. We conducted a survey among parents of all classmates of the two cases. Parents were asked about compliance and adverse drug events in a questionnaire or underwent a telephone interview. Response was high, 88%. Seventy-nine percent of the children were compliant to the prescribed dose of oseltamivir. One in four children experienced at least one ADR. Children who took a higher daily dose (treatment dose) developed significantly more often ADRs. No children developed Influenza A(H1N1)v. We found that a high overall compliance to prescribed oseltamivir can be achieved in very young children (1–11 years). The proportion of children developing ADRs was much lower than described in two other recent UK investigations. Possibly, this is related to the socioeconomic status of the population under investigation.