bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Place branding scholars and practitioners: “strangers in the night”?
Authors: Kavaratzis Mihalis
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to deal with the widely acknowledged gap between place branding theory and practice. It makes a direct attempt to address fundamental questions regarding the relationship between place branding scholars and practitioners. The article reports on the special session “Theory meets Practice” that was organised at the Institute of Place Management Conference in Poznan, Poland, in May 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article raises and attempts to answer questions such as whether the two groups of place branding scholars and practitioners engage with each other’s work, whether they share an understanding of place branding and whether they set the same set of priorities for the advancement of the field. Both academic views and practitioners’ approaches are elaborated upon. Furthermore, the example of a project where both academics and practitioners worked together is used to illustrate the discussion.

Findings

– The article provides a series of answers regarding the current relationship between place branding theoreticians and practitioners. It also provides an assessment of the motivations and benefits of working more closely together. In this way, the article initiates a discussion that might help place branding theory and practice come closer together.

Originality/value

– Despite the importance of the issue raised in the article for the development of place branding as a discipline, this is one of the first attempts to directly handle this topic. Another novelty of the article is that it is written in cooperation with both academics and practitioners, thus being a direct result of the relationship discussed.
Rehabilitation of renders of old buildings in Portugal
Authors: Gonçalves de Carvalho Carmo , Flores-Colen Inês , Faria Paulina
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a proposal for a methodology to support the rehabilitation project of renders of old buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

– To achieve the objective it was considered essential to define the main types of participants and aspects to integrate the proposal. The research methodology consists in an inquiry presented to several professional participants in rehabilitation, a market study of materials and products available in Portugal, the design of a methodology proposal and its application to a case study. The inquiry sample totals 24 answers from the targeted professionals. A sequence of relevant supporting procedures consists in the proposal, which aims to provide a supporting methodology to decide and project in this context and also to be tested with its application to the building. This proposal was applied to an old building with load-bearing stone masonry walls and air-lime-based renders.

Findings

– It was concluded that the assessment of the building and ex+ternal renderings’ condition, its diagnosis and of the supporting walls, the definition of intervention, the specification of materials to be used and performance requirements to comply, and also plans for conservation and periodic maintenance, are crucial. From the inquiry, compatibility between materials and complementary roles and points of view of different types of participants in rehabilitation must be highlighted.

Originality/value

– A proposal for a methodology to support the project could provide useful guidance particularly for architects and construction engineers, and improve the understanding of direct participants on site, therefore contributing for the correct implementation of the intervention.
Double skin façade (DSF) technologies for UK office refurbishments
Authors: Pomponi Francesco , Piroozfar Poorang A. E.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to establish how UK offices and double skin façade (DSF) technologies can be best matched for refurbishment purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research uses a mixed methodology including primary and secondary data collection, analysis and interpolation through document analysis, comprehensive critical literature review, and case study approach.

Findings

– In total, 22 benchmarks have been developed to represent 75 per cent of the existing office stock in the UK. Through a comparison with 36 case studies of European buildings refurbished with DSFs, two benchmarks showed to be most suitable for a DSF refurbishment and most appropriate configurations for a successful DSF refurbishment have been identified. Findings have been also checked against a large sample of DSF buildings in the UK.

Research limitations/implications

– The benchmarks delivered in this study can be developed further into parametric models, where variations can be obtained by changing the parameters provided. A follow-up study can be designed to help define the exact share of existing stock represented by each benchmark and to foster research where a more typological or statistical approach might be intended.

Practical implications

– Findings from this research can be of practical use to academics and practitioners alike involved in research related to office refurbishments, DSFs, and the UK existing office stock. The design for this research can also be adapted to similar studies on its own or further developed to suit different contexts.

Social implications

– Improvements to existing buildings can preserve established communities, with a clear social advantage.

Originality/value

– This paper represents the first attempt to systemically shed light on how existing UK offices and DSF technologies can be best matched in refurbishments. The benchmarks developed, the DSF case studies, and guidelines for suitable DSF technologies in UK office refurbishments represent the original contribution of this research.
Persistent replication of a hepatitis C virus genotype 1b‐based chimeric clone carrying E1, E2 and p6 regions from GB virus B in a New World monkey
Authors: Suzuki Saori , Mori Ken‐ichi , Higashino Atsunori , Iwasaki Yuki , Yasutomi Yasuhiro , Maki Noboru , Akari Hirofumi
Published: December 2015

The development of effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccines is essential for the prevention of further HCV dissemination, especially in developing countries. Therefore the aim of this study is to establish a feasible and immunocompetent surrogate animal model of HCV infection that will help in evaluation of the protective efficacy of newly developing HCV vaccine candidates. To circumvent the narrow host range of HCV, an HCV genotype 1b‐based chimeric clone carrying E1, E2 and p6 regions from GB virus B (GBV‐B), which is closely related to HCV, was generated. The chimera between HCV and GBV‐B, named HCV/G, replicated more efficiently as compared with the HCV clone in primary marmoset hepatocytes. Furthermore, it was found that the chimera persistently replicated in a tamarin for more than 2 years after intrahepatic inoculation of the chimeric RNA. Although relatively low (<200 copies/mL), the viral RNA loads in plasma were detectable intermittently during the observation period. Of note, the chimeric RNA was found in the pellet fraction obtained by ultracentrifugation of the plasma at 73 weeks, indicating production of the chimeric virus. Our results will help establish a novel non‐human primate model for HCV infection on the basis of the HCV/G chimera in the major framework of the HCV genome.
Ownership Structure and Firm Performance: Evidence from Vietnamese Listed Firms
Authors: Phung Duc Nam , Mishra Anil V.
Published: December 2015

We examine the effect of ownership structure on firm performance, for firms listed on Vietnamese stock exchanges, using 2744 firm‐year observations over the period from 2007 to 2012. We find a non‐linear relationship between ownership structure and firm performance. State ownership has a convex relationship with firm performance. This paper finds that firm performance increases beyond 28.67 percent level of state ownership. Foreign ownership has a concave relationship with firm performance. We find that firm performance increases with an increase of foreign ownership up to a level of 43 percent and then decreases. Policy makers should encourage foreign ownership and widely dispersed state ownership in firms, which can help improve firm performance.
Multivariate Assessment of the Effect of Pump Design and Pump Gap Design Parameters on Blood Trauma
Authors: Graefe Roland , Henseler Andreas , Steinseifer Ulrich
Published: December 2015

Pump gaps are the most critical regions in a rotary blood pump when it comes to blood trauma in the form of hemolysis, protein destruction, and platelet activation. This study investigated six pump design parameters affecting the flow in a radial pump gap. A multivariate approach was employed to determine individual and quantitative parameter effects on blood trauma as well as parameter interactions. To consider the effect of shear stress and blood cell residence time, a validated numerical Lagrangian particle tracking approach was used. Based on the results, small‐diameter pumps can be as blood compatible, if not more blood compatible, as large‐diameter pumps as long as identical circumferential velocities and clearance gaps are maintained. Furthermore, the results indicate that an eccentric rotor position in the casing is not harmful and that a pressure difference generating washout flow and thereby reducing the cell residence time is of significant importance.
Identification of novel biomarkers in chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) by microarray‐based serum protein profiling
Authors: Bal Gürkan , Futschik Matthias E. , Hartl Daniela , Ringel Frauke , Kamhieh‐Milz Julian , Sterzer Viktor , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Alhamdani Mohamed S. S. , Salama Abdulgabar
Published: December 2015

The pathological mechanisms underlying the development of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are unclear and its diagnosis remains a process of exclusion. Currently, there are no known specific biomarkers for ITP to support differential diagnosis and treatment decisions. Profiling of serum proteins may be valuable for identifying such biomarkers. Sera from 46 patients with primary chronic ITP and 34 healthy blood donors were analysed using a microarray of 755 antibodies. We identified 161 differentially expressed proteins. In addition to oncoproteins and tumour‐suppressor proteins, including apoptosis regulator BCL2, breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1), Fanconi anaemia complementation group C (FANCC) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), we detected six anti‐nuclear autoantibodies in a subset of ITP patients: anti‐PCNA, anti‐SmD, anti‐Ro/SSA60, anti‐Ro/SSA52, anti‐La/SSB and anti‐RNPC antibodies. This finding may provide a rational explanation for the association of ITP with malignancies and other autoimmune diseases. While RUNX1mRNA expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients was significantly downregulated, an accumulation of RUNX1 protein was observed in the platelets of ITP patients. This may indicate dysregulation of RUNX1 expression in PBMC and megakaryocytes and may lead to an imbalanced immune response and impaired thrombopoiesis. In conclusion, we provide novel insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of ITP that warrant further exploration.
Optimal heating condition of ethylene‐vinyl acetate co‐polymer mouthguard sheet in vacuum‐pressure formation
Authors: Takahashi Mutsumi , Koide Kaoru , Suzuki Hiroshi , Iwasaki Shin‐ichi
Published: December 2015

Background

The goal of the present study was to examine the thickness of mouthguards molded under a variety of heating conditions to clarify suitable conditions during vacuum‐pressure forming of ethylene vinyl acetate sheets.

Materials and methods

Mouthguards were fabricated using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) sheets (thickness: 4.0 mm) using a vacuum‐pressure forming machine. The sheet was pressed against the working model, followed by vacuum forming for 10 s and compression molding for 2 min. Three heating conditions were investigated in which the sheet was molded when the center of the softened sheet sagged 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm below the clamp (H‐10, H‐15, or H‐20 respectively). The temperature of the sheet surface was measured using a radiation thermometer under each heating condition. The thickness of the mouthguard sheets after fabrication was determined for the incisal portion (incisal edge and labial surface) and molar portion (cusp and buccal surface), and dimensional measurements were obtained using a measuring device. Differences in thickness due to the heating condition of the sheets were analyzed by one‐way analysis of variance and Bonferroni's multiple comparison tests.

Results

The temperature difference between the heated and non‐heated surfaces was lowest under H‐15. The thickness differences at incisal edge, labial surface, and cusp were determined. The thicknesses for H‐10 and H‐15 were greater than that for H‐20, and the thicknesses for H‐10 and H‐15 were equivalent at all measurement points. No differences in thickness at the buccal surface were observed for the various heating conditions.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that a sagging distance of 15 mm provided the most suitable forming process. The results of the present study provide a standard heating condition for EVA sheet forming.
Using Fourier coefficients in time series analysis for student performance prediction in blended learning environments
Authors: Gamulin Jasna , Gamulin Ozren , Kermek Dragutin
Published: December 2015

In this work, it is shown that student access time series generated from Moodle log files contain information sufficient for successful prediction of student final results in blended learning courses. It is also shown that if time series is transformed into frequency domain, using discrete Fourier transforms (DFT), the information contained in it will be preserved. Hence, resulting periodogram and its DFT coefficients can be used for generating student performance models with the algorithms commonly used for that purposes. The amount of data extracted from log files, especially for lengthy courses, can be huge. Nevertheless, by using DFT, drastic compression of data is possible. It is experimentally shown, by means of several commonly used modelling algorithms, that if in average all but 5–10% of most intensive and most frequently used DFT coefficients are removed from datasets, the modelling with the remained data will result with the increase of the model accuracy. Resulting accuracy of the calculated models is in accordance with results for student performance models calculated for different dataset types reported in literature. The advantage of this approach is its applicability because the data are automatically collected in Moodle logs.
Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Research Productivity in 2014
Authors: Kabaci M. J.
Published: December 2015

Requests to collect the titles of theses and dissertations completed in 2014 were sent to representatives of 140 universities and colleges with family and consumer science programs in April 2015. Representatives from 44 universities responded, reporting a total of 533 theses and dissertations. Of those titles, 356 were for theses and 177 were for dissertations. The greatest number of titles reported for theses was in Nutrition and Dietetics and for dissertations was in Marriage and Family Therapy. An additional 842 master's students completed nonthesis options reported by 22 of the participating universities.
Usability of the Self‐Mini Nutritional Assessment® among Older Adults Receiving Home‐delivered Meals in Texas
Authors: Moore Britta Elizabeth , Friedman BJ , Crixell Sylvia Hurd
Published: December 2015

Self‐screening tools for nutritional risk may be used to encourage older adults at risk of malnutrition to seek out preventive care. A recently available nutritional risk self‐screening tool, the Self‐Mini Nutritional Assessment® (Self‐MNA®), had not been tested among diverse groups of older adults. The initial goal of this study was to compare results of the Self‐MNA® to those of the Mini Nutritional Assessment®‐Short Form among a sample of homebound older adults who were newly enrolled in a Meals on Wheels program. Results suggest that the Self‐MNA® screening tool was not practical for this sample, as evidenced by low rates of completion. Fewer than 80% completed the front of the form on the first attempt, and only 40% recorded a final screening score on the back of the form. The screening score is needed for successful utilization of the Self‐MNA®. To increase usability of the Self‐MNA® among older adults, it may be necessary to modify instructions and formatting to improve clarity.
Building an Exploratory Model for Part‐time Sales Associates’ Turnover Intentions
Authors: Noh Mijeong , Johnson Kim K. P. , Koo Jayoung
Published: December 2015

This study focused on the development of a conceptual model of the turnover intention of part‐time sales associates in apparel retailing. A convenience sample of 294 college students who were part‐time sales associates was used to test the model. In this initial model, self‐efficacy and work competencies indirectly influenced turnover intention through work engagement, which in turn positively affected work effort. Work effort and work engagement directly influenced job performance, which in turn impacted job satisfaction. The results revealed a negative relationship between job satisfaction and burnout. Burnout had a direct influence on turnover intention. These findings provide a baseline for apparel retailers to reference when considering ways to reduce turnover, particularly among early career employees such as college students. Further testing of the model among less transient workers than undergraduates in apparel retailing could reveal additional insight about turnover intention.
Body sizes and diversification rates of lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians and the tuatara
Authors: Feldman Anat , Sabath Niv , Pyron R. Alexander , Mayrose Itay , Meiri Shai
Published: December 2015

Aim

Size is one of the most important and obvious traits of an organism. Both small and large sizes have adaptive advantages and disadvantages. Body size–frequency distributions of most large clades are unimodal and right skewed. Species larger than the mean or range midpoint of body sizes are relatively scarce. Theoretical models suggest evolutionary rates are higher in small organisms with short generation times. Therefore diversification rates are usually thought to be maximal at relatively small body sizes. Empirical studies of the rates of molecular evolution and clade diversification, however, have usually indicated that both are unrelated to body size. Furthermore, it has been claimed that because snakes are longer than lizards, the size–frequency distribution of all squamate species is bimodal overall. We examined the shape of the size–frequency distribution of nearly all Squamata and Rhynchocephalia species, and investigated how size affected diversification rates.

Location

Global.

Methods

We collected data on maximum body length for 9805 lepidosaur (squamates and the tuatara) species (99.7% of all species) and converted them to mass using clade‐specific allometric equations. Using methods that test for relationships between continuous traits and speciation and extinction rates on a large, dated phylogeny (4155 species), we investigated the relationship between diversification rates and body size.

Results

Living squamates span six orders of magnitude in body size, eight when giant extinct snakes and mosasaurs are included. The body size–frequency distributions of snakes and lizards separately, and of all lepidosaur species combined, are unimodal and right skewed. Nonetheless, we find neither linear nor hump‐shaped relationships between size and diversification rates, except in snakes, where speciation and diversification are hump shaped.

Main conclusions 

Despite a clear modality and skew in the body sizes of lepidosaurs, we find little evidence for faster diversification of modal‐sized taxa, perhaps implying that larger‐sized clades are relatively young.
Prevalence and correlates of abuse screening items among community‐dwelling Hong Kong Chinese older adults
Authors: Leung Doris YP , Lo Shirley KL , Leung Angela YM , Lou Vivian WQ , Chong Alice ML , Kwan Joseph SK , Chan Wallace CH , Chi Iris
Published: December 2015

Aim

The present study aims to describe the prevalence of potential elder abuse, and to examine correlates of abuse screening items among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 3435 older persons aged ≥60 years who had first applied for the long‐term care services in Hong Kong and completed the screening tool (Minimum Data Set–Home Care) in 2006. For each of the five abuse screening items (“fearful of a family member/caregiver,” “unexplained injuries/broken bones/burns,” “physically restrained,” “unusually poor hygiene” and “neglected/abused/mistreated”), we examined its relationship with four types of factors: older person, perpetrator, relationship and environment.

Results

The rates of individual abuse screening items ranged from 3.9% for physically restrained to 0.03% for unexplained injures/broken bones/burns. Physically restrained was positively associated with activities of daily living impairments, instrumental activities of daily living impairments, perceived poor health, physically abusive behavior and caregiver mental health. Unusually poor hygiene was positively associated with socially inappropriate behavior and actively resisted care. “Fearful of a family member/caregiver” was positively associated with perceived poor health, conflicting relationship and mental health, and negatively with care activities. Neglected/abused/mistreated was positively associated with age and informal care, and negatively with care activities.

Conclusions

We identified a number of associated factors of different abuse screening items among older adults. Our findings could inform healthcare practitioners in identifying those older persons who might be at higher risk of abuse, and provide a knowledge base on which to develop effective preventive measures in the Chinese population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 150–160.
Factors associated with the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kanao Kenro , Shiraishi Masashi , Higashimoto Yuji , Maeda Kazushige , Sugiya Ryuji , Okajima Satoshi , Chiba Yasutaka , Yamagata Toshiyuki , Terada Katsuhiko , Fukuda Kanji , Tohda Yuji
Published: December 2015

Aim

Although the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) have been well defined for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it remains controversial whether PR improves physical activity (PA). The purpose of the present study was to identify factors associated with the effect of PR on PA.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 29 patients with COPD. They underwent pulmonary rehabilitation twice weekly for 12 weeks, and were assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression score, 6‐min walk distance (6MWD), and the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) before and after they underwent PR. The PA of patients was measured by a three‐axis accelerometer. Physical activity level (PAL) was calculated by dividing each patient's total energy expenditure by basal metabolic rate. Correlations between changes in PAL after PR and 6MWD, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire, and hospital anxiety and depression score scores, and clinical parameters, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s were determined.

Results

6MWD was significantly increased, but PAL was unchanged after PR. PAL was positively correlated with 6MWD, but not with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s nor St. George Respiratory Questionnaire scores before PR. The increase in PAL was negatively correlated with changes in hospital anxiety and depression score anxiety and depression scores, but was not correlated with the change in 6MWD.

Conclusions

A PR program for COPD patients improved results of the 6MWD, but not PAL. Increased PAL was associated with improvements in anxiety and depression, but not with increased exercise capacity. Treating the depression and anxiety of patients with COPD might not only reduce emotional distress, but also improve their PAL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 17–23.
Carotid artery thickness is associated with chronic use of highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: A 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: LaBounty TM , Hardy WD , Fan Z , Yumul R , Li D , Dharmakumar R , Conte A Hernandez
Published: December 2015

Objectives

While patients with HIV infection have an elevated stroke risk, ultrasound studies of carotid artery wall thickness have reported variable results. We hypothesized that subjects with HIV infection on chronic highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) would have increased carotid artery wall thickness by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

This cross‐sectional study compared carotid artery wall thickness between 26 individuals infected with HIV on chronic HAART and 20 controls, without HIV infection but with similar cardiovascular risk factors, using 3.0‐T noncontrast MRI. Inclusion criteria included male gender, age 35–55 years, and chronic HAART (≥ 3 years) among HIV‐seropositive subjects; those with known cardiovascular disease or diabetes were excluded.

Results

Between subjects with HIV infection and controls, there were no differences in mean (±SD) age (47.8 ± 5.0 vs. 47.8 ± 4.7 years, respectively; P = 0.19) or cardiovascular risk factors (P > 0.05 for each). Mean (±SD) wall thickness was increased in those with HIV infection vs. controls for the left (0.88 ± 0.08 vs. 0.83 ± 0.08 mm, respectively; P = 0.03) and right (0.90 ± 0.10 vs. 0.85 ± 0.07 mm, respectively; P = 0.046) common carotid arteries. Among individuals with HIV infection, variables associated with increased mean carotid artery wall thickness included lipoaccumulation [+0.09 mm; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03–0.14 mm; P = 0.003], Framingham risk score ≥ 5% (+0.07 mm; 95% CI 0.01–0.12; P = 0.02 mm), and increased duration of protease inhibitor therapy (+0.03 mm per 5 years; 95% CI 0.01–0.06 mm; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Individuals with HIV infection on chronic HAART had increased carotid artery wall thickness as compared to similar controls. In subjects with HIV infection, the presence of lipoaccumulation and longer duration of protease inhibitor therapy were associated with greater wall thickness.
Effect of labetalol in hypertension during exercise and postural changes.
Authors: Balasubramanian V , Mann S , Millar‐Craig MW , Raftery EB
Published: December 2015

1 Fourteen hypertensive patients were studied by intra‐arterial BP monitoring to quantify the effects of standardized physiological stresses: Valsalva manoeuvre, isometric, treadmill and bicycle exercise, and 60 degree tilting before and after labetalol treatment. 2 The dose of labetalol ranged from 100–600 mg three times daily and the response was judged on outpatient clinic recordings. 3 The drug produced a sustained reduction of BP and heart rate responses during dynamic exercise and the Valsalva manoeuvre, but the degree of change from the lowered baseline were not changed by labetalol. The fall in BP on cessation of exercise was decreased rather than increased. 4 The response to controlled isometric muscle contraction was affected in a similar fashion. 5 Tilting produced a fall in BP after treatment, and this was most marked in those patients on the highest doses. However, compensatory increases in diastolic BP were observed.
Cardiovascular dynamics after acute and long‐term alpha‐ and beta‐ adrenoceptor blockade at rest, supine and standing, and during exercise.
Authors: Koch G
Published: December 2015

1 After acute intravenous administration labetalol reduced mean values for BP, total peripheral resistance, heart rate and cardiac output. All changes were more pronounced during bicycle exercise. 2 After a mean duration of 20 months' treatment with oral labetalol the haemodynamic findings were broadly similar except for a more marked reduction in the total peripheral resistance and cardiac output had returned to pretreatment level due to an increased stroke volume which had counter balanced the reduction in heart rate. These changes occurred at rest, in the erect position and during exercise but the reductions in BP and peripheral resistance were most marked during exercise. 3 Left ventricular filling pressures and stroke volume/filling pressure ratios were not significantly altered after intravenous labetalol compared with pretreatment values. 4 Systolic BP x heart rate product was lowered particularly during exercise after both intravenous and oral labetalol. 5 After long‐term oral labetalol, the most striking haemodynamic change was in the elevated resting stroke volume supine and standing.
Interdose control of beta‐blockade and arterial blood pressure during chronic oral labetalol treatment.
Authors: Sanders GL , Murray A , Rawlins MD
Published: December 2015

1 The pharmacological and therapeutic effects of labetalol were investigated during an 8 h interdose period of chronic oral therapy in six patients with essential hypertension. 2 Peak plasma labetalol concentrations were observed 2 h after the morning oral dose, and subsequent decline was mono exponential. 3 Beta‐adrenoceptor blockade paralleled the changes in labetalol concentration and was maximal 2 and 4 h after the oral dose. 4 Resting supine systolic BP rose significantly during the interdose period, but no change occurred in diastolic BP. 5 Ambulatory intra‐arterial BP studies in a further six patients with essential hypertension controlled with labetalol did not confirm the increase in BP during an 8 h interdose period.
Monotherapy with labetalol for hypertensive patients with normal and impaired renal function.
Authors: Thompson FD , Joekes AM , Hussein MM
Published: December 2015

1 Labetalol was given to 41 hypertensive patients in a divided dosage of 150–2,400 mg daily for periods ranging from 1–64 months. 2 Monotherapy with labetalol was adequate in 12 out of 19 patients with essential hypertension and in 15 out of the 22 with renal hypertension. 3 Following a single dose of labetalol 200 mg orally a hypotensive response was seen between 1.5 and 2 hours. 4 In the doses used there was no exercise or postural hypotension. 5 No reduction in overall renal function attributable to labetalol was seen.
Labetalol in severe and resistant hypertension.
Authors: Williams LC , Murphy MJ , Parsons V
Published: December 2015

1 The efficacy of labetalol in the treatment of severe hypertension (diastolic greater than or equal to 115 mm Hg) was studied retrospectively. Ten patients were followed for more than 6 months. At 6 months, eight were well controlled and the mean dose in those was 975 mg daily. Four of these were receiving labetalol alone; two were on labetalol and diuretic only. 2 Three patients were resistant to doses of 1600, 1800 and 2400 mg daily respectively; two of these were controlled with increased doses of vasodilator drugs. In two cases labetalol had produced large falls in the standing BP while not influencing the supine BP. 3 Three other resistant patients were seen, of whom one merely required an increase in dose to 2200 mg daily and the addition of a diuretic. Both the others were elderly, had severe vascular disease, and suffered disabling postural hypotension on a dose of labetalol which did not influence the supine BP. 4 Labetalol can control severe hypertension. There remain patients whose supine BP is not influenced by a dose of labetalol which produces marked postural hypotension.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic studies of labetalol in hypertensive subjects.
Authors: McNeil JJ , Anderson AE , Louis WJ , Morgan DJ
Published: December 2015

1 The pharmacokinetics of labetalol were studied in twelve hypertensive patients, ten of whom were not receiving other therapy. 2 Following intravenous administration there was a three‐ to fourfold variation in terminal elimination half‐life, volume of distribution and total plasma clearance. The mean elimination half‐life was 3.25 hours. 3 Following oral administration the drug was absorbed rapidly. Systemic availability varied from 11‐86% (mean 33%). 4 Plasma levels correlated poorly with the acute effect on BP, raising the possibility of labetalol acting in a deep tissue compartment or alternatively an active metabolite contributing to its effect.
Long‐term treatment of hypertension with labetalol.
Authors: Prichard BN , Boakes AJ , Hernandez R
Published: December 2015

1 Thirty‐two hypertensive patients have been treated with labetalol for periods of up to 7 years. 2 Ten patients observed for 6 years from time of stabilization of dosage, did not show any tolerance to labetalol. 3 Postural and exercise hypotension were not seen in these patients over this prolonged follow‐up, although they were seen in other patients given over 2 g labetalol daily.
A multicentre open trial of labetalol in New Zealand.
Authors: Sanders GL , Davies DM , Gales GM , Rao JG , Rawlins MD , Routledge PA
Published: December 2015

1 In a multicentre open trial, labetalol was given to 128 patients in ten centres. Forty‐three patients had not previously received antihypertensive therapy; the remainder (85 patients) had been on antihypertensive therapy with either unsatisfactory BP control or troublesome side‐effects. 2 Thirty‐two patients were withdrawn from the trial in the first 6 months of therapy, 24 (19% of the total) because of side‐effects. 3 Control of BP was generally satisfactory or considerably improved. Other drugs (usually a diuretic) had to be added in 23 patients. 4 There was an abnormality of liver function in one patient; otherwise there were no biochemical or haematological problems.
A comparison and an investigation of a potential synergistic effect of labetalol and bethanidine in patients with mild hypertension.
Authors: Chalmers AG , Hunter J , Lees CD , Millar JA , Brown JJ , Robertson JI
Published: December 2015

1 The effects of labetalol, bethanidine and combined treatment with both drugs were compared in a within‐patient randomized cross‐over study in mild essential hypertension. Attention was directed to whether or not labetalol and bethanidine differed in their pattern of effect on arterial BP and whether evidence of synergism was apparent. 2 At the doses used labetalol significantly lowered systolic and diastolic BPs and heart rate lying, sitting, standing and after exercise. The dose of bethanidine used did not affect heart rate significantly while lowering systolic and diastolic BPs only after exercise and less clearly on standing. Combined treatment lowered BPs on standing and after exercise and heart rate after exercise. 3 The type and frequency of side‐effects were similar with bethanidine and labetalol but were much less with combined treatment. 4 No evidence of synergism was observed.
Acute management of severe hypertension with oral labetalol.
Authors: Ghose RR
Published: December 2015

1 Six previously untreated emergency admissions to hospital with severe hypertension were given oral treatment with labetalol. 2 Pre‐treatment diastolic BP exceeded 130 mmHg, and clinical evidence of either accelerated hypertension or encephalopathy was present. 3 Hypotensive response after treatment followed two patterns. 4 Quick‐responders (n = 3) showed a sharp fall in BP to normal levels within 2 h, which was subsequently sustained for 10 or more hours. The daily dose of labetalol eventually required to achieve good BP control in this group was relatively low: 600–1200 mg. 5 Slow‐responders (n = 3) showed a gradual, less marked fall in BP, which was sustained for many hours. These patients required further doses of labetalol to reduce BP to normal. The eventual daily dose of labetalol that ensured good BP control was high: 1200–2400 mg. 6 Heart rate was little changed by treatment. 7 Complications or side‐effects were not observed.
Comparison of effects on cerebral blood flow of rapid reduction in systemic arterial pressure by diazoxide and labetalol in hypertensive patients: preliminary findings.
Authors: Pearson RM , Griffith DN , Woollard M , James IM , Havard CW
Published: December 2015

1 Diazoxide 300 mg and labetalol 150 mg were each injected intravenously on separate occasions into five patients with essentail hypertension. The reduction in BP caused by labetalol was slightly greater than that produced by diazoxide. 2 In contrast the reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF) by labetalol was not statistically significant, whereas diazoxide gave a greater and statistically significant reduction in CBF. 3 These observations suggest that labetalol may have an advantage over diazoxide for the rapid reduction in BP.
Recovery of the Bendegó Meteorite
Authors: SEARS PAUL M.
Published: December 2015

A description of the recovery of one of the largest known meteorites. The great mass of the specimen, its inaccessibility, and the means of transport available at the time made moving it an exceptionally difficult task.
Structures of Well Preserved Australite Buttons from Port Campbell, Victoria, Australia
Authors: BAKER GEORGE
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Complete and nearly complete australite buttons in good states of preservation from Port Campbell, Victoria, show excellent structural details and are of great scientific importance. Some of the features on their posterior surfaces are doubtfully assigned a primary origin in an extraterrestrial birthplace but have been modified by terrestrial solution‐etching. Secondary features on their anterior surfaces are due to the effects of aerodynamic frictional heating during transit with stable orientation at supersonic velocity through the earth's atmosphere. Tertiary processes such as subaerial weathering have played some part in slightly modifying their shape and sculpture patterns. They contrast strongly with the many thousands of australites collected from the arid and sub‐arid regions of Australia, and with a considerable number that were abraded by stream or gravity transportation in the more temperate zones of the strewnfield. The majority of such specimens have been more severely weathered with the resultant loss of much or all of their primary and secondary features.
Withrow — a New Iron Meteorite from the State of Washington
Authors: READ WILLIAM F. , GRIZZLE ELLEN D. , GRIZZLE WALTER M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. About 1950 an iron meteorite weighing 19 1/4 pounds was found a mile west of Withrow in Douglas County, Washington. The discovery site happens to be a little less than 5 miles SSE from that of the Waterville meteorite. However, the two irons are definitely not from a single fall. Withrow is a medium octahedrite showing secondary recrystallization of the type ascribed to cosmic heating. It was apparently picked up not more than a few years after it fell. Weathering is minimal, and effects of passage through the atmosphere are well preserved.
Troilite Push‐Out Pit on the Surface of a Freshly‐Fallen Iron Meteorite
Authors: READ WILLIAM F. , GRIZZLE ELLEN D. , GRIZZLE WALTER M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The surface of the Withrow meteorite shows an unusual pit about two inches in diameter. This is explained as the result of pushing out of a plug of metal by expansion of an underlying troilite nodule.
UCERA METEORITE: DETERMINATION OF DIFFERENTIAL ATMOSPHERIC HEATING USING ITS NATURAL THERMOLUMINESCENCE
Authors: Vaz J. Eduardo
Published: December 2015

Analyses of the variation of the natural thermoluminescece output with depth from the final surface of the Ucera (Venezuela) meteorite have shown that the specimen was not uniformly heated by friction in the atmosphere during its fall. The results of the measurement performed on material removed from different areas around the midsection of the stone, are in good agreement with what can be inferred from the morphological features of the aerodynamically shaped specimen.
KAABA STONE: NOT A METEORITE, PROBABLY AN AGATE
Authors: Dietz Robert S. , McHone John
Published: December 2015

The Black Stone of the Kaaba apparently is not a meteorite, although listed as a probable example in the Prior‐Hey Catalogue of Meteorites. Diffusion banding and other physical attributes suggest that it is an agate.
SKETCHES IN THE HISTORY OF METEORITICS 1: THE BIRTH OF THE SCIENCE
Authors: Sears D.W.
Published: December 2015

The change of opinion concerning the stories of stones falling from the sky that took place around 1800 is examined. The meteorite literature during and after 1803 shows that a decisive role was played by the chemists Howard, Vauquelin, Fourcroy, and Klaproth, the importance of which exceeded that of J.B. Biot's report on the fall of L'Aigle. Biot's report underlined the change of opinion brought about by the chemical work. The importance of chemistry at this stage probably had a considerable influence on the history and possibly even the present nature of meteoritics.
THE MADIUN, INDONESIA, CHONDRITE
Authors: Reid C.G.R. , Fredriksson K.
Published: December 2015

Madiun is a white, veined olivine‐hypersthene, L6 chondrite. It can be classed as such on the basis of its petrography and chemistry, uniform olivine (Fa24.2) and pyroxene (Fs21,2) end total iron content of 23.7 wt % Fe.
ORBITAL EVOLUTION OF IMPACT EJECTA FROM MARS
Authors: Wetherill G.W.
Published: December 2015

The orbital evolution of material ejected from Mars into heliocentric orbits is investigated, with particular emphasis on the origin of the shergottite, nakhlite, and chassignite achondrites. Two models are considered. In the first, meteorite‐size bodies are ejected directly from Mars. In the second, the ejecta are ∼ 15 m diameter bodies, that are subsequently fragmented by collisions in space. In both cases a large fraction (∼ 35%) of the objects that will ever reach Earth do so within 10 m.y. For the “small body” model, it is found that about 0.03% of the Mars crater ejecta must be accelerated to the Mars escape velocity; the “large body” model requires an efficiency of 0.4%. Assuming that the acceleration of large bodies to be less probable, the results indicate that meteorites originating as small bodies should dominate the terrestrial flux of Mars ejecta. This result is in general agreement with data from SNC meteorites, but the reported short exposure age of EETA 79001 is hard to understand in a pure small body model. The yield of meteorites from Mercury is found to be at least a factor of 100 lower than from Mars.
REPEATED SHOCK AND THERMAL METAMORPHISM OF THE ABERNATHY METEORITE
Authors: Lambert P. , Lewis C. , Moore C.B.
Published: December 2015

Based on the example of Abernathy (L6 chondrite), this study shows how petrographic investigation can be used to unravel the nature, chronology and conditions of superposed metamorphic events in chondrites. Features considered include the texture of the rock, optical characteristics of olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase, refractive index of plagioclase, metallographical characteristics and microhardness of Fe‐Ni alloys. From these data it is deduced that Abernathy has been involved in at least six metamorphic events since the formation of the chondrite. Four distinct shock events and two separate reheating events have been identified. The chronology of these events is established. The conditions for the last four events are reasonably well constrained. These include successively, i) severe reheating (T > 1200°C), ii) severe shock causing complete melting of plagioclase and local melting of the rock (90 < P < 110 GPa, 1250°GC < T < 1350°C), iii) mild shock (10 < P < 25 GPa, T<500°C), and iv) reheating below 800°C.
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS IN Ca‐PHOSPHATES OF ALLENDE CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITE
Authors: Ebihara Mitsuru , Honda Masatake
Published: December 2015

The Ca‐phosphate phases in the Allende CV3 meteorite were selectively dissolved in ammoniacal EDTA solution and measured for abundances of the rare earth elements (REE) by radiochemical neutron activation and mass‐spectrometric isotope dilution analyses. The REE abundances in CA‐phosphates of Allende are remarkably different from those of ordinary chondrites. All the REE except Eu were observed to be enriched by factors of 50–100 relative to the C1 values. This is 3–4 times lower than concentrations of REE in the ordinary‐chondrite phosphates. Allende phosphates have a small positive Eu anomaly, in contrast to the large negative Eu anomaly in phosphates from ordinary chondrites. Though the positive Eu anomaly in Allende Ca‐phosphates is puzzling, the lack of a negative Eu anomaly in Allende Ca‐phosphates suggests that they never have been in equilibrium with Allende coarse‐grained Ca, Al‐rich inclusions or their precursor materials.
ZHAMANSHIN AND AOUELLOUL: CRATERS PRODUCED BY IMPACT OF TEKTITE‐LIKE GLASSES?
Authors: O'Keefe John A.
Published: December 2015

It is shown that the enhanced abundance of siderophile elements and chromium in tektite‐like glasses from the two impact craters of Zhamanshin and Aouelloul cannot be explained as a result of contamination of the country rock by meteorites nor, probably, comets. The pattern is, however, like that found in certain Australasian tektites, and in Ivory Coast tektites. It is concluded, in agreement with earlier suggestions by Campbell‐Smith and Hey, that these craters were formed by the impact of large masses of tektite‐like glass, of which the glasses which were studied are fragments. It follows that it is necessary, in considering an impact crater, to bear in mind that the projectile may have been a glass.
REVISED AGE FOR THE GOSSES BLUFF IMPACT STRUCTURE, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA, BASED ON 40Ar/39Ar DATING
Authors: Milton Daniel J. , Sutter John F.
Published: December 2015

40Ar/39 Ar dating of a pumiceous suevite clast from the melt breccia at Gosses Bluff consisting largely of extremely fine‐grained sanidine yields a discordant age spectrum, probably reflecting some diffusional loss of argon. High‐temperature increments that together yield a near‐plateau age of 142.5 Ma are apparently not affected by argon loss and offer the best estimate of the date of the Gosses Bluff event. The event may fall in the latest Jurassic Period, but more likely falls in the earliest Cretaceous, probably in one of the reverse‐polarity magnetochrons M16, M17, or M18.
Genesis of the IIICD iron meteorites: Evidence from silicate‐bearing inclusions
Authors: McCoy Timothy J. , Keil Klaus , Scott Edward R. D. , Haack Henning
Published: December 2015

Abstract— Our studies of the silicate‐bearing inclusions in the IIICD iron meteorites Maltahöhe, Carlton and Dayton suggest that their mineralogy and mineral compositions are related to the composition of the metal in the host meteorites. An inclusion in the low‐Ni Maltahöhe is similar in mineralogy to those in IAB irons, which contain olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, graphite and troilite. With increasing Ni concentration of the metal, silicate inclusions become poorer in graphite, richer in phosphates, and the phosphate and silicate assemblages become more complex. Dayton contains pyroxene, plagioclase, SiO2, brianite, panethite and whitlockite, without graphite. In addition, mafic silicates become more FeO‐rich with increasing Ni concentration of the hosts. In contrast, silicates in IAB irons show no such correlation with host Ni concentration, nor do they have the complex mineral assemblages of Dayton. These trends in inclusion composition and mineralogy in IIICD iron meteorites have been established by reactions between the S‐rich metallic magma and the silicates, but the physical setting is uncertain. Of the two processes invoked by other authors to account for groups IAB and IIICD, fractional crystallization of S‐rich cores and impact generation of melt pools, we prefer core crystallization. However, the absence of relationships between silicate inclusion mineralogy and metal compositions among IAB irons analogous to those that we have discovered in IIICD irons suggests that the IAB and IIICD cores/metallic magmas evolved in rather different ways. We suggest that the solidification of the IIICD core may have been very complex, involving fractional crystallization, nucleation effects and, possibly, liquid immiscibility.