bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Stiffness on Reflection and Transmission of Waves at an Interface between Heat Conducting Elastic Solid and Micropolar Fluid Media
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Rajvanshi S. C. , Kaur Mandeep
Published: October 2014

The present investigation is concerned with the propagation of waves at an imperfect boundary of heat conducting elastic solid and micropolar fluid media. The amplitude ratios of various reflected and transmitted waves are obtained in a closed form due to incidence of longitudinal wave (P-wave), thermal wave (T-wave), and transverse wave (SV-wave). The variation of various amplitude ratios with angle of incidence is obtained for normal force stiffness, transverse force stiffness, thermal contact conductance, and perfect bonding. Numerical results are shown graphically to depict the effect of stiffness and thermal relaxation times on resulting quantities. Some particular cases are also deduced in the present investigation.
Generic Submanifolds of Nearly Kaehler Manifolds with Certain Parallel Canonical Structure
Authors: Zhu Qingqing , Yang Biaogui
Published: October 2014

The class of generic submanifold includes all real hypersurfaces, complex submanifolds, totally real submanifolds, and CR-submanifolds. In this paper we initiate the study of generic submanifolds in a nearly Kaehler manifold from differential geometric point of view. Some fundamental results in this paper will be obtained.
TerraSAR-X StripMap Data Interpretation of Complex Urban Scenarios with 3D SAR Tomography
Authors: Wei Lianhuan , Balz Timo , Liao Mingsheng , Zhang Lu
Published: October 2014

The severe layover problem of complex urban scenarios in SAR data makes SAR data interpretation very difficult, especially for nonexperts. In this paper, we use 3D SAR tomography for SAR data interpretation of dense urban areas. An efficient and robust approach named Butterworth-filter based singular value decomposition (BSVD) is used for tomographic analysis. Two typical dense urban areas of interest located in Shanghai are analyzed. The tomographic results could help users to better understand the backscattering scenario. The experimental results indicate that SAR tomography is a promising and effective way to facilitate SAR data interpretation of complex urban areas.
Stability Analysis of an Improved HBV Model with CTL Immune Response
Authors: Khabouze Mostafa , Hattaf Khalid , Yousfi Noura
Published: October 2014

To better understand the dynamics of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we introduce an improved HBV model with standard incidence function, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) immune response, and take into account the effect of the export of precursor CTL cells from the thymus and the role of cytolytic and noncytolytic mechanisms. The local stability of the disease-free equilibrium and the chronic infection equilibrium is obtained via characteristic equations. Furthermore, the global stability of both equilibria is established by using two techniques, the direct Lyapunov method for the disease-free equilibrium and the geometrical approach for the chronic infection equilibrium.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal and Proton Conductivity Evaluation of 2,5‐Polybenzimidazole Composite Membranes
Authors: Lee Jin-Woo , Kim Kwangin , Khan Sher Bahadar , Han Patrick , Seo Jongchul , Jang Wonbong , Han Haksoo
Published: October 2014

In this contribution, composite membranes (CM‐D and CM‐S) of 2,5‐polybenzimidazole (PBI) were synthesized by adding inorganic heteropoly acids (IHA‐D and IHA‐S). IHA‐D and IHA‐S were synthesized by condensation reaction of silicotungstic acid with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the absence and presence of mesoporous silica (SiO2), respectively. The synthesized composites were structurally and morphologically characterized and further investigated the functional relationships between the materials structure and proton conductivity. The proton conductivity as well as thermal stability was found to be higher for composite membranes which suggest that both properties are highly contingent on mesoporous silica. The composite membrane with mesoporous silica shows high thermal properties and proton conductivity. IHA‐D shows proton conductivity of almost 1.48 × 10−1 Scm−1 while IHA‐S exhibited 2.06 × 10−1 Scm−1 in nonhumidity imposing condition (150°C) which is higher than pure PBI. Thus introduction of inorganic heteropoly acid to PBI is functionally preferable as it results in increase of ion conductivity of PBI and can be better candidates for high temperature PEMFC.
Do Glazed Ceramic Pots in a Mexico-US Border City Still Contain Lead?
Authors: Valles-Medina Ana M. , Osuna-Leal Angel I. , Martinez-Cervantes Maria Elena , Castillo-Fregoso Maria Carmen , Vazquez-Erlbeck Martha , Rodriguez-Lainz Alfonso
Published: October 2014

In order to identify the presence of lead in glazed ceramic pots in a Mexico-US border city, 41 clay pots were sampled. The pots were purchased in several establishments located in different geographical areas of the city. The presence of lead was determined using LeadCheck Swabs. Most (58.5%) of the pots were from the State of Jalisco and 24.4% were of unknown origin. Only 4 pots did not contain varnish and were lead-negative. Thirty-seven (81.1%) of the glazed pots were lead positive. Among the lead-negative pots, 4 showed the label “this pot is lead-free.” Thus, if we consider the remaining 33 glazed pots without the “Lead-Free” label, 90.9% were lead-positive and only 9.1% were lead-negative. We also found that earthenware glazed utensils without the “Lead-Free” label were 1.6 times more likely to contain lead (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.5), P=0.003. We concluded that lead was detected in almost all acquired food containers. Government interventions in Mexico have focused on training manufacturers to make lead-free glazed ceramics but it has been difficult to eradicate this practice. Educational interventions to make and acquire lead-free glazed ceramics should be targeted to both sellers and buyers.
Pulmonary Embolism following Cessation of Infliximab for Treatment of Miliary Tuberculosis
Authors: Lee Brian , Moosavy Farid
Published: October 2014

We report a case of a 41-year-old male who presented with tachycardia and swelling of his left arm six weeks after he started antituberculosis treatment and stopped his rheumatoid arthritis infliximab treatment. He was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism by chest CT and initially treated with warfarin, which interacted with his antituberculosis treatment. This presentation of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism as part of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome has not been previously reported for infliximab treated patients.
Existence and Uniqueness of Positive Solution for Discrete Multipoint Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Ma Huili , Ma Huifang
Published: October 2014

It is expected in this paper to investigate the existence and uniqueness of positive solution for the following difference equation: -Δ2u(t-1)=f(t,   u(t))+g(t,   u(t)),  t∈Z1,  T, subject to boundary conditions either u(0)-βΔu(0)=0, u(T+1)=αu(η) or Δu(0)=0, u(T+1)=αu(η), where 0<α<1,   β>0,  and   η∈Z2,T-1. The proof of the main result is based upon a fixed point theorem of a sum operator. It is expected in this paper not only to establish existence and uniqueness of positive solution, but also to show a way to construct a series to approximate it by iteration.
The Effect of Light Exposure on Water Sorption and Solubility of Self-Adhesive Resin Cements
Authors: Aguiar Thaiane Rodrigues , André Carolina Bosso , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria Boni , Giannini Marcelo
Published: October 2014

Purpose. To investigate the effect of light activation on the water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) of resin cements after 24 h and 7 days. Methods. Disk-shaped specimens were prepared using five dual-polymerized cements (four self-adhesive [RelyX Unicem, MaxCem, SeT and G-Cem] and one conventional [Panavia F 2.0]) and divided according to the curing mode (direct light exposure or self-cure) and water immersion period (24 h or 7 days). Specimens were dry-stored and weighed daily until a constant mass was recorded (M1). Then, specimens were stored in water for either 24 h or 7 days and immediately weighed (M2). After desiccation, specimens were weighed again until a constant mass was achieved (M3). WS and SL were calculated and statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn and Mann-Whitney U tests (α=0.05%). Results. There was a significant increase in WS for all products after one-week immersion in water. The highest water uptake was observed for autopolymerized groups. Extended water immersion significantly affected the SL for most of autopolymerized cements. Significant differences between products were observed in both tests. Conclusions. The curing mode and the water immersion period may affect the mechanical stability of the resin cements, and these differences appear to be product-dependent.
Unsteady Heat and Mass Transfer of Chemically Reacting Micropolar Fluid in a Porous Channel with Hall and Ion Slip Currents
Authors: Ojjela Odelu , Naresh Kumar N.
Published: October 2014

This paper presents an incompressible two-dimensional heat and mass transfer of an electrically conducting micropolar fluid flow in a porous medium between two parallel plates with chemical reaction, Hall and ion slip effects. Let there be periodic injection or suction at the lower and upper plates and the nonuniform temperature and concentration at the plates are varying periodically with time. The flow field equations are reduced to nonlinear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations and then solved numerically by quasilinearization technique. The profiles of velocity components, microrotation, temperature distribution and concentration are studied for different values of fluid and geometric parameters such as Hartmann number, Hall and ion slip parameters, inverse Darcy parameter, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, and chemical reaction rate and shown in the form of graphs.
IJS: An Intelligent Junction Selection Based Routing Protocol for VANET to Support ITS Services
Authors: Bhoi Sourav Kumar , Khilar Pabitra Mohan
Published: October 2014

Selecting junctions intelligently for data transmission provides better intelligent transportation system (ITS) services. The main problem in vehicular communication is high disturbances of link connectivity due to mobility and less density of vehicles. If link conditions are predicted earlier, then there is a less chance of performance degradation. In this paper, an intelligent junction selection based routing protocol (IJS) is proposed to transmit the data in a quickest path, in which the vehicles are mostly connected and have less link connectivity problem. In this protocol, a helping vehicle is set at every junction to control the communication by predicting link failures or network gaps in a route. Helping vehicle at the junction produces a score for every neighboring junction to forward the data to the destination by considering the current traffic information and selects that junction which has minimum score. IJS protocol is implemented and compared with GyTAR, A-STAR, and GSR routing protocols. Simulation results show that IJS performs better in terms of average end-to-end delay, network gap encounter, and number of hops.
Evaluation of Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory Activities, and Safety of Ethanol Extract and Fractions of Gongronema latifolium Fruit
Authors: Agwaramgbo Amanze , Ilodigwe Emmanuel Emeka , Ajaghaku Daniel Lotanna , Onuorah Maureen Ugochukwu , Mbagwu Sonne Ikechukwu
Published: October 2014

Gongronema latifolium fruit has wide application in ethnomedicine, especially in maintaining healthy living and general body healing. We therefore investigated the antioxidant, immunomodulatory activities, and safety of its ethanol extract and fractions. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test while in vivo activities were determined using carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced oxidative stress. Cell and humoral mediated immune responses were also evaluated together with toxicity studies. The extract, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions showed inhibition of DPPH radical with IC50s 120, 90, and 60 μg/mL, respectively. Methanol fraction at 200 mg/kg produced significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of lipid peroxidation (MDA conc. 1.2 μmol/L) compared to control (2.8 μmol/L). Both ethyl acetate and methanol fractions at 200 mg/kg produced significant (P < 0.05) phagocytic index of 0.021 and 0.025, respectively, compared with control (0.01). Significant (P < 0.05) elevations of white blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were noticed on the 91st day at higher doses. Generally, this study justified the traditional use of G. latifolium fruit for general body healing and maintenance of healthy living. Long term administration is safe on the haematological and biochemical systems especially at lower doses and its toxicity at higher doses is reversible.
Safety Evaluation of Oral Toxicity of Carica papaya Linn. Leaves: A Subchronic Toxicity Study in Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Ismail Zakiah , Halim Siti Zaleha , Abdullah Noor Rain , Afzan Adlin , Abdul Rashid Badrul Amini , Jantan Ibrahim
Published: October 2014

The subchronic toxicity effect of the leaf extract of Carica papaya Linn. in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats was investigated in this study. The extract was prepared by dissolving the freeze dried extract of the leaves in distilled water and was administered orally to SD rats (consisted of 10 rats/sex/group) at 0 (control), 0.01, 0.14, and 2 g/kg body weight (BW) for 13 weeks. General observation, mortality, and food and water intake were monitored throughout the experimental period. Hematological and biochemical parameters, relative organ weights, and histopathological changes were evaluated. The study showed that leaf extract when administered for 13 weeks did not cause any mortality and abnormalities of behavior or changes in body weight as well as food and water intake. There were no significant differences observed in hematology parameters between treatment and control groups; however significant differences were seen in biochemistry values, for example, LDH, creatinine, total protein, and albumin. However, these changes were not associated with histopathological changes. In conclusion, the results suggested that daily oral administration of rats with C. papaya leaf extract for 13 weeks at a dose up to fourteen times the levels employed in traditional medicine practice did not cause any significant toxic effect.
Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent by a Microbial Consortium Developed from Compost Soils
Authors: Nwuche Charles O. , Aoyagi Hideki , Ogbonna James C.
Published: October 2014

A method for the aerobic treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) was investigated in shake-flask experiments using a consortium developed from POME compost. POME was initially centrifuged at 4,000 g for 15 min and the supernatant was enriched with (NH4)2SO4 (0.5%) and yeast extract (0.25%) to boost its nitrogen content. At optimum pH (pH 4) and temperature (40°C) conditions, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the effluent decreased from 10,350 to 1,000 mg/L (90.3%) after 7 days. The total bacterial population determined by plate count enumeration was 2.4 × 106 CFU/mL, while the fungal count was 1.8 × 103 colonies/mL. Bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, and Bacillus were isolated, while the fungal genera included Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, and Mucor. When the isolated species were each inoculated into separate batches of the raw effluent, both pH and COD were unchanged. However, at 75 and 50% POME dilutions, the COD dropped by 52 and 44%, respectively, while the pH increased from 4 to 7.53. POME treatment by aerobic method is sustainable and holds promising prospects for cushioning the environment from the problems associated with the use of anaerobic systems.
High Strain Rate Compressive Behavior of Polyurethane Resin and Polyurethane/Al2O3 Hollow Sphere Syntactic Foams
Authors: Luong Dung D. , Shunmugasamy Vasanth Chakravarthy , Strbik III Oliver M. , Gupta Nikhil
Published: October 2014

Polyurethane resins and foams are finding extensive applications. Seat cushions and covers in automobiles are examples of these materials. In the present work, hollow alumina particles are used as fillers in polyurethane resin to develop closed-cell syntactic foams. The fabricated syntactic foams are tested for compressive properties at quasistatic and high strain rates. Strain rate sensitivity is an important concern for automotive applications due to the possibility of crash at high speeds. Both the polyurethane resin and the syntactic foam show strain rate sensitivity in compressive strength. It is observed that the compressive strength increases with strain rate. The energy absorbed up to 10% strain in the quasistatic regime is 400% higher for the syntactic foam in comparison to that of neat resin at the same strain rate.
Comparison of Fusion Rates between Glycerol-Preserved and Frozen Composite Allografts in Cervical Fusion
Authors: Rodway Ian , Gander Julie
Published: October 2014

Background. This retrospective, two cohort series study was designed to compare a room temperature, glycerol-preserved composite pinned bone allograft (G-CPBA) with the same graft type provided in a frozen state (F-CPBA) for use as a cervical interbody spacer in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods. A comprehensive chart review was performed for 67 sequential patients that received either a F-CPBA or a G-CPBA and had at least one-year follow-up. Twenty-eight patients had received G-CPBA grafts and 37 patients had received F-CPBA grafts. Two additional 2-level patients had received one of each type of grafts. Results. At 3 months, 45.3% (29 of 64) of glycerol-preserved and 41.4% (29 of 70) of frozen allografts, respectively, were considered to be fused radiographically. At 12 months, 100% of both treatment groups (41 glycerol-preserved and 45 frozen) were considered fused. Fusion rates for G-CPBA were statistically similar to F-CPBA at both 3 and 12 months (P=0.6535 and >0.999, resp.). There were no allograft related complications in either treatment group. Conclusions. 100% fusion rates were attained by both treatment groups at 12 months and were similar at short-term follow-up for all comparable levels. Level of Evidence. Level of evidence is III.
Downregulated miR329 and miR410 Promote the Proliferation and Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting Wnt-7b
Authors: Shiah Shine-Gwo , Hsiao Jenn-Ren , Chang Wei-Min , Chen Ya-Wen , Jin Ying-Tai , Wong Tung-Yiu , Huang Jehn-Shyun , Tsai Sen-Tien , Hsu Yuan-Ming , Chou Sung-Tau , Yen Yi-Chen , Jiang Shih Sheng , Shieh Yi-Shing , Chang I-Shou , Hsiao Michael , Chang Jang-Yang
Published: October 2014

microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation contributes widely to human cancer but has not been fully assessed in oral cancers. In this study, we conducted a global microarray analysis of miRNA expression in 40 pairs of betel quid–associated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) specimens and their matched nontumorous epithelial counterparts. Eighty-four miRNAs were differentially expressed in the OSCC specimens compared with the matched tissue. Among these downregulated miRNAs, 19 miRNAs were found and mapped to the chromosome 14q32.2 miRNA cluster region, which resides within a parentally imprinted region designated as Dlk-Dio3 and known to be important in development and growth. Bioinformatic analysis predicted two miRNAs from the cluster region, miR329 and miR410, which could potentially target Wnt-7b, an activator of the Wnt–β-catenin pathway, thereby attenuating the Wnt–β-catenin signaling pathway in OSCC. Stable ectopic expression of Wnt-7b in OSCC cells overexpressing miR329 or miR410 restored proliferation and invasion capabilities abolished by these miRNA. Combining a demethylation agent and a histone deacetylase inhibitor was sufficient to reexpress miR329, miR410, and Meg3, consistent with epigenetic regulation of these miRNA in human OSCC. Specifically, arecoline, a major betel nut alkaloid, reduced miR329, miR410, and Meg3 gene expression. Overall, our results provide novel molecular insights into how betel quid contributes to oral carcinogenesis through epigenetic silencing of tumor-suppressor miRNA that targets Wnt–β-catenin signaling. Cancer Res; 74(24); 7560–72. ©2014 AACR.
Different Surgical Approaches for Mesial Temporal Epilepsy: Resection Extent, Seizure, and Neuropsychological Outcomes
Authors: Malikova Hana , Kramska Lenka , Vojtech Zdenek , Liscak Roman , Sroubek Jan , Lukavsky Jiri , Druga Rastislav
Published: October 2014

Background: Surgical therapy of intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is an effective and well-established treatment. Objectives: We compared two different surgical approaches, standard microsurgical anterior temporal resection (ATL) and stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE) for MTLE, with respect to the extent of resection or destruction, clinical outcomes, and complications. Material and Methods: 75 MTLE patients were included: 41 treated by SAHE (11 right sided, 30 left sided) and 34 treated by ATL (21 right sided, 13 left sided). Results: SAHE and ATL seizure control were comparable (Engel I in 75.6 and 76.5% 2 years after surgery and 79.3 and 76.5% 5 years after procedures, respectively). The neuropsychological results of SAHE patients were better than in ATL. In SAHE patients, no memory deficit was found. Hippocampal (60.6 ± 18.7%) and amygdalar (50.3 ± 21.9%) volume reduction by SAHE was significantly lower than by ATL (86.0 ± 12.7% and 80.2 ± 20.9%, respectively). The overall rate of surgical nonsilent complications without permanent neurological deficit after ATL was 11.8%, and another 8.8% silent infarctions were found on MRI. The rate of clinically manifest complications after SAHE was 4.9%. The rate of visual field defects after SAHE was expectably less frequent than after ATL. Conclusion: Seizure control by SAHE was comparable to ATL. However, SAHE was safer with better neuropsychological results.
Check It, Change It
Authors: Thomas Kevin L. , Shah Bimal R. , Elliot-Bynum Sharon , Thomas Kristin D. , Damon Katrina , Allen LaPointe Nancy M. , Calhoun Sarah , Thomas Laine , Breathett Khadijah , Mathews Robin , Anderson Monique , Califf Robert M. , Peterson Eric D.
Published: October 2014

Background—

Although home blood pressure (BP) monitoring interventions have shown potential in selected populations, it is unclear whether such strategies can be generalized. We sought to determine whether a multifaceted BP control program that uses a web-based health portal (Heart360), community health coaches, and physician assistant guidance could improve hypertension control in a diverse community setting.

Methods and Results—

Between September 12, 2010, and November 11, 2011 Check It, Change It, a community-based hypertension quality improvement program, enrolled 1756 patients with hypertension from 8 clinics in Durham County, NC. The Check It, Change It community intervention was evaluated using a prepost study design without a concurrent control. Participants were stratified into 3 tiers according to their initial BP: tier 0 (BP <140/90 mm Hg)=51% of population, tier 1 (BP=140/90–159/99 mm Hg)=30% of total, and tier 2 (BP ≥159/99 mm Hg)=19% of total. Overall, median age was 59 years (interquartile range, 49–69), 67% were female, and 76% black. After 6 months, the mean overall systolic BP declined 4.7 mm Hg. Rates of achieving target BP control (<140/90) increased overall from 51% at baseline to 63% by 6 months, and 69% had either reached their BP target or had reduced their baseline systolic BP by 10 mm Hg or more.

Conclusions—

A multicomponent-tiered hypertension program was associated with improved BP control in a diverse community-based population.
New archaeorthopteran insects from the Late Carboniferous of the Nord and Pas-de-Calais basins in northern France (Insecta: Cnemidolestodea, Panorthoptera)
Authors: COTY DAVID , HÁVA JIŘÍ , PROKOP JAKUB , ROQUES PATRICK
Published: October 2014

New polyneopteran insects are described from Pennsylvanian (Bashkirian, Moscovian) compressed fossils from the North of France (Insecta: Archaeorthoptera). Discovery of wing apex with distinct venation, e.g., apical fusion of RA with RP, numerous parallel posterior branches of RP with transversal crossveins, can be assigned to cf. Tococladus sp. (Cnemidolestodea: Tococladidae). It represents the second record of Cnemidolestodea from the Avion locality apart from Aviocladus pectinatus Prokop et al., 2014. Bruaylogus magnificus gen. et sp. nov., based on forewing venation, is attributed to Panorthoptera nec Orthoptera having some distinct characters for the placement either close to Oedischiidae or a more basal position possibly with affinities to genus Heterologus. Aviologus duquesnei gen. et sp. nov., based on forewing venation, differs from Oedischiidae by the presence of basal fork of M far from point of separation between M and Cu and fusion of MA with first posterior branch of RP. Aviologus share a long stem of M and simple CuPaβ with Heterologus duyiwuer and H. langfordorum, but both differ in well separated median and radial veins.               These new fossils demonstrate that the archaeorthopterid insect fauna from the North of France was rather diverse with links to late Carboniferous and early Permian assemblages in Euramerica such as the Mazon Creek, Carbondale Formation or Elmo, Wellington Formation (Illinois, Kansas, USA) entomofaunas.
Harnessing the Environmental Data Flood: A Comparative Analysis of Hydrologic, Oceanographic, and Meteorological Informatics Platforms
Authors: Dow Andrew K. , Dow Eli M. , Fitzsimmons Thomas D. , Materise Maurice M.
Published: October 2014

Researchers studying large-scale questions in hydrology, oceanography, and meteorology can work with existing data through myriad platforms that provide access to remote datasets and render said information in various graphical outputs for interpretation and analysis. A survey of 30 publicly available hydrometeorological data platforms reviews the current state of the art in water-data discovery and visualization. Such platforms best meet the needs of a diverse user community by providing valuable data content, facilitating data exchange, and supporting visual analysis. To provide datasets of value to wider audiences, data providers can emphasize building datasets that are not only voluminous but also proportionally content rich in geographic, temporal, and measurement breadth, through integration of complementary datasets and coordinated data collection programs. In support of efficient data interchange, including software-driven integration of complementary content, data providers should increase adoption of web services to share data, along with machine-readable formats. In addition, this work surveys best practices in visualization and advocates for graphical user interface features that provide the flexibility required to integrate heterogeneous datasets by both novice and expert end users. Features that stand out as particularly useful include comprehensive content filters for customizable data queries, multiparameter plotting, statistical analysis tools, and predictive visualization. Effective combination of comprehensive—as well as voluminous—content, widely implemented standards for efficient data interchange, and appropriate visualization flexibility in the next generation of tools provided as software services will empower a wide user community, spanning laypersons, students, and researchers.
On being queer and postcolonial: Reading Zadie Smith’s NW through Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway
Authors: Fernández Carbajal Alberto
Published: October 2014

This article explores the legacies of Virginia Woolf’s modernist lens in Zadie Smith’s latest novel, NW through a joint queer and postcolonial reading. Although critics have so far pointed out the connections between Smith’s fiction and modernist and postmodernist precursors, this article examines the unexplored relationship between NW and Mrs Dalloway. It argues that Woolf’s novel provides NW with a model of queer modernist dissidence that NW enacts in the equally frustrated relationship between two of its main characters, Leah and Natalie, whose dissatisfaction with the binaries of heteronormative patriarchy are intertwined with issues of class and ethnicity. Yet the article also proposes that what remains at the heart of Smith’s enterprise is the frustrated connection between queer sensibilities, which belies larger issues of British national identity and of diasporic subjects’ forging a sense of belonging and place in the postcolonial nation.
The Future of Preclinical Animal Models in Pharmaceutical Discovery and Development
Authors: Everitt Jeffrey I.
Published: October 2014

Animal models have provided an important tool to help make the decision to take potential therapies from preclinical studies to humans. In the past several years, the strong reliance of the pharmaceutical discovery and development process on the use of animal models has come under increasing scrutiny for ethical and scientific reasons. Several prominent and widely publicized articles have reported limited concordance of animal experiments with subsequent human clinical trials. Recent assessments of the quality of animal studies have suggested that this translational failure may be due in part to shortcomings in the planning, conduct, and reporting of in vivo studies. This article will emphasize methods to assure best practice rigor in animal study methods and reporting. It will introduce the so-called scientific 3Rs of relevance, robustness, and reproducibility to the in vivo study approach and will review important new trends in the animal research and pharmaceutical discovery and development communities.
Small, local, and loyal: How firm attributes affect workers’ organizational commitment
Authors: Halbesleben Katie L , Tolbert Charles M
Published: October 2014

We explore how firm size and local ownership influence employees’ organizational commitment. Using a civic community perspective, we hypothesize that small and locally owned businesses engender more employee loyalty in a representative national sample of workers. That hypothesis is supported for all workers and is most clearly evident in a subsample of rural workers. Our results show that working at small businesses and locally owned businesses significantly increases an employee’s organizational commitment. Furthermore, individuals who work at small businesses that are also locally owned are found to have the highest level of organizational commitment. Our study provides insight into how structural elements of an organization, such as small businesses and locally owned businesses, are associated with an improved quality of life and a more robust civil society. Moreover, this paper highlights the need for further research on how structural attributes of businesses affect the attitudes and opinions of workers.
Psychometric comparisons of four disease-specific health-related quality of life measures for stroke survivors
Authors: Chou Chia-Yeh , Ou Yu-Chih , Chiang Tsuey-Ru
Published: October 2014

Objective:

To examine psychometric properties of four stroke-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures, including original Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (12-domain SSQoL), modified 8-domain SSQoL, Stroke Impact Scale (SIS 3.0), and modified SIS-16 focused on physical domains.

Design and Setting:

Prospective repeated measures study conducted in rehabilitation and wards in hospitals.

Subjects:

Study cohort was recruited with 263 patients in the first administration and 121 in the second administration, an average of two weeks later. To investigate discriminant validity, the same number of patients (i.e., 52) was grouped for each of 3 levels of stroke severity.

Main measures:

Outcome measures, including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Barthel Index. Patients completed HRQoL self-reports.

Results:

Domains of four measures showed (1) good reliability, except 12-domainSSQoL family roles (Cronbach’s α = 0.68) and personality domains (Cronbach’s α = 0.65) and SIS 3.0 social participation (ICC=0.67) domain; (2) acceptable precision, except 12-domain SSQoL family role domain and SIS 3.0 social participation domain; (3) good convergent validity, except 12-domain SSQoL/8-domain SSQoL vision domain (r = 0.19), (4) good discriminant validity, except 12-domain SSQoL and 8-domain SSQoL thinking domains ( P = 0.365); and (5) acceptable floor effects and strong ceiling effects. The 12-domain SSQoL and 8-domain SSQoL met scaling assumptions better than SIS 3.0 and SIS-16.

Conclusions:

Four measures showed acceptable psychometric properties with some domains slightly less satisfactory. Overall, use of 8-domain SSQoL and SIS 3.0 are feasible for clinical practice to monitor HRQoL of stroke survivors.
Squamous Papillomas of the Conjunctiva in Dogs
Authors: Beckwith-Cohen B. , Teixeira L. B. C. , Ramos-Vara J. A. , Dubielzig R. R.
Published: October 2014

Papillomas of the conjunctival surface in people can be of viral or nonviral origin and are found in high association with human papillomavirus. Canine conjunctival papillomas are seldom described, and published accounts have mostly been associated with canine oral papillomavirus infection. Here, we describe conjunctival squamous papillomas that do not express papillomavirus proteins and compare them with papillomavirus-associated conjunctival papillomas. Conjunctival squamous papillomas presented a distinct histopathologic profile and lacked the cytopathic effects seen in viral papillomas. They appeared as exophytic, papilliferous, pedunculated lesions with delicate fronds and angular terminal margins. Squamous papillomas presented with a delicate fibrovascular core and were associated both clinically and grossly with a feeder vessel. Pigmentation was variable within the epithelium and stroma of these lesions, and inflammatory infiltrates were characteristically minimal. Conjunctival squamous papillomas resembled squamous papillomas of the skin; however, they lacked significant hyperkeratosis. Compared with conjunctival viral papillomas, these masses occurred in older dogs and were smaller and solitary. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry failed to demonstrate papillomavirus genetic material and antigens in conjunctival squamous papillomas. Both viral and nonviral conjunctival papillomas were considered benign.
Mission Critical
Authors: Zumbrun E. E.
Published: October 2014

The reports for Ebola virus Zaire (EBOV), Nipah virus, and Machupo virus (MACV) pathogenesis, in this issue of Veterinary Pathology, are timely considering recent events, both nationally and internationally. EBOV, Nipah virus, and MACV cause highly lethal infections for which no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed vaccines or therapies exist. Not only are there concerns that these agents could be used by those with malicious intent, but shifts in ecological distribution of viral reservoirs due to climate change or globalization could lead to more frequent infections within remote regions than previously seen as well as outbreaks in more populous areas. The current EBOV epidemic shows no sign of abating across 3 West African nations (as of October 2014), including densely populated areas, far outpacing infection rates of previous outbreaks. A limited number of cases have also arisen in the United States and Europe. With few treatment options for these deadly viruses, development of animal models reflective of human disease is paramount to combat these diseases. As an example of this potential, a new treatment compound, ZMapp, that had demonstrated efficacy against EBOV infection in nonhuman primates (NHPs) received an emergency compassionate use exception from the FDA for the treatment of 2 American medical workers infected with EBOV, and they are currently virus free and recovering.
Solvent selection for polyacrylonitrile using molecular dynamic simulation and the effect of process parameters of magnetic-field-assisted electrospinning on fiber alignment
Authors: Mei Linyu , Han Rui , Fu Yizheng , Liu Yaqing
Published: October 2014

The solubility parameters of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and of three different solvents, N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N, N-dimethylacetamide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, as also Flory–Huggins parameters between PAN and these solvents were first calculated, using molecular dynamics simulation. From the simulation results, DMF was chosen as the solvent for PAN in magnetic-field-assisted electrospinning (MFAES). Then, a systematic investigation of the processing parameters, including their interaction and modeling of the degree of fiber alignment, was conducted using a three factor, three-level Box–Behnken design, combined with response surface methodology and quadratic programming. Three independent variables (solution concentration [ X1], ranging from 12% to 14%; voltage [ X2], ranging from 12 to 16 kV; and the distance between two magnets [ X3], ranging from 2 to 3 cm) were consecutively coded as x1, x2 and x3 at three levels (−1, 0, and 1). The degree of PAN fiber alignment ( Y) was maximized, based on 17 different MFAES experimental data, and a second-order polynomial regression equation was obtained to predict the corresponding results. The significance of independent variables and their interactions was tested by the analysis of variance with 95% confidence limits ( a = 0.05). The standard effects of the independent variables and their interactions on the response were also investigated by preparing a Pie chart. The optimum values of the selected variables were obtained by solving the quadratic regression model and analyzing the response surface contour plots. The optimum coded values of the three test variables were computed as x1 = 0.35, x2 = −0.52, and x3 = 0.15. The experimental conditions at this global point were determined to be X1 = 13.35%, X2 = 13.03 kV, and X3 = 2.58 cm, and the corresponding Y was found to be about 96%.
A preliminary study on the integration of engineering and aesthetics measures via the design of vehicle silhouettes
Authors: Chan Kuei-Yuan , Chang Shen-Cheng
Published: October 2014

The success of a consumer product is the result of not only engineering specifications but also emotional effects. Therefore, product design must be multidisciplinary as well as transdisciplinary across both natural and social science. In this work, we investigate the optimal design of vehicle silhouettes considering various aesthetic and engineering measures. The entire design problem is modeled as a bi-level structure with the top level being the aesthetic subproblem and the lower level consists of subproblems in the engineering discipline. This multi-level system provides a feasible approach in solving complex design problems; it also resembles the interactions of different departments in the auto industry. The aesthetic subproblem uses 11 proportionality measures and curvature to quantify a vehicle silhouette. The engineering discipline includes safety, handling, and aerodynamics of a vehicle with physical constraints on vehicle geometry. The design variables are the locations of 15 nodal points in describing the silhouette of a vehicle. The linking variables between subsystems are body and chassis dimensions that must be consistent for a design to be feasible. The optimal design of this hierarchical problem is obtained using the analytical target cascading from the literature. Results show that the original prohibitively expensive all-in-one problem becomes solvable if systems of smaller subproblems are created. Adding emotional measures in engineering design is invaluable and will reveal the true merits of a product from consumers’ point of view. Although such metrics are generally opaque, this research demonstrates the impacts of these measures once they become available.
Lactational exposure of phthalate causes long-term disruption in testicular architecture by altering tight junctional and apoptotic protein expression in Sertoli cells of first filial generation pubertal Wistar rats
Authors: Sekaran S , Balaganapathy P , Parsanathan R , Elangovan S , Gunashekar J , Bhat FA , Jagadeesan A
Published: October 2014

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and a well-known endocrine disruptor (ED) that interferes with the reproductive function in both humans and animals. This study aimed to find out the impact of lactational exposure of DEHP in testes of first filial generation (F1) progeny male rat postnatal day (PND)-60. Lactating dams were orally treated with DEHP (0, 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively) from the PND-1 to PND-21. Rats were killed at PND 60. Testes were removed and used for histological analysis and for isolation of Sertoli cells (SCs). The histoarchitecture of DEHP-treated rats showed disturbed testicular structure. DEHP-treated rats also showed increased oxidative stress by decreasing antioxidant levels in the SCs; it disrupted SC tight junctional proteins occludin, claudin, junctional adhesion molecule, zona occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), zona occludens protein-2 (ZO-2), and afadin-6 (AF-6), increased apoptosis by altering the apoptotic genes Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-8, -9, -3 and antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2. It is concluded that early postnatal exposure to DEHP disturbs histoarchitecture of testis and SC function in pubertal Wistar rats.
A preliminary evaluation of the Visual CARE Measure for use by Allied Health Professionals with children and their parents
Authors: Place Morag A , Murphy Joan , Duncan Edward AS , Reid Jane M , Mercer Stewart W
Published: October 2014

The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure (Mercer et al., 2004) is a patient-rated experience measure of practitioner empathy, developed and validated within adult health services. This study reports the feasibility, acceptability, reliability and validity of three adapted versions of the original CARE measure for the paediatric setting, namely the Visual CARE Measure 5Q, 10Q and 10Q Parent (also known as the Paediatric CARE Measure). Three hundred and sixty-nine participants ( N = 149 children (40%) and N = 220 parents (60%)) completed the measure following consultation with an Allied Health Professional (AHP). AHPs felt it was feasible to use the measure in routine practice and the majority of children and parents found the measure easy to understand (98%) and complete (98%). Internal reliability (Cronbach’s α) was .746 for the 5Q, .926 for the 10Q and .963 for the 10Q parent. Few participants used the ‘not applicable’ response ( N = 28 (8%)), suggesting high content validity. AHPs found the measures relevant (95%) and useful (90%) and reported that they were likely to use them again (96%). The Visual CARE Measure shows promise as a useful tool to enable children and their parents to give their views. Further research on the tool’s reliability and validity is required.
Impact of smoking: All-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a cohort of 55-year-old Swedes and Estonians
Authors: Jensen-Urstad Mats , Viigimaa Margus , Sammul Sirje , Lenhoff Hanna , Johansson Jan
Published: October 2014

Aim: In the 1990s, several studies noted a large gap in life expectancy between Western and Eastern European countries. It was speculated that this could be explained by environmental pollution, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle and psychosocial stress. A weakness in addressing the issue has been the lack of prospective studies with mortality as end point. Methods: We used the national population registries (between 1996 and 1998) to screen a cohort of 269 55-year-old subjects in Sweden and Estonia. We assessed conventional risk factors, lifestyle and socio-economic factors. A 13-year follow-up regarding all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was done. Results: Smoking and, to a lesser extent, plasma levels of interleukin-6 were significant predictors for CVD and non-CVD mortality in men, but none of the other conventional risk factors reached statistical significance. During the follow-up period, 22 of the 52 male smokers died compared to 8 of the 85 male non-smokers ( p<0.01). Ten of the smokers died of CVD compared to three of the non-smokers ( p<0.002). In total, only two women died. Conclusions: These data emphasize that smoking prevention is extremely important in preventing premature death. Although smoking prevalence is diminishing, it is still the most important risk factor to treat.
Rethinking China’s Internet censorship: The practice of recoding and the politics of visibility
Authors: Yang Fan
Published: October 2014

This article proposes visibility as a new lens through which to examine the politics of Internet censorship in China. It focuses on the practice of recoding, that is, the use of code words and images to circulate information that is deemed “sensitive” and therefore removed from the web. While commentators in the West have often described censorship-evading practices like this as a form of “resistance” against state domination, little academic attention has been paid to how and why recoding holds political and cultural significance. The prism of visibility, by conceptualizing recoding as a cultural response to censorship, opens up a more critical perspective to comparatively analyze examples drawn from both China and the United States. It therefore invites a careful rethinking of China’s Internet censorship beyond the framework of the nation-state, by calling attention to the social dimension of meaning making and the negotiation of power in a transnational context.
Victim Satisfaction With the Criminal Justice System and Emotional Recovery
Authors: Kunst Maarten , Popelier Lieke , Varekamp Ellen
Published: October 2014

The current study systematically and critically reviewed the empirical literature to evaluate the association between satisfaction with the criminal justice system and adult crime victims’ emotional recovery. Despite the widely accepted notion that involvement in the criminal justice system may impact recovery from crime victimization—either beneficially or maliciously—a systematic review of empirical studies that addresses this topic has never been conducted. Electronic literature databases (ISI Web of Knowledge [including Web of Science and MEDLINE], EBSCO host [including PsychInfo, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, ERIC, PsychARTICLES, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection], and ProQuest [including PILOTS, Social Services Abstracts, and Sociological Abstracts]) were searched to identify relevant quantitative studies. The Cambridge Quality Checklists were used to evaluate the quality of selected studies. These checklists can be used to assess the quality of risk and protective factors in criminal justice research. In this study they were used to explore the impact of victim satisfaction on crime victims’ emotional and cognitive states post-victimization. The review process revealed mixed results, with some studies suggesting a healing impact of victim satisfaction and others not. More consistent were findings regarding the existence of an association between victim satisfaction and (alterations in) positive cognitions. However, since the majority of studies suffered from severe methodological shortcomings, definite conclusions cannot be drawn yet.