bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Abnormal Ultrasound Color Doppler Measures and Tendon Pain Symptoms in Badminton Players During a Season
Authors: Boesen Anders Ploug , Boesen Morten Ilum , Torp-Pedersen Soren , Christensen Robin , Boesen Lars , Hölmich Per , Nielsen Michael Bachmann , Koenig Merete Juhl , Hartkopp Andreas , Ellegaard Karen , Bliddal Henning , Langberg Henning
Published: February 2012

Background: Color Doppler ultrasound is widely used to examine intratendinous flow in individuals with overuse tendon problems, but the association between color Doppler and pain is still unclear.

Hypothesis: Intratendinous flow is present and associated with pain in badminton players, and intratendinous flow and pain increase during a badminton season.

Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: Ninety-five semiprofessional badminton players were included in the study at a tournament at the start of the badminton season. All players were interviewed regarding pain. The anterior knee tendons and Achilles tendons were studied. Each tendon was scored using a quantitative grading system (grades 0-5) and a qualitative scoring system (color fraction) using color Doppler ultrasound. Eight months later, 86 of the players (91%) were retested by the same investigators during an equivalent badminton tournament (including 1032 tendon regions; 86 players with 4 tendons each with 3 regions), thus forming the study group.

Results: At the start of the season, 24 players (28%) experienced pain in 37 tendons (11%), and at the end of the season, 31 players (36%) experienced pain in 51 tendons (15%), which was a statistically significant increase ( P = .0002). Abnormal flow was found in 230 tendon regions in 71 players (83%) at the start of the season compared with 78 tendon regions in 41 players (48%) at the follow-up. The decrease in abnormal flow was statistically significant ( P < .0001). Of the 37 painful tendons at the start of the season, 25 had abnormal flow (68%). In contrast, 131 tendons (85%) with abnormal flow at the start of the season were pain free. At the end of the season, 18 of the 51 painful tendons (35%) had abnormal flow. Ninety-six of the 131 pain-free tendons (73%) with abnormal flow at the start of the season were normalized (no pain and normal flow) at the end of the season.

Conclusion: It was not possible to verify any association between intratendinous flow and pain at the start of the season or at the follow-up (end of the season). Intratendinous flow at the start of the season could not predict symptomatic outcome at the end of the season. The decrease in Doppler flow during the season might suggest that intratendinous flow could be part of a physiological adaptive response to loading and that intratendinous flow as previously believed is not always a sign of pathological changes.
Evaluating the Benefits of Peri-Urban Agriculture
Authors: Brinkley Catherine
Published: February 2012

By uniting literature from farmland preservation, growth management, food systems, economics, bioengineering, and environmental studies, this article provides an overview and valuation of the services that farms provide for urban areas. This article first analyzes the mission statements of 130 nationally accredited land trusts to ascertain the criteria used in preserving farmland. Land trusts present uniform preference for parcels that provide ecosystem services, wildlife habitat, viewsheds, local heritage, and agricultural productivity. The list of benefits provided by land trusts was compared to a literature review drawing from farmland amenity, agritourism, farmland preservation, and ecosystems studies to reveal the range of market values for the various benefits of farmland. The market value of farmland services varies from −$37,541 to 124,000 per acre depending on the method of analysis and location of the farm. This research has strong implications for land-use planning, economic opportunities, and ecosystems infrastructure in peri-urban areas.
Predictors of Dating Violence Among Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Shen April Chiung-Tao , Chiu Marcus Yu-Lung , Gao Jianxiu
Published: February 2012

In Chinese societies, violence among adolescent dating partners remains a largely ignored and invisible phenomenon. The goal of this study is to examine the relationships among gender-role beliefs, attitudes justifying dating violence, and the experiences of dating-violence perpetration and victimization among Chinese adolescents. This study has used self-reporting measures to collect data from a probability sample of 976 adolescents (mean age = 15.9) in three Chinese societies: Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Research results reveal a high prevalence of dating violence (including physical violence, sexual violence, and controlling behavior) among Chinese adolescents with dating experience: the perpetration rate is 27.3% and the victimization rate is 39%. Study results demonstrate that adolescents who endorse traditional gender-role beliefs tend to view dating violence as acceptable behavior. Boys’ endorsement of traditional gender roles, boys’ attitudes justifying boy-on-girl violence, and boys’ attitudes against girl-on-boy violence predict boys’ actual sexual-violence behavior. Moreover, boys’ attitudes justifying boy-on-girl dating violence is the strongest predictor of boys’ perpetration of physical and sexual dating violence. This study also shows that boys’ hostility is a significant predictor of boys’ controlling behavior. Programs for preventing dating violence should include components designed to challenge traditional gender-role beliefs and attitudes justifying dating violence.
The Development and Initial Validation of the Dating Attitudes Inventory
Authors: Schwartz Jonathan Peter , Kelley Frances A. , Kohli Nidhi
Published: February 2012

The development and initial psychometric investigation of the Dating Attitudes Inventory (DAI) is reported. The DAI was created, to fill a gap in the literature and to measure specific masculine ideology and traditional gender attitudes that rationalize the abuse of women. Using a sample ( n = 164) of male college students, a 20-item measure was developed consisting of two subscales (Rationalization of Abuse and Dominance and Control) and a total score. The 20-item DAI and other measures used for validation were completed by 216 male college students. The DAI correlated in theoretically expected ways with measures of propensity for abusiveness, relational dominance, and masculine gender role stress. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the two theorized factors of the DAI. Results of the present study offer initial support for the validity and reliability of the DAI. The authors discuss the importance of measuring masculine gender role attitudes and beliefs that support and rationalize dating violence.
Predicting Perceptions of Date Rape
Authors: Angelone David J. , Mitchell Damon , Lucente Lauren
Published: February 2012

The purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of multiple offender motivations (including no indication of a motivation), relationship length, and gender role beliefs on perceptions of a male-on-female date rape. A sample of 348 U.S. college students read a brief vignette depicting a date rape and completed a questionnaire regarding their attributions about the victim (culpability, credibility, trauma, pleasure) and perpetrator (culpability, guilt, sentencing recommendations). Results indicate that providing observers with information about the perpetrator’s motivation was associated with lower victim blame. Relationship length is not predictive of rape attributions. Egalitarian gender role attitudes are associated with lower levels of victim blame. Overall, gender role attitudes exert a more significant influence on rape attributions than participant gender. The findings suggest that knowledge of an offender’s motivation as well as observers’ gender role attitudes can influence attributions about the culpability of victims and perpetrators of date rape.
Intimate Partner Violence Against Older Women in Germany
Authors: Stöckl Heidi , Watts Charlotte , Penhale Bridget
Published: February 2012

Violence against women is a recognized human rights and public health issue, with significant impacts on women’s life and health. Until now, several studies, most of them relying on small scale samples, have explored the prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence against older women, whereas few have examined what actually puts older women at risk of intimate partner violence. This study is based on a secondary analysis of the first national survey on violence against women in Germany, looking at the prevalence and associated factors for physical and for sexual violence by the current partners of women aged 50 to 65 and women aged 66 to 86 years. The prevalence of violence in women’s current relationships was 12% and 5%, respectively. In both age groups, women who had experienced violence during childhood and nonpartner physical or sexual violence after the age of 16 had higher odds of experiencing current partner violence. Current partner violence was associated only with women and their partner’s level of education and women’s vocational training among women aged 66 to 86 years. Relationships where one or both partners drank heavily in recent months were associated with higher odds of violence among women aged 50 to 65. Future studies on intimate partner violence need to recognize that women above reproductive risk are also at risk of current partner violence.
The Effect of Social Dominance Orientation on Perceptions of Corporal Punishment
Authors: Hess Chelsie A. , Gray Jennifer M. , Nunez Narina L.
Published: February 2012

Previous research has suggested the use of corporal punishment is widely endorsed in our society (Straus, 2000; Straus & Stewart, 1999). Furthermore, perceptions of what constitutes corporal punishment vary. The present study examined social dominance orientation (SDO) and age of child as potential factors that may influence perceptions of what is viewed as corporal punishment versus physical abuse. The sample consisted of 206 undergraduate students enrolled at a Rocky Mountain University. A series of regressions were used to examine the relationships between SDO and six forms of punishment. Findings suggest, higher levels of SDO are significantly related to more ratings of physical punishment versus physical abuse. The primary findings of the present study showed SDO was significantly related to how an individual perceives corporal punishment. These results have important implications by serving as a stepping-stone into further understanding what factors may have an influence on perceptions of corporal punishment.
The Eyes Know
Authors: Hannula Deborah E. , Baym Carol L. , Warren David E. , Cohen Neal J.
Published: February 2012

In two experiments, we examined whether observers’ eye movements distinguish studied faces from highly similar novel faces. Participants’ eye movements were monitored while they viewed three-face displays. Target-present displays contained a studied face and two morphed faces that were visually similar to it; target-absent displays contained three morphed faces that were visually similar to a studied, but not tested, face. On each trial in a test session, participants were instructed to choose the studied face if it was present or a random face if it was not and then to indicate whether the chosen face was studied. Whereas manipulating visual similarity in target-absent displays influenced the rate of false endorsements of nonstudied items as studied, eye movements proved impervious to this manipulation. Studied faces were viewed disproportionately from 1,000 to 2,000 ms after display onset and from 1,000 to 500 ms before explicit identification. Early viewing also distinguished studied faces from faces incorrectly endorsed as studied. Our findings show that eye movements provide a relatively pure index of past experience that is uninfluenced by explicit response strategies, and suggest that eye movement measures may be of practical use in applied settings.
Unusual vegetation stability in a lowland pine forest area (Doksy region, Czech Republic)
Authors: Novák Jan , Sádlo Jiří , Svobodová-Svitavská Helena
Published: February 2012

Although the Holocene is characterized by prominent vegetation changes, some vegetation types can reveal surprising stability. We studied Holocene woodland history in a sandstone pseudokarst area (Doksy region, Northern Bohemia, Czech Republic). Twelve soil profiles collected under native or semi-cultural pine forests were analyzed using anthracological methods. In seven of them, the age of profile bases was established using radiocarbon dating. All analyzed samples show a high degree of mutual similarity of species composition regardless of the site or the depth of the sampled soil layer, as well as a good concordance between the composition of fossil and contemporary vegetation. Forest vegetation dominated by Pinus sylvestris with a low but regular occurrence of Picea abies, Quercus sp. and Vaccinium sp. has prevailed since late Boreal up to the present. No considerable vegetation changes were detected during this period, except for succession after fire events. A high content of charcoal within soil profiles indicates that the study area has been affected by forest fires through a substantial part of the Holocene. Recurrent wildfires probably represented a crucial factor sustaining pine forests by cyclic succession, although the relative contribution of human versus natural causes of fire cannot be assessed. In earlier phases of the Holocene, the prevalence of pine in the local vegetation was revealed using palynological data, so that we can conclude that the pine-dominated forests ecosystem existed during the entire Holocene in the study area. This pronounced vegetation stability contrasts sharply with the changeable historical vegetation of Central European lowlands.
Aortic Surgery
Authors: Cooley Denton A.
Published: February 2012

Aortic aneurysms have been recognized since at least the 2nd century. However, little progress in their treatment was made until the early 1800s, when surgical ligation of these lesions sometimes proved successful. Until the mid 20th century, the most widespread approach was indirect treatment to provide palliation and prevent rupture. Such treatment involved introducing foreign materials into the aneurysm to promote blood coagulation or wrapping the aneurysm with plastic film to stimulate periarterial fibrosis. In 1888, Rudolph Matas introduced endoaneurysmorrhaphy, in which the diseased portion of the aorta was removed and a tunnel was constructed through the remaining healthy portion. This approach was widely used until the 1950s, when the advent of synthetic grafts allowed modern, direct repair. Emphasis began to be placed on excising aortic aneurysms and restoring pulsatile distal flow. In the 1980s, however, most surgeons reverted to the endoaneurysmorrhaphy technique—this time relining rather than removing the diseased portion of the aorta—thus bringing the history of aortic aneurysm surgery full circle. Today, an increasing number of aortic repairs are being achieved with endovascular methods, which offer new hope to patients at high risk for traditional aortic surgery.
A Public Choice Analysis of Congressional Franking
Authors: Edwards S. Tyler , Stephenson E. Frank , Yeoh Melissa M.
Published: February 2012

Based on the rational choice assumption that politicians seek to enhance their reelection chances, the authors posit and test several hypotheses about how the use of franked mail varies across members of the House of Representatives. This study improves upon the existing literature by using a sample of all full-term representatives and by using multiple regression analysis that allows for estimation of the marginal effect of each explanatory variable after controlling for other factors that might affect franking behavior. The results of this study indicate that (1) politicians seeking higher office tend to make greater use of franked mail while those who are retiring engage in less franking, (2) narrower electoral margins, especially for first termers, are associated with more franking, (3) representatives who have larger campaign expenditures also have higher levels of franked mail, and (4) franked mail increases with a congressional district’s distance from Washington, D.C.
Performance measurement of magnetohydrodynamic code for space plasma on typical scalar-type supercomputer systems with a large number of cores
Authors: Fukazawa Keiichiro , Umeda Takayuki
Published: February 2012

The computational performance of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code is evaluated on two typical scalar-type supercomputer systems. We have carried out performance tuning of a three-dimensional MHD code for space plasma simulations on the HA8000 (with 8192 cores) and SR16000/L2 (with 1344 cores) supercomputer systems. For parallelization of the MHD code, we use four different methods, that is, regular one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional domain decomposition methods and a cache-hit type of three-dimensional domain decomposition method. We found that the regular three-dimensional decomposition of the MHD model is suitable for the HA8000 system, and the cache-hit type of three-dimensional decomposition is suitable for SR16000/L2 systems. As a result of these runs, we achieved a performance efficiency of almost 15% on the HA8000 and 20% on the SR16000/L2 for MHD code.
Characterization and transformation of unstructured control flow in bulk synchronous GPU applications
Authors: Wu Haicheng , Diamos Gregory , Wang Jin , Li Si , Yalamanchili Sudhakar
Published: February 2012

In this paper we identify important classes of program control flows in applications targeted to commercially available graphics processing units (GPUs) and characterize their presence in real workloads such as those that occur in CUDA and OpenCL. Broadly, control flow can be characterized as structured or unstructured. It is shown that most existing techniques for handling divergent control in bulk synchronous GPU applications handle structured control flow efficiently, some are incapable of executing unstructured control flow directly, and none handles unstructured control flow efficiently. An approach to reduce the impact of this problem is provided. An unstructured-to-structured control flow transformation for CUDA kernels is implemented and its performance impact on a large class of GPU applications is assessed. The results quantify the importance of improving support for programs with unstructured control flow on GPUs. The transformation can also be used in a JIT compiler pass to execute programs with unstructured control flow on the GPU devices that do not support unstructured control flow. This is an important capability for execution portability of applications using GPU accelerators.
Presentation Formats of Policy Statements on Hotel Websites and Privacy Concerns
Authors: Lee Hee “Andy” , Au Norman , Law Rob
Published: February 2012

Information privacy is one of the major reasons that explains why many travelers are hesitant to provide personal information for online reservations. Despite the fact that most hotels provide privacy policy statements on their websites, little research has been done to examine how the format of these privacy statements affects customer trust. Based on the control/restricted theory and cognitive theory of multimedia learning, this study demonstrates how perceived control and learning can affect trust. Participants were shown validated privacy policy statements in a text format or a video format before they rated the trustworthiness of the hotel. The findings from 193 usable samples confirmed that the video was more effective in increasing trust and that it did so by increasing perceived control. The results suggest that hotel companies without a strong brand history can still establish customer trust by providing a well-located, well-executed, and easily understood online video privacy statement. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed, and future research suggestions are provided.
Use of a carbon dioxide laser to treat ceruminous gland hyperplasia in a cat
Authors: Corriveau Lorraine Ann
Published: February 2012

This case report describes the skin condition ceruminous gland hyperplasia of the ears of a cat. The diagnosis was made through histopathology. Treatment consisted of carbon dioxide laser ablation of the cystic structures and postoperative care associated with the surgery, as well as a hydrolyzed protein diet, weekly ear cleaning and intermittent topical corticosteroid drops in the ears to minimize the reoccurrence of the cysts.
High body mass index before age 20 is associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis in both men and women
Authors: Hedström Anna K , Olsson Tomas , Alfredsson Lars
Published: February 2012

In a Swedish population-based case-control study (1571 cases, 3371 controls), subjects with different body mass indices (BMIs) were compared regarding multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, by calculating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Subjects whose BMI exceeded 27 kg/m2 at age 20 had a two-fold increased risk of developing MS compared with normal weight subjects. Speculatively, the obesity epidemic may explain part of the increasing MS incidence as recorded in some countries. Measures taken against adolescent obesity may thus be a preventive strategy against MS.
Rising prevalence of vascular comorbidities in multiple sclerosis: validation of administrative definitions for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia
Authors: Marrie Ruth Ann , Yu Bo Nancy , Leung Stella , Elliott Lawrence , Caetano Patricia , Warren Sharon , Wolfson Christina , Patten Scott B , Svenson Lawrence W , Tremlett Helen , Fisk John , Blanchard James F ,   for the CIHR Team in the Epidemiology and Impact of Comorbidity on Multiple Sclerosis
Published: February 2012

Background:

Despite the importance of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS), methods for comorbidity assessment in MS are poorly developed.

Objective:

We validated and applied administrative case definitions for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in MS.

Methods:

Using provincial administrative data we identified persons with MS and a matched general population cohort. Case definitions for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were derived using hospital, physician, and prescription claims, and validated in 430 persons with MS. We examined temporal trends in the age-adjusted prevalence of these conditions from 1984–2006.

Results:

Agreement between various case definitions and medical records ranged from kappa (κ) =0.51–0.69 for diabetes, κ =0.21–0.71 for hyperlipidemia, and κ =0.52–0.75 for hypertension. The 2005 age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes was similar in the MS (7.62%) and general populations (8.31%; prevalence ratio [PR] 0.91; 0.81–1.03). The age-adjusted prevalence did not differ for hypertension (MS: 20.8% versus general: 22.5% [PR 0.91; 0.78–1.06]), or hyperlipidemia (MS: 13.8% versus general: 15.2% [PR 0.90; 0.67–1.22]). The prevalence of all conditions rose in both populations over the study period.

Conclusion:

Administrative data are a valid means of tracking diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in MS. The prevalence of these comorbidities is similar in the MS and general populations.
How is rape a weapon of war? Feminist International Relations, modes of critical explanation and the study of wartime sexual violence
Authors: Kirby Paul
Published: February 2012

Rape is a weapon of war. This now common claim reveals wartime sexual violence as a social act marked by gendered power. But this consensus also obscures important, and frequently unacknowledged, differences in ways of understanding and explaining it. This article opens these differences to analysis. It interprets feminist accounts of wartime sexual violence in terms of modes of critical explanation and differentiates three modes – of instrumentality, unreason and mythology – which implicitly structure different understandings of how rape might be a weapon of war. These modes shape political and ethical projects and so impact not only on questions of scholarly content but also on the ways in which we attempt to mitigate and abolish war rape. Exposing these disagreements opens up new possibilities for the analysis of war rape.
How to become an iconic social thinker
Authors: Bartmanski Dominik
Published: February 2012

The present article develops a new approach to intellectual history and sociology of knowledge. Its point of departure is to investigate the conditions under which social thinkers assume the iconic reputation. What does it take to become ‘a founding father’ of a humanistic discipline? How do social thinkers achieve the status of a trans-disciplinary star? Why some intellectuals attract tremendous attention and ‘go down in history’ despite personal and professional failures, while others enjoy only limited recognition or simply sink into oblivion, even if they have met all the standards of their day? Quite a few sociologists have tackled this elusive issue. Pierre Bourdieu, Michele Lamont and Randall Collins are among those who fleshed out strong explanatory frameworks. This project adds to this body of knowledge by emphasizing cultural factors that these authors downplayed in their seminal accounts, despite being aware of their significance. By showing why these underdeveloped aspects of their works need to be incorporated into the debate and how this can be achieved, this article introduces a new theorization of the iconic, lasting intellectual reputation substantiated by evidence from the lifeworks of Bronisław Malinowski and Michel Foucault. As such, it aims, minimally, to make sociology of knowledge decisively ‘cultural’. Maximally, it seeks to demonstrate that the iconic success of intellectual intervention in social theory depends on carefully performed and contingently mediated engagement with the binary systems of symbolic classification.
Types of employment and their associations with work characteristics and health in Swedish women and men
Authors: Samuelsson Åsa , Houkes Inge , Verdonk Petra , Hammarström Anne
Published: February 2012

Aim: To investigate whether type of employment was related to work characteristics and health status at age 42 adjusted for health status at age 30 and whether gender moderates the associations. Methods: Questionnaire data was used from a 27-year follow-up study of school-leavers carried out in Luleå in the north of Sweden (response rate 94%). The study population consisted of 877 (47.8% women) working respondents. Data were analysed by means of t-tests, ANOVAs, and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Men were more often self-employed, while more women had temporary types of employment. Moreover, men reported more control over work and less emotional exhaustion than women. Compared to permanently employed, self-employed (men and women) perceived more control over work and better health status ( p<0.01). Self-employed men also reported more demands and social support ( p<0.05). People in temporary types of employment, however, reported less job control, as well as lower health status (only men) ( p<0.01). Poor self-reported health and emotional exhaustion were significantly ( p<0.05) associated with poor work characteristics (more demands, lower job control, and lower support). Conclusions: No direct associations between type of employment and health were found for women and men. However we find indications of an influence of type of employment on work and thereupon health, with job control playing an important role.
A Comparative Study of Oral Candidal Carriage and Its Association with CD4 Count between HIV-Positive and Healthy Individuals
Authors: Kamtane Smita , Subramaniam Arun , Suvarna Prashant
Published: February 2012

Aims and Objectives:

To correlate asymptomatic oral candidal carriage in HIV-positive patients and normal individuals and determine its association with CD4 count.

Material and Methods:

Forty HIV-positive patients and forty healthy individuals were included in this study. Saliva from both groups was collected by the spitting method. The saliva from each individual was incubated aerobically on Sabouraud Dextrose agar with antibiotics at 37°C. The germ tube method was used for differentiation of candidal species, whether the Candida albicans or non- Candida albicans. Surface count method was used to count the number of colonies of candida species. Data were analyzed by chi square and Mann-Whitney test.

Results:

Oral candidal carriage was found in 22 out of 40 (55%) HIV-positive patients. In healthy volunteers, oral candidal carriage was found in 6 out of 40 (15%) individuals ( p value = 0.0002), which is significantly higher. Similarly, density carriage in the HIV-positive patients was found to be significantly higher than that in the HIV-negative group ( p value = 0.002). However, oral yeast carriage was not associated with CD4 count (correlation coefficient r = −0.087).

Conclusion:

Within the limits of the study, we concluded oral candidal carriage rate and density carriage higher in HIV-positive patients than in healthy individuals.
A Potential Drug–Herbal Interaction between Ginkgo biloba and Efavirenz
Authors: Naccarato Mark , Yoong Deborah , Gough Kevin
Published: February 2012

Efavirenz (EFV) is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6 and to a lesser extent by CYP3A4. Drugs that significantly inhibit or induce these enzymes would then be expected to increase or lower the levels of EFV potentially resulting in toxicity or therapeutic failure, respectively. The constituents of Ginkgo biloba extract have been demonstrated to induce gene expression of the CYP450 enzymes. We report a case in which a potential drug–herb interaction may have led to virological breakthrough in a patient that was maintained on the same regimen for 10 years. Therefore, a drug–herbal interaction may be expected when these agents are taken concurrently, and we advise clinicians to avoid this combination when possible.
Reliability and Validity of the Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire for Inpatients
Authors: Kneebone Ian I. , Hull Samantha L. , McGurk Rhona , Cropley Mark
Published: February 2012

Background. Patient-centered measures of the inpatient neurorehabilitation experience are needed to assess services. Objective. The objective of this study was to develop a valid and reliable Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire (NREQ) to assess whether neurorehabilitation inpatients experience service elements important to them. Methods. Based on the themes established in prior qualitative research, adopting questions from established inventories and using a literature review, a draft version of the NREQ was generated. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 9 patients and 26 staff from neurological rehabilitation units to establish face validity. Then, 70 patients were recruited to complete the NREQ to ascertain reliability (internal and test-retest) and concurrent validity. Results. On the basis of the face validity testing, several modifications were made to the draft version of the NREQ. Subsequently, internal reliability (time 1 α = .76, time 2 α = .80), test retest reliability ( r = 0.70), and concurrent validity ( r = 0.32 and r = 0.56) were established for the revised version. Whereas responses were associated with positive mood ( r = 0.30), they appeared not to be influenced by negative mood, age, education, length of stay, sex, functional independence, or whether a participant had been a patient on a unit previously. Conclusions. Preliminary validation of the NREQ suggests promise for use with its target population.
Pain Reporting, Opiate Dosing, and the Adverse Effects of Opiates After Hip or Knee Replacement in Patients 60 Years Old or Older
Authors: Petre Benjamin M. , Roxbury Christopher R. , McCallum Jeremy R. , DeFontes Kenneth W. , Belkoff Stephen M. , Mears Simon C.
Published: February 2012

Our goal was to determine whether there were age-related differences in pain, opiate use, and opiate side effects after total hip or knee arthroplasty in patients 60 years old or older. We hypothesized that there would be no significant differences between age groups in (1) mean pain score, (2) opiate use after adjusting for pain, or (3) opiate side effects after adjusting for opiate use and pain score. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic and paper charts of all patients undergoing total joint replacements at our institution over 3 years who met the following criteria: (1) 60 years old or older, (2) primary single total knee or total hip replacement, and (3) no preoperative dementia. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative course data were collected using a customized data entry process and database. We divided the patients into 2 age groups, those 60 to 79 years old and those 80 years old or older. Using a marginal model with the panel variable of postoperative day, we investigated the associations between age group and pain, age group and pain adjusting for opiate use, and age group and complications (respiratory depression, naloxone usage as a measure of respiratory arrest, delirium, constipation, and urinary retention) adjusting for opiate use (Xtgee, Stata10, Stata Corp. LP, College Station, Texas). Significance was set at P < .05. We found no significant difference in pain scores between groups, but the older group had significantly fewer opiates prescribed yet significantly more side effects, including delirium (odds ratio 4.2), than did the younger group, even after adjusting for opiate dose and pain score.
Polycombs and microRNA-223 regulate human granulopoiesis by transcriptional control of target gene expression
Authors: Zardo Giuseppe , Ciolfi Alberto , Vian Laura , Starnes Linda M. , Billi Monia , Racanicchi Serena , Maresca Carmen , Fazi Francesco , Travaglini Lorena , Noguera Nelida , Mancini Marco , Nanni Mauro , Cimino Giuseppe , Lo-Coco Francesco , Grignani Francesco , Nervi Clara
Published: February 2012

Epigenetic modifications regulate developmental genes involved in stem cell identity and lineage choice. NFI-A is a posttranscriptional microRNA-223 (miR-223) target directing human hematopoietic progenitor lineage decision: NFI-A induction or silencing boosts erythropoiesis or granulopoiesis, respectively. Here we show that NFI-A promoter silencing, which allows granulopoiesis, is guaranteed by epigenetic events, including the resolution of opposing chromatin “bivalent domains,” hypermethylation, recruitment of polycomb (PcG)–RNAi complexes, and miR-223 promoter targeting activity. During granulopoiesis, miR-223 localizes inside the nucleus and targets the NFI-A promoter region containing PcGs binding sites and miR-223 complementary DNA sequences, evolutionarily conserved in mammalians. Remarkably, both the integrity of the PcGs-RNAi complex and DNA sequences matching the seed region of miR-223 are required to induce NFI-A transcriptional silencing. Moreover, ectopic miR-223 expression in human myeloid progenitors causes heterochromatic repression of NFI-A gene and channels granulopoiesis, whereas its stable knockdown produces the opposite effects. Our findings indicate that, besides the regulation of translation of mRNA targets, endogenous miRs can affect gene expression at the transcriptional level, functioning in a critical interface between chromatin remodeling complexes and the genome to direct fate lineage determination of hematopoietic progenitors.
The combination of valproic acid and lithium delays hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell differentiation
Authors: Walasek Marta A. , Bystrykh Leonid , van den Boom Vincent , Olthof Sandra , Ausema Albertina , Ritsema Martha , Huls Gerwin , de Haan Gerald , van Os Ronald
Published: February 2012

Despite increasing knowledge on the regulation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) self-renewal and differentiation, in vitro control of stem cell fate decisions has been difficult. The ability to inhibit HSPC commitment in culture may be of benefit to cell therapy protocols. Small molecules can serve as tools to manipulate cell fate decisions. Here, we tested 2 small molecules, valproic acid (VPA) and lithium (Li), to inhibit differentiation. HSPCs exposed to VPA and Li during differentiation-inducing culture preserved an immature cell phenotype, provided radioprotection to lethally irradiated recipients, and enhanced in vivo repopulating potential. Anti-differentiation effects of VPA and Li were observed also at the level of committed progenitors, where VPA re-activated replating activity of common myeloid progenitor and granulocyte macrophage progenitor cells. Furthermore, VPA and Li synergistically preserved expression of stem cell–related genes and repressed genes involved in differentiation. Target genes were collectively co-regulated during normal hematopoietic differentiation. In addition, transcription factor networks were identified as possible primary regulators. Our results show that the combination of VPA and Li potently delays differentiation at the biologic and molecular levels and provide evidence to suggest that combinatorial screening of chemical compounds may uncover possible additive/synergistic effects to modulate stem cell fate decisions.
Recruitment of monocytes/macrophages by tissue factor-mediated coagulation is essential for metastatic cell survival and premetastatic niche establishment in mice
Authors: Gil-Bernabé Ana M. , Ferjančič Špela , Tlalka Monika , Zhao Lei , Allen Philip D. , Im Jae Hong , Watson Karla , Hill Sally A. , Amirkhosravi Ali , Francis John L. , Pollard Jeffrey W. , Ruf Wolfram , Muschel Ruth J.
Published: February 2012

Tissue factor (TF) expression by tumor cells correlates with metastasis clinically and supports metastasis in experimental settings. However, the precise pathways coupling TF to malignancy remain incompletely defined. Here, we show that clot formation by TF indirectly enhances tumor cell survival after arrest in the lung, during experimental lung metastasis, by recruiting macrophages characterized by CD11b, CD68, F4/80, and CX3CR1 (but not CD11c) expression. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of coagulation, by either induction of TF pathway inhibitor ex-pression or by treatment with hirudin, respectively, abrogated macrophage recruitment and tumor cell survival. Furthermore, impairment of macrophage function, in either Mac1-deficient mice or in CD11b-diphtheria toxin receptor mice in which CD11b-positive cells were ablated, decreased tumor cell survival without altering clot formation, demonstrating that the recruitment of functional macrophages was essential for tumor cell survival. This effect was independent of NK cells. Moreover, a similar population of macrophages was also recruited to the lung during the formation of a premetastatic niche. Anticoagulation inhibited their accumulation and prevented the enhanced metastasis associated with the formation of the niche. Our study, for the first time, links TF induced coagulation to macrophage recruitment in the metastatic process.
Optimizing the thermoelectric performance of zigzag and chiral carbon nanotubes
Authors: Tan Xiaojian , Liu Huijun , Wen Yanwei , Lv Hongyan , Pan Lu , Shi Jing , Tang Xinfeng
Published: February 2012

Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and nonequilibrium Green's function method, we investigate the thermoelectric properties of a series of zigzag and chiral carbon nanotubes which exhibit interesting diameter and chirality dependence. Our calculated results indicate that these carbon nanotubes could have higher ZT values at appropriate carrier concentration and operating temperature. Moreover, their thermoelectric performance can be significantly enhanced via isotope substitution, isoelectronic impurities, and hydrogen adsorption. It is thus reasonable to expect that carbon nanotubes may be promising candidates for high-performance thermoelectric materials.
Frequency-dependent velocity prediction theory with implication for better reservoir fluid prediction
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Sun Sam Zandong , Wang Dan , Han Jianfa , Jing Bing
Published: February 2012

A series of experiments have shown that the elastic wave velocities and attenuation are dependent on frequency (Jones, 1986; Sams et al., 1997; Batzle et al., 2006). Velocity dispersion and attenuation may make it difficult to match different frequency bands of geophysical data such as surface seismic and VSP (∼5 to 300 Hz), sonic log (1 kHz to 20 kHz), and ultrasonic core survey (>[Formula: see text] Hz). For example, sonic log data are often used to constrain seismic inversion on the assumption that log velocity equals to seismic velocity at well locations. However, these two sets of velocities are different due to the effect of velocity dispersion, especially in reservoirs. Therefore, if we could develop a proper frequency-dependent rock physics model to correct the data at the sonic frequency band to that at the seismic frequency band, it would be useful for the solution to the data-matching problem.
The application of high-resolution 3D seismic acquisition techniques for carbonate reservoir characterization in China
Authors: Feng Xukui , Wang Yanfeng , Wang Xuejun , Wang Naijian , Gao Guocheng , Zhu Xinghui
Published: February 2012

This paper describes major challenges to seismic acquisition in China's Tarim Basin (Figure 1) and how high-resolution 3D seismic surveys can improve reservoir imaging in this area.
Studying heterogeneity and anisotropy via numerical and physical modeling
Authors: Sun Sam Zandong , Chen Lei , Xiao Xi , Liu Lifeng , Tang Zhiyuan , Wei Jianxin , Sun Langqiu
Published: February 2012

Palaeozoic carbonate rocks are widely distributed in China. The storage spaces of these carbonate reservoirs are mainly secondary and include dissolution caves, holes, and fractures. The original porosity is less than 1% in most formations. Hydrocarbon distribution is controlled by the systems of fractures and caves, which have a quasi-layered shape. The reservoir media are heterogeneous (caves and holes) and have varying degrees of anisotropy degree (fractures). So it is important to evaluate the heterogeneity and to check the accuracy of anisotropy inversion.
Two promising approaches for amplitude-preserved resolution enhancement
Authors: Sun Sam Zandong , Bai Yingzhe , Wu Shiying , Wang Di , Gao Hongliang , Jing Bing , Han Jianfa
Published: February 2012

In western China, carbonate reservoirs are deeply buried and the surface is very loose. Due to Earth filtering, the high-frequency component of seismic waves is seriously absorbed. This causes a decrease in the dominant frequency and a narrowing of the frequency bandwidth of the seismic signals from a deep target. In the Tarim Basin, the most prospective reservoirs are below 6000 m. The seismic data recorded in these areas always show weak energy, low frequency, and phase distortion. Additionally, due to the desert surface, the energy of the seismic waves suffers serious absorption.
Inelastic Responses of Two-Way Asymmetric-Plan Structures under Bidirectional Ground Excitations—Part I: Modal Parameters
Authors: Lin Jui-Liang , Tsai Keh-Chyuan , Yang Wen-Chia
Published: February 2012

It has been found that any one vibration “mode” of an inelastic multistory two-way asymmetrical building structure can be represented by a three-degree-of-freedom (3DOF) modal system representing two modal translations and one modal rotation. This study introduces the inelastic response spectra constructed from the inelastic 3DOF modal systems, which is specifically useful for multistory two-way asymmetric-plan buildings subjected to bidirectional ground excitations. These spectra for asymmetrical structures (SAS) provide the three-component inelastic peak modal responses of multistory two-way asymmetric-plan buildings subjected to bidirectional ground excitations. In order to construct the SAS, the independent elastic parameters of the 3DOF modal systems were identified and the inelastic 3DOF modal parameters versus the strength ratio relationships were established. The parametric study of the 3DOF modal parameters showed the ranges and the variation trends of these parameters. Two example buildings are analyzed to verify the effectiveness of the above-mentioned investigations.
Inelastic Responses of Two-Way Asymmetric-Plan Structures under Bidirectional Ground Excitations—Part II: Response Spectra
Authors: Lin Jui-Liang , Yang Wen-Chia , Tsai Keh-Chyuan
Published: February 2012

Based on the studies in the companion paper, this paper presents the inelastic response spectra for asymmetrical structures (SAS) under bidirectional ground excitations. Firstly, the constant-strength SAS were constructed and compared with the corresponding conventional constant-strength response spectra. It was found that the modal ductility demands of an asymmetric-plan structure could be significantly overestimated from the conventional constant-strength response spectra as the nonlinear “modal” rotation and translations may not be proportional. Furthermore, the translation-rotation interaction effect is not considered in the conventional constant-strength response spectra. Secondly, the influences of the three-degree-of-freedom (3DOF) modal parameters on the ductility demand were extensively studied. Thirdly, the normalized peak edge translation spectra were also investigated. It was found that the normalized peak edge translation resulting from a single vibration mode may be overestimated twofold by using the single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) modal systems.
Perception and Communication of Seismic Risk: The 6 April 2009 L'Aquila Earthquake Case Study
Authors: Marincioni Fausto , Appiotti Federica , Ferretti Maurizio , Antinori Caterina , Melonaro Paola , Pusceddu Antonio , Oreficini-Rosi Roberto
Published: February 2012

On Monday, 6 April 2009 at 3:32 a.m. (local time), a moment magnitude 6.3 earthquake with an epicenter located near the city of L'Aquila, in central Italy, killed 308 people, injured 1,500, left 22,000 homeless, and temporarily displaced another 65,000. This study examines a sample of the affected population and finds that despite the long list of historical earthquakes that struck the region and the swarm of foreshocks occurring up to four months before the main shock of 6 April, the residents of L'Aquila had a rather low earthquake risk perception and an unjustified confidence in the seismic safety of their houses. This low perception of earthquake risk and ignorance of the real structural resistance of buildings appear to have inhibited the individual and collective propensity to develop emergency plans. This situation was further exacerbated by the lack of clear and forthright communication from the emergency management authorities about the impossibility of precisely predicting earthquakes and about the risks posed by many of the city's old buildings.
Strong-Motion Data from Structural Response Recorders in Indian Earthquakes
Authors: Jain Sudhir K. , Roshan A. D. , Yadav Siddharth , Srivastava Sonam , Basu Prabir C.
Published: February 2012

In the 1960s several hundred structural response recorders (SRR) were installed all over India. An SRR is a simple instrument consisting of six seismoscopes that provide “maximum response” during an earthquake, without providing the time history. In the past earthquakes, these SRRs have provided several hundred records but they have not been effectively utilized for hazard studies because the measurements from these instruments are considered crude. This paper compares the data obtained from SRRs with that from more modern strong-motion accelerographs (SMAs) for four earthquakes in India. It is shown through statistical analysis that the response obtained from the SRRs is comparable to that from the SMAs. A method has been presented for estimating peak ground acceleration (PGA) from SRR data. Thus, it is shown that SRRs can provide a substantial amount of PGA data for attenuation studies. Many countries may find SRRs useful because of the low costs associated with their manufacture and maintenance.