bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABCD3 and ABCD3-I Scores Are Superior to ABCD2 Score in the Prediction of Short- and Long-Term Risks of Stroke After Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Kiyohara Takuya , Kamouchi Masahiro , Kumai Yasuhiro , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Hata Jun , Yoshimura Sohei , Ago Tetsuro , Okada Yasushi , Kitazono Takanari ,   Fukuoka Stroke Registry Investigators,   The participating hospitals in the Fukuoka Stroke Registry were the following:,   Kyushu University Hospital, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, National Hospital Organization Fukuoka-Higashi Medical Center, Fukuoka Red Cross Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Steel Memorial Yawata Hospital, Japan Labor Health and Welfare Organization Kyushu Rosai Hospital.,   The steering committee included the following:, Ishitsuka Takao , Fujimoto Shigeru , Ibayashi Setsuro , Kusuda Kenji , Arakawa Shuji , Tamaki Kinya , Sadoshima Seizo , Irie Katsumi , Fujii Kenichiro , Okada Yasushi , Yasaka Masahiro , Nagao Tetsuhiko , Ooboshi Hiroaki , Omae Tsuyoshi , Toyoda Kazunori , Nakane Hiroshi , Sugimori Hiroshi , Fukuda Kenji , Matsuo Ryu , Kuroda Junya , Fukushima Yoshihisa
Published: December 2013

Background and Purpose—

Several risk scores have been developed to predict the stroke risk after transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, the validation of these scores in different cohorts is still limited. The objective of this study was to elucidate whether these scores were able to predict short-term and long-term risks of stroke in patients with TIA.

Methods—

From the Fukuoka Stroke Registry, 693 patients with TIA were followed up for 3 years. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the hazard ratio of risk factors for stroke. The discriminatory ability of each risk score for incident stroke was estimated by using C-statistics and continuous net reclassification improvement.

Results—

The multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model revealed that dual TIA and carotid stenosis were both significant predictors for stroke after TIA, whereas abnormal diffusion-weighted image was not. ABCD3 (C-statistics 0.61) and ABCD3-I (C-statistics 0.66) scores improved the short-term predictive ability for stroke (at 7 days) compared with the ABCD2 score (C-statistics 0.54). Addition of intracranial arterial stenosis (at 3 years, continuous net reclassification improvement 30.5%;
P
<0.01) and exclusion of abnormal diffusion-weighted imaging (at 3 years, continuous net reclassification improvement 24.0%;
P
<0.05) further improved the predictive ability for stroke risk until 3 years after TIA.

Conclusions—

The present study demonstrates that ABCD3 and ABCD3-I scores are superior to the ABCD2 score for the prediction of subsequent stroke in patients with TIA. Addition of neuroimaging in the ABCD3 score may enable prediction of long-term stroke risk after TIA.
Discharge Is a Critical Time to Influence 10-Year Use of Secondary Prevention Therapies for Stroke
Authors: Thrift Amanda G. , Kim Joosup , Douzmanian Vatche , Gall Seana L. , Arabshahi Simin , Loh Michelle , Evans Roger G.
Published: December 2013

Background and Purpose—

When optimally managed, patients with stroke are less likely to have further vascular events. We aimed to identify factors associated with optimal use of secondary prevention therapies in long-term survivors of stroke.

Methods—

We carefully documented discharge medications at baseline and self-reported use of medications at annual follow-up in the Northeast Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study (NEMESIS). We defined optimal medication use when patients reported taking (1) antihypertensive agents and (2) statin and antithrombotic agents (ischemic stroke only). Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with optimal medication use between 2 and 10 years after stroke.

Results—

We recruited 1241 patients with stroke. Optimal prescription at discharge from hospital was the most important factor associated with optimal medication use at each time point: odds ratio (OR), 32.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6–76.1) at 2 years; OR, 7.86 (95% CI, 4.48–13.8) at 5 years (425 of 505 survivors); OR, 6.04 (95% CI, 3.18–11.5) at 7 years (326 of 390 survivors); and OR, 2.62 (95% CI, 1.19–5.77) at 10 years (256 of 293 survivors). Associations were similar in men and women. The association between optimal prescription at discharge and optimal medication use at each time point was greater in those who were not disadvantaged, particularly women.

Conclusions—

Prescription of medications at hospital discharge was the strongest predictor of ongoing medication use in survivors of stroke, even at 10 years after stroke. Ensuring that patients with stroke are discharged on optimal medications is likely to improve their long-term management, but further strategies might be required among those who are disadvantaged.
Fluorescent Molecular Peroxidation Products
Authors: Llombart Víctor , Dominguez Carmen , Bustamante Alejandro , Rodriguez-Sureda Victor , Martín-Gallán Pilar , Vilches Angel , García-Berrocoso Teresa , Penalba Anna , Hernández-Guillamon Mar , Rubiera Marta , Ribó Marc , Eschenfelder Christoph , Giralt Dolors , Molina Carlos A. , Alvarez-Sabín José , Rosell Anna , Montaner Joan
Published: December 2013

Background and Purpose—

Fluorescent molecular peroxidation products (FMPPs) are considered potential markers of molecular oxidative damage and may provoke increased permeability and disruption of the blood–brain barrier. This study aimed to determine the value of FMPPs as a biomarker to predict neurological worsening related to early hemorrhagic transformation.

Methods—

Baseline FMPP levels were measured in 186 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients before tissue plasminogen activator treatment was administered. A serial FMPP profile (baseline before tissue plasminogen activator treatment, and 1, 2, 12, and 24 hours from treatment) was determined in a subset of 100 patients. Computed tomographic scans were performed at admission and repeated at 24 to 48 hours or after neurological worsening occurred. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was defined as blood at any site in the brain associated with neurological deterioration.

Results—

Patients who worsened had higher median FMPP levels compared with those who did not (59.68 [48.63–85.73] versus 44.87 [36.37–58.90] Uf/mL;
P
=0.035) at baseline. After logistic regression multivariate analysis, FMPP >48.2 Uf/mL together with age, hypertension, and systolic blood pressure remained baseline predictors of worsening at 48 hours. Moreover, baseline FMPP determination helped to distinguish between patients who worsened and those who did not (Integrated Discrimination Improvement index, 5.7%;
P
=0.0004). Finally, within patients who had worsened at 48 hours, those with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage had higher FMPP levels (
P
=0.038).

Conclusions—

FMPPs might be a valuable biomarker of poor early neurological outcome and be related to the appearance of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in tissue plasminogen activator–treated patients, one of the most feared neurological complications after thrombolytic treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Hellenia Retz., the correct name for Cheilocostus C.D.Specht (Costaceae)
Authors: GOVAERTS RAFAËL
Published: December 2013

In recent years numerous authors have suggested various generic placements for the Crape Ginger but still no valid available name has been published. I therefore give a short overview and make the necessary combinations.
Notes on Early Land Plants Today. 46. Transfer of Vitalianthus urubuensis (Marchantiophyta, Lejeuneaceae) to Cheilolejeunea
Authors: WEI YU-MEI , He Qiong , GRADSTEIN S. ROBBERT , Campos Laura V. , Zhu Rui-Liang
Published: December 2013

Vitalianthus was established by Schuster & Giancotti (1993) based on Drepanolejeunea bischleriana K.C.Pôrto & Grolle (1987: 301), which is endemic to the Atlantic coast of north-eastern Brazil. This genus is related to Drepanolejeunea (Spruce 1884: 76) Schiffner (1893: 119) (Gradstein et al. 2001, Gradstein & Costa 2003, He et al. 2012a, b) and characterized by the 1) hyaline papilla at the proximal side of lobule tooth, 2) unbroken basal vitta of 3-7 ocelli in leaf lobes, 3) bilobed underleaves with upright lobes, 4) gynoecial innovations with a pycnolejeuneoid leaf sequence, 5) perianth keels unarmed, and 6) absence of specialized cladia (He et al. 2012a). In addition to the type species, this genus currently also contains Vitalianthus urubuensis Zartman & Ackerman (2002: 267) from the Amazonian rainforests of Brazil and Colombia (Zartman & Ackerman 2002, Mota de Oliveira & ter Steege 2013, Campos et al. in prep.), and V. guangxianus Zhu et al. (2012a: 32). Our examination of type material and recent collections of Vitalianthus urubuensis from Brazil and Colombia reveals that the hyaline papilla of the leaf lobule is distal as in Cheilolejeunea (Spruce 1884: 79) Schiffner (1893: 118) (Fig. 1E,F). The moniliate, unbroken vitta of ocelli in the leaf lobes, one of the most important features of Vitalianthus, also occurs in some species of Cheilolejeunea, e.g. in Cheilolejeunea falsinervis (Sande Lacoste 1854: 321) Schuster & Kachroo (1961: 56) from Asia and Australasia. It thus appears that V. urubuensis is morphologically more similar to Cheilolejeunea than to Vitalianthus. The morphological affinity between Vitalianthus urubuensis and Cheilolejeunea is confirmed by our unpublished molecular data (ITS, trnG and trnL-F; Wei et al., in prep.) which show that V. urubuensis and several species of Cheilolejeunea form a monophyletic lineage. Therefore, the following new combination is necessary.
Senecio imbaburensis, proposed name for Lasiocephalus sodiroi in the genus Senecio (Asteraceae)
Authors: Marhold Karol , Sklenář Petr
Published: December 2013

Lasiocephalus Willd. ex Schlechtendal (1818: 308), as traditionally circumscribed (e.g., by Cuatrecasas 1978, Dušková et al. 2010), is a neotropical genus of ca 25 species confined to the Andes and distributed from Venezuela to Bolivia. Nevertheless, recent studies by Pelser et al. (2007, 2010) have shown that based on phylogenetic analyses of nrITS and plastid DNA sequence data, species of the genus Lasiocephalus are deeply embedded in Senecio Linnaeus (1753: 866), and, consequently, should be transferred into this latter genus. In fact, a number of species of Lasiocephalus were originally described as Senecio or had been, at some point, transferred into Senecio so only few transfers are necessary.
New and Interesting Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from Blue Lake Warm Springs, Tooele County, Utah
Authors: GRAEFF C. L. , KOCIOLEK J.P. , RUSHFORTH S.R.
Published: December 2013

Blue Lake Warm Springs is a system of brackish lakes and marshes in western Utah, USA with a unique diatom flora that has been previously documented. Here we reexamine select taxa in greater detail, erecting two new genera and six new species from this system, and describing two additional species not observed in prior studies of the Blue Lake flora. Naviculonema stagnora gen. nov., sp. nov. and Williamsella angusta gen. nov., sp. nov are a new naviculoid genus and new pennate diatom genus lacking a raphe, respectively. Other new species of diatoms from Blue Lake Warm Springs, representing a broad range of diatom diversity, are Cyclotella utahensis sp. nov., Ulnaria tooelensis sp. nov., Pseudostaurosira moralesii sp. nov., Envekadea vanlandinghamii sp. nov., Mastogloia variabilis sp. nov., and Lunella excentrica sp. nov. The report of Envekadea is the first of the genus from inland USA waters, and the report of Lunella is the first from the USA. In addition to describing new taxa in this study, we also closely examine two known taxa, Fallacia pseudolitoricola and Nitzschia vitrea, with scanning electron microscopy, in order to better understand their morphology and biogeography. Presence of euryhaline or salt tolerant taxa in this inland ecosystem may be due to introductions by humans, either via escaped aquaculture species or transport by recreational SCUBA diving.
Revised world catalogue of Eucopina, Eucosma, Pelochrista, and Phaneta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Eucosmini)
Authors: GILLIGAN TODD M. , WRIGHT DONALD J.
Published: December 2013

A revised world catalogue of Eucopina, Eucosma, Pelochrista, and Phaneta is provided. Assignment to genus is based on generic redescriptions by Gilligan et al. (2013). A total of 709 names (including subspecies and synonyms) are listed, including 251 new combinations and 52 revised combinations.
A new species of water mite (Acari, Hydrachnidia) from Assam, India, found in the gut contents of the fish Botia dario (Botiidae)
Authors: PEŠIĆ VLADIMIR , CHATTERJEE TAPAS , DAS MRINAL KUMAR , BORDOLOI SABITRY
Published: December 2013

Water mites (Hydrachnidia) occur sporadically in the gut of freshwater fishes. In this study, nine water mite items were found in the gut contents of the fish Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822) (Botiidae) collected in a floodplain wetland (beel) in the river island Majuli, Assam, India. Torrenticola episce is described as new to science; Torrenticola haliki Pešić & Smit 2010, Monatractides oxystomus (K. Viets, 1935) and Hygrobates cf. sinensis Uchida & Imamura, 1951, are reported for the first time from India.
New and little known species of Nemouridae (Plecoptera) from Inner Mongolia of China
Authors: LI WEIHAI , MURÁNYI DÁVID , PAN JINGJUN , YANG DING
Published: December 2013

Four species of the family Nemouridae, Amphinemura helanshana sp. n., A. didyma Zhu & Yang, Nemoura geei Wu, and Nemoura cf. securigera Klapálek were collected during a two years survey of the Helan Mountains of Inner Mongolia, China. Nemoura cf. securigera has not been collected for more than one hundred years.
Evaluating the Accuracy of a High-Resolution Model Simulation through Comparison with MODIS Observations
Authors: Lee Yong-Keun , Otkin Jason A. , Greenwald Thomas J.
Published: December 2013

Synthetic infrared brightness temperatures (BTs) derived from a high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation over the contiguous United States are compared with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations to assess the accuracy of the model-simulated cloud field. A sophisticated forward radiative transfer model (RTM) is used to compute the synthetic MODIS observations. A detailed comparison of synthetic and real MODIS 11-μm BTs revealed that the model simulation realistically depicts the spatial characteristics of the observed cloud features. Brightness temperature differences (BTDs) computed for 8.5–11 and 11–12 μm indicate that the combined numerical model–RTM system realistically treats the radiative properties associated with optically thin cirrus clouds. For instance, much larger 11–12-μm BTDs occurred within thin clouds surrounding optically thicker, mesoscale cloud features. Although the simulated and observed BTD probability distributions for optically thin cirrus clouds had a similar range of positive values, the synthetic 11-μm BTs were much colder than observed. Previous studies have shown that MODIS cloud optical thickness values tend to be too large for thin cirrus clouds, which contributed to the apparent cold BT bias in the simulated thin cirrus clouds. Errors are substantially reduced after accounting for the observed optical thickness bias, which indicates that the thin cirrus clouds are realistically depicted during the model simulation.
Global Patterns of Mesoscale Eddy Properties and Diffusivities
Authors: Klocker Andreas , Abernathey Ryan
Published: December 2013

Mesoscale eddies play a major role in the transport of tracers in the ocean. Focusing on a sector in the east Pacific, the authors present estimates of eddy diffusivities derived from kinematic tracer simulations using satellite-observed velocity fields. Meridional diffusivities are diagnosed, and how they are related to eddy properties through the mixing length formulation of Ferrari and Nikurashin, which accounts for the suppression of diffusivity due to eddy propagation relative to the mean flow, is shown. The uniqueness of this study is that, through systematically varying the zonal-mean flow, a hypothetical “unsuppressed” diffusivity is diagnosed. At a given latitude, the unsuppressed diffusivity occurs when the zonal-mean flow equals the eddy phase speed. This provides an independent estimate of eddy phase propagation, which agrees well with theoretical arguments. It is also shown that the unsuppressed diffusivity is predicted very well by classical mixing length theory, that is, that it is proportional to the rms eddy velocity times the observed eddy size, with a spatially constant mixing efficiency of 0.35. Then, the suppression factor is estimated and it is shown that it too can be understood quantitatively in terms of easily observed mean flow properties. The authors then extrapolate from these sector experiments to the global scale, making predictions for the global surface eddy diffusivity. Together with a prognostic equation for eddy kinetic energy and a theory explaining observed eddy sizes, these concepts could potentially be used in a closure for eddy diffusivities in coarse-resolution ocean climate models.
Scanning ARM Cloud Radars. Part I: Operational Sampling Strategies
Authors: Kollias Pavlos , Bharadwaj Nitin , Widener Kevin , Jo Ieng , Johnson Karen
Published: December 2013

The acquisition of scanning cloud radars by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program and research institutions around the world generates the need for developing operational scan strategies for cloud radars. Here, the first generation of sampling strategies for the scanning ARM cloud radars (SACRs) is presented. These scan strategies are designed to address the scientific objectives of ARM; however, they introduce an initial framework for operational scanning cloud radars. While the weather community uses scan strategies that are based on a sequence of scans at constant elevations, the SACR scan strategies are based on a sequence of scans at constant azimuth. This is attributed to the cloud geometrical properties, which are vastly different from the rain and snow shafts that are the primary targets of precipitation radars; the need to cover the cone of silence; and the scanning limitations of the SACRs. A “cloud surveillance” scan strategy is introduced that is based on a sequence of horizon-to-horizon range–height indicator (RHI) scans that sample the hemispherical sky (HS) every 30° azimuth (HSRHI). The HSRHI scan strategy is complimented with a low-elevation plan position indicator (PPI) scan. The HSRHI and PPI are repeated every 30 min to provide a static view of the cloud conditions around the SACR location. Between the HSRHI and PPI scan strategies, other scan strategies are introduced depending on the cloud conditions. In the future, information about the atmospheric cloud state will be used in a closed-loop process to optimize the selection of the SACR scan strategy.
The Evolution of Convective Storms Initiated by an Isolated Mountain Ridge
Authors: Soderholm Brett , Ronalds Bryn , Kirshbaum Daniel J.
Published: December 2013

The evolution of convective storms over the Black Hills, an isolated mountain ridge in South Dakota and Wyoming and a regional convection hotspot, is investigated using a 10-yr observational climatology and quasi-idealized numerical simulations. Radar-observed diurnally forced mountain-convection events are classified according to their maximum cell-track length and duration, which are quantified using an automated cell-tracking algorithm. Environmental conditions during these events are obtained from operational radiosonde and model-analysis data. These data suggest that mountain-forced convective cells generally struggle to survive in the convectively inhibited flow downwind of the Black Hills. Those cells that do survive downwind prefer environments with strong bulk vertical shear over the 0–6-km layer, which favors organized multicellular or supercellular convection. Under slightly weaker shear, the cells tend to dissipate rapidly as they propagate downwind. Relatively weak winds aloft, when coupled with low-level winds aligned with the long terrain axis, support longer-lived, quasi-stationary cells with flash-flooding potential. The weak winds favor slow cell propagation while the along-ridge flow limits the negative feedbacks of storm outflow on the elevated convergence over the ridge, allowing convection to repeatedly initiate in the same location. The storm evolution is relatively insensitive to the background thermodynamic profile, provided that sufficient moist instability exists to support deep convection. Convection-permitting numerical simulations reinforce that changes in the background wind profile alone can explain the observed variations in cell evolution. They also suggest that the longevity of convective cells downwind of the ridge is sensitive to terrain-induced modifications to the vertical wind shear.
Facilitating a teleconference-delivered fatigue management program: Perspectives of occupational therapists
Authors: Dunleavy Leah , Preissner Katharine L. , Finlayson Marcia L.
Published: December 2013

Background.

Telehealth. refers to the provision of health information and services across a geographical distance. Little is known about the experiences of occupational therapists using this method of service delivery.

Purpose.

The study explored the process of facilitating a telehealth intervention from the perspective of occupational therapists.

Method.

Occupational therapists completed SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan) notes after facilitating group-based, teleconference-delivered fatigue management groups to people with multiple sclerosis. Notes were also documented after therapist team meetings. All SOAP notes and field notes were subjected to thematic analysis.

Findings.

Five major themes were identified. “Managing time” was the central theme and was facilitated by professional foundation and challenged by logistics. Managing time contributed to challenging work, which led to the realization that it can work!

Implications.

Based on study findings, the theory and research on clinical reasoning, professional development, and adult learning are relevant to developing curricula that prepare occupational therapists for using telehealth approaches in practice.
Using Above-Level Testing to Track Growth in Academic Achievement in Gifted Students
Authors: Warne Russell T.
Published: December 2013

Above-level testing is the practice of administering aptitude or academic achievement tests that are designed for typical students in higher grades or older age-groups to gifted or high-achieving students. Although widely accepted in gifted education, above-level testing has not been subject to careful psychometric scrutiny. In this study, I examine reliability data, growth trajectories, distributions, and group differences of above-level test scores obtained from the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and Iowa Tests of Educational Development. Two hundred twenty-four middle school students participated in this study. All participants were tested at least 1 time for an overall total of 435 times. Longitudinal analyses was performed with hierarchical linear modeling and indicated that substantial differences exist between students from overrepresented ethnicities (White and Asian Americans) and those from underrepresented ethnicities (Hispanic and African Americans) in both initial scores and the rate of score gains. Sex differences existed only for the rate of score increases for above-level reading scores. Socioeconomic differences existed but did not have a unique impact beyond that of the ethnicity variable. A discussion of these results within a wider gifted education context and suggestions for further research are included.
‘I’ve Learnt What a Dad Should Do’: The Interaction of Masculine and Fathering Identities among Men Who Attended a ‘Dads Only’ Parenting Programme
Authors: Dolan Alan
Published: December 2013

This article is based on qualitative research with men who voluntarily attended a ‘dads only’ parenting programme. The article explores men’s motivations to attend and demonstrates some of the challenges relating to masculine identity that fathers face when seeking support regarding their children. It also highlights how aspects of masculinity may shape men’s limited knowledge concerning the needs of their children and their capabilities as ‘involved’ fathers. The article then explores how men made sense of their changing thoughts and practices regarding fathering and fatherhood within the context of their conceptualisations of masculinity. Whilst men appeared to embrace parenting qualities more commonly associated with women they did not completely distance themselves from traditional fathering templates. Moreover, although they gained a sense of mastery over childcare, the ways in which men care for their children is inevitably context dependent and some demonstrations of involved fathering may clash with certain masculine ideals.
An alternative instrumental method for fabric pilling evaluation based on computer image analysis
Authors: Jasinska Izabela , Stempien Zbigniew
Published: December 2013

The present paper describes an instrumental method for the assessment of fabric pilling intensity, whose starting value is represented by the degree of fabric surface filling with pilling. This factor constitutes an alternative to the currently used scale of pilling evaluation in the form of pilling gradation and degree. The method is based on using the processing and analysis of the digital image of a pill-covered fabric sample. The measurement position described in the paper has been characterised paying attention to factors having a possible influence on the results of the tests performed. In respect of the relation between the pilling evaluation results obtained by the standard and instrumental methods, the results of the analysis show that there is a strong relationship between the parameters representing the measurement results in both the instrumental and standard methods. This confirms the solidity of using the instrumental method for the pilling evaluation of flat textiles.
Investigation of polyurethane elastomer–steel joints using glass lacquer as an adhesive agent
Authors: Datta Janusz , Lewicki Marcin
Published: December 2013

This article describes an innovative method of coupling polyurethane elastomer (based on polyurethane glycolysate) with constructional steel, by implementation of a Glaspur®—glass lacquer containing latent polyurethanes and monosilane adhesion promoters. The commonly applied coupling agent is Cilbond® 45SF glue or its derivatives. Additionally, glycolysate was synthesised from polyurethane waste and 1,3-propylene glycol in 6:1 proportion. Results of examination confirm the usefulness of the above-mentioned glass lacquer for preparing laminar polyurethane–steel elements. Strength tests unequivocally present higher tear resistance of elements prepared with lacquer than couplings with Cilbond.
Comparison between peroxide/coagent cross-linking systems and sulfur for producing tire treads from elastomeric compounds
Authors: Vieira Eleno Rodrigues , Mantovani Juliana Doralina , de Camargo Forte Maria Madalena
Published: December 2013

The aim of this work was to evaluate peroxide systems with and without coagents as cross-linking agents for rubber compounds in tires, which are usually prepared with sulfur. Natural rubber (NR) and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) formulations were prepared in open and closed mixers using an NR/SBR compound cured with sulfur as a reference. The physical properties (hardness, tensile strength, tearing, and abrasion) and dynamic mechanical behavior of the NR/SBR compounds cured with different cross-linking agents were evaluated. The NR/SBR compounds cured with only peroxide had poorer properties than did the vulcanized compound. On the other hand, the coagents were quite effective, and the NR/SBR compounds with BIS F40 + Retilink T40 (compound 10) or BIS F40 + T70A (compound 11) had properties similar to those of the reference compound. Compound 10 and the reference compound yielded similar tan δ values from dynamic mechanical analysis at 60 and 0°C, which are related to the rolling resistance and wet traction, respectively. The results demonstrate the possibility of using a peroxide/coagent NR/SBR compound instead of a sulfur-cured compound for tire tread applications without the loss of desirable properties and with lower costs and processing times.
Learning, firm age and performance: An investigation of returnee entrepreneurs in Chinese high-tech industries
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Wright Mike , Filatotchev Igor
Published: December 2013

Using unique survey data, this study investigates the impact of the learning of returnee entrepreneurs on firm performance. The findings indicate that returnee entrepreneur experiential and vicarious learning boosts firm performance. However, firm age significantly weakens the impact of learning on firm performance. The results extend the existing literature by explicitly examining the impact of the interrelationship between two forms of learning and firm age.
Is Prepregnancy Obesity Associated With Risk of Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy in Children?
Authors: Pan Chun , Deroche Chelsea B. , Mann Joshua R. , McDermott Suzanne , Hardin James W.
Published: December 2013

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between prepregnancy obesity in women and risk of cerebral palsy and epilepsy in their children using data from the South Carolina Medicaid program. The cohort included 83,901 maternal-child pairs; 100 cases of cerebral palsy were initially identified, followed by 53 cases that had at least 2 cerebral palsy diagnoses. For confirmed epilepsy, diagnosed on at least 5 occasions or by more than 1 provider, 83,472 observations were included with 338 cases. There was no association between maternal body mass index and risk of childhood epilepsy. A significant association between increasing maternal body mass index and any diagnosis of cerebral palsy was found, and morbid obesity was associated with increased risk of any and confirmed cerebral palsy. In conclusion, there appears to be an association of maternal body mass index with cerebral palsy, but there is no evidence to support an association with epilepsy.
A Paucisymptomatic Neuromuscular Disease Mimicking Type III 5q-SMA With Complex Rearrangements in the SMN Gene
Authors: Lohkamp Laura Nanna , Au Katja von , Goebel Hans-Hilmar , Kress Wolfram , Grieben Ulrike , Drossel Karin , Garbes Lutz , Wirth Brunhilde , Heppner Frank L. , Stenzel Werner
Published: December 2013

Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal-recessive neuromuscular disorder, causing progressive proximal weakness and atrophy of the voluntary muscles. More than 96% of the spinal muscular atrophy patients show a homozygous absence of exons 7 and 8, or exon 7 only, in SMN1, the telomeric copy of the SMN gene. We report a young male patient with neurogenic symptoms and sparse muscle fiber atrophy, suggestive of a mild form of type III spinal muscular atrophy. He was found to be a carrier of intragenic mutations in both copies of the SMN gene, exhibiting a homozygous duplication of exons 7 and 8 in SMN1 and a homozygous deletion of exon 8 as well as a heterozygous deletion of exon 7 in SMN2. However, an intact full-length SMN1 complementary deoxyribonucleic acid was identified, and SMN protein levels in a muscle specimen were identical to that of a healthy control, formally excluding the diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy III.
On the dependency of the parameters of fatigue crack growth from the fractal dimension of rough crack profiles
Authors: Paggi M , Plekhov O
Published: December 2013

A theoretical study based on dimensional analysis and fractal geometry of crack profiles is proposed to establish the relation between their fractal dimension D (1 <  D < 2) and the parameters defining the fatigue crack propagation rate. The exponent m of the Paris’ law is found to be an increasing function of the fractal dimension of the crack profile, m = 2 D/(2 −  D). This trend is confirmed by a quantitative analysis of fractographic images of titanium alloys with different grain sizes (different roughness of crack profiles), by a new experimental test and by an indirect estimation of D from crack growth equations accounting from crack-size effects in steel and aluminum. The present study can be considered as the first quantitative analysis of fractographic images aiming at relating the morphological features of cracks to their kinetics in fatigue.
A planar twist channel angular extrusion (PTCAE) as a novel severe plastic deformation method based on equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) method
Authors: Shamsborhan Mahmoud , Shokuhfar Ali
Published: December 2013

Planar twist channel angular extrusion (PTCAE) is a new severe plastic deformation method to produce bulk ultra-fine-grained materials which is based on conventional equal channel angular extrusion by applying additional planar twist strain in deformation zone of ECAP process and simultaneously imposing larger strain and increasing severe plastic deformation methods efficiency. Plastic deformation characteristics of PTCAE method were analyzed through finite element analysis using Deform 3D V.5 software, processing loads and values of effective strain in different directions of sample were studied for different planar twist angles (α) in comparison with the results of conventional ECAP with the same channel dimension and arc of curvature angles. Die and punch were assumed as rigid bodies, whereas the billet, with dimensions of 10 mm × 10 mm × 70 mm was considered to be deformable pure aluminum. The processing conditions such as friction coefficient, ram speed, mesh size and other factors were held constant to make comparison between the different processing conditions possible. The results indicated that more strain values with more uniform distribution may be achieved after PTCAE method in comparison with the conventional ECAP method. Also, it is observed that in α = 20, the equivalent strain distribution is homogenous approximately in both of vertical and horizontal directions of the cross-section of the sample. Therefore, PTCAE can be considered as a promising severe plastic deformation technique for future industrial applications which can be installed on any standard extrusion equipment without any additional required facilities that are essential in other new severe plastic deformation methods and can be used instead of ECAP process significantly and beneficially.
A value-focused approach for establishing requirements’ specification of commercial aircraft
Authors: Zhang Xinwei , Tong Shurong , Eres Hakki , Kossmann Mario , Wang Keqin
Published: December 2013

Although systems engineering processes and standards are widely used in aircraft development programs, traditional requirements’ engineering practice for commercial aircraft does not explicitly address value perceptions and associated information. In this paper, a value-focused approach is proposed to promote a better understanding of customer-value perceptions and their derivation among different levels for value-based requirements engineering of commercial aircraft. The approach is a four-step process starting from initial customer statements to a customer-value model and leading to a system-value model with associated component-value models. A set of theories and methods are introduced in order to resolve different aspects of the approach regarding the appropriate understanding of customer-value perceptions and the establishment of the value-based requirements’ specification. A case study is used to demonstrate the transformation of airlines’ initial expectation statements into three types of value models. There are two significant benefits of this approach: (a) perceived customer value can be explicitly modeled, simulated, and derived into different levels of the system development and (b) the value model can be subsequently utilized reactively for design evaluations and proactively for design optimization to generate creative design alternatives.
Development and Evaluation of STEM Interest and Self-Efficacy Tests
Authors: Milner Diana I. , Horan John J. , Tracey Terence J. G.
Published: December 2013

The recruitment and retention of students interested in STEM pursuits (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is a national priority obstructed by a lack of relevant measures. We developed a set of assessment devices applicable to program evaluation as well as the identification of STEM interested students and their self-efficacy levels. In this article, we report the psychometric properties of two interest and two self-efficacy measures of STEM-related activities and occupations. Exploratory factor analyses conducted on each measure with a randomly selected half of the sample ( n = 213) resulted in one general STEM factor. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on shortened versions of the tests for the remaining half of the sample ( n = 190). Goodness-of-fit indices all supported the one-factor model. Applications of the instruments to STEM assessment and education are discussed.
Does Trait Emotional Intelligence Predict Unique Variance in Early Career Success Beyond IQ and Personality?
Authors: García José Manuel de Haro , Costa Juan Luis Castejón
Published: December 2013

In order to determine the contribution of emotional intelligence (EI) to career success, in this study, we analyzed the relationship between trait EI (TEI), general mental ability (GMA), the big five personality traits, and career success indicators, in a sample of 130 graduates who were in the early stages of their careers. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that TEI, and especially its dimension “repair,” has incremental validity in predicting one of the career success indicators (salary) after controlling for GMA and personality. These findings provide support for the use of TEI measures as predictors of career success in the early stage.
Policy convergence, politics and comparative penal reform: Sex offender notification schemes in the USA and UK
Authors: Jones Trevor , Newburn Tim
Published: December 2013

An important theme in recent comparative penology has concerned the apparent convergence of penal policy between ‘neo-liberal’ Anglophone jurisdictions exemplified by the adoption of a punitive and politicized approach to crime and punishment. At the same time, important divergences from this pattern have been noted in other national contexts, not least in a number of Western European countries. This article returns to these debates in light of the history of the passage of federal and state legislation in the area of sex offender community notification in the United States (Megan’s Law) together with campaigns to enact similar legislation in the UK (Sarah’s Law). We compare the process of policy change on both sides of the Atlantic and analyse the factors shaping key policy decisions. A central objective is to explore the ways in which broader cross-national influences and distinctive national political institutions and structures work to shape the agendas and actual decisions of key policy actors. The article concludes with some observations about the nature of convergence and divergence in the penal policies of different nations.
Reality and Terror, the First-Person Shooter in Current Day Settings
Authors: Hitchens Michael , Patrickson Bronwin , Young Sherman
Published: December 2013

The first-person shooter (FPS), with its subjective view point and relentless action, gives its players an intense, often violent, virtual experience. There has been considerable debate about the effects of this mediated experience. Of particular concern is whether these games stage a propaganda campaign for the interests of governments and the military–industrial complex. Some fear that these games are leading us toward a perpetual state of war. However, such discussions have usually focussed on a very narrow selection from the FPS genre. This article examines a large sample, over 160 individual titles, of FPSs with a contemporary setting. The enemies presented by these games are analyzed and found to be far wider than a narrow examination of games based on topical conflicts would suggest, being instead inspired by a range of political, cultural, and literary sources. Any analysis of FPS games needs to take this diversity into account.
What do we really know about infants who attend Accident and Emergency departments?
Authors: Heys Michelle , Kwong Ho-Ming , Reed Jo , Blair Mitch
Published: December 2013

Aims:

Accident and Emergency attendances continue to rise. Infants are disproportionately represented. This study examines the clinical reasons infants attend UK Accident and Emergency departments.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 6,667 infants aged less than one year attending Accident and Emergency at two district general hospitals in London from 1st April 2009 to 30th March 2010. All infants had been assigned to a diagnostic category by the medical coding department according to National Health Service (NHS) data guidelines, based on the clinical diagnoses stated in the medical records. The Accident and Emergency case notes of a random subsample of 10% of infants in each of the top five recorded diagnostic categories ( n = 535) were reviewed in detail and audited against the standard national NHS data set.

Results:

The top 5 clinical diagnoses were ‘infectious diseases’, ‘gastrointestinal’, ‘respiratory’, ‘unclassifiable’ and ‘no abnormality detected’ (NAD). A third of infants were originally given a diagnosis of unclassifiable (21.5%) or NAD (11.5%). After detailed case-note review, we were able to reduce this to 9.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 9.0, 10.4) and 8.8% (95% CI: 8.1, 9.5), respectively.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the importance of providing a clear clinical diagnosis and coding system for Accident and Emergency attendances and understanding that system fully. This would allow for better informed health service evaluation, planning and research as each of these relies on the interpretation of routine health-care data. Furthermore, the relatively high proportion (10%) of infants attending with no discernible underlying medical abnormality suggests the health needs of a significant proportion of infants attending Accident and Emergency departments may be better addressed by alternative service provision and/or improved education and support to parents.
One of the most urgent vascular circumstances: Acute limb ischemia
Authors: Acar Rezzan D , Sahin Muslum , Kirma Cevat
Published: December 2013

Acute limb ischemia is a sudden decrease in limb perfusion that threatens limb viability and requires urgent evaluation and management. Most of the causes of acute limb ischemia are thrombosis of a limb artery or bypass graft, embolism from the heart or a disease artery, dissection, and trauma. Assessment determines whether the limb is viable or irreversibly damaged. Prompt diagnosis and revascularization by means of catheter-based thrombolysis or thrombectomy and by surgery reduce the risk of limb loss and mortality. Amputation is performed in patients with irreversible damage. Despite urgent revascularization, amputation rate is 10%–15% in patients during hospitalization, mostly above the knee, and mortality within 1 year is 10%–15% due to the coexisting conditions.
Exosomes from red blood cell units bind to monocytes and induce proinflammatory cytokines, boosting T-cell responses in vitro
Authors: Danesh Ali , Inglis Heather C. , Jackman Rachael P. , Wu Shiquan , Deng Xutao , Muench Marcus O. , Heitman John W. , Norris Philip J.
Published: December 2013

Key Points

Exosomes in blood are proinflammatory and may contribute to transfusion-related immune modulation. Exosomes act via antigen-presenting cells to potentiate T-cell survival and mitogen-induced proliferation.
Genome-wide characterization of microRNA in foxtail millet (Setaria italica)
Authors: Yi Fei , Xie Shaojun , Liu Yuwei , Qi Xin , Yu Jingjuan
Published: December 2013

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding, endogenous RNAs that play key roles in many biological processes in both animals and plants. Although many miRNAs have been identified in a large number of organisms, the miRNAs in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) have, until now, been poorly understood.

Results

In this study, two replicate small RNA libraries from foxtail millet shoots were sequenced, and 40 million reads representing over 10 million unique sequences were generated. We identified 43 known miRNAs, 172 novel miRNAs and 2 mirtron precursor candidates in foxtail millet. Some miRNA*s of the known and novel miRNAs were detected as well. Further, eight novel miRNAs were validated by stem-loop RT-PCR. Potential targets of the foxtail millet miRNAs were predicted based on our strict criteria. Of the predicted target genes, 79% (351) had functional annotations in InterPro and GO analyses, indicating the targets of the miRNAs were involved in a wide range of regulatory functions and some specific biological processes. A total of 69 pairs of syntenic miRNA precursors that were conserved between foxtail millet and sorghum were found. Additionally, stem-loop RT-PCR was conducted to confirm the tissue-specific expression of some miRNAs in the four tissues identified by deep-sequencing.

Conclusions

We predicted, for the first time, 215 miRNAs and 447 miRNA targets in foxtail millet at a genome-wide level. The precursors, expression levels, miRNA* sequences, target functions, conservation, and evolution of miRNAs we identified were investigated. Some of the novel foxtail millet miRNAs and miRNA targets were validated experimentally.
The carotid plaque imaging in acute stroke (CAPIAS) study: protocol and initial baseline data
Authors: Bayer-Karpinska Anna , Schwarz Florian , Wollenweber Frank A , Poppert Holger , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Becker Alexander , Clevert Dirk A , Nikolaou Konstantin , Opherk Christian , Dichgans Martin , Saam Tobias
Published: December 2013

Background

In up to 30% of patients with ischemic stroke no definite etiology can be established. A significant proportion of cryptogenic stroke cases may be due to non-stenosing atherosclerotic plaques or low grade carotid artery stenosis not fulfilling common criteria for atherothrombotic stroke. The aim of the CAPIAS study is to determine the frequency, characteristics, clinical and radiological long-term consequences of ipsilateral complicated American Heart Association lesion type VI (AHA-LT VI) carotid artery plaques in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Methods/Design

300 patients (age >49 years) with unilateral DWI-positive lesions in the anterior circulation and non- or moderately stenosing (<70% NASCET) internal carotid artery plaques will be enrolled in the prospective multicenter study CAPIAS. Carotid plaque characteristics will be determined by high-resolution black-blood carotid MRI at baseline and 12 month follow up. Primary outcome is the prevalence of complicated AHA-LT VI plaques in cryptogenic stroke patients ipsilateral to the ischemic stroke compared to the contralateral side and to patients with defined stroke etiology. Secondary outcomes include the association of AHA-LT VI plaques with the recurrence rates of ischemic events up to 36 months, rates of new ischemic lesions on cerebral MRI (including clinically silent lesions) after 12 months and the influence of specific AHA-LT VI plaque features on the progression of atherosclerotic disease burden, on specific infarct patterns, biomarkers and aortic arch plaques.

Discussion

CAPIAS will provide important insights into the role of non-stenosing carotid artery plaques in cryptogenic stroke. The results might have implications for our understanding of stroke mechanism, offer new diagnostic options and provide the basis for the planning of targeted interventional studies.

Trial Registration

NCT01284933