bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Brief RCOPE: Current Psychometric Status of a Short Measure of Religious Coping
Authors: Pargament Kenneth , Feuille Margaret , Burdzy Donna
Published: February 2011

The Brief RCOPE is a 14-item measure of religious coping with major life stressors. As the most commonly used measure of religious coping in the literature, it has helped contribute to the growth of knowledge about the roles religion serves in the process of dealing with crisis, trauma, and transition. This paper reports on the development of the Brief RCOPE and its psychometric status. The scale developed out of Pargament’s (1997) program of theory and research on religious coping. The items themselves were generated through interviews with people experiencing major life stressors. Two overarching forms of religious coping, positive and negative, were articulated through factor analysis of the full RCOPE. Positive religious coping methods reflect a secure relationship with a transcendent force, a sense of spiritual connectedness with others, and a benevolent world view. Negative religious coping methods reflect underlying spiritual tensions and struggles within oneself, with others, and with the divine. Empirical studies document the internal consistency of the positive and negative subscales of the Brief RCOPE. Moreover, empirical studies provide support for the construct validity, predictive validity, and incremental validity of the subscales. The Negative Religious Coping subscale, in particular, has emerged as a robust predictor of health-related outcomes. Initial evidence suggests that the Brief RCOPE may be useful as an evaluative tool that is sensitive to the effects of psychological interventions. In short, the Brief RCOPE has demonstrated its utility as an instrument for research and practice in the psychology of religion and spirituality.
Alaskan Permafrost Groundwater Storage Changes Derived from GRACE and Ground Measurements
Authors: Muskett Reginald  R. , Romanovsky Vladimir  E.
Published: February 2011

The Arctic is in transition from climate-driven thawing of permafrost. We investigate satellite-derived water equivalent mass changes, snow water equivalent with in situ measurements of runoff and ground-survey derived geoid models from 1999 through 2009. The Alaskan Arctic coastal plain groundwater storage (including wetland bog, thaw pond and lake) is increasing by 1.15 ± 0.65 km3/a (area-average 1.10 ± 0.62 cm/a), and Yukon River watershed groundwater storage is decreasing by 7.44 ± 3.76 km3/a (area‑average 0.79 ± 0.40 cm/a). Geoid changes show increases within the Arctic coastal region and decreases within the Yukon River watershed. We hypothesize these changes are linked to the development of new predominately closed- and possibly open-talik in the continuous permafrost zone under large thaw lakes with increases of lakes and new predominately open-talik and reduction of permafrost extent in the discontinuous and sporadic zones with decreases of thaw lakes.
Development of a Stereo Vision Measurement System for a 3D Three-Axial Pneumatic Parallel Mechanism Robot Arm
Authors: Chiang Mao-Hsiung , Lin Hao-Ting , Hou Chien-Lun
Published: February 2011

In this paper, a stereo vision 3D position measurement system for a three-axial pneumatic parallel mechanism robot arm is presented. The stereo vision 3D position measurement system aims to measure the 3D trajectories of the end-effector of the robot arm. To track the end-effector of the robot arm, the circle detection algorithm is used to detect the desired target and the SAD algorithm is used to track the moving target and to search the corresponding target location along the conjugate epipolar line in the stereo pair. After camera calibration, both intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the stereo rig can be obtained, so images can be rectified according to the camera parameters. Thus, through the epipolar rectification, the stereo matching process is reduced to a horizontal search along the conjugate epipolar line. Finally, 3D trajectories of the end-effector are computed by stereo triangulation. The experimental results show that the stereo vision 3D position measurement system proposed in this paper can successfully track and measure the fifth-order polynomial trajectory and sinusoidal trajectory of the end-effector of the three- axial pneumatic parallel mechanism robot arm.
Effects of Spider Venom Toxin PWTX-I (6-Hydroxytrypargine) on the Central Nervous System of Rats
Authors: Cesar-Tognoli Lilian M. M. , Salamoni Simone D. , Tavares Andrea A. , Elias Carol F. , Da Costa Jaderson C. , Bittencourt Jackson C. , Palma Mario S.
Published: February 2011

The 6-hydroxytrypargine (6-HT) is an alkaloidal toxin of the group of tetrahydro-b-carbolines (THbC) isolated from the venom of the colonial spider Parawixia bistriata. These alkaloids are reversible inhibitors of the monoamine-oxidase enzyme (MAO), with hallucinogenic, tremorigenic and anxiolytic properties. The toxin 6-HT was the first THbC chemically reported in the venom of spiders; however, it was not functionally well characterized up to now. The action of 6-HT was investigated by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intravenous (i.v.) applications of the toxin in adult male Wistar rats, followed by the monitoring of the expression of fos-protein, combined with the use of double labeling immunehistochemistry protocols for the detection of some nervous receptors and enzymes related to the metabolism of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). We also investigated the epileptiform activity in presence of this toxin. The assays were carried out in normal hippocampal neurons and also in a model of chronic epilepsy obtained by the use of neurons incubated in free-magnesium artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (ACSF). Trypargine, a well known THbC toxin, was used as standard compound for comparative purposes. Fos-immunoreactive cells (fos-ir) were observed in hypothalamic and thalamic areas, while the double-labeling identified nervous receptors of the sub-types rGlu2/3 and NMR1, and orexinergic neurons. The 6-HT was administrated by perfusion and ejection in “brain slices” of hippocampus, inducing epileptic activity after its administration; the toxin was not able to block the epileptogenic crisis observed in the chronic model of the epilepsy, suggesting that 6-HT did not block the overactive GluRs responsible for this epileptic activity.
Flavivirus Cell Entry and Membrane Fusion
Authors: Smit Jolanda   M. , Moesker Bastiaan , Rodenhuis-Zybert Izabela , Wilschut Jan
Published: February 2011

Flaviviruses, such as dengue virus and West Nile virus, are enveloped viruses that infect cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis and fusion from within acidic endosomes. The cell entry process of flaviviruses is mediated by the viral E glycoprotein. This short review will address recent advances in the understanding of flavivirus cell entry with specific emphasis on the recent study of Zaitseva and coworkers, indicating that anionic lipids might play a crucial role in the fusion process of dengue virus [1].
Accueil familial et professionnalisation
Authors: Turbiaux Claire , Ramon Vincent , Boucher Alain
Published: February 2011

Résumé Depuis 1977, La France a opté progressivement pour la reconnaissance du métier d’accueil d’enfants en difficulté, jusqu’à en faire en 2005 une profession à part entière du travail social, assortie d’une formation et d’une qualification reconnues par un diplôme d’État. La professionnalisation ne peut se résumer à des normes professionnelles, nécessaires mais jamais suffisantes : la reconnaissance de l’implication affective reste au cœur de l’accueil familial. Elle nous ouvre des pistes créatives pour entendre la part de l’expérience intersubjective entre l’accueillant et l’enfant, avec lequel s’établit un partage de moments de vie. Reconnaître, assumer, canaliser cette implication émotionnelle permettra de maintenir la richesse essentielle de notre mission : humanité et humilité doivent rester au principe même de l’accueil familial professionnalisé…
Enfants, parents, assistant familial : une histoire de liens
Authors: Lemay Michel
Published: February 2011

Résumé Ce texte regroupe l’ensemble des notes ayant permis une journée d’échanges avec les familles d’accueil, journée organisée par le cepfas d’Angers en juin dernier. Il propose des réflexions qui, je l’espère, pourront permettre des discussions en équipe sur le travail complexe et nécessaire réalisé par ces familles au sein d’un vécu partagé avec des jeunes en difficulté.
Assistants familiaux : des théoriciens du quotidien
Authors: Cébula Jean-Claude
Published: February 2011

Résumé Les assistants familiaux assurent des fonctions psychiques. Ils accueillent des enfants en souffrance qui obligent à penser leur quotidien relationnel, leurs besoins, leurs comportements, les troubles de la séparation et les effets des retrouvailles. Ce travail de pensée, assimilable à des nourritures psychiques, se déploie dans un quotidien familial et se caractérise par la nécessité de le décoder, de le verbaliser, assurant ainsi un contenant sécurisant pour l’enfant accueilli. Les limites de cette capacité à élaborer sont rudement mises en défaut du fait des difficultés des enfants qui laissent parfois sans voix. Les autres professionnels des dispositifs trouvent alors leur pertinence en écoutant ces défauts de symbolisation, participant à cette nécessaire architecture psychique.
Placement familial et lieu de vie et d'accueil : dissemblances et ressemblances
Authors: Combes Benjamin
Published: February 2011

Résumé Les lieux de vie et d’accueil ( lva ) ont été et sont encore parfois considérés comme des « sortes de familles d’accueil ». Cette confusion s’explique par l’histoire mêlée de ces formes d’accueil, ainsi que par leurs quelques caractéristiques communes. Toutefois, les équipes de la mouvance des lva ont élaboré des projets et des modes de fonctionnement inédits, se démarquant de ceux des établissements comme des services de placement familial. Les lva considèrent qu’un certain degré d’autonomie des accueillants, de ceux qui « vivent avec », est une des conditions à la cohérence des accompagnements.
« Se séparer pour être en lien. » La question de la séparation en placement familial
Authors: Coum Daniel
Published: February 2011

Résumé Le placement familial a une longue histoire. Sans doute aussi longue que celle de la famille, c’est dire ! Or l’usage que nous faisons des mots pour dire la réalité de nos pratiques pourrait bien nous contraindre à nous y attacher outre mesure alors même que, les temps changeant, il nous faut bien consentir à modifier nos manières de faire, de dire, voire de penser. Ainsi en va-t-il de la famille, donc des pratiques sociales qui s’y rapportent, tel le placement familial.
La « spectacularisation » de la technique dans les gares parisiennes au XIXe siècle
Authors: Sauget Stéphanie
Published: February 2011

Lorsque les gares s’implantent dans la capitale, à la fin des années 1830, les techniques ferroviaires en sont encore à leur début et déjà, les premiers curieux viennent voir les toutes premières locomotives emporter dans un jet de vapeur les premiers wagons de voyageurs. Les chemins de fer sont immédiatement un spectacle visuel et sonore qui transforme profondément le paysage mi-urbain, mi-rural de la périphérie de Paris. Peu à peu, des techniques nouvelles sont testées dont parlent immédiatement aussi bien la presse spécialisée que la presse grand public. Cet article insiste sur la « spectacularisation » des locomotives et la théâtralisation de la gare qui participent de l’entreprise d’appropriation, d’acculturation et de marchandisation de l’espace et des services.
« Mettre le soleil en bouteille » : les appareils de Mouchot et l'imaginaire solaire au début de la Troisième République
Authors: Jarrige François
Published: February 2011

Dans l’imaginaire commun, le XIX e siècle reste associé au charbon. Le mineur incarne la figure du prolétaire et la machine à vapeur symbolise la révolution industrielle. Pourtant, on sait que cette prépondérance du charbon ne fut jamais totale, l’énergie hydraulique subsiste durablement et de multiples autres trajectoires technologiques et énergétiques ont été expérimentées. Au début de la Troisième République, alors que le régime s’appuie sur la science et la technique, un bref moment d’exaltation de l’énergie solaire et de ses possibilités d’avenir voit ainsi le jour. Devant la crainte de l’épuisement des gisements de houille, face à l’expansion impériale et aux nécessités du redressement national, les appareils solaires d’Augustin Mouchot retiennent l’attention et suscitent, pendant quelques années, le développement d’un puissant imaginaire de la technologie solaire.
MyD88-Dependent SHIP1 Regulates Proinflammatory Signaling Pathways in Dendritic Cells after Monophosphoryl Lipid A Stimulation of TLR4
Authors: Cekic Caglar , Casella Carolyn R. , Sag Duygu , Antignano Frann , Kolb Joseph , Suttles Jill , Hughes Michael R. , Krystal Gerald , Mitchell Thomas C.
Published: February 2011

We previously showed that monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA) activates TLR4 in dendritic cells (DCs) in a Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF)–biased manner: MLA produced from Salmonella minnesota Re595 induced signaling events and expression of gene products that were primarily TRIF dependent, whereas MyD88-dependent signaling was impaired. Moreover, when tested in TRIF-intact/MyD88-deficient DCs, synthetic MLA of the Escherichia coli chemotype (sMLA) showed the same activity as its diphosphoryl, inflammatory counterpart (synthetic diphosphoryl lipid A), indicating that TRIF-mediated signaling is fully induced by sMLA. Unexpectedly, we found that the transcript level of one proinflammatory cytokine was increased in sMLA-treated cells by MyD88 deficiency to the higher level induced by synthetic diphosphoryl lipid A, which suggested MyD88 may paradoxically help restrain proinflammatory signaling by TRIF-biased sMLA. In this article, we demonstrate that sMLA induces MyD88 recruitment to TLR4 and activates the anti-inflammatory lipid phosphatase SHIP1 in an MyD88-dependent manner. At the same time, MyD88-dependent signaling activity at the level of IL-1R–associated kinase 1 is markedly reduced. Increased SHIP1 activity is associated with reductions in sMLA-induced IκB kinase α/β and IFN regulatory factor 3 activation and with restrained expression of their downstream targets, endothelin-1 and IFN-β, respectively. Results of this study identify a pattern that is desirable in the context of vaccine adjuvant design: TRIF-biased sMLA can stimulate partial MyD88 activity, with MyD88-dependent SHIP1 helping to reduce proinflammatory signaling in DCs.
Conformational Switching in Ezrin Regulates Morphological and Cytoskeletal Changes Required for B Cell Chemotaxis
Authors: Parameswaran Neetha , Matsui Ken , Gupta Neetu
Published: February 2011

B cell chemotaxis occurs in response to specific chemokine gradients and is critical for homeostasis and immune response. The molecular regulation of B cell membrane–actin interactions during migration is poorly understood. In this study, we report a role for ezrin, a member of the membrane-cytoskeleton cross-linking ezrin-radixin-moesin proteins, in the regulation of the earliest steps of B cell polarization and chemotaxis. We visualized chemokine-induced changes in murine B cell morphology using scanning electron microscopy and spatiotemporal dynamics of ezrin in B cells using epifluorescence and total internal reflection microscopy. Upon chemokine stimulation, ezrin is transiently dephosphorylated to assume an inactive conformation and localizes to the lamellipodia. B cells expressing a phosphomimetic conformationally active mutant of ezrin or those in which ezrin dephosphorylation was pharmacologically inhibited displayed impaired microvillar dynamics, morphological polarization, and chemotaxis. Our data suggest a 2-fold involvement of ezrin in B cell migration, whereby it first undergoes chemokine-induced dephosphorylation to facilitate membrane flexibility, followed by relocalization to the actin-rich lamellipodia for dynamic forward protrusion of the cells.
Bid and Bim Collaborate during Induction of T Cell Death in Persistent Infection
Authors: Masson Frederick , Kupresanin Fiona , Mount Adele , Strasser Andreas , Belz Gabrielle T.
Published: February 2011

Upon Ag encounter, naive T cells undergo extensive Ag-driven proliferation and can differentiate into effector cells. Up to 95% of these cells die leaving a small residual population of T cells that provide protective memory. In this study, we investigated the contribution of the BH3-only family protein Bid in the shutdown of T cell responses after acute and persistent infection. Influenza virus pathogenicity has been proposed to be mediated by a peptide encoded in the basic polymerase (PB1-RF2) acting through Bid. In our experiments, we found that after acute infection with influenza virus, mice lacking Bid had normal expansion and contraction of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells. However, in chronic γ-herpesvirus infection, Bid-deficient virus-specific CD8+ T cells expanded normally but failed to contract fully and were maintained at ∼2-fold higher levels. Previously, we have demonstrated that Bim plays a prominent role in T cell shutdown in persistent infection by cooperating with the death receptor Fas, which regulates apoptosis in response to repeated TCR signaling. Bid lies at the nexus of these two signaling pathways, thus we reasoned that Bid and Bim might cooperate in regulation of T cell shutdown in persistent infection. In this study, we observed that the combined loss of Bid and Bim synergistically enhanced the persistence of CD8+ T cells during γ-herpesvirus infection. Thus, these data uncover a role for Bid in coordinating apoptotic signaling pathways to ensure appropriate shutdown of T cell immune responses in the setting of persistent Ag exposure.
Repeated In Vivo Stimulation of T and B Cell Responses in Old Mice Generates Protective Immunity against Lethal West Nile Virus Encephalitis
Authors: Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Brien James D. , Widman Douglas G. , Mason Peter W. , Nikolich-Žugich Janko
Published: February 2011

Older adults exhibit higher morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases compared with those of the general population. The introduction and rapid spread of West Nile virus (WNV) throughout the continental United States since 1999 has highlighted the challenge of protecting older adults against emerging pathogens: to this day there is no therapy or vaccine approved for human use against West Nile encephalitis. In this study, we describe the characterization of T and B cell responses in old mice after vaccination with RepliVAX WN, a novel West Nile encephalitis vaccine based on single-cycle flavivirus particles. In adult mice, RepliVAX WN induced robust and long-lasting CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and Ab (B cell) responses against natural WNV epitopes, similar to those elicited by primary WNV infection. Primary and memory T and B cell responses in old mice against RepliVAX WN vaccination were significantly lower than those seen in younger mice, similar to the response of old mice to infection with WNV. Surprisingly, both the quality and the quantity of the recall Ab and T cell responses in vaccinated old mice were improved to equal or exceed those in adult animals. Moreover, these responses together (but not individually) were sufficient to protect both old and adult mice from severe WNV disease upon challenge. Therefore, at least two cycles of in vivo restimulation are needed for selection and expansion of protective lymphocytes in older populations, and live, single-cycle virus vaccines that stimulate both cellular and humoral immunity can protect older individuals against severe viral disease.
T Cell Factor-1 Negatively Regulates Expression of IL-17 Family of Cytokines and Protects Mice from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Yu Qing , Sharma Archna , Ghosh Amalendu , Sen Jyoti Misra
Published: February 2011

Activated CD4 T cells are associated with protective immunity and autoimmunity. The manner in which the inflammatory potential of T cells and resultant autoimmunity is restrained is poorly understood. In this article, we demonstrate that T cell factor-1 (TCF1) negatively regulates the expression of IL-17 and related cytokines in activated CD4 T cells. We show that TCF1 does not affect cytokine signals and expression of transcription factors that have been shown to regulate Th17 differentiation. Instead, TCF1 regulates IL-17 expression, in part, by binding to the regulatory regions of the Il17 gene. Moreover, TCF1-deficient Th17 CD4 T cells express higher levels of IL-7Rα, which potentially promotes their survival and expansion in vivo. Accordingly, TCF1-deficient mice are hyperresponsive to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Thus, TCF1, a constitutively expressed T cell-specific transcription factor, is a critical negative regulator of the inflammatory potential of TCR-activated T cells and autoimmunity.
α7-Cholinergic Receptor Mediates Vagal Induction of Splenic Norepinephrine
Authors: Vida Gergely , Peña Geber , Deitch Edwin A. , Ulloa Luis
Published: February 2011

Classically, sympathetic and parasympathetic systems act in opposition to maintain the physiological homeostasis. In this article, we report that both systems work together to restrain systemic inflammation in life-threatening conditions such as sepsis. This study indicates that vagus nerve and cholinergic agonists activate the sympathetic noradrenergic splenic nerve to control systemic inflammation. Unlike adrenalectomy, splenectomy and splenic neurectomy prevent the anti-inflammatory potential of both the vagus nerve and cholinergic agonists, and abrogate their potential to induce splenic and plasma norepinephrine. Splenic nerve stimulation mimics vagal and cholinergic induction of norepinephrine and re-establishes neuromodulation in α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR)-deficient animals. Thus, vagus nerve and cholinergic agonists inhibit systemic inflammation by activating the noradrenergic splenic nerve via the α7nAChR nicotinic receptors. α7nAChR represents a unique molecular link between the parasympathetic and sympathetic system to control inflammation.
Protection of Nonself Surfaces from Complement Attack by Factor H-Binding Peptides: Implications for Therapeutic Medicine
Authors: Wu You-Qiang , Qu Hongchang , Sfyroera Georgia , Tzekou Apostolia , Kay Brian K. , Nilsson Bo , Nilsson Ekdahl Kristina , Ricklin Daniel , Lambris John D.
Published: February 2011

Exposure of nonself surfaces such as those of biomaterials or transplanted cells and organs to host blood frequently triggers innate immune responses, thereby affecting both their functionality and tolerability. Activation of the alternative pathway of complement plays a decisive role in this unfavorable reaction. Whereas previous studies demonstrated that immobilization of physiological regulators of complement activation (RCA) can attenuate this foreign body-induced activation, simple and efficient approaches for coating artificial surfaces with intact RCA are still missing. The conjugation of small molecular entities that capture RCA with high affinity is an intriguing alternative, as this creates a surface with autoregulatory activity upon exposure to blood. We therefore screened two variable cysteine-constrained phage-displayed peptide libraries for factor H-binding peptides. We discovered three peptide classes that differed with respect to their main target binding areas. Peptides binding to the broad middle region of factor H (domains 5–18) were of particular interest, as they do not interfere with either regulatory or binding activities. One peptide in this group (5C6) was further characterized and showed high factor H-capturing activity while retaining its functional integrity. Most importantly, when 5C6 was coated to a model polystyrene surface and exposed to human lepirudin-anticoagulated plasma, the bound peptide captured factor H and substantially inhibited complement activation by the alternative pathway. Our study therefore provides a promising and novel approach to produce therapeutic materials with enhanced biocompatibility.
Predictors of Occult Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Strokes Detected by Long-Term Noninvasive Cardiac Monitoring
Authors: Bhatt Archit , Majid Arshad , Razak Anmar , Kassab Mounzer , Hussain Syed , Safdar Adnan
Published: February 2011

Background and Purpose. Paroxysmal Atrial fibrillation/Flutter (PAF) detection rates in cryptogenic strokes have been variable. We sought to determine the percentage of patients with cryptogenic stroke who had PAF on prolonged non-invasive cardiac monitoring.Methods and Results. Sixty-two consecutive patients with stroke and TIA in a single center with a mean age of 61 (+/− 14) years were analyzed. PAF was detected in 15 (24%) patients. Only one patient reported symptoms of shortness of breath during the episode of PAF while on monitoring, and 71 (97%) of these 73 episodes were asymptomatic. A regression analysis revealed that the presence of PVCs (ventricular premature beats) lasting more than 2 minutes (OR 6.3, 95% CI, 1.11–18.92;P=.042) and strokes (high signal on Diffusion Weighted Imaging) (OR 4.3, 95% CI, 5–36.3;P=.041) predicted PAF. Patients with multiple DWI signals were more likely than solitary signals to have PAF (OR 11.1, 95% CI, 2.5–48.5,P<.01).Conclusion. Occult PAF is common in cryptogenic strokes, and is often asymptomatic. Our data suggests that up to one in five patients with suspected cryptogenic strokes and TIAs have PAF, especially if they have PVCs and multiple high DWI signals on MRI.
Parkinson's Disease and Systemic Inflammation
Authors: Ferrari Carina C. , Tarelli Rodolfo
Published: February 2011

Peripheral inflammation triggers exacerbation in the central brain's ongoing damage in several neurodegenerative diseases. Systemic inflammatory stimulus induce a general response known as sickness behaviour, indicating that a peripheral stimulus can induce the synthesis of cytokines in the brain. In Parkinson's disease (PD), inflammation was mainly associated with microglia activation that can underlie the neurodegeneration of neurons in thesubstantia nigra(SN). Peripheral inflammation can transform the “primed” microglia into an “active” state, which can trigger stronger responses dealing with neurodegenerative processes. Numerous evidences show that systemic inflammatory processes exacerbate ongoing neurodegeneration in PD patient and animal models. Anti-inflammatory treatment in PD patients exerts a neuroprotective effect. In the present paper, we analyse the effect of peripheral infections in the etiology and progression in PD patients and animal models, suggesting that these peripheral immune challenges can exacerbate the symptoms in the disease.
Topical estrogenic therapy and urgency/frequency syndrome
Authors: CARBONARO A. , CANTARELLA R. , LEANZA V.
Published: February 2011

In this study we elected postmenopausal patients suffering from urgency/frequency syndrome. Estriol in the form of vaginal cream was applied for a total of fifteen weeks. The outcome was positive (cured or rimproved) in 89.3 of cases.
Uro-rehabilitation and effort urinary incontinence: medium-term results and analysis of the failure risk factors.
Authors: BERNASCONI F. , PISANI G. , ARIENTI S. , VERONESE B. , PITTALIS S. , CONTI M. , TASSI M. , GELOSA S. , BIELLA A. , CERRI C.
Published: February 2011

Sono state studiate 110 pazienti consecutive giunte per la prima volta all’Ambulatorio di Uro-ginecologia dell’Ospedale di Desio per una incontinenza urinaria da sforzo e sottoposte a trattamento uroriabilitativo presso la Divisione di Neuroriabilitazione dell’Ospedale di Seregno negli anni 1998- 2000.
SUS (Sub Urethral Support) FOR THE CORRECTION OF STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE: TOWARDS MORE AND MORE SIMPLIFIED SURGERY
Authors: Piroli Torelli D. , Di Piazza L. , Polichetti M. , Di Piazza D.
Published: February 2011

TVT and TOT are considered the gold standard approach for surgical correction of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In view of the technical difficulties and severe complications sometimes encountered while performing these operations, many authors have studied new, simplified and safer surgical approaches. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and validity of the SUS (Sub Urethral Support) technique. SUS represents new mini-invasive surgery for the correction of SUI, and it consists in applying a short sub-urethral sling in a tension-free fashion, through a single vaginal incision.
Universality of blow-up profile for small radial type II blow-up solutions of the energy-critical wave equation
Authors: Duyckaerts Thomas , Kenig Carlos E. , Merle Frank
Published: February 2011

Consider the energy-critical focusing wave equation on the Euclidian space. A blow-up type II solution of this equation is a solution which has finite time of existence but stays bounded in the energy space. The aim of this work is to exhibit universal properties of such solutions.Let
W
be the unique radial positive stationary solution of the equation. Our main result is that in dimension 3, under an appropriate smallness assumption, any type II blow-up radial solution is essentially the sum of a rescaled
W
concentrating at the origin and a small remainder which is continuous with respect to the time variable in the energy space. This is coherent with the solutions constructed by Krieger, Schlag and Tataru. One ingredient of our proof is that the unique radial solution which is compact up to scaling is equal to
W
up to symmetries.
Riemann surfaces with boundary and natural triangulations of the Teichmüller space
Authors: Mondello Gabriele
Published: February 2011

We compare some natural triangulations of the Teichm¨uller space of hyperbolic surfaces with geodesic boundary and of some bordifications. We adapt Scannell–Wolf’s proof to show that grafting semi-infinite cylinders at the ends of hyperbolic surfaces with fixed boundary lengths is a homeomorphism. This way, we construct a family of equivariant triangulations of the Teichmüller space of punctured surfaces that interpolates between Bowditch–Epstein–Penner’s (using the spine construction) and Harer–Mumford–Thurston’s (using Strebel differentials). Finally, we show (adapting arguments of Dumas) that on a fixed punctured surface, when the triangulation approaches HMT’s, the associated Strebel differential is well-approximated by the Schwarzian of the associated projective structure and by the Hopf differential of the collapsing map.
Growth in $\mathrm{SL}_3(ℤ/pℤ)$
Authors: Helfgott Harald Andrés
Published: February 2011

Let

G = \mathrm{SL}_3

(ℤ/

p

ℤ),

p

a prime. Let

A

be a set of generators of

G

. Then

A

grows under the group operation.

To be precise: denote by

|S|

the number of elements of a finite set

S

. Assume

|A| < |G|^{1-ε}

for some

ε > 0

. Then

|A \cdot A \cdot A| > |A|^{1+δ}

, where

δ > 0

depends only on

ε

.

We will also study subsets

A ⊂ G

that do not generate

G

. Other results on growth and generation follow.
Intercomparison of air ion spectrometers: a basis for data interpretation
Authors: Gagné S. , Lehtipalo K. , Manninen H. E. , Nieminen T. , Schobesberger S. , Franchin A. , Yli-Juuti T. , Boulon J. , Sonntag A. , Mirme S. , Mirme A. , Hõrrak U. , Petäjä T. , Asmi E. , Kulmala M.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. We evaluated 11 air ion spectrometers from Airel Ltd. after they had spent one year in field measurements as a part of the EUCAARI project: 5 Air Ion Spectrometers (AIS), 5 Neutral cluster and Air Ion Spectrometers (NAIS) and one Airborne NAIS (ANAIS). This is the first time that an ANAIS is evaluated and compared so extensively. The ion spectrometers' mobility and concentration accuracy was evaluated. Their measurements of ambient air were compared between themselves and to reference instruments: a DMPS, a BSMA, and an Ion-DMPS. We report on the simultaneous measurement of a new particle formation (NPF) event by all 11 instruments and the 3 reference instruments. To our knowledge, it is the first time that the size distribution of ions and particles is measured by so many ion spectrometers during a NPF event. The new particle formation rates (~ 0.2 cm−3 s−1 for ions and ~ 2 cm−3 s−1 for particles) and growth rates (~ 25 nm h−1 in the 3–7 nm size range) were calculated for all the instruments. The NAISs and the ANAIS gave higher concentrations and formation rates than the AISs. The latter agreed better with reference instruments. Finally, based on the results presented here, we give guidelines for data interpretation, when data from different ion spectrometers are compared.
Statistics of lower tropospheric inversions over the continental United States
Authors: Zhang Y. H. , Zhang S. D. , Yi F. , Chen Z. Y.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The basic structure parameters of lower tropospheric inversions (LTIs) have been derived from 10 years (1998–2007) of high vertical resolution (~50 m) radiosonde observations over 56 United States stations. Seasonal and longitudinal variability of these parameters are presented and the formation mechanisms of LTI are also discussed. It is found that LTI seems to be a common feature over the continental United States. The LTI occurrence rates (defined as the fraction of measurements with LTI, which is calculated from the number of LTI cases divided by the number of measurements of the whole 10 years) at these 56 stations vary from 3.7% to 14.5%; the averaged base heights of LTI have a range of 3–5 km above mean sea level (a.m.s.l.); the averaged thicknesses and temperature jump ranges from 420–465 m and 1.9–2.2 K, respectively. These parameters have an obvious seasonal variation. In winter, all the occurrence rates, thicknesses and temperature jumps of LTI have much larger values than those in summer. LTI occurrence rate shows an obvious west-east increasing trend in all 4 seasons. Detailed analyses reveal that dynamical instability induced by strong zonal wind shear is responsible for LTI in winter, spring and autumn; the frontal system tends to generate LTI in summer. Since the higher occurrence rate, larger temperature jump and larger thickness of LTI occur in winter, we believe strong zonal wind shear plays a more important role in the formation of LTI.
Brief communication "Fast-track earthquake risk assessment for selected urban areas in Turkey"
Authors: Kepekci D. , Ozcep F.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. This study is presented as a contribution to earthquake disaster mitigation studies for selected cities in Turkey. The risk evaluations must be based on earthquake hazard analysis and city information. To estimate the ground motion level, data for earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 4.5 and an epicenter location within a 100-km radius of each city were used for the period from 1900 to 2006, as recorded at the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute. Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for each city was carried out using Poisson probabilistic approaches. Ground motion level was estimated as the probability of a given degree of acceleration with a 10% exceedence rate during a 50-year time period for each city. The risk level of each city was evaluated using the number of houses, the per-capita income of city residents, population, and ground motion levels. The maximum risk level obtained for the cities was taken as a reference value for relative risk assessment, and other risk values were estimated relative to the maximum risk level. When the selected cities were classified according to their relative risk levels, the five most risky cities were found to be, in descending order of risk, Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Bursa, and Kocaeli.
Forecasting severe ice storms using numerical weather prediction: the March 2010 Newfoundland event
Authors: Hosek J. , Musilek P. , Lozowski E. , Pytlak P.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The northeast coast of North America is frequently hit by severe ice storms. These freezing rain events can produce large ice accretions that damage structures, frequently power transmission and distribution infrastructure. For this reason, it is highly desirable to model and forecast such icing events, so that the consequent damages can be prevented or mitigated. The case study presented in this paper focuses on the March 2010 ice storm event that took place in eastern Newfoundland. We apply a combination of a numerical weather prediction model and an ice accretion algorithm to simulate a forecast of this event. The main goals of this study are to compare the simulated meteorological variables to observations, and to assess the ability of the model to accurately predict the ice accretion load for different forecast horizons. The duration and timing of the freezing rain event that occurred between the night of 4 March and the morning of 6 March was simulated well in all model runs. The total precipitation amounts in the model, however, differed by up to a factor of two from the observations. The accuracy of the model air temperature strongly depended on the forecast horizon, but it was acceptable for all simulation runs. The simulated accretion loads were also compared to the design values for power delivery structures in the region. The results indicated that the simulated values exceeded design criteria in the areas of reported damage and power outages.
Role of Specialty Drugs in Rising Drug Prices for Medicare Part D
Authors: Hayford Tamara B.
Published: May 2024

Importance

Prices for brand-name drugs affect both federal spending and out-of-pocket liability for Medicare Part D enrollees.

Objective

To examine how prices for brand-name drugs, net of rebates and discounts, have changed from 2010 to 2019 and to examine the role of specialty drugs in those changes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This study involved a descriptive analysis of prescription drug spending and prices between 2010 and 2019. The universe of prescription drug event data from those years were combined with confidential data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on rebates and discounts that manufacturers and pharmacies pay to Medicare Part D plans to calculate rebate percentages, net spending, and net prices at the drug level. Specialty drugs were identified using information from IQVIA, allowing for a stratified analysis by specialty status. Data were analyzed from March 2019 to March 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Average prices (net of rebates and discounts in 2019 US dollars) and average annual price growth for brand-name prescription drugs, overall and separately for specialty and nonspecialty drugs.

Results

Average net prices for brand-name drugs doubled from 2010 to 2019 (from $167 to $370). Growth in specialty drug prices was an underlying factor in those increases: average annual price growth was 13.2% for specialty drugs compared with 2.6% for nonspecialty drugs. Price growth for specialty drugs over the decade was smaller than what the Congressional Budget Office reported for the 2010 to 2015 period (increase of 22.3% per year vs 4.5% per year for nonspecialty drug prices), suggesting that price growth slowed after 2015. Drugs that treat hepatitis C contributed to that difference because prices for those drugs were initially high and then subsequently fell. Absent those drugs, price growth for specialty drugs averaged 18.1% in the first half of the decade and 6.9% in the second half.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this study show that prices for specialty drugs have continued to increase over time in the Medicare Part D program, which contributes to high out-of-pocket liability for users of those drugs in addition to US federal budgetary expenditures.
Redefining Success in Adult Cochlear Implant Outcomes
Authors: Moberly Aaron C. , Castellanos Irina , McRackan Theodore R.
Published: May 2024

This Viewpoint outlines both the need and recommendations for adopting a holistic, whole-person approach to assessing adult cochlear implant outcomes, which may aid clinicians in identifying rehabilitative targets to improve and optimize everyday functional outcomes.
Enhanced Zinc–Air Batteries through the Fabrication of Structured Zinc Electrodes Using Freeze‐Casting
Authors: Franke‐Lang Robert , Bansemer Jonas , Fleck Claudia , Kowal Julia
Published: May 2024

Ice‐templating, a versatile manufacturing process, is widely utilized to create porous materials by freezing aqueous solutions. Notably, this technique is material independent, allowing for the fabrication of microstructured bulk or sheet materials of ceramic, glass, metal, polymer, and composite materials. Herein, the influence of freeze‐cast zinc electrodes on zinc–air batteries is investigated. The analysis includes the charge and discharge cycling behavior of pure powder, gel matrix, and sintered freeze‐cast zinc electrodes, complemented by the study of the distribution of relaxation times. Remarkably, the best cycling performance is achieved with the combination of a gel electrolyte and a freeze‐cast zinc electrode, highlighting the potential significance of this microstructure–electrolyte pairing for enhancing the performance of zinc–air batteries.
Microstructural Evolution and Property Evaluation of In Situ Al–MgAl2O4 Nanocomposite Prepared by γ‐Al2O3 and Ultrasonication‐Assisted Impeller Mixing
Authors: Vadakke Madam Sreekumar , Manani Sunil , Eskin Dmitry G.
Published: May 2024

In situ Al–MgAl2O4 nanocomposite billet is prepared by the reaction of γ‐Al2O3 with molten Al and ultrasonication‐assisted impeller mixing. The microstructure of the composite shows homogeneously distributed MgAl2O4 crystals alongside their clusters in the Al matrix. Microstructural analysis reveals MgAl2O4 crystals distributed from 20 nm to 4 μm in size. The hardness is found to vary within the composite from 50 Hv for the matrix to 140 Hv for the particle cluster regions. The grain size is reduced from 1000 μm in reference metal (commercially pure Al [CPAl]) to 100 μm in the composite. The compression strength of the composite is increased substantially and higher strain‐hardening effect in comparison with Al is noticed in the compression test. The signatures of extensive plastic deformation such as dislocation pileups, deformed grains, grain boundary pinning, and so on are observed in the composite via transmission electron microscopy. Damping properties of as‐cast composite are higher than those of CPAl in the temperature range from room temperature (RT) to 350 °C. After rolling the composite, the damping capacity (Tanδ) of the composite is found to increase marginally after 150 °C. Higher damping is found to reoccur after the annealing treatment of the composite.
Nanotransfer Printing for Synthesis of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes with Enhanced Atomic Penetration
Authors: Ha Ji‐Hwan , Yang Inyeong , Ahn Junseong , Kang Sukkyung , Zhao Zhi‐Jun , Jeong Yongrok , Je Hyeongmin , Cheong Joono , Hwang Soon Hyoung , Jeon Sohee , Jeong Jun‐Ho , Kim Sanha , Park Inkyu
Published: May 2024

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) exhibit outstanding mechanical strength, chemical stability, and electrical characteristics; however, their constrained mechanical elasticity and chemical responsiveness spurred research on atomic decoration techniques for enhancing their mechanochemical attributes. Nevertheless, achieving uniform atomic decoration on the VACNT surface is difficult because of the high density and large aspect ratio of VACNT. Herein, a strategy to design and apply nanopatterned VACNTs (nVACNTs) based on a nanotransfer printing process is proposed to improve atomic penetrability. Nanopatterns inherent to nVACNTs facilitate atomic penetration, allowing for the more consistent and higher quality deposition of functional materials such as zinc oxide and alumina by atomic layer deposition. Furthermore, physical vapor deposition provides an improved coating of metal catalysts such as gold. The uniform deposition of ceramic layers on the entire surface of nVACNTs strengthens its mechanical resilience, owing to the diminished van der Waals forces of CNTs. Surface‐decorated nVACNTs display an increased sensitivity to NO2 gas, which is attributed to the enhanced quality of the reactive catalyst deposition and augmented permeability. This strategy achieves a larger decorated area while increasing a catalytically active reaction area. The obtained results promise that the enhanced nVACNTs will expand the industrial applications of carbon nanotubes.
Size Matters in Conjugated Polymer Chirality‐Selective SWCNT Extraction
Authors: Dzienia Andrzej , Just Dominik , Wasiak Tomasz , Milowska Karolina Z. , Mielańczyk Anna , Labedzki Norman , Kruss Sebastian , Janas Dawid
Published: May 2024

Carbon‐based nanomaterials have catalyzed breakthroughs across various scientific and engineering disciplines. The key to unlocking a new generation of tailor‐made nanomaterials based on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) lies in the precise sorting of raw material into individual chiralities, each possessing unique properties. This can be achieved using conjugated polymer extraction (CPE), but to a very limited extent since the process generates only a few chirality‐enriched suspensions. Therefore, it is imperative to comprehend the mechanism of the wrapping of SWCNTs by polymers to unleash CPE's full potential. However, the lack of a diverse palette of chirality‐selective polymers with varying macromolecular parameters has hindered a comprehensive understanding of how the nature of the polymer affects the performance and selectivity of SWCNT isolation. To address this gap, multiple batches of such polymers are synthesized to elucidate the impact of molecular weight and dispersity on the purity and concentrations of the generated SWCNT suspensions. The obtained results explain the inconsistent outcomes reported in the literature, greatly improving the application potential of this promising SWCNT sorting approach. Concomitantly, the discovered significant influence of the macromolecular characteristics of conjugated polymers on the SWCNT isolation efficacy sheds considerable insight into the unresolved mechanism of this sorting technique.
The Influence of Discontinuity‐Induced Fringing Effect on the Output Performance of Contact‐Separation Mode Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Experiment and Modeling Studies
Authors: Cheng Teresa , Hu Han , Valizadeh Navid , Qiong Liu , Bittner Florian , Yang Ling , Rabczuk Timon , Jiang Xiaoning , Zhuang Xiaoying
Published: May 2024

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising self‐powering supplies for various intelligent sensing and monitoring devices, especially because they can harvest electric energy from low frequency and small‐scale mechanical motions. Despite the fact that contact‐separation mode TENGs with smaller contact areas harvest higher electrical outputs due to fringing effect, the impact of fringing effect on TENGs’ electrical outputs is rarely investigated quantitatively. Herein, in this study, the influence of fringing effect on the electrical outputs of contact‐separation mode TENGs by introducing discontinuity on the tribo‐negative side manually is investigated. In the results, it is revealed that the TENGs with more discontinuities show higher overall electric performance. Compared to pristine TENGs, the TENGs with discontinuity increased significantly, improving the surface charge by 50% and the power density by 114% when cross discontinuities are applied. However, one should generate discontinuities on tribo‐negative side of TENGs using ceramic blade instead of metal blade within a positive‐ion atmosphere due to the neutralization through the electrically conductive metal blade. The computational simulation validates that the TENGs with discontinuities obtain higher electrical outputs, and further investigates the effect of discontinuity gap size and array distance on TENGs performance. In this study, a promising method is provided for the future design of TENGs using discontinuous structures.