bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Pediatric Patients with Traumatic Basal Ganglia Hematoma: Analysis of 21 Cases
Authors: Kurwale Nilesh S. , Gupta Deepak Kumar , Mahapatra Ashok Kumar
Published: December 2010

Objectives: To analyze the outcome of a pediatric population with traumatic basal ganglia hematoma (TBGH). Methodology: Patients <15 years of age with TBGH were studied for mode of injury, severity of injury on admission, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score on admission, radiology, intervention and overall outcome. Observations: Twenty-one patients (male:female = 4:1) with a mean age of 7.2 ± 3.7 years (range 0.33–15 years) were studied. High-velocity trauma (52%) followed by fall from height (38%) were the leading causes. Seventy-six percent of the patients had severe head injury. The mean GCS score on admission was 6.0 ± 2.5 (range 3–12), while the mean GCS score of the group with severe head injury was 4.81 ± 1.7 (range 3–7). Eleven (52.4%) patients had isolated basal ganglia hematoma while 10 (47.6%) had other associated intracranial injuries. Only 3 patients required surgical interventions. Eleven patients (52.4%) expired during their hospital stay. At discharge, 9 (42.9%) had a poor, nonfunctional outcome (Glasgow outcome scale, GOS 2, 3). Conclusion: The severity of head injuries and GCS score on admission mainly determined the ultimate outcome in pediatric TBGH. The mode of injury or associated intracranial injuries did not change the outcome. The presence of TBGH in severely head-injured patients worsens the prognosis and outcome.
Alcohol Habits in Sweden during 1997–2009 with Particular Focus on 2005 and 2009, Assessed with the AUDIT: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Källmén Håkan , Wennberg Peter , Leifman Håkan , Bergman Hans , Berman Anne H.
Published: December 2010

Aim: This study aimed to survey the changes in alcohol habits during a period with the European Union legal practices. Methods: Alcohol habits in Sweden were surveyed in the general Swedish population at four timepoints, in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009, using the 10-item AUDIT questionnaire. Design: Four separate randomly drawn cross-sectional samples of 1,250 individuals were surveyed at each timepoint. Results: An average of 70% of the sampled individuals responded to the AUDIT questionnaire. Men had higher total AUDIT scores than women in 2005 and 2009, but scores increased among women 61–71 years old and decreased among men 61–71 years old. Younger men and women 17–27 years old decreased their AUDIT-C consumption scores by almost 20% between 2005 and 2009. An analysis of problem drinkers (+8 for men/+6 for women) indicated that a larger proportion of elderly women drank moderately in 2009 compared with 2005, but fewer elderly women drank hazardously. Conclusions: Earlier increases in drinking levels between 1997 and 2001 may reflect a latent high demand that was restricted by low availability. When availability due to European Union harmonization increased, alcohol consumption followed suit. After a period of adaptation, alcohol consumption appears to have stabilized.
Insertion Side, Body Position and Circuit Life during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy with Femoral Vein Access
Authors: Kim In Byung , Fealy Nigel , Baldwin Ian , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: December 2010

Introduction: Choice of insertion side and patient position during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with femoral vein vascular access may affect circuit life. We investigated if there is an association between choice of insertion side and body position and its changes and circuit life during CRRT with femoral vein access. Methods: We studied 50 patients receiving CRRT via femoral vein access with a sequential retrospective study in a tertiary intensive care unit. We defined two groups: patients with right or left femoral vein access. We then obtained information on age, gender, circuit life, total heparin dose, hemoglobin concentration and coagulation variables (platelet count, international normalized ratio, and activated partial thromboplastin time) and percentage of time each patient spent in the supine, left lying, right lying, and sitting position during treatment. Results: We studied 341 circuits in 50 patients. Mean circuit life was 13.9 h. Of these circuits, 251 (73.6%) were treated with right femoral vein access. Mean circuit life in this group was significantly longer compared with left femoral vein access (15.0 ± 14.3 vs. 10.6 ± 7.4; p = 0.019). Percentage spent in a particular position during CRRT was not significantly different between two groups. On multivariable linear regression analysis, mean circuit life was significantly and positively correlated with right vascular access site (p = 0.03) and lower platelet count (p = 0.03), but not with patient position. Conclusions: Right-sided insertion but not time spent in a particular position significantly affects circuit life during CRRT with femoral vein access.
Mucosal Human Defensins 5 and 6 Antagonize the Anti-HIV Activity of Candidate Polyanion Microbicides
Authors: Ding Jian , Rapista Aprille , Teleshova Natalia , Lu Wuyuan , Klotman Mary E. , Chang Theresa L.
Published: December 2010

Defensins are highly abundant antimicrobial peptides in the female genital mucosa. We have previously shown that human defensins 5 and 6 (HD5 and HD6), produced by cervicovaginal epithelial cells, significantly enhance HIV infectivity in vitro. Candidate polyanion microbicides, including PRO 2000, cellulose sulfate and carrageenan, failed to protect women against HIV infection in large-scale clinical trials, but the molecular basis of ineffectiveness was not clear. We hypothesized that mucosal host factors such as HD5 an HD6 may alter the activity of polyanion microbicides against HIV. Our results demonstrated that HD5 and HD6 but not their linear analogs antagonized the anti-HIV activity of PRO 2000, cellulose sulfate and carrageenan in vitro. Polyanion microbicides also reduced the HIV-enhancing effect of these defensins. We conclude that mucosal host factors could negatively impact the efficacy of topical microbicides against HIV, and their impact on the activity of candidate microbicides needs to be considered during the preclinical evaluation.
Serum Visfatin Concentrations Are Related to Dietary Intake in Obese Patients
Authors: de Luis D.A. , Aller R. , Gonzalez Sagrado M. , Conde R. , Izaola O. , Perez Castrillon J.L. , Romero E.
Published: December 2010

Background: Changes in dietary intake such as underfeeding, overfeeding, as well as exercise have important effects on adipose tissue metabolism. We conducted a cross-sectional study of associations between nutrient intake and serum visfatin concentrations in a group of obese patients. Subjects: A population of 231 obese subjects was analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Biochemical analysis (basal glucose, C-reactive protein, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood and insulin resistance), anthropometric evaluation (weight and bioimpedance) and assessment of dietary intake were carried out. Results: The mean age was 41.8 ± 14.2 years, and the mean body mass index was 35.4 ± 5.3 among the 63 male (27.3%) and 168 female (72.7%) patients. Patients were divided into 3 groups by visfatin tertile values: group 1, <16.06 ng/ml; group 2, between 16.06 and 60.55 ng/ml; group 3, >60.55 ng/ml. Patients in group 3 had lower intakes of energy, carbohydrates, total fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, total cholesterol and proteins than group 1. Patients in group 2 had lower intakes of energy, total fat, monounsaturated fat, saturated fat, total cholesterol and proteins than group 1. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, only monounsaturated fat intake remained as an independent predictor of visfatin levels. Visfatin concentration decreased by –3.69 ng/ml (95% CI –0.43 to –7.01) for each gram of monounsaturated fat intake. Conclusion: Monounsaturated fatty acid consumption was found to be modestly inversely associated with visfatin levels in a group of obese patients.
Outcomes of Patients with Delayed Dialysis Initiation: Results from the AVENIR Study
Authors: Thilly Nathalie , Boini Stephanie , Soudant Marc , Kessler Michele , Briançon Serge , Frimat Luc
Published: December 2010

Background: Some patients who reach end-stage renal disease refuse to start dialysis at the time suggested by their nephrologist and delay it. Whether this delay may affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL), clinical and biological parameters at dialysis onset, and then survival and hospitalization during dialysis is unknown. Methods: We considered all adult patients who began dialysis in Lorraine (France) in 2005–2006 having previously been followed by a nephrologist. Clinical and biological characteristics at dialysis onset were collected from medical records, and nephrologists were interviewed about compliance with the recommended starting date. HRQoL was measured using the French version of the ‘Kidney Disease Quality of Life’ V36 questionnaire. Mortality and total duration of hospitalization during the first year of dialysis were recorded as part of the end-stage renal disease French registry. The effects of delaying dialysis on survival and on duration of hospitalization were determined using log-rank test and polychotomous logistic regression, respectively. Results: Of 541 patients, 88 (16.3%) declined to initiate dialysis at the time recommended by the nephrologist and delayed it. Compared with patients who were compliant with the advice, noncompliers had more comorbidities, poorer clinical and biological profiles at dialysis start, and a higher risk of beginning dialysis in emergency circumstances with greater decline in the ‘burden of kidney disease’ dimension of HRQoL. However, there were no differences in survival or duration of hospitalization during dialysis. Conclusion: Despite a negative effect on clinical and biological parameters at initiation, delaying dialysis did not impact on survival during treatment.
SAP97 and Dystrophin Macromolecular Complexes Determine Two Pools of Cardiac Sodium Channels Na
v
1.5 in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Petitprez Séverine , Zmoos Anne-Flore , Ogrodnik Jakob , Balse Elise , Raad Nour , El-Haou Said , Albesa Maxime , Bittihn Philip , Luther Stefan , Lehnart Stephan E. , Hatem Stéphane N. , Coulombe Alain , Abriel Hugues
Published: December 2010

Rationale:

The cardiac sodium channel Na
v
1.5 plays a key role in excitability and conduction. The 3 last residues of Na
v
1.5 (Ser-Ile-Val) constitute a PDZ-domain binding motif that interacts with the syntrophin–dystrophin complex. As dystrophin is absent at the intercalated discs, Na
v
1.5 could potentially interact with other, yet unknown, proteins at this site.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine whether Na
v
1.5 is part of distinct regulatory complexes at lateral membranes and intercalated discs.

Methods and Results:

Immunostaining experiments demonstrated that Na
v
1.5 localizes at lateral membranes of cardiomyocytes with dystrophin and syntrophin. Optical measurements on isolated dystrophin-deficient mdx hearts revealed significantly reduced conduction velocity, accompanied by strong reduction of Na
v
1.5 at lateral membranes of mdx cardiomyocytes. Pull-down experiments revealed that the MAGUK protein SAP97 also interacts with the SIV motif of Na
v
1.5, an interaction specific for SAP97 as no pull-down could be detected with other cardiac MAGUK proteins (PSD95 or ZO-1). Furthermore, immunostainings showed that Na
v
1.5 and SAP97 are both localized at intercalated discs. Silencing of SAP97 expression in HEK293 and rat cardiomyocytes resulted in reduced sodium current (
I
Na
) measured by patch-clamp. The
I
Na
generated by Na
v
1.5 channels lacking the SIV motif was also reduced. Finally, surface expression of Na
v
1.5 was decreased in silenced cells, as well as in cells transfected with SIV-truncated channels.

Conclusions:

These data support a model with at least 2 coexisting pools of Na
v
1.5 channels in cardiomyocytes: one targeted at lateral membranes by the syntrophin-dystrophin complex, and one at intercalated discs by SAP97.
Microparticles From Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Promote Endothelial ICAM-1–Dependent Monocyte Adhesion and Transendothelial Migration
Authors: Rautou Pierre-Emmanuel , Leroyer Aurélie S. , Ramkhelawon Bhama , Devue Cécile , Duflaut Dominique , Vion Anne-Clémence , Nalbone Gilles , Castier Yves , Leseche Guy , Lehoux Stéphanie , Tedgui Alain , Boulanger Chantal M.
Published: December 2010

Rationale and Objective:

Membrane-shed submicron microparticles (MPs) released following cell activation or apoptosis accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques, where they stimulate endothelial proliferation and neovessel formation. The aim of the study was to assess whether or not MPs isolated from human atherosclerotic plaques contribute to increased endothelial adhesion molecules expression and monocyte recruitment.

Method and Results:

Human umbilical vein and coronary artery endothelial cells were exposed to MPs isolated from endarterectomy specimens (n=62) and characterized by externalized phosphatidylserine. Endothelial exposure to plaque, but not circulating, MPs increased ICAM-1 levels in a concentration-dependant manner (3.4-fold increase) without affecting ICAM-1 mRNA levels. Plaque MPs harbored ICAM-1 and transferred this adhesion molecule to endothelial cell membrane in a phosphatidylserine-dependent manner. MP-borne ICAM-1 was functionally integrated into cell membrane as demonstrated by the increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation following ICAM-1 ligation. Plaque MPs stimulated endothelial monocyte adhesion both in culture and in isolated perfused mouse carotid. This effect was also observed under flow condition and was prevented by anti–LFA-1 and anti–ICAM-1 neutralizing antibodies. MPs isolated from symptomatic plaques were more potent in stimulating monocyte adhesion than MPs from asymptomatic patients. Plaque MPs did not affect the release of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, or MCP-1, nor the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that MPs isolated from human atherosclerotic plaques transfer ICAM-1 to endothelial cells to recruit inflammatory cells and suggest that plaque MPs promote atherosclerotic plaque progression.
Cyclooxygenase-2 Mediates Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning in the Rat Model of Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Cheng Oumei , Ostrowski Robert P. , Wu Bihua , Liu Wenwu , Chen Chunhua , Zhang John H.
Published: December 2010

Background and Purpose—

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning (PC) allows brain protection against transient global ischemia. In the present study, we hypothesize that the mechanism of HBO-PC involves the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cerebral tissues before ischemia, which leads to a suppression of COX-2 and its downstream targets after global ischemic insult.

Methods—

One hundred twenty-nine male Sprague Dawley rats (body weight 280–300 grams) were allocated to the naive control group and the sham operation group, and 3 groups of animals were subjected to 15-minute 4-vessel occlusion: untreated, preconditioned with HBO 2.5 atmospheres absolutes for 1 hour daily for 5 days, preconditioned as mentioned and administered with COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (1 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal) before each preconditioning session, and normal rats preconditioned with HBO without ischemia. The mortality, the incidence of seizures, and T-maze scores were recorded. The quantitative cell count in Nissl stain and TUNEL was conducted on day 7 after ischemia. The brain expression of COX-2 was analyzed with Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.

Results—

HBO-PC increased the number of surviving neurons in the
Cornu Ammonis
area 1, which was associated with the reduced COX-2 expression in the hippocampus and in the cerebral cortex at 1 and 3 days after ischemia. HBO-PC improved functional performance and tended to decrease mortality and the frequency of seizures. These beneficial effects of HBO-PC were abolished by the COX-2 selective inhibitor NS-398.

Conclusions—

HBO-PC reduced COX-2 expression and provided brain protection after global ischemia. Administration of COX-2 inhibitor with HBO before ischemia abolished preconditioning effect, thereby implicating COX-2 as a mediator of HBO-PC in the ischemic brain.
Citicoline in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Vascular Dementia After Stroke
Authors: Álvarez-Sabín Jose , Román Gustavo C.
Published: December 2010

Cognitive decline after stroke is more common than stroke recurrence. Stroke doubles the risk of dementia and is a major contributor to vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. Neuropathological studies in most cases of dementia in the elderly reveal a large load of vascular ischemic brain lesions mixed with a lesser contribution of neurodegenerative lesions of Alzheimer disease. Nonetheless, few pharmacological studies have addressed vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia after stroke. Citicoline has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in acute stroke and has been shown to improve cognition in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease and in some patients with Alzheimer disease. A recent trial lasting 6 months in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke showed that citicoline prevented cognitive decline after stroke with significant improvement of temporal orientation, attention, and executive function. Experimentally, citicoline exhibits neuroprotective effects and enhances neural repair. Citicoline appears to be a safe and promising alternative to improve stroke recovery and could be indicated in patients with vascular cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer disease with significant cerebrovascular disease.
Stability Against Fluctuations: Scaling, Bifurcations, and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in Stochastic Models of Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Elliott Terry
Published: December 2010

In stochastic models of synaptic plasticity based on a random walk, the control of fluctuations is imperative. We have argued that synapses could act as low-pass filters, filtering plasticity induction steps before expressing a step change in synaptic strength. Earlier work showed, in simulation, that such a synaptic filter tames fluctuations very well, leading to patterns of synaptic connectivity that are stable for long periods of time. Here, we approach this problem analytically. We explicitly calculate the lifetime of meta-stable states of synaptic connectivity using a Fokker-Planck formalism in order to understand the dependence of this lifetime on both the plasticity step size and the filtering mechanism. We find that our analytical results agree very well with simulation results, despite having to make two approximations. Our analysis reveals, however, a deeper significance to the filtering mechanism and the plasticity step size. We show that a filter scales the step size into a smaller, effective step size. This scaling suggests that the step size may itself play the role of a temperature parameter, so that a filter cools the dynamics, thereby reducing the influence of fluctuations. Using the master equation, we explicitly demonstrate a bifurcation at a critical step size, confirming this interpretation. At this critical point, spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs in the class of stochastic models of synaptic plasticity that we consider.
”Lost in the Revolution“: Bukharan waqf and Testimony Documents from the Early Soviet Period
Authors: Reichmuth Philipp
Published: December 2010

After the conquest of the Emirate of Bukhara by the Red Army in August and September 1920 and the proclamation of the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic (Buxarskaja Narodnaja Sovetskaja Respublika, BNSR) on 20 September, Islamic institutions in the former emirate were subjected to considerable political, institutional and personal changes that continued throughout the first half of the 1920s, when the BNSR was first declared a Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) in September 1924 and then integrated into the newly-formed Uzbek SSR in November of the same year. The institution of pious endowments (waqf) was no exception to these changes. In this article, we shall take a document-centered approach by giving an overview of early Soviet waqf documents from Bukhara kept in the Central State Archive of Uzbekistan in Tashkent (CGA RUz). Research on waqf in Soviet Turkestan has focused mainly on the ASSR and not on the former protectorates with their longer heritage of Islamic statehood, and it does not look on waqf documents themselves. Since these documents represent one end of the trajectory of the development of Islamic chancery practice before the abolition of the institutions that produced such documents, their study can add to our understanding of the diplomatics of Persian-language private documents in general. This article will give an overview of the collection of post-1920 waqf documents in the CGA. It then illustrates the basic structure and content of documents for newly-established endowments, finally comparing them with documents of testimony for existing awqāf. For this analysis a specific structural model is developed and applied to these documents.
Holiness and Order: British Methodism's Search for the Holy Catholic Church
Authors: Chapman David
Published: December 2010

This article investigates British Methodism's doctrine of the Church in relation to its own ecclesial self-understanding. Methodists approach the doctrine of the Church by reflecting on their 'experience' and 'practice', rather than systematically. The article sketches the cultural and ecclesial context of Methodist ecclesiology before investigating the key sources of British Methodist doctrinal teaching on the Church: the theological legacy of John Wesley; the influence of the non-Wesleyan Methodist traditions as represented by Primitive Methodism; twentieth-century ecumenical developments; and British Methodist Faith and Order statements on the subject. The phenomenon of 'emerging expressions of Church' makes the question of the nature and location of the Church pertinent at the present time for all Christian traditions.
Taking Hobbes at His Word: Comments on Morality in the Philosophy of Thomas Hobbes by S.A. Lloyd
Authors: Rhodes Rosamond
Published: December 2010

This paper focuses on S.A. Loyd's positive account of Hobbes's moral theory as presented in chapters 5 and 6 of her new book. My discussion challenges Lloyd's reciprocity interpretation of Hobbes's moral theory. In the paper I also take issue with Lloyd's account of the derivation of his moral theory and her account of moral obligation. I offer my own definitional reading of the derivation of the Laws of Nature and my own analysis of how Hobbes explains obligation in terms of assent.
Effects of Charge Distribution in Thunderstorms on Lightning Propagation Paths in Darwin, Australia
Authors: Akita Manabu , Yoshida Satoru , Nakamura Yoshitaka , Morimoto Takeshi , Ushio Tomoo , Kawasaki Zen , Wang Daohong
Published: December 2010

The charge distributions in a thundercloud play an important role in the initiation and propagation of lightning discharges. To further understand the effects of charge distributions on lightning discharge, the authors conducted a very high-frequency (VHF) lightning observation campaign during the 2006/07 monsoon in Darwin, Australia, using a VHF broadband digital interferometer (DITF). A C-band polarimetric weather radar to estimate the precipitation profiles such as hydrometeor classification was operated by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Research Centre. Cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) flashes were initiated from the outer and the inner parts of the upper side of the graupel regions, respectively. In the cases of CG flashes, the negative leaders travel first about 10 km horizontally through positive charge regions and then begin to bend toward the ground when they reach the edge of the positive charge regions where there is no graupel region underneath. In contrast, in the cases of the IC flashes the negatively charged graupel regions block the downward developments of negative leaders. It is noted that positive charge regions could facilitate the extension of the horizontal negative leader. These results may suggest that lightning flash types are closely dependent on their initiation locations and the surrounding charge distributions. The experimental results are consistent with other previous observation results and charge model simulations.
Autonomy as Process and Outcome: Revisiting Cultural and Practical Issues in Motivation for Counseling
Authors: Lynch Martin F. , Vansteenkiste Maarten , Deci Edward L. , Ryan Richard M.
Published: December 2010

Three commentators (Carter, 2011; Kim, 2011; Scheel, 2011) concurred with a central proposition of the target article (Ryan, Lynch, Vansteenkiste, & Deci, 2011): that client motivation for counseling is of critical importance to counselors and therapists. In this Reply, we acknowledge and address a number of issues raised by the commentators, including the role of motivation and autonomy in multicultural counseling, the issue of common factors in counseling, and how the continuum of motivation proposed in the target article relates to the experience of practitioners who are engaged with a wide variety of client presentations. We maintain that the autonomous motivation of clients is a legitimate focus in counseling, both as process and outcome, and that an autonomy-supportive stance on the part of the counselor is implicit in the ethical mandate to respect the person of the client.
Item Selection Criteria With Practical Constraints for Computerized Classification Testing
Authors: Lin Chuan-Ju
Published: December 2010

This study compares four item selection criteria for a two-category computerized classification testing: (1) Fisher information (FI), (2) Kullback—Leibler information (KLI), (3) weighted log-odds ratio (WLOR), and (4) mutual information (MI), with respect to the efficiency and accuracy of classification decision using the sequential probability ratio test as well as the extent of item usage. The comparability of the four item selection criteria are examined primarily under three types of item selection conditions: (1) using only the four item selection algorithms, (2) using the four item selection algorithms and content balancing control, and (3) using the four item selection algorithms, content balancing control, and item exposure control. The comparability of the four item selection criteria is also evaluated in two types of proficiency distribution and three levels of indifference region width. The results show that the differences of the four item selection criteria are washed out as more realistic constraints are imposed. Moreover, within two-category classification testing, the use of MI does not necessarily generate greater efficiency than FI, WLOR, and KLI, although MI might seem attractive for its general form of formula in item selection.
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Poverty and Prices in Rural India
Authors: Gaiha Raghav , Kulkarni Vani S , Pandey Manoj K , Imai Katsushi S
Published: December 2010

The objective of this analysis is mainly to construct an intuitive measure of the performance of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in India. The focus is on divergence between demand and supply at the district level. Some related issues addressed are: (i) whether the gap between demand and supply responds to poverty; and (ii) whether recent hikes in NREGS wages are inflationary. Our analysis confirms responsiveness of the positive gap between demand and supply to poverty. Also, apprehensions expressed about the inflationary potential of recent hikes in NREGS wages have been confirmed. More importantly, higher NREGS wages are likely to undermine self-selection of the poor in it.
Structure and mechanical properties of jute—polylactic acid biodegradable composites
Authors: Hongwei Ma  , Chang Whan Joo
Published: December 2010

In this study, biodegradable composites based on jute and polylactic acid (PLA) were prepared by a film-stacking process. The effect of jute fiber content, processing temperature, and alkali treatment on the structure and mechanical properties of jute—PLA composites were investigated. The interfacial structure between jute fibers and PLA was analysed by scanning electron microscope. The optimum tensile properties of jute—PLA composites were obtained at 15 wt% fiber content and a processing temperature of 210°C. Both the maximum flexural modulus and strength of composites were obtained at 220° C and 15 wt% fiber contents. X-ray diffraction profiles showed that the crystallinity of jute fibers was changed from cellulose I to cellulose II after alkali treatment. Meanwhile, the tensile modulus of single jute fiber and jute—PLA composites were increased by 29% and 76%, respectively. The modified equation of the rule of mixture was more suitable to predict tensile modulus of jute—PLA composites than the conventional Halpin—Tsai model and the relative error was less than 8%.
Stress—strain response and thermal conductivity degradation of ceramic matrix composite fiber tows in 0—90° uni-directional and woven composites
Authors: Tang C. , Blacklock M. , Hayhurst D.R.
Published: December 2010

The physical model for tow behavior, developed previously by the authors, is used to study the performance of two woven CMC laminates: a carbon fiber/carbon—SiC matrix (C/C—SiC) plain weave laminate — DLR-XT; and a carbon fiber— carbon matrix (C/C) 8-Harness Satin weave laminate — HITCO. For both materials, room temperature stress—strain curves and transverse thermal conductivity—strain curves are available from a previous experimental investigation; these curves have been used as benchmarks to assess the fidelity of the models. The tow model has first been used to develop relationships for 0°/90° uni-directional unit cells, and then adapted to cater for unit cells of the DLR-XT and HITCO woven composites. For both materials, acceptable predictions have been made of stress—strain behavior. Despite the thermal models being based on one-dimensional heat flow, within series-parallel elements, excellent predictions have been made of the degradation in transverse composite thermal conductivity with the composite strain. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the effect of the degradation of transverse thermal conductivity is due to strain-driven growth of wake debonded cracks.
Water absorption behavior of carpet waste jute-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Karaduman Y. , Onal L.
Published: December 2010

This article deals with the water absorption behavior of low-cost polymer composite composed of carpet waste jute yarns and thermoset matrices (i.e., epoxy and polyester). The water absorption behavior of the composites and deviation of their flexural and impact properties after aging in distilled water were investigated. The magnitude of diffusion parameters such as n and K were evaluated to assess the mode of water transport. It was found that the composites follow Fickian diffusion behavior. Both maximum water content (Mmax) and effective diffusion coefficient (Deff) values increased with increasing fiber content. Epoxy matrix composites showed higher Mmax and D eff values when compared to those of polyester matrix composites. D eff value increased remarkably with an increase in immersion temperature, whereas temperature had relatively little impact on Mmax value. Thermodynamics of diffusion process was investigated using Arrhenius plots and the magnitude of the activation energy for the process of diffusion (E a) was evaluated. Ea increased with temperature increment, suggesting fast access of water into polymer segments at elevated immersion temperatures. NaOH treatment of jute yarns was also investigated in terms of the water absorption behavior of the composites. It was shown that alkali treatment reduces water absorption of the composites remarkably, which was attributed to interface improvement. Flexural strength and modulus of the composites decreased up to 40% and 60%, respectively, whereas Charpy impact strength increased up to 30% after 168 h of water immersion.
Cultural Differences in the Relative Contributions of Face and Context to Judgments of Emotions
Authors: Matsumoto David , Hwang Hyi Sung , Yamada Hiroshi
Published: December 2010

Previous judgment studies of facial expressions of emotion in context have provided mixed results. This article clarifies and extends this literature by testing judgments across cultures and by using novel methodologies that examine both face and context effects. Two studies involving observers from three cultures provided evidence for both face and context effects in emotion judgments and cultural differences in both. Japanese and South Korean observers were more influenced by context than Americans, and these differences were mediated by personality traits. The results provided a more nuanced view of how both culture and emotion moderate judgments of faces in context and how cultural differences existed in the judgments, which were predicted using a construct known as Context Differentiation.
Infant Social Interactions With Multiple Caregivers
Authors: Fouts Hillary N. , Roopnarine Jaipaul L. , Lamb Michael E. , Evans Melanie
Published: December 2010

Most studies of diverse populations of families within the United States have either focused predominantly on ethnicity or socioeconomic status (SES), and those that have examined both ethnicity and SES have noted difficulties in disentangling the effects of SES and ethnicity. In order to achieve a greater understanding of variation in infant experiences with parental and nonparental caregivers in differing socioeconomic and ethnic contexts, 41 infants from African American and 40 infants from European American families of lower and middle SES were observed for 12 hours each in and around their home environments. Ethnic differences were evident in the infants’ overall experiences with caregivers, maternal availability, affection, caregiving, and stimulation by nonnuclear relatives; SES differences were identified for maternal and paternal holding, maternal carrying, and paternal caregiving. When caregiver availability was taken into account, variations in interactional and care experiences were predominantly predicted by ethnicity. These results underscore the need to study both ethnicity and socioeconomic variation rather than either one alone. Furthermore, the caregiving behaviors of African American mothers and fathers may be misrepresented when multiple SES contexts are not considered.
Culture and Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Tam Kim-Pong , Lau Hi Po Bobo , Jiang Da
Published: December 2010

Adopting the dynamic constructivist approach, the present research tested the hypothesis that bicultural people’s subjective well-being (SWB) is more contingent on satisfaction with relationship-related domains and less contingent on satisfaction with self-related domains when Chinese cultural ideas are activated than when American ideas are activated. Two studies on Hong Kong undergraduates with different activation procedures (exposure to cultural icons in Study 1 and questionnaire language in Study 2) and different SWB measures (life satisfaction in Study 1 and subjective happiness in Study 2) provided convergent support to this hypothesis. The present research contributes to the existing understanding of culture and SWB by (a) examining the processes underlying the SWB judgment of bicultural individuals, (b) highlighting cross-situational variations of cultural influence on SWB judgment, and (c) allowing for testing causality of such influence.
Corporéités, ascétismes et sécularisation dans le discours de la confrérie Naqshbandi turque contemporaine
Authors: Manço Ural
Published: December 2010

L’auteur présente les thématiques liées au corps dans le discours Naqshbandi de la fin du 20ème siècle. La confrérie étudiée est la plus orthodoxe et l’une des plus influentes du pays. Le discours est étudié à partir des causeries de son dernier cheikh, M.E. Cosan (1938—2001). Ces prônes incarnent le principal moyen d’initiation des disciples. L’échantillon discursif est formé par 140 causeries prononcées entre 1984 et 2001. L’analyse de leur contenu porte sur les rapports au comportement, au culte et au plaisir et permet la contextualisation des transformations religieuses en fonction du changement structurel de la société depuis 1980, ce qui revient à montrer la convergence de ce discours religieux, qui se rationalise et fait preuve d’intramondanité, avec le processus d’urbanisation et de mobilité sociale des disciples.
Experimental investigation on air-jet loom sub-nozzles for weft yarn insertion
Authors: Belforte G. , Mattiazzo G. , Testore F. , Visconte C.
Published: December 2010

The analysis of the airflow from sub-nozzles that have different emitting cross-sections is described. At first, tests were carried out outside the profiled reed and comparison between nozzles was made in terms of air velocity distribution, jet spreading, consumption and exerted drag force. Subsequently, in order to analyze the interaction between the jet emitted by a sub-nozzle and the loom profiled reed, some velocity measurements were repeated inside the weft passage, at various distances from the nozzle exit. Finally, a high-speed camera was used to visualize the weft yarn crossing the weft passage.
Effect of Care Instructions on Evaluations of Apparel Attributes
Authors: Workman Jane E. , Johnson Kim K. P.
Published: December 2010

A care label is one cue that might influence evaluation of a garment because different care instructions are associated with different fabrics as well as different levels of expenditure of time and money. The purpose of this study was to determine whether care instructions affected perceptions of garment quality, predictions concerning a garment's future performance, a garment's estimated retail price, and a customer's likelihood of purchasing a garment. Two variations of care instructions were used: hand wash and dry flat, and professionally dry‐clean. Undergraduate females (N = 84) enrolled in textiles and clothing classes volunteered to serve as subjects. Subjects received a sketch of a garment along with one of the two care instructions, recorded their perceptions of garment quality and price, predicted the garment's future performance, and indicated their likelihood of purchasing the garment. Analysis of variance revealed that care instructions did not influence perceptions of quality, price, or likelihood of purchase but did influence predictions of future performance. Care instructions indicating that the garment should be professionally drycleaned resulted in favorable predictions about future performance, as compared with care instructions indicating that the garment should be hand washed and dried flat. Study results suggest that care instructions are a cue used by consumers to predict the future performance of a garment.
Comparative media analysis: Why some fuzzy thinking might help. Applying fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to the personalization of mediated political communication
Authors: Downey John , Stanyer James
Published: December 2010

This article examines the benefits of fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) for comparative media research. It shows the advantages of fuzzy set theoretic thinking in examining the causes of a major feature of contemporary political communication research, namely personalization. The article has three parts. The first is a critique of the method adopted by Hallin and Mancini, a generally laudable and highly influential recent contribution to comparative media analysis. The second is a brief introduction to fsQCA. The third demonstrates the method’s usefulness by investigating the personalized character of mediated political communication.
Canine Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors
Authors: Thompson J. J. , Yager J. A. , Best S. J. , Pearl D. L. , Coomber B. L. , Torres R. N. , Kiupel M. , Foster R. A.
Published: December 2010

Molecular assays are widely used to prognosticate canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCT). There is limited information about these prognostic assays used on MCT that arise in the subcutis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the utility of KIT immunohistochemical labeling pattern, c- KIT mutational status (presence of internal tandem duplications in exon 11), and proliferation markers—including mitotic index, Ki67, and argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR)—as independent prognostic markers for local recurrence and/or metastasis in canine subcutaneous MCT. A case–control design was used to analyze 60 subcutaneous MCT from 60 dogs, consisting of 24 dogs with subsequent local recurrence and 12 dogs with metastasis, as compared to dogs matched by breed, age, and sex with subcutaneous MCT that did not experience these events. Mitotic index, Ki67, the combination of Ki67 and AgNOR, and KIT cellular localization pattern were significantly associated with local recurrence and metastasis, thereby demonstrating their prognostic value for subcutaneous MCT. No internal tandem duplication mutations were detected in exon 11 of c- KIT in any tumors. Because c- KIT mutations have been demonstrated in only 20 to 30% of cutaneous MCT and primarily in tumors of higher grade, the number of subcutaneous MCT analyzed in this study may be insufficient to draw conclusions on the role c- KIT mutations in these tumors.
Eyewitness: Moris Farhi on Faraj Sarkoohi
Authors: Farhi Moris
Published: December 2010

Moris Farhi on Faraj Sarkoohi
Survival in prison
Authors: Sebba Anne
Published: December 2010

Detained writers suffer from violence, humiliation and loneliness. Writing, often in secret, helps make sense of these terrible experiences, writes Anne Sebba
Liberating language
Authors: Nasheed Mohamed
Published: December 2010

Mohamed Nasheed on how the Maldives has rejected the lexicon, along with the rule, of decades of dictatorship and rediscovered freedom of expression
Eyewitness: William Boyd on Ken Saro-Wiwa
Authors: Boyd William
Published: December 2010

William Boyd on Ken Saro-Wiwa
Eyewitness: Antonia Fraser on meeting Irina Ratushinskaya
Authors: Fraser Antonia
Published: December 2010

Antonia Fraser on meeting Irina Ratushinskaya
Anterolateral Transtibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Combined With Anatomical Reconstruction of Posterolateral Corner Insufficiency
Authors: Kim Sung-Jae , Jung Min , Moon Hong-Kyo , Kim Sul-Gee , Chun Yong-Min
Published: December 2010

Background: There is a paucity of clinical studies comparing single- and double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction combined with a posterolateral corner reconstruction.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of single- and double-bundle transtibial PCL reconstruction combined with reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendon for posterolateral corner insufficiency.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence 3.

Methods: The study population consisted of 42 patients for whom a minimum of 2 years of follow-up data were available. The authors compared the clinical outcomes of 2 surgical techniques: a single-bundle technique (23 patients) and a double-bundle technique (19 patients), each combined with reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendon for posterolateral corner insufficiency.

Results: There was no significant difference between the single- and double-bundle groups in mean side-to-side difference of posterior translation as measured with Telos stress radiography (4.2 ± 1.7 vs 3.9 ± 1.6 mm; P = .628). Rates of residual increased laxity greater than 5 mm were 22% in the single-bundle group and 21% in the double-bundle group. Regarding posterolateral rotatory instability, there were no differences between the 2 groups in mean side-to-side difference in the dial test (5.3° ± 2.7° vs 5.1° ± 2.4° at 30° of flexion [ P = .800]; 6.7° ± 2.7° vs 6.7° ± 2.4° at 90° of flexion [ P = .917]) or in varus stress radiography (1.2 ± 1.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.4 mm; P = .722). The Lysholm knee scores were 85.7 ± 7.6 in the single-bundle group and 87.7 ± 7.3 in the double-bundle group, and there was no significant difference between them ( P = .392). There was also no difference between the groups in International Knee Documentation Committee knee score ( P = .969); from this, the rates of abnormal and severely abnormal were 30% in the single-bundle group and 26% in the double-bundle group.

Conclusion: In this series, double-bundle PCL reconstruction combined with posterolateral corner reconstruction did not appear to have advantages over single-bundle PCL reconstruction combined with posterolateral corner reconstruction with respect to the clinical outcomes or posterior knee stability.
Long-Term Results of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Throwing Athletes Based on a Hybrid Technique
Authors: Hechtman Keith S. , Zvijac John E. , Wells Matt E. , Botto-van Bemden Angie
Published: December 2010

Background: Tearing or attenuation of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is a common injury in the throwing athlete. Several techniques for reconstruction of the attenuated or torn UCL have been developed.

Hypothesis: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction based on a hybrid technique, with an ulnar osseous tunnel and suture anchor fixation on the humerus, allows throwing athletes to return to prior activity level and has a low complication rate.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of the UCL reconstructions performed in 34 throwing athletes, as based on a hybrid technique, over a 6-year period. All elbows were reconstructed with a tendon graft fixed through an osseous tunnel placed at the sublime tubercle and with 2 suture anchors placed into a bony trough at the humeral origin of the native ligament.

Results: Average postoperative follow-up was 6.9 years (range, 4.2 to 8.7 years). The average age was 20.2 years, with symptoms present for an average of 22.4 weeks before clinic presentation. Each athlete had pain with valgus stress or milking maneuver in addition to a documented tear of the UCL on magnetic resonance imaging. All experienced pain on the medial aspect of the elbow while throwing. Only 1 patient had new onset of temporary ulnar nerve paresthesia, for a complication rate of 2%. Of 34 athletes, 29 (85%) had an excellent result, defined as the ability to return to play at or above preinjury level. Of the 5 patients who did not return to preinjury level, only 2 were unable to do so secondary to pain.

Conclusion: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction based on a hybrid fixation technique results in a low complication rate and allows full recovery to preinjury level of performance in the majority (85%) of patients.
Minimum weight design of fiber-reinforced laminated composite structures with maximum stress and Tsai-Wu failure criteria
Authors: Naik GN , Gyan S. , Satheesh R. , Ganguli R.
Published: December 2010

In this article, a minimum weight design of carbon/epoxy laminates is carried out using genetic algorithms. New failure envelopes have been developed by the combination of two commonly used phenomenological failure criteria, namely Maximum Stress (MS) and Tsai—Wu (TW) are used to obtain the minimum weight of the laminate. These failure envelopes are the most conservative failure envelope (MCFE) and the least conservative failure envelope (LCFE). Uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions are considered for the study and the differences in the optimal weight of the laminate are compared for the MCFE and LCFE. The MCFE can be used for design of critical load-carrying composites, while the LCFE could be used for the design of composite structures where weight reduction is much more important than safety such as unmanned air vehicles.