bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individualism and socioeconomic diversity at school as related to perceptions of the frequency of peer aggression in fifteen countries
Authors: Menzer Melissa M. , Torney‐Purta Judith
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine two aspects of context for peer aggression: national individualism and distributions of socioeconomic status in the school. School administrators for each school reported on their perceptions of the frequency of bullying and violence in their school. The sample comprised 990 school principals/headmasters from nationally representative samples of schools in 15 countries surveyed as part of the larger IEA Civic Education Study (Torney‐Purta, Lehmann, Oswald, & Schulz, 2001). A national context of individualism was associated with violence but not bullying. Schools with high socioeconomic diversity had more bullying than homogeneously low or high socioeconomic status schools. In addition, diverse schools had more violence than affluent schools. Results suggest that bullying and violence should be investigated as separate constructs. Furthermore, contexts, such as national culture and school socioeconomic diversity, are important in understanding the prevalence of bullying and violence in schools internationally.
The Brown Norway opticospinal model of demyelination: Does it mimic multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica?
Authors: Collongues N. , Chanson J.B. , Blanc F. , Steibel J. , Lam C.D. , Shabbir A. , Trifilieff E. , Honnorat J. , Pham‐Dinh D. , Ghandour M.S. , de Seze J.
Published: May 2012

Opticospinal demyelinating diseases in humans are mostly characterized by the opticospinal form of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Increasing attention has recently focused on astrocyte markers, aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in these diseases. We induced opticospinal demyelination in Brown Norway rats with soluble recombinant rat myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (1–116) and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Clinical, MRI, neuropathological and immunological evaluations were performed, with a focus on AQP4 and GFAP. We confirmed the opticospinal phenotype, including extensive myelitis, but also showed the MRI‐characterized involvement of the periventricular area. Expression levels of myelin, AQP4 and GFAP showed the early involvement of astrocytes before demyelination in the optic nerve. The overexpression of AQP4 was particularly pronounced in the spinal cord and was concomitant with demyelination and astrocyte apoptosis. The disability scores were correlated with demyelination and inflammation but not with AQP4/GFAP expression. No antibodies against the linear and conformational epitopes of AQP4 were detected. Whereas a NMO‐like phenotype was observed in this model, the AQP4/GFAP expression during the disease process was more closely related to opticospinal MS than NMO. However, this model raises the question of a continuum between opticospinal MS and the seronegative NMO subtype.
K1() and the group of automorphisms of the algebra of one-sided inverses of a polynomial algebra in two variables
Authors: Bavula V.V.
Published: May 2012

Explicit generators are found for the groupG2of automorphisms of the algebraof one-sided inverses of a polynomial algebra in two variables over a field. Moreover, it is proved that

whereS2is the symmetric group,is the 2-dimensional algebraic torus,E∞() is the subgroup of GL∞() generated by the elementary matrices. In the proof, we use and prove several results on the index of an operator. The final argument is the proof of the fact that K1() ≃K*. The algebrasandare noncommutative, non-Noetherian, and not domains.
The universal aspect ratio of vortices in rotating stratified flows: experiments and observations
Authors: Aubert Oriane , Le Bars Michael , Le Gal Patrice , Marcus Philip S.
Published: May 2012

We validate a new law for the aspect ratio $\ensuremath{\alpha} = H/ L$ of vortices in a rotating, stratified flow, where $H$ and $L$ are the vertical half-height and horizontal length scale of the vortices. The aspect ratio depends not only on the Coriolis parameter $f$ and buoyancy (or Brunt–Väisälä) frequency $\bar {N} $ of the background flow, but also on the buoyancy frequency ${N}_{c} $ within the vortex and on the Rossby number $\mathit{Ro}$ of the vortex, such that $\ensuremath{\alpha} = f \mathop{ [\mathit{Ro}(1+ \mathit{Ro})/ ({ N}_{c}^{2} \ensuremath{-} {\bar {N} }^{2} )] }\nolimits ^{1/ 2} $. This law for $\ensuremath{\alpha} $ is obeyed precisely by the exact equilibrium solution of the inviscid Boussinesq equations that we show to be a useful model of our laboratory vortices. The law is valid for both cyclones and anticyclones. Our anticyclones are generated by injecting fluid into a rotating tank filled with linearly stratified salt water. In one set of experiments, the vortices viscously decay while obeying our law for $\ensuremath{\alpha} $, which decreases over time. In a second set of experiments, the vortices are sustained by a slow continuous injection. They evolve more slowly and have larger $\vert \mathit{Ro}\vert $ while still obeying our law for $\ensuremath{\alpha} $. The law for $\ensuremath{\alpha} $ is not only validated by our experiments, but is also shown to be consistent with observations of the aspect ratios of Atlantic meddies and Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and Oval BA. The relationship for $\ensuremath{\alpha} $ is derived and examined numerically in a companion paper by Hassanzadeh, Marcus & Le Gal (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 706, 2012, pp. 46–57).
Beowulf and some fictions of the Geatish succession
Authors: Biggs Frederick M.
Published: May 2012

Having just killed the dragon, and with death ‘ungemete neah’ (2728b; ‘exceedingly
near’), Beowulf begins to speak, remarking first on his lack of a son:

Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde

guðgewædu, þær me gifeðe swa

ænig yrfeweard æfter wurde

lice gelenge. (2729–2732a)

The language here seems almost neutral, but at least two of the terms are suggestive.
The ‘guðgewædu’ (‘war-garments’) that he wishes to leave to his son
recall most notably the elaborate gifts of weapons and horses – including the
saddle that the king used in battle (1037b–1043) – that Hrothgar had given him
following the fight with Grendel, implicating him, as John M. Hill and
Stephanie Hollis have argued, in the Danish succession. Similarly, in using
‘yrfeweard’ (‘guardian of an inheritance’), he calls attention to the king's role in
protecting the tribe's wealth, although the poet may expect the audience to hear
more in the compound since ‘weard’ appears often in the final part of the
poem in descriptions of the dragon. Thus, even though Beowulf does not mention this failing again, his remark draws together a theme not only signficant
in the Geatish section of the poem, but also present from the opening
descriptions of Scyld's reign: part of a king's responsibility is to see that the
succession is secure in a son.
Successful treatment of neonatal pulmonary thrombosis in congenital nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Makonkawkeyoon Krit , Silvilairat Suchaya , Chartapisak Wattana
Published: May 2012

The incidence of neonatal thrombosis has been increasing in recent times because of the use of a central venous catheter. A treatment modality consisting of fibrinolytic agents has been administered for this life-threatening condition. This case report presents the successful management of a pulmonary artery thrombosis with a recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in a patient with neonatal congenital nephrotic syndrome.
Active frequency-tripler MMICs for 300 GHz signal generation
Authors: Lewark Ulrich Johannes , Tessmann Axel , Massler Hermann , Wagner Sandrine , Leuther Arnulf , Kallfass Ingmar
Published: May 2012

Two frequency-tripler monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) reaching sub-millimeter-wave output frequencies of 315 GHz are presented. The convenient integration of transistor–based field effect transistor (FET) frequency multipliers into multifunctional MMICs is shown by integration of a single–stage frequency-tripler with a buffer amplifier generating −0.5 dBm of peak output power at 288. Without post-amplification an average output power of −10.1 dBm in the output frequency range from 285 to 315 is measured with 10 dBm of input power. The 3-dB bandwidth is more than 30 GHz and could not be determined exactly due to the measurement setup. Both MMICs are realized in a 50 nm metamorphic high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) transistor technology. A multiple power-meter measurement technique including a waveguide filter is used to measure accurately the second harmonic power content within the output spectrum.
A time domain transmission measurement system for dielectric characterizations
Authors: Will Bianca , Gerding Michael , Schulz Christian , Baer Christoph , Musch Thomas , Rolfes Ilona
Published: May 2012

Delay time measurements are a commonly used technique for the characterization of dielectric materials. Especially with regard to the characterization of water–solid mixtures like soil or grain delay time measurements, e.g., time domain reflectometry offers a powerful method. However, the accuracy of reflection measurements is limited due to multiple reflections caused by inhomogenities of the environmental material of the sensor. This contribution deals with an improved sensor design based on time domain transmission (TDT) measurements. Thus, the first received impulse includes the necessary information. Multiple reflections are received at later time steps and their influence on the measurement accuracy is nearly negligible. To improve the performance and the applicability of the designed sensor, a cost–efficient TDT system is designed, which is integrated in the sensor. Additionally, a so-called “concentric reversion coupler” is used, which offers the possibility to perform TDT measurements without the necessity of external measuring ports.
Finite-element analysis of infinite and finite arrays
Authors: Manges John B. , Silvestro John W. , Zhao Kezhong
Published: May 2012

This paper considers and compares the numerical characterization of regular planar antenna arrays from two viewpoints. In the case where the array is sufficiently large, the well-known infinite array idealization applies and a very efficient simulation method is presented which combines array theory with a specialized form of the finite-element method called the transfinite element method (TFEM). Alternatively, a more direct approach is discussed in which the entire antenna array is simulated as a finite structure using recent advances in the domain decomposition method (DDM). Taken together, the two methods provide a comprehensive simulation method for regular arrays from small order to very large order.
Measurements of ocean derived aerosol off the coast of California
Authors: Bates T. S. , Quinn P. K. , Frossard A. A. , Russell L. M. , Hakala J. , Petäjä T. , Kulmala M. , Covert D. S. , Cappa C. D. , Li S.‐M. , Hayden K. L. , Nuaaman I. , McLaren R. , Massoli P. , Canagaratna M. R. , Onasch T. B. , Sueper D. , Worsnop D. R. , Keene W. C.
Published: May 2012

Reliable characterization of particles freshly emitted from the ocean surface requires a sampling method that is able to isolate those particles and prevent them from interacting with ambient gases and particles. Here we report measurements of particles directly emitted from the ocean using a newly developed in situ particle generator (Sea Sweep). The Sea Sweep was deployed alongside R/V Atlantis off the coast of California during May of 2010. Bubbles were generated 0.75 m below the ocean surface with stainless steel frits and swept into a hood/vacuum hose to feed a suite of aerosol instrumentation on board the ship. The number size distribution of the directly emitted, nascent particles had a dominant mode at 55–60 nm (dry diameter) and secondary modes at 30–40 nm and 200–300 nm. The nascent aerosol was not volatile at 230°C and was not enriched in SO4=, Ca++, K+, or Mg++above that found in surface seawater. The organic component of the nascent aerosol (7% of the dry submicrometer mass) volatilized at a temperature between 230 and 600°C. The submicrometer organic aerosol characterized by mass spectrometry was dominated by non‐oxygenated hydrocarbons. The nascent aerosol at 50, 100, and 145 nm dry diameter behaved hygroscopically like an internal mixture of sea salt with a small organic component. The CCN/CN activation ratio for 60 nm Sea Sweep particles was near 1 for all supersaturations of 0.3 and higher indicating that all of the particles took up water and grew to cloud drop size. The nascent organic aerosol mass fraction did not increase in regions of higher surface seawater chlorophyll but did show a positive correlation with seawater dimethylsulfide (DMS).
Potential significance of photoexcited NO2 on global air quality with the NMMB/BSC chemical transport model
Authors: Jorba O. , Dabdub D. , Blaszczak‐Boxe C. , Pérez C. , Janjic Z. , Baldasano J. M. , Spada M. , Badia A. , Gonçalves M.
Published: May 2012

Atmospheric chemists have recently focused on the relevance of the NO2* + H2O → OH + HONO reaction to local air quality. This chemistry has been considered not relevant for the troposphere from known reaction rates until nowadays. New experiments suggested a rate constant of 1.7 × 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, which is an order of magnitude faster than the previously estimated upper limit of 1.2 × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, determined by Crowley and Carl (1997). Using the new global model, NMMB/BSC Chemical Transport Model (NMMB/BSC‐CTM), simulations are presented that assess the potential significance of this chemistry on global air quality. Results show that if the NO2* chemistry is considered following the upper limit kinetics recommended by Crowley and Carl (1997), it produces an enhancement of ozone surface concentrations of 4–6 ppbv in rural areas and 6–15 ppbv in urban locations, reaching a maximum enhancement of 30 ppbv in eastern Asia. Moreover, NO2 enhancements are minor (<0.01 ppbv) in background regions and reach maximum daytime values of 1–6 ppbv. Similarly, HONO exhibits negligible increases, 8–9 pptv in urban settings. Enhancements in the concentration of OH are around 14–17 × 105 molec cm−3. Decreases in the concentration of O3 and its precursors are also identified but to a lesser degree. In order to quantify the role of the two kinetic rates measured, model simulations are compared after incorporating both reaction rate constants. Maximum O3 difference enhancements from 5 to 10 ppbv are modeled over locations where high NOx emissions are present; however, differences are small in most parts of the globe.
Climate control for southeastern China moisture and precipitation: Indian or East Asian monsoon?
Authors: Wang Huijun , Chen Huopo
Published: May 2012

In this study, the water vapor sources for the precipitation processes in southeastern China (SECN) during 1981–2010 were investigated using atmospheric reanalysis data. We also studied the factors influencing the summer atmospheric moisture over SECN. These two issues are all closely related to the climate signals recorded in stalagmites recovered from caves in SECN. Result supports that the atmospheric water vapor over SECN during the whole summer time is primarily transported from the Indian Ocean. However, the vertically integrated water vapor content throughout the year in SECN has two main sources: the Indian Ocean and the tropical western Pacific. In addition, the water vapor transport for the precipitation processes in SECN has complex vertical structure. At approximately 700 hPa to 500 hPa, part of the water vapor for the precipitation in SECN comes from the Arab‐Caspian region. Finally, the water vapor content over SECN is regulated primarily by both the Indian and East Asian monsoons. Further analysis indicated that the variability of the East Asian summer monsoon is substantially regulated by the western Pacific subtropical high, the Eurasia–Atlantic thermal conditions, as well as the large‐scale Eurasia‐Atlantic atmospheric circulation. Therefore, the SECN Cave proxies can record the signals from faraway middle and high latitude Eurasia‐Atlantic climate, besides the regional East Asian monsoon and remote Indian monsoon.
Densities and temperatures in the Venus mesosphere and lower thermosphere retrieved from SOIR on board Venus Express: Carbon dioxide measurements at the Venus terminator
Authors: Mahieux A. , Vandaele A. C. , Robert S. , Wilquet V. , Drummond R. , Montmessin F. , Bertaux J. L.
Published: May 2012

SOIR is a high‐resolution spectrometer flying on board the ESA Venus Express mission. It performs solar occultations of the Venus high atmosphere, and so defines unique vertical profiles of many of the Venus key species. In this paper, we focus on the Venus main constituent, carbon dioxide. We explain how the temperature, the total density, and the total pressure are derived from the observed CO2 density vertical profiles. A striking permanent temperature minimum at 125 km is observed. The data set is processed in order to obtain a Venus Atmosphere from SOIR measurements at the Terminator (VAST) compilation for different latitude regions and extending from 70 up to 170 km in altitude. The results are compared to many literature results obtained from ground‐based observations, previous missions, and the Venus Express mission. The homopause altitude is also determined.
Gravity waves mapped by the OMEGA/MEX instrument through O2 dayglow at 1.27 μm: Data analysis and atmospheric modeling
Authors: Altieri Francesca , Spiga Aymeric , Zasova Ludmila , Bellucci Giancarlo , Bibring Jean‐Pierre
Published: May 2012

We present the occurrence of waves patterns on the southern polar region of Mars as traced by the O2 dayglow emission at λ = 1.27 μm during late winter/early spring of MY 28. The observations were carried out by the OMEGA (Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité) imaging spectrometer on board Mars Express (MEX). Waves are found preferentially at high incidence angles and latitudes between 55° and 75°S. The dayglow intensity fluctuations are of the order of ±3% at incidence angle <88.5° and they can be explained by the propagation of gravity waves in the Martian atmosphere. Mesoscale meteorological modeling predicts gravity wave activity in the same range of latitude as the observed O2(a1Δg) wave patterns with temperature oscillations consistent with existing measurements. Moreover, gravity waves simulated through mesoscale modeling can induce dayglow fluctuations of the same order‐of‐magnitude as observed in the OMEGA maps. This study confirms that airglow imagery is a powerful method to detect and study the bi‐dimensional propagation of gravity waves, as foreseen in previous studies coupling photochemical and dynamical models.
Healthcare Utilization and Costs in Severely Obese Subjects Before Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Keating Catherine L. , Moodie Marj L. , Bulfone Liliana , Swinburn Boyd A. , Stevenson Christopher E. , Peeters Anna
Published: May 2012

This study examined healthcare utilization and associated costs for a severely obese population before receiving bariatric surgery relative to an age‐ and sex‐matched sample from the Australian general population. Severely obese subjects receiving laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery in 2009 (n = 11,769) were identified. Utilization of medical services and pharmaceuticals in the 3.5 years before surgery were ascertained for each severely obese subject through linkage with Medicare, Australia's universal health insurance scheme. Equivalent data were retrieved for each subject from the matched general population sample (n = 140,000). Severely obese subjects utilized significantly more medical services annually compared to the general population (mean: 22.8 vs. 12.1/person, standardized incidence ratio (SIR): 1.89 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88–1.89)), translating to twofold higher mean annual costs (Australian $1,140 vs. $567/person). The greatest excess costs in the obese related to consultations with general practitioners, psychiatrists/psychologists and other specialists, investigations for obstructive sleep apnea, and in vitro fertilization. Severely obese subjects also utilized significantly more pharmaceutical prescriptions annually (mean: 11.4 vs. 5.3/person, SIR 2.18 (95% CI: 2.17–2.19)), translating to 2.2‐fold higher mean annual costs ($595/person vs. $270/person). The greatest excess costs in the obese related to diabetes drugs, lipid‐modifying agents, psychoanaleptics, acid‐related disorder drugs, agents acting on the rennin—angiotensin system, immunosuppressants, and obstructive airway disease drugs. Overall, healthcare costs in the severely obese population were more than double those incurred by the general population.
Effect of Diet Composition and Weight Loss on Resting Energy Expenditure in the POUNDS LOST Study
Authors: de Jonge Lilian , Bray George A. , Smith Steven R. , Ryan Donna H. , de Souza Russell J. , Loria Catherine M. , Champagne Catherine M. , Williamson Donald A. , Sacks Frank M.
Published: May 2012

Weight loss reduces energy expenditure, but it is unclear whether dietary macronutrient composition affects this reduction. We hypothesized that energy expenditure might be modulated by macronutrient composition of the diet. The Prevention of Obesity Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS) LOST study, a prospective, randomized controlled trial in 811 overweight/obese people who were randomized in a 2 × 2 design to diets containing 20en% or 40en% fat and 15en% or 25en% protein (diets with 65%, 55%, 45%, and 35% carbohydrate) provided the data to test this hypothesis. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured at baseline, 6, and 24 months using a ventilated hood. REE declined at 6 months by 99.5 ± 8.0 kcal/day in men and 55.2 ± 10.6 kcal/day in women during the first 6 months. This decline was related to the weight loss, and there was no difference between the diets. REE had returned to baseline by 24 months, but body weight was still 60% below baseline. Measured REE at 6 months was significantly lower than the predicted (−18.2 ± 6.7 kcal/day) and was the result of significant reductions from baseline in the low‐fat diets (65% or 55% carbohydrate), but not in the high fat diet groups. By 24 months the difference had reversed with measured REE being slightly but significantly higher than predicted (21.8 ± 10.1 kcal/day). In conclusion, we found that REE fell significantly after weight loss but was not related to diet composition. Adaptive thermogenesis was evident at 6 months, but not at 24 months.
Nutritional State Affects the Expression of the Obesity‐Associated Genes Etv5, Faim2, Fto, and Negr1
Authors: Boender Arjen J. , Van Rozen Andrea J. , Adan Roger A.H.
Published: May 2012

Obesity is a risk factor for type II diabetes, atherosclerosis, and some forms of cancer. Variation in common measures of obesity (e.g., BMI, waist/hip ratio) is largely explained by heritability. The advent of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) has made it possible to identify several genetic variants that associate with measures of obesity, but how exactly these genetic variants contribute to overweight has remained largely unresolved. One first hint is given by the fact that many of the associated variants reside in or near genes that act in the central nervous system, which implicates neuronal signaling in the etiology of obesity. Although the brain controls both energy intake and expenditure, it has more capacity to regulate energy intake rather than energy expenditure. In environments where food is abundant, this renders the body prone to weight increases. To gain more insight into the neurobiological mechanisms involved, we set out to investigate the effect of dietary exposure on the expression levels of obesity‐associated genes in the ventro‐medial hypothalamus (VMH)/arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the substantia nigra (SN)/ventral tegmental area (VTA), two brain regions that are implicated in feeding behavior. We show that the expression of Etv5, Faim2, Fto, Negr1 but not Sh2b1 is affected by nutritional state in these two areas, thereby providing insight into the relationship between nutritional state and expression levels of obesity‐associated genes in two brain areas relevant to feeding.
Myostatin is a novel tumoral factor that induces cancer cachexia
Authors: Lokireddy Sudarsanareddy , Wijesoma Isuru Wijerupage , Bonala Sabeera , Wei Meng , Sze Siu Kwan , McFarlane Craig , Kambadur Ravi , Sharma Mridula
Published: May 2012

Humoral and tumoral factors collectively promote cancer-induced skeletal muscle wasting by increasing protein degradation. Although several humoral proteins, namely TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) and IL (interleukin)-6, have been shown to induce skeletal muscle wasting, there is a lack of information regarding the tumoral factors that contribute to the atrophy of muscle during cancer cachexia. Therefore, in the present study, we have characterized the secretome of C26 colon cancer cells to identify the tumoral factors involved in cancer-induced skeletal muscle wasting. In the present study, we show that myostatin, a procachectic TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) superfamily member, is abundantly secreted by C26 cells. Consistent with myostatin signalling during cachexia, treating differentiated C2C12 myotubes with C26 CM (conditioned medium) resulted in myotubular atrophy due to the up-regulation of muscle-specific E3 ligases, atrogin-1 and MuRF1 (muscle RING-finger protein 1), and enhanced activity of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Furthermore, the C26 CM also activated ActRIIB (activin receptor type II B)/Smad and NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling, and reduced the activity of the IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor 1)/PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt pathway, three salient molecular features of myostatin action in skeletal muscles. Antagonists to myostatin prevented C26 CM-induced wasting in muscle cell cultures, further confirming that tumoral myostatin may be a key contributor in the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia. Finally, we show that treatment with C26 CM induced the autophagy–lysosome pathway and reduced the number of mitochondria in myotubes. These two previously unreported observations were recapitulated in skeletal muscles collected from C26 tumour-bearing mice.
Providing Audiological Services to Individuals With Aphasia: Considerations, Preliminary Recommendations, and a Call for Research
Authors: Silkes JoAnn P.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The populations most susceptible to hearing loss and to aphasia overlap substantially, creating a high likelihood that audiologists will be called on to assess and treat individuals with aphasia. There is, however, scarce research available to guide best practices for serving this population.

Method

The available relevant literature is reviewed to summarize what is already known, providing basic information about aphasia and its potential impact on audiological diagnostic and intervention processes.

Conclusion

Suggestions for managing aphasia in the clinical audiology setting are provided, and areas of needed research are identified so that services for individuals with aphasia can be optimized.
Development and Evaluation of an English Language Measure of Detection of Word-Final Plurality Markers: The University of Western Ontario Plurals Test
Authors: Glista Danielle , Scollie Susan
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This article describes the development and evaluation of The University of Western Ontario (UWO) Plurals Test, which is an English language measure of detection of the word-final fricative cue for plurality.

Method

Normative data are provided for 26 listeners with normal hearing and 24 listeners with hearing impairment (children and adults), as are evaluations of the acoustical properties of the stimuli, the test’s test–retest reliability, and the test’s sensitivity to changes in hearing aid signal processing (e.g., nonlinear frequency compression).

Results

Results indicate reliable, repeated outcome measurement at the level of the individual. When compared to a global measure of real-world listening preference, the UWO Plurals Test was found to be somewhat sensitive to the effects of changes in hearing aid signal processing.

Conclusion

Findings suggest potential use of the UWO Plurals Test to evaluate aided and unaided ability of listeners between the ages of 6 and 81 years to detect the word-final fricatives /s/ and /z/ as they occur in English plural nouns.
An Empirical Examination of Antecedents and Consequences of IT Governance in US Hospitals
Authors: Bradley Randy V , Byrd Terry Anthony , Pridmore Jeannie L , Thrasher Evelyn , Pratt Renee ME , Mbarika Victor WA
Published: May 2012

Intense pressure to control costs and improve patient care quality is driving hospitals to increasingly look to information technology (IT) for solutions. As IT investment and IT capability have grown in hospitals, the need to manage IT resources aggressively has also increased. The rise in complexity and sophistication of the IT capability in hospitals has also increased the importance of IT governance in these organizations. Yet, there is limited empirical data about the antecedents and consequences of IT governance. We draw upon extant literature related to power and politics and capability management to propose, operationalize, and empirically examine a nomological model that explains and predicts IT governance and its ensuing impact on risk management and IT contribution to hospital performance. We empirically tests our hypotheses based on survey data gathered from 164 CIOs of US hospitals. The results have implications for hospitals’ readiness and predisposition for IT governance, as their structural and relational mechanisms can affect IT governance and, indirectly, IT value creation. A contribution of this study is that it is one of the first to empirically examine antecedents to IT governance and its impact on IT performance in a high-velocity environment that is riddled with technological turbulence.
The Design Construct in Information Systems Design Science
Authors: McKay Judy , Marshall Peter , Hirschheim Rudy
Published: May 2012

This paper arose from concerns regarding the current conceptualizations of ‘design’ in the emerging literature on design science (DS) in information systems (IS). In this paper, we argue that current conceptualizations of design in IS are overly narrow, which necessarily limits what is viewed as acceptable DS research. In response we advance a more encompassing view of design. The revised view extends the current perspectives of design in the IS literature to embrace broader conceptualizations of design, which are evident in many intellectual communities outside IS where design is viewed as a critical component of both research and practice - such as management, engineering, architecture and others. In addition to the fairly common conceptualizations of design as product and design as process or action, design is also conceived as: intention; planning - including modeling and representation; communication; user experience; value; professional practice; and as service. Further, whereas the current conceptualization of design in IS views IS design knowledge as split across two paradigms, namely DS and behavioral science, in this paper we argue for a broader and more integrated view of design: one that emphasizes both the construction-centered and human-centered aspects of design in IS. Building from our broader view, we discuss some of the implications for design-oriented research in IS, and consider ways in which this human- centered perspective might impact on the context and content of design research in IS.
Variation in the adoption of patient safety practices among New Zealand district health boards
Authors: Raymont Antony , Graham Patrick , Hider Philip N. , Finlayson Mary P. , Fraser John , Cumming Jacqueline M.
Published: May 2012

Objective. To investigate the adoption and impact of quality improvement measures in New Zealand hospitals. Method. Structured interviews with quality and safety managers of District Health Boards (DHBs). Correlation of use of measures with adjusted 30-day mortality data. Results. Eighteen of New Zealand’s 21 DHBs participated in the survey. Structural or policy measures to improve patient safety, such as credentialing and event reporting procedures, had been introduced into all DHBs, whereas changes to general clinical processes such as medicine reconciliation, falls prevention interventions and disease-specific management guidelines were less consistently used. There was no meaningful correlation between risk-adjusted mortality rates for three common medical conditions and related quality measures. Conclusion. Widespread variation exists among New Zealand DHBs in their adoption of quality and safety practices, especially in relation to clinical processes of care. What is known about the topic? There are a significant number of adverse events which may affect hospital inpatients. Many of these are preventable. In response, quality and safety processes and measures are being adopted across the sector. What does this paper add? The paper provides a description of the frequency with which a range of processes and measures have been adopted and demonstrates that adoption of these by New Zealand hospitals is patchy and monitoring is uneven. It suggests that the measures implemented do not appear to have impacted common mortality outcomes, though the findings may reflect the limits of feasible measurement of a probabilistic system. What are the implications for practitioners? Managers should monitor the implementation of quality and safety measures and evaluate them in terms of their direct effects.
Spawning Behavior of Mountain Whitefish and Co‐occurrence of Myxobolus cerebralis in the Blackfoot River Basin, Montana
Authors: Pierce Ron , Davidson Mike , Podner Craig
Published: May 2012

To assess the exposure of Blackfoot River mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni to the exotic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, the cause of salmonid whirling disease, we investigated the spawning behavior of 49 adult mountain whitefish and their overlap with M. cerebralis within the Blackfoot River basin, Montana. A majority of the mountain whitefish radio‐tagged in the Blackfoot River migrated upstream (range, 0.1–79.0 km) to spawning sites located primarily in the main stem of the Blackfoot River. Spawning ranged from 31 October in the lower river to 9 November in the upper river and occurred across a range of substrate and channel types. Despite later spawning in the upper river, eggs hatched earlier under the warming influence of groundwater inflows. Here, a majority of wild mountain whitefish fry (65%) tested positive for M. cerebralis infection during the immediate posthatch period of mid‐April. Conversely, mountain whitefish fry from the lower river, downstream of the groundwater influence, showed no detectable infection. June exposure trials using surrogate rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in nine tributaries supporting mountain whitefish showed M. cerebralis infection rates ranging from 0% to 100% as well as a pattern of high triactinomyxon (TAM) exposure throughout the main‐stem Blackfoot River. For mountain whitefish, the co‐occurrence with M. cerebralis varied spatially across the basin and temporally within the main‐stem Blackfoot River at the most vulnerable early life stages. This variability appears to buffer age‐0 mountain whitefish from infectious conditions across large areas of the basin. However, continuous TAM release from groundwater‐influenced environments coinciding with mountain whitefish hatch and early rearing may impose pathogenic conditions on mountain whitefish in the upper Blackfoot River.
Rhetoric or reality: intercultural understanding in the English Key Stage 3 Modern Foreign Languages curriculum
Authors: Peiser Gillian , Jones Marion
Published: May 2012

This paper is concerned with the aspect of intercultural understanding as a component in the revised Key Stage 3 (ages 11–13) Modern Foreign Languages curriculum in England. It critically examines the extent to which recent initiatives have been conducive to promoting the development of intercultural understanding (IU) amongst pupils at Key Stage 3. It argues that while policy appears to have placed increased emphasis on IU, it has been predominantly concerned with the need to complement a wider set of broader policy goals, not educational objectives and the development of an intercultural languages pedagogy.
School knowledge, cross‐curricularity and teamwork teaching in the Greek primary school: mathematics education as discursive practice
Authors: Nikolakaki Maria , Dossa Katerina , Moraiti Tzeni
Published: May 2012

Through analysis of exercises offered in mathematics textbooks, this article investigates the discursive practice of cross‐curricularity and group work teaching that was advocated in the 2007 reform of mathematics education in Greek primary schools. The conclusion of the research is that the organisation of school knowledge is vertical, and strong classification and strong framing boundaries characterise it. This structure prevents any attempt to take a cross‐curricular approach to knowledge management, thus sedating simultaneously any group work method of teaching, as advocated in the discourse. Furthermore, the research supports that the high centralisation of the Greek educational system, with one textbook used exclusively to teach subjects across the country, suffocates any effort to open the classification and framing of school knowledge and de‐skills teachers.
Temperature and Maternal Effects on Hatch Rate and Length at Hatch of Hybrid Bass (White Bass × Striped Bass) Larvae
Authors: Lochmann S E , Goodwin K J , Racey C L
Published: May 2012

Broodstock selection is an approach that could improve aspects of hybrid bass (white bass Morone chrysops × striped bass M. saxatilis) production. We examined incubation temperature and maternal effects on modal period of incubation (h), hatch rate, and length at hatch. Gametes from three to four white bass dams and one striped bass sire were used to produce hybrids each week for 4 weeks. Eggs from each dam were incubated at 14, 16, 18, and 20°C. The period of incubation, hatch rate, and length at hatch were determined for larvae from each dam × temperature combination. The relationship between incubation period and incubation temperature was exponential, and warmer temperatures resulted in progressively shorter incubation periods and less-variable hatching duration (i.e., the period from first hatch to last hatch). The effects of incubation temperature and dam explained approximately equal amounts of the variability in length at hatch. Dam weight did not explain a significant amount of variability in modal incubation period, hatch rate, or average length at hatch. Selection for increases in length at hatch could offer improvements to the hybrid bass industry by improving survival in ponds or by eliminating the need for rotifers at first feeding in tanks. The benefits of producing larvae that are larger at hatch should be compared with the effort and cost of a breeding program that selects for length at hatch.
Mice expressing aberrant sperm-specific protein PMIS2 produce normal-looking but fertilization-incompetent spermatozoa
Authors: Yamaguchi Ryo , Fujihara Yoshitaka , Ikawa Masahito , Okabe Masaru
Published: May 2012

Eight kinds of gene-disrupted mice (Clgn, Calr3, Pdilt, Tpst2, Ace, Adam1a, Adam2, and Adam3) show impaired sperm transition into the oviducts and defective sperm binding to the zona pellucida. All of these knockout strains are reported to lack or show aberrant expression of a disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 3 (ADAM3) on the sperm membrane. We performed proteomic analyses of the proteins of these infertile spermatozoa to clarify whether the abnormal function is caused exclusively by a deficiency in ADAM3 expression. Two proteins, named PMIS1 and PMIS2, were missing in spermatozoa from Clgn-disrupted mice. To study their roles, we generated two gene-disrupted mouse lines. Pmis1-knockout mice were fertile, but Pmis2-knockout males were sterile because of a failure of sperm transport into the oviducts. Pmis2-deficient spermatozoa also failed to bind to the zona pellucida. However, they showed normal fertilizing ability when eggs surrounded with cumulus cells were used for in vitro fertilization. Further analysis revealed that these spermatozoa lacked the ADAM3 protein, but the amount of PMIS2 was also severely reduced in Adam3-deficient spermatozoa. These results suggest that PMIS2 might function both as the ultimate factor regulating sperm transport into the oviducts and in modulating sperm–zona binding.
Plk1 negatively regulates PRC1 to prevent premature midzone formation before cytokinesis
Authors: Hu Chi-Kuo , Özlü Nurhan , Coughlin Margaret , Steen Judith J. , Mitchison Timothy J.
Published: May 2012

To achieve mitosis and cytokinesis, microtubules must assemble into distinct structures at different stages of cell division—mitotic spindles to segregate the chromosomes before anaphase and midzones to keep sister genomes apart and guide the cleavage furrow after anaphase. This temporal regulation is believed to involve Cdk1 kinase, which is inactivated in a switch-like way after anaphase. We found that inhibiting Plk1 caused premature assembly of midzones in cells still in metaphase, breaking the temporal regulation of microtubules. The antiparallel microtubule-bundling protein PRC1 plays a key role in organizing the midzone complex. We found that Plk1 negatively regulates PRC1 through phosphorylation of a single site, Thr-602, near the C-terminus of PRC1. We also found that microtubules stimulated Thr-602 phosphorylation by Plk1. This creates a potential negative feedback loop controlling PRC1 activity. It also made the extent of Thr-602 phosphorylation during mitotic arrest dependent on the mechanism of the arresting drug. Unexpectedly, we could not detect a preanaphase regulatory role for Cdk1 sites on PRC1. We suggest that PRC1 is regulated by Plk1, rather than Cdk1 as previously proposed, because its activity must be spatiotemporally regulated both preanaphase and postanaphase, and Cdk1 activity is too binary for this purpose.
Heart rate achieved or beta‐blocker dose in patients with chronic heart failure: which is the better target?
Authors: Cullington Damien , Goode Kevin M. , Clark Andrew L. , Cleland John G.F.
Published: May 2012

Aims

To investigate whether the mortality of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is more strongly related to beta‐blocker dose or to heart rate. It is known that beta‐blockers reduce mortality in patients with CHF and LVSD, but the primary mechanism of action is uncertain.

Methods and results

Patients with an ejection fraction ≤40%, who were in sinus rhythm both at an initial (visit 1) and at a 4‐month clinic review (visit 2), were followed for a maximum of 36 months. The relationships between heart rate, beta‐blocker dose, and survival in a multivariable model were examined. Of 654 eligible patients, 381 (58%) were started on beta‐blockers prior to the initial visit, increasing to 537 (82%) by visit 2. During follow‐up, 142 (22%) patients died. Neither resting heart rate nor beta‐blocker dose at visit 1 predicted mortality (P = 0.09 and P = 0.99), but resting heart rate at visit 2 did (P = 0.02). Beta‐blocker use at visit 2 was associated with better outcome (P = 0.03) but with little variation in outcome according to dose. Patients with a heart rate of 58–64 b.p.m. at visit 2 had the best prognosis.

Conclusions

The use of beta‐blockers and resting heart rate at visit 2 both independently indicated prognosis, but beta‐blocker dose did not. Beta‐blockers may reduce mortality by several mechanisms; one that may be specific to blockade of adrenergic receptors and another related to heart rate reduction. Achieving a target heart rate range may be an appropriate therapeutic goal for patients with CHF.
Effect of Harvest Moisture Content on Selected Yellow Dent Corn: Dry‐Grind Fermentation Characteristics and DDGS Composition
Authors: Huang Haibo , Liu Wei , Singh Vijay , Danao Mary‐Grace C. , Eckhoff Steven R.
Published: May 2012

Efficiently utilizing the nongrain portion of the corn plant as ruminant food and the grain for ethanol will allow the optimization of both food and fuel production. Corn and corn stover could be more effectively used if they were harvested earlier before dry down. Corn harvested at different moisture contents (MCs) may exhibit different processing characteristics for the ethanol industry, because of differences in physical and chemical properties. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of corn harvest MC on dry‐grind fermentation characteristics and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) composition. Pioneer hybrid 32D78 was harvested at seven different dates from August 21 to November 23, 2009, with harvest MCs ranging from 73 to 21% (wb). The corn samples with different harvest MCs were evaluated by a conventional dry‐grind process. Final ethanol concentration from the corn with harvest MC of 54% (kernel dent stage) was 17.9% (v/v), which was significantly higher (0.5–1.2 percentage points) than the mature corn with lower harvest MCs (P < 0.05). Ethanol conversion efficiencies for the corn with harvest MCs of 73 and 54% (wb) were 98.5 and 93.2%, respectively, whereas ethanol conversion efficiencies for the corn with lower harvest MCs were significantly lower (P < 0.05), ranging between 83.2 and 88.3%. For DDGS composition, with corn harvest MC decreasing from 73 to 21% (wb), the residual starch concentration increased from 7.7 to 15.2%, the crude protein concentration decreased from 29.4 to 24.9%, and the neutral detergent fiber concentration decreased from 26.6 to 20.6%.
Geographical Distribution of Cacao swollen shoot virus Molecular Variability in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Kouakou K. , Kébé B. I. , Kouassi N. , Aké S. , Cilas C. , Muller E.
Published: May 2012

The discovery of new outbreaks caused by Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV) in Côte d'Ivoire in 2003, when this disease seemed to have been eradicated since the end of the 1950s in that country, casts doubt on the sustainability of Ivorian cocoa production. The aims of this study were, first, to carry out a molecular characterization of CSSV isolates from the main outbreaks in Côte d'Ivoire; second, determine their phylogenetic position in relation to isolates already discovered in Togo and Ghana; and, finally, study their geographical distribution to understand the dispersal of the virus. Additionally, this study was intended to enable the implementation and validation of a polyvalent molecular diagnosis assay for CSSV. Sequences analyses, corresponding to a fragment located at the 5′ end of open reading frame (ORF)3 of the CSSV genome, revealed three new CSSV groups (D, E, and F) distinct from the A, B, and C groups already identified in Togo. Only group B was detected in all the outbreaks, whereas groups A and C were not identified in Côte d'Ivoire. In addition, a polymerase chain reaction diagnostic using the ORF3A F/R primer pair was polyvalent, because it enabled the detection of CSSV in 90% of the plots in all the cocoa regions analyzed by this study.