bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geography and art. An expanding field
Authors: Hawkins Harriet
Published: April 2012

Over the past two decades, geographers’ attentions to the ‘visual’ arts have broadened considerably. From a tightly focused study of 18th- and 19th-century landscape paintings this engagement now encompasses: a temporal reorientation towards 20th-century art practices; an opening out of concerns beyond the thematic frame of landscape; the embrace of a wider variety of artistic media beyond painting practices; and a shift in modes of engagement that sees geographers taking up a range of creative practices. In this paper I do not want to further expand the field, but rather to draw attention to how and with what effect these engagements have proceeded. Discussion is framed by Rosalind Krauss’ influential exploration of art’s ‘expanded field’, itself an attempt to rethink art as an analytic object in the face of a multiplication of artistic practices, materials, operations and sites. The body of the paper explores three analytics that mark intersections of art’s expanding field of theory and practice, and geography’s own expanding field of operations: these are, artists’ changing orientations towards ‘site’, a phenomenological critique of the ‘body’, and the ‘materialities’ and ‘practices’ of making (keywords that have usually been articulated as intrinsically geographic, and applied to the art world). Synthesizing these perspectives with current geographical engagements with art and broader disciplinary debates is, I suggest, to affirm the place and value of the study and practice of art within key disciplinary concerns.
Staying the Course
Authors: Wright Thorin M. , Greig J. Michael
Published: April 2012

The use of peacekeeping to manage conflicts in the international system has grown since the end of the Cold War. While much attention has been devoted to what makes peacekeeping successful, the outcome of peacekeeping is ultimately tied to the willingness of the intervening actor(s) to “stay the course” and continue the mission until its objectives are complete. In this article we focus upon the empirical puzzle of peacekeeping missions’ sustainability. After states and international organizations overcome the collective action problem of forming a mission and deploying it, it is puzzling that so many missions drop out before completion. We adopt a competing risks framework in our analysis to identify the forces that determine whether peacekeepers stay until the end of a conflict or withdraw early. Our explanation argues that peacekeepers are more likely to stay the course as the capacity of the mission increases, the costs and risks of peacekeeping diminish, and traction towards peace is observed.
International Borders and Conflict Revisited
Authors: Brochmann Marit , Rød Jan Ketil , Gleditsch Nils Petter
Published: April 2012

Conflict appears more often between neighboring states. Adjacency generates interaction opportunities and arguably more willingness to fight. We revisit the nature of the border issue and measure geographical features likely to affect states’ interaction opportunities as well as their willingness to fight. We do so for all on-shore borders from the period 1946–2001. Although each border is unique, a general result shows that the longer the border between two states, the more likely they are to engage in low-intensity conflict. This is particularly so for conflicts active during the Cold War and located in highly populated border regions.
Indexicality and “Standard” Edited American English
Authors: Davila Bethany
Published: April 2012

This article explores the indexicality (the ideological process that links language and identity) of “standard” edited American English and the ideologies (specifically, standard language ideology and Whiteness) that work to create and justify common patterns that associate privileged White students with written standardness and that disassociate underrepresented—especially African American—students from “standard” edited American English. Drawing on interviews with composition instructors about their readings of anonymous student texts, the author argues that indexicality and standardness are mutually informative: The non/standard features of student texts operate as indexicals for student-author identities just as perceived student-author identities influence the reading of a text as non/standard. Ultimately, this article offers inroads to challenging destructive and enduring indexical patterns that offer unearned privilege to some students at the expense of others and, in the process, perpetuate race- and class-based privilege.AQ Note that APA style capitalizes Black and White.
Parenteral Nutrition Product Shortages
Authors: Mirtallo Jay M. , Holcombe Beverly , Kochevar Marty , Guenter Peggi
Published: April 2012

Product (drug) shortages have had a significant impact on the healthcare system, particularly on patients and clinicians. This has been especially true with patients requiring parenteral nutrition (PN). The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) has dealt with PN product shortages in the past on behalf of its members and their patients. However, the shortage severity and duration have made dealing with the PN product shortages in 2010–2012 extremely challenging.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Wilby Kyle J. , Harder Curtis K.
Published: April 2012

Objective:

The objective of this review was to systematically review and evaluate available literature describing the effect of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) on mortality and other outcomes in nicotine-dependent critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Data Sources:

A systematic search of the following databases was performed: MEDLINE (1948-August 2011), EMBASE (1980-August 2011), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-August 2011), Google, and Google Scholar.

Study Selection:

Studies that reported outcomes associated with any form of NRT in any intensive care setting were included. Studies were included regardless of design or number of participants reported. Studies published in languages other than English were excluded.

Data Extraction:

Data from each study were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool. Information included the study design, number of patients, classification of ICU, baseline characteristics, outcomes assessed, and overall results.

Data Synthesis:

Our search identified 8 studies, of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. These 7 studies were qualitatively reviewed and critically appraised for methodological quality, robustness of results, and internal and external validity. The results of similar studies and populations were compared in order to draw conclusions pertaining to specific intensive care settings.

Conclusions:

We conclude that NRT should not be routinely prescribed to patients admitted to intensive care settings. With only equivocal evidence of efficacy and signals suggesting increased toxicity, we believe that its use should be limited to selected patients where the potential benefit clearly outweighs the risk. There is a need for adequately powered randomized controlled trials to confirm the benefits and risks of NRT in the ICU overall but also in its unique subpopulations.
Special Education Doctoral Programs
Authors: Smith Deborah Deutsch , Montrosse Bianca Elizabeth
Published: April 2012

The first article in this special issue is about the doctoral programs, the suppliers of new doctoral graduates in special education. It focuses on one component of a larger effort, the Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA) project, which investigated many aspects of the supply of new doctoral graduates as well as the demand for new college and university faculty members. Here, the authors present information about the characteristics of the nation’s doctoral programs and their capacity to produce a sufficient supply of teacher educators, faculty for doctoral-granting universities, school leaders, federal and state officials, policy makers, researchers, and advocates. In the 10-year period since The Faculty Shortage Study (Smith, Pion, Tyler, Sindelar, & Rosenberg, 2001) was completed, substantial improvement in the capacity of doctoral programs (i.e., number and size) and the supply (i.e., number of graduates produced) occurred. Federal and stakeholder actions contributed greatly to progress made in addressing the special education faculty shortage identified in the previous study. These programs are at substantial risk of being understaffed in the upcoming years due to overwhelming attrition due to faculty retirements, which will impact the supply chain across the field of special education.
The Supply
Authors: Tyler Naomi Chowdhuri , Montrosse Bianca Elizabeth , Smith Deborah Deutsch
Published: April 2012

As the field of special education (SE) examines issues related to supply and demand of SE teachers and faculty, an investigation of students currently enrolled in doctoral programs and doctoral graduates is an important perspective to consider. The results of two components of the Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA), focused on the aforementioned two populations, are described. Students enrolled in SE doctoral programs during the spring of 2009 ( n = 1,263) and graduates of SE doctoral programs between 1999 and 2008 ( n = 626) were surveyed about their educational backgrounds, experiences in applying to doctoral programs, doctoral programs and studies, postgraduation plans, postgraduation career choices, and background information. Results indicated that key predictors of doctoral students who become college and university faculty include the following: intent to pursue a faculty career, financial support (e.g., teaching assistantship, research assistantship, traineeship, fellowship), age when enrolling in a doctoral program, reduced time to complete the doctoral degree, and willingness to relocate after graduation for employment. Comparisons are made to results from the 2001 Faculty Shortage Study, a predecessor to SEFNA.
Assessment of die material manufactured using the lost foam casting process for hot press forming
Authors: Kim Nak-Hyun , Jeon Yong-Phil , Kang Chung-Gil
Published: April 2012

The lost foam casting process for the manufacture of press dies has attracted a lot of attention because of various advantages, such as the small number of processes involved and the reduction in the cost of die production. In a recent study, tensile tests were conducted to analyze the casting defects of ductile cast iron, study the wear of as-cast and heated cast iron, and investigate the use of AISI H13 as a tool material for die casting. However, the most commonly used material for hot press forming is the forged tool steel AISI H13, which has excellent thermal resistance. In spite of the abovementioned advantages of die materials fabricated by lost foam casting, which arise from the near net shape design of the die, no study has been conducted on the use of the heat-treated H13 cast material for hot press forming dies. In this study, impact, machinability, tensile, and wear tests were conducted at high temperatures, and the properties of the heat-treated H13 cast material and the heat-treated H13 forged material were compared.
Reduction of friction in the guiding zone during tube hydroforming
Authors: He Zhubin , Yuan Shijian , Li Lin , Fan Xiaobo
Published: April 2012

In the tube hydroforming process, friction in the guiding zone often affects the axial feeding process. In this article, the effect of the main factors on friction force were analyzed first according to the force analysis model proposed. Based on the idea to reduce friction force by decreasing the contact area, a new punch structure was proposed. A testing tool was developed to evaluate the feasibility of the new structure. Results show that the length of the guiding zone, the stress state and the friction coefficient are three main factors that determine the effect of friction force. The ratio of friction force to punch load will increase rapidly as these three factors increase. By using the new sealing and guiding structure, about 30% of the punch load can be reduced. The use of a polyurethane ring in the gap between the tube and die can reduce friction force greatly if the bulge forming of the tube tends to occur in the guiding zone.
Modelling UK energy system response to natural gas supply infrastructure failures
Authors: Chaudry M , Skea J , Wang X , Jenkins N
Published: April 2012

A modelling approach is used to investigate the impacts of disruptions to natural gas supplies on the UK energy system and the effectiveness of strategic infrastructure investments which could help to mitigate these impacts. The combined gas and electricity network model is described. It is then used to project the development of the UK gas and electricity networks out to 2030 under two different scenarios for the wider development of the UK energy system. A set of plausible gas supply disruptions associated with three major gas facilities, lasting from 5 to 90 days, are hypothesised to occur in mid-winter 2025. The impacts are assessed in terms of shortfalls in natural gas deliveries and the costs of wider adjustments to the gas and electricity networks. Finally, the benefits arising from a number of strategic, mitigating investments in facilities such as gas storage or expanded liquefied natural gas import capacity are assessed. Although a full cost-benefit analysis was not possible, efficacy is assessed in terms of the frequency with which disruptions would need to occur to justify the mitigating investments.
Friction modelling and simulation at system level: a practical view for the designer
Authors: Mare Jean-Charles
Published: April 2012

The modelling and simulation of friction at the system level is addressed using a practical approach that aims at providing the developer of system level virtual prototypes with realistic modelling and numerically robust simulation of friction. In this attempt, the paper provides key knowledge for the efficient use, development or extension of friction model libraries for electromechanical and fluid power actuators. The first part is dedicated to the factors that may influence friction at component or equipment level. Besides the well documented effect of speed, the work focuses also on the effects of position, load, direction of power, temperature and time. The second part deals with friction modelling and its numerical implementation for simulation. Particular attention is paid to the transition between the sticking and the sliding modes. Accordingly, the candidate models are sorted into three generic types (static mass-free, dynamic mass-free and dynamic mass-integrated) in order to point out numerical issues as well as constraints that apply to the development and use of a friction model library. The models and their implementation are discussed from a practical point of view. Summary tables recapitulate the properties of the candidate friction models considering the reproduced effects, the numerical constraints and their availability in the most common one-dimensional simulation tools.
Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) polymorphisms are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and disease severity in lupus nephritis
Authors: Martens HA , Nienhuis HLA , Gross S , der Steege G van , Brouwer E , Berden JHM , Sévaux RGL de , Derksen RHWM , Voskuyl AE , Berger SP , Navis GJ , Nolte IM , Kallenberg CGM , Bijl M
Published: April 2012

Objective: Interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with their receptors (RAGE) plays an important role in inflammation in auto-immune diseases. Several functional polymorphisms of RAGE have been described. In this study we analysed the role of RAGE polymorphisms in disease susceptibility for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In addition, we investigated whether these polymorphisms in SLE are associated with serum levels of soluble RAGE (sRAGE), renal involvement (lupus nephritis (LN)) and its outcome. Methods: For this cross-sectional study DNA samples of 97 SLE patients, 114 LN patients and 429 healthy controls (HC) were genotyped for four RAGE polymorphisms: −429 T/C, −374 T/A, 2184 A/G and Gly82Ser. Differences in genotype frequencies and allele frequencies were tested between patients and HCs. In SLE patients, sRAGE was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, association of genotypes with sRAGE and disease severity in LN was analysed. Results: The C allele of −429 T/C, the T allele of −374 T/A and the G allele of 2184 A/G were significantly more prevalent in SLE and LN compared with HC. In LN, the C allele of RAGE −429 T/C, the A allele of −374 T/A and the G allele of RAGE 2184 A/G polymorphism were significantly associated with more proteinuria and worse renal function during the first two years of treatment. No association of genotype with sRAGE was found. Conclusion: RAGE polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to SLE and LN. In addition, some of these polymorphisms are likely to be associated with disease severity and initial response to treatment in LN.
Predictors of survival in Chinese patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Zheng ZH , Zhang LJ , Liu WX , Lei YS , Xing GL , Zhang JJ , Quan SX , Liu D , Hu DS , Li LL , Liu ZS
Published: April 2012

The current study was to determine the predictors of survival in 491 Chinese patients with lupus nephritis (LN). All patients were evaluated and consecutively followed up from 2003 to 2010. The female: male ratio was 9.5:1, with a median age of 31.1 ± 12 years. Forty-nine (10.0%) patients were lost to follow-up and 47 (10.3%) patients died. The overall cumulative probability of survival at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 88%, 77%, 53% and 45%, respectively. The log-rank test showed that the probability of survival was significantly decreased in the late-onset patients (≥50 years) ( P = 0.036), patients with hypoproteinaemia (≤35 g/l) ( P = 0.014), patients with increased creatinine (≥1.5 mg/dl) ( P = 0.002) and patients with massive proteinuria (≥3.5 g/24 h) ( P = 0.009). However, the probability of survival was significantly higher in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) ( P = 0.003) than those not treated with it. Based on a multivariate model, increased creatinine (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.041; P = 0.017) and proteinuria ≥3.5 g/24hours (HR=1.716; P = 0.016) were independent risk factors. Glucocorticoid (HR = 0.457; P = 0.01) and HCQ (HR=0.197; P = 0.026) were independent protective factors. Our findings suggest that renal dysfunction and massive proteinuria are independent risk factors for mortality. HCQ could improve the survival of patients with LN.
A transformation class for spatio-temporal survival data with a cure fraction
Authors: Hurtado Rúa Sandra M , Dey Dipak K
Published: April 2012

We propose a hierarchical Bayesian methodology to model spatially or spatio-temporal clustered survival data with possibility of cure. A flexible continuous transformation class of survival curves indexed by a single parameter is used. This transformation model is a larger class of models containing two special cases of the well-known existing models: the proportional hazard and the proportional odds models. The survival curve is modeled as a function of a baseline cumulative distribution function, cure rates, and spatio-temporal frailties. The cure rates are modeled through a covariate link specification and the spatial frailties are specified using a conditionally autoregressive model with time-varying parameters resulting in a spatio-temporal formulation. The likelihood function is formulated assuming that the single parameter controlling the transformation is unknown and full conditional distributions are derived. A model with a non-parametric baseline cumulative distribution function is implemented and a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is specified to obtain the usual posterior estimates, smoothed by regional level maps of spatio-temporal frailties and cure rates. Finally, we apply our methodology to melanoma cancer survival times for patients diagnosed in the state of New Jersey between 2000 and 2007, and with follow-up time until 2007.
On random sample size, ignorability, ancillarity, completeness, separability, and degeneracy: Sequential trials, random sample sizes, and missing data
Authors: Molenberghs Geert , Kenward Michael G , Aerts Marc , Verbeke Geert , Tsiatis Anastasios A , Davidian Marie , Rizopoulos Dimitris
Published: April 2012

The vast majority of settings for which frequentist statistical properties are derived assume a fixed, a priori known sample size. Familiar properties then follow, such as, for example, the consistency, asymptotic normality, and efficiency of the sample average for the mean parameter, under a wide range of conditions. We are concerned here with the alternative situation in which the sample size is itself a random variable which may depend on the data being collected. Further, the rule governing this may be deterministic or probabilistic. There are many important practical examples of such settings, including missing data, sequential trials, and informative cluster size. It is well known that special issues can arise when evaluating the properties of statistical procedures under such sampling schemes, and much has been written about specific areas (Grambsch P. Sequential sampling based on the observed Fisher information to guarantee the accuracy of the maximum likelihood estimator. Ann Stat 1983; 11: 68–77; Barndorff-Nielsen O and Cox DR. The effect of sampling rules on likelihood statistics. Int Stat Rev 1984; 52: 309–326). Our aim is to place these various related examples into a single framework derived from the joint modeling of the outcomes and sampling process and so derive generic results that in turn provide insight, and in some cases practical consequences, for different settings. It is shown that, even in the simplest case of estimating a mean, some of the results appear counterintuitive. In many examples, the sample average may exhibit small sample bias and, even when it is unbiased, may not be optimal. Indeed, there may be no minimum variance unbiased estimator for the mean. Such results follow directly from key attributes such as non-ancillarity of the sample size and incompleteness of the minimal sufficient statistic of the sample size and sample sum. Although our results have direct and obvious implications for estimation following group sequential trials, there are also ramifications for a range of other settings, such as random cluster sizes, censored time-to-event data, and the joint modeling of longitudinal and time-to-event data. Here, we use the simplest group sequential setting to develop and explicate the main results. Some implications for random sample sizes and missing data are also considered. Consequences for other related settings will be considered elsewhere.
Contextualised Equality and the Politics of Legal Mobilisation: Affirmative Action in Northern Ireland
Authors: Harvey Colin
Published: April 2012

This article examines the development of affirmative action and equality policies targeted at the two main ethno-national communities in Northern Ireland, as an example of ‘contextualised equality’. The argument places particular weight on a politics of legal mobilisation. The article suggests that the ability to connect post-1998 reforms, in practical and symbolic ways, to overriding inter-communal narratives was often a determining factor in identifying those elements of the Good Friday Agreement which advanced, or were constructed as achievable. The argument has implications for understanding how equality debates will progress, and explaining why certain agendas appear to ‘succeed’ and others ‘fail’.
‘Clean and safe’ passage: Business Improvement Districts, urban security modes, and knowledge brokers
Authors: Lippert Randy
Published: April 2012

This paper interrogates the complex role of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in securing and shaping conduct in public retail and ‘entertainment’ spaces in Canadian cities. Adopting a Foucault-inspired sociology of governance perspective, this paper uncovers key features of the role of BIDs therein and casts doubt upon assumptions evident in previous research, including in relation to urban neo-liberalism. BIDs seek to exclude obstacles, which include ‘panhandlers’ and the homeless, from public spaces. Yet, other barriers are placed into relief by a proliferating ‘clean and safe’ rationality and are deemed to interfere with consumption conduct and pedestrian flow. These include BID members engaged in moralized enterprises. Some BIDs are deploying CCTV surveillance arrangements and interactive ‘ambassadors’ consistent with ‘clean and safe’, whereas others avoid these modes and rely upon and lobby for public sources. The role of BID coordinators in brokering specialized knowledge is pivotal in these varied security arrangements. Theoretical implications of this analysis are discussed.
Innovative business groups: territory-based industrial policy in Spain
Authors: Ybarra Josep-Antoni , Doménech-Sánchez Rafael
Published: April 2012

Since 2006, Spain has fostered an industrial policy in support of business groups in order to promote the dynamics of innovation at a territorial and sectoral level. This study makes an initial evaluation of the impacts of this policy. The first section describes the scope of the measures in the European context. The second part of the paper discusses the requirements for a business cluster to be considered an innovative agent, as provided by the programme. The criteria for identifying innovative business groups (IBGs), their linkage to the production environment and, likewise, the activities and initiatives pertaining to IBGs are defined in detail. The study concludes with a brief evaluation of the impact of the IBG support programme.
Looking Within and Reaching Out
Authors: Clute Mary Ann , Kobayashi Rie
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the grief and loss experience of adults with ID through the eyes of 18 hospice-affiliated bereavement counselors. The data included interviews with hospice affiliated counselors who had provided grief counseling to adults with ID. The interview data were analyzed using grounded theory. The participants voiced clearly that loss needs to be recognized and grief must be honored for all persons, including those with ID. The participating counselors described the long histories of unrecognized losses and the unintended consequences of protecting people with ID by avoiding informing them or including them in change, loss, and death scenarios. The interview data depicted individuals with ID being so “invisible” that they are often disregarded in times of crisis and loss. The findings from this study, along with existing published literature, point out a serious need for education and training for families and formal and informal caregivers as well as professionals. Palliative care and hospice workers have an obligation and opportunity to identify, support, and, if necessary, treat the grief of those with ID. The hope is that over time, there will be less need for end-of-life care providers to be the lone educators and supporters about death and grief for any individual.
Robust guaranteed-cost control with regional pole placement of active suspensions
Authors: Soliman Hisham M , Bajabaa Naser S
Published: April 2012

To alleviate mechanical parts fatigue and provide a comfortable ride for passengers, car mechanics require desired dynamic behavior of car suspensions. This paper suggests state feedback controllers that, with system uncertainties, guarantee the closed loop system satisfying the desired pole region, thus achieving satisfactory oscillation damping and settling time, and having the guaranteed cost performance simultaneously. A state feedback controller is applied to the design of an active suspension model for a quarter-car vehicle. The controller's parameters are obtained using the linear matrix inequalities optimization, also allowing considering the model uncertainty represented by a norm-bounded structure. Simulations are carried out taking into account the presence of uncertain parameters. The results are shown to be better than the classical linear quadratic regulator.
Consumer Preferences for Hearing Aid Attributes
Authors: Bridges John F. P. , Lataille Angela T. , Buttorff Christine , White Sharon , Niparko John K.
Published: April 2012

Low utilization of hearing aids has drawn increased attention to the study of consumer preferences using both simple ratings (e.g., Likert scale) and conjoint analyses, but these two approaches often produce inconsistent results. The study aims to directly compare Likert scales and conjoint analysis in identifying important attributes associated with hearing aids among those with hearing loss. Seven attributes of hearing aids were identified through qualitative research: performance in quiet settings, comfort, feedback, frequency of battery replacement, purchase price, water and sweat resistance, and performance in noisy settings. The preferences of 75 outpatients with hearing loss were measured with both a 5-point Likert scale and with 8 paired-comparison conjoint tasks (the latter being analyzed using OLS [ordinary least squares] and logistic regression). Results were compared by examining implied willingness-to-pay and Pearson’s Rho. A total of 56 respondents (75%) provided complete responses. Two thirds of respondents were male, most had sensorineural hearing loss, and most were older than 50; 44% of respondents had never used a hearing aid. Both methods identified improved performance in noisy settings as the most valued attribute. Respondents were twice as likely to buy a hearing aid with better functionality in noisy environments ( p < .001), and willingness to pay for this attribute ranged from US$2674 on the Likert to US$9000 in the conjoint analysis. The authors find a high level of concordance between the methods—a result that is in stark contrast with previous research. The authors conclude that their result stems from constraining the levels on the Likert scale.
No association between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Amato MP , Saia V , Hakiki B , Giannini M , Pastò L , Zecchino S , Lori S , Portaccio E , Marinoni M
Published: April 2012

Objective:

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) was hypothesized to play a causative role in multiple sclerosis (MS). The assessment of pediatric-onset MS (POMS) may provide a unique window of opportunity to study hypothesized risk factors in close temporal association with the onset of the disease.

Methods:

Internal jugular veins, vertebral veins and intracranial veins were evaluated with extracranial and intracranial ultrasound in 15 POMS and 16 healthy controls. Assessor’s blinding was maintained during the study. We considered subjects positive to CCSVI when at least two criteria were fulfilled.

Results:

CCSVI frequency was comparable between POMS and controls ( p > 0.05). Clinical features were not significantly different between CCSVI-positive and CCSVI-negative patients.

Conclusions:

Our findings add to previous data pointing against a causative role of CCSVI in MS.
A preliminary design methodology for fatigue life prediction of polymer composites for tidal turbine blades
Authors: Kennedy Ciaran R , Leen Sean B , Brádaigh Conchúr MÓ
Published: April 2012

Tidal turbine blades experience significant fatigue cycles during operation and it is expected that fatigue strength will be a major consideration in their design. Glass fibre reinforced polymers are a candidate low-cost material for this application. This article presents a methodology for preliminary fatigue design of glass fibre reinforced polymer tidal turbine blades. The methodology combines: (a) a hydrodynamic model for calculation of local distributions of fluid–blade forces; (b) a finite element structural model for prediction of blade strain distributions; (c) a fatigue damage accumulation model, which incorporates mean stress effects; and (d) uniaxial fatigue testing of two candidate glass fibre reinforced polymer materials (for illustrative purposes). The methodology is applied here for the preliminary design of a three-bladed tidal turbine concept, including tower shadow effects, and comparative assessment of pitch- and stall-regulated control with respect to fatigue performance.
Between idiosyncratic self-interests and professional standards: A contribution to the understanding of participatory journalism in Web 2.0. Results from an online survey in Germany
Authors: Fröhlich Romy , Quiring Oliver , Engesser Sven
Published: April 2012

Not much is known about participatory journalists in Germany or further afield. We conducted a standardized quantitative online survey of participatory journalists at the German-language website myheimat, a German-based hyperlocal participatory journalism portal with about 37,000 contributors (as at September 2010). The purpose of the survey was to examine the individual characteristics of participatory journalists (sociodemographics, expertise, qualification and gender aspects). The survey also explored why they write articles for myheimat (societal/individual motivations), what they think about their role and function as grassroots journalists (identity/self-concept), what they know and what they think about established editorial practices (attitudes toward traditional professional journalism), how they think about their audience and how they differ in all these aspects from traditional professional journalists – if at all. Our results contribute to the understanding of the participatory system in general and of the forces behind the enormous popularity of participatory journalism, as well as its conditions and its future development.
Putting the citizen back into journalism
Authors: Meadows Michael
Published: April 2012

Around four million listeners in an average week tune into community radio stations around Australia, primarily to hear local news and information. It has created arguably the highest per capita listenership globally for a national community broadcasting sector. This article argues that community journalism is playing a crucial role in addressing the ‘democratic deficit’ by fostering citizen participation in public life in many different ways. This suggests the failure of mainstream – and so-called ‘citizen’ journalism practices – in many respects and emphasises the central place of audience research in understanding the nature of journalism’s multifarious ‘discursive formations’. It suggests that the nature of community journalism aligns it more closely with complex ‘local talk’ narratives that foster the meaning-making process at community level, playing a crucial role in recreating a ‘public conversation’ and a heightened sense of citizenship.
Improvement of thermal efficiency of a four-cylinder gasoline homogeneous charge compression ignition engine via blowdown supercharging
Authors: Kuboyama Tatsuya , Moriyoshi Yasuo , Hatamura Koichi , Takanashi Junichi , Urata Yasuhiro , Yamada Toshio
Published: April 2012

The objective of this study is to develop a practical technique to achieve homogeneous charge compression ignition operation with a wide operating range using a blowdown supercharge system, which has been previously demonstrated as an effective technique to extend the upper load limit of acceptable homogeneous charge compression ignition operation. The valve actuation strategy to attain acceptable homogeneous charge compression ignition operation in a wide operating range has been newly developed and experimentally examined. The proposed strategy provides high in-cylinder temperature and a relatively small amount of in-cylinder mixture during low-load operations to improve the combustion stability while providing a large amount of diluted mixture for high-load operations to keep the in-cylinder pressure rise rate and nitrogen oxide emissions low. In addition, thermal efficiency and exhaust emissions for various homogeneous charge compression ignition operating loads using the blowdown supercharge system were experimentally investigated. Experimental results showed that the proposed valve actuation strategy, in which early intake valve closing and relatively late exhaust gas recirculation valve opening occurred, was effective to increase combustion stability during low-load conditions, and a stable homogeneous charge compression ignition operation at a net indicated mean effective pressure of 140 kPa was achieved. Compared to conventional spark-ignition operation, 14% to 35% improvement in brake specific fuel consumption rate was attained with more than 99% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions for homogeneous charge compression ignition operation using the blowdown supercharge system.
AGT M235T polymorphism contributes to risk of preeclampsia: evidence from a meta-analysis
Authors: Ni Shanshan , Zhang Yanyan , Deng Yulin , Gong Yunhui , Huang Juan , Bai Yi , Zhou Rong
Published: April 2012

Objective: Preeclampsia a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that mainly manifests as high blood pressure and proteinuria. Angiotensinogen (AGT) plays important roles in the regulation of blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between AGT M235T polymorphism and risk of preeclampsia using a meta-analysis. Methods: In this meta-analysis, 22 studies were selected by searching PubMed, EMBASE, ISI and CNKI databases up to October 2011. Crude odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and risk of preeclampsia. Subgroup analyses were conducted by ethnicity and parity. Results: The TT genotype of the AGT M235T polymorphism was associated with elevated risk of preeclampsia in the overall analysis. In subgroup analysis according to ethnicity, increased risks were also found in Caucasians. After stratification based on parity, the excess risk was found in multigravida. Conclusions: These results showed that the TT genotype may play critical roles in the development of preeclampsia.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Treating Obese Emotional Eaters
Authors: Glisenti Kevin , Strodl Esben
Published: April 2012

This study describes the treatment of obese individuals who rated high on emotional eating using four case studies that involved 22 sessions of either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Outcomes measures relating to weight, body mass index, emotional eating, depression, anxiety, and stress were all assessed with each participant prior to each baseline (three weekly sessions), during treatment and posttherapy. At the 8-week follow-up, the two cases that had received DBT had lost 10.1% and 7.6% of their initial body weight, whereas the two cases that had received CBT had lost 0.7% and 0.6% of their initial body weight. The two DBT cases also exhibited reductions in emotional distress, frequency of emotional eating or quantity of food eating in response to emotions, whereas the two CBT cases showed no overall reductions in these areas. Important processes from all four cases are described as are the implications to clinicians for developing more effective interventions for obese clients who engage in emotional eating.
Water and ion distributions in a silicon nanochannel: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Qiu Yinghua , Chen Yunfei , Liu Lei , Zhao Gutian
Published: April 2012

By way of molecular dynamics simulation, a physically realistic nanochannel with consideration of the thermal motion of channel walls is proposed, and the distributions of water and ions in the electrical double layer region on a charged silicon surface are observed. It is found that the distribution profile of Na+ ions has double peaks corresponding to the Stern electrical double layer model. Also, the water distribution profile in the 3.0 nm nanochannel agrees very well with that observed in a previous experiment (Cheng et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2001; 87: 156103). In addition, the height of nanochannel has negligible effect on the thicknesses of the water layers, but affects the peak numbers of water density distributions dramatically.
Preparation of nano-sized silver vanadates: characterization and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Li Yu-Chu M , Tsai Ren-Hao , Huang Chao-Ming
Published: April 2012

Nanocrystalline mesoporous silver vanadate oxides were successfully prepared using a ball milling process. Under the optimal conditions, the silver vanadate oxides sample milled at 12 h (SVO12) powder has larger Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (5.81 m2/g as opposed to 0.02 m2/g) than the starting silver vanadate oxides. The photocatalytic activity of the milled silver vanadate oxides was higher than that of unmilled silver vanadate oxides. The SVO12 exhibits the best photocatalytic activity; it has a reaction rate constant ( kapp) of 0.11 min−1, much higher than that of unmilled silver vanadate oxides ( kapp = 0.02 min−1). The photoactivity enhancement is due to increasing photoabsorption efficiency and improving reaction/diffusion of molecules through the mesoporous structure.
The use of comorbidities among adults experiencing care transitions: a systematic review and evolutionary analysis of empirical literature
Authors: Buck Harleah G , Meghani Salimah , Bettger Janet Prvu , Byun Eeeseung , Fachko Michael J , O’Connor Melissa , Tocchi Christine , Naylor Mary
Published: April 2012

Objective: To systematically review how comorbidities are employed in the empirical literature for adults coping with multiple chronic conditions during common episodes of acute illness that resulted in transition across health care setting.

Methods: Evolutionary concept analysis inductively identifies current consensus regarding the usage of a concept and results in exploring attributes and clarification of the concept. Sixty studies from 1965 to 2009 identified from MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and ISI Web of Science databases were analysed.

Results: Comorbidities were used heterogeneously among reviewed studies with most controlling for their presence ( n=33) and lacking robust measurement ( n=37). The designation of index or principal condition was equally heterogeneous with approximately half ( n=26) representing the main disease or diagnosis of interest to the researcher. In this study comorbidities were associated with personal, disease or system level antecedents and consequences. A conceptual framework is proposed.

Discussion: The impact of comorbidities on the care and outcomes of adults coping with multiple chronic conditions is limited by heterogeneous and ambiguous usage. While analytic techniques have become more sophisticated, continued lack of meaningful conceptualization and instrument use has limited maturation of this important concept for research, practice and policy purposes.
Modeling the sound of a golf club impact
Authors: Mase Tom , Sharpe Roger , Volkoff-Shoemaker Nickolai , Moreira Scott
Published: April 2012

A driver–golf ball impact was modeled and sound predicted using finite elements and boundary element methods. The driver head model had some features (artwork and scallops) removed to simplify the model. This de-featuring resulted in some of the simulated modes to be slightly lower than the ‘tap test’ measured modes of the fully featured, production driver. Computed acoustic modes in areas of the club head not de-featured matched experimental modes. Additionally, the impact sound simulation of a golf ball with a United States Golf Association coefficient of restitution titanium plate, with no features omitted, was completed. Acoustic pressure modes predicted well the modes measured by an accelerometer as the plate was excited by a modal hammer.
Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Bakchoul Tamam , Greinacher Andreas
Published: April 2012

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a drug-mediated, prothrombotic disorder caused by immunization against platelet factor 4 (PF4) after complex formation with heparin or other polyanions. After their binding to PF4/heparin complexes on the platelet surface, HIT antibodies are capable of intravascular platelet activation by cross-linking Fcγ receptor IIA leading to a platelet count decrease and/or thrombosis. Diagnosis of HIT is often difficult. This, and the low specificity of the commercially available immunoassays, leads currently to substantial overdiagnosis of HIT. Timing of onset, the moderate nature of thrombocytopenia, and the common concurrence of thrombosis are very important factors, which help to differentiate HIT from other potential causes of thrombocytopenia. A combination of a clinical pretest scoring system and laboratory investigation is usually necessary to diagnose HIT. Although HIT is considered to be a rare complication of heparin treatment, the very high number of hospital inpatients, and increasingly also hospital outpatients receiving heparin, still result in a considerable number of patients developing HIT. If HIT occurs, potentially devastating complications such as life-threatening thrombosis make it one of the most serious adverse drug reactions. If HIT is strongly suspected, all heparin must be stopped and an alternative nonheparin anticoagulant started at a therapeutic dose to prevent thromboembolic complications. However, the nonheparin alternative anticoagulants bear a considerable bleeding risk, especially if given to patients with thrombocytopenia due to other reasons than HIT. While established drugs for HIT are disappearing from the market (lepirudin, danaparoid), bivalirudin, fondaparinux and potentially the new anticoagulants such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban provide new treatment options.
Safety and efficacy of ofatumumab in patients with fludarabine and alemtuzumab refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Dyer Martin J.S.
Published: April 2012

There are now many therapeutic CD20 monoclonal antibodies undergoing clinical trials for B-cell malignancy and autoimmune conditions; which is optimal for cancer therapy is not clear. The novel human IgG1 CD20 monoclonal antibody ofatumumab has shown significant activity in difficult to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, namely those resistant or refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab and has now been licensed for this uncommon indication. This brief review summarizes the clinical data obtained with ofatumumab in CLL in terms of both efficacy and toxicity.