bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HETEROGENEOUS DYNAMICS, AGGREGATION, AND THE PERSISTENCE OF ECONOMIC SHOCKS
Authors: MAYORAL LAURA
Published: October 2013

Estimates of shock persistence based on disaggregate or on aggregate data are frequently very different. This article takes a step toward reconciling this apparent disconnect between micro‐ and macro‐based estimates of shock response. It is shown that, although the average of the individual impulse response functions (IRFs) is identical to the aggregate IRF, averages of other popular persistence measures, such as the sum of the autoregressive coefficients among others, tend to be larger the higher the aggregation level. The theoretical results are illustrated with two applications that use U.S. and European inflation data.
Initial Dissolution Rate of the International Simple Glass as a Function of pH and Temperature Measured Using Microchannel Flow‐Through Test Method
Authors: Inagaki Yaohiro , Kikunaga Taiki , Idemitsu Kazuya , Arima Tatsumi
Published: October 2013

International simple glass (ISG) is a six‐component alumino‐borosilicate glass developed as a reference benchmark glass for six nations collaborating study on high‐level nuclear waste glass dissolution/corrosion mechanism. In this study, aqueous dissolution tests were performed for the ISG using microchannel flow‐through (MCFT) method to evaluate the initial dissolution rate of glass matrix, r0, precisely and systematically as a function of solution pH and temperature. The test results indicated that the r0 shows a “V‐shaped” pH dependence with a bottom at around pH4 at each temperature. Compared with Japanese reference glass of P0798, for which the r0 showed a “U‐shaped” pH dependence with a bottom at around pH6 in our previous study, the ISG shows the higher dissolution rate at basic pH, and lower dissolution rate at neutral to acidic pH. The results also indicated that the r0 increases with temperature according to an Arrhenius law, and the apparent activation energy evaluated from Arrhenius relation is 62–77 [kJ/mol] at any pH from 3 to 10, which suggests the initial dissolution of ISG proceeds controlled by a surface‐reaction mechanism in this pH range.
Prevalence of chronic wounds and structural quality indicators of chronic wound care in Dutch nursing homes
Authors: Rondas Armand ALM , Schols Jos MGA , Stobberingh Ellen E , Halfens Ruud JG
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of (infected) chronic wounds in Dutch nursing homes and to explore which signs and symptoms are used to diagnose infected chronic wounds. Moreover, it was to determine which structural quality indicators related to chronic wound care at ward and institutional levels were fulfilled. In April 2012, as part of the annual National Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems of Maastricht University [Landelijke Prevalentiemeting Zorgproblemen (LPZ)], a multi‐center cross‐sectional point‐prevalence measurement was carried out together with an assessment of relevant care quality indicators. The prevalence was 4·2%; 16 of 72 (22%) chronic wounds were considered to be infected. Increase of exudate (81·3%; n = 13), erythema (68·8%; n = 11), pain (56·3%; n = 9) and wound recalcitrance (56·3%; n = 9) were considered to be diagnostic signs and symptoms of a chronic wound infection. Although at institutional level most quality indicators were fulfilled, at ward level this was not the case. Despite the relatively low number of residents, we consider our population as representative for the nursing home population. It may be an advantage to appoint specific ward nurses and to provide them specifically with knowledge and skills concerning chronic wounds.
Role of matrix metalloproteinases in non‐healing venous ulcers
Authors: Amato Bruno , Coretti Guido , Compagna Rita , Amato Maurizio , Buffone Gianluca , Gigliotti Diego , Grande Raffaele , Serra Raffaele , de Franciscis Stefano
Published: October 2013

Chronic venous ulceration (CVU) of the lower limbs is a common condition affecting 1% of the adult population in Western countries, which is burdened with a high complication rate and a marked reduction in the quality of life often due to prolonged healing time. Several metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP‐9 together with neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) appear to be involved in the onset and healing phases of venous ulcer, but it is still unclear how many biochemical components are responsible for prolonged healing time in those ulcers. In this study, we evaluate the role of MMP‐1 and MMP‐8 in long lasting and refractory venous ulcers. In a 2‐year period we enroled 45 patients (28 female and 17 male, median age 65) with CVU. The enroled population was divided into two groups: group I were patients with non‐healing ulcers (ulcers that had failed to heal for more than 2 months despite appropriate treatments) and group II were patients with healing ulcers (ulcers in healing phases). MMP‐1 and MMP‐8 were measured in fluids and tissues of healing and non‐healing ulcers by means of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis, respectively. In particular the patterns of the collagenases MMP‐1 and MMP‐8 in healing wounds were distinct, with MMP‐8 appearing in significantly greater amounts especially in the non‐healing group. Our findings suggest that MMP‐1, and MMP‐8 are overexpressed in long lasting CVU. Therefore, this dysregulation may represent the main cause of the pathogenesis of non‐healing CVU.
Application of supernodal sparse factorization and inversion to the estimation of (co)variance components by residual maximum likelihood
Authors: Masuda Y. , Baba T. , Suzuki M.
Published: October 2013

We demonstrated that supernodal techniques were more efficient than traditional methods for factorization and inversion of a coefficient matrix of mixed model equations (MME), which are often required in residual maximum likelihood (REML). Supernodal left‐looking and inverse multifrontal algorithms were employed for sparse factorization and inversion, respectively. The approximate minimum degree or multilevel nested dissection was used for ordering. A new computer package, Yet AnotherMMESolver (yams), was developed and compared withfspakwith respect to computing time and size of temporary memory for 13 test matrices. The matrices were produced by fitting animal models to dairy data and by using simulations from sire, sire–maternal grand sire, maternal and dominance models for phenotypic data and animal model for genomic data. The order of matrices ranged from 32 840 to 1 048 872. Theyamssoftware factorized and inverted the matrices up to 13 and 10 times faster thanfspak, respectively, when an appropriate ordering strategy was applied. Theyamspackage required at most 282MBand 512MBof temporary memory for factorization and inversion, respectively. Processing time per iteration in average informationREMLwas reduced, usingyams. Theyamspackage is freely available on request by contacting the corresponding author.
Improving oral implant osseointegration in a murine model via Wnt signal amplification
Authors: Mouraret Sylvain , Hunter Daniel J. , Bardet Claire , Popelut Antoine , Brunski John B. , Chaussain Catherine , Bouchard Philippe , Helms Jill A.
Published: October 2013

Aim

To determine the key biological events occurring during implant failure and then we use this knowledge to develop new biology‐based strategies that improve osseointegration.

Materials and Methods

Wild‐type and Axin2LacZ/LacZ adult male mice underwent oral implant placement, with and without primary stability. Peri‐implant tissues were evaluated using histology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and TUNEL staining. In addition, mineralization sites, collagenous matrix organization and the expression of bone markers in the peri‐implant tissues were assessed.

Results

Maxillary implants lacking primary stability show histological evidence of persistent fibrous encapsulation and mobility, which recapitulates the clinical problems of implant failure. Despite histological and molecular evidence of fibrous encapsulation, osteoblasts in the gap interface exhibit robust ALP activity. This mineralization activity is counteracted by osteoclast activity that resorbs any new bony matrix and consequently, the fibrous encapsulation remains. Using a genetic mouse model, we show that implants lacking primary stability undergo osseointegration, provided that Wnt signalling is amplified.

Conclusions

In a mouse model of oral implant failure caused by a lack of primary stability, we find evidence of active mineralization. This mineralization, however, is outpaced by robust bone resorption, which culminates in persistent fibrous encapsulation of the implant. Fibrous encapsulation can be prevented and osseointegration assured if Wnt signalling is elevated at the time of implant placement.
Identical genetic influences underpin behavior problems in adolescence and basic traits of personality
Authors: Lewis Gary J. , Haworth Claire M. A. , Plomin Robert
Published: October 2013

Background

Understanding the etiology of adolescent problem behavior has been of enduring interest. Only relatively recently, however, has this issue been examined within a normal personality trait framework. Research suggests that problem behaviors in adolescence and beyond may be adequately explained by the taxonomy provided by the basic dimensions of normal personality: Such problem behaviors are suggested to be extreme points on a distribution of the full range of the underlying traits. We extend work in this field examining the extent to which genetic factors underlying the five‐factor model of personality are common with genetic influences on adolescent behavior problems (namely, anxiety, peer problems, conduct, hyperactivity, and low prosociality).

Method

A nationally representative twin sample (Twins Early Development Study) from the general population of England and Wales, including 2031 pairs of twins aged 16 years old, was used to decompose variation into genetic and environmental components. Behavioral problems in adolescence were assessed by self‐report with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results

Adolescent behavior problems were moderately associated with normal personality: Specifically, a fifth to a third of phenotypic variance in problem behaviors was accounted for by five‐factor model personality traits. Of central importance here, genetic influences underpinning personality were entirely overlapping with those genetic factors underlying adolescent behavior problems.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that adolescent behavior problems can be understood, at least in part, within a model of normal personality trait variation, with the genetic bases of these behavior problems the same as those genetic influences underpinning normal personality.
Comparison of three α‐glucosidase inhibitors for glycemic control and bodyweight reduction in Japanese patients with obese type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sugihara Hitoshi , Nagao Mototsugu , Harada Taro , Nakajima Yasushi , Tanimura‐Inagaki Kyoko , Okajima Fumitaka , Tamura Hideki , Inazawa Takeshi , Otonari Takatoshi , Kawakami Masanobu , Oikawa Shinichi
Published: October 2013

Aims/Introduction

α‐Glucosidase inhibitors (αGIs) are widely used for the primary treatment of type 2 diabetes. We compared the clinical effects of three αGIs (miglitol, acarbose and voglibose) in patients with obese type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Japanese patients (n = 81) with obese type 2 diabetes (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) were enrolled in this multicenter, open‐label study. The participants were randomized into the miglitol (n = 18), acarbose (n = 22), voglibose (n = 19) or control (n = 22) groups. Glycemic control (fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]), bodyweight, BMI, serum insulin, serum lipids (low‐density lipoprotein and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerols) and adipocytokines (leptin and adiponectin) were evaluated every 4 weeks for 12 weeks.

Results

In the miglitol group, HbA1c was improved significantly from the baseline at all points. The changes in HbA1c at 8 and 12 weeks from baseline were greater in the miglitol group than the control group. The voglibose group showed significant improvements in HbA1c at 12 weeks. Bodyweight and BMI were decreased significantly in the miglitol group. In addition, significant correlations were observed between the decrements in HbA1c and bodyweights over 12 weeks in the miglitol (r = 0.759, P < 0.001) and voglibose groups (r = 0.667, P = 0.002). Serum lipid and adipocytokine levels were not altered in any groups.

Conclusions

αGIs, especially miglitol, can effectively control blood glucose and bodyweight in obese type 2 diabetes. This study was registered with UMIN (no. UMIN000006465).
Mean platelet volume is associated with aortic arterial stiffness in patients with Behçet's disease without significant cardiovascular involvement
Authors: Balta I. , Balta S. , Koryurek O.M. , Demirkol S. , Celik T. , Akbay G. , Cakar M. , Sarlak H. , Eksioglu M.
Published: October 2013

Background

Behçet's disease (BD), is a chronic, systemic vasculitis, which may affect all types and sizes of blood vessels. BD is associated with endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction is the critical early step in the process of atherogenesis, and it is commonly investigated by measuring arterial stiffness. Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been investigated in relation with both thrombosis and inflammation. We aimed to investigate the relationship between an increased arterial stiffness and MPV in patients with Behçet's disease without significant cardiovascular involvement.

Methods

We studied 36 patients (20 males, mean age: 37.6 ± 11.7 years) who were diagnosed by the international diagnostic criteria of BD and 35 healthy controls (15 males, mean age: 35.0 ± 10.6 years), and the two groups were matched by age and gender. MPV levels and arterial stiffness measurements were compared in these groups.

Results

Arterial stiffness was higher in patients with BD compared to control group. (BD and controls; 7.28 m/s, 6.64 m/s; respectively) (p: 0.02). MPV levels were also significantly higher in patients with BD compared to control group. (BD and controls; 8.86 ± 0.81 fl, 8.39 ± 0.96 fl, respectively) (p: 0.02). Additionally, arterial stiffness correlated positively with age, the duration of disease and MPV levels in patients with BD (p: 0.002, 0.03, 0.02 respectively).

Conclusions

In our study, increased MPV is associated with arterial stiffness in patients with BD without significant cardiovascular involvement. It shows that there is a relationship between thrombosis and chronic inflammation in BD. Furthermore, MPV is also a moderate predictor of cardiovascular disease and represents an increase in platelet activation. These findings provide further evidence of a link between inflammation and thrombosis in patients with BD.
The utilization of drug–polymer interactions for improving the chemical stability of hot-melt extruded solid dispersions
Authors: Guo Zhefei , Lu Ming , Li Yongcheng , Pang Huishi , Lin Ling , Liu Xu , Wu Chuanbin
Published: October 2013

Objective

Interactions between drugs and polymers were utilized to lower the processing temperature of hot-melt extrusion (HME), and thus minimize the thermal degradation of heat-sensitive drugs during preparation of amorphous solid dispersions.

Methods

Diflunisal (DIF), which would degrade upon melting, was selected as a model drug. Hydrogen bonds between DIF and polymeric carriers (PVP K30, PVP VA64, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Soluplus) were revealed by differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The hot-melt extruded solid dispersion was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Key findings

The results of hot-stage polar microscopy indicated that DIF was dissolved in molten polymers at 160°C, much lower than the melting point of DIF (215°C). At this temperature, amorphous solid dispersions were successfully produced by HME, as confirmed by XRD and SEM. The related impurities in amorphous solid dispersions detected by HPLC were lower than 0.3%, indicating that thermal degradation was effectively minimized. The dissolution of DIF from amorphous solid dispersions was significantly enhanced as compared with the pure crystalline drug.

Conclusion

This technique based on drug–polymer interactions to prepare chemically stable amorphous solid dispersions by HME provides an attractive opportunity for development of heat-sensitive drugs.
Linking elements to biochemicals: effects of nutrient supply ratios and growth rates on fatty acid composition of phytoplankton species
Authors: Bi Rong , Arndt Carmen , Sommer Ulrich
Published: October 2013

Three species of marine phytoplankton, Rhodomonas sp., Isochrysis galbana Parke, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, were cultivated in semicontinuous cultures to test biochemical responses (fatty acids; FAs) to five nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P) supply ratios and four growth rates (dilution rates). The characteristic FA profile was observed for each algal species (representing particular algal class), which remained relatively stable across the entire ranges of N:P supply ratios and growth rates. For all species, significant direct effects of N:P supply ratios on FAs were found at lower growth rates. The highest saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid (SFA and MUFA) contents were observed under N deficiency at the lowest growth rate in all three species, while responses of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) revealed no consistent pattern. Total FAs (and SFAs and MUFAs) in all species showed significant negative correlations with N cell quota (QN) under N deficiency, but PUFAs had species‐specific correlations with QN. The results show that characteristic FA profiles of algal genus or species (representing particular algal classes) underlie fluctuations according to culture conditions. The significant correlation between FAs and QN under N deficiency suggests that elemental and biochemical limitation of phytoplankton should be considered mutually as determinants of food quality for zooplankton in marine ecosystems.
Sexual Life and Sexual Wellness in Individuals with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKHS)
Authors: Fliegner Maike , Krupp Kerstin , Brunner Franziska , Rall Katharina , Brucker Sara Y. , Briken Peer , Richter-Appelt Hertha
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Sexual wellness depends on a person's physical and psychological constitution. Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKHS) can compromise sexual well-being.

Aims

To compare sexual well-being in CAIS and MRKHS using multiple measures: To assess sexual problems and perceived distress. To gain insight into participants' feelings of inadequacy in social and sexual situations, level of self-esteem and depression. To determine how these psychological factors relate to sexual (dys)function. To uncover what participants see as the source of their sexual problems.

Methods

Data were collected using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Eleven individuals with CAIS and 49 with MRKHS with/without neovagina treatment were included. Rates of sexual dysfunctions, overall sexual function, feelings of inadequacy in social and sexual situations, self-esteem and depression scores were calculated. Categorizations were used to identify critical cases. Correlations between psychological variables and sexual function were computed. Sexually active subjects were compared with sexually not active participants. A qualitative content analysis was carried out to explore causes of sexual problems.

Main Outcome Measures

An extended list of sexual problems based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision, by the American Psychiatric Association and related distress. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), German Questionnaire on Feelings of Inadequacy in Social and Sexual Situations (FUSS social scale, FUSS sexual scale), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) subscale depression. Open question on alleged causes of sexual problems.

Results

The results point to a far-reaching lack of sexual confidence and sexual satisfaction in CAIS. In MRKHS apprehension in sexual situations is a source of distress, but sexual problems seem to be more focused on issues of vaginal functioning. MRKHS women report being satisfied with their sex life.

Conclusion

Different conditions can affect individuals in diagnosis-specific ways despite some shared clinical features. Professionals should adopt an interdisciplinary approach and provide custom-made care in order to promote sexual well-being in patients.
The Roles of Evolution in the Social Sciences: Is Biology Ballistic?
Authors: Franks Bradley
Published: October 2013

This paper discusses some widespread but often not fully articulated views concerning the possible roles of biology and evolution in the social sciences. Such views cluster around a set of intuitions that suggest that evolution's role is “ballistic”: it constitutes a starting point for mind that has been, and is, superseded by the role of culture and social construction. An implication is that evolved and the socially constructed aspects of mind are separable and independent, with the latter being the primary driver of mind. I outline four variants of the ballistic view. I then show how current findings and arguments in evolutionary thinking as related to mind contradict those ballistic views. The contrary view—that evolutionary and social factors are interdependent in the generation of social psychological capacities—is proposed as a consequence. This view is able to respect some insights of theories that make ballistic assumptions, whilst avoiding those assumptions.
Automatic delirium prediction system in a Korean surgical intensive care unit
Authors: Oh Suk‐Hwa , Park Eun‐Ju , Jin Yinji , Piao Jinshi , Lee Sun‐Mi
Published: October 2013

Background

In Korea, regular screening for delirium is not considered essential. In addition, delirium is often associated with vague concepts, making it harder to identify high‐risk patients and impeding decision‐making.

Aims

To assess the impact of the Automatic PREdiction of DELirium in Intensive Care Units (APREDEL‐ICU) system on nursing‐sensitive and patient outcomes for surgical ICU patients and to evaluate nurse satisfaction with the system and its usability.

Methods

A pre‐post research design was adopted. Our study included 724 patients admitted before the implementation of the APREDEL‐ICU (January to December 2010) and 1111 patients admitted after the system was installed (May 2011 to April 2012). The APREDEL‐ICU uses a pop‐up window message to inform the nursing staff of patients at risk for delirium, allowing evidence‐based nursing interventions to be applied to the identified patients. A total of 42 nurses were surveyed to determine the system's usability and their level of satisfaction with it.

Results

After the implementation of APREDEL‐ICU, high‐risk patients, determined using a prediction algorithm, showed a slight decrease in the incidence of delirium, but the changes were not significant. However, significant decreases in the number and duration of analgesic/narcotic therapies were observed after the implementation of the system. Nurse self‐evaluation results showed an improvement in all categories of knowledge regarding delirium care.

Conclusion

The use of a prediction and alerting system for ICU patients at high risk of delirium showed a potential increase in the quality of delirium care, including early detection and proper intervention.
Overexpression of stress‐inducible OsBURP16, the β subunit of polygalacturonase 1, decreases pectin content and cell adhesion and increases abiotic stress sensitivity in rice
Authors: LIU HUANHUAN , MA YAN , CHEN NA , GUO SIYI , LIU HUILI , GUO XIAOYU , CHONG KANG , XU YUNYUAN
Published: October 2013

Polygalacturonase (PG), one of the hydrolases responsible for cell wall pectin degradation, is involved in organ consenescence and biotic stress in plants. PG1 is composed of a catalytic subunit, PG2, and a non‐catalytic PG1β subunit. OsBURP16 belongs to the PG1β‐like subfamily of BURP‐family genes and encodes one putative PG1β subunit precursor in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Transcription of OsBURP16 is induced by cold, salinity and drought stresses, as well as by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Analysis of plant survival rates, relative ion leakage rates, accumulation levels of H2O2 and water loss rates of leaves showed that overexpression of OsBURP16 enhanced sensitivity to cold, salinity and drought stresses compared with controls. Young leaves of Ubi::OsBURP16 transgenic plants showed reduced cell adhesion and increased cuticular transpiration rate. Mechanical strength measurement of Ubi::OsBURP16 plants showed that reduced force was required to break leaves as compared with wild type. Transgenic rice showed enhanced PG activity and reduced pectin content. All these results suggested that overexpression of OsBURP16 caused pectin degradation and affected cell wall integrity as well as transpiration rate, which decreased tolerance to abiotic stresses.
IS EPISTEMIC AGENCY POSSIBLE?
Authors: Engel Pascal
Published: October 2013

There are mental actions, and a number of epistemic attitudes involve activity. But can there be epistemic agency? I argue that there is a limit to any claim that we can be epistemic agents, which is that the structure of reasons for epistemic attitudes differs fundamentally from the structure of reasons for actions. The main differences are that we cannot act for the wrong reasons although we can believe for the wrong reasons, and that reasons for beliefs are exclusive in a sense in which our reasons for actions are not. Epistemic agency is possible in the weak sense that we can be active, but not in the strong one in which we could have some elbow room for our epistemic reasons in reasoning leading to beliefs and other epistemic states.
Nonadherence in Dialysis Patients: Prevalence, Measurement, Outcome, and Psychological Determinants
Authors: Clark Sarah , Farrington Ken , Chilcot Joseph
Published: October 2013

Nonadherence to aspects of the management of End‐Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) is common. Estimates of nonadherence vary with assessment method. Whilst readily available and free from report bias, physiological proxies—frequently used as measures of adherence—are often confounded by clinical factors including residual kidney function and dialysis adequacy. Despite variation in estimates of its prevalence, it is clear that suboptimal adherence to dialysis prescriptions, medication and diet can lead to adverse clinical outcomes. Several factors can help explain nonadherence inESKDincluding mood, self‐efficacy, social support, illness, and treatment perceptions. Psychological interventions have been shown to improveESKDadherence, yet achieving long‐term behavior change remains challenging. Identifying individuals who struggle to adhere to aspects of the dialysis regime, and tailoring theory‐led interventions to improve and support adherence is a clear clinical need requiring further empirical enquiry.
Recruiting High‐risk Activists: Exploring the Roles of Structural and Cultural Factors
Authors: Bruni Nancy Matteuzzi
Published: October 2013

What motivates activists to leave the security of their country and the comforts of home to risk their lives on someone else's behalf? This paper summarizes the current literature on how individuals get involved in transnational social movements, including those that require them to put their lives on the line. I begin by outlining structural explanations for participation and specifically discuss how prior contacts and biographical availability draw new recruits into activism. Then, I discuss cultural explanations, which emphasize meaning‐making and collective identities in the recruitment process. Finally, I outline scholarly attempts to bridge structural and cultural explanations as well as offer recommendations for future research.
And Neither Are We Saved: Asian Americans' Elusive Quest for Racial Justice
Authors: Chou Rosalind S. , Choi Susan
Published: October 2013

Derrick Bell, Civil Rights activist, legal scholar, and a founder of critical race theory, dedicated much of his life and scholarship to the pursuit of racial justice. Twenty‐six years ago, in his work And We Are Not Saved, he recognized that racial progress has been stalled and racial equality would not be a reality in his lifetime. Bell passed away in October 2011, and we are reminded that there is still much work to do. He presented a conundrum that race scholars have said all there is to say about racial problems in the United States; yet, he encouraged scholars to keep moving the work forward. At the time And We Are Not Saved was written, much of the racial scholarship was centered on the Black–White paradigm. In the 26 years since Bell wrote it, there has been a growth of Asian American research. This essay surveys some critical racial analysis of Asian Americans. There have been major contributions to the literature extending racial scholarship beyond the Black–White paradigm. Additionally, intersectional scholarship extends the discussion into other systems of oppression, highlighting how racism can be veiled in different systems. Critical race scholarship is imperative to keep Bell's dream of racial equality alive.
Public Relations: A Discipline in Transformation
Authors: L'Etang Jacquie
Published: October 2013

This article presents an overview of the evolution and emerging architecture of the public relations academic discipline. Key developments and debates are described, highlighting some of the major tensions and debates that have arisen. The scope of discussion proceeds through definitions, a consideration of historical contexts, evolution of public relations research, key approaches, an introduction to the remit of key journals, and finally, consideration as to emerging themes and possible futures. It is suggested that the increasing emphasis on historical, sociological and cultural themes is leading to an increasingly reflexive and diverse field.
The Shareholder Value Principle: The Governance and Control of Corporations in the United States
Authors: Shin Taekjin
Published: October 2013

In recent decades, maximization of shareholder value has been a dominant business principle in the United States. This article reviews sociological accounts about the emergence, diffusion, and reality of the shareholder value principle. Although mainstream research in law and economics on corporate governance embraces the shareholder value principle and provides theoretical justifications for it, sociologists consider the shareholder value principle to be a product of specific economic, political, and ideological environments. Based on sociological research that reveals normative and political foundations of the shareholder value principle, I argue that the shareholder value principle is far from hegemonic in the contemporary United States. Indeed, faced with shareholder primacy, corporations and top executives have adopted various strategies, such as perfunctory conformity and symbolic acquiescence. The result is a highly volatile and contested system of corporate governance today.
Cross‐laminated Timber Plates Subjected to Concentrated Loading
Authors: Hochreiner G. , Füssl J. , Eberhardsteiner J.
Published: October 2013

Since wood products for structural elements, especially cross‐laminated timber (CLT), have gained importance in the building sector, the need for appropriate and reliable design codes for such wood products has become essential. For the improvement and development of design concepts, a profound knowledge about the mechanical behaviour of these products is necessary. For this reason, this work focuses on global failure mechanisms and the corresponding evolution of different crack modes in CLT plates, depending on geometric and/or material related properties. Therefore, plate‐bending experiments on three‐ and five‐layered CLT plates were carried out. In addition to standard evaluation methods, each specimen was cut into small cubes to identify the failure modes inside the plates. Regions with dominant shear failure, tensile failure, delamination and mixed failure modes could be captured and connected to geometry and loading situation. Based on this evaluation, well‐known but not yet in detail described effects, such as the ductile structural behaviour of CLT plates, can be explained. Moreover, the evolution of rolling shear failure modes as well as from which point the progressive failure highly affects the plate stiffness is investigated and analysed in detail.
Anti‐Emm in a pregnant patient – case report
Authors: Wagner M. M. , van Dunné F. M. , Kuipers I. , Thornton N. , Folman C. C. , Ponjee G. A. , Oepkes D.
Published: October 2013

A 23‐year‐old primigravida of North African origin presented with a positive antibody screen at booking at 15 weeks of gestation. An antibody to a high‐frequency antigen (HFA) of unknown identity was detected, which was reactive with the red blood cells of the father. This led to several challenges including antibody identification, clinical monitoring to detect signs of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) and compatible blood in case perinatal transfusion was needed. Anti‐Emm was identified 2 months post‐partum. This is the first published case which describes a pregnant patient with anti‐Emm.
Modeling and Experimental Characterization of Metal Microtextured Thermal Interface Materials
Authors: Kempers R. , Lyons A. M. , Robinson A. J.
Published: October 2013

A metal microtextured thermal interface material (MMT-TIM) has been proposed to address some of the shortcomings of conventional TIMs. These materials consist of arrays of small-scale metal features that plastically deform when compressed between mating surfaces, conforming to the surface asperities of the contacting bodies and resulting in a low-thermal resistance assembly. The present work details the development of an accurate thermal model to predict the thermal resistance and effective thermal conductivity of the assembly (including contact and bulk thermal properties) as the MMT-TIMs undergo large plastic deformations. The main challenge of characterizing the thermal contact resistance of these structures was addressed by employing a numerical model to characterize the bulk thermal resistance and estimate the contribution of thermal contact resistance. Furthermore, a correlation that relates electrical and thermal contact resistance for these MMT-TIMs was developed that adequately predicted MMT-TIM properties for several different geometries. A comparison to a commercially available graphite TIM is made as well as suggestions for optimizing future MMT-TIM designs.
Apparent Temperature Jump and Thermal Transport in Channels With Streamwise Rib and Cavity Featured Superhydrophobic Walls at Constant Heat Flux
Authors: Maynes D. , Crockett J.
Published: October 2013

This paper presents an analytical investigation of constant property, steady, fully developed, laminar thermal transport in a parallel-plate channel comprised of metal superhydrophobic (SH) walls. The superhydrophobic walls considered here exhibit microribs and cavities aligned in the streamwise direction. The cavities are assumed to be nonwetting and contain air, such that the Cassie–Baxter state is the interfacial state considered. The scenario considered is that of constant heat flux through the rib surfaces with negligible thermal transport through the air cavity interface. Closed form solutions for the local Nusselt number and local wall temperature are presented and are in the form of infinite series expansions. The analysis show the relative size of the cavity regions compared to the total rib and cavity width (cavity fraction) exercises significant influence on the aggregate thermal transport behavior. Further, the relative size of the rib and cavity module width compared to the channel hydraulic diameter (relative module width) also influences the Nusselt number. The spatially varying Nusselt number and wall temperature are presented as a function of the cavity fraction and the relative module width over the ranges 0–0.99 and 0.01–1.0, respectively. From these results, the rib/cavity module averaged Nusselt number was determined as a function of the governing parameters. The results reveal that increases in either the cavity fraction or relative module width lead to decreases in the average Nusselt number and results are presented over a wide range of conditions from which the average Nusselt number can be determined for heat transfer analysis. Further, analogous to the hydrodynamic slip length, a temperature jump length describing the apparent temperature jump at the wall is determined in terms of the cavity fraction. Remarkably, it is nearly identical to the hydrodynamic slip length for the scenario considered here and allows straightforward determination of the average Nusselt number for any cavity fraction and relative rib/cavity module width.
The Influence of Carbon Nanotube Aspect Ratio on Thermal Conductivity Enhancement in Nanotube–Polymer Composites
Authors: Kapadia Rahul S. , Louie Brian M. , Bandaru Prabhakar R.
Published: October 2013

We report and model a linear increase in the thermal conductivity (κ) of polymer composites incorporated with relatively low length/diameter aspect ratio multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). There was no evidence of percolation-like behavior in the κ, at/close to the theoretically predicted threshold, which was attributed due to the interfacial resistance between the CNT and the polymer matrix. Concomitantly, the widely postulated high thermal conductivity of CNTs does not contribute to the net thermal conductivity of the composites. Through estimating the interfacial resistance and the thermal conductivity of the constituent CNTs, we conclude that our experimental and modeling approaches can be used to study thermal transport behavior in nanotube–polymer composites.
Computational Study of Contact Solidification for Silicon Film Growth in the Ribbon Growth on Substrate System
Authors: Askarian Samin , Ma Ronghui
Published: October 2013

Ribbon growth on substrate (RGS) has emerged as a new method for growing silicon films at low cost for photovoltaic applications by contact solidification. Thermal conditions play an important role in determining the thickness and quality of the as-grown films. In this study, we have developed a mathematical model for heat transfer, fluid flow, and solidification in the RGS process. In particular, a semi-analytical approach is used in this model to predict solidification with a sharp solid–liquid interface without using a moving grid system. A more realistic analytical relationship that considers the varying rate of heat removal at the interface has been developed to evaluate the effective heat transfer rate, solidification rate, and solidification front. These models were used to predict the flow patterns in the crucible, the temperature distributions in the system, the velocity fields in the crucible, the solidification rates, and the film thicknesses. The effects of important operational parameters, such as pulling speed, preheat temperature, and thermal properties of the substrate material, have been examined. In addition, an order of magnitude analysis has been performed to understand heat transfer in the growing film and substrate. This analysis leads to a simplified mathematical model for heat transfer and solidification, which can be resolved analytically to derive theoretical solutions for the effective heat transfer coefficient, the rate of solidification, and the film thickness. The results show that the solidification rate varies largely on the substrate. The non-uniformity can be mitigated by altering the temperature distribution in the silicon melt through manipulating heat generation in the top heater. The rates of solidification and film thickness are very sensitive to both the thermal conductivity and preheat temperature of the substrate. Increasing pulling velocity will increase the rate of solidification at the leading edge but reduce the film thickness. The numerical model and the theoretical solution provide an important tool for thermal design and optimization of the RGS system.
Three-Dimensional Coupling Analysis of Flow and Thermal Performance of a Mechanical Seal
Authors: Wu Dazhuan , Jiang Xinkuo , Yang Shuai , Wang Leqin
Published: October 2013

To accurately obtain the flow and temperature field in mechanical seals and investigate the key influencing factors, a numerical analysis of flow and heat transfer in a contact mechanical seal with high-sealing pressure, high-operating temperature, and high-rotational speed is presented. A three-dimensional (3D) computational model consisting of seal rings, surrounding flushing fluid, and other seal components is constructed. fluent, a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, is used to solve the 3D fluid–solid coupling model. Frictional heat, stirred heat, and convection coefficients are focused on in this study to ensure the reliability of the numerical results. The flow field and temperature distributions of the mechanical seal are presented, and the influence of different flushing fluid temperatures, flushing flow rates, and thermal conductivities of the seal rings on heat transfer is discussed. The results show that the stirred heat (accounting for about 10% of the frictional heat in the present mechanical seal) cannot be ignored for high-parameter mechanical seals. The flushing parameters can only influence temperature magnitudes on the seal rings but have minimal effects on the temperature gradients, which, however, can be well improved by adjusting the thermal conductivities of the seal rings.
Natural Convection Heat Transfer Performance of Non-Newtonian Power-Law Fluids Enclosed in Cavity With Complex-Wavy Surfaces
Authors: Cho Ching-Chang , Chen Chieh-Li , Hwang Jenn-Jiang , Chen Cha'o-Kuang
Published: October 2013

Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the natural convection heat transfer performance of non-Newtonian power-law fluids in a cavity bounded by wavy vertical walls with different temperatures and flat horizontal walls under adiabatic conditions. The results show that for Rayleigh numbers greater than 103, the mean Nusselt number has a significantly increase as the flow behavior index is decreased. Moreover, it is shown that in the convection-dominated regime, the mean Nusselt number increases with an increasing Rayleigh number, while in the conduction-dominated regime, the mean Nusselt number remains approximately constant. Finally, it is shown that for a given fluid, the heat transfer performance can be optimized via an appropriate tuning of the wavelength and amplitude of the wavy surface depending on the Rayleigh number.
Effect of Rotation on Detailed Heat Transfer Distribution for Various Rib Geometries in Developing Channel Flow
Authors: Lamont Justin A. , Ekkad Srinath V. , Anne Alvin Mary
Published: October 2013

The effects of Coriolis force and centrifugal buoyancy have a significant impact on heat transfer behavior inside rotating internal serpentine coolant channels for turbine blades. Due to the complexity of added rotation inside such channels, detailed knowledge of the heat transfer will greatly enhance the blade designer's ability to predict hot spots so coolant may be distributed more effectively. The effects of high rotation numbers are investigated on the heat transfer distributions for different rib types in near entrance and entrance region of the channels. It is important to determine the actual enhancement derived from turbulating channel entrances where heat transfer is already high due to entrance effects and boundary layer growth. A transient liquid crystal technique is used to measure detailed heat transfer coefficients (htc) for a rotating, short length, radially outward coolant channel with rib turbulators. Different rib types such as 90 deg, W, and M-shaped ribs are used to roughen the walls to enhance heat transfer. The channel Reynolds number is held constant at 12,000 while the rotation number is increased up to 0.5. Results show that in the near entrance region, the high performance W and M-shaped ribs are just as effective as the simple 90 deg ribs in enhancing heat transfer. The entrance effect in the developing region causes significantly high baseline heat transfer coefficients thus reducing the effective of the ribs to further enhance heat transfer. Rotation causes increase in heat transfer on the trailing side, while the leading side remains relatively constant limiting the decrement in leading side heat transfer. For all rotational cases, the W and M-shaped ribs show significant effect of rotation with large differences between leading and trailing side heat transfer.
Experience with in situ measurements using Electronic and Acoustic System Evaluation and Response Analysis (EASERA)
Authors: Ahnert Wolfgang , Feistel Stefan , Olson Bruce
Published: October 2013

To measure the absorption coefficients of built-in materials is quite often necessary, however, in reality the results deviate from those values measured in the reverberation chamber. Using the measurement platform EASERA our experiences are reported which we gathered during measurements in a big assembly hall. The measurement procedure will be explained and the needed software and hardware tools are described. It turned out that the quality of the reference signal and the reflected one is crucial for the quality of the obtained results. Hints for the right windowing are expounded to get usable impulse responses. Also, it is explained how the selected window limits influence the stability of the results.
Aspects of direct deduction of ground impedance
Authors: Attenborough Keith , Taherzadeh Shahram , Daigle Gilles , Kruze Roland
Published: October 2013

ANSI S1.18 1998 offers a method for determining ground impedance by fitting data to templates of the magnitude of level difference obtained using a point source and two vertically separated microphones with specified geometries according the ‘‘acoustical-softness’’ of the ground. The ANSI working group on ground impedance is seeking to revise the current template method for deducing ground impedance by developing a practical method, based in fitting complex level difference spectra and without assuming any particular impedance model. Both minimization and root finding techniques have been used in published laboratory experiments. The results of trial outdoor measurements in the UK, USA, Germany, and Canada are presented. Issues have arisen concerning phase matching of microphones, the signal processing instrumentation, the site and meteorological constraints, and the smoothness of the resulting data.
Evaluation of speech intelligibility from binaural room-acoustics measurements
Authors: Ruggles Dorea , Xiang Ning , Ahnert Wolfgang
Published: October 2013

Efficient methods of quantifying speech intelligibility are needed for designing and understanding functional architectural spaces. All current measures of speech intelligibility are monophonic, which excludes consideration of important binaural aspects of human hearing, including dereverberation and decoloration. Acquisition of binaural data has increasingly become common practice, using dummy heads or in-ear microphones, making the development of binaural intelligibility measures especially timely. The need for such a measure is illustrated by calculations of speech transmission index (STI) with a single energy-based impulse obtained through the combination of binaural data channels. Each method of combination produces significantly different STI values that illustrate the impact of orientation and location on intelligibility calculations. The relationship between such estimation variation and subjective experience must be studied to determine the research direction for a much needed, uniquely binaural speech intelligibility measure.