bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unusual Arterial Pattern of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Nassar Lara , Atweh Lamya Ann , Jurjus Abdo , Kutoubi Aghiad Al
Published: June 2012

Anatomical variations of the digestive system arteries are important due to their clinical significance. However, anomalies in the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) are the least common compared with the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. This report describes the case of a 67-year-old man with an extremely rare variant in which the IMA arises from the left common iliac artery, and the ipsilateral external iliac artery has a corkscrew pattern. These findings were depicted during computed tomography angiography of the abdomen and pelvis. This case is the first report of such a variation associated with a left external iliac artery turning into a double loop before forming the femoral artery. The embryological and clinical significance of such an anomaly are discussed.
Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis and Renal Artery Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Tunneled Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheter Placement
Authors: Lin Roy , Hingorani Anil , Marks Natalie , Ascher Enrico , Jimenez Robert , Aboian Ed , McIntyre Thom , Jacob Theresa
Published: June 2012

In this study, we noted the common risk factors with atherosclerosis and chronic renal disease. We, therefore, hypothesized that the placement of a dialysis catheter would be a useful marker in identifying populations at increased risk of vascular disease (carotid, renal, and aortic). To further explore this issue, we examined the results of duplex scanning of the carotid arteries and aortorenal arteries in patients undergoing dialysis catheter placement. Over 49 months, each of the 123 patients who underwent permanent tunneled dialysis catheter placement received a carotid duplex study. Twelve patients (9.8%) had ≥ 60% stenosis and 8 patients (6.5%) had 70% to 99% stenosis. Furthermore, 109 patients who underwent a aortorenal artery duplex study were also analyzed. The study population demonstrated a prevalence rate of 3.7% for abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) and 4.6% for renal artery stenosis (RAS). Based upon these data, we suggest performing routine carotid duplex scans in patients who will also receive dialysis catheter placement. However, the data did not support routine screening of AAA or RAS.
Increasing Activity in Older Adults
Authors: Johnston Craig A.
Published: June 2012

The importance of physical activity for healthy aging has been clearly shown. Evidence from the Look AHEAD trial, a lifestyle intervention for overweight individuals who have type 2 diabetes, provides further evidence for the importance of physical activity. Overall, this intervention provides a potential model for improving the health of older adults.
Prevention and Management of Physical and Social Environment Risk Factors for Sports-Related Injuries
Authors: Kerr Zachary Y. , Roos Karen G. , Schmidt Julianne D. , Marshall Stephen W.
Published: June 2012

An understanding of the environmental factors that contribute to injury risk will allow for the optimization of athletic performance and minimize morbidity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the physical and social environments of sport that affect injury risk, and to review the strategies that sports medicine professionals (eg, clinicians, certified athletic trainers) can implement to prevent injury. Searches using the PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were used to identify injury risk factors pertaining to the physical and social environment of athletics. Physical environmental risk factors identified include weather, air quality, playing surface, and the presence of sports medicine professionals. Social environmental factors include parents, teammates, coaches, media, policy/legislation, and sports medicine professionals. Sports medicine professionals seeking effective prevention and care strategies will benefit from (1) education about the physical and social environmental risk factors that place athletes at risk for injury and (2) a holistic approach that recognizes that physical and social factors are as important as individual risk factors in determining injury risk.
Understanding Vitamin B12
Authors: Pawlak Roman , James Parrott Scott , Raj Sudha , Cullum-Dugan Diana , Lucus Debbie
Published: June 2012

Vitamin B12 (B12) is essential in activating folate needed in DNA synthesis. Inadequate intake results in the impairment of nerve transmission and inadequate synthesis of erythrocytes and other hematological cells. Two separate mechanisms of B12 absorption exist, a receptor-mediated endocytosis that occurs in the distal ileum and the mass-action pharmacologic mechanism. The recommended dietary allowance for B12 for adults issued by the Institute of Medicine is 2.4 µg/d. B12 is only found in meats and other foods of animal origin. B12 deficiency is widespread. Two main causes of deficiency include inadequate absorption and intake. Elderly and vegetarians are at highest risk for deficiency. Prevalence of deficiency ranges from 7% of the US population 3 years and older to 90% among vegans. The best way to assess deficiency is by using methylmalonic acid. Populations at risk could benefit from using B12 supplements and from fortification of flour.
Covert surveillance and the invisibilities of policing
Authors: Loftus Bethan , Goold Benjamin
Published: June 2012

This article draws upon research from the first ethnographic field study of covert policing conducted in the United Kingdom, and seeks to shed light on how covert officers carry out their surveillance work. In particular, it demonstrates how officers attempt to blend into their surroundings and render their work invisible in order to intrude into the daily lives of those people considered suspect. In so doing, we highlight some hitherto unnoticed aspects – or ‘invisibilities’ – of policing, and show that the surveillance strategies used by law enforcement are increasingly embedded in the most mundane aspects of social life. In contrast to the processes of mass surveillance that are typically the focus of surveillance scholars, the article serves as a reminder that the surveillance powers of the State are vastly intensified when individual members of the public are regarded as suspects by the police.
The Case for Stock Epinephrine in Schools
Authors: Gregory Nancy L.
Published: June 2012

A minority of states have legislation concerning non-student-specific epinephrine, or “stock” epinephrine, in schools. Stock epinephrine can be used in anaphylactic emergencies at schools for students who do not have epinephrine auto-injectors on campus. This is a potentially lifesaving measure that should be implemented in schools nationwide.
Postpartum Doula and Peer Telephone Support for Postpartum Depression
Authors: Gjerdingen Dwenda Kay , McGovern Patricia , Pratt Rebekah , Johnson Linda , Crow Scott
Published: June 2012

Objectives: This research provides the first test of feasibility of recruiting postpartum doulas and depressed mothers for a peer support intervention study and begins to evaluate the benefit of postpartum doula support and peer telephone support for at-risk mothers. Methods: The authors recruited postpartum doulas from national doula organizations, peer telephone supporters from nursing referrals, and mothers with depressive symptoms from 3 local hospitals, local medical practices, Web sites, and community organizations. Participating mothers were randomized to 3 groups—postpartum doula, peer telephone support, and control group. Surveys were completed at 0, 3, and 6 months postenrollment. Results: Thirty-nine mothers with depressive symptoms, 6 postpartum doulas, and 6 peer telephone supporters participated. The postpartum doula group, compared with the other 2 groups, had a higher proportion of women with a previous history of depression, and similarly, a higher proportion of women who were depressed and receiving depression treatment at the 6-month follow-up. Satisfaction with study-sponsored support was greater in the postpartum doula group than in the telephone support group. Conclusions: It is feasible to recruit postpartum doulas, peer telephone supporters, and mothers with depressive symptoms for a peer support intervention trial. Mothers were more satisfied with postpartum doulas than peer telephone support. The authors recommend further research to assess the benefit of postpartum doula support for postpartum depression as adjunctive or alternative therapy.
Resilience in Elderly Survivors of Child Maltreatment
Authors: Rodin Danielle , Stewart Donna E.
Published: June 2012

Resilience is a multifaceted construct that refers to the positive adaptation of individuals, despite exposure to adversity. This study of resilience in older individuals who have experienced adversity was conducted to deepen the understanding of the factors that contribute to resilience in this population. This qualitative study used purposive and homogeneous sampling criteria to recruit nine participants above the age of 65 with a past history of childhood maltreatment who were judged by their health care professionals to be unusually resilient. Resilience was found to be highly evident in this sample, despite earlier trauma and the subsequent challenges of old age. The authors found active engagement in relationships and in valued activities to be the most often mentioned contributors to resilience in these older survivors of childhood maltreatment. These findings have important implications for public policy and social interventions to preserve the well-being of older individuals who have experienced adversity.
Differential Personality Styles in Men and Women
Authors: Sánchez-López M. Pilar , Cuéllar-Flores Isabel , Limiñana Rosa , Corbalán Javier
Published: June 2012

The authors approached women’s and men’s personality styles within a gender socialization framework, as it appears that personality operates differently for males and females not only as a function of their sex but also as a function of their conformity to gender norms and roles. In total, 604 college students (202 men and 402 women) completed the Millon Index of Personality Styles, and the women also completed the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory. Significant sex differences in personality emerged. However, the number and magnitude differed as a function of women’s conformity to feminine norms to the extent that, in the case of the lower conformity group, the differences between women and men decreased. Conformity to feminine norms also explained from 4% to 33% of the variance in each personality style. The findings support previous research and highlight the importance of studying gender differences and gender roles on the effects of personality.
Hearts and mines: A district-level analysis of the Maoist conflict in India
Authors: Hoelscher Kristian , Miklian Jason , Vadlamannati Krishna Chaitanya
Published: June 2012

India’s rapid economic growth over the last decade has been coupled with a Maoist insurgency that competes with the state for rural allegiance. In response to the threat, the Government of India has securitized development, using public works programmes in an attempt to sway locals away from Maoist allegiance. However, these areas are also home to massive iron and coal mines that drive India’s growth. This study aims to address the lack of local-level analysis and the lack of a robust dataset by merging qualitative fieldwork with disparate district-level conflict data sources to explore different potential explanatory variables for the Maoist insurgency, including the relationship between development works, violence, and natural resource extraction. We find that while effective implementation of development programmes is loosely related to the immediate suppression of violent activities in Maoist-affected districts, and under certain conditions mining activity increases the likelihood for conflict, it is the presence of scheduled caste and tribal communities that is the best predictor of violence.
Does gravity matter? Evidence from Nepal’s trade pattern
Authors: Oh Jinhwan , Prasai Laxmi Prasad
Published: June 2012

In the midst of globalization, trade of goods and services has been increasingly important. As a World Trade Organization member, Nepal is no exception. Using the gravity model, this study examines Nepal’s trade pattern by analysing a panel dataset of the country’s bilateral trade flows with 94 countries for 29 years (1981–2009). The empirical results for the entire dataset followed the general prediction of the gravity model (positive coefficients for economic size and negative coefficients for distance). When the data was examined by dividing it into two based on Nepal’s economic liberalization in 1991, no significant structural breaks were found. However, when the dataset was re-examined by comparing the actual trade flows with the estimated ones, it was found that Nepal’s trade flows with China, Japan and ASEAN members were undermined, whereas its trade with India was excessively concentrated. It is therefore suggested that Nepal diversify its trading activities and reduce its trade dependency on India.
The IOC as a transnational organization: Paradigm shift and its rising role in global governance
Authors: Herguner Burak
Published: June 2012

The changes in the aftermath of the Cold War deeply affected the functioning of international organizations, and increased their leverage in international affairs. This article chiefly argues that the paradigm shift in the policies of the International Olympic Committee mitigated the prospect of damage to the Olympic movement and paved the way for the International Olympic Committee to figure in international affairs more effectively. In the article, it is concluded that the Olympic Games have become a significant soft power instrument for states’ foreign policy, rather than being an arena of boycotts or chauvinism, owing to the changing nature of international relations; however, it is more difficult for some states to benefit from this resource of soft power because of domestic issues.
Do voter preferences matter between elections? Democratic performance in Western Democracies
Authors: Kim Hee Min , Fording Richard C.
Published: June 2012

Over the years, several studies have examined government responsiveness and congruence in Western democracies by examining the relationship between the ideological positions of voters and governments. Although these studies generally find high levels of responsiveness and congruence, this research is limited by the fact that it has focused exclusively on governments that formed immediately after an election, thus implicitly ignoring governments that form between elections. This is an important omission, we argue, owing to both the number of governments that form between elections (nearly half in our sample of Western democracies) and theoretical expectations that suggest that responsiveness and congruence may look quite different in the absence of an election. In this paper, we reassess levels of democratic performance across 22 Western democracies utilizing data for all governments formed during the postwar period. For governments formed immediately after an election, we confirm the results of past studies that found high levels of congruence and responsiveness. However, extending the analysis to governments formed between elections, the level of government responsiveness appears to diminish over time with each new government. Our findings concerning levels of voter–government congruence are mixed, yet we do find some evidence of declining congruence as well. In sum, since many studies of postwar governments in Western democracies have been based on elections and the resulting governments, our analysis demonstrates the need to include those governments that form between elections.
Autophagy mediates transporter associated with antigen processing-independent presentation of viral epitopes through MHC class I pathway
Authors: Tey Siok-Keen , Khanna Rajiv
Published: June 2012

The endogenous presentation of the majority of viral epitopes through MHC class I pathway is strictly dependent on the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) complex, which transfers the peptide products of proteasomal degradation into the endoplasmic reticulum. A small number of epitopes can be presented through the TAP-independent pathway, the precise mechanism for which remains largely unresolved. Here we show that TAP-independent presentation can be mediated by autophagy and that this process uses the vacuolar pathway and not the conventional secretory pathway. After macroautophagy, the antigen is processed through a proteasome-independent pathway, and the peptide epitopes are loaded within the autophagolysosomal compartment in a process facilitated by the relative acid stability of the peptide-MHC interaction. Despite bypassing much of the conventional MHC class I pathway, the autophagy-mediated pathway generates the same epitope as that generated through the conventional pathway and thus may have a role in circumventing viral immune evasion strategies that primarily target the conventional pathway.
The down-regulation of miR-125b in chronic lymphocytic leukemias leads to metabolic adaptation of cells to a transformed state
Authors: Tili Esmerina , Michaille Jean-Jacques , Luo Zhenghua , Volinia Stefano , Rassenti Laura Z. , Kipps Thomas J. , Croce Carlo M.
Published: June 2012

MiR-125b-1 maps at 11q24, a chromosomal region close to the epicenter of 11q23 deletions in chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLLs). Our results establish that both aggressive and indolent CLL patients show reduced expression of miR-125b. Overexpression of miR-125b in CLL-derived cell lines resulted in the repression of many transcripts encoding enzymes implicated in cell metabolism. Metabolomics analyses showed that miR-125b overexpression modulated glucose, glutathione, lipid, and glycerolipid metabolism. Changes on the same metabolic pathways also were observed in CLLs. We furthermore analyzed the expression of some of miR-125b–target transcripts that are potentially involved in the aforementioned metabolic pathways and defined a miR-125b–dependent CLL metabolism-related transcript signature. Thus, miR-125b acts as a master regulator for the adaptation of cell metabolism to a transformed state. MiR-125b and miR-125b–dependent metabolites therefore warrant further investigation as possible novel therapeutic approaches for patients with CLL.
Glucokinase Activators AZD6370 and AZD1656 Do Not Affect the Central Counterregulatory Response to Hypoglycemia in Healthy Males
Authors: Norjavaara Ensio , Ericsson Hans , Sjöberg Folke , Leonsson-Zachrisson Maria , Sjöstrand Mikaela , Morrow Linda A. , Hompesch Marcus
Published: June 2012

Context:

Glucokinase is expressed in the hypothalamus, but effects of glucokinase activators (GKAs) on counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia are unknown.

Objective:

Two separate studies assessed the counterregulatory hormone responses to hypoglycemia induced by the GKAs, AZD6370 and AZD1656, compared with insulin infusion.

Design and Setting:

Both studies were randomized, open, two-way crossover studies, conducted in separate clinical research centers.

Participants:

Both studies involved 12 healthy adult male volunteers.

Interventions:

Each subject received two treatments in randomized order, separated by a washout. In the AZD6370 study, overnight-fasted subjects received either a single oral AZD6370 dose (300 mg) or insulin infusion (0.8 mU/kg · min). In the AZD1656 study, overnight-fasted subjects received either a single oral dose of AZD1656 (80 mg) plus supporting insulin (1 mU/kg · min) or insulin alone (1 mU/kg · min). Insulin was added to support AZD1656 because AZD1656 alone did not produce the desired hypoglycemia. Plasma glucose was lowered during a stepwise hypoglycemic clamp with a glycemic nadir of 2.7 mmol/liter for 30 min.

Main Outcome Measures:

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, GH, cortisol, and glucagon plasma levels were assessed.

Results:

No safety issues were raised. AZD6370 and AZD1656 had no effect on counterregulatory responses for norepinephrine, GH, or cortisol, but epinephrine increased slightly with AZD1656. Glucagon responses were reduced by approximately 30% with both GKAs vs. insulin.

Conclusions:

These data suggest the central nervous system-mediated counterregulatory response during GKA-induced hypoglycemia was preserved, whereas the glucagon response was attenuated; the latter was possibly mediated by a local pancreatic effect (intraislet hyperinsulinemia) rather than by impairment of the central nervous system-mediated response.
Dorsal activity of maternal squint is mediated by a non-coding function of the RNA
Authors: Lim Shimin , Kumari Pooja , Gilligan Patrick , Quach Helen Ngoc Bao , Mathavan Sinnakaruppan , Sampath Karuna
Published: June 2012

Despite extensive study, the earliest steps of vertebrate axis formation are only beginning to be elucidated. We previously showed that asymmetric localization of maternal transcripts of the conserved zebrafish TGFβ factor Squint (Sqt) in 4-cell stage embryos predicts dorsal, preceding nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. Cell ablations and antisense oligonucleotides that deplete Sqt lead to dorsal deficiencies, suggesting that localized maternal sqt functions in dorsal specification. However, based upon analysis of sqt and Nodal signaling mutants, the function and mechanism of maternal sqt was debated. Here, we show that sqt RNA may function independently of Sqt protein in dorsal specification. sqt insertion mutants express localized maternal sqt RNA. Overexpression of mutant/non-coding sqt RNA and, particularly, the sqt 3′UTR, leads to ectopic nuclear β-catenin accumulation and expands dorsal gene expression. Dorsal activity of sqt RNA requires Wnt/β-catenin but not Oep-dependent Nodal signaling. Unexpectedly, sqt ATG morpholinos block both sqt RNA localization and translation and abolish nuclear β-catenin, providing a mechanism for the loss of dorsal identity in sqt morphants and placing maternal sqt RNA upstream of β-catenin. The loss of early dorsal gene expression can be rescued by the sqt 3′UTR. Our findings identify new non-coding functions for the Nodal genes and support a model wherein sqt RNA acts as a scaffold to bind and deliver/sequester maternal factors to future embryonic dorsal.
Long noncoding RNA-mediated maintenance of DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing
Authors: Mohammad Faizaan , Pandey Gaurav Kumar , Mondal Tanmoy , Enroth Stefan , Redrup Lisa , Gyllensten Ulf , Kanduri Chandrasekhar
Published: June 2012

Establishment of silencing by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) via targeting of chromatin remodelers is relatively well investigated; however, their role in the maintenance of silencing is poorly understood. Here, we explored the functional role of the long ncRNA Kcnq1ot1 in the maintenance of transcriptional gene silencing in the one mega-base Kcnq1 imprinted domain in a transgenic mouse model. By conditionally deleting the Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA at different stages of mouse development, we suggest that Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA is required for the maintenance of the silencing of ubiquitously imprinted genes (UIGs) at all developmental stages. In addition, Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA is also involved in guiding and maintaining the CpG methylation at somatic differentially methylated regions flanking the UIGs, which is a hitherto unknown role for a long ncRNA. On the other hand, silencing of some of the placental-specific imprinted genes (PIGs) is maintained independently of Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA. Interestingly, the non-imprinted genes (NIGs) that escape RNA-mediated silencing are enriched with enhancer-specific modifications. Taken together, this study illustrates the gene-specific maintenance mechanisms operational at the Kcnq1 locus for tissue-specific transcriptional gene silencing and activation.
para-Benzihemiporphyrazine and Its Expanded [3 + 3]-type Analogue
Authors: Shimizu Soji , Sato Yuta , Kobayashi Nagao
Published: June 2012

A novel para-benzihemiporphyrazine was synthesized from a stepwise reaction of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline and para-phenylenediamine via a linear [2 + 1]-type compound, whereas its ring-expanded [3 + 3]-type analogue was obtained from a one-pot condensation reaction of the same starting materials.
Cascade Synthesis of 3-Alkenylcoumarins by Palladium-catalyzed Reaction of Phenols and Ethyl Propiolate
Authors: Kitamura Tsugio , Tatemoto Kotaro , Sakai Mariko , Oyamada Juzo
Published: June 2012

A highly effective cascade process giving 3-alkenylcoumarins is furnished by a series of reactions involving pallada-arylation of ethyl propiolate with phenols, intramolecular transesterification to 3-coumarylpalladium species, its alkyne insertion, and protonation. [Pd(OAc)2(dppe)] is an effective catalyst for the synthesis of 3-alkenylcoumarins from phenols and ethyl propiolate.
Patients undergoing blood tests before minor/moderate trauma surgery: a retrospective review
Authors: Alazzawi Sulaiman , De Rover Walter B Sprenger , Leary Tim , Hallam Peter J
Published: June 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish the number of unnecessary preoperative blood tests undertaken on ASA Grade 1 patients undergoing minor/moderate orthopaedic trauma surgery.

Design

Review of all ASA1 patients who had been operated on the trauma lists for three consecutive months.

Setting

UK Teaching Hospital. Participants Patients with ages ranging between 16 and 60 years, and undergoing a minor or moderate trauma operation.

Main outcome measures

The type and number of blood tests were established and any abnormal results were checked for clinical significance and whether the result altered patients’ management. The cost of each blood test was calculated so that potential savings could be identified.

Results

A total of 127 patients (60 males, 67 females, average age 34) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Ninety-five patients (75%) had either one or more preoperative blood tests of which 41% were abnormal but of no clinical significance.

Conclusion

From the results of our study, we conclude that preoperative blood tests are unnecessary in Grade 1 ASA patients undergoing minor/ moderate orthopaedic trauma surgery. Unnecessary blood tests can waste time, money, resources and overburden laboratory staff.
The role of platelet rich plasma in musculoskeletal science
Authors: Ahmad Zafar , Howard Daniel , Brooks Roger A , Wardale John , Henson Fran , Getgood Alan , Rushton Neil
Published: June 2012

The idea of using platelet rich plasma (PRP) in medicine has been around since the 1970s. It is only more recently that its use has been employed in the area of musculoskeletal science. Platelet rich plasma in this area has received much media attention being used by many celebrity sports athletes for musculoskeletal injuries. Therefore it is important for the musculoskeletal practitioner to be aware of the concepts surrounding its use and application. In this article we cover what platelet rich plasma is, how it is prepared and administered, its potential clinical application, and what the current literature discusses in the various areas of musculoskeletal science.
The Evolution for Voltage and Reactive Power Control in Smart Distribution Systems
Authors: Farag Hany E. , El-Saadany Ehab F. , Seethapathy Ravi
Published: June 2012

This paper has been arisen to show the necessity of the evolution for voltage and reactive power control in distribution systems from conventional to active control techniques. The paper addresses the drawbacks and conflicts that the conventional voltage and reactive power control schemes will face in future distribution systems, especially with high penetration of Distributed Generation (DG). Some of these drawbacks have been verified by carrying out various simulation studies for different IEEE unbalanced radial distribution test systems. The results show that applying the conventional utility voltage regulation control practices in smart grid configuration is intolerable. Therefore, the issue of voltage and reactive power control in smart distribution systems is significant and an evolution of the current control schemes from passive to active is necessary. Using the smart grid technologies, a distributed single layer cooperative control scheme between substation regulators, line regulators and DG units has been proposed. The proposed cooperative scheme is based on the concept of multi-agent systems. Simulation results have been carried out to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Visualising the Response of Distance Relays in the Series Compensated Transmission System - Understanding the Problems and some Practical Solutions.
Authors: Khanna Abhishek
Published: June 2012

This paper discusses problems and the possible solutions for protecting series compensated transmission line with distance relays. The paper also takes into consideration the influence of the series compensation on the distance relays installed on the short lines adjacent to the compensated line. Starting from visualising the response of the distance relays, the paper proposes some simple but novel methods to secure and improve the distance relay response. The methods include new impedance and direction determining techniques, placement of CVT and setting considerations. The material presented in this paper is based on the authors experience in protecting series compensated lines with distance relays.
Resonant DC Link Inverter for Brushless DC Motor Drive System
Authors: Karthikeyan J. , Dhanasekaran R.
Published: June 2012

The brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) drive is used in several high performance applications ranging from servos to traction drives, due to several distinct advantages such as high power density, high efficiency, fast response and maintenance free. BLDC motor is usually driven by hard switching PWM inverter, which normally has higher switching losses. In recent years, these are several soft switching inverters presented. But there are many disadvantages such as high device voltage stress and large DC link voltage ripple and so on. This paper presents a transformer based resonant dc link inverter for brushless dc motor. The modulation strategies can be classified into two kinds according to the turn-off sequence of the two switches of the pair of switches. Here, dc link voltage notches during chopping switches commutation for all switches working in zero voltage switching condition. The operating principle of soft switching and control scheme are presented. The proposed scheme is verified with the simulation and experimental results.
Association of IGF1 with glycemic control and occurrence of severe hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Færch Louise , Juul Anders , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik , Thorsteinsson Birger
Published: June 2012

Objective

GH is implicated in the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. We tested whether IGF1 levels are associated with occurrence of severe hypoglycemic events in patients with type 1 diabetes and whether the IGF1 concentration is influenced by glycemic control.

Methods

A total of 228 outpatients with type 1 diabetes were included in a post hoc analysis of a 1-year observational study on severe hypoglycemia. Serum total IGF1 was measured at entry into the study. The occurrence of severe episodes of hypoglycemia, mild symptomatic, and biochemical as well as hypoglycemia awareness status was assessed. Also patients were included in a multiple regression analysis to investigate the role of HbA1c in the IGF1 concentration.

Results

IGF1 levels were associated with neither severe hypoglycemia in the entire cohort (P=0.30) nor in any gender nor when confining the analysis to those with long-standing diabetes (>20 years) (n=112, P=0.68) and those with both long-standing diabetes and undetectable C-peptide (n=51, P=0.067). Levels of IGF1 were associated with neither mild symptomatic hypoglycemia (P=0.24) nor biochemical hypoglycemia (0.089) nor hypoglycemia awareness (P=0.16). At a multiple regression analysis, HbA1c was negatively associated with IGF1 (P=0.001).

Conclusion

In type 1 diabetes, circulating IGF1 levels are negatively associated with glycemic control. However, IGF1 levels were not associated with occurrence of hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia awareness in these patients.
Expression of renin–angiotensin system components in the early bovine embryo
Authors: Pijacka Wioletta , Hunter Morag G , Broughton Pipkin Fiona , Luck Martin R
Published: June 2012

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS), mainly associated with the regulation of blood pressure, has been recently investigated in female reproductive organs and the developing foetus. Angiotensin II (Ang II) influences oviductal gamete movements and foetal development, but there is no information about RAS in the early embryo. The aim of this study was to determine whether RAS components are present in the pre-implantation embryo, to determine how early they are expressed and to investigate their putative role at this stage of development. Bovine embryos produced in vitro were used for analysis of RAS transcripts (RT-PCR) and localisation of the receptors AGTR1 and AGTR2 (immunofluorescent labelling). We also investigated the effects of Ang II, Olmesartan (AGTR1 antagonist) and PD123319 (AGTR2 antagonist) on oocyte cleavage, embryo expansion and hatching. Pre-implanted embryos possessed AGTR1 and AGTR2 but not the other RAS components. Both receptors were present in the trophectoderm and in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. AGTR1 was mainly localised in granular-like structures in the cytoplasm, suggesting its internalisation into clathrin-coated vesicles, and AGTR2 was found mainly in the nuclear membrane and in the mitotic spindle of dividing trophoblastic cells. Treating embryos with PD123319 increased the proportion of hatched embryos compared with the control. These results, the first on RAS in the early embryo, suggest that the pre-implanted embryo responds to Ang II from the mother rather than from the embryo itself. This may be a route by which the maternal RAS influences blastocyst hatching and early embryonic development.
Thyroid hormone transporters and deiodinases in the developing human hypothalamus
Authors: Friesema Edith C H , Visser Theo J , Borgers Anke J , Kalsbeek Andries , Swaab Dick F , Fliers Eric , Alkemade Anneke
Published: June 2012

Objective

Thyroid hormone (TH) signaling in brain cells is dependent on transport of TH across the plasma membrane followed by intracellular deiodination and binding to the nuclear TH receptors. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of the specific TH transporters monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8 (SLC16A2)), MCT10, organic anion transporting polypeptide 1C1 (OATP1C1 (SLCO1C1)), and the types 2 and 3 deiodinases (D2 and D3) in the developing human hypothalamus.

Design

Fifteen postmortem brain samples of fetuses and young children ranging between 17 weeks of gestation and 29 months of postnatal age including one child (28 months) with central congenital hypothyroidism were studied.

Methods

Sections of the different hypothalami were stained with polyclonal rabbit antisera against MCT8, MCT10, OATP1C1, D2, and D3.

Results

We found MCT8 and D3 but not D2 protein expression to be present in our earliest sample of 17 weeks of gestation, indicating triiodothyronine degradation, but not production at this time of development. At term, expression of TH transporters and D2 decreased and D3 expression increased, suggesting decreased TH signaling just before birth. The child with central congenital hypothyroidism showed higher MCT8 and D2 expression compared with the other children of similar age.

Conclusions

This study reports the developmental timing of expression of components crucial for central TH signaling in the human hypothalamus. In general, during fetal hypothalamic development, the coordinated expression of D2 and D3 in combination with the different TH transporters suggests that proper TH concentrations are regulated to prevent untimely maturation of brain cells.
Masculine Identity and Identification as Ethnomethodological Phenomena
Authors: Benwell Bethan
Published: June 2012

The aim of this paper is to explore possible discourse and conversation analytical approaches to articulations of masculinity in and around sites of popular culture. The research presented in this paper arises from work on the relationship between men’s magazines, constructions/discourses of masculinity and lived cultures of masculinity. My particular interest in this paper is to explore the process by which we assign gendered identities to familiar cultural discourses, and in doing so, to engage critically with the ideas of Cameron and Kulick (2003; 2005) who have postulated a distinction between ‘identity’ and ‘identification’ as a means of reconceiving the relationship between discourse and sexuality. By adopting an ethnomethodological approach to conversational data, I will argue that it is possible to demonstrate how gendered identities - both the explicit alignments and claim-staking of ‘identity’ work, as well as the more ambivalent, shifting and contradictory footings that could be thought to characterise ‘identification’ - are available for analysis on the surface of talk. In a final analysis, I move beyond strict ethnomethodological principles in order to extend this consideration of ‘identity’ and ‘identification’ to a particular popular discourse - that of ‘gross out’ - whose intuitive labelling as masculine can be traced and supported by the forms and contexts of the various intertexts within which it occurs.
The interactional construction of desire as gender
Authors: Kiesling Scott
Published: June 2012

Recently there have been spirited debates about the role of desire in the study of language, gender and sexuality – debates largely centred around the publication of Cameron and Kulick’s (2003) volume, Language and Sexuality. In the present paper, I address two important questions arising from this debate: defining evidence of desire in interaction, and the relationship of this ‘interactional desire’ to gender and masculinities more specifically. First, I argue for a definition of desire that goes beyond sexual desire, in a direction indicated by Cameron and Kulick; following Whitehead (2002:205-221), I suggest that another kind of desire that we should think about (in addition to interpersonal desire) is ontological desire -- essentially the desire to have or emulate qualities of a particular identity. Second, I use the notion of alignment to discover interactants ‘doing’ desire of different types in interaction. Finally, I argue that these alignments and how they are accomplished are not a separate part of masculine (and other gender) constructions of performances, but are at the centre of such identities. I use three excerpts, selected for their likelihood to have desire as an issue in the speech event, to illustrate these points.
Incomprehensible language?
Authors: Milani Tommaso M. , Jonsson Rickard
Published: June 2012

In the Swedish context, the discursive regime about linguistic phenomena is characterized by a ‘matrix of intelligibility’ (Butler 1999 [1990]) that promotes images of linguistic practices among adolescents in the suburbs not only as deviant and incomprehensible, but also as essentialized traits of ethnic Otherness, social and educational problems and, more recently, of an aggressive masculinity embodied in sexist and homophobic behaviour. Unlike dominant media representations which depict such linguistic practices as unintelligible as well as inherently sexist and homophobic, the aim of the present article is to take a queer stance and illustrate how ethnic insults, gay innuendos and misogynist talk are meaningful in the sense that they constitute a rich pool of interactional resources that allow the young men in our study to actively partake in the negotiation of a ‘local masculine order’ (Evaldsson 2005) in which positions of power, authority and solidarity are enacted and/or contested.
The Strategic Marginalization of Working Class Masculinity in a Batterers’ Treatment Programme
Authors: Ehrlich Susan , Levesque Susan
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we consider how ideologies about heterosexual working class masculinity play a symbolic role for middle-class, educated men in the context of a batterers’ treatment programme. We suggest that the middle class, educated men who are the focus of this paper create identities for themselves by a process of differentiation, in particular, by distancing themselves from the majority of the men in the batterers’ group who supposedly embody a heterosexual working class masculinity. More specifically, we argue that this kind of identity construction is an integral part of the middle-class men’s accounts of their violence: by differentiating themselves from those who they represent as ‘real abusers’ they manage to diminish and minimize their responsibility for their acts of violence against their domestic partners.
Gender, language and leadership in the workplace
Authors: Mullany Louise
Published: June 2012

Louise Mullany introduces this special issue of Gender and Language: Gender, Language and Leadership in the Workplace.
Leadership in Hong Kong
Authors: Schnurr Stephanie , Mak Bernie
Published: June 2012

Although gender is an important issue in many Asian countries where women often face serious discriminatory practices, this topic is notoriously under-researched from a socio-linguistic perspective. We aim to address this issue by conducting an in-depth case study of leadership and gender in Hong Kong. Drawing on more than 30 hours of authentic workplace discourse and a sample of representative emails, we explore how a successful female leader does leadership and how she enacts her gender identity in ways that reflect and respond to the overall masculine culture of her workplace and the socio-cultural context of Hong Kong. Our findings illustrate that in addition to considering the socio-cultural context, workplace culture and the norms of communities of practice, the specific interactional context is also of crucial importance for an understanding of how leadership and gender are performed. We conclude that in contrast to general perceptions, gender is indeed an issue in the professional domain in Hong Kong, and is reflected not only in leadership discourse but also in the gendered and often discriminatory practices that are still prevalent in many workplaces.
“We are in a masculine profession…”
Authors: Angouri Jo
Published: June 2012

The paper discusses the construction gender identities in a complex white-collar workplace. Recent work has repeatedly suggested that gender is not something people have or are but something people do. Despite this rich body of work, gender is still often operationalised as biological sex and is employed as an explanatory variable to account for perceived differences in interaction. By analogy, the paper also addresses the multinational profile of modern workplaces and also problematises the widely held assumption that people from different countries ‘do work’ in distinct ways. The paper draws on recordings of real life routine meetings and interview data. Special attention is paid to Chloe the only senior female member of the team. The analysis shows that the employees draw on both normatively masculine and feminine interactional styles according to the context of the interaction and the co-constructed norms of their community. However the industry is still perceived and constructed as by and large a ‘masculine’ domain.
Associations between Internal and External Corporate Governance Characteristics: Implications for Investigating Financial Accounting Restatements
Authors: Baber William R. , Liang Lihong , Zhu Zinan
Published: June 2012

SYNOPSIS

Empirical analysis in this study documents changes in the corporate governance characteristics, and changes in associations between governance characteristics, during the period 1997 to 2005. Further investigation indicates that corporate governance characteristics and the probability of financial accounting restatement are related in 2005, but not 1997. Finally, we demonstrate the importance of considering interactions among governance characteristics when investigating governance as a determinant of financial reporting quality. These results inform thinking about empirical investigations of associations between corporate governance characteristics and financial accounting restatements.

JEL Classifications: G38; K22; M48.
Exploring the Strategic Integration of Sustainability Initiatives: Opportunities for Accounting Research
Authors: Ballou Brian , Casey Ryan J. , Grenier Jonathan H. , Heitger Dan L.
Published: June 2012

SYNOPSIS

We report the results of a survey of 178 corporate responsibility officers designed to explore how accountants can add value to sustainability initiatives. Specifically, we examine how three areas of accounting expertise (risk identification and measurement, financial reporting, and independent review/assurance) contribute to the strategic integration of sustainability initiatives (cf. Porter and Kramer 2006; IIRC 2011). Our results indicate that accounting professionals are rarely involved in sustainability initiatives, but their involvement is highly associated with strategic integration. This finding suggests that increased involvement likely would provide significant benefits to organizations and their stakeholders. We use these and other important insights into a series of research questions for future accounting or interdisciplinary research in sustainability. These insights about accountants' ability to enhance the strategic integration of sustainability initiatives also should be of interest to accounting and consulting firms as they design and market their sustainability services.

Data Availability: Data are available upon request.
A Post-SOX Examination of Factors Associated with the Size of Internal Audit Functions
Authors: Anderson Urton L. , Christ Margaret H. , Johnstone Karla M. , Rittenberg Larry E.
Published: June 2012

SYNOPSIS

This study develops and tests a conceptual model articulating factors associated with internal audit function size in the post-SOX era. These factors include audit committee characteristics, internal audit characteristics and mission, internal audit activities performed by others (including outsourced providers and other divisions within the organization), and organization characteristics. Results from a survey of 173 public and private companies reveal that internal audit function size is positively associated with: (1) better audit committee governance, (2) greater organizational experience of the chief audit executive, (3) missions involving IT auditing, (4) the use of sophisticated audit technologies, (5) the use of a staffing model in which internal audit is used for rotational leadership development, (6) organization size, and (7) the number of foreign subsidiaries that the organization possesses. Further, internal audit function size is inversely associated with: (1) the percentage of internal audit employees that are Certified Internal Auditors, and (2) the extent of assurance and compliance activities outsourced to outsiders. These results contribute to prior literature on internal audit function size by considering a variety of factors that are associated with internal audit function size in the contemporary era.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.