bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Children With Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Born After Vacuum Extraction
Authors: Schot Marjolein J. C. , Halbertsma Feico J. J. , Katgert Titia , Bok Levinus A.
Published: June 2012

Vacuum extraction significantly reduces perinatal morbidity/mortality. Increased occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage has been associated with vacuum extraction and is multifactorial; a causative effect is not assumed. Long-term developmental outcome data in this specific subpopulation are lacking and may differ from non–vacuum extraction–associated intracranial hemorrhage. Long-term follow-up of children with symptomatic vacuum extraction–associated intracranial hemorrhage was retrospectively analyzed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Twenty-five newborns were identified with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after vacuum extraction. Motor development was severely impaired in 4 children (16%, Bayley Scale score <55), moderately impaired in 5 children (20%, Bayley Scale score 55-69) and mildly impaired in 2 children (8%, Bayley Scale score 70-84). Mental development was severely impaired in 2 children (8%), moderately impaired in 3 children (12%) and mildly impaired in 5 children (20%). Impaired outcome was associated with parenchymal injury and seems to be a higher reported outcome in non–vacuum extraction–associated intracranial hemorrhage. The high prevalence of impaired development in symptomatic vacuum extraction–associated intracranial hemorrhage necessitates long-term follow-up.
Height Assessments in Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Soucy Elizabeth A. , van Oppen Dorothy , Nejedly Nicole L. , Gao Feng , Gutmann David H. , Hollander Abby S.
Published: June 2012

Previous studies have suggested that children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are shorter than their unaffected counterparts. Unfortunately, these reports did not consider other contributing factors that might also influence short stature. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the genetic influence of NF1 on the growth of children. Height data were measured and recorded for 170 patients, whereas parental measurements were obtained for 61 patients to calculate sex-corrected mid–parental target heights. Children with NF1 had population mean height and mid–parental height z scores statistically different from the general population. Importantly, these differences were pronounced when neither parent had NF1 but were not significant when one of the parents had NF1. Moreover, height z scores for children with NF1 were also statistically different than their unaffected siblings. Collectively, these data establish a clear effect of a germline NF1 gene mutation on stature in children with NF1.
Congenital Brain Damage
Authors: Riva Daria , Franceschetti Silvana , Erbetta Alessandra , Baranello Giovanni , Esposito Silvia , Bulgheroni Sara
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess cognitive development in 26 children with congenital focal brain lesion and unilateral spastic cerebral palsy first diagnosed and followed up for rehabilitation at our institution. Mean intelligence quotients (IQs) were correlated not only to the different features of the cerebral lesions, but also to the different types of electroencephalographic abnormalities. We also examined individual scores. We found that about 70% of the children had values of Full-Scale, Verbal, and Performance IQs within the normal range. No differences were found between left and right injured children. Different Verbal IQ–Performance IQ profiles were observed. Larger lesions and some electroencephalographic features, mainly signal slowing/attenuation as signs of structural brain damage, were significantly associated with lower intellectual abilities. The role of other factors, including genetic and environmental background variability, as well as rehabilitative treatments, on cognitive sequelae in such patients was discussed.
Clinical Monitoring in a Patient With Friedreich Ataxia and Osteogenic Sarcoma
Authors: Deutsch Eric C. , Seyer Lauren A. , Perlman Susan L. , Yu Jeanette , Lynch David R.
Published: June 2012

Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the FXN gene that result in abnormally low levels of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. The authors recently used a lateral flow immunoassay to measure frataxin levels in a large cohort of controls, carriers, and patients with the condition. The findings show that frataxin levels do not appreciably change over time and correlate well with GAA1 repeat length and age of onset; thus, frataxin is a reliable and stable marker for severity of disease. In this article, the authors present a patient diagnosed as having Friedreich ataxia and osteosarcoma who received combined methotrexate, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and cisplatin (MAP) chemotherapy over 8 months. The authors assessed the effect of treatment on frataxin levels, blood cell counts, and clinical markers of cardiomyopathy. Results of the regimen and the use of MAP chemotherapy for treatment of neoplasms in individuals with Friedreich ataxia are discussed.
Friedreich Ataxia Clinical Outcome Measures
Authors: Regner Sean R. , Wilcox Nicholas S. , Friedman Lisa S. , Seyer Lauren A. , Schadt Kim A. , Brigatti Karlla W. , Perlman Susan , Delatycki Martin , Wilmot George R. , Gomez Christopher M. , Bushara Khalaf O. , Mathews Katherine D. , Subramony S. H. , Ashizawa Tetsuo , Ravina Bernard , Brocht Alicia , Farmer Jennifer M. , Lynch David R.
Published: June 2012

Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by ataxia, dysarthria, and areflexia. The authors report the progress of a large international noninterventional cohort (n = 410), tracking the natural history of disease progression using the neurologic examination-based Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. The authors analyzed the rate of progression with cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal analysis over a 2-year period. The Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale captured disease progression when used at 1 and 2 years following initial evaluation, with a lower ratio of standard deviation of change to mean change over 2 years of evaluation. However, modeling of disease progression identified substantial ceiling effects in the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale, suggesting this measure is most useful in subjects before maximal deficit is approached.
“What Are You Going to Do With That Major?” Colloquial Speech and the Meanings of Work and Education
Authors: Lair Daniel J. , Wieland Stacey M. B.
Published: July 2012

This article explores the function of the ubiquitous question, “What are you going to do with that major?,” in advancing particular meanings of work, higher education, and the work–higher education relationship. Analyzing 110 student descriptions of encounters with the question suggests that the colloquialism powerfully shapes student interpretations of work and education, cementing vocational understandings of higher education and perpetuating a linear view of careers. Such interpretations pressure students to make early commitments to particular identities and induce significant anxiety, particularly in those whose majors are not seen as preparing them for preferred forms of work.
The psychological architecture of the stable couple relationship
Authors: Finn Mark D.
Published: June 2012

This article is a critical review of mainstream psychological theory on heteronormative “Western” coupledom from the 1930s, focusing on the ideological notion of stability as a foundation for successful romantic partnerships. Theorized qualities of couple stability and associated subjectivities are broadly discussed in relation to the psychologies of attachment, commitment, trust, intimacy, and monogamy. It is argued that these central facets of coupledom, as a microcosm of the sociopolitical realm, work to stabilize and regulate relationships according to static versions of wholeness and certainty. Promissory of an illusionary order that is devoid of perceived chaos, the stabilizations of couple relationships are critiqued as limiting transformative possibility. Aspects common to process philosophy and chaos theory are discussed as laying ontological ground for a relational system that is not structured by way of a misplaced foundational stability. Current research and theory around practices of open non-monogamy are addressed in regard to this.
Evaluation of venlafaxine on glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress in diabetic mice
Authors: Khanam R , Najfi H , Akhtar M , Vohora D
Published: July 2012

Depression occurs frequently with diabetes affecting the quality of life. All major classes of antidepressants have been shown to have a direct pharmacologic effect on metabolic function, which further worsens glycemic control. There were no reports on the effects of venlafaxine on glucose levels and oxidative stress in diabetic animals. The present study evaluated the effects of venlafaxine (8 and 16 mg/kg per d) on glucose homeostasis along with oxidative stress in brain in diabetic mice (streptozotocin (STZ), 40 mg/kg per d for 5 days). We observed that 21 days of administration of venlafaxine (8 and 16 mg/kg per d) in diabetic mice significantly enhanced swimming in normal and STZ-treated mice with a corresponding reduction in immobility. No significant difference in blood glucose levels was observed in diabetic and normal mice following venlafaxine treatment. Venlafaxine (16 mg/kg) reversed STZ-induced elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels and also restored the glutathione (GSH) levels in diabetic mice. Venlafaxine (8 and 16 mg/kg) per se does not produce any significant effect in normal animals. The results indicate a dose-dependent antidepressant action of venlafaxine in diabetes-induced depressive mice. Furthermore, the blood glucose levels were not significantly altered in normal and diabetic mice. In addition, venlafaxine exhibited a decrease in TBARS and elevation in GSH levels in mice brain. Venlafaxine drug treatment appears to be safer for depression associated with diabetes.
Mapping ‘Gender Evaluation’ in South Asia
Authors: Govinda Radhika
Published: July 2012

This article reviews literature on gender, development and evaluation to map the emerging theoretical terrain of measuring change in gender relations in South Asia. It traces the separate but related trajectories of thinking on gender and development, of ‘evaluation culture’, and of conducting social science research to explore the points where these conflict and converge. It also presents an overview of the most commonly used frameworks employed in gender evaluations, and critically examines whether and how these are appropriate in the context of South Asia, drawing especially on examples from India.
Gendering Evaluations: Reflections on the Role of the Evaluator in Enabling a Participatory Process
Authors: Sudarshan Ratna M. , Sharma Divya
Published: July 2012

The article reflects on the experience of researchers at the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST) with evaluation of gender-sensitive/women-oriented development projects. It argues that participatory methods allow for constructive evaluation, based on adequate contextualisation and tracing of unintended consequences, and enhances use of findings. It also assesses the role of the evaluator in such a process.
Engendering Policies and Programmes through Feminist Evaluation: Opportunities and Insights
Authors: Hay Katherine
Published: July 2012

This article examines how feminist theory and practice is influencing the framing, methods and conduct of evaluation in India. It examines several sets of evaluation efforts and experiences and explores how feminist grounding and theory plays out in evaluation practice. Documenting and analysing experiences, perspectives and ideas from practice, the article aims at connecting them to emerging developments in evaluation and feminist theory. The article argues that in a broader context of development evaluation that privileges certain methods and approaches—feminist evaluators need stronger language for demonstrating and speaking to the strengths, rigour, validity (and limitations) of the approaches they are using. The argument is that in the context of persistent gender inequities, feminist evaluation must play a stronger role in understanding how societies change and what policies and programmes show promise in shifting norms and inequities.
The Dynamic of Financial Development, Imports, Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: Cointegration and Causality Analysis in Pakistan
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Rahman Mohammad Mafizur
Published: July 2012

The article investigates the effect of financial development, imports and foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in case of Pakistan over the period of 1990–2008 using quarterly data set. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach is applied to examine the long-run relationship and the direction of causality is investigated using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) framework between the variables.

Our findings confirm the existence of cointegration, showing long-run relation between financial development, imports, FDI and economic growth. Financial development, imports and FDI have a positive and significant effect on economic growth of the country. Causality analysis reveals a bidirectional relation among the variables but strong causality is also running from financial development, economic growth and FDI to real imports.
The East India Company—A Case Study in Corporate Governance*
Authors: Seth Vijay K.
Published: July 2012

The East India Company was the first joint-stock company of the world. Being a joint-stock company, it experienced the consequences of separation between ownership (stockholders) and control (management). The separation between ownership and control leads to the principal–agent problem, which provides possibilities for opportunistic behaviour on the part of agents (management). The study of the relationship between owners and managers is now the subject matter of a specialized field of knowledge, called corporate governance. In the present paper an attempt has been made to study the East India Company purely as a corporation, to understand the nature of problems of corporate governance that it experienced.
On the Determinants of Derivative Usage by Large Indian Non-financial Firms
Authors: Charumathi B. , Kota Hima Bindu
Published: July 2012

Corporations in India, as in the rest of the world, use hedges to protect themselves against a quartet of exposures: swings in interest rates, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and equity values. In the wake of the global financial crisis and significant losses on derivatives transactions announced by Indian companies recently, a study on the determinants of derivative usage by these companies is especially significant. This paper examines the factors which determine the usage of derivatives by large Indian non-financial companies. It is found that a total of 121 large Indian non-financial firms use derivatives. Taking 173 data points (49 companies in 2007, 68 companies in 2008, 56 companies in 2009) which have disclosed the derivative data in their annual reports, this study uses cross sectional panel data for three years from 2007 to 2009 and applies a multiple regression model. For this purpose, the firm-specific characteristics such as financial distress cost, underinvestment cost, multinationality, economies of scale, firm size and agency variables are regressed against the notional amount of derivatives reported for hedging activities. It is found that size is the major determinant of the derivative usage by large Indian non-financial companies.
Signalling Hypothesis and Clientele Shifts: Evidence from Indian Stock Splits
Authors: Banerjee Pradip , Banerjee Prithviraj S.
Published: July 2012

Researchers have always questioned the rationale for stock splits. Some have attributed the existence of stock split to a manager’s desire of increasing the liquidity of the stock. Others have argued that the split is a mechanism by which managers can signal to the market the expectations of future profitability of the firm. In this study we test the signalling hypothesis of stock splits and its implications on institutional holdings in Indian markets. We examine if the splitting firms exhibit significant increases in net sales and profitability after the split. Further we examine if splits have a significant effect on the ownership pattern on individual and institutional investors like FIs and FIIs.

We find strong evidence supporting the signalling hypothesis in the Indian markets. There are significant increases in net sales and profitability of splitting firms after the split as compared to control firms. Also, consistent with the signalling hypothesis, FII shareholdings increase significantly for splitting firms. Thus, through splits, Indian managers tend to send signals to the market about the expected future profitability of the company. Also, financial institutions like Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have the ability to process these signals effectively.
Trade as an Answer to Sustainable Economic Growth—The ECOWAS Story
Authors: Banik Nilanjan , Yoonus C.A.
Published: July 2012

We consider the case of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which is one of the largest free trade areas in Africa. We examine whether the ECOWAS member countries have favourable economic characteristics to undertake a deeper economic integration, moving towards an economic union status. Under favourable condition, policymakers in the ECOWAS region can be persuaded to implement deeper economic integration. An increase in trade, resulting from deeper economic integration in the ECOWAS region, can compensate for fall in trade between ECOWAS, and rest of the world. Because of the global economic crisis, trade flow in the ECOWAS region has fallen besides adversely affecting regional macroeconomic variables: trade balance, current account balance, fiscal balance, investment and domestic credit. The poor state of macroeconomic variables has a direct impact in reducing mean income of the region, and indirectly might affect income distribution. Increase in trade in the ECOWAS is expected to generate resources to increase aggregate demand, and to meet regional development expenditures.
Individual Differences in the Cortisol Responses of Neglected and Comparison Children
Authors: Sullivan Margaret Wolan , Bennett David S. , Lewis Michael
Published: July 2012

Neglected children’s acute hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) reactivity in response to a laboratory visit was contrasted with that of a comparison group. The authors examined initial salivary cortisol response upon entering the laboratory and its trajectory following a set of tasks designed to elicit negative self-evaluation in 64 children (30 with a history of neglect and 34 demographically matched comparison children). Neglected, but not comparison, children showed higher initial cortisol responses. The cortisol response of both groups showed a decline from the sample taken at lab entry, with neglected children’s cortisol exhibiting steeper decline. The groups, however, did not differ in their mean cortisol levels at 20 and 35 min post-task. The results are interpreted in terms of the meaning of initial responses as a “baseline” and as evidence for neglected children’s heightened HPA-axis reactivity as either a reflection of differences in home levels or the consequence of stress/anxiety associated with arrival at the laboratory.
Determination of exposure of dispensary drug preparers to cyclophosphamide by passive sampling and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Wakui Nobuyuki , Ookubo Tetuo , Iwasaki Yusuke , Ito Rie , Mitui Miyuki , Yano Yuichi , Saito Koichi , Nakazawa Hiroyuki
Published: July 2012

Objectives: To determine cyclophosphamide exposure to preparers during tablet crushing and subsequent handling by analyzing indoor air collected using a high-performance volatile organic compounds-solvent desorption (VOC-SD) passive air sampler.

Methods: The passive sampler was taped to the mask over the mouth of the preparer and indoor air was collected during crushing and preparation of cyclophosphamide tablets (Endoxan®). After collection, the carbon molecular sieve adsorbent of the passive sampler was placed in a centrifuge tube, and 1 mL of carbon disulfide was used to elute cyclophosphamide from the adsorbent. Liquid–liquid extraction with 1 mL of water was performed, and the aqueous phase was used as the test solution. Cyclophosphamide concentration was determined by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and tandem mass spectrometry detection.

Results: Cyclophosphamide concentration was detected in the range of 7.6–157.7 ng/sampler. Our results showed that low-level exposure occurred near the mouth of the preparer, which could present risks for long-term exposure, especially if combined with multiple toxic drug exposures.

Conclusion: The anticancer drug monitoring methodology described here is a simple exposure assessment that can be used to ensure the safety of hospital pharmacy tablet preparers. Furthermore, since the anticancer drug exposure risk is very high for preparers, preparation should be in hood or with face mask.
Crime in the Coal Industry
Authors: Long Michael A. , Stretesky Paul B. , Lynch Michael J. , Fenwick Emily
Published: July 2012

This research examines the connection between political donations, lobbying, levels of production, and state enforcement efforts in the coal industry. The authors draw on treadmill of production theory as developed by Schnaiberg to situate the analysis within green criminology. Specifically, based on treadmill of production theory the authors hypothesize that coal companies are more likely to increase political donations and lobbying efforts prior to the conclusion of any state enforcement effort (administrative, civil, or criminal violation). In addition, and consistent with treadmill of production theory, the authors hypothesize that the probability of environmental enforcement will be lower for coal companies that are more embedded in the treadmill of production and higher for companies less embedded in the treadmill. To test these hypotheses, a case-crossover design is used that allows for comparisons within companies by looking at treadmill-related characteristics at the time of the violation and at randomly chosen points in time before and after that violation. The authors discovered that while lobbying efforts and level of embeddedness in the treadmill were unrelated to state enforcement, political donations significantly increase for companies just prior to the conclusion of an enforcement event (odds ratio = 6.36). It is also discovered that corporate restructuring is related to environmental enforcement. The article concludes by offering insights into alternative analysis and uses of treadmill of production theory as it relates to green criminology.
Homicide in Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden
Authors: Liem Marieke , Ganpat Soenita , Granath Sven , Hagstedt Johanna , Kivivuori Janne , Lehti Martti , Nieuwbeerta Paul
Published: July 2012

Due to differences in definitions, data sources and criminal justice procedures, comparing homicides between countries is not without problems. To overcome these limitations, we have constructed a joint European Homicide Monitor (EHM). So far, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden constitute the basis of the database. In this contribution, we give an overview of this new data set. In doing so, we elaborate on methodological issues that arose when constructing this data set and discuss the feasibility of constructing an international and comparable homicide data set. Preliminary results show that the EHM as a joint database provides unique opportunities to closely monitor homicide across Europe.
An internet survey of breeders’ and cat rescue organisations’ opinions about early castration of cats
Authors: Pernestål Karin , Axnér Eva
Published: June 2012

There has been concern that early castration of pedigree kittens may lead to a depletion of gene pools. Web-based questionnaires on early castration were distributed to breeders and cat rescue organisations. One of the reasons that breeders used early castration was to counteract what they considered irresponsible breeding, such as overuse of strains within the breed or production of cross-breeds. Of all pedigree kittens, 45.1% were kept intact while 54.9% were neutered before re-homing. Nineteen (65.5%) of the cat rescue organisations believed that early castration could be beneficial in reducing the number of homeless cats, but only six (20.6%) had applied early castration. Three organisations replied that their veterinarian declined to do early castration and two believed that it was not safe for the kittens. There does not, necessarily, seem to be conflicting interests between keeping genetic variation in pedigree breeds and the possibility of limiting the population of homeless cats.
Wear analysis of hip explants, dual mobility concept: Comparison of quantitative and qualitative analyses
Authors: Imbert L , Geringer J , Boyer B , Farizon F
Published: June 2012

Total hip replacement fails mainly because of wear. It is of interest to analyse wear to be able to increase the longevity of the hip implants. One way to achieve it is to use instruments on explants but the most suitable depends on the application. This article aims at comparing several methods of surface analysis in the particular application of wear determination in a series of dual mobility explants. Wear measurement could help understand the wear mechanism only partially known. A coordinate measuring machine is used to get three-dimensional points representing the explants, then Pro/Engineer® and Matlab® are used to calculate wear. A mechanical (SOMICRONIC®) and an optical profilometer (Bruker nanoscope Wyko® NT 9100, ex. Veeco) are used to access roughness parameters. The comparisons of the two software showed similar results for wear calculation except in a few cases where differences are due to the theoretical volumes calculation. The comparison of the two profiling techniques resulted in similar results particularly for Sa and Sdr. The comparison of the results showed that wear is present for four explants; it is relevant with the observed characteristics. The mechanical profilometer showed better accuracy than the optical one which enable to conclude that it must not be neglected for that particular application, even if measurements need more time.
Deviance in organizational group decision-making: The role of information processing, confidence, and elaboration
Authors: Rijnbout Jasmine S. , McKimmie Blake M.
Published: June 2012

While deviance can foster innovation within groups, research does not always find beneficial effects. The current studies provide an information processing account of the influence of deviants in group decision-making. We predicted deviants would undermine decision confidence and promote greater elaboration when tasks were difficult. Study 1 manipulated the strength (systematic cue) and gender (heuristic cue) of a job applicant to investigate the effect of a deviant in a difficult task. As predicted, a deviant was associated with lowered confidence, greater elaboration, and higher decision quality, but also decreased group cohesion and task satisfaction. Study 2 investigated the effect of a deviant during a simple task and found the same decrease in group cohesion and task satisfaction, but this time with no increase in elaboration or improvement in decision outcome quality. Results indicate that deviance, when seen as justified, has the potential to reduce the occurrence of prejudice and produce fairer decision outcomes during decision-making.
Vibration absorbers for simply supported beams subjected to constant moving loads
Authors: Issa Jimmy S
Published: June 2012

Vibration suppression in simply supported beams traversed by constant moving loads is explored using linear vibration absorbers. Assuming the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the beam is modeled using its first ten modes. The problem is formulated in terms of dimensionless parameters to render the results generic which are obtained for a range of the beam modal damping ratios and the system mass ratio. The objective is to minimize the maximum beam displacement for all load speeds. It is shown that the optimal absorber is an undamped absorber which should be attached at a fixed location irrespective of the modal damping or mass ratios. The optimal stiffness ratio is calculated numerically and a convenient analytical expression is obtained by curve fitting the numerical results to a second-order polynomial. The maximum error between the analytical model and the numerical solution is found to be negligible. The results are validated through comparison with a numerical example which was considered in the literature.
Advance care treatment plan (ACT-Plan) for African American family caregivers: A pilot study
Authors: Bonner Gloria J , Wang Edward , Wilkie Diana J , Ferrans Carol E , Dancy Barbara , Watkins Yashika
Published: July 2012

Research is limited on end-of-life treatment decisions made by African American family caregivers. In a pilot study, we examined the feasibility of implementing an advance care treatment plan (ACT-Plan), a group-based education intervention, with African American dementia caregivers. Theoretically based, the ACT-Plan included strategies to enhance knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral skills to make end-of-life treatment plans in advance. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding were end-of-life treatments discussed in the ACT-Plan. In a four-week pre/posttest two-group design at urban adult day care centers, 68 caregivers were assigned to the ACT-Plan or attention-control health promotion conditions. Findings strongly suggest that the ACT-Plan intervention is feasible and appropriate for African American caregivers. Self-efficacy and knowledge about dementia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding increased for ACT-Plan participants but not for the attention-control. More ACT-Plan than attention-control participants developed advance care plans for demented relatives. Findings warrant a randomized efficacy trial.
Collaborative thinking
Authors: Corrigan Kevin
Published: July 2012

More collaborative work in the humanities could be instrumental in helping to break down the traditional rigid boundaries between academic divisions and disciplines in modern universities. The value of the traditional model of the solitary humanities scholar or the collaborative science paradigm should not be discounted. However, increasing the use of collaborative and interdisciplinary research models in the humanities would promote new forms of scholarship and also help to create a better, more integral and inclusive world.
A question of literacy
Authors: Gallucci John A.
Published: July 2012

The article discusses the nature of humanistic knowledge. Analyzing the relation between aesthetic judgment, literacy and knowledge as defined by the French seventeenth-century Jansenist school of Port-Royal, the article argues that Port-Royal’s interpretation of the enthymeme can be used to define the cognitive basis of aesthetic judgments in the various disciplines of the humanities. The article concludes with arguments that the literacy provided by the humanities explains their value as a necessary foundation for understanding the global world.
Impact localization in complex structures using laser-based time reversal
Authors: Park Byeongjin , Sohn Hoon , Olson Steven E , DeSimio Martin P , Brown Kevin S , Derriso Mark M
Published: July 2012

This study presents a new impact localization technique that can pinpoint the location of an impact event within a complex structure using a time-reversal concept, surface-mounted piezoelectric transducers, and a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. First, an impulse response function between an impact location and a piezoelectric transducer is approximated by exciting the piezoelectric transducer instead and measuring the response at the impact location using scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Then, training impulse response functions are assembled by repeating this process for various potential impact locations and piezoelectric transducers. Once an actual impact event occurs, the impact response is recorded by the piezoelectric transducers and compared with the training impulse response functions. The correlations between the impact response and the impulse response functions in the training data are computed using a unique concept of time reversal. Finally, the training impulse response function, which gives the maximum correlation, is chosen from the training data set and the impact location is identified. The proposed impact localization technique has the following advantages over the existing techniques: (a) it can be applied to isotropic/anisotropic plate structures with additional complex features such as stringers, stiffeners, spars, and rivet connections; (b) only simple correlation calculation based on time reversal is required, making it attractive for real-time automated monitoring; and (c) training is conducted using noncontact scanning laser Doppler vibrometer and the existing piezoelectric transducers that may already be installed for other structural health–monitoring applications. Impact events on an actual composite aircraft wing and an actual aluminum fuselage are successfully identified using the proposed technique.
Nutrition Environment Measures Survey–Vending
Authors: Voss Carol , Klein Susan , Glanz Karen , Clawson Margaret
Published: July 2012

Researchers determined a need to develop an instrument to assess the vending machine environment that was comparably reliable and valid to other Nutrition Environment Measures Survey tools and that would provide consistent and comparable data for businesses, schools, and communities. Tool development, reliability testing, and dissemination of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey–Vending (NEMS-V) involved a collaboration of students, professionals, and community leaders. Interrater reliability testing showed high levels of agreement among trained raters on the products and evaluations of products. NEMS-V can benefit public health partners implementing policy and environmental change initiatives as a part of their community wellness activities. The vending machine project will support a policy calling for state facilities to provide a minimum of 30% of foods and beverages in vending machines as healthy options, based on NEMS-V criteria, which will be used as a model for other businesses.
Transanal Rectosigmoidectomy Using a Single Port in a Swine Model
Authors: Kim Taehyung , Sohn Dae Kyung , Park Ji Won , Park Chan-ho , Moon Sang Hui , Chang Hee Jin , Kang Sung-Bum , Oh Jae Hwan
Published: July 2012

Background. Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single access surgery are emerging techniques that reduce surgical invasiveness. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of NOTES transanal rectosigmoidectomy using a single port in a swine model. Methods. Ten male pigs were used to conduct 2 studies, 4 for a nonsurvival study and 6 for a survival study. After anesthesia, the rectum was occluded transanally with a purse-string suture, and then a single port was placed. CO2 gas was insufflated, and full-thickness rectal dissection was extended using laparoscopic instruments as far cephalad as possible. A 5-mm trocar was placed on the abdominal wall for transabdominal laparoscopic view, and then further colonic mobilization was performed using the endoscope through the anus. When the dissection was completed, the specimen was exteriorized and colorectal anastomosis was performed using a circular stapler. In the survival study, necropsies were performed on postoperative day 7. Results. Full-thickness circumferential rectosigmoid mobilization was achieved in all cases. The mean length of resected colon was 10 cm (range = 8-15 cm). No anastomotic defects were noted. All resected rectosigmoid specimens were grossly intact. No mortality or significant postoperative complications was observed in the survival group. On necropsy, a small abscess in the pelvic cavity was noted in 1 case and bladder distention was noted in 3 cases. Conclusions. NOTES transanal rectosigmoidectomy using the single port is feasible and safe. Further experimental studies are warranted, especially in human cadaver model.
The role for pragmatic randomized controlled trials (pRCTs) in comparative effectiveness research
Authors: Chalkidou Kalipso , Tunis Sean , Whicher Danielle , Fowler Robert , Zwarenstein Merrick
Published: July 2012

There is a growing appreciation that our current approach to clinical research leaves important gaps in evidence from the perspective of patients, clinicians, and payers wishing to make evidence-based clinical and health policy decisions. This has been a major driver in the rapid increase in interest in comparative effectiveness research (CER), which aims to compare the benefits, risks, and sometimes costs of alternative health-care interventions in ‘the real world’. While a broad range of experimental and nonexperimental methods will be used in conducting CER studies, many important questions are likely to require experimental approaches – that is, randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Concerns about the generalizability, feasibility, and cost of RCTs have been frequently articulated in CER method discussions. Pragmatic RCTs (or ‘pRCTs’) are intended to maintain the internal validity of RCTs while being designed and implemented in ways that would better address the demand for evidence about real-world risks and benefits for informing clinical and health policy decisions. While the level of interest and activity in conducting pRCTs is increasing, many challenges remain for their routine use. This article discusses those challenges and offers some potential ways forward.
Including all individuals is not enough: Lessons for intention-to-treat analysis
Authors: White Ian R , Carpenter James , Horton Nicholas J
Published: July 2012

Background

Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis requires all randomised individuals to be included in the analysis in the groups to which they were randomised. However, there is confusion about how ITT analysis should be performed in the presence of missing outcome data.

Purposes

To explain, justify, and illustrate an ITT analysis strategy for randomised trials with incomplete outcome data.

Methods

We consider several methods of analysis and compare their underlying assumptions, plausibility, and numbers of individuals included. We illustrate the ITT analysis strategy using data from the UK700 trial in the management of severe mental illness.

Results

Depending on the assumptions made about the missing data, some methods of analysis that include all randomised individuals may be less valid than methods that do not include all randomised individuals. Furthermore, some methods of analysis that include all randomised individuals are essentially equivalent to methods that do not include all randomised individuals.

Limitations

This work assumes that the aim of analysis is to obtain an accurate estimate of the difference in outcome between randomised groups and not to obtain a conservative estimate with bias against the experimental intervention.

Conclusions

Clinical trials should employ an ITT analysis strategy, comprising a design that attempts to follow up all randomised individuals, a main analysis that is valid under a stated plausible assumption about the missing data, and sensitivity analyses that include all randomised individuals in order to explore the impact of departures from the assumption underlying the main analysis. Following this strategy recognises the extra uncertainty arising from missing outcomes and increases the incentive for researchers to minimise the extent of missing data.
Particle disease: Biologic mechanisms of periprosthetic osteolysis in total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Gallo Jiri , Goodman Stuart B , Konttinen Yrjö T , Raska Milan
Published: June 2012

Numerous studies provide detailed insight into the triggering and amplification mechanisms of the inflammatory response associated with prosthetic wear particles, promoting final dominance of bone resorption over bone formation in multiple bone multicellular units around an implant. In fact, inflammation is a highly regulated process tightly linked to simultaneous stimulation of tissue protective and regenerative mechanisms in order to prevent collateral damage of periprosthetic tissues. A variety of cytokines, chemokines, hormones and specific cell populations, including macrophages, dendritic and stem cells, attempt to balance tissue architecture and minimize inflammation. Based on this fact, we postulate that the local tissue homeostatic mechanisms more effectively regulate the pro-inflammatory/pro-osteolytic cells/pathways in patients with none/mild periprosthetic osteolysis (PPOL) than in patients with severe PPOL. In this line of thinking, ‘particle disease theory’ can be understood, at least partially, in terms of the failure of local tissue homeostatic mechanisms. As a result, we envision focusing current research on homeostatic mechanisms in addition to traditional efforts to elucidate details of pro-inflammatory/pro-osteolytic pathways. We believe this approach could open new avenues for research and potential therapeutic strategies.
Eplerenone, an aldosterone blocker, is more effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with, than without, metabolic syndrome
Authors: Suzuki Hiromichi , Shuto Hiroshi , Shuto Chizuru , Ohara Ikkou , Inokuma Shigehisa , Abe Yoshiko , Sukigara Minoru
Published: June 2012

Background:

Recently, the role of aldosterone in metabolic syndrome (MS) has aroused interest and several reports have suggested that aldosterone blockade could be beneficial in reducing blood pressure (BP).

Methods:

To examine the add-on effects of eplerenone (EP) on BP in patients with MS, 54 hypertensive patients with MS and 44 without MS were recruited. Systolic and diastolic BPs in mmHg before the initiation of EP was 144/84 ± 13/12 (MS group) and 147/85 ± 12/14 (non-MS group). Before the start of EP, all patients in both groups were treated with at least one antihypertensive drug. BPs were checked on every visit (at least every 2 months) and serum chemistries were measured every 4 months. The levels of microalbuminuria and aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) were determined before the start of and at the end of the study. Patients were followed for 1 year. If adverse effects were reported by patients or found in laboratory studies, EP was withdrawn.

Results:

One month after the start of EP, BPs were decreased to 140/80 ± 12/12 mmHg (MS group) versus 142/82 ± 11/12 mmHg (non-MS group) and there was no difference between the two groups. Towards the end of the study, BPs of both groups gradually decreased. At the end of the study, BPs of both groups were 129/76 ± 15/13 mmHg (MS group) versus 133/78 ± 13/11 mmHg (non-MS group). There was a significant difference in reduction of systolic BP between the two groups (p < 0.05). Add-on EP significantly decreased the levels of urinary excretion of albumin in MS patients but not in non-MS patients (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between reduction of systolic BP and NT pro-BNP but not microalbuminuria in the MS group (p < 0.05). There were no serious adverse effects in both groups.

Conclusion:

EP may have some beneficial effects in lowering BP in patients with reduction of microalbuminuria.
Is Pain a Human Universal? A Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspective on Pain
Authors: Wierzbicka Anna
Published: July 2012

Pain is a global problem whose social, economic, and psychological costs are immeasurable. It is now seen as the most common reason why people seek medical (including psychiatric) care. But what is pain? This article shows that the discourse of pain tends to suffer from the same problems of ethnocentrism and obscurity as the discourse of emotions in general. Noting that in the case of pain, the costs of miscommunication are particularly high, this article offers a new paradigm for communicating about pain. It shows how the use of natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) techniques developed in linguistic semantics can help in this area, as in other areas concerned with human subjectivity, and can lead to a greater understanding between psychologists, psychiatrists, medical practitioners, social workers, and ordinary suffering mortals.
Biology and Culture in Musical Emotions
Authors: Higgins Kathleen M.
Published: July 2012

In this article I show that although biological and neuropsychological factors enable and constrain the construction of music, culture is implicated on every level at which we can indicate an emotion-music connection. Nevertheless, music encourages an affective sense of human affiliation and security, facilitating feelings of transcultural solidarity.
Basic Emotions: A Reconstruction
Authors: Mason William A. , Capitanio John P.
Published: July 2012

Emotionality is a basic feature of behavior. The argument over whether the expression of emotions is based primarily on culture (constructivism, nurture) or biology (natural forms, nature) will never be resolved because both alternatives are untenable. The evidence is overwhelming that at all ages and all levels of organization, the development of emotionality is epigenetic: The organism is an active participant in its own development. To ascribe these effects to “experience” was the best that could be done for many years. With the rapid acceleration of information on how changes in organization are actually brought about, it is a good time to review, update, and revitalize our views of experience in relation to the concept of basic emotion.
The Construction of Emotion in Interactions, Relationships, and Cultures
Authors: Boiger Michael , Mesquita Batja
Published: July 2012

Emotions are engagements with a continuously changing world of social relationships. In the present article, we propose that emotions are therefore best conceived as ongoing, dynamic, and interactive processes that are socially constructed. We review evidence for three social contexts of emotion construction that are embedded in each other: The unfolding of emotion within interactions, the mutual constitution of emotion and relationships, and the shaping of emotion at the level of the larger cultural context. Finally, we point to interdependencies amongst these contexts of construction and discuss future directions of a constructionist perspective.
Reconstructing Basic Emotions with More Situated Social Interactions
Authors: Botero Maria
Published: July 2012

Mason and Capitanio (2012) offer an explanation of how basic emotions emerge in organisms that departs from the traditional nature–nurture dichotomy; however, they limit their definition of basic emotions to the development of functional states that are species-typical. It is argued that if Mason and Capitanio take these ideas a step further, they would be able to explain the development of basic emotions in a more complex way, one that would involve understanding how the exchange between the organism and the environment takes place in a specific context that gives meaning to these exchanges.
Are Musical Emotions Invariant Across Cultures?
Authors: Juslin Patrik N.
Published: July 2012

Cross-cultural studies of music and emotion are needed to assess the generalizability of results and also have important implications for theory development. However, progress requires that the domain is broken down into smaller constituents based on key distinctions. For example, a multilevel theory of emotion-causation implies that the relative contributions made by culture and biology differ depending on the underlying mechanism involved, which precludes general conclusions. Such an account of emotions to music might be cross-culturally valid at the level of mechanisms even if there is cross-cultural diversity in musical surface features and aroused emotions. An analysis in terms of psychological mechanisms can provide the necessary bridge between biological and social-constructionist perspectives on musical emotions.