bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of experimental spasticity by targeting the degradation of endocannabinoids using selective fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors
Authors: Pryce G , Cabranes A , Fernández-Ruiz J , Bisogno T , Di Marzo V , Long JZ , Cravatt BF , Giovannoni G , Baker D
Published: April 2013

Background:

It has been previously shown that CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonism using cannabis extracts alleviates spasticity in both a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model and multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. However, this action can be associated with dose-limiting side effects.

Objective:

We hypothesised that blockade of anandamide (endocannabinoid) degradation would inhibit spasticity, whilst avoiding overt cannabimimetic effects.

Methods:

Spasticity eventually developed following the induction of EAE in either wild-type or congenic fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)-deficient Biozzi ABH mice. These animals were treated with a variety of different FAAH inhibitors and the effect on the degree of limb stiffness was assessed using a strain gauge.

Results:

Control of spasticity was achieved using FAAH inhibitors CAY100400, CAY100402 and URB597, which was sustained following repeated administrations. Therapeutic activity occurred in the absence of overt cannabimimetic effects. Importantly, the therapeutic value of the target could be definitively validated as the treatment activity was lost in FAAH-deficient mice. Spasticity was also controlled by a selective monoacyl glycerol lipase inhibitor, JZL184.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates definitively that FAAH inhibitors provide a new class of anti-spastic agents that may have utility in treating spasticity in MS and avoid the dose-limiting side effects associated with cannabis use.
Sensitivity and specificity of fluorescence microlymphography for detecting lymphedema of the lower extremity
Authors: Keo Hong H , Schilling Marianne , Büchel Roland , Gröchenig Ernst , Engelberger Rolf P , Willenberg Torsten , Baumgartner Iris , Gretener Silvia B
Published: April 2013

Fluorescence microlymphography (FML) is used to visualize the lymphatic capillaries. A maximum spread of the fluorescence dye of ≥ 12 mm has been suggested for the diagnosis of lymphedema. However, data on sensitivity and specificity are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of FML for diagnosing lymphedema in patients with leg swelling. Patients with lower extremity swelling were clinically assessed and separated into lymphedema and non-lymphatic edema groups. FML was studied in all affected legs and the maximum spread of lymphatic capillaries was measured. Test accuracy and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess possible threshold values that predict lymphedema. Between March 2008 and August 2011 a total of 171 patients (184 legs) with a median age of 43.5 (IQR 24, 54) years were assessed. Of those, 94 (51.1%) legs were diagnosed with lymphedema. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio and positive and negative predictive value were 87%, 64%, 2.45, 0.20, 72% and 83% for the 12-mm cut-off level and 79%, 83%, 4.72, 0.26, 83% and 79% for the 14-mm cut-off level, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.88). Sensitivity was higher in the secondary versus primary lymphedema (95.0% vs 74.3%, p = 0.045). No major adverse events were observed. In conclusion, FML is a simple and safe technique for detecting lymphedema in patients with leg swelling. A cut-off level of ≥ 14-mm maximum spread has a high sensitivity and high specificity of detecting lymphedema and should be chosen.
Primary school teachers’ attitudes about children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the role of pharmacological treatment
Authors: Moldavsky Maria , Pass Sarah , Sayal Kapil
Published: April 2013

Background:

Clinical experience and research suggest that teachers’ attitudes about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are an important factor influencing access to specialist assessment and treatment, including medication.

Methods:

We performed a thematic analysis of comments written by primary school teachers who participated in a case-vignette study investigating the ability of teachers to recognise ADHD. Teachers read one of four types of vignette describing the behaviour of a nine-year-old child who met diagnostic criteria for ADHD (either a boy or a girl with inattentive or combined subtype of ADHD). They answered questions (identical for all types of vignette) about their views regarding the problems and their management. Teachers were invited to add their own comments.

Results:

Altogether 496 teachers from 110 schools completed the questionnaire: 250 (50%) teachers from 94 schools wrote at least one comment, adding up to 341 comments. Regarding their views on the need to refer the child to specialist services, 32 teachers made comments that reflected caution. The most frequent comments were that it was too early to say whether a referral was necessary, the problems were not severe enough or the main support would come from school. Teachers also reported a lack of knowledge about specialist services or criticised them. When asked whether medication might be beneficial for the child, 125 teachers expressed hesitant or negative views: that it was premature to express an opinion about medication or too soon to give medication to the child; that medication was not necessary or should not be used at all; or that the problems were not severe enough or were emotional in nature. Only five teachers reported having a positive experience of the effect of medication.

Conclusion:

Teachers’ comments suggested a strong preference in using within-school strategies for the management of children with ADHD. Teachers were reluctant to endorse medication for DHD and expressed negative views about its use. Health services should support teachers’ management of ADHD-related behaviours in school and provide information to increase teachers’ ability to identify the need for a referral to specialist health services.
Interaction of dynamic indoor environment with moving person and performance of ceiling mounted personalized ventilation system
Authors: Yang Bin , Sekhar Chandra
Published: April 2013

Ceiling mounted personalized ventilation (PV) aims to provide clean outdoor air into human breathing zone without affecting indoor aesthetics in energy-efficient manner. In steady state, its performance depends much on the ceiling mounted air terminal device (ATD) because supply air momentum, other than human body thermal plume and ambient air flow, is the major driving force in the micro-environment of occupied zone. A typical office workplace consisting of ceiling mounted PV ATD and ambient air supply diffusers was simulated. One person was seated and another moving person was simulated by dynamic meshes in computational fluid dynamics (CFDs). A new index, computational personal exposure effectiveness (PEEc), was utilized to assess the performance of ceiling mounted PV system in regard to inhaled air quality under influence of moving person. Meanwhile, influence of evenly distributed ceiling mounted PV ATDs on inhaled air quality was also studied. According to numerical results, stability of ceiling mounted PV under dynamic environment with moving person was acceptable with minor changes of PEEc and inhaled air quality could be improved over larger occupied area for both seated person and moving person.
A validated design simulation tool for passive solar space heating: Results from a monitored house in West Lothian, Scotland
Authors: Girard A. , Muneer T. , Caceres G.
Published: April 2013

Determining the availability of renewable sources on a particular site would result in increasing the efficiency of buildings through appropriate design. The overall aim of the project is to develop a pioneering software tool allowing the assessment of possible energy sources for any building design project. The package would allow the user to simulate the efficiency of the Passive Solar Space Heating referred in the Low and Zero Carbon Energy Sources (LZCES) Strategic Guide stated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2006) and the Building Regulations. This research paper presents the tool for modelling the passive solar sources availability in relation to low-carbon building. A 3-month experimental set up monitoring a solar house in West Lothian, Scotland, was also undertaken to validate the simulation tool. Experimental and simulation results were found in good agreement following a one-to-one relationship demonstrating the ability of the newly developed tool to assess potential solar gain available for buildings. This modelling tool is highly valuable in consideration of the part L of the Building Regulations (updated in 2010).
Analyzing green building rating tools for healthcare buildings from the building user’s perspective
Authors: Kim Sumin , Osmond Paul
Published: April 2013

The principles of sustainability in the healthcare building sector are perceived differently by different healthcare building user groups. Based on a cross-sectional survey of hospital patients, staff, visitors and members of the public, this study found that issues relating to transport and accessibility were perceived as “more significant” by respondents compared to how they are currently weighted in the Australian Green Star–Healthcare building rating tool. Environmental impacts relating to emissions to air and water were also identified as “more significant” by the healthcare building users than their Green Star weighting would suggest. Indoor environmental quality has been acknowledged as the highest priority in choosing a healthcare building by the survey respondents. It is also one of the two priority categories given in Green Star in terms of weighting, which suggests that the Green Star–Healthcare rating tool aligns well with healthcare building user perspectives on this particular measure, which is linked to faster recovery rates of hospital patients.
Multi-objective optimization of building envelope for energy consumption and daylight
Authors: Lartigue B. , Lasternas B. , Loftness V.
Published: April 2013

The objective of this article is to provide a methodology for optimizing the envelope of a building with respect to the triple objective of heating load, cooling load and daylight. The variables to optimize are the window to wall area ratio (WWR) and the window type characterized by its visual and thermal characteristics (visual and solar transmittance, and U-value). Energy load is computed using building performance simulation software (TRNSYS). A criterion of daylight is defined as the integrated time when the illuminance is below a threshold and artificial light is required. This criterion was calculated using the software Daysim. The variables have antagonistic effects on the objectives: WWR and window type may have opposite effects by increasing solar gain and daylight duration during winter, which would be beneficial, but could lead to overheating during summer. Therefore, an easy-to-set up methodology is proposed to find the optimal solutions of such a problem. A multi-objective optimization was performed in order to find the optimal variables leading to the minimization of the energy load and the maximization of the indoor daylight duration. The method was applied to a dormitory retrofitting. Optimal solutions are the best compromise among antagonistic objectives and would offer guidance to designers in making construction decisions.
Migration of aerosol particles inside a two-zone apartment with natural ventilation: A multi-zone validation of the multi-compartment and size-resolved indoor aerosol model
Authors: Mølgaard Bjarke , Ondráček Jakub , Št´ávová Petra , Džumbová Lucie , Barták Martin , Hussein Tareq , Smolík Jiří
Published: April 2013

Since decades, indoor aerosol models have been introduced to understand the behaviour of indoor aerosols. However, studies about model validation in multi-zone form are very rare because of the lack of high quality and well-controlled measurements. We utilized state-of-the-art measurement and modelling approaches to validate the Multi-Compartment and Size-resolved Indoor Aerosol Model (MC-SIAM) inside a two-zone apartment with natural ventilation. According to the MC-SIAM simulations, the ventilation rates ranged from 0.06 to 0.31 h–1 during closed windows and it was as high as 2.1 h–1 when a window was open; compared to the tracer gases analysis results, the ventilation rate was as high as 0.26 h–1 (closed windows) and 1.7 h–1 (open window). The internal airflow predicted with the MC-SIAM ranged from 9.3 to 11 m–3 h (tracer gas analysis 7.6–15 m–3 h) when the door between the internal rooms was opened. The methods utilized in this study have proven that indoor aerosol models such as the MC-SIAM are valid to describe the behaviour of indoor aerosol particles inside multi-zone dwellings with the assumption of well-mixed indoor air inside each zone. The next step in indoor aerosol models development should include re-suspension and new particle formation processes.
Measurement of ventilation rate in livestock buildings with radioactive tracer gas technique: Theory and methodology
Authors: Samer M. , Müller H.-J. , Fiedler M. , Berg W. , Brunsch R.
Published: April 2013

Natural ventilation systems are commonly used in livestock buildings, where the natural ventilation is a more energy efficient approach to provide effective ventilation. The foremost predicament of natural ventilation is the lack of precise, continuous and direct measuring techniques for ventilation rates, which is critical for monitoring gaseous emissions in livestock buildings for controlling the indoor air quality. Several ventilation rate measurement methods have been reported in the literature. However, these methods have some limitations and errors. The objectives of this study are to investigate the different tracer gas techniques (TGTs) especially using a radioactive tracer gas, to elucidate the applied methodology and instrumentation required and to investigate the methods of data analysis with results using radioactive TGT. The paper presents the technique of radioactive tracer gas preparation in the isotopes laboratory, tools used, the release methods, and locations, and calculations. This study has initiated a development of a radioactive TGT for an accurate determination of ventilation rates in naturally ventilated animal buildings. The radioactive TGT can be applied to other larger naturally ventilated buildings, such as warehouses, aircraft hangers and depositories, as well as to smaller rooms such as offices, class rooms and store.
Ideal thermal physical properties of building wall in an active room
Authors: Wang Xin , Cheng Rui , Zeng Ruolang , Zhang Yinping
Published: April 2013

Optimizing the thermal physical properties of building envelope can decrease the energy consumption in active rooms. In this paper, a method of determining the ideal thermal mass characteristics of an active room wall has been developed, which can derive the optimal thermal physical properties of building walls by minimizing additional energy consumption. For demonstrating purpose, some illustrating examples are presented. The results show that: (a) the ideal specific heat distribution with temperature of the thermal mass for an active room approaches the δ function, which has the characteristic similar to that of phase change materials; (b) the thermal conductivity of internal wall has little effect on the optimized heat (cooling) load and the characteristic temperature when it is higher than 0.5 W m−1 K−1 for the simulated room in Beijing. The additional heating and cooling energy consumption approaches zero when the excessive enthalpy of internal thermal mass is higher than 30 MJm−3 and 300 MJm−3 for Beijing in winter and summer, respectively, and the corresponding characteristic temperatures are 18℃ and 26.3℃ and (c) for practical use, the excessive enthalpy should be added in the internal thermal mass targeting both winter and summer performance in order to decrease the additional energy consumption.
Optimising the supply parameters oriented to multiple individual requirements in one common space
Authors: Shao Xiaoliang , Li Xianting , Ma Xiaojun , Chen Chen
Published: April 2013

In many circumstances, different air parameters in multiple locations are required in one common space, such as the personalised temperature requirements of occupants and the different cleanliness requirements of technical processes in industry, and therefore it is important to simultaneously satisfy different requirements by ventilation. In this paper, an optimisation model to determine the supply parameters oriented to different requirements is established. Because the proposed model takes the quantitative relationship between an air parameter in an arbitrary location and various boundary conditions into account, once the required parameters are specified, the supply parameters can be determined instantaneously. The model is then applied in five cases. The proposed model was shown to have an acceptable accuracy in solving supply parameters by comparing the resulting gas concentrations with the required values. Also, the differences between the required parameters are within the capacity of the ventilation system in maintaining parameter differences; therefore, all the requirements can be satisfied even if the number of locations outnumbers the inlets. The proposed model may play an important role in the practical design and control of ventilation systems in providing non-uniform environments.
Initial surgical management of a gunshot wound to the lower face – a stepwise approach
Authors: Collin John , Revington Peter , Sisson Richard , Thomas Steven
Published: April 2013

Facial gunshot wounds are rarely encountered in the UK, but not to such an extent that emergency departments should not be prepared to deal with them. We describe the management of a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the lower face using a step-wise approach. The primary reconstruction of such injuries should be performed soon after stabilisation of the patient. Simple yet careful surgical techniques are often effective in cases of severe facial trauma that might initially appear to require tissue transfer techniques, as soft tissue loss is often less than initially estimated. Preservation and closure of remaining tissue should aim to reconstruct oro-facial units while leaving options for more advanced reconstructive techniques open for future procedures if necessary.
Linguistic characteristics of AAC discourse in the workplace
Authors: Friginal Eric , Pearson Pamela , Di Ferrante Laura , Pickering Lucy , Bruce Carrie
Published: April 2013

This study examines linguistic co-occurrence patterns in the discourse of individuals with communication impairments who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices in the workplace by comparing them to those of non-AAC users in similar job settings. A typical workweek (≈ 40 hours) per focal participant (four AAC; four non-AAC) was recorded and transcribed to create a specialized corpus of workplace discourse of approximately 464,000 words at the time of this analysis. A multidimensional analysis of co-occurrence patterns along functional linguistic dimensions, following Biber (1988, 1995) [ Variation across Speech and Writing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Dimensions of Register Variation: A Cross-Linguistic Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press], reveals differences in the macro discourse characteristics of AAC vis-a-vis non-AAC texts. Results indicate that AAC texts make use of more informational, non-narrative, and explicit textual features of discourse than their non-AAC counterparts. Implications to improve the capabilities of AAC devices to produce speech that matches baseline expectations of co-workers in the workplace are discussed.
An exploration of interactive metadiscourse markers in academic research article abstracts in two disciplines
Authors: Khedri Mohsen , Heng Chan Swee , Ebrahimi Seyed Foad
Published: April 2013

A generic analysis of research article abstracts can cover issues of different types; among them are linguistic features. An integral part of linguistic features of research article abstracts is interactive metadiscourse usage that can assist to make the text persuasive and unfolding to a discourse community. The main principle behind applying interactive metadiscourse is the view of writing as socially engaging; specifically, it indicates the ways writers project themselves into their arguments to declare their attitudes and commitments to the readers. This study aimed to explore how interactive metadiscourse markers are deployed by research article abstract writers belonging to different disciplinary communities within the soft sciences, while trying to reach the audience by creating a well-organized discourse. Hyland’s (2005) interpersonal model of metadiscourse was adopted to analyze 60 research article abstracts written in Applied Linguistics and Economics. Based on the results, there were marked variations found across the two disciplines in terms of interactive metadiscourse markers.
Nonholonomic dynamics of drill string bit whirling in a deep bore-hole
Authors: Gulyayev VI , Shevchuk LV
Published: April 2013

This article studies the problem of wirl vibrations of a rotating drill string bit under conditions of its friction interaction with the bore-hole bottom surface at the wandering contact point. The mechanism of the bit spinning and rolling without sliding on the rigid surface has been analyzed. To study the wirl vibrations, the methods of nonholonomic mechanics are used. As an example, spherical bit whirling on spherical bore-hole bottom is considered. The kinematic inducement of the rotating bit motion without sliding is shown to be the main cause of its stability loss. The detailed study of the bit whirling revealed three types of its stable and unstable motions associated with direct and inverse rolling as well as pure spinning. It is found that the most detectable influence on dynamics of the system and its stability is exerted by the overall stiffness of the drill string tube, which depends on parameters of compressive axial force and torque and diminishes as their critical values are approached.
Numerical analysis and experimental validation of hardness and microstructural changes during laser transformation hardening of low alloy steel plates
Authors: Babu P Dinesh , Buvanashekaran G , Balasubramanian KR
Published: April 2013

Laser transformation hardening is used to obtain the localized microstructural change, improve wear resistance and hardness to the desired area without affecting the bulk properties. In this study, laser transformation hardening of EN25 steel is performed using a 2 kW continuous wave solid-state neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet laser system. Numerical simulation of laser transformation hardening is carried out by finite element method considering the thermo-physical properties of the material. Based on the numerical simulation the temperature, hardness distribution, hardened depth and width and the phase proportions are determined. The simulation is performed by varying the travel speed of the workpiece. The simulation results are verified with the experimental data and are found to be satisfactory with less than 5% error. It is observed that almost 97% of the phases in the hardened zone is converted into martensite phase with increased hardness about two fold compared to the base material.
Pipelines, permits, and protests: Carrier Sekani encounters with the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project
Authors: McCreary Tyler A , Milligan Richard A
Published: April 2013

This paper examines the ontological politics of an encounter between proposed energy pipelines and Indigenous peoples. The Enbridge Corporation has applied to construct a pipeline system to deliver diluted bitumen from the Alberta tar sands to the Pacific coast of British Columbia, but the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and their member communities have asserted the authority to prevent this project from passing through their unceded territories. Studying Carrier Sekani contestation of Canadian regulatory assessment of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, we examine how the processes of Indigenous becoming exceed notions of Indigenous being that are included in the permitting process as traditional knowledge. We focus both on the performance of legal obligations to consider Aboriginal traditional knowledge and the emerging politics of Carrier Sekani resistance. Our intention is not to question the integrity of traditional knowledge that the regulatory process incorporates, but to highlight how traditional knowledge functions as an anchor for a field of governmental inquiry and action. Providing a historical and geographical context of Carrier Sekani relations with development and the state, we argue that the coding of Indigenous being as traditional works to disavow contemporary processes of Indigenous becoming that are surplus to the spatial ontology of capitalist energy development for global markets. Against efforts to sanction development on disputed territory through formal recognition of a constrained Indigeneity, Carrier Sekani people assert the sovereign authority to prevent or permit development on their lands and waterways using traditional governance systems. Broadly, this paper suggests that recognizing the ontological politics at stake in this permitting process provides a useful opening to understand continued colonial captures at work in the inclusion of traditional knowledge in environmental governance. But it also demonstrates the capacity of Indigenous resistance to these enclosures to challenge and reshape global geographies of energy, capitalism, and climate.
Decolonizing posthumanist geographies
Authors: Sundberg Juanita
Published: April 2013

This paper engages my struggles to craft geo-graphs or earth writings that also further broaden political goals of decolonizing the discipline of geography. To this end, I address a body of literature roughly termed ‘posthumanism’ because it offers powerful tools to identify and critique dualist constructions of nature and culture that work to uphold Eurocentric knowledge and the colonial present. However, I am discomforted by the ways in which geographical engagements with posthumanism tend to reproduce colonial ways of knowing and being by enacting universalizing claims and, consequently, further subordinating other ontologies. Building from this discomfort, I elaborate a critique of geographical-posthumanist engagements. Taking direction from Indigenous and decolonial theorizing, the paper identifies two Eurocentric performances common in posthumanist geographies and analyzes their implications. I then conclude with some thoughts about steps to decolonize geo-graphs. To this end, I take up learnings offered by the Zapatistas. My goal is to foster geographical engagements open to conversing with and walking alongside other epistemic worlds.
Prevalence and predictors of diabetes and cardiometabolic risk among construction workers in Ireland: The Construction Workers Health Trust screening study
Authors: Thabit Hood , Burns Nicole , Shah Shabahat , Brema Imad , Crowley Vivion , Finnegan Fran , Daly Brian , Nolan John J
Published: April 2013

Construction workers (CW) are at increased risk for a range of chronic diseases. We screened 983 CW for diabetes and cardiometabolic risk. The age range was 18–64 years, with mean age of 36.3 years. Self-reported questionnaires, Finnish diabetes risk score and fasting blood tests were collected at the workplace. The unadjusted prevalence of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus were 3.6% and 1.2%, respectively; 21% of CW had the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The majority were either overweight (48.3%) or obese (21.8%). In a regression model, age remained the strongest predictor of fasting glucose ( p < 0.001). Pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with presence of the MetS [odds ratio (OR) 5.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8–11.5, p < 0.001 and OR 5.5; 95% CI: 1.6–18.7, p = 0.006, respectively]. Subjects engaged in greater physical activity outside of work had lower body mass index (26.9 vs. 28.8 kg/m2, p = 0.03), waist circumference (95.8 vs. 98.1 cm, p = 0.03) and fasting serum triglycerides (1.1 vs. 1.4 mmol/L, p = 0.03) compared to those who were sedentary. Despite their youth and a physically demanding occupation, CW are at risk of cardiometabolic diseases. This risk increases with age and the MetS. Screening tools may be useful to identify those who are at risk.
Comparison of the abilities of the plasma triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the metabolic syndrome to identify insulin resistance
Authors: Salazar Martin R , Carbajal Horacio A , Espeche Walter G , Leiva Sisnieguez Carlos E , March Carlos E , Balbín Eduardo , Dulbecco Carlos A , Aizpurúa Marcelo , Marillet Alberto G , Reaven Gerald M
Published: April 2013

This study compares the ability of an elevated triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, using sex-specific cut-points, to identify insulin-resistant individuals within a population without known cardiac disease or diabetes with that obtained using the diagnostic criteria of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Measurements were made of waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin (FPI), plasma TG and plasma HDL-C concentrations in 1102 women and 464 men. These data were used to classify subjects as being insulin resistant (FPI concentration in the upper quartile) and having the MetS or an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio (>2.5 and >3.5 for women and men, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity with which the two indices identified insulin-resistant subjects were similar (43% and 81% for TG/HDL-C ratio and 45% and 82% for MetS), as the number of individuals was found with either an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio ( n = 386) or the MetS ( n = 384). Eighty-one per cent of the individuals were identified concordantly. Cardio-metabolic risk profiles in ‘low-risk’ individuals identified by a low TG/HDL-C ratio were comparable to those who did not have the MetS, and this was also the case when comparing ‘high-risk’ groups identified by having the MetS or an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio. These findings suggest that TG/HDL-C concentration ratio is as adequate as MetS diagnosis to identify insulin-resistant subjects.
Synthesis, characterization of CH-α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite and coating on cotton, silk for antibacterial and UV spectral studies
Authors: Halliah Gurumallesh Prabu , Alagappan Kavitha , Sairam Ananda Babu
Published: April 2013

Nanomaterials have created massive opening on textile functionalization such as antimicrobial and sun protection activities of fabrics. The focal point of this paper is to impart antimicrobial and UV protection activities of textile substrates using a nanocomposite hybrid material chitosan with α-iron oxide. α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by self-assembly method and characterized. The average particle size was found to be 27–30 nm by X-ray diffractogram and atomic force microscopic analyses. The α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were dispersed into the prepared chitosan solution to form the hybrid material. The chitosan-α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite thus formed was subjected to characterizations such as X-ray diffractogram, FTIR and SEM with EDX. The chitosan-α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite was dip-coated on cotton and silk fabrics and antibacterial activity was checked by zone of inhibition method (AATCC 147) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria and the UV protection activity was analyzed using UV-DRS spectroscopy. Results revealed that the hybrid CH-α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite possess improved antibacterial as well as UV absorbing efficiency.
Adverse Events Associated With Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Sweet Erin S. , Standish Leanna J. , Goff Barbara A. , Andersen M. Robyn
Published: April 2013

Introduction. Many women with ovarian cancer are choosing to include complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) substances in conjunction with their conventional treatment for ovarian cancer. Many oncologists express concern that the adjunct use of CAM substances may be detrimental to the achievement of therapeutic levels of chemotherapy leading to increases in drug toxicity, under-treatment of disease or other adverse events. In an effort to ascertain the extent of the potential problem with simultaneous use of CAM with conventional treatment we undertook comprehensive systematic review of published case reports describing CAM-related adverse events among ovarian cancer patients. Study design. This article describes a systematic literature review. Methods. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD). PubMed, EMBASE® and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCTR) were systematically reviewed for research articles pertaining to case reports describing adverse events in patients, and clinical trials which examined the effects of herbs and supplements used during cancer treatment. Results. Only one case report and one clinical trial were identified which met our inclusion criteria and were relevant to the current investigation. Conclusion. Although there are concerns about the potential for adverse events related to concurrent use of CAM substances during conventional treatment we found few case reports and clinical trials in the literature which support this.
The Impact of Music Interventions on Anxiety for Adult Cancer Patients
Authors: Nightingale Chandylen L. , Rodriguez Carmen , Carnaby Giselle
Published: April 2013

Introduction. Listening to music can positively benefit neurophysiological and emotional responses as well as promote relaxation, which may be especially beneficial for cancer patients undergoing painful and anxiety inducing treatments. The purpose of the present study was to conduct an evidenced-based systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of music interventions to reduce anxiety for adult cancer patients undergoing medical treatment. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted and data were abstracted from all eligible studies. Studies were included if they tested a music therapy randomized controlled trial in adult cancer patients (in active treatment), assessed anxiety postintervention using a validated measure, were published in English (or were translatable), and accessible in full text. Studies were qualitatively reviewed by the first author and 2 raters independently assessed each study using the PEDro scale. Standardized mean differences between experimental and control groups were calculated for studies meeting a specified methodological rigor score with accessible means and standard deviations postintervention. Heterogeneity and publication bias were explored. Results. Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included with 4 eligible for meta-analysis. Studies varied in intervention methodology and utilization of anxiety measures. Almost all studies reported either a significant difference in anxiety between groups postintervention or a significant decrease in anxiety over time in the music intervention group. Meta-analytic results of 4 studies (4/13) demonstrated that differences in anxiety between experimental and control groups were not significant in the main analysis or subgroup analysis. Studies demonstrated heterogeneity in anxiety results. Publication bias was not evident. Conclusion. The meta-analytic results failed to demonstrate a positive effect on anxiety among adult cancer patients in treatment but may in part be attributed to the small sample size. These findings are in contrast to a prior meta-analysis that analyzed all studies regardless of methodological rigor. More research is needed to ascertain the most optimal intervention methodology and which cancer populations or treatment modalities are appropriate for such an intervention.
We and They in the House of Healing
Authors: Popper-Giveon Ariela , Schiff Elad , Ben-Arye Eran
Published: April 2013

Purpose. Complementary and traditional medicine (CTM) plays an important role in culture-centered care for cancer patients in the Middle East. In this article, we have studied the attitudes of Arab CTM therapists concerning integration of complementary medicine within the conventional supportive cancer care of Arab patients in northern Israel. Methods. Semistructured interviews were held with 27 Arab therapists who use medicinal herbs, the Quran, and various CTM modalities, with the aim of characterizing their treatment practices and learning about their perspectives regarding conventional cancer care. Results. We first summarized the different characteristics of the various CTM therapists, including training, typical practice, and so on. Thematic analysis revealed that folk healers and complementary medicine therapists describe their role as supportive and secondary to that of physicians. Their goal was not to cure patients with cancer but rather to enhance their quality of life by reducing the severity of both the disease symptoms and the side effects of cancer treatment. Religious healers, by contrast, purport to cure the disease. While folk healers opt for parallel alternative care and complementary therapists support integrative care, religious healers claimed that they offer an alternative to conventional medicine in terms of both etiology and practice. Conclusions. The majority of Arab CTM therapists support integration of their treatments with the conventional system, but in practice, they are not sure how to bring about this change or create a parallel model in which 2 different systems are active, but not integrated. Our findings emphasized the need to promote doctor–CTM practitioner communication based on structured referral and bidirectional consultation. Moreover, we recommend intensifying research on the efficacy and safety of CTM in the Middle East and the potential role in promoting culture-based supportive care.
Implementing dynamic flowgraph methodology models with logic programs
Authors: Karanta Ilkka
Published: April 2013

The dynamic flowgraph methodology is a promising way to find the prime implicants of a top event for a dynamic system possibly containing digital subsystems. This article demonstrates how to express dynamic flowgraph methodology models as logic programs, and top events as queries to those programs, in a natural and comprehensible way. Computation of the logic program lists the prime implicants of a top event in the system. We also present and implement an algorithm for computing the probability of the top event from its prime implicants. Together, computation of prime implicants and calculation of top event probability from these constitute a complete way of finding a system’s failure probability. Logic programs, implemented in this article in the leading logic programming language Prolog, enable rapid prototyping of dynamic flowgraph methodology models. The logic programming framework introduced here could also be utilized in teaching dynamic flowgraph methodology in risk analysis courses.
A Pedagogical Approach to Action Research
Authors: Gullion Jessica Smartt , Ellis Erin Graybill
Published: April 2013

Perhaps the best training for students to apply sociology is through hands-on community work. In this article, we write about the experience of a graduate-level qualitative research methods course in taking on an action research project over the course of a semester. We provide a detailed overview of the project along with practical tips for instructors who would like to replicate this pedagogy.
A Model Program for Patient Navigation
Authors: Holsapple Susan , Jensen Mary
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this article is to describe a unique and innovative program that uses an encounter with the justice system to offer a health care plan for a subset of people going through drug court. With the application of social theory to clinical practice, an intervention in the form of patient navigation is developed to meet the needs of these clients. The article offers a description of the program and evaluation tools that may be used for standardization and subsequent replication of this patient navigation model to improve negative birth outcomes. Constraints on choice may be used to explain the process of health care decision making for this subset of people going through a court-mandated drug program. Considering the effects of constrained choice as documented by Bird and Rieker, a model program was developed providing evidence of an increase in program compliance for drug court clients and a reduction in the negative health outcomes for this group of at-risk people. Patient navigation within the framework of the constrained choice model offers a cost-effective means of improving health care outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Integrating Bone Health Information Into Existing Health Education Efforts
Authors: Sadler Michele D. , Saperstein Sandra L. , Golan Elissa , Lotenberg Lynne Doner , Sawatzki Darcy , Abercrombie R. Ann , Teel Calvin
Published: April 2013

Consuming recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D and participating in bone-strengthening physical activities during childhood and adolescence can help prevent osteoporosis. Both the Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis and the National Action Plan for Bone Health emphasized the importance of promoting bone-healthy behaviors during childhood and adolescence and integrating bone health information into other health promotion efforts. The Best Bones Forever! Three-Community Study enlisted community coalitions to (1) incorporate bone health information into community outreach and education activities and (2) implement BodyWorks, a nutrition and physical activity program for parents and daughters that was modified to include bone health content. Results indicated that the sites successfully exposed their communities to bone health information by integrating bone health messages into community outreach and education activities. Participants in the modified BodyWorks program showed significant improvements in most measures of bone health knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, behaviors, and intentions. These findings suggest that incorporating bone health messages into related health promotion efforts around healthful eating and physical activity was both feasible and effective.
Impact of active monitoring on lithium management in Norfolk
Authors: Kirkham Emma , Bazire Stephen , Anderson Timothy , Wood John , Grassby Paul , Desborough James A.
Published: April 2013

Background:

Lithium has been used in the fields of rheumatology and psychiatry since the 1800s and it is now generally considered to be a gold standard treatment for bipolar disorders. However, lithium is known to have significant side effects and requires close serum level monitoring to ensure levels remain within the therapeutic range to minimize the risk of serious adverse effects or toxicity. This article reviews the monitoring of lithium and reports on the implementation of a regional lithium register and database within Norfolk.

Methods:

Recorded blood results from the Norfolk lithium database were extracted for the first full year of operation across the region, 2005/6, and from the most recent full year 2011/12. The number of lithium monitoring tests, U&Es and thyroid function tests conducted on all people registered on the database were compared between the two sample years.

Results:

In 2005/6 there were a significant number of people not receiving the recommended number of four or more serum lithium test per year (68.3%) and the majority of people had two or three tests (62%). By 2011/12 this had noticeably increased with the majority of patients having four or more tests per year (68.5%) and the number having only two or three tests reducing dramatically (26.4%).

Conclusion:

Improved rates of lithium testing and monitoring have been demonstrated since the introduction of the Norfolk database helping to achieve national targets. Consequently, the chances of adverse events from insufficient monitoring have been minimized.
Critical review of automotive steels spot welding: process, structure and properties
Authors: Pouranvari M , Marashi S P H
Published: April 2013

Spot welding, particularly resistance spot welding (RSW), is a critical joining process in automotive industry. The development of advanced high strength steels for applications in automotive industry is accompanied with a challenge to better understand the physical and mechanical metallurgy of these materials during RSW. The present paper critically reviews the fundamental understanding of structure–properties relationship in automotive steels resistance spot welds. The focus is on the metallurgical characteristics, hardness–microstructure correlation, interfacial to pullout failure mode transition and mechanical performance of steel resistance spot welds under quasi-static, fatigue and impact loading conditions. A brief review of friction stir spot welding, as an alternative to RSW, is also included.
Comparative study of microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded–brazed Mg/steel joints with four different coating surfaces
Authors: Tan C W , Chen Y B , Li L Q , Guo W
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a comparative study of laser welding–brazing Mg to steel with four different coating surfaces, including (Zn+pre-existing Fe–Al phase), pure Zn coating, pre-existing Fe–Al phase and fresh steel without any coating. The presence of Zn coating was found to significantly improve the wettability of liquid filler on steel. However, Mg–Zn products enriching at the seam head tended to cause cracking. The weak bonding of Mg–Zn products and Fe–Al layer was mainly responsible for the decreased tensile strength and interfacial failure that occurred in joints with the first two coatings. For joints with the latter two coatings, the thickness of newly formed Fe–Al layer determined the mechanical properties. The reaction layer formed at the Mg/fresh steel was thin, inducing interfacial failure, whereas the joint with pre-existing Fe–Al phase fractured at the seam, indicating that the pre-existing Fe–Al phase was beneficial to formation and growth of the Fe–Al phase.
Surface characterisation of carbon films produced by plasma chemical vapour deposition method
Authors: Khettache A. , Staedler T. , Touhami M. Z. , Weiß H. , Jiang X.
Published: April 2013

Carbon films were deposited on Si (111) wafers by microwave electron cyclotron resonance/plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition using a benzene–argon gas mixture with different argon flowrates (5, 15 and 30 sccm). The structure, surface morphology and hardness were studied. The film surface has been characterised by Raman spectroscopy to study the hybridisation of carbon in the film, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was conducted to obtain bonding characteristics. The morphology of the films has been inspected by atomic force microscopy.
Comparison of tribological performance of some neat polymer and polymers composites
Authors: Unal H. , Mimaroglu A.
Published: April 2013

In this study, the tribological performances of some neat polymers and graphite and wax filled polymer composites were examined, compared and evaluated. The investigated neat polymers are polyoxymethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and polyamide (PA6) engineering polymers. The studied composites are 10 wt-% graphite and 6 wt-% wax filled PA6 polymer. Wear examination was performed on pin on disc arrangement. The test conditions were atmospheric, sliding speed range of 0·5–2·0 m s−1 and contact pressure range of 1·77–5·31 MPa. Furthermore, scanning and optical examinations of worn surfaces were carried out and considered. The results show the insignificant variation in polymer tribological performance with the increase in combined speed and pressure factor values. It was concluded that the PA6+10 wt-% graphite composite showed the highest tribological performance and suggested its application at high speed environment. Finally, it is also concluded that the wear mechanism of the worn surfaces includes transfer film, deformation and adhesive processes.