bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid‐Structure Interaction Analysis on Turbulent Annular Seals of Centrifugal Pumps during Transient Process
Authors: Jiang Qinglei , Zhai Lulu , Wang Leqin , Wu Dazhuan
Published: November 2011

The current paper studies the influence of annular seal flow on the transient response of centrifugal pump rotors during the start‐up period. A single rotor system and three states of annular seal flow were modeled. These models were solved using numerical integration and finite difference methods. A fluid‐structure interaction method was developed. In each time step one of the three annular seal models was chosen to simulate the annular seal flow according to the state of rotor systems. The objective was to obtain a transient response of rotor systems under the influence of fluid‐induced forces generated by annular seal flow. This method overcomes some shortcomings of the traditional FSI method by improving the data transfer process between two domains. Calculated results were in good agreement with the experimental results. The annular seal was shown to have a supportive effect on rotor systems. Furthermore, decreasing the seal clearance would enhance this supportive effect. In the transient process, vibration amplitude and critical speed largely changed when the acceleration of the rotor system increased.
The Importance of Social Connectedness in Building Age-Friendly Communities
Authors: Emlet Charles A. , Moceri Joane T.
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this paper is to further elucidate the importance of social relationships and social connectedness with aging in place and in developing elder-friendly communities. The process used in this study was inclusive of younger adults (age 40–65) as well as older adults (65+) in order to further understand how they envision a community that could support their own aging in place. A community forum, using the World Café format, was conducted in order to engage community members, 40 years and older, in conversation about the importance of social connectedness in elder-friendly communities. A second purpose of this forum was to obtain data on what would keep aging boomers in their community as they age. Three major themes emerged from qualitative analysis of the forum:social reciprocity,meaningful interactions, andstructural needs/barriers. The results of this study reinforce the importance of social connectedness in creating and maintaining elder-friendly communities for older adults, as well as soon-to-be retired individuals, wishing to maintain life connectedness to their community. The study suggests the possibility of using more nontraditional research techniques (such as the World Café process) for gathering community level data.
Clinical Use of Aspirin in Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Dai Yuxiang , Ge Junbo
Published: November 2011

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), principally heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death for both males and females in developed countries. Aspirin is the most widely used and tested antiplatelet drug in CVD, and it is proven to be the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy in treatment and prevention of CVD in clinical trials in various populations. In acute coronary syndrome, thrombotic stroke, and Kawasaki's disease, acute use of aspirin can decrease mortality and recurrence of cardiovascular events. As secondary prevention, aspirin is believed to be effective in acute coronary syndrome, stable angina, revascularization, stroke, TIA, and atrial fibrillation. Aspirin may also be used for patients with a high risk of future CVD for primary prevention, but the balance between benefits and the possibility of side effects must be considered.
Review of NVP and HG and Early Pharmacotherapeutic Intervention
Authors: Clark Shannon M. , Costantine Maged M. , Hankins Gary D. V.
Published: November 2011

NVP occurs in 50–90% of pregnancies, making it a common medical condition in pregnancy. Women present differently with any combination of signs and symptoms. It is appropriate to take the pregnancy-related versus nonpregnancy-related approach when determining the cause of nausea and vomiting but other causes should be considered. The most common etiologies for NVP include the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, the physiologic changes in the gastrointestinal tract, and a genetic predisposition. Up to 10% of women will require pharmacotherapy to treat the symptoms of NVP despite conservative measures. ACOG currently recommends that a combination of oral pyridoxine hydrochloride and doxylamine succinate be used as first-line treatment for NVP if pyridoxine monotherapy does not relieve symptoms. A review of NVP and early pharmacotherapeutic management is presented due to the fact that NVP is largely undertreated, and investigations into the safe and effective pharmacotherapies available to treat NVP are lacking.
Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi fromActinidia macrospermaand Investigation of Their Bioactivities
Authors: Lu Yin , Chen Chuan , Chen Hong , Zhang Jianfen , Chen Weiqin
Published: November 2011

Endophytic fungi from the Chinese medicinal plantActinidia macrospermawere isolated and identified for the first time. This was the first study to evaluate their cytotoxic and antitumour activities against brine shrimp and five types of tumour cells, respectively. In total, 17 fungal isolates were obtained. Five different taxa were represented by 11 isolates, and six isolates were grouped into the species of AscomyceteIncertae sediswith limited morphological and molecular data. Cytotoxic activity has been found in most isolates except AM05, AM06, and AM10. The isolates AM07 (4.86 μg/mL), AM11 (7.71 μg/mL), and AM17 (14.88 μg/mL) exhibited significant toxicity against brine shrimp. The results of the MTT assay to assess antitumour activity revealed that 82.4% of isolate fermentation broths displayed growth inhibition (50% inhibitory concentration IC50< 100 μg/mL). Moreover, AM07, AM11, and AM17 showed strong antitumour activity in all the cell lines examined. These results suggest that endophytic fungi inA. macrospermaare valuable for the isolation and identification of novel cytotoxic and antitumour bioactive agents.
A Methodology to Estimate Capacity Impact due to Connected Vehicle Technology
Authors: Ni Daiheng , Li Jia , Andrews Steven , Wang Haizhong
Published: November 2011

Recent development in connected vehicle technology or equivalently vehicular ad hoc networks (VANET) has stimulated tremendous interests among decision makers, practitioners, and researchers due to the potential safety and mobility benefits provided by these technologies. A primary concern regarding the deployment of connected vehicle technology is the degree of market penetration required for effectiveness. This paper proposes a methodology to analyze the benefit of highway capacity gained from connected vehicle technology. To fulfill this purpose, a model incorporating the effects of connected vehicle technology on car following is formulated, building on which a rough estimate of the resulting capacity gain is derived. A simulation study is conducted to verify the model, and an illustrative example is provided to show the application of the methodology. This work provides decision makers and practitioners with a basic tool to understand the mobility benefit obtained from connected vehicle technology and how such benefit varies as market penetration changes.
Thickness Effect on F8T2/C60Bilayer Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Yamamoto Natasha A. D. , Macedo Andreia G. , Roman Lucimara S.
Published: November 2011

Copolymers based on fluorene-thiophene units have presented promising efficiencies in photovoltaic devices applications. They present good transport properties mainly after thermal treatment of the polymer films. Here, we investigate the properties of bilayer devices formed by the heterojunction of the polymer F8T2 with variable thickness and the fullerene. The series resistance of the equivalent circuit associated with the device increases as the polymer film gets thicker. The current-voltage characteristics of the bilayer devices follow the Mott-Gurney law of SCLC. For the best performing device we measured 2.1% of power conversion efficiency.
Robust Stochastic Stability Analysis for Uncertain Neutral‐Type Delayed Neural Networks Driven by Wiener Process
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Wang Linshan
Published: November 2011

The robust stochastic stability for a class of uncertain neutral‐type delayed neural networks driven by Wiener process is investigated. By utilizing the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and inequality technique, some sufficient criteria are presented in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) to ensure the stability of the system. A numerical example is given to illustrate the applicability of the result.
Targeting Abnormal DNA Repair in Therapy-Resistant Breast Cancers
Authors: Tobin Lisa A. , Robert Carine , Nagaria Pratik , Chumsri Saranya , Twaddell William , Ioffe Olga B. , Greco George E. , Brodie Angela H. , Tomkinson Alan E. , Rassool Feyruz V.
Published: November 2011

Although hereditary breast cancers have defects in the DNA damage response that result in genomic instability, DNA repair abnormalities in sporadic breast cancers have not been extensively characterized. Recently, we showed that, relative to nontumorigenic breast epithelial MCF10A cells, estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) MCF7 breast cancer cells and progesterone receptor–positive (PR+) MCF7 breast cancer cells have reduced steady-state levels of DNA ligase IV, a component of the major DNA–protein kinase (PK)-dependent nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, whereas the steady-state level of DNA ligase IIIα, a component of the highly error-prone alternative NHEJ (ALT NHEJ) pathway, is increased. Here, we show that tamoxifen- and aromatase-resistant derivatives of MCF7 cells and ER−/PR− cells have even higher steady-state levels of DNA ligase IIIα and increased levels of PARP1, another ALT NHEJ component. This results in increased dependence upon microhomology-mediated ALT NHEJ to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and the accumulation of chromosomal deletions. Notably, therapy-resistant derivatives of MCF7 cells and ER−/PR− cells exhibited significantly increased sensitivity to a combination of PARP and DNA ligase III inhibitors that increased the number of DSBs. Biopsies from ER−/PR− tumors had elevated levels of ALT NHEJ and reduced levels of DNA–PK-dependent NHEJ factors. Thus, our results show that ALT NHEJ is a novel therapeutic target in breast cancers that are resistant to frontline therapies and suggest that changes in NHEJ protein levels may serve as biomarkers to identify tumors that are candidates for this therapeutic approach. Mol Cancer Res; 10(1); 96–107. ©2011 AACR.
Hormonal Monitoring of Reproductive Status in Monogamous Wild Female Owl Monkeys (Aotus azarai) of the Argentinean Chaco
Authors: Fernandez-Duque Eduardo , Burke Kevin , Schoenrock Kelsi , Wolovich Christy K. , Valeggia Claudia R.
Published: November 2011

The Neotropical owl monkeys (Aotus spp.) are a good model for evaluating the hypothesis that monogamy may arise if female reproductive cycles limit the mating potential of males. To evaluate this hypothesis, we first needed to assess the feasibility of using fecal sampling for monitoring the reproductive status of females. We collected fecal samples (n = 242, from 7 females) from wild adult Aotus azarai females in the Gran Chaco forests of Argentina during 3 years. Fecal estrone-1-glucuronide (E1C) and pregnenadiol-3-glucuronide (PdG) tended to rise in parallel during the luteal phase. The average cycle length was 22 ± 3 days (n = 5 females, 10 cycles). We identified 2 conceptive cycles and characterized the E1C and PdG profiles of 2 pregnancies. This report is the first of its kind on wild female owl monkeys. Despite the difficulties in sample collection and processing in the field and providing a species-specific validation in the laboratory, we show that fecal samples from A. azarai can be used for monitoring female reproductive status and function.
STAT5 Activation and Cardioprotection by Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Humans
Authors: Heusch Gerd , Musiolik Judith , Kottenberg Eva , Peters Jürgen , Jakob Heinz , Thielmann Matthias
Published: November 2011

Rationale:

The heart can be protected from infarction by brief episodes of ischemia/reperfusion of a remote organ. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) by brief arm ischemia/reperfusion has been recruited in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions and during transport to the hospital for acute myocardial infarction. Cardioprotective signaling has been extensively characterized in animal experiments.

Objective:

To identify cardioprotective signaling by RIPC in humans.

Methods and Results:

RIPC was induced by 3 cycles of 5 minutes of arm ischemia/5 minutes of reperfusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Twelve patients each were randomly assigned to undergo RIPC or a sham control procedure. Protection was confirmed by reduced serum troponin I concentrations in patients with RIPC versus control patients. In myocardial biopsies, an array of established cardioprotective proteins was analyzed by Western immunoblotting. The phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) increased from baseline before ischemic cardioplegic arrest to 10 minutes of reperfusion with RIPC, and STAT5 phosphorylation during reperfusion was greater in patients with RIPC than in control patients.

Conclusions:

The identification of this unique signaling signature of RIPC will facilitate the development of pharmacological cardioprotection.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01406678.
Samba in Chicago
Authors: Beserra Bernadete
Published: November 2011

Where an immigrant population’s demand for cultural artifacts linked to its home country is insufficient for the social reproduction of those who work with those artifacts, creating and maintaining a market for them is crucial for their survival. The Brazilian community in Chicago is small, and therefore Brazilians who produce samba must both work together cooperatively and establish provisional or lasting alliances with other “ethnicities.” An analysis of the social dynamics of the production of samba in Chicago on the basis of ethnographic study of Chicago Samba, a Brazilian musical ensemble that has been active in the area since the late 1980s, reveals, among other things, that the production of samba in the city requires creating new spaces of sociability and cooperation among normally separate and distant social groups, a phenomenon that challenges the hegemonic politics of multiculturalism, in which each group limits itself to the consumption of its own cultural production.

Quando as demandas de uma população imigrante por bens culturais ligados ao seu país de origem são insuficientes para a reprodução social daqueles que trabalham com esses bens, é crucial que expandam os limites desse mercado étnico para alcançar outros grupos sociais. A população brasileira em Chicago é pequena e, portanto, os brasileiros que trabalham com samba tanto devem cooperar entre si como estabelecer alianças permanentes ou temporárias com outros grupos étnicos. A análise da dinâmica social da produção do samba em Chicago a partir de um estudo etnográfico do Chicago Samba, grupo musical ativo na área desde os fins dos anos de 1980, revela, entre outras coisas, que a produção do samba na cidade requer a criação de novos espaços de sociabilidade e cooperação entre grupos normalmente separados e distantes socialmente, produzindo um fenômeno que desafia a hegemônica política do multiculturalismo que usualmente orienta os grupos étnicos e raciais no sentido da limitação do consumo aos seus próprios bens culturais.
Mapping QLQ-C30, HAQ, and MSIS-29 on EQ-5D
Authors: Versteegh Matthijs M. , Leunis Annemieke , Luime Jolanda J. , Boggild Mike , Uyl-de Groot Carin A. , Stolk Elly A.
Published: November 2011

Background

Responses on condition-specific instruments can be mapped on the EQ-5D to estimate utility values for economic evaluation. Mapping functions differ in predictive quality, and not all condition-specific measures are suitable for estimating EQ-5D utilities. We mapped QLQ-C30, HAQ, and MSIS-29 on the EQ-5D and compared the quality of the mapping functions with statistical and clinical indicators.

Methods

We used 4 data sets that included both the EQ-5D and a condition-specific measure to develop ordinary least squares regression equations. For the QLQ-C30, we used a multiple myeloma data set and a non-Hodgkin lymphoma one. An early arthritis cohort was used for the HAQ, and a cohort of patients with relapsing remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis was used for the MSIS-29. We assessed the predictive quality of the mapping functions with the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) and the ability to discriminate among relevant clinical subgroups. Pearson correlations between the condition-specific measures and items of the EQ-5D were used to determine if there is a relationship between the quality of the mapping functions and the amount of correlated content between the used measures.

Results

The QLQ-C30 had the highest correlation with EQ-5D items. Average %RMSE was best for the QLQ-C30 with 10.9%, 12.2% for the HAQ, and 13.6% for the MSIS-29. The mappings predicted mean EQ-5D utilities without significant differences with observed utilities and discriminated between relevant clinical groups, except for the HAQ model.

Conclusions

The preferred mapping functions in this study seem suitable for estimating EQ-5D utilities for economic evaluation. However, this research shows that lower correlations between instruments lead to less predictive quality. Using additional validation tests besides reporting statistical measures of error improves the assessment of predictive quality.
What predicts level of expertise attained, quality of performance, and future musical aspirations in young instrumental players?
Authors: Hallam Susan
Published: November 2011

Research exploring learning outcomes in instrumental music has tended to focus on attainment ignoring other outcomes including long-term commitment to engage with music. This research addresses this issue. One hundred and sixty-three instrumental music students completed a questionnaire which sought information about their practising strategies, attitudes towards learning and performing, the level of support they received, their level of attainment, time spent practising and time learning. Their teachers were also asked to rate them on a range of musical and motivational factors. The students were aged from 7–17 with standards on graded instrumental examinations ranging from preliminary to Grade 8. A series of multiple regression analyses revealed that the level of expertise attained was best predicted by various measures of time spent learning while there were no statistically significant predictors of the quality of learning outcomes as assessed by the mark awarded in the most recent graded examination. Future aspirations in relation to music were predicted by a range of variables relating to enjoyment of musical activities, attitudes towards playing an instrument and the perceived value of music, musical self-beliefs and practising strategies.
Women Support Providers Are More Susceptible Than Men to Emotional Contagion Following Brief Supportive Interactions
Authors: Magen Eran , Konasewich Paul A.
Published: November 2011

People in distress often turn to friends for emotional support. Ironically, although receiving emotional support contributes to emotional and physical health, providing emotional support may be distressing as a result of emotional contagion. Women have been found to be more susceptible than men to emotional contagion in certain contexts, but no studies examined the context of providing support to a troubled friend in a naturalistic setting. Our exploratory study aimed to test for gender differences in emotional contagion as a result of offering emotional support to a troubled friend. We studied naturalistic informal supportive interactions among 48 pairs of friends. Following an 8-min interaction with a troubled friend, (a) women were more likely than men to experience a deterioration in their positive emotional state and (b) changes in women’s emotional state were positively correlated with changes in their troubled friends’ emotional state, whereas changes in male support providers’ emotional state were unrelated to changes in their troubled friends’ emotional state. These results suggest that women are more susceptible than men to emotional contagion following brief interactions with a troubled friend, thereby highlighting the importance of conducting additional research into the costs and benefits of exchanging emotional support among friends.
Head and Face Injuries During the Men’s Field Hockey Junior World Cup 2009
Authors: Mukherjee Swarup
Published: November 2011

Background: Head and face injuries in field hockey are a concern. However, published data on injuries in field hockey are minimal, with apparently no reports on head and face injuries in elite youth hockey players during major international tournaments.

Purpose: To provide a descriptive account of head and face injuries in elite youth male field hockey players during the Men’s Junior World Cup 2009.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods: A total of 324 players were observed during 58 matches in the tournament. The injury reporting system was based on that used in team sports during international tournaments. All the head and face injury documentation was done by direct on-location observation by a trained sports medicine physician followed by confirmation from the team doctors or physical therapists.

Results: A total of 24 head and face injuries were documented. The overall injury frequency rate was 16 per 1000 match hours and 19 per 1000 player matches. There were 92% of injuries that were of contact type, with the head being the most common site and contusion being the most common type of injury. The incidence of injuries was higher during the second half and during the medal/ranking phase of the tournament.

Conclusion: The risk of head and face injuries is high in elite youth players with a potential of both short- and long-term player time loss in international tournaments. Rigorous enforcement of rules prohibiting body contact can significantly reduce the chances of head and face injuries in elite youth field hockey players. In addition, player education on the injury risks and safe practices at the developmental stages is desirable to prevent injuries and prolong sporting careers.
Data analysis and performance model calibration of a small turbojet engine
Authors: Bakalis D P , Stamatis A G
Published: November 2011

The experience gained during the development of a small turbojet engine simulation model is presented in this article. The calibration of an initial model has been proven inadequate for producing reasonable values for some performance parameters, such as the turbine efficiency. Data analysis procedures indicated that some measurements were not thermodynamically consistent. Model recalibration based on the use of static instead of total pressure measurements in the turbine exit has proven to be beneficial both for the prediction of the measured parameters and for producing reasonable values for the turbine efficiency. Data correction procedures were also implemented successfully in order to incorporate all the available measurements in the model.
Musically puzzling II: Sensitivity to overall structure in a Haydn E-minor sonata
Authors: Granot Roni Y. , Jacoby Nori
Published: November 2011

Previous studies have suggested that listeners are insensitive to the overall tonal structure of musical pieces. In Part I of this report ( Granot & Jacoby, 2011 ) we reexamined this question by means of a puzzle task using 10 segments of Mozart’s B flat major piano sonata K. 570/I. As expected, subjects had difficulty in recreating the original piece. However, their answers revealed some interesting patterns, including (1) Some sensitivity to the overall structure of A–B–A’ around the non-stable B section; (2) Non-trivial sensitivity to overall “directionality” as shown by a new type of analysis (“distance score”); (3) Correct grouping and placement of developmental sections possibly related to listener’s sensitivity to musical tension; and (4) Sensitivity to opening and closing gestures, thematic similarity, and surface cues. In the current paper we further validate these findings by comparing the results obtained from a new group of participants who performed an 8-segment puzzle task of Haydn’s E minor piano sonata Hob. VXI-34/I. The similarity of our results to those obtained with the Mozart sonata validates our methods and points to the robustness of our findings, despite the differences in the music contexts (composer and key), and despite some methodological caveats.
Meetings at Work
Authors: Scott Cliff W. , Shanock Linda Rhoades , Rogelberg Steven G.
Published: November 2011

Although advances in communication technology were once expected to diminish the need for synchronous work meetings, meeting activity in organizations continues to rise. Regrettably, the time and energy employees spend in work meetings is not matched by the amount of direct attention group and organizational scholars have paid to meeting phenomena. This special issue of Small Group Research helps to address this gap by presenting empirical studies of work meetings that explore the theory and practice of work meetings.
Clinician Knowledge and Utilization of Empirically-Supported Treatments for Maltreated Children
Authors: Allen Brian , Gharagozloo Laadan , Johnson Jennifer C.
Published: November 2011

Efforts to disseminate empirically-supported treatments (ESTs) for maltreated children are confronted with numerous challenges, and the success of these efforts is unclear. The current study reports on the results of a nationwide survey of 262 clinicians serving maltreated children in the United States. From a provided list, clinicians were asked to identify interventions they believed possessed adequate empirical support, as well as the interventions they commonly used, were trained to use, or would like to receive training to use. Results showed that clinicians generally are unable to identify ESTs, and many of the interventions clinicians reported most commonly using and being trained to use are not typically considered to be empirically-supported (with the exception of Trauma-Focused Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy). Greater ability to accurately identify ESTs was predicted by favorable attitudes toward evidence-based practice; however, beliefs that non-ESTs were empirically-supported were best predicted by training background (e.g., professional discipline, education level, and theoretical orientation). Finally, regression analyses found that the interventions clinicians identified as empirically-supported predicted the interventions in which clinicians received training, which in turn predicted the interventions commonly used. Implications of these findings for dissemination and policy are discussed.
Screening for ADHD in an Adult Social Phobia Sample
Authors: Mörtberg Ewa , Tilfors Kerstin , Bejerot Susanne
Published: November 2011

Objective: Recent studies have suggested a link between a primary anxiety disorder and ADHD. Method: A total of 39 participants with a primary diagnosis of social phobia were compared with 178 patients with ADHD and 88 patients with other psychiatric disorders on measures for childhood and adult ADHD (the Wender Utah Rating Scale and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale). Results: Childhood symptoms of ADHD were reported by 7.8% of the social phobia participants, and 5.1% scored within the range of adult ADHD. The social phobia group reported significantly fewer ADHD symptoms than both of the comparison groups, who frequently reported social anxiety. Conclusion: Participants with social phobia recruited from the general population are less likely to suffer from ADHD. In contrast, patients with ADHD and patients with other psychiatric disorders appear to be likely to suffer from social anxiety.
Use of Biotechnology Coupled with Bake-Out Exhaust to Remove Indoor VOCs
Authors: Lu Yang , Liu Jing , Yoshino Hiroshi , Lu Bingnan , Jiang Anxi , Li Fen
Published: November 2011

A new technical development of biological treatment coupled with bake-out exhaust was applied to deal with indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Bake-out exhaust method was used to significantly accelerate the release of VOCs from building materials. Biotechnology was used in order to avoid the baked indoor air with high level of VOCs being exhausted outdoors directly, which may cause pollution problems in dense building areas without sufficient urban ventilation. Experiments show that baking 10 h at 40°C, the emission rate and concentration of VOCs increased significantly compared with less baking time and temperature. The gas was moved into the biotrickling filter after baking. Under the conditions of gaseous flow rate of 0.6 m3·h−1, surface liquid velocity of 3.14 m·h−1, pH of 6–7 and inlet temperature of 40°C, VOCs were biotreated. For formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene in the air stream with the concentration of 10.6 mg·m−3, 46.0 mg·m−3, 39.8 mg·m−3 and 42.1 mg·m−3, the removal efficiencies of biotrickling filter were about 100%, 48.9%, 66.2% and 66.3%, respectively. Four high-efficient bacteria were optimized and screened out from the biotrickling filter. After bioaugmentation, benzene, toluene and xylene removal efficiencies increased to 14.7%, 6.2% and 11.7%, respectively.
Chasing Objectivity? Critical Reflections on History, Identity, and the Public Performance of Indian Mascots
Authors: Guiliano Jennifer
Published: November 2011

Chasing Objectivity? Critical Reflections on History, Identity, and the Public Performance of Indian Mascots examines the role of the objectivity within the discipline of history via explorations of research into Native American sports mascots. I argue that Whiteness and other aspects of privilege are intimately, and publicly, entwined with the practice of “doing” history and that through explorations of historical narratives of race, we can reveal the limitations of the subjective-objective divide and the weight of our own privilege as academics and members of the broader American culture.
Integrated reliability and cost–benefit-based standards for transmission network operation
Authors: Moreno R , Pudjianto D , Strbac G
Published: November 2011

The growing interest in decarbonizing electricity systems, together with advances in communication and information technologies that may support the application of demand and generation solutions to solve network problems, has initiated reviews of traditional operational practices and security grid standards in a number of jurisdictions. The key concern is that these historical practices and standards, mostly developed in the 1950s, may be inappropriate for the new emerging system as they may pose entry barriers for both renewable generation and Smart Grid technologies. In this context, the current paper presents a probabilistic cost–benefit framework for the development of future efficient operating strategies and network security standards enabled by new technology. By optimally balancing the costs of network constraints with various operational measures composed of preventive and corrective control actions, considering potential outages of network and generation facilities, optimal network capacity that should be released to network users in real time is determined. This framework is compatible with Smart Grid concepts integrating new generation, network, and demand technology.

The study demonstrates that any attempt to fix a single generic rule for operating the network, as in the present deterministic standards, will lead to potentially significant inefficiencies. It is also shown that various operational measures (such as generation and demand response) can be effectively used to release additional network capacity. The results suggest that the probabilistic approach provides the basis for the development of future network operation and design standards that would maximize the value of the transmission network to users, enhance the utilization of existing networks, foster the entrance of new technologies that may complement and provide alternative network reinforcement, and hence facilitate efficient integration of renewable generation.
Characterizing the swimming tumble turn using acceleration data
Authors: Slawson S E , Justham L M , Conway P P , Le-Sage T , West A A
Published: November 2011

Work detailed in this paper describes the development of a swimmer-worn, wireless sensor node capable of capturing real time acceleration data during all phases of swimming, i.e. the start, free swimming, and turns. Analysis of results focuses on the interpretation of these data for the tumble turn. Phases of the turn are characterized in the data enabling the contribution of each phase – approach, rotation, and glide – to be evaluated. A single subject, a triathlete, 400 m swim trial was used to capture acceleration data of multiple turns for analysis. Statistical process control (SPC) charts were used to present results and give an indication of whether correlation occurred between each of the turn phases and total turn time. Informal feedback from swimming professionals suggested that these presentation methods supply results in an easy-to-interpret manner, whereby outliers and variations in performance could be visually identified.
Inpatient Management of Parkinson Disease
Authors: Oguh Odinachi , Videnovic Aleksandar
Published: November 2011

Parkinson disease (PD) is usually managed through outpatient clinical care. Reasons for hospital admissions are either directly related to PD or may reflect comorbidities. When hospitalized, patients with PD may face many challenges. Most commonly these are related to medication management, falls, mental status changes, infections, and emergence of psychiatric symptoms. Timely recognition and proper management of PD-specific hospitalization-related problems may be delayed, given the common lack of expertise in PD management of hospital physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. With increasing prevalence of PD, it is expected that more patients will require inpatient hospital care. It is therefore very important to recognize problems that may arise upon hospitalization of a patient with PD and provide education to health care professionals involved in the inpatient care of patients with PD. This approach may lead to reductions in complication rates and duration of hospital stays. Aim: In this review, we outline the most common reasons for hospitalization of patients with PD, discuss challenges related to inpatient hospital care of patients with PD, and comment on future directions aimed at optimizing hospitalization outcomes in the population with PD.
Does orlistat cause acute kidney injury?
Authors: Beyea Michael M. , Garg Amit X. , Weir Matthew A.
Published: November 2011

Orlistat is an inhibitor of gastric and pancreatic lipase with proven efficacy in the augmentation and maintenance of weight loss. Although its use has been limited by troublesome but benign gastrointestinal side effects, it has more recently been associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). In this review, we summarize orlistat’s benefits and drawbacks and discuss the body of evidence supporting its role as a cause of AKI. Although we cannot yet draw an unequivocal causal link between orlistat and AKI, there is enough evidence to include orlistat exposure in the clinical assessment of patients with AKI.
The canonical Wnt pathway shapes niches supportive of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Ichii Michiko , Frank Mark Barton , Iozzo Renato V. , Kincade Paul W.
Published: November 2011

Considerable information has accumulated about components of BM that regulate the survival, self-renewal, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. In the present study, we investigated Wnt signaling and assessed its influence on human and murine hematopoiesis. Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) were placed on Wnt3a-transduced OP9 stromal cells. The proliferation and production of B cells, natural killer cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells were blocked. In addition, some HSPC characteristics were maintained or re-acquired along with different lineage generation potentials. These responses did not result from direct effects of Wnt3a on HSPCs, but also required alterations in the OP9 cells. Microarray, PCR, and flow cytometric experiments revealed that OP9 cells acquired osteoblastic characteristics while down-regulating some features associated with mesenchymal stem cells, including the expression of angiopoietin 1, the c-Kit ligand, and VCAM-1. In contrast, the production of decorin, tenascins, and fibromodulin markedly increased. We found that at least 1 of these extracellular matrix components, decorin, is a regulator of hematopoiesis: upon addition of this proteoglycan to OP9 cocultures, decorin caused changes similar to those caused by Wnt3a. Furthermore, hematopoietic stem cell numbers in the BM and spleen were elevated in decorin-knockout mice. These findings define one mechanism through which canonical Wnt signaling could shape niches supportive of hematopoiesis.
Analysis of deep tissue hypersensitivity to pressure pain in professional pianists with insidious mechanical neck pain
Authors: Linari-Melfi Marcela , Cantarero-Villanueva Irene , Fernández-Lao Carolina , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Guisado-Barrilao Rafael , Arroyo-Morales Manuel
Published: November 2011

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pressure pain hyperalgesia is a feature of professional pianists suffering from neck pain as their main playing-related musculoskeletal disorder.

Methods

Twenty-three active expert pianists, 6 males and 17 females (age: 36 ± 12 years) with insidious neck pain and 23 pianists, 9 males and 14 females (age: 38 ± 10 years) without neck pain the previous year were recruited. A numerical pain rate scale, Neck Disability Index, hand size and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed bilaterally over the C5-C6 zygapophyseal joint, deltoid muscle, the second metacarpal and the tibialis anterior muscle in a blinded design.

Results

The results showed that PPT levels were significantly decreased bilaterally over the second metacarpal and tibialis anterior muscles (P < 0.05), but not over C5-C6 zygapophyseal joint and deltoid muscle (P > 0.10), in pianists with neck pain as compared to healthy pianists. Pianists with neck pain had a smaller (P < 0.05) hand size (mean: 181.8 ± 11.8) as compared to pianists without neck pain (mean: 188. 6 ± 13.1). PPT over the tibialis anterior muscles was negatively correlated with the intensity of neck pain.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed pressure pain hypersensitivity over distant non-symptomatic distant points but not over the symptomatic areas in pianists suffering from neck pain. In addition, pianists with neck pain also had smaller hand size than those without neck pain. Future studies are needed to further determine the relevance of these findings in the clinical course of neck pain as playing-related musculoskeletal disorder in professional pianists.
A systematic review of integrated working between care homes and health care services
Authors: Davies Sue L , Goodman Claire , Bunn Frances , Victor Christina , Dickinson Angela , Iliffe Steve , Gage Heather , Martin Wendy , Froggatt Katherine
Published: November 2011

Background

In the UK there are almost three times as many beds in care homes as in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. Care homes rely on primary health care for access to medical care and specialist services. Repeated policy documents and government reviews register concern about how health care works with independent providers, and the need to increase the equity, continuity and quality of medical care for care homes. Despite multiple initiatives, it is not known if some approaches to service delivery are more effective in promoting integrated working between the NHS and care homes. This study aims to evaluate the different integrated approaches to health care services supporting older people in care homes, and identify barriers and facilitators to integrated working.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using Medline (PubMed), CINAHL, BNI, EMBASE, PsycInfo, DH Data, Kings Fund, Web of Science (WoS incl. SCI, SSCI, HCI) and the Cochrane Library incl. DARE. Studies were included if they evaluated the effectiveness of integrated working between primary health care professionals and care homes, or identified barriers and facilitators to integrated working. Studies were quality assessed; data was extracted on health, service use, cost and process related outcomes. A modified narrative synthesis approach was used to compare and contrast integration using the principles of framework analysis.

Results

Seventeen studies were included; 10 quantitative studies, two process evaluations, one mixed methods study and four qualitative. The majority were carried out in nursing homes. They were characterised by heterogeneity of topic, interventions, methodology and outcomes. Most quantitative studies reported limited effects of the intervention; there was insufficient information to evaluate cost. Facilitators to integrated working included care home managers' support and protected time for staff training. Studies with the potential for integrated working were longer in duration.

Conclusions

Despite evidence about what inhibits and facilitates integrated working there was limited evidence about what the outcomes of different approaches to integrated care between health service and care homes might be. The majority of studies only achieved integrated working at the patient level of care and the focus on health service defined problems and outcome measures did not incorporate the priorities of residents or acknowledge the skills of care home staff. There is a need for more research to understand how integrated working is achieved and to test the effect of different approaches on cost, staff satisfaction and resident outcomes.
New Pathogenic Thyrotropin Receptor Mutations Decipher Differentiated Activity Switching at a Conserved Helix 6 Motif of Family A GPCR
Authors: Biebermann Heike , Winkler Franziska , Handke Daniela , Teichmann Anke , Gerling Burkhard , Cameron Fergus , Eichhorst Jenny , Grüters Annette , Wiesner Burkhard , Kühnen Peter , Krude Heiko , Kleinau Gunnar
Published: November 2011

Context:

In this paper we report two new TSH receptor (TSHR) mutations. One mutation (Pro6396.50Leu) was identified in two siblings with congenital hypothyroidism, and a second mutation (Cys6366.47Arg) was found in a patient suffering from nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism. Both mutations are located in transmembrane helix (TMH) 6 at the conserved Cys6.47-Trp(Met)6.48-Leu(Ala)6.49-Pro6.50 motif of family A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR).

Objective:

To study the pathogenic mechanisms, we tested patients' mutations and further side chain variations regarding their effects on TSHR signaling.

Results:

Substitution Pro639Leu fully inactivates the promiscuous TSHR for cAMP (Gs) and IP (Gq) signaling. In contrast, Cys636Arg leads to constitutive activation of Gs. Organization of TSHR in oligomers was not modified by mutations at position 636. Interestingly, it is known from crystal structures of GPCR that Pro6.50 is located at a TMH6 kink-distortion, which is a pivot during activation-related helical movements. However, the cell surface expressions of all mutants at position 639 were comparable to wild type, indicating a helical conformation like wild type.

Conclusion:

Until now, only naturally occurring constitutively activating mutations in TSHR TMH6 have been reported, but here we present the first pathogenic inactivating mutation (Pro639Leu). Our data are indicative of differentiated regulation of Gs and Gq signaling at particular TMH6 positions, but without any effects on TSHR oligomer constellation. Details of signaling modulation by each mutant at positions 6366.47 and 6396.50 help us to understand high conservation of these amino acids in family A GPCR. Described molecular (pathogenic) mechanisms are likely not unique for TSHR.
The zipcode-binding protein ZBP1 influences the subcellular location of the Ro 60-kDa autoantigen and the noncoding Y3 RNA
Authors: Sim Soyeong , Yao Jie , Weinberg David E. , Niessen Sherry , Yates John R. , Wolin Sandra L.
Published: November 2011

The Ro 60-kDa autoantigen, a ring-shaped RNA-binding protein, traffics between the nucleus and cytoplasm in vertebrate cells. In some vertebrate nuclei, Ro binds misfolded noncoding RNAs and may function in quality control. In the cytoplasm, Ro binds noncoding RNAs called Y RNAs. Y RNA binding blocks a nuclear accumulation signal, retaining Ro in the cytoplasm. Following UV irradiation, this signal becomes accessible, allowing Ro to accumulate in nuclei. To investigate how other cellular components influence the function and subcellular location of Ro, we identified several proteins that copurify with the mouse Ro protein. Here, we report that the zipcode-binding protein ZBP1 influences the subcellular localization of both Ro and the Y3 RNA. Binding of ZBP1 to the Ro/Y3 complex increases after UV irradiation and requires the Y3 RNA. Despite the lack of an identifiable CRM1-dependent export signal, nuclear export of Ro is sensitive to the CRM1 inhibitor leptomycin B. In agreement with a previous report, we find that ZBP1 export is partly dependent on CRM1. Both Ro and Y3 RNA accumulate in nuclei when ZBP1 is depleted. Our data indicate that ZBP1 may function as an adapter to export the Ro/Y3 RNA complex from nuclei.
Structural architecture of an RNA that competitively inhibits RNase L
Authors: Keel Amanda Y. , Jha Babal Kant , Kieft Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2011

Activation of RNase L endonuclease activity is part of the mammalian innate immune response to viral infection. The poliovirus RNA genome contains a sequence in its protein-coding region that can act as a competitive inhibitor of RNase L. Mutation, sequence, and functional analysis of this competitive inhibitor RNA (ciRNA) revealed that its activity depends on specific sequences, showed that a loop–loop hairpin interaction forms in the ciRNA, and suggested the presence of a loop E motif. These features lead to the hypothesis that the ciRNA's function is conferred in part by a specific three-dimensional folded RNA architecture. By using a combination of biophysical, mutational, and functional studies, we have mapped features of the three-dimensional architecture of the ciRNA in its unbound form. We show that the loop–loop interaction forms in the free ciRNA and affects the overall structure, perhaps forming long-range tertiary interactions with the loop E motif. Local tight RNA–RNA backbone packing occurs in parts of the structure, but the fold appears to be less stable than many other tightly packed RNAs. This feature may allow the ciRNA to accommodate the translocation of ribosomes and polymerase across this multifunctional region of the viral RNA but also to function as an RNase L inhibitor.