bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin Autofluorescence as a Measure of Advanced Glycation End Products Deposition Is Elevated in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: de Vos Lisanne C. , Noordzij Marjon J. , Mulder Douwe J. , Smit Andries J. , Lutgers Helen L. , Dullaart Robin P.F. , Kamphuisen Pieter W. , Zeebregts Clark J. , Lefrandt Joop D.
Published: November 2012

Objective—

Evidence for an important role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease beyond diabetes mellitus and renal disease is growing. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a validated noninvasive measure of tissue AGEs. We hypothesized that SAF is elevated in peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods and Results—

A case–control study was performed in 492 patients with PAD and 164 controls, matched for age (mean 66±10 years) and presence of diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity (coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm) were assessed. SAF was measured with the AGE Reader. SAF was higher in patients compared with controls: geometric mean 2.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.71–2.83) versus 2.44 (95% CI, 2.35–2.53) arbitrary units,
P
=0.4×10
−8
. In logistic regression, the adjusted odds ratio for the presence of PAD was 2.47 (95% CI, 1.66–3.69) per 1 unit increase of SAF. PAD patients with cardiovascular comorbidity had a higher SAF compared with those without: geometric mean 2.93 (95% CI, 2.85–3.02) versus 2.63 (95% CI, 2.55–2.71) arbitrary units,
P
=0.4×10
−6
, also after correction for confounders. Regression analysis showed that age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and a history of cerebrovascular disease or abdominal aortic aneurysm were independently associated with SAF in the patients with PAD.

Conclusion—

Accumulation of tissue AGEs is increased in patients with PAD, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity, although these conditions are associated with a further increase. These findings underscore the importance of AGEs in PAD, irrespective of the presence of diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency.
Sildenafil Potentiates Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling in Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells and in Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Yang Jun , Li Xiaohui , Al-Lamki Rafia S. , Wu Changxin , Weiss Astrid , Berk Joachim , Schermuly Ralph T. , Morrell Nicholas W.
Published: November 2012

Objective—

Mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR-II) are responsible for the majority of cases of heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and BMPR-II deficiency contributes to idiopathic and experimental forms of PAH. Sildenafil, a potent type-5 nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is an established treatment for PAH, but whether sildenafil affects bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in the pulmonary circulation remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

Studies were undertaken in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and in vivo in the monocrotaline rat model of PAH. In PASMCs, sildenafil enhanced BMP4-induced phosphorylation of Smad1/5, Smad nuclear localization, and Inhibitor of DNA binding protein 1 gene and protein expression. This effect was mimicked by 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. Pharmacological inhibition or small interfering RNA knockdown of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I inhibited the effect of sildenafil on BMP signaling. In functional studies, we observed that sildenafil potentiated the antiproliferative effects of BMP4 on PASMC proliferation. Furthermore, sildenafil restored the antiproliferative response to BMP4 in PASMCs harboring mutations in BMPR-II. In the monocrotaline rat model of PAH, which is characterized by BMPR-II deficiency, sildenafil prevented the development of pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling, and partly restored Smad1/5 phosphorylation and Inhibitor of DNA binding protein 1 gene expression in vivo in monocrotaline exposed rat lungs.

Conclusion—

Sildenafil enhances canonical BMP signaling via cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I in vitro and in vivo, and partly restores deficient BMP signaling in BMPR-II mutant PASMCs. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism of action of sildenafil in the treatment of PAH and suggest that targeting BMP signaling may be beneficial in this disease.
Comprehensive Annular and Subvalvular Repair of Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Improves Long-Term Results With the Least Ventricular Remodeling
Authors: Szymanski Catherine , Bel Alain , Cohen Iris , Touchot Bernard , Handschumacher Mark D. , Desnos Michel , Carpentier Alain , Menasché Philippe , Hagège Albert A. , Levine Robert A. , Messas Emmanuel
Published: November 2012

Background—

Undersized ring annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with variable results and >30% MR recurrence. We tested whether subvalvular repair by severing second-order mitral chordae can improve annuloplasty by reducing papillary muscle tethering.

Methods and Results—

Posterolateral myocardial infarction known to produce chronic remodeling and MR was created in 28 sheep. At 3 months, sheep were randomized to sham surgery versus isolated undersized annuloplasty versus isolated bileaflet chordal cutting versus the combined therapy (n=7 each). At baseline, chronic myocardial infarction (3 months), and euthanasia (6.6 months), we measured left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction, wall motion score index, MR regurgitation fraction and vena contracta, mitral annulus area, and posterior leaflet restriction angle (posterior leaflet to mitral annulus area) by 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional echocardiography. All groups were comparable at baseline and chronic myocardial infarction, with mild to moderate MR (MR vena contracta, 4.6±0.1 mm; MR regurgitation fraction, 24.2±2.9%) and mitral annulus dilatation (
P
<0.01). At euthanasia, MR progressed to moderate to severe in controls but decreased to trace with ring plus chordal cutting versus trace to mild with chordal cutting alone versus mild to moderate with ring alone (MR vena contracta, 5.9±1.1 mm in controls, 0.5±0.08 with both, 1.0±0.3 with chordal cutting alone, 2.0±0.4 with ring alone;
P
<0.01). In addition, LV end-systolic volume increased by 108% in controls versus 28% with ring plus chordal cutting, less than with each intervention alone (
P
<0.01). In multivariate analysis, LV end-systolic volume and mitral annulus area most strongly predicted MR (
r
2
=0.82,
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

Comprehensive annular and subvalvular repair improves long-term reduction of both chronic ischemic MR and LV remodeling without decreasing global or segmental LV function at follow-up.
Reducing Door-to-Needle Times Using Toyota’s Lean Manufacturing Principles and Value Stream Analysis
Authors: Ford Andria L. , Williams Jennifer A. , Spencer Mary , McCammon Craig , Khoury Naim , Sampson Tomoko R. , Panagos Peter , Lee Jin-Moo
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose—

Earlier tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment for acute ischemic stroke increases efficacy, prompting national efforts to reduce door-to-needle times. We used lean process improvement methodology to develop a streamlined intravenous tPA protocol.

Methods—

In early 2011, a multidisciplinary team analyzed the steps required to treat patients with acute ischemic stroke with intravenous tPA using value stream analysis (VSA). We directly compared the tPA-treated patients in the “pre-VSA” epoch with the “post-VSA” epoch with regard to baseline characteristics, protocol metrics, and clinical outcomes.

Results—

The VSA revealed several tPA protocol inefficiencies: routing of patients to room, then to CT, then back to the room; serial processing of workflow; and delays in waiting for laboratory results. On March 1, 2011, a new protocol incorporated changes to minimize delays: routing patients directly to head CT before the patient room, using parallel process workflow, and implementing point-of-care laboratories. In the pre and post-VSA epochs, 132 and 87 patients were treated with intravenous tPA, respectively. Compared with pre-VSA, door-to-needle times and percent of patients treated ≤60 minutes from hospital arrival were improved in the post-VSA epoch: 60 minutes versus 39 minutes (
P
<0.0001) and 52% versus 78% (
P
<0.0001), respectively, with no change in symptomatic hemorrhage rate.

Conclusions—

Lean process improvement methodology can expedite time-dependent stroke care without compromising safety.
Telephone Assessment of Cognition After Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke
Authors: Pendlebury Sarah T. , Welch Sarah J.V. , Cuthbertson Fiona C. , Mariz Jose , Mehta Ziyah , Rothwell Peter M.
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose—

Face-to-face cognitive testing is not always possible in large studies. Therefore, we assessed the telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA: MoCA items not requiring pencil and paper or visual stimulus) and the modified Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TICSm) against face-to-face cognitive tests in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.

Methods—

In a population-based study, consecutive community-dwelling patients underwent the MoCA and neuropsychological battery >1 year after TIA or stroke, followed by T-MoCA (22 points) and TICSm (39 points) at least 1 month later. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was diagnosed using modified Petersen criteria and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) determined for T-MoCA and TICSm.

Results—

Ninety-one nondemented subjects completed neuropsychological testing (mean±SD age, 72.9±11.6 years; 54 males; stroke 49%) and 73 had telephone follow-up. MoCA subtest scores for repetition, abstraction, and verbal fluency were significantly worse (
P
<0.02) by telephone than during face-to-face testing. Reliability of diagnosis for MCI (AUC) were T-MoCA of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.87) and TICSm of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.68–0.90) vs face-to-face MoCA of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.76–0.94). Optimal cutoffs were 18 to 19 for T-MoCA and 24 to 25 for TICSm. Reliability of diagnosis for MCI (AUC) was greater when only multi-domain impairment was considered (T-MoCA=0.85; 95% CI, 0.75–0.96 and TICSm=0.83, 95% CI, 0.70–0.96) vs face-to-face MoCA=0.87; 95% CI, 0.76–0.97).

Conclusions—

Both T-MoCA and TICSm are feasible and valid telephone tests of cognition after TIA and stroke but perform better in detecting multi-domain vs single-domain impairment. However, T-MoCA is limited in its ability to assess visuoexecutive and complex language tasks compared with face-to-face MoCA.
Early Change in Ferumoxytol-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Suggests Unstable Human Cerebral Aneurysm
Authors: Hasan David , Chalouhi Nohra , Jabbour Pascal , Dumont Aaron S. , Kung David K. , Magnotta Vincent A. , Young William L. , Hashimoto Tomoki , Winn H. Richard , Heistad Donald
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose—

The clinical significance of early (ie, within the first 24 hours) uptake of ferumoxytol by macrophages in the wall of human cerebral aneurysms is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether early uptake of ferumoxytol suggests unstable cerebral aneurysm.

Methods—

Thirty unruptured aneurysms in 22 patients were imaged with magnetic resonance imaging 24 hours after infusion of ferumoxytol. Eighteen aneurysms were also imaged 72 hours after infusion of ferumoxytol. Aneurysm dome tissue was collected from 4 patients with early magnetic resonance imaging signal changes, 5 patients with late signal changes, and 5 other patients with ruptured aneurysms. The tissue was immunostained for expression of cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1, and macrophages.

Results—

In 23% (7/30) of aneurysms, there was pronounced early uptake of ferumoxytol. Four aneurysms were clipped. The remaining 3 aneurysms were managed conservatively; all 3 ruptured within 6 months. In 53% (16 of 30) of aneurysms, there was pronounced uptake of ferumoxytol at 72 hours. Eight aneurysms were surgically clipped, and 8 were managed conservatively; none ruptured or increased in size after 6 months. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2, microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1, and macrophages was similar in unruptured aneurysms with early uptake of ferumoxytol and ruptured aneurysms. Expression of these inflammatory molecules was significantly higher in aneurysms with early uptake of ferumoxytol versus aneurysms with late uptake.

Conclusions—

Uptake of ferumoxytol in aneurysm walls within the first 24 hours strongly suggests aneurysm instability and probability of rupture within 6 months, and may warrant urgent intervention.
School physical education: The effectiveness of health-related interventions and recommendations for health-promotion practice
Authors: Quitério Ana Luísa Dias
Published: November 2012

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of physical education (PE) interventions designed to foster health features among school-aged children, and to present a qualitative perspective of the different approaches that are most effective in promoting health among youth.

Design:

Systematic review.

Method:

An extensive electronic literature search was carried out of published trials on interventions targeted to alter health features using school PE. The systematic searches across PE programmes and different health features were conducted using Medline and Web of Science databases. Following screening for scope and relevance, the studies included were compared based on the type of PE programme: augmented PE programme, non-augmented PE programme and multi-component programme.

Results:

A number of positive outcomes have been reached. Improvements were reported in both self-reported and objectively measured physical activity (PA), student activity levels during PE, physical fitness, blood profile, fundamental movement skills, cardiovascular disease risk, health-knowledge and dietary profiles. A considerable number of PE-interventions failed to decrease body mass index (BMI), adiposity measures and percent body fat (% BF). Modest effects were also observed for bone mass acquisition.

Conclusion:

Evidence revealed positive and consistent results across different health features. Nevertheless, the findings regarding body composition were inconsistent and sparse. Few considerations and recommendations were raised toward the PE role in the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and a number of implications for health promotion practice have been stressed.
Differentiation and discrimination: Understanding social class and social exclusion in leading law firms
Authors: Ashley Louise , Empson Laura
Published: November 2012

For leading law firms in the City of London, diversity and inclusion has become an important human resources strategy over the past 15 years. A recent focus on social class within the sector has been encouraged by increasing governmental concerns relating to social mobility, which acknowledge that elite professions, particularly the law, have become more socially exclusive over the past 30 years. Based on a detailed qualitative study of six leading law firms conducted between 2006 and 2010, this article asks: why do leading law firms discriminate on the basis of social class? It argues that discrimination is a response to conflicting commercial imperatives: the first to attract talent and the second to reduce risk and enhance image. The article describes these dynamics, emphasizing the role played by the ambiguity of knowledge. It argues that until these conflicting demands are reconciled, organizational and state-sponsored initiatives centred on the ‘business case’ for diversity may achieve only limited success.
Structure, agency and career strategies of white women and black and minority ethnic individuals in the legal profession
Authors: Tomlinson Jennifer , Muzio Daniel , Sommerlad Hilary , Webley Lisa , Duff Liz
Published: November 2012

The legal profession in England and Wales is becoming more diverse. However, while white women and black and minority ethnic (BME) individuals now enter the profession in larger numbers, inequalities remain. This article explores the career strategies of 68 white women and BME legal professionals to understand more about their experiences in the profession. Archer’s work on structure and agency informs the analysis, as does Emirbayer and Mische’s (1998) ‘temporally embedded’ conceptualization of agency as having past, current and future elements. We identify six career strategies, which relate to different career points. They are assimilation, compromise, playing the game, reforming the system, location/relocation and withdrawal. We find that five of the six strategies tend to reproduce rather than transform opportunity structures in the legal profession. The overall picture is one of structural reproduction (rather than transformation) of traditional organizational structure and practice. The theoretical frame and empirical data analysis presented in this article accounts for the rarity of structural reform and goes some way towards explaining why, even in contexts populated by highly skilled, knowledgeable agents and where organizations appear committed to equal opportunities, old opportunity structures and inequalities often endure.
Organizational ethical climate, perceived organizational support, and employee silence: A cross-level investigation
Authors: Wang Yau-De , Hsieh Hui-Hsien
Published: November 2012

This article reports on a study investigating the cross-level relationships of organizational ethical climate on employee silence. Using a sample of 408 full-time employees from 24 high-technology firms in Taiwan, the study conducted multilevel analyses to examine its hypotheses. The results showed that instrumental climate – one type of organizational ethical climate – had a positive association with acquiescent silence, but not with defensive silence. Another two types of organizational ethical climate – caring climate and independence climate – had a negative association with both acquiescent silence and defensive silence. Rules climate and the law and code climate, the remaining types of organizational ethical climate, were not associated with either the acquiescent silence or the defensive silence. The results also showed that the associations of the instrumental climate, caring climate, and independence climate with acquiescent silence and defensive silence are mediated by the perceived organizational support – an individual-level variable. Implications for management and future research are discussed.
Need Satisfaction and Well-Being
Authors: Church A. Timothy , Katigbak Marcia S. , Locke Kenneth D. , Zhang Hengsheng , Shen Jiliang , de Jesús Vargas-Flores José , Ibáñez-Reyes Joselina , Tanaka-Matsumi Junko , Curtis Guy J. , Cabrera Helena F. , Mastor Khairul A. , Alvarez Juan M. , Ortiz Fernando A. , Simon Jean-Yves R. , Ching Charles M.
Published: November 2012

According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), satisfaction of needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is a universal requirement for psychological well-being. We tested this hypothesis with college students in the United States, Australia, Mexico, Venezuela, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Japan. Participants rated the extent to which these needs, plus needs for self-actualization and pleasure-stimulation, were satisfied in various roles and reported their general hedonic (i.e., positive and negative affect) and eudaimonic (e.g., meaning in life, personal growth) well-being. Asian participants averaged lower than non-Asian participants in perceived satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and self-actualization needs and in most aspects of eudaimonic well-being, and these differences were partially accounted for by differences in dialecticism and independent self-construals. Nonetheless, perceived need satisfaction predicted overall well-being to a similar degree in all cultures and in most cultures provided incremental prediction beyond the Big Five traits. Perceived imbalance in the satisfaction of different needs also modestly predicted well-being, particularly negative affect. The study extended support for the universal importance of SDT need satisfaction to several new cultures.
Frontiers, Germs, and Nonconformist Voting
Authors: Varnum Michael E. W.
Published: November 2012

An emerging literature has documented differences in values and behavioral practices (including conformity) between frontiers (areas that were more recently settled) and areas with a longer history of settlement. However, so far there have been few tests of which mechanisms might contribute to the maintenance of such regional differences. The present study provides the first test of the hypothesis that differences in pathogen prevalence might underlie this regional variation. Specifically, the relationship between frontier settlement, pathogen prevalence, and nonconformist voting was explored. Date of statehood, a proxy for recency of settlement, was positively correlated with votes for third-party candidates, and this relationship was partially mediated by pathogen prevalence. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Utilization of low-ash biochar to partially replace carbon black in styrene–butadiene rubber composites
Authors: Peterson Steven C
Published: November 2012

A biochar made from woody waste feedstock with low-ash content was blended with carbon black (CB) as filler for styrene–butadiene rubber. At 10% total filler concentration (w/w), composites made from 25% or 50% biochar showed improved tensile strength, elongation, and toughness compared with similar composites filled with CB. This demonstrates the potential to use renewable biochar as a partial substitute for CB in flexible, low-filler rubber composite applications.
The popular music heritage of the Dutch pirates: illegal radio and cultural identity
Authors: van der Hoeven Arno
Published: November 2012

This article explores how cultural identities are negotiated in relation to the heritage of illegal radio in the Netherlands. The term ‘pirate radio’ commonly refers to the offshore radio stations that were broadcasting during the 1960s. These stations introduced commercial radio and popular music genres like beat music, which were not played by public broadcasters at the time. In their wake, land-based pirates began broadcasting for local audiences. This study examines the identities that are constituted by the narrative of pirate radio. Drawing on in-depth interviews with archivists, fans and broadcasters, this article explores the connection between pirate radio, popular music heritage and cultural identity. Moreover, it considers how new technologies such as internet radio provide platforms to engage with this heritage and thus to maintain these local identities. To examine how the memories of pirate radio live on in the present a narrative approach to identity will be used.
Balancing public and private interests in online media: the case of BBC Digital Curriculum
Authors: Michalis Maria
Published: November 2012

This article examines BBC Digital Curriculum, the BBC’s online learning service, from its conception in 1999 to its termination in 2008. Although it is a case study, the article has broader relevance for public service media. First, drawing on (media) policy-making literature, it presents a complex web of private, public and political interests refuting claims that commercial opposition alone closed down BBC Curriculum. Second, it questions the suggestion that the entry of public service broadcasting into a market necessarily displaces commercial activities. Third, it discusses complementarity, distinctiveness and market impact, and highlights some pitfalls of the public value test. Finally, it argues that BBC Digital Curriculum raised fundamentally political questions. The case study is placed in the context of public service content provision online, particularly the battle between ‘free’ and paid-for services, the outcome of which will shape the society we live in.
Removing Justitia’s blindfold: the mediatization of law in Israel
Authors: Peleg Anat , Bogoch Bryna
Published: November 2012

This article analyzes the process of mediatization in the legal sphere in Israel. It maps the reciprocal relations between legal professionals and journalists in Israel, and examines the impact of the changes that have occurred in the media on the press coverage of the courts, on legal decision-making and on the legal process. Interviews with judges, lawyers and journalists reveal that, despite evidence of the mediatization of the legal sphere, a number of factors serve to contain this process. We suggest the concept of “judinalism” to describe the changed arena of interaction in which there are contradictory processes of acceleration and moderation of the impact of the media on the legal realm in Israeli society.
Women’s absence from news photos: the role of tabloid strategies at elite and non-elite newspapers
Authors: Stanley Jason
Published: November 2012

In 1978, Gaye Tuchman pointed to women’s ‘symbolic annihilation’ from the public sphere as the media focused overwhelmingly on the activities of men. Has anything changed since then? This article presents findings from a longitudinal content analysis of 1252 news photos from two widely read American newspapers – one elite and one non-elite – between 1966 and 2006. Findings show that pictures of men dominated the news in both papers over this period. Nevertheless, women made more gains in the elite paper than in the non-elite paper. This article argues that these trends were the product of divergent paths towards tabloid journalism, where papers replace politics and business coverage with sports, entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle coverage. The elite paper expanded entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle coverage, where women show up just as often as men. The non-elite paper expanded sports coverage, where women are virtually absent.
A culturally specific dietary plan to manage weight gain among African American breast cancer survivors
Authors: Griffith Kathleen A , Royak-Schaler Renee , Nesbitt Kim , Zhan Min , Kozlovsky Adriane , Hurley Kristen , Pelser Colleen , Tkaczuk Katherine H Rak , Ryan Alice S
Published: November 2012

Breast cancer survival rates are lower in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasians, owing in part to a higher prevalence of obesity in the former, which increases the risk of recurrence and mortality. The Women’s Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) found that Caucasian women who followed a low-fat eating plan experienced a lower rate of cancer recurrence than women who maintained their usual diets. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a WINS plan tailored to the cultural needs of AA breast cancer survivors. This feasibility pilot study was conducted at a university National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center outpatient clinic with AA breast cancer survivors. The culturally specific WINS (WINS-c) plan included eight individual counseling sessions, five educational group meetings, and follow-up telephone calls over a 1-year period. Outcome measures included dietary fat, triglyceride, insulin and glucose levels, and fruit and vegetable intake. Participants ( n = 8) had a mean age of 61.1 years (standard error of the mean (SEM) 3.1 years) and a mean BMI of 32 kg/m2 (SEM 4.25 kg/m)2. Baseline daily fat consumption decreased from 64.6 g (range 36.8–119.6g) to 44.0 g (21.6–73.4g) at 52 weeks ( p = 0.07). Mean daily consumption of fruits and vegetables increased by 36% and 15%, respectively. Mean triglyceride levels decreased at 12 months ( p < 0.05). Sustained hyperinsulinemia was noted in most participants, including those without diabetes. Mean calcium and vitamin D consumption decreased over the 1-year study period. In AA breast cancer survivors, the WINS-c program resulted in a trend toward reduced fat consumption and may represent a sustainable approach in this population for improvement of diet quality after breast cancer.
Introduction to ‘Soul and Culture’
Authors: Kettler David
Published: November 2012

This introduction briefly places Karl Mannheim’s 1918 lecture on the crisis in relations between ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ culture in the context of Mannheim’s negotiations with Georg Simmel’s sociology of culture, as mediated by the young Mannheim’s intimate ties to Georg Lukács and his circle.
Responses to environmental smoking in never-smoking children: can symptoms of nicotine addiction develop in response to environmental tobacco smoke exposure?
Authors: Schuck Kathrin , Kleinjan Marloes , Otten Roy , Engels Rutger CME , DiFranza Joseph R
Published: November 2012

A recent line of studies has brought attention to the question whether repeated exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is capable of producing psycho-physiological effects in non-smokers and whether symptoms of nicotine dependence can develop in the absence of active smoking. Children seem to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of ETS. We examined the occurrence of psycho-behavioural symptoms, designed to assess nicotine addiction and nicotine withdrawal, in a sample of 778 never-smoking children aged 9–12 years using cross-sectional survey data collected in 15 Dutch primary schools. In the present study, 6% of never-smoking children reported symptoms of craving, 8% reported cue-triggered wanting to smoke, and 20% reported subjective symptoms in response to ETS exposure. In never-smoking children, a higher number of smokers in the child’s social environment was associated with more symptoms of cue-triggered wanting to smoke and more subjective symptoms in response to ETS. Never-smoking children and children who had initiated smoking were equally likely to report subjective symptoms in response to ETS exposure. In conclusion, environmental smoking is associated with self-reported psycho-behavioural symptoms in never-smoking children. Future research needs to investigate whether symptoms in children exposed to ETS are physiologically based or whether they reflect other characteristics which predispose youth for smoking initiation in the future.
Clavicular Bone Tunnel Malposition Leads to Early Failures in Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstructions
Authors: Cook Jay B. , Shaha James S. , Rowles Douglas J. , Bottoni Craig R. , Shaha Steven H. , Tokish John M.
Published: November 2012

Background:

Modern techniques for the treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations have largely centered on free tendon graft reconstructions. Recent biomechanical studies have demonstrated that an anatomic reconstruction with 2 clavicular bone tunnels more closely matches the properties of native coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments than more traditional techniques. No study has analyzed tunnel position in regard to risk of early failure.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of clavicular tunnel position in CC ligament reconstruction as a risk of early failure.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of a consecutive series of CC ligament reconstructions performed with 2 clavicular bone tunnels and a free tendon graft. The population was largely a young, active-duty military group of patients. Radiographs were analyzed for the maintenance of reduction and location of clavicular bone tunnels using a picture archiving and communication system. The distance from the lateral border of the clavicle to the center of each bone tunnel was divided by the total clavicular length to establish a ratio. Medical records were reviewed for operative details and functional outcome. Failure was defined as loss of intraoperative reduction.

Results:

The overall failure rate was 28.6% (8/28) at an average of 7.4 weeks postoperatively. Comparison of bone tunnel position showed that medialized bone tunnels were a significant predictor for early loss of reduction for the conoid (a ratio of 0.292 vs 0.248; P = .012) and trapezoid bone tunnels (a ratio of 0.171 vs 0.128; P = .004); this correlated to an average of 7 to 9 mm more medial in the reconstructions that failed. Reconstructions performed with a conoid ratio of ≥0.30 were significantly more likely to fail (5/5, 100%) than were those performed lateral to a ratio of 0.30 (3/23, 13.0%) ( P < .01). There were no failures when the conoid ratio was <0.25 (0/10, 0%). Conoid tunnel placement was also statistically significant for predicting return to duty in our active-duty population.

Conclusion:

Medial tunnel placement is a significant factor in risk for early failures when performing anatomic CC ligament reconstructions. Preoperative templating is recommended to evaluate optimal placement of the clavicular bone tunnels. Placement of the conoid tunnel at 25% of the clavicular length from the lateral border of the clavicle is associated with a lower rate of lost reduction and a higher rate of return to military duty.
Micromechanics-based progressive failure analysis of composite laminates using different constituent failure theories
Authors: Moncada Albert M , Chattopadhyay Aditi , Bednarcyk Brett A , Arnold Steven M
Published: November 2012

Predicting failure in a composite can be performed using ply level mechanisms and/or micro level mechanisms. This paper uses the generalized method of cells and high-fidelity generalized method of cells micromechanics theories, coupled with classical lamination theory, to study progressive damage in composites. Different failure theories, implemented at the fiber and matrix constituent level within a laminate, are investigated. A comparison is made among maximum stress, maximum strain, Tsai-Hill, and Tsai-Wu failure theories. To verify the failure theories, the Worldwide Failure Exercise experiments are used. The Worldwide Failure Exercise is a comprehensive study that covers a wide range of polymer matrix composite laminates. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the current predictive capabilities of the generalized method of cells and high-fidelity generalized method of cells micromechanics theories for the progressive failure prediction of polymer matrix composite laminates and to evaluate the influence of four failure criteria applied at the fiber/matrix constituent scale. The numerical results demonstrate overall agreement with the experimental results for most of the composite layups examined, but also point to the need for more accurate resin damage progression models.
Fatigue behaviour of surface–cracked glass/polyester composite plates
Authors: Akkuş Berrin Günaydın , Dagˇhan Behcet , Önal Gürol
Published: November 2012

This paper reports on the fatigue behaviour of surface–cracked glass/polyester composite plates. The machined cracks have various aspect ratios ( a/c) and depth ratios ( a/t). The propagation behaviour of surface cracks and delamination are investigated under constant-amplitude ( R = 0) loading. The stress intensity factor, KI, is obtained using Newman–Raju and Paris and Sih equations, while Kdel is determined using equations given by Suo and Hutchinson and Bao et al. The results were plotted as curves of the typical relationship between the crack growth rate ( dc/dN) and the stress intensity factor range (Δ KI) and the delamination propagation rate ( db/ dN) and the delamination stress intensity factor range (Δ Kdel). Material constants A and n were obtained according to the Paris–Erdoğan equation.
Effectiveness of repair on damaged concrete columns by using fiber-reinforced polymer composite and increasing concrete section
Authors: Ghernouti Y , Li Alex , Rabehi B
Published: November 2012

This research is a contribution to work on strengthening and repair of reinforced concrete structures, it presents a comparative study between two methods of repairing damaged concrete with an experimental investigation on the behavior of specimens initially pre-damaged up to intense cracking, repaired by increased concrete section and by bonding a carbon fiber reinforced polymer. In our study, the concrete columns with square sections of (15 × 15) cm2 and a height of 30 cm are tested under uniaxial compression loading up the damage, these columns have been repaired, using both methods, they are tested again and their behavior has been studied. Based on the criterion of Mohr–Coulomb failure, a model was developed for each method to validate the different results obtained experimentally. The experimental results show that the method to repair damaged concrete by carbon fiber reinforced polymer has a good substrate adhesion, which offered a great improvement in strength and ductility compared to the method by increased concrete section. The experimental results have been compared with the theoretical models, a good correlation was obtained.
Development of recyclable electron beam radiation crosslinked LDPE/‘EVA-embedded nanoclay’ nanocomposites
Authors: Chowdhury Subhendu Ray , Sabharwal Sunil , Sarma KSS
Published: November 2012

Electron beam crosslinking of polymeric material is an attractive mean nowadays for developing high-performance material. But recycling of polymer is becoming a problem due to high degree of strong crosslinked network formation. Our goal was to develop polymer-based materials, where the desired properties were improved by a satisfactory degree, partially by nanoscale filler (nanoclay) incorporation, and partially by low degree of electron beam crosslinking maintaining the material’s processability, crystallinity, and recyclability. Clay particles were dispersed into nanoscale in elastomeric poly (ethylene vinyl acetate) phase. These ‘poly (ethylene vinyl acetate) embedded nanoclay’ based nanobuilding blocks were dispersed into low-density polyethylene to form organic–inorganic nanohybrid (nanocomposite) followed by high-energy electron beam crosslinking of polymeric phases to improve the interested properties in a greater extent. The increase of the interlayer distance (‘ d’ values) in X-ray diffraction (wide angle X-ray diffraction) confirmed nanocomposite formation. From thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile testing it was noticed that thermal stability, crystallinity, and mechanical properties of the materials were improved by nanoclay incorporation as well as by electron beam crosslinking. Nanoclay incorporation increased the properties but up to a certain clay loading, above which polymer degraded in presence of clay. Due to combined effect of clay dispersion and low degree of electron beam crosslinking, properties of the materials were improved satisfactorily leaving a potential of the material to be recycled properly. Design flexibility is also increased due to less amount of crosslink incorporation.
Characterization of alkali-treated kenaf fibre-reinforced recycled polypropylene composites
Authors: Islam Muhammad Remanul , Beg Mohammad Dalour H , Gupta Arun
Published: November 2012

In this study, composites were produced using alkali-treated kenaf fibre and recycled polypropylene to improve the interfacial bonding between them. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene was used at a ratio of 1:10 to the fibre as a coupling agent. Blends are mixed together by means of a twin screw extruder and test specimens for mechanical testing were prepared through injection moulding machine. Fibre density, tensile property, elemental analysis, structural and morphological changes due to treatment was observed and their effects on the properties of the formulated composites were analyzed. Characterization of the composites was done by the tensile, flexural, impact and melt flow index tests. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis were carried out to evaluate the thermal properties of the composites. Experiment showed that best tensile strength (TS) was found at 40% loading of fibre and alkali treatment of fibre enhanced the TS by 57%. Activation energies were calculated through Broido’s equation. It was also found that recycled polypropylene degrades at one stage, while composites degrade at two stages. Incorporating fibres decrease the activation energies of the composites but both coupling agent and treatment of fibres in that case enhance activation energies by 11 kJ mol−1 and 29 kJ mol−1, respectively, in the second stage. Field emission scanning electron microscope of the fractured surface showed that treatment of fibre improves the interfacial bonding between fibres and matrix. Density and water uptake of the composites were also studied in this study.
Wear properties of polyetherimide and carbon fiber-reinforced polyetherimide composite
Authors: Yongxin Peng , Yilin Chi , Weimin Dong , Dongming Sun
Published: November 2012

The tribological properties of high temperature resistant thermoplastic composites, polyetherimide (PEI), reinforced with graphite and short carbon fiber (SCF), were investigated in dry sliding conditions. Friction and wear experiments were conducted on a pin-on-disc apparatus, using composite pins against polished steel counterparts. It was found that SCF could effectively enhance both the wear resistance and the load-carrying capacity of the base polymers. With the addition of SCF, the frictional coefficient and wear rate of the composites were further reduced especially. On the basis of microscopic observation of worn surfaces, dominant wear mechanisms are discussed.
Epoxidized natural rubber toughened polyamide 6/organically modified montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Balakrishnan Harintharavimal , Nematzadeh Navid , Wahit Mat Uzir , Hassan Azman , Imran Muhammad
Published: November 2012

The organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT)-filled polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposites were toughened with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). The PA6, ENR (15–30 wt%) and OMMT (4 parts per hundered (phr)) were melt compounded using counterrotating twin-screw extruder followed by the injection molding. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the OMMT platelets in PA6/ENR/OMMT nanocomposites were well dispersed. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra showed graft esterification reaction between PA6 and ENR during processing. It was found that the addition of ENR (up to 20% wt) increased the impact strength and elongation at break of the nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed well-dispersed ENR particles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the presence of ENR and OMMT had negligible effect on the glass transition of PA6 with a slight decrease in crystallization temperature and crystallinity in PA6/ENR/OMMT nanocomposites.
Research on the impact and friction and wear properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–rubber composites filled with SiC and graphite
Authors: Wang Xuejun , Chi Yilin , Liu Hongbin , Zhou Taoyong , Ding Yanfang , Xu Ping
Published: November 2012

To improve the friction and wear behavior of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) composites, graphite and silane-treated Silicon carbon (SiC) were incorporated. The tribological properties of the resulting composites were investigated systematically on a model ball-on-block test rig. The friction and wear mechanisms of the composites were studied through analyzing the worn surfaces by a scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results showed that the friction and wear behavior of the filled composites were improved greatest when graphite and silane-treated SiC were added together, indicating that there was a synergistic effect between them.
Preparation and characterization of PVAc–NMA–MMT
Authors: Fang Qun , Cui Hui-Wang , Du Guan-Ben
Published: November 2012

To further improve and enhance the performances and properties of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), montmorillonite (MMT) and N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide (NMA) were introduced together to polymerize with vinyl acetate (VAc). The exfoliated nanocomposite of PVAc–NMA–MMT was prepared through different synthesis precursors. Linear macromolecular chains of PVAc–NMA were formed in MMT layers. MMT was exfoliated into layers or sheets of nanoparticles and dispersed randomly in PVAc–NMA matrix. Both PVAc–NMA and MMT had small particles with a diameter of 50–100 nm. They dispersed together randomly. PVAc–NMA–MMT was a pseudo-plastic non-Newtonian fluid and possessed the normal stress effect (or Weissenberg effect from the pole-climbing phenomenon. With the change of different synthesis precursors and the increase of NMA content and MMT content in the synthesis system, the molecular weight of PVAc–NMA–MMT increased. PVAc–NMA–MMT had good dispersion, excellent storage stability and high static tensile at 6.47–6.85 MPa.
The effect of gamma irradiation on the tribological properties of UHMWPE composite filled with HDPE
Authors: Di Yang , Gang Xie , Chunhua Cao
Published: November 2012

In this study, the effects of gamma irradiation on the tribological behaviors of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-filled ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites were investigated. The tribological changes were evaluated by friction and wear tests as well as scanning electron microscopic analysis of the worn surfaces. It was found that the irradiation induced the degradation of UHMWPE molecular chains and the interfacial cross-linking was formed. The addition of HDPE significantly increased the wear resistance of UHMWPE composites. Friction and wear tests indicated that HDPE improved the tribological properties of the materials before and after irradiation. HDPE and irradiation exhibited a good synergistic effect for improving the wear resistant and tribological properties of UHMWPE material.
« Une représentation une fois pour toutes et pour toujours » ? Un cirque passe de Modiano et Des gens qui passent de Nahum
Authors: Cooke Dervila
Published: November 2012

Cet article analyse les aspects les plus réussis du film d’Alain Nahum Des gens qui passent, en tant qu’adaptation fidèle à l’esprit d’ Un cirque passe de Modiano. Nahum réussit à créer « le climat Modiano » à travers une attention aux personnages, aux objets, aux couleurs, et à la lumière, entre autres procédés. L’article analyse également des transpositions et des résonances – surtout avec l’univers modianien mais aussi avec Godard. La disparition qui est au cœur de l’histoire est cependant plus complexe dans le roman, et l’aspect familial est moins complet dans le film. Nous analysons ces pertes à travers l’idée de dédoublement. Nous nous penchons également sur la présence importante, quoique subtile, des années noires dans le texte, aspect moins appuyé dans le film. Le poids symbolique du chien, absent du film, est examiné, ainsi que la présence des voitures et du cirque. Suivant l’exemple de Morris et de Nettelbeck, les techniques cinématographiques du roman sont étudiées, surtout celles de la transcription de « scènes », de la surimpression, du fondu, et des sauts temporels. L’article souligne cependant les aspects romanesques de ces techniques telles que Modiano les pratique, ainsi que la relation du narrateur avec les deux arts dont il est passionné : l’écriture et le cinéma.
Le « climat Modiano » dans Des gens qui passent : Entretien avec Alain Nahum
Authors: Cooke Dervila
Published: November 2012

Alain Nahum, photographe, dessinateur, et réalisateur, a accepté dans cet entretien de parler de son récent téléfilm pour France 2, adaptation d’ Un cirque passe de Patrick Modiano ( Des gens qui passent, 2009). Le film est désormais disponible en DVD chez Doriane Films, sous-titré en anglais. Nahum parle ici des éléments qu’il a privilégiés, y compris la lumière, la musique, les objets, les vêtements et les décors, pour tenter de respecter le « climat Modiano ». Il évoque aussi les défis présentés par le roman, et explique les raisons pour certaines décisions, telles que le parti pris de n’introduire ni voix off ni flashback. Il explique également quelques changements dans l’intrigue, parfois imposés par des contraintes pratiques, parfois employés pour souligner un élément souhaité (l’absence du chien, la présence plus forte de la guerre d’Algérie, l’objet structurant du projecteur, ou la mort suspecte de Grabley) et parle de l’expérience de travailler avec les acteurs du film.