bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role for Myosin-V Motor Proteins in the Selective Delivery of Kv Channel Isoforms to the Membrane Surface of Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Schumacher-Bass Sarah M. , Vesely Eileen D. , Zhang Lian , Ryland Katherine E. , McEwen Dyke P. , Chan Priscilla J. , Frasier Chad R. , McIntyre Jeremy C. , Shaw Robin M. , Martens Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2014

Rationale:

Kv1.5 (KCNA5) mediates the ultra-rapid delayed rectifier current that controls atrial action potential duration. Given its atrial-specific expression and alterations in human atrial fibrillation, Kv1.5 has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. A necessary step in the development of novel agents that selectively modulate trafficking pathways is the identification of the cellular machinery controlling Kv1.5 surface density, of which little is yet known.

Objective:

To investigate the role of the unconventional myosin-V (MYO5A and MYO5B) motors in determining the cell surface density of Kv1.5.

Methods and Results:

Western blot analysis showed MYO5A and MYO5B expression in the heart, whereas disruption of endogenous motors selectively reduced
I
Kur
current in adult rat cardiomyocytes. Dominant negative constructs and short hairpin RNA silencing demonstrated a role for MYO5A and MYO5B in the surface trafficking of Kv1.5 and connexin-43 but not potassium voltage-gated channel, subfamily H (eag-related), member 2 (KCNH2). Live-cell imaging of Kv1.5-GFP and retrospective labeling of phalloidin demonstrated motility of Kv1.5 vesicles on actin tracts. MYO5A participated in anterograde trafficking, whereas MYO5B regulated postendocytic recycling. Overexpression of mutant motors revealed a selective role for Rab11 in coupling MYO5B to Kv1.5 recycling.

Conclusions:

MYO5A and MYO5B control functionally distinct steps in the surface trafficking of Kv1.5. These isoform-specific trafficking pathways determine Kv1.5-encoded
I
Kur
in myocytes to regulate repolarizing current and, consequently, cardiac excitability. Therapeutic strategies that manipulate Kv1.5 selective trafficking pathways may prove useful in the treatment of arrhythmias.
Survey of a Protocol to Increase Appropriate Implementation of Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Tanaka Yoshio , Nishi Taiki , Takase Keiko , Yoshita Yutaka , Wato Yukihiro , Taniguchi Junro , Hamada Yoshitaka , Inaba Hideo
Published: February 2014

Background—

Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) attempts to improve the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by laypersons who are unable to recognize cardiac arrest and are unfamiliar with CPR. Therefore, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of our new DA-CPR protocol for achieving implementation of bystander CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims not already receiving bystander CPR.

Methods and Results—

Since 2007, we have applied a new DA-CPR protocol that uses supplementary key words. Fire departments prospectively collected baseline data on DA-CPR from January 2009 to December 2011. DA-CPR was attempted in 2747 patients; of these, 417 (15.2%) did not experience cardiac arrest. The sensitivity and specificity of the 2007 protocol versus estimated values of the previous standard protocol were 72.9% versus 50.3% and 99.6% versus 99.8%, respectively. We identified key words that may be useful for detecting out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of cardiac arrest after an emergency call (odds ratio, 16.85) and placing an emergency call away from the scene of the arrest (odds ratio, 11.04) were potentially associated with failure to provide DA-CPR. Furthermore, at-home cardiac arrest (odds ratio, 1.61) and family members as bystanders (odds ratio, 1.55) were associated with bystander noncompliance with DA-CPR. No complications were reported in the 417 patients who received DA-CPR but did not have cardiac arrest.

Conclusions—

Our 2007 protocol is safe and highly specific and may be more sensitive than the standard protocol. Understanding the factors associated with failure of bystanders to provide DA-CPR and implementing public education are necessary to increase the benefit of DA-CPR.
Sex‐Based Differences in Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Report From TRANSLATE‐ACS
Authors: Hess Connie N. , McCoy Lisa A. , Duggirala Hesha J. , Tavris Dale R. , O'Callaghan Kathryn , Douglas Pamela S. , Peterson Eric D. , Wang Tracy Y.
Published: February 2014

Background

Data regarding sex‐based outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (
PCI
) for myocardial infarction are mixed. We sought to examine whether sex differences in outcomes exist in contemporary practice.

Methods and Results

We examined acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing
PCI
between April 2010 and October 2012 at 210 US hospitals participating in the Treatment with Adenosine Diphosphate Receptor Inhibitors: Longitudinal Assessment of Treatment Patterns and Events after Acute Coronary Syndrome (
TRANSLATE
‐
ACS
) observational study. Outcomes included 1‐year risk of major adverse cardiac events and bleeding according to Global Utilization of Strategies To Open Occluded Arteries (
GUSTO
) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (
BARC
) definitions. Among 6218 patients, 27.5% (n=1712) were female. Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities, and had lower functional status. Use of multivessel
PCI
and drug‐eluting stents was similar between sexes, while women received less prasugrel. Unadjusted cumulative incidence of 1‐year
major adverse cardiac events
was higher for women than for men (15.7% versus 13.6%,
P
=0.02), but female sex was no longer associated with higher incidence of
major adverse cardiac events
after multivariable adjustment (
hazard ratio
0.98, 95%
CI
0.83 to 1.15). Female sex was associated with higher risks of post‐
PCI GUSTO
bleeding (9.1% versus 5.7%,
P
<0.0001) and postdischarge
BARC
bleeding (39.6% versus 27.9%,
P
<0.0001). Differences persisted after adjustment (
GUSTO
:
hazard ratio
1.32, 95%
CI
1.06 to 1.64;
BARC
: incidence rate ratio 1.42, 95%
CI
1.27 to 1.56).

Conclusions

Female and male myocardial infarction patients undergoing
PCI
differ regarding demographic, clinical, and treatment profiles. These differences appear to explain the higher observed major adverse cardiac event rate but not higher adjusted bleeding risk for women versus men.
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Elderly Chagas Disease Patients: 10‐Year Follow‐Up of the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging
Authors: Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P. , Marcolino Milena S. , Prineas Ronald J. , Lima‐Costa Maria Fernanda
Published: February 2014

Background

Electrocardiography has been considered an important tool in the management of Chagas disease (ChD) patients, although its value in elderly infected patients is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic value of electrocardiographic abnormalities in

T
rypanosoma cruzi

infected and noninfected older adults.

Methods and Results

We studied 1462 participants in Bambuí City,
B
razil, with electrocardiogram (
ECG
) records classified by the
M
innesota Code. Follow‐up time was 10 years; the endpoint was mortality. Adjustment for potential confounding variables included age, gender, conventional risk factors, and B‐type natriuretic peptide (
BNP
). The mean age was 69 years (60.9% women). The prevalence of ChD was 38.1% (n=557).
ECG
abnormalities were more frequent in ChD patients (87.6% versus 77.7%,
P
<0.001). Right bundle branch block (
RBBB
) with left anterior hemiblock (
LAH
) was strongly related to ChD (
OR
: 11.99 [5.60 to 25.69]). During the mean follow‐up time of 8.7 years, 556 participants died (253 with ChD), and only 89 were lost to follow‐up.
ECG
variables of independent prognostic value for death in ChD included absence of sinus rhythm, frequent ventricular and supraventricular premature beats, atrial fibrillation,
RBBB
, old and possible old myocardial infarction, and left ventricular hypertrophy. The presence of any major
ECG
abnormalities doubled the risk of death in ChD patients (
HR
: 2.18 [1.35 to 3.53]), but it also increased the risk in non‐ChD subjects (
HR
: 1.50 [1.07 to 2.10]); the risk of death increased with the number of major abnormalities in the same patient.

Conclusion

ECG
abnormalities are more common among elderly Chagas disease patients and strongly predict adverse outcomes.
A Memetic Optimization Strategy Based on Dimension Reduction in Decision Space
Authors: Wang Handing , Jiao Licheng , Shang Ronghua , He Shan , Liu Fang
Published: February 2014

There can be a complicated mapping relation between decision variables and objective functions in multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs). It is uncommon that decision variables influence objective functions equally. Decision variables act differently in different objective functions. Hence, often, the mapping relation is unbalanced, which causes some redundancy during the search in a decision space. In response to this scenario, we propose a novel memetic (multi-objective) optimization strategy based on dimension reduction in decision space (DRMOS). DRMOS firstly analyzes the mapping relation between decision variables and objective functions. Then, it reduces the dimension of the search space by dividing the decision space into several subspaces according to the obtained relation. Finally, it improves the population by the memetic local search strategies in these decision subspaces separately. Further, DRMOS has good portability to other multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs); that is, it is easily compatible with existing MOEAs. In order to evaluate its performance, we embed DRMOS in several state of the art MOEAs to facilitate our experiments. The results show that DRMOS has the advantage in terms of convergence speed, diversity maintenance, and portability when solving MOPs with an unbalanced mapping relation between decision variables and objective functions.
A Social History of the Treasured Canon of the Mysterious Capital in North China under Mongol-Yuan Rule
Authors: Wang Jinping
Published: February 2014

Abstract

The history of the Treasured Canon of the Mysterious Capital, printed and published by Quanzhen Daoists in 1244, demonstrates important changes in social and political relations in north China in the thirteenth century. The Quanzhen Daoist church attracted many former Confucian scholars, established a cross-regional institutional network, coordinated different lineages, and collaborated with Mongolian and Chinese sponsors in the political world to carry out the canon project. The publication of the canon gave rise to new teaching positions for scholarly Daoists in new Daoist-style schools, and offered them an alternate route to spiritual realization, fame, and power. When facing the 1281 canon-burning catastrophe, Quanzhen Daoists produced new inscriptions and steles to erase the canon’s place in earlier Quanzhen activities. Only when the political environment shifted again in favor of the Quanzhen order, did Quanzhen Daoists choose to resurrect the history of the publication of the Treasured Canon of the Mysterious Capital.
Fighting for His Majesty (II): The Shang Art of War
Authors: Wu Shu-hui
Published: February 2014

Abstract

This essay, one of the two parts of my research on Shang militarism, focuses on Shang military rituals and war preparations. I tackle issues such as the Shang king’s way of decision-making in regard to battles and military actions, the Shang communications system and logistics network, and the details of how the Shang produced grains and meats. Finally, I argue that careful scrutiny of the excavated buildings at Yanshi city, an early Shang capital before Anyang, strongly suggests that the Shang excelled at defense as well. In contrast to the first part of my research, which relied on secondary materials published by modern Chinese scholars, in the present essay I utilize published collections of oracle bone inscriptions. I have analyzed more than one hundred inscriptions and also discuss several individual graphs in order to ground my arguments.
A new species of upland Stream Toad of the genus Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from northeastern Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: CHAN KIN ONN , WOOD JR PERRY L. , ANUAR SHAHRUL , MUIN MOHD ABDUL , QUAH EVAN S.H. , SUMARLI ALEXANDRA X. Y.
Published: February 2014

A new species of Ansonia is described based on genetic and morphological differentiation. Ansonia lumut sp. nov. is most closely related to three other Peninsular Malaysian species, A. penangensis, A. malayana, and A. jeetsukumarani but differs from these and other congeners by at least 6.9% sequence divergence at the 12S, 16S rRNA and t-RNA-val genes and the following combination of morphological characters: (1) SVL 21.0–23.6 mm in males, 27.7–31.6 mm in females; (2) first finger shorter than second; (3) interorbital and tarsal ridges absent; (4) light interscapular spot absent; (5) presence of large, yellow rictal tubercle; (6) dorsum black with greenish-yellow reticulations; (7) flanks with small yellow spots; (8) fore and hind limbs with yellow cross-bars; and (9) venter light gray with fine, white spotting.
Adjustments in Tornado Counts, F-Scale Intensity, and Path Width for Assessing Significant Tornado Destruction
Authors: Agee Ernest , Childs Samuel
Published: February 2014

The U.S. tornado record is subject to inhomogeneities that are due to inconsistent practices in counting tornadoes, assessing their damage, and measuring pathlength and path width. Efforts to improve the modern tornado record (1950–2012) have focused on the following: 1) the rationale for removing the years 1950–52, 2) identification of inconsistencies in F0, F1, and F2 counts based on implementation of the Fujita scale (F scale) and Doppler radar, 3) overestimation of backward-extrapolated F-scale intensity, and 4) a change in path-width reporting from mean width (1953–94) to maximum width (1995–2012). Unique adjustments to these inconsistencies are made by analyzing trends in tornado counts, comparing with previous studies, and making an upward adjustment of tornadoes classified by mean width to coincide with those classified by maximum width. Such refinements offer a more homogeneous tornado record and provide the opportunity to better evaluate climatological trends in significant (F/EF2–F/EF5) tornado activity. The median EF-scale (enhanced Fujita scale) wind speeds Vmed have been adopted for all significant tornadoes from 1953 to 2012, including an adjustment for overestimated intensities from 1953 to 1973. These values are used to calculate annual mean kinetic energy, which shows no apparent trend. The annual mean maximum path width from 1953 to 2012 (adjusted upward from 1953 to 1994 to obtain a common lower threshold), however, displays an increasing trend. Also, the EF-scale median wind speeds are highly correlated with . The quantity (Vmed × PWmax)2 is proposed as a tornado destruction index, and, when calculated as an annual cumulative value, the three largest years are 2007, 2008, and 2011.
On the Role of Asymmetric Convective Bursts to the Problem of Hurricane Intensification: Radiation of Vortex Rossby Waves and Wave–Mean Flow Interactions
Authors: Menelaou Konstantinos , Yau M. K.
Published: February 2014

The role of asymmetric convection to the intensity change of a weak vortex is investigated with the aid of a “dry” thermally forced model. Numerical experiments are conducted, starting with a weak vortex forced by a localized thermal anomaly. The concept of wave activity, the Eliassen–Palm flux, and eddy kinetic energy are then applied to identify the nature of the dominant generated waves and to diagnose their kinematics, structure, and impact on the primary vortex. The physical reasons for which disagreements with previous studies exist are also investigated utilizing the governing equation for potential vorticity (PV) perturbations and a number of sensitivity experiments.

From the control experiment, it is found that the response of the vortex is dominated by the radiation of a damped sheared vortex Rossby wave (VRW) that acts to accelerate the symmetric flow through the transport of angular momentum. An increase of the kinetic energy of the symmetric flow by the VRW is shown also from the eddy kinetic energy budget. Additional tests performed on the structure and the magnitude of the initial thermal forcing confirm the robustness of the results and emphasize the significance of the wave–mean flow interaction to the intensification process.

From the sensitivity experiments, it is found that for a localized thermal anomaly, regardless of the baroclinicity of the vortex and the radial and vertical gradients of the thermal forcing, the resultant PV perturbation follows a damping behavior, thus suggesting that deceleration of the vortex should not be expected.
Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis: Preliminary Results in COAMPS
Authors: Marzban Caren , Sandgathe Scott , Doyle James D. , Lederer Nicholas C.
Published: February 2014

Numerical weather prediction models have a number of parameters whose values are either estimated from empirical data or theoretical calculations. These values are usually then optimized according to some criterion (e.g., minimizing a cost function) in order to obtain superior prediction. To that end, it is useful to know which parameters have an effect on a given forecast quantity, and which do not. Here the authors demonstrate a variance-based sensitivity analysis involving 11 parameters in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Several forecast quantities are examined: 24-h accumulated 1) convective precipitation, 2) stable precipitation, 3) total precipitation, and 4) snow. The analysis is based on 36 days of 24-h forecasts between 1 January and 4 July 2009. Regarding convective precipitation, not surprisingly, the most influential parameter is found to be the fraction of available precipitation in the Kain–Fritsch cumulus parameterization fed back to the grid scale. Stable and total precipitation are most affected by a linear factor that multiplies the surface fluxes; and the parameter that most affects accumulated snow is the microphysics slope intercept parameter for snow. Furthermore, all of the interactions between the parameters are found to be either exceedingly small or have too much variability (across days and/or parameter values) to be of primary concern.
Assessing Real-Time Tornado Information Disseminated through NWS Products
Authors: Blair Scott F. , Leighton Jared W.
Published: February 2014

Real-time confirmation of a tornado specified in National Weather Service (NWS) warnings and statements is believed to increase the credibility and urgency of these critical warning messages for the end user, because it represents the greatest degree of certainty that the hazard exists. This timely tornado information disseminated in official NWS products and relayed through multiple sources by private and public partners may help the public believe, personalize, confirm, and respond to the warning message. This is the first study to explicitly assess the frequency of real-time confirmation of ongoing tornadoes within NWS products and explore what unique conditions may facilitate or hinder this process. Tornado reports and their respective NWS warnings and statements during a 5-yr period from 2007 to 2011 across the central contiguous United States were compiled and examined. Overall, 40% of tornadoes were confirmed in NWS products in real time. Increasing tornado pathlength, duration, and intensity subsequently resulted in an increasing likelihood of real-time confirmation prior to the tornado dissipating. The time of day was a factor; nighttime tornadoes were 20% less likely to receive real-time confirmation than daytime events. Additionally, increasing tornado forecast risk in products issued by the Storm Prediction Center corresponded to an increasing likelihood of real-time confirmation. Analysis of these data reveals specific scenarios when tornadoes are more or less likely to be reported in real time, providing some guidance for when timely ground-truth information may or may not be available.
An examination of touch screen tablets and emergent literacy in Australian pre-school children
Authors: Neumann Michelle M
Published: February 2014

Young children interact with touch screen tablets at home and this may impact upon emergent literacy. The present study examined home access and use of touch screen tablets, as reported by parents, in Australian pre-schoolers ( N = 109) aged 3–5 years and whether this was associated with emergent literacy skills (letter name and sound, numeral identification, print concepts and name writing). Children with greater access to tablets were found to have higher letter sound and name writing skills. No relationships were found between time on tablets and emergent literacy skills. The quality of experiences rather than time spent on tablets may be important especially when viewed within a socio-cultural framework. Most parents (69%) reported that tablets were easy for their child to operate and believed tablets support early literacy development (70%). 53% believed children should have access to tablets at pre-school. Tablets have the potential to foster emergent literacy although this may depend upon the quality of digital interactions.
Can Foreign Stock Investors Influence Policymaking?
Authors: Kerner Andrew
Published: February 2014

Foreign portfolio stock investors (FPSIs) often attach political criteria to their investment choices, sometimes in the hope of pressuring policymakers in boycotted markets to adjust their policies. This article asks when the decision to not invest in foreign stock markets for political reasons catalyzes policy change in those countries. Unlike investors in government bonds that target state interests directly, FPSIs directly target the interests of the shareholders and managers of publicly listed firms. I argue that FPSI’s policymaking influence is limited by their ability to damage shareholders’ and managers’ interests and by those shareholders’ and managers’ ability to affect policy change. I test my theory with a quantitative analysis of a uniquely well-suited data set of policy reactions to CalPERS’ Permissible Equity Markets Policy. The results largely conform to my theoretical expectations.
Unifying conceptualizations of interstate rivalry: A min–max approach
Authors: Dreyer David R
Published: February 2014

This study reconstructs the concept of interstate rivalry in accordance with a min–max strategy in order to determine the necessary characteristics of rivalry, provide a template with which to assess existing conceptualizations, and provide a means by which conceptualizations of rivalry can be formulated and operationalized. I argue that there are two necessary characteristics of a minimal conceptualization of interstate rivalry — temporal dependence and issue competition. Contextual conceptualizations are then formulated by adding dimensions, such as militarization, identification, and psychological hostility, among others, to the minimal definition. By defining interstate rivalry in its most extreme form (when all of the potential dimensions of rivalry are present in the fullest), I also establish a maximal or ‘ideal-type’ conceptualization. In adopting a min–max approach, this project seeks to unify conceptualizations of interstate rivalry along a common continuum in which the empirical coverage of cases decreases as properties are added to the minimal definition.
Mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy composites
Authors: King Julia A , Klimek Danielle R , Miskioglu Ibrahim , Odegard Greg M
Published: February 2014

Due to their high specific stiffness, carbon-filled epoxy composites can be used in structural components in aircraft. Graphene nanoplatelets are short stacks of individual layers of graphite that are a newly developed, lower cost material that often increases the composite tensile modulus. In this work, researchers fabricated neat aerospace epoxy (EPON 862 with Curing Agent W) and 1 to 6 wt% of two different types of graphene nanoplatelets (XG Sciences xGnP®-M-5 and xGnP®-C-300) in epoxy composites. These materials were tested for tensile properties using typical macroscopic measurements. In addition, nanoindentation was used to determine modulus and creep compliance. The macroscopic measurements showed that the tensile modulus increased from 2.72 GPa for the neat epoxy to 3.35 GPa for 6 wt% (3.7 vol%) xGnP®-M-5/epoxy composite and 3.10 GPa for 6 wt% (3.7 vol%) xGnP®-C-300/epoxy composite. The modulus results from nanoindentation followed this same trend. xGnP®-C-300/epoxy composites had higher tensile strength and ductility compared to similar loading levels of xGnP®-M-5/epoxy composites. The creep compliance for the neat epoxy, 1 to 6 wt% xGnP®-M-5/epoxy composites, and 1 to 6 wt% xGnP®-C-300/epoxy composites were similar. The two dimensional randomly oriented filler Halpin-Tsai model adjusted for platelet filler shape predicts the tensile modulus well for the xGnP®-M-5/epoxy composites and the three-dimensional randomly oriented filler Halpin-Tsai model works well for the xGnP®-C-300/epoxy composites. Per the authors’ knowledge, mechanical properties and modeling for xGnP®-M-5 and xGnP®-C-300 in this epoxy system has never been reported in the open literature.
DEXSim: an experimental environment for distributed execution of replicated simulators using a concept of single simulation multiple scenarios
Authors: Choi Changbeom , Seo Kyung-Min , Kim Tag Gon
Published: February 2014

This paper presents an efficient and scalable experimental environment for distributed execution of replicated simulators. By taking a performance-centered approach, the proposed technique makes the best use of distributed hardware resources for faster data collection. Accordingly, the primary contribution of this work is to describe how the environment improves scalability and utilizes distributed hardware resources efficiently. To do this, we suggest a new concept of single simulation multiple scenarios and propose a distributed execution simulation framework regarding the following three aspects: (1) layered architecture model design; (2) protocol definitions interacting with them; and (3) framework implementation. The proposed model architecture and protocol definitions guarantee a straightforward structural scalability and an efficient load-balanced utilization between hardware resources. Moreover, the framework operates simulation execution automatically without users’ extra work. In order to prove the efficiency of the proposed framework, we performed three extensive experiments with different models, that is, different systems. The experimental results show that simulation performance increases proportionally with the number of hardware resources, minimizing the overhead of the proposed framework’s utilization.
Cut resistance and failure of high-performance single fibers
Authors: Mayo JB , Wetzel ED
Published: February 2014

The cut resistance of organic and inorganic high-performance single fibers has been studied. Several fiber types were examined, including Kevlar, Twaron, Vectran, Technora, Zylon, Dyneema, carbon fiber, and S-glass. Experiments were conducted using a custom-designed fixture that forces an industrial cutting blade laterally into a single fiber at varying blade and fiber angles. The effects of cutting angle and fiber type were explored, and the detailed progression of failure was inferred from post-failure imaging. All organic fibers demonstrated similar levels of cut resistance, with both organic and inorganic fibers showing less cut resistance as cutting angle is increased. Failure in the organic fibers was dominated by the anisotropic structure of the fibers. In contrast, isotropic, inorganic glass fibers demonstrated less cutting angle dependence and failed according to simple, localized brittle fracture. The inorganic fibers demonstrated higher average cut resistance than organic fibers, most likely due to their relative hardness and expected higher transverse mechanical properties.
Electromagnetic shielding properties of woven fabrics made from high-performance fibers
Authors: Šafářová Veronika , Militký Jiří
Published: February 2014

The expansion of the electronic industry and the extensive use of electronic equipment in communications, computations, automations, biomedicine, space, and other purposes have led to problems such as electromagnetic interference of electronic devices and health issues. For the reasons given above, the demand for the protection of human beings and sensitive electronic and electrotechnic appliances against the undesirable influence of electromagnetic signals and troublesome charges has been increasing. This paper presents the present state of fabrication and characterization of multifunctional high-performance metal/ m-aramid hybrid fabrics with increased resistivity to electromagnetic smog while preserving basic properties of textile structures designated for clothing or technical purposes. In this paper, hybrid electromagnetic shielding fabrics made of high-performance fibers are introduced. An effect of metal content is studied and a form of relation between resistivity and total shielding effectiveness is proposed. Furthermore, chosen mechanical properties of developed fabric are evaluated.
Blend films of human hair and cellulose prepared from an ionic liquid
Authors: Wang Ming , Zhao Tao , Wang Gehui , Zhou Jinli
Published: February 2014

Human hair keratin/cellulose blend films were prepared in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoles chloride ([BMIM]Cl) ionic liquid (IL), by the combination of human hair keratin and cotton fibers in different mass proportion, and these films were formed subsequently from the coagulated solutions. The hair/cellulose blend films were prepared by taking different weight ratios of hair and cellulose in ILs, dissolving them individually and mixing them with each other. For example, 90/10 hair /cellulose blends were prepared by mixing hair solution (9 g of 8wt% hair/[BMIM]Cl) and cellulose solution (1 g of 8wt% cellulose/[BMIM]Cl) together to get a mixture solution, and stirring them at 80℃ for 1 h in order to ensure complete intermixing. Then hair/cellulose blend films were obtained. The tests indicated that there was a good compatibility between human hair and cellulose in the regenerated human hair/cellulose blends as determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission of light. The crystallization behavior and scanning electron microscope photograph showed that human hair and cellulose are miscible. The films were analyzed by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry; the results showed that the blend films exhibited an increasing trend of the mechanical property and thermal stability with increase in cellulose content in the blends. This could be used for the development of keratin-based materials with improved mechanical properties.
Do Adolescents Who Regularly Attend Religious Services Stay Out of Trouble? Results From a National Sample
Authors: Salas-Wright Christopher P. , Lombe Margaret , Vaughn Michael G. , Maynard Brandy R.
Published: February 2014

The relationship between religious service attendance and adolescent externalizing behavior is well established in the aggregate, but little is known about what behavioral and psychosocial differences may or may not exist among adolescents who regularly attend religious services. Using a nationally representative sample of frequent religious service attending adolescents ( N = 26,765), latent class analysis and multinomial regression were used to examine the relationships between latent externalizing classes and protective factors related to self-control. Results revealed a four-class solution comprised of a normative class (66.52%) as well as three externalizing classes: substance users (17.17%), fighters (12.65%), and severe offenders (3.66%). Compared with the normative class, members of the externalizing classes were significantly less likely to benefit from individual, parental, and academic protective factors related to self-control. Findings suggest that regular religious service attendance is relevant to externalizing behavior, but that it does not function as a panacea.
Creating Measures of Theoretically Relevant Neighborhood Attributes at Multiple Spatial Scales
Authors: Bader Michael D. M. , Ailshire Jennifer A.
Published: February 2014

Accurately measuring attributes in neighborhood environments allows researchers to study the influence of neighborhoods on individual-level outcomes. Researchers working to improve the measurement of neighborhood attributes generally advocate doing so in one of two ways: improving the theoretical relevance of measures and correctly defining the appropriate spatial scale. The data required by the first, “ecometric” neighborhood assessments on a sample of neighborhoods, are generally incompatible with the methods of the second, which tend to rely on population data. In this article, the authors describe how ecometric measures of theoretically relevant attributes observed on a sample of city blocks can be combined with a geostatistical method known as kriging to develop city block–level estimates across a city that can be configured to multiple neighborhood definitions. Using a cross-validation study with data from a 2002 systematic social observation of physical disorder on 1,663 city blocks in Chicago, the authors show that this method creates valid results. They then demonstrate, using neighborhood measures aggregated to three different spatial scales, that residents’ perceptions of both fear and neighborhood disorder vary substantially across different spatial scales.
Health, Community, and Spirituality
Authors: Gutierrez Jaime , Devia Carlos , Weiss Linda , Chantarat Tongtan , Ruddock Charmaine , Linnell Jill , Golub Maxine , Godfrey Loyce , Rosen Rosa , Calman Neil
Published: February 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Fine, Fit, and Fabulous (FFF), a faith-based diabetes prevention program for black and Latino congregants at churches in low-income New York City neighborhoods. FFF includes nutrition education and fitness activities while incorporating Bible-based teachings that encourage healthy lifestyles.

Methods

FFF is a 12-week, bilingual program developed by the Bronx Health REACH coalition, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities. This program has been implemented in 15 Bronx and Harlem churches, engaging a primarily black and Latino overweight and obese urban population. Pre–post surveys, nutrition tests, and weight logs were collected to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding healthy eating and physical activity.

Results

Participants (n = 183) reported statistically significant improvements in knowledge and healthy behaviors from baseline. Increased numbers of participants reported exercising in the past 30 days, eating fruit daily, being able to judge portion sizes, and reading food labels. Statistically significant numbers reported that they ate less fast food and were less likely to overeat at follow-up. The average weight loss across churches was 4.38 lbs or 2% of participants’ initial body weight. Significant differences were observed when stratifying by race/ethnicity.

Conclusion

Evaluation results show FFF’s success at engaging overweight adults in behavior changes related to healthy eating and exercise. FFF demonstrates the potential of faith-based health interventions to address obesity and diabetes risk in high-need communities of color.
The Continuing Significance of Race
Authors: Fitzgerald Kathleen J.
Published: February 2014

While most scientists of the twentieth century argued for understanding race as a social construction, this understanding has shifted considerably in the past decade. In the current era, biological notions of race have resurfaced not only in the scientific community but in the form of direct consumer use of DNA tests for genetic ancestry testing, sometimes referred to as genetic genealogy, and the emergence of pharmacogenomics, or the marketing of race-specific pharmaceuticals. In this article, I argue that the return of race as a biological concept in the form of racial genomics can best be understood through an application of Blumer’s race as group position theory. Using that, I argue that during the past 20 years, four specific challenges to the racial hierarchy have emerged that have threatened white dominance: the original interpretation of the Human Genome Project results declaring humans to be 99.9 percent similar, thus, dispelling the idea that race has a genetic basis, the electoral wins of President Barack Obama and the ensuing rhetoric that America is a “postracial” society, and finally, the increase in interracial relationships and biracial/multiracial identities. The emergence of racial genomics, I argue, is a response to these specific threats to the racial hierarchy and to white dominance.
Diabetes Self-Care and the Older Adult
Authors: Weinger Katie , Beverly Elizabeth A. , Smaldone Arlene
Published: February 2014

The prevalence of diabetes is highest in older adults, a population that is increasing. Diabetes self-care is complex with important recommendations for nutrition, physical activity, checking glucose levels, and taking medication. Older adults with diabetes have unique issues that impact self-care. As people age, their health status, support systems, physical and mental abilities, and nutritional requirements change. Furthermore, comorbidities, complications, and polypharmacy complicate diabetes self-care. Depression is also more common among the elderly and may lead to deterioration in self-care behaviors. Because of concerns about cognitive deficits and multiple comorbidities, adults older than 65 years are often excluded from research trials. Thus, little clinical evidence is available and the most appropriate treatment approaches and how to best support older patients’ self-care efforts are unclear. This review summarizes the current literature, research findings, and expert and consensus recommendations with their rationales.
Comfort, cliques, and clashes
Authors: Parcell Erin Sahlstein , Maguire Katheryn C.
Published: February 2014

One important but understudied source of support for Army families is the family readiness group (FRG). The current analysis of relationships with/in FRGs emerged from qualitative interviews conducted with 50 active-duty Army or Army National Guard wives whose husbands were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom between 2003 and 2005. Through our in-depth reflection and analysis of the transcripts, we recognized how these women’s lived experiences reflected complex relationships with/in their FRGs, which in some cases supported but in other cases marginalized spouses, thus constructing them as dilemmatic sites for their members. We identified two sets of contrasting constructions: FRGs as coping resources versus sources of stress and FRGs as confirming versus disconfirming environments. We conclude with practical advice for military communities and suggestions for future research.
Canadian business angel perspectives on exit: A research note
Authors: Carpentier Cécile , Suret Jean-Marc
Published: February 2014

This research note analyses the investment harvest expectations of a large Canadian angel group. These angels co-finance large high-tech deals; on average, greater than CAN$1.2m. Canadian low listing requirements and the junior stock market make the initial public offering a possible exit mode. However, angels prefer a trade sale, consistent with the proposition that large acquirers can fully and rapidly exploit innovations and offer better exit values. Securities regulation impedes initial public offering exit; reluctance to pursue this exit strategy however, increases with angel experience. The classical funding escalator, including venture capitalists, no longer appears to be a dominant model.
Growth aspirations and social capital: Young firms in a post-conflict environment
Authors: Efendic Adnan , Mickiewicz Tomasz , Rebmann Anna
Published: February 2014

This article explores the growth aspirations of owners and managers of young firms in a post-conflict economy by focusing on social capital. It treats social capital as a multidimensional, multilevel phenomenon, studying the effects of discussion network characteristics, trust in institutions, generalised trust in people and local ethnic pluralism. We argue that in a post-conflict country, ethnic pluralism is indicative of local norms of tolerance towards experimentation and risk taking which support growth aspirations. It also distinguishes between the aspirations of hired managers and owners-managers. The empirical counterpart and hypotheses testing rely on survey evidence drawn from young businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Body weight-supported treadmill training vs. overground walking training for persons with chronic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Combs-Miller Stephanie A , Kalpathi Parameswaran Anu , Colburn Dawn , Ertel Tara , Harmeyer Amanda , Tucker Lindsay , Schmid Arlene A
Published: February 2014

Objective:

To compare the effects of body weight-supported treadmill training and overground walking training when matched for task and dose (duration/frequency/intensity) on improving walking function, activity, and participation after stroke.

Design:

Single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial with three-month follow-up.

Settings:

University and community settings.

Subjects:

A convenience sample of participants ( N = 20) at least six months post-stroke and able to walk independently were recruited.

Interventions:

Thirty-minute walking interventions (body weight-supported treadmill training or overground walking training) were administered five times a week for two weeks. Intensity was monitored with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale at five-minute increments to maintain a moderate training intensity.

Main Measures:

Walking speed (comfortable/fast 10-meter walk), walking endurance (6-minute walk), spatiotemporal symmetry, and the ICF Measure of Participation and ACTivity were assessed before, immediately after, and three months following the intervention.

Results:

The overground walking training group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in comfortable walking speed compared with the body weight-supported treadmill training group immediately (change of 0.11 m/s vs. 0.06 m/s, respectively; p = 0.047) and three months (change of 0.14 m/s vs. 0.08 m/s, respectively; p = 0.029) after training. Only the overground walking training group significantly improved comfortable walking speed ( p = 0.001), aspects of gait symmetry ( p = 0.032), and activity ( p = 0.003) immediately after training. Gains were maintained at the three-month follow-up ( p < 0.05) for all measures except activity. Improvements in participation were not demonstrated.

Conclusion:

Overgound walking training was more beneficial than body weight-supported treadmill training at improving self-selected walking speed for the participants in this study.
Effects of Tai Chi on balance and fall prevention in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gao Qiang , Leung Aaron , Yang Yonghong , Wei Qingchuan , Guan Min , Jia Chengsen , He Chengqi
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

To examine the effects of Tai Chi on balance and functional mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease, and determine whether fall incidence could be reduced by the Tai Chi exercise.

Design:

Single blinded randomized control trial with 6 months’ follow-up.

Setting:

A hospital and general community.

Participants:

Patients ( n=76) diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, over 40 years old, able to walk independently and fell at least one time during the past 12 months.

Interventions:

The Tai Chi group ( n=37) received 24-form Yang style Tai Chi exercise for 60 minutes each time, three times a week and lasted for 12 weeks. The control group ( n=39) received no intervention.

Main outcome measures:

Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III, Timed Up&Go (TUG) and occurrences of falls.

Results:

The Tai Chi group improved more than the control group on the BBS ( p<0.05), but there was no difference on UPDRS III scores and Timed Up&Go ( p>0.05). During the 6-month follow-up, only 8 (21.6%) out of 37 patients in the Tai Chi group had experience of falls comparing to 19 (48.7%) out of 39 patients in the control group ( p<0.05). The average times of falls were 0.30±0.62 in the Tai Chi group compared with 0.64±0.74 in the control group ( p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggested that Tai Chi exercise could improve the balance and decrease the fall risks in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Test–retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire among community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Kammerlind Ann-Sofi C , Fristedt Sofi , Ernsth Bravell Marie , Fransson Eleonor I
Published: February 2014

Objective:

To examine the test–retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire.

Design:

Test–retest reliability study.

Subjects:

A total of 298 community-dwelling subjects between 75 and 90 years of age.

Methods:

The Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire was translated into Swedish. By personal interviews during home visits and two weeks later by telephone interviews the subjects were asked about their life-space mobility during the past four weeks, and how often and whether they were independent or needed assistance from another person or equipment to reach different life-space levels.

Results:

None of the four scoring methods showed significant difference between test sessions. The mean (SD) total scores were 65 (22) and 65 (23) out of the maximum possible score of 120 at the two sessions. High levels were found for independent, assisted, and maximal life-space at both sessions. Intraclass correlation coefficients and weighted Kappa-values between 0.84–0.94 were found for the total score, the independent, and the assisted life-space levels, indicating good to excellent reliability. A lower Kappa-value was observed for the maximal life-space level, mainly owing to skewed distributions. The method error values showed that a change of 10 in the total score and a change of one level in any of the three life-space levels can be considered to indicate a real change in clinical practice.

Conclusion:

The Swedish version of the Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire can be reliably used among community-dwelling older adults.