bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide mediated cold‐ and dehydration‐induced myo‐inositol phosphate synthase that confers multiple resistances to abiotic stresses
Authors: TAN JIALI , WANG CONGYING , XIANG BIN , HAN RUIHONG , GUO ZHENFEI
Published: July 2012

myo‐Inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS) is the key enzyme of myo‐inositol synthesis, which is a central molecule required for cell metabolism and plant growth as a precursor to a large variety of compounds. A full‐length fragment of MfMIPS1 cDNA was cloned from Medicago falcata that is more cold‐tolerant than Medicago sativa. While MfMIPS1 transcript was induced in response to cold, dehydration and salt stress, MIPS transcript and myo‐inositol were maintained longer and at a higher level in M. falcata than in M. sativa during cold acclimation at 5 °C. MfMIPS1 transcript was induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO), but was not responsive to abscisic acid (ABA). Pharmacological experiments revealed that H2O2 and NO are involved in the regulation of MfMIPS1 expression by cold and dehydration, but not by salt. Overexpression of MfMIPS1 in tobacco increased the MIPS activity and levels of myo‐inositol, galactinol and raffinose, resulting in enhanced resistance to chilling, drought and salt stresses in transgenic tobacco plants. It is suggested that MfMIPS1 is induced by diverse environmental factors and confers resistance to various abiotic stresses.
Inadequacy of cardiovascular risk factor management in chronic kidney transplantation – evidence from the FAVORIT study
Authors: Carpenter Myra A. , Weir Matthew R. , Adey Deborah B. , House Andrew A. , Bostom Andrew G. , Kusek John W.
Published: July 2012

Background

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our objective is to describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors applying standard criteria and use of CVD risk factor–lowering medications in contemporary KTRs.

Methods

The Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplantation study enrolled and collected medication data on 4107 KTRs with elevated homocysteine and stable graft function an average of five yr post‐transplant.

Results

CVD risk factors were common (hypertension or use of blood pressure (BP) lowering medication in 92%, borderline or elevated low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) or use of lipid‐lowering agent in 66%, history of diabetes mellitus in 41%, and obesity in 38%); prevalent CVD was reported in 20% of study participants. National Kidney Foundation BP guidelines (BP <130/80 mmHg) were not met by 69% of participants. Uncontrolled hypertension (BP of 140/90 mmHg or higher) was present in 44% of those taking antihypertension medication; 18% of participants had borderline or elevated LDL, of which 60% were untreated, and 31% of the participants with prevalent CVD were not using an antiplatelet agent.

Conclusion

There is opportunity to improve treatment and control of traditional CVD risk factors in kidney transplant recipients.
Detection of a novel HLA‐DQB1 allele, designated DQB1*06:49
Authors: Todorova K. , Diederich G. , Ebell W. , Kühl J.‐S. , Schönemann C. , Schulze H.
Published: July 2012

We report a novel allele HLA‐DQB1*06:49 with a G→T transversion, most closely resembling HLA‐DQB1*06:02:01.
The yield of temporary exclusion of blood donors, exposed to emerging infections abroad
Authors: Lieshout‐Krikke R. W. , Zaaijer H. L. , Prinsze F. J.
Published: July 2012

Background and Objectives  Emerging infections abroad pose a threat to the safety of blood, donated by travelling blood donors. In this study, the yield of donor deferral after travelling was evaluated, by comparing the estimated numbers of infected donors returning from various affected areas.

Methods  A deterministic model was applied to calculate the number of infected donors, returning from six areas affected by outbreaks: Greece – Macedonia (West Nile fever), Italy – Emilia Romagna (West Nile fever), Thailand (chikungunya), Latvia (hepatitis A), central Turkey (Sicilian sandfly fever) and Italy – Tuscany (Toscana sandfly fever).

Results  The estimated number of infections among returning blood donors was surprisingly low, ranging from 0·32 West Nile virus‐infected donors per year returning from Macedonia (Greece) to approximately 0·005 infected donors per year returning respectively from Tuscany (sandfly fever), Latvia (hepatitis A) and central Turkey (sandfly fever).

Conclusion  The yield of the temporary exclusion of blood donors travelling to a specific, affected area is low, but the continuous monitoring of emerging infections and the timely assessment of new threats are laborious and imperfect. Safety measures may be instituted after the greatest threat of a new outbreak has passed. A general deferral of travelling donors may be more appropriate than targeted measures. It can be argued that all donors who stayed outside their country or continent of residency should be deferred for 4 weeks.
Provisioning habitat with custom‐designed nest‐boxes increases reproductive success in an endangered finch
Authors: BRAZILL‐BOAST JAMES , PRYKE SARAH R. , GRIFFITH SIMON C.
Published: July 2012

Manipulating resource availability to assess the strength and effects of resource limitation on an animal population is relatively straightforward, and thus, common in the scientific literature. Resource quality, however, is rarely manipulated, as this requiresa prioriknowledge of a relationship between some measurable variation in the resource and individual preference and/or fitness. Recent research on nest‐site selection was used to inform the design of custom‐built nest‐boxes for an endangered hollow‐nester, the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae). By provisioning breeding populations with these ‘high quality’ artificial nest sites over 3 years, we experimentally investigated the strength and effects of nest‐site limitation in this species. Breeding pairs using nest‐boxes initiated nesting earlier, produced larger clutches and fledged more offspring per season than those in natural hollows. Total and mean reproductive output also increased in nest‐box provisioned sites over the duration of the study. All of these effects were predominantly driven by pairs initiating clutches earlier, potentially because of the reduced intra‐ and interspecific competition for nest sites at optimal breeding times. Our findings suggest that reproduction in wild Gouldian finch populations may be limited by the availability of high quality nest sites in the landscape, and that nest‐boxes could be used as a tool for enhancing reproduction in recovering populations. Furthermore, we conclude that resource quality is equally, if not more important than quantity when supplementing resource‐limited habitats.
Integrative approaches to couple therapy: a clinical case illustration
Authors: Abbott Brian V. , Snyder Douglas K.
Published: July 2012

Although meta‐analyses affirm that various treatments for couple distress produce statistically and clinically significant outcomes, research findings also indicate that a large percentage of couples fail to benefit from treatment or subsequently deteriorate following current therapies. Based on these findings, we advocate potential advantages of integrative approaches to couple therapy. The clinical practice of integrative approaches to couple therapy requires conceptual and clinical decision‐making skills transcending those of any one theoretical modality and emphasizes the selection, sequencing and pacing of diverse interventions in a coherent manner. Principles of an integrative approach are explicated in a clinical case illustration.
A GRAPH‐BASED APPROACH FOR SEMISUPERVISED CLUSTERING
Authors: Yoshida Tetsuya
Published: July 2012

This paper proposes a graph‐based approach for semisupervised clustering based on pairwise relations among instances. In our approach, the entire data set is represented as an edge‐weighted graph by mapping each data element (instance) as a vertex and connecting the instances by edges with their similarities. In order to reflect pairwise constraints on the clustering process, the graph is modified by contraction as it is known from general graph theory and the graph Laplacian in spectral graph theory. The graph representation enables us to deal with pairwise constraints as well as pairwise similarities over the same unified representation. By exploiting the constraints as well as similarities among instances, the entire data set is projected onto a subspace via the modified graph, and data clustering is conducted over the projected representation. The proposed approach is evaluated over several real‐world data sets. The results are encouraging and show that it is worthwhile to pursue the proposed approach.
TRUST AND TESTIMONY
Authors: NICKEL PHILIP J.
Published: July 2012

Some recent accounts of testimonial warrant base it on trust, and claim that doing so helps explain asymmetries between the intended recipient of testimony and other non‐intended hearers, e.g. differences in their entitlement to challenge the speaker or to rebuke the speaker for lying. In this explanation ‘dependence‐responsiveness’ is invoked as an essential feature of trust: the trustor believes the trustee to be motivationally responsive to the fact that the trustor is relying on the trustee. I argue that dependence‐responsiveness is not essential to trust and that the asymmetries, where genuine, can be better explained without reference to trust.
DOING WITHOUT EMOTIONS
Authors: PRICE CAROLYN
Published: July 2012

This article considers a central question in the philosophy of emotion: what is an (instance of) emotion? This is a highly controversial question, which has attracted numerous answers. I argue that a good answer to this question may prove very hard to find. The difficulty, I suggest, can be traced back to three features of emotional phenomena: their diversity, their complexity and their coherence. I end by suggesting that we should not be disturbed by this result, as we do not need to know what an instance of emotion is in order to investigate the topic of emotion.
BLAMEWORTHINESS WITHOUT WRONGDOING
Authors: CAPES JUSTIN A.
Published: July 2012

In this article I argue that it is possible to be blameworthy for doing something that was not objectively morally wrong. If I am right, this would have implications for several debates at the intersection of metaphysics and moral philosophy. I also float a view about which actions can serve as legitimate bases for blame that allows for the possibility of blameworthiness without objective wrongdoing and also suggests an explanation for the appeal of the commonly held view that blameworthiness requires objective wrongdoing.
Production of conjugated linoleic acid by lactic acid bacteria in milk without any additional substrate
Authors: PANDIT ASHISH , ANAND SANJEEV , KALSCHEUR KENNETH , HASSAN ASHRAF
Published: July 2012

This study was undertaken to evaluate the production and isomeric distribution of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB. A total of 155 cultures of LAB were analysed. Control milk samples had an average CLA content of 0.41 g/100 g of fatty acids (FA), while the lactic cultures produced CLA in the range of 0.43–1.12 g. No major changes in free fatty acids profiles were observed in milk samples fermented with CLA‐producing LAB. The present study demonstrated that LAB can increase levels of CLA in nonsupplemented milk fermented for a short period of 4 h.
Facilitating Establishment of Advance Regeneration of Pterocarpus santalinus L.—An Endangered Tree Species from India
Authors: Kukrety Sidhanand , Gezan Salvador , Jose Shibu , Alavalapati Janaki R. R.
Published: July 2012

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is an endangered and endemic tropical tree species from India in need of restoration. This study evaluated options for improving establishment of its advance regeneration in degraded forests. Using randomized complete block design, the effect of silvicultural treatments involving prescribed fire, in combination with disking, singling, disking with singling, and control (no treatment) on survival and growth of advanced regeneration were evaluated for a period of 2 years. Results indicate that the treatments served to ameliorate microsite conditions resulting in better survival and growth. Seedlings with fewer coppice shoots, treatments with a singling component, and treatments with disking component showed better survival and growth. The number and height of other neighboring seedlings and trees also influenced seedling establishment. Seedlings showed significantly higher survival results in the prescribed fire with disking (disking with prescribed burn [DPB]: 96%) and prescribed fires with disking and singling (singling plus disking with prescribed burn [SDPB]: 94%) treatments. Similarly, tall seedlings and those with larger root collar diameters accrued significantly higher volume growth in DPB (87%) and SDPB (97%) treatments. Although seedlings showed similar increments in DPB and SDPB treatments, better survival due to singling indicated the latter as the best option. In dense regeneration areas, preferential treatment of the taller and larger stump‐sized seedlings and, in limited regeneration areas that of smaller seedlings, may yield better results. Additionally, removal of competing vegetation and canopy opening may also help establishment of young regeneration. The results of this study have applications for restoration of endangered species in other tropical dry deciduous ecosystems worldwide.
Effect of Doping on the Thermal Expansion of β‐Eucryptite Prepared by Sol–Gel Methods
Authors: Ramalingam Subramanian , Reimanis Ivar E.
Published: July 2012

The thermal expansion behavior of pure β‐eucryptite and Zn‐doped β‐eucryptite (substituting Zn for Li), prepared using sol–gel methods and hot pressing, were investigated. β‐eucryptite exhibits an anisotropic negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), which leads to microcrack formation in sintered polycrystalline samples. This is manifested by the presence of a hysteresis in the thermal expansion curves. The hysteresis disappears when a small amount of Zn (0.5–3 mol% Zn) is present. Furthermore, the bulk CTE increases significantly in magnitude (from −4 × 10−6/°C for pure β‐eucryptite to 1 × 10−6/°C to 2 × 10−6/°C), and is slightly positive in the range from 25°C to 1000°C. No difference in grain size was observed between the pure and doped samples, and all the ceramics exhibited high relative densities. It is likely that Zn substitutes for Li in the β‐eucryptite structure and reduces the c‐axis thermal expansion, thereby lowering the CTE anisotropy and lowering the tendency for microcracking.
Myrmecia wart inclusions as an incidental histopathologic finding
Authors: Wititsuwannakul Jade , Ko Christine J.
Published: July 2012

Background

Latent infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) has been described for genital (mucosal) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis subtypes. Only rarely has cutaneotropic, non‐oncogenic HPV been found by polymerase chain reaction studies in normal skin.

Methods

We noted myrmecia wart inclusions as an incidental histopathologic finding in four specimens from diverse sites (eyebrow, scalp, forehead, leg). The final diagnoses for these four cases were intradermal nevus, scarring alopecia, benign keratosis and stasis dermatitis. Anti‐HPV antibody staining was performed in all cases. This antibody detects HPV‐1,6,11,16,18 and 31 in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue.

Results

The foci of myrmecia wart inclusions were characterized by smooth to angular cytoplasmic inclusions in the granular layer, spanning one to three rete. The inclusions stained with an anti‐HPV antibody in three specimens.

Conclusions

This finding of incidental myrmecia wart inclusions in skin biopsies supports latent infection by cutaneotropic, non‐carcinogenic HPV.
Depression in rural women: Implications for nurse practitioners in primary care settings
Authors: Groh Carla J.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was threefold: (a) to determine what percent of rural women self‐report as currently depressed when asked; (b) to explore the congruence between self‐report of depression and Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression Scale (CES‐D) score; and (c) to identify factors associated with congruence between self‐report of depression and CES‐D score.

Data source

Self‐report data were collected from 140 women who lived in a rural community in the Midwest. The convenience sample was recruited at a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Conclusions

The percent of rural women who self‐reported as currently depressed was 36.4%. Congruence between self‐report of depression and CES‐D score was 76.8%, indicating the majority of women were able to identify if they were depressed or not. Women in the incongruent group were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, reported more headaches, and received treatment for depression in the past.

Implications for practice

Dependence on primary care providers to identify and treat depression is the current standard of care for the vast majority of rural women. As more advanced practice registered nurses work in rural areas, they need to be cognizant of the high rates of depression in women and the most effective strategies for identifying and treating.
Sex differences in the renal vascular response to angiotensin II involves the Mas receptor
Authors: Safari T. , Nematbakhsh M. , Hilliard L. M. , Evans R. G. , Denton K. M.
Published: July 2012

Aim

The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) depressor arm, particularly renal angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) and Mas receptor (masR) expression, is enhanced in females, which may contribute to renal and cardiovascular protection. We examined the hypotheses that masR activation increases renal blood flow (RBF) at rest and attenuates the reduction in RBF in response to angiotensin II (AngII) infusion in female rats. Furthermore, we postulated that combined activation of the AT2R and masR would produce a greater response than masR activation alone.

Methods

In anaesthetized male and female Wistar rats, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and RBF responses during graded AngII infusion (30–1000 ng kg−1 min−1 i.v.) were assessed following pre‐treatment with vehicle, the masR antagonist A779, or A779 plus the AT2R antagonist PD123319.

Results

Basal MAP was not altered by any pre‐treatment. Basal RBF decreased approx. 20% in female (P < 0.05), but not male rats in response to A779. However, basal RBF was not altered by A779 + PD123319. AngII infusion reduced RBF in a dose‐related fashion (Pdose < 0.0001) and masR blockade did not alter the RBF response to AngII infusion in male or female rats. However, A779 + PD123319 attenuated the reduction in RBF response to AngII in females (Pgroup < 0.005), but not males.

Conclusion

The impact of the masR on renal haemodynamics appears to be sexually dimorphic, with greater effects in female than male rats. However, the paradoxical effects of dual AT2R and masR blockade suggest that a greater understanding of the complex interactions between RAS components is required before the therapeutic opportunities of AT2R and/or masR stimulation can be advanced.
Acute presentation of autoimmune hepatitis in a patient with myasthenia gravis, thymoma, Hashimoto thyroiditis and connective tissue disorder
Authors: Yapali Suna , Oruc Nevin , Ilgun Sibel , Yilmaz Funda , Aksu Kenan , Yilmaz Mustafa , Gunsar Fulya
Published: July 2012

Myasthenia gravis is an antibody‐mediated autoimmune disease at the neuromuscular junctions. It can be associated with many other autoimmune diseases. We report a case of acute presentation of autoimmune hepatitis with myasthenia gravis, thymoma, Hashimoto thyroiditis and connective tissue disorder.
Onset of Convection in a Horizontal Porous Layer Saturated by a Power-Law Fluid
Authors: Alloui Z. , Khelifa N. Ben , Beji H. , Vasseur P.
Published: July 2012

This paper investigates the onset of motion, and the subsequent finite-amplitude convection, in a shallow porous cavity filled with a non-Newtonian fluid. A power-law model is used to characterize the non-Newtonian fluid behavior of the saturating fluid. Constant fluxes of heat are imposed on the horizontal walls of the layer. The governing parameters of the problem under study are the Rayleigh number R, the power-law index n, and the aspect ratio of the cavity A. An analytical solution, valid for shallow enclosures (A ≫ 1), is derived on the basis of the parallel flow approximation. In the range of the governing parameters considered in this study, a good agreement is found between the analytical predictions and the numerical results obtained by solving the full governing equations. For dilatant fluids (n > 1), it is found that the onset of motion is linearly unstable, i.e., always occurs provided that the supercritical Rayleigh number RCsup≥0. For pseudoplastic fluids (n < 1), the supercritical Rayleigh number for the onset of motion is RCsup=∞. However, it is demonstrated, on the basis of the nonlinear parallel flow theory, that the onset of motion occurs above a subcritical Rayleigh number RCsub which depends upon the power-law index n. For finite-amplitude convection, the heat and flow characteristics predicted by the analytical model are found to agree well with a numerical study of the full governing equations.
Application of Two Bayesian Filters to Estimate Unknown Heat Fluxes in a Natural Convection Problem
Authors: Colaço Marcelo J. , Orlande Helcio R. B. , B. da Silva Wellington , Dulikravich George S.
Published: July 2012

Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) or particle filter methods, which have been originally introduced in the beginning of the 1950s, became very popular in the last few years in the statistical and engineering communities. Such methods have been widely used to deal with sequential Bayesian inference problems in the fields like economics, signal processing, and robotics, among others. SMC methods are an approximation of sequences of probability distributions of interest, using a large set of random samples, named particles. These particles are propagated along time with a simple Sampling Importance distribution. Two advantages of this method are: they do not require the restrictive hypotheses of the Kalman filter, and they can be applied to nonlinear models with non-Gaussian errors. This paper uses two SMC filters, namely the SIR (sampling importance resampling filter) and the ASIR (auxiliary sampling importance resampling filter) to estimate a heat flux on the wall of a square cavity encasing a liquid undergoing natural convection. Measurements, which contain errors, taken at the boundaries of the cavity were used in the estimation process. The mathematical model as well as the initial condition are supposed to have some errors, which were taken into account in the probabilistic evolution model used for the filter. Also, the results using different grid sizes and patterns for the direct and inverse problems were used to avoid the so-called inverse crime. In these results, additional errors were considered due to the different location of the grid points used. The final results were remarkably good when using the ASIR filter.
Is There an “Ultimate” Autofrettage Process?
Authors: Perl M. , Perry J. , Aharon T. , Kolka O.
Published: July 2012

To increase the elastic-carrying capacity of a gun barrel, beneficial residual stresses are introduced to the barrel’s wall, commonly by the autofrettage process. There are two major autofrettage processes: the hydrostatic and the swage. While the theoretical solution for hydraulic autofrettage has been available and accessible for a long time, the available models for swage autofrettage have been quite limited. The issue of hydraulic versus swage autofrettage was intensively investigated pointing to the clear advantages of swage autofrettage in both the level of the residual stresses created and the total fatigue lifetime obtained. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that overstraining a barrel to the same level of autofrettage by either the swage or the hydraulic processes produces the same safe maximum pressure (SMP) for firing. In the present analysis, the recently developed 3D code, which finally enables a realistic simulation of both swage and hydraulic autofrettage, is validated against experimental findings for several gun barrels. All the numerical results are found in excellent agreement with the test results in terms of the permanent bore enlargement (PBE) and the safe maximum pressure for these barrels. In order to compare the two autofrettage processes, the code is applied to two hypothetic 120 mm gun barrels simulating both swage and hydraulic autofrettage. The detailed numerical comparison between the two different autofrettage processes points to the fact that the swage autofrettage process is superior to the hydraulic autofrettage process. These results are very encouraging and call for continuing the pursuit of finding an “ultimate” autofrettage process that will yield the “optimal gun barrel.”
Unusual association of Arnold-Chiari malformation and vitamin B12deficiency
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Praharaj Heramba Narayan
Published: July 2012

Arnold-Chiari malformations are a group of congenital or acquired defects associated with the displacement of cerebellar tonsils into the spinal canal. First described by Chiari (1891), this has various grades of severity and involves various parts of neuraxis, for example, cerebellum and its outputs, neuro-otological system, lower cranial nerves, spinal sensory and motor pathways. The symptomatology of Arnold-Chiari malformations may mimic multiple sclerosis, primary headache syndromes, spinal tumours and benign intracranial hypertension. We highlighted a case of Chiari type I malformation, who presented with posterolateral ataxia associated with significant vitamin B12deficiency. The patient was supplemented with vitamin B12injections and showed remarkable improvement at follow-up after 3 months.
Giant verrucous carcinoma of the lower extremity in women with dementia
Authors: Jungmann Janina , Vogt Thomas , Müller Cornelia S L
Published: July 2012

We present the case of an 81-year-old woman with dementia and a giant exophytic ulcerated tumour, which covered most of the lower leg and the dorsum of the foot and emitted a foul smell. The patient had chronic venous insufficiency for 30 years, and previously (appr. 20 years ago) had a squamous cell carcinoma in the same location (right lower leg) that could be treated surgically. The dermatopathological examination of a large excisional biopsy revealed a highly differentiated verrucous carcinoma (formerly referred to as papillomatosis cutis carcinoides). Pathologically modified lymph nodes (suspicious of lymphatic metastases) were observed. Possible treatment options (surgery, intralesional and systemic treatment) were discussed. Finally, due to extension, location of the tumour and the age and co-morbidities of the patient, a decision was made to perform radiation therapy.
A solid organising cryptogenic liver abscess and its association with a colonic tubullovillous adenoma
Authors: Tan Christopher B , Shah Mitanshu , Rajan Dhyan , Lipka Seth , Ahmed Shadab , Freedman Lester , Rizvon Kaleem , Mustacchia Paul
Published: July 2012

Cryptogenic liver abscess (CLA) is a well-known disease entity that has puzzled clinicians for centuries. With the advancement of diagnostic modalities, comes the decreasing incidence of liver abscess labelled as ‘cryptogenic’ in nature. Colonic diseases have been identified as a possible underlying condition found in patients with liver abscesses. Although rare, tubullovillous adenomas have been implicated as one of the colonic causes of a CLA. We present a case of a CLA in a 53-year-old man with a potentially associated tubullovillous adenoma found via colonoscopy.
ROLE OF EDGES IN COMPLEX NETWORK EPIDEMIOLOGY
Authors: ZHANG HAO , JIANG ZHI-HONG , WANG HUI , XIE FEI , CHEN CHAO
Published: July 2012

In complex network epidemiology, diseases spread along contacting edges between individuals and different edges may play different roles in epidemic outbreaks. Quantifying the efficiency of edges is an important step towards arresting epidemics. In this paper, we study the efficiency of edges in general susceptible-infected-recovered models, and introduce the transmission capability to measure the efficiency of edges. Results show that deleting edges with the highest transmission capability will greatly decrease epidemics on scale-free networks. Basing on the message passing approach, we get exact mathematical solution on configuration model networks with edge deletion in the large size limit.
A NOVEL APPROACH FOR SAFETY CULTURE ASSESSMENT
Authors: RUAN DA , HARDEMAN FRANK , MKRTCHYAN LUSINE
Published: July 2012

Safety Culture describes how safety issues are managed within an enterprise. How to make safety culture strong and sustainable? How to be sure that safety is a prime responsibility or main focus for all types of activity? How to improve safety culture and how to identify the most vulnerable issues of safety culture? These are important questions for safety culture. Huge amount of studies focus on identifying and building the hierarchy of the main indicators of safety culture. However, there are only few methods to assess an organization's safety culture and those methods are often straightforward.

In this paper we describe a novel approach for safety culture assessment by using Belief Degree-Distributed Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (BDD-FCMs). Cognitive maps were initially presented for graphical representation of uncertain causal reasoning. Later Kosko suggested Fuzzy Cognitive Maps FCMs in which users freely express their opinions in linguistic terms instead of crisp numbers. However, it is not always easy to assign some linguistic term to a causal link. By using BDD-FCMs, causal links are expressed by belief structures which enable getting the links evaluations with distributions over the linguistic terms. In addition, we propose a general framework to construct BDD-FCMs by directly using belief structures or other types of structures such as intervals, linguistic terms, or crisp numbers. The proposed framework provides a more flexible tool for causal reasoning as it handles different structures to evaluate causal links.
A QUANTITY PROPERTY-BASED FUZZY NUMBER RANKING METHOD FOR DECISION MAKING WITH UNCERTAINTY
Authors: LI FACHAO , GUAN FEI , JIN CHENXIA
Published: July 2012

One of the key issues for support fuzzy decision-making is fuzzy number ranking. The existing ranking methods either do not provide a total ordering or cannot be effectively applied to decision-making processes. In this paper, we first give five basic principles that interval number ranking must satisfy, and construct a quantitative ranking model of interval numbers based on the synthesis effects of each index. We then propose a new constructions method of synthesis effect function systematically. Third, we also develop a new fuzzy numbers ranking model based on numerical characteristics, combining with the interval representation theorem of fuzzy numbers, and analyze the performance and characteristics of this ranking method by a case-based example. The results indicate that this proposed ranking method has good operability and interpretability, which can integrate the decision consciousness into decision process effectively and serve as a guideline for constructing different fuzzy decision methods.
RESEARCH ON THE GAP AMONG USAGE TYPES OF A CELLULAR PHONE: PRACTICAL ANALYSIS AND APPROACH IN JAPAN
Authors: NISHIMURA YUKIKO , SUGIMURA TAKEAKI
Published: July 2012

This research focuses on user's knowledge of cellular phone (KEITAI in Japanese) usage in Japan and also design and practice of the information transfer method for users who need more information. We further focus on how KEITAI users gain the knowledge of cellular phones, and which functions they have concerns about, by comparing the results of nationwide and regional surveys. Japanese KEITAI users can be divided into four different types based on the cluster analysis of the usage frequency of KEITAI functions. We also designed a workshop for "not advanced KEITAI user," to practice each usage skill.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: An Important Cause of Acute Severe Headache
Authors: Tan Li Huey , Flower Oliver
Published: July 2012

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is an increasingly recognized and important cause of acute headache. The majority of these patients develop potentially serious neurological complications. Rigorous investigation is required to exclude other significant differential diagnoses. Differentiating RCVS from subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) may be difficult but has important therapeutic implications. This paper describes what is currently known about the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical, and diagnostic features of the syndrome, an approach to investigation, a summary of treatments, and what is known of prognosis.
An Exploration of Apathy and Impulsivity in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Ahearn David J. , McDonald Kathryn , Barraclough Michelle , Leroi Iracema
Published: July 2012

Background. Apathy and impulsivity in Parkinson disease (PD) are associated with clinically significant behavioral disorders.Aim. To explore the phenomenology, distribution, and clinical correlates of these two behaviors.Methods. In PD participants (n=99) without dementia we explored the distribution of measures of motivation and impulsivity using univariate methods. We then undertook factor analysis to define specific underlying dimensions of apathy and impulsivity. Regression models were developed to determine the associated demographic and clinical features of the derived dimensions.Results. The factor analysis of apathy (AES-C) revealed a two-factor solution: “cognitive-behavior” and “social indifference”. The factor analysis of impulsivity (BIS-11) revealed a five-factor solution: “inattention”; “impetuosity”; “personal security”; “planning”; and “future orientation”. Apathy was significantly associated with: age, age of motor symptom onset (positive correlation), disease stage, motor symptom severity, and depression. Impulsivity was significantly associated with: age of motor symptom onset (negative correlation), gambling and anxiety scores, and motor complications. We observed an overlap of apathy and impulsivity in some participants.Conclusion. In PD, apathy and impulsivity have specific phenomenological profiles and are associated with particular clinical phenotypes. In spite of this, there is some overlap of behaviors which may suggests common aspects in the pathology underlying motivation and reward processes.
Belief Merging and Judgment Aggregation in Fuzzy Setting
Authors: Beg Ismat , Butt Nabeel
Published: July 2012

We explore how judgment aggregation and belief merging in the framework of fuzzy logic can help resolve the “Doctrinal Paradox.” We also illustrate the use of fuzzy aggregation functions in social choice theory.
Traumatic Brain Injury in Sports: A Review
Authors: Sahler Christopher S. , Greenwald Brian D.
Published: July 2012

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a clinical diagnosis of neurological dysfunction following head trauma, typically presenting with acute symptoms of some degree of cognitive impairment. There are an estimated 1.7 to 3.8 million TBIs each year in the United States, approximately 10 percent of which are due to sports and recreational activities. Most brain injuries are self-limited with symptom resolution within one week, however, a growing amount of data is now establishing significant sequelae from even minor impacts such as headaches, prolonged cognitive impairments, or even death. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment according to standardized guidelines are crucial when treating athletes who may be subjected to future head trauma, possibly increasing their likelihood of long-term impairments.
Patterns of Initial Disease Recurrence after Resection of Biliary Tract Cancer
Authors: Jung Se Jin , Woo Sang Myung , Park Hyung Ki , Lee Woo Jin , Han Mi Ah , Han Sung-Sik , Kim Seong Hoon , Park Sang-Jae , Kim Tae Hyun , Koh Young Hwan , Hong Eun Kyung
Published: July 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to provide further insights into the indications for adjuvant therapeutic strategies via analysis of the sites of initial recurrence after resection of gallbladder cancer (GBC) and intrahepatic (IHC) and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHC). Methods: Patients with biliary tract cancer who underwent potentially curative resection were identified from the database. Sites of initial disease recurrence were categorized as locoregional or distant. Results: Between March 2001 and April 2009, 231 patients underwent curative resection. Initial GBC and IHC recurrence involving a distant site occurred in 70.8 and 86.8% patients, respectively, compared to 56.9% patients with EHC (p = 0.002). The median time to disease recurrence (TTR) was shorter among the GBC and IHC groups compared with that in EHC patients (6.3 and 6.7 vs. 13.1 months, respectively; p = 0.003). Moreover, median times to distant recurrence in GBC and IHC groups were shorter than that in EHC (5.8 and 6.5 vs. 14.1 months, respectively; p = 0.002). Conclusions: After resection, recurrent GBC and IHC are more likely to involve a distant site and are associated with significantly shorter TTR than recurrent EHC. These findings suggest that an adjuvant therapeutic strategy targeting distant disease is likely to have a signiﬁcant impact on the overall management of GBC and IHC.
Testing for the Possible Influence of Unknown Climate Forcings upon Global Temperature Increases from 1950 to 2000
Authors: Anderson Bruce T. , Knight Jeff R. , Ringer Mark A. , Yoon Jin-Ho , Cherchi Annalisa
Published: July 2012

Global-scale variations in the climate system over the last half of the twentieth century, including long-term increases in global-mean near-surface temperatures, are consistent with concurrent human-induced emissions of radiatively active gases and aerosols. However, such consistency does not preclude the possible influence of other forcing agents, including internal modes of climate variability or unaccounted for aerosol effects. To test whether other unknown forcing agents may have contributed to multidecadal increases in global-mean near-surface temperatures from 1950 to 2000, data pertaining to observed changes in global-scale sea surface temperatures and observed changes in radiatively active atmospheric constituents are incorporated into numerical global climate models. Results indicate that the radiative forcing needed to produce the observed long-term trends in sea surface temperatures—and global-mean near-surface temperatures—is provided predominantly by known changes in greenhouse gases and aerosols. Further, results indicate that less than 10% of the long-term historical increase in global-mean near-surface temperatures over the last half of the twentieth century could have been the result of internal climate variability. In addition, they indicate that less than 25% of the total radiative forcing needed to produce the observed long-term trend in global-mean near-surface temperatures could have been provided by changes in net radiative forcing from unknown sources (either positive or negative). These results, which are derived from simple energy balance requirements, emphasize the important role humans have played in modifying the global climate over the last half of the twentieth century.
Applications of contribution analysis to outcome planning and impact evaluation
Authors: Wimbush Erica , Montague Steve , Mulherin Tamara
Published: July 2012

Contribution analysis is a structured approach to theory-based impact evaluation originally developed in Canada in the context of Results-Based Management (RBM) although there have been few examples of contribution analysis in practice since Mayne’s original paper (2001). We argue that contribution analysis adds value to other theory-based evaluation approaches by providing a more structured and rigorous approach to participatory evaluation planning, data analysis and reporting. It can be applied in the context of participatory strategic planning and performance monitoring as well as impact evaluation. Examples are drawn from Scotland and Canada in the performance context of RBM in Canada and Outcomes-Based Accountability (OBA) in Scotland. The authors argue that, as a participatory process, contribution analysis strengthens both conceptual and practical understanding of planning/managing for outcomes and implementation and change theories, thus helping to build collaborative capacity within and across partner organizations. For public managers, the contribution analysis process has a strong appeal and practical value when faced with the task of demonstrating the contribution of single organizations to addressing complex social issues while working in partnership with other public agencies facing multiple accountabilities.
Histone modification pattern evolution after yeast gene duplication
Authors: Zou Yangyun , Su Zhixi , Huang Wei , Gu Xun
Published: July 2012

Background

Gene duplication and subsequent functional divergence especially expression divergence have been widely considered as main sources for evolutionary innovations. Many studies evidenced that genetic regulatory network evolved rapidly shortly after gene duplication, thus leading to accelerated expression divergence and diversification. However, little is known whether epigenetic factors have mediated the evolution of expression regulation since gene duplication. In this study, we conducted detailed analyses on yeast histone modification (HM), the major epigenetics type in this organism, as well as other available functional genomics data to address this issue.

Results

Duplicate genes, on average, share more common HM-code patterns than random singleton pairs in their promoters and open reading frames (ORF). Though HM-code divergence between duplicates in both promoter and ORF regions increase with their sequence divergence, the HM-code in ORF region evolves slower than that in promoter region, probably owing to the functional constraints imposed on protein sequences. After excluding the confounding effect of sequence divergence (or evolutionary time), we found the evidence supporting the notion that in yeast, the HM-code may co-evolve with cis- and trans-regulatory factors. Moreover, we observed that deletion of some yeast HM-related enzymes increases the expression divergence between duplicate genes, yet the effect is lower than the case of transcription factor (TF) deletion or environmental stresses.

Conclusions

Our analyses demonstrate that after gene duplication, yeast histone modification profile between duplicates diverged with evolutionary time, similar to genetic regulatory elements. Moreover, we found the evidence of the co-evolution between genetic and epigenetic elements since gene duplication, together contributing to the expression divergence between duplicate genes.
New fossil species of ommatids (Coleoptera: Archostemata) from the Middle Mesozoic of China illuminating the phylogeny of Ommatidae
Authors: Tan Jingjing , Wang Yongjie , Ren Dong , Yang Xingke
Published: July 2012

Background

Ommatidae is arguably the “most ancestral” extant beetle family. Recent species of this group are only found in South America and Australia, but the fossil record reveals a much broader geographical distribution in the Mesozoic. Up to now, thirteen fossil genera with more than 100 species of ommatids have been described. However, the systematic relationships of the extant and extinct Ommatidae have remained obscure. Three constraint topologies were designed based on Kirejtshuk’s hypothesis, enforced the monophyly of Tetraphalerus + Odontomma, Pareuryomma + Notocupes and both respectively.

Results

In this study, four new species, Pareuryomma ancistrodonta sp. nov., Pareuryomma cardiobasis sp. nov., Omma delicata sp. nov., and Tetraphalerus decorosus sp. nov., are described. Based on well-preserved fossil specimens and previously published data the phylogenetic relationships of extant and extinct lineages of Ommatidae were analyzed for the first time cladistically. Based on the results we propose a new classification with six tribes of Ommatidae: Pronotocupedini, Notocupedini, Lithocupedini, Brochocoleini, Ommatini and Tetraphalerini. These taxa replace the traditional four subfamilies.

Conclusion

There is good support for the monophyly of the ingroup. Notocupedini, as defined by Ponomarenko, are paraphyletic. Notocupoides + Eurydictyon are the sister group of the remaining fossil and extant ommatids. Together they form the clade Pronotocupedini. Notocupedini and Lithocupedini are the next two branches. The tribe Brochocoleini is the sister group of a clade comprising Tetraphalerini and Ommatini.
Transportability of tertiary qualifications and CPD: A continuing challenge for the global health workforce
Authors: Saltman Deborah C , Kidd Michael R , Jackson Debra , Cleary Michelle
Published: July 2012

Background

In workforces that are traditionally mobile and have long lead times for new supply, such as health, effective global indicators of tertiary education are increasingly essential. Difficulties with transportability of qualifications and cross-accreditation are now recognised as key barriers to meeting the rapidly shifting international demands for health care providers. The plethora of mixed education and service arrangements poses challenges for employers and regulators, let alone patients; in determining equivalence of training and competency between individuals, institutions and geographical locations.

Discussion

This paper outlines the shortfall of the current indicators in assisting the process of global certification and competency recognition in the health care workforce. Using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data we highlight how International standardisation in the tertiary education sector is problematic for the global health workforce. Through a series of case studies, we then describe a model which enables institutions to compare themselves internally and with others internationally using bespoke or prioritised parameters rather than standards.

The mobility of the global health workforce means that transportability of qualifications is an increasing area of concern. Valid qualifications based on workplace learning and assessment requires at least some variables to be benchmarked in order to judge performance.