bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scientific basis and shortcomings of EU impulse noise standards
Authors: Buck Karl , Zimpfer Véronique , Hamery Pascal
Published: April 2012

In 2003 the Directive 2003/10/EC has been published by the European Union. It defines the maximum noise exposure levels for workers and the related necessities for hearing protection and for conservation programs. The limits for continuous noise are based on A weighted exposure levels as defined by ISO 1999:1990. For impulse noise the Directive limits the maximum peak pressure level to 140 dB including hearing protection. This single value limit which does not take into account any frequency or duration information is not adequate to evaluate the hazard of an impulse noise and lacks any scientific validation. Although it may not present many problems in industry, for the armed forces it has become a major problem, as it limits training and bans the use of some weapon. Therefore Germany has not implemented this Directive for its forces but uses the Damage Risc Critera (DRC) designed by Pfander. In other countries which have implemented the Directive “As-is”, other criteria based on A-weighted energy (LAex,8h) proposed by Dancer or the AHAAH proposed by Price are taken into consideration for being used. The presentation will discuss scientific basis of the different DRCs for impulse noise in use or being candidate in Europe.
Optical micro-manipulation of absorbing particles with tractor and bottle beams
Authors: Krolikowski W. , Shvedov V. , Hnatovsky C. , Eckerskorn N. , Rode A.
Published: April 2012

This paper presents an innovative approach of acoustic design of high performance facade for buildings in the vicinity of an airport. The sound insulation performance of the facade system is established by an aircraft noise auralization of the aural environment in the built environment such as a Star hotel at Arup SoundLab for determining an acoustically suitable glazing system. Arup SoundLab uses a 3D loudspeaker reproduction system called Ambisonics to reproduce the sound phenomena in a dedicated room that allows people to listen to simulated sound in virtual spaces before actual construction. The audio samples can be generated to mimic the dynamic indoor acoustic environment for the takeoff noise profile of B747 aircraft. After listening to the audio samples for different glazing configurations and ambient conditions, subjective responses from a group of representative individuals to the audio sound track that simulates a possible future situation are collected for evaluation analysis. The engineering development of high performance acoustic facade is presented including laboratory testing to reach a confidence level for achieving the end results. An opportunity for identifying potential cost saving is also discussed as a result of this aircraft noise auralisation. Examples will be presented to illustrate the approach.
Associations between deprivation and rates of childhood overweight and obesity in England, 2007–2010: an ecological study
Authors: Conrad David , Capewell Simon
Published: April 2012

Objectives

To investigate the associations between deprivation and rates of childhood overweight and obesity in England, from 2007 to 2010.

Design

An ecological study using routine data from the National Child Measurement Programme and Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 scores.

Setting

Local authority districts in England.

Participants

Schoolchildren in Reception year (age 4–5 years) and Year 6 (age 10–11 years) attending non-specialist maintained state schools in England.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Prevalence of overweight in both Reception and Year 6, prevalence of obesity in both Reception and Year 6 and IMD 2010 scores for each local authority.

Results

In 2009–2010, local authority IMD 2010 scores were strongly correlated with obesity rates among schoolchildren in Reception (r=0.625, p<0.001) and Year 6 (r=0.733, p<0.001). There were no statistically significant changes in association between obesity in Reception or Year 6 and IMD from 2007–2008 to 2009–2010. In contrast, the prevalence of overweight was not statistically significantly correlated with local authority IMD scores in Reception (r=0.095, p=0.092) and only weakly correlated in Year 6 (r=0.184, p=0.001). There were no statistically significant changes in association between overweight in Reception or Year 6 and IMD from 2007–2008 to 2009–2010.

Conclusions

Childhood obesity rates in England are strongly associated with deprivation. Given the enormous public health implications of overweight and obesity in the population, these findings suggest that significant effort is required to tackle unhealthy weight in children in all local authorities and that this should be a priority in areas with high levels of deprivation.
A quasi-experimental evaluation of an HIV prevention programme by peer education in the Anglican Church of the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Mash Rachel , Mash Robert James
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Religion is important in most African communities, but faith-based HIV prevention programmes are infrequent and very rarely evaluated.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a church-based peer education HIV prevention programme that focused on youth.

Design

A quasi-experimental study design compared non-randomly chosen intervention and control groups.

Setting

This study was conducted in the Cape Town Diocese of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

Participants

The intervention group of 176 teenagers was selected from youth groups at 14 churches and the control group of 92 from youth groups at 17 churches. Intervention and control churches were chosen to be as similar as possible to decrease confounding.

Intervention

The intervention was a 20-session peer education programme (Fikelela: Agents of Change) aimed at changing risky sexual behaviour among youth (aged 12–19 years). Three workshops were also held with parents.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The main outcome measures were changes in age of sexual debut, secondary abstinence, condom use and numbers of partners.

Results

The programme was successful at increasing condom usage (condom use score 3.5 vs 2.1; p=0.02), OR 6.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 40.7), and postponing sexual debut (11.9% vs 21.4%; p=0.04) absolute difference 9.5%. There was no difference in secondary abstinence (14.6% vs 12.5%; p=0.25) or with the number of partners (mean 1.7 vs 1.4; p=0.67) and OR 2.2 (95% CI 0.7 to 7.4).

Conclusion

An initial exploratory quasi-experimental evaluation of the Agents of Change peer education programme in a church-based context found that the age of sexual debut and condom usage was significantly increased. The study demonstrated the potential of faith-based peer education among youth to make a contribution to HIV prevention in Africa. Further evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme is, however, required before widespread implementation can be recommended.
Are neighbourhood food resources distributed inequitably by income and race in the USA? Epidemiological findings across the urban spectrum
Authors: Richardson Andrea S , Boone-Heinonen Janne , Popkin Barry M , Gordon-Larsen Penny
Published: April 2012

Objective

Many recent policies focus on socioeconomic inequities in availability of healthy food stores and restaurants. Yet understanding of how socioeconomic inequities vary across neighbourhood racial composition and across the range from rural to urban settings is limited, largely due to lack of large, geographically and socio-demographically diverse study populations. Using a national sample, the authors examined differences in neighbourhood food resource availability according to neighbourhood-level poverty and racial/ethnic population in non-urban, low-density urban and high-density urban areas.

Design

Cross-sectional data from an observational cohort study representative of the US middle and high school-aged population in 1994 followed into young adulthood.

Participants

Using neighbourhood characteristics of participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Wave III, 2001–2002; n=13 995 young adults aged 18–28 years representing 7588 US block groups), the authors examined associations between neighbourhood poverty and race/ethnicity with neighbourhood food resource availability in urbanicity-stratified multivariable linear regression.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Neighbourhood availability of grocery/supermarkets, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants (measured as number of outlets per 100 km roadway).

Results

Neighbourhood race and income disparities were most pronounced in low-density urban areas, where high-poverty/high-minority areas had lower availability of grocery/supermarkets (β coefficient (β)=–1.91, 95% CI –2.73 to –1.09) and convenience stores (β=–2.38, 95% CI –3.62 to –1.14) and greater availability of fast-food restaurants (β=4.87, 95% CI 2.26 to 7.48) than low-poverty/low-minority areas. However, in high-density urban areas, high-poverty/low-minority neighbourhoods had comparatively greater availability of grocery/supermarkets (β=8.05, 95% CI 2.52 to 13.57), convenience stores (β=2.89, 95% CI 0.64 to 5.14) and fast-food restaurants (β=4.03, 95% CI 1.97 to 6.09), relative to low-poverty/low-minority areas.

Conclusions

In addition to targeting disproportionate fast-food availability in disadvantaged dense urban areas, our findings suggest that policies should also target disparities in grocery/supermarket and fast-food restaurant availability in low-density areas.
Structural determinants of food insufficiency, low dietary diversity and BMI: a cross-sectional study of HIV-infected and HIV-negative Rwandan women
Authors: Sirotin Nicole , Hoover Donald , Segal-Isaacson C J , Shi Qiuhu , Adedimeji Adebola , Mutimura Eugene , Cohen Mardge , Anastos Kathryn
Published: April 2012

Objectives

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the overlapping epidemics of undernutrition and HIV infection affect over 200 and 23 million people, respectively, and little is known about the combined prevalence and nutritional effects. The authors sought to determine which structural factors are associated with food insufficiency, low dietary diversity and low body mass index (BMI) in HIV-negative and HIV-infected Sub-Saharan women.

Study design

Cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal cohort.

Setting

Community-based women's organisations.

Participants

161 HIV-negative and 514 HIV-infected Rwandan women.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes included food insufficiency (reporting ‘usually not’ or ‘never’ to ‘Do you have enough food?’), low household dietary diversity (Household Dietary Diversity Score ≤3) and BMI <18.5 (kg/m2). The authors also measured structural and behavioural factors including: income, household size, literacy and alcohol use.

Results

Food insufficiency was prevalent (46%) as was low dietary diversity (43%) and low BMI (15%). Food insufficiency and dietary diversity were associated with low income (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.14 (95% CI 1.30 to 3.52) p<0.01), (aOR=6.51 (95% CI 3.66 to 11.57) p<0.001), respectfully and illiteracy (aOR=2.00 (95% CI 1.31 to 3.04) p<0.01), (aOR=2.10 (95% CI 1.37 to 3.23) p<0.001), respectfully and were not associated with HIV infection. Alcohol use was strongly associated with food insufficiency (aOR=3.23 (95% CI 1.99 to 5.24) p<0.001). Low BMI was inversely associated with HIV infection (aOR≈0.5) and was not correlated with food insufficiency or dietary diversity.

Conclusions

Rwandan women experienced high rates of food insufficiency and low dietary diversity. Extreme poverty, illiteracy and alcohol use, not HIV infection alone, may contribute to food insufficiency in Rwandan women. Food insufficiency, dietary diversity and low BMI do not correlate with one another; therefore, low BMI may not be an adequate screening tool for food insufficiency. Further studies are needed to understand the health effects of not having enough food, low food diversity and low weight in both HIV-negative and HIV-infected women.
A retrospective cohort study assessing patient characteristics and the incidence of cardiovascular disease using linked routine primary and secondary care data
Authors: Payne Rupert A , Abel Gary A , Simpson Colin R
Published: April 2012

Objectives

Data linkage combines information from several clinical data sets. The authors examined whether coding inconsistencies for cardiovascular disease between components of linked data sets result in differences in apparent population characteristics.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Routine primary care data from 40 Scottish general practitioner (GP) surgeries linked to national hospital records.

Participants

240 846 patients, aged 20 years or older, registered at a GP surgery.

Outcomes

Cases of myocardial infarction, ischaemic heart disease and stroke (cerebrovascular disease) were identified from GP and hospital records. Patient characteristics and incidence rates were assessed for all three clinical outcomes, based on GP, hospital, paired GP/hospital (similar diagnoses recorded simultaneously in both data sets) or pooled GP/hospital records (diagnosis recorded in either or both data sets).

Results

For all three outcomes, the authors found evidence (p<0.05) of different characteristics when using different methods of case identification. Prescribing of cardiovascular medicines for ischaemic heart disease was greatest for cases identified using paired records (p≤0.013). For all conditions, 30-day case fatality rates were higher for cases identified using hospital compared with GP or paired data, most noticeably for myocardial infarction (hospital 20%, GP 4%, p=0.001). Incidence rates were highest using pooled GP/hospital data and lowest using paired data.

Conclusions

Differences exist in patient characteristics and disease incidence for cardiovascular conditions, depending on the data source. This has implications for studies using routine clinical data.
Effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake and huge tsunami on glycaemic control and blood pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ogawa Susumu , Ishiki Mikihito , Nako Kazuhiro , Okamura Masashi , Senda Miho , Sakamoto Takuya , Ito Sadayoshi
Published: April 2012

Objective

To examine the effects of a huge tsunami resulting from the Great East Japan Earthquake on blood pressure (BP) control and glycaemic control in diabetic patients.

Design

A retrospective study.

Setting

Tohoku University, Japan.

Participants

63 patients were visiting Rikuzentakata Hospital for diabetic treatment before the earthquake and returned to the clinic in July after the earthquake, and they were analysed in the present study. The subjects were divided into two groups: those who were hit by the tsunami, the Tsunami (+) group (n=28), and those who were not, the Tsunami (−) group (n=35), and the groups' parameters and their changes were compared.

Primary outcome measure

Changes of HbA1c.

Secondary outcome measures

Changes of BP, body mass index.

Results

HbA1c and both BP increased, while the numbers of most drugs taken decreased in both groups. Parameter changes were significantly greater in the Tsunami (+) group. All medical data stored at the hospital was lost in the tsunami. The Tsunami (+) patients also had their own records of treatment washed away, so it was difficult to replicate their pre-earthquake drug prescriptions afterwards. In comparison, the Tsunami (−) patients kept their treatment information, making it possible to resume the treatment they had been receiving before the earthquake. The BP rose only slightly in men, whereas it rose sharply in women, even though they had not been directly affected by the tsunami. BP rose markedly in both genders affected by the tsunami.

Conclusions

All medical information was lost in the tsunami, and glycaemic and BP controls of the tsunami-affected patients worsened more than those of patients who had been affected by the earthquake alone. Women may be more sensitive to changes in the living environment that result from a major earthquake than are men.
Unsatisfactory rates vary between cervical cytology samples prepared using ThinPrep and SurePath platforms: a review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fontaine Daniel , Narine Nadira , Naugler Christopher
Published: April 2012

Objective

To compare unsatisfactory rates between the two major liquid-based cytology (LBC) platforms, namely ThinPrep (Hologic) and SurePath (Becton Dickinson).

Design

The authors performed both a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria were English language, data presented on unsatisfactory rates for either ThinPrep or SurePath, utilising actual patient samples (ie, not laboratory manipulated samples) and no manipulation using acetic acid to increase the satisfactory rate. The authors searched PubMed for articles using the keywords ‘SurePath’ or ‘ThinPrep’ and ‘unsatisfactory’. References of retrieved studies were searched for additional articles. Key researchers in the field were also contacted.

Participants and interventions

Eligible studies were reviewed for rates of unsatisfactory cervical cytology smears processed on either the ThinPrep or SurePath platforms (compared with a general linear model) or data on unsatisfactory rates for both platforms for the same laboratory and the same patient population (compared with a meta-analysis using a random effects model and pooled RR).

Primary Outcome Measure

Unsatisfactory rate of cervical cytology smears.

Results

A total of 1 120 418 cervical cytology smears were reported in 14 different studies using the SurePath platform for an overall unsatisfactory rate (weighted average) of 0.3%. 28 studies reported on 1 148 755 smears prepared using the ThinPrep platform for an overall unsatisfactory rate (weighted average) of 1.3%. The general linear model did not show a difference between LBC platforms when other variables were controlled for; however, the power to detect a difference (0.087) was very low. The meta-analysis performed on four studies where both ThinPrep and SurePath results were reported from the same laboratory showed fewer unsatisfactory tests from the SurePath platform (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.77, p=0.004).

Conclusions

Multiple factors affect LBC unsatisfactory rates. In a meta-analysis, cervical cytology samples prepared on the SurePath platform show significantly fewer unsatisfactory smears than those prepared on the ThinPrep platform.
Observational cohort study of the safety of digoxin use in women with heart failure
Authors: Flory James H , Ky Bonnie , Haynes Kevin , M Brunelli Steve , Munson Jeffrey , Rowan Christopher , Strom Brian L , Hennessy Sean
Published: April 2012

Objectives

This study aims to assess whether digoxin has a different effect on mortality risk for women than it does for men in patients with heart failure (HF).

Design

This study uses the UK-based The Health Information Network population database in a cohort study of the impact of digoxin exposure on mortality for men and women who carry the diagnosis of HF. Digoxin exposure was assessed based on prescribing data. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess whether there was an interaction between sex and digoxin affecting mortality hazard.

Setting

The setting was primary care outpatient practices.

Participants

The study cohort consisted of 17 707 men and 19 227 women with the diagnosis of HF who contributed only time without digoxin exposure and 9487 men and 10 808 women with the diagnosis of HF who contributed time with digoxin exposure.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality.

Results

The primary outcome of this study was the absence of a large interaction between digoxin use and sex affecting mortality. For men, digoxin use was associated with a HR for mortality of 1.00, while for women, the HR was also 1.00 (p value for interaction 0.65). The results of sensitivity analyses were consistent with those of the primary analysis.

Conclusion

Observational data do not support the concern that there is a substantial increased risk of mortality due to the use of digoxin in women. This finding is consistent with previous observational studies but discordant with results from a post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial of digoxin versus placebo.
Introducing analysis of means to medical statistics
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed A , Holder Roger
Published: April 2012

Statistical hypothesis testing involving the comparison of three or more means and/or proportions is a frequent undertaking in medical statistics. For comparison of means, analysis of variance is a common choice and for comparison of proportions, χ2tests are common. However, both these approaches have important limitations which include the need for post hoc testing to identify the unusual group(s) without an integral graphical device to present the final results. These limitations are elegantly overcome by the analysis of means, which is widely used in industrial statistics, and illustrated here using means and proportions.
Knowing your HIV/AIDS epidemic and tailoring an effective response: how did India do it?
Authors: Sgaier Sema K , Claeson Mariam , Gilks Charles , Ramesh Banadakoppa M , Ghys Peter D , Wadhwani Alkesh , Ramakrishnan Aparajita , Tangri Annie , K Chandramouli
Published: April 2012

Tremendous global efforts have been made to collect data on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Yet, significant challenges remain for generating and analysing evidence to allocate resources efficiently and implement an effective AIDS response. India offers important lessons and a model for intelligent and integrated use of data on HIV/AIDS for an evidence-based response. Over the past 15 years, the number of data sources has expanded and the geographical unit of data generation, analysis and use for planning has shifted from the national to the state, district and now subdistrict level. The authors describe and critically analyse the evolution of data sets in India and how they have been utilised to better understand the epidemic, advance policy, and plan and implement an increasingly effective, well-targeted and decentralised national response to HIV and AIDS. The authors argue that India is an example of how ‘know your epidemic, know your response’ message can effectively be implemented at scale and presents important lessons to help other countries design their evidence generation systems.
Comparison of a digital and an optical analogue hand‐held refractometer for the measurement of canine urine specific gravity
Authors: Paris J. K. , Bennett A. D. , Dodkin S. J. , Gunn‐Moore D. A.
Published: April 2012

Urine specific gravity (USG) is used clinically as a measure of urine concentration, and is routinely assessed by refractometry. A comparison between optical analogue and digital refractometers for evaluation of canine urine has not been reported. The aim of this study was to compare a digital and an optical analogue hand‐held refractometer for the measurement of canine USG, and to assess correlation with urine osmolality. Prospective study. Free‐catch urine samples were collected from 285 hospitalised adult dogs, and paired USG readings were obtained with a digital and an optical analogue refractometer. In 50 dogs, urine osmolality was also measured using a freezing point depression osmometer. There was a small but statistically significant difference between the two refractometers (P<0.001), with the optical analogue refractometer reading higher than the digital refractometer (mean difference 0.0006, sd 0.0012). Paired refractometer measurements varied by <0.002 in 91.5 per cent of cases. The optical analogue and digital refractometer readings showed excellent correlation with osmolality (r=0.980 and r=0.977, respectively, P<0.001 in both cases). Despite statistical significance, the difference between the two refractometers is unlikely to be clinically significant. Both instruments provide an accurate assessment of USG in dogs.
Visual cleanliness scores of cattle at slaughter and microbial loads on the hides and the carcases
Authors: Blagojevic B. , Antic D. , Ducic M. , Buncic S.
Published: April 2012

In two abattoirs, visual cleanliness of 100 cattle was assessed before slaughter (on a scale of 1 to 4). From each animal, two sponge swabs (approximately 2000 cm2 area, each) were taken: (a) from hide, immediately after sticking, and (b) from final carcase, but before chilling. In each swab sample, total viable count (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae count (EC) and the presence of Escherichia coli O157 were determined. The mean TVC/EC status of hides and final carcases differed significantly only between very dirty cattle (category 4) and all other less dirty or clean cattle (categories 1, 2 and 3), but not between the less dirty and clean cattle (between categories 1, 2 and 3). However, no clear relationship between the visual cleanliness of the hide and the occurrence of E coli O157 on hide or dressed carcases was observed. The study indicated the possibility that visual categorisation of cattle into only two main categories – one containing very dirty animals (category 4 in this work, corresponding to categories 4 + 5 in The UK Food Standards Agency system) and another containing all the other less dirty or clean animals (categories 1 + 2 + 3) – could be sufficient in practice
Prevalence, antibiotic resistance and molecular characterisation of Staphylococcus aureus in pigs at agricultural fairs in the USA
Authors: Dressler A. E. , Scheibel R. P. , Wardyn S , Harper A. L. , Hanson B. M. , Kroeger J. S. , Diekema D. J. , Bender J. B. , Gray G. C. , Smith T. C.
Published: April 2012

Fairs and petting zoos have been associated with outbreaks of zoonotic disease. Previously, the presence of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was documented in commercial pigs; therefore, it was hypothesised that antibiotic‐resistant S aureus may also occur in pigs exhibited at agricultural fairs. To test this hypothesis, 157 pigs were swabbed at two state fairs in 2008 to 2009. Both nares were sampled and cultures were grown in enrichment broth, then plated onto selective MRSA plates and blood plates. S aureus was confirmed using phenotypic and molecular methods, and was analysed using spa typing, gene‐specific polymerase chain reaction and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The presence of S aureus was confirmed in samples collected from pigs exhibited at USA pig shows. Twenty‐five of 157 (15.9 per cent) samples were positive for S aureus. Two isolates (8 per cent) were resistant to meticillin; 23/25 (92 per cent), 14/25 (56 per cent) and 15/25 (60 per cent) were resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. spa typing revealed multiple isolates of spa type t034 (9/25, 36 per cent) and t337 (7/25, 28 per cent) and singletons of t002, t209, t526, t1236, t1334, t1683, t3075, t5784 and t5883. These results verify the presence of antibiotic‐resistant S aureus in pigs exhibited at USA fairs, suggesting that pigs are a potential reservoir for S aureus within this environment.
ERGODICITY FOR INFINITE PARTICLE SYSTEMS WITH LOCALLY CONSERVED QUANTITIES
Authors: INGLIS J. , NEKLYUDOV M. , ZEGARLIŃSKI B.
Published: April 2012

We analyse degenerate infinite-dimensional sub-elliptic generators, and obtain estimates on the long-time behaviour of the corresponding Markov semigroups that describe a model of heat conduction. In particular, we establish ergodicity of the system for a family of invariant measures, and show that the optimal rate of convergence to equilibrium is polynomial. Consequently, there is no spectral gap, but a Liggett–Nash-type inequality is shown to hold.
OPTIMUM DESIGN PROCESS OF VIBRATION ABSORBER VIA IMPERIALIST COMPETITIVE ALGORITHM
Authors: HOSEINI ROUHOLLAH , SALEHIPOOR HAMZE
Published: April 2012

This paper deals with the optimum design of vibration absorbers utilized to reduce undesirable random vibrational effects that are originated in linear structures. Analytical expressions, for the case of nonstationary white-noise accelerations, are derived. The criterion is different from most conventional optimum design criteria, since it is based on minimizing the displacement or the acceleration variance of the main structure responses, without considering performances required against failure. In this study, in order to control the structural vibrations induced on a mechanical structure excited by nonstationary based acceleration random process, the MOO (multi-objective optimum) design of a vibration absorber has been developed in a typical seismic design problem. This has been performed using the modern imperialist competitive optimization algorithm for multi-objective optimization. Results demonstrate the importance of this method and show that the multi-objective design methodology provides a significant improvement in performance stability, giving a better control of the design solution choice. A numerical example of a vibration absorber for a multi degree of freedom (DOF) system is developed and the results are generated and compared for higher (DOF) systems using two types of modeling. Finally, the results of each of the two types are discussed.
DEM SIMULATION OF PARTICULATE FLOW USING MULTI-SCALE TIME STEPS
Authors: HUANG JUN , DE LEEBEECK ANGELA , NYDAL OLE JØRGEN
Published: April 2012

Event-driven method (EDM) and the time-driven method (TDM) are two main branches of discrete element methods (DEM) for the simulations of granular materials. A new algorithm is introduced in this paper where different models are used for different local volume fractions. TDM time step is used for the cases with high volume fractions and EDM time step is used for the cases with low volume fractions. Whether the local volume fraction is low or high is determined by the number of neighbors in the Verlet table. While the time step updating the Verlet table is the same as the time step for those particles without neighbors in the Verlet table.
NONLINEAR THIN-PLATE BENDING ANALYSES USING THE HERMITE REPRODUCING KERNEL APPROXIMATION
Authors: TANAKA SATOYUKI , SADAMOTO SHOTA , OKAZAWA SHIGENOBU
Published: April 2012

This study analyzed thin-plate bending problems with a geometrical nonlinearity using the Hermite reproducing kernel approximation and sub-domain-stabilized conforming integration. In thin-plate bending analyses, the deflections and rotations satisfy so-called Kirchhoff mode reproducing conditions. It is then possible to solve large deflection analyses of thin plates, such as elastic bucking problems, with high accuracy and efficiency. Total Lagrangian method is applied to solve the geometrical nonlinearity of the thin plates' deflections and rotations. The Green–Lagrange strain and second Piola–Kirchhoff stress forms are adopted to represent the strains and stresses in the thin plates. Mathematical formulation and some numerical examples are also demonstrated.
Unsymmetrical porphyrins: the role of meso-substituents on their physical properties
Authors: Henriques César A. , Gonçalves Nuno P.F. , Abreu Artur R. , Calvete Mário J.F. , Pereira Mariette M.
Published: April 2012

The synthesis of one-step meso-porphyrins type AxBy containing alkyl and pyridyl groups is described. An initial assess of the amphiphilic proprieties were determined by its log Kow using fluorescence detection techniques and values from 1.42 to 2.15 were observed. The melting points of this set of porphyrins was determined and a strong effect of the number and size of the meso-alkyl chain is ascribed.
Electrically Silent Kv Subunits: Their Molecular and Functional Characteristics
Authors: Bocksteins Elke , Snyders Dirk J.
Published: April 2012

Electrically silent voltage-gated potassium (KvS) α-subunits do not form homotetramers but heterotetramerize with Kv2 subunits, generating functional Kv2/KvS channel complexes in which the KvS subunits modulate the Kv2 current. This poses intriguing questions into the molecular mechanisms by which these KvS subunits cannot form functional homotetramers, why they only interact with Kv2 subunits, and how they modulate the Kv2 current.
Physiological Regeneration of Skin Appendages and Implications for Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Chuong Cheng-Ming , Randall Valerie A. , Widelitz Randall B. , Wu Ping , Jiang Ting-Xin
Published: April 2012

The concept of regenerative medicine is relatively new, but animals are well known to remake their hair and feathers regularly by normal regenerative physiological processes. Here, we focus on 1) how extrafollicular environments can regulate hair and feather stem cell activities and 2) how different configurations of stem cells can shape organ forms in different body regions to fulfill changing physiological needs.
Neural Circuit Development in the Mammalian Cochlea
Authors: Bulankina A. V. , Moser T.
Published: April 2012

The organ of Corti, the sensory epithelium of the mammalian auditory system, uses afferent and efferent synapses for encoding auditory signals and top-down modulation of cochlear function. During development, the final precisely ordered sensorineural circuit is established following excessive formation of afferent and efferent synapses and subsequent refinement. Here, we review the development of innervation of the mouse organ of Corti and its regulation.
Mechanisms of Protein Delivery to Melanosomes in Pigment Cells
Authors: Sitaram Anand , Marks Michael S.
Published: April 2012

Vertebrate pigment cells in the eye and skin are useful models for cell types that use specialized endosomal trafficking pathways to partition cargo proteins to unique lysosome-related organelles such as melanosomes. This review describes current models of protein trafficking required for melanosome biogenesis in mammalian melanocytes.
Low-Dose, Ionizing Radiation and Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Microarchitecture
Authors: Alwood Joshua S. , Kumar Akhilesh , Tran Luan H. , Wang Angela , Limoli Charles L. , Globus Ruth K.
Published: April 2012

Osteoporosis can profoundly affect the aged as a consequence of progressive bone loss; high-dose ionizing radiation can cause similar changes, although less is known about lower doses (≤100 cGy). We hypothesized that exposure to relatively low doses of gamma radiation accelerates structural changes characteristic of skeletal aging. Mice (C57BL/6J-10 wk old, male) were irradiated (total body; 0-sham, 1, 10 or 100 cGy137Cs) and tissues harvested on the day of irradiation, 1 or 4 months later. Microcomputed tomography was used to quantify microarchitecture of high turnover, cancellous bone. Irradiation at 100 cGy caused transient microarchitectural changes over one month that were only evident at longer times in controls (4 months).Ex vivobone cell differentiation from the marrow was unaffected by gamma radiation. In conclusion, acute ionizing gamma irradiation at 100 cGy (but not at 1 cGy or 10 cGy) exacerbated microarchitectural changes normally found during progressive, postpubertal aging prior to the onset of age-related osteoporosis.
The Subject, Its Biology, and the Chronic Recurrent Cystitis
Authors: Noll-Hussong Michael , Autenrieth Michael , Pokorny Dan , Herberger Simone , Huber Dorothea
Published: April 2012

Functional disorders in urology are troubling for both patients and physicians. Moreover, advances in recent research promise to provide biological insights into psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunological pathways that are one important facet of chronic urogenital inflammations. We present a case of a middle-aged woman with long-lasting recurrent cystitis for which especially a psychosomatic approach helped to understand and cure the disorder. Altogether, as practitioners treat subjects, not illnesses, a biopsychosocial understanding of human disease should be taken into account in cases of chronic recurrent cystitis.
Familial Progressive Hyperpigmentation: A Case Report
Authors: Yadav Monica , Ghonasgi Sugandha , Shah Rohit , Meghana S. M.
Published: April 2012

Familial progressive hyperpigmentation (FPH) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by hyperpigmented patches in the skin and mucous membranes, present in early infancy, and increase in size and number with age. The genetic basis for FPH remains unknown. We report an unusual case of familial progressive hypermelanosis in a 17-year-old male patient with family history, who presented with a peculiar progressive oral pigmentation disorder. Diagnosis was confirmed by a series of hematological, biochemical, and histopathological investigations. Our paper stresses the need for the dentist to be aware of the systemic conditions that can also manifest in the oral cavity.
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Cognition, Mood, Daily Functioning, and Imaging Findings from a Small Pilot Sample
Authors: Baker John G. , Williams Amy J. , Ionita Catalina C. , Lee-Kwen Peterkin , Ching Marilou , Miletich Robert S.
Published: April 2012

Cerebral small vessel disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, is considered a relatively homogeneous disease process, and it can co-occur with Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical reports of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and neuropsychology testing for a small pilot sample of 14 patients are presented to illustrate disease characteristics through findings from structural and functional imaging and cognitive assessment. Participants showed some decreases in executive functioning, attention, processing speed, and memory retrieval, consistent with previous literature. An older subgroup showed lower age-corrected scores at a single time point compared to younger participants. Performance on a computer-administered cognitive measure showed a slight overall decline over a period of 8–28 months. For a case study with mild neuropsychology findings, the MRI report was normal while the SPECT report identified perfusion abnormalities. Future research can test whether advances in imaging analysis allow for identification of cerebral small vessel disease before changes are detected in cognition.
White Matter Hyperintensities and the Course of Depressive Symptoms in Elderly People with Mild Dementia
Authors: Soennesyn Hogne , Oppedal Ketil , Greve Ole Jacob , Fritze Friederike , Auestad Bjørn H. , Nore Sabine P. , Beyer Mona K. , Aarsland Dag
Published: April 2012

Objectives: To explore the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and the prevalence and course of depressive symptoms in mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Lewy body dementia. Design: This is a prospective cohort study conducted in secondary care outpatient clinics in western Norway. Subjects: The study population consisted of 77 elderly people with mild dementia diagnosed according to standardised criteria. Methods: Structured clinical interviews and physical, neurological, psychiatric, and neuropsychological examinations were performed and routine blood tests were taken. Depression was assessed using the depression subitem of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). A standardised protocol for magnetic resonance imaging scan was used, and the volumes of WMH were quantified using an automated method, followed by manual editing. Results: The volumes of total and frontal deep WMH were significantly and positively correlated with baseline severity of depressive symptoms, and depressed patients had significantly higher volumes of total and frontal deep WMH than non-depressed patients. Higher volumes of WMH were also associated with having a high MADRS score and incident and persistent depression at follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounders, frontal deep WMH, in addition to prior depression and non-AD dementia, were still significantly associated with baseline depressive symptoms (p = 0.015, OR 3.703, 95% CI 1.294–10.593). Similar results emerged for total WMH. Conclusion: In elderly people with mild dementia, volumes of WMH, in particular frontal deep WMH, were positively correlated with baseline severity of depressive symptoms, and seemed to be associated with persistent and incident depression at follow-up. Further studies of the mechanisms that determine the course of depression in mild dementia are needed.
Comparison of Four Verbal Memory Tests for the Diagnosis and Predictive Value of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Silva Dina , Guerreiro Manuela , Maroco João , Santana Isabel , Rodrigues Ana , Bravo Marques José , de Mendonça Alexandre
Published: April 2012

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered to be an early stage of a neurodegenerative disorder, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, and the clinical diagnosis requires the objective demonstration of cognitive deficits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of MCI for the conversion to dementia when using four different verbal memory tests (Logical Memory, LM; California Verbal Learning Test, CVLT; Verbal Paired-Associate Learning, VPAL; and Digit Span, DS) in the MCI criteria. Methods: Participants were consecutive patients with subjective cognitive complaints who performed a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and were not demented, observed in a memory clinic setting. Results: At baseline, 272 non-demented patients reporting subjective cognitive complaints were included. During the follow-up time (3.0 ± 1.9 years), 58 patients converted to dementia and 214 did not. Statistically significant differences between the converters and non-converters were present in LM, VPAL, and CVLT. A multivariate Cox regression analysis combining the four memory tests revealed that only the CVLT test remained significant as a predictor of conversion to dementia. Non-demented patients with cognitive complaints diagnosed as having MCI according to abnormal (<1.5 SD) learning in the CVLT test had a 3.61 higher risk of becoming demented during the follow-up. Conclusion: The verbal memory assessment using the CVLT should be preferred in the diagnostic criteria of MCI for a more accurate prediction of conversion to dementia.
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Anticaries Therapies Targeted according to Risk Assessment (Caries Management by Risk Assessment)
Authors: Featherstone J.D.B. , White J.M. , Hoover C.I. , Rapozo-Hilo M. , Weintraub J.A. , Wilson R.S. , Zhan L. , Gansky S.A.
Published: April 2012

This randomized parallel group clinical trial assessed whether combined antibacterial and fluoride therapy benefits the balance between caries pathological and protective factors. Eligible, enrolled adults (n = 231), with 1–7 baseline cavitated teeth, attending a dental school clinic were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. Salivary mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli (LB), fluoride (F) level, and resulting caries risk status (low or high) assays were determined at baseline and every 6 months. After baseline, all cavitated teeth were restored. An examiner masked to group conducted caries exams at baseline and 2 years after completing restorations. The intervention group used fluoride dentifrice (1,100 ppm F as NaF), 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate rinse based upon bacterial challenge (MS and LB), and 0.05% NaF rinse based upon salivary F. For the primary outcome, mean caries increment, no statistically significant difference was observed (24% difference between control and intervention groups, p = 0.101). However, the supplemental adjusted zero-inflated Poisson caries increment (change in DMFS) model showed the intervention group had a statistically significantly 24% lower mean than the control group (p = 0.020). Overall, caries risk reduced significantly in intervention versus control over 2 years (baseline adjusted generalized linear mixed models odds ratio, aOR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.67, 7.13). Change in MS bacterial challenge differed significantly between groups (aOR = 6.70; 95% CI: 2.96, 15.13) but not for LB or F. Targeted antibacterial and fluoride therapy based on salivary microbial and fluoride levels favorably altered the balance between pathological and protective caries risk factors.
Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells and Restenosis After Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Patel Sanjay D. , Humphries Julia , Mattock Katherine , Wadoodi Ashar , Modarai Bijan , Ahmad Anwar , Burnand Kevin G. , Waltham Matthew , Smith Alberto
Published: April 2012

Background and Purpose—

Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) may attenuate the response to vascular injury by maintaining endothelial integrity and function. Our aim was to determine whether circulating HPC number and function correlate with restenosis after carotid endarterectomy.

Methods—

HPC number (CD34
+
/CD133
+
cells), early colony-forming units, migratory capacity, and senescence were analyzed in blood collected preoperatively, 1 day, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Mobilizing cytokine levels were also measured. Stenosis was assessed by duplex scanning.

Results—

HPC numbers (
P
<0.001) and early colony-forming unit count (
P
=0.001) fell rapidly 24 hours postoperatively. Restenosis at 6 months correlated negatively with the magnitude of postoperative falls in HPC numbers (
R
=−0.38,
P
=0.013) and early colony-forming unit counts (
R
=−0.42,
P
=0.008). The migratory capacity of preoperative HPCs correlated negatively with restenosis (
R
=−0.48,
P
=0.007). Preoperative SDF1 levels correlated with falls in HPC number (
R
=0.42,
P
=0.044) and early colony-forming unit counts (
R
=0.56,
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

HPC function appears to be linked to the development of carotid artery restenosis after endarterectomy. These data support the concept that HPCs have a role in regulating remodeling of the injured arterial wall.
Cinema, Supernatural Archaeology, and the Hidden Human Past
Authors: Hiscock Peter
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Close analysis of modern movies reveals — yet archaeologists and historians have failed to understand — that the dominant representation of archaeological research and ancient human culture in mainstream cinema involves explorations of supernatural objects and events. Cinematic archaeology tends to be mythic rather than realistic in focus. Movies frequently present images of the human past that are pseudoarchaeological in the sense that these films tell the same stories as ‘alternative archaeology,’ even though they may not make an explicit claim to the truthfulness of the events depicted. This pattern is documented through a review of films employing the ancient astronaut model in which visiting aliens changed human development in the past, and through an examination of the work of writer/director Roland Emmerich who has specialized in those films. The cinematic history of these narratives is long, demonstrating that cinema does not merely reproduce popular pseudoarchaeological research, it has also contributed to the growth of these stories.
Cecil Henry Polhill: The Patron of the Pentecostals
Authors: Usher John M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Cecil H. Polhill was highly significant for the development of Pentecostalism in Britain and abroad. He is particularly well known for his extensive and strategic financial donations to primary Pentecostal pioneers in Britain and Europe. However, there remains a paucity of information regarding certain periods of his life and philanthropic contributions. While his serious involvement in the Pentecostal movement began on his return to England from Azusa Street in 1908, a number of significant incidents took place during the preceding years. His recently released financial records open up a new source of data regarding both Polhill’s day-to-day life and his philanthropy. Between 1900 and 1908, Polhill was involved in the Torrey-Alexander missions, the Welsh revival, and several Keswick conventions, all of which predisposed him to be sympathetic to the Pentecostal experience that he would eventually receive at Azusa Street in 1908. Polhill’s Azusa Street experience led him to become not only one of the primary Pentecostal pioneers of Britain but also the Patron of the Pentecostals.