bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase I Study of U3-1287, a Fully Human Anti-HER3 Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: LoRusso Patricia , Jänne Pasi A. , Oliveira Moacyr , Rizvi Naiyer , Malburg Lisa , Keedy Vicki , Yee Lorrin , Copigneaux Catherine , Hettmann Thore , Wu Chi-Yuan , Ang Agnes , Halim Abdel-Baset , Beckman Robert A. , Beaupre Darrin , Berlin Jordan
Published: April 2013

Purpose: HER3 is a key dimerization partner for other HER family members, and its expression is associated with poor prognosis. This first-in-human study of U3-1287 (NCT00730470), a fully human anti-HER3 monoclonal antibody, evaluated its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in patients with advanced solid tumor.

Experimental Design: The study was conducted in 2 parts: part 1—sequential cohorts received escalating doses (0.3–20 mg/kg) of U3-1287 every 2 weeks, starting 3 weeks after the first dose; part 2—additional patients received 9, 14, or 20 mg/kg U3-1287 every 2 weeks, based on observed tolerability and pharmacokinetics from part 1. Recommended phase II dose, adverse event rates, pharmacokinetics, and tumor response were determined.

Results: Fifty-seven patients (part 1: 26; part 2: 31) received U3-1287. As no dose-limiting toxicities were reported, the maximum-tolerated dose was not reached. The maximum-administered dose was 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks. The most frequent adverse events related to U3-1287 were fatigue (21.1%), diarrhea (12.3%), nausea (10.5%), decreased appetite (7.0%), and dysgeusia (5.3%). No patient developed anti-U3-1287 antibodies. In these heavily pretreated patients, stable disease was maintained 9 weeks or more in 19.2% in part 1 and 10 weeks or more in 25.8% in part 2.

Conclusion: U3-1287 treatment was well tolerated, and some evidence of disease stabilization was observed. Pharmacokinetic data support U3-1287 dosing of 9 to 20 mg/kg every 2 to 3 weeks. Combination studies of U3-1287 are ongoing. Clin Cancer Res; 19(11); 3078–87. ©2013 AACR.
Hyperglycemia Exacerbates Intracerebral Hemorrhage via the Downregulation of Aquaporin-4
Authors: Chiu Cheng-Di , Chen Chiao-Chi V. , Shen Chiung-Chyi , Chin Li-Te , Ma Hsin-I , Chuang Hao-Yu , Cho Der-Yang , Chu Chi-Hong , Chang Chen
Published: April 2013

Background and Purpose—

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and neurological deficits, and concurrent hyperglycemia usually worsens clinical outcomes. Aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) is important in cerebral water movement. Our aim was to investigate the role of AQP-4 in hyperglycemic ICH.

Methods—

Hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg) in adult Sprague–Dawley male rats. ICH was induced by stereotaxic infusion of collagenase/heparin into the right striatum. One set of rats was repeatedly monitored by MRI at 1, 4, and 7 days after ICH induction so as to acquire information on the formation of hematoma and edema. Another set of rats was killed and brains were examined for differences in the degree of hemorrhage and edema, water content, blood–brain barrier destruction, and AQP-4 expression.

Results—

Hyperglycemia ICH rats exhibited increased brain water content, more severe blood–brain barrier destruction, and greater vasogenic edema as seen on diffusion-weighted MRI. Significant downregulation of AQP-4 was observed in STZ-treated rats after ICH as compared with non–STZ-treated rats. Apoptosis was greater on day 1 after ICH in STZ-treated rats.

Conclusions—

The expression of AQP-4 in the brain is downregulated in hyperglycemic rats as compared with normoglycemic rats after ICH. This change is accompanied by increased vasogenic brain edema and more severe blood–brain barrier destruction.
Dispute Settlement in ASEAN
Authors: Woon Walter
Published: April 2013

Abstract

The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008. The Charter marks a significant milestone in ASEAN’s evolution, creating a legal foundation for the organisation. ASEAN’s professed aim is to become a rules-based organisation rather than just a conglomeration of nation states sharing only geographical proximity. The key to this ambition is the creation of mechanisms for the settlement of disputes and disagreements amongst the member states.

There have been three major disputes between ASEAN member states that have proceeded to adjudication by the International Court of Justice: the Ligitan/Sipadan case between Indonesia and Malaysia, the Pedra Branca case between Malaysia and Singapore and the Preah Vihear case between Cambodia and Thailand. The Preah Vihear dispute flared up after the entry into force of the Charter. The way this was handled sheds an interesting light on the way that ASEAN deals with disputes.
Standardization of the MARISTÁN scale to measure needs in people with schizophrenia and related psychoses
Authors: Saldivia Sandra , Torres-González Francisco , Runte-Geidel Ariadne , Grandon Pamela , Xavier Miguel , Killaspy Helen , Ballester Dinarte , Antonioli Claudio , Melipillan Roberto , Galende Emiliano , Caldas Jose Miguel , King Michael
Published: April 2013

Objective:

Existing measures of needs in severe mental illness have been developed mainly from professionals’ viewpoints and are Eurocentric. Our aim was to standardize a measure of the needs of people with schizophrenia across several cultures and based on users’ own viewpoints.

Method:

An instrument to measure needs, based on qualitative data on users’, carers’ and professionals’ views, was tested in 164 people with schizophrenia or related psychoses in six countries. Participants underwent face-to-face interviews, one third of which were repeated 30 days later. Principal axis factoring and Promax rotation evaluated scale structure; Horn’s parallel combined with bootstrapping determined the number of factors; and intra-class correlation assessed test-retest reliability.

Results:

The instrument contained four factors: (1) health needs; (2) work and leisure needs; (3) existential needs; and (4) needs for support in daily living. Cronbach’s α for internal consistency was 0.81, 0.81, 0.77 and 0.76 for factors 1–4 and 0.81 for the scale as a whole. Correlation between factors was of moderate range for the first three factors (0.41–0.50) and low for the fourth factor (0.14–0.29). Intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.74 (0.64–0.82) for the whole scale. Mean item score on needs for support in daily living was lower than for the other factors.

Conclusions:

The MARISTÁN Scale of Needs evaluates needs from the patient perspective and it is a valid instrument to measure the needs of people with severe mental illness across cultures.
The Global Union Federations and temporary labour migration in Malaysia
Authors: Ford Michele
Published: April 2013

Since the mid-2000s, the Global Union Federations have played a pivotal role in the reshaping of Malaysian trade unions’ attitudes towards temporary migrant workers, providing the conceptual tools and material resources – and, in many cases, the motivation – required to reach out to this most non-traditional of non-traditional constituencies. This article documents the different approaches taken by a number of Global Union Federations as they seek to apply lessons learnt from the experience of their European affiliates in the Malaysian context. It argues that while Global Union Federation agendas are largely determined by donor and head office priorities, those agendas are mediated, and sometimes transformed, as they are rolled out through the Global Union Federations’ regional offices and to local affiliates in ‘target countries’ like Malaysia. This finding not only has consequences for temporary migrant workers in particular destinations, but also for our understanding of the structures of the international labour movement and the practices of trade union aid.
Evaluation of the growth pattern of carcinoma of colon and rectum by MDCT
Authors: Choi Seung Joon , Kim Hyung-Sik , Ahn Su-Joa , Jeong Yu Mi , Choi Hye-Young
Published: April 2013

Background

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Knowledge of colorectal cancer tumor growth is of importance for basic understanding of tumor biology and for the clinical handling of the disease.

Purpose

To conduct a retrospective evaluation of the growth pattern of colorectal cancer by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Material and Methods

Pathologically proven adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum in 44 patients were examined by MDCT on at least two separate occasions with an interval of >1 month in patients not receiving therapy. Maximal longitudinal diameters, wall thicknesses, and volume changes, as determined by serial CT scans, were used in calculation of growth rates.

Results

Mean longitudinal diameters of tumors at initial and follow-up investigations were 3.8 cm (1.0–9.1 cm) and 5.4 cm (2.5–12.2 cm), respectively. The mean growth rate of longitudinal tumor diameter was 3.4 cm/year (0–13.8 cm/year). Mean axial wall thicknesses at initial and follow-up investigations were 1.4 cm (0.6–6.6 cm) and 1.9 cm (0.8–6.8 cm), respectively. Mean growth rate of tumor axial wall thickness was 1.0 cm/year (0–3.1 cm/year). Mean tumor volumes at initial and follow-up investigations were 1975 cm3(172–9756 cm3; median, 1490) and 3545 cm3(442–15211 cm3; median, 2846), respectively. Mean growth rate of tumor volume was 2912 cm3/year (216–12548 cm3/year; median, 1698), and volume doubling times varied from 0.05 to 7.1 years (mean, 1.2; median, 0.7). Significant correlations were observed between initial wall thickness and volume growth rate ( p = 0.004). No significant difference was observed between other initial tumor size and growth rate.

Conclusion

The tumor growth doubling time of colorectal cancer has a very broad aspect. The initial wall thickness of the tumor on MDCT appears to be the most powerful parameter showing correlation with the volume growth rate.
Clinical and radiological features of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome
Authors: Shin Sung Ui , Park Chang Min , Lee Youkyung , Kim Eui-Chong , Kim Soo Jin , Goo Jin Mo
Published: April 2013

Background

Recently, a striking new clinical manifestation of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infection referred to as invasive KP liver abscess syndrome (IKPLAS), defined by liver abscess with contemporaneous metastatic KP infections at other body sites has been documented. Until now, however, there have been relatively few reports regarding its radiologic features.

Purpose

To describe the clinical and radiological features of IKPLAS patients, and to compare them with those with KP liver abscess without metastatic infections to ascertain possible predictors of IKPLAS.

Material and Methods

From January 2008 to May 2010, 35 patients (26 men and 9 women; mean age, 59.4 years) with both liver abscess and metastatic KP infections were diagnosed with IKPLAS. Their clinical and radiological features were retrospectively evaluated and compared with those of 25 contemporaneous non-metastatic patients to investigate predictive factors for metastatic infections.

Results

The rate of intensive care unit admissions and overall mortality was 34.3% and 17.1% in IKPLAS patients, and was significantly higher than those of the non-metastatic group (8% and 0%, respectively). As for metastatic infections, the lung was the most common site and multiple nodules or masses ( n = 9) were the most common manifestations. Univariate analysis revealed that liver abscess ≤5.8 cm, bilobar involvement of abscess and altered mentality were significantly related with IKPLAS. At multivariate analysis, liver abscess ≤5.8 cm was proven to be a significant independent predictor of IKPLAS (OR, 3.6; P = 0.038). In addition, altered mentality was present solely in IKPLAS (25.7% vs. 0%) although its P value ( P = 0.052) did not reach a statistical significance at multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

IKPLAS has significantly worse prognosis than non-metastatic KP abscess patients. In patients with KP liver abscess, liver abscess ≤5.8 cm can be used as an independent predictor of IKPLAS and altered mentality as a very specific feature in diagnosing IKPLAS.
Broad and Narrow CHC Abilities Measured and Not Measured by the Wechsler Scales
Authors: Flanagan Dawn P. , Alfonso Vincent C. , Reynolds Matthew R.
Published: April 2013

In this commentary, we reviewed two clinical validation studies on the Wechsler Scales conducted by Weiss and colleagues. These researchers used a rigorous within-battery model-fitting approach that demonstrated the factorial invariance of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) across populations. Beyond the important finding of invariance across populations, however, these studies did not provide much additional clarification about exactly what is and what is not measured by the WISC-IV and WAIS-IV vis-à-vis an overarching empirically validated theory of the structure of cognitive abilities. To that end, we argued that a better understanding of the cognitive constructs (both broad and narrow) measured by the Wechsler scales or invariance across selection of variables is necessary and will require theory-driven joint or cross-battery confirmatory factor analysis. Recommendations for conducting this type of research were offered within the context of the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory of cognitive abilities.
The Influence of Job Attributes and Culture on Job Productivity
Authors: Taylor Jeannette , Steel Brent S. , Simon Christopher A.
Published: April 2013

This comparative study of over 3,600 public servants across China, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, India, and the United States examines the influence of material and nonmaterial job attributes and cultural factors on employees’ perceptions of job productivity. Compared to the U.S. respondents, the respondents from Asia Pacific reported higher levels on one dimension of job productivity (perceived job efficiency) but lower levels on another dimension (perceived job effectiveness). Like their American counterparts, the perceived job productivity of Asia Pacific respondents was affected more by their satisfaction with nonmaterial job attributes than their satisfaction with material job attributes. Three distinctive national cultural factors were found to affect perceived job productivity: social ties, personal responsibility, and group focus.
An Analysis of Cycles in Skirt Lengths and Widths in the UK and Germany, 1954-1990
Authors: Curran Louise
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to further understanding of the development of clothing fashions in Europe by investigating fashion cycles in two European countries, whether clothing dimensions show greater within-year variety over time, and whether differences can be observed between the dimensions of clothing fashionable in two different markets.

Skirt length and skirt width data from mail-order catalogs in the UK and Germany were analyzed over the time period 1954-1990. The data suggest that for skirt lengths, both countries exhibit cyclical movements as well as increases in the within-year variability over the time period studied. Results for skirt width were less conclusive in terms of cyclical movement, although these figures did exhibit a high level of within-year variability. The data also indicated a high level of similarity in skirt length dimensions between the UK and German catalogs, although skirt width dimensions were found to vary quite extensively.
Maquiladoras: An Unknown Workforce
Authors: Presley Ann Beth
Published: April 2013

This study examines the workforce of a maquiladora in Yucatan, Mexico, using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), the Job Characteristics Inventory (JCI), and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple step-wise regression, correlation coefficients, and t-tests. Level of Overall Satisfaction on the JCI and General Satisfaction on the MSQ were both about 62%. Workers were more satisfied with core dimensions (variety, autonomy, task identity, and feedback) than with interpersonal dimensions (dealing with others and friendship opportunities). Based on the MSQ, workers derived more Intrinsic Satisfaction than Extrinsic Satisfaction from their work. Items with the highest mean scores were not necessarily the ones explaining the greatest account of variance in job satisfaction. The study provides implications for U.S. firms wishing to establish maquiladoras in Mexico.
Forging Linkages between Dress and Law in the U.S., Part II: Dress Codes
Authors: Lennon Sharron J. , Schulz Theresa Lennon , Johnson K.P.
Published: April 2013

Dress and human behavior research, caselaw, and statutes related to workplace and school dress codes in the U.S. are discussed. In caselaw and statutes regarding dress codes, the way dress is interpreted by the legal system is consistent with research, in contrast to the way dress is interpreted in rape and sexual harassment cases. In both areas of law, the assumption is that inferences based on dress are accurate. Thus, both in framing statutes and in rendering judicial decisions, the legal system considers how observers interpret, make inferences, and act as a function of inferences based on the dress of the wearer. In rape and sexual harassment cases, this perspective allows the misuse of dress to shift blame from the perpetrator to the victim; thus, inference accuracy is a point of law. Dress code cases implicate issues of individual freedom, which are not related to inference accuracy. Research and policy linkages between dress and human behavior research and law are suggested.
Diamond recovery from waste sawblades: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Celep Oktay , Aydin Gokhan , Karakurt Izzet
Published: April 2013

Due to their excellent hardness and toughness, diamond tools have been widely used as cutting tools for mining applications such as machining and/or processing of natural stones. A considerable amount of used sawblades with diamond grits are damaged, scrapped and wasted in the regions where machining and/or processing of ornamental stones are heavily conducted. Since a damaged and/or scrapped sawblade could still have diamonds grits, the recovery of diamond grits from sawblades has recently gained attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the recoverability of diamonds from damaged sawblades using hydrometallurgical processes, including aqua regia. Using scanning electron microscopy micrographs, the worn surfaces of diamonds were also examined before and after leaching. The results of the study represented that the diamonds from damaged sawblades can be successfully recovered by hydrometallurgical processes, including aqua regia, and the recovered diamonds could be reused in cutting tools after size classification. The results also revealed that among the damage types of diamond, the fractured and polished crystals resulted in diamond crystals with lower grain size.
An experimental study on the vibration response of a robotic machining system
Authors: Zaghbani Imed , Songmene Victor , Bonev Ilian
Published: April 2013

Robotic machining is one of the most versatile manufacturing technologies around, whose emergence helped reduce the machining cost of complex parts. However, its application is sometimes limited due to the low rigidity of the robot, whose stiffness leads to high vibration levels, which limit the quality and the precision of machined parts. In this study, the vibration response of a robotic machining system was investigated. To that end, a new method based on the variation of spindle speed was introduced for finishing the aluminum aerospace grade alloy (7075-T6) blocks. With the proposed method, the vibrations and the cutting force signal were collected and analyzed to find a reliable dynamic stability criterion, and the proposed criterion was validated using the machined surface roughness obtained. It was found that the directional root mean square (RMSdirectional) of the vibration signal is a good indicator for defining the degree of stability of the machining process. Moreover, it was observed that the spindle speed with the lowest RMSdirectional is the one that has the highest probability of generating the best surface finish. It was further demonstrated that the sensors are more efficient when positioned on the spindle. The proposed method is rapid and makes it possible to avoid trial and error tests during robot programming.
An experimental investigation on slicing of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal
Authors: Wang Qiangguo , Gao Hang , Pei Zhijian , Guo Dongming , Teng Xiaoji
Published: April 2013

Because of its unique properties, potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals are widely used for electro-optical applications. Slicing is needed to make potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal lens with desired shapes. However, reported studies on slicing of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal are scarce. This article presents an experimental investigation on slicing of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals. Output parameters studied include surface roughness, flatness error, parallelism error, and subsurface damage. Effects of wire sawing input variables (feed rate and diamond grit size) on output parameters are investigated. Comparisons of wire sawing and band sawing are also made.
Vividness of the Future Self Predicts Delinquency
Authors: van Gelder Jean-Louis , Hershfield Hal E. , Nordgren Loran F.
Published: April 2013

The tendency to live in the here and now, and the failure to think through the delayed consequences of behavior, is one of the strongest individual-level correlates of delinquency. We tested the hypothesis that this correlation results from a limited ability to imagine one’s self in the future, which leads to opting for immediate gratification. Strengthening the vividness of the future self should therefore reduce involvement in delinquency. We tested and found support for this hypothesis in two studies. In Study 1, compared with participants in a control condition, those who wrote a letter to their future self were less inclined to make delinquent choices. In Study 2, participants who interacted with a realistic digital version of their future, age-progressed self in a virtual environment were less likely than control participants to cheat on a subsequent task.
Two-stage sampling designs for external validation of personal risk models
Authors: Whittemore Alice S , Halpern Jerry
Published: April 2013

We propose a cost-effective sampling design and estimating procedure for validating personal risk models using right-censored cohort data. Validation involves using each subject’s covariates, as ascertained at cohort entry, in a risk model (specified independently of the data) to assign him/her a probability of an adverse outcome within a future time period. Subjects are then grouped according to the magnitudes of their assigned risks, and within each group, the mean assigned risk is compared with the probability of outcome occurrence as estimated using the follow-up data. Such validation presents two complications. First, in the presence of right-censoring, estimating the probability of developing the outcomes before death requires competing risk analysis. Second, for rare outcomes, validation using the full cohort requires assembling covariates and assigning risks to thousands of subjects. This can be costly when some covariates involve analyzing biological specimens. A two-stage sampling design addresses this problem by assembling covariates and assigning risks only to those subjects most informative for estimating key parameters. We use this design to estimate the outcome probabilities needed to evaluate model performance and we provide theoretical and bootstrap estimates of their variances. We also describe how to choose two-stage designs with minimal efficiency loss for a parameter of interest when the quantities determining optimality are unknown at the time of design. We illustrate these methods by using subjects in the California Teachers Study to validate ovarian cancer risk models. We find that a design with optimal efficiency for one performance parameter need not be so for others, and trade-offs will be required. A two-stage design that samples all outcome-positive subjects and more outcome-negative than censored subjects will perform well in most circumstances. The methods are implemented in Risk Model Assessment Program, an R program freely available at http://med.stanford.edu/epidemiology/two-stage.html .
Projecting adverse event incidence rates using empirical Bayes methodology
Authors: Ma Guoguang (Julie) , Ganju Jitendra , Huang Jing
Published: April 2013

Although there is considerable interest in adverse events observed in clinical trials, projecting adverse event incidence rates in an extended period can be of interest when the trial duration is limited compared to clinical practice. A naïve method for making projections might involve modeling the observed rates into the future for each adverse event. However, such an approach overlooks the information that can be borrowed across all the adverse event data. We propose a method that weights each projection using a shrinkage factor; the adverse event-specific shrinkage is a probability, based on empirical Bayes methodology, estimated from all the adverse event data, reflecting evidence in support of the null or non-null hypotheses. Also proposed is a technique to estimate the proportion of true nulls, called the common area under the density curves, which is a critical step in arriving at the shrinkage factor. The performance of the method is evaluated by projecting from interim data and then comparing the projected results with observed results. The method is illustrated on two data sets.
The Teenage Brain
Authors: Pattwell Siobhan S. , Casey B. J. , Lee Francis S.
Published: April 2013

Fear learning is an adaptive, evolutionarily conserved process that allows people to respond appropriately to threats in the environment. These threats can vary across different contexts and across the life course. Taking into account the high degree of neural and behavioral conservation across species in fear regulation and its underlying neural circuitry, we examined how fear learning changes across contexts and over the course of development, focusing specifically on the environmentally changing and challenging period of adolescence. We show two surprising developmental findings specific to adolescents, relative to older and younger individuals: (a) diminished fear to previously aversive contexts and (b) heightened fear to previously aversive cues. These behavioral changes are paralleled by developmental changes in frontolimbic circuitry. We discuss how these evolutionarily conserved mechanisms may be essential to survival of the species, given the changing environmental demands (social, sexual, and physical) of adolescence. Our findings also have important implications for unremitting forms of fear at the core of anxiety-related disorders, which peak during adolescence, and for when during development specific treatments for these disorders may be most effective.
The Teenage Brain
Authors: Peper Jiska S. , Dahl Ronald E.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we discuss the surging hormones of puberty and their influences on adolescent behavior. We describe why these issues represent an interesting and important area of investigation, emphasizing their contributions to a specific set of developmental processes at the heart of the transition from childhood to adolescence. We briefly review the neuroendocrine underpinnings of human puberty. Our review focuses on evidence for behavioral (and neurobehavioral) effects of gonadal hormones and emphasizes the social and affective dimensions of these hormonal effects. More broadly, we consider how these hormonal events contribute to brain-behavior interactions that can bias early adolescent trajectories in both positive and negative directions, and in ways that may begin as small influences but can spiral into large-scale effects over time. These influences also appear to play an important role in functional and structural brain development during adolescence. Finally, we offer some thoughts on directions for future research in these areas.
The Teenage Brain
Authors: Luna Beatriz , Paulsen David J. , Padmanabhan Aarthi , Geier Charles
Published: April 2013

Adolescence is associated with heightened mortality rates due in large measure to negative consequences from risky behaviors. Theories of adolescent risk taking posit that it is driven by immature cognitive control coupled with heightened reward reactivity, yet surprisingly few empirical studies have examined these neurobiological systems together. In this article, we describe a series of studies from our laboratory aimed at further delineating the maturation of cognitive control through adolescence, as well as how rewards influence a key aspect of cognitive control: response inhibition. Our findings indicate that adolescents can exert adult-like control over their behavior but that they have limitations regarding the consistency with which they can generate optimal responses compared with adults. Moreover, we demonstrate that the brain circuitry supporting mature cognitive (inhibitory) control is still undergoing development. Our work using the rewarded antisaccade task, a paradigm that enables concurrent assessment of rewards and inhibitory control, indicates that adolescents show delayed but heightened responses in key reward regions along with concurrent activation in brain systems that support behaviors leading to reward acquisition. Considered together, our results highlight adolescent-specific differences in the integration of basic brain processes that may underlie decision making and more complex risk taking in adolescence.
Assessing Children at Risk
Authors: Efstratopoulou Maria , Janssen Rianne , Simons Johan
Published: April 2013

Objective: The psychometric properties of the Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) were examined. Method: A normative database of primary students ( N = 841), rated by their physical educators in school settings, were used to investigate the construct validity of the MBC, the internal consistency, the reproducibility, and the interrater agreement. Results: Psychometric results supported the model. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a second-order model with two (Externalizing and Internalizing) broadband domains and seven problems scales: Lack of Attention (10 items), Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (14 items), Rules Breaking (7 items), Low Energy (4 items), Stereotyped Behaviors (2 items), Lack of Social Interaction (10 items), and Lack of Self-Regulation (12 items). Conclusion: Although MBC for children is not a diagnostic tool itself, it can provide valid complementary information on attentional, emotional, and developmental problems in children when used by physical educators in school settings.
The role of treatment fidelity on outcomes during a randomized field trial of an autism intervention
Authors: Mandell David S , Stahmer Aubyn C , Shin Sujie , Xie Ming , Reisinger Erica , Marcus Steven C
Published: April 2013

This randomized field trial comparing Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research and Structured Teaching enrolled educators in 33 kindergarten-through-second-grade autism support classrooms and 119 students, aged 5–8 years in the School District of Philadelphia. Students were assessed at the beginning and end of the academic year using the Differential Ability Scales. Program fidelity was measured through video coding and use of a checklist. Outcomes were assessed using linear regression with random effects for classroom and student. Average fidelity was 57% in Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research classrooms and 48% in Structured Teaching classrooms. There was a 9.2-point (standard deviation = 9.6) increase in Differential Ability Scales score over the 8-month study period, but no main effect of program. There was a significant interaction between fidelity and group. In classrooms with either low or high program fidelity, students in Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research experienced a greater gain in Differential Ability Scales score than students in Structured Teaching (11.2 vs 5.5 points and 11.3 vs 8.9 points, respectively). In classrooms with moderate fidelity, students in Structured Teaching experienced a greater gain than students in Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research (10.1 vs 4.4 points). The results suggest significant variability in implementation of evidence-based practices, even with supports, and also suggest the need to address challenging issues related to implementation measurement in community settings.
The Arab Spring As Meta-Event and Communicative Spaces
Authors: Christensen Miyase , Christensen Christian
Published: April 2013

The uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, immediately labeled “the Arab Spring,” are best described as processes rather than outcomes. Despite being a common area of media focus due to decades-long geopolitics, the Arab Spring, as a mediatized meta-event, has led to the reemergence of the region as a discursive territory. The communicative spaces that opened up during and in the aftermath of the uprisings allowed for a multiplicity of topics to reenter public discourse across local, national, and transnational scales. In the process, seasoned debates such as religious sectarianism and democratic institutionalization gained magnitude. More specific debates such as Turkey’s role as a model/antimodel added new discursive aspects to the multitopic ensemble. The purpose of this article is to reflect on the communicative and scalar dimensions in the mediation of the Arab Spring by way of taking the debates on Turkey as a case in point.
The Efficacy of Yoga as an Intervention for Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Diaz Alison M. , Kolber Morey J. , Patel Chetan K. , Pabian Patrick S. , Rothschild Carey E. , Hanney William J.
Published: April 2013

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is common and has a tremendous economic impact. With the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) on the rise, individuals often seek alternative treatments. Yoga is a widely used complementary and alternative medicine treatment for LBP. However, its efficacy as an intervention for LBP has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore the purpose of this study was to systematically review the current literature for randomized controlled trials that assess the outcomes of Yoga as an intervention for individuals with cLBP. An electronic database search was performed for studies related to the efficacy of yoga in treatment for cLBP. Studies included were randomized control trials, published in English, from a peer-reviewed journal that identified yoga as the primary treatment focus for LBP in at least one group and included participants with at least a 12-week (3-month) history of symptoms. Our search revealed 185 articles. Of these, 10 met the inclusion criteria. We concluded Yoga intervention appears to be an efficacious intervention in alleviating cLBP. Yoga was demonstrated to significantly improve quality of life and reduce disability, stress, depression, and medication usage associated with cLBP in 8 of the 10 analyzed trials when compared with usual care, self-care book, or exercises. However, more research is necessary before recommendations can be made.
Race and religion Contribution to symposium on critical approaches to the study of religion
Authors: Lloyd Vincent
Published: April 2013

This article is a contribution to a forum on critical approaches to the study of religion.
Engagement With Studies and Work
Authors: Upadyaya Katja , Salmela-Aro Katariina
Published: April 2013

The present study investigated the developmental trajectories and the possible antecedents (e.g., gender, school track, academic achievement, self-esteem, parental affect, and monitoring) of 17- to 21-year-old young adults’ engagement in their studies and work. The study is part of the longitudinal Finnish Educational Transitions (FinEdu) study involving 804 participants. The results revealed four latent trajectory groups of study and work engagement: high increasing (72%), low increasing (14%), high decreasing (9%), and low stable (5%). High parental affect and high self-esteem among 16-year-old adolescents manifested themselves as an increase in engagement in studies and work during the transition to work or higher education in early adulthood. Moreover, a lower level of parental affect resulted in a decrease in subsequent engagement.
A Mood Management Intervention in an Internet Stop Smoking Randomized Controlled Trial Does Not Prevent Depression
Authors: Schueller Stephen M. , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J. , Muñoz Ricardo F.
Published: April 2013

Smoking and depression are related, and mood management interventions included in smoking cessation interventions can increase smoking abstinence rates. Could a mood management intervention embedded in an Internet-based smoking cessation intervention prevent major depressive episodes? Spanish- and English-speaking smokers ( N = 17,430) from 191 countries were randomized to one of four online self-help intervention conditions (two with mood management). We analyzed preventive effects among those participants without a major depressive episode at baseline. The mood management intervention did not reduce the incidence of major depressive episodes in the following 12 months. However, we found a mood management by depression risk interaction ( OR = 1.77, p = .004), such that high-risk participants who received the mood management intervention had an increased occurrence of major depressive episodes (32.8% vs. 26.6%), but not low-risk participants (11.6% vs. 10.8%). Further research on whether mood management interventions may have deleterious effects on subsets of smokers appears warranted.
Names and Narcissism: A Clinical Perspective on How Parents Choose Names for Their Newborn
Authors: Nadav Meir , Ephratt Michal , Rabin Stanley , Shiber Asher
Published: April 2013

AbstractParents express themselves through the names they give to their children. This article, based on clinical background and practice, looks at the names parents give their children in order to examine the emotional and psychological processes motivating these parents. Specifically, we will look at narcissism, since patients with narcissistic deprivation, in particular, tend to give their children names which often reflect their own deprivations.After a short presentation of healthy and pathological narcissism, and an onomastic-linguistic description of Hebrew given names as the semantic and morphological product of condensation and displacement, we merge the two presentations. We analyze authentic clinical cases to illustrate the interplay within this framework between early self, self-object experiences, and conflicts that emerge in the process of providing names and vice versa.The data for this paper is drawn from psychotherapeutic encounters with Israeli — Jewish patients.
Undercooled solidification of Ni–3·3 wt-%B alloy and cooling curve description
Authors: Xu J F , Liu F , Xu X L , Dang B
Published: April 2013

Undercooled solidification of hypoeutectic Ni–3·3 wt-%B alloy has been studied. The microstructure evolution of Ni–3·3 wt-%B alloy indicates that a transition from regular lamellar eutectic to anomalous eutectic exists with increasing undercooling for eutectic transformation. Here, a new model was proposed to describe the cooling curves of undercooled solidification with two-step transformation. Fits of the present model to the cooling curves after different undercoolings show that the predictions of transformed fractions are compatible with the microstructure observation. Furthermore, for hypoeutectic alloy, the size of the primary phase mainly depends on the undercooling for primary solidification, while the fraction of the primary phase mainly depends on the undercooling for eutectic solidification.
Effect of strain path change on mechanical properties and final microstructure of Cu–Al2O3 in equal channel angular pressing
Authors: Monshat H , Serajzadeh S , Akhgar J M , Kamankesh A
Published: April 2013

In the present work, the process of equal channel angular pressing of dispersion strengthened Cu–1·1 wt-Al2O3 containing nanometric alumina particles was investigated by means of mathematical modelling and experimental testing. Through the modelling, deformation parameters such as hydrostatic pressure distribution and strain field were determined, and the effect of deformation path on these parameters was estimated. Equal channel angular pressing as well as mechanical and microstructural evaluations were also conducted to assess mechanical properties, grain structure and void volume fraction after deformation in different routes. The results indicate that distributions of plastic strain and hydrostatic stresses are significantly affected by deformation path route as well as utilised die design. Furthermore, void formation around hard alumina particles may occur in regions with high tensile hydrostatic stresses leading to fracturing during deformation.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZK60 magnesium alloy fabricated by high strain rate multiple forging
Authors: Wu Y-Z , Yan H-G , Chen J-H , Zhu S-Q , Su B , Zeng P-L
Published: April 2013

High strain rate multiple forging (HSRMF) was successfully carried out on ZK60 magnesium alloy to an accumulated strain of ∑Δϵ = 2·64 at temperature of 573 K, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the high strain rate multiple forged samples were investigated. The results show that the initial grains were extensively refined after HSRMF due to dynamic recrystallisation (DRX). However, the DRX mechanism at initial grain boundaries was different from that at grain core. Rotation DRX and twin induced DRX were responsible for the DRX at initial grain boundaries and original grain core respectively. A novel mixed structure of honeycomb-like coarse DRX grains with average grain size of 10 μm and island-like ultrafine grains with average grain size of 1 μm formed at ∑Δϵ = 2·64. This novel mixed structure showed substantial improvements in mechanical properties. Mechanical testing gave an ultimate tensile strength of 330 MPa and an elongation of 25·7%. Therefore, HSRMF was identified as a potential technique for stronger and more ductile wrought ZK60 alloy.
Effect of electric current pulse on flow behaviour of Al melt in parallel electrode process
Authors: Li X B , Lu F G , Cui H C , Tang X H
Published: April 2013

Electric current pulse (ECP) was commonly applied to solidification process of Al melt to achieve fine solidification microstructure. In this paper, numerical simulation method was employed to analyse flow behaviour of the melt and the mechanism of ECP on the grain refinement during the solidification. The calculation results showed that the ECP led to fluctuation of the Al liquid surface, and the liquid flowed inward and down in a circular motion. The fluctuation and circular flow behaviour were caused by the forces including Lorentz force, surface tension and buoyancy. The results also revealed that the higher the frequency and peak value of the ECP, the larger the flow velocity was. On the other hand, the depth of the electrodes in the liquid had little influence on the convection flow of the liquid. In summary, our simulation results explained the refinement mechanism of the ECP on solidification microstructure and provided a novel and feasible approach to evaluate and optimise the structure refinement of the ECP.
Microstructure and microhardness of carbon nanotube reinforced copper nanocomposites
Authors: Koppad P G , Kashyap K T , Shrathinth V , Shetty T A , Koppad R G
Published: April 2013

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced copper matrix nanocomposites were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique, which consists of blending, compaction and sintering followed by hot forging technique. The microhardness of hot forged nanocomposites was evaluated and found to be higher than that of hot forged copper. The enhanced hardness was attributed to the hardening of the copper matrix by reinforcing effect of MWCNTs. Electron diffraction patterns obtained from MWCNTs and nanocomposites were indexed, and an orientation relationship was derived using stereographic projection. The orientation relationship between MWCNTs and copper appears to be [[Formula: see text] ]fcc Cu||[[Formula: see text] ]MWCNT, and tube axis was found to be parallel to (3 1 1)Cu. However, no unique orientation relationship was observed between copper and MWCNTs.
Copy number variants in locally raised Chinese chicken genomes determined using array comparative genomic hybridization
Authors: Tian Ming , Wang Yanqiang , Gu Xiaorong , Feng Chungang , Fang Suyun , Hu Xiaoxiang , Li Ning
Published: April 2013

Background

Copy number variants contribute to genetic variation in birds. Analyses of copy number variants in chicken breeds had focused primarily on those from commercial varieties with nothing known about the occurrence and diversity of copy number variants in locally raised Chinese chicken breeds. To address this deficiency, we characterized copy number variants in 11 chicken breeds and compared the variation among these breeds.

Results

We presented a detailed analysis of the copy number variants in locally raised Chinese chicken breeds identified using a customized comparative genomic hybridization array. We identified 833 copy number variants contained within 308 copy number variant regions. The median and mean sizes of the copy number variant regions were 14.6 kb and 35.1 kb, respectively. Of the copy number variant regions, 138 (45%) involved gain of DNA, 159 (52%) involved loss of DNA, and 11 (3%) involved both gain and loss of DNA. Principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering revealed the close relatedness of the four locally raised chicken breeds, Shek-Ki, Langshan, Qingyuan partridge, and Wenchang. Biological process enrichment analysis of the copy number variant regions confirmed the greater variation among the four aforementioned varieties than among the seven other breeds studied.

Conclusion

Our description of the distribution of the copy number variants and comparison of the differences among the copy number variant regions of the 11 chicken breeds supplemented the information available concerning the copy number variants of other Chinese chicken breeds. In addition to its relevance for functional analysis, our results provided the first insight into how chicken breeds can be clustered on the basis of their genomic copy number variation.
Gene therapy for cardiovascular disease mediated by ultrasound and microbubbles
Authors: Chen Zhi-Yi , Lin Yan , Yang Feng , Jiang Lan , Ge Shu ping
Published: April 2013

Gene therapy provides an efficient approach for treatment of cardiovascular disease. To realize the therapeutic effect, both efficient delivery to the target cells and sustained expression of transgenes are required. Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technique has become a potential strategy for target-specific gene and drug delivery. When gene-loaded microbubble is injected, the ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction may spew the transported gene to the targeted cells or organ. Meanwhile, high amplitude oscillations of microbubbles increase the permeability of capillary and cell membrane, facilitating uptake of the released gene into tissue and cell. Therefore, efficiency of gene therapy can be significantly improved. To date, UTMD has been successfully investigated in many diseases, and it has achieved outstanding progress in the last two decades. Herein, we discuss the current status of gene therapy of cardiovascular diseases, and reviewed the progress of the delivery of genes to cardiovascular system by UTMD.