bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Which type of job mobility makes people happy? A comparative analysis of European welfare regimes
Authors: Fasang Anette Eva , Geerdes Sara , Schömann Klaus
Published: February 2012

In view of changing job mobility patterns in Europe, the impact of job mobility on job satisfaction is gaining importance, yet has received little attention. This article analyses 23 European countries to address two questions: (1) how do different types of job mobility affect job satisfaction, and (2) do welfare state regimes alter the relationship between job mobility and job satisfaction? Theoretically the study integrates economic and sociological approaches to job satisfaction with insights from the psychology of well-being. The findings show that job mobility differentially affects job satisfaction domains. External upward mobility is decisive to enhance satisfaction with objective working conditions and work–life balance, while internal mobility is pivotal for satisfaction with future career prospects. The experience of unemployment lowers all job satisfaction domains even after re-employment. The article’s findings on welfare regimes indicate that social policies interact with country differences in workforce composition, such as the overall prevalence of unemployment, to determine job satisfaction.
Parent needs and family support service outcomes in a Canadian sample
Authors: McConnell David , Breitkreuz Rhonda , Savage Amber
Published: February 2012

• Summary:

Parent support needs and family support service (FSS) outcomes were investigated. A total of 923 parent participants were recruited through 20 community-based FSS providers in Alberta, Canada. Participants completed a survey, incorporating well validated child, parent and family outcome measures, a minimum of 8–12 weeks after utilizing their FSS.

• Findings:

Overall, parent need satisfaction was high. However, low socio-economic status, English as a second language, parental disability or chronic health condition, and child disability or chronic health condition were associated with lower levels of parent need satisfaction. Higher levels of need satisfaction were linked to lower levels of parenting stress and more positive parent–child interactions. These, in turn, were linked to more positive family functioning and fewer child difficulties.

• Applications:

Mediation analysis and qualitative findings suggest that family support services are making a positive difference by creating points of ‘connection’, including opportunities for informal learning and peer-support. We argue that the informal, ‘social networking’ role of family support services should be valued alongside evidence-based parenting training programs.
Storied selves: A critical discourse analysis of young children’s literate identifications
Authors: Rogers Rebecca , Elias Martille
Published: February 2012

A wealth of research demonstrates that as young children acquire literacy they also approximate literate roles and relationships. Such literate identifications, or storied selves, are complex, sometimes contradictory and under construction for young people. Less research has focused on how young children’s storied selves are discursively constituted across domains of practice. Given this gap in the literature, we ask: How do young children author themselves as literate in the domains of school and home? What social languages, cultural models, discourses, relationships and situated identities do they enact? To answer these questions, we drew on interviews conducted with first and second grade students who participated in a literacy clinic at an urban school site. The children were asked to report on their literacy lives in different domains of practice. Using the tools of critical discourse analysis, we examined the discursive contours of children’s literate identities in different domains. Through cross-case analyses and ‘telling cases’, our findings suggest that young children call on a hybrid mix of discourse patterns to author themselves as literate beings. The students remain positive and enthusiastic about reading and themselves as readers, despite needing additional literacy support. However, the existence of alignment and conflict between the discourses of the home and school domains creates reasons for attending to students’ literate identities in closer detail.
Clinical and pharmacoeconomic aspects of omalizumab: a 4-year follow-up
Authors: Menzella Francesco , Facciolongo Nicola , Piro Roberto , Formisano Debora , Roggeri Alberto , Simonazzi Anna , Castagnetti Claudia , Carbonelli Cristiano , Zucchi Luigi
Published: February 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the stability of the effectiveness of omalizumab as add-on treatment in 11 patients with severe persistent allergic asthma followed for 4 years. Secondary outcomes were safety and economic impact, in terms of use of healthcare resources.

Methods: This retrospective study was designed to analyse a series of patients with severe allergic asthma treated with omalizumab. Patients were initially enrolled as part of the CIGE025A2425 international multicentre clinical trial. At the end (week 32), 11 responsive patients went on to complete the study and continued omalizumab treatment until June 2010. The monitoring visits coincided with the timescales planned for administering the drug and for the follow up. To estimate the economic impact, the PRE–POST treatment comparison was obtained by comparing the annual pretreatment costs with an annual average of the 4-year posttreatment period costs

Results: After 4 years, 81.8% of patients showed a good/excellent Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness scale score and 81.2% showed an excellent increase (>1.5) in the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score. The average forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at 4 years was 75.3% compared with the predicted normal value for each patient, with a net increase ( p = 0.009) compared with baseline FEV1 values (58.6%). The frequency of serious exacerbations dropped by 94.7% compared with the pretreatment period, while mild–moderate exacerbations fell by 41.8%. A reduction in costs was observed for hospital admissions (97.3%), visits to emergency department (ED) (97.5%) and mild–moderate exacerbations (84%). The average cost reduction of concomitant drugs remained at 36%.

Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness and reliability of omalizumab over the long term, while providing an excellent safety profile. The additional cost due the use of omalizumab was offset by the medium- and long-term savings associated with the reduction in hospital admissions and access to ED.
Motivation and job satisfaction of cleaning staff in the NHS: a pilot study
Authors: Jeanes A , Hall TJ , Coen PG , Odunaike A , Hickok SS , Gant VA
Published: February 2012

Fourteen NHS hospital ward cleaning staff were interviewed about their background, job satisfaction and motivation as part of the evaluation of a new cleaning system. Four (28%) staff had attended university, five (35%) had no qualifications and the remainder had a range of educational attainments. Nine (64%) did the job to earn money, three (22%) because they liked it and two (14%) because there were no other opportunities. Repetitive tasks were undertaken routinely with tight control of method and order of working. The work was tiring and ad hoc requests increased the burden. Although all staff knew what was expected of them in their job, nine (62%) reported they “knew themselves” if they had done a good job as feedback was frequently absent or belated. Opportunities including access to the internet were limited and long hours doing extra work reduced free time. This pilot study highlights the potential of these healthcare cleaning professionals to contribute and develop given the opportunities.
The changing pattern of acute respiratory distress syndrome over time: a comparison of two periods
Authors: Pierrakos Charalampos , Vincent Jean-Louis
Published: February 2012

This study aimed to assess whether patterns and outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have changed due to improvements in mechanical ventilation techniques and support of critically ill patients, by comparing patients from two different periods in the same hospital.

We reviewed data from all patients with a diagnosis of ARDS (according to American–European Consensus Conference criteria) who were treated in our multidisciplinary department of intensive care (Erasme Hospital, Brussels) between January 2006 and April 2009 (group B,n=210) and compared them with our previously reported data (January 1993 to February 1995) (group A, n=129).

The prevalence of ARDS has decreased (from 2.5% in group A to 1.7% in group B, p<0.001). ARDS patients are now older and sepsis-related ARDS is more common. Multiple transfusion and trauma are less common causes of ARDS than in the past. Intensive care unit length of stay among survivors is shorter (13±9versus17±17 days, p=0.025), and there was a trend to lower mortality rates in the more recent cohort (46%versus52%, p=0.158). Multiple organ failure (MOF) was the most common cause of death in both periods.

The pattern of ARDS has changed over time in our department. Patients with ARDS are now older and more severely ill. Sepsis-related ARDS is more frequent whereas trauma-related and/or transfusion-related ARDS has decreased. MOF still represents the most frequent cause of death.
Pólya-type polynomial inequalities in Orlicz spaces and best local approximation
Authors: Cuenya Héctor H , Levis Fabián E , Ridolfi Claudia V
Published: February 2012

We obtain an extension of Pólya-type inequalities for univariate real polynomials in Orlicz spaces. We also give an application to a best local approximation problem.

MSC 2010: 41A10; 41A17.
Insights into the structure and activity of prototype foamy virus RNase H
Authors: Leo Berit , Hartl Maximilian J , Schweimer Kristian , Mayr Florian , Wöhrl Birgitta M
Published: February 2012

Background

RNase H is an endonuclease that hydrolyzes the RNA strand in RNA/DNA hybrids. Retroviral reverse transcriptases harbor a C-terminal RNase H domain whose activity is essential for viral replication. The RNase H degrades the viral genomic RNA after the first DNA strand is synthesized. Here, we report the biophysical and enzymatic properties of the RNase H domain of prototype foamy virus (PFV) as an independently purified protein. Sequence comparisons with other retroviral RNases H indicated that PFV RNase H harbors a basic protrusion, including a basic loop and the so-called C-helix, which was suggested to be important for activity and substrate binding and is absent in the RNase H domain of human immunodeficiency virus. So far, no structure of a retroviral RNase H containing a C-helix is available.

Results

RNase H activity assays demonstrate that the PFV RNase H domain is active, although its activity is about 200-fold reduced as compared to the full length protease-reverse transcriptase enzyme. Fluorescence equilibrium titrations with an RNA/DNA substrate revealed a KD for the RNase H domain in the low micromolar range which is about 4000-fold higher than that of the full-length protease-reverse transcriptase enzyme. Analysis of the RNase H cleavage pattern using a [32P]-labeled substrate indicates that the independent RNase H domain cleaves the substrate non-specifically. The purified RNase H domain exhibits a well defined three-dimensional structure in solution which is stabilized in the presence of Mg2+ ions.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that the independent PFV RNase H domain is structured and active. The presence of the C-helix in PFV RNase H could be confirmed by assigning the protein backbone and calculating the chemical shift index using NMR spectroscopy.
Origin and architecture of fractured-cavernous carbonate reservoirs and their influences on seismic amplitudes
Authors: Yang Ping , Sun Sam Zandong , Liu Yonglei , Li Haiyin , Dan Guangjian , Jia Huiqing
Published: February 2012

Ordovician carbonate is important for petroleum exploration and production in the Tarim Basin. The matrix porosity of the carbonate reservoirs is usually less than 2% because of their age-old sedimentary history and depth (deeper than 5500 m). The storage spaces are secondary dissolution pores and fractures which are dominated by visible dissolution caves, holes, and fractures (Zhou et al., 2006). The reservoirs are therefore called fractured-cavernous reservoirs. Good quality reservoir usually appears as a strong reflection (called “bead-like reflection” or “BR”) on poststack seismic sections, and the corresponding reservoir is called a fracture-cave body (FCB) which is the main drilling target of current E&P in Tarim Basin. The FCBs are unevenly distributed in carbonate strata, and the storage spaces inside an FCB are also unevenly distributed. Therefore, the reservoirs have both macroscopic and microscopic heterogeneities, which bring great challenges to petroleum exploration.
Trends in national suicide rates for Scotland and for England & Wales, 1960–2008
Authors: Mok Pearl L. H. , Kapur Navneet , Windfuhr Kirsten , Leyland Alastair H. , Appleby Louis , Platt Stephen , Webb Roger T.
Published: February 2012

Background

Suicide rates in Scotland have increased markedly relative to those in England in recent decades.

Aims

To compare changing patterns of suicide risk in Scotland with those in England & Wales, 1960–2008.

Method

For Scotland and for England & Wales separately, we obtained national data on suicide counts and population estimates. Gender-specific, directly age-standardised rates were calculated.

Results

We identified three distinct temporal phases: 1960–1967, when suicide rates in England & Wales were initially higher than in Scotland, but then converged; 1968–1991, when male suicide rates in Scotland rose slightly faster than in England & Wales; and 1992–2008, when there was a marked divergence in national trends. Much of the recent divergence in rates is attributable to the rise in suicide among young men and deaths by hanging in Scotland. Introduction of the ‘undetermined intent’ category in 1968 had a significant impact on suicide statistics across Great Britain, but especially so in Scotland.

Conclusions

Differences in temporal patterns in suicide risk between the countries are complex. Reversal of the divergent trends may require a change in the perception of hanging as a ‘painless' method of suicide.
Alcohol use disorders and the course of depressive and anxiety disorders
Authors: Boschloo Lynn , Vogelzangs Nicole , van den Brink Wim , Smit Johannes H. , Veltman Dick J. , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H.
Published: February 2012

Background

Inconsistent findings have been reported on the role of comorbid alcohol use disorders as risk factors for a persistent course of depressive and anxiety disorders.

Aims

To determine whether the course of depressive and/or anxiety disorders is conditional on the type (abuse or dependence) or severity of comorbid alcohol use disorders.

Method

In a large sample of participants with current depression and/or anxiety (n= 1369) we examined whether the presence and severity of DSM-IV alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence predicted the 2-year course of depressive and/or anxiety disorders.

Results

The persistence of depressive and/or anxiety disorders at the 2-year follow-up was significantly higher in those with remitted or current alcohol dependence (persistence 62% and 67% respectively), but not in those with remitted or current alcohol abuse (persistence 51% and 46% respectively), compared with no lifetime alcohol use disorder (persistence 53%). Severe (meeting six or seven diagnostic criteria) but not moderate (meeting three to five criteria) current dependence was a significant predictor as 95% of those in the former group still had a depressive and/or anxiety disorder at follow-up. This association remained significant after adjustment for severity of depression and anxiety, psychosocial factors and treatment factors.

Conclusions

Alcohol dependence, especially severe current dependence, is a risk factor for an unfavourable course of depressive and/or anxiety disorders, whereas alcohol abuse is not.
Nuclear Smad7 Overexpressed in Mesenchymal Cells Acts as a Transcriptional Corepressor by Interacting with HDAC-1 and E2F to Regulate Cell Cycle
Authors: Emori Takashi , Kitamura Koki , Okazaki Kenji
Published: February 2012

Smad family proteins are essential intracellular mediators that regulate transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligand signaling. In response to diverse stimuli, Smad7 is rapidly expressed and acts as a cytoplasmic inhibitor that selectively interferes with signals elicited from TGF-β family receptors. In addition, earlier works have indicated that retrovirally transduced Smad7 induces long-lasting cell proliferation arrest in a variety of mesenchymal cells through down-regulation of G1 cyclins. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cytostatic effects of Smad7 remain unknown. We show here that Smad7 can form a complex with endogenous histone deacetylase proteins HDAC-1 and HDAC-3 in NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. By contrast, forced expression of a dominant-negative variant of HDAC-1 efficiently protected cells against Smad7 proliferation inhibition, suggesting that Smad7 depends on the deacetylase activity of its associated HDAC-1 to arrest the cell cycle. Furthermore, Smad7 caused HDAC-1 bind to E2F-1 to form a ternary complex on chromosomal DNA containing an E2F-binding motif and leading to repression in the activity of the E2F target genes. Smad7 mutations that prevented its binding to either HDAC-1 or E2F-1 resulted in a significant decrease in Smad7-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation. The present results strongly suggest that nuclear Smad7 is a transcriptional corepressor for E2F, providing a molecular basis for the Smad7-induced arrest of the cell cycle.
Toward an Atomic-Level Understanding of Size-Specific Properties of Protected and Stabilized Gold Clusters
Authors: Tsukuda Tatsuya
Published: February 2012

Metal clusters consisting of fewer than 100 atoms (diameter <2 nm) are highly promising as a new class of building units for functional materials because of their novel and size-dependent properties. Nevertheless, basic and applied studies of metals clusters have been hampered by the lack of specific guidelines for design and precise synthetic methods. This account surveys recent investigations of gold clusters focusing on our effort toward an atomic-level understanding and control of their size-specific properties. We have developed a size-controlled method for synthesizing gold clusters protected by ligands, stabilized by polymers, and supported on solids. Remarkable size-effects on stabilities and various properties including catalysis were observed. Their mechanisms are discussed based on fundamental knowledge of bare gold clusters in the gas phase.
Management of tibial bone defects with metal augmentation in primary total knee replacement
Authors: Lee J. K. , Choi C. H.
Published: February 2012

Bone defects are occasionally encountered during primary total knee replacement (TKR) and cause difficulty in establishing a stable well-aligned bone-implant interface. Between March 1999 and November 2005, 59 knees in 43 patients underwent primary TKR with a metal block augmentation for tibial bone deficiency. In all, six patients (eight knees) died less than four years post-operatively, and four patients (five knees) were lost to follow-up leaving 46 knees in 33 patients available for review at a mean of 78.6 months (62 to 129). The clinical results obtained, including range of movement, American Knee Society and Oxford knee scores, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, were good to excellent, with no failures. Radiolucent lines at the block-cement-bone interface were noted in five knees (11%) during the first post-operative year, but these did not progress.

Modular rectangular metal augmentation for tibial bone deficiency is a useful option. No deterioration of the block-prosthesis or block-cement-bone interface was seen at minimum of five years follow-up.
Safety and outcome of surgical debridement of insertional Achilles tendinopathy using a transverse (Cincinnati) incision
Authors: Maffulli N. , Del Buono A. , Testa V. , Capasso G. , Oliva F. , Denaro V.
Published: February 2012

This is a prospective analysis on 30 physically active individuals with a mean age of 48.9 years (35 to 64) with chronic insertional tendinopathy of the tendo Achillis. Using a transverse incision, the tendon was debrided and an osteotomy of the posterosuperior corner of the calcaneus was performed in all patients. At a minimum post-operative follow-up of three years, the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment scale – Achilles tendon scores were significantly improved compared to the baseline status. In two patients a superficial infection of the wound developed which resolved on antibiotics. There were no other wound complications, no nerve related complications, and no secondary avulsions of the tendo Achillis. In all, 26 patients had returned to their pre-injury level of activity and the remaining four modified their sporting activity. At the last appointment, the mean pain threshold and the mean post-operative tenderness were also significantly improved from the baseline (p < 0.001). In patients with insertional tendo Achillis a transverse incision allows a wide exposure and adequate debridement of the tendo Achillis insertion, less soft-tissue injury from aggressive retraction and a safe osteotomy of the posterosuperior corner of the calcaneum.
Mitochondrial function and content in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma of succinate dehydrogenase mutation carriers
Authors: Rapizzi E , Ercolino T , Canu L , Giaché V , Francalanci M , Pratesi C , Valeri A , Mannelli M
Published: February 2012

To date, the consequences of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) impairment on overall mitochondrial functions are still obscure. In this study, we evaluated SDH activity and expression and mitochondrial homeostasis in 57 tissue samples of pheochromocytoma (PHEO)/paraganglioma (PGL) obtained from patients genotyped for PHEO/PGL susceptibility genes. The resulted SDH activity and content always decreased in SDH-mutated tumors, in one out of two MAX-mutated patients and in four patients resulted wild type (wt) at genetic screening. All these four wt patients were further screened for large deletions in SDH genes, TMEM127 and MAX and resulted wt but two had somatic SDHD mutations. The RT-PCR in the MAX-mutated sample suggests that the decrease in SDH depends on complex instability and not on a reduced SDHB expression. SDH mutations neither alter citrate synthase (CS) activity nor the content of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) while the expression of the mitochondrial complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase (COX)) was found extremely variable in all (mutated and wt) samples suggesting an impairment of mitochondrial cristae in these tumors. In conclusion, tumors from patients with germ line SDH mutations invariably show decreased enzymatic activity and content, but an SDH impairment may also depend on SDH somatic mutations or, seemingly, on MAX mutations. The impaired SDH activity in the two wt tissues suggests mutations in other still unknown susceptibility genes. Finally, the extreme variability in COX expression levels is yet to be explained and this strongly suggests to evaluate other mitochondrial features to better understand the mitochondrial role in the pathogenesis of these tumors.
Formation of carcinogenic chromosomal rearrangements in human thyroid cells after induction of double-strand DNA breaks by restriction endonucleases
Authors: Evdokimova Viktoria , Gandhi Manoj , Rayapureddi Jayanagendra , Stringer James R , Nikiforov Yuri E
Published: February 2012

Ionizing radiation (IR) exposure increases the risk of thyroid cancer and other cancer types. Chromosomal rearrangements, such asRET/PTC, are characteristic features of radiation-associated thyroid cancer and can be induced by radiationin vitro. IR causes double-strand breaks (DSBs), suggesting that such damage leads toRET/PTC, but the rearrangement mechanism has not been established. To study the mechanism, we explored the possibility of inducingRET/PTCby electroporation of restriction endonucleases (REs) into HTori-3 human thyroid cells. We used five REs, which induced DSB in a dose-dependent manner similar to that seen with IR. Although all but one RE caused DSB in one or more of the three genes involved inRET/PTC, rearrangement was detected only in cells electroporated with either PvuII (25 and 100 U) or StuI (100 and 250 U). The predominant rearrangement type wasRET/PTC3, which is characteristic of human thyroid cancer arising early after Chernobyl-related radioactive iodine exposure. Both enzymes that producedRET/PTChad restriction sites only in one of the two fusion partner genes. Moreover, the two enzymes that producedRET/PTChad restriction sites present in clusters, which was not the case for RE that failed to induceRET/PTC. In summary, we establish a model of DSB induction by RE and report for the first time the formation of carcinogenic chromosomal rearrangements, predominantlyRET/PTC3, as a result of DSB produced by RE. Our data also raise a possibility thatRET/PTCrearrangement can be initiated by a complex DSB that is induced in one of the fusion partner genes.
Health Disparities among Occupations in Taiwan: A Population Study
Authors: Chen Fu‐Li , Chen Peter Y.
Published: February 2012

Health Disparities among Occupations in Taiwan: A Population Study: Fu‐Li CHEN, et al. Department of Public Health, Fu‐Jen Catholic University, Taiwan—

Objectives

The first large‐scale population survey was conducted in Taiwan to examine if and to what extent health disparities of four major chronic physical conditions exist among occupations.

Methods

Face‐to‐face interviews about two risk behaviors (i.e., cigarette and alcohol use) and four major chronic physical conditions (i.e., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease and asthma) were conducted with 13,741 workers from nine major categories of occupations.

Results

Health disparities among occupations were found based on a series of hierarchical logistic regression analyses after controlling for age, sex and two risk behaviors. In general, prevalence rates of cardiovascular disease among elementary occupations and skilled agricultural and fishery workers were approximately two to four times higher than those among other occupations. The above two occupations and plant and machine operators also had higher prevalence rates in diabetes and liver disease.

Conclusions

The results concerning health disparities among occupations provide policymakers and researchers with invaluable benchmarks of chronic physical conditions among occupations. The findings also suggest the importance of investigating causal relationship between these diseases and exposures at work, identifying and reducing unique risk factors and hazard exposures experienced by workers and conducting targeted surveillance and health promotion programs for at‐risk occupations.
Sustainability Reporting and the Platinum Group Metals: A Global Mining Industry Leader?
Authors: Mudd By Gavin M.
Published: February 2012

Platinum group metals (pgms) are increasingly used in a wide variety of important environmentally-related technologies (for example, catalytic converters), most of which are expected to grow in demand as the world develops. Over the past decade, the global mining industry has embraced the need to incorporate sustainable development into projects and governance, resulting in a major surge in the use of annual sustainability reporting to demonstrate such performance. The majority of global pgms production is in South Africa, and this paper assesses and analyses the sustainability reporting by the pgms sector. The approach to sustainability reporting is discussed, including an assessment of the extent and detail of reporting by pgms companies, as well as examining the data reported and its relationship to key production aspects such as ore grade and project scale. By analysing trends in water and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in terms of per unit pgms production, critical issues such as life cycle costs can be ascertained. Whilst sustainability includes social, economic and environmental aspects, this paper focuses on environmental aspects only. Overall, the pgms sector certainly appears to be a global leader in the breadth and depth of sustainability reporting, with the continuing evolution providing a valuable basis to understand the major issues facing the industry and allow strategic planning for the future.
Recycling the Platinum Group Metals: A European Perspective
Authors: Hagelüken By Christian
Published: February 2012

The high technical recyclability of platinum group metals means that over 95% recovery can be achieved once pgm-containing scrap reaches a state-of-the-art refining facility. Technical challenges exist, but the main barriers to recycling pgms lie in ensuring the collection of scrap and in the capacity and technical capabilities of recycling chains around the world. Economic and legislative drivers are also significant. The “seven conditions” for effective recycling and their impact within Europe are discussed in this article; industrial applications are found to lead the way in terms of recycling rates while automotive and particularly electronic areas are currently some way behind. New business models are recommended, to enable precious metal-containing waste to be seen as a valuable resource and ensure the sustainability and security of pgms supply for the future.
Pseudo-dynamic approach for active thrust of submerged soils
Authors: Bellezza Ivo , D'Alberto Diego , Fentini Roberta
Published: February 2012

The proper calculation of dynamic thrust is a key issue in the design of rigid retaining walls in seismically active zones. Although the Mononobe–Okabe approach is widely used in practical applications, the pseudo-dynamic approach has been introduced in recent years, and provides a more realistic representation of an earthquake compared to the pseudo-static approach. Whereas studies in the past have focused on dry backfills, to the authors' knowledge there is no specific literature dedicated to pseudo-dynamic analysis for submerged soils; in certain studies dealing with waterfront areas, the pseudo-dynamic analysis – valid for dry soils – has been incorrectly extended to submerged backfills as well. In this paper, a more rational pseudo-dynamic approach is developed for fully submerged soil under the assumption that a restrained or free water condition exists within the backfill. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed analysis is perfectly consistent with the widely used pseudo-static approach. The analysis is also extended to account for amplification phenomena. Within a range of practical interest of soil and seismic input parameters, the acting point of the seismic active thrust is found to be very close to a height of H/3 from the base of the wall.
Briefing: Hydraulic jump in arbitrary prismatic channel
Authors: Zhang Jian-min , Xu Wei-lin , Lin Peng-zhi , Wang Yu-rong
Published: February 2012

This study presents a novel, simple and accurate approximation of the eigenvalues of the sequent depth ratio of the hydraulic jump formed in an arbitrary gradually expanding prismatic channel. An iterative method is proposed to calculate the sequent depth ratio directly. The presented formulas are applicable to all ranges of side slopes and expansion angles for the channel. The prediction is compared with experimental data and earlier calculations for the range of expansion angles from 3 to 9° in a trapezoidal and rectangular expanding channel. The results indicate that the proposed method is accurate yet simple to use and free of empirical coefficients.
Priming emotion concepts and helping behavior: How unlived emotions can influence action
Authors: Lamy Lubomir , Fischer-Lokou Jacques , Guéguen Nicolas
Published: February 2012

In a field setting, participants (N = 227) were primed with 1 of 3 concepts: love (positive valence), distress (negative valence), or solidarity (positive valence). Participants were then asked to give money to help hospitalized children. Results indicated that the inducing of
love triggered more helpfulness than the inducing of solidarity or of distress. This finding is explained in light of the emotion schemas theory (Izard, 2007), the gender role theory of helping (Eagly & Crowley, 2006), and affective influences on information-processing strategies (Berkowitz,
2000).
Influence of mineralized collagen fibrils on the thermo-sensitivity of an injectable scaffold for bone regeneration
Authors: Huang Zhi , Li Xiaoming , Feng Qingling , Rong Ziqin , Yu Bo
Published: February 2012

Mineralized collagen fibrils are the basis for various connective tissues such as bone and cartilage. Injectable biomaterials incorporating mineralized collagen fibrils are applicable to a wide variety of implant types for bone regeneration. A mineralized collagen fibrils/chitosan thermo-sensitive and injectable scaffold for bone regeneration was prepared successfully. The thermo-sensitive properties of the mineralized collagen fibrils/chitosan system depended on the concentrations of mineralized collagen fibrils. 0.02 g mL−1 of mineralized collagen fibrils filler was appropriate for application since it allowed lower gelation temperature and more rapid gelation following injection, due to the increased hydrogen bonds between the collagen in mineralized collagen fibrils and chitosan.
Dielectric properties of low-temperature sintered Ba(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 with BaCu(B2O5) addition
Authors: Lin Ying , Zhu Zhenfeng , Yang Haibo
Published: February 2012

Low loss and low-temperature sintered Ba(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 (BFN) ceramics were prepared via a conventional solidstate method with BaCu(B2O5) (BCB) addition. The effect of the BCB content on the dielectric properties of the BFN ceramics was investigated. Low amounts of BCB can significantly reduce the dielectric loss of BFN ceramic from 2 to 0.2, as well as the sintering temperature from 1400°C to 1100°C. The results show that the as-sintered BFN ceramic is a promising candidate material for use in capacitors.
Bevacizumab used for the treatment of severe, refractory perilesional edema due to an arteriovenous malformation treated with stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Williams Brian J. , Park Deric M. , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: February 2012

The authors present a case of an arteriovenous malformation of the central sulcus treated with Gamma Knife surgery. The patient developed perilesional edema 9 months after treatment and experienced severe headache and hemiparesis. Her symptoms were refractory to corticosteroid therapy and pain management. She was subsequently treated with bevacizumab with striking improvement in her symptoms and results of neuroimaging studies. This is the first time that bevacizumab has been used to control severe refractory perilesional edema related to an intracranial arteriovenous malformation.
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas and intrathecal venous drainage: correlation between digital subtraction angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical findings
Authors: Hetts Steven W. , Moftakhar Parham , English Joey D. , Dowd Christopher F. , Higashida Randall T. , Lawton Michael T. , Douglas Vanja C. , Halbach Van V.
Published: February 2012

Object

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) cause myelopathy through arterialization of the perimedullary venous plexus and venous congestion of the spinal cord. The authors hypothesized that the craniocaudal extent of engorgement of intrathecal draining veins between the fistula site and the point of drainage out of the thecal sac correlates with the degree of myelopathy.

Methods

A retrospective review of the authors' institution's radiology databases identified 31 patients with SDAVFs who had undergone digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MRI examinations of the spine. The authors counted the number of vertebral body levels of spinal cord enhancement and intrathecal vessel enhancement on T1-weighted postcontrast MRI studies. They also counted the number of levels of cord hyperintensity and intrathecal flow voids on T2-weighted MRI studies. On DSA, the authors identified the number of vertebral body levels of dilated intrathecal draining veins and outflow points from intrathecal veins to epidural veins. Functional status of the patients at the time of diagnosis was assessed using the Aminoff-Logue scale (ALS).

Results

Enlargement of the intrathecal draining veins averaged 10 ± 7.7 spinal levels on DSA. Patients with enlarged draining veins extending 10 or more spinal levels on DSA had worse ALS scores (mean gait 3.4, mean micturition 1.5) than patients with draining veins extending fewer than 10 levels (mean gait 1.8, mean micturition 0.6; p = 0.009 and 0.02, respectively). The number of vertebral body levels of enlarged draining veins correlated with the ALS score (gait r = 0.42, p = 0.009; and micturition r = 0.55, p = 0.0006). More extensive enlarged draining veins were associated with more spinal cord T2 hyperintensity, T2 intrathecal flow voids, and T1 vessel enhancement but not cord enhancement.

Conclusions

The craniocaudal extent of enlarged intrathecal veins draining SDAVF correlates with patient functional status, providing further insight into the pathophysiology of venous hypertensive myelopathy.
Age, Gender and Suicidal Ideation Following Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing
Authors: Schlebusch Lourens , Govender Romona Devi
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation in patients who were tested for HIV-infection and whether along with their HIV status, age and gender influenced their risk for suicidal ideation. The sample consisted of 189 patients who attended a voluntary HIV counseling and testing clinic (VCT) at a general state hospital in Durban, South Africa. Their mean age at baseline was 34.2 years, with an age range of between 16–79 years. Seropositivity, age and gender were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The majority of these patients were in the younger age group, and young males had a 1.8 times higher risk for suicidal ideation than females. Although risk factors for seropositive-related suicidal ideation can be complex and multi-factorial, this study identified a young age and male gender as important high risk factors in the sample studied. It is recommended that all, but especially young male HIV-infected patients seen at a VCT clinic be screened for suicidal ideation and that early intervention to prevent subsequent suicides or suicidal attempts be included in pre- and post-test HIV counseling.
Near-Optimal Foraging in the Pacific Cicada Killer Sphecius convallis Patton (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)
Authors: Coelho Joseph R. , Hastings Jon M. , Holliday Charles W.
Published: February 2012

This study evaluated foraging effectiveness of Pacific cicada killers (Sphecius convallis) by comparing observed prey loads to that predicted by an optimality model. Female S. convallis preyed exclusively on the cicada Tibicen parallelus, resulting in a mean loaded flight muscle ratio (FMR) of 0.187 (N = 46). This value lies just above the marginal level, and only seven wasps (15%) were below 0.179. The low standard error (0.002) suggests that S. convallis is the most ideal flying predator so far examined in this respect. Preying on a single species may have allowed stabilizing selection to adjust the morphology of females to a nearly ideal size. That the loaded FMR is slightly above the marginal level may provide a small safety factor for wasps that do not have optimal thorax temperatures or that have to contend with attempted prey theft. Operational FMR was directly related to wasp body mass. Smaller wasps were overloaded in spite of provisioning with smaller cicadas, while larger wasps were underloaded despite provisioning with larger cicadas. Small wasps may have abandoned larger cicadas because of difficulty with carriage.
Insect Sex Determination Manipulated by Their Endosymbionts: Incidences, Mechanisms and Implications
Authors: Kageyama Daisuke , Narita Satoko , Watanabe Masaya
Published: February 2012

The sex-determining systems of arthropods are surprisingly diverse. Some species have male or female heterogametic sex chromosomes while other species do not have sex chromosomes. Most species are diploids but some species, including wasps, ants, thrips and mites, are haplodiploids (n in males; 2n in females). Many of the sexual aberrations, such as sexual mosaics, sex-specific lethality and conversion of sexuality, can be explained by developmental defects including double fertilization of a binucleate egg, loss of a sex chromosome or perturbation of sex-determining gene expression, which occur accidentally or are induced by certain environmental conditions. However, recent studies have revealed that such sexual aberrations can be caused by various groups of vertically-transmitted endosymbiotic microbes such as bacteria of the genera Wolbachia, Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, Spiroplasma and Cardinium, as well as microsporidian protists. In this review, we first summarize the accumulated data on endosymbiont-induced sexual aberrations, and then discuss how such endosymbionts affect the developmental system of their hosts and what kinds of ecological and evolutionary effects these endosymbionts have on their host populations.
Molecules Best Paper Award 2012
Authors: McPhee Derek J.
Published: February 2012

Molecules starts to institute the “Best Paper” award to recognize these outstanding papers in the area of natural products, medicinal chemistry and molecular diversity published in Molecules. We are pleased to announce the first “Molecules Best Paper Award” for 2012. Nominations were selected by the editor-in-chief and selected editorial board members from all the papers published in 2008. [...]
In Situ and Ex Situ Syntheses of Magnetic Liquid Crystalline Materials: A Comparison
Authors: Riou Ophelie , Zadoina Lacramioara , Lonetti Barbara , Soulantica Katerina , Mingotaud Anne-Françoise , Respaud Marc , Chaudret Bruno , Mauzac Monique
Published: February 2012

Magnetic hybrid liquid crystalline composites have been obtained either by thermal decomposition of a cobalt precursor in a solution containing a liquid crystal polymer or by dispersing preformed cobalt nanorods in a liquid crystal polymer matrix. The final materials are all mesomorphous and ferromagnetic. Their magnetic characteristics are compared as a function of the synthesis method.
Multiscale Modeling for Host-Guest Chemistry of Dendrimers in Solution
Authors: Kim Seung Ha , Lamm Monica H.
Published: February 2012

Dendrimers have been widely used as nanostructured carriers for guest species in a variety of applications in medicine, catalysis, and environmental remediation. Theory and simulation methods are an important complement to experimental approaches that are designed to develop a fundamental understanding about how dendrimers interact with guest molecules. This review focuses on computational studies aimed at providing a better understanding of the relevant physicochemical parameters at play in the binding and release mechanisms between polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and guest species. We highlight recent contributions that model supramolecular dendrimer-guest complexes over the temporal and spatial scales spanned by simulation methods ranging from all-atom molecular dynamics to statistical field theory. The role of solvent effects on dendrimer-guest interactions and the importance of relating model parameters across multiple scales is discussed.
Enzymatic Synthesis and Crosslinking of Novel High Molecular Weight Polyepoxyricinoleate
Authors: Kazariya Ayaki , Matsumura Shuichi
Published: February 2012

Methyl epoxyricinoleate was prepared in high yield by the lipase-catalyzed epoxidation of methyl ricinoleate with H2O2. A high molecular weight polyepoxyricinoleate (PER) with a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 272,000 was enzymatically prepared by the polycondensation of methyl epoxyricinoleate using immobilized lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (lipase PS-IM) in bulk at 80 °C for 5 d. PER showed good low temperature fluidability. PER was readily cured by maleic anhydride (MA) at 80 °C to produce a chloroform-insoluble PER-MA film. Both the glass transition temperature and Young’s modulus increased with increasing MA content and PER Mw. In contrast, the elongation at break decreased with increasing MA content and PER Mw. Methyl epoxyricinoleate, PER and PER-MA showed biodegradability by activated sludge, and that of the PER-MA film decreased with increasing MA content.
The Effect of Direction on Cursor Moving Kinematics
Authors: Meng Ling-Fu , Chen Hsin-Yung , Lu Chiu-Ping , Chen Ming-Chung , Chu Chi-Nung
Published: February 2012

There have been only few studies to substantiate the kinematic characteristics of cursor movement. In this study, a quantitative experimental research method was used to explore the effect of moving direction on the kinematics of cursor movement in 24 typical young persons using our previously developed computerized measuring program. The results of multiple one way repeated measures ANOVAs and post hoc LSD tests demonstrated that the moving direction had effects on average velocity, movement time, movement unit and peak velocity. Moving leftward showed better efficiency than moving rightward, upward and downward from the kinematic evidences such as velocity, movement unit and time. Moreover, the unique pattern of the power spectral density (PSD) of velocity (strategy for power application) explained why the smoothness was still maintained while moving leftward even under an unstable situation with larger momentum. Moreover, the information from this cursor moving study can guide us to relocate the toolbars and icons in the window interface, especially for individuals with physical disabilities whose performances are easily interrupted while controlling the cursor in specific directions.
The Design and Experimental Researches of Medium-Sized Ground Source Heat Pump Incubator
Authors: Lin Jun , Wu Jie Wen , Hu Ying Ning , Liu Jing Sheng , Lin Tong , Li Shuang
Published: February 2012

A kind of ground source heat pump incubator which absorbs the heat of soil as heat source of incubator was designed in this paper. The heating condenser was improved and optimized by adopting the three-level distributed heating way, and avioded the high temperature radiation influence on hatching egg in traditional electric incubator. In addition, the temperature field of incubator had good uniformity and the power consumption of temperature equilibrium was effectively reduced. It was better to stimulate the embryonic development by utilizing continuous variable temperature bionic hatching mode, and the growth adaptability of poults was improved as well. Hatching experiments showed, the main performance indexes of ground-source heat pump incubator meet the relevant national standards, the hatchability of fertilized eggs is above 91.4% and the rate of healthy poults is above 97.9%；The whole energy-saving rate of incubator is about 60% to 65%, reducing CO2, SO2 and dust emissions, thus the effect of energy saving and emission reduction is remarkable, and achieved good social and economic benefits.
Strength and Mode Analysis of Testing Machine of 3MW Wind Turbine Bearing with Finite Element Method
Authors: Duan Zhen Yun , Wang Ying , Hong Ming Dong , Ren Guo Fang
Published: February 2012

Wind turbine always run in complex environment, as the key components of wind turbine, it is extremely important to test wind turbine bearings properties, so we need develop a testing machine to test their properties. The static strength and dynamic properties of testing machine key components of 3MW wind turbine bearing were analyzed with the finite element software ANSYS to obtain the strength and stiffness check as well as the optimizing design of testing machine key components of wind turbine bearing. The strength was checked and satisfied with the demand of material strength. The former five orders natural frequencies and corresponding modes were obtained, which provides scientific basis for future design．