bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capitalist Modernity a la Turca: Turkey’s ‘Great Transformation’ Reconsidered
Authors: Duzgun Eren
Published: September 2012

Many scholars associated the recent transformation of Turkish democracy with the rise of a new bourgeois class and the neoliberal restructuring of the world economy. Using a social property relations approach, I provide a critique of the readings of Turkish modernity based on the fall and the rise of bourgeois agency. Revealing the non-capitalist origins and the protracted capitalist transformation of Ottoman and Turkish modernization, I conclude that the reformulation of the main pillars of Turkish modernity today is an expression of the recent consolidation of capitalist property relations.
Headlice eradication as everyday engagement with science: An analysis of online parenting discussions
Authors: Hine Christine
Published: September 2012

This paper focuses on the way in which people deploy scientific knowledge alongside other resources in everyday interactions. In the UK headlice are common amongst schoolchildren, and treatment is viewed as a parental responsibility. Choice between treatment options lies with individual parents, with official guidance giving no clear steer. In the face of this combination of responsibility and uncertainty, users of an online parenting forum justify their actions using a variety of resources, including claims to scientific knowledge of both headlice and the action of various treatments, but also drawing on the authority of having direct experience, trust in brand-named products and generalised suspicion of “chemical” treatments. These discussions occasion expression of knowledge as part of portraying oneself as a responsible parent, and thus while they do not necessarily represent public knowledge about science more generally, they do offer a useful site to explore what people do with science.
Evaluating Unfractionated Heparin Fixed Dosing Protocol and Establishing an Institutional Therapeutic Range for UFH in Hospital Setting in Jordan
Authors: Tahaineh Linda , Albsoul-Younes Abla , Iflaifel Mais , Shehabi Iman
Published: September 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate current unfractionated heparin (UFH) dosing regimen and establish an institutional therapeutic range for UFH in a public hospital in Jordan. In the first part, medical records of 241 patients who received UFH were reviewed retrospectively. In the second part, blood samples were withdrawn from 60 patients on UFH, and activated partial thromboplastin time and anti-Xa assay were measured. Most activated partial thromboplastin time readings were not therapeutic (91.4%) and recurrence of thrombosis was reported in 35.3% of patients. In the second part, therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time range corresponding to the UFH concentration of 0.3 to 0.7 anti-factor Xa unit/mL was 56 to 95 seconds, which corresponds to an activated partial thromboplastin time range of 1.5 of 2.8 times the mean control value. The traditional activated partial thromboplastin time range ratio of 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value can result in subtherapeutic UFH levels.
A generalized fractional variational problem depending on indefinite integrals: Euler–Lagrange equation and numerical solution
Authors: Almeida Ricardo , Khosravian-Arab Hassan , Shamsi Mostafa
Published: September 2012

The aim of this paper is to generalize the Euler–Lagrange equation obtained by Almeida et al., where fractional variational problems for Lagrangians, depending on fractional operators and depending on indefinite integrals, were studied. The new problem that we address here is for cost functionals, where the interval of integration is not the whole domain of the admissible functions, but a proper subset of it. Furthermore, we present a numerical method, based on Jacobi polynomials for solving this problem.
An active hydrodynamic bearing for controlling self-excited vibrations: theory and simulation
Authors: Queiroz Marcio de
Published: September 2012

Fluid-film bearings can suffer from flow-induced instabilities known as ‘whirl’ and ‘whip,’ especially when supporting lightly-loaded shafts. This phenomenon can lead to large rotor (self-excited) vibrations, which eventually result in rotor-bearing failure. In this paper, we introduce a new active hydrodynamic bearing to mitigate such vibrations in lightly loaded rotating machines. The system contains a rotating bushing, actuated by a motor, that serves as the control input. This input is used to control the mean flow velocity in the bearing and thereby the journal vibration. A simple feedback control law is proposed for the bushing velocity, and numerical simulations are presented to evaluate the active bearing.
Promoting First Relationships
Authors: Spieker Susan J. , Oxford Monica L. , Kelly Jean F. , Nelson Elizabeth M. , Fleming Charles B.
Published: September 2012

We conducted a community-based, randomized control trial with intent-to-treat analyses of Promoting First Relationships (PFR) to improve parenting and toddler outcomes for toddlers in state dependency. Toddlers (10–24 months; N = 210) with a recent placement disruption were randomized to 10-week PFR or a comparison condition. Community agency providers were trained to use PFR in the intervention for caregivers. From baseline to postintervention, observational ratings of caregiver sensitivity improved more in the PFR condition than in the comparison condition, with an effect size for the difference in adjusted means postintervention of d = .41. Caregiver understanding of toddlers’ social emotional needs and caregiver reports of child competence also differed by intervention condition postintervention ( d = .36 and d = .42) with caregivers in the PFR condition reporting more understanding of toddlers and child competence. Models of PFR effects on within-individual change were significant for caregiver sensitivity and understanding of toddlers. At the 6-month follow-up, only 61% of original sample dyads were still intact and there were no significant differences on caregiver or child outcomes.
Only If It Is Convenient
Authors: Collier Joel E. , Kimes Sheryl E.
Published: September 2012

Self-service technologies (SSTs) can help firms reduce labor costs while providing more channel options, but customers must be convinced of their value before foregoing a full service alternative. To understand how customers evaluate an SST, the authors conducted three studies to analyze the importance of convenience in the evaluation process along with exploring what constructs ultimately influence customers’ need for human interaction with an SST. Surveying both users’ experiences with an SST and also nonusers’ perceptions of an SST, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken to assess the perceived benefits of using an SST. In Study 1, the authors found that convenience had a strong positive effect on the perceived accuracy, speed, and exploration intentions of an SST. Building on these results, Studies 2 and 3 reveal that SST users have a lower need for interaction when they are satisfied with an SST, while nonusers’ trust perceptions had the greatest influence on the need for human interaction during an SST transaction. The authors discovered that user satisfaction can be enhanced by focusing on the speed and accuracy of an SST, whereas nonusers’ perceptions of accuracy and exploration increased the trust placed in an SST.
Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Conradi Silja , Malzahn Uwe , Paul Friedemann , Quill Sabine , Harms Lutz , Then Bergh Florian , Ditzenbach Anna , Georgi Thomas , Heuschmann Peter , Rosche Berit
Published: September 2012

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with known genetic and environmental susceptibility factors. Breastfeeding has been shown to be protective in other autoimmune diseases.

Objective:

This case-control study analyzed the association of breastfeeding in infancy on the risk of developing MS.

Methods:

A case-control study was performed in Berlin of 245 MS patients and 296 population-based controls, who completed a standardized questionnaire on their history and duration of breastfeeding in infancy and demographic characteristics. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between breastfeeding and MS. The multivariate model was adjusted for age, gender, number of older siblings, number of inhabitants in place of domicile between ages 0 and 6 (categorized in each case), and daycare attendance between ages 0 and 3.

Results:

In multivariable analysis, breastfeeding showed an independent association with MS (adjusted OR 0.58; p = 0.028). However, with no breastfeeding as reference, the protective effect only emerges after four months of breastfeeding (multivariable analysis for ≤ four months adjusted OR 0.87; p = 0.614 and for > four months OR 0.51; p = 0.016).

Conclusion:

The results of this case-control study support the hypothesis that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of MS. These results are in line with findings of previous studies on other autoimmune diseases, in which breastfeeding was shown to have protective effects.
Developmental contexts and sense of coherence in adolescence: A systematic review
Authors: Rivera Francisco , García-Moya Irene , Moreno Carmen , Ramos Pilar
Published: September 2012

The salutogenic model has led to revolutionary changes in the study of health. In recent years, a large amount of research has been carried out on the relationship between sense of coherence and health, but relatively little is known about sense of coherence in adolescence. This study is a systematic review of the studies that looked at sense of coherence in adolescent samples. Valuable information is provided regarding the characteristics of the samples, the reliability of the sense of coherence scale versions, the influence of demographic variables and how family, school, peers and neighbourhood impact sense of coherence development. Furthermore, future directions for the study of sense of coherence in adolescence are provided.
Asthma and its relation to smoking behavior and cessation motives among adult daily smokers
Authors: Avallone Kimberly M , McLeish Alison C , Zvolensky Michael J , Kraemer Kristen M , Luberto Christina M , Jeffries Emily R
Published: September 2012

Despite the negative effects of smoking on lung functioning and overall health, smoking is more prevalent among individuals with asthma compared to those without asthma. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive ability of asthma diagnosis in terms of smoking behavior and reasons for quitting. Participants were 251 regular daily smokers: 125 smokers with self-reported, physician-diagnosed asthma and 126 smokers without asthma. Asthma diagnosis significantly predicted age of regular smoking onset, number of quit attempts, and reasons for quitting related to self-control suggesting that smokers with asthma may have more difficulty quitting and unique reasons for quitting.
Paediatric life-limiting conditions: Coping and adjustment in siblings
Authors: Brennan Cathy , Hugh-Jones Siobhan , Aldridge Jan
Published: September 2012

A total of 31 siblings, aged between 5 and 16 years, of children with a life-limiting condition, participated in a longitudinal, mixed method study. Data collection included standardised psychometric measures and visual and participatory qualitative methods. Emotional functioning and perceptions of self-worth were normative on standardised measures. Qualitative data indicated distinct psychosocial strategies that appeared to underpin functioning, positioning themselves as adults within the family, adopting a role of ‘social glue’ in key relationships and thereby diminishing their own needs, and compartmentalising home and school life. Some strategies appeared adaptive in the short term but may be limiting in the longer term. The implications for professionals working to support families are discussed.
Response to commentaries on ‘Beyond Belief’
Authors: Cromby John
Published: September 2012

A set of commentaries on Cromby (2012) are considered with respect to three themes: the relations between feeling and thinking, between theory and empirical research, and between health beliefs and beliefs in religion/spirituality. Clarifications of key issues are suggested, and the difference between health and other beliefs is briefly illustrated with reference to beliefs associated with smoking tobacco.
The hidden costs of surveillance for performance and helping behaviour
Authors: O’Donnell Aisling T. , Ryan Michelle K. , Jetten Jolanda
Published: September 2012

Common sense and prior research into performance suggests that people will work harder and more productively when they are monitored. However, we predict that there are boundary conditions to this effect. High levels of surveillance may undermine aspects of people’s performance and their willingness to provide extra help, especially when they expect to share a sense of identity with those in power. In an experimental study ( N = 98) we demonstrated that, compared to low surveillance, high surveillance led to higher productivity on a task, but also that the quality of work suffered. Additionally, we demonstrated that when surveillance was low, individuals offered more help to a leader they shared identity with, rather than to an outgroup leader. However, the beneficial effect of shared identity disappeared when surveillance was high. The results point to the rather paradoxical finding that surveillance, where it is not needed, can do more harm than good.
Leading Organizational Culture
Authors: Lumby Jacky
Published: September 2012

The literature on educational leadership and management has referred to culture since at least the 1970s. Despite the concept’s mention in over one-third of articles written in this journal, there has been little in-depth engagement with how leaders might influence it and the ethical issues involved. The article argues that leadership must engage with culture as a key mediator of power within organizations. Four levels of cultural activity are suggested: the cultural context created by global phenomena; the cultures of local communities; the organizational culture; and the sub- and counter-cultures within the organization. The article considers a bifurcation in the skills assumed necessary to respond to, on one hand, multi- or intra-culture and, on the other, organizational culture. The article suggests that the degree of perceived difference from norms dictates leaders' orientation to and engagement with culture, with cultural competence generally promoted only in relation to multicultural issues. It concludes that leaders are currently ill-served by encouragement to focus on aligning the organization’s members to a single, strong culture and that the persistent surface engagement with culture may perpetuate inequalities. The need to move leaders to engage more deeply with the power and complexity of culture is indicated.
Categorising the nurse-researcher during fieldwork: ‘one of us’ or ‘one of them’?
Authors: Evans Alicia , Pereira David , Parker Judith
Published: September 2012

Many nurse-researchers have considered the question of whether to ‘help out’ with clinical work while undertaking fieldwork. In this study, the nurse-researcher did not ‘help out’ and also positioned herself in an unassuming way. This produced some striking responses from nurse-participants. During the handover she became ‘one of us’ nurses, however, at the bedside the nurses struggled to designate her. Sitting on their group border, they worked either to bring her back into the group as ‘one of us’ or push her off the border to become ‘one of them’. Either way, they moved quickly to categorise this unknown presence in their midst. This categorisation, we argue, was a discursive formation in response to anxiety and illustrates how anxiety continues to function as an organising principle in nursing. The findings have implications for nurse-researchers undertaking fieldwork with hospital nurses, in relation to the question of their position in the field.
Teen pregnancy and parenting: a qualitative study into attitudes and behaviours of teenaged long-term Hispanics in New Mexico
Authors: Osuchowski-Sanchez Mary Ann , Tigges Beth , Mendelson Cindy , Lobo Marie , Clark Lauren
Published: September 2012

Introduction:

Teen pregnancy in Hispanic youth is a poorly understood phenomenon with numerous and overlapping sociocultural influences. Hispanics have had the highest teen pregnancy rates in the United States since 1995 and pregnancy rates that have declined much more slowly when compared to every other ethnic group. Literature investigating long-term Hispanic youth of the United States and the factors influencing their decision-making processes and sexual behaviours is limited.

Purpose:

This study aimed to explore and describe attitudes and behaviours related to teen pregnancy and parenting in Hispanic female teens from long-term families in New Mexico, whose primary language was English and who have experienced pregnancy and motherhood in the 12 months prior to participation.

Methods:

This was a focused-ethnographic qualitative study conducted in areas of New Mexico with high rates of teen pregnancy and where the population is majority Hispanic with long-term residency. Data were collected in interviews with 10 adolescent mothers and 10 adults, and through participant observation. Data were analysed inductively through immersion and crystallisation.

Results:

Key findings of the study include chaos/instability characterising the homes of youth, low levels of communication related to reproductive issues, disappointment expressed by families and community in response to teen pregnancy and community goals for the future.

Conclusions:

The study results will aid in increasing the knowledge base related to long-term Hispanic youth and the many sociocultural factors affecting their sexual decisions and behaviours.
Political Diversity in Social and Personality Psychology
Authors: Inbar Yoel , Lammers Joris
Published: September 2012

A lack of political diversity in psychology is said to lead to a number of pernicious outcomes, including biased research and active discrimination against conservatives. We surveyed a large number (combined N = 800) of social and personality psychologists and discovered several interesting facts. First, although only 6% described themselves as conservative “overall,” there was more diversity of political opinion on economic issues and foreign policy. Second, respondents significantly underestimated the proportion of conservatives among their colleagues. Third, conservatives fear negative consequences of revealing their political beliefs to their colleagues. Finally, they are right to do so: In decisions ranging from paper reviews to hiring, many social and personality psychologists said that they would discriminate against openly conservative colleagues. The more liberal respondents were, the more they said they would discriminate.
Rational Versus Irrational Prejudices
Authors: Tetlock Philip E.
Published: September 2012

The Inbar and Lammers (2012, this issue) survey revealed potentially disturbing pockets of ideological intolerance among social psychologists. Their findings raise a mix of procedural-justice questions bearing on fair treatment of colleagues and epistemological questions bearing on the opportunity costs of research programs that were either never conceived or smothered in infancy. An appropriately self-critical disciplinary response is to conduct identity-substitution thought experiments that explore (a) how we would collectively react to differential treatment in counterfactual worlds in which minority–majority faction roles were reversed, (b) how ideological bias may have suppressed research with the potential to undermine liberal policy positions (e.g., affirmative action, income redistribution, “dove-ish” security policies), and (c) how ideological bias may have led to attaching labels to conservative policy positions that moderates and conservatives consider tendentious (e.g., system justification, symbolic racism).
Polymorphisms and expression of TLR4 and 9 in malaria in two ethnic groups of Assam, northeast India
Authors: Sawian Clara E , Lourembam Sonia D , Banerjee Arunabha , Baruah Shashi
Published: September 2012

Infectious diseases have been postulated to play an important role in exerting pressure and in selection of TLR polymorphisms. Single nucelotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR4 have been reported to show unique distributions in populations from Africa, Asia and Europe, and malaria is suggested to influence these patterns. In this context, we examined association of TLR polymorphisms with the risk of malaria in two ethnic groups—the Austro-Asiatics and Tibeto-Burmans—from malaria endemic districts of Assam to understand the influence of malaria in selection of TLRs in these genetically-distinct populations. TLR9 (T-1237C) mutation was positively associated with complicated ( P = 0.001) and frequent ( P = 0.035) malaria in Austro-Asiatics (relative risk = 0.595 95% CI: 0.479–0.836), but not in Tibeto-Burmans. Nonetheless, these alleles were not in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in Tibeto-Burmans ( P < 0.001). In contrast, the TLR9 1486T/C genotype was favourable where it was negatively associated with complicated malaria (Fishers exact P = 0.014). Sequencing data revealed that the two populations differed in nucleotide diversity of the TLR9 promoter region. Enhanced expression of TLR4 ( P = 0.05), but not of TLR9, was associated with complicated malaria. Austro-Asiatics appeared to have accumulated favourable genotypes of TLR9, perhaps because of their longer exposure to malaria.
What Are the Implications of the Institute of Medicine Report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” for School Nursing Practice?
Authors: Sheetz Anne H.
Published: September 2012

In 2010, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative at the Institute of Medicine issued a comprehensive report entitled, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” The following is a synopsis of the report, including excerpts, recommendations, and a discussion of school nursing implications.
Exploring the Cross-Cultural Generalizability and Scope of Morally Motivated Intolerance
Authors: Skitka Linda J. , Liu James Hou-fu , Yang Yiyin , Chen Hui , Liu Li , Xu Lun
Published: September 2012

Research conducted in Western cultural contexts has discovered that people are more intolerant of moral than demographic diversity, prefer greater social and physical distance from morally dissimilar others, and actively discriminate against those who do not share their moral attitudes. The goal of the current work was to test whether (a) these findings generalize across cultural contexts and (b) similar patterns would emerge with not only social but also political intolerance. Strength of moral conviction associated with participants’ most important issue was associated with higher and similar levels of social intolerance of attitudinally dissimilar others in both China and the United States but was only related to political intolerance in China. These results demonstrate that moral mandate effects are not unique to highly individualized cultural contexts and reveal a possible boundary condition on the links between moral conviction and intolerance. Implications are discussed.
Land and Territory: Meanings of Land between Modernity and Tradition
Authors: Sauer Sérgio
Published: September 2012

The recent ‘land rush’ reinforces the historical struggles for land and territory in the fight for a place to dwell and work, beyond the questions of land exchange value and price. The resistance of peasants and traditional communities against processes of expropriation give rise to new theoretical challenges and perspectives in the discussion of the importance of land and territory. Along with it, recent changes in the representations of space (and time) have established new relations between the local and global dimensions, and have yielded new meanings to these historical struggles for land in connection with territorial rights. The present article seeks to understand the processes of reinventing rural space, which are taking place in the struggle for land as a place to be, to dwell and to work in the Brazilian countryside.
International Entrepreneurship: Case of Happiest Minds
Authors: Kumar Nishant
Published: September 2012

An in-depth case study of a successful serial entrepreneur in India and the two international new ventures he founded illustrates the entrepreneurial capabilities that are particularly important for successful international new venture creation. This case study examines in detail how potential international entrepreneurs can develop such capabilities in order to improve their chances of gaining success in international new ventures, and concludes with a discussion of the implications of the authors’ findings for entrepreneurship research and practice.
ANZ Bank: Building a Strategy for Asia
Authors: Stockport Gary J. , Godley Michelle , Guagliado Dion , Leung Olivia , Mercer Ben , Varma Gajendra , Wong Shaun
Published: September 2012

This case considers the Super Regional Strategy adopted by the Australian and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) under the leadership of CEO Mike Smith from October 2007 to early 2011. The Super Regional Strategy had the goal of deriving 20 per cent of ANZ’s profit from the Asian region by 2012 and between 25 and 30 per cent of profit by 2017. This strategy was a significant departure from the relative safety of the Australian banking sector and necessitated significant organizational changes. Not without risk or critics, ANZ is still in the formative stages of its strategy which will be a decade or more in the making. This article documents some of the changes to date.
Bio-Caps Nepal
Authors: Walsh John , Jha Dilip Kumar
Published: September 2012

Bio-Caps India manufactures gelatin capsules for pharmaceutical manufacturers in India. The capsules are made in part from animal products, which represents an area of cultural sensitivity and requires the trust of end users and intermediaries who recommend specific drugs. Currently, Nepalese manufacturers deal with a single supplier and there is an opportunity for Bio-Caps to open a branch office in Kathmandu to work with local producers to provide better service. However, Nepal remains a poor country with very limited physical or business infrastructure, and it is far from certain that projected market demand can be met in circumstances of such uncertainty. The case focuses on the specific form and business model selected by the company and considers whether these are suitable for the environment to be explored.
TIG and A-TIG welding experimental investigations and comparison to simulation
Authors: Berthier A , Paillard P , Carin M , Valensi F , Pellerin S
Published: September 2012

In the present work, the chemical mechanism was shown for tungsten inert gas (TIG) and active TIG (A-TIG) welding. The results obtained with a two-dimensional axial symmetric model developed to simulate the flow behaviour in the meting pool on a stainless steel disc (304L) melted by a stationary heat source were presented to show the influence of Marangoni convection combined with Lorentz forces. This study shows the influence of the addition of an activating flux on the geometric characteristics of the weld beads in A-TIG welding.
Simple constitutive analysis of AA 7075-T6 aluminium alloy deformed at low deformation temperatures
Authors: Puchi-Cabrera E S , Staia M H , Ochoa-Pérez E , La Barbera-Sosa J G , Santana Y Y , Villalobos-Gutiérrez C , Picón-Chaparro J R
Published: September 2012

The tensile stress–strain behaviour of AA 7075-T6 aluminium alloy deformed at temperatures in the range of 123–248 K, at strain rates between 0·0023 and 0·21 s−1 has been analysed in order to develop a rational constitutive description of the material under such deformation conditions. The constitutive formulation has been derived on the basis of the mechanical threshold stress model developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The constitutive equation thus proposed is able to separate the contribution of the different components that give rise to the mechanical strength of the alloy. It has been determined that the flow stress of the material arises mainly from the contribution of three different components: athermal barriers to dislocation motion, solid solution and precipitation hardening and work hardening (dislocation–dislocation interaction). The flow stress in each strain increment during the course of plastic deformation is computed recursively from its previous value, before the updating of the deformation temperature and strain rate values. Such a computation is carried out by the numerical integration of the phenomenological work hardening law expressed in differential form. The constitutive description thus proposed provides an accurate prediction of the experimental values of both the flow stress and work hardening rate of the material. Moreover, its formulation in differential form provides a reasonable description of the stress changes that could take place when arbitrary temperatures and strain rate paths are imposed to the material during plastic deformation. It is shown that the formulation is general enough for describing also the constitutive behaviour and stress changes of a different aluminium alloy deformed under hot working conditions, where the material exhibits positive work hardening before achieving saturation at large strains.
Relative coherent stacking potential of fundamental particles of illite-smectite and its relationship to geological environment
Authors: Kang Il-Mo , Hillier S. , Song Yungoo , Kim In-Joon
Published: September 2012

Interstratified illite-smectite (I-S) occurring authigenically in diverse earth crust environments reacts toward more illite-rich phases as temperature increases. For that reason, I-S is used for geothermometry when prospecting for hydrocarbons or ore mineral deposits. This study develops the mathematical relations for characterizing the coherent stacking potential of fundamental particles (FP) using the expandability ratio K, where K is defined as (%SMAX –; %SXRD)/%SMAX. The ratio can be applied to differentiating I-S samples from shales, bentonites, and hydrothermal alterations. In particular, patterns on a K vs. T diagram, where T is the average thickness of fundamental particles (FPs), appear to be indicative of the geological conditions related to I-S formation. Shale samples plot in the negative K domain of the diagram, possibly due to the intimate mixing of detrital particles. Both bentonitic and hydrothermal samples display trends of increasing K with T, which suggests the coherent stacking potential progressively decreases as FPs increase in thickness. Hydrothermal samples are more extensively distributed on the diagram than samples from bentonites. This result may reflect differences in particle growth conditions (nutrients and space) between bentonites (short supply) and hydrothermal alterations (good supply).
Halloysite-to-kaolinite transformation by dissolution and recrystallization during weathering of crystalline rocks
Authors: Inoue A. , Utada M. , Hatta T.
Published: September 2012

The present study, which was carried out on a deep weathering profile of quartz diorite in the San'in district, Japan, along with two lateritic samples from India and Sri Lanka, provides convincing evidence supporting the dissolution and recrystallization mechanism for the halloysite-to-kaolinite transformation during weathering of crystalline rocks. In all the samples studied, tubular halloysite formed prior to kaolinite via the dissolution of feldspars and precipitation from solution. The crystal size distribution of tubular halloysite formed early was characterized by a lognormal curve having a positive asymmetry. When the activity of water decreased in the weathering profile, halloysite as well as goethite began to dehydrate, which acted as a trigger for dissolving halloysite. The heterogeneous nucleation of kaolinite took place on the edges and in the shrinkage pores of dehydrated halloysite tubes. The topotactic relationship of b*halloysite//b*kaolinite was kept between the substrate halloysite and the product kaolinite in the incipient growing stages of kaolinite. As a consequence, early formed halloysite transforms to kaolinite in a cannibalistic manner over a long period of time, owing to the intermittent supply of solution undersaturated with respect to halloysite in natural open systems.
Acute silent cerebral ischemia and infarction during acute anemia in children with and without sickle cell disease
Authors: Dowling Michael M. , Quinn Charles T. , Plumb Patricia , Rogers Zora R. , Rollins Nancy K. , Koral Korgun , Buchanan George R.
Published: September 2012

We hypothesized that the silent cerebral infarcts (SCI), which affect up to 40% of children with sickle cell disease (SCD), could occur in the setting of acute anemic events. In a prospective observational study of children with and without SCD hospitalized for an illness associated with acute anemia, we identified acute silent cerebral ischemic events (ASCIE) in 4 (18.2%) of 22 with SCD and in 2 (6.7%) of 30 without SCD, using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Children with ASCIE had lower hemoglobin concentration than those without (median 3.1 vs 4.4 g/dL, P = .003). The unique temporal features of stroke on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging permit estimation of incidence rates for ASCIE of 421 (95% confidence interval, 155-920) per 100 patient-years during acute anemic events for all patients. For children with SCD, the estimated incidence was 663 (95% confidence interval, 182-1707) which is much higher than previously reported. Acute anemic events are common in children with SCD and prevalence could partially account for the high SCI. Some ASCIE (1 of 4 in our study) may be reversible. Alterations in management may be warranted for children with severe anemia to identify unrecognized ischemic brain injury that may have permanent neurocognitive sequelae.
Survival in patients with stage IV noncardia gastric cancer - the influence of DNA ploidy and Helicobacter Pyloriinfection
Authors: Syrios John , Sougioultzis Stavros , Xynos Ioannis D , Kavantzas Nikolaos , Kosmas Christos , Agrogiannis George , Griniatsos John , Karavokyros Ioannis , Pikoulis Emmanouil , Patsouris Efstratios S , Tsavaris Nikolas
Published: September 2012

Background

Palliative surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy is a challenging approach in the treatment of stage IV gastric cancer yet patients must be carefully selected on the basis of likely clinical benefit.

Methods

The records of 218 patients with histological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent palliative surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve potential prognostic variables including tumour DNA index and serum IgG anti-Helicobacter pylori(HP) antibodies were evaluated for their influence on overall survival by multivariate analysis.

Results

The median survival was 13.25 months [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 12.00, 14.50]. Three factors were found to have an independent effect on survival: performance status (PS) [PS 60–70vs. 90–100 Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.676; CI 1.171-2.398, p = 0.005], liver metastases (HR 1.745; CI 1.318-2.310, p < 0.001), and DNA Index as assessed by Image cytometry (2.2-3.6vs.>3.6 HR 3.059; CI 2.185-4.283, p < 0.001 and <2.2vs.>3.6 HR; 4.207 CI 2.751-6.433 <0.001). HP infection had no statistically significant effect on survival by either univariate or multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Poor pre-treatment PS, the presence of liver metastasis and high DNA Index were identified factors associated with adverse survival outcome in patients with Stage IV gastric cancer treated with palliative gastrectomy and postoperative chemotherapy. HP infection had no influence on survival of these patients.
Elevated C-peptide and insulin predict increased risk of colorectal adenomas in normal mucosa
Authors: Vidal Adriana C , Lund Pauline Kay , Hoyo Cathrine , Galanko Joseph , Burcal Lauren , Holston Rachel , Massa Berri , Omofoye Oluwaseun , Sandler Robert S , Keku Temitope O
Published: September 2012

Background

Lower concentrations of the insulin–like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and elevated concentrations of insulin or C-peptide have been associated with an increase in colorectal cancer risk (CRC). However few studies have evaluated IGFBP-1 and C-peptide in relation to adenomatous polyps, the only known precursor for CRC.

Methods

Between November 2001 and December 2002, we examined associations between circulating concentrations of insulin, C-peptide, IGFBP-1 and apoptosis among 190 individuals with one or more adenomatous polyps and 488 with no adenomatous polyps using logistic regression models.

Results

Individuals with the highest concentrations of C-peptide were more likely to have adenomas (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-4.0) than those with the lowest concentrations; associations that appeared to be stronger in men (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-10.9) than women. Individuals with high insulin concentrations also had a higher risk of adenomas (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.7-7.4), whereas higher levels of IGFBP-1 were associated with a reduced risk of adenomas in men only (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7). Overweight and obese individuals with higher C-peptide levels (>1st Q) were at increased risk for lower apoptosis index (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 0.9-7.1), an association that remained strong in overweight and obese men (OR = 6.3, 95% CI 1.0-36.7). Higher levels of IGFBP-1 in overweight and obese individuals were associated with a reduced risk of low apoptosis (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-1.0).

Conclusions

Associations between these peptides and the apoptosis index in overweight and obese individuals, suggest that the mechanism by which C-peptide could induce adenomas may include its anti-apoptotic properties. This study suggests that hyperinsulinemia and IGF hormones predict adenoma risk, and that outcomes associated with colorectal carcinogenesis maybe modified by gender.
Lessons learned from a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study with a iota-carrageenan nasal spray as medical device in children with acute symptoms of common cold
Authors: Fazekas Tamas , Eickhoff Philipp , Pruckner Nathalie , Vollnhofer Georg , Fischmeister Gustav , Diakos Christopher , Rauch Margit , Verdianz Maria , Zoubek Andreas , Gadner Helmut , Lion Thomas
Published: September 2012

Background

Common cold is caused by a variety of respiratory viruses. The prevalence in children is high, and it potentially contributes to significant morbidity. Iota-carragenan, a polymer derived from red seaweed, has reduced viral load in nasal secretions and alleviated symptoms in adults with common cold.

Methods

We have assessed the antiviral and therapeutic activity of a nasal spray containing iota-carrageenan in children with acute symptoms of common cold. A cohort of 153 children between 1–18 years (mean age 5 years), displaying acute symptoms of common cold were randomly assigned to treatment with a nasal spray containing iota-carrageenan (0.12%) as verum or 0.9% sodium chloride solution as placebo for seven days. Symptoms of common cold were recorded and the viral load of respiratory viruses in nasal secretions was determined at two consecutive visits.

Results

The results of the present study showed no significant difference between the iota carrageenan and the placebo group on the mean of TSS between study days 2–7. Secondary endpoints, such as reduced time to clearance of disease (7.6 vs 9.4 days; p = 0.038), reduction of viral load (p = 0.026), and lower incidence of secondary infections with other respiratory viruses (p = 0.046) indicated beneficial effects of iota-carrageenan in this population. The treatment was safe and well tolerated, with less side effects observed in the verum group compared to placebo.

Conclusion

In this study iota-carrageenan did not alleviate symptoms in children with acute symptoms of common cold, but significantly reduced viral load in nasal secretions that may have important implications for future studies.

Trial registration

ISRCTN52519535, http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN52519535/
Reliability and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire to assess food group intakes in New Zealand adolescents
Authors: Wong Jyh Eiin , Parnell Winsome R , Black Katherine E , Skidmore Paula ML
Published: September 2012

Background

Due to the absence of a current and validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for use in New Zealand adolescents, there is a need to develop one as a cost-effective way to assess adolescents’ food patterns. This study aims to examine the test-retest reliability and relative validity of the New Zealand Adolescent FFQ (NZAFFQ) to assess food group intake in adolescents aged 14 to 18 years.

Methods

A non-quantitative (without portion size), 72-item FFQ was developed and pretested. Fifty-two participants (aged 14.9 ± 0.8 years) completed the NZAFFQ twice within a two-week period for test-retest reliability. Forty-one participants (aged 15.1 ± 0.9 years) completed a four-day estimated food record (4DFR) in addition to the FFQs to enable assessment of validity. Spearman’s correlations and cross-classification analyses were used to examine relative validity while intra-class correlations were additionally used for test-retest reliability.

Results

Weekly intakes were estimated for each food item and aggregated into 34 food groups. The median Spearman’s correlation coefficient (SCC) between FFQ administrations was 0.71. SCCs ranged from 0.46 forfruit juice or cordialto 0.87 fornon-standard milk. The median intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) between FFQ administrations was 0.69. The median SCC between food groups from the FFQ and the 4DFR was 0.40 with the highest SCC seen forstandard milk(0.70). The exact agreement between the methods in ranking participants into thirds was highest formeat alternatives(78%), but lowest forred or yellow vegetablesandpotatoes(27%). The mean percent of participants misclassified into extreme thirds for food group intake was 12%.

Conclusions

Despite a small sample size, the NZAFFQ exhibited good to excellent short-term test-retest reliability and reasonable validity in ranking the majority of the food group intakes among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years. The comparability of the validity to that in the current literature suggests that the NZAFFQ may be used among adolescent New Zealanders to identify dietary patterns and rank them according to food group intake.
Venous thromboembolism risk and prophylaxis in the acute hospital care setting: report from the ENDORSE study in Egypt
Authors: Goubran Hadi A , Sholkamy Sherif , El-Haddad Alaa , Mahmoud Alaa , Rizkallah Mounir A , Sobhy George
Published: September 2012

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of hospital-related deaths worldwide. However, the proportion of patients at risk of VTE who receive appropriate prophylaxis in Egypt is unknown. The ENDORSE study in Egypt is part of a global initiative to uncover the incidence of high-risk surgical and medical patients and determine what proportion of these patients receive appropriate VTE prophylaxis.

Methods

Ten Egyptian hospitals participated in this observational study, enrolling all surgical and medical patients that met the study criteria. This resulted in a cohort of 1,008 patients in acute care facilities who underwent a retrospective chart review. Each patient’s VTE risk status and the presence or absence of appropriate prophylactic care was assessed according to the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines 2004.

Results

Of the 1,008 patients enrolled, 395 (39.2%) were found to be at high-risk for VTE. Overall, 227 surgical patients were at high-risk, although only 80 (35.2%) received ACCP-recommended prophylaxis. Similarly, 55/268 (32.75%) of high-risk medical patients received appropriate VTE prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant, while mechanical prophylactic use was quite low (1.5%) in high-risk patients.

Conclusions

In Egypt, more than one-third of all patients hospitalized for surgery or acute medical conditions are at high risk for developing VTE. However, only a small fraction of these patients receive appropriate VTE prophylaxis. Corrective measures are necessary for preventing VTE morbidity and mortality in these high risk patients.
Establishing a health demographic surveillance site in Bhaktapur district, Nepal: initial experiences and findings
Authors: Aryal Umesh Raj , Vaidya Abhinav , Shakya-Vaidya Suraj , Petzold Max , Krettek Alexandra
Published: September 2012

Background

A health demographic surveillance system (HDSS) provides longitudinal data regarding health and demography in countries with coverage error and poor quality data on vital registration systems due to lack of public awareness, inadequate legal basis and limited use of data in health planning. The health system in Nepal, a low-income country, does not focus primarily on health registration, and does not conduct regular health data collection. This study aimed to initiate and establish the first HDSS in Nepal.

Results

We conducted a baseline survey in Jhaukhel and Duwakot, two villages in Bhaktapur district. The study surveyed 2,712 households comprising a total population of 13,669. The sex ratio in the study area was 101 males per 100 females and the average household size was 5. The crude birth and death rates were 9.7 and 3.9/1,000 population/year, respectively. About 11% of births occurred at home, and we found no mortality in infants and children less than 5 years of age. Various health problems were found commonly and some of them include respiratory problems (41.9%); headache, vertigo and dizziness (16.7%); bone and joint pain (14.4%); gastrointestinal problems (13.9%); heart disease, including hypertension (8.8%); accidents and injuries (2.9%); and diabetes mellitus (2.6%). The prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) was 4.3% (95% CI: 3.83; 4.86) among individuals older than 30 years. Age-adjusted odds ratios showed that risk factors, such as sex, ethnic group, occupation and education, associated with NCD.

Conclusion

Our baseline survey demonstrated that it is possible to collect accurate and reliable data in a village setting in Nepal, and this study successfully established an HDSS site. We determined that both maternal and child health are better in the surveillance site compared to the entire country. Risk factors associated with NCDs dominated morbidity and mortality patterns.
Introduction to the Petroleum Resources Management System and the implications for the geophysical community
Authors: Lorenzen Robert , Purewal Satinder , Etherington John
Published: September 2012

The Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) is designed to provide consistency in estimating natural occurring petroleum quantities, evaluating projects to commercially extract and market derived products, and present results within a comprehensive classification framework. PRMS is the latest result of international efforts to standardize the definitions of petroleum resources and how they are estimated that began in the 1930's.
Seismic technology supporting reserves determinations: Gorgon Field, Australia
Authors: van der Weiden Raphic , Nayak Prasanta , Swinburn Peter
Published: September 2012

Seismic technologies have been used in the industry in a rather restricted fashion in the context of assessing proved reserves. So far, limited additional application of seismic technology is seen under the new principle-based SEC guidelines. The applications are primarily confined to the use of seismic as a “reliable technology” as defined by the SEC (Sidle and Lee, 2010). An example of wider use of seismic technology as part of an integrated and holistic analysis to establish reasonable certainty required for proved reserves bookings by Shell is presented as a case study in this paper.