bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of One HF-rTMS Session on Fine Motor Function in Right-Handed Healthy Female Subjects: A Comparison of Stimulation over the Left versus the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Baeken C. , Schrijvers D.L. , Sabbe B.G.C. , Vanderhasselt M.A. , De Raedt R.
Published: January 2012

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive tool to investigate neural conduction in motor processes. Most rTMS research has been conducted by targeting the primary motor cortex. Several studies have also found increased psychomotor speed after rTMS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, these studies were mainly performed in psychiatric patients, only targeting the left DLPFC, and often without sham control. Moreover, psychomotor speed is mostly measured based on tasks that also require higher executive functions. Methods: Here, we examined the lateralized effect of one sham-controlled high-frequency rTMS session applied to the left or right DLPFC on fine motor function in 36 healthy right-handed females, using the Fitts’ paradigm. Results: We found a significant improvement in psychomotor speed only after actively stimulating the right DLPFC. Conclusion: Our results support the assumption of a right prefrontal neural network implicated in visuomotor behavior and performance processes, and that the improvement in psychomotor speed is not a secondary effect of decreased mood.
Pin1 Contribution to Alzheimer’s Disease: Transcriptional and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Patients with Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Arosio B. , Bulbarelli A. , Bastias Candia S. , Lonati E. , Mastronardi L. , Romualdi P. , Candeletti S. , Gussago C. , Galimberti D. , Scarpini E. , Dell’Osso B. , Altamura C. , Maccarrone M. , Bergamaschini L. , D’Addario C. , Mari D.
Published: January 2012

Background: Neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) although the molecular basis of their coexistence remains elusive. The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 acts on both tau and amyloid precursor protein to regulate their functions by influencing tau phosphorylation and amyloid precursor protein processing. Objective: In order to identify potential biomarkers for AD in easily accessible cells and to gain insight into the relationship between the brain and peripheral compartments in AD pathology, we investigated Pin1 expression and activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with late-onset AD (LOAD) and age-matched controls (CT). Methods: Gene and protein expression, promoter methylation, Ser16 phosphorylation and activity of Pin1 were evaluated in 32 samples from subjects with LOAD and in 28 samples from CT. Results: In LOAD subjects, there was a statistically significant reduction in Ser16 phosphorylation (–30%; p = 0.041) and promoter methylation (–8%; p = 0.001), whereas Pin1 expression was significantly increased (+74%; p = 0.018). Conclusion: The modifications of Pin1 found in LOAD subjects support its involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease with an important role being played by epigenetic mechanisms.
Update on Genetics of Parkinsonism
Authors: Fujioka Shinsuke , Wszolek Zbigniew K.
Published: January 2012

Background: Major progress in genetic studies of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and parkinsonism has been achieved in the last two decades. Objective: We provide a brief review of the current status of PARK and non-PARK loci/genes, and discuss two new genes: eIF4G1 and VPS35. Methods: The literature on PARK and non-PARK loci/genes was reviewed and some novel information on two new genes is provided. Results: There are 18 PARK loci. The symptomatic carriers of these genes usually present with parkinsonism, although additional clinical features can be seen during the course of the disease. Carriers of non-PARK loci/genes frequently present with a mixed phenotype that includes parkinsonism and additional clinical features. Carriers of the eIF4G1 and VPS35 genes present with a parkinsonian phenotype. The pathology of eIF4G1 is of the α-synuclein type; the pathology of VPS35 is unknown. Conclusion: The current genetic classification of PD/parkinsonism genes is not ideal. The pathological classification based on the accumulation of particular proteins/inclusions is also misleading since there are kindred with a single mutation but pleomorphic pathology. A better classification of neurodegenerative conditions is needed. It is hoped that the genetic studies will lead to better therapies.
Conditional Spatial Policy Dependence
Authors: Neumayer Eric , Plümper Thomas
Published: January 2012

The authors discuss how scholars can bring theories of spatial policy dependence and empirical model specifications closer in line so that the empirical analysis actually tests the theoretical predictions. Comprehensive theories of spatial policy dependence typically suggest that the jurisdictions receiving spatial stimuli systematically differ in their exposure to such signals as a function of the intensity of their interaction with other jurisdictions. Similarly, theories often predict that governments also differ in their responsiveness to any given spatial stimulus as a function of the institutional, political, economic, or social context in which they operate. In other words, theories typically postulate that spatial dependence is conditional on exposure and responsiveness, neither of which is accounted for in the standard empirical practice of estimating one single common coefficient for a row-standardized spatial lag variable. The authors show how scholars can adequately model both forms of heterogeneity with properly specified interaction effects models.
Varying Teacher Expectations and Standards
Authors: Harris Donna M.
Published: January 2012

Ability grouping and tracking have been a major focus in educational research because of its role in promoting curriculum differentiation. However, there has been limited attention to how this differentiation occurs in contemporary schools involved with reform efforts including those focused on subject specific academic standards designed to improve student access to rigorous academic content. This article examines how varying teacher expectations regarding the implementation of academic standards promotes curriculum differentiation in middle schools involved with comprehensive school reform. Drawing on teacher interview and survey data from five middle schools, the author shows the challenges teachers confronted when implementing standards; the contradictory expectations teachers held toward students; and how teacher expectations affected to what extent standards were evenly applied. Despite the fact that standards are supposed to promote equity, this analysis shows these aims can be compromised by the challenges teachers confront in schools and contradictory expectations regarding standards.
Showcasing Cold War Germany in Cairo: 1954 and 1957 Industrial Exhibitions and the Competition for Arab Partners
Authors: Pence Katherine
Published: January 2012

East Germany staged two successful industrial exhibitions in Cairo in 1954 and 1957 in an effort to gain Egypt as a trading and eventually diplomatic partner. These displays of East German products and political culture challenged West Germany, which similarly courted Egypt and presented a rival exhibition in Cairo in 1957. They showcased industrial goods from the socialist ‘economic miracle,’ but also revealed German lack of understanding of the Egyptian market and its culture. These exhibitions also showed how Cold War competition between the two Germanys was intertwined with decolonization in Africa and the Arab world, especially when the 1954 show coincided with Gamal Abdel Nasser’s rise to power. East Germany could circumvent West Germany’s Hallstein Doctrine’s goal of diplomatically isolating the socialist state by fostering anti-imperialist solidarity with Arab nations.
Facing Hitler’s Pavilion: The Uses of Modernity in the Soviet Pavilion at the 1937 Paris International Exhibition
Authors: Udovički-Selb Danilo
Published: January 2012

Overwhelming the Trocadéro’s majestic esplanade, the Soviet and German pavilions faced each other in a commanding gesture across the central axis of the Paris ‘Exposition des arts et des techniques dans la vie moderne’ – the last French World’s Expo in the twentieth century. More often than not, the two pavilions have been dismissed in architectural terms as having merely ‘competed in archeological rhetoric’. In this article I argue, with a primary focus on the Soviet Pavilion, that far from displaying such reductive and unambiguous architectural qualities, each pavilion offered, in two very different ways, a complex response to the challenges of an exhibition dedicated to ‘modern life’. The two instrumentalized for their own political purposes both modernity and historicism. From two radically different ideological starting points, the pavilions exploited some significant aspects of the defunct avant-gardes, while reaching out, in different degrees, for stabilizing references to classicism. Frank Lloyd Wright’s unwavering admiration for the Soviet Pavilion, the main topic of this article, resonates with the astonishing discovery of white Suprematist ‘Arkhitektoni’ by Malevich’s disciple, sculptor Nikolaj Suetin gracing the interior of the Soviet Pavilion. The legacy raises the question of thus far unsuspected survival of the architectural avant-garde deep into the years of Stalin’s totalitarian terror.
Sputnik Goes to Brussels: The Exhibition of a Soviet Technological Wonder
Authors: Siegelbaum Lewis
Published: January 2012

The first universal exhibition of the post-Second World War era and a major battleground in the ‘cultural Cold War’, the 1958 Brussels Exposition served as an appropriate venue for the display of Sputniks I and II. As the centerpiece of the enormous Soviet pavilion, the Sputnik replicas enabled the USSR to bask in the reflective glow of its scientific and technological achievement before an international audience of 40 million. Based on archival sources (from Brussels and Moscow) as well as contemporary published material, this article employs a modified version of Stuart Hall's reception theory to analyze Soviet authorities' production (or ‘encoding/writing’) of the exhibit and its appropriation (‘decoding/reading’) by radically different publics – non-Soviet visitors and Soviet readers back home. It argues that the producers exercised only tenuous control over the meaning of Sputnik.
Application of low-frequency oxygen plasma treatment to polyester fabric to reduce the amount of flame retardant agent
Authors: Ömeroğulları Zeynep , Kut Dilek
Published: January 2012

To reduce the quantity of chemicals required to produce flame retardant polyester fabrics, a low-frequency oxygen plasma treatment at low temperature (<50 °C) was carried out before padding the polyester fabrics with alkyl-phosphonate-structured flame retardant agents. The concentration of the flame retardant agent was varied to determine the plasma treatment effect on the amount of chemicals used in the finishing process. All padded fabrics which had pre-plasma treatment or not, were also washed five times to determine the washing resistance. The surfaces of the polyester fabrics were characterized by FT-IR (ATR) and SEM. The flame retardant performances of the polyester fabrics were evaluated by the LOI test. Hydrophilic characteristics of the polyester fabrics were also tested after the plasma treatment. According to the results, the hydrophilic properties of the polyester fabrics improved after oxygen plasma treatment. Moreover, the plasma treatment allowed the reduction of the flame retardant concentration to 50 g/L in the padding system, however, it was out of the optimal concentration range; the chemical amount consumed was half of the maximum concentration without the LOI changing significantly.
Strengthening Women’s Rights
Authors: Rajan Janaki
Published: January 2012

This issue is to mark the 100th anniversary of the International Women’s Day. In this introduction to the issue, as guest editor, I attempt to traverse the issue of women’s rights with a focus on selected feminist perspectives on women’s suffrage, knowledge, curriculum and education. In the first part I attempt to map the suffragist movement, the early international women’s day. The second part is an attempt to bring attention to feminist thought on knowledge and world view. The third part provides a brief outline of issues in the context of India. The fourth part focuses on education and the last part introduces the contributors to the issue.
Butterflies for Girls, Cars for Boys
Authors: Ozkaleli Umut
Published: January 2012

This article aims to analyse mainstream education, its restrictively gendered structure, and some possible alternatives for introducing gender issues to grades K-12. The article focuses not only on schools in order to analyse what they teach to children, but also what they teach to and reinforce in parents by using feminist methodology. Idea of ‘gender equality’ is challenged as it may lead to fixed definitions of being female or male which perpetuates rigid gender roles. The article analyses the connection of class to gender as well as the one-dimensionality of mother/father images, and one-dimensionality of boy/girl expressions of the body.
Relational sacrifices in romantic relationships
Authors: Ruppel Erin K. , Curran Melissa A.
Published: January 2012

Using interdependence and attachment theories, we examined the influence of attachment orientations on the association between relational sacrifices and relationship satisfaction. Romantic partners ( N = 332) completed a one-time measure of attachment orientations and daily measures of relationship satisfaction and number and difficulty of relational sacrifices over 4–10 days. Difficulty of own and partner’s sacrifices was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, and own daily number of sacrifices was positively associated with relationship satisfaction. However, these associations were stronger for individuals lower in attachment anxiety (for own sacrifices) or avoidance (for partner’s sacrifices). The findings suggest that associations between relational sacrifice and relationship satisfaction are contingent on attachment orientations and that frequent, easy sacrifices might be most beneficial to relationships.
Early outcomes of carotid artery stenting
Authors: Akar Bayram N , Bozkurt E , Ayhan H , Gürkaş E , Orhan G , Ak F , Bilen E , Sarı C , Akçay M , Durmaz T , Keleş T
Published: January 2012

Background and aim: Ischemic cerebrovascular events are the most common reason for patients to be bedridden and the third most common reason for death. Many studies in recent years have demonstrated that carotid artery stenting (CAS) may be an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In this study, we aimed to report early outcomes of patients who were treated with CAS in our clinic and discuss practicability, advantages and safety of CAS.

Methods and Findings: Eighty patients who underwent CAS between December 2009 and May 2011 were eligible. The mean age was 65 years (range, 49 - 89 years). Of the study group, 73.75% were males and 26.25% were female. The percentage of asymptomatic patients was 11.7%, and the remaining patients were symptomatic. A distal embolic protection device (Angioguard®) was used in 22% of the patients whereas, in the other patients (78%), a proximal blockage system (Mo.MA®) was used. Self-expandable hybrid stents were implanted in all patients and post-dilatation was performed after implantation. None of the patients suffered from stroke, myocardial infarction or death due to CAS during their hospital stay. The mean follow-up period was 10 months (range 2 - 18 months) after discharge. None of the patients had died or had a stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a myocardial infarction during the follow-up period. Re-stenosis was not observed in the follow-up carotid Doppler ultrasonography; flow rates were within normal limits.

Conclusion: No major complication was observed during the early follow-up period in patients who underwent CAS in our clinic. Only 2 (2.5%) patients showed transient numbness and weakness and these did not lead to morbidity. In the management guide of extracranial carotid and vertebral artery diseases, CAS, in the light of recent studies, is recommended as an alternative to CEA in recommendations for revascularization. One of the important issues emphasized in this guide is the experience of centers. Very low complication rates after CAS suggested that, with suitable patient selection and an experienced team, similar results may be obtained.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following pediatric cardiac surgery: development and outcomes from a single-center experience
Authors: Itoh H , Ichiba S , Ujike Y , Kasahara S , Arai S , Sano S
Published: January 2012

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an effective mechanical support following cardiac surgery with respiratory and cardiac failure. However, there are no clear indications for ECMO use after pediatric cardiac surgery. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 76 pediatric patients [mean age, 10.8 months (0–86); mean weight, 5.16 kg (1.16–16.5)] with congenital heart disease who received ECMO following cardiac surgery between January 1997 and October 2010. Forty-five patients were treated with an aggressive ECMO approach (aggressive ECMO group, April 2005–October 2010) and 31 with a delayed ECMO approach (delayed ECMO group, January 1997–March 2005). Demographics, diagnosis, operative variables, ECMO indication, and duration of survivors and non-survivors were compared. Thirty-four patients (75.5%) were successfully weaned from ECMO in the aggressive ECMO group and 26 (57.7%) were discharged. Conversely, eight patients (25.8%) were successfully weaned from ECMO in the delayed ECMO group and two (6.5%) were discharged. Forty-five patients with shunted single ventricle physiology (aggressive: 29 patients, delayed: 16 patients) received ECMO, but only 15 (33.3%) survived and were discharged. The survival rate of the aggressive ECMO group was significantly better when compared with the delayed ECMO group (p<0.01). Also, ECMO duration was significantly shorter among the aggressive ECMO group survivors (96.5 ± 62.9 h, p<0.01). Thus, the aggressive ECMO approach is a superior strategy compared to the delayed ECMO approach in pediatric cardiac patients. The aggressive ECMO approach improved our outcomes of neonatal and pediatric ECMO.
City-regionalism
Authors: Jonas Andrew E.G.
Published: January 2012

This report considers how human geographers and other urban scholars are starting to explore city-regionalism from the vantage point of the politics of distribution. It begins with an examination of city-regionalism as a contingently produced geopolitical project in late capitalism. It then reviews work that examines the distributional dilemmas found in city-regions, including related work on post-suburban development politics. The final section argues that the city-region concept affords a useful platform for examining struggles for social justice and urban environmental politics in late capitalism.
Thermal and mechanical properties of treated and untreated Red Balau (Shorea dipterocarpaceae)/LDPE composites
Authors: Lafia-Araga Ruth A. , Hassan Aziz , Yahya R. , Rahman Normasmira A. , Hornsby Peter R. , Heidarian J.
Published: January 2012

Red Balau saw dust was heat-treated at 180°C and 200°C for 1 h. Treated and untreated wood flour were compounded with LDPE at 9%, 20%, and 37% by weight and molded in an injection molding machine. Thermal and mechanical properties of the resultant composites were investigated as a function of filler loadings and treatment temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed an increase in degradation peak temperature ( Tp) of the heat-treated wood and composites. DSC revealed a decreasing trend in the degree of crystallinity ( Xc) of the matrix when heat-treated wood was used as filler. On the other hand, untreated wood showed an increase in Xc with increasing wood content. Tensile modulus increased with heat treatment and filler loading. Furthermore, flexural strength and modulus were found to increase with filler loading.
Theoretical and experimental study on the dynamic response of multi-disk rotor system with flexible coupling misalignment
Authors: Wan Zhao , Jing Jian-Ping , Meng Guang , Yang Yang , Bai Hui-Yu
Published: January 2012

The dynamic response of a multi-disk rotor system with coupling misalignment is investigated theoretically and experimentally, considering the nonlinear oil film force. The rotor is simplified to a lumped mass model and the governing equations are derived considering the gyroscopic effect. The reacting forces and moments caused by misalignment are treated as excitations to the rotor system. The unbalanced responses of the system with/without misalignment are calculated using a numerical integration method and comparisons made. Spectrum cascades are utilized to obtain the overall view of the response characteristics during the starting up of the rotor. The modified Bode plot is used to trend the amplitude variation of different frequency components. The study indicates that coupling misalignment can cause 2 X, 3 X, 4 X, and other multiple frequency responses. The amplitude of the 2 X vibration could be larger than that of the 1 X one, depending on the misalignment level. Also, the amplitude of 2 X vibration decreases with the increment of the distance between the measuring points and the coupling. Theoretical analysis also reveals that oil whip will happen when the rotating speed exceeds twice the first critical speed of the rotor system. It is suggested that coupling misalignment could suppress the vibration of the rotor and delay the occurrence of oil whip. The experimental and theoretical results agree well with each other, which verify the model adopted and analytical procedure in this study.
Residual stress analysis of the multi-stage forging process of a nickel-based superalloy turbine disc
Authors: Ma Yongjie , Zhang Yidu , Zhang Hongwei , Xue Chao
Published: January 2012

In order to analyze the multi-stage forging process of a nickel-based GH4169 superalloy (similar to Inconel 718 alloy) aero-engine turbine disc with high efficiency and accuracy, a modified material constitutive law, grid convergence study, and a combined two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite element simulation technology were used to analyze the thermo-mechanical-coupled stress variation during the turbine disc multi-stage forging process with the general-purpose nonlinear finite element software MSC.Marc. The predicted finite element forging residual stresses were tested and verified with the measurement results by the layer removal method; it was found that the constitutive law combined with heat contact properties between dies and material could be used to accurately predict and analyze the turbine disc forging processes. Based on the predicted precise and comprehensive finite element residual stress distributions, the consequent disc anti-fatigue manufacturing technologies could be optimized and improved greatly, which would guarantee the stable manufacturing quality and excellent performance of the aero-engine turbine disc.
Antioxidant effects after coffee enema or oral coffee consumption in healthy Thai male volunteers
Authors: Teekachunhatean S , Tosri N , Sangdee C , Wongpoomchai R , Ruangyuttikarn W , Puaninta C , Srichairatanakool S
Published: January 2012

We designed an open-label, randomized two-phase crossover study to investigate the antioxidant effects after single and multiple doses of a coffee enema versus coffee consumed orally. Eleven healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either receive a coffee enema (3 times weekly for 6 visits) or consume ready-to-drink coffee (2 times daily for 11 days). After a washout period, subjects were switched to receive the alternate coffee procedure. Blood samples were collected at specific time points for the determination of serum levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The findings showed that either single or multiple administrations of the coffee enema or orally consumed coffee doses seemed not to produce any beneficial effects to enhance serum GSH levels or to decrease serum MDA levels over the study period of 12 days. In contrast, mean serum TEAC levels at day 12 after the coffee enema and at days 6 and 12 after oral coffee consumption were significantly reduced from their corresponding baseline values. Thus, no beneficial effects with respect to an enhancement of serum GSH and TEAC levels or a decrease in serum MDA concentrations were demonstrated after coffee enema or orally consumed ready-to-drink coffee.
Soy isoflavones administered pre- and postnatally may affect the ERα and ERβ expression and elements’ content in bones of mature male rats
Authors: Gutowska I , Baranowska-Bosiacka I , Noceń I , Piotrowska K , Marchlewicz M , Wiernicki I , Chlubek D , Wiszniewska B
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of soy isoflavones, administered pre- and later postnatally, on the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and β (ERβ) expression in bones and to examine the mineral metabolism of the skeletal system in male rats. In bones, ERs were examined with an immunohistochemical method; in blood, estradiol with chemiluminescence immunoassay and in blood and bones, calcium and magnesium with atomic absorption spectrometry and fluorides with a potentiometric method were examined. Decreased immunoexpression of ERα and the increased intensity of immunofluorescence of ERβ in osteocytes in the femur of experimental rats were observed. In the serum of treated rats, a significantly higher concentration of estradiol and lower calcium were observed. The content of magnesium and fluoride were significantly higher in the bones of the examined animals. The data presented show that pre- and postnatal supplementation of male rats with soy isoflavones may considerably increase the concentration of estrogens in serum, with a concurrent effect on the mineral composition of bones.
Adaptive changes in fatty acid profile of erythrocyte membrane in relation to plasma and red cell metabolic changes in chronic alcoholic men
Authors: Maturu Paramahamsa , Varadacharyulu Nallanchakravarthula
Published: January 2012

Chronic alcohol consumption is a major reason for several human diseases, and alcoholism has been associated with a variety of societal problems. Changes in fatty acid metabolism in alcoholics and its effects leading to membrane damage are largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in relation with plasma lipid profile and other plasma metabolites in chronic alcoholics in comparison with controls. We systematically measured the levels of glucose, lactate and pyruvate in the blood and free amino acids, free fatty acids, mucoproteins and glycolipids, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) in plasma of chronic alcoholics and controls. Furthermore, we measured fatty acid composition by gas chromatographic analysis. The fatty acid composition clearly revealed certain changes in chronic alcoholic erythrocyte membrane, chiefly increments in C16:0 and a decrease in C22:4 and C22:6 fatty acids besides the presence of unidentified fatty acids, probably C-24 or C-26 fatty acids. In addition, a significant increase in blood lactate, decrease in blood pyruvate and increased levels of free amino acids and free fatty acids, mucoproteins, VLDL cholesterol, TG and HDL-C in chronic alcoholics were observed with no significant change in plasma TC, LDL-C and glycolipids when compared with controls. Alcohol-induced alterations in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of chronic alcoholics in the present study might be an adaptive response to counteract the deleterious effects of alcohol. The implications of our findings warrant further investigation and needs further in-depth study to explore the mechanisms of alcohol-induced membrane changes.
Evaluation of α-d-ribofuranose (d-ribose) toxicity after intravenous administration to rabbits
Authors: Ismail Z Bani , Abu-Baker N , Alzoubi K , Al-Zhgoul M , Al-Essa MK , Khlouf S , Al-Saleh A , Al-Omari B , Abu-Tayeh R , Shomaf M , Battah A , Al-Hadidi K
Published: January 2012

Rapid intravenous administration of d-ribose may result in a significant reduction in cellular damage in patients with sudden ischemic insults. The development of an effective and clinically safe therapeutic regimen using the intravenous route in critically ill patients especially with cardiac diseases requires a comprehensive assessment of potential toxic effects of the drug in laboratory animals and in human beings. The potential clinical, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, gross pathological and histological toxic effects associated with the intravenous administration of d-ribose in rabbits for 28 days were evaluated in this study. Except for an increase in neutrophil percentage in male rabbits in the d-ribose-treated groups, there were no statistically significant toxic effects induced by daily intravenous administration of the drug in male and female rabbits. Results of this study suggest that d-ribose administered intravenously for 28 days in the rabbit exhibited no toxicity at 420 mg/kg.
Ataxic sensory neuronopathy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wang J-C , Lin Y-C , Yang T-F , Lin H-Y
Published: January 2012

The occurrence of ataxic sensory neuronopathy (ASN) is rare in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). ASN has been described in case reports and case series in patients with CTDs, mostly Sjögren’s syndrome, and most often occurring during middle or old age. ASN in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare; there has been only one reported case in the literature. In addition, to our knowledge, adolescent onset of symptoms in CTD-associated ASN has not been reported previously. We report the case of a young woman who presented with ASN, characterized by sensory ataxia, with elevated antinuclear antibodies, leukopenia and anemia; she fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SLE about 7 years after the onset of sensory ataxia. Our case points out that ASN may be the initial presenting feature of SLE. SLE should be included in the differential diagnosis of ASN, especially in patients of young age.
Commodity chains, quality conventions and the transformation of agro-ecosystems: olive groves and olive oil production in two Andalusian case studies
Authors: Coq-Huelva Daniel , García-Brenes Manuel David , Sabuco-i-Cantó Assumpta
Published: January 2012

The olive oil commodity chain (OOCC) is very complex and has several kinds of agent with different positions and roles. Four main phases – agricultural production, olive milling, oil refining and commercial distribution – can be identified. The positions and drivenness levels associated with them are very heterogeneous. Given the way that the OOCC is currently organized, refinery companies and large retailers are the agents with the highest drivenness levels. At the same time, there are persistent disputes among the different agents in the various phases, between not only refineries and large retailers but also milling cooperatives. In this context, refineries and cooperatives have made several attempts at industrial upgrading. Quality conventions are basic elements in the daily working of the OOCC. Different quality conventions are promoted by various kinds of agent. This article analyses not only the different phases of the OOCC but also its associated conventions. The first two phases can be analysed only in specific case studies. For this reason, localized olive oil production systems, based on different quality conventions, will be analysed in two case studies: Beas (Huelva) and Arjona–Porcuna (Jaén). Each of these towns has very different agro-ecosystems and uses different agricultural handling systems and olive-milling techniques.
Effect of Psychological Contract Violation on Organizational Commitment, Trust and Turnover Intention in Private and Public Sector Indian Organizations
Authors: Shahnawaz M.G. , Goswami Kakali
Published: January 2012

The present study examined the effect of psychological contract violation (PCV) on organizational commitment, trust and turnover intention among the employees of private and public sector Indian organizations. Data were collected from 200 middle-level managers selected randomly from private and public sector organizations in Delhi and National Capital Region of Delhi. PCV was measured by Robinson and Rousseau (1994) scale, Commitment was measured by Meyer and Allen scale, Trust by Robinson and Rousseau (1994) scale and Turnover intention by Cammann et al. (1979) scale. The mean values showed the prevalence of contract violation more in private sector than in the public sector. Regression Analysis showed that the affective commitment, trust and employee turnover were more influenced by contract violation in public sector than in the private sector. On the other hand, continuance and normative commitment were influenced more by contract violation in private sector than in the public sector. The predictors which came out to be significant were for affective and continuance commitment only. Results were interpreted in the light of existing theoretical framework and Indian sociocultural context. The implications for the present research for theory and practice were also suggested.
RETRACTED: Supply Chain Management: Value Configuration Analysis Approach
Authors: Baig Viqar Ali , Akhtar Javaid
Published: January 2012

Retraction Notice:

Viqar Ali Baig and Javaid Akhtar (2011). ‘Supply Chain Management: Value Configuration Analysis Approach: A Case Study’, Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 15(3), 251–266. Doi: 10.1177/097226291101500305 has been retracted because this article contains unattributed overlap with material from the following article:

Lars Huemer (2006). ‘Supply Management: Value creation, coordination and positioning in supply relationships’, Long Range Planning, 39(2), 133–153.

The editor of Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective and the Publisher extend their sincere apology to Dr Lars Huemer.

Value creation in the supply chain literature normally builds on the value chain model (VCM). This results in a focus on succedent interdependencies, a focus on coordination by planning and a restricted view of likely positioning options. This article contributes an original approach to the supply chain management (SCM) debate, based on value configuration analysis (VCA). VCA recognizes the value chain logic (VCL), but finds it restraining in particular business systems, and also includes recognition of the value network model (VNM) as representing the layered supply chain relationships (SCRs) classically related with a mediating presence. In general, this article contributes in two ways: by enlightening some of the complexities to be addressed in managing SCRs and by looking at how SCRs function despite this complexity. In particular, it presents an alternative view of how value creation happens between, as well as within, firms in SCRs. It discloses how more complex sets of supply chain interdependencies exist in SCRs than in simple chains, and that these necessitate managing by a variety of coordination machineries to achieve efficient working. Finally, it suggests a novel way to define a firm’s supply chain position beyond that covered by the conventional upstream/downstream terms. These arguments are illustrated with the help of a case study and are related to previous work on supply chains and networks.
The oncology pharmacy in cancer care delivery in a resource-constrained setting in western Kenya
Authors: Strother R Matthew , Rao Kamakshi V , Gregory Kelly M , Jakait Beatrice , Busakhala Naftali , Schellhase Ellen , Pastakia Sonak , Krzyzanowska Monika , Loehrer Patrick J
Published: January 2012

The movement to deliver cancer care in resource-limited settings is gaining momentum, with particular emphasis on the creation of cost-effective, rational algorithms utilizing affordable chemotherapeutics to treat curable disease. The delivery of cancer care in resource-replete settings is a concerted effort by a team of multidisciplinary care providers. The oncology pharmacy, which is now considered integral to cancer care in resourced medical practice, developed over the last several decades in an effort to limit healthcare provider exposure to workplace hazards and to limit risk to patients. In developing cancer care services in resource-constrained settings, creation of oncology pharmacies can help to both mitigate the risks to practitioners and patients, and also limit the costs of cancer care and the environmental impact of chemotherapeutics. This article describes the experience and lessons learned in establishing a chemotherapy pharmacy in western Kenya.
Study of harmonic plane waves in rotating thermoelastic media of type III
Authors: Kothari Shweta , Mukhopadhyay Santwana
Published: January 2012

In the present paper we analyze the effects of rotation on the propagation of harmonic plane waves in an unbounded type III thermoelastic media rotating with a uniform angular velocity. Exact analytical solutions of the dispersion relation equations for purely shear and purely dilatational plane waves are obtained after developing the mathematical model. Special cases of very low- and high-frequency values are considered to find the asymptotic expressions of several important characterizations associated with the plane waves propagating inside the medium. Numerical values of the wave characterizations for intermediate values of frequency for varying conductivity rates and varying angles of rotation are also obtained and are plotted graphically. A detailed analysis of the effects of rotation on the propagation of plane waves is presented on the basis of our analytical and numerical results.
Tuning solution of large non-Hermitian linear systems on multiple graphics processing unit accelerated workstations
Authors: Ries Florian , Marco Tommaso De , Guerrieri Roberto
Published: January 2012

This work deals with the solution of large non-Hermitian linear systems on desktop workstations with multiple graphics processing units (GPUs). While our implementation is motivated by the need to accelerate volume conductor modeling for bioelectrical brain imaging, the problem itself is common in scientific computing. Whenever a complex partial differential equation is numerically solved, a typically non-Hermitian sparse complex linear system needs to be solved. For problem sizes in the millions, this can take a long time even with highly optimized CPU-based solvers. Our GPU-accelerated solver outperforms an optimized OpenMP-based reference running on two quad-core CPUs by a factor of up to 31× in single precision and up to 7× in double precision, at the cost of a very modest hardware upgrade of two dual-GPU GTX 295 graphics cards. A pair of stronger Fermi GPUs (GTX 480) achieves speedups of 30× in single precision and 15× in double precision.
Linux kernel co-scheduling and bulk synchronous parallelism
Authors: Jones Terry
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a kernel scheduling algorithm that is based on co-scheduling principles and that is intended for parallel applications running on 1000 cores or more. Experimental results for a Linux implementation on a Cray XT5 machine are presented. The results indicate that Linux is a suitable operating system for this new scheduling scheme, and that this design provides a dramatic improvement in scaling performance for synchronizing collective operations at scale.
Thermal modelling of a back-to-back gearbox test machine: Application to the FZG test rig
Authors: Durand de Gevigney J , Changenet C , Ville F , Velex P
Published: January 2012

A thermal model of a back-to-back gear test rig relying on a network approach is presented in which the predictions of temperatures and power losses are coupled. The numerical findings are in good agreement with the measurements for transient regimes on a FZG test rig and it is demonstrated that the proposed simulation is reliable. A number of results are presented which illustrate the influence of the pinion and gear immersion depths. It is found that, in certain conditions, the classic isothermal method for estimating integral temperatures is questionable because the actual bulk temperature can substantially deviate from that of the oil sump. The practical consequences in terms of scuffing capacity are emphasised.
Effect of the tin- versus air-side plate-glass orientation on the impact response and penetration resistance of a laminated transparent armour structure
Authors: Grujicic M , Bell W C , Pandurangan B , Cheeseman B A , Patel P , Dehmer P G
Published: January 2012

Our recently developed continuum-level, physically based, high strain-rate, large-strain, high-pressure mechanical material model for soda-lime glass has been enhanced to include differences in the flaw-size population between the so-called air-side and the so called tin-side of float-glass plates, and adapted for use in the case of borosilicate glass.

The model was structured in such a way that it is suitable for direct incorporation, as a material user-subroutine, into standard commercial transient non-linear dynamics finite-element-based software packages. The model was parameterized using various open-literature sources. The experimental portion of the work, which consisted of 28 projectile impacts onto glass/polyurethane/polycarbonate-based test laminates, was intended to allow for quantification of the effect of air- versus tin-side borofloat strike surface when incorporated into a multi-layer, multi-functional test laminate. Experimental findings indicated the lack of a significant difference in the impact resistance of air- versus tin-side test laminate strike surfaces. Subsequent to these findings, computational simulations were carried out in order to establish if the proposed borofloat material model could capture the prominent experimentally observed damage modes and the measured V50, reconfirming the experimental findings. In general, a good agreement was found between the computational and the experimental results.
Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and diabetic retinopathy in the Chinese population
Authors: Lu Yan , Ge Yirui , Hu Qinrui , Shi Yuhua , Xue Chunyan , Shi Yao , Chen Suihua , Huang Zhenping
Published: January 2012

Objective: The angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE) gene has been implicated in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, the results have been conflicting. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association of insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene with DR in the Chinese population.

Methods: Published literature from PubMed, CNKI, CBM and Wanfang Data were retrieved. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed- or random-effects model.

Results: Seventeen studies (1039 cases and 1185 controls) for I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene were identified. The results suggested that I/D polymorphism D allele might increase the risk of DR (DD vs. II: OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.19–2.51; DD+ID vs. II: OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.16–1.72; DD vs. ID+II: OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.13–2.12). Subgroup analyses based on the type of DR showed that the effect size was statistically significant for proliferative DR (PDR) (DD vs. II: OR = 2.67, 95% CI 1.53–4.64; DD+ID vs. II: OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.18–2.93; DD vs. ID+II: OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.38–3.55), but not for background DR (BDR) (DD vs. II: OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.85–2.25; DD+ID vs. II: OR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.98–2.02; DD vs. ID+II: OR = 1.15, 95% CI 0.74–1.79).

Conclusion: The results indicated that I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene was associated with PDR, but not with BDR in the Chinese population.
Effects of tiotropium and formoterol on quiet breathing pattern assessed by optoelectronic plethysmography in COPD patients: a pilot study
Authors: Dal Negro Roberto Walter , Turati Claudio , Micheletto Claudio , Menegoni Francesco
Published: January 2012

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by an airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. β2-agonists and anticholinergics represent the most effective therapeutic options. Optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) is a novel technology, which provides noninvasive steady-state measurements of chest wall kinematics, together with the assessment of the relative contribution of all different thoracic and abdominal compartments to tidal volume.

Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the changes in quiet breathing due to different long-acting bronchodilators (namely, formoterol and tiotropium) administered to COPD patients of different severity.

Methods: Eight moderate-to-severe COPD patients were studied according to a randomized crossover design. All subjects received both the long-acting bronchodilators: formoterol (long-acting β2-agonist, 24 µg) and tiotropium (long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator, 18 µg). The effect of bronchodilators on quiet breathing was evaluated by means of OEP at base conditions, and 2 and 7 hours after inhalation.

Results: Both bronchodilators caused changes in the quiet breathing pattern in COPD patients that had previously reported only negligible changes in FEV1 (ΔFEV1 = 2.6% after salbutamol). The main changes were observed in increased ventilation per minute, inspiratory and expiratory flow, and decreased breath-by-breath variability. Formoterol induced its main effects during the first 2 hours after inhalation, while tiotropium caused improvements between 2 and 7 hours.

Conclusion: Even though a greater cohort of COPD patients is needed in order to confirm the present results, this pilot study reports a novel piece of evidence concerning the effects of bronchodilators on quiet breathing pattern in severe and very severe COPD patients.