bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocrine Complications and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Survivors of Childhood Malignant Non-Brain Solid Tumors
Authors: Shalitin Shlomit , Laur Elad , Lebenthal Yael , Ash Shifra , Yaniv Isaac , Phillip Moshe
Published: November 2013

Background/Aims: The substantial improvement in survival of children with cancer has been achieved at the cost of late effects. We aimed to evaluate the endocrine outcome in survivors of childhood non-brain malignant solid tumors (NBMST). Methods: We performed a retrospective medical record review for medical history, clinical and laboratory data of survivors (n = 139) followed at the endocrine clinic of a tertiary medical center. Outcome measures were frequency and types of endocrine dysfunction and components of the metabolic syndrome. Results: Median follow-up time was 9.0 years (range 1.2-29.5 years). At least one endocrine abnormality was found in 44 patients (31.7%). Abnormalities included hypogonadism (11.5%), hypothyroidism (9.4%), short stature (9.4%), growth hormone deficiency (8.6%) and components of the metabolic syndrome (15.1%). Height SDS decreased significantly (p = 0.004) during follow-up, whereas body mass index SDS tended to increase. On logistic regression analysis, treatment with cranial irradiation (p = 0.003), local radiation (p = 0.042), or bone marrow transplantation (p = 0.0001), and older age at last visit (p < 0.001) were associated with a significantly higher hazard of an endocrinopathy. Conclusions: The high rate of late endocrine dysfunction among survivors of childhood NBMST highlights the need to optimize the follow-up at the late-effects clinics to identify endocrine problems and allow early and effective intervention.
Clinical Outcomes of Reintroducing Oxaliplatin to Patients with Colorectal Cancer after Mild Hypersensitivity Reactions
Authors: Park Sun Jin , Lee Kil Yeon , Park Won Seo , Min Sun Young
Published: November 2013

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of reintroducing oxaliplatin to patients with colorectal cancer who developed mild hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 204 patients who received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapies between January 2003 and August 2009. Desensitization was not used. Results: A total of 44 patients (21.6%) were found to have developed HSRs to oxaliplatin. After the occurrence of an HSR, a mean of three courses of oxaliplatin (range 1-8) were introduced. Following the initial episode, oxaliplatin was reintroduced to 39 patients, resulting in HSR relapse in 89.7% of the patients, including 4 patients (10.3%) with grade 3 reactions. After the second re-exposure of oxaliplatin to 22 patients, HSRs were exhibited in 81.8%, including 2 patients (9.1%) who developed grade 3 reactions. After the third and subsequent re-exposures in 12 patients, all except 1 of the patients developed mild reactions. A total of 7 patients (17.9%) exhibited severe reactions along with the progress of re-exposure. Conclusion: We observed that the majority of patients who experienced mild HSRs to oxaliplatin developed mild reactions on multiple re-exposures, suggesting that it may be feasible to continue oxaliplatin without using desensitization when tolerable after mild reactions.
Heparin Inhibits Activation of Latent Transforming Growth Factor-β1
Authors: Lee Mee Jeong
Published: November 2013

Aim: Besides acting as an anticoagulant, heparin has antifibrotic effects. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is secreted from cells as latent TGF-β1 (LTGF-β1). LTGF-β1 consists of TGF-β1 and latency-associated peptide (LAP). To be biologically active, TGF-β1 has to be released from LAP. Heparin binds to LAP as well as TGF-β1. This study was performed to explore the biological effect of the interaction of heparin with LTGF-β1. Materials and Methods: TGF-β1 was measured by ELISA. Furin-like proprotein convertase activity was assayed using the fluorogenic substrate, Pyr-Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg-AMC. Results: Heparin did not interfere with the receptor binding of TGF-β1, but inhibited furin-like proprotein convertase-mediated activation of platelet LTGF-β1. This was not by inhibition of the enzyme because heparin did not inhibit the activity of furin-like proprotein convertase. In addition, heparin inhibited acid activations of recombinant small LTGF-β1, platelet LTGF-β1 and LTGF-β1s secreted in the supernatant of cultured cells. Low-molecular-weight heparins, including dalteparin, enoxaparin and nadroparin, also had inhibitory effects on furin-like proprotein convertase-mediated or acid activation of platelet LTGF-β1. Conclusion: The findings suggest that heparin renders LTGF-β1 resistant to activation, possibly by binding simultaneously to TGF-β1 and LAP. Inhibition of LTGF-β1 activation by heparin may in part account for its antifibrotic effects.
A Phase II Study of Combined Chemotherapy with 5-Week Cycles of S-1 and CPT-11 plus Bevacizumab in Patients with Metastatic Colon Cancer
Authors: Mizushima Tsunekazu , Ide Yoshito , Murata Kohei , Ohashi Ichiro , Yasumasa Keigo , Fukunaga Mutsumi , Takemoto Hiroyoshi , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Hasegawa Junichi , Hata Taishi , Takemasa Ichiro , Ikeda Masataka , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Sekimoto Mitsugu , Nezu Riichiro , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki ,   on behalf of the Clinical Study Group of Osaka University (CSGO), Colorectal Group
Published: November 2013

Objective: Combined chemotherapy with S-1 and irinotecan (IRIS) for metastatic colorectal cancer has been reported to be effective and safe. However, there are only a few studies on the effects of adding bevacizumab to IRIS. We conducted a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IRIS plus bevacizumab as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: Forty metastatic colorectal cancer patients were enrolled in this phase II study. All patients received irinotecan (80 mg/m2) and bevacizumab (7 mg/kg) on days 1 and 15 and S-1 (40-60 mg twice daily) on days 1-21 of a 5-week repeated cycle. Results: The response rate was 47.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 31.5-63.2], progression-free survival was 11.9 months (95% CI 9.4-16.8), and overall survival was 23.4 months (95% CI 19.0-inf). The only grade 3 hematological toxicity was neutropenia (16%) and the incidences of grade 3 nonhematological toxicity were low at <10%, other than diarrhea (10.9%). Conclusion: In this clinical study, we revealed IRIS plus bevacizumab to be a promising first-line regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer with a low incidence of serious toxicities, in which favorable response rates and extension of survival time can be expected.
Fusobacterium Liver Abscess
Authors: Buelow Ben D. , Lambert Joelle M. , Gill Ryan M.
Published: November 2013

Fusobacterium is well characterized as an oropharyngeal pathogen that may induce a septic thrombophlebitis by direct extension of abscess into an adjacent neck vessel (Lemierre's syndrome); its potential for visceral abscess formation, however, remains under-recognized. A 65-year-old man with a recent history of multiple rim-enhancing liver lesions presented to the emergency room with fever and abdominal pain. Based on interval increase in the size of the lesions, abscess was suspected. A liver biopsy was performed, and although no organism could be identified on routine microscopy, Warthin-Starry stain revealed Gram-negative bacilli consistent with an anaerobic Fusobacterium species as the underlying etiology of liver abscess formation. Subsequent anaerobic culture results confirmed the diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of consideration for Fusobacterium infection in the setting of liver abscess if anaerobic organisms have not yet been excluded on initial culture evaluation.
Overexpression of the Na
+
/K
+
ATPase α2 But Not α1 Isoform Attenuates Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy and Remodeling
Authors: Correll Robert N. , Eder Petra , Burr Adam R. , Despa Sanda , Davis Jennifer , Bers Donald M. , Molkentin Jeffery D.
Published: November 2013

Rationale:

The Na
+
/K
+
ATPase (NKA) directly regulates intracellular Na
+
levels, which in turn indirectly regulates Ca
2+
levels by proximally controlling flux through the Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger (NCX1). Elevated Na
+
levels have been reported during heart failure, which permits some degree of reverse-mode Ca
2+
entry through NCX1, as well as less efficient Ca
2+
clearance.

Objective:

To determine whether maintaining lower intracellular Na
+
levels by NKA overexpression in the heart would enhance forward-mode Ca
2+
clearance and prevent reverse-mode Ca
2+
entry through NCX1 to protect the heart.

Methods and Results:

Cardiac-specific transgenic mice overexpressing either NKA-α1 or NKA-α2 were generated and subjected to pressure overload hypertrophic stimulation. We found that although increased expression of NKA-α1 had no protective effect, overexpression of NKA-α2 significantly decreased cardiac hypertrophy after pressure overload in mice at 2, 10, and 16 weeks of stimulation. Remarkably, total NKA protein expression and activity were not altered in either of these 2 transgenic models because increased expression of one isoform led to a concomitant decrease in the other endogenous isoform. NKA-α2 overexpression but not NKA-α1 led to significantly faster removal of bulk Ca
2+
from the cytosol in a manner requiring NCX1 activity. Mechanistically, overexpressed NKA-α2 showed greater affinity for Na
+
compared with NKA-α1, leading to more efficient clearance of this ion. Furthermore, overexpression of NKA-α2 but not NKA-α1 was coupled to a decrease in phospholemman expression and phosphorylation, which would favor greater NKA activity, NCX1 activity, and Ca
2+
removal.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that the protective effect produced by increased expression of NKA-α2 on the heart after pressure overload is due to more efficient Ca
2+
clearance because this isoform of NKA preferentially enhances NCX1 activity compared with NKA-α1.
Bone Marrow Microvascular and Neuropathic Alterations in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Teraa Martin , Fledderus Joost O. , Rozbeh Ramil I. , Leguit Roos J. , Verhaar Marianne C.
Published: November 2013

Rationale:

The impact of severe cardiovascular disease and critical limb ischemia (CLI) on the bone marrow (BM) is largely unknown.

Objective:

To investigate microvascular and neuropathic changes in BM of patients with CLI.

Methods and Results:

BM biopsies were obtained from patients with CLI (n=33) included in the Rejuvenating Endothelial Progenitor Cells via Transcutaneous Intra-arterial Supplementation (JUVENTAS) trial (NCT00371371) and controls (n=12). We performed immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry of the BM to assess microvascular density and to evaluate pan-neuronal and sympathetic innervation, which is involved in progenitor cell mobilization. Microvascular density was reduced significantly in CLI compared with controls (
P
=0.01), as was sympathetic (
P
=0.047) and pan-neuronal innervation (
P
=0.006). No differences in microvascular density and sympathetic or pan-neuronal innervation were observed between patients with CLI with and without diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions:

CLI is associated with BM microvascular and neuropathic changes, both in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.
Sick Sinus Syndrome in HCN1-Deficient Mice
Authors: Fenske Stefanie , Krause Stefanie C. , Hassan Sami I.H. , Becirovic Elvir , Auer Franziska , Bernard Rebekka , Kupatt Christian , Lange Philipp , Ziegler Tilman , Wotjak Carsten T. , Zhang Henggui , Hammelmann Verena , Paparizos Christos , Biel Martin , Wahl-Schott Christian A.
Published: November 2013

Background—

Sinus node dysfunction (SND) is a major clinically relevant disease that is associated with sudden cardiac death and requires surgical implantation of electric pacemaker devices. Frequently, SND occurs in heart failure and hypertension, conditions that lead to electric instability of the heart. Although the pathologies of acquired SND have been studied extensively, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause congenital SND.

Methods and Results—

Here, we show that the HCN1 protein is highly expressed in the sinoatrial node and is colocalized with HCN4, the main sinoatrial pacemaker channel isoform. To characterize the cardiac phenotype of HCN1-deficient mice, a detailed functional characterization of pacemaker mechanisms in single isolated sinoatrial node cells, explanted beating sinoatrial node preparation, telemetric in vivo electrocardiography, echocardiography, and in vivo electrophysiology was performed. On the basis of these experiments we demonstrate that mice lacking the pacemaker channel HCN1 display congenital SND characterized by bradycardia, sinus dysrhythmia, prolonged sinoatrial node recovery time, increased sinoatrial conduction time, and recurrent sinus pauses. As a consequence of SND, HCN1-deficient mice display a severely reduced cardiac output.

Conclusions—

We propose that HCN1 stabilizes the leading pacemaker region within the sinoatrial node and hence is crucial for stable heart rate and regular beat-to-beat variation. Furthermore, we suggest that HCN1-deficient mice may be a valuable genetic disease model for human SND.
Intermedin in Paraventricular Nucleus Attenuates Sympathetic Activity and Blood Pressure via Nitric Oxide in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Zhou Ye-Bo , Sun Hai-Jian , Chen Dan , Liu Tong-Yan , Han Ying , Wang Jue-Jin , Tang Chao-Shu , Kang Yu-Ming , Zhu Guo-Qing
Published: November 2013

Intermedin (IMD) is a member of calcitonin/calcitonin gene–related peptide family, which shares the receptor system consisting of calcitonin receptor–like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity–modifying proteins (RAMPs). This study investigated the effects of IMD in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure and its downstream mechanism in hypertension. Rats were subjected to 2-kidney 1-clip (2K1C) surgery to induce renovascular hypertension or sham operation. Acute experiments were performed 4 weeks later under anesthesia. IMD mRNA and protein were downregulated in 2K1C rats. Bilateral PVN microinjection of IMD caused greater decreases in renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure in 2K1C rats than in sham-operated rats, which were prevented by pretreatment with adrenomedullin receptor antagonist AM22-52 or nonselective nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-
L
-arginine methyl ester, and attenuated by selective neuronal NO synthase inhibitor N
ω
-propyl-l-arginine hydrochloride or endothelial NO synthase inhibitor N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)-l-ornithine dihydrochloride. AM22-52 increased renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure in 2K1C rats but not in sham-operated rats, whereas calcitonin/calcitonin gene–related peptide receptor antagonist calcitonin/calcitonin gene–related peptide 8-37 had no significant effect. CRLR and RAMP3 mRNA, as well as CRLR, RAMP2, and RAMP3 protein expressions, in the PVN were increased in 2K1C rats. Microinjection of IMD into the PVN increased the NO metabolites (NOx) level in the PVN in 2K1C rats, which was prevented by AM22-52. Chronic PVN infusion of IMD reduced, but AM22-52 increased, blood pressure in conscious 2K1C rats. These results indicate that IMD in the PVN inhibits sympathetic activity and attenuates hypertension in 2K1C rats, which are mediated by adrenomedullin receptors (CRLR/RAMP2 or CRLR/RAMP3) and its downstream NO.
Role of GRK4 in the Regulation of Arterial AT
1
Receptor in Hypertension
Authors: Chen Ken , Fu Chunjiang , Chen Caiyu , Liu Li , Ren Hongmei , Han Yu , Yang Jian , He Duofen , Zhou Lin , Yang Zhiwei , Zhang Lianfeng , Jose Pedro A. , Zeng Chunyu
Published: November 2013

G-protein–coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) gene variants, via impairment of renal dopamine receptor and enhancement of renin–angiotensin system functions, cause sodium retention and increase blood pressure. Whether GRK4 and the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT
1
R) interact in the aorta is not known. We report that GRK4 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells of the aorta. Heterologous expression of the GRK4γ variant 142V in A10 cells increased AT
1
R protein expression and AT
1
R-mediated increase in intracellular calcium concentration. The increase in AT
1
R expression was related to an increase in AT
1
R mRNA expression via the NF-κB pathway. As compared with control, cells expressing GRK4γ 142V had greater NF-κB activity with more NF-κB bound to the AT
1
R promoter. The increased AT
1
R expression in cells expressing GRK4γ 142V was also associated with decreased AT
1
R degradation, which may be ascribed to lower AT
1
R phosphorylation. There was a direct interaction between GRK4γ and AT
1
R that was decreased by GRK4γ 142V. The regulation of AT
1
R expression by GRK4γ 142V in A10 cells was confirmed in GRK4γ 142V transgenic mice; AT
1
R expression was higher in the aorta of GRK4γ 142V transgenic mice than control GRK4γ wild-type mice. Angiotensin II–mediated vasoconstriction of the aorta was also higher in GRK4γ 142V than in wild-type transgenic mice. This study provides a mechanism by which GRK4, via regulation of arterial AT
1
R expression and function, participates in the pathogenesis of conduit vessel abnormalities in hypertension.
A new species of Physoschistura (Pisces: Nemacheilidae) from northern Thailand
Authors: SUVARNARAKSHA APINUN
Published: November 2013

Physoschistura chulabhornae, new species, is described from Maechaem River, a tributary of Ping River, upper Chaophraya River drainage, Chiangmai province, Thailand. It is distinguished from all other known species of Physoschistura in having an incomplete lateral line reaching at least to the origin of the anal fin with 62–83 lateral-line canal pores, the dorsal-fin origin slightly in front of the pelvic-fin origin, no axillary pelvic lobe, and a suborbital flap in the shape of a hammer head in the male.
The Pselaphinae of Madagascar. II. Redescription of the genus Semiclaviger Wasmann, 1893 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Clavigeritae) and synonymy of the subtribe Radamina Jeannel, 1954
Authors: HLAVÁČ PETER , BAŇAŘ PETR , PARKER JOSEPH
Published: November 2013

The enigmatic Madagascan genus Semiclaviger Wasmann is among the most morphologically distinct members of the obligately myrmecophilous pselaphine supertribe Clavigeritae. Here, the genus is redescribed, and the lectotype of the type species S. sikorae Wasmann is designated. We present a detailed study of the morphology of Semiclaviger, which supports its uniqueness among the Clavigeritae. The systematic position of the genus, and the validity of its subtribe Radamina, are discussed leading us to place Radamina in synonymy with Clavigerodina.
Wind Shear and Buoyancy Reversal at the Top of Stratocumulus
Authors: Mellado Juan Pedro , Stevens Bjorn , Schmidt Heiko
Published: November 2013

A numerical experiment is designed to study the interaction at the stratocumulus top between a mean vertical shear and the buoyancy reversal due to evaporative cooling, without radiative cooling. Direct numerical simulation is used to eliminate the uncertainty introduced by turbulence models. It is found that the enhancement by shear-induced mixing of the turbulence caused by buoyancy reversal can render buoyancy reversal comparable to other forcing mechanisms. However, it is also found that (i) the velocity jump across the capping inversion Δu needs to be relatively large and values of about 1 m s−1 that are typically associated with the convective motions inside the boundary layer are generally too small and (ii) there is no indication of cloud-top entrainment instability. To obtain these results, parameterizations of the mean entrainment velocity and the relevant time scales are derived from the study of the cloud-top vertical structure. Two overlapping layers can be identified: a background shear layer with a thickness (⅓)(Δu)2/Δb, where Δb is the buoyancy increment across the capping inversion and a turbulence layer dominated by free convection inside the cloud and by shear production inside the relatively thin overlap region. As turbulence intensifies, the turbulence layer encroaches into the background shear layer and defines thereby the entrainment velocity. Particularized to the first research flight of the Second Dynamics and Chemistry of the Marine Stratocumulus (DYCOMS II) field campaign, the analysis predicts an entrainment velocity of about 3 mm s−1 after 5–10 min—a velocity comparable to the measurements and thus indicative of the relevance of mean shear in that case.
Bunge Nevertheless
Authors: Agassi Joseph
Published: November 2013

Mario Bunge offers here a political philosophy and a view of current politics as judged by his vision of an integrated democracy that is thoroughly green, quasi-communalist, participatory, and quasi-socialist; all enterprises there belong to their workers. He tempers his egalitarianism with some meritocracy. His vision is impracticable but deserves examination.
Building Goal Alignment in Federal Agencies’ Performance Appraisal Programs
Authors: Ayers Rebecca S.
Published: November 2013

Public managers wrestle with how to influence organizational performance. Results-based management approaches point to the goal alignment’s importance in performance management programs for meeting organizational goals. This research examines the extent to which federal agency organizational factors allow for performance appraisal goal alignment. Goal alignment is operationalized in two ways: embedding of strategic plan goals into employee performance plans and employee knowledge of how their work relates to the agency’s goals and priorities. Using data from U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s evaluation of federal agency appraisal programs, results indicate leadership support of the program is a determining factor of plan alignment. Communication of the organization’s goals, the climate fit for achieving results, and whether the strategic plan was written for the agency program level tend to predict employee alignment. Strategic plan level is particularly important for strategic management literature, which has limited empirical evidence for the effectiveness of program-level strategic plans.
Family-Friendly Work Practices and Job Satisfaction and Organizational Performance
Authors: Ko Jaekwon , Hur SeungUk , Smith-Walter Aaron
Published: November 2013

Management literature has emphasized the influence of family-friendly work practices (FFWPs) on work attitudes and organizational performance because there has been an increase in the number of women and dual-career couples in the workforce. However, previous studies on FFWPs yielded inconclusive results and focused on the direct relationship between FFWPs and outcomes. This study explores the influence of FFWPs on job satisfaction and organizational performance. Also, we investigate the moderating effects of managerial support and performance-oriented management. Results support the moderating effect of managerial support. But, findings regarding the moderating role of performance-oriented management do not support our expectation.
Comparing Public-Versus-Private Sector Pay and Benefits
Authors: Reilly Thom
Published: November 2013

The large unfunded liabilities surrounding public pensions in the United States will ensure the issue of comparable pay between the public and private sectors remains in the forefront of public policy debates. Disagreements on pay and total compensation comparison studies vary due to different approaches, methods and data. In an effort to add to the literature on comparative compensation, a public-versus-private sector compensation model was constructed to gauge the cost of lifetime compensation. This analysis considers three types of workers within two different occupations classifications: a private sector employee with a traditional 401(k) retirement package offering, a public sector employee who has a defined benefit plan with social security income, and a public sector worker with no social security income. The two sample occupations reviewed as part of this analysis focus on administrative assistants (blue-collar workers) and engineers (white-collar employees) to provide alternatives for evaluation purposes. For the two occupation scenarios analyzed, total compensation of public employees is higher than that of an average private sector employee. When the total compensation is based on years worked, the divide between the public and private sectors increases significantly. In light of this analysis, several important public policy issues are advanced.
Progressivism, Corporate Capitalism, and the Social Sciences
Authors: Durant Robert F.
Published: November 2013

Although various emphases have been taken over the years, the dominant preference of administrative reformers in the United States beginning with the early Progressive Era reform movement has been to build a strong, executive-centered, and social science-informed state. Proponents’ “search for order” has consistently been predicated on the idea that the Madisonian system cannot deal with the national domestic and international challenges facing America. This essay argues that reformers’ persistent search for “public” order through federal administrative reform has bequeathed a more private-than public-sector-dominated administrative order because of its focus on bureaucratic rather than democratic administration. This has occurred because of an emergent nexus between progressives, corporate interests, and the social sciences and their professional associations. Moreover, and quite paradoxically, the amplifying and constitutive effects of this business–social science–progressive nexus has made it more difficult to mobilize the citizen support that is critical for building the federal agency expertise that the early progressives and their heirs have deemed essential for effective governance.
Pole placement by PID controllers to achieve time domain specifications for TITO systems
Authors: Maghade DK , Patre BM
Published: November 2013

In this paper, the design methods of decentralized PID controllers based on decoupled subsystems are proposed for two-input two-output systems. The higher-order decoupled subsystems are reduced into simple dynamics such as first-order plus dead-time or second-order plus dead-time and the dominant poles are placed at desired locations. The well tuned parameters of decentralized PID controllers can be obtained based on the movement of poles to get the desired closed-loop response of the system. A corollary derived from the generalized Nyquist stability theorem is used to ascertain the nominal system stability and to hold robust stability in the presence of the process multiplicative uncertainties. Finally, two simulation examples are provided for the validity and effectiveness of the proposed design methods. It can be observed that the high closed-loop performance is obtained using the proposed methods and it is comparable to recent methods available in the literature.
Becoming a Single Parent
Authors: Goldscheider Frances , Scott Mindy E. , Lilja Emily , Bronte-Tinkew Jacinta
Published: November 2013

Using a longitudinal sample of 4,010 mothers and fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we examine factors that predict whether children are living with both parents, only their mother, or only their father when the child is 3 years old. We considered parental characteristics and resources and couple\family-level characteristics and found that although many factors increased the odds of parents living together—including the financial resources of each parent, having a supportive relationship, and having a disability-free child—even more factors disproportionately increased the likelihood of either single fatherhood or single motherhood, including parents’ multiple-partner fertility and depression, mother’s drug use, and mother’s greater alcohol use. Our findings suggest that although most children living with a single parent live with their mothers, they are more likely to do so if their fathers exhibit problem behaviors, and more likely to live with their father if their mothers do so.
The effect of naltrexone on body fat mass in olanzapine-treated schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study
Authors: Taveira Tracey H , Wu Wen-Chih , Tschibelu Evelyne , Borsook David , Simonson Donald C , Yamamoto Rinah , Langleben Daniel D , Swift Robert , Elman Igor
Published: November 2013

Olanzapine (OLZ), a commonly prescribed second generation antipsychotic drug, is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome and may contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Opioidergic neurotransmission may be implicated in the development of these metabolic disturbances. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of opioid blockade on OLZ-treated patients’ metabolic status. Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder ( n=30) on a stable dose of OLZ were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone (NTX), ( n=14) or placebo ( n=16). The primary outcome measure was the change in body mass index (BMI) at 12 weeks. Secondary measures included body fat and fat-free mass, along with homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), plasma lipids and liver function tests (LFTs). There was no significant change in BMI between the treatment arms. However, in comparison to the OLZ + placebo combination, the OLZ + NTX group displayed a significant decrease in the fat and increase in fat-free mass along with a trend towards improvement in HOMA-IR values. There were no significant differences in plasma lipids and LFTs. These findings suggest that addition of NTX to OLZ may attenuate OLZ-induced body fat mass gain. A larger study of longer duration will be needed to confirm these results.
Recursive and symbolic calculation of the elastodynamic model of flexible parallel robots
Authors: Briot Sébastien , Khalil Wisama
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a symbolic and recursive calculation of the elastodynamic model of flexible parallel robots. In order to reduce the computational time required for simulating the elastodynamic behavior of robots, it is necessary to minimize the number of operators in the symbolic expression of the model. Some algorithms have been proposed for the rigid case, for parallel robots with lumped springs or for serial robots with distributed flexibilities. In this paper, we extend the previous works to parallel robots with distributed flexibilities. The generalized Newton–Euler model is used and combined with the principle of virtual powers to minimize the number of operators and intermediate variables. Recursive calculations are proposed for the computation of the Jacobian matrices defining the kinematic constraints in order to decrease the number of operators. The proposed algorithm is used to compute the elastodynamic model of a prototype of a planar parallel robot developed at IRCCyN: the DualEMPS. The computed model is compared both with simulations computed with Adams and with experiments. The validity of the approach in terms of result accuracy and computational time is demonstrated.
Single- and dual-arm motion planning with heuristic search
Authors: Cohen Benjamin , Chitta Sachin , Likhachev Maxim
Published: November 2013

Heuristic searches such as the A* search are a popular means of finding least-cost plans due to their generality, strong theoretical guarantees on completeness and optimality, simplicity in implementation and consistent behavior. In planning for robotic manipulation, however, these techniques are commonly thought of as impractical due to the high dimensionality of the planning problem. In this paper, we present a heuristic search-based approach to motion planning for manipulation that does deal effectively with the high dimensionality of the problem. Our approach achieves the necessary efficiency by exploiting the following three key principles: (a) representation of the planning problem with what we call a manipulation lattice graph; (b) use of the ARA* search which is an anytime heuristic search with provable bounds on solution suboptimality; and (c) use of informative yet fast-to-compute heuristics. The paper presents the approach together with its theoretical properties and shows how to apply it to single-arm and dual-arm motion planning with upright constraints on a PR2 robot operating in non-trivial cluttered spaces. An extensive experimental analysis in both simulation and on a physical PR2 shows that, in terms of runtime, our approach is on a par with other most common sampling-based approaches despite the high dimensionality of the problems. In addition, the experimental analysis shows that due to its deterministic cost minimization, the approach generates motions that are of good quality and are consistent, in other words, the resulting plans tend to be similar for similar tasks. For many problems, the consistency of the generated motions is important as it helps make the actions of the robot more predictable for a human controlling or interacting with the robot.
Low-dose computed tomography of the lumbar spine: a phantom study on imaging parameters and image quality
Authors: Alshamari Muhammed , Geijer Mats , Norrman Eva , Geijer Håkan
Published: November 2013

Background

Lumbar spine radiography has limited diagnostic value but low radiation dose compared with computed tomography (CT). The average effective radiation dose from lumbar spine radiography is about 1.1 mSv. Low-dose lumbar spine CT may be an alternative to increase the diagnostic value at low radiation dose, around 1 mSv.

Purpose

To determine the optimal settings for low-dose lumbar spine CT simultaneously aiming for the highest diagnostic image quality possible.

Material and Methods

An ovine lower thoracic and lumbar spine phantom, with all soft tissues around the vertebrae preserved except the skin, was placed in a 20 L plastic container filled with water. The phantom was scanned repeatedly with various technical settings; different tube potential, reference mAs, and with different convolution filters. Five radiologists evaluated the image quality according to a modification of the European guidelines for multislice computed tomography (MSCT) quality criteria for lumbar spine CT 2004. In a visual comparison the different scans were also ranked subjectively according to perceived image quality. Image noise and contrast were measured.

Results

A tube potential of 120 kV with reference mAs 30 and medium or medium smooth convolution filter gave the best image quality at a sub-millisievert dose level, i.e. with an effective dose comparable to that from lumbar spine radiography.

Conclusion

Low-dose lumbar spine CT thus opens a possibility to substitute lumbar spine radiography with CT without obvious increase in radiation dose.
Usefulness of monochromatic imaging with metal artifact reduction software for computed tomography angiography after intracranial aneurysm coil embolization
Authors: Shinohara Yuki , Sakamoto Makoto , Iwata Naoki , Kishimoto Junichi , Kuya Keita , Fujii Shinya , Kaminou Toshio , Watanabe Takashi , Ogawa Toshihide
Published: November 2013

Background

Recently, a newly developed fast-kV switching dual energy CT scanner with a gemstone detector generates virtual high keV images as monochromatic imaging (MI). Each MI can be reconstructed by metal artifact reduction software (MARS) to reduce metal artifact.

Purpose

To evaluate the degree of metal artifacts reduction and vessel visualization around the platinum coils using dual energy CT with MARS.

Material and Methods

Dual energy CT was performed using a Discovery CT750 HD scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). In a phantom study, we measured the mean standard deviation within regions of interest around a 10-mm-diameter platinum coil mass on MI with and without MARS. Thirteen patients who underwent CTA after endovascular embolization for cerebral aneurysm with platinum coils were included in a clinical study. We visually assessed the arteries around the platinum coil mass on MI with and without MARS.

Results

Each standard deviation near the coil mass on MI with MARS was significantly lower than that without MARS in a phantom study. On CTA of a clinical study, better visibility of neighboring arteries was obtained in 11 of 13 patients on MI with MARS compared to without MARS due to metal artifact reduction. Conclusion: Dual energy CT with MARS reduces metal artifact of platinum coils, resulting in favorable vessel visualization around the coil mass on CTA after embolization.
The effect of particle size distribution on the dispersion of nanoclays in poly(ethylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Majdzadeh-Ardakani Kazem , Lofgren Elizabeth A , Jabarin Saleh A
Published: November 2013

The effects of clay particle size distributions on their dispersion in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/clay nanocomposites have been studied. A two-step centrifugation method was used to remove large particles from commercial montmorillonite (MMT). Scanning electron microscopy of aqueous dispersions of MMT and centrifuged clay (CMMT) illustrated that average particle size of CMMT in water is much lower than that of MMT in water. PET/clay nanocomposites with MMT and CMMT were prepared by using a modified melt-blending method of mixing PET and a clay–water slurry instead of direct introduction of dried clay. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction results showed that CMMT with their smaller particles have better dispersion into the polymer matrix than uncentrifuged MMT. Melt viscosity results revealed that good dispersion of CMMT into the PET matrix reduces the effect of hydrolytic degradation of PET in the presence of water. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the particle size distribution of nanoclays and consequently, the morphology of nanocomposites have a key role on the nucleating effect of clay particles and crystallinity of final samples. Nanoclays with smaller particle size distributions exhibit better dispersion of particles in the polymer matrix and this decreases their nucleating effects and the crystallinity of nanocomposites.
Effect of exposure to diazinon on adult rat’s brain
Authors: Rashedinia Marzieh , Hosseinzadeh Hossein , Imenshahidi Mohsen , Lari Parisa , Razavi Bibi Marjan , Abnous Khalil
Published: November 2013

Diazinon (DZN), a commonly used agricultural organophosphate insecticide, is one of the major concerns for human health. This study was planned to investigate neurotoxic effects of subacute exposure to DZN in adult male Wistar rats. Animals received corn oil as control and 15 and 30 mg/kg DZN orally by gastric gavage for 4 weeks. The cerebrum malondialdehyde and glutathione (GSH) contents were assessed as biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and nonenzyme antioxidants, respectively. Moreover, activated forms of caspase 3, -9, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios were evaluated as key apoptotic proteins. Results of this study suggested that chronic administration of DZN did not change lipid peroxidation and GSH levels significantly in comparison with control. Also, the active forms of caspase 3 and caspase 9 were not significantly altered in DZN-treated rat groups. Moreover, no significant changes were observed in Bax and Bcl-2 ratios. This study indicated that generation of reactive oxygen species was probably modulated by intracellular antioxidant system. In conclusion, subacute oral administration of DZN did not alter lipid peroxidation. Moreover, apoptosis induction was not observed in rat brain.
Rising Wages in the Expanding U.K. Nonprofit Sector From 1997 to 2007
Authors: Rutherford Alasdair C.
Published: November 2013

Since 1997, the U.K. Government has sought to expand the provision of public services by supporting the independent nonprofit sector. With policies to build the capacity of the sector, public spending on voluntary organizations has grown from £2 billion in 1996/1997 to £6.88 billion in 2005/2006. Theory suggests that the comparative advantage of nonprofits lies in the mission motivation of workers, and predicts that motivated workers will accept lower wages. We examine sector wage differentials in time series to show that growth in voluntary sector wages for males has outpaced the private and public sectors, while relative female wages have remained static.
Toward a Multidimensional Framework of Capacity in Community Sport Clubs
Authors: Doherty Alison , Misener Katie , Cuskelly Graham
Published: November 2013

Community sport clubs are a type of membership association largely run by member volunteers who organize and deliver opportunities for recreational and competitive sport participation. These clubs are where people are most likely to engage in organized sport, and have become a focus for achieving social policy objectives. It is important to understand the structures and processes that enable these organizations to meet their member-focused mandates. The purpose of this study was to develop a framework of organizational capacity in this context by uncovering critical elements within multiple capacity dimensions, namely, human resources, finance, infrastructure, planning and development, and external relationships. Focus groups with presidents of 51 sport clubs across Ontario revealed key strengths and challenges that impact the ability of these organizations to achieve their sport delivery goals. Variation by club size was observed. Implications for practice and future research on community sport clubs and membership associations are presented.
Discourses of drug problems and drug control in China: Reports in the People’s Daily, 1946–2009
Authors: Liang Bin , Lu Hong
Published: November 2013

Notwithstanding the role that opium and narcotics have played in China’s history, drug use, trafficking and other drug-related problems have been consistently condemned by the Chinese government as social vices. After being a ‘drug-free’ nation from the 1950s to the 1970s, drug problems resurfaced in the 1980s and China was forced to deal with such problems once again. The Chinese government is well known for its tight control over the media, and for its ability to utilize propaganda to win public support and carry out its policies. However, the Chinese government’s use of the media and propaganda to deal with drug issues has never been explored. Based on longitudinal data collected from the People’s Daily (from 1946 to 2009), this study examines two key issues: the ways in which the government has utilized ideology in its official stories over time, and the means through which the government has tried to re-establish its drug control in the 21st century. The data suggest that the use of ‘hard-core’ ideology as a tool has not only drastically declined over time but also undergone significant modifications. The Chinese government has adopted a multifaceted approach to drug control and it has managed to present a unified voice in the media in combatting drug problems.
Predicting the ride comfort of passenger cars for single-obstacle crossings through an innovative feature extraction method consisting of non-linear geometric approximations of wavelet-transformed acceleration data and airborne sound
Authors: Fischer-von Rönn Niklas , Meywerk Martin
Published: November 2013

In this paper a method is presented to predict the ride comfort of passenger cars for single-obstacle crossings based on measured acceleration data and airborne sound. The method takes advantage of applying the continuous complex wavelet transform to the signals using specially adapted Gabor wavelets. Through an innovative approach, the comfort-relevant features are extracted to describe the geometric properties of the transformed data and to predict the ride comfort using artificial neural networks with a feedforward structure. In order to avoid overfitting, basic data division is applied to the available training data and the networks are trained using Bayesian regulation.
Condensation of steam with chemical impurity in a turbine cascade
Authors: Št’astný M , Šejna M
Published: November 2013

The approach used in this paper for the condensation of flowing steam is based on the binary nucleation of water and a representative chemical impurity NaCl. The physical and mathematical models are briefly described. The binary nucleation numerical model is tested on steam flow with condensation in a Laval nozzle with a low expansion rate of about 1000 s−1 in the divergent part of the nozzle. The calculated results for the pressure distribution are compared with experiments. The binary nucleation numerical model is then used for the calculation of steam flow with condensation in the two-dimensional nozzle-blade cascade of the first wet stage of the low-pressure part of a condensing 200 MW steam turbine. Calculations of the flow in the cascade at high and low expansion rates are presented.
Employment relations and unions in public administration in Portugal and Spain: From reform to austerity
Authors: Stoleroff Alan
Published: November 2013

This article examines trade union responses to the transformation of employment relations in the public administration in Portugal throughout the Reform programmes launched after 2002 and the more recent austerity measures. It examines the relationship between conflict and concertation and analyses the perspectives and practices of the sector’s ideologically divided trade unions. It finally considers comparative issues emerging from the application of similar austerity packages in Portugal and Spain and contrasts their paths of employment relations and union action in public administration.
Cultural Validation of the Turkish Version of the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (TISE-SF)
Authors: Arslan-Özkan İlkay , Okumuş Hülya , Lash Ayhan Aytekin , Firat Mehmet Ziya
Published: November 2013

Purpose: To translate and test the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (TISE-SF). Methods: The convenience sample consisted of 120 infertile women. A psychometric research design was used with content and construct validity and reliability. Results: Cronbach’s alpha of .78 showed moderate reliability, whereas item–total correlations ranged from .30 to .54. Factor analysis extracted a single component, explaining 40.3% of the variance. Kendall W showed agreement with each expert regarding the appropriateness of the items, confirming the content validity of the translated TISE-SF. Conclusion: The results supported the construct validity and reliability of the TISE-SF for measuring infertility self-efficacy in a population of Turkish women. Implications: Evaluating infertile women’s perception of self-efficacy with the TISE-SF may be useful in clinical studies in Turkey. TISE-SF can be used by professionals as a counseling tool to help guide women in managing their treatments at infertility centers.
Nursing Students in a Global Learning Environment
Authors: Wilhelm Dalit , Zlotnick Cheryl
Published: November 2013

Purpose: Two tools were created to help international students to better understand culture by becoming more astute observers of nonverbal behaviors, particularly behaviors depicting emotions among Norwegian students. Design/Method: The two tools were a trilingual list of words illustrating emotions and an exercise with images to practice verbalizing their observations of emotional expression. Findings: Students compared the subdued behaviors of Norwegians to the Israelis’ very vivid behaviors. The intense emotional expression of Israelis influenced their interpretations. By making comparisons and through the experiences with Israelis, they learned more about culture and their own emotional expression. Discussions and Conclusions: Creative strategies can contribute to students understanding and reflection of patients in a different culture. Implications for Practice: Encouraging students to grasp the nuances of emotional expression is part of understanding a different culture. Students, like faculty, learn that self-exploration is an evolving process that requires checking out one’s assumptions and interpretations.