bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increase in Body Na
+
/Water Ratio Is Associated With Cerebral Aneurysm Formation in Oophorectomized Rats
Authors: Matsushita Nobuhisa , Kitazato Keiko T. , Tada Yoshiteru , Sumiyoshi Manabu , Shimada Kenji , Yagi Kenji , Kanematsu Yasuhisa , Satomi Junichiro , Nagahiro Shinji
Published: October 2012

The incidence of cerebral aneurysms is higher in women than in men, especially postmenopause. Although hypertension is thought to be associated with a high incidence of stroke, not all patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms are hypertensive. The possibility of water-free Na
+
storage associated with hypertension has been raised. However, whether the increase in the body Na
+
/water ratio that characterizes water-free Na
+
accumulation is associated with the formation of cerebral aneurysms remains obscure. To examine this relationship, Sprague-Dawley female rats subjected to carotid artery ligation were divided into 3 groups: a high-salt diet group (HSD) without and another with bilateral oophorectomy (HSD/OVX) and a third group that underwent additional renal artery ligation (HSD/OVX/RL). Compared with rats receiving a normal diet (shams), water retention was increased in HSD rats but not in HSD/OVX rats. Interestingly, compared with HSD rats, the incidence of cerebral aneurysms and the body Na
+
/water ratio were significantly higher in HSD/OVX and HSD/OVX/RL rats, independent of hypertension. In their aneurysmal wall, ATP1α2, a subtype of Na
+
/K
+
-ATPase, was downregulated, whereas inflammatory-related molecules were upregulated. Treatment with low-dose olmesartan that did not affect the blood pressure in hypertensive HSD/OVX/RL rats reduced the rate of cerebral aneurysm formation, body Na
+
retention, and the Na
+
/water ratio and upregulated ATP1α2. These results suggest that the increase in the Na
+
/water ratio and a reduction in ATP1α2 may be associated with cerebral aneurysm formation. We provide the new insight that the management of water-free Na
+
is important to prevent their development.
Regulation of Vascular Tone and Pulse Wave Velocity in Human Muscular Conduit Arteries
Authors: Fok Henry , Jiang Benyu , Clapp Brian , Chowienczyk Phil
Published: October 2012

Arterial tone in muscular conduit arteries may influence pressure wave reflection through changes in diameter and pulse wave velocity. We examined the relative specificity of vasodilator drugs for radial artery and forearm resistance vessels during intrabrachial arterial infusion. The nitric oxide (NO) donors, nitroglycerine and nitroprusside, and brain natriuretic peptide were compared with the α-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine, calcium-channel antagonist verapamil, and hydralazine. Radial artery diameter was measured by high resolution ultrasound, forearm blood flow by strain gauge plethysmography, and pulse wave velocity by pressure recording cuffs placed over the distal brachial and radial arteries. Norepinephrine was used to constrict the radial artery to generate a greater range of vasodilator tone when examining pulse wave velocity. Despite dilating resistance vasculature, phentolamine and verapamil had little effect on radial artery diameter (mean dilation <9%). By contrast, for comparable actions on resistance vessels, nitroglycerine and nitroprusside but not brain natriuretic peptide had powerful actions to dilate the radial artery (dilations of 31.3±3.6%, 23.6±3.1%, and 9.8±2.0% for nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, and brain natriuretic peptide, respectively). Changes in pulse wave velocity followed those in arterial diameter irrespective of the signaling pathway used to modulate arterial tone (
R
=−0.89,
P
<0.05). Basal tone in human muscular arteries is relatively unaffected by α-adrenergic or calcium-channel blockade, but is functionally or directly antagonized by NO donors. The differential response to NO donors suggests that there is potential to manipulate the downstream pathway to confer greater specificity for large arteries with a resultant decrease in pressure wave reflection and systolic blood pressure.
An Elevation in Physical Coupling of Type 1 Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate (IP
3
) Receptors to Transient Receptor Potential 3 (TRPC3) Channels Constricts Mesenteric Arteries in Genetic Hypertension
Authors: Adebiyi Adebowale , Thomas-Gatewood Candice M. , Leo M. Dennis , Kidd Michael W. , Neeb Zachary P. , Jaggar Jonathan H.
Published: October 2012

Hypertension is associated with an elevation in agonist-induced vasoconstriction, but mechanisms involved require further investigation. Many vasoconstrictors bind to phospholipase C–coupled receptors, leading to an elevation in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP
3
) that activates sarcoplasmic reticulum IP
3
receptors. In cerebral artery myocytes, IP
3
receptors release sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
and can physically couple to canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) channels in a caveolin-1-containing macromolecular complex, leading to cation current activation that stimulates vasoconstriction. Here, we investigated mechanisms by which IP
3
receptors control vascular contractility in systemic arteries and IP
3
R involvement in elevated agonist-induced vasoconstriction during hypertension. Total and plasma membrane-localized TRPC3 protein was ≈2.7- and 2-fold higher in mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat controls, respectively. In contrast, IP
3
R1, TRPC1, TRPC6, and caveolin-1 expression was similar. TRPC3 expression was also similar in arteries of pre-SHRs and WKY rats. Control, IP
3
-induced and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced fluorescence resonance energy transfer between IP3R1 and TRPC3 was higher in SHR than WKY myocytes. IP3-induced cation current was ≈3-fold larger in SHR myocytes. Pyr3, a selective TRPC3 channel blocker, and calmodulin and IP
3
receptor binding domain peptide, an IP
3
R-TRP physical coupling inhibitor, reduced IP
3
-induced cation current and ET-1–induced vasoconstriction more in SHR than WKY myocytes and arteries. Thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
-ATPase blocker, did not alter ET-1–stimulated vasoconstriction in SHR or WKY arteries. These data indicate that ET-1 stimulates physical coupling of IP
3
R1 to TRPC3 channels in mesenteric artery myocytes, leading to vasoconstriction. Furthermore, an elevation in IP
3
R1 to TRPC3 channel molecular coupling augments ET-1–induced vasoconstriction during hypertension.
A Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Inhibitor Improves Renal Outcomes After Revascularization in Experimental Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis
Authors: Eirin Alfonso , Li Zilun , Zhang Xin , Krier James D. , Woollard John R. , Zhu Xiang-Yang , Tang Hui , Herrmann Sandra M. , Lerman Amir , Textor Stephen C. , Lerman Lilach O.
Published: October 2012

Revascularization improves blood pressure but not renal function in most patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS), possibly related to injury incurred during renal reperfusion. Bendavia, a novel tetrapeptide that inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, reduces apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental models. However, its potential for improving renal response to revascularization of chronic ARAS is unknown. We hypothesized that adjunct Bendavia would improve renal structure and function after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). Pigs were treated after 6 weeks of ARAS or control with PTRA+stenting (or sham), adjunct continuous 4-hour infusion of Bendavia (0.05 mg/kg IV) or vehicle (n=7 each) during PTRA. Single-kidney renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were studied 4 weeks later and renal mitochondrial biogenesis, microvascular architecture, and injurious pathways evaluated ex vivo. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels rose after PTRA, suggesting inflammatory injury. Bendavia did not immediately affect inflammatory cytokine levels, yet 4 weeks later, stenotic kidney renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate both improved (44.00 ± 0.21% and 36.40 ± 10.21%, respectively) in ARAS+PTRA+Bendavia compared with ARAS+PTRA+vehicle. Renal mitochondrial biogenesis was restored after PTRA+Bendavia, and microvascular rarefaction, apoptosis, oxidative stress, tubular injury, and fibrosis decreased. Infusion of Bendavia during PTRA preserved mitochondrial biogenesis, renal hemodynamics, and function, and attenuated tissue injury in swine ARAS. Thus, functional mitochondrial injury during renal reperfusion may sustain renal inflammatory injury and limit kidney recovery after PTRA. Potent antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects provide Bendavia a novel therapeutic potential for improving kidney outcomes after PTRA in experimental ARAS.
Catheter-Based Renal Nerve Ablation and Centrally Generated Sympathetic Activity in Difficult-to-Control Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Brinkmann Julia , Heusser Karsten , Schmidt Bernhard M. , Menne Jan , Klein Gunnar , Bauersachs Johann , Haller Hermann , Sweep Fred C. , Diedrich Andre , Jordan Jens , Tank Jens
Published: October 2012

Endovascular renal nerve ablation has been developed to treat resistant hypertension. In addition to lowering efferent renal sympathetic activation, the intervention may attenuate central sympathetic outflow through decreased renal afferent nerve traffic, as evidenced by a recent case report. We tested the hypothesis in 12 nonpreselected patients with difficult-to-control hypertension (aged 45–74 years) admitted for renal nerve ablation. All patients received ≥3 antihypertensive medications at full doses, including a diuretic. Electrocardiogram, respiration, brachial and finger arterial blood pressure, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity were recorded before and 3 to 6 months after renal nerve ablation. Heart rate and blood pressure variability were analyzed in the time and frequency domain. Pharmacological baroreflex slopes were determined using the modified Oxford bolus technique. Resting heart rate was 61±3 bpm before and 58±2 bpm after ablation (
P
=0.4). Supine blood pressure was 157±7/85±4 mm Hg before and 157±6/85±4 mm Hg after ablation (
P
=1.0). Renal nerve ablation did not change resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (before, 34±2 bursts per minute; after, 32±3 bursts per minute
P
=0.6), heart rate variability, or blood pressure variability. Pharmacological baroreflex control of heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity did not change. We conclude that reduced central sympathetic inhibition may be the exception rather than the rule after renal nerve ablation in unselected patients with difficult-to-control arterial hypertension.
Israel's War in Gaza: A Paradigm of Effective Military Learning and Adaptation
Authors: Lambeth Benjamin S.
Published: October 2012

For more than two decades, the pursuit of “lessons learned” from major combat encounters has been an area of sustained activity within the defense establishments of the United States and its principal allies around the world. Yet as often as not, such efforts have, at best, yielded lessons merely indicated and identified, since they cannot be said to have been truly learned until their prescriptions have been accepted and assimilated into an armed service's doctrine, force development, and operating procedures. In one notable instance in late December 2008 and early January 2009, however, an exemplar of lessons learned and incorporated was offered by the twenty-three-day campaign conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against the radical Islamist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip. That performance came on the heels of the IDF's less impressive showing more than two years before against the Iranian-sponsored terrorist movement Hezbollah during Israel's 2006 war in Lebanon. By any measure, Israel's comparative success in Gaza was a direct result of teachings gained and duly incorporated into the IDF's combat repertoire by Israeli civilian and military leaders in response to their earlier misadventure in Lebanon.
The Psychology of Threat in Intergroup Conflict: Emotions, Rationality, and Opportunity in the Rwandan Genocide
Authors: McDoom Omar Shahabudin
Published: October 2012

How do security threats mobilize social groups against each other? The strength of such threats lies in the power of group emotions, notably the primary emotion of fear. Fear works by activating psychological processes at the group level that polarize attitudes between different groups. An analysis of survey data, radio broadcasts, and interviews from Rwanda's civil war and genocide of 1990–94 reveals four psychosocial mechanisms at work in group polarization: boundary activation, outgroup derogation, outgroup homogenization, and ingroup cohesion. Additionally, scholarly debates on the role of emotions, material opportunities, and rationality in ethnic conflicts represent a false theoretical choice. Both emotions and material opportunities matter, and rationality and emotion are not incompatible. Two simple refinements to extant theoretical and empirical approaches are needed. First, scholars ought to distinguish between attitudes and violence in ethnic conflicts; emotions matter for the polarization of attitudes, but material and structural opportunities mediate their expression as violence. Second, scholars should pay greater attention to the extensive research in social psychology that shows that both emotion and reason interact in individual judgment and decisionmaking.
12 Years Later
Authors: Kell Georg
Published: October 2012

The United Nations (UN) Global Compact’s journey over the last 12 years can be summarized as building and integrating UN issues into the global corporate responsibility movement. This summary begs the question as to how a policy speech developed for the UN secretary-general has evolved into an innovative public–private partnership initiative. This article argues that the following four factors contributed to creating enabling ingredients for the UN Global Compact’s growth: continued relevance of the initiative’s underlying idea, sustained institutional leadership support, governmental support (political back-up), and operational viability. Based on the author’s personal experience with the initiative from its inception, the article highlights what is required for an initial idea to be developed into a vibrant operational entity in the context of a multilateral organization. Specially, the article reflects on how the aforementioned four attributes have interacted with each other throughout the last 12 years.
Multifunctional structure-battery composites for marine systems
Authors: Thomas JP , Qidwai SM , Pogue WR , Pham GT
Published: October 2012

Multifunctional structure-battery composites were developed using fiber reinforced marine composites for structure function and rechargeable lithium-ion cells for energy storage and structure function. Laminate, sandwich, and modular beam configurations were fabricated and tested to determine flexural stiffness and strength, energy storage capacity versus discharge rate, and buoyancy (density). The structure-battery composites exhibited higher flexural stiffness but lower strength than equivalent unifunctional designs, energy storage capacities between 40 and 60 Wh/L, and buoyancies bracketing the unifunctional specimen values. Issues requiring further attention include: improved bending strength, simplified fabrication, reversible attachments for modular components, electrical wiring and connections, and battery management circuitry.
Practices and the Direct Perception of Normative States
Authors: Zahle Julie
Published: October 2012

The overall aim of this two-part paper is to provide a supplement to ability theories of practice in terms of a defense of the following thesis: Individuals’ ability to act appropriately sometimes depends on their exercise of the ability directly to perceive normative states. In part I, I presented the account of direct perception. In this part II, I argue that, by the lights of this account, normative states are sometimes directly perceptible. Also, I show that the ability directly to perceive normative states is a commonly possessed—and exercised—ability. On this basis, I establish the conclusion that, in situations of social interaction, individuals’ ability to act appropriately is sometimes underwritten by their exercise of the ability directly to perceive normative states. By way of ending, I briefly explain the different ways in which my discussion constitutes both a useful supplement to ability theories of practice and a reply to an important objection raised against these theories.
Investigations on dielectric, DSC and DMA behavior of graphite-filled polyester gradient composites
Authors: Nigrawal Archana , Chand Navin
Published: October 2012

This article reports the results of dielectric, alternating current (AC) conductivity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis of graphite-filled polyester gradient composites. Dielectric, AC conductivity, DSC and dynamical mechanical measurements were performed on these gradient composites. Effects of temperature and frequency variation on dielectric constant ( ε′), dielectric dissipation factor (tan δ) and on AC conductivity ( σAC) were determined. With the increase in graphite content, the dielectric constant increased gradually in the direction of centrifugal force, which confirms the development of a gradient structure. The Linchtenecker model fits well for the dielectric data obtained experimentally for these composites. Conduction occurring in the composites is due to electronic conduction. The activation energy, Ea, varied with frequency and showed a semiconducting behavior of these composite. Cole–Cole plots for the gradient composites between ε′ and ε′ showed a dielectric relaxation for all the samples due to the motion of the dipolar groups of the polyester resin.
Comparing the Implementation of a Best Practice Crime Policy Across Cities
Authors: Bond Brenda J. , Gebo Erika
Published: October 2012

There is a substantial gap in knowledge of the practical application of comprehensive “best practice” public policies and how these policies are actually implemented. This research examines implementation of a comprehensive best practices gang reduction policy across three cities. Action research case study methodology shows that explanations for diverse implementation arose from each city’s ecological constitution, which is a necessary antecedent to categorization according to Matland’s policy implementation typology. This study affirms the use of an ecological perspective and supports the use of Matland’s typology in a collaborative and comparative public policy context.
Updating, Employing, and Adapting
Authors: Estabrooks Paul A. , Allen Kacie C.
Published: October 2012

The Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) model was developed to improve the likelihood of translating health promotion intervention research into practice. In their evaluation of grant proposals focusing on the dissemination and implementation, Kessler and colleagues (2012) proposed a method for evaluating the degree to which RE-AIM was “fully employed” across proposals. The article includes excellent operational definitions and important additions related to the use of qualitative and cost data. However, in our review of the article, we identified a number of areas that would benefit from further consideration. Specifically, we provide additional recommendations related to the employment of the model across different trial types, the need to focus on cost across RE-AIM dimensions, and the use of qualitative data.
Inspiration and Challenges from Cape Town and Edinburgh to Church and Mission
Authors: Jørgensen Knud
Published: October 2012

Based on inspirations and challenges from 2010’s Lausanne Cape Town Congress and the Edinburgh 2010 celebration, the article highlights ‘discipleship’ and ‘powerlessness’ as emerging key terms in mission. He finds increasing convergence between ecumenicals and evangelicals, also in such areas as missio Dei, critique of the prosperity gospel and the search for new models of mission in the 21st century. Diaspora and migration are regarded as primary pathways of mission today and tomorrow.
On Being Theologically Educated: Ten Key Characteristics
Authors: Farr Bernard C.
Published: October 2012

Formal Christian theological training/education is unsurprisingly diverse. This diversity in theological training encompasses: providers and beneficieries from different denominations of modern Christianity, curricula and contents, and aims. If one supposes that theological training is imparted within or in direct/indirect relations with communities of faith (which likely possess different notions of theology and theological training/education) one is compelled to ask: What is ‘theological education’? Is this quest worth the effort?
A Christian Perspective on Mentoring
Authors: Wakeman Brian E.
Published: October 2012

This paper explores the terms ‘mentor’ and ‘mentoring’ in a broad general sense of an ‘experienced and trusted advisor’, and then in more specific professional settings. The author quotes a wide range of sources and references, and then turns his attention to what might be understood by ‘Christian mentoring’, firstly by drawing on Paul’s writings to illustrate possible qualities and virtues for the mentoring process. Then, following the example of writers from range of disciplines, he outlines a transformational and reformational view of mentoring that he infers from a Christian world-view of the grand narrative of Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation. Having described what a possible Christian perspective on mentoring might look like for workers in wider society, the author turns his attention to mentoring in church life. Different types of mentoring in churches are discussed, and suggestions made about the goals, process, and qualities of mentors.
Analyzing Emerging Christianities: Recent Insights from the Social Sciences
Authors: Kollman Paul
Published: October 2012

The social sciences contribute in important ways to our understanding of current Christian realities, especially ‘newer’ or ‘emerging’ Christianities. Recent research by social scientists on contemporary Christian groups – in historical anthropology and more recently in the anthropology of Christianity – has yielded important insights into modes of Christian agency and identity. Those interested in the spread of Christianity today – including missiologists – should familiarize themselves with such anthropological and sociological research. For their part, those engaged in social-scientific research on newer Christianities should attend more closely to Christianity in its historical and communal dimensions by developing an historical sociology.
The measure of heterosocial competence
Authors: Grover Rachel L. , Nangle Douglas W. , Serwik Agnieszka K. , Fales Jessica , Prenoveau Jason M.
Published: October 2012

Guided by the Goldfried and D’Zurilla behavioral-analytic model, we developed and psychometrically evaluated a measure of heterosocial competence and, in doing so, learned more about the construct in young adults. The Measure of Heterosocial Competence (MHC) is a social problem-solving questionnaire assessing competence in challenging other-sex social interactions. Internal consistency was acceptable and component analyses yielded one hierarchical factor and two group factors suggesting that heterosocial competence is comprised of the ability to initiate interactions, resolve conflict, and manage sexual situations. The MHC was significantly related to measures of general social competence, anxiety in heterosexual situations, and relationship quality and conflict. The MHC appears to be a promising and unique measure with potential in both research and applied settings.
Two Plus Two Equals Three
Authors: Visser M. Anne
Published: October 2012

Research suggests that an undercount of ethnic population groups may be present in United States Census Surveys due to classification error. Using data from the American Community Survey (ACS), the article estimates the extent to which an undercount of Hispanics and Hispanic ethnic groups results from variations between individual reports of identity and the official definitions used to measure Hispanic ethnicity by the United States Census Bureau. The findings are analyzed within the context of issues of governmentality and highlight the implications that the presence of an ethnic undercount in population estimates due to classification error presents for public administrators and policymakers. Ultimately the article argues that the official enumeration classifications used by government agencies must take into account changing discourses surrounding ethnic and racial identity in the United States to help promote equitable, effective, and efficient systems of policy and governance.
Small Business Growth During a Recession
Authors: McFarland Christiana , McConnell J. Katie
Published: October 2012

This research examines the relationship between local government policies and small business growth at various stages of development. Businesses at different stages of development have distinct needs; therefore, we predict that they will interact with the local policy environment in different ways. We use data from the 2009 International City/County Management Association and National League of Cities economic development survey, the National Establishment Time Series Database, and the American Community Survey to construct four regression models to predict growth between 2007 and 2008 of small businesses overall, small businesses in the self-employed stage, small businesses with 1 to 9 employees, and small businesses with 10 to 99 employees. Overall, our findings suggest that the local policies that most significantly affect small business growth are those that create a supportive culture between the local public and private sectors and provide regulatory assistance.
An investigation into primary school leadership practice
Authors: Cain Maureen Elizabeth , Gunter Helen
Published: October 2012

This article reports on doctoral research into the leadership practice of members of senior leadership teams in primary schools in England. We present the research findings as a visual construct representing school leadership as an integrated, holistic and dynamic process, named the PIVOT framework of leadership. This original structure connects the organizational systems, individual school contexts and leaders’ personal and professional development using five inter-related key themes. The central space of the PIVOT locates leadership as a balancing, mediating process, addressing issues associated with Purpose, Identity, Values, Options and Trust. Using this framework, school leadership is conceptualized as educational leadership, describing and analysing leaders’ practice as they develop their leadership in a trajectory of professional, intellectual and personal growth.
The materiality of things? Bruno Latour, Charles Péguy and the history of science
Authors: Schmidgen Henning
Published: October 2012

This article sheds new light on Bruno Latour’s sociology of science and technology by looking at his early study of the French writer, philosopher and editor Charles Péguy (1873–1914). In the early 1970s, Latour engaged in a comparative study of Péguy’s Clio and the four gospels of the New Testament. His 1973 contribution to a Péguy colloquium (published in 1977) offers rich insights into his interest in questions of time, history, tradition and translation. Inspired by Gilles Deleuze’s philosophy of difference, Latour reads Clio as spelling out and illustrating the following argument: ‘Repetition is a machine to produce differences with identity’. However, in contrast to Deleuze’s work (together with Félix Guattari) on the materiality of machines, or assemblages [ agencements], Latour emphasizes the semiotic aspects of the repetition/difference process. As in Péguy, the main model for this process is the Roman Catholic tradition of religious events. The article argues that it is this reading of Péguy and Latour’s early interest in biblical exegesis that inspired much of Latour’s later work. In Laboratory Life (Latour and Woolgar, 1979) and The Pasteurization of France (1988) in particular, problems of exegesis and tradition provide important stimuli for the analysis of scientific texts. In this context, Latour gradually transforms the question of tradition into the problem of reference. In a first step, he shifts the event that is transmitted and translated from the temporal dimension (i.e. the past) to the spatial (i.e. from one part of the laboratory to another). It is only in a second step that Latour resituates scientific events in time. As facts they are ‘constructed’ but nevertheless ‘irreducible’. They result, according to Latour, from the tradition of the future. As a consequence, the Latourian approach to science distances itself from the materialism of Deleuze and other innovative theoreticians.
Experimental and numerical study of standard impact tests on polypropylene pipes with brittle behaviour
Authors: Domaneschi Marco
Published: October 2012

This work deals on a straightforward methodology for analysing and identifying impact fractures in polypropylene commercial pipes through experimental tests and numerical procedures. The pipes are characterized by brittle behaviour at low temperature (0 °C). Laboratory experiments, at different conditions, explain the material behaviour and support the numerical study of the pipes to external blows and the dynamic simulation of the crack growth.

The implemented numeric procedure enables us to follow the fracture path evolution by selectively deactivating the finite elements. Comparisons between impact tests and simulations, fracture toughness and the energy release rate, shows that the proposed method simulates the impact effects accurately and rapidly and allows the damage identification. Furthermore, the onset of clearly visible damage is correctly predicted.
Separation dynamics of large-scale fairing section: a fluid–structure interaction study
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Li Zhe , Sun Qin , Fan Xueling , Wang Wenzhi
Published: October 2012

The separation dynamics of a large-scale fairing section in ground test is investigated numerically using a fluid–structure interaction method. The commercial finite element software MSC/Dytran is adopted to establish the dynamic fluid–structure coupling model of the fairing. Two coupling surfaces are constructed for the inner and outer surfaces of the fairing section. The coupling equations are solved using the sequenced-coupling method, in which the fluid and structural problems are examined by the finite volume method and the finite element method, respectively. A comparison between fluid–structure interaction and dynamical response analysis is performed under the conditions with and without atmosphere effect. Results shown that the consideration of atmosphere effect will attenuate the vibration frequency and slow down the center of mass velocity. The effect of aerodynamic interference on the displacement response indicates that a maximum of 13.3% relative displacement can be induced, which may cause collision between the lower trailing portion of fairing section and the core vehicle. Therefore, it can be concluded that the fluid–structure interaction analysis is essential for evaluating and validating the reliability of separation mechanisms in ground tests.
An Empirical Test of the Arbitrage Pricing Theory—The Case of Indian Stock Market
Authors: Basu Debarati , Chawla Deepak
Published: October 2012

With increasing doubt about the validity of the one-factor Capital Asset Pricing Model in pricing financial assets, development of newer models or extensions has become the order of the day. This paper applies one of these developments—the multi-factor Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) to explore the relationship between portfolio returns and selected macroeconomic variables. While the chosen model has been extensively tested in developed markets, few such attempts have been made in emerging capital markets. Thus, the purpose of this study is to test the validity of the APT model in India, which has, over the years, gained immense importance in the investors’ minds, the world over. Moreover, the surge in volatility and growth in the Indian capital markets over the past five years makes it an interesting market to study given the rising significance of the risk-return trade-off in such a market.

The paper examines ten portfolios, covering 50 stocks, over a five-year period from 1 January 2003 to 1 February 2008 to verify the efficiency and efficacy of the model and finds that APT is a suitable descriptor of asset prices in the Indian context. To overcome the problem of multicollinearity among the macroeconomic explanatory variables, a factor analysis was carried out that resulted in two factors namely the inflation factor and the market index. The excess portfolio returns were regressed on these factors. The regression results display accurate relationships that are significant for each of the 10 portfolios and moderate to high explanatory power. Thus, it concludes that APT is a good fit in India over the chosen sample period.
PURA for Connectivity
Authors: Datta Subhash
Published: October 2012

The PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) scheme has been designed to induce sustainable growth in underdeveloped areas. The test region is the Nuh Block, Haryana, a region severely lacking the amenities required for an area with a population of 201,816 which is increasing rapidly.

The proposed development period of 2005 to 2020 is split into three equal phases to help distribute the expenditure evenly over time. Five ‘nodal’ villages are chosen to act as centres of development for the block. These are linked together through the road network system. Three alternative networks are discussed in terms of the cost-effectiveness of the design.
Business Orientation of Indian Consumer Banking
Authors: Kaur Gurjeet , Gupta Shruti
Published: October 2012

The study analyzes the overall business orientation of Indian consumer banks by examining five important business philosophies, namely, production orientation, selling orientation, customer orientation, market orientation and relationship marketing orientation. It throws light on the extent to which each business orientation is followed by Indian banks. All the 39 branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Pvt. Ltd (JKB), 13 of State Bank of India (SBI) and 17 of Punjab National Bank (PNB) functioning in Jammu city respectively were contacted. The study found that Indian banks are purely customer oriented and had not yet fully implemented a market orientation philosophy. Moreover, they are not following relationship marketing philosophy, which is the need of the hour and it is imperative for banks to focus on developing long-term relationships with their customers. Further, the two business philosophies, namely, production orientation and selling orientation show insignificant impact on the overall business orientation of Indian banks. Therefore, bank management should concentrate equally on technology and an effective promotional mix. Moreover, they should rethink customer-oriented strategies according to the changing competitive environment and simultaneously think of a market orientation philosophy. Further, management should focus equally on four components of relationship marketing, namely, trust, commitment, loyalty and customer retention.
Evaluation by fast Fourier transforms analysis of energy harvesting in electrostrictive polymers driven by an electric field and a mechanical excitation
Authors: Meddad Mounir , Eddiai Adil , Guyomar Daniel , Belkhiat Saad , Hajjaji Abdelowahed , Yuse Kaori , Boughaleb Yahia
Published: October 2012

Electrostrictive polymers offer the promise of energy harvesting with few moving parts where power can be produced simply by stretching and contracting a relatively low-cost rubbery material. The use of such polymers for energy harvesting is a growing field, which has great potential from an energy density viewpoint. Basically, the relative energy gain depends on the current induced by the mechanical strain and frequency. A previous study in the Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Ferroélectricité laboratory has indicated that one can measure the dielectric constant, the Young’s modulus, and the electrostrictive coefficient of a polymer film by determining the current flowing through the sample when the polymer film was simultaneously driven by an electrical field and mechanical excitation. The goal of this study has thus been to develop a solution for artificially increasing the coupling factor of electrostrictive materials, based on the optimization of the frequency of the electric field and the amplitude strain of the mechanical excitation leading to an increase in the generated current. When relating this parameter with a transverse strain of 5% and a bias field of 10 V/µm, it was found that such a process rendered it able to increase the converted power to 14 µW at a mechanical frequency of 6 Hz. The converted power was much higher than for the frequency of 3 Hz for which a low power was consumed by the polarization of the polymer. The theoretical analysis was supported by the experimental investigations. The contribution of this study provides a framework for developing energy harvesting techniques that should improve the overall performance of the system.
Benign Epithelial Inclusions in Peripancreatic Lymph Nodes
Authors: Zheng Zuoyu , Molinari Michele , Sapp Heidi , Jung Shih-Ming , Wanless Ian , Huang Weei-Yuarn
Published: October 2012

Benign epithelial inclusions are rarely found in peripancreatic lymph nodes and have not been studied by up-to-date immunohistochemistry. Here, we describe 2 cases of benign epithelial inclusions in the peripancreatic lymph nodes with discussion of differential diagnosis. The first case was a 2.2 cm lymph node from a 61-year-old woman with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The second case was a 4.3 cm lymph node from a 28-year-old man with distal common bile duct cholangiocarcioma. The epithelial inclusions in the first case consisted of several small squamous cell nests with central duct-like lumina. The lymph node from the second case showed convoluted cystic inclusions lined by a single layer of bland cuboidal epithelium with scattered mucin-producing cells. We also conducted literature review on similar lesions and found that some lesions were associated with pancreatic hetertopia. It is imperative in clinical practice to distinguish these epithelial inclusions in the lymph nodes from tumor metastasis. A hypothetic connection of these benign epithelial inclusions in the peripancreatic lymph nodes to the enigmatic pancreatic lymphoepithelial cysts is suggested.
Cystic Variant of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma
Authors: Somma Anna , Falleti Jessica , Di Simone Domenico , Marra Antonio , Nazzaro Giovanni , Miranda Marilena , Insabato Luigi
Published: October 2012

Endometrial stromal sarcoma is an uncommon tumor representing 0.2% of all uterine neoplasm and 15% to 26% of uterine sarcomas. Endometrial stromal sarcoma has a gross appearance as single nodule, multiple masses, or a poorly demarcated lesion with occasional cystic degeneration; rarely, it shows a cystic multilocular feature. We report 2 cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma with a prominent cystic appearance, forming multilocular cystic mass, detected by ultrasonography. The differential diagnosis among multycistic endometrial stromal sarcoma and cystic uterine tumors might be very difficult.
Executive Perceptions of the Top 10 Soft Skills Needed in Today’s Workplace
Authors: Robles Marcel M.
Published: October 2012

Hard skills are the technical expertise and knowledge needed for a job. Soft skills are interpersonal qualities, also known as people skills, and personal attributes that one possesses. Business executives consider soft skills a very important attribute in job applicants. Employers want new employees to have strong soft skills, as well as hard skills. This study identified the top 10 soft skills as perceived the most important by business executives: integrity, communication, courtesy, responsibility, social skills, positive attitude, professionalism, flexibility, teamwork, and work ethic.
Emotional recognition in autism spectrum conditions from voices and faces
Authors: Stewart Mary E. , McAdam Clair , Ota Mitsuhiko , Peppé Sue , Cleland Joanne
Published: October 2012

The present study reports on a new vocal emotion recognition task and assesses whether people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) perform differently from typically developed individuals on tests of emotional identification from both the face and the voice. The new test of vocal emotion contained trials in which the vocal emotion of the sentence were congruent, incongruent, or neutral with respect to the semantic content. We also included a condition in which there was no semantic content (an ‘mmm’ was uttered using an emotional tone). Performance was compared between 11 adults with ASC and 14 typically developed adults. Identification of emotion from sentences in which the vocal emotion and the meaning of sentence were congruent was similar in people with ASC and a typically developed comparison group. However, the comparison group was more accurate at identifying the emotion in the voice from incongruent and neutral trials, and also from trials with no semantic content. The results of the vocal emotion task were correlated with performance on a face emotion recognition task. In decoding emotion from spoken utterances, individuals with ASC relied more on verbal semantics than did typically developed individuals, presumably as a strategy to compensate for their difficulties in using prosodic cues to recognize emotions.
Examining the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorder-71 as an assessment tool for anxiety in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders
Authors: van Steensel Francisca JA , Deutschman Amber ACG , Bögels Susan M
Published: October 2012

The psychometric properties of a questionnaire developed to assess symptoms of anxiety disorders (SCARED-71) were compared between two groups of children: children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and comorbid anxiety disorders (ASD-group; n = 115), and children with anxiety disorders (AD-group; n = 122). Anxiety disorders were established with a semi-structured interview (ADIS-C/P), using child- as well as parent-report. Internal consistency, construct validity, sensitivity, specificity, and discriminant validity of the SCARED-71 was investigated. Results revealed that the psychometric properties of the SCARED-71 for the ASD-group were quite comparable to the AD-group, however, the discriminant validity of the SCARED-71 child-report was less in the ASD-group. Raising the parental cutoffs of the SCARED-71 resulted in higher specificity rates, which suggests that research should focus more on establishing alternative cutoffs for the ASD-population.
Immunization uptake in younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kuwaik Ghassan Abu , Roberts Wendy , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Bryson Susan , Smith Isabel M , Szatmari Peter , Modi Bonnie M , Tanel Nadia , Brian Jessica
Published: October 2012

Background:

Parental concerns persist that immunization increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder, resulting in the potential for reduced uptake by parents of younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (“younger sibs”).

Objective:

To compare immunization uptake by parents for their younger child relative to their older child with autism spectrum disorder (“proband”) and controls.

Design:

Immunization status was obtained for 98 “younger sibs,” 98 “probands,” and 65 controls.

Results:

A significant group difference emerged for overall immunization status (Fisher’s exact test = 62.70, p < .001). One or more immunizations in 59/98 younger sibs were delayed (47/98; 48%) or declined (12/98; 12.2%); immunizations were delayed in 16/98 probands (16.3%) and declined in only one. All controls were fully immunized, with only 6 (9.2%) delayed. Within the “younger sibs” group, 25/98 received an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis; 7 of whom (28%) were fully immunized. The rates of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis did not differ between immunized and nonimmunized younger sib groups, although small sample size limits interpretability of this result.

Conclusion:

Parents who already have one child with autism spectrum disorder may delay or decline immunization for their younger children, potentially placing them at increased risk of preventable infectious diseases.
Emotions about crime and attitudes to punishment
Authors: Hartnagel Timothy F , Templeton Laura J
Published: October 2012

Various polls and surveys seem to indicate that a substantial proportion of the Canadian public desires harsher penalties for crime. While various explanations have been offered for this punitiveness, emotional reactions to crime have been under-researched. The present research draws on a Canadian data set to test the hypothesis that the emotions of fear and particularly anger about crime are significant predictors of punitive attitudes once crime victimization, economic insecurity, internal attributions of crime causation and other variables are controlled for. This research also examines the possible indirect effects of economic insecurity, victimization and internal attributions of crime causation on punitiveness through their impact on fear and anger. The multiple regression results support the role of emotions, particularly anger, in explaining punitive attitudes. While indirect effects of victimization and economic insecurity were insignificant, 14 per cent of the effect of internal attributions was through anger.
Evaluating exploratory visualization systems: A user study on how clustering-based visualization systems support information seeking from large document collections
Authors: Liu Yujie , Barlowe Scott , Feng Yaqin , Yang Jing , Jiang Min
Published: October 2012

Iterative, opportunistic and evolving visual sense-making has been an important research topic as it assists users in overcoming ever-increasing information overload. Exploratory visualization systems (EVSs) maximize the amount of information users can gain through learning and have been widely used in scientific discovery and decision-making contexts. Although many EVSs have been developed recently, there is a lack of general guidance on how to evaluate such systems. Researchers face challenges such as understanding the cognitive learning process supported by these systems. In this paper, we present a formal user study on Newdle, a clustering-based EVS for large news collections, shedding light on a general methodology for EVS evaluation. Our approach is built upon cognitive load theory, which takes the user as well as the system as the focus of evaluation. The carefully designed procedures allow us to thoroughly examine the user’s cognitive process as well as control the variability among human subjects. Through this study, we analyse how and why clustering-based EVSs benefit (or hinder) users in a variety of information-seeking tasks. We also summarize leverage points for designing clustering-based EVSs.