bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing Process Safety of the Upstream Sector: Lessons Learnt from the Downstream Industry
Authors: Bhatnagar Vivek , Smith Andrew , Berger Scott
Published: September 2011

The US presidential commission’s "Deep Water" report inquiring into the causes of a recent Gulf of Mexico accident recommends an independent industry-run safety organization along the lines of the nuclear and the chemicals industry for the US offshore industries. The report in reference to essential features of this "self-policing" organization states:

"The main goal is to drive continuous improvement in every company’s standards and performance, measured against global benchmarks" and "The industry needs to benchmark safety and environmental practice rules against recognized global best practices."

CCPS has published recommended lagging and leading indicators of Process Safety performance which enable companies to track and monitor their efforts. Lagging indicators help companies compare their process safety performance in regard to incident frequency and severity, i.e. tier 1 and 2 events. Comparison of leading indicators level, i.e. tier 3 and 4 activities, isn’t possible without establishing a deeper understanding of the management decision process. Tier 1 and 2 data is relatively easy to obtain but there is currently no way for companies to formally compare how their respective tier 3 and 4 practices affect either the consequences or the severity of the outcome.

Formal benchmarking provides an opportunity for companies to identify gaps in their current practices so that they can work towards continuous improvement. By sharing their data they help create a better understanding of industry best practices that then become global benchmarks for others to emulate. The paper details salient aspects of a process safety benchmarking initiative recently developed in conjunction with CCPS that considers performance on six of the twenty Risk-Based Process Safety elements. The paper briefly describes how the program was developed and provides new insights into HSE management. Later, it illustrates how the upstream industry can learn from the downstream industry.
Investigation of Wettability Alteration by Low Salinity Water in Sandstone Rock
Authors: Nasralla Ramez A. , Bataweel Mohammed A. , Nasr-El-Din Hisham A.
Published: September 2011

Optimization of any oil recovery process is based on understanding of recovery mechanisms, though the underlying mechanisms of improving oil recovery by low salinity water injection are still debated. Wettability alteration is one of the dominant mechanisms of any IOR/EOR process. In this paper, wettability alteration by low salinity water in sandstone reservoirs is examined by using contact angle measurements. Moreover, the impact of changing ionic strength on the electrokinetic charge at oil/brine interface is investigated using zeta potential technique to explain the causes of wettability alteration by low salinity water.

The behavior of wettability with pressure and temperature was studied by running contact angle measurements different ranges of pressure and temperature (500-1000 psi, and 140-250°F). Sandstone rock was represented by mica sheets to eliminate the influence of rock heterogeneity and hysteresis on the contact angle measurements. Effect of salinity on wettability alteration was studied by utilizing synthetic water at a wide range of salinity (from 0 to 174,000 mg/l). In addition, two different crude oils with different compositions were used to evaluate the effect of oil characteristics on low salinity water efficiency. Zeta potential test were conducted to measure the oil/brine interface electrokinetic charge for combinations between the two crude oils, and different brines.

The contact angle increased with the increase of temperature, and pressure. High salinity water showed high contact angles, while low salinity water decreased the contact angles significantly for the two types of crude oil. This proves that low salinity water could alter the wettability to more water-wet. In addition, the electrokinetic charges at oil/brine interfaces were sensitive to the change of ionic strength. Oil/brine charges were highly negative with low salinity water, which resulted in repulsion forces between oil/brine and brine/rock surfaces and altered the wettability towards water-wet. This paper demonstrates the efficiency of low salinity water in improving oil recovery by altering rock wettability, and it contributes to the understandings of the main mechanism of low salinity water.
Single and Multi-phase Flow Loop Testing Results for Industry Standard Inflow Control Devices
Authors: Lauritzen J. Eric , Martiniussen Ingvild Berg
Published: September 2011

Nozzle/orifice, tube, and helix Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) have been tested for flow performance at the Statoil multi-phase flow loop facility in Porsgrunn, Norway. The test results are given as performance curves for single phase oil, water and gas. Two phase tests have also been run for oil/water and oil/gas. Results confirm that single phase ICD flow performance characteristics can be accurately described with a physical model, and corrected by an error function which is predominately dependent on the Reynolds Number. For the fluids tested, the gas and water cut multi-phase data exhibits reasonable correlation to the single phase loss coefficient values for nozzle/orifices, water cut only for tube ICDs, and does not exhibit correlation to the water or gas cut multi-phase loss coefficient values for helix designs, especially at higher choke settings.
Gender Policy Developments and Policy Regimes in 22 OECD Countries, 1979–2008
Authors: Backhans Mona C. , Burström Bo , Marklund Staffan
Published: September 2011

This study investigates trends and clustering of gender policy in 22 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries during 1979–2008. The starting point was Sainsbury's gender policy regime framework, and the study included indicators reflecting the male breadwinner, individual earner-carer, and separate gender roles regimes. The indicators were followed over seven time points for mean, range, and distribution. Cluster analyses were performed for the years 1979, 1989, 1999, and 2004. In accordance with previous studies, the authors found a Nordic cluster of earner-carer countries, while several Southern European countries and the United States were marked by their low generosity and high pension requirements. Though aspects of the separate gender roles regime have become more widespread, no country could be classified as fully belonging to this regime type. The two aspects of the model—compensatory measures in the pension system, and benefits for caring activities—were never present simultaneously.
The Rise, Decline, and Future of the Swedish Left
Authors: Lindberg Ingemar , Ågren Gunnar , Hogstedt Christer
Published: September 2011

Swedish voters' support for the labor movement has decreased from about 50 percent to less than 40 percent in recent decades, with a resulting loss of the majority in parliament. Over the same period, capitalism has undergone profound changes—transfer of production across borders, the huge growth and ultra-rapid movement of financial capital, and subordination of social welfare to the interests of profit. A new phase in the development of capitalism can be detected: from welfare capitalism to financial capitalism. Large parts of the public sector have been privatized by both conservative and labor governments, even while retaining public funding. The social gaps grow, and a new line of conflict is emerging in the values and interests that should govern care-taking, schools, and living conditions. The labor movement's ideological and scientific analyses have taken a backseat to liberal-conservative think tanks. An effective response to financial capitalism, transnational production chains, and European integration will require trade union and political actions across national borders to strengthen the power resources in the hands of the majority of the population, so as to counter the increasingly destructive powers of capitalism.
Determining Coding CpG Islands by Identifying Regions Significant for Pattern Statistics on Markov Chains
Authors: Singer Meromit , Engström Alexander , Schönhuth Alexander , Pachter Lior
Published: September 2011

Recent experimental and computational work confirms that CpGs can be unmethylated inside coding exons, thereby showing that codons may be subjected to both genomic and epigenomic constraint. It is therefore of interest to identify coding CpG islands (CCGIs) that are regions inside exons enriched for CpGs. The difficulty in identifying such islands is that coding exons exhibit sequence biases determined by codon usage and constraints that must be taken into account.

We present a method for finding CCGIs that showcases a novel approach we have developed for identifying regions of interest that are significant (with respect to a Markov chain) for the counts of any pattern. Our method begins with the exact computation of tail probabilities for the number of CpGs in all regions contained in coding exons, and then applies a greedy algorithm for selecting islands from among the regions. We show that the greedy algorithm provably optimizes a biologically motivated criterion for selecting islands while controlling the false discovery rate.

We applied this approach to the human genome (hg18) and annotated CpG islands in coding exons. The statistical criterion we apply to evaluating islands reduces the number of false positives in existing annotations, while our approach to defining islands reveals significant numbers of undiscovered CCGIs in coding exons. Many of these appear to be examples of functional epigenetic specialization in coding exons.
The Relationship between Affect and Imagery Use in a Non-Competitive Setting
Authors: Parker John K , Lovell Geoff P
Published: September 2011

This study investigated the relationship between positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), and subsequent imagery use outside of a sports competitive setting. Participants from a United Kingdom university included 117 individuals (71 male, 46 female), with a mean age of 19.11 (SD = 1.74), from a number of sports (e.g., rugby, football, netball, athletics, cricket), completed the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ; Hall et al., 1998) and Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson et al., 1988). Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant differences in participants imagery use, Wilks ? F (4, 113) = 21.715, p = < 0.01, ?² = .44, with pairwise comparisons using a Bonferroni adjustment of p = 0.01 recording significant differences in SIQ subscale ratings. To analyse the extent PA and NA predict functions of imagery use five hierarchical regressions were performed. The results demonstrate PA more so than NA influences the SIQs motivational imagery functions. Neither PA nor NA acted as predictors for the SIQs cognitive subscales. To account for the specificity of this relationship the authors propose a model to guide future research.
Joint Stock company births in Greece (1830-1909): geography and “public economic space”
Authors: Pepelasis Ioanna Sapfo
Published: September 2011

Résumé Cet article examine les interconnexions entre les créations de sociétés anonymes en Grèce et le processus plus large de construction de l’État-nation entre 1830 et 1909 1 . Il porte avant tout sur la distribution géographique de ces sociétés et sur l’émergence d’un espace public économique. Ce dernier est juxtaposé au secteur privé composé d’entreprises produisant des biens privés. Les principaux résultats sont que la géographie des créations de S. A. était encastrée dans le réseau urbain en croissance et a contribué à la formation d’une économie nationale intégrée. L’émergence d’Athènes comme centre principal de création de S. A. et la montée de la sphère étatique ont été des phénomènes liés. En outre, notre analyse démontre que l’espace public économique au sein des créations de S. A. ne se limite pas à des organisations professionnelles de la sphère étatique. Pour la construction du jeune État-nation grec la montée d’organisations de la société civile a compté davantage que l’essor du gouvernement central. Elle était liée à la montée en puissance de la bourgeoisie, de groupes de professionnels et à des mobilisations à la base.
Diaspora entrepreneurship revisited: Greek merchants and firms in the southern Russian ports
Authors: Sifneos Evrydiki
Published: September 2011

Résumé Fondé sur des sources nouvelles puisées dans les archives russes et ukrainiennes, cet article reprend la question des capacités d’action des entrepreneurs grecs en Russie du Sud et s’efforce de modifier et enrichir les précédents cadres théoriques. Il contribue au débat théorique sur le succès entrepreneurial des grandes sociétés grecques d’import-export basées à Odessa dans la première moitié du XIX e siècle. Il enquête sur les avantages concurrentiels du patronat familial grec de la région de la mer d’Azov et met en évidence quelques-unes de ses caractéristiques : proximité spatiale, mobilité géographique, adaptabilité grâce à la diversification. La persistance des firmes familiales grecques de la mer d’Azov et leurs fréquents résultats favorables durant une longue période sont dues à une conjonction de ressources et de capacités qui étaient à la disposition des firmes et que les entreprises grecques ont su exploiter. Ces types de ressources, incluant des actifs aussi bien physiques qu’intangibles, ont compensé la taille moyenne des firmes et la modestie des capitaux disponibles.
Offering Students a Selection of Multiple Class B/AB Power Amplifiers as a Remote Laboratory
Authors: Graven Olaf Hallan , Samuelsen Dag Andreas Hals
Published: September 2011

In this paper a remote laboratory setup for conducting experiments on a class B/AB power amplifier is presented, addressing the problems related to running experiments requiring temperature matching between transistors and bias diodes, in order to avoid thermal runaway in the transistors. In addition there is an option for the student to quickly examine a range of different transistors in both class B and class AB setups.
Design and Evaluation of an Instructional Solar Energy Technologies Lab
Authors: Al-Addous Mohammad , Class Christina B.
Published: September 2011

This paper presents a design for a solar energy lab that allows students to plan, install and evaluate different system architectures and gain relevant practical experiences. The addressed learning outcomes are analyzed based on the 13 learning outcomes defined by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as well as based on the taxonomy levels of the cognitive domain after Bloom. In this paper we present a sample lab assignment and map its tasks to the learning outcomes and cognitive domains. First results of qualitative student feedback are equally presented.
Characteristics and Educational Advantages of Laboratory Automation in High School Chemistry
Authors: Verner Igor M. , Revzin Leonid B.
Published: September 2011

This paper presents a study of automation in the high school chemical inquiry based laboratory. Simple computer-controlled devices for automation of basic manual operations were constructed and applied in students' laboratory experiments together with the Fourier-Systems Inc. data collection and management systems. We examined characteristics of learning in the new automated laboratory environment and discussed educational outcomes.
Case Report-Inguinoscrotal ureteral hernia diagnosed on micturating cystourethrography
Authors: Sripathi Smiti , Rajagopal KV , Kakkar Chandan , Polnaya Ashwin
Published: September 2011

The presence of a ureter within an inguinal hernia is an extremely rare entity, usually discovered incidentally during herniorrhaphy and may pose a surgical risk. Early preoperative diagnosis is crucial to guide proper surgical approach and to preserve renal function.
Diffusion tensor imaging in spinal cord injury
Authors: Kamble Ravindra B , Venkataramana Neelam K , Naik Arun L , Rao Shailesh V
Published: September 2011

Background and Purpose: To assess the feasibility of spinal tractography in patients of spinal cord injury vs a control group and to compare fractional anisotropy (FA) values between the groups. Materials and Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed in the spinal cord of 29 patients (18 patients and 11 controls). DTI was done in the cervical region if the cord injury was at the dorsal or lumbar region and in the conus region if cord injury was in the cervical or dorsal region. FA was calculated for the patients and the controls and the values were compared. Results: The mean FA value was 0.550±0.09 in the control group and 0.367±0.14 in the patients; this difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). Conclusion: Spinal tractography is a feasible technique to assess the extent of spinal cord injury by FA, which is reduced in patients of spinal cord injury, suggesting possible Wallerian degeneration. In future, this technique may become a useful tool for assessing cord injury patients after stem cell therapy, with improvement in FA values indicating axonal regeneration.
Case report: Thrombosed giant cavernous carotid artery aneurysm secondary to cervical internal carotid artery dissection: An unusual entity
Authors: Baldawa Sachin S , Pendharkar Hima , Menon Girish R , Nair Suresh R
Published: September 2011

Spontaneous thrombosis of a giant intracranial aneurysm with parent artery occlusion is known. The exact mechanism is however unclear and various theories have been proposed. We present an unusual case of an angiographically documented cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, which led to total occlusion of the ICA distal to the dissected site, with acute cessation of forward blood flow. This resulted in acute upstream thrombosis of the giant cavernous carotid artery aneurysm and an acute cavernous sinus syndrome-like presentation.
Percutaneous placement of a biliary plastic stent
Authors: Keshava Shyamkumar N , Mammen Suraj
Published: September 2011

Endoscopic biliary plastic stent placement is a well-established technique for unresectable and recurrent biliary obstructive disease and provides significant improvement in the quality of life. We describe a new technique of percutaneous placement of biliary plastic stent that has not been previously mentioned in the literature.
Application of quality by design principles to the development and technology transfer of a major process improvement for the manufacture of a recombinant protein
Authors: Looby Mairead , Ibarra Neysi , Pierce James J. , Buckley Kevin , O'Donovan Eimear , Heenan Mary , Moran Enda , Farid Suzanne S. , Baganz Frank
Published: September 2011

This study describes the application of quality by design (QbD) principles to the development and implementation of a major manufacturing process improvement for a commercially distributed therapeutic protein produced in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture. The intent of this article is to focus on QbD concepts, and provide guidance and understanding on how the various components combine together to deliver a robust process in keeping with the principles of QbD. A fed‐batch production culture and a virus inactivation step are described as representative examples of upstream and downstream unit operations that were characterized. A systematic approach incorporating QbD principles was applied to both unit operations, involving risk assessment of potential process failure points, small‐scale model qualification, design and execution of experiments, definition of operating parameter ranges and process validation acceptance criteria followed by manufacturing‐scale implementation and process validation. Statistical experimental designs were applied to the execution of process characterization studies evaluating the impact of operating parameters on product quality attributes and process performance parameters. Data from process characterization experiments were used to define the proven acceptable range and classification of operating parameters for each unit operation. Analysis of variance and Monte Carlo simulation methods were used to assess the appropriateness of process design spaces. Successful implementation and validation of the process in the manufacturing facility and the subsequent manufacture of hundreds of batches of this therapeutic protein verifies the approaches taken as a suitable model for the development, scale‐up and operation of any biopharmaceutical manufacturing process. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Synthesis and characterization of bovine serum albumin‐coated nanocapsules loaded with indocyanine green as potential multifunctional nanoconstructs
Authors: Jung Bongsu , Anvari Bahman
Published: September 2011

We have synthesized and characterized bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐coated polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) loaded with indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA‐approved near infrared chromophore. Poly(allylamine) hydrochloride was electrostatically crosslinked with phosphate anions to form nanoconstructs encapsulating ICG. BSA was conjugated onto the polymeric NCs via glutaraldehyde. BSA‐coated ICG‐containing nanocapsules (BSA‐ICG NCs) were characterized by FTIR and optical spectroscopy, SEM, and zeta‐potential measurements. Using normal human endocervical epithelial cells, we demonstrate the effectiveness of BSA‐ICG NCs for intracellular optical imaging in vitro. These nanoconstructs may potentially serve as a multifunctional platform for combined optical imaging, phototherapy, and drug delivery. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
The QKI‐PLP pathway controls SIRT2 abundance in CNS myelin
Authors: Zhu H. , Zhao L. , Wang E. , Dimova N. , Liu G. , Feng Y. , Cambi F.
Published: September 2011

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐dependent deacetylase expressed by oligodendrocytes (OLs), the myelin‐producing cells of the central nervous system (CNS), is markedly up‐regulated during active myelination (Li et al. (2007) J Neurosci 27:2606–2616; Southwood et al. (2007) Neurochem Res 32:187–195; Werner et al. (2007) J Neurosci 27:7717–7730). SIRT2 is a component of the myelin proteome and is severely reduced in the Plp1 knockout mouse brain, in which both proteolipid protein (PLP) and DM20 are absent (Werner et al. (2007) J Neurosci 27:7717–7730). The mechanisms that regulate SIRT2 expression in OLs and myelin remain to be investigated. We report for the first time that the expression of SIRT2 is regulated by the QKI‐dependent pathway and this effect is mediated through selective regulation of PLP. In the homozygous quakingviable (qkv/qkv) mutant mouse that harbors QKI deficiency in OLs (Bockbrader and Feng (2008) Future Neurol 3:655–668; Ebersole et al. (1996) Nat Genet 12:260–265; Hardy et al. (1996) J Neurosci 16:7941–7949), PLP, but not DM20 mRNA, was selectively down‐regulated and SIRT2 protein was severely reduced whereas SIRT2 mRNA expression was unaffected. Expression of the cytoplasmic isoform QKI6 in OLs (Zhao et al. (2006) J Neurosci 26:11278–11286) rescued SIRT2 expression in the qkv/qkv mutant concomitantly with restoration of PLP expression. Moreover, SIRT2 protein is diminished in myelin tracts and compact myelin of the PLP‐ISEdel mutant brain, in which PLP protein but not DM20 is selectively reduced (Wang et al. (2008) Exp Neurol 214:322–330). In contrast, SIRT2 expression and its cellular function in regulating process complexity are not affected by the absence of PLP in PLP‐ISEdel non‐myelinating OLs. Collectively, our results indicate that the abundance of SIRT2 in myelin is dependent on PLP, but not DM20. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Compression‐compression fatigue of selective electron beam melted cellular titanium (Ti‐6Al‐4V)
Authors: Hrabe Nikolas W. , Heinl Peter , Flinn Brian , Körner Carolin , Bordia Rajendra K.
Published: September 2011

Regular 3D periodic porous Ti‐6Al‐4V structures intended to reduce the effects of stress shielding in load‐bearing bone replacement implants (e.g., hip stems) were fabricated over a range of relative densities (0.17–0.40) and pore sizes (∼500–1500 μm) using selective electron beam melting (EBM). Compression‐compression fatigue testing (15 Hz, R = 0.1) resulted in normalized fatigue strengths at 106 cycles ranging from 0.15 to 0.25, which is lower than the expected value of 0.4 for solid material of the same acicular α microstructure. The three possible reasons for this reduced fatigue lifetime are stress concentrations from closed porosity observed within struts, stress concentrations from observed strut surface features (sintered particles and texture lines), and microstructure (either acicular α or martensite) with less than optimal high‐cycle fatigue resistance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Electrophoretic deposition of bioactive silica‐calcium phosphate nanocomposite on Ti‐6Al‐4V orthopedic implant
Authors: Aniket  , El‐Ghannam Ahmed
Published: September 2011

Bioactive silica‐calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC) has been coated on Ti‐6Al‐4V implant employing an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. The effects of composition and pH of the suspending medium on the zeta potential of three different SCPC formulations; SCPC25, SCPC50 and SCPC75 were analyzed. The average zeta potential of SCPC50 in pure ethanol was more negative than that of SCPC25 or SCPC75; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Discs of Ti‐6Al‐4V were passivated, coated with SCPC50 (200 nm–10 μm) and thermally treated at 600–800°C to produce a coating thickness in the range of 43.1 ± 5.7 to 30.1 ± 4.6 μm. After treatment at 600, 700, and 800°C, the adhesion strength at the SCPC50/Ti‐6Al‐4V interface was 42.6 ± 3.6, 44.7 ± 8.7, and 47.2 ± 4.3 MPa, respectively. SEM‐EDX analyses of SCPC50‐coated Ti‐6Al‐4V preimmersed in PBS for 7 days showed the formation of a Ca‐deficient hydroxyapatite surface layer. ICP‐OES analyses of the immersing solution (n = 6) showed an increase in the ionic concentration of Si from 3.3 ± 0.9 to 5.0 ± 1.2 ppm between days 1 and 4; after which no significant change in the Si concentration was measured. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attached to the SCPC50‐coated implants expressed significantly higher (p < 0.05) alkaline phosphatase activity (82.4 ± 25.6 nmoles p‐NP/mg protein/min) than that expressed by cells attached to HA‐coated or uncoated implants. Results of the study suggest that bioactive SCPC50 can efficiently be coated on Ti‐6Al‐4V using EPD. The SCPC50 coating has the potential to enhance bone integration with the orthopedic implant. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Global Electric Circuit Parameters and their Variability Observed over Maitri, Antarctica
Authors: Jeeva K. , Panneerselvam C. , Nair K. U. , Selvaraj C. , Dhar Ajay , Pathan B. M. , Gurubaran S.
Published: September 2011

The global component of fairweather electricity is subject to special attention to watch the solar-terrestrial effects and secular changes in climate. It is generally considered that the diurnal variation of atmospheric electricity parameters, if they are not following the Carnegie pattern, are not representative of the global thunderstorm activity. Some of the results obtained from Maitri (70°45'54"S, 11°44'03"), are discussed here in context with global thunderstorm activity and space weather influences. The diurnal pattern of the Potential Gradient and current density strongly deviate from the Carnegie curve. We have showed that this deviation is not due to the local electrical influence but due to the global thunderstorm activity. During fairweather condition the parameters are representing the global thunderstorm activity and to some extent they respond to the upper atmospheric electro dynamic phenomenon. The mean value of the potential gradient (77.7 V/m) and current density (2.13 pA/m2) well below the expected global mean but close to the value reported from the same location and season in the past years. The mean conductivity, 3.34 x 10-14 mhom-1, is slightly at higher side and they exhibit a different diurnal trend comparing to the past measurements at this location.
Aerobic Capacity With Hybrid FES Rowing in Spinal Cord Injury: Comparison With Arms‐Only Exercise and Preliminary Findings With Regular Training
Authors: Taylor J. Andrew , Picard Glen , Widrick Jeffrey J.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To determine the magnitude and range of increases in peak aerobic capacity with hybrid–functional electrical stimulation (FES) rowing versus arms‐only rowing in persons with spinal cord injury.

Design

Comparison of graded exercise tests for peak responses during FES rowing and arms‐only rowing. Preliminary data on adaptations to FES row training were gathered in a subset of individuals.

Setting

Outpatient cardiovascular research laboratory.

Participants

Six male patients with spinal cord injury (T4‐T9, American Spinal Injury Association class A).

Methods or Intervention

Arms‐only rowing was compared with FES rowing, in which the person who is exercising synchronizes the voluntarily controlled upper body movement with the FES‐controlled leg movement via stimulation to the paralyzed leg muscles. A subgroup (n = 3) completed at least 6 months of a progressive FES row training exercise program with graded exercise tests every 6 months.

Main Outcome Measurements

Peak oxygen consumption, peak ventilation, peak respiratory exchange ratio, peak heart rate, and peak oxygen pulse.

Results

Peak oxygen consumption was greater during FES rowing than during arms‐only rowing (20.0 ± 1.9 mL/kg/min versus 15.7 ± 1.5 mL/kg/min, P = .01). Peak ventilation was similar, whereas peak respiratory exchange ratio and peak heart rate tended to be lower (P = .14 and P = .19, respectively). As a result, oxygen pulse was greater by 35% during FES rowing. Two of the three persons who completed at least 6 months of FES row training demonstrated increases in aerobic capacity greater than those previously observed in able‐bodied individuals.

Conclusions

FES rowing may provide a more robust exercise stimulus for persons with spinal cord injury than most options currently available because of the greater aerobic demand.
Caregiver Ratings of Long‐term Executive Dysfunction and Attention Problems After Early Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury: Family Functioning Is Important
Authors: Kurowski Brad G. , Taylor H. Gerry , Yeates Keith Owen , Walz Nicolay C. , Stancin Terry , Wade Shari L.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To evaluate the relationship of family and parenting factors to long‐term executive dysfunction and attention problems after early childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that the magnitude of executive dysfunction and attention problems would be moderated by family and parenting factors.

Design

A multicenter, prospective cohort study that included an orthopedic injury (OI) reference group.

Setting

Three tertiary academic children's hospital medical centers and one general medical center.

Participants

Children, ages 3‐7 years, hospitalized for OI, moderate TBI, or severe TBI.

Methods and Outcome Measurements

Parental ratings of family functioning and parenting styles were obtained 18 months after the injury occurred. The main outcome measurements, which were parental ratings of children's executive function and attention, were performed at least 24 months after the injury occurred (mean, 39 months; range, 25‐63 months).

Analysis

Group comparisons were conducted with use of t‐tests, χ2 analysis, analysis of variance, and Pearson and Spearman correlations. Regression analysis was used to examine associations of the outcomes with family functioning and parenting styles and to test moderating effects of these factors on group differences.

Results

Participants with severe TBI demonstrated increased executive dysfunction and attention problems compared with those who sustained moderate TBI or OI. Lower levels of family dysfunction were associated with better executive function and attention across groups but did not moderate group differences. However, attention deficits after severe TBI were exacerbated under conditions of more permissive parenting relative to attention deficits after OIs.

Conclusions

Executive function and attention problems persisted on a long‐term basis (>24 months) after early childhood TBI, and positive global family functioning and nonpermissive parenting were associated with better outcomes. Better characterization of the optimal family environment for recovery from early childhood TBI could help target future interventions.
Steigert Kaugummikauen das kognitive Leistungsvermögen?
Authors: Rost Detlef H. , Wirthwein Linda , Frey Kristina , Becker Elvira
Published: September 2011

Aufgrund weniger und methodisch verbesserungsbedürftiger Studien mit kleinen Stichproben wird behauptet, Kaugummikauen wirke sich positiv auf Lernleistungen, Konzentration und Gedächtnis aus. Mit zwei randomisierten Experimenten (N1 = 548 bzw. N2 = 504 Kinder; 5. und 6. Jahrgangsstufen) wurde überprüft, ob «Kauer» in ausgewählten Intelligenzsubtests (Experiment I) und bei Aufmerksamkeits- bzw. Konzentrations- sowie Gedächtnisaufgaben (Experiment II) bessere Leistungen erbringen als «Nichtkauer». Statistisch signifikante (aber nur kleine) Unterschiede resultierten lediglich bei zwei Konzentrationskennwerten sowie bei Aufgaben zur Erfassung von kurzfristigem Behalten zugunsten der «Nichtkauer». Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse verdeutlichen den Stellenwert einer methodisch adäquaten Replikation von an kleinen Stichproben gewonnenen und vorschnell popularisierten Befunden.
Maintenance of adenomatous polyposis coli (
APC
)-mutant colorectal cancer is dependent on Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Scholer-Dahirel Alix , Schlabach Michael R. , Loo Alice , Bagdasarian Linda , Meyer Ronald , Guo Ribo , Woolfenden Steve , Yu Kristine K. , Markovits Judit , Killary Karen , Sonkin Dmitry , Yao Yung-Mae , Warmuth Markus , Sellers William R. , Schlegel Robert , Stegmeier Frank , Mosher Rebecca E. , McLaughlin Margaret E.
Published: September 2011

Persistent expression of certain oncogenes is required for tumor maintenance. This phenotype is referred to as oncogene addiction and has been clinically validated by anticancer therapies that specifically inhibit oncoproteins such as BCR-ABL, c-Kit, HER2, PDGFR, and EGFR. Identifying additional genes that are required for tumor maintenance may lead to new targets for anticancer drugs. Although the role of aberrant Wnt pathway activation in the initiation of colorectal cancer has been clearly established, it remains unclear whether sustained Wnt pathway activation is required for colorectal tumor maintenance. To address this question, we used inducible
β-catenin
shRNAs to temporally control Wnt pathway activation in vivo. Here, we show that active Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required for maintenance of colorectal tumor xenografts harboring
APC
mutations. Reduced tumor growth upon β-catenin inhibition was due to cell cycle arrest and differentiation. Upon reactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway colorectal cancer cells resumed proliferation and reacquired a crypt progenitor phenotype. In human colonic adenocarcinomas, high levels of nuclear β-catenin correlated with crypt progenitor but not differentiation markers, suggesting that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may also control colorectal tumor cell fate during the maintenance phase of tumors in patients. These results support efforts to treat human colorectal cancer by pharmacological inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Molecular basis for amyloid-β polymorphism
Authors: Colletier Jacques-Philippe , Laganowsky Arthur , Landau Meytal , Zhao Minglei , Soriaga Angela B. , Goldschmidt Lukasz , Flot David , Cascio Duilio , Sawaya Michael R. , Eisenberg David
Published: September 2011

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates are the main constituent of senile plaques, the histological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Aβ molecules form β-sheet containing structures that assemble into a variety of polymorphic oligomers, protofibers, and fibers that exhibit a range of lifetimes and cellular toxicities. This polymorphic nature of Aβ has frustrated its biophysical characterization, its structural determination, and our understanding of its pathological mechanism. To elucidate Aβ polymorphism in atomic detail, we determined eight new microcrystal structures of fiber-forming segments of Aβ. These structures, all of short, self-complementing pairs of β-sheets termed steric zippers, reveal a variety of modes of self-association of Aβ. Combining these atomic structures with previous NMR studies allows us to propose several fiber models, offering molecular models for some of the repertoire of polydisperse structures accessible to Aβ. These structures and molecular models contribute fundamental information for understanding Aβ polymorphic nature and pathogenesis.
Staging the Emperor's New Clothes: Dress Codes and Nation-Building under Reza Shah
Authors: Chehabi Houchang E.
Published: September 2011

One of the most enduring legacies of Reza Shah's rule is the problematization of dress in Iranian politics. In the course of the twenty years that he was in power, the state promulgated a number of policies that had a deep, and at times traumatizing, effect on the everyday lives of Iranians. Following the example of Turkey, but unlike other Muslim governments in the Arab world, in South Asia, or in Southeast Asia, the first Pahlavi state set out to standardize and Europeanize the appearance of its people. This policy led to state-society and intra-societal conflicts that flared up again after the Islamic revolution of 1979. This article analyzes the state's dress policies, argues that they were mainly meant to promote nation-building, and ends with a translation of a short story that, better than any official documents or historical accounts, illustrates the impact of these policies on the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Transforming Dangerous Nomads into Useful Artisans, Technicians, Agriculturists: Education in the Reza Shah Period
Authors: Matthee Rudi
Published: September 2011

The Reza Shah period (1921–1941) continues to be one of the most understudied as well as controversial episodes in Iran's modern history. Assessments of the period tend to be politically charged and reflect the widely diverging opinions about the extent and quality of its transformative nature. They rarely involve an appreciation of the effectiveness of the measures taken in this period in relation to stated policy objectives and allowing for the circumstances and conditions of the time—something which is quite common when it comes to evaluating, say, the reforms of Peter the Great in eighteenth-century Russia or those of Muhammad ‘Ali in nineteenth-century Egypt. Instead, they frequently narrow down to a moral verdict that weighs the entire age on a retrospective scale of Iran's historical development since the mid to late nineteenth century.
Determining Spatial Span: The Role of Movement Time and Articulation Rate
Authors: Smyth Mary M. , Scholey Keith A.
Published: September 2011

In studies of verbal memory span individual differences in speech rate have been found to predict the number of items that can be recalled in order. This is thought to happen because overt speech rate is related to the rate of internal verbal rehearsal. For spatial span there may also be an internal rehearsal system linked to overt responding, and if there is a strong analogy to be drawn between the verbal and spatial domains, then movement time between spatial targets should predict the number of spatial locations that can be recalled. In the first study reported, none of the six measures of movement time did predict spatial span, but, as expected, speech rate predicted verbal span. In addition, speech rate predicted spatial span. In a second study the use of articulatory suppression during span presentation showed that verbal span dropped, but was still predicted by speech rate. Spatial span was again predicted by the time it took to say digits rather than the time it took to make movements to spatial targets. There would not seem to be any simple analogy between the limitations on verbal span and those on spatial span. In addition, the relationship between speech rate and sequential memory performance may be more complex than previous studies have suggested.
The Role of Phonology in Reading Comprehension: Implications of the Effects of Homophones on Processing Sentences with Referentially Dependent Categories
Authors: Waters Gloria S. , Caplan David , Leonard Carol
Published: September 2011

Two experiments investigated whether phonological representations are activated in the processing of anaphors in reading, and if they are, whether they play a role in the initial (first-pass) processing of the sentence or in review (second-pass) processes. Subjects made sentence acceptability judgements for sentences that contained either verb-gaps or indefinite and personal pronouns (overt anaphors). All sentences contained homophones. Half of the semantically unacceptable sentences were phonologically plausible if the homophones were inserted in the gap (e.g. The children sleighed in the winter, and the murderer in cold blood) or used as the referent of the pronoun (e.g. There is a sale on at the store and I have one at the boat). The other half of the semantically unacceptable sentences were phonologically implausible. In both experiments, half of the subjects saw the sentences under normal viewing conditions (whole sentence condition); for the other half of the subjects the words of each sentence were presented sequentially in the centre of the video screen at the rate of 250 msec/word (RSVP condition). A large proportion of the phonologically implausible sentences in the first experiment contained phrases in the second clause which resulted in semantic “oddities” (e.g. The children sleighed in the winter, and the murderer in the jar); the sentences in Experiment 2 did not contain such oddities. In Experiment 1 subjects made more errors on the phonologically plausible than implausible unacceptable sentences with both verb-gaps and pronouns in the whole sentence but not in the RSVP condition. There was no effect of phonological plausibility in Experiment 2. As the effect of phonological plausibility was only seen in the whole sentence condition, and only when the sentences contained semantic oddities, these data suggest that phonological information was not used in the first-pass analysis of the sentence, but rather when the subject re-read the sentence to find the referent.
The 1990 Zimbabwe elections: a post‐mortem
Authors: Sachikonye Lloyd
Published: September 2011

The recent presidential and general elections held in Zimbabwe saw a bitterly contested struggle between the Zimbabwe African National Union‐Patriotic Front (ZANU‐PF) and the Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM). This article reviews the election manifestos and electioneering practices of each side against the background of Zimbabwe's post‐independence development and its class/ethnic relations. It considers the question of whether ZANU‐PF's victory by a huge majority makes Zimbabwe de facto a one‐party state.
Conceptualizing curriculum management in an effective secondary school: a Western Australian case study
Authors: Dimmock Clive , Wildy Helen
Published: September 2011

This paper investigates the linkages between management processes and the curriculum using an academically effective secondary school as a case study. The aims of the study are twofold. First, in view of the acknowledged importance governments and others place on the quality of school leadership and management on the one hand and curriculum, teaching and learning reforms on the other, there is a need for empirical data as to how school leaders and managers work to secure improvements in curriculum, teaching and learning. This study purports to provide such data. The second aim acknowledges the need to develop conceptual frameworks and data collection instruments as aids to better understanding of complex relationships within school organizations.

In order to achieve these aims, the investigation was structured around two guiding questions. The initial question centred on the roles and functions of school staff at each of three levels senior management, middle management and teacher ‐ in providing instructional leadership and curriculum management. The second guiding question concerned the ways in which school managers, particularly at the senior and middle management levels, influence and affect the processes and outcomes of teaching and learning. These questions lead to the postulate that a school experiencing high levels of academic effectiveness will be characterized by proactive school‐site management linking with, and supporting, teaching and learning. The objective was to clarify the perceptions, thoughts, understandings and behaviours of principals, middle managers and teachers by using a range of data collection methods which would yield thick descriptions of practice. One school was selected as a case‐study to allow for in‐depth analysis and the development of a research framework suitable for possible wider application in future.

There are four main findings that can be drawn from the analysis. First, none of the senior managers is directly involved in curriculum management. Second, the principal and two deputy principals do play an indirect and important part in promoting academic performance by reinforcing school values in a wide variety of ways. Third, curriculum management is the responsibility of senior teachers and there is tight linkage between both senior teachers and teachers and high quality teaching and learning. Finally, the loose linkage between departments, and also between departments and senior management, provides little opportunity for a school‐wide approach to curriculum matters. It is evident that a whole‐school curriculum management perspective is absent in this school.
Age Differences in Working Memory Tasks: The Role of Secondary Memory and the Central Executive System
Authors: Morris Robin G. , Craik Fergus I. M. , Gick Mary L.
Published: September 2011

Two experiments are reported in which age differences in working memory performance are explored. In the first study, young and older adults held 2, 3, 4, or 5 unrelated words in mind while verifying a single or complex sentence. An age-related decrement was found in subsequent serial recall of the words, and this decrement was larger with longer word lists. Experiment 2 confirmed the interaction between age and list length, using list lengths of 4, 6, and 8 words and a free-recall procedure. There was no interaction between age and divided attention in either experiment. Surprisingly, sentence complexity had a greater detrimental effect on recall in the younger group. The results are discussed in terms of articulatory rehearsal being augmented by using secondary memory in the case of younger subjects.
Evidence against the Relative Invariance of Timing in Handwriting
Authors: Wann John P. , Nimmo-Smith Ian
Published: September 2011

Gentner (1987) has called into question the role of timing information in a number of motor behaviours. The status of an invariant relative timing model for handwriting, however, is still unclear, due to lack of previous studies that have applied appropriate tests to a suitable database.

This study employs a direct application of the tests proposed by Gentner (1987) to handwriting samples collected from adult subjects, to ascertain whether an invariant temporal pattern was retained across changes in size and speed of writing.

In line with Gentner's (1987) study of typing, the findings are strongly against the invariant relative timing model and bring into question motor program models that posit timing as an independent parameter.