bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angioplasty of Obstructed Homograft Conduits in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract With Ultra-Noncompliant Balloons
Authors: Hainstock Michael R. , Marshall Audrey C. , Lock James E. , McElhinney Doff B.
Published: November 2013

Background—

Angioplasty and stent placement in right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduits have been shown to prolong the functional lifespan of a conduit. Safety and efficacy of angioplasty of obstructed RV-PA homografts using ultra-noncompliant (UNC) or ultrahigh-pressure balloons are unknown.

Methods and Results—

From 2004 to 2012, 70 patients underwent 76 procedures for angioplasty of RV-PA homografts with UNC Atlas balloons. The UNC group was compared with a partially contemporaneous control cohort of 81 patients who underwent 84 angioplasty procedures with conventional balloons. Acute hemodynamic changes after angioplasty of homografts with UNC balloons included significantly reduced RV:Ao pressure ratio (
P
=0.02) and right ventricular outflow tract gradients (
P
≤0.001). Balloon waist resolution was more frequently achieved with UNC balloons (
P
=0.04), and balloon rupture occurred less often (
P
<0.001). Conduit tears of any severity occurred in 22% of patients overall and were more common in the UNC group (
P
=0.001). Patients with any conduit tear had significantly greater reduction in their RV:Ao pressure ratio (
P
<0.001) and right ventricular outflow tract gradient (
P
=0.004) than those with no tear. There were 4 unconfined tears, all in the UNC group, with no acute decompensations or deaths and only 1 patient who required surgical management.

Conclusions—

RV-PA conduit tears are common in patients undergoing angioplasty, but clinically important tears, which only occurred during UNC angioplasty in this series, were uncommon. UNC balloons can be used to good effect with significant reduction in right ventricular outflow tract gradient and the RV:Ao ratio when compared with conventional balloons.
The Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor‐γ Pioglitazone Improves Vascular Function and Decreases Disease Activity in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Marder Wendy , Khalatbari Shokoufeh , Myles James D. , Hench Rita , Lustig Susan , Yalavarthi Srilakshmi , Parameswaran Aishwarya , Brook Robert D. , Kaplan Mariana J.
Published: November 2013

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (
RA
) is associated with heightened mortality due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (
CVD
). Inflammatory pathways in
RA
negatively affect vascular physiology and promote metabolic disturbances that contribute to
CVD
. We hypothesized that the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐γ (
PPAR
‐γ) pioglitazone could promote potent vasculoprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects in
RA
.

Methods and Results

One hundred forty‐three non‐diabetic adult
RA
patients (76.2% female, age 55.2±12.1 [mean±
SD
]) on stable
RA
standard of care treatment were enrolled in a randomized, double‐blind placebo controlled crossover trial of 45 mg daily pioglitazone versus placebo, with a 3‐month duration/arm and a 2‐month washout period. Pulse wave velocity of the aorta (
PWV
), brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (
FMD
), nitroglycerin mediated dilatation (
NMD
), microvascular endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index [
RHI
]), and circulating biomarkers of inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis risk all were quantified.
RA
disease activity was assessed with the 28‐Joint Count Disease Activity Score (
DAS
‐28) C‐reactive protein (
CRP
) and the
Short Form (36) Health Survey quality of life questionnaire
. When added to standard of care
RA
treatment, pioglitazone significantly decreased pulse wave velocity (ie, aortic stiffness) (
P
=0.01), while
FMD
and
RHI
remained unchanged when compared to treatment with placebo. Further, pioglitazone significantly reduced
RA
disease activity (
P
=0.02) and
CRP
levels (
P
=0.001), while improving lipid profiles. The drug was well tolerated.

Conclusions

Addition of pioglitazone to
RA
standard of care significantly improves aortic elasticity and decreases inflammation and disease activity with minimal safety issues. The clinical implications of these findings remain to be established.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: ClinicalTrials.gov Unique Identifier:
NCT
00554853.
Extending the Indications of Flow Diversion to Small, Unruptured, Saccular Aneurysms of the Anterior Circulation
Authors: Chalouhi Nohra , Starke Robert M. , Yang Steven , Bovenzi Cory D. , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula , Hasan David , Gonzalez L. Fernando , Rosenwasser Robert , Jabbour Pascal
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose—

Flow diverters are currently indicated for treatment of large and complex intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the indications of flow diversion can be safely extended to unruptured, small, saccular aneurysms (<10 mm) of the anterior circulation.

Methods—

Forty patients treated with the pipeline embolization device (PED) were matched in a 1:4 fashion with 160 patients treated with stent-assisted coiling based on patient age, sex, aneurysm location, and aneurysm size. Procedural complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes were analyzed and compared.

Results—

The rate of periprocedural complications was 5% in the PED group and 3% in the stent-coil group (
P
=0.7). In multivariable analysis, increasing age was the only predictor of complications. At follow-up, a higher proportion of aneurysms treated with PED (80%) achieved complete obliteration compared with stent-coiled aneurysms (70%) but the difference did not reach statistical significance (
P
=0.2). In multivariable analysis, increasing aneurysm size and aneurysm location were predictors of nonocclusion. The rate of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0–2 and modified Rankin Scale, 0–1) was similar in the PED group and the coil group.

Conclusions—

The PED was associated with similar periprocedural risks, clinical outcomes, and angiographic results compared with stent-assisted coiling. These findings suggest that the indications of PED can be safely extended to small intracranial aneurysms that are amenable to conventional endovascular techniques. Larger studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to determine the optimal treatment that leads to the highest rate of obliteration and best clinical outcomes.
Ogleus pilarae, a new genus and species of leptocheliid tanaidacean (Crustacea: Peracarida: Tanaidomorpha) from the tropical Northwest Atlantic with observations on the genus Pseudonototanais Lang, 1973
Authors: MORALES-NÚÑEZ ANDRÉS G. , HEARD RICHARD W.
Published: November 2013

Ogleus pilarae n. gen., n. sp. (Leptocheliidae) is described from specimens collected at a depth of 28 m off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Morphologically the new genus appears to have its closest affinities with the type species of Heterotanais and those of the two subgenera belonging to Pseudonototanais sensu Guţu. Ogleus is distinguished from these and other leptocheliids by a combination of characters including a male antennule having three unfused peduncular articles, five aesthetasc-bearing flagellar articles with the first being greatly reduced and bearing a single cluster of aesthetascs, the shape of the male cheliped, and uropods of both sexes having an elongate endopod with five articles or incipient articles, the distalmost being distinctly longer than the first. The genus Pseudonototanais is rediagnosed to contain P. werthi, P. modestus (female holotype), and with reservations P. bransfieldensis. The Pseudonototanais subgenus Makassaritanais is elevated to full generic rank to contain M. angustus and M. bamberi. The male originally attributed to P. (M.) modestus, does not appear to be a leptocheliid since it has a short uropodal endopod appearing to have just two articles. The taxonomic status of some of the other taxa previously assigned to Pseudonototanais sensu lato or that are superficially similar to it is discussed. Overall, based on the females, the genera Ogleus and Makassaritanais may be more closely allied with genus Leptochelia Dana, 1849 than to Pseudonototanais and Heterotanais. A key to the male leptocheliid taxa having truncated or superficially subchelate-appearing chelae is presented.
Electroconvulsive therapy use in Otago, New Zealand: a 10-year retrospective audit of patient-level treatment data
Authors: Alvarez-Grandi Sebastian , de la Barra Sophia Leon , Seifert Annalise , Glue Paul
Published: November 2013

Objectives:

There are wide global variations in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use patterns. This audit reviewed patient-level ECT use patterns over 10 years at a single New Zealand clinic, including factors associated with clinical response and patterns of repeated administration.

Methods:

Retrospective audit of all 2003–2012 ECT and clinical file data.

Results:

A total of 199 patients received ECT, which was used to treat mostly affective disorders in a predominantly female, older population, generally with a single course of treatment. There were different demographics and patterns of ECT use between patients being treated for affective and psychotic disorders. Overall treatment response was high, with over 90% of patients having a full or partial response. Treatment response was not associated with diagnosis, gender, or medication use, but showed a trend in significance for greater response in elderly patients.

Conclusions:

ECT use patterns in Otago New Zealand are similar to those reported in Australia, USA, and UK, although yearly use rate in Otago is lower. Because of their different demographic and ECT treatment patterns, future studies should report data for patients with affective and psychotic disorders separately.
The Role of Number of Tasks in Determining the Relevance of Information
Authors: Durso Francis T. , Kazi Sadaf , Darling Cale M.
Published: November 2013

Objective:

Our objective was to explore the value of considering the number of tasks that use a piece of information when calculating the relevance information has to an operator.

Background:

Whereas frequency and criticality of information are often identified as information attributes, the number of tasks that use the information is rarely considered.

Method:

We calculated the relevance of pieces of information in air traffic control using criticality and frequency, and compared it to a formula that also considered the number of tasks.

Results:

Including number of tasks resulted in information ranking that better accounted for aircraft relevant information, and better supported the information needs of air traffic controllers as determined by judgments of controllers.

Conclusion:

The attribute of number of tasks is valuable in calculating the relevance of information.

Application:

Interface designers should consider the number of tasks that use a particular piece of information when determining the placement of information within a display.
Tuberculosis of knee region in children: a series of eight cases
Authors: Kant Kumar Shashi , Agarwal Anil , Suri Tarun , Gupta Neeraj , Verma Indreshwar , Shaharyar Abbas
Published: November 2013

Our study retrospectively reviewed the presentation, healing response, and functional results of eight cases of unilateral knee tuberculosis in children. The patients were evaluated for pain, instability, deformity, range of motion, and limb length discrepancy. Seven cases presented radiologically with Kerri and Martini’s stage 1 or 2 and one in stage 4. Epiphyseal involvement was present in five cases. At final follow-up, all the knees were painless and stable. A full range of motion was recovered in the early stages. Limb length discrepancy was seen in six cases. Radiologically, despite clinical healing, the lytic lesions persisted for longer. Joint space was not reduced in seven cases at the initial presentation which was maintained following treatment. In the early stages, multidrug chemotherapy alone is sufficient and joints should be mobilized early in order to prevent stiffness. The lytic epiphyseal and metaphyseal cavities may persist for several months even after successful treatment. Limb length discrepancy is a common complication of knee tuberculosis in children.
Ascariasis of gallbladder: a rare case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Khanduri Sachin , Parashari Umesh C , Agrawal Deepak , Bhadury Samarjit
Published: November 2013

Ascariasis of the gallbladder is a very rare presentation. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with complaints of pain in the abdomen, vomiting, pruritus, and fever on-and-off for 10 days. On radiological examination, an ultrasonography of the abdomen showed a dilated gallbladder with multiple linear echogenic, tubular, parallel lines inside the lumen of the gallbladder, common bile duct and intrahepatic biliary radicles. The zigzag and coiling movement of a worm was noted in the lumen of the gallbladder on real time B-mode ultrasonography. The patient was successfully treated with an anthelminthic drug. On follow up no evidence of the worm was noted in the gallbladder or common bile duct lumen.
Higher Moral Obligations of Tolerance Toward Other Minorities
Authors: Fernández Saulo , Branscombe Nyla R. , Saguy Tamar , Gómez Ángel , Morales J. Francisco
Published: November 2013

In four experiments, we tested whether members of stigmatized groups are expected to be more tolerant toward other minorities than members of non-stigmatized groups and assessed the consequences of disconfirming those expectancies. Experiments 1 and 2 showed that majority group members expected members of a stigmatized group to be more tolerant toward immigrants, particularly when the stigmatized minority was perceived as having overcome the negative consequences of its victimization. When this tolerance expectation was disconfirmed, stigmatized group members were judged more immoral than members of a non-stigmatized group that held the same intolerant attitudes. Experiments 3 and 4 showed that these effects were driven by the belief that stigmatized groups should derive benefits from their suffering. These findings suggest that stigmatized groups are judged according to stricter moral standards than non-stigmatized groups because majority group members need to make meaning of the undeserved suffering experienced by victims of social stigma.
iPad® use in children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An observational study
Authors: King Amie M , Thomeczek Melissa , Voreis Grayce , Scott Victoria
Published: November 2013

This exploratory study was conducted to describe how children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently using iPads® and applications, to explore the role of education professionals on iPad® and application use, and to determine potential research needs regarding iPad® use in children with ASD. Naturalistic observations were conducted on six individuals (ages 6;6 to 20;8) with ASD while they were using iPads® in their school environment. The data suggest that (1) the participants used iPads® and applications for a variety of purposes, (2) there was considerable variability regarding whether or not the application was used consistent with its intended function, and (3) the presence of an education professional and the type of application impacted the variability in functional use of the application. Pertinent lines of research that are needed to expand the base of evidence regarding effective iPad® use in children with ASD are discussed.
A new typology of micro-firm owner-managers
Authors: Jaouen Annabelle , Lasch Frank
Published: November 2013

This article explores the extent to which the views of micro-firm owner-managers regarding growth and lifestyle issues affect their entrepreneurial behaviour. Semi-directed interviews were conducted with 79 owner-managers to inform a typology that consists of four owner-manager views associated with success, subsistence, hedonism and paternalism. This study investigates the differences in the behaviours associated with these four profiles. The representatives of only two types (success and paternalism) ‘want’ to grow; conversely, owner-managers of the other two types (hedonism and subsistence) do not. The findings show that micro-firm owner-managers are driven by varied and sometimes profoundly divergent views which will have substantial effects on a firm’s strategies and development.
Early Adolescent Perceptions of Neighborhood
Authors: Witherspoon Dawn P. , Hughes Diane L.
Published: November 2013

Considerable evidence shows the detriments of neighborhood social disorganization for urban youth. Researchers have focused less on potential neighborhood strengths or on the interplay of neighborhood perceptions and objective neighborhood characteristics. The authors examined the presence and perception of positive and negative neighborhood characteristics among urban ethnically diverse families, the similarity in early adolescents’ and mothers’ perceptions, and the association between sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions, and youth outcomes. The sample consisted of 608 ethnically diverse early adolescents and 128 mother–adolescent dyads. Adolescents’ reports of positive and negative neighborhood characteristics were empirically distinct and moderately correlated. Mothers and adolescents viewed their neighborhoods differently. Census measures of neighborhood disadvantage were positively associated with adolescents’ and mothers’ perceptions of negative neighborhood characteristics but differently associated with positive neighborhood characteristics. Neighborhood characteristics were differentially associated with youth outcomes. The authors discuss the importance of the neighborhood context, particularly positive neighborhood characteristics, for urban families.
Combination effect of 4-picolinic acid with 5A zeolite on ammonium polyphosphate flame-retarded sawdust board
Authors: Yuan Liping , Chen Xun , Hu Yunchu
Published: November 2013

The flammability and thermal stability of ammonium polyphosphate–treated flame-retarded sawdust boards were compared with those also containing 5A zeolite and 5A zeolite that had been impregnated with 4-picolinic acid. This comprehensive study was performed using cone calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that acid-treated 5A zeolite, which was incorporated into ammonium polyphosphate–based flame-retardant systems, showed superior performance to ammonium polyphosphate being used alone. This was determined by comparing the peak heat release rate, total heat release, fire growth index, smoke release rate, and total smoke emission. The thermogravimetric analysis results showed that 4-picolinic acid significantly altered the thermal stability of ammonium polyphosphate, which was catalytically decomposed in advance so as to retard combustion. Digital photography and scanning electron microscopy observations showed that 5A zeolite used with 4-picolinic acid efficiently promoted the formation of a continuous and consolidated charred layer.
Screening of the toxic effects of a high melamine dose on the biochemical hematological and histopathological investigations in male rats
Authors: El Rabey Haddad A , Al-Sieni Abdulbasit I , Majami Abdullah A
Published: November 2013

Screening of the toxic effect of a high oral melamine dose (30,000 ppm supplemented in the diet) was performed for 28 days on male rats. The morphology, anatomy, complete blood count (CBC), serum electrolytes, kidney function, serum proteins, serum bilirubin, serum liver enzymes, catalase, glutathion-S-transferase, lipid peroxide, serum melamine concentration, total body weight, food intake, food efficiency ratio (FER), body weight gain percentage (BWG%), body weight gain, water consumption, and histopathological examinations of kidney, urinary bladder, testis, liver, heart, and spleen were investigated. The melamine-supplemented rats turned yellow and showed different degrees of hypertrophy and congestion, particularly the kidney and the ureter as a result of melamine toxicity. The CBC showed minimal changes in the melamine-supplemented groups. Na and Cl were decreased, whereas K, P, and Ca were increased. Serum creatinine, uric acid, and urea were elevated. Liver function enzymes were nonsignificantly affected. Catalase and glutathion-S-transferase were decreased, whereas lipid peroxide was increased in the kidney tissue homogenate. It was also noted that serum protein was decreased and serum bilirubin was increased. Histopathologically, most examined organs were severely injured specially the kidneys, liver, and testes.
School Bullying in Adolescence and Personality Traits
Authors: Kodžopeljić Jasmina , Smederevac Snežana , Mitrović Dušanka , Dinić Bojana , Čolović Petar
Published: November 2013

This study examined the differences in personality traits between the clusters reflecting the roles in violent interactions among high school students. The sample included 397 students (51.1% male) of Serbian nationality from the first to the fourth grades of different high schools. Based on scores of five dimensions related to peer violence (Physical Aggression, Psychological Aggression, Victimization, Adapted Behavior, and Risky Behavior), three clusters were extracted: Adapted Adolescents, Victims, and Bullies. These three clusters were compared with respect to lexical Big Seven personality traits, and the results indicate that the clusters differ significantly on Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and Negative Valence. The Adapted Adolescents have the lowest scores on all three dimensions, while the Victims score highest on Neuroticism, and the Bullies on Aggressiveness. The potential importance of certain Extraversion facets for the roles in violent interaction was discussed.
Sexual Victimization Using Latent Class Analysis
Authors: French Bryana H. , Bi Yu , Latimore Tracey G. , Klemp Heather R. , Butler Ellen E.
Published: November 2013

Sexual victimization is prevalent in the United States and overrepresented among adolescents. Research typically assesses victimization on a continuum of severity and rarely examines patterns of victimization within an individual. Using latent class analysis, the present study investigated whether meaningful classes of sexual victimization could be found based on the tactic used and severity of sexual behavior. Personal characteristics and psycho-behavioral outcomes were explored as they related to victimization classes. Peer sexual coercion experiences were examined among 657 racially diverse high school and college students, and four classes were identified: non-victims (54%), manipulated and forced fondle/intercourse (27%), poly-victimization (9.5%), and forced fondling (9.5%). Sexual victimization classes were significantly characterized in regards to childhood sexual abuse, gender, and age. The poly-victimization class (i.e., verbal coercion, substance facilitated, and physical force resulting in completed intercourse) showed the greatest level of psycho-behavioral consequences with significantly lower self-esteem, higher psychological distress, and more sexual risk taking than all other classes. The manipulated and forced class also showed significantly lower self-esteem than non-victims. Findings provide important implications for understanding patterns of sexual victimization and related consequences to help target interventions more effectively.
“Let’s Get Drunk and Have Sex”
Authors: Cowley Amanda D.
Published: November 2013

Using interviews with 43 college-age individuals, the present study aims to create a more nuanced and complex understanding of the relationship between alcohol and gender in instances of sexual victimization. The existing scholarship suggests that either alcohol or gendered processes are the primary factors in facilitating a sexual assault, one always dominating the other. However, participants express a more complex understanding that suggests that not only do each of these factors contribute individually to sexual victimization, but they also interact to create a context in which sexual victimization is not only possible but also likely. In these in-depth interviews, participants reveal the ways in which the physiological effects of alcohol, beliefs about alcohol, gender norms, sex scripts, and rape myths all work together to normalize male dominance and violence against women. Given that sexual assaults among college-age women have not declined in the past 50 years and alcohol consumption is present in upward of 50% of all assaults, it is critical that scholars continue to disentangle this relationship and reformulate the way we conceptualize sexual violence.
The influence of γ radiation on the properties of elastomers based on ethylene propylene diene terpolymer and chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber
Authors: Marinović-Cincović Milena , Marković Gordana , Samaržija-Jovanović Suzana , Budinski-Simendić Jaroslava , Jovanović Vojislav
Published: November 2013

This work aimed to study the effects of γ radiation on the properties of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber blend reinforced with 50 phr of carbon black and cross-linked either with sulfur/tetramethylthiuram disulfide or dicumyl peroxide. Irradiation doses were 100, 200, and 400 kGy. It was observed that doses higher than 200 kGy practically destroy the assessed properties of all obtained elastomeric materials, irrespective of used curing system. However, samples cured with sulfur showed a pronounced decrease in mechanical properties.
Effect of vibration parameters in plasticizing process on properties of polypropylene by dynamic injection molding
Authors: Wang Quan , Qu Jinping , Huang Chaohua , Liu Bin , Sun Xiao
Published: November 2013

A novel self-designed dynamic injection molding machine by screw axial vibration introduced in plasticizing process was used in the preparation of polypropylene (PP) standard specimens. Under other process and same conditions, the vibration frequency and amplitude are changed in plasticizing process. The whole energy consumption in the molding process, the tensile stress, impact stress, density, and differential scanning calorimetric results of the specimens were measured. Furthermore, the effects of vibration parameters of plasticizing process on dispersion were studied with the mixture of PP and nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO3) materials using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results showed that the maximum increment of tensile stress and impact stress of the specimens are 9.8and 13.8%, respectively, by screw axial vibration introduced in plasticizing process. The maximum increment of density is 0.3%. The melt point of specimens has a significant increase of 3°C and the energy consumption of the whole processing decreases 6.6% at maximum. The SEM micrographs show that the dispersion of nano-CaCO3 became more homogeneous compared with the steady specimens.
Dynamic monitoring of railway track displacement using an optical system
Authors: Pinto Nuno , Ribeiro Cristina Alves , Gabriel Joaquim , Calçada Rui
Published: November 2013

With the increases in traffic, axle loads and travelling speed, the dynamic monitoring of railway tracks and structures is becoming more and more important to ensure a high level of safety and comfort. This situation is particularly critical at transition zones where rapid changes of track stiffness occur. This paper presents a contactless system to measure track displacements and its application in an embankment/underpass transition zone, located on the Northern line of the Portuguese railway network where the Alfa Pendular tilting train travels at a maximum speed of 220 km/h. The system is based on a diode laser module and a position sensitive detector (PSD). The PSD receives the laser beam emission and the detection of the centre of gravity of the beam spotlight on the PSD area enables the calculation of the displacement. Before field application, static and dynamic laboratory validation tests were performed in order to evaluate the system performance for different laser to PSD distances, and an accuracy of 0.01 mm was achieved using data acquisition rates of up to 15 kHz. The optical measuring system proved to be an efficient and flexible way to measure absolute and relative rail displacements in the field, enabling the detection of track deformability differences along the transition zone, even for the passage of trains at high speed (220 km/h).
The Trajectory of White-Collar Crime Following the Great Economic Meltdown
Authors: Pontell Henry N. , Geis Gilbert
Published: November 2013

This article reviews issues in white-collar crime research related to both the causes and aftermath of the 2008 economic meltdown. The absence of major prosecutions, new legislation designed to prevent similar debacles, and post-meltdown case studies are discussed to illuminate the culture and business practices of major companies that were responsible for the unprecedented losses to the financial system and the resulting taxpayer bailout. We conclude that despite new legislation, regulatory gaps and continued lack of adequate oversight as a result of intense lobbying by the financial industry, as well as a non-understanding of the role of fraud in major financial debacles by policy makers, virtually guarantee that future financial crises will occur due to fraud, even in the most elite firms.
Data normalisation for Lamb wave–based damage detection using cointegration: A case study with single- and multiple-temperature trends
Authors: Dao Phong B , Staszewski Wieslaw J
Published: November 2013

This article presents an application of the cointegration technique for temperature effect removal (i.e. data normalisation) in Lamb wave–based damage detection. The method is based on the concept of stationarity of time series. Analysis of cointegrating residuals and stationary statistical characteristics – before and after the cointegration process – are used for damage detection. The method is validated using Lamb wave data from undamaged and damaged aluminium plates instrumented with low-profile, surface-bonded piezoceramic transducers. Two temperature variation cases (single- and multiple-temperature trends) are investigated. The experimental results show that the cointegration process can remove undesired temperature effects and accurately detect damage.
An improvement on the Brinson model for shape memory alloys with application to two-dimensional beam element
Authors: Poorasadion Saeid , Arghavani Jamal , Naghdabadi Reza , Sohrabpour Saeed
Published: November 2013

In this article, the one-dimensional phenomenological constitutive model originally proposed by Brinson for shape memory alloys is improved to predict asymmetric behavior in tension and compression. We propose an approach that decomposes stress-induced martensite volume fraction into two parts, one in tension and one in compression. Results of numerical examples show reasonable agreement with experimental data. Moreover, we implement the proposed model in a user-defined material subroutine in the nonlinear finite element software ABAQUS/Standard as a two-dimensional Euler–Bernoulli beam element. We simulate several beam problems and a shape memory alloy staple. Regarding the results, the proposed shape memory alloys constitutive model, employed in a two-dimensional beam element, can be used to simulate various shape memory alloys applications in the design and analysis.
Thrombolysis With Single Bolus Tenecteplase Compared With Streptokinase Infusion in the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Patra Soumya , Nagesh C. M. , Reddy Babu , Srinivas B. C. , Agrawal Navin , Manjunath C. N. , Hegde Madhav
Published: November 2013

Objective:

This study was planned to compare the efficacy of bolus regimens of tenecteplase (TNK) and 24 hours infusion of streptokinase (STK) in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in a resource-poor setting.

Interventions:

In all, 25 patients received injection of TNK, and 75 patients received infusion of STK over 24 hours.

Results:

Pulmonary artery systolic pressure and right ventricular function were improved separately and significantly ( P = .01) in both the study groups of patients from baseline at 24 hours or at seventh day and was comparable among the TNK and STK groups of patients. Mean duration of stay in intensive care unit was significantly less (2.2 ± 0.8 vs 3.2 ± 1.3 days; P = .04), and bleeding risk was also found to be nonsignificantly less in the TNK group.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that a 24-hour infusion regimen of STK is as effective as bolus TNK in the treatment of patients with APE in countries with limited resources.
Aldred v Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust
Authors: Jones Antonia
Published: November 2013

Negligent delay in the diagnosis and treatment of infected cervical discitis leading to a permanent and partial C5 tetraplegia.

Settlement: 8 March 2012.

Christopher Wilson-Smith QC and Caroline Hallissey of Outer Temple Chambers, instructed by Antonia Jones of Stewarts Law LLP for the claimant.

Sarah Pritchard of Kings Chambers, instructed by Vanessa Splaine of Weightmans LLP for the defendant.
Close encounters: Ritualizing proximity in the age of celebrity. An ethnographic analysis of meet-and-greets with Dutch singer Marco Borsato
Authors: Reijnders Stijn , Spijkers Marlies , Roeland Johan , Boross Balázs
Published: November 2013

For many celebrities, organizing meet-and-greets with fans and followers has become a permanent feature of their public appearances. As yet little is known about the role and importance of such ‘unmediated’ encounters within the everyday constitution of celebrity culture. Why would fans be interested in the possibility of direct, personal contact with people they already know from the media? To find an answer to this question, this article presents ethnographic research into meet-and-greets with the Dutch artist Marco Borsato. Results show that these meet-and-greets constitute a meaningful experience for those involved: they validate and enhance emotional involvement, serve as status symbols within the fan hierarchy and, in some cases, can fulfil a vital role in personal life narratives of healing.
Branded revolutionaries: Circulated gurus as management tools in soft capitalism
Authors: Kantola Anu
Published: November 2013

The call for revolution has become a standard technique in corporate capitalism. Management fashions and gurus turn revolutionary ideas into saleable packages of corporate consulting. Here, the focus is on the case of Gary Hamel. I show how an individual guru becomes the central symbolic pole of the circulation of revolutionary ideas. Publishing companies, consultancies, universities and different media package and disseminate the revolutionary guru. I suggest that the revolutionary guru helps manage the flexible post-Fordist organisation. The circulation of revolution also entails paradoxes. In Hamel’s case, the call for revolution often, when put into practice, serves the interests of the managers.
Asymptotic optimality of Hodges-Lehmann inverse rank likelihood estimators
Authors: Doksum Kjell
Published: November 2013

Hodges and Lehmann proposed using rank test statistics evaluated at inversely transformed data to construct estimating equations. This paper reframes the resulting estimates in terms of a rank likelihood. In the context of a model of the form Y = h( e; z, β), where Y is a response, z a vector of predictors and e is a random error, this approach corresponds to computing the inverse e = g( Y, z; β) by solving Y = h( e; z, β) for e and using the distribution of the ranks of independent e’s as a likelihood. The properties of the resulting estimators have been developed in many important contexts. This paper will review and extend asymptotic optimality properties of Hodges Lehmann estimators in semiparametric models. In particular, the paper will establish semiparametric optimality of the estimate obtained from a Gaussian linear model. Moreover, it will be shown that the Hodges-Lehmann estimate obtained from the exponential likelihood is asymptotically minimax for the semiparametric accelerated failure time model with increasing hazard rates, and it will be shown that a uniform (Wilcoxon) score estimate applied to log Yi, 1 ≤ i ≤ n, is asymptotically minimax for an accelerated failure time model with increasing logit rate. References to recently developed software in R is provided.
Finite-sample inference with monotone incomplete multivariate normal data, III: Hotelling’s T2-statistic
Authors: Romer Megan M , Richards Donald St. P
Published: November 2013

In the setting of inference with two-step monotone incomplete data drawn from Nd( µ, ∑), a multivariate normal population with mean µ and covariance matrix ∑, we derive a stochastic representation for the exact distribution of a generalization of Hotelling’s T2-statistic, thereby enabling the construction of exact level ellipsoidal confidence regions for µ. By applying the equivariance of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the maximum likelihood estimators of µ and ∑, respectively, we show that the T2-statistic is invariant under affine transformations. Further, as a consequence of the exact stochastic representation, we derive upper and lower bounds for the cumulative distribution function of the T2-statistic. We apply these results to construct simultaneous confidence regions for linear combinations of µ, and we apply these results to analyze a dataset consisting of cholesterol measurements on a group of Pennsylvania heart disease patients.
To what extent is the Mayer and Salovey (1997) model of emotional intelligence a useful predictor of leadership style and perceived leadership outcomes in Australian educational institutions?
Authors: Grunes Paul , Gudmundsson Amanda , Irmer Bernd
Published: November 2013

Researchers have found that transformational leadership is related to positive outcomes in educational institutions. Hence, it is important to explore constructs that may predict leadership style in order to identify potential transformational leaders in assessment and selection procedures. Several studies in non-educational settings have found that emotional intelligence is a useful predictor of transformational leadership, but these studies have generally lacked methodological rigor and contextual relevance. This project, set in Australian educational institutions, employed a more rigorous methodology to answer the question: to what extent is the Mayer and Salovey (1997) model of emotional intelligence a useful predictor of leadership style and perceived leadership outcomes? The project was designed to move research in the field forward by using valid and reliable instruments, controlling for other predictors, obtaining an adequately sized sample of current leaders and collecting multiple ratings of their leadership behaviours. The study ( N = 144 leaders and 432 raters) results indicated that emotional intelligence was not a useful predictor of leadership style and perceived leadership outcomes. In contrast, several of the other predictors in the study were found to predict leadership style.
Dialectics of Mind, Body, and Place
Authors: Kusan Steve
Published: November 2013

This article presents results from an exploratory study of what college students from northern Ontario think about and do to manage their mental health. Data gathered in semistructured interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The purpose of the study is to advance our understanding of the ontogeny, substantive nature and deployment of mental health literacy (MHL). MHL has hitherto been defined as “knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid their recognition, management or prevention.”. This definition effectively translates to knowledge of the contents of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, currently in its fifth edition. Results of the study suggest that the current definition of MHL is overly narrow, that individuals use knowledge of various types from various sources to manage their mental health, and that the literacies that inform mental health management practices are developed through iterative engagement in autologous knowledge-translation, at the core of which are cultured resonance, meaning-making, metacognitive evaluation, and heuristic experimentation. MHL is redefined as the self-generated and acquired knowledge with which people negotiate their mental health. Broadening the definition of MHL has potential to enhance the capacity of individuals and communities to manage mental health effectively.
The calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist MK-8825 decreases spinal trigeminal activity during nitroglycerin infusion
Authors: Feistel Stephan , Albrecht Stephanie , Messlinger Karl
Published: November 2013

Background

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nitric oxide (NO) are regarded as key mediators in migraine and other primary headaches. Migraineurs respond to infusion of nitroglycerin with delayed headaches, and inhibition of CGRP receptors has been shown to be effective in migraine therapy. In animal experiments nitrovasodilators like nitroglycerin induced increases in spinal trigeminal activity, which were reversed after inhibition of CGRP receptors. In the present study we asked if CGRP receptor inhibition can also prevent spinal trigeminal activity induced by nitroglycerin.

Methods

In isoflurane anaesthetised rats extracellular recordings were made from neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus with meningeal afferent input. The non-peptide CGRP receptor inhibitor MK-8825 (5 mg/kg) dissolved in acidic saline (pH 3.3) was slowly infused into rats one hour prior to prolonged glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin) infusion (250 μg/kg/h for two hours).

Results

After infusion of MK-8825 the activity of spinal trigeminal neurons with meningeal afferent input did not increase under continuous nitroglycerin infusion but decreased two hours later below baseline. In contrast, vehicle infusion followed by nitroglycerin was accompanied by a transient increase in activity.

Conclusions

CGRP receptors may be important in an early phase of nitroglycerin-induced central trigeminal activity. This finding may be relevant for nitroglycerin-induced headaches.
Attitudes and beliefs of the French public about schizophrenia and major depression: results from a vignette-based population survey
Authors: Angermeyer Matthias C , Millier Aurélie , Rémuzat Cécile , Refaï Tarek , Toumi Mondher
Published: November 2013

Background

In their study ‘Mental Health in the General Population: Images and Realities’ Jean-Luc Roelandt et al. found a huge divide between the French public’s conceptualizations of insanity and depression. The study aims to examine whether such differences can be replicated using modern operationalized diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.

Methods

In 2012, an online survey was conducted using a representative sample drawn from the adult French population (N = 1600). After presentation of a case-vignette depicting a person with either schizophrenia or major depressive disorder a fully structured interview was carried out.

Results

Despite some similarities marked differences between both disorders emerge regarding beliefs and attitudes. While respondents presented with the schizophrenia vignette more frequently defined symptoms as the expression of an illness with a stronger biological component and a less favorable prognosis, demanding psychiatric treatment, respondents presented with the depression vignette considered the occurrence of symptoms more frequently as the consequence of current psychosocial stress, benefitting not only from established but also from alternative treatments. People with schizophrenia were more frequently perceived as unpredictable and dangerous, there was a stronger need to separate one-self from them, they were more frequently met with fear and less frequently reacted to with pro-social feelings, and they also faced more rejection.

Conclusions

The French public draws a clear line between schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. This applies equally to beliefs about both disorders and to attitudes towards the persons afflicted. There is a need for interventions trying to reduce existing misconceptions in order to improve the care of patients.
Prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide results in myocardial remodelling in adult murine offspring
Authors: Wei Yanling , Du Wenhua , Xiong Xiuqin , He Xiaoyan , Ping Yi  , Deng Youcai , Chen Dongfeng , Li Xiaohui
Published: November 2013

Background

The epigenetic plasticity hypothesis indicates that pregnancy exposure may result in adult-onset diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in offspring. In a previous study, we discovered that prenatal exposure to inflammatory stimulants, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), could lead to hypertension in adult rat offspring. In the present study, we further demonstrate that maternal inflammation induces cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction via ectopic over-expression of nuclear transcription factor κB (NF- κB), and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) can protect cardiac function by reducing maternal inflammation.

Methods

Pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into three groups and intraperitoneally injected with a vehicle, LPS (0.79 mg/kg), or LPS (0.79 mg/kg) plus PDTC (100 mg/kg) at 8 to 12 days of gestation. The offspring were raised until 4 and 8 months old, at which point an echocardiographic study was performed. The left ventricular (LV) mass index and apoptosis were examined.

Results

At 4 months of age, the LPS offspring exhibited augmented posterior wall thickness. These rats displayed left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy and LV diastolic dysfunction as well as a higher apoptotic index, a higher level of Bax and a lower level of Bcl-2 at 8 months of age. The protein levels of NF-κB (p65) in the myocardium of the offspring were measured at this time. NF-κB protein levels were higher in the myocardium of LPS offspring. The offspring that were prenatally treated with PDTC displayed improved signs of blood pressure (BP) and LV hypertrophy.

Conclusions

Maternal inflammation can induce cardiac hypertrophy in offspring during aging accompanied with hypertension emergence and can be rescued by the maternal administration of PDTC (the inhibitor of NF-κB).
Modification of hybrid active bilayer for enhanced efficiency and stability in planar heterojunction colloidal quantum dot photovoltaics
Authors: Heo Seung Jin , Yoon Seokhyun , Oh Sang Hoon , Kim Hyun Jae
Published: November 2013

Solution-processed planar heterojunction colloidal quantum dot photovoltaics with a hybrid active bilayer is demonstrated. A power conversion efficiency of 1.24% under simulated air mass 1.5 illumination conditions is reported. This was achieved through solid-state treatment with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide of PbS colloidal quantum dot solid films. That treatment was used to passivate Br atomic ligands as well as to engineer the interface within the hybrid active bilayer.