bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amerindian anthropology and cultural psychology: Crossing boundaries and meeting otherness’ worlds
Authors: Silva Guimarães Danilo
Published: June 2011

Addressing integrative possibilities between psychology and anthropology, this paper aims to design conceptual linkages between semiotic-cultural constructivist psychology and the anthropological theory of Amerindian perspectivism. From the psychological view, it is the interdependence between the structural and processual dimensions of the personal culture that makes parallels with Amerindian perspectivism fruitful. This anthropological frame proposes an experiment with native conceptions, which I argue similar to what Baldwin (1906) called sembling. Hence, it can be considered an active imitation of otherness’ viewpoint in order to approach indigenous worlds. It is supposed that this procedure leads to the emergence of new symbolic elements configuring the cultural action field of each agency in interaction. It is proposed that ‘‘making-believe’’ the Amerindian is convergent with the dialogic-hermeneutic approach of semiotic-cultural constructivism. As a result of the present integrative effort, is designed a meta-model that multiplies the genetic process of concrete symbolic objects.
Historical representations and conflicts about indigenous people as national identities
Authors: Carretero Mario , Kriger Miriam
Published: June 2011

The relation between history learning processes, in and out of school, and the construction of national identities is nowadays an increasingly important topic, being studied through the appropriation of historical narratives, which are frequently based on the official history of any nation state. In this paper, college students’ historical representations of their nation’s origin are studied. We compared specific quantitative answers about who the first inhabitants of Argentina were with more in depth qualitative answers about their nation’s political origin. In this respect, a conflict has been found in the way students present the official narrative. This conflict consists of maintaining that natives were the first national inhabitants, while most of the students think their nation was created in the 19th century. Different reactions to this are analyzed, particularly students’ efforts to justify this conflict and to find coherency in historical content which has been produced by school history teaching and other sources and consumed by college students. The most common justifications include cultural tools that conceal the violence historically suffered by the natives, and at the same time an unreal conciliation between natives’ rights and the interests of western founders of the national state. These tensions are considered in light of sociocultural discussions about the differences between production and consumption of historical narratives and their appropriation. We uphold that consumed historical narratives are based on an ontological and ahistorical concept of one’s own nation, which prevents understanding a possible counternarrative based on natives as historical agents.
(Re)writing biography: Memory, identity, and textually mediated reality in coming to terms with the past
Authors: Tileagă Cristian
Published: June 2011

This paper is concerned with how biography, memory, and identity are managed and displayed in a public confession of having been an informer for the Securitate (the former Romanian Communist Secret Police). Drawing on discursive psychology, the analysis reveals how biographical details are produced by drawing upon categorizations of people, context, and events, and organizationally relevant products such as the ‘‘archive,’’ the (Securitate) ‘‘file,’’ ‘‘information notes,’’ and personal notes. It is suggested that constructions of memory and identity are legitimated through a relationship with an organizational and personal accomplishment of accountability. The question guiding the analysis asks not why, but how remembering assumes the form that it does and how, ultimately, it can connect biography, memory, and identity to the wider ideological context. It is shown that a process of (re)writing biography is located in the ‘‘textual traces’’ contained in personal and ‘‘official’’ records. Recollections, dispositions, intentions, and moral character are intertwined with a textually mediated reality in producing the public record of disclosure, and the personal and political significance of what is remembered.
Government formation under the shadow of a core party
Authors: Curini Luigi , Pinto Luca
Published: June 2011

Despite its theoretical relevance, the role played by the existence of a core party in explaining the partisan composition of governments represents an understudied area in the empirical research on coalition formations. This article addresses the gap in the literature by focusing on the Italian case between 1946–1993. The role of the core party not only finds corroboration in the data, but it also clarifies the role played by political inertia. In this sense, the nature of the cabinet-bargaining process appears to be qualitatively different when a core party is present. Beyond better accounting for the patterns of government formation, our results help to identify the necessary (spatial) conditions under which the cycle of a government formula can be expected to be broken.
Evaluating aid: An adolescent domain of practice
Authors: Armytage Livingston
Published: June 2011

This article addresses the question ‘ Does aid work?’ by asking ‘ How do we know if it works?’ Despite substantial refinement in evaluation approaches, evaluation remains without any orthodoxy about how to assess effectiveness. The article examines the purposes of evaluation to discern unresolved tensions between accountability and an organizational learning approach. This is framed by the current vogue of Managing for Development Results, integral to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness in attaining the Millennium Development Goals. The article appraises the ‘paradigm war’ revealed in debates over methodology and the utility of the logical framework. It critiques limitations in development evaluation doctrine to highlight profound uncertainties of attribution and causality. The ‘evaluation gap’ between the rhetoric of donors and their evaluation practice, unsurprisingly, inhibits the evaluation of aid effectiveness.
An argument-based approach to validity in evaluation
Authors: LeBaron Wallace Tanner
Published: June 2011

To maximize the impact of research on programs, this article proposes a ‘reaching-down—reachingup’ perspective in evaluation design, whereby it serves two functions simultaneously: the program improvement function, reaching down, and the knowledge development function, reaching up. This proposal frames applied research as a particular species of evaluation. As validity is a fundamental assessment of how well a design supports particular inferences related to specific uses, the article subsequently summarizes and integrates disparate validity perspectives to develop an argument-based approach to validity in a ‘reaching-down—reaching-up’ evaluation model case study. Lastly, the location(s) of validation is considered in order to highlight evaluator responsibilities.
Evaluating the utilisation of resources in higher education institutions: The case of teaching space at a Ugandan university
Authors: Ssempebwa Jude
Published: June 2011

All over the world, there is pressure on higher education institutions (HEIs) to admit increasing numbers of students. In most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, however, the increasing demand for student places at HEIs is in the context of enormous reductions in the availability of institutional resources. Efforts at the expansion of enrolments have focused on expanding the availability of resources; however, utilisation of these resources is not evaluated for optimal usage. Taking the case of teaching space at Makerere University, this article argues that this could affect educational quality, access to higher education or both. Grounded on Juran’s generalization of Pareto’s Optimality Theory, the article proposes systematic, and multidimensional, evaluation of the utilisation of resources. It concludes that this might expose unexploited capacity to expand enrolments while adhering to relevant standards of quality assurance and ensure that resources are expanded in line with real need.
Bridging the gap between planning evaluation and programme evaluation: The contribution of the PPR methodology
Authors: Oliveira Vitor , Pinho Paulo
Published: June 2011

Despite the potential advantages of a closer link between planning evaluation and programme evaluation , both fields have been developed independently. This is mainly due to significant differences between them, particularly in terms of historical background, evaluation scope and contexts, the articulation between theory and practice, and the timings of evaluation. This article advocates bridging the gap between these two fields, and presents the Plan-Process-Results (PPR) methodology as an example of, and a contribution to, this bridging process. PPR is a methodology for evaluating planning and plan implementation, integrating elements from three types of planning evaluation, based on rationality ex-ante, performance and conformance.
Posttraumatic Growth of Injured Patients after Motor Vehicle Accidents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Wang Yanbo , Wang Ji , Liu Xiaohong
Published: June 2011

This study aimed to explore the process of posttraumatic growth of injured patients after a motor vehicle accident in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six patients. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four main super-ordinate themes emerged: construction of meaning; perception of self; perception of connection; and perception of life philosophy. These themes describe growth and emotional distress which may well coexist. Posttraumatic growth can be seen as one outcome of a process of struggling with traumatic injuries. Some strategies for facilitating posttraumatic growth are discussed. Health-care providers may help the recovery of injured patients by facilitating posttraumatic growth.
The daily lives of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Orsmond Gael I. , Kuo Hsin-Yu
Published: June 2011

This study explores the daily lives, particularly discretionary time, of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We describe the activities and activity partners of adolescents, the factors associated with their discretionary time use, and the impact of time use on their autism symptoms. Mothers of 103 adolescents with an ASD completed two 24-hour time diaries to describe their adolescent’s activity participation during the third wave of a longitudinal study. Adolescents with an ASD spent considerable time in discretionary activities, with watching television and using a computer as the most frequent activities. They most frequently spent discretionary time alone or with their mothers. They spent little time engaged in conversations or doing activities with peers. Age, gender, the presence of intellectual disability, severity of autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors, the number of siblings, maternal education, marital status, and family income were associated with adolescent time use. Notably, greater time spent in conversation and reading predicted future decreases in severity of social impairment. The way that adolescents with an ASD spend their free time may have implications for their development and the course of their autism symptoms.
An investigation into social information processing in young people with Asperger syndrome
Authors: Flood Andrea Mary , Julian Hare Dougal , Wallis Paul
Published: June 2011

Deficits in social functioning are a core feature of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), being linked to various cognitive and developmental factors, but there has been little attempt to draw on normative models of social cognition to understand social behaviour in ASD. The current study explored the utility of Crick and Dodge’s (1994) information processing model to studying social cognition in ASD, and examined associations between social information processing patterns, theory of mind skills and social functioning. A matched-group design compared young people with Asperger syndrome with typically developing peers, using a social information processing interview previously designed for this purpose. The Asperger syndrome group showed significantly different patterns of information processing at the intent attribution, response generation and response evaluation stages of the information processing model. Theory of mind skills were found to be significantly associated with parental ratings of peer problems in the Asperger syndrome group but not with parental ratings of pro-social behaviour, with only limited evidence of an association between social information processing and measures of theory of mind and social functioning. Overall, the study supports the use of normative social information processing approaches to understanding social functioning in ASD.
Attitudes influence implicit racial face categorization in a perceptual task
Authors: Ma Yina , Yang Shengmin , Han Shihui
Published: June 2011

Perceptual mechanisms have been proposed for the categorization of racial faces. Social cognitive mechanisms involved in the categorization of racial faces, however, remain unclear. The present study investigated whether and how attitudes influence racial face categorization by measuring reaction times to judge orientations of own-race or other-race faces. Study 1 showed that, in a task of judging orientations of Caucasian and Asian faces, European Americans responded faster to own-race (Caucasian) faces than to other-race (Asian) faces. Study 2 showed that Han Chinese responded faster to own-race (Han Chinese) faces than to other-race (Uigur Chinese) faces. In addition, we found that, in both experiments, own-race advantage in reaction times was eliminated by inducing negative attitudes toward own-race faces using a negative association priming procedure. Moreover, the mediation analysis in Study 2 showed that the priming effect was mediated by attitude bias toward own-race faces. Our findings provide evidence for categorization of racial faces in a perceptual, race-irrelevant task, which, however, is strongly modulated by attitudes toward target faces.
Face
Authors: Xiaoying Qi
Published: June 2011

The concept of face, as it is developed by Goffman, has strong conceptual links with the notion of a ‘looking-glass’ self outlined by Adam Smith and developed sociologically by Cooley. It also has links with the Chinese concept of face, which relates to the transfer of social science concepts from one cultural setting to another. By discussing the specificity and universality of face the article indicates the significance of the Chinese concept of face in a global sociology. The article goes on to examine aspects of the treatment of the Chinese concept of face and in doing so presents a more comprehensive account of a sociological conceptualization of face. The article then considers the relationship between face and emotions in indicating the mechanisms that underlie face. Finally, a distinction is made between face as an embedded social process and as an object of social contestation.
Aboriginalia: Souvenir Wares and the ‘Aboriginalization’ of Australian Identity
Authors: Franklin Adrian
Published: June 2011

In recent years Aboriginalia, defined here as souvenir objects depicting Aboriginal peoples, symbolism and motifs from the 1940s—1970s and sold largely to tourists in the first instance, has become highly sought after by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal collectors and has captured the imagination of Aboriginal artists and cultural commentators. The paper seeks to understand how and why Aboriginality came to brand Australia and almost every tourist place and centre at a time when Aboriginal people and culture were subject to policies (particularly the White Australia Polic(ies)) that effectively removed them from their homelands and sought in various ways to assimilate them (physiologically and culturally) into mainstream white Australian culture. In addition the paper suggests that this Aboriginalia had an unintended social life as an object of tourism and nation. It is argued that the mass-produced presence of many reminders of Aboriginal culture came to be ‘repositories of recognition’ not only of the presence of Aborigines but also of their dispossession and repression. As such they emerge today recoded as politically and culturally charged objects with (potentially) an even more radical role to play in the unfolding of race relations in Australia.
Tourism, Design and Controversy: Calling on Non-humans to Explain Ourselves
Authors: Picken Felicity
Published: June 2011

This paper explores the kind of stories non-humans enable us to tell about tourism. It introduces a ‘relational materialist’ approach to investigate tourism through the early life of a building called Zero Davey. In providing upmarket hotel accommodation, Zero Davey imported tourism into a place that is well established as the postcard image of Hobart, Australia’s southern-most city. In adding tourism stock to the Sullivans Cove precinct, Zero Davey acted as an importation device for tourism; however, this was only the first story. The building also delivered a controversy among ‘the people’ who deemed its appearance to be ‘out of keeping’ with Sullivans Cove. While this began to mirror a fairly common dialogue between ‘hosts and guests’, neither the provision of tourist accommodation nor the architecture of the building held any significance to the importation logistics or planning approval for Zero Davey. Instead, this was founded on the building’s ability to respond to a more expert reading of Sullivans Cove and another set of norms associated with ‘geological and urban integrity’. Consequently, there were three ‘buildings’ and no final ‘body’ who could arbitrate or adequately explain Zero Davey because the tourism object, the object of controversy and the object of design were not related to each other except through the building itself. Beginning with this claim gives Zero Davey an interest in the events of its own controversy, a role in its own design and a portion of the explanation for how tourism happens.
Touring ‘Country’, Sharing ‘Home’: Aboriginal Tourism, Australian Tourists and the Possibilities for Cultural Transversality
Authors: Galliford Mark
Published: June 2011

This paper discusses the capacity of Aboriginal cultural tourism to effect change in the perceptions and attitudes (and lives) of Australian tourists towards Aboriginality and their own national identity. Following research, it was found that the relational effects of the experience between hosts and tourists often surpassed the tourists’ enjoyment of the expected material displays of Aboriginal cultures. These displays are what most tours are based on, yet this relational context was based on degrees of intimacy that some tourists reported valuing more than simply experiencing demonstrations of a different culture. The importance of intimate engagement on the ‘meeting grounds’ of these cultural camps has a significant role to play in the current socio-political relations between Aboriginal people and settler Anglo-Australians. By visiting these camps, Australian tourists can engage (even if unintentionally) in practical and personal instances of reconciliation that can additionally effect a transversal, or becoming-minor, of the tourists’ subjectivity and thus potentially reordering the tourists’ sense of national identity and belonging.
Trends in research about health in early childhood: Economics and equity, from micro-studies to big business
Authors: Alderson Priscilla
Published: June 2011

Research about health is concerned with physical and mental well-being, illness and injury. Directly or indirectly, health relates to almost every aspect of early childhood. This article reviews the enormous range of research available, examining the aims and purposes of the studies, their methods and findings and the ways in which childhood and child—adult relationships are conceptualized. In particular, this article is concerned with whether the evidence available arises from studies concerned with cost-effectiveness or with equity and the re-distribution of wealth and resources.
Using survey data to explore preschool children’s ethnic awareness and attitudes
Authors: Connolly Paul
Published: June 2011

This article presents the findings of a large-scale survey (n = 1049) of ethnic awareness and attitudes among three to four-year-old children in Northern Ireland. In drawing upon and applying Bourdieu’s notion of habitus, the article demonstrates how, even at this age, the children are already beginning to embody and internalize the cultural habits and dispositions of their respective ethnic groups; namely the Protestant and Catholic communities. This is illustrated in the present article in relation to the children’s attitudes towards particular national flags and awareness of specific sports associated with their respective communities. Informed by the work of Bourdieu, the article concludes by arguing for the need for greater use of quantitative methods in conjunction with in-depth qualitative and ethnographic research to help further our understanding of the influence of ethnicity in young children’s lives.
Application of Mechanistic Chemical Kinetics to Thermoset Composites Processing
Authors: Chiao Leroy
Published: June 2011

Mechanistic chentical kinetics for diaminodiphenyl sulfone-cured tetra glycidyl 4,4' diaminodiphenyl methane epoxy resins have been incorporated into a composite cure model. The results are in reasonable agreement with expermental data for carbonlepoxy composite laminates from the literature. The mechanistic model is shown to be more flexible than a widely used empirical rate law, because modern formulation changes can be accommodated without re-characterizing the resin. Furthermore, the mechanistic model estimates the relative amounts of chemical linkages formed during the cure reactions. These data offer insight into the physical and chemical properties of the resin. The effects of formulation and cure cycle changes on the temperature distributions and linkage ratios are investigated through the cure model.
Investigation of the Curing Mechanism in PMR Polyimide Resin
Authors: Preston P.N. , Soutar I. , Woodfine B. , Hay J.N.
Published: June 2011

Investigation of the curing mechanism of PMR-15 has revealed detailed information regarding reaction pathways and physical. transitions involved during imidization and cross-linking. The oligomeric intermediates formed during staging contain a distribution of different molar mass species of diverse chemical nature, the relative amounts of which vary according to conditions of stoichiometry, temperature, etc. adopted. The cross-linking temperature profile of the oligomers, and physical transitions and further cross-linking/degradative behaviour of the polyimide resin have been eludated via DMTA.
Girl, Interrupted: Interpreting Semenya’s Body, Gender Verification Testing, and Public Discourse
Authors: Vannini April , Fornssler Barbara
Published: June 2011

This article addresses the social implications of gender verification testing in sport. The authors ask how sex—gender is contained in mediated public discourses that questioned Caster Semenya’s identity following her success in the women’s 800 m at the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championship. The authors use critical discourse analysis to examine the perception of the case surrounding Semenya along with perceptions of her sex and gender identity. The authors argue that the manner by which Semenya’s body is discursively constructed via news board discussants, scientific and medical communities, and athletic governance policies renders her flesh abject and promotes the interpretation of her body as being “‘disordered,” all in the service of maintaining the rhetoric of “fair play” and “equal opportunity” for female athletes. The authors claim that such tests reproduce existing hegemonic gender ideologies via the categories they reinforce and through the mechanism of testing itself, as this leads to sex—gender “verification.”
Experiences and Perceptions of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Family Carers of People With Dementia
Authors: Boughtwood Desiree Leone , Adams Jon , Shanley Chris , Santalucia Yvonne , Kyriazopoulos Helena
Published: June 2011

Dementia incidence rates are rapidly increasing among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians, and there is very little local research to inform practice. In response, a qualitative study employing focus group methods was undertaken with carers from 4 CALD communities—Arabic-speaking, Chinese-speaking, Italian-speaking and, Spanish-speaking. The study examined the experiences and perceptions of these family carers with regard to their caregiving for a person living with dementia (PLWD). Analysis revealed that while considerable similarities exist across the experiences and perceptions of carers from all 4 CALD communities, there were nevertheless some important distinctions across the different groups. These study findings have significant implications for those working with CALD communities.
Treating Sleep Problems in Dementia Caregivers Based on Parent-Child Interventions
Authors: Gallagher Katherine Steiger , Odenheimer Germaine , Kunik Mark E.
Published: June 2011

Background: Interventions developed for improving sleep in parents of young children or in developmentally delayed children might also prove effective for persons with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: We selectively reviewed the literature for interventions effective in improving sleep in parents of young children or in developmentally delayed children. Results: Graduated extinction and adult fading have been minimally explored in dementia populations. They are fairly brief and could be administered during primary care or dementia clinic visits. Combination strategies such as extinction and sleep-enhancing medication are very effective and may be applicable for persons with dementia and their caregivers. Physical capabilities and degree of cognitive decline of patients with dementia must be considered, and medical staff and caregivers should adjust behavioral strategies to maximize the use of patients' intact cognitive abilities. Conclusions: Interventions for divergent populations prone to similar problems as those of patients with dementia might be effective and advance existing research.
Regression Commonality Analysis: A Technique for Quantitative Theory Building
Authors: Nimon Kim , Reio Thomas G.
Published: June 2011

When it comes to multiple linear regression analysis (MLR), it is common for social and behavioral science researchers to rely predominately on beta weights when evaluating how predictors contribute to a regression model. Presenting an underutilized statistical technique, this article describes how organizational researchers can use commonality analysis to more completely interpret their regression effects and thereby inform theory. Using an empirical example from published literature, readers will see how regression commonality analysis can uncover important theoretical relationships that might be left undetected by only examining beta weights.
Common carotid intima-media thickness in cardiovascular risk stratification of older people: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Elias-Smale Suzette E , Kavousi Maryam , Verwoert Germaine C , Koller Michael T , Steyerberg Ewout W , Mattace-Raso Francesco US , Hofman Albert , Hoeks Arnold PG , Reneman Robert S , Witteman Jacqueline CM
Published: June 2011

Aim: Non-invasive measures of atherosclerosis, such as carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), may improve global cardiovascular risk prediction. The aim of this study was to determine whether common carotid IMT in addition to traditional risk factors improves risk classification in a general population of older people.

Methods and results: A group of 3580 non-diabetic people aged 55–75 years and free of cardiovascular disease at baseline were followed for a median time of 12.2 years. Compared to models based on Framingham risk factors, we studied the ability of common cIMT measurement to better classify people into categories of low (<10%), intermediate (10–20%) and high (>20%) 10-year risk of hard coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. In older men, addition of cIMT to Framingham risk factors did not improve prediction of hard CHD or stroke. In older women, addition of cIMT to Framingham risk factors significantly improved risk classification. cIMT improved the C-statistic of the model for hard CHD from 0.711 to 0.719 and for stroke from 0.712 to 0.721, at good calibration. Reclassification was least in the majority of women classified as low risk (4% ( n = 76) for hard CHD and 3% ( n = 62) for stroke) and most substantial in women at intermediate risk (43% ( n = 70) for hard CHD and 28% ( n = 76) for stroke). The net reclassification improvement in women was 8.2% ( p = 0.03) for hard CHD and 8.0% ( p = 0.06) for stroke.

Conclusion: cIMT had some additional value beyond traditional risk factors in the cardiovascular risk stratification of older women, but not of older men.
Exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a review of current literature focusing on safety, effects of exercise training, and the psychological impact of programme participation
Authors: Isaksen Kjetil , Morken Ingvild Margreta , Munk Peter Scott , Larsen Alf Inge
Published: June 2011

Background: Indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been widened considerably during the last decade due to the well-documented effect in the heart failure population. Exercise training (ET) has a 1 A recommendation in heart failure. However, data on safety and efficacy of ET in patients with ICDs is sparse. ICD shocks are associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Whether ET may have a beneficial effect in heart failure patients with an ICD is not well documented.

Methods: This review is based on a systematic search in the Pub Med database using the terms ‘exercise training’, ‘implantable cardioverter defibrillator’, and ‘cardiac rehabilitation’.

Results: Nine studies were identified, comprising 1889 patients. The average duration of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was 9.6 weeks. Ten ICD therapies (seven shocks) were reported in the 834 patients with ICD during ET. Between exercise sessions and during follow up 182 events were recorded including 166 shocks. Three studies (2 randomized) showed that the control group representing sedentary patients were more prone to ICD discharge than patients undergoing CR/ET. In all studies the ICD patients improved their aerobic fitness following ET. Few studies report data on the effect of ET on anxiety and depression.

Conclusion: Based on the current literature, ET in patients with an ICD seems to be safe and is not associated with increased risk of shocks. ET improves aerobic capacity in ICD patients, while effects on anxiety, depression and quality of life are still under debate.
A probabilistic approach for design and certification of self-healing advanced composite structures
Authors: Williams H R , Trask R S , Bond I P
Published: June 2011

Design and certification of novel self-healing aerospace structures was explored by reviewing the suitability of conventional deterministic certification approaches. A sandwich structure with a vascular network self-healing system was used as a case study. A novel probabilistic approach using a Monte Carlo method to generate an overall probability of structural failure yields notable new insights into design of self-healing systems, including a drive for a faster healing time of less than two flight hours. In the case study considered, a mature self-healing system could be expected to reduce the probability of structural failure (compared to a conventional damage-tolerant construction) by almost an order of magnitude. In a risk-based framework this could be traded against simplified maintenance activity (to save cost) and/or increased allowable stress (to allow a lighter structure). The first estimate of the increase in design allowable stresses permitted by a self-healing system is around 8 per cent, with a self-healing system much lighter than previously envisaged. It is thought these methods and conclusions could have wider application to self-healing and conventional high-performance composite structures.
Advances in the diagnosis of pleural disease in lung cancer
Authors: See Kay Choong , Lee Pyng
Published: June 2011

Pleural disease in lung cancer can be benign or malignant with the latter carrying a grave prognosis. In this review, we describe and discuss the advances in pleural imaging, procedures, and biomarkers for the diagnosis of pleural diseases in lung cancer. Ultrasound and computed tomography are increasingly applied in the planning of pleural procedures to enhance diagnostic accuracy and safety whilst pleuroscopy gives excellent yield in excess of 93% in the evaluation of cytology negative pleural effusions. Invasion beyond the elastic layer of the visceral pleura upstages lung cancer, and may indicate a need for adjuvant chemotherapy. Biomarkers isolated from pleural fluid or tissue may aid in diagnosis and guide treatment in the future. Magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, narrow band imaging of the pleura and autofluorescence thoracoscopy are technologies that require further evaluation to better define their respective roles in the diagnostic algorithms of pleural diseases in lung cancer.
Molecular dynamics simulation of bubble nucleation in Carbon Dioxide/Hexadecane Solution as an analog to foaming of polyethylene by Super Critical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Ming Zhai  , Rongzheng Zhang  , Qian Li  , Changyu Shen
Published: June 2011

A molecular dynamics model for microcellular foaming in carbon dioxide/hexadecane solution was introduced to investigate the super critical nucleation process in polyethylene. Hexadecane was chosen as a low molecular weight analog of polyethylene. The system was placed in a cube with periodic boundaries in all three dimensions, and run in NPT ensemble. A Nosé—Hoover thermostat was used to maintain the system temperature. A Berendsen barostat was utilized to carry out constant pressure ensemble simulations. An exp-6 field was employed to describe the force field. Methods to identify and trace nuclei were also proposed and the nucleation process was simulated. A series of snapshots were presented to visualize the early stage of bubble nucleation. Results showed that low-density gas nuclei were formed when the hexadecane and carbon dioxide saturated solution pressure was reduced. Then, carbon dioxide molecules would continue to enter into the gas phase until a bubble with a large number of gas molecules was formed.
Structure-orientation-properties relationships for polypropylene nanoclay composite films
Authors: Tabatabaei Seyed H , Ajji Abdellah
Published: June 2011

In this study, the morphology, orientation, as well as the mechanical and barrier properties of monolayer and multilayer nanoclay filled polypropylene (PP) obtained from the film blowing process were investigated. A significant alignment of nanoclay along the flow direction was observed from scanning electron microscopy images of the cross-section of the etched monolayer and trilayer films. The orientations of PP crystallites and clay platelets as well as the extent of intercalation and exfoliation were analyzed using a wide angle X-ray diffraction. The crystalline structure formed in PP alone was such that the b-axis oriented in the normal and transverse directions (ND and TD, respectively) and the c-axis aligned in the machine direction (MD). The addition of clay changed the orientation of the b-axis to ND, enhanced the a-axis orientation in MD, and also improved the c-axis alignment along MD. Moreover, the 001 plane (normal to platelets plane) of the nanoclays lay into ND drastically. With the incorporation of the clay tactoid, the Young’s modulus was enhanced by 25—40%, the tensile strength remained almost unchanged, and the elongation at break along TD decreased by more than 70% for all the films. The permeability to oxygen and tear resistance along MD and TD were slightly reduced with the presence of nanoparticles and percentage of nanofiller studied. The haze of the nanocomposite films increased upon the presence of clay particles, except in the case of low clay contents of 1.5 and 2.5 wt%.
Hepcidin regulates ferroportin expression and intracellular iron homeostasis of erythroblasts
Authors: Zhang De-Liang , Senecal Thomas , Ghosh Manik C. , Ollivierre-Wilson Hayden , Tu Tiffany , Rouault Tracey A.
Published: June 2011

The iron-regulatory hormone, hepcidin, regulates systemic iron homeostasis by interacting with the iron export protein ferroportin (FPN1) to adjust iron absorption in enterocytes, iron recycling through reticuloendothelial macrophages, and iron release from storage in hepatocytes. We previously demonstrated that FPN1 was highly expressed in erythroblasts, a cell type that consumes most of the serum iron for use in hemoglobin synthesis. Herein, we have demonstrated that FPN1 localizes to the plasma membrane of erythroblasts, and hepcidin treatment leads to decreased expression of FPN1 and a subsequent increase in intracellular iron concentrations in both erythroblast cell lines and primary erythroblasts. Moreover, injection of exogenous hepcidin decreased FPN1 expression in BM erythroblasts in vivo, whereas iron depletion and associated hepcidin reduction led to increased FPN1 expression in erythroblasts. Taken together, hepcidin decreased FPN1 expression and increased intracellular iron availability of erythroblasts. We hypothesize that FPN1 expression in erythroblasts allows fine-tuning of systemic iron utilization to ensure that erythropoiesis is partially suppressed when nonerythropoietic tissues risk developing iron deficiency. Our results may explain why iron deficiency anemia is the most pronounced early manifestation of mammalian iron deficiency.
Resveratrol retards progression of diabetic nephropathy through modulations of oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and AMP-activated protein kinase
Authors: Chang Chih-Chun , Chang Chieh-Yu , Wu Yang-Tzu , Huang Jiung-Pang , Yen Tzung-Hai , Hung Li-Man
Published: June 2011

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been recognized as the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenolic compound, has been indicated to possess an insulin-like property in diabetes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of RSV and delineate its underlying mechanism in early-stage DN.

Methods

The protective effects of RSV on DN were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Results

The plasma glucose, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were significantly elevated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. RSV treatment markedly ameliorated hyperglycemia and renal dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The diabetes-induced superoxide anion and protein carbonyl levels were also significantly attenuated in RSV-treated diabetic kidney. The AMPK protein phosphorylation and expression levels were remarkably reduced in diabetic renal tissues. In contrast, RSV treatment significantly rescued the AMPK protein expression and phosphorylation compared to non-treated diabetic group. Additionally, hyperglycemia markedly enhanced renal production of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. RSV reduced IL-1β but increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the diabetic kidneys.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that RSV protects against oxidative stress, exhibits concurrent proinflammation and anti-inflammation, and up-regulates AMPK expression and activation, which may contribute to its beneficial effects on the early stage of DN.
Study of large and highly stratified population datasets by combining iterative pruning principal component analysis and structure
Authors: Limpiti Tulaya , Intarapanich Apichart , Assawamakin Anunchai , Shaw Philip J , Wangkumhang Pongsakorn , Piriyapongsa Jittima , Ngamphiw Chumpol , Tongsima Sissades
Published: June 2011

Background

The ever increasing sizes of population genetic datasets pose great challenges for population structure analysis. The Tracy-Widom (TW) statistical test is widely used for detecting structure. However, it has not been adequately investigated whether the TW statistic is susceptible to type I error, especially in large, complex datasets. Non-parametric, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based methods for resolving structure have been developed which rely on the TW test. Although PCA-based methods can resolve structure, they cannot infer ancestry. Model-based methods are still needed for ancestry analysis, but they are not suitable for large datasets. We propose a new structure analysis framework for large datasets. This includes a new heuristic for detecting structure and incorporation of the structure patterns inferred by a PCA method to complement STRUCTURE analysis.

Results

A new heuristic called EigenDev for detecting population structure is presented. When tested on simulated data, this heuristic is robust to sample size. In contrast, the TW statistic was found to be susceptible to type I error, especially for large population samples. EigenDev is thus better-suited for analysis of large datasets containing many individuals, in which spurious patterns are likely to exist and could be incorrectly interpreted as population stratification. EigenDev was applied to the iterative pruning PCA (ipPCA) method, which resolves the underlying subpopulations. This subpopulation information was used to supervise STRUCTURE analysis to infer patterns of ancestry at an unprecedented level of resolution. To validate the new approach, a bovine and a large human genetic dataset (3945 individuals) were analyzed. We found new ancestry patterns consistent with the subpopulations resolved by ipPCA.

Conclusions

The EigenDev heuristic is robust to sampling and is thus superior for detecting structure in large datasets. The application of EigenDev to the ipPCA algorithm improves the estimation of the number of subpopulations and the individual assignment accuracy, especially for very large and complex datasets. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the structure resolved by this approach complements parametric analysis, allowing a much more comprehensive account of population structure. The new version of the ipPCA software with EigenDev incorporated can be downloaded from http://www4a.biotec.or.th/GI/tools/ippca.
Neuroregeneration in neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Enciu Ana M , Nicolescu Mihnea I , Manole Catalin G , Mureşanu Dafin F , Popescu Laurenţiu M , Popescu Bogdan O
Published: June 2011

Background

Neuroregeneration is a relatively recent concept that includes neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and neurorestoration - implantation of viable cells as a therapeutical approach.

Discussion

Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity are impaired in brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or Parkinson's Disease and correlate with low endogenous protection, as a result of a diminished growth factors expression. However, we hypothesize that the brain possesses, at least in early and medium stages of disease, a "neuroregenerative reserve", that could be exploited by growth factors or stem cells-neurorestoration therapies.

In this paper we review the current data regarding all three aspects of neuroregeneration in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
Efficacy of integrated school based de-worming and prompt malaria treatment on helminths -Plasmodium falciparum co-infections: A 33 months follow up study
Authors: Midzi Nicholas , Mtapuri-Zinyowera Sekesai , Sangweme Davison , Paul Noah H , Makware Godfrey , Mapingure Munyaradzi P , Brouwer Kimberly C , Mudzori James , Hlerema Gibson , Chadukura Vivian , Mutapi Francisca , Kumar Nirbhay , Mduluza Takafira
Published: June 2011

Background

The geographical congruency in distribution of helminths and Plasmodium falciparum makes polyparasitism a common phenomenon in Sub Saharan Africa. The devastating effects of helminths-Plasmodium co-infections on primary school health have raised global interest for integrated control. However little is known on the feasibility, timing and efficacy of integrated helminths-Plasmodium control strategies. A study was conducted in Zimbabwe to evaluate the efficacy of repeated combined school based antihelminthic and prompt malaria treatment.

Methods

A cohort of primary schoolchildren (5-17 years) received combined Praziquantel, albendazole treatment at baseline, and again during 6, 12 and 33 months follow up surveys and sustained prompt malaria treatment. Sustained prompt malaria treatment was carried out throughout the study period. Children's infection status with helminths, Plasmodium and helminths-Plasmodium co-infections was determined by parasitological examinations at baseline and at each treatment point. The prevalence of S. haematobium, S. mansoni, STH, malaria, helminths-Plasmodium co-infections and helminths infection intensities before and after treatment were analysed.

Results

Longitudinal data showed that two rounds of combined Praziquantel and albendazole treatment for schistosomiasis and STHs at 6 monthly intervals and sustained prompt malaria treatment significantly reduced the overall prevalence of S. haematobium, S. mansoni, hookworms and P. falciparum infection in primary schoolchildren by 73.5%, 70.8%, 67.3% and 58.8% respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). More importantly, the prevalence of STH + schistosomes, P. f + schistosomes, and P. f + STHs + schistosomes co-infections were reduced by 68.0%, 84.2%, and 90.7%, respectively. The absence of anti-helminthic treatment between the 12 mth and 33 mth follow-up surveys resulted in the sharp increase in STHs + schistosomes co-infection from 3.3% at 12 months follow up survey to 10.7%, slightly more than the baseline level (10.3%) while other co-infection combinations remained significantly low. The overall prevalence of heavy S. haematobium, S. mansoni and hookworms infection intensities were significantly reduced from: 17.9-22.4% to 2.6-5.1%, 1.6-3.3% to 0.0% and 0.0-0.7% to 0.0% respectively.

Conclusion

Biannual Integrated school based antihelminthic and sustained prompt malaria treatment has a potential to reduce the burden of helminths-plasmodium co-infections in primary school children. In areas of stable malaria transmission, active case finding is recommended to track and treat asymptomatic malaria cases as these may sustain transmission in the community.