bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derivative Assets Analysis
Authors: Rubinstein Mark
Published: August 2012

Derivative assets analysis enjoys an unusual status; it is a recently developed, relatively complex tool of economic analysis, faithful to the core of economic theory, and widely used to make reallife decisions. This paper, discusses derivative assets based on buy-and-hold strategies; derivative assets based on dynamic replicating strategies; valuing and replicating other derivative assets; and the Black-Scholes option pricing formula. Then it takes a detailed look at four applications: index futures, equity options, index options, and portfolio insurance.
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease using validated risk scores: A systematic review
Authors: Willis Andrew , Davies Melanie , Yates Thomas , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: August 2012

Objectives

The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the increased cost of treatment have prompted strategies for the primary prevention of CVD in the UK to move towards the use of validated CVD risk scores to identify individuals at the highest risk. There are no reviews evaluating the effectiveness of this strategy as a means of reducing CVD risk or mortality. This review summarizes current evidence for and against the use of validated CVD risk scores for the primary prevention of CVD.

Design

We utilized an in depth search strategy to search MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane database of clinical trials, expert opinions were sought and reference lists of identified studies and relevant reviews were checked. Due to a lack of homogeneity in outcomes and risk scores used it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis of the identified studies.

Setting

The majority of included trials were carried out in a primary care setting. 2 trials were carried out in North America, 2 in Scandinavia and 1 in the UK.

Participants

31,651 participants in total were recruited predominantly from a primary care setting. Participants were aged 18-65 years old and were free from CVD at baseline.

Main outcome measures

Outcome measures used in the included studies were change in validated CVD risk score and CVD/All-cause mortality.

Results

We identified 16 papers which matched the inclusion criteria reporting 5 unique trials. Due to a lack of homogeneity in outcomes and risk scores used it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis of the identified studies. Only one study reported a significant difference in risk score at follow up and one study reported a significant difference in total mortality, however significant differences in individual risk factors were reported by the majority of identified studies.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates the potential for multifactorial interventions aimed at individuals selected by CVD risk scores for lowering CVD risk and mortality. However, the majority of studies in this area do not provide an intensity of intervention which is sufficient in significantly reducing CVD mortality or validated CVD risk.
Management of infected caval filter with simultaneous aortic pseudoaneurysm and retroperitoneal perforation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Assifi M Mura , Bagameri Gabor , Dimuzio Paul J , Eisenberg Joshua A
Published: August 2012

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been reported to have complication rates up to 35%. Penetration of surrounding retroperitoneal structures is an uncommon, but potentially serious, complication, with several reports in the literature. We present a unique case of a 34-year-old intravenous drug user with infected IVC filter struts penetrating multiple structures simultaneously. Definitive operative management was necessary for removal of filter struts from the aorta, the second part of the duodenum and the iliopsoas muscle. Drainage and debridement of an associated iliopsoas abscess was performed, followed by aortic and caval reconstruction.
Hip precautions after hemiarthroplasty: what is happening in the UK and at what cost?
Authors: Fox R , Halliday R , Barnfield S , Roxburgh J , Dunford J , Chesser TJS
Published: August 2012

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to observe current practice of the use of hip precautions following hemiarthroplasty for hip fractures in England and to audit the cost of hip precautions in this patient group.

METHODS

A telephone review was undertaken of all units identified by the National Hip Fracture Database as receiving centres for hip fractures across England to ascertain current practice in the use of hip precautions. A prospective audit of occupational therapy (OT) practice including the cost of equipment provision and OT time was carried out locally.

RESULTS

All 174 units in England were successfully contacted. Practice varied between centres but hip precautions were in use at 78% of centres. Prior to stopping hip precautions at the local hospital, we audited the costs associated with their use. Mean equipment costs per patient decreased by £12 (from £49 to £37, range: £0–£83) and mean OT time per patient decreased by 1.5 hours (from 8 hours to 6.5 hours, range: 1–22 hours) following removal of hip precaution guidelines. A mean of 0.25 days' discharge delay (range: 0–4 days) due to equipment provision was identified prior to removing hip precautions with no discharge delay following.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has highlighted the variation in practice across the country and inconsistency with the advice published by the British Orthopaedic Association and British Geriatrics Society in the ‘Blue Book’ (The Care of Patients with Fragility Fracture). Hip precautions are unnecessary after hemiarthroplasty, cost money both in therapist time and equipment provision and increase the length of hospital stay. Nevertheless, they continue to be used by three-quarters of trauma hospitals in England.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering for Quantitative Analysis of Perchlorate Using Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) Capped Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Xiao Jun , Zhang Ting , Li Rui , Meng Yaoyong , Wen Wei
Published: August 2012

Perchlorate (ClO4−) has emerged as a widespread environmental contaminant found in groundwater and surface water and there is a great need for rapid detection and monitoring of this contaminant. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy was found to be capable of detecting ClO4− at concentrations as low as 25 μg/L using poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-modified gold nanoparticles (PDDA-AuNPs) as a substrate. The substrate was successfully fabricated by combining the self-assembly technique with a heat-treatment-based strategy using poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as the reducing and stabilizing agents. With the 520 cm−1 band of silicon as external standard, band intensity ratios of perchlorate to silicon, (i.e., I931/ I520) were found to have a quantitative relationship with a large concentration range of perchlorate between 25 μg/L and 50 mg/L. The methodology was also reproducible and not susceptible to the interference of other anions such as sulfate, carbonate, nitrate, and chloride at concentrations of 1 mM, making it potentially suitable for rapid screening and routine analysis of perchlorate in environmental samples.
Wang Yu – the Taiwan years
Authors: Williams Tony
Published: August 2012

Jimmy Wang Yu has suffered neglect in the past few decades due to attention given to other martial arts stars such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. This article seeks to remedy this by concentrating on the Taiwan films that Wang Yu made after breaking his contract with Shaw Brothers in
1970 after his pioneering actor-director performance in Longhu Dou/The Chinese Boxer (Wang Yu 1970). These involve not just the continuation of his role as director but also appearances in a number of Taiwanese cinematic genres not exclusively confined to martial arts as well as his failed
international breakthrough Australian co-production The Man From Hong Kong. The article concludes with his return to the screen after seventeen years in Wu Xia and Let's Go! where he portrays a much older character.
Is it Relevant? The Role of Off-task Talk in Collaborative Learning
Authors: Barkaoui Khaled , So Margaret , Suzuki Wataru
Published: August 2012

We adopt a sociocultural approach to examine the characteristics and roles of the off-task talk (OTT) of three graduate students engaged in a collaborative learning task. Our focus is on three OTT episodes during three out-of-classroom meetings to discuss an academic article in preparation for a graded classroom presentation. In order to obtain an insider perspective on these episodes, each of the three students independently analyzed each OTT episode in terms of its characteristics, roles, and effects on the participants’ contributions and relationships. The results showed that the OTT episodes were short and infrequent; had an academic flavor to them; weaved smoothly on and off task; and played various social, affective, and cognitive roles in collaborative learning. We argue that definitions that emphasize the content, rather than the functions, of OTT are misleading and that a sociocultural theory perspective allows a more positive view of OTT as a socio-affective action within a larger cognitive activity. We close by outlining some of the limitations of the study and a call for further research on OTT in collaborative learning.
The interpretation of conflict and negotiation in post-paper presentation discussions
Authors: Webber Pauline , Kyriacou Kyriacos Andreas
Published: August 2012

In analysing dialogue, a major difficulty is the interpretation of the underlying motivations of participants, particularly in public discourse, where people are often wary of taking a stance on potentially controversial issues. Since clues to understanding are provided by the context, this study included a whole speech event in the analysis – a complete two-hour session of conference presentations recorded and transcribed by the authors, as a first step towards solving this problem. The transcription was based on a model developed by Eggins and Slade (1997) for analysing conversation, a systematic model for the analysis and interpretation of social relations in talk. We aimed to investigate if this model could be applied to an analysis of the discourse structure of the more institutional discourse of the conference discussion, in particular to characterize negative and positive comments following the presentations in our data. We extended the analytical framework to adapt it to this different genre. However, the method proved useful in coding moves in the discourse structure of the interaction, revealing the importance of features such as power status and the tension between conflict and negotiation. Analysis of the whole event facilitates the interpretation of otherwise obscure utterances by providing evidence of cohesive links often spanning several turns, thus laying bare unresolved conflicts and undercurrents of the interaction. This genre needs investigating because the discussion presents particular difficulties especially for non-native speakers of English.
It's time to bring together our theories about inter- and intra-mental processes
Authors: Cazden Courtney B.
Published: August 2012

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Cleft Care in Nigeria: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Oginni F.O. , Oladele A.O. , Adenekan A.T. , Olabanji J.K.
Published: August 2012

Objective

To review the progress of orofacial cleft care in Nigeria and propose a viewpoint for the future.

Design

Review of the available literature on cleft care in Nigeria and survey of the status of ongoing cleft care in Nigerian centers. We employed a pretested self-administered questionnaire sent and returned through electronic mail.

Participants

Coordinators of cleft care centers in Nigeria.

Main Outcome Measures

Findings of literature search and responses to mailed questionnaires.

Results

Available literature suggests that the fate of orofacial cleft patients during the precolonial era in Nigeria remains unclear. However, there is evidence of surgical care delivery just before the end of the colonial era. We identified and contacted 39 existing cleft care delivery centers, of which 30 (76.9%) responded. The majority (69.2%) of the responding centers began cleft care delivery between 2006 and 2010; 73.3% have designated cleft clinic locations and 66.7% offer interdisciplinary care. All responding centers offer cheiloplasty, while 86.7% offer palatoplasty. Other aspects of cleft care are provided sparingly in most centers due to paucity of manpower. Challenges with hospital administration, securing bed and theater spaces, drug availability, and performing laboratory investigations were the common limitations reported.

Conclusions

We advocate for improved cleft care delivery through removing administrative bottlenecks, fortifying existing centers, and mentoring younger colleagues for entry into underserved specialties. Concerted effort and international collaborations aimed at transforming some of the existing cleft centers to standard pediatric craniofacial centers are desirable.
Identity effects dominate the impacts of multiple species extinctions on the functioning of complex food webs
Authors: Harvey Eric , Séguin Annie , Nozais Christian , Archambault Philippe , Gravel Dominique
Published: August 2012

Understanding the impacts of species extinctions on the functioning of food webs is a challenging task because of the complexity of ecological interactions. We report the impacts of experimental species extinctions on the functioning of two food webs of freshwater and marine systems. We used a linear model to partition the variance among the multiple components of the diversity effect (linear group richness, nonlinear group richness, and identity). The identity of each functional group was the best explaining variable of ecosystem functioning for both systems. We assessed the contribution of each functional group in multifunctional space and found that, although the effect of functional group varied across ecosystem functions, some functional groups shared common effects on functions. This study is the first experimental demonstration that functional identity dominates the effects of extinctions on ecosystem functioning, suggesting that generalizations are possible despite the inherent complexity of interactions.
Partner Abuse in Ethnic Minority and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations
Authors: West Carolyn M.
Published: August 2012

This review seeks to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding gender differences in rates of physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence among the four largest racial/ethnic groups in the United States, compares rates of physical and psychological IPV between sexual minorities and heterosexuals and among subgroups of sexual minorities (gay men, lesbians, bisexuals), and summarizes correlates and risk factors that are associated with rates of IPV in both ethnic and sexual minorities.

A systematic search of the published literature in the past 40 years using various search engines (e.g., PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) was conducted. The review identified 55 studies that met criteria. Few gender differences in rates of physical and psychological aggression were found among African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and Native American men and women. Psychological aggression was most frequently reported. Bidirectional violence, which primarily took the form of minor aggression, was the most frequently reported form of physical violence. When unidirectional aggression was assessed, it was more likely to be female perpetrated, particularly among African Americans. These gender patterns were consistent across general population, student, and community studies. Respondents who reported a history of same-sex cohabitation and those who identified as sexual minorities reported higher rates of IPV than those who reported only a history of opposite-sex cohabitation and those who identified as heterosexual.

Regarding sexual minority subgroup differences, bisexuals appeared to be at a greater risk of IPV, and victimization among transgendered individuals has largely been neglected in the literature. Substance abuse and use, marginalized socioeconomic status in the form of family and neighborhood poverty, and exposure to violence during childhood as a witness or victim of violence in the family of origin were consistently linked to elevated rates of IPV. Associations also were found between level of acculturation and minority stress in the form of internalized homophobia and frequency of discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, the complex association among these variables was less clear across racial groups and sexual orientation. Research limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Impact of Parental Conflict and Emotional Abuse on Children and Families
Authors: Sturge-Apple Melissa L. , Skibo Michael A. , Davies Patrick T.
Published: August 2012

The goal of this review is to summarize empirical research conducted over the past several decades examining the impact of parental conflict and emotional abuse on children and families. Toward this goal, four different subtopics are categorized and reviewed. These include the impact of mutual couple conflict, verbal, and emotional abuse/control on children; the impact of father-perpetrated verbal and emotional abuse/control on children; the impact of mother-perpetrated verbal and emotional abuse/control on children; and the impact of partner abuse on the family system including consideration of family stress, boundaries, alliances, and family structure. A review of the literature revealed 105 empirical papers, which are referenced in tables. Overarching theoretical and conceptual frameworks proposed within the field of interparental conflict and child development are used to organize and distill the broad findings evident across these studies. Recommendations for future avenues of research are presented.
Cognitive Dissonance Theory and the Certification Examination: the Role of Responsibility
Authors: Cheng Pi-Yueh , Hsu Ping-Kun
Published: August 2012

Taiwanese schools are actively promoting opportunities for students to obtain specialized certificates during their formal education. However, some students do not intend to achieve certification. Questions about how to increase these students' motivation to pursue this goal have therefore
arisen. Based on cognitive dissonance theory (CDT), the aim in this study was to examine whether or not students' attitudes toward certification examinations change if they take personal responsibility for the consequences of their decisions and actions. The results reveal that attitude change
was greatest among business students who most strongly felt a sense of responsibility. As predicted, the results were consistent with CDT.
The Implicit and Explicit Sense of Belonging in Migrant Children in China
Authors: Geng Liuna , Zhou Wenjun , Hu Yiqing
Published: August 2012

We investigated whether Chinese children who have migrated from the countryside to the city have a sense of belonging to their hometown or to their current place of residence. We measured both their explicit and implicit sense of belonging using the Sense of Belonging Questionnaire
(SBQ; Sun, 2007) and the Brief Implicit Association Test (BIAT; Sriram & Greenwald, 2009). We found that there was a discrepancy between these children's explicit and implicit cognition: they had an explicit sense of belonging to the cities in which they lived and an implicit sense of
belonging to their previous homes in the countryside. Our findings may help migrant children adapt to city life by leading them to explore their implicit ability to differentiate virtual life on television from real life.
Isolation and purification of lignans from Schisandra chinensis by combination of silica gel column and high-speed counter-current chromatography
Authors: Sun Yu , Xu Shuangshuang , Geng Yanling , Wang Xiao , Zhang Tianyou
Published: August 2012

Silica gel column combined with high-speed counter-current chromatography
separation was successfully applied to the separation of schizandrin (I),
angeloylgomisin H (II), gomisin A (III), schisantherin C (IV),
deoxyschizandrin (V), ?-schisandrin (VI) and schisandrin C (VII) from the
fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baillon. The petroleum ether extracts
of the fruits of S. chinensis were pre-separated first on a silica gel column
and divided into two fractions as sample 1 and sample 2. 260 mg of sample 1
was separated by HSCCC using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water
(10:8:10:8, v/v) as the two-phase solvent system and 18.2 mg of schizandrin,
15.7 mg of angeloylgomisin H, 16.5 mg of gomisin A and 16.7 mg of
schisantherin C were obtained. 230 mg of sample 2 was separated using
petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (10:0.5:10:1, v/v) as the
two-phase solvent system and 19.7 mg of deoxyschizandrin, 23.4 mg of
?-schisandrin and 18.2 mg of schisandrin C were obtained. The purities of the
separated compounds were all over 94% as determined by HPLC. The chemical
structures of these compounds were confirmed by ESI-MS and 1H NMR.
Suitable model for the calculation of the correlation between the real and the average specific heat capacity and possibilities of its application
Authors: Pejovic Branko , Vasiljevic Ljubica , Micic Vladan , Perusic Mitar
Published: August 2012

Starting from the definition of the average specific heat capacity for chosen
temperature range, the analytic dependence between the real and the mean
specific heat capacities is obtained using differential and integral
calculation. The obtained relation in differential form for the defined
temperature range allows for the problem to be solved directly, without any
special restrictions on its use. Using the obtained relation, a general model
in the form of a polynomial of arbitrary degree in the function of
temperature was derived, which has more suitable and faster practical
application and is more general in character than the existing model. New
graphical method for solving the problem is obtained based on differential
geometry and using the derived equation. This may also have practical
significance since many problems in thermodynamics are solved analytically
and graphically. This result was used in order to obtain the amount of
specific heat exchanged using an analytical model or a planimetric method. In
addition, this graphical solution was used for the construction of the
diagram showing the dependence between the specific heat exchanged and
temperature. This diagram also gives a simple graphical procedure for the
calculation of the real and the average specific heat capacity for arbitrary
temperature or temperature interval. The confirmation for all graphic
constructions is obtained using the differential properties between
thermodynamic units. In order for the graphical solutions presented to be
applicable in practice, suitable ratio coefficients have been determined for
all cases. Verification of the model presented, as well as the possibilities
of its application, were given using several characteristic examples of
semi-ideal and real gas. Apart from linear and non-linear functions in the
form of polynomials, the exponential function of the dependence between
specific heat capacities and temperature was also analysed in this process.
A Perfect Storm: A Case in Nonprofit Financial Reporting
Authors: Ruhl Jack M. , Smith Ola M.
Published: August 2012

This case provides an opportunity to examine numerous issues related to financial reporting for nonprofits, including the usefulness of generally accepted accounting principles, the level of assurance provided by an audit, the importance of each of the three basic financial statements and notes, and the financial reporting requirements for nonprofits. We specifically highlight the function of the media in financial disclosure for nonprofits. Students are able to see firsthand the type of financial reporting that may result if GAAP is not followed and there is no audit. Moreover, students have the opportunity to learn how incomplete financial reporting affects the relationship between stakeholders and administrators in a nonprofit environment. The case centers around actual events that occurred in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans from 2001 to 2009, and therefore provides a realistic learning environment. Finally, the case provides students the opportunity to engage in role-playing as financial managers and stakeholders.
Max-Value Stores, Inc.: Financial Reporting of Gift Cards
Authors: Gujarathi Mahendra R.
Published: August 2012

Max-Value Stores, Inc., a discount general merchandise operator, has initiated a program to sell its own gift cards and those of other retailers. This case provides an opportunity to apply your understanding of various financial reporting topics (revenue recognition, liability de-recognition, accounting changes, and deferred tax accounting) to determine the applicable GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) for recognizing gift card “breakage,” the estimated amount of gift cards that is unlikely to be redeemed. You also must evaluate soundness of the proposals that the management of MVS has made during the process of annual audit to recognize estimated gift card breakage and estimated non-redemption of the restricted gift cards issued during the special Thanksgiving promotion. The case provides you an opportunity to examine several technical and conceptual financial reporting issues in a real-world setting, strengthen accounting research capabilities, understand implications of the choice of an accounting policy for performance measurement and financial statement analysis, and develop critical thinking and professional judgment skills.
Sex Differences in Relative Age Effects among Japanese Athletes
Authors: Nakata Hiroki , Sakamoto Kiwako
Published: August 2012

The present study investigated the relative age effect (RAE), a biased distribution of elite athletes' birthdates, in Japanese female athletes. Japan applies a unique annual-age grouping for sport and education, which is from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. A total of 1,335 female athletes were evaluated from six sports: Softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field (long distance), and compared with male athletes. All athletes played in the top level of Japanese leagues for each sport in 2010. Distribution of the birth dates in each female sport showed a significant RAE only in volleyball. For males, significant RAEs were observed in baseball, soccer, and track and field. Findings suggest that the determinants of RAEs in sports may differ between males and females.
Modern sands derived from the Vertiskos Unit of the Serbomacedonian Massif (N. Greece): a preliminary study on the weathering of the Unit
Authors: Georgiadis Ioannis , Koroneos Antonios , Tsirambides Ananias , Stamatakis Michael
Published: August 2012

Modern sand samples were collected from the Vertiskos Unit of the Serbomacedonian Massif, northern Greece, and were examined for their texture and mineralogical composition. They were collected from active channels and torrents. The textural study demonstrated that these modern sands are moderately to very-poorly sorted, often polymodal in grain size distribution, texturally and mineralogically immature to submature, and consist of coarse-grained gravelly sands to slightly-gravelly muddy sands. The dominant composition is quartzofeldspathic. All samples contain detrital minerals of metamorphic origin, mainly amphibole and garnet, in addition to minor amounts of pyroxene and detrital calcite. These sediments were deposited rapidly and close to their source, the metamorphic basement of the Vertiskos Unit. The mineral constituents of the samples indicate that the Vertiskos Unit is undergoing rapid physical weathering due to the temperate and seasonal climate. The results of this study suggest that these modern sands constitute one sedimentary petrologic province comprised of primarily of amphibole-garnet.
Imagining the Heart: Incorporations, Intrusions and Identity
Authors: Shildrick Margrit
Published: August 2012

Surgical intervention into human corporeality relies on the Cartesian machine model of the body to justify such radical intrusion as the properly reasoned and informed actions and choices of essentially disembodied sovereign subjects. Both the surgical subject and the surgical team are engaged in a form of heroic, albeit supremely functional, medicine in which questions of self, embodiment, and intercorporeality are put to one side. This is especially evident in the field of heart transplantation. Nonetheless, of all the non-visible parts of the body, it is the heart that has been most clearly at the centre of both imagery and imagination in western culture. What is striking is the degree to which the heart is represented not as a merely functional part of the body that might be exchanged at will, but as an organ of immense personal significance. In socio-cultural terms the heart stands in for a range of inherently human attributes such as love, empathy, fear, guilt and so on that are at the core of selfhood. And as my current research on transplantation shows, both recipients and donors are troubled by not so much by biomedical risk, as by issues of identity and the vexed relation between self and other.

How then does this cultural and personal understanding line up with the biomedical need to represent the organ as a mere pump, as an exchangeable depersonalised mass that can unproblematically take its place in ‘spare part surgery’? I shall review some contemporary representations of heart donation and transplantation that both re-enforce the supposed utility of the process while at the same time sliding away into the realm of psychic significance where the heart is figured as the gift of life. What are the implications for recipients of receiving such a gift that in the most substantive way crosses the boundary between self and other in a mode that leaves the categorical identity of both open to doubt. How can we reimagine the problematic in ways that would leave behind intimations of intrusion and acknowledge intercorporeality as a positive and desirable outcome?
The Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Antagonist, Divalinal-Angiotensin IV, Blocks the Acquisition of Methamphetamine Dependent Conditioned Place Preference in Rats
Authors: Wright John W. , Wilson Wendy L. , Wakeling Vanessa , Boydstun Alan S. , Jensen Audrey , Kawas Leen , Harding Joseph W.
Published: August 2012

The use of methamphetamine (MA) is increasing in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. MA’s capacity to cause addiction significantly exceeds other psychostimulant drugs, and its use negatively impacts learning and memory. Recently, attempts have been made to interfere with the presumed mechanism(s) underlying the establishment of drug-induced memory consolidation. The majority of these studies have employed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors to disrupt MMP-induced extracellular matrix molecule dependent synaptic reconfiguration, or GABA receptor agonists. The present investigation utilized an angiotensin IV (AngIV) analogue, Divalinal-AngIV (divalinal), to disrupt acquisition of MA-induced dependence in rats as measured using the conditioned place preference paradigm. Results indicate that both acute and chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of divalinal prior to each daily subcutaneous injection of MA prevented acquisition. However, divalinal was unable to prevent MA-induced reinstatement after prior acquisition followed by extinction trials. These results indicate that prevention of MA dependence can be accomplished by blockade of the brain AT4 receptor subtype. On the other hand, once MA-induced memory consolidation is in place divalinal appears to be ineffective. Mechanistic studies indicated that divalinal is a potent inhibitor of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met receptor system, and thus it appears that a functional HGF/c-Met system is required for the acquisition of MA-mediated conditioned place preference.
Knowledge Representation for Prognosis of Health Status in Rehabilitation
Authors: Subirats Laia , Ceccaroni Luigi , Miralles Felip
Published: August 2012

In this article, key points are discussed concerning knowledge representation for clinical decision support systems in the domain of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Information models, classifications and terminologies, such as the “virtual medical record” (vMR), the “international classification of functioning, disability and health” (ICF), the “international classification of diseases” (ICD) and the “systematized nomenclature of medicine—clinical terms” (SNOMED CT), are used for knowledge integration and reasoning. A system is described that supports the measuring of functioning status, diversity, prognosis and similarity between patients in the post-acute stage, thus helping health professionals’ prescription of recommendations.
Dog Bite Risk: An Assessment of Child Temperament and Child-Dog Interactions
Authors: Davis Aaron L. , Schwebel David C. , Morrongiello Barbara A. , Stewart Julia , Bell Melissa
Published: August 2012

Annually approximately 400,000 American children receive treatment for dog bites. Young children are at greatest risk and are frequently bitten following behavior that provokes familiar dogs. This study investigated the effects of child temperament on children’s interaction with dogs. Eighty-eight children aged 3.5–6 years interacted with a live dog. Dog and child behaviors were assessed through observational coding. Four child temperament constructs—impulsivity, inhibitory control, approach and shyness—were assessed via the parent-report Children’s Behavioral Questionnaire. Less shy children took greater risks with the dog, even after controlling for child and dog characteristics. No other temperament traits were associated with risk-taking with the dog. Based on these results, children’s behavior with unfamiliar dogs may parallel behavior with other novel or uncertain situations. Implications for dog bite intervention programs include targeting at-risk children and merging child- and parent-oriented interventions with existing programs geared toward the physical environment and the dog.
Vitamin D and Calcium Status in South African Adolescents with Alcohol Use Disorders
Authors: Naude Celeste E. , Carey Paul D. , Laubscher Ria , Fein George , Senekal Marjanne
Published: August 2012

Adequate vitamin D and calcium are essential for optimal adolescent skeletal development. Adolescent vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency and poor calcium intake have been reported worldwide. Heavy alcohol use impacts negatively on skeletal health, which is concerning since heavy adolescent drinking is a rising public health problem. This study aimed to examine biochemical vitamin D status and dietary intakes of calcium and vitamin D in 12–16 year-old adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUD), but without co-morbid substance use disorders, compared to adolescents without AUD. Substance use, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) concentrations, energy, calcium and vitamin D intakes were assessed in heavy drinkers (meeting DSM-IV criteria for AUD) (n = 81) and in light/non-drinkers without AUD (non-AUD) (n = 81), matched for age, gender, language, socio-economic status and education. Lifetime alcohol dose was orders of magnitude higher in AUD adolescents compared to non-AUD adolescents. AUD adolescents had a binge drinking pattern and “weekends-only” style of alcohol consumption. Significantly lower (p = 0.038) s-25(OH)D (adjusted for gender, smoking, vitamin D intake) were evident in AUD adolescents compared to non-AUD adolescents. High levels of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (s-25(OH)D < 29.9 ng/mL) were prevalent in both groups, but was significantly higher (p = 0.013) in the AUD group (90%) compared to the non-AUD group (70%). All participants were at risk of inadequate calcium and vitamin D intakes (Estimated Average Requirement cut-point method). Both groups were at risk of inadequate calcium intake and had poor biochemical vitamin D status, with binge drinking potentially increasing the risk of the latter. This may have negative implications for peak bone mass accrual and future osteoporosis risk, particularly with protracted binge drinking.
Written Complaints, Third-Party Intervention, and the Management of Paradoxes: Integrating Extremes
Authors: Weaver Adam
Published: August 2012

A paradox is the presence together at the same time of two opposing but interconnected ideas or phenomena. managers in the tourism industry function in the face of contradictory considerations that require responses. That paradoxes are daunting in their refusal to be solved does not
mean they cannot be managed. Four paradoxes are identified through a qualitative analysis of both written complaints by travelers and a third party's efforts to address these grievances. Two broad approaches to the analysis and management of the paradoxes are subsequently discussed. The first
treats paradoxes as partitioned entities. each pole of the paradox is viewed discretely, thus demanding an “either/or” choice. The second approach strives to integrate opposing sides of the paradox. In this study, integration exposes an unanticipated relationship, invites managers
to view individuals (e.g., as consumers) who are affected by a paradox as potential problem solvers, and demonstrates that failure and success can shape each other. Paradoxes can provoke fresh thought when attempts are made at integrating and synthesizing incongruence rather than viewing apparent
oppositions as compartmentalized. Integration helps to identify complementary relationships between seemingly irreconcilable tendencies in ways that could inform the analysis and management of tourism.
“Unfriendly, Unfunny, and Tyrannical”: An Exploratory Study of the Travel Guidebook in the Australian Print Media
Authors: Peel Victoria , Sørensen Anders , Steen Adam
Published: August 2012

Frequent casual allusions to guidebooks in the tourism literature suggest their significance in contemporary tourist experience. Yet beyond the dominant discourses of literary and historical textual analysis, focused interpretation of the role of guidebooks in the tourism system is
rare. this article aims to stimulate debate concerning the role of the guidebook in contemporary tourism and to identify how the guidebook is represented in the context of popular media. results from a content analysis of representations of the guidebook in Australian print media between 2000
and 2009 suggest guidebooks are perceived both negatively and positively within journalistic discourse, that they are framed as significant facilitators of visitor experience and tourism development, and that an extensive range of travel guidebooks in both book and digital form available to
consumers reflects the recent evolution in independent travel. Future guidebook-specific research objectives are identified.
The Rocket Science of Sustainable Tourism
Authors: Tyrrell Timothy J. , Johnston Robert J.
Published: August 2012

The science of sustainable tourism is not “rocket Science” but they have much in common: The mission is daunting, the target is moving, the target is a considerable distance away, and the efficient operation of the main engine is critical. The differences are equally apparent:
rocket scientists know how to best operate their engine, have agreed on their target, and have a good understanding of the risks of the mission. Tourism scientists claim none of these. Overall, sustainable tourism scientists are attempting to solve a much more difficult problem—one that
must deal with humans.
On the Bragg Diffraction Spectra of a Meyer Set
Authors: Strungaru Nicolae
Published: August 2012

Meyer sets have a relatively dense set of Bragg peaks, and for this reason they may be considered as basic mathematical examples of (aperiodic) crystals. In this paper we investigate the pure point part of the diffraction of Meyer sets in more detail. The results are of two kinds. First, we show that, given aMeyer set and any positive intensity a less than the maximum intensity of its Bragg peaks, the set of Bragg peaks whose intensity exceeds a is itself a Meyer set (in the Fourier space). Second, we show that if a Meyer set is modified by addition and removal of points in such a way that its density is not altered too much (the allowable amount being given explicitly as a proportion of the original density), then the newly obtained set still has a relatively dense set of Bragg peaks.
Arrhythmia classification using SVM with selected features
Authors: Kohli N , Verma NK
Published: August 2012

This paper presents support vector machine based methods for arrhythmia classification in ECG datasets with selected features. Among various existing SVM methods, four well-known and widely used algorithms One Against One (OAO), One Against All (OAA), Fuzzy Decision Function (FDF) and Decision Directed Acyclic Graph (DDAG) are used here to distinguish between the presence and absence of cardiac arrhythmia and classifying them into one of the arrhythmia groups. The various types of arrhythmias in the cardiac arrhythmias ECG database chosen from University of California at Irvine (UCI) to train SVM include ischemic changes (coronary artery disease), old inferior myocardial infarction, sinus bradycardy, right bundle branch block, and others. ECG arrhythmia datasets are of generally complex nature and the results obtained through implementation of four well known methods are thus compared as per their accuracy rate in percentages and the performance of the SVM classifier using One Against All (OAA) technique was found to be of vital importance for classification based diagnosing diseases pertaining to abnormal heart beats. We have also used feature selection on the ECG datasets using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. It has been observed that after applying feature selection and then performing classification of ECG datasets through SVM based methods, One Against All (OAA) gives better results than classification without feature selection.
Analysis of disc brake squeal using a ten-degree-of-freedom model
Authors: Ahmed I
Published: August 2012

Disc brake squeal is considered as a highly main source of discomfort for passengers. It is also considered to be a high frequency noise when it is bigger than 1 kHz audible vibration of braking components. It is a significant problem in passenger vehicles that has not been solved satisfactorily until recently. Many manufacturers of brake pad materials spend up to fifty percent of their engineering budgets on noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) issues. Squeal noise is strongly correlated to the squeal index and degree of instability of the brake system assembly. Decreasing this squeal noise to some extent during braking is a very important matter for the comfort of passengers. So, a mathematical prediction model of 10-degree-of-freedom has been developed to study the effect of different brake components parameters on the degree of instability and squeal index of the brake system. The model has considered such factors as the distance between clamping bolts of the caliper, width and thickness of the friction material, which were not fully covered previously besides some other factors. Complex eigenvalue analysis by analytical program has been used to predict the unstable frequencies in the ventilated disc brake system assembly. It is evident from the analysis that Young’s moduli of the rotor and friction material have a great effect on the occurrence of squeal. The harder the friction material the bias of the brake to squeal. It is shown also that the squeal noise of the brake decreases with increasing semi-distance between the clamping bolts of the caliper to be at optimum value between 50-70 mm. However increasing the friction material thickness to 11 mm decreases the squeal index and instability of the system. The results have show that the predicted squeal tendency at varying all the studies parameters is as less as possible to be 43 % compared to other single parameters.
Effect of electric and magnetic field on welding parameters in plasma welding
Authors: Tyagi RK , Pandey RS , Kumar A , Srivastava KK
Published: August 2012

Plasma welding parameters have been systemically investigated by using experimental factors/constraints along with numerical analysis and the help of mathematical formulation as well as computer technique. In this paper, KSF6 gas has been used to generate plasma which contains velocity shear instability. The plasma welding parameters like Debye length, temperature of ions and the number of ions has been examined by taking experimental parameters. The results obtained by theoretical calculations are identical to the experimental results. In this work, influences of electric and magnetic field on Debye length, temperature of ions and the number of ions have been quantified. Theoretical investigation on one hand, while plasma welding parameters on the other increased by increasing the values of homogenous DC electric field. It also decreased by increasing the value of magnetic field. The controlling of welding parameters by electric and magnetic field has been discussed.
Fault diagnosis for engine air path with neural models and classifier
Authors: Hamad A , Yu D , Gomm JB , Sangha MS
Published: August 2012

Fault detection and isolation (FDI) have become one of the most important aspects of automobile design. A new FDI scheme is developed for automotive engines in this paper. The method uses an independent radial basis function (RBF) neural network model to model engine dynamics, and the modelling errors are used to form the basis for residual generation. A dependent RBFNN model is a model which uses output data of a plant as a target output then use it to train the neural network, while, The independent RBFNN model is a higher accuracy than the dependent model and the errors can be detected by this model, because this model does not dependent on the output of the plant and it will use its output as a target, so if any faults in the plant will be not effect in the model and this faults will be detected easily and clearly. Furthermore, another RBF network is used as a fault classifier to isolate different faults from the modelling errors. The method is developed and the performance assessed using the engine benchmark, the Mean Value Engine Model (MVEM) with Matlab/Simulink. Five faults have been simulated on the MVEM, including three sensor faults, one component fault and one actuator fault. The three sensor faults considered are 10-20% changes superimposed on the measured outputs of manifold pressure, manifold temperature and crankshaft speed sensors; one component fault considered is air leakage in intake manifold; the actuator fault considered is the malfunction of fuel injector. The simulation results show that all the simulated faults can be clearly detected and isolated in dynamic conditions throughout the engine operating range.
Midia-educação e pesquisa educativa
Authors: Rivoltella Pier Cesare
Published: August 2012

Este texto se propõe a definir a especificidade da pesquisa no âmbito da Mídia Educação em relação à pesquisa educativa. Para tal, parte da moldura epistemológica apresentada por Van der Maren (2003) contextualizando-a no interior da pesquisa internacional sobre a relação entre mídia e educação.
Robótica pedagógica livre: sobre inclusão sócio-digital e democratização do conhecimento
Authors: Mill Daniel , César Danilo
Published: August 2012

Neste trabalho, propomos o desenvolvimento de um ambiente educacional dinâmico baseado no uso da robótica como tecnologia de aprendizagem disciplinar. Este texto explora a relação entre softwares livres, sucatas e educação, buscando articular propostas de softwares livres com o processo de construção do conhe-cimento e com princípios de inclusão social. Desenvolver atividades pedagógicas a partir de sucatas e da abertura do código-fonte de programas de computador constituiu uma rica possibilidade de “democratização” do acesso aos bens culturais e tecnológicos, bem do como ao conhecimento.