bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrosion inhibition and adsorption behaviour of black pepper extract on pure aluminum in hydrochloric acid medium
Authors: Ladha Divya , Shah Nisha , Thakur Suresh , Lone Mohsin , Jha Prakash
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inhibitive properties of black pepper extract (BPE) for aluminium in 1M hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium.

Design/methodology/approach

– Gravimetric, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic polarization, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray examinations (SEM-EDX) techniques were used to study the corrosion inhibitive study.

Findings

– The gravimetric measurement indicates that inhibition efficiency shows direct proportional relation with concentration of inhibitor. The impedance results illustrates that there was a presence of protective layer of inhibitor adsorbed on the metal/solution interface. Polarization outcome showed that BPE is mixed type inhibitor. The existence of adherent layer of inhibitor on the Al surface was confirmed by SEM-EDX. Quantum chemical calculations were performed using the density functional theory at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory to evaluate the activity of inhibitor molecules present in extract towards the corrosion inhibition of Al.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the presence of large number of compounds in the extract, it becomes difficult to understand the most active compound responsible for inhibition. However, from gas chromatography mass spectrometry and quantum data, the approximation has been made that the major compound piperine present in the extract can be most probable component responsible for the inhibition activity. Further calculation of binding energy between Al and inhibitor molecules can be performed using Material Studio software.

Practical implications

– The extract can be used in cleaning and etching solutions. It can be used to limit the loss of Al metal during etching process.

Originality/value

– BPE can be used as a potential source of eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for Al in HCl medium.
SLAPPed: the relationship between SLAPP suits and changed ESG reporting by firms
Authors: Giles Olivia , Murphy Daniel
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore any potential link between the corporate issue of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) with a changed environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting focus as part of a complementary communicative legitimation strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

– A longitudinal content analysis of the annual reports of three sample Australian corporations was undertaken, measuring changes in ESG disclosure levels and disclosure focus around the time a SLAPP was issued by each sample firm.

Findings

– This paper provides support for the contention that both the number of ESG disclosures and the type of ESG disclosures changed after the sample firms issued SLAPPs.

Research limitations/implications

– A number of limitations are identified within the paper, including difficulties identifying when SLAPPs are initiated.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first investigation of the relationship between SLAPPs and ESG reporting, and this study helps open up a new area of research into how ESG reporting is used by corporations in a strategic manner.
Ultraviolet-Crosslinkable and Injectable Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite Hybrid Hydrogel for Critical Size Calvarial Defect Repair In Vivo
Authors: Li Baoqiang , Wang Lei , Hao Yu , Wei Daqing , Li Ying , Feng Yujie , Jia Dechang , Zhou Yu
Published: March 2016

To promote bone regeneration in vivo using critical-size calvarial defect model, hybrid hydrogel was prepared by mixing chitosan with hydroxyapatite (HA) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in situ. The hydrosoluble, UV-crosslinkable and injectable N-methacryloyl chitosan (N-MAC) was synthesized via single-step N-acylation reaction. The chemical structure was confirmed by 1H-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. N-MAC hydrogel presented a microporous structure with pore sizes ranging from 10 to 60 μm. Approximately 80% cell viability of N-MAC hydrogel against encapsulated 3T3 cell indicated that N-MAC is an emerging candidate for mimicking native extracellular matrix (ECM). N-MAC hydrogel hybridized with HA was used to accelerate regeneration of calvarial bone using rabbit model. The effects of hybrid hydrogels to promote bone regeneration were evaluated using critical size calvarial bone defect model. The healing effects of injectable hydrogels with/without HA for bone regeneration were investigated by analyzing X-ray image after 4 or 6 weeks. The results showed that the regenerated new bone for N-MAC 100 was significantly greater than N-MAC without HA and untreated controls. The higher HA content in N-MAC/HA hybrid hydrogel benefited the acceleration of bone regeneration. About 50% closure of defect site after 6 weeks postimplantation demonstrated potent osteoinductivity of N-MAC 100 UV-crosslinkable and injectable N-MAC/HA hybrid hydrogel would allow serving as a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration using the critical-size calvarial defect.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis of
Chromobacterium piscinae
Strain ND17, a Quorum-Sensing Bacterium
Authors: Chan Kok-Gan , Yunos Nina Yusrina Muhamad
Published: March 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Chromobacterium piscinae
strain ND17. This bacterium was isolated from a fresh water sample in Malaysia and exhibits quorum-sensing activity. This first draft genome of
C. piscinae
strain ND17 will pave the way to future studies of the quorum-sensing properties of this isolate.
Training-related and competition-related risk factors for respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections in elite cross-country skiers
Authors: Svendsen Ida S , Taylor Ian M , Tønnessen Espen , Bahr Roald , Gleeson Michael
Published: March 2016

Aim

To examine symptoms indicative of respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections and determine risk factors for such symptoms in elite cross-country skiers.

Methods

Self-reported training and symptom data for 37 elite cross-country skiers from 2007 to 2015 were analysed using multilevel logistic regression equations with symptom incidence and duration as outcome variables, and sex, performance level, season, competition, air travel, altitude exposure and training characteristics as independent variables.

Results

Data for 7016 person-weeks were analysed, including 464 self-reported infection events and 110 959 h of training. Athletes reported median (range) 3 (1–7) respiratory tract and/or gastrointestinal events per year, with symptoms lasting 5 (1–24) days. During the winter, symptoms occurred more frequently (OR 2.09, p<0.001) and lasted longer (b=0.043, p<0.001) compared with summer. Competition and air travel increased the risk of symptoms, with ORs of 2.93 (95% CI 2.24 to 3.83) and 4.94 (95% CI 3.74 to 6.53), respectively (p<0.001). Athletes with higher training monotony had lower risk of symptoms (OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.99), p<0.05). Other training variables were not associated with symptoms. Athletes who had won an Olympic/World Championship medal reported shorter symptom duration compared with less successful athletes (b=−0.019, p<0.05) resulting in significantly fewer symptomatic days/year (14 (6–29) vs 22 (8–43) days/year).

Conclusions

Air travel and competition are major risk factors for acute respiratory tract and gastrointestinal symptoms in this population. Athletes who have large fluctuations in training load experience such symptoms more frequently. Shorter duration of symptoms appears to be associated with success in cross-country skiing.
Randomised controlled trial of referral to a telephone-based weight management and healthy lifestyle programme for patients with knee osteoarthritis who are overweight or obese: a study protocol
Authors: O'Brien Kate M , Wiggers John , Williams Amanda , Campbell Elizabeth , Wolfenden Luke , Yoong Serene , Robson Emma K , McAuley James , Haskins Robin , Kamper Steven J , Williams Christopher
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and is associated with significant pain and disability. Clinical practice guidelines consistently recommend weight management as a core aspect of care for overweight and obese patients with knee OA; however, provision of such care is suboptimal. Telephone-based interventions offer a novel approach to delivery of weight management care in these patients. The aim of the proposed study is to assess the effectiveness of referral to a telephone-based weight management and healthy lifestyle programme, previously shown to be effective in changing weight, in improving knee pain intensity in overweight or obese patients with knee OA, compared to usual care.

Methods and analysis

A parallel, randomised controlled trial will be undertaken. Patients with OA of the knee who are waiting for an outpatient orthopaedic consultation at a tertiary referral public hospital within New South Wales, Australia, will be allocated to either an intervention or a control group (1:1 ratio). After baseline data collection, patients in the intervention group will receive a 6-month telephone-based intervention, and patients in the control group will continue with usual care. Surveys will be conducted at baseline, 6 and 26 weeks post-randomisation. The study requires 60 participants per group to detect a two-point difference in pain intensity (primary outcome) 26 weeks after baseline.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Hunter New England Health Human Research Ethics Committee (13/12/11/5.18) and the University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee (H-2015-0043). The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615000490572, Pre-results.
Gene of the month:SMARCB1
Authors: Kalimuthu Sangeetha N , Chetty Runjan
Published: March 2016

SMARCB1 is the core subunit of the SWI/sucrose non-fermenting ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complex located on the long arm of chromosome 22 (22q11.2). Since discovering genetic alterations of theSMARCB1gene in malignant rhabdoid tumours, the family of tumours harbouring loss of SMARCB1 expression has been steadily expanding. In this review, we give a general overview ofSMARCB1, its role in various cancers including germline mutations, association with genetic syndromes and role in future targeted therapies.
Republished: Infantile intracranial aneurysm of the superior cerebellar artery
Authors: Del Santo Molly Ann , Cordina Steve Mario
Published: March 2016

Intracranial aneurysms in the pediatric population are rare. We report a case of a 3-month-old infant who presented with inconsolable crying, vomiting, and sunset eye sign. CT revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage, with CT angiogram revealing a superior cerebellar artery aneurysm. An external ventricular drain was placed for acute management of hydrocephalus, with definitive treatment by endovascular technique with a total of six microcoils to embolize the aneurysm. Serial transcranial Dopplers revealed no subsequent vasospasm. Although aneurysms in the pediatric population are rare, once the diagnosis is established, early treatment results in better outcomes.
Statins are not associated with short-term improved aneurysm healing in a rabbit model of unruptured aneurysms
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Yong Hong Ding , Dai Daying , Schroeder Dana J , Kallmes David F , Kadirvel Ramanathan
Published: March 2016

Background

Owing to their anti-inflammatory effects and ability to stimulate production of extracellular matrix and chemotactic migration of mesenchymal progenitor cells, statins could potentially improve aneurysm healing after endovascular treatment.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that systemic administration of simvastatin would improve aneurysm healing in a rabbit model of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

Experimental aneurysms were created in female rabbits and were embolized with platinum coils. Six rabbits served as controls and six rabbits received oral administration of simvastatin. Digital subtraction angiography was used to evaluate stability after embolization. Subjects were euthanized 4 weeks after coil embolization. Histologic samples were examined with a grading system (0–12) based on neck and dome features. Aneurysm occlusion data were compared using a Student t test.

Results

No significant differences in the mean aneurysm size were found between groups. No coil compaction occurred in either group. All aneurysms in both the statin and control groups showed stable occlusion. There were no significant differences in the histologic grade of occlusion in either group (statin group 2.6±0.8 vs control group 2.7±3.2, p=0.94).

Conclusions

Systemic statin administration after platinum coil embolization of unruptured aneurysms in a rabbit model does not improve aneurysm occlusion rates at 4 weeks.
Temperature Effect on Dynamic Behaviors of Cis-Polyisoprene Chain
Authors: Hu Weipeng , Deng Zichen , Zou Hailin , Yin Tingting
Published: March 2016

A novel structure-preserving method, named as stochastic generalized multi-symplectic method, is proposed to analyze the temperature effect on the dynamic characteristics hided in the motion of the cis-polyisoprene chain in this paper. Ignoring the dynamic backflow and the exhaust volume effect, the motion of the Gaussian chain in linear polymers can be described as the Langevin model, which can be written into the stochastic generalized multi-symplectic form. For this stochastic generalized multi-symplectic form, a box structure-preserving scheme is constructed to simulate the motion of the cis-polyisoprene chain. From the simulation results, the temperature effects on the dynamic behaviors around the glass transition temperature and the viscous flow temperature of cis-polyisoprene are investigated. The structure-preserving method for analyzing the temperature effect on the dynamic characteristics of the cis-polyisoprene chain presented in this paper proposes a new way to study some dynamic characteristics of complex fluid systems.
Dynamics of PKA phosphorylation and gain of function in cardiac pacemaker cells: a computational model analysis
Authors: Behar Joachim , Yaniv Yael
Published: March 2016

Cardiac pacemaker cell function is regulated by a coupled-clock system that integrates molecular cues on the cell-membrane surface (i.e., membrane clock) and on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) (i.e., Ca2+ clock). A recent study has shown that cotransfection of spontaneous beating cells (HEK293 cells and neonatal rat myocytes) with R524Q-mutant human hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated molecules (the dominant component of funny channels) increases the funny channel's sensitivity to cAMP and leads to a decrease in spontaneous action potential (AP) cycle length (i.e., tachycardia). We hypothesize that in rabbit pacemaker cells, the same behavior is expected, and because of the coupled-clock system, the resultant steady-state decrease in AP cycle length will embody contributions from both clocks: the initial decrease in the spontaneous AP beating interval, arising from increased sensitivity of the f-channel to cAMP, will be accompanied by an increase in the adenylyl cyclase (AC)-cAMP-PKA-dependent phosphorylation activity, which will further decrease this interval. To test our hypothesis, we used the recently developed Yaniv-Lakatta pacemaker cell numerical model. This model predicts the cAMP signaling dynamics, as well as the kinetics and magnitude of protein phosphorylation in both normal and mutant pacemaker cells. We found that R524Q-mutant pacemaker cells have a shorter AP firing rate than that of wild-type cells and that gain in pacemaker function is the net effect of the R514Q mutation on the functioning of the coupled-clock system. Specifically, our results directly support the hypothesis that changes in Ca2+-activated AC-cAMP-PKA signaling are involved in the development of tachycardia in R524Q-mutant pacemaker cells.
A skeleton-tree-based approach to acinar morphometric analysis using microcomputed tomography with comparison of acini in young and old C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Kizhakke Puliyakote Abhilash S. , Vasilescu Dragoş M. , Sen Sharma Kriti , Wang Ge , Hoffman Eric A.
Published: March 2016

We seek to establish a method using interior tomographic techniques (Xradia MicroXCT-400) for acinar morphometric analysis using the pathway center lines from micro X-ray computed tomographic (Micro-CT) images as the road map. Through the application of these techniques, we present a method to extend the atlas of murine lungs to acinar levels and present a comparison between two age groups of the C57BL/6 strain. Lungs fixed via vascular perfusion were scanned using high-resolution Micro-CT protocols. Individual acini were segmented, and skeletonized paths to alveolar sacs from the entrance to the acinus were formed. Morphometric parameters, including branch lengths, diameters, and branching angles, were generated. Six mice each, at two age groups (∼20 and ∼90 wk of age), were studied. Additive Gaussian noise (0 mean and SD 1, 2, 5, and 10) was used to test the robustness of the analytical method. Noise-based variations were within ±6 μm for branch lengths and ±5 μm for diameters. At a noise level of 10, errors increased. Branch diameters were less susceptible to noise than lengths. There was >95% center line overlap across all noise levels. The measurements obtained using the center lines as a road map were not affected by added noise. Acini from younger mice had smaller branch diameters and lengths at all generations without significant differences in branching angles. The relative distribution of volume in the alveolar ducts was similar across both age groups. The method has been demonstrated to be repeatable and robust to image noise and provides a new, nondestructive technique to assess and compare acinar morphometry quantitatively.
Cancer Differentiating Agent Hexamethylene Bisacetamide Inhibits BET Bromodomain Proteins
Authors: Nilsson Lisa M. , Green Lydia C. , Muralidharan Somsundar Veppil , Demir Dağsu , Welin Martin , Bhadury Joydeep , Logan Derek T. , Walse Björn , Nilsson Jonas A.
Published: March 2016

Agents that trigger cell differentiation are highly efficacious in treating certain cancers, but such approaches are not generally effective in most malignancies. Compounds such as DMSO and hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) have been used to induce differentiation in experimental systems, but their mechanisms of action and potential range of uses on that basis have not been developed. Here, we show that HMBA, a compound first tested in the oncology clinic over 25 years ago, acts as a selective bromodomain inhibitor. Biochemical and structural studies revealed an affinity of HMBA for the second bromodomain of BET proteins. Accordingly, both HMBA and the prototype BET inhibitor JQ1 induced differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia cells. As expected of a BET inhibitor, HMBA displaced BET proteins from chromatin, caused massive transcriptional changes, and triggered cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in Myc-induced B-cell lymphoma cells. Furthermore, HMBA exerted anticancer effects in vivo in mouse models of Myc-driven B-cell lymphoma. This study illuminates the function of an early anticancer agent and suggests an intersection with ongoing clinical trials of BET inhibitor, with several implications for predicting patient selection and response rates to this therapy and starting points for generating BD2-selective BET inhibitors. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2376–83. ©2016 AACR.
Targeting Androgen Receptor (AR)→IL12A Signal Enhances Efficacy of Sorafenib plus NK Cells Immunotherapy to Better Suppress HCC Progression
Authors: Shi Liang , Lin Hui , Li Gonghui , Jin Ren-An , Xu Junjie , Sun Yin , Ma Wen-Lung , Yeh Shuyuan , Cai Xiujun , Chang Chawnshang
Published: March 2016

Gender disparity has long been considered as a key to fully understand hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. At the same time, immunotherapy related to IL12 still need more investigation before being applied in clinical settings. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the androgen receptor (AR) on natural killer (NK) cell–related innate immune surveillance in liver cancer, and provide a novel therapeutic approach to suppress HCC via altering IL12A. By using in vitro cell cytotoxicity test and in vivo liver orthotopic xenograft mouse model, we identified the role of AR in modulating NK cell cytotoxicity. Luciferase report assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were applied for mechanism dissection. IHC was performed for sample staining. Our results showed AR could suppress IL12A expression at the transcriptional level via direct binding to the IL12A promoter region that resulted in repressing efficacy of NK cell cytotoxicity against HCC, and sorafenib treatment could enhance IL12A signals via suppressing AR signals. These results not only help to explain the AR roles in the gender disparity of HCC but also provide a potential new therapy to better suppress HCC via combining sorafenib with NK cell–related immunotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(4); 731–42. ©2016 AACR.
Novel Anti-CRR9/CLPTM1L Antibodies with Antitumorigenic Activity Inhibit Cell Surface Accumulation, PI3K Interaction, and Survival Signaling
Authors: Puskás László G. , Mán Imola , Szebeni Gabor , Tiszlavicz László , Tsai Susan , James Michael A.
Published: March 2016

We and others have recently shown cisplatin resistance-related protein 9 (CRR9)/Cleft Lip and Palate Transmembrane 1-Like (CLPTM1L) to affect survival and proliferation in lung and pancreatic tumor cells. Our research has indicated that CLPTM1L affects multiple survival signaling pathways in tumor cells under oncogenic, genotoxic, and microenvironmental stress. We have confirmed the association of CLPTM1L with pancreatic cancer by demonstrating overexpression of CLPTM1L in pancreatic tumors and poor survival in patients with high tumor expression of CLPTM1L. Predicting a transmembrane structure, we determined that CLPTM1L could be targeted at the plasma membrane. Herein, we describe the development of mAbs targeting CLPTM1L. Lead antibodies inhibited surface accumulation of CLPTM1L, Akt phosphorylation, anchorage-independent growth, and chemotherapeutic resistance in lung and pancreatic tumor cells. Gemcitabine promoted a physical interaction between CLPTM1L and p110α in pancreatic tumor cells, which was inhibited by anti-CLPTM1L. In vivo treatment with anti-CLPTM1L robustly inhibited the growth of both lung and pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenografts. The efficacy of anti-CLPTM1L correlated with specific epitopes representing important targets in human cancers, particularly those driven by KRas, for which effective targeted therapies have been elusive. This study is the first to report cell-surface exposure of the tumor survival protein CLPTM1L and inhibition of the function of surface CLPTM1L with novel, systematically developed inhibitory mAbs establishing proof of concept of clinically practical agents inhibiting this compelling new tumor survival target in cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 985–97. ©2016 AACR.
Protein Kinase Inhibitor H89 Enhances the Activity ofPseudomonasExotoxin A–Based Immunotoxins
Authors: Liu Xiufen , Müller Fabian , Wayne Alan S. , Pastan Ira
Published: March 2016

HA22 (Moxetumomab pasudotox) is a recombinant immunotoxin (RIT), composed of an anti-CD22 Fv fused to a truncated portion of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. HA22 is in clinical trials to treat patients with hairy cell leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). LMB-11 is an improved variant of HA22 with reduced immunogenicity, has a longer half-life in the blood and high activity in vitro and in a Burkitt lymphoma model in vivo. Searching for RIT enhancing combination therapies, we found the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 to enhance LMB-11 and HA22 activity 5- to 10-fold on ALL cell lines and on patient-derived ALL samples. In addition, H89 increased the activity of mesothelin-targeting RITs SS1P (38-fold) and RG7787 (7-fold) against the cervical cancer cell line KB31. Unexpectedly we found that the enhancement by H89 was not because of inhibition of protein kinase A; it was partially recapitulated by inhibition of S6K1, which led to inactivation of its downstream targets rpS6 and GSK3β, resulting in a fall in MCL1 levels. H89 increased the rate of ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2, enhancing the arrest of protein synthesis and the reduction of MCL1 in synergy with the RIT. In summary, H89 increased RIT activity by enhancing the two key events: ADP-ribosylation of eEF2 and reduction of MCL1 levels. Significant enhancement was seen with both CD22- and mesothelin-targeting RITs, indicating that H89 might be a potent addition to RIT treatment of CD22-positive ALL and mesothelin-expressing solid tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 1053–62. ©2016 AACR.
Cotidiano familiar: refletindo sobre a saúde mental infantil e a prática de atividades familiares.
Authors: Cid Maria Fernanda Barboza
Published: March 2016

Considerando que o cotidiano de crianças em idade escolar é principalmente pautado no contexto familiar, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as atividades cotidianas de famílias de crianças em idade escolar e relacioná-las à saúde mental das mesmas. Foram participantes, 321 responsáveis por estudantes do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas de uma cidade do interior do Estado de São Paulo/Brasil. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado o Questionário de Atividades Cotidianas, desenvolvido pela pesquisadora e a versão brasileira do Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades para avaliação da saúde mental das crianças. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva e correlacional. Os resultados indicaram que as crianças que pertencem a famílias em que existem regras e responsabilidades apresentaram maiores níveis de comportamento pró-social. Por outro lado, o baixo desempenho escolar e a existência de “brigas na família” estão associados a prejuízos na saúde mental infantil. Discute-se que a existência de regras e responsabilidades que organizam a rotina das crianças, faz parte do conjunto de ações que caracterizam práticas parentais positivas que, por sua vez, se configuram como relevante mecanismo protetivo para a saúde mental e desenvolvimento destas crianças.
State-Space Analysis of Granger-Geweke Causality Measures with Application to fMRI
Authors: Solo Victor
Published: March 2016

The recent interest in the dynamics of networks and the advent, across a range of applications, of measuring modalities that operate on different temporal scales have put the spotlight on some significant gaps in the theory of multivariate time series. Fundamental to the description of network dynamics is the direction of interaction between nodes, accompanied by a measure of the strength of such interactions. Granger causality and its associated frequency domain strength measures (GEMs) (due to Geweke) provide a framework for the formulation and analysis of these issues. In pursuing this setup, three significant unresolved issues emerge. First, computing GEMs involves computing submodels of vector time series models, for which reliable methods do not exist. Second, the impact of filtering on GEMs has never been definitively established. Third, the impact of downsampling on GEMs has never been established. In this work, using state-space methods, we resolve all these issues and illustrate the results with some simulations. Our analysis is motivated by some problems in (fMRI) brain imaging, to which we apply it, but it is of general applicability.
An Examination of Victimization Trajectories Among a Sample of South Korean Adolescents: Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: Lee Yeungjeom , Kim Jihoon
Published: March 2016

Although a large body of criminological studies have examined trajectories of offending, only a handful of studies have attempted to explore victimization trajectories. The purpose of the current study is to use group-based modeling to explore victimization trajectories among Korean youth and to identify factors that protect and jeopardize victims over the life course. The present study uses data from five waves of Korean Youth Panel Survey (KYPS). Results show three distinct victimization trajectories and identify several risk and protective factors of repeat victimization. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
‘Trapped’ by metaphors for organizations: Thinking and seeing women’s equality and inequality
Authors: Kemp Linzi J
Published: March 2016

Gender was consistently identified as a major force in all editions of Images of Organization (Morgan, 1986, 1997, 2006), yet 30 years after publication of Morgan’s (1986) seminal work, women’s equality remains elusive in twenty-first-century workplaces. This state of affairs became the stimulus for the present research study, and its purpose the exploration of influences on women’s equality and inequality from the eight metaphors contained in Images of Organization (Morgan, 1986, 1997, 2006). Data were collected from a sample of 70 articles in 30 leading academic journals that referenced Images of Organization (Morgan, 1986, 1997, 2006), and were analyzed for within-domains similarity between the eight metaphors and imageries of women in organizations. The results were then investigated for women’s equality and inequality via content analysis. Four themes of influences on women’s equality and inequality were identified from these metaphors for organizations. The implications of these findings are discussed, and two novel images are introduced to progress equality for women. The contribution to scholarly knowledge from this study is the proposition that the influence of these metaphors for organizations has in effect trapped ways of seeing and thinking regarding women’s equality and inequality. The practical value of the current study lies in the proposal of new images to release organizational praxis for women’s equality to become a real force in twenty-first-century organizations.
Mechanical properties and damage characterization of triaxial braided composites in environmental conditions
Authors: Johnston Joel P , Liu Kuang C , Yekani Fard Masoud , Chattopadhyay Aditi
Published: March 2016

Under environmental conditions, triaxial braided composites exhibit complex behavior and damage mechanisms. This paper investigates the damage mechanisms of these complex composites under varying environmental conditions. Tensile, compressive, and shear specimens of triaxial braided composite material were tested at room, hot (100℃), and hot/wet conditions (60℃/90% relative humidity). The strain field was studied using a digital image correlation system and the effect that the specimens’ edges have on the strain field was quantified. For the tension specimens, the environmental conditions caused reductions in the elastic and failure properties, whereas the compression specimens exhibited degradation exclusively in the failure properties. An increase in temperature rather than humidity was found to be a driving factor for the degradation of the mechanical properties. A non-destructive, flash thermography technique was used to characterize surface/subsurface damage in the specimens. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to determine the microstructural modes of failure.
Motherhood in Prison
Authors: Freitas Ana Maísa , Inácio Ana Risca , Saavedra Luísa
Published: March 2016

Few studies have allowed imprisoned mothers to speak directly about motherhood. In this work, 20 convicted Portuguese mothers were interviewed about their experience of motherhood: Ten were raising their children in prison, and 10 were performing their roles as mothers from prison. The study aimed to understand the potential benefits and detriments of motherhood in both circumstances, and to identify what measures could improve the mothers’ conditions. Using thematic analysis, the findings indicate that women whose children live with them in prison experience some advantages, but motherhood also increases suffering due to restrictions on liberty.
The Role of Self-Organization in the Suicidal Process
Authors: Brüdern Juliane , Berger Thomas , Caspar Franz , Maillart Anja Gysin , Michel Konrad
Published: March 2016

This article describes the application of a dual-regulation model to a case example of a female suicide attempter. The model complements the traditional goal-and-feedback view with self-organizing processes, which may help to better understand the suicidal process. From this view, impulsive suicidal behavior can be interpreted as a dysfunctional pattern by which high-internal tension is reduced through self-organized processes. High tension might result from intrapersonal factors and adverse life conditions, by which self-regulation is depleted. Also concepts from social psychology (i.e., ego depletion, self-regulation failure) are consistent with this view and are discussed in context of a suicidal crisis. Identifying dysfunctional self-organization processes and acquiring strategies to strengthen self-regulation might, therefore, be important for suicide prevention.
Stratified Failure
Authors: Mijs Jonathan J. B.
Published: March 2016

Country rankings based on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) invite politicians and specialists to speculate about the reasons their countries did well or failed to do well. Rarely, however, do we hear from the students on whose performance these rankings are based. This omission is unfortunate for two reasons. First, research suggests that how students explain their academic performance has important consequences for their future achievements. Second, prior studies show that students’ attributions of success and failure in education can develop into explanations for social inequalities in adulthood. This article draws on PISA 2012 data on 128,110 secondary school students in 24 countries to explore how educational stratification shapes students’ explanations of their academic performance. I find that students in mixed-ability groups tend to attribute their mathematics performance to their teachers and to (bad) luck, whereas vocational- and academic-track students are more likely to blame themselves for not doing well. These differences between mixed-ability group students and tracked students are more pronounced in school systems where tracking is more extensive. I conclude by discussing how these findings speak to the broader impact of educational stratification on students’ psychology and cognition and the legitimation of inequalities.
Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to the prevention and management of delirium
Authors: Schwartz Ann C , Fisher Travis J , Greenspan Heather N , Heinrich Thomas W
Published: March 2016

Delirium is a syndrome of neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms that can accompany virtually any serious medical condition. Delirium is characterized by a disturbance of attention and awareness, as well as variety of other aspects of cognition that develops over a short period of time in response to another medical condition. It is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality and is associated with increased lengths of stay and costs of care. Despite this, it frequently goes unrecognized, and debate continues about the best prevention and treatment strategies. This article will review the current best practices for the prevention and treatment of delirium and how collaborative care can aid in improving outcomes and minimizing adverse events for patients suffering from delirium.
Dementia
Authors: Fisher Travis J , Schwartz Ann C , Greenspan Heather N , Heinrich Thomas W
Published: March 2016

As the population of the United States ages, the rates of dementia are also likely to increase. Clinicians will, therefore, likely be asked to evaluate and treat an escalating number of patients experiencing a decline in multiple domains of cognitive function, which is the hallmark of neurocognitive disorders. It is also probable that clinicians will be confronted with management dilemmas related to the myriad of psychological and behavioral problems that often occur as a consequence of the neurocognitive impairment. In fact, these behavioral and psychological issues might be the initial symptoms that lead the patient to present to the clinician. Dementia has multiple potential etiologies, and a careful diagnostic assessment is imperative to best characterize the specific type of dementia impacting the patient. This is important, as knowing the type of dementia helps the clinician choose the most effective treatment. Potential treatments should be interdisciplinary in scope, patient/family-centered, and may include both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments.
In Vitro Skin Models and Their Predictability in Defining Normal and Disease Biology, Pharmacology, and Toxicity
Authors: Danilenko Dimitry M. , Phillips Gail D. Lewis , Diaz Dolores
Published: March 2016

In vitro skin model systems are increasingly being used both in the early evaluation of therapeutic drug candidates and in confirmatory mechanistic studies. The most commonly used of these in vitro model systems are reconstituted human epidermis (RHE) models. These RHE models consist solely of epidermal keratinocytes, which comes with some limitations but also with the advantage of focusing toxicologic and pharmacologic evaluation on keratinocytes alone. RHE models can generally be implemented more quickly, easily, and reproducibly than in vivo models and can thus be used for high throughput compound screening while potentially reducing the need for animal studies. Histologic evaluation of RHE sections can be done quite easily, and the sections are very amenable to quantification via image analysis, including automated analysis. RHE model systems can provide very valuable early indications of therapeutic candidate biology, pharmacology, and toxicity; and early results have demonstrated that RHE models have been quite predictive for in vivo pharmacologic and toxicologic effects on the skin, including clinical skin toxicity.
Marriage Choice and Kinship among the English Catholic Elite, 1680–1730
Authors: Gibson Kate
Published: March 2016

Historians of marriage have long debated an individual choice versus kin-based marriage strategy, emphasizing financial gain, patronage, and political alliance as the primary goals of kin. This article challenges the dominance of a Protestant evidence base and a failure to recognize religious motivations in the history of marriage. Examining a Catholic recusant family, it argues that the preservation of Catholicism was a primary imperative that increased kin control over marriage. Marriage was utilized as part of a survival strategy, in response to the chronic insecurity faced by the English elite Catholic community in this period.
Effect of layering pattern on thermal and mechanical properties of lyocell/rayon fabric reinforced textile composites
Authors: Suresh AG , Thiruchitrambalam M , Shanmugam D
Published: March 2016

The influence of different layering pattern on the thermal and mechanical properties of the hybrid lyocell/rayon woven fabric reinforced polyester composites is demonstrated in this research work. The effect of different layering pattern was studied and characterized with tensile, open hole tensile, flexural, and impact testing. Composites manufacture with rayon/rayon/lyocell pattern reinforcement has the best tensile and flexural properties. The tensile and flexural strength increased by 36.5% and 43.79%, respectively, with reference to neat resin. It is also noted that the tensile modulus reduced by 31.1% when compared to neat resin. This represents an increase of material ductility in comparison with neat resin. It is observed that placing of high strength lyocell fabric at the extreme layer as reinforcement would result in enhanced properties. In case of rayon/lyocell/rayon hybrid tensile composites it can be seen that there is only 8% increase in tensile properties in comparison with neat resin due to rayon fabric placed as a skin rather than core. A negative effect of 6–26% reduced tensile strength was observed for the open hole (6 mm diameter) samples of all pattern of textile composites. This was due to fiber and inter fiber (matrix) fracture. A more detailed microfractography analysis was used to determine the crack growth direction and initiation. While in impact properties the lyocell/lyocell/lyocell pattern reinforcement showed the best impact strength of 3.36 kJ/m2 compared to rayon/rayon/rayon and other tri-layer composites. Thermal analysis showed higher thermal stability for the rayon/rayon/lyocell pattern reinforcement.
Vibration and stability of laminated composite orthogrid plates
Authors: Ehsani Amir , Rezaeepazhand Jalil
Published: March 2016

Generally, a grid layer is used as an orthotropic layer to reinforce plates and shells or as an independent structural element. The proposed laminated grid plate is composed of different grid layers with different orientations. Consequently, the grid layers with different fibers, patterns and orientations can be used, resulting in laminates with enhanced stiffness and coupling effects. In the present study, to investigate the efficiency of the laminated grids, the vibration and buckling responses of a conventional and laminated grid plates are compared. The first-order shear deformation plate theory along with Ritz method is used to obtain the buckling load and natural frequencies of the plates. The effectiveness of increasing the number of layers on mechanical responses of the laminated grids is also studied. The analytical results of vibration frequencies are compared and validated by finite element method and experimental analysis of two manufactured grid plates. The results indicate that thoughtful selection of stacking sequences of the laminated grids considerably enhances the response of the laminated grids in comparison with conventional grids.
Lung toxicity in mice of airborne particulate matter from a modern layer hen facility containing Proposition 2-compliant animal caging
Authors: Franzi Lisa M , Linderholm Angela L , Rabowsky Michelle , Last Jerold A
Published: March 2016

Proposition 2, which requires that egg-laying hens be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely, was passed by the voters of California in 2008. These new housing requirements were introduced in the USA and European Union without considering the potential impact of changes in layer hen housing on the health of poultry workers in the new facilities. Particles were collected from ambient air inside a large layer hen complex featuring separate barns with conventional battery caging, enriched caging, or ‘free range’ (aviary) housing during winter, spring, and summer seasons over one year. Toxicity of the particles was evaluated by analysis of inflammatory cell influx into lung lavage fluid after intratracheal instillation into mice. Capacity of the particles to elicit oxidative stress was evaluated using a macrophage cell line engineered with a reporter gene sensitive to nuclear factor κB activation. We observed similar pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant effects of the particles collected from different types of barns and over different seasons, suggesting that standard industrial hygiene techniques for evaluating respirable particles in ambient air can adequately monitor worker risk. Based on particle concentrations found in ambient air in the barns, we can rank the facilities for worker exposure to particles as conventional caging (now banned) approximately equal to enriched caging (permitted under Proposition 2). Aviary housing is associated with increased exposure of workers to particulate matter and, therefore, to greater risk of allergic reactions and/or decreased respiratory function.
Hydrogen sulphide and phosphine interactions with human skin in vitro
Authors: Gaskin Sharyn , Heath Linda , Pisaniello Dino , Evans Richard , Edwards John W , Logan Michael , Baxter Christina
Published: March 2016

Accidental or intentional releases of toxic gases can have significant public health consequences and emergency resource demands. Management of exposed individuals during hazardous material incidents should be risk and evidence based, but there are knowledge gaps in relation to dermal absorption of gases and management advice for potentially exposed individuals. Using a modified Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in vitro toxicology protocol with human donor skin, this article reports on two common and odorous chemicals, hydrogen sulphide and phosphine. Results show that undamaged human skin provides a good barrier to hydrogen sulphide (up to 800 ppm) and phosphine (up to 1000 ppm) penetration for up to 30 min exposures, with little variability in the presence of clothing or in elevated temperature and humidity conditions. A practical guideline template for skin decontamination has been developed, and implications of the research for first responders are outlined.
Enhancing Risk Detection Among Homeless Youth: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Promising Pilot Intervention
Authors: Bender Kimberly A. , DePrince Anne , Begun Stephanie , Hathaway Jessica , Haffejee Badiah , Schau Nicholas
Published: March 2016

Homeless youth frequently experience victimization, and youth with histories of trauma often fail to detect danger risks, making them vulnerable to subsequent victimization. The current study describes a pilot test of a skills-based intervention designed to improve risk detection among homeless youth through focusing attention to internal, interpersonal, and environmental cues. Youth aged 18 to 21 years ( N = 74) were recruited from a shelter and randomly assigned to receive usual case management services or usual services plus a 3-day manualized risk detection intervention. Pretest and posttest interviews assessed youths’ risk detection abilities through vignettes describing risky situations and asking youth to identify risk cues present. Separate 2 (intervention vs. control) × 2 (pretest vs. posttest) mixed ANOVAs found significant interaction effects, as intervention youth significantly improved in overall risk detection compared with control youth. Post hoc subgroup analyses found the intervention had a greater effect for youth without previous experiences of indirect victimization than those with previous indirect victimization experiences.
An Assessment of the Prevalence, Perceived Significance, and Response to Dowry Solicitation and Domestic Violence in Bangladesh
Authors: Young Kim A. , Hassan Shahidul
Published: March 2016

The current study focuses on the prevalence of two pervasive gender-related crimes in Bangladesh: dowry solicitation and domestic violence. We assess victim perceptions of how these two crimes rank in significance compared with other types of crimes experienced and the actions victim households took in response. Our research builds on prior qualitative studies by making use of nation-wide household survey data, collected by the World Bank, to examine dowry and domestic violence in the context of all legal conflicts experienced by households in every administrative region of the country. The analyses show that both dowry solicitation and domestic violence rank in the top five most common crimes, including violent and non-violent crimes. Women report more experiences of dowry solicitation and domestic violence, with urban females most frequently disclosing both. Among the households that experienced multiple types of violent and non-violent crimes, 55.9% of dowry and 70.8% of domestic violence victims reported another crime ranked higher in significance. Of the households that considered these two crimes the most serious they experienced, 56.1% of dowry and 32.5% of domestic violence households took no action at all in response. Among the households that took action, most eschewed both police and state judicial institutions. Choosing to act alone or with the help of family members was the most frequent response. The findings illustrate the need for governance reforms in Bangladesh and may inform state and non-state improvement initiatives.