bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of the recognition of benign ethnic neutropenia in black patients during treatment with clozapine: case reports and database study
Authors: Whiskey Eromona , Olofinjana Olubanke , Taylor David
Published: March 2010

Clozapine is the treatment of choice in refractory schizophrenia. Its more extensive use is limited by adverse effects and the need for regular blood monitoring. However, black patients are disadvantaged with respect to clozapine usage. Lower baseline Absolute Neutrophil Count compared with Whites leads to a greater frequency of blood testing, treatment interruptions and discontinuation. This may in part be explained by Benign Ethnic Neutropenia, but too few black patients are thus registered. The four cases described in this report underline some of the difficulties if this problem is under-recognized. Moreover, in our sample of 191 clozapine recipients in an inner London hospital, black patients account for approximately half, but only a small proportion, 8/95 (8.4%) are registered as having Benign Ethnic Neutropenia. None of the Benign Ethnic Neutropenia-registered patients discontinued treatment for haematological reasons. To optimize clozapine treatment and improve long-term outcomes, a significantly greater proportion of Black patients should be registered as having Benign Ethnic Neutropenia.
Novel protective mechanisms of antidepressants against 3-nitropropionic acid induced Huntington’s-like symptoms: a comparative study
Authors: Kumar Puneet , Kalonia Harikesh , Kumar Anil
Published: March 2010

Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by progressive degeneration of neurons in the striatum, cortex and other parts of the brain, causing motor and cognitive dysfunction. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is a well-known mycotoxin that significantly induces motor dysfunction in animals. Studies suggested the involvement of oxidative stress and nitric oxide mechanisms in HD pathogenesis. Clinical reports have also indicated the neuroprotective potential of antidepressants. Therefore, the present study has been designed to elucidate and compare the mechanistic role of different antidepressants (sertraline, venlafaxine, imipramine and trazodone) and their interaction with nitric oxide modulators if any, against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity. Systemic 3-NP (10 mg/kg) administration for 14 days significantly reduced locomotor activity, body weight, motor coordination, oxidative defense and impaired mitochondrial complex enzyme activities in the striatum. Sertraline, venlafaxine, imipramine and trazodone treatments significantly improved behavioral, oxidative defense and mitochondrial complex enzyme activities as compared with the 3-NP-treated group. Systemic L-arginine (50 mg/kg) pretreatment with sub-effective dose of sertraline (10 mg/kg), venlafaxine (10 mg/kg), imipramine (10 mg/kg) and trazodone (10 mg/kg) for 14 days significantly attenuated their protective effect. Similarly, L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10 mg/kg) pretreatment with sub-effective dose of sertraline (10 mg/kg), venlafaxine (10 mg/kg), imipramine (10 mg/kg) and trazodone (10 mg/kg) for 14 days significantly potentiated their protective effects which were significant as compared with their effect alone, respectively . The results of the present study suggest that a nitric oxide mechanism might be involved in their protective effect against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity.
The triple reuptake inhibitor DOV216,303 exhibits limited antidepressant-like properties in the differential reinforcement of low-rate 72-second responding assay, likely due to dopamine reuptake inhibition
Authors: Paterson Neil E , Balci Fuat , Campbell Una , Olivier Berend E , Hanania Taleen
Published: March 2010

There is a need for antidepressants with novel mechanisms of action. One approach has been to develop compounds that inhibit reuptake of all three monoamines in the central nervous system, for example DOV216,303. Differential reinforcement of low-rate (72-s) responding is a behavioral test that is predictive of antidepressant-like properties. The effects of antidepressant compounds belonging to multiple classes, the anxiolytic diazepam and the antipsychotic haloperidol, were assessed in the DRL-72s task. Subsequently, the antidepressant-like properties of acute DOV216,303 were assessed. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine, the preferential norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine and the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine exhibited antidepressant-like properties in the DRL-72s task. The atypical antidepressant bupropion, which inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, and the selective dopamine transporter inhibitor GBR12909, changed reinforcement and response rates and inter-response time distribution in an opposite direction compared with the antidepressant compounds tested. The antipsychotic haloperidol exhibited antidepressant-like properties by increasing reinforcement rate, but failed to alter inter-response time distribution. Diazepam did not change reinforcement or response rates or inter-response time distribution. The triple reuptake inhibitor DOV216,303 significantly enhanced reinforcement rate at one intermediate dose, but exhibited similar effects as bupropion and GBR12909 on inter-response time distribution. The studies identified limited antidepressant-like properties of the triple reuptake inhibitor DOV216,303, likely due to dopamine transporter inhibition counteracting the effects of norepinephrine and serotonin transporter inhibition.
The Identification of Implicit Theories in Domestic Violence Perpetrators
Authors: Dempsey Bernadette , Day Andrew
Published: March 2010

An understanding of how the beliefs of domestically violent offenders might influence their abusive behavior is central to the development and delivery of any intervention program that aims to reduce the risk of further violence against women and children. This article reports the results of a preliminary investigation into the core beliefs of a sample of domestically violent men. Three major themes emerged from an analysis of the accounts of their violence, which were understood in relation to three implicit theories that participants held about themselves, their relationships, and the world. These are discussed in terms of previous studies of offender cognition, how domestic violence programs might be conceptualized, and their implications for practice.
Cortical hyperexcitability and mechanism of medication-overuse headache
Authors: Supornsilpchai Weera , le Grand Supang Maneesri , Srikiatkhachorn Anan
Published: March 2010

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of acute (1 h) and chronic (daily dose for 30 days) paracetamol administration on the development of cortical spreading depression (CSD), CSD-evoked cortical hyperaemia and CSD-induced Fos expression in cerebral cortex and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). Paracetamol (200 mg/kg body weight, intraperitonealy) was administered to Wistar rats. CSD was elicited by topical application of solid KCl. Electrocorticogram and cortical blood flow were recorded. Results revealed that acute paracetamol administration substantially decreased the number of Fos-immunoreactive cells in the parietal cortex and TNC without causing change in CSD frequency. On the other hand, chronic paracetamol administration led to an increase in CSD frequency as well as CSD-evoked Fos expression in parietal cortex and TNC, indicating an increase in cortical excitability and facilitation of trigeminal nociception. Alteration of cortical excitability which leads to an increased susceptibility of CSD development can be a possible mechanism underlying medication-overuse headache.
Is the development of visual contrast sensitivity impaired in children with migraine? An exploratory study
Authors: Braunitzer Gábor , Rokszin Alice , Kóbor Jenő , Benedek György
Published: March 2010

Introduction: Impairment of visual contrast sensitivity is a well-known phenomenon in adult migraineurs. Little is known, however, about whether contrast sensitivity deficits are already present in children with migraine.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory study with 18 children with migraine without aura, in which we tested our subjects’ visual contrast sensitivity. Eighteen age- and sex-matched healthy children served as controls.

Results: Among the youngest subjects (6–10 years) we found no significant differences at any of the spatial frequencies tested, as compared to the controls, whereas from the age of 10 on, migraineurs exhibited significantly poorer contrast sensitivity, especially at the lower spatial frequencies.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, we are the first to report on such a deficit in children, and we conclude that our findings might be interpreted as reflecting an increased vulnerability of the visual system to migraine attacks as part of the migrainous endophenotype.
Long-Term Follow-Up of 24.5 Years After Intra-Articular Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Lateral Extra-Articular Augmentation
Authors: Pernin Jerome , Verdonk Peter , Si Selmi Tarik Aït , Massin Philippe , Neyret Philippe
Published: March 2010

Background: Many studies have reported successful outcomes 10 to 15 years after ACL reconstruction. However, few authors report results at ultra long-term follow-up (more than 20 years of follow-up).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine how the status of the medial meniscus and the medial compartment articular cartilage observed at the time of ACL reconstruction affects results more than 24 years after surgery. This article examines long-term outcome of ACL reconstruction with extra-articular augmentation (procedure performed through a medial arthrotomy).

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: One hundred of 148 patients reviewed at 11.5 years of follow-up could be reviewed at 24.5 years. Complete clinical and radiographic evaluation (International Knee Documentation Committee scale and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) was performed.

Results: The radiographic International Knee Documentation Committee rating was as follows: grade A, 39%; grade B, 7%; grade C, 27%; and grade D, 27%. Onset of osteoarthritis was correlated with medial meniscal status and femoral chondral defects at time of surgery.

Conclusion: Total medial meniscectomy and articular cartilage damage were risk factors for osteoarthritis.
Ethics Environment in Long-Term Care
Authors: McDaniel Charlotte , Roche James K. , Veledar Emir
Published: March 2010

This study assesses three hypotheses regarding a long-term care facility’s ethics environment and the relationships between ethics environment, employees’ work features, and residents’ outcomes. Validated questionnaires measure ethics environment, work satisfaction, managing disagreement, goal attainment, care and work opinion including retention, and mental health status among full-time employees ( N = 110; 53%) and residents ( N = 139; 57%) who volunteered for this cross-sectional cohort analysis. Ethics environment is rated above average (> 3.0, 1-5 scale) by employees and residents, with statistically significant ( p = .001) Spearman correlations between ethics environment and employees’ attainment of goals, opinion of care, and work satisfaction; between residents’ ethics environment and care opinion and mental status (MCS, SF-36). Among others, ethics environment is revealed as a robust correlate to two critical factors for quality care: employees’ care opinion including retention and residents’ mental health. It is possible to develop and sustain ethics environments, thus these findings are applicable to clinical practice.
Internet-Based Dementia Resources
Authors: Galvin James E. , Meuser Thomas M. , Boise Linda , Connell Cathleen M
Published: March 2010

Despite the great potential of the Internet for improving clinical outcomes, little is know about physicians’ use of and attitudes about Internet use for care of patients with dementia. The authors surveyed 373 physicians to inform development of online dementia education resources. Two thirds reported using Internet-based resources in their clinical practices at least three times per week; 61% participated in online continuing medical education. Three fourths agreed that Internet-based resources are helpful in clinical care, but most expressed mixed views about quality of available information. Respondents reported limited awareness and use of dementia-specific Internet resources but expressed an interest in such information regarding screening, treatment, community resources, and patient education. National Institute on Aging–funded Alzheimer’s Disease Centers are in a unique position to disseminate online resources for physicians on dementia diagnosis, treatment, and care. This study suggests that such a resource would be well received and utilized by physicians.
Cadmium concentration in muscle, liver and kidney of sheep slaughtered in Falavarjan abattoir, Iran
Authors: Kazemeini HR , Rahimi E. , Kharrattaherdel AA , Nozarpour N. , Ebadi AG
Published: March 2010

The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of cadmium in sheep’s muscle, liver and kidney from Isfahan and also to compare them with the levels reported in several other countries and with the maximum tolerance levels for the human consumption. The samples of muscle, liver and kidney of 60 animals around 1 to 6 years old were collected from the carcasses slaughtered in Flavarjan abattoir, Isfahan. Samples (acid digested and cadmium concentrations) were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). The mean fresh weight concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney were about 0.0017 mg/kg, 0.0743 mg/kg and 0.02290 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentration of cadmium in tissue samples was generally lower than the maximum acceptable concentration in European Commission (EC). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in cadmium concentration of liver and kidney between various age groups (p < 0.05).
Isolated pyuria in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Appenzeller S. , Clark A. , Pineau C. , Vasilevsky M. , Bernatsky S.
Published: March 2010

The objective of this study was to assess isolated pyuria in an unselected systemic lupus erythematosus sample, and to determine factors potentially associated with this manifestation. We studied patients followed in our lupus clinic, defining isolated pyuria as more than 10 white blood cells per high power field in the absence of hematuria, proteinuria, casts, or bacteriuria. We assessed the effects of various demographic and clinical factors on the occurrence of isolated pyuria, using univariate logistic regression analyses. We also performed multivariate models which included sex, age, race/ethnicity, systemic lupus erythematosus duration, non-renal systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity, systemic lupus erythematosus damage, number of non-renal and renal American College of Rheumatology criteria ever present, pre-existing hypertension, and current drug exposures. Of 264 subjects, 66 were excluded (43 had bacteriuria or a contaminated urine culture and 23 had no concomitant urine culture); 27 of the remaining 198 (13.6%) had isolated pyuria. Sixteen of 27 patients with sterile pyuria had previous American College of Rheumatology criteria for renal involvement (hematuria, casts, and/or proteinuria) compared to 62/171 patients without sterile pyuria (unadjusted odds ratio = 2.55; 95% confidence interval = 1.11—5.85). Our univariate analyses also suggested a trend towards higher non-renal disease activity in patients with isolated pyuria. Independent associations were not evident in adjusted analyses. Isolated pyuria was observed in a significant number of our systemic lupus erythematosus sample. Although the differential diagnosis for isolated pyuria is broad, this manifestation may be correlated with lupus activity even in the absence of hematuria or proteinuria. Lupus (2010) 19, 793—796.
Association of estrogen and aromatase gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wang J. , Nuite M. , McAlindon TE
Published: March 2010

Experimental and animal studies suggested that estrogens play an important role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through a variety of mechanisms involved in the regulation of the immune system. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between genetic variations in estrogen metabolic pathway genes, including estrogen receptor α (ESR1), estrogen receptor β (ESR2), and aromatase (CYP19A1), and risk of SLE. We performed a genetic study of SLE among 46 medical record-confirmed female SLE cases and 102 female controls participating in an Internet-based case—control study of SLE. Polymorphisms analysed included: ESR1 PvuII, XbaI, and GT repeat; ESR2 RsaI, AluI, and CA repeat; and CYP19A1 RsaI, SfaN1, and TTTA repeat. We found significant association of the ESR1 PvuII (PP vs. pp, odds ratio (OR): 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1—9.3) and XbaI (XX vs. xx, adjusted OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1—10.5) with SLE. Carrying the PPXX genotype conferred the highest risk (PPXX vs. ppxx, OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.3—15.9). We also found an association of SLE with the ESR2 CA repeat (SS vs. LL, OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.0—8.0). Our results support a role of estrogen in pathogenesis of SLE and suggested that genetic variants in the estrogen receptor genes might influence susceptibility.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a Mediterranean region
Authors: Cutillas-Marco E. , Morales-Suárez-Varela MM , Marquina-Vila A. , Grant WB
Published: March 2010

Low vitamin D levels have been found in patients with autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The main source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight, but the same solar radiation is known to exacerbate lupus erythematosus. We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). We designed a cross-sectional study including 55 patients with CLE to measure their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) by chemiluminescence immunoassay and compare it with a control group consisting of 37 healthy sex and age-matched subjects recruited from the patients’ relatives as well as healthcare workers. Correlations with clinical and demographic variables were determined. Approximately 95% of patients with CLE had less than 30 ng/ml of serum 25(OH)D, which is accepted as the lower limit for vitamin D adequacy. Mean serum vitamin D values were significantly lower than controls (p = 0.038) and were associated with higher levels of parathyroid hormone (p = 0.050). A history of CLE was a strong predictor of insufficiency of vitamin D (odds ratio 4.2; 95% confidence interval 1.0—17.4). The results suggest a role of CLE in the metabolism of the vitamin and provide guidance for future studies looking at a potential role for vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of CLE. Lupus (2010) 19, 810—814.
False-positive IgM for CMV in pregnant women with autoimmune disease: a novel prognostic factor for poor pregnancy outcome
Authors: De Carolis S. , Santucci S. , Botta A. , Garofalo S. , Martino C. , Perrelli A. , Salvi S. , Degennaro VA , de Belvis AG , Ferrazzani S. , Scambia G.
Published: March 2010

Our aims were to assess the frequency of false-positive IgM antibodies for cytomegalovirus in pregnant women with autoimmune diseases and in healthy women (controls) and to determine their relationship with pregnancy outcome. Data from 133 pregnancies in 118 patients with autoimmune diseases and from 222 pregnancies in 198 controls were assessed. When positive IgM for cytomegalovirus was detected, IgG avidity, cytomegalovirus isolation and polymerase chain reaction for CMV-DNA in maternal urine and amniotic fluid samples were performed in order to identify primary infection or false positivity. A statistically significantly higher rate of false-positive IgM was found in pregnancies with autoimmune diseases (16.5%) in comparison with controls (0.9%). A worse pregnancy outcome was observed among patients with autoimmune disease and false cytomegalovirus IgM in comparison with those without false positivity: earlier week of delivery (p = 0.017), lower neonatal birth weight (p = 0.0004) and neonatal birth weight percentile (p = 0.002), higher rate of intrauterine growth restriction (p = 0.02) and babies weighing less than 2000 g (p = 0.025) were encountered. The presence of false cytomegalovirus IgM in patients with autoimmune diseases could be used as a novel prognostic index of poor pregnancy outcome: it may reflect a non-specific activation of the immune system that could negatively affect pregnancy outcome. Lupus (2010) 19, 844—849.
Long-term outcome of transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Motomura G. , Yamamoto T. , Suenaga K. , Nakashima Y. , Mawatari T. , Ikemura S. , Iwamoto Y.
Published: March 2010

This study sought to examine the long-term outcomes of transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy (ARO) as treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Twenty-one patients (33 hips), aged 20—40 years, underwent ARO between 1980 and 1988. We examined 16 patients (25 hips), a 76% follow-up rate. A Kaplan—Meier curve was used for survivorship analysis. Patients with surviving hips were evaluated by the modified Oxford hip score and Short Form 36 (SF-36). Twelve hips in eight patients had survived at the final follow-up. The average length of hip survival was 24.6 years (range: 20.1—27.2 years). Three patients (six hips) had died of unrelated causes without any subsequent operation. Based on Kaplan—Meier analysis with the endpoint defined as the need for a subsequent operation, the hip survival rate at 25 years was 73.7% (95% confidence interval, ±19.8%). Based on classification by the modified Oxford hip score, five hips were classified as excellent, two hips were good, and the remaining five hips were fair. The average SF-36 summary score for the physical and mental components was 38.7 and 47.2 points, respectively. The physical component summary scores for three patients exceeded the normal level of the Japanese population. Lupus (2010) 19, 860—865.
Electro-rheological Cylinders used as Impact Energy Absorbers
Authors: Zhang X.W. , Yu T.X. , Wen W.J.
Published: March 2010

Smart fluids, that is, electro-rheological (ER) and magneto-rheological (MR) fluids have been studied widely in vibration control, seismic isolations, and rotation transmission, where the velocity is low and the motions are periodic. However, very few investigations concern about the dynamic response and energy absorption of ER dampers under impact loadings. To explore the feasibility of using ER cylinders as impact energy absorbers, two different ER fluids were first characterized by using a capillary rheometer with rectangular duct. Then, a double-ended ER cylinder with two parallel annular ducts was designed, and its performance in response to a mass impact was tested. The experiments show that a typical dynamic response of the ER cylinder consists of three distinct stages, namely, an initial shock stage, a transition stage, and a stable flow stage. Afterwards, the dynamic response is analyzed theoretically, in which the contact between the impinger and the piston rod, the viscous and ER effects as well as the inertia and response time of the ER fluid are considered. It is revealed that, the controllability of the ER impact energy absorber greatly depends on the impact velocity and ER fluid’s yield stress, and that when the impact velocity increases, its controllability deteriorates due to viscosity and response time.
Modeling and Improvement of a Cymbal Transducer in Energy Harvesting
Authors: Jiangbo Yuan  , Xiaobiao Shan  , Tao Xie  , Weishan Chen
Published: March 2010

This article analyzes the performance of a cymbal transducer in energy harvesting. A theoretical model is presented to determine the output power of the cymbal transducer for scavenging vibration energy. A maximum power of about 1.4 mW can be harvested across a 410 kΩ resistive load at 120 Hz under force of 8.15 N. It can be found that the results obtained from the theoretical model were in very good agreement with the experimental results. In order to improve the performance of the cymbal energy harvester, a new cymbal structure with a circumferential slot is presented to release the high-circumferential stresses, which could result in decreasing the energy transmission coefficient. The results show that the output power of the slotted-cymbal transducer while the depth of slot is 0.35 mm can reach about 2.5 mW at 120 Hz, which is approximately 0.8 times more than the original cymbal transducer.
Federalism, Efficiency, and Civil Rights Enforcement
Authors: Wilk Eric M. , Lamb Charles M.
Published: March 2010

This article systematically compares the efficiency of federal, state, and local civil rights agencies in enforcing national fair housing policy over time, with special attention to the South. State and local agencies processed Fair Housing Act complaints more efficiently than the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), southern agencies outperformed HUD, and the probability that a racial discrimination complaint resulted in a favorable outcome for the alleged victim was the same for complaints originating within and outside the South. These findings suggest that the fair housing enforcement model may provide useful concepts for sharing power in other policy areas in the American federal system.
Piety and Redistributive Preferences in the Muslim World
Authors: Pepinsky Thomas B. , Welborne Bozena C.
Published: March 2010

This article tests two competing theories of the relationship between piety and redistributive preferences in the Muslim world. The first, drawn from the new political economy of religion, holds that more pious individuals of any faith should oppose redistributive economic policies. The second, drawn from Islamic scripture, holds that pious Muslims should favor more redistributive economic policies. Employing survey data from twenty-five countries, the authors find that there is no clear relationship between piety and redistributive preferences among Muslims. The authors find that more pious Muslims are less likely to favor government efforts to eliminate income inequality, but they find only inconsistent evidence that more pious Muslims support governments taking responsibility for the well-being of the poor. The findings offer little evidence to suggest that either scriptural or organizational factors unique to Islam create distinct economic policy preferences.
Mind the gap: Documenting and explaining violence against aid workers
Authors: Fast Larissa A.
Published: March 2010

The brutal murder of 17 national staff members of Action Contre le Faim (ACF) in Sri Lanka in August 2006 and ambushes, kidnappings, and murders of aid workers elsewhere have captured headlines. This article reviews the prevailing explanations, assumptions, and research on why humanitarian actors experience security threats. The scholarly literature on humanitarian action is fecund and abundant, yet no comparative review of the research on humanitarian security and scholarly sources on humanitarian action exists to date. The central argument here is twofold. First, an epistemic gap exists between one stream that focuses primarily on documenting violence against aid workers — a proximate cause approach — while a second literature proposes explanations, or deep causes, often without corresponding empirical evidence. Moreover, the deep cause literature emphasizes external, changing global conditions to the neglect of other possible micro and internal explanations. Both of these have negative implications for our understanding of and therefore strategies to address security threats against aid workers.
Representing civilization: Solidarism, ornamentalism, and Siam’s entry into international society
Authors: Englehart Neil A.
Published: March 2010

Although norms are important in various schools of international relations theory, there has been relatively little effort to integrate their various uses of the term. Here I seek to bring together the Constructivist use of norms based on individual human agency with the English School’s concept of solidarism. This perspective helps make sense of the expansion of international society, a point demonstrated through a study of the apparently anomalous case of Siam, which achieved sovereignty without developing significant military power. Siamese elites were able to gain inclusion in international society by enacting solidarism with European conceptions of ‘civilized’ behavior and using European conceptions of class to trump preconceptions about race.
The politics of ethical foreign policy: A responsibility to protect whom?
Authors: Bulley Dan
Published: March 2010

Ethical foreign policy persists as a problem of international relations, especially regarding humanitarian intervention. However, despite apparent international upheavals, the debate about the ethics of humanitarian intervention has remained fundamentally unchanged. To escape the limits of this debate, this article deconstructs British claims to ethical foreign policy since 1997, reading these claims against themselves and against contemporary humanitarian intervention literature. It finds that Britain’s ethical framework, the ‘doctrine of international community’, which justifies interventions in Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, is undone by the anomalous, yet exemplary, invasion of Iraq. This demonstrates the politics of ethical foreign policy: first, that any intervention, no matter how ‘ethical’ or ‘right’, produces suffering and death; and, second, that we cannot know for sure whether we are doing the right thing by intervening. Embracing, rather than effacing, the political nature of ethical foreign policy opens up a more intellectually honest and positive potential future for relating to the foreign in a responsible manner.
Domestic politics and the escalation of commercial rivalr: Explaining the War of Jenkins’ Ear, 1739–48
Authors: Young Patricia T. , Levy Jack S.
Published: March 2010

The study of international rivalry is a thriving research program in international relations, but it focuses primarily on strategic rivalries and generally neglects both commercial rivalries and the impact of domestic politics. We examine commercial rivalry and the causal paths through which it can escalate to war. After identifying alternative theoretical explanations, we focus on the Anglo-Spanish rivalry of the 1730s and the processes through which it escalated to the War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739–48). We examine both balance of power and dyadic trade rivalry explanations, and then give special attention to domestic politics in Britain. We argue that the commercial rivalry was a necessary but not sufficient condition for the war of 1739. The Walpole ministry was opposed to war, and the rivalry would not have escalated in the absence of domestic pressures from mercantile interests, a xenophobic public, a politically opportunistic parliamentary opposition, and a divided cabinet.
The National Institute Health Research Networks (NIHRs): a critical UK research infrastructure
Authors: Smith Lorraine N.
Published: March 2010

This paper investigates the evolution of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) using the Stroke Research Network (SRN) to illustrate various elements of a topic-specific research network. The background of the UKCRC is explored with particular reference to the policy imperatives that led to the creation of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). Clinical Research Networks within NIHR are identified and the importance of bio industrial partnerships is highlighted. Finally comments are made regarding the location of nursing as a discipline within the NIHR structure.
Structure and serology of O-antigens as the basis for classification of Proteus strains
Authors: Knirel Yuriy A. , Perepelov Andrei V. , Kondakova Anna N. , Senchenkova Sof'ya N. , Sidorczyk Zygmunt , Rozalski Antoni , Kaca Wieslaw
Published: March 2010

This review is devoted to structural and serological characteristics of the O-antigens (O-polysaccharides) of the lipopolysaccharides of various Proteus species, which provide the basis for classifying Proteus strains to Oserogroups. The antigenic relationships of Proteus strains within and beyond the genus as well as their O-antigenrelated bioactivities are also discussed.
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: an under-recognized clinical emergency
Authors: Chen Shih-Pin , Fuh Jong-Ling , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: March 2010

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by recurrent thunderclap headaches and reversible cerebral vasoconstrictions. RCVS is more common than previously thought and should be differentiated from aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage. RCVS can be spontaneous or evoked by pregnancy or exposure to vasoactive substances. Patients tend to be middle-aged women but pediatric patients have been seen. Up to 80% of sufferers have identifiable triggers. Thunderclap headaches tend to recur daily and last for a period of around 2 weeks, while the vasoconstrictions may last for months. About one-third of patients have blood pressure surges accompanying headache attacks. The potential complications of RCVS include posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, ischemic strokes over watershed zones, cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance images including angiography and venography and lumbar punctures are the studies of choice, whereas catheter angiography should not be implemented routinely. Patients with a mean flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery greater than 120 cm/s shown by transcranial color-coded sonography have a greater risk of ischemic complications than those without. The pathophysiology of RCVS remains unknown; sympathetic hyperactivity may play a role. Open-label trials showed calcium channel blockers, such as nimodipine may be an effective treatment in prevention of thunderclap headache attacks. In severe cases, intra-arterial therapy may be considered. Most patients with RCVS recover without sequelae; however, relapse has been reported in a small proportion of patients.
Rehabilitation following Microfracture of the Knee
Authors: Wilk Kevin E. , Macrina Leonard C. , Reinold Michael M.
Published: March 2010

Postoperative rehabilitation programs following articular cartilage repair procedures will vary greatly among patients and need to be individualized based on the nature of the lesion, the unique characteristics of the patient, and the type and detail of each surgical procedure. These programs are based on knowledge of the basic science, anatomy, and biomechanics of articular cartilage as well as the biological course of healing following surgery. The goal is to restore full function in each patient as quickly as possible by facilitating a healing response without overloading the healing articular cartilage. The purpose of this article is to overview the principles of rehabilitation following microfracture procedures of the knee.
Effects of Resorcinol On the Mechanical Properties of Soy Protein Isolate Films
Authors: Jeevan Prasad Reddy D. , Varada Rajulu A. , Arumugam V. , Naresh M.D. , Muthukrishnan M.
Published: March 2010

Soy protein isolate (SPI) films were formed by cross linking with resorcinol. The resorcinol content was varied and its effect on mechanical properties was measured. The variation of tensile creep modulus with time for different loadings of resorcinol indicated a higher value when the resorcinol content was 10 and 20% of the weight of SPI. The addition of 20% resorcinol led to an overall increase in the tensile strength from 4.9 to 24.7 MPa and modulus increases from 801 to 1358 MPa than SPI films. The percent elongation was also increased from 3.2 to 8.4 when compared to unmodified SPI film. The impact strength was at a maximum and moisture content at a minimum for 20% resorcinol content.
Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
Authors: Reed Amanda Ann , Michael Kim
Published: March 2010

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a gastric outlet obstruction related to the thickening of the pyloric muscle. It typically affects first-born males between the ages of 6 to 8 weeks. Sonography is the modality of choice for diagnosing HPS. This review discusses the etiology, signs and symptoms, sonographic findings, and treatment for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
Probing influence of welding current on weld quality in two wire tandem submerged arc welding of HSLA steel
Authors: Kiran D. V. , Basu B. , Shah A. K. , Mishra S. , De A.
Published: March 2010

Two wire tandem submerged arc welding (SAW-T) involves application of two electrode wires to form a single weld pool with one wire leading the other along the weld interface. Realisation of the influences of the lead and trail wire currents on the weld bead morphology and the weld strength are important in SAW-T. The authors here present an experimental and computational investigation on SAW-T process. The concept of central composite rotatable design is followed for designing the experimental trials. The final weld width and the reinforcement height showed greater sensitivity to trail current while the penetration was influenced primarily by lead current. A three-dimensional heat transfer analysis is carried out using finite element method. The computed weld profiles were validated with the corresponding measured results. The computed cooling rates showed a decline with higher welding current and, the corresponding sample welds showed reduced acicular ferrite percentage and lower weld strength.
Microstructure and interface characteristics of laser penetration brazed magnesium alloy and steel
Authors: Miao Y. G. , Han D. F. , Yao J. Z. , Li F.
Published: March 2010

Based on the experiments of laser penetration brazing for Mg alloy and steel dissimilar materials, the microstructure and interface characteristics of butt joints were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer and tensile testing. It was found that the strong diffusion reaction between molten Mg alloy and solid steel would lead to the formation of Mg/Fe transition-layer. The molten time and the absolute temperature of interface are the main factors to control the thickness of reaction layer. Moreover, the thickness of transition-layer at the upper part of joint, ∼4 μm, was twice that of the lower part. It is important to notice that the fracture of joint happened at the interface, and the average tensile strength of butt joints could reach ∼182 MPa, ∼81% that of AZ31B base material, showing the mixed rupture characteristics of quasi-cleavage and dimples. Meanwhile, the particles of Mg alloy remained on the fracture of steel side, which was evidence for the reliable joining of Mg alloy and steel dissimilar metals.
Investigation of friction stir welding process with emphasis on calculation of heat generated due to material stirring
Authors: Moraitis G. A. , Labeas G. N.
Published: March 2010

An innovative methodology for the semi-analytical calculation of the total heat generated during the friction stir welding (FSW) process is proposed. The methodology includes a simple and straightforward procedure for the determination of the heat produced due to the material stirring, combines the advantages of the conventional moving heat approach with those of alternative modelling approaches, (i.e. computational fluid dynamics or arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian), while, simultaneously, overcomes some of their main limitations. Moreover, the predicted FSW heat energy is introduced in a global three-dimensional finite element thermal model, which predicts the spatial temperature history developing in the welded parts during the process. The overall methodology is validated through experimental temperature measurements. Finally, the global thermal model results are introduced in a thermomechanical model, from which the residual stress and distortion fields are predicted. The proposed methodology can be easily modified and used in FSW applications of variable welded plate geometry, FSW tool type, joint type and process parameters.
Effect of gap on FSW joint formation and development of friction powder processing
Authors: Inada K. , Fujii H. , Ji Y. S. , Sun Y. F. , Morisada Y.
Published: March 2010

A gap between two materials is a critical problem for friction stir welding (FSW). It is generated by a mismatch at the interface between two materials and causes defects and porosities due to the lack of material in the joint. In this study, friction powder processing (FPP) is proposed to solve this problem. Metal powder is first added to the gap between and then the FSW is performed. The effect of the gap width on the joint properties was first investigated, and the FPP feasibility was then assessed by adding pure Al powder to the gap between A1050-H24 plates. In addition, the mechanical properties and microstructures were investigated when adding a dissimilar powder, such as Cu powder, to the gap between Al plates. When using pure Al powder, the formation of defects is prevented. When using pure Cu powder, Al2Cu precipitates were formed in the stir zone, and consequently, the hardness significantly increased.
Experimental investigation of onion ring structure formation in friction stir butt welds of copper plates produced by non-threaded tool pin
Authors: Teimournezhad J. , Masoumi A.
Published: March 2010

The origin of the onion ring structure is an important issue in friction stir welding process but has not been firmly established yet. This paper peresents optical macro- and micrographs of friction stir welds on a copper alloy produced by a non-threaded tool pin. It is shown that onion ring structure can be created by non-threaded tool pin in transverse cross-section of friction stir weld of copper plate. The macrographs of transverse cross-sections exhibit contrasting bands. A microstructural study shows that the weld has lamellar structure, and the bands are sections of weld layers.
Friction welding of TiNi alloy to stainless steel using Ni interlayer
Authors: Fukumoto S. , Inoue T. , Mizuno S. , Okita K. , Tomita T. , Yamamoto A.
Published: March 2010

Friction welding was carried out between TiNi alloy and austenitic stainless steel with and without a Ni interlayer. When TiNi alloy was welded to stainless steel without the Ni interlayer, a large amount of brittle Fe2Ti intermetallic compound was formed at the weld interface. The formation of this brittle compound led to degradation of the joint strength. The Ni interlayer changed the microstructures at the weld interface and improved the joint strength. A fracture occurred at the interface between Ni and TiNi. The interface between Ni and TiNi was free from Fe2Ti and consisted of mainly TiNi3 and TiNi. After TiNi3 was formed as the reaction layer, a eutectic reaction occurred between the TiNi3 and TiNi base alloy. A reaction layer with a eutectic structure tends to form at the periphery, where the temperature would be higher than that of the central region.
Efficacy of active cooling for controlling residual stresses in friction stir welds
Authors: Richards D. G. , Prangnell P. B. , Withers P. J. , Williams S. W. , Nagy T. , Morgan S.
Published: March 2010

This paper investigates the effect of active cooling on the development of welding stresses during friction stir welding by finite element modelling. The primary aim was to see if cooling powers, corresponding to those currently obtainable using liquid CO2 cooling systems applied in practically feasible locations could bring about a significant reduction in weld residual stress. Various cooling strategies were examined. The simulations revealed that a large reduction in residual stress can be obtained, particularly at the weld line, depending on the size, power and positioning of the cooling sinks. A heat sink placed as close as possible behind the heat source had the greatest effect on reducing the build up of tensile stresses. All the approaches tended to reduce the weld centreline stress more effectively than those at the heat affected zone/thermomechanically affected zone boundary (i.e. below the edge of the tool shoulder).
Key factors influencing mechanical performance of dual phase steel resistance spot welds
Authors: Pouranvari M. , Marashi S. P. H.
Published: March 2010

Quasi-static tensile shear mechanical properties of resistance spot welds of three dual phase (DP) grades including DP600, DP780 and DP980 are investigated. Results showed that weld fusion zone size, failure mode and the strength/ductility of failure location are the main factors governing the peak load and the energy absorption of spot welds. Heat affected zone (HAZ) softening plays an important role in mechanical properties of DP steels with higher volume fraction of martensite (i.e. DP780 and DP980). It was shown that the peak load of the spot welds is not proportionally correlated to the tensile strength of the base metal. Pronounced HAZ softening in DP980 resulted in reducing its tendency to fail in interfacial failure mode in comparison to DP780. In addition, despite its lower base metal ductility, DP980 weld exhibits enhanced ductility and energy absorption than DP780 due to its pronounced HAZ softening.
SNP array analysis in hematologic malignancies: avoiding false discoveries
Authors: Heinrichs Stefan , Li Cheng , Look A. Thomas
Published: March 2010

Comprehensive analysis of the cancer genome has become a standard approach to identifying new disease loci, and ultimately will guide therapeutic decisions. A key technology in this effort, single nucleotide polymorphism arrays, has been applied in hematologic malignancies to detect deletions, amplifications, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at high resolution. An inherent challenge of such studies lies in correctly distinguishing somatically acquired, cancer-specific lesions from patient-specific inherited copy number variations or segments of homozygosity. Failure to include appropriate normal DNA reference samples for each patient in retrospective or prospective studies makes it difficult to identify small somatic deletions not evident by standard cytogenetic analysis. In addition, the lack of proper controls can also lead to vastly overestimated frequencies of LOH without accompanying loss of DNA copies, so-called copy-neutral LOH. Here we use examples from patients with myeloid malignancies to demonstrate the superiority of matched tumor and normal DNA samples (paired studies) over multiple unpaired samples with respect to reducing false discovery rates in high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis. Comparisons between matched tumor and normal samples will continue to be critical as the field moves from high resolution array analysis to deep sequencing to detect abnormalities in the cancer genome.