bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-electromechanical systems gyro performance improvement through bias correction over temperature using an adaptive neural network-trained fuzzy inference system
Authors: Grigorie T L , Botez R M , Lungu M , Edu R I , Obreja R
Published: October 2011

This article presents a new method to obtain a miniaturized intelligent gyro sensor. The proposed method uses a fuzzy logic controller to realize an online correction of the error due to the gyro sensor’s bias variation with temperature. In the first phase, gyro experimental testing is performed for various speeds ranging from −150 to 150°/s and temperatures between −10 °C and 70 °C, and the results obtained with classical compensation methods are evaluated. The fuzzy logic controller is developed via a fuzzy inference system (FIS), generated from the gyro testing experimental results. Further, to optimize the membership function parameters of its input–output variables, the FIS is trained with a neuro-fuzzy network. Validation by the assessment of errors shows that the proposed method gives better results than the classical algorithms based on the least squares method.
Thermodynamic analysis of a coal-fired power plant repowered with pressurized pulverized coal combustion
Authors: Suresh M V J J , Reddy K S , Kolar A K
Published: October 2011

Fossil fuels, coal, and natural gas, contribute a major share of electricity generated in India as well as the world and will continue to do so well into the future. With the justified concern of their rapid depletion and the environmental impacts associated with their large-scale use, there is a quest for advanced coal-fired power generation technologies which are energy efficient and environmental friendly. This study analyses the thermodynamic performance of an existing 62.5 MWe conventional Rankine cycle power plant using pulverized coal firing (PF) (reference plant with atmospheric pulverized coal combustion) repowered with a new and potentially advantageous technology, namely, pressurized pulverized coal firing in a combined cycle (PPCC) power plant. The performance of power plants is determined based on energy and exergy analysis. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the PF plant are estimated to be 28.3 and 25.9 per cent, respectively, whereas the PPCC power plant results in a significant increase of 6.3 and 5.7 per cent points, respectively, over the PF plant. Moreover, PPCC power plant results in an increase of about 2.6 times in the gross plant output (162 MWe) compared with the PF power plant. The gas turbine alone contributes to an additional 100 MWe when the steam turbine output is maintained constant at 62.5 MWe as in reference PF power plant.
Node-Failure Technique-Based Representative Unit-Cell Lifetime-Dependent Ductile Damage Model Between Elastoviscoplastic Matrix and Rigid Fiber
Authors: Belarbi A. , Bachir Bouiadjra B. , Belhouari M.
Published: October 2011

Numerical fracture mechanics analysis of the composite material presents many difficulties both for complexity of structure and various behaviors of its components. In recent years, there is an increasing trend of study about the initial crack location in internal microstructure of these materials. Numerical iterative computation procedure with the full mesh of composite structure, taking into account the elastoviscoplastic behavior and the failure criterion based on a locally accumulated damage to identify the path of the crack propagation, requires an important execution time, consequently an expensive cost. The aim of this article is the presentation of an original technique expressed as node-failure-based method developed in order to determine the initiation and progressive failure path using a nonlinear damage evolution law. In order to avoid the disadvantage of the full mesh, a representative unit-cell is adopted with adequate periodic boundary conditions to predict debonding initiation at fiber/matrix interface. The analysis shows finite element method–based representative unit-cell can reduce the computing power consumption and node-failure-based method act as a viable tool for prediction fracture pattern, while the well-known element-failure-based method, which requires more refined mesh of constant strain triangle elements is less accurate.
Influence of lateral vibrations on the whirling characteristics of gear-pinion rotor system
Authors: Karri Seshendra Kumar Venkat , Bollapragada Sree Krishna Sundara Siva Rao
Published: October 2011

The proposed work presents a methodology to analyze the influence of lateral vibrations on the whirling characteristics of a rotor-bearing system. A complex variable approach, which is proposed for the analysis of a single rotor system, is very powerful for this purpose. The approach is expanded to the analysis of a combined rotor system to apply it to the gear system analysis. The bearing stiffness and shaft flexibility of the geared rotor system are taken into account in two ways. With regard to the rotor effect, the frequency response functions are obtained for both torsional motions and coupled lateral-torsional motions. By obtaining the differences in the frequency responses of both the models, the effect of neglecting rotor effects in gear dynamics simulation is studied. The lateral stiffness of the system, which reflects the shaft and bearing stiffness, is considered to make a strong lateral and torsional motion coupling. It is shown that the lateral vibrations have considerable effect when the natural frequencies of the lateral vibration and torsional vibration are close to each other, which is expected. The effect of lateral-torsional coupling on gear dynamics is discussed based on the response of the system.
The Relationships Between FAM5C SNP (rs10920501) Variability and Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation in Women With Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Cline Jennifer L. , Beckie Theresa M.
Published: October 2011

Introduction:

The leading cause of death among women is coronary heart disease (CHD), a multifactorial disease with polygenic heritability estimated at 50%. Polymorphisms in the family with sequence similarity 5, member C′ ( FAM5C) gene have been associated with myocardial infarction (MI). FAM5C also corresponds directly with the inflammatory biomarker monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and metabolic syndrome.

Method:

The purpose of this descriptive gene association pilot study was to investigate the variability of FAM5C (rs10920501) in 91 women with CHD. The authors also examined the associations between the variability of FAM5C (rs10920501) and metabolic syndrome, inflammatory markers, and early onset CHD.

Results:

No women in this study with the homozygous variant (TT) had an MI. Women with a history of MI and the heterozygous (AT) genotype had a later age of onset of CHD compared to those with the homozygous wild type (AA; F(3, 34) = 5.00, p < .01). These findings suggest a protective effect of the T allele in women with a history of MI. The genotype of FAM5C rs10920501 explained approximately 7% of the variability of age of onset of CHD in women who have had an MI, while holding body mass index (BMI) and smoking history constant. There was no significant relationship between FAM5C (rs10920501) and metabolic syndrome or any inflammatory biomarkers in this sample.

Conclusion:

FAM5C remains a gene of interest in a complex disease process.
Motor impairment in sibling pairs concordant and discordant for autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Hilton Claudia List , Zhang Yi , Whilte Megan R. , Klohr Cheryl L. , Constantino John
Published: October 2011

Aim:

Although motor impairment is frequently observed in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the manner in which these impairments aggregate in families affected by autism is unknown. We used a standardized measure of motor proficiency to objectively examine quantitative variation in motor proficiency in sibling pairs concordant and discordant for ASD.

Methods:

Motor impairment of sibling pairs from 67 ASD-affected families comprising 29 concordant pairings and 48 discordant pairings were assessed using the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition, a standardized measure of motor proficiency.

Results:

Motor skills were substantially impaired among ASD-affected children and highly correlated with autistic severity and IQ, whereas motor skills in unaffected siblings were essentially normal. Total motor composite scores of at least one standard deviation below the general population mean were seen in 83% of the affected group compared with 6% in the unaffected siblings.

Interpretation:

Findings indicate that motor impairment constitutes a core characteristic of ASD (not necessarily an ASD endophenotype), which has distinct implications for taxonomy, diagnosis, and approaches to intervention.
Doing radio, making friends, and having fun: Exploring the motivations of independent audio podcasters
Authors: Markman Kris M.
Published: October 2011

This article presents an exploratory, empirical investigation of one under-studied type of user-generated content: independent audio podcasting. While other forms of user-generated content, particularly blogging, have received significant attention from scholars, research on podcasting, particularly on podcasters themselves, is still uncommon. I address this gap through the development of a preliminary profile of independent podcasters and their motivations for podcasting. Results from a web-based qualitative questionnaire indicate that podcasters fit the profile of Pro-Ams (older, educated, professional males) working primarily in the niche markets of the long tail. The study found six major categories of motivations for podcasting: technology/media, content, interpersonal, personal, process, and financial. Comparisons are also drawn between motivations of the podcasters reported in this study and previous research on the motivations of bloggers.
Policy positioning in the European Parliament
Authors: McElroy Gail , Benoit Kenneth
Published: October 2011

Party politics in the European Parliament (EP) consists of competition between transnational party groups, each consisting of multiple national member parties from the 27 member states of the European Union (EU). Identifying the policy space that these parties inhabit and their ideological positions is both practically and conceptually challenging. In this article we characterize this policy competition by tracking EP political groups from three separate, original expert surveys taken in 2004, 2007 and 2010. We look at the relative positioning of the groups on multiple dimensions of policy, as well as changes in party group policy since 2004. Additionally, we characterize the policy cohesion of party groups by examining the relative positions of each group’s constituent parties, using independent national-level expert surveys. The results reinforce previous findings that EP party groups occupy the entire range of the left–right spectrum and, moreover, that their national party makeup consists of parties that are broadly cohesive in terms of their policy locations.
‘Being there’ the experience of shadowing a British Muslim Hospital chaplain
Authors: Gilliat-Ray Sophie
Published: October 2011

This article critically evaluates ‘shadowing’ as a qualitative research method. Sometimes described as the relatively straightforward opportunity to observe and record the actions and behaviours of a single individual during the course of their everyday working activities ( McDonald, 2005 ), this article demonstrates that shadowing is often a highly disruptive and to some extent performative undertaking, both for the researched and for the researcher. Yet, it is precisely the disruptive potential of shadowing that makes it a valuable data collection method, offering the opportunity to gain significant insights that would be largely unobtainable via any other method. Following a brief discussion of shadowing as a research tool and an introduction to the ‘Muslim Chaplaincy Project’, the remainder of the article describes the experience of shadowing an individual Muslim hospital chaplain in detail. What becomes apparent is that shadowing has the potential to blur into other qualitative data collection methods (e.g. interviewing), especially when those we are shadowing have developed roles that engage them in various discursive communities, and a range of cooperative networks. Shadowing such individuals complicates our understanding of how this method operates in practice.
Innovation in qualitative research methods: a narrative review
Authors: Wiles Rose , Crow Graham , Pain Helen
Published: October 2011

This article reviews claims for methodological innovation in qualitative research. It comprises a review of 57 papers published between 2000–9 in which claims to innovation in qualitative methods have been made. These papers encompass creative methods, narrative methods, mixed methods, online/e-research methods, focus groups and software tools. The majority of claims of innovation are made for new methods or designs, with the remainder claiming adaptations or adoption of existing methodological innovations. However, the evidence provided of wholly new methodologies or designs was limited, and in several papers such claims turned out to relate either to adaptations to existing methods, or to the transfer and adaptation of methods from other disciplines, primarily from arts and humanities. We argue that over-claiming innovation in the sense of the development of a wholly new methodology or design has a number of important implications that are potentially detrimental to qualitative social science.
Contestable contexts: the transparent anchoring of contextualization in text-as-data
Authors: Stenvoll Dag , Svensson Peter
Published: October 2011

The article is about the criteria used to decide the relevance of particular contexts to the framework for qualitative text analysis. By conceptualizing context as something that needs to be justified, rather than identified, we argue in favour of transparency when it comes to the link between text-as-data and interpretations of text-as-data. By drawing on examples from a speech made to the European Parliament, we examine a number of practical tools for anchoring context to text, these spanning from the literal, through cues, to absence. By means of the ideal of transparency we hope to move the focus of the critique of analysis from correct/incorrect methodology to credible/untenable interpretations.
Seeing climate change: the visual construction of global warming in Canadian national print media
Authors: Anne DiFrancesco Darryn , Young Nathan
Published: October 2011

Visual communication is a critical but frequently under-estimated contributor to the ‘social and cultural life’ of environmental issues. This paper uses both content and discourse analysis to examine how visual communication is deployed in print media coverage of climate change issues in Canada. The Canadian case is internationally significant, given that Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol but has since become obstructionist on the global stage. Our analysis, which focuses on image-language interactions, leads us to conclude that climate change is being inconsistently narrated to Canadians in this regard. While the power of visual communication comes from its ability to blend fact and emotion, to engage audiences, and to add narrative complexity to linguistic claims (and vice versa), we find instead a profound disjuncture between images and text in climate change coverage. In this case, visual and linguistic communication tend to pull in different narrative directions, advancing unrelated and sometimes contradictory claims that frequently confuse different aspects and positions on climate change.
Transcriptomic analyses of murine resolution-phase macrophages
Authors: Stables Melanie J. , Shah Sonia , Camon Evelyn B. , Lovering Ruth C. , Newson Justine , Bystrom Jonas , Farrow Stuart , Gilroy Derek W.
Published: October 2011

Macrophages are either classically (M1) or alternatively-activated (M2). Whereas this nomenclature was generated from monocyte-derived macrophages treated in vitro with defined cytokine stimuli, the phenotype of in vivo-derived macrophages is less understood. We completed Affymetrix-based transcriptomic analysis of macrophages from the resolution phase of a zymosan-induced peritonitis. Compared with macrophages from hyperinflamed mice possessing a pro-inflammatory nature as well as naive macrophages from the uninflamed peritoneum, resolution-phase macrophages (rM) are similar to monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs), being CD209a positive but lacking CD11c. They are enriched for antigen processing/presentation (MHC class II [H2-Eb1, H2-Ab1, H2-Ob, H2-Aa], CD74, CD86), secrete T- and B-lymphocyte chemokines (Xcl1, Ccl5, Cxcl13) as well as factors that enhance macrophage/DC development, and promote DC/T cell synapse formation (Clec2i, Tnfsf4, Clcf1). rM are also enriched for cell cycle/proliferation genes as well as Alox15, Timd4, and Tgfb2, key systems in the termination of leukocyte trafficking and clearance of inflammatory cells. Finally, comparison with in vitro-derived M1/M2 shows that rM are neither classically nor alternatively activated but possess aspects of both definitions consistent with an immune regulatory phenotype. We propose that macrophages in situ cannot be rigidly categorized as they can express many shades of the inflammatory spectrum determined by tissue, stimulus, and phase of inflammation.
Secular trends of macrosomia in southeast China, 1994-2005
Authors: Lu Yanyu , Zhang Jun , Lu Xinrong , Xi Wei , Li Zhu
Published: October 2011

Background

The rate of macrosomia (birth weight≥4, 000 g) increased over the past four decades in many parts of the world. Macrosomia is associated not only with higher risks of maternal and neonatal complications but also with health risks in adulthood. We examined trends in neonatal macrosomia and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births among singleton, live, term and postterm births (≥37 complete weeks' gestation) in southeast China from 1994 to 2005 and explored possible causes of the temporal trends.

Methods

Data from Perinatal Health Care Surveillance System in 12 cities and counties in southeast China were analyzed for trends in birth weight, neonatal macrosomia and LGA from 1994 to 2005. A total of 594, 472 singleton live births were included. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to relate these trends to changes in maternal and pregnancy characteristics.

Results

The rate of macrosomia rose from 6.00% in 1994 to 8.49% in 2000 and then levelled off to 7.83% in 2005. Similar trends were observed in mean birth weight. The incidence of LGA births increased continuously from 13.72% in 1994 to 18.08% in 2000, but the LGA rate remained relatively stable from 2002 to 2005. There was a decrease in gestational age and a significant increase in frequency of prelabor caesarean delivery from 1994 to 2005. In an adjusted multivariable model, the increase in LGA rate from 1994 to 2000 was associated with increasing net gestational weight gain, maternal age, maternal height and maternal education. But they didn't fully explain the increase. The trends of 2002-2005 LGA declined after adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics.

Conclusions

In southeast China, the incidence of macrosomia increased from 1994 to 2000 was mainly related to increasing net gestational weight gain. The incidence of macrosomia has levelled off in recent years partly due to increasing use of prelabor caesarean delivery and earlier delivery and partly due to moderation of gestational weight gain.
Hyperparathyroidism in Patients with Primary Aldosteronism: Cross-Sectional and Interventional Data from the GECOH Study
Authors: Pilz Stefan , Kienreich Katharina , Drechsler Christiane , Ritz Eberhard , Fahrleitner-Pammer Astrid , Gaksch Martin , Meinitzer Andreas , März Winfried , Pieber Thomas R. , Tomaschitz Andreas
Published: October 2011

Context:

Experimental studies suggest that aldosterone induces hypercalciuria and might contribute to hyperparathyroidism.

Objective:

We aimed to test for differences in PTH levels and parameters of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) compared with patients with essential hypertension (EH) and to evaluate the impact of PA treatment on these laboratory values.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

The Graz Endocrine Causes of Hypertension study includes hypertensive patients referred for screening for endocrine hypertension at a tertiary care center in Graz, Austria.

Main Outcome Measures:

Differences in PTH levels between patients with PA and EH.

Results:

Among 192 patients, we identified 10 patients with PA and 182 with EH. PTH levels (mean ± sd in picograms per milliliter) were significantly higher in PA patients compared with EH (67.8 ± 26.9 vs. 46.5 ± 20.9; P = 0.002). After treatment of PA with either adrenal surgery (n = 5) or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (n = 5), PTH concentrations decreased to 43.9 ± 14.9 (P = 0.023). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were similar in both groups. Compared with EH, serum calcium concentrations were significantly lower (2.35 ± 0.10 vs. 2.26 ± 0.10 mmol/liter; P = 0.013), and there was a nonsignificant trend toward an increased spot urine calcium to creatinine ratio in PA [median (interquartile range) 0.19 (0.11–0.31) vs. 0.33 (0.12–0.53); P = 0.094].

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that PA contributes to secondary hyperparathyroidism. Further studies are warranted to evaluate whether PTH has implications for PA diagnostics and whether mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists have a general impact on PTH and calcium metabolism.
Pedestrian-Induced Lateral Forces on Footbridges
Authors: Ingólfsson Einar Thór , Georgakis Christos T. , Jönsson Jeppe , Ricciardelli Francesco
Published: October 2011

This paper investigates the phenomenon of excessive pedestrian-induced lateral vibrations as observed on several high-profile footbridges. The vibrations are a consequence of human-structure interaction, in which the forces generated by the pedestrians depend strongly on the vibration of the underlying pavement. An extensive experimental analysis has been carried out to determine the lateral forces generated by pedestrians when walking on a laterally moving treadmill. Two different conditions are investigated; initially the treadmill is fixed and then it is laterally driven in a sinusoidal motion at varying combinations of frequencies (0.33–1.07 Hz) and amplitudes (4.5–48 mm). The component of the pedestrian-induced force which is caused by the laterally moving surface is herewith quantified through equivalent velocity and acceleration proportional coefficients. It is shown that large amplitude lateral vibrations are the results of correlated pedestrian forces in the form of negative damping, with amplitudes that depend on the relationship between the step frequency and the frequency of the lateral movement.
Post Copenhagen Summit Scenario: Attainment of Sustainable Energy Regime in India by Jatropha Biodiesel
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Chaube Alok , Jain Shashi Kumar
Published: October 2011

India has set a GDP growth target of 8–9% in order to transform itself from a developing into a developed world. This level of growth will most likely lead to an increased demand on crude oil imports. It is expected that India will need to increase its imports from 80% to around 90% by 2020 to meet its targeted growth objectives. High crude oil imports make Indian economy vulnerable to volatility in crude oil prices. Another key concern associated with increased crude oil demand is the increase in the green house gases (GHGs) emissions and its negative impact on the climate. At the Copenhagen Summit, participating nations have failed to reach a legally binding agreement. However, India has declared that even with its social and economic development it will not allow per capita GHGs emissions to be more than that of the developed countries (most probably Annex I non-economies in transition countries representing industrialized nations). Jatropha biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be a potential source of energy for rural and remote areas in India. It can also be viable replacement for diesel, the largest consumed fossil fuel in India. India's National Biofuel Policy targets 20% blending of Jatropha based biodiesel with fossil-fuel based diesel by 2017. There are other significant benefits of Jatropha afforestation apart from the reduction of GHGs such as employment generation, waste land reclamation and additional earnings under clean development mechanism (CDM). Major constraints in meeting National Biofuel Policy targets are land availability without threatening food security and its cost competitiveness as compared to the fossil fuels. The objective of this study is to draw attention on the possible use of Jatropha biodiesel for attaining a sustainable energy regime in post Copenhagen Summit scenario.
Monitoring Global Warming
Authors: Harris Donald
Published: October 2011

Because the rise in global average surface temperature ceased early in the last decade, there is good reason to monitor developments closely. The key question is whether the upward trend resumes. The various official bodies are unanimous in asserting that it will, explaining the current departure from the long-term trend as a natural variation. Short-term variations (generally 2–3 years) are to a considerable extent explained by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and volcanic eruptions. But departures from the trend lasting 3 years or more have yet to be adequately explained. It is therefore not possible to say whether the current departure is typical of previous departures, or whether it marks the beginning of a change in the long-term trend. A simple method of monitoring is proposed. It is based on graphs showing the short-term and medium-term trends in the data of each of the main providers. As the data are published monthly, a close check can be kept on developments.
Digital Science and Knowledge Boundaries in Complex Innovation
Authors: Dougherty Deborah , Dunne Danielle D.
Published: October 2011

Drug discovery is a complex innovation process in which scientists need to make sense of ambiguous findings and grapple with numerous unpredictable interdependencies over many years of product development. Digitalization has combined with expanding science to address this complexity, creating new ways to measure, analyze, and model chemical compounds, diseases, and human biology. We interviewed 85 scientists and managers working on drug discovery to understand how they deal with complexity. We find a major knowledge fault line between digital scientists, who use computers as laboratories and manipulate signs, and therapy scientists, who use conventional laboratories and manipulate physical material. We build on research on epistemic cultures and knowing in practice to develop empirically grounded theory for the role of digital science in complex innovation. We propose that digitalization creates a new form of knowledge that provides essential complementary insights for complex innovation that cannot exist otherwise. However, digitalization also creates new knowledge boundaries that concern central activities of innovation. These boundaries highlight challenges of complex innovation that digital sciences can help address, but only if the innovation activities are transformed so that digital and therapy sciences can integrate their complementary knowledge.
Novel multicomponent synthesis of pyrido[2,3-b]indoles
Authors: Damavandi Saman , Sandaroos Reza
Published: October 2011

A series of pyrido[2,3-b]indole derivatives was synthesized via a novel multicomponent reaction catalyzed by ferric hydrogen sulfate.
Concentrations of 210Po in fish and shellfish from southern region of Japan and evaluation of 210Po intake from seafood for Japanese people
Authors: Momoshima N. , Nakao H. , Sugihara S.
Published: October 2011

Concentrations of 210Po in fish and shellfish, mostly collected from southern region of Japan were analyzed. Values ranged from 0.2 to 229 Bq/kg fresh weight and higher concentrations were observed in samples analyzed with viscera. Intake of 210Po through fish and shellfish was evaluated at different Japanese cities based on statistical consumption data. Phytoplankton, Heterosigma akashiwo was collected during a harmful algal bloom and 210Po was analyzed. The phytoplankton occupied only 4.4% of 210Po in seawater and a large fraction of 210Po was observed in the particulate form.
Crafting an Architectural Blueprint: Principles of Design for Ethnographic Research
Authors: Scarduzio Jennifer A. , Giannini Gino A. , Geist‐Martin Patricia
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this article is to enrich our conceptual understanding of ethnography through principles of design by offering a blueprint for ethnographic ways of knowing. Drawing on published ethnographic research, this article develops and defines principles of design that help facilitate the process and product of ethnographic research. Through the metaphor of an architectural blueprint, we consider the epistemological value of identifying foundational principles supporting ethnographic research and writing. The architectural blueprint offers a foundation for creating, writing, revising, teaching, and evaluating ethnographic scholarship. The article closes with a discussion of the utility of the metaphor as well as how other metaphors that currently guide ethnographic research could be used in tandem with the blueprint metaphor.
Maternal Instincts, Biological Clocks, and Soccer Moms: Gay Men's Parenting and Family Narratives
Authors: Berkowitz Dana
Published: October 2011

Drawing on an integrated theoretical framework of symbolic interaction and queer theory, I analyze how forty‐one mostly white middleclass gay men accomplish their parenting and family identities. Findings reveal how gay active and prospective parents are influenced by the normative family ideal and implicate themselves in dominant discourses about (hetero)sexuality, gender, family, and parenting. Data suggest that in order for gay men to understand themselves as parents, many identify with female‐familial roles and frame their parenting experiences in maternal terms, using such terms as maternal instincts, biological clocks, and soccer moms. I argue that these patterns emerge because these men inhabit a rather liminal space that lacks any definitive models or guidelines. These men make sense of their liminality by framing their identities and experiences within established gendered and heterosexual parenting scripts, resulting in a narrative hybrid of heterosexual men's family and parenting trajectories and discourses about women, femininity, and mothering.
Confucian or Communist, Post‐Mao or Postmodern? Exploring the Narrative Identity Resources of Shanghai's Post‐80s Generation
Authors: Sabet Denise
Published: October 2011

Thirty years after the post‐Mao reforms, twenty years after the Tiananmen Square demonstrations, the next generation of “comrades” is emerging in China. They are called the Balinghou, or the “Post‐80s” generation, referring to the cohort born between 1980 and 1989. This article is taken from a broader study on the narrative resources that Shanghai's Post‐80s young adults call on to construct their identities, given the historical situation in which they live. Symbolic interactionism is useful for studying identity construction processes across cultural contexts, particularly in China where interactionist concepts have seen limited application to date. The discussion also explores the theoretical implications of structural elements that significantly alter the resources available for identity construction, such as the One Child Policy.
The Lens of Victim Contests and Youth Crime Stat Wars
Authors: Adorjan Michael
Published: October 2011

In this article I examine Canadian youth crime debates as a way to explore the connection between “victim contests” and “stat wars.” I address how constructing young offenders as either victims or victimizers generates “victim contests,” which in turn serve as interpretive anchoring points shaping how youth crime statistics are interpreted. The numbers themselves do not matter, as underlying assumptions about young offender identity and culpability become a lens through which numbers are understood. In this sense, victim contests generate “stat wars,” involving numbers that act to “make up people.” I also explore some broader implications of these connections, especially given the increasingly actuarial responses to youth crime in late‐modern Western society.
Some more parameters of utilization of intensive care units in Hungary
Authors: Gresz Miklós
Published: October 2011

According to the “Semmelweis plan for saving health care”, „the capacity of the national network of intensive care units in Hungary is one but not the only bottleneck of emergency care at present”. In an earlier report the author showed, on the basis of data reported to the health insurance that not in a single calendar day more than 75% of beds in intensive care units were occupied. There were about 15 to 20 thousand sick days which could be considered unnecessary, because patients occupying these beds were discharged to their homes directly from the intensive care unit. This study examines the functioning of intensive care units partly at the institutional level. The author shows how the number of days using mechanical ventilation and the number of direct discharges to the home of patients have changed, and proves that those institutions where the proportion of direct discharge to home so overnursing of patients was high, the rate of mechanically ventilated patients was low. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1813–1817.
Response to Periodontal Therapy in Patients Who Had Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery and Obese Counterparts: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lakkis Dima , Bissada Nabil F. , Saber Alan , Khaitan Leena , Palomo Leena , Narendran Sena , Al‐Zahrani Mohammad S.
Published: October 2011

Background: Periodontitis and obesity are both chronic health problems, and the literature supports an association between the two. Weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS) has been shown to decrease overall mortality as well as the development of new health‐related conditions in morbidly obese patients. The present study aims to assess whether significant weight loss would improve the response to non‐surgical periodontal therapy in obese patients.

Methods: This study included 30 obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2) patients affected with chronic periodontitis. Of these, 15 patients had previously undergone BS and lost ≥40% of their excess weight for ≥6 months after surgery. The other 15 patients were also obese but did not have the surgery, nor did they lose weight to serve as a control group. All participants received non‐surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing and oral hygiene instructions). Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), and plaque index were measured at baseline and at 4 to 6 weeks after the periodontal treatment. Descriptive statistics, linear mixed‐effects models, and linear regression models were used for data analysis.

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 47.1 ± 11.5 years, and 36.7% of the participants were males. There was a statistically significant improvement after periodontal therapy in the BS compared with the obese group (P <0.05). The PD had a mean reduction of 0.45 mm in the BS group versus 0.28 mm in the control group. The reduction in CAL was 0.44 mm versus 0.30 mm, percentage of BOP sites was 16% versus 15%, and GI was 1.03 versus 0.52 in the BS and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion: An improved response to non‐surgical periodontal therapy is observed in obese patients who had significant weight loss after BS compared with obese patients who did not have such a surgery.
The Molecular Basis for the Link between Maternal Health and the Origin of Fetal Congenital Abnormalities: An Overview of Association with Oxidative Stress
Authors: M. Matata Bashir , M. Elahi Maqsood
Published: October 2011

This e-book discusses the molecular relationship between biological systems and risk factors for in-utero oxidative insults, maternal health and the impact on fetus at different critical developmental time windows (prenatal or even postnatal). Plausibly, prenatal and early postnatal periods are the most critical "windows" to oxidative stress programming insults. Pro-oxidative stress is a common feature of many conditions associated with adverse fetal growth and/or preterm birth, such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, smoking, malnutrition or excessive nutrition, infection or inflammation. Oxidative stress insults may be directly linked to or associated with many genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors that contribute to risks of adverse fetal growth or preterm birth. This e-book should be a valuable reference for medical researchers and working professionals interested in congenital defects.
Digital Divides and Social Network Sites: Which Students Participate in Social Media?
Authors: Ahn June
Published: October 2011

Social network sites (SNSs) like Myspace and Facebook are now popular online communities with large teenage user populations. Teens use these technologies to interact, play, explore, and learn in significant ways. As scholars become interested in studying these new online communities, I contribute to the emerging conversation by re-examining questions about the digital divide. This study utilizes a nationally representative survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project to investigate whether access and participation divides persist in teens' use of SNSs. I use binary logistic regression to examine the relationship between social, demographic, and technology variables with youth participation in social network sites. The results suggest that traditional divide indicators such as Internet access or parent education are not significant predictors of SNS use. Youth appear to find a way to get connected. Deeper understanding of the social and cultural factors related to participation in social technologies is needed for youth populations.
Reading While Watching Video: The Effect of Video Content on Reading Comprehension and Media Multitasking Ability
Authors: Lin Lin , Lee Jennifer , Robertson Tip
Published: October 2011

Media multitasking, or engaging in multiple media and tasks simultaneously, is becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon with the development and engagement in social media. This study examines to what extent video content affects students' reading comprehension in media multitasking environments. One hundred and thirty university students were given reading comprehension tests in two multitasking environments: the background environment (a video playing in the background that could be ignored) and the test environment (a video playing at the same time that the students knew they would be tested). Two different videos were used: one, a situational comedy, the other, an in-depth news report. Results indicate that the two videos affected reading comprehension differently, with the news report interfering more severely than the comedy, but also more easily ignored when necessary. Implications for social media and learning are discussed.
Singaporean Adolescents' Perceptions of Online Social Communication: An Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Zheng Robert Z. , Cheok Angeline , Khoo Eng
Published: October 2011

The current study investigated adolescents' perceptions in online social communication. Three factors were perceived by adolescents as critical to online social communication. These included self-identity, self-confidence, and self-social factors. Results showed significant differences between the factors derived from the current study and those in the literature. Regression analyses showed demographic and online experience variables significantly predicted adolescents' perceptions in online social communication. Implications of these findings for online educators were offered along with suggestions for future research.
Help from My “Friends”: Social Capital in the Social Network Sites of Low-Income Students
Authors: Greenhow Christine , Burton Lisa
Published: October 2011

The development of social capital in young people is positively associated with educational attainment, achievement, and psychosocial factors. Prior research has explored factors that contribute to social capital, such as offline social networks. To a lesser extent, studies have analyzed the relationship between online social networks and students' social capital. However, educational researchers have yet to examine this relationship among students from low-income families. It is especially important to consider low-income students since historically they have not reached the same educational attainment and achievement levels as their higher income peers. In this article, we conduct a regression analysis on survey responses from high school students from low-income families ( n = 607) to examine the relationship between intensity of online social network site use, social capital, and other measures of psychological well-being. Results suggest positive associations between use of online social network sites and two forms of social capital. Qualitative data were also utilized to illuminate low income students' opportunities or barriers for forging and sustaining relationships through online social network sites and implications for future research and education are discussed.
The Sandpile Model: Optimal Stress and Hormesis
Authors: Stark Martha
Published: October 2011

The sandpile model (developed by chaos theorists) is an elegant visual metaphor for the cumulative impact of environmental stressors on complex adaptive systems – an impact that is paradoxical by virtue of the fact that the grains of sand being steadily added to the gradually evolving sandpile are the occasion for both its disruption and its repair. As a result, complex adaptive systems are continuously refashioning themselves at ever-higher levels of complexity and integration – not just in spite of “stressful” input from the outside but by way of it. Stressful input is therefore inherently neither bad (“poison”) nor good (“medication”). Rather, it will be how well the system (be it sandpile or living system) is able to process, integrate, and adapt to the stressful input that will make of it either a growth-disrupting (sandpile-destabilizing) event or a growth-promoting (sandpile-restabilizing) opportunity. Too much stress – “traumatic stress” – will be too overwhelming for the system to manage, triggering instead devastating breakdown. Too little stress will provide too little impetus for transformation and growth, serving instead simply to reinforce the system's status quo. But just the right amount of stress – “optimal stress” – will provoke recovery by activating the system's innate capacity to heal itself.
Elevated Glucose Represses Liver Glucokinase and Induces Its Regulatory Protein to Safeguard Hepatic Phosphate Homeostasis
Authors: Arden Catherine , Petrie John L. , Tudhope Susan J. , Al-Oanzi Ziad , Claydon Amy J. , Beynon Robert J. , Towle Howard C. , Agius Loranne
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE

The induction of hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase (G6pc) by glucose presents a paradox of glucose-induced glucose intolerance. We tested whether glucose regulation of liver gene expression is geared toward intracellular homeostasis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effect of glucose-induced accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates on expression of glucokinase (Gck) and its regulator Gckr was determined in hepatocytes. Cell ATP and uric acid production were measured as indices of cell phosphate homeostasis.

RESULTS

Accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates in hepatocytes incubated at elevated glucose induced rapid and inverse changes in Gck (repression) and Gckr (induction) mRNA concomitantly with induction of G6pc, but had slower effects on the Gckr-to-Gck protein ratio. Dynamic metabolic labeling in mice and liver proteome analysis confirmed that Gckr and Gck are low-turnover proteins. Involvement of Max-like protein X in glucose-mediated Gck-repression was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Elevation of the Gck-to-Gckr ratio in hepatocytes was associated with glucose-dependent ATP depletion and elevated urate production confirming compromised phosphate homeostasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The lowering by glucose of the Gck-to-Gckr ratio provides a potential explanation for the impaired hepatic glucose uptake in diabetes. Elevated uric acid production at an elevated Gck-to-Gckr ratio supports a role for glucose regulation of gene expression in hepatic phosphate homeostasis.
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Inhibits the Sirtuin Deacetylase SirT1 to Stimulate Pancreatic β-Cell Mass Expansion
Authors: Bastien-Dionne Pierre-Olivier , Valenti Luca , Kon Ning , Gu Wei , Buteau Jean
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE

The glucoincretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and stimulates pancreatic β-cell mass expansion. We have previously shown that the forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 is a prominent transcriptional effector of GLP-1 signaling in the β-cell. FoxO1 activity is subject to a complex regulation by Akt-dependent phosphorylation and SirT1-mediated deacetylation. In this study, we aimed at investigating the potential role of SirT1 in GLP-1 action.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

FoxO1 acetylation levels and binding to SirT1 were studied by Western immunoblot analysis in INS832/13 cells. SirT1 activity was evaluated using an in vitro deacetylation assay and correlated with the NAD+-to-NADH ratio. The implication of SirT1 in GLP-1–induced proliferation was investigated by BrdU incorporation assay. Furthermore, we determined β-cell replication and mass in wild-type and transgenic mice with SirT1 gain of function after daily administration of exendin-4 for 1 week.

RESULTS

Our data show that GLP-1 increases FoxO1 acetylation, decreases the binding of SirT1 to FoxO1, and stunts SirT1 activity in β-INS832/13 cells. GLP-1 decreases both the NAD+-to-NADH ratio and SirT1 expression in INS cells and isolated islets, thereby providing possible mechanisms by which GLP-1 could modulate SirT1 activity. Finally, the action of GLP-1 on β-cell mass expansion is abolished in both transgenic mice and cultured β-cells with increased dosage of SirT1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows for the first time that the glucoincretin hormone GLP-1 modulates SirT1 activity and FoxO1 acetylation in β-cells. We also identify SirT1 as a negative regulator of β-cell proliferation.