bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity and Ovarian Cancer Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Protani Melinda M. , Nagle Christina M. , Webb Penelope M.
Published: May 2012

Studies that have examined the association between obesity and ovarian cancer survival have provided conflicting results. We reviewed and quantitatively summarized existing evidence, exploring potentially important sources of variability, such as the timing of body mass index (BMI) assessment and different cutpoints used to categorize BMI. A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted to identify original data evaluating the association between obesity and survival in women with ovarian cancer. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) from studies were pooled using a random-effects model. The meta-analysis of 14 studies showed slightly poorer survival among obese than in non-obese women [pooled HR, 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.34]. This estimate did not vary appreciably when BMI was measured before diagnosis (1.13; 0.95–1.35), at the time of diagnosis (1.13; 0.81–1.57) or at the commencement of chemotherapy (1.12; 0.96–1.31). We found a slightly stronger association in studies that only included women with a BMI ≥ 30 in their "obese" group (1.20) than in studies that also included overweight women (BMI ≥ 25; 1.14). Women with ovarian cancer who are obese appear to have slightly worse survival than non-obese women. However, there is a large amount of inter-study variation, which means that no solid conclusions can be drawn. Cancer Prev Res; 5(7); 901–10. ©2012 AACR.
The Need for Interventions to Prevent Skin Bleaching
Authors: Lewis Kelly M. , Gaska Karie , Robkin Navit , Martin Amber , Andrews Emily , Williams Justin
Published: May 2012

The practice of skin bleaching, or chemically lightening the skin, has become more common worldwide in the past 30 years. In Africa, the practice is especially problematic, because caustic ingredients are combined with bleaching products, increasing the risk for health problems, such as irreversible skin damage, cancers, and liver or kidney failure. Despite these risks, skin bleaching remains prevalent, with rates nearing 30% in East Africa. The few interventions implemented to prevent skin bleaching show marginal success in decreasing these numbers. This study takes steps to identify the most effective means of prevention for a Tanzanian community where skin bleaching practices are prevalent. A team of 20 Tanzanians worked toward this goal using participatory research techniques. Results yielded components for the structure of an ideal intervention program, including (a) didactic education, (b) governmental action, and (c) educational media. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
Synthesis of conductive adhesives based on epoxy resin/nanopolyaniline and chloroprene rubber/nanopolyaniline: Characterization of thermal, mechanical and electrical properties
Authors: Massoumi Bakhshali , Farjadbeh Farzaneh , Mohammadi Robab , Entezami Ali Akbar
Published: May 2012

Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid-doped polyaniline was prepared by sonication method. Electrically conductive blends were prepared by mixing a polyaniline–dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid salt with epoxy resin and chloroprene rubber. The nanostructure of the conductive blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The polyaniline/epoxy resin and polyaniline/chloroprene rubber showed threshold concentrations of polyaniline (5 and 10 wt%, respectively) for electrical conduction. The electrical conductivity of both polyaniline/epoxy resin and polyaniline/chloroprene rubber increased with the addition of polyaniline–dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, reaching values higher than 1.89 × 10−2 and 7.50 × 10−4 S/cm with 50 wt% of polyaniline–dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. The structures of conductive adhesives were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Also the thermal, mechanical, and adhesion strength properties of blends containing different amounts of polyaniline–dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid were determined.
A Spatial Econometric Approach to Model Spillover Effects in Tourism Flows
Authors: Yang Yang , Wong Kevin K. F.
Published: May 2012

The main purpose of this research is to investigate and estimate the spillover effects in inbound and domestic tourism flows to 341 cities in mainland China. In conjunction with this, the key determinants of tourism flows are also studied in the spatial econometric model. The results confirm the existence of spillover effects in both inbound and domestic tourism flows, and suggest that physical infrastructure factors, tourist attractions, and the SARS outbreak are significant determinants of inbound and domestic tourism flows. In addition, it is found that although the degree of openness to inbound tourists is important for inbound tourism flows, a city’s income is the key to enhancing domestic tourism flows. Significant differences in spillover effects and determinants of tourism flows are also discovered between cities in different regions.
Simulation of the effect of variation in the cooling cycle on the state of cure in a rubber component
Authors: Warley Russell L
Published: May 2012

The distribution of state of cure in a molded rubber component is usually nonuniform due to slow heat transfer processes involved in the molding/cooling cycle. In certain molding processes, the cure accumulated during the cooling process that occurs after a molding cycle can be a significant part of the total. In this work, prior simulation of the state of cure profile developed in a one-dimensional rectangular geometry is extended to consider the effect of the cooling conditions on the distribution of the state of cure. In addition, the effect of manufacturing process variation on the resulting state of cure distribution and the viability of the molding process is examined. Recommendations are made to minimize the effect of variation in process conditions.
Patterns of Coping With Inconsistent Demands in Public Service Delivery
Authors: Steenhuisen Bauke , van Eeten Michel
Published: May 2012

Inconsistent regulatory objectives may cause persistent noncompliant behavior among regulated actors. Yet, little is publicly known about when, where, and how inconsistencies get solved by regulated actors. The authors tracked the norms and interventions of multiple regulatory oversight bodies trickling down the hierarchy of three utility companies. The authors interviewed and observed managers, planners, operators, and staff studying their responses to regulatory inconsistencies from the perspective of value conflict. Patterns of coping behavior have been identified across the three companies. In conclusion, the authors argue to account for coping behavior in the regulatory mind-set and they recast how coordination may further improve the effectiveness of fragmented regulatory regimes.
Afrocentric Cultural Values and Beliefs
Authors: Scollan-Koliopoulos Melissa , Rapp Kenneth J. , Bleich David
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to estimate the benefit of using a cultural characteristics scale to help diabetes educators understand how African Americans cope with diabetes. Illness representations are influenced by culture. Race and ethnicity as a proxy for culture provides an incomplete understanding of the mechanism by which cultural values influence representations of diabetes.

Methods

A descriptive correlational design was employed by recruiting hospitalized adults with type 2 diabetes at 3 metropolitan northeast coast sites. The TRIOS Afrocentric cultural characteristics measure and the Illness Perception Questionnaire were administered by paper-and-pencil to a diverse sample. Black race and African American ethnicity was used as a proxy for culture and compared to levels of agreement on an Afrocentric cultural scale to determine the relative ability to explain variance in illness representations of diabetes.

Conclusion

The TRIOS measure adapted to diabetes care explained variance in illness representations of diabetes, while African American ethnicity/black race was not able to explain variance in illness representations. Clinicians would benefit from considering the degree to which a patient identifies with particular cultural characteristics when tailoring interventions to manipulate illness representations that are not concordant with biomedical representations.
Parenting Children Living With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Nurmi Mary Anne , Stieber-Roger Kerstin
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore a parent’s sense of meaning in relation to the parenting of a child with type 1diabetes.

Methods

A qualitative collective case study design was used and 10 interviews conducted with parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Recruitment took place through the Winnipeg Diabetes Education and Resource for Children and Adolescents and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Categories were identified using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Two major categories identified include being like everyone else and protecting the children.

Implications

Findings indicate that there is a need for greater diabetes education in schools. Diabetes educators can play a more proactive role in leading school based discussions with children, parents, and school staff.
Training Peers to Deliver a Church-Based Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: Tang Tricia S. , Nwankwo Robin , Whiten Yolanda , Oney Christina
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of training peers to function as lifestyle coaches and to deliver a church-based lifestyle modification program.

Methods:

We recruited 6 African-American adults to participate in an 8-hour peer lifestyle coach (PLC) training program followed by a subsequent 2-hour booster session. The PLC training program addressed several key areas, including: (1) developing empowerment-based facilitation, active listening, and behavior change skills; (2) learning self-management strategies (eg, reading food labels, counting calories); (3) practicing session delivery; and (4) interpreting clinical lab results. Training evaluation was conducted retrospectively (immediately following the delivery of the diabetes prevention intervention rather than after the 8-hour training session) and measured program satisfaction and efficacy from the perspective of participants.

Results:

Peer lifestyle coaches’ confidence levels for performing core skills (eg, asking open-ended questions, 5-step behavioral goal-setting process) and advanced skills (eg, addressing resistance, discussing sensitive topics) were uniformly high. Similarly, PLCs were very satisfied with the length of training, balance between content and skills development, and preparation for leading group- and individual-based support activities.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that it is feasible to customize a PLC training program that is acceptable to participants and that equips participants with the knowledge and skills to facilitate a church-based diabetes prevention intervention.
When a Threat to the Brand Is a Threat to the Self
Authors: Lisjak Monika , Lee Angela Y. , Gardner Wendi L.
Published: May 2012

This research examines how people respond when a commercial brand they identify with is threatened. Across four studies, the authors found that among participants who identified with a brand, a threat to the brand elicited the same responses as a threat to the self. Specifically, participants with low implicit self-esteem defended the brand when the self was activated, unlike their high implicit self-esteem counterparts. In addition, brand defense was reduced when individuals had the opportunity to affirm a valued aspect of their self-concept. These findings suggest that when a brand that people identify with is threatened, they may defend the brand to preserve the integrity of the self. More broadly, these findings are consistent with the notion that brands may be included into the extended self-concept, which supports William James’s original ideas concerning the breadth and heterogeneity of the self.
Reporting Intentional Rating of the Primes Predicts Priming Effects in the Affective Misattribution Procedure
Authors: Bar-Anan Yoav , Nosek Brian A.
Published: May 2012

In the affective misattribution procedure (AMP), pairs of prime and target stimuli appear rapidly in succession. Attitudes toward the prime influence the evaluation of the target despite instructions to avoid this influence. Because this priming effect presumably happens without people’s knowledge, the AMP is used to study automatic evaluation. Participants in four studies performed the AMP and reported their perception of the priming effect. The authors found that the priming reflected reliable and valid attitudes toward the primes mostly among participants who reported that the priming occurred and that they intentionally rated the primes instead of the targets. The authors conclude that the AMP hardly captures attitude effects that escape people’s knowledge. The AMP’s good psychometric qualities as an attitude measure rely mainly on a small subset of participants who believe that they intentionally caused the attitude effect.
Micronutrient, Antioxidant, and Oxidative Stress Status in Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Schoendorfer Niikee C. , Vitetta Luis , Sharp Nita , DiGeronimo Michelle , Wilson Gary , Coombes Jeff S. , Boyd Roslyn , Davies Peter S. W.
Published: May 2012

Background: Markers indicative of micronutrient and antioxidant status in children with cerebral palsy (CP) were explored due to these children's well‐documented issues with food intake and the limited biochemical literature.Materials and Methods: Children aged 4 to 12 years with marked CP (n = 24) and controls (n = 24) were recruited. The CP group represented orally (O) or enterally fed (E) children. Concentrations of red cell folate (RCF), magnesium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase, and peroxidase were measured, as well as serum methylmalonic acid and vitamin C. Plasma hemoglobin, C‐reactive protein, α‐tocopherol, cholesterol, zinc, protein carbonyls, and total antioxidant capacity were also quantified.Results: Data are reported as mean (SD) andzscores where values differ with age. Many similarities existed, but zinczscores were reduced in O (–1.10 [0.83]) vs controls (–0.54 [0.54]) (P< .05), as well as for glutathione reductase in O (10.15 [1.69]) vs E (12.22 [2.41]) and controls (11.51 [1.67]) (P< .05). RCF was greatly increased in E (1422 [70]) vs O (843 [80]) and controls (820 [43]) (P< .001). SOD was decreased in E (24.3 [1.4]) vs controls (27.0 [2.8]) (P< .05).Conclusion: Considering their vast impact on physiology, micronutrients should be routinely monitored in orally fed children with swallowing disorders and dietary limitations. Excessive intakes, particularly long term in enterally fed children, should also be monitored in view of their potential for competitive inhibition, particularly at high levels.
Testicular Development in Cynomolgus Monkeys
Authors: Haruyama Emiko , Suda Masakazu , Ayukawa Yuki , Kamura Koshiro , Mizutamari Megumi , Ooshima Yojiro , Tanimoto Akihide
Published: May 2012

The testes from 136 male cynomolgus monkeys were examined histopathologically in order to investigate the relationship between the development of spermatogenesis and testis weight, age, and body weight. At Grade 1 (immature), Sertoli cells and spermatogonia were the only cell classes in the testis. At Grade 2 (pre-puberty), no elongated spermatids were observed in the testis, although a few round spermatids and small lumen formation were observed. At Grade 3 (onset of puberty), all classes of germ cells were observed in the testis, although seminiferous tubule diameters and numbers of germ cells were small. Slight debris in the epididymis was observed in almost all animals. At Grade 4 (puberty), almost complete spermatogenesis was observed in the seminiferous tubules and it was possible to ascertain the spermatogenesis stage as described by Clermont, although tubule diameters and numbers of germ cells were small. There was less debris in the epididymis than at Grade 3. At Grade 5 (early adult), complete spermatogenesis was observed in the seminiferous tubules. At Grade 6 (adult), complete spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules and a moderate or large number of sperm in the epididymis were observed. Moreover, sperm analysis using ejaculated sperm was possible. Logistic regression analysis showed that testis weight is a good indicator of testicular maturity.
Metabolic Adaptive ALT Isoenzyme Response in Livers of C57/BL6 Mice Treated with Dexamethasone
Authors: Reagan William J. , Yang Rong-Ze , Park Soohyun , Goldstein Richard , Brees Dominique , Gong Da-Wei
Published: May 2012

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is used as an indicator of hepatocellular injury. Since ALT consists of two isoenzymes, a better understanding of ALT isoenzyme biology in response to compounds that cause metabolic adaptive versus hepatotoxic responses will allow for a more accurate assessment of the significance of an ALT increase. The purpose of this study was to characterize the ALT isoenzyme response in mice treated with 25 or 75 mg/kg of dexamethasone, which is known to induce a progluconeogenic state, for 24 or 72 hr. Those mice treated with 75 mg/kg for 72 hr showed an increase in total liver ALT activity. Western blot showed that there was an increase in ALT2 at both doses and time points and there was a concurrent increase in ALT2 ribonucleic acid at 24 and 72 hr. The ALT isoenzyme response assessed by an activity assay showed an increase in ALT2. The increases in liver ALT were associated with an increase in liver glycogen and there was no hepatocellular necrosis. There was an increase in total serum ALT activity, although serum isoenzymes were not evaluated. Thus, the authors demonstrated that dexamethasone induced increases in hepatic and serum ALT, which reflect a hepatocellular progluconeogenic metabolic adaptive response.
Blood, Sweat and Fears
Authors: Chaplin David
Published: May 2012

In professional boxing, rags-to-riches-to-rags stories are as commonplace as elaborate ring entrances. In the wake of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, the U.S. Congress mandated that the Secretary of Labor undertake a study on the feasibility of establishing a pension plan for professional boxers. The results of the study have yet to be utilized for the development of such a plan. Employing data on those boxing in Nevada, 2008-2010, a model pension plan is developed herein, which may be used as a prototype for other states or a national boxers’ pension plan.
Perceptions and reflections of music teacher education in Kenya
Authors: Akuno Emily Achieng’
Published: May 2012

This article builds on enquiry aimed to discover Kenyan music teachers’ perceptions and expectations of their role; their view of the training they received; head teachers’ perceptions and expectations of the role of the music teacher; and the expectations of both music teachers and head teachers of a music teacher education programme in Kenya. The findings have steered a discussion towards suggestions for an improved framework to guide teacher education for music at all levels of education in Kenya.

Through questionnaires, a sample of 16 music teachers and 11 head teachers recorded their opinion that teachers were not adequately prepared to implement the music programmes; that the role of the music teacher covered in and out of class activities; and that this expectation could only be accomplished with proper academic and professional training. Guided by principles of indigenous African education and learning conceptual orientations, the discussions led to recommendations that call for better grounding of music teachers in the processes of music and ability to facilitate music learning.
Early changes in cerebral oxidative stress and apoptotic neuronal injury after various flows for selective cerebral perfusion in piglets
Authors: Chen Y , Liu J , Wang S , Ji B , Tang Y , Wu A , Zhou C , Long C
Published: May 2012

Background:

The impact of various flows for selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) on cerebral oxidative stress in the immature brain is unknown. We examined early changes in cerebral markers of oxidative damage, apoptotic protein activation and histological outcome after different flows for SCP in a piglet model of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

Methods:

Twenty piglets, randomly divided into four groups (each n = 5), were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at 20°C, then underwent DHCA for 60 minutes. SCP was conducted at flow rates of 0, 25, 50 and 80 ml·kg-1·min-1 through the innominate artery in the DHCA, SCP 25, SCP 50, and SCP 80 groups, respectively. The animals were killed at 2 hours off CPB. Brain tissues were examined for the activity of SOD, MDA and caspase-3, and histological damage was quantitatively assayed by light microscopic examinations.

Results:

There were no significant differences in the activities of SOD, MDA and the SOD/MDA index between the groups. Caspase-3 activity significantly decreased in the SCP 25, SCP 50 and SCP 80 groups compared with the DHCA group. However, the caspase-3 level was higher in the SCP 80 group than in the SCP 25 and SCP 50 group. There were no significant correlations between MDA, SOD, SOD/MDA index and caspase-3.

Conclusions:

In this acute model, under different flows for SCP, cerebral MDA and SOD activities show no change, whereas activated caspase-3 has a marked change. There was no relationship between oxidative stress, indicated by MDA and SOD, and apoptotic protein activation in the early phase after DHCA.
Salient Lesions in Domestic Ruminants Infected With the Emerging So-called Schmallenberg Virus in Germany
Authors: Herder V. , Wohlsein P. , Peters M. , Hansmann F. , Baumgärtner W.
Published: May 2012

The so-called Schmallenberg virus (SBV), first detected in a German town of the same name in October 2011, is a novel emerging orthobunyavirus in Europe causing malformations and severe economic loss in ruminants. This report describes lesions in 40 sheep, 2 goats, and 16 cattle naturally infected with SBV as determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The most common macroscopic changes were arthrogryposis, vertebral malformations, brachygnathia inferior, and malformations of the central nervous system, including hydranencephaly, porencephaly, hydrocephalus, cerebellar hypoplasia, and micromyelia. Histologic lesions included lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalomyelitis in some cases, glial nodules mainly in the mesencephalon and hippocampus of lambs and goats, and neuronal degeneration and necrosis mainly in the brain stem of calves. Micromyelia was characterized by a loss of gray and white matter, with few neurons remaining in the ventral horn in calves. The skeletal muscles had myofibrillar hypoplasia in lambs and calves. The lesions of SBV-associated abortion and perinatal death are similar to those attributed to Akabane virus and other viruses in the Simbu group of bunyaviruses.
Finite element-based analysis of experimentally identified parametric envelopes for stable keyhole plasma arc welding of a titanium alloy
Authors: Deshpande Aditya A , Short Andrew B , Sun Wei , McCartney D Graham , Xu Lei , Hyde Thomas H
Published: May 2012

Finite element modelling of the experimentally obtained parametric envelopes for stable keyhole plasma arc welding was performed using a three-dimensional conical Gaussian heat source. Uncoupled steady-state and transient heat transfer analyses were performed to predict fusion zones and thermal histories. The heat source definition was validated against the experimentally obtained macrograph and thermal history for a representative stable keyhole condition. The paper investigates the relationships between the primary welding parameters, i.e. current, traverse speed, plasma gas flow rate and the weld efficiency, using inverse finite element modelling. The effect of the change of plasma gas flow rate on weld efficiency was estimated by iteratively changing the efficiency to match the experimental results. The numerical–experimental approach is proposed to establish relationships between welding parameters and weld efficiency which can be utilised to understand the underlying physics of keyhole plasma arc welding. The inversely identified relationships between key welding parameters can be useful in selecting the appropriate combination of weld parameters for stable keyhole welding.
The Epidemiology, Morbidity, and Outcome of Soccer-Related Fractures in a Standard Population
Authors: Robertson Gregory A.J. , Wood Alexander M. , Bakker-Dyos Joshua , Aitken Stuart A. , Keenan Andre C.M. , Court-Brown Charles M.
Published: May 2012

Background:

Soccer is the most common cause of sporting fracture, but little is known about patient outcome after such fractures.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiological characteristics of soccer-related fractures, their outcomes, and the likelihood of return to soccer after injury in a known United Kingdom population at all skill levels.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

All soccer fractures during 2007-2008 in the Lothian population were prospectively collected, with the diagnosis confirmed by an orthopaedic surgeon when patients attended the only adult orthopaedic service in Lothian. Patients living outside the region were excluded from the study. Patients were contacted in August 2010 to ascertain their progress in returning to soccer.

Results:

A total of 367 fractures were recorded over the study period in 357 patients; 312 fractures (85%) in 303 patients (85%) were followed up, with a mean interval of 30 months (range, 24-36 months). The mean time for return to soccer from injury was 15 ± 17 weeks (range, 0-104 weeks). For patients with lower limb injuries, the mean time was 26 ± 22 weeks (range, 4-104 weeks) compared with 9 ± 8 weeks for patients with upper limb injuries (range, 0-64 weeks). Fourteen percent of the whole cohort did not return to soccer; 83% returned to soccer at the same level or higher. Thirty-nine percent had ongoing related problems; however, only 8% had impaired soccer ability because of these problems. Fractures with the highest morbidity in not returning to soccer were to the clavicle (24%), distal radius (21%), and tibial diaphysis (20%).

Conclusion:

Most patients sustaining a fracture while playing soccer will return to soccer at a similar level. While over one third of them will have persisting symptoms 2 years after injury, for the majority, this will not impair their soccer ability.
Invitro biomonitoring of the genotoxic and oxidative potentials of two commonly eaten insects in southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Memiş Eray , Türkez Hasan , İncekara Ümit , Banjo Adedoyin Davies , Fasunwon Bamidele Temitope , Toğar Başak
Published: May 2012

In this study, the cytogenetic and oxidative effects of water soluble extracts of two commonly eaten insects, Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) and Oryctes boas (Solanales: Solanaceae), in southwestern Nigeria were evaluated on cultured human blood cells. The extracts were added to the cultures at various concentrations (0–2000 ppm). The chromosome aberration and micronucleus tests were used to find out the DNA and chromosomal damage potentials in vitro by aqueous insect extracts. To assess the oxidative effects of these insect extracts, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were also measured. Our results indicated that these extracts did not show genotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. However, the extracts caused dose-dependent alterations in both TAC and TOS levels. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the studied insects can be consumed safely, but it is necessary to consider the cellular damages that are likely to appear depending on the oxidative stress. We also suggest that this in vitro approach for oxidative and genotoxicity assessments may be useful to compare the potential health risks of edible insects.
Ameliorating effects of curcumin and vitamin E on diazinon-induced oxidative damage in rat liver and erythrocytes
Authors: Messarah Mahfoud , Amamra Wahiba , Boumendjel Amel , Barkat Leila , Bouasla Ihcène , Abdennour Cherif , Boulakoud Mohamed Salah , Feki Abdelfattah El
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E and/or curcumin against diazinon (DZN) (an organophosphorus insecticide)-induced toxicity of blood, liver and erythrocyte markers of male Wistar rats. The exposure of rats to DZN for 21 days provoked significant changes in red blood cell counts and hemoglobin. Results showed that lipid peroxidation increased significantly in DZN-treated rats, as evidenced by high liver and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. Alteration of the antioxidant system in DZN-treated rats was confirmed by the significant decrease in the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione- S-transferase, accompanied by a decline in reduced glutathione content in both tissues. On the other hand, a significant increase in the activities of plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase was observed in the rats treated with DZN. However, the administration of vitamin E and curcumin has ameliorated the previous markers. In conclusion, our results indicate that the natural antioxidants like vitamin E and curcumin can effectively lower the erythrocytes and hepatic injuries induced by DZN as monitored by lipid peroxides, antioxidant enzyme activities and sensitive serum enzyme levels.
Blood compatibility of polymers derived from natural materials
Authors: Fedel Mariangela , Endogan Tugba , Hasirci Nesrin , Maniglio Devid , Morelli Andrea , Chiellini Federica , Motta Antonella
Published: May 2012

Several polymers derived from natural materials are effective for tissue engineering or drug delivery applications, due to specific properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural activity. Their blood compatibility needs to be carefully evaluated to avoid thrombosis and other material-related adverse events in the hematic environment. We compared the surface properties and blood compatibility of protein and polysaccharide polymers, including fibroin, gelatin, and chitosan. Both fibroin and chitosan showed good hemocompatibility, with low platelet adhesion and spreading. Chitosan induced strong interactions with plasma proteins, especially with albumin. It was hypothesized that surface passivation by albumin inhibited the adsorption of other procoagulant and proadhesive proteins on chitosan and fibroin films, which limited platelet spreading. However, the significant and rapid polymer swelling encouraged protein entrapment within the soft, gelatin films, inducing higher platelet adhesion and activation. Thrombin generation assay confirmed the higher blood compatibility of chitosan and fibroin with regard to clotting.
Men as Victims
Authors: Dunn Peter
Published: May 2012

The impact and meanings of homophobic violence on gay men’s identities are explored with a particular focus on their identities as men and as gay men. Homosexuality can pose a challenge to conventional masculinities, and for some gay men, being victimized on account of sexual orientation reawakens conflicts about their masculinity that they thought they had resolved. Being victimized can reinvoke shame that is rooted in failure or unwillingness to uphold masculine norms. For some gay men, victimization therefore has connotations of nonmasculinity that make being a victim an undesirable status, yet that status must be claimed to obtain a response from criminal justice or victim services. Men who experience homophobic abuse are helped by accepting a victim identity, but only if they can quickly move on from it by reconstructing a masculine gay (nonvictim) identity. This process can be facilitated by agencies such as the police and victim services, provided they help men exercise agency in “fighting back,” that is, resisting further victimization and recovering.
Intimate Partner Violence and Belief Systems in Liberia
Authors: Allen Mary , Devitt Catherine
Published: May 2012

Intimate partner violence is endemic in parts of the African continent. A small scale survey ( n = 229) was conducted in 2009 in Northern Liberia, West Africa, to determine the prevalence and nature of intimate partner violence, and the cultural beliefs and gender norms that underpin respondent experiences and views towards intimate partner violence. Results show widespread experience of intimate partner violence among the respondent group, including physical abuse, sexual and verbal, and economic abuse. Acceptance of the situation was identified by most respondents as a way of responding to violence, and arises from the lack of financial and legal supports for women within the community. Despite the range of abuses experienced, beliefs about the power position of men in Liberian society provide evidence to reflect the predominance of certain cultural beliefs in framing respondents’ perceptions of gender relations. The article concludes with a discussion on the possible impact of Liberia’s recent conflict in contributing to the perpetuation and normalization of intimate partner violence. Further large scale research in this area is required.
Sexual Victimization among Spanish College Women and Risk Factors for Sexual Revictimization
Authors: Santos-Iglesias Pablo , Sierra Juan Carlos
Published: May 2012

Sexual revictimization is frequent among victims of child sexual abuse. Several variables, such as sexual experience, substance abuse, and sexual assertiveness, have been proposed to explain the link between child sexual abuse and adolescent and adult sexual victimization, although they have typically been tested separately. The main objective of this study was to analyze which of these variables better explains the revictimization phenomenon using a multiple mediation analysis. The study also tested the frequency of sexual victimization experiences in a Spanish sample of college women. Four hundred and two women were interviewed. Results showed that 30.4% of them engaged in undesired sexual contact while almost 4% were victims of rape. The most frequent perpetrators were partners or ex-partners, acquaintances, or dating partners, but not strangers. Finally, the relationship between child sexual abuse and adolescent and adult sexual victimization was mediated by number of consensual sexual partners and sexual assertiveness. Results reflect some cultural differences from previous research.
Self-Protective Behaviors and Injury in Domestic Violence Situations
Authors: Powers Ráchael A. , Simpson Sally S.
Published: May 2012

Research examining the impact of self-protective behaviors on outcomes in nonsexual assaults involving intimates has focused solely on one mainstream sample (National Crime Victimization Survey) in which violence is a relatively rare event. Using the Women’s Experience of Violence (WEV) project which collects data from a sample of incarcerated women, we explored the phenomenon of self-protective behaviors to assess whether their use impacts the probability and severity of subsequent injury during a domestic violence incident. In addition to utilizing a unique sample, we considered an alternative operationalization of self-protective behaviors that separates physical and verbal responses to include whether the behavior involved an element of force. Results suggest some similarities between a mainstream sample and our marginalized sample. Namely, the frequency in which they utilize countermeasures and the effect of “fighting back” appear to be consistent with previous research. However, the more nuanced categorization of self-protective behaviors demonstrates the importance of considering whether the strategy was forceful when examining women’s responses to violence.
Relationships Between Maternal Emotion Regulation, Parenting, and Children’s Executive Functioning in Families Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Samuelson Kristin W. , Krueger Casey E. , Wilson Christina
Published: May 2012

Recently researchers have begun to explore the extent to which children’s cognitive development is influenced by experiences in the family environment. Assessing mother–child dyads exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), a population at risk for emotional and neurocognitive problems, we examined relationships between maternal emotional regulation, parenting, and children’s executive functioning (including working memory, inhibitory control, cognitve flexibility and set shifting, and planning). Positive parenting practices, as reported by the children, were correlated with children’s planning and problem solving performance. Controlling for children’s own emotion regulation and gender, mothers’ self-reported emotion regulation abilities predicted children’s performance on a task of cognitive flexibility. Girls exhibited superior emotion regulation and executive functioning performance compared to boys, and mothers of girls reported better emotion regulation abilities compared to mothers of boys. These findings add to a nascent literature suggesting that parenting and parental emotional functioning may play important roles in children’s neurocognitive functioning. In addition, they help to explain the mechanisms by which children exposed to IPV experience executive functioning deficits.
Social Bonds and the Role of School-Based Victimization
Authors: Popp Ann Marie , Peguero Anthony A.
Published: May 2012

This study explores the impact of school-based victimization on the adolescent’s social bond. Previous research has provided empirical support for Hirschi’s social control theory that the strength of the adolescent’s social bond is associated with the probability that he or she will engage in criminal offending. However, research identifying what factors influence the strength of the adolescent’s social bond is limited. In addition, research has established that school-based victimization is associated with numerous negative outcomes, including diminished educational outcomes and criminal offending. Therefore, it is plausible that school-based victimization undermines the adolescent’s social bonds to school. Using a sample of 10th-grade students from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002, HLM models were developed to explore the relationship between school-based victimization and the adolescent’s social bond to school. The results suggest that school-based victimization has a negative association with three elements of the adolescent’s social bond to school: attachment, commitment, and belief. This study demonstrates the need for further research to identify the determinants of the strength of the adolescent’s social bond to school.
Application of decoupling fuzzy sliding mode control with active disturbance rejection for MIMO magnetic levitation system
Authors: Zhang Jiaji , Mei Xuesong , Zhang Dongsheng , Jiang Gedong , Liu Qing
Published: May 2012

Magnetic levitation techniques have been used to eliminate friction due to mechanical contact, decrease the maintaining cost and achieve high-precision positioning. Although there are many studies on the single degree-of-freedom magnetic levitation control algorithms, it is difficult to achieve excellent control performance using classical control methods for the multiple-in-multiple-out magnetic levitation system because of the coupling in the dynamic system and the nonlinearity of the electromagnetic force. This article presents a 3 degrees-of-freedom magnetic suspension stage. At first the dynamic model of the stage is derived; then a nonlinear intelligent decoupling controller is developed to stabilize the levitation system. The control architecture consists of three components: (1) fuzzy sliding mode technique for the uncertainty in the system parameter; (2) force distribution for decoupling; (3) extended state observer for compensating the system disturbance. Finally experiments are designed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Experimental results show that compared with the classical proportional–integral–derivative controller, the proposed controller provides excellent transient response performance and the system is robust against the parameter uncertainty and external disturbance.
Evaluation of a new body-sideslip-based driving simulator motion cueing algorithm
Authors: Garrett Nikhil JI , Best Matthew C
Published: May 2012

This paper describes a new motion cueing algorithm for motion-based driving simulators. The algorithm uses the simulated vehicle’s body sideslip angle as the demand for the motion platform’s yaw degree of freedom. The current state of the art for motion cueing algorithms involves some form of filter or controller that limits the bandwidth of the vehicle motion before using this as the motion platform demand; the algorithm is tuned such that the platform does not exceed its limits. However, this means that information about the vehicle state that is contained within the motion is removed indiscriminately. Since the body sideslip angle will fit within the platform yaw limit under normal conditions, it does not need to be filtered beforehand, and thus no information must be removed. The implementation of the body-sideslip-based algorithm is described, as is a set of tests using human participants wherein the body sideslip algorithm was compared against the three most popular existing algorithms (namely the classical, adaptive and linear quadratic regulator algorithms) for normal road driving. The results of these tests indicate that the body sideslip algorithm performs as well as, or marginally better than, the other algorithms; future work will test the algorithm under limit handling conditions, to see whether the approach of preserving vehicle state information improves the simulator driver’s perception.
Effect of the mixture preparation on the nanoparticle characteristics of gasoline direct-injection vehicles
Authors: Choi Kwanhee , Kim Juwon , Myung Cha-Lee , Lee Minho , Kwon Sangil , Lee Youngjae , Park Simsoo
Published: May 2012

Time-resolved nanoparticle number concentrations and size distribution characteristics were investigated in gasoline direct-injection vehicles, according to fuel preparation methods. Particle number emissions were measured using the golden particle measurement system recommended by the Particle Measurement Programme, and the particle size spectrum was determined using a DMS500 spectrometer installed at the tailpipe of the vehicles. The wall-guided gasoline direct-injection vehicle exhibited the most temperature-dependent nanoparticulate matter exhaust characteristics, owing to direct accumulation of fuel on the piston head and cylinder liner and a high concentration of accumulation mode particles. The air-guided gasoline direct-injection vehicle emitted particle emissions mostly during cold transient driving conditions and high acceleration, which had a weak trimodal characteristic with evenly distributed nucleation and accumulation mode particles. The spray-guided gasoline direct-injection vehicle continuously discharged 105 particles/cm3 during constant-speed driving segments, because of the ultra-lean-burn operation and bulk quenching; particulate matter from the spray-guided gasoline direct-injection vehicle demonstrated a strong bimodal characteristic, spreading over 10–100 nm. The particle number emissions for the gasoline direct-injection vehicles for the New European Driving Cycle test mode were 1.48 × 1012 particles/km, 6.03 × 1011 particles/km and 3.17 × 1012 particles/km for the wall-guided type, the air-guided type and the spray-guided type respectively, and none of these were able to satisfy the proposed particle number regulations for the Euro 6 standard. For gasoline direct-injection vehicles, it should be considered that engine hardware modifications, as well as energy management system calibrations and even the application of the particle filter, may be needed to meet the upcoming particulate matter number regulation.
On the filtering effects of the chord offset method for monitoring track geometry
Authors: Insa Ricardo , Inarejos Javier , Salvador Pablo , Baeza Luis
Published: May 2012

A recently published paper in the literature used a particular method to establish the correspondence between the vertical accelerations registered in the axlebox of a wheel and the rail vertical profile which caused them as a way of monitoring the track conditions. However, that work did not consider the filtering effects due to the asymmetric chord approach that underpined the process. As a result of this, it is suggested that such method may produce some errors in the measurements at certain frequencies. The present work shows how the technique can be amended in order to maintain its quality.
Comparison of hierarchical and non-hierarchical error indicators for adaptive mesh refinement for the Euler equations
Authors: Becker Roland , Gokpi Kossivi , Schall Eric , Trujillo David
Published: May 2012

This article deals with two automatic mesh refinement methods for the Euler equations discretized by the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method of lowest order. The main purpose is the comparison of an hierarchical error indicator with a non-hierarchical one. The underlying mesh refinements are based on quadrilateral meshes with hanging nodes. The hierarchical indicator is based on the comparison of the solutions of two consecutive globally refined meshes. It therefore includes information of the nonlinear problem on the fine mesh. In contrast to this, the non-hierarchical indicator employs only information on the given mesh in form of jumps of the solution over internal edges. As often done in practice, in both cases, we chose a certain physical quantity such as the density or the Mach number as a sensor variable to which the indicator is applied. Three different standard test problems are considered: •A scramjet test case representing an internal supersonic flow, •A cylinder test case representing an external supersonic flow, •A Naca wing case representing an external transonic flow.
Biomechanical analysis of rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist joint
Authors: Bajuri MN , Abdul Kadir Mohammed Rafiq , Amin Iskandar M , Öchsner Andreas
Published: May 2012

The wrist is the most complex joint for virtual three-dimensional simulations, and the complexity is even more pronounced when dealing with skeletal disorders of the joint such, as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In order to analyse the biomechanical difference between healthy and diseased joints, three-dimensional models of these two wrist conditions were developed from computed tomography images. These images consist of eight carpal bones, five metacarpal bones, the distal radius and ulna. The cartilages were developed based on the shape of the available articulations and ligaments were simulated via mechanical links. The RA model was developed accurately by simulating all ten common criteria of the disease related to the wrist. Results from the finite element (FE) analyses showed that the RA model produced three times higher contact pressure at the articulations compared to the healthy model. Normal physiological load transfer also changed from predominantly through the radial side to an increased load transfer approximately 5% towards the ulnar. Based on an extensive literature search, this is the first ever reported work that simulates the pathological conditions of the rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist joint.