bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontal and Temporal Microbleeds Are Related to Cognitive Function
Authors: van Norden Anouk G.W. , van den Berg Heleen A.C. , de Laat Karlijn F. , Gons Rob A.R. , van Dijk Ewoud J. , de Leeuw Frank-Erik
Published: September 2011

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral small vessel disease, including white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts, is related to cognitive impairment. Cerebral microbleeds (MBs) are increasingly being recognized as another manifestation of small vessel disease and are also related to cognitive function. However, it remains unclear whether this relation is independent of white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts and if location of MB plays a role. We investigated the relation between the presence, number, and location of MB and cognitive performance adjusted for white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts.

Methods—

Presence, number, and location of MB were rated on a gradient echo T2*-weighted MRI in 500 nondemented elderly patients with small vessel disease. Cognitive performance was assessed in different domains. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, total brain volume, white matter lesion volume, and lacunar and territorial infarcts.

Results—

Mean age was 65.6 years (SD 8.8) and 57% were male. MBs were present in 10.4% of the participants. Subjects with MBs were significantly older, had a higher white matter lesion volume, and more lacunar infarcts (
P
<0.001). Presence and number of MBs were related to global cognitive function (β−0.10,
P
=0.008; β−0.20,
P
=0.002), psychomotor speed (β−0.10,
P
=0.012; β−0.19,
P
=0.006), and attention (β−0.10,
P
=0.02; β−0.205,
P
=0.001). The relations with cognitive performance were mainly driven by frontal, temporal, and strictly deep located MB.

Conclusions—

Frontal and temporal located MBs correlate with cognitive performance in nondemented elderly patients independent of coexisting other small vessel disease-related lesions. MBs are clinically not silent and may help to understand the role of vascular disease in cognitive decline.
The Deleterious Effect of Admission Hyperglycemia on Survival and Functional Outcome in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Béjot Yannick , Aboa-Eboulé Corine , Hervieu Marie , Jacquin Agnès , Osseby Guy-Victor , Rouaud Olivier , Giroud Maurice
Published: September 2011

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to evaluate the association between blood glucose (BG) levels at admission and both functional outcome at discharge and 1-month mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods—

All cases of first-ever ICH were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France from 1985 to 2009. Clinical and radiological information was recorded. BG was measured at admission. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic and Cox regression models. Multiple imputation was used as a sensitivity analysis.

Results—

We recorded 465 first-ever ICH. BG at admission was obtained in 416 patients (89.5%) with a median value of 6.92 mmol/L. In multivariate analyses, BG in the highest tertile (≥8.6 mmol/L) was an independent predictor of functional handicap (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.43–4.40;
P
=0.01) and 1-month mortality (hazard ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.23–2.43;
P
=0.002). The results were consistent with those obtained from multiple imputation analyses.

Conclusions—

Admission hyperglycemia is associated with poor functional recovery at discharge and 1-month mortality after ICH. These results suggest a need for trials that evaluate strategies to lower BG in acute ICH.
Computational Generation of Referring Expressions: A Survey
Authors: Krahmer Emiel , van Deemter Kees
Published: September 2011

This article offers a survey of computational research on referring expression generation (REG). It introduces the REG problem and describes early work in this area, discussing what basic assumptions lie behind it, and showing how its remit has widened in recent years. We discuss computational frameworks underlying REG, and demonstrate a recent trend that seeks to link REG algorithms with well-established Knowledge Representation techniques. Considerable attention is given to recent efforts at evaluating REG algorithms and the lessons that they allow us to learn. The article concludes with a discussion of the way forward in REG, focusing on references in larger and more realistic settings.
An Artificial Neural Network with Chaotic Oscillator for Wind Shear Alerting
Authors: Kwong K. M. , Wong Max H. Y. , Liu James N. K. , Chan P. W.
Published: September 2011

Current research based on various approaches including the use of numerical weather prediction models, statistical models, and machine learning models have provided some encouraging results in the area of long-term weather forecasting. But at the level of mesoscale and even microscale severe weather phenomena (involving very short-term chaotic perturbations) such as turbulence and wind shear phenomena, these approaches have not been so successful. This research focuses on the use of chaotic oscillatory-based neural networks for the study of a mesoscale weather phenomenon, namely, wind shear, a challenging and complex meteorological problem that has a vital impact on aviation safety. Using lidar data collected at the Hong Kong International Airport via the Hong Kong Observatory, it is possible to forecast the Doppler velocities with satisfactory accuracy and validate the prediction model with the potential to generate the wind shear alert. Experimental results are found to be comparable to the actual measurement. Moreover, the selected testing cases and results show that the value of correlation coefficient between the predicted and lidar-measured wind velocities exceeds 0.9 with various window sizes ranging from 1 to 3 h. These provide areas for further research of the proposed model and lidar technology for turbulence and wind shear forecasts.
Social Vulnerability to Climate-Sensitive Hazards in the Southern United States
Authors: Emrich Christopher T. , Cutter Susan L.
Published: September 2011

The southern United States is no stranger to hazard and disaster events. Intense hurricanes, drought, flooding, and other climate-sensitive hazards are commonplace and have outnumbered similar events in other areas of the United States annually in both scale and magnitude by a ratio of almost 4:1 during the past 10 years. While losses from climate-sensitive hazards are forecast to increase in the coming years, not all of the populations residing within these hazard zones have the same capacity to prepare for, respond to, cope with, and rebound from disaster events. The identification of these vulnerable populations and their location relative to zones of known or probably future hazard exposure is necessary for the development and implementation of effective adaptation, mitigation, and emergency management strategies. This paper provides an approach to regional assessments of hazards vulnerability by describing and integrating hazard zone information on four climate-sensitive hazards with socioeconomic and demographic data to create an index showing both the areal extent of hazard exposure and social vulnerability for the southern United States. When examined together, these maps provide an assessment of the likely spatial impacts of these climate-sensitive hazards and their variability. The identification of hotspots—counties with elevated exposures and elevated social vulnerability—highlights the distribution of the most at risk counties and the driving factors behind them. Results provide the evidentiary basis for developing targeted strategic initiatives for disaster risk reduction including preparedness for response and recovery and longer-term adaptation in those most vulnerable and highly impacted areas.
Counseling Psychology and Large-Scale Disasters
Authors: Jacobs Sue C. , Hoffman Mary Ann , Leach Mark M. , Gerstein Lawrence H.
Published: September 2011

Juntunen and Parham each reacted positively with important personal reflections and/or calls to action in response to “Counseling Psychology and Large-Scale Disasters, Catastrophes, and Traumas: Opportunities for Growth.” We comment on the primary themes and suggestions they raised. Since the time we were stimulated by Katrina and its aftermath and the Indian Ocean tsunami to conceptualize and bring to fruition this major contribution, large-scale disasters seemed to be happening everywhere (even to some of us personally or as responders). This underscores the need Juntunen highlighted to examine our motivations, self-care, privilege, and the long-term impact of disasters and disaster response work. Also, we agree with Parham that it makes palpable the need for counseling psychology to move beyond compassion and action by a relative few to act now, respond to, and engage in systematic action and research on large-scale disasters, through a bioecological and social justice approach.
A Meta-Analysis of Factors Affecting Trust in Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Hancock Peter A. , Billings Deborah R. , Schaefer Kristin E. , Chen Jessie Y. C. , de Visser Ewart J. , Parasuraman Raja
Published: September 2011

Objective: We evaluate and quantify the effects of human, robot, and environmental factors on perceived trust in human-robot interaction (HRI).

Background: To date, reviews of trust in HRI have been qualitative or descriptive. Our quantitative review provides a fundamental empirical foundation to advance both theory and practice.

Method: Meta-analytic methods were applied to the available literature on trust and HRI. A total of 29 empirical studies were collected, of which 10 met the selection criteria for correlational analysis and 11 for experimental analysis. These studies provided 69 correlational and 47 experimental effect sizes.

Results: The overall correlational effect size for trust was r̄ = +0.26, with an experimental effect size of d̄ = +0.71. The effects of human, robot, and environmental characteristics were examined with an especial evaluation of the robot dimensions of performance and attribute-based factors. The robot performance and attributes were the largest contributors to the development of trust in HRI. Environmental factors played only a moderate role.

Conclusion: Factors related to the robot itself, specifically, its performance, had the greatest current association with trust, and environmental factors were moderately associated. There was little evidence for effects of human-related factors.

Application: The findings provide quantitative estimates of human, robot, and environmental factors influencing HRI trust. Specifically, the current summary provides effect size estimates that are useful in establishing design and training guidelines with reference to robot-related factors of HRI trust. Furthermore, results indicate that improper trust calibration may be mitigated by the manipulation of robot design. However, many future research needs are identified.
Phased Training for High-Reliability Occupations
Authors: Baumann Michael R. , Gohm Carol L. , Bonner Bryan L.
Published: September 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether the stress reduction effects of phased training culminating in repeated exposure to a stressful scenario generalize to new scenarios.

Background: High-reliability occupations require personnel to operate in stressful situations involving complex environments, high degrees of uncertainty and time pressure, and severe consequences for mistakes. One method of training for such environments culminates in practice in high-fidelity, highly stressful simulations. For some domains, realism necessitates large-scale, difficult-to-modify physical simulations. This necessity often results in repeated exposure to one or very few scenarios. The literature gives reason to question whether the stress reduction effects of such exposure transfer to new scenarios.

Method: Anxiety and cognitive difficulties were measured among firefighter trainees during three live-fire drills. For each trainee, two drills involved the same scenario, and the other involved a new scenario that was structurally similar to the repeated scenario.

Results: As predicted, anxiety and cognitive difficulties decreased across repetitions of the same scenario. However, the reduction did not generalize to a new scenario, and a nontrivial portion of the sample showed signs of negative transfer.

Conclusion: Repeated exposure to the same stressful scenario as the final phase of training has limited practical value for stress reduction. Methods for expanding the range of scenarios to which trainees are exposed or for increasing the value of the exposure are recommended.

Application: The findings could help improve design of training programs for high-reliability occupations.
Mitigation of Conflicts with Automation
Authors: Dehais Frédéric , Causse Mickaël , Tremblay Sébastien
Published: September 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to empirically assess the efficacy of cognitive countermeasures based on the technique of information removal to enhance human operator attentional disengagement abilities when facing attentional tunneling.

Background: Lessons learned from human factors studies suggest that conflict with automation leads to the degradation of operators’ performance by promoting excessive focusing on a single task to the detriment of the supervision of other critical parameters.

Method: An experimental setup composed of a real unmanned ground vehicle and a ground station was developed to test the efficiency of the cognitive countermeasures. The scenario (with and without countermeasure) involved an authority conflict between the participants and the robot induced by a battery failure. The effects of the conflict and, in particular, the impact of cognitive countermeasures on the participants’ cognition and arousal were assessed through heart rate measurement and eye tracking techniques.

Results: In the control group (i.e., no countermeasure), 8 out of 12 participants experienced attentional tunneling when facing the conflict, leading them to neglect the visual alarms displayed that would have helped them to understand the evolution of the tactical situation. Participants in the countermeasure group showed lower heart rates and enhanced attentional abilities, and 10 out of 11 participants made appropriate decisions.

Conclusions: The use of cognitive countermeasures appeared to be an efficient means to mitigate excessive focus issues in the unmanned ground vehicle environment.

Applications: The principle of cognitive countermeasures can be applied to a large domain of applications involving human operators interacting with critical systems.
Metabolomic Effects of Xylitol and Fluoride on Plaque Biofilm in Vivo
Authors: Takahashi N. , Washio J.
Published: September 2011

Dental caries is initiated by demineralization of the tooth surface through acid production from sugar by plaque biofilm. Fluoride and xylitol have been used worldwide as caries-preventive reagents, based on in vitro-proven inhibitory mechanisms on bacterial acid production. We attempted to confirm the inhibitory mechanisms of fluoride and xylitol in vivo by performing metabolome analysis on the central carbon metabolism in supragingival plaque using the combination of capillary electrophoresis and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Fluoride (225 and 900 ppm F−) inhibited lactate production from 10% glucose by 34% and 46%, respectively, along with the increase in 3-phosphoglycerate and the decrease in phosphoenolpyruvate in the EMP pathway in supragingival plaque. These results confirmed that fluoride inhibited bacterial enolase in the EMP pathway and subsequently repressed acid production in vivo. In contrast, 10% xylitol had no effect on acid production and the metabolome profile in supragingival plaque, although xylitol 5-phosphate was produced. These results suggest that xylitol is not an inhibitor of plaque acid production but rather a non-fermentative sugar alcohol. Metabolome analyses of plaque biofilm can be applied for monitoring the efficacy of dietary components and medicines for plaque biofilm, leading to the development of effective plaque control.
Regeneration of Periodontal Tissues in Non-human Primates with rhGDF-5 and Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate
Authors: Emerton K.B. , Drapeau S.J. , Prasad H. , Rohrer M. , Roffe P. , Hopper K. , Schoolfield J. , Jones A. , Cochran D.L.
Published: September 2011

The application of growth factors has been advocated in support of periodontal regeneration. Recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5), a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family, has been used to encourage periodontal tissue regeneration. This study evaluated the dose response of rhGDF-5 lyophilized onto beta-tricalcium phosphate (bTCP) granules for periodontal tissue regeneration in a baboon model. Periodontal defects were created bilaterally in 12 baboons by a split-mouth design. Plaque was allowed to accumulate around wire ligatures to create chronic disease. After 2 mos, the ligatures were removed, and a notch was placed at the base of the defect. Two teeth on each side of the mouth were randomly treated with bTCP only, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg rhGDF-5/g bTCP. Animals were sacrificed 5 mos post-treatment, with micro-CT and histomorphometric analysis performed. After 5 mos, analysis showed alveolar bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament formation in all treatment groups, with a dose-dependent increase in rhGDF-5-treated groups. Height of periodontal tissues also increased with the addition of rhGDF-5, and the amount of residual graft material decreased with rhGDF-5 treatment. Therefore, rhGDF-5 delivered on bTCP demonstrated effective regeneration of all 3 tissues critical for periodontal repair.
Reading Comprehension and Expressive Writing
Authors: Carretti Barbara , Re Anna Maria , Arfè Barbara
Published: September 2011

This study investigated expressive writing in 8- to 10-year-old children with different levels of reading comprehension. Poor and good comprehenders were presented with three expressive writing tasks where the modality (pictorial vs. verbal) and the text genre (narrative vs. descriptive) varied. Results showed that poor comprehenders’ performance was minimally influenced by the modality of the prompt. In fact, their performance was generally worse than that of good comprehenders and affected by the text genre, as the quality of their narratives was generally lower than that of good comprehenders. However, in the descriptive text condition, their performance was comparable to that of good comprehenders. One can conclude that their problems depend on the characteristics of the narrative text where coherence and causality are important elements.
Religion as Repertoire
Authors: Fisher Gareth
Published: September 2011

This article presents an ethnographic examination of a range of religious practices at the Buddhist Temple of Universal Rescue (Guangji si) in Beijing. Temple-goers engaged in both ritual practices in the temple’s inner courtyard and moralistic conversations in the outer courtyard draw on recycled fragments of China’s many “pasts” to form cultural repertoires. These repertoires provide the temple-goers with a cultural toolkit to enter into meaningful projects of self- and identity-making in an environment of rapid social change. Participants in different religious activities at the temple both add to and mobilize different elements in their repertoires as their life circumstances change. The example of the temple shows that, in the popular Chinese social arena, various past stages of China’s history, including phases in its modernization process, have neither been abandoned nor superseded but remain as cultural resources to be drawn from as needed.
Politics at the Boundary
Authors: Stern Rachel E. , O’Brien Kevin J.
Published: September 2011

In this conceptual essay, the authors argue that one way to understand the Chinese state is to view it from below, from the perspective of people advocating change. The authors’ “state reflected in society” approach is illustrated with accounts of Chinese lawyers, journalists, and NGO leaders who operate at the boundary of the acceptable and are attentive to signals about what the authorities will tolerate. Their experiences suggest that mixed signals about the limits of the permissible is a key feature of the Chinese state. Beyond a number of well-patrolled “forbidden zones,” the Chinese state speaks with many voices and its bottom line is often unclear. At the border of the uncontroversial and the unacceptable, the Chinese state is both a high-capacity juggernaut capable of demarcating no-go zones and a hodgepodge of disparate actors ambivalent about what types of activism it can live with. Whether mixed signals are deliberate or accidental is hard to determine, but they do offer the authorities certain advantages by providing a low-cost way to contain dissent, gather information, and keep options open.
Middle School A/B Block and Traditional Scheduling
Authors: Allen Gill Willie Wallicia
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether a difference existed in the percentage performance of students earning a pass/advanced score on the Standards of Learning (SOL) Test in math and reading in Virginia’s Region IV for schools using an A/B block schedule and those using a traditional schedule. The research also examined if the percentage performance by race—Black, Hispanic, and White—differed on the math and reading SOL Test for Region IV in Virginia. Forty-three schools were included in the study—23 block and 20 traditional schools. The percentage performance in math and reading of each school and the percentage performance by race for each school were studied. Analyses of variance and t tests were used to examine differences. The t-test results do not show significant differences in the percentage performance of students earning pass/advanced scores in reading and math in block and traditional schools. Significant differences were shown in the percentage of Black and Hispanic students earning pass/advanced scores on the math and reading SOL Test for Region IV in Virginia. A larger percentage of Black and Hispanic students earned pass/advanced scores in the A/B block-scheduled schools than in the traditional schools.
Neonates with Tongue‐Based Airway Obstruction
Authors: Bookman Laurel B. , Melton Kristin R. , Pan Brian S. , Bender Patricia L. , Chini Barbara A. , Greenberg James M. , Saal Howard M. , Taylor Jesse A. , Elluru Ravindhra G.
Published: September 2011

Objective

In this systematic review, the authors summarize the current evidence in the literature regarding diagnosis, treatment, and long‐term outcomes in neonates with tongue‐based airway obstruction (TBAO) and assess the level of evidence of included studies.

Data Sources

The terms Pierre Robin syndrome/sequence, micrognathia, retrognathia, and cleft palate were combined with airway obstruction, treatment, tongue‐lip plication, and osteogenesis distraction to perform an Ovid literature search, yielding 341 references. The authors excluded references containing patients with isolated choanal/nasal obstruction, patients older than 12 months, and expert opinion papers, yielding 126 articles.

Review Methods

The authors searched 3 electronic databases and reference lists of existing reviews from 1980 to October 2010 for articles pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of TBAO. Reviewers assigned a level of evidence score based on Oxford’s Centre for Evidence Based Medicine scoring system and recorded relevant information.

Results

Most studies were case studies and single‐center findings. The lack of standardization of diagnostic and treatment protocols and the heterogeneity of cohorts both within and between studies precluded a meta‐analysis. There was little evidence beyond expert opinion and single‐center evaluation regarding diagnosis, treatment, and long‐term outcomes of neonates with TBAO.

Conclusions

The variability in the phenotype of the cohorts studied and the absence of standardized indications for intervention preclude deriving any definitive conclusions regarding diagnostic tools to evaluate this patient population, treatment choices, or long‐term outcomes. A coordinated multicenter study with a standardized diagnostic and treatment algorithm is recommended to develop evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of neonates with TBAO.
Audiences on the move? Use and assessment of local print and online newspapers
Authors: Skogerbø Eli , Winsvold Marte
Published: September 2011

Online media have contributed to transforming media industries as well as media audiences, globally, nationally and locally. This article studies the readers of local and regional newspapers with online and print editions and analyses how the audiences use and assess the two versions as information sources, identity mediators and arenas of the local public sphere. The findings suggest that although the younger generations are moving online, there are social and cultural differences between audience groups that make the transition from print a risky and uncertain strategy for local newspapers. It is generally the same sociodemographic groups that read both editions, except for one critical dimension: attachment to the locality where they lived was shared by those preferring the printed over the online newspaper.
From trust to accountability: Negotiating media performance in the Netherlands, 1987—2007
Authors: de Haan Yael , Bardoel Jo
Published: September 2011

Over the past decade media and journalistic performance in many liberal democracies has come under criticism, increasingly leading to a waning trust among politicians and the public. Based on a triangulation of methods this article attempts to obtain a better understanding of the themes and underlying discourse in this critique and how media and journalists responded to the subsequent pressures on their performance in terms of accountability and responsiveness over a period of 20 years in the Netherlands.
Women’s magazines and the public sphere
Authors: Ytre-Arne Brita
Published: September 2011

This article explores the relationship between women’s magazines and the public sphere, arguing that women’s magazines can be positioned as having a marginal or an important role in the public domain — depending on how the functions of popular media in democracy are understood. Women’s magazines are generally not associated with the forms of journalism which bring citizens information of crucial democratic importance. Nevertheless, research on women’s magazines emphasizes their political relevance as purveyors of ideology about class, family structures and women’s role in society. In addition to this implicit political dimension, women’s magazines also include journalism which deals explicitly with political issues. Because of this, women’s magazines constitute an interesting case for fundamental debates about the categories of private and public. Drawing on feminist contributions to public sphere theory and using Norway as an empirical case, this article offers a broad exploration of the role of women’s magazines in the public sphere. The empirical data include interviews with readers and editors as well as analysis of texts and media policy debates.
Second generation antipsychotics in the treatment of bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: De Fruyt Jürgen , Deschepper Ellen , Audenaert Kurt , Constant Eric , Floris Michel , Pitchot William , Sienaert Pascal , Souery Daniel , Claes Stephan
Published: September 2011

Depressive symptoms and episodes dominate the course of bipolar disorder. However, the therapeutic armamentarium for bipolar depression is limited. Recent evidence points to the efficacy of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for the treatment of bipolar depression. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of SGAs (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials; used in monotherapy) in the treatment of adult patients with bipolar depression. Publication bias was corrected for by performing similar searches using the clinical trials register of the respective pharmaceutical companies, the Cochrane Database and ClinicalTrials.gov. Seven published papers were identified on the use of aripiprazole, olanzapine and quetiapine. Internal validity of the trials was fairly good, external validity only moderate. Different outcome measures of efficacy and safety were assessed. When the individual trials were looked at, quetiapine and to a lesser extent olanzapine demonstrated significant improvement in MADRS (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) total scores. This was not demonstrated for aripiprazole. Efficacy was hampered by adverse events, such as weight gain, akathisia and somnolence/sedation. Both clinical heterogeneity of the included trials and statistical heterogeneity of the meta-analytic data were considerable. The number of quetiapine trials was disproportionate to the number of trials of aripiprazole and olanzapine. Further research is needed to assess differential efficacy of the different SGAs and their use in clinical practice.
Some Ceilings Have More Cracks
Authors: Smith Amy E. , Monaghan Karen R.
Published: September 2011

In recent decades, representative bureaucracy has been a core area of interest, both in theory and in practice, in public administration. The focus on representative bureaucracy is important because the characteristics of bureaucrats influence the nature, scope, and implementation of public policies. Integrating management literature on men and women in leadership with existing work on representative bureaucracy, this study constructed a new data set examining the distribution of women in leadership in 118 U.S. federal regulatory organizations. We find that women remain underrepresented in federal regulatory agency leadership but not in the same magnitude as in political representation and private organization leadership. Specifically, women are expected to get into leadership positions in organizations working in “feminine” policy areas and where a woman holds the top level of leadership. In addition, the proportion of women in upper-level leadership positions is expected to increase in agencies with a higher likelihood of failure when such agencies are less visible.
A new concept in obtaining a forming limit diagram of tailor welded blanks
Authors: Menhaj A , Abbasi M , Sedighi M , Ketabchi M
Published: September 2011

Nowadays, tailor welded blanks (TWBs) have a great role to play in saving of cost, vehicle weight, and fuel consumption in automobile industries. A TWB constitutes blanks with different thicknesses and/or coatings and/or mechanical properties welded together prior to the stamping process. Owing to low formability of TWBs, determining and predicting the forming limit diagram (FLD) of these blanks enables manufacturers to produce non-imperfection parts. In this research, a modified type of Marciniak–Kuczynski (M–K) model was applied to determine the FLD of a TWB consisting of interstitial free (IF) galvanized steel sheet with different thicknesses (0.8 and 1.2 mm). Also, the effect of three yield criteria, namely Hill48, Hosford79, and BBC2002, on the predicted FLDs was investigated. During the analyses, the materials were assumed to follow the Hollomon work hardening rule. The experimental FLDs were determined utilizing the Hecker method. It was observed that the proposed method can properly predict the experimental FLD of a TWB with longitudinal welds and thickness ratios (TRs) greater than one, if proper parameters are being selected. Furthermore, the best prediction took place when the BBC2002 yield criterion was applied.
Effect of cortical spreading depression on basal and evoked traffic in the trigeminovascular sensory system
Authors: Lambert Geoffrey A , Truong Linda , Zagami Alessandro S
Published: September 2011

Aim: To use an animal model to test whether migraine pain arises peripherally or centrally.

Methods: We monitored the spontaneous and evoked activity of second-order trigeminovascular neurons in rats to test whether traffic increased following a potential migraine trigger (cortical spreading depression, CSD) and by what mechanism any such change was mediated.

Results: Neurons ( n = 33) responded to stimulation of the dura mater and facial skin with A-δ latencies. They were spontaneously active with a discharge rate of 6.1 ± 6.4 discharges s−1. Injection of 10 µg lignocaine into the trigeminal ganglion produced a fully reversible reduction of the spontaneous discharge rate of neurons. Neuronal discharge rate returned to normal by 90 min. Lignocaine reduced the evoked responses of neurons to dural stimulation to 37% and to facial skin stimulation to 53% of control. Induction of CSD by cortical injection of KCl increased the spontaneous discharge rate of neurons from 2.9 to 16.3 discharges s−1 at 20 min post CSD. Injection of 10 µg lignocaine into the trigeminal ganglion at this time failed to arrest or reverse this increase. Injection of lignocaine prior to the initiation of CSD failed to prevent the subsequent development of CSD-induced increases in discharge rates.

Conclusions: These results suggest that there is a continuous baseline traffic in primary trigeminovascular fibres and that CSD does not act to increase this traffic by a peripheral action alone − rather, it must produce some of its effect by a mechanism intrinsic to the central nervous system. Thus the pain of migraine may not always be the result of peripheral sensory stimulation, but may also arise by a central mechanism.
Silent Survivors
Authors: Heath Nicole M. , Lynch Shannon M. , Fritch April M. , McArthur Lyn N. , Smith Shilo L.
Published: September 2011

Prior research suggests that rape victims who do not disclose or report to the police give reasons including self-blame and fear of judgment; however, this research has not been conducted with incarcerated women. Female offenders are a unique population because they experience high rates of sexual assault prior to incarceration. This study recruited 74 women at a U.S. state prison, who experienced sexual assault prior to incarceration to explore the associations among rape myth acceptance (RMA), disclosure, and reporting of sexual assaults to the authorities. Participants were asked open-ended questions regarding why they chose to disclose their sexual assaults to others, to report to the police, or to remain silent. Narratives were audiotaped, transcribed, and coded for thematic content. Women’s narratives, particularly those of women who indicated that they remained silent, frequently included a variety of rape myths that involved blaming themselves for the rape, fearing not being believed, believing that familiar perpetrators cannot be rapists, and questioning whether the event was really a rape. Women often described such rape myth beliefs with greater frequency than discussing situational characteristics of the rape as reasons for nonreporting. Implications for these findings in clinical, research, and social justice contexts are discussed.
Viscoelastic and thermal properties of eco-friendly composites fabricated by resin transfer molding
Authors: Sreekumar P. A. , Selvin Thomas P. , Saiter Jean Marc , Unnikrishnan G. , Thomas Sabu
Published: September 2011

This article reports the result of the effect of banana fiber on the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of polyester composites. Composites were prepared using resin transfer molding by varying the fiber content (20, 30, 40, and 50 vol.%). Studies revealed that increase in the fiber content will increase the storage modulus ( E′) and the maximum is given by the composites having a fiber loading of 40 vol.% at all temperature ranges. The peak height of loss modulus ( E″) and damping curves (tan  δ) were lowered with respect to the fiber content. Glass transition temperature ( Tg) calculated from the E″ and tan  δ shifted toward high temperature with the addition of fiber. An attempt has been made to correlate the experimental and theoretical values of storage modulus and tan  δ. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that incorporation of fiber to the matrix will affect the thermal stability of the composites.
Fabrication and characterization of nanocomposites with high-impact polystyrene and hydroxyapatite with well-defined polystyrene via ATRP
Authors: Fu Guoxin , Xia Zhixiang , Jiang Jianwei , Jing Bo , Zhang Xuefei
Published: September 2011

An efficient technique for the SI-ATRP of PS at the HAP surfaces was achieved through immobilization of the macroinitiator (BIBB). FTIR, TGA, NMR, and TEM studies confirmed that the modified individual nanoparticles composed of a HAP core and well-defined, densely grafted outer PS, which demonstrated that the surface of HAP was grafted with polymer chains successfully. Then, HAP/HIPS nanocomposites with different loadings of pristine HAP and modified HAP were prepared by solution mixing. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites increased remarkably by introducing surface-coated nanoparticles due to the strong interfacial interaction and good compatibility between the two components, which was further confirmed by the SEM images of the brittle fracture face of the nanocomposites. Compared with the corresponding HIPS samples, DSC results demonstrated that the HAP/HIPS nanocomposites exhibited higher glass transition temperature ( Tg).
Basic diagnosis of solid waste generated at Agua Blanca State Park to propose waste management strategies
Authors: Canepa José Ramón Laines , Larios Carolina Zequeira , Treviño Maria Elena Macías Valadez , Sánchez Diana Ivett Garduza
Published: September 2011

State parks are highly sensitive areas of great natural importance and tourism value. Herein a case study involving a basic survey of solid waste which was carried out in 2006 in Agua Blanca State Park, Macuspana, Tabasco, Mexico with two sampling periods representing the high and low tourist season is presented. The survey had five objectives: to find out the number of visitors in the different seasons, to consider the daily generation of solid waste from tourist activities, to determine bulk density, to select and quantify sub-products; and to suggest a possible treatment. A daily average of 368 people visited the park: 18 862 people in 14 days during the high season holiday (in just one day, Easter Sunday, up to 4425 visitors) and 2092 visitors in 43 days during the low season. The average weight of the generated solid waste was 61.267 kg day−1 and the generated solid waste average per person was 0.155 kg person−1 day−1. During the high season, the average increased to 0.188 kg person−1 day−1 and during the low season, the average decreased to 0.144 kg person−1 day−1. The bulk density average was 75.014 kg m−3, the maximum value was 92.472 kg m−3 and the minimum was 68.274 kg m−3. The sub-products comprised 54.52% inorganic matter; 32.03% organic matter, 10.60% non-recyclable and 2.85% others. Based on these results, waste management strategies such as reuse/recycling, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, the construction of a manual landfill and the employment of a specialist firm were suggested.
Is Oral Baclofen Effective in Neonatal Hypertonia?
Authors: Schulz Elizabeth , Mathew Oommen P.
Published: September 2011

Cerebral palsy is often associated with spasticity. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of oral baclofen in hypertonic neonates. Retrospective chart review of patients treated with oral baclofen (identified by means of pharmacy records) during a 3-year period was undertaken. Data on muscle tone evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale scores were analyzed for effectiveness. Twenty-nine infants had Modified Ashworth Scale scores before and during oral baclofen therapy. The study infants had a mean gestational age of 25.7 ± 1.9 weeks. Baclofen was started at a postnatal age of 86.4 ± 33.6 days. Comparison of Modified Ashworth Scale scores after initiation of therapy to prebaclofen scores demonstrated no significant decrease in muscle tone. Results of our study show that there is no overall decrease in tone during oral baclofen therapy in hypertonic preterm neonates.
Clinical Associations of Occipital Intermittent Rhythmic Delta Activity
Authors: Desai Jay , Mitchell Wendy G. , Rosser Tena , Ramos-Platt Leigh , Ahsan Nusrat , Langille Megan M. , Toczek Maria T.
Published: September 2011

Association of occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity with absence seizures has been well documented in the published literature. Two recent studies have also described an association with focal seizures. After obtaining approval from our Institutional Review Board, all electroencephalograms with occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity at our institution between July 1, 2006 and December 31, 2009 were identified. Charts of these patients were reviewed to collect clinical data. A matched comparison group was assembled. Thirty-one of the patients who met criteria had evaluable clinical data. Fifteen had generalized seizures (9 absence; 2 tonic-clonic; 3 absence and tonic-clonic; 1 absence, tonic-clonic, myoclonic, and atonic). Eleven had focal seizures. One had both generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizures. Events in 1 were nonepileptic in nature. Documentation was inadequate for seizure classification in 3. There was a statistically significant difference between the study and comparison groups for absence seizures, but not for focal seizures.
Stimulus Evaluation, Event Preparation, and Motor Action Planning in Young Patients With Mild Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Hakkarainen Elina , Pirilä Silja , Kaartinen Jukka , Meere Jaap J. van der
Published: September 2011

The study investigated stimulus evaluation time, event preparation, and motor action planning of patients with mild spastic cerebral palsy and a peer control group in the age range of 9 to 18 years. To this end, participants were carrying out a stimulus recognition task. Findings indicated an overall slowness and inaccurate reaction time performance of the patient group. An event-related potential analysis revealed that the stimulus evaluation processing, indexed by the parietal P300, was intact in the group of patients. Also event preparation and action planning, indexed by respectively the frontal late contingent negative variation and the frontal P2, were intact in the group of patients. It was concluded that patients’ motor slowness reflected poor motor execution processes.
Validation of the Expanded Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II and III
Authors: Glanzman Allan M. , O’Hagen Jessica M. , McDermott Michael P. , Martens William B. , Flickinger Jean , Riley Susan , Quigley Janet , Montes Jacqueline , Dunaway Sally , Deng Liyong , Chung Wendy K. , Tawil Rabi , Darras Basil T. , De Vivo Darryl C. , Kaufmann Petra , Finkel Richard S.
Published: September 2011

The relationships between the Expanded Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (HFMSE) and genotype and motor and respiratory outcomes were examined in patients with spinal muscular atrophy types II and III ( n = 70). The correlation between the HFMSE and Gross Motor Function Measure was r = 0.98. Correlations between HFMSE and forced vital capacity (percentage of predicted normal) ( n = 56) and a functional rating ( n = 57) were r = 0.87 and r = 0.92, respectively. Correlations with strength were as follows: knee extension, r = 0.74 ( n = 60); elbow flexion, r = 0.77 ( n = 61); and knee flexion, r = 0.74 ( n = 58). The HFMSE differentiated patients by SMN2 copy number ( P = .0007); bi-level positive airway pressure use, <8 versus ≥8 hours/day ( P < .0001); ambulatory status ( P < .0001); and spinal muscular atrophy type ( P < .0001). The HFMSE demonstrates significant associations with established measures of function, strength, and genotype, and discriminates patients based on function, diagnostic category, and bi-level positive airway pressure need. Time of administration averaged 12 minutes. The HFMSE is a valid, time-efficient outcome measure for clinical trials in spinal muscular atrophy types II and III.
A New Tyrosine Hydroxylase Genotype Associated With Early-Onset Severe Encephalopathy
Authors: Giovanniello Teresa , Claps Dianella , Carducci Carla , Carducci Claudia , Blau Nenad , Vigevano Federico , Antonozzi Italo , Leuzzi Vincenzo
Published: September 2011

We describe a boy affected by an early-onset severe encephalopathy (stagnation of psychomotor development, paroxysmal dystonic postures and movements of limbs, hypokinesia) due to tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency. High blood prolactin and low homovanillic acid in cerebrospinal fluid suggested the diagnosis. Genetic analysis revealed 3 new missense mutations on tyrosine hydroxylase gene: [c.752C>T(p.P251L) and c.887G>A(p.R296Q] harbored by the father and c.836G>T (p.C279F) of maternal origin. Bioinformatics tools have been helpful in predicting the pathogenic role of p.P251L and p.C279F substitutions, while a weak pathogenic effect was ascribed to p.R296Q.
In vivo evaluation of calcium polyphosphate for bone regeneration
Authors: Comeau Patricia A , Frei Hanspeter , Yang Chiming , Fernlund Goran , Rossi Fabio M
Published: September 2011

Current problems associated with bone allografts include risk of disease transmission, limited availability, and cost. Synthetic scaffolds have been proposed as substitute graft materials to address these issues. Calcium polyphosphate is a novel synthetic scaffold material that has shown good mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Here, we evaluated calcium polyphosphate in terms of its ability to support cell proliferation and differentiation in vivo. Calcium polyphosphate, morsellized cancellous bone, and hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate particles were seeded with marrow stromal cells and implanted subcutaneously in the back of NOD/Scid mice. At 7, 14, and 28 days the samples were harvested and the proliferation characteristics and gene expression were analyzed. All tested graft materials had similar proliferation characteristics and gene expression. The subcutaneous environment had a stronger impact on the proliferation and differentiation of the cells than the scaffold material itself. However, it was shown that calcium polyphosphate is superior to hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate and bone in its ability to support cell survival in vivo. The study confirmed that calcium polyphosphate has potential for replacing morsellized cancellous bone as a graft material for bone regeneration.
Biological evaluation of nano-hydroxyapatite–zirconia (HA–ZrO2) composites and strontium–hydroxyapatite (Sr–HA) for load-bearing applications
Authors: Brook Ian , Freeman Christine , Grubb Sarah , Cummins Niamh , Curran Declan , Reidy Colin , Hampshire Stuart , Towler Mark
Published: September 2011

The biological response of strontium (Sr) doped hydroxyapatite (HA) and hydroxyapatite–zirconia (HA–ZrO2) composites produced by employing sol–gel technology, minimal ZrO2 loadings, and novel microwave-sintering regimes thereby retarding decomposition, is reported. In vitro evaluations indicate that all materials induce a favorable response from rat osteosarcoma cells. In vivo evaluations show osteoconductivity and biocompatibility for both the Sr–HA and HA–ZrO2. The materials did not cause any inflammatory response in bone. The Sr–HA displays better biocompatibility which may be due to the incorporation of Sr and the formation of a surface apatite layer.