bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity and Survival Among Black Women and White Women 35 to 64 Years of Age at Diagnosis With Invasive Breast Cancer
Authors: Lu Yani , Ma Huiyan , Malone Kathleen E. , Norman Sandra A. , Sullivan-Halley Jane , Strom Brian L. , Marchbanks Polly A. , Spirtas Robert , Burkman Ronald T. , Deapen Dennis , Folger Suzanne G. , Simon Michael S. , Press Michael F. , McDonald Jill A. , Bernstein Leslie
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of obesity on survival among black women and white women with invasive breast cancer and to determine whether obesity explains the poorer survival of black women relative to white women.

Patients and Methods

We observed 4,538 (1,604 black, 2,934 white) women who were 35 to 64 years of age when diagnosed with incident invasive breast cancer between 1994 and 1998. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to examine the effect of body mass index (BMI, in kilograms per square meter) 5 years before diagnosis on risk of death from any cause and from breast cancer.

Results

During a median of 8.6 years of follow-up, 1,053 women died (519 black, 534 white), 828 as a result of breast cancer (412 black, 416 white). Black women were more likely to die than white women (multivariate-adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.53). Compared with women with BMI of 20 to 24.9 kg/m2, those who were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) had a greater risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.47) and breast cancer–specific mortality (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.46). These associations were observed among white women (all-cause RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.96; breast cancer RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.92), but not among black women (all-cause RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.29; breast cancer RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.33).

Conclusion

Obesity may play an important role in mortality among white but not black patients with breast cancer. It is unlikely that differences in obesity distributions between black women and white women account for the poorer survival of black women.
Validation Microsatellite Path Score in a Population-Based Cohort of Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Bessa Xavier , Alenda Cristina , Paya Artemio , Álvarez Cristina , Iglesias Mar , Seoane Agustín , Dedeu Josep Maria , Abulí Anna , Ilzarbe Lucas , Navarro Gemma , Pellise Maria , Balaguer Francesc , Castellvi-Bel Sergi , LLor Xavier , Castells Antoni , Jover Rodrigo , Andreu Montserrat
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Bethesda guidelines are used to recognize patients at risk for Lynch syndrome. However, obtaining personal and familial tumor data can sometimes be difficult. The Microsatellite Path Score (MsPath), a pathological score, based on age, tumor location, and pathologic features, has been developed to effectively predict colorectal cancer with DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiencies. However, the MsPath model's performance in an unselected, population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) population is unknown.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed all patients with CRC regardless of age, personal or family history, and tumor characteristics from the EPICOLON study, an independent, prospective, multicenter, population-based cohort (N = 1,222). All patients underwent tumor microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis and immunostaining for MLH1/MSH2, and those with MMR underwent tumor BRAF mutation analysis and MLH1/MSH2 germline testing. All the pathologic features were centralized and evaluated blinded to the MMR status.

Results

MsPath score for prediction of having MSI high, with the recommended MsPath cutoff score ≥1.0, had a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 92.8% (95% CI, 86.9 to 98.3), 64.1% (95% CI, 61.1 to 66.8), and 15.8% (95% CI, 12.2 to 18.6), respectively. MsPath score had a sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of 81.8% (95% CI, 59.0 to 99.8), 60.6% (95% CI, 57.8 to 63.4), and 1.9% (95% CI, 0.7 to 3.1), respectively, for the identification of MLH1/MSH2 gene carriers. Application of the MsPath score, resulted in two (18%) of 11 mutation carriers being missed, both pathogenic germline MSH2 mutations.

Conclusion

In the general nonselected population, the MsPath score accurately predicted the probability of bearing a MSI high CRC, but it was insufficiently accurate to use for the selection of patients warranting MLH1/MSH2 mutation testing in the setting of Lynch syndrome.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update on the Use of Chemotherapy Sensitivity and Resistance Assays
Authors: Burstein Harold J. , Mangu Pamela B. , Somerfield Mark R. , Schrag Deborah , Samson David , Holt Lawrence , Zelman Debra , Ajani Jaffer A.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To update the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Technology Assessment guidelines on chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance assays (CSRAs) published in 2004.

Methods

An Update Working Group reviewed data published between December 1, 2003, and May 31, 2010. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were searched. The literature search yielded 11,313 new articles. The limits for “human and English” were used, and then standard ASCO search strings for randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, guidelines, and reviews were added, yielding 1,298 articles for abstract review. Of these, only 21 articles met predefined inclusion criteria and underwent full text review, and five reports of randomized controlled trials were included for data extraction.

Results

Review of the literature does not identify any CSRAs for which the evidence base is sufficient to support use in oncology practice.

Recommendations

The use of CSRAs to select chemotherapeutic agents for individual patients is not recommended outside of the clinical trial setting. Oncologists should make chemotherapy treatment recommendations based on published reports of clinical trials and a patient's health status and treatment preferences. Because the in vitro analytic strategy has potential importance, participation in clinical trials evaluating these technologies remains a priority.
Notch signaling prevents mucous metaplasia in mouse conducting airways during postnatal development
Authors: Tsao Po-Nien , Wei Shu-Chen , Wu Ming-Fang , Huang Miao-Tzu , Lin Hsien-Yi , Lee Ming-Cheng , Lin Kurt Ming-Chao , Wang I-Jong , Kaartinen Vesa , Yang Liang-Tung , Cardoso Wellington V.
Published: July 2011

Goblet cell metaplasia and mucus overproduction contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Notch signaling regulates cell fate decisions and is crucial in controlling goblet cell differentiation in the gut epithelium. Little is known, however, about how endogenous Notch signaling influences the goblet cell differentiation program that takes place in the postnatal lung. Using a combination of genetic and in vitro approaches here we provide evidence of a novel role for Notch in restricting goblet cell differentiation in the airway epithelium during the postnatal period. Conditional inactivation of the essential Notch pathway component Pofut1 (protein O-fucosyltransferase1) in Tgfb3-Cre-expressing mice resulted in an aberrant postnatal airway phenotype characterized by marked goblet cell metaplasia, decreased Clara cell number and increase in ciliated cells. The presence of the same phenotype in mice in which the Notch transcriptional effector Rbpjk was deleted indicated the involvement of the canonical Notch pathway. Lineage study in vivo suggested that goblet cells originated from a subpopulation of Clara cells largely present in proximal airways in which Notch was disrupted. The phenotype was confirmed by a panel of goblet cell markers, showed no changes in cell proliferation or altered expression of proinflammatory cytokines and was associated with significant downregulation of the bHLH transcriptional repressor Hes5. Luciferase reporter analysis suggested that Notch directly repressed MUC5AC transcription in lung epithelial cells. The data suggested that during postnatal life Notch is required to prevent Clara cells from differentiating into goblet cells.
The analytical investigation of premixed combustion in cylindrical micro-combustor
Authors: Bidabadi M , Rahbari A , Alizadehheidari M
Published: July 2011

In this study, an analytical model for heat recirculation in cylindrical micro-combustors is presented, including the effects of heat transfer from the product gas stream in the reaction zone and post-flame region to the reactant in the preheat zone, structural heat conduction through the combustor walls and heat loss to ambient. Eventually, the explicit expression for the flame speed in non-adiabatic condition and the implicit expression for adiabatic condition are obtained in this research. In addition, comparison is made between adiabatic and non-adiabatic flame speeds. It is demonstrated that the streamwise heat conduction through the structure of combustor plays an important role in the flame broadening in both adiabatic and non-adiabatic conditions. Moreover, it is shown that reducing the size of the combustor to a submillimetre scale extremely increases the surface-to-volume ratio, leading to the decrease in the flame speed and flame quenching.
An integrated study of the design method for small axial-flow fans, based on the airfoil theory
Authors: Lin S-C , Tsai M-L
Published: July 2011

This research is aimed to establish an integrated design scheme through combining the cascade theory and inverse design method for the small axial-flow fans. At first, a reliable set of low-Reynolds-number aerodynamic characteristics for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics airfoils is constructed to serve as the fan design database via the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculation incorporated with a dependable turbulent model. Then, with the inputs of design conditions and few geometric settings, this design program can generate a fan configuration to meet with the desired performance requirement. Furthermore, by changing the operating flowrate for this fan geometry, this design approach can also yield the axial velocity and the pressure distributions for various operating points over the entire performance curve. Consequently, this feature enables the design engineer to foresee the actual fan performance delivered under different system resistances. Thereafter, a computer numerically controlled fabricated prototype and a three-dimensional numerical model are chosen to validate the design prediction of fan performance via both test and CFD approaches. As a result, a slight deviation among the designed, experimental, and numerical outcomes is observed throughout the P Q performance curve. In conclusion, this systematic and user-friendly inverse design program not only provides the fan engineer's design ability to meet with the performance requirement at the on-design point, but also the predicting capability on the off-design characteristics.
Non-isothermal flow of Maxwell fluids above fixed flat plates under the influence of a transverse magnetic field
Authors: Heyhat M M , Khabazi N
Published: July 2011

In this article, the magnetohydrodynamic flow and heat transfer of an upper-convected Maxwell fluid is studied theoretically above a flat rigid surface with constant temperature. It is assumed that the Reynolds number of the flow is high enough for boundary layer approximation to be valid. Assuming a laminar, two-dimensional flow above the plate, the concept of stream function coupled with the concept of similarity solution is utilized to reduce the governing equations, which are continuity, momentum, and energy equations, into two ordinary differential equations. The spectral method is used for solving the equations numerically. The effects of magnetic field, and Deborah, Prandtl, and Eckert numbers on the fluid velocity field and heat transfer behaviour are shown in several plots. Obtained results show that fluid velocity can be decreased by increasing the magnetic number while it increases by increasing the Deborah number. Moreover, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer is decreased by increasing the Deborah and Prandtl numbers. It is increased by an increase in the Eckert number.
A novel continuum model for the reduction of numerical errors of finite-element analysis
Authors: Mohammadi H , Bahramian F , Herzog W
Published: July 2011

The authors developed a novel numerical formulation that reduces the computational expense of solving linear and non-linear constitutive models. A finite-element constitutive law followed by a novel continuum model is discussed. The proposed approach is employed to reduce numerical errors obtained from the standard finite-element method. The continuum model is based on the Lagrange multipliers strategy along with the finite-difference method and a least-square algorithm. It is crucial to this approach that the components of either the strain or the stress tensor are known at the nodes of the finite-element mesh. The proposed model is independent of element topology which can be strongly and arbitrarily distorted.
Infrared investigations for the analysis of low cycle fatigue processes in carbon steels
Authors: Crupi V , Chiofalo G , Guglielmino E
Published: July 2011

The infrared thermography has been applied in the past to investigate the high cycle fatigue and to predict the fatigue endurance limit of metals and welded joints. The aim of the present study was to investigate the low cycle fatigue process using an infrared scanner. Experimental tests have been carried out to analyse the low cycle fatigue process of three types of ASTM A 516 gr. 70 steels. The thermal increments during the fatigue life were correlated with the hysteresis loops derived from the traditional procedure. It was demonstrated that an asymptotic temperature increment corresponds to a stable hysteresis loop.
A quasi-static and low-velocity impact crushing investigation on a metal square tube
Authors: Sadighi M , Mahmoudabadi M Z , Karamnejad A
Published: July 2011

The crushing of a metal square tube under quasi-static and low-velocity impact loading is investigated, theoretically and numerically. A modified Wierzbicki's static model in the crush analysis of hexagonal honeycomb is extended to the crushing of metal square tubes. Rewriting the internal energy terms and the external work in the energy method through the basic element folding by considering the true cylindrical curvature effects and the flow stress of the tube material leads to a better prediction of the mean crushing force and the half-wavelength of the folding mode of these energy absorbers under quasi-static loading. Afterwards, the present static model is extended to the low-velocity impact crushing of the metal square tube, and for the first time, an analytical model is presented for the study of the low-velocity impact crushing of these energy absorbers. The required initial velocity of the projectile for decreasing the length of these structures from the initial value to a desired value is calculated. A finite-element model (FEM) is developed in the ABAQUS software and the validity of the FEM is demonstrated by comparisons of numerical results with the experimental data available in the literature. Afterwards, results for mean crushing load and half-wavelength of the folding mode in the static loading and initial velocity of the projectile in the impact loading are compared to those of the present and previous theoretical models for various wall thicknesses and widths. A good agreement between results obtained using FEM and present models are observed.
Mechanical faulty signal denoising using a redundant non-linear second-generation wavelet transform
Authors: Li N , Zhou R , Zhao X Z
Published: July 2011

Denoising and extraction of the weak signals are crucial to mechanical equipment fault diagnostics, especially for early fault detection, in which cases fault features are very weak and masked by the noise. The wavelet transform has been widely used in mechanical faulty signal denoising due to its extraordinary timefrequency representation capability. However, the mechanical faulty signals are often non-stationary, with the structure varying significantly within each scale. Because a single wavelet filter cannot mimic the signal structure of an entire scale, the traditional wavelet-based signal denoising method cannot achieve an ideal effect, and even worse some faulty information of the raw signal may be lost in the denoising process. To overcome this deficiency, a novel mechanical faulty signal denoising method using a redundant non-linear second generation wavelet transform is proposed. In this method, an optimal prediction operator is selected for each transforming sample according to the selection criterion of minimizing each individual prediction error. Consequently, the selected predictor can always fit the local characteristics of the signals. The signal denoising results from both simulated signals and experimental data are presented and both support the proposed method.
Flow in a dirty air fan with a semi-open centrifugal impeller and a squirrel volute
Authors: Li H
Published: July 2011

The flow driving performance data of a dirty air fan with a semi-open centrifugal impeller and a squirrel volute, designed for household vacuum cleaners, are experimentally obtained with the industry standard tests. The fluid flows in the fan at various conditions are numerically simulated. The agreements between the numerical data and the experimental results are reasonably good. The model-simulated flow structures show that air flow passes over the blade between the impeller blade channels. A high-velocity spot is formed at the top of each blade. The leakage flow, from the fluid-collecting squirrel back to the blade channels, represents a waste of the fluid dynamic energy and the pressure potential energy. However, such leakage flow presses the inlet air to the bottom disc of the impeller and helps in preventing the solid objects from getting to the blade top. Flow energy analysis shows that the main energy loss is in the semi-open impeller. The leakage flow and the disagreements between the flow direction and the blade angles at the leading and the trailing tips are the main causes of the low energy efficiency of the fan.
Tooth contact analysis of a curvilinear gear set with modified pinion tooth geometry
Authors: Chen Y-C , Gu M-L
Published: July 2011

This article investigated the contact behaviours of a modified curvilinear gear set for parallel-axis transmission, which exhibits a pre-designed parabolic transmission error (TE) and localized bearing contact. The proposed gear set is composed of a modified pinion with curvilinear teeth and an involute gear with curvilinear teeth. Tooth contact analysis enabled the authors to explore the influences of assembly errors and design parameters on TEs and contact ellipses of this gear set. It is observed that TEs were continuous and the contact ellipses were localized in the middle of the tooth flanks, even under assembly errors. Finite-element contact analysis was performed to study stress distributions under different design parameters. In addition, numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the contact characteristics of the modified curvilinear gear set.
Robustness to algorithmic singularities and sensitivity in computational kinematics
Authors: Gracia L , Angeles J
Published: July 2011

A robust approach to computational kinematics intended to cope with algorithmic singularities is introduced in this article. The approach is based on the reduction of the original system of equations to a subsystem of bivariate equations, as opposed to the multivariate polynomial reduction leading to the characteristic univariate polynomial. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated for the exact function-generation synthesis of planar, spherical, and spatial four-bar linkages. Some numerical examples are provided for the case of the spherical four-bar function generator with six precision points to show the benefits of the proposed method with respect to methods reported in the literature.
A new fine spray, low flowrate, spill-return swirl atomizer
Authors: Nasr G G , Yule A J , Stewart J A , Whitehead A , Hughes T
Published: July 2011

A novel high liquid pressure fine spray swirl atomizer has been developed, which incorporates a spill-return orifice into the rear face of the swirl chamber with the aim of giving a significant reduction in flowrate while maintaining the droplet size. The initial work modified a commercial atomizer to add spill return. However, drop sizes were considered to be too large and a new design was constructed based on an earlier work on efficient high-pressure (up to 120 bar) swirl atomization. The resulting fine sprays can be used for various applications such as humidification, cleaning, coating, cooling, and decontamination. The atomizer has been characterized for different geometries, supply pressures, and spill-return orifice sizes using a Laser Particle Sizer and Phase Doppler Anemometry. For an exit orifice of 0.3mm diameter and spill orifice 0.5mm diameter, the drop size (Sauter mean diameter) is less than 20m for flowrates as low as 0.1litre/min and with a mean axial drop velocity of approximately 12m/s. An average liquid volume flux of 0.014(cm3/s)/cm2 is obtained in the spray at 150mm downstream.
Tests on lateral resistance in railway tracks during the operation of a tamping machine
Authors: Koc W , Wilk A , Chrostowski P , Grulkowski S
Published: July 2011

The article deals with the conception of carrying out investigation work on lateral resistance in the course of geometrical railway track alignment by using a tamping machine. It is a continuation of the experimental work on the application of the tamping machine to the continuous welded rail track diagnosis. In earlier articles, attention was concentrated on the determination of axial forces in rails. An analytical approach to the evaluation of lateral resistances based on a continuous registration of the displacement and the force used by the tamping machine for the displacement of track on a horizontal plane (so-called slewing or shifting) is presented. The obtained results offer a possibility of estimating a phenomenon tested taking into consideration the state of the track ballast (the layer of crushed rock or gravel upon which the railway track is laid) bed stabilization, the distribution of the lateral resistances occurring along the length of railway track sections under tests, and also the effect of the longitudinal forces appear in track sections.

The performed experiments have confirmed the thesis about the use of the tamping machine to diagnose the lateral resistance state in railway tracks. Some trends towards further undertakings in this sphere, of development character intended to polish up the measuring system, and the way of archiving and interpreting the measuring results have been formulated.
Energy management system in hybrid trains using fuzzy control: a comparative study
Authors: Mirabadi A , Najafi M
Published: July 2011

In this article a fuzzy logic energy management system, for hybrid light weight trains, is designed and verified. The low axle load, medium-to-low speed, and short stopping distances are from characteristics of light rail vehicles, which make them suitable for implementing hybrid technology, as discussed in this article. In this research work, batteries and flywheels are considered as onboard energy storage devices and a light diesel generator as an onboard energy supply system. Efficient utilization of the mentioned energy sources throughout a cycle of movement from one stopping point to the next and also on the entire route is the aim of the energy management system, investigated in this article. The performance of the fuzzy logic energy management system, is analysed and compared with a standalone diesel and also a hybrid train using a thermostat on/off control strategy.
Kludged
Authors: Ely Jeffrey C
Published: July 2011

Is there reason to believe that our brains have evolved to make efficient decisions so that the details of the internal process are irrelevant? I develop a model which illustrates a limitation of adaptive processes: improvements tend to come in the form of kludges. A kludge is a marginal adaptation that compensates for, but does not eliminate, fundamental design inefficiencies. When kludges accumulate, the result can be perpetually suboptimal behavior even in a model of evolution in which arbitrarily large innovations occur infinitely, often with probability 1. (JEL D03, D87)
Can Warranties Substitute for Reputations?
Authors: Roberts James W
Published: July 2011

In markets where product quality is imperfectly observed or delivery is uncertain, seller reputations and product guarantees or warranties can impact equilibrium prices and quantities. Using data from a decentralized online market, this paper empirically investigates the substitutability of product guarantees for seller reputation. I find that a “guaranteed or your money back” promise from the market maker does not substitute for reputation, either in determining price or the probability of sale. The most likely causes of the policy's ineffectiveness are delays in buyer response to the guarantee and skepticism about reimbursement in the event of fraud. (JEL D82, L14, L15, L81, M31)
Getting More Work for Nothing? Symbolic Awards and Worker Performance
Authors: Kosfeld Michael , Neckermann Susanne
Published: July 2011

We study the impact of status and social recognition on worker performance in a field experiment. In collaboration with an international non-governmental organization, we hired students to work on a database project. Students in the award treatment were offered a congratulatory card honoring the best performance. The award was purely symbolic to ensure that any behavioral effect is driven by non-material benefits. Our results show that the award increases performance by about 12 percent on average. The results provide strong evidence for the motivating power of status and social recognition in labor relations. (JEL C93, J33, M12, M52)
My patient has no blood pressure: are they empty or full? Point-of-care ultrasound of the inferior vena cava in the hypotensive emergency department patient
Authors: Atkinson Paul , Daly Cathy
Published: July 2011

Bedside, focused or point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is becoming an established technique within emergency and critical care medicine to answer time-dependent, focused clinical questions. Bedside sonography is not a complete radiological investigation, rather an extension of the clinical examination to rule in or rule out key diagnoses in specific clinical settings. PoCUS is geared to addressing highly time-dependent and focused questions, and in general most focused scans become more obviously positive as the patient becomes increasingly unwell. In the hypotensive patient, one of the first questions a clinician must address is whether the patient requires emergency fluid resuscitation. That is, is the patient under-filled or overloaded? So, how can we use ultrasound to add value to our clinical assessment of filling in the hypotensive patient?
Penny Wise, Dollar Foolish: Buy–Sell Imbalances On and Around Round Numbers
Authors: Bhattacharya Utpal , Holden Craig W. , Jacobsen Stacey
Published: July 2011

This paper provides evidence that stock traders focus on round numbers as cognitive reference points for value. Using a random sample of more than 100 million stock transactions, we find excess buying (selling) by liquidity demanders at all price points one penny below (above) round numbers. Further, the size of the buy–sell imbalance is monotonic in the roundness of the adjacent round number (i.e., largest adjacent to integers, second-largest adjacent to half-dollars, etc.). Conditioning on the price path, we find much stronger excess buying (selling) by liquidity demanders when the ask falls (bid rises) to reach the integer than when it crosses the integer. We discuss and test three explanations for these results. Finally, 24-hour returns also vary by price point, and buy–sell imbalances are a major determinant of that variation across price points. Buying (selling) by liquidity demanders below (above) round numbers yield losses approaching $1 billion per year.

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, Teck Ho, and Terrance Odean, special issue editors.
The Number of Recent Sex Partners Among Bisexual Men in the United States
Authors: Jeffries William L.
Published: July 2011

CONTEXT:Little is known regarding bisexual men’s number of recent sex partners, a risk factor for HIV and other STDs. Furthermore, it is unclear if bisexual men have more partners than heterosexual or homosexual men, and whether partner number varies by measures of sexual behavior, identity and attraction.

METHODs:Sexual orientation—defined separately by sexual behavior during the past year, identity and attraction—was assessed for 3,875 sexually active men aged 15–44 who had participated in the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Chi‐square and t tests examined differences in background characteristics, behavioral risk factors and number of past‐year sex partners by sexual orientation according to each definition. Multivariate ordinary least‐squares regression was used to assess predictors of the number of partners.

RESULTS:When sexual identity and attraction were controlled for, behaviorally bisexual men were predicted to have had 3.1 more past‐year partners than behaviorally heterosexual men and 2.6 more than behaviorally homosexual men. After controlling for sexual identity and behavior, bisexual‐attracted men had had 0.7 fewer partners than homosexual‐attracted men. In a model including background characteristics and behavioral risk factors, behaviorally bisexual men were predicted to have had 2.5–2.6 more partners than others. Neither bisexual identity nor bisexual attraction independently predicted the number of recent partners.

CONCLUSION:The way in which bisexuality relates to men’s number of recent sex partners depends on how sexual orientation is measured. Interventions to reduce behaviorally bisexual men’s number of partners will likely lessen their risk for HIV and other STDs.
External Mentoring Support for Early Career Special Education Teachers
Authors: Dempsey Ian , Christenson-Foggett Judith
Published: July 2011

The special education teaching profession has experienced longstanding problems with shortages of qualified teaching staff and with high turnover rates of these staff. A variety of issues are related to these problems, including the nature of the support that early career special education teachers receive. In this case study research, the use of external mentoring support to two early career special education teachers in their first year of teaching was examined. This mentoring support was provided by an experienced special educator who did not work at the teachers' schools. The results suggest that external forms of mentoring support may offer important advantages over traditional, site-based forms of support.
Establishing a Recovery-Focused Rehabilitation Unit: A Case Example
Authors: Panesar Narinder , Valachova Iveta , Lynch Warren , Pai Nagesh
Published: July 2011

This study highlights lessons learnt from establishing a new recovery-focused inpatient rehabilitation unit in a typical regional city of New South Wales. We have learnt that the most important aspects are recruitment, retention and training of dedicated staff and a belief that recovery is possible. Strategies employed to meet the challenges of integrating a recovery-based practice into this type of setting may be transferable to other new services or existing services of a similar nature. We have provided a summary of standard outcome measures reflecting the performance of the unit for the first 2 years of functioning.
Intersections of Epigenetics, Twinning and Developmental Asymmetries: Insights Into Monogenic and Complex Diseases and a Role for 3D Facial Analysis
Authors: Baynam Gareth , Claes Peter , Craig Jeffrey M. , Goldblatt Jack , Kung Stefanie , Le Souef Peter , Walters Mark
Published: July 2011

For decades the relationships of twinning and alterations in body patterning, such as laterality and asymmetry, have been investigated. However, the tools to define and quantify these relationships have been limited and the majority of these studies have relied on associations with subjectively defined phenotypes. The emerging technologies of 3-dimensional (3D) facial scanning and geometric morphometrics are providing the means to establish objective criteria, including measures of asymmetry, which can be used for phenotypic classification and investigations. Additionally, advances in molecular epigenetics provide new opportunities for novel investigations of mechanisms central to early developmental processes, twinning and related phenotypes. We review the evidence for overlapping etiologies of twinning, asymmetry and selected monogenic and complex diseases, and we suggest that the combination of epigenetic investigations with detailed and objective phenotyping, utilizing 3D facial analysis tools, can reveal insights into the genesis of these phenomena.
An Additional Case of the Recurrent 15q24.1 Microdeletion Syndrome and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ng Ivy S. L. , Chin Wai-Hoe , Lim Eileen C. P. , Tan Ene-Choo
Published: July 2011

We report a 9-year-old girl with 3 Mb interstitial deletion of chromosome 15q24 identified by oligonucleotide array comparative hybridization. She is of Chinese ancestry and shared some typical features of previously reported 15q24 deletion cases such as mild dysmorphism with developmental and speech delay. She also had mild hearing loss that was reported in one other case. We compared all 19 cases that are identified from array-CGH. The deletion occurred within an 8.3 Mb region from 15q23 to 15q24.3. The minimum overlapping deleted region is less than 0.5 Mb from 72.3 Mb to 72.7 Mb. The functions of the nine annotated genes within the region and how they might contribute to the microdeletion phenotype are discussed.
An Electrochemical Study of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Operating at Intermediate Temperature for Distributed Generation Applications
Authors: Brunaccini Giovanni , Dispenza Giorgio , Ferraro Marco , Antonucci Vincenzo , Modena Stefano
Published: July 2011

A state-of-the-art Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (IT-SOFC) stack was investigated. The stack was a pre-commercial one, with a nominal power output of 600W. The study was focused on the electrical performance and the possible thermal energy recovery. Moreover, to evaluate the technology limitations for Distributed Generation (DG) applications, a 15 h test cycle with slow electrical power variation was performed. At the end of the tests, it was envisaged the capability of proper energy conversion efficiency. This technology appears promising for the high conversion efficiency of natural gas chemical energy into electrical energy, with proper perspectives for distributed generation.
Durability of Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Knibbe Ruth , Hauch Anne , Hjelm Johan , Ebbesen Sune D. , Mogensen Mogens
Published: July 2011

In recent years extended focus has been placed on monitoring and understanding degradation mechanisms in both solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide electrolysis cells. The time-consuming nature of degradation experiments and the disparate conclusions from experiment reproductions indicates that not all degradation mechanisms are fully understood. Traditionally, cell degradation has been attributed to the materials, processing and cell operating conditions. More recently, focus has been placed on the effect of raw material and gas impurities and their long-term effect on cell degradation. Minor impurities have been found to play a significant role in degradation and in some cases can overshadow the cell operation condition related degradation phenomenon. In this review, several degradation diagnostic tools are discussed, a benchmark for a desirable degradation rate is proposed and degradation behaviour and mechanisms are discussed. For ease of navigation, the review is separated into the various cell components – fuel electrode, electrolyte and oxygen electrode. Finally, nano-particle impregnate stability is discussed.
Hydrogen Production Technologies From Solar Thermal Energy
Authors: Abanades Stéphane
Published: July 2011

Solar thermochemical processes efficiently convert high-temperature solar heat into storable and transportable chemical fuels. In such processes, thermal energy is provided by concentrated solar energy and the source of hydrogen differs as a function of the investigated routes. In a transition period, carbonaceous feedstocks, such as fossil fuels, biomass, or carbon-containing wastes, can be solar-upgraded and transformed into valuable hydrogen fuel via cracking, reforming, and gasification processes. In the long term, H
Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome
Authors: Bull Marilyn J. ,   the Committee on Genetics
Published: July 2011

This Clinical Report was revised. See https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057010.

These guidelines are designed to assist the pediatrician in caring for the child in whom a diagnosis of Down syndrome has been confirmed by chromosome analysis. Although a pediatrician's initial contact with the child is usually during infancy, occasionally the pregnant woman who has been given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome will be referred for review of the condition and the genetic counseling provided. Therefore, this report offers guidance for this situation as well.
Social vulnerability and health status: a household survey in the central area of a Brazilian metropolis
Authors: Barata Rita Barradas , Ribeiro Manoel Carlos Sampaio de Almeida , Cassanti Ana Carolina
Published: July 2011

The self-rated health in a sample of adults living in the central area of São Paulo, Brazil, was studied by comparing a group of residents in census tracts without social vulnerability, identified using an indicator developed by the SEADE Foundation, and a group of residents in census tracts with middle, high or very high social vulnerability. Subject age and sex were used as control variables while family income, education level, degree of happiness, adequacy of income, satisfaction with the neighborhood and sense of discrimination were the intervening variables selected. After adjustment in the hierarchical model the self-rated health status was inversely associated with social vulnerability, age and sense of discrimination, and directly related to income, education level and degree of happiness. Satisfaction with the neighborhood and adequacy of income lose significance after adjustment. The degree of happiness is the variable with the greatest strength of association with health status even after controlling for other variables.
Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: Not Too much and Not Too Little? The Need for Clinical Trials
Authors: Melamed Michal L , Manson JoAnn E
Published: July 2011

Low vitamin D levels are more common in women than in men. Low vitamin D levels have been implicated in numerous disease processes including fracture risk, falls, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cancers. In this article we review recent evidence regarding associations between low vitamin D levels and cancers and cardiovascular disease. We also review evidence regarding associations between high vitamin D levels and vascular calcifications and pancreatic cancer. It appears that there is probably an optimal level of vitamin D that is neither too high nor too low that is required to maximize health. On going clinical trials should aid in elucidating the optimal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for numerous health outcomes.
How to Stay Heart Healthy in 2011: Considerations for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Authors: Davis Melinda B , Duvernoy Claire S
Published: July 2011

More women die of cardiovascular disease than any other cause. Effective primary prevention depends on accurate assessment of risk status. While most risk factors are similar for men and women, risk factors may differ in magnitude between the sexes, and recognition of gender-specific risk factors such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive syndromes of pregnancy and polycystic ovarian syndrome provides opportunities for early intervention and prevention. Obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia affect both genders; however, women often postpone addressing these risk factors until later in life. The American Heart Association emphasizes that all women are at cardiovascular risk and should maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking. Blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes should be aggressively treated. Current available data regarding proposed preventive drug therapies including daily aspirin, HRT, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements will be reviewed.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Women with Repeated Implantation Failure
Authors: Lodigiani Corrado , Di Micco Pierpaolo , Ferrazzi Paola , Librè Luca , Arfuso Veronica , Polatti Franco , Michela Benigna , Rossini Roberta , Morenghi Emanuela , Rota Lidia , Brenner Benjamin , Paolo Emanuele Levi Setti
Published: July 2011

Implantation failure is common in assisted reproduction techniques (ART). The role of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is a matter of debate as a potential factor to improve implantation. Aim: To evaluate the pregnancy rate in patients with or without heparin administration. Materials & methods: We performed a retrospective observational analysis of patients with at least two IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with implantation failure, screened for inherited thrombophilia and submitted to further ART cycles with or without administration of LMWH. A total of 265 patients fulfilled the enrollment criteria. Of these 149 (56%) were primary infertile and 116 (44%) were secondary infertile. Their mean age was 36.3 ± 3.6 years. We analyzed basal FSH, smoking habit, gene variants for inherited thrombophilia (i.e., MTHFR C677T, prothrombin G202A10G and factor V Leiden). The patients underwent 569 new ART cycles: 512 (90%) without and 57 (10%) with LMWH. Results: In total 105 clinical pregnancies were observed in 569 cycles (18.8%). The pregnancy rate was 17.19% (88/512) in patients not treated with LMWH and 29.52% (17/57) in the LMWH-treated group (p = 0.006). In women over 36 years of age the pregnancy rate was 15.53% (50/322) in nontreated versus 35.71% (10/28) in treated cycles (p = 0.007), while no difference was found in younger women. No statistical difference was found between the presence of inherited thrombophilia and pregnancy rate in treated and untreated cycles. Discussion: significantly higher pregnancy rate in patients with previous ART implantation failures was observed with LMWH. Our results confirm no relation among inherited thrombophilia and pregnancy rate in patients with previous IVF implantation failures. These findings should be confirmed by randomized controlled trials before use of LMWH for ART cycles is recommended.
Hermeneutics and intercultural understanding in the age of globalization
Authors: Savic Mico
Published: July 2011

In the article the author considers the relevance of intercultural
understanding in the age of globalization and points out the role which
Gadamer?s hermeneutics plays in this context. First, the author presents the
main characteristics of globalization, taking into account Giddens?
understanding of the contemporary epoch as a radicalization of modernity and
Heidegger?s interpretation of the contemporary era as the ending of
metaphysics as nihilism. The author emphasizes that the question about
conditions of possibility of intercultural understanding becomes an important
question of philosophy in the situation of intensification of cross-cultural
encounters. Then he argues that Gadamer?s philosophical hermeneutics,
especially its conception of effective-historical consciousness, provides an
acceptable ground for explanation of possibility of cross-cultural dialogue.
As the author concludes, the importance of the ethics of finality is affirmed
in that way by hermeneutics in the contemporary world.
The nacionalistic critiques of praxis
Authors: Jaksic Bozidar
Published: July 2011

In this article the author analyzes the positions of the intellectuals from
the former Yugoslavia, gathered around Praxis journal, toward nationalism, as
well as nationalists? critiques of them, mainly from Croatia and Serbia. The
analysis covers up the period from the beginning of Praxis to the first
decade of this century.
Moscow, the third Rome: A contribution to history of Russian messianism, 2nd part
Authors: Subotic Milan
Published: July 2011

In the second part of the text about the Filofei?s doctrine of ?Moscow, Third
Rome,? the author deals with its reception in later periods of Russian
intellectual and political history. Although this doctrine in its original
form had no explicit imperial or foreign-political connotation, this paper
analyzes the interpretations of the ?Third Rome idea? that had significant
political consequences. Internally, this idea was used by Prince Kurbskii for
the criticism of Ivan the Terrible?s politics (XVI Century), as well as the
rejection of the church reforms of Patriarch Nikon in the Old Believers?
literature (XVII Century). However, the revival of interest in the idea of
the ?Third Rome? characterized the Russian nineteenth century when the
discussions on the relationship between Russia and the West emerged.
Criticizing the reforms by Peter the Great, the classical Slavophiles found
confirmation of the Russian cultural originality and superiority in the past
of traditional Muscovy. The author highlights the differences between
religious-philosophical and geopolitical interpretations of Russian
messianism in the works of Russian Slavophiles and Panslavs. In the final
section of this article, Russian messianic ideas are put in a relation with
the birth of nationalism in the context of the Russian Empire. In this way,
the author?s findings call into question the widespread interpretation of the
?Third Rome messianism? as a distinctive and exceptional Russian
characteristic.
The light of freedom in the age of enlightenment (2): England and France
Authors: Molnar Aleksandar
Published: July 2011

Although the philosophy (as well as the whole movement) of Enlightenment was
born in the Netherlands and England in the late 17th and early 18th century,
there were considerable problems in defying the freedom. By the mid 18th
century, under the influence of ?national mercantilism? (Max Weber), the
freedom was perceived in more and more collective terms, giving bith to the
political option of national liberalism. That is why in the second half of
18th century this two countries have been progresively loosing importance for
the movement of Enlightenment and two new countries emerged at its leading
position, striving for democratic liberalism: United States of America and
France. However, individual freedom faced not one, but two dangers during its
philosophical and institutional development in the Age of Enlightenment: on
the one hand, the danger of wanishing in the national freedom, and, on the
other hand, the danger of becoming unbound and (self)destructive. The
emerging (national) liberalism in England in the 18th century witnessed the
first danger, while the second danger appeared in the wake of the Franch
revolution. The French were the first in the Modern epohe to realise that the
light of freedom is to powerful to be used without considerable precaussions
in the establishement of liberal civil society. Therefore, some moderation
hat to be taken into consideration. The idea of humanity, i.e. human rights,
was at the end found as most helpful in solving the task of preserving
individual freedom, without sacrifying social bonds between free
individuals.