bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Do Writing Majors Need to Know?
Authors: Ostergaard Lori , Giberson Greg A.
Published: September 2011

This review examines Susan Miller's Norton Book of Composition Studies in the context of the undergraduate writing major. Miller's anthology provides a thorough snapshot of the field of composition, representing the impressive scope of composition studies with 101 unabridged works of composition history, research, theory, and practice. Although this anthology was compiled to support instruction in both undergraduate and graduate classes, the reviewers suggest that undergraduates and some graduate students may require more contextual information about the collected works to better understand the major themes, issues, struggles, and successes of the field.
Structural Search and Optimization in Social Networks
Authors: Dawande Milind , Mookerjee Vijay , Sriskandarajah Chelliah , Zhu Yunxia
Published: September 2011

The explosive growth in the variety and size of social networks has focused attention on searching these networks for useful structures. Like the Internet or the telephone network, the ability to efficiently search large social networks will play an important role in the extent of their use by individuals and organizations alike. However, unlike these domains, search on social networks is likely to involve measures that require a set of individuals to collectively satisfy some skill requirement or be tightly related to each other via some underlying social property of interest.

The aim of this paper is to highlight—and demonstrate via specific examples—the need for algorithmic results for some fundamental set-based notions on which search in social networks is expected to be prevalent. To this end, we argue that the concepts of an influential set and a central set that highlight, respectively, the specific role and the specific location of a set are likely to be useful in practice. We formulate two specific search problems: the elite group problem (EGP) and the portal problem (PP), that represent these two concepts and provide a variety of algorithmic results. We first demonstrate the relevance of EGP and PP across a variety of social networks reported in the literature. For simple networks (e.g., structured trees and bipartite graphs, cycles, paths), we show that an optimal solution to both EGP and PP is easy to obtain. Next, we show that EGP is polynomially solvable on a general graph, whereas PP is strongly NP-hard. Motivated by practical considerations, we also discuss (i) a size-constrained variant of EGP together with its penalty-based relaxation and (ii) the solution of PP on balanced and full d-trees and general trees.
The Impact of IT-Related Spillovers on Long-Run Productivity: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Chang Young Bong , Gurbaxani Vijay
Published: September 2011

This paper examines the effects of IT-related spillovers on firm-level productivity improvements over a long-term horizon. In contrast, prior research has largely focused on the direct and contemporaneous impacts of IT investments. As a result, we do not fully understand how IT investments are associated with ongoing productivity improvements in future periods and how spillovers influence these gains. In this paper, we examine whether firms receive incremental benefits from IT-related spillovers and whether these spillovers lead to more persistent returns. We focus on the spillovers that accrue to firms from their interindustry transactions, especially the IT services industry. We model and estimate the impact of spillovers on long-run productivity using firm-level data from the manufacturing, transportation, trade, and services sectors. We find that spillover impacts are highly significant, but that the magnitude and persistence of the impacts vary. Firms with high IT intensity receive greater spillover benefits from the IT services industry. Moreover, these benefits are sustained over a long-term horizon. However, the impact of IT-related spillovers does not persist in low IT intensity firms regardless of the source. Overall, our results shed light on the existence and sources of IT-related spillovers and on their important role in shaping the long-run returns to IT investment. Our results also help explain the findings of excess returns to IT investment in the IT productivity literature.
Effects of an Amine Anti-Stripping Agent on Moisture Susceptibility of Sasobit and Aspha-Min Mixes by Surface Free Energy Analysis
Authors: Buddhala Aravinda , Hossain Zahid , Wasiuddin Nazimuddin M. , Zaman Musharraf , O’Rear Edgar A.
Published: September 2011

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is a fairly recent technology developed primarily to address issues such as high vapor emissions and high energy costs associated with the traditional hot mix asphalt (HMA) paving. Although the WMA is becoming a popular paving technology through field and laboratory evaluations, many researchers and transportation personnel are concerned about its moisture resistance. The present study analyzes the free energy of adhesion or wetting ability between eight different aggregates and an asphalt binder modified with varying dosages of two warm mix additives, namely Sasobit and Aspha-Min. Sasobit showed a maximum of 20.9 % and an average of 12.8 % increase in the free energy of adhesion in dry condition. The adhesion in the presence of moisture, referred to as free energy of reduction, was also evaluated to understand the moisture susceptibility of the WMA. The lower the free energy of reduction, the lower the asphalt binder’s tendency to de-bond from aggregates in the presence of moisture. A maximum of 20.5 % and an average of 13.2 % decrease in the free energy of reduction were observed for asphalt binder with 3 % Sasobit. However, Aspha-Min did not exhibit any significant effect on any of the surface properties. One amine-based anti-stripping agent, AD-here HP Plus, is studied to evaluate its effect on adhesion and moisture susceptibility of the WMA. While its performance as an anti-stripping agent was good on the plain asphalt binder, AD-here HP Plus did not improve the adhesion of the selected binder modified with WMA additives either in dry or wet condition. The free energy of adhesion in wet and dry conditions showed either detrimental or no effect with selected aggregates, suggesting a negative or no influence of AD-here HP Plus on the WMA additive-modified binder.
Drowning Democracy
Authors: Schrag Peter
Published: September 2011

In the past century, California has grown a convoluted governing nonsystem that combines the hyper-democracy of the initiative process with the increasingly constricted representative democracy of the formal elective governmental system, most of it imposed by direct democracy. Particularly in the past three decades, the initiative process, driven by a radically changed political culture and reinforced by a spectrum of new technologies, has come close to overwhelming representative democracy. By their very nature, initiatives either require or prohibit specified actions of the ordinary government. As legislatures, governors, county supervisors, city councils, and school boards—and sometimes the courts as well—become more constrained and unable to cope, public frustration increases, producing yet more demands for ballot solutions. As a consequence, the past thirty years have produced vicious cycles of initiatives in which one measure leads to another. The ultimate effect of that dynamic is not just to cloud government accountability but, in the end, the accountability of the voters themselves.
King of the Road
Authors: Carlsson Chris
Published: September 2011

The bicycle was at the heart of a strong citizens' movement for Good Roads in the nineteenth century. By the end of the twentieth century, it had re-emerged as a signifier for a new, ecologically based urban radicalism. Critical Mass bike rides, starting in San Francisco in 1992, spread throughout the world and anchored a new renaissance of bicycling and bicycling politics.
Role of associated alleles and hypomethylation status in the clinical expression of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Authors: Pikó Henriett , Molnár Mária Judit , Herczegfalvi Ágnes , Mayer Péter , Karcagi Veronika
Published: September 2011

Autosomal dominant facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by contraction of the D4Z4 repeat region on 4q35. In addition, epigenetic modifying factors play a role in the complex pathomechanism of the disease. Aims: Introduction of a new diagnostic panel in Hungary for the extended molecular analysis of the disease which also provides new insights into the pathomechanism. Methods: In total, DNA samples of 185 clinically diagnosed FSHD patients and 71 asymptomatic relatives were analyzed by EcoRI and BlnI restriction digestion and Southern blot technique with probe p13-E11. Further investigations of the 4q35 alleles associated with the FSHD phenotype utilized qA and qB probes and a restriction analysis of the proximal D4Z4 unit by detecting a G/C SNP and the methylation status. Results: From the patients analyzed 115 had the D4Z4 repeat contraction, whereas from 71 asymptomatic family members five harbored the pathogenic fragment size. In eight families, prenatal testing had to be offered with an outcome of four affected fetuses. Methylation test was performed in 31 genetically confirmed FSHD patients and hypomethylation status was detected in all cases. All the 115 confirmed patients had 4qA alleles with the G polymorphism. Translocation events between 4q35 and the homologous 10q26 regions were also detected. Conclusion: Molecular diagnosis of FSHD became a routine approach in Hungary thus supporting the work of the clinicians, improving quality of life and genetic counseling of the affected families. The provided results from this research suggest that FSHD is associated with complex epigenetic disease mechanisms. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1576–1585.
Solid-state lighting: The future looks bright
Authors: Patel Prachi
Published: September 2011

LEDs are gaining traction in lighting, but several research advances are needed before they find widespread use in homes and offices. With increasing funding from government and industry, this could happen within 10 years.
Effect of the annealing treatments on the transport and electroluminescence properties of SiO2 layers doped with Er and Si nanoclusters.
Authors: Jambois O. , Ramirez J.M , Berencen Y. , Navarro-Urrios D. , Hernández S. , Anopchenko A. , Marconi A. , Prtljaga N. , Daldosso N. , Pavesi L. , Colonna J.-P. , Fedeli J.-M. , Garrido B.
Published: September 2011

We studied the effect of RTP and furnace annealing on the transport properties and electroluminescence of Si-nc embedded in SiO2 layers, and of Er ions coupled to Si-nc. The light emitting devices have been fabricated in a CMOS line by implantation of Si and Er in SiO2. The results show that for the same annealing temperature, furnace annealing decreases electrical conductivity and increases probability of impact excitation, which leads to an improved external quantum efficiency. Correlations between phenomenological transport models, annealing regimes, and erbium electroluminescence are observed and discussed.
Fully Moderated T-statistic for Small Sample Size Gene Expression Arrays
Authors: Yu Lianbo , Gulati Parul , Fernandez Soledad , Pennell Michael , Kirschner Lawrence , Jarjoura David
Published: September 2011

Gene expression microarray experiments with few replications lead to great variability in estimates of gene variances. Several Bayesian methods have been developed to reduce this variability and to increase power. Thus far, moderated t methods assumed a constant coefficient of variation (CV) for the gene variances. We provide evidence against this assumption, and extend the method by allowing the CV to vary with gene expression. Our CV varying method, which we refer to as the fully moderated t-statistic, was compared to three other methods (ordinary t, and two moderated t predecessors). A simulation study and a familiar spike-in data set were used to assess the performance of the testing methods. The results showed that our CV varying method had higher power than the other three methods, identified a greater number of true positives in spike-in data, fit simulated data under varying assumptions very well, and in a real data set better identified higher expressing genes that were consistent with functional pathways associated with the experiments.
Review of Bioethics in Singapore: The Ethical Microcosm
Authors: Stabile Bonnie
Published: September 2011

Bioethics in Singapore: The Ethical Microcosm provides a rich and detailed account of how Singapore has addressed the challenge of informing and creating policy to guide the burgeoning field of biomedical research. Chapters in this edited volume each contribute to a meaningful understanding of the Singaporean perspective on bioethics in the context of various alternative international frameworks.
Review of Building Community Resilience to Disasters: A Way Forward to Enhance National Health Security
Authors: Pommerening Christine
Published: September 2011

The goal of the report is to provide information and define activities for local planners who want to build resilience in their communities. This audience, including community leaders from both governmental and non‐governmental organizations, is then provided with what the authors describe as a roadmap. This roadmap consists of identifying and strengthening eight “levers,” each associated with specific “elements” and “activities.” The levers in turn address four “core components” of community resilience.
Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema: Comparing Direct Costs of a Prospective Surveillance Model and a Traditional Model of Care
Authors: Stout Nicole L. , Pfalzer Lucinda A. , Springer Barbara , Levy Ellen , McGarvey Charles L. , Danoff Jerome V. , Gerber Lynn H. , Soballe Peter W.
Published: September 2011

Secondary prevention involves monitoring and screening to prevent negative sequelae from chronic diseases such as cancer. Breast cancer treatment sequelae, such as lymphedema, may occur early or late and often negatively affect function. Secondary prevention through prospective physical therapy surveillance aids in early identification and treatment of breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL). Early intervention may reduce the need for intensive rehabilitation and may be cost saving. This perspective article compares a prospective surveillance model with a traditional model of impairment-based care and examines direct treatment costs associated with each program. Intervention and supply costs were estimated based on the Medicare 2009 physician fee schedule for 2 groups: (1) a prospective surveillance model group (PSM group) and (2) a traditional model group (TM group). The PSM group comprised all women with breast cancer who were receiving interval prospective surveillance, assuming that one third would develop early-stage BCRL. The prospective surveillance model includes the cost of screening all women plus the cost of intervention for early-stage BCRL. The TM group comprised women referred for BCRL treatment using a traditional model of referral based on late-stage lymphedema. The traditional model cost includes the direct cost of treating patients with advanced-stage lymphedema. The cost to manage early-stage BCRL per patient per year using a prospective surveillance model is $636.19. The cost to manage late-stage BCRL per patient per year using a traditional model is $3,124.92. The prospective surveillance model is emerging as the standard of care in breast cancer treatment and is a potential cost-saving mechanism for BCRL treatment. Further analysis of indirect costs and utility is necessary to assess cost-effectiveness. A shift in the paradigm of physical therapy toward a prospective surveillance model is warranted.
A Moderate-Intensity Weight-Bearing Exercise Program for a Person With Type 2 Diabetes and Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Tuttle Lori J. , Hastings Mary K. , Mueller Michael J.
Published: September 2011

Background and Purpose

The exercise guidelines for people with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DM+PN) have recently changed to allow moderate-intensity weight-bearing exercise, but there are few reports in the literature describing appropriate weight-bearing exercise for those with DM+PN. This case report describes a successful and safe progressive exercise program for an individual with DM+PN.

Case Description

The patient was a 76-year-old man with a 30-year history of DM+PN. He participated in a 12-week, moderate-intensity, progressive exercise program (heart rate approximately 75% of maximum heart rate; rate of perceived exertion=11–13; 3 times per week) involving walking on a treadmill, balance exercises, and strengthening exercises for the lower extremities using body weight resistance.

Outcomes

Measurements were taken before and after the 12 weeks of exercise. The patient's Six-Minute Walk Test distance increased from 1,200 to 1,470 ft. His Physical Performance Test score did not change. His Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire score improved from 89 to 98. Dorsiflexor and plantar-flexor peak torque increased (dorsiflexor peak torque: right side=4.5–4.6 N·m, left side=2.8–3.8 N·m; plantar-flexor peak torque: right side=44.7–62.4 N·m, left side=40.8–56.0 N·m), as did his average daily step count (6,176–8,273 steps/day). Close monitoring of the plantar surface of the feet indicated that the exercise program was well tolerated and there were no adverse events.

Discussion and Conclusions

This case report describes a moderate-intensity exercise program that was successful in increasing some measures of muscle strength, physical function, and activity without causing injury in an individual with DM+PN.
Apparent Temperature and Cause-Specific Mortality in Copenhagen, Denmark: A Case-Crossover Analysis
Authors: Wichmann Janine , Andersen Zorana Jovanovic , Ketzel Matthias , Ellermann Thomas , Loft Steffen
Published: September 2011

Temperature, a key climate change indicator, is expected to increase substantially in the Northern Hemisphere, with potentially grave implications for human health. This study is the first to investigate the association between the daily 3-hour maximum apparent temperature (Tappmax), and respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality in Copenhagen (1999–2006) using a case-crossover design. Susceptibility was investigated for age, sex, socio-economic status and place of death. For an inter-quartile range (7 °C) increase in Tappmax, an inverse association was found with cardiovascular mortality (−7% 95% CI −13%; −1%) and none with respiratory and cerebrovascular mortality. In the cold period all associations were inverse, although insignificant.
Investigation on Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships and Pharmacophore Modeling of a Series of mGluR2 Antagonists
Authors: Zhang Meng-Qi , Zhang Xiao-Le , Li Yan , Fan Wen-Jia , Wang Yong-Hua , Hao Ming , Zhang Shu-Wei , Ai Chun-Zhi
Published: September 2011

MGluR2 is G protein-coupled receptor that is targeted for diseases like anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. Herein, we report the three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies of a series of 1,3-dihydro-benzo[b][1,4]diazepin-2-one derivatives as mGluR2 antagonists. Two series of models using two different activities of the antagonists against rat mGluR2, which has been shown to be very similar to the human mGluR2, (activity I: inhibition of [3H]-LY354740; activity II: mGluR2 (1S,3R)-ACPD inhibition of forskolin stimulated cAMP.) were derived from datasets composed of 137 and 69 molecules respectively. For activity I study, the best predictive model obtained from CoMFA analysis yielded a Q2 of 0.513, R2ncv of 0.868, R2pred = 0.876, while the CoMSIA model yielded a Q2 of 0.450, R2ncv = 0.899, R2pred = 0.735. For activity II study, CoMFA model yielded statistics of Q2 = 0.5, R2ncv = 0.715, R2pred = 0.723. These results prove the high predictability of the models. Furthermore, a combined analysis between the CoMFA, CoMSIA contour maps shows that: (1) Bulky substituents in R7, R3 and position A benefit activity I of the antagonists, but decrease it when projected in R8 and position B; (2) Hydrophilic groups at position A and B increase both antagonistic activity I and II; (3) Electrostatic field plays an essential rule in the variance of activity II. In search for more potent mGluR2 antagonists, two pharmacophore models were developed separately for the two activities. The first model reveals six pharmacophoric features, namely an aromatic center, two hydrophobic centers, an H-donor atom, an H-acceptor atom and an H-donor site. The second model shares all features of the first one and has an additional acceptor site, a positive N and an aromatic center. These models can be used as guidance for the development of new mGluR2 antagonists of high activity and selectivity. This work is the first report on 3D-QSAR modeling of these mGluR2 antagonists. All the conclusions may lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of antagonism and be helpful in the design of new potent mGluR2 antagonists.
Interdisciplinary Research between Theoretical Informatics and the Humanities
Authors: Li Zong-Rong , Zhou Xiao , Tian Ai-Jing
Published: September 2011

This paper focuses on the interdisciplinary research between Theoretical Informatics (TI) and the Humanities (philosophy, history, literature, etc.). There are five main sections: 1. A brief introduction to TI and its functions in the aspects of worldview and methodology, 2. An illustration of the problems associated with dualism as set out by Plato and René Descartes by means of a theoretical model of the mutual contact and interaction between the material world and the information world, 3. An explanation of the historical view of R. G. Collingwood through informationalism, 4. A discussion of the basic concepts for Humanistic Informatics which is under construction, and 5. A proposal of some approach to the new subject in information science.
Synthesis and NMR-Study of the 2,3,4,5-Tetraethylsilole Dianion [SiC4Et4]2−•2[Li]+
Authors: Hong Jang-Hwan
Published: September 2011

The previously unknown silole dianion [SiC4Et4]2−•2[Li]+ (3) was prepared by the sonication of 1,1-dichloro-2,3,4,5-tetraethyl-1-silacyclopentadiene [Cl2SiC4Et4, 2] with more than four equivalent of lithium in THF. 1H-, 13C-, and 29Si-NMR data of 3 are compared with those of the reported silole dianion [SiC4Ph4]2−. Trapping of 3 with trimethylchlorosilane gave 1,1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraethyl-1-silacyclopentadiene [(Me3Si)2SiC4Et4, 4] in high yield. The silole of 2 was synthesized in high yield in three steps by a modified procedure using Cp2ZrCl2 via Cp2ZrC4Et4 and 1,4-dibromo-1,2,3,4-tetraethyl-1,3-butadiene.
Improved Feature Detection in Fused Intensity-Range Images with Complex SIFT (ℂSIFT)
Authors: Bradley Patrick Erik , Jutzi Boris
Published: September 2011

The real and imaginary parts are proposed as an alternative to the usual Polar representation of complex-valued images. It is proven that the transformation from Polar to Cartesian representation contributes to decreased mutual information, and hence to greater distinctiveness. The Complex Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (ℂSIFT) detects distinctive features in complex-valued images. An evaluation method for estimating the uniformity of feature distributions in complex-valued images derived from intensity-range images is proposed. In order to experimentally evaluate the proposed methodology on intensity-range images, three different kinds of active sensing systems were used: Range Imaging, Laser Scanning, and Structured Light Projection devices (PMD CamCube 2.0, Z+F IMAGER 5003, Microsoft Kinect).
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis-related Autoantibodies in a Large Cohort of Italian Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: CAVAZZANA ILARIA , CERIBELLI ANGELA , TARABORELLI MARA , FREDI MICAELA , NORMAN GARY , TINCANI ANGELA , SATOH MINORU , FRANCESCHINI FRANCO
Published: September 2011

Objective.

To analyze the prevalence, associations, and fine specificity of autoantibodies to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)-associated antigens (MIT3, Sp100, and gp210) in a cohort of Italian patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods.

Sera samples from 201 patients with SSc were tested for antibodies to MIT3, gp210, and Sp100 by ELISA (the PBC screen). Anti-MIT3-positive sera were studied for IgG or IgA isotypes. All sera were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells and on rodent kidney/stomach/liver tissue sections in order to detect antinuclear and antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA). SSc was selected by American College of Rheumatology criteria and classified based on LeRoy’s criteria.

Results.

Forty-three (21.4%) sera samples were positive for PBC screen antibodies. Anti-MIT3 antibodies were detected in 36 samples, anti-Sp100 in 5, and anti-gp210 in 1 sample. The other 3 PBC screen-positive samples showed no specificity for the single antigens. PBC screen-positive patients more frequently showed a limited cutaneous SSc subtype (p = 0.04), anticentromere antibodies (ACA; p = 0.0013), elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.0001), PBC (p = 0.002), and AMA (p = 0.008). Teleangiectasia and calcinosis were less frequent in this group of patients. IgG+IgA anti-MIT3-positive patients had higher prevalence of AMA (p = 0.0035), diagnosis of PBC (p = 0.014), and increased ALP (p = 0.039), all considered biochemical markers of severe liver disease.

Conclusion.

PBC screen antibodies were detected in 20% of patients with SSc, strongly associated with ACA. ACA+/PBC screen+ patients had higher risk of developing PBC or elevation of ALP.
Detection of Active Disease in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Sensitivity and Specificity of the Physical Examination vs Ultrasound
Authors: JANOW GINGER L. , PANGHAAL VIKASH , TRINH ANGELA , BADGER DAVID , LEVIN TERRY L. , ILOWITE NORMAN T.
Published: September 2011

Objective.

To determine sensitivity and specificity of the physical examination (PE) for identifying synovitis in the knee and ankle joints of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and to identify cases in which ultrasound (US) screening augments the PE.

Methods.

Nineteen patients with JIA were referred for US. Both knees and ankles were examined using US with and without power Doppler. Active arthritis on PE was defined as (1) non-bony swelling or (2) limitation of motion with either pain on motion or tenderness to palpation. Active arthritis on US was defined as synovial hyperplasia, effusion, or increased vascularity on power Doppler scan.

Results.

There was agreement between US and PE in 75% of cases. PE was 64% sensitive and 86% specific for identifying active arthritis. PE was 100% specific if (1) the patient was positive for both PE criteria or (2) if arthritis was present on PE in the knees. When the PE was negative and the US was positive, 21.4% developed active disease on PE within 6 months. In cases where the PE was positive and US was negative, the joint involved was most often the ankle and frequently the subtalar joint.

Conclusion.

PE is neither highly sensitive nor specific for identifying active synovitis when compared to US, and screening with US can identify subclinical disease. In joints with both non-bony swelling and limitation of motion with pain on motion or tenderness, and in the knee joint, little additional information is gained by US. This has implications for classification and treatment of JIA.
Synovial and Peripheral Blood CD4+FoxP3+ T Cells in Spondyloarthritis
Authors: APPEL HEINER , WU PEIHUA , SCHEER REBECCA , KEDOR CLAUDIA , SAWITZKI BIRGIT , THIEL ANDREAS , RADBRUCH ANDREAS , SIEPER JOACHIM , SYRBE UTA
Published: September 2011

Objective.

Regulatory T cells are characterized by expression of the transcription factor FoxP3 and are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We determined the frequency and phenotypic characteristics of CD4+FoxP3+ T cells in the blood and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with inflammatory joint diseases.

Methods.

SF from 10 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 20 patients with other spondyloarthritides or with peripheral arthritis (pSpA), and 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and peripheral blood (PB) from 22 patients with AS, 19 with pSpA, 15 with RA, and 12 healthy controls were stained for CD4, FoxP3, CD25, and CD127 and different effector cytokines and then analyzed by flow cytometry. Methylation pattern of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) was determined after bisulfite treatment by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results.

In all groups of patients we observed higher frequencies of Foxp3+ cells/CD4+ T cells within SF compared to PB. The frequency of synovial Foxp3+ cells/CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in patients with pSpA (18.79% ± 6.41%) compared to patients with AS (9.69% ± 4.11%) and patients with RA (5.95% ± 2.21%). CD4+FoxP3+ T cells were CD25+ and CD127− and lacked effector cytokine production in any of the different patient groups. The majority of the CD4+CD25+CD127− T cells showed demethylation of the TSDR within the Foxp3 locus, confirming its regulatory phenotype.

Conclusion.

Our data show accumulation of Foxp3+ T cells within inflamed joints. These Foxp3+ T cells are mainly of stable T regulatory phenotype. The high frequency of Foxp3+ T cells in pSpA might contribute to the spontaneous resolution and remitting course of arthritis in pSpA as compared to the more persistent joint inflammation in RA.
Strategies to Overcome Barriers to Pneumococcal Vaccination in Older Adults: An Integrative Review
Authors: Koch Julie A.
Published: September 2011

Health care systems and policy changes have been critical in increasing pneumococcal vaccination rates to current levels. Still, numerous barriers to immunization persist. To assist clinicians caring for older adults, an integrative review of the literature was performed to examine interventions demonstrating efficacy in office settings. Within the 11 studies reviewed, immunization rates increased consistently when health care systems supported organizational changes in clinical procedures and staffing. Data supporting the use of provider reminders were inconsistent, but the availability of information technology to generate reminders and access clinical guidelines modestly increased vaccination rates. Patient reminders (telephone or mail) demonstrated efficacy in multiple studies. Not surprisingly, the literature also supported the nurse’s role in enhancing vaccination rates. Findings of this review support the need for sustained organizational change; implications for clinical practice are apparent. Advanced practice nurses can assume leadership roles within change processes as the nation transitions to electronic medical records.
Integrating Simulation into a Foundational Gerontological Nursing Course
Authors: Sheets Ingrid W. , Ganley Barbara J.
Published: September 2011

A simulation fair is one way to increase nursing student satisfaction with how they acquire skills and competencies in nursing. New nursing students must acquire classroom knowledge and clinical skills in a short time. New knowledge and skills must then be applied to the clinical setting with real patients. This article describes the process and outcomes of a successful educational innovation aimed at streamlining knowledge acquisition and enhancing student satisfaction with learning. In this innovative strategy, a case scenario for the high-fidelity simulation laboratory required students to rotate through seven faculty-facilitated learning stations during the day with their clinical cohort. All levels of simulation were used to educate students in gerontological nursing assessments and care. The hands-on experience was successful and satisfying to both the students and the clinical faculty. A suggestion for future modification of this program to suit other clinical courses and settings is offered.
An Education-Service Partnership to Achieve Safety and Quality Improvement Competencies in Nursing
Authors: Fater Kerry H. , Ready Robert
Published: September 2011

The Institute of Medicine recommends that educational and service organizations develop partnerships to promote and prioritize competency development for nurses. This article describes a collaborative project between a college of nursing and a regional health care system. The project’s aim was to foster the development of safety and quality by creating a curriculum based on the 10 core competencies identified by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Nurse of the Future Competency Committee. To accomplish this goal, learning experiences were created to address competency development. Competency-based education will help ensure that nursing graduates are adequately prepared to meet the current and future health care needs of our population.
What is Cyberbullying & How Can Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Recognize It?
Authors: Williams Susan G. , Godfrey Alice J.
Published: September 2011

Cyberbullying is an emerging issue within our society, particularly among adolescents. The phenomenon is similar to traditional bullying in that it is hurtful, repetitive behavior involving a power imbalance, often causing psychosocial issues. With the availability of cell phones, Internet, and video gaming systems, adolescents are constantly plugged into technology and therefore at risk of being a victim or a perpetrator of cyberbullying. Both physical and mental health problems can result from cyberbullying, which, in turn, can affect an adolescent’s performance in school and other crucial areas of life. Legal action is an option, but many times the law is not clear. Psychiatric-mental health nurses are in a position to help educate children about resources to prevent or cope with cyberbullying in a way that will help not only the patients themselves but also parents, teachers, school administrators, and the community.
Effect of Variation in Derived Corneal Wavefront Aberrations by Calculation Methods on Intraocular Lens Selection
Authors: Siegel Nicole Hauptman , Munir Wuqaas M.
Published: September 2011

Purpose:

To compare topographically derived corneal wavefront aberrations between the NIDEK Magellan corneal topographer with built-in software (NIDEK Co Ltd) and VOL-CT software (Sarver and Associates) and determine their effects on intraocular lens (IOL) choice based on spherical aberration profiles.

Methods:

Data were collected prospectively for 28 eyes without existing corneal disease prior to undergoing cataract surgery. Corneal higher order aberrations were calculated using Zernike polynomial expansions from topographic data and compared between the builtin NIDEK software and VOL-CT software.

Results:

Using two-tailed paired
t
tests, statistically significant (
P
<.05) differences were found between the two calculations at 4 mm for 4th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.2005 μm, VOL-CT: 0.1202 μm) and 6th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.0985 μm, VOL-CT: 0.0546 μm). Statistically significant differences were noted between the two calculations at 6 mm for 5th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.2757 μm, VOL-CT: 0.1618 μm) and 6th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.2641 μm, VOL-CT: 0.0920 μm). No statistically significant differences existed for 3rd order, spherical aberration, and total higher order aberrations. However, using spherical aberration–based IOL selection criteria, the ultimate IOL selection would have differed in 13 eyes if calculated using the NIDEK versus VOL-CT software.

Conclusions:

Statistically significant differences were present in wavefront aberration calculations using the NIDEK versus VOL-CT software for 4- and 6-mm pupil sizes. These differences in spherical aberration could influence wavefront-optimized IOL selection for cataract surgery.
Clinical Significance of B-Scan Averaging With SD-OCT
Authors: Pappuru Rajeev R. , Briceno Cesar , Ouyang Yanling , Walsh Alexander C. , Sadda Srinivas R.
Published: September 2011

Averaging multiple scans is a potential advantage of optical coherence tomography. The authors evaluate the qualitative benefits of B-scan averaging on the visualization of outer retinal structures. A retrospective analysis was performed on Cirrus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) B-scans from 1 eye of 35 patients referred to the imaging unit who underwent three types of scan acquisitions: no averaging, 4× averaging, and 20× averaging. Masked assessment of quality was made using a qualitative scale of 0 (worst) to 3 according to the ability to identify structure, brightness, and continuity. Quality scores consistently improved with 4× averaging, but improved only slightly further with 20×. Averaging appeared to have a statistically significant beneficial effect for the assessment of the external limiting membrane and outer nuclear layer (
P
< .05), with no significant benefit for visualization of the retinal pigment epithelium and inner segment/outer segment junction. The benefits of oversampling or averaging B-scans for visualizing outer retinal substructures are apparent even when averaging relatively few frames. These findings may be helpful when designing acquisition protocols in clinical trials and clinical practice.
Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Motor Performance at 4 Months
Authors: Bigsby Rosemarie , LaGasse Linda L. , Lester Barry , Shankaran Seetha , Bada Henrietta , Bauer Charles , Liu Jing
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE. The relation between prenatal cocaine exposure and quality of movement was studied at 4 mo using the Posture and Fine Motor Assessment of Infants (PFMAI–I).

METHOD. Posture and fine motor scores of 4-month-old infants exposed to cocaine in utero (n = 370) were compared with an unexposed group (n = 533) within the context of gestational age, medical and demographic characteristics, and level of prenatal substance exposure using the PFMAI–I.

RESULTS. Infants prenatally exposed to cocaine had significantly lower posture scores than infants in the unexposed group. There was no main effect of cocaine exposure on fine motor scores; however, there were independent effects of gestational age at birth on both posture and fine motor scores at 4-mo corrected age.

CONCLUSION. These findings demonstrate independent contributions of prenatal cocaine exposure and prematurity to risk of motor delay and support the validity of the PFMAI–I as a measure of motor competence in early infancy.
Methodology for the Systematic Reviews on Occupational Therapy for Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Authors: Arbesman Marian , Lieberman Deborah
Published: September 2011

Systematic reviews of literature relevant to adults with Alzheimer’s disease and their families are important to the practice of occupational therapy. We describe the seven questions that served as the focus for systematic reviews of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. We include the background for the reviews; the process followed for each question, including search terms and search strategy; the databases searched; and the methods used to summarize and critically appraise the literature. The final number of articles included in each systematic review; a summary of the results; the strengths and limitations of the findings; and implications for practice, education, and research are presented for the six questions addressing interventions in the areas of occupation, perception, environment, activity demands, fall prevention, and caregiver strategies.
Effectiveness of Environment-Based Interventions for People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Authors: Padilla René
Published: September 2011

A systematic review of evidence for the efficacy of environment-based interventions on the affect, behavior, and performance of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias was conducted as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Evidence-Based Literature Review Project. Thirty-three reports met inclusion criteria. Results suggest that ambient music, aromatherapy, and Snoezelen® are modestly effective in reducing agitation but do not consistently have long-term effects. Visually complex environments that give the illusion of barriers deter people from wandering to unsafe places but do not reduce the urge to wander. Evidence that bright light therapy can aid in regulating mood and the sleep–wake cycle and thus help people remain awake during the day is preliminary. Montessori-based programming can be useful in matching activities to the person’s remaining skills. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effect, contraindications, and best dosages of these interventions.
EVAPORATION: a new vapour pressure estimation methodfor organic molecules including non-additivity and intramolecular interactions
Authors: Compernolle S. , Ceulemans K. , Müller J.-F.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. We present EVAPORATION (Estimation of VApour Pressure of ORganics, Accounting for Temperature, Intramolecular, and Non-additivity effects), a method to predict (subcooled) liquid pure compound vapour pressure p0 of organic molecules that requires only molecular structure as input. The method is applicable to zero-, mono- and polyfunctional molecules. A simple formula to describe log10p0(T) is employed, that takes into account both a wide temperature dependence and the non-additivity of functional groups. In order to match the recent data on functionalised diacids an empirical modification to the method was introduced. Contributions due to carbon skeleton, functional groups, and intramolecular interaction between groups are included. Molecules typically originating from oxidation of biogenic molecules are within the scope of this method: aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, ethers, esters, nitrates, acids, peroxides, hydroperoxides, peroxy acyl nitrates and peracids. Therefore the method is especially suited to describe compounds forming secondary organic aerosol (SOA).
Remote sensing the vertical profile of cloud droplet effective radius, thermodynamic phase, and temperature
Authors: Martins J. V. , Marshak A. , Remer L. A. , Rosenfeld D. , Kaufman Y. J. , Fernandez-Borda R. , Koren I. , Correia A. L. , Zubko V. , Artaxo P.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Cloud-aerosol interaction is a key issue in the climate system, affecting the water cycle, the weather, and the total energy balance including the spatial and temporal distribution of latent heat release. Information on the vertical distribution of cloud droplet microphysics and thermodynamic phase as a function of temperature or height, can be correlated with details of the aerosol field to provide insight on how these particles are affecting cloud properties and their consequences to cloud lifetime, precipitation, water cycle, and general energy balance. Unfortunately, today's experimental methods still lack the observational tools that can characterize the true evolution of the cloud microphysical, spatial and temporal structure in the cloud droplet scale, and then link these characteristics to environmental factors and properties of the cloud condensation nuclei. Here we propose and demonstrate a new experimental approach (the cloud scanner instrument) that provides the microphysical information missed in current experiments and remote sensing options. Cloud scanner measurements can be performed from aircraft, ground, or satellite by scanning the side of the clouds from the base to the top, providing us with the unique opportunity of obtaining snapshots of the cloud droplet microphysical and thermodynamic states as a function of height and brightness temperature in clouds at several development stages. The brightness temperature profile of the cloud side can be directly associated with the thermodynamic phase of the droplets to provide information on the glaciation temperature as a function of different ambient conditions, aerosol concentration, and type. An aircraft prototype of the cloud scanner was built and flew in a field campaign in Brazil. The CLAIM-3D (3-Dimensional Cloud Aerosol Interaction Mission) satellite concept proposed here combines several techniques to simultaneously measure the vertical profile of cloud microphysics, thermodynamic phase, brightness temperature, and aerosol amount and type in the neighborhood of the clouds. The wide wavelength range, and the use of multi-angle polarization measurements proposed for this mission allow us to estimate the availability and characteristics of aerosol particles acting as cloud condensation nuclei, and their effects on the cloud microphysical structure. These results can provide unprecedented details on the response of cloud droplet microphysics to natural and anthropogenic aerosols in the size scale where the interaction really happens.
Studies of propane flame soot acting as heterogeneous ice nuclei in conjunction with single particle soot photometer measurements
Authors: Crawford I. , Möhler O. , Schnaiter M. , Saathoff H. , Liu D. , McMeeking G. , Linke C. , Flynn M. , Bower K. N. , Connolly P. J. , Gallagher M. W. , Coe H.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. The ice nucleation efficiency of propane flame soot particles with and without a sulphuric acid coating was investigated using the aerosol and cloud chamber facility AIDA (Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere). The test soot for cloud formation simulations was produced using a propane flame Combustion Aerosol Standard generator (CAST, Jing-CAST Technologies). The organic carbon content (OC) of the test soot was altered in a reproducible fashion by changing the fuel/air mixture of the generator. The soot content of ice nuclei was subsequently investigated using a combination of a pumped counterflow virtual impactor (PCVI) to separate and evaporate the ice crystals, and a DMT single particle soot photometer (SP2) to examine the mixing state of the BC containing ice residuals. Ice nucleation was found to be most efficient for uncoated soot of low organic carbon content (~5 % organic carbon content) where deposition freezing occurred at an ice saturation ratio Sice ~ 1.22 at a temperature T = 226.6 K with 25 % of the test soot becoming active as ice nuclei. Propane flame soot of higher organic carbon content (~30 % and ~70 % organic carbon content) showed significantly lower ice nucleation efficiency (an activated fraction of the order of a few percent in the experiments) than the low organic carbon content soot, with water saturation being required for freezing to occur. Ice nucleation occurred over the range Sice = 1.22–1.70, and T = 223.2–226.6 K. Analysis of the SP2 data showed that the 5 % organic carbon content soot had an undetectable OC coating whereas the 30 % organic carbon content soot had a thicker or less volatile OC coating. The application of a sulphuric acid coating to the flame soot shifted the threshold of the onset of freezing towards that of the homogeneous freezing of sulphuric acid; for the minimum OC flame soot this inhibited nucleation since the onset of freezing occurred at colder temperatures and required a greater ice saturation ratio; for the medium and maximum OC flame soot, the addition of a sulphuric acid significantly reduced the freezing threshold.