bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PAK1 Tyrosine Phosphorylation Is Required to Induce Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Radioresistance in Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim EunGi , Youn HyeSook , Kwon TaeWoo , Son Beomseok , Kang JiHoon , Yang Hee Jung , Seong Ki Moon , Kim Wanyeon , Youn BuHyun
Published: August 2014

The p21-activated Ser/Thr kinase 1 (PAK1) kinase has an essential role in tumorigenesis and cell survival in many cancers, but its regulation is not fully understood. In this study, we showed that in response to irradiation of lung cancer cells, PAK1 was upregulated, tyrosine phosphorylated, and translocated to the nucleus. Tyrosine phosphorylation relied upon JAK2 kinase activity and was essential for PAK1 protein stability and binding to Snail. This radiation-induced JAK2–PAK1–Snail signaling pathway increased epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating epithelial and mesenchymal cell markers. Notably, JAK2 inhibitors mediated radiosensitization and EMT blockade in a mouse xenograft model of lung cancer. Taken together, our findings offered evidence that JAK2 phosphorylates and stabilizes functions of PAK1 that promote EMT and radioresistance in lung cancer cells, with additional implications for the use of JAK2 inhibitors as radiosensitizers in lung cancer treatment. Cancer Res; 74(19); 5520–31. ©2014 AACR.
Transcriptional Dynamics in Colorectal Carcinogenesis: New Insights into the Role of c-Myc and miR17 in Benign to Cancer Transformation
Authors: Ben-David Eyal , Bester Assaf C. , Shifman Sagiv , Kerem Batsheva
Published: August 2014

Colorectal cancer develops in a sequential, evolutionary process, leading to a heterogenic tumor. Comprehensive molecular studies of colorectal cancer have been previously performed; still, the process of carcinogenesis is not fully understood. We utilized gene expression patterns from 94 samples including normal, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma colon biopsies and performed a coexpression network analysis to determine gene expression trajectories of 8,000 genes across carcinogenesis. We found that the majority of gene expression changes occur in the transition from normal tissue to adenoma. The upregulated genes, known to be involved in cellular proliferation, included c-Myc along with its targets. In a cellular model system, we show that physiologic upregulation of c-Myc can lead to cellular proliferation without DNA replication stress. Our analysis also found that carcinogenesis involves a progressive downregulation of genes that are markers of colonic tissue and propose that this reflects a perturbed differentiation of colon cells during carcinogenesis. The analysis of miRNAs targets pointed toward the involvement of miR17 in the regulation of colon cell differentiation. Finally, we found that copy-number variations (CNV) enriched in colon adenocarcinoma tend to occur in genes whose expression changes already in adenoma, with deletions occurring in genes downregulated and duplications in genes upregulated in adenomas. We suggest that the CNVs are selected to reinforce changes in gene expression, rather than initiate them. Together, these findings shed new light into the molecular processes that underlie the transformation of colon tissue from normal to cancer and add a temporal context that has been hitherto lacking. Cancer Res; 74(19); 5532–40. ©2014 AACR.
Clinical Implications of Phosphorylated STAT3 Expression in De Novo Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Ok Chi Young , Chen Jiayu , Xu-Monette Zijun Y. , Tzankov Alexandar , Manyam Ganiraju C. , Li Ling , Visco Carlo , Montes-Moreno Santiago , Dybkær Karen , Chiu April , Orazi Attilio , Zu Youli , Bhagat Govind , Richards Kristy L. , Hsi Eric D. , Choi William W.L. , van Krieken J. Han , Huh Jooryung , Zhao Xiaoying , Ponzoni Maurilio , Ferreri Andrés J.M. , Bertoni Francesco , Farnen John P. , Møller Michael B. , Piris Miguel A. , Winter Jane N. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Young Ken H.
Published: August 2014

Purpose: Activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulates tumor growth, invasion, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, immune response, and survival. Data regarding expression of phosphorylated (activated) STAT3 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the impact of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) on prognosis are limited.

Experimental Design: We evaluated expression of pSTAT3 in de novo DLBCL using immunohistochemistry, gene expression profiling (GEP), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Results were analyzed in correlation with cell-of-origin (COO), critical lymphoma biomarkers, and genetic translocations.

Results: pSTAT3 expression was observed in 16% of DLBCL and was associated with advanced stage, multiple extranodal sites of involvement, activated B-cell–like (ABC) subtype, MYC expression, and MYC/BCL2 expression. Expression of pSTAT3 predicted inferior overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with de novo DLBCL. When DLBCL cases were stratified according to COO or MYC expression, pSTAT3 expression did not predict inferior outcome, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the prognostic predictability of pSTAT3 expression was due to its association with the ABC subtype, MYC expression, and adverse clinical features. GEP demonstrated upregulation of genes, which can potentiate function of STAT3. GSEA showed the JAK–STAT pathway to be enriched in pSTAT3+ DLBCL.

Conclusions: The results of this study provide a rationale for the ongoing successful clinical trials targeting the JAK–STAT pathway in DLBCL. Clin Cancer Res; 20(19); 5113–23. ©2014 AACR.
Clinical Experience With the New Oral Anticoagulants for Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Bacchus Farzana , Schulman Sam
Published: August 2014

Four non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban, have been evaluated in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism, and all except edoxaban have also been studied for extended secondary prophylaxis after venous thromboembolism. Rivaroxaban, and recently also dabigatran, has been approved for this indication, and it is therefore timely to review the characteristics, efficacy, and safety of these drugs with emphasis on patients with venous thromboembolism. This review focuses on the clinical results from the phase III trials, separately for each of the drugs as compared with vitamin K antagonists. We also address the results from meta-analyses that were published recently. Finally, the results in some special groups of interest—renal impairment, elderly patients, and patients with cancer—are reviewed, although they only comprised small minorities of the study populations. All 4 drugs demonstrated noninferiority against vitamin K antagonists in the acute treatment and clear superiority against placebo in the extended treatment (not performed with edoxaban). The risk of bleeding was generally lower with non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, and the reduction of risk of intracranial hemorrhage seems to mirror the experience from atrial fibrillation trials. In conclusion, during the past 30 years we have moved from a week of hospitalization and intravenous heparin therapy, via low-molecular-weight heparin injections subcutaneously and early discharge from the hospital, to the possibility of only oral outpatient therapy without coagulation monitoring, yet safe for patients with acute venous thromboembolism.
Carotid Plaque, Intima-Media Thickness, and Incident Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Martinsson Andreas , Östling Gerd , Persson Margaretha , Sundquist Kristina , Andersson Charlotte , Melander Olle , Engström Gunnar , Hedblad Bo , Smith J. Gustav
Published: August 2014

Objective—

Aortic stenosis (AS) shares risk factors with atherosclerotic vascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque may reflect the cumulative damage from exposure to different atherosclerotic risk factors. We examined the relationship of carotid IMT and plaque with incident AS in a prospective population-based study.

Approach and Results—

A random sample of participants (age, 45–68 years) in the population-based Malmö Diet and Cancer Study underwent B-mode ultrasound with measurements of IMT and the presence of plaque in the common carotid artery (n=5079). Potential risk factors for incident AS were studied in age- and sex-adjusted and expanded multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models. A total of 69 (1.4%) participants developed AS during up to 20 years of follow-up. Significant risk factors for AS in age- and sex-adjusted analyses were (
P
<0.05) body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, C-reactive protein, plaque, and IMT. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, height, and leukocyte count were not significantly associated with AS (
P
>0.05). After adjustments, IMT, plaque, age, smoking, C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus remained significantly associated with incident AS. IMT was no longer significantly associated with AS after adjustments for plaque and systolic blood pressure, but plaque remained significantly associated with incident AS.

Conclusions—

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were individually associated with incident AS, and in multivariable models low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, age, presence of plaque, C-reactive protein, and diabetes mellitus remained significant predictors of incident AS. AS represents a vascular disorder related to carotid plaque, with potential implications for the pathophysiology and prevention of this disease.
Aberrant Hetero-Disulfide Bond Formation by the Hypertriglyceridemia-Associated p.Gly185Cys
APOA5
Variant (rs2075291)
Authors: Sharma Vineeta , Witkowski Andrzej , Witkowska H. Ewa , Dykstra Andrew , Simonsen Jens B. , Nelbach Lisa , Beckstead Jennifer A. , Pullinger Clive R. , Kane John P. , Malloy Mary J. , Watson Gordon , Forte Trudy M. , Ryan Robert O.
Published: August 2014

Objective—

Apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V) is a low-abundance plasma protein that modulates triacylglycerol homeostasis. Gene transfer studies were undertaken in
apoa5
(−/−) mice to define the mechanism underlying the correlation between the single-nucleotide polymorphism c.553G>T in
APOA5
and hypertriglyceridemia.

Approach and Results—

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/8–mediated gene transfer of wild-type apoA-V induced a dramatic lowering of plasma triacylglycerol in
apoa5
(−/−) mice, whereas AAV2/8-Gly162Cys apoA-V (corresponding to the c.553G>T single-nucleotide polymorphism: rs2075291; p.Gly185Cys when numbering includes signal sequence) had a modest effect. Characterization studies revealed that plasma levels of wild-type and G162C apoA-V in transduced mice were similar and within the physiological range. Fractionation of plasma from mice transduced with AAV2/8-G162C apoA-V indicated that, unlike wild-type apoA-V, >50% of G162C apoA-V was recovered in the lipoprotein-free fraction. Nonreducing SDS-PAGE immunoblot analysis provided evidence that G162C apoA-V present in the lipoprotein-free fraction, but not that portion associated with lipoproteins, displayed altered electrophoretic mobility consistent with disulfide-linked heterodimer formation. Immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of human plasma from subjects homozygous for wild-type
APOA5
and c.553G>T
APOA5
revealed that G162C apoA-V forms adducts with extraneous plasma proteins including fibronectin, kininogen-1, and others.

Conclusions—

Substitution of Cys for Gly at position 162 of mature apoA-V introduces a free cysteine that forms disulfide bonds with plasma proteins such that its lipoprotein-binding and triacylglycerol-modulation functions are compromised.
Twelve–Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genetic Risk Score Identifies Individuals at Increased Risk for Future Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
Authors: Tada Hayato , Shiffman Dov , Smith J. Gustav , Sjögren Marketa , Lubitz Steven A. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Louie Judy Z. , Catanese Joseph J. , Engström Gunnar , Devlin James J. , Kathiresan Sekar , Melander Olle
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose—

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent and there is a clinical need for biomarkers to identify individuals at higher risk for AF. Fixed throughout a life course and assayable early in life, genetic biomarkers may meet this need. Here, we investigate whether multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms together as an AF genetic risk score (AF-GRS) can improve prediction of one’s risk for AF.

Methods—

In 27 471 participants of the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, a prospective, community-based cohort, we used Cox models that adjusted for established AF risk factors to assess the association of AF-GRS with incident AF and ischemic stroke. Median follow-up was 14.4 years for incident AF and 14.5 years for ischemic stroke. The AF-GRS comprised 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms that had been previously shown to be associated with AF at genome-wide significance.

Results—

During follow-up, 2160 participants experienced a first AF event and 1495 had a first ischemic stroke event. Participants in the top AF-GRS quintile were at increased risk for incident AF (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.73–2.31;
P
=2.7×10
–21
) and ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.46;
P
=0.02) when compared with the bottom quintile. Addition of the AF-GRS to established AF risk factors modestly improved both discrimination and reclassification (
P
<0.0001 for both).

Conclusions—

An AF-GRS can identify 20% of individuals who are at ≈2-fold increased risk for incident AF and at 23% increased risk for ischemic stroke. Targeting diagnostic or therapeutic interventions to this subset may prove clinically useful.
Estimation of Ground-Level Reflectivity Factor in Operational Weather Radar Networks Using VPR-Based Correction Ensembles
Authors: Koistinen Jarmo , Pohjola Heikki
Published: August 2014

An operational method is presented that corrects the bias of radar-based quantitative precipitation estimations (QPE) in radar networks that is due to the vertical profile of reflectivity (VPR) factor. It is used in both rain and snowfall. Measured average VPRs are obtained from the volume scans of each radar at ranges of 2–40 km. At each radar, two time ensembles of the bias estimates are made use of: the first ensemble contains 0–24 members at each range gate, calculated by beam convolution from the measured VPRs at 15-min intervals during the most recent 6 h. The second ensemble similarly contains 24 members calculated from parameterized climatological VPRs. In each scan the precipitation type classification and the climatological VPR are matched with the freezing level obtained from a numerical weather prediction model. The members of the two ensembles are weighted for both time lapse and quality and are then combined. At each composite grid point, the value of the networked VPR correction is then determined as a distance-weighted mean of the time ensembles of biases from all radars located closer than 300 km. In the absence of calibration errors, the resulting estimate of the reflectivity factor at ground level Ze is a seamless continuous field. As verified by radar–radar and radar–gauge comparisons in the Finnish network of eight C-band Doppler radars, the method efficiently reduces the range-dependent bias in QPE. For example, at radar ranges of 141–219 km, the average bias in the ground level Ze was −8.7 and 1.2 dB before and after the VPR correction, respectively.
Decomposition of Sources of Errors in Monthly to Seasonal Streamflow Forecasts in a Rainfall–Runoff Regime
Authors: Sinha Tushar , Sankarasubramanian A. , Mazrooei Amirhossein
Published: August 2014

Despite considerable progress in developing real-time climate forecasts, most studies have evaluated the potential in seasonal streamflow forecasting based on ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) methods, utilizing only climatological forcings while ignoring general circulation model (GCM)-based climate forecasts. The primary limitation in using GCM forecasts is their coarse resolution, which requires spatiotemporal downscaling to implement land surface models. Consequently, multiple sources of errors are introduced in developing real-time streamflow forecasts utilizing GCM forecasts. A set of error decomposition metrics is provided to address the following questions: 1) How are errors in monthly streamflow forecasts attributed to various sources such as temporal disaggregation, spatial downscaling, imprecise initial hydrologic conditions (IHCs), climatological forcings, and imprecise forecasts? and 2) How do these errors propagate with lead time over different seasons? A calibrated Variable Infiltration Capacity model is used over the Apalachicola River at Chattahoochee in the southeastern United States. The model is forced with a combination of daily precipitation forcings (temporally disaggregated observed precipitation, spatially downscaled and temporally disaggregated observed precipitation, ESP, ECHAM4.5 forecasts, and observed) and IHCs [simulated and climatological ensemble reverse ESP (RESP)] but with observed air temperature and wind speed at ⅛° resolution. Then, errors in forecasting monthly streamflow at up to a 3-month lead time are decomposed by comparing the forecasted streamflow to simulated streamflow under observed forcings. Results indicate that the errors due to temporal disaggregation are much higher than the spatial downscaling errors. During winter and early spring, the increasing order of errors at a 1-month lead time is spatial downscaling, model, temporal disaggregation, RESP, large-scale precipitation forecasts, and ESP.
Sea State Determination from Ship-Based Geodetic GPS
Authors: Foster James , Li Ning , Cheung Kwok Fai
Published: August 2014

Ocean waves have a profound impact on navigation, offshore operations, recreation, safety, and the economic vitality of a nation’s maritime and coastal communities. This study demonstrates that ships equipped with geodetic GPS and a radar gauge can provide accurate estimates of sea state. The Research Vessel (R/V) Kilo Moana recorded 1-Hz data for the entire period of a 10-day cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. Solving for precise kinematic positions for the ship and combining these solutions with the ranges from the ship to the sea surface provided by the radar gauge, it was possible to retrieve 1-Hz estimates of the sea surface elevation along the cruise track. Converting these into estimates of significant wave height, strong agreement was found with wave buoy measurements and hindcast wave data. Comparison with buoy data indicates the estimates have errors on the order of 0.22 m, or less than 11% of the wave height. Using wave model predictions of the dominant directions, the data were processed further to correct for the Doppler shift and to estimate the dominant wave period. Although relatively noisy in locations where the predicted wave directions are expected to be poor, in general these estimates also show a good agreement with the wave buoy observations and hindcast wave estimates. A segment of the cruise that formed a circuit allowed for testing the consistency of the ship-based estimates and for determining a dominant wave direction, which was found to agree closely with model predictions.
An Impact Assessment of GPS Radio Occultation Data on Prediction of a Rapidly Developing Cyclone over the Southern Ocean*
Authors: Chen Shu-Ya , Wee Tae-Kwon , Kuo Ying-Hwa , Bromwich David H.
Published: August 2014

The impact of global positioning system (GPS) radio occultation (RO) data on an intense synoptic-scale storm that occurred over the Southern Ocean in December 2007 is evaluated, and a synoptic explanation of the assessed impact is offered. The impact is assessed by using the three-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme (3DVAR) of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model Data Assimilation system (WRFDA), and by comparing two experiments: one with and the other without assimilating the refractivity data from four different RO missions. Verifications indicate significant positive impacts of the RO data in various measures and parameters as well as in the track and intensity of the Antarctic cyclone. The analysis of the atmospheric processes underlying the impact shows that the assimilation of the RO data yields substantial improvements in the large-scale circulations that in turn control the development of the Antarctic storm. For instance, the RO data enhanced the strength of a 500-hPa trough over the Southern Ocean and prevented the katabatic flow near the coast of East Antarctica from an overintensification. This greatly influenced two low pressure systems of a comparable intensity, which later merged together and evolved into the major storm. The dominance of one low over the other in the merger dramatically changed the track, intensity, and structure of the merged storm. The assimilation of GPS RO data swapped the dominant low, leading to a remarkable improvement in the subsequent storm’s prediction.
Stakeholders' perceptions of the benefit of introducing an Australian intermediary system for vulnerable witnesses
Authors: Powell Martine B , Bowden Phoebe , Mattison Michelle
Published: August 2014

Vulnerable witnesses (e.g. children and adults with communication impairment) face many barriers to testifying and achieving justice when participating in the criminal justice system. To date, reforms have been implemented in Australia to address these, yet the barriers remain. Several other countries have implemented an intermediary scheme, whereby an independent third party assists vulnerable witnesses to understand the questions and processes encountered during interviews and trials, and helps witnesses to be understood. This study provides a qualitative analysis of stakeholders' ( N = 25 professionals) perceptions regarding the potential benefits of implementing an intermediary scheme in Australia. While all participants demonstrated an open-minded attitude to new reform in this area, their perspectives did not support the introduction of an intermediary scheme at this time. Stakeholders highlighted the need for improved use and effectiveness of current measures, and expressed concern about adding further complication to the system.
‘The police are rottenly corrupt’: Policing, scandal, and the regulation of illegal betting in Depression-era Sydney
Authors: Evans Richard
Published: August 2014

One groundbreaking aspect of the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption in New South Wales was to recognize the importance of the historical dimension of corruption. The historical consensus is that systemic police corruption emerged in NSW only after the Second World War but, as Wood acknowledged, there has been little detailed research into earlier periods. One window into policing in the 1930s is provided by the Markell Royal Commission, which investigated allegations of police misconduct in relation to illegal bookmaking in 1936. This article explores the evidence gathered by Markell, and argues that his inquiry uncovered a system of entrenched police corruption at a level of complexity previously thought not to have appeared for another decade. It is argued that poor management contributed to the growth of systemic corruption from the early 1930s, and that a defensive and negative reaction to the exposure of this corruption caused an historic opportunity for reform to be lost.
Type I and Type II Error Rates and Overall Accuracy of the Revised Parallel Analysis Method for Determining the Number of Factors
Authors: Green Samuel B. , Thompson Marilyn S. , Levy Roy , Lo Wen-Juo
Published: August 2014

Traditional parallel analysis (T-PA) estimates the number of factors by sequentially comparing sample eigenvalues with eigenvalues for randomly generated data. Revised parallel analysis (R-PA) sequentially compares the kth eigenvalue for sample data to the kth eigenvalue for generated data sets, conditioned on k− 1 underlying factors. T-PA and R-PA are conceptualized as stepwise hypothesis-testing procedures and, thus, are alternatives to sequential likelihood ratio test (LRT) methods. We assessed the accuracy of T-PA, R-PA, and LRT methods using a Monte Carlo approach. Although no method was uniformly more accurate across all 180 conditions, the PA approaches outperformed LRT methods overall. Relative to T-PA, R-PA tended to perform better within the framework of hypothesis testing and to evidence greater accuracy in conditions with higher factor loadings.
Competing Paradigms
Authors: Schwartz Ronna , Conklin James
Published: August 2014

A recovery paradigm that promotes service user involvement, empowerment, and agency has been a guiding principle for the transformation of mental health services internationally. Incorporating recovery values into traditional mental health care settings, however, has been problematic due to organizational, structural, and attitudinal barriers. A new emphasis on contexts, values, and partnerships with service users requires providers to collectively redefine their roles, creating a shift in both individual and organizational identities. This conceptual article provides an in-depth exploration of the social and cultural factors involved in frontline mental health care, highlighting the nature of shared cognition in organizational learning as well as the conflicting forces that promote social stability and change. Using theory drawn from clinical, organizational, and social science literature, the article will discuss the competing ideologies in mental health care, emphasizing the need to create new learning conversations that honor the system’s capacity while creating the necessary dissonance for transformation.
Toughening of dicyandiamide-cured DGEBA-based epoxy resin using MBS core-shell rubber particles
Authors: Mousavi Sayed Rasoul , Amraei Iraj Amiri
Published: August 2014

A diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin, cured using a dicyandiamide hardener, has been toughened by the addition of core-shell rubber particles, methyl methacrylate-butadiene styrene. Different amounts of core-shell particles (2.5, 3.75, and 5 wt%) were added to the epoxy resin and their effect on the fracture, mechanical-physical, and thermal properties of the epoxy resin was investigated. The fracture surfaces of the samples were studied using a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that increasing methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene particles in epoxy resin increased the fracture toughness (KIC) and fracture energy (GIC) of the modified epoxy resin compared with the unmodified epoxy resin. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the modified epoxy resin decreased slightly and the glass transition temperature, cure onset, peak and end temperatures remained approximately constant. Scanning electron microscope revealed that the unmodified epoxy resin fracture surface was smooth and brittle, but the modified epoxy resin showed significant plastic deformation.
Matrix modification of laminated SiCw/SiC ceramic composites
Authors: Xie YP , Cheng LF , Mei H , Zhang LT
Published: August 2014

Laminated SiCw/SiC ceramic composites were fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration and tape casting, and the effects of matrix modification on microstructure and strengthening/toughening of the composites were investigated by polymer infltration and pyrolysis and liquid silicon infiltration. With increasing cycles of polymer infltration and pyrolysis, density of the composites increased effectively, and the flexural strength and fracture toughness increased obviously. With increasing time of liquid silicon infiltration, density of the composites increased significantly, but the flexural strength and fracture toughness increased firstly and then decreased gradually. After modification by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, the bonding of interfacial and interlaminar was not changed, and the density increase led to the property increase. After modification by liquid silicon infiltration, the interlaminar bonding was not changed and interfacial bonding of whisker/matrix was strengthened, and the density increase led to the property increase.
Thinking Past Educational Disadvantage, and Theories of Reproduction
Authors: Hattam Robert , Smyth John
Published: August 2014

This article proposes a critique of critical sociology of education as a means of thinking past theories of reproduction which are the doxa for our field. The article problematizes key words such as ‘disadvantage’ and pursues a critique of reproduction theory, drawing on Rancière’s foregrounding of equality as an axiom rather than an outcome. The article goes some way towards showing how we might practically think past theories of reproduction by offering an alternative version of educational equality.
Online Marketing Strategy and Market Segmentation in the Spanish Rural Accommodation Sector
Authors: Polo Peña Ana Isabel , Frías Jamilena Dolores María , Rodríguez Molina Miguel Ángel , Rey Pino Juan Miguel
Published: August 2014

The present work tests the effect of the online differentiation strategies employed by rural accommodation enterprises (RAEs) among different segments of the tourist population. More specifically, the following aspects are identified: (1) the different tourist segments that undertake rural tourism; (2) the various online differentiation strategies adopted by RAEs; and (3) the effect of these online differentiation strategies on tourist behavior, by segment (in terms of perceived value). The results reveal that when the main motivation of tourists is to experience the destination itself, it is strategies based on convenience and rural identity that most influence perceived value; when tourists are more motivated by enjoying the services and facilities provided by the RAE, strategies based on convenience and reputation are those with the strongest influence on perceived value; and when tourists are interested in undertaking activity holidays, it is strategies based on convenience, reputation, and rural identity that most influence perceived value.
Productivity Measurement in Tourism
Authors: Joppe Marion , Li Xiaofeng Penny
Published: August 2014

It is the goal of this article to provide noneconomists with an overview of productivity, its measurement and challenges specific to tourism, and the current state of research. The focus is on macroeconomic considerations, not firm-specific productivity. A survey of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member and nonmember countries identifies the main input and output measures used as well as the inconsistencies in their application and the data gaps that still need to be addressed. Other research issues yet to be resolved include how to capture the quality aspects of both input and output variables as well as the cocreated value of experiences that are consumed at the moment of production.
Aggression and Play in the Face of Adversity
Authors: Rosenthal Irena
Published: August 2014

Recent discussions about the affective dimension of democracy have said too little about the way in which disempowered citizens can sustain their struggles in the face of adversity. This article develops a theory about democratic resilience of disempowered citizens by turning to the theory of aggression and play of Donald Winnicott. Drawing on Winnicott, I argue that resilience depends on a capacity to mourn, a capacity for dissent, and a capacity to invent new techniques for interaction. Yet, we need also think beyond Winnicott and investigate how these capacities are radically transformed by democratic struggles. This allows us to see that democratic struggles can open up new possibilities for facing adversity but that they can also undermine resilience by developing rigid attachments to strategies of resilience. I conclude with a preliminary discussion of how democratic struggles might undo a tendency to rigidity.
Environmental Problems and Surge in Civil–Military Cooperation
Authors: Bugday Anastassia
Published: August 2014

Problems associated with environment and climate change have long been in the headlines. However, research on the effects that such problems might have on civil–military relations has been limited so far. This article examines civil–military cooperation caused by environmental problems in the recent decades particularly in developing countries. It employs Pion-Berlin and Arceneaux’s theoretical framework on military missions and civilian control and then looks at the case of Botswana. This article argues that the recent decade has seen an increase in civil–military cooperation due to new security concerns over environmental problems.
Adaptive robust PID control subject to supervisory decoupled sliding mode control based upon genetic algorithm optimization
Authors: Mahmoodabadi MJ , Taherkhorsandi M , Talebipour M , Castillo-Villar KK
Published: August 2014

While proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control is the most applicable controller in industry, it does not provide important qualities, such as stability in case of uncertainties, being robust to disturbances, and optimal control inputs. To address the issue, this paper presents adaptive robust PID control subject to supervisory decoupled sliding mode control for an inverted pendulum system optimized by using a genetic algorithm optimization. Decoupled sliding mode control is a variable structure control method having appropriate features, such as good tracking performance and robustness with regard to disturbances. To this end, decoupled sliding mode control as a supervisory controller is utilized in accordance with PID control to deliver necessary control inputs and enhance the performance of the controller. Effectual methods such as the transfer function which resulted in having minimum chattering in the controller is employed in this paper. An adaptation mechanism is used to update the proportional, derivative, and integral gains of PID control. Then, the parameters of the controller are ascertained by using a genetic algorithm. The results and analysis prove the proper performance of the controller via providing an optimal smooth control input, proper tracking performance, and the elimination of the chattering problem.
Image processing assisted locomotion observation of cockroach Blaptica Dubia
Authors: Wu Xingming , Liu Dong , Chen Weihai , Wang Jianhua , Bai Shaoping , Li Zhifeng , Ren Guanjiao
Published: August 2014

High-speed camera recordings are very useful for analysis of animal behaviors. However, in earlier studies, the analysis has to be conducted by manually extracting data from video, which is not only time-consuming but also subjective. In this work, we developed a new method of movement tracking for an easy locomotion observation, and applied this method to the motion analysis of the cockroach, Blaptica Dubia. Image processing algorithms were developed to extract information of points of interest on cockroaches, which was implemented in two steps: identification and tracking. With the developed method, experiments were conducted focusing mainly on velocity, gait and stability. The results showed the feasibility of the new method for more intensive locomotion observation with applications in walking robots.
S2R&R2S: A framework for ranking vertex and computing vertex-pair similarity simultaneously
Authors: Li Longjie , Ma Min , Lei Peng , Leng Mingwei , Chen Xiaoyun
Published: August 2014

With the popularity of information networks and their wide range of applications, two fundamental operations in information network analysis, ranking vertices and computing similarity between vertices, are attracting growing interest among researchers. However, the existing studies about the two operations have been carried out independently and the relation between them has been ignored. In fact, there is a definite relationship between the vertex rank and vertex-pair similarity. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, S2R&R2S, to rank vertices and compute vertex-pair similarity simultaneously. The framework is composed of two methods: S2R and R2S. The S2R method ranks vertices with the help of vertex-pair similarity, and the R2S method computes vertex-pair similarity combining the network structure and the rank scores of vertices. In the proposed framework, S2R and R2S are performed iteratively. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in both vertex rank and similarity computation.
Participant and caregiver experience of the Nintendo Wii SportsTM after stroke: qualitative study of the trial of WiiTM in stroke (TWIST)
Authors: Wingham Jenny , Adie Katja , Turner David , Schofield Christine , Pritchard Colin
Published: August 2014

Objective:

To understand stroke survivors and their caregivers’ experience and acceptability of using the Nintendo Wii SportsTM games (WiiTM) as a home-based arm rehabilitation tool.

Design:

A qualitative study within a randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of using the WiiTM for arm rehabilitation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Settings:

Participants and carers were interviewed in their homes.

Subjects:

Eleven male and seven female participants and 10 caregivers who were taking part in the randomized controlled trial within six months of stroke. Median age 65.

Intervention:

All participants were using the WiiTM for arm rehabilitation.

Main Measures:

Semi-structured interviews.

Results:

Five themes were identified: diligence of play, perceived effectiveness, acceptability, caregiver and social support, and the set-up and administration of the WiiTM. Participants appreciated the ability to maintain a social role and manage other comorbidities around the use of the WiiTM. A small number of participants found the Mii characters too childlike for adult rehabilitation. The most popular game to start the rehabilitation programme was bowling. As confidence grew, tennis was the most popular, with baseball and boxing being the least popular games. Caregivers provided some practical support and encouragement to play the WiiTM.

Conclusions:

The WiiTM may provide an engaging and flexible form of rehabilitation with relatively high reported usage rates in a home setting. The WiiTM was acceptable to this sample of patients and their caregivers in home-based rehabilitation of the arm following stroke.
Effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy on upper-extremity function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chen Yu-ping , Pope Stephanie , Tyler Dana , Warren Gordon L
Published: August 2014

Objective:

To systematically examine the research literature on the effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy on improving arm function in children with cerebral palsy, and to assess the association between the study effect size and the characteristics of the patients and intervention protocol.

Data sources:

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of Science, and TRIP Database up to May 2014.

Review methods:

Studies employing randomized controlled trial design, children with cerebral palsy, comparing constraint-induced movement therapy with another intervention with a focus on arm function, and upper-extremity measures were included in this review. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence-based Database (PEDro) scale.

Results:

The literature search resulted in 27 randomized controlled trial studies with good methodological quality that compared constraint-induced movement therapy with other intervention therapy. Overall, constraint-induced movement therapy provided a medium beneficial effect ( d = 0.546; p < 0.001) when compared with conventional therapy. For the subgroup analyses, presence of a dose-equivalent comparison group, intervention location, and time of follow-up were significant factors. Studies examining constraint-induced movement therapy effect without a dose-equivalent comparison group showed a large effect in children with cerebral palsy, but studies with a dose-equivalent group only showed a small effect. Children who received home-based constraint-induced movement therapy had a better improvement in arm function than those who received constraint-induced movement therapy elsewhere.

Conclusion:

The research literature supports constraint-induced movement therapy as an effective intervention to improve arm function in children with cerebral palsy.
The Role of Extended Family in Teen Sexual Health
Authors: Grossman Jennifer M. , Tracy Allison J. , Richer Amanda M. , Erkut Sumru
Published: August 2014

Despite increasing extended family involvement in child rearing, particularly in minority families, few studies investigate their role in talking with teens about sex or how this relates to teens’ sexual behavior. This mixed-methods study assesses extended family sexuality communication through a survey of 1,492 diverse middle school students and interviews with 32 students. Logistic regression shows that participants who report having had sex are more likely to report talking with extended family than those who report not having had sex. Interview themes explored reasons for and content of teen sexuality conversations with extended family. More sexually active teens’ reporting communication with extended family is interpreted as extended family members gaining importance in sexuality communication as teens become sexually active.
Reducible cationic PAA-g-PEI polymeric micelle/DNA complexes for enhanced gene delivery
Authors: Yuan Taiming , Wang Yaning , Cao Wanxu , Sun Yong , Liang Jie , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: August 2014

The design of unique vectors to overcome the cytotoxicity and increase the efficiency of gene transfection has enormous challenges. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the most effective polymer-based gene carriers. However, the transfection efficiency and toxicity of PEI correlate strongly to its molecular weight (MW). In this study, novel reduction-sensitive amphiphilic poly[phenethylamido- N,N-bis(acryloyl) cystine]- g-polyethylenimine (PAA- g-PEI) copolymers were synthesized by grafting low-MW PEIs onto reducible poly[phenethylamido-N,N-bis(acryloyl) cystine] (PAA).

These copolymers self-assembled in aqueous solution into micelles with sizes <70 nm, as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PAA- g-PEI2000 micelles effectively condense with the plasmid DNA to form complex nanoparticles with diameters of ~100 nm at an N/P ratio of 4/1. The PAA- g-PEI2000 micelle/DNA complexes protected the DNA from degrading by nuclease and released DNA under reductive conditions by the cleavage of the disulfide bonds and the subsequent disassembly of the micelles. As determined by gene transfection experiments, the transfection efficiency of the PAA- g-PEI2000 micelle/DNA complexes was significantly greater than that of the PEI25K/DNA complexes, while the cytotoxicity of the copolymers was much lower than that for PEI25K.
Cutting forces and surface roughness in wet machining of Inconel alloy 738 with coated carbide tool
Authors: Davoodi Behnam , Hosseini Tazehkandi Ahmadreza
Published: August 2014

Inconel 738 is a precipitation-strengthened nickel-based superalloy, which is widely used in hot sections of gas turbine engines due to its excellent high-temperature strength and superior hot corrosion resistance. In this article, effects of machining parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut) on machining forces (thrust force, feed force and cutting force) and surface roughness were investigated in machining of Inconel 738 using coated carbide tool and cutting fluid. Results were analyzed with response surface methodology and analysis of variance, and a second-order regression mathematical model was proposed for cutting forces and surface roughness. The results showed that all three machining parameters had significant effect on cutting forces. The most effective parameters were depth of cut, cutting speed and feed rate ordered by magnitude of effectiveness. Regarding surface roughness, feed rate was the most effective parameter. Comparison between effect of cutting speed and depth of cut on surface roughness indicated that cutting speed had more considerable effect. Finally, the ranges for best cutting conditions were proposed for serial industrial production.
A fast approach for the integrated berth allocation and quay crane assignment problem
Authors: Ma HL , Chan Felix TS , Chung SH
Published: August 2014

Integrated planning of berth allocation and quay crane assignment in multi-user container terminals has recently attracted much attention by researchers and terminal practitioners. In the literature, many modeling and algorithms in dealing with this integrated problem (e.g. evolution algorithm and greedy search) have been proposed, competing in the solution quality and computational time. However, it is found that holistically solving this integrated problem may not be efficient due to its complexity. Adequately decomposing the problem can increase the solution quality. Meanwhile, it can reduce the computational time required. In this connection, the main contribution of this article is to propose a new two-level genetic algorithm. This algorithm is different from the traditional genetic algorithm in modeling berth allocation and quay crane assignment in the encoding, decoding and evolution mechanisms. The proposed algorithm decomposes the integrated problem into a master problem and a sub-problem, representing the quay crane assignment and the corresponding vessel schedule in each berth. This decomposing approach is designed to enhance the local searching ability, while maintaining the global searching ability of the genetic algorithm. To test the solution quality, existing algorithm found in the literature has been compared. Furthermore, a set of numerical experiment has been carried out to compare the proposed algorithms with the optimal solution obtained by CPLEX. The result demonstrated the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing algorithm and can obtain near-optimal solution. We have also demonstrated the significance of decomposing the model by comparing with traditional single genetic algorithm approach in this field.
Impact analysis due to multiple wheel flats in three-dimensional railway vehicle-track system model and development of a smart wheelset
Authors: Uzzal Rajib Ul Alam , Ahmed Waiz , Bhat Rama B
Published: August 2014

Wheel flats can create high-magnitude impact forces at the wheel/rail interface, these can induce high levels of local stress leading to fatigue damage, and failure of various vehicle and track components. With demands for increased load and speed levels, the issue of a strategy for effective maintenance and in-time replacement of defective wheel-flat-containing wheels has become an important concern for heavy haul operators. A comprehensive coupled vehicle/track model is generally used to predict the impact forces and the resulting component stresses in the presence of multiple flats. This paper considers the dynamic impact responses due to the presence of multiple flats. The characteristics of the bounce, pitch, and roll motions of the bogie due to a flat on a single wheel are investigated. The effect of multiple flats on the peak acceleration of a wheel is investigated for different sizes and relative positions of the flats, i.e. in-phase and out-of-phase conditions. This paper further presents the development of a smart wheelset for the detection of wheel flats for two different load conditions; it is based on a derived relationship between the peak wheel acceleration, vehicle speed and flat size.