bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated With 28-Day Hospital Readmission After Stroke in Australia
Authors: Kilkenny Monique F. , Longworth Mark , Pollack Michael , Levi Christopher , Cadilhac Dominique A.
Published: June 2013

Background and Purpose—

Understanding the factors that contribute to early readmission after discharge following stroke is limited. We aimed to describe the factors associated with 28-day readmission after hospitalization for stroke.

Methods—

Factors associated with readmission were classified from the medical record standardized audits of 50 to 100 consecutively admitted patients with stroke from 35 Australian hospitals during multiple time periods (2000–2010). Factors were compared between patients readmitted and not readmitted after stroke hospitalization (n=43) grouped using 5 categories: patient characteristics (n=16; eg, age), clinical processes of care (n=13; eg, admitted into a stroke unit), social circumstances (n=3; eg, living home alone prior), health system (n=6; eg, location of hospital), and health outcome (n=5; eg, length of stay). Multilevel logistic regression modeling was used to examine the association with these independent factors selected if statistical significance
P
<0.15 or if considered clinically important and readmission status.

Results—

Among 3328 patients, 6.5% were readmitted within 28 days (mean age, 75; 48% female; 92% ischemic). After bivariate analyses 14/43 factors from 4/5 categories were associated with readmission after hospitalization for stroke. Two factors from patient and health outcome categories remained independently associated with readmission after multivariable analyses. These were dependent premorbid functional status (adjusted odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.81) and having a severe adverse event during the initial hospitalization for stroke (adjusted odds ratio, 2.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.55–5.12).

Conclusions—

This is the first study to comprehensively evaluate factors associated with 28-day readmission after stroke. The factors associated with 28-day readmission are diverse and include potentially modifiable and nonmodifiable factors.
Arabic Dialect Identification
Authors: Zaidan Omar F. , Callison-Burch Chris
Published: June 2013

The written form of the Arabic language, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), differs in a non-trivial manner from the various spoken regional dialects of Arabic—the true “native languages” of Arabic speakers. Those dialects, in turn, differ quite a bit from each other. However, due to MSA's prevalence in written form, almost all Arabic data sets have predominantly MSA content. In this article, we describe the creation of a novel Arabic resource with dialect annotations. We have created a large monolingual data set rich in dialectal Arabic content called the Arabic On-line Commentary Data set (Zaidan and Callison-Burch 2011). We describe our annotation effort to identify the dialect level (and dialect itself) in each of more than 100,000 sentences from the data set by crowdsourcing the annotation task, and delve into interesting annotator behaviors (like over-identification of one's own dialect). Using this new annotated data set, we consider the task of Arabic dialect identification: Given the word sequence forming an Arabic sentence, determine the variety of Arabic in which it is written. We use the data to train and evaluate automatic classifiers for dialect identification, and establish that classifiers using dialectal data significantly and dramatically outperform baselines that use MSA-only data, achieving near-human classification accuracy. Finally, we apply our classifiers to discover dialectical data from a large Web crawl consisting of 3.5 million pages mined from on-line Arabic newspapers.
Regional Power Revisited: How to Explain Differences in Coherency and Success of Regional Organizations in the United Nations General Assembly
Authors: Panke Diana
Published: June 2013

Abstract

The United Nations General Assembly is the International Organization (IO) with the broadest worldwide membership. While regional organizations are not members themselves, they can and often do become active through their own member states. This article addresses two questions: Do regional organizations differ in their ability to speak with one voice in IOs and, if so, why? Are some regional organizations more successful than others and, if so, why? Based on liberal theory and a mixed-methods approach, the research suggests, firstly, that regional organizations are in a better position to engage in collective action in IOs if they can develop group positions for a broad range of items. This is easier the greater the capacities and the stronger the incentives of the member states, the smaller the number of actors participating in regional organizations’ coordination meetings, and the more homogenous groups are. Secondly, regional organizations are especially successful in IOs if they have common positions that their experienced and knowledgeable member states can push via argumentative strategies and if regional organizations can rely on the larger membership when it comes to playing two-level games in UNGA negotiations (tied-hands strategy) and when it comes to voting in IOs.
The Influence of Narratives on Negotiations and Resolution of the Upper Jordan River Conflict
Authors: Zeitoun Mark , Talhami Michael , Eid-Sabbagh Karim
Published: June 2013

Abstract

This article tests the assertion that narratives constructed around international environmental issues serve to promote or reduce opportunities for their resolution. It does this by interpreting the influence of Lebanese and Israeli environmental narratives on resolution of and indirect negotiations over the Upper Jordan River conflict. Colonial archives, key informant interviews and academic and policy literature serve to identify and critically investigate the narratives. An official Lebanese narrative of adherence to international law is found to contradict the more popular nationalist narrative of Israeli ‘theft’ of the flows. An Israeli water security discourse is found to be built on earlier narratives that have long held water (and the Upper Jordan flows in particular) as both a physically scarce and strategic commodity necessary for continued existence of the Israeli state. Basic discourse, security studies and negotiation theory is developed to gauge the influence of the narratives during the 2002 informal negotiations over the Wazzani pumping station dispute. The more influential Israeli discourse is found to establish the starting point (no discussion on re-allocation of the flows) and process of the informal negotiations. The narratives are found to open or shut windows for resolution of the conflict, by politicizing or securitizing ideas about the flows, respectively. The conflict management approach favored by US and EU mediators is seen to align with the more dominant discourse, at the cost of enduring asymmetry and tensions, and missed opportunities for both resolution of the conflict and promotion of fair water-sharing norms.
Liabilities of a Physician Confronted with Child Abuse
Authors: Vansweevelt Thierry
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Several research questions raises when physicians are confronted with a possible case of child abuse. First, there is a problem of professional secrecy. In most European countries, physicians have the right to speak when confronted with a state of emergency. In other countries, physicians have a duty to speak and alert the police when the life or physical integrity of a person is at stake. A second topic to be discussed involves the possible liability of physicians who do not report child abuse. By not reporting a case of possible child abuse, the physician is respecting the family life of the parents, even though the child might continue to suffer damages. Third and essentially, I analyse the possible liability of physicians who do inform the prosecutor of a suspected child abuse. Specific criteria are elaborated to establish negligence when physicians report child abuse to the prosecutor.
Effect of Mid-Rotation Fertilization on Stiffness and Strength of Loblolly Pine Wood
Authors: Antony Finto , Schimleck Laurence R. , Daniels Richard F. , Clark Alexander
Published: June 2013

Trees sampled from a loblolly pine mid-rotation fertilization trial were used in this study. The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four levels of nitrogen fertilizer as treatments: control (000N), 112 (112N), 224 (224N), and 336 (336N) kg/ha of nitrogen, with each treatment replicated in 4 blocks. Two trees were destructively sampled from each plot giving a total of 32 trees. Bolts 0.6 m in length were collected from each tree (3 bolts per tree); with the midpoint of each bolt at heights of 2.4, 7.3 and 12.2 m from the base of the tree (each bolt represented the midpoint of standard 4.9 m saw logs). Static bending samples with dimensions 25 by 25 by 406 mm (radial, tangential and longitudinal dimensions respectively) were cut from the bolts that included the 25 mm of wood produced immediately following fertilization. Data on modulus of elasticity (MOE, stiffness) and modulus of rupture (MOR, strength) were collected from clear static bending samples. Based on the analysis of variance, no significant treatment effect was observed on MOE and MOR. However, MOE and MOR decreased in wood produced immediately after fertilization for trees which received the highest level of fertilization (336N). A decreasing trend in MOE and MOR with height was also present.
Disappearance of Microtubules, Nuclei and Starch During Cell Death of Ray Parenchyma in Abies Sachalinensis
Authors: Nakaba Satoshi , Sano Yuzou , Funada Ryo
Published: June 2013

Morphological changes and the timing of disappearance of individual organelles provide key information for understanding the mechanism of cell death. The disappearance of microtubules, nuclei and starch grains was monitored during the death of long-lived ray parenchyma cells in the conifer Abies sachalinensis. From the eighth to the tenth annual ring from the cambium, morphological changes occurred in ray parenchyma cells and organelles disappeared. Morphological changes in nuclei became apparent first. Then microtubules disappeared and, finally, nuclei disappeared. Therefore, microtubules might play an important role during the death of ray parenchyma cells. The timing of the disappearance of starch grains differed among individual ray parenchyma cells. This result indicates that the timing of the loss of storage function in ray parenchyma cells might not depend on the progress of cell death. The possible role of microtubules during cell death of long-lived ray parenchyma cells that might differ from cell death of short-lived ray tracheids is discussed.
First Record of Moroxylon (Moraceae) from the Neogene of China
Authors: Yin Ya-Fang , Liu Xiao-Li , Cheng Ye-Ming
Published: June 2013

A new species of Moroxylon, M. xinhuaensis Yin, Liu & Cheng, with wood anatomical features found in modern Morus (Moraceae), is described from the Neogene of Xinhua, Yuanmou Basin, Yunnan Province, southwest China. This wood represents the first fossil wood of Morus reported from Asia. It provides additional data for evaluating relationships between the Neogene floras of Europe and eastern Asia.
Bark Anatomy of an Early Carboniferous Tree from Australia
Authors: Decombeix Anne-Laure
Published: June 2013

Our knowledge of the evolution of secondary phloem and periderm anatomy in early lignophytes (progymnosperms and seed plants) is limited by the scarcity of well-preserved fossil bark. Here, I describe the bark of a Mississippian (Early Carboniferous) tree from Australia based on macro- and microscopic observation of two permineralized specimens. The bark tissues are up to 1.5 cm in thickness. The secondary phloem is organized in repeated, multicellular tangential layers of fibers and of thin-walled cells that correspond to axial parenchyma and sieve cells. Fibers are abundant even in the youngest, presumably functional, secondary phloem. Older phloem shows a proliferation of axial parenchyma that further separates the fiber layers. Successive periderm layers originate deep within the phloem and lead to the formation of a rhytidome-type bark, one of the oldest documented in the fossil record. These fossils add to our knowledge of the bark anatomy of Early Carboniferous trees, previously based on a few specimens from slightly younger strata of Western Europe. The complexity of the secondary phloem tissue in Devonian-Carboniferous lignophytes and possible anatomical differences related to growth habit are discussed.
Response of Tropical Cyclones to Idealized Climate Change Experiments in a Global High-Resolution Coupled General Circulation Model
Authors: Bell Ray , Strachan Jane , Vidale Pier Luigi , Hodges Kevin , Roberts Malcolm
Published: June 2013

The authors present an assessment of how tropical cyclone activity might change owing to the influence of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, using the U.K. High-Resolution Global Environment Model (HiGEM) with N144 resolution (~90 km in the atmosphere and ~40 km in the ocean). Tropical cyclones are identified using a feature-tracking algorithm applied to model output. Tropical cyclones from idealized 30-yr 2×CO2 (2CO2) and 4×CO2 (4CO2) simulations are compared to those identified in a 150-yr present-day simulation that is separated into a five-member ensemble of 30-yr integrations. Tropical cyclones are shown to decrease in frequency globally by 9% in the 2CO2 and 26% in the 4CO2. Tropical cyclones only become more intense in the 4CO2; however, uncoupled time slice experiments reveal an increase in intensity in the 2CO2. An investigation into the large-scale environmental conditions, known to influence tropical cyclone activity in the main development regions, is used to determine the response of tropical cyclone activity to increased atmospheric CO2. A weaker Walker circulation and a reduction in zonally averaged regions of updrafts lead to a shift in the location of tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere. A decrease in mean ascent at 500 hPa contributes to the reduction of tropical cyclones in the 2CO2 in most basins. The larger reduction of tropical cyclones in the 4CO2 arises from further reduction of the mean ascent at 500 hPa and a large enhancement of vertical wind shear, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, North Atlantic, and northeast Pacific.
Improving Ensemble-Based Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts for Topography-Enhanced Typhoon Heavy Rainfall over Taiwan with a Modified Probability-Matching Technique
Authors: Fang Xingqin , Kuo Ying-Hwa
Published: June 2013

In this paper, a modified probability-matching technique is developed for ensemble-based quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) associated with landfalling typhoons over Taiwan. The main features of this technique include a resampling of the ensemble realizations, a rainfall pattern adjustment, and a bias correction. Using this technique, a synthetic ensemble is created for the purpose of rainfall prediction from a large-size (32 members), low-resolution (36 km) ensemble and a small-size (8 members), high-resolution (4 km) ensemble. The rainfall pattern is adjusted based on the precipitation distribution of the 36- and 4-km ensembles. A bias-correction scheme is then applied to remove the known systematic bias from the resampled 4-km ensemble realizations as part of the probability-matching procedure. The modified probability-matching scheme is shown to substantially reduce or eliminate the intrinsic model rainfall bias and to provide better QPF guidance. The encouraging results suggest that this modified probability-matching technique is a useful tool for the QPF of the topography-enhanced typhoon heavy rainfall over Taiwan using ensemble forecasts at dual resolutions.
Toeing the Line, Drawing the Line: China and Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
Authors: Berger Bernt , Schell Phillip
Published: June 2013

Over the past decade, China’s relationship with Iran has been half-hearted. What has publicly been regarded as a close bilateral entente is in fact based on Tehran’s lack of better options and China’s clear ambition that a non-nuclear Iran should not be economically destabilised. The withdrawal of Chinese companies from technology transfers to Iran and the improvement of China’s export controls have led to frustration on the Iranian side and set bounds to bilateral relations for the long term. Today, China tries to convey its disagreement with Iran’s nuclear weapons program. At the same time, China has tried to separate the nuclear issue from civilian perspectives and opposed sanctions that might lastingly cripple Iran’s economy. The reasons can be found in China’s strategic regional considerations and interests in stability both inside and outside Iran. Thus, China has become a diplomatic broker whose credentials only suffer by the shortcomings of its own export control regime.
Political Earnings, Capital Flight and the Imperative of Economic Development in Nigeria: An Overview of the Fourth Republic
Authors: Agbaje Elijah Babasola Afolabi
Published: June 2013

Politicking ranks the most lucrative preoccupation in sub-Sahara Africa generally, and Nigeria specifically. This logically derives from the central role of the state in socioeconomic processes. The public sector, by its size and share of the communal wealth, remains the most potent means of empowering nations for development. Reviewing 12 years of democratic rule in Nigeria, this paper examines the relationship between political earnings, capital flights and economic development with disappointing findings that the economic mix of political earnings constitutes a cog rather than being a catalyst of development in Nigeria. Identifying constitutional, societal and other systemic disincentives as major inhibitive factors, the paper advance measures by which local reinvestment of political earnings could be encouraged to contribute to current efforts at accelerated national development.
Co-curing process combining resin film infusion with prepreg and co-cured interlaminar properties of carbon fiber composites
Authors: Xu Weiwei , Gu Yizhuo , Li Min , Ma Xuqiang , Zhang Dongmei , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: June 2013

In this article, the carbon fiber/epoxy resin matrix composite laminates were fabricated using a co-curing process combining resin film infusion (RFI) process with prepreg-autoclave process, called co-resin film infusion. A kind of unidirectional prepreg and its corresponding resin film were adopted. The compaction and defects of laminates cured by different processing were studied. Mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness were adopted to evaluate the co-cured interlaminar properties of the co-curing laminates and were compared with those of laminates processed by the prepreg-autoclave process and the resin film infusion process. Moreover, the effects of lay-up type of prepreg part and resin film infusion part, isothermal dwell and epoxy tackifier of fiber preform were also studied. The results show that these factors have important effects on the processing qualities of the laminates cured by co-curing process, including resin-rich regions and voids, resulting in different interlaminar fracture toughness at the co-cured interface. Affected by the prepreg part and the resin film infusion part in the co-resin film infusion laminates, the mode I and mode II initial interlaminar fracture toughness of co-cured laminate lie between those of the prepreg laminate and resin film infusion laminate, and GIC at crack propagation stage for co-resin film infusion laminate are higher due to fiber bridging and deflection of crack. These results have close relationships with the compacting structure of fibers in prepreg and resin film infusion parts and the interfacial bonding between the two kinds of fiber and the matrix.
Experimental optimization in turning of in-situ AlB2 reinforced AlMg3 matrix composites produced by centrifugal casting method
Authors: Koksal Sakip , Ficici Ferit , Kayikci Ramazan , Savas Omer
Published: June 2013

Ceramic particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites are gaining attention especially from the automotive and aerospace industry requiring light-weight and high-strength materials for various applications. Since the AlB2 reinforced composites are relatively new materials, there is no investigation into the machinability of such materials in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study machinability of AlB2/Al-Mg3 composite materials to optimize cutting force and surface roughness during turning operation. Taguchi’s statistical approach has also been utilized for the optimization of the process parameters. The optimum conditions providing the lowest cutting force and surface roughness were estimated. For the experimental planning, L8 (27) orthogonal array and the smaller-the-better response criterion were selected to obtain optimum conditions. Analysis of variance was used to determine the most significant parameters affecting the cutting force and surface roughness generated. The optimum condition was predicted from the combination of following factors and their respective levels; the second level of material type (AlB2/Al-Mg3), first level of cutting tool (TiN coating), first level of feed rate (0.08 mm/rev) and first level of cutting speed (350 m/min). Confirmation tests were performed to determine the effectiveness of Taguchi’s optimization method using the optimal levels of test parameters. A good agreement with a confidence level of 99.5% has been observed between the predicted and tests results for both cutting force and surface roughness.
Relationships Between Self-Determination and Postschool Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities
Authors: Shogren Karrie A. , Wehmeyer Michael L. , Palmer Susan B. , Rifenbark Graham G. , Little Todd D.
Published: June 2013

This article reports the results of a follow-up analysis of 779 students with disabilities who participated in group-randomized, control group studies designed to examine the efficacy of self-determination interventions in secondary school to examine the relationship between self-determination status when exiting high school and adult outcomes 1 and 2 years post-high school. Findings suggest that self-determination status upon exiting high school predicts positive outcomes in the domains of achieving employment and community access 1 year post-school, and that exposure to self-determination interventions in secondary school may lead to more stability in student outcomes over time. The complexity of the relationship between self-determination intervention and outcomes is discussed, as are recommendations for future research and practice.
Test Design Considerations for Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities
Authors: Anderson Daniel , Farley Dan , Tindal Gerald
Published: June 2013

Students with significant cognitive disabilities present an assessment dilemma that centers on access and validity in large-scale testing programs. Typically, access is improved by eliminating construct-irrelevant barriers, while validity is improved, in part, through test standardization. In this article, one state’s alternate assessment data were analyzed to determine the impact of (a) administration supports based on students’ level of independence and (b) a scaffold test administration format. Using structural equation modeling, we tested the extent to which students’ level of independence mediated the relation between disabilities and latent content knowledge scores. We then tested the invariance of the measurement model across administration formats. The results provide evidence that these supports help students access the test without compromising the validity of test-based inferences.
How Do Landowners Price their Lands during Land Expropriation and the Motives Behind It: An Explanation from a WTA/WTP Experiment in Central Beijing
Authors: He Zhongyu , Asami Yasushi
Published: June 2013

Compensation paid to property owners for land expropriation is always a controversial topic, partly due to the difficulty in revealing households’ true valuation of their housing. This paper estimates and discusses the widely observed ‘willingness to accept–willingness to pay’ (WTA–WTP) gap for surveyed residents of their own houses during land expropriation. By testing several hypotheses interpreting the WTA–WTP disparity from previous studies, the paper tries to establish the incentive for households’ decision-making. The paper employs a contingent valuation method with data from 315 household interviews in central Beijing, China. The paper reports an average WTA/WTP ratio of 3.74 and reaches the conclusion that in our case the high compensation required by property owners largely derives from opportunistic pricing behaviour rather than sentimental attachment to the dwellings that is unobservable in the market price, and that the WTA of the residents is intentionally overpriced.
From Grout to Grip
Authors: Zingale Nicholas C. , Piccorelli Justin T.
Published: June 2013

This article explores the different understandings of intentionality as applied to the San Francisco cable car transportation employees. We argue that part of doing work requires a person to act and choose, meaning foreclosing on some possibilities while attending to others as an intentional expression of freedom. We draw a parallel between cable car operators and public administrators and suggest that each has to do more than just learn a set of skills traditionally depicted as knowledge acquisition. They must also become skillful by developing a feel for the work and a greater appreciation for the meaning of their craft.
Adaptive MPC for ozone dosing process of drinking water treatment based on RBF modeling
Authors: Wang Dongsheng , Li Shihua , Yang Jun , You Zhilei , Zhou Xingpeng
Published: June 2013

The practical ozone dosing process of drinking water treatment is essentially a complicated nonlinear process with time delay. It is difficult to establish an exact mathematical model and implement a satisfying real-time control for the frequent changes of water quality, water flow rate and process operational conditions. In this paper, the control strategy of keeping a constant ozone exposure is attempted instead of conventional keeping a constant ozone dosage or dissolved ozone residual. To this end, an adaptive model predictive control (MPC) scheme based on the radial basis function (RBF) neural network model is proposed to maintain a constant ozone exposure by adjusting ozone dosage. With the proposed control scheme, a RBF neural network model is established as the prediction model of practical ozone dosing process. Then an adaptive model predictive controller is designed. Owing to the online updating of RBF neural-network weights, the proposed MPC scheme can cope with the frequent changes of water quality, water flow rate and process operational conditions. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of this real-time control method.
Adaptive optimal control allocation using Lagrangian neural networks for stability control of a 4WS–4WD electric vehicle
Authors: Demirci Murat , Gokasan Metin
Published: June 2013

This study involves a layered vehicle dynamics control system, which is composed of an adaptive optimal control allocation method using Lagrangian neural networks for optimal distribution of tyre forces and the sliding mode yaw moment observer for robust control of yaw dynamics. The proposed optimal control allocation method eliminates the requirement of solving optimization problem in every time step and it is a convergent and stability guaranteed solution for the optimal tyre force distribution problem. The aim in the sliding mode yaw moment observer is to force the vehicle to track a reference vehicle dynamic behaviour by estimating the equivalent input extended disturbance, which is the required stabilizing virtual yaw moment. The proposed layered stability control scheme has been tested on a four-wheel drive–four-wheel steer electric Fiat Doblo Van, which is modelled in CarSim. Both the sliding mode disturbance observer and the optimal control allocation methods are the first known applications to the stability control problem of road vehicles.
Tribal Housing, Codesign, and Cultural Sovereignty
Authors: Edmunds David S. , Shelby Ryan , James Angela , Steele Lenora , Baker Michelle , Perez Yael Valerie , TallBear Kim
Published: June 2013

The authors assess the collaboration between the University of California, Berkeley’s Community Assessment of Renewable Energy and Sustainability program and the Pinoleville Pomo Nation, a small Native American tribal nation in northern California. The collaboration focused on creating culturally inspired, environmentally sustainable housing for tribal citizens using a codesign methodology developed at the university. The housing design process is evaluated in terms of both its contribution to Native American “cultural sovereignty,” as elaborated by Coffey and Tsosie, and as a potential example of the democratization of scientific practice.
Contributions of maternal emotional functioning to socialization of coping
Authors: Monti Jennifer D. , Rudolph Karen D. , Abaied Jamie L.
Published: June 2013

This study examined whether maternal emotional functioning—emotional awareness and depression—guides the coping suggestions mothers make to their children in the context of a common childhood stressor (peer victimization). Across two waves of a longitudinal study, 330 mothers and their second graders (mean age ( M) = 7.95 years, SD = .33; 158 boys and 172 girls) completed questionnaires. Emotional awareness predicted more primary control engagement suggestions (directly addressing stress or emotions). Depression predicted fewer cognitive restructuring suggestions (thinking positively) and more cognitive avoidance suggestions (orienting thoughts away from stress). Interactive effects between maternal emotional functioning and child sex also emerged. This study elucidates the impact of mothers’ emotional functioning on how they teach their children to cope with stress.
Inhibitory effect of geraniol in combination with gemcitabine on proliferation of BXPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Jin Xiaoxin , Sun Jichun , Miao Xiongyong , Liu Guoli , Zhong Dewu
Published: June 2013

Objective

To investigate the inhibitory effect of geraniol alone, or in combination with gemcitabine, on the proliferation of BXPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods

BXPC-3 cells were treated under different conditions: with geraniol at 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 µmol/l each for 24 h, 48 h or 72 h; with 20 µmol/l geraniol for 24 h or 0 h before 20 µmol/l gemcitabine for 24 h; with 20 µmol/l geraniol for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h following 20 µmol/l gemcitabine for 24 h; or with 20 µmol/l gemcitabine alone as a control. Cell proliferation was assessed and changes in cell morphology were assessed by light and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry.

Results

Geraniol inhibited BXPC-3 cell proliferation in a time- and dosa-dependent manner. Geraniol alone or combined with gemcitabine induced BXPC-3 cell apoptosis. BXPC-3 inhibition rates with combined treatment were 55.24%, 50.69%, 49.83%, 41.85% and 45.27% following treatment with 20 µmol/l geraniol for 24 h or 0 h before 20 µmol/l gemcitabine for 24 h, or 20 µmol/l geraniol for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, following 20 µmol/l gemcitabine for 24 h, respectively.

Conclusion

Geraniol inhibited the proliferation of BXPC-3 cells. Geraniol significantly increased the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of gemcitabine on BXPC-3 cells. Maximum inhibition of BXPC-3 cells was achieved with geraniol treatment for 24 h before gemcitabine treatment.
The role of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its receptor in the formation and development of colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Rong , Xu Guo-Liang , Li Yin , He Long-Jun , Chen Li-Ming , Wang Guo-Bao , Lin Shi-Yong , Luo Guang-Yu , Gao Xiao-Yan , Shan Hong-Bo
Published: June 2013

Objective

To investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and its receptor (IGF1R) in the formation and development of colorectal carcinoma.

Methods

Colorectal tissue and matching serum samples were collected from patients with adenomatous polyps or carcinoma and healthy control subjects. IGF1R mRNA levels were determined via quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Serum IGF1 was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum IGF1 concentrations and mucosal IGF1R mRNA levels were significantly higher in patients with adenomatous polyps ( n = 24) or carcinoma ( n = 13) compared with healthy control subjects ( n = 13). There was a significant positive correlation between serum IGF1 and mucosal IGF1R mRNA in patients with adenomatous polyps.

Conclusions

High circulating IGF1 concentrations and mucosal IGF1R expression may play important roles in both the formation and development of colorectal carcinoma. IGF1 and its receptor may be activated before carcinogenesis, and may promote the growth and malignant transformation of adenomatous polyps. IGF1 and IGF1R may be useful biomarkers for evaluating the stage and risk of carcinogenesis.
Geographical narratives of social capital
Authors: Naughton Linda
Published: June 2013

This paper calls for a re-engagement by geographers with the concept of social capital as a vehicle for framing narratives about socio-economic processes in context. Social capital theory is reviewed to illustrate how the desire for simplicity and parsimony in economics results in abstract theories of the social that erase context and reduce space to a static form. Going beyond this critique, a geographical framework is proposed for a revised social capital research agenda to produce social capital narratives grounded in the everyday practices of power, played out in real-world, sociospatial contexts.
Resource geographies II
Authors: Bridge Gavin
Published: June 2013

This progress report surveys recent work in human geography on the resource-state nexus. This choice reflects several contemporary trends in the governance of land, water and energy resources that, taken together, suggest a renewed significance of the state: examples include resource ‘scrambles’ and land and water ‘grabs’, and calls for state intervention in the face of perceived food, energy and resource shortages. The report examines research themes and conceptual frameworks emerging at the resource-state nexus within human geography, and is organized into two sections. The first highlights research that unpacks processes of resource-making and state-making through close attention to scientific and political practices. The second section considers research examining the state’s role as a significant ‘extra-economic’ actor, enabling resource mobilization and capital accumulation. The report concludes with a brief summary.
Leachate risk and identification of accumulated heavy metals in Pangasius sutchi
Authors: Fauziah Shahul Hamid , Emenike Chijoke U , Agamuthu P
Published: June 2013

Pollutants put great stress on the environment, especially the aquatic ecosystem; therefore, the ease with which pollutants migrate in water is a subject of global concern. In this study, leachate from landfill that was analyzed with the objective of understanding the potential impact to the environment was tested on Pangasius sutchi. Heavy metals available at various concentrations in raw leachate samples of both closed and active landfills necessitated the determination of their degree of bioaccumulation in this fish species in order to enrich the risk data on toxicity of effluents. Zinc (3.2 µg g−1), iron (2.1 µg g−1) and chromium (0.24 µg g−1) detected in the fish within 96 h of acute exposure is of concern. A histopathology test on excised liver of P. sutchi indicated cellular disruption from normal stain. Heterogeneous effluents like leachate may affect not only groundwater but can endanger aquatic ecosystems, especially in some regions where improper waste disposal and treatment allow the flow of leachate into surface water courses. Though metals might be beneficial to organisms, the extent at which they can accumulate in leachate-exposed fish is a risk and can initiate metal toxicity in aquatic life.
An Exploration of Job Demands, Job Control, Stress, and Attitudes in Public, Nonprofit, and For-Profit Employees
Authors: Hamann Darla J. , Foster Nicole T.
Published: June 2013

Drawing on the Job Demands-Control-Support model, we argue that job demands, job control, social support, stress, and employee attitudes differ by ownership sector. Using Random Coefficient/ Hierarchical Linear Modeling, we analyze employee perceptions and attitudes from over 900 employees in for-profit, nonprofit, and public nursing homes. We find that nonprofit employees report higher workloads than their for-profit counterparts, and nonprofit and public employees report higher stress levels than their for-profit counterparts. Overall, few sectoral differences were detected in employee decision-making control, social support, or job satisfaction.
Educational reforms in Malta
Authors: Cutajar Mario , Bezzina Christopher , James Chris
Published: June 2013

This article critically analyses the current Maltese educational reform process, which aimed to transform educational governance in Malta from a centralized system to a more decentralized one. This longitudinal study adopted a multi-site inquiry of a sample of the colleges involving different stakeholders, including key policy-makers, college principals, heads of primary and secondary schools, and a sample of teachers. It explores the reform by reviewing the relevant literature, studying statutory documents and policies, and researching governance processes at the grassroots level where the reform policies have been and continue to be implemented. It analyses the experience of ‘governing stakeholders’, including those who work in schools, as they engage and work with the reforms. Preliminary findings indicate that what has been created is just another ‘notch’ in the hierarchical structure of the system with the introduction of a new post, that of College Principal, and the setting-up of the Council of Heads, which has managerial and organizational responsibilities, and the non-statutory Council for Educational Leaders (ELC). A top-down approach to change management continues to be adopted, leaving limited space for the development of governance networks and distributed forms of governance. This study sheds light on the significance of governance networks, distributed governance and the effects of overly strong governing relationships between government and the schools at the periphery. We argue that the opportunity to establish and develop a governance network has been missed.
Reported changes in sexual behaviour and human papillomavirus knowledge in Peruvian female sex workers following participation in a human papillomavirus vaccine trial
Authors: Brown B , Blas M M , Heidari O , Carcamo C , Halsey N A
Published: June 2013

Summary

Limited data exist on the effect of clinical trial participation on sexual behavioural change. Two hundred female sex workers working in Lima, Peru received human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in either the standard (0, 2, 6 months) or modified (0, 3, 6 months) schedule. Participants received comprehensive screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), counselling on safe sex practices, education about HPV and the HPV vaccine, contraceptives (oral and condoms) and family planning at each visit. We assessed vaccine completion rates, change in sexual practices, and changes in HPV knowledge before and after participation in the vaccine trial. There were high rates of vaccine completion, 91% overall. The estimated number of reported new and total clients over a 30-day period decreased significantly ( P < 0.001). Knowledge about HPV and HPV-related disease increased among all participants. In addition, all participants listed at least one preventive strategy during the month 7 follow-up survey.
The toxic chemistry of methyl bromide
Authors: Bulathsinghala AT , Shaw IC
Published: June 2013

Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a chemically reactive compound that has found use as a fire retardant and fumigant used for wood, soil, fruits and grains. Its use is banned in many countries because of its ozone-depleting properties. Despite this ban, the use of MeBr persists in some parts of the world (e.g. New Zealand) due to its important role in maintaining strict biosecurity of exported and imported products. Its high chemical reactivity leads to a broad toxicological profile ranging from acute respiratory toxicity following inhalation exposure, through carcinogenicity to neurotoxicty. In this article, we discuss the chemistry of MeBr in the context of its mechanisms of toxicity. The chemical reactivity of MeBr clearly underlies its toxicity. Bromine (Br) is electronegative and a good leaving group; the δ+ carbon thus facilitates electrophilic methylation of biological molecules including glutathione (GSH) via its δ− sulphur atom, leading to downstream effects due to GSH depletion. DNA alkylation, either directly by MeBr or indirectly due to reduction in GSH-mediated detoxification of reactive alkylating chemical species, might explain the carcinogenicity of MeBr. The neurotoxicity of MeBr is much more difficult to understand, but we speculate that methyl phosphates formed in cells might contribute to its neurone-specific toxicity via cholinesterase inhibition. Finally, evidence reviewed shows that it is unlikely for Br− liberated by the metabolism of MeBr to have any toxicological effect because the Br− dose is very low.
A Comparative Analysis of Patient’s Views of Physician Office Visits in United States and India—A Valuable Comparative Analysis of Physician Office Marketing Strategies
Authors: Emmett Dennis , Chandra Ashish
Published: June 2013

Marketing of health care services by health professionals and specifically physician offices is often considered undesirable by many consumers. For gaining a greater market share in an extremely competitive health sector, which is becoming a global phenomenon, it is essential that these entities understand, appreciate and adopt the basic concepts of marketing which can ultimately help in enhancing the overall visibility of their office in their target market. The understanding and awareness of what the patients really value when they visit a physician’s office can help physician offices in devising appropriate marketing strategies to succeed. This article is based on a primary data collected from a combined over 1,400 individuals based in the United States and India. The results of the study provide a comparative analysis of factors that patients in these two very different environments consider as being of value to them when it comes to doctor office visits.
Climate Change and Malaria in Jhapa District of Nepal: Emerging Evidences from Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Gajananda Prakash , Dhimal Meghnath , Gurung Swadesh , Bhusal Choplal
Published: June 2013

Climate change is an escalating issue of concern especially towards health. Malaria, as one of the major public health problems in Jhapa district of Nepal, is one of the sensitive diseases related to climate change. This study has been carried out to assess the relationship between climatic variables and malaria and to find out the range of non-climatic factors that can confound the relationship of climate change and human health. This was a retrospective study in which data of past 10 years relating to climate and disease (malaria) variables were analyzed. The occurrence of malaria in Jhapa was seen almost throughout the year with seasonal fluctuations. With mean annual temperature increase (0.04°C/year), the increase in malaria cases in the district was observed with correlation of 0.284 (p <0.01) and 0.338 (p <0.001) with maximum and minimum temperature, respectively. Rainfall pattern was observed to be decreasing at an average rate of 7.1 mm/year but the malaria cases appeared mostly during the heavy rainfall season/period and had significant correlation between the two variables. On the contrary, Relative Humidity had no significant correlation with malaria occurrence. Climatic variables (except Relative Humidity) were found to be correlated with malaria occurrence but were not the significant predictors when time-series analysis was conducted.
Forecasting Bed Requirement Using Hospital Records
Authors: Dias-Amborcar Yuri , Parulekar Ajit
Published: June 2013

Purpose: To forecast the bed requirements for a Burns Ward.

Methodology: The existing database of hospital admissions and in-patients was analyzed to plan the bed strength for the Burns Ward ICU and Step-down area. We calculated the mean, the median and the mode and studied the pattern of bed occupancy. Utilizing this data, the bed requirement with the gender mix and adult-paediatric patient complement was derived.

Findings: The average admission rate for Burns was 15.33 patients per month. In the ICU, the daily mean and the median/mode of in-patients was 2.3 and two, while for Step-down in-patients the mean and median/mode was 7.34 and seven. However, a total of 10–12 beds were occupied in the Burns treatment area for 57–30 days of the study period.

Conclusion: Historical data of admissions and bed occupancy enable a realistic prediction of bed requirements for the day to day working of a Burns practice.
Health Expenditure and Impoverishment in India
Authors: Ladusingh Laishram , Pandey Anamika
Published: June 2013

This article examines impoverishment effect of the out-of-pocket (OOP) payment for health care on households in India where only 10 per cent of the population is covered by insurance. At the national level, 10.1 per cent of rural households as against 6.2 per cent of urban households have either become poor or poorer as a consequence of OOP for health care. The proportion of rural impoverished households due to OOP health expenditure in the four most underdeveloped states of Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are 11.4, 9.5, 7.9 and 7.3 per cents, respectively. The corresponding proportion of urban impoverished households for these states are 7.2, 7.5, 5.9 and 5.1 per cents, respectively. It is also found that the OOP payment tends to increase significantly with inequality in income distribution and shortage of physicians at the state level. Health system inadequacy measure by population density per physician has escalating effect on impoverishment.
Reviewing Physicians Therapy Choices—A Study with Reference to Physicians Behaviour
Authors: Singh Harpreet
Published: June 2013

The discussion on use of fixed dose combination and combinations of separate component drugs has been widely initiated at global level. The issue of advantages and disadvantages associated with various therapies is the domain to be shared by the prescribing physicians and pharmacologists. However, an effort in this study has been made to evaluate the physician’s preferences for prescribing fixed dose combinations and combinations of separate component drugs. The physicians were classified on basis of different variables—sex, experience, area and qualification. The data assembled was analysed using chi-square distribution.