bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized Clinical Trial of New Intravenous Lipid (SMOFlipid 20%) Versus Medium‐Chain Triglycerides/Long‐Chain Triglycerides in Adult Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery
Authors: Wu Ming‐Hsun , Wang Ming‐Yang , Yang Chin‐Yao , Kuo Min‐Liang , Lin Ming‐Tsan
Published: November 2013

Background: SMOFlipid 20% is intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) containing long‐chain triglycerides (LCT), medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT), olive oil, and fish oil as a mixed emulsion containing α‐tocopherol. The aim was to assess the efficacy of this new ILE in gastrointestinal surgery compared with MCT/LCT. Methods: In this prospective study, 40 patients were randomized to SMOFlipid 20% or MCT/LCT (Lipovenoes 20%) group. Clinical and biochemistry data were collected. Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, TGF‐β1) and oxidative stress (ROS and superoxide) were measured. Results: Thirty‐five patients (17 males and 18 females) with a mean age of 57 years completed the study. The patients’ demographic characteristics (age, gender, height, body weight, and BMI) were similar without significant differences between groups. The increment of triglyceride on day 6 from baseline was significantly lower in SMOFlipid group than in Lipovenoes MCT/LCT group. Inflammatory markers, as well as superoxide radical and total oxygen radical were not different between groups. Conclusions: Despite the comparable effect on inflammatory response, because of its well‐balanced fatty acid pattern, relatively low n‐6:n‐3 ratio, and high vitamin E content, SMOFlipid had a better triglyceride‐lowering effect as compared with MCT/LCT in adult patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.
Tracing the Liberal Arts Traditions in Support of Service-learning and Public-engaged Scholarship in the Humanities
Authors: Sandy Marie
Published: November 2013

Disciplines in the humanities have been slow to adopt service-learning and public-engaged scholarship overall, and scholars opposed to it often refer to the private goals of higher education, including private contemplation shielded from market and political forces, and furthering knowledge for its own sake in their respective academic disciplines. However, some scholars have embraced the public-engaged scholarship worldview, although they maintain it in conflict with the goals of humanities disciplines. Alternatively, other humanities scholars center the civic, ethical, and public purposes of their work. The author outlines the historical origins of the two main academic paradigms in higher education, the “orators” and the “philosophers” that led to these distinctions. The more “public,” humanities-based orientation, the orators, evolved first, and it offers its own justification for the humanities in support of public-engaged scholarship. The author proposes additional exploration of this tradition, particularly its understanding of knowledge for ethical and civic action through the “new humanities,” which can serve as a theoretical foundation for the humanities in the ways that humanistic sociology became that site of practice for engaged sociologists. Concepts, such as participation, beauty, and practical wisdom, can help develop an authentically humanities-based approach to engagement.
Radical Legacies
Authors: Seybold Peter
Published: November 2013

This article seeks to introduce some of the basic concepts that Antonio Gramsci developed and apply them to recent American politics. It especially looks at political consciousness in the United States and it contradictions and argues that Gramsci’s concept of hegemony is useful in understanding the political landscape in the United States. A crucial element in the right-wing organizing in America stems from the Powell memorandum and the orchestrated attempt to discredit the social movements of the 1960s.
Leukocyte–Epithelial Interactions and Mucosal Homeostasis
Authors: Matthews Jason D. , Weight Caroline M. , Parkos Charles A.
Published: November 2013

Many common inflammatory disorders are characterized by the infiltration of neutrophils across epithelial lined (mucosal) surfaces resulting in disruption of critical barrier function that protects from microbes and noxious agents. In such conditions, disease symptoms are complex but directly related to leukocyte effects on the barrier and epithelial cell function. It is now highly regarded that cellular factors such as cytokines and receptor–ligand interactions mediating adhesion of leukocytes to epithelial cells have potent effects on epithelial homeostasis, defined by coordinated proliferation, migration, differentiation, and regulated cell shedding. Certain cytokines, for example, not only alter leukocyte interactions with epithelia through changes in expression of adhesion molecules but also affect barrier function through alterations in the composition and dynamics of intercellular junctions. In particular, inflammation-induced loss of many tight junction molecules, in part, can account for dysregulated cellular proliferation, migration, survival, and barrier function. This review will highlight how neutrophils interact with epithelial cells with particular focus on adhesion molecules involved and signaling events that play roles in regulating mucosal homeostasis and pathobiology. A better understanding of these molecular events may provide new ideas for therapeutics directed at attenuating consequences of pathologic inflammation of mucosal surfaces.
Biomarkers of Exocrine Pancreatic Injury in 2 Rat Acute Pancreatitis Models
Authors: Usborne Amy L. , Smith Aaron T. , Engle Steven K. , Watson David E. , Sullivan John M. , Walgren Jennie L.
Published: November 2013

Consistent, sensitive biomarkers of exocrine pancreatic injury (EPIJ) in animal models and humans have historically represented a poorly met need for investigators and clinicians. Experimental design: Sprague-Dawley CD/International Genetic Standard system (IGS) rats were administered cerulein or cyanohydroxybutene (CHB) to induce EPIJ. Serum samples were taken at time points between 1- and 168-hr postinjection (PI), and rats were sacrificed between 24- and 168-hr PI. Method: We investigated a series of serum-based biomarkers including amylase, lipase, pancreas-enriched microRNAs (miRs) and inflammation biomarkers compared with concurrent hematology and pancreatic histology. Results and Conclusion: Microscopic EPIJ was not associated with consistent changes in hematology or inflammation biomarkers. Increased severity scores for EPIJ correlated with increased amylase and lipase values, although severity of EPIJ did not always correlate with the magnitude of enzyme increases. Microscopic EPIJ was most severe at 24 to 48 hr; increases in miR-216a (32-fold) and miR-375 (23-fold) were present at 24 hr and, along with enzymes, were normalized by 48 hr in the cerulein study. MiRs-216a and 375 were increased by ∼800- and 500-fold, respectively, at 24 hr while miR-375 remained elevated until 72 hr in the CHB study. Impact statement: Pancreas-enriched miRs hold promise as novel serum-based biomarkers for EPIJ.
Turn off or tune in? What advice can SLTs, educational psychologists and teachers provide about uses of new media and children with language impairments?
Authors: Durkin Kevin , Conti-Ramsden Gina
Published: November 2013

New media are commonplace in children’s lives. Speech and language therapists (SLTs), educational psychologists and teachers are sometimes called upon by caregivers to provide advice on whether or how children and young people with language impairments should be encouraged to use these media. This article aims to illuminate some of the key issues and to review the implications of different types of advice that practitioners might provide. Four broad strategies are considered: Prohibition, Laissez-faire, Restriction, and Constructive use. Possible consequences of each strategy are outlined and it is proposed that Constructive use should be the strategy of choice. Reasons in favour of a constructive orientation include the benefits of joint engagement, enjoyment, cognitive and perceptual challenges and social motivation; effective uses can support educational attainment in young people with language impairments. Some areas where children and young people with language impairments need support with new media are noted. Decisions that we make about whether to constrain or support uses of new media have direct implications for the quality of young people’s lives and futures. SLTs, educational psychologists and teachers have important roles to play in the development of better-informed policies and strategies concerning language impaired youngsters and digital media.
Behavioral, Personality, and Communicative Predictors of Acceptance and Popularity in Early Adolescence
Authors: Wolters Nina , Knoors Harry , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: November 2013

This study examined the behavioral, personality, and communicative predictors of acceptance and popularity in 608 early adolescents. Data were collected with sociometric methods and ratings in 30 sixth-grade classrooms. Hierarchical regressions were run to predict acceptance and popularity from prosocial, antisocial, and withdrawn behavior, agreeableness and extraversion, and pragmatic communicative skills. Low levels of antisocial behavior positively predicted peer acceptance. Popularity depended on a more complex profile of predictors. Prosocial and antisocial behavior contributed positively to popularity, whereas withdrawn behavior contributed negatively. Extraversion and pragmatic skills also played a role in the prediction of popularity. Extraversion moderated the associations of prosocial and antisocial behavior with popularity. Popularity was highest when high levels of prosocial or antisocial behavior were combined with high levels of extraversion. Pragmatic skills moderated the association of prosocial behavior with popularity. Popularity was highest when prosocial behavior and pragmatic skills were high.
Automatically Annotating Topics in Transcripts of Patient-Provider Interactions via Machine Learning
Authors: Wallace Byron C. , Laws M. Barton , Small Kevin , Wilson Ira B. , Trikalinos Thomas A.
Published: November 2013

Background. Annotated patient-provider encounters can provide important insights into clinical communication, ultimately suggesting how it might be improved to effect better health outcomes. But annotating outpatient transcripts with Roter or General Medical Interaction Analysis System (GMIAS) codes is expensive, limiting the scope of such analyses. We propose automatically annotating transcripts of patient-provider interactions with topic codes via machine learning. Methods. We use a conditional random field (CRF) to model utterance topic probabilities. The model accounts for the sequential structure of conversations and the words comprising utterances. We assess predictive performance via 10-fold cross-validation over GMIAS-annotated transcripts of 360 outpatient visits (>230,000 utterances). We then use automated in place of manual annotations to reproduce an analysis of 116 additional visits from a randomized trial that used GMIAS to assess the efficacy of an intervention aimed at improving communication around antiretroviral (ARV) adherence. Results. With respect to 6 topic codes, the CRF achieved a mean pairwise kappa compared with human annotators of 0.49 (range: 0.47–0.53) and a mean overall accuracy of 0.64 (range: 0.62–0.66). With respect to the RCT reanalysis, results using automated annotations agreed with those obtained using manual ones. According to the manual annotations, the median number of ARV-related utterances without and with the intervention was 49.5 versus 76, respectively (paired sign test P = 0.07). When automated annotations were used, the respective numbers were 39 versus 55 ( P = 0.04). While moderately accurate, the predicted annotations are far from perfect. Conversational topics are intermediate outcomes, and their utility is still being researched. Conclusions. This foray into automated topic inference suggests that machine learning methods can classify utterances comprising patient-provider interactions into clinically relevant topics with reasonable accuracy.
Trying to Restore Justice
Authors: Fox Kathryn J.
Published: November 2013

New Zealand is well known for its restorative justice conferences in the youth justice system. However, restorative justice has yet to overwhelm the adult criminal justice system. Based on interviews in New Zealand with correctional staff, restorative justice providers, and others, this article explores the reason for the modest inroads that restorative practice has made, and suggests that the general context may explain the limits of restorative justice in other places. The article argues that bureaucratic silos make it challenging to determine if restorative practice might fit within a rehabilitation or reintegration framework. In addition, because of the dominance of psychological modes for assessing and treating criminal behavior, an overarching preoccupation with risk management orients correctional practice toward treatment. Moreover, restorative justice’s affiliation with victims’ perspectives has made its placement within offender reintegration difficult to imagine. Finally, the penal populism that frames correctional practice in New Zealand, and other Anglophone countries, makes alternative to punishment harder to sell. However, the current liminal state of correctional practice creates an opportunity to conceive of more humanistic ways of repairing the harm caused by crime.
Barred From Each Other
Authors: Einat Tomer , Harel-Aviram Inbal , Rabinovitz Sharon
Published: November 2013

This study explores men’s motivation and justification to remain married to their criminal, imprisoned wives. Using semistructured interviews and content-analysis, data were collected and analyzed from eight men who maintain stable marriage relationships with their incarcerated wives. Participants are normative men who describe incarceration as a challenge that enhances mutual responsibility and commitment. They exaggerate the extent to which their partners resemble archetypal romantic ideals. They use motivational accounts to explain the woman’s criminal conduct, which is perceived as nonrelevant to her real identity. Physical separation and lack of physical intimacy are perceived as the major difficulties in maintaining their marriage relations. Length of imprisonment and marriage was found to be related to the decision whether to continue or terminate the relationships. Women-inmates’ partners experience difficulties and use coping strategies very similar to those cited by other normative spouses facing lengthy separation.
Anatomic, Arthroscopically Assisted, Mini-Open Fibular Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Liu Ping , Wang Jianquan , Zhao Feng , Xu Yan , Ao Yingfang
Published: November 2013

Background:

The fibular collateral ligament (FCL) is the primary restraint to varus rotation of the knee joint. Arthroscopic techniques are widely used and minimally invasive, but anatomic arthroscopic reconstruction of an isolated FCL injury has not been reported.

Hypothesis:

Anatomic reconstruction of an isolated FCL injury can be performed arthroscopically and will restore the knee to near-normal stability.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 12 nonpaired, fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were biomechanically subjected to a 10-N·m varus moment and 5-N·m external and internal rotation torques at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of knee flexion, respectively (0° only for varus loading). Testing was performed with an intact and sectioned FCL and also after an anatomic reconstruction of the FCL by arthroscopic technique. Kinematics of each knee under various loading conditions was determined with a robotic universal force/moment sensor testing system.

Results:

After sectioning, significant increases were found in varus rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of knee flexion; in external rotation at 15°, 30°, and 60° of knee flexion; and in internal rotation at 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. After reconstruction, full recovery of knee stability was observed in varus rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 60°; in external rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°; and in internal rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°. When the sectioned and intact FCL knee conditions were compared, significant increases of 3.4° at 90° of flexion and 3.4° at 120° of flexion were found ( P < .001, both conditions); when the reconstructed and sectioned FCL knee conditions were compared, significant decreases of 1.7° at 90° of flexion and 1.7° at 120° of knee flexion were found ( P = .033 and .043, respectively).

Conclusion:

An anatomic reconstruction of the FCL can be performed by an arthroscopically assisted mini-open technique with an isolated FCL injury, and near-normal stability of the knee can be restored.

Clinical Relevance:

Anatomic reconstruction of the FCL by an arthroscopically assisted mini-open technique is a viable, less invasive option to treat nonrepairable isolated FCL injury.
Complications After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Authors: Salzler Matthew J. , Lin Albert , Miller Chealon D. , Herold Sarah , Irrgang James J. , Harner Christopher D.
Published: November 2013

Background:

Knee arthroscopies are among the most common procedures performed by orthopaedic surgeons, yet little is known about the associated complications and complication rates.

Purpose:

To examine the nature and frequency of complications after the most common arthroscopic knee procedures, with particular attention to fellowship training, geographic location of practice, and age and sex of the patient.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data were obtained from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery database for orthopaedic surgeons who sat for the part II examination from 2003 to 2009. The database was queried to determine the type and frequency of complications for patients who underwent knee arthroscopy and for those who underwent sports medicine knee arthroscopy, including arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, meniscal repair, chondroplasty, microfracture, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Factors affecting complication rates that were investigated included type of procedure, fellowship training status, geographic location of practice, and age and sex of the patient.

Results:

There were 4305 complications out of 92,565 knee arthroscopic procedures obtained from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery database for an overall candidate-reported complication rate of 4.7%. The complication rates were highest for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (20.1%) and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (9.0%); complication rates for meniscectomy, meniscal repair, and chondroplasty were 2.8%, 7.6%, and 3.6%, respectively. The complication rate for sports fellowship–trained candidates was higher than for non–sports trained candidates (5.1% sports, 4.1% no sports; P < .0001) and for male patients (4.9% male vs 4.3% female; P < .0001). Younger patients (<40 years; 6.2%) had a higher complication rate than older patients (≥40 years; 3.58%) ( P < .0001). Procedure complexity is a likely confounding factor affecting sports-trained candidates and younger patients. There were no geographic differences ( P = .125). The overall rate of pulmonary embolus was 0.11%. Surgical complications (3.68%) were more common than medical (0.77%) or anesthetic complications (0.22%), and infection was the most common complication overall (0.84%).

Conclusion:

The overall self-reported complication rate for arthroscopic knee procedures was 4.7%. Knee arthroscopy is not a benign procedure, and patients should be aware of the risk of complications.
The effect of di-n-butyl phthalate on testis and the potential protective effects of resveratrol
Authors: Ünal Seyhan Güllen , Take Gülnur , Erdoğan Deniz , Göktas Güleser , Sahin Erhan
Published: November 2013

This study aimed to observe the possible protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) against the damage of di- n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on the testis. The study was conducted in 6 groups of rats with 6 animals in each group aged 20 days. The groups include group 1: control group; group 2: solvent (carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 10 ml/kg); group 3: 500 mg/kg/day DBP; group 4: 500 mg/kg/day DBP + 20 mg/kg/day RSV; group 5: 1000 mg/kg/day DBP; and group 6: 1000 mg/kg/day DBP + 20 mg/kg/day RSV. Groups were treated by gavage for 30 days. Indirect immunohistochemical staining was performed with c-kit, AT1, and ER-α antibodies. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate–biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was used for apoptosis. It was found in the DBP-applied groups the C-kit immunostaining, which is parallel to increasing dose, decreased in comparison with the control. C-kit reactivity was similar to that of the control group in the group applied with 500 mg/kg/day + RSV; however, the reactivity was not same in the 1000 mg/kg/day DBP-applied group. It was observed that the reactivity of AT1 increased in the DBP-applied groups. RSV reversed these changes with its protective effects. While there was not much difference between the groups in terms of estrogen receptor reactivity, it was observed that the high dose of DBP reduced the level of estrogen receptor and the resveratrol was not at enough levels in all doses. In TUNEL analysis, high doses of DBP increased the apoptosis in all types of cells; nevertheless, the resveratrol application decreased the apoptosis in the low-level DBP dose. In the statistical analysis, while the length of epithelium and the diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased for all the other groups, it reverted to its original state in the RSV-applied groups. In conclusion, DBP (with increasing dose) administration caused cycle and hormonal changes in testis, resveratrol were recovered the cyclic changes but in hormonal changes, RSV is efficient too but inadequate.
Implementing and Evaluating Restorative Justice Projects in Prison
Authors: Crocker Diane
Published: November 2013

This article describes a restorative justice project run in three Canadian prisons. The project, Partners in Healing, aimed to promote restorative justice by running restorative justice committees inside and recruiting volunteers from the community to participate along with prisoners. The main goals of the project were to increase participants’ awareness of restorative justice and help prisoners gain an understanding of the effects of their crime(s). An evaluation of the project solicited stories about the restorative justice committees and this article reports on some of the evaluation findings. The qualitative data offer insights into how to best design a restorative justice project in prisons. It also reveals dilemmas associated with evaluating such projects. The article concludes that projects need to be guided by a clear conceptualization of restorative justice.
Policy Conflict
Authors: Nelund Amanda
Published: November 2013

The Nova Scotia Restorative Justice (NSRJ) program is a province wide, systemic juvenile restorative justice program in Nova Scotia. This program offers restorative justice intervention, at varying points in the criminal justice process, for all crimes except sexual assault and intimate partner violence. This study, a case study of the policy process, reveals that this exception is not based on restorative justice (RJ) theory but instead reflects local political struggles. This case reminds policy makers that they must consider local context and stakeholders when crafting RJ programming.
Brominated flame retardant composed of decabromodiphenyl oxide and antimonous oxide flame retardant for long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene
Authors: Luo Xing , He Min , Guo Jianbing , Zhang Kaizhou , Wu Bin
Published: November 2013

An efficiently brominated flame-retardant system which is composed of decabromodiphenyl oxide (DB) and antimonous oxide (AO) was used for long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (LGFPP), and the thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of DB-AO/LGFPP composites were investigated. When 12 wt% of DB-AO flame retardant was added into LGFPP, the limiting oxygen index of composites could reach 24.8 and pass the V-0 rating in UL-94 test. The results showed that DB and AO improved the flame retardancy of LGFPP more efficiently which could be proved by thermogravimetric test that had less effect on mechanical properties than widely used intumescent flame retardant to flame-retardant LGFPP. What’s more, analysis of cone calorimeter tests data indicated that gas phase flame-retardant mechanism exists in the DB-AO/LGFPP composites.
Midlife Trends in Activities and Disability
Authors: Verbrugge Lois M. , Liu Xian
Published: November 2013

Objectives: This is the first analysis that demonstrates empirically the likely tie between activities (time spent) and disability (health-related difficulty in activities). We compare trends in activities and disability for Americans ages 55 to 69 in recent years, and assess cross-sectional linkages of activities and disability. Methods: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal survey of community-dwelling U.S. adults. Trends are estimated by mixed-effects regression models (MRMs) with time, age, and time–age interaction predictors. Links of activities and disability also use MRM. Results: For midlife adults, hobbies/leisure and sports/exercise increased, repairs/yard decreased, and several activities had convex patterns; by contrast, disability prevalence was stable. Personal care hours rise with disability, but most activities decline. Discussion: Activities are more dynamic than disability, and time use is associated with disability. Taken together, the results encourage broader activities in disability measures to capture better disability’s scope and dynamics.
Numerical investigation of two-phase secondary Kelvin–Helmholtz instability
Authors: Fatehi Rouhollah , Shadloo Mostafa Safdari , Manzari Mehrdad T
Published: November 2013

Instability of the interface between two immiscible fluids representing the so-called Kelvin–Helmholtz instability problem is studied using smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. Interfacial tension is included, and the fluids are assumed to be inviscid. The time evolution of interfaces is obtained for two low Richardson numbers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] while Bond number varies between zero and infinity. This study focuses on the effect of Bond and Richardson numbers on secondary instability of a two-dimensional shear layer. A brief theoretical discussion is given concerning the linear early time regime followed by numerical investigation of the growth of secondary waves on the main billow. Results show that for [Formula: see text], at all Bond numbers, secondary instabilities start in the early times after a perturbation is imposed, but they grow only for Bond numbers greater than 1. For [Formula: see text], however, secondary instabilities appear only at Bond numbers greater than 10. Finally, based on numerical simulations and using an energy budget analysis involving interfacial potential energy, a quantitative measure is given for the intensity of secondary instabilities using interfacial surface area.
Development of a high-frequency torsional impact generator for improving drilling efficiency
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Tang Liping
Published: November 2013

The drilling of deep wells has to face problems to suppress stick-slip vibrations, especially for tough formations. Such problems induce frequent tool failures and poor well quality. Torsional impact drilling is an emerging drilling technology for improving the productivity of oil and gas by mitigating the stick-slip vibration. In this paper, a high-frequency torsional impact generator has been developed in order to investigate this drilling technology. Mechanism of torsional impact as a means of stick-slip mitigation is studied. Structure and operating principle of the tool have been presented. The finite element analysis approach is utilized in the analysis of applicability of the impact unit which is most significant for the tool. The analysis indicates that the impact unit operates successfully. An experimental apparatus is developed to examine the applicability of the proposed numerical method to the analysis of the impact unit. Laboratory tests with different impact frequency are conducted with the apparatus. It is verified that the impact system operates regularly, and high-frequency torsional impacts are generated. In addition, impact parameters of the apparatus which will be helpful to the study of the high-frequency torsional impact drilling are obtained.
The use of sub-modelling technique to calculate vibration in buildings from underground railways
Authors: Hussein Mohammed , Hunt Hugh , Kuo Kirsty , Costa Pedro Alves , Barbosa João
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a method is presented for the calculation of the vibration created in buildings by the operation of underground railways. The method is based on the sub-modelling approach which is used to couple a model of a building on a piled foundation to another model that calculates the vibration generated in the soil in underground railway tunnels. The method couples a building on a piled foundation to the soil at discrete points by satisfying equilibrium and compatibility requirements at those points. The method results in efficient numerical calculations. A two-dimensional frame made of beam elements is used to model the building and its piled foundation. The elements are formulated using a dynamic stiffness matrix which accounts for Euler–Bernoulli bending and axial behaviour. Vibrations created by a train moving in an underground tunnel are calculated using the well-known pipe-in-pipe (PiP) model. The model calculates the power spectral density (PSD) of the displacement in the soil. The excitation mechanism is the roughness of the rail and the PSD is calculated for a train moving on a floating-slab track in an underground railway tunnel for a stationary process. The current version of PiP accounts for a tunnel embedded in a half-space. The building frame is coupled in this paper at 90° to the tunnel’s centreline. The main result of this paper illustrates the significant contribution of the building’s dynamics to the displacement wave field received by the building. The example presented in this paper shows a decrease of more than 20 dB in the displacement PSDs at frequencies larger than 10 Hz when accounting for the change in this wave field.
Experimental investigation of multi-cycle pulse detonation engine at different air inlet systems
Authors: Ma Hu , Wu Xiao-Song , Wang Dong , Chen Jun , Feng Feng
Published: November 2013

To improve operation stability of pulse detonation engine and shorten the distance of deflagration to detonation transition, a series of multi-cycle detonation experiments were investigated with six different air inlet systems. Using air as oxidizer and liquid C8H18 as fuel, the effect of different air inlet systems on pulse detonation engine with frequency of 14 Hz and equivalence ratio of 1.5 was analyzed. Pressure history along detonation tube was recorded by five dynamic piezoelectric pressure transducers. It was approved by a particle image velocimetry that centrifugal forces from rotating airflow had a significant negative impact on the uniformity of fuel distribution in detonation tube. Furthermore, the experimental results indicated that operation stability of pulse detonation engine was increased with the improvement of fuel distribution, and deflagration to detonation transition distance was obviously decreased with the increase of thrust wall sealing. In these different air inlet systems, the pulse detonation engine with air inlet system of reed valve achieved the shortest deflagration to detonation transition distance, the best stability and stable operation of about 1 min at 14 Hz. This study provided references for the development of pulse detonation engine.
Study on performance enhancement of electrically controlled rotor using 2/rev flap control
Authors: Wang C , Lu Y
Published: November 2013

Electrically controlled rotor (ECR) system has been demonstrated in the primary control of helicopter. Without the restraint of the swashplate, ECR is also an efficient means to enhance the rotor performance by applying higher harmonic flap input. In order to investigate the potential of 2/rev flap input to enhance ECR performance, corresponding aerodynamic model of the ECR rotor and flight dynamic model of the ECR helicopter are established, in which the variation of ECR aerodynamic characteristic due to the deflection of trailing edge flap is emphasized. The analytical study is accomplished by simulating the ECR helicopter in trimmed flight for various combinations of takeoff weight, flight speed, and amplitude and phase angle of the 2/rev flap input. By studying the variation of the profile drag distribution over the rotor disc in detail, the physical essence through which 2/rev flap input affects the ECR power is explored. Subsequently, the parametric study of the blade pre-index angle affecting power reduction is conducted. Finally, the effectiveness of ECR approach for power reduction is compared with that of the conventional individual blade control approach. The simulation results show the potential of the ECR system for power reduction.
Preventing congenital syphilis – a regional audit of syphilis in pregnant women seen in Genitourinary Medicine services
Authors: Hussey J , Mitchell L , Hew Y , Foster K , Waldram A
Published: November 2013

Genitourinary case records of 42 pregnant women with syphilis were reviewed as part of a regional audit following the re-emergence of congenital syphilis in the north east of England. National standards, from the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV guidelines on managing syphilis in pregnancy, were met in the majority of cases with 69% being treated according to national guidance and all cases completing treatment. Locally developed standards on multidisciplinary working and communication were met less well, with particular issues regarding the documentation of pregnancy outcomes in GUM records and communication between specialities being highlighted. A regional good practice guide has been developed and implemented to address standards not met, reduce adverse outcomes and prevent future cases of congenital syphilis.
Effects of fish oil on lipid profile and other metabolic outcomes in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Oliveira Julicristie M , Rondó Patrícia HC , Yudkin John S , Souza José MP , Pereira Tatiane N , Catalani Andrea W , Picone Camila M , Segurado Aluisio AC
Published: November 2013

Summary

Although antiretroviral therapy has revolutionized the care of HIV-infected patients, it has been associated with metabolic abnormalities. Hence, this study was planned to investigate the effects of fish oil on lipid profile, insulin resistance, and body fat distribution in HIV-infected Brazilian patients on antiretroviral therapy, considering that marine omega-3 fatty acids seem to improve features of the metabolic syndrome. We conducted a randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled trial that assessed the effects of 3 g fish oil/day (540 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid plus 360 mg of docosahexaenoic acid) or 3 g soy oil/day (placebo) on 83 HIV-infected Brazilian men and non-pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy.

No statistically significant relationships between fish oil supplementation and longitudinal changes in triglyceride ( p = 0.335), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( p = 0.078), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( p = 0.383), total cholesterol ( p = 0.072), apolipoprotein B ( p = 0.522), apolipoprotein A1 ( p = 0.420), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio ( p = 0.107), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index ( p = 0.387), body mass index ( p = 0.068), waist circumference ( p = 0.128), and waist/hip ratio ( p = 0.359) were observed. A low dose of fish oil did not alter lipid profile, insulin resistance, and body fat distribution in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy.
Tracking land-cover changes with sedimentary charcoal in the Afrotropics
Authors: Aleman Julie C , Blarquez Olivier , Bentaleb Ilham , Bonté Philippe , Brossier Benoit , Carcaillet Christopher , Gond Valéry , Gourlet-Fleury Sylvie , Kpolita Arnaud , Lefèvre Irène , Oslisly Richard , Power Mitchell J , Yongo Olga , Bremond Laurent , Favier Charly
Published: November 2013

Fires have played an important role in creating and maintaining savannas over the centuries and are also one of the main natural disturbances in forests. The functional role of fires in savannas and forests can be investigated through examining sedimentary charcoal in order to reconstruct long-term fire history. However, the relationship between charcoal and vegetation structure in tropical grassy ecosystems remains to be elucidated. Here, we compared recent charcoal records from lake sediments in three tropical ecosystems (forest, savanna, and forest–savanna mosaic) with land cover inferred from remote-sensing images. Charcoal width-to-length (W/L) ratio is a good proxy for changes in fuel type. At one of the lakes, a significant W/L modification from values >0.5 (mainly wood) to <0.5 (~grass) was recorded simultaneously with changes in land cover. Indeed, a significant deforestation was recorded around this lake in the remote-sensing imagery between 1984 and 1994. The results also indicate that a riparian forest around a lake could act as a physical filter for charcoal accumulation; we used the mean charcoal size as a proxy to evaluate this process. Charcoal Accumulation Rates (CHAR), a burned biomass proxy, were combined with W/L ratio and the mean charcoal size to investigate the land-use history of the landscapes surrounding the study sites. This combined approach allowed us to distinguish between episodic slash-and-burn practices in the forest and managed fields or pastures burning frequently.
Decreased apopto-phagocytic gene expression in the macrophages of systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Majai G , Kiss E , Tarr T , Zahuczky G , Hartman Z , Szegedi G , Fésüs L
Published: November 2013

The clearance of apoptotic cells has an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and in the protection of tissues from the inflammatory and immunogenic contents of dying cells. A defect in the recognition and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells contributes to the development of chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. We have observed that compared with healthy donors, differentiated macrophages from patients with untreated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed decreased phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. A TaqMan Low Density Array was designed to determine the mRNA expression levels of 95 apopto-phagocytic genes in differentiated non-phagocytosing and phagocytosing macrophages. In the macrophages of clinically and immunoserologically active SLE patients, 39 genes were expressed at lower levels than in the control macrophages. When inactive patients were compared with those with minor immunoserological abnormalities or patients in an immunoserologically active state, a relationship was observed between the altered gene expression profile and the disease state. In the macrophages of patients with engulfing apoptotic cells, an upregulation of genes involved in inflammation, autophagy, and signaling was observed. These results indicate that novel immune-pathological pathways are involved in SLE and suggest targets for potential therapeutic modulation.
Collapsing glomerulopathy in collagen vascular-like disease
Authors: Nasr R , Johns C , Gertner E
Published: November 2013

Objective

Collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) is a podocytopathy that is usually associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and parvovirus B19 infections. CG has been reported in association with definite collagen vascular diseases, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There are a few case reports in the nephrology literature of patients with CG and marked serological abnormalities who do not have sufficient clinical findings to diagnose definite collagen vascular disease. We wish to expand the spectrum of rheumatologic disease that accompanies CG. We describe four patients with CG and collagen vascular-like disease and compare these with 14 similar cases reported in the medical literature.

Methods

Case reports of four new patients with CG and collagen vascular-like disease are presented. We performed a systematic literature review to find all other cases and construct a profile of patients with CG and collagen vascular-like disease.

Results

All patients had a similar mode of presentation with severe nephrotic range proteinuria and renal insufficiency resistant to steroids and usual immunomodulatory therapy. All patients had positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as well as other marked serological abnormalities but few if any clinical findings that would allow for a definitive diagnosis of a specific collagen vascular disease. Almost all patients became dialysis dependent. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may possibly be a therapeutic option.

Conclusion

Rheumatologists may be asked to consult on patients with severe proteinuria and renal insufficiency in the presence of marked serological abnormalities but few clinical symptoms and should be aware of this podocytopathy.
Delivering proportionate governance in the era of eHealth
Authors: Sethi Nayha , Laurie Graeme T.
Published: November 2013

This article advances a principled proportionate governance model (PPGM) that overcomes key impediments to using health records for research. Despite increasing initiatives for maximising benefits of data linkage, significant challenges remain, including a culture of caution around data sharing and linkage, failure to make use of flexibilities within the law and failure to incorporate intelligent iterative design. The article identifies key issues for consideration and posits a flexible and accessible governance model that provides a robust and efficient means of paying due regard to both privacy and the public interests in research. We argue that proportionate governance based on clear guiding principles accurately gauges risks associated with data uses and assigns safeguards accordingly. This requires a clear articulation of roles and responsibilities at all levels of decision-making and effective training for researchers and data custodians. Accordingly, the PPGM encourages and supports defensible judgements about data linkage in the public interest.
Predictors of Handgrip Strength Among Adults of a Rural Community in Malaysia
Authors: Moy Foong-Ming , Darus Azlan , Hairi Noran Naqiah
Published: November 2013

Handgrip strength is useful for screening the nutritional status of adult population as it is strongly associated with physical disabilities and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to determine the predictors of handgrip strength among adults of a rural community in Malaysia using a cross-sectional study design with multistage sampling. All adults aged 30 years and older from 1250 households were invited to our study. Structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, occupation history, lifestyle practices, and measurements, including anthropometry and handgrip strength were taken. There were 2199 respondents with 55.2% females and majority were of Malay ethnicity. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 53.4 (13.2) years. The response rate for handgrip strength was 94.2%. Females had significantly lower handgrip strength than males ( P < .05). In the multiple linear regression models, significant predictors of handgrip strength for males were age, height, job groups, and diabetes, while for females, the significant predictors were age, weight, height, and diabetes.
From “colonial reciprocity” to international supremacy: Scottish chartered accountancy and its “discourse of superiority” in context, 1854 to the present
Authors: McKinstry Sam
Published: November 2013

This article examines developments in the history of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and its predecessor professional bodies, in an attempt to shed fresh light on the means by which the Institute has attained the position of considerable power, repute and international influence that it occupies today. It shows that, over its history, ICAS has been responsible for creating and maintaining a discourse, in a Foucauldian sense, which has asserted the superiority of the CA qualification over other professional accounting qualifications both nationally and internationally. It is argued that this discourse first arose out of a crisis facing the Institute’s predecessor bodies in 1853, continuing afterwards and then reappearing at further pivotal points in the Institute’s history. The study utilizes the Foucauldian concepts of discourse, power/knowledge, discontinuity and exclusion in its arguments, showing how these relate to fluctuations in the, at times, parallel discourse concerning Scots national identity that has also been in circulation, concluding with an evaluation of the usefulness of a Foucauldian approach.
Representation Despite Discrimination
Authors: Street Alex
Published: November 2013

Immigrant-origin minorities are underrepresented in many democratic legislatures. This paper evaluates the direct effects of voter discrimination on the electoral performance of minority political candidates in Germany. Using evidence from both a survey experiment and actual election data, the paper tests two mechanisms of discrimination—negative attitudes toward minority groups and assumptions about candidate ideology—and shows that neither results in a substantial penalty for the small numbers of minority candidates who actually compete for office. Minority candidates in Germany typically run for political parties that discriminating voters would not have supported in any case.
Moderately Differentiated Peripheral Adenocarcinoma of the Lung With Cilia
Authors: Nair Amita Radhakrishnan , Samvedam Sandhyamani , Madathipat Unnikrishan , Raman Kapilamoorthy Tirur
Published: November 2013

We report an extremely rare case in which cilia were identifiable on light microscopic examination in cells of a moderately differentiated peripheral adenocarcinoma in the lung. The cells were positive for cytokeratin 7, and the cilia were highlighted by epithelial membrane antigen staining. The prognostic significance of these extremely well-differentiated ciliated tumor cells will be known only with long-term follow-up of the patient and analysis of more such tumors.
Timoshenko beam model for the vibration analysis of a cracked nanobeam with surface energy
Authors: Wang Kaifa , Wang Baolin
Published: November 2013

Free vibration of a cracked nanobeam with consideration of surface energy and transverse shear deformation is studied. The cracked nanobeam is simplified to a system of two segments joined by a rotational spring located at the cracked section. Numerical examples demonstrate that the surface energy increases the natural frequency of the beam. However, the influence of surface energy on the natural frequency becomes smaller for the higher modes. In addition, the effect of transverse shear deformation on the frequency becomes more significant for the higher modes.