bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat and resource partitioning among Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay, Australia
Authors: Ansmann Ina C. , Lanyon Janet M. , Seddon Jennifer M. , Parra Guido J.
Published: July 2014

Investigating resource partitioning among mobile marine predators such as cetaceans is challenging. Here we integrate multiple methodologies (analyses of habitat use, stable isotopes and trace elements) to assess ecological niche partitioning amongst two genetically divergent sympatric subpopulations (North and South) of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Australia. Comparisons of the mean locations (latitude, longitude) and environmental variables (distance from sandbanks, distance from shore and water depth) observed at sightings of biopsy‐sampled individuals indicated that the North subpopulation occurred in the northwestern bay in significantly deeper water than the South subpopulation, which was found in southeastern nearshore waters and closer to sandbanks. Ratios of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in skin samples suggested that North dolphins foraged on higher trophic level prey in relatively more pelagic, offshore habitats, while South dolphins foraged on lower trophic prey in more nearshore, demersal and/or benthic habitats. Habitat partitioning was also reflected in higher blubber concentrations of most of the 13 measured trace elements, in particular lead, in the coastal South compared to the more pelagic North dolphins. These findings indicate that genetic subpopulations of bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay are adapted to different niches.
A Computational Analysis of Squeaking Hip Prostheses
Authors: Askari Ehsan , Flores Paulo , Dabirrahmani Danè , Appleyard Richard
Published: July 2014

A ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) hip prosthesis with clearance is modeled as a multibody dynamics system for the purpose of studying hip squeaking. A continuous contact force model provides the intrajoint forces developed at the hip joint. Friction effects due to the relative motion are also considered. A FFT analysis of the audible sounds from CoC hip acceleration is carried out to analyze hip squeaking. The effects of friction, hip implant size, and the head initial position on hip squeaking and the trajectory of femoral head are analyzed and discussed. It was shown that the causes of hip squeaking are stick/slip, friction-induced vibration, and the femoral head angular speed and force changes.
Induction of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Leishmania donovani by Orally Active Clerodane Diterpene
Authors: Kathuria Manoj , Bhattacharjee Arindam , Sashidhara Koneni V. , Singh Suriya Pratap , Mitra Kalyan
Published: July 2014

This study was performed to investigate the mechanistic aspects of cell death induced by a clerodane diterpene (K-09) in
Leishmania donovani
promastigotes that was previously demonstrated to be safe and orally active against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). K-09 caused depolarization of the mitochondrion and the generation of reactive oxygen species, triggering an apoptotic response in
L. donovani
promastigotes. Mitochondrial dysfunction subsequently resulted in the release of cytochrome
c
into the cytosol, impairing ATP production. Oxidative stress caused the depletion of reduced glutathione, while pretreatment with antioxidant
N
-acetyl cysteine (NAC) was able to abrogate oxidative stress. However, NAC failed to restore the mitochondrial membrane potential or intracellular calcium homeostasis after K-09 treatment, suggesting that the generation of oxidative stress is a downstream event relative to the other events. Caspase-3/-7-like protease activity and genomic DNA fragmentation were observed. Electron microscopy studies revealed gross morphological alterations typical of apoptosis, including severe mitochondrial damage, pyknosis of the nucleus, structural disruption of the mitochondrion-kinetoplast complex, flagellar pocket alterations, and the displacement of organelles. Moreover, an increased number of lipid droplets was detected after K-09 treatment, which is suggestive of altered lipid metabolism. Our results indicate that K-09 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress-mediated apoptotic cell death in
L. donovani
promastigotes, sharing many features with metazoan apoptosis. These mechanistic insights provide a basis for further investigation toward the development of K-09 as a potential drug candidate for VL.
Pharmacokinetic Interaction between Pyronaridine-Artesunate and Metoprolol
Authors: Morris Carrie A. , Pokorny Rolf , Lopez-Lazaro Luis , Miller Robert M. , Arbe-Barnes Sarah , Duparc Stephan , Borghini-Fuhrer Isabelle , Shin Jang-Sik , Fleckenstein Lawrence
Published: July 2014

The objectives of this study were to characterize any drug-drug interaction between the antimalarial Pyramax (pyronaridine-artesunate [PA]) and the CYP2D6 probe substrate metoprolol and to assess the safety of 60-day or 90-day PA redosing, particularly with regard to liver biochemistry parameters. Healthy adult subjects were randomized to arm A (
n
= 26) or arm B (
n
= 30), with the arm A subjects administered 100 mg metoprolol tartrate in the first period, 100 mg metoprolol tartrate with the third of three daily doses of PA in the second period, and three daily doses of PA alone in the 90-day redosing period. The arm B subjects received the three-day PA regimen in the first period, with redosing of the regimen after 60 days in the second period. The noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were computed for metoprolol, its metabolite alpha-hydroxymetoprolol, and pyronaridine. The coadministration of metoprolol and PA was associated with an average 47.93% (90% confidence interval [CI], 30.52, 67.66) increase in the maximum concentration of metoprolol and a 25.60% (90% CI, 15.78, 36.25) increase in the metoprolol area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to the last quantifiable concentration obtained (AUC

0-
t

); these increases most likely resulted from pyronaridine-mediated CYP2D6 inhibition. No interaction effect of metoprolol with pyronaridine was apparent. Following dosing with PA, some subjects experienced rises in liver function tests above the upper limit of normal during the first few days following PA administration. All such elevations resolved typically within 10 days, and up to 30 days at most. In subjects who were redosed, the incidences of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) level elevations were similar on the first and second administrations, with no marked difference between the 60-day and 90-day redosing.
Pivotal Role for a Tail Subunit of the RNA Polymerase II Mediator Complex CgMed2 in Azole Tolerance and Adherence in Candida glabrata
Authors: Borah Sapan , Shivarathri Raju , Srivastava Vivek Kumar , Ferrari Sélène , Sanglard Dominique , Kaur Rupinder
Published: July 2014

Antifungal therapy failure can be associated with increased resistance to the employed antifungal agents.
Candida glabrata
, the second most common cause of invasive candidiasis, is intrinsically less susceptible to the azole class of antifungals and accounts for 15% of all
Candida
bloodstream infections. Here, we show that
C. glabrata
MED2
(
CgMED2
), which codes for a tail subunit of the RNA polymerase II Mediator complex, is required for resistance to azole antifungal drugs in
C. glabrata
. An inability to transcriptionally activate genes encoding a zinc finger transcriptional factor, CgPdr1, and multidrug efflux pump, CgCdr1, primarily contributes to the elevated susceptibility of the
Cgmed2
Δ mutant toward azole antifungals. We also report for the first time that the
Cgmed2
Δ mutant exhibits sensitivity to caspofungin, a constitutively activated protein kinase C-mediated cell wall integrity pathway, and elevated adherence to epithelial cells. The increased adherence of the
Cgmed2
Δ mutant was attributed to the elevated expression of the
EPA1
and
EPA7
genes. Further, our data demonstrate that
CgMED2
is required for intracellular proliferation in human macrophages and modulates survival in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Lastly, we show an essential requirement for CgMed2, along with the Mediator middle subunit CgNut1 and the Mediator cyclin-dependent kinase/cyclin subunit CgSrb8, for the high-level fluconazole resistance conferred by the hyperactive allele of CgPdr1. Together, our findings underscore a pivotal role for CgMed2 in basal tolerance and acquired resistance to azole antifungals.
Sequence Types 235, 111, and 132 Predominate among Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates in Croatia
Authors: Guzvinec Marija , Izdebski Radosław , Butic Iva , Jelic Marko , Abram Maja , Koscak Iva , Baraniak Anna , Hryniewicz Waleria , Gniadkowski Marek , Tambic Andrasevic Arjana
Published: July 2014

A population analysis of 103 multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates from Croatian hospitals was performed. Twelve sequence types (STs) were identified, with a predominance of international clones ST235 (serotype O11 [41%]), ST111 (serotype O12 [15%]), and ST132 (serotype O6 [11%]). Overexpression of the natural AmpC cephalosporinase was common (42%), but only a few ST235 or ST111 isolates produced VIM-1 or VIM-2 metallo-β-lactamases or PER-1 or GES-7 extended-spectrum β-lactamases.
Faecal incontinence—the hidden scourge of irritable bowel syndrome: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Atarodi Sima , Rafieian Shahram , Whorwell Peter J
Published: July 2014

Objective

Faecal incontinence (FI) is a devastating condition which is well recognised in the elderly and those with certain conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. However, there is surprisingly little information on its prevalence in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially in relation to bowel habit subtype, and this study aimed to answer this question.

Design

500 consecutive new and follow-up secondary care IBS outpatients (399 female, 101 male, age range 15–87, mean age 46) fulfilling Rome III criteria without any significant concomitant disease were studied. They completed a series of questionnaires documenting FI, IBS severity, IBS subtype, non-colonic symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, depression and any other factors that might be associated with FI.

Results

285 patients (57%) reported FI, which was mild in 68 (23.9%), moderate in 99 (34.7%) and severe in 91 (31.9%) and in response to laxatives in 27 (9.5%) with an equal prevalence in males and females. The prevalence of FI in patients classified as having mild, moderate or severe IBS was 62%, 49.5% and 61%, respectively. The prevalence of incontinence was 65.2% in diarrhoea IBS, 63.7% in alternating IBS and, surprisingly, 37.9% in constipation IBS, where it was in response to laxatives in 35.8%. Compared to continent patients, those with FI had a significantly higher prevalence of urinary incontinence, previous abdominal surgery, pregnancy and vaginal as opposed to caesarean delivery. 23.3% had not disclosed their incontinence to anyone and only 50.6% had told their general practitioner. 66% always carried a change of clothes and 30% used incontinence pads on a regular basis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of FI in these relatively young patients approached that observed in elderly care homes. Hopefully, recognition of this problem will lead to improved management and reduce the trivialisation that unfortunately still continues to surround this condition.
Substructural Condition Assessment Based on Force Identification and Interface Force Sensitivity
Authors: Liu Kun , Law Siu-Seong , Zhu Xin-Qun
Published: July 2014

Time domain substructural condition assessment method is actively researched in recent years to avoid the problem with uncertainties in the different components of the structure, boundary conditions and with an improved effort in the inverse computation. Since the interface force between substructures would vary with the existence of local damages and excitation in the substructures, existing condition assessment method for a full structure cannot be applied directly to the substructures. Also, most existing approaches adopt the state space method in the response prediction. However, the state space method can be shown in this paper inaccurate in the forward substructural dynamic analysis due to the discretization error, and therefore identification based on this method cannot give satisfactory result for a substructure.

The force identification for a full structure based on the explicit Newmark-β method has been shown superior to the state space method [K. Liu et al., J. Sound Vibr.33(3) (2014) 730–744]. This method is extended in this paper for substructural interface force identification. The variation of interface forces between substructures with variation in the substructural condition is illustrated with a plane truss structure. Subsequent condition assessment based on substructural response sensitivity is proposed with the analytical derivation of the sensitivity taking into account the interface force sensitivity which is not small to be ignored. The new damage detection method based on the explicit Newmark-β method and the substructural response sensitivity is verified numerically with different damage scenarios in a plane truss structure giving satisfactory results.
Biologically Inspired Nanofibers for Use in Translational Bioanalytical Systems
Authors: Matlock-Colangelo Lauren , Baeumner Antje J.
Published: July 2014

Electrospun nanofiber mats are characterized by large surface-area-to-volume ratios, high porosities, and a diverse range of chemical functionalities. Although electrospun nanofibers have been used successfully to increase the immobilization efficiency of biorecognition elements and improve the sensitivity of biosensors, the full potential of nanofiber-based biosensing has not yet been realized. Therefore, this review presents novel electrospun nanofiber chemistries developed in fields such as tissue engineering and drug delivery that have direct application within the field of biosensing. Specifically, this review focuses on fibers that directly encapsulate biological additives that serve as immobilization matrices for biological species and that are used to create biomimetic scaffolds. Biosensors that incorporate these nanofibers are presented, along with potential future biosensing applications such as the development of cell culture and in vivo sensors.
Analysis of Exhaled Breath for Disease Detection
Authors: Amann Anton , Miekisch Wolfram , Schubert Jochen , Buszewski Bogusław , Ligor Tomasz , Jezierski Tadeusz , Pleil Joachim , Risby Terence
Published: July 2014

Breath analysis is a young field of research with great clinical potential. As a result of this interest, researchers have developed new analytical techniques that permit real-time analysis of exhaled breath with breath-to-breath resolution in addition to the conventional central laboratory methods using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Breath tests are based on endogenously produced volatiles, metabolites of ingested precursors, metabolites produced by bacteria in the gut or the airways, or volatiles appearing after environmental exposure. The composition of exhaled breath may contain valuable information for patients presenting with asthma, renal and liver diseases, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory lung disease, or metabolic disorders. In addition, oxidative stress status may be monitored via volatile products of lipid peroxidation. Measurement of enzyme activity provides phenotypic information important in personalized medicine, whereas breath measurements provide insight into perturbations of the human exposome and can be interpreted as preclinical signals of adverse outcome pathways.
Ultrafast 2D NMR: An Emerging Tool in Analytical Spectroscopy
Authors: Giraudeau Patrick , Frydman Lucio
Published: July 2014

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) spectroscopy is widely used in chemical and biochemical analyses. Multidimensional NMR is also witnessing increased use in quantitative and metabolic screening applications. Conventional 2D NMR experiments, however, are affected by inherently long acquisition durations, arising from their need to sample the frequencies involved along their indirect domains in an incremented, scan-by-scan nature. A decade ago, a so-called ultrafast (UF) approach was proposed, capable of delivering arbitrary 2D NMR spectra involving any kind of homo- or heteronuclear correlation, in a single scan. During the intervening years, the performance of this subsecond 2D NMR methodology has been greatly improved, and UF 2D NMR is rapidly becoming a powerful analytical tool experiencing an expanded scope of applications. This review summarizes the principles and main developments that have contributed to the success of this approach and focuses on applications that have been recently demonstrated in various areas of analytical chemistry—from the real-time monitoring of chemical and biochemical processes, to extensions in hyphenated techniques and in quantitative applications.
The Role of Mechanical Forces in Tumor Growth and Therapy
Authors: Jain Rakesh K. , Martin John D. , Stylianopoulos Triantafyllos
Published: July 2014

Tumors generate physical forces during growth and progression. These physical forces are able to compress blood and lymphatic vessels, reducing perfusion rates and creating hypoxia. When exerted directly on cancer cells, they can increase cells' invasive and metastatic potential. Tumor vessels—while nourishing the tumor—are usually leaky and tortuous, which further decreases perfusion. Hypoperfusion and hypoxia contribute to immune evasion, promote malignant progression and metastasis, and reduce the efficacy of a number of therapies, including radiation. In parallel, vessel leakiness together with vessel compression causes a uniformly elevated interstitial fluid pressure that hinders delivery of blood-borne therapeutic agents, lowering the efficacy of chemo- and nanotherapies. In addition, shear stresses exerted by flowing blood and interstitial fluid modulate the behavior of cancer and a variety of host cells. Taming these physical forces can improve therapeutic outcomes in many cancers.
Oral Health Disparities of Children among Southeast Asian Immigrant Women in Arranged Transnational Marriages in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Y.C. , Yen Y.Y. , Chang C.S. , Ting C.C. , Chen P.H. , Chen C.C. , Peng W.D. , Chen F.L. , Hu C.Y. , Huang H.L.
Published: July 2014

This study assessed the oral health disparities and oral health care needs of children whose parents are Southeast Asian immigrant women in arranged transnational marriages. We used the baseline data of the Lay Health Advisor Approach to Promote Oral Health Program (LHA-POHP) to explore the disparities in oral health between immigrant and native children, and the factors associated with their oral health. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted to collect data from mothers and their preschool children in Southern Taiwan in 2011. A total of 590 (440 natives, 150 immigrants) children aged 4-6 years and their mothers completed the questionnaire and oral examination. Multiple regression models were used to analyze the association between children's oral health and their related factors. The caries index was 6.05 in immigrant children and 3.88 in native children (p < 0.001). The caries prevalence of maxillary anterior teeth in the labial surfaces was higher among immigrants, ranging from 14.7 to 22%. The factor associated with children's caries index was maternal tooth brushing frequency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 8.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95-41.05). When the mothers did not direct children to brush teeth after eating sweets, their children were more likely to have decayed teeth (aOR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.04-12.03). Children's filled teeth were related to their dental regular check-ups (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.26-4.10). Disparities in oral health among immigrant and native children were observed. The findings suggest that culturally adequate oral health promotion intervention programs should be implemented for immigrants.
Chronic Hypoxemia in Late Gestation Decreases Cardiomyocyte Number but Does Not Change Expression of Hypoxia‐Responsive Genes
Authors: Botting Kimberley J. , McMillen I. Caroline , Forbes Heather , Nyengaard Jens R. , Morrison Janna L.
Published: July 2014

Background

Placental insufficiency is the leading cause of intrauterine growth restriction in the developed world and results in chronic hypoxemia in the fetus. Oxygen is essential for fetal heart development, but a hypoxemic environment in utero can permanently alter development of cardiomyocytes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of placental restriction and chronic hypoxemia on total number of cardiomyocytes, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, total length of coronary capillaries, and expression of genes regulated by hypoxia.

Methods and Results

We induced experimental placental restriction from conception, which resulted in fetal growth restriction and chronic hypoxemia. Fetal hearts in the
placental restriction
group had fewer cardiomyocytes, but interestingly, there was no difference in the percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes; the abundance of the transcription factor that mediates hypoxia‐induced apoptosis, p53; or expression of apoptotic genes
Bax
and
Bcl2
. Likewise, there was no difference in the abundance of autophagy regulator beclin 1 or expression of autophagic genes
BECN1
,
BNIP3
,
LAMP1
, and
MAP1LC3B
. Furthermore, fetuses exposed to normoxemia (control) or chronic hypoxemia (
placental restriction
) had similar
mRNA
expression of a suite of hypoxia‐inducible factor target genes, which are essential for angiogenesis (
VEGF
,
Flt1
,
Ang1
,
Ang2
, and
Tie2
), vasodilation (
iNOS
and
Adm
), and glycolysis (
GLUT1
and
GLUT3
). In addition, there was no change in the expression of PKC‐ε, a cardioprotective gene with transcription regulated by hypoxia in a manner independent of hypoxia‐inducible factors. There was an increased capillary length density but no difference in the total length of capillaries in the hearts of the chronically hypoxemic fetuses.

Conclusion

The lack of upregulation of hypoxia target genes in response to chronic hypoxemia in the fetal heart in late gestation may be due to a decrease in the number of cardiomyocytes (decreased oxygen demand) and the maintenance of the total length of capillaries. Consequently, these adaptive responses in the fetal heart may maintain a normal oxygen tension within the cardiomyocyte of the chronically hypoxemic fetus in late gestation.
Irrigation Solutions in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Authors: Lodhia Kunal A. , Dale Oliver T. , Winter Stuart C.
Published: July 2014

Introduction:

It is common practice to irrigate the operative site following tumor resection during major head and neck surgery. A variety of irrigation solutions are used, but there are few data on their relative efficacies in this context.

Methods:

The effect of different irrigation solutions on cell survival was assessed by clonogenic survival assay in 5 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines at different time points.

Results:

Saline had no effect on cell survival in any of the cell lines tested. Hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine, and a hydrogen peroxide/povidone-iodine mix caused complete cell death in all cell lines. Irrigation with distilled water caused a significant reduction in cell survival in 3 cell lines. Duration of exposure showed no effect on cell survival.

Conclusion:

These data suggest a significant difference in the cytocidal effect of commonly used irrigation solutions on head and neck cancer cells in an in vitro model.
Free Range Kids? Using GPS-Derived Activity Spaces to Examine Children’s Neighborhood Activity and Mobility
Authors: Loebach Janet E. , Gilliland Jason A.
Published: July 2014

This study examines the neighborhood activity spaces (NAS) of 9- to 13-year-old children ( n = 143) from seven schools in London, Canada. Data from Global Positioning System (GPS) loggers worn for 7 days were used to isolate and test measures for children’s pedestrian-based neighborhood activity: the maximum distance traveled from home and relative time spent in neighborhood settings. Descriptive and linear regression analyses examined the influence of individual, perceptual, and environmental factors on neighborhood use and travel. Participants spent a large portion of their out-of-school time (75%) in their NAS. Although traveling far from home on occasion, 94.5% of children’s time on average was spent within a short distance of home; participants spent little of their free time in broader neighborhood settings. School travel mode and independent mobility were among the strongest predictors of both distance traveled and time spent close to home. Perceptions of neighborhood safety, neighborhood type, and nearby land uses also influenced local activity.
Amsterdam’s STI/HIV programme: An innovative strategy to achieve and enhance the participation of migrant community-based organisations
Authors: Wagemakers Annemarie , van Husen Gwen , Barrett Jennifer B , Koelen Maria A
Published: July 2014

Objective:

The STI/HIV prevention programme in Amsterdam aims to improve the sexual health of Amsterdam residents of African, Antillean, Aruban and Surinamese origins. The programme strategy is to achieve and enhance the participation of migrant community-based organisations (CBOs) in sexual health promotion through a grant scheme and by providing support to CBOs in developing, implementing and monitoring STI/HIV projects within their own communities. This evaluation focussed on identifying obstacles and successes of the CBO projects, assessing the organisation of the programme and examining the level of CBO participation.

Design:

Multi-method qualitative approach based on a community-based research framework, including document analysis, 37 semi-structured interviews with CBO representatives and Public Health Service (PHS) professionals and participant observation.

Setting:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Results:

In total, 76 CBOs participated in the programme, and 110 diverse and culturally specific projects were developed. The CBOs appreciated participation in the programme, but did not necessarily perceive their participation to be at a high level. The multiple roles fulfilled by the PHS coordinator and the capacity of both the PHS and the CBOs were crucial for success.

Conclusion:

This study shows that the strategy to achieve and enhance participation by CBOs in combination with grant schemes is efficient for developing and implementing STI/HIV projects, provided that there is on-going support to develop, implement and monitor projects. In assessing the effectiveness of the programme, a number of challenges lie ahead, especially regarding the continuous monitoring of projects and assessing programme impact on sexual health.
More Than an Ally
Authors: Boucher Michael Lee
Published: July 2014

This qualitative case study provides a counternarrative to the literature of White teachers who are unsuccessful in bridging the achievement gap and disrupts the assumed meaning of solidarity between successful White teachers and their African American students. As part of successful classroom practice, this teacher interrogated his own whiteness and worked to create relationships of solidarity with students. Solidarity in multicultural and multiracial classrooms is difficult to build and a deeper concept than many theorists have acknowledged. The success of this teacher suggests that the creation of relationships of solidarity may be an effective framework to describe successful White teachers.
Pathologizing the Poor
Authors: Ullucci Kerri , Howard Tyrone
Published: July 2014

The recent economic downturn highlights that poverty continues to be a significant social problem. Mindful of this demographic reality, it is imperative for teacher educators to pay close attention to the manner in which teachers are prepared to educate students from impoverished backgrounds. Given the number of frameworks that offer reductive recommendations for teaching students from impoverished backgrounds, we seek to accomplish two goals with this work: (a) to summarize mythologies about poverty that impact student–teacher relationships and (b) to offer new perspectives on educating students from impoverished backgrounds by providing anchor questions teacher educators can explore with pre-service teachers.
Revisiting the Urban Interstates
Authors: Biles Roger , Mohl Raymond A. , Rose Mark H.
Published: July 2014

Authors of the five essays published in this special section of the Journal of Urban History highlight the Interstate’s harsh and mostly unyielding consequences for urban residents, for their neighborhoods, and for their livelihoods. Politics and policy have shaped the Interstate Highway System from its beginning in 1939 up to the present day.
Universal ontology
Authors: Cacchione Trix , Indino Marcello , Fujita Kazuo , Itakura Shoji , Matsuno Toyomi , Schaub Simone , Amici Federica
Published: July 2014

Previous research has demonstrated that adults are successful at visually tracking rigidly moving items, but experience great difficulties when tracking substance-like “pouring” items. Using a comparative approach, we investigated whether the presence/absence of the grammatical count–mass distinction influences adults and children’s ability to attentively track objects versus substances. More specifically, we aimed to explore whether the higher success at tracking rigid over substance-like items appears universally or whether speakers of classifier languages (like Japanese, not marking the object–substance distinction) are advantaged at tracking substances as compared to speakers of non-classifier languages (like Swiss German, marking the object–substance distinction). Our results supported the idea that language has no effect on low-level cognitive processes such as the attentive visual processing of objects and substances. We concluded arguing that the tendency to prioritize objects is universal and independent of specific characteristics of the language spoken.
Does Social Support Buffer the Stress of Discrimination and Reduce Psychological Distress Among Asian Americans?
Authors: Mossakowski Krysia N. , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2014

Using the stress process paradigm and data from the first national epidemiological survey of Asian Americans, we investigate whether social support from family and friends buffers the stress of discrimination to protect psychological well-being. Results suggest that perceived emotional support from family for a serious problem buffers the stress of high levels of everyday discrimination, controlling for sociodemographics, acculturation, and community factors. Contrary to our expectations, perceived emotional support from family about worries and received social support from regularly talking on the phone and getting together with family are not statistically significant stress buffers. Moreover, perceived and received social support from friends do not buffer the stress of any level of discrimination. Overall, our study has broader implications for research on the influence of social relationships on mental health and advances our knowledge of the social psychological process of coping with discrimination in the United States.
Bicaval dual-lumen cannula for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Avalon© cannula in childhood disease
Authors: Berdajs D
Published: July 2014

Severe acute refractory respiratory failure is considered a life-threatening situation, with a high mortality of 40 to 60%. When conservative oxygenation methods fail, a lifesaving measure is the introduction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO) is a preferred modality of support for patients with refractory acute respiratory failure. Specifically, bicaval VV-ECMO is a well-recognized and validated therapy, where single or double periphery venous access is used for the insertion of two differently sized cannulas in order to achieve adequate blood oxygenation. Compared to venoarterial ECMO, in VV-ECMO, the rate of complications, such as thrombosis, bleeding, infection and ischemic events, is lower. On the other hand, the size and insertion location is an obstacle to patient mobilization. This is a considerable problem for patients where the time interval for lung recovery and the bridge to the transplantation is prolonged. To address this issue, a dual-lumen, single venovenous cannula was introduced. Here, by insertion of one single catheter in one target vessel, in a majority of cases in the right internal jugular vein, satisfactory oxygenation of the patient is achieved. In this form, the instituted VV-ECMO enables patient mobility, better physical rehabilitation and facilitates pulmonary extubation and toilet.

However, relatively early, after the first short-term reports were published, a relatively high complication rate became evident. In the recent literature, the complication rate using actual commercially available double-lumen venovenous cannula ranges between 5 and 30%. These cases were mostly conjoined to the implantation phase or the early postoperative phase and vary between right heart perforation to migration of the cannula.

This review focuses on complications allied to commercially available dual-lumen, single, venovenous cannula implantation, pointing out the critical segments of the implantation process and analyzing the structure of the device.
Administering anticipatory medications in end-of-life care: A qualitative study of nursing practice in the community and in nursing homes
Authors: Wilson Eleanor , Morbey Hazel , Brown Jayne , Payne Sheila , Seale Clive , Seymour Jane
Published: July 2014

Background:

In the United Kingdom, an approach to improving end-of-life care has been the introduction of ‘just in case’ or ‘anticipatory’ medications. Nurses are often responsible for deciding when to use anticipatory medications, but little is known about their experiences.

Aim:

To examine nurses’ decisions, aims and concerns when using anticipatory medications.

Design:

An ethnographic study in two UK regions, using observations and interviews with nurses working in community and nursing home teams ( n = 8).

Findings:

Observations ( n = 83) and interviews ( n = 61) with community nurses. Nurses identified four ‘conditions’ that needed to be established before they implemented anticipatory medications: (1) irreversibility; (2) inability to take oral medication; (3) where the patient was able, they should consent and (4) decision had to be independent of demands or requests from patient’s relatives. By using anticipation medications, nurses sought to enable patients to be ‘comfortable and settled’ by provision of gradual relief of symptoms at the lowest dose possible. They aimed to respond quickly to needs, seeking to avoid hospital admission or medical call-out, while adhering to local prescribing policies. Worries included distinguishing between pain and agitation, balancing risks of under- and over-medication and the possibility of hastening death.

Conclusion:

Nurses take a leading role in the administration of anticipatory medications. Nurses apply consideration and caution to the administration of anticipatory medications but some experience emotional burden. Education, training and experience played a role in the nurses’ confidence and should continue to be central to efforts to improving the quality of palliative care in the community and nursing homes.
Comparative Study on Immediate Versus Delayed Meniscus Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Jiang Dong , Ao Ying-fang , Gong Xi , Wang Yong-jian , Zheng Zhuo-zhao , Yu Jia-kuo
Published: July 2014

Background:

Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is generally used for patients who sustain symptoms after meniscectomy, which could be called delayed MAT. Meniscus allograft transplantation for patients immediately after meniscectomy has not been reported.

Hypothesis:

Compared with the conventional delayed MAT, immediate MAT might provide better clinical results and reduce joint degeneration.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The study was performed with 18 transplanted menisci (6 medial, 12 lateral) from 16 patients. Eight menisci were transplanted immediately after meniscectomy (IM group); 10 menisci, from patients who complained of knee symptoms at a mean time of 35 months (range, 9-92 months) after total meniscectomy, underwent delayed transplantation (DE group). Fourteen patients undergoing meniscectomy during the same period were included as controls (ME group). Degenerative changes in knee joints were evaluated by plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Allograft extrusion and relative percentage of extrusion were measured on MRI. Other outcome assessments included preoperative and postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner, and Lysholm scores; visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; and range of motion and isokinetic muscle strength evaluation.

Results:

The mean length of follow-up was 50.8 months (range, 44-62 months) for the IM group, 72.0 months (range, 44-94 months) for the DE group, and 54.3 months (range, 45-62 months) for the ME group. A statistically significant difference in favor of the IM and ME groups was found on the VAS (0.4 [IM group] vs 1.1 [ME group] vs 2.5 [DE group]) and muscle strength ( P < .05). The mean IKDC score in the IM group was significantly higher than that in the DE group (93 [range, 85-99] vs 74 [range, 38-95], respectively; P < .05). The IM group showed significantly less preoperative to postoperative cartilage degeneration changes on radiographs and MRI when compared with the DE and ME groups (Kellgren-Lawrence score changes: 0.25 [IM group] vs 1.0 [DE group] vs 1.7 [ME group]; Yulish score changes: 0.25 [IM group] vs 1.0 [DE group] vs 1.1 [ME group]; P < .05). Extrusion of the allograft was observed in the body of the menisci in all patients. No significant difference was found in terms of the Lysholm score, Tegner score, joint narrowing, or meniscus extrusion ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

Compared with delayed MAT, immediate MAT led to more satisfactory subjective results, less joint degeneration, and less muscle strength deficits. The short-term results of delayed meniscus transplantation were close to those of meniscectomy.
Use of theoretical waste inventories in planning and monitoring of hazardous waste management systems
Authors: Yilmaz Ozge , Can Zehra S , Toroz Ismail , Dogan Ozgur , Oncel Salim , Alp Emre , Dilek Filiz B , Karanfil Tanju , Yetis Ulku
Published: July 2014

Hazardous waste (HW) generation information is an absolute necessity for ensuring the proper planning, implementation, and monitoring of any waste management system. Unfortunately, environmental agencies in developing countries face difficulties in gathering data directly from the creators of such wastes. It is possible, however, to construct theoretical HW inventories using the waste generation factors (WGFs). The objective of this study was to develop a complete nationwide HW inventory of Turkey that relies on nation-specific WGFs to support management activities of the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization (MoEU). Inventory studies relied on WGFs from: (a) the literature and (b) field studies and analysis of waste declarations reflecting country-specific industrial practices. Moreover, new tools were introduced to the monitoring infrastructure of MoEU to obtain a comprehensive waste generation data set. Through field studies and a consideration of country specific conditions, it was possible to more thoroughly elucidate HW generation trends in Turkey, a method that was deemed superior to other alternatives. Declaration and literature based WGFs also proved most helpful in supplementing field observations that could not always be conducted. It was determined that these theoretical inventories could become valuable assets in supporting regulating agencies in developing countries for a more thorough implementation of HW management systems.
Application of unascertained number for the integration of carbon footprint in conceptual design
Authors: He Bin , Deng Zhongqiang , Huang Shan , Wang Jun
Published: July 2014

Carbon footprint has become a recent global concern for the environment. The product carbon footprint is typically calculated with activity data and corresponding carbon emission factors in the product life cycle. However, due to the uncertainty of product information in conceptual design, all the existing carbon footprint models fail in conceptual design. As the decisions made during the conceptual design have extensive impacts on carbon footprint, it is a crucial issue to estimate product carbon footprint in conceptual design. This article is devoted to model carbon footprint in conceptual design. After the introduction of unascertained mathematics theory, the modeling process of carbon footprint in conceptual design based on unascertained number is proposed. The carbon footprint in conceptual design of an automatic pipe handling manipulator is used to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Reliability optimization design of connecting rod of locomotive traction equipment
Authors: Li Changyou , Qiao Changshuai , Zhang Yimin , Guo Song
Published: July 2014

High reliability of a locomotive is important for the railway transportation. This high reliability was guaranteed by use of a large safety factor resulting in cost increase of railway transportation generally. To overcome this high cost without sacrificing reliability, this work focuses on an optimization design method for the design of the connecting rod used in locomotive traction equipment. The reliability model is formulated based on the stress–intensity distribution interference theory and the reliability of the original connecting rod was estimated using advanced first order and second moment method. Then, the reliability–sensitivity is analyzed. The results show that the reliability of the connecting rod used in China is almost equal to one and the reliability robustness is high. To minimize the quality of the connecting rod under the condition of ensuring high reliability and reliability robustness, the reliability optimization models are proposed for three cross sections. The optimization results show that the quality of the optimized connecting rod could be reduced to less than 40% of the original without sacrificing reliability and reliability robustness.
A methodology for vehicle and mission level comparison of More Electric Aircraft subsystem solutions: Application to the flight control actuation system
Authors: Chakraborty Imon , Mavris Dimitri N , Emeneth Mathias , Schneegans Alexander
Published: July 2014

As part of the More Electric Initiative, there is a significant interest in designing energy-optimized More Electric Aircraft, where electric power meets all non-propulsive power requirements. To achieve this goal, the aircraft subsystems must be analyzed much earlier than in the traditional design process. This means that the designer must be able to compare competing subsystem solutions with only limited knowledge regarding aircraft geometry and other design characteristics. The methodology presented in this work allows such tradeoffs to be performed and is driven by subsystem requirements definition, component modeling and simulation, identification of critical or constraining flight conditions, and evaluation of competing architectures at the vehicle and mission level. The methodology is applied to the flight control actuation system, where electric control surface actuators are likely to replace conventional centralized hydraulics in future More Electric Aircraft. While the potential benefits of electric actuation are generally accepted, there is considerable debate regarding the most suitable electric actuator – electrohydrostatic or electromechanical. These two actuator types form the basis of the competing solutions analyzed in this work, which focuses on a small narrowbody aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800. The competing architectures are compared at both the vehicle and mission levels, using as metrics subsystem weight and mission fuel burn, respectively. As shown in this work, the use of this methodology aids the decision-making process by allowing the designer to rapidly evaluate the significance of any performance advantage between the competing solutions.
Differences in correlates of condom use between young adults and adults attending sexually transmitted infection clinics
Authors: Wallace Amanda R , Blood Emily A , Crosby Richard A , Shrier Lydia A
Published: July 2014

Despite developmental differences between young adults and adults, studies of condom use have not typically considered young adults as a distinct age group. This study sought to examine how condom use and its correlates differed between high-risk young adults and adults. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic patients ( n = 763) reported STI history, contraception, negative condom attitudes, fear of partner reaction to condom use and risky behaviours. Past 3-month condom use was examined as unprotected vaginal sex (UVS) acts, proportional condom use and consistent condom use. Regression models tested associations of age group and potential correlates with each condom use outcome. Interaction models tested whether associations differed by age group. Proportional condom use was greater in young adults than adults (mean 0.55 vs. 0.47); UVS and consistent condom use were similar between age groups. Young adults with a recent STI reported less condom use, whereas for older adults, a distant STI was associated with less condom use, compared to others in their age groups. Negative condom attitudes were more strongly linked to UVS acts for younger versus older adults. STI prevention efforts for younger adults may be improved by intensifying counselling about condom use immediately following STI diagnosis and targeting negative condom attitudes.
What Types of Terms Do People Use When Describing an Individual’s Personality?
Authors: Leising Daniel , Scharloth Joachim , Lohse Oliver , Wood Dustin
Published: July 2014

An important yet untested assumption within personality psychology is that more important person characteristics are more densely reflected in language. We investigated how ratings of importance and other term properties are associated with one another and with a term’s frequency of use. Research participants were asked to provide terms that described individuals they knew, which resulted in a set of 624 adjectives. These terms were independently rated for importance, social desirability, observability, stateness versus traitness, level of abstraction, and base rate. Terms rated as describing more important person characteristics were in fact used more often by the participants in the sample and in a large corpus of online communications (close to 500 million words). More frequently used terms and more positive terms were also rated as being more abstract, more traitlike, and more widely applicable (i.e., having a greater base rate). We discuss the implications of these findings with regard to person perception in general.
From war memoirs to milblogs: Language change in the witnessing of war, 1914–2014
Authors: Chouliaraki Lilie
Published: July 2014

In this article, I explore linguistic variation in selected soldiers’ memoirs at two key historical moments of the past hundred years – the 20th century’s world wars, representing the apex of industrial warfare, and the 21st century’s insurgency’ conflicts, representing the emergence of information wars - the introduction of digital technologies in the conduct and communication of war. Focusing in particular on the ways in which the trope of irony is mobilised in this genre, my analysis demonstrates the historically-specific character of the linguistic practice of witnessing death at war and identifies the changing moral discourses that emerge from such practice. The technological shift from industrialised to information wars, I conclude, is associated with a concomitant discursive shift from existential and historical forms of irony, where witnessing used to consist of a dispassionate reflection on the staggering waste of human life in 20th century conflicts, towards meta-irony, where witnessing has become a compassionate and caring commentary on the suffering of individuals, in the ‘humanitarian’ conflicts of the 21st century.