bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nursing Home Resident Symptomatology Triggering Transfer: Avoiding Unnecessary Hospitalizations
Authors: Ashcraft Alyce S. , Champion Jane Dimmitt
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study was to describe nursing home resident symptomatology and medical diagnoses associated with nursing home to hospital transfers. A retrospective chart review of documented transfers was conducted at a 120-bed, nonprofit urban Continuing Care Retirement Center nursing home facility located in the southwestern United States. The transferred residents (n=101) had seventy different medical diagnoses prior to hospital transfer with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure most frequently reported. Most frequently reported symptomatology included fatigue, lethargy or weakness, shortness of breath, and change in level of consciousness. Multiple symptomatology was indicative of a wide variety of medical diagnoses. The diagnoses and symptomatology recorded in this paper identify the importance of strategic planning concerning assessment and communication of common nursing home resident symptomatology and the importance of basic nursing and diagnostic procedures for prevention of potentially avoidable hospitalizations.
P-Cadherin Expression in Feline Mammary Tissues
Authors: Figueira Ana Catarina , Teodósio Ana Sofia , Carvalheira Júlio , Lacerda Manuela , Matos Augusto de , Gärtner Fátima
Published: October 2012

The search for molecular markers in the feline mammary gland, namely, the adhesion molecules belonging to the cadherin family, is useful in the understanding of the development of mammary carcinomas in felines and humans. To study P-cadherin expression in the feline mammary gland, 61 samples of normal (n=4), hyperplastic (n=12), and neoplastic (n=45) feline mammary tissues were examined. In both normal and hyperplastic mammary tissues as well as in benign tumours, P-cadherin immunolabelling was restricted to myoepithelial cells. In malignant tumours, however, there was an aberrant epithelial P-cadherin immunoexpression in 64.1% (n=25) of cases, with a membranous and/or cytoplasmic pattern of distribution. A statistically significant relationship was seen between epithelial P-cadherin expression and malignant mammary lesions (P=0.0001). In malignant mammary tumours, there was likewise a statistically significant relationship between aberrant P-cadherin immunoexpression and histological grade (P=0.0132). Aberrant epithelial P-cadherin expression seems to be related to malignancy in the feline mammary gland. To confirm the results of this investigation, further studies with larger samples and follow-up studies are warranted.
Homoclinic Orbits for a Class of Noncoercive Discrete Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Yuhua Long
Published: October 2012

A class of first‐order noncoercive discrete Hamiltonian systems are considered. Based on a generalized mountain pass theorem, some existence results of homoclinic orbits are obtained when the discrete Hamiltonian system is not periodical and need not satisfy the global Ambrosetti‐Rabinowitz condition.
Gecko Crude Peptides Induce Apoptosis in Human Liver Carcinoma CellsIn Vitroand Exert Antitumor Activity in a Mouse Ascites H22 Xenograft Model
Authors: Song Ying , Wang Jian-Gang , Li Rui-Fang , Li Yan , Cui Zhao-Chu , Duan Leng-Xin , Lu Fei
Published: October 2012

Aim. To investigate the anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of gecko crude peptides (GCPs)in vitroandin vivo.Methods. 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay was applied to measure the effects of GCPs on the HepG2 cell viability. Fluorescence morphology was used to identify apoptotic cells. A xenograft H22 liver cancer model was established in Kunming mice. The tumor-bearing mice were treated with daily intraperitoneal injections of normal saline (NS group) or GCPs (80, 40 or 20 mg/kg) for 10 days, or once per two days with 2 mg/kg doxorubicin (ADR group;n=10each). Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 were quantified using ELISA assay.Results. GCPs significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells and induced typical apoptotic morphological features through increasing bcl-2/bax ratio in a dose- and time-dependent mannerin vitro. The tumor weights of the ADR group, GCPs (H) group, GCPs (M) group, GCPs (L) group were smaller compared to the NS group. While the white blood cell count, thymus index, spleen index were higher in the high dose GCPs group than the NS group (P<0.05), the VEGF expression in tumor tissue and serum TNF-αand IL-6 levels in the GCPs groups were lower than the NS group (P<0.05).
A Novel Role of IGF1 in Apo2L/TRAIL-Mediated Apoptosis of Ewing Tumor Cells
Authors: van Valen Frans , Harrer Henning , Hotfilder Marc , Dirksen Uta , Pap Thomas , Gosheger George , Humpf Hans-Ulrich , Jürgens Heribert
Published: October 2012

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) reputedly opposes chemotoxicity in Ewing sarcoma family of tumor (ESFT) cells. However, the effect of IGF1 on apoptosis induced by apoptosis ligand 2 (Apo2L)/tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) remains to be established. We find that opposite to the partial survival effect of short-term IGF1 treatment, long-term IGF1 treatment amplified Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis in Apo2L/TRAIL-sensitive but not resistant ESFT cell lines. Remarkably, the specific IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) antibodyα-IR3 was functionally equivalent to IGF1. Short-term IGF1 incubation of cells stimulated survival kinase AKT and increased X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) protein which was associated with Apo2L/TRAIL resistance. In contrast, long-term IGF1 incubation resulted in repression of XIAP protein through ceramide (Cer) formation derived from de novo synthesis which was associated with Apo2L/TRAIL sensitization. Addition of ceramide synthase (CerS) inhibitor fumonisin B1 during long-term IGF1 treatment reduced XIAP repression and Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Noteworthy, the resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents was maintained in cells following chronic IGF1 treatment. Overall, the results suggest that chronic IGF1 treatment renders ESFT cells susceptible to Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis and may have important implications for the biology as well as the clinical management of refractory ESFT.
The Potential for Cellular Therapy Combined with Growth Factors in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Rosner Jack , Avalos Pablo , Acosta Frank , Liu John , Drazin Doniel
Published: October 2012

Any traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause symptoms ranging from pain to complete loss of motor and sensory functions below the level of the injury. Currently, there are over 2 million SCI patients worldwide. The cost of their necessary continuing care creates a burden for the patient, their families, and society. Presently, few SCI treatments are available and none have facilitated neural regeneration and/or significant functional improvement. Research is being conducted in the following areas: pathophysiology, cellular therapies (Schwann cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, olfactory ensheathing cells), growth factors (BDNF), inhibitory molecules (NG2, myelin protein), and combination therapies (cell grafts and neurotrophins, cotransplantation). Results are often limited because of the inhibitory environment created following the injury and the limited regenerative potential of the central nervous system. Therapies that show promise in small animal models may not transfer to nonhuman primates and humans. None of the research has resulted in remarkable improvement, but many areas show promise. Studies have suggested that a combination of therapies may enhance results and may be more effective than a single therapy. This paper reviews and discusses the most promising new SCI research including combination therapies.
Fixed Point Theorems for Various Classes of Cyclic Mappings
Authors: Aydi Hassen , Karapınar Erdal , Samet Bessem
Published: October 2012

We introduce new classes of cyclic mappings and we study the existence and uniqueness of fixed points for such mappings. The presented theorems generalize and improve several existing results in the literature.
Symmetry Feature and Construction for the 3‐Band Tight Framelets with Prescribed Properties
Authors: Sun Jianjun , Huang Bin , Chen Xiaodong , Cui Lihong
Published: October 2012

A construction approach for the 3‐band tight wavelet frames by factorization of paraunitary matrix is developed. Several necessary constraints on the filter lengths and symmetric features of wavelet frames are investigated starting at the constructed paraunitary matrix. The matrix is a symmetric extension of the polyphase matrix corresponding to 3‐band tight wavelet frames. Further, the parameterizations of 3‐band tight wavelet frames with 3N + 1 filter lengths are established. Examples of framelets with symmetry/antisymmetry and Sobolev exponent are computed by appropriately choosing the parameters in the scheme.
Cytotoxicity of Bacterial Metabolic Products, including Listeriolysin O, on Leukocyte Targets
Authors: Stachowiak R. , Lyzniak M. , Budziszewska B. K. , Roeske K. , Bielecki J. , Hoser G. , Kawiak J.
Published: October 2012

Bacterial toxins can exhibit anticancer activities. Here we investigated the anticancer effects of the listeriolysin O toxin produced byListeria monocytogenes. We found that supernatants ofListeria monocytogenesstrains (wild type, 1189, and 1190) were cytotoxic to the Jurkat cell line and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in a concentration-dependent manner. The supernatant of strain 1044, not producing listeriolysin O, was inactive. The supernatants ofListeriastrains were also cytotoxic toward B cells of chronic leukemia patients, with no significant differences in activities between strains. We also tested supernatants ofBacillus subtilisstrains BR1-90, BR1-S, and BR1-89 producing listeriolysin O. BR1-S and BR1-89 were cytotoxic to PBMC and to Jurkat cells, the latter being more sensitive to the supernatants. BR1-90 was not hemolytic or cytotoxic to PBMC, but was cytotoxic to Jurkat cells in the concentration range of 10–30%, suggesting that listeriolysin O is selectively effective against T cells. Overall, the response of human peripheral blood mononuclear and human leukemia cell lines to bacteria supernatants containing listeriolysin O depended on the bacteria strain, target cell type, and supernatant concentration.
Trends in the Prevalence of Dementia in Japan
Authors: Dodge Hiroko H. , Buracchio Teresa J. , Fisher Gwenith G. , Kiyohara Yutaka , Meguro Kenichi , Tanizaki Yumihiro , Kaye Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2012

There is a paucity of data regarding trends in dementia and its subtype prevalence in Japan. Our aims in the current paper are to: (1) summarize epidemiological studies of dementia in Japan including relevant details of study protocol and diagnostic criteria, (2) compare the age-specific prevalence of all-cause dementia among studies, and (3) assess the trends in Alzheimer's disease (AD) versus vascular dementia (VaD) over time. We reviewed diagnostic criteria, all-cause dementia prevalence, and the AD/VaD ratio from 8 large population studies of dementia in Japan. Compared with the Okinawa 1992 study, studies conducted in 1994, 1998, 2005, and 2008 had a higher prevalence of all-cause dementia using Poisson regression models, after controlling for age and sex. In contrast to the US and some European countries, all-cause dementia prevalence is increasing in Japan. The prevalence of AD as opposed to VaD seems to be increasing over time, but large variability in diagnostic criteria, possible regional variability, and differences in prevalence of subtypes of dementia between men and women make it difficult to draw a conclusion about this trend at the national level. Further studies, for example, comparing the population attributable risk of vascular diseases to the prevalence and incidence of dementia could help to clarify the regional variations in etiological subtypes.
Differential Temporal Evolution Patterns in Brain Temperature in Different Ischemic Tissues in a Monkey Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Sun Zhihua , Zhang Jing , Chen Yingmin , Zhang Yunting , Zhang Xuejun , Guo Hong , Yu Chunshui
Published: October 2012

Brain temperature is elevated in acute ischemic stroke, especially in the ischemic penumbra (IP). We attempted to investigate the dynamic evolution of brain temperature in different ischemic regions in a monkey model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The brain temperature of different ischemic regions was measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS), and the evolution processes of brain temperature were compared among different ischemic regions. We found that the normal (baseline) brain temperature of the monkey brain was 37.16°C. In the artery occlusion stage, the mean brain temperature of ischemic tissue was 1.16°C higher than the baseline; however, this increase was region dependent, with 1.72°C in the IP, 1.08°C in the infarct core, and 0.62°C in the oligemic region. After recanalization, the brain temperature of the infarct core showed a pattern of an initial decrease accompanied by a subsequent increase. However, the brain temperature of the IP and oligemic region showed a monotonously and slowly decreased pattern. Our study suggests thatin vivomeasurement of brain temperature could help to identify whether ischemic tissue survives.
Epidemiology ofEnterocytozoon bieneusiInfection in Humans
Authors: Matos Olga , Lobo Maria Luisa , Xiao Lihua
Published: October 2012

A review was conducted to examine published works that focus on the complex epidemiology ofEnterocytozoon bieneusiinfection in humans. Studies on the prevalence of these emerging microsporidian pathogens in humans, in developed and developing countries, the different clinical spectra ofE. bieneusiintestinal infection in children, in different settings, and the risk factors associated withE. bieneusiinfection have been reviewed. This paper also analyses the impact of the recent application of PCR-based molecular methods for species-specific identification and genotype differentiation has had in increasing the knowledge of the molecular epidemiology ofE. bieneusiin humans. The advances in the epidemiology ofE. bieneusi, in the last two decades, emphasize the importance of epidemiological control and prevention ofE. bieneusiinfections, from both the veterinary and human medical perspectives.
Exploring QSAR for Antimalarial Activities and Drug Distribution within Blood of a Series of 4‐Aminoquinoline Drugs Using Genetic‐MLR
Authors: Najafi Amir , Sobhanardakani Soheil , Marjani Mehdi
Published: October 2012

Malaria has been one of the most significant public health problems for centuries. QSAR modeling of the antimalarial activity and blood‐to‐plasma concentration ratio of Chloroquine and a new series of 4‐aminoquinoline derivatives were developed using genetic algorithms with multiple linear regression (GA‐MLR) method. We obtained two different models against Chloroquine‐sensitive (3D7) and Chloroquine‐resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum with good adjustment levels. Drug distribution in blood, defined as drug blood‐to‐plasma concentration ratio (Rb), is related to molecular descriptors. Leave‐many‐out (LMO) and Y‐randomization methods confirmed the models′ robustness.
Specific Lymphocyte Subsets Predict Response to Adoptive Cell Therapy Using Expanded Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Metastatic Melanoma Patients
Authors: Radvanyi Laszlo G. , Bernatchez Chantale , Zhang Minying , Fox Patricia S. , Miller Priscilla , Chacon Jessica , Wu Richard , Lizee Gregory , Mahoney Sandy , Alvarado Gladys , Glass Michelle , Johnson Valen E. , McMannis John D. , Shpall Elizabeth , Prieto Victor , Papadopoulos Nicholas , Kim Kevin , Homsi Jade , Bedikian Agop , Hwu Wen-Jen , Patel Sapna , Ross Merrick I. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Lucci Anthony , Royal Richard , Cormier Janice N. , Davies Michael A. , Mansaray Rahmatu , Fulbright Orenthial J. , Toth Christopher , Ramachandran Renjith , Wardell Seth , Gonzalez Audrey , Hwu Patrick
Published: October 2012

Purpose: Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a promising treatment for metastatic melanoma unresponsive to conventional therapies. We report here on the results of an ongoing phase II clinical trial testing the efficacy of ACT using TIL in patients with metastatic melanoma and the association of specific patient clinical characteristics and the phenotypic attributes of the infused TIL with clinical response.

Experimental Design: Altogether, 31 transiently lymphodepleted patients were treated with their expanded TIL, followed by two cycles of high-dose interleukin (IL)-2 therapy. The effects of patient clinical features and the phenotypes of the T cells infused on the clinical response were determined.

Results: Overall, 15 of 31 (48.4%) patients had an objective clinical response using immune-related response criteria (irRC) with 2 patients (6.5%) having a complete response. Progression-free survival of more than 12 months was observed for 9 of 15 (60%) of the responding patients. Factors significantly associated with the objective tumor regression included a higher number of TIL infused, a higher proportion of CD8+ T cells in the infusion product, a more differentiated effector phenotype of the CD8+ population, and a higher frequency of CD8+ T cells coexpressing the negative costimulation molecule “B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator” (BTLA). No significant difference in the telomere lengths of TIL between responders and nonresponders was identified.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the immunotherapy with expanded autologous TIL is capable of achieving durable clinical responses in patients with metastatic melanoma and that CD8+ T cells in the infused TIL, particularly differentiated effectors cells and cells expressing BTLA, are associated with tumor regression. Clin Cancer Res; 18(24); 6758–70. ©2012 AACR.
Limited Induction of Tumor Cross-Reactive T Cells without a Measurable Clinical Benefit in Early Melanoma Patients Vaccinated with Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I–Modified Peptides
Authors: Filipazzi Paola , Pilla Lorenzo , Mariani Luigi , Patuzzo Roberto , Castelli Chiara , Camisaschi Chiara , Maurichi Andrea , Cova Agata , Rigamonti Gianluigi , Giardino Felicetta , Di Florio Annabella , Asioli Marco , Frati Paola , Sovena Gloria , Squarcina Paola , Maio Michele , Danielli Riccardo , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Villa Antonello , Lombardo Claudia , Tragni Gabrina , Santinami Mario , Parmiani Giorgio , Rivoltini Licia
Published: October 2012

Purpose: The progressive immune dysfunctions that occur in patients with advanced melanoma make them unlikely to efficiently respond to cancer vaccines. A multicenter randomized phase II trial was conducted to test whether immunization with modified HLA class I tumor peptides in the context of adjuvant therapy results in better immunologic responses and improved clinical outcomes in patients with early melanoma (stages IIB/C-III).

Experimental Design: Forty-three patients were enrolled to undergo vaccination (n = 22) or observation (n = 21). The vaccine included four HLA-A*0201–restricted modified peptides (Melan-A/MART-1[27L], gp100[210M], NY-ESO-1[165V], and Survivin[97M]) emulsified in Montanide ISA51 and injected subcutaneously in combination with cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2) and low-dose IL-2 (3 × 106 IU). The immune responses were monitored using ex vivo IFN-γ–ELISpot, HLA/multimer staining, and in vitro short-term peptide sensitization assays.

Results: Vaccination induced a rapid and persistent increase in specific effector memory CD8+ T cells in 75% of the patients. However, this immunization was not associated with any significant increase in disease-free or overall survival as compared with the observation group. An extensive immunologic analysis revealed a significantly reduced cross-recognition of the corresponding native peptides and, most importantly, a limited ability to react to melanoma cells.

Conclusions: Adjuvant setting is an appealing approach for testing cancer vaccines because specific CD8+ T cells can be efficiently induced in most vaccinated patients. However, the marginal antitumor activity of the T cells induced by modified peptides in this study largely accounts for the observed lack of benefit of vaccination. These findings suggest reconsidering this immunization strategy, particularly in early disease. Clin Cancer Res; 18(23); 6485–96. ©2012 AACR.
A Phase II, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Vismodegib as Maintenance Therapy in Patients with Ovarian Cancer in Second or Third Complete Remission
Authors: Kaye Stanley B. , Fehrenbacher Louis , Holloway Robert , Amit Amnon , Karlan Beth , Slomovitz Brian , Sabbatini Paul , Fu Ling , Yauch Robert L. , Chang Ilsung , Reddy Josina C.
Published: October 2012

Purpose: Hedgehog pathway inhibition has been suggested as a potential maintenance treatment approach in ovarian cancer through disruption of tumor–stromal interactions. Vismodegib is an orally available Hedgehog pathway inhibitor with clinical activity in advanced basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. This phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed to provide a preliminary estimate of efficacy in patients with ovarian cancer in second or third complete remission (CR).

Experimental Design: Patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer in second or third CR were randomized 1:1 to vismodegib (GDC-0449; 150 mg daily) or placebo three to 14 weeks after completing chemotherapy. Treatment continued until radiographic progression or toxicity. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS).

Results: One hundred four patients were randomized to vismodegib (n = 52) or placebo (n = 52); median PFS was 7.5 months and 5.8 months, respectively [HR 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46–1.35]. The HR was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.36–1.20) for second CR patients (n = 84) and 1.79 (95% CI, 0.50–6.48) for third CR patients (n = 20). The most common adverse events in the vismodegib arm were dysgeusia/ageusia, muscle spasms, and alopecia. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 12 patients (23.1%) with vismodegib and six (11.5%) with placebo. Hedgehog expression was detected in 13.5% of archival tissues.

Conclusions: In this study, the sought magnitude of increase in PFS was not achieved for vismodegib maintenance versus placebo in patients with ovarian cancer in second or third CR. The frequency of Hedgehog ligand expression was lower than expected. Clin Cancer Res; 18(23); 6509–18. ©2012 AACR.
A Trade-Off between Feedback-Based Learning and Episodic Memory for Feedback Events: Evidence from Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Foerde Karin , Braun Erin Kendall , Shohamy Daphna
Published: October 2012

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic projections to the striatum, leading to both motor and cognitive impairments. The cognitive impairments are relatively selective and include deficits in incremental learning from trial-by-trial feedback, while other forms of learning, such as hippocampal-dependent episodic memory, remain intact. Interestingly, it has been suggested that the striatum and the hippocampus compete during learning, leading to the intriguing prediction that the striatal disruption in PD could lead to enhanced performance on tasks that depend on the hippocampus. We tested this prediction by simultaneously assessing incremental learning and episodic memory for trial-unique feedback events, within a single task, in patients with PD. Further, in order to modulate the engagement of the striatum versus the hippocampus, we manipulated the timing of feedback during learning, building on prior results showing that delaying feedback by a few seconds shifts learning to depend on the hippocampus instead of the striatum. We found that Parkinson’s patients were impaired at learning from immediate feedback, but had enhanced episodic memory for those immediate feedback events. Thus, our results provide evidence for concurrent impaired and enhanced learning and memory functions within the same group of patients from a single task.
Gene Mutations Associated with Anomalies of Human Gonad Formation
Authors: Bashamboo A. , McElreavey K.
Published: October 2012

Here, we discuss recent progress on our understanding of the genetic anomalies that impact directly on the specification and development of the somatic cell compartment of the human gonad. Several new genes and pathways have been identified in the last 5 years associated with human disorders of sex development (DSD). New methods and analytical approaches, including comparative genomic hybridization and next-generation sequencing technologies, are beginning to provide deeper insights into the complexities and alterations of the genetic architecture that are associated with human DSD. The challenges as well as the research opportunities for the future are highlighted as efforts are made to bridge the gap between an increasing quantity of genetic information and the underlying biology.
Impact of an Electronic Medical Record-Based Clinical Decision Support Tool for Dysphagia Screening on Care Quality
Authors: Lakshminarayan Kamakshi , Rostambeigi Nassir , Fuller Candace C. , Peacock James M. , Tsai Albert W.
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—

Dysphagia screening (DS) before oral intake in patients with acute stroke is a hospital-level performance measure. We report outcomes of an initiative to improve compliance to this quality measure.

Methods—

The design was a pre- versus postintervention comparison study. The Intervention was an electronic medical record-based clinical DS system embedded within stroke admission orders. The clinical DS was designed to facilitate DS in patients with stroke. The primary outcome was compliance to a process measure in patients with ischemic stroke: performance of a swallow screen before oral intake.

Results—

DS measure compliance increased from 36% to 74% (
P
=0.001). Chart audits found screened patients were more likely to have clinical DS-embedded admission orders initiated or stroke unit admission.

Conclusion—

The electronic medical record offers a ready platform for clinical DS implementation. DS is a difficult performance measure to improve. The described clinical DS has the potential for improving performance on this challenging care quality measure.
Electromechanical and Robot-Assisted Arm Training After Stroke
Authors: Mehrholz Jan , Hädrich Anja , Platz Thomas , Kugler Joachim , Pohl Marcus
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—

More than two thirds of all patients after stroke have difficulties with reduced arm function. Electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training devices are used in rehabilitation and might help to improve arm function after stroke. Our systematic review examined the effectiveness of electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training for improving generic activities of daily living, arm function, and arm muscle strength in patients after stroke and also assessed the acceptability and safety of the therapy.

Methods—

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group’s Trials Register (last searched July 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1950 to July 2011), EMBASE (1980 to July 2011), CINAHL (1982 to July 2011), AMED (1985 to July 2011), SPORTDiscus (1949 to July 2011), PEDro (searched August 2011), COMPENDEX (1972 to July 2011), and INSPEC (1969 to July 2011). We also hand-searched relevant conference proceedings, searched trials and research registers, checked reference lists, and contacted trialists, experts, and researchers in our field as well as manufacturers of commercial devices. Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted the data. The primary outcome was activities of daily living; secondary outcomes were impairments such as motor function and motor strength. To minimize bias we included only randomized controlled trials comparing electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training for recovery of arm function with other rehabilitation interventions or no treatment.

Results—

We included 19 trials (involving 666 participants) in this review. Electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training did improve activities of daily living (standardized mean difference, 0.43, 95% CI, 0.11–0.75;
P
=0.009;
I
2
=67%;
Figure
) as well as arm function (standardized mean difference, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20–0.69;
P
=0.0004;
I
2
=45%), but arm muscle strength did not improve (standardized mean difference, 0.48, 95% CI, −0.06 to 1.03;
P
=0.08;
I
2
=79%). Electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training did not increase the risk of patients to dropout (risk difference, 0.00; 95% CI, −0.04 to 0.04;
P
=0.82;
I
2
=0.0%), and adverse events were rare.

Figure.

Forest plot of activities of daily living.

Conclusions—

Patients who receive electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training after stroke are more likely to improve their generic activities of daily living. Paretic arm function may also improve, but not arm muscle strength. However, the results must be interpreted with caution because there were variations between the trials in the duration and amount of training, type of treatment, and in the patient characteristics.
Northward Propagation Mechanisms of the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation in the ERA-Interim and SP-CCSM
Authors: DeMott Charlotte A. , Stan Cristiana , Randall David A.
Published: October 2012

Mechanisms for the northward propagation (NP) of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) and associated Asian summer monsoon (ASM) are investigated using data from the interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim, herein called ERAI) and the superparameterized Community Climate System Model (SP-CCSM). Analyzed mechanisms are 1) destabilization of the lower troposphere by sea surface temperature anomalies, 2) boundary layer moisture advection, and boundary layer convergence associated with 3) SST gradients and 4) barotropic vorticity anomalies. Mechanism indices are regressed onto filtered OLR anomaly time series to study their relationships to the intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) and to equatorial Rossby (ER) waves.

Northward propagation in ERAI and SP-CCSM is promoted by several mechanisms, but is dominated by boundary layer moisture advection and the barotropic vorticity effect. SST-linked mechanisms are of secondary importance but are nonnegligible. The magnitudes of NP mechanisms vary from the Indian Ocean to the west Pacific Ocean, implying that NP is accomplished by different mechanisms across the study area.

SP-CCSM correctly simulates observed NP mechanisms over most of the ASM domain except in the Arabian Sea during the early stages of the monsoon life cycle. Reduced NP in the Arabian Sea arises from weaker-than-observed easterly shear, reducing the effectiveness of the barotropic vorticity mechanism. The ability of SP-CCSM to correctly simulate NP mechanisms in other regions results from the model’s ability to simulate reasonable mean wind and moisture fields, a realistic spectrum of variability, and the capability of convection to respond to boundary layer changes induced by large-scale NP mechanisms.
A 10-yr Climatology of Diabatic Rossby Waves in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Boettcher Maxi , Wernli Heini
Published: October 2012

Diabatic Rossby waves (DRWs) are low-tropospheric positive potential vorticity (PV) anomalies in moist and sufficiently baroclinic regions. They regenerate continuously by moist-diabatic processes and potentially develop into explosively intensifying cyclones. In this study a specific DRW-tracking algorithm is developed and applied to operational ECMWF analyses to compile a first climatology of DRWs in the Northern Hemisphere for the years 2001–10. DRWs are more frequent over the North Pacific than over the North Atlantic with on average 81 and 43 systems per year, respectively. Less than 15% of these systems intensify explosively, on average 12 per year over the Pacific and 5 over the Atlantic. DRWs are most frequent in summer but most of the explosively intensifying DRWs occur in autumn and winter. DRWs are generated typically between 30°–50°N over the eastern parts of the continents and the western/central parts of the oceans. They propagate fairly zonally along the midlatitude baroclinic zone. The generation of the initial low-tropospheric PV anomalies goes along with precipitation processes in characteristic flow patterns, which correspond to 1) flow around the subtropical high against the midlatitude baroclinic zone, 2) flow induced by an upper-level cutoff or a (tropical) cyclone against the baroclinic zone, 3) upper-level trough-induced ascent at the baroclinic zone, and 4) PV remnants of a tropical cyclone or a mesoscale convective system that are advected into the baroclinic zone where they start propagating as a DRW. In most cases, explosive intensification of DRWs occurs through interaction with a preexisting upper-level trough.
Decision Making under Climate Risks: An Analysis of Sub-Saharan Farmers’ Adaptation Behaviors
Authors: Seo S. Niggol
Published: October 2012

This paper examines decision making under climate risks using farmers’ decisions in sub-Saharan Africa, where climate risks are very high. Two risk measures are obtained from the Climate Research Unit’s high-resolution climatology, diurnal temperature range (DTR) and coefficient of variation in precipitation (CVP), which are both averages of 30-yr climate data. Farm surveys of around 7600 households were matched cell by cell with the climate risk data. This paper finds that climate risks are indeed highest in the lowland arid zones in the Sahel. A spatial logit analysis shows that farmers in sub-Saharan Africa have adapted their agricultural systems to varying degrees of the CVP and the DTR. In the long term, if the CVP were to increase by 30%, an integrated system would increase by 7.0%. On the other hand, the two specialized systems fall: a crops-only system falls by 5.3% and a livestock-only system falls by 1.7%. When the DTR increases, farmers adapt by switching to a specialized livestock system. Under increased climate risks, this paper finds that farmers in the lowland savannahs and arid zones in the Sahel, where climate risks are high at present, will adapt by switching to an integrated system. Studies of climate risks, therefore, must account for behavioral responses of the individuals. These results can be utilized to help African farmers to adapt to increasing climate risks.
Working-Class Cast
Authors: Paulson Erika L. , O’Guinn Thomas C.
Published: October 2012

The authors investigate brand advertising as an instrument of class politics, used to shape perceptions of and beliefs about social groups, specifically the working class. These images are consistent with the prescriptions of capitalist realism. The authors content-analyze representations of the working class drawn from a random sample of ads from 1950 to 2010. Quantitative results are compared to a variety of secondary data sources, including the General Social Survey and public opinion polling. The authors find that representations of the working class do not closely follow social, political, or economic changes. If anything, increasingly nostalgic images contradict the disappearance of blue-collar jobs. The authors examine the ads in more depth to explain why the content does not align with objective reality, identifying a variety of tableaus commonly used in representations of the working class that are consistent with capitalist realism and myths of the American class structure.
Sustainable Citizenship and the New Politics of Consumption
Authors: Micheletti Michele , Stolle Dietlind
Published: October 2012

This article develops the notion of “sustainable citizenship” and distinguishes it from more conventional forms of citizenship. The authors formulate indicators of the presence of sustainable citizenship among individuals, in corporations, and in nongovernmental organizations and apply those indicators in two empirical studies. The first study is of institutions (Fairtrade International, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and The Walt Disney Company), and the second is of individuals, particularly those who practice political consumerism and vegetarianism. The studies show that citizenship is expanding in three significant ways: by addressing concerns about past and current injustices and their effects on the future (broadened temporal dimension); by addressing responsibilities worldwide, not just within one’s country (broadened spatial dimension); and by adding a material dimension that emphasizes responsibility to nature and animals. The studies find that the development of sustainable citizenship is taking detours. In particular, self-interest often dominates its nonreciprocal or other-regarding concerns.
Finite element implementation of Puck’s failure theory for fibre-reinforced composites under three-dimensional stress
Authors: Matthias Deuschle H , Kröplin Bernd-H
Published: October 2012

The objectives of this article are to apply Puck’s failure criteria to predict the failure of 12 test problems, proposed in Part A of the second World-Wide Failure Exercise. These problems include a polymer material, various unidirectional laminae and three multi-directional laminates under a variety of 3D stress loadings. The implementation was carried out through a commercial finite element code where material nonlinearities, due to material behaviour under shear and transverse and through-thickness loadings and due to post failure damage, were taken into account. This is the first time where the critertion has been stretched to its limits. Some of the challenges found include the need to determine the fracture angle of action plane under 3D stresses and the treatment of the strengthening effects on the nonlinear stress strain curves when a lamina is subjected to combined compressive stresses in both the transverse and through-thickness directions. The successful methodology developed here will be used to analyse the effects of boundary conditions in Part B of the second World-Wide Failure Exercise to improve correlation with experimental results for the test problems.
Sustainable supply chain design: an application example in local business retail
Authors: Longo Francesco
Published: October 2012

The paper demonstrates the need to consider different sustainability aspects in supply chain redesign and optimization problems. To this end a simulation model of local pharmaceutical business retail is presented as application example. Three different sustainability aspects are considered (technical sustainability, economic sustainability and environmental sustainability) when investigating two different problems: the addition of new pharmacies to the supply chain and optimization of the supply chain routes. The main goals are to understand how new potential customers can be added to the supply chain while reducing the negative impact on the customers’ satisfaction level (technical sustainability), how to optimize the routes followed by each transportation vector (technical, economic and environmental sustainability) and how to compare different solutions in terms of truck fleets in order to reduce CO2 emissions (environmental and economic sustainability).
The Politics of Age, Temporality and Intergenerationality in Transnational Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Activist Networks
Authors: Binnie Jon , Klesse Christian
Published: October 2012

Age, temporality and intergenerationality have often been neglected in debates on intersectionality within sexuality studies. This article contributes towards these debates by examining how age and generation operate within transnational activism around LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer politics) in Poland. Drawing on interviews with activists in Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK, this article examines age and generation as significant aspects of activists’ positioning with regard to each other and to archives of political experiences and discursive repertoires. The article argues that age and generation matter on the level of personal inter-subjectivity and are frequently rationalised by recourse to different national and local narratives of LGBTQ movement histories.
Promoting Comfort and Confidence With Conducting Research Through a Pluralistic Ignorance Project
Authors: Casey Christopher M. , Wormington Stephanie V. , Oleson Kathryn C.
Published: October 2012

This article documents a pluralistic ignorance project, which serves as an appropriate mid-level research experience for psychology students, and aims to foster students’ comfort and confidence with the research process. For the project, small groups of students utilized an established research paradigm to explore varied topics. After being assessed in a pilot study, the project was evaluated by a group of students enrolled in a social psychology course at various points throughout the assignment. Students reported broad enjoyment of the assignment and supported its future use. They also reported greater comfort and confidence with aspects of the research process (e.g., forming hypotheses, providing feedback to classmates). Data suggested the project has the potential to foster positive attitudes toward the research process, with potential long-term effects. Suggestions for customizing the pluralistic ignorance project are discussed.
Geometric and thermal error compensation for CNC milling machines based on Newton interpolation method
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Yi , Yang Jianguo , Zhang Yusheng , Yuan Feng
Published: October 2012

The fast and accurate modeling for machine errors is an important step for the implementation of error compensation. In this article, a new approach for real-time compensation of geometric and thermal errors is presented, including an accurate error model and a real-time error compensation system. An experiment is carried out on a three-axis milling center to obtain machine positioning errors under different temperatures. A serial of error data collected under normal temperature is regarded as the basic error and modeled with the machine position coordinates based on Newton interpolation method which is also used for modeling the other error curves under different working temperatures in order to get their coefficients of fitting formulas. According to the relationship among these formulas, all the coefficients and the corresponding temperature variations are modeled using the Newton interpolation method again. The final compensation model can be obtained by substituting the coefficients of basic error formula. In addition, an external real-time error compensation system is developed based on the function of external machine zero point shift in Fanuc CNC systems. Experimental results show that the proposed geometric and thermal error compensation system can be utilized as an effective manner to improve the accuracy of CNC milling machines.
Barefoot entrepreneurs
Authors: Imas J Miguel , Wilson Nick , Weston Alia
Published: October 2012

This article makes a contribution to critical entrepreneurship studies through exploring ‘barefoot’ entrepreneur[ ing], i.e. the entrepreneurial practices and narratives of individuals who live primarily in marginal, poor and excluded places and contexts. Drawing on Max-Neef’s barefoot economics and a methodology based on the authoring and sharing of microstorias, the article asks how agents in deprived areas of Chile, Argentina, Zimbabwe and Ghana undertake entrepreneur[ing] from the margins or ‘periphery’. The article challenges us to seek better explanations for how these individuals apply their entrepreneurial practices, discourses, (social) creativity and novel organizational skills to maintain communal, organizational, familial and personal wellbeing. We conclude that their imaginary, their narratives and their overcoming of very real challenges as we encounter them through these microstorias, question the predominant conceptualization of entrepreneurship. We are emboldened to think again about ‘who is the entrepreneur?’ (Gartner, 1988) and what really are the principles and values that should be associated with the concept, the organization and the identities of agents involved.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Intensity and Duration Effects on Tinnitus Suppression
Authors: Shekhawat Giriraj Singh , Stinear Cathy M. , Searchfield Grant D.
Published: October 2012

Background. Perception of sound in the absence of an external auditory source is called tinnitus, which may negatively affect quality of life. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left temporoparietal area (LTA) was explored for tinnitus relief. Objective. This pilot study examined tDCS dose (current intensity and duration) and response effects for tinnitus suppression. Methods. Twenty-five participants with chronic tinnitus and a mean age of 54 years took part. Anodal tDCS of LTA was carried out. Current intensity (1 mA and 2 mA) and duration (10 minutes, 15 minutes, and 20 minutes) were varied and their impact on tinnitus measured. Results. tDCS was well tolerated. Fifty-six percent of participants (14) experienced transient suppression of tinnitus, and 44% of participants (11) experienced long-term improvement of symptoms (overnight—less annoyance, more relaxed, and better sleep). There was an interaction between duration and intensity of the stimulus on the change in rated loudness of tinnitus, F(2, 48) = 4.355, P = .018, and clinical global improvement score, F(2, 48) = 3.193, P = .050, after stimulation. Conclusions. Current intensity of 2 mA for 20 minutes was the more effective stimulus parameter for anodal tDCS of LTA. tDCS can be a potential clinical tool for reduction of tinnitus, although longer term trials are needed.
A Case Study of Private Schools in Kibera
Authors: Dixon Pauline , Tooley James
Published: October 2012

This article provides an update on our earlier paper on the introduction by the Kenyan government in 2003 of free primary education (FPE), and its impact on low-fee private schools. First, published papers that have used our contribution as a springboard for discussion are critically reviewed. The argument and supporting evidence that the poor are not making preferred choices for low-fee private schools, but are in fact ‘crowded out’ of government schools, are explored. It is suggested that this argument depends upon the assumption of poor quality in the low-fee private schools – lower quality than is found in government schools. This assumption is found not to be tenable, on the basis of evidence given, especially concerning pupil–teacher ratios (PTRs) and other input indicators. Second, an update is given on the data collected in 2003. Longitudinal evidence gathered in 2007, 4 years after our original data were collected, points to a dramatic increase in the number of private schools serving the slum of Kibera, Nairobi. In total 116 private schools now operate in the slum, with private school enrolment showing an increase of 130 per cent. On the important indicator of PTRs, these have increased by nearly 50 per cent in the government schools, giving an average of 88:1, compared to 28:1 in the low-fee private schools. The longitudinal findings and critical literature review are combined to suggest that low-fee private schools should be seen as partners in education for all; various ways in which international organisations are responding to the challenge of improving quality in, and extending access to, low-fee private schools are reviewed.