bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supervision of Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Students: Impact on and Predictors of Clinician Productivity
Authors: Ozelie Rebecca , Janow Janet , Kreutz Corinne , Mulry Mary Kate , Penkala Ashley
Published: December 2014

This study aimed to determine whether a difference in productivity exists between clinicians supervising and not supervising a Level II occupational therapy student and whether factors including clinician years of experience, practice setting, and clinician productivity without a student could predict clinician productivity while supervising a student. We used paired-sample t tests to examine clinician productivity with and without a student in 109 clinician–student encounters and regression analysis to determine factors predictive of clinician productivity with a student. Results indicated no difference in clinician productivity with or without a student. Clinician years of experience, practice area, and productivity without a student were significant predictors of clinician productivity while supervising a student. Study results contradict the belief that supervising Level II fieldwork students lowers clinicians’ productivity. Findings suggest that practice area and productivity without a student are important factors influencing the productivity of clinicians supervising a fieldwork student.
Sensory Processing Disorder in Children Ages Birth–3 Years Born Prematurely: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mitchell Anita Witt , Moore Elizabeth M. , Roberts Emily J. , Hachtel Kristen W. , Brown Melissa S.
Published: December 2014

This systematic review of multidisciplinary literature synthesizes evidence of the prevalence and patterns of sensory processing disorder (SPD) in children ages birth–3 yr born preterm. Forty-five articles including physiological, behavioral, temperament, and SPD research met the inclusion criteria and provided 295 findings related to SPD—130 (44%) positive (evidence of SPD) and 165 (56%) negative (no evidence of SPD). The majority of findings related to sensory modulation disorder (SMD; 43% positive). The most prevalent subcategory of SMD was sensory overresponsivity (82% of findings positive). Evidence of sensory underresponsivity and sensory-seeking SMD, sensory discrimination disorder, and sensory-based motor disorder was limited. This study supports the education of neonatologists, pediatricians, and caregivers about the symptoms and potential consequences of SPD and helps justify the need for follow-up screening for SPD in children ages birth–3 yr born preterm. Research using measures based on sensory processing theory is needed.
Mental Practice–Triggered Electrical Stimulation in Chronic, Moderate, Upper-Extremity Hemiparesis After Stroke
Authors: Page Stephen J. , Levine Peter , Hill Valerie
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE. To determine the feasibility and impact of home-based, mental practice–triggered electrical stimulation among stroke survivors exhibiting moderate upper-extremity (UE) impairment.

METHOD. Five participants with moderate, stable UE hemiparesis were administered the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Box and Block Test, and the Activities of Daily Living, Hand Function, and overall recovery domains of the Stroke Impact Scale (Version 3). They were then administered an 8-wk regimen consisting of 1 hr of mental practice–triggered electrical stimulation every weekday in their home. At the end of every 2 wk, participants attended supervised stimulation to progress therapeutic exercises and stimulation levels and monitor compliance.

RESULTS. Six instances of device noncompliance were reported. Participants exhibited reduced UE motor impairment and increased UE dexterity and participation in valued activities.

CONCLUSION. The regimen appears feasible and had a substantial impact on UE impairment, dexterity, and participation in valued activities as well as perceptions of recovery.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Urology
Authors: Recupero Salvatore Marco , Bientinesi Riccardo , Foschi Nazario , Racioppi Marco , Bassi Pier Francesco , Sacco Emilio
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is used to minimize infectious complications resulting from interventions. Due to high rates of development of bacterial resistance and side effects, the use of antibiotics must be weighed on the basis of high levels of evidence. The main endpoints of urology AP are the prevention of symptomatic urogenital infections, urosepsis and wound infections. The purpose of this review is to bring objectives, principles and recommendations on urology AP according to the latest scientific evidence.

Methods

We carried out a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library using keywords such as AP, prophylaxis, antibiotics, urological surgery, urogenital surgery and the names of the urologic procedures. The results of studies on the AP for each procedure were classified according to the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation from the European Association of Urology.

Results

There are a number of good quality studies on AP about endoscopic resection of the prostate (TURP), urodynamic studies and transrectal prostate biopsies (trPB). The majority of the studies about other procedures have several limitations (sample size, consistency of definitions, statistics and trial design). Lack of consistency in the definitions of infectious complications does not allow comparison between different studies.

Conclusions

The AP is evidence-based is indicated only for TURP and trPB. It is desirable to perform randomized, prospective and controlled trials in order to rationalize the use of antibiotics, improve the cost/benefit ratio and reduce bacterial antibiotic resistances.
What Is a Digital Author? The Faulknerian Author Function in Jean-Luc Godard's Film Socialisme
Authors: Du Graf Lauren
Published: December 2014

This article examines Jean-Luc Godard's Film Socialisme (2010) through its references to the fiction of William Faulkner. This article contends that Film Socialisme's distinctive method of allusion serves a poetic function, beckoning our attention to how language, representations, and ideas recirculate, and what this means to us—or should mean to us—in a world pervaded by digital technology and intellectual property regimes. Godard's references to the fiction of William Faulkner serve as a case study, not only because they offer a rich illustration of how Godard reworks his source material, but also because the filmmaker has consistently gestured to the work of Faulkner throughout his career, from his first feature-length film to his most recent. This article finds that the film's circuitous and prolific method of allusion functions both as a means to critique commonly held notions of authorship, and to point out the absurdity of copyright laws, or as they are known in France, droits d'auteur. Further, Film Socialisme's use of Light in August in points to an epistemic anxiety regarding the limits of language and narrative to faithfully represent lived experience, and in turn, the world.
The Public Sphere and Literary Journals: An Investigation of the Discursive Formation of New Fiction's Utopian Imagination in Late Qing
Authors: Leung Shuk Man
Published: December 2014

This article considers New Fiction's utopian imagination in the Late Qing period as a product of Foucauldian discursive formation, an important element of which is the channel of production through literary journals in the Chinese public sphere. Developing Jürgen Habermas's concept of a bourgeois public sphere during eighteenth- and nineteeth-century Europe, Rudolf Wagner's notion of a Chinese public sphere stresses that the participants came from the top and bottom of society, and that the Qing court was an important and legitimate player. In applying that notion, this article shows how fiction could be a means of public opinion and how a literary journal could be a platform in the public sphere. Monthly Fiction and Racing Independent Club Fiction Monthly, and their publication of utopian novels, are two examples that demonstrate their reactions to political issues and their vertical relationship with the court in the Chinese public sphere. By examining these two case studies, the processes by which the narratives of a new China(s) were produced by this utopian discourse are shown.
Measuring attitudes and knowledge of evidence-based practice in the Qatar nursing workforce: A quantitative cross-sectional analysis of barriers to empowerment
Authors: Carlone Julien Blaise , Igbirieh Omar
Published: December 2014

Objectives: To explore the prevailing attitudes and knowledge of evidence-based practice (EBP), and to compare the relationship between EBP
attitudes and knowledge, amongst nurses in Qatar's public health system.

Study design: A quantitative cross-sectional survey evaluating EBP-related attitudes and knowledge amongst a sample of 400 registered nurses at
Hamad General Hospital (HGH), Qatar's largest public hospital.

Methods: Data was collected via a questionnaire, distributed to participants who were randomly selected using a hospital nursing staff directory.
Descriptive analysis, Shapiro-Wilk Test for normality, Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient analysis (to evaluate significance of correlation exhibited
between demographic and professional variables), Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyse the data.

Results: Significant, positive correlation was found between EBP attitude and knowledge scores, indicating a complementary pattern in which EBP
perceptions develop. Age was also found to have a significant, positive correlation with EBP attitude, though no other experience indictors provided
significant outcomes. Application of EBP knowledge was found to increase with level of education and varied by clinical specialty, suggesting that
both academic background and current professional practice exert influence on perceptions and familiarity with EBP.

Conclusion: The results offer valuable insight on EBP attitudes and knowledge in HGH's nursing workforce, indicating where EBP perceptions and
preparedness may differ within. This study is a pivotal first step in understanding the status quo in Qatar's health system as it pertains to EBP, from
which future research can help develop tailored development strategies for EBP implementation, leading to quality improvement in health outcomes.
Carcass Composition of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats Fed Cassava Peel-Based Diets
Authors: Eneji Christopher Adams , Kalio Godfrey Adokiye , Kennedy-Oko Oluwatosin
Published: December 2014

To investigate the effects of cassava peel-based diets on the meat composition of WAD goats, 24 five month-old goats were used for the experiment. Results show that the Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP) and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) content of the meat were not significantly (P>0.05) different. The DM, CP and NFE content ranged from 29.96-30.00%, 89.77-90.43% and 2.00-4.03% respectively. The mineral composition revealed no significant (P>0.05) differences in Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P) and Copper (Cu) content. The Fe, Ca, Na, Zn, Mg, K, P and Cu content ranged from 1.95-2.20mg, 23.65 -25.29mg, 72.86-77.05mg, 4.00-4.32mg, 55.65-57.83mg and 1.62-1.73mg respectively. From the results, it appears that cassava peels supplemented with sweet potato foliage could improve the meat composition of WAD goats.
Mathematical Modeling of Drying Pattern of Ogi Produced From Two Types of Maize Grain
Authors: O. T. Bolaji , A. P. Olalusi , B. S. Adesina
Published: December 2014

This paper presents thin layer modeling of ogi produced from yellow and white maize at varying soaking period and dried in the cabinet and oven at 50 ºC. The moisture decrease for cabinet dried ogi produced from white maize from 49.0 11.5%, 49.5 to 11.32%, 46.5 to 12.33% and 46.12.29%. The drying rate for both oven and cabinet dried ogi produced from yellow maize decreased from 4.6 to 0.0525 kg/min, 4.5 to 0.0513 kg/min, 4.35 to 0.049 kg/min and 4.4 to 0.047 kg/min while for oven dried ogi followed a similar trend. The experimental data obtained were fitted to five thin layer models: Newton, Page, Herderson and Pabis, Two term and Wingh and Singh models. The values obtained for ogi produced from white maize and dried in the cabinet and oven at 50 ºC for Newton model gave a lower R2, ?2, RMSE compared with respective values obtained from Page, Herderson and Pabis, two term, Wing and Singh models. The two terms model appear to be the best model among the five models used in this work and had higher R2, lower ?2, and RMSE. The ogi produced from yellow maize at varying soaking period of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours and dried in cabinet dryer and fitted with two term showed model constants a, K0, b, K1 0.04315, 0.0388995, 0.919, 2.2 × 10-3 while the R2, ?2 RMSE were 0.9933, 5.85 × 10-4 and 4.85 × 105 for ogi produced for 24 hours soaking, respectively. The soaking period does not seem to affect the moisture ratio and the thin layer drying model. However, the initial moisture and equipment seems to affect significantly.
Effect of Storage Temperature on Biochemical and Mixolab Pasting Properties of Chinese Japonica Paddy
Authors: Li Xing-jun , Jiang Ping
Published: December 2014

This study investigated the changes in germination rate, contents of oleic acids, protein, water soluble sugars, enthalpy of flour gelatinization, and Mixolab dough pasting properties of three varieties of japonica rough rice after 18-month storage at four temperatures of 4,15,25 and 35 ºC. After an 18-month storage, the paddy stored at or below 25 ºC had more than 70% germination rate, their flour extracts by acid dye mixture of methyl red and bromothymol blue showed greenish color, but the paddy stored at 35 ºC was only 30% germination rates, their flour extracts by acid dye mixture seem to be yellowish. With an increase in storage temperature, mositure content in paddy decreased, but total protein changed unsignificantly. In comparison to the paddy stored at 15 ºC, the higher storage temperature (25 and 35 ºC) tends to decrease the contents of damaged starch, water-soluble reducing sugars, total sugars, and uronic acids. The content of oleic acid in paddy stored at 4 ºC was markedly higher than that at the temperatures of 15, 25 and 35 ºC. Compared to lower temperate (4 and 15 ºC), the higher storage temperature (35 ºC) increased the gelatinization enthalpy of paddy flour and its starch determined by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), also increased Mixolab characteristic torque parameters such as starch gelatinization peak (C3), starch gelatinization minimum (C4), starch retrogradation minimum (C5), degrees of starch decay (C3-C4) and retrogradation (C5-C4) with a decrease in protein weakening (C2). The results of this study indicate storage temperature is an important factor affecting the physiological and biochemical properties of paddy, and lower temperature below room temperature are recommended to maintain paddy quality.
A Marketing Analysis of the Equitability of Water/Sewage Service Improvements
Authors: Hecht Jonathan , Reid Scott , Chalak Ali
Published: December 2014

Advances in choice modeling allow for the approximation of the spread of preferences within a population and the estimation of individual‐level preferences. These techniques translate preference estimates into information that is more useful from a managerial perspective. This study illustrates the application of such techniques to stated preference data collected for a water and sewage utility in the United Kingdom. Using a choice experiment, customers' willingness to pay for various water and sewage service improvements was estimated. Results showed a substantial willingness to pay for various private‐good services (such as water and sewage services) and public‐good environmental services (such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions). The customer population was segmented according to customer preferences, allowing for a description of the characteristics of each segment. Potential customer demand was forecasted for different packages of service improvements offered to customers at varying prices. The analysis thus addressed issues of customer acceptability and equity relating to the provision of service improvements.
A Reevaluation of the Absolute Chronology of Cabuza and Related Ceramic Styles of the Azapa Valley, Northern Chile
Authors: Korpisaari Antti , Oinonen Markku , Chacama Juan
Published: December 2014

The nature and extent of the political and cultural influence of the Tiwanaku state (ca. A.D. 500—1100) in the Azapa Valley of northern Chile are debated topics. The absolute chronology of these contacts also remains somewhat unclear. Much of the debate has centered on the origins and chronological position of the Tiwanaku-related black-on-red ceramic style called Cabuza. In order to reevaluate the chronological position of the Cabuza, Maytas-Chiribaya, and San Miguel ceramic styles and associated cultural phases of the Azapa Valley, we obtained a total of 16 new radiocarbon dates for the Azapa-6, Azapa- 71a, Azapa-141, and Azapa-143 cemeteries. All but one sample dated to the Late Intermediate period (ca.A.D. 1000-1450). We compare our results with previously published radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dates and carry out Bayesian probability calculations, establishing the most likely chronological ranges for the three ceramic styles. Based on this research, we argue that the undeniable Tiwanaku influence seen in the Azapa Valley more likely reflects processes set in motion by the collapse of the Tiwanaku state rather than an attempt to colonize or indirectly control the Azapa Valley during the Middle Horizon (ca. A.D. 550-1000).
Rethinking the Becán Ceramic Sequence-Disjunctions, Continuities, Segmentation, and Chronology
Authors: Ball Joseph W.
Published: December 2014

One of the benchmark ceramic chronologies for the Central Maya Lowlands—that of Becán, Campeche—was critically flawed in its inception. Its flaws resultedfrom a perceived need to parallel the established Uaxactún bellwether and a failure to recognize that the typological and modal content of the sequence of assemblages defined was not continuous but disjunctive in character. In fact, this sequence reflected a broken continuum of discrete segments separated by a major break representing an actual occupational and historical gap in the site history of Becán. This paper reexamines the premises of the original Becán sequence, reassesses its structure and chronology, and offers a new alternative for its replacement and future fieldtesting. Reassessments of individual types and groups and their relationships and established chronologies, joined with a fresh consideration of Bejuco-phase depositional circumstances and stratigraphies, suggest that the political failure of Becán and the consequent abandonment of the center may have occurred as early as A.D. 730-750. The resulting gap in the occupational and ceramic sequences of the site lasted into the early ninth century. The suggested changes have significant ramifications not only for the chronologies of the site and the surrounding Río Bec region, but also for their cultural, architectural, and political histories.
It's about Time? Testing the Dawson Ceramic Seriation Using Luminescence Dating, Southern Nasca Region, Peru
Authors: Vaughn Kevin J. , Eerkens Jelmer W. , Lipo Carl , Sakai Sachiko , Schreiber Katharina
Published: December 2014

The Dawson seriation of Nasca ceramics has long been assumed to be an accurate marker of temporal changes in the prehispanic south coast of Peru. We test this assumption by directly dating a sample of sherds using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL). Our results suggest that while some phases of the seriation are valid chronological markers, others appear to be the result of factors other than time. We discuss the implications of these results and call for additional studies of ceramics using luminescence dating
The Introduction of Wheat in Mendoza, Argentina During the Sixteenth Century A.D.: Archaeobotanical Evidence
Authors: Llano Carina , Durán Victor
Published: December 2014

During the colonial era, southern Mendoza, Argentina, functioned as a frontier where indigenous and Spanish-speaking people interacted. Contact caused major transformations to indigenous economic, social, and political organization. Archaeological analysis is fundamental to understanding the characteristics of local indigenous populations that rapidly incorporated European products into their diets. Analysis of archaeological remains from the region, therefore, can cast light on important aspects of Spanish-indigenous interactions. The aim of this work is to describe the archaeobotanical record of Cueva de Luna—located in the Rio Grande Valley and containing occupations dated between ca. 3800 B.P. and European contact—and to understand how plants were exploited by the inhabitants of southern Mendoza. Preliminary analysis of the archaeobotanical record, consisting primarily of seeds and woody endocarps in a dry state of preservation, indicates the use of native wild taxa, among which algarrobo (Prosopis sp.), molle (Schinus polygamus), solupe (Ephedra), and jarilla (Larrea nitida) abound. American cultivars including beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are also present. Significantly, the record includes Eurasian taxa, including wheat (Triticum sp.) and walnut tree (Juglans sp.). The Cueva de Luna record is important in this regard for it may correspond to the nineteenth century, when the area was inhabited by what may have been the last indigenous Pehuenche group preceding the current ranchers. Our results provide a basis for future work related to change and continuity in the prehistoric use of plants.
Nup98 FG domains from diverse species spontaneously phase-separate into particles with nuclear pore-like permselectivity
Authors: Schmidt Hermann Broder , Görlich Dirk
Published: December 2014

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) conduct massive transport mediated by shuttling nuclear transport receptors (NTRs), while keeping nuclear and cytoplasmic contents separated. The NPC barrier in Xenopus relies primarily on the intrinsically disordered FG domain of Nup98. We now observed that Nup98 FG domains of mammals, lancelets, insects, nematodes, fungi, plants, amoebas, ciliates, and excavates spontaneously and rapidly phase-separate from dilute (submicromolar) aqueous solutions into characteristic ‘FG particles’. This required neither sophisticated experimental conditions nor auxiliary eukaryotic factors. Instead, it occurred already during FG domain expression in bacteria. All Nup98 FG phases rejected inert macromolecules and yet allowed far larger NTR cargo complexes to rapidly enter. They even recapitulated the observations that large cargo-domains counteract NPC passage of NTR⋅cargo complexes, while cargo shielding and increased NTR⋅cargo surface-ratios override this inhibition. Their exquisite NPC-typical sorting selectivity and strong intrinsic assembly propensity suggest that Nup98 FG phases can form in authentic NPCs and indeed account for the permeability properties of the pore.
Process Synthesis and Integration
Authors: El‐Halwagi Mahmoud M. , Yee Foo Dominic Chwan
Published: December 2014

Process synthesisis a key design activity which focuses on the generation of alternatives for creating new processes or retrofitting existing ones. It is closely tied toprocess integrationwhich isa holistic approach to design and operation which focuses on the unity of the process. This article provides a brief overview of process synthesis and integration. The focus is on key concepts, tools, and applications. The discussion is organized over classes of problems. First, the synthesis of energy systems is discussed with emphasis on the thermalpinch analysisfor the conservation of heat through the integration of process hot and cold streams. Next, thematerial recovery pinch diagramis presented as a basis for reducing the use of fresh resources and the discharge of waste materials through reuse and recycle. Then, the field of process network synthesis is briefly reviewed. Moving to reactive systems, the topics of reaction pathways synthesis, attainable reaction regions, and reactor network synthesis are discussed. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the simultaneous process and molecular design.
Electrospinning
Authors: Agarwal Seema , Greiner Andreas , Wendorff Joachim H.
Published: December 2014

Electrospinning allows the production of nanofibers with diameters down to the range of a few nanometers. Self‐assembly processes driven by the coulomb interactions between charged elements of the fluids to be spun and their interactions with the external electrical field control nanofiber formation. Electrospinning involves thus a sequence of complex physical instability processes such as bending instabilities and axisymmetric instabilities. These processes induce extremely high extensional deformations and strain rates during fiber formation. Electrospinning is used predominantly to produce fibers from natural and synthetic polymers, and it has recently been exploited toward the production of metal, ceramic, and glass nanofibers employing precursor routes. The nanofibers can be functionalized during electrospinning by the incorporation of pores and fractal surfaces, and by introducing functional elements such as catalysts, quantum dots, drugs, enzymes, or even bacteria. The production of individual fibers, random nonwovens, or orientationally highly ordered nonwovens has been demonstrated based on appropriate selections of electrode configurations, die geometries, die arrangements, and so on. Compound co‐electrospinning and precision‐deposition electrospinning have opened novel routes for advanced fiber and nonwoven architectures. Nanofiber systems offer novel opportunities for broad areas of application in material science and life science. Examples are functional nanofibers for optoelectronics, sensorics, catalysis, textiles, high efficiency filters, and fiber reinforcement, as well as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing.
Atmospheric iron deposition in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and its adjacent marginal seas: The importance of coal burning
Authors: Lin Yi‐Chiu , Chen Jen‐Ping , Ho Tung‐Yuan , Tsai I‐Chun
Published: December 2014

This study applied a regional air quality model, incorporated with an emission module, to quantitatively differentiate the atmospheric iron sources originating from lithogenic dusts or coal‐burning fly ashes deposited in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and its marginal seas. Particular attention was paid to the high iron content of fly ashes emitted from steel and iron plants burning coals. Using the year 2007 as an example, the modeling results exhibit large seasonal variations in iron deposition, with highest deposition fluxes occurred during spring and autumn, which are comparable to the seasonal fluctuation of chlorophyll a concentrations estimated by satellite images in the oceanic regions. Fly ash from coal burning accounted for 7.2% of the total iron deposited over the northwestern Pacific Ocean and 15% of that over the northern South China Sea. After considering the difference of iron solubility in the aerosols, anthropogenic aerosol associated with coal burning would be the major bioavailable iron source in the surface water of the oceanic regions.
Predominance of ECH wave contribution to diffuse aurora in Earth's outer magnetosphere
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Jia , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Ni Binbin , Thorne Richard M.
Published: December 2014

Due to its importance for global energy dissipation in the ionosphere, the diffuse aurora has been intensively studied in the past 40 years. Its origin (precipitation of 0.5–10 keV electrons from the plasma sheet without potential acceleration) has been generally attributed to whistler‐mode chorus wave scattering in the inner magnetosphere (R < ~8 RE), while the scattering mechanism beyond that distance remains unresolved. By modeling the quasi‐linear diffusion of electrons with realistic parameters for the magnetic field, loss cone size, and wave intensity (obtained from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) observations as a function of magnetospheric location), we estimate the loss cone filling ratio and electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) wave‐induced electron precipitation systematically throughout the entire data set, from 6 RE out to 31 RE (the THEMIS apogee). By comparing the wave‐induced precipitation directly with the equatorially mapped energy flux distribution of the diffuse aurora from ionospheric observations (OVATION Prime model) at low altitudes, we quantify the contribution of auroral energy flux precipitated due to ECH wave scattering. Although the wave amplitudes decrease, as expected, with distance from the Earth, due to the smaller loss cone size and stretched magnetic field topology, ECH waves are still capable of causing sufficient scattering of plasma sheet electrons to account for the observed diffuse auroral dissipation. Our results demonstrate that ECH waves are the dominant driver of the diffuse aurora in the outer magnetosphere, beyond ~8 RE.
Plasmaspheric hiss properties: Observations from Polar
Authors: Tsurutani Bruce T. , Falkowski Barbara J. , Pickett Jolene S. , Santolik Ondrej , Lakhina Gurbax S.
Published: December 2014

In the region between L = 2 to 7 at all Magnetic Local Time (MLTs) plasmaspheric hiss was detected 32% of the time. In the limited region of L = 3 to 6 and 15 to 21 MLT (dusk sector), the wave percentage detection was the highest (51%). The latter plasmaspheric hiss is most likely due to energetic ~10–100 keV electrons drifting into the dusk plasmaspheric bulge region. On average, plasmaspheric hiss intensities are an order of magnitude larger on the dayside than on the nightside. Plasmaspheric hiss intensities are considerably more intense and coherent during high‐solar wind ram pressure intervals. A hypothesis for this is generation of dayside chorus by adiabatic compression of preexisting 10–100 keV outer magnetospheric electrons in minimum B pockets plus chorus propagation into the plasmasphere. In large solar wind pressure events, it is hypothesized that plasmaspheric hiss can also be generated inside the plasmasphere. These new generation mechanism possibilities are in addition to the well‐established mechanism of plasmaspheric hiss generation during substorms and storms. Plasmaspheric hiss under ordinary conditions is of low coherency, with small pockets of several cycles of coherent waves. During high‐solar wind ram pressure intervals (positive SYM‐H intervals), plasmaspheric hiss and large L hiss can have higher intensities and be coherent. Plasmaspheric hiss in these cases is typically found to be propagating obliquely to the ambient magnetic field with θkB0 ~30° to 40°. Hiss detected at large L has large amplitudes (~0.2 nT) and propagates obliquely to the ambient magnetic field (θkB0 ~70°) with 2:1 ellipticity ratios. A series of schematics for plasmaspheric hiss generation is presented.
TWINS stereoscopic imaging of multiple peaks in the ring current
Authors: Perez J. D. , Goldstein J. , McComas D. J. , Valek P. , Buzulukova N. , Fok M.‐C. , Singer H. J.
Published: December 2014

Global, ion equatorial flux distributions and energy spectra are presented from stereoscopic Two Wide‐Angle Imaging Neutral‐Atom Spectrometers (TWINS) 1 and TWINS 2 energetic neutral atom (ENA) images for two time periods, 29 May 2010, 1330–1430 UT and 26 May 2011, 1645–1715 UT. The first is just after the main phase of a weak (minimum SYM/H ≈ −70 to −80 nT) corotating interaction region‐driven geomagnetic storm. The second is during a relatively quiet period. The global ion distributions show multiple spatial peaks that are coincident with peaks in the AE index. The energy spectra have a primary maximum in the 15–20 keV range. Below the energy maximum, the flux is Maxwellian. Above the main maximum, the flux is either significantly below that of a Maxwellian or has a second component with a maximum in the 40–50 keV range. For the 29 May 2010, 1330–1430 UT time period, the flux from the TWINS stereoscopic images is compared to the results from TWINS 1 and TWINS 2 alone illustrating the advantage of stereoscopic viewing. The flux deconvolved from the TWINS images also shows spatial and temporal correlations with Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) in situ measurements. Magnetic field dipolarizations observed by GOES support the existence of a peak in the ion flux in the midnight/dawn sector. In summary, increased spatial resolution from TWINS stereoscopic ENA images is demonstrated. Multiple peaks in the ion flux of trapped particles in the ring current are observed. THEMIS electrostatic analyzer in situ ion flux measurements and GOES geosynchronous magnetic field measurements are consistent with the spatial and temporal structure obtained.
Trends of ambulatory sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Mahboubi Hossein , Bhandarkar Naveen D.
Published: December 2014

Background

We sought to examine the trends in rates and demographics of ambulatory endoscopic and open sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis over a 7‐year period in the state of California.

Methods

Patient records with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for endoscopic or open sinus surgery, and diagnosis codes for chronic rhinosinusitis were extracted from the California Ambulatory Surgery Datasets from 2005 to 2011. Population‐adjusted surgery rates were calculated as the number of surgeries per 100,000 California residents. Location of surgery was analyzed in 2 contexts: freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) vs any hospital setting, and academic (university medical centers) vs nonacademic centers (ASCs and non‐university hospitals combined). Patients’ demographics were also examined.

Results

A total of 91,984 sinus surgeries were performed during 2005 to 2011. The overall population‐adjusted surgery rate declined 24%, from 38.9 to 29.6 (p = 0.004). Although the rates for both endoscopic and open surgeries declined, the percentage of endoscopic procedures increased from 87.3% to 92.5% of all surgeries (p = 0.002). Over the studied period, there was an increase in the proportion of sinus surgeries performed in hospitals (73.2% to 91.3%; p = 0.01), in academic centers (5.9% to 10.1%; p = <0.001), on patients >65 years (14.7% to 17.8%; p = 0.003), and on non‐Caucasians (10.3% to 16.9%; p < 0.001). Gender distribution remained unchanged (51% male; p = 0.25).

Conclusion

The overall rate of ambulatory sinus surgery in California declined over the study period. A shift from open to endoscopic procedures, from ASCs to hospitals, and from nonacademic to academic centers was observed. Further investigation of the observed trends may be warranted.
Curing behavior and network formation of cyanate ester resin/polyethylene glycol
Authors: Ma Junxian , Lei Xuefeng , Tian Di , Yuan Liangjie , Liao Chongshan
Published: December 2014

The mechanism and kinetics of the curing reaction of cyanate ester (CE) resin modified with polyethylene glycol were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The relationship of heat flow versus conversion rate was used to evaluate the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the curing reaction of CE. DSC results showed that the addition of PEG decreased the curing temperature of CE effectively when its content was less than 20 wt %. The curing behavior of CE/PEG still complies with the self‐catalytic kinetic model proposed by Kamal. The effects of PEG content on the kinetics parameters and conversion rate of the curing reaction were discussed. FTIR results indicated that the –OH groups in PEG participated in the polymeric reaction of CE and formed –O–C (=NH) –O– structure through block copolymerization, which extended the chain length between triazine rings and reduced the density of triazine rings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41841.
Factors that influence soft tissue thickness over the greater trochanter: Application to understanding hip fractures
Authors: Levine Iris C. , Minty Lauren E. , Laing Andrew C.
Published: December 2014

Fall‐related hip injuries are a concern for the growing population of older adults. Evidence suggests that soft tissue overlying the greater trochanter attenuates the forces transmitted to the proximal femur during an impact, reducing mechanical risk of hip fracture. However, there is limited information about the factors that influence trochanteric soft tissue thickness. The current study used ultrasonography and electromyography to determine whether trochanteric soft tissue thickness could be quantified reproducibly and whether it was influenced by: (1) gender; (2) hip postures associated with potential falling configurations in the sagittal plane (from 30° of extension to 60° of flexion, at 15° intervals), combined adduction‐flexion, and combined adduction‐extension; and (3) activation levels of the tensor fascia lata (TFL) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles. Our results demonstrated that soft tissue thickness can be measured reliably in nine hip postures and three muscle activation conditions (for all conditions, ICC >0.98). Mean (SD) thickness in quiet stance was 2.52 cm. Thickness was 27.0% lower for males than females during quiet stance. It was 16.4% greater at maximum flexion than quiet standing, 27.2% greater at maximum extension, and 12.5% greater during combined adduction‐flexion. However, there was no significant difference between combined adduction‐extension and quiet standing. Thickness was not affected by changes in muscle activity. Forces applied to the femoral neck during a lateral fall decrease as trochanteric soft tissue thickness increases; gender and postural configuration at impact could influence the loads applied to the proximal femur (and thus hip fracture risk) during falls on the hip. Clin. Anat. 28:253–261, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Community College Budgeting and Financing Demystified
Authors: Murphy David S. , Katsinas Stephen G.
Published: December 2014

The topic of budgeting and financial resources often strikes fear in the hearts of community college administrators and faculty, as they believe it is an arcane and complex art understood only by accountants and financial specialists. This chapter attempts to demystify the basic concepts involved in budgeting and addresses approaches to budgeting, cost allocation, and using budgets for planning and control.
Linking Resource Decisions to Planning
Authors: Saunders Laura
Published: December 2014

This chapter explores the relationship between strategic planning and budgeting. It describes how community college leaders can use strategic and foundational plans (academic, facilities, technology, and financial) to drive budgets and resource allocations in support of institutional goals and objectives. Finally, it identifies challenges of doing so and the usefulness of budget decision packages as a way of determining the link between resource allocation decisions and the achievement of planning goals.
Isoperimetry in Two‐Dimensional Percolation
Authors: Biskup Marek , Louidor Oren , Procaccia Eviatar B. , Rosenthal Ron
Published: December 2014

We study isoperimetric sets, i.e., sets with minimal boundary for a prescribed volume, on the unique infinite connected component of supercritical bond percolation on the square lattice. In the limit of the volume tending to infinity, properly scaled isoperimetric sets are shown to converge (in the Hausdorff metric) to the solution of an isoperimetric problem in ℝ2with respect to a particular norm. As part of the proof we also show that the anchored isoperimetric profile as well as the Cheeger constant of the giant component in finite boxes scale to deterministic quantities. This settles a conjecture of Itai Benjamini for the square lattice. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predictors of rapid relapse in bulimia nervosa
Authors: Olmsted Marion P. , MacDonald Danielle E. , McFarlane Traci , Trottier Kathryn , Colton Patricia
Published: December 2014

Objective

Relapse remains a significant concern in bulimia nervosa, with some patients relapsing within months of treatment completion. The purpose of the study was to identify predictors of relapse within the first 6 months following treatment.

Method

The 116 participants were bingeing and/or vomiting ≥ 8 times per month before day hospital (DH), and had ≤ 2 episodes per month in the last month of DH and the first month after DH. Rapid relapse was defined as ≥ 8 episodes per month for 3 months starting within 6 months.

Results

The rate of rapid relapse was 27.6%. Patients who relapsed soon after DH had higher frequencies of bingeing and vomiting before treatment, engaged in less body avoidance before treatment and were more likely to be slow responders to treatment. Weight and shape concerns and body checking were not significant predictors.

Discussion

More frequent bulimic symptoms accompanied by less body avoidance may indicate an entrenchment in the illness which in turn augurs a labored and transient response to DH treatment that is difficult to sustain after intensive treatment ends. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:337–340)
IL‐34‐ and M‐CSF‐induced macrophages switch memory T cells into Th17 cells via membrane IL‐1α
Authors: Foucher Etienne D. , Blanchard Simon , Preisser Laurence , Descamps Philippe , Ifrah Norbert , Delneste Yves , Jeannin Pascale
Published: December 2014

Macrophages orchestrate the immune response via the polarization of CD4+ T helper (Th) cells. Different subsets of macrophages with distinct phenotypes, and sometimes opposite functions, have been described. M‐CSF and IL‐34 induce the differentiation of monocytes into IL‐10high IL‐12low immunoregulatory macrophages, which are similar to tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) in ovarian cancer. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of human macrophages induced in the presence of M‐CSF (M‐CSF macrophages) or IL‐34 (IL‐34 macrophages) and ovarian cancer TAMs to modulate the phenotype of human CD4+ T cells. Taken together, our results show that M‐CSF‐, IL‐34 macrophages, and TAMs switch non‐Th17 committed memory CD4+ T cells into conventional CCR4+ CCR6+ CD161+ Th17 cells, expressing or not IFN‐gamma. Contrary, the pro‐inflammatory GM‐CSF macrophages promote Th1 cells. The polarization of memory T cells into Th17 cells is mediated via membrane IL‐1α (mIL‐1α), which is constitutively expressed by M‐CSF‐, IL‐34 macrophages, and TAMs. This study elucidates a new mechanism that allows macrophages to maintain locally restrained and smoldering inflammation, which is required in angiogenesis and metastasis.
Recruitment of activating NK‐cell receptors 2B4 and NKG2D to membrane microdomains in mammalian cells is dependent on their transmembrane regions
Authors: Gütgemann Stephan A. , Sandusky Mina M. , Wingert Sabine , Claus Maren , Watzl Carsten
Published: December 2014

Membrane microdomains play an important role in the regulation of natural killer (NK) cell activities. These cholesterol‐rich membrane domains are enriched at the activating immunological synapse and several activating NK‐cell receptors are known to localize to membrane microdomains upon receptor engagement. In contrast, inhibitory receptors do not localize in these specialized membrane domains. In addition, the functional competence of educated NK cells correlates with a confinement of activating receptors in membrane microdomains. However, the molecular basis for this confinement is unknown. Here, we investigate the structural requirements for the recruitment of the human‐activating NK‐cell receptors NKG2D and 2B4 to detergent‐resistant membrane fractions in the murine BA/F3 cell line and in the human NK‐cell line NKL. This stimulation‐dependent recruitment occurred independently of the intracellular domains of the receptors. However, either interfering with the association between NKG2D and DAP10, or mutating the transmembrane region of 2B4 impacted the recruitment of the receptors to detergent‐resistant membrane fractions and modulated the function of 2B4 in NK cells. Our data suggest a potential interaction between the transmembrane region of NK‐cell receptors and membrane lipids as a molecular mechanism involved in determining the membrane confinement of activating NK‐cell receptors.
Cell surface levels of endothelial ICAM‐1 influence the transcellular or paracellular T‐cell diapedesis across the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Abadier Michael , Haghayegh Jahromi Neda , Cardoso Alves Ludmila , Boscacci Rémy , Vestweber Dietmar , Barnum Scott , Deutsch Urban , Engelhardt Britta , Lyck Ruth
Published: December 2014

The extravasation of CD4+ effector/memory T cells (TEM cells) across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) or multiple sclerosis (MS). Endothelial ICAM‐1 and ICAM‐2 are essential for CD4+ TEM cell crawling on the BBB prior to diapedesis. Here, we investigated the influence of cell surface levels of endothelial ICAM‐1 in determining the cellular route of CD4+ TEM‐cell diapedesis across cytokine treated primary mouse BBB endothelial cells under physiological flow. Inflammatory conditions, inducing high levels of endothelial ICAM‐1, promoted rapid initiation of transcellular diapedesis of CD4+ T cells across the BBB, while intermediate levels of endothelial ICAM‐1 favored paracellular CD4+ T‐cell diapedesis. Importantly, the route of T‐cell diapedesis across the BBB was independent of loss of BBB barrier properties. Unexpectedly, a low number of CD4+ TEM cells was found to cross the inflamed BBB in the absence of endothelial ICAM‐1 and ICAM‐2 via an obviously alternatively regulated transcellular pathway. In vivo, this translated to the development of ameliorated EAE in ICAM‐1null//ICAM‐2−/−C57BL/6J mice. Taken together, our study demonstrates that cell surface levels of endothelial ICAM‐1 rather than the inflammatory stimulus or BBB integrity influence the pathway of T‐cell diapedesis across the BBB.
OX40 blockade inhibits house dust mite driven allergic lung inflammation in mice and in vitro allergic responses in humans
Authors: Burrows Katie E. , Dumont Celine , Thompson Clare L. , Catley Matthew C. , Dixon Kate L. , Marshall Diane
Published: December 2014

The costimulatory receptor OX40 is expressed on activated T cells and regulates T‐cell responses. Here, we show the efficacy and mechanism of action of an OX40 blocking antibody using the chronic house dust mite (HDM) mouse model of lung inflammation and in vitro HDM stimulation of cells from HDM allergic human donors. We have demonstrated that OX40 blockade leads to a reduction in the number of eosinophils and neutrophils in the lavage fluid and lung tissue of HDM sensitized mice. This was accompanied by a decrease in activated and memory CD4+ T cells in the lungs and further analysis revealed that both the Th2 and Th17 populations were inhibited. Improved lung function and decreased HDM‐specific antibody responses were also noted. Significantly, efficacy was observed even when anti‐OX40 treatment was delayed until after inflammation was established. OX40 blockade also inhibited the release of the Th2 cytokines IL‐5 and IL‐13 from cells isolated from HDM allergic human donors. Altogether, our data provide evidence of a role of the OX40/OX40L pathway in ongoing allergic lung inflammation and support clinical studies of a blocking OX40 antibody in Th2 high severe asthma patients.