bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining Master and Apprentice Roles: Potential for Learning in Distributed Manufacturing Networks
Authors: Bengtsson Lars , Niss Camilla , Von Haartman Robin
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this paper is to explore possible effects for learning when a manufacturing plant takes a double role, as being both master plant and apprentice plant, in a globally distributed industrialization process. Industrialization is here understood as the process of preparing new products for volume manufacturing. Two research questions are addressed. The first is what characterizes the dual roles. The second concerns how the dual roles affect knowledge integration and learning processes, and whether this arrangement facilitates learning between master and apprentice. Based on a study of a global telecom equipment company, the paper provides insights into some of the challenges and effects of dynamic switching of roles. By separating the network function from the strategic role of the plant, the study identifies four options for learning. The case adds to the literature on learning in manufacturing networks and to previous research on how distributed processes affect innovation capability.
Tolerance and Liberal Justice
Authors: AUGENSTEIN DANIEL
Published: November 2010

Tolerance, the mere “putting up” with disapproved behaviour and practices, is often considered a too negative and passive engagement with difference in the liberal constitutional state. In response, liberal thinkers have either discarded tolerance, or assimilated it to the moral and legal precepts of liberal justice. In contradistinction to these approaches I argue that there is something distinctive and valuable about tolerance that should not be undermined by more ambitious, rights‐based models of social cooperation. I develop a conception of tolerance as a complementary principle and an interim value that is neither incompatible with, nor reducible to, rights‐based liberalism. Tolerance represents a particular, non‐communitarian expression of the general dictum that the liberal state, having released its citizens into liberty, rests on social presuppositions it cannot itself guarantee.
The Purposes of Legal Punishment
Authors: ESCAMILLA‐CASTILLO MANUEL
Published: November 2010

There is a vast literature on the meanings of legal penalties. However, we lack a theory that explains them according to the formation of the modern state. Oakeshott's theory can help explain this phenomenon, leading to an attempt of the individual to take over as many powers of the state as possible. Thus, Kant's and Smith's retributivism is the most consistent of all those theories. Nevertheless, the preventive and resocializing theory of Bentham succeeded eventually. But is this a liberal theory? We contrast the explanations of H.L.A. Hart and Frederick Rosen in order to lay the groundwork for a liberal theory of the meaning of legal sanctions.
The Kelsen/Schmitt Controversy and the Evolving Relations between Constitutional and International Law
Authors: PINELLI CESARE
Published: November 2010

The article examines Hans Kelsen's and Carl Schmitt's lines of thought concerning the relationship between constitutional and international law, with the aim of ascertaining their respective ability to capture developments affecting that relationship, even those of a contradictory nature. It is significant that, while the rise of wars of humanitarian intervention in the post‐Cold War era has evoked Schmitt's concept of the bellum iustum, the evolution in the direction of the “constitutionalisation of international law” has drawn attention to Kelsen's theoretical approach. However, these assumptions rely heavily on the opposing objectives that the two authors claimed to pursue, such as, respectively, the search for the ultimate seat of political power and a pure theory of law. Things are more complicated, both because these objectives by no means exhaust Kelsen's and Schmitt's lines of thought, and because the conception of sovereignty as omnipotence, at the core of the Weimar controversy, is now behind us.
Is Legal Positivism as Worthless as Many Italian Scholars of Public Law Depict It?
Authors: MATTEUCCI STEFANO CIVITARESE
Published: November 2010

An increasing number of Italian scholars are beginning to share the idea that the conceptual basis of legal positivism (LP) is wrong, particularly in the field of Public Law. According to a group of theories called “neoconstitutionalism,” constitutionalism is to be understood not only as a principle based on the need to impose legal limits to political power, but also as an aggregation of values capable of continually remodelling legal relationships, positioning itself as a “pervasive” point of reference for legal experience. A recent essay by Professor Antonio Baldassarre, President Emeritus of the Constitutional Italian Court, about the “misery of legal positivism” is a good expression of this view. In this article, the ideas outlined by Baldassarre are examined and criticized. The paper also tries to defend a version of legal positivism, which has both a conceptual and prescriptive meaning, relating to decisions made on the basis of rules. This view is based on the two correlated concepts of primary formalism and secondary formalism of “competence and procedure.”
Micro‐based Estimates of Heterogeneous Pricing Rules: The United States vs. the Euro Area*
Authors: Álvarez Luis J. , Burriel Pablo
Published: November 2010

This paper presents US and euro area estimates for a fully heterogeneous model, in which there is a continuum of firms setting prices with a constant probability of adjustment, which may differ from firm to firm. The estimated model accurately matches the empirical distribution function of individual price durations for the US and the euro area. Incorporating these micro‐based pricing rules into a DSGE model, we find that nominal shocks have a greater real impact in the fully heterogeneous economy than in the standard Calvo model. We also find that nominal and real shocks bring about a reallocation of resources among sectors. Monetary policy is found to have a greater real impact in the euro area than in the United States.
The Kinked Demand Curve and Price Rigidity: Evidence from Scanner Data*
Authors: Dossche Maarten , Heylen Freddy , Van den Poel Dirk
Published: November 2010

We estimate the curvature of the demand curve for a wide range of products. We use an extension of Deaton and Muellbauer’s Almost Ideal Demand System and scanner data from a large euro area retailer. We find evidence that the overall price elasticity of demand is higher for price increases than for price decreases. However, the overall degree of curvature is one to two orders of magnitude smaller than the value economists usually impose. This suggests that the shape of the demand curve is unlikely to be the only source of real price rigidity.
New Evidence on Implicit Contracts from Linked Employer–Employee Data*
Authors: Kilponen Juha , Santavirta Torsten
Published: November 2010

We improve the precision of the implicit contract model test proposed by Beaudry and DiNardo (1991). Our dataset allows us to define the exact industry and plant of a particular employment relationship, link local labor market characteristics to individual‐level wages, and control for composition effects. We find evidence in favor of the spot‐market model of wage setting in the whole sample, but there is significant variation across industries and education levels. In particular, the spot market matters most for low‐skill workers, while the implicit contract model with one‐sided limited commitment applies better to high‐skill workers.
Downward Nominal and Real Wage Rigidity: Survey Evidence from European Firms*
Authors: Babecký Jan , Du Caju Philip , Kosma Theodora , Lawless Martina , Messina Julián , Rõõm Tairi
Published: November 2010

We present new evidence from a unique survey of firms across Europe on downward wage rigidity in both real and nominal terms. Our results indicate that wage rigidities are related to workforce composition in a manner that is consistent with related theoretical models. We also find that wage rigidity depends on the labour market institutional environment. Collective bargaining coverage is positively related with downward real wage rigidity, measured on the basis of wage indexation. Downward nominal wage rigidity is positively associated with the extent of permanent contracts and this effect is stronger in countries with stricter employment protection regulations.
Closely Competing Firms and Price Adjustment: Some Findings from an Online Marketplace*
Authors: Mizuno Takayuki , Nirei Makoto , Watanabe Tsutomu
Published: November 2010

We investigate retailers' price‐setting behavior using a unique dataset containing by‐the‐second records of prices offered by closely competing retailers on a major Japanese price‐comparison website. First, we find that, when the average price of a product across retailers falls rapidly, the frequency of price adjustments increases, and the size of price adjustments becomes larger. Second, we find positive autocorrelation in the frequency of price adjustments, implying that there tends to be clustering where price adjustments occur in succession. In contrast, there is no such autocorrelation in the size of price adjustments. These two findings indicate that the behavior of competing retailers is characterized by state‐dependent pricing rather than time‐dependent pricing.
Downward Wage Rigidity in a Model of Equal Treatment Contracting*
Authors: Martins Pedro , Snell Andy , Thomas Jonathan P.
Published: November 2010

Following insights by Bewley (1999a), this paper analyses a model with downward rigidities in which firms cannot pay discriminately based on year of entry to the firm, and develops an equilibrium model of wages and unemployment. We solve for the dynamics of wages and unemployment under conditions of downward wage rigidity, where forward‐looking firms take into account these constraints. We show that there is a frontloading incentive that leads to a simple solution in the case of certainty. Using productivity data from the postwar US economy, we analyse the ability of the model to match certain stylised labour market facts.
2. Memory Bias in Retrospectively Collected Employment Careers: A Model-Based Approach to Correct for Measurement Error
Authors: Manzoni Anna , Vermunt Jeroen K. , Luijkx Ruud , Muffels Ruud
Published: November 2010

Event history data constitute a valuable source to analyze life courses, although the reliance of such data on autobiographical memory raises many concerns over their reliability. In this paper, we use Swedish survey data to investigate bias in retrospective reports of employment biographies, applying a novel model-based latent Markov method. A descriptive comparison of the biographies as reconstructed by the same respondents at two interviews carried out about 10 years apart reveals that careers appear simpler and less heterogeneous and have fewer elements and episodes when reported at a point long after their occurrence, with a particularly high underreport of unemployment. Using matching techniques, the dissimilarity between the two reconstructions turns out to be unaffected by respondents' sociodemographic characteristics but particularly affected by the occurrence of unemployment spells and career complexity. Using latent Markov models, we assume correlated errors across occasions to determine the measurement error and to obtain a more reliable estimate of the (true) latent state occupied at a particular time point. The results confirm that (correlated) measurement errors lead to simplification and conventionalism. Career complexity makes recall particularly problematic at longer recall distances, whereas unemployment underreporting also happens very close to the interview. However, only a small fraction of respondents make consistent errors over time, while the great majority makes no errors at all.
RELIGIOUS LITERALISM AND SCIENCE‐RELATED ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY ISLAM
Authors: Guessoum Nidhal
Published: November 2010

The complex relations between Islam and modern science have so far mostly been examined by thinkers at the conceptual level. The wider interaction of religious scholars and preachers with the general public on science issues is an unexplored area that is worthy of examination, for it often is characterized by a literalistic approach. I first briefly review literalism in its various forms. The classical Islamic jurisprudential school of Zahirism, widely regarded as bearing the flag of juristic literalism, is also briefly presented. I then address specific science‐related issues currently being discussed in literalistic ways by many religious scholars and preachers in their general‐public discourse. I focus on the practical case of the determination of crescent‐based Islamic months and holy occasions, the conceptual issue of evolution (biological and human), and the rule for the consumption of meat by slaughter of animals. In the last part of the essay I propose a constructive alternative to the literalistic mode: the Maqasidi (objectives‐based) approach. This rather old method has seen some revival lately, mainly among Islamic jurists concerned with solving the new issues of modern times, especially for Muslims living in the West, but this approach has not yet been applied to science‐related issues. I present the main ideas of this method and show their relevance and usefulness to science‐related topics.
A SCIENTIFIC BUDDHISM?
Authors: Harrison Peter
Published: November 2010

This essay endorses the argument of Donald Lopez's Buddhism and Science and shows how the general thesis of the book is consonant with other historical work on the “discovery” of Buddhism and on the emergence of Western conceptions of religion. It asks whether one of the key claims of Buddhism and Science—that Buddhism pays a price for its flirtation with the modern sciences—might be applicable to science‐and‐religion discussions more generally.
BUDDHISM AND SCIENCE: HOW FAR CAN THE DIALOGUE PROCEED?
Authors: Jinpa Thupten
Published: November 2010

On the stage of the religion‐and‐science dialogue, Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, is a late arrival. However, thanks primarily to the long‐standing personal interest of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan tradition he represents has come to engage deeply with various disciplines of modern science. This essay follows the active engagement that has occurred particularly in the form of the biannual Mind and Life dialogues between the Dalai Lama and scientists. From the perspective of an active participant, I present the careful deliberations that ensure constructive parameters for these dialogues so that no one side can exert a hegemonic voice. I explore the challenges that are likely to confront the Buddhist side from its encounter with science, particularly with respect to its worldview. I identify specific areas where the two sides can and do engage in concrete collaboration, especially with respect to investigating healthy qualities of the mind and the effects of conscious mental training for attention and emotion regulation. Finally, I explore the question of the possible impact of this dialogue on modern science.
CONSTRUCTING A THEOLOGY OF EVOLUTION: BUILDING ON JOHN HAUGHT
Authors: Peters Ted
Published: November 2010

The construction of a distinctively Christian “theology of evolution” or “theistic evolution” requires the incorporation of the science of evolutionary biology while building a more comprehensive worldview within which all things are understood in relation to our creating and redeeming God. In the form of theses, this article brings four support pillars to the constructive work: (1) orienting evolutionary history to the God of grace; (2) affirming purpose for nature even if we cannot see purpose in nature; (3) employing the theology of the cross to discern divine compassion in the natural world; and (4) relying on the divine promise of new creation. Among other things, John Haught's blueprint has located the pedestals on which these pillars will stand. For this groundwork, Haught deserves thanks.
FROM PESSIMISM TO HOPE: A NATURAL PROGRESSION
Authors: Ulanowicz Robert E.
Published: November 2010

Mutual critique by scientists and religious believers mostly entails the pruning of untenable religious beliefs by scientists and warnings against scientific minimalism on the part of believers. John F. Haught has been prominent in formulating religious apologetics in response to the challenges posed by evolutionary theory. Haught's work also resonates with a parallel criticism of the conventional scientific metaphysics undergirding neo‐Darwinian theory. Contemporary systems ecology seems to indicate that nothing short of a complete reversal of the Enlightenment assumptions about nature is capable of repositioning science to deal adequately with the origin and dynamics of living systems. A process‐based alternative metaphysics substantially mitigates several ostensible conflicts between science and religion.
What was the Religious Crisis of the 1960s?
Authors: BROWN CALLUM G.
Published: November 2010

The crisis of the 1960s is now central to debates about religious change and secularisation in the twentieth century. However, the nature of the crisis is contested. Using Hugh McLeod's The Religious Crisis of the 1960s (2007) as a starting point, this article explores the issues that divide scholars — the origin and length of the crisis (was it revolution or evolution?); was it generated more by developments within the Christian churches or by developments without them; and what was the relative importance of liberal Christianity versus conservative Christianity in the development and legacy of the crisis? It argues that secularisation of the period should be regarded as mostly a sudden and shocking event, based on external threats, and reflected in the churches dividing between liberals and conservatives in ways that were to become ever more militant as the century wore on.
Regulatory Capital Charges for Too‐Connected‐to‐Fail Institutions: A Practical Proposal
Authors: Chan‐Lau Jorge A.
Published: November 2010

The recent financial crisis has highlighted once more that interconnectedness in the financial system is a major source of systemic risk. I suggest a practical way to levy regulatory capital charges based on the degree of interconnectedness among financial institutions. Namely, the charges are based on the institution's incremental contribution to systemic risk based on a risk budgeting approach. The imposition of such capital charges could go a long way towards internalizing the negative externalities associated with too‐connected‐to‐fail institutions and providing managerial incentives to strengthen an institution's solvency position, and avoid too much homogeneity and excessive reliance on the same counterparties in the financial industry.
Copula‐Based Formulas to Estimate Unexpected Credit Losses (The Future of Basel Accords?)
Authors: Moreira Fernando F.
Published: November 2010

The model used to estimate the capital required to cover unexpected credit losses in financial institutions (Basel II) has some drawbacks that reduce its ability to capture potential joint extreme losses in downturns. This paper suggests an alternative approach based on Copula Theory to overcome such flaws. Similarly to Basel II, the suggested model assumes that defaults are driven by a latent variable which varies as a response to an unobserved factor. On the other hand, the use of copulas allows the identification of asymmetric dependence between defaults which has been registered in the literature. As an example, a specific copula family (Clayton) is adopted to represent the association between the latent variables and a formula to estimate potential unexpected losses at a certain level of confidence is derived. Simulations reveal that, in most of the cases, the alternative model outperforms Basel II for portfolios with right‐tail‐dependent probabilities of default (supposedly, a good representation for real loan portfolios).
Honor, Self and Social Reproduction
Authors: BAXTER VERN , MARGAVIO A. V.
Published: November 2010

Honor is a difficult field of inquiry that deserves systematic attention from social scientists. Honor is an internalized concern for recognition and approval that links reputation with conduct and helps sustain existing patterns of social selection and evaluation. The paper argues that scholars are remiss that consider the field of honor obsolete or a residual category left over from the transition to modern forms of social organization. A modern conception of honor is identified in the relationship of a reflexive self and a larger moral and institutional order. A further effort is made to elaborate a reflexive approach to honor informed by the intersection of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction and Erving Goffman's theory of self presentation. Honor is theorized as a multi‐dimensional field that legitimates prevailing standards of evaluation and social selection contested in staged and consecrated interactions that are central to social reproduction.
Risk factors for small‐for‐gestational‐age infants by customised birthweight centiles: data from an international prospective cohort study
Authors: McCowan LME , Roberts CT , Dekker GA , Taylor RS , Chan EHY , Kenny LC , Baker PN , Moss‐Morris R , Chappell LC , North RA ,   on behalf of the SCOPE consortium
Published: November 2010

Please cite this paper as: McCowan L, Roberts C, Dekker G, Taylor R, Chan E, Kenny L, Baker P, Moss‐Morris R, Chappell L, North R on behalf of the SCOPE consortium. Risk factors for small‐for‐gestational‐age infants by customised birthweight centiles: data from an international prospective cohort study. BJOG 2010;117:1599–1607.

Objective  To identify clinical and ultrasound variables associated with the birth of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants by customised centiles, subclassified according to whether their mothers were normotensive or developed hypertensive complications.

Design  Prospective, multicentre cohort study.

Setting  Participating centres of the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study in Auckland, New Zealand, Adelaide, Australia, Manchester and London, UK, and Cork, Ireland.

Population  The 3513 nulliparous participants of the SCOPE study.

Methods  Women were interviewed at 15 ± 1 weeks, and had ultrasound growth measurements and umbilical and uterine Doppler studies at 20 ± 1 weeks. Variables associated with SGA infants were identifed using logistic regression.

Main outcome measures  Small for gestational age (i.e. a birthweight of less than the tenth customised centile), normotensive‐SGA and hypertensive‐SGA. Comparison groups for statistical analyses were non‐SGA, normotensive non‐SGA and hypertensive non‐SGA.

Results  Among 376 (10.7%) SGA infants, 281 (74.7%) were normotensive‐SGA and 95 (25.3%) were hypertensive‐SGA. Independent risk factors for normotensive‐SGA were low maternal birthweight, low fruit intake pre‐pregnancy, cigarette smoking, increasing maternal age, daily vigorous exercise, being a tertiary student, head and abdominal circumference of less than the tenth centile and increasing uterine artery Doppler indices at the 20‐week scan. Protective factors were: high green leafy vegetable intake pre‐pregnancy, and rhesus‐negative blood group. Risk factors for hypertensive‐SGA were conception by in vitro fertilisation, previous early pregnancy loss and femur length of less than tenth centile at the 20‐week scan.

Conclusions  Risk factors for infants who are SGA by customised centiles have been identified in a cohort of healthy nulliparous women. A number of these factors are modifiable; however, further studies are needed to replicate these findings.
Cost‐effectiveness of rapid tests and other existing strategies for screening and management of early‐onset group B streptococcus during labour
Authors: Kaambwa B , Bryan S , Gray J , Milner P , Daniels J , Khan KS , Roberts TE
Published: November 2010

Please cite this paper as:Kaambwa B, Bryan S, Gray J, Milner P, Daniels J, Khan K, Roberts T. Cost‐effectiveness of rapid tests and other existing strategies for screening and management of early‐onset group B streptococcus during labour. BJOG 2010;117:1616–1627.

Objective To determine the cost‐effectiveness of alternative screening and prevention strategies, including rapid intrapartum testing, for prevention of early‐onset neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in the UK.

Design A decision model was developed to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of screening and prevention strategies for GBS. A strategy of doing nothing was also considered. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out.

Setting Two large UK based obstetric units.

Participants Test accuracy data were obtained from a primary study of rapid tests at the onset of labour and risk factors from 1400 women.

Main outcome measures Incremental health sector costs per case of early‐onset GBS death avoided.

Results Compared with a strategy of do nothing, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was £32,000 per Early‐Onset GBS Disease avoided and £427,000 per Early‐Onset GBS Death avoided for the strategy of providing routine intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to all women without prior screening; Based on their current sensitivity, specificity and cost, screening using rapid tests was dominated by other more cost‐effective strategies.

Conclusions The most cost‐effective strategy was shown to be the provision of routine intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to all women without prior screening but, given broader concerns relating to antibiotic use, this is unlikely to be acceptable. In its absence, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis directed by screening with enriched culture becomes cost‐effective. The current strategy of risk‐factor‐based screening is not cost‐effective compared with screening based on culture.
Critical book reviews in German
Authors: Vassileva Irena
Published: November 2010

This pilot study is based on a sample corpus of 10 book reviews in the field of German applied linguistics, which have a definitely negative character. It attempts to elucidate the argumentation strategies used by review writers within the classical Aristotelian framework. The analysis leads to conclusions concerning the surface expression of the argumentation strategies used by writers, the degree to which criticism is based on objective logic and on subjective personal evaluation, and the preference for certain topoi, as well as some general concerns in relation to confrontation in academia.

Die Pilotuntersuchung basiert auf einer Stichprobe bestehend aus 10 Buchrezensionen auf dem Gebiet der deutschen angewandten Sprachwissenschaft, welche einen ausgesprochen negativen Charakter haben. Ausgehend von der klassischen Aristotelischen Rhetorik versucht die Analyse die Argumentationsstrategien zu erläutern, welche die Verfasser der Rezensionen verwenden. Die Ergebnisse führen zu Schlussfolgerungen hinsichtlich des sprachlichen Ausdrucks der Argumentationsstrategien; Der Korrelation zwischen Kritik, welche auf objektiver Logik basiert und solcher, die sich auf subjektiver persönlicher Bewertung stützt; Der Bevorzugung bestimmter Topoi, so wie einiger allgemeinen Diskussionspunkten im Zusammenhang mit der Konfrontation in der wissenschaftlichen Kommunikation.
The indigenous, national, and international language in higher education: students' academic trajectories in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: O'Donnell Jennifer Lee
Published: November 2010

Studies regarding multilingualism have shown that literacy in two languages facilitates the acquisition of a third. This paper compares the progress of Mexican bilingual indigenous language/Spanish‐proficient students to Mexican monolingual Spanish‐proficient students in their university level English classes. Two major research strategies are presented: (1) qualitative analysis based on a student questionnaire, and (2) inferential quantitative analysis of bilingual and monolingual students' grade averages in academic and language classes. Results show that bilingualism in an indigenous language positively affects the acquisition of English language skills. These results suggest that through language maintenance and development, indigenous communities in Mexico may be able to benefit from globalization, or at least withstand its negative effects.

Los estudios con respecto al multilingüismo han demostrado que el conocimiento en dos idiomas facilita la adquisición de un tercero. Este artículo compara el progreso de estudiantes cuya lengua origen es la indígena mexicana y quienes además hablan español, con el desempeño de los estudiantes españoles monolingües mexicanos, en sus clases de inglés a nivel universitario. Se presentan dos estrategias de investigación importantes: (1) Un análisis cualitativo basado en un cuestionario aplicado a los estudiantes, y (2) Un análisis cuantitativo inferencial de las calificaciones obtenidas por los estudiantes monolingües y bilingües en sus clases de inglés. Los resultados demuestran que el bilingüismo en una lengua indígena afecta positivamente a la adquisición de conocimientos lingüísticos en la lengua inglesa. Estos resultados sugieren que con mantenimiento y el apropiado desarrollo de la lengua, las comunidades indígenas en México podrían beneficiarse de la globalización, o por lo menos soportar sus efectos negativos.
Tetramethylphenylenediamine protects the isolated heart against ischaemia‐induced apoptosis and reperfusion‐induced necrosis
Authors: Barauskaite Jurgita , Grybauskiene Regina , Morkuniene Ramune , Borutaite Vilmante , Brown Guy C
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cytochrome c when released from mitochondria into cytosol triggers assembly of the apoptosome resulting in caspase activation. Recent evidence suggests that reduced cytochrome c is unable to activate the caspase cascade. In this study, we investigated whether a chemical reductant of cytochrome c, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylphenylene‐1,4‐diamine (TMPD), which we have previously shown to block cytochrome c‐induced caspase activation, could prevent ischaemia‐induced apoptosis in the rat perfused heart.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The Langendorff‐perfused rat hearts were pretreated with TMPD and subjected to stop‐flow ischaemia or ischaemia/reperfusion. The activation of caspases (measured as DEVD‐p‐nitroanilide‐cleaving activity), nuclear apoptosis of cardiomyocytes (measured by dUTP nick end labelling assay), mitochondrial and cytosolic levels of cytochrome c (measured spectrophotometrically and by elisa), and reperfusion‐induced necrosis (measured as the activity of creatine kinase released into perfusate) were assessed.

KEY RESULTS We found that perfusion of the hearts with TMPD strongly inhibited ischaemia‐ or ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced activation of caspases and partially prevented nuclear apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. TMPD did not prevent ischaemia‐ or ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol. TMPD also inhibited ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that TMPD or related molecules might be used to protect the heart against damage induced by ischaemia/reperfusion. The mechanism of this protective effect of TMPD probably involves electron reduction of cytochrome c (without decreasing its release) which then inhibits the activation of caspases.
Betulinic acid inhibits endotoxin‐stimulated phosphorylation cascade and pro‐inflammatory prostaglandin E2 production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Viji Vijayan , Helen Antony , Luxmi Varma R
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. We previously reported that BA inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced interleukin‐6 production through modulation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). This study attempted to identify other mechanisms through which BA modulates LPS signalling in mononuclear cells. The effects of BA on signalling pathways downstream were focused on in this study.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We determined the ability of BA to interfere with p38 and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation as well as Akt phosphorylation and nuclear factor‐κB activation using LPS‐activated hPBMCs as an in vitro model. LPS‐induced endotoxin shock in mice was the in vivo model employed.

KEY RESULTS BA inhibited LPS‐induced COX‐2 protein expression and prostaglandin E2 production and also attenuated LPS‐induced ERK and Akt phosphorylation, but not p38 in hPBMCs. BA abolished LPS‐induced IκBα phosphorylation and thus normalized the levels of IκBα in cytosol. BA also inhibited LPS‐induced reactive oxygen species formation and lactate dehydrogenase release. Interestingly, BA improved the life span of mice in endotoxin shock and also inhibited PGE2 production and myeloperoxidase activity in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS BA modulates LPS‐induced COX‐2 expression in hPBMCs by inhibiting ERK and Akt pathways as well as by modulating IκBα phosphorylation. At the same time, no cell toxicity was observed. The effect of the drug was confirmed through in vivo experiments. The study gives an insight into the molecular mechanisms of BA.
The ω‐3 epoxide of eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits endothelial cell proliferation by p38 MAP kinase activation and cyclin D1/CDK4 down‐regulation
Authors: Cui Pei H , Petrovic Nenad , Murray Michael
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Dietary intake of ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐3 PUFAs) like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) decreases cancer risk, while arachidonic acid and other ω‐6 PUFAs increase risk, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐derived epoxides contribute to enhanced tumourigenesis due to ω‐6 PUFA intake. Thus, ω‐6 arachidonic acid epoxides (EETs) inhibit apoptosis and stimulate proliferation by up‐regulating cyclin D1 expression in cells. The present study evaluated the corresponding ω‐3 PUFA epoxides and assessed their role in the regulation of cell proliferation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Four chemically stable EPA epoxides (formed at the 8,9‐, 11,12‐, 14,15‐ and 17,18‐olefinic bonds) were synthesized and tested against growth‐related signalling pathways in brain microvascular endothelial bEND.3 cells. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry and cyclin gene expression by immunoblotting and real‐time PCR. The role of the p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase in cyclin D1 dysregulation was assessed using specific inhibitors and dominant‐negative expression plasmids.

KEY RESULTS The ω‐3 17,18‐epoxide of EPA decreased cell proliferation, interrupted the cell cycle in S‐phase and down‐regulated the cyclin D1/cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)‐4 complex, whereas the 8,9‐, 11,12‐ and 14,15‐epoxides were either inactive or enhanced proliferation. Cyclin D1 down‐regulation by 17,18‐epoxy‐EPA was mediated by activation of the growth‐suppressing p38 MAP kinase, but the alternate EPA‐epoxides were inactive.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The present findings suggest that the epoxide formed by CYP enzymes at the ω‐3 olefinic bond may contribute to the beneficial effects of ω‐3 PUFA by down‐regulating cyclin D1 and suppressing cell proliferation.
Younger Siblings Play a Major Role in Helicobacter pylori Transmission Among Children From a Low‐Income Community in the Northeast of Brazil
Authors: Fialho André M.N. , Braga Andréa B.C. , Braga Neto Manuel B. , Carneiro Jéssica G. , Rocha Andreia M.C. , Rodrigues Maria N. , Queiroz Dulciene M.M. , Braga Lúcia L.B.C.
Published: November 2010

Background and Aims:  To further evaluate intrafamilial transmission of H. pylori infection during childhood, we investigated the prevalence of H. pylori in family members from a poor H. pylori high‐prevalence urban community in the Northeast of Brazil.

Methods:  H. pylori infection was investigated in 570 members of 128 households, by 13C‐urea breath test in children and by ELISA in mothers and other adult relatives.

Results:  The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection (376/570) increased with age (p < .001) and ranged from 28.9%, in children aged 6 months to 5 years, to 82% in adults over 40 years. An H. pylori positive mother and the number of infected siblings are independent risk factors for childhood H. pylori infection (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–4.6 and OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 2.3–8.1, respectively) The number of siblings, number of younger siblings, and number of infected younger siblings were also associated with the infection in the univariate analysis. The number of infected younger siblings remained independently associated with the infection (p = .000), even after controlling for all the above cited variables, in addition to the H. pylori status of siblings and mothers, age, number of people per room, and number of children in the household.

Conclusion:  The transmission of H. pylori occurs from infected mothers to their offspring and among siblings, notably from younger siblings to the older ones.
Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Mazandaran, North of Iran
Authors: Talebi Bezmin Abadi Amin , Mobarez Ashraf M. , Taghvaei Tarang , Wolfram Lutz
Published: November 2010

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of resistances in Helicobacter pylori against commonly used antibiotics including metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline in Iranian patients.

Methods:  H. pylori isolates were collected from gastric biopsies from patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Tooba Medical Center, Sari, Iran, from 2007 to 2010. None of them had been using antibiotics for at least 8 months. H. pylori was identified based on morphological shape and positive biochemical tests for catalase, oxidase, and urease activity. Antibiotic resistance for metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline was investigated by using epsilometer test. Resistance was defined by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 0.5 mg/L for amoxicillin (AMX), >4 mg/L for tetracycline (TET), >8 mg/L for metronidazole (MTZ), and >1 mg/L for clarithromycin (CLR).

Results:  Strains were collected from 132 patients, mean age 45.8 years, 52 (39%) were women. Patients had diverse diagnoses: gastritis 42 (31.8%), duodenal ulcer 45 (34%), gastric cancer 15 (11.3%), or gastric ulcer 30 (22.7%). The prevalences of resistance of H. pylori strains isolated from the patients were 73.4% for metronidazole, 30% for clarithromycin, 6.8% for amoxicillin, and 9% for tetracycline. Twenty‐eight (21.2%) were double resistant to MTZ‐CLR, 16 (12.1%) showed triple resistance to MTZ‐CLR‐AMX, and 8 (6%) were resistant to all four tested antibiotics (MTZ‐CLR‐AMX‐TET). No associations were detected between multiple resistant strains and clinical manifestations (p > .05).

Conclusions:  The prevalence of H. pylori antibiotic resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin was high in Iran consistent with the reported low success rates for H. pylori treatment in this country.
Risk Factors Associated with Gastric Cancer in Patients with a Duodenal Ulcer
Authors: Cho Soo‐Jeong , Choi Il Ju , Kim Chan Gyoo , Kook Myeong‐Cherl , Lee Jong Yeul , Kim Byung Chang , Ryu Kum Hei , Nam Su Youn , Kim Young‐Woo
Published: November 2010

Background:  Although gastric cancer (GC) and duodenal ulcer (DU) are both strongly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, a DU is negatively associated with the risk of GC. The aim of the study is to evaluate histologic risk factors for GC among patients with a DU.

Materials and Methods:  A total of 541 consecutive patients with GC were prospectively evaluated for the presence of a DU. Control patients with only a DU (n = 89) were recruited from health screening population. Histologic grading was assessed using the updated Sydney system for six gastric biopsies from three regions. GC risk among patients with a DU was evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

Results:  Among patients with GC, 7.6% (41/541) had a concomitant DU or an ulcer scar. Corpus‐predominant/pangastritis were more frequently found in concomitant GC patients with a DU (90%) than in patients with a DU alone (62%) (p = .001). In patients with a DU, moderate–severe chronic inflammation at the lesser and greater curvatures of corpus was associated with GC risk (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.46–9.36, and OR, 7.72; 95% CI, 3.18–18.7, respectively). Additionally, moderate–severe intestinal metaplasia (IM) at the antrum and corpus lesser curvature was associated with GC risk (OR, 7.52; 95% CI, 3.06–18.5, and OR, 9.25, 95% CI, 2.39–35.8, respectively).

Conclusions:  A DU is not rare in patients with GC in a high‐risk region of GC. Patients with a DU with chronic corpus gastritis and IM have an increased risk of GC, thus those patients should be followed up for GC development.
Conceptual Model for Partnership and Sustainability in Global Health
Authors: Leffers Jeanne , Mitchell Emma
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT
Although nursing has a long history of service to the global community, the profession lacks a theoretical and empirical base for nurses to frame their global practice. A study using grounded theory methodology to investigate partnership and sustainability for global health led to the development of a conceptual model. Interviews were conducted with 13 global health nurse experts. Themes from the interviews were: components for engagement, mutual goal setting, cultural bridging, collaboration, capacity building, leadership, partnership, ownership, and sustainability. Next, the identified themes were reviewed in the literature in order to evaluate their conceptual relationships. Finally, careful comparison of the interview transcripts and the supporting literature led to the Conceptual Framework for Partnership and Sustainability in Global Health Nursing. The model posits that engagement and partnership must precede any planning and intervention in order to create sustainable interventions. This conceptual framework will offer nurses important guidance for global health nursing practice.
Sexual Experience: Foucault, Phenomenology, and Feminist Theory
Authors: Oksala Johanna
Published: November 2010

This paper explicates Foucault's conception of experience and defends it as an important theoretical resource for feminist theory. It analyzes Linda Alcoff's devastating critique of Foucault's account of sexuality and her reasons for advocating phenomenology as a more viable alternative. I agree with her that a philosophically sophisticated understanding of experience must remain central for feminist theory, but I demonstrate that her critique of Foucault is based on a mistaken view of his philosophical position as well as on a problematic understanding of phenomenology.
Effect of a Collateral Ligament Sparing Surgical Approach on Mechanical Properties of Equine Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Constructs
Authors: Bras Jose J. , Lillich James D. , Beard Warren L. , Anderson David E. , Armbrust Laura J. , Frink Elizabeth , Lease Kevin
Published: November 2010

Objective:To (1) compare the effect of a collateral ligament sparing surgical approach with an open surgical approach on mechanical properties of proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) arthrodesis, and (2) to determine the percentage of articular cartilage surface removed by transarticular (TA) drilling with different diameter drill bits.

Study Design:Randomized paired limb design.

Sample Population:Cadaveric equine limbs (n=76).

Methods:Cadaveric PIPJ were drilled using a 3.5, 4.5, or 5.5 mm drill bit at 80–84° to the dorsal plane to remove articular cartilage and subchondral bone from the distal articular surface of the proximal phalanx (P1) and the proximal articular surface of the middle phalanx (P2). Bone ends were photographed and the percentage of the projected surface area that was denuded of cartilage was measured. PIPJ arthrodesis constructs (3‐hole dynamic compression plate [DCP], two 5.5 mm TA screws inserted in lag fashion, medial and lateral to the DCP; DCP‐TA) were created using 2 surgical approaches in paired limbs. A conventional open approach was used in 1 limb and a collateral ligament sparing approach used in the other limb. Constructs were tested to failure in single‐cycle 3‐point dorsopalmar/plantar or lateromedial bending. Maximum load, yield load, and composite stiffness were compared between techniques.

Results:The 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 mm drill bits removed 24±4%, 35±5%, and 45±7% of total PIPJ articular cartilage surface, respectively. Constructs with the collateral ligament sparing approach had significantly greater mean yield load (11.3±2.8 versus 7.68±1.1 kN,P=.008) and mean maximum load (13.5±3.1 versus 10.1±1.94 kN,P=.02) under lateromedial bending. Under dorsopalmar/plantar bending there was no significant difference between surgical approaches. The collateral ligament sparing arthrodesis technique had a shorter surgical time (19±3 minutes) compared with the open technique (31±3 minutes).

Conclusion:A collateral ligament sparing surgical approach to the PIPJ with removal of articular cartilage by TA drilling and arthrodesis by DCP‐TA was faster and stronger in mediolateral bending than arthrodesis constructs created with an open surgical approach.

Clinical Relevance:Preservation of the collateral ligaments and TA drilling for cartilage removal during PIPJ arthrodesis may be a superior approach to the conventional open approach and warrants clinical evaluation.
Partial Lateral Corpectomy of the Thoracolumbar Spine in 51 Dogs: Assessment of Slot Morphometry and Spinal Cord Decompression
Authors: Flegel Thomas , Boettcher Irene Christine , Ludewig Eberhard , Kiefer Ingmar , Oechtering Gerhard , Böttcher Peter
Published: November 2010

Objective: To report slot morphometry, degree of spinal decompression, and factors influencing decompression after partial lateral corpectomy (PLC) of the thoracolumbar spine in dogs with intervertebral disc disease.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Dogs (n=51) with predominantly ventrally located spinal cord compression.

Methods: PLC (n=60) were performed. Spinal cord compression was determined by computed tomographic (CT) myelography (n=46), myelography (n=2) or magnetic resonance imaging (n=3). Postsurgical CT images were used to evaluate slot dimensions and orientation, and spinal cord decompression. The influence of age, body weight, breed, breed type (chondrodystrophic, nonchondrodystrophic), disc location, lateralization and mineralization, presurgical compression, slot morphometry, and surgeon on degree of decompression were evaluated.

Results: Mean slot depth was 64.1% of vertebral body width; mean height, 43.0% of vertebral body height; mean cranial extension, 29.5%; median caudal extension, 22.0% vertebral body length; mean angulation from horizontal, 6.3°. Decompression was satisfactory in 90% of sites after PLC (58% complete, 32% good). None of the analyzed factors significantly influenced decompression. All lumbar spine PLC resulted in complete or good decompression compared with 83% after thoracic PLC (P=.052). Deeper slots tended to allow more complete decompression (P=.058).

Conclusions: Thoracolumbar PLC results in satisfactory decompression in most cases with a better outcome in the lumbar spine than the thoracic spine. Achieving a slot depth equal to 2/3 of vertebral body width might facilitate complete decompression.