bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visceral Sliding Technique Is Useful for Detecting Abdominal Adhesion and Preventing Laparoscopic Surgical Complications
Authors: Hsu Wen-Chiung , Chang Wen-Chun , Huang Su-Cheng , Torng Pao-Ling , Chang Daw-Yuan , Sheu Bor-Ching
Published: March 2006

Study Objective: Introduce a non-invasive method preoperatively to prevent bowel injury by the Veres needle and trocar during laparoscopy. Design: Case-controlled study. Setting: A hospital-based study. Patients: Five hundred and twelve patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were prospectively enrolled. Intervention: A simple and non-invasive method to detect bowel adhesions preoperatively. Results: A total of 512 patients who underwent operative laparoscopy were prospectively enrolled for ultrasonographic visceral sliding evaluation. They were subdivided into two groups as follows: group I, 332 patients without previous abdominal surgery; group II, 180 patients with previous abdominal surgery. No bowel adhesion to the umbilicus was present in group I. In group II, only two cases with bowel adhered to the periumbilical area were found by visceral sliding technique. No patients suffered any bowel injury. Conclusion: The proposed technique is useful and highly effective in guiding the insertion of the Veres needle and trocar to prevent bowel injury in laparoscopy.
"A Feather in the Wind": An Interview with Sir Keith Thomas
Authors: Heyd Michael , Horowitz Elliott
Published: March 2006

Sir Keith Thomas, fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and former president of Corpus Christi College and The British Academy, discusses his academic background and influences, trends in early modern history, and changes in the history profession. This interview with Prof. Thomas was conducted by the Historical Society of Israel during his visit in late 2003 to deliver the Jerusalem Lectures in History in memory of Menahem Stern.
Moshko the Jew and His Gay Friends: Same-Sex Sexual Relations in Ottoman Jewish Society
Authors: Ben-Naeh Yaron
Published: March 2006

This article investigates homosexual relations and the discourse about them among Ottoman Jews. Jewish sources reveal a substantial gap between ethical and moral demands and the life of the general public. They also attest to the visibility and prevalence of sexual relations between males, despite the explicit biblical prohibition and later interdictions. In Ottoman urban society, gender and sexual preference were not naturally given but were determined by status and a complex of social behaviors. The Jewish and general public had no interest in the individual's sexual practices and showed a certain degree of tolerance to the point of de-facto legitimization, as long as social order and norms were kept.
Contemporary Work Values in Africa and Europe
Authors: Halman Loek , Müller Hans
Published: March 2006

In this article, two work orientations are compared in European and African countries. These continents differ in many respects and thus differences in work orientations were to be expected. We argue that people’s work orientations will be dependent upon a number of individual and contextual characteristics and we formulated some hypotheses that were empirically tested using the survey data from the recent EVS and WVS projects. The most important conclusion from these analyses is that there is no clear and obvious pattern, neither at the country nor at the regional level, that would explain the varieties and similarities in work orientations of populations. Although some explanations could be found on an individual level we were, however, surprised that the explanations found were not stronger. Thus, we should continue our efforts for finding explanations for differences and similarities in work orientations both at a structural and cultural level.
Size Effect of AlN on the Performance of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Material-brominated Epoxy Resin
Authors: Yung K. C. , Wu J. , Yue T. M. , Xie C. S.
Published: March 2006

Many properties of brominated epoxy resin, a type of material widely used in printed circuit boards (PCBs), such as the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) (pre and post Tg), dielectric constant (Dk), dissipation factor (Df), tensile strength, and Young’s modulus, have been evaluated according to size and content in terms of the weight of the aluminum nitride (AlN) filler. It has been found that the performance of epoxy resin improves significantly when AlN is used as the filler. Excellent properties were obtained when 2.3 μm AlN was added till 50 wt%; i.e., CTE (pre Tg) = 27 ppm/°C, Tg= 128 °C, Df = 0.016, Dk = 7.5, and Young’s modulus = 7.5 GPa. The SEM results show that the dispersion of AlN nanopowder filler is largely homogeneous.
Statistically Equivalent Representative Volume Elements for Unidirectional Composite Microstructures: Part I - Without Damage
Authors: Swaminathan Shriram , Ghosh Somnath , Pagano N. J.
Published: March 2006

The representative volume element (RVE) of a material microstructure plays an important role in the analysis of heterogeneous materials, such as composites. Effective material properties in a composite material depend on the microstructural concentration and dispersion of different phases in the RVE. In this study, a combination of statistical and computational tools are proposed for identifying the statistically equivalent RVE (SERVE) for an elastic composite with nonuniform dispersion of inclusions. Numerical tests are conducted with various statistical functions of geometry, stresses, and strains to examine the validity of potential alternative definitions of the SERVE. In the first of this two-part article, methods are addressed for undamaged composite microstructures with continuous interfaces between the fiber and the matrix. The sequel article deals with the evolution of SERVE caused by damage due to interfacial debonding.
Laminate Theory Analysis of Composites under Load in Fire
Authors: Gibson A. G. , Wu Y. -S. , Evans J. T. , Mouritz A. P.
Published: March 2006

Laminate analysis is used to model a loaded composite plate under one-sided heat flux. The input to the laminate analysis comes from a thermal/ablative model, which predicts the temperature evolution through the thickness. It also gives the profile of residual resin content, which reflects the extent of thermal damage. Relationships are proposed to enable the computation of the elastic constants and other mechanical properties as functions of temperature and resin content. The model was applied to a 12 mm thick woven glass/polyester laminate exposed to a heat flux of 75 kW m 2. The laminate A, B, and D matrices were modeled, along with the variation of failure loads in compression and tension. The predictions agreed well with experimental values for compression of a constrained plate. Both the local buckling load, which is proportional to √D1 D2, and the compressive failure load fall rapidly on exposure to heat flux. The bending/tensile coupling matrix, B, which is zero initially, becomes finite due to the asymmetric thermal profile, then declines as the thermal front progresses. For tensile loading, the residual properties after fire were accurately modeled, but the fall in tensile failure load was somewhat over-predicted.
The Psychology of Killing: The Combat Experience of British Soldiers during the First World War
Authors: Jones Edgar
Published: March 2006

The hypothesis that soldiers took pleasure in killing during the first world war is assessed in the light of particular forms of evidence and the reports of military psychiatrists. The impersonal nature of combat and motives of snipers are also explored. An analysis of admissions to a shell-shock treatment unit suggested that soldiers exposed to the greatest risk of being killed were particularly prone to breakdown in battle. An outlet for aggressive instincts did not protect individuals against psychological disorders. Because of the taboo surrounding killing even when sanctioned in war, personal motives and emotional responses remain areas of uncertainty.
Self-deception and Survival: Mental Coping Strategies on the Western Front, 1914-18
Authors: Watson Alex
Published: March 2006

This article reinvestigates German and British soldiers’ impressive resilience during the first world war. Rather than following previous historiography’s societal and military-institutional approaches, it focuses on combatants’ psychology. Men coped overwhelmingly successfully by failing to recognize fully the front’s disempowering and dangerous nature. Fears were repressed or minimized with black humour. Through religion and superstition, imagined order was imposed on the chaotic environment, while optimistic reasoning and exaggerated faith in personal control encouraged individuals to overestimate their survival chances. These ‘positive illusions’ protected men from unnecessary strain, sustained combat motivation and may even have raised life expectancy at the front.
Culture, Ideology and Combat in the Red Army, 1939-45
Authors: Merridale Catherine
Published: March 2006

This article deals with the culture, mentalities and motivation of Red Army soldiers in the second world war. It first assesses the evidence, since the destructive and traumatic nature of total war makes research more difficult than usual. In the case of the Soviet Union, too, the iron grip of censorship ensured that certain versions of events and even feelings would be treated as universal. Bearing these limitations in mind, the article then explores soldiers’ diaries, letters and testimonies, matching these with other types of report, and traces the changes in outlook and motivation that drove successive generations of soldiers to fight in this most grim and destructive of European wars.
Atomic Force Microscopic Studies on the Silicone Rubber-Fluororubber Blend Containing Ground Rubber Vulcanizate Powder
Authors: Ghosh Arun , Rajeev R. S. , De S. K. , Sharp W. , Bandyopadhyaya S.
Published: March 2006

Atomic force microscopic (AFM) studies on the 50/50 blend of silicone rubber and fluororubber based on tetrafluoroethylene-propylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer reveal that the morphological features do not undergo appreciable change on 50% replacement of the fluororubber in the blend by its vulcanizate powder of fine particle size (1 mm). On the other hand, 50% replacement of the silicone rubber in the blend by its vulcanizate powder of coarse particle size (33 mm) causes substantial changes in the morphology. Surface roughness, for example, follows the order, neat blend ≥ blend with its fluororubber component replaced by its powder > blend with its silicone rubber component replaced by its powder. Mechanical properties follow the same order.
Influence of Various Peroxides in PP/EPDM Thermoplastic Vulcanizates at Varied Blend Ratios
Authors: Naskar K. , Noordermeer J. W. M.
Published: March 2006

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) or dynamic vulcanizates containing finely dispersed micron-size cross-linked rubber particles in a thermoplastic matrix exhibit performance properties of the conventional vulcanized rubbers, however, they can be processed as thermoplastics. The basic objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of different types of peroxides as cross-linking agents at varied PP/EPDM blend ratios in dynamically vulcanized products. The TPVs were prepared by batch melt mixing of polypropylene (PP) with ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), using various peroxides and triallyl-cyanurate (TAC) as co-agent. The physical properties of the TPVs change significantly with the PP/EPDM blend ratios, chemical nature of the peroxides, the extent of cross-linking in the EPDM phase, and the extent of degradation in the PP phase. The reason of increased tensile strength, modulus, and hardness with the increasing amount of PP is due to the increased thermoplastic hard component in the blend. Irrespective of the PP/EPDM blend ratios, in most cases dicumyl-peroxide (DCP), out of four different types of peroxides investigated, gives the best overall balance of physical properties. Special emphasis is laid on the interpretation of the different behavior of the various peroxides.
Two-Year Follow-Up of Bibliotherapy and Individual Cognitive Therapy for Depressed Older Adults
Authors: Floyd Mark , Rohen Noelle , Shackelford Jodie A.M. , Hubbard Karen L. , Parnell Marsha B. , Scogin Forrest , Coates Adriana
Published: March 2006

This study examined the stability of treatment gains after receiving either cognitive bibliotherapy or individual cognitive psychotherapy for depression in older adults. A 2-year follow-up of 23 participants from Floyd, Scogin, McKendree-Smith, Floyd, and Rokke (2004) was conducted by comparing pre-and posttreatment scores with follow-up scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results indicated that treatment gains from baseline to the 2-year follow-up period were maintained on the HRSD and GDS, and there was not a significant decline from posttreatment to follow-up. There were no significant differences between the treatments on the GDS or HRSD at the 2-year follow-up; however, bibliotherapy participants had significantly more recurrences of depression during the follow-up period.
Use of the Structured Descriptive Assessment With Typically Developing Children
Authors: Anderson Cynthia M. , English Carie L. , Hedrick Theresa M.
Published: March 2006

To date, only a limited number of studies have focused on functional assessment with typically developing populations. The most commonlyreported method of functional assessment with this population seems to be descriptive assessment; however, the methods used in the descriptive assessment often are unclear. This is unfortunate as researchers and practitioners often are left with little guidance as to how to conduct a functional assessment with typically developing children. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the structured descriptive assessment (SDA) might be used with typically developing children. Four children with problem behavior participated in the study, and hypotheses about functional relations were developed for all children. Furthermore, efficacious interventions were developed and implemented for 2 children based on the results of the SDA.
Organizational Learning in Smaller Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Spicer David P. , Sadler-Smith Eugene
Published: March 2006

This article describes the development and validation of a measure of a firm's organizational learning orientation and considers the relationships between this and firm performance. The measure assesses owner-managers’ perceptions of their organizations’ orientation to learning in terms of higherorder (active) and lower-order (passive) levels of learning. Its development is a response to the criticisms that organizational learning research is beset by a paucity of valid and reliable measures to assess the ways in which organizations engage in learning at the collective level (Tsang, 1997). Data are presented from a number of samples of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the UK that indicate that the organizational learning orientation measure exhibits acceptable reliability and validity. Furthermore, a number of relationships between organizational learning and financial and non-financial performance were observed. The implications of the findings for research, policy and the management of learning within organizations are discussed.
The Internet as an Information Conduit
Authors: Lohrke Franz T. , Franklin Geralyn McClure , Frownfelter-Lohrke Cynthia
Published: March 2006

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can use the internet to establish direct customer contact, thereby reducing reliance on channel intermediaries for customer support. Based on transaction cost analysis, this study examined whether SMEs facing high asset specificity in product information transmitted to and received from customers employed the internet to a greater degree than those facing lower information specificity. Results based on a survey of 42 US SMEs generally supported this relationship. Moreover, results were generally stronger for firm- than industry-level factors impacting information specificity. Overall, these findings highlight the important benefit that internet use can provide in reducing an SME's transaction costs.
Memory deficits in abstinent MDMA (ecstasy) users: neuropsychological evidence of frontal dysfunction
Authors: Quednow Boris B. , Jessen Frank , Kühn Kai-Uwe , Maier Wolfgang , Daum Irene , Wagner Michael
Published: March 2006

Chronic administration of the common club drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is associated with long-term depletion of serotonin (5-HT) and loss of 5-HT axons in the brains of rodents and non-human primates, and evidence suggests that recreational MDMA consumption may also affect the human serotonergic system. Moreover, it was consistently shown that abstinent MDMA users have memory de.cits. Recently, it was supposed that these de.cits are an expression of a temporal or rather hippocampal dysfunction caused by the serotonergic neurotoxicity of MDMA. The aim of this study is to examine the memory de.cits of MDMA users neuropsychologically in order to evaluate the role of different brain regions. Nineteen male abstinent MDMA users, 19 male abstinent cannabis users and 19 male drug-naive control subjects were examined with a German version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). MDMA users showed widespread and marked verbal memory de.cits, compared to drug-naive controls as well as compared to cannabis users, whereas cannabis users did not differ from control subjects in their memory performance. MDMA users revealed impairments in learning, consolidation, recall and recognition. In addition, they also showed a worse recall consistency and strong retroactive interference whereby both measures were previously associated with frontal lobe function. There was a signi.cant correlation between memory performance and the amount of MDMA taken. These results suggest that the memory de.cits of MDMA users are not only the result of a temporal or hippocampal dysfunction, but also of a dysfunction of regions within the frontal cortex.
Users' perceptions of the risks and effects of taking ecstasy (MDMA): a questionnaire study
Authors: Murphy Philip N. , Wareing Michelle , Fisk John E.
Published: March 2006

This self-report questionnaire study examined ecstasy usersí perceptions of the risks associated with their use of ecstasy, their precautions against such risks, and its perceived effects on their lives. Gender differences in these areas were also explored. The sample comprised 328 ecstasy users (139 female, 187 male, one transsexual) with a mean age of 22.5 years (SD = 4.9 years). Questionnaires were completed either in hard copy or through a website concerned with ecstasy use. The results showed that friends were the most common source of information about ecstasy for the sample overall, although females were more likely to utilize this source than males. None of the .ve categories of perceived risk (e.g. psychiatric, physical) showed a signi.cant gender difference. Males were more likely to take rest breaks whilst females were more likely to limit consumption as a precaution against harm. Three factors emerged from a principal components analysis concerning perceived personal change since initiation of ecstasy use. Factor 1 (23.8% of the variance) concerned negative experiences (e.g. depression). Factor 2 (22.0% of the variance) concerned positive personal qualities (e.g. caring). Factor 3 (10.5% of the variance) concerned selective aspects of functioning (e.g. alertness). The pattern of Factor 1 and Factor 2 scores over time suggested that 6 years since initiation of ecstasy use might be a time when some long-term users may be open to reassess their use of the drug. Broader implications of the .ndings for health education initiatives aimed at ecstasy users are discussed.
Bone Augmentation with Bioactive Glass in Three Cases of Dental Implant Placement
Authors: Gatti Antonietta M. , Simonetti Leopoldo A. , Monari Emanuela , Guidi Stefano , Greenspan David
Published: March 2006

This study reports the clinical use of a bioactive bone graft material, PerioGlas®, in the treatment of dental extraction sites before dental implant placement, to effect bone regeneration and to give early fixation to the implant.

PerioGlas®, granules, ranging from 90 to 710 mm, are implanted after tooth extraction in three patients; after 6 months bone biopsies were performed in the site of the glass implantation and observed under Electron Scanning Microscopy.

All the granules showed a biodegradation involving precipitation of calcium phosphate that worked as a scaffold for osteoblasts colonization. All cases examined showed the bioactivity of PerioGlas® granules resulting in new bone formation and biodegradation of the glass. After a two-year clinical follow-up all the implants were successfully loaded and appeared stable.
Characterization and in vitro Bioactivity of Zinc-containing Bioactive Glass and Glass-ceramics
Authors: Du Rui Lin , Chang Jiang , Ni Si Yu , Zhai Wan Yin , Wang Jun Ying
Published: March 2006

Zinc-containing glass is prepared by the substitution of CaO in 58S bioactive glass with 0.5 and 4 wt% ZnO, and glass-ceramics are obtained by heat-treating the glass at 1200 C. The bending strength and in vitro bioactivity of the glass and glass-ceramics are evaluated. The results indicate that Zn promotes the crystallization of SiO2 and wollastonite in glass-ceramics, and proper crystallization can enhance the bending strength of the glass-ceramic. The in vitro results show that ZnO in glass retards the hydroxyapatite (HA) nucleation at the initial stage of simulated body fluid (SBF) soaking, but does not affect the growth of HA after long periods of soaking, and the ionic products of 58S4Z glass can stimulate the proliferation of osteoblast at certain concentrations. Osteoblasts attach well on both glass samples and glass-ceramic samples, but the high Si ion concentration released from glass samples restrains the proliferation of osteoblasts after 3 days of culture. In contrast, osteoblasts show good proliferation on glass-ceramic samples, and ZnO in glass-ceramics promotes the proliferation rate. The results in this study suggest that the glass and glass-ceramics with different ZnO content might be used as bioactive bone implant materials in different applications.
Violent Media Consumption and the Recognition of Dynamic Facial Expressions
Authors: Kirsh Steven J. , Mounts Jeffrey R. W. , Olczak Paul V.
Published: March 2006

This study assessed the speed of recognition of facial emotional expressions (happy and angry) as a function of violent media consumption. Color photos of calm facial expressions morphed to either an angry or a happy facial expression. Participants were asked to make a speeded identification of the emotion (happiness or anger) during the morph. Results indicated that, independent of trait aggressiveness, participants high in violent media consumption responded slower to depictions of happiness and faster to depictions of anger than participants low in violent media consumption. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to current models of aggressive behavior.
Child Sexual Abuse, Coping Responses, Self-Blame, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Adult Sexual Revictimization
Authors: Filipas Henrietta H. , Ullman Sarah E.
Published: March 2006

The present study examined the psychological sequelae of child sexual abuse (CSA) and the factors that contributed to revictimization in the form of adult sexual assault (ASA) using a survey of 577 female college students. CSA characteristics, maladaptive coping in response to CSA, degree of self-blame at the time of the abuse and currently, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were examined as predictors of revictimization. Results indicated that individuals who reported both CSA and ASA had more PTSD symptoms, were more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope, act out sexually, withdraw from people, and seek therapy services. In addition, the revictimized group reported more self-blame at the time of the abuse and currently. The only factor that predicted revictimization in this study was the number of maladaptive coping strategies used. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Organizationsas Hybrid forms of Life
Authors: Castor Theresa , Cooren François
Published: March 2006

In line with recent theorizing on the communicative constitution of organizations, this project seeks to expand the notion of agency within organizations to include human and nonhuman agents. The formulation of problems and solutions is examined as an ideal discursive site in which organizational participants negotiate the role of various agencies in organizational action. The authors’ thesis is illustrated through a discourse analytic examination of a university faculty senate's discussion of a problematic decision made during a budget crisis. This analysis illustrates how problem formulation can be conceptualized as an interplay between various agents including human, textual, and other nonhuman agents. Implications are discussed more generally regarding the role of human and nonhuman agents in the construction of organizational realities.
Application of Demand Chain Initiatives to Small Businesses:
Authors: Govindarajulu Nalini
Published: March 2006

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to contribute to economic growth in the US. While several SMEs operate in the demand chain, little research exists on how these businesses compete in this chain. Specifically, what are the capabilities of SMEs that can add not only customer value, but also ensure their survival in the demand chain? In addition, what are the challenges that they face? This paper provides an exploratory, qualitative study of these issues. Two SMEs in southern India were interviewed. In addition, directions for future research and implications for managers are provided.
Influential Factors in Location Choice of Spanish Businesses in Aragon
Authors: Ramón-solans Prat Juan Carlos , Marcén Rosario Ferriz
Published: March 2006

Reported here is an examination of factors that have influenced Spanish companies in Aragon in their choice of business locations. One hundred and twenty-eight industries in the province of Zaragoza were surveyed to serve as the primary source of information. The results have been generalised to the province as a whole. Industries were selected from the Register of Industrial Establishments (REI). Two types of analyses were made: an analysis of frequencies that defined the factors which had been influential in the choice of business locations in Zaragoza and a comparative analysis of hierarchisation of location factors. The results of the frequency analysis led to the conclusion that location choices were influenced by factors such as good accessibility through an efficient road network, demand in the area, qualified soil and quality and availability of productive factors. Similar results were obtained by the comparative analysis of hierarchisation.
Where Do Cultures Come From?
Authors: Kanazawa Satoshi
Published: March 2006

This article seeks to make three separate contributions to the anthropological study of culture. Metatheoretically, it presents an evolutionary psychological perspective within which to study culture and generate specific theories of the origins, constancy, and variations in human culture. Theoretically, it provides a concrete evolutionary psychological theory of son-daughter preference: why people in some societies prefer sons to daughters and practice female infanticide whereas those in others prefer daughters to sons and practice male infanticide (killingof boys). Empirically, it tests and supports an evolutionary psychological theory of son-daughter preference with large, international quantitative data both at the micro (individual) and macro (societal) levels. The empirical analyses show that wealthier individuals from 46 nations prefer sons to daughters, whereas poorer individuals prefer daughters to sons. They also suggest that wealthier societies have cultural preference for sons, whereas poorer societies have cultural preference for daughters.
Annexation Activity and State Law in the United States
Authors: Facer Rex L.
Published: March 2006

This article explores the impact of 15 separate provisions of state annexation laws on seven different measures of annexation activity. This analysis uses annexation data from 42 states between 1990 and 1998. The analysis finds that there are different patterns of annexation activity for laws designed to constrain annexation, as compared with laws designed to facilitate annexation. Laws designed to facilitate annexation are likely to be associated with high levels of annexation activity. On the other hand, laws designed to constrain annexation are not very likely to have lower levels of activity.
Village Ghetto Land
Authors: Whitzman Carolyn , Slater Tom
Published: March 2006

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how historical narratives such as wealthy “suburb,” declining “slum,” and resurgent “village” can have little basis in the social conditions of the time they purport to represent, yet be used to justify urban policy and planning decisions. In a case study of Parkdale, Toronto, we show how a history of the neighborhood was constructed in the 1970s by using a selective reading of the historic record, and then show how this mythical narrative has recently been used to legitimize the gentrification of the neighborhood. We also construct an alternative narrative of persistent housing diversity in the face of opposition over 125 years, which might justify a different set of local government policies that recognizes the continuity of inexpensive rental housing options and seeks to preserve and enhance these options.
Performance Measurement in Local Economic Development
Authors: Lindblad Mark Richard
Published: March 2006

Despite the trend toward accountability in the public sector, little inferential research exists on the use of accountability tools such as performance measurement. This study identifies factors that affect performance measurement in local economic development and compares the impact of structural determinants such as demographic, socioeconomic, and competitive factors to local community choices such as organizational, political, and community forces. Organizational characteristics of the economic development agency had the greatest impact, though socioeconomic and competitive forces also affected performance measurement. Overall, the findings indicate that in municipal policy making, both structural constraints and local choices matter, but local choices matter more.
The Wick-concept for Thermal Insulation of Cold Piping
Authors: Koverdynsky Vit , Korsgaard Vagn , Rode Carsten
Published: March 2006

The wick-concept for thermal insulation of cold piping is based on capillary suction of a fiber fabric to remove excess water from the pipe surface by transporting it to the outer surface of the insulation. From the surface of the insulation jacket, the water will evaporate to the ambient air. This will prevent long-term accumulation of moisture in the insulation material. The wick keeps the hydrophobic insulation dry, allowing it to maintain its thermal performance. The liquid moisture is kept only in the wick fabric.

This article presents the principle of operation of cold pipe insulation using the wick-concept in either of two variations: the self-drying or the self-sealing system. Experiments have been carried out using different variations of the two systems to investigate the conditions for exploiting the drying capabilities of the systems, and the results are presented. The results show that the variations of these types of insulation systems work for pipes with a temperature above 0 C and for ambient conditions within common ranges for industrial applications.
Can Moisture Buffer Performance be Estimated from Sorption Kinetics?
Authors: Delgado J. M. P. Q. , Ramos N. M. M. , De Freitas V. P.
Published: March 2006

This article describes the research on the moisture buffering effect of building materials. A set of experiments on samples of current building materials are conducted under transient conditions of relative humidity (RH).

The results obtained are then analyzed using kinetics models. The experimental settings are based on the moisture buffer value (MBV) test method currently under study by Nordic researchers. The main result from these tests is the MBV number that can be used to characterize the moisture buffer performance of a material or a system.

The application of kinetics models to the experimental results is explored and several parameters are retrieved. A proposal for the use of these parameters is presented and its practical use is discussed.
Seasonal Changes in Water Content of Subsoil Beneath Old Slab-on-ground Structures in Finland
Authors: Leivo Virpi , Rantala Jukka
Published: March 2006

The objective of this study is to determine the normal level of water content of the subsoil beneath old slab-on-ground structures and discuss the impact of the thermal and moisture conditions. According to measurements, the water content of subsoil beneath a slab-on-ground structure equals or exceeds the hygroscopic equilibrium moisture content of the material in RH 100%. The high water vapor content with warm subsoil temperature can cause moisture damages to the floor covering. In fine-grained soils where capillary action is possible often some excess capillary water is detected at the samples. The amount of capillary bound water and risk for damage is dependent on distance from the ground water table.
Affluenza
Authors: Harmon Mark D.
Published: March 2006

A secondary analysis of the European and World Values Surveys finds heavy television viewers are less likely than light television viewers to select an anti-acquisition national goal. Heavy viewers were also more likely than light viewers to report they are unhappy and dissatisfied both with their financial state and life overall. A nation-by-nation analysis of ‘affluenza’ (consumerist/materialist/acquisition values purportedly spread by heavy exposure to television) found few links to television viewing, but nations with heavier television viewing also were less happy. Television viewing, age, income and religiosity had little predictive value for pro-acquisition sentiments. The author concludes cultivation theory is too simple and inexact to explain any ‘affluenza’ effect. The author finds tantalizing clues of such an effect, and suggests techniques for future research.
Tradition with a Twist
Authors: Ramaprasad Jyotika , Rahman Shafiqur
Published: March 2006

Modeled partly after American journalist surveys, this study taps Bangladeshi journalists’ perceptions of the importance of certain libertarian and development press functions as well as their actual practice of these functions. It also puts to empirical test ‘theoretic’ factors of libertarian and development functions suggested by Ramaprasad and Kelly to assess their reproducibility in Bangladesh. The study finds that Bangladeshi journalists consider libertarian functions more important than development functions and that there is a gap between perceived importance and actual practice for most functions. The ‘theoretic’ factors replicate quite well and where they are different they provide an opportunity to refine press theory.
Emerging roles for ectodomain shedding in the regulation of inflammatory responses
Authors: Garton Kyle J , Gough Peter J , Raines Elaine W
Published: March 2006

The multistep model of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation has helped elucidate specific molecular cues for each of the individual steps. However, it is less clear how cells transition between the different steps and how the complex interactions are coordinately regulated. Once a leukocyte sticks to the endothelium, it only takes a few minutes to reach the subendothelial basement membrane, so the transitions and regulatory mechanisms must be rapid. We put forward the hypothesis that proteolytic shedding of cell surface proteins provides a mechanism to aid in the rapid transition of cells and coordinate the complex, multistep process of leukocyte recruitment in response to inflammatory stimuli. Support for this hypothesis is provided from analyses of disease states and from studies with protease inhibitors and genetically engineered mutations that prevent “ectodomain shedding” of cell surface proteins and consequently perturb the inflammatory response.
The effects of ginkgo biloba extract on tissue adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Gulec Mukaddes , Iraz Mustafa , Yilmaz H Ramazan , Ozyurt Huseyin , Temel Ismail
Published: March 2006

This study was carried out to determine if Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE or Egb 761) exerts a beneficial effect against cisplatin-induced renal failure in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The first group (control) received orally 1 mL/kg/day of 0.9% saline by an oral carrier vehicle on days 1 to 10. The second group was injected with 7 mg/kg cisplatin intraperitoneally (i.p.) on the fourth day, once only. The third group (vit E=cisplatin) was administered 10 mg/kg/day i.p. vit E on 1 to 10 days with one dose of i.p. cisplatin (7 mg/kg) injection on the fourth day. The fourth group (GBE=cisplatin) was given GBE orally at 100 mg/mL/kg started on the first day up to the tenth day with one dose of cisplatin (7 mg/kg) injection on the fourth day.

Cisplatin was found to lead a statistically significant increase in plasma BUN and creatinine levels, as well as urine micro total protein (MTP) levels, leading to acute renal failure (ARF) in rats. Renal xanthine oxidase (XO) activities increased in all groups (statistically significant in cisplatin=GBE-treated rats; P≤0.001). Adenosine deaminase (AD) activities were increased in cisplatin-treated rats, and decreased in cisplatin=GBE-treated (PB≤0.041) and cisplatin=vit E-treated (PB≤0.005) rats, compared to controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were increased in the kidney tissue of cisplatin-treated rats. Vit E improved plasma creatinine and urine MTP levels, together with tissue MDA, NO levels, and MPO activities. But GBE had no statistically significant effect on those parameters.

These results indicate that increased XO, AD and MPO activities, as well as MDA and NO levels play a critical role in cisplatin nephrotoxicity. GBE has been shown to protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2006; 22: 125-130.
Thrombocytosis induced in mice after subacute and subchronic V2O5 inhalation
Authors: González-Villalva Adriana , Fortoul Teresa I , Avila-Costa Maria Rosa , Piñón-Zarate Gabriela , Rodriguez-Lara Vianey , Martínez-Levy Gabriela , Rojas-Lemus Marcela , Bizarro-Nevarez Patricia , Díaz-Bech Patricia , Mussali-Galante Patricia , Colin-Barenque Laura
Published: March 2006

Reports about vanadium (V) inhalation toxicity on the hematopoietic system, specifically about coagulation are limited. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the effects of V with a complete blood count and morphologic analysis of platelets on blood smears. CD-1 male mice inhaled V2O5 0.02 M 1 h twice weekly over 12 weeks. Blood samples were obtained by direct heart puncture; Wright stained smears were used for platelet quantification. An increase in platelet count from the third week of exposure was observed, as well as the presence of megaplatelets. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that V induces thrombocytosis and it might correlate with some thromboembolic diseases. Further analysis is needed to evaluate the functionality of these platelets as well as the cause of its increase.
Levels of retinyl palmitate and retinol in stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis of SKH-1 mice
Authors: Yan Jian , Xia Qingsu , Webb Peggy , Warbritton Alan R , Wamer Wayne G , Howard Paul C , Boudreau Mary , Fu Peter P
Published: March 2006

Vitamin A (retinol) regulates many biological functions, including epidermal cell growth. Retinyl palmitate (RP) is the major esterified form of retinol and the predominant component of retinoids in the skin; however, how endogenous levels of RP and retinol in the skin are affected by the age of the animal remains unknown. Furthermore, the levels of retinol and RP in the various skin layers- the stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis of skin- have not been reported. In this paper, we report the development of a convenient method for separation of the skin from SKH-1 female mice into the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis and the determination of the levels of RP and retinol in the three fractions by HPLC analysis. The total quantities of RP and retinol from the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis are comparable to those extracted from the same amount of intact skin from the same mouse. There was an age-related effect on the levels of RP and retinol in the skin and liver of female mice. An age-related effect was also observed in the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis. The levels of RP and retinol were highest in the epidermis of 20-week-old mice, and decreased when the age increased to 60- and 68-weeks. The total amount of RP at 20 weeks of age was found to be 1.52 ng/mg skin, and decreased about 4-fold at 60- and 68-weeks of age. A similar trend was found for the effects of age on the levels of retinol.
Twinstar, theDrosophilahomolog of cofilin/ADF, is required for planar cell polarity patterning
Authors: Blair Adrienne , Tomlinson Andrew , Pham Hung , Gunsalus Kristin C. , Goldberg Michael L. , Laski Frank A.
Published: March 2006

Planar cell polarity (PCP) is a level of tissue organization in which cells adopt a uniform orientation within the plane of an epithelium. The process of tissue polarization is likely to be initiated by an extracellular gradient. Thus, determining how cells decode and convert this graded information into subcellular asymmetries is key to determining how cells direct the reorganization of the cytoskeleton to produce uniformly oriented structures. Twinstar (Tsr), the Drosophila homolog of Cofilin/ADF (actin depolymerization factor), is a component of the cytoskeleton that regulates actin dynamics. We show here that various alleles of tsr produce PCP defects in the wing, eye and several other epithelia. In wings mutant for tsr, Frizzled (Fz) and Flamingo (Fmi) proteins do not properly localize to the proximodistal boundaries of cells. The correct asymmetric localization of these proteins instructs the actin cytoskeleton to produce one actin-rich wing hair at the distal-most vertex of each cell. These results argue that actin remodeling is not only required in the manufacture of wing hairs, but also in the PCP read-out that directs where a wing hair will be secreted.
Lack of β1 integrins in enteric neural crest cells leads to a Hirschsprung-like phenotype
Authors: Breau Marie A. , Pietri Thomas , Eder Olivier , Blanche Martine , Brakebusch Cord , Fässler Reinhardt , Thiery Jean P. , Dufour Sylvie
Published: March 2006

The enteric nervous system arises mainly from vagal and sacral neural crest cells that colonise the gut between 9.5 and 14 days of development in mice. Using the Cre-LoxP system, we removed β1 integrins in the neural crest cells when they emerge from the neural tube. β1-null enteric neural crest cells fail to colonise the gut completely, leading to an aganglionosis of the descending colon, which resembles the human Hirschsprung's disease. Moreover,β1-null enteric neural crest cells form abnormal aggregates in the gut wall, leading to a severe alteration of the ganglia network organisation. Organotypic cultures of gut explants reveal that β1-null enteric neural crest cells show impaired adhesion on extracellular matrix and enhanced intercellular adhesion properties. They display migration defects in collagen gels and gut tissue environments. We also provide evidence that β1 integrins are required for the villi innervation in the small intestine. Our findings highlight the crucial roles played by β1 integrins at various steps of enteric nervous system development.
p90Rsk is required for G1 phase arrest in unfertilized starfish eggs
Authors: Mori Masashi , Hara Masatoshi , Tachibana Kazunori , Kishimoto Takeo
Published: March 2006

The cell cycle in oocytes generally arrests at a particular meiotic stage to await fertilization. This arrest occurs at metaphase of meiosis II(meta-II) in frog and mouse, and at G1 phase after completion of meiosis II in starfish. Despite this difference in the arrest phase, both arrests depend on the same Mos-MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway, indicating that the difference relies on particular downstream effectors. Immediately downstream of MAPK, Rsk (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase, p90Rsk) is required for the frog meta-II arrest. However, the mouse meta-II arrest challenges this requirement, and no downstream effector has been identified in the starfish G1 arrest. To investigate the downstream effector of MAPK in the starfish G1 arrest, we used a neutralizing antibody against Rsk and a constitutively active form of Rsk. Rsk was activated downstream of the Mos-MAPK pathway during meiosis. In G1 eggs, inhibition of Rsk activity released the arrest and initiated DNA replication without fertilization. Conversely, maintenance of Rsk activity prevented DNA replication following fertilization. In early embryos, injection of Mos activated the MAPK-Rsk pathway, resulting in G1 arrest. Moreover, inhibition of Rsk activity during meiosis I led to parthenogenetic activation without meiosis II. We conclude that immediately downstream of MAPK, Rsk is necessary and sufficient for the starfish G1 arrest. Although CSF (cytostatic factor) was originally defined for meta-II arrest in frog eggs, we propose to distinguish `G1-CSF' for starfish from `meta-II-CSF' for frog and mouse. The present study thus reveals a novel role of Rsk for G1-CSF.
The level of sonic hedgehog signaling regulates the complexity of cerebellar foliation
Authors: Corrales JoMichelle D. , Blaess Sandra , Mahoney Eamonn M. , Joyner Alexandra L.
Published: March 2006

Foliation of the mouse cerebellum occurs primarily during the first 2 weeks after birth and is accompanied by tremendous proliferation of granule cell precursors (GCPs). We have previously shown that sonic hedgehog (Shh)signaling correlates spatially and temporally with fissure formation, and that Gli2 is the main activator driving Shh induced proliferation of embryonic GCPs. Here, we have tested whether the level of Shh signaling regulates the extent of cerebellar foliation. By progressively lowering signaling by removing Gli1 and Gli2 or the Shh receptor smoothened, we found the extent of foliation is gradually reduced, and that this correlates with a decrease in the duration of GCP proliferation. Importantly, the pattern of the remaining fissures in the mutants corresponds to the first fissures that form during normal development. In a complementary manner, an increase in the level and length of Shh signaling results in formation of an extra fissure in a position conserved in rat. The complexity of cerebellar foliation varies greatly between vertebrate species. Our studies have uncovered a mechanism by which the level and length of Shh signaling could be integral to determining the distinct number of fissures in each species.