bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue Kallikrein Elicits Cardioprotection by Direct Kinin B2 Receptor Activation Independent of Kinin Formation
Authors: Chao Julie , Yin Hang , Gao Lin , Hagiwara Makoto , Shen Bo , Yang Zhi-Rong , Chao Lee
Published: September 2008

Tissue kallikrein exerts various biological functions through kinin formation with subsequent kinin B2 receptor activation. Recent studies showed that tissue kallikrein directly activates kinin B2 receptor in cultured cells expressing human kinin B2 receptor. In the present study, we investigated the role of tissue kallikrein in protection against cardiac injury through direct kinin B2 receptor activation using kininogen-deficient Brown Norway Katholiek rats after acute myocardial infarction. Tissue kallikrein was injected locally into the myocardium of Brown Norway Katholiek rats after coronary artery ligation with and without coinjection of icatibant (a kinin B2 receptor antagonist) and Nω-nitro-l-arginine methylester (an NO synthase inhibitor). One day after myocardial infarction, tissue kallikrein treatment significantly improved cardiac contractility and reduced myocardial infarct size and left ventricle end diastolic pressure in Brown Norway Katholiek rats. Kallikrein attenuated ischemia-induced apoptosis and monocyte/macrophage accumulation in the ischemic myocardium in conjunction with increased NO levels and reduced myeloperoxidase activity. Icatibant and Nω-nitro-l-arginine methylester abolished kallikrein’s effects, indicating a kinin B2 receptor NO-mediated event. Moreover, inactive kallikrein had no beneficial effects in cardiac function, myocardial infarction, apoptosis, or inflammatory cell infiltration after myocardial infarction. In primary cardiomyocytes derived from Brown Norway Katholiek rats under serum-free conditions, active, but not inactive, kallikrein reduced hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, and the effects were mediated by kinin B2 receptor/nitric oxide formation. This is the first study to demonstrate that tissue kallikrein directly activates kinin B2 receptor in the absence of kininogen to reduce infarct size, apoptosis, and inflammation and improve cardiac performance of infarcted hearts.
Imbalance of Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor and Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla
Authors: Gao Lie , Wang Wei-Zhong , Wang Wei , Zucker Irving H.
Published: September 2008

Upregulation of angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT
1
R) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) contributes to the sympathoexcitation in the chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the role of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT
2
R) is not clear. In this study, we measured AT
1
R and AT
2
R protein expression in the RVLM and determined their effects on renal sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure, and heart rate in anesthetized sham and CHF rats. We found that (1) although AT
1
R expression in the RVLM was upregulated, the AT
2
R was significantly downregulated (CHF: 0.06±0.02 versus sham: 0.15±0.02,
P
<0.05); (2) simultaneously stimulating RVLM AT
1
R and AT
2
R by angiotensin II evoked sympathoexcitation, hypertension, and tachycardia in both sham and CHF rats with greater responses in CHF; (3) stimulating RVLM AT1R with angiotensin II plus the specific AT
2
R antagonist PD123319 induced a larger sympathoexcitatory response than simultaneously stimulating AT
1
R and AT
2
R in sham rats, but not in CHF; (4) activating RVLM AT
2
R with CGP42112 induced a sympathoinhibition, hypotension, and bradycardia only in sham rats (renal sympathetic nerve activity: 36.4±5.1% of baseline versus 102±3.9% of baseline in artificial cerebrospinal fluid,
P
<0.05); (5) pretreatment with 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, a general inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, into the RVLM attenuates the CGP42112-induced sympathoinhibition. These results suggest that AT
2
R in the RVLM exhibits an inhibitory effect on sympathetic outflow, which is, at least partially, mediated by an arachidonic acid metabolic pathway. These data implicate a downregulation in the AT
2
R as a contributory factor in the sympathoexcitation in CHF.
Role of Menkes ATPase in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension
Authors: Qin Zhenyu , Gongora Maria Carolina , Ozumi Kiyoshi , Itoh Shinichi , Akram Kamran , Ushio-Fukai Masuko , Harrison David G. , Fukai Tohru
Published: September 2008

The extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3), a secretory copper-containing enzyme, regulates angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension by modulating levels of extracellular superoxide anion. The present study was designed to determine the role of the copper transporter Menkes ATPase (MNK) in Ang II-induced SOD3 activity and hypertension in vivo. Here we show that chronic Ang II infusion enhanced systolic blood pressure and vascular superoxide anion production in MNK mutant (MNK
mut
) mice as compared with those in wild-type mice, which are associated with impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in MNK
mut
mice. These effects in MNK
mut
mice are rescued by infusion of the SOD mimetic Tempol. By contrast, norepinephrine-induced hypertension, which is not associated with an increase in vascular superoxide anion production, is not affected in MNK
mut
mice. Mechanistically, basal and Ang II infusion-induced increase in vascular SOD3-specific activity is significantly inhibited in MNK
mut
mice. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis reveals that Ang II stimulation promotes association of MNK with SOD3 in cultured vascular smooth muscle cell and in mouse aortas, which may contribute to SOD3-specific activity by increasing copper delivery to SOD3 through MNK. In summary, MNK plays an important role in modulating Ang II-induced hypertension and endothelial function by regulating SOD3 activity and vascular superoxide anion production and becomes a potential therapeutic target for oxidant stress-dependent cardiovascular diseases.
Treating Patients With ‘Wake-Up’ Stroke
Authors: Adams Harold P. , Leira Enrique C. , Torner James C. , Barnathan Elliot , Padgett Lakshmi , Effron Mark B. , Hacke Werner
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

Approximately 10% to 20% of patients with a new stroke have symptoms present on awakening (wake-up stroke), but these persons are not treated with interventions to restore perfusion because the time of onset is not known. We elected to test the safety and possible efficacy of abciximab in treatment of enrolled subjects with wake-up stroke.

Methods—

Abciximab in Emergency Stroke Treatment Trial-II (AbESTT-II) tested the usefulness of abciximab in improving outcomes after acute ischemic stroke and it prospectively tested an intervention in subjects that awakened with their stroke. We compared the outcomes among the subjects in the wake-up group with the other subjects in the trial.

Results—

Of the 801 subjects randomized in the trial, 43 (22 abciximab and 21 placebo) had wake-up strokes. Those with wake-up strokes had similar baseline characteristics as the other subjects except for a higher rate of a new stroke found on CT. Recruitment of patients into the wake-up group was halted early because of the rate of bleeding with abciximab exceeded the prespecified safety margins (3 of 22 [13.6%]) within 5 days or at discharge versus 15 of 375 (4.0%) for the nonwake-up group (
P
=0.07). Favorable outcomes at 3 months, as defined by scores on the modified Rankin Scale, among the wake-up group (4 of 43 [9.3%]) were worse than the nonwake-up group (221 of 758 [29.2%];
P
=0.005).

Conclusions—

Although the baseline characteristics of the wake-up group of subjects were similar to those of persons enrolled in the nonwake-up group, their outcomes were much poorer. Patients with wake-up stroke may not tolerate reperfusion therapies even when started within a short time of awakening.
Stent-Assisted Reconstructive Endovascular Repair of Cranial Fusiform Atherosclerotic and Dissecting Aneurysms
Authors: Wakhloo Ajay K. , Mandell Jake , Gounis Matthew J. , Brooks Christopher , Linfante Italo , Winer Jesse , Weaver John P.
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

The purpose of this study was to investigate the periprocedural morbidity, mortality, and long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up using stent-assisted coiling and stenting alone for treatment of cranial fusiform dissecting and atherosclerotic aneurysms.

Methods—

The Institutional Review Board approved the study. A retrospective analysis was performed of 30 fusiform dissecting and atherosclerotic aneurysms treated in 28 patients (20 females; mean age, 52.6 years). Eleven aneurysms (37%) were located in the posterior circulation. Twenty-one (70%) originated from arterial dissection and 4 aneurysms (13%) presented with subarachnoid bleeding. Twenty-four (80%) aneurysms were treated with stents and coils, whereas 6 (20%) were treated with stents alone.

Results—

Immediate postprocedural angiograms in 24 aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coiling showed complete occlusion in 12 and subtotal occlusion in 11 aneurysms, whereas no occlusion was seen in one aneurysm and in all 6 aneurysms treated with stents alone. A clinical improvement or stable outcome was achieved in 25 patients (89%). The 2 cases of permanent morbidity included a patient with a finger dysesthesia associated with a perforator stroke and another patient with hemiparesis and aphasia due to a delayed in-stent thrombosis. One patient died after treatment of a giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. Angiographic follow-up was available in 23 of the 27 surviving patients (85%) at a mean of 16.2 months (range, 1 to 108 months). Recanalization in 4 patients (17%) at 3, 5, 24, and 36 months required retreatment in 3. In-stent stenosis of ≤50% was found in 3 patients.

Conclusion—

Stent-assisted coil embolization is an attractive option for ruptured and nonruptured fusiform aneurysms with stable long-term outcome. However, recanalization observed up to 3 years after the initial obliteration emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up angiography.
The
C
ombined Approach to
L
ysis Utilizing
E
ptifibatide
a
nd
r
t-PA in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Pancioli Arthur M. , Broderick Joseph , Brott Thomas , Tomsick Thomas , Khoury Jane , Bean Judy , del Zoppo Gregory , Kleindorfer Dawn , Woo Daniel , Khatri Pooja , Castaldo John , Frey James , Gebel James , Kasner Scott , Kidwell Chelsea , Kwiatkowski Thomas , Libman Richard , Mackenzie Richard , Scott Phillip , Starkman Sidney , Thurman R. Jason
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

Multiple approaches are being studied to enhance the rate of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Treatment of myocardial infarction with a combination of a reduced-dose fibrinolytic agent and a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist has been shown to improve the rate of recanalization versus fibrinolysis alone. The
c
ombined approach to
l
ysis utilizing
e
ptifibatide
a
nd
r
ecombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (CLEAR) stroke trial assessed the safety of treating acute ischemic stroke patients within 3 hours of symptom onset with this combination.

Methods—

The CLEAR trial was a National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke–funded multicenter, double-blind, randomized, dose-escalation and safety study. Patients were randomized 3:1 to either low-dose rt-PA (tier 1=0.3 mg/kg, tier 2=0.45 mg/kg) plus eptifibatide (75 μg/kg bolus followed by 0.75 μg/kg per min infusion for 2 hours) or standard-dose rt-PA (0.9 mg/kg). The primary safety end point was the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage within 36 hours. Secondary analyses were performed regarding clinical efficacy.

Results—

Ninety-four patients (40 in tier 1 and 54 in tier 2) were enrolled. The combination group of the 2 dose tiers (n=69) had a median age of 71 years and a median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 14, and the standard-dose rt-PA group (n=25) had a median age of 61 years and a median baseline NIHSS score of 10 (
P
=0.01 for NIHSS score). Fifty-two (75%) of the combination treatment group and 24 (96%) of the standard treatment group had a baseline modified Rankin scale score of 0 (
P
=0.04). There was 1 (1.4%; 95% CI, 0% to 4.3%) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in the combination group and 2 (8.0%; 95% CI, 0% to 19.2%) in the rt-PA–only arm (
P
=0.17). During randomization in tier 2, a review by the independent data safety monitoring board demonstrated that the safety profile of combination therapy at the tier 2 doses was such that further enrollment was statistically unlikely to indicate inadequate safety for the combination treatment group, the ultimate outcome of the study. Thus, the study was halted. There was a trend toward increased clinical efficacy of standard-dose rt-PA compared with the combination treatment group.

Conclusions—

The safety of the combination of reduced-dose rt-PA plus eptifibatide justifies further dose-ranging trials in acute ischemic stroke.
Public Reporting of Quality Data for Stroke
Authors: Kelly Adam , Thompson Joel P. , Tuttle Deborah , Benesch Curtis , Holloway Robert G.
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

Public reporting of quality data is becoming more common and increasingly used to improve choices of patients, providers, and payers. We reviewed the scope and content of stroke data being reported to the public and how well it captures the quality of stroke care.

Methods—

We performed a cross-sectional survey of all report cards within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Report Card Compendium. Stroke quality data were categorized into one of 5 groups: structure, process, outcomes, utilization, and finances. We also determined the congruence of mortality ratings of New York hospitals provided by 2 different report cards.

Results—

Of 221 available report cards, 19 (9%) reported quality information regarding stroke and 17 specifically addressed the quality of hospital-based stroke care. The most frequent data reported were utilization measures (n=15 report cards) and outcome measures (n=14 report cards). Data regarding finances (n=4), structure of care (n=2), and process of care (n=1) were reported infrequently. Ratings were incongruent in 61 of the 157 hospitals (39%) with the same hospital being rated below average on one report care and average on another in 44 hospitals.

Conclusions—

Publicly reported quality data pertaining to patients with stroke are incomplete, confusing, and inaccurate. Without further improvements and a better understanding of the needs and limitations of the many stakeholders, targeted transparency policies for stroke care may lead to worse quality and large economic losses.
The Anterior N1 Component as an Index of Modality Shifting
Authors: Töllner Thomas , Gramann Klaus , Müller Hermann J. , Eimer Martin
Published: September 2008

Processing of a given target is facilitated when it is defined within the same (e.g., visual–visual), compared to a different (e.g., tactile–visual), perceptual modality as on the previous trial [Spence, C., Nicholls, M., & Driver, J. The cost of expecting events in the wrong sensory modality. Perception & Psychophysics, 63, 330–336, 2001]. The present study was designed to identify electrocortical (EEG) correlates underlying this “modality shift effect.” Participants had to discriminate (via foot pedal responses) the modality of the target stimulus, visual versus tactile (Experiment 1), or respond based on the target-defining features (Experiment 2). Thus, modality changes were associated with response changes in Experiment 1, but dissociated in Experiment 2. Both experiments confirmed previous behavioral findings with slower discrimination times for modality change, relative to repetition, trials. Independently of the target-defining modality, spatial stimulus characteristics, and the motor response, this effect was mirrored by enhanced amplitudes of the anterior N1 component. These findings are explained in terms of a generalized “modality-weighting” account, which extends the “dimension-weighting” account proposed by Found and Müller [Searching for unknown feature targets on more than one dimension: Investigating a “dimension-weighting” account. Perception & Psychophysics, 58, 88–101, 1996] for the visual modality. On this account, the anterior N1 enhancement is assumed to reflect the detection of a modality change and initiation of the readjustment of attentional weight-setting from the old to the new target-defining modality in order to optimize target detection.
Bauman's Metaphors
Authors: Jacobsen Michael Hviid , Marshman Sophia
Published: September 2008

Zygmunt Bauman is one of the most renowned and read sociologists in contemporary continental European sociology. Throughout his lifelong work, he has provided the discipline with numerous outstanding and substantial theoretical analyses and critical interpretations of modernity and postmodernity, globalization and individualization, the Holocaust and human suffering, etc. A relatively overlooked aspect of Bauman's sociology is his alternative methodological stance lingering somewhere between social science and literature. The most prominent feature of this methodological arsenal is the metaphor. In this article, the authors delineate and discuss Bauman's metaphors and the important contribution to sociology of these literary devices. Concomitantly, the present `case study' of Bauman's metaphors also raises more general discussions of the relationship between social science and literature, fact and faction, poetic representation and scientific description.
The inequality of security: Winners and losers in the risk society
Authors: Cooper Marianne
Published: September 2008

Current analyses of the changing nature of risk provide a`top-down' perspective that fails to consider variation among the individuals that these changes act upon. Drawing on a qualitative study of 89 workers who are members of 50 socioeconomically diverse families in Silicon Valley, California, this article explores the variability among workers by examining how an individual's social class background influences both their level of exposure to risk and their ability to navigate through the `risk society'. By employing Bourdieu's framework, the study finds that the attributes now expected of the ideal risk society subject are in actuality reflective of economic, social and cultural capitals most commonly held by the highly educated, middle and upper-middle classes. Consequently, in the current political environment where individuals are viewed as enterprising consumers responsible for their own welfare, those who possess the `right' capitals are advantaged, while those who do not are disadvantaged. This article employs life history case studies of two workers in different structural locations to highlight the different `capitals' workers have at their disposal, and shows how structural positions and cultural dispositions interact over time influencing future levels of inequality. In doing so, the article illustrates how the removal of public safety nets exacerbates existing disparities and causes the disadvantaged to fall even further behind. These disparities among workers constitute an inequality of security that engenders winners and losers in the risk society.
Bounding Inconsistency Using a Novel Threshold Metric for Dead Reckoning Update Packet Generation
Authors: Roberts Dave , Aspin Rob , Marshall Damien , McLoone Seamus , Delaney Declan , Ward Tomas
Published: September 2008

Human-to-human interaction across distributed applications requires that sufficient consistency be maintained among participants in the face of network characteristics such as latency and limited bandwidth. The level of inconsistency arising from the network is proportional to the network delay, and thus a function of bandwidth consumption. Distributed simulation has often used a bandwidth reduction technique known as dead reckoning that combines approximation and estimation in the communication of entity movement to reduce network traffic, and thus improve consistency. However, unless carefully tuned to application and network characteristics, such an approach can introduce more inconsistency than it avoids. The key tuning metric is the distance threshold. This paper questions the suitability of the standard distance threshold as a metric for use in the dead reckoning scheme. Using a model relating entity path curvature and inconsistency, a major performance related limitation of the distance threshold technique is highlighted. We then propose an alternative time—space threshold criterion. The time—space threshold is demonstrated, through simulation, to perform better for low curvature movement. However, it too has a limitation. Based on this, we further propose a novel hybrid scheme. Through simulation and live trials, this scheme is shown to perform well across a range of curvature values, and places bounds on both the spatial and absolute inconsistency arising from dead reckoning.
Symbolic Reduction for High-Speed Power System Simulation
Authors: Siever William M. , Tauritz Daniel R. , Miller Ann , Crow Mariesa , McMillin Bruce M. , Atcitty Stanley
Published: September 2008

High-speed simulations of power transmission systems, which often rely on solving nonlinear systems of equations, are an increasingly important tool for training, testing equipment, on-line control and situational awareness. Such simulations, however, suffer from two major problems: (1) they can be too computationally demanding to simulate large, complex systems within appropriate time constraints; and (2) they are difficult to develop and debug. Prior work has shown how symbolic computation can be used to help reduce both problems. In this paper, we: (1) review common concepts in power system simulations; (2) summarize prior use of symbolic computation in power system simulation; (3) explore the advantages and disadvantages achieved via symbolic techniques; (4) extend the techniques to solve linear systems via a priori symbolic LU decomposition; and (5) demonstrate the advantages of symbolic techniques on a transient event simulation of the IEEE 118-bus test power system, which runs in one-tenth the time of an equivalent traditional (sparse matrix) approach.
Job Access, Employment and Earnings: Outcomes for Welfare Leavers in a US Urban Labour Market
Authors: Bania Neil , Leete Laura , Coulton Claudia
Published: September 2008

This article examines the effect of job access on employment outcomes for welfare recipients in Cleveland, Ohio, leaving assistance during 1998—2000. A rich longitudinal dataset is employed, combining administrative and survey data with multiple measures of access to and competition for jobs. The focus is on both a population and a range of measures of employment outcomes not previously studied in this context. Empirical ambiguity in the existing literature has resulted from the difficulty of modelling causality when employment and residential location are jointly determined. In this study, labour market outcomes are related to the residential locations of welfare leavers prior to employment, thus overcoming much potential endogeneity. Virtually no evidence is found that job access influences labour market outcomes for this population.
A Framework for Housing Market Area Delineation: Principles and Application
Authors: Brown Peter J. B. , Hincks Stephen
Published: September 2008

A review is presented of the requirements of a framework for the delineation of housing market areas (HMAs) in the context of undertaking a housing market assessment. This prompts adoption of a methodology that features an iterative application of information obtained from estate agents, to identify HMA cores, and a functional regionalisation of 2001 Census interward migration flows. The approach is demonstrated using data for North West England. The concluding section explores some implications of the HMA framework for policy and future research.
Summing Small Cities Does Not Make a Large City: Polycentric Urban Regions and the Provision of Cultural, Leisure and Sports Amenities
Authors: Meijers Evert
Published: September 2008

The paper explores whether a polycentric urban region can reap the advantages of its combined urban size to a similar extent as a similar-sized monocentric city-region. This question is elaborated for the provision of cultural, leisure and sports amenities. Their presence in 42 Dutch regions is expressed in an index, which serves as the dependent variable in a multiple regression model. An explaining variable is the extent of polycentricity of a region. Correcting for differences between regions in terms of population size, the number of visitors and average income, it turns out that the more polycentric a region is, the fewer cultural, leisure and sports amenities are present. Conversely, the more monocentric a region, the more such amenities.
Who Are the Contingent Workers in Federal Government?
Authors: Mastracci Sharon H. , Thompson James R.
Published: September 2008

To most, federal employment means stable work with good pay, good benefits, long-run job security, and opportunities for promotion from the mail room to upper management. The authors' debunk that notion. The authors' definitively establish the presence of a core/ring structure in federal employment. Core occupations are permanent full-time, year-round stable positions, whereas ring jobs are comparatively unstable work situations: temporary, part-time, and/or for a specified period of time. Federal personnel administrators increasingly use temporary, contract, on-call, and part-time positions to control costs. Even when we control for individual characteristics—educational attainment and years of experience—we find group characteristics—particularly gender—reduce the chances of working in a permanent federal job. Is this an indictment against the federal government's reputation as a model employer? Perhaps. At the very least, the potential for gender disparity in employment outcomes deserves further study. Contingent arrangements at the agency level deserve a closer look too.
Cognitive technologies, social science and the three-layered leopardskin of change
Authors: Lahlou Saadi
Published: September 2008

The current digitization of society brings with it a series of new issues that challenge social science. This article describes the mechanism of digital projection (creation of a digital layer mirroring the physical world) by which society digitizes. In the three-layered leopardskin model of change described here (physical layer, representations and practice, institutions), the physical layer (here, information technology) is changing much faster than the two other layers: representations and institutions. This situation calls for a new stand from social research in these evolutions, a stand which is illustrated by the collection of articles that makes up this issue. A closer link to technology and a different relationship with stakeholders seem to emerge as a new action-research approach in the field.
Attentive user interfaces: the surveillance and sousveillance of gaze-aware objects
Authors: Vertegaal Roel , Shell Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2008

Attentive user interfaces are user interfaces that aim to support users' attentional capacities. By sensing users' attention for objects and people in their everyday environment and by treating user attention as a limited resource, these interfaces avoid today's ubiquitous patterns of interruption. Focusing upon attention as a central interaction channel allows development of more sociable methods of communication and repair with ubiquitous devices. Our methods are analogous to human turn-taking in group communication. Turn-taking improves the user's ability to conduct foreground processing of conversations. Attentive user interfaces bridge the gap between foreground and periphery of user activity in a similar fashion, allowing users to move smoothly in between. The authors present a framework for augmenting user attention through attentive user interfaces. We propose 5 key properties of attentive systems: to (1) sense attention, (2) reason about attention, (3) regulate interactions, (4) communicate attention and (5) augment attention. We conclude with a discussion of privacy considerations of attentive user interfaces.
Mesurer les activités numérisées par leur qualité perçue
Authors: Nosulenko Valery
Published: September 2008

Comment analyser les activités d'usage dans les environnements numérisés dont les composantes sont distribuées dans l'espace et dans le temps? Nous discutons ces questions sur le fond de la théorie de l'activité orientée sujet permettant de définir des propriétés distinctives de l'activité, son contenu et sa structure. La théorie de l'image mentale représente, pour nous, un autre fondement théorique. L'approche `qualité perçue' synthétise les apports méthodologiques de ces deux théories. Sur leur base nous avons élaboré des techniques pour définir la pertinence subjective de différents éléments médiatisant l'activité, dans les objets ou les environnements. La qualité perçue intègre à la fois les propriétés observables d'une situation et les caractéristiques du sujet (individu ou groupe). L'analyse vise soit la mise en évidence de la qualité perçue des caractéristiques actuelles de la situation (ici et maintenant), soit l'historique de sa constitution (vécu antérieur de l'individu ou du groupe), soit l'avenir attendu par l'individu (le contenu de ses buts qui sont les anticipations de la situation future). Nous discutons les apports et les limites de la méthode en l'illustrant par des cas concrets.
Characterization of IPMC as Passive and Active Damper as an Alternative Novel Smart Actuator
Authors: Bandopadhya Dibakar , Bhattacharya Bishakh , Dutta Ashish
Published: September 2008

This article presents interesting results on passive and active damping characteristics of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) as smart actuator. Passive damping characteristics of IPMC have been evaluated experimentally to find out its material loss factor and damping coefficient. The exciting properties of generating high strains and large bending with low actuation voltage make IPMC an alternative smart actuator to control high amplitude structural vibration. IPMC patches have been experimented for active vibration control for a large flexible motion with both known and unknown vibration sources. A simple proportional controller scheme has been proposed and employed to control known vibration with a host large flexible link while single and two loop independent distributed PD controllers have been employed for unknown vibration to assess the damping characteristics. It is demonstrated that for low amplitude vibration IPMC patches can be used as passive damper and for high amplitude structural vibration IPMC can be used successfully as smart actuator.
Damped Response of Symmetric Laminated Composite Beams to Moving Load with Different Boundary Conditions
Authors: Kiral Zeki
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study is to present the damped dynamic response of a symmetric laminated composite beam with different boundary conditions. A three-dimensional finite element model based on the classical laminated plate theory is used together with the Newmark integration method in order to obtain the dynamic response of the beam. A computer code written in MATLAB® was developed in order to perform the dynamic analyses. The proportional damping which is referred to as Rayleigh damping is employed in the dynamic analyses. The impulse, step and moving load responses of the composite beam are presented for different damping ratios. The effect of the damping ratio on the dynamic magnification value, which is defined as the ratio between the dynamic and static displacements calculated for the mid point of the beam, is investigated. The normalized time values at which the maximum mid-point displacements occur are presented. The results reported in this article show that the largest dynamic magnification values are recorded for a pinned—pinned beam and the dynamic magnification values decrease as the damping ratio increases.
Adolescents' Views of Guns in a High-Violence Community
Authors: Black Sally , Hausman Alice
Published: September 2008

Firearms account for the majority of deaths among young Black men in America. This article presents a qualitative investigation of youth temptations, emotional reactions, and subsequent behavior with respect to guns. Twenty-three youth enrolled in a community-based firearm reduction program have participated in interviews on retrospective experiences with guns. Common temptations for gun carrying are protection during drug dealing, protection from disrespect, and protection from repeated aggression and bullying. Gun handling produces two diverse responses, fear and excitement. Interviews reveal a dangerous form of gunplay known as flossing and cognitive distortions of peer attitudes toward carriers. Results suggest the need to promote normal adolescent development through increased social opportunities, reduced exposure to guns, and empowering bystanders to prevent escalation of conflict.
A flexible semi-Markov model for interval-censored data and goodness-of-fit testing
Authors: Foucher Y , Giral M , Soulillou JP , Daures JP
Published: September 2008

Multi-state approaches are becoming increasingly popular to analyse the complex evolution of patients with chronic diseases. For example, the evolution of kidney transplant recipients can be broken down into several clinical states. With this application in mind, we present a flexible semi-Markov model. The distribution functions are fitted to the durations in states and the relevance of the generalised Weibull distribution is shown. The corresponding likelihood function allows for interval censoring, i.e. the times of transitions and the sequences of states are not available during the elapsed times between two visits. The explanatory variables are introduced through the Markov chain and through the probability density functions of durations. A goodness-of-fit test is also defined to examine the stationarity of the semi-Markov model.
Reading Strategies for Students With Mild Disabilities
Authors: Boyle Joseph R.
Published: September 2008

Teaching children with mild disabilities to read can be a challenging task for even the most seasoned teacher. In order to be successful, teachers need to be knowledgeable about the big five of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension (National Reading Panel, 2000). While the ultimate goal of reading is comprehension, several of the aforementioned skills must be in place to meet this goal (Tolman, 2005). Despite knowledge of the big five, other skills such as syllabication and structural analysis, subsumed under phonics and vocabulary instruction, are needed in order for children to progress from word-callers to becoming fluent readers who can efficiently comprehend text.
Living in a Battleground
Authors: McClurg Scott D. , Holbrook Thomas M.
Published: September 2008

Little evidence links the strategic decisions of campaigns to individual-level voting behavior. Yet for campaigns to matter in the way that experts argue, exposure to campaigns must also matter, so there should be observable differences in the structure of vote choice between battleground and nonbattleground states. Combining presidential campaign data with the Senate Election Study, the authors show that intense campaigning can activate factors such as race, ideology, partisanship, and presidential approval. The authors find that the campaigns affected different variables in 1988 than in 1992, which they hypothesize is the consequence of campaign messages.
Professional Perspectives on Sexual Sadism
Authors: McLawsen Julia E. , Jackson Rebecca L. , Vannoy Steven D. , Gagliardi Gregg J. , Scalora Mario J.
Published: September 2008

Significant controversy surrounds the diagnosis of sexual sadism. Research suggests that many characteristics attributed to sexual sadists fail to differentiate sexual offenders with and without this diagnosis. Furthermore, when there are differences between sadists and nonsadists, “sadistic” features are frequently associated with nonsadists. Finally, diagnosticians appear to use idiosyncratic methods to diagnose sexual sadism. These findings raise concerns about the reliability and validity of a diagnosis of sexual sadism, particularly with respect to how professionals conceptualize this diagnosis. This study examines how professionals understand the relative importance of behaviors associated with sadistic versus nonsadistic sexual offending. Professionals rated behaviors according to their “essentialness” for this diagnosis. Results show that professionals rated behaviors associated with three out of four conceptualizations of sexual sadism as significantly more essential to making a diagnosis of sexual sadism, compared to behaviors associated with nonsadistic sexual offending. Results suggest that professionals reliably discriminate between sadistic and nonsadistic offense behaviors.
A Linguistic Analysis of In-Office Dialogue Among Psychiatrists, Parents, and Child and Adolescent Patients With ADHD
Authors: Findling Robert L. , Connor Daniel F. , Wigal Timothy , Eagan Corey , Onofrey Meaghan Nelson
Published: September 2008

Objective: The aim was to evaluate in-office discussions of ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities. Method: Naturally occurring interactions among 11 psychiatrists, 32 patients and their parents were recorded, with a focus on “complicated” patients (i.e., having or suspected to have ≥ 1 psychiatric comorbidities and/or learning disabilities in addition to ADHD). Participants were interviewed separately post visit. Transcripts were analyzed using validated sociolinguistic methodologies. Results: Some 62% of patients were male, with an average age of 12.5 years, and 79% had a family history of ADHD. Visits were psychiatrist-driven, focusing on medication management and school performance, leaving management of comorbidities largely unaddressed. Post visit, 78% of parents and psychiatrists disagreed on patients' “most concerning behavior.” Parents most often reported concern about aggression and oppositionality. Psychiatrists and parents emphasized different aspects of patients' personality, using deficit- and strength-based models, respectively. Conclusion: Psychiatrists and parents interpreted the relationship between ADHD and comorbidities differently. The significant incidence of misalignment regarding worrisome behaviors warrants further exploration.
Teaching Evaluation From an Experiential Framework
Authors: Kelly Melissa A. , Kaczynski Dan
Published: September 2008

The authors present an approach for educating future evaluators by connecting evaluation theory and practice, organizational development, and grant making through experiential learning. They position this discussion on the conceptual framework of a newly developed graduate-level evaluation course, Advanced Program Development and Evaluation, which offers a promising means for applying experiential learning to evaluation education. Students analyze theoretical relationships through an applied research perspective involving the development of an actual grant proposal. This type of approach to evaluation education serves to deepen students' knowledge of evaluation issues, foster critical examination of diverse evaluation orientations, illuminate the relationships between evaluation and organizational development, and actively engage students in developing and submitting a grant proposal. It also promotes civic engagement as students confront social issues.
Valuing the past
Authors: Kersel Morag M. , Luke Christina , Roosevelt Christopher H.
Published: September 2008

In both western Turkey and the Levant, archaeology has a long history, with the rise in interest and discovery beginning in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. While many have focused on the history of excavations in both of these areas, we approach historical analyses from a different perspective. Utilizing the voices of local actors, this article aims to understand the social reactions of local communities to the increasingly prominent role of people practicing archaeology — archaeologists, diplomats, explorers — through the lens of the antiquities trade over the last two centuries. Interlacing examples from Lydia and the Levant, we provide an overview of archaeological praxis and then offer the positions of the participants, gathered from archival and published materials as well as more recent interviews, conversations, and correspondences.
Autoimmune diseases in coeliac disease: effect of gluten exposure
Authors: Ouaka-Kchaou Asma , Ennaifer Rym , Elloumi Hela , Gargouri Dalila , Hefaiedh Rania , Kochlef Asma , Romani Malika , Kilani Afef , Kharrat Jamel , Ghorbel Abdeljabbar
Published: September 2008

Introduction: the prevalence of autoimmune diseases is increased in patients with coeliac disease. Duration of gluten exposure seems to predispose adolescents with coeliac disease to autoimmune diseases. Aim: In a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the relationship between autoimmune disorders and actual gluten exposure in patients with coeliac disease. Patients and methods: the frequency of autoimmune disorders was evaluated in 64 patients (53 females, 11 males, mean age 29 years, range 16—63) with coeliac disease. The effect of age at the end of follow up, age at diagnosis of coeliac disease, actual gluten-exposure time, gender and diagnostic delay was assessed. Results: the prevalence of autoimmune diseases was 17%. Mean duration of gluten exposure was 26 and 25 years for patients with and without autoimmunity, respectively. Logistic regression showed that a longer mean follow up (P = 0.044) was related to the prevalence of autoimmune disorders while actual gluten exposure was not predictive. Conclusion: in this study, the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in patients with late coeliac disease diagnosis does not correlate with duration of gluten intake. Confirmatory prospective, multicentre studies of the effect of gluten-free diet are needed in adults.
Review of shot peening processes to obtain nanocrystalline surfaces in metal alloys
Authors: Bagheri S. , Guagliano M.
Published: September 2008

The importance of application of shot peening process to obtain nanocrystal surface is presented with an inclusive clarification of actual state of the art. Description of different shot peening methods which have proved to be able to create nanocrystallised layers is presented. Then the available microstructural characteristics of nanocrystal thin layers obtained with different processes are depicted. In addition, the influence of the process is reviewed on material behaviour under different loading conditions. On this basis, some possible addresses for future research in this field are drawn and underlined.
Effect of novel thermal oxidation process on wear resistance of commercial pure titanium
Authors: Taheri M. , Mohamadi Zahrani E.
Published: September 2008

A novel method of thermal oxidation to improve wear resistance of commercial pure Ti has been compared with conventional method of thermal oxidation. Oxygen diffusion treatment has been carried out on Ti under a reductive condition at a range of 800–1000°C for 3 h. The influence of both processes on the nature of layers and wear properties were investigated. A pin on disc wear testing machine was used for evaluation of wear resistance and the worn surface was characterised. The results indicated that the oxide layer which has been formed on Ti by the new method is free of TiO2 (rutile) phase and the wear resistance of this layer has been improved with respect to the rutile phase formed by conventional method. Scanning electron microscopy photomicrographs prove the main wear mechanism to be fatigue wear on the surface for the conventional and abrasive wear for the new treatment.
Deformation induced martensite characteristics in Fe–29Ni–2Mn alloy
Authors: Güler E. , Aktaş H.
Published: September 2008

Deformation induced martensite characteristics in the austenite phase of Fe–29Ni–2Mn alloy were studied for different austenite grain sizes of alloy. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and also differential scanning calorimetry techniques were applied to study in order to clarify the deformation induced martensite characteristics from morphological, crystallographical, magnetical and thermal points of view. Scanning electron microscope revealed that the increasing of deformation amount also increased the amount of existed martensite. Transmission electron microscope observations showed that the crystal structure of these deformation induced martensites morphology was lenticular plates with a bcc crystal structure. Also the magnetism of both austenite and martensite phases were determined with Mössbauer spectroscopy. Mössbauer spectrometer measurements showed paramagnetic character for austenite phases and ferromagnetic character for martensite phases in all samples. According to obtained differential scanning calorimetry cooling curves, deformation induced martensite start temperature Md was found to be higher (−128°C) for larger grained samples than for smaller grained samples (−135°C).
Effect of sintering temperature on BaO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass ceramic coating for carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites
Authors: Zheng X. H. , Du Y. G. , Xiao J. Y. , Zhang W. J. , Liang C. Y.
Published: September 2008

BaO–Al2O3–SiO2 (BAS) glass ceramic coatings were prepared on carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites (C/SiC) by in situ sintering. The effect of sintering temperature on the final phase and microstructure of the coatings were studied. The results show that higher degree of crystallisation in the BAS glass is achieved at higher sintering temperatures and more crystalloids are melted by the residual glass with low viscosity at the same time. Considering these two factors, the crystallinity of BAS glass ceramic should have a peak value at a specific sintering temperature. The sample sintered at 1473 K has an obvious transition layer of 40 μm in thickness between the coating and the composite, which enhances the adhesion strength between them. The oxidation resistance of C/SiC composites with BAS protective coatings was characterised using isothermal oxidation tests at 1773 K for 15 min. The weight loss of the composites with BAS coatings is decreased with the increase of the sintering temperature.
Thermal spray coatings of Ni–10 wt-%Al composite powder synthesised by low energy mechanical milling
Authors: Movahedi B. , Enayati M. H. , Salehi M.
Published: September 2008

Ni–10 wt-%Al composite powders, as a self-bonding spray material, were prepared by low energy mechanical milling process and then sprayed by plasma and flame spray techniques. The phase identification, microstructure, hardness and adhesion strength of the coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction, SEM, ASTM E384-99 and ASTM C633-01 respectively. The size and microstructure of powder particles are two important parameters for thermal spraying. Morphological and microstructural investigation of the Ni–10 wt-%Al powders showed that the powder particles after 23 h of milling time had the optimum properties with respect to their size and microstructure. X-ray diffraction patterns of powder particles included only the elemental Ni and Al peaks without any traces of oxides or intermetallics phases. Powder particles produced by mechanical milling had a fine lamellar structure consisting of pure Al and Ni layers. This structure encourages the Ni/Al exothermic reaction during flight in plasma spraying. The adhesive tests also showed that the plasma and flame failure were cohesive, that is, within the coating itself, because adhesive on steel in both coatings is much higher than cohesive.