bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine response to violence during pregnancy – impact on duration of pregnancy and fetal growth
Authors: VALLADARES ELIETTE , PEÑA RODOLFO , ELLSBERG MARY , PERSSON LARS ÅKE , HÖGBERG ULF
Published: May 2009

Objective. To study the neuroendocrine release of cortisol in response to perceived stress among pregnant women exposed to partner violence and how this affects the duration of pregnancy and the intrauterine growth of the infant. Design. Cross‐sectional community‐based study. Setting. Health and Demographic Surveillance System of León, Nicaragua. Population. One‐hundred and forty‐seven pregnant women. Methods. Standardized scales to measure intimate partner violence, social resources, perceived stress, and socio‐economic conditions were applied. Two salivary samples for cortisol were collected in the morning and afternoon on the same day. Linear regression and path analysis were used. Main outcome measures. Cortisol levels, gestational age, and weight at delivery. Results. Partner violence during the pregnancy, low social resources, and perceived maternal stress were associated with high level of salivary cortisol. Pregnant women with high cortisol levels were significantly more likely to give birth to small‐for‐gestational age babies, but not to deliver preterm. A substantial decrease of birthweight, 121–186 g, was associated with an increase in cortisol in association with violence exposure. Conclusion. Partner violence during pregnancy is a stressor that provokes high levels of cortisol, which is associated with reduction of birthweight.
Religion as an aspect of workplace diversity: an examination of the US context and a call for international research
Authors: King James E. , Bell Myrtle P. , Lawrence Ericka
Published: May 2009

Although religion is a significant factor in human behavior and is a protected area under the US Title VII prohibiting employment discrimination, religion is sorely understudied relative to research on other aspects of diversity. As evidenced by increasing legal action, the dynamics
of religious diversity are poorly understood and managed in the workplace. In this paper, we compare and contrast religion to other forms of diversity by exploring the religion and work relationship. By doing so, we hope to stimulate interest in and provide direction for future research on
this understudied, and increasingly important aspect of diversity.
A spiritual audit of corporate America: ten years later (spirituality and attachment theory, an interim report)
Authors: Mitroff Ian I. , Denton Elizabeth A. , Alpaslan Can Murat
Published: May 2009

This paper represents the first in a series of reports of a 10‐year follow up study of the authors’ 1997–1999 study of spirituality in the workplace.Forty‐five responses to a modified questionnaire were analyzed. Attachment Theory was used to analyze the
respondents’ views and feelings with regard to a variety of items pertaining to religion and spirituality.Those respondents having a Secure style of attachment were attracted to and had a much more positive view of spirituality than those with other attachment styles.The low
percentage of respondents and the fact that those who responded were overwhelmingly Secure limits the study. Nonetheless, a very strong and clear portrait emerges of the link between a Secure attachment style and spirituality.The data show clearly that Secure individuals have a much more
positive view of their organizations, and furthermore that their organizations are perceived as more spiritual. A strong implication is that spiritual organizations are thus somehow more Secure. If this implication is borne out by further research, then it means that we have identified a potentially
new model for practicing spirituality in the workplace beyond those that were identified in our 1997–1999 study.
Women’s health and prisons: It’s time for urgent action A report from the WHO Health in Prisons Project Annual Conference ‘Prisons and Women’s Health’ 13 November 2008, Kiev, Ukraine
Authors: Rutherford Max
Published: May 2009

The strongest international recognition of the importance of women’s health in prisons and the urgent
need for radical change was highlighted of a WHO Conference held recently in Kiev, Ukraine.
Pre‐incarceration HIV risk behaviours of male and female inmates
Authors: Abiona T. C. , Balogun J. A. , Adefuye A. S. , Sloan P. E.
Published: May 2009

In most countries, HIV and AIDS rates are higher among inmates than in the general population. As part of a series of studies aimed at examining the plausible links between HIV and incarceration in a State prison system in the United States (US), the present study examined pre‐incarceration sexual and injection drug use behaviours of inmates and their demographic correlates. Two‐hundred‐andsixteen female and 260 male inmates randomly selected from 17 Illinois State prisons completed a structured questionnaire. Findings indicate that the rate of inconsistent condom use with multiple anal and vaginal sexual partners among study participants ranged from 11 to 49%. Fourteen per cent of the women and 25% of the men reported ever injecting drugs, while 13% of the women and 7% of the men had ever shared needles. Demographic correlates of risk behaviours differed between gender and for specific behaviours. The findings indicate that persons entering prison generally exhibit risk behaviours that may increase their chances of acquiring HIV. Comprehensive HIV prevention programmes should be made available to inmates in US prisons and be accessible to them upon release. Studies are needed to examine how individual and structural factors interact to increase HIV and incarceration risk.
The Potential of Agent-Based Modelling for Performing Economic Analysis of Adaptive Natural Resource Management
Authors: Loomis John , Bond Craig , Harpman David
Published: May 2009

This paper explores how individual agent-based modelling can be used by economists and others to evaluate the economic aspects of adaptive management of natural resources. To date, economists have had few tools to perform economic analysis on adaptive natural resource management strategies and there has been limited economic analysis of adaptive management. Part of the reason for this situation may be the inherent nature of adaptive management which involves a series of ‘if-then’ in situ experiments in which expected outputs are not known with certainty, and future management actions depend on the outcome of the experiments. Individual agent-based modelling allows simulation of system wide emergent ecosystem properties that can reflect adaptation of individual agents with bounded rationality to their environment and to the interaction with other agents. These simulations can be used to mimic adaptive management experiments when insufficient information is available for more structured equation-based simulation models. The distribution of simulated outputs from individual agent-based models along with costs of the management actions may give economists the ability to better apply economic analysis to evaluate alternative adaptive management strategies.
Structural Conservation Practices in US Wheat Production: A Cost-Function Technology Adoption Approach
Authors: Schaible Glenn D. , Lambert Dayton M. , Kim C. S. , Stefanova Stella
Published: May 2009

Based on 2004 CEAP-ARMS Phase II data, higher-sales farms not participating in a conservation programme adopted farmland conservation structures much more intensively on wheat fields than did any other farm-size type among conservation programme participants or non-participants. Survey results suggest that wheat farms not participating in a conservation programme more frequently adopted infield conservation structures, while conservation programme participants more often installed field perimeter conservation structures. Wheat producers, particularly those not participating in a conservation programme, recognize productivity and profitability benefits of infield structures as sufficient to promote their adoption without programme incentives. However, for field perimeter structures, programme incentives may be needed to encourage their adoption because benefits are more commonly off-site. To supplement univariate comparisons between conservation programme participants and non-participants, we used a cost-function based acreage allocation model to examine adoption of structural conservation practices, including such practices as strip cropping, terraces, grassed waterways, field borders, and stream-side herbaceous buffers. To accurately assess the potential environmental impacts of conservation programmes, it is important to account for the variability in on-site field, farm, and environmental conditions influencing producer adoption decisions. Econometric models suggest that not accounting for factors such as field, farm, operator, and environmental attributes will likely under- or overestimate adoption of conservation structures with respect to input and commodity prices, regardless of programme participation status.
Estimating the Willingness to Pay for the Benefit of AES Using the Contingent Valuation Method
Authors: Haile Daniel T. , Slangen Louis
Published: May 2009

This paper presents results of a contingent valuation study based on responses from household members living in Winterswijk, The Netherlands. The respondents are asked to report their preferences on a range of willingness to pay (WTP) for agri-environmental schemes (AES) provided by farmers. Estimated WTP based on both two-step Heckman selection and Tobit model is reported. Results indicate that the willingness to pay appears to depend positively on the level of trust and membership status of household members towards environmental organizations.
The sacral revolution: the synthesis of analysis, religion and radical politics. Origins and reception
Authors: Heuer Gottfried
Published: May 2009

Following a brief introduction to the philosophical climate of the nineteenth century, and understanding psychoanalyis as a late result of the Enlightenment, in the historical first part of this article, the author traces the origins of an opposing tradition that is nearly as old as analysis itself: the synthesis of analysis, religion and radical politics. This synthesis was originally conceived during the meeting, some hundred years ago, of the psychoanalyst Otto Gross with the anarchist Erich Mühsam and his partner, the religious scholar Johannes Nohl, in the Swiss village of Ascona. At the start of modernity, in their first attempts at resacralizing both politics and analysis, these concepts form the very beginnings of a postsecular thinking and in this they point beyond the postmodern. A second part presents the reception of these ideas, before the article concludes with a critical evaluation from today's perspective.
Jung looking at the stars: chaos, cosmos and archetype
Authors: Bishop Paul
Published: May 2009

Taking as its starting-point an aphorism in The gay science, this paper examines Nietzsche's distinction between the (chaotic) ‘total character of the world’ and the (cosmic) ‘astral order in which we live’. It relates this distinction, not only to Nietzsche's earlier claim in The birth of tragedy that ‘it is only as an aesthetic phenomenon that existence and the world are eternally justified’, but also, via Goethe's Wilhelm Meister, to Jung's concept of archetypal structures. Finally, it examines the case of one of Jung's patients, a young labourer suffering from schizophrenia; Jung's interest in Hölderlin; and his discussion of the Stoic concept of heimarmene.
Contemporary art and the revisioning of identity
Authors: Adams Tessa
Published: May 2009

The aim of this article is to address the influence of contemporary art in terms of both its problematic and its seduction. Discussion will focus on works that challenge psychotherapists’ views of creative practice. The art object as agency will be set in contrast to its positioning in psychodynamic terms, raising the question as to why and what is the purpose of the visual artist whose relationship with image, and the imaginal is exemplar.
Pathos in Jung's Answer to Job: anger as a mode of cognition and as a faculty of understanding
Authors: Gardner Leslie
Published: May 2009

Jung applies the classical rhetorical strategy of pathos in his long essay to drive his controversial arguments. In doing so, his innovative ideas about the faculty of emotion as an instrument of cognition are revealed. After a discussion of the reception of this work and Jung's intentions, I will follow with a brief history of emotion in persuasion. First I will outline how passion as a credible ploy of argumentation developed, shifting from pre-Socratic to Aristotelian concepts. I make reference to the traditional presence of anger in religious persuasion and its appearance in the Old Testament. Using rhetorical analysis, I trace Jung's specific and justifiable use of passional techniques in Answer to Job to make his case.
Reconstitution of the Mia40-Erv1 Oxidative Folding Pathway for the Small Tim Proteins
Authors: Tienson Heather L. , Dabir Deepa V. , Neal Sonya E. , Loo Rachel , Hasson Samuel A. , Boontheung Pinmanee , Kim Sung-Kun , Loo Joseph A. , Koehler Carla M.
Published: May 2009

Mia40 and Erv1 execute a disulfide relay to import the small Tim proteins into the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Here, we have reconstituted the oxidative folding pathway in vitro with Tim13 as a substrate and determined the midpoint potentials of Mia40 and Tim13. Specifically, Mia40 served as a direct oxidant of Tim13, and Erv1 was required to reoxidize Mia40. During oxidation, four electrons were transferred from Tim13 with the insertion of two disulfide bonds in succession. The extent of Tim13 oxidation was directly dependent on Mia40 concentration and independent of Erv1 concentration. Characterization of the midpoint potentials showed that electrons flowed from Tim13 with a more negative midpoint potential of −310 mV via Mia40 with an intermediate midpoint potential of −290 mV to the C130-C133 pair of Erv1 with a positive midpoint potential of −150 mV. Intermediary complexes between Tim13-Mia40 and Mia40-Erv1 were trapped. Last, mutating C133 of the catalytic C130-C133 pair or C30 of the shuttle C30-C33 pair in Erv1 abolished oxidation of Tim13, whereas mutating the cysteines in the redox-active CPC motif, but not the structural disulfide linkages of the CX9C motif of Mia40, prevented Tim13 oxidation. Thus, we demonstrate that Mia40, Erv1, and oxygen are the minimal machinery for Tim13 oxidation.
Mitofusins and OPA1 Mediate Sequential Steps in Mitochondrial Membrane Fusion
Authors: Song Zhiyin , Ghochani Mariam , McCaffery J. Michael , Frey Terrence G. , Chan David C.
Published: May 2009

Mitochondrial fusion requires the coordinated fusion of the outer and inner membranes. Three large GTPases—OPA1 and the mitofusins Mfn1 and Mfn2—are essential for the fusion of mammalian mitochondria. OPA1 is mutated in dominant optic atrophy, a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve. In yeast, the OPA1 ortholog Mgm1 is required for inner membrane fusion in vitro; nevertheless, yeast lacking Mgm1 show neither outer nor inner membrane fusion in vivo, because of the tight coupling between these two processes. We find that outer membrane fusion can be readily visualized in OPA1-null mouse cells in vivo, but these events do not progress to inner membrane fusion. Similar defects are found in cells lacking prohibitins, which are required for proper OPA1 processing. In contrast, double Mfn-null cells show neither outer nor inner membrane fusion. Mitochondria in OPA1-null cells often contain multiple matrix compartments bounded together by a single outer membrane, consistent with uncoupling of outer versus inner membrane fusion. In addition, unlike mitofusins and yeast Mgm1, OPA1 is not required on adjacent mitochondria to mediate membrane fusion. These results indicate that mammalian mitofusins and OPA1 mediate distinct sequential fusion steps that are readily uncoupled, in contrast to the situation in yeast.
Structural and microstructural characterization of human kidney stones from eastern India using IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal study and X-ray Rietveld analysis
Authors: Ghosh Soumen , Basu Sharmila , Chakraborty Santu , Mukherjee Alok K.
Published: May 2009

Structural and microstructural characterizations of eight human kidney stones (KS1–KS8) from eastern India have been carried out using IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric methods. An X-ray diffraction phase quantification revealed that three of the renal stones (KS1–KS3) were composed exclusively of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and the remaining five (KS4–KS8) contained varying amounts of calcium oxalate dihydrate (40.1–53.0 wt%) and hydroxyapatite (1.3–17.3 wt%), in addition to the COM phase. The crystalline structure of COM (whewellite) at the atomic scale was redetermined through an X-ray powder diffraction study at room temperature using Rietveld analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis of KS1 reveals that COM (whewellite) is stable up to around 439 K, above which temperature anhydrous calcium oxalate is formed. The oxalate transforms to calcium carbonate at 751 K and finally to calcium oxide above 969 K. It should be emphasized that meaningful statistics in total number or gender specificity cannot be achieved with eight kidney stones.
The effect of genetic and environmental variation on metabolic gene expression
Authors: SCOTT CINDA P. , WILLIAMS DEAN A. , CRAWFORD DOUGLAS L.
Published: May 2009

What is the relationship between genetic or environmental variation and the variation in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression? To address this, microarrays were used to examine the effect of genetic and environmental variation on cardiac mRNA expression for metabolic genes in three groups of Fundulus heteroclitus: (i) individuals sampled in the field (field), (ii) field individuals acclimated for 6 months to laboratory conditions (acclimated), or (iii) individuals bred for 10 successive generations in a laboratory environment (G10). The G10 individuals have significantly less genetic variation than individuals obtained in the field and had a significantly lower variation in mRNA expression across all genes in comparison to the other two groups (P = 0.001). When examining the gene specific variation, 22 genes had variation in expression that was significantly different among groups with lower variation in G10 individuals than in acclimated individuals. Additionally, there were fewer genes with significant differences in expression among G10 individuals vs. either acclimated or field individuals: 66 genes have statistically different levels of expression vs. 107 or 97 for acclimated or field groups. Based on the permutation of the data, these differences in the number of genes with significant differences among individuals within a group are unlikely to occur by chance (P < 0.01). Surprisingly, variation in mRNA expression in field individuals is lower than in acclimated individuals. Relative to the variation among individual within a group, few genes have significant differences in expression among groups (seven, 2.3%) and none of these are different between acclimated and field individuals. The results support the concept that genetic variation affects variation in mRNA expression and also suggests that temporal environmental variation associated with estuarine environments does not increase the variation among individuals or add to the differences among groups.
Reduced genetic diversity, increased isolation and multiple introductions of invasive giant hogweed in the western Swiss Alps
Authors: HENRY P. , LE LAY G. , GOUDET J. , GUISAN A. , JAHODOVÁ Š. , BESNARD G.
Published: May 2009

The giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) has successfully invaded 19 European countries as well as parts of North America. It has become a problematic species due to its ability to displace native flora and to cause public health hazards. Applying population genetics to species invasion can help reconstruct invasion history and may promote more efficient management practice. We thus analysed levels of genetic variation and population genetic structure ofH. mantegazzianumin an invaded area of the western Swiss Alps as well as in its native range (the Caucasus), using eight nuclear microsatellite loci together with plastid DNA markers and sequences. On both nuclear and plastid genomes, native populations exhibited significantly higher levels of genetic diversity compared to invasive populations, confirming an important founder event during the invasion process. Invasive populations were also significantly more differentiated than native populations. Bayesian clustering analysis identified five clusters in the native range that corresponded to geographically and ecologically separated groups. In the invaded range, 10 clusters occurred. Unlike native populations, invasive clusters were characterized by a mosaic pattern in the landscape, possibly caused by anthropogenic dispersal of the species via roads and direct collection for ornamental purposes. Lastly, our analyses revealed four main divergent groups in the western Swiss Alps, likely as a consequence of multiple independent establishments ofH. mantegazzianum.
Microsatellite markers reveal shallow genetic differentiation between cohorts of the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) in northwest Mediterranean
Authors: CALDERÓN I. , PALACÍN C. , TURON X.
Published: May 2009

Temporal variability was studied in the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus through the analysis of the genetic composition of three yearly cohorts sampled over two consecutive springs in a locality in northwestern Mediterranean. Individuals were aged using growth ring patterns observed in tests and samples were genotyped for five microsatellite loci. No reduction of genetic diversity was observed relative to a sample of the adult population from the same location or within cohorts across years. FST and amova results indicated that the differentiation between cohorts is rather shallow and not significant, as most variability is found within cohorts and within individuals. This mild differentiation translated into estimates of effective population size of 90–100 individuals. When the observed excess of homozygotes was taken into account, the estimate of the average number of breeders increased to c. 300 individuals. Given our restricted sampling area and the known small‐scale heterogeneity in recruitment in this species, our results suggest that at stretches of a few kilometres of shoreline, large numbers of progenitors are likely to contribute to the larval pool at each reproduction event. Intercohort variation in our samples is six times smaller than spatial variation between adults of four localities in the western Mediterranean. Our results indicate that, notwithstanding the stochastic events that take place during the long planktonic phase and during the settlement and recruitment processes, reproductive success in this species is high enough to produce cohorts genetically diverse and with little differentiation between them. Further research is needed before the link between genetic structure and underlying physical and biological processes can be well established.
Pre‐operative and Operative Difficulties During Bovine Caesarean Section in Belgium and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Kolkman I , Opsomer G , Lips D , Lindenbergh B , De Kruif A , De Vliegher S
Published: May 2009

Contents

The aim of this study was to describe the difficulties encountered during caesarean section (CS) in practice on mainly Belgian Blue (BB) cows and to identify the associated risk factors. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by veterinarians of the Ambulatory Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University (Belgium), immediately after performing a CS. Results revealed that the BB breed had fewer severe pre‐operative problems than animals of other breeds, most probably due to the fact that CSs in this breed are performed in a very early stage of parturition. Mild as well as severe difficulties were more likely to happen during surgery in cows that had undergone a CS before. Cows at their second or third surgery had a significantly higher proportion of larger calves and more skin scar tissue was present, both increasing the risk of abdominal wall muscular and uterine haemorrhage. These factors can all lead to problems with exteriorization and suturing of the uterus; hence special attention is needed when performing a CS on a cow which has experienced the procedure before. The more experienced veterinarians were less likely to report difficulties during the operation than less experienced surgeons.
Quantity versus quality: A new approach to examine the relationship between technology use and student outcomes
Authors: Lei Jing
Published: May 2009

The author argues that to examine the relationship between technology use and student outcomes, the quality of technology use—how, and what, technology is used—is a more significant factor than the quantity of technology use—how much technology is used. This argument was exemplified by an empirical study that used both angles to examine the association between technology use and student outcomes. When only the quantity of technology use was examined, no significant association was observed. However, when the quality of technology was examined by investigating the specific types of technology uses, a significant association was identified between technology use and all student outcomes. Furthermore, different types of technology use showed different influences on specific student outcomes. General technology uses were positively associated with student technology proficiency, while subject‐specific technology uses were negatively associated with student technology proficiency. Social‐communication technology uses were significantly positively associated with developmental outcomes such as self‐esteem and positive attitude towards school. Entertainment/exploration technology use showed significant positive association with student learning habits. None of these technology uses had significant influence on student academic outcome. Specific suggestions for integrating technology into schools and future research were provided.
Systemic working in learning disability services: a UK wide survey
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Scior Katrina , Wilson Suzanne
Published: May 2009

Accessible summary

 Systemic therapy focuses not just on the individual, but the family or a group of people who are important in someone’s life. We call this group of people ‘a system’. The system may include family, friends or care providers who support the person.

 Systems theory, the big idea behind this approach, starts from the idea that something that happens to one member of ‘the system’ affects everyone else.

 Systemic therapists try to help the system find ways forward at times of difficulty or when complex issues or decisions present themselves.

 Systemic therapy is increasingly being offered as part of learning disability services in the NHS.

 There is a need to find out what systemic therapy is being offered and how helpful it is.

Systemic therapy works not just with the individual but those around them in trying to address difficulties and find ways forward. This approach has received increasing attention in learning disability settings over recent years. To date little is known about the provision of systemic therapy in learning disability services in the UK. This article provides an overview of systemic therapy and reports findings from a UK wide survey of NHS learning disability services. A questionnaire was designed for the purposes of this study and distributed through a number of routes to attempt to reach all learning disability practitioners interested in systemic work. Two key recruitment routes were through electronic member lists of professional associations. Because of their data protection policies it was not possible to calculate response rates. In total 14 services took part, providing information regarding 55 clinicians who use this approach in learning disability services. A range of formats and therapeutic models under the umbrella of systemic therapy were in evidence. Training levels varied widely as did the use of technical resources. The findings are discussed and the need for more evaluation of systemic work in learning disability settings is emphasised.
Realist Versus Anti‐Realist Moral Selves—and the Irrelevance of Narrativism
Authors: KRISTJÁNSSON KRISTJÁN
Published: May 2009

This paper has three aims. The first is to subject to critical analysis the intractable debate between realists and anti‐realists about the status of the so‐called (moral) self, a debate that traverses various academic disciplines and discursive fields. Realism about selves has fallen on hard times of late, and the second aim of this paper is to get it back on track. Traditional substantive conceptions of the self contain ontological baggage that many moderns will be loath to carry. This paper settles for a more moderate aim, a “softer” kind of self‐realism derived from an unlikely source—Hume—and outlines the Humean moral self and its possible advantages. The third and subsidiary aim is to challenge the view that recent “narrative” conceptions of selfhood have made the old realism versus anti‐realism debate redundant. “Narrativism” about selves turns out to do little more than recycle old arguments in fancy new packages.
Clinical Features to Identify Urinary Tract Infection in Nursing Home Residents: A Cohort Study
Authors: Juthani‐Mehta Manisha , Quagliarello Vincent , Perrelli Eleanor , Towle Virginia , Van Ness Peter H. , Tinetti Mary
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical features associated with bacteriuria plus pyuria in noncatheterized nursing home residents with clinically suspected urinary tract infection (UTI).

DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study from 2005 to 2007.

SETTING: Five New Haven, Connecticut area nursing homes.

PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred fifty‐one nursing home residents each followed for 1 year for the development of clinically suspected UTI.

MEASUREMENTS: The combined outcome of bacteriuria (>100,000 colony forming units from urine culture) plus pyuria (>10 white blood cells from urinalysis).

RESULTS: After 178,914 person‐days of follow‐up, 228 participants had 399 episodes of clinically suspected UTI with a urinalysis and urine culture performed; 147 episodes (36.8%) had bacteriuria plus pyuria. The clinical features associated with bacteriuria plus pyuria were dysuria (relative risk (RR)=1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.10–2.03), change in character of urine (RR=1.42, 95% CI=1.07‐1.79), and change in mental status (RR=1.38, 95% CI=1.03–1.74).

CONCLUSION: Dysuria, change in character of urine, and change in mental status were significantly associated with the combined outcome of bacteriuria plus pyuria. Absence of these clinical features identified residents at low risk of having bacteriuria plus pyuria (25.5%), whereas presence of dysuria plus one or both of the other clinical features identified residents at high risk of having bacteriuria plus pyuria (63.2%). Diagnostic uncertainty still remains for the vast majority of residents who meet only one clinical feature. If validated in future cohorts, these clinical features with bacteriuria plus pyuria may serve as an evidence‐based clinical definition of UTI to assist in management decisions.
Crushed Clopidogrel Administered via Nasogastric Tube Has Faster and Greater Absorption than Oral Whole Tablets
Authors: ZAFAR M. UROOJ , FARKOUH MICHAEL E. , FUSTER VALENTIN , CHESEBRO JAMES H.
Published: May 2009

Objectives: To compare the absorption of 300 mg clopidogrel administered crushed via nasogastric (NG) tube versus whole tablets taken orally in healthy volunteers.

Background: Earlier antiplatelet therapy has proven benefits in treatment of myocardial infarction and in patients undergoing PCI. Aspirin can be delivered early in crushed form via NG tube after CABG surgery to prevent graft occlusion. If clopidogrel given crushed via NG tube provides faster absorption, it could allow earlier clopidogrel loading.

Methods: Nine healthy human subjects (34.7 ± 11.1 years, 5 males) were given 300 mg clopidogrel in crushed form via NG tube with 30 mL water after 8 hours of fasting. Plasma levels of the primary circulating inactive clopidogrel metabolite SR26334 were measured after 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours of dosing. Following ≥2 week washout, same subjects swallowed 300 mg clopidogrel (four 75 mg tablets) after an 8‐hour fasting and SR26334 levels were measured at the same time points.

Results: Plasma SR26334 concentrations peaked earlier after crushed delivery than after oral intake (44 vs. 70 minutes, P = 0.023) and the median peak was 80% higher (13,083 vs. 7,255 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.021). At 40 minutes, area under the curve was almost twofold greater with NG administration than oral administration (geometric means ratio = 0.5299, 95% CI = 0.28–0.99, P = 0.048), but was similar over the 24‐hour period with both administration methods (geometric means ratio = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.84–1.32, P = 0.646).

Conclusions: A 300 mg loading dose of crushed clopidogrel administered via NG tube provides faster and greater bioavailability than an equal dose taken orally as whole tablets. The clinical benefits of this strategy need to be investigated.
Blepharo‐cheilo‐dontic (BCD) syndrome
Authors: Gorlin R. J. , Wiedemann H.‐R.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT A case of blepharo‐cheilo‐dontic (BCD) syndrome is presented.
Frequency doubling perimetry in glaucoma early diagnosis
Authors: Brusini P. , Busatto P.
Published: May 2009

Frequency‐doubling perimetry (FDP) is a new, out‐of‐the‐ordinary, visual field testing method. Its sensitivity and reliability was tested in 16 patients (32 eyes) with ocular hypertension and 21 patients (37 eyes) with early chronic glaucoma. Significant defects were found in almost 10% of hypertensive eyes and in 67.7% of glaucomatous eyes.

FDP is an effective and sensitive technique for glaucoma functional loss assessment.
Glaucoma and quality of the life
Authors: Perfetti S. , Varotto A. , Massagrandi S. , Pagliani F. , Bonomi L.
Published: May 2009

A questionnaire was prepared and given to 332 subjects who passed through our Institute for Glaucoma with the aim of evaluating their quality of life. The diagnosis of glaucoma is associated with a diminished quality of life in a considerable percentage of the interviewed subjects. The patients are troubled most of all by the inconvenience of the treatments and the fear of visual compromission. Miotic therapies, polytherapies and systemic therapies are the less agreeable of them. Of the therapy in itself, the most disagreeable aspects are the frequency and timetable of the medications. No quality of life differences were mentioned by surgically treated patients nor those on solely pharmacological treatment.
Red Clump stars in the Boötes III stellar system
Authors: Correnti M. , Bellazzini M. , Ferraro F. R.
Published: May 2009

We report on the detection of a population of Red Clump (RC) stars probably associated with the recently discovered stellar system Boötes III. The RC is identified as a 3σ peak in the luminosity function (LF) of colour-selected stars extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data base. The peak is consistently detected in the g, r, i and z LFs at the expected luminosity of a typical RC at the distance of Boötes III. Moreover, the stars around the LF peak show a maximum of surface density nearly coincident with the reported centre of the system. Assuming that the detected feature is the genuine RC of Boötes III, we find that the system has the horizontal branch morphology typical of old and metal-poor dwarf spheroidals, it has an integrated magnitude MV≃−5.8 ± 0.5 and an ellipticity ε∼ 0.5, quite typical of the recently identified new class of very faint dwarf galaxies.
Ultrasonography and Sex Ratios in China
Authors: LI Hongbin , ZHENG Hui
Published: May 2009

This paper directly measures the causal effects of sex‐selective abortions on the sex ratio at birth by exploiting the exogenous county‐level variation in the availability of B‐ultrasound machines. Using data from the 1990 Census of Fujian Province and local records on the introduction time of B‐ultrasound machines, we find that the availability of B‐ultrasound machines increases the sex ratio at birth by 0.025 in rural areas and 0.117 in urban areas. The rise of sex ratio is especially significant for second births in rural areas when the first birth is a girl.
Storytelling and environmental information: connecting schoolchildren and herpetofauna in Morocco
Authors: FANINI Lucia , FAHD Soumia
Published: May 2009

Northwestern Morocco is undergoing a sudden change in the level of infrastructure growth and pressure on the environment from increased tourism. The ongoing changes are raising questions about how the ecosystem will react, and the relevant drivers of these changes. The Oued Laou valley in north‐west Morocco hosts high landscape, species and human cultural diversity. The Talassemtane National Park has been established to preserve the environment in this region; however, what information tools are available to children regarding this environment? The ecosystem is illustrated here using three components: herpetofauna (representing ecosystem components), problems related to water quantity and quality (representing interactions within ecosystem components) and Talassemtane National Park (representing a case of ecosystem management). A children's book was written on this topic, and when the book was delivered to pupils, a questionnaire was included, aimed at determining their sources of environmental information. The results identified major changes in the sources of information utilized by children in this part of Morocco, a clear role of schools in explaining ecosystem components, and an increasing role of TV in environmental information supply. The role of the family was found to be less important than TV or school. Another major source of pupils' environmental knowledge is personal observation and hands‐on experience, both for rural and urban children. Children are willing to discover and understand complex systems, and researchers should be encouraged to supply children with correct and up‐to‐date information on environmental systems, focusing at first on the local environment, as a background for sustainable development.
Distribution and conservation of the Indo–Pacific humpback dolphin in China
Authors: CHEN Bingyao , ZHENG Dongmei , YANG Guang , XU Xinrong , ZHOU Kaiya
Published: May 2009

The Indo–Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensisOsbeck, 1765) is a threatened species inhabiting the waters of China. Despite being of conservation concern, the distribution and abundance of this species has not been comprehensively evaluated. From 1994 to 2008 we performed over 14 000 km of line‐transect surveys and administered over 700 questionnaires to collect basic information on the geographic range and likely abundance of Indo–Pacific humpback dolphins along the southern and eastern coasts of China. Through our study we were able to establish a reporting network of stranding and incidental catches for this species. Our quantitative data suggests that only 76 animals remain around Xiamen, 39 in the Hepu Nature Reserve and 114 in the estuary of the Dafengjiang River. Qualitative data from local fishing people and government officials suggests that dolphins may exist year‐round in waters off Ningde and Shantou. We found that wild populations ofSousa chinensisin this important region are clearly being affected by human disturbance and habitat deterioration, including underwater blasting, vessel collision, fishing, aquaculture and water pollution. Although some protected areas have been established and this species is protected under Chinese law, there remains virtually no protection for this animal.
Analysis of the rescue patterns and procedures of foreign medical teams following the Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Jiang Hong , Dai Xiao Zhou
Published: May 2009

Objective To retrospectively analyze the rescue activities of 11 foreign medical teams during the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, China, and summarize their rescue patterns and procedures to provide a reference for disaster medical treatment.

Methods Statistics in the study are based on information from the Sichuan Provincial Earthquake Relief Headquarters. The authors also directly involved foreign medical teams in the data collection and statistical analysis.

Results The different rescue patterns and procedures of foreign medical teams were based on specific conditions and were in strict accordance with scientific and prudent work processes. This resulted in high efficiency and effectiveness in the rescue.

Conclusion Chinese medical staff could learn from foreign medical teams’ serious work attitude, patient service, and scientific working patterns.
Genetic and Antigenic Evolution of Swine Influenza Viruses in Europe and Evaluation of Their Zoonotic Potential
Authors: Kuntz‐Simon G. , Madec F.
Published: May 2009

Swine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory viral infection of pigs that has become enzootic in areas densely populated with pigs. Like other influenza A viruses, swine influenza virus (SIV) is genetically unstable and able to accumulate antigenic drifts and/or antigenic shifts. The pig is susceptible to both avian and human influenza viruses and can serve as an intermediate host in influenza virus ecology. Zoonotic agents may emerge in pigs following the modification of an established swine strain, adaptation of a strain of avian origin to the mammalian host, or reassortment between human and avian influenza viruses. Three different subtypes, H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2, are at present circulating in Europe. They differ from those found in North America and Asia and various lineages can be distinguished within each subtype. To date, European SIVs have not produced a global outbreak of influenza in humans but sporadic cases of SIV infection have been reported. This review presents a historical record of the genetic and antigenic evolution of SIVs in Europe. Our present understanding of the transmission of European SIVs from pigs to other animal species and to humans, together with the factors that limit inter‐species transmission, is described.
Energy Process-Step Model of Hydrogen Production in the U.S. Chemical Industry
Authors: Ozalp Nesrin
Published: May 2009

This paper gives a representative energy process-step model of hydrogen production in the U.S. Chemical Industry based on federal data. There have been prior efforts to create energy process-step models for other industries. However, among all manufacturing industries, creating energy flow models for the U.S. Chemical Industry is the most challenging one due to the complexity of this industry. This paper gives concise comparison of earlier studies and provides thorough description of the methodology to develop energy process-step model for hydrogen production in the U.S. Chemical Industry. Results of the energy process-step model of hydrogen production in the U.S. Chemical Industry show that steam allocations among the end-uses are 68% to process cooling (steam injection to product combustion gases), 25% to process heating, and 7% to other process use (CO2 converter). The model also shows that the major energy consuming step in hydrogen production is the reformer, which consumes approximately 16 Peta Joules (PJ) fuels. During the course of this study, the most recent U.S. federal energy database available was for the year 1998. Currently, the most recent available U.S. federal energy database is given for the year 2002 based on the data collected from 15,500 establishments.
Feasibility Investigation and Modeling Analysis of CO2 Sequestration in Arbuckle Formation Utilizing Salt Water Disposal Wells
Authors: Daneshfar Jamal , Hughes Richard G. , Civan Faruk
Published: May 2009

The rate of CO2 production in many states, primarily from coal-fired power plants, is such that it only takes a few years to fill up any depleted oil and gas reservoirs. In order to reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere and to minimize the cost of sequestration, the injection of CO2 into aquifers utilizing disposal wells has been targeted. In this paper, an analysis of one particular case, namely, the Arbuckle formation in Oklahoma, was carried out to demonstrate its feasibility for CO2 sequestration. First, a general review for CO2 sequestration into aquifers utilizing existing disposal wells is presented. The limiting criteria for CO2 sequestration in terms of the geology of the aquifer, lithology of the host rock, cost of operation, impact on reservoir properties, depth of the completed interval to maintain supercritical conditions for CO2, injection pressure and rate to minimize gravity segregation, mobility ratio to prevent viscous fingering, and chemical interaction of aqueous and solid phases are discussed. Then, the existence of residual oil in the aquifer and its effect on reaction chemistry concerning the potential CO2 sequestration applications in the Arbuckle formation are evaluated. This investigation was conducted by means of simulation of the prevailing processes. The cutoff points from dissolution to precipitation for each constituent in terms of different CO2 injection rates were obtained by utilizing the simulation models GEM-GHG and PHREEQC and were supported by a database of 150 disposal wells from which 25 wells were completed in the Arbuckle formation. We critically evaluate the current state of knowledge, identify areas needing research, and offer practical approaches for the evaluation of potential CO2 sequestration sites using commercial disposal wells.
The Calculation of Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity for Nanofluids on the Basis of Statistical Nanomechanics
Authors: Avsec Jurij , Oblak Maks
Published: May 2009

The paper features the mathematical model of calculation of thermal conductivity and viscosity for nanofluids on the basis of statistical nanomechanics. Calculation of transport properties for nanofluids for real substances is possible by the classical and statistical mechanics. Classical mechanics has no insight into the microstructure of the substance. The equations obtained by means of classical thermomechanics are empirical and apply only in the region under observation. Contrary to classical mechanics, statistical mechanics calculates the thermomechanic properties of state on the basis of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions between particles in the same system of molecules. It deals with the systems composed of a very large number of particles. For the first time in scientific literature are presented the analytical results for viscosity and thermal conductivity for nanofluids on the basis of statistical nanomechanics. The analytical results obtained by statistical mechanics are compared with the experimental data and show relatively good agreement.
The Converging Minichannel Effects at the Condenser of a Mini CPL Heat Pipe
Authors: Kim Jin-Ho S. , Karng Sarng Woo , Lee Seung-Chul
Published: May 2009

Recently microchannels or minichannels are widely used for cooling the high density power electronic devices. Especially, the channels are used in small and high efficient equipments such as heat pipes and heat exchangers. The interfacial behaviors between liquid and gas phases are very important to understand the flow characteristics in micro or minichannels. One of the problems at the CPL heat pipes is the backflow of vapor through the liquid line toward the evaporator. Therefore, we applied the converging minichannels at the condenser to avoid the backflow. In this paper, a numerical analysis on the interfacial velocities and the total pressures depending on variations of the converging rate and the depth of the minichannel was performed. And it was shown that the converging minichannel can reduce the backflow effect. Eventually the proper dimension of the minichannel to reduce the vapor backflow was found. In the numerical experiment, CFD-ACE+, a commercial program, was used.