bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Performance of the Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) Bleeding Score in a Contemporary Spanish Cohort of Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Abu-Assi Emad , Gracía-Acuña José María , Ferreira-González Ignacio , Peña-Gil Carlos , Gayoso-Diz Pilar , González-Juanatey José Ramón
Published: May 2010

Background—

The Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) model provides a risk score that predicts the likelihood of major bleeding in patients hospitalized for non–ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the performance of this model in a contemporary cohort of patients hospitalized for non–ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction in Spain.

Methods and Results—

The study subjects were 782 consecutive patients admitted to our center between February 2004 and June 2009 with non–ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. For each patient, we calculated the CRUSADE risk score and evaluated its discrimination and calibration by the C statistic and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, respectively. The performance of the CRUSADE risk score was evaluated for the patient population as a whole and for groups of patients treated with or without ≥2 antithrombotic medications and who underwent cardiac catheterization or not. The median CRUSADE score was 30 points (range, 18 to 45). A total of 657 patients (84%) were treated with ≥2 antithrombotic, of whom 609 (92.7%) underwent cardiac catheterization. The overall incidence of major bleeding was 9.5%. This incidence increased with the risk category: very low, 1.5%; low, 4.3%; moderate, 7.8%; high, 11.8%; and very high, 28.9% (
P
<0.001). For the patients as a whole, for the groups treated with or without ≥2 antithrombotics, and for the subgroup treated with ≥2 antithrombotics who did or did not undergo cardiac catheterization, the CRUSADE score showed adequate calibration and excellent discriminatory capacity (Hosmer-Lemeshow
P
>0.3 and C values of 0.82, 0.80, 0.70, and 0.80, respectively). However, it showed little capacity to discriminate bleeding risk in patients treated with ≥2 antithrombotics who did not undergo cardiac catheterization (C=0.56).

Conclusions—

The CRUSADE risk score was generally validated and found to be useful in a Spanish cohort of patients treated with or without ≥2 antithrombotics and in those treated with or without ≥2 antithrombotics who underwent cardiac catheterization. More studies are needed to clarify the validity of the CRUSADE score in the subgroup treated with ≥2 antithrombotics who do not undergo cardiac catheterization.
Fetal Growth Restriction Results in Remodeled and Less Efficient Hearts in Children
Authors: Crispi Fàtima , Bijnens Bart , Figueras Francesc , Bartrons Joaquim , Eixarch Elisenda , Le Noble Ferdinand , Ahmed Asif , Gratacós Eduard
Published: May 2010

Background—

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects 5% to 10% of newborns and is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in adulthood. The most commonly accepted hypothesis is that fetal metabolic programming leads secondarily to diseases associated with cardiovascular disease, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Our main objective was to evaluate the alternative hypothesis that FGR induces primary cardiac changes that persist into childhood.

Methods and Results—

Within a cohort of fetuses with growth restriction identified in fetal life and followed up into childhood, we randomly selected 80 subjects with FGR and compared them with 120 normally grown fetuses, matched for gender, birth date, and gestational age at birth. Cardiovascular assessment was performed in childhood (mean age of 5 years). Compared with control subjects, children with FGR had a different cardiac shape, with increased transversal diameters and more globular cardiac ventricles. Although left ejection fraction was similar among the study groups, stroke volume was reduced significantly, which was compensated for by an increased heart rate to maintain output in severe FGR. This was associated with subclinical longitudinal systolic dysfunction (decreased myocardial peak velocities) and diastolic changes (increased E/E′ ratio and E deceleration time). Children with FGR also had higher blood pressure and increased intima-media thickness. For all parameters evaluated, there was a linear increase with the severity of growth restriction.

Conclusions—

These findings suggest that FGR induces primary cardiac and vascular changes that could explain the increased predisposition to cardiovascular disease in adult life. If these results are confirmed, the impact of strategies with beneficial effects on cardiac remodeling should be explored in children with FGR.
Endothelial Cell–Derived Endothelin-1 Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis in Diabetic Hearts Through Stimulation of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Widyantoro Bambang , Emoto Noriaki , Nakayama Kazuhiko , Anggrahini Dyah W. , Adiarto Suko , Iwasa Naoko , Yagi Keiko , Miyagawa Kazuya , Rikitake Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Takashi , Kisanuki Yaz Y. , Yanagisawa Masashi , Hirata Ken-ichi
Published: May 2010

Background—Persistently high plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in diabetic patients have been associated with the development of cardiac fibrosis, which results from the deposition of extracellular matrix and fibroblast recruitment from an as-yet unknown source. The underlying mechanism, however, remains elusive. Here, we hypothesize that ET-1 might contribute to the accumulation of cardiac fibroblasts through an endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in diabetic hearts.

Methods and Results—We induced diabetes mellitus in vascular endothelial cell–specific ET-1 knockout [ET-1f/f;Tie2-Cre (+)] mice and their wild-type littermates using the toxin streptozotocin. Gene expression and histological and functional parameters were examined at 8, 24, and 36 weeks after the induction of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus increased cardiac ET-1 expression in wild-type mice, leading to mitochondrial disruption and myofibril disarray through the generation of superoxide. Diabetic mice also showed impairment of cardiac microvascularization and a decrease in cardiac vascular endothelial growth factor expression. ET-1 further promotes cardiac fibrosis and heart failure through the accumulation of fibroblasts via endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. All of these features were abolished in ET-1f/f;Tie2-Cre (+) hearts. Targeted ET-1 gene silencing by small interfering RNA in cultured human endothelial cells ameliorated high glucose–induced phenotypic transition and acquisition of a fibroblast marker through the inhibition of transforming growth factor-β signaling activation and preservation of the endothelial cell-to-cell contact regulator VE-cadherin.

Conclusions—These results provide new insights suggesting that diabetes mellitus–induced cardiac fibrosis is associated with the emergence of fibroblasts from endothelial cells and that this endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition process is stimulated by ET-1. Targeting endothelial cell–derived ET-1 might be beneficial in the prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in Subjects in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study
Authors: Nelson Mark R. , Ryan Philip , Tonkin Andrew M. , Ramsay Emmae , Willson Kristyn , Wing Lindon W.H. , Reid Christopher M.
Published: May 2010

Estimating absolute risk rather than measurement of blood pressure alone is considered the best way to identify those who would most likely benefit from medical intervention. Risk calculators used to estimate risk in those without previous cardiovascular disease (CVD) events are based on the Framingham Heart Study, which had no person >74 years of age at baseline. This needs to be addressed, because age is the most important determinant of risk. We estimated the predictive value of 3 risk equations for CVD end points in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure study cohort (mean age: 71.9 years at baseline). Observed and predicted 5-year incidence rates, χ
2
goodness-of-fit tests, and Harrell C statistic and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve were used to assess the ability of the equations to predict CVD outcomes over 5 years. A recalibration analysis was undertaken. Significant (
P
<0.05) χ
2
goodness-of-fit statistics were observed using each of the risk equations for myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke, or CVD morbidity or mortality across age groups and both sex. All of the overall C statistics or the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve indicated modest discrimination of the algorithms for prediction of the outcomes for coronary heart disease and CVD morbidity and mortality, myocardial infarction, or stroke (Framingham); cardiac death (Pocock); and CVD events (Dubbo). Recalibration analyses showed that it would be inappropriate to apply the risk equations to the Second Australian National Blood Pressure study population. New risk equations for CVD events in the hypertensive aged are needed.
Improved Estimates of the European Winter Windstorm Climate and the Risk of Reinsurance Loss Using Climate Model Data
Authors: Della-Marta Paul M. , Liniger Mark A. , Appenzeller Christof , Bresch David N. , Köllner-Heck Pamela , Muccione Veruska
Published: May 2010

Current estimates of the European windstorm climate and their associated losses are often hampered by either relatively short, coarse resolution or inhomogeneous datasets. This study tries to overcome some of these shortcomings by estimating the European windstorm climate using dynamical seasonal-to-decadal (s2d) climate forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The current s2d models have limited predictive skill of European storminess, making the ensemble forecasts ergodic samples on which to build pseudoclimates of 310–396 yr in length. Extended winter (October–April) windstorm climatologies are created using scalar extreme wind indices considering only data above a high threshold. The method identifies up to 2363 windstorms in s2d data and up to 380 windstorms in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40). Classical extreme value analysis (EVA) techniques are used to determine the windstorm climatologies. Differences between the ERA-40 and s2d windstorm climatologies require the application of calibration techniques to result in meaningful comparisons. Using a combined dynamical–statistical sampling technique, the largest influence on ERA-40 return period (RP) uncertainties is the sampling variability associated with only 45 seasons of storms. However, both maximum likelihood (ML) and L-moments (LM) methods of fitting a generalized Pareto distribution result in biased parameters and biased RP at sample sizes typically obtained from 45 seasons of reanalysis data. The authors correct the bias in the ML and LM methods and find that the ML-based ERA-40 climatology overestimates the RP of windstorms with RPs between 10 and 300 yr and underestimates the RP of windstorms with RPs greater than 300 yr. A 50-yr event in ERA-40 is approximately a 40-yr event after bias correction. Biases in the LM method result in higher RPs after bias correction although they are small when compared with those of the ML method. The climatologies are linked to the Swiss Reinsurance Company (Swiss Re) European windstorm loss model. New estimates of the risk of loss are compared with those from historical and stochastically generated windstorm fields used by Swiss Re. The resulting loss-frequency relationship matches well with the two independently modeled estimates and clearly demonstrates the added value by using alternative data and methods, as proposed in this study, to estimate the RP of high RP losses.
Climatology of Thunderstorms for North Dakota, 2002–06
Authors: Mohee Faizul M. , Miller Craig
Published: May 2010

Radar and surface thunderstorm data in North Dakota were investigated to obtain the climatology of thunderstorms in the state. A life cycle analysis for the individual storm cells between 2002 and 2006 was carried out, and it was found that June and July were the peak months, late afternoon to early morning was the peak time for thunderstorms, the average lifetime of storm cells was 23.6 min, the average gust wind speed was 16.5 m s−1, the average track length was 21.8 km, and the average movement speed was 16.4 m s−1. The average movement of storm cells varied with months, and the storms moved toward the north, the northeast, and the east. It was also demonstrated that there were 19–35 thunderstorm days each year in North Dakota and that, of these, 9–14 thunderstorm days each year were associated with high speed winds. Severe thunderstorms composed 1.7% of all the thunderstorms in 2002–06. The most intense thunderstorm in North Dakota between 2002 and 2006 was associated with a 5-yr-high wind speed of 31.4 m s−1. It was also found that the longer-lasting storms were the stronger storms.
Mechanisms of Meridional Teleconnection Observed between a Summer Monsoon System and a Subtropical Anticyclone. Part II: A Global Survey
Authors: Kosaka Yu , Nakamura Hisashi
Published: May 2010

A global survey is conducted for atmospheric anomaly patterns of meridional teleconnection over the summer hemisphere associated with anomalous tropical convection. The patterns may be akin to the Pacific–Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern analyzed in detail in the companion paper. From the survey, meridional teleconnections are identified over five regions, namely, the western North Pacific and Central/North America in boreal summer, as well as the western South Indian Ocean, central South Pacific, and western South Atlantic in austral summer. All of the patterns are observed in the western peripheries of the summertime surface subtropical anticyclones over the individual ocean basins. Although all of the patterns can convert available potential energy (APE) efficiently from the vertically sheared subtropical westerly jets, the efficiencies of barotropic energy conversion from the mean flow and diabatic APE generation differ from one pattern to another. Still, all of the patterns gain energy as the net, to maintain themselves against dissipative processes. Both the anomalous moisture convergence near the surface and the midtropospheric anomalous ascent required for the vorticity and thermal balance act to sustain the anomalous tropical convection, while the wind-evaporation feedback contributes positively only to the PJ pattern over the western North Pacific. Examination of common features and discrepancies among the five teleconnection patterns with respect to their structures and energetics reveals that climatological background features, including the largest horizontal extent of the Asian monsoon system and the North Pacific subtropical anticyclone, in addition to particularly high SST over the Pacific warm pool, render the PJ pattern an outstanding mode of variability.
Last Glacial Maximum East Asian Monsoon: Results of PMIP Simulations
Authors: Jiang Dabang , Lang Xianmei
Published: May 2010

During glacial periods, the East Asian monsoon is typically thought to have been stronger in boreal winters and weaker in boreal summers. It is unclear, however, whether this view is true at larger scales and to what extent the East Asian monsoon responds to glacial conditions as a whole. Using all experiments conducted as part of the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project (PMIP), this paper examines East Asian monsoon climatology during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), around 21 000 calendar years ago. In contrast to conclusions drawn from sparse proxy data, the intensity of the East Asian winter (December–February) monsoon (EAWM) during the LGM, as measured by regionally averaged meridional wind speed at 850 hPa, was found to vary both in sign and magnitude, with reference to baseline climate, across the PMIP simulations. It strengthened in 10 out of the 21 models but weakened in the remaining 11 models, with an average weakening of 4% for the 21-model ensemble mean (15% for the ensemble mean of the 14 models with computed sea surface temperatures). At the subregional scale, the LGM EAWM strengthened north of about 30°N but weakened south of this region in East Asia, which can be explained by changes in surface temperature. On the other hand, all of the 14 models chosen in this study consistently simulated a weaker than baseline East Asian summer (June–August) monsoon during the LGM, with an average weakening of 25%.
Alternating Dual-Pulse, Dual-Frequency Techniques for Range and Velocity Ambiguity Mitigation on Weather Radars
Authors: Torres Sebastián , Passarelli Richard , Siggia Alan , Karhunen Pentti
Published: May 2010

This paper introduces a family of alternating dual-pulse, dual-frequency (ADPDF) techniques. These are based on frequency diversity and are proposed as a means to mitigate range and velocity ambiguities on Doppler weather radars. ADPDF techniques are analyzed theoretically and through simulated and real weather data collected with a prototype C-band radar. Analogous to single-frequency, multiple-pulse-repetition-time (mPRT) techniques, such as staggered or triple PRT, it is demonstrated that ADPDF techniques can extend the maximum unambiguous velocity beyond what is achievable with uniform sampling. However, unlike mPRT techniques, ADPDF techniques exhibit better statistical performance and, more importantly, may be designed to preserve uniform sampling on one of the frequency channels, thus avoiding some of the difficulties associated with processing nonuniformly sampled data.
Balloon Angioplasty Versus Surgical Revision for Thrombosed Dialysis Graft Outlet Stenosis After Graft Thrombectomy
Authors: Kao Tsung-Chi , Liu Yun-Hen , Hsieh Ming-Ju , Hung Yen-Ni , Hsieh Hung-Chang , Ko Po-Jen
Published: May 2010

Background: It is important to correct underlying graft outlet stenosis after thrombectomy of dialysis grafts. This study retrospectively reviewed patients who received dialysis graft thrombectomy at this institution to compare the effectiveness of 2 different methods. Methods and Results: A total of 289 dialysis graft thrombectomy procedures performed during 2001-2003 were retrospectively reviewed. The results of 163 cases in balloon angioplasty group were compared with those of 129 patients who underwent outlet revision. Patient characteristics between the 2 groups were similar with regard to demographic characteristics and comorbidities (P > .05). The mean primary patency of balloon and revision groups are 7.23 ± 7.38 and 8.35 ± 9.53 (months), respectively. Survival curves for each group were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. There was no difference between 2 groups regarding graft patency. Conclusions: The result of dialysis graft outlet balloon angioplasty was comparable to that of surgical revision. Considering the invasiveness, balloon angioplasty should be considered when treating thrombosed dialysis grafts.
Plasma Cytokines and Portopulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Cirrhosis Waiting for Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Authors: Pellicelli Adriano M. , Barbaro Giuseppe , Puoti Claudio , Guarascio Paolo , Lusi Elena Angela , Bellis Lia , D'Ambrosio Cecilia , Villani Roberto , Vennarecci Giovanni , Liotta Gianluca , Ettore Giuseppe , Andreoli Arnaldo
Published: May 2010

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) is a rare complication in patients with portal hypertension. A role of endothelin 1 (ET-1) and other cytokines was demonstrated in primary pulmonary hypertension but not in PPHTN. We evaluated the possible role of ET-1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of PPHTN. Plasmatic concentrations of ET-1, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured in patients with pulmonary systolic arterial pressure (PAPs) >30 mm Hg and in patients with cirrhosis. In all, Six out of 11 patients with PAPs >30 mm Hg had PPHTN on right heart catheterization. The remaining 10 patients had an hyperdynamic circulation (HC). In PPHTN patients, ET-1 and IL-6 were significantly higher compared with HC and patients with cirrhosis. Endothelin 1 and IL-6 could be implicated in the pathogenesis of PPHTN. On the basis of these results, ET-1 receptor antagonists or anti-IL-6 could have a rationale in the treatment of PPHTN.
Utilization and Determinants of In-Hospital Cardiac Catheterization in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome From the Middle East
Authors: Panduranga Prashanth , Sulaiman Kadhim , Al-Zakwani Ibrahim , Zubaid Mohammad , Rashed Wafa , Al-Mahmeed Wael , Al-Lawati Jawad , Al-Motarreb Ahmed , Haitham Amin , Suwaidi Jassim , Al-Habib Khalid
Published: May 2010

We assessed the use and determinants of cardiac catheterization during index admissions, among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Middle East. Data were analyzed from 8150 consecutive ACS patients enrolled prospectively. The overall rate of cardiac catheterization was 20%. Major predictors of cardiac catheterization were university hospitals, hospitals with catheterization facilities, physician type, and Gulf citizenship. High-risk patients were catheterized less compared to low-risk patients; odds ratio (OR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-0.60, P < .001 and OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98, P = .037 for patients with non-ST-elevation ACS and ST-elevation myocardial infarction, respectively. The use of cardiac catheterization in patients with ACS from Middle East is low. It is related more to hospital characteristics than to baseline risks. There is a need to explore ways to increase overall rate of in-hospital cardiac catheterization in the region and direct it to patients who would benefit most.
Relationship Between Established Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Specific Coronary Angiographic Findings in a Large Cohort of Greek Catheterized Patients
Authors: Koliaki Chrysi , Sanidas Elias , Dalianis Nicholas , Panagiotakos Demosthenes , Papadopoulos Dimitrios , Votteas Vassilios , Katsilambros Nicholas
Published: May 2010

We evaluated the relationship between coronary artery stenosis status and established cardiovascular risk factors in a large population of 1228 patients who consecutively underwent coronary angiography. Smoking proved to be the most important predictive factor for angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD), followed by dyslipidemia, diabetes, family history, and hypertension in a descending order of significance. Obesity rates did not differ significantly between the CAD positive and negative groups, nor changed significantly as the number of affected vessels increased. Smoking, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were positively associated with atherosclerotic involvement of all 3 major coronary arteries, whereas hypertension related only to significant stenosis of left anterior descending and left circumflex artery. The only established risk factors that could reliably predict left main stem disease were diabetes and age. Furthermore, large-scale studies will delineate the implications of the existing interrelationship between clinical and angiographic features.
Possible Role of Osteoprotegerin and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand as Markers of Plaque Instability in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Shaker Olfat G. , El-Shehaby Amal , Nabih Mona
Published: May 2010

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) produced by cardiovascular system raising the possibility that alterations of OPG serum levels may be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim is to assess the possible role of serum OPG and soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (s-TRAIL) in the pathology of CAD and their uses as markers of plaque stability. A total of 80 male participants were categorized into 3 groups: 28 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 32 established stable CAD, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Acute myocardial infarction and CAD groups exhibited significantly higher OPG levels and lower s-TRAIL levels compared to the stable CAD and control participants. These results are aggravated as the number of affected coronary vessels increase in AMI and stable CAD groups. Conclusion: There is an association between raised serum OPG and reduced s-TRAIL in patients with CAD. Elevation of circulating OPG levels may represent a crucial compensatory mechanism to limit further vascular damage.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1, and the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Kim Soo-Young , Lee Sang-Hak , Park Sungha , Kang Seok-Min , Chung Namsik , Shim Won-Heum , Cho Seung-Yun , Sun Ha Jee  , Manabe Ichiro , Jang Yangsoo
Published: May 2010

Background: The association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), and coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated. Methods: We enrolled 112 hypertensive patients with proven CAD and 112 hypertensive controls matched for age and gender. The severity of CAD was assessed by the most severe clinical presentation of CAD in patients’ history and by the number of diseased vessels. Results: Vascular endothelial growth factor level was lower, whereas sFlt-1 level was higher in the CAD group compared to the controls. Diabetes mellitus (P = .001), smoking (P = .004), and higher sFlt-1 level (P = .01) were independently associated with CAD. Younger age (P = .02), smoking (P = .049), and higher VEGF levels (P = .02) were independently associated with a history of myocardial infarction (MI), whereas higher sFlt-1 level (P = .01) was independently associated with multivessel disease. Conclusion: Plasma sFlt-1 levels are positively associated with the presence of CAD and are associated with angiographical severity of CAD.
Accuracy and scalability of ns-2’s distributed emulation extension
Authors: Kristiansen Stein , Plagemann Thomas
Published: May 2010

ns-2 is a well known network simulator, recently extended with improvements to its emulation facility. Real-time constraints and the boundary between real-world and simulated entities impose scalability and accuracy limitations, and distort the simulated network as perceived by the involved real-world applications. This paper presents results from a performance evaluation of the ns-2 emulation facility. By carrying out emulation experiments at different scales and in different scenarios, we identify scalability limitations and quantify the emulation accuracy. We find throughput limits using high- and low-end computers, and a significant throughput decrease when increasing the number of involved real-world applications. Furthermore, we show how the end-to-end delay increases with both the traffic load and the number of real-world applications. In experiments with many applications, we also uncover significant variations in throughput and end-to-end delay among flows. Finally, our jitter measurements indicate how kernel scheduling causing bursty traffic transmission is responsible for most jitter. This effect is most often relatively modest, yet somewhat variable for experiments including several applications. Based on analysis of our results, we propose a set of modifications of the system that improves the performance. Our implementation of one of these modifications are demonstrated to increase throughput significantly while reducing the variation among flows. Implementation and evaluation of the remaining modifications is reserved for future work.
Conspiracy Theories and Fortuitous Data
Authors: Buenting Joel , Taylor Jason
Published: May 2010

We offer a particularist defense of conspiratorial thinking. We explore the possibility that the presence of a certain kind of evidence—what we call “fortuitous data”—lends rational credence to conspiratorial thinking. In developing our argument, we introduce conspiracy theories and motivate our particularist approach (§1). We then introduce and define fortuitous data (§2). Lastly, we locate an instance of fortuitous data in one real world conspiracy, the Watergate scandal (§3).
Effect of the Proton Pump Inhibitor Esomeprazole on the Oral Absorption and Pharmacokinetics of Nilotinib
Authors: Yin Ophelia Q. P. , Gallagher Neil , Fischer Deirdre , Demirhan Eren , Zhou Wei , Golor Georg , Schran Horst
Published: May 2010

Nilotinib (Tasigna), a highly selective and potent BCR‐ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TkI), is administered orally and has pH‐dependent aqueous solubility, with lower dissolution at higher pH. This study evaluated the effect of esomeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of nilotinib in healthy participants. Twenty‐two participants (6 women, 16 men, mean age of 44.9 ± 12.9 years) were enrolled to receive nilotinib as a single oral 400‐mg dose on days 1 and 13 and esomeprazole as 40 mg once daily on days 8 to 13. Serial blood samples were collected up to 72 hours after nilotinib dosing, and nilotinib serum concentrations were determined by a validated liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry assay. Gastric pH was also monitored in all participants. When coadministered with esomeprazole, nilotinib Cmax was decreased by 27% and AUC0‐∞ decreased by 34%. Nilotinib tmax was prolonged from 4.0 to 6.0 hours, but t1/2 was not altered. Mean gastric pH was 1.0 ± 0.5 at baseline and increased to 2.79 ± 2.50, 3.98 ± 2.27, 5.30 ± 1.70, 5.38 ± 1.26, and 5.31 ± 1.42 at predose and 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after the fifth esomeprazole dose, respectively. These results suggested a modest reduction in the rate and extent of nilotinib absorption by esomeprazole. Nilotinib is a TKI that may be used concurrently with esomeprazole or other proton pump inhibitors.
Flexible working arrangements and specific training in the UK voluntary sector: A case study
Authors: Hashiguchi Michiyo
Published: May 2010

This study identifies a mechanism for flexible working arrangements at a small not-for-profit organization, using a combination of ethnographic research and data collected from the organization in 2005 and 2007. From the perspective of human capital theory, the article examines a causality between maternity leave and specific skills, by ascertaining whether the employee’s career follows the theory in terms of training investment, premium, return, age and income gain. Results suggest that applying this long-standing theory to analysing the interests of both employee and employer in relation to maternity leave will provide a fresh outlook on how female labour is viewed as a human resource.
Partnership and organizing: An empirical assessment of two contrasting approaches to union revitalization in the UK
Authors: Badigannavar Vidu , Kelly John
Published: May 2010

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Britain has been advocating two contrasting approaches to union revitalization namely: ‘labour—management partnership’ and ‘union organizing’. Using a case study of a public services union this article examines empirically the prospects of union revival offered by these two contrasting approaches. Public services with relatively high union density should offer better prospects for union revival through partnership. However, the authors’ findings indicate that even in public services, partnership was not associated with management’s support for union recruitment, better facility time provisions for union representatives, lower worker grievances or union membership gains. Rank-and-file organizing, on the other hand, was associated with lower worker grievances, greater worker satisfaction with the union, higher worker involvement in union activities and union membership gains. Overall, the findings question the ‘mutual gains’ assertions of partnership advocates and lend support to the critics of partnership who propose an alternative organizing approach to union revitalization.
Social responsibility in connection with business closures: A study of the close-down of Ericsson Telecom facilities in Norrköping and Linköping
Authors: Ahlstrand Roland
Published: May 2010

The present article analyses why and how Ericsson Telecom assumed a greater responsibility than was legally required when it dismissed more than 23,000 employees in Sweden at the beginning of the 21st century. The analysis starts from neoinstitutional theory and is based on case studies of the company’s closures in Norrköping and Linköping. The article focuses, in particular, on the interaction between Ericsson, the trade unions, the County Administrative Board, the County Labour Board, the Public Employment Service, the Swedish Employment Security Council, the government and the respective municipalities. It is shown that the greater responsibility taken by Ericsson was based on its desire to maintain legitimacy by taking into consideration prevailing societal expectations regarding the company’s behaviour.
Labour flexibility, risks and the welfare state
Authors: Dekker Fabian
Published: May 2010

This study examines public attitudes to various social security programmes in the modern flexible economy. While numerical and functional flexibility have become more important in most European countries, these types of flexibility are assumed to affect job security, community feeling and, as a consequence, public attitudes to social security in contradictory ways. An analysis of recent Dutch survey data indicates that support for social security programmes, particularly unemployment spending, can be understood in terms of the increased levels of internal job insecurity experienced by ‘atypical’ workers. In contrast to some of the arguments that are outlined in this article, it appears that the emergence of a flexible labour market has not affected levels of community feeling.
Best friends’ preference and popularity: Associations with aggression and prosocial behavior
Authors: Peters Ellen , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Riksen-Walraven J. Marianne , Haselager Gerbert J. T.
Published: May 2010

This study examined how children’s aggression and prosocial behavior are related to the preference and popularity of their best friends. Participants were 1,953 fourth-graders (52.2% boys). Measures included peer nominations of friendship, peer status, overt and relational aggression, and prosocial behavior. A total of 334 reciprocal same-sex best friend dyads were identified. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kashy & Kenny, 1999) showed that best friends’ peer status significantly predicted children’s behavior. For boys, best friends’ preference was negatively associated with overt aggression, while best friends’ popularity was positively associated with overt aggression. For girls, best friends’ popularity was positively related to both relational aggression and prosocial behavior. The model also revealed high similarity between friends in both preference and popularity. This study highlighted the distinction between two dimensions of peer status in the study of friendship and peer influence in middle childhood. It also demonstrated how individual, dyad, and group characteristics can be integrated in the study of children’s social relationships.
One milligram of lorazepam does not decrease anxiety induced by CCK-4 in healthy volunteers: Investigation of neural correlates with BOLD MRI
Authors: Schunck Thérèse , Mathis Alexandre , Erb Gilles , Namer Izzie Jacques , Hode Yann , Demazières Agnès , Luthringer Rémy
Published: May 2010

Benzodiazepine effects on cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4)-induced panic attack (PA) in humans are incompletely characterized, in particular on the neurofunctional level. This work explores the effects of lorazepam on brain activity and behavioral and physiological symptoms related to CCK-4-induced PA in healthy volunteers. Twenty-one male volunteers received 1 mg of lorazepam or placebo orally, 2 hours before an injection of 0.9% saline solution followed by 50 µg of CCK-4 during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and heart rate recording. Panic attacks were defined using the panic symptom scale (PSS). In addition, the Y1-STAI (state anxiety) and the Bond & Lader Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used. Eleven subjects were classified as panickers. CCK-4 induced behavioral anxiety and cardiovascular effects along with cerebral activation in anxiety-related brain regions. Overall, lorazepam did not significantly modify the anxiogenic and cardiovascular effects of CCK-4. Regarding CCK-4-induced brain activation, lorazepam did not reduce activity in the insulae and cingulate gyrus of panickers. One milligram of lorazepam was not sufficient to reverse strong panicogenic effects, but decreased brain activity in the case of mild anxiety.
Metabolic parameters in patients treated with olanzapine or other atypical antipsychotics
Authors: Osuntokun Olawale , Millen Brian , Xu Wen I , Kryzhanovskaya Ludmilla A , Robertson-Plouch Carol , Carlson Janice L , Acharya Nayan , Corya Sara A
Published: May 2010

The relative risk of changes in metabolic parameters during treatment with atypical antipsychotics has not been fully investigated. Baseline-to-endpoint mean and anytime-categorical changes in metabolic parameters were evaluated in Lilly active comparator-controlled clinical trials. Olanzapine-treated patients gained significantly more baseline-to-endpoint weight versus risperidone- (3.3 kg [ N = 713; median exposure [ ME, days] = 68] versus 1.8 kg [ N = 697; ME = 65], p < 0.001), ziprasidone- (2.8 kg [ N = 463; ME = 168] versus −1.3 kg [ N = 443; ME = 89], p < 0.001), and aripiprazole-treated patients (3.7 kg [ N = 273; ME = 104] versus 0.5 kg [ N = 275; ME = 187], p < 0.001). Significantly more olanzapine-treated patients gained ≥7% of their baseline weight versus risperidone- (30.6% [ N = 713; ME = 169] versus 20.2% [ N = 697; ME = 140], p < 0.001), ziprasidone- (30.0% [ N = 463; ME = 147] versus 6.5% [ N = 443; ME = 165], p < 0.001), and aripiprazole-treated patients (40.3% [ N = 273; ME = 170] versus 16.4% [ N = 275; ME = 154], p < 0.001). Olanzapine-treated patients had significantly greater baseline-to-endpoint changes in fasting triglycerides compared with ziprasidone- (0.24 mmol/L [ N = 365; ME = 168] versus −0.24 mmol/L [ N = 316; ME = 140], p < 0.001) and aripiprazole-treated patients (0.28 mmol/L [ N = 215; ME = 195] versus −0.19 mmol/L [ N = 210; ME = 194], p < 0.001). Olanzapine-treated patients had significantly greater baseline-to-endpoint changes in fasting glucose than ziprasidone- (0.25 mmol/L [ N = 379; ME = 168] versus −0.04 mmol/L [ N = 333; ME = 133], p = 0.016) and aripiprazole-treated patients (0.27 mmol/L [ N = 227; ME = 195] versus 0.04 mmol/L [ N = 220; ME = 194], p = 0.048). The study concluded that there are changes with varying frequencies and magnitude in some metabolic parameters in patients treated with olanzapine compared with other atypical antipsychotics.
Injection Molded Short Glass and Carbon Fibers Reinforced Polycarbonate Hybrid Composites: Effects of Fiber Loading
Authors: Phua Y.J. , Mohd Ishak Z.A. , Senawi R.
Published: May 2010

Hybrid composites of polycarbonate (PC) reinforced with short glass fibers (GF) and short carbon fibers (CF) were prepared by twin-screw extrusion and injection molding techniques. Composites were produced in different ratios of GF and CF by maintaining the total fiber loading at 40 wt%. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural strength, and impact of these composites were investigated. It was noted that an increase in GF content led to a higher strength of the hybrid composites as compared to CF. Morphological analysis by using scanning electron microscope reveals that CF had poor fiber-matrix interactions with PC, which brought about the decrement of stress-transfer efficiency. A poor fiber-matrix interaction is believed to be the main cause of the lower strength enhancement by CF than expected. Heat deflection temperatures of composites increased with the increment of GF content. From dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, high-storage modulus is observed at the temperature below Tg. Meanwhile, it was observed that surface and volume electrical resistivity decreased by increasing the CF content owing to its conductivity.
Mechanical Behavior of Notched Plate Repaired with Polymer Composite and Smart Patches - Experimental Study
Authors: Khalili S.M.R. , Shiravi M. , Nooramin A.S.
Published: May 2010

This article deals with the experimental study of mechanical behavior of an edge-notched steel plate repaired by polymer composite and smart patches. The polymer composite patches are made of Kevlar/epoxy and glass/epoxy or a combination of both. The plate is single edge-notched with a constant length and the repair is done on both sides of the notched plate. Four types of patches are considered according to their lay-ups. Tensile, bending, and impact tests are conducted on the specimens according to ASTM standards. The results obtained are compared with the results for un-notched and un-repaired notched specimens. Patching has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the notched plate. The best patches in each loading case are reinforced with nickel—titanium shape memory wires and the repaired specimens with these smart patches are again tested in tension, bending, and impact loadings. Smart patches had a more significant effect on the above behavior as compared to composite patches.
Performance Evaluation of Composite Friction Materials: Influence of Nature and Particle Size of Graphite
Authors: Kolluri D.K. , Ghosh A.K. , Bijwe J.
Published: May 2010

This article deals with the role of graphite in friction materials on fade and recovery (F & R) properties especially in the context of its origin and particle size. Two series of composites with identical composition differing only in the type of graphite were developed and evaluated for their performance. These two series of composites, designated as SN and SS, were based on natural and synthetic graphites (of the same crystallinity ~75%), respectively and contained graphites which differed in particle size (460, 130, and 20 μm in SN and 460, 160, and 35 μm in S S). These friction composites were evaluated for their F & R performance following ECE R-90 regulation. The μ-performance, μ-fade, and μ-recovery were significantly influenced by the nature and particle size of graphites. It was observed that natural graphite was more effective to boost the μ-performance than the synthetic graphite. The fade property remained appreciably unaffected by the particle size in the series SN whereas in SS the fade resistance tended to increase with the decrease in particle size. The disc temperature rise in SS was observed to be larger than that in SN. Worn surface analysis by SEM proved to be useful in understanding the wear mechanisms.
Distribution of materials in construction and demolition waste in Portugal
Authors: Coelho André , de Brito Jorge
Published: May 2010

It may not be enough simply to know the global volume of construction and demolition waste (CDW) generated in a certain region or country if one wants to estimate, for instance, the revenue accruing from separating several types of materials from the input entering a given CDW recycling plant. A more detailed determination of the distribution of the materials within the generated CDW is needed and the present paper addresses this issue, distinguishing different buildings and types of operation (new construction, retrofitting and demolition). This has been achieved by measuring the materials from buildings of different ages within the Portuguese building stock, and by using direct data from demolition/retrofitting sites and new construction average values reported in the literature. An attempt to establish a benchmark with other countries is also presented. This knowledge may also benefit industry management, especially that related to CDW recycling, helping to optimize procedures, equipment size and operation and even industrial plant spatial distribution. In an extremely competitive market, where as in Portugal low-tech and high environmental impact procedures remain the norm in the construction industry (in particular, the construction waste industry), the introduction of a successful recycling industry is only possible with highly optimized processes and based on a knowledge-based approach to problems.
Fractal Analysis of Effective Thermal Conductivity for Woven Fabrics used in Fire Fighters’ Protective Clothing
Authors: Zhu Fang-Long , Li Ke-Jing
Published: May 2010

Radiation heat transfer within the fabric used in fire protective clothing is one of the critical factors affecting thermal protective performance under simulated fire. In the present article, a fractal analysis of effective thermal conductivity for flame-resistant fabric is presented based on the thermal-electrical analogy and statistical self-similarity of yarns within fabric. The thermal radiation influence is considered in the fractal model. Structural models of yarn and plain woven fabric are derived based on the fractal characteristics of macropores (gaps or channels) between the yarns and micropores inside the yarns. The fractal effective thermal conductivity model can be expressed as a function of the pore structure (fractal dimension) and architectural parameters of the woven fabric. It was found that the calculated results corresponded well with the experimental data within an average of. 4.9% at mean tested temperature of 200°C. This confirms the good behavior of the model and the validity of results. Thermal conductivity values increased for fabric under high temperature as mean test temperatures are increased due to the nonlinear nature of radiation heat transfer.
Preclinical Studies for Gene Therapy of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Odom Guy L. , Banks Glen B. , Schultz Brian R. , Gregorevic Paul , Chamberlain Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2010

The muscular dystrophies are a diverse group of genetic disorders without an effective treatment. Because they are caused by mutations in various genes, the most direct way to treat them involves correcting the underlying gene defect (ie, gene therapy). Such a gene therapy approach involves delivering a therapeutic gene cassette to essentially all the muscles of the body in a safe and efficacious manner. The authors describe gene delivery methods using vectors derived from adeno-associated virus that are showing great promise in preclinical studies for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is hoped that variations on these methods might be applicable for most, if not all, of the different types of muscular dystrophy.
Subtyping Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Fowler Katherine A. , Westen Drew
Published: May 2010

Domestic violence is a serious problem with far-reaching consequences. This study applies a new methodology to derive subtypes of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence. As part of a larger National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)—funded study, a national sample of randomly selected psychologists and psychiatrists describe 188 adult male patients (59 with a history of partner violence, 97 with a history of arrests but not partner violence, and 57 with neither partner violence nor arrests), using the Shedler—Westen Assessment Procedure-II (SWAP-II), a Q-sort procedure for assessing personality pathology. Using Q-factor analysis, the authors identify three personality constellations among the partner-violent men, two of which strongly resembled subtypes identified using different methods in prior research: psychopathic, hostile/controlling, and borderline/dependent. The authors compare these subtypes with each other and with nonarrested/ nonviolent men and men with arrests but no partner violence on Axis I and II diagnoses, adaptive functioning, etiological variables, and response to treatment, providing initial validity data.