bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Domestic Political Costs of Economic Sanctions
Authors: Allen Susan Hannah
Published: November 2008

While a great deal of attention has been to paid to whether or not economic sanctions work, less energy has been devoted to exploring the causal mechanisms that lead to the success or failure of sanctions policies. Often, it is assumed that the population is one important source of political costs for targeted leaders, but this assumption has not been tested. Are sanctions related to an increase in antigovernment activity? How does the domestic political system of the targeted state affect the likelihood of this antigovernment behavior? The findings presented here suggest that sanctions may increase antigovernment activity, but that increase is mitigated by the domestic political structures of the target state. In autocratic targets, political violence is less likely to occur when sanctions are in place. For sanctions against autocratic states to be costly, it appears that the political costs needed to alter behavior must be generated internationally rather than domestically.
Puerto Rican Revolutionary Nationalism
Authors: González-Cruz Michael
Published: November 2008

The origin of the Puerto Rican nationalist revolutionary organizations in 1959 was characterized by the emergence of mass organizations supported by armed clandestine organizations that attacked colonial power in the islands and the United States. Among these were the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (Armed Forces of National Liberation—FALN) and the Ejército Popular Boricua-Macheteros (Boricua Popular Army—Macheteros—EPB-M). As in the cases of other colonized nations, revolutionary nationalism served as the spearhead for the anti-imperialist social movement. Puerto Rican organizations adjusted their maneuvers and objectives to the immediate conditions and facilitated the full development of the struggle for national liberation in the Puerto Rican communities settled in the United States.
Latin American Critical Enquiry and the Nature of the Political in the Era of Globalization
Authors: Laako Hanna
Published: November 2008

Along with essential political activism such as the emergence of the Zapatistas in 1994 and the World Social Forum in 2001, there has been a significant increase in research in the field of critical theory in the global South and especially in Latin America. This has generated new forms of knowledge production and contributed to a growing body of research on the changes in world politics. For many this has meant serious questioning of the capacity of the conventional social sciences to respond to the demands of the contemporary world. Latin American critical enquiry reflects the need to call attention to the shortcomings of the mainstream social sciences and to extend the understanding of the political.
The Concept of Market Value: A Critical Note on Itoh's Theory
Authors: Cipolla Francisco Paulo
Published: November 2008

The objective of this article is to show that Itoh's identification of market value with the individual value of the dominant methods of production obscures the fact that dominant capitals producing below market value realize extra surplus value and thus obtain higher profit rates than average. It is argued, following Marx's procedure, that the formation of market values is prior to the formation of prices of production, a procedure which runs contrary to Itoh's suggested simultaneous determination of market prices and prices of production.
Suppression and Extinguishment of Boundary Layer Flame over Communication Cable by `Gas-like' Water Mist in Cross-flow
Authors: Ndubizu Chuka C. , Ananth Ramagopal , Williams Frederick W.
Published: November 2008

Fire suppression experiments are performed with `gas-like' water mist in cross-flow on bare (without PVC jacket) communication cables to simulate a worst-case scenario. As fine water droplets are injected at low velocities, an initial envelope flame that engulfed the circumference of the cable recedes and forms a wake flame stabilized behind the cable. At high-mist concentration and/or high-air velocity, the flame is extinguished by shrinking rather than blowing-off, which is the case in flat plate boundary layer flames. The results show that ultra fine mist (UFM, Sauter mean droplet diameter, SMD = 3 μm) seems to be more effective in reducing the extinguishment time than high-pressure spray nozzle mist (SMD = 20 μm), which introduces spray-induced turbulence. The cable flame is extinguished rapidly after a threshold UFM concentration is exceeded. The threshold concentration decreases with increased air velocity. Finally, the copper cylindrical mesh, which is part of the cable, significantly enhances the effectiveness of UFM in flame extinguishment.
“Bad Things Could Happen”
Authors: Seider Scott
Published: November 2008

In this study, I compared the shifts in attitude of affluent high school seniors participating in a course on social justice issues to a control group of similar adolescents. In this course, participating adolescents learned about social justice issues such as homelessness, poverty, world hunger, and illegal immigration. An analysis of presurvey and postsurvey data revealed that the adolescents participating in the social justice course experienced a decline over the course of the semester in their support for educational equity between wealthy and poor communities. Interviews with these adolescents and analyses of their student work revealed that their shifts in attitude were influenced by fears about the possibility of one day becoming poor or homeless themselves.
The Transition to University
Authors: Wintre Maxine G. , Knoll G.M. , Pancer S.M. , Pratt M.W. , Polivy J. , Birnie-Lefcovitch S. , Adams Gerald R.
Published: November 2008

Freshmen students at six Canadian universities completed questionnaires that assessed the quality of match between their individual needs and their university environment. The Student-University Match Questionnaire (SUM), a theoretically derived scale, was developed and demonstrated excellent psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha = .87). Furthermore, interviews were conducted with students who had deregistered from their universities and a matched control group of students who remained enrolled. The interviews provided construct and predictive validity for the SUM scale. They also revealed important themes of student-environment match concerns for these emerging adults, confirming the characteristics of development, exploration, and mobility as identified by Arnett. Implications are discussed.
Review Paper: Behavior of Ceramic Biomaterials Derived from Tricalcium Phosphate in Physiological Condition
Authors: Kamitakahara Masanobu , Ohtsuki Chikara , Miyazaki Toshiki
Published: November 2008

Various calcium phosphates are used for bone repair. Although hydroxyapatite (HA) sintered ceramics are widely used due to their osteoconductivity, its bioresorbability is so low that HA remains in the body for a long time after implantation. In contrast, tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics show resorbable characters during bone regeneration, and can be completely substituted for the bone tissue after stimulation of bone formation. Therefore, much attention is paid to TCP ceramics for scaffold materials for supporting bone regeneration. This paper reviews bioresorbable properties of calcium phosphate ceramics derived from β-TCP and α-TCP.
Actor, Audience(s) and Emergency Measures: Securitization and the UK's Decision to Invade Iraq
Authors: Roe Paul
Published: November 2008

The concept of securitization has produced a considerable amount of debate over the meaning of security. However, far less attention has been paid to the role of audiences and their relationship to actors in the securitization process. Informed by the work of Thierry Balzacq (2005), and through analysis of the decision of the UK government to join with the USA in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, in this article I show that although the general public can indeed play a valuable role in providing an actor with `moral' support concerning the `securityness' of an issue, more crucial, however, is the `formal' support provided by parliament concerning the `extraordinaryness' of the means necessary to deal with it. My argument is thus that securitization can in this way be seen as a distinct two-stage process marked by a `stage of identification' and a `stage of mobilization'.
Localization as Resistance: The Contested Diffusion of Small Arms Norms in Southeast Asia
Authors: Capie David
Published: November 2008

Over the last decade, a range of actors have pressed for states and regional organizations to take action against the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Some regional bodies have responded with comprehensive plans of action and impressive policy responses; others have done very little. This article examines the `patchy' response of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It looks at how ASEAN played a mediating role between global norm entrepreneurs seeking to promote small arms norms in the region and member-states that opposed many of their goals. Unlike much of the scholarship on norms, which focuses on the origins and `export' of principled ideas, this article builds on the emerging literature on norm localization, in particular exploring the way global and local actors contest the content and framing of a norm as it is diffused. It argues that ASEAN officials localized small arms as a transnational crime and counter-terrorism issue in a deliberate strategy designed to limit the scope and effect of the norm. Linking small arms action to `transnational' issues permitted and even encouraged some action, but also served to close off discussion of sensitive `internal' issues, such as military and police complicity in unlawful weapons transfers, and ruled out transparency measures that could impact on the legal arms trade. This reframing made small arms norms congruent with ASEAN's normative consensus based on the fundamental principle of non-interference in members' internal affairs.
California's Climate Change Policy
Authors: Mazmanian Daniel A. , Jurewitz John , Nelson Hal
Published: November 2008

For all its economic capacity, population size, and resource base, California remains only one among the 50 United States and, essentially, is a subnational actor attempting to play a role in the climate change policy arena on par with the nation-states of the world. This raises a series of questions about the substance and breadth of the state's new policy and what has motivated it. The state's policy declarations and initial flurry of activities are impressive. As with all so broad and sweeping initiatives, it remains to be seen the extent to which policy goals can and will be translated into operational rules and regulations, incentives and sanctions, and actual accomplishments across all the sectors of the state's economy over the course of not just months and years but the decades to come.
German Climate Change Policy
Authors: Weidner Helmut , Mez Lutz
Published: November 2008

Germany is one of the leading countries in Europe, as well as globally, in terms of its renewable energy and climate change policies. The multiple levels of government within the European Union (EU) mean that the German government must interact both with EU institutions (e.g., the Commission, Council, and Parliament) and subnational Länder, or states, when formulating and implementing policy. The grand coalition government of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats that came into power in 2005 has set demanding national climate change and renewable energy goals and actively supports international climate negotiations, often spurring EU policy. This progressive policy has its roots in the air pollution control policies that started to develop in the 1970s. This article discusses the various factors that are behind Germany's climate change policy leadership.
From the Bottom Up
Authors: Schreurs Miranda A.
Published: November 2008

This article introduces this special issue that deals with subnational (and, in the case of the European Union, sub-supranational) global climate change politics. While recognizing the limitations that face local governments, the article discusses the importance of focusing more attention on climate policies and programs of state (prefectural, provincial), regional, metropolitan, and local levels of government, where implementation of national climate change policies and programs must occur. Four cases are examined in detail: California within the United States, Germany within the European Union, prefectures and some municipalities (Tokyo and Kyoto) within Japan, and provinces and prefectures within China. The reasons why local governments sometimes choose to act as agenda setters are considered, the ways local governments can influence national government policies are discussed, the role of international networks in diffusing policy ideas among local governments is introduced, and the obstacles to affecting deep change at the local level are considered.
Reported History of Childhood Abuse and Young Adults' Information-Processing Biases for Facial Displays of Emotion
Authors: Gibb Brandon E. , Schofield Casey A. , Coles Meredith E.
Published: November 2008

The primary goal of this study was to examine the relations between young adults' reports of childhood abuse and their current attention and interpretation biases for facial displays of emotion. Consistent with prediction, individuals reporting a history of moderate to severe childhood abuse exhibited preferential attention to angry faces and increased sensitivity in the detection of angry expressions at lower levels of emotional intensity. Both the attention and interpretation biases were specific to angry rather than happy or sad faces. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that experiences of childhood abuse may contribute to the development of experience-specific information-processing biases.
Magnet Forces: A Structure for a Transformation in Inpatient Psychiatric Nursing
Authors: Delaney Kathleen R. , Lynch Priscilla
Published: November 2008

Recovery is a cornerstone of the federal government's transformation vision for mental health care. Recovery is most often depicted as a process by which people with serious mental illness reengage with activities that create a meaningful existence and a purpose in life. Psychiatric nurses are expected to partner with patients in the recovery process during inpatient treatment. This may prove difficult given the current emphasis on medical models of care and the state of the science in inpatient psychiatric nursing. In this article, the authors describe how magnet forces that focus on empowering nurses, empowering evidence-based care, and strengthening unit-based leadership have the potential for generating transformational change at the point of service. Engaging in the recovery movement within the magnet structure may generate innovations critical to the growth of the specialty. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 14(5), 346-352.
Lessons Learned in Clinical Research: Using the MMSE With Older Mexican American Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Evans Bronwynne C. , Crogan Neva L. , Greenberg Edward
Published: November 2008

This authors examined the utility of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a pilot study to measure cognitive function in older Mexican American nursing home residents. Many of the lessons learned are transferable to the community: Cognitive screening instruments must be carefully examined for validity and utility, they may need to be administered in Spanish, certain items may need alteration in the questions or expected responses, phrases to be repeated must be culturally appropriate, cutoff scores may need adjustment, “serial sevens” must be used, and education and socioeconomic status must be considered in interpretation of results. Consequently, the MMSE may not be an appropriate measure to use to assess cognitive functioning in older Hispanic populations whose educational levels or literacy is low or unknown. Instead, clinicians should seek other ways to assess mental status, such as other instruments normed for those populations or measures that do not require literacy. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 14(5), 373-378.
From Traditional Inpatient to Trauma-Informed Treatment: Transferring Control From Staff to Patient
Authors: Chandler Genevieve
Published: November 2008

Mental health professionals worldwide realize the imperative for reducing inpatient restraints and seclusion. The high incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder for inpatients and the resulting symptoms support the creation of a trauma-informed approach. The objective of the current article is to describe the experience of staff in a 20-bed unit transitioning from traditional inpatient care to a trauma-informed approach. The study comprised a qualitative design using content analysis (n = 10). The patterns clustered into the following categories: changing perspective, developing collaborative relationships, implementing safety measures, and prescribing educational resources. Staff underwent a deep cultural change that subsequently won state recognition for the reduction of seclusion and restraints.
Effects of tour leader's service quality on agency's reputation and customers' word-of-mouth
Authors: Heung Vincent C.S.
Published: November 2008

This article reports the findings of a study on tour leaders' service quality and their impact on a travel agency's reputation and word-of-mouth publicity. A survey was conducted with 431 tourists who joined package tours with a large travel agency in Hong Kong. Four factors with 16 attributes were identified. These factors were `Professional attitude and ability', `Presentation and communication ability', `Professional knowledge' and `Personal integrity'. Positive relationships were found between the tour leader's service quality factors and reputation, tour leader's service factors and word-of-mouth publicity. Implications of the findings are discussed and future research directions are included.
Utilizing and adapting leisure constraints models to enhance `short-break' vacations: Case study of Melbourne, Australia
Authors: McDonald Sharyn M. , Murphy Peter
Published: November 2008

Short-break tourism is likely to continue as a popular vacation for time-, income- and special interest conscious tourists. With the competition for visitors, destinations need to consider the constraints and facilitators associated with tourist decision-making for short-break vacations. This study presents the application of a leisure model toward better explaining such vacation choices. This study found key constraints, such as time and awareness, inhibited visitors from visiting attractions. The importance and influence of word-of-mouth recommendations plays a key role in gaining the attention of future visitors.
100% PURE New Zealand: Branding for back-packers
Authors: Bell Claudia
Published: November 2008

Over ten million internet sites refer to `backpackers'. More than one million refer to backpacking in New Zealand. This research investigated the relationship between internet advertisements for eco-tourism backpacker accommodation in New Zealand, and the actual experience of green practices at those same hostels. This qualitative study is an ethnographic examination of hostel managers' understanding and use of the 100% PURE NZ brand, and other messages indicating sustainability and environmental awareness. The goal of the fieldwork was to check how, or whether, brand promises on the internet corresponded with actual product deliveries. How seriously are New Zealand's promotional promises based on environmental claims such as, `clean, green and 100% PURE', taken by tourist hostel operators? Vacation marketing and destination banding play a significant role in informing New Zealand's international image and reputation.
The role of chest computed tomography in trauma
Authors: Plurad DS , Rhee P.
Published: November 2008

Chest computed tomography (CCT) evaluation for trauma encompasses two main objectives: (1) The evaluation of the acutely injured in the search for diagnoses and (2) follow up assessment or diagnosis of pulmonary complications in the hospitalised patient. In the acute phase of evaluation, CCT has become particularly helpful for the diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BAI), great vessel injury, extent of lung contusion, occult hemothorax, occult pneumothorax, spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries and to determine the tract of transmediastinal gun shot wounds. In the subacute phase, CCT has gained popularity for diagnosing pulmonary embolism and evaluation of retained hemothorax. Technological advances have lead to better diagnostic capabilities that can be obtained quickly but, particularly in the trauma patient, there is little consistent data supporting an outcome improvement in the majority of patients despite changes in clinical management. Further data is needed to support use of CCT in select trauma patient populations to increase useful diagnostic yield and cost effectiveness.
The radiological assessment of injuries to the atlanto-axial-occipital complex (C1 and C2 vertebrae)
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Clayton-Jolly Alex , Mbamalu David
Published: November 2008

Upper cervical spine injuries are a source of diagnostic difficulty. While CT scanning is being used more widely in assessing the cervical spine, especially in unconscious patients, plain film radiology remains an important first point of assessment in the UK in less dramatic situations. We summarise relevant literature on plain film radiology of the upper cervical spine, and make some suggestions for structured evaluation of films under review.
Legislative Bargaining in the European Union
Authors: Schure Paul , Verdun Amy
Published: November 2008

We analyse legislative bargaining in the European Union. In our model, EU member states bargain over the policy choices underlying legislation and over its `template': (1) the degree of discretion at the application stage, and (2) whether the discretionary power is delegated to the Commission (or retained by the Council). Our analysis classifies member states into `large', `medium-sized' and `small' based on their voting power in the Council. Large member states seek to adopt open-ended legislation in which the Council retains the discretionary power. Medium-sized ones prefer `clear rules' without discretion. Small member states prefer open-ended legislation in which discretion is delegated to the Commission. We discuss the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) as an illustrative example.
Hard and Soft
Authors: de Vreese Claes H. , Boomgaarden Hajo G. , Semetko Holli A.
Published: November 2008

Support for European integration is a function no longer only of `hard' economic and utilitarian predictors but also of `soft' predictors such as feelings of identity and attitudes towards immigrants. Focusing on the issue of the potential membership of Turkey in the European Union (EU), this study demonstrates that the importance of `soft' predictors outweighs the role of `hard' predictors in understanding public opinion about Turkish membership. The study draws on survey data (N = 1630) and applies a series of regression models and structural equation modelling to show in addition how the effects of utilitarian considerations are mediated through `soft' indicators, further accentuating the importance of identity considerations and anti-immigration sentiments. The findings are discussed in the light of public support for and the legitimacy of further European enlargement.
The Domestic Opportunity Structure and Supranational Activity
Authors: Poloni-Staudinger Lori M.
Published: November 2008

This study examines when and why environmental non-governmental organizations in the United Kingdom, France and Germany bypass national-level activity in favor of supranational action. Data are gathered from a content analysis of news wires and analyzed in a series of logistic equations. Evidence supports the multi-level governance theory of European Union integration. Examining political opportunity structure explanations for activity, I find that changes in domestic elite alliances and electoral cleavages help to explain why groups choose to target activity at the supranational level. When the domestic opportunity structure is closed, supranational activity becomes more likely. The opening of the domestic political opportunity structure decreases supranational activity among groups.
Measuring Interest Group Influence in the EU
Authors: Dür Andreas
Published: November 2008

How much influence do interest groups have on policy outcomes in the European Union (EU)? This question is highly relevant for both debates on the democratic legitimacy of the EU and our understanding of policy-making processes in this entity. Nevertheless, because of the difficulties inherent in measuring interest group influence, it has been addressed by only a small number of studies. The purpose of this research note is to stimulate further research by clearly identifying the methodological problems and suggesting ways of how to overcome them. In doing so, I distinguish three broad approaches to measuring interest group influence: process-tracing, assessing `attributed influence' and gauging the degree of preference attainment. Although the review reveals that all three approaches have their shortcomings, I conclude that the difficulty of measuring influence should not be exaggerated either. Methodological triangulation, `method-shopping' and larger-scale data collection should allow us to improve on the state of the art.
Early Intervening for Students With Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Mire Stephen P. , Montgomery Judy K.
Published: November 2008

The concept of early intervening services was introduced into public school systems with the implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004. This article describes a program developed for students with speech sound disorders that incorporated concepts of early intervening services, response to intervention, and progress monitoring to improve eligibility determination and dismissal decisions and to implement an efficient service delivery model for children with speech sound disorders in public schools. Data indicated that use of early intervening and response to intervention were efficient models for addressing speech sound errors within general education as an alternative to referral for an IDEA evaluation for children with mild speech sound disorders.
Effect of vapour phase hydrogen peroxide, as a decontaminant for civil aviation applications, on microstructure, tensile properties and corrosion resistance of 2024 and 7075 age hardenable aluminium alloys and 304 austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Gale W. F. , Sofyan N. I. , Gale H. S. , Sk M. H. , Chou S.-F. , Fergus J. W. , Shannon C. G.
Published: November 2008

A response to the chemical or biological contamination of aircraft requires the use of a suitable decontaminant. Among possible chemical decontaminants, vapour phase hydrogen peroxide appears to be a likely candidate in terms of a combination of efficacy, low environmental impact and potential for materials compatibility. The present paper examines the effect of hydrogen peroxide, both in the vapour phase and as a liquid concentrate on two common structural materials used in aviation, namely 2024 and 7075 age hardenable aluminium alloys and on 304 austenitic stainless steel, the latter as employed in galley and lavatory surfaces. The present paper characterises both the effects of hydrogen peroxide on the microstructure of the materials and the impact that decontamination has on the tensile properties and corrosion resistance of these materials. Microstructural effects are both relatively small in magnitude and confined to a region immediately beside the exposed surface. No systematic effect is found on either the tensile properties or the post-exposure corrosion resistance of the three alloys examined. These observations are encouraging in terms of the use of vapour phase hydrogen peroxide for decontamination applications.
Reforming primary health care: is New Zealand's primary health care strategy achieving its early goals?
Authors: Cumming Jacqueline , Mays Nicholas , Gribben Barry
Published: November 2008

Background

In 2001, the New Zealand government introduced its Primary Health Care Strategy (PHCS), aimed at strengthening the role of primary health care, in order to improve health and to reduce inequalities in health. As part of the Strategy, new funding was provided to reduce the fees that patients pay when they use primary health care services in New Zealand, to improve access to services and to increase service use. In this article, we estimate the impact of the new funding on general practitioner and practice nurse visit fees paid by patients and on consultation rates. The analyses involved before-and-after monitoring of fees and consultation rates in a random sample of 99 general practices and covered the period from June 2001 (pre-Strategy) to mid-2005.

Results

Fees fell particularly in Access (higher need, higher per capita funded) practices over time for doctor and nurse visits. Fees increased over time for many in Interim (lower need, lower per capita funded) practices, but they fell for patients aged 65 years and over as new funding was provided for this age group. There were increases in consultation rates across almost all age, funding model (Access or Interim), socio-demographic and ethnic groups. Increases were particularly high in Access practices.

Conclusion

The Strategy has resulted in lower fees for primary health care for many New Zealanders, and consultation rates have also increased over the past few years. However, fees have not fallen by as much as expected in government policy given the amount of extra public money spent since there are limited requirements for practices to reduce patients' fees in line with increases in public funding for primary care.
Temporal Silencing of an Androgenic Gland-Specific Insulin-Like Gene Affecting Phenotypical Gender Differences and Spermatogenesis
Authors: Ventura Tomer , Manor Rivka , Aflalo Eliahu D. , Weil Simy , Raviv Shaul , Glazer Lilah , Sagi Amir
Published: November 2008

Androgenic glands (AGs) of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii were subjected to endocrine manipulation, causing them to hypertrophy. Transcripts from these glands were used in the construction of an AG cDNA subtractive library. Screening of the library revealed an AG-specific gene, termed the M. rosenbergii insulin-like AG (Mr-IAG) gene. The cDNA of this gene was then cloned and fully sequenced. The cysteine backbone of the predicted mature Mr-IAG peptide (B and A chains) showed high similarity to that of other crustacean AG-specific insulin-like peptides. In vivo silencing of the gene, by injecting the prawns with Mr-IAG double-stranded RNA, temporarily prevented the regeneration of male secondary sexual characteristics, accompanied by a lag in molt and a reduction in growth parameters, which are typically higher in males of the species. In terms of reproductive parameters, silencing of Mr-IAG led to the arrest of testicular spermatogenesis and of spermatophore development in the terminal ampullae of the sperm duct, accompanied by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the AGs. This study constitutes the first report of the silencing of a gene expressed specifically in the AG, which caused a transient adverse effect on male phenotypical gender differences and spermatogenesis.

Temporal silencing of a newly identified insulin-like gene from prawn androgenic gland inhibits primary spermatogenesis, male secondary sex characteristics, and growth.
Prediction of Yellow-Poplar (Liriodendron Tulipifera) Veneer Stiffness and Bulk Density Using near Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Calibration
Authors: Adedipe Oluwatosin Emmanuel , Dawson-Andoh Ben
Published: November 2008

This study investigated the feasibility of using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and multivariate calibration to predict bulk density and stiffness of 3.2 mm thick yellow poplar veneer strips. Full-range (800–2500 nm) raw NIR spectra and spectra pre-treated using the first derivative method, along with spectra from three other different wavelength windows of 1200–2400 nm, 1800–2400 nm and 1400–2000 nm were regressed against the bulk density (kg m−3) values and the dynamic modulus of elasticity (stiffness; GPa) of the veneers using the projection to latent structures (PLS) method to develop calibration models. All predictive models developed performed well in the prediction of bulk density and stiffness of new test samples that were not included in the calibration models. R2 values ranged from 0.67-0.78 and 0.56-0.72, respectively, for bulk density and stiffness. There was significant improvement in models developed with first derivative spectra over models developed with raw spectra. The models developed using the first derivative used fewer latent variables to achieve predictive models with higher R2 values, lower root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) and standard errors of prediction (SEP). Models developed using the full NIR spectral range (800–2500 nm) and the NIR spectral region of 1200–2400 nm performed better than models developed using the restricted NIR wavelength regions of 1800–2400 nm and 1400–2000 nm. However, there was no clear distinction between models developed using the full NIR spectral range and the NIR spectral region of 1200–2400 nm. Overall, models developed with the first derivative pre-processed spectra using the whole NIR spectrum performed best in predictability. The results of this study show the potential of using multivariate data analysis coupled with NIR spectroscopy for on-line sorting and assessment of veneer stiffness prior to the lay-up process in the manufacturing of veneer-based engineered wood products such as plywood, Parallam and laminated veneer lumber.
An Application of near Infrared and Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy to the Study of Uranyl Selenite Minerals: Derriksite, Demesmaekerite, Guilleminite and Haynesite
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Reddy B. Jagannadha , Dickfos Marilla J.
Published: November 2008

The near infrared (NIR) spectra of the natural uranyl selenite minerals that include derriksite, demesmaekerite, guilleminite and haynesite are examined as a potential indicator of uranium occurring geologic materials at the earth's surface. NIR analysis, complimented with mid-IR studies, was used to investigate the co-ordination of UO22+ and Cu2+ in the uranyl selenites. Bands obtained from the infrared spectra of selenites are interpreted in terms of the stretching vibrations of uranyl, selenite units and OH groups and bending modes. NIR spectra of the uranyl selenite minerals exhibit distinctive characteristics of uranyl ion (UO2)2+ absorptions over the range of 11,500–8000 cm−1. The high- range NIR spectrum of Cu-bearing uranyl derriksite is resolved into two bands, UO22+ 8070 cm−1 and Cu2+ 7175 cm−1. The effect of lead in demesmaekerite leads to distortion of the spectrum and the NIR bands are observed for uranyl ion at 11,305 cm−1 and 8475 cm−1 and for Cu2+ at 7430 cm−1. The δ U–OH bending vibrations are characterised by a strong absorption feature centred at 1015 cm−1 in haynesite. A significant shift for UOH bending vibrations and the absence of ν1 and ν3 vibrations of UO22+ at the expense of Cu2+ are reflected in the spectrum of derriksite. The complexity of bands with shifts to low wavenumbers could take place due to the additional cations of Pb and Cu in the structure of demesmaekerite. NIR spectroscopy has proven to be a most useful tool for the identification of and distinction between different uranyl selenite minerals.
Monitoring the Quality of Oils for Biodiesel Production Using Multivariate near Infrared Spectroscopy Models
Authors: Baptista Patrícia , Felizardo Pedro , Menezes José C. , Correia M. Joana Neiva
Published: November 2008

Biodiesel is a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters, derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, which is usually produced by a transesterification reaction, where the oils or fats react with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The quality of the oils used for biodiesel production strongly influences the final properties of biodiesel, namely its compliance to the European Standard. This work reports the use of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in the quality control of several oil properties, such as the iodine value, the water content and the acid number but, more importantly, the weight–weight percentages (wt%) of soybean, palm and rapeseed oil in mixtures. Principal component analysis was used to perform a qualitative analysis of the spectra, whereas partial least squares regression allowed the development of calibration models between analytical reference data and NIR spectra. The calibration ranges were 60–126 g I2 100 g−1 for the iodine value, 478–2500 mg kg−1 for the water content and 0.13-6.56 mg KOH g−1 for the acid number, whereas the validation errors were around 3.1 g I2 100 g−1, 111 mg kg−1 and 0.22 mg KOH g−1, respectively. The results obtained show that NIR spectroscopy is a promising technique to carry out the quality control of the commonly used vegetable oils for biodiesel production, namely the quality assurance and authenticity. Furthermore, it is of great value to have a simple, fast and reliable method to identify the composition of an oil mixture and/or some of its quality parameters, prior to storage or upon admission of a new lot of oil.
Value of Cardiac Troponin I Cutoff Concentrations below the 99th Percentile for Clinical Decision-Making
Authors: Eggers Kai M , Jaffe Allan S , Lind Lars , Venge Per , Lindahl Bertil
Published: November 2008

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate factors influencing the 99th percentile for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) when this cutoff value is established on a highly sensitive assay, and to compare the value of this cutoff to that of lower cutoffs in the prognostic assessment of patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: We used the recently refined Access AccuTnI assay (Beckman-Coulter) to assess the distribution of cTnI results in a community population of elderly individuals [PIVUS (Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors) study; n = 1005]. The utility of predefined cTnI cutoffs for risk stratification was then evaluated in 952 patients from the FRISC II (FRagmin and Fast Revascularization during InStability in Coronary artery disease) study at 6 months after these patients had suffered acute coronary syndrome.

Results: Selection of assay results from a subcohort of PIVUS participants without cardiovascular disease resulted in a decrease of the 99th percentile from 0.044 μg/L to 0.028 μg/L. Men had higher rates of cTnI elevation with respect to the tested thresholds. Whereas the 99th percentile cutoff was not found to be a useful prognostic indicator for 5-year mortality, both the 90th percentile (hazard ratio 3.1; 95% CI 1.9–5.1) and the 75th percentile (hazard ratio 2.8; 95% CI 1.7–4.7) provided useful prognostic information. Sex-specific cutoffs did not improve risk prediction.

Conclusions: The 99th percentile of cTnI depends highly on the characteristics of the reference population from which it is determined. This dependence on the reference population may affect the appropriateness of clinical conclusions based on this threshold. However, cTnI cutoffs below the 99th percentile seem to provide better prognostic discrimination in stabilized acute coronary syndrome patients and therefore may be preferable for risk stratification.
Clinical Performance of Two Highly Sensitive Cardiac Troponin I Assays
Authors: Venge Per , James Stefan , Jansson Leif , Lindahl Bertil
Published: November 2008

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of 2 sensitive cTnI assays with 10% CV imprecision below the 99th percentile upper reference limit.

Methods: We measured cardiac troponin and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations in a random sample of the Global Use of Strategies To Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) IV cohort (n = 1251). Outcome data of 1-year mortality and the composite endpoint DMI [death and/or myocardial infarction (MI) within 30 days] were available in all patients. The 99th percentile of a healthy population was estimated from the Sweden Women and Men and Ischemic Heart Disease (SWISCH) cohort (n = 442). We measured cardiac troponin I (cTnI) using the Access AccuTnI (Beckman Coulter) and Centaur TnI Ultra (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) and NT-proBNP using the Elecsys 2010 (Roche Diagnostics).

Results: Applying the 10% CV cutoff, the sensitivity of the Access AccuTnI assay in identifying DMI and death was higher than that of the Centaur TnI Ultra (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001), and the AccuTnI assay also identified more patients at risk (P < 0.001) and with poor outcome. Applying the 99th percentile cutoffs, AccuTnI identified more patients at risk than the Centaur TnI (P < 0.001) and with significant differences in outcome. Significantly more patients with cardiac troponins below the cutoffs as measured by Centaur TnI had increased NT-proBNP concentrations (P < 0.001) compared with AccuTnI.

Conclusions: The AccuTnI assay identified more patients at risk than the Centaur cTnI Ultra assay. Our results demonstrate the clinical potential of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays for the identification of patients at risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Short- and Long-Term Biological Variation in Cardiac Troponin I Measured with a High-Sensitivity Assay: Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: Wu Alan H B , Lu Quynh Anh , Todd John , Moecks Joachim , Wians Frank
Published: November 2008

Background: The improved detection limit and precision in new-generation commercial assays for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) have lowered the 99th-percentile cutoff value, yielding higher frequencies of positive test results. Because serial testing is important in interpreting low concentrations, we evaluated the biological variation of cTnI in both the short (hours) and long (weeks) terms and determined reference change values (RCVs) and the index of individuality (II) for cTnI.

Methods: To assess short- and long-term variation, we collected blood from 12 healthy volunteers hourly for 4 h and from 17 healthy individuals once every other week for 8 weeks, measured cTnI with a high-sensitivity assay (detection limit, 0.2 ng/L), and computed analytical, intraindividual, interindividual, and total CVs (CVA, CVI, CVG, and CVT, respectively; CVT = CVA + CVI + CVG) as well as the II. Because of the slight right-skewness of the data, RCVs were calculated with a lognormal approach.

Results: Within-day CVA, CVI, and CVG values were 8.3%, 9.7%, and 57%, respectively; the corresponding between-day values were 15%, 14%, and 63%. Within- and between-day IIs were 0.21 and 0.39, respectively. Lognormal within-day RCVs were 46% and −32%, respectively; the corresponding between-day values were 81% and −45%.

Conclusions: The low II indicates that population-based reference intervals are less useful for interpreting cTnI values than following serial changes in values in individual patients. This criterion is particularly important for interpreting results from patients who show cTnI increases at low concentrations measured with very high-sensitivity assays, from patients presenting with chest pain (short term), and for evaluating drugs for cardiotoxicity (long term).
Lack of Diagnostic and Prognostic Utility of Circulating Plasma Myeloperoxidase Concentrations in Patients Presenting with Dyspnea
Authors: Shah Keyur B , Kop Willem J , Christenson Robert H , Diercks Deborah B , Kuo Dick , Henderson Sue , Hanson Karen , Mehra Mandeep R , deFilippi Christopher R
Published: November 2008

Background: Plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO), an inflammatory biomarker, is associated with increased mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome or chronic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of MPO for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and its prognostic value for patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods: In a prospective, observational study conducted in 5 US centers, 412 patients [mean (SD) age, 58 (14) years; 39% women] presenting with dyspnea to the emergency department were enrolled and followed for 1 year. Clinical, serum/plasma biomarker [MPO, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP)], and transthoracic echocardiographic data were obtained.

Results: We observed no differences in MPO concentration (P = 0.07) between patients with ADHF [n = 147; median, 553 pmol/L; interquartile range (IQR), 415–738 pmol/L] and those without ADHF (n = 265; median, 576 pmol/L; IQR, 413–884 pmol/L). The diagnostic accuracy for ADHF was excellent for BNP [area under the ROC curve (AUC), 0.90; P < 0.001] and NT-proBNP (AUC, 0.90; P < 0.001) but poor for MPO (AUC, 0.46; P = 0.18). MPO appeared uncorrelated with echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure or function. The observed 1-year mortality rate was 12%. MPO concentration also appeared unrelated to mortality [hazard ratio, 1.25 (above vs below the median); 95% CI, 0.71–2.18], whereas BNP (P = 0.001) and NT-proBNP (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of mortality. MPO concentration provided no prognostic information in addition to that of BNP or NT-proBNP concentration.

Conclusions: Unlike natriuretic peptides, MPO concentration was not predictive of ADHF diagnosis or 1-year mortality in a heterogeneous sample of emergency department patients with acute dyspnea.
Biological importance of an Atlantic European maërl bed off Benencia Island (northwest Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Peña Viviana , Bárbara Ignacio
Published: November 2008

We studied the conservation status of a maërl bed off Benencia Island (NW Spain) over a 2-year period using SCUBA and dredging. The maërl bed, which includes a maërl beach, extended from the intertidal to subtidal zones (18 m), and occupied an area of 215 ha. It was composed of a pure unattached coralline algal deposit occasionally mixed with broken shells. The area estimated for the highest maërl cover (76–100%) was greater than reported in previous research. The living maërl layer reached 15 cm in depth and the living/dead maërl ratio was high (80–100% living maërl cover). The dominant maërl-forming species wasPhymatolithon calcareum, although unattached plants ofMesophyllumsp. reaching 10 cm in diameter were found in two sites. Both maërl species are fruticose. The proportion of discoidal specimens ofP. calcareumwas related to depth. The associated flora comprised 137 species whose seasonal variations were very marked, with high floristic richness in summer (71 species) and low in winter (35 species). Crustose and turf-like species were the dominant floral components throughout the year, whereas the presence of other species was restricted to specific periods. We propose that Benencia Island be included in future Atlantic Iberian maërl bed conservation schemes.