bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Trends in Self-Reported Functional Limitations and Physical Disability Among the Community-Dwelling Elderly Population: The Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Murabito Joanne M. , Pencina Michael J. , Zhu Lei , Kelly-Hayes Margaret , Shrader Peter , D’Agostino Ralph B.
Published: May 2008

Objectives. We sought to determine change in the prevalence of functional limitations and physical disability among the community-dwelling elderly population across 3 decades.

Methods. We studied original participants of the Framingham Heart Study, aged 79 to 88 years, at examination 15 (1977–1979; 177 women, 103 men), examination 20 (1988–1990; 159 women, 98 men) and examination 25 (1997–1999; 174 women, 119 men). Self-reported functional limitation was defined using the Nagi scale, and physical disability was defined using the Rosow-Breslau and Katz scales.

Results. Functional limitations declined across examinations from 74.6% to 60.5% to 37.9% (P < .001) among women and from 54.2% to 37.8% to 27.8% (P<.001) among men. Physical disability declined from 74.5% to 48.5% to 34.6% (P < .001) among women and 42.3% to 33.3% to 22.8% (P = .009) among men. Among women, improvements in functional limitations (P = .05) were greater from examination 20 to 25, whereas for physical disability (P=.02), improvements were greater from examination 15 to 20. Improvements in function were constant across the 3 examinations in men.

Conclusions. Among community-dwelling elders, the prevalence of functional limitations and physical disability declined significantly in both women and men from the 1970s to the 1990s. This may in part be due to improvements in technological devices used to maintain independence. Further work is needed to identify the underlining causes of the decline so preventative measures can be established that promote independence for the elderly population.
Mobility of Trimethyllead and Total Lead in the Forest Floor
Authors: Huang J.-H. , Kalbitz K. , Matzner E.
Published: May 2008

The forest floor represents an important compartment for the accumulation of heavy metals in forest soils. To study the mobility of Pb species and their linkage to C cycling in the forest floor, we investigated concentrations of trimethyllead (C3H9Pb+) and total Pb (Pbtotal) in throughfall and forest floor percolates during 14 snow‐free wk. For our study, we used a long‐term field experiment with increased input of throughfall and litterfall at a Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.] site. The concentrations of trimethyllead were highest in throughfall (106 pg Pb L−1) and decreased with depth of the forest floor. Strong correlations between trimethyllead concentrations in throughfall and forest floor percolates suggested that trimethyllead in forest floor percolates originates largely from throughfall. The partition coefficients of trimethyllead and Pbtotal, estimated as ratios of concentrations in percolates to those in forest floors, ranged from 54 to 560 and 870 to 26,400 L kg−1, respectively, indicating that the mobility of trimethyllead was greater than Pbtotal The Pbtotal concentrations were low in throughfall and often the highest in Oa horizon percolates (15.2−57.5 μg L−1). They decreased in Oi horizon percolates after increased throughfall addition. Increased litterfall resulted in increased concentrations of Pbtotal in forest floor percolates. Concurrently, dissolved organic C increased. The tight coupling of Pbtotal to dissolved organic C was also indicated by correlations (r ≥ 0.48) that were stronger than those between Pbtotal and pH (r ≤ −0.22). We concluded that the mobilization of Pbtotal from the large pool in forest floor horizons is strongly linked to the release of dissolved organic matter. Conversely, the mobility of trimethyllead is regulated by throughfall input and not by dissolved organic C.
Long‐Term Effects of Harvesting Maize Stover and Tillage on Soil Quality
Authors: Moebius-Clune Bianca N. , van Es Harold M. , Idowu Omololu J. , Schindelbeck Robert R. , Moebius-Clune Daniel J. , Wolfe David W. , Abawi George S. , Thies Janice E. , Gugino Beth K. , Lucey Robert
Published: May 2008

Rising concerns about greenhouse gases, increased fuel prices, and the potential for new high value agricultural products have raised interest in the use of maize stover for bioenergy production. However, residue harvest must be weighed against potential negative impacts on soil quality. This study, conducted in Chazy, NY, evaluated the long‐term effects of 32 yr of maize (Zea maysL.) stover harvest vs. stover return on soil quality in the surface layer (5–66 mm) under plow till (PT) and no‐till (NT) systems on a Raynham silt loam (coarse‐silty, mixed, active, nonacid, mesic Aeric Epiaquept) using physical, chemical, and biological soil properties as soil quality indicators. Twenty‐five soil properties were measured, including standard chemical soil tests, aggregate stability (WSA), bulk density, (ρb) penetration resistance (PR), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), infiltrability (Infilt), several porosity indicators (aeration pores(PO > 1000), soil water potential = Ψ > −0.36 kPa; air‐filled pores at field capacity (PO > 30), Ψ > −10kPa; available water capacity (AWC), −1500 < Ψ < −10 kPa), total organic matter (OM), parasitic (Nemparasitic) and beneficial nematode (Nembeneficial) populations, decomposition rate (Decomp), potentially mineralizable N (PMN) and easily extractable (EEG) and total glomalin (TG). Only eight indicators were adversely affected by stover harvest, and most of these effects were significant only under NT. Almost all indicators affected by stover removal were affected equally or more adversely by tillage. A total of 15 indicators were adversely affected by tillage. Results of this study suggest that, on a silt loam soil in a temperate climate, long‐term stover harvest had lower adverse impacts on soil quality than long‐term tillage. Stover harvest appears to be sustainable when practiced under NT management.
Opportunities to Utilize the USDA‐ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory Soil Sample Archive
Authors: Liebig M. A. , Wikenheiser D. J. , Nichols K. A.
Published: May 2008

Archived soil samples are an important resource for quantifying changes in soil attributes over decadal time scales. Herein, we describe a soil archive at the USDA‐ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory (NGPRL) near Mandan, ND with the intent of encouraging research collaboration through utilization of the archive. Over 5000 samples are included in the NGPRL soil archive, ranging in age from 4 to 90 yr. Samples were derived from both grazing and cropping studies, with the former being conducted near Mandan, and the latter as a part of an evaluation of soil C and N change at multiple locations throughout the Great Plains. Most samples are associated with soil depths above 30.5 cm, although 10 locations from the Great Plains evaluation possess archived soils below 1 m for native vegetation treatments. Collaborative research opportunities using the NGPRL soil archive abound, and may include characterizations of soil organic matter fractions, micronutrients, and soil acidity. Scientists interested in engaging in collaborative research efforts are encouraged to contact the authors of this report.
Soil Organic Carbon after Twelve Years of Various Crop Rotations in an Aridic Boroll
Authors: Bremer E. , Janzen H. H. , Ellert B. H. , McKenzie R. H.
Published: May 2008

Eliminating summer fallow or establishing perennial grass elicited measurable gains in soil organic C (SOC) after just 6 yr in a crop rotation study on an Aridic Boroll in southern Alberta. This study was resampled after 12 yr to determine if SOC increases were continuing with time and to evaluate the impact of alternative crop rotation and fertilizer treatments on SOC. The crop rotation treatments included in this study were fallow‐wheat (FW), fallow‐wheat‐wheat (FWW), fallow‐flax‐wheat (FXW), legume‐wheat (LW), continuous wheat (W) and continuous grass (G). The gain in SOC due to the elimination of fallow was 1.5 Mg C ha−1 after 12 yr, no greater than that observed after 6 yr. Soil organic C was the same for all rotations that included fallow (FW, FWW, FXW). Fertilizer treatments that had the greatest benefit on grain yields of annual crops also tended to increase SOC, although differences were barely detectable. The gain in SOC of unfertilized grass compared to the FW rotation was no higher after 12 yr than after 6 yr (3 Mg C ha−1). Under fertilized grass, in contrast, SOC continued to increase at a rate of approximately 0.5 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 Accumulation of light fraction C accounted for most of the gains in SOC that occurred with elimination of fallow or establishment of grass. These findings suggest that much of the SOC gain due to adoption of C‐conserving practices in soils like those of this study may occur early, within the first decade, and consist primarily of decomposable soil fractions. If confirmed, this means that C sequestration in these soils may be comparatively short‐lived and vulnerable to future loss.
An Exploration of College Persistence for Students Enrolled in Web-Enhanced Courses: A Multivariate Analytic Approach
Authors: Sutton Stephen C. , Nora Amaury
Published: May 2008

Much of what is known regarding student withdrawal from college is specific to students in a traditional classroom setting. A major issue is whether those same factors play themselves out in much the same manner in courses where technology plays a significant role in the delivery of instruction such as in distance learning programs where technology is particularly important. Research in this area is needed to better understand the influence of technology on student achievement and persistence rates within the context of student retention models. The current study examined the academic and social engagement of students in Web-enhanced courses in distance education programs and the collective impact of cognitive, non-cognitive, and technology-related variables on student performance and withdrawal decisions.
Epidemiologists, Our Patient is Society
Authors: Myers Douglas J.
Published: May 2008

The common approach utilized in many epidemiologic studies is to measure and compare characteristics and exposures of afflicted and non-afflicted individuals from the same population. The subject of most contemporary chronic disease epidemiology, therefore, is not epidemics per se, nor their causes, but rather epidemics' victims. While these approaches and methods are entirely appropriate for investigating many vitally important health-related questions, it is argued here that epidemics themselves, including those that produce chronic illnesses, should also be the subject of epidemiologic investigations. Epidemics are viewed as phenomena that afflict social entities and should be approached as such.
Response: If Society is Our Patient, How Shall We Take its Pulse?
Authors: Kriebel David
Published: May 2008

A society's health status is not simply the sum of the health of individuals, but an emergent property. While epidemiology has evolved from the study of simple epidemics to the study of the determinants of population health, it is still appropriate to consider the population as the epidemiologist's patient. At the same time, the population is also our study subject—we study populations to identify ways to prevent disease in populations. This article illustrates some of the implications for the prevention of disease that result from treating society as our patient.
Learning to Listen: Designing Architectural Education through University-Community Partnerships
Authors: Wilson Barbara Brown
Published: May 2008

Our world is shaped by a patchwork of perspectives, of stories told to construct or even recreate our realities. Practitioners engaging with the built environment have a responsibility to assist in the proper translation of these stories into something that physically enriches the user's sense of place. However, academia separates itself from the “real world” in order to teach theory, history, and so forth as purely as possible. Critics argue that this separation is problematic when preparing students for a practical field in which they will become heavily entrenched in this world from which they have been sheltered. In response, community-based design initiatives are forming that conjoin students, faculty, community members, and activists to address urgent needs in neighborhoods around the globe. While empowering the communities through the opportunity to change their own surroundings, the researchers benefit from a culturally significant palette with which to search for innovative ways to make the built environment truly relevant to positive transformation at the local level. Nonetheless, this pedagogical method is, in turn, criticized for blurring the line between education and activism. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate both the intentions of such projects and the criticism of it through the analysis of a case study at the University of Texas: The Sustainable Design and Development Workshop (SDDW). Through this inquiry, the importance of community engagement to a student's professional development became clear. However, the experience also highlighted the university's inherent responsibility to the citizens with which it is engaging—which requires consideration of issues of funding, timing, accountability, and compromise that is vital to any such project's success. University-community partnerships provide young designers and their educators with important life skills that are not often emphasized within the realms of academia.
The Right to Know about Chemical Hazards in Canada, 1982–2006
Authors: Bennett Dave
Published: May 2008

Traditionally in Canada, there are three health and safety rights: the right to participate (joint workplace health and safety committees); the right to refuse unsafe and unhealthy work; and the right to know about workplace hazards. By the end of the 1970s, the right to know had been established in law across Canada, but it was not enough to cover workplace chemical hazards in particular. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was a project set up by the Canadian federal government in 1982 to address the issue. This article tells the story of how labor got the progressive WHMIS agreement(1985) and how the agreement has been implemented in the following years.
Hooked on a Feeling: Emotional Labor as an Occupational Hazard of the Post-Industrial Age
Authors: Andrews Bonnie K. , Karcz Susan , Rosenberg Beth
Published: May 2008

Emotional labor is a subtle but serious occupational hazard that is likely to spread rapidly as the global service economy continues to grow. Emotional labor requires more than just acting friendly and being helpful to customers; the worker must manage his or her emotions to create a company-dictated experience for customers. The practice of emotional labor in an unsupportive work environment produces work-related stress, which has a wide range of potentially serious health effects. Though many employers do not acknowledge the existence of emotional labor, it is a real occupational hazard that may generate life-altering effects on physical and emotional health. While no official regulations or identification standards specify emotional labor as an occupational hazard, some guidelines exist regarding its outcome: occupational stress. Emotional labor should be recognized as an occupational hazard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but this hazard does not lend itself to regulation through standards. The business culture that demands its performance is questioned.
Differential Roles of Cardiomyocyte and Macrophage Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor γ in Cardiac Fibrosis
Authors: Caglayan Evren , Stauber Bradley , Collins Alan R. , Lyon Christopher J. , Yin Fen , Liu Joey , Rosenkranz Stephan , Erdmann Erland , Peterson Leif E. , Ross Robert S. , Tangirala Rajendra K. , Hsueh Willa A.
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—Cardiac fibrosis is an important component of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligands repress proinflammatory gene expression, including that of osteopontin, a known contributor to the development of myocardial fibrosis. We thus investigated the hypothesis that PPARγ ligands could attenuate cardiac fibrosis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Wild-type cardiomyocyte- and macrophage-specific PPARγ−/− mice were infused with angiotensin II (AngII) to promote cardiac fibrosis and treated with the PPARγ ligand pioglitazone to determine the roles of cardiomyocyte and macrophage PPARγ in cardiac fibrosis.

RESULTS—Cardiomyocyte-specific PPARγ−/− mice (cPPARγ−/−) developed spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy with increased ventricular osteopontin expression and macrophage content, which were exacerbated by AngII infusion. Pioglitazone attenuated AngII-induced fibrosis, macrophage accumulation, and osteopontin expression in both wild-type and cPPARγ−/− mice but induced hypertrophy in a PPARγ-dependent manner. We pursued two mechanisms to explain the antifibrotic cardiomyocyte-PPARγ–independent effects of pioglitazone: increased adiponectin expression and attenuation of proinflammatory macrophage activity. Adenovirus-expressed adiponectin had no effect on cardiac fibrosis and the PPARγ ligand pioglitazone did not attenuate AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis, osteopontin expression, or macrophage accumulation in monocyte-specific PPARγ−/− mice.

CONCLUSIONS—We arrived at the following conclusions: 1) both cardiomyocyte-specific PPARγ deficiency and activation promote cardiac hypertrophy, 2) both cardiomyocyte and monocyte PPARγ regulate cardiac macrophage infiltration, 3) inflammation is a key mediator of AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis, 4) macrophage PPARγ activation prevents myocardial macrophage accumulation, and 5) PPARγ ligands attenuate AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting myocardial macrophage infiltration. These observations have important implications for potential interventions to prevent cardiac fibrosis.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetism of Mn1−x
Alx alloys
Authors: Rednic Vasile , Rednic Lidia , Coldea Marin , Pop Viorel , Neumann Manfred , Pacurariu Roxana , Tunyagi Arthur
Published: May 2008

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), magnetization and magnetic susceptibility of Mn1−x
Alx (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7) alloys are reported. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that all investigated samples have the same crystallographic structure as the parent compound (AuCu3-structure type). The alloys are disordered for x ≤ 0.5, but become almost crystallographically ordered for higher Al concentration. This change in the crystallographic order is reflected both in the magnetization and Curie temperature values. The exchange interaction is ferromagnetic between the pairs of the near-neighbour Mn-Ni and Ni-Ni magnetic moments and antiferromagnetic for Mn-Mn pairs. The last one is present only in the disordered alloys, which leads to smaller values of the magnetization of these alloys in comparison with the ordered ones. The Mn magnetic moment has the fully ordered value of 3.2 μB in all investigated alloys. The decrease of the Ni magnetic moment as the Al concentration increases may be explained by the hybridization of the Ni 3d and Al 3sp states, which leads to a partial filling of the Ni 3d band. The magnetic susceptibility measurements pointed out the existence of spin fluctuations on Ni sites.
Effect of L-carnitine against acute mitoxantrone toxicity in mice
Authors: Niang Mohamed , Tomšík Pavel , Mělka Milan , Stoklasová Alena , Cerman Jaroslav , Šišpera Ludìk
Published: May 2008

Various experiments were performed in our laboratory to define a possible role for carnitine derivatives in mitoxantrone (MX) therapy. We report here the results of the effect of L-carnitine (LCAR) on the lethal toxicity of MX in mice. MX was administered intravenously at doses of 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17 mg kg−1 either alone or in combination with LCAR at a single intravenous dose of 200 mg kg−1. The dependence of the probability of death on various doses was evaluated for the MX-LCAR combination compared to MX alone. From these experiments, the following lethal dose fifty (LD50) values were calculated: LD50 for MX alone was 15.2 mg kg−1, whereas in combination with LCAR it increases to 21.8 mg kg−1. The relative toxicity given as the ratio of the LD50 of both MX alone and the combination of MX-LCAR was 69.7%. The results of our experiments unequivocally show the effect of LCAR on acute toxic doses of MX.
Changes Coming to MDPI Journals: Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and Creative Commons Attribution License
Authors: McPhee Derek , Lin Shu-Kun
Published: May 2008

Effective immediately authors and readers shall notice some minor yet significant changes to the papers published in this and other MDPI journals [1].[...]
Neglschisandrins C-D: Two New Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans from Schisandra neglecta
Authors: Chen Min , Liao Zhihua , Xu Xiumei , Wen Yan , Sun Min , Zhang Haoxiang , Ma Wenhui
Published: May 2008

Two new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, neglschisandrins C-D (1-2), were isolated from the stems of Schisandra neglecta. Their structures and stereochemistries were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS techniques.
Antidiabetic Components Contained in Vegetables and Legumes
Authors: Tang Guang-Yan , Li Xue-Juan , Zhang Hong-Yu
Published: May 2008

Epidemiological analyses in a large Chinese population have revealed that consumption of vegetables and legumes is inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the health benefits of these plants have not been fully explained, which stimulated our interest to identify antidiabetic components from vegetables and legumes through searching medicinal databases, especially those containing traditional Chinese medicines. The results not only provide meaningful clues to understanding the antidiabetic potentials of these plants but also display the possibility of pinpointing food component functions by searching medicinal databases.
Structural Patterns of Rhamnogalacturonans Modulating Hsp-27 Expression in Cultured Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Gloaguen Vincent , Krausz Pierre , Brudieux Véronique , Closs Brigitte , Leroy Yves , Guerardel Yann
Published: May 2008

Polysaccharide extracts were obtained from chestnut bran (Castanea sativa), grape marc (Vitis vinifera) and apple marc (Malus spp.) and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography after endopolygalacturonase degradation. Compositional and linkage analyses by GC and GC-MS showed the characteristic rhamnogalacturonan structure with specific arabinan (apple marc) and type II arabinogalactan (chestnut bran, grape marc) side chains. Type II arabinogalactan rhamnogalacturonan from chestnut bran significantly stimulated the in vitro differentiation of human keratinocytes, giving evidence of a tight structure-function relationship. This molecule comprises short and ramified 3- and 3,6-β- D-galactan and 5- and 3,5-α-L-arabinan side chains, but also contains significant amounts of t-Xyl and 4-Xyl with a characteristic 2:1 ratio. Enzymatic hydrolysis of this polysaccharide produced fragments of lower molecular weight with unchanged xylose content which conserved the same ability to stimulate human keratinocyte differentiation. It could be then speculated that dimeric xylosyl-xylose and/or longer oligomeric xylose side chains attached to a galacturonan and closely associated to hairy rhamno-galacturonan domains are essential patterns that could determine the biological activity of pectins.
Temperament, ADHD and peer relations among schoolchildren: the mediating role of school bullying
Authors: Bacchini Dario , Affuso Gaetana , Trotta Teresa
Published: May 2008

The goal of the study is to investigate the link between temperament, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, social preference, bullying and victimization. The study sample consisted of 195 children attending the fourth and fifth grade (age 8–10), their mothers and their teachers. A multiinformant approach was used: mothers were interviewed about the temperament of their children; teachers were asked about ADHD symptoms; children responded to a peer nominations inventory designed to investigate their roles as bullies and/or victims and their social preferences (liked and disliked peers). A Structural Equation Model multigroup analysis (males and females) was used to test the relationships among variables hypothesized by the authors. The analysis showed that temperamental variables have a direct relation to ADHD symptoms, that ADHD has a direct relation to bullying behavior in males and to victimization in females and that bullies and victims are less well accepted than peers who belong to neither category. ADHD has only an indirect relation to social preference through the mediating role of school bullying. Aggr. Behav. 34:447–459, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural and anthropogenic determinants of genetic structure in the largest remaining population of the endangered golden‐brown mouse lemur, Microcebus ravelobensis
Authors: Radespiel Ute , Rakotondravony Romule , Chikhi Lounès
Published: May 2008

Genetic differentiation between natural populations is best understood as a result of both natural and anthropogenic factors. Genetic studies on large populations still living under relatively undisturbed conditions are extremely valuable to disentangle these influences. The effect of three natural (geographic distance, landscape, dispersal) factors and two anthropogenic factors (road, savannah) on gene flow was analyzed in the largest remaining forest region in the range of the endangered golden‐brown mouse lemur in Madagascar. A total of 187 individuals from 12 sites were sampled and genotyped at eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. All sites exhibited similar levels of genetic variation. The level of genetic differentiation was low to moderate with pairwise FST values ranging from −0.002 to 0.12, but most were significant and all sites exhibited high self‐assignment rates. A spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed at two geographic scales revealing a pattern of isolation‐by‐distance and suggesting that no clear differences exist between male and female local dispersal. Two Bayesian approaches revealed that a stretch of savannah represented a significant barrier to movement, whereas the influence of the road on gene flow was less clear. Finally, we found that landscape characteristics, in particular altitude, play a role in the functional connectivity of the sites. The study underlines the importance of studies in relatively undisturbed conditions for the interpretation of population genetics data in fragmented environments. The results are discussed in terms of their conservation relevance for forest‐dwelling animals such as most primate species. Am. J. Primatol. 70:860–870, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Das Leben als ein nanoskaliges Phänomen
Authors: Mann Stephen
Published: May 2008

Der Nanometerbereich oder Nanobereich ist mehr als nur das Verbindungsstück zwischen der molekularen und makroskopischen Welt – es ist der spezifische Bereich, in dem chemische Information erfasst, verarbeitet und übertragen wird. In diesem Aufsatz betrachten wir die lebende Zelle als ein in sich geschlossenes, selbstregulierendes, komplexes chemisches System, das seine Arbeit vornehmlich im Nanometerbereich verrichtet, und wir schlagen vor, dass genau diese Beschränkung auf die Nanoskala für die Entstehung und die Erhaltung von zellulärem Leben in seiner Minimalform entscheidend ist. Wir behandeln zentrale Aspekte von Struktur und Funktion des zellmembranären und zellinternen Stoffwechsels, die mit dem Aufbau molekularer Komponenten zu globulären Nanoobjekten (integralen Membranproteinen, Enzymen, Rezeptoren usw.) und höher geordneten Architekturen wie Mikrotubuli, Ribosomen und molekularen Motoren einhergehen. Zukünftige Entwicklungen in den Nanowissenschaften könnten die Grundlage für die Erschaffung von künstlichem Leben liefern.
Designing index of void structure and tensile properties in wet‐spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber. I. Effect of dope polymer or nonsolvent concentration
Authors: Arbab S. , Noorpanah P. , Mohammadi N. , Soleimani M.
Published: May 2008

An index Xη−1 with numerator calculated solely from solubility parameters and denominator measured by on‐line viscosity of the fiber precursor in coagulation medium was defined as an indicator of the fiber structure and tensile properties. The Xη−1 values of wet‐spun and wound polyacrylonitrile fibers from their dimethylformamide solutions with different polymer concentrations (series A) or nonsolvent concentrations in 10 vol % polymer solutions (series B) into water with draw ratio of one were determined and compared with the corresponding fiber structure and tensile properties. The Xη−1 value of about 0.8 × 106 s−1 led to finger‐like structure with overall fiber porosity of 82 vol %. By reducing Xη−1 through dope polymer concentration enhancement to 20 vol %, overall fiber porosity decreased to 62 vol % via substitution of some micrometer voids with dense polymer ligament. Accordingly, strong fiber modulus and elongation at break enhancement were observed due to structural defect reduction and cohesive energy density increment. On the other hand, dope nonsolvent concentration increment from 0 to 5 vol % at 10 vol % polymer concentration showed minute overall fiber porosity decrement via Xη−1 increment through micrometer void substitution with nanometer ones (nuclei). Therefore, mild fiber modulus and elongation at break improvements were detected due to defect size reduction which magnifies mechanical properties improvements. Curve fitting of the Wang's second order modulus‐porosity correlation to the as‐spun fibers modulus‐porosity data verified the solid–liquid phase separation through nuclei growth‐resistance as the main governing morphological evolution mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Ethics in the rheumatology literature: A systematic review
Authors: Caplan Liron , Hoffecker Lilian , Prochazka Allan V.
Published: May 2008

Objective

To address the perception that ethical issues are underrepresented in the rheumatology literature, a systematic review was conducted using multiple databases to identify articles that addressed ethical and rheumatologic issues.

Methods

A rheumatologist, research librarian, and clinician‐ethicist designed queries for 4 electronic and ethics databases, searching for articles with content that was relevant to rheumatology/rheumatic diseases and that primarily focused on ethics. Based upon the Beauchamp and Childress framework, the retrieved articles were classified according to their ethical content, and the proportions addressing each Beauchamp and Childress ethical principle were analyzed using Cochran's Q statistic. Correlations between the appearance of discussions involving each of the 4 ethical principles were determined via chi‐square analysis.

Results

The total number of manuscripts in the rheumatologic literature with an ethical focus was 104 out of an estimated library of >400,000 rheumatologically oriented manuscripts (0.026%). Very few manuscripts consisted of original research studies. Nonmaleficence (66%) was the most common theme, whereas justice represented the least frequently addressed ethical issue (12%). The differences in the proportions of each ethical principle reached statistical significance (Q = 73.8,P< 0.0001). Only 8 articles addressed >2 ethical principles. Discussion touching on autonomy and nonmaleficence frequently appeared in the same article (Pearson's χ2= 14.9,P< 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite the frequency of ethical issues while caring for patients, few reports within the rheumatic disease literature have focused on ethical issues. Further work should ascertain the degree to which the literature addresses the ethical questions in rheumatology.
Effectiveness of the combination of a whole‐blood interferon‐gamma assay and the tuberculin skin test in detecting latent tuberculosis infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving adalimumab therapy
Authors: Chen Der‐Yuan , Shen Gwan‐Han , Hsieh Tsu‐Yi , Hsieh Chia‐Wei , Lan Joung‐Liang
Published: May 2008

Objective

To investigate QuantiFERON‐tuberculosis Gold (QFT‐G) assay and tuberculin skin test (TST) for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with adalimumab.

Methods

We prospectively followed up 43 RA patients who received adalimumab therapy and underwent serial TSTs and QFT‐G assays. TST was performed using Mantoux method and QFT‐G assay was examined by measuring interferon‐γ levels in whole blood samples that were incubated with early secretary antigenic target‐6 and culture filtrate protein 10.

Results

Before starting adalimumab therapy, 8 RA patients (18.6%) had positive and 35 (81.4%) had negative TST results. All 8 RA patients with positive TST results were diagnosed as LTBI and received isoniazid prophylaxis (INHP) 1 month before starting adalimumab therapy. None of these 8 RA patients developed active TB 2 years after completing INHP. A high rate (10 [37.0%] patients) of TST conversion was observed among 27 patients who had completed 12‐month adalimumab therapy. Of these 10 patients with TST conversion, 2 patients had positive QFT‐G results and 1 developed active TB disease. Among 17 RA patients who did not have TST conversion after 12‐month adalimumab therapy, 1 patient who had a positive QFT‐G result developed active TB disease. Of all 43 RA patients who received adalimumab therapy, 4 (9.3%) developed active TB after starting adalimumab therapy.

Conclusion

The application of TST for detecting LTBI is limited in RA patients by the frequent presence of anergy. Combined QFT‐G assay and TST can aid in detecting LTBI in RA patients receiving adalimumab therapy.
Assessment of the item selection and weighting in the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis
Authors: Mahr Alfred D. , Neogi Tuhina , Lavalley Michael P. , Davis John C. , Hoffman Gary S. , Mccune W. Joseph , Specks Ulrich , Spiera Robert F. , St.Clair E. William , Stone John H. , Merkel Peter A.
Published: May 2008

Objective

To assess the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG) with respect to its selection and weighting of items.

Methods

This study used the BVAS/WG data from the Wegener's Granulomatosis Etanercept Trial. The scoring frequencies of the 34 predefined items and any “other” items added by clinicians were calculated. Using linear regression with generalized estimating equations in which the physician global assessment (PGA) of disease activity was the dependent variable, we computed weights for all predefined items. We also created variables for clinical manifestations frequently added as other items, and computed weights for these as well. We searched for the model that included the items and their generated weights yielding an activity score with the highest R2to predict the PGA.

Results

We analyzed 2,044 BVAS/WG assessments from 180 patients; 734 assessments were scored during active disease. The highest R2with the PGA was obtained by scoring WG activity based on the following items: the 25 predefined items rated on ≥5 visits, the 2 newly created fatigue and weight loss variables, the remaining minor other and major other items, and a variable that signified whether new or worse items were present at a specific visit. The weights assigned to the items ranged from 1 to 21. Compared with the original BVAS/WG, this modified score correlated significantly more strongly with the PGA.

Conclusion

This study suggests possibilities to enhance the item selection and weighting of the BVAS/WG. These changes may increase this instrument's ability to capture the continuum of disease activity in WG.
Prevalence and associations of hallux valgus in a primary care population
Authors: Roddy Edward , Zhang Weiya , Doherty Michael
Published: May 2008

Objective

To determine the population prevalence and examine factors associated with hallux valgus in a primary care population.

Methods

A questionnaire was mailed to all adults age >30 years registered with 2 general practices. Validated instruments assessed self‐reported hallux valgus, nodal osteoarthritis, and knee pain. The questionnaire also asked about big toe pain, joint replacement, and history of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Hallux valgus prevalence was calculated and standardized by the source population in terms of age, sex, knee pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. A nested case–control study was undertaken and age‐sex adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated between hallux valgus and age, sex, body mass index, nodal osteoarthritis, knee pain, big toe pain, joint replacement, self‐reported osteoarthritis, and self‐reported rheumatoid arthritis, using a binary logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 13,684 questionnaires were mailed and 4,249 (32%) responses were received. The standardized prevalence of hallux valgus was 28.4%. Hallux valgus was associated with age (adjusted OR 1.61 per decade; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.52–1.69), female sex (adjusted OR 2.64; 95% CI 2.26–3.08), nodal osteoarthritis (adjusted OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.26–2.17), knee pain (adjusted OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.65–2.32), big toe pain (adjusted OR 3.28; 95% CI 2.48–4.33), self‐reported osteoarthritis (adjusted OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.15–1.72), and self‐reported rheumatoid arthritis (adjusted OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.43–2.91).

Conclusion

Hallux valgus is prevalent in the community and is associated with age, female sex, and components of generalized osteoarthritis such as nodal osteoarthritis, knee pain, big toe pain, and self‐reported osteoarthritis.
Risk of unintended pregnancy among women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Schwarz Eleanor Bimla , Manzi Susan
Published: May 2008

Objective

It is recommended that women with systemic lupus erythematosus carefully time their pregnancies, but little is known about use of contraception and risk of unintended pregnancy in this population. The goal of this study was to estimate the proportion of women with lupus at risk for unintended pregnancy.

Methods

We surveyed 309 women with lupus, ages 18–50 years, seen at the University of Pittsburgh lupus center between January and May 2007.

Results

Of the women surveyed, 212 (69%) completed the survey. In the past 3 months, 97 (46% of 212) had faced some risk of unintended pregnancy. Of these, 53 (55% of 97) reported ≥1 occasion on which they had unprotected sex and 22 (23% of 97) reported that in the last 3 months they had unprotected sex “most of the time.” No women reported having used emergency contraception after unprotected sex. A desire to “discuss birth control with a health care provider at the lupus center” was reported by 22 (10% of 212) respondents and 16 (17% of 94) women ≤35 years old.

Conclusion

Many women cared for by our lupus center are at risk of unintended pregnancy and are interested in discussing birth control with a health care provider.
Defining appropriate outcome measures in pulmonary arterial hypertension related to systemic sclerosis: A Delphi consensus study with cluster analysis
Authors: Distler Oliver , Behrens Frank , Pittrow David , Huscher Doerte , Denton Christopher P. , Foeldvari Ivan , Humbert Marc , Matucci‐Cerinic Marco , Nash Peter , Opitz Christian F. , Rubin Lewis J. , Seibold James R. , Furst Daniel E.
Published: May 2008

Objective

Outcome measures for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis (PAH‐SSc) are only partially validated. The aim of the present study was to establish an expert consensus regarding which outcome measures are most appropriate for clinical trials in PAH‐SSc.

Methods

Sixty‐nine PAH‐SSc experts (rheumatologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists) rated a list of disease domains and measurement tools in an Internet‐based 3‐stage Delphi consensus study. In stages 2 and 3, the medians of domains and measurement tools and frequency distributions of ratings, along with requests for re‐ratings, were distributed to respondents to provide feedback. A final score of items was identified by means of cluster analysis.

Results

The experts judged the following domains and tools as most appropriate for randomized controlled trials in PAH‐SSc: lung vascular/pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac function both measured by right heart catheterization and echocardiography, exercise testing measured by 6‐minute walking test and oxygen saturation at exercise, severity of dyspnea measured on a visual analog scale, discontinuation of treatment measured by (serious) adverse events, quality of life/activities of daily living measured by the Short Form 36 and Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index, and global state assessed by physician measured by survival.

Conclusion

Among experts in PAH‐SSc, a core set of outcome measures has been defined for clinical trials by Delphi consensus methods. Although these outcome measures are recommended by this expert group to be used as an interim tool, it will be necessary to formally validate the present measures, as well as potential research measures, in further studies.
Web site visibility evaluation
Authors: Espadas Javier , Calero Coral , Piattini Mario
Published: May 2008

In recent years, the Internet has experienced a boom as an information source. The use of search engines is the most common way of finding this information. This means that less visible contents (for search engines) are increasingly difficult or even almost impossible to find. Thus, Web users are forced to accept alternative services or contents only because they are visible and offered to users by search engines. If a company's Web site is not visible, that company is losing clients. Therefore, it is fundamental to assure that one's Web site will be indexed and, consequently, visible to as many Web users as possible. To quantitatively evaluate the visibility of a Web site, this article introduces a method that Web administrators may use. The method consists of four activities and several tasks. Most of the tasks are accompanied by a set of defined measures that can help the Web administrator determine where the Web design is failing (from the positioning point of view). Some tools that can be used for the determination of the measure values also are referenced in the description of the method. The method is furthermore accompanied by examples to help in understanding how to apply it.
The Influence of a gradient static magnetic field on an unstirred Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction
Authors: Okano Hideyuki , Kitahata Hiroyuki , Akai Daisuke , Tomita Naohide
Published: May 2008

It is believed that static magnetic fields (SMF) cannot affect the pattern formation of the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which has been frequently studied as a simplified experimental model of a nonequilibrium open system, because SMF produces no induced current and the magnetic force of SMF far below 1 T is too low to expect the effects on electrons in the BZ reaction. In the present study, we examined whether the velocity of chemical waves in the unstirred BZ reaction can be affected by a moderate‐intensity SMF exposure depending on the spatial magnetic gradient. The SMF was generated by a parallel pair of attracting rectangular NdFeB magnets positioned opposite each other. The respective maximum values of magnetic flux density (Bmax), magnetic flux gradient (Gmax), and the magnetic force product of the magnetic flux density its gradient (a magnetic force parameter) were 206 mT, 37 mT/mm, and 3,000 mT2/mm. The ferroin‐catalyzed BZ medium was exposed to the SMF for up to 16 min at 25 °C. The experiments demonstrated that the wave velocity was significantly accelerated primarily by the magnetic gradient. The propagation of the fastest wave front indicated a sigmoid increase along the peak magnetic gradient line, but not along the peak magnetic force product line. The underlying mechanisms of the SMF effects on the anomalous wave propagation could be attributed primarily to the increased concentration gradient of the paramagnetic iron ion complexes at the chemical wave fronts induced by the magnetic gradient. Bioelectromagnetics 29:598–604, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reductive Degradation of nido‐1‐CB8H12 into Smaller‐Cage Carborane Systems via New Monocarbaboranes [arachno‐5‐CB8H13]− and closo‐2‐CB6H8
Authors: Bakardjiev Mario , Holub Josef , Hnyk Drahomír , Štíbr Bohumil
Published: May 2008

Treatment of the nido‐1‐CB8H12 (1) carborane with NaBH4 in THF at ambient temperature led to the isolation of the stable [arachno‐5‐CB8H13]− (2−), which was isolated as Na+[5‐CB8H13]−⋅1.5 THF and PPh4+[5‐CB8H13]− in almost quantitative yield. Compound 2− underwent a boron‐degradation reaction with concentrated hydrochloric acid to afford the arachno‐4‐CB7H13 (3) carborane in 70 % yield, whereas reaction between 2− and excess phenyl acetylene in refluxing THF gave the [closo‐2‐CB6H7]− (4−) in 66 % yield. Protonation of the Cs+4− salt with concentrated H2SO4 or CF3COOH in CH2Cl2 afforded a new, highly volatile 2‐CB6H8 (4) carborane in 95 % yield, the deprotonation of which with Et3N in CH2Cl2 leads quantitatively to Et3NH+[2‐CB6H7]− (Et3NH+4−). Both compounds 4− and 4 can be deboronated through treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid in CH2Cl2 to yield the carbahexaborane nido‐2‐CB5H9 (5) in 60 % yield. New compounds 2−, 3, and 4 were structurally characterised by the ab initio/GIAO/MP2/NMR method. The method gave superior results to those carried out using GIAO‐HF when relating the calculated 11B NMR chemical shifts to experimental data.
Aluminum Complexes Containing Cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl Linked Bis(ketiminato) Ligands and Proton‐Promoted Demethylation
Authors: Huang Chun‐Hsueh , Hsueh Li‐Feng , Kuo Pei‐Cheng , Lee Hon Man , Uno Chia‐Liang , Huang Jui‐Hsien , Tu Cheng‐Yi , Hu Ching‐Han , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Hung Cheng‐Hsiung
Published: May 2008

A series of cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl linked bis(ketiminato)aluminum complexes were synthesized. Reaction of a mixture of cis‐ and trans‐diaminocyclohexane and 2,4‐pentanedione gave a mixture of cis‐ and trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl linked bis(ketimine) ligands (cis‐1 and trans‐1), which can be separated by fractional recrystallization. Reactions of trans‐1 with 1 and 2 equiv. AlMe3 gave monoaluminum complex trans‐C6H10[(NCMeCHCMeO)AlMe2](NHCMeCHCMeO) (2) and dialuminum complex trans‐C6H10[(NCMeCHCMeO)AlMe2]2 (3), respectively. Contrarily, when 1 equiv. or excess cis‐1 reacted with AlMe3, only five‐coordinate, linked bis(ketiminato)aluminum complex cis‐C6H10[(NCMeCHCMeO)2AlMe] (4) could be isolated in moderate yield. Heating complex 2 at reflux in a toluene solution resulted in the elimination of 1 equiv. methane to generate a five‐coordinate, linked bis(ketiminato)aluminum complex, trans‐C6H10[(NCMeCHCMeO)2AlMe] (5). Complex 2 reacts with allyl alcohol and 2,6‐dimethylphenol to form dimeric aluminum complexes [trans‐C6H10(NCMeCHCMeO)2Al]2(μ‐O–CH2CH=CH2)2 (6) and trans‐C6H10(NCMeCHCMeO)2Al(O–C6H3–2,6‐Me2) (7), respectively. All the complexes have been characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffractometry. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Synthesis of undecanoic acid phenylamides as corrosion inhibitors
Authors: Yıldırım Ayhan , Çetin Mehmet
Published: May 2008

Non‐substituted or mono‐substituted 11‐cyano or 11‐thiocyanato undecanoic acid phenylamide derivatives were synthesized and characterized with their FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectra. Thereafter, their corrosion prevention efficiencies were investigated. All compounds were tested with steel coupons in acidic medium by a gravimetric method. Acidic tests were done with a medium concentration of 2 M HCl for 5 h at variable temperatures and inhibitor concentrations. The corrosion prevention efficiencies of the inhibitors were compared according to their chemical structures and the corrosion inhibition mechanism was also discussed. The synthesized compounds showed promising corrosion inhibition efficiencies under the outlined test conditions. Best inhibitions were obtained at 27°C and 100 ppm concentration of corrosion inhibitors.