bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
False Dawn for CSR? Shifts in regulatory policy and the response of the corporate and financial sectors in Britain
Authors: Deakin Simon , Hobbs Richard
Published: January 2007

We present a model of CSR as a set of mechanisms for aligning corporate behaviour with the interests of society in reducing externalities and promoting a sustainable corporate sector. These mechanisms include voluntary action by companies to go above minimum legal standards, with the aim of enhancing competitiveness (“action beyond compliance”); interventions by regulators designed to promote self‐regulation by industry (“reflexive law”); and steps taken by shareholders to put pressure on companies to make effective use of corporate assets (“shareholder engagement”). We then assess the degree to which the model is realised in current British practice. Focusing on the issue of working conditions, we find managerial resistance to the linking of CSR with internal employee relations, and obstacles to shareholder engagement on this issue.
Trends in the Intergenerational Elasticity of Family Income in the United States
Authors: HERTZ TOM
Published: January 2007

This paper asks whether the degree to which our incomes resemble our parents’ incomes has changed over time. After comparing various methods of correcting for differences in the ages at which successive birth cohorts are observed, and correcting for sample attrition, I find no evidence of a linear trend in the intergenerational elasticity of family income for those born into the Panel Study of Income Dynamics between 1952 and 1975 and observed as adults between 1977 and 2000.
Eating fast food: attitudes of high‐school students
Authors: Mattsson Jan , Helmersson Helge
Published: January 2007

Alarmingly consistent recent research shows that industrially produced foods such as fast food contain compounds that add to obesity and high cholesterol among young people. Less physical activity and a higher propensity to eat ready‐made food (in Sweden and internationally) have aggravated the health situation for the young generation. They also have become ‘addicted’ to sugar by the consumption of lemonade and other sweet drinks that are often served in conjunction with fast food. Food consumption patterns are highly cultural, and, once formed in early years, they become difficult to change. The findings of this study, which was based on a small sample of written accounts and transcribed interviews, indicate that high‐school students in Sweden are well aware of the good and bad attributes of fast food, such as: speed, convenience, fat and sugar. Clear differences in attitude were found between male and female students: female students view fast food in a broad food chain context, whereas male students concentrate on fast eating and satiety.
Critical role of sodium in cytosolic [Ca2+] elevations in cultured hippocampal CA1 neurons during anoxic depolarization
Authors: Kiedrowski Lech
Published: January 2007

Although the extent of ischemic brain damage is directly proportional to the duration of anoxic depolarization (AD), the mechanism of cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]c) elevation during AD is poorly understood. To address the mechanism in this study, [Ca2+]c was monitored in cultured rat hippocampal CA1 neurons loaded with a Ca‐sensitive dye, fura‐2FF, and exposed to an AD‐simulating medium containing (in mmol/L): K+ 65, Na+ 50, Ca2+ 0.13, glutamate 0.1, and pH reduced to 6.6. Application of this medium promptly elevated [Ca2+]c to about 30 µmol/L, but only if oxygen was removed, the respiratory chain was inhibited, or if the mitochondria were uncoupled. These high [Ca2+]c elevations depended on external Ca2+ and could not be prevented by inhibiting NMDA or α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)/kainate receptors, or gadolinium‐sensitive channels. However, they could be prevented by removing external Na+ or simultaneously inhibiting NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors; 2‐[2‐[4‐(4‐nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea methanesulfonate (KB‐R7943), an inhibitor of plasmalemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, partly suppressed them. The data indicate that the [Ca2+]c elevations to 30 µmol/L during AD result from Na+ influx. Activation of either NMDA or AMPA/kainate channels provides adequate Na+ influx to induce these [Ca2+]c elevations, which are mediated by KB‐R7943‐sensitive and KB‐R7943‐resistant mechanisms.
On the Selection of Distributions for Stochastic Variables
Authors: Seiler Fritz A. , Alvarez Joseph L.
Published: January 2007

One of the main steps in an uncertainty analysis is the selection of appropriate probability distribution functions for all stochastic variables. In this paper, criteria for such selections are reviewed, the most important among them being any a priori knowledge about the nature of a stochastic variable, and the Central Limit Theorem of probability theory applied to sums and products of stochastic variables. In applications of these criteria, it is shown that many of the popular selections, such as the uniform distribution for a poorly known variable, require far more knowledge than is actually available. However, the knowledge available is usually sufficient to make use of other, more appropriate distributions. Next, functions of stochastic variables and the selection of probability distributions for their arguments as well as the use of different methods of error propagation through these functions are discussed. From these evaluations, priorities can be assigned to determine which of the stochastic variables in a function need the most care in selecting the type of distribution and its parameters. Finally, a method is proposed to assist in the assignment of an appropriate distribution which is commensurate with the total information on a particular stochastic variable, and is based on the scientific method. Two examples are given to elucidate the method for cases of little or almost no information.
A General Model for Exposure and Uptake from Consumer Products
Authors: van Veen Mark P.
Published: January 2007

To assess exposure to and uptake of chemical compounds from consumer products, a general model framework is proposed. The model framework separates exposure into the components contact, potential exposure, and potential uptake rate, and establishes the relation between the three. It adds a contact function and a spatial component to other exposure modeling concepts. Before the model framework can be used, its components need to be specified. A simple diffusional model is built as an example of specifying functions for exposure and uptake. A case study of 1,1,1 trichloroethane in some shoe impregnating product, partly based on the diffusional uptake model, illustrates the inclusion of the contact component. In the latter example, the exposure is calculated for the user and then, by only modifying the contact component, for a nonuser randomly walking in the house.
Test of Marginal Compatibility and Smoothing Methods for Exchangeable Binary Data with Unequal Cluster Sizes
Authors: Pang Zhen , Kuk Anthony Y. C.
Published: January 2007

Summary Exchangeable binary data are often collected in developmental toxicity and other studies, and a whole host of parametric distributions for fitting this kind of data have been proposed in the literature. While these distributions can be matched to have the same marginal probability and intra‐cluster correlation, they can be quite different in terms of shape and higher‐order quantities of interest such as the litter‐level risk of having at least one malformed fetus. A sensible alternative is to fit a saturated model (Bowman and George, 1995, Journal of the American Statistical Association90, 871–879) using the expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm proposed by Stefanescu and Turnbull (2003, Biometrics59, 18–24). The assumption of compatibility of marginal distributions is often made to link up the distributions for different cluster sizes so that estimation can be based on the combined data. Stefanescu and Turnbull proposed a modified trend test to test this assumption. Their test, however, fails to take into account the variability of an estimated null expectation and as a result leads to inaccurate p‐values. This drawback is rectified in this article. When the data are sparse, the probability function estimated using a saturated model can be very jagged and some kind of smoothing is needed. We extend the penalized likelihood method (Simonoff, 1983, Annals of Statistics11, 208–218) to the present case of unequal cluster sizes and implement the method using an EM‐type algorithm. In the presence of covariate, we propose a penalized kernel method that performs smoothing in both the covariate and response space. The proposed methods are illustrated using several data sets and the sampling and robustness properties of the resulting estimators are evaluated by simulations.
Spatial Cluster Detection for Censored Outcome Data
Authors: Cook Andrea J. , Gold Diane R. , Li Yi
Published: January 2007

Summary While numerous methods have been proposed to test for spatial cluster detection, in particular for discrete outcome data (e.g., disease incidence), few have been available for continuous data that are subject to censoring. This article provides an extension of the spatial scan statistic (Kulldorff, 1997, Communications in Statistics26, 1481–1496) for censored outcome data and further proposes a simple spatial cluster detection method by utilizing cumulative martingale residuals within the framework of the Cox's proportional hazards models. Simulations have indicated good performance of the proposed methods, with the practical applicability illustrated by an ongoing epidemiology study which investigates the relationship of environmental exposures to asthma, allergic rhinitis/hayfever, and eczema.
Molecular Phylogenetic Position of the Genera Stephanonympha and Caduceia (Parabasalia) Inferred from Nuclear Small Subunit rRNA Gene Sequences
Authors: NOËL CHRISTOPHE , NODA SATOKO , MANTINI CLEA , DOLAN MICHAEL F. , MORIYA SHIGEHARU , DELGADO‐VISCOGLIOSI PILAR , KUDO TOSHIAKI , CAPRON MONIQUE , PIERCE RAYMOND J. , OHKUMA MORIYA , VISCOGLIOSI ERIC
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT. Nuclear small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences were obtained by polymerase chain reaction from trichomonad symbionts of termites that belong to the Devescovinidae (Caduceia versatilis) and polymastigont Calonymphidae (Stephanonympha nelumbium). The unidentified SSU rRNA sequence Nk3, previously obtained from the termite Neotermes koshunensis, has also been shown to derive from a Stephanonympha sp. by in situ hybridization. These sequences were analysed in a broad phylogeny including nearly all identified parabasalid sequences available in the databases, and some as yet unidentified sequences likely deriving from the new order Cristamonadida (Devescovinidae, Calonymphidae, and hypermastigids Lophomonadida). A global phylogeny of parabasalids reveals a partial agreement between the clades identified in this work and the last classification of this phylum into four orders. However, this classification is still incongruent with our data and new taxonomic considerations are proposed. The analysis confirms the monophyly of the Cristamonadida and separates this order into two groups: the first unites nearly all the Devescovinidae including Caduceia and the Calonymphidae Coronympha and Metacoronympha, whereas the second group is composed of a few Devescovinidae, Lophomonadida, and Calonymphidae such as Stephanonympha. Caduceia is closely related to Devescovina, corroborating the marked morphological similarity between these two genera whereas Stephanonympha groups together with the Calonymphidae Snyderella and Calonympha. These data also confirm the polyphyly of the families Devescovinidae and Calonymphidae and support the arrangement of the axostyle–pelta complexes as a valuable character for taxonomic considerations within the Calonymphidae.
JUVENILE OFFENDERS MEET THEIR VICTIMS
Authors: Umbreit Mark S.
Published: January 2007

The process of allowing certain victims of crime to confront their juvenile offender in the presence of a trained mediator to both talkabout the event andnegotiate aplan for compensating the victim is developing in a growing number of communities throughout the United States. This article reports on the impact of the victim offender mediation program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is based on interviews with 206 victims and juvenile offenders in Albuquerque, as well as interviews with court officials andprogram stas This program represenisa strong court and community partnership. victims and offenders whoparticipated in mediation indicated high levels of satisfaction with both the processand outcomes of mediation. Wctims who were involved in mediation, particularly, were considerably more likely to indicate satisfaction with the manner in which the juvenile justice system handled their case than were those victims who were referred to mediation but did nut participate or similar victims who were never even referred to the mediation program. Offenders who negotiated their restitution obligation with the victim were far more likely to actually complete restitution, when compared to offenders whose restitution was ordered by the court with no mediation program involvement.
Do Food and Dose Timing Affect the Efficacy of Sildenafil? A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Zinner Norman
Published: January 2007

Introduction

Sildenafil citrate has been used worldwide by men with erectile dysfunction. The prescribing information for sildenafil suggests ingestion 1 hour before sexual activity and also notes reduced maximum plasma concentration and delayed time to maximum concentration following ingestion with a high-fat meal. The clinical impact of coingestion of food and these factors has never been evaluated.

Aim

To determine, using a naturalistic study design, whether sildenafil taken 1 hour before or during a meal compared with usual ingestion 30–60 minutes before sexual activity affects efficacy or patient satisfaction.

Methods

After a 1–2-week washout, 48 men (29–79 years old), currently satisfied with sildenafil, followed each of four regimens: (A) sildenafil 1 hour before a meal and placebo 30–60 minutes before planned coitus vs. (B) placebo 1 hour before a meal and sildenafil 30–60 minutes before coitus; and (C) sildenafil during a meal and placebo 30–60 minutes before coitus vs. (D) placebo during a meal and sildenafil 30–60 minutes before coitus. Subjects were not instructed to change their regular dietary habits during the course of the study.

Main Outcome Measures

Change from baseline in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Erectile Function (EF) domain score, responses to Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) questions 2 (erection sufficient for penetration) and 3 (erection sufficient to complete intercourse), and measures of patient preference and satisfaction.

Results

Mean changes in IIEF-EF domain scores were 11.4 for regimens A and B and 11.2 for C and D. Positive SEP2 responses were recorded for 93.9% and 91.8% of intercourse attempts in A and B and 91.4% and 92.6% in C and D. Corresponding results for SEP3 were 84.7% and 85.9%, and 83.4% and 87.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences between pairs of treatments on satisfaction. The time between sildenafil ingestion and intercourse attempt (0–0.5 to >10 hours) had no significant effect on responses to SEP2, but decreased responses to SEP3 from a maximum of 92.8% at 1.5–2 hours to 81.6% at more than 10 hours (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

No significant loss of efficacy occurs when sildenafil is taken shortly before or with a meal. The duration of action for sildenafil may exceed 10 hours.
Lobatto Point Quadrature for Thermal Lubrication Problems Involving Compressible Lubricants. EHL Applications
Authors: Moraru L. , Keith T. G.
Published: January 2007

Refined solutions of thermal lubrication problems generally require fine mesh and many iteration steps. To resolve these difficulties, Elrod and Brewe proposed an efficient algorithm based on the use of a Lobatto point version of the Gauss quadrature, which is typically twice as fast as the other quadrature methods. The original Lobatto algorithm was only applied for incompressible hydrodynamic lubrication. This paper presents a Lobatto point quadrature algorithm which is applicable for thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) problems where both density and viscosity of the lubricant are taken to be temperature and pressure dependent and the transverse velocity term in the energy equation is obtained from the continuity equation. Within this approach, the unknown temperature across the film is written in a series of Legendre polynomials. Regardless of the order of the series expansions, the thermal Reynolds equation can explicitly contain only the information from the first three Legendre polynomials, i.e., data from up to a second-order polynomial. Use of the Lobatto point calculation method has resulted in accuracy without the use of a larger number of grid points.
Multiple‐estimate Monte Carlo calculation of the dose rate constant for a cesium‐131 interstitial brachytherapy seed
Authors: Wittman Richard S. , Fisher Darrell R.
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study was to calculate a more accurate dose rate constant for the (model CS‐1, IsoRay Medical, Inc., Richland, WA) interstitial brachytherapy seed. Previous measurements of the dose rate constant for this seed have been reported by others with incongruity. Recent direct measurements by thermoluminescence dosimetry and by gamma‐ray spectroscopy were about 15% greater than earlier thermoluminescence dosimetry measurements. Therefore, we set about to calculate independent values by a Monte Carlo approach that combined three estimates as a consistency check, and to quantify the computational uncertainty. The calculated dose rate constant for the seed was for an ionization chamber model and for a circular ring model. A formal value of 2.2% uncertainty was calculated for both values. The range of our multiestimate values were from 1.032 to . We also modeled three seeds with known dose rate constants to test the accuracy of this study's approach.
Organ and effective doses in newborns and infants undergoing voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG): A comparison of stylized and tomographic phantoms
Authors: Pazik Frank D. , Staton Robert J. , Williams Jonathon L. , Arreola Manuel M. , Hintenlang David E. , Bolch Wesley E.
Published: January 2007

The time‐sequence videotape‐analysis methodology, developed [Sulieman et al., Radiology 178, 653–658 (1991)] for use in tissue dose estimations in adult fluoroscopy examinations and utilized [Bolch et al., Med. Phys. 30, 667–680 (2003)] for analog fluoroscopy in newborn patients, has been extended to the study of digital fluoroscopic examinations of the urinary bladder in newborn and infant female patients. Individual frames of the fluoroscopic and radiographic video were analyzed with respect to unique combinations of field size, field center, projection, tube potential, and tube current (mA), and integral tube current (mAs), respectively. The dosimetry study was conducted on five female patients of ages ranging from four‐days to 66 days. For each patient, three different phantoms were utilized: a stylized computational phantom of the reference newborn , a tomographic computational phantom of the reference newborn , and (3) a tomographic computational phantom uniformly rescaled to match patient total‐body mass. The latter phantom set circumvented the need for mass‐dependent rescaling of recorded technique factors (kVp, mA, mAs, etc.), and thus represented the highest degree of patient specificity in the individual organ dose assessment. Effective dose values for the voiding cystourethrogram examination ranged from 0.6 to , with a mean and standard deviation of . The ovary and colon equivalent doses contributed in total of the effective dose in these fluoroscopy studies. Percent differences in the effective dose assessed using the two tomographic phantoms (one fixed at with rescaled technique factors rescaled and one physically rescaled to individual patient masses with no adjustment of recorded technique factors) ranged for to . Percent differences in effective dose found using the stylized phantom and the tomographic phantom, both with patient‐specific rescaling of technique factors, ranged from to . These differences are due in part to a reduced ovary dose in the tomographic phantom for right posterior oblique (RPO) views when compared to those seen in the stylized phantom.
Method to rotate an endovascular device around the axis of a vessel using an external magnetic field
Authors: Florin E. , Rangwala H. S. , Rudin S.
Published: January 2007

A magnetic guidance methodology to rotate a device around the catheter axis is proposed. The specific medical application is to intracranial aneurysms. An endovascular device, the asymmetric stent, has a low porosity region that is rotated to cover the aneurysm neck so as to reduce the blood flow into and hence obliterate the aneurysm. The magnetic guidance system consists of a magnetic device attached to the asymmetric stent and an external homogeneous magnetic field of . This magnetic field puts a torque on the magnetic moment of the magnetic device, thereby rotating the stent for proper orientation. For the magnetic device with the required magnetic moment of , a cylindrical neodymium permanent magnet is proposed due to its favorable material characteristics while a coil electromagnet with iron core appears impractical due to demagnetizing effects.
Test for Detection of Disease-Associated Prion Aggregate in the Blood of Infected but Asymptomatic Animals
Authors: Chang Binggong , Cheng Xin , Yin Shaoman , Pan Tao , Zhang Hongtao , Wong Poki , Kang Shin-Chung , Xiao Fan , Yan Huimin , Li Chaoyang , Wolfe Lisa L. , Miller Michael W. , Wisniewski Thomas , Greene Mark I. , Sy Man-Sun
Published: January 2007

We have developed a sensitive in vitro assay for detecting disease-associated prion aggregates by combining an aggregation-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AS-ELISA) with the fluorescent amplification catalyzed by T7 RNA polymerase technique (FACTT). The new assay, named aggregation-specific FACTT (AS-FACTT), is much more sensitive than AS-ELISA and could detect prion aggregates in the brain of mice as early as 7 days after an intraperitoneal inoculation of PrP
Sc
. However, AS-FACTT was still unable to detect prion aggregates in blood of infected mice. To further improve the detection limit of AS-FACTT, we added an additional prion amplification step (Am) and developed a third-generation assay, termed Am-A-FACTT. Am-A-FACTT has 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting disease-associated prion aggregates in blood of infected mice at late but still asymptomatic stages of disease. At a very early stage, Am-A-FACTT had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 100%. Most importantly, Am-A-FACTT also detects prion aggregates in blood of mule deer infected with the agent causing a naturally occurring prion disease, chronic wasting disease. Application of this assay to cattle, sheep, and humans could safeguard food supplies and prevent human contagion.
Use of the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer for Rapid and Reproducible Molecular Typing of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Hathaway Lucy J. , Brugger Silvio , Martynova Alina , Aebi Suzanne , Mühlemann Kathrin
Published: January 2007

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis is an economic and fast technique for molecular typing but has the drawback of difficulties in accurately sizing DNA fragments and comparing banding patterns on agarose gels. We aimed to improve RFLP for typing of the important human pathogen
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and to compare the results with the commonly used typing techniques of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing. We designed primers to amplify a noncoding region adjacent to the pneumolysin gene. The PCR product was digested separately with six restriction endonucleases, and the DNA fragments were analyzed using an Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer for accurate sizing. The combined RFLP results for all enzymes allowed us to assign each of the 47 clinical isolates of
S. pneumoniae
tested to one of 33 RFLP types. RFLP analyzed using the bioanalyzer allowed discrimination between strains similar to that obtained by the more commonly used techniques of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, which discriminated between 34 types, and multilocus sequence typing, which discriminated between 35 types, but more quickly and with less expense. RFLP of a noncoding region using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer could be a useful addition to the molecular typing techniques in current use for
S. pneumoniae
, especially as a first screen of a local population.
Theory of Lethal Mutagenesis for Viruses
Authors: Bull J. J. , Sanjuán R. , Wilke C. O.
Published: January 2007

Mutation is the basis of adaptation. Yet, most mutations are detrimental, and elevating mutation rates will impair a population's fitness in the short term. The latter realization has led to the concept of lethal mutagenesis for curing viral infections, and work with drugs such as ribavirin has supported this perspective. As yet, there is no formal theory of lethal mutagenesis, although reference is commonly made to Eigen's error catastrophe theory. Here, we propose a theory of lethal mutagenesis. With an obvious parallel to the epidemiological threshold for eradication of a disease, a sufficient condition for lethal mutagenesis is that each viral genotype produces, on average, less than one progeny virus that goes on to infect a new cell. The extinction threshold involves an evolutionary component based on the mutation rate, but it also includes an ecological component, so the threshold cannot be calculated from the mutation rate alone. The genetic evolution of a large population undergoing mutagenesis is independent of whether the population is declining or stable, so there is no runaway accumulation of mutations or genetic signature for lethal mutagenesis that distinguishes it from a level of mutagenesis under which the population is maintained. To detect lethal mutagenesis, accurate measurements of the genome-wide mutation rate and the number of progeny per infected cell that go on to infect new cells are needed. We discuss three methods for estimating the former. Estimating the latter is more challenging, but broad limits to this estimate may be feasible.
High-Frequency Epigenetic Repression and Silencing of Retroviruses Can Be Antagonized by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Transcriptional Activators, but Uniform Reactivation in Cell Clones Is Restricted by Additional Mechanisms
Authors: Katz Richard A. , Jack-Scott Emily , Narezkina Anna , Palagin Ivan , Boimel Pamela , Kulkosky Joseph , Nicolas Emmanuelle , Greger James G. , Skalka Anna Marie
Published: January 2007

Integrated retroviral DNA is subject to epigenetic gene silencing, but the viral and host cell properties that influence initiation, maintenance, and reactivation are not fully understood. Here we describe rapid and high-frequency epigenetic repression and silencing of integrated avian sarcoma virus (ASV)-based vector DNAs in human HeLa cells. Initial studies utilized a vector carrying the strong human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) immediate-early (IE) promoter to drive expression of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene, and cells were sorted into two populations based on GFP expression [GFP(+) and GFP(−)]. Two potent epigenetic effects were observed: (i) a very broad distribution of GFP intensities among cells in the GFP(+) population as well as individual GFP(+) clones and (ii) high-frequency GFP reporter gene silencing in GFP(−) cells. We previously showed that histone deacetylases (HDACs) can associate with ASV DNA soon after infection and may act to repress viral transcription at the level of chromatin. Consistent with this finding, we report here that treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) induces GFP activation in GFP(−) cells and can also increase GFP expression in GFP(+) cells. In the case of the GFP(−) populations, we found that after removal of TSA, GFP silencing was reestablished in a subset of cells. We used that finding to enrich for stable GFP(−) cell populations in which viral GFP reporter expression could be reactivated by TSA; furthermore, we found that the ability to isolate such populations was independent of the promoter driving the GFP gene. In such enriched cultures, hCMV IE-driven, but not the viral long terminal repeat-driven, silent GFP reporter expression could be reactivated by the transcriptional activator prostratin. Microscopy-based studies using synchronized cells revealed variegated reactivation in cell clones, indicating that secondary epigenetic effects can restrict reactivation from silencing. Furthermore we found that entry into S phase was not required for reactivation. We conclude that HDACs can act rapidly to initiate and maintain promoter-independent retroviral epigenetic repression and silencing but that reactivation can be restricted by additional mechanisms.
Transforming Growth Factor β Enhances Respiratory Syncytial Virus Replication and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Induction in Human Epithelial Cells
Authors: McCann Kelly L. , Imani Farhad
Published: January 2007

Asthma is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease associated with significant tissue remodeling. Patients with asthma are more susceptible to virus-induced exacerbation, which subsequently can lead to increased rates of hospitalization and mortality. While the most common cause of asthma-related deaths is respiratory viral infections, the underlying factors in the lung environment which render asthmatic subjects more susceptible to viral exacerbation are not yet identified. Since transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a critical cytokine for lung tissue remodeling and asthma phenotype, we have focused on the effects of TGF-β on viral replication and virus-induced inflammation. Treatment of human epithelial cells with TGF-β increased respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) replication by approximately fourfold. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mRNA and protein expression were also significantly increased above levels with RSV infection alone. The increase in RSV replication and TNF-α expression after TGF-β treatment was concomitant with an increase in virus-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Our data reveal a novel effect for TGF-β on RSV replication and provide a potential mechanism for the exaggerated inflammatory response observed in asthmatic subjects during respiratory viral infections.
THE CONE OF CURVES OF FANO VARIETIES OF COINDEX FOUR
Authors: CHIERICI ELENA , OCCHETTA GIANLUCA
Published: January 2007

We classify the cones of curves of Fano varieties of dimension greater or equal than five and (pseudo)index dim X - 3, describing the number and type of their extremal rays.
Decision Support Systems Using Ensemble Genetic Programming
Authors: Abraham Ajith , Grosan Crina
Published: January 2007

This paper proposes a decision support system for tactical air combat environment using a combination of unsupervised learning for clustering the data and an ensemble of three well-known genetic programming techniques to classify the different decision regions accurately. The genetic programming techniques used are: Linear Genetic programming (LGP), Multi-Expression Programming (MEP) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP). The clustered data are used as the inputs to the genetic programming algorithms. Some simulation results demonstrating the difference of these techniques are also performed. Test results reveal that the proposed ensemble method performed better than the individual GP approaches and that the method is efficient.
A Simple Model for Pollution Dispersion in a Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Stull Roland , Ainslie Bruce
Published: January 2007

A simplified model for dispersion in a convective boundary layer is presented and is used to diagnose crosswind-integrated concentrations, ground-level concentrations, and vertical plume spread over flat terrain for various release heights. The model parameterizes the long-wavelength oscillation of the time-averaged plume centerline versus downwind distance under unstable conditions, using a simple sine wave. This wave is phase shifted to account for the influence of source height and is damped toward the mid–mixed layer to account for the well-mixed end state of convective dispersion. This model represents an improvement over a previous model in two ways. First, vertical dispersion about the oscillating time-averaged centerline is parameterized using a lognormal distribution instead of a Gaussian distribution so as to give better ground-level concentration. Second, to account for the addition of surface-layer shear-generated turbulence to a convective boundary layer, the wavelength of the time-averaged oscillation is stretched as a function of the ratio of friction velocity to the Deardorff convective velocity scale. Results are tested against published laboratory, large-eddy simulation, and field data and are compared with the dispersion scheme used in the AERMOD regulatory dispersion model. In general, the simplified convective dispersion model provides close agreement with the observations and simulations. The utility of a buoyancy velocity to serve as a convection scale is also demonstrated.
On Challenges in Structural Analysis of Rubber Components: Frictional Contact
Authors: Gurvich Mark R.
Published: January 2007

Structural analysis of rubber components is often complicated by significant geometrical non-linearity of deformation, incompressibility, complex constitutive models, and the contact nature of boundary/loading conditions. The last challenge is especially important due to the uniquely high friction of rubber. The article provides an advanced approach to mitigate contact challenges for very large coefficients of friction (COF) in rubber. It is shown that the nature of this challenge fundamentally differs from other rubber-related structural issues (incompressibility, large deformations, etc.). A mathematical description of the challenge is considered in detail in this article. An efficient method is proposed for problems with high COF. The method provides solutions for problems where the desired convergence cannot be achieved using traditional techniques. The proposed approach also offers a simple and convenient capability to check if obtained convergent results are really true solutions. Also, a simple benchmarking problem is proposed for validation of computational contact algorithms at very high friction in rubber.
Clusters of history: US involvement in the Palestine question
Authors: Pappe Ilan
Published: January 2007

US involvement in Palestine, which has been long and complex, has generated a massive historical record that needs to be understood in order to locate not only some of the origins of today’s tragic situation but also to chart possible paths to change. The power of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, on US Middle East policy is well known; its background and relationship to the US fundamentalist Christian Right, less so. Starting from the nineteenth century, this article traces key elements and interests involved in the making of US policy, including AIPAC, the oil industry and the ‘Arabists’ of the State Department.
Family and Community Influences on the Social and Sexual Lives of Latino Gay Men
Authors: Guarnero Peter A.
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of family and community on the social and sexual lives of a group of Latino gay men living in a metropolitan area. A secondary analysis of four focus groups with 28 Latino gay men was conducted. Families had a difficult time acknowledging and supporting participants’ homosexuality. Participants experienced racism, discrimination, and physical and verbal abuse as a result of their ethnicity and homosexuality. These negative effects contributed to their marginalization and made them vulnerable to depression and suicide. Health care professionals should be aware of the effect of family and culture on the social and sexual lives of Latino gay men so that they can intervene and direct the client to the services needed to manage depression, suicidal ideation, and high-risk sexual behavior.
The Many Meanings of Marriage: Divergent Perspectives Seeking Common Ground
Authors: Yarhouse Mark A. , Nowacki Stephanie Kaye
Published: January 2007

There are many stakeholders in the societal discussions about marriage. The first section of this article considers the meaning of marriage among the major world religions. Then the focus shifts to the meaning of marriage among those who experience same-sex attraction, particularly those who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB). These broad groups (religious and GLB) are hardly monolithic in their understanding of the meaning of marriage and their approach to same-sex unions. It may be helpful for all involved to understand what marriage symbolizes to various parties, and how the symbolic meaning of marriage may make meaningful dialogue difficult.
Bridging ‘The Great Divide’: Nonaka's Synthesis of ‘Western’ and ‘Eastern’ Knowledge Concepts Reassessed
Authors: Gueldenberg Stefan , Helting Holger
Published: January 2007

Knowledge management remains one of the most debated topics in current management literature. In particular, Nonaka's interpretation of Polanyi's distinction between explicit and tacit knowledge and his approach of framing the knowledge generation process in terms of an interaction between ‘Western’ (predominately explicit) and ‘Eastern’ (predominantly tacit) knowledge types have been repeatedly discussed and criticized. In this context, management research increasingly has to address questions pertaining to philosophical theories. The present article offers a critical investigation of Nonaka's philosophical assumptions and thus sheds light on the core issues pertaining to the nature of knowledge underlying the current controversial discourse on this subject. The strengths and weaknesses of Nonaka's quest to integrate ‘Western’ and ‘Eastern’ knowledge into the framework of his comprehensive knowledge creation theory will be outlined at the end of a thorough investigation of the salient epistemological notions cited by Nonaka as the basis for his knowledge creation theory.
Examining gender differences in the health behaviors of Canadian university students
Authors: Dawson Kimberley A , Schneider Margaret A , Fletcher Paula C , Bryden Pamela J
Published: January 2007

The relationship between lifestyle choices and health outcomes has been an area of interest for many health professionals. Gender differences in these choices have also been an area of scrutiny.

Aims: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine gender differences in the health and lifestyle behavioral choices of Canadian university students.

Methods: A total of 638 (472 female and 166 male) undergraduate students were evaluated.

Results: Males and females differed significantly in their responses to appraisals of general state of health, hours/day engaged in social activities, frequency of drinking alcohol, amount of alcohol consumed per session, total number of sexual partners, number of meals eaten per day, participation in physical activity, completion of annual check-ups with doctor, screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and hypertension screening. Generally, men engaged in more risky health behaviors than females (e.g. alcohol use).

Conclsion: Results are discussed in terms of cultural comparisons to previous research studies evaluating college health behaviors. Suggestions are made for health professionals to incorporate gender differences in behavioral change programmes geared towards improving awareness of the consequences of lifestyle choices.
Health Care-Based Interventions for Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence
Authors: Martin Sandra L. , Young Siobhan K. , Billings Deborah L. , Bross C. Christopher
Published: January 2007

Thirty publications that evaluated health care-based interventions for women who experienced sexual violence were reviewed. The findings highlight that clinicians often need training in the provision sexual assault care, and that not all emergency departments have sexual assault care protocols. Studies examining effectiveness found that Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner programs are very helpful, that health care-based sexual assault treatment settings attract more women than do forensic-based settings, that sexual assault survivors often prefer a combination of medication and counseling treatment, and that preexam administration of a video explaining the collection of forensic evidence may reduce women's stress during the procedure. Studies on postexposure HIV prophylaxis found that many women did not complete the treatment regimen, often because of side effects. Emergency contraception to prevent postrape pregnancy is not consistently offered to women. Only one study reported on abortion as part of the range of sexual assault services.
Vicarious Traumatization
Authors: Moulden Heather M. , Firestone Philip
Published: January 2007

This article reviews the descriptive and empirical literature examining vicarious traumatization in therapists treating sexual offenders. Vicarious traumatization in sexual offender therapists is described, including an examination of the relationships between vicarious traumatization and client, therapist, and setting and therapy characteristics. Special attention is given to those unique factors that contribute to the development of vicarious traumatization in this group, as well as consideration of why therapists treating offenders or victims may differ in their experience and development of vicarious traumatization. Evidence from the research reviewed suggests that sexual offender therapists do experience symptoms of vicarious traumatization. Factors most strongly associated with the development of vicarious traumatization in sexual offender therapists include professional experience, treatment setting, and coping strategies employed by the therapists. Implications and recommendations for professionals and policymakers are discussed.
Effective graft depletion of MiHAg T-cell specificities and consequences for graft-versus-host disease
Authors: de Witte Moniek A. , Toebes Mireille , Song Ji-Ying , Wolkers Monika C. , Schumacher Ton N. M.
Published: January 2007

Minor histocompatibility antigen (MiHAg) differences between donor and recipient in MHC-matched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) often result in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). While MiHAg-specific T-cell responses can in theory be directed against a large number of polymorphic differences between donor and recipient, in practice, T-cell responses against only a small set of MiHAgs appear to dominate the immune response, and it has been suggested that immunodominance may predict an important contribution to the development of GVHD. Here, we addressed the feasibility of graft engineering by ex vivo removal of T cells with 1 or more defined antigen specificities in a well-characterized experimental HSCT model (B6 → BALB.B). We demonstrate that immunodominant H60- and H4-specific CD8+ T-cell responses can be effectively suppressed through MHC class I tetramer–mediated purging of the naive CD8+ T cell repertoire. Importantly, the development of GVHD occurs unimpeded upon suppression of the immunodominant MiHAg-specific T-cell response. These data indicate that antigen-specific graft engineering is feasible, but that parameters other than immunodominance may be required to select T-cell specificities that are targeted for removal.
The alternative sigma factor SigB of Corynebacterium glutamicum modulates global gene expression during transition from exponential growth to stationary phase
Authors: Larisch Christof , Nakunst Diana , Hüser Andrea T , Tauch Andreas , Kalinowski Jörn
Published: January 2007

Background

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a gram-positive soil bacterium widely used for the industrial production of amino acids. There is great interest in the examination of the molecular mechanism of transcription control. One of these control mechanisms are sigma factors. C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 has seven putative sigma factor-encoding genes, including sigA and sigB. The sigA gene encodes the essential primary sigma factor of C. glutamicum and is responsible for promoter recognition of house-keeping genes. The sigB gene codes for the non-essential sigma factor SigB that has a proposed role in stress reponse.

Results

The sigB gene expression was highest at transition between exponential growth and stationary phase, when the amount of sigA mRNA was already decreasing. Genome-wide transcription profiles of the wild-type and the sigB mutant were recorded by comparative DNA microarray hybridizations. The data indicated that the mRNA levels of 111 genes are significantly changed in the sigB-proficient strain during the transition phase, whereas the expression profile of the sigB-deficient strain showed only minor changes (26 genes). The genes that are higher expressed during transition phase only in the sigB-proficient strain mainly belong to the functional categories amino acid metabolism, carbon metabolism, stress defense, membrane processes, and phosphorus metabolism. The transcription start points of six of these genes were determined and the deduced promoter sequences turned out to be indistinguishable from that of the consensus promoter recognized by SigA. Real-time reverse transcription PCR assays revealed that the expression profiles of these genes during growth were similar to that of the sigB gene itself. In the sigB mutant, however, the transcription profiles resembled that of the sigA gene encoding the house-keeping sigma factor.

Conclusion

During transition phase, the sigB gene showed an enhanced expression, while simultaneously the sigA mRNA decreased in abundance. This might cause a replacement of SigA by SigB at the RNA polymerase core enzyme and in turn results in increased expression of genes relevant for the transition and the stationary phase, either to cope with nutrient limitation or with the accompanying oxidative stress. The increased expression of genes encoding anti-oxidative or protection functions also prepares the cell for upcoming limitations and environmental stresses.