bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditing, Reasoning Systems, Reporting Frameworks, and Accounting Policy Risk: A Response to Alexander
Authors: SMIELIAUSKAS WALLY , CRAIG RUSSELL , AMERNIC JOEL
Published: November 2010

This response to Alexander (2010) clarifies the approach taken in Smieliauskas et al. (2008). Here we elaborate further on the significance of the accounting risk concept for fairness of presentation in financial reporting. In the process we show how Alexander's potentially important concept of accounting policy risk can be made operational via the concept of accounting risk.
Senescence rates in patients with end‐stage renal disease: a critical appraisal of the Gompertz model
Authors: Koopman J. J. E. , Rozing M. P. , Kramer A. , de Jager D. J. , Ansell D. , De Meester J. M. J. , Prütz K. G. , Finne P. , Heaf J. G. , Palsson R. , Kramar R. , Jager K. J. , Dekker F. W. , Westendorp R. G. J.
Published: November 2010

The most frequently used model to describe the exponential increase in mortality rate over age is the Gompertz equation. Logarithmically transformed, the equation conforms to a straight line, of which the slope has been interpreted as the rate of senescence. Earlier, we proposed the derivative function of the Gompertz equation as a superior descriptor of senescence rate. Here, we tested both measures of the rate of senescence in a population of patients with end‐stage renal disease. It is clinical dogma that patients on dialysis experience accelerated senescence, whereas those with a functional kidney transplant have mortality rates comparable to the general population. Therefore, we calculated the age‐specific mortality rates for European patients on dialysis (n = 274 221; follow‐up = 594 767 person‐years), for European patients with a functioning kidney transplant (n = 61 286; follow‐up = 345 024 person‐years), and for the general European population. We found higher mortality rates, but a smaller slope of logarithmic mortality curve for patients on dialysis compared with both patients with a functioning kidney transplant and the general population (P < 0.001). A classical interpretation of the Gompertz model would imply that the rate of senescence in patients on dialysis is lower than in patients with a functioning transplant and lower than in the general population. In contrast, the derivative function of the Gompertz equation yielded the highest senescence rates for patients on dialysis, whereas the rate was similar in patients with a functioning transplant and the general population. We conclude that the rate of senescence is better described by the derivative function of the Gompertz equation.
Age‐related trends in female stress urinary incontinence surgery in Australia – Medicare data for 1994–2009
Authors: LEE Joseph , DWYER Peter L.
Published: November 2010

Background:  Urinary incontinence has a high burden of suffering in Australia. There has been a significant shift towards less invasive surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) over the last 15 years. Elderly women are underrepresented in surgical treatment of SUI.

Aims:  To identify patterns in the surgical treatment of women with SUI in Australia from January 1994 to December 2009.

Methods:  Gender‐ and age‐specific data from Medicare Australia between January 1994 and December 2009 were extracted. Surgical procedures were identified using Medicare Benefit Schedules codes. Pattern of SUI surgery was analysed during the 15‐year period.

Results:  Using data from Medicare Australia, we reported trends in female SUI surgery across Australia from 1994 to 2009. The overall number of female SUI operations has increased, almost doubling over a 3‐year period following the introduction of the midurethral sling (MUS). The per capita rate increase in all SUI surgery is most prominent in women over the age of 55 years increasing 87%, compared with only 1% in younger women over the 15‐year period. MUS have overtaken Burch Colposuspension as the most popular operation for female SUI across all age groups, accounting for 85.5% of all procedures performed in 2009 with 14 MUS for every one colposuspension.

Conclusions:  Stress incontinence procedures performed in Australia have almost doubled with the introduction of the MUS with the greatest increase in women aged over 55 years. MUS has overtaken the Burch Colposuspension as the most popular operation for stress urinary incontinence for women in Australia.
Ross syndrome: Unilateral hyperhidrosis, Adie's tonic pupils and diffuse areflexia
Authors: Yaşar Şirin , Aslan Canan , Serdar Zehra Aşiran , Demirci Gülşen Tükenmez , Tutkavul Kemal , Babalik Dilek
Published: November 2010

Ross syndrome is a rare disorder first described in 1958 with partial autonomic dysfunction. It has three basic components including unilateral or bilateral segmental anhidrosis, Adie's tonic pupils and areflexia or hyporeflexia of deep tendon reflexes. The most disturbing symptom in the patients is segmental compensatory hyperhidrosis and often the hypohidrosis or anhidrosis is not even noticed. While the pathogenesis of Ross syndrome is unclear, degenerative changes or damage to the peripheral autonomic nerve system or dorsal root ganglia have been suggested as possible causes. About 50 cases have been reported, usually by neurologists and ophthalmologists, and less often by dermatologists. We present a 26‐year‐old patient who displayed the classic triad of this syndrome, emphasizing that the presenting complaint may be hyperhidrosis and that multidisciplinary evaluation in neurology and ophthalmology is essential.
La Fédération de Russie face aux défis du vieillissement et de la sécurité sociale dans un contexte de crise démographique
Authors: Eberstadt Nicholas , Groth Hans
Published: November 2010

Le présent article porte sur la crise démographique que traverse la Fédération de Russie et analyse ses conséquences sur la capacité des autorités russes (ou du peuple russe, à travers ses propres efforts) à créer suffisamment de ressources financières pour garantir une sécuritééconomique satisfaisante aux personnes âgées. Dans l’ensemble, la structure démographique de la Russie est similaire à celle d’autres sociétés de régions plus développées. Or, les obstacles auxquels le pays est et sera confronté dans les décennies à venir sont beaucoup plus difficiles à surmonter que ceux auxquels se heurtent la plupart des membres de l’OCDE pour pourvoir aux besoins d’une population qui vieillit. Le problème est notamment compliqué par le fait que les Russes en âge de travailler ont une santé beaucoup plus précaire et une mortalité nettement plus élevée que leurs homologues vivant dans des pays qui ont un niveau de revenu similaire — voire plus faible. Bien que l’analyse présentée ici porte sur les pensions, les raisons pour lesquelles il va être difficile de garantir des pensions adéquates vont entraîner des difficultés tout aussi importantes dans d’autres domaines de la protection sociale. Par conséquent, la réussite de la politique conduite par la Russie en matière de sécurité sociale ne dépend pas exclusivement de la mise en œuvre de programmes sociaux. Elle suppose aussi de réduire les taux de mortalité au sein de la population en âge de travailler, de redynamiser l’enseignement supérieur et de réformer en profondeur les institutions et les politiques économiques du pays.
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and progression of scleroderma interstitial lung disease
Authors: De Santis Maria , Bosello Silvia Laura , Peluso Giusy , Pinnelli Michela , Alivernini Stefano , Zizzo Gaetano , Bocci Mario , Capacci Annunziata , La Torre Giuseppe , Mannocci Alice , Pagliari Gabriella , Varone Francesco , Pistelli Roberto , Danza Francesco Maria , Ferraccioli Gianfranco
Published: November 2010

Introduction:  So far no clinical or experimental evidences clearly explain how and which systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients will experience a functional and radiological progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Objectives:  The aim of the study was to investigate whether any bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) characteristic, compared with clinical, functional and radiological parameters, is associated with the risk of progression of ILD and worse survival in SSc patients.

Methods:  Lung involvement was evaluated in 110 consecutively examined SSc patients with pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT); 73 patients with evidence of ILD on HRCT underwent BAL. The progression of ILD was evaluated with PFTs and HRCT after 1‐year follow‐up. A 36‐month survival analysis was assessed.

Results:  ILD patients with alveolitis had a higher risk to have restrictive lung disease and honeycombing, to experience a worsening in honeycombing score or to develop honeycombing. ILD progression was associated with the evidence of honeycombing on HRCT, with the presence of eosinophils, with an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio and with a higher CD19 percentage count in the BALF or with a positive BALF microbiological culture. The patients with ILD had a worse overall survival. The diffuse disease was the only independent risk factor of overall mortality, and the extent of honeycombing on HRCT was the only independent risk factor of lung disease‐related mortality.

Conclusion:  Our study suggests the importance of evaluating ILD with HRCT and BAL in order to characterize the risk factors of SSc lung involvement progression.

Please cite this paper as: De Santis M, Bosello SL, Peluso G, Pinnelli M, Alivernini S, Zizzo G, Bocci M, Capacci A, La Torre G, Mannocci A, Pagliari G, Varone F, Pistelli R, Danza FM and Ferraccioli G. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and progression of scleroderma interstitial lung disease. Clin Respir J 2012; 6; 9–17.
Transcriptome sequencing and high‐resolution melt analysis advance single nucleotide polymorphism discovery in duplicated salmonids
Authors: SEEB J. E. , PASCAL C. E. , GRAU E. D. , SEEB L. W. , TEMPLIN W. D. , HARKINS T. , ROBERTS S. B.
Published: November 2010

Until recently, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery in nonmodel organisms faced many challenges, often depending upon a targeted‐gene approach and Sanger sequencing of many individuals. The advent of next‐generation sequencing technologies has dramatically improved discovery, but validating and testing SNPs for use in population studies remain labour intensive. Here, we detail a SNP discovery and validation pipeline that incorporates 454 pyrosequencing, high‐resolution melt analysis (HRMA) and 5′ nuclease genotyping. We generated 4.59 × 108 bp of redundant sequence from transcriptomes of two individual chum salmon, a highly valued species across the Pacific Rim. Nearly 26 000 putative SNPs were identified—some as heterozygotes and some as homozygous for different nucleotides in the two individuals. For validation, we selected 202 templates containing single putative SNPs and conducted HRMA on 10 individuals from each of 19 populations from across the species range. Finally, 5′ nuclease genotyping validated 37 SNPs that conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations. Putative SNPs expressed as heterozygotes in an ascertainment individual had more than twice the validation rate of those homozygous for different alleles in the two fish, suggesting that many of the latter may have been paralogous sequence variants. Overall, this validation rate of 37/202 suggests that we have found more than 4500 templates containing SNPs for use in this population set. We anticipate using this pipeline to significantly expand the number of SNPs available for the studies of population structure and mixture analyses as well as for the studies of adaptive genetic variation in nonmodel organisms.
Making the transition from PK to DSEK: experiences during the learning curve
Authors: Ólafsdóttir Eydís
Published: November 2010

Purpose:  To report our experiences during the transition from penetrating keratoplasty to Descemet’s stripping with endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).

Methods:  All patients undergoing DSEK during the period of April 2008 to April 2009 were included in this study.

Results:  All grafts were attached and clear at both the 6‐ and 12 ‐month follow‐up examinations. Mean best‐corrected visual acuity was 0.6 at 6 months and 0.7 at 12 months for patients without other ocular comorbidity.

Conclusion:  With adequate attention to detail, DSEK seems to be a safe and successful treatment for corneal endothelial disease, also during the surgeon’s learning curve.
New York's One Judge‐One Family Response to Family Violence
Authors: Aldrich Liberty , Harris Kluger Judge Judy
Published: November 2010

This article reviews the history and implications of New York's one judge‐one family domestic violence courts. These courts were designed to reduce the burden on victims caused by overlapping and occasionally conflicting civil and criminal jurisdictions in domestic violence cases. The article details the obstacles and objections to this unified approach and spells out how those concerns have been addressed in New York. It describes a typical case example in order to show how the ideas work in practice. Finally, the piece argues that, based on what we know so far, a one judge‐one family approach can improve the justice system's ability to provide contextualized and individualized responses to address the complicated reality of many domestic violence cases.
Scorzonera tuzgoluensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae), a new halophytic species from central Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Doğan Bekir , Duran Ahmet , Makbul Serdar
Published: November 2010

A new halophytic species, Scorzonera tuzgoluensis A. Duran, B. Doğan & S. Makbul sp. nov. (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Tuz Lake, central Anatolia, Turkey. The new species grows in salt marshes, is endemic (confined to central Anatolia) and closely related to Scorzonera parviflora Jacq. and S. elata Boiss. The diagnostic morphological characters of these similar taxa are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographic distribution of the new species and related species is mapped.
Using fine‐scale GIS data to assess the relationship between intra‐annual environmental niche variability and population density in a local stream fish assemblage
Authors: Knouft Jason H. , Caruso Nicholas M. , Dupre Patrick J. , Anderson Karl R. , Trumbo Daryl R. , Puccinelli Jean
Published: November 2010

1. Geographic information systems (GIS) have recently proved useful for estimating the environmental niche of species across broad geographic regions. However, the application of these niche‐based GIS techniques has yet to be extensively applied to local systems. The assumptions of the methods are transferable across scales: species exist across a range of habitats, and these habitats represent a gradient of suitability that can be characterized using multivariate environmental data in association with known species occurrences.

2. Habitat availability and species’ niche characteristics are often considered to be important predictors of population density. However, seasonal habitat variability and stochastic events have been hypothesized to limit interactions among species and confound the relationship between available habitat, species niche characteristics and community structure. This research examines the relationship between environmental niche breadth and niche position and population density among species of stream fishes in a seasonally variable environment using a novel application of fine‐scale GIS data.

3. Niche breadth and niche position were estimated for 11 species in a local assemblage using five fine‐scale (0·5 m) GIS‐based environmental data sets collected during four different times of the year (July, October, January, April). We compared niche measures to variation in population density among species to determine whether environmental niche characteristics, in the context of available habitat, explain variation in numbers of individuals among species.

4. Variation in population density among species in the October sample was predicted by niche breadth measures (R2 = 0·752), while variation in population density among species in the January sample was predicted by a model incorporating measures of both niche breadth and niche position (R2 = 0·953). Measures of niche breadth and niche position were not correlated with variation in population density in the July and April samples.

5. Species presence and local abundance are often assumed to be predictable based on the availability of suitable habitat. However, little effort has been directed at understanding the influence of both niche breadth and niche position on local abundance. Our results suggest that the amount and distribution of available habitat can be a strong predictor of interspecific variation in population density, even in seasonally variable environments.
Acupuncture is no better than placebo for nicotine withdrawal
Authors: Ernst E
Published: November 2010

Hyun MK, Lee MS, Kang K, Choi SM.

Body acupuncture for nicotine withdrawal symptoms: a randomized placebo‐controlled trial.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2010; 7: 233–8.
Critical analysis of evidence for long‐term effectiveness of biofeedback intervention in hypertension
Authors: Dunlop R
Published: November 2010

Greenhalgh J, Dickson R, Dundar Y.

Biofeedback for hypertension: a systematic review.

J Hypertens 2010; 28: 644–52.
Is chiropractic useful for post‐traumatic stress disorder?
Authors: Ernst E , Dunn A
Published: November 2010

Dunn AS, Passmore SR, Burke J, Chicoine D.

A cross‐sectional analysis of clinical outcomes following chiropractic care in veterans with and without post‐traumatic stress disorder.

Mil Med 2009; 174: 578–83.
Tai chi is helpful for fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Ernst E
Published: November 2010

Wang C, Schmid CH, Rones R, Kalish R, Yinh J, Goldenberg DL, Lee Y, McAlindon T.

A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia.

N Engl J Med 2010; 363: 743–54.
A randomised trial of medical qigong for cancer patients
Authors: Gundling K
Published: November 2010

Oh B, Butow P, Mullan B, Clarke S, Beale P, Pavlakis N, Kothe E, Lam L, Rosenthal D.

Impact of medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Ann Oncol 2010; 21: 608–14.
Got a Question? “Ask A Biologist”
Authors: Kazilek Charles
Published: November 2010

An educational Web site adds new twists to learning by promoting direct conversations between scientists and the public.
Reprogramming Cellular Behavior with RNA Controllers Responsive to Endogenous Proteins
Authors: Culler Stephanie J. , Hoff Kevin G. , Smolke Christina D.
Published: November 2010

Cellular Devices

Cellular control mechanisms might offer opportunities to build genetic devices capable of sensing aberrant cells and activate a regulatory signal that directs the cell to alter its biological state.

Culler
et al.

(p.
1251
; see the Perspective by

Liu and Arkin

) present a proof of principle for a synthetic gene network in which cells were engineered to make an RNA-based device that detected molecules associated with disease states such as inflammation and cancer. Detection then triggered expression of a gene that made the cells more sensitive to a drug causing cell death.
The Case for RNA
Authors: Liu Chang C. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: November 2010

RNA shows promise for engineering synthetic systems for controlling gene expression.
Excavation Yields Tantalizing Hints of Earliest Marine Reptiles
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: November 2010

In September, paleontologists launched the first systematic excavation at Majiashan quarry, north of Chaohu City in central China's Anhui Province. The dig's first fruits—including an ancestor of the plesiosaurs—are already generating a buzz.
Oversight But No Strict Rules for Synthetic Biology
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: November 2010

A presidential bioethics commission concluded this week that the U.S. government should not clamp down too hard on research on synthetic biology, a young field that it says doesn't yet pose serious risks.
Collins Endorses Merger of U.S. Addiction Research Programs
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: November 2010

The National Institutes of Health will likely dissolve its two institutes that study drug and alcohol abuse and combine their programs, according to a statement last week from Director Francis Collins.
Latter-Day Livingstone Digs Along the Congo
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: November 2010

Archaeologically, the sediment beneath the lush central African jungle is unexplored territory. At the Preserving African Cultural Heritage meeting, an archaeologist presented results from the first archaeological survey of the center of the continent.
Mediastinal Tuberculosis in an Adult Patient with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Morand Philippe C. , Burgel Pierre-Régis , Carlotti Agnès , Desmazes-Dufeu Nadine , Farhi David , Martin Clémence , Kanaan Reem , Mangialavori Luigi , Palangié Estelle , Dusser Daniel , Poyart Claire , Hubert Dominique
Published: November 2010

Tuberculosis (TB) is rarely observed in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We report the first case of mediastinal TB, associated with leg pain and skin rash, in an adult patient with CF, and discuss factors suggestive of TB in the course of CF.
The I222V Neuraminidase Mutation Has a Compensatory Role in Replication of an Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza Virus A/H3N2 E119V Mutant
Authors: Simon Philippe , Holder Benjamin P. , Bouhy Xavier , Abed Yacine , Beauchemin Catherine A. A. , Boivin Guy
Published: November 2010

Oseltamivir-resistant A/H3N2 influenza isolates with or without the E119V and I222V neuraminidase (NA) mutations were recovered from an immunocompromised patient. Based on plaque size, yield assays, and NA activity, the impaired viral fitness of the E119V mutant was partially restored by the I222V NA mutation.
The Hypervariable HIV-1 Capsid Protein Residues Comprise HLA-Driven CD8
+
T-Cell Escape Mutations and Covarying HLA-Independent Polymorphisms
Authors: Crawford Hayley , Matthews Philippa C. , Schaefer Malinda , Carlson Jonathan M. , Leslie Alasdair , Kilembe William , Allen Susan , Ndung'u Thumbi , Heckerman David , Hunter Eric , Goulder Philip J. R.
Published: November 2010

One proposed HIV vaccine strategy is to induce Gag-specific CD8
+
T-cell responses that can corner the virus, through fitness cost of viral escape and unavailability of compensatory mutations. We show here that the most variable capsid residues principally comprise escape mutants driven by protective alleles HLA-B*57, -5801, and -8101 and covarying HLA-independent polymorphisms that arise in conjunction with these escape mutations. These covarying polymorphisms are potentially compensatory and are concentrated around three tropism-determining loops of p24, suggesting structural interdependencies. Our results demonstrate complex patterns of adaptation of HIV under immune selection pressure, the understanding of which should aid vaccine design.
Effect of renal denervation, furosemide, and acute saline loading on postobstructive diuresis in the rat
Authors: Wilson D. R. , Honrath U.
Published: November 2010

The effect of acute or chronic renal denervation, furosemide, or acute saline loading on the postobstructive diuresis (POD) which occurs after relief of 24-h bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) was studied in anaesthetized rats. Acute renal denervation during POD 1–2 h after relief of BUO had no effect on glomerular filtration rate or sodium, potassium, water, or solute excretion, in contrast with its natriuretic and diuretic effect in sham-operated rats. Intravenous furosemide or acute saline loading caused a further marked increase in sodium and water excretion during POD, demonstrating the ability of the kidney undergoing POD to respond to other types of natriuretic stimuli. Chronic renal denervation prior to BUO had no effect on subsequent POD.The lack of response of the BUO kidney undergoing POD to acute denervation contrasts with the changes in renal function following denervation of the unilateral postobstructive kidney. The results indicate that the kidney undergoing POD after relief of BUO may be functionally denervated and suggest that inhibition of renal nerve activity could contribute to the pathophysiology of POD.
The regularity and interrelation of respiratory and cardiac rhythms at rest and during exercise
Authors: Duffin J. , Graham K.
Published: November 2010

One of the hypotheses to account for the increase in the drive to ventilation in exercise mediated by the peripheral chemoreceptors is that there is an improved linkage between breathing rate and lung to carotid body circulation time, such that peaks of arterial carbon dioxide arrive during a subsequent inspiration thereby stimulating ventilation. This study was designed to examine the mechanisms which may underlie the improved linkage. Auto- and cross-correlations of breathing and heart rhythms in volunteers at rest and during exercise showed an increased regularity of the rhythms but no entrainment between the rhythms. Although the increased regularity of the cardiac rhythm should promote a decrease in the variability of the lung to carotid body circulation time, the lack of entrainment shows that if there is an improved linkage of breathing and lung to carotid body circulation time, it is not by a coupling of heart rhythm to breathing rhythm.
A NEW APPROACH TO JOHNSON NOISE THERMOMETRY BASED ON NOISE MEASUREMENTS ONLY
Authors: SCANDURRA G. , CIOFI C. , GAMBADORO A.
Published: November 2010

Johnson Noise Thermometry (JNT) can be regarded as a quite well established technique for the evaluation of the temperature. It relays on the accurate estimation of the voltage noise across a resistor, that acts as a sensor, and on the knowledge of the resistance of the sensor itself. In order to perform a temperature measurement, therefore, the resistance of the sensor has to be measured with a high accuracy multimeter and afterwards, the voltage noise across its ends has to be estimated in the assumption that the resistance does not change with time and is independent of frequency. In this paper we present a new approach for JNT that is based on a four channel cross correlation technique that allows, at least in principle, to estimate the temperature of a passive bipole from noise measurements only, as the power spectra of the current noise of the bipole and the real and imaginary part of its admittance can all be obtained from a proper elaboration of the acquired noise spectra. In particular, as the real part of the bipole admittance can be estimated as a function of the frequency, the limitation of resorting to purely resistive bipoles is also removed. Preliminary results demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach we propose are reported in this paper. The most important technical limitations that, at present, prevent the new approach to compete with the most advanced technique developed for the case of the conventional JNT are also discussed.
A Genetic Programming Approach to Reconfigure a Morphological Image Processing Architecture
Authors: Pedrino Emerson Carlos , Saito José Hiroki , Roda Valentin Obac
Published: November 2010

Mathematical morphology supplies powerful tools for low-level image analysis. Many applications in computer vision require dedicatedhardwarefor real-time execution. The design of morphological operators for a given application is not a trivial one. Genetic programming is a branch of evolutionary computing, and it is consolidating as a promising method for applications of digital image processing. The main objective of genetic programming is to discover how computers can learn to solve problems without being programmed for that. In this paper, the development of an original reconfigurable architecture using logical, arithmetic, and morphological instructions generated automatically by a genetic programming approach is presented. The developed architecture is based on FPGAs and has among the possible applications, automatic image filtering, pattern recognition and emulation of unknown filter. Binary, gray, and color image practical applications using the developed architecture are presented and the results are compared with similar techniques found in the literature.
Socioeconomic Status and Transient Ischaemic Attack/Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Kerr Gillian D. , Higgins Peter , Walters Matthew , Ghosh Sandip K. , Wright Fiona , Langhorne Peter , Stott David J.
Published: November 2010

Background: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with an increased risk of stroke but the mechanisms are unclear. We aimed to determine whether low-SES stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients have a greater burden of vascular risk factors/co-morbidity and reduced health care access. Methods: We prospectively studied 467 consecutive stroke and TIA patients from 3 Scottish hospitals (outpatients and inpatients) during 2007/2008. We recorded vascular risk factors, stroke severity, co-morbidity measures, investigations and health service utilisation. SES was derived from postcodes using Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics and analysed in quartiles. Results: TIA/stroke patients in the lowest SES quartile were younger (64 years, SD 14.1) than those in the highest quartile (72 years, SD 12.9; p < 0.0001). They were more likely to be current smokers (42 vs. 22%; p = 0.001) but there was no association with other vascular risk factors/co-morbidity. There was a trend for those with lower SES to have a more severe stroke [modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and interquartile range: 4 (2–6) vs. 3 (1–5); multivariate p = 0.05]. Lower SES groups were less likely to have neuro-imaging (82 vs. 90%; p = 0.036) or an electrocardiogram (72 vs. 87%; p = 0.003), but differences were no longer significant on multivariate analysis. However, there was equal access to stroke unit care. Conclusions: Low-SES TIA and stroke patients are younger and have a more severe deficit; an increased prevalence of smoking is likely to be a major contributor. We found equal access to stroke unit care for low-SES patients.
A Dynamic Notch Injury Response Activates Epicardium and Contributes to Fibrosis Repair
Authors: Russell Jamie L. , Goetsch Sean C. , Gaiano Nicholas R. , Hill Joseph A. , Olson Eric N. , Schneider Jay W.
Published: November 2010

Rationale:

Transgenic Notch reporter mice express enhanced green fluorescent protein in cells with C-promoter binding factor-1 response element transcriptional activity (CBF1-RE
x4
-EGFP), providing a unique and powerful tool for identifying and isolating “Notch-activated” progenitors.

Objective:

We asked whether, as in other tissues of this mouse, EGFP localized and functionally tagged adult cardiac tissue progenitors, and, if so, whether this cell-based signal could serve as a quantitative and qualitative biosensor of the injury repair response of the heart.

Methods and Results:

In addition to scattered endothelial and interstitial cells, Notch-activated (EGFP
+
) cells unexpectedly richly populated the adult epicardium. We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate EGFP
+
cells and excluded hematopoietic (CD45
+
) and endothelial (CD31
+
) subsets. We analyzed EGFP
+
/CD45
−
/CD31
−
cells, a small (<2%) but distinct subpopulation, by gene expression profiling and functional analyses. We called this mixed cell pool, which had dual multipotent stromal cell and epicardial lineage signatures, Notch-activated epicardial-derived cells (NECs). Myocardial infarction and thoracic aortic banding amplified the NEC pool, increasing fibroblast differentiation. Validating the functional vitality of clonal NEC lines, serum growth factors triggered epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the immobilized Notch ligand Delta-like 1–activated downstream target genes. Moreover, cardiomyocyte coculture and engraftment in NOD-SCID (nonobese diabetic–severe combined immunodeficiency) mouse myocardium increased cardiac gene expression in NECs.

Conclusions:

A dynamic Notch injury response activates adult epicardium, producing a multipotent cell population that contributes to fibrosis repair.
Rabbinic Philosophy of Language: Not in Heaven
Authors: Levy Gabriel
Published: November 2010

I argue that “sampling” is at the heart of rabbinical hermeneutics. I argue further that anomalous monism—and specifically its arguments about token identity, of which sampling is one species—provides some insight into understanding the nature of rabbinical hermeneutics and religion, where truth is contingent on social judgment but is nevertheless objective. These points are illustrated through a close reading of the story of the oven of Aknai in the Bavli’s Baba Metzia. I claim that rabbinic Judaism represents an early attempt to integrate written texts into communicative processes, and thus frame the essay by comparing it to more recent computational technologies.
Women’s Human, Ecclesial and Missionary Identity: What Insights Does the Pauline Correspondence Offer the Contemporary Woman?
Authors: Smith Susan
Published: November 2010

A careful exegesis of the seven letters that the majority of contemporary NT scholars hold that Paul wrote suggests that women had significant public ecclesial and missionary roles in the primitive Christian communities. However, the Deutero-Pauline letters point to a shift in the status of women who appear to have lost the public roles that they formerly held. Over the succeeding centuries, women were increasingly denied public ecclesial and missionary roles. In the Catholic tradition, the ecclesial and missionary vocation came to be understood as flowing from ordination rather than baptism, a development which relegated women to an ancillary role in the Church’s exercise of mission. Vatican II reaffirmed that it is through baptism all the faithful are called to mission. In other words, missionary identity flowed from baptism, not ordination with its gender specific character. This paper proposes to demonstrate the centrality of the Pauline letters for better understanding women’s ecclesial and missionary identities.
Mission and Theological Education ‐ Berlin, Athens, and Tranquebar: A North American Perspective
Authors: Nessan Craig L.
Published: November 2010

An intense discussion of the nature and purpose of theological education has insufficiently regarded the vital importance of the missionary perspective. This article reviews the contemporary debate about theological education with special reference to the contributions of Edward Farley and David Kelsey. The prevailing paradigms of “Berlin” and “Athens” need to be complemented through the perspective of “Tranquebar.” Through a critical appreciation of the work of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg (1682‐1719), the retrieval of a fresh and urgently needed missionary paradigm can be facilitated for the contemporary work of theological education. Ziegenbalg demonstrated attentiveness to local culture, collected and cataloged perspectives on South Indian deities, respected the dignity of the Tamil people, and embodied a vibrant theology of mission. The implications of his contribution are translated into an agenda for theological education today and are illustrated through the example of one particular theological school.
Inquiring into Empire: Princeton Seminary’s Society of Inquiry on Missions, the British Empire, and the Opium Trade, Ca. 1830‐1850
Authors: Bruner Jason
Published: November 2010

Princeton Seminary was intimately involved in the North American foreign missions movement in the nineteenth century. One remarkable dimension of this involvement came through the student-led Society of Inquiry on Missions, which sought to gather information about the global state of the Christian mission enterprise. This paper examines the Society’s correspondence with Protestant missionaries in China regarding their attitudes to the British Empire in the years 1830‐1850. It argues that the theological notion of providence informed Princetonians’ perceptions of the world, which consequently dissociated the Christian missionary task with any particular nation or empire. An examination of the Society of Inquiry’s correspondence during the mid-nineteenth century reveals much about Protestant missionaries and their interactions with the opium trade and the results of the First Opium War (1839‐1842). Princetonians’ responses to the opium trade and the First Opium War led ultimately to a significant critique of western commercial influence in East Asia. In conclusion, this paper questions the extent to which commerce, empire, and Christian missions were inherently associated in nineteenth century American Protestant missionary activity.
Baptism in the Zionist Churches of Africa:Traditional African Elements and Christian Sources in a Dialectic Complementarity?
Authors: Austnaberg Hans
Published: November 2010

African Initiatives in Christianity (AICs) are the fastest-growing expression of Christianity on the African continent today. In this article, A. F. Walls’ famous “indigenising” and “pilgrim” principles are applied to the practice of baptism in Zionist churches. Its research question asks if the indigenising principle has taken over completely to the loss of the pilgrim principle, or if the two stand in a complementary and dialectical relationship. After presenting G. Oosthuizen’s descriptions of these churches’ rituals of baptism, the author then investigates to what extent baptisms in these churches both take into account the members’ African cultural conditioning and, on the other hand, also work to critique and transform elements in their cultures. How should one evaluate the attempt of the Zionists to contextualise their Christianity with regards to baptism? The article concludes by saying that many elements of their baptisms stand in a complementary and dialectic relationship, embodying both the indigenizing and pilgrim principles.
Origen’s Christian Approach to the Song of Songs
Authors: B. Decock Paul
Published: November 2010

This essay attempts to understand and appreciate what Origen was aiming at in his commentary on the Song of Songs. Origen “imagined” the purpose of reading the Scriptures as the transformation of the reader into the “likeness of God”. He viewed the Song of Songs as the climax of all songs of Scripture and therefore, “learning to sing that song” expressed the highest stage of Christian growth. As the subject matter of the Song of Songs is love, it is clear that perfection in love is indeed the ultimate goal of human life. However, understanding love is difficult and many go astray, because, in fact, as God is love, understanding love and loving is as profound as God Self. It is through the Logos at work in the Scriptures as well as within us and in the whole of the created reality that we are empowered for loving and understanding love. Origen describes the action of the Logos with the image of a “saving wound caused by the arrow of the divine eros”. Origen’s perspective is not that of working towards a fusion of horizons between a human author in the past and a present-day reader, but of working towards an ascent from the level of the “letter” to the level of the “spirit”.
Sin as Slavery and/or Slavery as Sin? On the Relationship between Slavery and Christian Hamartiology in Late Ancient Christianity
Authors: de Wet Chris L.
Published: November 2010

This study explores the relationship between slavery and the theological concept of original sin in late ancient Christianity. The link is discussed in terms of three intersections, namely “nature”, or “naturalness” and “unnaturalness”, domination, and kinship. These intersections shed light on the very conceptualization of the sin-as-slavery concept, and show that in many instances late ancient thinking differed considerably from classical conventions. Even though sin was considered as slavery, it took more than a millennium for the church to realize that slavery is sin.
A New Reading of Acts 18:24‐19:7Understanding the Ephesian Disciples Encounter as Social Conflict
Authors: Hedlun Randall J.
Published: November 2010

This article analyses the social function of glossolalia in the narrative world reflected in Acts 18:24‐19:7. In so doing, it begins to address the lack of scholarship related to treating glossolalic references from a social scientific perspective. No treatment of this pericope succeeds to fully integrate it into a Lukan narrative programme. Through application of Berger and Luckmann’s sociology of knowledge models, this essay argues that reading Luke-Acts as the author’s legitimation of the Jesus movement’s social world is a valid, even preferred reading of this literature. Purity-related conflicts between circumcision loyalists and Jesus followers from the Gentile world dominate the second half of Acts and drive Luke’s legitimation programme. Based on Luke’s demonstration in the Cornelius episode of glossolalia as a divinely initiated marker of Gentile purity status, new social boundaries emerge that supersede circumcision. These new social boundaries represent an integral component of the Jesus movement’s revised purity map, relative to temple-centred Yahwism. This study argues that the events narrated in this passage represent a continuing social conflict between circumcision loyalists and Gentile converts. Luke narrates the events in Acts 18:24‐19:7 in order to correct a deviant baptism teaching (John’s baptism) that was propagated with the intent, based on purity concerns and prejudice, to marginalize Gentiles from full social integration into the Jesus community. Demonstrating that glossolalia functions as a social boundary marker that supersedes circumcision and that this best informs our interpretation of the Ephesian disciples pericope fully integrates this narrative event into Luke’s literary programme.
Low velocity impact on polymeric foams
Authors: Flores-Johnson EA , Li QM
Published: November 2010

The effect of the impactor nose shape on the penetration behavior of polymethacrylimide foams is investigated in the velocity range of 4—8 m/s. It is observed from experimental results that penetration load depends on the geometry of the impactor and the density of the foam. An analytical model is developed to predict the penetration behavior of polymeric foams; good agreement between analytical predictions and experimental data is obtained.
Dynamic Design of Piezoelectric Laminated Sensors and Actuators using Topology Optimization
Authors: Nakasone P.H. , Silva E.C.N.
Published: November 2010

Sensors and actuators based on piezoelectric plates have shown increasing demand in the field of smart structures, including the development of actuators for cooling and fluid-pumping applications and transducers for novel energy-harvesting devices. This project involves the development of a topology optimization formulation for dynamic design of piezoelectric laminated plates aiming at piezoelectric sensors, actuators and energy-harvesting applications. It distributes piezoelectric material over a metallic plate in order to achieve a desired dynamic behavior with specified resonance frequencies, modes, and enhanced electromechanical coupling factor (EMCC). The finite element employs a piezoelectric plate based on the MITC formulation, which is reliable, efficient and avoids the shear locking problem. The topology optimization formulation is based on the PEMAP-P model combined with the RAMP model, where the design variables are the pseudo-densities that describe the amount of piezoelectric material at each finite element and its polarization sign. The design problem formulated aims at designing simultaneously an eigenshape, i.e., maximizing and minimizing vibration amplitudes at certain points of the structure in a given eigenmode, while tuning the eigenvalue to a desired value and also maximizing its EMCC, so that the energy conversion is maximized for that mode. The optimization problem is solved by using sequential linear programming. Through this formulation, a design with enhancing energy conversion in the low-frequency spectrum is obtained, by minimizing a set of first eigenvalues, enhancing their corresponding eigenshapes while maximizing their EMCCs, which can be considered an approach to the design of energy-harvesting devices. The implementation of the topology optimization algorithm and some results are presented to illustrate the method.
Inhalation exposure to nanosized and fine TiO2 particles inhibits features of allergic asthma in a murine model
Authors: Rossi Elina M , Pylkkänen Lea , Koivisto Antti J , Nykäsenoja Heli , Wolff Henrik , Savolainen Kai , Alenius Harri
Published: November 2010

Background

Nanotechnology and engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are here to stay. Recent evidence suggests that exposure to environmental particulate matter exacerbates symptoms of asthma. In the present study we investigated the modulatory effects of titanium dioxide particle exposure in an experimental allergic asthma.

Methods

Nonallergic (healthy) and ovalbumin-sensitized (asthmatic) mice were exposed via inhalation to two different sizes of titanium dioxide particles, nanosized (nTiO2) and fine (fTiO2), for 2 hours a day, three days a week, for four weeks at a concentration of 10 mg/m3. Different endpoints were analysed to evaluate the immunological status of the mice.

Results

Healthy mice elicited pulmonary neutrophilia accompanied by significantly increased chemokine CXCL5 expression when exposed to nTiO2. Surprisingly, allergic pulmonary inflammation was dramatically suppressed in asthmatic mice which were exposed to nTiO2 or fTiO2 particles - i.e. the levels of leucocytes, cytokines, chemokines and antibodies characteristic to allergic asthma were substantially decreased.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that repeated airway exposure to TiO2 particles modulates the airway inflammation depending on the immunological status of the exposed mice.
The value of correlation of serum 20S proteasome concentration and percentage of lymphocytic apoptosis in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: Yousef Ayman A , Suliman Ghada A , Mabrouk Maaly M
Published: November 2010

Introduction

Sepsis in critically ill patients is almost associated with bad prognosis and its early detection may improve the prognosis. However, it is difficult to monitor the immunological state of these patients depending on the traditional markers of infection or inflammatory mediators. Accelerated lymphocyte death may reflect good idea about the prognosis especially when combined with 20S proteasome determinations, a recently discovered marker for muscle degradation in patients with sepsis. The hypothesis of the present study is to evaluate the role of serum 20S proteasome at early diagnosis of sepsis and its correlation with lymphocyte apoptosis to predict prognosis and consequently the early interference in critically ill patients suffering from a broad range of diseases in the intensive care unit.

Methods

Sixty-seven critically ill adult intensive care patients were divided into two groups, 32 septic critically ill patients (sepsis group) and 35 non-septic critically ill patients (non-sepsis group), in addition to 33 apparently healthy subjects from the out patient clinic (control group). Patients were tested for serum values of 20S proteasome using ELISA and for percentage of lymphocyte death using annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin D dye by flow cytometry.

Results

Measured median value of serum 20S proteasome was significantly higher in septic patients compared with both the non-septic and control groups. A significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes was detected in septic patients when compared with the non-sepsis and control groups. The correlation of both 20S proteasome and percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes was found to be significantly positive in both septic and non-septic patients.

Conclusions

The correlation of median values of 20S proteasome and the percentage of apoptotic lymphocyte median values could be a good indicator of patient prognosis and survival in critically ill patients.