bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paul as Preacher: The Gospel Then and Now
Authors: Wright N.T.
Published: October 2007

What was Paul doing when he was `preaching' the gospel? He was a pioneer missionary, whose message must have sounded very Jewish and very politically subversive. He was announcing news that was challenging at a public, not merely a personal, level. He was telling a story about the whole world, and about its creator revealing himself in a dramatically unexpected way. In Jesus, this God had put the world to rights, and was summoning all people to join in the community of those who hailed Jesus, not Caesar, as the true Lord. To announce this gospel in today's world means confronting postmodernity, postsecularism and the new forms of empire with the same challenging word, the overarching narrative of new creation, and the generation of fresh community, to let today's Caesars know that Jesus is Lord.
Newman's Theology of Bishops
Authors: Hughes Brian W.
Published: October 2007

Newman's writings do not contain a developed treatise on the theology of the bishop. He has, however, a robust view of how bishops mediate the experience of God to believers with the aim of bringing about church unity. His theological view of bishops is a combination of patristic theology, a sacramental understanding of authority, and a spirituality of obedience. What connects these aspects together is what I describe as the bishops' sacramental charisma.
Carbon Plain-Weave Fabric Low-Temperature Vacuum Cure Epoxy Composite: Static and Fatigue Strength at Room and High Temperatures and Practicality Evaluation
Authors: Shimokawa Toshiyuki , Kakuta Yoshiaki , Saeki Daisuke , Kogo Yoshiyasu
Published: October 2007

The high cost of carbon fiber composite materials is a large barrier to their increased application. Low-temperature vacuum cure epoxy resins were developed as one way to break through this barrier. This kind of epoxy is initially cured at low-temperature in a vacuum bag and post-cured at high temperature in an air-circulating oven. This study investigated the static and fatigue mechanical properties of a low-price CFRP of this kind and evaluated its practical utility. The material tested was TRK180M carbon plain-weave-fabric/1053 low-temperature vacuum cure epoxy laminate with quasi-isotropic lay up. Static tests provided tensile and compressive strength of non-hole and open-hole specimens at room and high temperatures up to 110°C. Tension, compression, and tension—compression fatigue tests determined S—N relationships of open-hole specimens at room temperature and 110°C. Static tensile and compressive damage in non-hole specimens and fatigue damage in open-hole specimens for three kinds of fatigue tests were observed with a CCD microscope and a micro X-ray CT scanner. Test results are compared with other published results and discussed from a practical viewpoint. The tests pointed out the evaluation of the strength related to compression loading and sensitive to matrix damage to be very important and demonstrated the sufficient practical utility of this material.
Characterization of High Performance Mg/MgO Nanocomposites
Authors: Goh C.S. , Gupta M. , Wei J. , Lee L.C.
Published: October 2007

Mg reinforced with up to 1 vol% of nanosize MgO was synthesized using the disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. The influence of nano-size MgO particles on the physical and mechanical properties of Mg was investigated. There was an improvement in thermal stability, macrohardness, yield and tensile strengths, and modulus of the nanocomposites relative to pure Mg. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed good interfacial adhesion between Mg and MgO. A comparison was made between the experimental yield strengths of the nanocomposites and the predicted yield strengths determined by load bearing effect, coefficients of thermal expansion mismatch, and Orowan strengthening models.
Tensile Strength Modeling of Glass Fiber—Polymer Composites in Fire
Authors: Feih S. , Mouritz A.P. , Mathys Z. , Gibson A.G.
Published: October 2007

A thermal-mechanical model is presented to calculate the tensile strength and time-to-failure of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites in fire. The model considers the main thermal processes and softening (mechanical) processes of fiberglass composites in fire that ensure an accurate calculation of tensile strength and failure time. The thermal component of the model considers the effects of heat conduction, matrix decomposition and volatile out-gassing on the temperature—time response of composites. The mechanical component of the model considers the tensile softening of the polymer matrix and glass fibers in fire, with softening of the fibers analyzed as a function of temperature and heating time. The model can calculate the tensile strength of a hot, decomposing composite exposed to fire up to the onset of flaming combustion. The thermal-mechanical model is confined to hot, smoldering fiberglass composites prior to ignition. Experimental fire tests are performed on dry fiberglass fabric and fiberglass/vinyl ester composite specimens to validate the model. It is shown that the model gives an approximate estimate of the tensile strength and time-to-failure of the materials when exposed to one-sided heating at a constant heat flux. It is envisaged the model can be used to calculate the tensile softening and time-to-failure of glass—polymer composite structures exposed to fire.
Analytical Modeling of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Carbon FRP Bars
Authors: Rafi Muhammad Masood , Nadjai Ali , Ali Faris
Published: October 2007

A non-linear finite element model is presented for the analysis of simply supported reinforced concrete beams. Cracked concrete is considered as an orthotropic material and the crack formation is simulated as smeared cracks. A rotating crack method is employed based on the total strain crack model. The analysis was carried out with the help of 2D isoparametric plane stress elements. Compression and tension softening and tension stiffening effects of the cracked concrete were considered. The tension reinforcement consisted of either steel or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars. Excellent convergence and numerical stability of the formulation was found. The model showed good agreement with the recorded data of the tested beams.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of AMG 531, a Thrombopoiesis‐Stimulating Peptibody, in Healthy Japanese Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Kumagai Yuji , Fujita Tomoe , Ozaki Machiko , Sahashi Kunihiko , Ohkura Masayuki , Ohtsu Tomoko , Arai Yoshihiro , Sonehara Yusuke , Nichol Janet L.
Published: October 2007

AMG 531 is a novel thrombopoiesis‐stimulating peptibody being investigated for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura. This double‐blind, phase I study evaluated the safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of AMG 531 in healthy Japanese men. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned 4:1 (AMG 531/placebo) to receive 1 dose of AMG 531 (0.3, 1, or 2 μg/kg) or placebo by subcutaneous injection; subjects were evaluated for 6 weeks. AMG 531 was generally well tolerated, with adverse events similar to placebo. Treatment‐related adverse events (headache, “feeling hot,” malaise) were reported for 5 of 24 AMG 531‐treated subjects. Platelets generated after exposure to AMG 531 functioned normally. Four of 8 subjects receiving 1 μg/kg and 7 of 8 receiving 2 μ/kg had platelet count increases ≥1.5‐fold over baseline, an effect similar to that seen in non‐Japanese subjects. Serum AMG 531 concentrations were below the lower limit of quantification in all but 2 subjects receiving 2 μg/kg.
Comparing Predictors of Positive and Negative Self-Rated Health Between Younger (25-54) and Older (55+) Canadian Adults
Authors: Shooshtari Shahin , Menec Verena , Tate Robert
Published: October 2007

The objectives of this study were to explore age variations in predictors of positive and negative self-rated health and examine whether the determinants of positive and negative self-rated health are mirror images. Longitudinal data were used from the National Population Health Survey for a nationally representative cohort of Canadians aged 25 years and older ( N = 9,371) to predict positive and negative self-rated health among younger and older Canadian adults separately. Self-rated health was confirmed as a multidimensional concept. There were variations in determinants of positive and negative self-rated health for the younger and the older Canadian adults. Determinants of self-rated health include but are not limited to physical health and functioning. Self-rated health is a dynamic evaluation influenced by changes over time in individuals' physical and psychosocial health, genetic endowment, socioeconomic status and health behaviors. Determinants of positive and negative self-rated health are not mirror images.
Supporting the Very Old When Completing a Questionnaire
Authors: Isaksson Ulf , Santamäki-Fischer Regina , Nygren Björn , Lundman Berit , Åström Sture
Published: October 2007

The aim of this study was to elucidate the process of completing a questionnaire in a supportive face-to-face manner. A total of 12 participants, age 90 years or older, were asked to answer the Resilience Scale. The statements were read aloud and the participants answered verbally or by pointing to an enlarged copy of the reply form. Transcribed dialogues were analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis. Four types of dialogues were formulated: “Making a prompt decision,” “Deciding after a pensive dialogue,” “Deciding after an explanatory dialogue,” and “Deciding after an encouraging dialogue.” This article discusses risk for bias and ways to overcome the problem. The authors concluded that support via face-to-face interview in answering a questionnaire is valuable to obtaining valid data from very old persons.
A New Approach for Predicting Flame Spread along Combustible Solid based on Cellular Automaton
Authors: Weng W.G. , Yang R. , Yuan H.Y.
Published: October 2007

In this study, a new approach for predicting flame spread along a combustible solid is developed. This presented approach consists of a two-dimensional flame spread model coupled with a one-dimensional pyrolysis model in the thickness direction. The flame spread model is based on a cellular automaton combined with piloted ignition temperature, spontaneous ignition temperature, and pyrolysis temperature of a combustible solid. In addition, this approach is used to predict two typical kinds of flame spread, i.e., upward flame spread and ceiling flame spread. The existing experimental data including the upward flame spread over plywood and the ceiling flame spread beneath medium density fiberboard (MDF) are used for comparison to validate this approach. The results obtained from numerical simulations using this approach are consistent with these two kinds of experimental tests.
Numerical Prediction of Effects of Gravity on the Centerline Temperature and Velocity of Axi-symmetric Fire Plumes
Authors: Yao Wei , Lu Shouxiang , Wang Jian
Published: October 2007

The objective of this work is to study the variation of axi-symmetric fire plume structure with the variation of gravity level, which is of great significance to aviation and spaceflight. Numerical simulation of fire plume under various gravity levels is proposed here. Detailed comparison and analysis of centerline temperature and velocity are carried out. The results show that the variation of fire plume structure with the increase of gravity level can be divided into two stages. The first stage is flow dominated, while the second stage is oxygen dominated. The fire plume structure in the transition stage has unique characteristics and should be given more attention for fire safety. It has also been shown that the level of gravity has a significant effect on the fire plume structure. The study in this article extends the range where a fire plume can take place and promotes a better understanding of axi-symmetric fire plume.
An analysis of solid waste generation in a traditional African city: the example of Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Authors: Abel Afon
Published: October 2007

This paper reports on patterns of household solid waste generation in the three distinct ecological zones that make up the city of Ogbomoso: the traditional core zone, the transitional zone developed under colonial rule and the suburban zone. It gives details of how total waste volumes and the components of waste varied over time in each of these zones — and there was considerable variation in these by day of the week and by month. For example, in the suburban zone, total waste generation for January was around half that for December; and although average incomes are higher in that zone, the per capita quantity of household waste (measured by weight) was not higher. Comparing household waste generation across the three zones showed that as education, income and social status increase, per capita waste generation declines, especially with regard to heavier organic waste products which account for more than three-quarters of the total waste generated in the study area. This is in part influenced by the differences in employment/livelihood patterns between the zones, and the study highlights how livelihood patterns and residents' possibilities for livestock raising influence the scale and composition of household waste. Finally, the paper highlights the importance for waste management of considering solid waste generated by enterprises in residential areas, including those run from home.
Participatory city planning in Chhattisgarh: a civil society initiative
Authors: Sheikh Khatibullah , Rao Shrinivas
Published: October 2007

This paper describes the experience of an NGO, the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), with participatory town planning in one small and one medium-sized urban centre in the state of Chhattisgarh in India. Taking on the challenging task of reforming urban governance within the framework of development where people matter, PRIA initiated a participatory process in each of the urban centres, bringing together civil society groups and local politicians and civil servants as well as officials from state-level institutions. This sought to strike a balance between inclusive town planning and working within the legal framework. This paper explains how the various stakeholders in urban planning, including state government, municipal staff, elected representatives and citizens and civil society groups drawn from all sections of society were brought together to decide on the future of their towns. There is also a discussion of the methodology that was adopted and the challenges that were faced. This is perhaps the first time in India that an NGO has sought to address issues of equitable and integrated urban development at city level, focusing on technical issues of town planning and backed by public participation. Similar initiatives have since been launched in other urban centres.
Sympathetic Bias
Authors: Levy David M , Peart Sandra J
Published: October 2007

We wish to deal with investigator bias in a statistical context. We sketch how a textbook solution to the problem of “outliers” which avoids one sort of investigator bias, creates the temptation for another sort. We write down a model of the approbation seeking statistician who is tempted by sympathy for client to violate the disciplinary standards. We give a simple account of one context in which we might expect investigator bias to flourish. Finally, we offer tentative suggestions to deal with the problem of investigator bias which follow from our account. As we have given a very sparse and stylized account of investigator bias, we ask what might be done to overcome this limitation.
Breaking the Vicious Circle of Fatigue in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Falk Kristin , Granger Bradi B. , Swedberg Karl , Ekman Inger
Published: October 2007

Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Characteristics of the experience and consequences of fatigue might be unique in these patients. The authors interviewed 15 patients with CHF and analyzed focused online observations of the content discussed in an Internet patient discussion group concerning CHF using grounded theory. The results suggest that fatigue is a circular process in which the consequences of fatigue further exaggerate the experience. However, fatigue could be alleviated by restorative activities. The bodily experience of fatigue was defined as lacking strength and energy and feeling sleepy. Patients reported the mental aspects of fatigue as demoralizing and that they frequently experienced intellectual deficiency. Fatigue leads to sacrificing, which was manifested as refraining, denying oneself, and being isolated. The restoring activities included the categories involuntarily attentive, socially interactive, and mentally absorbed. Interventions aimed to relieve fatigue should focus on restorative activities.
Inner Strength as Disclosed in Narratives of the Oldest Old
Authors: Nygren Björn , Norberg Astrid , Lundman Berit
Published: October 2007

The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of inner strength when very old as narrated by women and men 85 and 90 years old. The authors used a phenomenological hermeneutical method to analyze interviews from 11 women and 7 men, aged either 85 or 90, who scored high on scales measuring phenomena related to inner strength. The following themes emerged from the analysis: feeling competent in oneself yet having faith in others, looking on the bright side of life without hiding from the dark, feeling eased and also being active, being the same yet growing into a new garment, and living in a connected present but also in the past and the future. The authors understood the meaning as Life Goes On—Living It All. To illuminate this meaning further, the authors related the findings to the Aristotelian virtues and the golden mean, and to developmental theory.
Ethical Components of Researcher—Researched Relationships in Qualitative Interviewing
Authors: Hewitt Jeanette
Published: October 2007

Qualitative interviews are widely and often uncritically adopted for health care research, with little justification of therapeutic value. Although they might provide valuable insights into the perspectives of participants, they represent only a version of reality, rather than “truth” per se . Qualitative research is vulnerable to bias through the attitudes and qualities of the researcher, social desirability factors, and conditions of worth. Exploitation, through role confusion, therapeutic misconception, and misrepresentation are particular risks for health care—related research. Ethical codes, biomedical principles and care philosophies provide little contextual guidance on the moral dilemmas encountered in the practice of research. If nurse researchers are to navigate the moral complexities of research relationships, then sensitivity to risk to participants must be of continual concern, from conception of the study to the reporting of outcomes. Examination of the self through critical reflection and supervision are therefore necessary components of ethical research.
Theoretical Sampling and Category Development in Grounded Theory
Authors: Draucker Claire B. , Martsolf Donna S. , Ross Ratchneewan , Rusk Thomas B.
Published: October 2007

Theoretical sampling is a hallmark of grounded theory methodology, and yet there is little guidance available for researchers on how to implement this process. A review of recently published grounded theory studies in Qualitative Health Research revealed that researchers often indicate that they use theoretical sampling to choose new participants, to modify interview guides, or to add data sources as a study progresses, but few describe how theoretical sampling is implemented in response to emergent findings. In this article, two issues that arose relative to theoretical sampling in an ongoing grounded theory study are discussed. A theoretical sampling guide that was developed by the authors' research team to facilitate systematic decision making and to enhance the audit trail relative to theoretical sampling is described, and an example of how the guide was used to develop a category is presented.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in a US-Mexico Border Community
Authors: Goodman Melanie R. , Rao Satya P.
Published: October 2007

When parents are unwilling or unable to care for their children, more often than not, grandparents step up to assume this task. Although insights into the multifaceted and unique needs of custodial grandparents are emerging, there is little research on how these changes in living circumstances impact the lives of custodial grandparents and the grandchildren in their care. In this exploratory study, the authors examined the circumstances under which grandparents in a border community assumed custodial care of their grandchildren and the factors that contributed to their decision. Through semi-structured interviews with six grandparents and five grandchildren, they also explored how grandparents and grandchildren coped with transition, how grandparents understood and found meaning in their role as caregivers of their grandchildren, how grandchildren viewed their grandparents in their new role, and how their lives and relationships had changed.
Agency Design and Postlegislative Influence over the Bureaucracy
Authors: MacDonald Jason A.
Published: October 2007

Extending transaction cost theories of agency design, the author develops a theory about why congressional coalitions vary the difficulty of influencing the policy decisions of bureaucratic agencies. He assesses the theory by examining the transaction costs that congressional coalitions imposed on actors seeking to influence agency decisions in landmark laws enacted by the U.S. Congress from 1947 to 1992. The findings stress the need to consider policy disagreement between congressional coalitions and both congressional committees and the president, as well as policy agreement between committees and the president, in understanding how difficult congressional coalitions make it to influence agencies' policy decisions.
Explaining Public Confidence in the Branches of State Government
Authors: Kelleher Christine A. , Wolak Jennifer
Published: October 2007

What explains public confidence in the leadership of government institutions at the state level? The authors explore how political processes, the nature of representation, and economic and policy performance in the states translate into citizen confidence in state institutions. Using a multilevel modeling approach, the authors consider the sources of public confidence in the people who lead state legislatures, offices of the governor, and state courts. While the explanations for government confidence at the state level resemble, in part, those of the national government, the authors also observe notable differences, with each branch of state government drawing on distinct sources of public satisfaction.
Presidential Rhetoric, Candidate Evaluations, and Party Identification
Authors: Doherty David
Published: October 2007

By embedding value cues in their rhetoric, presidential candidates hope to present themselves and their parties as stewards of those values. This article examines the effects of this rhetoric by testing two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that this rhetoric educates the public about the values of the candidates and their parties. The second suggests that this rhetoric primes existing perceptions of party “ownership” of values. The author's findings suggest that candidates are successful at using value rhetoric to modify public perceptions of their values as individuals. However, this rhetoric does not affect perceptions of party labels and individual candidates identically.
A Numerical Model to Predict Damaged Bearing Vibrations
Authors: Sassi Sadok , Badri Bechir , Thomas Marc
Published: October 2007

This work aims to develop the theoretical fundamentals and numerical details of new software, dedicated to the simulation of the dynamic behavior of rotating ball bearings in the presence of localized surface defects. In this article, the generation of vibration by a point defect in a rolling element bearing is modeled as a function of the rotation of the bearing, of the distribution of the load in the bearing, of the bearing structure elasticity, of the oil film characteristics, and of the transfer path between the bearing and the transducer. The numerical model is developed with the assumption that the dynamic behavior of the bearing can be represented by a coupled three-degree-of-freedom system, after which the governing equations of the simulation model are solved using computer simulation techniques. A new application, called BEAT (BEAring Toolbox), was developed in order to simulate bearings' vibratory response to the excitations produced by localized defects. By adding a noisy response due to the sliding friction occurring between the moving parts to the impulsive response caused by localized defects, the BEAT software is able to provide realistic results, similar to those produced by a sensor during experimental measurements.
Home Care of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: McClure Melissa
Published: October 2007

Because of the availability of a variety of new medications and therapies, patients with cystic fibrosis are living longer, and many are living well into their adult years. Cystic fibrosis is no longer known as a childhood disease. Intravenous antibiotics at home rather than in the hospital are much more common for pulmonary exacerbations or “tune ups.” Home care nurses help families and patients care for their central line and instruct on how to administer the IV antibiotics. This article will address some of the new medications and therapies in relation to the home care setting.
Some uses of third-person reference forms in speaker self-reference
Authors: Land Victoria , Kitzinger Celia
Published: October 2007

Speakers of English have available a set of terms dedicated to doing individual self-reference: `I' and its grammatical variants, `me', `my', `mine', etc. Speaker selection of other than these dedicated terms may invite special attention for what has prompted their use. This article draws on field recordings of talk-in-interaction in which speakers use `third-person' reference forms when speaking about themselves (e.g. when a woman says of her husband that `he's married to an Englishwoman'). We show that third-person forms are recurrently used for representing the views of someone else (a recipient or a non-present person, an indeterminate member of a category of persons, or an organization). We also show how — by drawing on resources such as the distinction between recognitional and non-recognitional person reference forms, and on category bound attributes — the particular third-person term selected can be fitted to and thereby contribute to the action(s) a speaker is implementing through their turn at talk.
Extraction and aggregation in the repair of individual and collective self-reference
Authors: Lerner Gene H. , Kitzinger Celia
Published: October 2007

On some occasions of self-reference there can be two equally viable forms available to speakers: individual self-reference (e.g. `I') and collective self-reference (e.g. `we'). This means that selection of one or the other in talk-in-interaction can — akin to the selection of terms for reference to non-present persons — be guided by such considerations as recipient design and action formation. As a strategy for investigating the selection of self-reference terms, this article examines repairs to self-reference that change the form of reference from individual to collective and vice versa. We first identify two repair operations found in the domain of self-reference: aggregation (of an individual to a collectivity) and extraction (of an individual from a collectivity) and then we track the use of both operations across a range of positions in the repair initiation opportunity space (and as embedded correction). Finally we consider some of the interactional uses of aggregation and extraction repairs in resolving (and thereby exhibiting) sources of troubles associated with speaker epistemic authority and responsibility for described actions.
Methodological Infrastructure in Surgical Ergonomics: A Review of Tasks, Models, and Measurement Systems
Authors: Lee Gyusung , Lee Tommy , Dexter David , Klein Rosemary , Park Adrian
Published: October 2007

Though in its infancy, the discipline of surgical ergonomics is increasingly valued. Still, little has been written regarding this field's tasks, models, and measurement systems. These 3 critical experimental components are crucial in objectively and accurately assessing joint and postural control as exhibited by expert laparoscopic surgeons. Such assessments will establish characteristic patterns important for surgical training. In addition, risk factors associated with both minimally invasive surgical instruments and the operating room environment can be identified and minimized. Our review focuses on evidence-based experimental ergonomic studies undertaken in the field of laparoscopic surgery. Publications were located through PubMed and other database and library searches. This article describes tasks, models, and measurement systems and considers their specific applications and the types of data obtainable with the use of each. Advantages and limitations, especially those of measurement systems, are compared and discussed. Future trends and directions believed necessary for optimal investigation and results are also addressed.
Telementoring for Minimally Invasive Surgical Training by Wireless Robot
Authors: Sereno S. , Mutter D. , Dallemagne B. , Smith C.D. , Marescaux Jacques
Published: October 2007

Hands-on training courses with local mentoring are excellent educational tools in laparoscopic surgery; however, the need for the physical presence of specialized instructors represents a limitation because of costs, time, and geographic constraints. Remote robotic telementoring using a wireless videoconferencing mobile robot could represent an alternative to local instruction. The authors compare local active and passive mentoring with remote robotic telementoring using the wireless RP-6 Robot that worked through a WiFi 802.11b connection during a hands-on laparoscopic training session. Surgeons were mentored once in France from the United States. Robot mentoring was well received and appreciated (assessment score of 2.65; scale, 0 to 4). There was no statistical difference in the different mentoring sessions (active, passive, and remote). Mobile wireless robot is a valuable tool in laparoscopic telementoring. Robotic-assisted telementoring may not replace onsite mentoring, but it may enhance educational opportunities and the quality of hands-on training courses by implementing tutoring with expert assistance from remote locations.
Evaluating Intraoperative Laparoscopic Skill: Direct Observation Versus Blinded Videotaped Performances
Authors: Vassiliou Melina C. , Feldman Liane S. , Fraser Shannon A. , Charlebois Patrick , Chaudhury Prosanto , Stanbridge Donna D. , Fried Gerald M.
Published: October 2007

The Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skill (GOALS) has been shown to meet high standards for direct observation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of GOALS when applied to blinded, videotaped performances. Five novice surgeons and 5 experienced surgeons were each evaluated by 2 observers during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Subsequently, 4 laparoscopists (V1 to V4) evaluated the videotaped procedures using GOALS. Two of the raters (V1 and V3) had prior experience using GOALS. The interrater reliabilities between video raters (VRs) and between VRs and direct raters (DRs) were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Construct validity was assessed using 2-way analysis of variance. Interrater reliability between the 4 VRs and the 2 DRs was 0.72. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the 4 VRs was 0.68 and for each VR compared with the mean DR was 0.86, 0.39, 0.94, and 0.76, respectively. All raters, except V2, differentiated between novice and experienced groups ( P values ranged from .01 to .05). These data suggest that GOALS can be used to assess laparoscopic skill based on videotaped performances but that rater training may play an important role in ensuring the reliability and validity of the instrument. Experience with the tool in the operating room may improve the reliability of video rating and could be of value in training evaluators.
The Akt/Mcl-1 pathway plays a prominent role in mediating antiapoptotic signals downstream of the B-cell receptor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells
Authors: Longo Pablo G. , Laurenti Luca , Gobessi Stefania , Sica Simona , Leone Giuseppe , Efremov Dimitar G.
Published: October 2007

Sustained engagement of the B-cell receptor (BCR) increases apoptosis resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells, whereas transient stimulation usually has an opposite effect. The antiapoptotic BCR signal has been associated with prolonged activation of the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways, which are key regulators of survival and proliferation in various cell types. To further define the relative contribution of the Akt and ERK kinases in regulating CLL B-cell survival, we introduced constitutively active mutants of Akt and MEK in primary CLL B cells and evaluated changes in the expression of relevant pro- and antiapoptotic proteins. Sustained activation of Akt resulted in increased leukemic cell viability and increased expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), thus largely recapitulating the effects of sustained BCR stimulation. Constitutively active MEK2 also up-regulated XIAP, but did not show a significant impact on leukemic cell survival. Down-regulation of Mcl-1 by siRNA treatment induced rapid and potent apoptosis in CLL B cells and blocked the antiapoptotic effect of sustained BCR stimulation, whereas down-regulation of Bcl-xL and XIAP did not affect leukemic cell viability. These data demonstrate that Akt and Mcl-1 are major components of a survival pathway that can be activated in CLL B cells by antigen stimulation.
New insight into the role of the β3 subunit of the GABAA-R in development, behavior, body weight regulation, and anesthesia revealed by conditional gene knockout
Authors: Ferguson Carolyn , Hardy Steven L , Werner David F , Hileman Stanley M , DeLorey Timothy M , Homanics Gregg E
Published: October 2007

Background

The β3 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R) has been reported to be important for palate formation, anesthetic action, and normal nervous system function. This subunit has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of Angelman syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. To further investigate involvement of this subunit, we previously produced mice with a global knockout of β3. However, developmental abnormalities, compensation, reduced viability, and numerous behavioral abnormalities limited the usefulness of that murine model. To overcome many of these limitations, a mouse line with a conditionally inactivated β3 gene was engineered.

Results

Gene targeting and embryonic stem cell technologies were used to create mice in which exon 3 of the β3 subunit was flanked by loxP sites (i.e., floxed). Crossing the floxed β3 mice to a cre general deleter mouse line reproduced the phenotype of the previously described global knockout. Pan-neuronal knockout of β3 was achieved by crossing floxed β3 mice to Synapsin I-cre transgenic mice. Palate development was normal in pan-neuronal β3 knockouts but ~61% died as neonates. Survivors were overtly normal, fertile, and were less sensitive to etomidate. Forebrain selective knockout of β3 was achieved using α CamKII-cre transgenic mice. Palate development was normal in forebrain selective β3 knockout mice. These knockouts survived the neonatal period, but ~30% died between 15–25 days of age. Survivors had reduced reproductive fitness, reduced sensitivity to etomidate, were hyperactive, and some became obese.

Conclusion

Conditional inactivation of the β3 gene revealed novel insight into the function of this GABAA-R subunit. The floxed β3 knockout mice described here will be very useful for conditional knockout studies to further investigate the role of the β3 subunit in development, ethanol and anesthetic action, normal physiology, and pathophysiologic processes.
Rapid diagnosis of experimental meningitis by bacterial heat production in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Trampuz Andrej , Steinhuber Andrea , Wittwer Matthias , Leib Stephen L
Published: October 2007

Background

Calorimetry is a nonspecific technique which allows direct measurement of heat generated by biological processes in the living cell. We evaluated the potential of calorimetry for rapid detection of bacterial growth in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a rat model of bacterial meningitis.

Methods

Infant rats were infected on postnatal day 11 by direct intracisternal injection with either Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis or Listeria monocytogenes. Control animals were injected with sterile saline or heat-inactivated S. pneumoniae. CSF was obtained at 18 hours after infection for quantitative cultures and heat flow measurement. For calorimetry, 10 μl and 1 μl CSF were inoculated in calorimetry ampoules containing 3 ml trypticase soy broth (TSB).

Results

The mean bacterial titer (± SD) in CSF was 1.5 ± 0.6 × 108 for S. pneumoniae, 1.3 ± 0.3 × 106 for N. meningitidis and 3.5 ± 2.2 × 104 for L. monocytogenes. Calorimetric detection time was defined as the time until heat flow signal exceeded 10 μW. Heat signal was detected in 10-μl CSF samples from all infected animals with a mean (± SD) detection time of 1.5 ± 0.2 hours for S. pneumoniae, 3.9 ± 0.7 hours for N. meningitidis and 9.1 ± 0.5 hours for L. monocytogenes. CSF samples from non-infected animals generated no increasing heat flow (<10 μW). The total heat was the highest in S. pneumoniae ranging from 6.7 to 7.5 Joules, followed by L. monocytogenes (5.6 to 6.1 Joules) and N. meningitidis (3.5 to 4.4 Joules). The lowest detectable bacterial titer by calorimetry was 2 cfu for S. pneumoniae, 4 cfu for N. meningitidis and 7 cfu for L. monocytogenes.

Conclusion

By means of calorimetry, detection times of <4 hours for S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis and <10 hours for Listeria monocytogenes using as little as 10 μl CSF were achieved. Calorimetry is a new diagnostic method allowing rapid and accurate diagnosis of bacterial meningitis from a small volume of CSF.
Is the tobacco control movement misrepresenting the acute cardiovascular health effects of secondhand smoke exposure? An analysis of the scientific evidence and commentary on the implications for tobacco control and public health practice
Authors: Siegel Michael
Published: October 2007

While chronic exposure to secondhand smoke has been well recognized as a cause of heart disease in nonsmokers, there has been recent speculation about the potential acute cardiovascular effects of transient exposure to secondhand smoke among nonsmokers; in particular, the possibility that such exposure could increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction even in an otherwise healthy nonsmoker. This paper reviews the claims being made by a number of anti-smoking and public health groups regarding the acute cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke exposure among otherwise healthy adults, analyzes the validity of these claims based on a review of the scientific evidence, and discusses the implications of the findings for tobacco control and public health practice. Based on the analysis, it appears that a large number of anti-smoking organizations are making inaccurate claims that a single, acute, transient exposure to secondhand smoke can cause severe and even fatal cardiovascular events in healthy nonsmokers. The dissemination of inaccurate information by anti-smoking groups to the public in support of smoking bans is unfortunate because it may harm the tobacco control movement by undermining its credibility, reputation, and effectiveness. Disseminating inaccurate information also represents a violation of basic ethical principles that are a core value of public health practice that cannot and should not be sacrificed, even for a noble end such as protecting nonsmokers from secondhand smoke exposure. How the tobacco control movement responds to this crisis of credibility will go a long way towards determining the future effectiveness of the movement and its ability to continue to save lives and protect the public's health.
Electrospun nitrocellulose and nylon: Design and fabrication of novel high performance platforms for protein blotting applications
Authors: Manis Ashley E , Bowman James R , Bowlin Gary L , Simpson David G
Published: October 2007

Background

Electrospinning is a non-mechanical processing strategy that can be used to process a variety of native and synthetic polymers into highly porous materials composed of nano-scale to micron-scale diameter fibers. By nature, electrospun materials exhibit an extensive surface area and highly interconnected pore spaces. In this study we adopted a biological engineering approach to ask how the specific unique advantages of the electrospinning process might be exploited to produce a new class of research/diagnostic tools.

Methods

The electrospinning properties of nitrocellulose, charged nylon and blends of these materials are characterized.

Results

Nitrocellulose electrospun from a starting concentration of < 110 mg/ml acetone deposited as 4–8 μm diameter beads; at 110 mg/ml-to-140 mg/ml starting concentrations, this polymer deposited as 100–4000 nm diameter fibers. Nylon formed fibers when electrospun from 60–140 mg/ml HFIP, fibers ranged from 120 nm-6000 nm in diameter. Electrospun nitrocellulose exhibited superior protein retention and increased sensitivity in slot blot experiments with respect to the parent nitrocellulose material. Western immunoblot experiments using fibronectin as a model protein demonstrated that electrospun nylon exhibits increased protein binding and increased dynamic range in the chemiluminescence detection of antigens than sheets of the parent starting material. Composites of electrospun nitrocellulose and electrospun nylon exhibit high protein binding activity and provide increased sensitivity for the immuno-detection of antigens.

Conclusion

The flexibility afforded by electrospinning process makes it possible to tailor blotting membranes to specific applications. Electrospinning has a variety of potential applications in the clinical diagnostic field of use.
Development of a Cryptosporidium oocyst assay using an automated fiber optic-based biosensor
Authors: Kramer Marianne F , Vesey Graham , Look Natasha L , Herbert Ben R , Simpson-Stroot Joyce M , Lim Daniel V
Published: October 2007

An intestinal protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum, is a major cause of waterborne gastrointestinal disease worldwide. Detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in potable water is a high priority for the water treatment industry to reduce potential outbreaks among the consumer populace. Anti-Cryptosporidium oocyst polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were tested as capture and detection reagents for use in a fiber optic biosensor assay for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Antibodies were validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy. Oocysts could be detected at a concentration of 105 oocysts/ml when the polyclonal antibodies were used as the capture and detection reagents. When oocysts were boiled prior to detection, a ten-fold increase in sensitivity was achieved using the polyclonal antibody. Western blotting and immunofluorescence revealed that both the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies recognize a large (>300 kDa) molecular weight mucin-like antigen present on the surface of the oocyst wall. The polyclonal antibody also reacted with a small (105 kDa) molecular weight antigen that was present in boiled samples of oocysts. Preliminary steps to design an in-line biosensor assay system have shown that oocysts would have to be concentrated from water samples and heat treated to allow detection by a biosensor assay.
The ribosomal protein genes and Minute loci of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Marygold Steven J , Roote John , Reuter Gunter , Lambertsson Andrew , Ashburner Michael , Millburn Gillian H , Harrison Paul M , Yu Zhan , Kenmochi Naoya , Kaufman Thomas C , Leevers Sally J , Cook Kevin R
Published: October 2007

Background

Mutations in genes encoding ribosomal proteins (RPs) have been shown to cause an array of cellular and developmental defects in a variety of organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster, disruption of RP genes can result in the 'Minute' syndrome of dominant, haploinsufficient phenotypes, which include prolonged development, short and thin bristles, and poor fertility and viability. While more than 50 Minute loci have been defined genetically, only 15 have so far been characterized molecularly and shown to correspond to RP genes.

Results

We combined bioinformatic and genetic approaches to conduct a systematic analysis of the relationship between RP genes and Minute loci. First, we identified 88 genes encoding 79 different cytoplasmic RPs (CRPs) and 75 genes encoding distinct mitochondrial RPs (MRPs). Interestingly, nine CRP genes are present as duplicates and, while all appear to be functional, one member of each gene pair has relatively limited expression. Next, we defined 65 discrete Minute loci by genetic criteria. Of these, 64 correspond to, or very likely correspond to, CRP genes; the single non-CRP-encoding Minute gene encodes a translation initiation factor subunit. Significantly, MRP genes and more than 20 CRP genes do not correspond to Minute loci.

Conclusion

This work answers a longstanding question about the molecular nature of Minute loci and suggests that Minute phenotypes arise from suboptimal protein synthesis resulting from reduced levels of cytoribosomes. Furthermore, by identifying the majority of haplolethal and haplosterile loci at the molecular level, our data will directly benefit efforts to attain complete deletion coverage of the D. melanogaster genome.