bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactive oxidant and p42/44 MAP kinase signaling is necessary for mechanical strain-induced proliferation in pulmonary epithelial cells
Authors: Chess Patricia R. , O'Reilly Michael A. , Sachs Fredrick , Finkelstein Jacob N.
Published: May 2005

Mechanical strain is necessary for normal lung growth and development. Individuals with respiratory failure are supported with mechanical ventilation, leading to altered lung growth and injury. Understanding signaling pathways initiated by mechanical strain in lung epithelial cells will help guide development of strategies aimed at optimizing strain-induced lung growth while mitigating ventilator-induced lung injury. To study strain-induced proliferative signaling, focusing on the role of reactive oxidant species (ROS) and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, human pulmonary epithelial H441 and MLE15 cells were exposed to equibiaxial cyclic mechanical strain. ROS were increased within 15 min of strain. N-acetylcysteine inactivated strain-induced ROS and inhibited p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation and strain-induced proliferation. PD98059 and UO126, p42/44 MAP kinase inhibitors, blocked strain-induced proliferation. To verify the specificity of p42/44 MAP kinase inhibition, cells were transfected with dominant-negative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 plasmid DNA. Transfected cells did not proliferate in response to mechanical strain. To determine whether strain-induced tyrosine kinase activity is necessary for strain-induced ROS-p42/44 MAP kinase signaling, genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was used. Genistein did not block strain-induced ROS production or p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation. Gadolinium, a mechanosensitive calcium channel blocker, blocked strain-induced ROS production and p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation but not strain-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. These data support ROS production and p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation being involved in a common strain-induced signaling pathway, necessary for strain-induced proliferation in pulmonary epithelial cells, with a parallel strain-induced tyrosine kinase pathway.
Brain stem excitatory and inhibitory signaling pathways regulating bronchoconstrictive responses
Authors: Haxhiu Musa A. , Kc Prabha , Moore Constance T. , Acquah Sandra S. , Wilson Christopher G. , Zaidi Syed I. , Massari V. John , Ferguson Donald G.
Published: May 2005

This review summarizes recent work on two basic processes of central nervous system (CNS) control of cholinergic outflow to the airways: 1) transmission of bronchoconstrictive signals from the airways to the airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs) and 2) regulation of AVPN responses to excitatory inputs by central GABAergic inhibitory pathways. In addition, the autocrine-paracrine modulation of AVPNs is briefly discussed. CNS influences on the tracheobronchopulmonary system are transmitted via AVPNs, whose discharge depends on the balance between excitatory and inhibitory impulses that they receive. Alterations in this equilibrium may lead to dramatic functional changes. Recent findings indicate that excitatory signals arising from bronchopulmonary afferents and/or the peripheral chemosensory system activate second-order neurons within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), via a glutamate-AMPA signaling pathway. These neurons, using the same neurotransmitter-receptor unit, transmit information to the AVPNs, which in turn convey the central command to airway effector organs: smooth muscle, submucosal secretory glands, and the vasculature, through intramural ganglionic neurons. The strength and duration of reflex-induced bronchoconstriction is modulated by GABAergic-inhibitory inputs and autocrine-paracrine controlling mechanisms. Downregulation of GABAergic inhibitory influences may result in a shift from inhibitory to excitatory drive that may lead to increased excitability of AVPNs, heightened airway responsiveness, and sustained narrowing of the airways. Hence a better understanding of these normal and altered central neural circuits and mechanisms could potentially improve the design of therapeutic interventions and the treatment of airway obstructive diseases.
Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Prostate Cancer in India
Authors: Mishra Dhruva Kumar , Bid Hemant Kumar , Srivastava Daya Shankar Lal , Mandhani Anil , Mittal Rama Devi
Published: May 2005

Introduction: Vitamin D plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of normal and malignant cells. In several studies polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been reported to be associated with prostate cancer (CaP). The rationale of this study was to determine the association between the VDR (Fok-I) polymorphism and the risk of developing CaP. Materials and Methods: Polymorphism was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 128 CaP patients (age range 43–89 years) and 147 age-matched controls (age range 42–91 years). PCR products were designated as F or f allele according to the absence or presence of a restriction site. Results and Conclusions: The frequencies of the FF, Ff and ff genotypes were 60.9, 35.2 and 3.9% in CaP patients and 42.2, 46.9 and 10.9% in healthy controls, respectively. The genotype frequency distribution between CaP and the control group was statistically significant (p = 0.003). However, the distribution of genotypes was not significantly associated with the Gleason score. The present study thus demonstrates that the FF genotype (or F allele) of the VDR gene plays an important role in determining the risk of CaP and could be postulated as a good candidate genetic marker.
Pseudoexstrophy with Epispadias
Authors: Mahajan J.K. , Ojha Sunita , Rao K.L.N.
Published: May 2005

The exstrophy variants are uncommon anomalies. The variants of the exstrophy complex have all the stigmata of the classical exstrophy such as divergent recti, widened symphysis pubis, and low-set umbilicus; however, the urinary tract is intact to a varying degree. Pseudoexstrophy, an exstrophy variant, is very rarely associated with epispadias. We report an unusual case of pseudoexstrophy with epispadias, in whom the intact bladder was initially covered by a mucous membrane which later epithelialized. The epispadias was repaired using a penile disassembly technique with posterior and ventral placement of bladder neck and urethra. Although the urethral meatus was hypospadiac, the child had achieved dry intervals with occasional stress incontinence.
Gastric Cancer in Augmentation Gastrocystoplasty
Authors: Esquena Fernández Salvador , Abascal José María , Tremps Edmundo , Morote Juan
Published: May 2005

A 27-year-old man operated for myelomeningocele in the neonatal period and for augmentation gastrocystoplasty at age 13 years for voiding dysfunction, was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma on the stomach side of bladder augmentation. A radical cystectomy and an ileal conduit procedure were performed and the pathologist confirmed a poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. Urologists should be aware of this potential degeneration, and long-term follow-up is mandatory to detect malignization of these cystoplasties.
No Association between the Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Kainate 3 Gene ser310ala Polymorphism and Schizophrenia
Authors: Lai I-Ching , Liou Ying-Jay , Chen Jen-Yeu , Wang Ying-Chieh
Published: May 2005

The etiology of schizophrenia has been suggested to be associated with the dysfunction of the glutamatergic system. A positive association between the ionotropic glutamate receptor kainate 3 gene (GRIK3) T928G polymorphism and schizophrenia has been reported, which suggests that people bearing G allele are at a higher risk for schizophrenia. Therefore, we attempted to replicate this study in Chinese with larger sample size. One hundred and sixty schizophrenic patients and 160 healthy controls participated in the current study. Genotype and allele distributions of GRIK3 T928G polymorphism in schizophrenics were similar to those of controls (p = 0.74 and p = 0.59, respectively). Our study indicated that there was no association between this polymorphism and schizophrenia, at least in Chinese.
Effects of Different Subanesthetic Doses of (S)-Ketamine on Neuropsychology, Psychopathology, and State of Consciousness in Man
Authors: Passie Torsten , Karst Matthias , Wiese Birgitt , Emrich Hinderk M. , Schneider Udo
Published: May 2005

This is the first neuropsychological study using the S-enantiomer of the noncompetetive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine. In 2 randomized placebo-controlled trials we studied effects of two different doses of (S)-ketamine (low dose/high dose) on neuropsychological functions and psychopathology in 12 healthy male volunteers. Impairment was measured via standardized neuropsychological tests. Results indicate that both subanaesthetic doses produce only nonsignificant impairment in most of the tasks. Tasks involving divided and sustained attention as well as scores for objective and subjective psychopathology show significant impairment in a dose-dependent manner. Implications of these findings for the neuropsychology of attention and schizophrenia are discussed.
Alexithymic Characteristics and Patient-Therapist Interaction: A Video Analysis of Facial Affect Display
Authors: Rasting Marcus , Brosig Burkhard , Beutel Manfred E.
Published: May 2005

Alexithymia as a disorder of affect regulation entails a patient’s reduced ability to process emotional information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of alexithymia [as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)-26, German version] on affective correlates in a dyadic therapeutic interaction (as recorded by the Emotional Facial Action Coding System). Interviews with 12 in-patients with various psychosomatic disorders (anxiety, depression, somatisation) were videotaped and evaluated for facial affect display. The corresponding emotional reactions of the therapists (split screen) were recorded separately. Patients with high alexithymia scores (TAS-26 total score) tended to display less aggressive affects than those with low scores. The therapists’ predominant emotional reaction to alexithymic patients was contempt. Our findings underscore the deep-rooted nature of alexithymia as a disorder of affect regulation. Since facial affects play a major role in the regulation of emotional interaction, this disorder may evoke negative reactions of potential caregivers.
Cognitive Consequences of Thalamic, Basal Ganglia, and Deep White Matter Lacunes in Brain Aging and Dementia
Authors: Gold Gabriel , Kövari Enikö , Herrmann François R. , Canuto Alessandra , Hof Patrick R. , Michel Jean-Pierre , Bouras Constantin , Giannakopoulos Panteleimon
Published: May 2005

Background and Purpose—

Most previous studies addressed the cognitive impact of lacunar infarcts using radiologic correlations that are known to correlate poorly with neuropathological data. Moreover, absence of systematic bilateral assessment of vascular lesions and masking effects of Alzheimer disease pathology and macrovascular lesions may explain discrepancies among previous reports. To define the relative contribution of silent lacunes to cognitive decline, we performed a detailed analysis of lacunar and microvascular pathology in both cortical and subcortical areas of 72 elderly individuals without significant neurofibrillary tangle pathology or macrovascular lesions.

Methods—

Cognitive status was assessed prospectively using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale; neuropathological evaluation included Aβ-protein deposition staging and bilateral assessment of microvascular ischemic pathology and lacunes; statistical analysis included multivariate models controlling for age, amyloid deposits, and microvascular pathology.

Results—

Thalamic and basal ganglia lacunes were negatively associated with CDR scores; cortical microinfarcts, periventricular and diffuse white matter demyelination also significantly affected cognition. In a multivariate model, cortical microinfarcts and thalamic and basal ganglia lacunes explained 22% of CDR variability; amyloid deposits and microvascular pathology explained 12%, and the assessment of thalamic and basal ganglia lacunes added an extra 17%. Deep white matter lacunes were not related to cognitive status in univariate and multivariate models.

Conclusions—

In agreement with the recently proposed concept of subcortical ischemic vascular dementia, our autopsy series provides important evidence that gray matter lacunes are independent predictors of cognitive decline in elderly individuals without concomitant dementing processes such as Alzheimer disease.
U.S. Diasporas and Their Impacts on Homeland Technological and Socioeconomic Development: How Does Sub-Sahara Africa Compare?
Authors: Patterson Rubin
Published: May 2005

More science and technology talented nationals emigrate to the United States from a few Asian countries, by far, than from all of Africa, yet only the latter suffers a "brain drain" whereas the former group experiences net gains as a result of "brain circulation." Brain drain is the one-way flow of talent out of countries where it is most needed in absolute terms (south) to locations where it is most needed in productive terms (the West). The paper finds that, unlike African nations, a number of Asian nations have a brain circulation or technical talent continuously cycling out of the homeland into the United States where the talent is amplified and wealth is generated as the homeland state encourages redirection of some of each to the homeland economy. In these instances, the homeland state and the US-based diaspora work collaboratively in the interest of both. African nations experience little of this brain circulation, partially as a result of weak diaspora—homeland collaborative development agendas. The principal proposition clarified in this comparative analytic project is that developing nations with ongoing collaborative technology development agendas between the homeland state and its US-based diaspora have a huge comparative advantage over those developing nations that do not.
Access to Ambulatory Medical and Long-Term Care Services Among Elderly Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries: Organizational, Financial, and Geographic Barriers
Authors: Niefeld Marlene R. , Kasper Judith D.
Published: May 2005

The comprehensive insurance coverage afforded low-income elders with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage (dual enrollees) has substantially reduced financial barriers to care. However, other studies show reduced and less appropriate utilization patterns among dual enrollees compared to Medicare beneficiaries with private supplemental insurance, suggesting access barriers remain. This study found that 59 percent of elderly dual enrollees needed an ambulatory medical or long-term care service in a 1-year period. One third of these individuals experienced barriers to access; organizational and geographic barriers were more prevalent than financial barriers. African American race, trouble paying basic living expenses, fair or poor health status, and an unfavorable assessment of physician information giving were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of organizational and geographic access barriers among elderly dual enrollees.
Use of Evidence in Home Care
Authors: DePalma Judith A.
Published: May 2005

This issue promotes the use of evidence in clinical decision making and offers many resources for the home health care nurse to use in the search for evidence. This column addresses a source of evidence-based clinical guidelines and a study that determined the use of evidence by nurses in rural settings.
Cooperating pre–T-cell receptor and TCF-1–dependent signals ensure thymocyte survival
Authors: Goux Delphine , Coudert Jérôme D. , Maurice Diane , Scarpellino Leonardo , Jeannet Grégoire , Piccolo Stefano , Weston Kathleen , Huelsken Joerg , Held Werner
Published: May 2005

Intrathymic T-cell maturation critically depends on the selective expansion of thymocytes expressing a functionally rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR) β chain. In addition, TCR-independent signals also contribute to normal T-cell development. It is unclear whether and how signals from the 2 types of pathways are integrated. Here, we show that T-cell factor-1 (TCF-1), a nuclear effector of the canonical wingless/int (wnt)/catenin signaling pathway, ensures the survival of proliferating, pre-TCR+ thymocytes. The survival of pre-TCR+ thymocytes requires the presence of the N-terminal catenin-binding domain in TCF-1. This domain can bind the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin and may also bind γ-catenin (plakoglobin). However, in the absence of γ-catenin, T-cell development is normal, supporting a role for β-catenin. Signaling competent β-catenin is present prior to and thus arises independently from pre-TCR signaling and does not substantially increase on pre-TCR signaling. In contrast, pre-TCR signaling significantly induces TCF-1 expression. This coincides with the activation of a wnt/catenin/TCF reporter transgene in vivo. Collectively, these data suggest that efficient TCF-dependent transcription requires that pre-TCR signaling induces TCF-1 expression, whereas wnt signals may provide the coactivator such as β-catenin. The 2 pathways thus have to cooperate to ensure thymocyte survival at the pre-TCR stage. (Blood. 2005;106:1726-1733)
Psychological illness is commonly associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders and is important to consider during patient consultation: a population-based study
Authors: Ålander Ture , Svärdsudd Kurt , Johansson Sven-Erik , Agréus Lars
Published: May 2005

Background

Some individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) suffer long-lasting symptoms without ever consulting their doctors. Our aim was to study co-morbidity and lifestyle differences among consulters and non-consulters with persistent FGID and controls in a defined adult population.

Methods

A random sample of the general adult Swedish population was obtained by a postal questionnaire. The Abdominal Symptom Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to measure GI symptomatology and grade of GI symptom severity and the Complaint Score Questionnaire (CSQ) was used to measure general symptoms. Subjects were then grouped for study by their symptomatic profiles. Subjects with long-standing FGID (n = 141) and subjects strictly free from gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (n = 97) were invited to attend their local health centers for further assessment.

Results

Subjects with FGID have a higher risk of psychological illness [OR 8.4, CI95(4.0–17.5)] than somatic illness [OR 2.8, CI95(1.3–5.7)] or ache and fatigue symptoms [OR 4.3, CI95(2.1–8.7)]. Subjects with psychological illness have a higher risk of severe GI symptoms than controls; moreover they have a greater chance of being consulters. Patients with FGID have more severe GI symptoms than non-patients.

Conclusion

There is a strong relation between extra-intestinal, mental and somatic complaints and FGID in both patients and non-patients. Psychological illness increases the chance of concomitantly having more severe GI symptoms, which also enhance consultation behaviour.
Peripheral Interaction of Ghrelin with Cholecystokinin on Feeding Regulation
Authors: Date Yukari , Toshinai Koji , Koda Shuichi , Miyazato Mikiya , Shimbara Takuya , Tsuruta Tomoko , Niijima Akira , Kangawa Kenji , Nakazato Masamitsu
Published: May 2005

Ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) are gastrointestinal hormones regulating feeding. Both transmitted via the vagal afferent, ghrelin elicits starvation signals, whereas CCK induces satiety signals. We investigated the interaction between ghrelin and CCK functioning in short-term regulation of feeding in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, which have a disrupted CCK type A receptor (CCK-AR), and their lean littermates, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Intravenous administration of ghrelin increased 2-h food intake in both OLETF and LETO rats. Because OLETF rats are CCK insensitive, iv-administered CCK decreased 2-h food intake in LETO, but not in OLETF, rats. Although preadministration of CCK to LETO rats blocked food intake induced by ghrelin, CCK preadministration to OLETF rats did not affect ghrelin-induced food intake. Conversely, preadministration of ghrelin to LETO rats blocked feeding reductions induced by CCK. In electrophysiological studies, once gastric vagal afferent discharges were altered by ghrelin or CCK administration, they could not be additionally affected by serial administrations of either CCK or ghrelin, respectively. The induction of Fos expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus by ghrelin was also attenuated by CCK preadministration. Using immunohistochemistry, we also demonstrated the colocalization of GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), the cellular receptor for ghrelin, with CCK-AR in vagal afferent neurons. These results indicate that the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in determining peripheral energy balance. The efficiency of ghrelin and CCK signal transduction may depend on the balance of their respective plasma concentration and/or on interactions between GHS-R and CCK-AR.
Reattendance in the Swiss mammography screening pilot programme
Authors: Bulliard J-L , De Landtsheer J-P , Levi F
Published: May 2005

Objectives: To explore the patterns and determinants of reattendance among initial attendees at an organised breast cancer screening programme.

Setting: Swiss mammography screening pilot programme, based on first-round enrolment in 1993-1995.

Methods: Data on socio-demographic features, health preventive behaviour and history, prior screening round and referring physicians' attributes were collected at initial attendance. First-round attendees (n=4162) were followed prospectively through next screening round. Determinants of reattendance were identified by multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Reattendance rate was high (80%). Women most likely to reattend were urban, Swiss residents with a true-negative first-round screening result. The more intensive the initial recruitment efforts, the lesser were the odds of reattendance. Mammography screening prior to screening enrolment increased reattendance. Having a gynaecologist, a female and a younger doctor as a referring physician was positively associated with reattendance.

Conclusion: Mammography screening attendance is not only influenced by women-related factors but also by structural factors, and thus requires a global approach. For strategies aimed at improving performances of organised cancer screening programmes, understanding and quantification of determinants of (re)attendance are key elements to consider.
Accuracy of conventional cytology: results from a multicentre screening study in India
Authors: Sankaranarayanan R , Thara S , Sharma A , Roy C , Shastri S , Mahé C , Muwonge R , Fontanière B ,   The Multicentre Study Group On Cervical Cancer Early Detection in India
Published: May 2005

Objective: We conducted a multi-centre cross-sectional study in India to evaluate the accuracy of conventional cytology to detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).

Setting: Cross-sectional studies in Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai and Trivandrum, India, during 1999-2003.

Methods: A common protocol and questionnaire were used to test 22,663 women aged 25-65 years with conventional cytology in five cross-sectional studies. Three thresholds were used to define test positivity: atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LSIL), or HSIL. All screened women were investigated with colposcopy, and biopsies were taken when necessary. The reference standard for final disease status was histology or negative colposcopy. Data from the studies were pooled to evaluate the test characteristics for the detection of histologically confirmed HSIL.

Results: The test positivity rates of cytology were 8.8% at ASCUS, 6.2% at LSIL and 1.8% at HSIL thresholds, and 355 women had histologically confirmed HSIL while 74 had invasive cancer. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values at ASCUS threshold were 64.5%, 92.3%, 11.8% and 99.4% respectively. The corresponding values at LSIL threshold were 58.0%, 94.9%, 15.2% and 99.3%, while at the HSIL threshold they were 45.4%, 99.2%, 46.3% and 99.1%. The sensitivity varied between 37.8-81.3% at ASCUS , 28.9-76.9% at LSIL and 24.4-72.3% at HSIL thresholds. A significantly low sensitivity was observed in women aged 25-39 years (p<0.001). The wide variation in sensitivity across study sites persisted even after age standardisation.

Conclusion: The sensitivity of cytology varied widely between the study sites. Findings from our study and other reviews indicate that sustained efforts in improving sampling, preparation and reading of cytological specimens and improvements in clinical judgement are essential to achieve concurrently high sensitivity and specificity.
Strategies to improve the effectiveness of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programmes
Authors: Hobbs S , Claridge M , Drage M , Quick C , Bradbury A , Wilmink A
Published: May 2005

Objective: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) occurring in patients with screen-detected aneurysms could be regarded as a failure of screening and reduce effectiveness of screening. To understand this issue, we studied the reasons why rAAAs occur in screened patients and estimated the cost-benefit ratio if these ruptures could be prevented.

Methods: All rAAAs occurring in the Huntingdon district in the UK during the study period (1991-2000) were traced via a combination of hospital admission, accident and emergency attendance, and intensive therapy unit admission records, operating theatre registers and post-mortem reports. Cross-referencing with the aneurysm-screening database identified those patients who had attended screening. Previously used cost-effectiveness models were used to estimate the cost benefits to screening.

Results: Ninety-three rAAAs occurred in men over the study period, of whom 23 (25%) had been invited for screening and 13 (14%) had accepted the invitation. All who had been screened (mean age 75 [65-82]) had abnormal aortic diameters (>30 mm) on their first scan. Of those invited, 10/23 (43%) did not attend their screening appointment, 4/23 (17%) were deemed not fit for open surgery, 4/23 (17%) ruptured whilst being assessed for aneurysm repair, 2/23 (9%) ruptured whilst under six-monthly surveillance, and 3/23 (13%) failed to attend scheduled six-monthly surveillance appointments. Reducing screened ruptures by one half could increase the cost-effectiveness of screening by 27%.

Conclusion: There were no failures of the screening test. The benefits of aneurysm screening can be improved by increasing the uptake of screening, the compliance with surveillance, and by streamlining the work-up process before surgery.
Drawing lessons from across the pond: the fungibility of US and British telephone regulation
Authors: Zarkin Michael J.
Published: May 2005

English

During the last two decades there has been an increasing amount of attention within policy studies to ‘lesson-drawing’ – a process through which governmental jurisdictions formulate policy by learning from the experiences of political actors in other times and places. While a substantial body of theoretical literature has been generated on the topic, insufficient attention has been paid to issues of ‘fungibility’ or adaptability of lessons from one context to another. The purpose of this article is to begin to fill in this gap in the literature by adapting and testing several fungibility hypotheses posited by Rose (1993) against a case study of US telephone rate regulation.
Environmental sustainability and management reform in local government: an empirical analysis
Authors: Enticott Gareth , Walker Richard M.
Published: May 2005

English

A new stage of environmental policy making in local government has emerged as managerial reforms to improve the performance of local government in England seek to secure sustainability alongside more traditional measures such as economy, efficiency and effectiveness. In this article we present the first empirical test of the relationship between environmental sustainability and managerial reform, using the example of Best Value. Data are drawn from a large survey of 706 officers in 102 English local authorities. Statistical results suggest that sustainability, inspired by managerial reform, is assisted by favourable environmental attitudes and the presence of strong corporate values but is frustrated by poor integration and departmental cultures towards sustainability. An agenda of further research is offered in conclusion.
Policy, theory and pragmatism: implementing the UK's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme
Authors: Rigby John
Published: May 2005

English

The concept of a gap between policy and impact – mainly conceived of as deficit between intended and actual effects – is a major theme in policy studies and public administration. While evaluation researchers have reflected on the relevance of causal theories to policy, political scientists have devoted diminishing attention to it, particularly as implementation studies shift their focus from government to governance. This case study analysis focuses on the role of gaps between causal theories used by policy makers and those influencing policy, revealing the important problematic for policy and programme implementation of the relationship of causal theories to policy.
Perceptions of politics and perceived performance in public and private organisations: a test of one model across two sectors
Authors: Vigoda-Gadot Eran , Kapun Danit
Published: May 2005

English

This article suggests a theoretical model and empirical examination of the relationship between organisational politics and perceived employees’ performance across two separate settings: the private sector and the public sector. 700 employees of private sector and public sector organisations provided data on perceptions of organisational politics, job satisfaction, organisational commitment, job distress and burnout, as well as self-reported turnover intentions, negligent behaviour and absenteeism. Our findings indicate that politics perceptions differ substantially across sectors and prove higher in the public than in the private sector. The theoretical model was tested using an SEM technique and was found valid in both sectors. However, when closely analysed, the same model still fits private sector organisations better than public sector ones.
Two English Hearsay Heresies
Authors: Taylor Greg
Published: May 2005

Using comparative material from other common-law jurisdictions and Scotland, it is argued that two leading decisions of the House of Lords on the scope of the hearsay rule are erroneous. In R v Kearley, the House held that telephone requests by unknown persons for drugs made to the accused were inadmissible hearsay. In Blastland, on an appeal against a murder conviction, the House held that statements by a third person indicating that he knew of the victim's death before it became public knowledge were inadmissible. It is noted that the reform of hearsay in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 may have an impact on both rules, but it is submitted that this should not obscure the fundamental errors underpinning these decisions revealed by recourse to better reasoned decisions from other jurisdictions.
Very Short Stories: The Miniaturization of War in Hemingway's In Our Time
Authors: Barloon Jim
Published: May 2005

Examines the portrayal of war in In Our Time. Through his fragmentary sketches, Hemingway invented a form—the vignette or "miniature"—to delineate the surrealistic horror of modern-day warfare. The vignettes constitute the miniaturization of war, drawn on a small scale not simply because one gets "scared sick looking at it," but because the sketch more truly reflects the actual experience of war, testifying, by its very form, to a view of war as disordered and disjunctive.
Nick Adams at a Windy Crossroads: Echoes of Past and Future Fictions in Ernest Hemingway's "Che Ti Dice La Patria?"
Authors: Ott Mark P.
Published: May 2005

Folder 727 of the John F. Kennedy Library's Hemingway Collection contains an unpublished, one-paragraph fragment describing a cold wind blowing the dust off a road and a bridge. Both the catalog and Paul Smith identify the fragment as belonging to the short story "Che Ti Dice la Patria?" Together, fragment and published short story reveal Hemingway at an intriguing artistic crossroads. Their imagery reverberates from Hemingway's earlier Nick Adams stories through his novel A Farewell to Arms to his late memoir A Moveable Feast.
Performing the Feminine in A Farewell to Arms
Authors: Traber Daniel S
Published: May 2005

The critical record on A Farewell to Arms exhibits a decided split on whether readers approach the characterization of Catherine Barkley as proof of latter position by reading Catherine as a device for questioning gender roles and their social function. Catherine takes control of her subjectivity by deploying a "woman-in-love" persona that allows her to maneuver in an ambiguous world. Recognizing the socially constructed nature of femininity, she manipulates gender expectations as a means to an end.
Distribution of LDL Particle Size in a Population-Based Sample of Children and Adolescents and Relationship with Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Stan Simona , Levy Emile , Delvin Edgard E , Hanley James A , Lamarche Benoît , O’Loughlin Jennifer , Paradis Gilles , Lambert Marie
Published: May 2005

Background: Smaller, denser LDL particles are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In youths, data on the distribution of LDL particle size and on its association with other CVD risk factors are limited.

Methods: We determined LDL peak particle size by nondenaturing 2%–16% gradient gel electrophoresis in a representative sample of 2249 youths 9, 13, and 16 years of age who participated in a school-based survey conducted in 1999 in the province of Quebec, Canada. Standardized clinical measurements and fasting plasma lipid, glucose, and insulin concentrations were available.

Results: The LDL peak particle size distribution was gaussian. The 5th, 50th (median), and 95th percentiles by age and sex were 255.5–258.6, 262.1–263.2, and 268.1–269.5 Å, respectively. The prevalence of the small, dense LDL phenotype (LDL peak particle size ≤255 Å) was 10% in participants with insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), in contrast to 1% in those without IRS. In a multiple regression analysis, the association of LDL size with other CVD risk factors [apolipoprotein B, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and insulin concentrations, and body mass index] was strongest with TG and HDL-C concentrations: a 1 SD increase in loge-transformed TG concentration was associated with a 1.2 Å reduction in LDL size, and a 1 SD increase in HDL-C was associated with a 1.1 Å increase in LDL size.

Conclusions: Although the small, dense LDL phenotype is less prevalent in youths than adults, its prevalence is clearly increased in childhood IRS. Metabolic correlates of LDL size are similar in youths and adults.
Population Genotyping of Hepatitis C Virus by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Short DNA Fragments
Authors: Kim Yoon Jun , Kim Soo-Ok , Chung Hyun Jae , Jee Mi Sun , Kim Byeong Gwan , Kim Kang Mo , Yoon Jung-Hwan , Lee Hyo-Suk , Kim Chung Yong , Kim Sukjoon , Yoo Wangdon , Hong Sun Pyo
Published: May 2005

Background: Identifying hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes has become increasingly important for determining clinical course and the outcome of antiviral therapy. Here we describe the development of restriction fragment mass polymorphism (RFMP) analysis, a novel matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay suitable for high-throughput, sensitive, specific genotyping of multiple HCV species.

Methods: The assay is based on PCR amplification and mass measurement of oligonucleotides containing genotype-specific motifs in the 5′ untranslated region, into which a type IIS restriction endonuclease recognition was introduced by PCR amplification. Enzymatic cleavage of the products led to excision of multiple oligonucleotide fragments representing variable regions whose masses were determined by MALDI-TOF MS.

Results: The RFMP assay identified viral genotypes present at concentrations as low as 0.5% and reliably determined their relative abundance. When sera from 318 patients were analyzed, the RFMP assay exhibited 100% concordance with results obtained by clonal sequencing and identified mixed-genotype infections in 22% of the samples, in addition to several subtype variants.

Conclusions: The RFMP assay has practical advantages over existing methods, including better quantitative detection of mixed populations and detection of genotype variants without need for population-based cloning, enabling reliable viral genotyping in laboratories and efficient study of the relationship between viral genotypes and clinical outcome.
Quantification of Cleaved β2-Microglobulin in Serum from Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis
Authors: Corlin Dorthe B , Sen Jette W , Ladefoged Søren , Lund Grethe Bjerregaard , Nissen Mogens H , Heegaard Niels HH
Published: May 2005

Background: Patients on chronic hemodialysis are prone to develop amyloid deposits of misfolded β2-microglobulin (β2M) in osteoarticular tissues. β2M with various deletions/truncations and chemical modifications has been found together with structurally intact β2M in extracts of β2M amyloid fibrils. The state of the circulating population of β2M molecules has not been characterized previously with high-resolution methods.

Methods: We used immunoaffinity–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of serum samples to examine whether structurally modified β2M is generated in the circulation. In addition, we developed an immunoassay for the quantification of a cleaved β2M variant in biological fluids based on novel monoclonal antibodies and applied this assay to patient and control sera.

Results: A specific alteration compatible with the generation of lysine-58–cleaved and truncated β2M (ΔK58-β2M) was found in the sera of many (20%–40%) dialysis patients but not in control sera or sera from patients with cerebral amyloidosis (Alzheimer disease). Applied to patient sera, specific immunoassays revealed that dialysis, as expected, significantly lowered the total β2M concentration, but the concentrations of ΔK58-β2M remained unchanged after dialysis. The results also show that patients dialyzed with less biocompatible membranes have higher serum concentrations of cleaved β2M (mean, 8.5, 1.8, and 0.7 mg/L in cuprophane membrane-dialyzed, polysulfone membrane-dialyzed, and control sera, respectively).

Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrates and assigns the structure of a specific β2M variant in sera from dialysis patients. Because this variant is conformationally unstable in vitro, it may be involved in in vivo amyloidogenesis.
Neue Richtlinien zur Ermittlung der Unsicherheit von Härtemessungen (New Guidelines to the Determination of the Uncertainty of Hardness Measurements)
Authors: Herrmann Konrad , Polzin Thomas
Published: May 2005

In dem Beitrag werden die Grundzüge von in jüngster Zeit geschaffenen Richtlinien zur Ermittlung der Unsicherheit von Härtemessungen vorgestellt. Die Richtlinien für die in den ISO-Härtenormen beschriebenen konventionellen Härtemessverfahren Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell und Knoop bauen darauf auf, dass mit der Messunsicherheit die Einhaltung der in den genannten Normen enthaltenen Toleranzen überprüft wird. Demgegenüber werden in der Messunsicherheitsrichtlinie der European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) die Unsicherheiten der direkten Kalibrierungen nach dem Fehlerfortpflanzungsgesetz zu einer Messunsicherheit in Härteeinheiten zusammengefasst.
Recycling, Glass
Authors: Ross C. Philip
Published: May 2005

The properties of glass provide attributes for many commercial products. As some of these products reach the end of their useful life and are discarded, there is the opportunity to have the material recycled into other useful products. This alternative is preferred over having the material enter a municipal waste stream for landfill disposal. Glass can be remelted and refabricated over and over again without any deterioration of the material properties. Limitations for recycling of glass involve the level of contamination from other categories or colors of glass, as well as from a variety of nonglass materials. For successful recycling, glass must be processed to meet the requirements of the glass manufacturing industry.
Polyethylene, High Density
Authors: Benham Elizabeth , McDaniel Max
Published: May 2005

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic throughout the world, and high density polyethylene (HDPE) is the most widely used type of polyethylene. It was invented independently in the early 1950s in three different laboratories across the world. Commercial catalytic processes were quickly developed based on three different transition metals: Cr, Mo, and Ti. Today, hundreds of different grades of HDPE are manufactured by dozens of different commercial processes worldwide to meet the demands of applications too numerous to describe completely. The properties of HDPE can be made to vary widely for these specialized applications by varying its molecular structure, such as the molecular weight (MW); the MW distribution; the amount; type, and placement of short‐chain branching; the end group composition; and the degree of long‐chain branching. These affect the stiffness of the polymer; the gloss or clarity; the impact, puncture, and tear resistance; chemical resistance; electrical insulation properties; molding characteristics; and tensile properties. Common uses for HDPE include food packaging, bottles, bags, medical applications, drums, fuel tanks and other automotive parts, pipe, film, geomembranes, toys, film, and filament.
Maintenance
Authors: Levitt Joel D.
Published: May 2005

One of the goals of good management is to operate with a predictive and preventive maintenance program that prevents unscheduled utility service interruptions and machine breakdowns. A reasonable cost of such a program contributes to the profitability of manufacturing plants and results in reduction of operating costs and increased productivity. This all can be accomplished by organizing, managing, and controlling maintenance.

A good maintenance program should include designing, laying out, and constructing facilities with maintenance in mind; providing for reliable utilities and their uses; developing a maintenance organization and program while the facility is under construction; developing a simple, practical, predictive, and preventative maintenance program; supplementing an in‐house maintenance organization with contract maintenance; motivating the maintenance workers; organizing safety as an important function of any maintenance program; including environmental care and appreciation in any maintenance program; developing an energy conservation program as part of the maintenance program; creating a partnership with suppliers and equipment manufacturers; cooperating with other service groups of the facility; and controlling costs and assuring budget responsibility.
Malts and Malting
Authors: Mulder Chris J.
Published: May 2005

The malting process consists of three key steps: steeping, whereby barley is moistened to about 45% moisture; germination, wherein rootlets (sprouts) and a stem (acrospire) emerge while enzymes are formed that alter the cellular structure and composition; and kilning, where barley is dried to preserve enzyme activity and to impart flavor. Nearly all of the malt produced is used to make beer. Barley is grown in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Montana, and other western States. Barley varieties are developed specifically for good malting and brewing traits. Less than 50% of the U.S. barley crop is converted into malt. World malt production in 2003 was ∼12 million metric tons. The 2003 U.S. production was 2.6 million tons, with stagnant growth during the last few years. Large United States and Canadian producers are Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc., Cargill Malt, Conagra Malt, Rahr Malting Co., and International Malting Co. There is excess malting capacity, resulting in low margin commodity pricing. Production and raw material costs are ∼$230/t.
Nitric Acid
Authors: Clarke Stephen I. , Mazzafro William J. ,   Updated by Staff
Published: May 2005

Nitric acid is a strong acid, a powerful oxidizing compound, and a nitrating agent. These properties make it an important basic chemical compound that is used in the production of many important chemicals such as fertilizers, polyurethanes, organic chemical intermediates, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers, dyes, insecticides, fungicides, and explosives. Nitric acid is produced through the oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen oxides, which are then absorbed by water to produce nitric acid. Weak nitric acid processes produce nitric acid in the concentration range of 50–65 wt %. The two main types of weak acid process are the monopressure process and the dual‐pressure process. The monopressure process operates at either moderate (0.3–0.6 MPa) or high pressure (0.7–1.2 MPa). The dual‐pressure process performs the conversion of ammonia at atmospheric or moderate pressures (0.3–0.6 MPa) and the absorption of nitrogen oxides at high pressure (1.1–1.5 MPa). Nitrogen oxides in the tail gas leaving the process are reduced to below environmental regulatory limits by either extended absorption or catalytic abatement. Strong nitric acid of 98–99 wt % is produced by either extractive distillation or direct strong nitric acid process. The extractive distillation process uses either magnesium nitrate or sulfuric acid as a dehydrating agent to surpass the maximum boiling azeotrope of nitric acid. The direct strong nitric acid process is similar to the weak nitric acid process, but has additional processing steps that bypass the azeotrope to produce strong nitric acid. Information on the chemical and physical properties, manufacturing processes, materials of construction, uses, safety and health, analytical methods, and producers of nitric acid is included.
Nitrogen
Authors: Hardenburger Thomas L. , Ennis Matthew ,   Updated by Staff
Published: May 2005

Nitrogen is an important industrial gas and an element that is essential to all life. Most naturally occurring, noncombined nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas sometimes referred to as dinitrogen. Dinitrogen is an extremely stable, relatively inert molecule. High temperatures are generally required to coax its reactivity. Due to its inert nature, gaseous nitrogen finds wide application in many industrial processes as a blanketing and purging agent. Dinitrogen liquifies at −196°C to a colorless liquid. Liquid nitrogen is used in many applications as an inert, expendable refrigerant. All commercial nitrogen uses atmospheric air as the feedstock. The principal manufacturing processes include cryogenic distillation, pressure swing adsorption, membrane permeation, and combustion‐based processes. At the present time, cryogenic distillation is the most significant. Commercial nitrogen is distributed in very large volumes by pipeline or in smaller volumes in liquified form for use or vaporization at the use point or in compressed gaseous form in steel cylinders. Nitrogen is nontoxic but does not support life, therefore care is required before entering areas suspected of being nitrogen‐enriched.