bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translation of mechanical exposure in the workplace into common metrics for meta-analysis: a reliability and validity study
Authors: Griffith Lauren E , Wells Richard P , Shannon Harry S , Walter Stephen D , Cole Donald C , Côté Pierre , Frank John , Hogg-Johnson Sheilah , Langlois Lacey E
Published: November 2010

Objectives

We previously assessed inter-rater reliability of expert raters using six scales to estimate the intensity of literature-based mechanical exposures. The objectives of this study were to estimate the impact on the inter-rater reliability of using non-expert (NE) raters and to assess the validity of our scales.

Methods

We used 7-point scales to represent three dimensions of mechanical exposures at work: 1) trunk posture, 2) weight lifted or force exerted and 3) spinal loading. We estimated both peak and cumulative loads and called this an “interpretive translation” of exposure. A second method, “algorithmic translation”, used the original units in which the exposure data was collected. These data were used to assess the inter-rater reliability and validity of the NE interpretive translation of exposure.

Results

The NE inter-rater reliability for the scales ranged from 0.24 to 0.46. The correlation between the means of the NE and expert ratings were >0.7. Although there was a strong relationship between the NE interpretive and the algorithmic translation, there was some evidence that the interpretive translation plateaus at higher level of exposure.

Conclusions

This study supports using NE raters to estimate the intensity of literature-based mechanical exposure metrics using a common set of scales which can be applied across epidemiologic studies. We would need to average the ratings of at least five NE raters to have an acceptable level of reliability (>0.7). These metrics may be useful to quantify the relationship between workplace mechanical exposure and low back pain in a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Y1767C, a novelSCN5Amutation, induces a persistent Na+current and potentiates ranolazine inhibition of Nav1.5 channels
Authors: Huang Hai , Priori Silvia G. , Napolitano Carlo , O'Leary Michael E. , Chahine Mohamed
Published: November 2010

Long QT syndrome type 3 (LQT3) has been traced to mutations of the cardiac Na+channel (Nav1.5) that produce persistent Na+currents leading to delayed ventricular repolarization and torsades de pointes. We performed mutational analyses of patients suffering from LQTS and characterized the biophysical properties of the mutations that we uncovered. One LQT3 patient carried a mutation in the SCN5A gene in which the cysteine was substituted for a highly conserved tyrosine (Y1767C) located near the cytoplasmic entrance of the Nav1.5 channel pore. The wild-type and mutant channels were transiently expressed in tsA201 cells, and Na+currents were recorded using the patch-clamp technique. The Y1767C channel produced a persistent Na+current, more rapid inactivation, faster recovery from inactivation, and an increased window current. The persistent Na+current of the Y1767C channel was blocked by ranolazine but not by many class I antiarrhythmic drugs. The incomplete inactivation, along with the persistent activation of Na+channels caused by an overlap of voltage-dependent activation and inactivation, known as window currents, appeared to contribute to the LQTS phenotype in this patient. The blocking effect of ranolazine on the persistent Na+current suggested that ranolazine may be an effective therapeutic treatment for patients with this mutation. Our data also revealed the unique role for the Y1767 residue in inactivating and forming the intracellular pore of the Nav1.5 channel.
Transient receptor potential A1 channel contributes to activation of the muscle reflex
Authors: Koba Satoshi , Hayes Shawn G. , Sinoway Lawrence I.
Published: November 2010

This study was undertaken to elucidate the role played by transient receptor potential A1 channels (TRPA1) in activating the muscle reflex, a sympathoexcitatory drive originating in contracting muscle. First, we tested the hypothesis that stimulation of the TRPA1 located on muscle afferents reflexly increases sympathetic nerve activity. In decerebrate rats, allyl isothiocyanate, a TRPA1 agonist, was injected intra-arterially into the hindlimb muscle circulation. This led to a 33% increase in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). The effect of allyl isothiocyanate was a reflex because the response was prevented by sectioning the sciatic nerve. Second, we tested the hypothesis that blockade of TRPA1 reduces RSNA response to contraction. Thirty-second continuous static contraction of the hindlimb muscles, induced by electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut ends of L4 and L5 ventral roots, increased RSNA and blood pressure. The integrated RSNA during contraction was reduced by HC-030031, a TRPA1 antagonist, injected intra-arterially (163 ± 24 vs. 95 ± 21 arbitrary units, before vs. after HC-030031, P < 0.05). Third, we attempted to identify potential endogenous stimulants of TRPA1, responsible for activating the muscle reflex. Increases in RSNA in response to injection into the muscle circulation of arachidonic acid, bradykinin, and diprotonated phosphate, which are metabolic by-products of contraction and stimulants of muscle afferents during contraction, were reduced by HC-030031. These observations suggest that the TRPA1 located on muscle afferents is part of the muscle reflex and further support the notion that arachidonic acid metabolites, bradykinin, and diprotonated phosphate are candidates for endogenous agonists of TRPA1.
Assessment of endothelial function of large, medium, and small vessels: a unified myograph
Authors: Lu Xiao , Kassab Ghassan S.
Published: November 2010

Endothelial dysfunction precedes the development of morphological atherosclerotic changes and can also contribute to lesion development in cardiovascular diseases. Currently, there is a lack of a single method to determine endothelial function of the entire range of vessel dimensions from aorta to arterioles. Here we assessed endothelial function of a large range of size arteries using a unified isovolumic myograph method. The method maintains a constant volume of fluid in the lumen of the vessel during contraction and relaxation, which are characterized by an increase and a decrease of pressure, respectively. Segments of six aortas, six common femoral arteries, and six mesenteric arteries from rats; six carotid arteries from mice; and six coronary and carotid arteries from pigs were used. The endothelium-dependent dose-response vasorelaxation was determined with endothelium-dependent vasodilators while arterial preconstriction was induced with vasoconstrictors at a submaximal dose. The circumferential midtension during vascular reactivity varied from 43.1 ± 7.9 to 2.59 ± 0.46 mN/mm (from large to small arteries), whereas the circumferential midstress showed a much smaller variation from 217 ± 23.5 to 123 ± 15.3 kPa (in the same range of vessels). We also found that overinflation and axial overelongation compromised endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation to underscore the significance of vessel preload. In conclusion, an isovolumic myograph was used to unify arterial vasoreactivity from large to small arteries and shows the uniformity of wall stress and %tension throughout the range of vessel sizes.
Cardiac disease in mucopolysaccharidosis type I attributed to catecholaminergic and hemodynamic deficiencies
Authors: Palpant Nathan J. , Bedada Fikru B. , Peacock Brandon , Blazar Bruce R. , Metzger Joseph M. , Tolar Jakub
Published: November 2010

Cardiac dysfunction is a common cause of death among pediatric patients with mutations in the lysosomal hydrolase α-l-iduronidase ( IDUA) gene, which causes mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I). The purpose of this study was to analyze adrenergic regulation of cardiac hemodynamic function in MPS-I. An analysis of murine heart function was performed using conductance micromanometry to assess in vivo cardiac hemodynamics. Although MPS-I ( IDUA −/−) mice were able to maintain normal cardiac output and ejection fraction at baseline, this cohort had significantly compromised systolic and diastolic function compared with IDUA +/− control mice. During dobutamine infusion MPS-I mice did not significantly increase cardiac output from baseline, indicative of blunted cardiac reserve. Autonomic tone, measured functionally by β-blockade, indicated that MPS-I mice required catecholaminergic stimulation to maintain baseline hemodynamics. Survival analysis showed mortality only among MPS-I mice. Linear regression analysis revealed that heightened end-systolic volume in the resting heart is significantly correlated with susceptibility to mortality in MPS-I hearts. This study reveals that cardiac remodeling in the pathology of MPS-I involves heightened adrenergic tone at the expense of cardiac reserve with cardiac decompensation predicted on the basis of increased baseline systolic volumes.
The thermodynamics of diastole: kinematic modeling-based derivation of the P-V loop to transmitral flow energy relation with in vivo validation
Authors: Mossahebi Sina , Shmuylovich Leonid , Kovács Sándor J.
Published: November 2010

Pressure-volume (P-V) loop-based analysis facilitates thermodynamic assessment of left ventricular function in terms of work and energy. Typically these quantities are calculated for a cardiac cycle using the entire P-V loop, although thermodynamic analysis may be applied to a selected phase of the cardiac cycle, specifically, diastole. Diastolic function is routinely quantified by analysis of transmitral Doppler E-wave contours. The first law of thermodynamics requires that energy (ε) computed from the Doppler E-wave (εE-wave) and the same portion of the P-V loop (εP-V E-wave) be equivalent. These energies have not been previously derived nor have their predicted equivalence been experimentally validated. To test the hypothesis that εP-V E-wave and εE-wave are equivalent, we used a validated kinematic model of filling to derive εE-wave in terms of chamber stiffness, relaxation/viscoelasticity, and load. For validation, simultaneous (conductance catheter) P-V and echocadiographic data from 12 subjects (205 total cardiac cycles) having a range of diastolic function were analyzed. For each E-wave, εE-wave was compared with εP-V E-wave calculated from simultaneous P-V data. Linear regression yielded the following: εP-V E-wave = αεE-wave + b ( R2 = 0.67), where α = 0.95 and b = 6 e−5. We conclude that E-wave-derived energy for suction-initiated early rapid filling εE-wave, quantitated via kinematic modeling, is equivalent to invasive P-V-defined filling energy. Hence, the thermodynamics of diastole via εE-wave generate a novel mechanism-based index of diastolic function suitable for in vivo phenotypic characterization.
Beneficial pulmonary effects of a metalloporphyrinic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst in burn and smoke inhalation injury
Authors: Lange Matthias , Szabo Csaba , Enkhbaatar Perenlei , Connelly Rhykka , Horvath Eszter , Hamahata Atsumori , Cox Robert A. , Esechie Aimalohi , Nakano Yoshimitsu , Traber Lillian D. , Herndon David N. , Traber Daniel L.
Published: November 2010

During acute lung injury, nitric oxide (NO) exerts cytotoxic effects by reacting with superoxide radicals, yielding the reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrite (ONOO−). ONOO−exerts cytotoxic effects, among others, by nitrating/nitrosating proteins and lipids, by activating the nuclear repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and inducing VEGF. Here we tested the effect of the ONOO−decomposition catalyst INO-4885 on the development of lung injury in chronically instrumented sheep with combined burn and smoke inhalation injury. The animals were randomized to a sham-injured group ( n = 7), an injured control group [48 breaths of cotton smoke, 3rd-degree burn of 40% total body surface area ( n = 7)], or an injured group treated with INO-4885 ( n = 6). All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid-resuscitated according to the Parkland formula. The injury-related increases in the abundance of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of protein nitration by ONOO−, were prevented by INO-4885, providing evidence for the neutralization of ONOO−action by the compound. Burn and smoke injury induced a significant drop in arterial Po2-to-inspired O2fraction ratio and significant increases in pulmonary shunt fraction, lung lymph flow, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and ventilatory pressures; all these changes were significantly attenuated by INO-4885 treatment. In addition, the increases in IL-8, VEGF, and poly(ADP-ribose) in lung tissue were significantly attenuated by the ONOO−decomposition catalyst. In conclusion, the current study suggests that ONOO−plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary microvascular hyperpermeability and pulmonary dysfunction following burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep. Administration of an ONOO−decomposition catalyst may represent a potential treatment option for this injury.
Loss of PTEN Permits CXCR4-Mediated Tumorigenesis through ERK1/2 in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Chetram Mahandranauth A. , Odero-Marah Valerie , Hinton Cimona V.
Published: November 2010

Loss of PTEN is frequently observed in androgen-independent prostate cancer, resulting in the deregulation of metastatic events. SDF1α activation of CXCR4 induces signaling pathways that have been implicated in prostate metastasis and progression to an advanced disease. The pathways of CXCR4 and PTEN converge, leading to the promotion and regulation of tumorigenesis, respectively. However, loss of PTEN may permit CXCR4 to progress prostate cancer to an advanced disease. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of PTEN in CXCR4-mediated tumorigenesis. When screening advanced metastatic prostate cancer cell lines for PTEN, we observed a loss of expression in PC3 and LNCaP cells whereas Du145 expressed wild-type PTEN. All three cell lines were positive for surface expression of CXCR4. Reconsitution of PTEN induced a mesenchymal to epithelial like morphologic change and inhibited CXCR4-mediated migration and proliferation in PC3 cells. Downregulation of PTEN by siRNA enhanced the CXCR4-mediated migratory behavior of Du145 cells. By Western blot analysis, we observed that PTEN inhibited basal AKT phosphorylation but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation in PTEN-expressing cells. Upon CXCR4 stimulation, PTEN inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation but not phosphorylation of AKT. The CXCR4-mediated migration of PC3 cells was through the ERK1/2 pathway, as confirmed by chemical inhibitors. On the basis of these studies, we suggest that loss of PTEN permits CXCR4-mediated functions in prostate cancer cells through the ERK1/2 pathway. Antagonizing CXCR4 and downstream signaling cascades may provide an efficient approach for treating patients with advanced prostate cancer when hormone therapy fails to the stop the growth and containment of tumors. Mol Cancer Res; 9(1); 90–102 ©2010 AACR.
Proanthocyanidins Inhibit UV-Induced Immunosuppression Through IL-12–Dependent Stimulation of CD8+ Effector T Cells and Inactivation of CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Vaid Mudit , Singh Tripti , Li Anna , Katiyar Nandan , Sharma Samriti , Elmets Craig A. , Xu Hui , Katiyar Santosh K.
Published: November 2010

The inhibition of UVB-induced immunosuppression by dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) has been associated with the induction of interleukin (IL)-12 in mice, and we now confirm that GSPs do not inhibit UVB-induced immunosuppression in IL-12p40 knockout (IL-12 KO) mice and that treatment of these mice with recombinant IL-12 restores the inhibitory effect. To characterize the cell population responsible for the GSP-mediated inhibition of UVB-induced immunosuppression and the role of IL-12 in this process, we used an adoptive transfer approach. Splenocytes and draining lymph nodes were harvested from mice that had been administered dietary GSPs (0.5%–1.0%, w/w), exposed to UVB, and sensitized by the application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) onto the UVB-exposed skin. CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were positively selected and transferred into naive mice that were subsequently challenged by application of DNFB on the ear skin. Naive recipients that received CD8+ T cells from GSP-treated, UVB-irradiated donors exhibited full contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response. Naive mice that received CD4+ suppressor T cells from GSP-treated, UVB-exposed mice could mount a CHS response after sensitization and subsequent challenge with DNFB. On culture, the CD8+ T cells from GSP-treated, UVB-exposed mice secreted higher levels (5- to 8-fold) of Th1 cytokines than CD8+ T cells from UVB-irradiated mice not treated with GSPs. CD4+ T cells from GSP-treated, UVB-exposed mice secreted significantly lower levels (80%–100%) of Th2 cytokines than CD4+ T cells from UVB-exposed mice not treated with GSPs. These data suggest that GSPs inhibit UVB-induced immunosuppression by stimulating CD8+ effector T cells and diminishing regulatory CD4+ T cells. Cancer Prev Res; 4(2); 238–47. ©2010 AACR.
Hospital Certification for Optimizing Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Quality of Care and Outcomes
Authors: Fonarow Gregg C. , Gregory Tammy , Driskill Meagen , Stewart Mark D. , Beam Craig , Butler Javed , Jacobs Alice K. , Meltzer Neil M. , Peterson Eric D. , Schwamm Lee H. , Spertus John A. , Yancy Clyde W. , Tomaselli Gordon F. , Sacco Ralph L.
Published: November 2010

Cardiovascular disease and stroke remain leading causes of mortality, disability, and rising healthcare expenditures in the United States. Although a number of organizations provide hospital accreditation, recognition, and certification programs, existing programs do not address cardiovascular disease and stroke care in a comprehensive way. Current evidence suggests mixed findings for correlation between accreditation, recognition, and certification programs and hospitals' actual quality of care and outcomes. This advisory discusses potential opportunities to develop and enhance hospital certification programs for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association is uniquely positioned as a patient-centered, respected, transparent healthcare organization to help drive improvements in care and outcomes for patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease and stroke. As a part of its commitment to promoting high-quality, evidence-based care for cardiovascular and stroke patients, it is recommended that the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association explore hospital certification programs to develop truly meaningful programs to facilitate improvements in and recognition for cardiovascular disease and stroke quality of care and outcomes. Future strategies should standardize objective, unbiased assessments of hospital structural, process, and outcome performance while allowing flexibility as technology and methodology advances occur.
Preface to Professions Today: Received Wisdom, Case Challenges, Contributor Issues and Questions
Authors: Sciulli David
Published: November 2010

The vast majority of contributors to the sociology of professions literature fail to distinguish professions from other occupations, and it sees this as a virtue, not a noteworthy gap at a conceptual level. Talcott Parsons’ most methodical treatment of professions which earlier opposed this position has gone unread, and today has largely disappeared from the literature. Two cases, one historical (the Paris Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture), the other contemporary (the governance of publicly traded corporation as overseen by Delaware courts), challenge the majoritarian position as its core, at a conceptual level. They compel a more abstract, analytical, approach to profession and professionalism. We conclude by presenting the issues and questions presented to all contributors in preparation for this special topic.
Professional Fields and Truth Regimes: In Search of Alternative Approaches
Authors: Brante Thomas
Published: November 2010

Sociology of the professions has faced difficulties in delineating and defining the core of its object of study, the concept and phenomenon of profession. Setting out from the so-called French epistemological tradition, this article tries out a new possibility. It is argued that if there are trans-historical elements in professions, they are found at the cognitive side, as a certain reasonably invariant cognitive structure. The structure implies that a specific type of (scientific) knowledge can be coupled with professional practice, that is, know-why is linked to know-how. This is what the notion of profession primarily should be based on. Science, profession, and “object” together constitute a “truth-regime” in Foucault’s sense. On the other hand, the social side of professions is historically variable. Indeed, the social attributes of a profession changes with social transformations and external interests, with its position in Bourdeauian professional fields, and with its relations in “the professional complex.” The article concludes with a suggestion for a new definition of professions.
An Outline of Trade Associations
Authors: Chunmiao () Sun , Ming () Wang
Published: November 2010

Trade associations are NGOs formed by market-actor enterprises based on commonalities of economy and interests, and which have characteristics of communities (). Based on definitions of the concept, properties and characteristics of trade associations, this article reviews their development from guilds in feudal society () to modern society’s trade councils (), and, finally, to the trade associations () of today. Their development is summarized quantitatively and qualitatively, both in terms of systems and structures. Their three primary functions (representation, coordination, and service) are analyzed, as are their economic, political, and social roles. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of their structures and improvements to governance systems are analyzed, as are the state of their administrative systems and innovations to their administrative systems. Finally, legislative aspects are analyzed and policy recommendations presented.
A Discussion of an Index of China’s Nonprofit Legal Environment
Authors: Yuxin () Lan
Published: November 2010

The legal environment is an important factor affecting the development of the nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Law Index, developed by Johns Hopkins University’s Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project (CNP), offers us a useful analytical framework for interpreting China’s non-profit legal environment. This article uses that framework to evaluate China’s nonprofit legislative environment and then analyzes the results. Its purpose is to uncover important problems with the regulations and policies guiding the management of China’s civil organizations, and to offer several views and recommendations on the quantitative analysis indicator system itself and on China’s civil organization management regulations and policies.
A Definition, Classification, and Report on Rural Civil Organization in China
Authors: Zhihui () Tong
Published: November 2010

This article explores a definition and typology of rural civil organization and proceeds with an analysis of several of the most active types. Its discussion departs from a broadly-used definition of “civil organizations” into an explanation of “rural civil organization”. Next, it applies a classification system based on three parameters: civil organization-State relationship; civil organization-members relationship; and models for satisfying members’ needs. Finally, it introduces recent developments from the most important important types of rural civil organization.
NPO Fundraising Strategies in Transformation: A Case Study of the United Way of Taiwan
Authors: Lien-Chih Chiou , Yu-yuan Kuan
Published: November 2010

This article examines the transformation of the fundraising strategies of the United Way of Taiwan (UWT) from organizational change theory and resource dependency theory. At the same time, it considers the state and significance of nonprofit intermediary organizations in Taiwan that are engaged in charity fundraising and redistribution. The study focuses on the following questions: in order to reasonably distribute social donations among the poor and disadvantaged, how should the UWT effectively raise social resources? What adjustments to its developmental and fundraising strategies should the organization make in response to changes in the external environment? In a Taiwanese charitable donation market that has grown to roughly 50 billion yuan per year, how can the UWT compete or cooperate with other NPOs to increase its fundraising space? The study found that due to considerations of its institutional environment, the UWT focused on attaining legality and legitimacy during its formation. It also found that the change and growth segments of the organizational life cycle were visible in the UWT’s shifts in governance, in personnel, and in its overall development. At the same time, changes made to the UWT’s fundraising strategy demonstrated the organization’s control over resource dependency. Lastly, the study finds that in terms of fundraising strategy, the UWT faces the several challenges of expanding its resource network from the Taiwan’s North to its Middle and South, limiting its dependence on corporate resources, expanding its access to volunteer resources, social services groups and governments, and maintaining its collaborative partnerships.
Backpackers and Gangstas: Chicago’s White Rappers Strive for Authenticity
Authors: Harkness Geoff
Published: November 2010

This project contains an ethnographic and interview-based study of White rappers in Chicago. The research was fueled by a single question: How do White rappers create and maintain authenticity when they are clearly inauthentic by the standards of hip-hop? Though the term authenticity is used often in sociology and other literatures, the author seeks to unpack this mechanism in search of the specific social processes at work. The author begins with a brief account of his methods and then moves to a literature review that includes a broad study of culture and identity; an ethnographic account of White rappers in the United Kingdom; studies of authenticity in the country, punk, blues, and rap music scenes; and an examination of linguistic and rhetorical devices used by rappers. The body of the article explores several aspects of culture: how the rappers in the study learned how to rap, an examination of two cultural objects (live performance and recorded music), and an exploration of two broad categories of rappers, described as backpackers and gangstas. Throughout the article, the author focuses on areas where the current literature does not match up with his own research in hopes of nudging these theories in new directions.
An Examination of the Micro-Level Crime–Fear of Crime Link
Authors: Zhao Jihong Solomon , Lawton Brian , Longmire Dennis
Published: November 2010

Since the late 1960s, crime has been hypothesized to be associated with fear of crime. However, little research has been available to test this assumption at the individual level of analysis. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between crime and fear of crime using data collected from a random telephone survey of local residents in the city of Houston. The authors investigate if there is an impact of an individual’s spatial proximity to crime on fear of crime also measured at the individual level. To be more specific, the authors examine the crime–fear of crime link using three types of crime—violent crime, property crime, and disorder crime. Both the residence of respondents and crime events are spatially located, allowing the authors to construct a buffer surrounding the respondent’s residence to obtain the number of crime incidents that occur within a 528-foot (1/10th of a mile) radius of the residence. In addition, the authors explore the relationship between spatial distribution of actual crime events and individual fear of crime at 0.5-mile radius and 1.0-mile radius of each respondent who participated in the telephone interview. The findings suggest that a person’s proximity to crime incidents has a significant impact on fear of crime among respondents interviewed. Furthermore, the magnitudes of coefficients show that different types of crime (violent crime, property crime, and disorder crime) have similar impacts on fear of crime.
Using School Mission Statements for Reflection and Research
Authors: Stemler Steven E. , Bebell Damian , Sonnabend Lauren Ann
Published: November 2010

Purpose: Efforts to compare schools nationally tend to focus on educational outcomes (e.g., test scores), yet such an approach assumes that schools are homogeneous with regard to their overall purpose. In fact, few studies have attempted to systematically compare schools with regard to their primary aims or mission. The present study attempts to fill this gap by exploring the utility of school mission statements as a data source for comparing and systematically reflecting on the core purposes of schools nationwide. Research Design: A mixed-methods research design was implemented. In Study 1, true random samples of 50 high schools were selected from each of 10 geographically and politically diverse states, yielding a total of 421 mission statements that were ultimately coded and quantitatively compared. In Study 2, structured interviews were conducted with principals from diverse high schools to evaluate their perspectives on the usefulness of school mission statements. Findings: Results indicate that mission statements can be reliably coded quantitatively and that schools vary systematically and sensibly with regard to both the number and types of themes incorporated into their mission statements. Furthermore, consistent with prior research, the qualitative results showed that principals generally regard mission statements as an important tool for shaping practice and communicating core values. Conclusions: School mission statements are a valuable source of data that can be quantified for educational researchers and administrators interested in reflecting on school purpose, comparing schools with regard to their core mission, and monitoring changes in school purpose over time.
Evaluation of the manufacture of sound absorbent sandwich plank made of PET/TPU honeycomb grid/PU foam
Authors: Lin Jia-Horng , Lin Chin-Mei , Huang Chao-Chiung , Lin Chia-Chang , Hsieh Chien-Teng , Liao Yu-Chen
Published: November 2010

In this study, the sandwich plank consisted of 7D polyethylene teraphthalate (PET), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) honeycomb grid, and polyurethane (PU) foam; 7D PET and 4D low melting polyester fibers were needle-punched and thermal-treated so as to form the PET nonwoven layer. The PU foam was foamed with a different density in the mold so as to form the PU foam layer with a different thickness. Finally, PET nonwoven layer, TPU honeycomb grid, and PU foam layer comprised the PET/TPU/PU sandwich plank. The results indicated that the sound absorption coefficients of the specimens were over 0.93 for the frequencies ranging between 2000 and 4000 Hz.
Mouse Mandible Contains Distinctive Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Yamaza T. , Ren G. , Akiyama K. , Chen C. , Shi Y. , Shi S.
Published: November 2010

Although human orofacial bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells showed differentiation traits distinctly different from those of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from long bone marrow (BMMSCs), mouse MSCs derived from orofacial bone have not been isolated due to technical difficulties, which in turn precludes the use of mouse models to study and cure orofacial diseases. In this study, we developed techniques to isolate and expand mouse orofacial bone/bone-marrow-derived MSCs (OMSCs) from mandibles and verified their MSC characteristics by single-colony formation, multi-lineage differentiation, and in vivo tissue regeneration. Activated T-lymphocytes impaired OMSCs via the Fas/Fas ligand pathway, as occurs in BMMSCs. Furthermore, we found that OMSCs are distinct from BMMSCs with respect to regulating T-lymphocyte survival and proliferation. Analysis of our data suggests that OMSCs are a unique population of MSCs and play an important role in systemic immunity. Abbreviations: BMMSC, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell; HA/TCP, hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate; OMSC, orofacial mesenchymal stem cell; OVX, ovariectomized.
Factors affecting crimp configuration of PTT/PET bi-component filaments
Authors: Jin Luo  , Fumei Wang  , Bugao Xu
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we explored factors that affect the crimp configuration of polytri-methylene terephthalate (PTT)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filaments. We selected three PTT/PET filaments that have approximately identical monofilament fineness but different cross-sectional shapes to study how crimp configuration is influenced by the elastic modulus ratio and differential shrinkage between PTT and PET components. The average elastic modulus ratio was obtained from the stress—strain curves and the cross-sectional measurements of the three PTT/PET filaments. The crimp curvature expressions of the three fibers were used to determine that the differential shrinkage of the two components, which was in the range of 6.8—10.01%. It was found that as the elastic modulus ratio (m) increased, the crimp curvature increases rapidly when the m increases from 0 to 0.5, and then approaches to a stable value when m is larger than 0.5. The crimp curvature increased continuously as the differential shrinkage increased. The crimp curvature of the PTT/PET filament with a dumbbell-shaped cross-section was higher than that of the other two fibers with gourd-shaped and round cross-sections.
Modeling three-dimensional fabrics and three-dimensional reinforced composites: challenges and solutions
Authors: Lomov SV , Perie G. , Ivanov DS , Verpoest I. , Marsal D.
Published: November 2010

The vast research area of modeling of three-dimensional (3D) woven fabrics can be subdivided into several domains, each of them having its own challenges and difficulties — some are already solved and implemented in software, while some still wait for their solution. This paper discusses the following problems and reviews the available solutions: coding of the structure of 3D weaves; building a geometrical model of 3D fabric; calculation of deformation resistance of a 3D fabric; transformation of the geometrical model into finite element mesh; prediction of elastic mechanical properties of 3D reinforced composites. A case study for warp interlock 3D fabrics concludes the paper.
The use of warp interlock fabric inside textile composite protection against ballistic impact
Authors: Boussu Francois
Published: November 2010

The actual and near future trend in the composite field is to customize material in response to its application. One of these solutions may lie in the use of three-dimensional textile structure using different types of high performance yarn. Focusing on the 3D textile structure literature, different types of classification can be found. 1,2 Among these different kinds of structure, the warp interlock appears to be differently defined like: the 2.5 dimensions fabric, 3 dimensions multi layers fabric, multi layers interlacing fabrics.3 This paper gives an overview of the different types of the warp interlock to be defined according to their performance on delamination and impact resistances.
Comparing the fracture toughness of 3-D braided preform composites with z-fiber-reinforced laminar composites
Authors: Jia Ren  , Kim Yong K , Rice John
Published: November 2010

Organic polymer engineering composite materials based on layered fabrics have many advantageous properties and processing features. However, performance properties of the layered OPECs, especially impact strength, delamination resistance, and fracture toughness are poor. Three-dimensional preforms fabricated with 3-D weaving, knitting and braiding techniques, are employed to improve the shortcomings of 2-D layered fabric reinforcements. z-directional microfiber-reinforced laminar composites were recently developed to improve impact strength and fracture toughness without reducing in-plane performance properties at minimal added cost and at higher productivity in the Flock Materials Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The effectiveness of laminar composite z-directional microfiber reinforcement (by a flocking process) in improving fracture toughness was compared with that of a 3-D braided 8-layer glass fiber preform/epoxy composite plate. The results show that the Mode I fracture toughness (GI) of the 3-D braided preform reinforced composites are about 10 times of the 2-D layered glass fabric laminar composites (control) as expected. This is comparable to the results of z-directional microfiber-reinforced composites; up to 9 times increase in GI over that of 2-D glass fabric/epoxy laminar composite (control). The presence of through-thickness microfiber (flock fiber) reinforcements in the matrix resin between reinforcement layers is found not to reduce the in-plane mechanical properties; the fracture toughness however, increases significantly.
A comparison of compact-jet, compact, and conventional ring-spun yarns
Authors: Yilmaz Demet , Usal Mustafa Reşit
Published: November 2010

This study compared the characteristic properties of the yarns produced on three different yarn spinning systems with the same material. These spinning systems are conventional ring, compact, and compact-jet. Compact-jet is a proper combination of compact and jetring-spinning systems and therefore it is less known. On the other hand, conventional ring and compact spinning systems are well known in the spinning field. When the compact-jet spinning system was designed, it was aimed to gather the advantages of the jetring and compact spinning systems. Therefore, an air nozzle was placed between the exit of the RoCoS compact unit and the yarn guide of the spinning system. At the end of the study, it was determined that the compact-jet yarn properties are different from that of the conventional ring and compact yarns. The compact-jet spinning system is mainly effective on yarn hairiness and compact-jet yarn is superior compared with other yarns.
Spatial Restructuring to Facilitate Shorter Commuting
Authors: Loo Becky P. Y. , Chow Alice S. Y.
Published: November 2010

An airport is a key infrastructure project in many cities. However, its structural effects on the distribution of employment and the commuting patterns are rarely examined at the city level. This paper aims to examine the impact of the relocation of the Hong Kong International Airport on the jobs-housing balance of the city under two scenarios. The first scenario shows the actual situation in 2002 after the airport was relocated to a suburban area. This scenario reflects the government’s effort to have co-ordinated urban development. The second scenario shows the situation with a hypothetical and relatively monocentric city structure. The airport was assumed to remain within the urban core area. Different indicators of minimum and excess commuting are compared. The results show that the airport relocation has enabled shorter commuting and, hence, lower commuting emissions. This analytical framework can be applied to other cities and for analysing other land use changes.
Gentrification in Black and White
Authors: Goetz Edward
Published: November 2010

The gentrification that has transformed high-poverty neighbourhoods in US cities since the mid 1990s has been characterised by high levels of state reinvestment. Prominent among public-sector interventions has been the demolition of public housing and in some cases multimillion dollar redevelopment efforts. In this paper, the racial dimension of state-supported gentrification in large US cities is examined by looking at the direct and indirect displacement induced by public housing transformation. The data show a clear tendency towards the demolition of public housing projects with disproportionately high African American occupancy. The pattern of indirect displacement is more varied; public housing transformation has produced a number of paths of neighbourhood change. The most common, however, involve significant reductions in poverty, sometimes associated with Black to White racial turnover and sometimes not. The findings underscore the central importance of race in understanding the dynamics of gentrification in US cities.
Urban Amenities and Agglomeration Economies?
Authors: Wenting Rik , Atzema Oedzge , Frenken Koen
Published: November 2010

The spatial clustering of industries is traditionally explained by agglomeration economies benefiting co-located firms. The focus on firms rather than people has been challenged by Florida arguing that urban amenities attract creative people to certain cities. On the basis of a questionnaire, an analysis is made of the extent to which these two mechanisms affect the locational behaviour of Dutch fashion design entrepreneurs. It is found that fashion design entrepreneurs consider urban amenities to be more important than agglomeration economies for their location decision. Designers located in the Amsterdam cluster do not profit from agglomeration economies as such, but rather from superior networking opportunities with peers both within and outside the cluster.
Comparative Approaches to Measuring Food Access in Urban Areas
Authors: Sparks Andrea L. , Bania Neil , Leete Laura
Published: November 2010

GIS methods are used to construct measures of food access for neighbourhoods in the Portland, Oregon, US metropolitan area and the sensitivity of such measures to methodological variation is examined. The level of aggregation of data inputs is varied and the effect of using both Euclidean and street network distances is tested. It is found that, regardless of the level of geographical disaggregation, distance-based measures generate approximately the same conclusions about the distribution of food access in the area. It is also found that, while the relationship between street network and Euclidean distances varies with population density, measures computed with either construct generate the same relative patterns of food access. These findings suggest that results from food access studies employing disparate methodologies can often be compared.
Accounting for Outcomes in Participatory Urban Governance through State–Civil-society Synergies
Authors: Postigo Antonio
Published: November 2010

Over the past two decades, Latin America has been home to a large number of experiences in local participatory governance. Drawing on spatial conceptualisations of participation and models of state–society synergy, this article explores how power dynamics within and between civil society and the state have shaped the emergence, evolution and outcomes of participatory budgeting processes in three Latin American cities: Porto Alegre, Montevideo and Mexico City. In line with polity-centred analyses, the study supports the fundamental role played by the state in opening spaces of participatory governance in all three cases. These participatory experiences had a transformative effect on societal spaces and actors contributing to the mobilisation and democratisation of civil society. In turn, increasing activism by an autonomous and politically conscious citizenry boosted the efficiency, transparency and legitimacy of the polity and the local institutions of representative democracy.
Role of Astrocytes in Brain Function and Disease
Authors: Sidoryk-Wegrzynowicz Marta , Wegrzynowicz Michal , Lee Eunsook , Bowman Aaron B. , Aschner Michael
Published: November 2010

Astrocytes assume multiple roles in maintaining an optimally suited milieu for neuronal function. Select astrocytic functions include the maintenance of redox potential, the production of trophic factors, the regulation of neurotransmitter and ion concentrations, and the removal of toxins and debris from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Impairments in these and other functions, as well as physiological reactions of astrocytes to injury, can trigger or exacerbate neuronal dysfunction. This review addresses select metabolic interactions between neurons and astrocytes and emphasizes the role of astrocytes in mediating and amplifying the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hyperammonemia (HA), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and ischemia.
Functional Assays for Neurotoxicity Testing
Authors: Moser Virginia C.
Published: November 2010

Neurobehavioral and pathological evaluations of the nervous system are complementary components of basic research and toxicity testing of pharmaceutical and environmental chemicals. While neuropathological assessments provide insight as to cellular changes in neurons, behavioral and physiological methods evaluate the functional consequences of disruption of neuronal communications. The underlying causes of certain behavioral alterations may be understood, but many do not have known direct associations with specific brain pathologies. In some cases, however, rapidly expanding mouse models (transgenic, knock-out) are providing considerable information on behavioral phenotypes of altered pathology. Behavior represents the integrated sum of activities mediated by the nervous system, and functional tests used for neurotoxicity testing tap different behavioral repertoires. These tests have an advantage over pathologic measures in that they permit repeated evaluation of a single animal over time to determine the onset, progression, duration, and reversibility of a neurotoxic injury. Functional assays range from a screening-level battery of tests to refined procedures to tap specific forms of learning and/or memory. This article reviews common procedures for behavioral toxicity testing and provides examples of chemical-specific neurobehavioral-pathological correlations in order to inform interpretation and integration of neuropathological and behavioral outcomes.
Appearance-only SLAM at large scale with FAB-MAP 2.0
Authors: Cummins Mark , Newman Paul
Published: November 2010

We describe a new formulation of appearance-only SLAM suitable for very large scale place recognition. The system navigates in the space of appearance, assigning each new observation to either a new or a previously visited location, without reference to metric position. The system is demonstrated performing reliable online appearance mapping and loop-closure detection over a 1000 km trajectory, with mean filter update times of 14 ms. The scalability of the system is achieved by defining a sparse approximation to the FAB-MAP model suitable for implementation using an inverted index. Our formulation of the problem is fully probabilistic and naturally incorporates robustness against perceptual aliasing. We also demonstrate that the approach substantially outperforms the standard term-frequency inverse-document-frequency (tf-idf) ranking measure. The 1000 km data set comprising almost a terabyte of omni-directional and stereo imagery is available for use, and we hope that it will serve as a benchmark for future systems.
An overview of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Learning Locomotion program
Authors: Pippine James , Hackett Douglas , Watson Adam
Published: November 2010

In November of 2005, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency initiated a new robotics program, Learning Locomotion, designed to solve some of the key outstanding issues. The expectation was that a combination of machine learning techniques and smart development would accelerate the pace of making autonomous legged systems robust and useful.