bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of Western measures of cognition for assessing 5‐year‐old semi‐urban Ugandan children
Authors: Nampijja M. , Apule B. , Lule S. , Akurut H. , Muhangi L. , Elliott A. M. , Alcock K. J.
Published: July 2009

Background

The majority of available psychometric tests originates from the Western World and was designed to suit the culture, language, and socio‐economic status of the respective populations. Few tests have been validated in the developing world despite the growing interest in examining effects of biological and environmental factors on cognitive functioning of children in this setting.

Aims

The present study aimed at translating and adapting Western measures of working memory, general cognitive ability, attention, executive function, and motor ability in order to obtain a cognitive instrument suitable for assessing 5‐year‐old semi‐urban Ugandan children. This population represents a particular assessment challenge as school enrolment is highly variable at this age in this setting and many children are unused to a formal educational setting.

Methods

Measures of the above domains were selected, translated, and modified to suit the local culture, education, and socio‐economic background of the target population.

The measures were piloted and then administered to semi‐urban Ugandan children aged 4;6–5;6, who included children who had started and not yet started school.

Results

Analysis of validity and reliability characteristics showed that 8 (at least one from each domain) out of the 11 measures were successfully adapted on the basis that they showed adequate task comprehension, optimum levels of difficulty to demonstrate individual and group differences in abilities, sensitivity to effects of age and education, and good internal as well as test–retest reliability.

Conclusion

Translation and adaptation are realistic and worthwhile strategies for obtaining valid and reliable cognitive measures in a resource‐limited setting.
Effects of personality on self‐rated health in a 1‐year randomized controlled trial of chronic illness self‐management
Authors: Jerant Anthony , Chapman Benjamin , Duberstein Paul , Franks Peter
Published: July 2009

Objective. Personality factors moderate self‐efficacy enhancing effects of some illness self‐management interventions, but their influence on self‐rated health is unclear. This study examined whether high neuroticism and low conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness (the distressed personality profile) moderated the effects of the homing in on health (HIOH) illness self‐management intervention on mental and physical health status.

Design. Analysis of data from 384 subjects completing a randomized controlled trial of HIOH.

Methods. Regression analyses examined effects of NEO‐five factor inventory scores on SF‐36 mental component summary (MCS‐36) and physical component summary (PCS‐36) scores (baseline; 2, 4, and 6 weeks; 6 months; 1 year), adjusting for age, gender, and study group.

Results. Baseline MCS‐36 scores were worse in those with the distressed personality profile relative to others: high neuroticism (13.3 points worse, 95% confidence interval (CI)=11.0, 15.7) and low conscientiousness (6.6 points worse, 95% CI=4.1, 9.2), extraversion (10.1 points worse, 95% CI=7.7, 12.5) and agreeableness (4.2 points worse, 95% CI=1.6, 6.8). Intervention subjects had better MCS‐36 scores at 4 and 6 weeks, and benefits were confined to participants with low conscientiousness (4 weeks – 3.7 points better, 95% CI=0.2, 71; 6 weeks – 5.0 points better, 95% CI=1.57, 8.4). There were no intervention or personality effects on PCS‐36 scores.

Conclusions. Chronically ill self‐management intervention recipients with the distressed personality profile had worse self‐rated mental health, and conscientiousness moderated the short‐term effects of the intervention on self‐rated mental health. Measuring personality may help identify individuals more likely to benefit from self‐management interventions.
Response shift in the assessment of quality of life among people attending cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Dempster Martin , Carney Rosa , McClements Roger
Published: July 2009

Objectives. To examine whether any response shift in quality of life (QoL) assessment over the course of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme could be explained by changes in individuals' internal standards (recalibration), values (reprioritization), and/or conceptualization of QoL and the extent to which any response shift could be explained by health locus of control, optimism, and coping strategy.

Design. Longitudinal survey design.

Methods. The schedule for evaluation of individual QoL‐direct weighting (SEIQoL‐DW) was administered at the beginning and end of a CR programme. At the end of the programme, the SEIQoL‐DW then‐test was also administered to measure response shift. A total of 57 participants completed these measures and other measures to assess health locus of control, optimism, and coping.

Results. Response shift effects were observed in this population mainly due to recalibration. When response shift was incorporated into the analysis of QoL a larger treatment effect was observed. Active coping as a mechanism in the response shift model was found to have a significant positive correlation with response shift.

Conclusion. This study showed that response shift occurs during CR. The occurrence of response shift in QoL ratings over time for this population could have implications for the estimation of the effectiveness of the intervention.
Direct Tensile-Shear Test (DTS) on Unsaturated Kaolinite Clay
Authors: Vesga Luis F.
Published: July 2009

In this study, constant-water-content direct-tensile-shear (DTS) tests were performed on specimens of kaolinite clay using a new apparatus. Existing studies on strength of clayey soils consider soils subjected to tensile stress, compression-shear stress, or triaxial stress, but only few of them account for combinations of tension and shear. The clay specimens used in this study had an average water content of 15 %. At this water content, the clay is unsaturated, the pore water distribution corresponds to the complete-pendular state, and the soil is subjected to an equivalent effective stress of 400 kPa when external confinement stress is not applied. Each specimen in the DTS test is subjected to an initial tensile stress that is maintained constant while the shear stress is gradually increased until the specimen fails. The results from DTS tests combined with other constant-water-content triaxial compression tests in the same clay produced a failure envelope defined by tensile as well as frictional components. It was found that the Mohr circles derived from the DTS tests are tangent at a common point; this point represents the tensile strength of the material. In other words, the direct shear stress applied produced a tensile failure. These concepts are helpful for understanding and analyzing the behavior of unsaturated soils and other materials subjected to tensile-shear state of stresses, which may lead to formation and/or propagation of cracks. Examples of soils subjected to tensile-shear state of stresses are slopes and desiccating soils and landfill covers.
Evaluation of Practical Procedure for Compaction Density and Unit Weight of Rockfill Material
Authors: Rolston Jack W. , Lade Poul V.
Published: July 2009

A compaction control procedure for rockfill is proposed on the basis of a method devised for determination of the maximum density of a mixture of soil, gravel, cobbles, and boulders. The procedure is straightforward and involves compaction of rocks (gravel, cobbles, and boulders) separately and compaction of the soil fraction in the usual manner. Only one compaction test is necessary for the rocks because the minimum void ratio for rocks is insensitive to water content. Mathematical formulas are given to calculate the maximum dry density (or unit weight) of the rockfill. These formulas depend on the relative amounts of soil and rocks in the total sample. If the grain size distribution curve is shallower than that for the “maximum density grading curve,” which is often the case for rockfill, then the distinction between soil particles and rock particles is relatively unimportant because the smaller particles fit in the voids between the larger particles.
Ignition Sensitivity of Nonmetallic Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Air (NITROX): A Never Ending Story in SCUBA Diving?
Authors: Binder Chr. , Brock T. , Hesse O. , Lehné S. , Tillack T.
Published: July 2009

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) divers use different mixtures of nitrogen and oxygen as breathing gas. The so-called NITROX mixture often contains more oxygen than is contained in air and may increase the fire hazard in diving equipment. The SCUBA diving community, however, still differentiates between NITROX mixtures that contain more than 40 % oxygen or less. They consider a mixture with up to 40 % oxygen often as regular air. In filling operations of SCUBA cylinders, gas flows from high pressure to low pressure. Because of compressive heating, a sudden temperature rise in the gas occurs and nonmetallic materials, e.g., seals may ignite. BAM has used the pneumatic impact test to investigate the ignition sensitivity of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), fluorelastomer (FPM), polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and nylon (PA 6.6) to gaseous impacts in synthetic air, in various NITROX mixtures, and in pure oxygen. The test results clearly show that for nonmetallic materials, the maximum pressure of nonreaction in NITROX mixtures decreases at a content of 29 % oxygen in comparison to those in air. In addition, autoignition temperatures of the nonmetallic materials were also determined. The findings of this investigation support very well the results of other publications on oxygen enrichment. As a consequence of this study, in SCUBA diving, the same safety requirements for NITROX mixtures with more than 21 % oxygen should be applied as for pure oxygen in the industry.
The Importance of Quality Assurance and Batch Testing on Nonmetallic Materials Used for Oxygen Service
Authors: Binder Chr. , Arlt K. , Brock T. , Hartwig P. , Hesse O. , Tillack T.
Published: July 2009

In oxygen components, even for high pressure oxygen service, it is possible to use organic seals, lubricants, or filling liquids, provided their oxygen compatibility has been checked. However, fire incidents in oxygen systems still occur because these materials ignite and burn. There are many reasons, such as incorrect design, contamination, faulty operation, unsuitable materials, etc., why this happens. Another cause that is overseen very often is proper maintenance on the user’s side. It is very important to replace in a component a worn out seal by the same one with identical oxygen compatibility properties. On the part of the producer or distributor of materials, batch testing and also a quality assurance system play a key role in the safety of an oxygen component. Any change in the manufacturing process of a material, or in its composition, and even its further processing may have an impact on its oxygen compatibility and finally on the component in which it is used. Numerous investigations by BAM over decades reveal the influence of minor constituents and fillers on a material’s oxygen compatibility. The test results in this paper show how important it is to regularly perform batch testing on nonmetallic materials used for oxygen service and to have a quality assurance system that helps minimize incidents where unsuitable materials are chosen by accident.
ASTM Proficiency Testing Programs for Biofuels
Authors: Nadkarni R. A. Kishore , McKlindon Anne
Published: July 2009

Proficiency testing programs (PTPs) play an important role in maintaining the quality of data produced in a laboratory. PTPs are a useful statistical quality assurance (SQA) tools to monitor the strengths and weaknesses of a laboratory’s performance. Many laboratory accreditation agencies require laboratory participation in such programs. Two significant PTPs sponsored by American Society for Testing and Materials Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants have been the programs on biodiesel and fuel-ethanol that were launched in the past few years. The data obtained from these SQA programs will be presented and analyzed for the lessons learned and the changes that are necessary in these PTP programs and biofuels specifications.
Kursk - Mythen und Wirklichkeit einer Schlacht
Authors: Töppel Roman
Published: July 2009

Vorspann

Die Frage nach der Wirklichkeit des Krieges ist eine der schwierigsten historiographischen Fragen; das Beispiel der Schlacht von Kursk kann das veranschaulichen. Obwohl sie als größte Panzerschlacht der Welt und Wendepunkt des deutsch-sowjetischen Krieges stets im Mittelpunkt des Interesses stand, sind zentrale Fragen nach wie vor ungeklärt. Sie werden durch diese konzise Schlachtbeschreibung nicht nur definitiv beantwortet. Diese zeigt auch, fast wie in einem Lehrstück, wie sehr gerade eine politische, psychologische und moralische Grenz- und Ausnahmesituation wie der Krieg die Mythenbildung fördert.
Landshut in Mogadischu. Das außenpolitische Krisenmanagement der Bundesregierung angesichts der terroristischen Herausforderung 1977
Authors: Geiger Tim
Published: July 2009

Vorspann

Somalia und Mogadischu waren nicht erste Wahl. Andreas Baader, der Chef der Roten Armee Fraktion, und seine Mitgefangenen wollten im Falle einer Freipressung in andere Länder ausreisen. Die Bundesregierung vereitelte diese Pläne und legte sich dann auch auf eine Politik der Unnachgiebigkeit fest, als ein palästinensisches Kommando die Lufthansa-Maschine „Landshut“ entführte und die Freilassung der Häftlinge in Stammheim verlangte. Der Historiker Tim Geiger vom Institut für Zeitgeschichte schildert diese Ereignisse und die geschickte Verhandlungstaktik von Hans-Jürgen Wischnewski in Somalia. Er zeigt aber auch, mit welchen Mitteln Bundeskanzler Helmut Schmidt und sein Mann vor Ort operierten, als sie die Regierung von Siad Barre zur Mithilfe veranlassten. Vor allem mit Blick auf die selbstauferlegte Verpflichtung, keine Waffen in Krisenregionen zu liefern, gingen sie bis hart an die Grenze des Erlaubten.
Multilocus Patterns of Nucleotide Diversity and Divergence Reveal Positive Selection at Candidate Genes Related to Cold Hardiness in Coastal Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)
Authors: Eckert Andrew J , Wegrzyn Jill L , Pande Barnaly , Jermstad Kathleen D , Lee Jennifer M , Liechty John D , Tearse Brandon R , Krutovsky Konstantin V , Neale David B
Published: July 2009

Forest trees exhibit remarkable adaptations to their environments. The genetic basis for phenotypic adaptation to climatic gradients has been established through a long history of common garden, provenance, and genecological studies. The identities of genes underlying these traits, however, have remained elusive and thus so have the patterns of adaptive molecular diversity in forest tree genomes. Here, we report an analysis of diversity and divergence for a set of 121 cold-hardiness candidate genes in coastal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii). Application of several different tests for neutrality, including those that incorporated demographic models, revealed signatures of selection consistent with selective sweeps at three to eight loci, depending upon the severity of a bottleneck event and the method used to detect selection. Given the high levels of recombination, these candidate genes are likely to be closely linked to the target of selection if not the genes themselves. Putative homologs in Arabidopsis act primarily to stabilize the plasma membrane and protect against denaturation of proteins at freezing temperatures. These results indicate that surveys of nucleotide diversity and divergence, when framed within the context of further association mapping experiments, will come full circle with respect to their utility in the dissection of complex phenotypic traits into their genetic components.
C-Terminal Flap Endonuclease (rad27) Mutations: Lethal Interactions With a DNA Ligase I Mutation (cdc9-p) and Suppression by Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (POL30) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Karanja Kenneth K , Livingston Dennis M
Published: July 2009

During lagging-strand DNA replication in eukaryotic cells primers are removed from Okazaki fragments by the flap endonuclease and DNA ligase I joins nascent fragments. Both enzymes are brought to the replication fork by the sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). To understand the relationship among these three components, we have carried out a synthetic lethal screen with cdc9-p, a DNA ligase mutation with two substitutions (F43A/F44A) in its PCNA interaction domain. We recovered the flap endonuclease mutation rad27-K325* with a stop codon at residue 325. We created two additional rad27 alleles, rad27-A358* with a stop codon at residue 358 and rad27-pX8 with substitutions of all eight residues of the PCNA interaction domain. rad27-pX8 is temperature lethal and rad27-A358* grows slowly in combination with cdc9-p. Tests of mutation avoidance, DNA repair, and compatibility with DNA repair mutations showed that rad27-K325* confers severe phenotypes similar to rad27Δ, rad27-A358* confers mild phenotypes, and rad27-pX8 confers phenotypes intermediate between the other two alleles. High-copy expression of POL30 (PCNA) suppresses the canavanine mutation rate of all the rad27 alleles, including rad27Δ. These studies show the importance of the C terminus of the flap endonuclease in DNA replication and repair and, by virtue of the initial screen, show that this portion of the enzyme helps coordinate the entry of DNA ligase during Okazaki fragment maturation.
Temperature-Sensitive Mutations Made Easy: Generating Conditional Mutations by Using Temperature-Sensitive Inteins That Function Within Different Temperature Ranges
Authors: Tan Guihong , Chen Ming , Foote Christopher , Tan Change
Published: July 2009

Reversible and easy to use, temperature-sensitive (TS) mutations are powerful tools for studying gene function. However, TS alleles are rare and difficult to generate and identify, and this has limited their use in most multicellular organisms. We have generated and characterized 41 intein switches, temperature-sensitive Sce VMA mutations that splice only at the permissive temperatures to generate intact host proteins. At nonpermissive temperatures, they fail to splice, resulting in a loss of function of the proteins in which they reside. By inserting an intein switch into a protein of interest, one can turn on and off the activities of the engineered protein with a simple temperature shift. The 41 TS inteins function in five different temperature ranges, with permissive temperatures ranging from 18° to 30°. This collection makes it possible to choose a TS-intein switch according to the optimal growth temperature of an organism or to suit a special experimental design.
METT-10, A Putative Methyltransferase, Inhibits Germ Cell Proliferative Fate in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Dorsett Maia , Westlund Bethany , Schedl Tim
Published: July 2009

Germ-line stem cells are unique because they either self-renew through mitosis or, at a certain frequency, switch to meiosis and produce gametes. The switch from proliferation to meiosis is tightly regulated, and aberrations in switching result in either too little or too much proliferation. To understand the genetic basis of this regulation, we characterized loss-of-function mutations and a novel tumorous allele of Caenorhabditis elegansmett-10, which encodes a conserved putative methyltransferase. We show that METT-10 is a nuclear protein that acts in the germ line to inhibit the specification of germ-cell proliferative fate. METT-10 also promotes vulva, somatic gonad, and embryo development and ensures meiotic development of those germ cells that do differentiate. In addition, phenotypic analysis of a mett-10 null allele reveals that METT-10 enables mitotic cell cycle progression. The finding that METT-10 functions to inhibit germ-cell proliferative fate, despite promoting mitotic cell cycle progression of those germ cells that do proliferate, separates the specification of proliferative fate from its execution.
Reducing Immunization Discomfort in 4- to 6-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Berberich F. Ralph , Landman Zachary
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to test a multifaceted distraction method designed to reduce injection-associated pain in school-aged children.

METHODS: A clinical trial evaluated 41 children, 4 to 6 years of age, who were given 3 standard prekindergarten immunizations; 21 were assigned randomly to an office routine control group, whereas 20 received a multifaceted, discomfort-reducing intervention. The intervention added verbal suggestions of diminished sensation and a visual focusing activity to the use of ethyl chloride, an established pain-reducing measure. The distraction materials used for the intervention consisted of topical ethyl chloride spray, an improvised, plastic, multipronged arm gripper, and a vibrating instrument descending on the contralateral arm, which provided the focusing task and visual distraction.

RESULTS: According to patient and parent Faces Pain Scale-Revised scores and nonblinded, video-taped observations scored according to the face-legs-activity-crying-consolability method, the intervention group showed highly significant reductions in pain and discomfort, compared with the control group (patient self-report, P < .0013; parent report, P < .0002; observation score, P < .0001).

CONCLUSION: This multifaceted distraction intervention reduced significantly the pain and discomfort of childhood immunizations in children 4 to 6 years of age.
Injuries Associated With Bathtubs and Showers Among Children in the United States
Authors: Mao Shengyi J. , McKenzie Lara B. , Xiang Huiyun , Smith Gary A.
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to describe the epidemiological features of injuries associated with bathtubs and showers, especially those related to slips, trips, and falls, among US children.

METHODS: A retrospective study was performed by using nationally representative data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 1990 through 2007 for children ≤18 years of age.

RESULTS: There were an estimated 791 200 bathtub- and shower-related injuries among children ≤18 years of age who were treated in US emergency departments in 1990–2007, with an average of 43 600 cases per year or ∼5.9 injuries per 10 000 US children per year. The largest number of injuries involved children 2 years of age; children ≤4 years accounted for 54.3% of injuries. The most common diagnosis was laceration (59.5%). The most common mechanism of injury was a slip, trip, or fall, accounting for 81.0% of cases or 4.6 injuries per 10 000 US children per year. The most frequently injured body part was the face (48.0%), followed by the head/neck (15.0%). The majority (71.3%) of injuries occurred in a bathtub. Of the cases with a known place of injury, 97.1% occurred at home. An estimated 2.8% of patients were admitted, transferred to another hospital, or held for observation.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study on bathtub- and shower-related injuries using nationally representative data. Slips, trips, and falls in bathtubs and showers are a common cause of injury among children, especially children ≤4 years of age. The incidence of these injuries may be decreased by increasing the coefficient of friction of bathtub and shower surfaces.
Factors associated with stages of change for red meat and vegetable intake by Japanese-Brazilians
Authors: Barbieri Patricia , Palma Raphaela Fernanda Muniz , Nishimura Renata Yumi , Damião Renata , Bevilacqua Marselle , Massimino Flávia , Chain Rita , Gimeno Suely Godoy Agostinho , Ferreira Sandra Roberta Gouvea , Sartorelli Daniela Saes
Published: July 2009

Stages of change assess individual motivation for lifestyle changes, contributing to the development of more effective intervention strategies. The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with stages of change for lower intake of red meat and higher intake of vegetables in a cross-sectional analysis of 578 Japanese-Brazilians aged 30-90 years. In adjusted logistic regression models, the odds ratios for women (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.154; 3.103) and physically active individuals (OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 1.000; 1.001) were positively associated with stage of "action" for the higher intake of vegetables. Inverse associations were observed between central obesity (OR = 0.5; 95%CI: 0.351; 0.887) and highest tertile of red meat intake (OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.302; 0.817), as well as a positive association between age (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.020; 1.070) and the stage of "action" to the lower intake of meat were verified. Motivation for Japanese-Brazilians to change their food intake was linked to lifestyle. Stage of change is an important factor in mediating food intake behavior change.
Biaxial compression behaviour of different aggregate graded concrete
Authors: Wang H.-L. , Song Y.-P.
Published: July 2009

An experimental study on the deformation and strength of three kinds of aggregate graded concrete specimens under biaxial compression was carried out. Tests were conducted on cubes of 250 × 250 × 250 mm fabricated with dam concrete (maximum aggregate of 80 mm), 150 × 150 × 150 mm cubes and 100 × 100 × 100 mm cubes which were made with the wet-screened components of dam concrete. The stresses and strains at the biaxial loading direction and the lateral deformations at the free direction were all recorded for all of the specimens during the tests. Based on the test data, the change rule of the biaxial compressive stress, ultimate deformation, stress–strain and the failure patterns were studied systematically. Test results indicate that the enhancement effect of the compressive strength and deformation of the mass concrete under biaxial compression become stronger than in the wet-screened specimens. A failure criterion of different graded concrete under biaxial compression was established and it provided effective references for the design and safety evaluation of the massive hydraulic structures in which the multiaxial strength of the concrete must be taken into consideration.
Concrete pressure on formwork: influence of cement combinations and superplasticising admixtures
Authors: Dhir R.K. , McCarthy M.J. , Caliskan S. , Ashraf M.K.
Published: July 2009

This paper describes a study carried out to examine the effect of cement combinations and new superplasticising admixtures in concrete on lateral pressure development in column and wall formwork. The additions, used in structural grade concretes, included ground granulated blastfurnace slag (ggbs), fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF) and metakaolin (MK). Two superplasticising admixtures were also tested to examine water reduction/variable workability effects on concrete pressure. In addition to the constituent materials, the influence of rate of rise of concrete in formwork was also investigated. The tests involved instrumenting column and wall formwork with concrete and pore water pressure measuring devices (over their height) and recording pressure development, and the head of concrete rising vertically in the element during construction. Tests were mainly carried out under controlled conditions (20 elements of 3·0 and 8·0 m height) and supplemented with measurements at construction sites where the materials of interest were being used (12 elements). The results indicate that concretes containing ggbs and FA gave slightly higher concrete pressures than that of Portland cement (PC), while the reverse was found for SF and MK concretes. The effect of superplasticiser on concrete pressure was influenced by how the admixture was used. For reduced water content/equal workability (slump) concrete, slightly lower pressures on formwork were generally obtained compared with PC, while the reverse was noted when they were used in reduced water content/high workability concrete. Similar influences on concrete pressure were found for these at slow and fast rates of rise. In general, the trends observed in the control and site test data gave agreement. The practical implications of the work were examined with respect to the guidance given in Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) Report 108 used for evaluating concrete pressure on formwork. It is suggested that the new materials can fit within the framework of this method with minor revisions.
Combination of mechanical and optical profilometry techniques for concrete surface roughness characterisation
Authors: Perez F. , Bissonnette B. , Courard L.
Published: July 2009

Achieving durable bond between new and old concrete still represents a challenge in concrete repair technology. It has been the subject of a number of investigations, but in most cases, only adhesion strength was addressed. To better understand bond mechanisms, in particular those related to surface roughness, two complementary surface characterisation techniques were implemented, providing a multiscale roughness characterisation by means of specific filtering calculations: mechanical profilometry for low-scale roughness and optical profilometry for the upscale roughness. Using these complementary approaches, different types of concrete surface preparation were characterised. The resulting description highlights the complexity of concrete surface topography. Moreover, it shows that the type of surface preparation essentially affects the meso- and macro-roughness levels, micro-roughness being practically insensitive. Such results will be useful for better understanding the interlocking potential and bond performance of concrete repairs.
Effect of components of cement paste on thermal deformation characteristics
Authors: Qian C. , Wang Y. , Ding S. , Gao G. , Huang B.
Published: July 2009

Components of modern cement paste have become more and more complex. A large amount of unhydrated mineral admixture particles, unhydrated cement particles and entrained air play different roles in the thermal deformation of cement paste. To investigate the effects of these components, a dilatometer was adopted to measure the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of hardened cement pastes (HCP) with different water content, water/cement (w/c) ratio and air content values. The effects of cement, fly ash, slag, calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) particles on CTE were also studied after their surfaces had been treated with silicone to prevent reaction with water. The results showed that the CTE of HCP with different components could be listed in descending sequence as calcium hydroxide, fly ash, cement, slag and CSH; the moisture in HCP increased the CTE, while the air entrained decreased it; the increase of the w/c ratio and porosity reduced the CTE, but the longer moisture curing age made it higher.
Park Location Affects Forest Protection: Land Characteristics Cause Differences in Park Impacts across Costa Rica
Authors: Pfaff Alexander , Robalino Juan , Sanchez-Azofeifa G. Arturo , Andam Kwaw S , Ferraro Paul J
Published: July 2009

To support conservation planning, we ask whether a park's impact on deforestation rates varies with observable land characteristics that planners could use to prioritize sites. Using matching methods to address bias from non-random location, we find deforestation impacts vary greatly due to park lands' characteristics. Avoided deforestation is greater if parks are closer to the capital city, in sites closer to national roads, and on lower slopes. In allocating scarce conservation resources, policy makers may consider many factors such as the ecosystem services provided by a site and the costs of acquiring the site. Pfaff and Sanchez 2004 claim impact can rise with a focus upon threatened land, all else equal. We provide empirical support in the context of Costa Rica's renowned park system. This insight, alongside information on eco-services and land costs, should guide investments.
Effectiveness of Poverty Reduction in the EU: A Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Caminada Koen , Goudswaard Kees
Published: July 2009

The European Union coordinates and encourages Member State actions to combat poverty, and to reform their social protection systems on the basis of policy exchanges and mutual learning (‘best practices’). This paper analyses the effectiveness of welfare state policies and especially social transfers in EU‐countries in alleviating poverty. To indicate whether European economic integration may have had any impact on poverty reduction, we also include several non‐EU15 countries as a benchmark into our analysis. We analyze on a cross‐country basis the relationship between poverty rates and social effort, as measured by social expenditure ratios. We also correct these expenditure ratios for the impact of the tax system and for private social arrangements, using OECD methodology. Next, we compare poverty rates at the levels of market and disposable incomes; that is, before and after transfers, in order to analyze the effect of tax and transfer policies in reducing poverty, i.e., to determine the target efficiency of social transfers. We perform several tests with the most recent data. Our results are less clear cut than earlier findings. We still find a quite strong negative relationship between the level of social expenditure and poverty among OECD countries. However, for EU‐countries this relationship is weaker and there are substantial differences within the EU15. After correcting for the impact of taxes and for private social arrangements, the linkage between social effort and poverty levels becomes even weaker. Also, we do not find a strong relationship between levels of social spending and antipoverty effects of social transfers and taxes. At the program level, family programs and child support alleviate poverty to a large extent.
Differences in Industry Specialist Knowledge and Business Risk Identification and Evaluation
Authors: Moroney Robyn , Simnett Roger
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: This paper argues that opportunities for auditors to gain industry-specific knowledge differ across industry settings. This knowledge is of particular benefit when identifying business risks, information sources, evidence-gathering processes and accounts and related assertions. Two groups of auditors, who specialize in very different industries, are compared. One group specializes in a complex industry, which affords them the opportunity to gain relatively more industry specific knowledge than the other group, which specializes in a less complex (generic) industry. Comparing auditor responses with the answers given by expert panels, we find that auditors working in a complex industry have a greater comparative ability to identify business risks, information sources, and evidence-gathering processes in their industry than auditors working in a generic industry.
The Influence of Roles, Advocacy, and Adaptation to the Accounting Decision Environment
Authors: Pinsker Robert , Pennington Robin , Schafer Jennifer Kahle
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: Decision makers often adapt strategies to specific task and context variables by balancing the need to make good decisions with the need to minimize cognitive effort. However, decision makers must have the requisite knowledge, based on training, to choose the most appropriate strategy. We extend the judgment and decision making literature by experimentally examining how training in specific professional roles (tax and audit) influences advocacy attitudes, and how the elements of the decision environment interact with these attitudes to influence accountants’ judgments.

Results indicate that attitudes are moderated by the requirements of the specific decision environment. Specifically, judgments of accounting professionals in a tax decision environment closely mirror their attitudes, whereas in an audit decision environment, this relationship is significantly weaker, indicative of a moderating effect of the decision environment. Supplemental analysis indicates that tax professionals are more likely than auditors to adapt to the professional requirements (advocacy or skepticism) of the task at hand.
Effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Nitric Oxide on Prostaglandins Secretion by the Bovine Oviduct Differ in the Isthmus and Ampulla and Depend on the Phase of the Estrous Cycle
Authors: Siemieniuch Marta J. , Woclawek-Potocka Izabela , Deptula Katarzyna , Okuda Kiyoshi , Skarzynski Dariusz J.
Published: July 2009

To determine the possible roles of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and nitric oxide (NO) in the bovine oviduct, ampulla and isthmus collected during the estrous cycle were exposed for 18 h to TNFα, NO donor (NONOate), NO synthase inhibitors (L-NOARG, L-NAME and AMT) and oxytocin (OT) as a positive control. Prostaglandins (PGs) and NO2/NO3in conditioned media were measured. TNFα stimulated PGF2αsecretion on Day 0 (onset of estrus = Day 0) and Days 2–3, in both the ampulla and isthmus, but on Days 18–20 only in ampulla. TNFα increased PGE2secretion in both fragments in each phase. NONOate did not affect PGF2αsecretion on Days 18–20, whereas this NO donor stimulated PGF2αsecretion in both fragments on Day 0 and Days 2–3. TNFα increased NO2/NO3production in every examined phase in the ampulla and on Days 2–3 in the isthmus. L-NAME lowered NO2/NO3production regardless of phase or fragment. L-NOARG and AMT lowered NO2/NO3production in both fragments on Day 0 and Days 2–3. The possible role of TNFα, NO or PGs on the oviductal contractility during the early-luteal phase was also examined. Neither TNFα nor NONOate influenced contractility in either fragment. Although PGF2αstimulated the contraction in both fragments, PGE2decreased it. When taken together, TNFα seems to play some role as a modulator of PGF2αand PGE2production and for transferring the embryo from the oviduct to the uterus by stimulating NO production in the bovine oviduct.
Folic Acid Supplementation Modifies β-Adrenoceptor–MediatedIn VitroLipolysis of Obese/Diabetic (+db/+db) Mice
Authors: Lam Tsz Yan , Seto Sai Wang , Au Alice Lai Shan , Poon Christina Chui Wa , Li Rachel Wai Sum , Lam Ho Yeung , Lau Wing Sze , Chan Shun Wan , Ngai Sai Ming , Leung George Pak Heng , Lee Simon Ming Yuen , Tsui Stephen Kwok Wing , Kwan Yiu Wa
Published: July 2009

The effects of folic acid (5.7 and 71 μg/kg, 4 weeks) consumption on the β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs)–elicited lipolysis in vitro of the abdominal adipocytes of lean/control (+ m/+ db) and obese/diabetic (+ db/+ db) mice (female) were investigated. β-AR agonists (salbutamol, a β2-AR agonist; BRL 37344 and CGP 12177, β3-AR agonists; adrenaline, a β-AR agonist)–mediated lipolysis, β2-, and β3-ARs protein expression of the adipose tissues after folic acid consumption were evaluated. Our results demonstrate that a smaller magnitude of the basal (spontaneous) and the β-AR agonists–triggered lipolysis was observed in + db/+ db mice, and folic acid supplementation (71 μg/kg) resulted in an improvement of both the baseline and the β-ARs–mediated lipolysis. In controls, a lower β2-and β3-ARs protein expression of the adipose tissues was detected in + db/+ db mice, compared to + m/+ db mice. In both strains fed with folic acid (71 μg/kg), a reduction of β2-AR protein expression was observed compared to the respective controls. In + db/+ db mice, folic acid (5.7 and 71 μg/kg) consumption caused a dose-dependent increase of β3-AR protein expression compared to controls. We demonstrate that lipolysis elicited by β-AR (β2- and β3-ARs) agonists was blunted in + db/+ db mice. Folic acid consumption has significant modulatory effects on β-ARs protein expression and lipolysis.
Comparison of Isoflurane-, Sevoflurane-, and Desflurane-Induced Pre- and Postconditioning Against Myocardial Infarction in Mice In Vivo
Authors: Redel Andreas , Stumpner Jan , Tischer-Zeitz Tobias , Lange Markus , Smul Thorsten M. , Lotz Christopher , Roewer Norbert , Kehl Franz
Published: July 2009

The murine in vivo model of acute myocardial infarction is increasingly used to investigate anesthetic-induced preconditioning (APC) and postconditioning (APOST). However, in mice the potency of different volatile anesthetics to reduce myocardial infarct size (IS) has never been investigated systematically nor in a head to head comparison with regard to ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and postconditioning (IPOST). Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 45 min of coronary artery occlusion (CAO) and 180 min of reperfusion. To induce APC, 1.0 MAC isoflurane (ISO), sevoflurane (SEVO) or desflurane (DES) was administered 30 min prior to CAO for 15 min. In an additional group, ISO was administered 45 min prior to CAO for 30 min. To induce APOST, 1.0 MAC ISO, SEVO or DES was administered for 18 min starting 3 min prior to the end of CAO. IPC was induced by 3 or 6 cycles of 5 min ischemia/reperfusion, 40 or 60 min prior to CAO, respectively. IPOST was induced by 3 cycles of 30 sec reperfusion/ischemia at the beginning of reperfusion. Area at risk (AAR) and IS were determined with Evans Blue and TTC staining, respectively. IS (IS/AAR) was 50 ± 4% (mean ± SEM) in the control group and was significantly (* P < 0.05) reduced by 3×5 IPC (26 ± 3%*), 6×5 IPC (26 ± 4%*), IPOST (20 ± 2%*), ISO APOST (19 ± 1%*), SEVO APOST (15 ± 1%*), DES APOST (14 ± 2%*) and SEVO APC (27 ± 6%*). ISO APC significantly reduced IS compared to control when administered 30 min (33 ± 4%*), but not when administered 15 min (48 ± 6%). DES APC significantly reduced IS compared to control and to SEVO APC (7 ± 1%*). Within the paradigm of preconditioning, the potency of volatile anesthetics to reduce myocardial infarct size in mice significantly increases from ISO over SEVO to DES, whereas within the paradigm of postconditioning the potency of these volatile anesthetics to reduce myocardial infarct size in mice is similar.
Endothelin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition in the Rat Model of Acute Heart Failure: Heart Function and Neurohormonal Activation
Authors: Rufanova Victoriya A. , Pozdnev Vladimir F. , Kalenikova Elena I. , Postnikov Alexander B. , Storozhilova Anna N. , Masenko Valerij P. , Gomazkov Oleg A. , Medvedev Oleg S. , Medvedeva Nataliya A.
Published: July 2009

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in many cardiovascular diseases, including acute heart failure (AHF) due to myocardial ischemia. Previously we described the oral endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor, PP36, and in this study, we investigated its cardioprotective effect in more detail, and examined the role of PP36 in the neurohormonal activation in rats that had been subjected to acute myocardial ischemia due to the microsphere embolization of coronary microcirculation. PP36 treatment (3.5 × 10−5M/kg/day) led to a significant fourfold decrease in hypertensive response when big-ET-1 was administered to healthy, conscious rats. ECE inhibition did not affect mortality during the first 48 hours after ischemia initiation. Systemic hemodynamic, heart function, and neurohormonal activation were analyzed in the healthy control group, the AHF group, and the AHF+PP36 group two days after AHF induction. In conscious rats in the AHF+PP36 group, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was restored and became similar to that of the MAP of the control group. In anesthetized rats, in the AHF+PP36 group, MAP was not restored and was 22% lower than the MAP of the control group. Myocardial contractility was partially restored and cardiac relaxation significantly improved after PP36 application. Further analysis of cardiac output and peripheral resistance in anesthetized rats revealed no differences between the AHF group and the AHF+PP36 group. There were no differences in plasma ET-1 concentration, serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and in the adrenal glands’ catecholamine content between the AHF group and the AHF+PP36 group. However, rats in the AHF+PP36 group demonstrated a 60% decrease in cardiac endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression, and a 56% reduction of myocardial norepinephrine release, when compared with the AHF group’s animals. These results suggest that PP36 can preserve heart function during the recovery from acute ischemic injury, and may modulate the cardiac norepinephrine release and eNOS protein level.
Blockade of Connexin 43 Hemichannels Reduces Neointima Formation After Vascular Injury by Inhibiting Proliferation and Phenotypic Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Song MingBao , Yu XueJun , Cui Xin , Zhu GuangXu , Zhao Gang , Chen JianFei , Huang Lan
Published: July 2009

Connexins 43 (Cx43) plays a key role in neointimal formation after vascular injury, but the mechanism still needs to be further explored. We hypothesized that the gap junction-dependent function of Cx43 to mediate intercellular communication has a crucial role in the development and progression of vascular diseases. The effect of intercellular communication mediated by Cx43 hemichannels on neointimal formation after vascular injury was investigated. Cx43 was overexpressed or knockdown in rat vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) by transfection pcDNA-Cx43 plasmid or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Cx43 (siCx43). SMC proliferation and marker genes expression after Cx43 alteration and blockade of the Cx43 hemichannel were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and RT-PCR. The effect of carbenoxolone on neointimal formation was investigated in carotid artery injured rat model. We demonstrated that overexpression of Cx43 promoted SMC proliferation, meanwhile, mRNA expression level of smooth muscle α-actin and calponin, which were important markers of SMC in a contractile state, were down-regulated in smooth muscle. Knockdown of Cx43 inhibited SMC proliferation but increased SMC marker genes expression level. Carbenoxolone (50 μM) improved SMC contractile differentiation and inhibited its proliferation. Our data showed that carbenoxolone reduced neointimal formation after carotid artery injury. In summary, blockade of intercellular communication via Cx43 hemichannels reduces neointimal formation after vascular injury by inhibiting proliferation and phenotypic modulation of SMCs.
Cell Cycle Arrest Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide Is Associated with Modulation of Oxidative Stress Related Genes in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Chua Pei-Jou , Yip George Wai-Cheong , Bay Boon-Huat
Published: July 2009

Depending on the amounts present, reactive oxygen species can exert either beneficial or deleterious effect to cells. In the present study, we observed a decrease in cell viability concomitant with an increase of malondialdehyde concentration in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells. There was also a concurrent G1/S phase cell cycle arrest with increased apoptosis in H2O2-treated cells. Analysis of 84 oxidative stress related genes showed that five genes were significantly and differentially regulated, namely, Cytoglobin (CYGB), Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), NADPH oxidase ( NOX5), Nudix (nucleoside diphosphate linked moiety X)-type motif 1 (NUDT1) and Selenoprotein P1 (SEPP1) genes with H2O2treatment. It would seem that oxidative stress induces cell cycle arrest in the breast cancer by modulation of these genes. Manipulation of these genes, in particular FOXM1, a proliferation-specific gene associated with human malignancies, could stifle cancer progression and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs which exert their effects by oxidative stress.