bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial Functioning after Discontinuation of Long-Term Growth Hormone Treatment in Girls with Turner Syndrome
Authors: van Pareren Yvonne K. , Duivenvoorden Hugo J. , Slijper Froukje M.E. , Koot Hans M. , Drop Sten L.S. , de Muinck Keizer-Schrama Sabine M.P.F.
Published: May 2005

It is common practice in the case of Turner syndrome (TS) to treat short stature with GH treatment and to induce puberty with estrogens at an age as close to normal puberty as possible. This approach in most cases leads to a height in the normal range in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood in TS. Little data is available, however, on its effect on psychosocial functioning. In the present study, we evaluated psychosocial functioning in a group of 50 women with TS, after reaching final height in two multicenter GH trials. Thirty-six girls participated in a randomized dose-response study from mean (SEM) age 6.8 (0.4) years, and 14 girls participated in a frequency-response study from age 13.2 (0.4) years. After discontinuation of long-term GH treatment, these 50 girls were evaluated for psychosocial functioning at a mean age of 18.8 (0.3) years. GH was given in a dosage of 4 IU/m2/day (∼0.045 mg/kg/day), 6 IU/m2/day, or 8 IU/m2/day. After a mean GH treatment duration of 7.1 (0.4) years, mean final height (ref. normal girls) was FH1.2 (0.2) SD score. Behavioral problem scores (Achenbach) of the TS women were comparable to normal Dutch peers. Although self-perception (Harter total scale: p < 0.01), and bodily attitude (Baardman: p < 0.05) was significantly less positive than for their normal Dutch peers, we found no evidence of depression. TS women rated their family functioning higher than their Dutch peers (p < 0.0001), and had a slightly different coping pattern. These results show that even after reaching a height in most cases within the normal range and puberty induction at a pubertal age, some women with TS still experience psychosocial problems. It is likely, however, that GH and estrogen treatment improved psychosocial functioning. Long-term follow-up of these GH-treated patients will allow an evaluation of their life achievements.
Effects of Optimized Heart Failure Therapy and Anemia Correction with Epoetin β on Left Ventricular Mass in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Hampl Hannelore , Hennig Lars , Rosenberger Christian , Amirkhalily Masoud , Gogoll Lutz , Riedel Eberhard , Scherhag Armin
Published: May 2005

Background: In chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, the presence and degree of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) correlates with mortality. Previous studies have shown that interventions, such as anemia correction or treatment of hypertension and/or chronic heart failure (CHF), can result in moderate regression of LVH. The primary objective of our study was to investigate the effects of a multi-interventional treatment strategy on LVH in HD patients. Methods and Results: In a series of 202 consecutive HD patients, we combined optimized CHF therapy, including β-blockers (BB), ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), to target doses with full anemia correction by epoetin β (hemoglobin (Hb) target males 14.5 g/dl, females 13.5 g/dl). Serial echocardiograms were recorded every 3–6 months. Mean follow-up was 3.4 ± 1.2 years. Mean Hb at baseline was 11.4 ± 1.4 vs. 14.6 ± 1.6 g/dl (p < 0.001) at study end. There was a significant reduction in left ventricular mass index (LVMI, 159 ± 65 vs. 132 ± 46 g/m2 (p < 0.001)), an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 60 ± 15 vs. 66 ± 12% (p < 0.01)) and in NYHA class (2.8 ± 0.76 vs. 1.96 ± 0.76 (p < 0.01)) from baseline to follow-up in the overall study population. In a subgroup of 70 patients, LVMI returned to normal (169 ± 33 vs. 114 ± 14 g/m2 (p < 0.001)) after 1.4 ± 1 years. Conclusions: Our study shows that optimized CHF therapy, in combination with anemia correction to normal Hb targets, results in a significant reduction of LVH, an increase in LVEF and an improvement in NYHA class. Moreover, in contrast to previous studies, our data also demonstrate that complete regression and prevention of LVH in HD patients is possible.
On the Boundaries of the State and the State of Boundaries in Iran
Authors: GODAZGAR Hossein , FATHI Laleh
Published: May 2005

English

Inspired mainly by Barth’s and Jacobson’s models of analysis, the authors explore the interrelationship between religion and ethnicity among young Iranian women who are Christian Armenians, Sunni Kurds and Shi’ite Azerian Turks. The major question is whether modern Iran displays a unitary notion of Islam, in which Muslims are considered as a single community and people are categorized in terms of their religious identity, as if there was no place for other identities. Alternatively, the authors ask whether modern Iran presents religious and ethnic communities and identities in all their diversity. Their findings reveal a variety of conclusions. First, Iran exhibits a diversity of identities and differences among both Muslim and non-Muslim people, all of whom live under the rule of an Islamic government. Second, both the religious and ethnic boundaries of young Iranian women are relatively permeable and fluid in comparison with those of previous generations. Third, the state’s ideological boundaries have not persuaded young Muslims to show solidarity towards fraternity based on the “ummah” or Muslim community.

French

Principalement inspiré par les modèles d'analyse de Barth et Jacobson, les auteurs traitent de la corrélation entre la religion et l'ethnicité parmi les jeunes femmes iraniennes chrétiennes arméniennes, kurdes sunnites et turques azériennes chiites. Le problème posé est de savoir si l'Iran moderne propose une conception unitaire de l'islam, qui considère les musulmans comme une communauté unique et le peuple en fonction de sa seule identité religieuse, ce qui ne laisserait pas de place à d'autres identités ou, au contraire, s'il prend en compte les communautés et les identités religieuses et ethniques dans toute leur diversité. Les résultats des recherches vont en sens divers. D'une part, l'Iran dirigé par un gouvernement islamique montre néanmoins des signes d'ouverture à la diversité des identités et à la différence entre peuples musulman et non-musulman. D'autre part, les limites, à la fois religieuses et ethniques, imposées aux jeunes étudiantes sont relativement perméables et fluides si on les compare à celles de la génération précédente. Finalement, les limites idéologiques de l'Etat n'ont pas poussé la jeunesse musulmane à être cohésive envers la fraternité ummah.
Les relations islamo-chrétiennes à l’ épreuve des générations
Authors: LAMINE Anne-Sophie
Published: May 2005

English

This is an investigation of the generation effect in Christian-Muslim relations. Inter-faith activities have been developing rapidly for the past 15 years in France. They raise questions related to religious identities, recognition of minorities and geopolitical effects. Christian participants are often pensioners, whereas Muslims are much younger. The issue of religious identity arises both among young Muslims and young Christians, but often has opposite effects. Muslims find a place for diversity and recognition in inter-faith, whereas the Christians find it difficult to affirm themselves as believers in a secular society and are less attracted to dialogue. The generation gap between younger and older Muslims, in addition to the effect on religiosity, influences relations with non-Muslims. Activities aimed at getting along together, rather than holding discussions, are generally more attractive to younger participants. Moreover, these inter-faith relations are strongly characterized by a failure to appreciate the other, which can turn into a kind of paternalism.

French

L'auteure traite de l'effet des générations dans les relations islamo-chrétiennes. Les activités interreligieuses se sont beaucoup développées en France depuis une quinzaine d'années. Elles soulèvent des questions identitaires, de reconnaissance et d'impacts de l'actualité géopolitique. Les participants chrétiens sont majoritairement retraités, alors que les musulmans sont plus jeunes. La question identitaire se pose chez les jeunes musulmans comme chez les jeunes chrétiens mais avec des effets opposés. Les premiers voient dans ces rencontres un lieu de reconnaissance alors que les seconds, éprouvant une difficulté d'affirmation dans un monde sécularisé, sont moins enclins au dialogue. La différence générationnelle entre jeunes musulmans et leurs aînés, outre l'effet sur la religiosité, influence la relation aux non-musulmans. Les activités, ayant pour but le vivre ensemble plutôt que l'organisation de colloques, attirent des participants globalement plus jeunes. Enfin, ces relations interreligieuses sont fortement marquées par la mésestime et peuvent prendre des formes de paternalisme.
The Evangelical Milieu: Defining Criteria and Reproduction across the Generations
Authors: STOLZ Jorg , FAVRE Olivier
Published: May 2005

English

The authors give the first description of evangelicalism in Switzerland using representative data. It is shown that evangelicalism can be conceived of as a “milieu” which is characterized by certain structural and cultural traits, boundaries and high internal communication. The relative success of the evangelical milieu compared to other religious milieus is explained by its remarkable ability to retain its own numerous offspring, while on the other hand providing a “religious product” that is also attractive to people without an evangelical familial background.

French

Les auteurs utilisent des données représentatives afin de faire, pour la première fois, une description de l'évangélisme en Suisse. Ils montrent qu'on peut parler de l'évangélisme comme d'un "milieu'' qui se caractérise par certains attributs structurels et culturels, des frontières et une communication interne élevée. Le succès relatif du milieu évangélique comparé à d'autres milieux s'explique par sa capacité remarquable à retenir les enfants de ses membres dans le mouvement tout en offrant un "produit religieux'' attractif aux personnes sans arrière-fond évangélique.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Eniporide and Its Metabolite in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Bhattaram Venkatesh Atul , Nagaraja Nelamangala V. , Peters Tanja , Machnig Thomas , Kroesser Sonja , Kovar Andreas , Derendorf Hartmut
Published: May 2005

Eniporide (EMD 96 875) is a novel and selective inhibitor of the Na+‐H+ exchange (NHE‐1) inhibitor. The study objectives were to identify a structural model for population pharmacokinetic analysis of eniporide and its metabolite (EMD 112 843) using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling after short‐term infusion (dose: 2.5–400 mg) in healthy subjects and patients undergoing myocardial reperfusion therapy. Pooled concentrations of eniporide and its metabolite from healthy subjects (n = 153; 4815 observations) and patients (n = 304; 1465 observations) were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis. Population estimates of clearance and volume of distribution of eniporide were 29.2 L/h (24.1% coefficient of variation [CV], healthy), 20.8 L/h (28.0% CV, patients) and 20.4 L (13.1% CV, healthy), 16.9 L (24.9% CV, patients), respectively. Statistical significance was achieved for the effect of age on clearance and creatinine clearance on volume of distribution of eniporide. The impact of the covariates on eniporide pharmacokinetics is minimal to warrant any dosage adjustments in patient population.
Penetration of Ertapenem Into Different Pulmonary Compartments of Patients Undergoing Lung Surgery
Authors: Burkhardt Olaf , Majcher‐Peszynska Jolanta , Borner Klaus , Mundkowski Ralf , Drewelow Bernd , Derendorf Hartmut , Welte Tobias
Published: May 2005

Ertapenem is approved for the treatment of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP), but its in vivo penetration into lung tissue (LT), epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar cells (AC) is unknown. Fifteen patients undergoing thoracotomy were treated with 1 g intravenously for perioperative prophylaxis. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 1, 3, and 5 hours after ertapenem infusion. Normal LT was sampled at the time of lung extraction. Blood was collected before and at different time points up to 24 hours after infusion. Mean concentrations of ertapenem in plasma, ELF, and AC were at 1.0 hour, 63.1, 4.06, 0.004 mg/L; at 3.0 hours, 39.7, 2.59, 0.003 mg/L; and at 5.0 hours, 27.2, 2.83, 0.007 mg/L. Mean (range) concentration in LT was 7.60 (2.5–19.4) mg/kg tissue 1.5 to 4.5 hours after infusion. In plasma, ertapenem exhibited a Cmax of 94.7 ± 23.3 mg/L and an AUC0‐last of 501.1 ± 266.3 mg•h/L. These results, combined with the reported (MIC)90 of most CAP bacteria, support the previously observed clinical efficacy of ertapenem in the treatment of CAP.
Steady‐State Serum Concentrations of Progesterone Following Continuous Intravenous Infusion in Patients With Acute Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wright David W. , Ritchie James C. , Mullins Richard E. , Kellermann Arthur L. , Denson Donald D.
Published: May 2005

Progesterone (PG) has been shown to provide substantial neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in multiple animal models. As a first step in assessing applicability to humans, the authors examined the effects of acute TBI and extracranial trauma on the pharmacokinetics of PG given by intravenous infusion. Multiple blood samples were obtained from 11 female and 21 male trauma patients receiving PG and 1 female and 3 male patients receiving placebo infusions for 72 hours. Values for CSS, CL, t1/2, and Vd were obtained using AUC(0–72) and postinfusion blood samples. CSS values were 337 ± 135 ng/mL, which were significantly lower than the target concentration of 450 ± 100 ng/mL. The lower CSS is attributed to the CL, which was higher than anticipated. In addition, t1/2 was longer and Vd was higher than anticipated. These results demonstrate that stable PG concentrations can be rapidly achieved following TBI.
Effect of Age and Postoperative Time on Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Activity Following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Frye Reginald F. , Branch Robert A. , Venkataramanan Raman , Fung John J. , Burckart Gilbert J.
Published: May 2005

This study evaluates the changes in cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity in orthotopic liver transplant (OLTx) patients in relation to recipient age and postoperative time. Thirty‐eight stable OLTx patients, separated into younger and older age groups, and 21 healthy subjects were given a 5‐drug cocktail including chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1), caffeine (CYP1A2), dapsone (CYP3A4), mephenytoin (CYP2C19), and debrisoquin (CYP2D6). The phenotypic indexes were determined for each associated enzyme. Compared to young healthy subjects, the CYP2E1 capacity was significantly increased in younger and older OLTx patients (P < .001), while the CYP2C19 capacity was decreased significantly in younger and older OLTx patients within 30 days postoperatively (P < .01). The CYP2D6 capacity was significantly lower after 30 days postoperatively in older OLTx patients (P < .05). The authors conclude that within 30 days postoperatively, CYP2E1 capacity was markedly elevated in OLTx patients, while 2C19 function was significantly reduced. CYP2D6 capacity was impaired after 30 days postoperatively. Younger and older OLTx patients experienced similar changes in major CYP450 enzyme capacity following liver transplantation.
Pharmacokinetics of Paclitaxel in Ovarian Cancer Patients and Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2C8, CYP3A4, and MDR1
Authors: Nakajima Miki , Fujiki Yuto , Kyo Satoru , Kanaya Taro , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Maida Yoshiko , Tanaka Masaaki , Inoue Masaki , Yokoi Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2005

Interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and its metabolites in Japanese ovarian cancer patients were investigated in relation to genetic polymorphisms of the CYP2C8,CYP3A4, and MDR1 genes. The area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) ratios of paclitaxel/6α‐hydroxypaclitaxel and paclitaxel/3′‐p‐hydroxypaclitaxel calculated as the metabolic index of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 showed 13‐ and 12‐fold interindividual variations, respectively. No patient had any CYP2C8 variants, while 2 patients were heterozygotes of CYP3A4*16. For the MDR1 gene, the frequencies of −129C, 1236C, 2677T, 2677A, and 3435T alleles were 2.2%, 8.7%, 56.5%, 4.4%, and 52.2%, respectively. Subjects possessing the 3435T allele had a significantly (P < .05) higher AUC of 3′‐p‐hydroxypaclitaxel compared to those possessing the 3435C allele. Leukocytopenia was significantly (P < .05) related to the AUC of paclitaxel. Genotyping of the CYP2C8, CYP3A4, and MDR1 genes might not be essential to predict adverse effects of paclitaxel in Japanese patients, although an allelic variant of MDR1 may functionally affect the pharmacokinetics of its metabolite.
Over‐the‐Counter Progesterone Cream Produces Significant Drug Exposure Compared to a Food and Drug Administration‐Approved Oral Progesterone Product
Authors: Hermann Anne C. , Nafziger Anne N. , Victory Jennifer , Kulawy Robert , Rocci Mario L. , Bertino Joseph S.
Published: May 2005

Progesterone products are available in prescription form as well as over‐the‐counter (OTC) topical preparations sold for “cosmetic” uses. In a randomized study design, the authors compared the drug exposure from an OTC progesterone cream to a Food and Drug Administration‐approved oral preparation at the labeled daily doses recommended for each product. Twelve healthy postmenopausal women received 200‐mg oral progesterone capsules once daily for 12 days or progesterone cream 40 mg twice daily for 12 days. At steady state (day 12 of each phase), whole‐blood samples were collected over 24 hours (oral progesterone) or 12 hours (topical progesterone) and assayed for total progesterone concentration. No significant differences were found in dose‐normalized 24‐hour progesterone exposure comparing the cream to oral capsules (median AUC0–24 12.5 ng•h/mL vs 10.5 ng•h/mL, respectively; P = .81). In light of the potential risks associated with long‐term progesterone use, the authors question whether topical progesterone products should be available OTC.
Romantic Poetry in the Era of Convention?
Authors: Bangha Imre
Published: May 2005

The article presents how the notion of the ‘free’ poets in Hindi literature of the 17th–18th centuries, the Rītikāl, developed in the first half of the 20th century with influence from the Hindi Neoromanticism, Chāyāvād. It shows the exaggerated nature of today’s dominant view, which presents the ‘free poets’ as a poetic movement in revolt against the ‘stagnant and imitative’ nature of the poetry of their days. It also looks at some Chāyāvādī ideology that can be paralleled with ideas attributed to the poets free from convention.
Romancing Rādhā: Nāgarīdās’ Royal Appropriations of Bhakti Themes
Authors: Pauwels Heidi R.M.
Published: May 2005

This article looks at confluence of rīti and bhakti and at the interface of the personal and the religious, in particular at the influence of the Rādhā-Krishna mythology in construing personal identities in 18th-century North India.

The article presents a case study of Sāvant Siṃh of Kishangarh (1699–1764), who wrote under the pen name Nāgarīdās. He was a prolific author of devotional verse as well as a patron of miniature paintings depicting Krishna and Rādhā. His work shows a tendency that could be termed a ‘royalization’ of Krishna poetry, and is instructive about how religious imagery became meaningful in construing personal lives in medieval India.
Adapting to change
Authors: Franklin Nicola
Published: May 2005

Presents a summary and critique of selected results and conclusions of the Business Information Resources Survey 2005 (Foster and Foster, 2005), the annual survey of UK business libraries and information resources. The critical account summarizes the survey aims and methodology in general terms then proceeds to go through the survey, making notes and comments on items of especial interest. The notes/comments are not presented in the order in which the questions appear in the survey questionnaire but are grouped according to three connected subject areas relating to: staffing/budgets; outsourcing/offshoring; and business information sources. Concludes that the survey, when taken overall, provides a valuable overview of those library and information sectors that make some use of business information. Suggests that it might be useful to replicate the Survey to a wider audience, such as other professional membership bodies, professional reading producers and discussion list hosts (CIG, SLA, BIALL, Freepint and Aslib), to enable them to help in disseminating the questionnaire, and to determine whether the results remained consistent from a more broadly representative sample of the business information professional community. Responses to these comments are presented by Pam and Allan Foster, the Survey compilers.
International phenomenon? Amateur journalism? Legal minefield?
Authors: Pedley Paul
Published: May 2005

The Weblog (blog) is a form of online diary or regularly updated journal which can take a number of forms that tend to have a number of characteristics in common, such as: being set up to display blog postings in reverse-chronological order or with their content arranged by subject; being updated regularly with new material; and providing a personal viewpoint. A major attraction of Weblogs is their relative ease of construction/updating and the lack of the need for any special skills in web design or of HTML coding; the Weblog software, such as MSN Spaces (www.msnspaces.com), Movable Type (www.movabletype.org/) or Typepad (www.typepad.com), takes care of these matters in the same way that it organizes the allocation of space on servers. There is considerable scope for libraries to exploit Weblogs: to keep their users informed about library news, services and resources; to attract traffic to a library’s Web site; to improve the Web site’s search engine positioning; and to disseminate information to library staff. In the case of librarians/information professionals Weblogs have a number of applications, such as: providing news that is not readily available elsewhere; keeping currently aware of what other professionals are thinking, writing about and linking to; keeping abreast of current affairs and news stories; and providing a useful starting point to obtaining more information. A list of typical library and information science (LIS) Weblogs is included, together with notes on promotion and marketing, legal implications, corporate Weblogs and feeds.
Corporate identity and reputation intelligence
Authors: Cullen John
Published: May 2005

This is a review of the literature covering existing studies that identify the ways in which corporate librarians/information professionals can work to enhance the reputation of the company. The author identifies some of the means by which the particular skills of the information professional may be of use to organizations in their striving for enhanced reputations, while seeking to understand both how these skills are identified and how they can be used by organizations to develop their reputations. The article also provides some examples of the contribution that information professionals can make to the growing field of strategic corporate reputation research and management. The major elements involved in corporate reputation and identity are listed, noting that reputation varies according to stakeholder groupings and any action which a company takes will impact on how its identity and reputation are perceived differently by different groups. The author traces these elements and places them in juxtaposition in such a way as to produce ‘reputation threads’ or ‘reputation traces’ which can be monitored continuously to detect potential threats. Some typical examples of the elements comprising such threads/traces are listed to show how they develop in the organization’s own unique context. Key sources to be monitored include: business pages of national media, particularly columns written by journalists who are hostile or have conducted campaigns against corporate entities; competitors’ websites; Weblogs; and trade magazines. Some data is reported from a survey of a sample of 150 display job advertisements for senior management positions in Irish companies, during Q3 2004, where threads were identified in such areas as: company growth or expansion; the company reported as a market leader in its field; financial reporting; the length of time in which the company has been in existence; the numbers currently employed by the organization; the international activities of the organization; recent successes; and the organization as the largest, or one of the largest, in its field.
Wheel of Life
Authors: Byrne Una
Published: May 2005

This continues the author’s previous article, in which the concept of work-life balance was described and defined as a way of tackling the problem of increasing amounts of stress in the workplace as people try to juggle a wide range of factors in their life/work environment, including: work; family; friends; health; and spirit/self. (Byrne, 2005). Reviews the major factors involved in stress, with suggestions about ways of managing it. Notes that the term has become overworked to cover a wide range of aspects of modern living, putting forward some possible reasons why this has come about. Attempts to place stress in the health context of why certain types of stress can be good for the individual and why others can be bad. The typical signs of stress are listed in some detail, with a discussion of how such symptoms can impinge on the quality of an employee’s work through its effect on physical well-being, mental abilities and behaviour. Describes how excessive stress can be traced to: excessive workload; the assumption that staff can read an individual’s mind; bullying; continual change; lack of challenge; constant interruptions; and poor internal communication. The article concludes that the problems of stress can be overcome through the application of a simple tool called the ‘Wheel of Life’, which can indicate where the imbalances lie in an individual’s life at present and point to ways of addressing them. The Wheel of Life, a familiar concept in many religious and spiritual cultures, represents the constant movement and change in life and comprises a wheel/circle divided into eight segments into which the individual places the top eight top priorities currently in force in their life. The wheel/circle then forms the central part of a plan for stress relief and ways in which it can be applied are described.
The Emergence of Toxicogenomics
Authors: Shostak Sara
Published: May 2005

This paper describes the efforts of scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and their allies in the National Toxicology Program to molecularize toxicology by fostering the emergence of a new discipline: toxicogenomics. I demonstrate that the molecularization of toxicology at the NIEHS began in a process of ‘co-construction’. However, the subsequent emergence of the discipline of toxicogenomics has required the deliberate development of communication across the myriad disciplines necessary to produce toxicogenomic knowledge; articulation of emergent forms, standards, and practices with extant ones; management of the tensions generated by grounding toxicogenomics in traditional toxicological standards and work practices even it transforms those standards and practices; and identification and stabilization of roles for toxicogenomic knowledge in markets and service sites, such as environmental health risk assessment and regulation. This paper describes the technological, institutional, and inter-sectoral strategies that scientists have pursued in order to meet these challenges. In so doing, this analysis offers a vista into both the means and meanings of molecularization.
Appealing Images
Authors: Joyce Kelly
Published: May 2005

This paper examines popular narratives used to discuss magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in the USA. It shows that these narratives equate the image with the physical body, progress, and authoritative knowledge. This work also traces the political and social effects of these accounts. Drawing from ethnographic research at three imaging sites and in-depth interviews with 48 physicians and technologists, I show how these discourses erase physicians’ and technologists’ knowledge about and use of MRI technology and images. Analysis of work practices in imaging units and hospitals demonstrates how each image intertwines aspects of a patient’s body, socio-technical features, and economic priorities in locally specific ways to constitute the body in medical practice and social life. Despite the tendency of popular narratives to position MRI examinations as objective knowledge, these images are not neutral nor are they equivalent to the physical body. I also show how erasure of physicians’ and technologists’ everyday work practices reinforces current imaging routines and policies, helping to sustain activities such as direct marketing to potential patients or the placement of imaging technologies in shopping malls.
‘It Was Simply Their Word’
Authors: Cocom Juan Castillo
Published: May 2005

This essay builds on a critique of anthropological knowledge production of ‘the Maya’ in order to ethnographically analyze the party politics of Maya identity in Yucatán, Mexico. The central question that links these two parts of the article is a questioning of the politics and possibilities of respect of and for indigenous/subaltern peoples such as the Maya who continue to live under (neo-)colonialist conditions that create a wholesale lack of respect for colonized and subaltern peoples. The article is written in a schizophrenic voice of a doubly Maya-Non-Maya, anthropologist-postcolonialist who narrates a divinatory story of ethnographic realities as a post-Maya Chilam Balam (roughly, ‘priest’). Exploring the trendiness of and fashion for ‘being Maya’, this ethnographic foray might seem to be an ‘experimental ethnography’ or even an ‘autoethnography’, but is instead just as much a critique of this new academic pretension as it is of the Mexican political system that manipulates ‘Maya’ identity.
‘Other Anthropologies and Anthropology Otherwise’
Authors: Restrepo Eduardo , Escobar Arturo
Published: May 2005

This article seeks to complicate the picture of a simple anthropological tradition emanating from the West that defines anthropology as a modern form of expert knowledge. It introduces a broader frame - ‘world anthropologies’ - that allows us to think about the discipline in terms of a multiple space where ‘other anthropologies’ and ‘anthropology otherwise’ may become newly visible. ‘World anthropologies’ involves a critical awareness of both the larger epistemic and political field in which anthropology emerged and continues to function, and of the micropractices and relations of power within and across different anthropological locations and traditions. The article revisits the critiques of the discipline developed within the dominant locations, proposes a larger framework of inquiry, and ends by suggesting a few first steps towards the positive project of imagining a plural landscape of world anthropologies.
Social sciences in Uruguay
Authors: de Sierra Gerónimo
Published: May 2005

In Uruguay, the development and institutionalization of the social sciences have been relatively delayed compared to other countries of the region. This fact contrasts with the socio-economic and sociopolitical development of the country, as well as with that of the professional branches of university education. The so-called formal foundational process of the social sciences effectively began in the 1970s, especially in history, economics and sociology. Political science and anthropology began to take shape only after the return to democracy in 1985. The military coup (1973-85) caused an interruption in the institutional status of the social sciences but did not entirely dismantle them. These sciences continued to develop in independent research centers, often receiving external funds. The exchange with foreign academic centers, especially the CLACSO and FLACSO nets, was germane to the process. With the return of democracy, the institutionalization process of the social sciences resumed and the link between the pre-dictatorship and post-dictatorship generations in these fields became more apparent. Simultaneously, the labor market for social scientists broadened and diversified.
A side-by-side comparison of two systems of sequencing coupled reactors for anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste
Authors: Poggi-Varaldo Héctor M. , Alzate-Gaviria Liliana M. , Pérez-Hernández Antonino , Nevarez-Morillón Virginia G. , Rinderknecht-Seijas Noemí
Published: May 2005

The objective of this work was to compare the performance of two laboratory-scale, mesophilic systems aiming at the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW). The first system consisted of two coupled reactors packed with OFMSW (PBR1.1-PBR1.2) and the second system consisted of an upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor (UASB) coupled to a packed reactor (UASB2.1-PBR2.2). For the start-up phase, both reactors PBR 1.1 and the UASB 2.1 (also called leading reactors) were inoculated with a mixture of non-anaerobic inocula and worked with leachate and effluent full recirculation, respectively. Once a full methanogenic regime was achieved in the leading reactors, their effluents were fed to the fresh-packed reactors PBR1.2 and PBR2.2, respectively. The leading PBR 1.1 reached its full methanogenic regime after 118 days ( Tm, time to achieve methanogenesis) whereas the other leading UASB 2.1 reactor reached its full methanogenesis regime after only 34 days. After coupling the leading reactors to the corresponding packed reactors, it was found that both coupled anaerobic systems showed similar performances regarding the degradation of the OFMSW. Removal efficiencies of volatile solids and cellulose and the methane pseudo-yield were 85.95%, 80.88% and 0.109 NL CH4 g-1 VSfed in the PBR-PBR system; and 88.75%, 82.61% and 0.115 NL CH4 g-1 VSfed in the UASB-PBR system [NL, normalized litre (273oK, 1 ata basis)]. Yet, the second system UASB-PBR system showed a faster overall start-up.
The use of volcanic soil as mineral landfill liner - III. Heavy metals retention capacity
Authors: Navia Rodrigo , Fuentes Bárbara , Diez María C. , Lorber Karl E.
Published: May 2005

The volcanic soil of Southern Chile was tested for its heavy metal retention capacity. The maximum uptakes for CrO42- (CrVI), Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ were determined to be 2.74, 5.32, 5.86 and 7.44 mg g-1, respectively. At a slightly alkaline pH value (7.5), it seems that a precipitation-adsorption process was responsible for the Cu2+ and Zn2+ uptake onto volcanic soil. All the determined values are of the same order of magnitude as natural zeolites heavy metals adsorption capacities. In addition, the heavy metals diffusion model through a 1 m volcanic soil mineral liner shows breakthrough times of 21.6, 10.2 and 8.9 years, for Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+, respectively, confirming the trend obtained in the adsorption isotherms. The natural volcanic soil of Southern Chile is an interesting material for possible use as landfill mineral basal sealing. It has an appropriate sealing potential (average Kf value of 5.85 × 10-9 m s-1) and a heavy metals retention capacity comparable with natural zeolites. About two-thirds of the agricultural land in Chile (approximately 0.4 million km2) is derived from volcanic ash, suggesting an important soil volume for future landfill projects, that could be obtained in sufficient quantities from urban building activities.
What is waste? To whom? - An anthropological perspective on garbage
Authors: Drackner Mikael
Published: May 2005

What is waste? To whom? - An anthropological perspective on garbage explores the fact that what constitutes waste is a highly subjective notion. In Tacna, Peru, the place from where this article draws its empirical material, waste is not only seen as a risk to public health and the environment. Some find it is a mere aesthetic inconvenience, for others it is the only source of income. Yet another way of perceiving waste is as a social contagion, in which the negative qualities of garbage are transmitted to surrounding people in the eyes of others. Such perceptions of waste, it is argued, are important parts of local waste management systems, and the understanding of such perceptions might increase the effectiveness of waste management campaigns.
Solid waste management techniques for the waste generated and brought down from campsites in the hill spots, trails and expedition tops
Authors: Kuniyal Jagdish C.
Published: May 2005

The increasing self-generated solid waste from the visitors in the hill towns, trails and expedition tops is one of the most adverse forms of human impacts in mountain environments. The direct managing authorities, such as municipalities in the hill spots, have no proper places to dispose of municipal waste nor the other infrastructure required nor adequate funds. The trekking and expedition areas are entirely dependent on the moral responsibilities of the local people, as well as visitors, because these locations are in remote areas, outside municipal boundaries. Based on five major case studies representing the Himalayas, the status of solid waste generation, its physical composition and management options in tourist [Kullu: 1219 metres above average sea level (m), Rewalsar: 1300 m, Manali: 2050 m], trekking (in and around the Valley of Flowers: 1830-4330 m) and expedition areas (Pindari valley: 2300-5500 m) were studied. The inflow of visitors ranged from 150 000 to 1 140 251 in the hill spots, and from 25 000 to 116 392 in the expedition and trekking areas, respectively. The capita-1 day-1 waste generation varied from 200-300 g in hill spots and from 200-288 g in expedition and trekking areas, respectively. Biodegradable waste varied from 65.2 to 83.1% of the total waste generated and was of greater quantity than non-biodegradable waste in expedition areas. Non-biodegradable waste was the predominant form in the expedition (66.4%) and trekking areas (84.5%). The ultimate aim of the study is to make the concerned local people, visitors and government aware of the need to harness energy from waste. This can be done in various ways including biocomposting, and the reuse and recycling of waste otherwise considered valueless and useless.
Analysis of leachate pollution index and formulation of sub-leachate pollution indices
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Alappat Babu J.
Published: May 2005

An index known as leachate pollution index (LPI) for quantifying the leachate contamination potential of municipal landfills had been developed and reported by the authors. It is a quantitative tool by which the leachate pollution data of landfill sites can be reported uniformly. LPI is an increasing scale index and has been formulated based on the Delphi technique. It provides a convenient means of summarizing complex leachate pollution data and facilitates its communication to the general public, field professionals and policy makers. However, it is observed that the LPI, like any other environmental index, fails to effectively communicate the details about the strength of various pollutants/pollutant groups present. In an effort to make the LPI more informative and useful, it is proposed to divide the LPI into three sub-indices. The aggregation of these three sub-LPIs will result in the overall LPI. The formulation and the application of LPI and its three sub-indices are presented in this paper. It has been concluded that the splitting of LPI into three sub-indices provides a better insight on the strength of various pollutants and can be useful to the experts in deciding various management issues regarding leachate treatment. The leachate characteristics of a UK landfill have been used as a case study to demonstrate the calculation of three sub-LPIs and the overall LPI.
Countering Children’s Sedentary Lifestyles
Authors: Kline Stephen
Published: May 2005

In the wake of growing concerns about a ‘globesity’ epidemic, this article explores the panic surrounding sedentary lifestyles and fast food culture, which have underscored calls for the cultural regulation of children’s marketing. Avoiding the tired debate between those who see children as either manipulated or savvy consumers, this article resituates the controversy over children’s consumerism in the broader context of our ‘risk society’. Based on an approach that sets out to reduce media as risk factors in socialization, this article provides an overview of a media-risk education strategy, which acknowledges both the importance of media in children’s leisure as well as the need to educate young consumers to make informed choices about their consumer lifestyles. The strategy provides the framework for a successful media education programme developed and tested in North Vancouver, which offers a complementary approach to marketing regulation.
On Validating Engineering Design Decision Support Tools
Authors: Olewnik Andrew T. , Lewis Kemper
Published: May 2005

In this article, an argument for validation of design-decision methods is presented. In the process of justifying the need for validation, several criteria for a valid design-decision method are introduced. These criteria represent a starting point from which the research community can continue to debate and ponder the validation issue. Under these criteria, a critical empirical investigation of two popular decision support methods, the House of Quality and Suh’s Axiomatic Design, is presented via a simple design problem and both are shown to violate some portion of the proposed definition of validity. The goal of this article is to raise awareness of potential flaws in popular design-decision aids and to promote debate on design validation within the concurrent engineering research community.
Plane Inhomogeneous Elastic Waves in Transversely Isotropic Media: Explicit Analysis of Different Types of Degeneracy
Authors: Shuvalov A. L. , Poncelet O. , Deschamps M.
Published: May 2005

An intrinsic trait of the plane inhomogeneous waves in elastic media is a particular parametrization duality, stemming from two components characterizing the complex wave vector (bivector) k with respect to the reference frame of orthonormal vectors. Correspondingly, the characteristic condition associated with the equation of motion involves two parameters p and λ, where p is the eigenvalue of the Stroh matrix N (λ) and λ is the eigenvalue of the complex Christoffel matrix λ ( p). One of the consequences is a rather elaborate layout of the complex-valued degeneracy types implying repeated p, or λ, or both p and λ. Different types of degeneracy are characterized by dissimilar analytical, algebraic and topological features. The general theory, which has been established for an arbitrary anisotropic medium, is developed in the present paper into an explicit form for a transversely isotropic continuum. By reducing the number of geometrical parameters and enabling factorization of the characteristic polynomial, transverse isotropy fosters explicit resolving of the equations which define different degeneracy types. A particular thrust of the paper is concerned with the algebraic analysis of the conditions, under which the degenerate inhomogeneous modes, having linearly varying or/and circularly polarized amplitude, can be excited on a traction-free boundary by means of reflection or within the Rayleigh wave for, respectively, two- and one-parameter manifolds in the space of orientations of the free surface and propagation direction. Various settings are identified which ensure reflected and surface-localized wave packets comprising a degenerate inhomogeneous mode.
A Lie Group Analysis of the Axisymmetric Equations of Finite Elastostatics for Compressible Materials
Authors: Horgan Cornelius O. , Murphy Jeremiah G.
Published: May 2005

Many boundary-value problems in nonlinear elastostatics for incompressible isotropic materials have been solved analytically. The situation for compressible materials is quite different. The main difficulty is the absence of the simplified kinematics arising from the incompressibility constraint. Considerable progress in the analytic solution of boundary-value problems for classes of compressible materials has however taken place in recent years and further developments in this direction are considered in this paper. A very special topic in the equilibrium theory for finite deformations of homogeneous isotropic compressible materials is investigated, namely that of spherically symmetric or cylindrically symmetric deformations. Since only axisymmetric deformations are considered, the equilibrium equations reduce to a single second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation for the radial deformation field. In previous work, two main methods for obtaining analytic solutions for these equations have been developed, the first based on a change of variable that allows one to transform the second-order ODE to a pair of first-order ODEs that may be solved in parametric form. In some cases, the parameter can be eliminated to yield an explicit closed form expression for the deformation. The second method is based on the observation that the second-order ODE is invariant under a stretching transformation of the independent and dependent variables and thus may always be transformed to a first-order ODE. The purpose of this paper is to show how the powerful techniques of Lie group analysis (LGA) for ODEs can be used to unify both the above approaches and how LGA is an invaluable guide in the development of analytic solution methods. It is shown that both of the approaches can be derived from Lie algebra invariance criteria and that the second approach is, in fact, a special case of the first. Results from LGA are then applied to investigate the structure and solution set of the governing ODEs. A systematic procedure for solving the axisymmetric equations of compressible finite elastostatics is thereby proposed. The results are illustrated by application to several specific strain-energy density functions.
Uniqueness Results for Reflection and Transmission in a Solid Layer
Authors: Morro A.
Published: May 2005

Reflection and transmission of mechanical waves are considered for a uniaxially-inhomogeneous viscoelastic layer, which is sandwiched between two homogeneous half-spaces. The problem is framed within the time domain as originated by a normally-incident wave. The outgoing character of the reflected and transmitted waves is represented by appropriate conditions at the boundary of the layer. Next uniqueness is established for an initial value problem through an energy functional. The proof is first given for isotropic solids and then is generalized to anisotropic solids.