bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Full-scale pile tests in sand and development of a computer program for predicting load capacity
Authors: Shih J K.C , Omer J R , Delpak R , Robinson R B , Jones C D
Published: December 2007

An interactive computer program GLAMPILE has been developed for predicting the static load capacity of single piles formed in any soil profile. A variety of well-known prediction methods have been incorporated into the program, including (i) soil mechanics based formulae; (ii) direct and indirect cone penetration test (CPT) based methods with and without accounting for scale effects of the cone on pile base capacity; and (iii) a new CPT-based method that considers the effects of critical depth and shaft resistance distribution, although the method has only been calibrated for relatively short piles. GLAMPILE can cope with different pile types installed with or without a permanent casing. The program has been applied to predict the axial capacities of 11 piles that were recently installed in sand and statically loaded to failure. Results from the soil mechanics procedures indicate increases, on the in situ value, of the earth pressure coefficient by up to 37%, which lies within the range 0%–100% recommended in the literature. The best CPT-based prediction method applied yields a mean (µ) and coefficient of variation (COV) of predicted to measured pile head capacity (Puh(p)/Puh(m)) of 0.83 and 0.12, respectively. Scale effects are shown to be nominal for the cases analysed. An improved method is recommended, which yields µ = 1.00 and COV = 0.10, implying higher accuracy and reliability compared with the other methods.Key words: piles, cone penetration test, static and dynamic load test, modular program.
Telecommuting and residential location decisions: combined stated and revealed preferences model
Authors: Tayyaran Mohammad R , Khan Ata M
Published: December 2007

This paper reports on a combined stated preference (SP) and revealed preference (RP) model for studying the effect of telecommuting on households’ residential location decisions. Logit models were developed to estimate the parameters of the utility function. The required data for the model estimation were collected in an attitudinal survey of employees of selected private and public organizations in the Ottawa–Carleton region. The RP information included respondents’ residential, employment, and socioeconomic characteristics. To obtain the SP responses, the respondents were presented with a number of hypothetical residential choice scenarios defined on the basis of SP experimental design. The sequential maximum likelihood estimation procedure was used to obtain taste parameters of the combined multinomial logit model. The empirical case study demonstrated practical application of the method. The hybrid model is a useful tool for urban development planning. On the basis of the results, it is concluded that telecommuting is a highly significant factor in residential location decisions.Key words: telecommuting, land use, residential location, modelling, urban development, stated preference, revealed preference.
The effect of skewness on bridge backwater prediction
Authors: Seckin Galip
Published: December 2007

Experiments are performed concerning backwater at bridge constrictions placed in a compound-channel flume with both normal and skewed crossings. The flume had smooth or rough main channel and flood plains. Five different types of bridge models were used in the experiments, and two different skew angles (ϕ = 30° and ϕ = 45°) were tested for each type of bridge compared with that for a normal crossing (ϕ = 0°). A new design chart is proposed yielding a quadratic equation for estimating backwater.Key words: bridge piers, backwater, flood control, compound-channel flow, skewed crossing.
Five batches representative of Ontario-grown American ginseng root produce comparable reductions of postprandial glycemia in healthy individualsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Dascalu Anamaria , Sievenpiper John L. , Jenkins Alexandra L. , Stavro Mark P. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Arnason John Thor , Vuksan Vladimir
Published: December 2007

Evidence indicates that the glycemia-lowering effect of American ginseng root may be batch dependent. We therefore evaluated the effect of 5 root batches, representative of Ontario-grown American ginseng, on postprandial glucose and insulin indices. Twelve healthy subjects (5 male, 7 female), mean ± SE age 26.5 ± 2 years, body mass index 23.96 ± 3.41 kg/m2, fasting blood glucose 4.77 ± 0.04 mmol/L, were assigned to consume 9 g of American ginseng from 5 farms (A–E), administered in randomized sequence on 5 separate visits, and a water-control during the 6th and last visit. Treatments were consumed 40 min before a 2-hour 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. Plasma glucose and insulin were measured at baseline, before, and during the test. Compared with control, batches A and C reduced glucose incremental area under the curve (IAUC) by 35.2% (156 vs. 240 mmol·min/L) and 32.6% (162 vs. 240 mmol·min/L), respectively. Batches A, C, and E reduced incremental peak glucose by 1.3, 1.2, and 1.1 mmol/L, respectively. Batch C reduced the insulin IAUC by 27.7% (15.8 vs. 21.8 nmol·min/L). Effects on glucose and insulin parameters were not different across ginseng treatments. The mean of the 5 ginseng treatments reduced peak postprandial glucose by 1.0 mmol/L, glucose IAUC by 27.7% (173 vs. 240 mmol·min/L), and insulin IAUC by 23.8% (16.6 vs. 21.8 nmol·min/L) relative to control. (All results statistically significant at p < 0.05.) American ginseng decreased postprandial glycemia and insulinemia; however, 40% of the batches did not reduce glycemia with the anticipated magnitude, irrespective of their saponin composition.
Postmarket surveillance of natural health products in Canada: clinical and federal regulatory perspectivesThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Murty Mano
Published: December 2007

Postmarket surveillance, particularly adverse reactions (ARs), forms an integral part of the ongoing safety evaluation for natural health products (NHPs). ARs can be related to many factors, including inherent toxicity, misuse, hypersensitivity, NHP–drug interactions, or product quality. High consumer use and limited safety and efficacy data from human clinical trials for many NHPs present a challenge to consumers, healthcare practitioners, and federal regulators. Canada’s Natural Health Products Regulations mandate NHPs to be licensed. As the currently available unauthorized NHPs are being brought into compliance in Canada, the transition has produced some challenges, requiring ongoing public communication and education to promote the safe use of NHPs. This article will highlight Health Canada’s key postmarket initiatives in strengthening the regulation of NHPs.
Plant phenolics regulate neoplastic cell growth and survival: a quantitative structure–activity and biochemical analysisThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 2 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Harris Cory S. , Mo Fan , Migahed Lamiaa , Chepelev Leonid , Haddad Pierre S. , Wright James S. , Willmore William G. , Arnason John T. , Bennett Steffany A.L.
Published: December 2007

The anti-tumour activities of many plant phenolics at high concentrations (>100 μmol/L) suggest their potential use as dietary supplements in cancer chemoprevention and cancer chemotherapy. However, it is not clear what impact phenolic compounds have at the physiological concentrations obtained through consumption of high phenolic diets on neoplastic cells. In the present study, 54 naturally occurring phenolics were evaluated at physiologically relevant concentrations for their capacity to alter PC12 cell viability in response to serum deprivation, the chemotherepeutic agent etoposide, and the apoptogen C2-ceramide. Surprisingly, novel mitogenic, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic activities were detected. Quantitative structure–activity relationship modelling indicated that many of these activities could be predicted by compound lipophilicity, steric bulk, and (or) antioxidant capacity, with the exception of inhibition of ceramide-induced apoptosis. Where quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis was insufficient, biochemical assessment demonstrated that the benzoate orsellinic acid blocked downstream caspase-12 activation following ceramide challenge. These findings demonstrate substantive mitogenic, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic biological activities of plant phenolics on neoplastic cells at physiologically relevant dietary concentrations that should be considered in chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.
Sex differences in mouse models of asthma
Authors: Chang Herng-Yu Sucie , Mitzner Wayne
Published: December 2007

Differences in disease susceptibility and prognosis between men and women are known to occur in the incidence and development of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and immunological disorders. In the lung there are also sex-based differences in the incidence, prevalence, and pathogenesis of lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, COPD, and asthma. In the general population, sex-based differences in asthma have been shown by epidemiologic studies, but unfortunately these studies are not consistent in their conclusions. This variability in human epidemiological studies justifies the need for more focused studies of the effects of specific hormones. Such specific mechanistic studies can most easily be performed in animal models, and since mouse models have the potential for separating specific genetic factors from environmental and exogenous factors, this species has become increasingly important in the design, analysis, and interpretation of asthma research. This review will document the male and female differences in airway function of naïve and sensitized mouse models, as well as the great variability in the functional measurements of airway tone. Until the situation is better understood, this variability between males and females should be kept in mind when designing, analyzing, and interpreting studies of smooth muscle responses in animal models and human subjects.
Empirical study of optimization techniques for massive slicing
Authors: Binkley David , Harman Mark , Krinke Jens
Published: December 2007

This article presents results from a study of techniques that improve the performance of graph-based interprocedural slicing of the System Dependence Graph (SDG). This is useful in “massive slicing” where slices are required for many or all of the possible set of slicing criteria. Several different techniques are considered, including forming strongly connected components, topological sorting, and removing transitive edges.

Data collected from a test bed of just over 1,000,000 lines of code are presented. This data illustrates the impact on computation time of the techniques. Together, the best combination produces a 71% reduction in run-time (and a 64% reduction in memory usage). The complete set of techniques also illustrates the point at which faster computation is not viable due to prohibitive preprocessing costs.
Run-time principals in information-flow type systems
Authors: Tse Stephen , Zdancewic Steve
Published: December 2007

Information-flow type systems are a promising approach for enforcing strong end-to-end confidentiality and integrity policies. Such policies, however, are usually specified in terms of static information—data is labeled
high
or
low
security at compile time. In practice, the confidentiality of data may depend on information available only while the system is running.

This article studies language support for
run-time principals
, a mechanism for specifying security policies that depend on which principals interact with the system. We establish the basic property of noninterference for programs written in such language, and use run-time principals for specifying run-time authority in downgrading mechanisms such as declassification.

In addition to allowing more expressive security policies, run-time principals enable the integration of language-based security mechanisms with other existing approaches such as Java stack inspection and public key infrastructures. We sketch an implementation of run-time principals via public keys such that principal delegation is verified by certificate chains.
Boon Thau Loo speaks out
Authors: Winslett Marianne
Published: December 2007

Welcome to this installment of ACM SIGMOD Record's series of interviews with distinguished members of the database community. I'm Marianne Winslett, and today we are in Alexandria, Virginia. I have here with me Boon Thau Loo, who is an Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Boon is the recipient of the 2007 ACM SIGMOD Dissertation Award for his thesis entitled "The Design and Implementation of Declarative Networks." Boon's PhD is from the University of California at Berkeley, where his advisors were Joe Hellerstein and Ion Stoica. So, Boon, welcome!
The liver sinusoidal endothelial cell: a cell type of controversial and confusing identity
Authors: Elvevold Kjetil , Smedsrød Bård , Martinez Inigo
Published: December 2007

A look through the literature on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) reveals that there are several conflicts among different authors of what this cell type is and does. Major controversies that will be highlighted in this review include aspects of the physiological role, the characterization, and the protocols of isolation and cultivation of these cells. Many of these conflicts may be ascribed to the fact that the cell was only recently established as a distinct cell type and that researchers from different disciplines tend to define their structure and function differently. This field is in need of a common platform to obtain a sound communication and a unified understanding of how to interpret novel research results. The aim of this review is to encourage scientists not to ignore the fact that there are, indeed, different opinions in the literature on LSECs. We also hope that this review will point out to the reader that some issues that may seem well established regarding our knowledge about the LSECs, in reality, are still unresolved and, indeed, controversial.
Forkhead Factor, FOXO3a, Induces Apoptosis of Endothelial Cells Through Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinases
Authors: Lee Hae-Young , You Hyun-Jung , Won Joo-Yun , Youn Seock-Won , Cho Hyun-Jai , Park Kyung-Woo , Park Woong-Yang , Seo Jeong-Sun , Park Young-Bae , Walsh Kenneth , Oh Byung-Hee , Kim Hyo-Soo
Published: December 2007

Background—

The forkhead factor, FOXO3a, is known to induce apoptosis in endothelial cells (ECs). However, its effects on extracellular matrices (ECM), which are important in EC survival, remained unknown. Here, we evaluated the role of FOXO3a on EC-ECM interaction.

Methods and Results—

Constitutively active FOXO3a was transduced to human umbilical vein endothelial cells by adenoviral vector (Ad-TM-FOXO3a). Ad-TM-FOXO3a transfection led to dehiscence of ECs from fibronectin-coated plates, resulting in anoikis, which was significantly reversed by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, GM6001. FOXO3a increased the expression of MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) but decreased the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), which was associated with increased MMP enzymatic activity in zymography. Pathophysiologic conditions such as serum starvation or heat shock also induced activation of endogenous FOXO3a, leading to activation of MMP-3 and apoptosis, which was reversed by GM6001. Delivery of Ad-TM-FOXO3a to the intraluminal surface in vivo led to EC denudation, disrupted vascular integrity, and impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation.

Conclusion—

Activation of MMPs and possible ECM disruption represent novel mechanisms of FOXO3a-mediated apoptosis in ECs.
Human ApoA-I Transfer Attenuates Transplant Arteriosclerosis via Enhanced Incorporation of Bone marrow–derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Feng Yingmei , Jacobs Frank , Van Craeyveld Eline , Brunaud Christine , Snoeys Jan , Tjwa Marc , Van Linthout Sophie , De Geest Bart
Published: December 2007

Objective—

Transplant arteriosclerosis is the leading cause of graft failure and death in patients with heart transplantation. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to endothelial regeneration in allografts. We investigated whether increased HDL cholesterol induced by adenoviral human apoA-I (AdA-I) transfer increases number and function of EPCs, promotes incorporation of EPCs in Balb/c allografts transplanted paratopically in C57BL/6 ApoE
−/−
mice, and attenuates transplant arteriosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

EPC number in ApoE
−/−
mice was increased after AdA-I transfer as evidenced by 1.5-fold (
P
<0.01) higher Flk-1 Sca-1–positive cells and 1.4-fold (
P
<0.01) higher DiI-acLDL isolectin-positive spleen cells. In addition, HDL enhanced EPC function in vitro. Incorporation of bone marrow–derived EPCs was 5.8-fold (
P
<0.01) higher at day 21 after transplantation in AdA-I-treated apoE
−/−
mice compared with control mice. Enhanced endothelial regeneration in AdA-I-treated apoE
−/−
mice as evidenced by a 2.6-fold (
P
<0.01) increase of CD31-positive endothelial cells resulted in a 1.4-fold (
P
=0.059) reduction of neointima and a 3.9-fold (
P
<0.01) increase of luminal area.

Conclusion—

Human apoA-I transfer increases the number of circulating EPCs, enhances their incorporation into allografts, promotes endothelial regeneration, and attenuates neointima formation in a murine model of transplant arteriosclerosis.
The Road not Taken: Climate Change Policy in Canada and the United States
Authors: Harrison Kathryn
Published: December 2007

In 2001, President George W. Bush confirmed that the US would not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Despite the US' withdrawal, its neighbor Canada chose to ratify the Kyoto Protocol the following year. The divergence of these two highly integrated countries is surprising, since Canada and the US accepted comparable commitments in the 1997 Kyoto negotiations, and both could expect the costs of compliance to be significant given the greenhouse-gas intensive nature of their economies. The divergence cannot be explained by politicians' electoral incentives since Canadian and US politicians alike faced strong business opposition and a relatively inattentive public. A strong normative commitment to international cooperation to protect the global commons was necessary to overcome political opposition to ratification, but still not sufficient. In particular, while both Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and US President Bill Clinton supported ratification, only Chrétien had the institutional capacity to deliver on his values.
Lexical-Semantic Activation in Broca's and Wernicke's Aphasia: Evidence from Eye Movements
Authors: Yee Eiling , Blumstein Sheila E. , Sedivy Julie C.
Published: December 2007

Lexical processing requires both activating stored representations and selecting among active candidates. The current work uses an eye-tracking paradigm to conduct a detailed temporal investigation of lexical processing. Patients with Broca's and Wernicke's aphasia are studied to shed light on the roles of anterior and posterior brain regions in lexical processing as well as the effects of lexical competition on such processing. Experiment 1 investigates whether objects semantically related to an uttered word are preferentially fixated, for example, given the auditory target “hammer,” do participants fixate a picture of a nail? Results show that, like normal controls, both groups of patients are more likely to fixate on an object semantically related to the target than an unrelated object. Experiment 2 explores whether Broca's and Wernicke's aphasics show competition effects when words share onsets with the uttered word, for instance, given the auditory target “hammer,” do participants fixate a picture of a hammock? Experiment 3 investigates whether these patients activate words semantically related to onset competitors of the uttered word, for example, given the auditory target “hammock,” do participants fixate a nail due to partial activation of the onset competitor hammer? Results of Experiments 2 and 3 show pathological patterns of performance for both Broca's and Wernicke's aphasics under conditions of lexical onset competition. However, the patterns of deficit differed, suggesting different functional and computational roles for anterior and posterior areas in lexical processing. Implications of the findings for the functional architecture of the lexical processing system and its potential neural substrates are considered.
Public Theology from the Periphery: Victims and Theologians
Authors: Aguilar Mario
Published: December 2007

This article explores contemporary understandings of public theology in relation to other types of non-European theologies that could be labelled public; for example, the theologies that come under the umbrella of Latin American theologies or liberation theologies. The first part of this article explores the possibilities of public theologies within the centre/periphery axis, while the second part argues for a relocation of public theologies towards the periphery; specifically, Latin America and Africa. In the aforementioned continents the public face of Christianity in numbers and influence is growing, while Christianity in Europe continues to decline. In its final part, the article examines the theology of 'the crucified' and 'the victims', within the Latin American context of the writings of Jon Sobrino, by pointing to theological continuities and discontinuities in Latin American theologies vis-à-vis European public theologies.
Claiming the Right to Educate: Insider/Outsider in Practical and Contextual Theology
Authors: Pears Angela
Published: December 2007

This article examines some of the issues, challenges and possibilities facing a non-Christian, non-faith based educator teaching Christian practitioners at postgraduate level in practical and contextual theology. From my experience as a person of no religious background, belief or practice, this article will explore and deconstruct the concept of the theologian in an educational perspective; it will scrutinize the place of religious faith in the academic setting as a pre-requisite to engaging in meaningful theological discourse and reflection with the Christian practitioner; and it will contribute towards developing an understanding of the role(s) of the theological educator in applied, and practical and contextual theology in the twenty-first century university.
“Contraversations” Constructing Conflicts
Authors: Aggestam Maria , Keenan James
Published: December 2007

Businesses and societies face increasingly complex problems. Collaborative relationships are needed to leverage the differences among participants and to balance stakeholder concerns. The article takes a discursive, constructionist approach in exploring the relations of five factions involved in resolving a town-gown conflict. The case data are narratives collected during a pivotal community-wide meeting in which the town-gown factions participated. The findings underscore the characteristics and roles of language in constructing and organizing meanings. In particular, the focal data reveal the influence of “contraversation”—that is, dialectical and dialogical conversation particularly and publicly directed against one faction, in constructing antagonisms and thwarting collaboration. The focal findings added insight into the demographic and historical characteristics of the factions, the socially embedded understandings, and the role of conversations in developing discursive resources that create collective identities and translate them into integrating rather than disintegrating intergroup performance in facing problematic concerns.
Performance and Mastery Orientation of High School and University/College Students
Authors: Martin Andrew J. , Marsh Herbert W. , Debus Raymond L. , Malmberg Lars-Erik
Published: December 2007

This investigation assesses performance and mastery orientation from a Rasch perspective among high school and university students and provides a complementary approach to the factor analytic methods typical in goal theory research. Data shows that both school and university students are high in mastery orientation relative to performance orientation, and there is broad agreement for the separation of performance and mastery orientation. However, there are fewer school—university differences on performance orientation than mastery orientation, with university students more mastery oriented than high school students. Although performance orientation holds up well from a psychometric perspective, data indicates that for both school and university samples, mastery orientation items do not adequately differentiate high— from low—mastery-oriented students. Finally, the Rasch approach suggests that for both school and university students, there may exist a hierarchical structure to performance and mastery orientation. Implications for goal theory and the measurement of goal orientations are discussed.
Effects of Geometry of Ring Spinning Triangle on Yarn Torque Part I: Analysis of Fiber Tension Distribution
Authors: Tao Hua  , Xiao Ming Tao  , Cheng Kwok Po Stephen , Bin Gang Xu
Published: December 2007

The geometry of the spinning triangle influences the distribution of fiber tension in the spinning triangle and fiber tensile stresses within the yarn and, thus, affects the component of yarn torque due to these stresses. In this study, a modified energy approach was adopted to study the distribution of fiber tension in the staple spinning triangle. The spinning triangle had an asymmetric geometry, unlike that studied by other researchers. A shape parameter was introduced in the analysis. The principle of minimum potential energy was applied to analyze three cases, that is, spinning triangle with uniformly distributed fibers, spinning triangle with fiber substrands and spinning triangle with buckled fibers. The effects of shape of spinning triangle on the fiber tension distribution at the spinning triangle were investigated. The results showed that the tension distribution of fibers at the spinning triangle became more uniform with the increase of the symmetry of the spinning triangle. In addition, as yarn twist increased, more tension of outer fibers was created and more compressive force developed on the central fibers in the spinning triangle. Compared with fiber tension distribution at the spinning triangle without fiber buckling, the fiber tensions distributed at the spinning triangle exhibited different shapes and had lower values with fiber buckling.
Screen-printed Textile Transmission Lines
Authors: Locher Ivo , Tröster Gerhard
Published: December 2007

Electronic fabrics is an emerging topic in the field of smart textiles. We present transmission lines structures that were screen-printed on fabrics. They featured a sheet resistance of about 0.15 Ω/, while preserving the flexible nature of textiles. We show that the commonly used 50 Ω line impedance could be achieved on these fabric substrates. This technology is predestinated for printing of one-layer structures, such as fabric antennas and their feed lines. Apart from giving the electrical specifications of the transmission lines, we have performed several mechanical tests regarding stability of the printed layer. Eventually, we propose an advanced printing technique as outlook.
Bloggers at the Gates
Authors: Pirch Kevin A.
Published: December 2007

For 18 years, Joseph Lieberman has represented the State of Connecticut in the U.S. Senate, gaining seniority and becoming popular enough in his state and party to be nominated for the Vice Presidency in 2000. However, due to his perceived closeness to President George W. Bush and his support for the war in Iraq, Lieberman faced an unexpected challenge in the Democratic Primary and ultimately lost the party's nomination to political upstart Ned Lamont. A multimillionaire who could finance his own campaign, Lamont was aided in his insurgency by a host of bloggers in Connecticut and across the nation who took it as their mission to defeat Lieberman. This article will examine the role bloggers played in Ned Lamont's primary campaign as sources of financial support, logistical assistance, and as a place for like-minded individuals to find a community to support his candidacy. In this way, blogs became a “virtual political party” for Lamont who was able to create a support system for his candidacy when the entire Democratic establishment was backing Lieberman. This campaign could provide a template for future candidates challenging party establishments and demonstrates that many of the traditional party functions can be replaced by the Internet.
Voters, MySpace, and YouTube
Authors: Gueorguieva Vassia
Published: December 2007

MySpace and YouTube have affected election campaigns in simple, but significant, ways. These social networking sites, which are used by a substantial segment of the U.S. voting age population, represent the next Internet generation, which is primarily user driven. They have created benefits such as increasing the potential for candidate exposure at a low cost or no cost, providing lesser known candidates with a viable outlet to divulge their message, and allowing campaigns to raise contributions and recruit volunteers online. In conjunction with these benefits, YouTube and MySpace have also posed a new set of challenges to campaign staff, the most important of which is the reduced level of control that campaigns have over the image and message of the candidate, which is of critical importance to election outcomes. This article discusses these benefits and challenges and the influence of YouTube and MySpace on the 2006 election and future campaigns.
Do Campaign Web Sites Really Matter in Electoral Civic Engagement?
Authors: Hun Myoung Park  , Perry James L.
Published: December 2007

This study explores the impact of campaign web sites on electoral civic engagement by examining 2004 Internet Tracking Survey data. Propensity score matching and the recursive bivariate probit model are employed to deal with endogeneity and the missing data problem, which are often ignored in existing literature. Findings show that effects of campaign web sites vary across individual engagements and generally support reinforcement theory rather than mobilization theory.
Max Weber and Alfred Schutz
Authors: Colins Olivier , Broekaert Eric , Vandevelde Stijn , Van Hove Geert
Published: December 2007

The case-oriented quantification approach behind the software program winMAX is, according to its founder, Kuckartz, based on the methodological and theoretical work of Max Weber and Alfred Schutz. This claimed connection is not, however, explained in depth in the author's available scientific literature. This article clarifies the methodological and theoretical backgrounds to winMAX, with special focus on the influence of Weber and Schutz. It became clear that—in spite of similarities—Weber and Schutz differ in several respects, which raises objections to the claimed connection and puts practical application to the test. More in-depth information is therefore needed to apply Kuckartz's case-oriented quantification approach in social research with respect to its theoretical background.
The “Spread” of Merit-Based College Aid
Authors: Cohen-Vogel Lora , Ingle William Kyle , Levine Amy Albee , Spence Matthew
Published: December 2007

Many political scientists maintain that public policies diffuse across states and that proximate states, in particular, influence one another's policy activities. Using state-funded merit aid for college as its case, this article takes a new approach to the study of the diffusion phenomenon, leaving behind conventional techniques used by generations of innovation/diffusion scholars, and asks policy makers themselves to what they attribute state policy adoption. The authors' findings suggest that merit aid programs diffuse as a function of competition among neighboring states not only for students but also for revenue and ideas. Close policy communities and personal contacts among state policy makers and agency staff also condition policy adoption by spreading information about, and assessments of, educational innovations.
Competencies and Higher Education Policy Analysts
Authors: Martinez Mario
Published: December 2007

The focus of this study is on higher education policy analysts and the competencies they employ to perform their work. The research focuses on responses from a U.S. sample of policy analysts to (a) define a meaningful list of competencies for higher education policy analysts and (b) empirically test whether those competencies meaningfully categorize into discrete groupings. A total of 25 competencies were factor analyzed, and the results suggest that these competencies may be meaningfully viewed through a framework consisting of four categories.
Encapsulations
Authors: Jansson André
Published: December 2007

This article outlines how the visual and spatial structure of Montreal's Expo 67, its texture, encapsulated a “future gaze” and how this encapsulation project was related to the overarching transformations of Montreal. Expo 67 was a sight, an experience-scape, and a mediator of Montreal as a future world metropolis. The article discusses how different “means of encapsulation,” such as transit systems, multiscreen cinema, and surveillance systems, promoted new ways of seeing, which in different ways were to translate Montreal into a city of the future. It also introduces the concepts of texture and encapsulation as a general framework for understanding the ways in which urban planning, mediatization, and event production are interwoven in late modern societies.
A critical role for Lyn in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Dos Santos Cédric , Demur Cécile , Bardet Valérie , Prade-Houdellier Nais , Payrastre Bernard , Récher Christian
Published: December 2007

Receptor or nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (TKs) are known to play an important role in leukemogenesis. Here we studied the level of protein tyrosine phosphorylations in a series of fresh AML samples and evaluated the effect of TK inhibitors. Compared with normal hematopoietic progenitors, a high level of tyrosine phosphorylation was detected in most acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples. The Src family kinases (SFKs) appeared constitutively activated in most cases, including in the CD34+CD38−CD123+ compartment as revealed by the level of phosphorylated tyrosine 416. Lyn was the major SFK family member expressed in an active form in AML cells where it was abnormally distributed throughout the plasma membrane and the cytosol as opposed to normal hematopoietic progenitors. The SFK inhibitor, PP2, strongly reduced the global level of tyrosine phosphorylations, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis in patient samples without affecting normal granulomonocytic colony forming units. Moreover, silencing Lyn expression by small interfering RNA in primary AML cells strongly inhibited proliferation. Interestingly, a link between Lyn and the mTOR pathway was observed as PP2 and a Lyn knockdown both affected the phosphorylation of mTOR targets without inhibiting Akt phosphorylation. Lyn should be considered as a novel pharmacologic target for AML therapy.
LSC defenses breached by chemical arsenal
Authors: Holyoake Tessa L. , Copland Mhairi
Published: December 2007

In this issue of Blood, Guzman and colleagues describe 2 significant advances in the selective targeting of leukemic progenitor cells. First, they identify a novel agent, TDZD-8, that induces apoptosis of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) with extremely rapid kinetics. Second, they describe the development of an orally bioavailable parthenolide (PTL) analog, DMAPT, that is now heading to phase 1 clinical trial following the preclinical work described in this issue.
Bortezomib in combination with celecoxib in patients with advanced solid tumors: a phase I trial
Authors: Hayslip John , Chaudhary Uzair , Green Mark , Meyer Mario , Dunder Steven , Sherman Carol , Salzer Shanta , Kraft Andrew , Montero Alberto J
Published: December 2007

Background

COX-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib, and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway inhibitors, such as bortezomib, can down-regulate NF-κB, a transcription factor implicated in tumor growth. The objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities of bortezomib in combination with celecoxib in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods

Patients received escalating doses of bortezomib either on a weekly schedule (days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 repeated every 42 days) or on a twice-weekly administration schedule (days 1, 4, 8, and 11 repeated every 21 days), in combination with escalating doses of celecoxib twice daily throughout the study period from 200 mg to 400 mg twice daily.

Results

No dose-limiting toxicity was observed during the study period. Two patients had stable disease lasting for four and five months each, and sixteen patients developed progressive disease.

Conclusion

The combination of bortezomib and celecoxib was well tolerated, without dose limiting toxicities observed throughout the dosing ranges tested, and will be studied further at the highest dose levels investigated.

Trial registration number

NCT00290680.
Improvement of psychometric properties of a scale measuring inpatient satisfaction with care: a better response rate and a reduction of the ceiling effect
Authors: Moret Leïla , Nguyen Jean-Michel , Pillet Nathalie , Falissard Bruno , Lombrail Pierre , Gasquet Isabelle
Published: December 2007

Background

The objective was to solve two problems of an already validated scale measuring inpatient opinion on care: 1) a high non-response rate for some items due to the "not applicable" response option and 2) a skewed score distribution with high ceiling effect.

Methods

The EQS-H scale ("échelle de qualité des soins en hospitalisation") comprised 26 items and 2 sub-scales of 13 items each, 'quality of medical information' (MI) and 'relationships with staff and daily routine' (RS). Three studies were conducted: a first mono-centre study (n = 552, response rate = 83.4%, self-completion of the scale the day before discharge) to construct a shorter version of the scale without the items with high non-response rate and maintaining those useful to ensure good internal validity (construct, convergent and divergent) and reliability; a second mono-centre study (n = 1246, response rate = 77.9%, self-completion of the scale before discharge) to confirm psychometric properties of the new version; a third multi-centre national study (n = 886, response rate 41.7%, self-completion at home 15 days after discharge) to test a new response pattern in order to reduce ceiling effect.

Results

Six items having a non-response rate >20% were deleted, increasing rates of exhaustive response to all items from 15% to 48%. Factorial analysis supported the evidence for removing 4 more items to ensure good internal validity and reliability of the new version. These good results (initial variance explained: 43%; Cronbach's α: 0.80 (MI) and 0.81 (RS)) were confirmed by the second study. The new response format produced a normalisation of the 2 scores with a large decrease in ceiling effect (25% to 4% for MI subscale and 61% to 8% for RS). Psychometric properties of the final version were excellent: the 2 subscales (8 items each) explained 66% of the variance in principal component analysis, Cronbach's α were respectively 0.92 (MI) and 0.93 (RS).

Conclusion

The new version of the EQS-H has better psychometric properties than the previous one. Rates of missing values are lower, and score distribution is normalized. An English version of this scale focused on quality of medical information delivered and on relationship with staff already exists, and this could be useful to conduct cross-cultural studies of health care service quality.
Discordance between microvascular permeability and leukocyte dynamics in septic inducible nitric oxide synthase deficient mice
Authors: Hollenberg Steven M , Guglielmi Massimiliano , Parrillo Joseph E
Published: December 2007

Introduction

Microvascular dysfunction causing intravascular leakage of fluid and protein contributes to hypotension and shock in sepsis. We tested the hypothesis that abrogation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activation would decrease leukocyte rolling, leukocyte adhesion, and microvascular leakage in sepsis. We compared wild-type mice made septic by cecal ligation and puncture with mice deficient in iNOS.

Methods

Leukocyte dynamics and microvascular permeability were assessed simultaneously by fluorescence intravital microscopy in the cremaster muscle 15 to 20 hours after induction of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture in C57Bl/6 mice. Rolling and adhesion of leukocytes labeled with rhodamine and leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated albumin was measured in single nonbranching venules (25 to 40 μm) and compared among septic wild-type, septic iNOS-deficient transgenic, and sham-operated control mice.

Results

Leukocyte rolling and adhesion were increased in septic animals (61.6 ± 14.4 cells/minute and 4.1 ± 0.6 cells/100 μm per minute, respectively) as compared with control animals (8.5 ± 2.3 cells/minute and 1.1 ± 0.2 cells/100 μm per minute, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). Rolling increased in iNOS-deficient septic mice (to 105.5 ± 30.0 cells/minute, P = 0.048, versus wild-type septic); adhesion was unchanged (5.1 ± 0.5 cells/100 μm per minute, P = 0.30). Sepsis produced an increase in leakage ratio in wild-type septic mice compared with controls (0.36 ± 0.05 versus 0.08 ± 0.01, P < 0.001). Leakage was attenuated in iNOS-deficient septic mice (0.12 ± 0.02, P < 0.001, versus wild-type septic mice).

Conclusion

Leukocyte adhesion and vascular leakage were discordant in this setting. The finding that septic iNOS-deficient mice exhibited less microvascular leakage than wild-type septic mice despite equivalent increases in leukocyte adhesion suggests an important role for nitric oxide in modulating vascular permeability during sepsis.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone-Induced Gαh/Phospholipase C-δ1 Signaling Mediating a Noncapacitative Ca2+ Influx through T-Type Ca2+ Channels in Rat Sertoli Cells
Authors: Lai Tsung-Hsuan , Lin Yuan-Feng , Wu Feng-Chang , Tsai Yu-Hui
Published: December 2007

Our previous study demonstrated that FSH-induced immediate Ca2+ influx in rat Sertoli cells (SCs) is mediated by the Gαh/phospholipase C-δ1 (PLC-δ1) signaling pathway. As to which Ca2+ channel is responsible for such Ca2+ influx was not understood. In this study, thapsigargin triggered an in-store calcium release and evoked a 1.5-fold elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in Ca2+-free media, whereas FSH exhibited no effect. The readdition of CaCl2 (2.5 mm) to FSH-pretreated or thapsigargin-sensitized SCs in Ca2+-free media immediately elicited a rapid Ca2+ influx or a 2-fold increase of second intracellular Ca2+ elevation, respectively. The addition of Ca2+ chelator EGTA (0.2 mm) reduced the FSH-induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in SCs incubated with CaCl2. However, pretreatment with dantrolene (25 μM), which inhibits in-store calcium release, did not affect the FSH-induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+. NiCl2 (10 μM), a T-type calcium channel blocker, abolished the FSH-induced SC Ca2+ influx. Furthermore, mibefradil (10 and 100 μm), another specific blocker for T-type Ca2+ channels, dose-dependently suppressed the FSH-induced Ca2+ influx. In contrast, nifedipine (10 and 50 μm) or ω-conotoxin GVIA (100 and 500 nm), blocker of L- or N-type Ca2+ channels, respectively, did not affect the FSH-induced SC Ca2+ influx. On the other hand, FSH-induced Ca2+ influx was significantly reduced by pretreatment of SCs with myristoylated synthetic peptide (0.1 and 1 μm) of PLC-δ1 fragment TIPWNSLKQGYRHVHLL but not affected by 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine (3 and 15 μm), a selective inhibitor of adenylate cyclase. In conclusion, the FSH-induced Gαh/PLC-δ1 pathway-dependent Ca2+ influx of rat SCs is mediated by T-type Ca2+ channels and independent of in-store calcium release.
The Adaptability of Voluntary Organizations: External Pressures and United Way Organizations
Authors: Wenocur Stanley
Published: December 2007

This paper will report the findings of an empirical study of 218 large, urban based United Way organizations (United Funds, United Community Services, Community Chests, and Community Councils) undertaken in 1972. The immediate aim of the study was to explore and identify those environmental conditions associated with United Way responsiveness to the emerging needs of poor and minority citizens and their indigenous service and action organizations. Its broader purpose was an attempt to contribute to the revitalization of the voluntary sector of social welfare through illuminating the process of institutional change and the development of flexible organization forms. For by the end of the 1960s the viability of voluntary organizations dependent on private philanthropy had been seriously jeopardized. During the 1960s United Way organizations functioned in a turbulent climate that severely threatened its traditional and hallowed voluntary sector roles. Surrounded by an intense atmosphere of sturm und drang, the voluntary sector was faced with a tremendous expansion of public sector social planning and services, innovative quasi non-governmental organizations, increased dependency of private agencies on public dollars, and resurgence of interest in market mechanism solutions to service provision.
Area and Authority Determinants of the Calibre of Junior Administrators
Authors: Davies Bleddyn , Barton Andrew
Published: December 2007

The pattern of variation in the calibre of junior administrators in local authorities is not monitored by central government departments, and has never been described and explained in spite of the importance of the junior administrative input for the efficiency and effectiveness of service outputs, and the relevance of the variations in this input to theories about the determination of outputs. Junior administrators in England and Wales are almost without exception drawn from among those who enter the local government service straight from secondary school. The promotion of the recruit from the General Division into the Administrative, Professional, and Technical Division to a considerable extent depended upon his success in the examinations for the Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA) which were specifically devised for the purpose. The entrant of modest educational achievement and unexceptional ambition has virtually no alternative means by which he could acquire qualifications for more senior posts in local government administration. Data about candidates for the DMA has been the only, but not misleading, source of information about the calibre of these junior administrators.