bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fondaparinux (Arixtra®), a Safe Alternative for the Treatment of Patients With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia?
Authors: Badger NaaDede O.
Published: April 2010

Fondaparinux, a pentasaccharide which selectively binds to antithrombin III, has negligible to no cross-reactivity with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies in in vitro studies. The lack of cross-reactivity suggests a potential role in the management of HIT, and indeed, there are several such case reports and small studies. These published data have used both the prophylactic and weight-based treatment doses. However, due to the small possibility of developing HIT with thromboembolic complications while receiving fondaparinux, it is suggested that the appropriate weight-based treatment dose be used. In all these reports, fondaparinux provided adequate anticoagulation, prevented further thromboembolic events, and platelet counts returned to normal. However, there have been a couple of case reports on possible HIT or HIT-like syndrome secondary to fondaparinux use. Conclusion: Fondaparinux is an attractive anticoagulant therapy in patients with HIT. There is still the need for larger randomized trials evaluating the true efficacy, appropriate dose, safe duration of treatment, and the true incidence of HIT associated with fondaparinux.
Social Dynamics and the Strategy Process: Bridging or Creating a Divide Between Trustees and Staff?
Authors: Chadwick-Coule Tracey
Published: April 2010

This article departs from much of the dedicated voluntary sector literature, which often adopts a rationalist prescriptive approach to organization and management. It argues that studying, governing, and managing voluntary organizations involves philosophy, politics, and ethics. The context of developing strategies for sustainability depends on who says what the job is, how it should be done, and how people are affected by doing it one way rather than another. Drawing on case study data, the author presents a metatheoretical view of human resource—governance dynamics and the strategy development process, considering some of the implications associated with employing unitary and pluralist perspectives in the governance and management of voluntary organizations. Ultimately, the article aims to provide insights into bridging the divide between internal stakeholder groupings in relation to strategic decision making.
Exploring the Revenue Mix of Nonprofit Organizations: Does It Relate to Publicness?
Authors: Fischer Robert L. , Wilsker Amanda , Young Dennis R.
Published: April 2010

Nonprofits receive funding from multiple revenue sources, including private contributions and earned program revenues. In this article, we hypothesize that the composition of revenues is a result of the nature of services provided—specifically whether services are public, private, or mixed in the nature of their benefits. Using subfields from three major fields in the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE), this study divides nonprofits according to service type and estimates the impact of service character on particular revenue streams and overall revenue diversification. Generally, we find that the proportion of revenues generated by earned program revenues is lowest for the category deemed public, highest for those with mostly private benefits, and midway for those classified as mixed. Similarly, the more public a nonprofit’s services, the greater its reliance on donations. We also identify some puzzling results that suggest the need for continued investigation.
How does background affect attitudes to socioscientific issues in Taiwan?
Authors: Rundgren Shu-Nu Chang
Published: April 2010

Based upon the goal of scientific literacy and the importance of socioscientific issues (SSIs), the purpose of this study was to investigate the Taiwanese public’s awareness of, inclinations to buy/use, and their attitudes towards three attributes of SSIs including genetically modified food (GM food), organic food, and DDT and malaria (DDT). Data from a total of 865 participants across ten populations (six different educational levels and four different vocations) were validated and analyzed. The results revealed that the awareness regarding GM food and DDT increased with the levels of education. The inclinations to buy/use and the attitudes towards the three SSIs, were not related to levels of education, vocation or gender, but were related to attributes of the SSIs. The implications for education and policy development are discussed.
In backyards, on front lawns: examining informal risk communication and communicators
Authors: Rickard Laura N.
Published: April 2010

Risk communicators are often envisioned as government officials, public relations practitioners, or health workers. Yet much of the public’s risk information comes from informal messages and unofficial carriers. Referred to in this study as “informal risk communicators” (IRCs), these individuals are often service workers who relay risk information to public audiences, though often outside of their formal job descriptions. Literatures in the health communication, science and technology studies, and risk communication fields have considered ideas relevant to explaining these individuals, and the risk communication work they perform. To further explore this category of individuals, this study examines the communicative practices of commercial pesticide applicators, using both in-depth interviews and surveys. Through their interactions with clients, these individuals offer care, as well as project expertise and identity; however, the extent to which this work is recognized and validated is less clear. Both applied and theoretical implications of this research are considered.
Can the governance of a population genetic data bank effect recruitment? Evidence from the public consultation of Generation Scotland
Authors: Haddow Gill , Cunningham-Burley Sarah , Murray Lorraine
Published: April 2010

Our objective was to identify an acceptable governance model for population genetic data banks through measuring the importance of different ethical and social concerns and their relationship to reported likelihood to participate. We conducted a face-to-face interview survey of 1,001 members of the general adult Scottish population who were 16 and over, and included a discrete choice experiment. The results showed a quarter of respondents said that they were certain or very likely to take part in genetic database research. However, reported willingness to participate seemed to be unaffected by further information or governance options. We conclude participation is driven by personal and mundane, everyday factors rather than concerns about governance. However, this should not be seen as a reason to relax the transparent and robust governance frameworks currently under development.
Making sense of global warming: Norwegians appropriating knowledge of anthropogenic climate change
Authors: Ryghaug Marianne , Holtan Sørensen Knut , Næss Robert
Published: April 2010

This paper studies how people reason about and make sense of human-made global warming, based on ten focus group interviews with Norwegian citizens. It shows that the domestication of climate science knowledge was shaped through five sense-making devices: news media coverage of changes in nature, particularly the weather, the coverage of presumed experts’ disagreement about global warming, critical attitudes towards media, observations of political inaction, and considerations with respect to everyday life. These sense-making devices allowed for ambiguous outcomes, and the paper argues four main outcomes with respect to the domestication processes: the acceptors, the tempered acceptors, the uncertain and the sceptics.
Attitudes towards the use of genetically modified animals in research
Authors: Schuppli Catherine A. , Weary Daniel M.
Published: April 2010

Here we provide the first experimental evidence that public concerns about the use of animals in research are accentuated when genetically modified (GM) animals are used. Using an online survey, we probed participant views on two uses of pigs as research animals (to reduce agricultural pollution or to improve organ transplant success in humans) with and without GM. We surveyed 327 animal technicians, researchers, advocates, university students and others. In both scenarios and across demographics, support dropped off when the research required the use of GM pigs or GM corn. For example, 66% of participants supported using pigs to reduce phosphorus pollution, but this declined to 49% when the pigs were fed GM corn and to 20% when the research required the creation of a new GM line of pigs. Those involved in animal research were more consistently supportive compared to those who were not or those who were vegetarians.
Feminist Theology and the Holocaust
Authors: Litchfield Sara
Published: April 2010

The Holocaust demands a theological response. This essay considers that which has been presented by feminist theologians, of both Christian and Jewish faiths. In some cases, the response has been to further promote anti-Judaism in the fight against patriarchy, sustaining and perpetuating the portrayal of the Jew as Other, and even as Nazi. Conversely, other reactions have given rise to a fruitful Jewish-Christian dialogue which contests such a response, and replaces it with a constructive and healing interpretation of teaching and events.

A juxtaposition is presented between the anti-Judaic works of Christian feminist theologians such as Christa Mulack and Gerda Weiler, and the reaction and dialogue that have arisen between Jewish theologians, such as Susannah Heschel and Melissa Raphael, and their Christian counterparts, among whom are Rosemary Radford Ruether and Katherina von Kellenbach.
Contesting the Primacy of the Word: Activism, Autobiography and Mimesis
Authors: Craigo-Snell Shannon
Published: April 2010

This essay explores elements of the relationship between feminist activism and feminist theory focused on language. I examine the autobiographies of two seventeenth century Quaker women who were activists, and then use the writings of Luce Irigaray to interpret their work. For both the Quaker autobiographers and the French feminist philosopher, the concrete oppression of women is connected to the primacy of the word in western culture. Drawing on these sources, I argue that given the masculine economy of language, resisting the dominance of men can be profoundly related to resisting the unrivalled primacy of the written word. The discursive disruption called for by feminist theory can be perhaps most profoundly accomplished with embodied action, while the activist concerns of feminism achieve greater potency when social action is also used to subvert discourse.
Becoming Men, Staying Women: Gender Ambivalence in Christian Apocryphal Texts and Contexts
Authors: Stefaniw Blossom
Published: April 2010

The motif of women becoming men, taking on manly characteristics, or being made male appears in several Christian Apocryphal texts. This essay investigates the reasons behind this motif in terms of the cultural context without evaluating whether the attitude towards women which this particular motif might be understood to reflect demonstrates that Christian communities were more or less misogynistic than the rest of society. The ‘becoming male motif can reasonably be expected, because of its oddity relative to modern views of gender and its distinctly late-antique roots, to help to reveal the relevant social and cultural assumptions about the relationship between gender and spiritual authority which lie behind its appearance in Apocryphal texts. These assumptions in turn explain why the motif is one of ambivalence rather than equality or neutralization.
God, Woman, Other
Authors: Barker Victoria
Published: April 2010

The disciplines of western philosophy and theology are linked by their development of concepts of the ‘other’, figured as what lies outside the ‘discourses of man . The relations between the two discourses of the other deserves the attention of feminists, given their ongoing debate of Simone de Beauvoir s claim that woman is the ‘absolute other in these discourses. While the theology of God s otherness responds to the particularity which is God, the logic that underlies this theology is of general application, and so may be borrowed to theorize the anomalous status of other figures of the other. French philosopher Luce Irigaray, for example, exploits the relations between philosophy and theology in claiming that the other may be represented as at once feminine and divine.
Living and Doing Psychology
Authors: Sinha Jai B. P.
Published: April 2010

As I look back at about 45 years of my research journey, I see three somewhat overlapping phases showing that my research has co-evolved with the way I have related to my milieu. The first 15 years witnessed my struggle to outgrow the alien framework by conducting research that, I thought, addressed the most salient socio-cultural issues in the Indian context with the methods that seemed to be the most appropriate. For the next 15 years, I tried to claim a legitimate space for my research on the international landscape. My encounters there—enriching and yet frustrating—led me to realise that I can at best be an Indian cultural psychologist. In the third phase, therefore, I returned to focus on my ongoing interest in organisational behaviour that I believe is deeply embedded in the Indian societal culture inheriting psycho-philosophical thoughts from the ancient time. Hence, I have been exploring, through multi-authored, multi-centred and multi-methods research, how the ancient Indian wisdom has filtered through contemporary experiences to create an inclusive Indian mindset that manifests in social and organisational behaviour.
The Core and Context of Indian Psychology
Authors: Dalal Ajit K. , Misra Girishwar
Published: April 2010

This article makes an effort to conceptualise the emerging field of scholarship called Indian Psychology (IP) in the backdrop of the disciplinary developments. After situating IP in the disciplinary matrix, the article articulates the meaning and scope of IP, its critical features and misconceptions about its conceptualisation. It is argued that IP is a school of psychology primarily rooted in the diverse Indian thought systems with panhuman appeal. It has potential to offer an encompassing vision which covers the vast expanse of the human consciousness from a dynamic experiential vantage point. As a theory and practice, IP is practical and transcendental in nature. While IP chiefly addresses the existential issues from a first person perspective, it is inclusive in approach and does not ignore the mundane concerns of everyday life and social welfare.
A Perspective on Epistemology and Ontology of Indian Psychology
Authors: Bhawuk Dharm P. S.
Published: April 2010

The epistemology of Indian Psychology (IP) is akin to that of Indian Philosophy or in general the Indian world view of knowledge, truth and belief about making sense of the self and the world. In this article, the epistemological and ontological foundations of IP are derived from a verse from the Ishopanishad and corroborated by verses from the Bhagavad-Gita. In doing so, epistemological questions like what is knowledge in IP or what knowledge (or theories) should IP develop and how (the methodology) are answered. Similarly, ontological questions like what is the being that is the focus of IP research or are biomechanical or spiritual-social-biological beings of interest to IP are addressed. The simplicity and clarity of this derivation fulfils the twin research criteria of parsimony and aesthetics. The role of epistemology and ontology in constructing cultural meaning for theory, method and practice of IP is discussed.
European innovation policy: a broad-based strategy?
Authors: Møller Kirsten
Published: April 2010

This article provides an overview of innovation policies in the EU and Member States and examines how employee-driven innovation is being discussed and how the role of employees as drivers of innovation in Europe is being understood and supported by joint European innovation policies and measures. The conclusion is reached that the role of employees as drivers of innovation is restricted to highly skilled professionals and researchers working in the areas of technology and natural sciences. Skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled workers are not considered as innovators. Finally the role of the social partners in setting the agenda for skilled and unskilled employees as drivers of innovation, especially in small- and medium-sized enterprises, is presented. The article is based on analyses of publicly accessible EU documents on innovation policy.
Shop stewards as coordinators of employee-driven innovation: implications for trade unions
Authors: Rocha Robson Sø
Published: April 2010

Recently, there has been an increase in the attention paid to innovation. However, most of the attention seems to be devoted to innovation which takes place between organizations or between organizations and their customers. It is therefore useful to stand back a little and think about innovation within organizations: how does it take place, who are the actors involved, and how is it coordinated at different organizational levels. This article presents the results of qualitative research among seven Danish organizations, which have revolutionized their ways of organizing the production process. The article shows that shop stewards have become crucial organizational actors in coordinating employee-driven innovation (EDI) inside the firm by connecting different organizational and institutional levels. This has several implications for the European trade union movement.
Exploring the innovative potential of SMEs in Spain
Authors: Ahedo Manuel
Published: April 2010

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tend to be theoretically and empirically considered to have critical limitations for innovation and technological development. Whereas this can be true in general terms, there are certain factors that can stimulate SMEs’ capacity for innovation, in particular internal organizational factors. Thus, in the context of less formally institutionalized regional/ local labour markets and labour relations, several factors or drivers, such as adequate size, the specific industrial sector and good human resources management, can be potential drivers of learning and innovation. These factors are analysed in three main dimensions, namely, management, further training and work organization. These arguments are explored with examples and data from industrial SMEs in their respective regional contexts in Spain.
Employee-driven innovation in the context of Italian industrial relations: the case of a public hospital
Authors: Telljohann Volker
Published: April 2010

This article looks at the role of various forms of participation in experiences of employee-driven innovation in Italy. On the one hand, it analyses the extent to which forms of direct and representative participation have fostered processes of organizational innovation driven by the knowledge and creativity of employees. On the other hand, the article identifies the specific limits of these forms of employee involvement in processes of organizational innovation. Innovative experiences of employee involvement will be presented on the basis of a case study. The new approach to employee involvement applied in the analysed case provides indications for reflection on the innovation of the Italian system for the representation and participation of employees. The study shows that by integrating and coordinating various forms of participation, employees' knowledge and creativity can be used more effectively in the context of organizational innovation processes.
Stimulating the innovation potential of ‘routine’ workers through workplace learning
Authors: Evans Karen , Waite Edmund
Published: April 2010

Governments worldwide seek to upgrade the ‘basic skills’ of employees deemed to have low literacy and numeracy, in order to enable their greater productivity and participation in workplace practices. A longitudinal investigation of such interventions in the United Kingdom has examined the effects on employees and on organizations of engaging in basic skills programmes offered in and through the workplace. ‘Tracking’ of employees in selected organizational contexts has highlighted ways in which interplay between formal and informal workplace learning can help to create the environments for employees in lower grade jobs to use and expand their skills. This workplace learning is a precondition, a stimulus and an essential ingredient for participation in employee-driven innovation, as workers engage with others to vary, and eventually to change, work practices.
Palliative Care and Type II Diabetes: A Need for New Guidelines?
Authors: Vandenhaute Vincent
Published: April 2010

Since the publication in 1998 of the articles by the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) group, guidelines for the management and treatment of type II diabetes have been standardized. When applied to an end-of-life population, these international recommendations do not have any scientific justification and go against quality-of-life goals promoted by hospice and palliative care. The aim is to demonstrate this in the current article.
The Experience of Older Patients With Cancer in Phase 1 Clinical Trials: A Qualitative Case Series
Authors: Kvale Elizabeth A. , Woodby Lesa , Williams Beverly Rosa
Published: April 2010

This article explores the experiences of older patients with cancer in phase 1 clinical trials. Conducting a case series of face-to-face, in-depth, open-ended interviews and using qualitative methods of analysis, we find that the psychosocial process of social comparison is relevant for understanding older adults’ phase 1 clinical trial participation. Social comparison influences decisions to enroll in a phase 1 clinical trial, shapes perceptions of supportive care needs, and encourages the utilization of hope. Additional research should develop strategies for addressing supportive care needs among this patient cohort whose use of social comparison can inhibit articulation of pain, suffering, and symptom burden as well as use of informal support systems.
Measuring Trade Union Rights through Violations Recorded in Textual Sources: An Assessment
Authors: Teitelbaum Emmanuel
Published: April 2010

The author uses item response theory to evaluate the increasingly prominent method of measuring labor rights developed by David Kucera. The analysis shows that most of the component items in the Kucera index relate to the same latent variable, which can be construed as “the propensity to violate labor rights.” At the same time, individual country scores highlight the method’s inability to distinguish between countries known to have excellent respect for worker rights and extremely repressive countries. The final section tests the robustness of Kucera’s finding that there is no relationship between observed labor rights violations and foreign direct investment.
Attachment and Religiousness: Contributions to Young Adult Marital Attitudes and Readiness
Authors: Mosko Jonathan E. , Pistole M. Carole
Published: April 2010

In this study (N = 239), Christian religious affiliation, low attachment avoidance, and intrinsic religious motivation contributed uniquely to positive marital attitudes; more serious relational status, low attachment avoidance, and intrinsic religious motivation contributed uniquely to marital readiness. Implications for family counseling practice and research are discussed.
Gaze Control for Driver Assistance Systems
Authors: Guenthner Wolfgang , Ginzinger Lucas , Ulbrich Heinz
Published: April 2010

Currently available driver assistance systems more or less all rely on odometric data. However, in the future, a new form of information is likely to be used: visual sensors, e.g. cameras, which can provide additional knowledge on traffic and the vicinity. In this paper we present an inertially stabilized camera platform for high-precision tracking of vehicles, lane markers and traffic signs. A highly miniaturized inertial measurement system measures a vehicle’s motion in space and determines an effective stabilization command for the camera motion device. In addition, an image processing software extracts the position and self-motion of the points of interest. After presenting hardware and controller design, the paper focuses on the application in test drives on German freeways.
Vibration and Shape Control in Opto-mechanical Systems Using Distributed Fiber-optic Bragg Grating Sensors
Authors: Mueller Uwe C. , Baier Horst , Zeh Thomas , Mueller Mathias S. , Koch Alexander W.
Published: April 2010

High-precision opto-mechanical systems are characterized by significant interactions between structural dynamics and optics. Novel sensing techniques for the vibration and shape control of such structures are investigated. Owing to the number of necessary sensors and the required precision, fiber-optic Bragg grating (FBG) sensors could be an attractive option for this task. They allow the simultaneous measurement of strain at many locations in a structure. Many FBG sensor systems provide high precision, but their delay time and maximum acquisition frequency makes them difficult to use for vibration control purposes. Therefore, a novel multi-channel FBG sensor system was developed using a position sensitive detector for the wavelength interrogation which has much less delay time than a charge coupled device-based system and a theoretical maximum bandwidth of over 300 kHz. This system was tested for high-precision static strain measurements for shape control applications at low frequencies in an experimental test rig ( < 0 .3 μm/m) as well as for high-frequency strain measurements of more than 10 kHz. Its application potential for shape and vibration control application was demonstrated experimentally as well as its applicability to modal analysis. This could be an interesting alternative to the use of piezo-strain sensors in structural control applications where high frequencies are needed, as well as an alternative for shape control where high-resolution strain measurements are desirable.
Autonomous Control of Micro Flying Robot
Authors: Wei Wang  , Nonami Kenzo , Hirata Mitsuo , Miyazawa Osamu
Published: April 2010

In the case of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, a micro air vehicle (MAV) would be very effective for surveying the site and environment in dangerous areas or narrow spaces that humans cannot access safely. In addition, it would be helpful for preventing secondary disaster. This paper discusses autonomous hovering control and guidance control of a micro flying robot ( μFR). Since a μFR is very small and light, sensors such as a global positioning system (GPS) cannot be carried. So, the three-dimensional position of a μFR is measured by using one charge coupled device (CCD) camera to recognize a marker attached to the μFR. We adopted proportional—integral—derivative (PID) control because its performance can be increased by tuning, even when there is no model. Nevertheless, it is not easy to find the gain of the PID controller for the X and Y directions. Therefore, the first step that we took is modeling based on system identification and then we designed a model-based controller.
Vehicle Side Slip Angle Estimation Methodology Using a Drive Recorder
Authors: Iijima Takeshi , Raksincharoensak Pongsathorn , Michitsuji Yohei , Nagai Masao
Published: April 2010

In this paper we describe a side slip angle estimation methodology especially for a drive recorder which has limited vehicle sensing information. The drive recorder has attracted the attention of many researchers recently since its captured data contains valuable information that can enhance traffic safety. As the current algorithm of video capture and data acquisition, it detects hard braking by using acceleration sensor values and records the video image and vehicle data in that situation. However, the conventional trigger algorithm cannot be activated and the data cannot be recorded when the vehicle is in a side slip situation on a low friction road with low acceleration. We propose an estimation method of the vehicle side slip angle which uses lateral acceleration, yaw rate and velocity without requiring information about the steering wheel angle for the drive recorder configuration. In this paper we describe a synthesis of the estimation method based on a two-wheel lateral vehicle dynamics model and validation of the proposed methodology by experiments using an actual vehicle.
OASIS Update
Authors: Niewenhous Susan S.
Published: April 2010

The home care industry has been wrapped up in OASIS-C for many months now. The “what if ” questions are over, and the concrete user-generated questions are rolling to the surface. With the January release of the CMS OCCB Q&As, a number of these user-generated questions posed to CMS were clarified. This article, with the January Q&As attached, reviews some modifications in the old OASIS “rules” causing clinicians and agencies to reprogram some of their strategies and procedures.
Self-Report of Parenting Style, Socio-economic Status and Psychological Functioning in a Community Sample of 13-15-year-old Students
Authors: Ritchie Charlotte , Buchanan Ann
Published: April 2010

• Summary: Data from 391 students aged 13—15 were analysed using bivariate analysis to determine the extent to which student self-report of ‘negative’ parenting styles was associated with psychological functioning, as defined by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) (Goodman, 1997) and with self-report of socio-economic status.

• Findings: The findings affirm that children who perceive parenting styles as negative are more at risk of abnormal psychological functioning as measured by the SDQ, and that perhaps contrary to expectations, the children of those from professional backgrounds may be at greater risk of perceiving parenting as negative and of poor psychological functioning than those from low income backgrounds.

• Applications : It is concluded that ‘risk’ to children, while present in negative parenting, is exacerbated by wider factors in the ecological framework such as school, housing, income, and aspirations, and that social work and policy initiatives aimed at parenting and at low income families are unlikely to be successful in producing well adjusted young people without much greater investment in the wider fabric of their lives.
On the Evaluation of the ‘‘Most Important’’ Position in Professional Sports
Authors: Berri David J. , Brook Stacey L.
Published: April 2010

This article investigates whether general managers in the National Hockey League (NHL) evaluate the playing talent of goalies efficiently. The authors examine both the voting record for the Vezina Award (Best Goalie) and salary data from free agent goalies to ascertain how the goalie position is evaluated by general managers in the NHL. The authors find that general managers evaluate past performance of goalies efficiently. However, the authors also find observed differences in goalie performance are quite small. Furthermore, NHL goalies are quite inconsistent across time. These aspects of goalie performance are not taken into account by decision makers in the NHL, leading us to conclude that inefficiencies in this labor market exist.
Top Clubs’ Performance and the Competitive Situation in European Domestic Football Competitions
Authors: Pawlowski Tim , Breuer Christoph , Hovemann Arnd
Published: April 2010

The increase in payouts to European football clubs appearing in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League (CL) in 1999-2000 had a lasting impact on the performance of top clubs in domestic football leagues. This policy change is treated as a natural experiment to compare the level of competitive balance in five top European leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France) before and after the turn of the millennium. Based on several competitive balance measures, this article reveals a significant decrease in competitive balance after the modification of the CL payout system.
Aroma Finishing of Cotton Fabrics by Means of Microencapsulation Techniques
Authors: Miró Specos María M. , Escobar Germán , Marino Patricia , Puggia César , Defain Tesoriero M. Victoria , Hermida Laura
Published: April 2010

Functional textiles are being developed in order to provide fabrics with new properties and added value. They can be obtained either by using new chemical fibers or by incorporating functional agents to conventional fabrics. Microencapsulation is an effective method to protect these functional agents from reactions with moisture, light, and oxygen. If a fabric is treated with microencapsulated functional agents, higher durability of functionality is expected. This article reports the development and testing of two types of microcapsules containing essential oils for application in cotton fabrics. Microcapsules were obtained by complex coacervation using gelatin and arabic gum or by encapsulation in yeast cells in order to increase the durability of fragrances in textiles. Microcapsule characterization, such as particle size and morphology, was carried out for different oils to polymer ratios and hardening agents to polymer ratios. Padding and coating were tested as application methods. The morphology, durability of the fragrance, and laundering properties of the treated fabrics were investigated. The use of an electronic nose to measure the fragrance release from microcapsules was also evaluated. Gelatin—arabic gum microcapsules increased the durability of the fragrance on the treated fabrics and withstood one wash cycle. Fabrics treated with yeast cell microcapsules presented low fragrance intensity before washing. The fragrance was not detectable after laundering, even though the microcapsules could still be observed on the fabric.
Properties of (Ni-P)-ZnO Electroless Nanocoating on PET Fabrics
Authors: Hui Zhang , Rongli Liu
Published: April 2010

Electroless composite plating of (Ni—P)—ZnO nanoparticles on polyethylene terephthalate fabric was performed in the laboratory. The (Ni—P)— ZnO composite plated fabric was investigated by means of scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The electromagnetic shielding performance and abrasion resistance were also measured. The results show that the onset decomposition temperature of the Ni—P-plated fabric is higher than that of the (Ni—P)—ZnO composite plated fabric, but is lower than that of the original one. The face-centered cube crystal structure of Ni—P deposition is formed due to the incorporation of nano ZnO particles. As compared with the Ni—P-plated fabric, the shielding effectiveness and the abrasion resistance for the (Ni—P)—ZnO composite plated fabric decrease when their percentage weight increases are identical. For the (Ni—P)—ZnO composite plated fabric, the add-ons of nano ZnO particles in the plating solution has little effect on the shielding effectiveness.
Review: NAD + : A modulator of immune functions
Authors: Grahnert Andreas , Grahnert Anja , Klein Carina , Schilling Erik , Wehrhahn Janine , Hauschildt Sunna
Published: April 2010

Latterly, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) has emerged as a molecule with versatile functions and of enormous impact on the maintenance of cell integrity. Besides playing key roles in almost all major aspects of energy metabolism, there is mounting evidence that NAD+ and its degradation products affect various biological activities including calcium homeostasis, gene transcription, DNA repair, and intercellular communication. This review is aimed at giving a brief insight into the life cycle of NAD+ in the cell, referring to synthesis, action and degradation aspects. With respect to their immunological relevance, the importance and function of the major NAD+ metabolizing enzymes, namely CD38/CD157, ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs), poly-ADP-ribose-polymerases (PARPs), and sirtuins are summarized and roles of NAD+ and its main degradation product adenosine 5'-diphosphoribose (ADPR) in cell signaling are discussed. In addition, an outline of the variety of immunological processes depending on the activity of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), the key enzyme of the salvage pathway of NAD+ synthesis, is presented. Taken together, an efficient supply of NAD+ seems to be a crucial need for a multitude of cell functions, underlining the yet only partly revealed potency of this small molecule to influence cell fate.
Clinical assessment of the obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome
Authors: Riha Renata L.
Published: April 2010

This review focuses on the clinical presentation of the obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in adults. Features consistent with the diagnosis are described. A brief discussion of the objective measurement of sleep-disordered breathing, largely in the form of overnight monitoring, is undertaken.
New treatment options for bronchiectasis
Authors: Metersky Mark L.
Published: April 2010

Therapies shown to be effective in cystic fibrosis are often provided to patients with bronchiectasis, without definitive evidence of benefit. In recent years, there has been increased interest in validating and developing new therapies for patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. While inhaled tobramycin improves microbiologic parameters, improvements in outcomes have been more difficult to demonstrate, in part due to the occurrence of bronchospasm in a significant minority of treated patients. Outcome data from studies of inhaled aztreonam and ciprofloxacin have not yet been reported, although the microbiologic data appear to be promising. Preliminary data regarding inhaled hyperosmolar agents such as hypertonic saline and mannitol are also promising, but these therapies cannot yet be recommended for routine therapy of patients with bronchiectasis. Macrolide antibiotics have anti-inflammatory properties in patients with chronic suppurative lung disease, through a variety of mechanisms. They have been proven to be beneficial in diffuse panbronchiolitis and are commonly being used in patients with bronchiectasis. Many small studies support their use in this population, although several had methodologic flaws. Thus, although chronic low-dose macrolide therapy is often used in these patients, more conclusive evidence is awaited.
Extra-articular Ankle Stabilization
Authors: Roukis Thomas S.
Published: April 2010

Maintenance of the foot at 90° to the lower leg following posterior calf lengthening or to prevent an equinus contracture in situations in which splint, cast, or external fixation is deemed inappropriate is a challenge. The author presents an observational case series involving 9 extra-articular ankle stabilizations performed in 9 consecutive patients. Each patient underwent his or her index surgery followed by percutaneous placement of 2 smooth 2.8-mm or larger diameter Steinmann pins extra-articular to the ankle joint. There were 6 men and 3 women with a mean age of 56.1 years (range, 31-73 years). Five patients had diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, 2 had critical limb ischemia, 1 had alcohol-induced neuropathy, 1 had lupus, and 1 was an active smoker. Eight patients had posterior calf lengthening, and 1 had open metatarsal fractures with severe soft-tissue disruption with an inability to use splint immobilization. Three patients had a transmetatarsal amputation, 2 patients had Chopart amputations, 2 patients had forefoot plastic surgery reconstructive procedures, 1 had a complex Charcot reconstruction, and 1 had a splittibialis anterior tendon transfer. Extra-articular ankle stabilization fixation was retained for a mean of 5.5 weeks (range, 2-10 weeks). Mean follow-up was 12 months (range, 1-17 months). All extra-articular stabilization procedures were deemed successful. When properly performed, extra-articular stabilization to maintain the foot at 90° to the lower leg represents a safe, simple, reliable, and minimally invasive technique useful in situations in which traditional splint or cast immobilization is not possible and when external fixation is deemed inappropriate.
Effects of boron and silicon on microstructure and isothermal solidification during TLP bonding of a duplex stainless steel using two Ni–Si–B insert alloys
Authors: Yuan X J , Kim M B , Kang C Y
Published: April 2010

The influence of B and Si on microstructure and isothermal solidification during transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of a duplex stainless steel using MBF-30 (Ni–4·5Si–3·2B, wt-%) and MBF-35 (Ni–7·3Si–2·2B, wt-%), was investigated. Based on experimental studies, the formation of Ni3B within the joint centreline is dependent on B content; the morphology of Ni3Si is dominated by Si concentration. There was a deviation between the times for complete isothermal solidification obtained by the experiment and the conventional TLP bonding model. Isothermal solidification of the liquid dependent on different solidification regimes is suggested to be a controlling factor contributing to the change in the rate of isothermal solidification observed using the two filler metals.
Effects of neodymium rich rare earth elements on microstructure and mechanical properties of as cast AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Li M Z , Wang Y Q , Li C , Liu X G , Xu B S
Published: April 2010

The effects of neodymium rich rare earth elements [RE(Nd)] on microstructure and mechanical properties of as cast AZ31 magnesium alloy were investigated. The microstructures of as cast AZ31– xRE(Nd) alloys display a dendrite configuration, and the secondary dendrite spacing of the α-Mg phase was decreased with the increasing Nd content. The addition of RE(Nd) resulted in the formation of Al2Nd and Mg12Nd phases. Mechanical properties were improved significantly due to grain refinement and precipitation of intermetallic phases. When the amount of RE is 1·0 wt-%,The as cast AZ31 alloy reached its maximum tensile strength of 249 MPa at room temperature, yield strength of 169 MPa and elongation of 9·0%.
Recrystallisation kinetics of TWIP steel: Interface velocity and stored energy
Authors: Mohapatra G. , Sahay S. S.
Published: April 2010

In the present article, a modular phase transformation kinetics model has been employed to describe the static recrystallisation behaviour of a high Mn (25 wt-) twinning induced plasticity steel just after hot deformation. The modular recrystallisation model is based on site saturation with preferential distribution of nuclei, interface controlled growth and impingement of growing particles. The model prediction has been validated with the experimental recrystallisation data of twinning induced plasticity steel. The experimental data were also modelled using Johnson–Mehl–Avrami kinetics based on random distribution of nuclei, which showed worse prediction as compared to the modular transformation kinetic model, thereby indicating the possibility of preferential nucleation around the defect sites. The rate of recrystallisation estimated from the measured fraction recrystallisation decreases sharply within a small recrystallised fraction. The interface migration velocity (interface between the recrystallised grains and the deformed matrix) was estimated from the analytical model. The interface velocity decreases sharply within initial small recrystallised fraction. The calculated stored energy of deformation, from the estimated interface velocity and mobility of the interface, suggests an inhomogeneous distribution within the deformed matrix.
The best endpoint for acute GVHD treatment trials
Authors: MacMillan Margaret L. , DeFor Todd E. , Weisdorf Daniel J.
Published: April 2010

The optimal primary endpoint for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) therapeutic trials has not been established. In a retrospective analysis, we examined the response of 864 patients who received prednisone 60 mg/m2/d for 14 days, followed by an 8-week taper, as initial therapy for acute GVHD from 1990-2007 at the University of Minnesota. Patients received grafts of human leukocyte antigen–matched sibling bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB; n = 315), partially matched sibling BM or PB (n = 24), unrelated donor BM or PB (n = 313), single (n = 89) or double (n = 123) umbilical cord blood. Day 28 responses were similar to day 56 responses and better than day 14 responses in predicting transplantation-related mortality (TRM). In multiple regression analysis, patients with no response at day 28 were 2.78 times (95% CI, 2.17-3.56 times; P < .001) more likely to experience TRM before 2 years than patients with a response. Other factors associated with significantly worse 2-year TRM include older age, high-risk disease, severe GVHD, and partially matched related BM/PB. No other differences in response by donor source were observed. These data suggest that day 28 is the best early endpoint for acute GVHD therapeutic trials in predicting 2-year TRM.
microRNA fingerprinting of CLL patients with chromosome 17p deletion identify a miR-21 score that stratifies early survival
Authors: Rossi Simona , Shimizu Masayoshi , Barbarotto Elisa , Nicoloso Milena S. , Dimitri Federica , Sampath Deepa , Fabbri Muller , Lerner Susan , Barron Lynn L. , Rassenti Laura Z. , Jiang Li , Xiao Lianchun , Hu Jianhua , Secchiero Paola , Zauli Giorgio , Volinia Stefano , Negrini Massimo , Wierda William , Kipps Thomas J. , Plunkett William , Coombes Kevin R. , Abruzzo Lynne V. , Keating Michael J. , Calin George A.
Published: April 2010

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been associated with clinical outcome in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To identify a powerful and easily assessable miRNA bio-marker of prognosis and survival, we performed quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) profiling in 104 CLL patients with a well-defined chromosome 17p status, and we validated our findings with miRNA microarray data from an independent cohort of 80 patients. We found that miR-15a, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-155, and miR-181b were differentially expressed between CLLs with chromosome 17p deletion and CLLs with normal 17p and normal karyotype, and that miR-181b was down-regulated in therapy-refractory cases. miR-21 expression levels were significantly higher in patients with poor prognosis and predicted overall survival (OS), and miR-181b expression levels significantly predicted treatment-free survival. We developed a 21FK score (miR-21 qRT-PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization, Karyotype) to stratify patients according to OS and found that patients with a low score had a significantly longer OS time. When we evaluated the relative power of the 21FK score with the most used prognostic factors, the score was the most significant in both CLL cohorts. We conclude that the 21FK score represents a useful tool for distinguishing between good-prognosis and poor-prognosis CLL patients.