bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal function measurements from MR renography and a simplified multicompartmental model
Authors: Lee Vivian S. , Rusinek Henry , Bokacheva Louisa , Huang Ambrose J. , Oesingmann Niels , Chen Qun , Kaur Manmeen , Prince Keyma , Song Ting , Kramer Elissa L. , Leonard Edward F.
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and sources of error in estimating single-kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) derived from low-dose gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MR renography. To analyze imaging data, MR signal intensity curves were converted to concentration vs. time curves, and a three-compartment, six-parameter model of the vascular-nephron system was used to analyze measured aortic, cortical, and medullary enhancement curves. Reliability of the parameter estimates was evaluated by sensitivity analysis and by Monte Carlo analyses of model solutions to which random noise had been added. The dominant sensitivity of the medullary enhancement curve to GFR 1–4 min after tracer injection was supported by a low coefficient of variation in model-fit GFR values (4%) when measured data were subjected to 5% noise. These analyses also showed the minimal effects of bolus dispersion in the aorta on parameter reliability. Single-kidney GFR from MR renography analyzed by the three-compartment model (4.0–71.4 ml/min) agreed well with reference measurements from 99mTc-DTPA clearance and scintigraphy ( r = 0.84, P < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed an average difference of 11.9 ml/min (95% confidence interval = 5.8–17.9 ml/min) between model and reference values. We conclude that a nephron-based multicompartmental model can be used to derive clinically useful estimates of single-kidney GFR from low-dose MR renography.
Interhemispheric Inhibition in Distal and Proximal Arm Representations in the Primary Motor Cortex
Authors: Harris-Love Michelle L. , Perez Monica A. , Chen Robert , Cohen Leonardo G.
Published: January 2007

Interhemispheric inhibitory interactions (IHI) operate between homologous distal hand representations in primary motor cortex (M1). It is not known whether proximal arm representations exhibit comparable effects on their homologous counterparts. We studied IHI in different arm representations, targeting triceps brachii (TB, n = 13), first dorsal interosseous (FDI, n = 13), and biceps brachii (BB, n = 7) muscles in healthy volunteers. Transcranial magnetic stimulation test stimuli (TS) were delivered to M1 contralateral to the target muscle preceded 10 ms by a conditioning stimulus (CS) to the opposite M1 at 110–150% resting motor threshold (RMT). IHI was calculated as the ratio between motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes in conditioned relative to unconditioned trials. Mean RMTs were 38.9, 46.9, and 46.0% of stimulator output in FDI, TB, and BB muscles, respectively. IHI was 0.45 ± 0.41 (FDI), 0.78 ± 0.38 (TB), and 0.52 ± 0.32 (BB, P < 0.01) when test MEP amplitudes were matched and 0.28 ± 0.17 (FDI) and 0.85 ± 0.31 (TB, P < 0.05) when TS intensities expressed as percentage RMT were matched. Significant IHI ( P < 0.05) was identified with minimal CS intensities (expressed as percentage stimulator output) in the 30 s for FDI, 60 s for TB, and 40 s for BB. Additionally, a CS of roughly 120% RMT suppressed the test MEP but not a test H-reflex in BB, suggesting IHI observed in BB is likely mediated by a supraspinal mechanism. We conclude that IHI differs between different arm muscle representations, comparable between BB and FDI but lesser for TB. This finding suggests the amount of IHI between different arm representations does not strictly follow a proximal-to-distal gradient, but may be related to the role of each muscle in functional movement synergies.
Proteomics study of neuropathic and nonneuropathic dorsal root ganglia: altered protein regulation following segmental spinal nerve ligation injury
Authors: Komori Naoka , Takemori Nobuaki , Kim Hee Kee , Singh Anil , Hwang Seon-Hee , Foreman Robert D. , Chung Kyungsoon , Chung Jin Mo , Matsumoto Hiroyuki
Published: January 2007

Peripheral nerve injury is often followed by the development of severe neuropathic pain. Nerve degeneration accompanied by inflammatory mediators is thought to play a role in generation of neuropathic pain. Neuronal cell death follows axonal degeneration, devastating a vast number of molecules in injured neurons and the neighboring cells. Because we have little understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal cell death triggered by nerve injury, we conducted a proteomics study of rat 4th and 5th lumbar (L4 and L5) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) after L5 spinal nerve ligation. DRG proteins were displayed on two-dimensional gels and analyzed through quantitative densitometry, statistical validation of the quantitative data, and peptide mass fingerprinting for protein identification. Among ≈1,300 protein spots detected on each gel, we discovered 67 proteins that were tightly regulated by nerve ligation. We find that the injury to primary sensory neurons turned on multiple cellular mechanisms critical for the structural and functional integrity of neurons and for the defense against oxidative damage. Our data indicate that the regulation of metabolic enzymes was carefully orchestrated to meet the altered energy requirement of the DRG cells. Our data also demonstrate that ligation of the L5 spinal nerve led to the upregulation in the L4 DRG of the proteins that are highly expressed in embryonic sensory neurons. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain, we need to comprehend such dynamic aspect of protein modulations that follow nerve injury.
Combinations of Tomato and Broccoli Enhance Antitumor Activity in Dunning R3327-H Prostate Adenocarcinomas
Authors: Canene-Adams Kirstie , Lindshield Brian L. , Wang Shihua , Jeffery Elizabeth H. , Clinton Steven K. , Erdman John W.
Published: January 2007

The consumption of diets containing 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily is the foundation of public health recommendations for cancer prevention, yet this concept has not been tested in experimental models of prostate cancer. We evaluated combinations of tomato and broccoli in the Dunning R3327-H prostate adenocarcinoma model. Male Copenhagen rats (n = 206) were fed diets containing 10% tomato, 10% broccoli, 5% tomato plus 5% broccoli (5:5 combination), 10% tomato plus 10% broccoli (10:10 combination) powders, or lycopene (23 or 224 nmol/g diet) for ∼22 weeks starting 1 month prior to receiving s.c. tumor implants. We compared the effects of diet to surgical castration (2 weeks before termination) or finasteride (5 mg/kg body weight orally, 6 d/wk). Castration reduced prostate weights, tumor areas, and tumor weight (62%, P < 0.001), whereas finasteride reduced prostate weights (P < 0.0001), but had no effect on tumor area or weight. Lycopene at 23 or 224 nmol/g of the diet insignificantly reduced tumor weights by 7% or 18%, respectively, whereas tomato reduced tumor weight by 34% (P < 0.05). Broccoli decreased tumor weights by 42% (P < 0.01) whereas the 10:10 combination caused a 52% decrease (P < 0.001). Tumor growth reductions were associated with reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis, as quantified by proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry and the ApopTag assay. The combination of tomato and broccoli was more effective at slowing tumor growth than either tomato or broccoli alone and supports the public health recommendations to increase the intake of a variety of plant components. [Cancer Res 2007;67(2):836–43]
Interruption of Wnt Signaling Attenuates the Onset of Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: van de Schans Veerle A.M. , van den Borne Susanne W.M. , Strzelecka Agnieszka E. , Janssen Ben J.A. , van der Velden Jos L.J. , Langen Ramon C.J. , Wynshaw-Boris Antony , Smits Jos F.M. , Blankesteijn W. Matthijs
Published: January 2007

The hypertrophic response of the heart has been recognized recently as the net result of activation of prohypertrophic and antihypertrophic pathways. Here we report the involvement of the Wnt/Frizzled pathway in the onset of cardiac hypertrophy development. Stimulation of the Wnt/Frizzled pathway activates the disheveled (Dvl) protein. Disheveled subsequently can inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3β, a protein with potent antihypertrophic actions through diverse molecular mechanisms. In the Wnt/Frizzled pathway, inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β leads to an increased amount of β-catenin, which can act as a transcription factor for several hypertrophy-associated target genes. In this study we subjected mice lacking the
Dvl-1
gene and their wild-type littermates to thoracic aortic constriction for 7, 14, and 35 days. In mice lacking the
Dvl-1
gene, 7 days of pressure overload-induced increases in left ventricular posterior wall thickness and expression of atrial natriuretic factor and brain natriuretic protein were attenuated compared with their wild-type littermates. β-Catenin protein amount was reduced in the group lacking the
Dvl-1
gene, and an increased glycogen synthase kinase-3β activity was observed. Moreover, the increase in the amount of Ser
473
-phosphorylated Akt, a stimulator of cardiac hypertrophy, was lower in the group lacking the
Dvl-1
gene. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that interruption of Wnt signaling in the mice lacking the
Dvl-1
gene attenuates the onset of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy through mechanisms involving glycogen synthase kinase-3β and Akt. Therefore, the Wnt/Frizzled pathway may provide novel therapeutic targets for antihypertrophic therapy.
Do Global Models Properly Represent the Feedback between Land and Atmosphere?
Authors: Dirmeyer Paul A. , Koster Randal D. , Guo Zhichang
Published: January 2007

The Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment/Climate Variability and Predictability (GEWEX/CLIVAR) Global Land–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (GLACE) has provided an estimate of the global distribution of land–atmosphere coupling strength during boreal summer based on the results from a dozen weather and climate models. However, there is a great deal of variation among models, attributable to a range of sensitivities in the simulation of both the terrestrial and atmospheric branches of the hydrologic cycle. It remains an open question whether any of the models, or the multimodel estimate, reflects the actual pattern and strength of land–atmosphere coupling in the earth’s hydrologic cycle. The authors attempt to diagnose this by examining the local covariability of key atmospheric and land surface variables both in models and in those few locations where comparable, relatively complete, long-term measurements exist. Most models do not encompass well the observed relationships between surface and atmospheric state variables and fluxes, suggesting that these models do not represent land–atmosphere coupling correctly. Specifically, there is evidence that systematic biases in near-surface temperature and humidity among all models may contribute to incorrect surface flux sensitivities. However, the multimodel mean generally validates better than most or all of the individual models. Regional precipitation behavior (lagged autocorrelation and predisposition toward maintenance of extremes) between models and observations is also compared. Again a great deal of variation is found among the participating models, but remarkably accurate behavior of the multimodel mean.
Onset of Snowmelt and Streamflow in 2004 in the Western United States: How Shading May Affect Spring Streamflow Timing in a Warmer World
Authors: Lundquist Jessica D. , Flint Alan L.
Published: January 2007

Historic streamflow records show that the onset of snowfed streamflow in the western United States has shifted earlier over the past 50 yr, and March 2004 was one of the earliest onsets on record. Record high temperatures occurred throughout the western United States during the second week of March, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauges throughout the area recorded early onsets of streamflow at this time. However, a set of nested subbasins in Yosemite National Park, California, told a more complicated story. In spite of high air temperatures, many streams draining high-elevation basins did not start flowing until later in the spring. Temperatures during early March 2004 were as high as temperatures in late March 2002, when streams at all of the monitored Yosemite basins began flowing at the same time. However, the March 2004 onset occurred before the spring equinox, when the sun was lower in the sky. Thus, shading and solar radiation differences played a much more important role in 2004, leading to differences in streamflow timing. These results suggest that as temperatures warm and spring melt shifts earlier in the season, topographic effects will play an even more important role than at present in determining snowmelt timing.
Comparison of the Scaling Characteristics of Rainfall Derived from Space-Based and Ground-Based Radar Observations
Authors: Gebremichael Mekonnen , Over Thomas M. , Krajewski Witold F.
Published: January 2007

In view of the importance of tropical rainfall and the ubiquitous need for its estimates in climate modeling, the authors assess the ability of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) to characterize the scaling characteristics of rainfall by comparing the derived results with those obtained from the ground-based radar (GR) data. The analysis is based on 59 months of PR and GR rain rates at three TRMM ground validation (GV) sites: Houston, Texas; Melbourne, Florida; and Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. The authors consider spatial scales ranging from about 4 to 64 km at a fixed temporal scale corresponding to the sensor “instantaneous” snapshots (∼15 min). The focus is on the scaling of the marginal moments, which allows estimation of the scaling parameters from a single scene of data. The standard rainfall products of the PR and the GR are compared in terms of distributions of the scaling parameter estimates, the connection between the scaling parameters and the large-scale spatial average rain rate, and deviations from scale invariance. The five main results are as follows: 1) the PR yields values of the rain intermittence scaling parameter within 20% of the GR estimate; 2) both the PR and GR data show a one-to-one relationship between the intermittence scaling parameter and the large-scale spatial average rain rate that can be fit with the same functional form; 3) the PR underestimates the curvature of the scaling function from 20% to 50%, implying that high rain-rate extremes would be missed in a downscaling procedure; 4) the majority of the scenes (>85%) from both the PR and GR are scale invariant at the moment orders q = 0 and 2; and 5) the scale-invariance property tends to break down more likely over ocean than over land; the rainfall regimes that are not scale invariant are dominated by light storms covering large areas. Our results further show that for a sampling size of one year of data, the TRMM temporal sampling does not significantly affect the derived scaling characteristics. The authors conclude that the TRMM PR has the ability to characterize the basic scaling properties of rainfall, though the resulting parameters are subject to some degree of uncertainty.
Assimilation of Disaggregated Microwave Soil Moisture into a Hydrologic Model Using Coarse-Scale Meteorological Data
Authors: Merlin O. , Chehbouni A. , Boulet G. , Kerr Y.
Published: January 2007

Near-surface soil moisture retrieved from Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS)-type data is downscaled and assimilated into a distributed soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer (SVAT) model with the ensemble Kalman filter. Because satellite-based meteorological data (notably rainfall) are not currently available at finescale, coarse-scale data are used as forcing in both the disaggregation and the assimilation. Synthetic coarse-scale observations are generated from the Monsoon ‘90 data by aggregating the Push Broom Microwave Radiometer (PBMR) pixels covering the eight meteorological and flux (METFLUX) stations and by averaging the meteorological measurements. The performance of the disaggregation/assimilation coupling scheme is then assessed in terms of surface soil moisture and latent heat flux predictions over the 19-day period of METFLUX measurements. It is found that the disaggregation improves the assimilation results, and vice versa, the assimilation of the disaggregated microwave soil moisture improves the spatial distribution of surface soil moisture at the observation time. These results are obtainable regardless of the spatial scale at which solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed, and air humidity are available within the microwave pixel and for an assimilation frequency varying from 1/1 day to 1/5 days.
Technical Analysis of the Slosson–Diagnostic Math Screener (S-DMS)
Authors: Erford Bradley T. , Klein Lauren
Published: January 2007

The Slosson-Diagnostic Math Screener (S-DMS) was designed to help identify students in Grades 1 to 8 at risk for mathematics failure. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item analysis, decision efficiency, convergent validity, and factorial validity of all five levels of the S-DMS were studied using 20 independent samples of students aged 6 to 13 years. The Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-Revised Broad Mathematics Cluster, the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised Arithmetic subtest, and the KeyMath-Revised Operations Area were used as convergent validity measures.
Comparing the Politics of Fear: The Role of Terrorism News in Election Campaigns in Russia, the United States and Britain
Authors: Oates Sarah
Published: January 2007

How has the threat of terrorism been portrayed in recent election campaigns? Looking at detailed evidence from nightly news programmes in the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States shows various similarities, but also important divergences in the political salience of ‘terrorism’ in the context of the contemporary ‘war on terror’ in which the governments of all three countries are involved. The evidence suggests that messages about terrorism play an emotive and important role in American and Russian elections. The British media and audience, however, appear to remain more rational and less emotional in discussions about terrorism during a national election. The ‘fear factor’ seems to be a tempting card to play, offering political leaders means of entrenching their positions.
Graduate Students’ Experiences, Interests, and Attitudes Toward Correctional/Forensic Psychology
Authors: Morgan Robert D. , Beer Amanda M. , Fitzgerald Katherine L. , Mandracchia Jon T.
Published: January 2007

This study investigated the availability of correctional and forensic psychology training as well as graduate students’ experiences and attitudes toward working with offender populations. Using survey data gathered from 175 graduate students representing 30 clinical and 29 counseling psychology programs, results indicate the availability of specialized training in correctional and/or forensic psychology for approximately one half of the participants. Furthermore, correctional and forensic practicum experiences appear to be as commonly available as other specialty practicum experiences, and participants report general case loads with clients who have a history of criminal and antisocial behavior. Finally, it is noted that graduate students, regardless of prior practicum or work experiences, maintain positive attitudes toward inmates and perceive work with offenders as interesting, challenging, and meaningful.
It’s no Riddle, Choose the Middle
Authors: Bennell Craig , Snook Brent , Taylor Paul J. , Corey Shevaun , Keyton Julia
Published: January 2007

This study examines the effect of the number of crimes and topographical detail on police officer predictions of serial burglars’ home locations. Officers are given 36 maps depicting three, five, or seven crime sites and topographical or no topographical details. They are asked to predict, by marking an X on the map, where they thought each burglar lived. After making their predictions on half of the maps, officers randomly receive either no training or training in one of two simple decision-making strategies. The accuracy of predictions at baseline and retest is measured as the distance between the predicted and actual home locations, and these accuracy scores are compared to a commonly used geographic profiling system. Results show that training significantly improved predictive accuracy, regardless of the number of crime locations or topographical detail presented. In addition, trained participants are as accurate as the geographic profiling system.
Stress and depression in family carers following traumatic brain injury: the influence of beliefs about difficult behaviours
Authors: Riley Gerard A
Published: January 2007

Objective: Difficult behaviours are significant contributors to the distress experienced by carers of people with a traumatic brain injury. This study investigated whether the beliefs carers hold about such behaviours also contribute to the distress.

Design: Questionnaire survey.

Participants: Forty family carers recruited from Headway, a traumatic brain injury support organization.

Main measures: Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Social Support Questionnaire, a measure of the severity of difficult behaviours shown by the person cared for and two measures of carer beliefs about the behaviour (including the Controlling Beliefs Scale).

Results: Higher depression and stress scores were associated with more severe behaviours and less social support. Carer belief in their own ability to control the behaviours was associated with less stress. Belief that the behaviour was under the control of the person with traumatic brain injury and/or was motivated by hostile intentions was associated with more depression but less stress. Taken together, severity of behaviour and social support accounted for about 19% of the variance in both depression and stress scores. Carer beliefs accounted for another 5% of the depression scores, and another 11% of the stress scores.

Conclusions: The results were consistent with the idea that carer beliefs about difficult behaviour contribute to carer distress, but longitudinal and treatment studies are needed to establish causality.
Development of the Adelaide Driving Self-Efficacy Scale
Authors: George Stacey , Clark Michael , Crotty Maria
Published: January 2007

Objective: To describe the development of the Adelaide Driving Self-Efficacy Scale (ADSES) and to report on its reliability and validity.

Methods: A set of 12 driving behaviours, developed through literature review, clinical experience and expert review, were rated for self-efficacy using a Likert scale. Internal consistency was investigated using a Cronbach's alpha coefficient and construct validity by comparing ADSES scores of stroke and non-stroke drivers. Criterion-related validity was examined by comparing ADSES scores with the result on a standardized on-road assessment.

Setting: A rehabilitation hospital in Adelaide, South Australia.

Participants: Staff from the hospital and stroke patients from the rehabilitation unit. Data from a non-stroke sample (n -/ 79) and stroke patients (n -/ 81) were used to test internal consistency and construct validity. A separate group of 45 people recommended for a driving assessment, of whom 34 were stroke patients, were used to test criterion validity.

Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.98, indicating high internal consistency. The non-stroke and stroke groups showed significant differences in ADSES scores (t(158)-/ 5.5, P B < 0.05), demonstrating construct validity. Differences in ADSES scores for those participants who passed or failed the on-road assessment were significant for both the entire driving assessment group (t(43)-/ 3.2, P B < 0.05) and the stroke subgroup (t(43)-/ 3.2, P B < 0.05), indicating criterion validity.

Conclusion: The ADSES has demonstrated internal consistency and construct validity with the stroke and non-stroke population. The scale demonstrated criterion validity in its relationship with outcome of an on-road driving assessment. It appears to be a reliable and valid measure of driving self-efficacy.
Extracting Places and Activities from GPS Traces Using Hierarchical Conditional Random Fields
Authors: Liao Lin , Fox Dieter , Kautz Henry
Published: January 2007

Learning patterns of human behavior from sensor data is extremely important for high-level activity inference. This paper describes how to extract a person’s activities and significant places from traces of GPS data. The system uses hierarchically structured conditional random fields to generate a consistent model of a person’s activities and places. In contrast to existing techniques, this approach takes the high-level context into account in order to detect the significant places of a person. Experiments show significant improvements over existing techniques. Furthermore, they indicate that the proposed system is able to robustly estimate a person’s activities using a model that is trained from data collected by other persons.
Factors Associated With Place of Death Among the Chinese Oldest Old
Authors: Gu Danan , Liu Guangya , Vlosky Denese A. , Yi Zeng
Published: January 2007

Based on 6,444 deceased respondents ages 80 to 105 years from the first three waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, the authors use multilevel modeling to examine how community development, individual sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and health resources affect place of death. Results show that 92% of Chinese oldest old die at home, with 7% dying in hospitals and 1% at institutions. Analyses indicate that residents from relatively developed communities in China tend to have a higher chance of hospital and/or institutional deaths; individuals with higher socioeconomic status (SES) and worsening health are more likely to experience hospital deaths; those who have pension and/or public and/or collective free medical services are more likely to die in hospitals and/or institutions. The authors also propose a theory about place of death consisting of three evolutionary stages, which might explain the disparity in patterns of place of death in different societies.
Relationships Among Caregivers' Demographic Characteristics, Social Support Ratings, and Expectations of Computer-Mediated Support Groups
Authors: Smyth Kathleen A. , Rose Julia H. , McClendon McKee J. , Lambrix Marcie A.
Published: January 2007

Computer-mediated support groups (CMSG) for family caregivers are proliferating; however, actual social support needs of potential CMSG users and their expectations regarding CMSG use have not been studied. The authors used path analysis to investigate how the responses of 118 family caregivers to scales measuring the importance to them of four dimensions of social support (CASS-I), their expectations regarding three dimensions of CMSG technology (CATS-E) and their demographic characteristics were interrelated. Caregiver gender and race were related to two of four CASS-I scores; caregiver education, gender, and race were directly related to two of the three CATS-E scores; and gender and race also were indirectly related to two of three CATS-E scores through their impact on CASS-I scores. Results suggest that CASS-I and CATSE assessments might be helpful in customizing CMSG to meet particular subgroup needs, in understanding and influencing patterns of CMSG use, and in evaluating impacts of CMSG use.
Job Satisfaction and Intention to Quit Among Nursing Home Nursing Staff: Do Special Care Units Make a Difference?
Authors: Robison Julie , Pillemer Karl
Published: January 2007

Special care units (SCUs) for nursing home residents with dementia continue to proliferate rapidly. However, the research findings on the benefits of these units for residents and staff vary. Using a large sample from 38 randomly selected facilities in two states, this study examines job satisfaction and intention to quit for SCU and traditional-unit nursing staff. SCU staff report significantly higher job satisfaction and less likelihood of quitting than those on traditional units. Multivariate analyses examining demographic, environmental, and personal relationship variables indicate that the benefits to staff of working on an SCU depend significantly on the positive relationships that staff have with supervisors, coworkers, and families. Nursing home units of all types should strive to improve and support such relationships for their staff to improve morale and staff retention.
Behavior of Flame Spread Downward over Thick Wood Sheets and Heat Transfer Analysis
Authors: Chen Peng , Sun Jinhua , He Xuechao
Published: January 2007

To investigate the flame spreading mechanism over charring materials under natural convection, wood sheets from 0.9 to 3 mm thickness have been chosen. The variation of mean flame spread velocity V with thickness δ is measured. Typical flame shapes over the wood surfaces are recorded using CCD. The temperature fields in the gas phase are examined by a set of fine thermocouples. On the basis of the results, the relative contributions of local heat transfer modes ahead of the pyrolysis front have been evaluated. It is found that heat conduction through solid phase increases notably with δ. A flame spreading model coupled with a pyrolysis structure is proposed.
Vibration Weld Strength of Polypropylene-based Nanocomposites
Authors: Bates P. J. , Braybrook C. , Kisway T. , Tucker B. , Gopakumar T. G. , Pagé D. J. Y. S. , Wu C. Y.
Published: January 2007

Nanocomposites present interesting mechanical properties owing to the high surface-area-to-volume ratio of the dispersed reinforcement. The vibration weldability of these new composites has not yet been reported in the literature. This research examines the effect of the vibration-welding parameters of weld pressure and target meltdown on the strength of butt welds made from two polypropylene-based nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were made by melt-compounding two levels of organoclay with polypropylene. The results of unreinforced polypropylene are shown for reference. All welded assemblies were assessed by tensile testing. The results show that 3-6% of organoclay reinforcement causes a significant decrease in weld strength.
Rate-dependence Analysis of Interlaminar Stresses of Thick Thermoplastic Composite AS4-PEEK Laminate
Authors: Ding Shurong , Tong J. W. , Shen M. , Huo Y. Z.
Published: January 2007

In this study, the interlaminar stresses for a thick AS4-PEEK laminate [0/±45/90]2s for three different strain rates are computed and investigated using the finite element procedure developed with the finite element program generator (FEPG) of Beijing Fegensoft Corporation Limited. The three-dimensional distribution plots at different interfaces are given. According to the interlaminar stress results for three different strain rates, the effects of the strain rates on the interlaminar stresses at different interfaces are elucidated. The interlaminar shear stresses τzx at the interfaces increase along with an increase in strain rates, but when the strain rate reaches a certain extent, the effects of the strain rates on the interlaminar shear stresses are gradually weakened. The effects of the strain rates on the interlaminar shear stresses τzy at the interfaces are similar. Except for the interlaminar normal stresses at the interface +45%-45, their strain rate dependence effects are slight. As far as the different interfaces are concerned, the effects of the strain rates on the interlaminar stresses at the interface 0%90 are the weakest, and the effects on the interlaminar stresses at the interface +45%-45 are the strongest. Furthermore, the variation circumstances of the interlaminar stresses along the free edges are studied and the interlaminar stresses for two strain rates at this location are analyzed.
Three Methods of Assessing Values for Advance Care Planning
Authors: Karel Michele J. , Moye Jennifer , Bank Adam , Azar Armin R.
Published: January 2007

Advance care planning ideally includes communication about values between patients, family members, and care providers. This study examined the utility of health care values assessment tools for older adults with and without dementia. Adults aged 60 and older, with and without dementia, completed three values assessment tools—open-ended, forced-choice, and rating scale questions—and named a preferred surrogate decision maker. Responses to forced-choice items were examined at 9-month retest. Adults with and without dementia appeared equally able to respond meaningfully to questions about values regarding quality of life and health care decisions. People with dementia were generally as able as controls to respond consistently after 9 months. Although values assessment methods show promise, further item and scale development work is needed. Older adults with dementia should be included in clarifying values for advance care planning to the extent that they desire and are able.
Ethnic Differences in Self-Rated Health Among Older Adults
Authors: Menec Verena H. , Shooshtari Shahin , Lambert Pascal
Published: January 2007

The objectives of this study were to examine whether self-rated health differs among older adults of different ethnic backgrounds and to explore what factors may account for potential differences. The study was based on the 1983 and 1996 waves of the Aging in Manitoba study. A self-report measure of ethnic background was used to categorize participants into four groups: British/Canadian, Northern/Central European, Eastern European, and Other. In both 1983 and 1996, older Eastern European adults had significantly reduced odds of rating their health as good or excellent relative to British/Canadian adults. Controlling for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, language spoken, and health status attenuated but did not eliminate the difference. Global, subjective ratings of health are frequently used to measure health. The ethnic differences found here suggest, however, that ratings may be influenced by cultural factors, which may warrant some caution in making comparisons across ethnic groups.
Limb hemodynamics are not predictive of functional capacity in patients with PAD
Authors: Szuba Andrzej , Oka Roberta K , Harada Randall , Cooke John P
Published: January 2007

To the practicing clinician, it seems obvious that limb hemodynamics would be the primary determinant of walking distance. However, other determinants, such as skeletal muscle metabolism, may play a role. Accordingly, in the current study, we examined the relationship between measures of limb hemodynamics and walking capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We measured toe and ankle pressures for calculation of toe-(TBI) and ankle (ABI)-brachial indices; basal and hyperemic calf blood flow (CBF; by plethysmography); and initial (ICT) and absolute (ACT) claudication time using the Skinner-Gardner protocol. As expected, PAD patients had impaired limb hemodynamics with reduced TBI, ABI and a reduction in ABI post-exercise. However, there was no relationship between any of the hemodynamic variables (including ABI, ABI reduction post-exercise, TBI, baseline or maximal CBF) and walking distance as assessed by ICT or ACT. A subset of PAD patients with an ACT >750 s (n =16; ‘long claudicators’) were compared with a subset of PAD patients with an ACT <260 s (n = 16; ‘short claudicators’). The average ACT in the long claudicants was over fivefold greater than the short claudicators. Surprisingly, there were no differences between the two groups in any of the hemo-dynamic variables. There was also no relationship between the initial ABI, TBI, toe pressure, baseline or hyperemic CBF, and the improvement in ACT over the 3-month course of the study. This study found little relationship between hemodynamic variables and functional capacity in PAD. Accordingly, to assess the response to therapeutic interventions, exercise performance and functional status need to be directly measured, and cannot be predicted from hemodynamic measurements.
“Una Mujer Trabaja Doble Aquí”: Vignette-Based Focus Groups on Stress and Work for Latina Blue-Collar Women in Eastern North Carolina
Authors: Easter Michele M. , Linnan Laura A. , Bentley Margaret E. , DeVellis Brenda M. , Meier Andrea , Frasier Pamela Y. , Kelsey Kristine S. , Campbell Marci K.
Published: January 2007

Latina women are a growing percentage of the working population, and very little is known about their health needs and interests. The purpose of this article is to share qualitative research results gathered from Latina women with a particular focus on exploring stress and health. This project was a substudy of Health Works in the Community, a 5-year CDC-funded multiple risk-factor reduction trial using participatory action research approaches to address smoking, healthy eating, stress, and physical activity among blue-collar women from 12 manufacturing work sites in rural, eastern North Carolina. Five focus groups were conducted with trained, bilingual facilitators using a vignettebased moderator guide that appeared particularly effective with this population. Results from the focus groups are used to make recommendations for future research with Latinas and for developing effective work-site-based interventions to address issues of stress and health within this population.
Sex Assignment Surgery and the Discourse of Public Television: The Case of NOVA's Sex: Unknown
Authors: Oberacker J. Scott
Published: January 2007

In 2001 and 2002, the award-winning PBS series NOVA broadcast a film on intersexuality and the ethics of sex-assignment surgery titled Sex: Unknown. This article examines the way in which the discursive nature of PBS undermined the program's attempt to represent a critique of this controversial procedure. Framing the controversy as a scientific argument about gender determination rather than as an issue of medical ethics, NOVA transformed a political debate about medical policy into a scientific mystery to be solved by medical experts. As a result, Sex: Unknownnot only failed in its stated goal to educate the public about the intersex movement and the controversy surrounding this procedure but stands as an example of public television's limited ability to serve as a forum for political commentary and social change.
Music as a transfer of faith
Authors: Batt-Rawden Kari Bjerke
Published: January 2007

This study considers music listening and its role as a lay or folk healing practice in the lives of men and women with long-term illnesses and disease. A total of twenty-two participants from Norway, aged 34 to 65 with long-term illnesses and diseases were recruited as a strategic sample involving eight in-depth interviews from 2004 to 2005. This participatory and action-oriented research focused on whether participants could, through exposure to and exchange of new musical materials and practices, learn to use music as a ‘technology’ of health promotion and self-care. A novel ‘participatory CD design’ was developed, involving participants’ reflections on and contribution to the making of four compact-disc (CD) compilations. Participants described their involvement with the project and their subsequent raised musical consciousness as beneficial, resulting in increased self-awareness and a new repertoire of musical skills relating to self-care in the face of illness.
An Evaluation of Press Freedom Indicators
Authors: Becker Lee B. , Vlad Tudor , Nusser Nancy
Published: January 2007

Despite uncertainties about the popular measures f media freedom, no systematic analyses have been undertaken of their development, of the assumptions that lie behind their different methodologies, of the reliability of the resultant measures, or of the consistency of conclusions across the different measures. This article examines four measures, by Freedom House, Reporters sans frontières, IREX and the Committee to Protect Journalists, and finds considerable consistency in the measurement. In addition, the Freedom House measure, which has been in existence for more than 20 years, varies in meaningful ways across time. The article examines the conceptual implications of these findings and offers suggestions for their use by researches in the future.
Between the Newsroom and the Classroom
Authors: el-Nawawy Mohammed
Published: January 2007

This study surveyed a convenience sample of journalism educators at Arab universities and journalism practitioners at daily Arab newspapers in Egypt and Jordan to determine the degree of alignment between journalism theory and practice in both countries. The researcher adapted, with some modifications, three scales by Dickson and Brandon to compare the perceptions of educators to those of practitioners regarding the importance of the following aspects for preparing journalism graduates for entry-level journalism positions: types of media-related courses, journalism competencies, practices adopted by academic journalism programs and qualifications of journalism faculty. Results showed that while educators agreed with professionals on most journalistic competencies and practices that ought to be taught by academic journalism programs in Egypt and Jordan, educators' rankings of courses on media theory, journalism skills and ICT were significantly higher than those of professionals. The study also revealed that most journalism educators and practitioners believed that there was a gap between journalism education and professionalism in Egypt and Jordan. Respondents' answers to the open-ended questions suggested some ways to bridge this gap.
Tobacco use among students aged 13–15 years in Greece: the GYTS project
Authors: Kyrlesi Athina , Soteriades Elpidoforos S , Warren Charles W , Kremastinou Jeni , Papastergiou Panagiotis , Jones Nathan R , Hadjichristodoulou Christos
Published: January 2007

Background

Data on the prevalence of tobacco use among teenagers in Greece are limited. We examined the prevalence of smoking among middle-school students in Greece using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).

Methods

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey was implemented in Greece during the academic year 2004 – 2005 by the University of Thessaly and the National School of Public Health. Data were collected using the GYTS self-administered anonymous questionnaire, which was distributed by specifically trained field workers to a nationally representative sample of middle-school students aged 13–15 years (through randomly selected schools and classes), randomly selected through a two-stage cluster sample design. Data processing and statistical analyses were performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Results

About one third of the students 32.1% (29.4 – 35.0) reported that they had tried tobacco in the past, while 16.2% (14.3 – 18.4) reported being current users of tobacco products. In addition, 1 in 4 of ever smokers reported that they began smoking before the age of 10 years old. Almost 1 in 5 never smokers reported being susceptible to initiate smoking in the next year and about 89.8% (88.3 – 91.1) of the respondents were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in their homes and 94.1% (93.2 – 94.9) in public places. Finally, a strikingly high number of students 95% (89.5 – 97.7) reported that they were able to buy their own cigarettes without restrictions.

Conclusion

The results of the GYTS show that the prevalence of smoking in middle-school children is alarmingly high in Greece. Smoking among young people constitutes a significant problem that is destined to worsen in the absence of any comprehensive efforts focused on strict anti-smoking legislation, policies and tobacco control interventions targeting children at a young age.
Plastoglobules: a new address for targeting recombinant proteins in the chloroplast
Authors: Vidi Pierre-Alexandre , Kessler Felix , Bréhélin Claire
Published: January 2007

Background

The potential of transgenic plants for cost-effective production of pharmaceutical molecules is now becoming apparent. Plants have the advantage over established fermentation systems (bacterial, yeast or animal cell cultures) to circumvent the risk of pathogen contamination, to be amenable to large scaling up and to necessitate only established farming procedures. Chloroplasts have proven a useful cellular compartment for protein accumulation owing to their large size and number, as well as the possibility for organellar transformation. They therefore represent the targeting destination of choice for recombinant proteins in leaf crops such as tobacco. Extraction and purification of recombinant proteins from leaf material contribute to a large extent to the production costs. Developing new strategies facilitating these processes is therefore necessary.

Results

Here, we evaluated plastoglobule lipoprotein particles as a new subchloroplastic destination for recombinant proteins. The yellow fluorescent protein as a trackable cargo was targeted to plastoglobules when fused to plastoglobulin 34 (PGL34) as the carrier. Similar to adipocyte differentiation related protein (ADRP) in animal cells, most of the protein sequence of PGL34 was necessary for targeting to lipid bodies. The recombinant protein was efficiently enriched in plastoglobules isolated by simple flotation centrifugation. The viability of plants overproducing the recombinant protein was not affected, indicating that plastoglobule targeting did not significantly impair photosynthesis or sugar metabolism.

Conclusion

Our data identify plastoglobules as a new targeting destination for recombinant protein in leaf crops. The wide-spread presence of plastoglobules and plastoglobulins in crop species promises applications comparable to those of transgenic oilbody-oleosin technology in molecular farming.