bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Heart Truth: Using the Power of Branding and Social Marketing to Increase Awareness of Heart Disease in Women
Authors: Long Terry , Taubenheim Ann M. , Wayman Jennifer , Temple Sarah , Ruoff Beth Ann
Published: August 2008

In September 2002, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute launched The Heart Truth, the first federally sponsored national campaign aimed at increasing awareness among women about their risk of heart disease. A traditional social marketing approach, including an extensive formative research phase, was used to plan, implement, and evaluate the campaign. With the creation of the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness, the campaign integrated a branding strategy into its social marketing framework. The aim was to develop and promote a women's heart disease brand that would create a strong emotional connection with women. The Red Dress brand has had a powerful appeal to a wide diversity of women and has given momentum to the campaign's three-part implementation strategy of partnership development, media relations, and community action. In addition to generating its own substantial programming, The Heart Truth became a catalyst for a host of other national and local educational initiatives, both large and small. By the campaign's fifth anniversary, surveys showed that women were increasingly aware of heart disease as their leading cause of death and that the rise in awareness was associated with increased action to reduce heart disease risk.
Valuing Intervention and Observation
Authors: Green David W. , Over David E.
Published: August 2008

Understanding causal relations is fundamental to effective action but causal data can be confounded. We examined the value that participants placed on data derived from a hypothetical intervention or observation. Our materials involved a possible cause (“bottled water”), a possible confound (“food”), and a context (“a restaurant”). We supposed that participants seek to draw as specific a causal inference as possible from presented data and value information sources more highly that allow them to do so. On this basis, we predicted that in circumstances where an intervention removed the confounding causal factor but observation did not, participants would prefer data derived from an intervention when the possible cause was present (the bottled water was drunk) but show the reverse preference when the possible cause was absent (the bottled water was not drunk). Experiment 1 confirmed this prediction. Using a between-subjects design, Experiment 2 tested for a difference in confidence in causal judgements given identical data, including data on the confound, as a function of method of data collection (intervention or observation). There was no significant difference in confidence ratings between the two methods but confidence ratings were sensitive to the probability of an effect (illness) given the cause. Using a within-subjects design, Experiment 3 revealed systematic individual differences in preference for the two methods. Participants were divided between those who considered intervention more confounded and those who considered observation more confounded. Our experiments point to the subtleties of participants’ evaluation of data from studies of human beings.
Toll-like receptor and IL-12 signaling control susceptibility to contact hypersensitivity
Authors: Martin Stefan F. , Dudda Jan C. , Bachtanian Eva , Lembo Annalisa , Liller Stefanie , Dürr Christoph , Heimesaat Markus M. , Bereswill Stefan , Fejer György , Vassileva Ralitsa , Jakob Thilo , Freudenberg Nikolaus , Termeer Christian C. , Johner Caroline , Galanos Chris , Freudenberg Marina A.
Published: August 2008

Allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a T cell–mediated inflammatory skin disease. Interleukin (IL)-12 is considered to be important in the generation of the allergen-specific T cell response. Loss of IL-12 function in IL-12Rβ2–deficient mice, however, did not ameliorate the allergic immune response, suggesting alternate IL-12–independent pathways in the induction of CHS. Because exposure to contact allergens always takes place in the presence of microbial skin flora, we investigated the potential role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the induction of CHS. Using mice deficient in TLR4, the receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-12 receptor (R) β2, or both, we show that the concomitant absence of TLR4 and IL-12Rβ2, but not the absence of TLR4 or IL-12Rβ2 alone, prevented DC-mediated sensitization, generation of effector T cells, and the subsequent CHS response to 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB), oxazolone, and fluorescein isothiocyanate. Introduction of the TLR4 transgene into the TLR4/IL-12Rβ2 mutant restored the CHS inducibility, showing a requirement for TLR4 in IL-12–independent CHS induction. Furthermore, the concomitant absence of TLR2 and TLR4 prevented the induction of CHS to TNCB in IL-12–competent mice. Finally, CHS was inducible in germ-free wild-type and IL-12Rβ2–deficient mice, but not in germ-free TLR4/IL-12Rβ2 double deficient mice, suggesting that the necessary TLR activation may proceed via endogenous ligands.
Stimulation of Toll-like receptor 3 and 4 induces interleukin-1β maturation by caspase-8
Authors: Maelfait Jonathan , Vercammen Elisabeth , Janssens Sophie , Schotte Peter , Haegman Mira , Magez Stefan , Beyaert Rudi
Published: August 2008

The cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β is a key mediator of the inflammatory response and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic inflammation. IL-1β is synthesized in response to many stimuli as an inactive pro–IL-1β precursor protein that is further processed by caspase-1 into mature IL-1β, which is the secreted biologically active form of the cytokine. Although stimulation of membrane-bound Toll-like receptors (TLRs) up-regulates pro–IL-1β expression, activation of caspase-1 is believed to be mainly initiated by cytosolic Nod-like receptors. In this study, we show that polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]) and lipopolysaccharide stimulation of macrophages induces pro–IL-1β processing via a Toll/IL-1R domain–containing adaptor-inducing interferon-β–dependent signaling pathway that is initiated by TLR3 and TLR4, respectively. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi)–mediated knockdown of the intracellular receptors NALP3 or MDA5 did not affect poly(I:C)-induced pro–IL-1β processing. Surprisingly, poly(I:C)- and LPS-induced pro–IL-1β processing still occurred in caspase-1–deficient cells. In contrast, pro–IL-1β processing was inhibited by caspase-8 peptide inhibitors, CrmA or vFLIP expression, and caspase-8 knockdown via RNAi, indicating an essential role for caspase-8. Moreover, recombinant caspase-8 was able to cleave pro–IL-1β in vitro at exactly the same site as caspase-1. These results implicate a novel role for caspase-8 in the production of biologically active IL-1β in response to TLR3 and TLR4 stimulation.
Limited tumor infiltration by activated T effector cells restricts the therapeutic activity of regulatory T cell depletion against established melanoma
Authors: Quezada Sergio A. , Peggs Karl S. , Simpson Tyler R. , Shen Yuelei , Littman Dan R. , Allison James P.
Published: August 2008

Interference with inhibitory immunological checkpoints controlling T cell activation provides new opportunities to augment cancer immunotherapies. Whereas cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen-4 blockade has shown promising preclinical and clinical results, therapeutic CD4+CD25+ T reg cell depletion has failed to consistently enhance immune-based therapies. Using B16/BL6, a transplantable murine melanoma model, we show a dichotomy between the effects of T reg cell depletion on tumor rejection dependent on whether depletion occurs before (prophylactic) or after (therapeutic) tumor engraftment. Failure to promote rejection with therapeutic depletion is not related to lack of T reg cell depletion, to elimination of CD25+ effector T cells, or to a failure to enhance systemic antitumor T cell responses, but correlates with failure of effector cells to infiltrate the tumor and increase the intratumor ratio of effector T cell/T reg cell. Finally, systemic antitumor responses generated upon therapeutic T reg cell depletion are significantly stronger than those generated in the presence of T reg cells, and are capable of eliciting rejection of established tumors after transfer into immunoablated recipients receiving combination immunotherapy. The data demonstrate a dissociation between measurable systemic responses and tumor rejection during CD25-directed T reg cell depletion, and suggest an alternative, clinically applicable strategy for the treatment of established tumors.
Blimp-1 directly represses Il2 and the Il2 activator Fos, attenuating T cell proliferation and survival
Authors: Martins Gislâine A. , Cimmino Luisa , Liao Jerry , Magnusdottir Erna , Calame Kathryn
Published: August 2008

Mice with a T cell–specific deletion of Prdm1, encoding Blimp-1, have aberrant T cell homeostasis and develop fatal colitis. In this study, we show that one critical activity of Blimp-1 in T cells is to repress IL-2, and that it does so by direct repression of Il2 transcription, and also by repression of Fos transcription. Using these mechanisms Blimp-1 participates in an autoregulatory loop by which IL-2 induces Prdm1 expression and thus represses its own expression after T cell activation, ensuring that the immune response is appropriately controlled. This activity of Blimp-1 is important for cytokine deprivation–induced T cell death and for attenuating T cell proliferation in antigen-specific responses both in vitro and in vivo.
Dicer-dependent microRNA pathway safeguards regulatory T cell function
Authors: Liston Adrian , Lu Li-Fan , O'Carroll Donal , Tarakhovsky Alexander , Rudensky Alexander Y.
Published: August 2008

Regulatory T (T reg) cells are indispensable for preventing autoimmunity. Incumbent to this role is the ability of T reg cells to exert their suppressor function under inflammatory conditions. We found that T reg cell–mediated tolerance is critically dependent on the Dicer-controlled microRNA (miRNA) pathway. Depletion of miRNA within the T reg cell lineage resulted in fatal autoimmunity indistinguishable from that in T reg cell–deficient mice. In disease-free mice lacking Dicer in all T cells or harboring both Dicer-deficient and -sufficient T reg cells, Dicer-deficient T reg cells were suppressive, albeit to a lesser degree, whereas their homeostatic potential was diminished as compared with their Dicer-sufficient counterparts. However, in diseased mice, Dicer-deficient T reg cells completely lost suppressor capacity. Thus, miRNA preserve the T reg cell functional program under inflammatory conditions.
The RNAseIII enzyme Drosha is critical in T cells for preventing lethal inflammatory disease
Authors: Chong Mark M.W. , Rasmussen Jeffrey P. , Rudensky Alexander Y. , Littman Dan R.
Published: August 2008

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the differentiation and function of many cell types. We provide genetic and in vivo evidence that the two RNaseIII enzymes, Drosha and Dicer, do indeed function in the same pathway. These have previously been shown to mediate the stepwise maturation of miRNAs (Lee, Y., C. Ahn, J. Han, H. Choi, J. Kim, J. Yim, J. Lee, P. Provost, O. Radmark, S. Kim, and V.N. Kim. 2003. Nature. 425:415–419), and genetic ablation of either within the T cell compartment, or specifically within Foxp3+ regulatory T (T reg) cells, results in identical phenotypes. We found that miRNA biogenesis is indispensable for the function of T reg cells. Specific deletion of either Drosha or Dicer phenocopies mice lacking a functional Foxp3 gene or Foxp3+ cells, whereas deletion throughout the T cell compartment also results in spontaneous inflammatory disease, but later in life. Thus, miRNA-dependent regulation is critical for preventing spontaneous inflammation and autoimmunity.
Interferon and Interferon-Induced Chemokine Expression Is Associated with Control of Acute Viremia in West Nile Virus-Infected Blood Donors
Authors: Tobler Leslie H. , Cameron Mark J. , Lanteri Marion C. , Prince Harry E. , Danesh Ali , Persad Desmond , Lanciotti Robert S. , Norris Philip J. , Kelvin David J. , Busch Michael P.
Published: August 2008

To understand early host responses controlling West Nile virus (WNV) infection, acutely viremic blood donors, identified by nucleic acid amplification testing, were enrolled and monitored for RNA-clearance and WNV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Viral load and chemokine and cytokine assays were performed on serial samples from donors whose index and first follow-up samples tested negative for IgM. A total of 84% of the specimens obtained from viremic donors before IgM/IgG seroconversion demonstrated a decreasing viral load. Levels of interferon (IFN)-α ere significantly increased before IgM seroconversion, relative to those in control specimens. CXCL10 and CCL2 were significantly elevated in donor specimens obtained before IgM seroconversion, compared with those obtained after IgM seroconversion. These findings suggest that IFN-mediated innate immunity plays a key role in initial control of WNV replication.
High‐resolution structure of the stable plasminogen activator inhibitor type‐1 variant 14‐1B in its proteinase‐cleaved form: A new tool for detailed interaction studies and modeling
Authors: Jensen Jan K. , Gettins Peter G.W.
Published: August 2008

Wild‐type plasminogen activator inhibitor type‐1 (PAI‐1) rapidly converts to the inactive latent state under conditions of physiological pH and temperature. For in vivo studies of active PAI‐1 in cell culture and in vivo model systems, the 14‐1B PAI‐1 mutant (N150H‐K154T‐Q319L‐M354I), with its stabilized active conformation, has thus become the PAI‐1 of choice. As a consequence of the increased stability, the only two forms likely to be encountered are the active or the cleaved form, the latter either free or complexed with target proteinase. We hereby report the first structure of the stable 14‐1B PAI‐1 variant in its reactive center cleaved form, to a resolution of 2.0 Å. The >99% complete structure represents the highest resolved structure of free cleaved PAI‐1. This high‐resolution structure should be of great use for drug target development and for modeling protein–protein interactions such as those of PAI‐1 with vitronectin.
Polymorphisms in the kappa casein (CSN3) gene in horse and comparative analysis of its promoter and coding region
Authors: Hobor S. , Kunej T. , Dovc P.
Published: August 2008

The major parts of the coding region and promoter of the equine kappa casein (CSN3) gene were sequenced and compared among several species. Four SNPs were identified in the CSN3 gene: two in exon 1 and two in exon 4. The SNPs were genotyped in six Slovenian horse breeds using RFLP and two different PCR‐based methods. The highest variation in genotype frequencies was found in the Slovenian cold‐blood breed. The SNPs in exon 4 may cause a change in the amino acid sequence and may alter chemical/functional properties of the protein. Using horse‐specific primers, we obtained 400 bp of exon 4 sequence from zebra and donkey. Two SNPs within the zebra exon 4 sequence were discovered; both presumably caused amino acid substitutions. Within the equine promoter sequence, 15 SNPs were found and 12 of them could be involved in the gain/loss of potential transcription factor (TF) binding sites. Using a comparative genomics approach, we obtained 1482 bp of the promoter sequence from zebra and donkey. Sequence alignment revealed highly conserved blocks of promoter sequence among nine species (sheep, goat, cow, zebra, donkey, horse, chimp, macaque and human) and clustered these species in three distinct groups. Consensus binding sites for TFs STAT5, C/EBP, NF1 and STAT6, previously demonstrated to be associated with expression, were located within conserved regions. Four promoter regions were tested for specific binding of TFs using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Predicted binding sites for C/EBP and NF1 were confirmed and one conserved region was specifically detected by a yet‐uncharacterized TF.
Combined bendamustine, prednisolone and thalidomide for refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma after autologous stem‐cell transplantation or conventional chemotherapy: results of a Phase I clinical trial
Authors: Pönisch Wolfram , Rozanski Marta , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Hoffmann Franz Albert , Boldt Thomas , Schwarzer Andreas , Ritter Ute , Rohrberg Robert , Schwalbe Elke , Uhlig Jens , Zehrfeld Thomas , Schirmer Veronika , Haas Antje , Kreibich Ute , Niederwieser Dietger ,   for the East German Study Group of Haematology and Oncology (OSHO)
Published: August 2008

Thalidomide is an effective agent for advanced refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), although dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) may limit its use. This Phase I study found that a combination of low‐dose thalidomide with bendamustine and prednisolone (BPT) maintained or increased efficacy, whilst avoiding DLT in 28 patients with MM that was refractory or that had relapsed after conventional chemotherapy or high‐dose therapy with stem‐cell support. BPT comprised fixed doses of bendamustine (60 mg/m2) and prednisolone (100 mg), and escalating doses of thalidomide (50, 100, 200 mg). Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 d until the occurrence of maximum response, DLT, or disease progression. Twenty‐four patients responded after at least two cycles (four complete remission, six very good partial remission, 14 partial remission). Median progression‐free and overall survival for all patients was 11 and 19 months respectively. Only mild/moderate non‐haematological side effects were observed and no patient developed dose‐limiting haematotoxicity. Transient grade 3–4 neutropenia was reported in 12 patients, and grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia occurred in two patients. We conclude that BPT therapy was well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory MM, with a response rate higher than 80%. The maximum tolerated dose of thalidomide was not reached in this study.
Rapid and sensitive screening for CEBPA mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Benthaus Tobias , Schneider Friederike , Mellert Gudrun , Zellmeier Evelyn , Schneider Stephanie , Kakadia Purvi M. , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Bohlander Stefan K. , Feuring‐Buske Michaela , Braess Jan , Spiekermann Karsten , Dufour Annika
Published: August 2008

The presence of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) gene mutations in patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukaemia (CN‐AML) confers a favourable prognosis. Routine screening of all CN‐AML patients for CEBPA mutations is therefore important for individual risk‐adapted post‐remission therapy and requires a fast and easy screening method. CEBPA mutations are distributed over the entire CEBPA gene and the functional and clinical consequences of the different mutations are still largely unknown. Therefore, we developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction‐based fragment length analysis mutation screening method for the entire CEBPA coding region. We initially evaluated our method by analysing 120 CN‐AML samples both by fragment analysis and nucleotide sequencing and reached a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 90%. 349 CN‐AML samples were subsequently screened for CEBPA mutations by fragment length analysis. Among a total of 469 CN‐AML patient samples, 58 CEBPA mutations were detected in 38 CN‐AML patients (8·1%). In conclusion, we established a fast and sensitive CEBPA mutation screening method suitable for inclusion in routine AML diagnostics.
Genome‐wide DNA analysis identifies recurrent imbalances predicting outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with 17p deletion
Authors: Forconi Francesco , Rinaldi Andrea , Kwee Ivo , Sozzi Elisa , Raspadori Donatella , Rancoita Paola M. V. , Scandurra Marta , Rossi Davide , Deambrogi Clara , Capello Daniela , Zucca Emanuele , Marconi Daniela , Bomben Riccardo , Gattei Valter , Lauria Francesco , Gaidano Gianluca , Bertoni Francesco
Published: August 2008

Deletion of 17p (TP53) identifies a rare subset of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (17p‐ CLL) with aggressive behaviour. Genome‐wide DNA‐profiling was performed to investigate 18 patients with 17p‐ CLL. All cases had multiple copy‐number (CN) changes. Among the several recurrent CN changes identified, 8q24.13‐q24.1‐gain (MYC), 8p‐loss (TNFRSF10A/B, also known as TRAIL1/2) and 2p16.1‐p14‐gain (REL/BCL11A) appeared frequently represented. 8p‐loss and 2p16.1‐p14‐gain also appeared clinically relevant and predicted significant shorter time from diagnosis to treatment (8p‐loss) and overall survival (8p‐loss and 2p16.1‐p14‐gain, P < 0·05). These observations document a highly unstable genome in 17p‐ CLL and suggest that additional genes outside the TP53 locus may be important for tumour behaviour.
Clinical safety surveillance study of the safety and efficacy of long‐term home treatment with ReFacto® utilizing a computer‐aided diary: a Nordic multicentre study
Authors: PETRINI P. , RYLANDER C.
Published: August 2008

Summary.  A Nordic multicentre, open‐label, non‐interventional postmarketing surveillance study was carried out during a period of 24 months evaluating safety and efficacy of ReFacto as prophylactic or on‐demand replacement therapy in patients with haemophilia A treated by self‐medication. Fifty‐seven patients were enrolled and studied for safety; efficacy was evaluated in 39 patients who received ReFacto for 24 months and recorded sufficient diary data on a hand‐held computer. The compliance of using the device was good in small children, variable in adults and poor in teenagers. The fact that the overall compliance was low constituted a limitation of the number of patients with reliable diary data. Overall safety was rated as excellent or good by the clinicians for all patients at all visits and overall efficacy at 24 months evaluated to be excellent (74%) or good (26%). It was noticed that ≥50% of patients/parents reported no absences from school or work owing to bleeding episodes during the study period. Among patients on regular prophylaxis, 6 of the 30 patients (20%) receiving ReFacto experienced no bleeding episodes. A median of four bleeding episodes occurred during the 24‐month study period, and 93% of the episodes were resolved with ≤2 ReFacto infusions. In the 7 on‐demand patients, there was a median of 18 bleeding episodes, 87% of which resolved with ≤2 ReFacto infusions. Interestingly, 42% of the ReFacto infusions taken by the patients classified to the on‐demand group were registered as prophylactic treatment. In conclusion, ReFacto demonstrated good safety and efficacy in prophylaxis as well as treatment of bleeding episodes.
Social Contacts and Occupational Choice
Authors: BENTOLILA SAMUEL , MICHELACCI CLAUDIO , SUAREZ JAVIER
Published: August 2008

Social contacts help to find jobs, but not necessarily in the occupations where workers are most productive. Hence social contacts can generate mismatch between workers' occupational choices and their productive advantage. Accordingly, social networks can lead to low labour force quality, low returns to firms' investment and depressed aggregate productivity. We analyse surveys from both the US and Europe including information on job finding through contacts. Consistent with our predictions, contacts reduce unemployment duration by 1–3 months on average, but they are associated with wage discounts of at least 2.5%. We also find some evidence of negative externalities on aggregate productivity.
Human Capital and Inequality Dynamics: The Role of Education Technology
Authors: VIAENE JEAN‐MARIE , ZILCHA ITZHAK
Published: August 2008

The paper offers a unified way to examine several puzzles on inequality dynamics. It focuses on differences in the education technology and their effects on income distributions. Our overlapping generations economy has the following features: (1) consumers are heterogenous with respect to ability and parental human capital; and (2) intergenerational transfers take place via parental direct investment in education and, public education financed by taxes (possibly, with a level determined by majority voting). We explore several variations in the production of human capital, some attributed to ‘home‐education’ and others related to ‘public‐education’, and indicate how various changes in education technologies affect the intragenerational income inequality along the equilibrium path.
Asian Transnational Families in New Zealand: Dynamics and Challenges
Authors: Ho Elsie , Bedford Richard
Published: August 2008

Since the 1990s, Asia has emerged as the major contributor of migration flows into New Zealand. Settler migration, tourism, international business and more recently, international education make up the diverse flows of Asian peoples into the country. This paper explores the changing dynamics of Asian transnational families over the last two decades, with a special focus on the experiences of young people within these families. In the early 1990s, bi‐local families were commonly known as “astronaut” families, in which one or both parents returned to their countries of origin to work, leaving their children to be educated in New Zealand. Over time the structures of these families have changed, as many young migrants relocated back to their former homeland or re‐migrated to a third country, while “astronaut parents” rejoined their spouses either in the origin or destination. More recently, the educational migration of international students from countries in Asia has given rise to another form of transnational family, in which young people enter New Zealand as international students and some subsequently become residents. In this paper, the experiences of these young people are explored within the wider context of family strategies for maximising benefits through spatially extended networks on the one hand, and government initiatives and immigration policy changes that have been taking place in New Zealand since the 1990s on the other.
Intergenerational Transnationalism: 1.5 Generation Asian Migrants in New Zealand1
Authors: Bartley Allen , Spoonley Paul
Published: August 2008

This paper explores some of the issues associated with the nature of contemporary transnationalism and the particular experiences and strategies of a specific cohort of migrants, the 1.5 generation. Based on a study of East Asian migrant adolescents to New Zealand, we argue that the experiences and strategies of this generation differ from those of their parents, the original decision‐makers in the migration process, as well as from the historical experiences of earlier migrants. There is an ambivalence (in‐betweenness) about settlement and attachment that raises some key questions about the assumptions of the immigration literature and of policy/political communities. The paper suggests that the 1.5 generation represents a particular group that deserves more attention in the migration and transnationalism literature.
Married to the Military: Filipinas Negotiating Transnational Families
Authors: Yea Sallie
Published: August 2008

Women migrating transnationally as “entertainers” within Asia are particularly exposed to the possibility of forming relationships in these transnational sites. This is because the nature of their work, which entails chatting and dancing with customers and various forms of sexual labour, including fondling, kissing and sometimes sex, often leads to romantic liaisons with customers in the clubs where they are deployed. This possibility is even more pronounced for women who are trafficked (that is, deceptively recruited and employed) as entertainers, as they often counter the severe vulnerabilities associated with their positions by relying on customers‐cum‐boyfriends for support and assistance. Marriage is one common result of these liaisons. This paper considers the multiple impacts of such marriages for foreign female entertainers on family. I focus particularly on the ways such marriages can both constrain existing family responsibilities and facilitate new ones. The paper draws on the case of Filipinas married to American soldiers in Korea as a case study for discussion. I suggest that migrant women who become involved in such marriages are often pulled between the potentially conflicting demands of old (within their home countries) and new (with their American soldier husbands) family ties and responsibilities. I also suggest that these women’s new families, whilst outwardly displaying elements of traditional gendered household roles and structures, are often characterised by long absences of the husband (to other countries or within the country of residence) and long‐term patterns of transnational migration that can have a highly disruptive impact on family arrangements.
“Flexible Citizenship” or Familial Ties that Bind? Singaporean Transmigrants in London
Authors: Lynn‐Ee Ho Elaine
Published: August 2008

Easier travel and communication technologies, together with the global demand and supply labour market exchanges occurring under post‐Fordist capitalism, create the conditions that make transnational family formations more common than before. Geographically dispersed family members are governed by different citizenship regimes that affect familial interactions and the possibility of family reunification. Such family formations have significant implications for the nation‐state framework and the way that citizenship is practised in a transnational world. Singapore, a young city‐state in Southeast Asia, provides an insightful case‐study to examine migrant motivations and citizenship behaviour. The political leaders in Singapore represent the nation‐state’s internationalising drive – which includes encouraging Singaporeans to live and work overseas for a period of time – and its domestic nation‐building goals as strategies that are both necessary and yet in tension with one another.

This paper draws on discourse analysis to examine the ways in which the Singaporean state plays upon familial logics and citizenship regulations as one of its strategies to bind overseas citizens to the country. I also employ findings from in‐depth interviews with Singaporean transmigrants in London to discuss the manner in which the above considerations frame their decisions on migration and citizenship. In doing so, I argue that research on migration and the transnational family should consider how they both articulate and are in turn articulated by the nation‐state. I then show how my research results have important implications for citizenship policymaking in a transnational world, particularly with respect to gendered familial discourses and nation‐building processes. I also suggest that my research findings indicate areas for further academic enquiry into the morphology, strategies and temporality of transnational family formations.
Bengali‐Speaking Families in Singapore: Home, Nation and the World
Authors: Haque Khondker Habibul
Published: August 2008

This paper examines the notions of “home,”“nation” and “the world” among the Bengali‐speaking families in Singapore. The forces of globalization have played a significant role in making the Bengali‐speaking families transnational, first by uprooting them from Bengal, a territory now shared between Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, and then re‐linking them to a complex web of relationships redefining the contours of community. The Bengali‐speaking families in Singapore belong to two distinct “communities”: Bengalis from West Bengal, India who are predominantly Hindus, and Bengalis from Bangladesh who are predominantly Muslims. They formed two different “communities” not simply on the basis of differences in religion but also in terms of social networks and ties. Common language, similar food habits and love for certain cultural practices like cricket and adda, are not enough to bring them into the fold of a common Bengali community. The division in the Bengali‐speaking community is influenced not so much by religion but nationalism. Nationalism, however imagined, continues to play a powerful role in the globalized world, especially among transnational communities. Yet, the two “communities,” one from Bangladesh and the other from West Bengal, are not antagonistic to one another by any means; their relationship is an ambivalent one based on a tacit principle of “civil inattention.” The situation changed in the 1990s when Bengali was introduced as a second language in Singapore, and a Bengali language school was set up thereafter. The two communities were drawn into a common physical space and a new set of social ties and networks began to emerge, opening and redrawing the boundaries of community. The paper demonstrates how nations separate a people who share a common notion of home, as well as how cosmopolitan world‐views redraw the contours of community.
Influence of additives on the formation of unsaturated PCAs produced during durable‐press curing with citric acid
Authors: Schramm Christian , Rinderer Beate
Published: August 2008

To impart durable‐press properties to cellulosic material, the fabrics have been treated with a finishing bath containing a polycarboxylic acid in combination with an appropriate catalyst. When citric acid (CA) was applied as crosslinking agent discoloration of the fabric was observed. Special additives were included into the formulation to improve the whiteness index. Isocratic HPLC was used to identify and quantify the unsaturated polycarboxylic acids that are produced during the curing process of CA‐treated cotton fabrics. The influence of different catalysts (sodium hypophosphite, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, trisodium phosphate) and of various types of additives, such as triethanol amine (TEA), W,/V,bis(hydroxy‐ethyljglycine (BICINE), boric acid and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200), on the content of CA and the amount of unsaturated PCAs in the wash liquor and on the fabric has been investigated. A significant reduction of the unsaturated polycarboxylic acids was observed when an additive was incorporated into the pad bath.
Effects of cyclodextrin on the electrolytic reduction of an anthraquinone dye
Authors: Okubayashi S , Yamazaki A , Koide Y , Shosenji H
Published: August 2008

The electrochemical property of a water‐soluble anthraquinone, CI Acid Blue 25, was investigated in the presence of · ‐, ·· ‐ or ·‐cyclodextrin. Addition of cyclodextrin (CDx) reduced the redox potential of the dye in the order: · ‐ > ·‐ > ·‐CDx. Cyclic voltammography confirmed this behaviour. The suppression of the electrolytic reduction of the dye indicated that ·‐ or ·‐CDx interacted with it more than ·‐CDx. Spectrophotometric analysis also showed that ·‐CDx was capable of forming a complex with the dye. In addition, the electrolytic reduction improved the uptake of dye by nylon 6 in the presence of CDx.
Some problems associated with dyeing wool‐rich blends of polyester
Authors: Doran Alan F
Published: August 2008

The behaviour of disperse dyes on wool has been reappraised, with the main emphasis on the effect that blend ratios have on the degree of cross‐staining. It has been found that whilst dyestuff selection is generally unchanged, the dyeing method must be changed completely in order to achieve good results. Blends containing 50% or less of wool may be dyed successfully by a one‐bath method, but wool‐rich blends need to be dyed by a novel two‐bath method. The results of these studies, and the dyeing method that is being proposed, are discussed.
Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Y2O3:Eu Phosphor by a Metal‐Ionic CrossLinker‐Containing Polymeric Precursor Method
Authors: Hiroyuki Sano , Makoto Kuwabara
Published: August 2008

We synthesized a high‐performance red‐emitting nano‐sized Eu‐doped Y2O3 phosphor (Y2O3:Eu) powder by a metal‐ionic crosslinker‐containing polymeric method using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), with post heat treatment at 1000°C in air. This method yields soft but large aggregates of nanocrystalline Y2O3:Eu particles as synthesized, and therefore, to obtain the phosphor powder consisting of nano‐sized single grains pulverization of the aggregates by ball milling or other methods is needed; this pulverizing process generally causes a deterioration of the fluorescence of Y2O3:Eu powders. To solve this problem we established a new method to obtain nano‐sized Y2O3:Eu powders without mechanical pulverization by using ∅50‐μm yttria‐stabilized zirconia balls, which were added in a reaction vessel as an aggregation suppressant. By this method high‐performance red‐emitting Y2O3:Eu powders with grain sizes of 20–30 nm were successfully produced.
Porous Al2O3‐Spinel Based Polycrystals That Resist Free‐Sintering
Authors: Shah Sandeep R. , Chokshi Atul H. , Raj Rishi
Published: August 2008

We show that increasing MgO content in Al2O3 from 0.25 to 10 wt% has a remarkable effect on the sintering behavior. While 0.25 wt% specimens sinter to near full density, the higher weight percent sample could be sintered to a maximum of 92% relative density even when held for 24 h at 1673 K. The resistance of the pores to sintering is ascribed to a reduction in the driving force for sintering (rather than to kinetics). The volume fraction of the pores increases with the fraction of the spinel phase, which forms by a reaction between magnesia and alumina. These findings raise the promise of membranes that can be tailored for pore size and pore volume, for high temperature applications.
Microwave Dielectric Properties of BaTi5O11 Ceramics Prepared by Reaction‐Sintering Process with the Addition of CuO
Authors: Zhou Huanfu , Wang Hong , Chen Yuehua , Li Kecheng , Yao Xi
Published: August 2008

BaTi5O11 microwave dielectric ceramics prepared by reaction‐sintering process were investigated. BaCO3 was mixed with TiO2 and CuO, sintered to form BaTi5O11 ceramics without any calcination stage involved. With 1 wt% CuO addition, monoclinic BaTi5O11 ceramics were produced successfully after 3–9 h sintering at 1050°–1150°C. After sintering at 1100°C for 6 h, the BaTi5O11 ceramics with the density of 4.49 g/cm3 (98.2% of the theoretical value) and good microwave dielectric properties of ɛr=41.2, Q×f=47 430 and τf=36 ppm/°C have been obtained. The results show that the reaction‐sintering process is a simple and effective method to produce BaTi5O11 ceramics for the applications of microwave dielectric resonators.
Comparison of the Diffusion Control Models for Isothermal Oxidation of SiAlON Powders
Authors: Hou Xinmei , Chou Kuo‐Chih
Published: August 2008

Two kinetic diffusion control models (the parabolic rate law and Chou model) have been used to investigate the oxidation kinetic mechanism of SiAlON powder (β‐SiAlON (z=2.45), O′‐SiAlON and x phase) based on the data available in literatures. The analysis shows that when the rate‐controlling step is in the diffusion step, though both models can be used to describe the experimental data, Chou model is preferred. It is because, not only Chou model can give a clear physical meaning in expressing all parameters that will be convenient for theoretical discussion, but it will also perform a simple calculation. Besides, the most significant thing is that Chou model will lead to a more accurate calculation result.
Synthesis of Dense Collagen/Apatite Composites Using a Biomimetic Method
Authors: Qu Haibo , Xia Zengmin , Knecht David A , Wei Mei
Published: August 2008

In this article we describe a simple but effective biomimetic method to prepare dense apatite/collagen nanocomposites. Collagen‐containing simulated body fluid was used to mimic the natural bone formation environment. The apatite/collagen films were formed at the air–solution interface under physiological conditions (40°C and pH=6.3). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, western blot analysis, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray were used to characterize the apatite/collagen composites. It was revealed that the nanosized apatite particles formed into a platelet shape with 100 nm in width and length and <10 nm in thickness. The collagen existed around the apatite platelets and acted as a glue to bind these platelets together. The collagen and apatite were strongly adhered to each other and formed into dense composite.
Improving the quality of low‐wage work: The current American experience
Authors: OSTERMAN Paul
Published: August 2008

Despite the recent strength of the United States job market, about one fifth of the private‐sector workforce is in poor‐quality employment, earning poverty‐level wages or less, with scant prospects for improvement. Against this background, the article focuses on demand‐side policies, aimed at influencing firms' decision‐making in the direction of better quality employment. Describing and evaluating a variety of programmes pursued to that end, the author argues for more policy coherence and a balanced approach combining training and economic development programmes working directly with employers, on the one hand, and increased unionization and better wage and working‐time standards, on the other.
The state of worker protections in the United States: Unregulated work in New York City
Authors: BERNHARDT Annette , McGRATH Siobhán , DeFILIPPIS James
Published: August 2008

Using original data gathered in 2003–06, the authors examine the prevalence and types of non‐compliance with labour law in New York City. Workplace violations — or “unregulated work”— are widespread across a range of low‐wage industries and have been driven by a mix of economic factors as well as public policy. The solution, the authors argue, is to strengthen law enforcement and provide for the new types of employment relationship that have resulted from changes in the organization of work and production.
Promoting sustainable compliance: Styles of labour inspection and compliance outcomes in Brazil
Authors: PIRES Roberto
Published: August 2008

Can workers’ rights and social protections be reconciled with firms’ competitiveness and productivity? In contrast to current development policy advice, which emphasizes the “flexibilization” of labour laws, this article contributes to an ongoing debate about styles of inspection by exploring the causal links between different regulatory practices and economic development and compliance outcomes. Findings from subnational comparisons in Brazil challenge established theories about the behaviours of firms and regulatory agencies, and indicate that labour inspectors have been able to promote sustainable compliance (legal and technical solutions linking up workers' rights with firms’ performance) by combining punitive and pedagogical inspection practices.
Tripartite consultation in China: A first step towards collective bargaining?
Authors: SHEN Jie , BENSON John
Published: August 2008

Tripartite consultation has become widely established in China and is often referred to as “collective bargaining” by the Government and the All‐China Federation of Trade Unions. This article reviews its development and structure, and examines its role in dispute settlement, labour regulation and collective bargaining. China's tripartite consultation system is found to differ from that advocated by the ILO due to its lack of neutrality and independent workers’ representation, poor legal enforcement of consultation outcomes, and restricted responsibilities. Notwithstanding these major deficiencies, the authors conclude, such tripartite consultation is a first step towards more genuine collective bargaining.
Offshore employment practices: An empirical analysis of routines, wages and labour turnover
Authors: LOESS Kurt , MILLER Van V. , YOSKOWITZ David
Published: August 2008

Theories of efficiency wage and human capital formation suggest that both should have a significant influence on employee turnover in offshore manufacturing sites. This influence is explored and examined empirically with a stratified, random sample of northern Mexican maquilas — the historical choice for offshoring in that country and one of the world's earliest and most enduring offshore manufacturing sites. Statistical tests reveal the strong influence on production‐level turnover of direct wages and human capital formation when the latter variable is measured in terms of “maquiladora generations”. The distinctive human resource practices of the maquiladora generations are then presented and discussed.
Investigation of auditory dysfunction in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Yu‐Wai‐Man Patrick , Elliott Clive , Griffiths Philip G. , Johnson Ian J. , Chinnery Patrick F.
Published: August 2008

Purpose:  To investigate the possibility of auditory dysfunction in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Methods:  We prospectively recruited 10 affected patients from the north‐east of England harbouring one of the three primary mitochondrial LHON mutations (3460G>A n = 3, 11778G>A n = 5 and 14484T>C n = 2). A detailed auditory history was taken and they were asked to complete a validated hearing questionnaire. Each patient then underwent a comprehensive topographic neuroauditory assessment to evaluate both middle‐ and inner‐ear functions and the integrity of the brainstem auditory pathways.

Results:  We found no evidence of cochlear nerve dysfunction or abnormalities of the central brainstem auditory pathways in our LHON cohort and five patients had completely normal hearing tests. The remainder had mild conductive hearing loss from childhood ear infections and/or high‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss from previous noise injury.

Conclusion:  Although further studies are required to confirm our findings, auditory dysfunction as a result of a primary LHON mutation is probably uncommon.
Correlation between retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and retinal sensitivity
Authors: Sato Shino , Hirooka Kazuyuki , Baba Tetsuya , Yano Izumi , Shiraga Fumio
Published: August 2008

Purpose:  To evaluate the relationship between retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and light threshold values obtained with the Micro Perimeter 1 (MP1).

Methods:  Forty‐nine normal subjects and 37 glaucoma patients were included. Thickness of the RNFL around the optic disc was measured with Stratus OCT scans, and static threshold perimetry was performed with the MP1 at the same visit. Total average and mean 12‐clock‐hour RNFL thickness were measured with Stratus OCT. An automated 4‐2‐1 staircase strategy with Goldmann III stimuli was used for MP1. The correspondence between Stratus OCT and MP1 RNFL measurements in each clock‐hour was best fit by a second‐order polynomial.

Results:  Average RNFL thickness in the normal group was significantly higher than that in the glaucoma group in each clock hour. Comparing the normal and glaucomatous groups, retinal sensitivity differed significantly at 6, 7, 8 and 11 o’clock. In these regions, structure–function relationships were generally stronger than in other regions.

Conclusions:  Structure–function associations may be strong when loss of nerve fibres is severe. However, significant reduction in retinal sensitivity does not emerge until the atrophy of nerve fibres is severe.