bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spurious Claims for Health-care Products: An Experimental Approach to Evaluating Current UK Legislation and its Implementation
Authors: Rose Leslie B , Posadzki Paul , Ernst Edzard
Published: March 2012

The lay media, and especially the Internet, contain many misleading claims for health products which have previously been inadequately regulated by consumer law. This was an experimental interventional survey within a consumer health-care setting. Three health products were chosen on the basis of being widely available on the UK market and having no available evidence of effectiveness. Twelve volunteers submitted 39 complaints to Consumer Direct (UK portal for the regulator Trading Standards) regarding false health claims, and 36 complaints were followed up for a maximum of 4.8 months. The mean time from submission of complaints to Consumer Direct to acknowledgement by the relevant Trading Standards office was 13 days. There were no responses from Trading Standards for 22% of complaints. At the end of the study one supplier had amended their website following Trading Standards advice, but did not stop all health claims. Another stopped advertising their product on the Internet and the third continued the health claims unchanged. EU directive 2005/29/EC is largely ineffective in preventing misleading health claims for consumer products in the UK.
The impact of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy
Authors: Umeh Uchenna Anthony , Obi Samuel N , Onah Hyacinth E , Ugwu Emmanuel Onyebuchi V , Ajah Leonard Ogbonna , Umeh Chioma Roseline , Okafor Innocent Igwebuike
Published: March 2012

The Roll Back Malaria initiatives were introduced to ensure that 60% of pregnant women receive intermittent preventive anti-malarial treatment by the end of 2005 in an attempt to halve the mortality from malaria by 2010. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnant women on intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) compared with a control group. This comparative study involved testing the peripheral blood of pregnant women on IPT with SP and a control group that did not receive SP for the malaria parasite upon registration and at 34 weeks gestational age. The levels of parasitaemia in the intervention group upon registration (4.9%) and at 34 weeks (63.9%) were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) from that of the control group (10%) and at 34 weeks gestation (68.3%). IPT with SP during pregnancy did not significantly reduce the prevalence of the malaria parasitaemia among the pregnant women in our environment.
A Weighted Average Incorporation of Pollution Costs into the Electrical Expansion Planning
Authors: Becker Nir , Soloveitchik David , Olshansky Moshe
Published: March 2012

In this paper we use the WASP-IV model to estimate the impact of internalizing several environmental external costs on the electricity sector's development plan. The major impact of internalizing the external cost is on fuel use. In the current electricity generation system, more natural gas and less coal have been used. A Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) of three scenarios has been performed focusing on taxing only one pollutant and looking at its overall implication. The benefit cost ratio was in the range of 4.32 – 5.57 while the net benefit was estimated to be in the range of 82–341 million USD annually. Greenhouse gases (GHG) contribute about 25% of these estimates hence; ancillary benefits are large enough to justify reducing those gases by between 7–12 percents compared to the baseline projection. We also carried a multi-objective analysis among the different scenarios. The weights were on the 3 pollutants (NOx, SO2 and PM) and CO2. Seven scenarios appear in the non-dominated set. Out of them, five appear in every year and hence policy makers ought to place higher weights on them. Out of those five, two are a single tax on one pollutant. Interestingly, most of the non-dominating strategies carry a 0 weight on CO2. This gives another justification to internalize externalities based on only local pollutants and so disregards the debate over the desirability of GHG reduction.
Economic Considerations for Renewable Energy Application in Trinidad and Tobago's Power Sector
Authors: Furlonge Haydn I.
Published: March 2012

Renewable energy (RE) is noted for its socio-economic benefits as a sustainable source of energy particularly for small island developing states. However, for a country such as Trinidad and Tobago which is relatively rich in fossil fuels, this truism is severely tested. At current costs, RE technologies cannot compete with natural gas for power generation, especially when the latter is relatively cheap and easily available. However, this paper uses a widened economic envelope for assessment of RE, that takes into account the cost of natural gas and the potential benefits of participation in the carbon business. Lost government revenues from incremental gas export plus carbon credits from RE projects that are structured as clean development mechanisms are enough to offset the higher cost of RE. This has implications for the country's energy policy direction in terms of diversifying and sustaining the country's energy sector. We explore the economic, technological and market conditions which are necessary to support RE's penetration into the future energy matrix of the country.
Creep of AFRP Confined High-Strength Concrete Columns under Low-Level Stress
Authors: Ma Yi-Shuo , Wang Yuan-Feng
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates the creep of fiber-wrapped high-strength concrete (HSC) columns (FWHSCCs) under low level axial stress by testing and modeling. Firstly, an experimental work on the creep of four FWHSCCs is presented. Secondly, by introducing modified coefficients about compressive strength, water-cement ratio and silica fume content of concrete, a modified model suitable for predicting the creep of HSC, based on Bažant's B3 model for normal concrete creep prediction, is proposed. Thirdly, considering the state of triaxial stresses of the concrete core, the autogenous shrinkage of HSC, and the interaction stress history, an analytical model based on the proposed model for HSC creep and the power law for fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) creep is developed for predicting the creep of FWHSCC. The prediction results agree well with the test data. This investigation also shows the creep of FWHSCCs is lower than that of FRP wrapped normal strength concrete column.
Experiments of Chloride Ingression in Flexural Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Yan Y.D. , Jin W.L. , Chen J.
Published: March 2012

This paper focused on the chloride ions' ingression in reinforced concrete beams under flexural loading. Effect of different factors on the chloride ingression in the reinforced concrete beam was investigated. Those factors are water to cement (w/c) ratio, mid-span crack width, chloride ingression method and flexural loading history. In total 20 reinforced concrete beams having different w/c ratios of 0.53, 0.43 and 0.36 were tested. Flexural load was applied to beams by using self-anchoring at both ends. The nominal mid-span crack width designed value range from 0.1 mm to 0.25 mm. Two chloride ingression methods, namely long term immersion and wet-dry cycling are used. Three loading history were also designed for comparison. Chloride ions' contents at different depth in different location of beams were obtained. In addition, chloride diffusion coefficients were also calculated for comparison. It is shown that both the crack and tensile stress have effect on the chloride ions' ingression in reinforced concrete beams.
A Differentially Driven Flapping Wing Mechanism for Force Analysis and Trajectory Optimization
Authors: George Ryan B. , Colton Mark B. , Mattson Christopher A. , Thomson Scott L.
Published: March 2012

Flapping flight has the potential to revolutionize micro air vehicles (MAVs) due to increased aerodynamic performance, improved maneuverability, and hover capabilities. This paper presents the design of a robotic flapping wing mechanism for use in general studies involving flapping flight and laboratory-based experimental optimization of flapping trajectories. The design allows for dynamic adjustment of flapping trajectories in air or liquids with three rotational degrees of freedom on each wing. The design, instrumentation, and control of the mechanism are discussed, and experimental characterization of the mechanism's performance is presented. Preliminary trajectory optimization using a Box-Behnken design approach is used and shows successful parameter optimization. The limitations of the current mechanism are addressed. A survey of flapping mechanisms is presented.
Modeling MAV Response in Gusty Urban Environment
Authors: Golubev Vladimir V. , Visbal Miguel R.
Published: March 2012

The article discusses an airfoil unsteady aerodynamic response to upstream unsteady flow disturbances in flow regimes characteristic of Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) applications. Because of their small size and speed, the flight control of these vehicles in gusty urban environments poses tremendous challenges addressed in the current work. Following a thorough review of experimental and numerical studies characterizing various scales and configurations of urban flow disturbances, three canonical gust models are proposed corresponding to the time-harmonic gust, the sharp-edge gust, and the Taylor vortex. A high-accuracy numerical analysis is applied to examine MAV airfoil response to such perturbations and conclude on relative importance of contributing viscous and inviscid forces.
Content Provision Strategies in the Presence of Content Piracy
Authors: Johar Monica , Kumar Nanda , Mookerjee Vijay
Published: March 2012

We consider a publisher that earns advertising revenue while providing content to serve a heterogeneous population of consumers. The consumers derive benefit from consuming content but suffer from delivery delays. A publisher's content provision strategy comprises two decisions: (a) the content quality (affecting consumption benefit) and (b) the content distribution delay (affecting consumption cost). The focus here is on how a publisher should choose the content provision strategy in the presence of a content pirate such as a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Our study sheds light on how a publisher could leverage a pirate's presence to increase profits, even though the pirate essentially encroaches on the demand for the publisher's content. We find that a publisher should sometimes decrease the delivery speed but increase quality in the presence of a pirate (a quality focused strategy). At other times, a distribution focused strategy is better; namely, increase delivery speed, but lower quality. In most cases, however, we show that the publisher should improve at least one dimension of content provision (quality or delay) in the presence of a pirate.
Performance Implications of CRM Technology Use: A Multilevel Field Study of Business Customers and Their Providers in the Telecommunications Industry
Authors: Zablah Alex R. , Bellenger Danny N. , Straub Detmar W. , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: March 2012

Extant research is equivocal about the organizational performance effects of customer relationship management (CRM) technology use, with some studies reporting positive effects and other studies reporting no effects at all. The present research effort posits that these mixed findings may potentially be explained by two factors: (1) CRM technology use may have different effects on different customers, and (2) different CRM tools may have different performance consequences. This study investigates this possibility by building on relationship marketing and management theory to propose and test a model of the customer- and firm-level consequences of the organizational use of CRM interaction support and customer prioritization tools. The results of data analysis of 295 customer firms nested within 10 provider firms reveal that firm use of CRM interaction support tools is positively related to customers' relationship perceptions, regardless of customer account size. In contrast, the data indicate that use of CRM prioritization tools appears to have positive effects on a firm's larger customers and negative effects on smaller customers. The results also suggest that when considered at an aggregate level, customer perceptions of the exchange relationship are predictive of organizational performance and that the association between these two variables is significant for larger customer accounts but insignificant for smaller accounts. Overall, the study's results help explain some of the inconsistent findings reported in the literature regarding the performance implications of CRM technology use and suggest that use of the technology may serve to enhance organizational performance, at least over the short term.
Microdeletion and Microduplication Syndromes
Authors: Weise Anja , Mrasek Kristin , Klein Elisabeth , Mulatinho Milene , Llerena Juan C. , Hardekopf David , Pekova Sona , Bhatt Samarth , Kosyakova Nadezda , Liehr Thomas
Published: March 2012

The widespread use of whole genome analysis based on array comparative genomic hybridization in diagnostics and research has led to a continuously growing number of microdeletion and microduplication syndromes (MMSs) connected to certain phenotypes. These MMSs also include increasing instances in which the critical region can be reciprocally deleted or duplicated. This review catalogues the currently known MMSs and the corresponding critical regions including phenotypic consequences. Besides the pathogenic pathways leading to such rearrangements, the different detection methods and their limitations are discussed. Finally, the databases available for distinguishing between reported benign or pathogenic copy number alterations are highlighted. Overall, a review of MMSs that previously were also denoted “genomic disorders” or “contiguous gene syndromes” is given.
"Was nützt ein Sieg, wenn keiner davon erfährt?". Die Medienarbeit des französischen Militärs in Indochina und Algerien 1945 bis 1962
Authors: Heinemann Julia
Published: March 2012

Legitimationsbemühungen, Stärkung der Moral der eigenen Truppen, Beeinflussung der Öffentlichkeit, Reaktion auf den Feind: Während der Dekolonisierungskonflikte in Indochina (1945-1954) und Algerien (1954-1962) baute das französische Militär seine Medienarbeit zunehmend aus und ließ sie zum Teil der "psychologischen Waffe" werden, die zum erfolgreichen Verlauf der Kriege beitragen sollte. Die politische Instabilität der Vierten Republik und die ständigen militärischen Führungswechsel ließen vor allem individuelle Persönlichkeiten zu Triebkräften der militärischen Medienstrategien werden. Der von Charles de Gaulle ab 1958 vorgenommene politische Kurswechsel entzog einem Teil der an die Wirkungsmacht der Medien glaubenden Militärs allerdings die Arbeitsgrundlage. Sie brachen mit der offiziellen Politik und trugen so zur Erosion der Einheit des Militärs bei.
Die Militär-Medien-Beziehungen der 1950er Jahre in vergleichender Perspektive. Frankreich und Großbritannien in der Suezkrise 1956
Authors: Herbst Bastian
Published: March 2012

Der Aufsatz untersucht die militärischen Medienbeziehungen der britischen und französischen Armeen im Umfeld der Suezkrise von 1956. Dabei wird zunächst gezeigt, wie in der Nachkriegszeit in beiden Armeen die Aufmerksamkeit für die Medienarbeit wuchs und zugleich der Glauben an die Wirksamkeit psychologischer Elemente in der Kriegsführung anstieg. Dies führte zu Modernisierungsversuchen in beiden Armeen, mit allerdings unterschiedlichen Voraussetzungen und Resultaten. Die Suezkrise selber zeigte die Beschränktheit militärischer Medienarbeit vor dem Hintergrund begrenzter Ressourcen, traditioneller Vorbehalte von Teilen des Militärs gegenüber der Medienarbeit und der Konkurrenz des medial selbstbewusst agierenden Nasser-Regimes.
Geheimhaltung und politische Einflussnahme als Ziele der Medienbeziehungen der israelischen Militärführung von 1956 bis 1977
Authors: Kaufmann Johannes A.
Published: March 2012

Die Beziehungen der Militärführung zu den Medien waren in der kleinen israelischen Gesellschaft schon immer eng. Doch während die Medienstrategien des Militärs in der Frühphase des Staats reagierend und größtenteils restriktiv waren, sind seit der Mitte der 1960er Jahre eine zunehmende Öffnung des Militärs gegenüber den Medien und aktivere Medienstrategien erkennbar. Eine Erklärung dafür bietet die Pluralisierung der politischen Landschaft Israels, in der die Militärführung sich über die Medien sicherheitspolitisch zu positionieren suchte.
Fitossociologia e uso múltiplo de espécies arbóreas em floresta manejada, comunidade Santo Antônio, município de Santarém, estado do Pará
Authors: Almeida Larissa Santos de , Gama João Ricardo Vasconcellos , Oliveira Francisco de Assis , Carvalho João Olegário Pereira de , Gonçalves Danielly Caroline Miléo , Araújo Giovânia Carvalho
Published: March 2012

Avaliou-se a fitossociologia de floresta manejada em lotes de comunitários da Comunidade Santo Antônio no Assentamento Moju I e II, município de Santarém, Amazônia brasileira. Foram instaladas 12 parcelas de 50 m x 200 m (1 por lote) anotando-se indivíduos com CAP ≥ 157,1 cm (nível 3 de inclusão); 12 sub-parcelas de 50 m x 50 m, para os indivíduos com 94,2 cm ≤ CAP < 157,1 cm (nível 2 de inclusão) e 12 sub-parcelas de 50 m x 25 m, para os indivíduos com 31,4cm ≤ CAP < 94,2 cm (nível 1 de inclusão). Foram amostrados 1.227 indivíduos, distribuídos em 175 espécies e 38 famílias botânicas. A família Fabaceae apresentou maior número de espécies e o gênero mais rico foi Inga. O Índice de Diversidade de Shannon (H') foi 4,39 e o Índice de Equabilidade de Pielou (J) de 0,85. A avaliação do Valor de Importância Ampliado (VIA) das espécies da amostra revelou o estoque de espécies com potencial madeireiro e não madeireiro. Carapa guianensis, Caryocar villosum, Brosimum parinarioides, Aniba canellila, Bowdichia virgilioides e Andira surinamensis podem ser aproveitadas como produtos florestais não madeireiros e serem removidas da lista de espécies de corte para fins madeireiros, melhorando assim o retorno econômico comunitário. Manilkara huberi e Carapa guianensis foram espécies com utilização madeireira e não madeireira mais expressivas, considerando o mercado atual e potencial de usos conhecidos; portanto, tais características devem ser consideradas no planejamento e execução do manejo da floresta.
Mercury and methylmercury concentration assessment in children's hair from Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil
Authors: Farias Luciana A. , Fávaro Déborah I. T. , Pessoa Artemiza , Aguiar Jaime P. L. , Yuyama Lúcia K. O.
Published: March 2012

The present study evaluated Hg and MeHg content in hair samples of 201 children 2 to 7 years old, living in six neighborhoods of the city of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil. In general, the total Hg and MeHg median ranges in hair were similar (0.91 to 1.71 mg kg-1) except for the São Jose neighborhood, which was lower (0.16 mg kg-1). De spite the fact that the Manaus population consumes fish as part of the normal dietary intake, the Hg hair levels were below the level for an adult population not exposed to mercury (2.0 mg kg-1). These data were compared to demographic, socioeconomic information and eating habits of the families that took part in the study. The results were also compared to other published data from the Amazon region, other regions of Brazil and other countries. Future studies to set Hg and MeHg levels in hair of children in Brazil should take into account and assess the diversity of the country, mainly in terms of eating habits, socio-economic and cultural aspects.
Efeito da intervenção psicológica vocacional na indecisão e comportamento exploratório
Authors: Cunha Maria Céu Taveira Castro Silva Brás , Faria Liliana da Costa
Published: March 2012

Um adolescente veio à consulta psicológica com o objectivo de receber ajuda para um problema de indecisão face à vida escolar e profissional. Os dados da avaliação indicam como causas do problema a falta de consciência de si próprio, o desconhecimento sobre o processo de tomada de decisão, um fraco conhecimento do mundo escolar e profissional e dificuldades no compromisso com um curso de acção. O cliente apresenta crenças de carreira negativas, pensamentos ansiosos face ao futuro, conduta exploratória pouco intencional e sistemática e indecisão. As recomendações terapêuticas consistiram em seguir um programa de tratamento psicológico, ao longo de cinco sessões, com o objectivo de mudar os pensamentos negativos e favorecer os níveis de exploração e de compromisso do cliente. Após as cinco sessões de tratamento, registra-se um aumento das crenças e dos comportamentos positivos de exploração e uma redução dos níveis de ansiedade exploratória e de decisão, bem como uma redução dos níveis de indecisão. Conclui-se acerca dos efeitos positivos da consulta psicológica breve e estruturada na tomada de decisão vocacional.
O Psicólogo na atenção básica à saúde
Authors: Boarini Maria Lucia , Borges Roselania Francisconi
Published: March 2012

O efetivo manejo dos transtornos mentais, nos serviços de saúde em geral, sobretudo na Atenção Básica de Saúde, é sem dúvida uma das exigências para viabilizar a desinstitucionalização do paciente psiquiátrico, com ou sem um longo histórico de várias internações. Nesse sentido, a preparação do profissional de saúde é uma prioridade na implementação da rede pública de saúde que, de fato, se proponha a atender a pessoa com transtorno mental em sintonia com os princípios da reforma psiquiátrica. Com essa orientação, estamos desenvolvendo, desde outubro de 2005, no Município de Itambé, PR, o projeto de extensão intitulado Formação do Psicólogo para Atuar em um Serviço Substitutivo (aos hospícios) de Atenção à Saúde Mental, que ora relatamos. Esse projeto se constitui em atividades desenvolvidas junto ao portador de transtorno mental e a seus familiares, aos profissionais da saúde e à comunidade em geral. Todas as atividades contam com a participação de acadêmicos devidamente inscritos no projeto. Os resultados até aqui alcançados nos permitem afirmar a pertinência de projetos dessa natureza como contribuição para a formação do psicólogo, e, na seqüência, para as mudanças necessárias à consolidação da reforma psiquiátrica.
De outras tecituras possíveis em Psicologia do Trabalho
Authors: Tubino Carmela de Lima , Pedruzzi-Reis Marcia Giovana , Silva Rosane Neves da
Published: March 2012

Este escrito se propõe a discutir uma experiência de estágio em Psicologia do Trabalho, a partir das indagações advindas de um estranhamento suscitado no encontro com práticas e discursos cristalizados relativos ao fazer do psicólogo em uma organização. Para tal reflexão, tomamos a prática do acompanhamento funcional (af), realizada junto a servidores considerados ‘funcionários-problema’, como um analisador que tensiona o engessamento de estratégias de intervenção centradas nos conflitos individuais do trabalhador. Ao longo de nossa experiência, percebeu-se que a escuta do trabalhador poderia ser uma via de acesso às relações de trabalho, uma vez que os funcionários ocupavam o lugar de porta-vozes de um grupo, possibilitando uma análise da produção de demanda do local. Apesar de nos depararmos com uma prática cristalizada do af, centrada no indivíduo-problema, ressaltamos ser imprescindível que o psicólogo possa se movimentar dentro deste instituído e compreender as formas como o local de trabalho se organiza, e, através de uma análise de implicação, pensar como a própria Psicologia vem se organizando, naquele local, para atender aos pedidos que lhe são dirigidos.
A educação básica na proposta da Confederação Nacional da Indústria (CNI) nos anos 2000
Authors: Melo Alessandro de
Published: March 2012

O presente artigo, fruto de uma tese de doutorado, tem como propósito apresentar e discutir criticamente a proposta de educação básica da Confederação Nacional da Indústria (CNI), por meio da descrição e da análise de alguns documentos da entidade expostos publicamente ao longo dos anos 2000. O projeto de educação básica dos empresários brasileiros contempla a necessidade dessa classe de competir no mercado globalizado e em crise, vinculando o aumento do nível de escolaridade ao aumento da produtividade e da inovação necessárias para sua consecução. As bases de tal projeto educativo são a retomada da teoria do capital humano, a empregabilidade e o empreendedorismo. Em termos de projeto social, os empresários remetem-se a um pacto social, ou seja, pretendem generalizar uma concepção de mundo em que não caberia o conflito entre capital e trabalho, mas sim a adaptação dos trabalhadores à sociedade de classes. Nessa concepção, a ênfase recai sobre um projeto educativo que visa à responsabilização dos indivíduos por suas próprias carreiras; assim, a inserção ou exclusão social não é vista como resultante da estrutura macrossocial, mas do esforço individual empreendido, ou seja, da capacidade de o trabalhador ser organicamente produtivo para o capital.
An experimental investigation of the behaviour of EBFs
Authors: Maalek Shahrokh , Adibrad Mohammad Hossein , Moslehi Yashar
Published: March 2012

In the present work, the results of a number of experiments carried out on single-span, single-storey eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) have been reported. Full-scale braced frames have been tested in order to investigate the overall behaviour of EBFs, consisting of the link beam, bracing members and columns. The effects of connections, bracing members and their interaction to the behaviour of the link beam have been taken into consideration. I-Profile Européenes (IPE) sections to DIN-1025 have been used as the link beams of the test specimens in order to investigate their competence for use as link beams of EBFs. At the same time, the effects of the distances between the web stiffeners in such shear links as well as the distances between their lateral supports have been addressed. It has been shown that the IPE sections may be used as link beams of the EBFs to achieve the expected performance with the appropriate provision of lateral supports and web stiffeners. Attention has also been paid to the ductility capacity and the observed modes of failure, in relation to their effects on the energy absorption capability of the system owing to premature buckling or fracture of the members and connections. The observed behaviour of the test specimens has been demonstrated clearly and some subject matters of interest have been discussed and some aspects of the existing seismic design provisions for the EBFs have been assessed.
Childhood Maltreatment Histories, Alcohol and Other Drug Use Symptoms, and Sexual Risk Behavior in a Treatment Sample of Adolescents
Authors: Oshri Assaf , Tubman Jonathan G. , Burnette Mandi L.
Published: March 2012

Objectives. We tested a structural model of relations among self-reported childhood maltreatment, alcohol and other drug abuse and dependence symptoms, and sexual risk behavior in a sample of adolescents receiving outpatient treatment of substance use problems.

Methods. Structured interviews were administered to an ethnically diverse sample of 394 adolescents (114 girls, 280 boys; mean = 16.30 years; SD = 1.15 years; 44.9% Hispanic, 20.6% African American, 25.4% White non-Hispanic, and 9.1% other) in 2 outpatient treatment settings.

Results. Path analyses yielded findings consistent with a mediation model. Alcohol abuse and dependence symptoms mediated (1) relations between emotional neglect scores and sex with co-occurring alcohol use and (2) relations between sexual abuse scores and sex with co-occurring alcohol use. Drug abuse and dependence symptoms mediated relations between (1) neglect scores and (2) sexual intercourse with co-occurring alcohol or drug use, as well as unprotected sexual intercourse.

Conclusions. Efforts to treat alcohol or drug use problems among adolescents or to prevent transmission of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections among youths with substance use problems may require tailoring treatment or prevention protocols to address client histories of maltreatment.
Measuring Masculinity in Research on Men of Color: Findings and Future Directions
Authors: Griffith Derek M. , Gunter Katie , Watkins Daphne C.
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between masculinity and the health of US men of color aged 18 years and older. We identified 22 population-based studies that included a measure of masculinity and a measure of health behavior, mental health, or physical health. The associations between masculinity and health were complex and varied by construct and health outcome, though they generally were significant in the hypothesized directions. Future research should explore the centrality of masculinity versus other identities and characteristics, how the relationship between masculinity and health varies by health outcome, and the identification of the conceptions and aspects of masculinity that are most relevant to and associated with specific health behaviors and health outcomes.
Characterizing Time‐Dependent Contact Angles for Sands Hydrophobized with Oleic and Stearic Acids
Authors: Subedi Shaphal , Kawamoto Ken , Jayarathna Lakmal , Vithanage Meththika , Moldrup Per , Wollesen de Jonge Lis , Komatsu Toshiko
Published: March 2012

Capillary barriers (CBs) represent useful, low‐cost systems for limiting water infiltration and controlling seepage at solid waste landfills in semiarid and arid regions. The application of CBs in wet regions can be problematic due to loss of water‐impermeable properties under high‐frequency precipitation. A potential solution is to alter soil grain surfaces to become water repellent by mixing or coating the soil cover material with hydrophobic agents (HAs). In this study, hydrophobic CBs comprised of sands mixed with environmentally friendly HAs (oleic acid [OA] and stearic acid [SA]) were studied. Water repellency (WR) characteristics for hydrophobized sand samples with different HA contents and representing different coating methods (mixing in and solvent aided) were measured. Initial contact angles (αi) for OA‐coated samples sharply increased with increasing HA content and reached peak values of 97 to 101° at 0.75 to 1.0 g HA kg−1 sand, whereafter αi gradually decreased. Measured αi values for SA‐coated samples increased sharply to 90° and then gradually reached a maximum of 108° at 6.0 g kg−1 HA content. Each test sample exhibited a decrease in contact angle (α) with time (t) and reached an apparent equilibrium after around 1200 s. The time dependence of α was expressed by an exponential function, α = αi exp (−At), where A is the coefficient of temporal change in WR (s−1). While the A values for the solvent‐aided OA‐coated samples were relatively constant (between 3 × 10−4 and 6 × 10−4 s−1), A values for the mixing‐in OA‐coated samples fluctuated. Generally, the solvent‐aided coating method yielded less time dependency of α and higher WR persistence.
Clay Dispersibility and Soil Friability—Testing the Soil Clay‐to‐Carbon Saturation Concept
Authors: Schjønning P. , de Jonge L.W. , Munkholm L.J. , Moldrup P. , Christensen B.T. , Olesen J.E.
Published: March 2012

Soil organic carbon (OC) influences clay dispersibility, which affects soil tilth conditions and the risk of vertical migration of clay colloids. No universal lower threshold of OC has been identified for satisfactory stabilization of soil structure. We tested the concept of clay saturation with OC as a predictor of clay dispersibility and soil friability. Soil was sampled 3 yr in a field varying in clay content (∼100 to ∼220 g kg−1 soil) and grown with different crop rotations. Clay dispersibility was measured after end‐over‐end shaking of field‐moist soil and 1‐ to 2‐mm sized aggregates either air‐dried or rewetted to −100 hPa matric potential. Tensile strength of 1‐ to 2‐, 2‐ to 4‐, 4‐ to 8‐, and 8‐ to 16‐mm air‐dried aggregates was calculated from their compressive strength, and soil friability estimated from the strength–volume relation. Crop rotation characteristics gave only minor effects on clay dispersibility and no detectable effects on soil friability. Dispersed clay correlated to soil content of clay, but the correlation increased if subtracting a fraction assumed protected by OC. This trend was less convincing for soil tensile strength and friability. Increased clay dispersibility and reduced soil friability for 1 yr of measurements could be ascribed to wet conditions for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) harvest and tillage the preceding year. Literature data indicate soils' content of clay and silt (Fines20) to be a better predictor of specific surface area than clay. We conclude that a clay/OC ratio of 10 and a Fines20/OC ratio of 20 may serve as corresponding thresholds for clay dispersibility, the latter probably best reflecting organo‐mineral interactions of importance to the soil physical properties.
Predictability of the Evolution of the Soil Structure using Water Flow Modeling for a Constructed Technosol
Authors: Séré Geoffroy , Ouvrard Stéphanie , Magnenet Vincent , Pey Benjamin , Morel Jean Louis , Schwartz Christophe
Published: March 2012

This paper focuses on the relation between the structure of a constructed Technosol and its hydraulic characteristics during its early pedogenesis. The method is based on a 3‐yr comparison of, on one hand, experimental measurements from an in situ gravitation lysimeter and, on the other hand, a modeling approach with HYDRUS‐1D. The change of water flow patterns with time was described. It was consistent with previous results for constructed Technosol aggregation. Apart from seasonal variations, the specificity of the hydraulic functioning of the constructed Technosol was shown to be due to the nature of its technogenic parent materials. The in situ evolution of the hydrodynamics has been established and partly linked to external factors (climate, vegetation). The direct modeling and the optimization of the parameters over first a 3‐yr period and then three 9‐mo periods accurately represented global water flow trends at the pedon scale. However it failed to simulate precisely the main events, such as massive leachate outflow. An evolution with time of some of the hydraulic properties was shown, expressing the structuring of the soil. The existence of two distinct time‐scales (slow and steady/fast and cyclic) of the evolution of hydraulic parameters was then formulated as a new hypothesis.
Derivation of Soil‐Specific Streaming Potential Electrical Parameters from Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Partially Saturated Soils
Authors: Jougnot D. , Linde N. , Revil A. , Doussan C.
Published: March 2012

Water movement in unsaturated soils gives rise to measurable electrical potential differences that are related to the flow direction and volumetric fluxes, as well as to the soil properties themselves. Laboratory and field data suggest that these so‐called streaming potentials may be several orders of magnitudes larger than theoretical predictions that only consider the influence of the relative permeability and electrical conductivity on the self potential (SP) data. Recent work has improved predictions somewhat by considering how the volumetric excess charge in the pore space scales with the inverse of water saturation. We present a new theoretical approach that uses the flux‐averaged excess charge, not the volumetric excess charge, to predict streaming potentials. We present relationships for how this effective excess charge varies with water saturation for typical soil properties using either the water retention or the relative permeability function. We find large differences between soil types and the predictions based on the relative permeability function display the best agreement with field data. The new relationships better explain laboratory data than previous work and allow us to predict the recorded magnitudes of the streaming potentials following a rainfall event in sandy loam, whereas previous models predict values that are three orders of magnitude too small. We suggest that the strong signals in unsaturated media can be used to gain information about fluxes (including very small ones related to film flow), but also to constrain the relative permeability function, the water retention curve, and the relative electrical conductivity function.
Using Dye Tracer for Visualization of Preferential Flow at Macro‐ and Microscales
Authors: Kodešová Radka , Němeček Karel , Kodeš Vít , Žigová Anna
Published: March 2012

The detection of a nonequilibrium water flow and solute transport in structured soil at various scales is essential for better understanding of these phenomena. This study focused on the visualization of preferential flow in a Haplic Luvisol and Haplic Cambisol and their horizons by performing field ponding dye infiltration experiments. In addition, thin soil sections were made and micromorphological images were used to study soil aggregate structure and dye distribution at the microscale. The staining patterns within the vertical and horizontal field‐scale sections documented the different nature of preferential flow in different soil types and also within the soil profiles. While preferential flow in the Haplic Luvisol was caused by soil aggregation and biopores, preferential flow in the Haplic Cambisol was caused only by biopores, large soil fractures, and incorporated straw material. Micromorphological images showed that, in the case of the Haplic Luvisol, the dye was primarily distributed either in the interaggregate pores and then in the pores inside the aggregates or in the isolated large pores connected to the dye source and then into the matrix pores. The dye distribution in the soil matrix was uneven as well. Accumulated organic matter, clay coating, and isolated larger capillary pores, which initially did not contain the dye tracer, behaved as less‐permeable or impermeable barriers. Uneven distribution was caused by hierarchical pore size distribution of the soil matrix. Results indicated a multimodal character of preferential flow in this soil. In the case of the Haplic Cambisol, the dye pattern studied at the microscale was mostly affected by fractures and the size and shape of mineral grains.
Optimization of Grillage-like Continuum by Triangle Plate Element
Authors: Zhou Kemin , Li Xia
Published: March 2012

The volume of grillages with stress constraints is minimized. An optimal beams system or plate with reinforced ribs is obtained to present the optimal structure. A grillage-like continuum material model is adapted. Structure is analyzed by finite element method with triangle plate elements. The geometric matrix of triangle plate element in explicit formulation about area coordinates is presented. The stiffness matrix of grillage-like continuum material model is derived. The material distribution field in design domain is optimized by fully-stressed criterion. The densities and orientations of the beam or reinforced ribs at nodes in grillages are taken as design variables. The densities and orientations vary in design domain continuously. The optimal distribution fields of bend moments, flexure displacement and material are obtained simultaneously. Subsequently the discrete structures are founded based on the optimal material distribution fields. The performances of different elements are compared. The optimization procedure is accomplished by computer program automatically.
HDLs Protect Pancreatic β-Cells Against ER Stress by Restoring Protein Folding and Trafficking
Authors: Pétremand Jannick , Puyal Julien , Chatton Jean-Yves , Duprez Jessica , Allagnat Florent , Frias Miguel , James Richard W. , Waeber Gérard , Jonas Jean-Christophe , Widmann Christian
Published: March 2012

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis alteration contributes to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and death and favors the development of diabetes. In this study, we demonstrate that HDLs protect β-cells against ER stress induced by thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid, palmitate, insulin overexpression, and high glucose concentrations. ER stress marker induction and ER morphology disruption mediated by these stimuli were inhibited by HDLs. Using a temperature-sensitive viral glycoprotein folding mutant, we show that HDLs correct impaired protein trafficking and folding induced by thapsigargin and palmitate. The ability of HDLs to protect β-cells against ER stress was inhibited by brefeldin A, an ER to Golgi trafficking blocker. These results indicate that HDLs restore ER homeostasis in response to ER stress, which is required for their ability to promote β-cell survival. This study identifies a cellular mechanism mediating the beneficial effect of HDLs on β-cells against ER stress-inducing factors.
BMI–Mortality Paradox and Fitness in African American and Caucasian Men With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kokkinos Peter , Myers Jonathan , Faselis Charles , Doumas Michael , Kheirbek Raya , Nylen Eric
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between BMI, fitness, and mortality in African American and Caucasian men with type 2 diabetes and to explore racial differences in this association.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used prospective observational data from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Washington, DC, and Palo Alto, California. Our cohort (N = 4,156; mean age 60 ± 10.3 years) consisted of 2,013 African Americans (mean age, 59.5 ± 9.9 years), 2,000 Caucasians (mean age, 60.8 ± 10.5 years), and 143 of unknown race/ethnicity. BMI, cardiac risk factors, medications, and peak exercise capacity in metabolic equivalents (METs) were assessed during 1986 and 2010. All-cause mortality was assessed across BMI and fitness categories.

RESULTS

There were 1,074 deaths during a median follow-up period of 7.5 years. A paradoxic BMI–mortality association was observed, with significantly higher risk among those with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.70 [95% CI 1.36–2.1]) compared with the obese category (BMI ≥35 kg/m2). This association was accentuated in African Americans (HR 1.95 [95% CI 1.44–2.63]) versus Caucasians (HR 1.53 [1.0–2.1]). The fitness–mortality risk association for the entire cohort and within BMI categories was inverse, independent, and graded. Mortality risks were 12% lower for each 1-MET increase in exercise capacity, and ∼35–55% lower for those with an exercise capacity >5 METs compared with the least fit (≤5 METs).

CONCLUSIONS

A paradoxic BMI–mortality risk association was observed in African American and Caucasian patients with diabetes. The exercise capacity–mortality risk association was inverse, independent, and graded in all BMI categories but was more potent in those with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2.
Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman Disease Presenting as a Solitary Mass with Human Herpesvirus 6 Detection in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Arakaki Naomi , Gallo Guillermo , Majluf Rodolfo , Diez Blanca , Arias Eugenia , Riudavets Miguel A. , Sevlever Gustavo
Published: March 2012

In Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), exclusive extranodal involvement with lesions limited to the kidneys is very uncommon and has been described only in adult patients. Occasionally, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has also been detected in RDD tissue samples. We present the case of a 7-year-old boy referred to our center presenting a single solid mass in the right kidney measuring 3.4 cm, detected both on contrast computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical excision was successfully completed, and the pathology report informed characteristic histopathology and immmunohistochemistry features of RDD. Human herpesvirus 6 was detected and amplified by polymerase chain reaction, as well as by immunohistochemistry. We discuss imaging and histology-based differential diagnoses in the pediatric age group. Although RDD is a rare histiocytic disorder of unknown etiology and pathogenesis, the presence of HHV-6 observed in this case supports the possibility of an abnormal immunologic response linked to viral presence.
Placental Histologic Criteria for Diagnosis of Cord Accident: Sensitivity and Specificity
Authors: Ryan William D. , Trivedi Neha , Benirschke Kurt , LaCoursiere D. Yvette , Parast Mana M.
Published: March 2012

“Cord accident” (compromised umbilical blood flow) as a cause of stillbirth is underreported, mainly due to a lack of diagnostic criteria. Based on fetal vascular pathology in the placenta, we have previously established histologic criteria for the diagnosis of cord accident. In the current study, we set out to test the sensitivity and specificity of these criteria by reviewing an independent set of stillbirth cases. Placental slides from 26 cases (in which cord accident was deemed the cause of death) and 62 controls (in which the cause of death was anything other than cord accident) were reviewed. The following histologic changes were noted: (1) dilated fetal vessels, (2) thrombosis in fetal vessels, and (3) avascular or near-avascular chorionic villi. “Minimal” criteria were defined as the presence of dilated and thrombosed fetal vessels, while the additional presence of focal or regional avascular or near-avascular villi satisfied the complete criteria. Of the 62 stillbirth controls with cause of death other than cord accident, 13 (21%) met the minimal criteria (specificity 79%) and only 4 (6%) met the complete criteria for cord accident (specificity 94%). In contrast, of the 26 cases with a cause of death related to cord accident, 16 met the minimal criteria (sensitivity 62%) and 12 met the complete criteria (sensitivity 46%). These histologic criteria identify cases of cord accident as a cause of stillbirth with very high specificity. This study confirms the utility of these criteria for diagnosis of cord accident and further stresses placental examination in evaluation of stillbirths.
Chiral enantiopure bis(thio)ureas derived from TADDOL and their carboxylate complexation capacity
Authors: Gherase Dragos , Roussel Christian
Published: March 2012

New chiral enantiopure ureas and thioureas with (R,R)-TADDOL backbone were synthesized. Bis-(thio)ureas with C2 symmetry were obtained from TADDOL iso(thio)cyanates and bifunctional amino-(thio)ureas from TADDAMINE, respectively. These were tested for carboxylate recognition capacity and the association constant was determined for the most stable complex.
Molecular dynamics simulation study of the diamond D5 substructures
Authors: Kyani Anahita , Diudea Mircea
Published: March 2012

Diamond D5 is the name proposed by Diudea for hyper-diamonds having their rings mostly pentagonal. Within D5, in crystallographic terms: the mtn structure, known in clathrates of type II, several substructures can be defined. In the present work, the structural stability of such intermediates/fragments appearing in the construction/destruction of D5 net was investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. Calculations were performed using an empirical many-body potential energy function for hydrocarbons. It has been found that, at normal temperature, the hexagonal hyper-rings are more stable while at higher temperature, the pentagonal ones are relatively more resistant against heat treatment.
Carbon nanotubes in capillary electrophoresis, capillary electrochromatography and microchip electrophoresis
Authors: Pauwels Jochen , Schepdael Ann
Published: March 2012

Carbon nanotubes are among the plethora of novel nanostructures developed since the 1980s. Nanotubes have attracted considerable interest by the scientific community thanks to their extraordinary physical and chemical properties. Research areas have flourished in recent years and now include the nano-electronic, (bio)sensor and analytical field along with many others. This review covers applications of carbon nanotubes in capillary electrophoresis, capillary electrochromatography and microchip electrophoresis. First, carbon nanotubes and a range of electrophoretic techniques are briefly introduced and key references are mentioned. Next, a comprehensive survey of achievements in the field is presented and critically assessed. The merits and downsides of carbon nanotube addition to the various capillary electrophoretic modes are addressed. The different schemes for fabricating electrochromatographic stationary phases based on carbon nanotubes are discussed. Finally, some future perspectives are offered.