bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Science and Pseudoscience in Law Enforcement
Authors: Lilienfeld Scott O. , Landfield Kristin
Published: September 2008

Pseudoscience and questionable science are largely neglected problems in police and other law enforcement work. In this primer, the authors delineate the key differences between science and pseudoscience, presenting 10 probabilistic indicators or warning signs, such as lack of falsifiability, absence of safeguards against confirmation bias, and lack of self-correction, that can help consumers of the police literature to distinguish scientific from pseudoscientific claims. Each of these warning signs is illustrated with an example from law enforcement. By attending to the differences between scientific and pseudoscientific assertions, police officers and other law enforcement officials can minimize their risk of errors and make better real-world decisions.
Effective Policing
Authors: Iacono William G.
Published: September 2008

Forensic applications of polygraph techniques rely primarily on the control or comparison question test (CQT). The author describes the CQT and its theoretical basis, and how it is used and evaluated by the polygraph professionals, and by scientists at arms length from the polygraph community. Because the CQT (a) has a weak theoretical foundation, making it unlikely that it can be as accurate as polygraph proponents claim, (b) is biased against the innocent, and (c) may be subject to countermeasures used by the guilty to appear truthful, CQT results cannot constitute evidence of either deception or truthfulness. In the absence of insight into brain mechanisms that underlie deception, it may be difficult to develop a valid lie detector. However, methods are available for detecting guilty knowledge, information that only the perpetrator of a crime and the police possess, which are ripe for further development as forensic applications.
Apprehended Without Warrant
Authors: Newbold Katherine M. , Lohr Jeffrey M. , Gist Richard
Published: September 2008

The practice of professional psychology was founded on empirical science. Subsequent development of the profession reveals a gap that is partially the result of the popularization of junk science in legal and judicial domains. A greater threat comes from pseudoscience, which presents serious professional issues for those who work in trauma-related emergency services and law enforcement. The most widely promoted service is Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and Management, but scientific evidence does not justify its application. The authors describe the promotion and implementation of these services within the FBI and the professional difficulties that ensued. They also provide suggestions as to how such difficulties could have been avoided and apply them to other domains of law enforcement.
Racial Identity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Perceived Applicant Similarity and Hiring Decisions
Authors: O'Leary Brian J. , Durham Candace R. , Weathington Bart L. , Cothran D. Lisa , Cunningham Christopher J. L.
Published: September 2008

While most research on the impact of race on employment evaluations has focused on non-Blacks' perceptions of hiring decisions, the current study extends existing research by focusing on such perceptions in a Black sample. Relying on similarity theory and identity theory, this study hypothesized that the selection-related decisions made by Black raters would be influenced by perceived similarity and elements of Black identity. Specifically, it was proposed that Black identity, as measured by the model of racial identity, would moderate the relationship between perceived similarity and recommendations to interview and hire job applicants. The results provided partial support for a “similar to me” effect for Black raters but failed to support the hypothesized moderation.
Relationships Between Weight and Body Dissatisfaction, Body Esteem, and Teasing in African American Girls
Authors: Tyler Chermaine , Johnston Craig A. , Dalton William T. , Foreyt John P.
Published: September 2008

This study assessed the relation between weight and weight-related factors (i.e., body dissatisfaction, body esteem, teasing frequency, and the effects of teasing) in a community sample of prepubescent African American girls. African American girls (N = 97) in Grades 3 to 5 completed the McKnight Risk Factor Survey—Third Edition and had their heights and weights taken to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants were from two public elementary schools with a predominantly African American student population in a Southern metropolitan city of the United States. Increased weight was associated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction and a greater frequency of weight teasing by peers. Weight was not associated with body esteem. These relationships between weight and related factors may be important for understanding how weight affects psychosocial functioning in a community sample of African American girls.
Authenticating Subcultural Identities
Authors: Kuppens An H.
Published: September 2008

This article discusses the hybrid language practices of presenters of hip-hop and reggae programs in Flemish niche media. A qualitative linguistic analysis shows that different varieties of English are employed depending on the particular subcultural affiliation of these programs. In-depth interviews with presenters reveal that in using African American and Jamaican English, they authenticate their subcultural membership vis-à-vis their listeners. It is concluded that by mixing these varieties with standard American English and Dutch, presenters exemplify an adherence to a “hybrid authenticity,” in which the global (subcultural) and the local are creatively fused.
Prevalence of Force by Police in Rhode Island Jurisdictions
Authors: Gallo Frank J. , Collyer Charles E. , Gallagher Patricia L.
Published: September 2008

This article examines the prevalence and severity of police use of force in Rhode Island by reviewing arrest reports from a sample of police departments. The article reports results from 3,300 adult arrests made by officers from 16 police departments that serviced rural, suburban, or urban communities. Force continua measured various types of force by police. Results show that police rarely used levels of force above restraints when arresting suspects. Rhode Island officers used physical force at a lower rate than did officers from other previous surveyed police jurisdictions. Rhode Island officers' reactions of force were mostly commensurate to suspects' actions of resistance during arrests. The authors give special attention to discussing implications that this study's results have for use-of-force training and reporting.
The Influence of Individual, Job, and Organizational Characteristics on Correctional Staff Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Commitment
Authors: Lambert Eric G. , Paoline Eugene A.
Published: September 2008

As staff performance is vital to the survival of correctional institutions, much empirical attention has been paid to studying the causes and consequences of their attitudes and behaviors. The current study adds to this body of knowledge by examining the factors that explain three central occupational attitudes—job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. More specifically, using survey data collected from a large county correctional system in Orlando, Florida, this research assesses the impact of key demographic, job, and organizational characteristics within and across jail staff attitudes toward job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. This article finds that the more powerful predictors of each of these attitudes are job and organizational characteristics. Among the dependent variables, job stress has an inverse relationship with job satisfaction, and job satisfaction had a powerful positive association with organizational commitment.
Death Row Correctional Officers
Authors: Brown Kelly L. , Benningfield Melissa
Published: September 2008

Capital punishment has received much scholarly attention; however, very little is known about correctional officers who work on death row. This research attempts to fill this gap in our knowledge by exploring the experiences, perspectives, and attitudes of correctional officers who have worked on death row. The findings reveal that working on death row is a paradoxical experience. The results suggest that correctional officers who work on death row experience both strain and pressure while at the same time, they find death row work is easier and has fewer problems than other assignments in the prison. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
New Multicomponent Bioerodible Electrospun Nanofibers for Dual-controlled Drug Release
Authors: Piras A.M. , Chiellini F. , Chiellini E. , Nikkola L. , Ashammakhi N.
Published: September 2008

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioerodible polymer poly(maleic anhydride-alt-2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether) n-butyl hemiester, for multicomponent drug-loaded nanofibers produced by electrospinning. Diclofenac sodium (DS) and human serum albumin (HSA) were used as conventional drug and biopharmaceutical models. The influence of drug loading was correlated to beads presence, morphology and fibers diameter. When DS and HSA were loaded separately, a uniform distribution within fibers and beads was observed. However, when both components were loaded simultaneously, a heterogeneous distribution of DS was observed with a prominent amount in the cylindrical beads. The in vitro drug release evaluation from these nanomaterials displayed an independent delivery of the two components. These studies support the feasibility of multicomponent, bioerodible polymeric nanofibers preparation loaded with combination of traditional drugs and proteins.
Microwave-assisted Preparation of Magnetic Albumin Microspheres
Authors: Chen Chang-Yun , Qi Long  , Li Xiao-Hua , Jiao Xu
Published: September 2008

A new microwave-assisted method was used to prepare magnetic Fe3 O4 particles and magnetic bovine albumin microspheres. The microwave method produced smaller particles and is faster than traditional methods. The optimum conditions to prepare the Fe3O4 particles were three minutes at pH 13 and 80°C. Magnetic microspheres containing albumin were synthesized based on heating times and temperatures to form microspheres with different properties. For example, heating for 4min, at 160°C, yielded smaller sized microspheres (30 μm). Confirmed by XRD, SEM, and FT-IR that iron oxide particles were encapsulated in biocompatible proteins, The thermal stability of the microspheres were determined by DSC and TG. The magnetic properties were determined by UV—VIS spectraphotometry and a Guoy magnetic balance. This microwave process could become a preferred method for the synthesis of magnetized protein microspheres.
Syntheses and Evaluations of Antitumor and Antiangiogenic Compounds Conjugated with 5-Fluorouracil and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Lee Sun-Mi , Kim Bo-Gyeong , Ha Chang-Sik , Chung Ildoo , Dong Xie
Published: September 2008

The new multifunctional antitumor conjugates containing ascorbic acid and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were synthesized from bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, ascorbic acid and/or a chain spacer, followed by condensation with 5-FU. The synthesized conjugates were identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The in vitro cytotoxicities of these conjugates were determined and their antitumor activity was evaluated. The IC50 values (drug concentration for 50% inhibition of tumor growth) indicated that the synthesized conjugates were better inhibitors against cancer cells and were lower in cytotoxicity than the free 5-FU. The in vivo antitumor activity of the conjugates was examined against mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumor cells. The life spans (T/C) of mice treated with the conjugates were higher than for the free 5-FU. In addition, the synthesized conjugates showed excellent antiangiogenic activity, based on the embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay.
Effects of Fungal-derived High Molecular Weight Chitosan on 5-Fluorouracil-induced Adverse Reactions
Authors: Uen Yih-Huei , Wang Ying-Jan , Hsu Town-Ming , Chen Mei-Huei , Chan Hing-Yuen , Ho Yuan-Soon , Lin Shyr-Yi
Published: September 2008

The effects of fungal-derived high molecular weight chitosan (HMWC) on the prevention of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced side-effects were studied in a sarcoma-bearing mice model. 5-FU (12.5mg/kg) was gargled into the mice with or without HMWC (25, 75, and 150mg/kg) every 12 h for consecutive 8 or 16 days in different experiments. The HMWC (25—150 mg/kg) exerted no toxicity and did not interfere with the anti-tumor activity of 5-FU on sarcoma-bearing mice. HMWC in a higher dose (150 mg/kg) partially protected 5-FU-induced cytotoxicity on peripheral leukocytes, lymphocytes, and bone marrow CD-19 positive cells. HMWC reversed the 5-FU suppression of intestine sucrase activity and attenuated the 5-FU-induced diarrhea. Bone marrow cells micronucleus and DNA comet assays demonstrated that HMWC significantly reversed 5-FU-induced genome toxicity to marrow cells. These results suggested that fungal-derived HMWC attenuated the 5-FU-induced bone marrow and gastrointestinal toxicity, and has the potential for clinical applications in the future.
Dating Violence and Girls in the Juvenile Justice System
Authors: Kelly Patricia J. , Cheng An-Lin , Peralez-Dieckmann Esther , Martinez Elisabeth
Published: September 2008

The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence and associated behaviors of dating violence among a population of girls in the juvenile justice system. A sample of 590 girls from an urban juvenile justice system completed a questionnaire assessing attitudes and self-efficacy about and occurrence of dating violence. The analysis developed a random effect model to determine a risk profile for dating violence. The strongest predictors of dating violence were (a) initial sexual experience at age 13 or earlier, (b) unwillingness of initial sexual experience, (c) drug use, and (d) low self-efficacy about preventing dating violence. The high prevalence of dating violence and associated behaviors among participants suggests the importance of implementing primary prevention programs to assist preteen girls in delaying initial sexual intercourse and in learning techniques to prevent dating violence.
The Colonial Context of Violence
Authors: Weaver Hilary N.
Published: September 2008

This article presents an overview of the ongoing colonial context that perpetuates and supports violence against First Nations women. This context must be recognized and changed as a prerequisite to eliminating or reducing this violence. The article includes a discussion of how gender roles have changed under colonization, the extent of violence, and steps that must be taken to eradicate violence against Native American women.
Rumoring Theory and the Internet
Authors: Fisher Dana R.
Published: September 2008

The Internet is the newest medium of communication used by movement activists. As such, it has advantages and disadvantages. This article uses a rumoring framework to explain how the Internet works to diffuse information. Using the framework presented, the author discusses how social movement organizations working at the grassroots level are using the new technology to further their causes. In addition, the author looks at the implications of grassroots organizations' use of the Internet in the future by analyzing the growth of this new medium of communication. This article concludes that although the Internet is quickly growing and becoming more accessible to users around the world, several dimensions of the technology are political. The degree to which the Internet will influence social movements depends on the extent and ways that it is used by grassroots organizations in the next 7 years.
Care strategies among high- and low-skilled mothers: a world of difference?
Authors: Debacker Maja
Published: September 2008

The aim of this article is to gain better insight into the care strategies of mothers with varying qualification levels. The analysis is focused on the determinants of work—care decisions in the Belgian region of Flanders. It hypothesizes that schooling level is a crucial factor. Additionally, given the intense debates in the care literature provoked by the work of Catherine Hakim, particular attention is devoted to how personal preferences interact with schooling level. The results reveal a more subtle effect of personal preferences than is suggested by Hakim. Personal preferences impact on the work—care choices of mothers with lower qualifications but not on the choices of high-skilled mothers. Moreover, low-skilled mothers remain constrained in their choices since they cannot afford full-time formal care. The results indicate that personal preferences, rather than being the most crucial factors, impact on the work—care choices of mothers within the boundaries of structural constraints.
Guanxi networks and job searches in China's emerging labour market: a qualitative investigation
Authors: Xianbi Huang
Published: September 2008

This article examines whether guanxi networks are still influential in China's emerging labour market in light of economic liberalization. In-depth interviews with 65 Chinese job searchers show that guanxi networks influence job search and acquisition in a considerably transformed state sector, when jobs are highly desirable or when jobs are `soft-skill' and thus job performance is hard to measure, quantify or monitor. The influence of guanxi networks is, however, limited, resisted or eliminated when large corporations, mostly in the non-state sector, adopt transparent and standardized procedures to screen and recruit the most qualified candidates. Guanxi ties and professional ties are also interconnected in employment processes and professional ties are potentially transformable into guanxi ties.These results are discussed from institutional and cultural perspectives to contribute to a social network approach to labour market research in Chinese and non-Chinese societies.
Mismatching of persons and jobs in the Netherlands: consequences for the returns to mobility
Authors: Gesthuizen Maurice , Dagevos Jaco
Published: September 2008

This article answers three questions.To what extent do Dutch workers voluntarily change employers or positions within the firm, do objective and subjectively experienced job characteristics influence voluntary mobility, and does voluntary mobility result in changes in these job characteristics? Analyses show that voluntary mobility occurs quite often. Objective job characteristics do not predict the odds of voluntary mobility. The subjective evaluation of aspects of the job, such as for instance the job in general, the income, the job content and colleagues, and workload, however, do. The stronger this mismatch of persons and jobs, the more likely one is to be voluntarily mobile. Panel analyses furthermore show that this voluntary mobility improves objective job characteristics such as income and status, and reduces an unfavourable evaluation of the person—job fit. Clearly, an unfavourably experienced person—job fit pushes workers out of their jobs, and on average this step brings positive returns.
Highly educated immigrants in the Norwegian labour market: permanent disadvantage?
Authors: Brekke Idunn , Mastekaasa Arne
Published: September 2008

This article analyses earnings and employment differences between native Norwegians and immigrants over the period 1993—2003. Register data for the entire population of graduates from Norwegian universities 1992—2002 are used. Immigrants' earnings and employment rates are considerably lower than those of native Norwegians. The differences decline with time of residency. Keeping time of residency constant, however, earnings differences between native men and male immigrants tend to grow over the career.
Toward Better Beginnings
Authors: Guthrie Katherine F. , Gaziano Cecilie , Gaziano Emanuel P.
Published: September 2008

The study hypothesized that short-term interventions applied to a high-risk pregnancy population could improve parenting attitudes and home environments, measured by two inventories. Mothers received prenatal and well child care from one provider group at two urban practice sites. Participants were divided into intervention ( N = 33) and comparison ( N = 39) groups. Interventions included (a) training residents and clinic physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff to use interactions with patients to encourage parental sensitivity and understanding of child development and (b) a short-term nurse home visiting program engaging mothers in guided self-observation to enhance parental sensitivity to infant cues. Intervention participants demonstrated higher Adult—Adolescent Parenting Inventory scores than the comparison group. Significant differences overall between comparison and intervention groups occurred for 2 of 6 domains of the Infant—Toddler HOME Inventory. Short-term primary care and nursing interventions may be effective in high-risk families to promote more nurturing parenting attitudes and behaviors.
Timing of Hospice Referral
Authors: Adams Carolyn E. , Bader Julia , Horn Kathryn V.
Published: September 2008

In general, satisfaction with timing of hospice referral was measured in mortality follow-back surveys of patients who died in hospice. In contrast in this study, investigators assessed timing of the hospice referral in patients enrolled in hospice for a minimum of 2 weeks. About one third of patients or families identified that it would have been easier if they had started hospice earlier. Barriers to early hospice access were associated primarily with access to the health care system.
On the Evidence of Theory
Authors: Bass Randy , Linkon Sherry Lee
Published: September 2008

While some literary scholars claim that their discipline's research practices do not fit the scholarship of teaching and learning, close reading — the signature critical practice of literary studies — provides a useful model. Close reading involves not only attention to the text but also the integration of text and theory. This article analyzes how literary scholars use close reading practices in writing about teaching and learning. The study finds that literary scholars use disciplinary methods effectively in analyzing their teaching, integrating the text of teaching with theories about literature and learning, but they do not read the evidence of students learning in the same ways.
Appropriate Use of Theory in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning as a Strategy for Institutional Development
Authors: Roxå Torgny , Olsson Thomas , Mårtensson Katarina
Published: September 2008

In this article we — as academic developers in two different faculties within a large, research-intensive university — discuss the scholarship of teaching and learning as a strategy for institutional improvement of teaching and learning. We focus on three related issues. Firstly, how can individual engagement in the scholarship of teaching and learning be related to patterns of communication within academia and subsequently have an effect on issues concerning academic identity and status; and how can this be related to an institutional strategy for development? Secondly, what is the appropriate use of educational theory when academic teachers make inquiries into their own teaching, considering that in most cases they are not scholars in education? Finally, while a higher education institution evolves to become gradually more scholarly in relation to teaching and learning, how could the evolving use of theory be supported and monitored? Related to this third issue we describe two cases from Lund University where this has been done. The first case describes how individual teachers can be systematically supported in a scholarship of teaching and learning-direction through pedagogical courses. The second case describes how a faculty uses a reward system for the same purpose.
What's So Funny? Moving Students Toward Complex Thinking in a Course on Comedy and Laughter
Authors: Ciccone Anthony A. , Meyers Renee A. , Waldmann Stephanie
Published: September 2008

This case study involves investigation of freshman students' abilities to engage in the pursuit and appreciation of complex thinking through their study of comedy and laughter in a Freshman Seminar at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We offer an analysis of students' reflections on their confrontation with complexity as they attempt to formulate theories of these phenomena, and describe how this confrontation changes the students' understanding of both the subject matter and their learning process. In investigating these changes systematically, we demonstrate the value of a methodology of close reading supported by theories of learning (e.g. John Dewey's) for course design and evaluation, and seek to add to our growing understanding of the place of theory in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Predicting discomfort glare from outdoor lighting installations
Authors: Bullough JD , Brons JA , Qi R. , Rea MS
Published: September 2008

In addition to sky glow and light trespass, discomfort glare from outdoor lighting installations is a growing concern to the public. A series of experimental investigations was performed to assess the relative impacts of light source photometric characteristics on subjective ratings of discomfort glare. The results converge, demonstrating the influence of light source illuminance, surround illuminance and ambient illuminance on subjective judgements of discomfort glare. A simple model relating these photometric quantities is proposed for making predictions of discomfort glare from outdoor lighting installations. This model can be readily incorporated into existing frameworks for evaluating light pollution as well as into lighting calculation software.
“Such Inferior Courts . . .”
Authors: Luse Jennifer K. , McGovern Geoffrey , Martinek Wendy L. , Benesh Sara C.
Published: September 2008

Through its rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear what the Constitution means and how best to interpret congressional statutes. But, because Supreme Court rulings do not implement themselves, the Court is dependent on compliance by lower courts to effectuate its policies. Using the concept of jurisprudential regimes developed by Richards and Kritzer in 2002 and specifically the Establishment Clause jurisprudential regime they identified in 2003, we evaluate the extent to which the U.S. Courts of Appeals faithfully implement the Supreme Court's policy in this area of law. We find that decision making by court of appeals panels is indeed structured by the Supreme Court's Establishment Clause jurisprudential regime, even when taking into account the policy preferences of court of appeals judges. Furthermore we find that this attentiveness to legal factors is not a function of circuit court judges' fear of reversal.
Scrotal Edema
Authors: Trevett-Olstad Amber R. , Michael Kim
Published: September 2008

Inflammation of the scrotum is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis with few reported cases in the literature. Pain, scrotal swelling, and hydroceles occur when the inflammatory process spreads along tissue planes to the scrotum. The testes are typically not affected. Sonography is the modality of choice for imaging the scrotum and determining the cause of acute scrotal swelling and pain.
Pharmacogenetic study in Hodgkin lymphomas reveals the impact of UGT1A1 polymorphisms on patient prognosis
Authors: Ribrag Vincent , Koscielny Serge , Casasnovas Olivier , Cazeneuve Cecile , Brice Pauline , Morschhauser Franck , Gabarre Jean , Stamatoullas Aspasia , Lenoir Gilbert , Salles Gilles
Published: September 2008

Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable malignancy, but treatment outcome might be influenced by inherited gene polymorphisms determining anticancer agent metabolism. We prospectively collected peripheral blood lymphocytes from 313 patients with Hodgkin lymphomas to analyze GSTP1, GSTM1, GSTT1, UGT1A1, and CYP3A4 enzyme gene polymorphisms. All patients were treated with chemotherapy, associated with radiotherapy when they had localized disease. There was no difference for GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 as well as for UGT1A1 and CYP3A4 polymorphism distributions between Hodgkin lymphoma patients and healthy controls. Patients carrying 1 or 2 UGT1A1*28 allele had a significantly (P < .05) better freedom from progression and time to treatment failure than those homozygous for the UGT1A1 TA6/TA6 allele. Multivariate prognostic analyses showed that the UGT1A1 polymorphism was as an independent prognostic parameter for all the studied endpoints, the wild-type homozygous UGT1A1 TA6/TA6 genotype being associated with a significantly worse prognosis than genotypes with at least one UGT1A1*28 allele (overall survival; relative risk [RR] = 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-6.14; P = .04; freedom from progression, RR = 2.70, 95% CI, 1.37-5.31; P = .004; time to treatment failure, RR = 2.37, 95% CI, 1.28-4.40, P = .006). UGT1A1 polymorphism on TA repeats, which are thought to determine several anticancer drugs metabolism, influence Hodgkin lymphoma patient outcome.
Ventilator-induced coagulopathy in experimentalStreptococcus pneumoniaepneumonia
Authors: Haitsma J. J. , Schultz M. J. , Hofstra J-J. H. , Kuiper J. W. , Juco J. , Vaschetto R. , Levi M. , Zhang H. , Slutsky A. S.
Published: September 2008

Pneumonia, the main cause of acute lung injury, is characterised by a local pro-inflammatory response and coagulopathy. Mechanical ventilation (MV) is often required. However, MV can lead to additional injury: so-called ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Therefore, the current authors investigated the effect of VILI on alveolar fibrin turnover inStreptococcus pneumoniaepneumonia.

Pneumonia was induced in rats, followed 48 h later by either lung-protective MV (lower tidal volumes (LVT) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)) or MV causing VILI (high tidal volumes (HVT) and zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP)) for 3 h. Nonventilated pneumonia rats and healthy rats served as controls. Thrombin–antithrombin complexes (TATc), as a measure for coagulation, and plasminogen activator activity, as a measure of fibrinolysis, were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum.

Pneumonia was characterised by local (BALF) activation of coagulation, resulting in elevated TATc levels and attenuation of fibrinolysis compared with healthy controls. LVT-PEEP did not influence alveolar coagulation or fibrinolysis. HVT-ZEEP did intensify the local procoagulant response: TATc levels rose significantly and levels of the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, increased significantly. HVT-ZEEP also resulted in systemic elevation of TATc compared with LVT-PEEP.

Mechanical ventilation causing ventilator-induced lung injury increases pulmonary coagulopathy in an animal model ofStreptococcus pneumoniaepneumonia and results in systemic coagulopathy.
Impact of macrolide therapy on mortality for patients with severe sepsis due to pneumonia
Authors: Restrepo M. I. , Mortensen E. M. , Waterer G. W. , Wunderink R. G. , Coalson J. J. , Anzueto A.
Published: September 2008

Recent studies suggest that macrolides may have beneficial effects for patients at risk for certain infections. The current authors examined the effect of macrolide therapy on 30- and 90-day mortality for patients with severe sepsis caused by pneumonia.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary teaching hospitals. Eligible subjects were admitted with a diagnosis of, had chest radiography consistent with, and had a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia and clinical criteria of severe sepsis. Subjects were considered to be on macrolides if they received at least one dose within 48 h of admission.

Severe sepsis was present in 237 (30.1%) subjects, out of whom 104 (43.9%) received macrolides. Mortality was 20.3% at 30 days and 24.5% at 90 days. In the multivariable analysis, the use of macrolide was associated with decreased mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio (HR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2–0.7) and at 90 days (HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.6) in patients with severe sepsis and in patients with macrolide-resistant pathogens (HR 0.1, 95% CI 0.02–0.5).

Macrolide use was associated with decreased mortality in patients with severe sepsis due to pneumonia and macrolide-resistant pathogens. Confirmatory studies are needed to determine whether macrolide therapy may be protective for patients with sepsis.
The responsiveness and validity of the CAMPHOR Utility Index
Authors: Meads D. M. , McKenna S. P. , Doughty N. , Das C. , Gin-Sing W. , Langley J. , Pepke-Zaba J.
Published: September 2008

The aim of the present study was to validate and determine the mininal important difference (MID) and responsiveness of the Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) Utility Index, a new tool enabling cost utility analyses.

CAMPHOR, 6-min walking test (6MWT) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) data for 869 pulmonary hypertension patients (545 (63%) female; mean±sdage 56.6±15.4 yrs) from three centres were analysed. Utility was correlated with 6MWT data and calculated by NYHA class to assess validity. Effect sizes were calculated for those with two CAMPHOR assessments. Distribution and anchor-based MIDs were calculated. Analyses were carried out in patients receiving bosentan in order to determine whether or not those remaining in NYHA class III following treatment improved.

The Utility Index distinguished between adjacent NYHA classes and correlated with 6MWT results. CAMPHOR subscales and utility were as responsive as the 6MWT (effect sizes ranged 0.31–0.69 for the CAMPHOR and 0.16–0.34 for the 6MWT). The within-group MID for the Utility Index was estimated to be ∼0.09. Patients remaining in NYHA class III experienced, on average, a significant improvement (CAMPHOR Utility Index and functioning), which exceeded the MID.

The CAMPHOR Utility Index is valid and responsive to change. Patients can experience significant and important improvements even if they do not improve on the basis of traditional outcomes, such as NYHA functional class.
Steroids augment relengthening of contracted airway smooth muscle: potential additional mechanism of benefit in asthma
Authors: Lakser O. J. , Dowell M. L. , Hoyte F. L. , Chen B. , Lavoie T. L. , Ferreira C. , Pinto L. H. , Dulin N. O. , Kogut P. , Churchill J. , Mitchell R. W. , Solway J.
Published: September 2008

Breathing (especially deep breathing) antagonises development and persistence of airflow obstruction during bronchoconstrictor stimulation. Force fluctuations imposed on contracted airway smooth muscle (ASM)in vitroresult in its relengthening, a phenomenon called force fluctuation-induced relengthening (FFIR). Because breathing imposes similar force fluctuations on contracted ASM within intact lungs, FFIR represents a likely mechanism by which breathing antagonises bronchoconstriction. While this bronchoprotective effect appears to be impaired in asthma, corticosteroid treatment can restore the ability of deep breaths to reverse artificially induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects. It has previously been demonstrated that FFIR is physiologically regulated through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. While the beneficial effects of corticosteroids have been attributed to suppression of airway inflammation, the current authors hypothesised that alternatively they might exert their action directly on ASM by augmenting FFIR as a result of inhibiting p38 MAPK signalling.

This possibility was tested in the present study by measuring relengthening in contracted canine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips.

The results indicate that dexamethasone treatment significantly augmented FFIR of contracted canine TSM. Canine tracheal ASM cells treated with dexamethasone demonstrated increased MAPK phosphatase-1 expression and decreased p38 MAPK activity, as reflected in reduced phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK downstream target, heat shock protein 27.

These results suggest that corticosteroids may exert part of their therapeutic effect through direct action on airway smooth muscle, by decreasing p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and thus increasing force fluctuation-induced relengthening.
Chorioallantoic placentation in Galea spixii (Rodentia, Caviomorpha, Caviidae)
Authors: Oliveira Moacir F , Mess Andrea , Ambrósio Carlos E , Dantas Carlos AG , Favaron Phelipe O , Miglino Maria A
Published: September 2008

Background

Placentas of guinea pig-related rodents are appropriate animal models for human placentation because of their striking similarities to those of humans. To optimize the pool of potential models in this context, it is essential to identify the occurrence of characters in close relatives.

Methods

In this study we first analyzed chorioallantoic placentation in the prea, Galea spixii, as one of the guinea pig's closest relatives. Material was collected from a breeding group at the University of Mossoró, Brazil, including 18 individuals covering an ontogenetic sequence from initial pregnancy to term. Placentas were investigated by means of histology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry (vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, cytokeration) and proliferation activity (PCNA).

Results

Placentation in Galea is primarily characterized by an apparent regionalization into labyrinth, trophospongium and subplacenta. It also has associated growing processes with clusters of proliferating trophoblast cells at the placental margin, internally directed projections and a second centre of proliferation in the labyrinth. Finally, the subplacenta, which is temporarily supplied in parallel by the maternal and fetal blood systems, served as the center of origin for trophoblast invasion.

Conclusion

Placentation in Galea reveals major parallels to the guinea pig and other caviomorphs with respect to the regionalization of the placenta, the associated growing processes, as well as trophoblast invasion. A principal difference compared to the guinea pig occurred in the blood supply of the subplacenta. Characteristics of the invasion and expanding processes indicate that Galea may serve as an additional animal model that is much smaller than the guinea pig and where the subplacenta partly has access to both maternal and fetal blood systems.
A new electromechanical trainer for sensorimotor rehabilitation of paralysed fingers: A case series in chronic and acute stroke patients
Authors: Hesse Stefan , Kuhlmann H , Wilk J , Tomelleri C , Kirker Stephen GB
Published: September 2008

Background

The functional outcome after stroke is improved by more intensive or sustained therapy. When the affected hand has no functional movement, therapy is mainly passive movements. A novel device for repeating controlled passive movements of paralysed fingers has been developed, which will allow therapists to concentrate on more complicated tasks. A powered cam shaft moves the four fingers in a physiological range of movement.

Methods

After refining the training protocol in 2 chronic patients, 8 sub-acute stroke patients were randomised to receive additional therapy with the Finger Trainer for 20 min every work day for four weeks, or the same duration of bimanual group therapy, in addition to their usual rehabilitation.

Results

In the chronic patients, there was a sustained reduction in finger and wrist spasticity, but there was no improvement in active movements. In the subacute patients, mean distal Fugl-Meyer score (0–30) increased in the control group from 1.25 to 2.75 (ns) and 0.75 to 6.75 in the treatment group (p < .05). Median Modified Ashworth score increased 0/5 to 2/5 in the control group, but not in the treatment group, 0 to 0. Only one patient, in the treatment group, regained function of the affected hand. No side effects occurred.

Conclusion

Treatment with the Finger Trainer was well tolerated in sub-acute & chronic stroke patients, whose abnormal muscle tone improved. In sub-acute stroke patients, the Finger Trainer group showed small improvements in active movement and avoided the increase in tone seen in the control group. This series was too small to demonstrate any effect on functional outcome however.
Dynamic Modelling of Planetary Gears of Automatic Transmissions
Authors: Inalpolat M , Kahraman A
Published: September 2008

In this paper, a generalized dynamic model for multi-stage planetary gear trains of automotive automatic transmissions is proposed. The planetary gear train is formed by N number of planetary gear sets of different types (single-planet, double-planet, or complex-compound), connected to each other in any given kinematic configuration. In addition, each planetary stage can have any number of parallel planet branches. A generalized power flow formulation and a gear mesh load distribution model are used to determine the stiffnesses, displacement excitations, and fundamental frequencies at the gear mesh interfaces. The natural modes are computed by solving the corresponding eigenvalue problem. The forced vibration response to gear mesh excitations is obtained by applying the modal summation technique. At the end, the model is applied to a three-stage planetary gear train representative of an automotive automatic transmission application to demonstrate the influence of coupling stiffnesses and the kinematic configurations on the natural modes and the dynamic response.
Secondary Torque in Automotive Drive Shaft Ball Joints: Influence of Geometry and Friction
Authors: Serveto S , Mariot J-P , Diaby M
Published: September 2008

Automotive drive shafts are made of two constant velocity joints coupled by an intermediate shaft. In general, the joint close to the gearbox is a plunging tripod joint, the movement of which serves suspension. The joint close to the wheel is a fixed ball type joint, which allows the steering movement. The article is devoted to secondary torque generated by the ball joint during torque transmission. This study is based on an ADAMS model in rigid bodies with local deformation at contact (Hertz theory) and on industrial test bench measurements. After geometrical representation of ball joint kinematics and before the secondary torque calculation, the ADAMS model is validated through the calculation of internal efforts, which are compared with the models and measurements already presented in the literature. Concerning the secondary torque study, measurements with an industrial test bench at the NTN TE Test Department and the ADAMS model show that the R6 component of the secondary torque (orthogonal to the joint plane) is found to be negligible with respect to the transmitted torque (<2 N m for 300 N m input torque). The results of the ADAMS model also show that the steering component of the secondary torque (in the joint plane and orthogonal to the wheel axis) does not only depend on the joint angle but also on the friction and sign of the transmitted power.
Non-Linear Dynamics of an Unbalanced Machine-Tool Spindle System Supported By Ball Bearings
Authors: Gao S H , Meng G , Li H G , Jin J P , Long X H
Published: September 2008

In this article, an eight-degree-of-freedom (eight-DOF) model is presented to study the dynamic characteristics of a machine-tool spindle system supported by ball bearings. In this model, the effects of bearing clearance, spindle speed, and cutting conditions are studied. To study the dynamic characteristics of the system, numerical simulations are carried out. Results are presented in the form of bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps, and phase trajectories. These results show that the regions of periodic, subharmonic, and chaotic behaviour are strongly dependent on the bearing clearance and spindle speed. Apart from the effects of these two on the dynamic behaviour, the cutting conditions also play a significant role in determining the dynamic behaviour of the machine-tool spindle system.
Toward predicting self-splicing and protein-facilitated splicing of group I introns
Authors: Vicens Quentin , Paukstelis Paul J. , Westhof Eric , Lambowitz Alan M. , Cech Thomas R.
Published: September 2008

In the current era of massive discoveries of noncoding RNAs within genomes, being able to infer a function from a nucleotide sequence is of paramount interest. Although studies of individual group I introns have identified self-splicing and nonself-splicing examples, there is no overall understanding of the prevalence of self-splicing or the factors that determine it among the >2300 group I introns sequenced to date. Here, the self-splicing activities of 12 group I introns from various organisms were assayed under six reaction conditions that had been shown previously to promote RNA catalysis for different RNAs. Besides revealing that assessing self-splicing under only one condition can be misleading, this survey emphasizes that in vitro self-splicing efficiency is correlated with the GC content of the intron (>35% GC was generally conductive to self-splicing), and with the ability of the introns to form particular tertiary interactions. Addition of the Neurospora crassa CYT-18 protein activated splicing of two nonself-splicing introns, but inhibited the second step of self-splicing for two others. Together, correlations between sequence, predicted structure and splicing begin to establish rules that should facilitate our ability to predict the self-splicing activity of any group I intron from its sequence.
Multiplex SNaPshot Genotyping for Detecting Loss of Heterozygosity in the Mismatch-Repair Genes MLH1 and MSH2 in Microsatellite-Unstable Tumors
Authors: Bujalkova Maria , Zavodna Katarina , Krivulcik Tomas , Ilencikova Denisa , Wolf Brigitte , Kovac Michal , Karner-Hanusch Judith , Heinimann Karl , Marra Giancarlo , Jiricny Josef , Bartosova Zdena
Published: September 2008

Background: In the workup of patients with suspected hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), detection of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) could help pinpoint the mismatch-repair (MMR) gene carrying the germline mutation, but analysis of microsatellite markers has proved unreliable for this purpose. We developed a simple, low-cost method based on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and capillary electrophoresis for the assessment of LOH at 2 MMR loci simultaneously.

Methods: We used the Applied Biosystems SNaPshot® Multiplex Kit with meticulously selected primers to assess 14 common SNPs in MLH1 [mutL homolog 1, colon cancer, nonpolyposis type 2 (E. coli)] and MSH2 [mutS homolog 2, colon cancer, nonpolyposis type 1 (E. coli)] and optimized the protocol for DNA isolated from peripheral blood and fresh/frozen or archival microsatellite-unstable tumors from patients with confirmed (n = 42) or suspected (n = 25) HNPCC. The 42 tumors from patients with confirmed MLH1 or MSH2 germline mutations were used to validate the method’s diagnostic accuracy against results obtained with DNA sequencing or multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.

Results: The SNaPshot assay provided better detection of certain SNPs than DNA sequencing. The MLH1 and MSH2 SNP marker sets were informative in 82% and 76% of the 67 cases analyzed, respectively. The new assay displayed 100% specificity for detecting LOH and predicted the location of the germline mutation in 40% of the cases (54% of those involving MLH1, 22% in MSH2).

Conclusions: Our SNP-based method for detecting LOH in MLH1 and MSH2 is simple to perform with instruments available in most clinical genetics laboratories. It can be a valuable addition to protocols now used to guide mutational screening of patients with suspected HNPCC.