bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing risk and ‘giving back’: Aspiration among working-class Latino youth in Silicon Valley
Authors: Davidson Elsa
Published: March 2011

This article focuses on the formation of aspirations among low-income, ‘at-risk’ Latino youth attending a state and privately funded Biotechnology Academy within a public high school in San Jose, California. I identify a pattern of aspiration among Academy youth that contradicts the goal of individual advancement in the regional information economy stressed in the Academy: the desire to give back to a ‘community’ or to the nation via public service, especially that focused on the monitoring of ‘at-risk’ communities or military service. I link this pattern of aspiration to a school environment that promoted students’ internalization of an ‘at-risk’ status and encouraged their assumption of personal responsibility for that status. I also seek to demonstrate the ways in which an urban politics of surveillance and experiences of social and economic marginalization outside of school articulated with daily school experiences of surveillance and discipline to produce unanticipated ways of assuming responsibility for an ‘at-risk’ status.
‘Project heat’ and sensory politics in redeveloping Chicago public housing
Authors: Fennell Catherine
Published: March 2011

This article examines Chicago’s ongoing public housing reforms and more broadly, welfare reform, as a kind of sensory politics. I analyze experiences of home heating at a redeveloping public housing project to establish how neoliberal demands for self-responsibility have become tied to demands that transitioning residents reconfigure their subjective senses of comfort. These twin demands have distributed the risks of transitioning out of public housing across an individual’s understanding of personal security as well as her obligations to kin. I show how approaching welfare reform as a sensory politics illuminates the emerging conditions of political recognition available to Chicago public housing residents as their longstanding representational bodies face obsolescence. Moreover, I argue that this approach invites us to reconsider theories of contestation and survival within urban poor people’s social movements.
When materiality ‘bites back’: Digital music consumption practices in the age of dematerialization
Authors: Magaudda Paolo
Published: March 2011

Dematerialization of artefacts and material objects is a relevant issue in consumer studies, especially when we consider the ongoing changes regarding the consumption of cultural goods. This article adopts a theory-of-practice approach to analyse the consequences of dematerialization on the practices of digital music consumption. From an empirical point of view, the article is based on data collected during research into the appropriation of digital music technologies and based on 25 in-depth narrative semi-structured interviews with young Italian digital music consumers. The analysis mainly focuses on the appropriation of three specific technologies involved into the contemporary consumption of music: the iPod, the external hard drive and the vinyl disc. In order to understand the role of materiality in the age of dematerialization, the article adopts the ‘circuit of practice’, an explicative model that enables empirical analysis and that is aimed at highlighting the changing relationships between materiality and social practices. The analysis shows that music digitalization does not mean less materiality in the actual practice of listeners, that material ‘stuffs’ still occupy a relevant position in digital music, and that materiality nowadays seems to ‘bite back’, being even more crucial in shaping consumers’ practices.
Cooking with Bimby in a moment of recruitment: Exploring conventions and practice perspectives
Authors: Truninger Monica
Published: March 2011

Every two minutes, one Bimby is sold somewhere in the world. This multi-food processor (also known as Thermomix) has gained wide sales success in many southern European countries and promises to revolutionize the way people cook, learn about cooking, coordinate and plan food practices at home. In a period where debates about cooking skills are paradoxical; some voices concerned with deskilling, while others enhance the visibility of cooking education in the media, this domestic technology is heralded as a ‘magic’ gadget that turns dreadful cooks into notable ‘chefs’. This processor cannot be purchased in shops; it is being directly sold by salespersons that make a demonstration in future clients’ houses. These are usually social events where the host invites friends and family for a free meal swiftly produced by Bimby under the demonstrator’s supervision. Demonstrators can be seen as cultural intermediaries both marketing the product and conveying normative and symbolic messages about cooking, and also instructing on technology use. The event mixes economic, social and cultural elements, and offers a good illustration of the cultural economy workings operating in it. Based upon a case study of a demonstration — seen as a moment of recruitment of new cooking practitioners — the article examines issues around cooking competence informed by theories of practice (Shove and Pantzar, 2005; Shove et al., 2007) and conventions theory (Boltanski and Thévenot, 2006 [1991]; Thévenot, 2006). It is suggested that bringing a conventions together with a practice perspective offers up the possibility of developing a distinctly sociological account to analyse cooking competences in particular, and practices more generally.
Understanding change and continuity in residential energy consumption
Authors: Gram-Hanssen Kirsten
Published: March 2011

Practice theory has recently emerged within consumer studies as a promising approach that shifts focus from the individual consumer towards the collective aspects of consumption, and from spectacular and conspicuous dimensions of consumption towards routine and mundane aspects of consumption. Practice theory is, however, not a commonly agreed upon theory, but more like an approach, or a turn within contemporary social theory. When using practice theory in consumer studies, there are thus several conditions that need further clarification. The focus in this article is on how change and continuity in practices can be understood in practice theory. Discussions will include the balance between routinization and reflectivity as well as ways to understand the role of new technology in introducing change in consumer practices. One aspect of this is a discussion on how to include technologies and other types of material consumer goods in practice theory. Case studies on household energy consumption are used as an empirical basis for these discussions. Looking at household energy consumption through the theoretical lens of practice theory necessitates discussion on whether energy consumption should be viewed as one single practice or part of several different practices. The latter stimulates questioning on how these different consumer practices are related to each other horizontally and vertically, as parallel practices or as different levels of practices, and whether changes in one practice affect (or refrain from affecting) other related consumer practices, whether through reflexivity, routines or the materiality of consumer goods.
Effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibition on right ventricular function in patients with mild essential hypertension
Authors: Pechlivanidis Georgios , Mantziari Lilian , Giannakoulas Georgios , Dimitroula Hariklia , Styliadis Haralambos , Karvounis Haralambos , Styliadis Ioannis H , Parharidis Georgios
Published: March 2011

Introduction: Systemic hypertension is known to affect both left and right ventricular (RV) function. Little is known about the effect of the renin—angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition on global RV function in patients with essential hypertension.

Materials and methods: Forty patients (17 male, mean age 47 ± 10 years) with mild hypertension free of cardiovascular disease were assessed by echocardiography at baseline and after nine months of antihypertensive treatment with RAS inhibitors. Tissue Doppler imaging derived myocardial performance index (MPI) of the left and right ventricle was used as an index of global ventricular function.

Results: Both left ventricular (LV) and RV MPI were increased at baseline and were reduced after treatment (LV MPI reduced from 0.42 ± 0.06 to 0.39 ± 0.05, p < 0.001 and RV MPI was reduced from 0.34 ± 0.06 to 0.32 ± 0.05, p < 0.005). There was a positive correlation between mitral and tricuspid E/A ratio both at baseline and at month nine after treatment ( r = 0.661, p < 0.001 and r = 0.503, p < 0.005 respectively). LV mass index and interventricular septum thickness were decreased after treatment. No correlation was found between MPI improvement and blood pressure reduction.

Conclusions: RAS inhibition in patients with mild hypertension results in an improvement of RV global function which is unrelated to the reduction in blood pressure.
Effect of ACE polymorphisms on the association between noise and hypertension in a Pakistani population
Authors: Nawaz Syed Kashif , Hasnain Shahida
Published: March 2011

Introduction: This study investigates the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms on the association between noise and hypertension.

Subjects and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted involving 385 male volunteers. In the control group 156 participants were exposed to a sound level of ≤80 dB; in the exposed group 229 individuals were exposed to a sound level ≥80 dB. Both groups were subdivided into categories on the basis of blood pressure. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy was used to differentiate the various genotypes of ACE ID and ACE G2350A. Association of noise with genotypes as modifiers was estimated after adjustment of data for age and body mass index.

Results: These showed the following odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) indicating that noise is associated with hypertension in a Pakistani population (OR: 3.196; CI: 1.803–5.666). ACE ID and ACE G2350A polymorphism affects this association. ID (OR: 2.844: CI: 1.32–6.110) and DD allele carriers (OR: 4.487; CI: 1.549–12.99) were at increased risk of hypertension. GG (OR: 3.970; CI: 1.628–9.681) and GA (OR: 3.705; CI: 1.407–9.758) carriers were also at increased risk of hypertension associated with noise. However II and AA allele carriers were not found to be at increased risk of hypertension.

Conclusion: ACE ID polymorphism and ACE G2350A polymorphism modulates the effects of noise on blood pressure.
Maternal/newborn genotype contribution of the renin–angiotensin system (Met235Thr, Thr174Met, I/D-ACE, A2350G-ACE, A1166C-AT2R1, C3123A- AT2R2, 83A/G-REN) to the risk of pre-eclampsia: a Romanian study
Authors: Procopciuc Lucia Maria , Caracostea Gabriela , Zaharie Gabriela , Puscas Mariana , Iordache Georgiana , Popa Monica , Colcear Doina , Olteanu Ileana , Stamatian Florin
Published: March 2011

Introduction: We evaluated the association of the mutated genotypes Met235Thr-AGT, Thr174Met-AGT, I/D-ACE, A2350G-ACE, A1166C-AT2R1, C3123A-AT2R2, 83A/G-REN with the risk and outcome of pre-eclampsia; we also investigated whether genes in newborns increase maternal risk of pre-eclampsia.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six pairs of pre-eclamptic women and their newborns were genotyped, along with 71 pairs of controls (mothers/newborns) using PCR-RFLP analysis.

Results: The Thr235/Thr235 (OR 3.44, p = 0.01), DD (OR 2.66, p = 0.039), CC1166 (OR 5.56, p = 0.04), AA3123 (OR 3.77, p = 0.03) and GG83 (OR 8.32, p = 0.006) genotypes are significantly associated with pre-eclampsia. Women with pre-eclampsia positive for Met235Thr (34.64 ± 3.92 weeks vs. 38 ± 2 weeks), Thr174Met (32.58 ± 3.92 weeks vs. 36.38 ± 3.25 weeks), I/D (34.47 ± 3.67 weeks vs. 38.33 ± 3.5 weeks) delivered at a significant lower gestational age compared with pre-eclamptic women with a normal genotype. Newborns from women with pre-eclampsia positive for Thr174Met (2190 ± 820.21 g vs. 2702.08 ± 967.23 g), I/D (2399.33 ± 938.38 g vs. 3191.66 ± 684.40 g) had a significant lower birth weight compared with newborns from women with normal pregnancies. When both the mother and the newborn were positive for Met235Thr, I/D, A2350G, A1166C or 83A/G polymorphisms, the risk for pre-eclampsia was significantly increased at 6.67 ( p < 0.01), 5 ( p < 0.01), 3.33 ( p = 0.006), 2.72 ( p = 0.04) and 7.8 ( p < 0.01), respectively.

Conclusions: The results of our study confirm that, in pre-eclampsia, both maternal and newborn genetic variations implicated in blood pressure regulation are important.
Effect of spironolactone and vitamin E on serum metabolic parameters and insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Polyzos Stergios A , Kountouras Jannis , Zafeiriadou Efthimia , Patsiaoura Kalliopi , Katsiki Evangelia , Deretzi Georgia , Zavos Christos , Tsarouchas Georgios , Rakitzi Pantelitsa , Slavakis Aristidis
Published: March 2011

Aim: The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The beneficial effect of spironolactone in a mouse model with diabetes and NAFLD has recently been reported. The main aim was assessment of the effect of spironolactone on serum metabolic parameters and insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD.

Methods: This study includes preliminary results of a single-centre randomised controlled trial of treatment with vitamin E (group 1, 10 patients) versus spironolactone plus vitamin E (group 2, 10 patients) in biopsy-proven NAFLD. Serum transaminases, lipids, potassium, sodium, glucose and insulin were measured, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated before and 8 weeks after baseline assessment.

Results: Insulin was decreased within group 2 (15.3 ± 2.7 at baseline vs. 10.3 ± 5.0 at week 8, p = 0.013). Although no difference in glucose was observed, HOMA-IR significantly decreased (4.4 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 0.5, respectively, p = 0.047). QUICKI was increased, but not statistically significantly.

Conclusions: Spironolactone and vitamin E combined therapy seems to exhibit a favourable effect on serum insulin and HOMA-IR in patients with NAFLD. If validated in a large-scale clinical trial, it may prove an inexpensive therapeutic approach for the management of NAFLD patients.
Cannabinoid effects on ventilation and breathlessness: A pilot study of efficacy and safety
Authors: Pickering Elspeth E , Semple Stephen J , Nazir Muhummad S , Murphy Kevin , Snow Thomas M , Cummin Andrew R , Moosavi Shakeeb H , Guz Abraham , Holdcroft Anita
Published: March 2011

Based on the neurophysiology of dyspnoea and the distribution of cannabinoid receptors within the central nervous system, we hypothesize that the unpleasantness of breathlessness will be ameliorated in humans by cannabinoids, without respiratory depression. Five normal and four chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects entered a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study with two test days. Subjects received sublingual cannabis extract or placebo. A maximum of 10.8 mg tetrahydrocannabinol and 10 mg cannabidiol were given. Breathlessness was simulated using fixed carbon dioxide loads. Measurements taken were of breathlessness (visual analogue scale [VAS] and breathlessness descriptors), mood and activation, end-tidal carbon dioxide tension and ventilatory parameters. These were measured at baseline and 2 hours post placebo and drug administration. Normal and COPD subjects showed no differences in breathlessness VAS scores and respiratory measurements before and after placebo or drug. After drug administration, COPD subjects picked ‘air hunger’ breathlessness descriptors less frequently compared to placebo. We have shown that breathlessness descriptors may detect an amelioration of the unpleasantness of breathlessness by cannabinoids without a change in conventional breathlessness ratings (VAS). A stimulus more specific for air hunger may be needed to demonstrate directly a drug effect on breathlessness. However, this study shows that the inclusion of respiratory descriptors may contribute to the assessment of drug effects on breathlessness.
Exercise-induced asthma in adolescents: Challenges for physical education teachers
Authors: Sandsund M. , Thomassen M. , Reinertsen R.E. , Steinshamn S.
Published: March 2011

Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition that school-teachers are likely to encounter among their pupils. This study aimed to identify the needs of physical education teachers in dealing with adolescents with exercise-induced asthma, study their self-reported knowledge of asthma and identify future topics for education about exercise-induced asthma. A questionnaire was drawn up on the basis of the requirements that had emerged in the course of interviews with 18 physical education teachers. One hundred and six physical education teachers at secondary schools in the city of Trondheim and colleges in Sør-Trøndelag County in Norway answered the questionnaire (65% response rate). Eighty-two physical education teachers (78.1%) had pupils with asthma in their sports classes, and 89.4% answered positively regarding their need for advice on teaching pupils with asthma. Twenty-seven (25.9%) reported that they had sufficient knowledge to teach adolescents with asthma. Topics about asthma, its management and activities suitable for asthmatics were given high priority by the teachers.
Effects of Treatment Intensity in Upper Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy for Chronic Stroke
Authors: Hsieh Yu-wei , Wu Ching-yi , Liao Wan-wen , Lin Keh-chung , Wu Kuen-yuh , Lee Chia-yi
Published: March 2011

Background and Objectives. Robot-assisted therapy (RT) is a current promising intervention in stroke rehabilitation, but more research is warranted for examining its efficacy and the dose–benefit relation. The authors investigated the effects of higher intensity versus lower intensity RT on movements of forearm pronation–supination and wrist flexion–extension relative to conventional rehabilitation (CR) in patients poststroke for a mean of 21 months. Methods. In this pilot study, 18 patients with initial mean Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of 37 to 44 for the upper extremity were randomized to higher intensity RT, lower intensity RT, or CR intervention for 4 weeks. The dose of the higher intensity RT was twice the number of repetitions in the lower intensity RT. Outcome measures at pretreatment and posttreatment were administered to patients to evaluate beneficial and adverse effects of interventions. Primary outcomes were the FMA and Medical Research Council scale. Results. There were significant differences in motor function ( P = .04) and daily performance ( P = .03) among the 3 groups. The higher intensity RT group showed better improvement in motor function, muscle strength, performance of daily activities, and bimanual ability than the other 2 groups. The intensive RT intervention did not induce higher levels of an oxidative DNA biomarker. Conclusions. Higher intensity of RT that assists forearm and wrist movements may lead to greater improvement in motor ability and functional performance in stroke patients. A sample size of only 20 to 25 in each arm of a larger randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings for similar subjects.
Utilizing Mixed Research Methods to Develop a Quantitative Assessment Tool
Authors: Durham Jo , Tan B.-K. , White Rob
Published: March 2011

This article outlines the process of developing a quantitative instrument and livelihood asset index. The intent of the index was to assess household perspectives of the impact of the removal of explosive remnants of war on livelihoods. Conducted in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the study used a sequential mixed methods design. It began with a qualitative component, which informed instrument development. The article discusses the instrument development process and some of the challenges faced. These included developing a reliable livelihood asset index and finding the limitations of quantitative indexes in this setting. Another challenge was reconciling tensions in mixing methods informed by different worldviews.
Lithium-ion battery life prognostic health management system using particle filtering framework
Authors: Dalal M , Ma J , He D
Published: March 2011

In this paper, a detailed implementation of a lithium-ion battery life prognostic system using a particle filtering framework is presented. A lumped parameter battery model is used to account for all the dynamic characteristics of the battery: a non-linear open-circuit voltage, current, temperature, cycle number, and time-dependent storage capacity. The internal processes of the battery are used to form the basis of this model. Statistical estimates of the noise in the system and the anticipated operational conditions are processed to provide estimates of the remaining useful life. The model is then subsequently used in the particle-filtering framework with a sequential importance resampling algorithm to predict the remaining useful life of the battery for individual discharge cycles as well as for the battery cycle life. The research presented in this paper provides the necessary steps towards a comprehensive battery health management solution for energy storage devices.
Improving system reliability using conditional reliability importance
Authors: Roychowdhury S , Bhattacharya D
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a way to improve the system reliability of coherent systems consisting of components with independently distributed lives. Performing better maintenance, using better quality components, replacing older components by newer ones, or reducing operational load on the critical components are some of the ways in which the system reliability can be improved. The issue arises when we wish to select an optimal arrangement of components, keeping in view the cost effectiveness of the method adopted. Here an attempt has been made to improve system reliability by reallocating the components considering their reliability importance. To achieve this, the knowledge of the order of the component reliabilities is sufficient. Their individual values are not required for deciding if the positions of the components need to be changed. The method is illustrated with examples of different systems. A numerical example is given to explain how the procedure can be used to arrive at an optimal arrangement of components. An application of the result derived in this paper has been discussed in the context of the main power supply system of a nuclear power plant.
Antifungal medication is efficient in the treatment of sarcoidosis
Authors: Terčelj Marjeta , Salobir Barbara , Zupancic Mirjana , Rylander Ragnar
Published: March 2011

Objectives: Fungi have been suspected of contributing to the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. A previous intervention study demonstrated an improvement in the clinical condition in 15 out of 18 patients with a long-term history of sarcoidosis when antifungal medication was added to corticosteroids. The present study was performed to compare the effects of antifungal treatment with corticosteroid treatment in sarcoidosis.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis were recruited. Corticosteroids were given to 39 subjects, corticosteroid + antifungal to 31, and antifungal only to 22 subjects. The effects of the treatments were evaluated at 6 months. X-ray scores were measured before and after treatment together with pulmonary diffusion capacity and two markers of sarcoidosis activity, that is, angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum (sACE) and chitotriosidase (CTO).

Results: X-ray scores as well as sACE and CTO decreased significantly in all groups. The X-ray score decreased slightly more among subjects in the groups that received antifungal medication compared with corticosteroids only ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results suggest that antifungal treatment is as efficient as corticosteroid treatment against the granulomatous and inflammatory manifestations of sarcoidosis. This is probably because this treatment is directed towards the causative agent. Additional studies are required to define the phenotype, where the antifungal treatment was not efficient (4/22) and to perform long‐term follow up to determine the risk of recurrence.
In LNCaP cells enhanced expression of the androgen receptor compensates for Bcl-2 suppression by antisense oligonucleotides
Authors: Rubenstein Marvin , Hollowell Courtney M.P. , Guinan Patrick
Published: March 2011

Background and methods: Antisense oligonucleotides (oligos) have been employed against in vivo and in vitro prostate cancer models targeting growth stimulatory gene products. While most oligos have targeted growth factors or their receptors, others have been directed against inhibitors of apoptosis. In LNCaP cells we evaluated a set of oligos which targeted and comparably suppressed the expression of the apoptosis inhibitor protein Bcl-2. LNCaP cells adapted to this restoration of apoptosis with a compensatory suppression of caspase-3 expression, a nontargeted promoter of this process. In a continuation of this study we now evaluate the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) following oligo mediated regulation of apoptosis with suppression of Bcl-2.

Results: Monospecific and bispecific oligos directed against Bcl-2 suppressed both the targeted Bcl-2 protein (an inhibitor of apoptosis) and the nontargeted caspase-3 (a promoter of apoptosis), potentially negating the effect on apoptosis produced by specific inhibition of Bcl-2. In contrast, the expression of the AR was significantly enhanced by each type of oligo.

Conclusions: This suggests that when Bcl-2 expression is inhibited there are compensatory changes in the expression of additional proteins which regulate tumor growth, apoptosis and cell survival, and in this scenario might increase or re-establish hormonal sensitivity. If tumors variants are selected which evade gene therapy additional mechanisms of compensation must be identified and subsequently suppressed. These experiments identify pathways by which tumors can develop resistance to gene therapy and suggests additional targets for intervention.
An Integrated, Clinician-focused Telehealth Monitoring System to Reduce Hospitalization Rates for Home Health Care Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Pagán José A. , Chen Hsueh-Fen , Kalish M.Christine
Published: March 2011

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, and hospitalization rates related to this health condition are high and costly to the United States health care system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an integrated, clinician-focused telehealth monitoring system on the probability of hospitalization for home health care patients with diabetes. The study included 2009 data from 699 Medicare beneficiaries receiving home health services in Texas and Louisiana. Propensity score matching, logistic regression, and post-estimation parameter simulation were used to assess how telehealth affects the probability of hospitalization during the first 30 days of home health care. The 30-day hospitalization probability for telehealth and non-telehealth patients was 7% and 19%, respectively. Patients in the telehealth group had a 12 (95% confidence interval = 4.2-20.3) percentage point-lower probability of hospitalization within the first 30 days of home health care than non-telehealth matched patients. The results suggest that telehealth monitoring systems that integrate skilled clinicians with critical care experience can lead to substantially lower hospitalization rates during the first 30 days of home health care, large cost savings, and more effective home health management of patients with diabetes.
A mouse GM-CSF receptor antibody attenuates neutrophilia in mice exposed to cigarette smoke
Authors: Botelho F.M. , Nikota J.K. , Bauer C. , Davis N.H.E. , Cohen E.S. , Anderson I.K. , Coyle A.J. , Kolbeck R. , Humbles A.A. , Stämpfli M.R. , Sleeman M.A.
Published: March 2011

We investigated the role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a subchronic exposure model of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced inflammation using antibodies directed against GM-CSF or the GM-CSF receptor (GM-CSFR) α-chain.

CS-induced mononuclear and neutrophilic inflammation following 4 days of CS exposure in BALB/c mice was assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. An increase in mature dendritic cells (DCs) (CD11c+ and major histocompatibility complex II+) and Gr-1-high neutrophils was also observed by flow cytometric analysis of whole-lung tissue.

Dailyi.p.injection of 400 μg GM-CSF or GM-CSFR antibody prior to daily smoke exposure attenuated the accumulation of neutrophils within the BAL by 60%. A reduction in mature DCs was also observed. Anti-GM-CSFR antibody administration did not have an effect on the percentage of lung T-cells; however, a significant decrease in activated CD69+ CD8+ T-cells was observed. Anti-GM-CSFR antibody administration decreased the mRNA and protein expression of interleukin-12 p40 and matrix metalloproteinase 12.

Taken together, intervention with this receptor antibody implicates the GM-CSF pathway as an important mediator of smoke-induced inflammation.
Exercise capacity, muscle strength and fatigue in sarcoidosis
Authors: Marcellis R.G.J. , Lenssen A.F. , Elfferich M.D.P. , De Vries J. , Kassim S. , Foerster K. , Drent M.
Published: March 2011

The aim of this case–control study was to investigate the prevalence of exercise intolerance, muscle weakness and fatigue in sarcoidosis patients. Additionally, we evaluated whether fatigue can be explained by exercise capacity, muscle strength or other clinical characteristics (lung function tests, radiographic stages, prednisone usage and inflammatory markers).

124 sarcoidosis patients (80 males) referred to the Maastricht University Medical Centre (Maastricht, the Netherlands) were included (mean age 46.6±10.2 yrs). Patients performed a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and handgrip force (HGF), elbow flexor muscle strength (EFMS), quadriceps peak torque (QPT) and hamstring peak torque (HPT) tests. Maximal inspiratory pressure (PI,max) was recorded. All patients completed the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) questionnaire.

The 6MWT was reduced in 45% of the population, while HGF, EFMS, QPT and HPT muscle strength were reduced in 15, 12, 27 and 18%, respectively.PI,maxwas reduced in 43% of the population. The majority of the patients (81%) reported fatigue (FAS ≥22). Patients with reduced peripheral muscle strength of the upper and/or lower extremities were more fatigued and demonstrated impaired lung functions, fat-free mass,PI,max, 6MWT and quality of life. Fatigue was neither predicted by exercise capacity, nor by muscle strength.

Besides fatigue, exercise intolerance and muscle weakness are frequent problems in sarcoidosis. We therefore recommend physical tests in the multidisciplinary management of sarcoidosis patients, even in nonfatigued patients.
Pseudomonas aeruginosainduces vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis in airway epitheliumin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Martin C. , Thévenot G. , Danel S. , Chapron J. , Tazi A. , Macey J. , Dusser D.J. , Fajac I. , Burgel P-R.
Published: March 2011

Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) airway infection and bronchial blood vessel proliferation are features of bronchiectasis. Because vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A regulates angiogenesis, we hypothesised that PA infection induces VEGF synthesis in epithelium and peribronchial angiogenesis. Because epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation regulates VEGF synthesis in cancer, we also evaluated the roles of EGFR.

Airway epithelial cells were incubated for 24 h with PA supernatants and VEGF concentrations were measured in culture medium by ELISA. C57BL/6N mice were instilled intratracheally with sterile agarose beads or with agarose beads coated with the PA strain PAO1 (mean±sem6×105±3×105cfu·animal−1), with or without the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 (12.5 mg·kg−1·day−1intraperitoneally). Epithelial immunostaining for VEGF and phosphorylated EGFR, and peribronchial vascularity, were quantified using morphometric analysis. VEGF expression was further assessed by western blot in mouse lung homogenates.

PA supernatants induced dose-dependent VEGF synthesis in cultured airway epithelial cells, effects which were prevented by EGFR antagonists. In mice, persistent PAO1 infection increased immunostaining for VEGF and phosphorylated EGFR in airway epithelium, and resulted in increased peribronchial vascularity within 7 days. These effects were reduced by EGFR inhibition.

Persistent PA infection induced VEGF synthesis in airway epithelium and peribronchial angiogenesis, at least in partviaEGFR-dependent mechanisms.
Guideline-concordant therapy and outcomes in healthcare-associated pneumonia
Authors: Attridge R.T. , Frei C.R. , Restrepo M.I. , Lawson K.A. , Ryan L. , Pugh M.J.V. , Anzueto A. , Mortensen E.M.
Published: March 2011

Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) guidelines were first proposed in 2005 but have not yet been validated. The objective of this study was to compare 30-day mortality in HCAP patients treated with either guideline-concordant (GC)-HCAP therapy or GC community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) therapy.

We performed a population-based cohort study of >150 hospitals in the US Veterans Health Administration. Patients were included if they had one or more HCAP risk factors and received antibiotic therapy within 48 h of admission. Critically ill patients were excluded. Independent risk factors for 30-day mortality were determined in a generalised linear mixed-effect model, with admitting hospital as a random effect. Propensity scores for the probability of receiving GC-HCAP therapy were calculated and incorporated into a second logistic regression model.

A total of 15,071 patients met study criteria and received GC-HCAP therapy (8.0%), GC-CAP therapy (75.7%) or non-GC therapy (16.3%). The strongest predictors of 30-day mortality were recent hospital admission (OR 2.49, 95% CI 2.12–2.94) and GC-HCAP therapy (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.86–2.55). GC-HCAP therapy remained an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.82–2.48) in the propensity score analysis.

In nonsevere HCAP patients, GC-HCAP therapy is not associated with improved survival compared with GC-CAP therapy.
ADRB2Gly16Arg polymorphism, asthma control and lung function decline
Authors: Rebordosa C. , Kogevinas M. , Guerra S. , Castro-Giner F. , Jarvis D. , Cazzoletti L. , Pin I. , Siroux V. , Wjst M. , Antò J.M. , de Marco R. , Estivill X. , Corsico A.G. , Nielsen R. , Janson C.
Published: March 2011

Arg/Arg homozygotes for the Gly16Arg polymorphism in the β2-adrenoreceptor gene (ADRB2) have a reduced response to short-acting β2-agonists but no effect has been associated with long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs).

We selected 604 subjects with current asthma from the European Community Respiratory Health Study to evaluate whether asthma control and lung function decline were associated with Gly16Arg polymorphism, and to test whether LABA or inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use modified these effects.

There was an increased risk of noncontrolled asthma (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01–1.75; p=0.046) for each Arg allele. Among nonusers of ICS, the odds ratio of noncontrolled asthma among Arg/ArgversusGly/Gly subjects was 2.73 (95% CI 1.28–5.82; p=0.009). No increased risk of noncontrolled asthma associated with the Arg allele was observed among ICS and/or LABA users. For each Arg allele, a mean±sedecrease in decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 7.7±2.5 mL·yr−1was found (p-value for trend 0.003), irrespective of ICS or LABA use. Arg/Arg subjects had an increased risk of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR)versusGly/Gly subjects, with an odds ratio of 2.51 (95% CI 1.12–5.63; p=0.025) if they did not use ICS.

The Arg allele was associated with poorer asthma control, a steeper lung function decline and BHR. Absence of genotypic effects on asthma control among ICS users may be due to reversed β2-adrenoreceptor desensitisation.
Management of occupational asthma: cessation or reduction of exposure? A systematic review of available evidence
Authors: Vandenplas O. , Dressel H. , Wilken D. , Jamart J. , Heederik D. , Maestrelli P. , Sigsgaard T. , Henneberger P. , Baur X.
Published: March 2011

Reduction of exposure to sensitising agents causing occupational asthma has been proposed as an alternative to total avoidance in order to minimise the adverse socio-economic impact of the condition.

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the effects of these two management options on asthma and socio-economic outcomes.

A bibliographic search was conducted to identify studies examining the outcome of workers with occupational asthma after reduction or cessation of exposure to the causal agent.

The changes in asthma symptoms and nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness after reduction or cessation of exposure were described in nine and five studies, respectively. The meta-analysis of pooled data showed that a reduction of exposure was associated with a lower likelihood of improvement (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03–0.91) and recovery (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11–0.84) of asthma symptoms and a higher risk of worsening of the symptoms (OR 10.23, 95% CI 2.97–35.28) and nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (OR 5.65, 95% CI 1.11–28.82), compared with complete avoidance of exposure.

This systematic review indicates that reduction of exposure cannot be routinely recommended as an alternative to cessation of exposure in the management of occupational asthma. However, further investigations are required before drawing evidence-based conclusions on the cost-effectiveness of this approach.
Short-term safety of thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis for recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax: a prospective European multicentre study
Authors: Bridevaux P-O. , Tschopp J-M. , Cardillo G. , Marquette C-H. , Noppen M. , Astoul P. , Driesen P. , Bolliger C.T. , Froudarakis M.E. , Janssen J.P.
Published: March 2011

The safety of talc pleurodesis is under dispute following reports of talc-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. We investigated the safety of large-particle talc for thoracoscopic pleurodesis to prevent recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP).

418 patients with recurrent PSP were enrolled between 2002 and 2008 in nine centres in Europe and South Africa. The main exclusion criteria were infection, heart disease and coagulation disorders. Serious adverse events (ARDS, death or other) were recorded up to 30 days after the procedure. Oxygen saturation, supplemental oxygen use and temperature were recorded daily at baseline and after thoracoscopic pleurodesis (2 g graded talc).

During the 30-day observation period following talc poudrage, no ARDS (95% CI 0.0–0.9%), intensive care unit admission or death were recorded. Seven patients presented with minor complications (1.7%, 95% CI 0.7–3.4%). After pleurodesis, mean body temperature increased by 0.41°C (95% CI 0.33–0.48°C; p<0.001) at day 1 and returned to baseline value at day 5. Pleural drains were removed after day 4 in 80% of patients.

Serious adverse events, including ARDS or death, did not occur in this large, multicentre cohort. Thoracoscopic talc poudrage using larger particle talc to prevent recurrence of PSPS can be considered safe.
Fast probabilistic nonlinear petrophysical inversion
Authors: Shahraeeni Mohammad S. , Curtis Andrew
Published: March 2011

We have developed an extension of the mixture-density neural network as a computationally efficient probabilistic method to solve nonlinear inverse problems. In this method, any postinversion (a posteriori) joint probability density function (PDF) over the model parameters is represented by a weighted sum of multivariate Gaussian PDFs. A mixture-density neural network estimates the weights, mean vector, and covariance matrix of the Gaussians given any measured data set. In one study, we have jointly inverted compressional- and shear-wave velocity for the joint PDF of porosity, clay content, and water saturation in a synthetic, fluid-saturated, dispersed sand-shale system. Results show that if the method is applied appropriately, the joint PDF estimated by the neural network is comparable to the Monte Carlo sampled a posteriori solution of the inverse problem. However, the computational cost of training and using the neural network is much lower than inversion by sampling (more than a factor of 104 in this case and potentially a much larger factor for 3D seismic inversion). To analyze the performance of the method on real exploration geophysical data, we have jointly inverted P-wave impedance and Poisson’s ratio logs for the joint PDF of porosity and clay content. Results show that the posterior model PDF of porosity and clay content is a good estimate of actual porosity and clay-content log values. Although the results may vary from one field to another, this fast, probabilistic method of solving nonlinear inverse problems can be applied to invert well logs and large seismic data sets for petrophysical parameters in any field.
Seismic Performance of a Concrete Bridge Bent Consisting of Three Steel Shell Columns
Authors: Silva Pedro F. , Sritharan Sri
Published: March 2011

This paper describes the performance of a full-scale, three-column concrete bridge bent test unit that was designed, constructed, and tested under simulated in- plane seismic loads. Representing a typical bent configuration used by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the test unit employed 12.7-mm-thick steel shell concrete columns and evaluated adequacy of an improved beam-to-column joint design procedure. The steel shell served as the external reinforcement and formwork for the columns. As intended, plastic hinges were fully developed in the columns adjacent to the interface with the cap beam, with minimal damage occurring to the cap beam and joints due to simulated seismic actions. These observations, along with the recorded force-displacement hysteretic response, confirmed the desirable seismic performance of the test unit. Design details, analytical response, test observations, key experimental results, and design recommendations are presented.
A Quantitative Basis for Building Instrumentation Specifications
Authors: Skolnik Derek A. , Nigbor Robert L. , Wallace John W.
Published: March 2011

A quantitative basis for key building instrumentation specifications—namely, sample rate, system resolution, and time synchronization—is established by quantifying the sensitivities of engineering demand parameters of peak floor acceleration and peak interstory drift to the errors associated with data acquisition. Details of the realistic simulation and digitization of structural responses are provided and automation of the seemingly signal-dependent procedure of high-pass digital filtering of relative displacements obtained by double numerical integration of accelerations is presented. Results from these studies, along with prior results from similar sensitivity analyses with respect to intensity measures of peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and peak spectral acceleration, are used to recommend potential updates to structural instrumentation specifications of major strong-motion instrumentation programs.
Design Seismic Demands from Seismic Response Analyses: A Probability-Based Approach
Authors: Bradley Brendon A.
Published: March 2011

Earthquake-resistant design guidelines commonly prescribe that when conducting seismic response analyses: (i) a minimum of three ground motions can be used; (ii) if less than seven ground motions are considered, the maximum of the responses should be used in design; and (iii) if seven or more ground motions are considered the average of the responses should be used in design. Such guidelines attempt to predict the mean seismic response from a limited number of analyses, but are based on judgment without a sound, yet pragmatic, theoretical basis. This paper presents a rational approach for determining design seismic demands based on the results of seismic response analyses. The proposed method uses the 84th percentile of the distribution of the sample mean seismic demand as the design seismic demand. This approach takes into account: (i) the number of ground motions considered; (ii) how the ground motions are selected and scaled; and (iii) the differing variability in estimating different types of seismic response parameters. A simple analytic function gives a ratio which, when multiplied by the mean response obtained from the seismic response analyses, gives the value to be used in design, thus making the proposed approach suitable for routine design implementation.
Seismic Resistance of RC Bent Caps in Elevated Mass Transit Structures
Authors: Kwon Minho , Benson Shing P. , Mallare Chip , Restrepo Jose
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a study of the seismic resistance of two reinforced concrete cap beams in existing elevated guideway structures constructed in the 1960s. One beam has a regular configuration and the other has an irregular configuration. For each beam type, a half-scale model was designed, constructed, and tested. The irregular beam tested had a larger depth and a higher quantity of main longitudinal steel. While the regular beam had spiral confinement extending into the beam-to-column joint, the irregular beam did not. The beams were subjected to simultaneous bending, shear, and torsion in the tests, with the torsion induced by the vertical eccentricity of the horizontal load exerted at the top face of the beams. The test results underscore the importance of confinement steel in the beam-to- column joint of a cap beam and the critical role of the longitudinal reinforcement in the beams for torsional resistance. A numerical parametric study has been conducted with nonlinear finite element and strut-and-tie models, which have been validated with the experimental results. The study has indicated that the seismic load resistance of a cap beam can decrease with a reduced gravity load, which is an important consideration for design.
Static Pushover Analysis Based on an Energy-Equivalent SDOF System
Authors: Manoukas Grigorios , Athanatopoulou Asimina , Avramidis Ioannis
Published: March 2011

In this paper, a new energy-based pushover procedure is presented in order to achieve an approximate estimation of structural performance under strong earthquakes. The steps of the proposed methodology are quite similar to those of the well-known displacement modification method. However, the determination of the characteristics of the equivalent single-degree-of-freedom (E-SDOF) system is based on a different rational concept. Its main idea is to determine the E-SDOF system by equating the external work of the lateral loads acting on the multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) system under consideration to the strain energy of the E-SDOF system. After a brief outline of the theoretical background, a representative numerical example is given. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed method is evaluated by an extensive parametric study which shows that, in general, it provides better results compared to those produced by other similar procedures.