bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasminogen Activator Activity in the Aorta of Strains of Rats with Genetically Determined Different Patterns of Lipids in the Blood
Authors: Smokovitis A. , Auerswald W. , Müller K. , Clopath P. , Binder B.R.
Published: April 2009

In a strain of genetically hypercholesterolemic rats (RICO), developed from an albino mutant of Rattus norvegicus (Sprague-Dawley, Tif: RAIf, SPF) by selective breeding, the intimal plasminogen activator activity (PAA) at the nonbranching regions of the aorta was markedly lower than at the nonbranching regions of the aorta in the control strain (Sprague-Dawley). At the branching regions of the aorta the intimal PAA showed no difference between the two strains of rats. In another strain of rats (HBC; hyper-beta-cholesterolemic) with a slightly elevated level of total cholesterol in the blood, a high concentration of LDL-cholesterol and a low concentration of triglycerides, the intimal PAA showed no difference from that in the control strain (Sprague-Dawley) at the branching and nonbranching regions of the aorta. 6 weeks after a single injection of streptozotocin at a diabetogenic dose (45 mg/kg) into RICO rats and the control strain, the intimal PAA was found to be increased by 280% in RICO rats, but only by 140% in controls, compared to that in the corresponding nontreated rats.
Platelet Adherence to Collagen
Authors: Mant Michael J.
Published: April 2009

Under conditions of low shear and in the absence of laminar flow the addition of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), but not of sodium salicylate, to human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in vitro significantly inhibited platelet adherence to collagen (p < 0.001). Inhibition was of similar degree (17%) at ASA concentrations of 10 and 1,000 μM, but was less (10% inhibition) in PRP with erythrocytes added to 40% hematocrit. The ingestion of 600 mg ASA had negligible effect on platelet adherence in whole blood or in PRP. There was no correlation between the effects of ASA on adherence and on platelet aggregation in vitro or ex vivo. It is concluded that the effect of ASA on platelet adherence is unlikely to be important in vivo, except perhaps in vascular sites where flow is non-laminar and where shear rates and/or the physical forces on platelets are low.
On the Clot-Promoting Activity of Human Platelets in a One-Stage Prothrombinase Assay
Authors: Bevers E.M. , Comfurius P. , Hemker H.C. , Zwaal R.F.A.
Published: April 2009

The procoagulant activity of activated platelets in a one-stage prothrombinase assay is reevaluated. It is shown that the apparent procoagulant activity of platelets activated by ADP or collagen can be explained by minor cell lysis accompanying platelet activation. The reduction in clotting time observed with thrombin activated platelets can be explained by a combined effect of minor cell lysis and release and activation of factor V from the platelets. Platelets stimulated by ionophore A23187 or by the combined action of collagen plus thrombin show a much shorter clotting time than can be accounted for by minor platelet lysis or release and activation of factor V from the platelets. The results with this clotting assay essentially confirm previous observations [Bevers et al.: Eur. J. Biochem. 122:429–436, 1982] using a spectrophotometric method with highly purified coagulation factors and a chromogenic substrate to measure the rate of thrombin formation with activated platelets.
Enhanced Platelet Release Reaction in Insulin-Dependent and Insulin-Independent Diabetic Patients
Authors: Davi G. , Rini G.B. , Averna M. , Novo S. , Di Fede G. , Mattina A. , Notarbartolo A. , Strano A.
Published: April 2009

Plasma beta thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels were measured and correlated with plasma lipid and lipoprotein patterns in 20 insulin-independent diabetics, in 10 insulin-dependent diabetics and in 30 healthy controls matched to patients as to age, sex and weight. Increased plama BTG and PF4 levels both in insulin-dependent and in insulin-independent diabetics indicate enhanced in vivo platelet activation and release reaction in these patients. No difference in BTG and PF4 values between these two groups of diabetic patients was observed in our study. A marked correlation between plasma PF4 values and plasma glucose levels was shown in insulin-dependent diabetics only whereas a significant positive correlation with plasma triglycerides and plasma triglyceride VLDL and a negative correlation with cholesterol-HDL was shown in insulin-independent diabetics.
Negative Surface Charge on Platelets of Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Yarom R. , Meyer S. , More R.
Published: April 2009

In order to assess the negative surface charge on platelets from patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and suitable controls, formalin-fixed cells were examined by the two-phase aqueous polymer separation system and by binding of cationised ferritin. The results show that IS platelets have a higher negative surface charge. This could be responsible for several functional and structural abnormalities observed previously in IS platelets.
A New Variant of Human Prothrombin: Prothrombin Metz, Demonstration in a Family Showing Double Heterozygosity for Congenital Hypoprothrombinemia and Dysprothrombinemia
Authors: Josso† F. , Rio Y. , Béguin S.
Published: April 2009

Investigation of a mild hemorrhagic tendency in a French family revealed the father to be heterozygous for hypoprothrombinemia while the mother was heterozygous for dysprothrombinemia. All possible genetic combinations could be demonstrated. Among the children the double heterozygosity encountered in 3 of them allowed us to discover an abnormal prothrombin, prothrombin Metz, which generates an abnormal thrombin less sensitive to inactivation by antithrombin III than normal thrombin.
Protein and Glycoprotein Abnormalities in an Unusual Subtype of Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia
Authors: Herrmann F.H. , Meyer M. , Ihle E.
Published: April 2009

A patient with Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia has been analysed by high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Although clot retraction is subnormal, glycoproteins lib and Ilia are completely absent and platelet fibrinogen is strongly reduced indicating an unusual subtype of type II thrombasthenia. No changes in the pi of glycoproteins have been observed. Heterogeneity in Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia is discussed.
The Potentiating Effect of Cortisone (Prednisolone) on the Fibrinolytic and Clotting Factor VIII Responses to Intravenous Infusion of Adrenaline in Man
Authors: Gader A.M.A.
Published: April 2009

In an attempt to investigate the effect of the proposed interaction between corticosteroids and adrenaline in stressful situations on fibrinolysis and coagulation, blood plasminogen activator and clotting factor VΠI were measured before and after a prolonged adrenaline infusion (3.5 μg/min for 30 min) in 4 asthmatic patients on long-term corticosteroid (prednisolone) therapy and their responses were compared with healthy controls. Asthmatic patients showed greater responses of both parameters to adrenaline than controls indicating that long-term corticosteroid treatment enhances the acute responses of plasminogen activator and clotting factor VIII to adrenaline infusion.
Sensitive Solid Phase Enzyme Immunoassay for Factor IX Antigen and Classification of Hemophilia B
Authors: Takamatsu Junki , Kamiya Tadashi , Ogata Kanji , Sugihara Takuro , Koie Katsuo , Kato Kanefusa
Published: April 2009

A sensitive solid phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for the measurement of factor IX antigen (IX:AG), using rabbit antihuman factor IX antiserum and β-D-galactosidase, which enabled us to detect IX:AG as low as 10-4 U/ml. 37 patients with severe hemophilia B have been investigated by EIA, inhibitor neutralization assay and bovine brain prothrombin time. They could be divided into four genetic variants. 25% had normal levels of IX:AG but decreased levels of factor IX clotting activity. On crossed immunoelectrophoresis of the hemophilia B+ and hemophilia BM, we could not find abnormalities in electrophoretic mobilities compared to normal subjects in the presence of 1 mM Ca++ lactate.
Uptake of 125I-Lys-Plasminogen by in vitro Thrombi
Authors: Iga Yoshiro , Greenwald Sylvia R. , Chandler Bleakley
Published: April 2009

The specificity, distribution and rate of uptake of radiolabelled 125I-Lys-plasminogen by in vitro thrombi was investigated. 125I-Lys-plasminogen was added to whole blood perfusion mediums containing preformed thrombi and to whole blood prior to thrombus formation. Uptake was assessed by means of radioisotopic analysis and autoradiography. The plasminogen was taken up by thrombi during and after their formation. The largest percentage was in the fibrin component. ε-Aminocaproic acid-blocking experiments confirmed the specificity of plasminogen binding to fibrin. Autoradiography of the thrombi revealed plasminogen in the RBC-fibrin part and in platelet-fibrin aggregates. Plasminogen uptake and penetration into preformed thrombi were found to increase as a function of time. However, formation of thrombi from plasminogen-enriched blood was a more effective means for increasing the plasminogen content of thrombi than perfusion of preformed thrombi in a plasminogen-enriched medium, over the time period studied.
The Influence of Dose, Time of Administration, Body Temperature and Salicylate Kinetics on the Antithrombotic Action of Acetylsalicylic Acid in Male Rats
Authors: Philp R.B. , Paul M.L. , Killackey J.J. , Killackey B.A.
Published: April 2009

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), given i.v. to male rats 10 min before electrical injury to the carotid artery, was found to reduce rate and extent of thrombosis at 3.3 and 10.0 mg/kg but not at 1.7, 20 or 100 mg/kg, indicating a narrow, low-dose window for antithrombotic effect. ASA was more effective in rats in which body temperature was allowed to fall > 0.5 °C but protection was lost if injury was delayed 15 min or more after ASA administration. Serum salicylate studies did not support the view that loss of protection was due to competition between salicylate and ASA for cyclooxygenase-binding sites. ASA was also protective at 200 mg/kg i.v., possibly through non-specific toxic effects.
Laser-Induced Thrombi in Rat Mesenteric Vessels and Antithrombotic Drugs
Authors: Weichert W. , Pauliks V. , Breddin H.K.
Published: April 2009

A method to induce microthrombi in small mesenteric arteries (ø 15–25 μm) has been developed to study platelet reactions and to investigate antithrombotic drugs. A high power water immersion interference contrast system, based on a Leitz Orthoplan microscope, was used. In Nembutal-anesthetized male Wistar rats and in fawn hooded bleeder rats, vascular lesions were produced with a Hadron-512-Ruby-bio-laser or with a Coherent CR-2 supergraphite ion laser (Argon laser). The ruby laser produced intravascular precipitates consisting of proteins and erythrocytes which usually stuck to the vessel wall and on which platelets immediately adhered, transformed with pseudopode formation and formed loose aggregates. The Argon laser induced vascular damage, usually without intravascular heat precipitates which also led to platelet adhesion, transformation and aggregation. Fibrin threads rarely formed in the early platelet thrombi. Thrombus formation was significantly reduced in this model by dipyridamole (10 mg/kg orally), by Ditazole (50 mg/kg orally), heparin (100 IU/kg i.v.), Molsidomine (50 mg/kg orally), Nafazatrom (Bay G 6575, 10 mg/kg i.v. and orally), Ticlopidine (100 and 200 mg/kg orally) and Tioxaprofen (EMD 26644, 10 mg/kg orally). Thrombus formation was also significantly reduced in fawn hooded bleeder rats.
Long-Term Improvement in Left Ventricular Strain After Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function
Authors: Tops Laurens F. , Den Uijl Dennis W. , Delgado Victoria , Marsan Nina Ajmone , Zeppenfeld Katja , Holman Eduard , van der Wall Ernst E. , Schalij Martin J. , Bax Jeroen J.
Published: April 2009

Background—

The effect of successful catheter ablation on left ventricular (LV) strain in patients with preserved LV systolic function is unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term effects of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) on LV strain and strain rate in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction.

Methods and Results—

In 78 patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF, speckle tracking strain imaging was performed to assess LV strain in 3 directions (radial, circumferential, and longitudinal) at baseline and after 12-month follow-up. The study population was divided into 2 groups, according to the maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) during follow-up. After 13.8�4.7 months of follow-up, 54 patients (69%) were in SR (SR group), whereas 24 patients (31%) had recurrence of AF (AF group). No significant changes in LV ejection fraction from baseline to follow-up were noted (60�7% versus 59�7%,
P
=NS). Circumferential strain improved significantly in the SR group (−18.3�3.2% versus −20.4�3.8%,
P
<0.001), whereas it remained unchanged in the AF group (−18.9�3.5% versus −17.9�3.1%,
P
=NS). In the SR group, significant improvements in LV longitudinal strain and strain rate were noted, whereas in the AF group, LV longitudinal strain and strain rate deteriorated significantly at long-term follow-up.

Conclusions—

After successful catheter ablation, LV circumferential and longitudinal strain and strain rate improve significantly in patients who maintain SR. In contrast, a decrease in LV longitudinal strain and strain rate is observed in patients with recurrence of AF.
Hacia una mejor comprensión psicológica del terrorismo: reclutamiento, ideología y violencia
Authors: Trujillo Humberto M.
Published: April 2009

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar cómo se desarrolla y mantiene el comportamiento violento terrorista. Los contenidos se estructuran desde un modelo global de utilidad para explicar y predecir los actos violentos de los terroristas. Fundamentalmente, se pretende dar respuesta a las siguientes preguntas: ¿ quées la violencia terrorista?, ¿cómo afecta la ideología al comportamiento violento?, ¿qué distingue a los extremistas que actúan violentamente de aquellos que no lo hacen?, y, ¿cómo se forman y se mantienen funcionalmente las organizaciones terroristas?. Se estudia el papel que juega la ideología y, así, la secuencia de procesos psicológicos que favorecen el desarrollo y mantenimiento del comportamiento violento de los terroristas y cómo aquélla, junto con ciertos factores y argumentos justificativos y legitimadores de la agresión, favorece la realización de actos violentos de terrorismo. Se analiza el reclutamiento y el liderazgo como procesos básicos, respectivamente, para la formación y mantenimiento funcional de un grupo terrorista.
Un análisis psicosocial del grupo terrorista como secta
Authors: Rodríguez-Carballeira Álvaro , Martín-Peña Javier , Almendros Carmen , Escartín Jordi , Porrúa Clara , Bertacco Massimo
Published: April 2009

Este trabajo pretende realizar un análisis de la dinámica interna de los grupos terroristas a partir de la dinámica característica de las sectas coercitivas. Desde una perspectiva psicosocial, y a partir de la investigación científica revisada en ambos campos, se estudian de forma paralela las características principales que definen a ambos tipos de grupos y se analizan los distintos procesos de interacción que se producen en ambos. Se aborda la interacción entre los tres elementos fundamentales, la persona, el grupo y su entorno social próximo, deteniéndose en los factores facilitadores de la vinculación de los sujetos a ambos tipos de grupos. Posteriormente, se profundiza en las estrategias de abuso psicológico que hacen servir determinadas sectas para captar y someter a sus adeptos, combinando elementos de influencia y persuasión con otras formas de control, manipulación y coacción. Se analiza así en qué medida dichas estrategias son aplicadas también por los grupos terroristas, haciendo un balance de similitudes y diferencias que constata la intersección entre ambos grupos.
Terrorismo: un campo de estudio en expansión
Authors: de la Corte Luis
Published: April 2009

El presente texto ofrece una definición de la violencia terrorista y un comentario sobre la evolución de las investigaciones académicas destinadas a explicar dicho fenómeno. Asimismo, se presentan los estudios que componen este número monográfico.
Validating the Level of Service Inventory—Revised and the Level of Service Inventory: Screening Version With a Sample of Probationers
Authors: Lowenkamp Christopher T. , Lovins Brian , Latessa Edward J.
Published: April 2009

Level of risk is proving to be an important characteristic in effectively serving offender populations. A major limitation to the use of risk assessments is agency resources. There are several screening instruments available that could significantly decrease the amount of resources that are needed to assess for risk. This article assesses the effectiveness of the Level of Service Inventory: Screening Version on 483 probationers in a western state resulting in a 2% false-positive rate. Policy implications are explored and suggestions for future research offered.
The Last Artificial Virtue
Authors: Sabl Andrew
Published: April 2009

David Hume's position on religion is, broadly speaking, “politic”: instrumental and consequentialist. Religions should be tolerated or not according to their effects on political peace and order. Such theories of toleration are often rejected as immoral or unstable. The reading provided here responds by reading Hume's position as one of radically indirect consequentialism. While religious policy should serve consequentialist ends, making direct reference to those ends merely gives free reign to religious-political bigotry and faction. Toleration, like Hume's other “artificial virtues” (justice, fidelity to promises, allegiance to government), is a universally useful response to our universal partiality—as Established uniformity, however tempting, is not. This implies that toleration can progress through political learning, becoming broader and more constitutionally established over time. A sophisticated Humean approach thus shares the stability and normative attractiveness of respect- or rights-based arguments while responding more acutely and flexibly to problems the former often slights: antinomian religious extremism; underdefined political agency; and internationalized, politicized religious movements.
Europe Without Borders? The Effect of the Euro on Price Convergence
Authors: Foad Hisham
Published: April 2009

Has the introduction of the Euro reduced the economic significance of national borders across the Euro Area? This article extends Engel and Rogers well known work on border effects to cities across Western Europe over the period 1995—2004. Although cross-border prices across the Euro Area are still more volatile than within-country prices, the importance of the border has diminished since the euro was introduced in 1999. The impact of the common currency on the border effect varies by country size, with the largest decreases occurring between larger Euro countries. Although cross-border price volatility has not changed between the United Kingdom and large Euro countries, volatility has actually increased between the small Euro countries and the United Kingdom. These results are consistent with the fact that exchange rates are more likely to adjust to price differentials between small countries than between large countries.
Evaluating Total Factor Productivity Differences by a Mapping Structure in Growth Models
Authors: Bernardini Papalia Rosa , Bertarelli Silvia
Published: April 2009

The article aims at providing a suitable measure of total factor productivity (TFP) levels within the conditional convergence framework by introducing unobserved heterogeneity in terms of a ‘‘mapping model’’. Our goal is twofold. First, we develop a generalized maximum entropy estimation procedure to account for ill-posed and ill-conditioned inference problems in estimating a conditional convergence regression with fixed effects and heterogeneous coefficients across regions. Second, we provide an endogenous spatial representation of unobserved fixed effects by using a multidimensional scaling technique. The proposed approach is applied to assess the existence of catching-up across Italian regions over the period 1960—1995 and to identify the effects of technology and geographic spillovers on the determination of TFP levels.
Presidentialization, Pluralization, and the Rollback of Itamaraty: Explaining Change in Brazilian Foreign Policy Making in the Cardoso-Lula Era
Authors: Cason Jeffrey W. , Power Timothy J.
Published: April 2009

Since the 1990s Brazilian foreign policy has become increasingly central to Latin American integration, to South—South relations, and to global governance, especially under the leadership of presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995—2002) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003 to the present). This article argues that the making of Brazilian foreign policy since the mid-1990s has been marked by two major trends: pluralization of actors and the rise of presidentially led diplomacy. These two trends have promoted a gradual erosion of the influence of the highly professionalized and traditionally autonomous Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty). The article analyzes the role of global, regional, and domestic political factors in promoting this transformation, and examines the consequences for Brazil's foreign policy outputs.
Turnaround: The National Resistance Movement and the Reintroduction of a Multiparty System in Uganda
Authors: Makara Sabiti , Rakner Lise , Svåsand Lars
Published: April 2009

This article addresses the process behind the decision of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to reintroduce multiparty politics in Uganda. Restrictions on party activity were introduced when the NRM assumed power in 1986 and were upheld in a referendum in 2000. In March 2003 the NRM u-turned on the issue and agreed a return to multiparty politics in Uganda. The article seeks to explain why the NRM leadership sanctioned a transition to multiparty politics and, secondly, how the NRM leadership sought to remain in control of the transition process. We find that the reintroduction of a multiparty system in Uganda primarily was stimulated by internal conflicts between factions within the NRM and much less by international (donor) pressure. We show that the decision to move to multiparty politics was made contingent on other constitutional changes which enabled the executive and the central political leadership to remain in power.
From Insurgency to Democracy: The Challenges of Peace and Democracy-Building in Nepal
Authors: Thapa Ganga B. , Sharma Jan
Published: April 2009

The failure of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes spurred a global surge in democratization in the 1980s. However, efforts at democratization have been challenged by path-dependent institutional and political variables that can inhibit the growth of western-style democratic pluralism. Nepal is no exception to this experience. When the king sidelined the political parties in an attempt to revive the absolute monarchy in February 2005, the political parties and the Maoist guerrillas resisted this move and forced the king to revive the dissolved House of Representatives. Subsequently, parliament proclaimed Nepal to be a federal democratic republic, ending the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy. Today, there is both optimism and pessimism regarding the ongoing peace and democracy-building project in Nepal: optimism because there is a consensus, albeit vague, on building political and economic institutions that will transform Nepali society for the better; pessimism because the due process of law is being increasingly thwarted due to the nondemocratic inclinations of political leaders. This article critically reviews the challenges Nepal is facing as it struggles to transform from insurgency to a peaceful and democratic society.
Grandmother—Grandchild Relationship Quality Predicts Psychological Adjustment Among Youth From Divorced Families
Authors: Henderson Craig E. , Hayslip Bert , Sanders Leah M. , Louden Linda
Published: April 2009

This study investigates maternal grandmother—grandchild relationship quality as a predictor of psychological adjustment among youth from divorced families. Three hundred twenty-four adolescents aged between 17 and 20 report on the quality of their relationships with their maternal grandmothers and their relational competence, self-efficacy, and psychological symptoms. Structural equation modeling analyses support a model in which participants' relationships with grandmothers predict their psychological adjustment. Family background (divorced vs. intact families) moderates the relationship between relationship quality and adjustment; youth from divorced families indicate that their relationships with their maternal grandmothers are more salient to their adjustment than do youth from intact families. These findings suggest that the bonds young people develop with their maternal grandmothers following their parents' divorce may positively affect their psychological functioning.
Mapping for the Masses
Authors: Hudson-Smith Andrew , Batty Michael , Crooks Andrew , Milton Richard
Published: April 2009

The authors describe how we are harnessing the power of web 2.0 technologies to create new approaches to collecting, mapping, and sharing geocoded data. The authors begin with GMapCreator that lets users fashion new maps using Google Maps as a base. The authors then describe MapTube that enables users to archive maps and demonstrate how it can be used in a variety of contexts to share map information, to put existing maps into a form that can be shared, and to create new maps from the bottom-up using a combination of crowdcasting, crowdsourcing, and traditional broadcasting. The authors conclude by arguing that such tools are helping to define a neogeography that is essentially ‘‘mapping for the masses,’’ while noting that there are many issues of quality, accuracy, copyright, and trust that will influence the impact of these tools on map-based communication.
Video Viewing and Cognitive Development in Preadolescents
Authors: Kumari Santha , Ahuja Simerpreet
Published: April 2009

Preadolescent heavy television, video game, and computer viewers were compared to light viewers on their performance on tests of creative imagination, visual memory, and attention span. Results indicate that heavy viewers performed poorly compared to light viewers on all cognitive dimensions studied. Findings are explained in terms of the displacement hypothesis and formal features of video, which may hamper optimal brain development.
Gender and the Nonprofit Sector
Authors: Themudo Nuno S.
Published: April 2009

Numerous studies have found women to be more public spirited than men, volunteering more and giving a larger share of their income to nonprofits. Yet in the theoretical literature on the nonprofit sector, the role of women has been largely neglected. This article uses cross-national data to examine the relationship between women's empowerment, voluntary action and the nonprofit sector. I find a strong and positive relationship between women's empowerment, voluntary action, and nonprofit sector strength. These findings suggest a need for a gender theory that offers new insights into the nonprofit sector. If policy makers intensify their efforts to promote women's empowerment, this could not only increase equity but may strengthen the nonprofit sector. This, in a virtuous circle, could further help to promote women's empowerment.
Physicochemical study of complexation and ion-exchange properties of 2-hydroxy-4-ethoxypropiophenone—ethylene glycol polymer
Authors: Patel Jayesh R , Sutaria Dipan H , Patel Magan N
Published: April 2009

Copolymers (HEPP-EG) were synthesized by the condensation of 2-hydroxy-4-ethoxypropiophenone with ethylene glycol in presence of polyphosphoric acid as a catalyst. The copolymers were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, viscosity and thermal studies. The number-average molecular weight (Mn) was measured by non-aqueous conductometric titration.

The copolymer HEPP-EG-6 was complexed with metal ions, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2, Mn2+ and Zn2+ and characterized. Chelation ion-exchange properties have been studied by employing the batch equilibration method.
New polymer syntheses III. Synthesis and characterization of new unsaturated polycarbonates
Authors: Aly Kamal I
Published: April 2009

A new interesting class of linear unsaturated polycarbonates based on 3,5-bis(p-hydroxybenzylidene)-isopropylpiperidinone (T), 3,5-divanillylidene isopropylpiperidinone (IT), or 3,5-bis(m-hydroxybenzylidene)-isopropylpiperidinone (III) have been synthesized. An interfacial phosgenation technique carried out at ambient temperature was used for the synthesis of the polycarbonates. The resulting polycarbonates were characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis, solubility and viscometry. The thermal behaviour of the synthesized polymers was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis and correlated with their structures. The crystallinity of all polymers was examined by x-ray diffraction analysis.
Acculturation and the Cancer Pain Experience
Authors: Im Eun-Ok , Ho Tsung-Han , Brown Adama , Chee Wonshik
Published: April 2009

Purpose: Using a feminist perspective, the relationship between acculturation and cancer pain experience was explored. Design: This was a cross-sectional, correlational Internet study among 104 Hispanic and 114 Asian cancer patients. The instruments included both unidimensional and multidimensional cancer pain measures. Findings: There were significant differences in cancer pain scores by country of birth. Yet there was no significant association of acculturation to cancer pain scores. Discussion and Conclusions: This study indicated inconsistent findings. Implications for Practice: To provide directions for adequate cancer pain management, further studies with a larger number of diverse groups of immigrant cancer patients are needed.
The Politics of Conducting Research on Depression in a Cross-Cultural Context
Authors: Kokanovic Renata , Furler John , May Carl , Dowrick Christopher , Herrman Helen , Evert Helen , Gunn Jane
Published: April 2009

Successful community engagement is often a crucial component of effective qualitative research. In this article we reflect on our experience of engaging with ethnic minority communities in a qualitative study of help seeking for depression. Community engagement emerges as a complex process that provides important insights into the way mental illness is constructed in various cultural contexts and from diverse perspectives. Contested notions of ethnicity, culture, community, and depression were the domains in which personal and public politics were played out. We worked with bilingual research assistants who provided an entrée to the community. Despite this, disparate community subgroups and influential individuals vied for input into and control of the research agenda. We conclude that negotiating the politics of these processes requires great reflexivity and is itself a powerful seam of data, adding richness to findings about the experience of mental distress in a community seeking to locate itself within mainstream society.
From Feeling Too Little and Too Much, to Feeling More and Less? A Nonparadoxical Theory of the Functions of Self-Harm
Authors: Horne Outi , Csipke Emese
Published: April 2009

It is widely agreed that one of the functions of self-harm by cutting or burning the body is to regulate emotion. There is an apparent paradox in the emotion-regulative function of self-harm: some people are using self-harm to both increase and decrease affect. The aim of this study, which followed the principles of the grounded theory approach, was to generate a paradox-free theory of the functions of self-harm that is of immediate relevance to the participants themselves, who are often confused about the behavior and the experiences preceding it. We found that “feeling too little” and “feeling too much” share characteristics in three categories of experience: emotional awareness, sense of self/reality, and body-based experience. We explain the functions of self-harm in terms of body-based experience: Self-harm resolves a state of psychosomatic suspension and increases the extent to which the body is involved in the experience of emotion.
Battered Women’s Process of Leaving
Authors: Brown Chris , Trangsrud Heather B. , Linnemeyer Rachel M.
Published: April 2009

This study is a follow-up investigation of the career and life experiences of battered women two years after shelter exit. Using consensual qualitative research, we interviewed 6 women from our original sample of 13 regarding their career and life adjustments and future aspirations. Results indicated that participants generally reported both internal and external barriers to their career goals and were dissatisfied with their current housing. In addition, women typically desired education and career advancement with preferred careers in the helping and service fields. Findings imply that long after women leave the shelter and their abusive relationships they will need the continued support of vocational psychologists to provide career assessment and counseling with focus on long-term career and educational opportunities that are commensurate with their chosen fields of interest. Longitudinal research that exceeds a two-year follow-up is needed to comprehensively assess the career needs and life adjustment of battered women survivors.
The Challenge of Climate Change and Energy Policies for Building a Sustainable Society in Japan
Authors: Kondoh Kazumi
Published: April 2009

This article assesses Japan's climate change policy to provide insight into the debate on sustainable societies within environmental sociology, which is contested on one side by Ecological Modernization (EM) theory and on the other mainly by political economy perspectives. Overall, this study finds that Japan's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol is unlikely to lead to a greening of the economy and lifestyles. Consistent with the claim made by EM critics, Japan's climate change policy has negative environmental and social ramifications. Japan's attempt to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by switching its primary energy source from fossil fuels to nuclear power is likely to increase the uneven distribution of nuclear risks between rural and urban areas. The promotion of nuclear power to secure increasing energy demand instead of reducing energy consumption has also contributed to a worsening of the urban environmental problem known as urban heat island.
Pesticides Studied in Man
Authors: Scholler Jean
Published: April 2009

Pesticides Studied In Man
Customer Self-Efficacy in Technology-Based Self-Service
Authors: van Beuningen Jacqueline , de Ruyter Ko , Wetzels Martin , Streukens Sandra
Published: April 2009

Firms increasingly offer customers the opportunity to coproduce self-service using online technologies. This requires novice customers to adopt a new role and engage in information search. This is particularly challenging in complex, high-risk services, such as online investment trading. Actively managing customers' task-specific self-confidence, or self-efficacy, in these types of technology-based self-service (TBSS) may convert novice customers into regular users and thereby increase return on investments. The authors show that self-efficacy increases novice customers' financial performance perceptions, service value evaluations, and future usage intentions. During online information search, novices focus on credibility and argument quality cues to determine their self-efficacy. The effects differ across information sources; third-party credibility and firm argument quality are most influential. Moreover, when consumers are highly engaged in their self-service role, the impact of credibility is strengthened, whereas that of argument quality is attenuated.
T lymphocytes coexpressing CCR4 and a chimeric antigen receptor targeting CD30 have improved homing and antitumor activity in a Hodgkin tumor model
Authors: Di Stasi Antonio , De Angelis Biagio , Rooney Cliona M. , Zhang Lan , Mahendravada Aruna , Foster Aaron E. , Heslop Helen E. , Brenner Malcolm K. , Dotti Gianpietro , Savoldo Barbara
Published: April 2009

For the adoptive transfer of tumor-directed T lymphocytes to prove effective, there will probably need to be a match between the chemokines the tumor produces and the chemokine receptors the effector T cells express. The Reed-Stemberg cells of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) predominantly produce thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine/CC chemokine ligand 17 (TARC/CCL17) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), which preferentially attract type 2 T helper (Th2) cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) that express the TARC/MDC-specific chemokine receptor CCR4, thus generating an immunosuppressed tumor environment. By contrast, effector CD8+ T cells lack CCR4, are nonresponsive to these chemokines and are rarely detected at the tumor site. We now show that forced expression of CCR4 by effector T cells enhances their migration to HL cells. Furthermore, T lymphocytes expressing both CCR4 and a chimeric antigen receptor directed to the HL associated antigen CD30 sustain their cytotoxic function and cytokine secretion in vitro, and produce enhanced tumor control when infused intravenously in mice engrafted with human HL. This approach may be of value in patients affected by HL.
Penetrating abdominal injuries: management controversies
Authors: Butt Muhammad U , Zacharias Nikolaos , Velmahos George C
Published: April 2009

Penetrating abdominal injuries have been traditionally managed by routine laparotomy. New understanding of trajectories, potential for organ injury, and correlation with advanced radiographic imaging has allowed a shift towards non-operative management of appropriate cases. Although a selective approach has been established for stab wounds, the management of abdominal gunshot wounds remains a matter of controversy. In this chapter we describe the rationale and methodology of selecting patients for non-operative management. We also discuss additional controversial issues, as related to antibiotic prophylaxis, management of asymptomatic thoracoabdominal injuries, and the use of colostomy vs. primary repair for colon injuries.
Accelerated Formation of β-Dicalcium Silicate by Solid-state Reaction in Water Vapor Atmosphere
Authors: Kozawa Takahiro , Onda Ayumu , Yanagisawa Kazumichi
Published: April 2009

β-Ca2SiO4 powders were prepared from commercially available raw materials, CaCO3 and amorphous SiO2 (a-SiO2), by solid-state reactions in water vapor atmosphere. The formation of β-Ca2SiO4 was accelerated by water vapor. Water vapor is considered to enhance the thermal decomposition of CaCO3 and to attack surface Si–O–Si bonds in a-SiO2 to accelerate the formation of β-Ca2SiO4. The effect of water vapor atmosphere on the formation of β-Ca2SiO4 from a mixture of CaCO3 and a-SiO2 was stronger than that of mechanochemical processing for 30 min.
Shape-controlled Preparation of Gold Nanocrystals Using a Microwave–polyol Method
Authors: Tsuji Masaharu , Ueyama Daisuke , Alam Md Jahangir , Hikino Sachie
Published: April 2009

Gold nanocrystals were prepared by a microwave (MW)–polyol method using di-, tetra-, and poly(ethylene glycol)s. When these polyols were heated to 240 °C at a heating rate of 160 °C/min and held at 240 °C for 5 min, icosahedral particles with average diameters of 55–85 nm were prepared from HAuCl4/PVP in di-, tetra- and poly(ethylene glycol)s at high yield (≥91%). Plate-like and decahedral particles were obtained at high yields from HAuCl4/PVP/NaCl.
Crystal Growth of Glycine Controlled by a Focused CW Near-infrared Laser Beam
Authors: Sugiyama Teruki , Adachi Takuji , Masuhara Hiroshi
Published: April 2009

Crystal growth of glycine was accelerated just by focusing a CW 1064-nm laser beam at a position adjacent to a spontaneously generated glycine crystal in D2O. Its rate depended on the distance between the crystal and the focal spot. Interesting crystal growth and dissolution were found, which is considered to be due to Ostwald ripening.
Enantioselective Construction of a 2,8-Dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane Ring System via [2,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Oxonium Ylide Using Chiral Dirhodium(II) Carboxylates
Authors: Shimada Naoyuki , Nakamura Seiichi , Anada Masahiro , Shiro Motoo , Hashimoto Shunichi
Published: April 2009

Dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrafluorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh2(S-TFPTTL)4, is an exceptionally efficient catalyst for enantioselective tandem cyclic oxonium ylide formation and [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement from α-diazo-β-ketoester bearing cyclic allylic acetal functionality, providing the 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core structure of zaragozic acids in up to 93% ee.
Structures and Dielectric Properties in Thermochromic Nickel(II) Compounds
Authors: Hayami Shinya , Urakami Daisuke , Sato Shoya , Kojima Yoshihiro , Inoue Katsuya , Ohba Masaaki
Published: April 2009

Hysteretic dielectric responses of thermochromic compounds, [Ni(dieten)2]X2 (dieten = N,N-diethylethylenediamine, X− = BF4− and ClO4−) have been observed and discussed based on their structures in low- and high-temperature phases.
Organic Films Containing Trinuclear Ruthenium Clusters that Exhibit Redox-state-dependent Heat-shielding Characteristics
Authors: Tomiyasu Yuki , Abe Masaaki , Morihara Yasushi , Ohgi Hiroyuki , Otake Tomiaki , Hisaeda Yoshio
Published: April 2009

We report here an unprecedented utility of redox-active transition-metal complexes as heat-shielding materials. A poly(vinyl alcohol) film containing mixed-valent cluster [Ru3(μ3-O)(μ-CH3CO2)6(mbpy+)3](PF6)3 (1) (mbpy+ = 1-methyl-4,4′-bipyridinium cation), which strongly absorbs light in the near-infrared region, shows heat-shielding characteristics whose efficiency is found to highly depend on the redox state of the cluster dye.
Interaction of Self-assembled Cationic Nanogels with Oligo-DNA and Function as Artificial Nucleic Acid Chaperone
Authors: Morimoto Nobuyuki , Tamada Junko , Sawada Shin-ichi , Shimada Naohiko , Kano Arihiro , Maruyama Atsushi , Akiyoshi Kazunari
Published: April 2009

Cationic self-assembled nanogels with ethylenediamine or dipropylenetriamine groups formed complex nanoparticles with double-stranded oligo-DNA and accelerated the rate of strand exchange reaction as artificial nucleic acid chaperones.
Vg1RBP phosphorylation by Erk2 MAP kinase correlates with the cortical release of Vg1 mRNA during meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Git Anna , Allison Rachel , Perdiguero Eusebio , Nebreda Angel R. , Houliston Evelyn , Standart Nancy
Published: April 2009

Xenopus Vg1RBP is a member of the highly conserved IMP family of four KH-domain RNA binding proteins, with roles in RNA localization, translational control, RNA stability, and cell motility. Vg1RBP has been implicated in localizing Vg1 mRNAs to the vegetal cortex during oogenesis, in a process mediated by microtubules and microfilaments, and in migration of neural crest cells in embryos. Using c-mos morpholino, kinase inhibitors, and constitutely active recombinant kinases we show that Vg1RBP undergoes regulated phosphorylation by Erk2 MAPK during meiotic maturation, on a single residue, S402, located between the KH2 and KH3 domains. Phosphorylation temporally correlates with the release of Vg1 mRNA from its tight cortical association, assayed in lysates in physiological salt buffers, but does not affect RNA binding, nor self-association of Vg1RBP. U0126, a MAP kinase inhibitor, prevents Vg1RBP cortical release and Vg1 mRNA solubilization in meiotically maturing eggs, while injection of MKK6-DD, a constitutively activated MAP kinase kinase, promotes the release of both Vg1RBP and Vg1 mRNA from insoluble cortical structures. We propose that Erk2 MAP kinase phosphorylation of Vg1RBP regulates the protein:protein-mediated association of Vg1 mRNP with the cytoskeleton and/or ER. Since the MAP kinase site in Vg1RBP is conserved in several IMP homologs, this modification also has important implications for the regulation of IMP proteins in somatic cells.
An Adaptive Algorithm for Finding the Optimal Base-Stock Policy in Lost Sales Inventory Systems with Censored Demand
Authors: Huh Woonghee Tim , Janakiraman Ganesh , Muckstadt John A. , Rusmevichientong Paat
Published: April 2009

We consider a periodic-review, single-location, single-product inventory system with lost sales and positive replenishment lead times. It is well known that the optimal policy does not possess a simple structure. Motivated by recent results showing that base-stock policies perform well in these systems, we study the problem of finding the best base-stock policy in such a system. In contrast to the classical inventory literature, we assume that the manager does not know the demand distribution a priori but must make the replenishment decision in each period based only on the past sales (censored demand) data. We develop a nonparametric adaptive algorithm that generates a sequence of order-up-to levels whose running average of the inventory holding and lost sales penalty cost converges to the cost of the optimal base-stock policy, and we establish the cubic-root convergence rate of the algorithm. Our analysis is based on recent advances in stochastic online convex optimization and on the uniform ergodicity of Markov chains associated with bases-stock policies.
Maximum Entropy Principle with General Deviation Measures
Authors: Grechuk Bogdan , Molyboha Anton , Zabarankin Michael
Published: April 2009

An approach to the Shannon and Rényi entropy maximization problems with constraints on the mean and law-invariant deviation measure for a random variable has been developed. The approach is based on the representation of law-invariant deviation measures through corresponding convex compact sets of nonnegative concave functions. A solution to the problem has been shown to have an alpha-concave distribution (log-concave for Shannon entropy), for which in the case of comonotone deviation measures, an explicit formula has been obtained. As an illustration, the problem has been solved for several deviation measures, including mean absolute deviation (MAD), conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) deviation, and mixed CVaR-deviation. Also, it has been shown that the maximum entropy principle establishes a one-to-one correspondence between the class of alpha-concave distributions and the class of comonotone deviation measures. This fact has been used to solve the inverse problem of finding a corresponding comonotone deviation measure for a given alpha-concave distribution.
Online Scheduling with Bounded Migration
Authors: Sanders Peter , Sivadasan Naveen , Skutella Martin
Published: April 2009

Consider the classical online scheduling problem, in which jobs that arrive one by one are assigned to identical parallel machines with the objective of minimizing the makespan. We generalize this problem by allowing the current assignment to be changed whenever a new job arrives, subject to the constraint that the total size of moved jobs is bounded by some constant times the size of the arriving job. This constant is called the migration factor. For small migration factors, we obtain several simple online algorithms with constant competitive ratio. We also present a linear time “online approximation scheme,” that is, a family of online algorithms with competitive ratio arbitrarily close to 1 and constant migration factor.