bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the Moderating Role of Family Cohesion on the Relationship Between Witnessed Community Violence and Delinquency in a National Sample of Adolescents
Authors: Barr Simone C. , Hanson Rochelle , Begle Angela M. , Kilpatrick Dean G. , Saunders Benjamin , Resnick Heidi , Amstadter Ananda
Published: September 2011

Witnessed community violence has been linked to a number of internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents. Guided by Cicchetti and Lynch’s (1993) ecological-transactional model, this study aimed to examine the impact that family-level factors had on negative outcomes associated with witnessed community violence. Using a nationally representative sample, we explored the moderational role of family cohesion in the relationship between witnessing community violence and delinquent behavior while taking demographic variables into account. Results from the investigation suggested that low levels of family cohesion were predictive of delinquency after controlling for race, gender, past delinquency, and direct trauma. In addition, the findings suggested that family cohesion moderated the impact of witnessed community violence on future delinquent behavior. Future directions for research and implications for practice were also discussed.
Personal Reputation
Authors: Foste Elizabeth A. , Botero Isabel C.
Published: September 2011

One of the pitfalls of past research in upward influence communication is that messages are often categorized using more than one characteristic. This categorization has made it difficult to understand how different message characteristics affect supervisors’ perceptions about employees. Given the importance of supervisor perceptions for the future of employees in the organization, this study uses principles of language expectancy theory (LET) to explore how message content (benefit organization vs. no benefit) and delivery style (aggressive vs. nonaggressive) in upward communication situations affect perceptions of personal reputation and work competence. Participants, acting in the role of supervisors, read one of four scenarios and evaluated a new employee. Results suggest that delivery style and message content independently influence the supervisor’s willingness to grant a request as well as influence perceptions of personal reputation, whereas perceptions of work competence are primarily affected by message content. Implications of results for theory and practice are discussed.
How to improve static and fatigue strength in press-fitted joints using anaerobic adhesive
Authors: Croccolo D , De Agostinis M , Vincenzi N
Published: September 2011

This study is focused on the static and fatigue strength of interference-fitted connections supplemented with anaerobic adhesive ( hybrid joints). Through axial release tests, it is demonstrated that the addition of the adhesive always improves the performance of the joint. The main achievable benefits can be summarized in (a) the possibility of increasing the load transfer capability with the same joint geometry and (b) reducing both the weight and the stress field of the joint with the same load transfer capability. The objective of the study is to provide some relevant information on the static and fatigue strength properties in case of both steel–aluminium components ( mixed hybrid joints) and steel–steel components ( steel hybrid joints). Furthermore, the authors provide some design formulae useful to predict the releasing force (the strength of the joints) both under static and dynamic conditions. Relevant improvements can be obtained using the anaerobic adhesive in terms of releasing force, which increases at least of 40 per cent. The proposed results derive from a collection of 200 experimental tests performed by the authors on a high-strength, single-component adhesive, which cures anaerobically (LOCTITE 648®).
A multichannel fusion approach based on coupled hidden Markov models for rolling element bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Xiao W B , Chen J , Dong G M , Zhou Y , Wang Z Y
Published: September 2011

This paper presents a novel multichannel fusion approach based on coupled hidden Markov models (CHMMs) for rolling element bearing fault diagnosis. Different from a hidden Markov model (HMM), a CHMM contains multiple state sequences and observation sequences, and hence has powerful potential for multichannel fusion. In this study, a two-chain CHMM is employed to integrate the two-channel vibration signals collected from bearings, i.e. the horizontal and vertical vibration signals. Efficient probabilistic inference and parameter estimation algorithms are developed for the model. An experiment was carried out to validate the proposed approach. Normalized wavelet packet energy and wavelet packet energy entropy are extracted as features for classification respectively. Then, the results of the proposed approach are compared with those of the currently used approach based on HMMs and one-channel signals. The results show that the proposed approach is feasible and effective to improve the classification rate.
Review and comparison of different support loss models for micro-electro-mechanical systems resonators undergoing in-plane vibration
Authors: Chouvion B , McWilliam S , Popov A A , Fox C H J
Published: September 2011

Several approaches for calculating support loss in micro-electro-mechanical system resonators undergoing in-plane vibration are reviewed. In each of them, the support is approximated as a semi-infinite domain. The first approach is analytical and models the support as a semi-infinite thin plate. This is compared with two different finite element approaches that introduce artificial boundaries to their finite domain. In order to absorb outgoing waves and model the infinite support, a perfectly matched layer method and the use of infinite elements are considered. Simple test cases are studied and the results for the support losses predicted by the different methods are compared. It is shown that each of the methods yields similar trends. Using the developed analytical model, a parametric study is performed on the support losses of a ring-based resonator. General strategies for improving the quality factor by reducing support losses are provided.
An innovative tri-axes micro-power receiver for inductively wireless power transmission
Authors: Tsai N-C , Hsu S-L
Published: September 2011

An innovative tri-axes micro-power receiver is proposed and studied for wireless magnetic energy transmission. The tri-axes micro-power receiver mainly consists of two sets of three-dimensional micro-solenoids and one set of planar micro-coils in which individual iron core is all embedded. The three sets of micro-coils/micro-solenoids are designed to be orthogonal to each other. Therefore, no matter which direction the input magnetic flux is present along, the supplied magnetic energy can be harvested and transformed into electric power by the proposed micro-power receiver in wireless sense. Not only the dead zone of receiving power is greatly reduced, but also transformation efficacy of magnetic energy into electric power can be much enhanced. By Governing Equations Analysis (GEA), based on Biot-Savart law and Faraday's law, the mathematical description upon power transmission from transmitter to receiver is established. The estimation error on power transmission by commercial software, Ansoft Maxwell, based on finite element method, is revealed, in comparison to GEA method. Moreover, the design parameters of tri-axes micro-receiver are examined and verified for follow-up fabrication and experiments. Particularly for the micro electro mechanical systems process, the isotropic etching technique is employed to micro-machine the inverse-trapezoid fillister for solenoid at receiver, so that the copper wire can be successfully electroplated. Therefore, the adhesion between micro-coils and fillister is hence much enhanced as well.
Subjective Concepts of Chronically Ill Patients Using Distant Healing
Authors: Güthlin Corina , Anton Andreas , Kruse Jan , Walach Harald
Published: September 2011

Distant healing procedures consist of benevolent intentions, often taking the form of prayers for a patient. Despite inconclusive evidence regarding distant healing, prayers are a widespread health-related technique. We studied subjective concepts of distant healing in 17 patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity who were given distant healing during a randomized controlled trial. We applied reconstructive interview analysis when analyzing the results. The overall theme was the tension between mainstream medicine and the immaterial healing procedure. Several components highlighted this tension: (a) patterns of legitimizing the use of distant healing, (b) distant healing and the social setting, (c) integrating distant healing into their belief system, and (d) reconstruction of effects by means of hindsight. The interviews showed that patients felt the need to legitimize having tried distant healing. They had to bear the full ambiguity of biomedicine being in competition with distant healing, though also experiencing distant healing as giving support.
Making the Case for a Post-national Cultural Analysis of Organizations
Authors: Witte Anne E.
Published: September 2011

Isolating the cultural within organizational analysis and extracting cultural lessons from managerial situations have generated cross-national categories of culture and competing paradigms for studying the cultural, intercultural, and cross-cultural influences of economic and social life. As organizations around the world combine different cultural diversities, and the use of individual, national, and political aggregates of study do not necessarily transpose well onto many business situations (especially in atypical examples such as those presented in nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], clubs, associations, and public agencies), the use of nation profiles and dimensions as analytical terms for culture in organizations has become questionable. This conceptual article draws from critical theory, anthropology, cultural studies, and management literature in investigating to what extent national character and dimensions should still be the dominant filter for studying people and culture in organizations. Postcolonial theory has revealed that research paradigms promoting gender, nation, age, ethnic, and other categories suffer from bias implicit in all “essentializing” and “reifying” projects. Such designs are too overconfident in their account of culture and do not sufficiently recognize a diversity of organizational subjects as a variable for study. A postnational cultural analysis is prescribed requiring a mitigated use of nation and dimension frameworks, a stakeholder perspective, and a research standpoint that transcends the perspective of the managerial function. Cross-cultural, intercultural, and multicultural business situations in the context of global work require a transcultural paradigm, created by and serving multiple cultures and acting across national and occupational boundaries. This accommodates the fact that much global trade is conducted primarily by oligopolistic corporations and that organizations not prioritizing profit objectives (NGOs, humanitarian associations, virtual chats, and public agencies) offer completely original avenues of cultural research. This article explores options for integrating the cultural credibly among the explanatory tools of contractual human organization and for innovating on the methods, designs, and formats of cultural research for management studies.
Does Contact by a Family Nurse Practitioner Decrease Early School Absence?
Authors: Kerr Jill , Price Marva , Kotch Jonathan , Willis Stephanie , Fisher Michael , Silva Susan
Published: September 2011

Chronic early school absence (preschool through third grade) is associated with school failure. The presence of school nurses may lead to fewer absences, and nurse practitioners in school-based health centers (SBHCs) can facilitate a healthier population resulting in improved attendance. Efforts to get students back to school are unexplored in nursing literature. This article describes a nursing intervention to decrease early school absence in two elementary schools K–3 ( N = 449) and a Head Start program ( N = 130). The Head Start Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) contacted families of chronically and excessively absent students by telephone, clinic visit at school, or home visit. The aggregate percentage attendance was evaluated by grades (preschool to third grade), schools (Head Start, Elementary Schools 1 and 2), and grades and schools and compared with publicly available school district aggregate data. There were statistically significant increases in attendance from Year 1 to Year 2 at p < .05 at the elementary level but not at the Head Start level. Student demographics, types of contacts, absence reasons (including sick child), and medical diagnoses are described.
Is there a need for a focused health care service for children with autistic spectrum disorders? A keyhole look at this problem in Tripoli, Libya
Authors: Zeglam Adel M , Maouna Ameena
Published: September 2011

Background

Autism is a global disorder, but relatively little is known about its presentation and occurrence in many developing countries, including Libya.

Aims

To estimate the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders in children referred to Al-Khadra hospital (KH). To increase the awareness among pediatrician and primary health care providers of the importance of considering autism in children presenting with speech and language disorders.

Methods

Prospective hospital-based study of all children referred to a neurodevelopment clinic between 2005 and 2009 with the diagnosis of either speech and language difficulties or behavioral difficulties.

Results

A total of 38,508 children were seen in the pediatric outpatient clinics of KH, Tripoli, between 2005 and 2009. Of these, 180 children were referred to the neurodevelopment clinic with history of delayed speech and language and or behavioral difficulties. A diagnosis of autism was made in 128 children, which gives a prevalence of approximately 1 in 300.

Conclusion

The prevalence of autism in Libya is probably similar to that seen in the USA and the UK. No data were available for comparison from either Arab or other developing countries. Autism is an important differential diagnosis of any language disorder ‘and behavioral difficulties’.
Concentrations of Formaldehyde in new Danish Residential Buildings in Relation to WHO Recommendations and CEN Requirements
Authors: Kolarik Barbara , Gunnarsen Lars , Logadottir Asta , Funch Lis Winther
Published: September 2011

It is uncertain if current Danish legislation regarding emission of formaldehyde from wood-based panels could assure that concentrations of formaldehyde in the indoor air of buildings containing the material would meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. This is of particular concern since the recent recognition by International Agency for Research on Cancer that formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether residents of newly built Danish residential houses could be exposed to safe levels of formaldehyde. Geometric mean concentration of formaldehyde measured in 20 residential buildings was 0.04 mg m−3. Formaldehyde concentrations in two buildings (10%) exceeded the WHO guideline value. In order to explain the relatively high concentrations, a second phase was performed. The aim was to identify the significant formaldehyde sources and to discuss the source strength in relation to field measurements and WHO guidelines. The results showed wide differences between the materials tested, but all steady-state concentrations were below the European standard requirement for class E1. These measurements formed the basis for model calculations of possible resulting concentrations in residential rooms, suggesting that indoor concentrations above the WHO maximum limit could occur. The calculations applied a worst case scenario with all surfaces covered with materials emitting the maximum permissible amount of formaldehyde show indoor concentrations as high as 0.6 mg m−3.
The Effect of Seasons and Prevailing Environments on Adaptive Comfort Temperatures in Open Plan Offices
Authors: Yun Geun Young , Kong Hyo Joo , Kim Jeong Tai
Published: September 2011

Creating comfortable indoor climates is one of fundamental functions of buildings and buildings use a large amount of energy to fulfill their function. Therefore, it is important to understand how and under what thermal environments, the occupants can achieve their comfort in their normal lives. This paper reports the results from a longitudinal field investigation, which has been conducted to reveal the comfort temperatures of occupants in open plan offices in summer, autumn and winter in Seoul, Korea and to identify the environmental factors that could affect comfort temperatures. The survey results confirm that comfort temperature would vary with seasons. This research provides the evidence to link the indoor and outdoor temperatures along with past thermal experience with comfort temperatures. An adaptive comfort model has been developed by this study for building occupants in Seoul, Korea based on the field investigation. Comparisons between the new adaptive comfort model and existing models have been also made. The establishment of an adaptive thermal comfort model for Seoul would have a significant impact on energy saving and for setting of thermal comfort standard for office buildings in Korea.
Abnormal expression of FLI1 protein is an adverse prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kornblau Steven M. , Qiu Yi Hua , Zhang Nianxiang , Singh Neera , Faderl Stefan , Ferrajoli Alessandra , York Heather , Qutub Amina A. , Coombes Kevin R. , Watson Dennis K.
Published: September 2011

Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (FLI1), an Ets transcription factor family member, is linked to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) by chromosomal events at the FLI1 locus, but the biologic impact of FLI1 expression on AML is unknown. FLI1 protein expression was measured in 511 newly diagnosed AML patients. Expression was similar in peripheral blood (PB) and BM and higher at diagnosis than at relapse (P = .02). Compared with normal CD34+ cells, expression in AML was above or below normal in 32% and 5% of patients, respectively. Levels were negatively correlated with an antecedent hematologic disorder (P = .002) but not with age or cytogenetics. Mutated NPM1 (P = .0007) or FLT3-ITD (P < .02) had higher expression. FLI1 levels were negatively correlated with 10 of 195 proteins associated with proliferation and stromal interaction, and positively correlated (R > 0.3) with 19 others. The FLI1 level was not predictive of remission attainment, but patients with low or high FLI1 expression had shorter remission duration (22.6 and 40.3 vs 51.1 weeks, respectively; P = .01) and overall survival (45.2 and 35.4 vs 59.4 weeks, respectively; P = .03). High FLI1 levels were adverse in univariate and multivariate analysis. FLI1 expression is frequently abnormal and prognostically adverse in AML. FLI1 and/or its response genes may be therapeutically targetable to interfere with AML cell biology.
Novel male-biased expression in paralogs of the aphid slimfast nutrient amino acid transporter expansion
Authors: Duncan Rebecca P , Nathanson Lubov , Wilson Alex CC
Published: September 2011

Background

A major goal of molecular evolutionary biology is to understand the fate and consequences of duplicated genes. In this context, aphids are intriguing because the newly sequenced pea aphid genome harbors an extraordinary number of lineage-specific gene duplications relative to other insect genomes. Though many of their duplicated genes may be involved in their complex life cycle, duplications in nutrient amino acid transporters appear to be associated rather with their essential amino acid poor diet and the intracellular symbiosis aphids rely on to compensate for dietary deficits. Past work has shown that some duplicated amino acid transporters are highly expressed in the specialized cells housing the symbionts, including a paralog of an aphid-specific expansion homologous to the Drosophila gene slimfast. Previous data provide evidence that these bacteriocyte-expressed transporters mediate amino acid exchange between aphids and their symbionts.

Results

We report that some nutrient amino acid transporters show male-biased expression. Male-biased expression characterizes three paralogs in the aphid-specific slimfast expansion, and the male-biased expression is conserved across two aphid species for at least two paralogs. One of the male-biased paralogs has additionally experienced an accelerated rate of non-synonymous substitutions.

Conclusions

This is the first study to document male-biased slimfast expression. Our data suggest that the male-biased aphid slimfast paralogs diverged from their ancestral function to fill a functional role in males. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that members of the slimfast expansion are maintained in the aphid genome not only for the previously hypothesized role in mediating amino acid exchange between the symbiotic partners, but also for sex-specific roles.
Protein-based signatures of functional evolution in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Gardner Kate B , Sinha Ipsita , Bustamante Leyla Y , Day Nicholas PJ , White Nicholas J , Woodrow Charles J
Published: September 2011

Background

It has been known for over a decade that Plasmodium falciparum proteins are enriched in non-globular domains of unknown function. The potential for these regions of protein sequence to undergo high levels of genetic drift provides a fundamental challenge to attempts to identify the molecular basis of adaptive change in malaria parasites.

Results

Evolutionary comparisons were undertaken using a set of forty P. falciparum metabolic enzyme genes, both within the hominid malaria clade (P. reichenowi) and across the genus (P. chabaudi). All genes contained coding elements highly conserved across the genus, but there were also a large number of regions of weakly or non-aligning coding sequence. These displayed remarkable levels of non-synonymous fixed differences within the hominid malaria clade indicating near complete release from purifying selection (dN/dS ratio at residues non-aligning across genus: 0.64, dN/dS ratio at residues identical across genus: 0.03). Regions of low conservation also possessed high levels of hydrophilicity, a marker of non-globularity. The propensity for such regions to act as potent sources of non-synonymous genetic drift within extant P. falciparum isolates was confirmed at chromosomal regions containing genes known to mediate drug resistance in field isolates, where 150 of 153 amino acid variants were located in poorly conserved regions. In contrast, all 22 amino acid variants associated with drug resistance were restricted to highly conserved regions. Additional mutations associated with laboratory-selected drug resistance, such as those in PfATPase4 selected by spiroindolone, were similarly restricted while mutations in another calcium ATPase (PfSERCA, a gene proposed to mediate artemisinin resistance) that reach significant frequencies in field isolates were located exclusively in poorly conserved regions consistent with genetic drift.

Conclusion

Coding sequences of malaria parasites contain prospectively definable domains subject to neutral or nearly neutral evolution on a scale that appears unrivalled in biology. This distinct evolutionary landscape has potential to confound analytical methods developed for other genera. Against this tide of genetic drift, polymorphisms mediating functional change stand out to such an extent that evolutionary context provides a useful signal for identifying the molecular basis of drug resistance in malaria parasites, a finding that is of relevance to both genome-wide and candidate gene studies in this genus.
The impact of CFS/ME on employment and productivity in the UK: a cross-sectional study based on the CFS/ME national outcomes database
Authors: Collin Simon M , Crawley Esther , May Margaret T , Sterne Jonathan AC , Hollingworth William ,   UK CFS/ME National Outcomes Database
Published: September 2011

Background

Few studies have investigated factors associated with discontinuation of employment in patients with CFS/ME or quantified its impact on productivity.

Methods

We used patient-level data from five NHS CFS/ME services during the period 01/04/2006-31/03/2010 collated in the UK CFS/ME National Outcomes Database. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with discontinuation of employment. We estimated UK-wide productivity costs using patient-level data on duration of illness before assessment by a CFS/ME service, duration of unemployment, age, sex and numbers of patients, in conjunction with Office for National Statistics income and population data.

Results

Data were available for 2,170 patients, of whom 1,669 (76.9%) were women. Current employment status was recorded for 1,991 patients (91.8%), of whom 811 patients (40.7%) were currently employed and 998 (50.1%) had discontinued their employment "because of fatigue-related symptoms". Older age, male sex, disability, fatigue, pain, and duration of illness were associated with cessation of employment. In a multivariable model, age, male sex, and disability remained as independent predictors. Total productivity costs among the 2,170 patients due to discontinuation of employment in the years preceding assessment by a specialist CFS/ME service (median duration of illness = 36 months) were £49.2 million. Our sample was equivalent to 4,424 UK adults accessing specialist services each year, representing productivity costs to the UK economy of £102.2 million. Sensitivity analyses suggested a range between £75.5-£128.9 million.

Conclusions

CFS/ME incurs huge productivity costs amongst the small fraction of adults with CFS/ME who access specialist services.
Influence of structure of iron nanoparticles in aggregates on their magnetic properties
Authors: Rosická Dana , Šembera Jan
Published: September 2011

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles rapidly aggregate. One of the reasons is magnetic forces among the nanoparticles. Magnetic field around particles is caused by composition of the particles. Their core is formed from zero-valent iron, and shell is a layer of magnetite. The magnetic forces contribute to attractive forces among the nanoparticles and that leads to increasing of aggregation of the nanoparticles. This effect is undesirable for decreasing of remediation properties of iron particles and limited transport possibilities. The aggregation of iron nanoparticles was established for consequent processes: Brownian motion, sedimentation, velocity gradient of fluid around particles and electrostatic forces. In our previous work, an introduction of influence of magnetic forces among particles on the aggregation was presented. These forces have significant impact on the rate of aggregation. In this article, a numerical computation of magnetic forces between an aggregate and a nanoparticle and between two aggregates is shown. It is done for random position of nanoparticles in an aggregate and random or arranged directions of magnetic polarizations and for structured aggregates with arranged vectors of polarizations. Statistical computation by Monte Carlo is done, and range of dominant area of magnetic forces around particles is assessed.
Respiratory tract infection is the major cause of the ambulatory visits in children
Authors: Liao PeiFen , Ku MinSho , Lue KoHuang , Sun HaiLun
Published: September 2011

Background

As children represent the future, ensuring that they receive proper health care should be a primary concern of our societies. Epidemiological research underpins the importance of effective child health care strategies, and highlights the need for accurate data collection; such surveys are currently lacking in Taiwan. In our descriptive studies, we compared the differences of the ten most common diseases in the year 2000 and 2009 among Taiwanese children.

Methods

Data for a total of 174,651 and 142,200 visits under eighteen years old were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in year 2000 and 2009. A maximum of three outpatient diagnostic codes (the International Classification of Disease [ICD], ninth revision) could be listed for every visit. Data were categorized according to the principal diagnoses, age and different specialties of physicians.

Results

Respiratory tract infection was the most common disease (58.21% to 44.77%). Teeth (4.90% to 5.16%) and eye (2.52% to 3.15%) problems were the also in the list of top ten diseases. In year 2009, the rate of allergic rhinitis was 2.87% in 7-18 years old group. Pediatricians were the first option for consultation, followed by ear, nose and throat specialists and family physicians. However, for the school age children group, the role of pediatricians with regards to children's health care showed a decrease in its importance.

Conclusions

The amount of information relevant to child health care is rapidly expanding. The ten most common diseases of the present analysis may serve as baseline data for future evaluations of the changes of type of diseases among children.
Fasudil Inhibits the Proliferation and Contractility and Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of Human Endometriotic Stromal Cells: A Promising Agent for the Treatment of Endometriosis
Authors: Tsuno Akitoshi , Nasu Kaei , Kawano Yukie , Yuge Akitoshi , Li Haili , Abe Wakana , Narahara Hisashi
Published: September 2011

Context:

During the development of endometriotic lesions, excess fibrosis may lead to scarring and to the alterations of tissue function that are the characteristic features of this disease. Enhanced extracellular matrix contractility of endometriotic stromal cells (ECSC) mediated by the mevalonate-Ras homology (Rho)/Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK) pathway has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Design:

To assess the use of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, for the medical treatment of endometriosis-associated fibrosis, the effects of this agent on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, morphology, cell density, and contractility of ECSC were investigated. The effects of fasudil on the expression of contractility-related, apoptosis-related, and cell cycle-related molecules in ECSC were also evaluated.

Results:

Fasudil significantly inhibited the proliferation and contractility of ECSC and induced the cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and apoptosis of these cells. Morphological observation revealed the suppression of ECSC attachment to collagen fibers and decrease of cell density by fasudil. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin, RhoA, ROCK-I, and ROCK-II proteins was inhibited by fasudil administration. The expression of the antiapoptotic factors, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, in two-dimensional cultured ECSC were down-regulated by the addition of fasudil, whereas, the expression of p16INK4a and p21Waf1/Cip1 was up-regulated by the addition of fasudil.

Conclusions:

The present findings suggest that fasudil is a promising agent for the treatment of endometriosis. The inhibition of cell proliferation, contractility, and myofibroblastic differentiation, the attenuation of attachment to collagen fibers, the decrease of cell density, and the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of ECSC are involved in the active mechanisms of fasudil.
Are the Lips a Grave?
Authors: Huffer Lynne
Published: September 2011

This essay articulates a queer feminist ethics of eros by rereading Luce Irigaray through a Foucauldian lens. After an inquiry into Irigaray's absence from queer theory, the essay makes a case for Irigaray as a resource for queer thinking by exploring the philosophical antifoundationalism she and queer theorists share. Focusing specifically on the antisocial thesis of queer theory, especially in the work of Leo Bersani and Janet Halley, the essay first examines the contentious relation between feminist and queer conceptions of sexual ethics before addressing new possibilities for a queer feminist ethics. Reading Irigaray's ethics of eros through an ethical Foucauldian lens, the essay accomplishes three objectives: (1) it analyzes the virtually unexplored relation between Irigaray and Foucault to make the case for a queer Irigaray; (2) it unravels the aporetic knot of sexual ethics at the heart of queer feminist splits; and (3) it deepens our philosophical understanding of sexual difference and erotic desubjectivation in modernity by elaborating a queer feminist ethics.
José Garcia Villa's Modernism and the Politics of Queer Diasporic Reading
Authors: Ponce Martin Joseph
Published: September 2011

Regarded as the first anglophone Filipino literary modernist, José Garcia Villa (1908–1997) has typically been seen as an aesthetic formalist who refused to place literature in the service of national or ethnic politics. This essay rethinks this presumption by pursuing a queer diasporic approach to Villa's early fiction and essays of the 1920s and 1930s, focusing in particular on his queer critiques of gender and sexual normativity in the Philippines and of social assimilation in the United States. Situating Villa's engagements with nonnormative eroticism within a transnational context structured by U.S. colonialism and migration, the article contends with and resists the seductions of U.S. homonationalism while seeking to decolonize some of the critical assumptions informing the relation between the queer present and the queer(ed) past.
Spectroscopic Visualization of Right- and Left-Handed Helical Alignments of DNA in Chiral Vortex Flows
Authors: Tsujimoto Yuya , Ie Machiko , Ando Yasunari , Yamamoto Taiki , Tsuda Akihiko
Published: September 2011

In a vortex generated by mechanical rotary stirring in an optical cell, DNA molecules in pure water temporarily align helically to the spiral flow, and dynamically display strong induced circular dichroism (CD) and linear dichroism (LD) responses. Although a sample solution without stirring provided the characteristic CD spectral pattern of DNA, an entirely different macroscopic CD spectral pattern with a much larger intensity and LD spectrum appeared upon mechanical rotary stirring of the sample solution. Clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) stirring resulted in mirror-image CD spectral profiles and virtually the same LD profiles with different intensities. The CW stirring of the sample solution in LD spectroscopy always resulted in larger spectral intensities than CCW stirring, but the differences became negligible upon addition of NaCl or ethidium bromide. The observed CD and LD responses of the stirred sample solution decreased simultaneously as the double-stranded structure denatures with increasing temperatures. The results obtained in this study indicate that DNA, when it forms a double-stranded structure, can effectively align in the vortex flows, and show hydrodynamic preference to a right-handed vortex than to a left-handed vortex.
Four Problems with Global Carbon Markets: A Critical Review
Authors: Sovacool Benjamin K.
Published: September 2011

This article offers a critique of global carbon markets and trading, with a special focus on the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. It explores problems with the use of tradable permits to address climate change revolving around four areas: Homogeneity, justice, gaming, and information. Homogeneity problems arise from the non-linear nature of climate change and sensitivity of emissions, which complicate attempts to calculate carbon offsets. Justice problems involve issues of dependency and the concentration of wealth among the rich, meaning carbon trading often counteracts attempts to reduce poverty. Gaming problems include pressures to promote high-volume, least-cost projects and the consequences of emissions leakage. Information problems encompass transaction costs related to carbon trading and market participation and the comparatively weak institutional capacity of project evaluators.
Effect of RE on as-cast ageing process of Al-Si alloys
Authors: Wang Shenghai , Yang Chuncheng
Published: September 2011

The microstructure difference and enthalpy changes have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) during the as-cast ageing process. After the as-cast ageing process, the eutectic silicon and α-Al is in the ideal state for the alloy with 0.08 wt% mischmetal (MM) addition. The energy of the phase transformations is 5.8 J/g during the isothermal process, when Al-11%Si-0.27%Mg alloy is aged at 150°C. When the additive contents of MM are 0.03, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.1 wt%, respectively, the energies of phase transformations are 4.98, 1.39, 1.07 and 1.25 J/g correspondingly. It is shown that the energies of phase transformations decrease gradually as the MM content increases from 0 wt% to 0.08 wt%; the energies then increase upon further addition of the MM concentration from 0.08 wt% to 0.1 wt% in the as-cast ageing process. Furthermore, the beginning time of phase transformations is delayed with the MM addition.
X Chromosome Dosage and the Response to Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Turtzo L. Christine , Siegel Chad , McCullough Louise D.
Published: September 2011

Gonadal hormones contribute to ischemic neuroprotection, but cannot fully explain the observed sexual dimorphism in stroke outcomes seen during life stages with low sex steroid hormones. Sex chromosomal complement (XX in females; XY in males) may also contribute to ischemic sexual dimorphism. A transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model was used to investigate the role of X chromosome dosage in female XX and XO littermates of two mouse strains (PafandEdaTa). Cohorts of XX and XO gonadally intact, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized females supplemented with estrogen were examined. Infarct sizes were equivalent between ovariectomized XX and XO mice, between intact XX and XO mice, and between estrogen-supplemented ovariectomized XX and XO mice. This is the first study to investigate the role of sex chromosome dosage in the response to cerebral ischemia. Neither the number of X chromosomes nor the parent of origin of the remaining X chromosome had a significant effect on the degree of cerebral infarction after experimental stroke in adult female mice. Estrogen was protective against cerebral ischemia in both XX and XO mice.
Functional Networks of Parvalbumin-Immunoreactive Neurons in Cat Auditory Cortex
Authors: Yuan Kexin , Shih Jonathan Y. , Winer Jeffery A. , Schreiner Christoph E.
Published: September 2011

Inhibitory interneurons constitute ∼20% of auditory cortical cells and are essential for shaping sensory processing. Connectivity patterns of interneurons in relation to functional organization principles are not well understood. We contrasted the connection patterns of parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells in two functionally distinct cortical regions: the tonotopic, narrowly frequency-tuned module [central narrow band (cNB)] of cat central primary auditory cortex (AI) and the nontonotopic, broadly tuned second auditory field (AII). Interneuronal connectivity patterns and laminar distribution were identified by combining a retrograde tracer (wheat-germ agglutinin apo-horseradish peroxidase colloidal gold) with labeling of the Ca2+binding protein parvalbumin (Pv), a marker for the GABAergic interneurons usually described physiologically as fast-spiking neurons. In AI, parvalbumin-positive (Pv+) cells constituted 13% of the retrograde labeled cells in the immediate vicinity of the injection site, compared to 10% in AII. The retrograde labeling of Pv+ cells along isofrequency countours was confined to the cNB. The spatial spread of labeled excitatory neurons in AI was more than twice that found for Pv+ cells. By contrast, in the AII, the spread of Pv+ cells was nearly equal to that of excitatory neurons. The retrograde labeling of Pv+ cells was anisotropic in AI and isotropic in AII. This demonstration of inhibitory networks in auditory cortex reveals that the connections of cat GABAergic AI and AII cells follow different anatomical plans and thus contribute differently to the shaping of neural response properties. The finding that local connectivity of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in AI is closely aligned with spectral integration properties demonstrates the critical role of inhibition in creating distinct processing modules in AI.
Functional Duality of Astrocytes in Myelination
Authors: Nash Besma , Thomson Christine E. , Linington Christopher , Arthur Ariel T. , McClure John D. , McBride Martin W. , Barnett Susan C.
Published: September 2011

Astrocytes undergo major phenotypic changes in response to injury and disease that directly influence repair in the CNS, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that neurosphere-derived rat astrocytes plated on poly-l-lysine (PLL-astrocytes) support myelination in dissociated rat spinal cord cultures (myelinating cultures). It is hypothesized that astrocyte reactivity can affect myelination, so we have exploited this culture system to ascertain how two distinct astrocyte phenotypes influence myelination. Astrocytes plated on tenascin C (TnC-astrocytes), a method to induce quiescence, resulted in less myelinated fibers in the myelinating cultures when compared with PLL-astrocytes. In contrast, treatment of myelinating cultures plated on PLL-astrocytes with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a cytokine known to induce an activated astrocyte phenotype, promoted myelination. CNTF could also reverse the effect of quiescent astrocytes on myelination. A combination of microarray gene expression analysis and quantitative real-time PCR identified CXCL10 as a potential candidate for the reduction in myelination in cultures on TnC-astrocytes. The effect of TnC-astrocytes on myelination was eliminated by neutralizing CXCL10 antibodies. Conversely, CXCL10 protein inhibited myelination on PLL-astrocytes. Furthermore, CXCL10 treatment of purified oligodendrocyte precursor cells did not affect proliferation, differentiation, or process extension compared with untreated controls, suggesting a role in glial/axonal ensheathment. These data demonstrate a direct correlation of astrocyte phenotypes with their ability to support myelination. This observation has important implications with respect to the development of therapeutic strategies to promote CNS remyelination in demyelinating diseases.
Frontotemporal Connections in Episodic Memory and Aging: A Diffusion MRI Tractography Study
Authors: Metzler-Baddeley Claudia , Jones Derek K. , Belaroussi Boubakeur , Aggleton John P. , O'Sullivan Michael J.
Published: September 2011

Human episodic memory is supported by networks of white matter tracts that connect frontal, temporal, and parietal regions. Degradation of white matter microstructure is increasingly recognized as a general mechanism of cognitive deterioration with aging. However, atrophy of gray matter regions also occurs and, to date, the potential role of specific white matter connections has been largely ignored. Changes to frontotemporal tracts may be important for the decline of episodic memory; while frontotemporal cooperation is known to be critical, the precise pathways of interaction are unknown. Diffusion-weighted MRI tractography was used to reconstruct three candidate fasciculi known to link components of memory networks: the fornix, the parahippocampal cingulum, and the uncinate fasciculus. Age-related changes in the microstructure of these tracts were investigated in 40 healthy older adults between the ages of 53 and 93 years. The relationships between aging, microstructure, and episodic memory were assessed for each individual tract. Age-related reductions of mean fractional anisotropy and/or increased mean diffusivity were found in all three tracts. However, age-related decline in recall was specifically associated with degradation of fornix microstructure, consistent with the view that this tract is important for episodic memory. In contrast, a decline in uncinate fasciculus microstructure was linked to impaired error monitoring in a visual object–location association task, echoing the effects of uncinate transection in monkeys. These results suggest that degradation of microstructure in the fornix and the uncinate fasciculus make critical but differential contributions to the mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline and subserve distinct components of memory.
Change in platelet count in patients with hypersplenism subjected to liver transplantation
Authors: Coelho Júlio Cezar Uili , Balbinot Priscilla , Nitsche Rodrigo , Pinto Kátia Aparecida , Parolin Mônica Beatriz , Ivantes Cláudia Alexandra Pontes
Published: September 2011

CONTEXT: Most patients subjected to liver transplantation presents hypersplenism, which is reversed after the operation. However, some patients remain with moderate to intense hypersplenism. OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of liver transplantation on platelet count in patients with hypersplenism. METHOD: Of a total of 233 patients who underwent liver transplantation, 162 were excluded from the present study because of occurrence of steroid-resistant rejection, absence of hypersplenism before the transplantation, absence of follow-up for at least 2 years or incomplete exams data. The electronic study protocols of the remaining 71 patients were reviewed to determine the demographics, etiology of cirrhosis, and results of pathologic examination of the explanted liver. Serial platelet count was obtained from the study protocol on the day before liver transplantation and 1, 2, 4, and 6 months and 1 year after liver transplantation. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test, chi-square test, and Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: Posttransplant platelet count at all time intervals was significantly higher than the pretransplant value (P<0.001 for all time intervals). Thrombocytopenia was reversed (platelet count >100,000/mm³) in 58 patients (81.7%) 1 month after liver transplantation. Twelve patients (16.9%) remained with thrombocytopenia 1 year after liver transplantation. Three patients (4.2%) had recurrence of thrombocytopenia within 1 year after liver transplantation. There was no correlation between pretransplant platelet count and the Child-Pugh class or the MELD score. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation reverses hypersplenism in most patients.
Conversa: um cuidado fundamental de enfermagem na perspectiva do cliente hospitalizado
Authors: Barcelos Luisa Maria da Silva de , Alvim Neide Aparecida Titonelli
Published: September 2011

O estudo enfoca a conversa como cuidado integrador da enfermagem hospitalar. Teve como objetivo analisar a conversa como etapa essencial do diálogo entre cliente e a equipe de enfermagem. Participaram cinco pessoas já submetidas à internação hospitalar e que estavam sob acompanhamento ambulatorial em decorrência de viver com AIDS. As informações foram obtidas por meio da técnica de sensibilidade e criatividade `Almanaque', entrevista semi-estruturada e observação participante. O estudo contribuiu para reforçar o caráter relacional do cuidado de enfermagem e a posição do cliente como sujeito deste cuidado, que expressa suas solicitações e reivindicações no processo dialógico entre este e a equipe, através da conversa, entendida como um cuidado expressivo da enfermagem.
Cultura organizacional: sinergias e alergias entre Hofstede e Trompenaars
Authors: Lacerda Daniel Pacheco
Published: September 2011

Entre os diferentes elementos a serem considerados na gestão atualmente, os aspectos culturais têm se colocado na centralidade das discussões organizacionais. Essa posição deriva do fato de que a vantagem competitiva sustentável se origina da compreensão, respeito e utilização das diferenças de hábitos, práticas, pontos de vistas e competências. Empresas com atuação local ou global precisam atentar para as características oriundas de seu capital humano. O presente trabalho busca apresentar algumas evidências das implicações culturais a partir do prisma das dimensões culturais. Para isso é realizada uma breve revisão sobre o tema, em seguida são discutidas algumas repercussões para as organizações.