bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori Infection and the Respiratory System: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Malfertheiner Maximilian V. , Kandulski Arne , Schreiber Jens , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: July 2011

Background: Recent studies suggest an increased Helicobacter pylori prevalence in patients with various extradigestive inflammatory diseases. Similar to H. pylori infection, many respiratory diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation as well as increased immune response. Recent studies have evaluated the relation between various respiratory disorders and H. pylori infection. The aim of this systematic review was to scrutinize the relevant literature and the mechanisms that could underlie a role for H. pylori infection in respiratory diseases. Methods: Relevant literature regarding pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical epidemiology of H. pylori and different respiratory diseases has been systematically identified and analyzed by two independent reviewers according to a PubMed search for English language (until week 14, April 2010). Conclusions: At present, there is no definite proof of a causal relationship between H. pylori and respiratory diseases. Both H. pylori and various respiratory diseases are characterized by the release of proinflammatory cytokines and attraction of granulocytes as well as B- and T-cell-mediated response, though a pathophysiological association has not been proven. Neither the role of genetic predisposition of the host nor the presence of virulence factors nor the impact of H. pylori eradication have been studied in detail and definitely need further evaluation.
Meloxicam, a COX-2 Inhibitor, Ameliorates Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Non-Heart-Beating Donor Livers
Authors: Stoffels B. , Yonezawa K. , Yamamoto Y. , Schäfer N. , Overhaus M. , Klinge U. , Kalff J.C. , Minor T. , Tolba R.H.
Published: July 2011

Background/Aims: Chronic organ donor shortage has led to the consideration to expand the donor pool with livers from non-heart-beating donors (NHBD), although a higher risk of graft dys- or nonfunction is associated with these livers. We examined the effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition on hepatic warm ischemia (WI) reperfusion (I/R) injury of NHBD. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used as donors and meloxicam (5 mg/kg body weight) was administered into the preservation solution. Livers were excised after 60 min of WI in situ, flushed and preserved for 24 h at 4°C. Reperfusion was carried out in vitro at a constant flow for 45 min. During reperfusion (5, 15, 30 and 45 min), enzyme release of alanine aminotransferase and glutamate lactate dehydrogenase were measured as well as portal venous pressure, bile production and oxygen consumption. The production of malondialdehyde was quantified and TUNEL staining was performed. Quantitative PCR analyzed COX-2 mRNA. COX-2 immunohistochemistry and TxB2 detection completed the measurements. Results: Meloxicam treatment led to better functional recovery concerning liver enzyme release, vascular resistance and metabolic activity over time in all animals. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were considerably reduced. Conclusion: Cold storage using meloxicam resulted in significantly better integrity and function of livers retrieved from NHBD. Selective COX-2 inhibition is a new therapeutic approach achieving improved preservation of grafts from NHBD.
One-Year Outcomes of Cohort 1 in the Edwards SAPIEN Aortic Bioprosthesis European Outcome (SOURCE) Registry
Authors: Thomas Martyn , Schymik Gerhard , Walther Thomas , Himbert Dominique , Lefèvre Thierry , Treede Hendrik , Eggebrecht Holger , Rubino Paolo , Colombo Antonio , Lange Rüdiger , Schwarz; Rebecca R. , Wendler Olaf
Published: July 2011

Background—

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was developed to provide a therapeutic option for patients considered to be ineligible for, and to mitigate mortality and morbidity associated with, high-risk surgical aortic valve replacement.

Methods and Results—

The Edwards SAPIEN Aortic Bioprosthesis European Outcome (SOURCE) Registry was designed to assess initial post commercial clinical transcatheter aortic valve implantation results of the Edwards SAPIEN valve in consecutive patients in Europe. Cohort 1 consists of 1038 patients enrolled at 32 centers. One-year outcomes are presented. Patients with the transapical approach (n=575) suffered more comorbidities than transfemoral patients (n=463) with a significantly higher logistic EuroSCORE (29% versus 25.8%;
P
=0.007). These groups are different; therefore, outcomes cannot be directly compared. Total Kaplan Meier 1-year survival was 76.1% overall, 72.1% for transapical and 81.1% for transfemoral patients, and 73.5% of surviving patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I or II at 1 year. Combined transapical and transfemoral causes of death were cardiac in 25.1%, noncardiac in 49.2%, and unknown in 25.7%. Pulmonary complications (23.9%), renal failure (12.5%), cancer (11.4%), and stroke (10.2%) were the most frequent noncardiac causes of death. Multivariable analysis identified logistic EuroSCORE, renal disease, liver disease, and smoking as variables with the highest hazard ratios for 1-year mortality whereas carotid artery stenosis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension were associated with lower mortality.

Conclusion—

The SOURCE Registry is the largest consecutively enrolled registry for transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures. It demonstrates that with new transcatheter aortic techniques excellent 1-year survival in high-risk and inoperable patients is achievable and provides a benchmark against which future transcatheter aortic valve implantation cohorts and devices can be measured.
H11 Kinase/Heat Shock Protein 22 Deletion Impairs Both Nuclear and Mitochondrial Functions of STAT3 and Accelerates the Transition Into Heart Failure on Cardiac Overload
Authors: Qiu Hongyu , Lizano Paulo , Laure Lydie , Sui Xiangzhen , Rashed Eman , Park Ji Yeon , Hong Chull , Gao Shumin , Holle Eric , Morin Didier , Dhar Sunil K. , Wagner Thomas , Berdeaux Alain , Tian Bin , Vatner Stephen F. , Depre Christophe
Published: July 2011

Background—

Cardiac overload, a major cause of heart failure, induces the expression of the heat shock protein H11 kinase/Hsp22 (Hsp22).

Methods and Results—

To determine the specific function of Hsp22 in that context, a knockout mouse model of Hsp22 deletion was generated. Although comparable to wild-type mice in basal conditions, knockout mice exposed to pressure overload developed less hypertrophy and showed ventricular dilation, impaired contractile function, increased myocyte length and accumulation of interstitial collagen, faster transition into heart failure, and increased mortality. Microarrays revealed that hearts from knockout mice failed to transactivate genes regulated by the transcription factor STAT3. Accordingly, nuclear STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation was decreased in knockout mice. Silencing and overexpression experiments in isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes showed that Hsp22 activates STAT3 via production of interleukin-6 by the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB. In addition to its transcriptional function, STAT3 translocates to the mitochondria where it increases oxidative phosphorylation. Both mitochondrial STAT3 translocation and respiration were also significantly decreased in knockout mice.

Conclusions—

This study found that Hsp22 represents a previously undescribed activator of both nuclear and mitochondrial functions of STAT3, and its deletion in the context of pressure overload in vivo accelerates the transition into heart failure and increases mortality.
Controlled and Cardiac-Restricted Overexpression of the Arginine Vasopressin V1A Receptor Causes Reversible Left Ventricular Dysfunction Through Gα
q
-Mediated Cell Signaling
Authors: Li Xue , Chan Tung O. , Myers Valerie , Chowdhury Ibrul , Zhang Xue-Qian , Song Jianliang , Zhang Jin , Andrel Jocelyn , Funakoshi Hajime , Robbins Jeffrey , Koch Walter J. , Hyslop Terry , Cheung Joseph Y. , Feldman Arthur M.
Published: July 2011

Background—

[Arg8]-vasopressin (AVP) activates 3 G-protein–coupled receptors: V1A, V2, and V1B. The AVP-V1A receptor is the primary AVP receptor in the heart; however, its role in cardiac homeostasis is controversial. To better understand AVP-mediated signaling in the heart, we created a transgenic mouse with controlled overexpression of the V1A receptor.

Methods and Results—

The V1A receptor transgene was placed under the control of the tetracycline-regulated, cardiac-specific α-myosin heavy chain promoter (V1A-TG). V1A-TG mice had a normal cardiac function phenotype at 10 weeks of age; however, by 24 weeks of age, tetracycline-transactivating factor/V1A-TG mouse hearts had reduced cardiac function, cardiac hypertrophy, and dilatation of the ventricular cavity. Contractile dysfunction was also observed in isolated adult cardiac myocytes. When V1A receptor transgene was induced to be expressed in adult mice (V1A-TG
Ind
), left ventricular dysfunction and dilatation were also seen, albeit at a later time point. Because the V1A receptor mediates cell signaling through Gα
q
protein, we blocked Gα
q
signaling by crossing tetracycline-transactivating factor/V1A mice with transgenic mice that expressed a small inhibitory peptide against Gα
q
. Gα
q
blockade abrogated the development of the heart failure phenotype in tetracycline-transactivating factor/V1A-TG mice. The heart failure phenotype could be reversed by administration of doxycycline.

Conclusions—

Our results demonstrate a role for V1A-mediated signaling in the development of heart failure and support a role for V1A blockade in the treatment of patients with elevated levels of vasopressin.
Schools for Democracy
Authors: Terriquez Veronica
Published: July 2011

Scholars have long argued that civic organizations play a vital role in developing members’ civic capacity. Yet few empirical studies examine how and the extent to which civic skills transfer across distinct and separate civic contexts. Focusing on Latino immigrant members of a Los Angeles janitors’ labor union, this article fills a void by investigating union members’ involvement in an independent civic arena—their children’s schools. Analyses of random sample survey and semi-structured interview data demonstrate that labor union experience does not simply lead to more civic engagement, as previous research might suggest. Rather, conceptual distinctions must be made between active and inactive union members and between different types of civic engagement. Results show that active union members are not particularly involved in plug-in types of involvement, which are typically defined and dictated by school personnel. Instead, active union members tend to become involved in critical forms of engagement that allow them to voice their interests and exercise leadership. Furthermore, findings suggest that the problem solving, advocacy, and organizing skills acquired through union participation do not uniformly influence members’ civic engagement. Experience in a social movement union serves as a catalyst for civic engagement for some, while it enhances the leadership capacity of others.
Income Dynamics, Economic Rents, and the Financialization of the U.S. Economy
Authors: Tomaskovic-Devey Donald , Lin Ken-Hou
Published: July 2011

The 2008 collapse of the world financial system, while proximately linked to the housing bubble and risk-laden mortgage backed securities, was a consequence of the financialization of the U.S. economy since the 1970s. This article examines the institutional and income dynamics associated with the financialization of the U.S. economy, advancing a sociological explanation of income shifts into the finance sector. Complementary developments include banking deregulation, finance industry concentration, increased size and scope of institutional investors, the shareholder value movement, and dominance of the neoliberal policy model. As a result, we estimate that between 5.8 and 6.6 trillion dollars were transferred to the finance sector since 1980. We conclude that understanding inequality dynamics requires attention to market institutions and politics.
Modeling Eye Gaze Patterns in Clinician–Patient Interaction With Lag Sequential Analysis
Authors: Montague Enid , Xu Jie , Chen Ping-yu , Asan Onur , Barrett Bruce P. , Chewning Betty
Published: July 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether lag sequential analysis could be used to describe eye gaze orientation between clinicians and patients in the medical encounter. This topic is particularly important as new technologies are implemented into multiuser health care settings in which trust is critical and nonverbal cues are integral to achieving trust. This analysis method could lead to design guidelines for technologies and more effective assessments of interventions.

Background: Nonverbal communication patterns are important aspects of clinician–patient interactions and may affect patient outcomes.

Method: The eye gaze behaviors of clinicians and patients in 110 videotaped medical encounters were analyzed using the lag sequential method to identify significant behavior sequences. Lag sequential analysis included both event-based lag and time-based lag.

Results: Results from event-based lag analysis showed that the patient’s gaze followed that of the clinician, whereas the clinician’s gaze did not follow the patient’s. Time-based sequential analysis showed that responses from the patient usually occurred within 2 s after the initial behavior of the clinician.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that the clinician’s gaze significantly affects the medical encounter but that the converse is not true.

Application: Findings from this research have implications for the design of clinical work systems and modeling interactions. Similar research methods could be used to identify different behavior patterns in clinical settings (physical layout, technology, etc.) to facilitate and evaluate clinical work system designs.
“It Just Kind of Like Falls in Your Hands”
Authors: Davis-Sowers Regina
Published: July 2011

Using a modified grounded theory method and Black feminist theory, the author explored the factors that influence the decision-making processes of Black aunts parenting nieces and nephews. Analysis revealed six themes that facilitated beliefs in a lack of agency in the decision-making process: perceptions of a crisis, fulfillment of family obligations, personal identities, faith in God, gendered expectations, and the role of the Black aunt. Findings emphasized the impact of cultural traditions and gendered expectations on the meanings that Black aunts attach to familial roles and the influence of past and current racism on their definitions of the situation.
Weber Revisited
Authors: Hayward R. David , Kemmelmeier Markus
Published: July 2011

Weber’s Protestant Ethic hypothesis holds that elements of theology gave Protestants a cultural affinity with the economic demands of early market capitalism, particularly compared with their Catholic neighbors, which led to more rapid economic development in nations where Protestant culture was dominant. Previous research has found inconsistent support for a Protestant inclination toward pro-market attitudes, depending on whether the level of analysis was at the individual or national level. The present study uses cross-national panel data to combine these approaches with multilevel modeling. Results showed effects at the national level; people living in nations with dominantly Protestant cultural histories had more pro-market economic attitudes. At the individual level, there were differences in the impact of religiosity by religious group affiliation; Protestants had relatively pro-market attitudes regardless of religiosity, while members of other groups tended to increase in market orientation as a function of religiosity. Together, these effects support the existence of a Protestant Ethic that is linked with cultural Protestantism, rather than with personal adherence to specific Protestant religious beliefs.
Value Isomorphism in the European Social Survey
Authors: Fischer Ronald
Published: July 2011

The similarity of value structures at an individual and country level has long been debated. Previous research has shown a less than perfect match but has not been able to explain why any meaning shift might occur. In this study, the 21 Portrait Value Survey items included in the European Social Survey were analyzed. Data from representative samples from countries included in the 2002, 2004, and 2006 waves were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and generalized procrustean rotation. Values shifts were small but highly stable across time. The findings indicate that values toward the self-enhancement pole shift toward more social (conservation) and less power-oriented (self-transcendence) positions when aggregated. These shifts provide some initial support for cultural evolution arguments. The authors discusses implications of these data for relevant social evolutionary theories and for value measurement.
Finite element modeling of male leg and sportswear: contact pressure and clothing deformation
Authors: Yinglei Lin  , Choi Kai-Fi , Luximon Ameersing , Lei Yao  , Hu JY , Li Y.
Published: July 2011

In clinical practice, fast assessment of contact pressure is usually calculated by Laplace’s Law, which neither provides detailed surface geometry for soft materials of the leg, nor offers sufficient predictive power for designing high-performance sportswear. To bridge this gap, this paper describes a finite element (FE) model of sports tights that was developed with a detailed anatomic male leg model to predict the compression effects of high-performance sportswear. Non-linear elastic material was applied on the sportswear material to model the large deformation behavior. Experimental validation on athletes was performed. A reasonable agreement was found in the experimental validation. Suitable profiles were achieved along the height of the leg, in terms of both contact pressure and clothing deformation (true strain or logarithmic strain). The maximum contact pressure (2222 Pa) occurred on the posterior of the ankle, while the maximum principal true strain of the sports tights occurred on the edge of the upper thigh. This study indicates that the proposed FE model is useful for the assessment of contact pressure distribution in sportswear.
Texturing, stretching and relaxation behaviour of polylactide multifilament yarns
Authors: Manich Albert M , Miguel Rui , Lucas Jose , Franco Francisco , Baena Barbara , Carilla Josep , Montero Lucila , Cayuela Diana
Published: July 2011

Polylactide multifilament yarns were textured in order to be endowed with properties of natural staple fibre yarns for textile applications. Texturing promotes the formation of stable secondary links between the macromolecular chains. A polylactide 167/68 dtex multifilament yarn was textured under different conditions. Relaxation experiments at yield, strain softening, strain hardening and just before breaking were performed. The relaxation behaviour was studied by the application of the generalized Maxwell model. The initial stress induced when stretched, the final non-relaxed stress after relaxation and the stress relaxed at different times were determined. Variations in the relaxation behaviour were related to texturing conditions and stretching.
Investigation of the potential of microbial stripping of dyed cotton fabric using white rot fungi
Authors: Chatha Shahzad AS , Ali Shoukat , Asgher Muhammad , Haq Nawaz Bhatti
Published: July 2011

This paper reports the results of a novel approach of investigating the potential of biochemical stripping of cotton fabric dyed with reactive black B dye using five indigenous strains of white rot fungi (WRF) in Kirk’s basal salts medium. The color stripping was measured in terms of color strength (K/S value) before and after treatment. Among the five strains of WRF, Ganoderma lucidum IBL-05 showed the best stripping (20.11%) in 15 days of incubation under continuous shaking conditions (120 rpm) at pH 4.5 and 35 °C. The biochemical stripping process using G. lucidum IBL-05 was developed by optimizing various parameters like temperature, pH, additional carbon and nitrogen sources, low molecular weight mediators and metal ions. Supplementation with additional carbon and nitrogen sources enhanced the stripping to 67.73% under optimum conditions of pH 4 and temperature 35 °C. Wheat bran (1 g/100 mL) and peptone (0.2 g/ 100 mL) were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The addition of MnSO4 (1 mM) as a mediator of ligninolytic enzymes and ZnSO4 (1 mM) as a metal ion activator, further enhanced the stripping to 90.59% under optimum conditions generating a transparent effluent at the end of 15 days.
Carbohydrate Antigen 19‐9 in Saliva
Authors: Dyckhoff Gerhard , Warta Rolf , Gonnermann Achim , Plinkert Peter Karl , Flechtenmacher Christa , Volkmann Martin
Published: July 2011

Objective

Facial nerve preservation and oncological safety are crucial in surgery of parotid tumors. An unexpected histopathologic diagnosis of a malignant parotid tumor, however, may unfavorably require a second, more radical surgery. The aim of this study was to find out whether the assessment of serological tumor markers in parotid saliva might have some diagnostic significance in the preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant parotid lesions.

Study Design, Setting, Patients, and Methods

In a prospective pilot study performed at a university medical center in 28 patients with a unilateral parotid tumor, 7 serological tumor markers established in the clinical routine were quantitatively assessed in parotid saliva collected simultaneously on both sides after stimulation. The results were correlated with the histopathological diagnosis.

Results

Of the 4 investigated tumors that were malignant neoplasms, 3 had a sufficient quantity of saliva available for tumor marker measurements. Carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA 19‐9) consistently revealed high levels compared with the unaffected side in all malignant tumors, thus allowing malignant tumors to be differentiated from benign lesions.

Conclusion

The results of this pilot study are encouraging, showing that preoperative tumor marker investigation in saliva from parotid glands is feasible and merits further investigation. CA 19‐9 might be a valuable new diagnostic tool in the preoperative differentiation between malignant and benign parotid tumors and should be investigated in a larger number of patients.
Amisulpride-induced acute akathisia in OCD: an example of dysfunctional dopamine–serotonin interactions?
Authors: Ersche Karen D , Cumming Paul , Craig Kevin J , Müller Ulrich , Fineberg Naomi A , Bullmore Edward T , Robbins Trevor W
Published: July 2011

We report about a clinical observation in a well-characterized group of patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) during an experimental medicine study in which a single dose of amisulpride (a selective D2/3 antagonist) was administered. Almost half of the OCD patients, in particular those with less severe obsessive–compulsive symptoms, experienced acute akathisia in response to the amisulpride challenge. This unexpectedly high incidence of akathisia in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-treated patients with OCD suggests that individual differences in dopamine–serotonin interactions underlie the clinical heterogeneity of OCD, and may thus explain the insufficiency of SSRI monotherapy in those patients not experiencing a satisfactory outcome in symptom reduction. We further speculate about the neuropathology possibly underlying this clinical observation and outline a testable hypothesis for future molecular imaging studies.
Local strategies for efficient management of solid household waste – the full-scale Augustenborg experiment
Authors: Bernstad Anna , la Cour Jansen Jes , Aspegren Henrik
Published: July 2011

A system with property-close source-separation of thirteen different solid household waste fractions in a residential area in southern Sweden, including the implementation of new systems for source-separation of food waste, waste electric and electronic equipment, hazardous waste and fat, oils and grease was monitored over a 2-year period. Continuous weighing of disposed waste and repeated waste composting analyses were used to investigate recycling behaviour of households in the area and to monitor the composition of disposed waste. Results show that 34% of the total amount of generated waste was currently diverted to material recycling. The removal of recyclables from residual waste could be significantly increased, as more than 80% of all waste in the area (bulky waste excluded) was either covered by the Producer Responsibility Ordinances on packaging and newspaper or constitutes food waste suitable for biogas production. Food waste still represented almost 30% of all residual waste in the study area and was thus the fraction with the greatest potential (on weight basis) for increased source-separation.
Injuries among solid waste collectors in the private versus public sectors
Authors: Bunn Terry L. , Slavova Svetla , Tang Minao
Published: July 2011

Solid waste collection is among the occupations with the highest risk for injuries and illnesses. Solid waste collector injuries were characterized in terms of injury risk and employment industry sector (public versus private) using Kentucky workers' compensation first reports of injury and claims data. When compared to 35–44-year-old workers, solid waste collectors who were under 35 years of age were less likely to have a workers' compensation first report of injury or claim that resulted in awarded benefits. The probability that a workers' compensation first report of injury or claim would result in an awarded benefit was higher if the worker was employed as a solid waste collector in the private sector compared to the public sector, or was injured due to a motor vehicle-related injury or a push-or-pull type of injury. A better understanding of the differences in the contributing factors for an injury that results in a first report of injury or claim with awarded benefits (e.g. job activities, new and refresher worker safety training, type of equipment used, differences in collection vehicle automation, and differential reporting of injuries on the job) between the public and private sectors is necessary to target injury prevention strategies in this high-risk occupation.
Degradation of phenolic compounds in aerobic and anaerobic landfills: a pilot scale study
Authors: Yazıcı Remziye , Sekman Elif , Top Selin , Varank Gamze , Bilgili M Sinan
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the aerobic and anaerobic degradation of phenol and its derivatives in aerobic and anaerobic landfills. Phenolic compounds were extracted from leachate samples using the solid phase micro-extraction method. In this study, analysis of the 24 phenolic compounds included in the standard mixture and the change in the concentrations over time of 23 of the 24 compounds found in the calibration mix standard were determined in both aerobic and anaerobic landfill reactors. It can be concluded that faster and complete removal of phenol, chlorophenol, dichlorophenols, and trichlorophenol were achieved in the aerobic landfill while aerobic treatment was less effective on tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol. In the anaerobic landfill, anaerobic reductive dechlorination probably occurred from all the highly chlorinated phenols and resulted in the accumulation of phenol and chlorophenol. The phenol could not be further degraded because the anaerobic methanogenic phase did not start during the 150 days of operation in an anaerobic landfill reactor. Nitrophenols can be degraded rapidly under aerobic conditions. These compounds are degraded to amino groups in the first step and then these amino groups are degraded to methane and CO2 under anaerobic conditions. Although the degradation could not reach the methanogenic phase in anaerobic landfill reactor during the operational period, it is indicated that nitrophenol concentrations decreased in the anaerobic reactor. This is revealed as a result of the formation of the amino groups.
Composition and production rate of dental solid waste and associated management practices in Hamadan, Iran
Authors: Nabizadeh Ramin , Koolivand Ali , Jafari Ahmad Jonidi , Yunesian Massoud , Omrani Gasemali
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study was to identify the components, composition and production rate of dental solid waste and associated management practices in dental offices in Hamadan. A total of 28 offices, including ten general dentist offices, eight specialist dentist offices, five practical dentist offices and five denture maker offices were selected in a random way. Three samples from each selected type were taken and the waste was manually separated into 74 sub-fractions and each sub-fraction was weighed. The results showed that the total annual dental waste production in dental offices was 41947.43 kg. Domestic type, potentially infectious, chemical and pharmaceutical and toxic waste constituted 71.15, 21.40, 7.26 and 0.18%, respectively of this amount. Only seven fractions including gypsum, latex gloves, nylon, dental impression material, used medicine ampoules, saliva-contaminated paper towels and saliva ejectors constituted about 80% of the waste. It was also indicated that there were no effective activity for waste minimization, separation, reuse and recycling in dental offices and the management of sharps, potentially infectious waste and other hazardous waste was poor.
Trust in a Cross-Sectoral Interorganizational Network
Authors: Lee Hyung-Woo , Robertson Peter J. , Lewis LaVonna , Sloane David , Galloway-Gilliam Lark , Nomachi Jonathan
Published: July 2011

This study explores the antecedents to trust among the participants in a cross-sectoral interorganizational network. We offer hypotheses for nine potential antecedents of trust divided into three categories: attributes of the trustor, of the trustee, and of their relationship. We analyzed dyadic data collected from a network of community-based organizations collaborating to promote change in a south Los Angeles community. The results of our analysis reveal that trust building is not a simple process but results from a combination of attributes of trustors, trustees, and their relationships. Trustors’ general tendency to trust other participants in the network, trustees’ reputation in the network, whether a trustee is from the same sector as the trustor, whether a trustee is important to the trustor, and the multiplexity of interactions between a trustor and trustee significantly influenced the level of trust. Some suggestions for developing trust among participants in such networks are offered.
Modelling of urea gas phase thermolysis and theoretical details on urea evaporation
Authors: Lundström A , Waldheim B , Ström H , Westerberg B
Published: July 2011

A model study of droplet decomposition of a urea–water solution (UWS) for selective catalytic reduction applications (SCR) has been undertaken. A new vapour pressure equation for urea has been adopted to predict the rate of urea evaporation. The vapour pressure above liquid urea is obtained by extrapolating the vapour pressure above solid urea. Gas phase decomposition of urea into ammonia and isocyanic acid is further assumed to be fast, dictating the boundary conditions for the evaporation process. The rate of UWS evaporation is compared to recently published data and shows good agreement. A set of Antoine parameters was fitted to the derived vapour pressure to facilitate future simulations.
Bound to care: Custodial grandmothers’ experiences of double bind family relationships
Authors: Campbell Judith , Handy Jocelyn
Published: July 2011

This article applies Bateson’s concept of the double bind to the interpretation of emergent problems in custodial grandmothers’ relationships with their other adult offspring and non-custodial grandchildren. The article suggests that women raising grandchildren are placed in a double bind situation in which the two core family values of caring for family members in need and treating all family members equally are in conflict. This conflict of interests is at the heart of many problems within the intergenerational family context and is experienced as both inescapable and distressing by both grandmothers and their adult children. Brief vignettes from two participants in a small-scale qualitative study of New Zealand custodial grandmothers’ lives are presented to illustrate this dynamic.
In situ oil flow measurements in fired engine compared to one-dimensional lube circuit simulation
Authors: Le Négrate A , El Fassi M , Cavallaro G
Published: July 2011

This article describes the measurement methodology employed to determine oil mass flowrate through internal combustion (IC) engine oil circuits. Comparisons with one-dimensional (1D) simulations of oil circuits are shown and potential applications to the development of optimized oil circuits are outlined.

Lubricant mass flowrates at different lube circuit locations are not well known. For optimized engine friction development, oil mass flowrates have been measured along the engine lube circuit in motored and fired engine to better understand the real oil feeding conditions of the main mechanical parts. These measurements show that not only oil mass flowrates, but also oil distributions in the lube circuit evolve with the engine speed and load. This has to be taken into account for engine mechanical part design. The constant temperature anemometry method, used in this study, proved to be an appropriate way to better investigate engine lube circuit behaviour.

A 1D fluid-flow model of the engine lube circuit has been made and results were compared to measurement data. Simulation results were found to be consistent with measurement data.
Insulin glargine plus oral antidiabetic agents in comparison with biphasic insulin in type 2 diabetes: a UK cost comparison
Authors: Owens David , Tilling Carl , Keech Martin
Published: July 2011

LAPTOP (Lantus + Amaryl + metformin vs. premixed* insulin in Patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus after failing Oral treatment Pathways) was a multinational study which compared the addition of once daily insulin glargine (IG, Lantus) with the oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) glimepiride and metformin with twice daily 30% regular/70% human neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin (Actraphane 30) and no OADs in 371 type 2 diabetes patients over a 24-week period. IG plus OADs was seen to be significantly more effective in lowering glycated haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) (-1.64% vs. - 1.31%). We undertook a cost minimisation analysis using data from the LAPTOP study to determine the relative costs of the two treatment regimens. Overall, the cost per patient for 24 weeks for the IG plus OADs group was £207.61 compared with £313.49 for biphasic insulin aspart (BIA), a difference of 34%. During the 24-week period of the study the cost of a 1% reduction in HbA1C was £126.59 for IG plus OADs and £239.31 for BIA only. A 1 mmol/L reduction in fasting blood glucose cost £97 with IG plus OADs and £142.50 with BIA. The cost of achieving an equivalent reduction in HbA1C was 34% less with IG plus OADs than twice daily BIA with no OADs.
Bright light and night work: effects on selective and divided attention in elderly persons
Authors: Kretschmer V , Griefahn B , Schmidt K-H
Published: July 2011

Night work is associated with reduced levels of performance. Due to demographic change, the ability of over 50-year-olds to work at night is important for the employment market. Ageing is associated with decrements in both cognitive abilities and the capabilities of the visual system. This study focuses on the effects of exposure to bright light at night on selective and divided attention in elderly persons during three consecutive night shifts. After statistical control for neuroticism and intelligence as covariates, the results demonstrate that exposure to bright light at night reduced error rates for a divided attention task but performance on a selective attention task was unaffected.
Factors influencing endothelial function in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women of the EU-RISC study
Authors: Konrad Thomas , Bär Frances , Schneider Frank , Franke Stefanie , Böhles Hansjosef , Vetter Gert , Balkau Beverly
Published: July 2011

Background: We studied the impact of lifestyle, body composition, different insulin sensitivity indices and the first insulin response in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women with a low cardiovascular risk profile (the EU-RISC study, ‘Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease’ ( n = 51, 47 ± 4 years, body mass index 23.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2, waist girth 79.2 ± 10.3 cm) on endothelial function (flow mediated arterial dilatation (FMD)), an early marker for atherosclerosis.

Results: Waist circumference ( p = 0.06), tobacco consumption ( p = 0.02) and leucocyte count ( p = 0.09) were inversely related with FMD in both pre- and post-menopausal women. Neither insulin sensitivity nor first insulin response indices were correlated with FMD. In pre-menopausal women ( n = 24), waist ( p < 0.02), waist-to-hip ratio ( p < 0.02), HDL cholesterol ( p < 0.01) and smoking habits ( p < 0.03) were significantly correlated with endothelial function. In postmenopausal women ( n = 27) age ( r = −0.17, p = 0.04) was related with FMD.

Conclusion: Smoking and waist circumference, a simple marker of visceral adiposity, were related with endothelial function in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women.
Strategic Candidates, Campaign Dynamics, and Campaign Advertising in Gubernatorial Races
Authors: Carsey Thomas M. , Jackson Robert A. , Stewart Melissa , Nelson James P.
Published: July 2011

Political campaigns are dynamic struggles between candidates to define the informational context for voters. Although much research describes how campaigns unfold or explores their effects on voters, less attention has been given to developing and testing a dynamic theory of candidate interaction during campaigns. In this study, the authors examine three different theories of candidate behavior, testing each using data on the TV advertisements aired in 23 gubernatorial elections held in 2002. The analysis examines both the total advertising efforts and the total negative advertising efforts of candidates in these races, differentiating between candidates based on partisanship, incumbency status, and whether they won or lost. The authors find support for all three theories, demonstrating their complementary nature and the value of analyzing campaigns as dynamic processes.
Transformative Learning Through Aesthetic Experience
Authors: Kokkos Alexis
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this article is to portray the importance of aesthetic experience (a notion understood as the systematic observation and critical analysis of artworks) within the framework of transformative learning. The article includes an extended literature review vis-à-vis the contribution of aesthetic experience in unearthing the integrated knowing, encompassing critically reflective, affective and imaginative dimensions of learning. The ideas of Eisner, Broudy, Gardner, Perkins, Kant, Dewey, Sartre, Efland, Frankfurt School and Palo Alto Mental Research Institute are examined as well as the contributions of the scholars of transformative learning theory to the issue at hand. In the final part, a method is presented, which is constructed synthetically resting on the aforementioned theoretical views and regards the utilization of aesthetic experience in the processes of transformative learning.
Improving recording of capacity to consent and explanation of medication side effects in a psychiatric service for people with learning disability: Audit findings
Authors: Roy Ashwin , Jain Sarus , Roy Ameeta , Ward Frances , Richings Ceri , Martin Mark , Roy Meera
Published: July 2011

This study aimed to examine the practice of psychiatrists in a large learning disability service in recording capacity to consent to treatment and side effect discussion, and the impact of measures aimed at improving this. Three audit cycles were completed between 2007 and 2009, each examining 26 case notes selected at random. Information was gathered on recording of capacity and documentation of explanation of potential side effects. Changes in practice following the introduction of a rubber stamp in 2008, as a visual prompt for clinicians, were examined. Rates of recording of capacity rose from 30% in 2007 to 51% in 2009 (P = 0.000006). Capacity was more likely to have been recorded if the stamp was present (odds ratio 13.5, p < 0.0001). Recording of side effect discussion was consistently higher than that of capacity and showed little change between cycles. We conclude that the use of a rubber stamp in case notes was associated with improvements in the recording of capacity assessments.
Psychological well-being of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities: Using parental stress as a mediating factor
Authors: Cramm J.M. , Nieboer A.P.
Published: July 2011

Parental stress has been identified as a major affecter of caregivers’ psychological well-being and a risk increaser for unwillingly placing children with disabilities in the care of others. Recognition of effective means to ease caregiving burdens must guide policymaking and will help to provide better and tailored support and intervention for the children. This study aims to characterize caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities who are about to seek outside support and care and to identify the conditions under which psychological well-being and parental stress are affected using parental stress as a mediating factor. We found that parental stress and the child’s depressive feelings strongly affected psychological well-being. We also found an indirect relation of restricted caregiver social activities through parental stress. To protect psychological well-being of caregivers, support services should address depressive feelings among children with intellectual disabilities, facilitate caregivers’ social activity, and reduce stress.
Access to healthcare services by people with intellectual disabilities: A rural-urban comparison
Authors: Nicholson Laura , Cooper Sally-Ann
Published: July 2011

Access to healthcare services is poor both for adults with intellectual disabilities and for people living in rural areas. Adults with intellectual disabilities in rural areas may therefore be at a double disadvantage. Representative data were analysed from 39 rural and 633 urban participants from Scotland. Information on demographics, healthcare, and access to services were collected from face-to-face interviews and primary care notes. Both direct comparison and binary logistic regression showed the rural sample to have had significantly more contact with primary (odds ratio = 4.02, 95% CI 1.56—10.35, P = 0.004) and secondary health care (OR = 3.93, 95% CI = 1.81—8.55, P = 0.001). Contact with allied healthcare professionals was not significantly different, except that people in the rural sample were significantly more likely to have had recent contact with a dentist and an optician. Contrary to the original hypothesis, adults with intellectual disabilities living in rural areas were not found to be disadvantaged.
Science of synthetic turf surfaces: investigating traction behaviour
Authors: Severn K A , Fleming P R , Clarke J D , Carré M J
Published: July 2011

The traction forces produced between an athlete’s footwear and the playing surface are a crucial factor influencing a player’s performance. Four primary factors affecting traction have been identified from literature: the sports specific movement, the footwear, the playing surface, and the environment. Many authors have investigated traction behaviour mechanically, using a variety of shoe and surface types, concluding that the traction generated at the shoe–surface interface is dependent on each shoe–surface combination (see work by Gheluwe et al., Cawley et al., and Villwocket et al., details given in main text). There has been little attempt in the literature, however, to try and explain the behaviour of the surface from the traction resistance measurements that were observed, perhaps owing to the complex number of variables involved. Furthermore, the variety of methodologies used in past research makes it difficult directly to compare datasets. This paper presents datasets comparing the traction behaviour of several carefully prepared surface systems and states, using three mechanical test procedures, and investigates the factors influencing traction resistance. Results highlight that properties of synthetic turf carpets (fibres and tuft spacing) and the density state of the crumbed rubber infill component and the stud size and configuration influence the maximum traction forces generated at the shoe–surface interface. The magnitude of stud penetration under controlled vertical loading is also presented. The findings of this study further demonstrate the importance of understanding the detail of the surface system under test, and that the infill state has a measurable effect. The design and operation of mechanical traction measurement equipment also demonstrates influences on the traction values measured, and the largest influence is the normal load applied. The FIFA standard test is shown to be less sensitive to infill state than other tests. Recommendations are made for more robust testing methods for future research.
The European Community Respiratory Health Survey
Authors: Burney PG , Luczynska C , Chinn S , Jarvis D
Published: July 2011

The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was planned to answer specific questions about the distribution of asthma and health care given for asthma in the European Community. Specifically, the survey is designed to estimate variations in the prevalence of asthma, asthma-like symptoms and airway responsiveness; to estimate variations in exposures to known or suspected risk factors for asthma, and assess to what extent these variations explain the variations in the prevalence of disease; and to estimate differences in the use of medication for asthma. The protocol provides specific instructions on the sampling strategy adopted by the survey teams, as well as providing instructions on the use of questionnaires, the tests for allergy, lung function measurements, tests of airway responsiveness, and blood and urine collection. The principal data collection sheets and questionnaires are provided in the appendices, together with information on coding and quality control. The protocol is published as a reference for those who wish to know more of the methods used in the study, and also to give other groups who wish to collect comparable data access to the detailed methodology.