bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of dalteparin on coagulation activation during pregnancy in women with thrombophilia
Authors: Abou-Nassar Karim , Kovacs Michael , Kahn Susan , Wells Philip , Doucette Steve , Ramsay Tim , Clement Anne Marie , Khurana Rshmi , MacKinnon Karen , Blostein Mark , Solymoss Susan , Kingdom John , Sermer Matthew , Rey Evelyne , Rodger Marc ,   the TIPPS investigators
Published: June 2007

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is increasingly being used for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prevention of pregnancy associated morbidity in pregnant women with thrombophilia. We sought to determine if the administration of prophylactic doses of LMWH downregulates coagulation activation in high risk pregnant women with thrombophilia. This sub-study was planned as part of a randomized open label controlled trial (Thrombophilia in Pregnancy Prophylaxis Study[TIPPS])in which patients at high risk of pregnancy complications with confirmed thrombophilia are randomized to receive either dalteparin (5,000 units/day until 20 weeks then 5,000 units q12h until 37 weeks or onset of labor) or no treatment. Blood samples were collected at baseline, day 7–9 (after starting study drug), week 20 (before increasing study drug), week 36 (prior to stopping study drug) and at the time of admission to the labor and delivery unit. Samples were not drawn at fixed times in relation to drug injection. These samples were analyzed for levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1.2), D-dimer and anti-Xa activity. Generalized linear mixed models were used for statistical analysis and model results were controlled for age, smoking status, type of thrombophilia and predisposing risk factors. The effect of dalteparin onTAT levels was defined as the primary outcome. Of 198 patients eligible, 114 were enrolled in TIPPS. Ninety-one were eligible for the TIPPS coagulation activation sub-study and randomized. Thirty-nine patients were analyzed in the treatment group (dalteparin) and 46 patients in the control group (no intervention). Levels of coagulation activation factors F1.2, TAT and D-dimer increased significantly throughout pregnancy in both groups (p<0.0001). Dalteparin prophylaxis resulted in a significant increase in anti-Xa activity through pregnancy (p<0.0001) compared to controls. Dalteparin had no significant effects on the levels of TAT, F1.2 and D-dimer throughout pregnancy in thrombophilic women.A post-hoc Monte Carlo power analysis revealed that our study had 100% and 88% power to detect reductions in TAT values on treatment of 50% and 25%, respectively. Prophylaxis with dalteparin at doses used in this study did not reduce coagulation activation in high risk thrombophilic women during pregnancy.
Monitoring direct thrombin inhibitors with a plasma diluted thrombin time
Authors: Love Jason , Ferrell Chris , Chandler Wayne
Published: June 2007

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) monitoring of direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) is vulnerable to interference from many sources. If the baseline aPTT is prolonged, as occurs with lupus inhibitors, alternative methods are required to monitor DTI levels. We compared the plasma diluted thrombin time (1:4 dilution of patient plasma with normal plasma) and the aPTT in patient samples spiked with argatroban, bivalirudin, or lepirudin at three concentration levels. Each drug was spiked into five samples with lupus inhibitors, five samples with deficient vitamin K-dependent factors, three samples with elevated D-dimers, and eight samples with normal baseline aPTT values. The aPTT overestimated the spiked DTI concentration in all samples with lupus inhibitors, low levels of vitamin K-dependent factors, and elevated D-dimers. In samples with normal baseline aPTTs, the aPTT failed to correctly estimate the spiked drug concentration in four of 24 samples spiked with argatroban, seven of 24 spiked with lepirudin, and three of 24 spiked with bivalirudin. The plasma diluted thrombin time was not affected by lupus inhibitors, low vitamin K-dependent factor levels or elevated D-dimer levels and correctly estimated the spiked drug level in 63 of 63 samples spiked with argatroban, 63 of 63 samples spiked with bivalirudin, and 62 of 63 samples spiked with lepirudin. In conclusion, the plasma diluted thrombin time appears to be a viable alternative to the aPTT for monitoring DTI levels, especially in patients with lupus inhibitors or low levels of vitamin K-dependent factors.
Clinical implications of gene polymorphisms in venous leg ulcer: A model in tissue injury and reparative process
Authors: Gemmati Donato , Zamboni Paolo
Published: June 2007

Wound healing is a multi-step process involving complex pathways at cell and molecular level. Lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of impaired healing in chronic leg ulcers limits clinical assessment and management. In addition, individual genetic background certainly affects the response to treatment and specifically modulates the unfavourable lesion environment.Although the number of actors involved in the aetiology of chronic wounds is extremely high, the ability to find out groups of candidate genes on the basis of clinical and physio-pathological findings is a crucial step.The present review demonstrates how recognition of functional gene variants, mostly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), significantly involved in wound healing and venous ulcer establishment, extra- ordinarily helps prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds.We deal with on how one can manage SNPs in coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) and hemochromatosis (HFE) genes as molecular markers or prognostic tools. In this fashion, we could pave the way for strategies aimed to single out in advance categories of patients at increased risk to develop severe complications of chronic venous disorders, or to predict the healing time after surgical intervention. Because of its relevant epidemiology and its easily visualized lesions, venous leg ulcer is an ideal model for investigating, the mechanisms of tissue injury and reparative process,as well as the influence of different genetic backgrounds.
Heparin induces mobilization of osteoprotegerin into the circulation
Authors: Brodin Ellen , Sveinbjörnsson Baldur , Hansen John-Bjarne , Vik Anders
Published: June 2007

Heparin treatment may induce osteoporosis by an unknown mechanism. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a glycoprotein with a heparin-binding site, is a decoy receptor for RANKL which is responsible for osteoclast development.The objective was to investigate the effect of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH; dalteparin) on plasma levels of OPG.Twenty-two male students were allocated to the following treatment regimens; A) one bolus of 5,000 IU UFH iv followed by infusion of 450 IU/kg/24 h for 72 hours (n=7), B) sc administration of LMWH (200 IU/kg) once daily for 72 hours (n=8), C) sc administration of 100 IU/kg LMWH once (n=8), D) sc administration of 250 IU/kg UFH once (n=7), E) control infusion of saline for 12 hours (n=7). UFH boluses of 5,000 IU were given 4 and 24 hours after cessation of regimens A and B. Bolus injection of UFH iv caused a prompt increase in plasma OPG from 0.68 ng/ml (SD=0.09) to 1.13 ng/ml (SD=0.30) (p=0.003) which declined during the continuous UFH infusion and reached baseline values after 8 hours (regime A). Similar increases in plasma OPG was obtained by repeated UFH boluses after cessation of treatment. Subcutaneous administration of LMWH (200 IU/kg) caused a modest, but significant (p=0.002) increase in plasma OPG similar to the mobilization by 250 IU/kg UFH sc, but the LMWH treatment caused a three-fold higher anti-Xa activity (p<0.001). We conclude that UFH causes a more pronounced vascular mobilization of OPG than LMWH, indicating that UFH has a higher affinity for OPG than LMWH.
The additive antiplatelet action of clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease treated with aspirin
Authors: Dropinski Jerzy , Jakiela Bogdan , Sanak Marek , Wegrzyn Wojciech , Biernat Marta , Dziedzina Sylwia , Plutecka Hanna , Szczeklik Andrew
Published: June 2007

We searched for additional anti-platelet effects of clopidogrel in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients treated with aspirin. Response to clopidogrel was also stratified according to aspirin resistance. Out of 76 screened aspirin-treated CAD male patients, five were aspirin-resistant based on arachidonic acid (AA) and ADP aggregometry.These five patients and 15 aspirin-sensitive patients entered the proper study. Platelet function was assessed at baseline and after one week of additional clopidogrel treatment using aggregometry, flow cytometry (ADP, TRAP-6) and platelet reactivity index (PRI) based on VASP (vasodilatorstimulated phosphoprotein) expression.We evaluated the same markers in 15 healthy men after aspirin treatment. In healthy subjects aspirin did not affect resting or ADP-induced activated GPIIb/IIIa and P-selectin expression. The P-selectin expression on ADP-activated platelets was increased (p<0.01) in aspirin treated ASA-resistant CAD patients as compared to ASA-sensitive group or aspirin-treated healthy subjects. Clopidogrel significantly decreased ADP and AA-induced platelet aggregation and overcame aspirin resistance in four of five patients. Expression of ADP-induced activation markers was significantly lowered after clopidogrel in all patients.Out of 20 patients,five did not respond to clopidogrel (<10% inhibition of ADP aggregation), and this group showed no change in expression of ADPinduced activation markers after clopidogrel. Clopidogrel treatment significantly reduced PRI only in the clopidogrel-sensitive group. In conclusion, the addition of clopidogrel to aspirin provides greater inhibition of platelets and can overcome aspirin resistance. Flow cytometric analysis of platelets is useful for monitoring of clopidogrel therapy.
The active metabolite of prasugrel inhibits ADP-stimulated thrombo-inflammatory markers of platelet activation: Influence of other blood cells, calcium, and aspirin
Authors: Jakubowski Joseph , FuLi You , Barnard Marc , Fox Marsha , Linden Matthew , Sugidachi Atsuhiro , Winters Kenneth , Furman Mark , Michelson Alan , Frelinger Andrew
Published: June 2007

The novel thienopyridine prodrug prasugrel, a platelet P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonist, requires in vivo metabolism for activity. Although pharmacological data have been collected on the effects of prasugrel on platelet aggregation,there are few data on the direct effects of the prasugrel’s active metabolite, R-138727, on other aspects of platelet function. Here we examined the effects of R-138727 on thrombo-inflammatory markers of platelet activation, and the possible modulatory effects of other blood cells, calcium, and aspirin. Blood (PPACK or citrate anticoagulated) from healthy donors pre- and post-aspirin was incubated with R-138727 and the response to ADP assessed in whole blood or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) by aggregometry and flow cytometric analysis of leukocyte-platelet aggregates,platelet surface P-selectin, and GPIIb-IIIa activation. Low-micromolar concentrations of R-138727 resulted in a rapid and consistent in-hibition of these ADP-stimulated thrombo-inflammatory markers.These rapid kinetics required physiological calcium levels, but were largely unaffected by aspirin. Lower IC50 values in whole blood relative to PRP suggested that other blood cells affect ADP-induced platelet activation and hence the net inhibition by R-138727. R-138727 did not inhibit P2Y12-mediated ADP-induced shape change, even at concentrations that completely inhibited platelet aggregation, confirming the specificity of R-138727 for P2Y12. In conclusion, R-138727, the active metabolite of prasugrel, results in rapid, potent, consistent, and selective inhibition of P2Y12-mediated up-regulation of thromboinflammatory markers of platelet activation.This inhibition is enhanced in the presence other blood cells and calcium,but not aspirin.
Update on antithrombin I (fibrin)
Authors: Mosesson Michael
Published: June 2007

Antithrombin I (fibrin) is an important inhibitor of thrombin generation that functions by sequestering thrombin in the forming fibrin clot, and also by reducing the catalytic activity of fibrinbound thrombin. Thrombin binding to fibrin takes place at two classes of non-substrate sites: 1) in the fibrin E domain (two per molecule) through interaction with thrombin exosite 1; 2) at a single site on each γ’ chain through interaction with thrombin exosite 2. The latter reaction results in allosteric changes that down-regulate thrombin catalytic activity. Antithrombin I deficiency (afibrinogenemia), defective thrombin binding to fibrin (antithrombin I defect) found in certain dysfibrinogenemias (e.g. fibrinogen Naples 1), or a reduced plasma γ’ chain content (reduced antithrombin I activity), predispose to intravascular thrombosis.
Von Willebrand factor: Looking back and looking forward
Authors: Ruggeri Zaverio
Published: June 2007

Looking back at the last thirty years of studies on von Willebrand factor is a lesson on the importance of combining clinical observations with basic research. Most of what we know today originates from the perceptive evaluation of patients with congenital disorders of haemostasis such as haemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Understanding the causes of these diseases was akin to the current approach of using mutagenesis in animal models to get insights into the function of specific gene products. The information generated to date has been detailed and comprehensive, but looking into the future one sees that much remains to be done to understand how the role of von Willebrand factor and its primary platelet receptor, glycoprotein Ib, is integrated into the complex responses to vascular injury. Many challenges remain, along with the hope of translating the knowledge acquired into new and efficacious treatments for arterial thrombosis.
Heparan sulfate-protein interactions – A concept for drug design?
Authors: Lindahl Ulf
Published: June 2007

The glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulfate (HS) is composed of alternating units of hexuronic acid and glucosamine, that are variously sulfate-substituted at different positions. Proteoglycans carrying HS chains are ubiquitously expressed at cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix. The structures of these chains are highly variable, yet under strict bio-synthetic control. Due to their high negative charge,HS chains interact with a multitude of proteins, including growth factors/morphogens and their receptors, chemokines, and extracellular-matrix proteins.These interactions regulate key events in embryonic development and in homeostasis. HS-protein interactions vary with regard to specificity, and often seem to depend primarily on charge density rather than on strict carbohydrate sequence.The organization of sulfated domains along the HS chain appears to be of importance. HS-protein interactions are involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes, including inflammation, angiogenesis, and amyloid deposition. Drugs targeting such interactions may be useful in treatment of disease conditions as diverse as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Potential drugs may mimick HS oligosaccharides, but could also be peptides blocking the protein-binding domains of HS chains. Drug generation requires a firm understanding of the pathophysiological role of a given HS-protein interaction, and of the aspect of specificity.Even inhibition of HS biosynthesis may be considered.
The Gospel of Philip
Authors: Foster Paul
Published: June 2007

The Gospel of Philip is a text with an outlook that is strikingly dissimilar to that of the canonical gospels. It understands salvation not as rescue from sin, but as the reunification of being. This process is possible for those who adhere to the teachings of the group and undergo the ritual of the bridal chamber. Although much of the language of marriage and sexual union is used to describe this process, this appears to be a metaphor for the joining of the male and female parts of a being that have been separated. The text promotes ascetic practices and sexual continence. It gives an insight into the diversity that existed in ancient Christianity.
A Dalithos Reading of a Markan Exorcism: Mark 5:1—20
Authors: Rajkumar Peniel Jesudason Rufus
Published: June 2007

An attempt is made to read the story of the Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5 :1—20) using Dalithos , or the ethos of the Dalit community, as a hermeneutical premise. Taking into consideration the subversive role of `possession' as an accepted form of protest among the Dalit communities in their highly constrained life situation, where other social mechanisms of coping with oppression are few, employing Dalithos as a hermeneutical category helps engage in a liberative appropriation of the passage for the Dalits. Certain salient features of Dalithos — pragmatism, the primacy of community and solidarity, and emancipatory re - mythologization — are used as parameters in appropriating the story for the Dalit context.
Sermons in Stone: Along the Cumbrian Coast to the Bewcastle Cross
Authors: Hexham Irving
Published: June 2007

Although Britain is rich in archaeological and architectural treasures many Christians are unaware of their cultural heritage and its value in communicating the Christian message today. This essay discusses the remarkable Christian history of West Cumbria in the hope that it will encourage the best sort of cultural tourism.
The curse of the benchmark: an assessment of the validity and value of e-government comparisons
Authors: Bannister Frank
Published: June 2007

Benchmarking of e-government and the information society is a booming business. This phenomenon raises several interesting questions. Why does this particular part of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) world receive so much of this type of attention? Why are there so many benchmarks? What do they purport to measure? Who reads these and how much credence is given to them? Do they play a valuable role in advancing e-government and e-society or is their impact actually negative? This article looks at these and a number of related questions including the degree of consistency between different benchmarks, trends over time and the importance or otherwise that governments place on these reports. From this, some tentative theories about the role of benchmarking, the pressures that benchmarks place on public managers and their significance are proposed and some limitations of benchmarks are identified and discussed.
The impact of performance budgeting on the role of the legislature: a four-country study
Authors: Sterck Miekatrien
Published: June 2007

Performance budgeting initiatives are often partly justified as improving accountability to the legislature. However, it is not always clear whether this is the case. In this article we describe and explain the effects of performance budgeting on the role of the legislature in the budget process. We compare performance budgeting initiatives in the Australian Commonwealth government, the central government of the Netherlands, the Swedish central government and the Canadian federal government. The conclusion of this study is that the performance budgeting initiatives that we studied have a dominant focus on changing the budget structure, but do not seem very successful in altering the budget functions.
Cost-based Partitioning for Distributed and Parallel Simulation of Decomposable Multiscale Constructive Models
Authors: Park Sunwoo , Hunt C. Anthony , Zeigler Bernard P.
Published: June 2007

We present a concise, generic, and configurable partitioning approach for decomposable, modular, and multiscale (or hierarchical) constructive models. A generic model partitioning (GMP) algorithm decomposes a given multiscale model to a set of partition blocks based on a cost modeling and analysis method in polynomial time. It minimizes model decompositions and constructs monotonically improved partitioning outcomes during the partitioning process. The cost modeling and analysis method enables translating subjective, domain-specific, and heterogeneous resource information to objective, domain-independent, and homogeneous cost information. By translating models to a homogeneous cost space and describing partitioning logics over the space, the proposed algorithm utilizes domain-specific knowledge to produce the best partitioning results without any modification of its programming logics. As a consequence of its clean separation between domain-specific partitioning requirements and goals, and generic partitioning logic, the proposed algorithm can be applied to a variety of partitioning problems in large-scale systems biology research utilizing distributed and parallel simulation. It is expected that the algorithm improves overall performance and efficiency of in silico experimentation of complex multiscale biological system models.
VHDL Modeling for Classification of Power Quality Disturbance Employing Wavelet Transform, Artificial Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Reaz M.B.I. , Choong F. , Mohd-Yasin F.
Published: June 2007

The identification and classification of voltage and current disturbances are important tasks in the monitoring and protection of power systems. Most power quality disturbances are non-stationary and transitory and both detection and classification have proved to be very demanding. New intelligent system technologies that use wavelet transforms, expert systems and artificial neural networks include some unique advantages regarding fault analysis. This paper presents a new approach to classifying six classes of signals: five types of disturbance including sag, swell, transient, fluctuation, interruption, and the normal waveform. The concept of discrete wavelet transform for feature extraction from the power disturbance signal, combined with an artificial neural network and incorporating fuzzy logic to offer a powerful tool for detecting and classifying power quality problems, is introduced. The system was modeled using VHDL, a hardware description language, followed by extensive testing and simulation to verify the functionality of the system that allows efficient hardware implementation of the same. The extensive simulation results confirm the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. This method proposed herein classified and obtained 98.19% classification accuracy from the application of this system to software-generated signals and utility sampled disturbance events.
Interactive Focus+Context Analysis of Large, Time-Dependent Flow Simulation Data
Authors: Doleisch Helmut , Hauser Helwig , Gasser Martin , Kosara Robert
Published: June 2007

The visualization of time-dependent simulation data, such as data sets from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, is still a very challenging task. In this paper, we present a new approach for the interactive visual analysis of flow simulation data, which is especially targeted at the analysis of time-dependent data. This supports the flexible specification and visualization of flow features in an interactive setup of multiple linked views. Special emphasis is put on new mechanisms to capture time-dependent features (i.e. flow features that are inherently dependent on time). We propose the integration of attribute derivation into the process of interactive visual analysis to enable the subsequent user access to otherwise implicit properties of the unsteady data in our interactive feature specification framework. All views of this flow analysis setup are linked, in the sense that the features in focus are consistently emphasized in the visualization (more colorful, less transparent) whereas the rest of the data are only shown as context in reduced style. In addition to introducing our new approach, we also demonstrate its use in the context of several application examples.
Les diacres permanents, entre l'autel et le monde: Une légitimité et une activité aux frontières
Authors: Béraud Céline
Published: June 2007

English

The permanent diaconate, which fell into disuse during the Middle Ages, was restored by the Second Vatican Council. It appears to be a hybrid sociological object, combining membership of the clergy and the characteristics of a way of life that brings it closer to the laity. Two ideal-typical figures of deacons emerged from fieldwork in two French dioceses: that of the militant and that of the ceremonial specialist. These two ways of working as a deacon are related to specific events in life as well as to generational differences. Both of them take their legitimacy from one of the dominant tendencies of the Council. In addition, various factors (the occasionally ambiguous relation to the priesthood, the management of the priest shortage, andsocial uncertainty about the diaconate) can lead to a shift of boundaries, from the world to the altar.

French

Le diaconat permanent tombé en désuétude au Moyen Age, a été rétabli par le concile de Vatican II. Il apparait comme un objet sociologique hybride, cumulant l’appartenance au clergé et des caractéristiques d’un état de vie qui le rapprochat des laïcs. A ` partir d’un travail de terrain dans deux diocèses franç ais, ont été dégagées deux figures idéal-typiques du diacre: celle du militant et celle du cérémoniaire. Ces deux modalités d’exercice du diaconat qui toutes puisent leur légitimité dans l’un des axes ayant prévalu au concile, sont liées à des parcours biographiques spécifiques ainsi qu’à des différences générationnelles. Par ailleurs, certains éléments (rapport parfois ambigu à la prětrise, gestion de la pénurie sacerdotale, flou social entourant le diaconat) peuvent conduire à un déplacement des frontières, du monde vers l’autel.
Creating New Discursive Arenas and Influencing the Policies of the State: The Case of the Muslim Council of Britain
Authors: Pędziwiatr Konrad
Published: June 2007

English

While the majority of British Muslim organizations established by the first generation of immigrants tend to work within ``ethnic colonies'', the organizations made up by an increasing number of the second generation critically and creatively engage in public debates. One such organization is the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) that strives to represent the interests of all British Muslims vis-à-vis the government. The author analyses the efforts of the MCB to create a Muslim public sphere and to influence the policies of the State. It proposes to think about the public sphere not as singular but as multiple public spheres in which members of different social groups discuss issues with one another and then compete to get their views on the political agenda. Thus, it emphasizes the diversity of the Muslim population in the country and the conflicts within it.

French

Si la majorité des organisations musulmanes en Grande-Bretagne, établies par la première génération des immigrés, a tendance à travailler dans ‘‘les colonies ethniques’’, les organisations composées par un nombre croissant de membres de la deuxième génération s’engagent dans des débats publics, de manière créative et critique. Une telle organisation est incarnée par le Conseil Musulman de la Grande-Bretagne (MCB), qui essaye de représenter les intérěts de tous les musulmans britanniques auprès du gouvernement. L’auteur analyse les efforts du MCB pour créer un espace public musulman et influencer la politique du gouvernement. Il propose de considérer l’espace public non pas en tant qu’espace unique, mais comme de multiples espaces publics dans lesquels les membres de divers groupes sociaux s’engagent dans des échanges de vues avant d’entrer en concurrence pour faire apparatre leurs points de vue dans le domaine politique. Ainsi, il souligne la diversité de la population musulmane dans ce pays et les conflits qui s’y développent.
Rural Development as a Frame Analytic Challenge for Religious Communities: The Case of Rural Parishes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
Authors: Pesonen Heikki , Vesala Kari Mikko
Published: June 2007

English

In many parts of the European countryside religious communities are facing serious challenges caused by changing social structures. This is also the case with the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran parishes that are in many ways affected by migration from the countryside to city areas. This development has increased pressures on the Church and its parishes to take a stand in favour of rural development policies and to contribute to the attempts to maintain and enhance the viability of rural areas. This kind of involvement is by no means self-evident because the Church has traditionally occupied a neutral and guarded position in relation to political questions. In this article the authors examine how the congregational employees deal with this potential tension and view the role of parishes, on one hand, as rural actors, and, on the other, as religious actors.

French

À travers toute l’Europe, les communautés religieuses rurales font face à d’importants défis dus à l’évolution constante des structures sociales. L’église évangélique luthérienne de Finlande n’échappe pas à ces défis qui émanent des flux migratoires des campagnes vers les centres urbains. Ce mouvement migratoire a intensifié les pressions sur l’église et sur ses paroisses afin d’instaurer des règles de développement rural et ainsi contribuer à maintenir et à améliorer la viabilité des zones rurales. L’engagement de l’église n’est en aucun cas trivial car de tout temps l’église a voulu maintenir une relation neutre et protégée par rapport aux questions politiques. Dans cet article, les auteurs examinent comment les congrégations réagissent à ces pressions et tensions, puis établissent le role des paroisses comme acteurs au sein des zones rurales, dans un premier temps, et comme acteurs religieux, dans un second temps.
Attitudes towards Religious Pluralism: Measurements and Consequences
Authors: Smith Buster G.
Published: June 2007

English

Religious pluralism has long been a trait of American society but never to the extent seen in the past 40 years. Data from the 2000 Religion and Politics Survey are analyzed to test what social factors are most likely to cause acceptance and rejection of other religious traditions. Factor analyses of eight questions regarding attitudes toward other religions define two distinct measures of pluralistic worldviews. While exposure to foreign religious ideas is an important part of an inclusive worldview, denomination and religious activity are stronger predictors of exclusivity. Further findings show the importance of these views in influencing religious, political and social actions.

French

Le pluralisme religieux a longtemps été une caractéristique de la société américaine mais jamais au point atteint durant les 40 dernières années. Les données de l’enquěte ‘‘Religion and Politics Survey’’ de 2000 sont analysées pour tester les facteurs sociaux les plus susceptibles de susciter l’acceptation et le rejet d’autres traditions religieuses. Les analyses factorielles de huit questions concernant les attitudes envers d’autres religions définissent deux mesures distinctes de visions du monde pluralistes. Alors que l’exposition aux idées religieuses étrangères constitue une partie importante d’une vision du monde inclusive, la confession et l’activité religieuse sont des prédicteurs forts de l’exclusivité. Des résultats plus approfondis montrent l’importance de ces visions en terme d’influence sur les actions religieuses, politiques et sociales.
Reducing Automotive Interior Noise with Natural Fiber Nonwoven Floor Covering Systems
Authors: Parikh D.V. , Chen Y. , Sun L.
Published: June 2007

Eliminating unwanted noise in passenger compartments of vehicles is important to automobile manufacturers. The ability to reduce noise inside the vehicle enhances the perceived value of the vehicle to the consumer, and offers a competitive advantage to the manufacturer. Several methods are presently employed to reduce noise and its sources, one of which uses sound-absorbing materials attached to various components such as floor-coverings, package trays, door panels, headliners and trunk liners. Natural fibers are noise-absorbing materials that are renewable and biodegradable, making them an effective choice for the automobile industry. Floor coverings using natural fibers (kenaf, jute, waste cotton, and flax) in blends with polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) were developed as carded needle-punched nonwovens. The acoustical absorption coefficients of these floor coverings, and of floor coverings in combination with an underpad (either a rebonded polyurethane foam, or a soft cotton nonwoven) were evaluated by ASTM E— 1050 in the frequency range of 100 to 3200 Hz. By stacking an underpad and a floor covering together, a floor covering system was created. The measurements demonstrated that each of the natural fiber-based nonwoven floor coverings contributed to noise reduction, e.g., coefficients = 0.54—0.81 at 3.2 kHz. Noise was significantly reduced with a floor covering system using either of the underpads. The most reduction occurred with a polyurethane pad; for example, for kenaf floor covering C20-1 the coefficients at 3.2 kHz were: 1.0 with polyurethane versus 0.81 with cotton pad.
Surface Roughness Measurement of Nonwovens Using Three-dimensional Profile Data
Authors: In Hwan Sul  , Kyung Hwa Hong  , Shim Huensup , Tae Jin Kang
Published: June 2007

The surface friction property changes of nonwovens under repetitive abrasions were observed. Surface data were acquired using a three-dimensional noncontact camera and fractal dimensions were calculated to evaluate surface roughness. The fractal dimension showed a tendency to increase with the number of abrasions. They were compared with surface friction values measured by the KES-FB system [ Textile Res. J. 58(3), 129—136, 1988]. Pilling on the nonwoven surface prohibited accurate surface roughness measurement, so they were detected using high-pass filtering of the surface data. The method needs instant measurement time and is highly objective, and therefore it is suitable for real-time on-line manufacturing systems.
A Comparison of the Water Vapor Transport Through Fabrics under Conventional and Subzero Climate
Authors: Xiaohong Zhou  , Jun Zhang  , Yaying Gao  , Shanyuan Wang  , Jintu Fan
Published: June 2007

Although much study has been dedicated to heat and water vapor transport through fabrics, there remains a great lack of understanding on water vapor transport through fabrics under subzero climate, particularly in terms of the effect of condensation on water vapor transport. In this paper, we report on a novel apparatus, which was used to measure the moisture transport through fabrics under a conventional (20°C) and subzero (—20°C) climatic condition. Experimental results showed that, under both conventional (20°C) and subzero (—20°C) climate, the accumulation of condensates on fabric surfaces increased linearly with time and the rate of moisture transfer through fabrics was little affected by the accumulation of condensates on fabric surfaces. Nevertheless, the water evaporation from the water bath, condensation on fabric surface and vapor transmission through the fabric was greater and the moisture vapor resistance smaller under the subzero (—20°C) climate than those under the conventional (20°C) climate.
Mechanical Discrimination of Hairy Fabrics from Neurosensorial Criteria
Authors: Breugnot Cécile , Bueno Marie-Ange , Renner Marc , Ribot-Ciscar Edith , Aimonetti Jean-Marc , Roll Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2007

Fabrics with more and more elaborate tactile properties are available on the textile market. However the specifications of the textile products do not feature their touch because this can not be measured precisely and objectively enough. Some measurement methods of the mechanical properties involved in tactile feeling have been developed. Nevertheless, a purely mechanical approach is not sufficient. Therefore, the human being was utilized as a touch sensor. The tactile afferent [i.e. conveyed to the central nervous system, centripetal] messages elicited by the mechanoreceptors of the skin in response to textile stimuli and which were propagated along the sensitive nervous fibers up to the brain were studied. These messages were recorded on conscious human individuals, by a method named microneurography. The aim of this study was to use the neurosensory results in order to improve the mechanical measurement methods for the characterization of the surface state of fabrics. The samples tested had undergone different emery finishing processes. The preliminary results of the microneurographic study highlight the importance of taking account of the effect along/against the main direction of the hairiness. In fact, the discrimination of different hairy fabrics by cutaneous mechanoreceptors is only achieved when the fabrics stroke the skin against the main direction of the hairiness. A friction device developed by the co-authors was modified in term of signal processing in order to measure the surface along and against the main direction of the hairiness separately. Moreover, the probe was improved in order to separate the mechanical behavior information on hairiness from the roughness information. The results obtained with this new method were compared with results obtained using the surface tester of the KES-F.
On the Multi-modality, Materially and Contingency of Organization Discourse
Authors: Iedema Rick
Published: June 2007

This essay considers the ways that organizational discourse studies have deployed the concept `discourse'. A review of the literature reveals conceptual ambiguities in the definition of `discourse', as well as pre-analytical distinctions that are imposed between discourse, action and text, and between discourse, beliefs and material practices. The paper suggests that such a priori analytical categories risk tying the researcher to an inflexible research agenda, ruling out engaging with organizational specifics and emergent aspects of practice. The essay argues for an alternative view of discourse that centres on the following three arguments: discourse is not limited to language but also includes image, design, technology and other modes of meaning making; discourse and materiality co-emerge; and discourse manifests a specific, historically situated form of life.
Cross-national Reconstruction of Managerial Practices: TQM in Turkey
Authors: Özen Şükrü , Berkman Ümit
Published: June 2007

Drawing on the discursive and translative perspectives, we examine the discourse produced by an elite group of corporate executives to legitimate TQM (total quality management) at the national level in Turkey. The findings indicate that the legitimating agencies largely used ethos justifications exploiting the macro-cultural discourses prevalent in the Turkish context. As such, they reconstructed TQM as a blueprint embracing solutions to the problems at societal, organizational, and individual levels. Based on the findings, we propose that reconstruction of imported practices in recipient contexts is more likely to involve ethos justification when compared to the construction of the original rhetoric because of the nature of cross-national translation. The strategy of ethos justification is even more likely when legitimating actors also strive to legitimate themselves as a social group, and/or to promote the practice to the public. Furthermore, the recipient discourse will be less coherent if legitimating actors have less formal authority and loose structure, and the target audiences have diverse values and expectations. We suggest that, under these circumstances, the reconstruction of the imported practices is more likely to produce fashions than institutions, a limited diffusion of the practice in contrast to the intentions of legitimating actors.
Profitable and Unprofitable Shepherds: Economic and Theological Perspectives on Ezekiel 34
Authors: Mein Andrew
Published: June 2007

This article examines Ezekiel 34's `good shepherd' metaphor in the light of the economics of animal husbandry in ancient Israel and Mesopotamia. In 34.1-16, YHWH is presented as the owner of sheep, whose hired hands, the `shepherds of Israel', have failed to perform their duties of care and protection. In economic terms, the problems are those of misappropriation of property and the failure to produce an adequate profit, and the disadvantage to the owner is of more significance than the suffering of the sheep. The theological consequence of this reading is that commentators may be mistaken in seeing YHWH's actions in ch. 34 as motivated by selflessness and compassion for Israel. Rather, YHWH's recovery and protection of his flock is of a piece with the emphasis on divine power and self-interest found throughout Ezekiel's restoration oracles.
The Reading and Translation of the Divine Name in the Masoretic Tradition and the Greek Pentateuch
Authors: Rösel Martin
Published: June 2007

The representation of the divine name in the Masoretic tradition and in the early translations of the Septuagint is the subject of ongoing discussion. It can be demonstrated that even the oldest Masoretic vocalization as preserved, among others, in codex L must refer to adonai (the Lord) rather than shema (the Name). By means of exegetical observations in the Greek version of the Torah, it becomes clear that already the translators of the Septuagint have chosen 'Lord' (kyrios) as an appropriate representation of the tetragrammaton; the replacement by the Hebrew tetragrammaton in some Greek manuscripts is not original. Moreover, it becomes clear that the translators of the Septuagint were influenced by theological considerations when choosing an equivalent for the divine name.
The Semiotics of Covert Action in 1 Samuel 9—10
Authors: Frolov Serge
Published: June 2007

Examining the semiotic patterns of the story of Saul's anointing in 1 Sam. 9.1—10.16, this article demonstrates that this narrative follows the conventions of `action fiction' genres. By providing multiple enigmatic details, whose import becomes clear only in ch. 13, the narrative keeps the audience in suspense and thus not only entertains it but also draws its attention to the fact that Israel's first king was inaugurated clandestinely, under Philistine military occupation. This interpretation affirms the literary integrity of 1 Sam. 9—12 and identifies it (together with chs. 13—15 and in contradistinction to ch. 8) as a Deuteronomistic contribution.
The Sustainable Communities Experiment in the United States
Authors: Chifos Carla
Published: June 2007

This paper documents and analyzes a portion of the U.S. government's attempt to adopt the concept of sustainability after 1992. Numerous case studies of individual sustainable community development projects exist, although almost no literature describes the coordinated federal-level effort to create and implement a sustainable development policy from 1993 to 2000. Case studies of three prominent federal-level sustainable community programs are developed from twenty guided interviews and existing government documents. The analysis of these three cases reveals serious attempts to translate sustainability into federal programs and changes in agency cultures despite institutional barriers. Although the primary outcome of these efforts was a stronger framework for facilitation of planning at the federal level, it still remains unclear why planners were not more involved in this process.
Engaging Schools in Urban Revitalization
Authors: McKoy Deborah L. , Vincent Jeffrey M.
Published: June 2007

Operating out of the University of California, Berkeley, Y-PLAN (Youth—Plan, Learn, Act, Now!) is a model for youth civic engagement in city planning that uses urban space slated for redevelopment as a catalyst for community revitalization and education reform. The program partners graduate level mentors, high school students, government agencies, private interests, and other community members who work together on a real-world planning problem. This article analyzes the data produced by Y-PLAN between 2000 and 2005 and demonstrates the model's effectiveness in fostering positive community outcomes and meaningful learning experiences, as well as its theoretical implications for the planning and education fields. We have identified three central conditions on which the success of the Y-PLAN rests: 1) authentic problems engage diverse stakeholders and foster a “community of practice”; 2) adult and youth partners share decision-making; and 3) projects build sustainable individual and institutional success.
Conceptualizing Livelihood Strategies in African Cities
Authors: Owusu Francis
Published: June 2007

The usefulness of the informal sector and the survival strategies approaches for understanding African urban economies has been undermined by the transformations in urban livelihood strategies brought about by the continent's economic crises and neoliberal economic reform policies. Contemporary livelihood strategies in many African cities involve participation in multiple economic activities, usually in both the formal and informal sectors. This paper proposes the “multiple modes of livelihood” (MML) approach as a framework for capturing this emerging livelihood strategy and presents evidence to show the magnitude of the strategy and the kind of activities undertaken. Development and planning implications of this strategy include the following: i) planning theories must reflect the changing livelihood in African cities; ii) the different geographies of such activities within and between urban areas, the proliferation of home-based enterprises in the middle- and professional-class neighborhoods, the emergence of nontraditional household arrangements, and the importance of urban agriculture suggest the need to indigenize urban planning in Africa; and iii) the proliferation of multiple livelihood strategies, especially among public sector employees, has significant implications for national development, especially as it relates to the performance of the public sector.
Exploring Changes in Income Clustering and Centralization during the 1990s
Authors: Dawkins Casey J.
Published: June 2007

This article employs a new “spatial ordering index” to describe and explain changes in the degree of income clustering and centralization within U.S. metropolitan areas during the 1990s. The results suggest that while the spatial pattern of household income became more decentralized and less clustered during the 1990s, the patterns established as of 1990 were highly persistent over the decade. Factors associated with metropolitan area size and growth affected changes in both the degree of centralization and the degree of clustering. Although traditional determinants of suburbanization were associated with increases in income decentralization during the 1990s, densely developed cities with an increase in the percentage of white residents saw increases in income centralization during the decade. Furthermore, changes in the patterns observed were shaped by various policy influences, including the number of Low Income Housing Tax Credit units, urban containment policies, and the degree of local government fragmentation.