bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Candidate Gene Polymorphisms for Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Matarin Mar , Brown W. Mark , Dena Hernandez , Britton Angela , De Vrieze Fabienne Wavrant , Brott Thomas G. , Brown Robert D. , Worrall Bradford B. , Case L. Douglas , Chanock Stephen J. , Metter E. Jeffrey , Ferrucci Luigi , Gamble Dale , Hardy John A. , Rich Stephen S. , Singleton Andrew , Meschia James F.
Published: September 2009

Background and Purpose—

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a multifactorial disorder with strong evidence from twin, family, and animal model studies suggesting a genetic influence on risk and prognosis. Several candidate genes for IS have been proposed, but few have been replicated. We investigated the contribution of 67 candidate genes (369 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) on the risk of IS in a North American population of European descent.

Methods—

Two independent studies were performed. In the first, 342 SNPs from 52 candidate genes were genotyped in 307 IS cases and 324 control subjects. The SNPs significantly associated with IS were tested for replication in another cohort of 583 IS cases and 270 control subjects. In the second study, 212 SNPs from 62 candidate genes were analyzed in 710 IS cases with subtyping available and 3751 control subjects.

Results—

None of the candidate genes (SNPs) were significantly associated with IS risk independent of known stroke risk factors after correction for multiple hypotheses testing.

Conclusion—

These results are consistent with previous meta-analyses that demonstrate an absence of genetic association of variants in plausible candidate genes with IS risk. Our study suggests that the effect of the investigated SNPs may be weak or restricted to specific populations or IS subtypes.
Ramon Lull's New World Order: Esoteric Evangelism and Frontline Philosophy Raimundo Lullo e il nuove ordine mondiale: evangelismo esoterico e filosofia militante
Authors: Goodrick-Clarke Nicholas
Published: September 2009

Tra le sue numerose conquiste, il poeta, romanziere, linguista e missionario e mistico catalano Raimondo Lullo (1232–1316) deve la sua fama soprattutto alla sua celebre Arte, un sistema di produzione logico e metafisico. Nelle intenzioni di Lullo, tale Arte doveva servire come evangelo esoterico per Christiani, Ebrei e Musulmani attraverso l'istituzione di una forma di conoscenza assoluta e indipendente dall'autorità dottrinale. La forma esoterica di evangelismo cristiano elaborata da Lulla traeva ispirazione da varie fonti del Neoplatonismo cristiano, del Sufismo, della filosofia musulmana e forse della Kabbalah presenti nella Spagna del tardo XIII secolo. Il pensiero lulliano, nutritosi in questo modo di una varietà di tradizioni, offre un perfetto esempio medievale do come diverse correnti dell'esoterismo occidentale potessero trovare un'armonizzazione e una concordanza. La sua condordanza puntava fungesse da strumento missionario per la conversione al Cristianesimo di Musulmani e Mongoli, in un'epoca di grave instabilità globale. L'Arte lulliana esemplifica esoterismo occidentale in fuzione di una specifica finalità politica, che investiva evangelismo e impegno militante. La sua visione di un nuovo ordine globale presentano tratti decisamente profetici se considerati nell'attuale contesto di rinascita dell'Islam.
An Algorithm for Converting Ordinal Scale Measurement Data to Interval/Ratio Scale
Authors: Granberg-Rademacker J. Scott
Published: September 2009

The extensive use of survey instruments in the social sciences has long created debate and concern about validity of outcomes, especially among instruments that gather ordinal-level data. Ordinal-level survey measurement of concepts that could be measured at the interval or ratio level produce errors because respondents are forced to truncate or round off their responses to fit a given ordinal scale. This article presents a Markov chain Monte Carlo modeling technique that converts ordinal measurements to interval/ ratio. Simulated data demonstrate the robustness of this technique, and implications of this technique are discussed.
Scaling Effects in Notched Composites
Authors: Wisnom M.R. , Hallett S.R. , Soutis C.
Published: September 2009

A program of scaled tests on unnotched and open-hole tension and compression specimens is summarized. Quasi-isotropic IM7/8552 carbon-fiber epoxy specimens have been tested using two different scaling techniques: sub-laminate-level ([45/90/ - 45/0]ns) and ply-level scaling ([45n/90 n/ - 45n/0n]s), independently varying the thickness and in-plane dimensions. Significant scaling effects are shown, with both strength and failure mechanisms changing with specimen size and the thickness scaling method having a particularly important effect. Failure mechanisms and scaling behavior are compared between tension and compression and models presented that predict the observed size effects from fundamental material parameters without any fitting factors.
Polymerization Shrinkage and Stress Development in Amorphous Calcium Phosphate/Urethane Dimethacrylate Polymeric Composites
Authors: Antonucci J.M. , Regnault W.F. , Skrtic D.
Published: September 2009

This study explores how substituting a new high molecular mass oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) extended urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) (PEG-U) for 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in photo-activated UDMA resins affects degree of vinyl conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage (PS), stress development (PSSD) and biaxial flexure strength (BFS) of their amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) composites. The composites were prepared from four types of resins (UDMA, PEG-U, UDMA/HEMA, and UDMA/PEG-U) and zirconia-hybridized ACP. Introducing PEG-U improved DC, while not adversely affecting PS, PSSD, and the BFS of composites. This improvement in DC is attributed to the long, more flexible structure between the vinyl groups of PEG-U and its higher molecular mass compared to poly(HEMA). The results imply that PEG-U has the potential to serve as an alternative to HEMA in dental and other biomedical applications.
Mechanical and Fractrographic Studies on Fly ash-filled Hydroxyl-terminated Polyurethane-toughened Epoxy Composites
Authors: Rama Shetty Ravindra , Rai S.K.
Published: September 2009

Thermoplastic hydroxyl-terminated polyurethane (HTPU) elastomer in different proportions (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt%) was incorporated into DGEBA-based epoxy resin and cured with triethylene tetramine. The several matrices involved were subjected to mechanical strength analysis, and among the combinations of blend matrices studied, the one that showed highest strength, namely, 1 wt% of HTPU in epoxy, was chosen to prepare composites. Mechanical properties of pure epoxy and HTPU-toughened epoxy composites filled with fly ash were studied with respect to varying weight fractions of fly ash loading. In this article, the mechanical properties studied are compression and impact. Fractographic studies of the toughened resin matrix and its composites have been carried out using scanning electron microscopy.
A Novel Preparation of Biodegradable Polymer—Silica Nanocomposites by Two Different Encapsulation Methods
Authors: Choi Mi-Jung , Min Sang-Gi , Briançon Stéphanie , Fessi Hatem
Published: September 2009

Attempts have been made to encapsulate silica within poly(lactic acid) (PLA), prepared by nanoprecipitation and emulsification—diffusion methods, in order to modify their surface properties. We have shown that silica—PLA colloidal nanocomposites can be readily obtained through nanoprecipitation and emulsion—diffusion. The nanoprecipitation method coats a thin-nanolayer on the surface of the silica particles, as per transmission electron micrographs analysis. In the case of emulsion—diffusion method, the free PLA nanospheres were embedded around the silica particles. Both methods proved to be successful in coating or encapsulation of the inorganic surface through polymer precipitation.
Effect of Nanoparticles on Wear Resistance and Surface Hardness of a Dental Glass-ionomer Cement
Authors: Zhao Jun , Xie Dong
Published: September 2009

We have studied the effect of nanoparticles on wear resistance and surface hardness of a dental glass-ionomer cement. The effects of composition, loading ratio, and surface modification of the nanoparticles as well as particle size were investigated as well. Commercially available spherical nanoparticles were incorporated into a commercial dental cement Fuji II. One of the nanoparticles was surface-modified with poly(acrylic acid) via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization. All the cements were conditioned in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h prior to testing. The results showed that all the particles incorporated (either nano-, micro-, or surface-modified) increased the resistance to attrition of Fuji II by approximately 50% but slightly decreased the resistance to abrasion. Most of the modified cements showed increased surface hardness values as compared to Fuji II. Surface modification significantly increased the loading of the nanoparticles into Fuji II from 10% to 30% as compared to the unmodified ones (only 10% at the maximum). Within the limitations of this study, it seems that incorporation of 1-3% spherical silica nanoparticles can effectively improve both resistance to attrition and surface hardness of Fuji II cement.
Kinetics of Hot Deformation in Mg/Nano-Al2O3 Composite
Authors: Prasad Y.V.R.K. , Rao K.P. , Gupta M.
Published: September 2009

The hot deformation behavior of extruded Mg/nano-Al2O3 composite has been studied in the temperature and strain rate ranges of 300-500°C and 0.0003-10 s-1. In the lower strain rate regime (<0.1 s-1), the apparent activation energy evaluated is much higher than that for lattice self-diffusion. At higher strain rates, the behavior of the composite is similar to that of the matrix material and is controlled by grain boundary self diffusion. The prior particle boundaries in the composite, which are decorated by the nano-alumina particles, are stable and only kink under compression parallel to the extrusion direction.
Design and Test of a Multitooth Tool for CFRP Milling
Authors: López de Lacalle N. , Lamikiz A. , Campa F.J. , Valdivielso A. FDZ. , Etxeberria I.
Published: September 2009

This article deals with the new development of a family of router milling tools for the high-performance milling of carbon fiber reinforced plastics. The new milling tools are shaped by multiple left-hand and right-hand helical edges, which form small pyramidal edges along the cutting length. Several substrates and coatings have been tested including AlTiN and the new naCO with nanocrystalline structure. After the analysis of tests and modifications on the tool prototypes, the final result is a series of routing endmills optimized for carbon fiber composites defining the influence of each of milling tool features on tool performance, which was not clearly established till date. The specific cutting forces, tool wear, and others aspects are discussed in detail.
Identification of Mechanical Properties and Damage of Composites at the Mesoscale based on an Inverse Method Coupled with Homogenization
Authors: Chafra M. , Smaoui H. , Ben Arfa D.
Published: September 2009

The purpose of the present study is to propose a strategy for identifying the mechanical characteristics of fibers and the damage in composite materials, based on an inverse method coupled with homogenization. It consists, in a general and systematic way, in coupling a homogenization procedure chosen by the user, with an appropriate numerical optimization algorithm. The method can be interpreted as a procedure for passage from macroscopic to mesoscopic scale. In this respect, it is shown that our method is capable of providing estimates of mesoscopic properties that are difficult to obtain experimentally. The proposed identification method is applied to examples of damaged and undamaged composites including those made of woven and unwoven natural fibers of Alfa and a polyester resin matrix. Identification results obtained by the proposed inverse method are compared to data taken from the literature to show its effectiveness.
The Response of Embedded NIR (830 nm) Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors in Glass Fiber Composites under Fatigue Loading
Authors: Epaarachchi Jayantha A. , Canning John , Stevenson Michael
Published: September 2009

The fabrication and use of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, which operates in near infrared region (Bragg wavelength λB = 830 nm) to monitor the damage accumulation in composite is reported. The spectra ∼830 nm of the embedded FBG sensor in 0°/90° woven cloth/vinyl ester composite were distorted and broadened due to fatigue loading, as expected. These distortions in FBG spectra indicate asymmetric and nonuniform strain distributions along the grating length of the FBG sensors due to the accumulation of damage during fatigue loading regimes. This information is useful for formulating a fundamental relationship between FBG spectral changes and the damage accumulation of composite structures. The results demonstrate that the sensitivity and durability of the embedded FBG sensors fabricated by conventional writing techniques at 830 nm range and monitored using inexpensive Si-based source and arrays were excellent for health monitoring of composite structures.
Tractional Forces on Porcine Temporomandibular Joint Discs
Authors: Nickel J.C. , Iwasaki L.R. , Beatty M.W. , Marx D.B.
Published: September 2009

Tractional forces on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc predispose tissue fatigue. This study tested the hypotheses that tractional forces: (1) increased with stress-field velocity ( V) and aspect ratio ( AR, contact area diameter/cartilage thickness), and compressive strain (ε); and (2) varied depending on cartilage thickness. Porcine TMJ discs (n = 187) received a 10-N vertical static load via an acrylic indenter for 1, 5, 10, 30, or 60 sec, followed by movement. Physical data were recorded and analyzed by quadratic regression relations and a likelihood ratio test. Results showed non-linear increases in tractional forces that were positively correlated with increased V, AR, and ε when the stress-field moved onto relatively thicker (R2 = 0.83) and thinner cartilage (R2 = 0.86). When V was > 27 mm/sec and AR·ε3, was > 0.09, tractional forces were significantly higher (≤ 12% of peak) when the stress-field moved onto thicker cartilage. Stress-field dynamic mechanics and cartilage thickness significantly affected TMJ disc tractional forces.
Sex Steroids, Periodontal Health, and Tooth Loss in Older Men
Authors: Orwoll E.S. , Chan B.K.S. , Lambert L.C. , Marshall L.M. , Lewis C. , Phipps K.R.
Published: September 2009

Sex steroids have a significant effect on skeletal biology in men, with reduced levels being associated with lower skeletal bone mass and cortical thickness. The purpose of this study was to determine if sex steroids are associated with periodontitis and tooth loss in a cohort of 1210 older dentate men followed for 3 years. Periodontal measures included attachment loss, pocket depth, gingival bleeding, and number of teeth. Baseline serum testosterone and estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Severe periodontitis was common at baseline (38%), and progression occurred in 32% of the cohort. Incident tooth loss occurred in 22% of the cohort. Testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were not related to baseline periodontal status or number of teeth. Moreover, there was no relationship between sex steroid levels and periodontitis progression or incident tooth loss. Although periodontitis, progression of periodontitis, and tooth loss are common in older men, they were not associated with sex steroids.
Theoretical Optimum of Implant Positional Index Design
Authors: Semper W. , Kraft S. , Krüger T. , Nelson K.
Published: September 2009

Rotational freedom of the implant-abutment connection influences its screw joint stability; for optimization, influential factors need to be evaluated based on a previously developed closed formula. The underlying hypothesis is that the manufacturing tolerances, geometric pattern, and dimensions of the index do not influence positional stability. We used the dimensions of 5 commonly used implant systems with a clearance of 20 μm to calculate the extent of rotational freedom; a 3D simulation (SolidWorks) validated the analytical findings. Polygonal positional indices showed the highest degrees of rotational freedom. The polygonal profile displayed higher positional stability than the polygons, but less positional accuracy than the cam-groove connection. Features of a maximal rotation-safe positional index were determined. The analytical calculation of rotational freedom of implant positional indices is possible. Rotational freedom is dependent on the geometric design of the index and may be decreased by incorporating specific aspects into the positional index design.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration: Designing Hydrogel Delivery Vehicles
Authors: Salinas C.N. , Anseth K.S.
Published: September 2009

Craniofacial injuries require a variety of different cell types to repopulate areas of bone, cartilage, tendon, and fat. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a multipotent cell source for tissue engineering of this area, particularly when the cells are delivered via a 3D hydrogel environment. MSC differentiation into cartilage, bone, and fat has been investigated through a variety of techniques, some of which include the use of synthetic hydrogel scaffolds, integration of extracellular matrix components and other natural gel chemistries, microparticle delivery of growth factors, simultaneous mechanical stimulation, and the delivery of microRNA. This review aims to summarize the most recent studies involving the synthesis and application of 3D hydrogels to induce the differentiation of encapsulated MSCs and their subsequent matrix production.
Contribution of Occlusal Activity to Synaptogenesis in Masticatory Muscles
Authors: Kota Y. , Yamane A. , Tomohiro T. , Asada Y.
Published: September 2009

Synaptogenesis in the neuromuscular junction involves a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) switch and elimination. The microphthalmic mouse ( mi/mi) with a mutation in the mitf gene cannot perform occlusal activity, because its teeth do not erupt. The present study attempted to elucidate the contribution of occlusal activity to synaptogenesis in masticatory muscles. In the masseter of the mi/mi, the nAChR elimination initiated, but did not progress normally, after 3 weeks of age, when the occlusal activity emerged in the +/+ mouse, whereas the nAChR switch progressed normally during the entire period of synaptogenesis. The mRNA expression patterns of nAChR subunits in the temporalis and digastric of the mi/mi differed from those in its masseter. These findings suggest that, in the masseter, occlusal activity is essential for the completion of nAChR elimination, but not for the nAChR switch, and that the contribution of occlusal activity to synaptogenesis varies among the masticatory muscles.
Roles of TLR2, TLR4, NOD2, and NOD1 in Pulp Fibroblasts
Authors: Hirao K. , Yumoto H. , Takahashi K. , Mukai K. , Nakanishi T. , Matsuo T.
Published: September 2009

Pulp fibroblasts express various pro-inflammatory mediators leading to marked infiltration of inflammatory cells in the progression of pulpitis. We hypothesized that pulp fibroblasts play roles in the recognition of invaded caries-related bacteria and the subsequent innate immune responses. We found clear expressions of TLR2, NOD1, and NOD2 and a faint expression of TLR4 in human dental pulp fibroblasts (HDPF) by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. We also observed that various pro-inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, prostaglandin E2 and its key enzyme COX-2, not iNOS or caspase-1, were markedly up-regulated by stimulation with these TLR and NOD agonists. More over, the NOD2 agonist acted synergistically with the TLR2, not the TLR4, agonist to stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in HDPF. These findings indicate that TLR2, TLR4, NOD2, and NOD1 in HDPF are functional receptors, and NOD2 is a modulator of signals transmitted through TLR2 in pulpal immune responses, leading to progressive pulpitis.
Vehicular mobility simulation with VanetMobiSim
Authors: Härri Jérôme , Fiore Marco , Filali Fethi , Bonnet Christian
Published: September 2009

During the last few years, continuous progresses in wireless communications have opened new research fields in computer networking, aimed at extending data networks connectivity to environments where wired solutions are impracticable. Among these, vehicular communication is attracting growing attention from both academia and industry, owing to the amount and importance of the related applications, ranging from road safety to traffic control and up to mobile entertainment. Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) are self-organized networks built up from moving vehicles, and are part of the broader class of Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). Owing to their peculiar characteristics, VANETs require the definition of specific networking techniques, whose feasibility and performance are usually tested by means of simulation. One of the main challenges posed by VANETs simulations is the faithful characterization of vehicular mobility at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels, leading to realistic non-uniform distributions of cars and velocity, and unique connectivity dynamics. However, freely distributed tools which are commonly used for academic studies only consider limited vehicular mobility issues, while they pay little or no attention to vehicular traffic generation and its interaction with its motion constraints counterpart. Such a simplistic approach can easily raise doubts on the confidence of derived VANETs simulation results. In this paper we present VanetMobiSim, a freely available generator of realistic vehicular movement traces for networks simulators. The traces generated by VanetMobiSim are validated first by illustrating how the interaction between featured motion constraints and traffic generator models is able to reproduce typical phenomena of vehicular traffic. Then, the traces are formally validated against those obtained by TSIS-CORSIM, a benchmark traffic simulator in transportation research. This makes VanetMobiSim one of the few vehicular mobility simulator fully validated and freely available to the vehicular networks research community.
Attitudes Toward Hiring Offenders
Authors: Varghese Femina P. , Hardin Erin E. , Bauer Rebecca L. , Morgan Robert D.
Published: September 2009

Occupational functioning is an important factor in the success of offenders reentering society. Yet few studies have empirically examined the factors influencing job obtainment of offenders. This study endeavors to begin to fill this gap by examining attitudes in hiring applicants charged with a crime. To accomplish this goal, 275 college students read a job description for a cashier position and then read 1 of 12 descriptions of an applicant varied by criminal history, qualifications, and race. Participants rate the applicants across dimensions relevant to hiring decisions. Results indicate that applicants with drug possession charges and low qualifications were less likely to be referred for hire. Severity of charges influences employability. Among applicants with a misdemeanor, qualifications increase employability, but qualifications have no influence for applicants with a felony. Implications of these findings for policy and vocational rehabilitation programming are discussed.
Graft Orientation Influences the Knee Flexion Moment During Walking in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Scanlan Sean F. , Blazek Katerina , Chaudhari Ajit M. W. , Safran Marc R. , Andriacchi Thomas P.
Published: September 2009

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament graft orientation has been proposed as a potential mechanism for failure of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and has been considered important in the restoration of normal ambulatory knee mechanics.

Purpose

To evaluate the possibility that patients adapt their mechanics of walking to the orientation of the anterior cruciate ligament graft. This was determined by testing the hypothesis that peak external knee flexion moment (net quadriceps moment) during walking in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is correlated with coronal and sagittal anterior cruciate ligament graft orientations.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Gait analysis was performed to assess dynamic knee function during walking in 17 subjects with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure coronal and sagittal anterior cruciate ligament graft orientations.

Results

A negative correlation was observed between peak external knee flexion moment during walking and coronal angle of the anterior cruciate ligament graft (1.0 m/s walking speed, r = −0.87, P < .001; 1.3 m/s, r = −0.66, P = .004; 1.6 m/s, r = −0.24, P > .05); no correlation was found with the sagittal graft angle (1.0 m/s walking speed, r = 0.21, P > .05; 1.3 m/s, r = 0.20, P > .05; 1.6 m/s, r = 0.13, P > .05).

Conclusion

The negative correlation between peak external knee flexion moment during walking and the coronal angle of the anterior cruciate ligament graft indicates that as the anterior cruciate ligament graft is placed in a more vertical coronal orientation, patients reduce their net quadriceps usage during walking.

Clinical Relevance

This finding supports the hypothesis that graft placement plays a critical role in the restoration of normal ambulatory mechanics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and thus could provide a partial explanation for the increased incidence of premature osteoarthritis at long-term follow-up in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Structure and Properties of PA66/Irradiated LLDPE Blends
Authors: Xinming Zhu  , Zongwei Yang  , Shishan Wu
Published: September 2009

The oxygen-containing groups such as C—O, C=O, and C(=O)O were introduced onto linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) chains by ultraviolet irradiation in air. The irradiated LLDPE was used for modifying polyamide 66 (PA66), and PA66/irradiated LLDPE (90/10) blends were prepared. The structure and properties of the PA66/irradiated LLDPE (90/10) blends were investigated by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, the Molau test, and mechanical measurements. Compared with that in PA66/LLDPE (90/10) blends, the irradiated LLDPE in PA66/irradiated LLDPE (90/10) blends remained in an orthorhombic structure, and the face space did not change. But the melting temperature and the crystallinity of irradiated LLDPE and PA66 in PA66/irradiated LLDPE (90/10) blends decreased due to the strong interface interaction between irradiated LLDPE- and PA66-restrained crystallization. The dispersion of irradiated LLDPE and interfacial adhesion between irradiated LLDPE and PA66 in PA66/irradiated LLDPE (90/10) blends were improved. With increasing irradiation time, the tensile and the impact strength of PA66/irradiated LLDPE (90/10) blends first increased and reached a maximum when the irradiation time was 36 h. Compared with that of PA66/LLDPE (90/10) blends, the tensile and the impact strength of PA66/LLDPE irradiated for 36 h (90/10) blends was enhanced by 31% and 160%, respectively.
The consequences of caring: skills, regulation and reward among early years workers
Authors: Findlay Patricia , Findlay Jeanette , Stewart Robert
Published: September 2009

The persistence of gendered pay inequality raises questions as to what sustains it. Recent contributions highlight the role of low skills visibility and valuation in pay inequality in predominantly female occupations. This artical examines the skills and rewards of early years workers, the organizational processes through which their skills are measured and rewarded and the institutional and organizational influences on grading and pay systems.The article does so at an important juncture when the importance and regulation of the ‘early years’ sector has increased significantly and following pay equality initiatives. It concludes that while the application of more systematic forms of skill and job measurement has improved the relative rewards of nursery nurses, gendered constructions of their caring skills contaminate evaluation of their educational role such that undervaluation of their work persists. This finding raises implications for other work that incorporates caring skills.
Networks of aestheticization: the architecture, artefacts and embodiment of hairdressing salons
Authors: Chugh Shalene , Hancock Philip
Published: September 2009

The aesthetic dimension of interactive service work is increasingly significant. This is reflected in the attention paid to it within both industrial sociology and organization studies. Such research has however tended to focus either on the aesthetic aspects of the labour process of service workers or, alternatively, on the material environments within which such labour takes place. This article draws on data derived from a case study investigation of two hairdressing salons in the UK. It extends our understanding of the aesthetics of such service encounters through an analysis of the inter-relationships between the human and non-human elements present in such workspaces. Incorporating elements of actor-network theory, it examines the aestheticization processes that emerge from, among other things those networks of architecture and design, non-human artefacts, and embodiment and aesthetic labour, that constitute the servicescapes of the salons in question.
In critical defence of ‘emotional labour’
Authors: Brook Paul
Published: September 2009

Sharon Bolton’s comprehensive critique of Hochschild’s concept of ‘emotional labour’ is flawed by her misinterpretation of its primary form as an aspect of labour power. Consequently, she erroneously argues that emotional labour is commodified only when transformed into commercial service work. However, emotion workers experience commodification of their labour power as wage-labour, irrespective of the nature of their product. Bolton also argues that Hochschild’s notion of workers undergoing a ‘transmutation of feelings’ renders them ‘crippled actors’ in the grip of management control. Hochschild, however, theorizes transmutation as a contradictory and unstable condition albeit in an under-developed form. While Bolton correctly argues for a theory of emotion work that captures the complexity and contradictory nature of the emotional workplace, it is not necessary to reject the emotional labour concept. Rather, it needs to be more fully theorized and integrated within Labour Process Analysis.
Leaders of men: women ‘managing’ in construction
Authors: Watts Jacqueline H.
Published: September 2009

Although women’s experience of working in management has been studied extensively, the particular challenges they face in this role within male-dominated professions merits further attention.This article draws on research into the career experiences of women civil engineers in the UK to critically discuss the possibilities for women to pursue a management pathway within construction. A feminist theoretical framework has been used to analyse data from 31 in-depth interviews with women working in both the consulting and contracting parts of the industry. The study highlights cultural issues of visibility and the presenteeism ethos of the sector as well as the material constraints of construction sites. Women are taking up senior management posts but only in very few numbers.Their success depends on assuming ‘male’ norms and in these roles they straddle a marginal territory that is bordered by exclusion and resistance.
Pharmacokinetic interaction of some antitubercular drugs with caraway: implications in the enhancement of drug bioavailability
Authors: Sachin BS , Monica P , Sharma SC , Satti NK , Tikoo MK , Tikoo AK , Suri KA , Gupta BD , Johri RK
Published: September 2009

This study deals with the pharmacokinetic interaction of selected anti-TB drugs with a natural product (CC-1a) derived from caraway ( Carum carvi, L.) seed. CC-1a, chemically standardized butanolic fraction, enhanced the plasma levels of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid in Wistar rat, resulting in increased bioavailability indices (Cmax and AUC) of the drugs. Moreover, a 40% reduced dose regimen of these drugs, which additionally contained CC-1a, was equivalent in terms of Cmax and AUC to a normal dose regimen. A permeation-enhancing property of CC-1a across small intestinal absorptive surface was found to be a contributing factor in its bioavailability enhancing profile.
Rat ventral prostate xanthine oxidase–mediated metabolism of acetaldehyde to acetyl radical
Authors: Castro GD , Costantini MH , Castro JA
Published: September 2009

Alcohol drinking is known to lead to deleterious effects on prostate epithelial cells from humans and experimental animals. The understanding of the mechanisms underlying these effects is relevant to intraprostatic ethanol treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and to shed some light into the conflictive results linking alcohol consumption to prostate cancer. In previous studies, we provided evidence about the presence in the rat ventral prostate of cytosolic and microsomal metabolic pathways of ethanol to acetaldehyde and 1-hydroxyethyl radical and about the low levels of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde accumulation in prostate tissue and oxidative stress promotion were also observed. In this study, we report that in the ventral prostate cytosolic fraction, xanthine oxidoreductase is able to metabolize acetaldehyde to acetyl radical. The identification of the acetyl was performed by GC-MS of the silylated acetyl-PBN adduct. Reference adduct was generated chemically. Formation of acetyl was also observed using pure xanthine oxidase. The generation of acetyl by the prostate cytosol was inhibited by allopurinol, oxypurinol, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, folate, and ellagic acid. Results suggest that metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde and to 1-hydroxyethyl and acetyl radicals could be involved in the deleterious effects of alcohol drinking on prostate epithelial cells.
Sex Hormones: Modulators of Interhemispheric Inhibition in the Human Brain
Authors: Weis Susanne , Hausmann Markus
Published: September 2009

Functional cerebral asymmetries (FCAs), which constitute a basic principle of human brain organization, are supposedly generated by interhemispheric inhibition of the dominant on the nondominant hemisphere. It has repeatedly been shown that FCAs are sex specific: While they are relatively stable in men, they change during the menstrual cycle in women, indicating that sex hormones might play an important role in modulating functional brain organization and brain asymmetries in particular. Modern brain imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allow for the noninvasive study of the mechanisms underlying changing FCAs. Imaging data show that in women the inhibitory influence of the dominant on the nondominant hemisphere is reduced with rising levels of sex hormones in the course of the menstrual cycle. Apart from modulating interhemispheric inhibition, sex hormones also seem to change functional organization within hemispheres. These results reveal a powerful neuromodulatory action of sex hormones on the dynamics of functional brain organization in the female brain. They may further contribute to the ongoing discussion of sex differences in brain function in that they help explain the dynamic part of functional brain organization in which the female differs from the male brain.
Initiating action research
Authors: Wicks Patricia Gayá , Reason Peter
Published: September 2009

The success or failure of an action research venture often depends on what happens at the beginning of the inquiry process: in the way access is established, and on how participants and co-researchers are engaged early on. ‘Opening communicative space’ is important because, however we base our theory and practice of action research, the first steps are fateful. We draw on Habermas’s theorizing of the boundary-crises between system and lifeworld to explore the theory behind the idea of communicative space. We attempt to bring these abstract concepts to life, and to illustrate key aspects of action research practice through a review of some of the key challenges, opportunities, and paradoxes which emerge in the early stages of action research projects. Drawing on the literature and on exemplars, we show how the process of opening communicative space can be mapped onto a theory of group development that suggests a progression through phases of inclusion, control, and intimacy. Furthermore, we review an example of third-person action research to illustrate some of the issues raised by the need for both external and internal validation. We conclude that the practices of opening communicative space are necessarily paradoxical, and put forward a list of paradoxes with which facilitators and initiators of action research may need to engage in the start-up phases of their work.
The paradox of participation in action research
Authors: Arieli Daniella , Friedman Victor J. , Agbaria Kamil
Published: September 2009

Although participation is widely discussed in the action research literature, relatively few studies deal with building the participative relationship itself. This article attempts to fill that gap through a ‘first-person action research’ involving a relationship between Jewish researchers and a Palestinian Arab non-governmental organization in Israel that failed to live up to our espoused values of participation. It employs an action science method for joint critical reflecting on this relationship and analyzing the data from the reflection. It presents two ‘theories of action’: one aimed at explaining the paradox of participation and one for dealing with it more effectively. By opening our learning, including our errors, to the scrutiny of other action researchers, we hope to generate actionable knowledge that can contribute to building genuinely participative relationships in action research.
The Effects of Bilateral Arm Training on Motor Control and Functional Performance in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Lin Keh-chung , Chen Yi-an , Chen Chia-ling , Wu Ching-yi , Chang Ya-fen
Published: September 2009

Background. Most studies of bilateral arm training (BAT) did not employ a randomized controlled trial design and involved very limited functional training tasks. Objective . Compare the effects of BAT with control intervention (CI) on motor control and motor performance of the upper extremity and also functional gains in patients with chronic stroke. Methods. This 2-group randomized controlled trial with pretreatment and posttreatment measures enrolled 33 stroke patients (mean age = 53.85 years) 6 to 67 months after onset of a first stroke. They received either a BAT program concentrating on both upper extremities moving simultaneously in functional tasks by symmetric patterns or CI (control treatment) for 2 hours on weekdays for 3 weeks. Outcome measures included kinematic analyses assessing motor control strategies for unilateral and bimanual reaching and clinical measures involving the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of motor-impairment severity and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Motor Activity Log (MAL) evaluating functional ability. Results. After treatment, the BAT group showed better temporal and spatial efficiency during unilateral and bilateral tasks and less online error correction only during the bilateral task than the control group. The BAT group showed a significantly greater improvement in the FMA than the control group but not in the FIM and MAL. Conclusions. Relative to CI, BAT improved the spatiotemporal control of the affected arm in both bilateral and unilateral tasks, decreased online corrections to perform bilateral tasks, and reduced motor impairment. These findings support the use of BAT to improve motor control and motor function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.
Coupled transcription-splicing regulation of mutually exclusive splicing events at the 5′ exons of protein 4.1R gene
Authors: Huang Shu-Ching , Cho Aeri , Norton Stephanie , Liu Eva S. , Park Jennie , Zhou Anyu , Munagala Indira D. , Ou Alexander C. , Yang Guang , Wickrema Amittha , Tang Tang K. , Benz Edward J.
Published: September 2009

The tightly regulated production of distinct erythrocyte protein 4.1R isoforms involves differential splicing of 3 mutually exclusive first exons (1A, 1B, 1C) to the alternative 3′ splice sites (ss) of exon 2′/2. Here, we demonstrate that exon 1 and 2′/2 splicing diversity is regulated by a transcription-coupled splicing mechanism. We also implicate distinctive regulatory elements that promote the splicing of exon 1A to the distal 3′ ss and exon 1B to the proximal 3′ ss in murine erythroleukemia cells. A hybrid minigene driven by cytomegalovirus promoter mimicked 1B-promoter–driven splicing patterns but differed from 1A-promoter–driven splicing patterns, suggesting that promoter identity affects exon 2′/2 splicing. Furthermore, splicing factor SF2/ASF ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked to the exon 2′/2 junction CAGAGAA, a sequence that overlaps the distal U2AF35-binding 3′ ss. Consequently, depletion of SF2/ASF allowed exon 1B to splice to the distal 3′ ss but had no effect on exon 1A splicing. These findings identify for the first time that an SF2/ASF binding site also can serve as a 3′ ss in a transcript-dependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that 4.1R gene expression involves transcriptional regulation coupled with a complex splicing regulatory network.
Myofibril-Inducing RNA (MIR) is essential for tropomyosin expression and myofibrillogenesis in axolotl hearts
Authors: Zhang Chi , Jia Pingping , Huang Xupei , Sferrazza Gian Franco , Athauda Gagani , Achary Mohan P , Wang Jikui , Lemanski Sharon L , Dube Dipak K , Lemanski Larry F
Published: September 2009

The Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, carries the naturally-occurring recessive mutant gene 'c' that results in a failure of homozygous (c/c) embryos to form hearts that beat because of an absence of organized myofibrils. Our previous studies have shown that a noncoding RNA, M yofibril-I nducing R NA (MIR), is capable of promoting myofibrillogenesis and heart beating in the mutant (c/c) axolotls. The present study demonstrates that the MIR gene is essential for tropomyosin (TM) expression in axolotl hearts during development. Gene expression studies show that mRNA expression of various tropomyosin isoforms in untreated mutant hearts and in normal hearts knocked down with double-stranded MIR (dsMIR) are similar to untreated normal. However, at the protein level, selected tropomyosin isoforms are significantly reduced in mutant and dsMIR treated normal hearts. These results suggest that MIR is involved in controlling the translation or post-translation of various TM isoforms and subsequently of regulating cardiac contractility.
Bactericidal activities of the cationic steroid CSA-13 and the cathelicidin peptide LL-37 against Helicobacter pylori in simulated gastric juice
Authors: Leszczyńska Katarzyna , Namiot Andrzej , Fein David E , Wen Qi , Namiot Zbigniew , Savage Paul B , Diamond Scott , Janmey Paul A , Bucki Robert
Published: September 2009

Background

The worldwide appearance of drug-resistant strains of H. pylori motivates a search for new agents with therapeutic potential against this family of bacteria that colonizes the stomach, and is associated with adenocarcinoma development. This study was designed to assess in vitro the anti-H. pylori potential of cathelicidin LL-37 peptide, which is naturally present in gastric juice, its optimized synthetic analog WLBU2, and the non-peptide antibacterial agent ceragenin CSA-13.

Results

In agreement with previous studies, increased expression of hCAP-18/LL-37 was observed in gastric mucosa obtained from H. pylori infected subjects. MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) values determined in nutrient-containing media range from 100-800 μg/ml for LL-37, 17.8-142 μg/ml for WLBU2 and 0.275-8.9 μg/ml for ceragenin CSA-13. These data indicate substantial, but widely differing antibacterial activities against clinical isolates of H. pylori. After incubation in simulated gastric juice (low pH with presence of pepsin) CSA-13, but not LL-37 or WLBU2, retained antibacterial activity. Compared to LL-37 and WLBU2 peptides, CSA-13 activity was also more resistant to inhibition by isolated host gastric mucins.

Conclusion

These data indicate that cholic acid-based antimicrobial agents such as CSA-13 resist proteolytic degradation and inhibition by mucin and have potential for treatment of H. pylori infections, including those caused by the clarithromycin and/or metronidazole-resistant strains.
Stromal regulatory T-cells are associated with a favourable prognosis in gastric cancer of the cardia
Authors: Haas Matthias , Dimmler Arno , Hohenberger Werner , Grabenbauer Gerhard G , Niedobitek Gerald , Distel Luitpold V
Published: September 2009

Background

Recent evidence suggests that CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells (Treg) may be responsible for the failure of host anti-tumour immunity by suppressing cytotoxic T- cells. We assessed the prognostic significance of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in intestinal-type gastric cardiac cancer.

Methods

Tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subsets and tumour infiltrating macrophages (TIM) were investigated in 52 cases using tissue microarrays. The interrelationship between the cell populations (CD3+, CD8+, CD20+, CD68+, GranzymeB+, FoxP3+) in different compartments and NED-survival was investigated (median follow-up time: 61 months).

Results

Intraepithelial infiltration with TIL and TIM including Treg was generally low and not related to NED-survival. However, patients with large numbers of FoxP3+ Treg in the tumour stroma (>125.9 FoxP3+TILs/mm2) had a median survival time of 58 months while those with low FoxP3+ TIL counts (<125.9 FoxP3+TILs/mm2) had a median survival time of 32 months (p = 0.006). Patients with high versus low stromal CD68+/FoxP3+ cell ratios in primary tumour displayed median survivals of 32 and 55 months, respectively (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that inflammatory processes within the tumour stroma of gastric intestinal-type adenocarcinomas located at the gastric cardia may affect outcome in two ways. Tumour-infiltrating macrophages are likely to promote carcinogenesis while large numbers of Treg are associated with improved outcome probably by inhibiting local inflammatory processes promoting carcinogenesis. Thus, inhibition of Treg may not be a feasible treatment option in gastric adenocarcinoma.