bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collective Risk Management in a Flight to Quality Episode
Authors: CABALLERO RICARDO J. , KRISHNAMURTHY ARVIND
Published: September 2008

Severe flight to quality episodes involve uncertainty about the environment, not only risk about asset payoffs. The uncertainty is triggered by unusual events and untested financial innovations that lead agents to question their worldview. We present a model of crises and central bank policy that incorporates Knightian uncertainty. The model explains crisis regularities such as market‐wide capital immobility, agents' disengagement from risk, and liquidity hoarding. We identify a social cost of these behaviors, and a benefit of a lender of last resort facility. The benefit is particularly high because public and private insurance are complements during uncertainty‐driven crises.
The Real Determinants of Asset Sales
Authors: YANG LIU
Published: September 2008

I develop a dynamic structural model in which a firm makes rational decisions to buy or sell assets in the presence of productivity shocks. By identifying equilibrium asset prices, the model also examines the aggregate asset sales activity over the business cycle. It shows that changes in productivity, rather than productivity levels, affect decisions: Firms with rising productivity buy assets and firms with falling productivity downsize (“rising buys falling”). As such, industries in which firms have less persistent and more volatile productivity experience greater asset reallocation. Using plant‐level data from Longitudinal Research Database (LRD), I find strong support for the model's predictions.
Discourses on Family Time: The Cultural Interpretation of Family Togetherness in Los Angeles and Rome
Authors: Kremer‐Sadlik Tamar , Fatigante Marilena , Fasulo Alessandra
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this article, we examine U.S. and Italian parents' discourses on family time in parent‐filled weekly activity charts and interviews with parents. Analysis indicates that in Los Angeles, California, parents talk about sheltering and isolating their nuclear family from the outside world and from everyday routine by creating special times and special activities for the nuclear family. In contrast, Roman parents' discourse allows for spontaneous times with the family that are diffused within routines and merged with other community members, institutions, and social spaces. We argue that differences displayed in parents' discourses are shaped by culturally specific orientations toward time, family, and individual versus shared responsibility. Through this cross‐cultural comparison we contribute to the understanding of how local cultural models shape different ways in which parents interpret time spent in family and influence individuals' perceptions of their everyday lives. [family, time, responsibility, United States, Italy].
Sobriety and its Cultural Politics: An Ethnographer's Perspective on “Culturally Appropriate” Addiction Services in Native North America
Authors: Prussing Erica
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The growing international trend toward greater community control of mental health programs in indigenous communities illuminates ongoing discursive and material pressures that shape the development of locally responsive and culturally relevant health services. In this article, I apply insights derived from practice theory and critical psychological anthropology to the ethnographic example of a substance abuse program on a Northern Plains reservation. This analysis suggests that by attending to how addiction and its psychotherapeutic transformation are represented in various community and institutional discourses impacting local services, ethnographers can accomplish two vital tasks: (1) documenting social, cultural, and psychological diversity within contemporary Native American communities, and (2) illuminating forces that undermine recognition of this diversity by federally funded mental health services. These forces include the often subtle but persistent power inequalities in relationships between local communities and federal health agencies. [mental health, substance abuse, Native North America]
Developing Expert Medical Teams: Toward an Evidence‐based Approach
Authors: Fernandez Rosemarie , Vozenilek John A. , Hegarty Cullen B. , Motola Ivette , Reznek Martin , Phrampus Paul E. , Kozlowski Steve W.J.
Published: September 2008

Current health care literature cites communication breakdown and teamwork failures as primary threats to patient safety. The unique, dynamic environment of the emergency department (ED) and the complexity of patient care necessitate the development of strong interdisciplinary team skills among emergency personnel. As part of the 2008 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference on “The Science of Simulation in Healthcare,” our workshop group identified key theory and evidence‐based recommendations for the design and implementation of team training programs. The authors then conducted an extensive review of the team training literature within the domains of organizational psychology, aviation, military, management, and health care. This review, in combination with the workshop session, formed the basis for recommendations and need for further research in six key areas: 1) developing and refining core competencies for emergency medicine (EM) teams; 2) leadership training for emergency physicians (EPs); 3) conducting comprehensive needs analyses at the organizational, personnel, and task levels; 4) development of training platforms to maximize knowledge transfer; 5) debriefing and provision of feedback; and 6) proper implementation of simulation technology. The authors believe that these six areas should form an EM team training research platform to advance the EM literature, while leveraging the unique team structures present in EM to expand team training theory and research.
Effects of Computerized Provider Order Entry and Nursing Documentation on Workflow
Authors: Asaro Phillip V. , Boxerman Stuart B.
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  The objective was to measure the effects of the implementation of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) and electronic nursing documentation on provider workflow in the emergency department (ED).

Methods:  The authors performed a before‐and‐after time‐motion study of the activities of physicians and nurses. The percentages of time spent in task categories were calculated by provider session and averaged across provider sessions.

Results:  There was a shift in physician time from working with paper alone, 13.1% to 9.6% (p = 0.05), to working with paper while using a computer, 1.6% to 4.3% (p = 0.02), and an increase in time spent working on computer and/or paper from 30.0% to 38.9% (p = 0.02). For nurses, the increase in time spent on computer from 9.5% to 25.7% (p < 0.01) was offset by a decrease in time spent working with paper from 16.5% to 1.8% (p < 0.01). Direct care decreased minimally for nurses from 56.9% to 55.3% (p = 0.69), but from 36.8% to 29.1% (p = 0.07) for physicians, approaching statistical significance. Care planning decreased for nurses from 9.4% to 6.4% (p = 0.04) and from 21.7% to 19.5% (p = 0.60) for physicians.

Conclusions:  The net effects of an implementation on provider workflow depend not only on changes in tasks directly related to the provider–computer interface, but also on changes in underlying patient care processes and information flows. The authors observed an unanticipated shift in physician time from interacting with nurses and patients toward retrieving information from the electronic patient record. Implementers should carefully consider how implementations will affect information flow and then expect the unexpected.
Effects of a Triage Process Conversion on the Triage of High‐risk Presentations
Authors: Asaro Phillip V. , Lewis Lawrence M.
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  The objective was to determine effects of a modification in triage process on triage acuity distribution in general and among patients with conditions requiring time‐sensitive therapy.

Methods:  The authors retrospectively reviewed triage acuity distributions before and after modification of their triage process that entailed conversion from the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to the Emergency Severity Index (ESI). The authors calculated the ratio of the odds of being triaged to a nonemergent level (3, 4, or 5) under ESI to the odds of being triaged as nonemergent under CTAS. The authors calculated sensitivity and specificity of triage to an emergent acuity level (1 or 2) for identifying patients with common presentations who required time‐sensitive care.

Results:  There were shifts from higher to lower acuity levels for all subsets, with odds ratios ranging from 2.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.75 to 2.86) for all patients to 21.39 (95% CI = 14.66 to 31.21) for patients over 55 years of age with a chief complaint of chest pain. The sensitivity of triage for identifying abdominal pain patients requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or operating room (OR) or emergency department (ED) death was 80.7% (95% CI = 73.2 to 86.5) before versus 50.8% (95% CI = 43.5 to 58.1) following the transition to ESI. Specificity under CTAS, 55.2% (95% CI = 54.0 to 56.4), was significantly lower than under ESI, 83.6% (95% CI = 82.7 to 84.4). The authors found similar effects for patients presenting with chest pain.

Conclusions:  Monitoring for changes in the sensitivity of the triage process for detecting patients with potentially time‐sensitive conditions should be considered when modifying triage processes. Further work should be done to determine if the decreased sensitivity seen in this study occurs in other institutions converting to ESI, and potential causative factors should be explored.
The Proinflammatory Cytokine Response following Resuscitation in the Swine Model Depends on the Method of Ventricular Fibrillation Induction
Authors: Niemann James T. , Rosborough John , Youngquist Scott , Lewis Roger J. , Phan Quynh T. , Filler Scott
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  A systemic inflammatory response has been reported following resuscitation from cardiac arrest. The purpose of this study was to compare the magnitude of the tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) response in two different swine models of ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest.

Methods:  This was a randomized comparative trial conducted with domestic swine (N = 28, mean weight 40 kg, range 34–49 kg) of both genders. Anesthetized and instrumented swine were randomized to electrically induced VF (n = 14) or spontaneous VF induced by occlusion of a coronary artery (n = 14). After 8 minutes of VF, countershocks were given and standard advanced cardiac life support was initiated. Resuscitated animals were observed for 3 hours, and hemodynamics, base excess, and TNF‐α concentrations were measured at intervals.

Results:  TNF‐α concentrations were significantly greater in the ischemic VF group throughout the postresuscitation period. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that the TNF‐α level was dependent on the method of VF induction and correlated with ischemia time (untreated VF period plus time to restoration of circulation) and the degree of postresuscitation hypoperfusion as reflected in base excess measurements.

Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that TNF‐α concentrations increase after resuscitation from cardiac arrest and that the TNF‐α response is more profound in animals subjected to ischemic, spontaneous VF. The observed differences may be due to a longer resuscitation time and persistent postresuscitation hypoperfusion in the ischemic VF group. These differences need to be considered in studies evaluating mechanisms of postresuscitation organ dysfunction and defining mortality markers.
The Profitability of Medicare Admissions Based on Source of Admission
Authors: McHugh Megan , Regenstein Marsha , Siegel Bruce
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  This study investigates whether admissions from the emergency department (ED) have lower dollar margins than elective admissions under Medicare and explores two possible reasons for differences in margins.

Methods:  The authors developed patient‐level Medicare dollar margins (calculated as patient revenue minus cost) for 1,159,243 Medicare admissions from 321 hospitals using data from the 2003 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Medicare Impact File. Differences in margins between ED and elective admissions were explored across a number of diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs) using t‐tests. Chi‐square tests were used explore whether ED admission was more common among patients in low‐profit DRGs and/or patients with greater severity of illness.

Results:  The average Medicare dollar margins were −$712 (95% confidence interval [CI] = −$729 to −$695) for ED admissions and $22 (95% CI = −$2 to $47) for elective admissions. Medicare dollar margins for ED admissions were lower than those of elective admission for the most common DRGs. ED admission was associated with greater patient severity of illness.

Conclusions:  Source of admission is a financially meaningful classification. Because Medicare payment policy does not recognize differences in cost based on patients’ route of admission, hospitals may have a financial incentive to favor elective admissions over ED admissions.
Point‐of‐care Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c in Emergency Department Patients without Known Diabetes: Implications for Opportunistic Screening
Authors: Ginde Adit A. , Cagliero Enrico , Nathan David M. , Camargo Jr Carlos A.
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  The objectives were to evaluate the correlation between random glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in emergency department (ED) patients without known diabetes and to determine the ability of diabetes screening in the ED to predict outpatient diabetes.

Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study at an urban academic ED. The authors enrolled consecutive adult patients without known diabetes during eight 24‐hour periods. Point‐of‐care (POC) random capillary glucose and HbA1c levels were tested, as well as laboratory HbA1c in a subset of patients. Participants with HbA1c ≥ 6.1% were scheduled for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Results:  The 265 enrolled patients were 47% female and 80% white, with a median age of 42 years. Median glucose and HbA1c levels were 93 mg/dL (interquartile range [IQR] = 82–108) and 5.8% (IQR = 5.5–6.2), respectively. The correlation between POC and laboratory HbA1c was r = 0.96, with mean difference 0.33% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.27% to 0.39%). Glucose threshold ≥ 120 mg/dL had 89% specificity and 26% sensitivity for predicting the 76 (29%) patients with abnormal HbA1c; ≥ 140 mg/dL had 98% specificity and 14% sensitivity. The correlation between random glucose and HbA1c was moderate (r = 0.60) and was affected by age, gender, prandial status, corticosteroid use, and current injury. Only 38% of participants with abnormal HbA1c returned for OGTTs; 38% had diabetes, 34% had impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance, and 28% had normal glucose tolerance.

Conclusions:  ED patients have a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes. Although screening with POC random glucose and HbA1c is promising, improvement in follow‐up with confirmatory testing and initiation of treatment is needed before opportunistic ED screening can be recommended.
Epidemiology of Adverse Events in Air Medical Transport
Authors: MacDonald Russell D. , Banks Brie Ann , Morrison Merideth
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  This observational study determined frequency and describes all‐cause adverse event epidemiology in a large air medical transport system.

Methods:  Records of a mandatory reporting system were reviewed and a data set containing all of the patient care records was searched to identify aviation‐ and non–aviation‐related adverse events. Two reviewers independently identified adverse events and categorized them using an established taxonomy. Descriptive statistics were used to report adverse events, with frequency calculated per 1,000 flights and 1,000 hours flown.

Results:  Between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005, there were 1,447 reports, of which 598 included an adverse event. Case‐finding identified an additional 125. A complete report was available in 680 of 723 (94.1%) events. There were 58,956 flights and 103,632 hours flown during the study period, for a rate of 11.53 adverse events per 1,000 flights (95% CI = 10.7 to 12.4 adverse events) or 6.56 per 1,000 hours flown (95% CI = 6.1 to 7.1 adverse events). The frequencies of events by category were as follows: communication (229; 33.7%), transport vehicle (143; 21.0%), medical equipment (88; 12.9%), patient management (77; 11.4%), clinical performance (68; 10.0%), weather (30; 4.4%), unclassified (24; 3.5%), and patient factors causing death (21; 3.1%). There was possible patient harm in 117 events.

Conclusions:  Air medical transport is associated with a low incidence of adverse events and possible patient harm. Communication problems were the most common cause of an event. Determining event epidemiology is necessary to identify modifiable factors, propose solutions to decrease the adverse events, and direct future efforts to improve safety.
The Financial Impact of Ambulance Diversion on Inpatient Hospital Revenues and Profits
Authors: Handel Daniel A. , John McConnell K.
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  The objective was to study the association between ambulance diversion and weekly inpatient hospital revenues and profits.

Methods:  This was a retrospective review of administrative data from one academic medical center from July 1, 2003, to December 31, 2006. Given the high amount of daily variability, inpatient hospital revenues and profits were collapsed by week and evaluated in four categories: no diversion, mild diversion (from >0 and <10 hours), moderate diversion (>10 and <20 hours), and high diversion (>20 hours). Revenues and profits for two categories of patients admitted to the hospital were calculated: 1) patients admitted from the emergency department (ED; i.e., those arriving by ambulance and by other means) and 2) electively admitted patients.

Results:  A total of 166,460 ED patients were included in the analysis. Inpatient hospital revenues were included from 85,111 patients, 28,665 of which were admissions from the ED (33.7%). For patients admitted from the ED, the average weekly revenues during periods of high diversion were $265K higher than periods of no diversion. For patients admitted on an elective basis, revenues were significantly higher when comparing periods of mild divert to high diversion (an additional $415K weekly). The overall increase in profitability was significant for periods of severe divert compared to no divert ($119K per week).

Conclusions:  Periods of greater diversion are associated with higher inpatient revenues and profits for ED, electively admitted patients, and the overall inpatient hospital population. Therefore, no financial disincentive exists from an inpatient perspective for the boarding of admitted patients in the ED and increasing periods of diversion. Efforts to decrease ambulance diversion must therefore be based on other rationales, like patient safety, quality of care, and improving access to care, or new models of reimbursement that reward hospitals for reducing ambulance diversion.
Ten‐year follow‐up study of PTSD diagnosis, symptom severity and psychosocial indices in aging holocaust survivors
Authors: Yehuda R. , Schmeidler J. , Labinsky E. , Bell A. , Morris A. , Zemelman S. , Grossman R. A.
Published: September 2008

Objective:  We performed a longitudinal study of holocaust survivors with and without post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by assessing symptoms and other measures at two intervals, approximately 10 years apart.

Method:  The original cohort consisted of 63 community‐dwelling subjects, of whom 40 were available for follow‐up.

Results:  There was a general diminution in PTSD symptom severity over time. However, in 10% of the subjects (n = 4), new instances of delayed onset PTSD developed between time 1 and time 2. Self‐report ratings at both assessments revealed a worsening of trauma‐related symptoms over time in persons without PTSD at time 1, but an improvement in those with PTSD at time 1.

Conclusion:  The findings suggest that a nuanced characterization of PTSD trajectory over time is more reflective of PTSD symptomatology than simple diagnostic status at one time. The possibility of delayed onset trajectory complicates any simplistic overall trajectory summarizing the longitudinal course of PTSD.
Decreasing eel stocks: survival of the fattest?
Authors: Belpaire C. G. J. , Goemans G. , Geeraerts C. , Quataert P. , Parmentier K. , Hagel P. , De Boer J.
Published: September 2008

Abstract –  Since the 1980s, the European eel Anguilla anguilla stock is in steep decline. Lipid reserves are essential to cover energetic requirements for silver eel migration and reproduction. Two large and independent data sets from Belgium and The Netherlands show an average one‐third decrease in fat contents of yellow eels over the past 15 years. Also Le Cren’s relative condition factor decreased. On the basis of the somatic energy reserves, reproductive potential of eels from various latitudes over Europe was estimated, assuming fat levels in yellow eel are indicative of those in silver eels. Only large individuals, females as well as males, with high lipid content seem to be able to contribute to the spawning stock. The decrease in fat content in yellow eels may be a key element in the stock decline and raises serious concerns about the chances of the stock to recover.
Apical Cargo Traverses Endosomal Compartments on the Passage to the Cell Surface
Authors: Cramm‐Behrens Catharina I. , Dienst Martina , Jacob Ralf
Published: September 2008

Epithelial polarity is based on intracellular sorting machinery that maintains the asymmetric distribution of lipids and proteins to the cell surface. Dependent on their lipid raft affinity, newly synthesized apical polypeptides are segregated into distinct vesicle populations subsequent to the passage through the Golgi apparatus. Using a combined fluorescence microscopic and biochemical approach, we found that lipid raft‐associated sucrase‐isomaltase (SI) as well as non‐raft‐associated lactase‐phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) traverse endosomal compartments before entering the apical membrane. Fluorescent fusion proteins of both hydrolases were co‐stained with Rab4‐, Rab8‐ and Rab11‐positive endosomes in polarized Madin–Darby canine kidney and non‐polarized COS‐1 cells. Immunoisolation of post‐Golgi vesicles subsequent to different times of TGN release revealed that LPH and SI navigate in chronological order through Rab4‐, Rab8‐ and Rab11‐positive endosomes. Thereafter, the two hydrolases are segregated into distinct vesicle populations. In addition, apical membrane traffic could be significantly inhibited by RNA interference‐mediated depletion of these guanosine triphosphatases. These results suggest that in epithelial cells, lipid raft‐dependent and ‐independent apical cargo follow a transendosomal route.
Dynamic Behavior of Salmonella‐Induced Membrane Tubules in Epithelial Cells
Authors: Drecktrah Dan , Levine‐Wilkinson Seamus , Dam Tapen , Winfree Seth , Knodler Leigh A. , Schroer Trina A. , Steele‐Mortimer Olivia
Published: September 2008

Salmonella Typhimurium is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes acute gastroenteritis in man. Intracellular Salmonella survive and replicate within a modified phagosome known as the Salmonella‐containing vacuole (SCV). The onset of intracellular replication is accompanied by the appearance of membrane tubules, called Salmonella‐induced filaments (Sifs), extending from the SCV. Sifs are enriched in late endosomal/lysosomal membrane proteins such as lysosome‐associated membrane protein 1, but their formation and ability to interact with endosomal compartments are not characterized. In this study, we use live cell imaging techniques to define the dynamics of Sif formation in infected epithelial cells. At early time‐points, Sifs are simple tubules extending from the surface of SCVs. These tubules are highly dynamic and exhibit bidirectional, microtubule‐dependent movement. At the distal ends of individual Sif tubules, furthest from the SCV, a distinct ‘leader’ domain was often observed. At later times, Sifs develop into highly complex tubular networks that extend throughout the cell and appear less dynamic than nascent Sifs; however, individual tubules continue to display bidirectional dynamics. Sifs can acquire endocytic content by fusion, indicating a sustained interaction with the endocytic pathway. Together, these results show that these Salmonella‐induced tubules form a highly dynamic network that involves both microtubule‐dependent motility and interactions with endosomal compartments.
Association of polymorphisms in the human surfactant protein‐D (SFTPD) gene and postnatal pulmonary adaptation in the preterm infant
Authors: Hilgendorff Anne , Heidinger Kathrin , Bohnert Anette , Kleinsteiber Anja , König Inke R. , Ziegler Andreas , Lindner Ulrike , Frey Georg , Merz Catherine , Lettgen Bernhard , Chakraborty Trinad , Gortner Ludwig , Bein Gregor
Published: September 2008

Background. Surfactant protein‐D (SP‐D) is a member of the collagenous subfamily of calcium‐dependent lectins (collectins). Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the human gene coding surfactant protein‐D (SFTPD) and infectious pulmonary diseases have been established by several groups. As the outcome of very preterm infants is mainly determined by pulmonary morbidity, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential association between sequence variations within the SFTPD gene and pulmonary morbidity in preterm infants below 32 weeks of gestational age (GA).

Materials and Results. Four validated SNPs were genotyped with sequence‐specific probes (TaqMan 7000) in 284 newborn infants below 32 weeks of GA. An association between the SNP rs1923537 and the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the study population was found with a lower prevalence of RDS in infants having homozygous a minor allele genotype (odds ratio = 1.733, 95% confidence interval 1.139–2.636, adjusted p = 0.0408). Consecutively, the indicated polymorphism was found to be associated with a lower number of repetitive surfactant doses, and with a lower prevalence for the requirement of oxygen supplementation on day 28, as well as the use of diuretics.

Conclusion. The finding of an association of a variant of the SFTPD gene, that has previously been shown to be associated with increased SP‐D serum levels in adult patients with acute respiratory failure, i.e. RDS in preterm infants, may provide a basis for the initial risk assessment of RDS and modification of surfactant treatment strategies. A role for SP‐D in neonatal pulmonary adaptation has to be postulated.
Rational design of a conformation‐switchable Ca2+‐ and Tb3+‐binding protein without the use of multiple coupled metal‐binding sites
Authors: Li Shunyi , Yang Wei , Maniccia Anna W. , Barrow Jr Doyle , Tjong Harianto , Zhou Huan‐Xiang , Yang Jenny J.
Published: September 2008

Ca2+, as a messenger of signal transduction, regulates numerous target molecules via Ca2+‐induced conformational changes. Investigation into the determinants for Ca2+‐induced conformational change is often impeded by cooperativity between multiple metal‐binding sites or protein oligomerization in naturally occurring proteins. To dissect the relative contributions of key determinants for Ca2+‐dependent conformational changes, we report the design of a single‐site Ca2+‐binding protein (CD2.trigger) created by altering charged residues at an electrostatically sensitive location on the surface of the host protein rat Cluster of Differentiation 2 (CD2). CD2.trigger binds to Tb3+ and Ca2+ with dissociation constants of 0.3 ± 0.1 and 90 ± 25 μm, respectively. This protein is largely unfolded in the absence of metal ions at physiological pH, but Tb3+ or Ca2+ binding results in folding of the native‐like conformation. Neutralization of the charged coordination residues, either by mutation or protonation, similarly induces folding of the protein. The control of a major conformational change by a single Ca2+ ion, achieved on a protein designed without reliance on sequence similarity to known Ca2+‐dependent proteins and coupled metal‐binding sites, represents an important step in the design of trigger proteins.
Induction Plasma Technology Applied to Materials Synthesis for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Gitzhofer François , Jia Lu
Published: September 2008

Induction plasma technology has been successfully applied to the synthesis of nanomaterials, for subsequent use in the screen printing of cathodes and the sintering of electrolytes. This plasma technology can also be directly used to synthesize anodes, electrolytes, and cathodes which was established on reformer‐supported solid oxide fuel cells, in addition to the synthesis of the reformer component/structure. In this work, through the use of suspension and solution precursors, combined with supersonic or subsonic nozzles, induction plasma is shown to be a very versatile research tool, to vary the composition of the applied spray materials in flight and to adjust the resulting micro/nanostructure.
Synthesis of Nanoparticles in High Temperature Ceramic Microreactors: Design, Fabrication and Testing
Authors: Jain Kartavya , Wu Carl , Atre Sundar V. , Jovanovic Goran , Narayanan Vinod , Kimura Shoichi , Sprenkle Vincent , Canfield Nathan , Roy Sukumar
Published: September 2008

Microreactors as a novel concept in chemical technology enable the introduction of new reaction procedures in chemistry, pharmaceutical industry, and molecular biology. These miniaturized reaction systems offer many exceptional technical advantages for a large number of applications. One major application is in the bulk synthesis of nanoparticles. Despite the availability of a plethora of nanoparticle synthesis processes, there exist many difficulties in controlling the shape, size, and purity of nanoparticles in large quantities in a safe and cost‐effective manner. These difficulties have been the principal factors adversely limiting the applications of ceramic nanoparticles. Recent experiments have shown that to study the process of growth and formation of nanoparticles, a reactor having much smaller dimensions, namely a microreactor is more appropriate. These studies have also shown that a microchannel reactor provides control over the mean residence time and hence over the nanoparticle size and shape. This paper deals with the design, fabrication, and testing issues related to a high temperature, ceramic microreactor by investigating the use of reactive gas streams in arrays of microchannel reactors. These innovations offer the potential to overcome the barriers associated with synthesis of ceramic nanoparticles in large quantities.
Optimization of the Processing of 8‐YSZ Powder by Powder Injection Molding for SOFC Electrolytes
Authors: Jardiel Teresa , Sotomayor Maria Eugenia , Levenfeld Belén , Várez Alejandro
Published: September 2008

The development of a new multicomponent thermoplastic binder system for injection molding of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (8‐YSZ) bars based in polypropylene and paraffin wax (PW) is presented in this paper. The surface coating of YSZ powder with stearic acid in a high‐performance dispersing instrument reduced the viscosity of the feedstock by one order of magnitude with respect to a feedstock with the same composition and uncoated powder. This fact allowed us to obtain a feedstock with a viscosity curve more suitable for the injection process without requiring high proportions of PW in the binder composition. The density of the samples was >98% and the conductivity of sintered parts are comparable to those of samples uniaxially compacted, around 0.10 S/cm at 900°C.
Microstructure and Electrochemical Characterization of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 Films as SOFC Cathode Prepared by the Electrostatic‐Assisted Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis Method
Authors: Chang Chun‐Liang , Hwang Bing‐Hwai
Published: September 2008

Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 cathode films for solid oxide fuel cells were deposited on Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 disks using the electrostatic‐assisted spray pyrolysis method. While an increase of deposition temperature resulted in enhanced evaporation and diminished wetting of aerosol droplets on substrates and led to more porous films, an increase of electrostatic field strength resulted in more extensive wetting and denser films. Films of a unique porous columnar structure were obtained using a deposition temperature of 400°C, an applied voltage of 10 kV, and extended deposition times up to 600 s, rendering a minimum interfacial area specific resistance of 0.035 Ω·cm2 at 700°C in air.
The Effect of Particle Size Distribution on the Microstructure and the Mechanical Properties of Boron Carbide‐Based Reaction‐Bonded Composites
Authors: Hayun Shmuel , Weizmann Amir , Dariel Moshe P. , Frage Nahum
Published: September 2008

The presence of unreacted, free silicon lowers the mechanical properties of reaction‐bonded boron carbide. The fraction of free silicon can be reduced by increasing the green density of the initial boron carbide performs. The use of multimodal boron carbide mixtures allows attaining 75% green density. After reaction bonding with molten silicon, the composites consist of four phases, namely the original B4C particles, the B12(B,C,Si)3 phase, product of the dissolution–precipitation process, β‐SiC, and residual Si. The volume fraction of residual Si in the composites is in the 8–10% range. The infiltrated composites display elevated values of the mechanical properties with a high Weibull modulus.
Synthesis and Characterization of Neodymium(III) and Gadolinium(III)‐Substituted Hydroxyapatite as Biomaterials
Authors: Li Yan , Ooi Chui Ping , Philip Hong Ning Cheang , Aik Khor Khiam
Published: September 2008

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA), Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, substituted with gadolinium(III) (Gd3+) and neodymium(III) (Nd3+) in different mole ratios (Madded/Caadded=XM, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2), was synthesized by an ion‐exchange method. All samples had the single phase of HA except for XM=0.2, which displayed the second phase of M(OH)3. All were B‐type carbonated HA. The nanoparticles were elongated spheroids of around 70 nm, and the shape and size did not change significantly with an increase of XM. The M(III)‐doped HA had higher electrical conductivity compared with pure HA. A cytotoxicity test showed all were noncytotoxic except for XGd=0.2.
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes–TiB2–Ni Composite: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Hong Changqing , Han Jiecai , Zhang Xinghong , Meng Songhe
Published: September 2008

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)–TiB2–Ni composites with improved mechanical properties were fabricated by hot pressing at 1600°C/30 MPa/1 h. The effects of CNTs content on the microstructural feature and mechanical properties were investigated. The incorporation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) could significantly improve the mechanical properties of the TiB2 cermet matrix composites. The main toughening mechanisms include CNTs pulling‐out, crack deflexion, bridging, and CNTs rupture.
THE EFFECTS OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANTS ON SERIOUS CRIME*
Authors: WORRALL JOHN L.
Published: September 2008

Research Summary

The Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program was second only to the Community‐Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program in its funding levels. Some $3 billion was dispensed to local jurisdictions to reduce crime and improve public safety; yet the effects of LLEBG funding on crime have been all but ignored. Accordingly, panel data from more than 5,000 cities covering a 12‐year period (1990–2001) were collected, and index crime rates were regressed on LLEBG funding and appropriate demographic controls. Additional controls for police levels and other federal grants were also introduced, proper checks for endogeneity of grants (and police levels) were performed, and the models were subjected to an array of robustness checks. A consistent message emerged: LLEBG Program funding was associated with significant reductions in serious crime.

Policy Implications

Although LLEBG funding seemed to reduce serious crime, the results also revealed that the decrease did not occur through the hiring of additional police officers, even though many funds were used for that purpose. Other mechanisms were thus at work, but the data did not provide insights into what these mechanisms were. In any case, every $1 in LLEBG funding per capita was associated with approximately 59 fewer index crimes per 100,000 people. When combined with the findings from recent studies of the effects of community policing grants on crime, this study suggests additional federal support for local law‐enforcement agencies should be considered.
The Rights of Irregular Migrants
Authors: Carens Joseph H.
Published: September 2008

This article considers the question of what legal rights should be possessed by those who reside and work in a democratic state without the legal authorization of the state, given the background assumption that the state is morally entitled to exclude such migrants. I argue that irregular migrants are morally entitled to a wide range of legal rights, including basic human and civil rights, but also rights to wages, workplace protections, and even rights to public education for their children. In order for these rights to be realized in practice, I argue, states ought to create a firewall between those charged with protecting and enforcing these rights and those charged with enforcing immigration laws.
The ß1‐Adrenergic Receptor Mediates the Pharmacogenetic Interaction of the ACE D Allele and ß‐Blockers
Authors: Ishizawar David C. , Janosko Karen M. , Teuteberg Jeffrey J. , Cadaret Linda M. , Mathier Michael A. , McNamara Dennis M.
Published: September 2008

The role of β‐receptor selectivity for the interaction between the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and β‐blocker therapy was investigated in 479 subjects with left ventricular dysfunction. Subjects were separated into no β‐blocker, β1 ‐selective, and nonselective β‐blocker treatment groups. The D allele adversely affected transplant‐free survival for subjects not on β‐blockers (p= 0.004). Treatment with selective β1‐blockers eliminated the impact of the D allele (p= 0.51) in a manner similar to nonselective β1,2‐blockers (p= 0.80). Treatment with β1‐blockers was sufficient to eliminate the adverse impact of the ACE D allele, suggesting this pharmacogenetic interaction is mediated through the β1‐receptor.
Cardiac‐Restricted Overexpression of the A2A‐Adenosine Receptor in FVB Mice Transiently Increases Contractile Performance and Rescues the Heart Failure Phenotype in Mice Overexpressing the A1‐Adenosine Receptor
Authors: Chan Tung O. , Funakoshi Hajime , Song Jianliang , Zhang Xue‐Qian , Wang JuFang , Chung Paul H. , DeGeorge, Jr Brent R. , Li Xue , Zhang Jin , Herrmann David E. , Diamond Maura , Hamad Eman , Houser Steven R. , Koch Walter J. , Cheung Joseph Y. , Feldman Arthur M.
Published: September 2008

In the heart, adenosine binds to pharmacologically distinct G‐protein‐coupled receptors (A1‐R, A2A‐R, and A3‐R). While the role of A1‐and A3‐Rs in the heart has been clarifed, the effect of genetically manipulating the A2A‐R has not been defned. Thus, we created mice overexpressing a cardiac‐restricted A2A‐R transgene. Mice with both low (Lo) and high (Hi) levels of A2A‐R overexpression demonstrated an increase in cardiac contractility at 12 weeks. These changes were associated with a signifcantly higher systolic but not diastolic [Ca2+]i, higher maximal contraction amplitudes, and a signifcantly enhanced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake activity. At 20 weeks, the effects of A2A‐R overexpression on cardiac contractility diminished. The positive effects elicited by A2A‐R overexpression differ from the heart failure phenotype we observed with A1‐R overexpresson. Interestingly, coexpression of A2A‐R TGHi, but not A2A‐R TGLo, enhanced survival, prevented the development of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, and improved Ca2+ handling in mice overexpressing the A1‐R. These results suggest that adenosine‐mediated signaling in the heart requires a balance between A1‐ and A2A‐Rs—a fnding that may have important implications for the ongoing clinical evaluation of adenosine receptor subtype‐specifc agonists and antagonists for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Deficiency of Lung Antioxidants in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Masri Fares A. , Comhair Suzy A. A. , Dostanic‐Larson Iva , Kaneko Francisco Takao , Dweik Raed A. , Arroliga Alejandro C. , Erzurum Serpil C.
Published: September 2008

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is associated with lower levels of the pulmonary vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) and its biochemical reaction products (nitrite [NO2−], nitrate [NO3−]), in part, due to the reduction in pulmonary endothelial NO synthesis. However, NO levels are also determined by consumptive reactions, such as with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, which subsequently may generate stable products of nitrotyrosine (Tyr‐NO2) and/or NO3−. In this context, superoxide dismutase (SOD) preserves NO in vivo by scavenging superoxide and preventing the consumptive reactions. Here, we hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) consumption of NO may contribute to the low NO level and development of pulmonary hypertension. To test this, nitrotyrosine and antioxidants glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and SOD were evaluated in IPAH patients and healthy controls. SOD and GPx activities were decreased in IPAH lungs (all p < 0.05), while catalase and GSH activities were similar among the groups (all p > 0.2). SOD activity was directly related to exhaled NO (eNO) (R2= 0.72, p= 0.002), and inversely related to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) NO3− (R2=–0.73, p= 0.04). Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) could be predicted by a regression model incorporating SOD, GPx, and NO3 values (R2= 0.96, p= 0.01). These findings suggest that SOD and GPx are associated with alterations in NO and PAP in IPAH.
β2‐Adrenergic Receptor Promoter Haplotype Influences Spirometric Response During an Acute Asthma Exacerbation
Authors: Moore Paul E. , Williams Scott M. , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Jiang Lan , Minton Patricia L. , Shintani Ayumi , Phillips III John A. , Dawson Elliott P. , Hartert Tina V.
Published: September 2008

Genetic variants in the β2‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) coding block have been associated with different parameters of asthma severity, but there is no consensus on which variants are most important. Our objective was to determine whether the genetic variants in the 5′‐ or 3′‐flanking regions of ADRB2 impact the response to therapy. DNA was obtained initially from 72 adults hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation. We sequenced a 5,000 bp region of the ADRB2 gene that spanned the flanking regions and identified 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Nonresponders to asthma therapy were defined as patients whose forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) worsened by >10% at 24 hours after admission. We then evaluated the relationship between the 19 common SNPs and response to asthma‐specific therapy during acute disease exacerbations. Our results showed a significant association between nonresponders and a haplotype of five promoter SNPs in a nearly complete linkage disequilibrium. An analysis of the promoter and coding block polymorphisms in an extended cohort of 99 patients confirmed that promoter haplotype was the genetic component most strongly associated with asthmatic nonresponders, which was statistically significant among whites (p < 0.05). An identification of this promoter haplotype may provide an alternate explanation for the variation in the asthma responses observed with ADRB2 coding block polymorphisms.
ErbB2 Induces Notch1 Activity and Function in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Lindsay Jaime , Jiao Xuanmao , Sakamaki Toshiyuki , Casimiro Mathew C. , Shirley Lawrence A. , Tran Thai H. , Ju Xiaoming , Liu Manran , Li Zhiping , Wang Chenguang , Katiyar Sanjay , Rao Mahadev , Allen Kathleen G. , Glazer Robert I. , Ge Changhui , Stanley Pamela , Lisanti Michael P. , Rui Hallgeir , Pestell Richard G.
Published: September 2008

The ErbB2 (Her2/neu epidermal growth receptor family) oncogene is overexpressed in 30% to 40% of human breast cancers. Cyclin D1 is the regulatory subunit of the holoenzyme that phosphorylates and inactivates the retinoblastoma (pRb) tumor suppressor and is an essential downstream target of ErbB2‐induced tumor growth. Herein, we demonstrate that ErbB2 induces the activity of the Notch signaling pathway. ErbB2 induction of DNA synthesis, contact‐independent growth, and mammosphere induction required Notch1. ErbB2‐induced cyclin D1 and cyclin D1 expression was suficient to induce Notch1 activity, and conversely, genetic deletion of Notch1 in mammary epithelial cells using foxed Notch (Notchfl/fl) mice demonstrated that cyclin D1 is induced by Notch1. Genetic deletion of cyclin D1 or small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cyclin D1‐reduced Notch1 activity and reintroduction of cyclin D1 into cyclin D1‐deficient cells restored Notch1 activity through the inhibition of Numb, an endogenous inhibitor of Notch1 activity. Thus, cyclin D1 functions downstream as a genetic target of Notch1, amplifies Notch1 activity by repressing Numb, and identifies a novel pathway by which ErbB2 induces Notch1 activity via the induction of cyclin D1.
Rapid reduction of hard exudates in eyes with diabetic retinopathy after intravitreal triamcinolone: data from a randomized, placebo‐controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Larsson Jörgen , Kifley Annette , Zhu Meidong , Wang Jie Jin , Mitchell Paul , Sutter Florian K. P. , Gillies Mark C.
Published: September 2008

Purpose:  To assess the effect of triamcinolone acetonide over 3 months on hard exudates in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Methods:  Thirty‐two eyes of 16 patients with DMO and hard exudates were included in a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial. Treated eyes received a single‐dose (4 mg) intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Control eyes received an injection of subconjunctival saline.

Results:  The overall area of hard exudates decreased significantly between the baseline and 3‐month visits in treated eyes, but not in control eyes. The mean change in level of hard exudates between the two visits was − 0.75 arbitrary units (AU) (95% confidence interval [CI] − 1.32 to − 0.18) in the central plus inner circle (1500 μm) and − 0.81 AU (95% CI − 1.49 to − 0.13) over the whole grid (3000 μm) in treated eyes, compared with 0.31 AU (95% CI − 0.19 to 0.82) and 0.31 AU (95% CI − 0.11 to 0.74), respectively, in control eyes (p < 0.001). Mean visual acuity improved by five letters in treated but not in control eyes (p = 0.01).

Conclusions:  Intravitreal triamcinolone reduces hard exudates in the short‐term in eyes with DMO.