bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes Among Children in Navarre, Spain: 2002 Through 2005
Authors: Durá-Travé Teodoro , Yoldi-Petri Maria Eugenia , Gallinas-Victoriano Fidel
Published: July 2008

All incident cases of children living in Navarre, Spain, younger than 15 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy (2002-2005) were registered in a prospective study, with epidemiologic and clinical data and complementary study results collected. Based on International League Against Epilepsy criteria, 191 patients were diagnosed as having epilepsy. The overall incidence rate is 62.6 cases per 100 000, with the highest incidence (95.3 cases per 100 000) during the first year of life. Fifty-five percent of patients have focal epilepsies, 42.9% generalized epilepsies, and 2.1% undetermined epilepsies. Among infants, West syndrome (45.5%), epilepsies associated with specific syndromes (27.3%), and focal symptomatic epilepsies (13.6%) are the most prevalent syndromes. In early childhood, the main syndromes are focal symptomatic (22.7%) and cryptogenic (21.2%) epilepsies and Doose syndrome (13.6%). Among school-aged children, focal benign epilepsies (27.8%) and cryptogenic and absence epilepsies (18.5% for both) are the most prevalent, with focal cryptogenic epilepsies (26.5%) and benign epilepsies (18.4%) most prevalent among adolescents.
Hypnagogic Behavior Disorder: Complex Motor Behaviors During Wake–Sleep Transitions in 2 Young Children
Authors: Pareja Juan A. , Luz Cuadrado María , García-Morales Irene , Gil-Nagel Antonio , Franch Oriol
Published: July 2008

A nondescribed behavioral disorder was observed during wake–sleep transitions in 2 young children. Two boys had episodes of abnormal behavior in hypnagogic—and occasionally hypnopompic—periods for 1 year from the time they were 1 year and several months old. The episodes consisted of irregular body movements, which could be either gentle or violent but never made the children get out of bed. They lasted from a few seconds to 2 hours and were associated with poor reactivity and amnesia of the events. Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings showed wake-state features, with brief bursts of hypnagogic hypersynchrony, and did not display seizure activity. A distinctive behavior disorder occurring during wake–sleep transitions with a wake EEG pattern has been identified in very early childhood. The clinical profile does not fit any of the known parasomnias and might belong to a new category of parasomnia.
Strategies in the development of accounting history as an academic discipline
Authors: Richardson Alan J.
Published: July 2008

Accounting history has emerged as an academic discipline over the last 40 years within English speaking countries. There is now a critical mass of researchers, dedicated journals and conferences, and a significant body of literature that is increasing in scope and depth. This article examines the strategies that, ex post , can be seen as important in developing accounting history as a discipline. Three strategies are identified: (1) making accounting history relevant (to education, standard-setting, and organizational memory/identity), (2) making accounting history controversial (by identifying positive and negative exemplars, providing historical critiques of mainstream research, and encouraging methodological/ theoretical pluralism within accounting history), and (3) institutionalizing accounting history (by developing academic associations, journals and conferences, and embedding accounting history within a network of supporting organizations including universities, professional associations, libraries, research centers and publishers). The article concludes by identifying the weak points in the disciplinary project.
The curious case of the Occidental and Regal: the evolution of solvency and disclosure standards in the Australian life insurance industry
Authors: Keneley Monica
Published: July 2008

In 1990, the Australian life insurance industry was rocked by a scandal that threatened to destabilize consumer confidence in the ability of insurance providers to meet policyholder liabilities. The incident highlighted the nature of the agency problems that arise when conditions of asymmetric information exist. It revealed systemic weaknesses in accounting, solvency and disclosure standards as they applied to life insurers. This article uses an evolutionary concept of agency to analyse government and industry responses to this event. It is argued that initial adaptive responses stabilized the industry and averted a more serious crisis. Longer term innovative responses led to the introduction of a new and more rigorous approach to reporting and solvency standards, which has improved information flows and agency outcomes.
Elucidating needs, lifestyles, and community: researching a late eighteenth-century account book from Lexington, Virginia
Authors: Bloom Robert , Solotko John
Published: July 2008

This article deals with the search for the identity of the individual for whom an elaborate late eighteenth-century American account book was prepared. The article is also concerned with how the account book served the needs of this merchant and how the book reflects the socio-economic conditions of the times in which the merchant lived. This book shows his multifaceted activities as a merchant, importer, exporter and banker, highlighting the lack of specie and extensive use of barter at the time.
An analysis of accounting history research in Portugal: 1990—2004
Authors: de Serra Faria Ana Rita Silva
Published: July 2008

This study analyses and reports on the development of accounting history research in Portugal across a period of 15 years spanning 1990 to 2004. In so doing, it builds a database of all the contributions on accounting's past appearing in Portugal and those of Portuguese authors disseminated abroad over this period. The study further explores publishing patterns in the Portuguese accounting journals, providing an array of evidence such as the number of accounting history articles per journal, the gender of authors and the time spans and subject areas examined. While the results indicate that there are topics and periods still unexplored or deserving wider examination in Portuguese accounting history, they also reveal a significant extension of the work in this field, especially from 2002 to 2004. This increasing trend is particularly visible in the number of articles published in international journals and the number of papers submitted to international congresses, providing Portuguese accounting history research with a growing international visibility.
Accounting History Publication List 2007
Authors: Foreman Peter
Published: July 2008

The list of selected publications including book reviews published in English is intended to assist accounting history researchers and those with an interest in accounting history scholarship to gain an appreciation of recent contributions to the literature. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing and the exclusion of a publication from the list is not a reflection of the quality or potential contribution of the publication. Rather the items listed may be viewed as indicative of the types of research conducted over the period.
Evaluating Diversity in Nursing Education
Authors: Powell Kennedy Holly , Fisher Lucy , Fontaine Dorrie , Martin-Holland Judy
Published: July 2008

This article presents the findings of a methodical examination of how well one school of nursing was meeting its goal of addressing diversity through its pedagogy. The underlying assumption was that a school's curriculum both shapes and reflects a climate of valuing diversity. This mixed-method evaluation study was conducted in four steps, including a content analysis of all syllabi in the School of Nursing's (SON) curriculum, comparison of the content analysis to students' evaluation of diversity in their education, a survey of the 2006 graduates, and an analysis of faculty responses to the findings. The findings are being used to guide the SON in the development of training and to bring about forums for formal dialogue. These will assist faculty to effectively integrate diversity in their teaching and interaction with students and to move toward the long-term goal of preparing culturally humble and sensitive clinicians, educators, and researchers.
Partisan-Ideological Divergence and Changing Party Fortunes in the States, 1968—2003
Authors: Brown Robert D. , Bruce John M.
Published: July 2008

We expand on previous literature on party competition in the American states by examining competition for both state and national offices. We find significant differences in Democratic Party electoral advantage within states, along with across-state variation in changes in these differences over time. We attribute these results to movement in the partisanship and ideology of the states' citizenry. As consistency in these core political attitudes increases, parties are able to campaign and govern on messages that are more consistent across electoral levels. The result is greater consistency in party electoral performance across state and national offices.
Activity-Dependent Thalamocortical Axon Branching
Authors: Hayano Yasufumi , Yamamoto Nobuhiko
Published: July 2008

The thalamocortical (TC) projection in the mammalian brain involves fundamental aspects in branch formation during development. TC axons are known to form branches not only in a genetically defined but also in an activity-dependent fashion. Recent evidence indicates that TC axon branching is generated by positive and negative regulators that are expressed with laminar specificity in the developing cortex. Moreover, in vitro studies using organotypic cocultures demonstrate that neural activity, including firing and synaptic activity, controls lamina-specific TC axon branching by altering its remodeling process with addition and elimination. Taken together, activity-dependent mechanisms can contribute to branch formation, affecting expression of branch-promoting and inhibiting factors and/or their receptor molecules. NEUROSCIENTIST 14(4):359–368, 2008. DOI: 10.1177/1073858408317272
The What, When, Whether Model of Intentional Action
Authors: Brass Marcel , Haggard Patrick
Published: July 2008

The question of how we can intentionally control our behavior has an enduring fascination for philosophers, psychologists, and neurologists. Brain imaging techniques such as functional MRI have recently provided new insights into the functional and brain mechanisms involved in intentional action. However, the literature is rather contradictory and does not reveal a consistent picture of the functional neuroanatomy of intentional action. Here the authors argue that this confusion arises partly because intentional action has been treated as a unitary concept within neuroscience, even though experimental studies may focus on any of a number of different aspects of intentional action. To provide a heuristic framework for the investigation of intentional action, the authors propose a model that distinguishes three major components: a component related to the decision about which action to execute ( what component), a component that is related to the decision about when to execute an action ( when component), and finally the decision about whether to execute an action or not ( whether component). Based on this distinction, the authors review some key findings on intentional action and provide neuroscientific evidence for the What, When, Whether (WWW) model of intentional action. NEUROSCIENTIST 14(4):319–325, 2008. DOI: 10.1177/1073858408317417
A health profile of adults with multiple sclerosis living in the community
Authors: Vazirinejad R , Lilley J , Ward C
Published: July 2008

Objective

To describe the frequency of impairments, disabilities, and related services used in a community sample of adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) to estimate the service needs of this population.

Methods

A community-based postal survey conducted using a self-completion questionnaire consisting of MSQOL-54 questionnaire, Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) and some demographic items as well as items to ask about MS-related symptoms and/or problems and using available services. Adults with a diagnosis of MS confirmed by a neurologist were recruited via primary care services in Southern Derbyshire, UK.

Results

Questionnaires were sent to 310 adults with MS and 201 completed questionnaires were returned – a response rate of 65%. The most commonly reported symptoms and/or problems were fatigue, sexual problems, urinary problems, and painful muscle spasms. Most respondents reported at least one contact with their general practitioner (GP) during the previous 12 months. However, contacts with other services potentially able to alleviate specific symptoms and/or problems were low.

Conclusions

The findings suggest under-use of existing health care services by those who experience potentially treatable symptoms and/or problems associated with MS. More needs to be done to raise awareness among people with MS and their carers about the services available to them. Given the very high proportion of people with MS known to make contact with primary care services, GPs have a vital role in providing this information.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism is associated with reduced disability in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mamutse G , Woolmore J , Pye E , Partridge J , Boggild M , Young C , Fryer A , Hoban PR , Rukin N , Alldersea J , Strange RC , Hawkins CP
Published: July 2008

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) outcome by a mechanism involving vitamin D and the vitamin D receptor (VDR). In 512 patients with MS duration of 10 or more years, we studied the association of VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (A/G1229, C/G3444, G/A3944, CC20965, CC30056, F/f30875, C/T48200, T/t65013) with outcome or disability. ff30875 frequency was lower in cases with EDSS ≥ 6.0 than with scores < 6.0 (odds ratio = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.20–0.70). The association of ff30875 with outcome was not mediated by cumulative exposure to UVR as assessed by questionnaire; low exposure (odds ratio = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.14–1.34) and high exposure (odds ratio = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.16–0.73).
Utilization of health care by patients with multiple sclerosis is based on professional and patient-defined health needs
Authors: Beckerman H , van Zee IE , de Groot V , van den Bos GAM , Lankhorst GJ , Dekker J
Published: July 2008

Objective

This cross-sectional study investigates healthcare utilization, and determines which predisposing, enabling, and health factors are associated with healthcare utilization among 121 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

Data on patient-related predisposing, enabling, and health factors were collected by means of written questionnaires and a home visit from a well-trained physiotherapist.

Results

Of the 121 patients with MS (mean age 43 years, mean score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale 3.5, disease duration 6 years), 16% were hospitalized in the previous year; 62% consulted their general practitioner, and 69% consulted their neurologist in the previous 6 months. Other medical specialists were consulted in the 6-month period by 50% of the study population. In a 4-week period preceding the home visit, 41% of the patients were treated by an allied healthcare professional. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that consulting the general practitioner, the neurologist, other medical specialists, and allied healthcare professionals, and the use of equipment/aids by MS patients is primarily related to their health, either as perceived by the patients themselves or defined by the professional.

Conclusions

MS patients in the Netherlands make appropriate use of healthcare facilities, because their utilization can predominantly be explained by health-related factors, and not by predisposing or enabling factors.
What makes a man? Rereading Naven and The Gender of the Gift, 2004
Authors: Lipset David
Published: July 2008

In this essay, I argue that the concept of masculinity that was first developed in Bateson's Naven, his 1936 monograph about ritual and society among the Iatmul, a New Guinea people, was an originary moment for the constructivist position that has come to hold sway, not only over masculinity studies in Melanesia in specific, but over masculinity studies in general. My thesis, however, advances a more definite claim: Bateson's prescient view of gender did not come to theoretical maturity in masculinity studies, either areally, or more broadly defined, for another 50 years, when it was given new articulation by Marilyn Strathern in The Gender of the Gift (1988). In order to make the connection I see between these two books, I first reread Bateson's argument in Naven with regard to its view of Iatmul masculinity. I then turn to Marilyn Strathern's conception of gender in Melanesia, again with an emphasis on masculinity. After discussing my claim that the one gave rise to important dimensions of the other, I conclude by briefly defending that assertion against a methodological challenge, that of Whig interpretation, which is inevitably raised against this kind of intellectual history.
Hacker practice
Authors: Coleman E. Gabriella , Golub Alex
Published: July 2008

Past literature tends towards dichotomous representations of computer hackers as either unhealthy young men engaged in bold tournaments of sinister hacking or visionaries whose utopian technological lifestyle has the potential to disrupt the pathologies of capitalism and modernity more generally. In contrast, this article examines the heterogeneous nature of hacker sociality in order to more adequately portray the complex topography of hacker morality and liberalism. We distinguish between and compare three different, though overlapping, moral expressions of hacking in order to theorize liberalism not as it is traditionally framed — as a coherent body of philosophical, economic, and legal thought or a set of normative precepts and doctrines — but as a cultural sensibility that, in practice, is under constant negotiation and reformulation and replete with points of contention. In doing so, we seek to contribute not only to the ethnographic literature on hacking, but to wider theoretical issues regarding the relationship of culture, morality, liberalism and technology in the contemporary world.
Audit culture and Illiberal governance
Authors: Shore Cris
Published: July 2008

The economic imperatives of neoliberalism combined with the technologies of New Public Management have wrought profound changes in the organization of the workplace in many contemporary capitalist societies. Calculative practices including `performance indicators' and `benchmarking' are increasingly being used to measure and reform public sector organizations and improve the productivity and conduct of individuals across a range of professions. These processes have resulted in the development of an increasingly pervasive `audit culture', one that derives its legitimacy from its claims to enhance transparency and accountability. Drawing on examples from the UK, particularly the post-1990s' reform of universities, this article sets out to analyse the origins and spread of that audit culture and to theorize its implications for the construction of academic subjectivities. The questions I ask are: How are these technologies of audit refashioning the working environment and what effects do they have on behaviour (and subjectivity) of academics? What does the analysis of the rise of managerialism tell us about wider historical processes of power and change in our society? And why are academics seemingly so complicit in, and unable to challenge, these audit processes?
Embodiment, emotion and empathy
Authors: Gieser Thorsten
Published: July 2008

In The Perception of the Environment (2000), Ingold has argued that differences in cultural knowledge are more a matter of variation in embodied skills than in discursive knowledge. These skills develop through the practitioners' engagement with their environment and in situated social relationships. In order to `discover' for themselves what is taken for granted for experienced practitioners, they have to `fine-tune' their perception through observation and imitation. But how do observations and imitations of others' movements actually transfer into shifts in one's own perception? In her book Loving Nature: Towards an Ecology of Emotion (2002), Milton argued that emotion acts as a learning mechanism to filter attention. I propose that when one observes and imitates in a process of learning, one enters into an empathic relationship with a skilled practitioner. Through synchronization of intentions and movements, emotions spread over and change the practitioners' perception accordingly.
Telling It All
Authors: Hodgkin Suzanne
Published: July 2008

The aim of this article is to demonstrate how quantitative and qualitative methods can be us together in feminist research. Despite an increasing number of texts and journal articles deta ing mixed methods research, there are relatively few published reports of its use in femin study. This article draws on a study conducted in regional Australia, exploring gender a social capital. Through the analysis and interpretation of data derived from a large survey a in-depth interviewing, the author will demonstrate the power of the mixed methods approa to highlight gender inequality. Despite past reluctance of feminists to embrace quantitati methods, the big picture accompanied by the personal story can bring both depth and texture a study.
Living Leadership: A Systemic Constructionist Approach
Authors: Barge J. Kevin , Fairhurst Gail T.
Published: July 2008

This article offers a practical theory of leadership grounded in systemic thinking and social constructionism. A systemic constructionist approach conceptualizes leadership as a co-created, performative, attributional, and contextual process where the ideas articulated in talk or action are recognized by others as progressing tasks that are important to them. Using a systemic constructionist framework, we argue that leadership theory and research needs to give attention to three important discursive practices: (1) sensemaking, (2) positioning, and (3) play. The implications for theory, research, and practice from a systemic constructionist perspective are highlighted.
The Relative Importance of Leadership Behaviours in Virtual and Face-to-Face Communication Settings
Authors: Zimmermann Peter , Wit Arjaan , Gill Roger
Published: July 2008

How does the degree of virtualness in team members' daily work affect the perceived importance of various leadership behaviours in virtual and face-to-face communication settings? A survey of 419 technical engineers working as members of teams at Shell Global Solutions International suggests that, with a few exceptions, most task-oriented as well as relationship-oriented leadership behaviours are considered to be more important in virtual settings than in face-to-face settings. The relative importance of many leadership behaviours increases the higher the degree of virtualness in team members' daily work. Team members working at a very high level of virtualness, however, consider some task-and-relationship-oriented leadership behaviours about equally important in virtual as in face-to-face settings. The applied implications are discussed as well as theoretical questions that need to be answered in future research.
Active screen plasma nitriding of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel at different potentials
Authors: Zhao C. , Wang L. Y. , Han L.
Published: July 2008

AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel samples were nitrided by active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) at anodic and floating potentials respectively. The microstructures, morphologies, phase structures, microhardness and corrosion resistance of the nitrided layers were characterised. Experimental results show that austenitic stainless steel treated at both potentials can obtain the same precipitation free nitrided layer of S phase structure on the surface, which exhibits not only high hardness but also good corrosion resistance. A great variety of particles in the active screen space play an important role in the ASPN of austenitic stainless steel. The neutral particles sputtered from the active screen by positive ions are the primary nitrogen carrier from atmosphere to matrix surface in nitriding process. In the atmosphere of little oxygen and more hydrogen in the vacuum chamber, the surface passive film can be cleaned out by many kinds of particles bumping its surface, such as the particles sputtered from the active screen, the energetic neutral species in the plasma flow through the screen towards the samples, and even the electrons moving towards the anode samples affected by the electrical field.
Mechanical properties of diamond thin films quantitative measured by means of blister test
Authors: Xiang D. H. , Chen M. , Ma Y. P. , Sun F. H.
Published: July 2008

In recent years, large strides have been achieved in understanding nucleation and growth of chemical vapour deposition diamond, but there is still not a good method of how to determine the adhesive strength, residual stress and elastic modulus of diamond thin films accurately. The blister test method which can obtain adhesive strength, elastic modulus and residual stress of thin films in a single test is very economical and practical, so it has expansive foreground in quantitative evaluation mechanical properties of thin films. By means of electron enhanced hot filament chemical vapour deposition, diamond films were deposited on silicon slice (100), and a free standing window sample of diamond thin films was fabricated by means of photolithography and anisotropic wet etching in this research. Using a self-designed bulge equipment, the membrane bulge height under differential pressure was measured by laser interferometry system, and then fitted by least squares procedure, the elastic modulus, residual stress and adhesive strength of diamond thin films were obtained. The apparatus of blister test is available readily and is not limited by the shape of substrate, so it can measure the mechanical properties of diamond coated tool with complicated shape, and it has provided an effective means for precisely measuring the mechanical properties of other thin films.
Effects of duty cycle on electrodeposition behaviour of Ni–SiCp composite coatings
Authors: Hu F. , Chan K. C. , Zhou J. E.
Published: July 2008

Ni–SiCp composite coatings were synthesised by pulse electrocodeposition with different duty cycles. The grain size and the SiC particle content were found to increase with increasing duty cycle, and a maximum microhardness value was obtained at a duty cycle of 50%. Based on the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, an equivalent circuit model was used to estimate the charge transfer current of the electrodeposition process at different duty cycles. The peak charge transfer current was found to decrease with increasing duty cycle. An analytical volume fraction equation was also applied to predict the content of embedded SiC particles in the composite coatings. The trend of the predictions was in consistent with the experimental results.
Enhancement of surface properties of AISI 8620 by plasma immersion ion implantation
Authors: Saklakoglu I. E.
Published: July 2008

In this study, AISI 8620 steel samples were implanted with nitrogen using plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) at 320, 380 or 450°C. In addition, PIII was used for simultaneous implantation of carbon and nitrogen into the steel at 380 or 450°C. Treated and untreated samples were studied by wear friction testing, microhardness measurement, atomic force microscopy, SEM study and glancing angle X-ray diffraction diagnosis. Experimental results indicated that the friction coefficient increased after PIII treatment and wear reduced by a factor of 4–60 for PIII treatment with pure nitrogen, although carbon + nitrogen coimplantation increased the wear rate.
Evaluation of mechanical and electrochemical properties of laser surface modified Ti–6Al–4V for biomedical applications: in vitro study
Authors: Khosroshahi M. E. , Mahmoodi M. , Saeedinasab H. , Tahriri M.
Published: July 2008

The effect of Nd:YAG laser surface modification on the microtopography and physicochemical properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy has been investigated with a view of biomedical applications. The surface roughness and hardness of laser treated samples at 140 J cm−2 were found to be 7±0·02 and 825 VHN respectively. The superior microhardness value can be attributed to grain refinement associated with laser melting and rapid solidification. The electrochemical property, mainly pitting corrosion resistance, has been carried out in Hank's salt balanced physiological solution using standard potentiodynamic polarisation testing. A higher corrosion potential of −0·21 V was achieved for laser treated samples. At the optimum of laser fluence (140 J cm−2), energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed about a 30% decrease in vanadium content. Contact angle measurements also indicated improved surface wettability (i.e. hydrophilicity) characteristics at 35°. Finally, cell culture studies provided a useful tool to investigate the morphology and cell cytotoxicity of the laser treated surfaces.
Nanoparticle based inorganic coatings for corrosion protection of magnesium alloys
Authors: Feil F. , Fürbeth W. , Schütze M.
Published: July 2008

Inorganic nanoparticle based coatings for magnesium alloys were developed and tested for their performance in corrosion protection. Nanoparticles are characterised by a high sintering activity. This allows to obtain inorganic coatings by a sintering process at rather low temperatures which is suitable for magnesium alloys. Coating sols are based on silicon dioxide and sintering additives such as boron or sodium oxide. One technique is based on aqueous, commercial nanosols which can be applied by dip or brush coating to form layers on AZ31 and AZ91. Another technique is based on the electrophoretic deposition of silicon dioxide nanoparticles which also contain boron and phosphorus oxide. Crack free layers with a thickness of up to several micrometres could be obtained by a two step process including a bimodal particle distribution and polydiethoxysiloxane as adhesion promoter. The composition and surface structure of these novel coatings are characterised by modern analytical methods including SEM and atomic force microscopy and their applicability as protective coatings is investigated by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Effect of substrate on wear performance of multilayer hard coating
Authors: Pilone D. , Bernabai U.
Published: July 2008

Both CrN/NbN and CrN coatings have been deposited by physical vapour deposition on a substrate constituted by two different tool steels; the process temperature was lower than the substrate annealing temperature. Tribological performances of the different coatings have been evaluated and compared under the same dry sliding conditions. The results pointed out that CrN/NbN coatings, when deposited on selected substrates, have clearly superior characteristics and well meet the demanding requirements to increase hardness and wear resistance of dies and forging tools. The results highlighted also that coating properties strongly depend on the substrate structure and composition.
Influence of calcium hydroxide and anodic solution temperature on corrosion property of anodising coatings formed on AZ31 Mg alloys
Authors: Salman S. , Ichino R. , Okido M.
Published: July 2008

Anodisation of AZ31 Mg alloy (3 mass%Al, 1 mass%Zn) was performed in 1M NaOH solution, with and without adding 35 mM of calcium hydroxide at various temperatures. The anodising process was carried out at constant potential 3 V; the change in current density during the first period of anodising revealed the mechanisms of anodic film formation. Adding 35 mM Ca(OH)2 to the solution improved the corrosion resistance, e.g. in 17 mM NaCl and 0·1M Na2SO4 solution at 298 K from anodic polarisation measurements. The anodic layer thickness increases with the amount of Ca(OH)2 added. The temperature of the solution also affects the anodising process; i.e. increasing the solution temperature improved the corrosion resistance of the anodised film.
Mechanism of grinding wheel surface reproduction in regular surface texture generation
Authors: Stepien P.
Published: July 2008

Regular surface texture may be generated by a special grinding operation which is simple, productive and inexpensive. The method needs a specially shaped wheel nominal active surface. This is reproduced on the ground surface in a special way. The generalised mechanism of reproduction of the wheel nominal surface is described in this paper. Two approaches are presented. Reproduction of a given wheel surface on a ground surface is described in the first part of the paper. In the second part, the designing procedure of the wheel surface for a given surface pattern is presented. Practical remarks with examples of the ground surface textures obtained are also given.
Electromechanical properties of nichrome (80/20 wt-%) thin film fabricated by low energy ion sputtering
Authors: Yan J. W. , Zhou J. C. , Zhang C. S. , Yi Y.
Published: July 2008

The electromechanical properties of nichrome (Ni–Cr 80/20 wt-%) used as a common material for application in thin film strain gauges have been studied. The composition and oxidation of Ni–Cr film fabricated by low energy ion beam sputtering has been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. The microstructure of the film was determined by a TEM. The temperature coefficient of resistance has been determined by a Nanovolt/Microohm meter. The gauge factor has been determined by the cantilever method. Low stable temperature coefficient of resistance values of resistance stability and the desired sheet resistance have been obtained. It meets the main demanded properties for its application to strain sensitive film.
Tribological characterisation of electrodeposited nickel–titania nanocomposite coatings sliding against silicon nitride in high vacuum
Authors: Sun X. J. , Li J. G.
Published: July 2008

Tribological characterisation of electrodeposited nickel–titania nanocomposite coatings sliding against silicon nitride in high vacuum was investigated by means of a ball on disk tribometer in a chamber at the pressure less than 5 × 10−3 Pa. An X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope, a Vickers microhardness tester and a surface profilometer were utilised to characterise the microstructure, morphology and mechanical properties respectively. The experimental results showed that the tribological characterisation of nanocystalline nickel in high vacuum was affected obviously by incorporating titania nanoparticles. Comparatively, the friction coefficient and wear rate of the coatings in vacuum are slightly higher than those in ambient air at room temperature.
Photocatalytic properties and optical absorption of ZnFe2O4 doped TiO2 films
Authors: Qiu J. X. , Li Z. H. , Zhang H.
Published: July 2008

TiO2 films doped with ZnFe2O4 were prepared by a sol–gel method. The crystalline structure, photocatalytic efficiency and optical absorption band were investigated using X-ray diffraction and Ultraviolet-Visible spectrometer. The doping of ZnFe2O4 improves the photocatalytic efficiency and broadens the optical absorption band of TiO2 films. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2 films increases from 12 to 32% with the presence of ZnFe2O4. The exciting wavelength of TiO2 films shifts about 20 nm to the visible light regions when the molar ratio of ZnFe2O4 is 2%.
Ammonia sensing properties of thick and thin films of Ag6Mo10O33 and Cr1·8Ti0·2O3+δ
Authors: Prabhu E. , Muthuraja S. , Gnanasekar K. I. , Jayaraman V. , Sivabalan S. , Gnanasekaran T.
Published: July 2008

Thick film of silver decamolybdate (Ag6Mo10O33) was screen printed and thin film of chromium titanate Cr1·8Ti0·2O3+ δ was laser deposited on alumina substrates. Morphological features of the films were characterised and ammonia sensing properties were studied. Resistance of Ag6Mo10O33 thick films decrease on introduction of NH3 gas and these films were capable of sensing 2 ppm of ammonia in air at 578 K. Cr1·8Ti0·2O3+ δ thin films could sense 20 ppm of ammonia in air at 673 K, which exhibited increase in resistance towards NH3 gas.
Molecular and biologic characterization and drug sensitivity of pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor–resistant acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Fiskus Warren , Rao Rekha , Fernandez Pravina , Herger Bryan , Yang Yonghua , Chen Jianguang , Kolhe Ravindra , Mandawat Aditya , Wang Yongchao , Joshi Rajeshree , Eaton Kelly , Lee Pearl , Atadja Peter , Peiper Stephen , Bhalla Kapil
Published: July 2008

Hydroxamic acid analog pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HA-HDIs) have shown preclinical and clinical activity against human acute leukemia. Here we describe HA-HDI–resistant human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) HL-60 (HL-60/LR) cells that are resistant to LAQ824, vorinostat, LBH589, and sodium butyrate. HL-60/LR cells show increased expression of HDACs 1, 2, and 4 but lack HDAC6 expression, with concomitant hyperacetylation of heat shock protein 90 (hsp90). Treatment with HA-HDI failed to further augment hsp90 acetylation, or increase the levels of p21 or reactive oxygen species (ROSs), in HL-60/LR versus HL-60 cells. Although cross-resistant to antileukemia agents (eg, cytarabine, etoposide, and TRAIL), HL-60/LR cells are collaterally sensitive to the hsp90 inhibitor 17-AAG. Treatment with 17-AAG did not induce hsp70 or deplete the hsp90 client proteins AKT and c-Raf. HL-60/LR versus HL-60 cells display a higher growth fraction and shorter doubling time, along with a shorter interval to generation of leukemia and survival in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Thus, resistance of AML cells to HA-HDIs is associated with loss of HDAC6, hyperacetylation of hsp90, aggressive leukemia phenotype, and collateral sensitivity to 17-AAG. These findings suggest that an hsp90 inhibitor-based antileukemia therapy may override de novo or acquired resistance of AML cells to HA-HDIs.
PI3Kgamma (PI3Kγ) is essential for efficient induction of CXCR3 on activated T cells
Authors: Barbi Joseph , Cummings Hannah E. , Lu Bao , Oghumu Steve , Rückle Thomas , Rommel Christian , Lafuse William , Whitacre Caroline C. , Satoskar Abhay R.
Published: July 2008

The gamma isoform of PI3Kinase (PI3Kγ) controls leukocyte chemotaxis by participating in GPCR signaling, and by regulating cellular polarization. Here we show that PI3Kγ is required for efficient induction of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) on T cells upon activation. T cells from PI3Kγ−/− mice up-regulated CXCR3 less efficiently than wild-type controls both upon activation in vitro as well as during Leishmania mexicana infection. Inhibition of PI3Kinases using wortmannin and LY294002 or blockade of PI3Kγ activity using a selective inhibitor or PI3Kγ siRNA suppressed induction of CXCR3 on T cells following activation. Levels of CXCR3 and T-bet mRNA were significantly lower in PI3Kγ inhibitor–treated T cells, indicating that PI3Kγ may control CXCR3 expression in part through induction of T-bet. These results reveal a novel role for PI3Kγ in the induction of CXCR3 on T cells and suggest that PI3Kγ may regulate leukocyte chemotaxis by controlling the expression of chemokine receptors.
Soluble CD40 ligand induces endothelial dysfunction in human and porcine coronary artery endothelial cells
Authors: Chen Changyi , Chai Hong , Wang Xinwen , Jiang Jun , Jamaluddin Md Saha , Liao Dan , Zhang Yuqing , Wang Hao , Bharadwaj Uddalak , Zhang Sheng , Li Min , Lin Peter , Yao Qizhi
Published: July 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects and mechanisms of sCD40L on endothelial dysfunction in both human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and porcine coronary artery rings. HCAECs treated with sCD40L showed significant reductions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and protein levels, eNOS mRNA stability, eNOS enzyme activity, and cellular NO levels, whereas superoxide anion (O2−) production was significantly increased. sCD40L enhanced eNOS mRNA 3′UTR binding to cytoplasmic molecules and induced a unique expression pattern of 95 microRNAs. sCD40L significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and catalase and SOD activities, whereas it increased NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity. sCD40L increased phosphorylation of MAPKs p38 and ERK1/2 as well as IκBα and enhanced NF-κB nuclear translocation. In porcine coronary arteries, sCD40L significantly decreased endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and eNOS mRNA levels, whereas it increased O2− levels. Antioxidant seleno-l-methionine; chemical inhibitors of p38, ERK1/2, and mitochondrial complex II; as well as dominant negative mutant forms of IκBα and NOX4 effectively blocked sCD40L-induced eNOS down-regulation in HCAECs. Thus, sCD40L reduces eNOS levels, whereas it increases oxidative stress through the unique molecular mechanisms involving eNOS mRNA stability, 3′UTR-binding molecules, microRNAs, mitochondrial function, ROS-related enzymes, p38, ERK1/2, and NF-κB signal pathways in endothelial cells.
Differential pattern of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell immunity to MAGE-A1/A2/A3 in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma
Authors: Goodyear Oliver C. , Pratt Guy , McLarnon Andrew , Cook Mark , Piper Karen , Moss Paul
Published: July 2008

The factors that determine progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to multiple myeloma are unclear but may include the breakdown of immune surveillance. Cancer testis antigens (CTAgs) are expressed by the majority of myelomas and MGUS tumors and are a potential immune target. We have characterized CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell immune responses to MAGE-A1/A2/A3 in these patients. CD4+ T-cell immunity to MAGE proteins is stronger and more frequent in MGUS compared with myeloma with a predominantly CD45RA−CCR7− effector memory profile and cytotoxicity against MAGE-positive cell lines. In contrast CD8+ T-cell immune responses were present almost exclusively in patients with multiple myeloma, correlating with disease, with a CD45RA+CCR7− memory phenotype, localizing poorly to the bone marrow but were able to lyse myeloma cell lines in vitro. This suggests that the CD4+ CTAg-specific immune response may play a role in controlling tumor growth, whereas the efficacy of the CD8+ T-cell response appears to be limited in vivo. Despite this, patients with evidence of a CTAg-specific immune response had a 53% reduction in mortality over a median follow-up of 4 years. These findings have important implications for clinical approaches to CTAg-specific immunotherapy in patients with cancer.
Exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 enhances thymopoiesis predominantly through thymic epithelial cell expansion
Authors: Chu Yu-Waye , Schmitz Sabrina , Choudhury Baishakhi , Telford William , Kapoor Veena , Garfield Susan , Howe David , Gress Ronald E.
Published: July 2008

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) enhances thymopoiesis but given the broad distribution of IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1Rs), its mechanism of action has remained unclear. To identify points of thymic regulation by IGF-1, we examined its effects on T-cell precursors, thymocytes, and thymic epithelial cells (TECs) in normal and genetically altered mice. In thymus-intact but not thymectomized mice, IGF-1 administration increased peripheral naive and recent thymic emigrant (RTE) populations, demonstrating its effect on T-cell production, not peripheral expansion. IGF-1 administration increased bone marrow LSK (lineage−, Sca-1+, c-kit+) precursor proliferation and peripheral LSK populations, increased thymocyte populations in a sequential wave of expansion, and proportionately expanded TEC subpopulations and enhanced their chemokine expression. To separate IGF-1's effects on thymocytes and TECs, we generated mice lacking IGF-1R on thymocytes and T cells. Thymocyte and RTE numbers were decreased in these mice, but IGF-1 treatment produced comparable thymocyte numbers to similarly treated wild-type mice. We additionally separated thymic- from LSK-specific effects by demonstrating that IGF-1 increased thymocyte numbers despite impaired early thymic progenitor (ETP) importation in PSGL-1KO mice. These results indicate the critical point thymic function regulation by IGF-1 involves TEC expansion regulating thymocyte precursor entry and facilitating thymocyte development.
CPAP and measures of cardiovascular risk in males with OSAS
Authors: Kohler M. , Pepperell J. C. T. , Casadei B. , Craig S. , Crosthwaite N. , Stradling J. R. , Davies R. J. O.
Published: July 2008

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) has been associated with hypertension, stroke and myocardial ischaemia in epidemiological and observational studies. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for OSAS, but the impact of this intervention on established risk factors for cardiovascular disease remains incompletely understood.

A total of 102 males with moderate-to-severe OSAS were randomised to therapeutic (n = 51) or subtherapeutic (n = 51) CPAP treatment for 4 weeks to investigate the effects of active treatment on 24-h urinary catecholamine excretion, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), arterial stiffness (augmentation index) and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP).

After 4 weeks of therapeutic CPAP, significant reductions were seen in urine normetanephrine excretion (from mean±sd179.7±80.1 to 132.7±46.5 µmol·mol−1creatinine) and augmentation index (from 14.5±11.3 to 9.1±13.8%) compared with the subtherapeutic control group. Furthermore, therapeutic CPAP significantly improved BRS (from 7.1±3.3 to 8.8±4.2 ms·mmHg−1) and reduced mean arterial ABP by 2.6±5.4 mmHg.

In conclusion, treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea with continuous positive airway pressure may lower cardiovascular risk by reducing sympathetic nerve activity, ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness and by increasing sensitivity of the arterial baroreflex.
Increased airway closure is a determinant of airway hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Chapman D. G. , Berend N. , King G. G. , Salome C. M.
Published: July 2008

In order to investigate whether increased airway closure is a component of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway closure was compared during induced bronchoconstriction in 62 asthmatic, 41 nonasthmatic nonobese (control) and 20 nonasthmatic obese (obese) subjects.

Airway closure and airway narrowing were measured by spirometry as percentage change in forced vital capacity (%ΔFVC) and change in forced expiratory ratio (ΔFER), respectively. Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the determinants of AHR, assessed by the dose response slope (DRS).

The DRS was significantly increased in asthmatics compared with controls but did not differ between obese and controls. The spirometric predictors of logDRS were baseline FER, ΔFER, body mass index (BMI) and %ΔFVC. There was a negative relationship between BMI and logDRS in the regression, suggesting a protective effect.

The present findings suggest that the extent of airway closure during induced bronchoconstriction is a determinant of airway hyperresponsiveness, independent of the level of airway narrowing. However, after adjusting for airway closure, obesity appears to protect against airway hyperresponsiveness.