bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Additive and Interactive Effects of Comorbid Physical and Mental Conditions on Functional Health
Authors: Fultz Nancy H. , Ofstedal Mary Beth , Herzog A. Regula , Wallace Robert B.
Published: August 2003

Objective: To understand the role of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms on functional outcomes of stroke and diabetes. Evaluation approaches to functional outcomes have rarely focused on the presence of specific comorbidities, particularly those involving mental health disorders. Methods: Data are from the AHEAD cohort of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative panel of persons 70+ years of age in 1993. Analyses are limited to 5,646 self-respondents for whom functional outcome data are available in 1995. Additive and interactive multiple regression models are compared for each outcome and focal condition combination. Results: The additive model is sufficient for the majority of outcome and focal condition combinations. The interaction term is significant in 4 of 12 comparisons. Discussion: Stroke, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms exhibit strong independent effects on physical functioning. Support for the hypothesis that cognitive impairment and depression exacerbate the impact of stroke and diabetes is more limited.
Long-Term Implementation of the Catch Physical Education Program
Authors: Kelder Steven H. , Mitchell Paul D. , McKenzie Thomas L. , Derby Carol , Strikmiller Patricia K. , Luepker Russell V. , Stone Elaine J.
Published: August 2003

To test the effectiveness of the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) program, a randomized trial was conducted in 96 elementary schools in four regions of the United States. Results from the original trial indicated a significant positive effect on the delivery of physical education (PE). All 56 former intervention schools (FI), 20 randomly selected former control schools (FC), and 12 newly selected unexposed control schools (UC) were assessed 5 years postintervention. Results indicate a strong secular trend of increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in PE classes among both FC and UC schools. The FI schools surpassed the Healthy People 2010 goal for MVPA during PE lesson time (i.e., 50%), whereas the FC and UC schools came close to it. Barriers to implementing CATCH PE included insufficient training and lower importance of PE compared to other academic areas and indicate the need for in-service training.
Technologized Communications as Artifact/Discourse/Relation: The Case of the Technological City
Authors: Woodward Wayne D.
Published: August 2003

An ontological view of technologized communications supports critical analysis of broadly defined instrumental activities that include not only traditionally recognized media tools and products but also activity systems, operational sequences, and social arrangements. A triadic perspective integrates material (physical-artifactual) and discursive (sociocultural) dimensions, with attention to relational (mutual-personal) practices that underlie technology use and communication. The triadic field is the time-space in which artifacts are administered, meanings circulate, and human relations emerge. Modern and postmodern cities provide an illustration of this broad conception of technologized communications. Concluding discussion considers how technological “enframing” of experience can be offset by participatory openness supported by technologized communications. The emergence of human identity through technologized communications is presented as a focal value.
Intra-cell machine layout associated with flexible production and transport systems
Authors: Chaieb I , Korbaa O
Published: August 2003

This paper deals with the intra-cell machines layout problem, an intermediate step of the workshop design. In this workshop, the production systems belong to a specific class: the flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). The problem consists in finding a positioning of machines in a given manufacturing cell that is the most appropriate for the production process and that optimizes the criterion chosen for minimizing the distances between machines and so minimizing the total transportation time. This problem has been solved in the literature by developing heuristics based on the simulating annealing approach. In order to avoid the problems confronted by some authors, consisting of redefining all the parameters each time, the problem is changed. A generic method is determined by mathematically formulating the machine layout problem. Thus, when it is linear, the problem is solved by CPLEX and the optimal solution is given within a few seconds. When the configuration of the transport system leads to a non-linear problem, it is solved using an enumerative algorithm.

In the literature, some restrictive hypotheses were set when solving the machine layout problem. In fact, the operating sequences were supposed to be linear and only one exemplar of each transformation resource was considered. In this paper three kinds of flexibility are introduced: multiplicity of the transformation resources, flexibility of the operating sequences and installation of a shortcut in the manufacturing cell. The method given here is used to solve the machine layout problem when taking flexibility into consideration. After proving that introducing flexibility in the production or the transport system increases the non-linearity of the problem, the algorithm developed to solve an illustrative example of a cell containing identical machines is described. The considered resources perform different part types having flexible operating sequences. To join distant machines, a shortcut was installed in the cell.

Based on an enumerative method, the algorithm provides an optimal solution within a few seconds. The ability to solve the problem using an enumerative method and to obtain an optimal solution in a reasonable time is due to the fact that the step consisting of positioning the machines comes after the step of grouping machines into cells, so the number of machines in each cell is small enough to use the enumeration.
Growing an ergonomics culture in manufacturing
Authors: Smith R T
Published: August 2003

In today's lean manufacturing environment, resources may be scarce and need to be utilized as economically as possible, especially those personnel in supporting roles, the so-called ‘overhead’. To improve the use of existing resources, a change in the workplace that moves from an expert-based ergonomics system to a culture-based one can be beneficial. The concept of an ‘ergonomics culture’ is one where everyone understands and bears some responsibility for ergonomics. This implies that all members of a work organization are informed and empowered to make improvements appropriate to their level of assigned responsibility. Of course, this concept is not implemented overnight and senior management must understand, endorse and visibly support such an initiative with their time and resources. The eventual result, however, is worthy of significant recognition for its positive workplace effect, with reduced injuries and their related costs and loss reductions, together with increased productivity, improved quality, better workforce stability and morale gains.
Inorganic nitrogen retention in acid‐sensitive lakes in southern Norway and southern Ontario, Canada—a comparison of mass balance data with an empirical N retention model
Authors: Kaste Ø. , Dillon P. J.
Published: August 2003

In‐lake retention of inorganic nitrogen species (nitrate and ammonium) was estimated from mass balances in five acid‐sensitive lakes in southern Norway and eight in southern Ontario, Canada, to evaluate an empirical in‐lake N retention (RN) model. This model is included in the First‐order Acidity Balance (FAB) model, which currently is used for calculation of critical acid loads and exceedances in many countries. To estimate in‐lake RN, the FAB model uses a recommended mass transfer coefficient (SN) of 5 m year−1, which mainly is derived from NO3− mass balances in Canadian lakes. To date, the in‐lake RN model has not been evaluated for large parts of Europe. At the Norwegian study sites receiving the highest N deposition (>120 meq m−2 year−1) the net in‐lake retention of inorganic N (TIN) exceeded the corresponding terrestrial retention by a factor of 1·1–2·6. Despite differences in N loading and hydrology at the Norwegian and Canadian sites, both the mean mass transfer coefficients for NO3− (SNO3; 6·5 versus 5·6 m year−1) and TIN (STIN; 7·9 versus 7·0 m year−1) were of comparable magnitude. Both mean values and ranges of SNO3 suggest that the default SN value presently recommended for FAB model applications seems valid over a large range in N inputs and areal water loads (qs). However, owing to the relatively few data available for lakes with high qs values (15–150 m year−1), it is recommended that more lakes within this range be included in future studies to obtain a more precise prediction of in‐lake N retention over a wide qs gradient. Also, when considering that the FAB model treats all inorganic N leaching from a catchment as NO3−, it seems reasonable to use a default STIN value instead of just SNO3 when estimating in‐lake RN. In that case, the in‐lake RN presently calculated by the FAB model might be slightly underestimated. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of trends in stream water quality
Authors: Potts J. M. , Hirst D. , Miller J. D. , Edwards A. C. , Elston D. A.
Published: August 2003

A method is described for assessing the strength of evidence for differences in the trends in chemical concentrations in stream water between catchments. A smoothing spline technique is used to model changes in water quality as a result of changes in flow rates, seasonal effects and an underlying trend. The method involves fitting the model twice, once with the underlying trends constrained to be identical for each river and once with the trends unconstrained. Statistical properties are assessed by simulation methods that allow for the autocorrelation in the residuals from the unconstrained fit. The method is applied to data from two streams in the Balquhidder catchments in the Highlands of Scotland and to data from the Dee, Don and Ythan rivers in the north‐east of Scotland. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of experimental model catchment evolution
Authors: Hancock G. R. , Willgoose G. R.
Published: August 2003

Due to the geological time scales required for observation of catchment evolution, surrogates or analogues of field data are necessary to understand long‐term processes. To investigate long‐term catchment behaviour, two experimental model catchments that developed without rigid boundaries under controlled conditions are examined and a qualitative and quantitative analysis of their evolution is presented. Qualitatively, the experimental catchments have the visual appearance of field scale data. Observation demonstrates that changes in catchment shape and network form are conservative. Quantitative analysis suggests that the catchments reach an equilibrium form while a reduction in the channel network occurs. While the catchments are laboratory scale models, the results provide insights into field scale behaviour. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A downward approach to identifying the structure and parameters of a process‐based model for a small experimental catchment
Authors: Chirico Giovanni Battista , Grayson Rodger B. , Western Andrew W.
Published: August 2003

An intensive field monitoring programme was conducted in 1998 and 1999 in an 84 ha catchment located on the North Island of New Zealand. The data collected includes six soil moisture patterns, 12 soil moisture time‐series, flow at the outlets of two subcatchments of 56 ha and 28 ha, rainfall and other meteorological data. This data set was used in a downward approach to constrain the conceptualisations and the parameters of a terrain‐based distributed model, aiming to simulate the spatial and temporal variability of the soil moisture and the flow response observed in the two subcatchments. The principal mechanism producing runoff was assessed by a preliminary data analysis, involving rainfall, flow and soil moisture time‐series as well as the simulation of infiltration processes at the point scale. Runoff was identified as being mainly produced by saturation excess across the entire monitoring period, despite the high intensity rainfall observed in that area. The model soil‐water‐retention parameters were determined from the soil moisture patterns. The other soil parameters controlling the soil transmissivity were determined by calibration against the observed flow in 1999 in the 56 ha subcatchment, accumulated at the daily scale. The analysis of the flow data at the hourly scale illustrated the need for a more complex subsurface transmissivity function in order to produce lateral storm flow with a larger range of celerity. A simple solution was to modify the decay of the lateral transmissivity with the soil moisture content by adding a second component activated only for soil moisture close to saturation. The additional parameters were calibrated against the observed hourly flow in 1999 in the 56 ha subcatchment. The remaining data were used for validation purposes. This data‐driven, downward approach to identifying the model conceptualisation and parameters resulted in a model capable of reproducing the observed catchment behaviour while minimising model complexity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NF–FF transformation with cylindrical scanning from nonuniformly distributed data
Authors: Ferrara F. , Gennarelli C. , Riccio G. , Savarese C.
Published: August 2003

Two efficient probe‐compensated near‐field–far‐field (NF–FF) transformation techniques with cylindrical scanning requiring a minimum number of irregularly spaced data, are proposed. Singular value decomposition (SVD) method is applied to evaluate the uniformly distributed samples, whose positions are fixed by a nonredundant sampling representation of the field, from the irregularly spaced ones. Then, the voltage data needed by standard NF–FF transformation or by a non‐conventional one recently developed by the authors are efficiently evaluated via an optimal sampling interpolation algorithm. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 4–8, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11109
An accurate FDTD simulation technique using relatively coarse mesh for modeling PEC planar structures
Authors: Zhou Baixin , Wang Sicong , Yu Wenhua
Published: August 2003

In this paper, we present a fast convergent technique that can generate an accurate FDTD simulation result using a relatively coarse mesh for PEC planar structures if an effective factor is properly selected. The effective size of a PEC is about one half cell smaller than its actual dimensions regardless of cell size. A microwave patch antenna and a low pass filter are used to validate the proposed scheme. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 17–19, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11113
EPR study of nitroxides formed from the reaction of nitric oxide with photolyzed amides
Authors: Wang Fan , Jin Jing , Wu Longmin
Published: August 2003

Free radicals generated from UV irradiation of simple aliphatic amides in anaerobic and nitric oxide (NO)‐saturated liquid mixtures or solutions gave EPR spectra of nitroxides. The application of isotopic effects to EPR spectra and the generation of radicals by transient radical attack on substrate molecules or by photolysing amine or acetoin were used to help identify photochemically produced radicals from the amides. The aliphatic amides used were formamide, acetamide and their N‐methyl‐ or deuterium‐substituted derivatives. Transient radicals used to attack the amides via hydrogen‐atom abstraction were generated from the initiator AIBN or AAPH. The observation of various nitroxides indicates the reactivity of NO for trapping acyl, carbamoyl and other carbon‐centered radicals. Possibly mechanistic pathways diagnosed with this trap are proposed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal pricing in a hazard rate model of demand
Authors: Sethi Suresh P. , Bass Frank M.
Published: August 2003

Optimal control theory is employed to derive explicitly the optimal (profit‐maximizing) price of a durable new product over time. The sales rate dynamics depends on the product price and on the unsold portion of the market. Specifically, the hazard rate (i.e. the probability of a purchase by a new customer) increases as the price decreases in a linear fashion. It is shown that both the price and sales rate decline over time for finite horizon problems with or without discounting. In the discounted infinite horizon case, the price remains constant over time. When there is no discounting in the infinite horizon case, there does not exist an optimal solution. However, it is possible in this case to attain a profit level which is arbitrarily close to the theoretical, albeit unattainable, maximum level profit. Economic interpretations are provided for the various quantities that arise in the course of solving the optimal pricing problem. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retropharyngeal and mediastinal abscess following adenoidectomy
Authors: Tuerlinckx David , Bodart Eddy , Lawson Georges , De Wispelaere Jean‐François , de Bilderling Georges
Published: August 2003

Adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in children. On rare occasions it can be complicated by a retropharyngeal abscess (RA). We report the case of a 9‐year‐old girl with an RA extending to the mediastinum following adenoidectomy. The mediastinal collection was successfully treated with computed tomography‐guided percutaneous drainage to avoid extensive surgical procedure. Surgeons should be aware of these dramatic complications and should avoid overzealous surgery in the removal of the adenoid tissue. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:257–258. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulmonary mucus: Pediatric perspective
Authors: Rogers Duncan F.
Published: August 2003

Airway mucus hypersecretion is a clinical feature of a number of childhood diseases, including asthma and bronchitis‐associated conditions. However, compared with adults, there is relatively scarce information concerning mucus pathophysiology in respiratory diseases in children. The available evidence indicates many similarities between adult and childhood respiratory hypersecretory conditions, including goblet‐cell hyperplasia and submucosal gland hypertrophy, and airway mucus plugging in asthma. Consequently, it is likely that treatments that are effective in adults would be effective in children. Numerous therapeutic targets are linked to the pathophysiology of airway mucus hypersecretion in experimental models and adults with respiratory disease. Whether or not these same targets are relevant in children is for the most part unclear. These targets include the inflammatory cells mediating the inflammatory response that generates the hypersecretory phenotype, and highly specific cellular elements such as epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase and calcium‐activated chloride (CACL) channels. Identification of these factors is linked with the development of different classes of pharmacotherapeutic molecules directed at these targets. Compounds with a broader spectrum of anti‐inflammatory activity are likely to be more effective than compounds with restricted activity. However, certain highly specific targets, such as human CACL1 channels, appear to be strongly associated with the development of an airway hypersecretory phenotype. Data from current clinical trials in adults with blockers of these specific targets are awaited with great interest. The hope is that, if effective, pediatric trials with these compounds could be initiated with a view to alleviation of the clinical impact of airway mucus hypersecretion in children. A significant challenge to the therapeutic progression of these new compounds is effective delivery to the airways in children, with the research effort into development of new compounds matched by advances in inhaler design. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:178–188. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A specific role of the Saccharopolyspora erythraea thioesterase II gene in the function of modular polyketide synthases
Authors: Hu Zhihao , Pfeifer Blaine A. , Chao Elizabeth , Murli Sumati , Kealey Jim , Carney John R. , Ashley Gary , Khosla Chaitan , Hutchinson C. Richard
Published: August 2003

Bacterial modular polyketide synthase (PKS) genes are commonly associated with another gene that encodes a thioesterase II (TEII) believed to remove aberrantly loaded substrates from the PKS. Co-expression of the Saccharopolyspora erythraea ery-ORF5 TEII and eryA genes encoding 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) in Streptomyces hosts eliminated or significantly lowered production of 8,8′-deoxyoleandolide [15-nor-6-deoxyerythronolide B (15-nor-6dEB)], which arises from an acetate instead of a propionate starter unit. Disruption of the TEII gene in an industrial Sac. erythraea strain caused a notable amount of 15-norerythromycins to be produced by utilization of an acetate instead of a propionate starter unit and also resulted in moderately lowered production of erythromycin compared with the amount produced by the parental strain. A similar behaviour of the TEII gene was observed in Escherichia coli strains that produce 6dEB and 15-methyl-6dEB. Direct biochemical analysis showed that the ery-ORF5 TEII enzyme favours hydrolysis of acetyl groups bound to the loading acyl carrier protein domain (ACPL) of DEBS. These results point to a clear role of the TEII enzyme, i.e. removal of a specific type of acyl group from the ACPL domain of the DEBS1 loading module.
l-Serine, d- and l-proline and alanine as respiratory substrates of Helicobacter pylori: correlation between in vitro and in vivo amino acid levels
Authors: Nagata Kumiko , Nagata Yoko , Sato Tadashi , Fujino Masayuki A. , Nakajima Kazuhiko , Tamura Toshihide
Published: August 2003

Helicobacter pyloriwhole cells showed high rates of oxygen uptake withl-serine andl-proline as respiratory substrates, and somewhat lower rates withd-alanine andd-proline. These respiratory activities were inhibited by rotenone and antimycin A at low concentrations. Since pyruvate was produced froml-serine andd- andl-alanine in whole cells, the respiratory activities with these amino acids as substrates occurred via pyruvate. Whole cells showed 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP)-reducing activities withd- andl-proline andd-alanine as substrates, suggesting that hydrogen removed from these amino acids also participated in oxygen uptake by the whole cells. High amounts ofl-proline,d- andl-alanine, andl-serine were present inH. pyloricells, and these amino acids also predominated in samples of human gastric juice.H. pyloriseems to utilized- andl-proline,d-alanine andl-serine as important energy sources in its habitat of the mucous layer of the stomach.
Cord factor trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate (TDM) mediates trafficking events during mycobacterial infection of murine macrophages
Authors: Indrigo Jessica , Hunter Robert L. , Actor Jeffrey K.
Published: August 2003

The persistence of tuberculosis within pulmonary granulomatous lesions is a complex phenomenon, with bacterial survival occurring in a focal region of high immune activity. In part, the survival of the organism may be linked to the ability of the surface glycolipid trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate (TDM; cord factor) to inhibit fusion events between phospholipid vesicles inside the host macrophage. At the same time, TDM contributes to macrophage activation and a cascade of events required for initiation and maintenance of granulomatous responses. This allows increased sequestration of organisms and further survival and persistence within host tissues. Bacterial viability, macrophage cytokine and chemokine response, and intracellular trafficking were investigated inMycobacterium tuberculosisfrom which TDM had been removed. Removal of surface lipids led to enhanced trafficking of organisms to acidic compartments; reconstitution of delipidated organisms with either pure TDM or the petroleum ether extract containing crude surface lipids restored normal responses. Use of TDM-coated polystyrene beads demonstrated that TDM can mediate intracellular trafficking events, as well as influence macrophage production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Thus, the presence of TDM may be an important determinant for successful infection and survival ofM. tuberculosiswithin macrophages.
An extracellular zinc metalloprotease gene of Burkholderia cepacia
Authors: Corbett C. R. , Burtnick M. N. , Kooi C. , Woods D. E. , Sokol P. A.
Published: August 2003

Burkholderia cepaciaproduces at least one extracellular zinc metalloprotease that may be involved in virulence. AB. cepaciazinc metalloprotease gene was cloned using aBurkholderia pseudomalleizinc metalloprotease gene as a probe. The predicted amino acid sequences of theseB. cepaciaand aB. pseudomalleiextracellular zinc metalloproteases indicate that they are similar to the thermolysin-like family of metalloproteases (M4 family of metalloendopeptidases) and they are likely to be secreted via the general secretory pathway.zmpAisogenic mutants were constructed inB. cepaciagenomovar III strains Pc715j and K56-2 by insertional inactivation of thezmpAgenes. ThezmpAmutants produced less protease than the parent strains. TheB. cepaciastrain K56-2zmpAmutant was significantly less virulent than its parent strain in a chronic respiratory infection model; however, there was no difference between the virulence ofB. cepaciastrain Pc715j and a Pc715jzmpAmutant. The results indicate that this extracellular zinc metalloprotease may play a greater role in virulence in some strains ofB. cepacia.
Identification and study of a Candida albicans protein homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ssr1p, an internal cell-wall protein
Authors: Garcerá Ana , Martínez Ana Isabel , Castillo Luis , Elorza M. Victoria , Sentandreu Rafael , Valentín Eulogio
Published: August 2003

After screening of aCandida albicansgenome database, the product of an ORF (IPF 3054) that has 62 % homology withSaccharomyces cerevisiaeSsr1p, an internal cell-wall protein, was identified and named CaSsr1p. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that CaSsr1p contains an N-terminal hydrophobic signal peptide, is rich in Ser and Thr amino acids and has a potential glycosylphosphatidylinositol-attachment signal. CaSsr1p is released following degradation of isolated cell walls by zymolyase (mainly a 1,3-β-glucanase) and therefore seems to be covalently linked to theβ-glucan of the cell walls. Both disruption and overexpression of theCaSSR1gene caused an increased sensitivity to calcofluor white, Congo red and zymolyase digestion. These results suggest that CaSsr1p has a structural role associated with the cell-wallβ-glucan.
Phenotypic characterization of overexpression or deletion of the Escherichia coli crcA, cspE and crcB genes
Authors: Sand Olivier , Gingras Monica , Beck Nancy , Hall Christine , Trun Nancy
Published: August 2003

The authors have previously shown that overexpression of theEscherichia coliK-12crcA,cspEandcrcBgenes protects the chromosome from decondensation by camphor. In this study they examine the phenotypic consequences of deleting or overexpressingcrcA,cspEandcrcB. OverexpressingcrcA,cspEandcrcBincreases supercoiling levels of plasmids in wild-type cells and in temperature-sensitive (Ts) gyrase mutants, suppresses the sensitivity of gyrase and topoisomerase IV (topo IV) Ts mutants to nalidixic acid, makes gyrase and topo IV Ts mutants more resistant to camphor and corrects the nucleoid morphology defects in topo IV Ts mutants. Overexpression ofcrcA,cspEandcrcBresults in a slight (2·2-fold) activation of thercsAgene. DeletingcrcA,cspEandcrcBis not lethal to cells but results in an increase in sensitivity to camphor. Deletion ofcrcA,cspEandcrcBexacerbates the nucleoid morphology defects of the topo IV Ts mutants. When the individualcrcA,cspEorcrcBgenes were tested for their effects on camphor resistance and regulation ofrcsA,cspEalone conferred 10-fold camphor resistance and 1·7-fold activation ofrcsA. These activities were augmented whencrcBwas overexpressed withcspE(100-fold camphor resistance and 2·1-fold induction ofrcsA).
Characterization of low‐k benzocyclobutene dielectric thin film
Authors: Chan K.C. , Teo M. , Zhong Z.W.
Published: August 2003

This paper reports the characterization of a photosensitive benzocyclobutene (BCB), a low dielectric constant spin‐on polymer for use as interlayer dielectric in the microelectronics industry. Research work is divided into three main sections. First, BCB thin film characterization was done to investigate the effects of curing conditions on BCB film thickness, dielectric properties, optical properties and extent of cure. Thermal stability of BCB was then evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to detect weight loss during thermal curing and degradation. Finally, curing kinetics study was conducted using both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) dynamic (American Society for Testing and Materials method) and isothermal approaches. The first study shows that determination of vitrification point during thermal curing of BCB is crucial to predict film properties. By curing to just before vitrification, lowest refractive index, hence dielectric constant, could be obtained.
An architecture for an intelligent support system for design validation and manufacturing of aerospace components
Authors: Lambrinoudakis Costas , Maistros George , Bofilios Dimitri , Darzentas John
Published: August 2003

This paper presents the architecture of a multi‐agent system that aims to support the design and manufacturing processes of composite material components for the aerospace, automobile, ship and other industries. The major goals are to accelerate the design process while minimising cost; support users in selecting the optimum material in terms of its properties, cost and environmental impact; and enhance the efficiency of the component manufacturing phase by extending the decision support capabilities of the existing real‐time monitoring software. An important requirement for achieving these objectives is to enable the more efficient utilisation of existing distributed information on composite materials. To this end, state‐of‐the‐art advances in metadata concepts were adopted and extended. By implementing metadata structures for each data category available, the searching and retrieval mechanisms are improved both in terms of speed and usage. In addition, large amounts of knowledge about the design and manufacturing processes themselves are incorporated into a multi‐agent environment in order to enhance the ability to support the user groups involved in the various stages of component design and manufacturing. In order to present the system architecture here, an example from the aerospace industry has been used.
Brokering Interests: The Use of Market‐Based Policies by Interest Groups
Authors: Carman Christopher Jan
Published: August 2003

Objective. This article begins the process of broadly evaluating the role of nongovernmental actors in regulatory markets by specifically examining environmental groups’ use of the sulfur dioxide (SO2) market established by Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. This research posits that the use of nonexclusionary markets in environmental quality regulation allows interest groups a nonpareil opportunity to seek to directly affect policy outcomes. Methods. This article uses two forms of analysis. The first part of the article provides a qualitative analysis of the motives of interest groups that use incentive‐based policies in an attempt to achieve their desired policy outcomes. The last section of the article uses empirical data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Allowance Tracking System to evaluate interest groups’ use of market‐based policies. Results. The use of market‐based mechanisms in public policies offers interest groups a new form of participation in the policy process, yet it seems that only “new” groups are willing to enter the market. Further, I find that though the participating groups may not be able to affect the relative price of allowances (as they claim they will), they nonetheless are able to reduce the absolute number of allowances available. Finally, using market‐based policies to achieve their preferred outcomes may be a “rational” decision for groups in that the “return” on their investment may indeed be quite high. Conclusions. One aspect of pollution markets is clear—they do create an interesting new mechanism of public activism for groups that wish to protect the environment but do not want to “lobby or litigate.” By purchasing pollution allowances groups attempt to directly affect environmental policy outputs without entering the policy cycle as it has been previously understood. As market‐based policies are employed more broadly, opportunities accorded to environmental groups for active involvement in seeking to limit ambient pollutants, as well as the groups’ potential impact, may only expand.
Using Geographic Information Systems to Create and Analyze Statistical Surfaces of Population and Risk for Environmental Justice Analysis
Authors: Mennis Jeremy
Published: August 2003

Objective. Methodological issues associated with the conventional statistical approach to environmental justice research, such as scale of analysis, continue to make assessments of environmental injustice problematic. Geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to facilitate multiscale analysis through the generation of statistical surface representations of both socioeconomic character and environmental risk. Methods. As a case study, U.S. Bureau of the Census and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data sets were used to generate statistical surfaces of socioeconomic character and environmental risk for the southeast Pennsylvania region. Results. Analysis of these statistical surfaces reveals that socioeconomic status decreases with proximity to, and density of, hazardous facilities. Conclusions. Further research calls for incorporating other relevant information, such as amount and toxicity of toxic release, into GIS‐based statistical surface representations of risk.
Is Pesticide Use Socially Acceptable? A Comparison between Urban and Rural Settings
Authors: Coppin Dawn M. , Eisenhauer Brian W. , Krannich Richard S.
Published: August 2003

Objective. This study examines key factors that are identified as theoretically probable influences on levels of public acceptance of pesticide use. Research questions were generated about the relationship between levels of acceptability of pesticide use and measures of trust in information about pesticides from various sources, perceptions of the safety of pesticides, concerns about exposure, personal experiences with pesticides, place of residence (urban/rural), and several other demographic variables. Methods. These factors were examined using data gathered in a random‐sample, self‐completion survey of residents in urban and rural areas in a northern Utah county. Results. Bivariate analysis indicates significant differences between urban and rural respondents that disappear when examined in multivariate analyses. The perception of the safety of pesticides is the variable most strongly associated with levels of acceptability of pesticide use. Conclusions. Personal experience with pesticides is more important than residency in predicting acceptability levels. Trust is a significant predictor for perceptions of safety, but not for acceptability.
Bolstering an Illusory Majority: The Effects of the Media's Portrayal of Death Penalty Support
Authors: Niven David
Published: August 2003

Objective. Researchers have found a distinct difference between expressed supportfor the death penalty (which garners a majority of Americans) and expressed preference for the death penalty over other sentences (which attracts only a minority). Despite the strength of this finding in academic circles, the media tend to cover the death penalty as if it were indisputably favored by a majority of Americans. This article tests the effect of this disparity in coverage. Methods. Using an experimental design, respondents were placed in three groups: Condition 1 read a typical media portrayal depicting widespread support for the death penalty, Condition 2 read a realistic portrayal of the mix of preferences for the death penalty and an alternative sentence, and Condition 3 (the control group) read an article unrelated to the death penalty. Results. Compared to the control group and Condition 1, those who read a more realistic account of public opinion on the death penalty (Condition 2) were less supportive of capital punishment, more likely to think death penalty opponents would talk comfortably about their position, and believed the death penalty would become less prevalent in the future. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the unrealistic media portrayal of public opinion on the death penalty is bolstering a sense of inevitability about the issue.
Identification of
Streptococcus sanguinis
with a PCR-Generated Species-Specific DNA Probe
Authors: Li Yihong , Pan Yaping , Qi Fengxia , Caufield Page W.
Published: August 2003

The objective of the present study was to design a PCR-generated DNA probe and determine the specificity of the probe for the identification of clinical isolates of
Streptococcus sanguinis
. To do this, we examined over 200 arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) amplicon patterns obtained with DNA from clinical isolates of
S. sanguinis
. A 1.6-kb DNA amplicon that was common to all AP-PCR profiles was extracted from agarose gels and then cloned and sequenced. A search for a similar sequence in the GenBank database with the BLASTN program revealed that the 1.6-kb DNA fragment comprised an intergenic region between two housekeeping genes,
uncC
(proton-translocating ATPase) and
murA
(UDP-
N
-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase). Three digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes were synthesized on the basis of the sequence of the 1.6-kb fragment: the sequence of probe SSA-1 contained the proton-translocating ATPase (
uncC
) and the entire intergenic region, the sequence of probe SSA-2 contained only the intergenic region, and the sequence of probe SSA-3 contained an internal region of the
murA
gene. Dot blot hybridization showed that the three probes displayed signals for hybridization to both
S. sanguinis
strain ATCC 10556 and the
S. sanguinis
clinical isolates. Probe SSA-1, however, hybridized to DNA from
S. oralis
and
S. mitis.
Probe SSA-3 hybridized to DNA from
S. gordonii
,
S. mitis
,
S. oralis
,
S. parasanguinis
, and
S. vestibularis
. The probe SSA-2-specific intergenic region appeared to be specific for
S. sanguinis
. The results from this study suggest that probe SSA-2 may serve as a species-specific DNA probe for the identification of clinical isolates of
S. sanguinis
.
Comparison of the Directigen Flu A+B Test, the QuickVue Influenza Test, and Clinical Case Definition to Viral Culture and Reverse Transcription-PCR for Rapid Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Ruest Annie , Michaud Sophie , Deslandes Sylvie , Frost Eric H.
Published: August 2003

The diagnostic performances of the clinical case definition of influenza virus infection based on the combination of fever and cough and of two rapid influenza diagnostic tests, the Directigen Flu A+B test (Directigen; BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, Md.) and the QuickVue influenza test (QuickVue; Quidel, San Diego, Calif.), were compared to those of viral culture and an in-house reverse transcription (RT)-PCR during the 2000-2001 flu season. Two hundred consecutive nasopharyngeal aspirates were analyzed from 192 patients, including 122 adults and 70 children. Viral culture identified influenza virus A in 16 samples and influenza virus B in 55 samples, whereas RT-PCR identified influenza virus A in 21 samples and influenza virus B in 64 samples. When RT-PCR was used as the reference standard, the likelihood ratios for a positive test were 40.0 for Directigen, 8.6 for QuickVue, and 1.4 for the combination of fever and cough, whereas the likelihood ratios for a negative test were 0.22, 0.16, and 0.48, respectively. Our study suggests that (i) the poor specificity (35 to 58%) and the poor positive predictive value (41 to 60%) of the clinical case definition of influenza preclude its use for prediction of influenza virus infections during epidemics, especially when infection control decision making in the hospital setting is considered; (ii) Directigen has a higher diagnostic yield than QuickVue but is associated with a larger number of invalid results; (iii) the sensitivities of the rapid diagnostic tests are significantly lower with samples from adults than with samples from children, with the rates of false-negative results reaching up to 29%; and (iv) RT-PCR detects more cases of influenza than viral culture, and this greater accuracy makes it a more useful reference standard.
Evaluation of the MagNA Pure LC Instrument for Extraction of Hepatitis C Virus RNA for the COBAS AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test, Version 2.0
Authors: Germer Jeffrey J. , Lins Michele M. , Jensen Monica E. , Harmsen W. Scott , Ilstrup Duane M. , Mitchell P. Shawn , Cockerill Franklin R. , Patel Robin
Published: August 2003

The COBAS AMPLICOR system has played a major role in the transition of molecular diagnostics from research to routine clinical laboratory use by automating the nucleic acid amplification and detection processes. However, sample preparation remains a labor-intensive portion of the procedure. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the COBAS AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test, version 2.0 (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, N.J.) following manual hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA extraction versus automated extraction with the MagNA Pure LC instrument (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, Ind.). Parallel replicate testing was performed with standard dilutions of 100, 75, 60, and 0 HCV IU/ml and 153 clinical specimens. An analytical sensitivity of 75 IU/ml was achieved with either the manual or the standard-volume (200 μl) automated extraction methodologies (25 of 26 [96.2%]; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 80.4 to 99.9), whereas the clinical sensitivity and specificity were both 100% with either extraction method. A large-volume (1 ml) automated extraction method was also evaluated with standard dilutions of 40, 25, 10, and 0 IU/ml and the same 153 clinical specimens. The analytical sensitivity of the COBAS AMPLICOR assay with the large-volume extraction method was 25 HCV IU/ml (26 of 26 [100%]; 95% CI, 86.8 to 100), whereas the clinical sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. The MagNA Pure LC instrument is a versatile, labor-saving platform capable of integration with minimal modification of the existing assay procedure. The increased sensitivity of the COBAS AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test, version 2.0 performed in conjunction with large-volume HCV RNA extraction may be important in HCV diagnostic testing as new therapeutic strategies evolve.
Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit Typing ofMycobacterium tuberculosisCompared to IS6110-Based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis for Investigation of Apparently Clustered Cases of Tuberculosis
Authors: Hawkey Peter M. , Smith E. Grace , Evans Jason T. , Monk Philip , Bryan Gerry , Mohamed Huda H. , Bardhan Madhu , Pugh R. Nicholas
Published: August 2003

An evaluation of the utility of IS6110-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing compared to a combination of variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) typing and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU) typing was undertaken. A total of 53 patient isolates ofMycobacterium tuberculosisfrom four presumed episodes of cross-infection were examined. Genomic DNA was extracted from the isolates by a cetyl trimethylammonium bromide method. The number of copies of tandem repeats of the five loci ETRAto ETREand 12 MIRU loci was determined by PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis of the amplicons. VNTR typing identified the major clusters of strains in the three investigations in which they occurred (each representing a different evolutionary clade: 32333, 42235, and 32433). The majority of unrelated isolates (by epidemiology and RFLP typing) were also identified by VNTR typing. The concordance between the RFLP and MIRU typing was complete, with the exception of two isolates with RFLP patterns that differed by one band each from the rest of the major epidemiologically linked groups of isolates in investigation A. All of these isolates had identical MIRU and VNTR types. A further pair of isolates differed in the number of tandem repeat copies at two MIRU alleles but had identical RFLP patterns. The speed of the combined VNTR and MIRU typing approach enabled results for some of the investigations to be supplied in “real time,” influencing choices in contact tracing. The ease of comparison of results of MIRU and VNTR typing, which are recorded as single multidigit numbers, was also found to greatly facilitate investigation management and the communication of results to health care professionals.
Development and Evaluation of a Blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Avian Metapneumovirus Type C-Specific Antibodies in Multiple Domestic Avian Species
Authors: Turpin Elizabeth A. , Lauer Dale C. , Swayne David E.
Published: August 2003

The first cases of infection caused by avian metapneumoviruses (aMPVs) were described in turkeys with respiratory disease in South Africa during 1978. The causative agent was isolated and identified as a pneumovirus in 1986. aMPVs have been detected in domestic nonpoultry species in Europe, but tests for the detection of these viruses are not available in the United States. To begin to understand the potential role of domestic ducks and geese and wild waterfowl in the epidemiology of aMPV, we have developed and evaluated a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) for the detection of aMPV type C (aMPV-C)-specific antibodies. This assay method overcomes the species-specific platform of indirect ELISAs to allow detection of aMPV-C-specific antibodies from potentially any avian species. The bELISA was initially tested with experimental turkey serum samples, and the results were found to correlate with those of virus neutralization assays and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). One thousand serum samples from turkey flocks in Minnesota were evaluated by our bELISA, and the level of agreement of the results of the bELISA and those of the iELISA was 94.9%. In addition, we were able to show that the bELISA could detect aMPV-C-specific antibodies from experimentally infected ducks, indicating its usefulness for the screening of serum samples from multiple avian species. This is the first diagnostic assay for the detection of aMPV-C-specific antibodies from multiple avian species in the United States.