bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of local production of endothelium-derived nitric oxide on cGMP signaling and S-nitrosylation
Authors: Qian Jin , Zhang Qian , Church Jarrod E. , Stepp David W. , Rudic Radu D. , Fulton David J. R.
Published: October 2009

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), exerts control over vascular function via two distinct mechanisms, the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cGMP-dependent signaling or through S-nitrosylation of proteins with reactive thiols ( S-nitrosylation). Previous studies in cultured endothelial cells revealed that eNOS targeted to the plasma membrane (PM) releases greater amounts of NO compared with Golgi tethered eNOS. However, the significance of eNOS localization to sGC-dependent or -independent signaling is not known. Here we show that PM-targeted eNOS, when expressed in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and isolated blood vessels, increases sGC/cGMP signaling to a greater extent than Golgi-localized eNOS. The ability of local NO production to influence sGC-independent mechanisms was also tested by monitoring the secretion of Von Willebrand factor (vWF), which is tonically inhibited by the S-nitrosylation of N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF). In eNOS “knockdown” HAECs, vWF secretion was attenuated to a greater degree by PM eNOS compared with a Golgi-restricted eNOS. Moreover, the PM-targeted eNOS induced greater S-nitrosylation of NSF vs. Golgi eNOS. To distinguish between the amount of NO generated and the intracellular location of synthesis, we expressed Golgi and PM-targeted calcium-insensitive forms of eNOS in HAEC. These constructs, which generate equal amounts of NO regardless of location, produced equivalent increases in cGMP in bioassays and equal inhibition of vWF secretion. We conclude that the greater functional effects of PM eNOS are due to the increased amount of NO produced rather than effects derived from the local synthesis of NO.
Simultaneous variation of ventricular pacing site and timing with biventricular pacing in acute ventricular failure improves function by interventricular assist
Authors: Quinn T. Alexander , Cabreriza Santos E. , Richmond Marc E. , Weinberg Alan D. , Holmes Jeffrey W. , Spotnitz Henry M.
Published: October 2009

The goal of this work was to investigate the hemodynamic effects of simultaneous left ventricular (LV) pacing site (LVPS) and interventricular pacing delay (VVD) variation with biventricular pacing (BiVP) during acute LV failure. Simultaneously varying LVPS and VVD with BiVP has been shown to improve hemodynamics during acute right ventricular (RV) failure. However, effects during acute LV failure have not been reported. In six open-chest pigs, acute LV volume overload was induced by regurgitant flow via an aortic-LV conduit. Epicardial BiVP was implemented with right atrial and ventricular leads and a custom LV pacing array. Fifty-four LVPS-VVD combinations were tested in random order. Cardiac output was evaluated by aortic flow probe, ventricular systolic function by maximum rate of ventricular pressure change, and mechanical interventricular synchrony by normalized RV-LV pressure diagram area. Simultaneous LVPS-VVD variation improved all measures of cardiac function. The observed effect was different for each functional index, with evidence of LVPS-VVD interaction. Compared with effects of LVPS-VVD variation in a model of acute RV failure, hemodynamic changes were markedly different. However, in both models, maximum rate of ventricular pressure change of the failing ventricle was improved with synchronous interventricular contraction, suggesting that, in acute ventricular failure, BiVP can recruit the unstressed ventricle to support systolic function of the failing one. Thus simultaneously varying LVPS and VVD with BiVP during acute ventricular failure can improve cardiac function by “interventricular assist”, with hemodynamic effects dependent on the type of failure. This supports the potential utility of temporary BiVP for the treatment of acute ventricular failure commonly seen after cardiac surgery.
Mitochondrial-derived hydrogen peroxide inhibits relaxation of bovine coronary arterial smooth muscle to hypoxia through stimulation of ERK MAP kinase
Authors: Gao Qun , Zhao Xiangmin , Ahmad Mansoor , Wolin Michael S.
Published: October 2009

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) are potentially important in vascular oxygen-sensing mechanisms because hypoxia appears to be a stimulus for mitochondrial ROS generation; however, scavenging of endogenous ROS does not alter relaxation of endothelium-denuded bovine coronary arteries (BCA) to hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of increasing mitochondrial ROS on the relaxation of BCA to hypoxia. Increasing mitochondrial superoxide with inhibitors of electron transport (10 μM rotenone and antimycin) and by opening mitochondrial ATP-dependent K+ channels with 100 μM diazoxide were observed in this study to attenuate relaxation of BCA precontracted with 30 mM KCl to hypoxia by 68–76% and 38%, respectively. This effect of rotenone is not prevented by inhibiting NADPH oxidase (Nox) activation or scavenging superoxide with Peg-SOD; however, it is reversed 85% and 26% by increasing the consumption of intracellular peroxide by 0.1 mM ebselen and 32.5 U/ml Peg-catalase. Because inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (10 μM PD-98059), but not src kinase or rho kinase, also reverses the effects of rotenone by 69%, the peroxide-elicited force-enhancing effects of ERK appear to be attenuating the response to hypoxia. Rotenone increased the phosphorylation of ERK (by 163%). Activation of ERK in BCA with 0.1 mM peroxide or endogenous peroxide generated by stimulating Nox2 with a stretch treatment or contraction with 100 nM U-46619 also attenuated relaxation to hypoxia. Thus coronary arterial relaxation to hypoxia may be attenuated by pathophysiological conditions associated with increased peroxide generation by mitochondria or other sources that stimulate ERK.
Maternal glucocorticoid exposure alters tight junction protein expression in the brain of fetal sheep
Authors: Sadowska Grazyna B. , Malaeb Shadi N. , Stonestreet Barbara S.
Published: October 2009

We examined the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord of fetuses after maternal treatment with single and multiple courses of dexamethasone. Ewes received either single courses of four 6-mg dexamethasone or placebo injections every 12 h for 48 h between 104 and 107 days or the same treatment once a week between 76–78 and 104–107 days of gestation. TJ protein expression was determined by Western immunoblot analysis on tissue harvested at 105–108 days of gestation. Blood-brain barrier permeability has been previously quantified with the blood-to-brain transfer constant ( Ki) with α-aminoisobutyric acid ( 39 ). After a single course of dexamethasone, claudin-5 increased ( P < 0.05) in the cerebral cortex, occludin and claudin-1 increased in the cerebellum, and occludin increased in the spinal cord. After multiple dexamethasone courses, occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 increased in the cerebral cortex, and occludin and claudin-1 increased in the cerebellum. Junctional adhesion molecule-A and ZO-2 expressions did not change. Linear regression comparing Kito TJ proteins showed inverse correlations with claudin-1 and claudin-5 in the cerebral cortex after a single course and ZO-2 in the spinal cord after multiple courses and direct correlations with ZO-1 in the cerebellum and spinal cord after multiple courses. We conclude that maternal glucocorticoid treatment increases the expression of specific TJ proteins in vivo, patterns of TJ protein expression vary after exposure to single and multiple glucocorticoid courses, and decreases in blood-brain barrier permeability are associated with increases in claudin-1, claudin-5, and ZO-2 expression and decreases in ZO-1 expression. In utero glucocorticoid exposure alters the molecular composition of the barrier and affects fetal blood-brain barrier function.
Chromatographic Length Separation and Photoluminescence Study on DNA‐Wrapped Single‐Wall and Double‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Asada Yuki , Sugai Toshiki , Kitaura Ryo , Shinohara Hisanori
Published: October 2009

Water‐soluble DNA‐wrapped single‐wall and double‐wall carbon nanotubes (DNA‐SWNTs, DNA‐DWNTs) have been well separated by length incorporating size‐exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The morphology and electronic properties of the size‐ (length‐) separated DNA‐SWNTs and ‐DWNTs are investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopy. By using length‐separated DNA‐SWNTs and ‐DWNTs, we have found that PL intensity of the DNA‐SWNTs varies sensitively depending not only on the chirality (or diameter) but more importantly on the length of the hybrids.
Compact Spacelike Hypersurfaces with Constant Mean Curvature in the Antide Sitter Space
Authors: de Lima Henrique F. , de Lima Joseilson R.
Published: October 2009

We obtain a height estimate concerning to a compact spacelike hypersurface Σn
immersed with constant mean curvature H
in the anti‐de Sitter space , when its boundary ∂Σ
is contained into an umbilical spacelike hypersurface
of this spacetime which is isometric to the hyperbolic space ℍn. Our estimate depends only on the value of H
and on the geometry
of ∂Σ.
As applications of our estimate, we obtain a characterization of hyperbolic domains of
and nonexistence results in connection with such types of hypersurfaces.
On Sequences of Numbers and Polynomials Defined by Linear Recurrence Relations of Order 2
Authors: He Tian-Xiao , Shiue Peter J.-S.
Published: October 2009

Here we present a new method to construct the explicit formula of a sequence of numbers and polynomials generated by a linear recurrence relation of order 2. The applications of the method to the Fibonacci and Lucas numbers, Chebyshev polynomials, the generalized Gegenbauer‐Humbert polynomials are also discussed. The derived idea provides a general method to construct identities of number or polynomial sequences defined by linear recurrence relations. The applications using the method to solve some algebraic and ordinary differential equations are presented.
Development of Items Designed to Evaluate Activity Performance and Participation in Children and Adolescents with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Calhoun Christina L. , Haley Stephen M. , Riley Anne , Vogel Lawrence C. , McDonald Craig M. , Mulcahey M. J.
Published: October 2009

Background/Objective. Outcomes-based data, whether used clinically or for research, are difficult to collect in the pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) population due to a lack of appropriate assessment measures. The purpose of this paper is twofold: to describe the process by which two item pools were developed to evaluate activity performance and participation among children with SCI and to introduce the resultant items specific to pediatric SCI.Methods. The process of item development, including construct development, review of related assessment tools, chart review, item writing and refinement using focus groups, cognitive interviews, and further refinement, was used to create the items pools for activity and participation for children and adolescents with SCI.Results. A total of 347 items were written for the activity performance construct and 61 items were written for the participation construct. Several domains were established within each construct and items were written for both child and parent respondents.Conclusion. The process of detailed item development is the first step in the process of developing an outcomes instrument for children and adolescents with SCI to assess activity performance and participation. The items are representative of pediatric SCI because they address areas specific to children and adolescents with SCI such as wheeled mobility, upper extremity function with adaptive equipment, role performance, and socialization. After testing these items in calibration studies, we will determine if these items can be developed into effective computer-adaptive testing applications.
Conducting Molecular Epidemiological Research in the Age of HIPAA: A Multi-Institutional Case-Control Study of Breast Cancer in African-American and European-American Women
Authors: Ambrosone Christine B. , Ciupak Gregory L. , Bandera Elisa V. , Jandorf Lina , Bovbjerg Dana H. , Zirpoli Gary , Pawlish Karen , Godbold James , Furberg Helena , Fatone Anne , Valdimarsdottir Heiddis , Yao Song , Li Yulin , Hwang Helena , Davis Warren , Roberts Michelle , Sucheston Lara , Demissie Kitaw , Amend Kandace L. , Tartter Paul , Reilly James , Pace Benjamin W. , Rohan Thomas , Sparano Joseph , Raptis George , Castaldi Maria , Estabrook Alison , Feldman Sheldon , Weltz Christina , Kemeny Margaret
Published: October 2009

Breast cancer in African-American (AA) women occurs at an earlier age than in European-American (EA) women and is more likely to have aggressive features associated with poorer prognosis, such as high-grade and negative estrogen receptor (ER) status. The mechanisms underlying these differences are unknown. To address this, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate risk factors for high-grade ER- disease in both AA and EA women. With the onset of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, creative measures were needed to adapt case ascertainment and contact procedures to this new environment of patient privacy. In this paper, we report on our approach to establishing a multicenter study of breast cancer in New York and New Jersey, provide preliminary distributions of demographic and pathologic characteristics among case and control participants by race, and contrast participation rates by approaches to case ascertainment, with discussion of strengths and weaknesses.
Local Electron-Lattice Interactions in High-Temperature Cuprate Superconductors
Authors: Keller Hugo , Bussmann-Holder Annette
Published: October 2009

Recent experimental observations of unconventional isotope effects, multiband superconductivity, and unusual local lattice responses are reviewed and shown to be naturally explained within a two-component scenario where local polaronic effects are important. It is concluded that purely electronic mechanisms of high-temperature superconductivity are incomplete and unable to capture the essential physics of cuprates and other layered superconductors.
Repeated Intraperitoneal -Radioimmunotherapy of Ovarian Cancer in Mice
Authors: Elgqvist Jörgen , Andersson Håkan , Jensen Holger , Kahu Helena , Lindegren Sture , Warnhammar Elisabet , Hultborn Ragnar
Published: October 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of -radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer in mice using different fractionated treatment regimens. The study was performed using the monoclonal antibody MX35 F labeled with the -particle emitter .Methods. Nude mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with ~ cells of the cell line NIH:OVCAR-3. Four weeks later 6 groups of animals were given F as a single or as a repeated treatment of up to 6 times ( in each group). The fractionated treatments were given every seventh day. Control animals were treated with unlabeled F (). Eight weeks posttreatment the animals were sacrificed and the presence of macro- and microscopic tumors and ascites was determined.Results. The tumor-free fractions (TFFs) of the animals, defined as the fraction of animals with no macro- and microtumors and no ascites, were 0.17, 0.11, 0.39, 0.44, 0.44, and 0.67 when treated with F once or 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 times, respectively. Repeated treatment 3 times or more resulted in a significantly higher () TFF than compared to treatment once or twice. The presence of ascites decreased from 15 out of 18 animals in the group given only one treatment to zero for the 2 groups given 5 or 6 fractions. Treatment with unlabeled F resulted in a TFF of zero.Conclusion. Weekly repeated intraperitoneal injections of tolerable amounts of activity of F of up to 6 times produced increased therapeutic efficacy without observed toxicity, indicating a potential increase of the therapeutic index.
A New System of Generalized Nonlinear Mixed Variational Inclusions in Banach Spaces
Authors: Peng JianWen
Published: October 2009

We introduce and study a new system of generalized nonlinear mixed variational inclusions in real "Equation missing"-uniformly smooth Banach spaces. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solution and the convergence of some new "Equation missing"-step iterative algorithms with or without mixed errors for this system of generalized nonlinear mixed variational inclusions. The results in this paper unify, extend, and improve some known results in literature.
Exploring Additional Determinants of Environmentally Responsible Behavior: The Influence of Environmental Literature and Environmental Attitudes
Authors: Mobley Catherine , Vagias Wade M. , DeWard Sarah L.
Published: October 2009

It is often assumed that individuals who are knowledgeable and concerned about the environment will engage in environmentally responsible behavior (ERB). We use data from a large scale Web survey hosted on National Geographic’s Web site in 2001-2002 to investigate this premise. We examine whether reading three classic environmental books ( Walden, A Sand County Almanac, and Silent Spring) is associated with the likelihood of engaging in ERB. Conceptualizing this activity as a formative experience and a source of environmental knowledge, we hypothesized that reading such literature would be a stronger predictor of ERB than sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., gender, education, and political orientation), general environmental attitudes (as measured by the New Ecological Paradigm), and concern about specific environmental risks. The results indicated that while reading environmental literature was a stronger predictor of ERB than background characteristics and the NEP, environmental concern was an even stronger predictor. We offer reasons for these findings and make suggestions for environmental education and future research.
Third Places and the Social Life of Streets
Authors: Mehta Vikas , Bosson Jennifer K.
Published: October 2009

Urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg defines a third place as a place of refuge other than the home or workplace where people can regularly visit and commune with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers. Because little is known about the place-based physical qualities of third places that support sociability and place attachment, this article examines how four urban design characteristics distinguish third-place businesses from other businesses on the Main Street. The article discusses a study conducted at Main Streets in two cities and one town in Massachusetts. As part of the study, visual surveys measured urban design qualities of businesses on the Main Streets, and interviews helped determine user perceptions. The findings suggest that third places are relatively high in both personalization (distinctiveness, recognizability) and permeability to the street, but seating and shelter provisions are perhaps the most crucial urban design characteristics that contribute to sociability on the Main Street.
Construction and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Environmental Orientations in a Diverse Group of Children
Authors: Larson Lincoln R. , Green Gary T. , Castleberry Steven B.
Published: October 2009

An understanding of children’s environmental orientations is of critical importance as opportunities for authentic contact with nature diminish. Current instruments for measuring children’s environmental attitudes are complex, and few have been tested across diverse audiences. This study employed a mixed-methods approach that included pilot tests, final survey implementation, and interviews to create a survey instrument for assessing the environmental attitudes and awareness of children ( N = 254) from different age (6- to 13-yearolds) and ethnic groups (African American, Hispanic, and White). Reliability and validity analyses indicated the scale was a psychometrically sound method for accurately and efficiently measuring children’s perceptions of nature across a demographic range. Eco-affinity and eco-awareness emerged as two distinct components of environmental orientations. This new evaluation tool may help educators and researchers examine the ways children perceive the natural world. It may also help to identify cognitive and affective aspects of existing environmental education programs that need improvement.
To Conserve or Not to Conserve: Is Status the Question?
Authors: Welte Teresa H. L. , Anastasio Phyllis A.
Published: October 2009

Previous research has demonstrated that environmentally friendly behavior is perceived as low status, which can explain why such behavior is not more widespread. However, greater awareness of environmental issues and the advent of a “green” movement may have seen a change in those attitudes. As some conservation behaviors used in past research may have been conflated with lower socioeconomic status, Study 1 identified financially neutral behaviors so that SES would not be confused for status in general. Study 2 utilized two of those behaviors to investigate whether engaging in conservation behavior per se is viewed as low status. Participants rated a target who performed either zero, one, or two conservation behaviors. Counter to earlier research, it was found that neither number nor type of environmental behaviors performed affected the perceived status of the target. These results suggest that attitudes toward conservation behavior may be improving; implications for increasing environmentally friendly behavior are discussed.
Characteristics of Homeless Youth Attending Two Different Youth Drop-In Centers
Authors: Shillington A.M. , Bousman C.A. , Clapp J.D.
Published: October 2009

Services for homeless youth traditionally provided shelter and nourishment but do little to break the cycle of homelessness. A more comprehensive approach to serve homeless youth is the drop-in center model that provides safe and easy-to-find facilities within communities to bridge the gap between the streets and transitional/permanent housing. Research describing homeless youth who utilize drop-in centers is lacking. This study examines characteristics/ preferences of 96 homeless adolescents attending one of two drop-in centers in Southern California. Homeless youth reported high prevalence of risk behaviors regardless of the center of attendance. Furthermore, our analyses revealed significant differences related to demographics, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use between homeless youth at the two drop-in centers. These findings illuminate the specific characteristics and preferences of homeless youth who attend drop-in centers and can be used to inform providers, advocates, and policy makers.
Quasi-Trial Experiences through Sensory Information on Destination Web Sites
Authors: Woojin Lee  , Gretzel Ulrike , Law Rob
Published: October 2009

Tourism Web sites have unique interactive and multimedia qualities with the potential to create experiences similar to product trial. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether destination Web sites with sounds and sensory descriptions can have a positive impact on consumers’ mental imagery processing, which in turn should enhance quasi-trial experiences. A Web-based experiment is conducted for a fictitious island destination Web site. Empirical results show that sensory descriptions, but not sound, have a positive influence on the extent to which participants experience mental imagery and that the experience of extensive mental imagery leads to greater feelings of virtual presence and, as a result, to stronger attitudes about the destination. Implications for destination Web site design and future research are discussed.
Father Residence and Adolescent Problem Behavior: Are Youth Always Better Off in Two-Parent Families?
Authors: Booth Alan , Scott Mindy E. , King Valarie
Published: October 2009

This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine combinations of father residence and closeness, which have received minimal examination but involve significant numbers of children. The findings lead to a number of conclusions. First, adolescents who are close to their nonresident fathers report higher self-esteem, less delinquency, and fewer depressive symptoms than adolescents who live with a father with whom they are not close. Second, adolescents living with a father with whom they are not close have better grades and engage in and less substance use than those having a nonresident father who is not close. At the same time, however, not being close to a resident father is associated with lower self-esteem compared to having a nonresident father who is not close. Third, adolescents do best of all when they have close ties to resident fathers. A central conclusion of this study is that it is important to consider the quality of father—child relations among those who have a resident father when assessing the impact of nonresident fathers on their children.
Assessment of the Toxicity of Hydralazine in the Rat Using an Ultrasensitive Flow-based Cardiac Troponin I Immunoassay
Authors: Mikaelian Igor , Coluccio Denise , Hirkaler Gerard M. , Downing John C. , Rasmussen Erik , Todd John , Estis Joel , Lu Quynh Anh , Nicklaus Rosemary
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this study was to correlate the histologic changes in the heart to serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations assayed with the Erenna Immunoassay System in Wistar rats (Crl:Wi[Han]) using the hydralazine model of cardiotoxicity. A single dose of hydralazine caused an increase of cTnI concentrations at six hours post-dose, followed by a sharp decrease at twenty-four hours and a return to baseline at forty-eight hours. The second dose of hydralazine caused a smaller magnitude increase in cTnI concentrations at six hours as compared to the first dose. Also, cTnI concentrations returned to baseline at twenty-four hours after the second dose. The increased cTnI concentrations coincided with acute myocardial necrosis at histology. However, increased cTnI concentrations in the absence of microscopic lesions were identified in several rats. As cTnI concentrations decreased, microscopic changes in the heart matured to cardiomyophagy. In conclusion, the increases in cTnI concentrations six hours after the administration of hydralazine were indicative of a myocardial damage that did not consistently have a microscopic correlate. However, the window of increased cTnI concentrations was short, and only microscopic evaluation of the heart detected the damage at twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the episode of acute myocardial necrosis.
Planning of municipal solid waste management under dual uncertainties
Authors: Xiaodong Zhang  , Huang Guo H. , Xianghui Nie  , Yumin Chen  , Qianguo Lin
Published: October 2009

Municipal solid waste management is a complex and multidisciplinary problem, involving a number of impact factors associated with various uncertainties. In this study, a hybrid interval-parameter possibilistic programming (IPP) approach was developed and applied for planning municipal solid waste management under dual uncertainties. The IPP improves upon the existing management approaches by allowing possibility distributions of the lower and upper bounds of some interval parameters in the objective function and interval information in the modelling coefficients to be effectively incorporated within its optimization. By introducing the concept of possibilistic interval numbers, the dual uncertainties can be communicated into the optimization process and the resulting solutions, such that the generated decision schemes can effectively reflect the highly complex system features under uncertainty. The results of the case study indicate that useful information can be obtained for providing feasible decision schemes for waste flow allocation. Different decision schemes can be generated by adjusting waste flow allocation patterns within the solution intervals. Lower decision variable values should be used to obtain lower system cost of waste treatment and disposal under advantageous conditions, and higher decision variable values should be used under demanding conditions (worst case conditions). A strong desire to acquire the lower system cost will lead to the decreased probability of meeting the treatment and disposal requirements (i.e. the increased risk of unforeseen conditions); willingness to accept the upper limit of the system cost will guarantee that waste treatment and disposal requirements are met.
Recycling of paper: accounting of greenhouse gases and global warming contributions
Authors: Merrild Hanna , Damgaard Anders , Christensen Thomas H.
Published: October 2009

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been established for recycling of paper waste with focus on a material recovery facility (MRF). The MRF upgrades the paper and cardboard waste before it is delivered to other industries where new paper or board products are produced. The accounting showed that the GHG contributions from the upstream activities and operational activities, with global warming factors (GWFs) of respectively 1 to 29 and 3 to 9 kg CO2-eq. tonne— 1 paper waste, were small in comparison wih the downstream activities. The GHG contributions from the downstream reprocessing of the paper waste ranged from approximately 490 to 1460 kg CO2-eq. tonne —1 of paper waste. The system may be expanded to include crediting of avoided virgin paper production which would result in GHG contributions from —1270 to 390 kg CO2-eq. tonne— 1 paper waste. It may also be assumed that the wood not used for virgin paper production instead is used for production of energy that in turn is assumed to substitute for fossil fuel energy. This would result in GHG contributions from —1850 to —4400 kg CO2-eq. tonne— 1 of paper waste. These system expansions reveal very large GHG savings, suggesting that the indirect upstream and operational GHG contributions are negligible in comparison with the indirect downstream emissions. However, the data for reprocessing of paper waste and the data for virgin paper production are highly variable. These differences are mainly related to different energy sources for the mills, both in regards to energy form (heat or electricity) and fuel (biomass or fossil fuels).
Private sector involvement in solid waste management in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area in Ghana
Authors: Oteng-Ababio Martin
Published: October 2009

Solid waste management (SWM) is becoming a major issue in most cities where the provision of such public service had hitherto been the sole responsibility of central government. However, the costs involved and the rate of waste generation have virtually forced city authorities to seek new arrangements with the private sector. This paper reviews public—private partnership (PPP) in SWM in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) and reveals that the policy worked well until one of the stakeholders failed to deliver. It maintains that harnessing the social support, acceptability and participation is key to sustainable PPP. The paper calls for institutional and private sector collaboration.
Evaluation of the maturity of organic waste composts
Authors: Makni Héla , Ayed Lamia , Ben Khedher Mohamed , Bakhrouf Amina
Published: October 2009

Olive-mill wastes represent a significant environmental problem in Mediterranean areas due to their significant production during a short period of time. Their high polyphenol, lipid and organic acid concentrations make them phytotoxic wastes. Composting is one of the technologies used for the valorization of those wastes, producing a fertilizer useful for poor soils. The present study is an attempt to elaborate upon organic matter transformations and define the parameters for product maturity by adapting chemical and spectroscopic methods during composting. The aim of this work was to study the changes involved in the composting process of four piles during 200 days, and follow up the maturity of the final product during composting. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been proven to be an appropriate analytical method for the qualitative assessment of compost stability. FTIR spectroscopy results revealed enrichment in aromatic structures and a degradation of the aliphatic and alcoholic structures indicating stabilization of the final compost. The results showed that stability of the final product was reached after 7 months of composting. The phytotoxic effects of olive mill wastes and animal manures was assessed by germination index. Indeed, the germination indices of piles 1, 2, 3 and 4 reached 131.31%, 72%, 90.56%, and 105.37%, respectively, at the end of the process. This demonstrated the absence of phytotoxicity in the majority of mature composts.
Study on the inhibition of methane production from anaerobic digestion of biodegradable solid waste
Authors: Tiantao Zhao  , Lijie Zhang  , Youcai Zhao
Published: October 2009

The inhibition effects and mechanisms of chlorinated methane, anthraquinone and acetylene on methanogenesis in the anaerobic digestion process of biodegradable solid wastes were investigated. It was found that both chloroform and acetylene could effectively inhibit methanogens. Acetylene inhibited the activity of methanogens, while chloroform inhibited metabolic process of methanogenesis. A central composite design (CCD) and response surface regression analysis (RSREG) were employed to determine the optimum conditions and interaction effects of chloroform and acetylene in terms of methane and hydrogen production. Acetylene promoted the inhibition efficiency ( F = 31.14; P < 0.01) more effectively than chloroform ( F = 2.46; P > 0.05). In addition, a maximum hydrogen production of 1.6 ml was estimated under the optimum conditions of chloroform concentration of 6.69 mg kg—1 and acetylene concentration of 3.08 × 10—3 (v/v). Chloroform had a significant effect on enhancing the production of propionic acid and a minimum molar ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid of 0.707 was reached with the chloroform concentration of 9.24 mg kg—1 and acetylene concentration of 4.0 × 10—3 (v/v). Hence, methanogens can be inhibited while the stabilization process of solid wastes can still work well. Moreover, co-inhibition technology practice at landfills was feasible and the environmental damage was negligible, according to the analysis and experimental results.
Broadening GHG accounting with LCA: application to a waste management business unit
Authors: Fallaha Sophie , Martineau Geneviève , Bécaert Valérie , Margni Manuele , Deschênes Louise , Samson Réjean , Aoustin Emmanuelle
Published: October 2009

In an effort to obtain the most accurate climate change impact assessment, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting is evolving to include life-cycle thinking. This study (1) identifies similarities and key differences between GHG accounting and life-cycle assessment (LCA), (2) compares them on a consistent basis through a case study on a waste management business unit. First, GHG accounting is performed. According to the GHG Protocol, annual emissions are categorized into three scopes: direct GHG emissions (scope 1), indirect emissions related to electricity, heat and steam production (scope 2) and other indirect emissions (scope 3). The LCA is then structured into a comparable framework: each LCA process is disaggregated into these three scopes, the annual operating activities are assessed, and the environmental impacts are determined using the IMPACT2002+ method. By comparing these two approaches it is concluded that both LCA and GHG accounting provide similar climate change impact results as the same major GHG contributors are determined for scope 1 emissions. The emissions from scope 2 appear negligible whereas emissions from scope 3 cannot be neglected since they contribute to around 10% of the climate change impact of the waste management business unit. This statement is strengthened by the fact that scope 3 generates 75% of the resource use damage and 30% of the ecosystem quality damage categories. The study also shows that LCA can help in setting up the framework for a annual GHG accounting by determining the major climate change contributors.
Organizing Project-Based Learning in Work Contexts
Authors: Poell Rob F. , Yorks Lyle , Marsick Victoria J.
Published: October 2009

The authors describe research aimed at developing a more comprehensive framework for project-based learning in work contexts. This grows out of a cross-cultural reanalysis of data from two previous studies using two different frameworks: actor-centered learning network theory and a critical pragmatist lens on action reflection learning. Findings are based on a cross analysis of a subset of one another’s data sets using the authors’ respective original frameworks, thus intending to build reflexivity into the latter. The study identifies strengths and weaknesses of each framework and discusses a more comprehensive framework that takes into account both individual and organizational learning at a time when learning in work contexts is increasingly driven by the learner and integrated with work.
W. E. B. Du Bois’s Basic American Negro Creed and the Associates in Negro Folk Education
Authors: Guy Talmadge C. , Brookfield Stephen
Published: October 2009

W. E. B. Du Bois, one of the brightest lights in African American history, wrote a sparkling critique of the American social and economic system originally planned as part of the Bronze Booklets series, edited and published by Alain Locke and the Associates in Negro Folk Education. The piece was never published and has, until now, been lost to the annals of adult education history. Using historical evidence, the authors examine Du Bois’s Basic American Negro Creed and the circumstances that led to its exclusion from the series. It is argued that the Creed was far too radical for the liberal minded Carnegie Corporation and its leaders who were only interested in accommodating adult education for Blacks through the AAAE funded Bronze Booklets. The exclusion of the Creed represents an example of repressive tolerance by the AAAE.
Inhalational Anesthesia: Basic Pharmacology, End Organ Effects, and Applications in the Treatment of Status Asthmaticus
Authors: Tobias Joseph D.
Published: October 2009

The potent inhalational anesthetic agents are used on a daily basis to provide intraoperative anesthesia. Given their beneficial effects on airway tone and reactivity, they also have a role in the treatment of status asthmaticus that is refractory to standard therapy. Although generally not of clinical significance, these agents can affect various physiological functions. The potent inhalational anesthetic agents decrease mean arterial pressure and myocardial contractility. The decrease in mean arterial pressure reduces renal and hepatic blood flow. Secondary effects on end-organ function may result from the metabolism of these agents and the release of inorganic fluoride. The following article reviews the history of inhalational anesthesia, the physical structure of the inhalational anesthetic agents, their end-organ effects, reports of their use for the treatment of refractory status asthmaticus in the intensive care unit (ICU) patient, and special considerations for their administration in this setting including equipment for their delivery, scavenging, and monitoring.
Sensitivity and specificity of autoantibody tests in the differential diagnosis of lupus nephritis
Authors: Heidenreich U. , Mayer G. , Herold M. , Klotz W. , Stempfl Al-Jazrawi K. , Lhotta K.
Published: October 2009

Several studies have investigated the potential of various autoantibody tests in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Many lupus patients initially present with glomerulonephritis. In that clinical situation the main differential diagnosis are other forms of glomerulonephritis. In this study the diagnostic value of nine test kits for autoantibody against ANA, dsDNA, circulating immune complexes, C1q, nucleosomes, histones and Sm as well as C3 and C4 levels was evaluated in 39 patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis in comparison to 43 patients suffering from other forms of glomerulonephritis. The most useful test was an anti-nucleosome antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 88%. All tests for anti-dsDNA antibodies (Crithidia luciliae Anti-dsDNA, BINDAZYME Anti-dsDNA, FARRZYME high avidity Anti-dsDNA) were of moderate sensitivity and very good specificity. Decreasing the cut-off for the conventional anti-dsDNA ELISA (BINDAZYME) considerably increased its sensitivity (87%) without loss of specificity (90%). Tests for anti-C1q and immune complexes performed worse than the antidsDNA tests. As anti-histone and Sm antibodies are present only in a minority of lupus nephritis patients they are of limited value in diagnosing the disease. In conclusion, testing for anti-nucleosome antibodies and the conventional anti-dsDNA ELISA with lower cut-off provide the best diagnostic aids for differentiation of lupus nephritis from other forms of glomerulonephritis. Lupus (2009) 18, 1276—1280.
Religion in the Face of Uncertainty: An Uncertainty-Identity Theory Account of Religiousness
Authors: Hogg Michael A. , Adelman Janice R. , Blagg Robert D.
Published: October 2009

The authors characterize religions as social groups and religiosity as the extent to which a person identifies with a religion, subscribes to its ideology or worldview, and conforms to its normative practices. They argue that religions have attributes that make them well suited to reduce feelings of self-uncertainty. According to uncertainty-identity theory, people are motivated to reduce feelings of uncertainty about or reflecting on self; and identification with groups, particularly highly entitative groups, is a very effective way to reduce uncertainty. All groups provide belief systems and normative prescriptions related to everyday life. However, religions also address the nature of existence, invoking sacred entities and associated rituals and ceremonies. They are entitative groups that provide a moral compass and rules for living that pervade a person’s life, making them particularly attractive in times of uncertainty. The authors document data supporting their analysis and discuss conditions that transform religiosity into religious zealotry and extremism.
Extending the Research on the Tests of Early Numeracy: Longitudinal Analyses Over Two School Years
Authors: Baglici Stephanie Petreshock , Codding Robin , Tryon Georgiana
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this study was to extend the research on the Tests of Early Numeracy (TEN) by following a cohort of 61 students from kindergarten through first grade. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between kindergarten and first-grade TEN measures built within and across school years and their predictive validity of a math curriculum-based measurement and teacher-derived measures of mathematics administered in first grade. Correlation analyses indicated significant relationships between kindergarten and first-grade TEN performance. Results from repeated-measures analyses of variance indicated that students made significant growth on all of the TEN measures from winter kindergarten to spring of first grade; however, different measures yielded significant growth within each grade. Kindergarten TEN performance also accounted for a significant amount of variance in first-grade computation skills and was moderately correlated with teacher ratings.
Etravirine for HIV-I: Addressing the Limitations of the Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Class
Authors: Grennan Troy , Walmsley Sharon
Published: October 2009

Etravirine (ETR) is a second-generation nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) specifically designed for treatment-experienced patients infected with HIV-1. Its unique strength over other, older agents in the NNRTI class is its higher genetic barrier to resistance, allowing it to be used effectively in patients with limited treatment options. The arrival of ETR in the market has made sequential NNRTI therapy possible for the first time in the history of HIV treatment, as it can maintain virologic activity in the presence of certain (and sometimes multiple) NNRTI mutations. Although ETR has demonstrated efficacy in treatment-experienced and NNRTI-resistant patients in large trials, further analyses on its resistance profile are ongoing. As new data emerge on the weighting of ETR’s resistance-associated mutations (RAMs), investigators and clinicians will no doubt be able to further characterize its specific place in the HIV treatment armamentarium.
Segmental Muscle Vibration Improves Walking in Chronic Stroke Patients With Foot Drop: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Paoloni Marco , Mangone Massimiliano , Scettri Paola , Procaccianti Rita , Cometa Antonella , Santilli Valter
Published: October 2009

Background. Studies have described the effects of segmental muscle vibration (SMV) on brain plasticity and corticomotor excitability. Information on the treatment-induced effects of SMV in stroke patients is, however, still limited. Objectives. To assess whether the application of SMV to ankle dorsiflexor muscles of chronic stroke patients can improve walking. Methods. Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG) and underwent 12 sessions over 4 weeks of general physical therapy. Patients in the EG also received SMV at 120 Hz over the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior for 30 minutes at the end of each session. All the participants underwent pretreatment and posttreatment gait analysis assessments. Time—distance, kinematic, and surface electromyography (EMG) data were used as outcome measures. Results. A moderate improvement in mean gait speed, normal-side swing velocity, bilateral stride length, and normal-side toe-off percentage was observed only in the EG. A significant increase in bilateral ankle dorsiflexion angle at heel contact was associated with increased maximum ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion degrees during the swing phase on the paretic side after treatment in EG. Surface EMG during the swing phase revealed a significant increase in the activation of the tibialis anterior muscle on the paretic side in the posttreatment assessment in the EG. Conclusions. SMV added to general physical therapy may improve gait performance in patients with foot drop secondary to chronic stroke. The authors hypothesize that this may be due to the mechanical vibration stimulation, probably as a consequence of effective brain reorganization.
Employment Modes, High-Performance Work Practices, and Organizational Performance in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Cheng-Hua Tsai , Shyh-Jer Chen , Shih-Chien Fang
Published: October 2009

High-performance working practices in the hospitality industry have different applications for internal (full-time) employees and external (part-time, casual) workers and different outcomes for organizational performance. High-performance work practices include empowering the employee with higher task autonomy, reducing job titles and layers of management, implementing various extensive training programs and high employee selectivity, encouraging information-sharing programs, using performance-based pay, and implementing gain-sharing programs. Based on a study of 157 properties in Taiwan, hotels were more likely to apply control-based systems for their external employees, while commitment-based HR practices generally applied to internal employees. Of all the practices tested, the findings indicated that job satisfaction for casual employees in the hospitality industry might well be increased when employers offer flexible rewards such as bonuses paid according to performance. In keeping with other research, the study also found that hospitality organizations tend to have lower staff turnover if the organization employs more internal employees. The study also found a significant positive relationship between internal employment modes and productivity.