bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultralow-Power Electronics for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Chandrakasan Anantha P. , Verma Naveen , Daly Denis C.
Published: July 2008

The electronics of a general biomedical device consist of energy delivery, analog-to-digital conversion, signal processing, and communication subsystems. Each of these blocks must be designed for minimum energy consumption. Specific design techniques, such as aggressive voltage scaling, dynamic power-performance management, and energy-efficient signaling, must be employed to adhere to the stringent energy constraint. The constraint itself is set by the energy source, so energy harvesting holds tremendous promise toward enabling sophisticated systems without straining user lifestyle. Further, once harvested, efficient delivery of the low-energy levels, as well as robust operation in the aggressive low-power modes, requires careful understanding and treatment of the specific design limitations that dominate this realm. We outline the performance and power constraints of biomedical devices, and present circuit techniques to achieve complete systems operating down to power levels of microwatts. In all cases, approaches that leverage advanced technology trends are emphasized.
Injury Biomechanics and Child Abuse
Authors: Pierce Mary Clyde , Bertocci Gina
Published: July 2008

Child abuse is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young children and infants in the United States. Medical care providers, social services, and legal systems make critical decisions regarding injury and history plausibility daily. Injury plausibility judgments rely on evidence-based medicine, individualized experiences, and empirical data. A poor outcome may result if abuse is missed or an innocent family is accused, therefore evidence and science-based injury assessments are required. Although research in biomechanics has improved clinical understanding of injuries in children, much work is still required to develop a more scientific, rigorous approach to assessing injury causation. This article reviews key issues in child abuse and how injury biomechanics research may help improve accuracy in differentiating abuse from accidental events. Case-based biomechanical investigations, human surrogate, and computer modeling biomechanics research applied to child abuse injury are discussed. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of key research studies rather than on review or commentary articles. Limitations and future research needs are also reviewed.
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Sherry A. Dean , Woods Mark
Published: July 2008

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have become an important tool in clinical medicine. The most common agents are Gd3+-based complexes that shorten bulk water T1 by rapid exchange of a single inner-sphere water molecule with bulk solvent water. Current gadolinium agents lack tissue specificity and typically do not respond to their chemical environment. Recently, it has been demonstrated that MR contrast may be altered by an entirely different mechanism based on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). CEST contrast can originate from exchange of endogenous amide or hydroxyl protons or from exchangeable sites on exogenous CEST agents. This has opened the door for the discovery of new classes of responsive agents ranging from MR gene reporter molecules to small molecules that sense their tissue environment and respond to biological events.
Time and Frequency Activities at the U.S. Naval Observatory
Authors: Matsakis Demetrios
Published: July 2008

The US Naval Observatory (USNO) has provided timing for the navy since 1830 and, in cooperation with other institutions, has also provided timing for the United States and the international community. Its Master Clock (MC) is the source of UTC(USNO), the USNO′s realization of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which has stayed within 5 nanoseconds RMS of UTC since 1999. The data used to generate UTC(USNO) are based upon 73 cesium and 21 hydrogen maser frequency standards in three buildings at two sites. The USNO disseminates time via voice, telephone modem, LORAN, Network Time Protocol (NTP), GPS, and two‐way satellite time transfer (TWSTT). This paper describes some of the changes being made to meet the future needs for precision, accuracy, and robustness.
Fixed Points and Stability in Neutral Stochastic Differential Equations with Variable Delays
Authors: Wu Meng , Huang Nan-jing , Zhao Chang-Wen
Published: July 2008

We consider the mean square asymptotic stability of a generalized linear neutral stochastic differential equation with variable delays by using the fixed point theory. An asymptotic mean square stability theorem with a necessary and sufficient condition is proved, which improves and generalizes some results due to Burton, Zhang and Luo. Two examples are also given to illustrate our results.
Discrete Dynamics by Different Concepts of Majorization
Authors: Sauerbrei S. , Plath P. J. , Eiswirth M.
Published: July 2008

For the description of complex dynamics of open systems, an approach is given by different concepts of majorization (order structure). Discrete diffusion processes with both invariant object number and sink or source can be represented by the development of Young diagrams on lattices. As an experimental example, we investigated foam decay, dominated by sinks. The relevance of order structures for the
characterization of certain processes is discussed.
VLSI Implementation of Hybrid Wave‐Pipelined 2D DWT Using Lifting Scheme
Authors: Seetharaman G. , Venkataramani B. , Lakshminarayanan G.
Published: July 2008

A novel approach is proposed in this paper for the implementation of 2D DWT using hybrid wave‐pipelining (WP). A digital circuit may be operated at a higher frequency by using either pipelining or WP. Pipelining requires additional registers and it results in more area, power dissipation and clock routing complexity. Wave‐pipelining does not have any of these disadvantages but requires complex trial and error procedure for tuning the clock period and clock skew between input and output registers. In this paper, a hybrid scheme is proposed to get the benefits of both pipelining and WP techniques. In this paper, two automation schemes are proposed for the implementation of 2D DWT using hybrid WP on both
Xilinx, San Jose, CA, USA and Altera FPGAs. In the first scheme, Built‐in self‐test (BIST) approach is used to choose the clock skew and clock period for I/O registers between the wave‐pipelined blocks. In the second approach, an on‐chip soft‐core processor is used to choose the clock skew and clock period. The results for the hybrid WP are compared with nonpipelined and pipelined approaches. From the implementation results, the hybrid WP scheme requires the same area but faster than the nonpipelined scheme by a factor of 1.25–1.39. The pipelined scheme is faster than the hybrid scheme by a factor of 1.15–1.39 at the cost of an increase in the number of registers by a factor of 1.78–2.73, increase in the number of LEs by a factor of 1.11–1.32 and it increases the clock routing complexity.
Expression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Endothelin‐1 in Skin Tissue from Amputated Limbs of Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Authors: Groeneweg J. George , Antonissen Claudia Heijmans , Huygen Frank J. P. M. , Zijlstra Freek J.
Published: July 2008

Background and Objectives. Impaired microcirculation during the chronic stage of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is related to increased vasoconstriction, tissue hypoxia, and metabolic tissue acidosis in the affected limb. Endothelial dysfunction is suggested to be the main cause of diminished blood flow. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and endothelin‐1(ET‐1) relative to vascular density represented by the endothelial marker CD31‐immunoreactivity in the skin tissue of patients with chronic CRPS.Methods. We performed immunohistochemical staining on sections of skin specimens obtained from the amputated limbs (one arm and one leg) of two patients with CRPS.Results. In comparison to proximal specimens we found an increased number of migrated endothelial cells as well as an increase of eNOS activity in distal dermis specimens.Conclusions. We found indications that endothelial dysfunction plays a role in chronic CRPS.
Digital Eversion of a Hollow Structure: An Application in Virtual Colonography
Authors: Zhao Jun , Cao Liji , Zhuang Tiange , Wang Ge
Published: July 2008

A new methodology is presented for digital eversion of a hollow structure. The digital eversion is advantageous for better visualization of a larger portion of the inner surface with preservation of geometric relationship and without time‐consuming navigation. Together with other techniques, digital eversion may help improve screening, diagnosis, surgical planning, and medical education. Two eversion algorithms are proposed and evaluated in numerical simulation to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
Large‐Scale Fading and Time Dispersion Parameters of UWB Channel in Underground Mines
Authors: Chehri Abdellah , Fortier Paul , Tardif Pierre Martin
Published: July 2008

RF channel measurements in underground mines have important applications in the field of mobile
communications for improving operational efficiency and worker safety. This paper presents an experimental
study of the ultra wideband (UWB) radio channel, based on extensive sounding campaigns covering the
underground mine environment. Measurements were carried out in the frequency band of 2–5 GHz. Various
communication links were considered including both line‐of‐sight (LOS) and non‐LOS (NLOS) scenarios. In
this paper, we are interested in more details of the variations of the RMS delay spread and mean excess delay
with Tx/Rx separation, and the variation of RMS with mean excess. The distance dependency of path loss and
shadowing fading statistics is also investigated. To give an idea about the behaviour of UWB channel in
underground mines, a comparison of our approach with other published works is given including path loss
exponent, shadow fading variance, mean excess delay, and RMS delay spread.
Singular Spectrum Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles of Early Drosophila embryo: Exponential‐in‐Distance Patterns
Authors: Alexandrov T. , Golyandina N. , Spirov A.
Published: July 2008

We present investigation of gene expression profiles by means of singular spectrum analysis (SSA). The biological
problem under investigation is the decomposition of bicoid protein profiles of Drosophila melanogaster into
the sum of a signal and noise, where the former consists of an exponential‐in‐distance pattern and is close to constant
nonspecific component, or “background.” The signal processing problems addressed are (i) trend extraction
from a noisy signal, (ii) batch processing of similar data, and (iii) analytical approximation of the signal components
by the sum of exponential and constant‐like functions. The proposed methods are evaluated on the given 17 series.
Resveratrol Prevents Estrogen-DNA Adduct Formation and Neoplastic Transformation in MCF-10F Cells
Authors: Lu Fang , Zahid Muhammad , Wang Cheng , Saeed Muhammad , Cavalieri Ercole L. , Rogan Eleanor G.
Published: July 2008

Exposure to estrogens is a risk factor for breast cancer. Specific estrogen metabolites may initiate breast cancer and other cancers. Genotoxicity may be caused by cytochrome P450 (CYP)–mediated oxidation of catechol estrogens to quinones that react with DNA to form depurinating estrogen-DNA adducts. CYP1B1 favors quinone formation by catalyzing estrogen 4-hydroxylation, whereas NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) catalyzes the protective reduction of quinones to catechols. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces CYP1B1 expression through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Resveratrol has anticancer effects in diverse in vitro and in vivo systems and is an AhR antagonist that decreases CYP expression but induces NQO1 expression. The chemopreventive effect of resveratrol on breast cancer initiation was investigated in MCF-10F cells. Its effects on estrogen metabolism and formation of estrogen-DNA adducts were analyzed in culture medium by high-performance liquid chromatography, whereas its effects on CYP1B1 and NQO1 were determined by immunoblotting and immunostaining. The antitransformation effects of resveratrol were also examined. TCDD induced expression of CYP1B1 and its redistribution in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Concomitant treatment with resveratrol dose-dependently suppressed TCDD-induced expression of CYP1B1, mainly in the cytoplasm. Resveratrol dose- and time-dependently induced expression of NQO1. NQO1 is mainly in the perinuclear membrane of control cells, but resveratrol induced NQO1 and its intracellular redistribution, which involves nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2. Resveratrol decreased estrogen metabolism and blocked formation of DNA adducts in cells treated with TCDD and/or estradiol. Resveratrol also suppressed TCDD and/or estradiol-induced cell transformation. Thus, resveratrol can prevent breast cancer initiation by blocking multiple sites in the estrogen genotoxicity pathway.
Requirement for p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activity in Neointima Formation After Vascular Injury
Authors: Proctor Brandon M. , Jin Xiaohua , Lupu Traian S. , Muglia Louis J. , Semenkovich Clay F. , Muslin Anthony J.
Published: July 2008

Background—

Angioplasty and stent delivery are performed to treat atherosclerotic vascular disease but often cause deleterious neointimal lesion formation. Previously, growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2), an intracellular linker protein, was shown to be essential for neointima formation and for p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In this study, the role of vascular SMC p38α MAPK in neointimal development was examined.

Methods and Results—

Compound transgenic mice were generated with doxycycline-inducible SMC-specific expression of dominant-negative p38α MAPK (DN-p38α). Doxycycline treatment resulted in the expression of DN-p38α mRNA and protein in transgenic arteries. Doxycycline-treated compound transgenic mice were resistant to neointima formation 21 days after carotid injury and showed reduced arterial p38 MAPK activation. To explore the mechanism by which p38α MAPK promotes neointima formation, an in vitro SMC culture system was used. Inhibition of p38α MAPK in cultured SMCs by treatment with SB202190 or small interfering RNA blocked platelet-derived growth factor–induced SMC proliferation, DNA replication, phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, and induction of minichromosome maintenance protein 6.

Conclusions—

SMC p38α MAPK activation is required for neointima formation, perhaps because of its ability to promote retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and minichromosome maintenance protein 6 expression.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Mortality in Heart Failure
Authors: Dunlay Shannon M. , Weston Susan A. , Redfield Margaret M. , Killian Jill M. , Roger Véronique L.
Published: July 2008

Background—

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), an inflammatory cytokine, was reported to be elevated in trials of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and associated with mortality. Whether this is true for HF with preserved EF is unknown, and community data are lacking. We evaluated the distribution of TNFα, its association with baseline characteristics and mortality, and its benefit in assessing risk in community HF patients.

Methods and Results—

Olmsted County residents with active HF from July 2004 to March 2007 (n=486; mean age, 76.7 years; EF ≥50%, 55%) were prospectively recruited. Clinical characteristics and TNFα were measured. Elevated TNFα (more than the assay limit of normal of 2.8 pg/mL) was present in 143 (29%). Higher TNFα was associated with decreased creatinine clearance, nonsmoking status, anemia, and greater comorbidity (
P
trend
<0.05 for all). Mortality increased with increasing TNFα (
P
=0.016), with 1-year mortality estimates of 16%, 18%, 23%, and 32% from the lowest to highest quartile, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, and EF, the hazard ratios for death were 1.24, 1.37, and 1.90 from the second to the highest TNFα quartile, respectively (
P
trend
=0.007). TNFα contributed to risk assessment as indicated by increases in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves in all models examined (
P
<0.05 for all). Results did not differ by EF (
P
=0.60 interaction term of TNFα and EF).

Conclusions—

TNFα was elevated in a large portion of community HF patients, was associated with a large decrease in survival, and provided a significant incremental increase in risk assessment above established indicators. TNFα is useful for risk assessment in HF patients with preserved and reduced EF.
Renin Inhibitor Aliskiren Improves Impaired Nitric Oxide Bioavailability and Protects Against Atherosclerotic Changes
Authors: Imanishi Toshio , Tsujioka Hiroto , Ikejima Hideyuki , Kuroi Akio , Takarada Shigeho , Kitabata Hironori , Tanimoto Takashi , Muragaki Yasuteru , Mochizuki Seiichi , Goto Masami , Yoshida Kiyoshi , Akasaka Takashi
Published: July 2008

We investigated whether aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, improves NO bioavailability and protects against spontaneous atherosclerotic changes. We also examined the effects of cotreatment with aliskiren and valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, on the above-mentioned outcomes. Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits were treated with vehicle (control), aliskiren, valsartan, or aliskiren plus valsartan for 8 weeks. Then, acetylcholine-induced NO production was measured as a surrogate index of endothelium protective function, and both superoxide and vascular peroxynitrite were measured. Tetrahydrobiopterin in aortic segments was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Plaque area was quantified by histology. Increase in plasma NO concentration in response to intra-aortic acetylcholine infusion was significantly greater in all of the test groups than in controls. Aliskiren+valsartan cotreatment increased acetylcholine-induced NO by 6.2 nmol/L, which was significantly higher than that with either aliskiren or valsartan alone. Vascular superoxide and peroxynitrite levels were both significantly higher in controls and significantly lower in the aliskiren+valsartan group than in the aliskiren or valsartan group. The highest tetrahydrobiopterin levels were observed after aliskiren+valsartan cotreatment. Histology of the thoracic aorta revealed that the plaque area was significantly decreased with combination therapy compared with monotherapy. Treatment with a direct renin inhibitor has protective effects on endothelial function and atherosclerotic changes. Furthermore, cotreatment with a direct renin inhibitor and an angiotensin II receptor blocker has additive protective effects on both.
Modulation of Angiotensin II–Mediated Hypertension and Cardiac Remodeling by Lectin-Like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 Deletion
Authors: Hu Changping , Dandapat Abhijit , Sun Liuqin , Marwali Muhammad R. , Inoue Nobutaka , Sugawara Fumiaki , Inoue Kazuhiko , Kawase Yosuke , Jishage Kou-ichi , Suzuki Hiroshi , Hermonat Paul L. , Sawamura Tatsuya , Mehta Jawahar L.
Published: July 2008

Angiotensin II via type 1 receptor activation upregulates the expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), and LOX-1 activation, in turn, upregulates angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression. We postulated that interruption of this positive feedback loop might attenuate the genesis of angiotensin II–induced hypertension and subsequent cardiac remodeling. To examine this postulate, LOX-1 knockout and wild-type mice were infused with angiotensin II or norepinephrine (control for angiotensin II) for 4 weeks. Angiotensin II–, but not norepinephrine-, induced hypertension was attenuated in LOX-1 knockout mice. Angiotensin II–induced cardiac remodeling was also attenuated in LOX-1 knockout mice. Importantly, angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression was reduced, and the expression and activity of endothelial NO synthase were preserved in the tissues of LOX-1 knockout mice given angiotensin II. Reactive oxygen species generation, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase expression, and phosphorylation of p38 and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases were also much less pronounced in the LOX-1 knockout mice given angiotensin II. These alterations in biochemical and structural abnormalities were associated with preservation of cardiac hemodynamics in the LOX-1 knockout mice. To confirm that fibroblast function is modulated in the absence of LOX-1, cardiac fibroblasts from wild-type and LOX-1 knockout mice were treated with angiotensin II. Indeed, LOX-1 knockout mice cardiac fibroblasts revealed an attenuated profibrotic response on treatment with angiotensin II. These observations provide strong evidence that LOX-1 is a key modulator of the development of angiotensin II–induced hypertension and subsequent cardiac remodeling.
Importance of Using Observations of Mixing Depths in order to Avoid Large Prediction Errors by a Transport and Dispersion Model
Authors: White J. M. , Bowers J. F. , Hanna S. R. , Lundquist J. K.
Published: July 2008

The mixing depth of the boundary layer is an input to most atmospheric transport and dispersion (ATD) models, which obtain mixing depths in one of four ways: 1) observations by radiosondes, sodars, or other devices; 2) simulations by regional or mesoscale meteorological models; 3) parameterizations based on boundary layer similarity theory; or 4) climatological averages. This paper describes a situation during a field experiment when exceptionally low mixing depths persisted in the morning and led to relatively high observed tracer concentrations. The low mixing depths were caused by synoptic effects associated with a nearby stationary front and the outflow from a mesoscale thunderstorm complex located 20–50 km away. For the same time period, the ATD model-parameterized mixing depth was a factor of 5–10 higher, leading to predicted concentrations that were less than the observations by a factor of 5–10. The synoptic situation is described and local radiosonde and radar observations of mixing depth are presented, including comparisons with other more typical days. Time series of local observations of near-surface sensible heat fluxes are also plotted to demonstrate the suppression of turbulence by negative sensible heat fluxes during the period in question.
The High School “Space Race”
Authors: Militello Matthew , Metzger Scott Alan , Bowers Alex J.
Published: July 2008

This article examines the implications of competition between school districts in a mid-Michigan metropolitan area. Over the 10-year period after Michigan's major school-funding reform in 1994, many urban and suburban districts found themselves competing for per-pupil state funding. Suburban districts need extra students to make up budgetary shortfalls and protect instructional programs that are essential in today's political climate of school accountability. Several districts in this study built new or substantially renovated state-of-the-art high schools, possibly illustrating a space race between the districts to build bigger, better, newer capital assets that attract pupils and residential development. The central city district, surrounded by growing suburbs with higher-value taxable property, is at a disadvantage in this competition.
The Relationship Between Rheological Behavior and Toughening Mechanism of Toughened Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)
Authors: Yuan Zong  , Yongfeng Cheng  , Gance Dai
Published: July 2008

Mechanical properties, morphology, and rheological behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with different compatible agents were studied. The results showed that the addition of ethylene-butylacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (PTW) significantly improved the impact-strength property of PET over maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene octene elastomer copolymer (POE-g-MA), whereas silane coupling agent KH570 grafted polyethylene octane elastomer (POE-g-KH570) had no obvious contribution to the toughness of PET. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs indicated that the size of POE-g-MA and PTW particles were smaller that that of POE-g-KH570 and dispersed uniformly due to their interaction with PET. The rheological tests revealed the viscoelastic properties of PET/PTW and PET/POE-g-MA were different from that of PET/POE-g-KH570 ascribed to the high elastic of the compatibilizers and the finely dispersed particle. And it explained that the toughening mechanism of PET toughened system was mostly due to shear yielding.
Minimizing Disability: An Overview of the Pervasiveness, Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Depression in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Larsen Susan M. , Dashtipour Khashayar
Published: July 2008

This review was conducted to establish the degree to which depression can intensify and further complicate the difficulty of living with Parkinson's disease. The authors evaluated the literature on depression in Parkinson's disease, to better understand and report on its pervasiveness, clinical manifestations, and treatment. As a result of an extensive literature review, the analysis focused on Parkinson's disease depression research that has been conducted by the medical, social work, and psychological communities. The results suggest that nearly one third of all Parkinson's patients had some form of depression over the course of their disease. The clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease depression are daunting including yet not limited to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, psychomotor retardation, memory impairment, irrational thought processes, and suicidal ideation. Parkinson's disease depression can be successfully treated with a multiplicity of antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline are the most effective in treating depression, and hence the most commonly prescribed.
Pharmacologic Options for Treatment of Levodopa-Associated ``Wearing Off''
Authors: Waters Cheryl H. , Chen Jack J.
Published: July 2008

Levodopa remains the gold standard drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, but the combination of disease progression and prolonged treatment can lead to ``wearing-off'' problems in the majority of patients. This constitutes the onset of motor fluctuations which includes nonmotor sensory, psychiatric, and autonomic ``off '' symptoms. There are several pharmacologic options to minimize the ``wearing-off'' phenomenon, including adjustment of levodopa treatment, the use of long-acting dopamine agonists, monoamine oxidase type B inhibition, or catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibition in combination with levodopa. Dopamine agonists may reduce levodopa requirements. Monoamine oxidase type B inhibition can increase dopamine availability by preventing its metabolism. Similarly catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitors can increase the half-life of levodopa and the amount available to cross the blood-brain barrier by preventing its breakdown. The selection of a treatment for the management of ``wearing off'' should consider the relief of symptoms and also the potential adverse effects of adjunctive therapy.
The vanishing flexible: ambition, self-realization and flexibility in the career perspectives of young Belgian adults
Authors: Elchardus Mark , Smits Wendy
Published: July 2008

The cultural interpretation of career models, that links a preference for the flexible career to the quest for self-realization, and a preference for the linear, stable to the traditional work ethic, turns out to be empirically correct for the population considered in this analysis (inhabitants of Belgium, 19 to 36 years old). In contrast to what is posited by many authors, the traditional work ethic is, however, still quite strong. Moreover the career model that is both flexible and ambitious appears as a projection of the quest for self-realization onto the future career, but does not withstand experience with work and family life. As a consequence, many of the young people with a flexible career model shift towards either a traditional linear perspective or an ambitionless flat and rigid perspective as more life transitions are completed.
Private, Armed and Humanitarian? States, NGOs, International Private Security Companies and Shifting Humanitarianism
Authors: Spearin Christopher
Published: July 2008

The article contends that, in the light of contemporary challenges, states are not only changing the meaning of the word `humanitarian', but are also creating an expanding marketplace that includes international private security companies (PSCs) in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Three types of factors — supply, demand, and ideational — have led to this development. On the supply side, state-demanded limitations on the private employment of violence and reduced commercial opportunities in Iraq have called for PSC diversification. On the demand side, states increasingly wish for non-state partners that are comfortable with their involvement in integrated solutions, something that PSCs, rather than nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), are more willing to embrace. On the ideational side, NGOs are concerned that humanitarian endeavour is losing its neutral and impartial status in order to facilitate counterinsurgency, `hearts and minds' activities. PSCs, in contrast, are content with the partial delivery of assistance and likely will continue to be so given, in large part, the experiences of their personnel.
Actually Existing Security: The Political Economy of the Saharan Threat
Authors: Lacher Wolfram
Published: July 2008

The transformation of Saharan populations into an object of global security is analysed as a specific instance of security's expansion globally, as well as of its merger with development, understood as a side-effect of the former. It is shown that the search for threats in the Sahara, and the establishment of surveillance apparatuses, is a precondition for the detection and discursive production of these threats. Security, through its production of knowledge, manages to objectify what had hitherto constituted a borderland of knowledge and government. The securitization of the Sahara and its populations creates a field of intervention for diverse agents of security and development. However, it does so not as part of a coherent global regime of control, but on its own specific and random terms, within a political economy of danger that is the product of discursive and material struggles. The securitization of the Sahara, it is argued, should be seen as actually existing security — that is, a complex of security practices serving diverse interests, with contradictory and open-ended outcomes.
Learning From the Toxic Trenches
Authors: Gallos Joan V.
Published: July 2008

This article offers an insider's look at the power and consequences of high levels of workplace emotion in order to deepen understanding of the workplace relationships and practices needed for individual and organizational success. It begins with a definition of terms, illustrating the linkages among toxic emotions, organizational effectiveness, leading, and change. It explores insights and strategies for managing the dynamics and proposes five steps for sustaining healthy leaders in an increasingly pressurized work world. The article advocates new models for education and training, as well as renewed attention to the development of theories and structures that promote individual and organizational health.
Bioassay Research Methodology: Measuring CRH in Pregnancy
Authors: Latendresse Gwen , Ruiz Roberta Jeanne
Published: July 2008

Background. There are documented associations between elevated maternal corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, reports of these findings often lack sufficient detail and rationale regarding the bioassay methodology. This shortcoming can be problematic for researchers who do not possess in-depth laboratory sciences knowledge but who want to include bioassays in their investigations or to evaluate published reports. The quality and reliability of CRH measurement results can be significantly affected by variables encountered during sample collection, processing, storage, and bioassay. Thus, it is important to establish research laboratory protocols that are based on well-informed rationales and to carefully consider and control for relevant variables.

Approach. A synthesis of laboratory sciences literature regarding variables affecting CRH measurement in pregnancy is presented. Additionally, consultation with experienced researchers provided an in-depth understanding of CRH measurement. From these sources, a laboratory protocol for clinical research was developed.

Results. Multiple variables that are specific to the reliability of CRH measurement in pregnancy have been identified. These include sample collection methods, sample processing, sample integrity, sample storage, and the actual assay selected.

Conclusion. The reliability of CRH measurements can be significantly improved by identifying and controlling for variables encountered during sample collection, processing, storage, and bioassay. Adequate methodological details are difficult to glean solely from the published literature, thus consultation with well-informed researchers is necessary. A protocol for CRH bioassay in clinical research is proposed.
The Effect of Obesity on Heart Rate (Heart Period) and Physiologic Parameters During Pregnancy
Authors: Helmreich Rebecca Jo , Hundley Vanora , Varvel Patricia
Published: July 2008

Obesity and excess gestational weight gain (EGWG) in pregnancy increase the risk for adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Along with careful monitoring of weight gain during pregnancy, early identification of a maladaptive response to the changes of pregnancy may help to avoid adverse outcomes. Simple physiologic markers such as resting heart rate (HR), heart period (HP), and blood pressure (BP) may be powerful predictors of cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy. This article summarizes the current state of the science regarding the effect of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ! 30 kg/m2) and EGWG in pregnant women at rest in laboratory settings. The impact of differences in weight gain (kg and BMI) on pregnancy outcomes is also examined. A search was conducted for articles published from 1985 to 2006 reporting data on body weight and HR or HP at rest from randomized controlled trials or controlled trials conducted in laboratory settings involving pregnant women at low or high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes who were obese or had EGWG. A meta-analysis was conducted on the 23 studies meeting inclusion criteria to explore the relation of BMI to HR, HP, and physiologic parameters. Autonomic responsiveness was found to be diminished in obese women with a BMI > 30 kg/m2 and in women with high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, which may indicate a maladaptive autonomic response that is imbalanced and disorganized and that reduces adaptation to environmental demands.
Sonic drapery as a folding metaphor for a wearable visualization and sonification display
Authors: Beilharz Kirsty , Vande Moere Andrew
Published: July 2008

This article examines two different multimodal interpretations of a folding metaphor, with folding understood as a richly interpretable communication medium. The authors look at the mythological origins of giving voice to fabrics and the tradition in drapery and arts of creating folds to signify embedded meanings. Their projects explore the intertextuality and intermodality of drapery (found originally in painting) as the context for sonic drapery or audification of material in motion and electronic music created from sounds of cloth, friction and permutations of textile sounds. This notion of folding representation is then transported into a contemporary pervasive computing context, as the second section of the article concerns the design and development of a novel wearable visualization and sonification display device. This display is able to sense and externalize environmental data about the wearer using a deliberately subtle and ambiguous representation metaphor.
Clothing the homunculus
Authors: Barrass Stephen
Published: July 2008

The concept of the homunculus, or `body in the brain', has been used by neuroscientists to explain bodily illusions such as the Shrinking Waist, the disappearance of limbs from conscious perception with stroke, and the sensations of phantom limbs. In this article, the author proposes that the homunculus can also provide a theoretical basis for the design of wearable interfaces and information systems. This idea is explored in a series of practice-led experiments with textile interfaces. The first experiment, called ZiZi the Affectionate Couch, is a couch that responds with a tactile `purring' when it is stroked. Visitors to exhibitions of the couch have commented on the positive effects this tactile responsiveness has had on autistic children in their care. The next experiment, called Scruffy Scallyscrap, is a prototype of an actively tactile textile, called a `taxtile', that co-locates tactile input and output in the same textile substrate. The most recent development is a `nerve extension button' designed to connect a taxtile to the tactile sensations of the wearer. Ten of these buttons have been sewn on the inside of a fashion concept garment called Fauxy the Fake Fur with Feelings. In further work, Fauxy will be used to explore what effects these nerve extensions might have on the bodily perceptions and behaviours of the wearer.
An Analysis of Offending by Young People Looked After by Local Authorities
Authors: Darker Iain , Ward Harriet , Caulfield Laura
Published: July 2008

The association between local authority care and offending behaviour was examined in 250 looked after young people of the age of criminal responsibility. Whilst a greater number of the young people had committed offences than in the general population, the vast majority were law abiding. For those who did offend, the care episode itself was unlikely to have been the sole cause of their delinquency. The findings suggest that the services offered once the young people entered local authority care did not succeed in combating established offending behaviour. Perhaps initiatives targeted in the community prior to entry to care may be more effective.
The IB Diploma programme in national schools
Authors: Halicioğlu Margaret
Published: July 2008

This article gives an overview of the perceptions of professional staff involved in the delivery of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme at Turkish national schools. Overall, the results suggest that while many Turkish schools have staff who recognize the value of the IB Diploma programme, there are some major areas of concern which need to be addressed at school leadership level, such as consensus about the definition of an international education, and the necessity of adequate training and support for staff.
Psychometric Comparisons of 2 Versions of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale and 2 Versions of the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement
Authors: Hsueh I-Ping , Hsu Miao-Ju , Sheu Ching-Fan , Lee Su , Hsieh Ching-Lin , Lin Jau-Hong
Published: July 2008

Objective. To provide empirical justification for selecting motor scales for stroke patients, the authors compared the psychometric properties (validity, responsiveness, test-retest reliability, and smallest real difference [SRD]) of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale (FM), the simplified FM (S-FM), the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement instrument (STREAM), and the simplified STREAM (S-STREAM). Methods. For the validity and responsiveness study, 50 inpatients were assessed with the FM and the STREAM at admission and discharge to a rehabilitation department. The scores of the S-FM and the S-STREAM were retrieved from their corresponding scales. For the test-retest reliability study, a therapist administered both scales on a different sample of 60 chronic patients on 2 occasions. Results. Only the S-STREAM had no notable floor or ceiling effects at admission and discharge. The 4 motor scales had good concurrent validity (rho ≥ .91) and satisfactory predictive validity (rho = .72-.77). The scales showed responsiveness (effect size d ≥ 0.34; standardized response mean ≥ 0.95; P < .0001), with the S-STREAM most responsive. The test-retest agreements of the scales were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ .96). The SRD of the 4 scales was 10% of their corresponding highest score, indicating acceptable level of measurement error. The upper extremity and the lower extremity subscales of the 4 showed similar results. Conclusions. The 4 motor scales showed acceptable levels of reliability, validity, and responsiveness in stroke patients. The S-STREAM is recommended because it is short, responsive to change, and able to discriminate patients with severe or mild stroke.
Long-term safety of nebulized formoterol: Results of a twelve-month open-label clinical trial
Authors: Donohue James F. , Hanania Nicola A. , Fogarty Charles , Campbell Sammy C. , Rinehart Mike , Denis-Mize Kimberly
Published: July 2008

Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting β2-agonist that is an effective bronchodilator for the maintenance management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The safety profile of the newly developed nebulized formoterol was evaluated over a twelve-month period in an open-label, active-control study. After completing a twelve-week double-blind double-dummy period, 569 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease entered an open-label extension study and received twice-daily 20 µg formoterol fumarate inhalation solution for nebulization (FFIS) or 12 µg formoterol fumarate dry powder inhalation (FA) for 52 weeks. Most of the FFIS-treated subjects (86%) completed at least six months of open-label treatment with over 90% compliance, comparable to the FA group (88%). Results of safety monitoring for adverse events, laboratory values, and cardiac changes were similar between treatment groups. Three hundred forty (73%) of FFIS-treated subjects and 83 (78%) of FA-treated subjects experienced an adverse event over the course of the study, the majority of which were mild to moderate and considered unrelated to treatment. COPD exacerbation occurred in 15.8% of FFIS-treated and 17.9% of FA-treated subjects. Deaths, serious adverse events, and discontinuations for adverse events occurred in 1.3, 16.2, and 5.4% of the nebulized group versus 1.9, 17.9, and 7.5% of the inhaled group, respectively. There were no clinically important changes from baseline in laboratory tests, including serum potassium and glucose, or vital signs and no treatment-related increases in cardiac arrhythmias, heart rate, or QTc prolongation. We conclude that nebulized formoterol fumarate twice daily is well tolerated over long-term treatment in moderate-to-severe COPD subjects and has a similar safety profile to the DPI formulation.
Review: Oxidant—antioxidant imbalance in asthma: scientific evidence, epidemiological data and possible therapeutic options
Authors: Nadeem Ahmed , Masood Anbrin , Siddiqui Nahid
Published: July 2008

Prevalence of asthma has increased considerably in recent decades throughout the world especially in developed countries. Airway inflammation is thought to be prime cause for repeated episodes of airway obstruction in asthmatics. Several studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in initiation as well as amplification of inflammation in asthmatic airways. Excessive ROS production in asthma leads to alteration in key enzymatic as well as nonenzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, uric acid, thioredoxin, superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione peroxidases leading to oxidant—antioxidant imbalance in airways. Oxidant—antioxidant imbalance leads to pathophysiological effects associated with asthma such as vascular permeability, mucus hypersecretion, smooth muscle contraction, and epithelial shedding. Epidemiological data also support the scientific evidence of oxidant—antioxidant imbalance in asthmatics. Therefore, the supplementation of antioxidants to boost the endogenous antioxidants or scavenge excessive ROS production could be utilized to dampen/prevent the inflammatory response in asthma by restoring oxidant—antioxidant balance. This review summarizes the scientific and epidemiological evidence linking asthma with oxidant—antioxidant imbalance and possible antioxidant strategies that can be used therapeutically for better management of asthma.
Analysis of the linker for activation of T cells and the linker for activation of B cells in natural killer cells reveals a novel signaling cassette, dual usage in ITAM signaling, and influence on development of the Ly49 repertoire
Authors: Whittaker Gillian C. , Burshtyn Deborah N. , Orr Selinda J. , Quigley Laura , Hodge Deborah L. , Pascal Véronique , Zhang Weiguo , McVicar Daniel W.
Published: July 2008

The linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and the linker for activation of B cells (LAB/NTAL/LAT2) are integral proteins in receptor coupling to downstream events. Both proteins are expressed in natural killer (NK) cells and LAT is phosphorylated during target cell interactions or ligation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)–coupled CD16. Regardless, Lat−/− mice exhibit normal natural and antibody-mediated killing. Here we place both LAT and LAB in the DAP12 pathway of NK cells. Moreover, we unveil a LAT-independent pathway that requires expression of Syk. Mice lacking either LAT or LAB have a skewed Ly49 repertoire, and activated NK cells from Lat−/− mice have reduced responses to the ITAM-coupled receptor NK1.1. In contrast, resting Lat−/− NK cells show intact NK1.1 responses, whereas NK cells without LAB are hyperactive. Elimination of both adaptors severely reduces NK1.1 signaling under both conditions. Together these data show that NK ITAMs preferentially use a signaling cassette regulated by interplay between LAT and LAB. Activation by interleukin-2 causes a shift to greater dependency on LAT due to suppression of Syk signaling. The overlapping use of multiple adaptors permits fine-tuning of NK-cell ITAM responses over the course of an immune response.