bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple Method of Designing the Thickness of a Nonlinear Optical Crystal of Second-Harmonic Generation under Imperfect Phase-Matching Conditions
Authors: Harimoto Tetsuo
Published: September 2012

A simple method of designing the thickness of a nonlinear optical crystal used in the second-harmonic generation corresponding to the maximum second-harmonic intensity is discussed under imperfect phase-matching conditions.
Mechanism of protection of transepithelial barrier function byLactobacillus salivarius: strain dependence and attenuation by bacteriocin production
Authors: Miyauchi Eiji , O'Callaghan John , Buttó Ludovica F. , Hurley Gráinne , Melgar Silvia , Tanabe Soichi , Shanahan Fergus , Nally Kenneth , O'Toole Paul W.
Published: September 2012

Enhanced barrier function is one mechanism whereby commensals and probiotic bacteria limit translocation of foreign antigens or pathogens in the gut. However, barrier protection is not exhibited by all probiotic or commensals and the strain-specific molecules involved remain to be clarified. We evaluated the effects of 33 individual Lactobacillus salivarius strains on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced barrier impairment in human epithelial Caco-2 cells. These strains showed markedly different effects on H2O2-induced reduction in transepithelial resistance (TER). The effective strains such as UCC118 and CCUG38008 attenuated H2O2-induced disassembly and relocalization of tight junction proteins, but the ineffective strain AH43324 did not. Strains UCC118 and CCUG38008 induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in Caco-2 cells, and the ERK inhibitor U0126 attenuated the barrier-protecting effect of these strains. In contrast, the AH43324 strain induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38, which was associated with an absence of a protective effect. Global transcriptome analysis of UCC118 and AH43324 revealed that some genes in a bacteriocin gene cluster were upregulated in AH43324 under TER assay conditions. A bacteriocin-negative UCC118 mutant displayed significantly greater suppressive effect on H2O2-induced reduction in TER compared with wild-type UCC118. The wild-type strain augmented H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38, whereas a bacteriocin-negative UCC118 mutant did not. These observations indicate that L. salivarius strains are widely divergent in their capacity for barrier protection, and this is underpinned by differences in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Furthermore, bacteriocin production appears to have an attenuating influence on lactobacillus-mediated barrier protection.
Effect of afferent feedback and central motor commands on soleus H-reflex suppression during arm cycling
Authors: Hundza S. R. , de Ruiter Geoff C. , Klimstra M. , Zehr E. Paul
Published: September 2012

Suppression of soleus H-reflex amplitude in stationary legs is seen during rhythmic arm cycling. We examined the influence of various arm-cycling parameters on this interlimb reflex modulation to determine the origin of the effect. We previously showed the suppression to be graded with the frequency of arm cycling but not largely influenced by changes in peripheral input associated with crank length. Here, we more explicitly explored the contribution of afferent feedback related to arm movement on the soleus H-reflex suppression. We explored the influence of load and rate of muscle stretch by manipulating crank-load and arm-muscle vibration during arm cycling. Furthermore, internally driven (“Active”) and externally driven (“Passive”) arm cycling was compared. Soleus H-reflexes were evoked with tibial nerve stimulation during stationary control and rhythmic arm-cycling conditions, including: 1) six different loads; 2) with and without vibration to arm muscles; and 3) Active and Passive conditions. No significant differences were seen in the level of suppression between the different crank loads or between conditions with and without arm-muscle vibration. Furthermore, in contrast to the clear effect seen during active cycling, passive arm cycling did not significantly suppress the soleus H-reflex amplitude. Current results, in conjunction with previous findings, suggest that the afferent feedback examined in these studies is not the primary source responsible for soleus H-reflex suppression. Instead, it appears that central motor commands (supraspinal or spinal in origin) associated with frequency of arm cycling are relatively more dominant sources.
The gating of neocortical information by modulators
Authors: Varela C.
Published: September 2012

Thalamic input to the neocortex is crucial for sensory perception and constitutes the basis of complex awake behavior. Connections within the neocortex play an important role in internally generated neural activity, which is considered critical for memory retrieval and for the generation of imagery in our dreams. Modulatory neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline and acetylcholine, gate information transmission in the brain. Favero et al. ( J Neurophysiol 108: 1010–1024, 2012) show that modulators differentially facilitate thalamocortical relative to intracortical transmission in the input layers of cortex.
Knockouts reveal overlapping functions of M2 and M4 muscarinic receptors and evidence for a local glutamatergic circuit within the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus
Authors: Kohlmeier Kristi A. , Ishibashi Masaru , Wess Jürgen , Bickford Martha E. , Leonard Christopher S.
Published: September 2012

Cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental (LDT) and peduncolopontine tegmental (PPT) nuclei regulate reward, arousal, and sensory gating via major projections to midbrain dopamine regions, the thalamus, and pontine targets. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) on LDT neurons produce a membrane hyperpolarization and inhibit spike-evoked Ca2+ transients. Pharmacological studies suggest M2 mAChRs are involved, but the role of these and other localized mAChRs (M1--M4) has not been definitively tested. To identify the underlying receptors and to circumvent the limited receptor selectivity of available mAChR ligands, we used light- and electron-immunomicroscopy and whole cell recording with Ca2+ imaging in brain slices from knockout mice constitutively lacking either M2, M4, or both mAChRs. Immunomicroscopy findings support a role for M2 mAChRs, since cholinergic and noncholinergic LDT and pedunculopontine tegmental neurons contain M2-specific immunoreactivity. However, whole cell recording revealed that the presence of either M2 or M4 mAChRs was sufficient, and that the presence of at least one of these receptors was required for these carbachol actions. Moreover, in the absence of M2 and M4 mAChRs, carbachol elicited both direct excitation and barrages of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials (sEPSPs) in cholinergic LDT neurons mediated by M1 and/or M3 mAChRs. Focal carbachol application to surgically reduced slices suggest that local glutamatergic neurons are a source of these sEPSPs. Finally, neither direct nor indirect excitation were knockout artifacts, since each was detected in wild-type slices, although sEPSP barrages were delayed, suggesting M2 and M4 receptors normally delay excitation of glutamatergic inputs. Collectively, our findings indicate that multiple mAChRs coordinate cholinergic outflow from the LDT in an unexpectedly complex manner. An intriguing possibility is that a local circuit transforms LDT muscarinic inputs from a negative feedback signal for transient inputs into positive feedback for persistent inputs to facilitate different firing patterns across behavioral states.
Relationship of adiponectin and leptin to coronary artery disease, classical cardiovascular risk factors and atherothrombotic biomarkers in the IARS cohort
Authors: Rao Veena S. , Ravindran Vandana , Dhanalakshmi Bhaskar , Hebbagodi Sridhara , Kakkar Vijay V. , Shanker Jayashree
Published: September 2012

Adiponectin and leptin link metabolic disorders and coronary artery disease (CAD). We analysed their relationship with CAD, classical risk factors and biomarkers in 287 CAD patients (cases) and 477 unaffected family members (controls) selected from the Indian Atherosclerosis Research Study (IARS). Classical risk factors included diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity markers. Novel biomarkers were measured according to manufacturer recommendations. Adverse clinical events were recorded through telephonic follow-up. Cases showed lower adiponectin levels (4684.62 ± 190.73 ng/ml) than controls (5768.86 ± 152.87 ng/ml) (p=1.58X10–5); Leptin levels were higher in affected males (12.47 ± 1.32 ng/ml) than in male controls (9.53 ± 1.19 ng/ml, p=0.017). Adiponectin 1st quartile showed significant protection against CAD in females when compared to 3rd (odds ratio [OR] 0.39, 0.16–0.92, p=0.032) or 4th (OR 0.32, 0.14–0.72; p=0.006) quartile group. Leptin 3rd quartile showed higher CAD risk in males as compared to 1st quartile group (OR 2.09, 1.09–4.01, p=0.028). Subjects with metabolic syndrome showed low adiponectin and high leptin levels. Adipokines showed opposing association trend with lipids, inflammatory and coagulation markers and strong correlation (r=-0.14 to 0.52) with obesity markers. Cases with recurrent event and controls who developed new cardiac event during follow up showed high adiponectin levels (p<0.05). A model that combined adiponectin, leptin and conventional risk factors yielded the best ‘C’ index (0.890, 0.067–0.912). CAD patients in the top adiponectin tertile showed relatively poor survival curve as compared to the bottom Adiponectin tertile group. In conclusion, our findings strengthen the reported association between low adiponectin, high leptin, obesity-related metabolic disturbances and incident CAD in Asian Indians.
Coagulation on Endothelial Cells: The Underexposed Part of Virchow’s Triad
Authors: Geenen Irma , Post Mark , Molin Daniel , Schurink Geert , Maessen Jos , Oerle Rene , Cate Hugo , Spronk Henri
Published: September 2012

The process of thrombin generation involves numerous plasma proteases and cofactors. Interaction with the vessel wall, in particular endothelial cells (ECs), influences this process but data on this interaction is limited. We evaluated thrombin generation on EA.hy926, human coronary arterial ECs (HCAECs) and patient-derived human venous ECs (HVECs) by means of a modified calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) method and especially looked into contribution of the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Thrombin generation was measured in presence of confluent ECs with normal pooled and factor XII-deficient (FXII-deficient) platelet-poor plasma, with/without active site inhibited factor VIIa (ASIS) to block the extrinsic pathway and corn trypsin inhibitor for blocking contact activation (intrinsic pathway). Fetal bovine serum (FBS) was removed from culture conditions as FXIIa from the serum retained on ECs apparently, thereby inducing strong contact activation. In serum-free conditions, EA.hy926 and patient-derived HVECs induced thrombin generation mainly via the contact activation pathway with minor influence of ASIS on peak height and very low thrombin generation curves in FXII-deficient plasma. HVECs derived from coronary arterial bypass graft (CABG) patients showed increased thrombin generation compared to control patients, which could be ascribed to increased contact activation. Contribution of the extrinsic pathway on patient-derived ECs was limited. We conclude that the CAT method in combination with serum-free cultured ECs offers a valuable high-throughput method to evaluate endothelial influences on thrombin generation, which appears to involve predominantly contact activation on ECs. Contact activation-mediated thrombin generation was increased on ECs from CABG patients compared to controls.
Local inflammation is associated with aortic thrombus formation in abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Sagan Agnieszka , Mrowiecki Wojciech , Mikolajczyk Tomasz , Urbanski Karol , Siedlinski Mateusz , Nosalski Ryszard , Korbut Ryszard , Guzik Tomasz
Published: September 2012

Intraluminal thrombus formation in aortic abdominal aneurysms (AAA) is associated with adverse clinical prognosis. Interplay between coagulation and inflammation, characterised by leukocyte infiltration and cytokine production, has been implicated in AAA thrombus formation. We studied leukocyte (CD45+) content by flow cytometry in AAA thrombi from 27 patients undergoing surgical repair. Luminal parts of thrombi were leukocyte-rich, while abluminal segments showed low leukocyte content. CD66b+ granulocytes were the most prevalent, but their content was similar to blood. Monocytes (CD14+) and T cells (CD3+) were also abundant, while content of B lymphocytes (CD19+) and NK cells (CD56+CD16+) were low. Thrombi showed comparable content of CD14highCD16− monocytes and lower CD14highCD16+ and CD14dimCD16+, than blood. Monocytes were activated with high CD11b, CD11c and HLA-DR expression. Total T cell content was decreased in AAA thrombus compared to peripheral blood but CD8 and CD3+CD4-CD8− (double negative T cell) contents were increased in thrombi. CD4+ cells were lower but highly activated (high CD69, CD25 and HLA-DR). No differences in T regulatory (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) cell or pro-atherogenic CD4+CD28null lymphocyte content were observed between thrombi and blood. Thrombus T cells expressed high levels of CCR5 receptor for chemokine RANTES, commonly released from activated platelets. Leukocyte or T cell content in thrombi was not correlated with aneurysm size. However, CD3+ content was significantly associated with smoking in multivariate analysis taking into account major risk factors for atherosclerosis. In conclusion, intraluminal AAA thrombi are highly inflamed, predominantly with granulocytes, CD14highCD16− monocytes and activated T lymphocytes. Smoking is associated with T cell infiltration in AAA intraluminal thrombi.
MicroRNA-10 Regulates the Angiogenic Behavior of Zebrafish and Human Endothelial Cells by Promoting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling
Authors: Hassel David , Cheng Paul , White Mark P. , Ivey Kathryn N. , Kroll Jens , Augustin Hellmut G. , Katus Hugo A. , Stainier Didier Y.R. , Srivastava Deepak
Published: September 2012

Rationale:

Formation and remodeling of the vasculature during development and disease involve a highly conserved and precisely regulated network of attractants and repellants. Various signaling pathways control the behavior of endothelial cells, but their posttranscriptional dose titration by microRNAs is poorly understood.

Objective:

To identify microRNAs that regulate angiogenesis.

Methods and Results:

We show that the highly conserved microRNA family encoding miR-10 regulates the behavior of endothelial cells during angiogenesis by positively titrating proangiogenic signaling. Knockdown of miR-10 led to premature truncation of intersegmental vessel growth in the trunk of zebrafish larvae, whereas overexpression of miR-10 promoted angiogenic behavior in zebrafish and cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells. We found that miR-10 functions, in part, by directly regulating the level of fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), a cell-surface protein that sequesters vascular endothelial growth factor, and its soluble splice variant sFLT1. The increase in FLT1/sFLT1 protein levels upon miR-10 knockdown in zebrafish and in human umbilical venous endothelial cells inhibited the angiogenic behavior of endothelial cells largely by antagonizing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling.

Conclusions:

Our study provides insights into how FLT1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling is titrated in a microRNA-mediated manner and establishes miR-10 as a potential new target for the selective modulation of angiogenesis.
The burden of reciprocity: Processes of exclusion and withdrawal from personal networks among low-income families
Authors: Offer Shira
Published: September 2012

Reciprocity has been traditionally treated in sociological and anthropological theory as a force of integration that keeps network members tied together through a complex web of obligations and interdependencies. This article suggests that in the context of poverty it can be a burden and source of relational stress that leads to the demise of social relationships. It is argued that poverty can make it difficult for individuals to maintain relations with others and participate in social support networks because they do not have many resources to share and reciprocate. Recently published ethnographic studies on the social networks of low-income families in the United States form the basis for a micro-level model linking poverty to social fragmentation. By focusing on the suppressive effect of reciprocity, this model identifies two major emergent mechanisms – exclusion and withdrawal – operating in two realms – material and normative – that are conducive to social fragmentation. This article thus promotes our understanding of the ways in which relational dynamics affect low-income families’ social well-being and contributes methodologically by laying the groundwork for future empirical research.
Inculcating the Ergonomic Culture in Developing Countries
Authors: Jayaratne Kapila
Published: September 2012

Objective:

The aim of this article is to describe a survey on ergonomic factors of classroom environments of school children, their influence on health, and use of research outcomes to launch a healthy schoolbag initiative.

Background:

Ergonomics have not yet well penetrated relevant fields in industrially developing countries, such as Sri Lanka. One of the crucial parameters of the school environment is ergonomics. Available evidence suggests ergonomic mismatches in classroom settings. Good practice examples in child ergonomic interventions are few in resource-poor contexts.

Method:

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a district in Sri Lanka with a sample of 1,607 children in Grades 6 to 8 with the use of a stratified multistage cluster sampling method.

Results:

Many children did experience discomfort related to substandard seating arrangements in the classroom. A significant proportion had to turn their necks to see the blackboard. For many children, seating locations were not changed. There were widespread incompatibilities of classroom furniture with anthropometric dimensions of children. A majority of children perceived discomfort contributed by mismatched classroom furniture. Carriage of school materials was not healthy. Deficiencies were noted in weight, model, ergonomic features, and carrying behavior of bags. Children experienced several negative effects, in part attributable to mismatched ergonomic factors.

Application:

The schoolbag was considered a priority issue. Findings were disseminated to stakeholders and to media. Solutions were contemplated on bag weight reduction, healthy schoolbag introduction, and behavior change in a collaborative initiative with the Education Ministry. Political, administrative, and business stakeholders were successfully engaged to inculcate an ergonomic culture in an industrially developing country.
Comparison of Correctional Services for Youth Incarcerated in Adult and Juvenile Facilities in Michigan
Authors: Ng Irene Y. H. , Sarri Rosemary C. , Shook Jeffrey J. , Stoffregen Elizabeth
Published: September 2012

Few studies have compared correctional service experiences of youth in adult prisons and juvenile facilities. This study compared 47 youth in juvenile facilities and 49 youth in adult prisons in Michigan. Controlling for offence history, socioeconomic background, and demographic characteristics, juvenile placement was found to be associated with more positive responses for counseling, medical services, and staff quality. Experiences with the quantity of education and work programs were similar, although the quality of education and work might have differed. Poor correctional services in adult prisons might be a reason for less effective rehabilitation, leading to lower deterrence.
Pathways of Substance Use Among Female and Male Inmates in Canadian Federal Settings
Authors: Plourde Chantal , Brochu Serge , Gendron Annie , Brunelle Natacha
Published: September 2012

This article presents a comparative study of 317 male and 176 female Canadian penitentiary inmates and considers the impact of incarceration on their substance use pathways. Ten men’s and 5 women’s penitentiaries were visited across Canada as part of two successive studies. The 493 respondents completed a questionnaire on their substance use habits before and during incarceration. Substance use before incarceration is important for female and male inmates. The consumption of alcohol and drugs during incarceration is significantly higher among men than women. The results also show that length of incarceration, security level, preincarceration drug use, and prior regular drug use are risk factors associated with substance use during incarceration.
The Metonymic Urbanism of Twenty-first-century Mumbai
Authors: Harris Andrew
Published: September 2012

Over the past decade, Mumbai has increasingly been understood as representative of new forms, trajectories and processes of 21st-century urbanism. This has been a welcome rejoinder to a continued predominance of North American and European cities within international urban research and debate. Yet it is important to query what theory cultures and geographical imaginations have been mapped onto Mumbai in this recent emphasis on the city. This paper argues that, unless Mumbai’s specificities and grounded realities are used to disrupt and reframe existing urban analysis, there is a risk of replicating the comparative perspectives and visions of élite policy-making. This does not mean conferring paradigmatic status on Mumbai or isolating Mumbai as an exceptional form of contemporary urbanism, but instead generating new theoretical dialogue and opening up new channels of urban research and policy formation within a wider world of cities.
Wheels of Fame and Fortune: The Travels of the Singapore Flyer
Authors: Yap Erica X. Y.
Published: September 2012

Despite their rapid proliferation across cities world-wide, observation wheels have received far less attention in the academic literature. Drawing on recent work that theorises architecture as mobile, this paper argues that observation wheels must be understood not only as local features of the urban landscape but also as popular travelling urban forms. However, not all wheels have equal propensities for travel. As this paper will show, although the Singapore Flyer is currently the world’s tallest observation wheel, it is much less referenced as a model of inspiration by cities seeking to construct their own wheels as compared to its predecessor, the London Eye. This, it is argued, points to how certain cities continue to be deemed as being more desirable of emulation than others, a reality that should challenge us to remain sensitive to the persistent inequality of our urban worlds.
Applying Prevention and Positive Youth Development Theory to Predict Depressive Symptoms Among Young People
Authors: Olson Jonathan R. , Goddard H. Wallace
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of depressive symptoms among adolescents using concepts drawn from two theoretical models that underlie popular youth-focused programs. Specifically, we assessed the degree to which family-level risk factors increase the likelihood of depressive symptoms, and the degree to which community and/or school-level protective/promotive factors either buffer against risk, or directly lead to lower levels of depressive symptoms. Results indicate that three of the four hypothesized risk factors were associated with elevated levels of depressive symptoms. In addition, the protective/promotive factors had more promotive than protective effects because they were directly related to lower levels of symptoms. Implications for youth-focused programming are discussed.
Proprioception and Person Perception
Authors: Slepian Michael L. , Rule Nicholas O. , Ambady Nalini
Published: September 2012

Social-categorical knowledge is partially grounded in proprioception. In Study 1, participants describing “hard” and “soft” politicians, and “hard” and “soft” scientists used different “hard” and “soft” traits for the two groups, suggesting that the meaning of these traits is context specific. Studies 2 to 4 showed that both meanings were supported by hard and soft proprioception. Consistent with political stereotypes, perceivers viewing faces while handling a hard ball were more likely to categorize them as Republicans rather than as Democrats, compared to perceivers viewing the same faces while handling a soft ball (Study 2). Similarly, consistent with stereotypes of “hard” and “soft” academic disciplines, perceivers were more likely to categorize photographs of professors as physicists than historians when handling a hard versus soft ball (Study 3). Finally, thinking about Republicans and Democrats led participants to perceive a ball as harder or softer, respectively, suggesting that simulating proprioception might aid social-categorical thinking (Study 4).
Crossing the line? White young people and community cohesion
Authors: Thomas Paul , Sanderson Pete
Published: September 2012

The emergence of community cohesion as a British policy priority has represented a discursive shift in approaches to race relations, the emphasis on ethnic diversity downplayed in favour of commonality, shared values and the promotion of national identity. Central to community cohesion has been a focus on ‘contact’ as a way of overcoming ‘parallel lives’, and the need for communities to take responsibility within processes of contact and dialogue. The political focus, echoing past assimilationist discourses, has been on an alleged lack of integration on the part of Muslims; by contrast little attention is paid to how white working class young people view the contact central to cohesion strategies. This paper draws on case study evidence from Oldham and Rochdale, Greater Manchester to interpret the limited support the young white respondents have for cross-ethnic contact, and the relevance of class experience to these views.
The cafe as affective community space: Reconceptualizing care and emotional labour in everyday life
Authors: Warner Jo , Talbot Dawn , Bennison Gerry
Published: September 2012

The importance of cafes in fulfilling certain political, cultural and social functions has long been acknowledged in the social sciences. Despite this interest, there has been relatively little empirical or theoretical work which explores the intersection between the idea of the cafe and the concept of care as understood in social policy and practice. In particular, there has been little work that considers the social value of sites such as cafes, especially in deprived areas, and the role they may play in the day-to-day lives of people who use them. Through a detailed case study of a cafe, we examine the meaning of community, family and home in terms of the affective connections that places like cafes entail. We argue that powerful forms of everyday care work may be found in such sites, and we advocate for greater awareness in social policy of the complex and multilayered nature of emotional labour in this context.
How long in the wilderness? Australian lesbian parents and social policy reform
Authors: Rawsthorne Margot
Published: September 2012

Australian social policy and legislation in relation to gay men, lesbians and their families have been ‘revolutionized’ over recent years. Between 2008 and 2010 alone we have seen an incredible 84 separate pieces of legislation amended to recognize same sex relationships in Commonwealth legislation. For some rights activists, these reforms have been too long coming but for others they have created real disquiet about the way they position non-heterosexual relationships. This article draws on qualitative interviews undertaken with lesbian women who parent in New South Wales, Australia. Two waves of interviews are drawn on, the first occurring prior to Australian government reforms and the second after the reforms. The interviews provide an insight into the lived experiences of social policy reforms, highlighting how these women weigh up and reconcile legal recognition. These women’s experiences remind us again of the limitations of legal reform to bring about social or cultural change, particularly in the context of neo-liberalism. This paper seeks to ask what is the nature of this ‘revolution’ and, why now?
The good, the bad and the vague: Assessing emerging Conservative drug policy
Authors: Watson John
Published: September 2012

New Labour came to power promising to offer a new, evidence based approach towards drug policy. However, despite early promise, the latter years of the Labour government descended towards tabloid led criminal justice populism. During the same period, the Conservative opposition often gave contradictory messages on policy, although they increasingly appeared to veer towards a hard-line, abstinence based approach. In power they have moved quickly to produce a drugs strategy that promises a move towards a ‘recovery’ agenda. This article reviews and evaluates the evolving Conservative Party policies on drugs misuse and explores whether the strategy lives up to its ambitious rhetoric and its stated aim to follow evidence based policies. It finds a mixture of laudable aims; vague and sometimes contradictory statements; proposals that are unsupported, and sometimes contraindicated, by evidence; and policy goals that are often at risk of being undermined by a wider policy agenda that threatens to marginalize people with drug problems still further.
The Autonomy of Technique as a Social and Historical Description
Authors: Vanderburg Willem H.
Published: September 2012

This article explores the social and historical conditions under which “people changing technology” overshadows that of “technology changing people” through its influence on human life, society, and the biosphere. Social construction and determinism are thus two sides of the same coin. However, both ignore the inseparability of thoughts and action from lives, lives from communities, and communities from their historical journeys. This hides from view the possibility of technology becoming a secular myth, in the sense of cultural anthropology. The current discipline-based intellectual and professional division of labor treats the living world as if it were structured the way technology is. As a result, human life has become “digitized,” since the process of industrialization transformed human life and society to make the computer and information revolution both possible and necessary. It has also misdirected our sense of responsibility for technology.
Bridging the Gap
Authors: Freeman Lynne , Spanjaard Daniela
Published: September 2012

This article challenges the content of most marketing research courses whereby students are indoctrinated into the qualitative-then-quantitative archetype commonly found in scholarly research, under the assumption that it is both sufficient and appropriate when equipping students with the necessary skills for business. By following this standard format, where discussion of qualitative research methods is usually limited to focus groups and depth interviews, academics are potentially penalizing students and their future employers by providing them with a restricted set of abilities. Are we producing a generation of future marketing managers who rather than embracing the possibilities for deep understanding will instead limit themselves to the mainstream? In the article the authors consider the value and viability of introducing ethnographic techniques into the marketing research curriculum to complement existing qualitative methods and provide four examples to demonstrate this. The authors do not negate the need for marketing courses to continue to teach students the “basics” of marketing research but rather challenge the idea that this archetype provides all the necessary skills. If marketing educators are to truly equip students for future roles as decision makers in business, the authors recommend that ethnography must be considered a viable alternative method of marketing research.
For the turtles’ sake: Miracles, the third sector and hegemony on the coast of Oaxaca (Mexico)
Authors: Macip Ricardo F.
Published: September 2012

Turtle fishing – which defined life and work, and the tempo and contours of the coast of Oaxaca – was halted by presidential decree in 1990. The industry’s workers converted from predators into guardians of nature under the stewardship of an emergent civil society that coordinated the efforts of environmental NGOs, the regulations of corresponding governmental agencies, and funding from private and public donors. Here I discuss the material and ideological transformation of the social relations of production in an ‘environmental’ class project. I argue an interpretation focused on the relation between coercion and consent in a hegemonic process of class rule.
The scales of occupation: ‘Operation Cast Lead’ and the targeting of the Gaza Strip
Authors: Allen Lori
Published: September 2012

This article analyses the role of scalar politics in the 22-day Israeli assault on the occupied Gaza Strip that happened in the winter of 2008–9, and argues that practices of organizing and representing different kinds of scale have helped normalize occupation violence. Israeli regulatory mechanisms and a variety of scalar narratives of the occupied Palestinian territory constructed geographical, material and sensorial aspects of space and scale in a way that allowed the Israeli ‘Operation Cast Lead’ to stand out as anomalous, when it was in fact part of an ongoing, systematic military occupation. The ways that space and scale have been constructed throughout the occupied Palestinian territory in many ways echo modes of fragmentation and social segregation that enable forms of violence seen in enclaved cities around the globe. The Palestinian case calls for additional attention to the imbrication of different kinds of scale – density, distance, time and destruction – as they are shaped militarily and discursively.
Critical anthropological thought and the radical political imaginary today
Authors: Hage Ghassan
Published: September 2012

This article begins by defining the specificity of critical anthropological thought and the way it can articulate with radical politics. It shows how the anthropology of Eduardo Vivieros de Castro offers a paradigmatic example of an anthropology that is both critical and radical, highlighting both the critical and political nature of Viveiros de Castro’s perspectivism and his concept of multinaturalism. It shows how this concept can offer a political and critical perspective that forms a basis for the unification of the concerns of both ‘primitivist’ and ‘modernist’ anthropology.
Anticipatory development: Mobilizing civil society in Tanzania
Authors: Green Maia
Published: September 2012

This article examines the globalization of civil society through the proliferation of non-governmental organizations in developing countries. By focusing on the technologies and methods through which these new forms are globalized their expansion becomes explicable without recourse to theories of neoliberal governmentality. New organizational templates and the role of writing are highlighted in the dissemination of civil society forms in developing countries. These organizations do not represent an extension of state power but a multiplicity of peripheral positions from which actors seek contractual engagement in development relations.
Study on characteristics of printed circuit board liberation and its crushed products
Authors: Quan Cui , Li Aimin , Gao Ningbo
Published: September 2012

Recycling printed circuit board waste (PCBW) waste is a hot issue of environmental protection and resource recycling. Mechanical and thermo-chemical methods are two traditional recycling processes for PCBW. In the present research, a two-step crushing process combined with a coarse-crushing step and a fine-pulverizing step was adopted, and then the crushed products were classified into seven different fractions with a standard sieve. The liberation situation and particle shape in different size fractions were observed. Properties of different size fractions, such as heating value, thermogravimetric, proximate, ultimate and chemical analysis were determined. The Rosin-Rammler model was applied to analyze the particle size distribution of crushed material. The results indicated that complete liberation of metals from the PCBW was achieved at a size less than 0.59 mm, but the nonmetal particle in the smaller-than-0.15 mm fraction is liable to aggregate. Copper was the most prominent metal in PCBW and mainly enriched in the 0.42–0.25 mm particle size. The Rosin-Rammler equation adequately fit particle size distribution data of crushed PCBW with a correlation coefficient of 0.9810. The results of heating value and proximate analysis revealed that the PCBW had a low heating value and high ash content. The combustion and pyrolysis process of PCBW was different and there was an obvious oxidation peak of Cu in combustion runs.
Individual Differences in the “Myside Bias” in Reasoning and Written Argumentation
Authors: Wolfe Christopher R.
Published: September 2012

Three studies examined the “myside bias” in reasoning, evaluating written arguments, and writing argumentative essays. Previous research suggests that some people possess a fact-based argumentation schema and some people have a balanced argumentation schema. I developed reliable Likert scale instruments (1-7 rating) for these constructs and conducted an evaluation of instrument validity and reliability. A myside bias in argumentative essays was predicted by the fact-based and balanced argumentation schema instruments using these individual-difference measures. Strength of opinion predicted the myside bias in generating reasons but not in writing argumentative essays. There was a weak but significant correlation between the myside bias in generating reasons and writing argumentative essays. In evaluating written arguments, the fact-based schema instrument predicted agreement and quality ratings for claims supported by factual but not nonfactual reasons. Ratings of the quality of rebutted arguments were predicted by the measures of individual differences in argumentation schemata.
The Longitudinal Stability and Dynamics of Group Membership in the Dual-Factor Model of Mental Health
Authors: Kelly Ryan M. , Hills Kimberly J. , Huebner E. Scott , McQuillin Samuel D.
Published: September 2012

This study examined the longitudinal stability and dynamics of group membership within the Greenspoon and Sakflofske’s dual-factor model of mental health. This expanded model incorporates information about subjective well-being (SWB), in addition to psychopathological symptoms, to better identify the mental health status and current functioning of youths. Participants included 730 seventh- and eighth-grade U.S. middle school students. Four groups of students were identified: flourishing (i.e., high SWB and low psychopathology), vulnerable (i.e., low SWB and low psychopathology), symptomatic but content (i.e., high SWB and high psychopathology), and troubled (i.e., low SWB and high psychopathology). Analyses of stability of group membership revealed varying levels of stability, with flourishing students demonstrating the highest stability. Analyses also revealed that social support variables yielded meaningful predictions of changes in group membership. Implications for professional practice are discussed.
Mechanical Ventilation After Injury
Authors: Maung Adrian A. , Kaplan Lewis J.
Published: September 2012

Injury is a major cause of critical illness worldwide. Severely injured patients often require mechanical ventilation not only to manage primary respiratory failure but also as adjunct to manage other conditions. Injury induces fundamental changes in multiple organ systems which directly impact ventilator management; these changes are not shared by patients without concomitant tissue injury. In this article, we review the physiologic changes after injury and discuss the impact of injury on ventilator strategies and management. We also explore the special considerations in patients with traumatic brain injury, thermal injury, blast injury or bronchopleural fistula.
Mastitis Is Associated with IL-6 Levels and Milk Fat Globule Size in Breast Milk
Authors: Mizuno Katsumi , Hatsuno Misato , Aikawa Kimiyo , Takeichi Hiromi , Himi Tomoko , Kaneko Aki , Kodaira Kimi , Takahashi Hiromi , Itabashi Kazuo
Published: September 2012

Background:

From animal studies, it is known that mastitic inflammation of the mammary lobes can produce proinflammatory cytokines and can damage the milk fat globule (MFG).

Objective:

To investigate, in women, whether MFG and interleukin (IL)-6 differences are observed between mastitic milk (MM) and healthy milk (HM) of a mother.

Methods:

MM was obtained from the specific nipple pore leading to the mastitic lobe of 17 women; HM was obtained from the other breast. Milk sampling occurred at days 0 (pre-treatment), 1, and 2 (post-treatment). MFG size and IL-6 were measured by laser light scattering and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We analyzed MFG and IL-6 differences between HM and MM, whether any differences occurred over time with treatment, and whether differences were observed between mothers with systemic symptoms (fever/malaise, Group A) or without systemic symptoms (Group B).

Results:

On day 0, MM had higher MFG size ( P < .01) and IL-6 levels ( P < .001) than HM. This difference significantly decreased over time with treatment for both MFG size ( P < .01) and IL-6 ( P < .05). On day 0, Group A mothers had significantly larger MFG size ( P < .01) and IL-6 ( P < .001) than Group B.

Conclusions:

MM contains larger MFG and higher IL-6 levels than milk from the healthy breast. This difference is larger if accompanied by systemic symptoms of mastitis (fever/malaise). These changes decreased over time with treatment. Therefore, early initiation of appropriate treatment may be useful in limiting the processes that contribute to alterations in MFG size and IL-6.
Career Development Among First-Year College Students
Authors: Wright Stephen L. , Jenkins-Guarnieri Michael A. , Murdock Jennifer L.
Published: September 2012

The present study investigates the career development of college student persistence decisions through the theoretical lens of social cognitive career theory (SCCT). Specifically, the authors sought to understand the potential role of college self-efficacy in first-year student persistence and academic success at a medium size university. Using a final sample of 401 undergraduates, regression analyses suggested that increased levels of college self-efficacy at the first semester’s end were associated with greater odds of persisting into the Spring semester and of being academically successful, after controlling for gender, ethnicity, first-generation status, high school grade point average (GPA), and initial level of college self-efficacy. Results suggest that college self-efficacy may be an important cognitive variable in college students’ persistence decisions and their academic success, which offers additional information about their early career development and is valuable for career counselors to consider. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Detection and molecular characterization of Porcine astrovirus strains associated with swine diarrhea
Authors: Mor Sunil K. , Chander Yogesh , Marthaler Douglas , Patnayak Devi P. , Goyal Sagar M.
Published: September 2012

Astrovirus has been reported to be associated with diarrhea in pigs. The current study was conducted for the detection and molecular characterization of astroviruses in diarrheic pigs submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota. Intestinal contents from 269 pigs were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and 62% were found positive for astroviruses. Of the positive samples, 20% were positive for astrovirus alone while astrovirus with rotavirus was detected in 58% of the samples. The remaining 22% revealed the presence of astrovirus along with Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus, Transmissible gastroenteritis virus, or Porcine circovirus-2. Sequencing the capsid gene of 56 randomly selected samples confirmed them to be Porcine astrovirus type 4 (PAstV-4) with 58–100% nucleotide identity within these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 2 possible subgroups. The results indicate that PAstV is present on swine farms in the United States and that it may be associated with diarrhea either alone or in combination with other enteric viruses. Further studies are needed to determine strain diversity among porcine astroviruses so that appropriate control strategies can be devised and implemented.
An Exploratory Analysis of Swedish Street Gangs
Authors: Rostami Amir , Leinfelt Fredrik , Holgersson Stefan
Published: September 2012

In this study we investigate the application of the Maxson and Klein gang typology on a dataset of seven Swedish street gangs. Individual-level data on 239 gang members were analyzed. While some Swedish criminologists maintain that no street gangs exist in Sweden, this research project provides evidence to the contrary. Findings support the utility of the Maxson and Klein typology. Results show that the “compressed gang” was the most common type of street gang in the dataset. This finding is also in concert with other European gang studies, adding further evidence for the applicability of the gang typology. Findings also suggest a similar pattern of gang development and structure to that of American and European street gangs.
A large deformation framework for shape memory polymers: Constitutive modeling and finite element implementation
Authors: Baghani Mostafa , Naghdabadi Reza , Arghavani Jamal
Published: September 2012

Shape memory polymers commonly experience both finite deformations and arbitrary thermomechanical loading conditions in engineering applications. This motivates the development of three-dimensional constitutive models within the finite deformation regime. In the present study, based on the principles of continuum thermodynamics with internal variables, a three-dimensional finite deformation phenomenological constitutive model is proposed taking its basis from the recent model in the small strain regime proposed by Baghani et al. (2012). In the constitutive model derivation, a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and inelastic stored parts (in each phase) is adopted. Moreover, employing the mixture rule, the Green–Lagrange strain tensor is related to the rubbery and glassy parts. In the constitutive model, the evolution laws for internal variables are derived during both cooling and heating thermomechanical loadings. Furthermore, we present the time-discrete form of the proposed constitutive model in the implicit form. Using the finite element method, we solve several boundary value problems, that is, tension and compression of bars and a three-dimensional beam made of shape memory polymers, and investigate the model capabilities as well as its numerical counterpart. The model is validated by comparing the predicted results with experimental data reported in the literature that shows a good agreement.