bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
American and Arab Perceptions of an Arabic Turn-Taking Cue
Authors: Ward Nigel G. , Al Bayyari Yaffa
Published: February 2010

Languages differ in the way that speakers coordinate their interaction moment by moment, and this can cause intercultural misunderstandings. The authors explore this in the domain of listening behavior. One way that listeners show interest and attention is by producing back-channel feedback (short utterances such as okay and hmm) at appropriate times, and these times are determined, in part, by the interlocutor, who signals when such feedback is welcome with various cues. In Arabic these cues include a prosodic feature in the form of a steep continuous drop in pitch. This article shows that English speakers can misinterpret this, perceiving it as an expression of negative affect, and that this tendency can be substantially alleviated by training.
Effects of Interphase and Short Fiber on Puncture and Burst Properties of Short-fiber Reinforced Chloroprene Rubber
Authors: Ryu S.R. , Lee D.J.
Published: February 2010

The puncture and burst properties of short-fiber reinforced polychloroprene rubber under various conditions were investigated to yield the best mechanical properties. In addition to five types of interphase conditions, four types of fiber aspect ratios (AR: length of fiber/diameter of fiber) and three different fiber contents were studied for their roles in the puncture and burst properties of rubber products. Certain interphase conditions and higher fiber ARs were shown to provide higher puncture and burst stresses at a given fiber content. Since both testing methods measure biaxial properties of reinforced rubber, the relation between the two properties is studied. The discrepancy between regressed puncture and burst force is explained based upon the rubber stiffness due to reinforcing parameters and the stress concentration upon sharp edge. Overall, it was found that the interphase condition, fiber AR, and fiber content have an important effect upon puncture and burst properties.
Influence of Hard Segment Structure on Degradation of Cross-linked Poly(ether urethanes) Elastomers
Authors: Oprea Stefan
Published: February 2010

Cross-linked polyurethanes (PUs) based on poly(1,4-butane diol), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,6 hexamethylene diisocyanate with a varied content and nature of the hard segment and a constant soft segment length were hydrolytically degraded in distilled water at 37°C. The incubation of polymer samples took place over a period of maximum 30 days. The changes in tensile strength and morphology of PU samples were tested after a particular period of incubation. Degradation was determined by FTIR-ATR and by analyzing mechanical properties. It is demonstrated that the degree of degradation of PUs in distilled water is dependent on the degree of cross-linking and nature of the diisocyanates and chain extenders.
Social Provisions and the Life of Civil Society in Europe: Rethinking Public and Private
Authors: Lynch Katherine A.
Published: February 2010

This article discusses the critical role that social provisioning played in forming and maintaining communities across the longue durée of European history. Based on evidence from urban Europe in particular, the study suggests the importance of the early creation of a sphere of civil society here. Civil society was marked by the presence of both voluntary and civic associations, many of them designed for the care of the “honorable” or “house” poor. Although filled with the activities of “private” citizens, civil society was an eminently public sphere. It provided men and, more importantly, women with opportunities to extend their lives beyond the domestic to participate in organized associational life. Two types of community, based on confessional and civic affiliation, were especially important in shaping early modern societies and the poor relief organizations that helped to bind them together.The study argues that these types of community persisted well beyond the early modern period, leaving a legacy of community-building patterns and practices of social provisioning that helped to define the “imagined communities” of modern nations and their welfare states.
Assessment of Parent-Adolescent Partnership in Diabetes Care
Authors: Beléndez Marina , de Wit Maartje , Snoek Frank J.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

To identify and evaluate psychometric properties of available measures to assess dimensions of parent-adolescent partnership in diabetes care, including parent-adolescent responsibility in diabetes management, parental monitoring, diabetes family conflict, and parental involvement.

Methods

A literature review that included searches of electronic databases from 1990 to April 2009 was conducted. Instruments were reviewed extracting information about aim, target population, and psychometric properties.

Results

Eight instruments were identified. Study samples appear to be large enough for psychometric validation but with a small proportion of fathers. The instruments have been designed and evaluated with adolescents and parents in the United States. Most of the instruments have adequate reliability, both for adolescents’ and parents’ forms. Regarding construct validity, factor structure of most of the instruments was evaluated either with exploratory factor analysis or confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, some measures have significant relationships with age in the direction expected or with other outcomes such as adherence or quality of life. Finally, all the reviewed studies are cross-sectional and have not yet addressed predictive validity or instrument responsiveness.

Conclusions

Valid measures tapping into aspects of diabetes-related adolescent-parent partnership are available, but longitudinal studies are needed to determine if the instruments are able to detect clinically significant change (eg, impact on metabolic control, adherence, quality of life). Rather than develop new measures, refinement and further validation of existing instruments is suggested.
Growing Old in the Era of a High Prevalence of HIV/AIDS: The Impact of AIDS on Older Men and Women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Munthree Chantal , Maharaj Pranitha
Published: February 2010

Despite the important consequences that HIV/AIDS is likely to have for older people in South Africa, little empirical work has focused directly on this issue. However, emerging evidence suggests that older people are increasingly affected by the AIDS pandemic. In many households, older people often assume responsibility for the care of those who are sick and/ or dying and for children orphaned by AIDS. This study uses qualitative and quantitative methods to provide insights into the multiple impacts of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the lives of older men and women. The results show that some older men and women feel at risk of HIV infection because of their caregiving activities. Almost 17% of respondents report that they have ever cared for someone with HIV/AIDS, with the percentage somewhat higher in rural areas. The study found that the impact of HIV/AIDS is substantial and is compounded greatly by gender dynamics in the household.
Moral knowledge and mass crime
Authors: Dimitrijevic Nenad
Published: February 2010

In this article I ask how moral relativism applies to the analysis of responsibility for mass crime. The focus is on the critical reading of two influential relativist attempts to offer a theoretically consistent response to the challenges imposed by extreme criminal practices. First, I explore Gilbert Harman’s analytical effort to conceptualize the reach of moral discourse. According to Harman, mass crime creates a contextually specific relationship to which moral judgments do not apply any more. Second, I analyze the inability thesis, which claims that the agents of mass crime are not able to distinguish between right and wrong. Richard Arneson, Michael Zimmerman and Geoffrey Scarre do not deny the moral wrongness of crime. However, having introduced the claim of authenticity as a specific feature of the inability thesis, they maintain that killers are not responsible. I argue that these positions do not hold. The relativist failure to properly conceptualize responsibility for mass crime follows from the mistaken view of moral autonomy, which then leads to the erroneous explanation of the establishment, authority and justification of moral judgments.
From anti-liberal to untimely liberal
Authors: Schiff Jacob
Published: February 2010

Leo Strauss’ ubiquitous presence in recent US foreign policy debates demands a thorough analysis of his critique of liberalism. I identify and explain a previously unnoticed transformation in that critique. Strauss’ Weimar critique of liberalism was philosophical and political; like Carl Schmitt, he sought philosophical grounds to replace liberalism with an authoritarian political system. However, post-emigration Strauss abandoned this political agenda, exclusively pursuing a philosophical critique that exposed modern liberalism’s purported weaknesses in order to strengthen its core. I accentuate this change by reading Strauss’ postwar lecture, ‘The Three Waves of Modernity’, as an implicit response to and reconstruction of Schmitt’s ‘Neutralizations and Depoliticizations’ essay. Strauss’ changing relationship to political theology and political philosophy was central to his transformation: while a philosophically grounded political theology undergirded his early disdain for liberalism, Strauss later abandoned political theology for a quasi-theological faith in political philosophy that motivated his more moderate, philosophical critique.
‘Potentia’ as ‘potestas’
Authors: Altini Carlo
Published: February 2010

The present article discusses the relationship between might ( potentia ) and power ( potestas) as it has unfolded throughout the modern age, from Thomas Hobbes to Carl Schmitt. Hobbes indicates the way forward for a progressive linguistic and conceptual coincidence of potentia and potestas: the goal of Hobbesian political philosophy (the search for peace and security) necessitates the reduction of potentia to potestas through the elimination of the content of actus. Schmitt accepts this reduction, by assigning priority to potestas: the image of modern technology as a privileged dimension of potentia—potestas comes together as the modern state. Instead of taking the route of potentia understood as an opening-up to new possibilities and as human self-affirmation, the language of potentia—potestas has triggered a process, which is that of a naturalization of power relations, that is based on and justified by the social inequality arising from the differing extent of ownership of the instruments of technological production.
Collaborating to Improve Students’ Transitions From High School Mathematics to College: Characteristics and Outcomes of a Cross-Sector Professional Development Project
Authors: Frost Janet Hart , Coomes Jacqueline , Lindeblad Kristine K.
Published: February 2010

In this article, the authors discuss the characteristics and outcomes of a secondary-postsecondary collaborative professional development project. This project was initiated to address the issue of students’ difficulties transitioning from secondary mathematics to postsecondary courses. Key characteristics include a climate of mutual respect, the opportunity to share perspectives on instructional approaches and student work over an extended time, and commitment to identifying and trying “little changes” based on their context and beliefs.
Psychopathy, ADHD, and Brain Dysfunction as Predictors of Lifetime Recidivism Among Sex Offenders
Authors: Langevin Ron , Curnoe Suzanne
Published: February 2010

This study examines the best predictor of lifetime recidivism among Hare’s psychopathy scores (PCL-R), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, and brain dysfunction measures in a sample of 1,695 adult male sexual, violent, and nonviolent offenders. Results indicated that most variables were associated with significantly more frequent recidivism. The best predictor of overall recidivism was the PCL-R, but more specifically, it was its items on criminal history that were associated with recidivism. Sexual offense recidivism was predicted by the presence of learning disorders; however, all measures were poor predictors. General recidivism was primarily associated with past criminal history and secondarily with learning disorders and ADHD. Results suggest that ADHD and brain dysfunction with criminal history measures are the best predictors for addressing the problem of criminal recidivism.
Geomorphological dynamics of subhumid mountain badland areas — weathering, hydrological and suspended sediment transport processes: A case study in the Araguás catchment (Central Pyrenees) and implications for altered hydroclimatic regimes
Authors: Nadal-Romero E. , Regüés D.
Published: February 2010

This study investigates the geomorphological dynamics of badland areas in the Araguás catchment (0.45 km2) in the Central Pyrenees. The genesis and development of badlands in the Central Pyrenees is favoured by the presence of Eocene marls and a markedly seasonal climate. The Araguás catchment has been monitored since 2004. Analysis of weathering processes and regolith dynamics showed that alternating freeze-thaw and wetting-drying cycles are the main causes of regolith development and weathering, and effectiveness and intensity of these processes is maximum in winter and summer. Evolution of the badland surfaces is related to regolith moisture level and temperature, closely associated with the season and slope exposure, which cause cyclical variations in regolith physical conditions. The most important effect associated with regolith dynamics is the temporal delay between maximum rainfall erosivity and variation in maximum surface runoff generation, reflected in seasonal differences in sediment transport. The dynamics of weathering and erosion processes affecting badland areas are the principal factors controlling geomorphological development, and the extreme hydrological and sedimentological responses of badlands are the main effects of such morphologies. From a hydrological point of view, badlands increase water production, and flood frequency relative to neighbouring areas; from a sedimentological point of view, suspended sediment transport from badland areas can reach amounts two or three orders of magnitude higher than other nearby environments. Given these results, possible responses of badland dynamics to altered hydroclimatic regime are briefly discussed.
Trideux Software Integrates Jérôme Deauvieau’s ‘‘How to Translate a Logit Model into Probabilities’’
Authors: Cibois Philippe
Published: February 2010

Evolution du logiciel Trideux pour prendre en compte les résultats de l’article de Jérôme Deauvieau << Comment traduire sous forme de probabilités les résultats d’une modélisation logit ? >> : Dans son article, Jérôme Deauvieau montre que la présentation sous forme de probabilités ou de pourcentages peut poser des problèmes car les résultats dépendent du choix de la modalité qui a servi de référence. Deauvieau propos deux solutions à ce problème : l’ajustement selon l’écart expérimental et l’ajustement selon l’écart pur. Ces deux méthodes sont maintenant implémentées dans le logiciel Trideux et un exemple est proposé.
Comparing Revictimization in Two Groups of Marginalized Women
Authors: Poister Tusher Chantal , Cook Sarah L.
Published: February 2010

This study examines physical and sexual revictimization in a random sample of incarcerated and poor, urban, nonincarcerated women using multiple measures of physical and sexual child abuse. Researchers used hierarchical logistic regression to compare rates of revictimization and the strength of the association between child abuse and adult victimization using two measures of child physical abuse and four measures of child sexual abuse. Incarcerated women had higher rates of revictimization than did nonincarcerated women. Child abuse and adult incarceration were directly associated with adult victimization; interactions between child abuse and incarceration were associated with adult victimization for only a few definitions of child abuse. Findings suggest that the relationship between child abuse and adult victimization is robust and that factors in incarcerated women’s lives further increase the probability of adult victimization.
Healthcare systems in Europe: towards an incorporation of patient access
Authors: Reibling Nadine
Published: February 2010

The core of existing healthcare typologies is the public—private mix in the three areas of funding, provision and regulation of healthcare services. This article aims to contribute to the debate by adding ‘healthcare access’ as an important dimension for comparing healthcare systems. In contrast to previous analyses, I extend the concept of access by looking at regulative aspects and financial incentives that shape entry and reception of care. Based on empirical indicators for three different dimensions of healthcare access — gatekeeping, cost sharing and supply — a cluster analysis is performed that yields four access regime types: financial incentive states; strong gatekeeping/low supply states; weakly regulated/high supply states; and mixed regulation states. The countries clustered in the access regimes show a different pattern than typologies based on other system indicators. This suggests that previously used dimensions for comparison do not sufficiently capture patients’ access to healthcare.
Public perceptions of the economic, moral, social and migration consequences of the welfare state: an empirical analysis of welfare state legitimacy
Authors: van Oorschot Wim
Published: February 2010

This article contributes to the scant knowledge about what people believe to be the economic, moral, social and migration consequences of the welfare state. Data from a 2006 Dutch survey show, first, that in the eyes of most Dutch people the positive social consequences of the welfare state outweigh the negative economic and moral consequences. Second, the personal interests that people may have in the provisions made by the welfare state, for instance arising from the level of their income, play a minor role in understanding differences in perceptions. Instead, a set of ideational determinants proved to be more important. Consequence perceptions are consistently influenced by people’s political stance, perceptions of the deservingness of welfare target groups and their attitudes towards the role of government.
The welfare state and trade unions in Switzerland: an historical reconstruction of the shift from a liberal to a post-liberal welfare regime
Authors: Trampusch Christine
Published: February 2010

Switzerland is an extreme case that exhibits affinities to both the liberal and continental welfare state. Furthermore, trade union social policy activities mirror the development of the welfare state. While in the liberal phase of the Swiss welfare state, trade unions were sceptical of national social policy and therefore preferred union-run welfare schemes and collective bargaining. During Switzerland’s post-liberal phase, trade unions have become proponents of national social policy legislation. Switzerland’s exceptionality gives reason to explore the specific conditions under which unions change their social policy activities. Using the method of process tracing and an historical institutionalist approach, this article argues that unions’ industrial and political integration decisively affect their decision on the use of private and public welfare schemes. The article draws two conclusions: first, when viewing policies of welfare state development, the research should analyse union-run welfare schemes and social benefits based on industrial agreements. Second, it argues that the Swiss case is valuable for the welfare regime approach as it confirms the divide between liberal and continental welfare states.
Modelling the likely effect of the increase of the upper age limit from 70 to 73 for breast screening in the UK National Programme
Authors: Duffy SW , Sasieni P. , Olsen AH , Cafferty FH
Published: February 2010

The UK National Breast Screening Programme is planned to have the age range for invitation to screening expanded from 50—70 to 47—73. At the upper limit, this represents one additional screen taking place in the early 70s. We aimed to estimate the likely effect of this on breast cancer mortality and on overdiagnosis of breast cancer. We used estimates of breast cancer incidence and survival by detection mode (screening or symptomatic), screening lead time and mortality from competing causes to estimate the likely numbers of breast cancer deaths prevented per 1000 women screened, using both a stochastic continuous time model and a semi-deterministic discrete time model. In the continuous model, we estimated that per 1000 women screened 1.2 deaths would be prevented and in the discrete model 0.91 deaths. In the latter model, we also estimated that there would be around 6.8 years of life saved per 1000 women screened and an additional two diagnoses of breast cancer. These results suggest that the expansion of the upper age limit will be cost-effective. They remain to be confirmed by evaluation of the age extension. They provide prior estimates that may inform the evaluation of the age extension.
General Music as a Cure for the High-Stakes Concert
Authors: Thibeault Matthew D.
Published: February 2010

The author argues that concerts create pressures on the music curriculum similar to those high-stakes tests generate on the general curriculum. Three similarities are presented and discussed using the example of a concert the author organized: first, teaching to the test and the narrowing of curricular goals; second, evaluation by a single source of evidence; and, finally, absence of student voice and choice. A critical difference between concerts and high-stakes tests, however, is that music teachers design their concerts. The last half of the article presents ideas to take advantage of this difference in order to confront the commonly found pressures. The ideas focus learning around ensemble experiences through general music practices. Many of the examples take advantage of technology and multimedia to afford students opportunities to work with repertoire in new ways.
Understanding the Role of the Promotora in a Latino Diabetes Education Program
Authors: Deitrick Lynn M. , Paxton Hannah D. , Rivera Alicia , Gertner Eric J. , Biery Nyann , Letcher Abby S. , Lahoz Lissette M. , Maldonado Edgardo , Salas-Lopez Debbie
Published: February 2010

We explore the role of the promotora de salud (health promoter) who provided diabetes self-management education to Puerto Rican diabetics in her community. The education program was developed as a hospital and community-based organization partnership. Information from both Spanish-language focus groups with 35 class participants and an in-depth interview with the promotora indicated patients appreciated having the classes taught in Spanish by a Latina promotora from their community. Respondents reported satisfaction with the program, increased ability to self-manage diabetes, and strengthened connections with other Latino diabetics. Terms patients used for the promotora included comadre, hijita, and buena profesora. Some of these words denote almost kinship-level connections, suggesting that patients were forming strong connections with the promotora. Specific promotora roles were identified but varied among patients, promotora, and the literature. This hospital and community-based organization partnership promotora model appears to be effective for providing chronic disease self-management education in an urban community setting.
Evaluation of the Health Promotion Model to Predict Physical Activity in Iranian Adolescent Boys
Authors: Taymoori Parvaneh , Lubans David , Berry Tanya R.
Published: February 2010

Promoting sustainable physical activity (PA) behavior change is challenging, and a number of theoretical models have been developed and applied to this problem. Pender’s health promotion model (HPM) is a relatively new model that is based on Bandura’s social cognitive theory but includes the additional construct of competing demands, which are viewed as alternative behaviors (e.g., watching television) that have powerful reinforcing properties. This study evaluates the HPM as a means to predict PA in a sample of Iranian adolescent boys. Participants were 515 boys from 100 junior high and high schools in Sanandaj, Iran. Participants’ mean age was 14.33 years ( SD = 1.6, range = 12-17). Participants completed questions assessing social cognitive variables, and structural equation modeling was used to fit the data to the HPM. The HPM accounted for 37% of the variance in PA but did not represent a good data fit (χ2 = 913.85, df = 473, p < .001). There were significant pathways between PA and self-efficacy (β = .25, p < .001), enjoyment (β = .22, p < .01), and PA modeling (β = —.13, p < .05). A revised model that included the indirect effects of competing demands explained 34% of the variance in PA and represented a good data fit (χ 2 = 9.12, df = 4, p = .058). In the revised model, self-efficacy, commitment to planning, and enjoyment were associated with PA. According to the HPM, competing demands influence PA. In the study sample, competing demands were not related to PA but were inversely associated with commitment to planning.
‘My Strength is Not for Hurting’: Men’s Anti-Rape Websites and their Construction of Masculinity and Male Sexuality
Authors: Masters N. Tatiana
Published: February 2010

Acquaintance sexual assault prevention in the USA has largely comprised educational programs for women on college campuses and has left an unmet need for interventions targeted at men in the general community. Men’s anti-rape websites attempt to address this need. This article describes a sample of six such sites and examines them for insights into the social discourses on masculinity and male sexuality that they both produce and reflect. Findings indicate that these sites construct alternative masculinities, using socio-sexual behavior to delineate the boundary between ‘good’/non-rapist and ‘bad’/rapist masculinity, and use the rhetorical strategy of othering the rapist, with a few interesting exceptions. Sites’ depictions of consensual sex and rape are also briefly described. Implications of these discourses for rape prevention are discussed.
Interferon-gamma secretion is induced in IL-12 stimulated human NK cells by recognition of Helicobacter pylori or TLR2 ligands
Authors: Lindgren Åsa , Pavlovic Voja , Flach Carl-Fredrik , Sjöling Åsa , Lundin Samuel
Published: February 2010

Helicobacter pylori induce a chronic inflammation in the human gastric mucosa characterized by increased production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The presence of natural killer (NK) cells in the human gastric mucosa and the ability of NK cells to produce IFN-γ suggest an important role of NK cells in the immune response directed towards H. pylori infection. Since NK cells previously have been shown to respond to bacterial components with IFN-γ production, we investigated the mechanisms for the recognition of H. pylori. We found that inhibition of MyD88 homodimerization resulted in decreased production of IFN-γ and that inhibition of the p38 MAPK decreased the production as well as the secretion of IFN-γ. Further studies indicated an involvement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in particular TLR2. Finally, we showed that the H. pylori specific membrane bound lipoprotein HpaA induced IFN-γ production from NK cells through recognition by TLR2. In conclusion, we suggest an involvement of TLR2 in the recognition of H. pylori by human NK cells and that HpaA is a TLR2 ligand important for recognition.
1H and hyperpolarized 3He magnetic resonance imaging clearly detect the preventative effect of a glucocorticoid on endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation in vivo
Authors: Olsson Lars E. , Smailagic Amir , Önnervik Per-Ola , Lindén Anders , Hockings Paul D.
Published: February 2010

Introduction: Proton (1H) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be utilized to quantify pulmonary edema in endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation and hyperpolarized (HP) 3He MRI can assess pulmonary ventilation. Neither of the methods has been applied to assess the impact of a drug on endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation in vivo. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the capability of 1H and HP 3He MRI to assess the effects of a glucocorticoid on endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation in vivo.

Materials and Methods: Mice were exposed to an aerosol of either saline or endotoxin (5 mg/ml) for 10 min. Half of the endotoxin-exposed mice were pretreated with a glucocorticoid (budesonide 3 mg/kg; 2 times/day) and the other half with vehicle p.o. The first budesonide treatment was administered 1 h prior to the aerosol inhalation. Forty-eight hours after the aerosol exposure, the mice were anaesthetized for subsequent imaging. Hyperpolarized 3He was administered and axial MR images of the lungs obtained. Matching 1H MR images were then acquired. The mice were sacrificed and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) samples were harvested to determine total and cell differential counts. Results: The lesion volume on both 1H and 3He MRI, were markedly increased by endotoxin exposure (P<0.001). Budesonide strongly reduced lesion volume ( P<0.001). The BAL cell count correlated strongly with both 3He ( P<0.001; r = 0.96) and 1H lesion volumes ( P<0.001; r = 0.97).

Conclusions: Hyperpolarized 3He MRI and 1H MRI clearly visualized the preventative effect of budesonide on the impact of endotoxin on pulmonary ventilation and edema, respectively. The fact that ventilation defects on 3He MRI corresponded to findings from conventional 1H MRI, as well as to counts of BAL inflammatory cells suggests that these imaging techniques constitute promising tools for non-invasive monitoring of pulmonary inflammation in vivo.
Investigating effect of temperature and time of metalised layer sintering by SMPP method on tensile strength and thermal shock resistance
Authors: Foroutan I. , Mamoory R. S. , Ranjbar N.
Published: February 2010

Sintered metal powder process is one of the high technology methods in ceramic–metal joining processes. Improvement in joining zone properties is very important in this method. The present study reveals the effect of metalised layer sintering temperature and time, and applied layer thickness on tensile strength and thermal shock resistance of alumina–copper joint. The results reveal that primary sintering for holding time duration of 90 min at a temperature of 1530°C and applied layer thickness of 50 μm with proper different stages of plating and brazing leads to a tensile strength of 120 MPa in the joining zone. The specimens, which were joined in this condition, were thermal shock resistance.
Microstructure and failure behaviour of resistance spot welded DP980 dual phase steel
Authors: Nikoosohbat F. , Kheirandish S. , Goodarzi M. , Pouranvari M. , Marashi S. P. H.
Published: February 2010

In this research, microstructure and overload failure behaviour of resistance spot welded DP980 were investigated. Microstructural characterisation, microhardness test and static tensile shear test were conducted. Fusion zone size proved to be the most important controlling factor of spot weld peak load and energy absorption. The results of this study demonstrated that the conventional weld size recommendation of d=4 t1/2 is not sufficient to ensure the pullout failure mode for DP980 steel resistance spot welds during the tensile shear test. In pullout mode, generally, failure was initiated at heat affected zone/base metal interface, where softening occurs due to the tempering of martensite. However, when heavy expulsion occurs, pullout failure tends to be initiated at fusion zone/heat affected zone interface. It was shown that heavy expulsion and associated large electrode indentation can reduce load carrying capacity and energy absorption capability of DP980 spot welds.
Fracture behaviour of 8Ni 980 MPa high strength steel at various temperatures Part 2 – COD tests
Authors: Cao R. , Yan Y. J. , Du W. S. , Tian Z. L. , Peng Y. , Chen J. H.
Published: February 2010

The fracture behaviour of 8Ni 980 MPa grade high strength steel is investigated by combining experimental results of crack opening displacement (COD) tests at various temperatures with detailed microscopic observations of fracture surfaces and crack configurations in unloaded specimens. The results reveal that this high strength steel possesses high toughness with a transition temperature around −150°C. Even though at a very low temperature (−196°C), cleavage cracking dominates the fracture process and the crack does not propagate immediately through the entire ligament: a ‘pop-in’ extension is observed in macroscopic tests, and the microscopic fracture mode is quasi-cleavage. It is found that resistance to crack propagation is provided by three barriers: original austenite grain boundaries, bainite colony boundaries and interlayers between bainite laths. These barriers manifest themselves by tear ridges with dimples on the fracture surfaces. At higher temperatures, the fracture mechanism is dominated by fibrous rupture, associated with a ‘dimpled’ fracture surface and some individual quasi-cleavage facets.
The post sepsis-induced expansion and enhanced function of regulatory T cells create an environment to potentiate tumor growth
Authors: Cavassani Karen A. , Carson William F. , Moreira Ana Paula , Wen Haitao , Schaller Matthew A. , Ishii Makoto , Lindell Dennis M. , Dou Yali , Lukacs Nicholas W. , Keshamouni Venkateshwar G. , Hogaboam Cory M. , Kunkel Steven L.
Published: February 2010

One of the more insidious outcomes of patients who survive severe sepsis is profound immunosuppression. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that post septic immune defects were due, in part, to the presence and/or expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs). After recovery from severe sepsis, mice exhibited significantly higher numbers of Tregs, which exerted greater in vitro suppressive activity compared with controls. The expansion of Tregs was not limited to CD25+ cells, because Foxp3 expression was also detected in CD25− cells from post septic mice. This latter group exhibited a significant increase of chromatin remodeling at the Foxp3 promoter, because a marked increase in acetylation at H3K9 was associated with an increase in Foxp3 transcription. Post septic splenic dendritic cells promoted Treg conversion in vitro. Using a solid tumor model to explore the function of Tregs in an in vivo setting, we found post septic mice showed an increase in tumor growth compared with sham-treated mice with a syngeneic tumor model. This observation could mechanistically be related to the ability of post septic Tregs to impair the antitumor response mediated by CD8+ T cells. Together, these data show that the post septic immune system obstructs tumor immunosurveillance, in part, by augmented Treg expansion and function.
The role of tumor histogenesis, FDG-PET, and short-course EPOCH with dose-dense rituximab (SC-EPOCH-RR) in HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Dunleavy Kieron , Little Richard F. , Pittaluga Stefania , Grant Nicole , Wayne Alan S. , Carrasquillo Jorge A. , Steinberg Seth M. , Yarchoan Robert , Jaffe Elaine S. , Wilson Wyndham H.
Published: February 2010

This is a phase 2 study to assess the role of tumor histogenesis (subtype), fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and short-course etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin with dose-dense rituximab (SC-EPOCH-RR) in newly diagnosed HIV-associated CD20+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Patients received a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 cycles with 1 cycle beyond stable radiographic and FDG-PET scans. Overall, 79% of patients received 3 cycles. Combination antiretroviral therapy was suspended before and resumed after therapy. Thirty-three enrolled patients had a median age of 42 years (range, 9-61 years), and 76% had a high-intermediate or high age-adjusted international prognostic index. At 5 years median follow-up, progression-free and overall survival were 84% and 68%, respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths or new opportunistic infections during treatment, and patients had sustained CD4 cell count recovery and HIV viral control after treatment. FDG-PET after 2 cycles had an excellent negative but poor positive predictive value. Tumor histogenesis was the only characteristic associated with lymphoma-specific outcome with 95% of germinal center B-cell (GCB) versus 44% of non-GCB diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) progression-free at 5 years. SC-EPOCH-RR is highly effective and less immunosuppressive with shorter duration therapy compared with standard strategies. However, new therapeutic advances are needed for non-GCB DLBCL, which remains the important cause of lymphoma-specific death. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT000019253.
Targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase with recombinant lentivector is highly effective to stimulate antitumor CD8 T-cell immunity in vivo
Authors: Adotévi Olivier , Mollier Karine , Neuveut Christine , Dosset Magalie , Ravel Patrice , Fridman Wolf-Hervé , Tartour Eric , Charneau Pierre , Wain-Hobson Simon , Langlade-Demoyen Pierre
Published: February 2010

The success of active immunotherapy is based on the vaccine's ability to overcome immune tolerance through recalibrating the immune system so that it is able to recognize tumor antigens as foreign rather than self. In this study, we used a lentiviral vector system to target human telomerase reverse transcriptase (lv-hTERT), a widely expressed tumor antigen. Immunization of HLA-A*0201 transgenic HHD mice with recombinant lv-hTERT vector induces potent and diversified cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses that recognize in vitro murine tumor cells, which overexpress telomerase. Compared with peptide-based vaccinations, the lv-hTERT vector triggers better and more sustained CD8+ T-cell response against self/TERT epitope in vivo. The study found that the additional use of a heterologous boosted vaccination drastically improves self/TERT-specific CD8 responses in lv-hTERT primed mice. Both primary and long-lasting self/TERT-specific CD8+ T-cell responses induced with Iv-hTERT vector required the presence of CD4 T cells in vivo. This lv-hTERT–based active immunotherapy efficiently inhibits the growth of telomerase expressing tumors (B16/HLA-A2.1 murine melanoma) in HHD mice. These data show that targeting hTERT with lentivector is highly effective in stimulating a broad range of CD8 T-cell immunity that can be exploited for cancer immunotherapy.
Caldesmon regulates the motility of vascular smooth muscle cells by modulating the actin cytoskeleton stability
Authors: Jiang Qifeng , Huang Renjian , Cai Shaoxi , Wang Chih-Lueh A
Published: February 2010

Background

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media to intima constitutes a critical step in the development of proliferative vascular diseases. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of vacular SMC motility, the roles of caldesmon (CaD) and its phosphorylation were investigated.

Methods

We have performed Transwell migration assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, traction microscopy and cell rounding assays using A7r5 cells transfected with EGFP (control), EGFP-wtCaD or phosphomimetic CaD mutants, including EGFP-A1A2 (the two PAK sites Ser452 and Ser482 converted to Ala), EGFP-A3A4 (the two Erk sites Ser497 and Ser527 converted to Ala), EGFP-A1234 (both PAK- and Erk-sites converted to Ala) and EGFP-D1234 (both PAK- and Erk-sites converted to Asp).

Results

We found that cells transfected with wtCaD, A1A2 or A3A4 mutants of CaD migrated at a rate approximately 50% more slowly than those EGFP-transfected cells. The migration activity for A1234 cells was only about 13% of control cells. Thus it seems both MAPK and PAK contribute to the motility of A7r5 cells and the effects are comparable and additive. The A1234 mutant also gave rise to highest strain energy and lowest rate of cell rounding. The migratory and contractile properties of these cells are consistent with stabilized actin cytoskeletal structures. Indeed, the A1234 mutant cells exhibited most robust stress fibers, whereas cells transfected with wtCaD or A3A4 (and A1A2) had moderately reinforced actin cytoskeleton. The control cells (transfected with EGFP alone) exhibited actin cytoskeleton that was similar to that in untransfected cells, and also migrated at about the same speed as the untransfected cells.

Conclusions

These results suggest that both the expression level and the level of MAPK- and/or PAK-mediated phosphorylation of CaD play key roles in regulating the cell motility by modulating the actin cytoskeleton stability in dedifferentiated vascular SMCs such as A7r5.
Seatbelt syndrome associated with an isolated rectal injury: case report
Authors: Hefny Ashraf F , Al-Ashaal Yousef I , Bani-Hashem Ahmed M , Abu-Zidan Fikri M
Published: February 2010

Seatbelt syndrome is defined as a seatbelt sign associated with a lumbar spine fracture and a bowel perforation. An isolated rectal perforation due to seatbelt syndrome is extremely rare. There is only one case reported in the Danish literature and non in the English literature. A 48-year old front seat restrained passenger was involved in a head-on collision. He had lower abdominal pain and back pain. Seatbelt mark was seen across the lower abdomen. Initial trauma CT scan was normal except for a burst fracture of L5 vertebra which was operated on by internal fixation on the same day. The patient continued to have abdominal pain. A repeated abdominal CT scan on the third day has shown free intraperitoneal air. Laparotomy has revealed a perforation of the proximal part of the rectum below the recto sigmoid junction. Hartmann's procedure was performed. The abdomen was left open. Gradual closure of the abdominal fascia over a period of two weeks was performed. Postoperatively, the patient had temporary urinary retention due to quada equina injury which resolved 10 months after surgery. The presence of a seatbelt sign and a lumbar fracture should raise the possibility of a bowel injury.
Scanning mutagenesis of the I-II loop of the Cav2.2 calcium channel identifies residues Arginine 376 and Valine 416 as molecular determinants of voltage dependent G protein inhibition
Authors: Tedford Hugo W , Kisilevsky Alexandra E , Vieira Lucienne B , Varela Diego , Chen Lina , Zamponi Gerald W
Published: February 2010

Direct interaction with the β subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein complex causes voltage-dependent inhibition of N-type calcium channels. To further characterize the molecular determinants of this interaction, we performed scanning mutagenesis of residues 372-387 and 410-428 of the N-type channel α1subunit, in which individual residues were replaced by either alanine or cysteine. We coexpressed wild type Gβ1γ2subunits with either wild type or point mutant N-type calcium channels, and voltage-dependent, G protein-mediated inhibition of the channels (VDI) was assessed using patch clamp recordings. The resulting data indicate that Arg376and Val416of the α1subunit, residues which are surface-exposed in the presence of the calcium channel β subunit, contribute significantly to the functional inhibition by Gβ1. To further characterize the roles of Arg376and Val416in this interaction, we performed secondary mutagenesis of these residues, coexpressing the resulting mutants with wild type Gβ1γ2subunits and with several isoforms of the auxiliary β subunit of the N-type channel, again assessing VDI using patch clamp recordings. The results confirm the importance of Arg376for G protein-mediated inhibition and show that a single amino acid substitution to phenylalanine drastically alters the abilities of auxiliary calcium channel subunits to regulate G protein inhibition of the channel.
Sexual vulnerability and HIV seroprevalence among the deaf and hearing impaired in Cameroon
Authors: Touko Adonis , Mboua Célestin P , Tohmuntain Peter M , Perrot Anne B
Published: February 2010

Background

This quantitative cross‐sectional study examines sexual behaviour of a target group of hearing‐impaired persons in Yaounde, the capital city of the Republic of Cameroon. It measures their HIV prevalence to enable assessment of their sexual vulnerability and to help reduce the gap in existing HIV serology data among people with disabilities in general and the deaf in particular.

Methods

The snowball sampling procedure was adopted as an adequate approach to meet this hard‐to‐reach group. A total of 118 deaf participants were interviewed for the behavioural component, using sign language as a means of data collection, while 101 participants underwent HIV serology testing. Descriptive analyses were done for behavioural data with Epi info software, while sera were tested by health personnel, using rapid and confirmation test reagents.

Results

From the results, it was clear that the hearing impaired were highly involved in risky sexual practices, as observed through major sexual indicators, such as: age at first sexual intercourse; condom use; and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and AIDS. Furthermore, it was noted that the HIV prevalence rate of the hearing impaired in the capital of Cameroon was 4%, close to the prevalence in the city's general population (4.7%).

Conclusions

Such results suggest that there is a need for in‐depth behavioural research and serological studies in this domain to better understand the determinants of risky sexual behaviour among the hearing impaired, and to propose operational prevention approaches for this group.
Inflammatory mechanisms in ischemic stroke: role of inflammatory cells
Authors: Jin Rong , Yang Guojun , Li Guohong
Published: February 2010

Review on the time-dependent recruitment of inflammatory cells and unanswered questions regarding inflammatory cells in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke.

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and other forms of ischemic brain injury. Experimentally and clinically, the brain responds to ischemic injury with an acute and prolonged inflammatory process, characterized by rapid activation of resident cells (mainly microglia), production of proinflammatory mediators, and infiltration of various types of inflammatory cells (including neutrophils, different subtypes of T cells, monocyte/macrophages, and other cells) into the ischemic brain tissue. These cellular events collaboratively contribute to ischemic brain injury. Despite intense investigation, there are still numerous controversies concerning the time course of the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the brain and their pathogenic roles in ischemic brain injury. In this review, we provide an overview of the time-dependent recruitment of different inflammatory cells following focal cerebral I/R. We discuss how these cells contribute to ischemic brain injury and highlight certain recent findings and currently unanswered questions about inflammatory cells in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke.