bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notes towards autonomous geographies: creation, resistance and self-management as survival tactics
Authors: Pickerill Jenny , Chatterton Paul
Published: January 2007

This paper’s focus is what we call ‘autonomous geographies’ -spaces where there is a desire to constitute non-capitalist, collective forms of politics, identity and citizenship. These are created through a combination of resistance and creation, and a questioning and challenging of dominant laws and social norms. The concept of autonomy permits a better understanding of activists’ aims, practices and achievements in alter-globalization movements. We explore how autonomous geographies are multiscalar strategies that weave together spaces and times, constituting in-between and overlapping spaces, blending resistance and creation, and combining theory and practice. We flesh out two examples of how autonomous geographies are made through collective decision-making and autonomous social centres. Autonomous geographies provide a useful toolkit for understanding how spectacular protest and everyday life are combined to brew workable alternatives to life beyond capitalism.
Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Health Functioning in Women Veterans
Authors: Surìs Alina , Lind Lisa , Kashner T. Michael , Borman Patricia D.
Published: January 2007

The present study examined psychiatric, physical, and quality-of-life functioning in a sample of 270 women veterans receiving outpatient treatment at a Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants were interviewed regarding their civilian (CSA) and military sexual assault (MSA) histories, and data regarding quality of life and health outcomes were obtained through structured interviews and questionnaires. Women veterans with CSA histories reported significantly poorer physical, psychiatric, and quality-of-life functioning compared to those without a history of sexual assault. Furthermore, women veterans with an MSA history demonstrated additional negative consequences above and beyond the effects of CSA. The study sample was comparable to a national random sample of women veterans who access care in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system, increasing the generalizibility of the results.
Using Indirect Questions to Detect Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Fulfer Jamie L. , Tyler Jillian J. , Choi Natalie J. S. , Young Jill A. , Verhulst Steven J. , Kovach Regina , Dorsey J. Kevin
Published: January 2007

A screening instrument for detecting intimate partner violence (IPV) was developed using indirect questions. The authors identified 5 of 18 items studied that clearly distinguished victims of IPV from a random group of health conference attendees with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 87%. This 5-item instrument (SAFE-T) was then tested on 435 women presenting to three emergency departments and the results compared to a direct question regarding current abuse. The SAFE-T questions detected only 54% of the women who admitted being abused and correctly classified 81% of the women who said they were not victims. The 1-year prevalence of IPV in this sample of women presenting to an emergency department was 11.6%. The authors conclude that indirect questioning of women appears to be more effective at ruling out IPV in an emergency department population and may be less useful for women “early” in an abusive relationship.
Information and Human Freedom: Nursing Implications and Ethical Decision-Making in the 21st Century
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: January 2007

With globalization and the increasing volume of healthcare information available to people, questions surface as nurses contemplate and envision what role and how our nursing theory-guided discipline ought to be lived with colleagues of other disciplines, each other, and those we serve in the 21st century. This column begins a path of ethical exploration and possible implications for the opportunities and challenges associated with the information age in nursing research, practice, and education. Discussion focuses on the disciplinary responsibilities for information giving and receiving; coming to know, human freedom, and decision-making in the human-universe-health process.
Theory-Guided Evidence-Based Reflective Practice: An Orientation to Education for Quality Care
Authors: Picard Carol , Henneman Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2007

This column weaves a discussion of the authors' experiences, nursing theory, evidence, and a call for a sea change in nursing education informed by knowledge from the discipline of nursing.
Swazi Men’s Contraceptive Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices
Authors: Ziyane Isabella S. , Ehlers Valerie J.
Published: January 2007

This study investigated Swazi men’s contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Thirty adolescent men, aged from 16 to 18, and 86 adult men from urban and rural areas participated in focus group interviews. Adult Swazi men indicated that men were the sole decision makers about sexual and reproductive issues. The number and gender of children remains socially significant in Swaziland. Adolescent men expressed contradictory notions in expecting girls to refuse unprotected sex but maintaining that men were the sole decision makers about sexual matters. They agreed that women should commence childbearing activities at the age of 21 or later. This finding holds some promise for enabling more Swazi women to use contraceptives at least until they have completed their schooling. Contraceptive services were not readily accessible to men in Swaziland.
Yemeni Families and Child Lead Screening in Detroit
Authors: Taylor Jacquelyn Y. , Holtrop Teresa G.
Published: January 2007

This project was an exploratory effort to screen and treat immigrant Yemeni children who were at high risk for lead poisoning. The Detroit metropolitan area is home to the largest number of Arabic immigrants in the United States. In addition, Detroit has the largest rate of childhood lead poisoning in the state of Michigan. No published studies were found that explored the prevalence of lead poisoning among Yemeni children in Michigan. Immigrant children from countries where knowledge of lead poisoning is limited may be particularly vulnerable because of difficulties in language and accessing health care. Children’s Hospital of Michigan CATCH School Mobile Health Center conducted this health-screening project. This article reports on the gender and health issues encountered during the community outreach lead testing effort within a Yemeni neighborhood in Detroit.
Exact and Fundamental Solution for an Anti-plane Crack Vertical to the Boundaries of a Magnetoelectroelastic Strip
Authors: Wang Bao-Lin , Mai Yiu-Wing
Published: January 2007

In this article, we develop a closed-form solution for a crack in a magnetoelectroelastic strip of finite width, subjected to anti-plane mechanical and in-plane electric and magnetic fields. Explicit expressions for the stresses, electric and magnetic fields, together with their intensity factors are obtained for the two extreme cases of an impermeable crack and a permeable crack. Solutions for some special cases, such as a center crack, an edge crack, a semi-infinite medium, and an infinite medium, are also obtained in closed-forms. The problem of two symmetric and collinear cracks is also discussed. It is found that the electrically and magnetically permeable conditions on the crack profile are important in obtaining the correct crack tip electromagnetic filed intensity factors. The stress intensity factor, however, does not depend on the crack electromagnetic boundary condition assumptions.
Ellipsoidal Anisotropies in Linear Elasticity: Extension of Saint Venant's Work to Phenomenological Modeling of Materials
Authors: Pouya Ahmad
Published: January 2007

Several families of elastic anisotropies have been introduced by Saint Venant (Saint Venent, B. (de) (1863). Sur la distribution des élasticitiés autour de chaque point d'un solide ou d'un milieu de contexture quelconque, particulièrement lorsqu'il est amorphe sams être isotrope, Journal de Math. Pures et Appliquées, Tome VIII (2éme série) pp. 257–430) for which the polar diagram of elastic parameters in different directions of the material (indicator surface) is ellipsoidal. These families cover a large variety of models introduced in recent years for damaged materials or as effective moduli of heterogeneous materials. Ellipsoidal anisotropy has also been used as a guideline in phenomenological modeling of materials. Then a question that naturally arises is to know in which conditions the assumption that some indicator surfaces are ellipsoidal allows one to entirely determine the elastic constants. This question has not been rigorously studied in the literature. In this study, first, several basic classes of ellipsoidal anisotropy are presented. Then the problem of the determination of elastic parameters from indicator surfaces is discussed in several basic cases that can occur in phenomenological modeling. Finally, the compatibility between the assumption of ellipsoidal form for different indicator surfaces is discussed. In particular, it is shown that if the indicator surfaces of 4 √ E(n) and of -4 √ c(n) (where E(n) and c(n) are, respectively, the Young's modulus and the elastic coefficient in the direction n) are ellipsoidal, then the two ellipsoids have necessarily the same principal axes, and the material in this case is orthotropic.
A Literature Review of Western Bereavement Theory: From Decathecting to Continuing Bonds
Authors: Rothaupt Jeanne W. , Becker Kent
Published: January 2007

Theories of bereavement continue to change and develop. This literature review explores the history of Western bereavement theories, beginning with Freud’s grief work, moving to the stage theories, and concluding with current constructivist thought of making meaning and continuing bonds with the deceased. Special consideration is given to gender and multicultural aspects of grief and loss. The review concludes with a discussion of the role of couple and family counselors.
Choice Theory: An Interview With Dr. William Glasser
Authors: Onedera Jill D. , Greenwalt Bill
Published: January 2007

This article presents the work of William Glasser. The interview addresses his current emphasis on helping people to improve their own mental health as explained in the 2003 book, Warning: Psychiatry Can Be Hazardous to Your Mental Health.
An essential role for IL-17 in preventing pathogen-initiated bone destruction: recruitment of neutrophils to inflamed bone requires IL-17 receptor–dependent signals
Authors: Yu Jeffrey J. , Ruddy Matthew J. , Wong Grace C. , Sfintescu Cornelia , Baker Pamela J. , Smith Jeffrey B. , Evans Richard T. , Gaffen Sarah L.
Published: January 2007

IL-17 and its receptor are founding members of a novel family of inflammatory cytokines. IL-17 plays a pathogenic role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)–associated bone destruction. However, IL-17 is also an important regulator of host defense through granulopoiesis and neutrophil trafficking. Therefore, the role of IL-17 in pathogen-initiated bone loss was not obvious. The most common form of infection-induced bone destruction occurs in periodontal disease (PD). In addition to causing significant morbidity, PD is a risk factor for atherosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Similar to RA, bone destruction in PD is caused by the immune response. However, neutrophils provide critical antimicrobial defense against periodontal organisms. Since IL-17 is bone destructive in RA but a key regulator of neutrophils, we examined its role in inflammatory bone loss induced by the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in IL-17RA–deficient mice. These mice showed enhanced periodontal bone destruction, suggesting a bone-protective role for IL-17, reminiscent of a neutrophil deficiency. Although IL-17RA–deficient neutrophils functioned normally ex vivo, IL-17RA knock-out (IL-17RAKO) mice exhibited reduced serum chemokine levels and concomitantly reduced neutrophil migration to bone. Consistently, CXCR2KO mice were highly susceptible to alveolar bone loss; interestingly, these mice also suggested a role for chemokines in maintaining normal bone homeostasis. These results indicate a nonredundant role for IL-17 in mediating host defense via neutrophil mobilization.
Patterns of sequence conservation in presynaptic neural genes
Authors: Hadley Dexter , Murphy Tara , Valladares Otto , Hannenhalli Sridhar , Ungar Lyle , Kim Junhyong , Bućan Maja
Published: January 2007

Background

The neuronal synapse is a fundamental functional unit in the central nervous system of animals. Because synaptic function is evolutionarily conserved, we reasoned that functional sequences of genes and related genomic elements known to play important roles in neurotransmitter release would also be conserved.

Results

Evolutionary rate analysis revealed that presynaptic proteins evolve slowly, although some members of large gene families exhibit accelerated evolutionary rates relative to other family members. Comparative sequence analysis of 46 megabases spanning 150 presynaptic genes identified more than 26,000 elements that are highly conserved in eight vertebrate species, as well as a small subset of sequences (6%) that are shared among unrelated presynaptic genes. Analysis of large gene families revealed that upstream and intronic regions of closely related family members are extremely divergent. We also identified 504 exceptionally long conserved elements (≥360 base pairs, ≥80% pair-wise identity between human and other mammals) in intergenic and intronic regions of presynaptic genes. Many of these elements form a highly stable stem-loop RNA structure and consequently are candidates for novel regulatory elements, whereas some conserved noncoding elements are shown to correlate with specific gene expression profiles. The SynapseDB online database integrates these findings and other functional genomic resources for synaptic genes.

Conclusion

Highly conserved elements in nonprotein coding regions of 150 presynaptic genes represent sequences that may be involved in the transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation of these genes. Furthermore, comparative sequence analysis will facilitate selection of genes and noncoding sequences for future functional studies and analysis of variation studies in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
The Financial Impact of Ambulance Diversions and Patient Elopements
Authors: Falvo Thomas , Grove Lance , Stachura Ruth , Zirkin William
Published: January 2007

Objectives

Admission process delays and other throughput inefficiencies are a leading cause of emergency department (ED) overcrowding, ambulance diversion, and patient elopements. Hospital capacity constraints reduce the number of treatment beds available to provide revenue‐generating patient services. The objective of this study was to develop a practical method for quantifying the revenues that are potentially lost as a result of patient elopements and ambulance diversion.

Methods

Historical data from 62,588 patient visits to the ED of a 450‐bed nonprofit community teaching hospital in central Pennsylvania between July 2004 and June 2005 were used to estimate the value of potential patient visits foregone as a result of ambulance diversion and patients leaving the ED without treatment.

Results

The study hospital may have lost $3,881,506 in net revenue as a result of ambulance diversions and patient elopements from the ED during a 12‐month period.

Conclusions

Significant revenue may be foregone as a result of throughput delays that prevent the ED from utilizing its existing bed capacity for additional patient visits.
Predictive Validity of a Computerized Emergency Triage Tool
Authors: Dong Sandy L. , Bullard Michael J. , Meurer David P. , Blitz Sandra , Akhmetshin Edward , Ohinmaa Arto , Holroyd Brian R. , Rowe Brian H.
Published: January 2007

Background

Emergency department (ED) triage prioritizes patients on the basis of the urgency of need for care. eTRIAGE is a Web‐based triage decision support tool that is based on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), a five level triage system (CTAS 1 = resuscitation, CTAS 5 = nonurgent).

Objectives

To examine the validity of eTRIAGE on the basis of resource utilization and cost as measures of acuity.

Methods

Scores on the CTAS, specialist consultations, computed‐tomography use, ED length of stay, ED disposition, and estimated ED and hospital costs (if the patient was subsequently admitted to hospital) were collected for each patient over a six month period. These data were queried from a database that captures all regional ED visits. Correlations between CTAS score and each outcome were measured by using logistic regression models (categorical variables), univariate analysis of variance (continuous variables), and the Kruskal‐Wallis analysis of variance (costs). A multivariate regression model that used cost as the outcome was used to identify interaction between the variables presented.

Results

Over the six month study, 29,524 patients were triaged by using eTRIAGE. When compared with CTAS level 3, the odds ratios for consultation, CT scan, and admission were significantly higher in CTAS 1 and 2 and were significantly lower in CTAS 4 and 5 (p < 0.001). When compared with CTAS levels 2–5 combined, the odds ratio for death in CTAS 1 was 664.18 (p < 0.001). The length of stay also demonstrated significant correlation with CTAS score (p < 0.001). Costs to the ED and hospital also correlated significantly with increasing acuity (median costs for CTAS levels in Canadian dollars: CTAS 1 =$2,690, CTAS 2 =$433, CTAS 3 =$288, CTAS 4 =$164, CTAS 5 =$139, and p < 0.001). Significant interactions between the data collected were found in a multivariate regression model, although CTAS score remained highly associated with costs.

Conclusions

Acuity measured by eTRIAGE demonstrates excellent predictive validity for resource utilization and ED and hospital costs. Future research should focus on specific presenting complaints and targeted resources to more accurately assess eTRIAGE validity.
Positive Conceptions of Perfectionism: Approaches, Evidence, Challenges
Authors: Stoeber Joachim , Otto Kathleen
Published: January 2007

Almost 30 years ago, Hamachek (1978) suggested that 2 forms of perfectionism be distinguished, a positive form labeled “normal perfectionism” and a negative form labeled “neurotic perfectionism.” Focusing on the positive, we present an overview of the different empirical conceptions of the 2 forms of perfectionism and a common framework for the 2 basic approaches: the dimensional approach differentiating 2 dimensions of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns) and the group-based approach differentiating 2 groups of perfectionists (healthy perfectionists and unhealthy perfectionists). Moreover, we review the evidence demonstrating that (a) perfectionistic strivings are associated with positive characteristics and (b) healthy perfectionists show higher levels of positive characteristics compared to unhealthy perfectionists and nonperfectionists. Although questions on core facets, positive effects, and developmental antecedents of positive forms of perfectionism remain, our findings suggest that self-oriented perfectionistic strivings are positive, if perfectionists are not overly concerned about mistakes and negative evaluations by others.
The New Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: Implications for Personality Measurement
Authors: Smillie Luke D. , Pickering Alan D. , Jackson Chris J.
Published: January 2007

In this article, we review recent modifications to Jeffrey Gray's (1973, 1991) reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), and attempt to draw implications for psychometric measurement of personality traits. First, we consider Gray and McNaughton's (2000) functional revisions to the biobehavioral systems of RST. Second, we evaluate recent clarifications relating to interdependent effects that these systems may have on behavior, in addition to or in place of separable effects (e.g., Corr, 2001; Pickering, 1997). Finally, we consider ambiguities regarding the exact trait dimension to which Gray's “reward system” corresponds. From this review, we suggest that future work is needed to distinguish psychometric measures of (a) fear from anxiety and (b) reward-reactivity from trait impulsivity. We also suggest, on the basis of interdependent system views of RST and associated exploration using formal models, that traits that are based upon RST are likely to have substantial intercorrelations. Finally, we advise that more substantive work is required to define relevant constructs and behaviors in RST before we can be confident in our psychometric measures of them.
Evolutionary Origins of Leadership and Followership
Authors: Van Vugt Mark
Published: January 2007

Drawing upon evolutionary logic, leadership is reconceptualized in terms of the outcome of strategic interactions among individuals who are following different, yet complementary, decision rules to solve recurrent coordination problems. This article uses the vast psychological literature on leadership as a database to test several evolutionary hypotheses about the origins of leadership and followership in humans. As expected, leadership correlates with initiative taking, trait measures of intelligence, specific task competencies, and several indicators of generosity. The review finds no link between leadership and dominance. The evolutionary analysis accounts for reliable age, health, and sex differences in leadership emergence. In general, evolutionary theory provides a useful, integrative framework for studying leader-follower relationships and generates various novel research hypotheses.
Disynaptic Amplification of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 Responses in the Olfactory Bulb
Authors: De Saint Jan Didier , Westbrook Gary L.
Published: January 2007

Sensory systems often respond to rapid stimuli with high frequency and fidelity, as perhaps best exemplified in the auditory system. Fast synaptic responses are fundamental requirements to achieve this task. The importance of speed is less clear in the olfactory system. Moreover, olfactory bulb output mitral cells respond to a single stimulation of the sensory afferents with unusually long EPSPs, lasting several seconds. We examined the temporal characteristics, developmental regulation, and the mechanism generating these responses in mouse olfactory bulb slices. The slow EPSP appeared at postnatal days 10–11 and was mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) and NMDA receptors. mGluR1 contribution was unexpected because its activation usually requires strong, high-frequency stimulation of inputs. However, dendritic release of glutamate from the intraglomerular network caused spillover-mediated recurrent activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. We suggest that persistent responses in mitral cells amplify the incoming sensory information and, along with asynchronous inputs, drive odor-evoked slow temporal activity in the bulb.
The Effect of Spatial Attention on Contrast Response Functions in Human Visual Cortex: Figure 1.
Authors: Buracas Giedrius T. , Boynton Geoffrey M.
Published: January 2007

Previous electrophysiology data suggests that the modulation of neuronal firing by spatial attention depends on stimulus contrast, which has been described using either a multiplicative gain or a contrast-gain model. Here we measured the effect of spatial attention on contrast responses in humans using functional MRI. To our surprise, we found that the modulation of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses by spatial attention does not greatly depend on stimulus contrast in visual cortical areas tested [V1, V2, V3, and MT+ (middle temporal area)]. An additive model, rather than a multiplicative or contrast-gain model best describes the attentional modulations in V1. This inconsistency with previous single-unit electrophysiological data has implications for the population-based neuronal source of the BOLD signal.
The Static Dielectric Constant of Ionic Liquids
Authors: Weingärtner Hermann
Published: January 2007

The static dielectric constant of an ionic liquid is not measurable by conventional methods because the samples are largely short-circuited by their intrinsic electrical conductance. It is, however, possible to determine this quantity by recording the frequency-dependent dielectric dispersion curve in the microwave regime, followed by extrapolation to quasi-static conditions. This article compiles the information on static dielectric constants available from such experiments and discusses trends in the cation- and anion-dependence for some widely used imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium and alkylammonium salts. The dielectric constant is little sensitive to the nature of the cation, but highly sensitive to the anion. The results classify most ionic liquids as moderately polar solvents with dielectric constants of the order of ɛ = 10–12. Ionic liquids with higher dielectric constants can be designed by introducing highly polar anions such as ethylsulfate. The results are compared with polarity parameters derived from a variety of other experiments, including among others, solvatochromic shifts of probe dyes, polarity parameters deduced from gas chromatography with ionic liquids as stationary phases, and apparent dielectric constants derived from the OH vibrational frequency of dissolved water and from solvent effects on chemical reactions.
Effort on Display: Unemployment and the Interactional Management of Moral Accountability
Authors: Mäkitalo Åsa
Published: January 2007

In this study of moral accountability in vocational guidance conversations at a public employment office in Sweden, I adopt a combination of approaches to explore implicit accounts as intrinsic to institutional activities. In this setting, participants managed moral accountability by normalizing a person's conduct, preempting potential critique, and marking transgression. Clients were never held accountable for lack of competence, knowledge, or skill or for failing to get a job. A critical element in sustaining oneself as a morally accountable client in this setting is to successfully display one's efforts properly in situ as well as through the institutional record.
Heterosis level of maize hybrids developed using DNA technologies
Authors: Belousov A. A. , Sokolo V. M. , Sivolap Y. M. , Domenjuk V. P. , Storcheus N. J.
Published: January 2007

The performance of
maize hybrids developed on the basis of recombined inbred lines (RIL) selected
from an F2 hybrid population using marker-assisted selection (MAS)
was studied. The task was to estimate the efficiency of DNA marker technology
for intrapopulation selection and to study the performance of hybrids produced
from marker-derived inbreds of the F2 population (GK 26 × Mo 17).
Two hundred RILs of marker origin were crossed with 3 unrelated testcross lines
from the Lacaune, Mindszentpuszta and Reid heterotic groups. An effective
marker test system and informative marker criteria were elaborated for
increasing MAS effectiveness. A two-locus system on the basis of linked SSR
markers proved to be the most effective. The genetic improvement effect
(ΔG) of the C1 population for plant productivity, plant height
and grain length ranged from 9.1 to 16.1%,
depending on the phenotypic trait and h2 level. The best hybrids
developed on the basis of RILs of marker origin outyielded the national check
for grain yield by 6.8-7.6%.
Clinical and Microbiological Profiles of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)–Seropositive Brazilians Undergoing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and HIV‐Seronegative Brazilians With Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Gonçalves Lucio de Souza , Soares Ferreira Sônia Maria , Souza Celso Oliveira , Souto Renata , Colombo Ana Paula
Published: January 2007

Background: This study compares the periodontal clinical profile and the composition of the subgingival microbiota of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐seropositive and HIV‐seronegative subjects with chronic periodontitis.

Methods: A total of 172 subjects were distributed into two HIV‐seropositive groups (37 chronic periodontitis [H+CP+] and 35 periodontally healthy [H+CP−] individuals) and two HIV‐seronegative groups (49 chronic periodontitis [H−CP+] and 51 periodontally healthy [H−CP−] subjects). Subgingival samples were collected from six sites with the deepest probing depth in the periodontitis groups and six random sites in the groups with periodontal health. All HIV‐infected patients had undergone highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 2 years. The presence and levels of 33 bacterial species were detected by DNA probes and the checkerboard method. Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann‐Whitney tests were used to seek for significant differences among and between groups.

Results: H−CP+ patients showed significantly more periodontal destruction and inflammation than H+CP+ patients, whereas H+CP− subjects presented a greater percentage of sites with bleeding than H−CP− subjects (P <0.01). Patients who were HIV seronegative showed higher prevalence and levels of most bacterial species than HIV seropositive patients. Periodontal pathogens including Tannerella forsythensis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella nigrescens, Eubacterium nodatum, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Selenomonas noxia were more frequently detected in H−CP+ subjects compared to H+CP+ and controls. In contrast, Enterococcus faecalis and Acinetobacter baumannii were more commonly found in HIV‐infected than in non–HIV‐infected subjects (P <0.05).

Conclusion: Putative periodontal pathogens are more prevalent in the subgingival microbiota of HIV‐seronegative patients with chronic periodontitis, whereas species not usually associated with periodontitis are detected in higher frequency in HIV‐seropositive subjects under HAART.
Morpho-structural Study of the Pancreas and Pancreatic Duct in Ostrich (Struthio camelus L.)
Authors: Stornelli M. R. , Ricciardi M. P. , Miragliotta V. , Coli A. , Giannessi E.
Published: January 2007

The peculiarity of the digestive process in ostrich and the lack of bibliographic data on the pancreas and its excretory system in this species led us to undertake macroscopical and histological investigations to explore possible differences compared to other avian species. Our findings demonstrated the presence of two pancreatic lobes, dorsal and ventral, and a third lobe, the splenic lobe, detectable only histologically. The most interesting data concerned the number, course, drainage and structural peculiarities of the pancreatic duct. The structural and ultrastructural features of the two cell types lining the pancreatic duct (main cells and globose cells) were suggestive of their role in secretion and resorption of the pancreatic juice. The results allow the understanding of the particular digestive process of this species.
Esophageal cancer in Central and Eastern Europe: Tobacco and alcohol
Authors: Hashibe Mia , Boffetta Paolo , Janout Vladimir , Zaridze David , Shangina Oxana , Mates Dana , Szeszenia‐Dabrowska Neonila , Bencko Vladimir , Brennan Paul
Published: January 2007

Esophageal cancer mortality rates in Central and Eastern Europe have been increasing steadily and are expected to increase further in the future. To evaluate the role of risk factors for esophageal cancer in this population, a multicenter study was conducted, with investigation of tobacco and alcohol as one of the principal aims. We have included 192 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 35 adenocarcinoma cases of the esophagus diagnosed at designated hospitals in 5 centers from Romania, Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland. Controls were frequency matched from patients in the same hospital as the cases (n = 1,114). Our results showed that the risk of esophageal SCC may be increased by approximately 7‐fold for current smokers (OR = 7.41, 95% CI 3.98–13.79) and by 3‐fold for ever alcohol drinkers (OR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.06–7.74). Dose‐response relations were evident for both the frequency and duration of tobacco and of alcohol on the risk of esophageal SCC. Risk estimates for tobacco smoking were highest for lower esophageal SCCs, while risk estimates for alcohol drinking were highest for upper esophageal SCCs; though differences were not statistically significant. For adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, our results suggested a more modest increase in risk because of tobacco smoking than that for SCC of the esophagus and no association with alcohol consumption, although our sample size was small. A synergistic interaction between tobacco and alcohol was observed for the risk of esophageal SCC, highlighting the importance of both factors for esophageal cancers in Central and Eastern Europe. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A proteomic analysis of adult rat bone reveals the presence of cartilage/chondrocyte markers
Authors: Schreiweis Melissa A. , Butler Jon P. , Kulkarni Nalini H. , Knierman Michael D. , Higgs Richard E. , Halladay David L. , Onyia Jude E. , Hale John E.
Published: January 2007

The non‐mineral component of bone matrix consists of 90% collagenous, 10% non‐collagenous proteins. These proteins regulate mineralization, growth, cell signaling and differentiation, and provide bone with its tensile strength. Expression of bone matrix proteins have historically been studied individually or in small numbers owing to limitations in analytical technologies. Current mass‐spectrometric and separations technologies allow a global view of protein expression patterns in complex samples. To our knowledge, no proteome profile of bone matrix has yet been reported. Therefore, we have used mass spectrometry as a tool to generate a profile of proteins present in the extracellular matrix of adult rat bone. Overall, 108 and 25 proteins were identified with high confidence in the metaphysis and diaphysis, respectively, using a bottom up proteomic technique. Twenty‐one of these proteins were present in both the metaphysis and diaphysis including the bone specific proteins, osteocalcin, type I collagen, osteopontin, osteoregulin, and bone sialoprotein. Interestingly, type II collagen, a protein thought to be exclusively expressed in cartilage, was identified in both the metaphysis and diaphysis. This observation was validated by Western blot. Additionally, the presence of aggrecan, another protein expressed in cartilage was identified in the bone matrix extracts by Western blot. The proteome profile generated using this technology represents an initial survey of the acid soluble proteins of bone matrix which provides a reference for the analysis of deviations from the normal composition due to perturbations or disease states. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 466–476, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations in prodynorphin, proenkephalin, and GAD67 mRNA levels in the aged human putamen: Correlation with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bäckman Cristina M. , Shan Lufei , Zhang YaJun , Hoffer Barry J. , Tomac Andreas C.
Published: January 2007

A real‐time quantitative PCR approach was used to quantify mRNA levels corresponding to the neuropeptides enkephalin, dynorphin, and the 67‐kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) in the human putamen from young and aged individuals as well as from aged patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). cDNA‐specific primers were designed to amplify GAD67, proenkephalin (pENK), prodynorphin (pDYN), and the housekeeping genes glyceraldehydes‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and guanine nucleotide binding protein, β‐peptide 2‐like I (GNB2LI). GAPDH and GNB2LI mRNA levels were similarly expressed among the groups and were therefore used as endogenous reference genes. Normalized data showed that mRNA levels for both pENK and pDYN were reduced in the putamen of aged controls and aged individuals affected by PD, compared with young controls. In addition, we showed that GAD67 mRNA levels did not change during aging and PD. Further analyses showed no differences in mRNA levels, for pENK, pDYN, or GAD67 mRNA, between PD patients and aged matched controls. These findings contrast with animal models of parkinsonism, for which expression of pDYN, pENK, and GAD67 mRNA has been reported to change after striatal dopamine denervation. Compensatory mechanisms and regional differences within the human putamen as well as the severity index of the disease, clinical diagnosis, and response to phalmacological therapy are possible reasons for these results. The present study suggests that alteration of neuropeptide pathways in the human putamen may be involved in the functional deterioration of parts of the extrapyramidal system during aging. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of new 1‐decene‐based LLDPE resins and comparison with the corresponding 1‐octene‐ and 1‐hexene‐based LLDPE resins
Authors: Hong Han , Zhang Zhicheng , Chung T. C. M. , Lee R. W.
Published: January 2007

This article extends the composition of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins to that containing 1‐decene comonomer units, and examines the effects of comonomer (type and concentration) to copolymerization and physical properties of LLDPE resins. CGC metallocene technology, under high temperature and high pressure (industrial reaction condition), was used to prepare three types of well‐defined LLDPE copolymers containing 1‐hexene, 1‐octene, and 1‐decene units. They show high molecular weight with narrow molecular weight and composition distributions, comparative catalyst activities, and similar comonomer effects. However, 1‐decene seems to exhibit significantly higher comonomer incorporation than 1‐hexene and 1‐octene, which may be associated with its high boiling point, maintaining liquid phase during the polymerization. The resulting LLDPE copolymers show a clear structure–property relationship. Melting temperature and crystallinity of the copolymer are governed by mole % of comonomer. The increase of branch density linearly decreases the LLDPE melting point and exponential reduction of its crystallinity. On the other hand, the density of the copolymer decreases with the increase of comonomer weight %, which shows a sharp linear relationship in the low comonomer content. The tensile properties of 1‐decene‐based LLDPE are very comparative with those of the commercial LLDPE resins with similar compositions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 639–649, 2007
Teacher questioning in science classrooms: Approaches that stimulate productive thinking
Authors: Chin Christine
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study was to find out how teachers use questions in classroom discourse to scaffold student thinking and help students construct scientific knowledge. The study was conducted in large‐class settings where the medium of instruction was English although the students were non‐native speakers of the language. Six teachers teaching grade 7 science classes from four schools participated in the study. Thirty‐six lessons covering a range of topics were observed across a variety of lesson structures such as expository teaching, whole‐class discussions, and laboratory work. The lessons were audiotaped and videotaped. Verbal transcripts of classroom discourse were analyzed interpretively. Particular attention was paid to questioning exchanges that stimulated productive thinking in students, as manifested by their verbal responses. A framework was developed that included four questioning approaches adopted by the teachers. This included Socratic questioning, verbal jigsaw, semantic tapestry, and framing. This paper describes these various questioning approaches, their features, and the conditions under which they were used. It also discusses the implications of these approaches for instructional practice. The findings from this study have potential in translating research insights into practical advice for teachers regarding tactical moves in classroom discourse, and provide guidelines for teachers to increase their repertoire of questioning skills. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 815–843, 2007
Anterior Tenoarthrolysis for Severe Flexion Contracture of the Fingers (The “Tata” Operation): A Review of 50 Cases
Authors: LOREA P. , HENRIQUEZ J. MEDINA , NAVARRO R. , LEGAILLARD P. , FOUCHER G.
Published: January 2007

The “hook finger”, with both proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint flexion contractures, often after multiple previous operations, is difficult to treat. This paper reports the results of 50 fingers in 49 patients in which the TATA (Téno-Arthrolyse Totale Antérieure) salvage procedure, described by Saffar in 1978, was carried out. Thirty-seven of 50 (74%) of these fingers had had at least one previous operation, most on the flexor apparatus. The mean PIP and DIP extension deficit pre-operatively was 133° with a mean PIP lag of extension of 83°. With a mean follow-up of 7.8 years, 45 fingers were improved, five were not and none was worsened. The mean PIP and DIP extension deficit postoperatively was 47°, with a mean PIP lack of extension of 31°. The overall gain in extension deficit of both joints was 86° and of the PIP was 52°. One PIP joint developed septic arthritis immediately after surgery. The benefit of this salvage operation is mainly in the change of the active range of motion to a more functional arc.
Using patterns of thematic progression for building a table of contents of a text
Authors: MOENS MARIE-FRANCINE
Published: January 2007

A text usually contains one or a few main topics, which are split up into subtopics, which in their turn can be further described by more detailed topics. In this article we describe a system that segments a text into topics and subtopics. Each segment is characterized by important key terms that are extracted from it and by its begin and end position in the text. A table of contents is built by using the hierarchical and sequential relationships between topical segments that are identified in a text. The table of contents generator relies upon universal linguistic theories on thetopicandcommentof a sentence and onpatterns of thematic progressionin text. The linguistic theories of topic and comment are modeled both deterministically and probabilistically. The system is applied to English texts (news, World Wide Web and encyclopedia texts) and is evaluated.
The renormalized jellium model for spherical and cylindrical colloids
Authors: Pianegonda Salete , Trizac Emmanuel , Levin Yan
Published: January 2007

Starting from a mean-field description for a dispersion of highly charged spherical or (parallel) rodlike colloids, we introduce the simplification of a homogeneous background to include the contribution of other polyions to the static field created by a tagged polyion. The charge of this background is self-consistently renormalized to coincide with the polyion effective charge, the latter quantity thereby exhibiting a nontrivial density dependence, which directly enters into the equation of state through a simple analytical expression. The good agreement observed between the pressures calculated using the renormalized jellium and Monte Carlo simulations confirms the relevance of the renormalized jellium model for theoretical and experimental purposes and provides an alternative to the Poisson-Boltzmann cell model since it is free of some of the intrinsic limitations of this approach.
The Impact of Article 6(1) of the Echr on Private International Law
Authors: Fawcett JJ
Published: January 2007

An increasing trend in private international law cases decided by courts in the United Kingdom has been to refer to the European Convention on Human Rights and, in particular, to Article 6. This article will examine the impact of this provision on private international law. The article will go on to examine why the impact has been so limited and will put forward a new approach that takes human rights more seriously, using human rights law to identify problems and the flexibility inherent in private international law concepts to solve them.
Smallpox Surveillance in Bangladesh: II - Smallpox Facial Scar Survey Assessment of Surveillance Effectiveness
Authors: HUGHES K , FOSTER S O , TARANTOLA D , MEHTA H , TULLOCH J L , JOARDER A K
Published: January 2007

Hughes K {Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, University of Singapore, Singapore), Foster S O, Tarantola D. Mehta H. Tulloch J L and Joarder A. K. Smallpox surveillance in Bangladesh: II - smallpox facial scar survey assessment and surveillance effectiveness. International Journal of Epidemiology 1980; 9: 335–340.

A smallpox facial scar survery of 465 892 persons aged 0–19 years was carried out in Bangladesh in 1976. covering approximately 1% of the 0–19 year old population. Of the 4 306 persons found with facial scarring consistant with previous smallpox infection, none had a history of smallpox with onset after the last reported case on October 16, 1975. Histories taken from persons with facial scars allowed smallpox incidence to be estimated for each year form 1972 to 1975. These estimetes indicate that completeness of reporting increased steedily from 11.8% in 1972 to 83.0% in 1975, reflecting the increasing effectiveness of surveillance.
Open wound chronic skin graft‐vs.‐host disease. Are these wounds ischemic?
Authors: Gassas Adam , Wayne Evans A. , Armstrong Christine , Doyle John J.
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  cGVHD is a major problem after allogeneic HSCT. Skin is the most frequently affected organ, and manifestations are highly variable reflecting the four anatomic levels of skin involvement. In the severe form when damage and fibrosis affects all skin layers, deep multiple variable‐sized open wounds appear. It is unknown if ischemia due to damaged dermal and subcutaneous layers plays a role in such ulcer formation. Herein, we report a patient with severe open wound skin cGVHD. His lesions were tested by transcutaneous continuous oximetry in consideration for HBOT. The ulcers studied were proven to be non‐ischemic.
Unsuspected rejection episodes on routine surveillance endomyocardial biopsy post‐heart transplant in paediatric patients
Authors: Dixon Viktoria , Macauley Chloe , Burch Michael , Sebire Neil J.
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  The use of routine endomyocardial biopsies post‐heart transplant in children remains controversial. It is generally accepted as the gold standard for detecting rejection, but details of the surveillance protocol, such as number and timing of biopsies, remain uncertain, with suggestions that recent advances in immunosuppressant therapy have obviated the need to perform surveillance biopsies. We retrospectively analysed results of endomyocardial biopsies performed in our unit since the introduction of a policy of three routine biopsies in the first six months post‐transplantation. We specifically examined only routine surveillance biopsies in order to determine whether clinically unsuspected cases of rejection were identified. Between January 2002 and April 2006, 63 children completed three biopsies in the first six months post‐transplant. Of 189 surveillance endomyocardial biopsies, 19 (10%) patients showed significant, grade III or above, rejection. One patient had two episodes of rejection. In only one case the child was haemodynamically unstable, four cases were mildly unwell, and 14 of 19 (74%) cases demonstrated no cardiac symptoms. Four of eight cases treated with sirolimus for some part of their post‐transplant course had an episode of rejection and of 54 tacrolimus‐treated patients, 13 had an episode of asymptomatic rejection detected. One of the seven infants had significant episode of rejection. Asymptomatic, clinically significant rejection is detected in about 10% of biopsies overall using a three‐biopsy protocol in the first six months after paediatric heart transplantation, and occurs in 24% of tacrolimus‐treated patients. More frequent surveillance appears needed in children treated with sirolimus, but less frequent surveillance may be possible in infants.