bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Compound Poisson Surplus Model with Liquid Reserves, Interest and Dividends
Authors: Cai Jun , Feng Runhuan , Willmot Gordon E.
Published: June 2009

The paper incorporates liquid reserves, interest and dividends in the compound Poisson surplus model. When an insurer's surplus is below a certain level, it is kept as liquid reserves. As the surplus attains the level, the excess of the surplus above the level will earn interest at a constant interest rate. If the surplus continues to surpass a higher level, the excess of the surplus above this higher level will be paid out as dividends to the insurer's shareholders at a constant dividend rate or by the threshold strategy. The lower and higher levels are called the liquid reserve level and the threshold level, respectively.

This paper is to discuss the interactions of the liquid reserve level, the interest rate, the threshold level, and the dividend rate in the proposed risk model by studying the expected discounted penalty function and the expected present value of dividends paid up to the time of ruin. We derive expressions for the solutions to both quantities via the approach of integro-differential equation systems. We show that the dividend-penalty identity (Gerber et al. 2006, ASTIN Bulletin) still holds for the threshold strategy with liquid reserves and interest. We illustrate these results by deriving explicit solutions to the probability of ultimate ruin under the threshold strategy when claim sizes are exponentially distributed. In the end, we also discuss the impact of the liquid reserve level, the interest rate, the threshold level, and the dividend rate on the ruin probability by numerical examples.
Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Pterocarpus santalinoides L'Hérit ex DC Leaf Extract
Authors: Nworu Chukwuemeka S. , Akah Peter A , Nwachukwu Joy O , Asogwa Charles
Published: June 2009

Diarrhoea is a leading cause of deaths in developing countries, especially in children, and contributes to one in five deaths of children all over the world. The burden and mortality due to diarrhoea diseases have encouraged the development and the patronage of herbal alternatives. In this study we investigated the methylene chloride-methanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides (PSE), a plant believed to possess potent antidiarrhoeal properties in folk medical practice. The antidiarrhoeal and anti-enteropooling activity of PSE were investigated in castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats. The effect on gastrointestinal motility was studied by the charcoal meal transit in mice. Smooth muscle activity of the extract was investigated in isolated guinea pig ileum. P. santalinoides extract (100-500 µg/ml) caused a significant and dose-related inhibition of the frequency of diarrhoeic drops in rats (P< 0.05) and prolonged the time for diarrhoea induction. The extract also exhibited significant anti-enteropooling activity (P<0.05). The extract (500 mg/kg) inhibited propulsion of the charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract in mice, and this effect was comparable to that of atropine (2.5 mg/kg). In vitro, the contractile responses produce by histamine and acetylcholine were inhibited by PSE with IC50 of 59.93 and 57.01 µg/ml, respectively; but serotonin-evoked contraction was unaffected. The claimed benefits of P. santalinoides in traditional medical management of diarrhoea could be supported by the results of this investigation.
Prosecutorial Discretion in Mutual Fund Settlement Negotiations, 2003-7
Authors: Zitzewitz Eric W
Published: June 2009

This paper examines the negotiated settlements of 20 market timing and late trading cases, comparing the restitution obtained for shareholders with an estimate of shareholder dilution. This restitution ratio varies from 0.04 to 5, or from 0.1 to 10 if penalties are included. While some of this variation is explained by differences in the defendants' conduct, controlling for this, settlement negotiations that involved New York as well as the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) resulted in restitution ratios that were higher by a factor of 5-10. An analysis that uses the firms' headquarters location and customers' state of residence as instruments for New York's involvement suggests that this difference is causal, and not the result of New York involving itself in cases likely to lead to large settlements. Given the much larger staff and institutional expertise of the SEC, it is likely that these differences in outcomes are due to differences in effective aggressiveness, not prosecutorial resources. Differences in aggressiveness are consistent with popular conceptions of the regulators' career concerns, as well as with theories of industry focus and regulatory capture.
Lignicolous fungi from northern Serbia as natural sources of antioxidants
Authors: Karaman Maja , Mimica-Dukic Neda , Matavuly Milan
Published: June 2009

As a result of an interest in natural derived metabolites, lignicolous fungi have taken on great importance in biochemical investigations. In the present study, antioxidative screening analyses have included in vitro testing of different extracts (aqueous, methanol, chloroform) of four fungal species using three different assays: Fe2+/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation by TBA assay, the neutralisation of OH· radicals and the radical scavenging capacity with the DPPHk]assay. TLC analysis confirmed the existance of phenolics in the extracts, but also indicates the presence of some other compounds. The obtained results indicate that MeOH extracts manifested a degree of activity higher than that of CHCl3 extracts. With respect to antioxidative activity, the extracts can be ranged in the following declining order: G. lucidum, G. applanatum, M. giganteus and F. velutipes. These results suggest that analyzed fungi are of potential interest as sources of strong natural antioxidants that could be used in the food industries and nutrition.
Investigation of the Thickening Efficiency of HEUR on the Behavior of Two Different Latex Types
Authors: Barmar M. , Barikani M.
Published: June 2009

A hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane (HEUR) as a thickener was synthesized using poly (ethylene glycol), Dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI) and cethyl alcohol via step growth polymerization technique. The molecular weight of the thickener was determined by GPC, and its behavior in aqueous solution was studied. The steady shear experiments were carried out by mixture of the synthesized thickener with two resins. These resins had different nature; one with hydrophilic and the other with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segmental structure. The result showed the type of resin can be effective in the thickening efficiency of HEUR thickener.
Optimization of the Thickness of PET Bottles during Stretch Blow Molding by Using a Mesh-free (Numerical) Method
Authors: Cosson B. , Chevalier L. , Yvonnet J.
Published: June 2009

The stretch-blow molding process of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles generates some important modifications in the mechanical properties of the material. Considering, the process temperature (T > Tg) that is usually used, the material exhibits a very high viscosity and involves a strain hardening effect associated with the microstructure evolution. An anisotropic viscoplastic model coupled with induced properties, identified from experimental results of uniaxial and biaxial tensile tests previously published by Chevalier and Marco (2006), is presented in a first part of the paper. Secondly, we perform a numerical simulation to simulate the free inflation of a preform under an internal pressure with different parameters. Because the final strains are up to 300 to 400%, it generates important distortion of node distribution and we chose to use the mesh-free Constrained Natural Elements Method (C-NEM) for numerical simulation. The final goal is to use these simulations in order to fit the best parameter set leading to a quasi-homogeneous distribution of the thickness along the bottle. Homogeneous thickness implies homogeneous biaxial stretching and more uniform induced properties for the final bottle and this is an important industrial goal.
Experimental Investigation and Flow Modeling of Slippage Induced by Additives in Polyolefins in a Modular Co-rotating Twin Screw Extruder
Authors: Ban K. , Bumm S. H. , White J. L.
Published: June 2009

Experimental and simulation studies of flow of a slipping polymer melt in a co-rotating twin screw extruder are presented. The experiments involve a wide range of polyolefins (polyethylene, isotactic polypropylene, isotactic polybutene-1, isotactic poly 4 methylpentene-1, and a cyclopolyolefin) with an octadecanoic acid additive. Mooney's capillary method is used to prove the occurrence and magnitude of slippage. In the twin screw extruder experiments, the die pressure is reduced for the compounds with octadecanoic acid compared to the neat polyolefins. Screw characteristic curves

(

Q
 
vs
.

dp

dx

)

were determined experimentally for both the polyolefin compounds and the neat polyolefins. These were found to be rather close. We modeled flow of a slipping non-Newtonian(power law) fluid in a screw channel and calculated screw characteristic curves. These were found to be close to our experimental observations.
Structural and Rheological Properties as a Function of Mixing Energy for Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites
Authors: Médéric P. , Aubry T. , Razafinimaro T.
Published: June 2009

Polyamide/organoclay nanocomposites have been prepared via direct melt intercalation in an internal mixer at 2.5% volume fraction, under various processing conditions. The influence of the melt mixing conditions on the structure and on the oscillatory and steady shear rheological properties of PA-12 layered silicate nanocomposites has been studied. Both structural properties and melt state material properties of nanocomposites were shown to exhibit similar trends when studied as a function of the specific mixing energy. Low frequency storage and loss moduli, but also yield stress and low-shear first normal stress difference were shown to increase up to a critical value of this specific mixing energy, and to level off above this value.
Utilizing Processing Parameters for Evaluating Polymer Viscosity during Plastication in Injection Molding
Authors: Dubay R. , Zhang D. , Hernandez J. M.
Published: June 2009

This paper investigates the viscosity behavior of melt polymer during the plastication stage in an injection molding machine (IMM). The objective of this paper is to develop theoretical viscosity-based models for evaluating and predicting the bulk viscosity of the melt polymer near the tip of the screw during the plastication stage. The uniqueness of these models is that they include the effects of material properties and machine processing parameters, such as screw rotational speed, hydraulic back pressure, barrel pressure drop, melt pressure and melt temperature. Several open loop tests were conducted on an industrial IMM in order to quantify process parameter effects on the plastication cycle. The derived model was used to predict bulk viscosity using the open loop tests data. The viscosity-based models in this work will be used for developing future optimal controllers for controlling the polymer viscosity during the plastication stage of the injection molding cycle.
Electrochemical Studies on Speciation of Cadmium(II) in ppb Level by Complexation with Ethylenediamine in Aqueous Media
Authors: Nahar Nurun , Ramim Anshaya , Abser M Nurul
Published: June 2009

The speciation of cadmium(II) in ppb level by complexation with ethylenediamine (EN) has been investigated by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) using thin mercury film coated glassy carbon electrode (TMFGCE). The overall work has been carried out at constant ionic strength of 0.01 mol dm-3 (NaNO3) at ambient temperature. The pH was kept constant at 8.81 ± 0.10 by the addition of borate buffer. The stability constants of different species of cadmium(II) with ethylenediamine have been calculated from the variation of peak potential and diffusion current of simple and complexed metal ions under the present experimental conditions. The logarithmic values of overall stability constants: log β1, log β2 and log β3 (βi = [CdLi]/[Cd2+][L]i where i = 1, 2 and 3) have been found to be 5.01, 8.9 and 11.1 for CdL, CdL2 and CdL3, respectively (charges were omitted for simplicity). The stability constants of cadmium complexes and hydrolysis constants of cadmium indicate that five different species of cadmium (Cd2+, CdOH+, CdL, CdL2 and CdL3) co-exist at ligand concentrations up to 5×10-4 mole dm-3 under the present experimental conditions. The results obtained by this method is applied to study the cadmium speciation in river water on the basis of competitive ligand exchange equilibrium. Key words: Speciation, Complexation, Aqueous media, DPASV, Mercury film electrode.   doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2709 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 1-10, 2009
Studies on Black Iron Oxide Pigment. Part-II: Effect of Preparation Parameter on Particle Size and Microstructure of Ferrosoferric Oxide
Authors: Neger AJM Tahuran , Ahmed Aftabuddin , Parvin Sufia , Alam AM Shafiqul
Published: June 2009

This paper deals with the effect of preparation parameter on particle size and microstructure of the prepared ferrosoferric oxide. 10 prepared samples (from 23 samples) and one standard sample (Bayferrox 318 standard 88) collected from BAYER, Germany was selected for this study. X-ray diffraction, petrographic microscopy, scanning electron microscope and particle size analyzer were used to characterize the phase present, particle size and shape of the particle. It is observed from X-ray diffraction that all these samples mainly contain Fe3O4 phase. The shape of the particle is found to be round and agglomerated. The average particle diameter of highest portion of pigment in the peak region is ranged from 12.25μ to 17.32μ, which is very similar to the standard sample (17.32μ). Sample number 9, which was prepared with ferrous sulphate, hydrochloric acid, sodium nitrate and ammonium hydroxide at a molar ratio 1:1.74:0.16:4.07 and standard sample contain narrow high peak in their particle size distribution curve. Another observation is that, experimental parameter, though have some effect on particle size but have no effect on microstructure. Key words: Black iron oxide, Pigment, Particle size, Microstructure, Ferrosoferric oxide.     doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2711 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 31-40, 2009
Chemical and Physical Analyses of Selected Cement Samples in Nigerian Market
Authors: Faleye FJ , Ogunnubi S , Olaofe O
Published: June 2009

The chemical and physical analysis of Diamond, Pure Chem, Dangote and Elephant cements in Nigerian market have been carried out by analysis of metal oxides (A12O3, SiO2, CaO, etc.), physical characteristics of the samples (setting time, loss on ignition, insoluble residue, specific surface area, etc.) and important factors for predicting effectiveness of the cement samples.The mean value of CaO, SiO2, K2O, and A12O3 were 61.45 ± 0.22 and 5.57 ± 0.38 with percentage coefficient of variance as 2.15, 0.92, 53.66 and 6.82, respectively. Dangote had the least CaO (59.60%), insoluble residue (4.70) and setting time (195 sec) while pure chem had the highest specific surface area of 412 m2/kg with Diamond having the least percentage loss on ignition of 5.50. The mean values for time saturation factor, silica ratio, free lime and alumina ratio were 90.10 ± 3.02, 2.23 ± 0.10, 169.00 ± 0.13 and ± 0.79 respectively. The coefficient of variation suggests that there were no significant differences between all these factors except free lime. Pure chem has a free lime value of 2.28 which is highly significance compared with others. An empirical equation has been suggested to predict the variation of the compressive strength against time, which agrees very well with the experimental results. Key words: Cement, Diamond, Dangote, Metal oxide, Pure Chem and Quality paramaters.   doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2712 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 41-50, 2009
Effect of Mulching Material on the Yield and Quality of Potato Varieties Under No Tillage Condition of Ganges Tidal Flood Plain Soil
Authors: Razzaque MA , Ali MA
Published: June 2009

The field experiment was carried out during rabi season of 1999-2000 to 2000-2001 with five recommended potato varieties viz. Heera, Dhera, Diamant, Chamak and Cardinal along with two types of mulching materials viz rice straw and water hyacinth to find out suitable variety (ies) and mulching material(s) for obtaining higher yield under no tillage condition. Heera produced highest yield under both rice straw (19.45 t/ha) and water hyacinth (23.15 t/ha) mulch. Rest of the variety performed more or less similar in both cases. Both Heera and Dhera seemed to be suitable for cultivation in no tillage condition. Key Words: Potato varieties, Mulching material, Yield and Quality.   doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2713 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 51-56, 2009
Speciation Analysis of Nickel in the Soils of Tejgaon Industrial Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Chamon AS , Mondol MN , Faiz B , Rahman MH , Elahi SF
Published: June 2009

The main focus of the study is Tejgaon industrial area which is located within the Dhaka City Corporation and about 5 km north of the city centre. The industries around the study area like battery, chemical manufacturing, electrical and electronic, metal finishing, mining, paint and dye, textiles, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc, discharge heavy metals like Ni with their effluents and wastes. At Tejgaon soil the minimum pH value was 5.3 and the maximum 7.6 (at 26°C). High buffering capacity resulting from high soil organic matter content (4.87-11.55%) probably influenced soil pH. Electrical conductivity (EC) (25-551 μS/cm) and organic matter (OM) (4.87-11.55%) contents were also influenced by the industrial wastes and effluents of the factories. In the wet season, the average Ni concentration in different soil fractions was 1.69, 4.16, 13.21 and 93.12 mg kg-1 in water-soluble, NH4OAc extractable, DTPAextractable and total fractions respectively. Comparing wet season and dry season sampling data, total Ni concentrations in different locations were higher in the dry season and the mean concentration of total Ni was 223.89 mg kg-1, which was more than 4 times higher than the tolerable limit. Concentrations of total Ni in different locations during wet season were found above the natural background level with few exceptions. Ni concentration in the group of tolerable level was 21% (>022-=50 mg kg-1) and 75% (=50 mg kg-1) soil samples were found in the group of in excess of tolerable level during wet season. During dry season, 11% of Ni (=50 mg kg-1) samples were in the normal range and 89% (>50 mg kg-1) soil samples were found in the group of in excess of tolerable level. Ni concentration during dry season samples in different extraction i.e in NH4OAc extractable, DTPA extractable and in total fraction was found to decrease with distance away from the disposal point source due to dilution of the effluent and water. The decreasing tendency with distance indicates the accumulation of metals by the industrial operations. Key words: Speciation,Tejgaon soil, Industrial area, Nickel.     doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2717 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 87-108, 2009
Endoparasitic Infection in Laboratory Rat Strain, Long-Evans (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769)
Authors: Muznebin Farhana , Khanum Hamida , Nessa Zaibun , Islam Dipa
Published: June 2009

In the present study, five helminth parasite species from two taxonomic groups were identified from Long-Evans (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769). The cestodes were Vampirolepis nana Siebold, Hymenolepis diminuta Rud and nematodes were Citellina dispar Prendel, Heterakis spumosa Schneider and Syphacia muris Yamaguti. C. dispar is a new finding in Bangladesh. The highest prevalence of H. diminuta was recorded but the highest intensity was recorded in V. nana. The prevalence and intensity of V. nana was 56.25% and 65.11±13.23; H. dimisnuta was 72.92% and 4.37±0.89; C. dispar was 62.50% and 19.63 ±2.10; H. spumosa was 66.67% and 9.06±1.85; and S. muris was 64.58% and 24.65±2.60 respectively. Differences in prevalence and intensity due to sexes and seasons were also evaluated. Key words: Cestodes, Nematodes, Helminth, Prevalence, Intensity.     doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2718 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 109-116, 2009
Response of NPK Fertilizer on the Incidence of Pod Borer, Helicoverpa Armigera (Hubner) and Grain Yield of Chickpea
Authors: Hossain M Altab , Prodhan MZH , Haque M Azizul
Published: June 2009

Different dose of NPK fertilizer had shown both negative and positive influence on pod borer damage. In general, application of low to moderate doses of NPK reduced pod borer damage. Application of higher doses NPK increased pod borer damage compared to untreated control. Pod borer damage reduction by low to moderate doses of NPK fertilizer application ranged from 3.10 to 14.22%. The highest pod damage reduction (14.22%) was found in 20-20-20 kg NPK/ha followed by 40-20-20 kg NPK/ha (14.00%) and 20-40-20 kg NPK/ha (12.42%). While, pod borer damage was increased by higher dose levels of NPK fertilizer application which ranged from 4.34 to 15.81 %. Manuring with NPK fertilizer in chickpea increased grain yield upto 34.62%. The highest yield (1750kg/ha) was obtained from 20- 40-20 kg NPK/ha, which was statistically identical among levels of NPK application except 20-20-20 kg NPK/ha. The lowest yield (1300kg/ha) was recorded from control treatment. The highest marginal benefit cost ratio (4.35) computed from the manurial combination 40-20-20 kg NPK/ha followed by 20- 40-20 kg NPK/ha (MBCR 3.73) Manurial combination 40-20-20 kg NPK/ha was found most profitable followed by 20-40-20 kg NPK/ha in considering pod borer damage and yield in chickpea cultivation. Key words : Chickpea, Pod borer, NPK Fertilizer and Yield   doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2720 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 117-124, 2009
Alkylation of Phenol with Olefins in the Presence of Sulphuric Acid
Authors: Saha Manoranjan , Hossain M Kabir , Ashaduzzaman M , Islam Shams Tania Afroza , Galib Mirza , Sharif Nashid
Published: June 2009

Alkylphenols have been synthesised in high yield by the alkylation of phenol with olefins (C6-C8) in the presence of sulphuric acid. The effects of the variation of temperature, molar ratio of phenol to olefin, time of reaction, concentraction and amount of sulphuric acid have also been studied on the reactions.Keywords: Alkylation, Phenol, Sulphuric Aciddoi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2722 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 131-136, 2009
Effect of Linear Frequency Transposition on Speech Recognition and Production of School-Age Children
Authors: Auriemmo Jane , Kuk Francis , Lau Chi , Marshall Susan , Thiele Natalie , Pikora Margaret , Quick Debra , Stenger Patricia
Published: June 2009

Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy of linear frequency transposition (LFT) for a group of school-age children. Research Design: A nonrandomized, within-subject design was implemented to investigate vowel and consonant recognition and fricative articulation of
school-age children utilizing this feature. Study Sample: Ten children, aged 6 years and 3 months, to 13 years and 6 months from a special education school district participated in this study. Individual hearing thresholds ranged from normal to moderate in the low frequencies and from
severe to profound in the high frequencies. Average language age of children was within 2.2 years of chronological age. Data Collection and Analysis: Phoneme recognition and fricative articulation performance were compared for three conditions: (1) with the children's own hearing aids,
(2) with an advanced hearing instrument utilizing LFT, and (3) with the same instrument without LFT. Nonsense syllable materials were administered at 30 and 50 dB HL input levels. Fricative articulation was measured by analyzing speech samples of conversational speech and oral reading passages.
Repeated measures general linear model was utilized to determine the significance of any noted effects. Results: Results indicated significant improvements in vowel and consonant recognition with LFT for the 30 dB HL input level. Significant improvement in the accuracy of production
of high-frequency (HF) fricatives after six weeks of use of LFT was also observed. Conclusions: These results suggest that LFT is a potentially useful hearing aid feature for school-age children with a precipitous HF sensorineural hearing loss.
Fukuda Stepping Test: Sensitivity and Specificity
Authors: Honaker Julie A. , Boismier Thomas E. , Shepard Nathan P. , Shepard Neil T.
Published: June 2009

Background: A vestibulospinal test known as the Fukuda stepping test (FST) has been suggested to be a measure of asymmetrical labyrinthine function. However, an extensive review of the performance of this test to identify a peripheral vestibular lesion has not been reported.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the standard FST and a head shaking variation for identification of a peripheral vestibular system lesion. Research Design: In this retrospective review, we compared performance on the FST with
and without a head shaking component to electronystagmography (ENG) caloric irrigation unilateral weakness results. Study Sample: We studied these factors in 736 chronic dizzy patients. Results: Receiving operating characteristics (ROC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC)
indicated no significant benefit to performance from the head shaking variation compared to the standard FST in identifying labyrinthine weakness as classified by caloric unilateral weakness results. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the FST with and without head shake component
is not a reliable screening tool for peripheral vestibular asymmetry in chronic dizzy patients; however, future research may hold promise for the FST as a tool for patients with acute unilateral disorders.
Not-so-Trivial Pursuit: Mechanical Ventilation Risk Reduction
Authors: Grap Mary Jo
Published: June 2009

As many as half of critically ill patients require mechanical ventilation. In this article, a program of research focused on reduction of risk associated with mechanical ventilation is reviewed. Airway management practices can have profound effects on outcomes in these patients. How patients are suctioned, types of processes used, effects of suctioning in patients with lung injury, and open versus closed suctioning systems all have been examined to determine best practices. Pneumonia is a common complication of mechanical ventilation (ventilator-associated pneumonia), and use of higher backrest elevations reduces risk of pneumonia, although compliance with such recommendations varies. The studies reviewed here describe backrest elevation practices, factors that affect backrest elevation, and the effect of backrest elevation on ventilator-associated pneumonia. Oral care strategies also have been investigated to determine their effect on ventilator-associated pneumonia. Oral care practices are reported to hold a low care priority, vary widely across care providers, and differ in intubated versus nonintubated patients. However, in several studies, oral applications of chlorhexidine have reduced the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Although ventilator patients require sedation, sedation is associated with significant risks. The overall goals of sedation are to provide physiological stability, to maintain ventilator synchrony, and to ensure patients’ comfort—although methods to evaluate achievement of these goals are limited. Reducing risks associated with mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients is a complex and interdisciplinary process. Our understanding of the risks associated with mechanical ventilation is constantly changing, but care of these patients must be based on the best evidence.
Spirituality and Support for Family Presence During Invasive Procedures and Resuscitations in Adults
Authors: Baumhover Nancy , Hughes Linda
Published: June 2009

Background Many health care professionals believe that they provide holistic care. The role of spirituality, a known variable of holism, has not been explored in relation to the support among health care professionals for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitative efforts in adults.

Objective To determine the relationship between spirituality of health care professionals and their support for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitative efforts in adults.

Methods In this descriptive correlational study, 108 participants (physicians, physician assistants, and nurses) completed the Howden Spirituality Assessment Scale and a survey to measure their support for family presence.

Results A significant positive relationship was found between spirituality and support for family presence during resuscitative efforts in adults (r = 0.24, P = .05) and a significant negative correlation was found between support for family presence and the age of the health care professional (r = − 0.27, P = .01). No significant correlations were found between any of the study variables and invasive procedures in adults.

Conclusions Adopting a more holistic perspective may support family presence, especially during resuscitative efforts in adults. Allowing the option for patients’ families to remain present promotes holistic family-centered care.
Menopause and Ovariectomy Cause a Low Grade of Systemic Inflammation that May Be Prevented by Chronic Treatment with Low Doses of Estrogen or Losartan
Authors: Abu-Taha May , Rius Cristina , Hermenegildo Carlos , Noguera Inmaculada , Cerda-Nicolas Jose-Miguel , Issekutz Andrew C. , Jose Peter J. , Cortijo Julio , Morcillo Esteban J. , Sanz Maria-Jesus
Published: June 2009

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases in premenopausal women is lower than in men or postmenopausal women. This study reports the discovery of a low grade of systemic inflammation, including monocyte adhesion to arterial endothelium, elicited by menopause or estrogen depletion. Chronic treatment with low dose of 17-β-estradiol or inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system reduced this inflammation. Using an in vitro flow chamber system with human arterial and venous endothelial cells, we found that leukocytes from healthy postmenopausal women were more adhesive to the arterial endothelium than those from premenopausal women regardless of the stimulus used on endothelial cells. Increased circulating levels of IL-8, MCP-1, RANTES, and MIP-1α and monocyte CD11b expression were also encountered in postmenopausal vs premenopausal subjects. This translational data led us to investigate the mechanisms in Sprague-Dawley rats. Using intravital microscopy, we imaged mesenteric arterioles and found significant increases in arteriolar leukocyte adhesion, cell adhesion molecule expression, and plasma levels of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC/KC), MCP-1, and MIP-1α in 1-mo ovariectomized rats. Chronic treatment of ovariectomized rats with low dose of 17-β-estradiol, losartan, both, or benazepril inhibited ovariectomy-induced arteriolar mononuclear leukocyte adhesion by 77%, 58%, 92%, and 65% respectively, partly by inhibition of cell adhesion molecule up-regulation and the increase in circulating chemokines. These results demonstrate that menopause and ovariectomy generate a low grade of systemic inflammation. Therefore, administration of low doses of estrogens or inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, at early stages of estrogen deficiency, might prevent the systemic inflammation associated with menopause and decrease the risk of suffering further cardiovascular diseases.
MyD88 and Type I Interferon Receptor-Mediated Chemokine Induction and Monocyte Recruitment during Listeria monocytogenes Infection
Authors: Jia Ting , Leiner Ingrid , Dorothee Guillaume , Brandl Katharina , Pamer Eric G.
Published: June 2009

Monocytes play a central role in defense against infection, but the mechanisms promoting monocyte recruitment and activation remain incompletely defined. Defense against Listeria monocytogenes, an intracellular bacterial pathogen, requires in vivo MCP-1 induction and CCR2-dependent recruitment of Ly6Chigh monocytes from bone marrow to sites of infection. Herein, we demonstrate that infection of bone marrow-derived macrophages with virulent L. monocytogenes induces MCP-1 expression in two phases. The first phase is rapid, induces low-level production of MCP-1, and is dependent on TLR/MyD88 signaling. The second phase promotes prolonged, higher level MCP-1 secretion and is dependent on signaling via the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR). Although attenuated L. monocytogenes strains that remain confined to the phagosome trigger TLR/MyD88-mediated signals and induce low-level MCP-1 expression, only cytosol-invasive bacteria promote IFNAR-dependent MCP-1 expression. In vivo, deficiency of either MyD88 or IFNAR signaling does not impair early monocyte emigration from bone marrow and recruitment to infected spleen. Loss of both MyD88 and IFNAR-mediated MCP-1 induction, however, results in deficient Ly6Chigh monocyte recruitment and increased susceptibility to L. monocytogenes infection. Our studies demonstrate that distinct but partially overlapping signal transduction pathways provide redundancy that ensures optimal monocyte recruitment to sites of microbial infection.
Insufficient TLR Activation Contributes to the Slow Development of CD8+ T Cell Responses in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Authors: Padilla Angel M. , Simpson Laura J. , Tarleton Rick L.
Published: June 2009

During experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, mice develop a strong CD8+ T cell response focused mainly on a few immunodominant peptides encoded in trans-sialidase family genes. Despite the potency of this response, the initial emergence and peak of parasite-specific CD8+ T cells has been noted to be relatively slow. In this study, we further document this delayed onset of T cell responses to T. cruzi as measured by the increase in frequency of parasite-specific T cells, the effector function of these cells, T cell proliferation in general, and the recruitment of cells into the draining lymph nodes. This delay does not appear to be the result of general immunosuppressive effects of the infection, a limitation in parasite numbers, or parasite trafficking to lymph nodes or to the specific epitope. Increasing the initial infecting dose or the density of parasite epitopes on APCs can modestly speed the generation of anti-T. cruzi T cell responses. Given these characteristics of the response, we propose that T. cruzi is a stealth invader, largely avoiding recognition by components of the innate immune system until the infection is well established. This conclusion is supported by the ability to accelerate the induction of T cell responses to T. cruzi by administration of ligands for TLR2 and TLR9 at the time of infection. These studies highlight a previously unappreciated mechanism of immune evasion, the surreptitious establishment of infection, by the protozoan T. cruzi.
Hamartia: Foucault and Iran 1978–1979 (1: Introduction and texts)
Authors: Beukes Johann
Published: June 2009

In 1978 Michel Foucault went to Iran as a distinguished intellectual but novice political journalist, controversially reporting on the unfolding revolution, undeniably compromising and wounding his reputation in the European intellectual community. Given the revolution’s bloody aftermath and its violent theocratic development, is Foucault’s Iranian expedition simply to be understood as hamartia, a critical error in judgement, with disastrous consequences for his legacy? What exactly did Foucault hope to achieve in Iran in 1978 to 1979, explicitly supporting the cause of the revolting masses and effectively isolating himself from the European intellectual community and the Western liberal tradition? This series of two articles attempts to shed light on these questions by, in the first article, 1) introducing and contextualising the philosophical issues and 2) discussing the relevant texts; then, in the second article, 3) elaborating on three explicit contributions (Janet Afary and Kevin Anderson; Ian Almond; and Danny Postel) that recently have been made on this neglected issue in Foucault scholarship and 4) eventually indicating the possible philosophical signifi cance of Foucault’s peculiar mixture of naïveté and perceptivity – indeed his peculiar hamartia – regarding the events in Iran. Presenting Foucault as a ‘self-conscious Greek in Persia’, the argument in both articles is that Foucault’s ‘present-historical’ writings on the Iran revolution were closely related to his general theoretical writings on the discourses of power and his cynical perspectives on the inherent risks of modernity. Foucault’s journalistic writings on Iran in 1978 to 1979 are therefore to be appreciated as essentially philosophical contributions to his extensive modern-critical oeuvre. Foucault’s perspectives on power, revolt, Otherness, ‘political spirituality’ and his ‘ethics of Self-discomfort’ may prove to be as significant for an understanding of our world today as the author considers them to have been during the events of September 1978 to April 1979, with Tehran’s self-esteem still radiating in the desert skies 30 years later.
Pastors as gewonde genesers: Outobiografiese pastoraat as heelmiddel vir emosionele verwonding en verlamming by pastors
Authors: Nolte S. Phillip , Dreyer Yolanda
Published: June 2009

Pastors as wounded healers: Autobiographical pastorate as a way for pastors to achieve emotional wholenessIn a previous article it was argued that pastors suffer from cognitive dissonance because of the paradigm shift from modernity to postmodernity, and the emotional woundedness that frequently results from their struggles to come to terms with the new world in which they have to live and minister. This article reflects on the way in which two further issues may exacerbate emotional woundedness in pastors. The one is church tradition, as it is reflected in several formularies used during church services in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA), as well as the Church Ordinance of the NHKA. The other issue is the way in which pastors view the Bible. The language and rhetoric used to reflect on these issues are discussed and evaluated. In its last paragraph the article reflects on the possibility of autobiographical pastorate as a way for pastors to achieve emotional wholeness.
Why travel motivations and socio-demographics matter in managing a National Park
Authors: Saayman Melville , Saayman Andrea
Published: June 2009

The Addo Elephant National Park is one of only a few national parks in the world that offers the Big 7 experience and is therefore one of South Africa’s prime tourism destinations. The park plays an important role in the regional economy and has become a hub for tourism development. The aim of this article is to determine the extent to which socio-demographic and behavioural and motivational indicators influence the spending of tourists to the park. A better understanding of the latter could help marketers and planners to increase the economic impact of the park. Since 2001, surveys have been conducted among tourists to the park and have included a number of socio-demographic, behavioural and motivational questions. In this analysis, 537 questionnaires were used. The methodology used includes factor analysis, cross-sectional regression analysis and pseudo-panel data analysis to determine and compare possible influences on spending. The research identifies six motives for tourists travelling to the Addo Elephant National Park; these are nature, activities, family and socialisation, escape, attractions and photography. The research found that a combination of socio-demographic and motivational factors influences visitor spending decisions. Added to this, the research confi rms that tourist attractions, including national parks, differ from one another and that the variables that influence spending therefore also differ.
Cover Picture: Spectroscopic Tracking of Molecular Transport Junctions Generated by Using Click Chemistry (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 28/2009)
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Braunschweig Adam B. , Wiester Michael J. , Yeganeh Sina , Ratner Mark A. , Mirkin Chad A.
Published: June 2009

The in situ generation of molecules that bridge nanogaps generated by on‐wire lithography is achieved by using click chemistry. C. A. Mirkin, M. A. Ratner, and co‐workers show in their Communication on page 5178 ff. that these molecular junctions give high yields, and they describe how this strategy can be generalized to incorporate diverse molecular architectures within the nanogaps. Tracking of the molecular assembly process within the nanogaps is allowed by their strong electromagnetic field.

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Juvenile hormone–stimulated synthesis of acyl‐glycerols and vitamin E in female accessory sexual glands of the fire bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus L.
Authors: Jedlička Pavel , Cvačka Josef , Sláma Karel
Published: June 2009

Secretory cells of the female accessory sexual glands (AG) of P. apterus grow and produce yellow oily exocrine secretion in response to stimulation by endogenous juvenile hormone (JH) or exogenous treatments by JH analogues. The secretion determines the property of future egg shells by coating the chorion surface of the oocytes that are passing individually through the common uterus during oviposition. Diapausing females with a physiologically inhibited endocrine system or females with artificially removed hormonal sources show inactive ovaries and empty AG without the secretory products. Ovary‐ectomised females with the intact neuroendocrine system develop hypertrophic AG loaded with the oily secretion. This shows that there is no direct dependence between formation of the oily secretion in AG and ovarian growth. Chemical analysis of the secretory products revealed the presence of acetylated glycerols, with the most abundant stearoyl‐diacetyl‐glycerol, stearoyl‐acetyl‐propionyl‐glycerol, and the corresponding derivatives of arachidonic acid. In addition to this, the JH‐activated secretory cells of AG also produced γ‐ and δ‐tocopherols. The possible antioxidant or antimutagenic action of these vitamin E compounds in insect reproduction has been emphasized. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of the trypsin‐like protease (Ha‐TLP2) constitutively expressed in the integument of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Liu Yang , Sui Yi‐Peng , Wang Jin‐Xing , Zhao Xiao‐Fan
Published: June 2009

Trypsins belong to the serine endoproteases. They are the most important proteases in insects because of their key roles in food digestion and zymogens activation. But there has been little study of the trypsins in the integuments of insects. In this work, we cloned a trypsin‐like protease gene from Helicoverpa armigera and named it trypsin‐like protease 2 (Ha‐TLP2). Semi‐quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis showed that Ha‐TLP2 is constitutively expressed in the integument and can be down‐regulated by 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) and up‐regulated by the juvenile hormone (JH) analog methoprene. Immunohistochemistry showed that Ha‐TLP2 is located not only in the epidermis, but also in new and old cuticles. Immunoblotting and gelatin‐SDS‐PAGE revealed that Ha‐TLP2 is constitutively expressed with activity in the integument during larval feeding, molting, and metamorphosis. This evidence suggests that Ha‐TLP2 is involved in the remodeling of the integument. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maximized PUFA measurements improve insight in changes in fatty acid composition in response to temperature
Authors: van Dooremalen Coby , Pel Roel , Ellers Jacintha
Published: June 2009

A general mechanism underlying the response of ectotherms to environmental changes often involves changes in fatty acid composition. Theory predicts that a decrease in temperature causes an increase in unsaturation of fatty acids, with an important role for long‐chain poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, PUFAs are particularly unstable and susceptible to peroxidation, hence subtle differences in fatty acid composition can be challenging to detect. We determined the fatty acid composition in springtail (Collembola) in response to two temperatures (5°C and 25°C). First, we tested different sample preparation methods to maximize PUFAs. Treatments consisted of different solvents for primary lipid extraction, mixing with antioxidant, flushing with inert gas, and using different temperature exposures during saponification. Especially slow saponification at low temperature (90 min at 70°C) in combination with replacement of headspace air with nitrogen during saponification and methylation maximized PUFAs for GC analysis. Applying these methods to measure thermal responses in fatty acid composition, the data showed that the (maximized) proportion of C20PUFAs increased at low acclimation temperature. However, C18PUFAs increased at high acclimation temperature, which is contrary to expectations. Our study illustrates that PUFA levels in lipids may often be underestimated and this may hamper a correct interpretation of differential responses of fatty acid composition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Esterase‐based resistance in the tobacco‐adapted form of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the eastern United States
Authors: Srigiriraju Lakshmipathi , Semtner Paul J. , Anderson Troy D. , Bloomquist Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2009

Organophosphates and carbamates represent alternative insecticides in managing the tobacco‐adapted form of the green peach aphid (TGPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), a major pest of tobacco in the United States and around the world. General esterases that detoxify these insecticides were assessed in green, red, and orange morphs of field‐collected M. persicae. A total of 136 aphid colonies were collected from 2004 though 2007 and screened for total esterase activity. The green morphs had lower esterase levels, with a mean of 77±6.6 nmol/min/mg protein, as compared to red (84±2.9 nmol/min/mg protein) and orange morphs (172±16.5 nmol/min/mg protein). Overall esterase activities, and those for the red and green morphs, were positively correlated with LC50 values for acephate (organophosphate) and methomyl (carbamate) assessed in leaf‐dip bioassays. Esterase genes responsible for higher esterase activities were diagnosed by gene amplification studies. Twenty‐three of 24 colonies tested had either the E4 or FE4 gene amplified, both known to confer esterase‐based resistance. Fifteen out of the 24 colonies tested had amplified E4 gene and four colonies had FE4 gene amplification. All orange morphs and one green morph had both E4 and FE4 genes amplified. This unique phenotype, where two esterase genes were amplified had an 865‐bp band characteristic of the FE4 gene and an additional 381‐bp band characteristic of a deleted upstream region of the E4 gene. Changes that occurred in esterase‐based resistance in the TGPA over the past two decades and their implications on insecticide resistance management are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.