bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The controllability of difference: Social cohesion and the new politics of solidarity
Authors: Vasta Ellie
Published: December 2010

People and politics in many western countries appear increasingly hostile to immigration and cultural diversity. Multicultural discourses have been abandoned as public concern rises about European countries becoming too ethnically diverse. Opponents of multicultural approaches believe that western democratic values will be destroyed by too many immigrants whose cultures, religions and values are seen to be either too different or inferior. The claim that diverse values may threaten national identity and damage social cohesion has moved from the far-right periphery to the centre of European politics. Discourses about difference have become more exclusionary and nationalistic, while social cohesion is often being redefined to equate with homogeneity and assimilation. My analysis indicates that these changes point to a deeper underlying social process, namely that social solidarity has changed irreversibly over the past 50 years. I will examine the theoretical underpinnings of solidarity: its meaning, its contexts and foundations. Then I will explore some of the major social transformations of the past 50 years that have altered European collective identities and impacted on notions of solidarity. I conclude by considering whether the current push for ‘integration and cohesion’, for controlling difference, has any chance of achieving its desired outcomes.
The M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene in South Indian patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Polugari Prem Kumar Manohar Rao  , Munshi Anjana , Mullapudi Ratnam , Potham Sampath Kumar  , Sharath Annam , Gundala Anil Krishna  , Sadhnani Murlidhar
Published: December 2010

Introduction. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex disorder and genetically transmitted cardiac disease with a diverse clinical course. The objective of the present study was to examine the association of the T704C polymorphism of exon 2 of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene with HCM in a South Indian population from Andhra Pradesh.

Subjects and methods. One-hundred and fifty HCM (90 sporadic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [SHCM] and 60 familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [FHCM]) patients and 165 age- and sex-matched normal healthy controls without known hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were included in the study. DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes and the region of interest in the AGT gene bearing a missense mutation methionine to threonine substitution at codon 235 (M235T) of exon 2, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were subjected to restriction digestion with the enzyme SfaNI.

Results. Significant differences were detected in genotypic distribution ( p = 0.04) as well as the allelic frequency ( p = 0.003) between the SHCM patients and controls. The polymorphism did not show any association with FHCM. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the T allele of the AGT gene is significantly associated with SHCM in a South Indian population from Andhra Pradesh. However, we did not find significant association of this polymorphism with FHCM.
Genetic variation in angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene influences extent of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy independent of blood pressure
Authors: Carstens Nadia , van der Merwe Lize , Revera Miriam , Heradien Marshall , Goosen Althea , Brink Paul A , Moolman-Smook Johanna C
Published: December 2010

Introduction. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an inherited primary cardiac disorder mostly caused by defective sarcomeric proteins, serves as a model to investigate left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). HCM manifests extreme variability in the degree and distribution of LVH, even in patients with the same causal mutation. Genes coding for renin—angiotensin—aldosterone system components have been studied as hypertrophy modifiers in HCM, with emphasis on the angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor (AT1R). However, Ang II binding to Ang II type 2 receptors (AT2R) also has hypertrophy-modulating effects.

Methods. We investigated the effect of the functional +1675 G/A polymorphism (rs1403543) and additional single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3’ untranslated region of the AT2R gene ( AGTR2) on a heritable composite hypertrophy score in an HCM family cohort in which HCM founder mutations segregate.

Results. We find significant association between rs1403543 and hypertrophy, with each A allele decreasing the average wall thickness by ~0.5 mm, independent of the effects of the primary HCM causal mutation, blood pressure and other hypertrophy covariates ( p = 0.020).

Conclusion. This study therefore confirms a hypertrophy-modulating effect for AT2R also in HCM and implies that +1675 G/A could potentially be used in a panel of markers that profile a genetic predisposition to LVH in HCM.
Recent Advances in Imaging in Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Poggenborg René Panduro , Terslev Lene , Pedersen Susanne Juhl , Østergaard Mikkel
Published: December 2010

The recent introduction of effective therapies in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has increased the demand for efficient tools for diagnosis, monitoring and prognostication of PsA, and has caused an increased research effort within imaging in this disease. The clinical appearance of PsA is very diverse, involving the spine, sacroiliac joints, peripheral joints and/or entheses, and accordingly imaging findings vary. In the present paper, we present a review of the recent advances in imaging in PsA, focusing primarily on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging of peripheral disease manifestations.
Therapeutic potential of c-Myc inhibition in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wolfram Julie A. , Lesnefsky Edward J. , Hoit Brian D. , Smith Mark A. , Lee Hyoung-gon
Published: December 2010

Investigating the pathophysiological importance of the molecular and mechanical development of cardiomyopathy is critical to find new and broader means of protection against this disease that is increasing in prevalence and impact. The current available treatment options for cardiomyopathy mainly focus on treating symptoms and strive to make the patient more comfortable while preventing progression of disease and sudden death. The proto-oncogene c-Myc (Myc) has been shown to be increased in many different types of heart disease, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, before any signs of the disease are present. As the mechanisms of action and multiple pathways of dependent actions of Myc are being dissected by many research groups, inhibition of Myc is becoming an attractive paradigm for prevention and treatment of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Elucidating the role Myc plays in the development, propagation and perpetuation of cardiomyopathy and heart failure will one day translate into potential therapeutics for cardiomyopathy.
Obstinate Choledocholithiasis
Authors: Kuhn Cara
Published: December 2010

Obstinate choledocholithiasis occurs when an obstructing common duct stone is large in size and does not easily respond to simple endoscopic or laparoscopic removal techniques. Such stones increase the risk of complications from causing biliary obstruction and from requiring more invasive methods of extraction. Sonography combined with computed tomography can confirm the presence, size, and position of common duct stones under ideal conditions before deciding if and how to treat choledocholithiasis. The sonographer must often battle bowel gas and difficult body habitus to image common duct stones, but it is crucial to document them when possible for proper diagnosis and management.
Neoangiogenesis contributes to the development of hemophilic synovitis
Authors: Acharya Suchitra S. , Kaplan Rosandra N. , Macdonald Dan , Fabiyi Oluwa T. , DiMichele Donna , Lyden David
Published: December 2010

Joint arthropathy secondary to recurrent hemarthroses remains a debilitating complication of hemophilia despite the use of prophylactic factor concentrates. Increased vascularity and neoangiogenesis have been implicated in the progression of musculoskeletal disorders and tumor growth. We hypothesized that de novo blood vessel formation could play a major role in the pathogenesis of hemophilic joint disease (HJD). We observed a 4-fold elevation in proangiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor-A [VEGF-A], stromal cell–derived factor-1, and matrix metalloprotease-9) and proangiogenic macrophage/monocyte cells (VEGF+/CD68+ and VEGFR1+/CD11b+) in the synovium and peripheral blood of HJD subjects along with significantly increased numbers of VEGFR2+/AC133+ endothelial progenitor cells and CD34+/VEGFR1+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Sera from HJD subjects induced an angiogenic response in endothelial cells that was abrogated by blocking VEGF, whereas peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HJD subjects stimulated synovial cell proliferation, which was blocked by a humanized anti-VEGF antibody (bevacizumab). Human synovial cells, when incubated with HJD sera, could elicit up-regulation of HIF-1α mRNA with HIF-1α expression in the synovium of HJD subjects, implicating hypoxia in the neoangiogenesis process. Our results provide evidence of local and systemic angiogenic response in hemophilic subjects with recurrent hemarthroses suggesting a potential to develop surrogate biologic markers to identify the onset and progression of hemophilic synovitis.
Genetic variation associated with plasma von Willebrand factor levels and the risk of incident venous thrombosis
Authors: Smith Nicholas L. , Rice Kenneth M. , Bovill Edwin G. , Cushman Mary , Bis Joshua C. , McKnight Barbara , Lumley Thomas , Glazer Nicole L. , van Hylckama Vlieg Astrid , Tang Weihong , Dehghan Abbas , Strachan David P. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Rotter Jerome I. , Heckbert Susan R. , Psaty Bruce M. , Rosendaal Frits R.
Published: December 2010

In a recent genome-wide association study, variants in 8 genes were associated with VWF level, a risk factor for venous thrombosis (VT). In an independent, population-based, case-control study of incident VT, we tested hypotheses that variants in these genes would be associated with risk. Cases were 656 women who experienced an incident VT, and controls comprised 710 women without a history of VT. DNA was obtained from whole blood. Logistic regression was used to test associations between incident VT and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 7 genes not previously shown to be associated with VT. Associations with P < .05 were candidates for replication in an independent case-control study of VT in both sexes. Two of the 7 SNPs tested yielded P < .05: rs1039084 (P = .005) in STXBP5, a novel candidate gene for VT, and rs1063856 (P = .04) in VWF, a gene whose protein level is associated with VT risk. Association results for the remaining 5 variants in SCARA5, STAB2, STX2, TC2N, and CLEC4M were not significant. Both STXBP5 and VWF findings were replicated successfully. Variation in genes associated with VWF levels in the genome-wide association study was found to be independently associated with incident VT.
Ought, Agents, and Actions
Authors: Schroeder Mark
Published: December 2010

According to a naive view sometimes apparent in the writings of moral philosophers, 'ought' often expresses a relation between agents and actions—the relation that obtains between an agent and an action when that action is what that agent ought to do. It is not part of this naive view that 'ought' always expresses this relation—adherents of the naive view are happy to allow that 'ought' also has an evaluative sense, on which it means, roughly, that were things ideal, some proposition would be the case. What is important to the naive view is that there is also a deliberative sense of 'ought', on which it relates agents to actions. In contrast, logically and linguistically sophisticated philosophers have typically rejected this naive view. According to them, there is no argument-place for an agent in any relation expressed by 'ought', nor is there any argument-place for an action. According to this view, if Jim ought to jam, that is not because there is a special distinctive deliberative ought relation between Jim and jamming; rather, it is because a certain proposition ought to be the case: namely, that Jim jams. This essay defends the naive view, by first arguing that there are two distinct normative senses of 'ought', which actually exhibit different syntactic behavior, and then going on to argue that the deliberative sense of 'ought' relates agents to actions, rather than to propositions. It closes by drawing lessons for a range of issues in moral theory.
On Imagism About Phenomenal Thought
Authors: Sundström Pär
Published: December 2010

Imagism about Phenomenal Thought is (roughly) the view that there is some concept Q (for some sensory quality Q) that we can employ only while we experience the quality Q. I believe this view is theoretically significant, is or can be made intuitively appealing, and is explicitly or implicitly accepted by many contemporary philosophers. However, there is no good reason to accept it. Or so I argue.
Disability profile in leprosy patients' diagnoses in a rural reference leprosy centre in Ethiopia during 1999–2009
Authors: Ramos José M , Reyes Francisco , Lemma Deriba , Belinchón Isabel , Gomez José R
Published: December 2010

We assessed the epidemiology of disabilities in leprosy cases treated in a rural hospital over a 10-year period. This is a retrospective data collection using leprosy registers and treatment cards in a rural private mission hospital. Over the 10-year period, 210 patients with leprosy were registered for treatment. One hundred and twenty-eight (61.5%) had disabilities (26.0% grade 1 and 35.6% grade 2): 13.5% ocular disabilities, 44.5% disabilities in hands and 44.7% foot impairment. Patients >19 years had more disabilities (66.7% versus 50.7%) ( P = 0.03), especially ocular disabilities (16.7% in >20 versus 6.0% in <20 years) ( P = 0.03). This study detected a high prevalence of disabilities.
The Relationship between Insulin Resistance and the Cardiovascular Biomarker Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Obese Patients
Authors: Vila Greisa , Riedl Michaela , Anderwald Christian , Resl Michael , Handisurya Ammon , Clodi Martin , Prager Gerhard , Ludvik Bernhard , Krebs Michael , Luger Anton
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine linked to obesity comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cancer. GDF-15 also has adipokine properties and recently emerged as a prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular events.

METHODS

We evaluated the relationship of plasma GDF-15 concentrations with parameters of obesity, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolism in a cohort of 118 morbidly obese patients [mean (SD) age 37.2 (12) years, 89 females, 29 males] and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy lean individuals. All study participants underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test; 28 patients were studied before and 1 year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

RESULTS

Obese individuals displayed increased plasma GDF-15 concentrations (P < 0.001), with highest concentrations observed in patients with type 2 diabetes. GDF-15 was positively correlated with age, waist-to-height ratio, mean arterial blood pressure, triglycerides, creatinine, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c, and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index and negatively correlated with oral glucose insulin sensitivity. Age, homeostatic model assessment index, oral glucose insulin sensitivity, and creatinine were independent predictors of GDF-15 concentrations. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass led to a significant reduction in weight, leptin, insulin, and insulin resistance, but further increased GDF-15 concentrations (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The associations between circulating GDF-15 concentrations and age, insulin resistance, and creatinine might account for the additional cardiovascular predictive information of GDF-15 compared to traditional risk factors. Nevertheless, GDF-15 changes following bariatric surgery suggest an indirect relationship between GDF-15 and insulin resistance. The clinical utility of GDF-15 as a biomarker might be limited until the pathways directly controlling GDF-15 concentrations are better understood.
OutHistory.org: An Experiment in LGBTQ Community History-Making
Authors: Gutterman Lauren Jae
Published: December 2010

This article describes OutHistory.org, the public Web site on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) history hosted by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS) at the City University of New York, Graduate Center. OutHistory.org uses MediaWiki software to compile community-created histories of LGBTQ life in the U.S. and make the insights of LGBTQ history broadly accessible. Project Coordinator Lauren Gutterman explains how the public history project employs digital history to collect, advance, and project LGBTQ history, and how it serves as a model for other interactive history Web sites.
Determinantes contextuais da mortalidade neonatal no Rio Grande do Sul por dois modelos de análise
Authors: Zanini Roselaine Ruviaro , Moraes Anaelena Bragança de , Giugliani Elsa Regina Justo , Riboldi João
Published: December 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar os determinantes da mortalidade neonatal, segundo modelo de regressão logística multinível e modelo hierárquico clássico. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte com 138.407 nascidos vivos com declaração de nascimento e 1.134 óbitos neonatais registrados em 2003 no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram vinculados os registros do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos e Mortalidade para o levantamento das informações sobre exposição no nível individual. As variáveis independentes incluíram características da criança ao nascer, da gestação, da assistência à saúde e fatores sociodemográficos. Fatores associados foram estimados e comparados por meio da análise de regressão logística clássica e multinível. RESULTADOS: O coeficiente de mortalidade neonatal foi 8,19 por mil nascidos vivos. As variáveis que se mostraram associadas ao óbito neonatal no modelo hierárquico foram: baixo peso ao nascer, Apgar no 1º e 5º minutos inferiores a oito, presença de anomalia congênita, prematuridade e perda fetal anterior. Cesariana apresentou efeito protetor. No modelo multinível, a perda fetal anterior não se manteve significativa, mas a inclusão da variável contextual (taxa de pobreza) indicou que 15% da variação da mortalidade neonatal podem ser explicados pela variabilidade nas taxas de pobreza em cada microrregião. CONCLUSÕES: O uso de modelos multiníveis foi capaz de mostrar pequeno efeito dos determinantes contextuais na mortalidade neonatal. Foi observada associação positiva com a taxa de pobreza, no modelo geral, e com o percentual de domicílios com abastecimento de água entre os nascidos pré-termos.
Validação brasileira do Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida/espiritualidade, religião e crenças pessoais
Authors: Panzini Raquel Gehrke , Maganha Camila , Rocha Neusa Sica da , Bandeira Denise Ruschel , Fleck Marcelo P
Published: December 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar propriedades psicométricas do Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde - Módulo Espiritualidade, Religiosidade e Crenças Pessoais (WHOQOL-SRPB). MÉTODOS: O WHOQOL-SRPB, a Escala de Coping Religioso/Espiritual Abreviada (CRE-Breve), o WHOQOL-Breve e o BDI foram consecutivamente aplicados em amostra de conveniência de 404 pacientes e funcionários de hospital universitário e funcionários de universidade, em Porto Alegre, RS, entre 2006 e 2009. A amostra foi estratificada por sexo, idade, estado de saúde e religião/crença. O reteste dos dois primeiros instrumentos foi realizado com 54 participantes. Análises fatoriais exploratórias do WHOQOL-SRPB pelo método dos componentes principais foram realizadas sem delimitar o número de fatores, solicitando oito fatores e em conjunto com os itens do WHOQOL-Breve. RESULTADOS: O WHOQOL-SRPB em português brasileiro (Domínio SRPB-Geral) apresentou validade de construto, com validade discriminativa entre crentes de não-crentes (t = 7,40; p = 0,0001); validade relacionada ao critério concorrente, discriminando deprimidos de não-deprimidos (t = 5,03; p = 0,0001); validade convergente com o WHOQOL-Breve (com físico r = 0,18; psicológico r = 0,46; social r = 0,35; ambiental r = 0,29; global r = 0,23; p = 0,0001) e com o Domínio SRPB do WHOQOL-100 (r = 0,78; p = 0,0001); e validade convergente/discriminante com a Escala CRE-Breve (com CREpositivo r = 0,64; p = 0,0001/CREnegativo r = -0,03; p = 0,554). Observou-se excelente fidedignidade teste-reteste (t = 0,74; p = 0,463) e consistência interna (α = 0,96; correlação intrafatorial 0,87 > r > 0,60, p = 0,0001). As análises fatoriais exploratórias realizadas corroboraram a estrutura de oito fatores do estudo multicêntrico do WHOQOL-SRPB. CONCLUSÕES: O WHOQOL-SRPB em português brasileiro apresentou boas qualidades psicométricas e uso válido e fidedigno para uso no Brasil. Sugerem-se novos estudos com populações específicas, como diferentes religiões, grupos culturais e/ou doenças.
Vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacinação e segurança de programas de imunização
Authors: Waldman Eliseu Alves , Luhm Karin Regina , Monteiro Sandra Aparecida Moreira Gomes , Freitas Fabiana Ramos Martin de
Published: December 2010

O objetivo da revisão foi analisar aspectos conceituais e operacionais de sistemas de vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacina. Foram incluídos artigos disponíveis em formato eletrônico, publicados entre 1985 e 2009, selecionados nas bases Medline/PubMed, com as palavras-chave: "adverse events following vaccine", "adverse events following vaccine surveillance", "post-marketing surveillance" e "safety vaccine" e "Phase IV clinical trials", e excluídos aqueles com foco em tipos específicos desses eventos. Foram apontados os principais aspectos que justificam a importância dos eventos adversos pós-vacina em saúde pública, os instrumentos que garantem a segurança das vacinas e as finalidades, atributos, tipos, interpretações de dados, limitações e novos desafios da vigilância de eventos adversos pós-vacina, bem como estratégias para aumentar sua sensibilidade. A revisão é concluída com desafios para os próximos anos, visando à segurança e confiabilidade dos programas de vacinação.
Applying the triads method in the validation of dietary intake using biomarkers
Authors: Yokota Renata Tiene de Carvalho , Miyazaki Edina Shizue , Ito Marina Kiyomi
Published: December 2010

The triads method is applied in validation studies of dietary intake to evaluate the correlation between three measurements (food frequency questionnaire, reference method and biomarker) and the true intake using validity coefficients (Á). The main advantage of this technique is the inclusion of the biomarker, which presents independent errors compared with those of the traditional methods. The method assumes the linearity between the three measurements and the true intake and independence between the three measurement errors. Limitations of this technique include the occurrence of Á > 1, known as "Heywood case", and the existence of negative correlations, which do not allow the calculation of Á. The objective of this review is to present the concept of the method, describe its application and examine the validation studies of dietary intake that use the triads method. We also conceptualize the "bootstrap" method, used to estimate the confidence intervals of the validity coefficients.
Dietary assessment in the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study: comparing energy intake with energy expenditure
Authors: Gigante Denise P. , Reichert Felipe Fossati , Hallal Pedro C. , Souza Rosângela Velleda de , Neutzling Marilda Borges , Vieira Maria de Fátima Alves , Assunção Maria Cecilia Formoso , Araújo Cora Luiza , Menezes Ana M. B.
Published: December 2010

The study aims to describe and compare two methods of energy intake assessment and one measure of energy expenditure applied in adolescents from a birth cohort. In a sub-sample of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort, followed up in 2006-7, information on intake was obtained through a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and three 24-hour-recalls (24hR), while energy expenditure was assessed using an accelerometer. Bland & Altman plots were used in the analyses in order to compare the methods. The mean difference between FFQ and 24hR was 592 ± 929cal/day. Compared to energy expenditure, intake was overestimated when measured by FFQ (357 ± 968cal/day) and underestimated by 24hR (-278 ± 714cal/day). In spite of the great differences between energy intake obtained using the two methods, lower differences were observed when these methods were compared to expenditure.
How many 24-hour recalls or food records are required to estimate usual energy and nutrient intake?
Authors: Pereira Rosângela Alves , Araujo Marina Campos , Lopes Taís de Souza , Yokoo Edna Massae
Published: December 2010

For dietary intake assessments, one needs to know the minimum 24-hour recall or food record replications that are required to estimate usual energy and nutrient intake and to classify subjects correctly according to their nutrient intake. Data from two different studies on dietary intake that were carried out with 300 adults and 169 adolescents in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan area, Brazil, were analyzed. To estimate the number of replications two methods were applied: one based on the variances ratio, the other based on the within-subject variance alone. The most important results found were the requirement for 14 replications for boys and men, 15 for girls, and 23 for women in order to estimate energy intake with a precision of 90%. Also four replications for boys and seven for men, girls and women are required to classify individuals' energy intake with a correlation coefficient of 0.9. Due to the within variance in food intake, a larger number of replications is required to obtain estimates of usual intakes than is needed to classify subjects according to levels of dietary intake.
Development of a food frequency questionnaire in a probabilistic sample of adults from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Anjos Luiz Antonio dos , Wahrlich Vivian , Vasconcellos Mauricio Teixeira Leite de , Souza Danielle Ribeiro de , Olinto Maria Teresa Anselmo , Waissmann William , Henn Ruth Liane , Rossato Sinara Laurini , Lourenço Ana Eliza Port , Bressan Ana Weigert
Published: December 2010

With the purpose of generating a list of foods for a food-frequency questionnaire, data from 24h dietary recalls on a typical day from a probabilistic sample of 1,724 adults of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed. The frequency of food intake, the total intake of energy and macronutrients and the relative contribution of each food item to total energy and macronutrient intake were calculated. The most frequently reported food items (> 50% of adults) were rice, coffee, beans, refined canesugar, and bread. Whole milk was consumed more frequently then skimmed milk or semi-skimmed milk. Beef was consumed by more adults than chicken, pork or fish. Approximately 90% of energy and macronutrients intake was explained by 65 food items. The list of food items generated in the present analysis is similar to those found in other samples of adults from urban areas in Brazil. It may be possible to generate a core list of common foods with addition of regional foods to be used nationally in urban areas of the country.
Food availability at birth limited reproductive success in historical humans
Authors: Rickard Ian J. , Holopainen Jari , Helama Samuli , Helle Samuli , Russell Andrew F. , Lummaa Virpi
Published: December 2010

Environmental conditions in early life can profoundly affect individual development and have consequences for reproductive success. Limited food availability may be one of the reasons for this, but direct evidence linking variation in early‐life nutrition to reproductive performance in adulthood in natural populations is sparse. We combined historical agricultural data with detailed demographic church records to investigate the effect of food availability around the time of birth on the reproductive success of 927 men and women born in 18th‐century Finland. Our study population exhibits natural mortality and fertility rates typical of many preindustrial societies, and individuals experienced differing access to resources due to social stratification. We found that among both men and women born into landless families (i.e., with low access to resources), marital prospects, probability of reproduction, and offspring viability were all positively related to local crop yield during the birth year. Such effects were generally absent among those born into landowning families. Among landless individuals born when yields of the two main crops, rye and barley, were both below median, only 50% of adult males and 55% of adult females gained any reproductive success in their lifetime, whereas 97% and 95% of those born when both yields were above the median did so. Our results suggest that maternal investment in offspring in prenatal or early postnatal life may have profound implications for the evolutionary fitness of human offspring, particularly among those for which resources are more limiting. Our study adds support to the idea that early nutrition can limit reproductive success in natural animal populations, and provides the most direct evidence to date that this process applies to humans.
Consistent effects of nitrogen fertilization on soil bacterial communities in contrasting systems
Authors: Ramirez Kelly S. , Lauber Christian L. , Knight Rob , Bradford Mark A. , Fierer Noah
Published: December 2010

Ecosystems worldwide are receiving increasing amounts of reactive nitrogen (N) through anthropogenic activities. Although the effects of increased N inputs on plant communities have been reasonably well studied, few comparable studies have examined impacts on whole soil bacterial communities, though they play critical roles in ecosystem functioning. We sampled soils from two long‐term ecological research (LTER) experimental N gradients, both of which have been amended with NH4NO3; a grassland at Cedar Creek (27 years of N additions) and an agricultural field at Kellogg Biological Station (8 years of N additions). By examining shifts in bacterial communities across these contrasting ecosystem types, we could test competing hypotheses about the direct and indirect factors that might drive bacterial responses to elevated N inputs. Bacterial community structure was highly responsive to N additions. We observed predictable and consistent changes in the structure of the bacterial communities across both ecosystem types. Our results suggest that bacterial communities across these gradients are more structured by N and/or soil carbon availability than by shifts in the plant community or soil pH associated with the elevated nitrogen inputs. In contrast to the pronounced shifts in bacterial community composition and in direct contrast to the patterns often observed in plant communities, increases in N availability did not have consistent effects on the richness and diversity of soil bacterial communities.
Language of Interview, Self-Rated Health, and the Other Latino Health Puzzle
Authors: Viruell-Fuentes Edna A. , Morenoff Jeffrey D. , Williams David R. , House James S.
Published: December 2010

Objectives. We investigated whether the conventional Spanish translation of the self-rated health survey question helps explain why Latinos' self-rated health is worse than Whites' despite more objective health measures showing them to be as healthy as or healthier than are Whites.

Methods. We analyzed the relationship between language of interview and self-rated health in the Chicago Community Adult Health Study (2001–2003) and the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Results. Being interviewed in Spanish was associated with significantly higher odds of rating health as fair or poor in both data sets. Moreover, adjusting for language of interview substantially reduced the gap between Whites and Latinos. Spanish-language interviewees were more likely to rate their health as fair (regular in Spanish) than as any other choice, and this preference was strongest when compared with categories representing better health (good, very good, and excellent).

Conclusions. Our findings suggest that translation of the English word “fair” to regular induces Spanish-language respondents to report poorer health than they would in English. Self-rated health should be interpreted with caution, especially in racial/ethnic comparisons, and research should explore alternative translations.
Evaluation of EX: A National Mass Media Smoking Cessation Campaign
Authors: Vallone Donna M. , Duke Jennifer C. , Cullen Jennifer , McCausland Kristen L. , Allen Jane A.
Published: December 2010

Objectives. We used longitudinal data to examine the relationship between confirmed awareness of a national, branded, mass media smoking cessation campaign and cessation outcomes.

Methods. We surveyed adult smokers (n = 4067) in 8 designated market areas (“media markets”) at baseline and again approximately 6 months later. We used multivariable models to examine campaign effects on cognitions about quitting, quit attempts, and 30-day abstinence.

Results. Respondents who demonstrated confirmed awareness of the EX campaign were significantly more likely to increase their level of agreement on a cessation-related cognitions index from baseline to follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; P = .046). Individuals with confirmed campaign awareness had a 24% greater chance than did those who were not aware of the campaign of making a quit attempt between baseline and follow-up (OR = 1.24; P = .048).

Conclusions. A national, branded, mass media smoking cessation campaign can change smokers' cognitions about quitting and increase quit attempts. We strongly recommend that federal and state governments provide funding for media campaigns to increase smoking cessation, particularly for campaigns that have been shown to impact quit attempts and abstinence.
Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Characteristics, Coethnic Social Ties, and Health: Evidence From the National Jewish Population Survey
Authors: Pearson Jay A. , Geronimus Arline T.
Published: December 2010

Objectives. We explored whether a White ethnic group with a history of structural disadvantage, Jewish Americans, shows evidence of continuing health impact independent of socioeconomic position (SEP), whether coethnic social ties appear health protective, and whether the strength of any protection varies by SEP.

Methods. In a series of ordered logistic regressions, we analyzed data from the National Jewish Population Survey, 2000–2001, regressing self-rated health on race/ethnicity, education, and income for US Blacks, Jews, and other Whites and, for Jews alone, indicators of coethnic social ties.

Results. controlling for SEP indicators, the self-rated health of Jews converged with that of Blacks and was significantly worse than that of other Whites. Access to coethnic social ties was associated with better self-rated health among Jews, with the strongest estimated association among those of lower SEP.

Conclusions. The finding that a White ethnic group with a favorable socioeconomic profile reported significantly worse health than did other Whites, after controlling for SEP, calls for better understanding of the complex interplay of cultural, psychosocial, and socioeconomic resources in shaping population health.
Ongoing Coverage for Ongoing Care: Access, Utilization, and Out-of-Pocket Spending Among Uninsured Working-Aged Adults with Chronic Health Care Needs
Authors: Gulley Stephen P. , Rasch Elizabeth K. , Chan Leighton
Published: December 2010

Objectives. We sought to determine how part-year and full-year gaps in health insurance coverage affected working-aged persons with chronic health care needs.

Methods. We conducted multivariate analyses of the 2002–2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to compare access, utilization, and out-of-pocket spending burden among key groups of persons with chronic conditions and disabilities. The results are generalizable to the US community-dwelling population aged 18 to 64 years.

Results. Among 92 million adults with chronic conditions, 21% experienced at least 1 month uninsured during the average year (2002–2004). Among the 25 million persons reporting both chronic conditions and disabilities, 23% were uninsured during the average year. These gaps in coverage were associated with significantly higher levels of access problems, lower rates of ambulatory visits and prescription drug use, and higher levels of out-of-pocket spending.

Conclusions. Implementation of health care reform must focus not only on the prevention of chronic conditions and the expansion of insurance coverage but also on the long-term stability of the coverage to be offered.
Drug Arrests and Injection Drug Deterrence
Authors: Friedman Samuel R. , Pouget Enrique R. , Chatterjee Sudip , Cleland Charles M. , Tempalski Barbara , Brady Joanne E. , Cooper Hannah L. F.
Published: December 2010

Objectives. We tested the hypothesis that higher rates of previous hard drug–related arrests predict lower rates of injection drug use.

Methods. We analyzed drug-related arrest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program for 93 large US metropolitan statistical areas in 1992 to 2002 to predict previously published annual estimates of the number of injection drug users (IDUs) per 10 000 population.

Results. In linear mixed-effects regression, hard drug–related arrest rates were positively associated (parameter = +1.59; SE = 0.57) with the population rate of IDUs in 1992 and were not associated with change in the IDU rate over time (parameter = −0.15; SE = 0.39).

Conclusions. Deterrence-based approaches to reducing drug use seem not to reduce IDU prevalence. Alternative approaches such as harm reduction, which prevents HIV transmission and increases referrals to treatment, may be a better foundation for policy.
Understanding Community-Based Processes for Research Ethics Review: A National Study
Authors: Shore Nancy , Brazauskas Ruta , Drew Elaine , Wong Kristine A. , Moy Lisa , Baden Andrea Corage , Cyr Kirsten , Ulevicus Jocelyn , Seifer Sarena D.
Published: December 2010

Objectives. Institutional review boards (IRBs), designed to protect individual study participants, do not routinely assess community consent, risks, and benefits. Community groups are establishing ethics review processes to determine whether and how research is conducted in their communities. To strengthen the ethics review of community-engaged research, we sought to identify and describe these processes.

Methods. In 2008 we conducted an online survey of US-based community groups and community–institutional partnerships involved in human-participants research. We identified 109 respondents who met participation criteria and had ethics review processes in place.

Results. The respondents' processes mainly functioned through community–institutional partnerships, community-based organizations, community health centers, and tribal organizations. These processes had been created primarily to ensure that the involved communities were engaged in and directly benefited from research and were protected from research harms. The primary process benefits included giving communities a voice in determining which studies were conducted and ensuring that studies were relevant and feasible, and that they built community capacity. The primary process challenges were the time and resources needed to support the process.

Conclusions. Community-based processes for ethics review consider community-level ethical issues that institution-based IRBs often do not.
Socioeconomic and Ethnic Differences in Disease Burden and Disparities in Physical Function in Older Adults
Authors: Louie Grant H. , Ward Michael M.
Published: December 2010

Objectives. We investigated whether a greater burden of disease among poorer individuals and ethnic minorities accounted for socioeconomic and racial disparities in self-reported physical functioning among older adults.

Methods. We used data from adults aged 60 years or older (n = 5556) in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994 to test associations between education level, poverty index, and race/ethnicity and limitations in 11 functions. We adjusted for demographic features and measures of disease burden (comorbid conditions, smoking, hemoglobin level, serum albumin level, knee pain, body mass index, and skeletal muscle index).

Results. Associations between education and functional limitations were attenuated after adjustment, but those with 0–8 years of education were more likely than those with 13 or more years of education to have limitations in 3 functions. Poverty was associated with a higher likelihood of limitations despite adjustment. The likelihood of limitations among non-Hispanic Blacks and Mexican Americans was similar to that of non-Hispanic Whites after adjustment.

Conclusions. Socioeconomic disparities in functional limitations among older Americans exist independent of disease burden, whereas socioeconomic differences and disease burden account for racial disparities.
Analytical and Experimental Studies on Induced Current Switching by a Fault-Proof Gas Insulated Earthing Switch
Authors: Rao Mandava Mohana , Paul Moutusi , Jain H.S.
Published: December 2010

Fault-proof earthing switches are one of the important modules of a gas insulated substation, as it enables make at 100 percent short circuit current, which is functionally different from maintenance earthing switches. The fault-proof earthing switch shall be designed to make and break electro-magnetically and electro-statically induced currents as per IEC-62271-102. The paper discusses the impact of test circuit configurations and voltage on test parameters for gas insulated fault-proof earthing switch utilizing simulation with PSCAD software. Authors record the development of a 145 kV gas insulated fault proof earthing switch by considering novel design features like minimum arcing/pre-arcing time, effective current transfer from arcing contact to ground terminal, etc. The development has been evaluated successfully for electro-magnetically and electro-statically induced current duties as per IEC. Finally, design parameters to be considered for ensuring reliable performance during induced current switching from fault-proof earthing switches are also discussed.
The analysis of innovation input - output relationships in EU member states
Authors: Kijek Arkadiusz , Kijek Tomasz
Published: December 2010

This article presents some findings of an analysis of innovation input - output relationship in EU member states. The first section of the paper considers the role of innovation in economic growth with particular attention to the new endogenous growth models. In the second part, the dichotomous approach to innovation and its measures is presented. The last section contains the methodology and outcome of research. The results of the study show that R&D expenditures, ICT and human capital are the key innovation inputs that affect such innovation outputs as innovation and patent propensity and new-to-market sales.
Social Responsibility within Thinking about Forgiveness
Authors: Michančová Slávka
Published: December 2010

Social Responsibility within Thinking about Forgiveness

In Christian communities, victims of serious harm are often pressed to forgive their offenders without proper explanation of the concept of forgiveness. Quick forgiveness is often seen as the ideal solution to the problems that crime has caused. However the misunderstanding of the concept does not contribute to the healing of anyone involved (offender, victim, and community); rather it undermines the process of restoration. The author of the article tries to clarify how to understand the biblical request for forgiveness and describe various components of the forgiveness process. The content of the article should be useful for helping professions (especially for social workers, counselors, therapists, priests and pastoral workers) that come in contact with victims and perpetrators of crime.
Phase transformations contributing to the properties of modern steels
Authors: Bhadeshia H.
Published: December 2010

Phase transformations contributing to the properties of modern steels

The role of phase transformation theory in contributing to the development of innovative steels is assessed, focusing on examples where the relationship is transparent. Virtually all of the major transformations, ranging from those which necessarily involve diffusion, to others where the change in crystal structure is achieved by a deformation, are considered.
Electrostatic deposition of nanothin films on metal substrate
Authors: Jaworek A. , Sobczyk A. , Krupa A. , Lackowski M. , Czech T.
Published: December 2010

Electrostatic deposition of nanothin films on metal substrate

Thin solid film has been deposited by electrohydrodynamic spraying (electrospraying) onto a metal substrate. Electrospraying is a low-energy physical process in which tangential stress exerted by electric field on the surface of a liquid flowing form a capillary nozzle causes jet elongation, and the Coulomb repulsive forces disintegrate of this jet into fine droplets. By this method TiO2, ZnO, MgO, or Al2O3particles of size from 20 to 100 nm electrosprayed from a colloidal suspension were deposited onto a stainless steel substrate. The advantage that electrospray has over other methods for thin solid film production is that the growth rate of the layer is relatively high, the process can be carried out in an ambient atmosphere, in air or other gas, and at low temperature, without the need for a complex reactor and vacuum systems.
Asymptotic stability of positive 2D linear systems with delays
Authors: Kaczorek T.
Published: December 2010

Asymptotic stability of positive 2D linear systems with delays

New necessary and sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of positive 2D linear systems with delays described by the general model, Fornasini-Marchesini models and Roesser model are established. It is shown that checking of the asymptotic stability of positive 2D linear systems with delays can be reduced to the checking of the asymptotic stability of corresponding positive 1D linear systems without delays. The efficiency of the new criterions is demonstrated on numerical examples.
Asymptotic stability of positive fractional 2D linear systems
Authors: Kaczorek T.
Published: December 2010

Asymptotic stability of positive fractional 2D linear systems

New necessary and sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of the positive fractional 2D systems are established. It is shown that the checking of the asymptotic stability of positive fractional 2D linear systems can be reduced to testing the stability of corresponding 1D positive linear systems.
A bidirectional DC-DC converter for renewable energy systems
Authors: Jalbrzykowski S. , Citko T.
Published: December 2010

A bidirectional DC-DC converter for renewable energy systems

To improve the energy quality, most of the renewable energy systems include an energy storage element charged by the bidirectional DC-DC converter. This paper proposes the bidirectional DC-DC converter which employs the two bridge configuration resonant class-E converters on the both sides of the isolating transformer. The low side converter is controlled as step up and the high side converter is controlled as step down. The proposed system is characterized by good dynamic properties and high efficiency because the converter transistors are switched in ZVS conditions. A theoretical analysis to provide relations for system design, and the laboratory model investigations to validate the system characteristic are given in the paper.