bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of Wastewater Indicators and Human Pathogen Genomes in Biosolids Produced by Class A and Class B Stabilization Treatments
Authors: Viau Emily , Peccia Jordan
Published: November 2008

Accurate modeling of the infectious aerosol risk associated with the land application of biosolids requires an in-depth knowledge of the magnitudes and changes in pathogen concentrations for a variety of class A and class B stabilization methods. The following survey used quantitative PCR (qPCR) and culture assays to detect environmentally resistant bacterial and viral pathogens and biosolid indicator organisms for 36 biosolid grab samples. Biosolids were collected from 14 U.S. states and included 16 class B mesophilic anaerobic digestion (MAD) samples and 20 class A biosolid samples from temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD), MAD plus composting (COM), and MAD plus heat pelletization processes. The indicator concentrations of fecal coliforms and male-specific coliphages as well as pathogen genome concentrations for human adenovirus species,Legionella pneumophila,Staphylococcus aureus, andClostridium difficilewere significantly lower in the class A samples, and a multivariate analysis of variance ranked the stabilization processes from the lowest pathogen/indicator load to the highest as (i) class A COM, (ii) class A TPAD, and (iii) class B MAD. Human adenovirus genomes were found in 88% of the class B samples and 70 to 100% of the class A samples.L. pneumophila,S. aureus, andC. difficilegenomes were detected at the qPCR assay detection limits in 19 to 50% of the class B and class A anaerobic digestion samples, whileL. pneumophilawas detected in 50% of the class A compost samples. When considering all the stabilization methods, both the fecal coliform and the male-specific coliphage concentrations show a significant linear correlation with the pathogen genome concentrations. This survey provides the necessary pathogen concentrations to add to biosolid aerosol risk and pathogen exposure analyses and clarifies the effectiveness of class A stabilization methods with the pathogen and indicator loads in biosolids.
Abundance and Activity of Methanotrophic Bacteria in Littoral and Profundal Sediments of Lake Constance (Germany)
Authors: Rahalkar M. , Deutzmann J. , Schink B. , Bussmann I.
Published: November 2008

The abundances and activities of aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) were compared in depth profiles of littoral and profundal sediments of Lake Constance, Germany. Abundances were determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the
pmoA
gene and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and data were compared to methane oxidation rates calculated from high-resolution concentration profiles. qPCR using type I MOB-specific
pmoA
primers indicated that type I MOB represented a major proportion in both sediments at all depths. FISH indicated that in both sediments, type I MOB outnumbered type II MOB at least fourfold. Results obtained with both techniques indicated that in the littoral sediment, the highest numbers of methanotrophs were found at a depth of 2 to 3 cm, corresponding to the zone of highest methane oxidation activity, although no oxygen could be detected in this zone. In the profundal sediment, highest methane oxidation activities were found at a depth of 1 to 2 cm, while MOB abundance decreased gradually with sediment depth. In both sediments, MOB were also present at high numbers in deeper sediment layers where no methane oxidation activity could be observed.
Overproduction of Exopolysaccharides by an
Escherichia coli
K-12
rpoS
Mutant in Response to Osmotic Stress
Authors: Ionescu Michael , Belkin Shimshon
Published: November 2008

The
yjbEFGH
operon is implicated in the production of an exopolysaccharide of an unknown function and is induced by osmotic stress and negatively regulated by the general stress response sigma factor RpoS. Despite the obvious importance of RpoS, negative selection for
rpoS
has been reported to take place in starved cultures, suggesting an adaptive occurrence allowing the overexpression of RpoD-dependent uptake and nutrient-scavenging systems. The trade-off of the RpoS-dependent functions for improved nutrient utilization abilities makes the bacterium more sensitive to environmental stressors, e.g., osmotic stress. In this work, we addressed the hypothesis that overinduction of genes in
rpoS
-deficient strains indicates their essentiality. Using DNA microarrays, real-time PCR, and transcriptional fusions, we show that genes of the
wca
operon, implicated in the production of the colanic acid exopolysaccharide, previously shown to be induced by osmotic stress, are also negatively controlled by RpoS. Both exopolysaccharides in the synthesis of which
yjb
and
wca
are involved are overproduced in an
rpoS
mutant during osmotic stress. We also show that both operons are essential in an
rpoS
-deficient strain but not in the wild type; promoters of both operons are constitutively active in
yjb rpoS
mutants; this strain produces extremely mucoid colonies, forms long filaments, and exhibits a reduced growth capability. In addition, the
wca rpoS
mutant's growth is inhibited by osmotic stress. These results indicate that although induced in the wild type, both operons are much more valuable for an
rpoS
-deficient strain, suggesting that the overproduction of both exopolysaccharides is an adaptive action.
The Plasmid-Encoded Regulator Activates Factors Conferring Lysozyme Resistance on Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Strains
Authors: Salinger Nina , Kokona Bashkim , Fairman Robert , Okeke Iruka N.
Published: November 2008

We demonstrate that enhanced lysozyme resistance of enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
requires the plasmid-encoded regulator, Per, and is mediated by factors outside the locus for enterocyte effacement. EspC, a Per-activated serine protease autotransporter protein, conferred enhanced resistance on nonpathogenic
E. coli
, and a second Per-regulated,
espC
-independent lysozyme resistance mechanism was identified.
Population Structure ofVibrio fischeriwithin the Light Organs ofEuprymna scolopesSquid from Two Oahu (Hawaii) Populations
Authors: Wollenberg M. S. , Ruby E. G.
Published: November 2008

We resolved the intraspecific diversity ofVibrio fischeri, the bioluminescent symbiont of the Hawaiian sepiolid squidEuprymna scolopes, at two previously unexplored morphological and geographical scales. These scales ranged from submillimeter regions within the host light organ to the several kilometers encompassing two host populations around Oahu. To facilitate this effort, we employed both novel and standard genetic and phenotypic assays of light-organ symbiont populations. AV. fischeri-specific fingerprinting method and five phenotypic assays were used to gauge the genetic richness ofV. fischeripopulations; these methods confirmed that the symbiont population present in each adult host's light organ is polyclonal. Upon statistical analysis of these genetic and phenotypic population data, we concluded that the characteristics of symbiotic populations were more similar within individual host populations than between the two distinct Oahu populations ofE. scolopes, providing evidence that local geographic symbiont population structure exists. Finally, to better understand the genesis of symbiont diversity within host light organs, the process of symbiosis initiation in newly hatched juvenile squid was examined both experimentally and by mathematical modeling. We concluded that, after the juvenile hatches, only one or two cells ofV. fischerienter each of six internal epithelium-lined crypts present in the developing light organ. We hypothesize that the expansion of different, crypt-segregated, clonal populations creates the polyclonal adult light-organ population structure observed in this study. The stability of the luminous-bacterium-sepiolid squid mutualism in the presence of a polyclonal symbiont population structure is discussed in the context of contemporary evolutionary theory.
Apicoplast and Mitochondrion in Gametocytogenesis of
Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Okamoto Noriko , Spurck Timothy P. , Goodman Christopher D. , McFadden Geoffrey I.
Published: November 2008

Live cell imaging of human malaria parasites
Plasmodium falciparum
during gametocytogenesis revealed that the apicoplast does not grow, whereas the mitochondrion undergoes remarkable morphological development. A close connection of the two organelles is consistently maintained. The apicoplast and mitochondrion are not components of the male gametes, suggesting maternal inheritance.
Small-Molecule Type III Secretion System Inhibitors Block Assembly of the
Shigella
Type III Secreton
Authors: Veenendaal Andreas K. J. , Sundin Charlotta , Blocker Ariel J.
Published: November 2008

Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are essential virulence devices for many gram-negative bacteria that are pathogenic for plants, animals, and humans. They serve to translocate virulence effector proteins directly into eukaryotic host cells. T3SSs are composed of a large cytoplasmic bulb and a transmembrane region into which a needle is embedded, protruding above the bacterial surface. The emerging antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens urges the development of novel strategies to fight bacterial infections. Therapeutics that rather than kill bacteria only attenuate their virulence may reduce the frequency or progress of resistance emergence. Recently, a group of salicylidene acylhydrazides were identified as inhibitors of T3SSs in
Yersinia
,
Chlamydia
, and
Salmonella
species. Here we show that these are also effective on the T3SS of
Shigella flexneri
, where they block all related forms of protein secretion so far known, as well as the epithelial cell invasion and induction of macrophage apoptosis usually demonstrated by this bacterium. Furthermore, we show the first evidence for the detrimental effect of these compounds on T3SS needle assembly, as demonstrated by increased numbers of T3S apparatuses without needles or with shorter needles. Therefore, the compounds generate a phenocopy of T3SS export apparatus mutants but with incomplete penetrance. We discuss why this would be sufficient to almost completely block the later secretion of effector proteins and how this begins to narrow the search for the molecular target of these compounds.
BacA, an ABC Transporter Involved in Maintenance of Chronic Murine Infections withMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Domenech Pilar , Kobayashi Hajime , LeVier Kristin , Walker Graham C. , Barry Clifton E.
Published: November 2008

BacA is an inner membrane protein associated with maintenance of chronic infections in several diverse host-pathogen interactions. To understand the function of thebacAgene inMycobacterium tuberculosis(Rv1819c), we insertionally inactivated this gene and analyzed the resulting mutant for a variety of phenotypes. BacA deficiency inM. tuberculosisdid not affect sensitivity to detergents, acidic pH, and zinc, indicating that there was no global compromise in membrane integrity, and a comprehensive evaluation of the major lipid constituents of the cell envelope failed to reveal any significant differences. Infection of mice with this mutant revealed no impact on establishment of infection but a profound effect on maintenance of extended chronic infection and ultimate outcome. As in alphaproteobacteria, deletion of BacA inM. tuberculosisled to increased bleomycin resistance, and heterologous expression of theM. tuberculosisBacA homolog inEscherichia coliconferred sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides. These results suggest a striking conservation of function for BacA-related proteins in transport of a critical molecule that determines the outcome of the host-pathogen interaction.
Evidence for the existence of a functional helical myocardial band
Authors: Nasiraei-Moghaddam Abbas , Gharib Morteza
Published: November 2008

Characterization of local and global contractile activities in the myocardium is essential for a better understanding of cardiac form and function. The spatial distribution of regions that contribute the most to cardiac function plays an important role in defining the pumping parameters of the myocardium like ejection fraction and dynamic aspects such as twisting and untwisting. In general, myocardium shortening, tangent to the wall, and ventricular wall thickening are important parameters that characterize the regional contribution within the myocardium to the global function of the heart. We have calculated these parameters using myocardium displacement fields, which were captured through the displacement-encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) MRI technique in three volunteers. High spatial resolution of the acquired data revealed transmural changes of thickening and tangential shortening with high fidelity in beating hearts. By filtering myocardium regions that showed a tangential shortening index of <0.23, we were able to identify the complete or a portion of a macrostructure composed of connected regions in the form of a helical bundle within the left ventricle mass. In this study, we present a representative case that shows the complete morphology of a helical myocardial band as well as two other cases that present ascending and descending portions of the helical myocardial band. Our observation of a helical functional band based on dynamics is in agreement with diffusion tensor MRI observations and gross dissection studies in the arrested heart.
National Practice Patterns for Management of Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Karamlou Tara , Diggs Brian S. , Person Thomas , Ungerleider Ross M. , Welke Karl F.
Published: November 2008

Background—

Surgery for grown-up (age ≥18 years) patients with congenital heart disease (GUCH) is frequently performed by surgeons without specialization in pediatric heart surgery. We sought to define national practice patterns and to determine whether outcomes for GUCH patients are improved if they are treated by specialized pediatric heart surgeons (PHSs) compared with non-PHSs.

Methods and Results—

We identified index cardiac procedures in patients with 12 congenital heart disease diagnostic groups using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 1988 to 2003. PHSs were defined as surgeons whose annual practice volumes were made of >75% annual pediatric heart cases. GUCH operations were defined as operations within these 12 diagnoses occurring in patients ≥18 years of age. We identified 30 250 operations, yielding a national estimate of 152 277±7875 operations. Of these, 111 816±7456 (73%) were pediatric operations, and 40 461±1365 (27%) were GUCH operations. PHSs performed 68% of pediatric operations in all diagnostic groups, whereas non-PHSs performed 95% of GUCH operations within the same diagnostic groups (
P
<0.0001). In-hospital death rates for GUCH patients operated on by PHSs were lower than death rates for GUCH patients operated on by non-PHSs (1.87% [95% CI, 0.62 to 3.13] versus 4.84% [95% CI, 4.30 to 5.38%];
P
<0.0001). Survival advantage increased with increasing surgeon annual pediatric volume (
P
=0.0031).

Conclusions—

Pediatric patients within specific diagnostic groups are more likely to undergo operation by PHSs, whereas GUCH patients within the same diagnostic groups are more likely to undergo operation by non-PHSs. In-hospital death rates are lower for GUCH patients operated on by PHSs. GUCH patients should be encouraged to obtain surgical operation by PHS.
When the Whistle Is Blown
Authors: Peeples Donna K. , Stokes Pamela , Wingfield Sue Stewart
Published: November 2008

The recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Garcetti v. Ceballos decided that public employees are not necessarily protected under the law if they make statements about alleged improprieties committed by their employers, and can in fact be disciplined for such disclosures. The controversy over this case, combined with the recent publicity surrounding whistle-blower actions, indicates that many people may have incorrect impressions regarding the law in this area. This article focuses on various unsuccessful whistle-blower cases to educate both employers and employees about the limitations of such actions. Based on these scenarios, the authors have provided suggestions for management in how to effectively handle reports of wrongdoing within an organization.
Difficulties of residents in training in end-of-life care. A qualitative study
Authors: Luthy C , Cedraschi C , Pautex S , Rentsch D , Piguet V , Allaz AF
Published: November 2008

Residents in training are first-line physicians in hospital settings and they are in the process of developing knowledge and mastering clinical skills. They have to confront complex tasks calling upon their personal background, professional identity and relationships with the patients. We conducted a qualitative study investigating the difficulties they perceive in end-of-life care. In all, 24 consecutive residents were presented with a written query asking them to indicate the difficulties they identify in the management of patients hospitalised for end-of-life care. Their responses were submitted to content analysis. Physicians’ mean age was 28 ± 2.2 years, 37% were women, average postgraduate training duration was 2.5 ± 1.3 years. Content analysis elicited eight categories of difficulties: abitily to provide adequate explanations, understand the patients’ needs, have sufficient theoretical knowledge, avoid flight, avoid false reassurance, manage provision of time, face one’s limits as a physician and be able to help despite everything. Residents’ responses showed that they identify the complexity of care in terminally-ill patients early in their training. Their responses pointed to the ‘right distance’ in-between getting involved and preserving oneself as a dimension of major importance.
Impact of perception of socioeconomic burden on advocacy for patient autonomy in end-of-life decision making: a study of societal attitudes
Authors: Kwon YC , Shin DW , Lee JH , Heo DS , Hong YS , Kim S-Y , Yun YH
Published: November 2008

We investigated the impact of perception of socioeconomic burden on beliefs regarding a patient’s autonomy in end-of-life (EOL) decision making. We also sought to identify the characteristics of individuals who advocate patient autonomy and their attitudes toward other EOL issues. A total of 1055 individuals from the Korean general population were interviewed through a telephone survey using a structured questionnaire that was designed to investigate public attitudes toward various EOL issues. Of 1019 individuals included in the analysis, 635 (62.3%) specified the patient and 221 (21.7%) the family, when asked who is the appropriate decision maker in terms of EOL decisions in the absence of perception of socioeconomic burden. In contrast, the numbers were 458 (44.9%) and 500 (49.1%), respectively, if substantial burden was assumed. Respondents who favoured the patient’s right to make decisions regardless of perception of socioeconomic burden numbered only 312 (30.6%) and were likely to be younger and have knowledge of hospice than who favoured family decision. Former group also favoured the disclosure of terminal illness to patients, withholding life-sustaining treatment, and preparation of advanced directives. Societal attitudes toward patient autonomy were significantly influenced by perception of socioeconomic burden. Open and balanced discussion about burden to family and adequate welfare support are thus suggested.
Infotransformation of Markets
Authors: Zwick Detlev , Dholakia Nikhilesh
Published: November 2008

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are a driving force behind major economic, social, and cultural shifts from the modern to the postmodern, from local to global markets, from production to consumption, and from industrial to informational economies. While much has been written about the relationship between marketing and technology, most of the work regards marketing as an a priori category onto which new technologies are simply overlaid as they come along. These instrumentalist—functionalist views of ICTs in marketing are not particularly well suited when—as in macromarketing— the focus is on marketing systems and consumption systems. The present collection of articles provides one of the most insightful one-stop learning shops of the changing character of markets in the information age. From the fractal views of the ethical economy and its emergent collaborative production-provisioning-consumption system to the realities of the persistent digital divide in the age of the mobile phone, articles in this issue touch on important elements of marketing in the age of information. We invite you to enter and enrich these discussions.
Exploring the Digital Divide in Mobile-phone Adoption Levels across Countries
Authors: Stump Rodney L. , Wen Gong  , Zhan Li
Published: November 2008

Although the adoption of mobile phones has been skyrocketing globally during the current decade, present adoption levels are quite uneven across countries. Such disparities are also found over a range of other information and communications technologies and have been characterized as a “digital divide.” Although the adoption of mobile phones has been the focus of numerous studies, relatively few have systematically and comprehensively investigated the adoption of this technological innovation at the country level of analysis and over a broad range of nations. This study addresses this research gap by examining the effects of three country-level socioeconomic factors paralleling the individual-level demographic traits that in past studies have predominantly predicted early adoption of innovations. We rely on secondary data obtained from several reputable sources to examine this phenomenon across 170 nations. Theoretical, managerial, and policy implications based on our empirical findings, along with directions for future research, are presented.
Co-creating Second Life
Authors: Bonsu Samuel K. , Darmody Aron
Published: November 2008

In this article, we draw on our participant observation in the virtual-technology context of Second Life to explore cocreation's prepossessing claim of consumer empowerment and its connections to contemporary forms of social organization. We conclude that while consumers are genuinely empowered by co-creation practices, this empowerment that frees the consumer in a diversity of ways also offers significant avenues for entrapping the consumer into producing for the firm. In the end, co-creation is a veneer of consumer empowerment in a world where market power, in large measure, still resides in capital. On this basis, we suggest that the seeming demise of capitalism espoused by some scholars is premature to the extent that capitalism has the uncanny ability to meld into newer social formations such as those afforded by Second Life. Thus, a more realistic vision is an interloping of the ethical and capitalist economies.
Reviews and Communication: What Do We Know about Economic Development?
Authors: Dapice David
Published: November 2008

This article is an idiosyncratic review of several recent books on development, some older ones, and a critique of development economics as applied to promoting development. It discusses various analyses of factors causing economic development or preventing it, suggesting that general theories only go so far and specific knowledge is needed. Some of this knowledge concerns the thinking of elites, their choices of whether or not to stay in their country and under what terms, and how various interest groups relate.
The Ethical Economy of Customer Coproduction
Authors: Arvidsson Adam
Published: November 2008

In this article, the author argues that customer coproduction should be understood as an expression of a large-scale trend toward the increasing power and relevance of social production. Social production consists in the self-organized systems of (mostly immaterial) production that have evolved around the diffusion of networked information and communication technologies. An analysis of the genealogy of social production is shared; this includes tracing it to the process of re-mediation of social relations put in motion by the expansion of the capitalist economy into the fields of culture and consciousness and the concomitant socialization of production relations. The author then argues that social production, including customer coproduction, follows a very particular economic logic—that is, an ethical economy where value is related to social impact rather than monetary accumulation. A detailed analysis of the logic of this ethical economy is offered; it draws out some implications for the successful management of ever more customer-centric brands, whereby the consumers are directly involved in the processes that add value.
A Self-Evaluation Instrument for Work Performance and Support Needs
Authors: Brady Michael P. , Rosenberg Howard , Frain Michael P.
Published: November 2008

Involvement of students and adult employees into the decisions that affect their education and employment can improve their transition into supported employment. One means for increasing involvement into these decisions is to gain their input into performance evaluations and support needs. The Job Observation and Behavior Scale: Opportunity for Self-Determination is an assessment designed to obtain such input from the perspective of students preparing for, and employees participating in, supported employment. This article presents the role of the scale in obtaining student and employee input into their own work performance and support needs; it summarizes the development and technical properties of the instrument; and it describes how this instrument can promote the self-determination of students and adult employees with disabilities.
Group Members as Actors and Observers in Attributions of Responsibility for Group Performance
Authors: Wallace Dana M. , Hinsz Verlin B.
Published: November 2008

Previous research indicates group members have a highly variable pattern of internal and external attributions for their performance. The authors propose that part of this variability may be explained by group members making their attributions from the perspective of both the actor and the observer. Following a pooled-performance task, group members reported inflated internal and external attributions for factors responsible for their performance as compared with attributions individuals made for their own performance. Similarly, group members reported an inflated internal and external attribution pattern of factors responsible for a similar group's performance compared to attributions individuals made for the performance of a similar other. The results demonstrate that unique processes occur in the attributions of group members compared to the attributions of individuals for their performance.
Understanding Parents' Oral Health Behaviors for Their Young Children
Authors: Amin Maryam S. , Harrison Rosamund L.
Published: November 2008

Young children with extensive dental decay often require a general anesthetic (GA) to enable dental treatment. The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory to help our understanding of the processes that influence parental adoption of dentally healthy behaviors following the experience of their child's “dental general anesthetic.” Twenty six interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed and a conceptual model was generated. Overall, the dental GA experience had an immediate, but short-lived, impact on parental behavior change. Parents had difficulty over time maintaining these behaviors. Social influences, family context, and parenting strategies were the key categories that influenced parental behavior change; however, parenting strategies occupied the central position in the model. Cultural beliefs, actions of dental professionals, and media/advertising were some of the identified barriers to behavior change. Those parents who were more confident in their ability to successfully carry out dentally healthy practices were more likely to maintain them over time.
Developing a Health Screening Questionnaire for Women in Welfare Transition Programs in the United States
Authors: Lutz Barbara J. , Kneipp Shawn , Means Deirdra
Published: November 2008

Women in United States Welfare Transition Programs (WTPs) have high rates of chronic health problems that might present significant barriers to obtaining and/or maintaining employment. Inadequate, standardized health screening in WTPs across the United States contributes to the problem of achieving self-sufficiency for disadvantaged women. Using community-based participatory research as a framework, the study's purpose was to develop a culturally relevant and sensitive health screening questionnaire that would be acceptable for use with women enrolled in WTPs. Three rounds of focus groups ( n = 10) were conducted with a total of 61 women. Analysis of focus group interviews revealed not only content areas identified as important to health, but critical process issues involved in administering the tool. The distinction between process and content was a critical finding because it stressed the importance of not only what women were asked, but how, when, and by whom they were asked.
Normalization Strategies of Children With Asthma
Authors: Protudjer Jennifer L. P. , Kozyrskyj Anita L. , Becker Allan B. , Marchessault Gail
Published: November 2008

Despite understanding the physiologic effects of childhood asthma, less is known about how children perceive living with asthma. We undertook semistructured, in-depth interviews with 11 boys and 11 girls (all aged 11) drawn from a larger ongoing asthma study of Manitoba children born in 1995. All had asthma, as diagnosed by a pediatric allergist. We sought to further understand how children perceive asthma. Children spoke of feeling different and commonly used words such as “pain” and “hurt.” We have categorized children's strategies to normalize their lives as (a) minimizing the health impact, (b) stressing normality, (c) emphasizing abilities, (d) making adaptations in daily living, and, (e) managing symptoms with medications. These findings suggest that aspects of other researchers' work regarding normalization efforts of children with various chronic diseases also apply in a chronic condition that is less obvious.
Exploring Tuberculosis Patients' Adherence to Treatment Regimens and Prevention Programs at a Public Health Site
Authors: Naidoo Pamela , Dick Judy , Cooper Diane
Published: November 2008

Our aim with this study was to explore the factors that contribute to tuberculosis patients' adherence and nonadherence to the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course strategy. A qualitative, phenomenological research design was used. Fifteen male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 57 years were recruited through purposive sampling at a primary care clinic located in a disadvantaged area, and in-depth interviews were conducted. The data analysis indicated that the factors found to influence adherence were social and economic resources; causal attributions assigned to TB; the social, cultural, economic, disease-related, and psychological challenges faced as a consequence of having TB; quality of health care received; use of the traditional healing system; and the participants' HIV status. Factors found to be associated with nonadherence included poverty, HIV co-infection, stigma, unsupportive social and work environments, and a high prevalence of helplessness and hopelessness.
The Risks of Celiac Artery Coverage During Endoluminal Repair of Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Leon Luis R. , Mills Joseph L. , Jordan William , Morasch Mark M. , Kovacs Margaret , Becker Gary J. , Arslan Bulent
Published: November 2008

The risks of purposeful celiac artery coverage during endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) to obtain an adequate distal landing zone have received scant scientific attention. Patients undergoing TEVAR at 6 tertiary centers from January 2000 to June 2007 were identified (n = 434); cases requiring celiac artery exclusion (n = 19; 4.4% of the total) were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 8.7 months (range, 0.2-21.2). The mean patients' age was 73.6 years (range, 56-86); 57.9% were men. The mean aneurysm diameter was 6.7 cm (range, 5-8.6). In 2 patients, the celiac artery balloon occlusion test was performed prior to TEVAR. In both, intact collateral foregut circulation was seen. Both underwent TEVAR without celiac artery revascularization; 1 did well, whereas the other developed foregut ischemia. In 16 cases (84.2%), the celiac artery was not revascularized prior to TEVAR. In those patients, 19 complications were reported (3 deaths; 2 paraplegia). No similar events occurred in those who underwent celiac artery revascularization (n = 3). Celiac artery coverage during TEVAR is required in 4.4% of cases. TEVAR correlated with a nonnegligible number of major complications. Complications were more frequent and severe in patients who did not have celiac artery revascularization prior to TEVAR. Specific celiac artery coverage complications are rare and not readily predictable based on preprocedure arteriography.
Novel Technique for Treatment of a Renal Artery Occlusion in a Child With Neurofibromatosis: A Combined Endovascular and Laparoscopic Approach
Authors: Lindblad Bengt , Lindh Mats , Ivancev Krassi , Petersson Ulf , Montgomery Agneta
Published: November 2008

Neurofibromatosis is associated with mid-aortic dysplasia, renal artery aneurysms and renal artery ostial stenosis, or occlusions in about 1% of cases. We describe a novel approach to recanalize an occluded renal artery in a 10-year-old girl with neurofibromatosis and difficulty in pharmacologically controlling her hypertension. Normally, when reconstruction is required, an open operative technique is used. We report on the combined use of laparoscopic exposure and percutaneous retrograde puncture of the occluded renal artery, which could be recanalized and stented. The pros and cons of this new approach are discussed.
Crystal-chemical study of Rc natural oxides along the eskolaite – karelianite – hematite (Cr2O3–V2O3–Fe2O3) join
Authors: Secco L. , Nestola F. , Dal Negro A. , Reznitsky L. Z.
Published: November 2008

Six natural crystals from the Sludyanka crystalline complex belonging to the eskolaite (Cr2O3)–karelianite (V2O3)–hematite (Fe2O3) solid solution were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe. The Fe3+-poor samples show a general increase in a and c cell parameters with increasing mean cationic radius (MCR), consistent with that shown by the synthetic crystals along the eskolaite–karelianite join. The Fe3+-richer sample deviates significantly from the behaviour shown by the Fe3+-poor ones, similar to synthetic and natural hematites; with increasing MCR, the a and c cell parameters increase linearly along the eskolaite-karelianite join. However, for the samples rich in Fe3+, from karelianite to hematite, a shows a slightly steeper slope whereas the c parameter decreases strongly. The octahedral distortion increases slightly as a function of MCR along the eskolaite-karelianite join, whereas it increases markedly for Fe3+-rich samples. The evolution of the octahedral edges and of the octahedral distortions as a function of MCR are responsible for the behaviour of the unit-cell parameters along the eskolaite-karelianite-hematite join.
Gemmological investigation of a synthetic blue beryl: a multi-methodological study
Authors: Adamo I. , Gatta G. D. , N. Rotiroti  , Diella V. , Pavese A.
Published: November 2008

A multi-methodological investigation of a synthetic Cu/Fe-bearing blue beryl [IV(Be2.86Cu0.14)∑=3.00VI(Al1.83Fe3+0.14Mn2+0.03Mg0.03)∑=2.03IV(Si5.97Al0.03∑=6.00O18.(Li0.12Na0.04.0.40H2O)] has been performed by means of gemmological standard testing, electron microprobe chemical analyses, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analyses, infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction in order to determine the gemmological properties, crystal structure and crystal-chemistry of this material. The increasing production of marketable hydrothermal synthetic beryls with 'exotic' colours and the small number of studies on the accurate location of chromophores in the crystal structure inspired this multi-methodological investigation. The X-ray structural refinements confirm that the space group of the Cu/Fe-bearing blue beryl is P6/mcc, with unit-cell parameters: 9.2483 ≤ a ≤ 9.2502 Å and 9.2184 ≤ c ≤ 9.2211 Å. The analysis of the difference Fourier maps of the electron density suggests that Cu is located at the tetrahedral site (Wyckoff 6fposition) along with Be, whereas Fe shares the octahedral site with Al (4c position). No evidence of extra-framework Cu/Fe-sites (i.e. channel sites) has been found. The Li is probably located at the extra-framework 2b site. Infrared spectra show that the H2O molecules are present with two configurations: one with the H···H vector oriented ‖[0001] and the other with H···H vector oriented ⊥[0001].
Low-temperature crystal structure evolution of (Na,Ca)(Cr,Mg)Si2O6 pyroxene
Authors: Nestola F. , Madsen A. , Tribaudino M. , Balić-Žunić T. , Ohashi H. , Secco L. , Dal Negro A.
Published: November 2008

The crystal structure of a clinopyroxene with composition (Na0.75Ca0.25)(Cr0.75Mg0.25)Si2O6 was refined at 100, 150, 200, 250 and 298 K. The work was performed in the context of an investigation on the low-temperature behaviour of A+M3+Si2O6 (with A dominant in Na and M = transition elements) pyroxenes in order to provide new insights concerning the phase transition and anomalies recently found in the low-temperature behaviour of NaTiSi2O6 and NaGaSi2O6 compounds. The refinements were done in the C2/c space group (wR2 between 0.048 and 0.068), and no change of symmetry was observed down to 100 K. Highly-anisotropic axial thermal expansion occurs with the scheme αb ≥ αb > αc.

The M2, M1 and T polyhedra expand with αM2 > αM1 αT as generally observed in pyroxenes. A discontinuity in the M1 polyhedral volume is observed between 200 and 250 K, similar to the one observed in NaGaSi2O6 between 190 and 235 K.

The atomic displacement parameters are scaled according to the following pattern: UM2 > UO2 > UO3 ≥ U01 > UT ≥ UM1 Comparison with previous data along the CaMgSi2O-NaCrSi2O6 join suggests significant positional disorder for the O1 oxygen, due to repulsion of the 2p orbitals of O1 and the non-bondine 3d electrons of Cr.
HLA mismatch combinations associated with decreased risk of relapse: implications for the molecular mechanism
Authors: Kawase Takakazu , Matsuo Keitaro , Kashiwase Koichi , Inoko Hidetoshi , Saji Hiroh , Ogawa Seishi , Kato Shunichi , Sasazuki Takehiko , Kodera Yoshihisa , Morishima Yasuo
Published: November 2008

The finding that the risk of relapse in hematologic malignancy decreases after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has lead to the concept of a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. However, this beneficial effect is considered to be frequently offset by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Thus, improving HSCT outcomes by separating GVL from GVHD is a key clinical issue. This cohort study registered 4643 patients with hematologic malignancies who received transplants from unrelated donors. Six major human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci were retrospectively genotyped. We identified 4 HLA-Cw and 6 HLA-DPB1 mismatch combinations responsible for a decreased risk of relapse; of these, 8 of 10 combinations were different from those responsible for severe acute GVHD, including all 6 of the HLA-DPB1 combinations. Pairs with these combinations of HLA-DPB1 were associated with a significantly better overall survival than were completely matched pairs. Moreover, several amino acid substitutions on specific positions responsible for a decreased risk of relapse were identified in HLA-Cw, but not in HLA-DPB1. These findings might be crucial to elucidating the mechanism of the decreased risk of relapse on the basis of HLA molecule. Donor selection made in consideration of these results might allow the separation of GVL from acute GVHD, especially in HLA-DPB1 mismatch combinations.
Clinicopathological significance of expression of p-c-Jun, TCF4 and beta-Catenin in colorectal tumors
Authors: Takeda Kayoko , Kinoshita Ichiro , Shimizu Yasushi , Ohba Yusuke , Itoh Tomoo , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Shichinohe Toshiaki , Dosaka-Akita Hirotoshi
Published: November 2008

Background

A recent study has shown that phosphorylated c-Jun (p-c-Jun) interacts with TCF4 to form a complex that cooperatively enhances their transcriptional activity in the presence of β-Catenin, and that their interaction is critical for mouse intestinal tumorigenesis. To determine the significance of these three proteins in human colorectal tumors, we analyzed their nuclear expression by immunohistochemistry.

Methods

we analyzed their nuclear expression by immunohistochemistry using paraffin-embedded specimens of 68 resected colorectal tumors, which consisted of 19 adenomas, 14 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGINs) and 35 adenocarcinomas. We also analyzed the expression of MMP7, which has functional AP-1 and TCF binding sites in its promoter.

Results

Expression of p-c-Jun, TCF4 and β-Catenin were significantly higher in adenomas than in the adjacent normal epithelia. Expression of p-c-Jun and β-Catenin in HGINs and adenocarcinomas were also significantly higher than in the adjacent normal epithelia. p-c-Jun expression, but not TCF4 and β-Catenin, was higher in adenomas and HGINs than in adenocarcinomas, in which p-c-Jun expression was negatively correlated with pT stage progression. Furthermore, significant correlations of expression were observed between p-c-Jun and TCF4 (r = 0.25, p = 0.04), TCF4 and β-Catenin (r = 0.30, p = 0.01), p-c-Jun and MMP7 (r = 0.26, p = 0.03), and TCF4 and MMP7 (r = 0.39, p = 0.0008), respectively.

Conclusion

These results suggest that nuclear expression of p-c-Jun, TCF4 and β-Catenin have important roles in human colorectal tumor development and that p-c-Jun may play a pivotal role in the earlier stages of tumor development.
Optimization of a shot peening process
Authors: Petit-Renaud F , Evans J T , Metcalfe A V , Shaw B A
Published: November 2008

The statistical design and analysis of an experiment has been described to establish an empirical regression relationship between parameters of a typical shot peening process and measures of residual stress. In this study, practical constraints led to the choice of a non-orthogonal design for the experiment, the implications of non-orthogonality are discussed, and a multiple regression model was fitted to the results. The residuals from the regression model were better modelled by a Laplace distribution than a Gaussian distribution, so Huber robust estimates of the coefficients in the regression model were substituted for the least-squares estimates. The robust regression relationship is used to optimize the settings of process parameters. The optimization has resulted in an estimated increase of 15 per cent in the maximum residual stress.
Elastostatic contact model of rubber-coated truck wheels loaded to the ground
Authors: Castagnetti D. , Dragoni E. , Mammano G Scirè
Published: November 2008

The solid wheels often found on industrial trucks may be subject to failure of the wheels’ rubber coating under certain load conditions. To date, there has been no adequate analytical model to predict these conditions and the design of these wheels has been based on costly trial and error. In this work, an elastostatic analytical model is developed, which describes the interaction of the wheel with the rigid ground in terms of relative approach, contact width, and contact pressure for a given load applied to the wheel. This model has been validated by comparison with both experimental measurements and finite-element analyses, showing strong agreement for all three parameters. The results of the proposed model are more accurate than those of previous analytical models reported in the literature for rubber-coated rotary equipment. The new model can be used to design against creep or excessive deformation of the wheel coating.
Biaxial testing of fibre-reinforced composite laminates
Authors: Van Hemelrijck D , Makris A , Ramault C , Lamkanfi E , Van Paepegem W , Lecompte D
Published: November 2008

Advanced composite material systems are increasingly used in almost every industrial branch. The structural components manufactured from these composite material systems are usually subjected to complex loading that leads to multi-axial stress and strain fields at critical surface locations. The current practice of using solely uniaxial test data to validate proposed material models is wholly inadequate. In order to test closer to reality, a biaxial test bench using four servo-hydraulic actuators with four load cells was developed. Besides the development of the test facility, a mixed numerical/experimental method was developed to determine the in-plane stiffness parameters from testing a single cruciform test specimen. To obtain the strength data an optimized geometry for the cruciform type specimen was designed. For the optimization procedure a full three-dimensional finite element model was used. The numerical results were validated with strain gauge, digital image correlation, and electronic speckle pattern interferometry data. The material system used for the experimental validation was glass fibre-reinforced epoxy with a lay-up [(+45°−45° 0°)4(+45°−45°)] typically used for wind turbine blades.
A numerical investigation of the influence of yarn-level finite-element model on energy absorption by a flexible-fabric armour during ballistic impact
Authors: Grujicic M , Arakere G , He T , Gogulapati M , Cheeseman B A
Published: November 2008

A series of transient non-linear dynamic finite-element method (FEM) analyses pertaining to the interaction of a single-ply plain-woven balanced square textile-fabric armour with a spherical steel projectile is carried out in order to compare the corresponding results obtained for two different yarn models: (a) a solid FEM model in which the warp and weft yarns are represented using first-order three-dimensional solid elements and (b) a membrane model in which the same yarns are represented using second-order membrane elements. The analyses are carried out under different yarn—yarn and projectile—fabric frictional conditions and under different far-field boundary conditions applied to the edges of the fabric. The results obtained showed that the two sets of analyses yield comparable predictions regarding the temporal evolution and the spatial distribution of the deformation and damage fields within the fabric, regarding the ability of the fabric to absorb the projectile's kinetic energy and regarding the relative contributions of the main energy absorbing mechanisms. The work also confirmed the roles yarn—yarn and projectile—fabric friction play in the impact process as well as the effect of the far-field boundary conditions applied to the edges of the fabric.
A System for Control of Order Backlog
Authors: Schaffir Kurt H. , Scott James H.
Published: November 2008

The application of inventory control theory to job shop operation has been limited, largely because the made-to-order nature of the product prohibits its accumulation in finished form prior to sale. In this situation it is, in fact, not inventory which must be controlled in order to achieve optimal operation, but rather it is the backlog of orders on hand at any time for production and delivery at some future time which requires management's attention. This paper describes a heuristic system for control of order backlog which was developed for a rather special type of job shop operation.

Management Technology, ISSN 0542-4917, was published as a separate journal from 1960 to 1964. In 1965 it was merged into Management Science.