bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Shock a Key Element in the Pathology of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
Authors: Blood-Siegfried Jane , Bowers Margaret T. , Lorimer Marcia
Published: December 2008

In developed countries, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the most common cause of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. The etiology of SIDS is likely to be multifactorial, and current paradigms often describe three overlapping elements of risk. Those elements are a critical developmental period, a vulnerable infant, and one or more exogenous stressors. In the triple-risk model, SIDS infants are described as having an underlying vulnerability in cardiorespiratory control in the central nervous system during a critical period when autonomic control is developing. This vulnerability might affect the response to exogenous stressors, including prone sleeping position, hypoxia, and increased carbon dioxide. In the common bacterial hypothesis and fatal triangle, the focus is on the stressors. In the first, a combination of common respiratory infections can cause SIDS in an infant during a developmentally vulnerable period. This theory also includes 3 factors of vulnerability: a genetic predisposition, a vulnerable developmental age, and infectious stressors. In the fatal triangle theory, infection, inflammation, and genetics each play a role in triggering a SIDS fatality. From our work in an animal model, we have found that rat pups die from a combination of infectious insults during a critical time of development. This is exacerbated by perinatal nicotine exposure, a condition shown to alter the autonomic response in exposed offspring. We are proposing that shock and cardiovascular collapse is a key element that links these theories.
Lateral Hypothalamic-Induced Alpha-Adrenoceptor Modulation Occurs in a Model of Inflammatory Pain in Rats
Authors: Jeong Younhee , Holden Janean E.
Published: December 2008

Previous work from our lab showed that stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) produces analgesia (antinociception) in a model of thermal nociceptive pain. This antinociceptive effect is mediated by α2-adrenoceptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn. However, a concomitant, opposing hyperalgesic (pro-nociceptive) response also occurs, which is mediated by α1-adrenoceptors in the dorsal horn. Antinociception predominates but is attenuated by the pronociceptive response. To determine whether such an effect occurs in a model of inflammatory pain, we applied mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate; 20 μl) to the left ankle of female Sprague-Dawley rats. We then stimulated the LH using carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol; 125 nmol). The foot withdrawal latencies were measured. Some rats received intrathecal α-adrenoceptor antagonists to determine whether the opposing α-adrenoceptor response was present. Mustard oil application produced hyperalgesia in the affected paw, while the LH stimulation increased the foot withdrawal latencies for the mustard oil paw as compared to the control group. Following carbachol microinjection in the LH, WB4101, an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist, produced significantly longer foot withdrawal latencies compared to saline controls, while yohimbine, an α2-antagonist, decreased the foot withdrawal latencies from 10 min postinjection ( p < .05). These findings support the hypothesis that the LH-induced nociceptive modulation is mediated through an α-adrenoceptor opposing response in a model of inflammatory pain.
Exogenous Proteases Confer a Significant Chemopreventive Effect in Experimental Tumor Models
Authors: Wald Martin
Published: December 2008

In this monograph, the chemopreventive effects of enterally administered proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain) have been documented in a series of animal experimental tumor models. The experimental evidence demonstrates a significant inhibition of growth of both the primary tumor and the metastatic disseminations. Survival in animals treated with proteases is significantly longer than in untreated animals. The results confirm the fundamental correlation between early initiation of therapy and consequent growth of the tumorous disease. Comparable results have been shown in solid tumors in animal models (melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma) and in human tumors (pancreatic and breast cancers). In this article, details of the known mechanisms of systemic actions of enterally administered proteases are documented and their relationship with cancerogenesis is discussed.
Association analyses of the interaction between the ADSS and ATMgenes with schizophrenia in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Fuquan , Xu Yong , Liu Pozi , Fan Hua , Huang Xuezhu , Sun Gaoxiang , Song Yuqing , Sham Pak C
Published: December 2008

Background

The blood-derived RNA levels of the adenylosuccinate synthase (ADSS) and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) genes were found to be down- and up-regulated, respectively, in schizophrenics compared with controls, and ADSS and ATM were among eight biomarker genes to discriminate schizophrenics from normal controls. ADSS catalyzes the first committed step of AMP synthesis, while ATM kinase serves as a key signal transducer in the DNA double-strand breaks response pathway. It remains unclear whether these changes result from mutations or polymorphisms in the two genes.

Methods

Six SNPs in the ADSS gene and three SNPs in the ATM gene in a Chinese population of 488 schizophrenics and 516 controls were genotyped to examine their association with schizophrenia (SZ). Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom platform.

Results

There was no significant difference in the genotype, allele, or haplotype distributions of the nine SNPs between cases and controls. Using the Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) method, we found that the interactions among rs3102460 in the ADSS gene and rs227061 and rs664143 in the ATM gene revealed a significant association with SZ. This model held a maximum testing accuracy of 60.4% and a maximum cross-validation consistency of 10 out of 10.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the combined effects of the polymorphisms in the ADSS and ATM genes may confer susceptibility to the development of SZ in a Chinese population.
Revised estimates of influenza-associated excess mortality, United States, 1995 through 2005
Authors: Foppa Ivo M , Hossain Md Monir
Published: December 2008

Background

Excess mortality due to seasonal influenza is thought to be substantial. However, influenza may often not be recognized as cause of death. Imputation methods are therefore required to assess the public health impact of influenza. The purpose of this study was to obtain estimates of monthly excess mortality due to influenza that are based on an epidemiologically meaningful model.

Methods and Results

U.S. monthly all-cause mortality, 1995 through 2005, was hierarchically modeled as Poisson variable with a mean that linearly depends both on seasonal covariates and on influenza-certified mortality. It also allowed for overdispersion to account for extra variation that is not captured by the Poisson error. The coefficient associated with influenza-certified mortality was interpreted as ratio of total influenza mortality to influenza-certified mortality. Separate models were fitted for four age categories (<18, 18–49, 50–64, 65+). Bayesian parameter estimation was performed using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. For the eleven year study period, a total of 260,814 (95% CI: 201,011–290,556) deaths was attributed to influenza, corresponding to an annual average of 23,710, or 0.91% of all deaths.

Conclusion

Annual estimates for influenza mortality were highly variable from year to year, but they were systematically lower than previously published estimates. The excellent fit of our model with the data suggest validity of our estimates.
Phase II Trial of Single-Agent Bevacizumab Followed by Bevacizumab Plus Irinotecan at Tumor Progression in Recurrent Glioblastoma
Authors: Kreisl Teri N. , Kim Lyndon , Moore Kraig , Duic Paul , Royce Cheryl , Stroud Irene , Garren Nancy , Mackey Megan , Butman John A. , Camphausen Kevin , Park John , Albert Paul S. , Fine Howard A.
Published: December 2008

Purpose

To evaluate single-agent activity of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Patients and Methods

Patients with recurrent glioblastoma were treated with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. After tumor progression, patients were immediately treated with bevacizumab in combination with irinotecan 340 mg/m2 or 125 mg/m2 every 2 weeks, depending on use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs. Complete patient evaluations were repeated every 4 weeks.

Results

Forty-eight heavily pretreated patients were accrued to this study. Thromboembolic events (12.5%), hypertension (12.5%), hypophosphatemia (6%), and thrombocytopenia (6%) were the most common drug-associated adverse events. Six patients (12.5%) were removed from study for drug-associated toxicity (five thromboembolic events, one bowel perforation). Thirty-four patients (71%) and 17 patients (35%) achieved radiographic response based on Levin and Macdonald criteria, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 weeks (95% CI, 12 to 26 weeks). The 6-month PFS was 29% (95% CI, 18% to 48%). The 6-month overall survival was 57% (95% CI, 44% to 75%). Median overall survival was 31 weeks (95% CI, 21 to 54 weeks). Early magnetic resonance imaging response (first 96 hours and 4 weeks) was predictive of long-term PFS, with the Levin criteria being more predictive than Macdonald criteria. Of 19 patients treated with bevacizumab plus irinotecan at progression, there were no objective radiographic responses. Eighteen patients (95%) experienced disease progression by the second cycle, and the median PFS was 30 days.

Conclusion

We conclude that single-agent bevacizumab has significant biologic and antiglioma activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.
Validation of a Colorectal Cancer Risk Prediction Model Among White Patients Age 50 Years and Older
Authors: Park Yikyung , Freedman Andrew Nathan , Gail Mitchell H. , Pee David , Hollenbeck Albert , Schatzkin Arthur , Pfeiffer Ruth M.
Published: December 2008

Purpose

Validation of an absolute risk prediction model for colorectal cancer (CRC) by using a large, population-based cohort.

Patients and Methods

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) –American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) diet and health study, a prospective cohort study, was used to validate the model. Men and women age 50 to 71 years at baseline answered self-administered questionnaires that asked about demographic characteristics, diet, lifestyle, and medical histories. We compared expected numbers of CRC patient cases predicted by the model to the observed numbers of CRC patient cases identified in the NIH-AARP study overall and in subgroups defined by risk factor combinations. The discriminatory power was measured by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

During an average of 6.9 years of follow-up, we identified 2,092 and 832 incident CRC patient cases in men and women, respectively. The overall expected/observed ratio was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.04) in men and 1.05 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.11) in women. Agreement between the expected and the observed number of cases was good in most risk factor categories, except for in subgroups defined by CRC screening and polyp history. This discrepancy may be caused by differences in the question on screening and polyp history between two studies. The AUC was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.60 to 0.62) for men and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.62) for women, which was similar to other risk prediction models.

Conclusion

The absolute risk model for CRC was well calibrated in a large prospective cohort study. This prediction model, which estimates an individual's risk of CRC given age and risk factors, may be a useful tool for physicians, researchers, and policy makers.
Other Malignancies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Authors: Tsimberidou Apostolia-Maria , Wen Sijin , McLaughlin Peter , O'Brien Susan , Wierda William G. , Lerner Susan , Strom Sara , Freireich Emil J , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Keating Michael J.
Published: December 2008

Purpose

Other malignancies have been reported to occur with increased frequency in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, outcomes, and factors associated with other cancers in patients with CLL/SLL.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with previously untreated CLL/SLL seen at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1985 to 2005. The number of second cancers observed was compared with the number expected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

Results

Among 2,028 patients, 324 (16%) had a history of other cancers and 227 (11.2%) developed other malignancies during the follow-up period. Overall, 625 cancers were observed in 551 patients, including skin (30%), prostate (13%), breast (9%), melanoma (8%), lymphoma (8%), gastrointestinal (9%), lung (6%), and other cancers (17%). The risk of a second cancer was 2.2 times higher than the expected risk. The response rates in patients with and without a history of other cancers were 86% and 92%, respectively (P = .04), and the 5-year survival rates were 70% and 82%, respectively (P < .001). In Cox analysis, independent factors predicting development of new cancers were older age, male sex, and elevated levels of β2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine. In patients who were treated for CLL/SLL, the treatment regimen did not affect the risk of subsequent cancer (P = .49).

Conclusion

Patients with CLL/SLL have more than twice the risk of developing a second cancer and an increased frequency of certain cancer types. Awareness of risk factors could permit early detection.
Impact of stress exponent on steady state creep in a rotating composite disc
Authors: Deepak D , Gupta V K , Dham A K
Published: December 2008

The effect of the stress exponent on the steady state creep in a rotating disc made of isotropic aluminium–silicon carbide particulate (Al–SiCp) composite has been investigated. The creep behaviour of the composite has been described by threshold-stress-based creep law, with different values of true stress exponent n as 3, 5, and 8. The creep parameters appearing in the law have been extracted from the experimental creep data available for Al–SiCp under uniaxial loading. It is observed that the steady state creep in Al–SiCp under uniaxial loading could be explained in a better way by assuming n = 5 rather than n = 3 or 8. The trend of stresses and strain rates in the disc does not change on varying the value of the stress exponent. The values of stresses and strain rates in the disc are, however, significantly affected by varying the stress exponent. The steady state creep rates in the disc increase by about two orders of magnitude on increasing the stress exponent from 3 to 8. The stresses as well as strain rates in the disc corresponding to n = 5 lie between the corresponding values estimated using n = 3 and n = 8.
The effect of visco-elastic core thickness on modal loss factors of a thick three-layer cylinder
Authors: Hamidzadeh H R
Published: December 2008

Free vibrations of damped three-layer sandwich cylinders with thick layers are considered. In particular, the effect of the different thicknesses for the middle layer on the overall natural frequencies and modal damping factors are studied. The constrained-layer damping is accomplished by sandwiching a linear visco-elastic material between two isotropic elastic cylinders with the same properties. The governing equations are derived analytically by applying Newton's second law of motion for a three-dimensional elastic medium, and by employing complex elastic moduli for the sandwiched layer. Dimensionless natural frequencies and modal loss factors for the first three thickness modes associated with wave numbers of n = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are tabulated for a range of thicknesses for the middle visco-elastic layer while keeping the thicknesses of inner and outer layers unchanged.
Material Testing & Computational Mechanics — A New Philosophy for Architectural Fabrics
Authors: Gosling P. D. , Bridgens B. N.
Published: December 2008

This paper proposes a new perspective on the analysis of fabric structures – the concept that material testing and computational mechanics are mutually dependent and, by implication, not to be considered as independent.

Current representations of fabric stress-strain behaviour are based on plane-stress assumptions, and tend to simplify the available data (e.g. use of secant elastic moduli). Young's moduli and Poisson's ratios were determined for each test so as to provide the best fit plane to the scattered data points. These planar representations provided limited correlation with test data. The elastic constants do not comply with plane stress theory since coated woven fabrics are not homogeneous materials: They are composites with the interaction of orthogonal yarns making them act as a constrained mechanism.

A new approach to incorporating fabric test data in structural analysis is proposed here: Use of direct correlation between pairs of stresses and strains. This avoids the inherent approximation in defining elastic constants or other parameters to quantify the fabric behaviour. A simple triangular interpolation scheme is recommended which is robust and avoids the risk of unreliable interpolation and extrapolation when using a functional representation of the data.
Feasibility Study of Medium Span Spliced Spline Stressed Membranes
Authors: Adriaenssens S.
Published: December 2008

This papers examines the feasibility of 3 medium span (16m – 32m) spliced spline stressed membranes. Medium span slender arch systems have been used for canopy structures of stadia cladding such as the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium. Lateral bracing by the membrane means that the arch can be slender and flexible. Flexibility and lightness fit in well with the design of pre-stressed structures that are themselves flexible and adjust to applied loads. The presented membrane structures are designed bearing in mind their deployability (as necessary for temporary tents) and offer a good simple alternative to medium span high maintenance pneumatics covering squash courts or swimming pools.
A Resident Clerkship that Combines Inpatient and Outpatient Training in Substance Abuse and HIV Care
Authors: Rastegar Darius A. , Fingerhood Michael I. , Jasinski Donald R.
Published: December 2008

Substance abuse and HIV infection are important medical problems that receive comparatively little attention in residency training programs and residents often feel unprepared to deal with them. We developed a month-long rotation that combined outpatient care for patients with HIV infection and addiction, with inpatient care for medically-ill patients on a detoxification unit. At the end of the rotation, residents reported greater comfort with caring for these patients and improved self-rated competence. They also rated the rotation highly. Our experience shows that a rotation combining inpatient and outpatient substance abuse and HIV care was valued by residents and increased their comfort and proficiency with caring for these underserved and stigmatized populations.
Experience with Family Drug Courts in Three Cities
Authors: Haack Mary , Alemi Farrokh , Nemes Susanna , Cohen Honorable Jeri B.
Published: December 2008

The purpose of the study was to describe the following components of specialized Family Drug Courts: (1) children under court supervision; (2) parent(s) named in the petition; (3) services provided and court actions taken; and (4) relapse rates. Data were collected from the court records of 65 families in three courts in Florida, Kansas, and New York. Courts differed in type of clients, sanctions used, and length of time required between drug testing. Drug testing frequency varied depending on the parent's recovery and cooperation. Test results indicated a decline in drug use in the first four months and an increased risk for relapse between the 15th and 19th weeks. Specialized Family Drug Courts show promise for an improved way to address child abuse and neglect involving parental substance use. They can also provide a unique clinical training experience for health professionals.
Management of Varicose Veins: A Survey of Current Practice by Members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Authors: Edwards AG , Baynham S , Lees T , Mitchell DC
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION

In 1999, a survey was published detailing the management of varicose veins by members of the then Vascular Surgical Society (VSS). Since then, newer methods for treating varicose veins have been developed and far more explicit rationing has been introduced in the NHS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In order to examine whether there had been a significant change in established practice in the UK, a questionnaire was sent to all Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland (VSGBI) members in the 2004 yearbook by E-mail or post.

RESULTS

Of the 426 questionnaires distributed, a 69% response rate was achieved. Of respondents, 97% treated varicose veins in their NHS practice, whilst 88% did so in private practice. Some 73% used hand-held Doppler assessment in the clinic and 96% used duplex ultrasound assessment selectively. Despite UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, only 68% said that their primary care trusts funded treatment of symptomatic varicose veins, while 93% did so for complications. In either NHS or private practice, respectively, 83% or 72% of responders offered surgery as preferred treatment for primary varicose veins, while 14% or 20% preferred endovascular treatments (endovascular laser treatment, radiofrequency ablation and foam sclerotherapy). Of responders, 17% did not follow-up patients after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey suggests that there is rationing of access to care for symptomatic varicose veins. Despite publicity for endovenous techniques, surgery remains the preferred treatment for varicose veins in the UK.
A Strategy to Overcome the Radiology Lottery in the Staging of Head and Neck Cancer: An Aid to Attaining the 30-Day Rule
Authors: Elloy Marianne , Jarvis Sara , Davis Anne
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION

Rapid access to radiological services is essential, if the British Association of Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons Minimum Temporal Standards are to be met in the management of head and neck cancer patients. This study assesses a new initiative whereby the multidisciplinary team prioritises allocated imaging appointments rather than using the traditional radiological triage system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was a prospective audit of all patients referred over a 3-month period with suspected head and neck cancer. The main outcome measures were: (i) median interval in days from general practitioner (GP) referral to staging scan; and (ii) median interval in days from first clinic appointment to staging scan.

RESULTS

The new multidisciplinary team booking system led to a statistically significant reduction in the ‘request-to-scan time’ (from 12 days to 5 days). The time from ‘GP to scan’ also improved.

CONCLUSIONS

This new multidisciplinary team-led booking system, could, in the future, speed up access to radiology services lead and neck cancer patients, allowing earlier definitive treatment.
The Surgical Management of Patients Who Deliberately Self-Harm
Authors: Rogers BA , Pease F , Ricketts DM
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION

Deliberate self-harm is a common problem that often requires orthopaedic treatment. Patients with injuries due to deliberate self-harm are often referred to our unit. This study assessed the type of treatment required and the cost of treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We undertook a retrospective survey of deliberate self-harm patients with known ICD-10 psychiatric disorders admitted for orthopaedic care from a medium-secure, female-only, psychiatric unit. Data were collected on admission rate, duration of stay, surgical interventions and complications.

RESULTS

Over a 36-month period there were 73 admissions for 15 patients (mean age, 25.1 years) requiring 65 operative interventions, a mean of 4.3 (range, 0–9) per patient. Over 50% of patients were admitted more than 3 times, totalling 416 hospital bed-days and 80% had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated. The orthopaedic treatment costs for these patients was £453,000 during the period studied.

DISCUSSION

The significant resources required to manage this patient cohort demonstrates the need for a co-ordinated management policy. We recommend day-case surgery for infected wounds only. Postoperatively, wounds should be protected with plaster of Paris. All patients with deliberate self-harm should be regarded as being infected with MRSA.
Impact Factor and Study Design: The Academic Value of Published Research (AVaRes) Score
Authors: Wolf Dennis M , Williamson Peter A
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION

To compare the citation indices of original articles and case reports in otolaryngology journals and thereby determine whether case reports are of less interest and possibly of academically inferior value to original articles.

METIERIALS AND METHODS

All articles in two reputable UK otolaryngology journals (Clinical Otolaryngology and Journal of Laryngology and Otology) for 2000 and 2001 were identified. Citation indices were obtained from ISI Web of Knowledge and compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft® Office Excel 2003.

RESULTS

Review articles were cited most frequently with a mean of 5.21 followed by original articles with 4.28 citations and case reports with 2.40 citations. The difference in citing between original articles and case reports was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in citations between review articles and original articles.

CONCLUSIONS

As case reports are clearly of lesser academic value than original and review articles, we suggest a scoring system incorporating journal impact factor and a scoring multiple taking into account study design. This facilitates easier comparison and recognition of publications in curricula vitae during job application.
Is NPfIT for purpose?
Authors: Hackett Jon
Published: December 2008

Merely to mention the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) is to invite dark mutterings from the press about spiralling expenses, missed deadlines and service providers who, frankly, can't. However, the principles behind the programme: to improve data quality and management, and to ensure its access to the relevant people including patients, are blameless. For this article I spoke to two surgeons who are involved in the programme at different levels. Despite the daunting challenges involved in implementing such an ambitious system at a national level, both of them were enthusiastic about the potential benefit to surgeons and their patients.
Irish Babies, African Mothers: Rites of Passage and Rights in Citizenship in Post-Millennial Ireland
Authors: Shandy Dianna J.
Published: December 2008

In June 2004, Ireland underwent a dramatic transformation when the citizenry passed a national referendum limiting access to citizenship by birth in unprecedented ways. At issue was Ireland's transition from a country characterized by emigration to one of net immigration. Among the immigrants to Ireland in this period were a certain number of pregnant African asylum seekers, who subsequently gave birth to children with rights to Irish citizenship. In this setting, immigration debates were literally and figuratively inscribed on African immigrant women's bodies, and they were the target of verbal and physical assaults. This paper examines this phenomenon through the discursive lens of rite of passage, and the renegotiation of relationships brought about by dual rites at work here—birth for the children and motherhood for the women. This article contends, therefore, that while the mothers were publicly demonized, it is these children with their renegotiated status vis-à-vis the state that are feared. This paper draws on research in Ireland spanning the period surrounding the implementation of the referendum in an attempt to understand the linchpin role children play in the complex intersection of the feminization of migration, citizenship, and the state.
The International Smuggling of Children: Coyotes, Snakeheads, and the Politics of Compassion
Authors: Uehling Greta Lynn
Published: December 2008

Each year, over 100,000 children are apprehended entering the United States unaccompanied by parents or legal guardians, and without valid immigration documents. As many as 8,000 of these children are placed in an elaborate system of border patrol detention centers, shelter facilities, and courts. While the Department of Health and Human Services (through the Office of Refugee Resettlement) funds programs that care for the undocumented immigrants, the Department of Justice, (through the Department of Homeland Security) sweeps up and deports the very same children (or their parents). Apprehended children therefore bring to light the competing agendas of security and humanitarianism. Based on interviews with policy makers and program officers, visits to the shelters, and interviews with the children, this article explores the politics of compassion surrounding these migrants. In order to provide more humane and egalitarian response to the migration, the tensions and contradictions inherent in current practices need to be made more conscious. Considering migration from Mexico, Central America, China, and India, the paper challenges the racially and ethnically-coded system that protects some children more than others. Rather than dismantling the politics of compassion, what is needed is a clearer understanding of the children's paths to the United States, and a system without the racial and ethic hierarchies that are currently in place. Otherwise, children will be confined to the space between the war on terror that treats immigrants, even below the age of 18, as security threats, and politics of compassion that emerged from early 21st century immigration reform.
New Barbarians at the Gates of Paris?: Prosecuting Undocumented Minors in the Juvenile Court—The Problem of the 'Petits Roumains'
Authors: Terrio Susan J.
Published: December 2008

This article centers on the unaccompanied, undocumented minors who are arrested and subject to prosecution for non-violent offenses at the Paris juvenile court in disproportionate numbers. It illustrates the processes whereby public authorities distinguish between the criminal vagrant whose agency and choice makes him more accountable and liable for punishment and the victimized child whose vulnerability and manipulation by others makes him less responsible and eligible for assistance. The article examines the current debates surrounding children and agency within anthropology and asks what the French case adds to our understanding of the changing notions of childhood as well as the newly porous boundaries between the child and the adult.
Annibal Caro's After-Dinner Speech (1536) and the Question of Titian as Vesalius's Illustrator*
Authors: Simons Patricia , Kornell Monique
Published: December 2008

Putative textual proof for Titian's central involvement in producing illustrations for Vesalius's anatomy book De fabrica (1543) requires reexamination. On the basis of orthographic, literary, and historical evidence, a phrase in Annibal Caro's after-dinner speech, here dated to 1536, is shown instead to refer ironically to a surgeon's notorious execution in 1517. Anatomia was a word in the satirical as well as the medical lexicon. It is important to understand the satirical tone of Caro's speech about a priapic statuette. Delivered during Carnival to the Roman Academy of Virtue, the speech respects neither antiquities nor artists like Michelangelo in its obscene humor.
Hydraulic Engineering and the Study of Antiquity: Rome, 1557–70*
Authors: Long Pamela O.
Published: December 2008

This article investigates the relationships between hydraulic engineering and antiquarian studies in Rome in the long decade between the devastating Tiber River flood of 1557 and the completion of the repair of an ancient aqueduct, the Acqua Vergine, in 1570. The essay focuses on the physician Andrea Bacci (1524–1600), the engineer Antonio Trevisi (d. 1566), the jurist and Roman magistrate Luca Peto (1512–81), and the antiquarian Pirro Ligorio (ca. 1510–83). These individuals from both learned and practical backgrounds approached urgent problems of hydraulic engineering by studying ancient texts and artifacts, and they proposed solutions that were influenced by their study. This confluence of antiquarian study and engineering contributed to the development of empirical methodologies in the late Renaissance by making engineering part of a learned discourse.
Complaining Like a Liberal: Redefining Law, Justice, and Official Misconduct in Venezuela, 1790-1850
Authors: Zahler Reuben
Published: December 2008

One night in April 1822, a slave snuck into Caracas' main plaza, and under cover of darkness, threw the feces of his entire household into the public well. A month later, a local magistrate appeared at the store of José Castellano and Manuel Gonzalez with a contingent of soldiers and arrested them for having ordered their slave to commit this heinous crime. From their jail cell, the two men asserted their innocence and insisted that the magistrate had behaved unacceptably: “Because we have never had any previous warning, because we have not previously been called to appear in court and also because there is no proof … [the magistrate] cannot have been authorised to commit the public insult that he has shamelessly and scandalously put upon our persons.” Their defense relied not only on questions of evidence but also on attacks against the magistrate's civility; they claimed that his actions had transgressed both proper legal and social behavior. This combination of legislative and non-legislative concerns was typical for complaints against officials from the colonial period, and we see it persist directly after independence. In the coming years, however, the formal responsibilities of government employees would change, as would the paradigm for complaints against them.
“La Enojosa Cuestión de Emery”: The Emery Claim in Nicaragua and American Foreign Policy, C. 1880-1910
Authors: Gismondi Michael , Mouat Jeremy
Published: December 2008

This article will argue that a seemingly trivial dispute between the Nicaraguan government and an American lumber company operating on Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast escalated to become a major source of tension between the U.S. State Department and Nicaragua, as well as a catalyst that drew U.S. banks into Nicaragua. Despite its significance, the convoluted story of this dispute has attracted little scholarly attention. The importance of the Emery claim was widely acknowledged at the time, however. Stories about it appeared in contemporary newspapers and magazines, and it became a topic worthy of discussion by a U.S. Senate hearing. The claim was also connected to José Santos Zelaya's resignation as president of Nicaragua in the autumn of 1909, a gesture that came shortly after he had agreed to settle the Emery claim.
Socializing the King's Debt: Local and Atlantic Financial Transactions of the Merchants of Buenos Aires, 1793-1808
Authors: Grieco Viviana L.
Published: December 2008

Between 1722 and 1779, the Bourbon kings managed to achieve financial stability without broadening the tax base or borrowing on a large scale. The incorporation of Aragon's territories under the crown of Castile, the Bourbon administrative reforms, sustained population and economic growth during the first half of the eighteenth century, added to the silver coming from the Americas, explain the general increase in income within the existing fiscal constitution. The revenues extracted from the American possessions, in particular from New Spain, were essential in keeping the metropolitan budget balanced. However, from the 1790s onwards, constant international warfare made ordinary revenues collected in the Americas insufficient for financing deficit spending in Spain. To meet shortfalls, the crown implemented extraordinary measures including the collection of loans,donativos, ecclesiastical subsidies, and the enforcement of theDecreto de Consolidación de vales realesin 1804. These measures demonstrate that the Spanish crown increasingly relied on its imperial financial network to balance its budget, and simultaneously postponed the politically costly implementation of a thorough fiscal reform in the metropolis.
Do Helmets Reduce Fatalities or Merely Alter the Patterns of Death?
Authors: Shealy Jasper E. , Johnson Robert J. , Ettlinger Carl F.
Published: December 2008

The use of helmets has been proposed as a means of reducing the incidence of fatality in skiing and snowboarding. This paper presents results that suggest that while helmets may be effective at preventing minor injuries, they have not been shown to reduce the overall incidence of fatality in skiing and snowboarding even though as many as 40 % of the population at risk are currently using helmets. The results indicate that the use of a helmet will indeed influence the primary cause of death, but perhaps not the ultimate outcome.
Starch-Based Quenchants as an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Quenching Oil
Authors: Sahay Satyam S.
Published: December 2008

Petroleum-based mineral oil is a commonly used quenching media for heat treatment, due to its moderate cooling rate which provides minimum distortion to components. However, quenching oil is also associated with several environmental liabilities such as oil fumes, fire hazard, oil spills, leaking underground storage tanks, and waste oil disposal liabilities. As a result, the use of oil as a quenching media is being discouraged and is listed as one of the significant concerns in the Vision 2020 technology roadmap of the ASM Heat Treating Society. In the present work, starch-based quenchants have been developed as an eco-friendly alternative to oil quenchant. It has been shown that by tailoring the composition, the peak cooling rate as well as peak temperature can be optimized to provide the required cooling characteristics for a wide range of materials. Industrial trials on tool steels have shown cooling characteristics and uniformity in hardness of starch quenching similar to oil quenching.
Gas-Cooling of Multiple Short Inline Disks in Flow Along Their Axis
Authors: Lior Noam , Papadopoulos Dimitrios
Published: December 2008

To learn about cooling of gas quenched batches, this paper reports on numerical predictions of local and average convective heat transfer coefficients, and overall pressure drops, on batches of five axially aligned, constant temperature, short cylindrical disks (25 cm diameter, 5 cm thickness) with and without a concentric hole, with interdisk spacings of 5–20 cm, in axial turbulent flows of 20 bar nitrogen gas at inlet speeds from 10 m/s to 100 m/s, corresponding to Reynolds numbers (Re) between 3.27×106 and 32.7×106. The heat transfer coefficients along the disk surfaces vary strongly up to a worse case of two orders of magnitude for the upstream disk. This nonuniformity is much lower for the disks downstream, especially after spacing is increased beyond 0.1 m. As expected, the upstream disk exhibited rather different heat transfer coefficients than the ones downstream, the magnitude of the heat transfer coefficient and its uniformity increased with the interdisk spacing, and varied by a factor of about 4–5 along the surfaces. The average heat transfer coefficient (Nusselt number, Nu) on the disks increased approximately with Reynolds number as Re0.85. Re did not have much influence on the nonuniformity of Nu on the disk surfaces. The overall pressure drop along the flow increases with the interdisk spacing, rising by about 60 % as the spacing is increased from 0.05 m to 0.20 m. The presence of a hole increases the heat transfer coefficient in all cases. Some suggestions for reducing the heat transfer coefficient nonuniformity are made.
A Demonstration of a Universal Kriging Program for Monitoring Sediments in Lakes
Authors: Lin PCL , Roesler JF
Published: December 2008

The promulgation and implementation of Section 404 (b) of Public Law (PL) 92-500 (Federal Water Pollution Control Act Assessments of 1972) required the ecological evaluation of operations, such as dredging and filling, as they may impact navigable waters of the United States. One among a large number of factors that must be considered in the initiation of a sediment, soil, and water sampling program is how to characterize the area sampled. This factor has two aspects: the project area and sampling locations. In this study, a universal kriging technique to select the optimized sampling locations is presented. It is an optimization technique for interpolation and spatial averaging from sparse observation records. This method is applicable to any sampling problem when it uses observations of a random field at a number of points to obtain an estimate of the value of the field and the accuracy of the estimate at any point. It also restores the measured values as estimates at the data points, whereas other methods do not. An existing universal kriging program for the IBM-PC has been modified so that it not only estimates the value of the field and its variance at any location, but also draws contour maps. Using this information, one can determine the approximate maximum concentration of the field and also help improve sampling locations to yield more definitive data.
Trace Organic Analysis of Suspended Sediments Collected with an In-Stream Composite Sampler: The Need for a Standard Method
Authors: (Mel) Suffet IH , Hunchak K , Wicklund A , Belton T
Published: December 2008

Sorption to suspended materials is an important mechanism controlling the transport and fate of nonpolar trace organic chemicals in aquatic environments. To simultaneously examine the aqueous and suspended phases, an in-stream filtration sampler has been developed for composite sampling of suspended materials with subsequent extraction of the filtered aqueous phase by XAD resins. The in-stream filtration sampler and broad spectrum analysis were used to evaluate the fate of nonpolar trace organics in a New Jersey river/reservoir/treatment plant system. GC and GC/MS analyses revealed a very differnt spectrum of compounds in the aqueous and associated suspended material phases. In the suspended material extracts, GC/MS tentatively identified alkyl phenols, pulp mill type wastes (long-chain fatty acids, juvabiones, and abietic acid derivatives), and plasticizers. GC/MS analysis of ether extracts of XAD resin tentatively identified petroleum related PAHs, straight and branched chain aliphatics, and phthalates. Only toluene was found in both the aqueous and suspended material phases. These data indicate that the suspended material phase and the dissolved phase are not in equilibrium in this particular watershed. An acetone/hexane solvent system was used to soxhlet extract the trace organics that were present on collected suspended materials. Artifacts, primarily condensation products of acetone, were produced during the filter cleaning and the soxhlet extraction processes. The artifacts produced were carefully evaluated and quality assurance procedures assured that they did not interfere with the analysis. The development of an appropriate quality assured extraction method which minimizes artifact formation is needed for the broad spectrum analysis of nonpolar trace organics associated with suspended materials.
Organic Chemical Waste Characterization for Marine Disposal of Black Rock Harbor Dredged Materials
Authors: Rogerson PF
Published: December 2008

A waste characterization test was designed to determine the actual contaminants in dredged materials that are bioavailable. Unlike many smaller freshwater systems, marine habitats are frequently regulated on the basis of waste bioaccumulation potential. This implies that traditional chemical characterization of sediments may provide data that is not appropriate for marine systems. A waste characterization procedure was sought that would determine those contaminants in sediment that could bioaccumulate. A highly contaminated urban harbor sediment from Black Rock Harbor, Bridgeport, CT was chosen as the test material. The marine bivalve, Mytilus edulis, was exposed to suspended dredged material for 28 days in a flow-through exposure system. Exposed organisms were then extracted and analyzed for bioavailable, low-polarity contaminants by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). All separable GC/MS peaks were tentatively identified. These tentatively identified contaminants were subsequently analyzed in the dredged material and quantified when appropriate standards were available. Compounds identified by this waste characterization procedure are assured of being both present in the dredged material and biologically available.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy in the Non‐Surgical Treatment of Aggressive Periodontitis: Cytokine Profile in Gingival Crevicular Fluid, Preliminary Results
Authors: de Oliveira Rafael Ramos , Schwartz‐Filho Humberto Oswaldo , Novaes Arthur Belém , Garlet Gustavo Pompermaier , Freitas de Souza Raphael , Taba Mário , Scombatti de Souza Sérgio Luís , Ribeiro Francisco Jeter
Published: December 2008

Background: Aggressive periodontitis is a specific form of periodontal disease that is characterized by rapid attachment loss and bone destruction. Cytokine profiles are of considerable value when studying disease course during treatment. The aim of this trial was to investigate cytokine levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with aggressive periodontitis, after treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) or scaling and root planing (SRP), in a split‐mouth design on −7, 0, +1, +7, +30, and +90 days.

Methods: Ten patients were randomly treated with PDT using a laser source associated with a photosensitizer or SRP with hand instruments. GCF samples were collected, and the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL) were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations to test the associations among treatments, evaluated parameters, and experimental times (α = 0.05).

Results: Non‐surgical periodontal treatment with PDT or SRP led to statistically significant reductions in TNF‐α level 30 days following treatment. There were similar levels of TNF‐α and RANKL at the different time points in both groups, with no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion: SRP and PDT had similar effects on crevicular TNF‐α and RANKL levels in patients with aggressive periodontitis.