bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress and Coping in Israel During the Persian Gulf War
Authors: Milgram Norman (Noach)
Published: April 2010

Psychological research in Israel on the Gulf War focused on its unique features—nocturnal missile attacks on civilian targets, absence of retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces, threat of chemical attack, compulsory confinement of family members in close quarters during the missile attacks, and changes in soldier‐civilian and adult‐child roles. The studies summarized here deal with groups who suffered no personal or property loss, and who consequently suffered few intense, chronic adverse reactions. Researchers investigated the conventional variables in the stress and coping paradigm—objective stressors (e.g., proximity to damaged sites), coping strategies, interpersonal and intrapersonal resources, prewar vulnerability, the level of acute stress reactions (affective, cognitive, behavioral, and somatic) at the onset of the war, and the reduction in intensity and frequency of these stress reactions during and after the war. Findings are consistent with the conclusion that the society as a whole coped well with unfamiliar threats, many of which did not materialize. Original contributions from these studies, obtained under the unique “real‐time” conditions of the Gulf War for Israeli society, are discussed. Lay and peer evaluations of the contribution of psychologists to the war are summarized.
Are There Universal Aspects in the Structure and Contents of Human Values?
Authors: Schwartz Shalom H.
Published: April 2010

This article presents a theory of potentially universal aspects in the content of human values. Ten types of values are distinguished by their motivational goals. The theory also postulates a structure of relations among the value types, based on the conflicts and compatibilities experienced when pursuing them. This structure permits one to relate systems of value priorities, as an integrated whole, to other variables. A new values instrument, based on the theory and suitable for cross‐cultural research, is described. Evidence relevant for assessing the theory, from 97 samples in 44 countries, is summarized. Relations of this approach to Rokeach's work on values and to other theories and research on value dimensions are discussed. Application of the approach to social issues is exemplified in the domains of politics and intergroup relations.
Murder, Capital Punishment, and Deterrence: A Review of the Evidence and an Examination of Police Killings
Authors: Bailey William C. , Peterson Ruth D.
Published: April 2010

This paper reviews and assesses the empirical literature on murder, capital punishment, and deterrence. There is a large body of evidence regarding these issues, with studies yielding a rather consistent pattern of nondeterrence. However, most investigations are limited because they rely upon the general homicide rate as the criterion variable, although both legally and theoretically, different types of murder may be differentially subject to deterrence. As an example of how deterrence investigations may benefit from examining different types of homicide, we conduct a monthly time‐series analysis of the possible deterrent effect of the provision for capital punishment, levels of execution, and the amount and type of television news coverage executions receive on overall and different types of police killings for 1976–1989. The analysis reveals no evidence that police are afforded an added measure of protection against death by capital punishment.
Pawns, Victims, or Heroes: The Negotiation of Stigma and the Plight of Oregon's Loggers
Authors: Satterfield Theresa A.
Published: April 2010

This paper compares environmentalists' characterizations of timber workers with timber workers' portraits of themselves. A discursive analysis of invocations of stigma and victimization reveals two grassroots groups' battle for political standing. Timber workers summoned their experiences of stigmatization to create politically effective group alliances and to promote a logging culture worthy of protection. Environmentalists counteracted constructions of loggers as culturally unique by referring to timber workers as pawns of the industry and by referring to timber communities as pathological. A dynamic tension is produced in which stigma must be negotiated and/or claimed by each group because both groups need to achieve political power and yet maintain their respective images as grassroots underdogs.
Euthanasia on Trial: Examining Public Attitudes Toward Nonphysician‐Assisted Death
Authors: Pfeifer Jeffrey E. , Brigham John C. , Robinson Tom
Published: April 2010

This study investigated the influence of various contextual effects on the decisions of subjects evaluating a case of nonphysician‐assisted suicide. Subjects viewed a videotaped deposition of an individual emotionally or nonemotionally describing how he assisted in the death of his terminally ill wife by disconnecting her respirator or shooting her in the head. The deposition was followed by jury instructions that outlined the duties of the subject and, in some cases, was followed by a nullification instruction that informed the subjects of their right to ignore the law in this case if they felt it would culminate in an unfair verdict. After viewing the videotape, subjects were asked to rate the guilt of the individual as well as their confidence in this rating. Results indicate that the means of death and the type of instruction significantly affect guilt ratings. The implications of these findings are discussed.
The Systematic Application of Ethical Codes in the Counseling of Persons Who Are Considering Euthanasia
Authors: Hadjistavropoulos Thomas
Published: April 2010

As health psychology develops, psychologists and counseling professionals are becoming progressively more involved with patients who have chronic terminal illnesses such as AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Consequently, they will be consulted increasingly by patients, caregivers, and lawyers in cases where euthanasia is being considered. There are numerous ethical dilemmas that could arise when counseling persons who are contemplating euthanasia. Professionals must consider carefully issues such as informed consent, bodily autonomy, respect for a person's dignity, patient welfare, as well as responsibility to society. The national psychological, social work, and medical associations of North America have each adopted a code of ethics. These codes may be used by counseling professionals to assist in the resolution of ethical dilemmas that may arise as a result of working with persons considering euthanasia. This paper discusses the relevance of these codes to the counseling of terminally inpatients.
A Vision of Family Policy for the 21st Century
Authors: Garbarino James
Published: April 2010

This article explores parallels between family policy issues prominent at the close of the 19th century and those facing us now, one century hence. Among these parallels are concerns about substance abuse, economic inequality, “family values” and the reproductive behavior of young women, child maltreatment, and family stability. Recurring themes in American responses to these issues include continuing debate about the role of government in family life and support, enduring efforts to reconcile sentiments of individualism with those of communal‐ism, and concern with the practical impact on policy and institutions of both traditional and contemporary renderings of human rights, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child. Of concern in ongoing debate is the rising level of cynicism and distrust among youth of government, and the increasingly toxic social environment for American families.
The Paradoxical Influence of Policy Exposure on Affirmative Action Attitudes
Authors: Belliveau Maura A.
Published: April 2010

This commentary discusses recent research on the attitudes of employees who are affected by affirmative action to determine if societal‐level beliefs about discrimination lead to policy endorsement among individuals whose career outcomes are at stake. It is suggested that policy exposure in the workplace leads to greater endorsement rather than a “backlash” against affirmative action. The mechanisms producing this effect are discussed.
Color and Golden Shine of Silver Islamic Luster
Authors: Gutierrez P. Carolina , Pradell Trinitat , Molera Judit , Smith Andrew D. , Climent‐Font Aurelio , Tite Michael S.
Published: April 2010

Golden‐like luster decorations on glazed ceramics from early Islamic times (9–12th centuries AD) consist of a nanocomposite submicrometric layer made of silver metal nanoparticles. The color and golden‐like reflectivity of these decorations are dominated by the nonlinear optical response and Mie scattering of the silver nanoparticles. We demonstrate that the enhanced golden‐like reflectivity occurs only for dense nanoparticulated layers and that they were obtained by adding PbO to the alkaline glaze. This resulted in reduced diffusivity of silver in the glaze leading to more concentrated and thinner luster layers that formed closer to the glaze surface. The result obtained adds new insights into the high technological level attained during Islamic times and also has important historical implications, giving both new clues concerning the lead enrichment of the glazes during this period, and some basis for the medieval Alchemy search for the production of “gold” from other metals.
The role of the curriculum and other factors in determining the medium‐ to long‐term attitude of the practicing dentist towards life‐long learning
Authors: Polyzois I. , Claffey N. , Attström R. , Kelly A. , Mattheos N.
Published: April 2010

Objectives:  To investigate the significance of the undergraduate dental curriculum on the medium‐ to long‐term attitudes of the clinician to life‐long learning, and to identify demographical and professional characteristics which may influence this attitude.

Methods:  A specially designed questionnaire targeted 12 cohorts of dentists who qualified from Dublin Dental School and Hospital between 1994 and 2005. The curricula of the cohorts varied from fully didactic, exclusively Problem Based Learning or a hybrid for the oldest, youngest and middle graduates, respectively. Participants were questioned about current professional activities, postgraduate training, practice type, hospital affiliation, use of information services and time dedicated to continuing dental education (CDE), etc. A number of dental scenarios were proposed to determine if participants were adherent to current clinical guidelines. Additionally, a visual analogue scale assessed the overall satisfaction of dentists with their undergraduate programme and determined their opinion regarding its influence on subsequent ability to practice dentistry and keep up‐to‐date with scientific developments.

Results:  Contingency analysis of the association between curriculum and continuous educational data did not produce statistical significance. Dentists who work in a hospital environment spend more time on CDE (χ2, Pearson’s, P = 0.001), are more adherent to current guidelines (χ2, Pearson’s, P = 0.005) and found their undergraduate studies more enjoyable (Wilkoxon/Kruskal–Wallis, P = 0.01).

Conclusions:  Undergraduate curriculum type was found to have very little or no effect on the graduate’s attitude towards life‐long learning or confidence in their ability to practice dentistry. However, these attitudes did appear to be influenced by certain family, demographical and professional characteristics.
Displacing Indigenous Cultural Landscapes: the Naturalistic Gaze at Fraser Island World Heritage Area
Authors: CARTER JENNIFER
Published: April 2010

A naturalistic gaze characterises protected area management in Australia, and reproduces the nature–culture dichotomy that is thoroughly criticised in geographical discourse. This naturalistic gaze is exacerbated by the compartmentalism of agency roles and responsibilities in protected areas. This paper maintains that many agencies, either unconsciously or deliberately, perpetuate the naturalistic gaze in a way that displaces Indigenous people from authentic engagement in protected area management. This paper provides an example of such marginalisation of Indigenous Australians in the world heritage area of Fraser Island, which is located in one of the most rapidly urbanising parts of Australia where Indigenous people have limited rights. The paper argues that a new process is required that networks people and place using concepts of nature/culture hybridity to avoid the current conceptual dualisms and the consequent marginalisation of Indigenous people. Such a dialectic and relational approach introduces contexts, meanings and associations that are excluded by current environmental and heritage paradigms that have the potential to marginalise many local voices. It proposes that those responsible for world heritage and protected area planning and management must fully realise or renominate these areas as landscapes in which people, and perhaps especially Indigenous Australians, are always and everywhere embedded and implicated in ‘natural’ environments. This will require changes in governance and in the predominantly technocratically‐driven processes by which these areas are currently designated and managed.
Genetics in neuroendocrine immunology: implications for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Stark Klaus , Straub Rainer H. , Blažičková Stanislava , Hengstenberg Christian , Rovenský Jozef
Published: April 2010

Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as osteoarthritis (OA). For RA, most of the known genetic markers are linked with genes from immunological pathways. Recent genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) on RA identified known and novel susceptibility genes like HLA‐DRB1, PTPN22, STAT4, TRAF1/C5, OLIG3/TNFAIP3, CD40, CCL21, MMEL1‐TNFRSF14, CDK6, PRKCQ, IL2RB, and KIF5A‐PIP4K2C. These association signals explain more than 50% of the genetic influence on RA. In contrast, less GWAS data for OA exist. Most OA susceptibility genes arose from classical candidate gene analyses and were not replicated in all study samples. Neuroendocrine factors are hypothesized to play an important role both in RA and OA etiology. Here, we discuss these findings and present an outlook for genetic association studies after GWAS.
Inflammatory gene profile in early rheumatoid arthritis and modulation by leflunomide and prednisone treatment
Authors: Cutolo Maurizio , Villaggio Barbara , Pizzorni Carmen , Paolino Sabrina , Moretti Stefano , Gallo Fabio , Bonassi Stefano , Sulli Alberto , Seriolo Bruno , Montagna Paola , Soldano Stefano
Published: April 2010

The effects of low dose prednisone (PD) alone or in combination with leflunomide (LEF) were tested on inflammatory gene expression in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ten RA patients were assigned as group A (untreated)and group B (pretreated with PD 5 mg/day for 3 months ‐T0). Therefore, both groups were treated with LFN (20mg/day). Expression ratio of 34 inflammatory genes was detected by microarray analysis in early RA patients and CNT (5), before (T0), and after 3 months (T1) of combined therapy (PN+LFN). At T0, 17 genes linked with arthritis were found altered in early RA, (A and B groups), compared to CNT. At T1 in the group A, 41% of genes were found unchanged, 12% upregulated, and 47% downregulated, whereas in the group B, 65% of genes were found unchanged, 6% upregulated, and 29% downregulated. The results suggest that the combination of PN and LEF seems to play a synergistic effect by modulating some inflammatory genes in early RA.
THE SOURCES OF AUSTRALIAN GROWTH
Authors: HOGAN W. P.
Published: April 2010

“‘Development’ has, as it were, always been part of Australian religion ever since Arthur Phillip declared that he would not wish convicts to be responsible for the founding of a nation; ‘development’ has nearly always been identified with growth, growth seen as having two dimensions—geographical spread and quantitative increase.”

—S. J. Butlin [1]
DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS AND IMPORT POLICIES1
Authors: HOGAN W. P.
Published: April 2010

The developing economies when viewed collectively met the targets for growth laid down by the United Nations for the First Development Decade. But this achievement was recorded against a background of very diverse experiences from one developing economy to another. Some of these economies gained as a result of the special advantages stemming from natural resources such as crude oil. Other developing economies were less fortunately placed. The Second Development Decade has been set higher targets. The immediate prospects are not so encouraging because of the recent disturbances in international monetary and economic relations. Moreover, the prospects for expanding the flow of official and private assistance are not good. Thus the earning of foreign exchange to finance certain costs of development schemes will become of increasing importance during the seventies. In this respect there is an important need for the developed market economies to maintain if not expand access to their domestic markets for developing economies. But this will call for domestic policy techniques for adjusting the industrial structure to cushion the impact of import flows. As yet these techniques are embryonic both in Australia and other advanced industrial countries. One possibility would be to combine adjustments in the industrial structure with development assistance to neighbouring economies.
HEALTH INSURANCE ‐ UNIVERSAL COVER OR A SAFETY‐NET? A CRITIQUE
Authors: Segal Leonie
Published: April 2010

Health insurance is a logical response to the highly variable need for health care. But expected need for health care is not random, being related to characteristics such as age, gender and previous health care utilisation. Thus an entirely private system would tend to price high‐risk individuals, the old and the sick, out of health insurance, denying them access to health care. There are two ways to address this dilemma: universal cover, a predominantly publicly‐funded health insurance system supporting access to health care on the basis of need; or a safety‐net system that provides selective public funding for defined ‘disadvantaged’ groups. Both theory and international evidence suggest that universal health insurance represents the more efficient and equitable response to this problem. The rationale for promoting private health insurance within a universal health insurance system, the situation in Australia, is unclear and cannot be justified on either equity or efficiency grounds.
FISCAL EQUALISATION IN AUSTRALIA: PROPOSALS FOR AN EFFICIENCY‐BASED SYSTEM
Authors: Petchey Jeffrey , Levtchenkova Sophia
Published: April 2010

We argue that Australian equalisation should be driven by efficiency concerns. To this end, we propose an efficiency‐based equalisation model and argue that, if implemented, this model would yield welfare gains in all States, relative to the status quo. Our model is also shown to yield superior welfare outcomes to an equal per capita allocation model (as proposed by some researchers to replace the existing model). The conclusion notes that given the magnitude of the resources involved, and the on‐going concerns over equalisation, efficiency and equity, there is a case for a comprehensive and impartial review of the Australian grant system, including the equalisation methodology.
MEASURING VICTORIA'S GENUINE PROGRESS: A GENUINE PROGRESS INDICTOR (GPI) FOR VICTORIA
Authors: Clarke Matthew , Lawn Philip
Published: April 2010

Efforts to integrate measures of well‐being and sustainability have long existed within the literature. A recent approach is the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI). The GPI is a monetary‐based index that has been designed to ascertain the impact of a growing economy on sustainable well‐being. The GPI is comprised of a large number of individual items that account for these wideranging impacts of economic growth, including social and environmental benefits and costs as well as those of the standard economic variety. Within this paper, the methodology of the GPI is presented. The impact of economic growth on sustainable well‐being is also briefly reviewed for Victoria. This analysis is conducted by estimating a GPI for Victoria over the period 1986–2003.
UNITED KINGDOM‐AUSTRALIAN/NEW ZEALAND TRADE RELATIONS
Authors: ABBOTT MALCOLM
Published: April 2010

The United Kingdom has had a long and important history of trade relations with Australia and New Zealand. Although trade declined, both in absolute and relative importance, during the late 1960s and 1970s there still exists a large and significant volume of trade between them, and the relative and absolute decline in this trade does appear to have been halted. In this paper the trading relationship between the United Kingdom on the one hand and New Zealand and Australia on the other is analysed and the prospects of future trade between them is examined. Overall it is expected that the United Kingdom and Australia/New Zealand trade relations will grow in importance rather than decline as they did before 1985.
TRENDS IN ASX‐LISTED BANK GOVERNANCE
Authors: CHU STEPHEN , LAWRENCE MARTIN , STAPLEDON GEOF
Published: April 2010

This paper reviews trends in bank governance in Australia over the past 15 years. It reviews changes in board size, board committee structures and executive remuneration trends. Remuneration has increased substantially, but there is not a strong relationship to bank performance. Changes in board committee structures have occurred independent of regulatory requirements.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIAN ECONOMISTS: THE RECORD AND THE BARRIERS
Authors: NORMAN NEVILLE R.
Published: April 2010

This paper documents and assesses the contribution of Australian economists to policy and world‐changing actions over the last forty years. The distinctive features that economists offer to policy debates are identified. By comparison with Max Corden's assessment nearly forty years ago, economists have increased the relative importance of their role, but barriers to a fuller contribution remain. Suggestions are made as to how to enhance this contribution.
REGIONAL EXPENDITURE PATTERNS, REMOTENESS AND TYPE OF ENTERPRISE: WHICH TOURISM BUSINESSES SPEND THE LARGEST AMOUNTS WITHIN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
Authors: STOECKL NATALIE
Published: April 2010

This paper presents and analyses data on the expenditure patterns of 429 tourism enterprises in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Different types of tourism enterprises that are located in regions that are similarly remote are found to have similar expenditure patterns. In contrast, businesses that are located in very remote locations are found to spend much less, on average, than businesses that are located in outer regional centres. Although it is important to check if such results also obtain across a broader range of industries, it seems that the economic impact of any particular business may have more to do with its location than the type of industry. This may have important implications for regional development policy, and for the developers of general equilibrium models.
THE IMPACT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY ON FIRM VALUE
Authors: HEANEY RICHARD , IRLICHT LAURENCE
Published: April 2010

There have been few studies that analyse the impact of OHS on the value of Australian firms; yet this is an important area of business for both small and large businesses. In this paper we pay particular attention to the impact of Victorian Workcover Authority prosecutions of listed Australian firms. USA based research shows that OHS prosecutions have a negative impact on firm value and we find some evidence to support the existence of negative share price reaction to OHS prosecution in our sample of listed Australian firms.
AUSTRALIA'S DIRECT INVESTMENT IN CHINA: TRENDS AND DETERMINANTS
Authors: MA ZIHUI , YANG RUILONG , ZHANG YIN
Published: April 2010

China has been the largest foreign direct investment recipient among developing countries, and Australia's direct investment in China is also growing steadily. This article investigates the trends and determinants of Australia's direct investment in China. Evidence presented in this paper indicates that Australia's direct investment in China is above the equilibrium level and that its regional distribution is correlated with economic and policy factors.
CHINESE INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: LAURENCESON JAMES
Published: April 2010

Chinese investment in Australia is emerging as an important part of the Australia‐China economic relationship. This paper overviews the major characteristics of Chinese investment in Australia up to the present: its volume, form, sectoral distribution, and major players. It then discusses the policies that have been driving recent increases in investment and those that are likely to have a more profound impact over the longer term.
THREE STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH TERRORISM
Authors: FREY BRUNO S. , LUECHINGER SIMON
Published: April 2010

Deterrence has been a crucial element in fighting terrorism. An economic analysis of terrorism also points to alternative and potentially superior policies. We suggest three policies that can well be integrated into existing constitutions of democratic and rule‐based countries. Two policies are based on diminishing the benefits of committing terrorist acts for prospective terrorists. This can be done by decentralising various parts of society or by diverting attention from terrorists, once a terrorist act has been committed. A third policy is to raise the relative costs of terrorism by lowering the costs of non‐violent means for pursuing political goals.
Naturalizing Assessment
Authors: Michalchik Vera , Gallagher Lawrence
Published: April 2010

Abstract  Researchers and practitioners concerned with STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occurring outside the institutional boundaries of schools recognize the need for assessment approaches that accommodate the characteristics of informal learning. These approaches, to be viable, must align with the activities, goals, roles, and outcomes we find in informal settings. A plausible starting point is in making use of naturalistic assessments—people’s own on‐going, developing awareness of who can do what under which circumstances. People regularly and informally assess one another to shape and support learning activities, goals, and outcomes. This article seeks to make a case for developing a new research program for assessing learning outcomes by capitalizing on people’s everyday attunements, which are already in place, and by getting more value out of the cultural apparatus that exists for recognizing one another’s capabilities.
Modeling, Simulation, and Optimal Initiation Planning For Needle Insertion Into the Liver
Authors: Sedeh R. Sharifi , Ahmadian M. T. , Janabi-Sharifi F.
Published: April 2010

Needle insertion simulation and planning systems (SPSs) will play an important role in diminishing inappropriate insertions into soft tissues and resultant complications. Difficulties in SPS development are due in large part to the computational requirements of the extensive calculations in finite element (FE) models of tissue. For clinical feasibility, the computational speed of SPSs must be improved. At the same time, a realistic model of tissue properties that reflects large and velocity-dependent deformations must be employed. The purpose of this study is to address the aforementioned difficulties by presenting a cost-effective SPS platform for needle insertions into the liver. The study was constrained to planar (2D) cases, but can be extended to 3D insertions. To accommodate large and velocity-dependent deformations, a hyperviscoelastic model was devised to produce an FE model of liver tissue. Material constants were identified by a genetic algorithm applied to the experimental results of unconfined compressions of bovine liver. The approach for SPS involves B-spline interpolations of sample data generated from the FE model of liver. Two interpolation-based models are introduced to approximate puncture times and to approximate the coordinates of FE model nodes interacting with the needle tip as a function of the needle initiation pose; the latter was also a function of postpuncture time. A real-time simulation framework is provided, and its computational benefit is highlighted by comparing its performance with the FE method. A planning algorithm for optimal needle initiation was designed, and its effectiveness was evaluated by analyzing its accuracy in reaching a random set of targets at different resolutions of sampled data using the FE model. The proposed simulation framework can easily surpass haptic rates (>500 Hz), even with a high pose resolution level (∼30). The computational time required to update the coordinates of the node at the needle tip in the provided example was reduced from 177 s to 0.8069 ms. The planning accuracy was acceptable even with moderate resolution levels: root-mean-square and maximum errors were 1 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively, for a pose and PPT resolution levels of 17 and 20, respectively. The proposed interpolation-based models significantly improve the computational speed of needle insertion simulation and planning, based on the discretized (FE) model of the liver and can be utilized to establish a cost-effective planning platform. This modeling approach can also be extended for use in other surgical simulations.
In Vitro Investigation of the Impact of Aortic Valve Stenosis Severity on Left Coronary Artery Flow
Authors: Gaillard E. , Garcia D. , Kadem L. , Pibarot P. , Durand L.-G.
Published: April 2010

Patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) may experience angina pectoris even if they have angiographically normal coronary arteries. Angina is associated with a marked increase in the risk of sudden death in AS patients. Only a few in vitro models describing the interaction between the left ventricular and aortic pressures, and the coronary circulation have been reported. These models were designed for specific research studies and they need to be improved or modified when other specific studies are required. Consequently, we have developed an in vitro model that is able to mimic the coronary circulation in presence of aortic stenosis. First, we have validated the model under physiological conditions. Then, we have examined and quantified the hemodynamic effects of different degrees of AS (from normal to severe AS) on the coronary flow using a model of the normal left coronary artery. In the coronary in vitro model without AS (normal valve), the amplitude and shape of coronary flow were similar to those observed in in vivo measurements obtained under physiological conditions, as described by Hozumi et al. (1998, “Noninvasive Assessment of Significant Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Stenosis by Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve With Transthoracic Color Doppler Echocardiography,” Circulation, 97, pp. 1557–1562). The presence of an AS induced an increase in the maximum and mean coronary flow rates (97% and 73%, respectively, for a very severe AS). Furthermore, when AS was very severe, a retrograde flow occurred during systole. This study allowed us to validate our coronary in vitro model under physiological conditions, both in the absence and presence of AS. These changes could explain the fact that even if patients have angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries, we can observe the occurrence of angina pectoris in these patients in the presence of an AS.
Investigation of the Intervertebral Disc and Fused Joint Dynamics Through Experimental Modal Analysis and the Receptance Coupling Method
Authors: Malekian M. , Trieu D. , Owoc J. S. , Park S. S. , Hunter C. J.
Published: April 2010

Identification of intervertebral disc (IVD) dynamics is important in understanding the spine mechanism and behavior. This paper experimentally identifies the dynamics of the bovine caudal IVD using experimental modal analysis and the inverse receptance coupling method. Experimental modal analysis was performed on free-free mounted bovine caudal vertebrae joined by an IVD and a fused IVD joint. Shear, rotational, and axial dynamics of the joints are identified by curve fitting of the frequency response functions, and identifying the damping ratio, stiffness, and modal frequency in each axis. The identified dynamics are compared with the IVD joints with and without fusion. Results provide important insight into IVD dynamics and fused IVD dynamics. This method can be extended to identify human IVD joint dynamics.
Distribution of Forces Between Synergistics and Antagonistics Muscles Using an Optimization Criterion Depending on Muscle Contraction Behavior
Authors: Rengifo Carlos , Aoustin Yannick , Plestan Franck , Chevallereau Christine
Published: April 2010

In this paper, a new neuromusculoskeletal simulation strategy is proposed. It is based on a cascade control approach with an inner muscular-force control loop and an outer joint-position control loop. The originality of the work is located in the optimization criterion used to distribute forces between synergistic and antagonistic muscles. The cost function and the inequality constraints depend on an estimation of the muscle fiber length and its time derivative. The advantages of a such criterion are exposed by theoretical analysis and numerical tests. The simulation model used in the numerical tests consists in an anthropomorphic arm model composed by two joints and six muscles. Each muscle is modeled as a second-order dynamical system including activation and contraction dynamics. Contraction dynamics is represented using a classical Hill’s model.
Fabrication of freestanding LiNbO3 thin films via He implantation and femtosecond laser ablation
Authors: Gaathon Ophir , Ofan Avishai , Dadap Jerry I. , Vanamurthy Lakshmanan , Bakhru Sasha , Bakhru Hassaram , Osgood Richard M.
Published: April 2010

The authors report using a combination of ion-implantation exfoliation and femtosecond laser ablation to fabricate thin (micrometers-thick) single-crystal films of a complex oxide, LiNbO3. The process physics for the method is bounded by the threshold for ablation and the onset of laser thermal outdiffusion of the implanted He used in exfoliation selective etching.
The Persistent Smell in the Nucleus
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: April 2010

Nuclear translocation of the cGMP-activated kinase EGL-4 is required for long-term odor adaptation in
Caenorhabditis elegans
.
Inflamed About Epilepsy
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: April 2010

Activation of Toll-like receptor 4 by the chromatin-associated protein HMGB1 triggers epileptic seizures in mice.
Optimal Control of Blood Glucose: The Diabetic Patient or the Machine?
Authors: Brown Larry , Edelman Elazer R.
Published: April 2010

Computer-controlled infusion of multiple hormones might more
precisely control blood glucose, changing the insulin-centric treatment
of diabetes, but perhaps creating new issues in the face of residual
challenges.
Heteroresistance of
Cryptococcus gattii
to Fluconazole
Authors: Varma A. , Kwon-Chung K. J.
Published: April 2010

We analyzed 71 clinical and environmental
Cryptococcus gattii
strains that had been isolated before or after the advent of azole antifungals to determine their level of heteroresistance to fluconazole (LHF). All strains of
C. gattii
manifested heteroresistance, with LHFs that ranged between 4 μg/ml and 32 μg/ml. A considerably higher proportion of the
C. gattii
strains (86%) than
Cryptococcus neoformans
strains (46%) exhibited LHFs that were ≥16 μg/ml. No significant correlation was observed between the molecular type or serotypes of strains and their respective LHF. The strains which expressed a higher LHF were also more resistant to xenobiotics than the strains with a low LHF, and the level of resistance to xenobiotics was significantly higher than that reported for
C. neoformans
. The heteroresistant subpopulation, whose level of drug resistance had been raised in a stepwise manner to 64 μg/ml, reverted to the original LHF upon daily transfers in drug-free medium. Importantly, the strains with high LHFs were significantly more virulent than those with low LHFs. Since all the clinical isolates that had not been exposed to azole drugs as well as the environmental strains manifested heteroresistance to fluconazole, heteroresistance of
C. gattii
to azoles is an intrinsic mechanism as in
C. neoformans
and is associated with the strain's virulence.
Recombinant Phenotyping of Cytomegalovirus UL97 Kinase Sequence Variants for Ganciclovir Resistance
Authors: Chou Sunwen
Published: April 2010

A strain of human cytomegalovirus, T2211, modified from standard laboratory strain AD169 to contain a secreted alkaline phosphatase reporter gene for rapid viral quantitation, was cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome, BA1, and then mutagenized to create recombinant viruses containing viral UL97 kinase sequence variants found in clinical specimens after ganciclovir treatment, but with no phenotypic data to determine their role in drug resistance. Seven control strains and 14 other recombinant strains were phenotyped for ganciclovir resistance and compared with similar strains created using prior technology to show a good concordance of findings. Sequence changes V466M, H469Y, A478V, N510S, A588V, K599R, L600I, G623S, T659I, and V665I were found to confer no significant ganciclovir resistance, while mutations L405P, M460T, A594E, and C603R conferred 3- to 9-fold increases in ganciclovir 50% inhibitory concentrations. Different mutations at codons 594 (A594V, A594E) and 603 (C603W, C603S) conferred varied amounts of ganciclovir resistance. Advances in recombinant phenotyping make it easier to show that many uncharacterized UL97 sequence variants do not confer ganciclovir resistance, but some are newly confirmed as resistance associated, including one (L405P) which is outside the codon range where such mutations are usually found. This information should improve the interpretation of genotypic data generated by diagnostic laboratories.
AmpN-AmpG Operon Is Essential for Expression of L1 and L2 β-Lactamases inStenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Huang Yi-Wei , Lin Cheng-Wen , Hu Rouh-Mei , Lin Yu-Tzu , Chung Tung-Ching , Yang Tsuey-Ching
Published: April 2010

AmpG is an inner membrane permease which transports products of murein sacculus degradation from the periplasm into the cytosol in Gram-negative bacteria. This process is linked to induction of the chromosomalampCbeta-lactamase gene in some members of theEnterobacteriaceaeand inPseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, theampGhomologue ofStenotrophomonas maltophiliaKJ was analyzed. TheampGhomologue and its upstreamampNgene form an operon and are cotranscribed under the control of the promoterPampN. Expression fromPampNwas found to be independent of β-lactam exposure andampNandampGproducts. A ΔampNallele exerted a polar effect on the expression ofampGand resulted in a phenotype of null β-lactamase inducibility. Complementation assays elucidated that an intactampN-ampGoperon is essential for β-lactamase induction. Consistent withampGofEscherichia coli, theampN-ampGoperon ofS. maltophiliadid not exhibit a gene dosage effect on β-lactamase expression. The AmpG permease ofE. colicould complement the β-lactamase inducibility ofampNorampGmutants ofS. maltophilia, indicating that both species have the same precursor of activator ligand(s) for β-lactamase induction.
Safety and Pharmacokinetics of the Antiorthopoxvirus Compound ST-246 following Repeat Oral Dosing in Healthy Adult Subjects
Authors: Jordan Robert , Chinsangaram Jarasvech , Bolken Tove' C. , Tyavanagimatt Shanthakumar R. , Tien Deborah , Jones Kevin F. , Frimm Annie , Corrado Michael L. , Pickens Margaret , Landis Patrick , Clarke Jean , Marbury Thomas C. , Hruby Dennis E.
Published: April 2010

ST-246, a novel compound that inhibits egress of orthopoxvirus from infected cells, is being evaluated as a treatment for pathogenic orthopoxvirus infections in humans. This phase I, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, escalating multiple-dose study was conducted to determine the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ST-246 administered as a single daily oral dose of 250, 400, or 800 mg for 21 days to nonfasting healthy human volunteers. ST-246 appeared to be well tolerated, with no serious adverse events (AEs). Headache, for which one subject in the 800-mg group discontinued the study, was the most commonly reported AE in all treatment groups. The multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of ST-246 was well characterized. The day 21 mean elimination half-lives were calculated at 18.8, 19.8, and 20.7 h for each of the 250-, 400-, and 800-mg/day dose groups, respectively. Steady state was reached by day 6 (within 3 to 5 half-lives), saturable absorption was observed at the 800-mg dose level, and the fraction of parent drug excreted in the urine was very low. Based on these results, administration of 400 mg/day ST-246 can be expected to provide plasma concentrations above the efficacious concentration demonstrated in nonhuman primate models in earlier studies.
vttR
A
and
vttR
B
Encode ToxR Family Proteins That Mediate Bile-Induced Expression of Type Three Secretion System Genes in a Non-O1/Non-O139
Vibrio cholerae
Strain
Authors: Alam Ashfaqul , Tam Vincent , Hamilton Elaine , Dziejman Michelle
Published: April 2010

Strain AM-19226 is a pathogenic non-O1/non-O139 serogroup
Vibrio cholerae
strain that does not encode the toxin-coregulated pilus or cholera toxin but instead causes disease using a type three secretion system (T3SS). Two genes within the T3SS pathogenicity island, herein named
vttR
A
(locus tag A33_1664) and
vttR
B
(locus tag A33_1675), are predicted to encode proteins that show similarity to the transcriptional regulator ToxR, which is found in all strains of
V. cholerae
. Strains with a deletion of
vttR
A
or
vttR
B
showed attenuated colonization
in vivo
, indicating that the T3SS-encoded regulatory proteins play a role in virulence.
lacZ
transcriptional reporter fusions to intergenic regions upstream of genes encoding the T3SS structural components identified growth in the presence of bile as a condition that modulates gene expression. Under this condition, VttR
A
and VttR
B
were necessary for maximal gene expression. In contrast, growth in bile did not substantially alter the expression of a reporter fusion to the
vopF
gene, which encodes an effector protein. Increased
vttR
B
reporter fusion activity was observed in a Δ
vttR
B
strain background, suggesting that VttR
B
may regulate its own expression. The collective results are consistent with the hypothesis that T3SS-encoded regulatory proteins are essential for pathogenesis and control the expression of selected T3SS genes.
Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody to Edema Toxin and Its Effect on Murine Anthrax
Authors: Winterroth Lisa , Rivera Johanna , Nakouzi Antonio S. , Dadachova Ekaterina , Casadevall Arturo
Published: April 2010

Edema factor (EF) is a component of an anthrax toxin that functions as an adenylate cyclase. Numerous monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been reported for the otherBacillus anthracistoxin components, but relatively few to EF have been studied. We report the generation of six murine hybridoma lines producing two IgM and four IgG1 MAbs to EF. Of the six MAbs, only one IgM neutralized EF, as assayed by an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) production by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Analysis of the variable gene elements revealed that the single neutralizing MAb had a different binding site than the others. There was no competition between the neutralizing IgM and the nonneutralizing IgG MAbs indicative of different specificity. MAb-based capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected EF in liver lysates from mice infected withB. anthracisSterne 34F2. Administration of the neutralizing IgM MAb to A/JCr mice lethally infected withB. anthracisstrain Sterne had no significant effect on median time to death, but mice treated with the MAb were more likely to survive infection. Combining the neutralizing IgM to EF with a subprotective dose of a neutralizing MAb to protective antigen (PA) prolonged mean time to death of infected mice, suggesting that neutralization of EF and PA could produce synergistic beneficial effects. In summary, the results from our study and literature observations suggest that the majority of Abs to EF are nonneutralizing, but the toxin has some epitopes that can be targeted by the humoral response to generate useful Abs that may contribute to defense against anthrax.
Zinc Uptake Contributes to Motility and Provides a Competitive Advantage to
Proteus mirabilis
during Experimental Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Nielubowicz Greta R. , Smith Sara N. , Mobley Harry L. T.
Published: April 2010

Proteus mirabilis
, a Gram-negative bacterium, represents a common cause of complicated urinary tract infections in catheterized patients or those with functional or anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. ZnuB, the membrane component of the high-affinity zinc (Zn
2+
) transport system ZnuACB, was previously shown to be recognized by sera from infected mice. Since this system has been shown to contribute to virulence in other pathogens, its role in
Proteus mirabilis
was investigated by constructing a strain with an insertionally interrupted copy of
znuC
. The
znuC
::Kan mutant was more sensitive to zinc limitation than the wild type, was outcompeted by the wild type in minimal medium, displayed reduced swimming and swarming motility, and produced less
flaA
transcript and flagellin protein. The production of flagellin and swarming motility were restored by complementation with
znuCB
in
trans
. Swarming motility was also restored by the addition of Zn
2+
to the agar prior to inoculation; the addition of Fe
2+
to the agar also partially restored the swarming motility of the
znuC
::Kan strain, but the addition of Co
2+
, Cu
2+
, or Ni
2+
did not. ZnuC contributes to but is not required for virulence in the urinary tract; the
znuC
::Kan strain was outcompeted by the wild type during a cochallenge experiment but was able to colonize mice to levels similar to the wild-type level during independent challenge. Since we demonstrated a role for ZnuC in zinc transport, we hypothesize that there is limited zinc present in the urinary tract and
P. mirabilis
must scavenge this ion to colonize and persist in the host.
Wood density variation of six major tree species of the Northwest Territories
Authors: Singh T.
Published: April 2010

Wood density measurements on green and ovendry volume bases were made and their variations were statistically analyzed for six major tree species of the Northwest Territories. These values, based on samples from 336 trees, showed that the species had highly significant (P < 0.01) differences in wood densities when compared at each of the 10 sampled relative height positions along the tree stem. For tree bole locations near the bottom, there were highly significant (P < 0.01) differences among various diameter size classes, but these differences decreased in significance toward the top. A predictor model was derived for estimating volume-weighted average basic wood density of a tree from its basic wood density at breast height. The lowest wood density in the majority of the species was in a band of varying length including or approaching the midpoint of the tree bole. Such information on density gradients is useful in allocating parts of a tree for optimum use.
Effects of aminocarb and fenitrothion formulations on decomposition rate of balsam fir foliage in litterbags on the forest floor
Authors: Eidt D. C. , Weaver C. A. A.
Published: April 2010

Aminocarb with Atlox®, aminocarb with Triton® X-114, and fenitrothion with Tritox® X-114, all inacqueous formulations at the conventional aerial spray double emission rate and 10 times that rate, had no effect on decomposition rate of balsam fir, Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill., foliage, as indicated by weight loss.