bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Steatosis in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: McGavock Jonathan M. , Lingvay Ildiko , Zib Ivana , Tillery Tommy , Salas Naomi , Unger Roger , Levine Benjamin D. , Raskin Philip , Victor Ronald G. , Szczepaniak Lidia S.
Published: August 2007

Background—

The risk of heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus is greater than can be accounted for by hypertension and coronary artery disease. Rodent studies indicate that in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, lipid overstorage in cardiac myocytes produces lipotoxic intermediates that cause apoptosis, which leads to heart failure. In humans with diabetes mellitus, cardiac steatosis previously has been demonstrated in explanted hearts of patients with end-stage nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Whether cardiac steatosis precedes the onset of cardiomyopathy in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is unknown.

Methods and Results—

To represent the progressive stages in the natural history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, we stratified 134 individuals (age 45±12 years) into 1 of 4 groups: (1) lean normoglycemic (lean), (2) overweight and obese normoglycemic (obese), (3) impaired glucose tolerance, and (4) type 2 diabetes mellitus. Localized
1
H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were used to quantify myocardial triglyceride content and left ventricular function, respectively. Compared with lean subjects, myocardial triglyceride content was 2.3-fold higher in those with impaired glucose tolerance and 2.1-fold higher in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (
P
<0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal and comparable across all groups.

Conclusions—

In humans, impaired glucose tolerance is accompanied by cardiac steatosis, which precedes the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Thus, lipid overstorage in human cardiac myocytes is an early manifestation in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and is evident in the absence of heart failure.
Bone Marrow–Derived Cells Are Involved in the Pathogenesis of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Response to Pressure Overload
Authors: Endo Jin , Sano Motoaki , Fujita Jun , Hayashida Kentaro , Yuasa Shinsuke , Aoyama Naoki , Takehara Yuji , Kato Osamu , Makino Shinji , Ogawa Satoshi , Fukuda Keiichi
Published: August 2007

Background—

Bone marrow (BM) cells possess broad differentiation potential and can form various cell lineages in response to pathophysiological cues. The present study investigated whether BM-derived cells contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy, as well as the possible cellular mechanisms involved in such a role.

Methods and Results—

Lethally irradiated wild-type mice were transplanted with BM cells from enhanced green fluorescent protein–transgenic mice. The chimeric mice were subjected to either prolonged hypoxia or transverse aortic constriction. BM-derived enhanced green fluorescent protein–expressing cardiomyocytes increased in number over time, emerging predominantly in the pressure-overloaded ventricular myocardium, although they constituted <0.01% of recipient cardiomyocytes. To determine whether BM-derived cardiomyocytes were derived from cell fusion or transdifferentiation at the single-cell level, lethally irradiated Cre mice were transplanted with BM cells from the double-conditional Cre reporter mouse line Z/EG. BM-derived cardiomyocytes were shown to arise from both cell fusion and transdifferentiation. Interestingly, BM-derived myofibroblasts expressing both vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin were concentrated in the perivascular fibrotic area. These cells initially expressed MAC-1/CD14 but lost expression of these markers during the chronic phase, which suggests that they were derived from monocytes. A similar phenomenon occurred in cultured human monocytes, most of which ultimately expressed vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin.

Conclusions—

We found that BM-derived cells were involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy via the dual mechanisms of cell fusion and transdifferentiation. Moreover, the present results suggest that BM-derived monocytes accumulating in the perivascular space might play an important role in the formation of perivascular fibrosis via direct differentiation into myofibroblasts.
Activation Patterns of Purkinje Fibers During Long-Duration Ventricular Fibrillation in an Isolated Canine Heart Model
Authors: Tabereaux Paul B. , Walcott Greg P. , Rogers Jack M. , Kim Jong , Dosdall Derek J. , Robertson Peter G. , Killingsworth Cheryl R. , Smith William M. , Ideker Raymond E.
Published: August 2007

Background—

The roles of Purkinje fibers (PFs) and focal wave fronts, if any, in the maintenance of ventricular fibrillation (VF) are unknown. If PFs are involved in VF maintenance, it should be possible to map wave fronts propagating from PFs into the working ventricular myocardium during VF. If wave fronts ever arise focally during VF, it should be possible to map them appearing de novo.

Methods and Results—

Six canine hearts were isolated, and the left main coronary artery was cannulated and perfused. The left ventricular cavity was exposed, which allowed direct endocardial mapping of the anterior papillary muscle insertion. Nonperfused VF was induced, and 6 segments of data, each 5 seconds long, were analyzed during 10 minutes of VF. During 36 segments of data that were analyzed, 1018 PF or focal wave fronts of activation were identified. In 534 wave fronts, activation was mapped propagating from working ventricular myocardium to PF. In 142 wave fronts, activation was mapped propagating from PF to working ventricular myocardium. In 342 wave fronts, activation was mapped arising focally. More than 1 of these 3 patterns could occur in the same wave front.

Conclusions—

PFs are highly active throughout the first 10 minutes of VF. In addition to retrograde propagation from the working ventricular myocardium to PFs, antegrade propagation occurs from PFs to working ventricular myocardium, which suggests PFs are important in VF maintenance. Prior plunge needle recordings in dogs indicate activation propagates from the endocardium toward the epicardium after 1 minute of VF, which suggests that focal sites on the endocardium may represent foci and not breakthrough. If so, in addition to reentry, abnormal automaticity or triggered activity may also occur during VF.
Independent Impact of Gout on Mortality and Risk for Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Choi Hyon K. , Curhan Gary
Published: August 2007

Background—

Although gout and hyperuricemia are related to several conditions that are associated with reduced survival, no prospective data are available on the independent impact of gout on mortality. Furthermore, although many studies have suggested that hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), limited data are available on the impact of gout on CVD.

Methods and Results—

Over a 12-year period, we prospectively examined the relation between a history of gout and the risk of death and myocardial infarction in 51 297 male participants of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. During the 12 years of follow-up, we documented 5825 deaths from all causes, which included 2132 deaths from CVD and 1576 deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD). Compared with men without history of gout and CHD at baseline, the multivariate relative risks among men with history of gout were 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15 to 1.41) for total mortality, 1.38 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.66) for CVD deaths, and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.24 to 1.93) for fatal CHD. The corresponding relative risks among men with preexisting CHD were 1.25 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.45), 1.26 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.50), and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.49), respectively. In addition, men with gout had a higher risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction than men without gout (multivariate relative risk, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.41).

Conclusions—

These prospective data indicate that men with gout have a higher risk of death from all causes. Among men without preexisting CHD, the increased mortality risk is primarily a result of an elevated risk of CVD death, particularly from CHD.
Multimarker Approach to Evaluate the Incidence of the Metabolic Syndrome and Longitudinal Changes in Metabolic Risk Factors
Authors: Ingelsson Erik , Pencina Michael J. , Tofler Geoffrey H. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Lanier Katherine J. , Jacques Paul F. , Fox Caroline S. , Meigs James B. , Levy Daniel , Larson Martin G. , Selhub Jacob , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Wang Thomas J. , Vasan Ramachandran S.
Published: August 2007

Background—

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We evaluated the relative contributions of circulating biomarkers representing distinct biological pathways to the incidence of MetS and to longitudinal changes of its constituent risk factors.

Methods and Results—

We measured 8 circulating biomarkers reflecting inflammation (C-reactive protein), hemostasis (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, fibrinogen), neurohormonal activity (aldosterone, renin, B-type natriuretic peptide, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide), and endothelial dysfunction (homocysteine) in 2292 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age, 57 years; 56% women). We related the biomarker panel to incidence of MetS on follow-up initially and then related biomarkers associated with incident MetS to longitudinal change in its components. On follow-up (mean, 2.9 years), 282 participants (of 1473 participants without prevalent MetS at baseline) developed MetS. After adjustment for clinical risk factors, the biomarker panel was associated with incident MetS (
P
=0.008). On backward elimination, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and aldosterone remained associated with incident MetS (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio per 1-SD increment log marker, 1.31 [
P
=0.004] and 1.21 [
P
=0.015], respectively). In multivariable analyses evaluating longitudinal change in MetS components (analyzed as continuous variables), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 was significantly and positively associated with changes in fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides (all
P
<0.05). Serum aldosterone was associated positively with change in systolic blood pressure (
P
=0.023) and inversely with change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—

Higher circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and aldosterone levels are associated with the development of MetS and with longitudinal change of its components, suggesting that these biomarkers and related pathways play a key role in mediating metabolic risk.
Increased Wall:Lumen Ratio of Retinal Arterioles in Male Patients With a History of a Cerebrovascular Event
Authors: Harazny Joanna M. , Ritt Martin , Baleanu Delia , Ott Christian , Heckmann Josef , Schlaich Markus P. , Michelson Georg , Schmieder Roland E.
Published: August 2007

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, and retinal vessels can be regarded as a mirror of the cerebral vasculature. Whether vascular remodeling of retinal arterioles with ageing and hypertension plays a role in cerebrovascular risk stratification has not yet been adequately addressed. In study 1, retinal arteriolar structure was assessed in 182 normotensive volunteers and 117 patients with essential hypertension. In study 2, we compared retinal arteriolar structure among 74 normotensive volunteers, 47 patients with treated essential hypertension, and 18 subjects with a history of a cerebrovascular event. Retinal arteriolar structure was assessed using scanning laser Doppler flowmetry and automatic full-field perfusion imaging analysis. In study 1, wall:lumen ratio of retinal arterioles revealed a significant correlation with age (
r
=0.198;
P
=0.001). In study 2, wall:lumen ratio was highest in patients with a history of a cerebrovascular event compared with treated hypertensive and normotensive subjects (0.46±0.08, 0.36±0.14, and 0.35±0.12;
P
=0.007). When the treated group with hypertension was divided into 2 subgroups according to the quality of blood pressure control, patients with poor blood pressure control showed higher wall:lumen ratio than subjects with good blood pressure control (0.40±0.13 versus 0.31±0.13;
P
=0.025). Thus, assessment of wall:lumen ratio of retinal arterioles emerged as an attractive tool to identify treated patients with hypertension with increased cerebrovascular risk.
Le mur de Manassé (2 Ch xxxiii 14) entre archéologues et théologiens
Authors: Himbaza Innocent
Published: August 2007

Most archaeological scholarship accepts as historical the information of 2Ch xxxiii 14, which claims that Manasseh built a fortification wall in Jerusalem. However, there is no unanimity as to its identification, since recent archaeological publications indicate at least two walls. Concerning theological publications, 63% of them do not include archaelogical data in their discussions on that point. This article points out this lack of balance and suggests a possible solution.
Connecting Central Eurasia to the Middle East in American Foreign Policy Towards Afghanistan and Pakistan: 1979-Present
Authors: Bromley Simon
Published: August 2007

During the Cold War, United States (US) policies towards the Middle East and towards Afghanistan and Pakistan were largely unrelated. India's non-alignment and relations with the Soviet Union were reasons for close US-Pakistani relations, but the Chinese success in the war with India in 1962 also highlighted the importance to the West of India's position. 1979 marked a major turning point in US foreign policy towards the Middle East and Central Eurasia (CEA) because of the two events which were to shape so much of politics and geopolitics in those regions as well as in the wider international system: namely, the Iranian revolution in February and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December. Taken together, these developments posed a major challenge to US strategy towards the Soviet Union, to the wider Middle East and to relations with China, Pakistan, and India. After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan during 1988/89, the US lost interest in Afghanistan and followed the policies of Pakistan for most of the 1990s. Then came 9/11 and President Musharraf took the historic decision to break with the Taliban. In March 2003, the US began its second war against Iraq. Whatever the rationale for the conflict, the outcome has been to turn the future of Iraq into a key fault-line of geopolitics in the Greater Middle East. Now, with the instability following the collapse of the Soviet Empire in CEA, the defeat of the Taliban and the ongoing future of Iraq, the US faces what the Department of Defense describes as an "arc of instability" running from the Middle East through CEA to Northeast Asia. This is the region that lies at the centre of planning for the "long war" announced in the Pentagon's 2006 quadrennial review.
The Challenges of Modernity: The Case of Political Islam
Authors: Amineh Mehdi Parvizi
Published: August 2007

Since the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century in England, all traditional cultures at one point in history have been challenged by modernity. This happened first in Europe and later in the rest of the world as a result of the late nineteenth century expansion of European capitalism and civilization. When confronted with modernity, individual traditional cultures conflict with the increasing plurality of lifestyles and values. There are two ways to solve this conflict: either remain in the past or innovate. In the first case, tradition prevails. In the second case, the challenges of modernity are embraced by adapting to the new circumstances. This will eventually lead to the renewal of one's own culture. Since the late nineteenth century, the challenges of modernity have resulted in a variety of often contradictory Islamic political ideologies and practices. In contrast to the cultural-essentialist and a-historical assumptions of some scholars, such as Samuel Huntington, who see the phenomenon of political Islam as a characteristic of an inevitable "clash of civilizations"—according to which conflicts and threats to world peace and security in the twenty-first century will be carried out along "civilizational fault lines"—this article argues that the actual fault-lines are socio-economic, not geo-cultural, and that conflicts in today's world do not take place between cultures but within them. Those societies that are more successful in adapting to the challenges of modernity show a relatively stronger capacity to cope with the growing complexity of political and cultural pluralism.
The Maghreb: Social, Political, and Economic Developments
Authors: Dris-Aït-Hamadouche Louisa , Zoubir Yahia
Published: August 2007

Due to its geographical position, events in the Middle East, the Sahel, and Europe have consequential effects on the Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia). Hence, recent economic, political, and cultural changes are more or less inspired or encouraged by those developments taking place in the surrounding environment. Together with Mauritania, the four countries founded in 1989 the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), which aimed at regional integration. Unfortunately, the UMA remains a distant wish; the conflict over Western Sahara and the political differences between Algeria and Morocco have prevented the UMA's advance.Each Maghrebi country witnessed particular events and reacted differently to identical stimuli. Undoubtedly, the countries' distinctive historical experiences provide a valuable understanding of the internal logic of the processes they have undergone and the way they sought to tackle them. This article will review the salient developments that occurred within each of the four Maghrebi countries and analyze the ways through which the regimes seek to resolve the challenges they are faced with. The main contention in the article is that the regimes in place have yet to open up the political space and allow genuine democratization to take place, for despite some genuine transformations in a few areas, the old rulers are still reluctant to loosen their grip over power. While they succeed in reestablishing order, the roots that generate cyclical uprisings remain intact. Civil society has yet to fulfill its full potential and enjoy genuine citizen participation.
Squeaky Wheels and Unequal Policy
Authors: Thyne Clayton , Moreno Erika
Published: August 2007

The World Bank has been increasingly involved in reforming Latin America's education systems. However, compliance with World Bank directives varies greatly. Recent scholarship has made significant progress in fashioning an explanation for this variation by focusing on the presence of democracy. This article takes the literature a step further by identifying the mechanism by which democracy matters. Specifically, variations in executive authority are key factors in explaining the adoption of controversial World Bank directives. The authors argue that a government's ability to implement World Bank reforms and overcome popular dissent, if present, is a function of executive authority. They examine executive authority using several measures to test their hypotheses on a 20-year panel of 17 American states from 1980 to 2000. Results indicate that newly democratized governments and strong executives are indeed more successful in passing World Bank reforms.
Ideas in Two-Level Games
Authors: Daugbjerg Carsten
Published: August 2007

In 1992, the United States and the European Community (EC) reached an agreement on the Uruguay Round Agreement of Agriculture (URAA). A comparison of the EC's and the United States's initial agricultural proposals with the final agreement shows that the specific commitments agreed to reduce agricultural support and protection went a long way to accommodate EC agricultural interests. However, the United States had a decisive say on the paradigm underpinning the agreement. This outcome raises questions on the role of ideas in trade negotiations characterized by two-level games. The article shows that there was an overt ideational conflict between the United States and the EC and that the URAA was a trade-off between U.S. concessions on specific commitments to reduce agricultural protection and support and EC concessions on the ideational underpinning of the agreement. Thus, the EC was unable to convert its relatively smaller win set into full-scale bargaining power to influence both layers of the agreement.
Designing Space to Support Knowledge Work
Authors: Peponis John , Bafna Sonit , Bajaj Ritu , Bromberg Joyce , Congdon Christine , Rashid Mahbub , Warmels Susan , Yan Zhang  , Zimring Craig
Published: August 2007

Based on spatial analysis, network analysis, self-assessment questionnaires, field discussions and accounting documents, the authors discuss how workplace design and spatial layout support productivity in a communication design organization. The authors suggest that the impact of design goes beyond supporting more intense patterns of interaction and smoother flows of information. Workplace design and layout provide an intelligible framework within which collective knowledge is continuously explored, represented, interpreted, and transformed in relation to ongoing projects. Thus, the structure of space supports an organizational culture with cognitive functions.
A Method to Estimate the Accuracy of 1-D Flow Based Permeability Measuring Devices
Authors: Roy Tonmoy , Tan Hua , Pillai Krishna M.
Published: August 2007

This paper presents a new experimental procedure for calibrating the permeability measuring 1-D flow set-up used routinely by the composites processing community using the liquid composite molding processes such as RTM and VARTM. A reference porous medium consisting of a bank of parallel cylindrical holes is created in an aluminum plate whose theoretical permeability is computed using the Hagen—Poiseuille flow equation and whose numerical permeability is estimated using Fluent©. It is observed that the deviation of the experimentally measured permeability from the theoretical as well as the numerical permeabilities increases with the flow rate for an injection set-up using a gear pump as well as a piston-cylinder pump. The cause of permeability deviation is traced to opening of a small gap above the rigid reference porous medium due to high pressures at higher flow rates. However no such deviation is observed while measuring the permeability of a fiber mat at different flow rates. So the proposed reference porous medium can calibrate a conventional 1-D flow based permeability measuring set-ups at low flow rates; the accuracy thus obtained can be extended to higher flow rates as well if permeability of a fiber mat can be shown to remain constant with the flow rate.
Preparation and Characterization of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxylapatite Hybrid Hydrogels
Authors: Zheng Yudong , Wang Ying Jun , Chen Xiaofeng , Qing Liu , Yang Huai
Published: August 2007

Poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)/hydroxylapatite(HA) hybrid hydrogels used for bioactive artificial cartilage were prepared by compounding in situ with sol—gel synthesis of HA in PVA solution. To draw comparisons, both physical mixing and deposition in situ methods were also used to prepare hybrid hydrogels. The influence of contents and dispersed condition of HA in PVA matrixes on hydrogel's mechanical strength were investigated and compared. The micromorphology and crystalline structure of HA were also observed by some analysis techniques. It was verified that the distinct conglomeration of HA particles in PVA matrixes were overcome using sol—gel in situ methods, and mechanical strength of PVA/HA hydrogels increased obviously compared to deposition in situ and physical mixing methods. HA particles being dispersed uniformly in PVA hydrogels prepared by sol—gel in situ compounding were of crystalline structure, which acted as a kind of heterogeneous nucleating agent improving the crystallization of PVA by depressing the dependence of the crystalline process on the temperature and external factors, hence raising the tensile strength of hybrid hydrogels.
Mechanical Response of Al Matrix Syntactic Foams Produced by Pressure Infiltration Casting
Authors: Zhang L.P. , Zhao Y.Y.
Published: August 2007

Aluminum matrix syntactic foams with low-cost porous ceramic spheres of diameters between 0.25 and 4 mm have been manufactured by pressure infiltration casting. These syntactic foams were homogeneous in structure and had densities as low as half of the density of the Al matrix. The mechanical response of the four types of syntactic foams with different sphere sizes and densities under static and dynamic conditions have been investigated. The plateau strength and thus the amount of energy absorption of the syntactic foam are largely determined by the volume fraction of Al and to a lesser extent by the mechanical properties of the ceramic spheres in the foam. Compared with the Al foams with similar Al volume fractions, the syntactic foams had better energy absorption capacity, especially under impact conditions.
Nip Mechanics of Flexo Post-printing on Corrugated Board
Authors: Holmvall M. , Uesaka T.
Published: August 2007

A finite element model of a flexo post-printing press for corrugated board has been developed to determine the principal causes for local variations of printing pressure. It is the first, full-structure model of the flexo post printing system, including liners and medium boards of corrugated board as well as printing plate and backing materials. A parametric study has been performed to investigate how the properties and dimensions of these materials used in the printing system affect the printing pressure variations. It showed that the liner board and the photopolymer properties had the greatest impact on the local variations of printing pressure. However, `washboarding', defined as a periodic geometric imperfection of the corrugated board structure, had a limited impact on the pressure variations. It has been demonstrated that alleviating the printing pressure variations is possible through the optimization of printing plate materials within a realistic range of constitutive parameters.
Mechanical and Fracture Toughness Behavior of TPNR Nanocomposites
Authors: Ahmad S.H. , Rasid R. , Surip S.N. , Anuar H. , Czigany T. , Abdul Razak S.B.
Published: August 2007

Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposites containing organophilic layered silicates were prepared by melt blending method at 180°C using internal mixer (Haake 600P). The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the organoclay filler on the mechanical and fracture properties. In this study, two mixing methods were employed to incorporate filler into matrix, namely the direct (DM) and indirect (IDM) method. The mechanical properties of TPNR nanocomposites were studied using tensile, flexural, and impact tests. The tensile and flexural tests revealed that the optimum loading of organoclay was at 4 wt% using the indirect method of mixing. Plane stress fracture toughness of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposite was determined by the essential work of fracture (EWF) concept using tensile-loaded deeply double-edge notched (DDEN-T) specimens. The EWF measurements indicated that the specific essential work of fracture (we) decreased in the presence of nanoclay. Nevertheless, these TPNR nanocomposites met the basic requirement of the EWF concept of full ligament yielding, which was marked by a load drop in the force—displacement curves of the DDEN-T specimens.
New Functionalities of PA6,6 Fabric Modified by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma and Grafted Glycidyl Methacrylate Derivatives
Authors: Gawish S.M. , Ramadan A.M. , Cornelius C.E. , Bourham M.A. , Matthews S.R. , McCord M.G. , Wafa D.M. , Breidt F.
Published: August 2007

Oxidative atmospheric pressure plasma was utilized to activate surface of PA 6,6 fabrics followed by graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and further reacted with triethylene tetramine (TETA), quaternary ammonium chitosan (HTCC) or β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The inner CD cavity was complexed with some insecticidal perfumes. Modified PA6,6 fabrics were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Antimicrobial activity and insect repelling assay were conducted and showed efficient antimicrobial and insect repelling properties.
Evaluating the Effects of Material Component and Design Feature on Heat Transfer in Firefighter Turnout Clothing by a Sweating Manikin
Authors: Jun Li  , Barker Roger L. , Deaton A. Shawn
Published: August 2007

With a sweating manikin, the heat exchange efficiency through firefighter turnout clothing system from the wearer to the environment and the effects of material component and design feature on heat transfer were evaluated in a climatic chamber. Material component and design feature were varied to measure thermal insulation ( It — in clo units) and moisture permeability index ( im — dimensionless) of firefighter turnout clothing under two circumstances, with openings at the neck, wrists, waist and ankles sealed or not. Two new indices CIt and Cim were proposed to evaluate heat and moisture transfer capabilities of firefighter turnout clothing, which were defined as the changing rates of It and im from conditions of the clothing dressed in a regular way with openings unsealed to the openings sealed. The results showed that CIt indicated the effects of clothing design differences on heat transfer through firefighter turnout clothing, while Cim was dependent greatly on material properties (moisture permeability).
Torsion of Fibers of an N-sided Regular Polygonal Cross-Section
Authors: Lee Kyungwoo
Published: August 2007

For fibers whose cross-section is an n-sided regular polygon, torsion constant, maximum stress, and torsion shape factor have been obtained in closed form. The solution is expressed in terms of the coefficients of the mapping function which maps the interior of a unit circle into the interior of an n-sided regular polygon. Conformal mapping function in a power series form is derived using the Schwarz-Christoffel formula. Complex variable techniques were used to solve the torsion problem.
Application of Chemical Silver Plating on Polyester and Cotton Blended Fabric
Authors: Snouqiang Jiang  , Newton Edward , Marcus Yuen Chun-Wah , Kan Chi-Wai
Published: August 2007

Metallization has great potential for application in functional and decorative garments. The creation of contemporary metallized fabric is described where the performance aspects are important to the commercial requirement and high-tech applications. This paper evaluates the changes of polyester and cotton blended fabric (T/ C fabric) after the treatment with chemical silver plating. Based on the investigation results of the microstructure of the metallizing films, the best composition of the silver together with the proper processing have been developed for better performance and appearance. The characteristics of the metallized T/C fabric including colour appearance, physical modifications, mechanical performance and functional properties have been evaluated using advanced instruments. The overall modifications of the treated T/C fabric are discussed and the results are presented graphically.
Enzyme Replacement in Fabry Disease: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Agalsidase Alfa in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Ries Markus , Clarke Joe T. , Whybra Catharina , Mehta Atul , Loveday Kenneth S. , Brady Roscoe O. , Beck Michael , Schiffmann Raphael
Published: August 2007

This multicenter, open‐label study evaluated pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of agalsidase alfa in pediatric compared with adult patients with Fabry disease. The pharmacokinetic parameters of pediatric patients (19 boys, 5 girls, 6–18 years old; mean age, 11.8 years) were compared to those of adult male and female patients who participated in other clinical studies. All patients received agalsidase alfa at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg infused over 40 minutes every other week. Agalsidase alfa exhibited a biphasic serum elimination profile with a maximum serum concentration at the end of the 40‐minute infusion; <1% of the maximum concentration was detected 8 hours after dosing. In children, serum clearance was 2.0 to 9.4 mL/min/kg and tended to decrease with increasing age. The average clearance in children, 3.7 ± 1.5 mL/min/kg (mean ± SD), was significantly greater than that measured in 33 adults (2.3 ± 0.7 mL/min/kg1 P < .0001). Mean terminal elimination half‐life of agalsidase alfa was prolonged in week 25 compared with baseline (150 vs 66 minutes) in 8 of 19 male children. The magnitude of the reduction of plasma globotriaosylceremide was similar in all age groups and was independent of area under the curve and other pharmacokinetic parameters. Except for clearance in younger patients, agalsidase alfa appears to have comparable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles in pediatric and adult Fabry patients of both genders.
Behavioral Treatment of Drooling
Authors: Van der Burg Jan J. W. , Didden Robert , Jongerius Peter H. , Rotteveel Jan J.
Published: August 2007

Many children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities suffer from the consequences of chronic drooling. Behavioral treatment for drooling should be considered before other, more intrusive treatments such as medication and surgery are implemented. However, empirical studies on behavioral procedures are scarce. This article reviews 19 behavioral studies published since 1970. Treatment procedures are (a) instruction, prompting, and positive reinforcement; (b) negative social reinforcement and declarative procedures; (c) cueing techniques; and (d) self-management procedures. Although these procedures yield positive results, critical examination of experimental methodology of the studies reveals several methodological shortcomings. Guidelines for clinical use of behavioral treatment for drooling are presented, and recommendations are given for future research in this area.
Longitudinal Retention of Families in the Assessment of a Prevention Program Targeting Adolescent Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Authors: Jones Deborah J. , Foster Sarah E. , Olson Ardis L. , Forehand Rex L. , Gaffney Cecelia A. , Zens Michael S. , Bau J.J.
Published: August 2007

This study examined the association between ecological context (extrafamilial, familial, child factors) at baseline and longitudinal retention of families in the 36-month assessment of an adolescent alcohol and tobacco use prevention program that was conducted within a pediatric primary care setting. A total of 1,780 families were enrolled at baseline when the youth were in the fifth and sixth grades, and 1,220 of these families participated in the 36-month assessment. Findings indicated that familial and child, but not extrafamilial, factors were associated with the participation of families in the 36-month assessment. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Social-Skills Treatments for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Matson Johnny L. , Matson Michael L. , Rivet Tessa T.
Published: August 2007

Marked advances in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has occurred in the past few decades, primarily using applied behavior analysis. However, reviews of trends in social skills treatment for children with ASDs have been scant, despite a robust and growing empirical literature on the topic. In this selective review of 79 treatment studies, the authors note that the research has been particularly marked by fragmented development, using a range of intervention approaches and definitions of the construct. Modeling and reinforcement treatments have been the most popular model from the outset, with most studies conducted in school settings by teachers or psychologists. Investigators have been particularly attentive to issues of generalization and follow-up. However, large-scale group studies and comparisons of different training strategies are almost nonexistent. These trends and their implications for future research aimed at filling gaps in the existing literature are discussed.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Dalrymple Kristy L. , Herbert James D.
Published: August 2007

Despite the demonstrated efficacy of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD), many individuals do not respond to treatment or demonstrate residual symptoms and impairment posttreatment. Preliminary evidence indicates that acceptance-based approaches (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy; ACT) can be helpful for a variety of disorders and emphasize exposure-based strategies and processes. Nineteen individuals diagnosed with SAD participated in a 12-week program integrating exposure therapy and ACT. Results revealed no changes across a 4-week baseline control period. From pretreatment to follow-up, significant improvements occurred in social anxiety symptoms and quality of life, yielding large effect size gains. Significant changes also were found in ACT-consistent process measures, and earlier changes in experiential avoidance predicted later changes in symptom severity. Results suggest the acceptability and potential efficacy of ACT for SAD and highlight the need for future research examining both the efficacy and mechanisms of change of acceptance-based programs for SAD.
Electrical and electronic waste: a global environmental problem
Authors: Balakrishnan Ramesh Babu  , Anand Kuber Parande  , Chiya Ahmed Basha
Published: August 2007

The production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is one of the fastest growing global manufacturing activities. This development has resulted in an increase of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). Rapid economic growth, coupled with urbanization and growing demand for consumer goods, has increased both the consumption of EEE and the production of WEEE, which can be a source of hazardous wastes that pose a risk to the environment and to sustainable economic growth. To address potential environmental problems that could stem from improper management of WEEE, many countries and organizations have drafted national legislation to improve the reuse, recycling and other forms of material recovery from WEEE to reduce the amount and types of materials disposed in landfills. Recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment is important not only to reduce the amount of waste requiring treatment, but also to promote the recovery of valuable materials. EEE is diverse and complex with respect to the materials and components used and waste streams from the manufacturing processes. Characterization of these wastes is of paramount importance for developing a cost-effective and environmentally sound recycling system. This paper offers an overview of electrical and e-waste recycling, including a description of how it is generated and classified, strategies and technologies for recovering materials, and new scientific developments related to these activities. Finally, the e-waste recycling industry in India is also discussed.
Influence of socio-economic factors on street litter generation in the Middle East: effects of education level, age, and type of residence
Authors: Arafat Hassan A. , Al-Khatib Issam A. , Daoud Raeda , Shwahneh Hadeel
Published: August 2007

Street littering is considered an important environmental health issue in the Middle East. This problem is growing steadily and is attracting great concerns within the communities. The purpose of this paper, which focuses on Nablus district (Palestinian Territory), is to measure the perception and opinion of residents toward littering, in addition to studying prevailing attitudes and practices on littering. This was achieved using an interview survey approach. The influence of three socio-economic factors; level of education, age, and type of residence, on the littering behaviour of individuals was studied. As a result, possible remedial actions have been suggested. The data presented in this work can be considered as one piece of information, which can be compiled with other future data to design an effective litter control programme for Middle Eastern countries.
Recovery of gold from computer circuit board scrap using aqua regia
Authors: Sheng Peter P. , Etsell Thomas H.
Published: August 2007

Computer circuit board scrap was first treated with one part concentrated nitric acid and two parts water at 70°C for 1 h. This step dissolved the base metals, thereby liberating the chips from the boards. After solid—liquid separation, the chips, intermixed with some metallic flakes and tin oxide precipitate, were mechanically crushed to liberate the base and precious metals contained within the protective plastic or ceramic chip cases. The base metals in this crushed product were dissolved by leaching again with the same type of nitric acid—water solution. The remaining solid constituents, crushed chips and resin, plus solid particles of gold, were leached with aqua regia at various times and temperatures. Gold was precipitated from the leachate with ferrous sulphate.
Stabilization/solidification of ashes in clays used in the manufacturing of ceramic bricks
Authors: García-Ubaque Cesar A. , Moreno-Piraján Juan C. , Giraldo-Gutierrez Liliana , Sapag Karim
Published: August 2007

This paper presents the results of the lixiviation of metals from different mixtures of fly and bottom ashes that have been stabilized and solidified in clays used in the manufacture of bricks. The ashes used for this study were obtained from a Hoffmann-type brick furnace adapted for the incineration of municipal solid waste during the manufacturing of ceramic bricks. The ashes were stabilized in clay in different proportions of clay : ash mix (99 : 1, 95 : 5, 90 : 10, 80 : 20 and 60 : 40). Such mixes were used to manufacture bricks that were calcined at a temperature ranging from 50 to 1100°C. The clay, ashes and manufactured bricks were characterized using X-ray diffraction, fluorescent X-ray, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. In addition, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure lixiviation tests were performed according to the EPA 1311 method for the determination of heavy metals. The results showed an affinity between clay and ash, and also that the bricks manufactured with these mixtures present low lixiviation levels. The tests also showed the highest decrease in the concentration of arsenic, nickel, chromium, zinc and silver for 99 : 1 mixtures. The 95 : 5 mixture was found to be the most favourable for the stabilization (greater concentration decrease) of lead and cadmium. Selenium was the metal with the lowest concentration change whereas arsenic, nickel, chromium, zinc and cadmium showed the greatest concentration change in all mixtures, with the exception of cadmium in the mixture 99 : 1.
Exploring Organizational Barriers to Diversity
Authors: Rangarajan Nandhini , Black Tamika
Published: August 2007

This is a case study of diversity initiatives at the New York State Education Department. Analysis of data collected from public and internal reports and semistructured interviews revealed three types of barriers to diversity: structural, cultural, and semantic. Results of the present study supported barriers to diversity identified in extant literature. Civil service requirements and the agency's culture stymied diversity efforts. The effects of social networks, limited accountability in hiring, and inadequate communication of the vision for diversity also impeded the diversity initiative.
Antecedents, Mediators, and Consequences of Affective, Normative, and Continuance Commitment
Authors: Sung Min Park  , Rainey Hal G.
Published: August 2007

This study examines the constructs and the effects of three subdimensions of federal employees' organizational commitment—affective, normative, and continuance. Using the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) 2000 survey instrument and employing an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, multivariate regression, and a structural equation model, the authors empirically test and measure (a) the dimensionality of the three commitment constructs, (b) how and to what extent antecedent variables would affect the three different commitment variables—affective, normative, and continuance— and (c) how these three commitment values differently influence several outcome variables. The authors confirm that there are three distinctive constructs of commitment to stay in federal agencies and that transformation-oriented leadership (TOL), empowerment, goal clarity, public service—oriented motivation (PSOM), procedural equity perceptions, and objective appraisal systems have direct and indirect effects on the commitment variables. Affective commitment is most significantly and positively associated with these antecedents, and higher affective commitment also has the most significant effect on organizational consequences.
Workforce Planning in Small Local Governments
Authors: Choudhury Enamul H.
Published: August 2007

The current milieu of public personnel administration is bustling with reform ideas and practices. As the public sector moves from a “civil service” to a “human resources” paradigm, adapting innovative personnel practices is increasingly becoming critical for good governance. Workforce planning (WFP) is one such innovation that allows a jurisdiction to build its long-term capacity in the face of changing work requirements, work values, technology, demography, and an array of other factors. Although the evidence on the use of WFP at the federal level is encouraging, the same is not the case at the state and local levels. There is little to nothing known about the need or the applicability of WFP in small local governments. Therefore, in the context of small local government, the article assesses the conceptual promises of WFP against the realities and capacities of governments operating at the grassroots level.
Well-Being and the Child–Parent Relationship at the Transition From University to Work Life
Authors: Buhl Heike M.
Published: August 2007

This longitudinal study addresses the impact of the transition from university to work life on emerging adults' well-being and their relationship with their parents. A sample of 102 German students attending their last year at the university ( M = 25.44 years, SD = 2.61) completed a questionnaire. Among others, scales from the Network of Relationships Inventory and symptom checklists were administered. Four years later, 51 employed participants of the initial sample were contacted again. During the transition from university to work life, well-being and the relationship with their parents improved. Following a typological approach, two groups of emerging adults were revealed by means of cluster analyses. Well-being in one group increased, whereas well-being in the second group decreased. Group membership was predicted by sex, personality, and the child–parent relationship in university times.
Contemporary Czech Emerging Adults
Authors: Macek Petr , Bejček Josef , Vaníčková Jitka
Published: August 2007

Similarly to other European countries, in the Czech Republic scholars can identify a developmental stage of emerging adulthood. There has been a lack of studies describing subjective feelings and personal everyday experiences of young Czechs at this age. Results of the quantitative Study 1 indicate that two thirds of respondents experience the present time as the age of feeling in-between. Demographic and social characteristics are related to the subjective developmental status. Psychological characteristics also differentiate: Compared with emerging adults, the adults consider themselves as more emotionally stable, have a clearer idea about their future, and view adult life as more attractive. Qualitative Study 2 aims to specify feelings and experiences of contemporary emerging adults. The respondents especially emphasize the feeling of freedom, which may be viewed in connection with social changes in Czech society. However, often freedom correlates with anxieties and doubts concerning not only individual competencies and possibilities but also others' behavior.