bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving In Vitro Generated Cartilage-Carrier-Constructs by Optimizing Growth Factor Combination
Authors: Wiegandt Katharina , Goepfert Christiane , Pörtner Ralf
Published: December 2007

The presented study is focused on the generation of osteochondral implants for cartilage repair, which consist of bone substitutes covered within vitroengineered cartilage. Re-differentiation of expanded porcine cells was performed in alginate gel followed by cartilage formation in high-density cell cultures. In this work, different combinations of growth factors for the stimulation of re-differentiation and cartilage formation have been tested to improve the quality of osteochondral implants. It has been demonstrated that supplementation of the medium with growth factors has significant effects on the properties of the matrix. The addition of the growth factors IGF-I (100 ng/mL) and TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) during the alginate culture and the absence of any growth factors during the high-density cell culture led to significantly higher GAG to DNA ratios and Young’s Moduli of the constructs compared to other combinations. The histological sections showed homogenous tissue and intensive staining for collagen type II.
Does Hyponatremia have a Value in the Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in HIV-1 Infected Patients in Cambodia?
Authors: Lynen Lut , Phan Sok , Prem Prey Suos , Sopheak Thai , Harwell Joseph , Boelaert Marleen , Koole Olivier , Colebunders Robert
Published: December 2007

Hyponatremia is a frequent finding in hospitalised HIV-patients. The diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis
(EPTB) is difficult in resource-limited settings, causing delays in treatment. In this cross-sectional study based on hospital
chart review in a charity hospital in Cambodia we found that hyponatremia (serum sodium ` 134 meq/L) was significantly
associated with a diagnosis of EPTB in HIV-positive adults. Our findings suggest that hyponatremia in patients with advanced
stage of HIV disease should trigger a diagnostic work-up for EPTB.
Profile of Malaria in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Rural Community in Nigeria
Authors: Bassey B.E. , Asor J.E. , Useh M.F.
Published: December 2007

We evaluated the malaria burden in randomly selected pregnant women (PW) attending antenatal clinics in
Abuja, Nigeria, to establish an association between pregnancies, malaria. Structured questionnaire was administered by
the ante-natal nursing staff and a research assistant. In total, 1400 pregnant women were screened between April and September
2004, and capillary blood samples were obtained and screened for malaria parasites in thin blood films and quantitative
buffy coat analysis (QBC). In total, 1035 (73.9%) pregnant women were positive for Plasmodium falciparum; of
which 578 (55.8%) were primigravidae; 299 (28.9%) second gravidae; and 158 (15.3%) were multigravidae, while 297
(28.7) were in their first trimester, 311 (30%) were in their second trimester, and 427 (41.3%) were in their third trimester.
The highest prevalence of malaria parasite (31.6%) was found in those aged 26-30 years while the lowest prevalence
(2.9%) occurred in those aged 41-46 years. Socio economically, prevalence of malaria parasite is highest in nonautomobile
owners 84.4%, 66% in those with monthly income less than $100, and those living in vegetable thatched
houses had 46.0%, while the lowest incidence (15.6%) was found in automobile owners. Of the 760 pregnant women who
sought malaria treatment only 278 (34.2%) seek intervention in hospitals, while 59.4% got treatment outside the hospital
or were on self medication. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of malaria in the population evaluated, and therefore
underlines the need for urgent intervention through capacity building, implementation of intermittent preventive treatment
(IPT), use of insecticides treated-nets (ITN) and effective case management of malaria illness. The delivery of these
interventions through ante-natal clinics in Nigeria is highly critical and needs to be encouraged; strategies that encourage
pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics early and consistently need to be developed. It is also important to develop
coherent and effective policies and tools to tackle malaria and poverty.
Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 3-(2-methyl-furan-3-yl)-4-substituted-Δ2-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thiones
Authors: Siwek Agata , Wujec Monika , Dobosz Maria , Jagiełło-Wójtowicz Ewa , Chodkowska Anna , Kleinrok Agnieszka , Paneth Piotr
Published: December 2007

By the reaction of 2-methyl-furan-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide with isothiocyanates, 1-[(2-methyl-furan-3-yl)carbonyl]-4-substituted thiosemicarbazides 1 were obtained. Further cyclization with 2% NaOH led to the formation of 3-(2-methyl-furan-3-yl)-4-substituted-Δ2-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thiones 2. The pharmacological effects of 2 on the central nervous system in mice were investigated. Strong antinociceptive properties of the investigated derivatives were observed in a wide range of doses.
Genetic effects, gene-lifestyle interactions, and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Qi Lu
Published: December 2007

Type 2 diabetes has become a major public health challenge worldwide. It is now widely accepted that genetic components affect the development of type 2 diabetes, in concert with environmental factors such as lifestyle and diet. Traditional linkage mapping, positional cloning, and candidate gene-based association studies have identified a few genetic variants in genes such as TCF7L2, PPARG, and KCNJ11 that are reproducibly related to the risk of type 2 diabetes. To date, about ten genome-wide association (GWA) studies have been published. These studies discovered new susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes and provide novel insight into the diabetes etiology. In addition, data especially from lifestyle intervention trials display promising evidence that the genetic variants may interact with changes of dietary habit and physical activity in predisposing to type 2 diabetes. The gene-lifestyle interactions merit extensive exploration in large, prospective studies. The findings from these areas will substantially improve the prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Adjacent QT dispersion: A good predictor of ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction
Authors: Ostovan Mohammad , Khosropanah Shahdad , Hooshmand Shohreh
Published: December 2007

The 12-lead surface electrocardiogram adjacent QTc dispersion, which is the maximum difference of corrected QT interval between two adjacent leads, is a simple method to determine regional variation in repolarization and refractoriness. The aim of this study is to evaluate adjacent QTc dispersion as a marker of susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction. A total of 135 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction were enrolled in the study. Adjacent QTc, measured by lens magnifier, was calculated on the first, second and third days after acute myocardial infarction. On the second day after acute myocardial infarction, adjacent QTc dispersion was significantly greater in patients with ventricular arrhythmias (P < 0.001). Adjacent QTc dispersion on the first and fifth day after acute myocardial infarction was not associated with development of ventricular arrhythmias. On the second day after acute myocardial infarction, adjacent QTc dispersion is a simple and feasible method for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias.
Electrocardiographic predictors of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion
Authors: Kojuri Javad , Vosoughi Amir , Khosropanah Shahdad , Aslani Amir
Published: December 2007

Proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) results in a less favorable prognosis in coronary angiography. Therefore, it is important to determine whether there are significant lesions in LAD by electrocardiography (ECG) before coronary angiography. Twelve-lead ECG was compared in 130 patients with significant lesions (≥70% stenosis) confined to proximal part of the LAD (P LAD group) and 492 patients with normal coronary angiography (control group). Fifty-nine patients in the P LAD group and 18 patients in the control group had signs of anterior myocardial infarction as shown by ST elevation (≥1.0 mV) in two consecutive pericardial leads or the presence of a pathological Q wave. An inverted U wave (biphasic T wave) in leads V1 to V4 had a sensitivity of 49.3% (35/71) in P LAD patients without signs of anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and 96.6 % (57/59; specificity, 66.6%; positive predictive value, 90.9 %) in the P LAD patients with signs of anterior MI. In the P LAD patients with signs of anterior MI, T inversion in V4–V5 had a lower sensitivity (67.0% [40/59]) than an inverted U wave. ST depression in inferior leads and ST depression in V5 were not useful markers of proximal LAD occlusion. In conclusions, an inverted U wave in V1 to V4 (or in each of these leads) and T inversion in V4–V5 are the best predictors of significant proximal LAD lesion, especially in patients with ECG findings of anterior MI.
Helicobacter pylori isolation, serology and cagA, cagE and virB11 detection in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia from Turkey: Correlation with histopathologic findings
Authors: Ilga Ugur , Ozyurt Mustafa , Yildirim Sukru , Ergunay Koray , Ardic Nurittin , Demirturk Levent , Haznedaroglu Tuncer
Published: December 2007

Colonization with Helicobacter pylori (HP) may have major clinical consequences and HP virulence factors are associated with more severe gastroduodenal pathologies. In this study, prevalence of HP in patients with Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia (NUD) was determined by rapid urease test and culture and correlations of histopathologic changes with bacterial virulence factors and serologic profiles were investigated. Gastric biopsies from sixty-nine patients admitted to Haydarpasa Training Hospital Department of Gastroenterology were evaluated for rapid urease, HP isolation and examined histopathologically. PCR was employed for HP confirmation and detection of HP cagA, cagE and virB11 genes. For each patient, IgG and IgA antibodies and anti-cagA antibodies were also determined by ELISA tests. HP was isolated and confirmed by PCR in 74% (51/69) of the patients. Anti-HP IgG and IgA were detected in 96% (49/51) and 53% (27/51), respectively. Anti-cagA were present in 51% (26/51). cagA, cagE and virB11 were positive in 56.8% (29/51), 60.7% (31/51) and 58.8% (30/51) of the patients, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was observed between cagA PCR and inflammation/activity scores. Detection of cagA by molecular assays can be an alternative test that can be employed for individual patient assessment.
Increased pressure stimulates aberrant dendritic cell maturation
Authors: Craig David , Schaubert Keri , Shiratsuchi Hiroe , Kan-Mitchell June , Basson Marc
Published: December 2007

Patients with malignancy typically exhibit abnormal dendritic cell profiles. Interstitial tumor pressure is increased 20-50mmHg over that in normal tissue. We hypothesized that elevated pressure in the tumor microenvironment may influence dendritic cell (DC) phenotype and function. Monocyte-derived immature and mature DC isolated from healthy human donors were exposed to either ambient or 40 mmHg increased pressure at 37°C for 12 hours, then assessed for expression of CD80, CD86, CD83, CD40, MHC-I and MHC-II. IL-12 production and phagocytosis of CFSE-labeled tumor lysate were assessed in parallel. Elevated pressure significantly increased expression of all co-stimulatory and MHC molecules on mature DC. Immature DC significantly increased expression of CD80, CD86, CD83 and MHC-II, but not MHC-I and CD40, versus ambient pressure controls. Pressure-treated immature DC phenotypically resembled mature DC controls, but produced low IL-12. Phenotypic maturation correlated with decreased phagocytic capacity. These results suggest increased extracellular pressure may cause aberrant DC maturation and impair tumor immunosurveillance.
The genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of thiamin and thiamin diphosphate in yeasts
Authors: Kowalska Ewa , Kozik Andrzej
Published: December 2007

Thiamin (vitamin B1) is an essential molecule for all living organisms. Its major biologically active derivative is thiamin diphosphate, which serves as a cofactor for several enzymes involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Important new functions for thiamin and its phosphate esters have recently been suggested, e.g. in gene expression regulation by influencing mRNA structure, in DNA repair after UV illumination, and in the protection of some organelles against reactive oxygen species. Unlike higher animals, which rely on nutritional thiamin intake, yeasts can synthesize thiamin de novo. The biosynthesis pathways include the separate synthesis of two precursors, 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine diphosphate and 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole phosphate, which are then condensed into thiamin monophosphate. Additionally, yeasts evolved salvage mechanisms to utilize thiamin and its dephosphorylated late precursors, 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine and 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole, from the environment. The current state of knowledge on the discrete steps of thiamin biosynthesis in yeasts is far from satisfactory; many intermediates are postulated only by analogy to the much better understood biosynthesis process in bacteria. On the other hand, the genetic mechanisms regulating thiamin biosynthesis in yeasts are currently under extensive exploration. Only recently, the structures of some of the yeast enzymes involved in thiamin biosynthesis, such as thiamin diphosphokinase and thiazole synthase, were determined at the atomic resolution, and mechanistic proposals for the catalysis of particular biosynthetic steps started to emerge.
Adaptive edge detection method for images
Authors: Walczak A. , Puzio L.
Published: December 2007

The novel two-dimensional (2D) wavelet with anisotropic property and application of it has been presented. Wavelet is constructed in the polar coordinate system to obtain anisotropic properties. A novel edge detection method has been developed with the aid of this wavelet. This method detects gradient jump and than follows along this jump. In this way the number of calculation for edge localization is reduced. Moreover, the presented method is able to detect all edges in an image in multi-scale together with its spatial orientation. Proposed wavelet as well as edge extraction method seems to be new way to edge detection for an image.
Visualization of 3D variable in time object based on data gathered by active measurement system
Authors: Garbat P. , Kujawińska M.
Published: December 2007

The recent needs of analysis and visualization of variable in time real 3D objects in many applications require development of new approach towards combining rapid 3D shape acquisition and the methodology of data processing in order to perform visualization and analysis of real 3D dynamic objects. In this paper, the general concept of visualization system of data gathered by means of optical 4D (x,y,z,t) shape measurement system is presented. The concept of a virtual camera, as the mean for interactive object visualization is introduced. The experimental results for processing of simulated and real variable in time 3D object are presented and discussed. The directions of future works focused on full implementation of the concept are introduced.
Targeting obesity to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and other co-morbidities in African American youth: a review of the literature and recommendations for prevention
Authors: Nwobu Chinyelu O , Johnson Carolyn C
Published: December 2007

Over the last decade, the prevalence of obesity has continued to rise within the adolescent population of the US. Data show that African American youth are disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic due to their higher risk for obesity-related co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes. Interventions that target risk factors for obesity at the individual, family and community levels are needed in order to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and related complications. This article provides an overview of the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in African American youth, the pathophysiology of the disease, and the behavioural risk factors that have contributed to its high prevalence within the African American adolescent population. Successful intervention strategies that target modifiable risk factors, such as diet and physical activity, will be identified. Finally, recommendations for programmes to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes within the African American adolescent population are presented.
Levels of adiponectin, C-reactive protein and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist are associated with the relative change in body mass index between childhood and adulthood
Authors: Saltevo Juha , Vanhala Mauno , Kautiainen Hannu , Laakso Markku
Published: December 2007

Obesity has been related to subclinical inflammation and decreased levels of adiponectin. We examined the relationship between inflammatory markers and adiponectin and the change in body mass index (BMI) between childhood and adulthood. Our study included 368 subjects (176 men and 192 women) from a population-based cohort whose weight and height had been recorded at the age of seven years. They participated in this study as adults (with a mean age of 46 years); levels of adiponectin, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. The relative change of BMI from childhood to adulthood was significantly associated with levels of IL-1 Ra (men: r=0.27 [95% CI: 0.12 to 0.40] and women: 0.64 [0.55 to 0.72]), hs-CRP (r=0.15 and 0.52, respectively) and adiponectin (r=−0.13 and −0.29, respectively) in both genders.

Decreased levels of adiponectin and elevated levels of IL-1 Ra and hs-CRP at adulthood appear to be related to the change in BMI between childhood and adulthood.
Effective cut-off values of waist circumference to detect the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Japanese men and women
Authors: Lee Jung Su , Kawakubo Kiyoshi , Mori Katsumi , Akabayashi Akira
Published: December 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine effective cut-off values of waist circumference (WC) to detect the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors (CCRF) in a Japanese population. The subjects were 2,476 men and women who participated in a health examination in Tokyo. The CCRF was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Japanese Committee of the Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome (JCCMS). The effective (accurate and sensitive) values were tested using the receiver operating characteristics analysis. The accurate (maximised sensitivity plus specificity) values were 81 cm and 80 cm using the IDF and JCCMS criteria for men, and 82 cm for both criteria for women. From the ROC curve, 85 cm was identified as an effective value for men. Thus, the effective cut-off value of WC for the Japanese should be ∼85 cm for men and ∼82 cm for women.
The European Perspective on Diabetes Prevention: development and Implementation of A European Guideline and training standards for diabetes prevention (IMAGE)
Authors: Schwarz Peter Eh , Gruhl Ulrike , Bornstein Stefan R , Landgraf Rüdiger , Hall Michael , Tuomilehto Jaakko
Published: December 2007

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically in Europe, particularly in younger people. Nevertheless, jointly developed prevention strategies are still lacking. The development and Implementation of A European Guideline and training standards for diabetes prevention (IMAGE) project was initiated by the Technical University Dresden in response to this major public health concern of the European Union.

Within the IMAGE project, four specific objectives will be developed and implemented into clinical practice: a) joint European guidelines; b) a European training curriculum for prevention managers; c) European standards for quality control of diabetes prevention programmes; and d) a European e-health training portal for prevention managers.

This three-year-project began in June 2007. At the time of writing, 32 institutions from 16 countries have become involved.

The development of competent guidelines and education programmes, as well as the establishment of quality standards for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes, should significantly enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to respond swiftly to its drastic increase and its burden to society.
A comparative analysis of estimation of age at menarche by various methods in women participating in the Krakow Longitudinal Growth Study, Poland
Authors: Żarów Ryszard , Cichocka Barbara A.
Published: December 2007

The purpose of this study was to see whether menarcheal age assessment by means of the most frequently used methods that were conducted every time on the same group of girls would yield the same results. One hundred and one Polish girls, whose ages at menarche were recorded in a longitudinal study between 1976 and 1990, were asked to recall the age of menarche in 2004. The mean menarcheal ages of those women were calculated by means of the probit (PA), prospective (AA), retrospective method without age correction (RA), and retrospective method with the recall age corrected by 0.5 year (RcA). The PA, AA, and retrospective methods: RA and RcA revealed results: 13.14 ± 1.1; 13.10 ± 1.1; 13.12 ± 1.36, and 14.39 ± 1.34 years, respectively. The menarcheal AA was insignificantly different from the PA (95% CI) and RA. The RcA was significantly higher than the AA and RA (P = 0.05). The correlation coefficient (r) between AA and RA was 0.70. Only 16% of the interviewed women accurately remembered the date of their menarche, 63% of them missed their menarche time by about 1 year, whereas 22% were wrong by 2 and more years. (1) The PA and the AA method yield comparable results when estimating menarcheal age. (2) The menarcheal age determined by the retrospective methods is not very reliable and the application of age correction overestimates the results. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Major gene effect and additive familial pattern of inheritance of asthma exist among families of probands with sickle cell anemia and asthma
Authors: Phillips Keydra L. , An Ping , Boyd Jessica H. , Strunk Robert C. , Casella James F. , Barton Bruce A. , Debaun Michael R.
Published: December 2007

In the United States, sickle cell anemia (SCA) affects approximately 1 in 400 African‐American newborns. Acute episodes of pain and acute chest syndrome (ACS) are the two leading causes of hospitalization. A relationship between the diagnosis of asthma and the incidence of pain and ACS has been established. We tested the hypothesis that a familial pattern of inheritance of asthma exists among first degree relatives of probands with SCA and asthma. Segregation analysis was performed in 104 families ascertained through affected probands. Of these, 19.7% (41/208) of the parents and 31.8% (28/88) of siblings of affected probands reported having been told by a doctor he or she had asthma at any age. Modes of inheritance were tested, using the Pedigree Analysis Package parameterized for the discrete trait of asthma affection status. A major effect was present and significant. Further tests were performed to determine whether transmission probabilities of the major effect followed Mendelian expectations. The additive mode of inheritance was the most parsimonious, while the residual heritability was found negligible. Our results support the hypothesis that a familial pattern of inheritance of asthma exists among first degree relatives of probands with SCA and asthma, suggesting that asthma is a co‐morbid condition with SCA rather than a lung disease phenotype mimicking asthma. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Client personality characteristics predict satisfaction with cognitive behavior therapy
Authors: Green Sheryl M. , Hadjistavropoulos Thomas , Sharpe Donald
Published: December 2007

Ratings of treatment satisfaction are a means for cognitive behavior therapy clients to provide their unique personal perspective on their therapy experience. Treatment satisfaction is a variable of growing importance as a predictor of outcome for various medical and psychological treatments including treatments for chronic pain (D. C. Turk et al., 2003). Our goal was to determine whether satisfaction with cognitive behavior therapy sessions varied as a function of patient personality characteristics in a sample of 43 older adults (average age=72.3 years, SD=8.0) participating in a psychosocial pain management therapy program with a cognitive behavioral orientation. Participants completed the NEO Five Factor Inventory (P. T. Costa, Jr. & R. R. McCrae, 1992) prior to the commencement of treatment and a psychometrically valid questionnaire, assessing satisfaction with psychological therapy, after each therapy session. The core personality dimensions of neuroticism, openness, and agreeableness were predictive of aspects of satisfaction with therapy. These findings have the potential of being useful to clinicians concerned with the prediction of response to therapy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 40–51, 2008.
Scared to lose control? General and health locus of control in females with a phobia of vomiting
Authors: Davidson Angela L. , Boyle Christopher , Lauchlan Fraser
Published: December 2007

The term emetophobia (i.e., a fear of vomiting) exists as rather an elusive predicament, often eluding conventional treatment. The present study involved 149 participants, consisting of 51 emetophobics, 48 phobic controls (i.e. those who suffered from a different phobia), and 50 nonphobic controls. Participants were administered the Rotter (1966) Locus of Control Scale and the Health Locus of Control Scale by B.S. Wallston, Wallston, Kaplan, and Maides (1976). Significant differences were found among the three groups; specifically, that emetophobics had a significantly higher internal Locus of Control Scale score with regard to both general and health‐related issues than did the two control groups. It is suggested that vomiting phobics may have a fear of losing control, and that their vomiting phobia is reflective of this alternative, underlying problem. More research is required to explore the association between emetophobia and issues surrounding control; however, the current study suggests that it may be helpful for therapists to consider this aspect when treating a patient with vomiting phobia. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 30–39, 2008.
Psychological treatment of postpartum depression: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Cuijpers Pim , Brännmark Jessica G. , van Straten Annemieke
Published: December 2007

Postpartum depression is a widespread and disruptive depressive disorder seriously affecting the lives of new mothers and their families. We conducted a meta‐analysis of controlled and comparative studies of psychological treatments of postpartum depression. Seventeen studies were included. The mean standardized effect size of all psychological treatments compared to control conditions was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.37∼0.85). Several subgroup analyses were conducted. Studies with waiting list control groups had a larger mean effect size (0.96; 95% CI: 0.63∼1.29) than studies with a care‐as‐usual control group (0.41; 95% CI: 0.25∼0.58). No definite conclusions can be drawn about the longer term effects. Too few studies were available to draw conclusions about the relative effects of psychological treatments compared to pharmacological and other treatments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 103–118, 2008.
Sudden gains in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Present Julie , Crits‐Christoph Paul , Connolly Gibbons Mary Beth , Hearon Bridget , Ring‐Kurtz Sarah , Worley Matthew , Gallop Robert
Published: December 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and timing of sudden gains over the course of brief, psychodynamically oriented treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Data were used from two studies of brief (i.e., 16‐session) supportive‐expressive psychotherapy for GAD. Anxiety symptoms were measured at every weekly treatment session. Sudden gains in anxiety symptoms were defined to parallel previous research on sudden gains in major depressive disorder (MDD). Overall, sudden gains were found for 11 of 68 participants (16.2%), with 4 (36.4%) of these patients experiencing reversals of these gains and losing over 50% of the sudden gain during subsequent treatment sessions. Applying a baseline severity cutoff and a duration criteria similar to those used in previous studies of sudden gains resulted in 10 of 29 (34.5%) patients showing sudden gains. Of these sudden gainers, 4 (40.0%) experienced a reversal and 7 (70%) experienced an upwards spike in symptoms during their psychotherapy course. When defined in a parallel fashion, rates of sudden gains in GAD are similar to those found in MDD, although anxiety symptoms are highly variable. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 119–126, 2008.
“WE'VE GOT A GUN?”: comparing reports of adolescents and their parents about household firearms
Authors: Sorenson Susan B. , Cook Philip J.
Published: December 2007

Firearms are a leading cause of mortality among adolescents, and the guns that adolescents use to harm themselves or others often come from their own homes. In this statewide, multilanguage, community‐based survey of 5,704 coresiding pairs of adolescents and their parents, we asked about guns in the home and compared their responses. The proportions of parents and adolescents responding affirmatively were similar: 25.7% and 26.8%, respectively, for any guns; 15.0% and 13.2%, respectively, for handguns. A paired analysis documented substantial agreement for whether there was any gun in the home and less agreement about whether there was a handgun in the home. The amount of agreement and disagreement was related to household composition and gender of the respondents. The disagreement was substantial for some groups (e.g., when boys residing in households containing a single mother and no other adults reported that there was a gun in the home, 64.8% of their mothers said that there was not a gun in the home). Implications for research and intervention are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conflicting community commitments: A dialogical analysis of a British woman's World War II diaries
Authors: Gillespie Alex , Cornish Flora , Aveling Emma‐Louise , Zittoun Tania
Published: December 2007

Recent developments of the concept of “sense of community” have highlighted the multiplicity of people's senses of community. In this article, the authors introduce the theory of the dialogical self as a means of theorizing the conflicts that can arise between a person's commitments to multiple communities. They ask the question, “When faced with conflicting community commitments, how does a person decide where his or her allegiances lie?” The contribution of the theory of the dialogical self is illustrated through an idiographic analysis of diaries kept by one British woman living through World War II. Conflicting commitments to her home community and to the national community's war effort provoke troubling dilemmas and efforts to resolve them through internal dialogues. Contributions to theory, research, and practice are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Verifying the operational definition of neighborhood for the psychosocial impact of structural deterioration
Authors: Kruger Daniel J.
Published: December 2007

The physical decay of neighborhoods is associated with social conditions such as disease risk, poor mental health, and fear of crime. Researchers assessing neighborhood effects commonly operationalize neighborhoods via municipal boundaries such as U.S. Census Tracts, although more sophisticated analyses examine structures within a defined radius of respondents, typically .25‐mile. This study verifies the .25‐mile heuristic as a sound operational definition for neighborhood residential structures consequential to social conditions with measures of social contact with neighbors, perceptions of social capital, fear of neighborhood crime, and satisfaction with neighborhood quality of life. Deteriorating commercial structures cluster in smaller areas than deteriorating residential structures; however, the peak consequential radius appears to occur at 4 times the distance of residential structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of A brief sense of community scale: Confirmation of the principal theory of sense of community
Authors: Peterson N. Andrew , Speer Paul W. , McMillan David W.
Published: December 2007

First‐order and second‐order models of sense of community (SOC) were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of data gathered from a random sample of community residents (n=293) located in the midwestern United States. An 8‐item Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) was developed to represent the SOC dimensions of needs fulfillment, group membership, influence, and shared emotional connection. The CFA results for the BSCS supported both the scale's hypothesized first‐order and second‐order factor structure. The overall BSCS scale and its subscales were also found to be correlated as expected with community participation, psychological empowerment, mental health, and depression. Findings provide empirical support for the BSCS and its underlying multidimensional theory of SOC. Implications of the study are described and directions for future research discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The canep scale: preliminary psychometric findings of a measure of youths' perception of their neighborhood environment
Authors: Bisegger Corinna , Cloetta Bernhard , Ravens‐Sieberer Ulrike
Published: December 2007

The impact of the environment on the quality of life and health is considered to be important for adults as well as for children and adolescents. To include the subjective view of children and adolescents in this context, instruments for measuring the perception of the environment are needed. The new scale CANEP (Children's and Adolescents' Neighborhood Environment Perception) covers youths' perception of the neighborhood as safe, clean, quiet, and providing opportunities for social contacts with peers. Even if the external validation has not yet been fully completed, the characteristics and contents of the instrument seem plausible and promise to tell more about the relation between environment perception and the well being of the young. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the oriented chromatic index of oriented graphs
Authors: Ochem Pascal , Pinlou Alexandre , Sopena Éric
Published: December 2007

A homomorphism from an oriented graph G to an oriented graph H is a mapping $\varphi$ from the set of vertices of G to the set of vertices of H such that $\buildrel {\longrightarrow}\over {\varphi (u) \varphi (v)}$ is an arc in H whenever $\buildrel {\longrightarrow}\over {uv}$ is an arc in G. The oriented chromatic index of an oriented graph G is the minimum number of vertices in an oriented graph H such that there exists a homomorphism from the line digraph LD(G) of G to H (the line digraph LD(G) of G is given by V(LD(G)) = A(G) and $\buildrel {\longrightarrow}\over {ab} \in A(LD(G))$ whenever $a=\buildrel {\longrightarrow}\over {uv}$ and $a=\buildrel {\longrightarrow}\over {vw}$).

We give upper bounds for the oriented chromatic index of graphs with bounded acyclic chromatic number, of planar graphs and of graphs with bounded degree. We also consider lower and upper bounds of oriented chromatic number in terms of oriented chromatic index. We finally prove that the problem of deciding whether an oriented graph has oriented chromatic index at most k is polynomial time solvable if k ≤ 3 and is NP‐complete if k ≥ 4. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 57: 313–332, 2008
Variable phenotypes associated with mutations in DOK7
Authors: Anderson Jennifer A. , Ng Jarae J. , Bowe Constance , Mcdonald Craig , Richman David P. , Wollmann Robert L. , Maselli Ricardo A.
Published: December 2007

Many patients with the limb‐girdle variant of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) possess mutations in the human Dok‐7 gene (DOK7). We identified six unrelated CMS patients with DOK7 mutations. Two patients, one mildly and the other moderately affected, were homozygous for the previously described 1263insC mutation. The common 1124_1127dupTGCC mutation was detected in the other four patients, whose clinical phenotypes range from mildly to severely affected. This striking phenotypic heterogeneity found both within and between mutational classes is made more compelling by data from our electrophysiological studies and electron microscopy of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Indeed, several aspects of the physiological and morphometric data do not correlate with genotype or severity of clinical phenotype. Overall, our study corroborates the findings of others and provides an additional demonstration of the considerable phenotypic variability associated with CMS due to DOK7 mutations. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Study on thermoplastic polyurethane/montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Ran Qianping , Zou Hua , Wu Shishan , Shen Jian
Published: December 2007

The thermoplastic polyurethane/montmorillonite (TPU/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation. The structure and property of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites were studied by XRD, TEM, TG, Molau test, and mechanical property measurement. The interlayer spacing between the MMT platelets in TPU/MMT nanocomposites blended for 10 and 15 min was the same. The silicate platelets were dispersed in TPU matrix on 5–15 nm scale for TPU/MMT nanocomposites. The interface interaction between the silicate layers and TPU matrix for TPU/MMT nanocomposites was strong. Compared to those of pure TPU, the tensile strength and tear strength of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites increased. The tensile strength and tear strength of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites decreased with increasing blending time because of the degradation of the TPU matrix. The thermal stability of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites was lower than that of the pure TPU in the first step, whereas in the second step, the TPU/MMT nanocomposites showed higher thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
New antistatic charge and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness from conductive epoxy resin/plasticized carbon black composites
Authors: Aal Nadia Abdel , El‐Tantawy Farid , Al‐Hajry A. , Bououdina M.
Published: December 2007

Recently, there is an increasing interest in electromagnetic interference shielding due to the rapid increase in electromagnetic pollution and the wide use of commercial and military products. Conducting polymer composites were prepared in the presence of epoxy resin and plasticized carbon black (CB). The structural characteristics of the composites were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy, cross linking density, and interparticle distance among conductive particles. The mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, elongation at break, and hardness of the composites were investigated as a function of CB content. The results indicated that CB could improve the composite microstructure. The higher mechanical behavior than green epoxy can be attributed to the interaction between CB particles and epoxy resin. The conductivity, mobility carriers, and number of charges of the composites at room temperature were found to be dependent on CB content. The applicability of the composites to antistatic charge dissipation was examined. Dependence of the microwave properties of the epoxy/CB composites on the volume fraction of CB particles and frequency were studied. Moreover the permittivity as a function of frequency of the composites was studied. The electromagnetic wave shielding of epoxy/CB composites is dominant by both reflection and absorption. Composites can find applications in antistatic charge dissipation and in suppression of electromagnetic interference and stealth technology. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of cooling rate and crack propagation direction on the mode 1 interlaminar fracture toughness of biaxial noncrimp warp‐knitted fabric composites made of glass/PP commingled yarn
Authors: Wang Yantao , Dong Qingzhi , Xu Yongjun , Zhou Shanhua , Qi Dehai
Published: December 2007

The mode 1 interlaminar fracture toughness of biaxial (±45°) noncrimp warp‐knitted fabric composites made of glass/PP commingled yarn was investigated. The crack propagation along the warp and weft directions, respectively, was considered for the composites cooled at two different rates during laminate molding. The interlaminar fracture toughness was characterized by determining the critical strain energy release rate (GIC) of initiation and propagation measured from the double cantilever beam tests. In the case of a slow cooling rate (1°C/min), most specimens possess pure interlaminar crack propagation and direction‐independence characteristics. Nevertheless, the high‐cooled (10°C/min) specimens fractured in both directions suffer extensive intraply damage (crack branching, debonding, and bridging of 45°‐oriented interfacial yarns) and knit thread breakage, leading to GIC of propagation two times higher than that of the slow‐cooled specimens, and the clear difference in the GIC values of initiation between the two directions may be due to the contribution of the knit thread breakage to the fracture energy. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008 © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polymer–nanofiller prepared by high‐energy ball milling and high velocity cold compaction
Authors: Azhdar Bruska , Stenberg Bengt , Kari Leif
Published: December 2007

High‐energy ball milling using comilling in a solid state by low‐temperature mechanical alloying to prepare nickel‐ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanopowders and ultrafine poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), dispersing nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, and a uniaxial high‐velocity cold compaction process using a cylindrical, hardened steel die and a new technique with relaxation assists have been studied. The focus has been on the particle size distributions of the nanocomposite powder during the milling and on the surface morphology of the nanocomposite‐compacted materials after compaction with and without relaxation assists. Experimental results for different milling systems are presented showing the effects of milling time and material ratio. It was found that a longer mixing time give a higher degree of dispersion of the nanopowder on the PMMA particle surfaces. Furthermore, with increasing content of NiFe2O4 nanopowder, the reduction of the particle size was more effective. Different postcompacting profiles, i.e. different energy distributions between the upper and lower parts of the compacted powder bed, lead to different movements of the various particles and particle layers. Uniformity, homogeneity, and densification on the surfaces in the compacted powder are influenced by the postcompacting magnitude and direction. It was found that the relaxation assist device leads to an improvement in the polymer powder compaction process by reducing the expansion of the compacted volume and by reducing the different opposite velocities, giving the compacted composite bed a more homogeneous opposite velocity during the decompacting stage and reducing the delay time between the successive pressure waves. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of exfoliated high‐impact polystyrene/MMT nanocomposites via in situ polymerization under controlling viscosity of the reaction medium
Authors: Uthirakumar Periyayya , Kim Hee Joo , Hong Chang‐Hee , Suh Eun‐Kyung , Lee Youn‐Sik
Published: December 2007

Exfoliated high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization of styrene in the presence of polybutadiene, using an intercalated cationic radical initiator‐MMT hybrid (organoclay). In the solution polymerization in toluene, the silicate layers of the clay were well exfoliated, due to the low extra‐gallery viscosity that can facilitate the diffusion of styrene monomers into the clay layers during the polymerization. The exfoliated HIPS/MMT nanocomposites were also successfully prepared by controlling the viscosity of the reaction medium with prolong swelling of the organoclay in styrene, prior to bulk polymerization. The HIPS/MMT nanocomposites, obtained from bulk polymerization, exhibited a significant improvement in thermal stability, compared to those obtained from solution polymerization as well as the pure polymer counterparts. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of gamma irradiation on waste poly(propylene) composites containing talc and high crystallinity poly(propylene)
Authors: Hassan Medhat M. , El‐Kelesh Nabil A. , Dessouki Ahmed M.
Published: December 2007

Commercial polyolefin, such as poly(propylene), are widely used because of their easy processing and their excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Although their recycling is well established, the mechanical and thermal properties of the recycled waste poly(propylene)(WPP) are normally lower than those of the virgin material. The introduction of talc can improve the toughness, without compromising the processability and recycling capabilities. However, the thermal properties of these blends should be assessed to limit degradation during recycling. The effect of gamma radiation on the thermal and mechanical properties of WPP/High Crystallinity Poly(propylene)/Talc was studied. TGA, DSC, and electrical conductivity performed the characterization of WPP composites. Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the composites were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of Talc to WPP was found to improve the thermal stability of WPP composites. The compatibilisation of the blends using gamma radiation resulted decrease the weight loss with increasing the temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and nonisothermal cure kinetics of DGEBA‐nanosilica particles composites
Authors: Ghaemy M. , Nasab S.M. Amini , Barghamadi M.
Published: December 2007

Nanocomposites from nanoscale silica particles (NS), diglycidylether of bisphenol‐A based epoxy (DGEBA), and 4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl benzidine (DAPB) as curing agent were obtained from direct blending of these materials. This homogenous mixture was cured in the oven at a particular temperature for a certain time or scanned from room temperature up to 300°C in differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Mechanism and kinetic of the cure reaction of nanocomposite and thermal stability of the cured sample were studied with FTIR, DSC, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The effect of amount of nanosilica (NS) particles as catalyst on the cure reaction of DGEBA/DAPB system was studied by the Kissinger and Ozawa equations. The existence of NS particles with hydroxyl groups in the structure catalyzes the cure reaction of DGEBA/DAPB system, increased the rate constant, and shifted the exothermic peak toward lower temperatures with increasing amount of NS particles. The activation energies of cure reaction of pure DGEBA/DAPB system obtained from two methods were in good agreement and decreased when NS particles were present in the mixture. The isothermal cure reaction at 145°C in an oven was followed by measuring the disappearance peak of epoxide group at 916 cm−1 using FTIR. The diffusive behavior of cured samples was investigated during water sorption at 25°C and the experimental results fitted well according to Fick's law. Diffusion coefficient of cured sample containing 10% NS decreased in comparison to the sample without NS particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers