bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The accidental accomplishment of Little Smart: understanding the emergence of a working-class ICT
Authors: Qiu Jack Linchuan
Published: November 2007

This article analyzes one of China's most prominent working-class ICTs, Little Smart ( xiaolingtong ), an inexpensive wireless technology which offers limited mobility service at the price of a landline. The case analysis examines how the technology works and diffuses, why it could emerge so rapidly amid structural transformations of China's telecom reform and the subsequent co-evolution between market dynamics and state policy at the local, national and transnational levels. Drawing from interviews and focus groups, the article discusses usage patterns and the key problems facing Little Smart. Besides the particularities of the case, the emergence of Little Smart has broader implications for understanding the relationship between working-class ICTs and the `information have-nots' in general. It shows that working-class ICTs may materialize through accidental accomplishments with little prior planning by state or corporate players. However, without appropriate policy support, the emergence may not be sustainable in the long run.
A preliminary evaluation of the impact of unsolicited commercial email promoting stocks on the price of the stock
Authors: D'Alessio Dave
Published: November 2007

This article reports on a study in which data on the number of unsolicited commercial emails (spam) promoting the purchase of the stocks of specific companies was compared to changes in the stock's price in several ways. Spam created a short-term rise in the price of the average stock in the form of a short, damped oscillation, followed by significant downturn several days later. Models of message transmission strategies based on the frequency of sending isolated two possible marginally successful strategies.
Party profiles on the web: an analysis of the logfiles of non-partisan interactive political internet sites in the 2003 and 2004 election campaigns in Belgium
Authors: Hooghe Marc , Teepe Wouter
Published: November 2007

During recent election campaigns non-partisan party profile websites (PPWs) have become hugely popular in various countries with multiparty systems, sometimes even attracting 25 percent of all voters. On these interactive websites, PPW users respond to policy questions, and their answers are used to calculate the distance between their own preferences and party agendas, resulting in an individualized `party profile'. PPWs can be seen as one of the few innovations in election campaigning that fully exploit the internet's interactive opportunities. The analysis in this article of the log files of 2003 and 2004 Belgian PPWs demonstrate that PPW users tend to be highly educated, male and young. Party and policy preferences of late PPW users (the final days before the elections) are not more crystallized than those of early PPW users (40 days before the elections). The article concludes with speculation on what this finding might reveal about campaign dynamics.
Reducing resistance against polio drops
Authors: Athar Ansari M. , Khan Z. , Khan I.M.
Published: November 2007

Aims: The present study was carried out to impart correct health education regarding polio eradication programme and to assess the impact of social mobilization of a Muslim community carried out by medical interns.

Methods: One round of a polio immunization campaign was selected randomly. Five highly resistant areas were included in the study. During house to house A-Team activity, teams of health workers visited the houses and resistant families were identified. These families refused to give polio drops to their children.

On the second day of A-Team activity, medical interns visited those identified resistant families. They imparted correct health education and tried to convince them to give polio drops. However, after prolonged persuasion, some of the families were not ready to give polio drops. These more resistant families were again visited by more motivated and enthusiastic teams during B-Team activity, started two to three days after the completion of A-Team activity. Data were collected, tabulated and analysed.

Results: Total number of resistant families identified during house to house A-Team activity was 1025 in five high risk areas of Aligarh, India. Out of 1025 resistant houses, 510 (49.76%) houses were converted to P houses where polio drops were given to the children. Five hundred and fifteen (50.24%) houses remained resistant even after social mobilization by A-Team members. These most resistant houses were again visited by B-team members. Out of these 515 houses, polio drops were administered in 303 (58.83%). The overall number of converted houses was 813 (79.32%) after A and B-team activities. 20.68% of families remained resistant and their children could not be given polio drops.

Conclusions: In all high risk areas, maximum numbers of resistant houses were converted to P houses. These families were persuaded and convinced by the teams of interns, social workers and influential persons that polio drops did not have any side effects. They were more receptive to the advice given by medical interns compared to other staff members of the Government District Hospital because of quality of health services provided to the community. There is a need to impart correct health education regarding importance of polio drops and routine immunization more vigorously through information, education and communication (IEC) activities.
Social support for stress prevention in hospital settings
Authors: Park Kyoung-Ok
Published: November 2007

Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of social support, interacting with work stressors, on psychological stress prevention in a public hospital, based on Karasek's demand-control-support (DCS) model.

Methods: A self-administered survey was conducted with 240 employees of a public hospital in the south-east of the United States. The survey asked for demographic information, details on job demands and job control as work stressors, social support, and depressive symptoms as the representative psychological stress symptoms.

Results: Social support was detected as a primary interpersonal positive factor buffering depressive symptoms. Social support was also related to job control and depressive symptoms in the simple correlation. Only the main effect model with general characteristics was significantly accepted in hierarchical regression analysis (p=.04).

High social support was associated with low depressive symptom scores, which means that social support had a positive association with health care employees' mental well being. However, any two-way or three-way interaction model was not accepted. The main effect part of the demand-control-support model was supported; however, interactions between demands, control, and support failed to be supported.
CSI: Death on site
Authors: Wan Kwok W.
Published: November 2007

Though it comes too late for the nine casualties of the eXplosion at a Glasgow plastics factory, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is finally on its way. Could your manager now face jail because you didn't follow the health and safety regulations? Kwok W Wan investigates what the Act could mean for occupational health and for health and safety professionals.
Making the move to a unified system of photometry
Authors: Rea M.S. , Bullough J.D.
Published: November 2007

As presently practiced and applied, photometry does not reflect the response of the human visual system at many light levels commonly used for nighttime lighting. Vision and photometry have never been synonymous, but this disconnect could obscure prudent light source specification for outdoor illumination. The unified system of photometry, which links photopic and scotopic luminous efficiency at nighttime light levels, provides a framework for communicating information about light sources considered for exterior lighting. Despite methodological differences, work from a recent research consortium closely matches the system of unified photometry and exactly matches its framework. This correspondence should encourage decision-making bodies as they move toward a consensus basis for specifying and communicating luminous quantities.
Mesopic visual efficiency I: detection threshold measurements
Authors: Freiding A. , Eloholma M. , Ketomäki J. , Halonen L. , Walkey H. , Goodman T. , Alferdinck J. , Várady G. , Bodrogi P.
Published: November 2007

Achromatic thresholds are measured at three sites to investigate the effects of light spectrum on achromatic detection thresholds in the mesopic region. The results of measurements using quasi-monochromatic targets reveal spectral sensitivity functions with two or three peaks, a so-called `chromatic effect' which is assumed to be due to the influence of the colour-opponent channels. This chromatic contribution seem to be less significant at lower luminances but it is accentuated for peripheral observation. Results obtained with broadband stimuli show that the contrast threshold, defined in terms of V(λ), is markedly higher for red targets than for other colours, particularly at lower light levels. For these broadband targets, contrast threshold values calculated using the new spectral sensitivity curves instead of V(λ) are in better agreement with the experimental results, particularly for the peripheral detection task.
Mesopic visual efficiency II: reaction time experiments
Authors: Walkey H. , Orreveteläinen P. , Barbur J. , Halonen L. , Goodman T. , Alferdinck J. , Freiding A. , Szalmás A.
Published: November 2007

Reaction times are recorded to chromatic, mesopic stimuli to investigate mesopic reaction time spectral sensitivity. Measurements are made using three laboratory setups and a driving simulator. The chromatic stimuli have spectral distributions that range from quasi-monochromatic to broadband. Reaction time spectral sensitivity for small (0.29°) foveal stimuli changes little with luminance and is described adequately by V (λ). Reaction time spectral sensitivity for peripheral stimuli exhibits a Purkinje shift, and approaches V ' (λ) at 0.01 cd m-2. In the periphery, the results for medium-sized stimuli (2°) reflect the activity of colour-opponent neurons in addition to rod and cone-based achromatic activity, resulting in three-peaked spectral sensitivity functions.
Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Exposure Therapy During Late Term Pregnancy
Authors: Twohig Michael P. , O'Donohue William T.
Published: November 2007

This paper illustrates the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with exposure therapy, on a woman who was in later term pregnancy. The client was successfully treated in 14 sessions with no reported complications to the health of the client or the fetus. Two-month follow-up data showed continued improvement on PTSD symptomatology. The delivery was without complications and the mother and the infant were in good health. Recommendations for treatment of pregnant clients are provided.
Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Treat Adolescent-Onset Bulimia Nervosa: A Case Study
Authors: Schapman-Williams Ann M. , Lock James
Published: November 2007

This case study describes the treatment of an adolescent female, referred to as Susan, who presented for evaluation at the Eating Disorders Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University. Susan presented with symptoms of body image disturbance, dietary restriction, binge eating, self-inducted vomiting, and overexercise, and was diagnosed with bulimia nervosa (BN). She was treated with 20 sessions of manualized cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for BN adjusted for adolescents. Susan's progress throughout treatment is detailed in this case study report. Results lend support to a scant body of case series studies attesting to the efficacy of CBT for use with adolescents with BN. Large-scale, randomized studies are needed to corroborate preliminary conclusions that have been promulgated in this case study.
Cognitive Therapy for Clinically Dysfunctional Anger: A Case Study
Authors: Dahlen Eric R.
Published: November 2007

This case study describes application of the cognitive therapy (CT) approach developed by Aaron T. Beck and colleagues to a young woman with clinically dysfunctional anger. Most anger management treatments are delivered in a highly structured, prescriptive, and didactic manner in which the therapist presents skills in a scripted sequence. CT's emphasis on collaborative empiricism and guided discovery provides an alternative approach to treating angry patients. Although group CT has received empirical support for the treatment of angry college students, little is known about the application of individualized CT to the treatment of problematic anger among community adults. A cognitive-behavioral conceptualization of maladaptive anger is provided, along with a discussion of assessment procedures, the course of treatment, and recommendations to clinicians.
Regulation of B-cell development by BCAP and CD19 through their binding to phosphoinositide 3-kinase
Authors: Aiba Yuichi , Kameyama Megumi , Yamazaki Tetsuo , Tedder Thomas F. , Kurosaki Tomohiro
Published: November 2007

Despite the importance of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in B-cell development, its activation mechanism still remains elusive. In this study, we show that deletion of both BCAP and CD19 leads to an almost complete block of BCR-mediated Akt activation and to severe defects in generation of immature and mature B cells. The YXXM motifs in BCAP and CD19 are crucial for regulating B-cell development in that mutation of these motifs abrogated their ability to induce BCR-mediated Akt activation as well as to promote B-cell development. Furthermore, the developmental defect in CD19−/−BCAP−/− B cells was partly relieved by introducing a constitutively active form of PI3K or PDK1. Together, our data suggest that BCAP and CD19 have complementary roles in BCR-mediated PI3K activation, thereby, at least in part, contributing to B-cell development.
Passive mechanical properties of human gastrocnemius muscle–tendon units, muscle fascicles and tendonsin vivo
Authors: Hoang P. D. , Herbert R. D. , Todd G. , Gorman R. B. , Gandevia S. C.
Published: November 2007

This study provides the first in vivo measures of the passive length–tension properties of relaxed human muscle fascicles and their tendons. A new method was used to derive passive length–tension properties of human gastrocnemius muscle–tendon units from measures of ankle stiffness obtained at a range of knee angles. Passive length–tension curves of the muscle–tendon unit were then combined with ultrasonographic measures of muscle fascicle length and pennation to determine passive length–tension curves of the muscle fascicles and tendons. Mean slack lengths of the fascicles, tendons and whole muscle–tendon units were 3.3±0.5 cm, 39.5±1.6 cm and 42.3±1.5 cm, respectively (means ± s.d., N=6). On average, the muscle–tendon units were slack (i.e. their passive tension was zero) over the shortest 2.3±1.2 cm of their range. With combined changes of knee and ankle angles, the maximal increase in length of the gastrocnemius muscle–tendon unit above slack length was 6.7±1.9 cm, of which 52.4±11.7% was due to elongation of the tendon. Muscle fascicles and tendons underwent strains of 86.4±26.8% and 9.2±4.1%, respectively, across the physiological range of lengths. We conclude that the relaxed human gastrocnemius muscle–tendon unit falls slack over about one-quarter of its in vivo length and that muscle fascicle strains are much greater than tendon strains. Nonetheless, because the tendons are much longer than the muscle fascicles, tendons contribute more than half of the total compliance of the muscle–tendon unit.
Phosducin interacts with the G-protein βγ-dimer of ciliate protozoanBlepharisma japonicumupon illumination
Authors: Sobierajska Katarzyna , Fabczak Hanna , Fabczak Stanislaw
Published: November 2007

Immunological techniques and high-resolution FRET analysis were employed to investigate the in vivo colocalization and interaction of phosducin(Pdc) with the βγ-subunits of G-protein (Gβγ) in the ciliate Blepharisma japonicum. Immunological techniques revealed that illumination of cells resulted in a decrease in phosphorylation levels of Pdc and its colocalization with Gβγ. The observed light-induced Pdc dephosphorylation was also accompanied by significant enhancement of Gβγ binding by this molecule. Possible formation of the Pdc–Gβγ complex in cells exposed to light was corroborated by FRET between these proteins. Treatment of cells with okadaic acid, an inhibitor of phosphatase activity, entirely prevented Pdc dephosphorylation by light, colocalization of this phosphoprotein with Gβγ and generation of the Pdc–Gβγ complex. Cell fractionation and immunoblotting revealed that in cells exposed to light, the formation of Pdc–Gβγ complex and its translocation into the cytoplasm occur simultaneously with a change in the gel migration of Gβ. Moreover, a 33 kDa immunoanalog of 14-3-3 protein was identified and we showed that this protein is bound by phosphorylated Pdc in a cell adapted to darkness. The results of this study provide additional detailed characterization of the functional properties of the ciliate Pdc. The likely functional role of Pdc in Blepharisma is discussed.
The flow generated by an active olfactory system of the red swamp crayfish
Authors: Denissenko P. , Lukaschuk S. , Breithaupt T.
Published: November 2007

Crayfish are nocturnal animals that mainly rely on their chemoreceptors to locate food. On a crayfish scale, chemical stimuli received from a distant source are dispersed by an ambient flow rather than molecular diffusion. When the flow is weak or absent, food searching can be facilitated by currents generated by the animal itself. Crayfish employ their anterior fan organs to produce a variety of flow patterns. Here we study the flow generated by Procambarus clarkii in response to odour stimulation. We found that while searching for food the crayfish generates one or two outward jets. These jets induce an inflow that draws odour to the crayfish's anterior chemoreceptors. We quantified velocity fields in the inflow region using Particle Image Velocimetry. The results show that the inflow velocity decreases proportionally to the inverse distance from the animal so that it takes about 100 s for an odour plume to reach the animal's chemoreceptors from a distance of 10 cm. We compare the inflow generated by live crayfish with that produced by a mechanical model. The model consists of two nozzles and an inlet and provides two jets and a sink so that the overall mass flux is zero. Use of the model enabled us to analyze the inflow at various jet parameters. We show that variation of directions and relative intensities of the jets allows the direction of odour attraction to be changed. These results provide a rationale for biomimetic robot design. We discuss sensitivity and efficiency of such a robot.
Burrowing in marine muds by crack propagation: kinematics and forces
Authors: Dorgan Kelly M. , Arwade Sanjay R. , Jumars Peter A.
Published: November 2007

The polychaete Nereis virens burrows through muddy sediments by exerting dorsoventral forces against the walls of its tongue-depressor-shaped burrow to extend an oblate hemispheroidal crack. Stress is concentrated at the crack tip, which extends when the stress intensity factor(KI) exceeds the critical stress intensity factor(KIc). Relevant forces were measured in gelatin, an analog for elastic muds, by photoelastic stress analysis, and were 0.015±0.001 N (mean ± s.d.; N=5). Measured elastic moduli (E) for gelatin and sediment were used in finite element models to convert the forces in gelatin to those required in muds to maintain the same body shapes observed in gelatin. The force increases directly with increasing sediment stiffness,and is 0.16 N for measured sediment stiffness of E=2.7×104 Pa. This measurement of forces exerted by burrowers is the first that explicitly considers the mechanical behavior of the sediment. Calculated stress intensity factors fall within the range of critical values for gelatin and exceed those for sediment, showing that crack propagation is a mechanically feasible mechanism of burrowing. The pharynx extends anteriorly as it everts, extending the crack tip only as far as the anterior of the worm, consistent with wedge-driven fracture and drawing obvious parallels between soft-bodied burrowers and more rigid, wedge-shaped burrowers (i.e. clams). Our results raise questions about the reputed high energetic cost of burrowing and emphasize the need for better understanding of sediment mechanics to quantify external energy expenditure during burrowing.
Automatic aeroelastic devices in the wings of a steppe eagleAquila nipalensis
Authors: Carruthers Anna C. , Thomas Adrian L. R. , Taylor Graham K.
Published: November 2007

Here we analyse aeroelastic devices in the wings of a steppe eagle Aquila nipalensis during manoeuvres. Chaotic deflections of the upperwing coverts observed using video cameras carried by the bird (50 frames s–1) indicate trailing-edge separation but attached flow near the leading edge during flapping and gust response, and completely stalled flows upon landing. The underwing coverts deflect automatically along the leading edge at high angle of attack. We use high-speed digital video (500 frames s–1) to analyse these deflections in greater detail during perching sequences indoors and outdoors. Outdoor perching sequences usually follow a stereotyped three-phase sequence comprising a glide, pitch-up manoeuvre and deep stall. During deep stall, the spread-eagled bird has aerodynamics reminiscent of a cross-parachute. Deployment of the underwing coverts is closely phased with wing sweeping during the pitch-up manoeuvre,and is accompanied by alula protraction. Surprisingly, active alula protraction is preceded by passive peeling from its tip. Indoor flights follow a stereotyped flapping perching sequence, with deployment of the underwing coverts closely phased with alula protraction and the end of the downstroke. We propose that the underwing coverts operate as an automatic high-lift device, analogous to a Kruger flap. We suggest that the alula operates as a strake, promoting formation of a leading-edge vortex on the swept hand-wing when the arm-wing is completely stalled, and hypothesise that its active protraction is stimulated by its initial passive deflection. These aeroelastic devices appear to be used for flow control to enhance unsteady manoeuvres, and may also provide sensory feedback.
Olfactory sensitivity for putrefaction-associated thiols and indols in three species of non-human primate
Authors: Laska Matthias , Bautista Rosa Mariela Rivas , Höfelmann Daniela , Sterlemann Vera , Salazar Laura Teresa Hernandez
Published: November 2007

Using a conditioning paradigm, the olfactory sensitivity of four spider monkeys, three squirrel monkeys and three pigtail macaques to four thiols and two indols, substances characteristic of putrefaction processes and faecal odours, was assessed. With all odorants, the animals significantly discriminated concentrations below 1 p.p.m. (part per million) from the odourless solvent, and in several cases individual animals even demonstrated thresholds below 1 p.p.t. (part per trillion). The detection thresholds of 0.03 p.p.t. for indol in Saimiri sciureus and Macaca nemestrina and 0.96 p.p.t. for ethanethiol in Ateles geoffroyirepresent the lowest values among the more than 50 odorants tested so far with these species and are in the same order of magnitude as the lowest detection thresholds reported so far in the rat and the mouse. The results showed (a)all three species of non-human primate to have a highly developed olfactory sensitivity for putrefaction-associated odorants, and (b) a significant correlation between perceptibility in terms of olfactory detection threshold and carbon chain length of the thiols, and a marked effect of the presence vs absence of a methyl group on perceptibility of the indols tested in two of the three species. The results support the hypotheses that (a)between-species differences in neuroanatomical or genetic features may not be indicative of olfactory sensitivity, and (b) within-species differences in olfactory sensitivity may reflect differences in the behavioural relevance of odorants.
Finite element modelling of piston-ring dynamics and blow-by estimation in a four-cylinder diesel engine
Authors: Kurbet S N , Kumar R Krishna
Published: November 2007

This paper presents the results of the simulation of piston-ring behaviour in a four-cylinder diesel internal combustion engine, using explicit finite element analysis. The finite element model consists of piston, piston rings, liners, connecting rods, and a crankshaft. The gas pressure and temperature are taken into account for the simulation. The mass flow is solved by using the explicit finite difference scheme. The ring geometry, its assembly load, and its mechanical and thermal properties are properly accounted for in the simulation. The ring dynamics are greatly influenced by the piston secondary motions that depend upon the piston geometry, piston pin offset, its centre-of-gravity location, and piston-liner clearance. The ring motions in the axial and radial directions are monitored; various gap areas are calculated to estimate the blow-by and compared with the experimental results. The mass flowrate obtained from the model agrees with the experimental values. The information obtained from the analysis serves as an input for piston and ring design and their development.
Steady turning of motorcycles
Authors: Cossalter V , Lot R , Peretto M
Published: November 2007

When driving along a circular path, the rider controls a motorcycle mainly by the steering torque. If the steering torque is low and the vehicle is moderately over-steering, a good handling feeling is perceived by the rider. In this paper, non-linear steady turning results are analysed over a wide range of forward speeds and lateral accelerations, and different ‘driving zones’ are identified by considering the steering torque transition speeds and steering angle critical speed. A parametric linear model of steady turning, concerning both the steering torque and the steering angle, is developed and simple parametric expressions of transition speeds and the critical speed are obtained. Steady turning tests involving different motorcycles are presented, the transition speeds and critical speed are found by linear fitting, and the characteristics of the different driving zones are investigated. The primary purpose is to determine the conditions at which the operational safety and handling of the vehicle do not impose severe demands on rider skill for control and adequate path-following properties, i.e. to identify a ‘preferable driving zone’.
Investigations of fuel injection strategy for cold starting direct-injection diesel engines
Authors: Brown N , Gupta V , Rocca A La , Shayler P J , Murphy M , Pegg I , Watts M
Published: November 2007

The introduction of high-pressure common-rail fuel injection systems for diesel engines has given much greater electronic control over the patterns of fuel injection. Fuel delivery per cycle can be split into several small injections. The effect of the number, proportionate size and timing of these on work output per cycle and cycle-by-cycle variability under cold-start conditions has been investigated experimentally. High work output and low variability are consistent with short repeatable start times. Fuel per cycle has been delivered in one, two, or three injections. The injection timing and quantity of each part were varied. Cold tests were carried out at an engine soak temperature of −10 °C and engine speed was motored up to 300 r/min before enabling fuelling. The average gross indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) of the first five fuelled engine cycles was recorded as the prime measure of quality. Splitting the injection into two parts maximizes the IMEP produced on firing cycles; a three-part split confers no additional advantage. The timing and separation of the injections strongly influence the probability that non-firing cycles occur and in turn this strongly influences average IMEP values.
Improvement of startability of direct-injection diesel engines by oxygen-enriched intake air
Authors: Xiao G-F , Qiao X-Q , Huang Z , Chen Z-P
Published: November 2007

The startability of diesel engines degrades as the ambient temperature falls, in particular, to the borderline or lower temperature. The essential cause is the deterioration of in-cylinder combustion resulting from worsening of combustion conditions. A membrane-based oxygen-enriched intake air (OEA) method is proposed to improve in-cylinder combustion and then to reduce exhaust emissions during the start-up process. This paper investigates the effects of OEA on startability and exhaust emission behaviour during the engine start-up. The experiments were carried out on a direct-injection diesel engine. A membrane-based oxygen-enrichment system was constructed to supply the test engine with intake air containing 21 vol %, 23 vol %, 25 vol %, and 27 vol % oxygen respectively. The in-cylinder pressure, instantaneous engine speed, and time-resolved engine-out emissions were recorded and compared for the OEA and the baseline methods (ambient air (AA), 21 vol % oxygen). The results show that, at the high intake air temperature (26 °C), the engine could start smoothly. When the intake air temperature fell to the borderline temperature (5 °C), the startability significantly degraded, in-cylinder incomplete combustion was evident during the initial stage of start-up, and the start-up time increased. With OEA at 5 °C, the startability was markedly improved, and the engine experienced fewer cycles than those at the same intake air temperature with AA before it reached idle operation. With OEA, the engine-out hydrocarbon, CO, and smoke emissions throughout the whole start-up process were all reduced considerably, but NO x emissions evidently increased.
Poly(adp-ribose) Polymerase-1 Regulates Tracp Gene Promoter Activity During RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Beranger Guillaume E , Momier David , Rochet Nathalie , Carle Georges F , Scimeca Jean-Claude
Published: November 2007

The Tracp gene encodes an acid phosphatase strongly upregulated during osteoclastogenesis on RANKL treatment. Using the mouse osteoclastic model RAW264.7, we studied Tracp gene expression, and we identified PARP-1 as a transcriptional repressor negatively regulated by RANKL during osteoclastogenesis.

Introduction: The Tracp gene encodes an acid phosphatase strongly expressed in differentiated osteoclasts. TRACP enzyme has a dual role and is involved in (1) the regulation of the biological activity of the bone matrix phosphoproteins osteopontin and bone sialoprotein and (2) the intracellular collagen degradation. Based on our previous work on Tcirg1 gene expression, and using data available in the literature, we focused on a 200-bp sequence located upstream the Tracp gene transcriptional start to identify binding activities.

Materials and Methods: We first performed siRNA transfections and RAW264.7 cell treatment with an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity. After EMSA and supershift experiments, we measured the promoter activity of wildtype and mutant constructs throughout the osteoclastic differentiation.

Results: We first showed that depleting PARP-1 mRNA in the pre-osteoclastic cell line RAW264.7 results in an increase of both matrix metalloproteinase 9 and TRACP mRNA expression (3.5- and 2.5-fold, respectively). Moreover, in response to 3-aminobenzamide treatment, we measured a weak stimulation of MMP9 mRNA expression, whereas up to a 2-fold enhancement above the control condition of TRACP mRNA expression was observed. We next identified in the −839/−639 Tracp promoter region a PARP-1 binding site, and supershift experiments showed the interaction of a PARP-1 binding activity with the Tracp promoter sequence −830/−808. Finally, RAW264.7 cell transfection with a promoter construct mutated for this PARP-1 interacting sequence showed the functionality of this site within intact pre-osteoclastic cells.

Conclusions: In this study, we provide evidence that the transcriptional activity of the Tracp gene, in pre-osteoclastic cells, is negatively regulated by the binding of PARP-1 protein to a potential consensus sequence located in its promoter region. Taken together with our previous results related to the control of Tcirg1 gene expression, our data suggest that PARP-1 exerts a pivotal role in the basal repression of genes that are upregulated during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.
Does Racial Bias in Sentencing Contribute to Indigenous Overrepresentation in Prison?
Authors: Snowball Lucy , Weatherburn Don
Published: November 2007

The possibility of racial bias in the criminal justice system is a recurring concern in Australia, as it is in other countries with high rates of minority overrepresentation in prison. In this country, however, very little research has been conducted on racial bias in sentencing. This article reports the results of a logistic regression analysis designed to test for racial bias in the sentencing of Indigenous adult offenders. Our results show that the unadjusted risk of imprisonment is much higher for Indigenous than for non-Indigenous offenders but this effect progressively diminishes as more sentence-relevant factors are taken into account. Indigenous status remains a significant predictor of imprisonment when all measured legal factors have been taken into account but in the median case the difference between Indigenous and non- Indigenous offenders in the risk of imprisonment is less than one percentage point. Sentencing courts were found to place less weight on the prior criminal record of an Indigenous offender than on the prior criminal record of a non-Indigenous offender. The implications of the study for future research and policy are discussed.
Optimal Algorithmic Cooling of Spins
Authors: Elias Yuval , Fernandez José M. , Mor Tal , Weinstein Yossi
Published: November 2007

Algorithmic cooling (AC)is a recent spin‐cooling approach that employs entropy compression methods inopen systems. AC reduces the entropy of spins on suitable molecules beyond Shannon's bound on the degree of entropy compression by reversible manipulations. Remarkably, AC makes use of thermalization, a generally destructive facet of spin systems, as an integral part of the cooling scheme. AC is capable of cooling spins to very low temperatures and provides significant cooling for molecules containing as few as 5–7 spins. Application of AC to slightly larger molecules could lead to breakthroughs in high‐sensitivity NMR spectroscopy in the near future. Furthermore, AC may be germane to the development of scalable NMR quantum computers. We introduce here a new practicable algorithm, “PAC3”, and several new exhaustive cooling algorithms, such as the Tribonacci andk‐bonacci algorithms. In particular, we present the “all‐bonacci” algorithm, which appears to reach the maximal degree of cooling obtainable by the optimal AC approach. AC is potentially beneficial for NMR‐derived biomedical applications, which involve bio‐molecules with isotope enrichments, such as13C‐ and15N‐labeled amino acids. We briefly survey AC experiments, including a recent 3‐spin experiment in which Shannon's bound was bypassed. The difficulties associated with cooling molecules bearing a greater number of spins are explained. Finally, the potential of selected cooling algorithms (practicable, exhaustive, and optimal algorithms) is illustrated with regard to a highly relevant bio‐medical target—13C‐labeled glucose.
Incidência de tuberculose e taxa de cura, Brasil, 2000 a 2004
Authors: Bierrenbach Ana Luiza , Gomes Adriana Bacelar Ferreira , Noronha Elza Ferreira , Souza Maria de Fátima Marinho de
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Descrever a distribuição geográfica da incidência de tuberculose, a partir de um conjunto de indicadores epidemiológicos e operacionais de dados de notificação oficial. MÉTODOS: Dados sobre incidência de tuberculose foram coletados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, após processo de pareamento e depuração de registros repetidos. As taxas de incidência de tuberculose foram calculadas segundo unidade geográfica, grupo etário, sexo, forma clínica e regime de tratamento, e padronizadas para a distribuição etária da população com base no Censo de 2000. RESULTADOS: Em 2004, o Brasil apresentou taxa de incidência de 41/100.000 habitantes, com 74.540 casos novos notificados. Desses, 52,8% eram casos pulmonares com baciloscopia positiva, 24,1% estavam em tratamento supervisionado, 63,5% eram provenientes de capitais ou das regiões metropolitanas e 54,9% eram casos curados. Excluindo-se os registros sem preenchimento da variável de desfecho, a proporção de cura alcançou 72,4% para casos novos, 47% para casos novos HIV positivos, 64,9% para recidivas, 64,5% transferências e 40% para reingressos após abandono. A taxa de cura para os casos novos em tratamento supervisionado foi de 77,1%. A proporção de registros sem informação sobre desfecho foi maior em anos mais recentes. CONCLUSÕES: Houve extensas diferenças estaduais em relação à incidência e às categorias de desfecho. Para alcançar a meta de 85% de cura para casos novos e aumentar a cura dos casos HIV positivos e reingressos são necessários esforços adicionais por parte do Programa Nacional de Controle da Tuberculose, incluindo a expansão da estratégia de tratamento diretamente supervisionado.
Efeito da remoção de notificações repetidas sobre a incidência da tuberculose no Brasil
Authors: Bierrenbach Ana Luiza , Stevens Antony Peter , Gomes Adriana Bacelar Ferreira , Noronha Elza Ferreira , Glatt Ruth , Carvalho Carolina Novaes , Oliveira Junior João Gregório de , Souza Maria de Fátima Marinho de
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto nas taxas de incidência de tuberculose com a exclusão de registros indevidamente repetidos no sistema de notificação. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação do Ministério da Saúde, referentes ao período de 2000 a 2004. Os registros repetidos foram identificados por pareamento probabilístico e classificados em seis categorias excludentes que determinaram suas remoções, vinculações ou permanências na base. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que 73,7% das notificações eram únicas, 18,9% formavam duplas, 4,7% triplas e 2,7% grupos de quatro ou mais registros. Dentre os registros repetidos, 47,3% foram classificados como transferência entre unidades de saúde, 23,6% reingresso, 16,4% duplicidade verdadeira, 10% recidiva, 2,5% foram inconclusivos e 0,2% tinham dados incompletos. Essas percentagens variaram entre estados. A exclusão de registros indevidamente repetidos resultou em redução na taxa de incidência por 100.000 habitantes de 6,1% em 2000 (de 44 para 41,3), 8,3% em 2001 (de 44,5 para 40,8), 9,4% em 2002 (de 45,8 para 41,5), 9,2% em 2003 (de 46,9 para 42,6) e 8,4% em 2004 (de 45,4 para 41,6). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que as taxas observadas de incidência de tuberculose representem estimativas mais próximas do que seriam os valores reais do que as obtidas com a base em seu estado bruto, tanto em nível nacional como estadual. A prática de pareamento de registros de notificação de tuberculose deve ser estimulada e mantida para melhoria da qualidade dos dados de notificação.
Estratégias de controle da tuberculose no Brasil: articulação e participação da sociedade civil
Authors: Santos Filho Ezio Távora dos , Gomes Zaïra Machado dos Santos
Published: November 2007

Apesar dos últimos anos não registrarem mudanças significativas nos indicadores da tuberculose no Brasil, há clara modificação no cenário político do enfrentamento dessa doença, no qual se destaca o aparecimento da sociedade civil. São feitas considerações sobre as condições que contribuíram para o seu aparecimento, tais como a origem, a composição, as ações, os parceiros e as perspectivas da mobilização social. Em função de iniciativas para o controle da tuberculose no âmbito internacional e de empreendimentos para incentivar a mobilização social nos níveis estaduais e municipais, o governo federal passou a imprimir uma política mais consistente e coerente, passando também a incluir a sociedade civil em suas ações. Mesmo sendo um ator reconhecido pelo poder público e considerado estratégico para o êxito das ações de controle da tuberculose, a participação comunitária requer incentivos e apoio constante de outros setores.
Padrões de adoecimento e de morte da população brasileira: os renovados desafios para o Sistema Único de Saúde
Authors: Barreto Mauricio Lima , Carmo Eduardo Hage
Published: November 2007

No século XX, o Brasil passou por intensas transformações na sua estrutura populacional e no padrão de morbi-mortalidade. Este estudo tem o objetivo de apresentar uma reflexão sobre os grandes problemas de saúde enfrentados pela população brasileira neste momento contemporâneo. Dentre as principais causas de óbito e internações estão as doenças crônico-degenerativas, os acidentes e as diversas formas de violência. Entretanto, as doenças infecciosas ainda se apresentam como problemas importantes de morbidade. A falta de solução para problemas estruturais e básicos, a manutenção de condições e modo de vida inadequados, a insuficiência dos mecanismos que regulam os danos ao meio ambiente ocasionam riscos à saúde que se superpõem, em vez de se sucederem. Essa superposição implica na manutenção de uma alta carga de morbidade e mortalidade na população que se mantém ao longo dos anos. A redução desta carga representa um desafio para a definição de políticas de saúde. Portanto, é importante enfatizar a necessidade de ações multissetoriais para a prevenção e controle das doenças e do sofrimento humano e para dar a cada indivíduo a garantia de atingir a sua plenitude física e mental. Estas ações devem integrar não só o setor saúde, como também políticas econômicas e sociais.
A saúde na agenda pública: convergências e lacunas nas pautas de debate e programas de trabalho das instituições governamentais e movimentos sociais
Authors: Bahia Ligia , Costa Nilson Rosario , Stralen Cornelis van
Published: November 2007

Este trabalho, com base na consulta a informações sobre as pautas de debate e trabalho e de instituições públicas e movimentos sociais selecionados, identifica subtemas prioritários e estratégias de ação que conformam a agenda da saúde. Detalham-se convergências e dissintonias entre as proposições, concepções e linhas de ação de distintos agentes, bem como contradições da dinâmica dos movimentos sociais e conselhos de saúde. As reflexões sobre as afinidades e lacunas das agendas investigadas, por um lado, sinalizam por um lado a consolidação e preponderância da saúde para o país; por outro, questionam as perspectivas de mudança dos padrões que estruturaram o sistema de saúde brasileiro. A partir dessas interrogações, são apresentados quatro desafios à implementação do SUS.
Configuração institucional e gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde: problemas e desafios
Authors: Paim Jairnilson Silva , Teixeira Carmen Fontes
Published: November 2007

O trabalho analisa a problemática da "institucionalidade" do SUS, destacando alguns nós críticos a serem enfrentados para a retomada do projeto da Reforma Sanitária Brasileira. A reflexão diz respeito à configuração institucional do SUS, abarcando também aspectos relativos ao processo de condução político-gerencial do sistema, parte da cultura organizacional do Estado brasileiro, patrimonialista, autoritário, burocrático e colonizado por interesses privados. Descreve um conjunto de problemas, como o "engessamento" da gestão, por conta das limitações legais estabelecidas em função da política econômica, a exemplo da Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal, a inadequação das "alternativas" subsidiárias das reformas gerencialistas, que geram a fragmentação do processo de gestão, e o marcado amadorismo conseqüente à insuficiência de quadros profissionalizados, reprodução de práticas clientelistas e corporativas na indicação de ocupantes dos cargos de direção em todos os níveis. São apresentados argumentos favoráveis à introdução e consolidação de inovações institucionais, a exemplo das fundações estatais de direito privado e discute-se estratégias de fortalecimento da capacidade de governo das instituições gestoras do SUS, em particular a profissionalização da gestão e a formação profissional nesta área.
Modelos de gestão e o SUS
Authors: Ibañez Nelson , Vecina Neto Gonzalo
Published: November 2007

O recente documento do Ministério do Planejamento sobre Fundações Públicas (2005) e a crise da área hospitalar colocaram novamente na agenda do SUS a questão dos modelos de gestão pública. O objetivo deste artigo é situar no contexto das reformas de estado pensadas na década de 90 para o Brasil, as propostas de mudança dos modelos de gestão da administração pública, com foco no processo de implementação do SUS. Essa abordagem trata em primeiro lugar da personalidade jurídica das organizações de saúde na esfera estatal, conceituando o público a partir de seus objetivos; em segundo, discute o contexto as reformas de estado e as mudanças propostas para a administração pública. Os autores entendem que critérios e parâmetros para avaliação institucional devem contemplar quatro aspectos: subordinação à política de saúde; legalidade; eficiência gerencial e capacidade de controle. A partir do quadro de referencia geral elaborou-se uma análise comparativa em relação à proposta das fundações públicas de direito privado. Na análise comparativa das características desse tipo de entidade proposta para gestão hospitalar, observam-se semelhanças com a proposta de Organizações Sociais. Fundação Estatal e Contrato de Gestão podem ser vistos como modelos que possibilitam modernizar o Estado, além de re-introduzirem o tema da reforma hospitalar na agenda governamental brasileira.
O SUS entre a tradição dos Sistemas Nacionais e o modo liberal-privado para organizar o cuidado à saúde
Authors: Campos Gastão Wagner de Sousa
Published: November 2007

Este ensaio analisa elementos da história do SUS, buscando compreender os efeitos de duas fortes tradições sobre o modo para organizar o cuidado em saúde: a liberal-privatista e a dos sistemas nacionais e públicos de saúde. Procura caracterizar também a atuação de alguns atores sociais, com destaque para o movimento sanitário.
Impact of contaminant mass reduction in residuum sediments on dissolved concentrations in underlying aquifer
Authors: Kresic N. , Mikszewski A. , Manuszak J. , Kavanaugh M.C.
Published: November 2007

Contamination of aquifers in many cases occurs because of the downward migration of contaminants from the land surface through the vadose zone, including through residuum sediments in case of fractured or karst aquifers. It is therefore critically important to characterize and model fate and transport of contaminants in both the vadose zone/residuum and the underlying saturated zone as part of remedial design for aquifer restoration. Residuum sediments usually contain a significant fraction of clay minerals and fluid flow is often predominantly in vertical direction. Groundwater modeling is useful when evaluating alternatives of contaminant mass removal in the vadose zone/residuum and their impact on the downgradient dissolved concentrations in the underlying aquifer. Two case studies illustrate applicability of such modeling. The first study includes modeling of the expected natural longevity of a residual DNAPL mass accumulation in the saturated residuum, and its comparison to the effects of remedial DNAPL mass removal. The second study includes modeling contaminant transport from a residual DNAPL source within the vadose zone to the saturated zone in the residuum and the underlying bedrock aquifer. The natural longevity of the unsaturated DNAPL source is modeled, focusing on resulting down-gradient concentrations in the residuum and bedrock aquifer. For comparison, two remedial actions are simulated; 90% mass removal and soil flushing.