bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Capture Assays for Different Modifications of Human Low-Density Lipoprotein
Authors: Virella Gabriel , Derrick M. Brooks , Pate Virginia , Chassereau Charlyne , Thorpe Suzanne R. , Lopes-Virella Maria F.
Published: January 2005

Antibodies to malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL), copper-oxidized LDL (oxLDL),
N
ε
(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML)-modified LDL, and advanced glycosylation end product (AGE)-modified LDL were obtained by immunization of rabbits with in vitro-modified human LDL preparations. After absorption of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) antibodies, we obtained antibodies specific for each modified lipoprotein with unique patterns of reactivity. MDA-LDL antibodies reacted strongly with MDA-LDL and also with oxLDL. CML-LDL antibodies reacted strongly with CML-LDL and also AGE-LDL. oxLDL antibodies reacted with oxLDL but not with MDA-LDL, and AGE-LDL antibodies reacted with AGE-LDL but not with CML-LDL. Capture assays were set with each antiserum, and we tested their ability to capture ApoB-containing lipoproteins isolated from precipitated immune complexes (IC) and from the supernatants remaining after IC precipitation (free lipoproteins). All antibodies captured lipoproteins contained in IC more effectively than free lipoproteins. Analysis of lipoproteins in IC by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that they contained MDA-LDL and CML-LDL in significantly higher concentrations than free lipoproteins. A significant correlation (
r
= 0.706,
P
< 0.019) was obtained between the MDA concentrations determined by chemical analysis and by the capture assay of lipoproteins present in IC. In conclusion, we have developed capture assays for different LDL modifications in human ApoB/E lipoprotein-rich fractions isolated from precipitated IC. This approach obviates the interference of IC in previously reported modified LDL assays and allows determination of the degree of modification of LDL with greater accuracy.
Memory Responses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Individuals with Long-Term Viral Load Suppression Are Independent of CD4 Cell Nadir
Authors: Kolber Michael A. , Saenz Maria O. , Kaul Sameer
Published: January 2005

The persistence of memory responses in suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been an area of controversy. By using a previously described proliferation assay that augments specific responses, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 61 human immunodeficiency virus type 1-seropositive individuals with CD4 counts of >300/mm
3
and suppressed viral burdens were studied for response to p24 antigen as a function of time of viral load suppression on HAART. In the majority of cases, proliferative responses could be measured in PBL from patients with plasma viral load suppression. No differences could be found in proliferative responses from PBL between individuals with a low and those with a high CD4 cell nadir. PBL that did not respond to either Casta antigen or p24 were found to have a higher percentage of naïve cells than did PBL that responded well to antigen. These data support the contention that, after long-term viral load suppression, PBL from infected individuals have memory cell populations that can respond to antigenic stimulation under inducible conditions.
Seroprevalence of
Helicobacter pylori
Infection in Urban and Rural Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Thi Thu Ha , Bengtsson Carina , Phung Dac Cam , Sörberg Mikael , Granström Marta
Published: January 2005

Helicobacter pylori
-associated diseases, such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer, are common in Vietnam, but the prevalence of the infection is largely unknown. A validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for seroepidemiology with 971 samples from the general population, ages 0 to 88 years, with 546 samples from an urban population (Hanoi), and with 425 samples from a poor, rural province (Hatay). The overall seroprevalence of the infection was 746 per 1,000, with a prevalence of 788 per 1,000 in Hanoi and 692 per 1,000 in Hatay (
P
= 0.0007). The risk for infection in the rural area of Hatay was 40% lower than in the urban population of Hanoi, with the odds ratio being 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 0.81). The study shows that the prevalence of
H. pylori
infection is high in Vietnam and especially high in a large urban area, such as the city of Hanoi.
Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Monoclonal Antibodies againstStaphylococcus epidermidisRP62A Accumulation-Associated Protein
Authors: Sun Daqian , Accavitti M. A. , Bryers J. D.
Published: January 2005

Staphylococcus epidermidisexpresses a 140-kDa cell wall-bound protein accumulation-associated protein (AAP) to adhere to and accumulate as a biofilm on a surface. Potentially blocking AAP with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) could reduce or eliminateS. epidermidisbacterial colonization of biomedical devices. Here, we report on our efforts to (i) isolate AAP, (ii) generate MAbs against AAP, and (iii) determine the efficacy of MAbs to inhibitS. epidermidisbiofilm formation. An M7S. epidermidismutant, reportedly deficient in AAP expression, was used as a negative control. Postinoculation murine sera, containing polyclonal antibodies against AAP, were able to reduceS. epidermidisbiofilm formation by 54%. Select MAbs against AAP were able to reduceS. epidermidisby no more than 66%. Two MAb mixtures, 12C6/12A1 and 3C1/12A1, reducedS. epidermidisaccumulation up to 79 and 87%, respectively, significantly more than individual MAbs. Contrary to a previous report, biofilm-deficientS. epidermidismutant M7 expressed a 200-kDa protein on its cell wall that specifically bound AAP MAbs. Peptide characterization of this M7 protein by microcapillary reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography-nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry resulted in 53% homology with AAP. Ongoing studies will elucidate the dynamic expression of AAP and the M7 200-kDa protein in order to define their roles in biofilm formation.
Cyclophilin A Is Localized to the Nucleus and Controls Meiosis in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Arévalo-Rodríguez Miguel , Heitman Joseph
Published: January 2005

Cyclophilin A is conserved from yeast to humans and mediates the ability of cyclosporine to perturb signal transduction cascades via inhibition of calcineurin. Cyclophilin A also catalyzes
cis
-
trans
peptidyl-prolyl isomerization during protein folding or conformational changes; however, cyclophilin A is not essential in yeast or human cells, and the true biological functions of this highly conserved enzyme have remained enigmatic. In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, cyclophilin A becomes essential in cells compromised for the nuclear prolyl-isomerase Ess1, and cyclophilin A physically interacts with two nuclear histone deacetylase complexes, Sin3-Rpd3 and Set3C, which both control meiosis. Here we show that cyclophilin A is localized to the nucleus in yeast cells and governs the meiotic gene program to promote efficient sporulation. The prolyl-isomerase activity of cyclophilin A is required for this meiotic function. We document that cyclophilin A physically associates with the Set3C histone deacetylase and analyze in detail the structure of this protein-protein complex. Genetic studies support a model in which cyclophilin A controls meiosis via Set3C and an additional target. Our findings reveal a novel nuclear role for cyclophilin A in governing the transcriptional program required for the vegetative to meiotic developmental switch in budding yeast.
The Parasitophorous Vacuole Membrane ofEncephalitozoon cuniculiLacks Host Cell Membrane Proteins Immediately after Invasion
Authors: Fasshauer Verena , Gross Uwe , Bohne Wolfgang
Published: January 2005

Microsporidia of the genusEncephalitozoondevelop inside a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) of unknown origin. Using colocalization studies, the PV was found to be absent from the endocytic pathway markers early endosomal autoantigen 1, transferrin receptor, and lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 and for the endoplasmic reticulum marker calnexin. The nonfusiogenic characteristic of the PV appears to be acquired as early as 1 min postinfection and is not reversed by drug treatment with albendazole or fumagillin.
THE EFFECTS OF BORON CONTENT IN THE TARGET OF PULSED LASER DEPOSITION ON THE PROPERTIES OF BORON DOPED AMORPHOUS CARBON THIN FILMS
Authors: RUSOP M. , TIAN X. M. , KINUGAWA T. , SOGA T. , JIMBO T. , UMENO M.
Published: January 2005

The effects of boron content in camphoric carbon (CC) and graphite target of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) prepared in vacuum at room temperature on the properties of boron doped amorphous carbon (a-C:B) thin films has been studied. Deposited a-C:B films have been investigated using standard measurement techniques and the effects of B weight percentages (Bwt%) in the target are discussed. The variation of surface morphology, bonding and structural properties, as well as the optical gap (Eg) and electrical resistivity (ρ) of a-C:B films deposited using a CC target are related to the successful doping of B for low B content in the amorphous carbon (a-C) films as the structure and Eg remain almost unchanged, and the ρ decreased for the film deposited using graphite target with B powder up to 10 Bwt%. Since both Eg and ρ decreased sharply with higher Bwt%, this phenomenon may be due to graphitization. For a-C:B films deposited using graphite target with low B content at 1 and 3 Bwt%, as the Eg is observed to increase only slightly when compared with undoped a-C films and with the decrease of ρ, we speculated that the B incorporation induced successful of doping is responsible for the decrease in ρ.
INFORMATION-THEORETIC DATA-HIDING: RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPEN PROBLEMS
Authors: VOLOSHYNOVSKIY SVIATOSLAV , DEGUILLAUME FREDERIC , KOVAL OLEKSIY , PUN THIERRY
Published: January 2005

In this paper we introduce and develop a framework for visual data-hiding technologies that aim at resolving emerging problems of modern multimedia networking. First, we introduce the main open issues of public network security, quality of services control and secure communications. Secondly, we formulate digital data-hiding into visual content as communications with side information and advocate an appropriate information-theoretic framework for the analysis of different data-hiding methods in various applications. In particular, Gel'fand-Pinsker channel coding with side information at the encoder and Wyner-Ziv source coding with side information at the decoder are used for this purpose. Finally, we demonstrate the possible extensions of this theory for watermark-assisted multimedia processing and indicate its perspectives for distributed communications.
DWT-BASED VIDEO DATA HIDING ROBUST TO MPEG COMPRESSION AND FRAME LOSS
Authors: LIU HONGMEI , HUANG JIWU , SHI YUN Q.
Published: January 2005

In this paper, we propose a blind video data-hiding algorithm in DWT (discrete wavelet transform) domain. It embeds multiple information bits into uncompressed video sequences. The major features of this algorithm are as follows. (1) Development of a novel embedding strategy in DWT domain. Different from the existing schemes based on DWT that have explicitly excluded the LL subband coefficients from data embedding, we embed data in the LL subband for better invisibility and robustness. The underlying idea comes from our qualitative and quantitative analysis of the DWT coefficients magnitude distribution over commonly used images. The experimental results confirm the superiority of the proposed embedding strategy. (2) To combat temporal attacks, which will destroy the synchronization of hidden data that is necessary in data retrieval, we develop an effective temporal synchronization technique. Compared with the sliding correlation proposed in the existing algorithms, our synchronization technique is more advanced. (3) We adopt a new 3D interleaving technique to combat bursts of errors, while reducing random error probabilities in data detection by exploiting ECC (error correcting coding). The detection error rate with 3D interleaving is much lower than that without 3D interleaving when frame loss rate is below 50%. (4) Take a carefully designed measure in bit embedding to guarantee the invisibility of information. In experiments, we can embed a string of 402 bytes (excluding the redundant bits associated with ECC) in 96 frames of the CIF format sequence. The experimental results have demonstrated that the embedded information bits are perceptually transparent when the frames in the sequence are viewed either as still images or played continuously. The hidden information is robust to manipulations, such as MPEG-2 compression, scaling, additive random noise, and frame loss.
A CRYPTO SIGNATURE SCHEME FOR IMAGE AUTHENTICATION OVER WIRELESS CHANNEL
Authors: SUN QIBIN , YE SHUIMING , LIN CHING-YUNG , CHANG SHIH-FU
Published: January 2005

With the ambient use of digital images and the increasing concern on their integrity and originality, consumers are facing an emergent need of authenticating degraded images despite lossy compression and packet loss. In this paper, we propose a scheme to meet this need by incorporating watermarking solution into traditional cryptographic signature scheme to make the digital signatures robust to these image degradations. Due to the unpredictable degradations, the pre-processing and block shuffling techniques are applied onto the image at the signing end to stabilize the feature extracted at the verification end. The proposed approach is compatible with traditional cryptographic signature scheme except that the original image needs to be watermarked in order to guarantee the robustness of its derived digital signature. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this proposed scheme through practical experimental results.
INJECTIVE OBJECTS IN TRIANGULATED CATEGORIES
Authors: GARKUSHA GRIGORY , PREST MIKE
Published: January 2005

Given a compactly generated triangulated category [Formula: see text] and a generating set ℛ of compact objects, the class of ℛ-injective objects [Formula: see text] is introduced. If [Formula: see text] is compact and ℛ={ΣnX}n∈ℤ it is shown that there is a functor [Formula: see text] identifying the class [Formula: see text] of injective modules over the ℤ-graded ring [Formula: see text] with the class [Formula: see text]. Also, the Ziegler and Zariski spectra of [Formula: see text] and of S are discussed in the paper.
A novel method for assessing effects of hydrostatic fluid pressure on intracellular calcium: a study with bovine articular chondrocytes
Authors: Mizuno Shuichi
Published: January 2005

Chondrocytes in articular cartilage are exposed to hydrostatic pressure and distortional stress during weight bearing and joint loading. Because these stresses occur simultaneously in articular cartilage, the mechanism of mechanosignal transduction due to hydrostatic pressure alone in chondrocytes is not clear. In this study, we attempted to characterize the change in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to the application of hydrostatic fluid pressure (HFP) to cultured bovine articular chondrocytes isolated from defined surface (SZ) and middle zones (MZ) by using a fluorescent indicator (X-rhod-1 AM), a novel custom-made pressure-proof optical chamber, and laser confocal microscopy. Critical methodology implemented in this experiment involved application of high levels of HFP to the cells and the use of a novel imaging apparatus to measure the peak [Ca2+]iin individual cells. The peak [Ca2+]iin MZ cells cultured for 5 days showed a significant twofold increase after the application of HFP at constant 0.5 MPa for 5 min. The peak [Ca2+]iin SZ cells was lower (43%) than that of MZ cells. The peak was suppressed with an inhibitor of dantrolene, gadolinium, or a calcium ion-free buffer, but not with verapamil. This study indicated that the increase in [Ca2+]iin chondrocytes to HFP is dependent on the zonal origin. HFP stimulates calcium mobilization and stretch-activated channels.
Impact of resistance loading on myostatin expression and cell cycle regulation in young and older men and women
Authors: Kim Jeong-su , Cross James M. , Bamman Marcas M.
Published: January 2005

Myostatin inhibits myoblast proliferation and differentiation in developing muscle. Mounting evidence suggests that myostatin also plays a limiting role in growth/repair/regeneration of differentiated adult muscle by inhibiting satellite cell activation. We tested the hypothesis that myostatin mRNA expression would decrease after resistance loading (RL) with a blunted response in older (O) females (F) who have shown minimal hypertrophy [vs. males (M)] after long-term RL. As myostatin is thought to modulate cell cycle activity, we also studied the response of gene transcripts key to stimulation (cyclin B1 and D1) and inhibition (p21cip and p27kip) of the cell cycle, along with the muscle-specific load-sensitive mitogen mechano-growth factor (MGF). Twenty young (Y; 20–35 yr, 10 YF, 10 YM) and 18 O (60–75 yr, 9 OF, 9 OM) consented to vastus lateralis biopsy before and 24 h after a bout of RL (3 sets × 8–12 repetitions to volitional fatigue of squat, leg press, knee extension). Gene expression levels were determined by relative RT-PCR with 18S as an internal standard and analyzed by age × gender × load repeated-measures ANOVA. A load effect was found for four transcripts ( P < 0.005) including myostatin, cyclin D1, p27kip, and MGF as mRNA levels decreased for myostatin (−44%) and p27kip (−16%) and increased for cyclin D1 (34%) and MGF (49%). For myostatin, age × load and gender × load interactions ( P < 0.05) were driven by a lack of change in OF, while marked declines were noted in YM (−56%), YF (−48%), and OM (−40%). Higher cyclin D1 levels in OF led to a main age effect (36%, O > Y) and an age × gender interaction (66%, OF > YF vs. 10%, OM > YM; P < 0.05). An age × gender × load interaction ( P < 0.05) for cyclin D1 resulted from a 48% increase in OF. Post hoc testing within groups revealed a significant increase in MGF after RL in YM only (91%, P < 0.05). Higher levels of cyclin B1 in O (27%, O > Y) led to a main age effect ( P < 0.05). An age × load interaction for cyclin B1 ( P < 0.05) was driven by a 26% increase in Y with no change in O after RL. No age or gender differences, or load-mediated changes, were detected in levels of p21cip mRNA expression. These data clearly demonstrate that RL downregulates myostatin expression and alters genes key to cell cycle progression. However, failure to reduce myostatin expression may play a role in limiting RL-induced hypertrophy in OF.
Physiological rise in plasma leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis in neonatal pigs by enhancing translation initiation factor activation
Authors: Escobar Jeffery , Frank Jason W. , Suryawan Agus , Nguyen Hanh V. , Kimball Scot R. , Jefferson Leonard S. , Davis Teresa A.
Published: January 2005

Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of adult rats increases in response to oral gavage of supraphysiological doses of leucine. However, the effect on protein synthesis of a physiological rise in plasma leucine has not been investigated in neonates, an anabolic population highly sensitive to amino acids and insulin. Therefore, in the current study, fasted pigs were infused intra-arterially with leucine (0, 200, or 400 μmol·kg−1·h−1), and protein synthesis was measured after 60 or 120 min. Protein synthesis was increased in muscle, but not in liver, at 60 min. At 120 min, however, protein synthesis returned to baseline levels in muscle but was reduced below baseline values in liver. The increase in protein synthesis in muscle was associated with increased plasma leucine of 1.5- to 3-fold and no change in plasma insulin. Leucine infusion for 120 min reduced plasma essential amino acid levels. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), ribosomal protein (rp) S6 kinase, and rpS6 was increased, and the amount of eIF4E associated with its repressor 4E-BP1 was reduced after 60 and 120 min of leucine infusion. No change in these biomarkers of mRNA translation was observed in liver. Thus a physiological increase in plasma leucine stimulates protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs in association with increased eIF4E availability for eIF4F assembly. This response appears to be insulin independent, substrate dependent, and tissue specific. The results suggest that the branched-chain amino acid leucine can act as a nutrient signal to stimulate protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonates.
Long-Term Prognosis of Individuals With Right Precordial ST-Segment–Elevation Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Eckardt Lars , Probst Vincent , Smits Jeroen P.P. , Bahr Eric Schulze , Wolpert Christian , Schimpf Rainer , Wichter Thomas , Boisseau Pierre , Heinecke Achim , Breithardt Günter , Borggrefe Martin , LeMarec Herve , Böcker Dirk , Wilde Arthur A.M.
Published: January 2005

Background—

Brugada syndrome is an arrhythmogenic disease characterized by an ECG pattern of ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death as a result of ventricular fibrillation. Controversy exists with regard to risk stratification and therapeutic management, particularly in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods and Results—

A total of 212 individuals (mean age, 45±6 years) with a type 1 Brugada ECG pattern were studied. Of these, 123 (58%) were asymptomatic, 65 (31%) had ≥1 syncope of unknown origin, and 24 (11%) had to be resuscitated because of ventricular fibrillation. In 125 individuals (59%), a spontaneous type 1 ECG was recorded. In the remaining, drug challenge with a class I antiarrhythmic agent unmasked a Brugada ECG. The mean ST elevation was 2.3±1.2 mm in symptomatic patients and 1.9±1.5 mm in asymptomatic individuals (
P
=0.04). During a mean follow-up of 40±50 months, 4 of the 24 patients (17%) with aborted sudden cardiac death and 4 of 65 (6%) with a prior syncope had a recurrent arrhythmic event, whereas only 1 of 123 asymptomatic individuals (0.8%) had a first arrhythmic event. Four of 9 patients with arrhythmic events during follow-up were not inducible during programmed electrical stimulation. A previous history of aborted sudden death or syncope and the presence of a spontaneous type 1 ECG were predictors of adverse outcome.

Conclusions—

The present study reports data on a large population of individuals with a type 1 Brugada ECG pattern with the longest follow-up reported so far. A very low incidence of severe arrhythmic events, particularly in asymptomatic individuals, was found during follow-up. In the presence of very few arrhythmic events on follow-up, programmed electrical stimulation showed very little accuracy in predicting outcome.
Newton and the Magic Vase of Circe
Authors: Martone Robert
Published: January 2005

Time is a fundamental property of the physical world. Because time encompasses the antinomic qualities of transience and duration, the definition of time poses a dilemma for the formulation of a comprehensive physical theory. The partial elimination of time is a common solution to this dilemma. In his mechanical philosophy, Newton appears to resort to the elimination of the transient quality of time by identifying time with duration. It is suggested, however, that the transient quality of time may be identified as the active component of the Newtonian concept of inertia, a quasi occult quality of matter that is correlated with change, and that is essential to defining duration. The assignment of the transient quality of time to matter is a necessary consequence of Newton's attempt to render a world system of divine mathematical order. Newton's interest in alchemy reflects this view that matter is active and mutable in nature.
Remembering the Future: Memento, the Reverse of Time's Arrow, and the Defects of Memory
Authors: Parker Jo Alyson
Published: January 2005

Through its temporal reordering, Memento attempts to provide the audience with an experience analogous to Leonard's and thus heighten our understanding of how memory makes us human. When watching the film, we, like Leonard cannot make reference to a past of events - because they are inaccessible to us - or project toward a future of events - because they have been left behind. Although we may construct a chronological sequence of events as the "what happened," the story cannot be disentangled from the backwards-moving plot; there is no reverse arrow of time in our viewing experience. Yet, we, unlike Leonard, remember what has gone before in the film's order and eventually can shape it into a transcendent view of the whole, a memory of the future. Ultimately, by demonstrating Leonard's plight and reversing the forward motion of time and thus depriving us of a chronological past - but not, it should be added, a viewed past - the film compels us to consider the very nature of our nootemporal umwelt, which, with its quality of directed time, defines our humanity.
Social rights as human rights
Authors: Mishra Ramesh
Published: January 2005

English

The United Nations' Covenant on social rights is universal in form but applies to countries with widely differing levels of economic development. The resultant hiatus impedes the Covenant's effectiveness. The formulation of social standards commensurate with countries' economic capacities is outlined as a solution.

French

La Convention des Nations Unies sur les droits sociaux est universel en forme mais s'applique aux nations avec des niveaux du développement économique grandement différents. L'hiatus résultant empêche l'efficacité de la'Convention. L'élaboration des normes sociales qui correspondent â la capacité économique de nations est offerte en tant que solution.

Spanish

El Convenio de las Nacionas Unidas sobre derechos sociales es universal en la forma, pero concierne a naciones con grandes diferencias de desarrollo económico. Esto obstaculiza la eficacia del Convenio. Se delinea como solución la formulación de estándares sociales conmensurables con la capacidad económica.
Work values and success in studying
Authors: Knežević Mladen , Ovsenik Rok , Jerman Janja
Published: January 2005

English

This article deals with the work values of social work students in Croatia and Slovenia, where the correlation of these values with success in advancement in the academic environment is revealed to be significantly different.

French

Cette étude a exploré les différences en termes des valeurs de travail des étudiants en travail social dans deux pays: la Croatie et la Slovénie. L'étude a exploré la corrélation entre les systèmes de valeurs et le succès des étudiants dans l'environnement scolaire. Il y avait des différences significatives entre les étudiants de ces deux pays.

Spanish

Primero se estudian las diferencias de valores de trabajo entre los estudiantes de trabajo social de dos paises, Croacia y Eslovenia. Se hace luego la correlación de ese sistema de valores con el éxito personal obtenido en el ambiente académico. Se concluye que hay diferencias significativas entre ambos países.
Social consequences of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Seipel Michael M.O.
Published: January 2005

English

Infectious diseases are responsible for nearly half of all deaths in developing countries. The re-emergence of old diseases and drug-resistant pathogens is creating enormous public health challenges. New diseases have been and are being detected. This article suggests that if we act quickly widespread outbreak can be averted.

French

Les maladies infectueuses sont responsables de près de la moitié des mortalités dans les pays en voie de développement. La re-émergence d'anciennes maladies et de pathologies résistantes aux médicaments présentent d'énormes défis aux systèmes de santé publique. De nouvelles maladies ont récemment été détectées et sont en train d'être détectées. Cet article suggère qu'une action rapide pourrait contrer une propagation à échelle épidémique.

Spanish

Las enfermedades infecciosas son la causa de la mitad del total de muertes en los países en vías de desarrollo. El resurgimiento de viejas enfermedades y la resistencia patógena a los medicamentos constituye un reto enorme para la salud pública. Recientemente han sido detectadas nuevas enfermedades. El presente artículo tiene el propósito de plantear que si se actúa oportunamente, puede prevenirse la propagación de epidemias.
Towards culturally competent practice in child and adolescent mental health
Authors: Walker Steven
Published: January 2005

English

The mental health needs of refugee and asylum-seeking children and adolescents are failing to be addressed. This article evaluates evidence from studies designed to address this omission, and describes a contemporary culturally competent model based on holistic, psycho-social principles of social work practice.

French

Les besoins en santé mentale des enfants et adolescents réfugiés et demandeurs d'asile ne sont pas pris en compte. A partir d'études examinant ces omissions, le présent article en évalue l'évidence et commence à décrire un modèle de pratique sociale contemporain culturellement compétent fondé sur des principes psychosociaux holistiques.

Spanish

Las necesidades de salud mental de los niños y adolescentes que buscan refugio y asilo están siendo dejadas de lado. Este artículo evalúa las evidencias de estudios diseñados para salvar esta omisión, y empieza describiendo un modelo competente y contemporáneo basado en principios psicosociales holísticos de la práctica del trabajo social.
Factors in the integration process of adolescent immigrants
Authors: Ringel Shoshana , Ronell Natti , Getahune Shimcha
Published: January 2005

English

This is an exploratory study that examines factors in the process of adjustment and integration between Ethiopian immigrants and non-Ethiopian adolescents in Israel. The findings are that racism and discrimination, intergenerational conflicts and differences in communication systems pose significant difficulties for the integration of Ethiopian adolescents into Israeli society.

French

Cette étude exploratoire examine les facteurs dans le processus d'ajustement et d'intégration entre les adolescents immigrants éthiopiens et non-éthiopiens en Israël. Les résultats de l'étude revèlent que le racisme et la discrimination, les conflits intergénérationnels et les différences entre les systèmes de communication posent des difficultés significatives à l'intégration des adolescents juifs éthiopiens dans la société israëlienne.

Spanish

Este es un estudio exploratorio que examina los factores del proceso de ajuste e integración entre los inmigrantes Etiopíes y los adolescentes no-Etiopíes en Israel. Los hallazgos del estudio son que el racismo y la discriminación, los conflictos inter-generacionales y las diferencias en los sistemas de comunicación, suponen dificultades significativas para la integración de los adolescentes Etiopíes en la sociedad Israelí.
Social security and older people
Authors: Kaseke Edwin
Published: January 2005

English

This article discusses the concepts and forms of social security and examines some of the systems and trends in Africa. Formal systems in Africa are poorly developed and suggestions are made for improving the situation.

French

Cet article discute de concepts et de formules de sécurité sociale et examine certaines tendances africaines. L'auteur observe que les systèmes de sécurité sociale sont peu développés en Afrique et suggère des moyens de remédier à la situation.

Spanish

Se examina el concepto y las formas de seguridad, así como también algunas de la direcciones hacia las que apunta la seguridad social en Africa. Se observa que en Africa los sistemas de seguridad social están poco desarrollados, y se hacen sugerencias para mejorar la situación.
Awareness of social issues among Indian women construction workers
Authors: Mathew Anna
Published: January 2005

English

This article is based on an empirical study of 690 Indian women construction workers and examines their levels of social awareness. Those in the age bracket 22-33 years and with fewer years of stay in the city were more aware than others. Women construction workers need to be further empowered, to enable them to be better integrated into the developmental process.

French

Cet article présente les résultats d'une étude empirique menée auprès de 690 femmes travailleuses de la construction. L'étude visait l'examen de leur niveau de conscience sociale. Il constate avec intérêt que les femmes de 22 à 33 ans, avec moins d'années de séjour dans la cité, sont plus conscientisées que les autres. Le travailleuses ont toutefois besoin d'un plus haut niveau d'empowerment afin d'améliorer leur capacité d'intégration dans le processus développemental.

Spanish

Este artículo está basado en un estudio empírico de 690 mujeres trabajadoras de la construcción en India y pretende examinar su nivel de conocimiento sobre temas sociales. Resulta interesante que aquellas cuyas edades fluctúan entre los 22 y los 33 años de edad, con menos años de permanencia en la ciudad tienen mayor conocimiento sobre estos temas que las otras. Sin embargo, las mujeres trabajadoras de la construcción requieren estar más preparadas para ser capaces de integrarse mejor al proceso de desarrollo.
A global perspective on intellectual property rights
Authors: Manion H. Kathleen
Published: January 2005

English

As the World Trade Organization increases its control over intellectual property rights, more power is put in the hands of multinational corporations, especially with regard to patent rights. The results of this trend are a funnelling of capital and resources from developing countries. There is a growing debate over the legitimacy of the agreement, as it is antithetical to social justice and human rights.

French

En ces temps de hausse des contrôles sur les droits de propriété intellectuelle par l'Organisation mondiale du commerce, des pouvoirs accrus passent aux mains des corporations multi-nationales, en ce qui a trait aux brevets d'invention en particulier. Ces tendances ont pour résultats le passage de capitaux et de ressources des nations en voie de développement vers d'autres lieux. Ces tendances étant à l'antithèse de la justice sociale et des droits humains, la question de la légitimité des accords donne lieu à des débats grandissants.

Spanish

A medida que la Organización Mundial de Comercio aumenta su control sobre los derechos de propiedad intelectual, se pone mayor poder en manos de las corporaciones multinacionales, especialmente en el campo de los derechos de patente. Esta tendencia ha dado por resultado, en los países en vías de desarrollo, el provocar la extracción indebida de su capital y sus recursos. Crece hoy el debate sobre la legitimidad de tal acuerdo, ya que es antitético a la justicia social y a los derechos humanos.
Health Monitoring Technique for Composite Materials Utilizing Embedded Thermal Fiber Optic Sensors
Authors: Stewart Anna , Carman Greg , Richards Lance
Published: January 2005

A thermal health monitoring technique is investigated based on thermography that uses optical fiber thermal sensors to detect damage within a laminated graphite epoxy composite specimen. Composite samples manufactured for testing have fiber optic sensors embedded between the layers while thermocouples are attached to the exteriors for verification. Teflon inserts are used to simulate delaminations and the sensitivity range of the embedded sensors is determined. A numerical model is developed to confirm the experimental findings and establish optimum sensor placement. Results indicate that this technique can detect down to a 20-mm delamination, possibly smaller. In addition, the sensors can typically locate a delamination up to 17 mm away. The purpose of this research is to advance standard thermography techniques for damage detection by utilizing fiber optic sensor technologies.
Preparation of Solvent-borne Acrylic-based Polyurethane-Modified Silica Nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Guodong , Zhou Shuxue , Liao Huimin , Wu Limin
Published: January 2005

Four kinds of silica sols in butyl acetate with different particle sizes were prepared and modified by vinyl triethoxysilane. The modified silica can be directly used to prepare solvent-borne acrylic-based polyurethane-nanosilica composites via in situ polymerization. It was found that the modified silica particles could be dispersed into polymer matrix while unmodified silica sol particles easily aggregated, but if the particle size was too small (e.g., <20 nm), even modified silica had a trend toward aggregation. Modified silica particles in acrylic resins had a slight increase in size in comparison with their original size. The modified particles had a high elemental Si content at the surfaces than the unmodified particles, both of them increased the Si content at the surfaces as the particle size of silica sol increased except for the very small size particles, accompanied by an increase in the roughness of the surface. Unmodified silica particles caused much rougher surfaces than modified silica particles due to aggregation. The abrasion resistance and tensile properties of acrylic-based polyurethane were improved by the silica particles, especially by the modified silica, due to the stronger interaction and better dispersion in the polymer matrix.
Stress Relaxation of Cellular Materials
Authors: Lin Jin-Yuan , Huang Jong-Shin
Published: January 2005

The theoretical expressions for describing the stress relaxation rates of cellular materials are derived analytically based on a cell-wall relaxation-bending model. Theoretical results indicate that the stress relaxation rates of hexagonal honeycombs and open-cell and closed-cell foams depend on their relative density, the imposed strain, and the stress relaxation parameters of the solid material from which they are made. Cellular materials have the same activation energy and power-law stress relaxation exponent as solid cell walls; the exponent constants for the dependences on relative density and imposed strain are also theoretically obtained. Meanwhile, it is found that the dependences on the relative density of cellular materials for stress relaxation are different from those for creep as provided by Gibson and Ashby.
Characterization of Composites Based on Natural and Glass Fibers Obtained by Vacuum Infusion
Authors: Rodríguez Exequiel , Petrucci Roberto , Puglia Debora , Kenny José M. , Vázquez Analía
Published: January 2005

The mechanical properties of composites based on different natural fibers and glass fibers using unsaturated polyester and modified acrylic as matrix are evaluated. In spite of the several works done in natural fiber composites, there are very few results on acrylic as matrix. Fabrication of the composites is done by means of vacuum infusion. Flexural, tension, and impact test are conducted on the composites. Ignition, thermal degradation, and water absorption are determined. Jute composite with unsaturated polyester resin as matrix showed the best results on flexural and tensile strengths and the lowest in impact energy, because of the strong interphase developed. Flax composites show higher impact energy than the other natural fiber composites, due to the existence of the effective energy dissipation mechanisms, like pull-out and axial splitting of the fibers. Scanning electron micrograph confirmed this fact. None of the samples resisted the five-second exposition to the flame on the ignition test. All of them were completely consumed, and flax composites burned the longest.
Preschoolers’ talk about future situations
Authors: Atance Cristina M. , O’Neill Daniela K.
Published: January 2005

We conducted 2 experiments that examined 3-year-olds’ ability to talk about future situations involving the self. In both experiments, children participated in a trip task. In this task, children were asked to choose various items that might be required on a trip, and to explain their choices verbally. A coding scheme that captured both the dimensions of futurity and uncertainty was developed to categorize children’s explanations. In addition, children were administered the Test of Early Language Development-2 (TELD-2) (Hresko, Reid & Hammill, 1991). Results from both experiments indicated that children’s language was beginning to reflect an ability to anticipate various situations involving the self that might arise during the course of a trip. The correlation between children’s scores on the trip task and their scores on the TELD-2 was positive, but not statistically significant. We discuss factors, other than general language ability, that may contribute to children’s talk, and thought, about the future.
Mental state verb production and sentential complements in four-year-old children
Authors: Nixon Stephanie M.
Published: January 2005

The relationship between mental state verbs (MSVs) and sentential complements (S-comps) was investigated in language samples of 40 4-year-old children. MSVs were coded by function (cognitive, sensory, or pragmatic), complement (simple, simple+, or S-comp) and expression of certainty. Children produced an average of 14 total and 5 different MSVs; approximately equal numbers of MSVs had cognitive and pragmatic functions. MSVs referring to cognitive states were more likely to occur with S-comps than MSVs used as pragmatic markers; S-comps were more likely to occur with uncertain than certain MSVs. Utterances containing MSVs were longer than utterances with other matrix verbs, but MSVs and S-comps were strongly correlated after adjusting for utterance length. Finally, S-comps occurred more often with MSVs than with other matrix verbs after excluding the predominant MSV (want to) and the predominant other matrix verb (going to) from analysis. Implications for using MSVs to investigate the relationship among semantics, cognition and syntax are discussed.
Using connectives in oral French narratives: Cognitive constraints and development of narrative skills
Authors: Vion Monique , Colas Annie
Published: January 2005

This study deals with the use of connectives in oral French narration. Seven- to eleven-year-old native speakers of French told ‘silent’ comic strip stories involving two characters to a same-age peer. The comic strips differed from each other in the display mode (consecutive vs. simultaneous), the type of event sequence (arbitrary vs. ordered) and the thematic continuity (continuous vs. discontinuous). The analysis concerns the part of the children’s narrations where the same character carried out a sequence of actions. The results showed that: (1) more connectives were used when the speaker could see all the pictures at once; (2) regardless of the type of sequence, connectives that marked a temporal link outnumbered all others; and (3) thematic continuity promoted temporal-link marking by 7-year-olds and causal-link marking by 11-year-olds. The discussion addresses the conceptual determinants of the use of connectives, particularly temporal markers, and the developmental findings obtained by manipulating the conditions of production.
A naturalistic study of early lexical development: General processes and inter-individual variations in French children
Authors: Bassano Dominique , Eme Pascale-Elsa , Champaud Christian
Published: January 2005

This study investigated early lexical development in French by analysing changes and variability in lexical production and composition of children’s spontaneous speech samples from three age groups: 1;8, 2;6 and 3;3 years (20 children in each). Analyses of general developmental changes showed that lexical productivity increased strongly between 1;8 and 2;6 and between 2;6 and 3;3. Changes in lexical composition mostly occurred between 1;8 and 2;6, indicating that the most important reorganizations are achieved by 2;6. The main changes observed (decreases in proportions of nouns and paralexical classes, and increases in proportions of predicate and grammatical classes) fit overall the developmental trajectories found for other languages, such as English and Italian. Two controversial issues were particularly examined and discussed with regard to cognitive, language-specific and methodological factors: noun-verb asynchrony and grammatical word explosion. Quantitative individual differences in lexical composition were greater at 1;8 than at 2;6 and 3;3, supporting the hypothesis that stylistic variation decreases in the course of the third year. Children’s lexical profiles were strikingly diversified at 1;8, whereas they appeared as variants of a same ‘grammatical profile’ at 2;6 and 3;3. We propose that the decline of stylistic variations reflects the impact of developmental constraints, such as the necessity for children to produce function words, which suggests that variations found in the youngest children are not determinant factors for subsequent lexical development.
German-speaking children’s productivity with syntactic constructions and case morphology: Local cues act locally
Authors: Wittek Angelika , Tomasello Michael
Published: January 2005

It has been proposed that children acquiring case-marking languages might be quicker to acquire certain constructions than children acquiring word order languages, because the cues involved in grammatical morphology are more ‘local’, whereas word order is an inherently distributed cue (Slobin, 1982). In the current studies using nonce nouns and verbs, we establish that German-speaking children are not productive with passive and active transitive sentence-level constructions at an earlier age than English-speaking children; the majority of children learning both languages are not productive until after their third birthdays. In contrast, in the second and third studies reported here, the majority of German-speaking children were productive with nominative and accusative case marking inside NPs before their third birthdays - and these are of course the very same case markers centrally involved in passive and active transitive constructions. We conclude from these results that, whereas for some functions mastering local cues is all that is required, and this is fairly simple, in other cases, such as the case marking involved in sentence-level syntactic constructions, the mastery of local cues is only one part of the process of forming complex analogical relationships among utterances.
Walking the Talk? Gendered Rhetoric vs. Action in Small Firms
Authors: Cliff Jennifer E. , Langton Nancy , Aldrich Howard E.
Published: January 2005

This study challenges the assumption that male and female business leaders establish gender-stereotypic organizational characteristics in their firms. Data collected from 229 businesses in Vancouver, Canada, indicate that an owner’s sex has no effect on the extent of a firm’s bureaucracy or the femininity of its employment relationships. These findings hold even in situations theoretically conducive to eliciting gender stereotypes. Rather than conforming primarily to the archetypically masculine model of organizing, both male and female owners manage their firms with a mix of masculine and feminine approaches. Subsequent analyses revealed, however, that business owners tend to talk as if they organize and manage their firms in different (and gender-stereotypic) ways, even though they do not do so in practice. This finding may help explain the persistent belief that a leader’s sex leaves an identifiable imprint on organizational characteristics.