bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Progress in the Study of Inorganic Nanotubes and Fullerene-Like Structures
Authors: Tenne R. , Seifert G.
Published: January 2009

The synthesis of WS2 inorganic nanotubes (INT) and inorganic fullerene-like (IF) structures in 1992 signified the opening of a fertile and challenging field of scientific endeavor. These structures were the first of a long and ever-expanding series of INT and IF structures. Although initially much of the effort concentrated on the synthesis of INT and IF from compounds with layered structures, recently there has been a surge of efforts to synthesize crystalline and polycrystalline nanotubular structures from compounds with quasi-isotropic structures, like spinels, BaTiO3, SiO2, TiO2, and many others. The present review summarizes some of the progress in this field in recent years. Much of the progress in this field was achieved through strong interaction between theoretical and experimental work. This article has four themes: (a) new synthetic approaches leading to new kinds of IF and INT; (b) study of the molecular structure of such nanoparticles with new tools, such as aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-angle annular dark field (HAADF); (c) recent progress in the investigation of the properties of such nanostructures; and (d) examples of applications for which clear progress has been accomplished, in particular in solid lubrication and high-strength nanocomposites.
Evolution of Life Cycles in Early Amphibians
Authors: Schoch Rainer R.
Published: January 2009

Many modern amphibians have biphasic life cycles with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. The central questions are how and when this complicated ontogeny was established, and what is known about the lives of amphibians in the Paleozoic. Fossil evidence has accumulated that sheds light on the life histories of early amphibians, the origin of metamorphosis, and the transition to a fully terrestrial existence. The majority of early amphibians were aquatic or amphibious and underwent only gradual ontogenetic changes. Developmental plasticity played a major role in some taxa but was restricted to minor modification of ontogeny. In the Permo-Carboniferous dissorophoids, a condensation of crucial ontogenetic steps into a short phase (metamorphosis) is observed. It is likely that the origin of both metamorphosis and neoteny falls within these taxa. Fossil evidence also reveals the sequence of evolutionary changes: apparently, the ontogenetic change in feeding, not the transition to a terrestrial existence per se, made a drastic metamorphosis necessary.
Growth and Evolution of Asteroids
Authors: Asphaug Erik
Published: January 2009

Asteroids are what is left of the precursors to the terrestrial planets. They are stunning in their diversity, ranging from charcoal-black worlds the size of a hilltop, spinning like a carnival ride, to dog-bone-shaped metallic remnants of some cataclysmically disrupted planetary core, to worlds as stately as Ceres and Vesta (and fragments thereof), to garden-variety fractured and blocky nuggets that dominate near-Earth space. Asteroid belts are common around Sun-like stars. When properly seen as unaccreted residues, as scraps on the floor of the planetary bakery, the diversity of asteroids can be fully appreciated, for to paraphrase Tolstoy, accreted planets are all alike; every unaccreted planet is unaccreted in its own way.
Stagnant Slab: A Review
Authors: Fukao Yoshio , Obayashi Masayuki , Nakakuki Tomoeki ,   the Deep Slab Project Group
Published: January 2009

A stagnant slab is a subducted slab of oceanic lithosphere subhorizontally deflected above, across, or below the 660 km discontinuity. This phenomenon has now been widely recognized beneath subduction zones around the circum-Pacific and in the Mediterranean. Collaboration of seismic and electromagnetic observations, mineral physics measurements, and geodynamic modeling has begun to provide a consistent picture of stagnant slab.
Small molecule inhibitors of divalent metal transporter-1
Authors: Buckett Peter D. , Wessling-Resnick Marianne
Published: January 2009

Divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) is a divalent cation transporter that plays a key role in iron metabolism by mediating ferrous iron uptake across the small intestine. We have previously identified several small molecule inhibitors of iron uptake ( 4 ). Using a cell line that stably overexpresses DMT1, we screened the ability of these inhibitors to specifically block this transporter's activity. One compound, NSC306711, inhibited DMT1-mediated iron uptake in a reversible and competitive manner. This inhibitor is a polysulfonated dye containing two copper centers. Although one of these two sites could be chelated by Triethylenetetramine copper chelation did not perturb NSC306711 inhibition of DMT1 activity. Several other polysulfonated dyes with structural features similar to NSC306711 were identified as potential DMT1 transport inhibitors. This study characterizes important pharmacological tools that can be used to probe DMT1's mechanism of iron transport and its role in iron metabolism.
Very high aquaporin-1 facilitated water permeability in mouse gallbladder
Authors: Li Lihua , Zhang Hua , Ma Tonghui , Verkman A. S.
Published: January 2009

Water transport across gallbladder epithelium is driven by osmotic gradients generated from active salt absorption and secretion. Aquaporin (AQP) water channels have been proposed to facilitate transepithelial water transport in gallbladder and to modulate bile composition. We found strong AQP1 immunofluorescence at the apical membrane of mouse gallbladder epithelium. Transepithelial osmotic water permeability (Pf) was measured in freshly isolated gallbladder sacs from the kinetics of luminal calcein self-quenching in response to an osmotic gradient. Pf was very high (0.12 cm/s) in gallbladders from wild-type mice, cAMP independent, and independent of osmotic gradient size and direction. Although gallbladders from AQP1 knockout mice had similar size and morphology to those from wild-type mice, their Pf was reduced by ∼10-fold. Apical plasma membrane water permeability was greatly reduced in AQP1-deficient gallbladders, as measured by cytoplasmic calcein quenching in perfluorocarbon-filled, inverted gallbladder sacs. However, neither bile osmolality nor bile salt concentration differed in gallbladders from wild-type vs. AQP1 knockout mice. Our data indicate constitutively high water permeability in mouse gallbladder epithelium involving transcellular water transport through AQP1. The similar bile salt concentration in gallbladders from AQP1 knockout mice argues against a physiologically important role for AQP1 in mouse gallbladder.
Lipoic acid increases heat shock protein expression and inhibits stress kinase activation to improve insulin signaling in skeletal muscle from high-fat-fed rats
Authors: Gupte Anisha A. , Bomhoff Gregory L. , Morris Jill K. , Gorres Brittany K. , Geiger Paige C.
Published: January 2009

The antioxidant α-lipoic acid (LA) has been shown to improve insulin action in high-fat (HF)-fed animal models, yet little is known about its underlying mechanisms of action. We hypothesize that LA acts by inducing heat shock proteins (HSPs), which then inhibit stress kinases known to interfere with insulin signaling intermediates. Male Wistar rats were fed a HF diet (60% calories from fat) for 6 wk, while controls received a chow diet (10% calories from fat). One-half of the rats in each group received daily LA injections (30 mg/kg body wt). In rats fed a HF diet, LA increased expression of HSP72 and activation of HSP25 in soleus muscle, but it had no effect on HSPs in muscle from chow-fed rats. LA treatment reduced phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and inhibitor of κB kinase-β (IKKβ) activity (IκBα protein levels) in rats fed a HF diet and effectively restored insulin responsiveness, as seen by insulin-stimulated phosphorylated Akt/Akt and 2-deoxyglucose uptake in soleus muscle. LA also induced activation of p38 MAPK and AMP-activated protein kinase, proteins previously implicated in insulin-independent glucose uptake. In addition, acute LA treatment induced HSPs in vitro in L6 muscle cells and prevented the activation of JNK and IKKβ with stimulants such as anisomycin and TNF-α, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest chronic LA treatment results in stress kinase inhibition and improved insulin signaling through a HSP-mediated mechanism.
Nursing Students’ Self-Reported Knowledge of Genetics and Genetic Education
Authors: Kıray Vural Bilgin , Tomatır Ayşe Gaye , Kuzu Kurban Nevin , Taşpınar Ayten
Published: January 2009

Introduction: Nurses need to use genetic information in care; several areas of current need include primary care, public health, cardiovascular, geriatric and oncology nursing. Nursing faculties may be reluctant to add genetics to existing courses, let alone tackle the work of teaching an entire course in genetics. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the current genetic knowledge of nursing students regarding genetics and genetic education. Methods: This is a self-administered cross-sectional survey. A total of 162 of 209 nursing students returned a questionnaire. Data from the surveys reflect the students’ self-reported knowledge regarding medical genetics (response rate = 77.5%). Results: The majority of students noted ‘some’ to ‘minimal’ knowledge of Mendelian inheritance and human chromosome abnormalities. In terms of awareness of genetic abnormalities and disorders, students claimed to have ‘high’ knowledge of breast cancer, phenylketonuria, thalassemia, colon cancer, Rh factor, cleft lip/palate, hemophilia, color blindness, and polydactyly. Students stated that they would like to receive more education related to genetic diseases and genetic counseling (93.9%). Conclusions: The majority of students reported very little knowledge of genetics and genetic disorders. Most of students responded positively to all the education methods suggested in the questionnaire, adding that they would like more education about genetics. The results from this study may help to reform and upgrade the educational strategy concerning genetics in the Schools of Health.
Capillary Supply of the Soft Palate Muscles Is Reduced in Long-Term Habitual Snorers
Authors: Stål Per S. , Lindman Rolf , Johansson Bengt
Published: January 2009

Background: Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cause vibration and stretch of the upper airway tissues that may result in neuromuscular damage and changes in the microcirculation. Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to test whether long-term snoring affects capillary supply in soft palate muscles. Methods: Samples from the palatopharyngeus (PP) and uvula (UV) muscles were collected from 8 patients undergoing uvulo-palatopharyngoplasty because of habitual snoring and OSA. Control samples were obtained at autopsy. The muscles were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and morphometry. Results: The patients’ palate muscles had a lower capillary density (PP 443 vs. 711 capillaries/mm2, p < 0.001, and UV 452 vs. 624 capillaries/mm2, p = 0.009), a lower number of capillaries related to an individual muscle fiber (PP 1.3 vs. 2.7, p = 0.003, and UV 1.0 vs. 1.9, p = 0.03) and a lower number of capillaries related to the fiber size (PP 0.9 vs. 2.1, p = 0.001, and UV 0.6 vs. 1.9, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our results indicate that reduced capillary supply of palate muscles plays a pathophysiological role in long-term snorers and OSA. The cause of the low capillary supply is unclear, but neuromuscular injury due to repeated vibratory and stretch trauma of the soft palate during snoring is a plausible mechanism.
Cutaneous Venous Malformations in Familial Cerebral Cavernomatosis Caused by KRIT1 Gene Mutations
Authors: Toll Agustí , Parera Elisabet , Giménez-Arnau Ana M. , Pou Alejandro , Lloreta Josep , Limaye Nisha , Vikkula Miikka , Pujol Ramon M.
Published: January 2009

Background: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular lesions characterized by abnormally enlarged capillary cavities without intervening brain parenchyma. Although often asymptomatic, seizures, cerebral haemorrhages and focal neurological deficits are well-documented complications. Mutations in the CCM1 (7q21–22), CCM2 (7p13–15) and CCM3 (3q25.2–27) genes have been identified in familial CCM. In rare instances, the association of congenital hyperkeratotic cutaneous capillary-venous malformations (HCCVMs) with CCM1 has been reported. Observations: We studied 6 members of a family with CCMs. Four members of the family developed late-onset multiple, tiny, bluish, soft, cutaneous papules, mainly located on the face, arm and abdominal area, corresponding histologically to venous malformations. A splice donor site mutation in intron 4 (c. 1146 + 1 G→A) in the CCM1 gene was identified. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that mutations in the KRIT1 gene may cause phenotypically heterogeneous cutaneous vascular lesions other than those previously described as HCCVMs.
Plasma-Advanced Oxidation Protein Products Are Potent High-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Antagonists In Vivo
Authors: Marsche Gunther , Frank Sasa , Hrzenjak Andelko , Holzer Michael , Dirnberger Sabine , Wadsack Christian , Scharnagl Hubert , Stojakovic Tatjana , Heinemann Akos , Oettl Karl
Published: January 2009

Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are carried by oxidized plasma proteins, especially albumin and accumulate in subjects with renal disease and coronary artery disease. AOPPs represent an excellent novel marker of oxidative stress and their roles in the development of cardiovascular disease might be of great importance. Here, we show that in vitro-generated AOPP-albumin binds with high affinity to the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). Already an equimolar concentration of AOPP-albumin to HDL blocked HDL association to SR-BI and effectively inhibited SR-BI-mediated cholesterol ester (CE) uptake. Interestingly, albumin extensively modified by advanced glycation end products (AGE-albumin), which is an established SR-BI ligand known to accumulate in renal disease, only weakly interfered with HDL binding to SR-BI. Furthermore, AOPP-albumin administration increased the plasma half-life of [
3
H]CE-HDL in control mice 1.6-fold (
P
=0.01) and 8-fold (
P
=0.0003) in mice infected with adenoviral vectors encoding human SR-BI. Moreover, albumin isolated from hemodialysis patients, but not albumin isolated from healthy controls, markedly inhibited SR-BI-mediated HDL-CE transfer in vitro dependent on the AOPP content of albumin. These results indicate that AOPP-albumin effectively blocks SR-BI in vitro and in vivo. Thus, depressed plasma clearance of HDL-cholesterol may contribute to the abnormal composition of HDL and the high cardiovascular risk observed in patients with chronic renal failure.
Hypophosphorylation of the Stiff N2B Titin Isoform Raises Cardiomyocyte Resting Tension in Failing Human Myocardium
Authors: Borbély Attila , Falcao-Pires Ines , van Heerebeek Loek , Hamdani Nazha , Édes István , Gavina Cristina , Leite-Moreira Adelino F. , Bronzwaer Jean G.F. , Papp Zoltán , van der Velden Jolanda , Stienen Ger J.M. , Paulus Walter J.
Published: January 2009

High diastolic stiffness of failing myocardium results from interstitial fibrosis and elevated resting tension (
F
passive
) of cardiomyocytes. A shift in titin isoform expression from N2BA to N2B isoform, lower overall phosphorylation of titin, and a shift in titin phosphorylation from N2B to N2BA isoform can raise
F
passive
of cardiomyocytes. In left ventricular biopsies of heart failure (HF) patients, aortic stenosis (AS) patients, and controls (CON), we therefore related
F
passive
of isolated cardiomyocytes to expression of titin isoforms and to phosphorylation of titin and titin isoforms. Biopsies were procured by transvascular technique (44 HF, 3 CON), perioperatively (25 AS, 4 CON), or from explanted hearts (4 HF, 8 CON). None had coronary artery disease. Isolated, permeabilized cardiomyocytes were stretched to 2.2-μm sarcomere length to measure
F
passive
. Expression and phosphorylation of titin isoforms were analyzed using gel electrophoresis with ProQ Diamond and SYPRO Ruby stains and reported as ratio of titin (N2BA/N2B) or of phosphorylated titin (P-N2BA/P-N2B) isoforms.
F
passive
was higher in HF (6.1±0.4 kN/m
2
) than in CON (2.3±0.3 kN/m
2
;
P
<0.01) or in AS (2.2±0.2 kN/m
2
;
P
<0.001). Titin isoform expression differed between HF (N2BA/N2B=0.73±0.06) and CON (N2BA/N2B=0.39±0.05;
P
<0.001) and was comparable in HF and AS (N2BA/N2B=0.59±0.06). Overall titin phosphorylation was also comparable in HF and AS, but relative phosphorylation of the stiff N2B titin isoform was significantly lower in HF (P-N2BA/P-N2B=0.77±0.05) than in AS (P-N2BA/P-N2B=0.54±0.05;
P
<0.01). Relative hypophosphorylation of the stiff N2B titin isoform is a novel mechanism responsible for raised
F
passive
of human HF cardiomyocytes.
Effect of Age on Stroke Prevention Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: van Walraven Carl , Hart Robert G. , Connolly Stuart , Austin Peter C. , Mant Jonathan , Hobbs F.D. Richard , Koudstaal Peter J. , Petersen Palle , Perez-Gomez Francisco , Knottnerus J. Andre , Boode Beppie , Ezekowitz Michael D. , Singer Daniel E.
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Stroke risk increases with age in patients who have nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. It is uncertain whether the efficacy of stroke prevention therapies in atrial fibrillation changes as patients age. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age on the relative efficacy of oral anticoagulants (OAC) and antiplatelet (AP) therapy (including acetylsalicylic acid and triflusal) on ischemic stroke, serious bleeding, and vascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods—

This is an analysis of the Atrial Fibrillation Investigators database, which contains patient level-data from randomized trials of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. We used Cox regression models with age as a continuous variable that controlled for sex, year of randomization, and history of cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. Outcomes included ischemic stroke, serious bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage or systemic bleeding requiring hospitalization, transfusion, or surgery), and cardiovascular events (ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, systemic embolism, or vascular death).

Results—

The analysis included 8932 patients and 17 685 years of observation from 12 trials. Patient age increased risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio per decade increase 1.45; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.66), serious bleeding (1.61; 1.47 to 1.77), and cardiovascular events (1.43; 1.33 to 1.53). Compared with placebo, OAC and AP significantly reduced the risk of ischemic stroke (OAC, 0.36; 0.29 to 0.45; AP, 0.81; 0.72 to 0.90) and cardiovascular outcomes (OAC, 0.59; 0.52 to 0.66; AP, 0.81; 0.75 to 0.88), whereas OAC increased risk of serious bleeding (1.56; 1.03 to 2.37). The relative benefit of OAC versus placebo or AP did not vary by patient age for any outcome. Compared with placebo, the relative benefit of AP for preventing ischemic stroke decreased significantly as patients aged (
P
=0.01).

Conclusions—

As patients with atrial fibrillation age, the relative efficacy of AP to prevent ischemic stroke appears to decrease, whereas it does not change for OAC. Because stroke risk increases with age, the absolute benefit of OAC increases as patients get older.
Resident-Based Acute Stroke Protocol Is Expeditious and Safe
Authors: Ford Andria L. , Connor Lisa Tabor , Tan David K. , Williams Jennifer A. , Lee Jin-Moo , Nassief Abdullah M.
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

The decision to administer tPA to acute stroke patients is frequently made by stroke attendings or fellows, but placing residents in this position may make tPA delivery more efficient.

Methods—

Beginning in 2004, we instituted a resident-based acute stroke protocol placing neurology residents in decision-making roles. Time-intervals, symptomatic hemorrhage rate, and discharge locations were prospectively collected and compared between two epochs, before and after 2004.

Results—

59 acute ischemic stroke patients were treated with tPA before protocol initiation (1998 to 2002), while 113 patients were treated after protocol initiation (2004 to 2007). The average door-to-needle and onset-to-needle times were significantly shorter after initiation of the resident-based protocol (81 versus 60 minutes [
P
<0.001] and 138 versus 126 minutes [
P
<0.05]), respectively. Symptomatic hemorrhage rate (5.1% versus 3.5%) and favorable discharge location (68% versus 76%) did not differ between the two time periods.

Conclusion—

A resident-driven tPA protocol, with formal training and quality control, is safe and efficient.
A Systematic Review on Outcome After Stenting for Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gröschel Klaus , Schnaudigel Sonja , Pilgram Sara M. , Wasser Katrin , Kastrup Andreas
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Angioplasty and stenting is increasingly being used for the treatment of intracranial stenoses. Based on a literature search (01/1998 to 04/2008) we sought to determine the immediate and long-term outcomes, as well as the durability of this procedure.

Summary of Review—

We identified 31 studies dealing with 1177 procedures, which had mainly been performed in patients with a symptomatic (98%) intracranial high-grade stenosis (mean: 78±7%) at high technical success rates (median: 96%; interquartile range [IQR]: 90% to 100%). The periprocedural minor or major stroke and death rates ranged from 0% to 50% with a median of 7.7% (IQR: 4.4% to 14.3%). Periprocedural complications were significantly higher in the posterior versus the anterior circulation (12.1%, versus 6.6%,
P
<0.01, odds ratio [OR]: 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 3.10), but did not differ between patients treated with a balloon-mounted (n=906) versus those who had been treated with a self-expandable stent (n=271; 9.5% versus 7.7%,
P
=0.47, OR: 1.15, CI:0.76 to 2.05). Restenosis >50% occurred more frequently after the use of a self-expandable stent (16/92; 17.4%, mean follow-up time: 5.4 months) than a balloon-mounted stent (61/443; 13.8%, mean follow-up time: 8.7 months;
P
<0.001, log-rank test).

Conclusions—

Although intracranial stenting appears to be feasible, adverse events vary widely. Against the background of the results of this review yielding a high rate of restenoses and no clear impact of new stent devices on outcome, the widespread application of intracranial stenting outside the setting of randomized trials and in inexperienced centers currently does not seem to be justified.
Therapeutic Community in a California Prison: Treatment Outcomes After 5 Years
Authors: Zhang Sheldon X. , Roberts Robert E. L. , McCollister Kathryn E.
Published: January 2009

Therapeutic communities have become increasingly popular among correctional agencies with drug-involved offenders. This quasi-experimental study followed a group of inmates who participated in a prison-based therapeutic community in a California state prison, with a comparison group of matched offenders, for more than 5 years after their initial prison release. Contrary to successes reported elsewhere, this study found no difference in new arrests and returns to prison between therapeutic community participants and the comparison participants after 5 years. Overall, more than 60% of both groups were returned to prison within 2 years following their initial release. After 5 years, the return-to-prison rate reached about 73% for both groups. The average time spent in prison following initial release was about the same for both groups. Rearrest offenses were also similar in both groups. Policy implications are discussed.
The Provision and Completion of Gender-Specific Services for Girls on Probation
Authors: Wolf Angela M. , Graziano Juliette , Hartney Christopher
Published: January 2009

Beginning in the late 1980s, the number of girls entering the juvenile justice system increased dramatically. Although historically girls had entered the justice system with status offenses, recent examinations suggest a sharp rise in the number of girls charged with more serious crimes. Researchers and policy makers have increasingly acknowledged the need for a gender-specific approach, which has prompted the development of gender-responsive theories, strategies, and programming to specifically address female delinquency. This article focuses on an evaluation of a gender-specific intervention and examines factors that contribute to its efficacy. More specifically, the current article explores the provision and completion of services by girls in the Reaffirming Young Sisters' Excellence Program, paying particular attention to variations by race and ethnicity.
Diversity and Postmaterialism as Rival Perspectives in Accounting for Social Solidarity
Authors: Janmaat Jan Germen , Braun Robert
Published: January 2009

This article explores the empirical support for the two rival perspectives of diversity and postmaterialism, each of which predicts different patterns and trends of social solidarity in the Western world. The diversity perspective holds that ethnocultural heterogeneity undermines social solidarity, and consequently expects social solidarity to be weaker in more heterogeneous societies. In the diversity logic, social solidarity should have declined in Western societies as these societies have become more diverse due to continuous immigration. Postmaterialism theory, by contrast, posits a positive link between postmaterialism and social solidarity, and would expect social solidarity to have increased because of rising levels of postmaterialism across the Western world. This article found no relation between diversity and social solidarity at either the individual or the national level in cross-sectional analyses of WVS and EVS survey data. Neither was the diversity argument supported by trend data on opinions about the poor. The positive relations between postmaterialism and social solidarity on the other hand did confirm the postmaterialism perspective. Still, as postmaterialism contributed little to explaining the variance in social solidarity at the individual level and as there was no connection between postmaterialism and social solidarity at the macro-level, it can be questioned whether the solidaristic sentiments expressed by postmaterialists are sufficiently deep and lasting to underpin robust welfare policies.
A Refined Zigzag Beam Theory for Composite and Sandwich Beams
Authors: Tessler Alexander , Di Sciuva Marco , Gherlone Marco
Published: January 2009

A new refined theory for laminated composite and sandwich beams that contains the kinematics of the Timoshenko Beam Theory as a proper baseline subset is presented. This variationally consistent theory is derived from the virtual work principle and employs a novel piecewise linear zigzag function that provides a more realistic representation of the deformation states of transverse-shear flexible beams than other similar theories. This new zigzag function is unique in that it vanishes at the top and bottom bounding surfaces of a beam. The formulation does not enforce continuity of the transverse shear stress across the beam's cross-section, yet is robust. Two major shortcomings that are inherent in the previous zigzag theories, shear-force inconsistency and difficulties in simulating clamped boundary conditions, and that have greatly limited the utility of these previous theories are discussed in detail. An approach that has successfully resolved these shortcomings is presented herein. Exact solutions for simply supported and cantilevered beams subject to static loads are derived and the improved modelling capability of the new `zigzag' beam theory is demonstrated. In particular, extensive results for thick beams with highly heterogeneous material lay-ups are discussed and compared with corresponding results obtained from elasticity solutions, two other `zigzag' theories, and high-fidelity finite element analyses. Comparisons with the baseline Timoshenko Beam Theory are also presented. The comparisons clearly show the improved accuracy of the new, refined `zigzag' theory presented herein over similar existing theories. This new theory can be readily extended to plate and shell structures, and should be useful for obtaining relatively low-cost, accurate estimates of structural response needed to design an important class of high-performance aerospace structures.
Enhanced Fracture Properties of Carbon Reinforced Composites by the Addition of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Karapappas P. , Vavouliotis A. , Tsotra P. , Kostopoulos V. , Paipetis A.
Published: January 2009

In the present study, the fracture energy of hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymers was investigated. The composites were modified by the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes into the matrix material. The interlaminar fracture properties under Mode I and Mode II remote loading were studied as a function of the carbon nanotube content in the matrix. With the addition of carbon nanotubes in the epoxy matrix, a significant increase in the load bearing ability as well as in the fracture energy was observed, for both Mode I and Mode II tests. It is speculated that carbon nanotubes due to their large aspect ratio have a significant toughening effect since extra energy is needed in order to pull them out from the matrix and start the crack propagation following a kinking out pattern at nanoscale.
CFRP-Recycling Following a Pyrolysis Route: Process Optimization and Potentials
Authors: Meyer L.O. , Schulte K. , Grove-Nielsen E.
Published: January 2009

Pyrolysis is a well known method to recover carbon fibers from composite waste. In order to bring these recycled carbon fibers back into new composites, and to provide a `closed loop' for this material, their properties have to be investigated and proved suitable for new products. In a former study a strong influence of the pyrolysis process on the surface of the recovered fibers was found. This in turn influenced other properties like fiber strength, electrical properties and fiber—matrixadhesion. These results offer the possibility to control individual properties of recycled carbon fibers and their composites, but on the other hand they indicate a necessity for process optimization in order to provide a high quality of the recycled fibers. In this study different process parameters during pyrolysis were investigated and optimized in order to provide the reclaimed carbon fibers with properties close to new fibers. The optimization was done by labscale pyrolysis experiments performed in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), with variation of pyrolysis temperature, isothermal dwell time and oven atmosphere, respectively. The recovered fibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Finally a pyrolysis test on a semi-industrial-scale was successfully performed to demonstrate the technical viability of the optimized process parameters.
Crushing Morphology of Composite Sandwich Panels Under Edgewise Compression
Authors: Velecela O. , Soutis C.
Published: January 2009

This article describes the use of finite element analysis (FEA) for the simulation of the crushing response of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) composite sandwich panels aimed to absorb collision energy. FEA is employed to predict the failure modes associated with the geometry of a triggering mechanism that is introduced in the foam-cored sandwich panels, and for analyses of the influence of the specimens' aspect ratio on the specific energy absorption of these panels. The formulated numerical models are found to be effective in reproducing the failure modes and crush zone morphology that is observed experimentally. The numerical results predict an optimum trigger geometry that marks the transition from a catastrophic face buckling (FB) failure to progressive crushing (PC) that dissipates large amounts of energy. They also show that there is not an apparent trend between the aspect ratio (size) of the panels and their specific energy absorption.
Improvement of the Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Hemp Fiber Reinforced Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Composites by the Admixture of Man-made Cellulose Fibers
Authors: Graupner Nina
Published: January 2009

This article describes the improvement of the mechanical characteristics, in particular impact properties, of hemp fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites by the admixture of man-made cellulose fibers (Lyocell). It was examined to what extent these characteristics can be influenced by the mixture of hemp and Lyocell fibers. For this purpose, composites of hemp fibers, man-made Lyocell fibers and hemp/Lyocell fiber mixtures were produced with a PLA matrix and fiber mass proportions of 40% by compression molding. The composites were investigated for their tensile and impact properties. The results show that combining hemp and Lyocell in a composite can improve the impact strength by 160% compared to hemp fiber reinforced composites. Thus, it is possible to adjust the properties of composites, optimizing them for certain requirements.
Fracture Behavior of GFRP Laminates with Nanocomposite Epoxy Resin Matrix
Authors: Barbezat M. , Brunner A.J. , Necola A. , Rees M. , Gasser Ph. , Terrasi G.
Published: January 2009

Nano-sized, functionalized organo-silicate fillers dispersed in the epoxy matrix are one approach that is investigated for improving the delamination resistance of fiber-reinforced composites. The variety of nano-silicate fillers available on the market, of processing conditions and the related characterization effort make it desirable to have a simple, easily analyzed screening method for both, nano-modified resins and laminates. An impact test using hail simulation equipment and visual assessment on glass-fiber laminates with nano-modified epoxy matrix yields rough indications of the effect of nano-modification on the fracture behavior of the specimens that correlate with more sophisticated macroscopic and microscopic characterization.
Fracture Toughness of Phenol Formaldehyde Composites Reinforced with E-spheres
Authors: Ku H. , Cardona F. , Pattarachaiyakoop N. , Trada M.
Published: January 2009

A commercial phenol formaldehyde-based resole thermosetting resin supplied by Borden Chemical Australia Pty., was reinforced with ceramic-based fillers (SLG) to increase its fracture toughness. This is the second study of the same series. By testing fracture toughness and viscosity at a range of filler addition levels, the optimal addition of SLG was determined in terms of workability, cost, and performance. The composites obtained were post-cured in a conventional oven as in the previous study. The original contributions of this article include lowering the cost of the composite (35wt% of SLG) by 50% but at the same time the fracture toughness was reduced only by 20% (compared to the neat resin), and increasing the fire resistance of the resins tremendously. It was also found that the values of fracture toughness of the samples in this study were higher than those obtained in the previous study when the percentage by weight of SLG varies from 0 to 35%. The shapes of the plots of fracture toughness against percentage by weight of SLG were also different. The possible reasons for the differences were explained.
Toward a Life-Course Perspective of Police Organizations
Authors: King William R.
Published: January 2009

The author prescribes and describes a new, temporally rich organizational perspective: a life-course perspective of police organizations. This perspective will contribute to more informative tests of existing organizational theories by improving understanding of how police agencies change and resist change, and the role of process. The author describes the life-course perspective and how a life-course perspective yields more informative tests of existing organizational theories and advances understanding of police organizations. Six events along the organizational life course are reviewed (creation, early founding effects, growth periods, declining periods, crisis, and organizational disbanding). Finally, two advantages of this perspective are discussed, as well as the temporal orientations of life-course research.
Privatization and Citizen Preferences
Authors: Battaglio R. Paul
Published: January 2009

Privatization has been championed as a means for improving accountability in the public sector. Yet, relatively little is known empirically about how citizens from different countries evaluate private versus public provision of services. Using a framework established by Durant and Legge (2001, 2002), the research here furthers their country-specific findings by employing an initial empirical model to examine the formation of citizen preferences in a multinational context. Citizens in developed market economies (DMEs) are examined by utilizing a heteroskedastic probit analysis to measure opinion direction, certainty, and indecision for conflicted respondents. The results suggest that both industry and national contexts are important in explaining the choice between private or public provision of services. In addition, individuals are influenced by utilitarian concerns, party preferences, and value orientations. In terms of political interest, respondents expressing greater levels are more certain in their policy choices, suggesting consistency behind their opinions about privatization.
Antecedents of Contracting-Back-In
Authors: Chen Chung-An
Published: January 2009

Many contracted-out public services are now being contracted back into the public sector. The author first reviews the conventional economic factors—imperfect contracting market—which can bring pernicious effects to contracting-out. Second, the author proposes 9 noneconomic possibilities which may lead to contracting-back-in by looking into employment relationships, knowledge creation, isomorphism, opposition from unions and public officials, the loss of middle-level managers, political interference, the failure of balancing trust and control, corruption, and the loss of public values. Finally, the author concludes that a holistic understanding of contracting can hardly be developed unless one incorporates and balances economic and noneconomic views.
Private Tutorial Art Schools in the Shanghai Market Economy
Authors: Zheng Jane
Published: January 2009

Drawing on school archives and other primary sources, this article looks at a category of art schools in early twentieth-century Shanghai that has long been ignored in modern Chinese art history studies, namely the early private tutorial art schools. It focuses on the early history of the Shanghai Art School ( Shanghai meizhuan ) as a typical case. It argues that, in contrast to government schools, which represented national ideals and were involved in “the Chinese response to Western influence,” the beginning of early private tutorial art schools was a product of new market demand for commercial art. In the 1910s, they were extensively involved in Shanghai's commercial art scene and in its mass culture. In this unique way, they contributed to the modernization of culture in China.
The separation of religion and politics in a post-secular society
Authors: Ferrara Alessandro
Published: January 2009

This article examines recent theories of democratic citizenship as well as the institutional separation of religion and politics in light of shortcomings with the traditional secularization thesis. Due to the fact that juridical norms and forms of consciousness develop at a more rapid pace than religious ones, received accounts of both democratic equality and toleration need to be reconceptualized. Questions concerning the legitimacy and neutrality of religious reasoning in democratic politics, as pursued in the work of Rawls and Habermas, also need to be informed by further reflection on the confessional context and other empirical features of post-secular societies. Comparing the politics of same-sex marriage in Canada and Italy helps to illustrate this point.
The transformation of solidarity and the enduring impact of monotheism
Authors: Brunkhorst Hauke
Published: January 2009

This article evaluates two opposing approaches to the Western transition from a monotheistic and metaphysically grounded religious dispensation to secularized modern political theory. Where some philosophers emphasize the independence of modern political ideals, others argue that these ideals cannot remain theoretically coherent or practically effective once they are separated from the religious sources that have given rise to them. The theory of communicative action can bring together the insights of both independency and dependency theorists, thereby accounting for the public-political significance of redemptive criticism and other important forms of religious discourse. Yet given that religious groups are no longer embedded within the nation state, an additional and pressing contemporary challenge is to develop an adequate constitutional framework for global society.
Religion and the public sphere
Authors: Lafont Cristina
Published: January 2009

In this article I analyze Rawls' and Habermas' accounts of the role of religion in political deliberations in the public sphere. After pointing at some difficulties involved in the unequal distribution of deliberative rights and duties among religious and secular citizens that follow from their proposals, I argue for a way to structure political deliberation in the public sphere that imposes the same deliberative obligations on all democratic citizens, whether religious or secular. These obligations derive from the ideal of mutual accountability that is supposed to guide political deliberation in a deliberative democracy. The main advantage of this proposal is that it recognizes the right of all democratic citizens to adopt their own cognitive stance (whether religious or secular) in political deliberation in the public sphere without giving up on the democratic obligation to provide reasons acceptable to everyone to justify coercive policies with which all citizens must comply.
Basic human worth and religious restraint
Authors: Eberle Christopher J.
Published: January 2009

The Doctrine of Religious Restraint is the claim that citizens and officials in a liberal democracy should not support coercive laws that they know to require a religious rationale. The most prominent argument for the Doctine of Religious Restraint appeals to the claim that we ought to treat each person as having basic worth: citizens and officials ought to obey the Doctrine of Religious Restraint because doing so is required in order for them to respect their compatriots as persons who have equal moral standing. But this argument is not persuasive: citizens and officials who support coercive laws that they know require some religious justification need not thereby disrespect their compatriots. The article focuses throughout on the figure of an `Agapic Pacifist' who has sectarian religious reasons to oppose government's use of lethal military force.
Deliberate and free
Authors: Swaine Lucas
Published: January 2009

In this article, I consider the extent to which heteronomous people can be positive contributors to political deliberation. I examine the normative potential of heteronomous people as participants in public debate, and address the overall effects that inclusion of heteronomous people can provide for group deliberations. I subsequently consider empirical findings that bear upon the case I develop, and conclude that liberals ought to reconsider the importance of heteronomous people in healthy liberal democracy. This philosophical recognition lays groundwork for a more morally and politically compelling version of liberalism, one that outstrips comprehensive schemes that vaunt personal autonomy as liberalism's primary normative commitment.
Urinary Retention and Cystitis Associated with Subcutaneous Estradiol Pellets in Female Nude Mice
Authors: Pearse Gail , Frith Jeremy , Randall Kevin John , Klinowska Teresa
Published: January 2009

Unexpected deaths occurred in studies involving a nude mouse model of mammary cancer that required subcutaneous implantation of 0.5 mg twenty-one–day release estrogen pellets for growth of the estrogen-dependent mammary tumor xenograft BT474c. Early deaths occurred in female nude mice and were associated with urinary retention, frequently with cystitis. Drug treatment had no effect on the incidence or severity of cystitis. Histological findings did not alter significantly over various time points following pellet implantation. Changes were not seen in males or in females receiving lower doses of estradiol even when the duration of administration was prolonged, suggesting that a threshold level was required for the onset of urinary retention. Because of the influence of estrogen on micturition, immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the urinary bladder was carried out, which did not demonstrate any differences between females implanted with 0.5 mg twenty-one–day release estrogen pellets and nonimplanted females.

Although previous publications have concentrated on possible mechanisms of action, this paper describes the histopathological changes seen in the urinary bladder of female nude mice resulting from exposure to high levels of estradiol.
Comparison of Histochemical Methods for Murine Eosinophil Detection in an RSV Vaccine-enhanced Inflammation Model
Authors: Meyerholz David K. , Griffin Michelle A. , Castilow Elaine M. , Varga Steven M.
Published: January 2009

A comparative study of histochemical detection of eosinophils in fixed murine tissue is lacking. Five histochemical methods previously reported for eosinophil detection were quantitatively and qualitatively compared in an established murine RSV vaccine–enhanced inflammation model. Nonspecific neutrophil staining was evaluated in tissue sections of neutrophilic soft tissue lesions and bone marrow from respective animals. Eosinophils had granular red to orange-red cytoplasmic staining, depending on the method, whereas neutrophils had, when stained, a more homogenous cytoplasmic pattern. Nonspecific background staining of similar coloration was variably seen in vascular walls and erythrocytes. Astra Blue/Vital New Red, Congo Red, Luna, Modified Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Sirius Red techniques were all effective in detecting increased eosinophil recruitment compared to controls; however, differences in eosinophil quantification varied significantly between techniques. Astra Blue/Vital New Red had the best specificity for differentiating eosinophils and neutrophils but had a reduced ability to enumerate eosinophils and was the most time intensive. The Luna stain had excessive nonspecific staining of tissues and a reduced enumeration of infiltrating eosinophils, which made it suboptimal. For multiple parameters such as eosinophil detection, specificity, and contrast with background tissues, the Sirius Red followed by Congo Red and Modified Hematoxylin and Eosin methods were useful, each with their own staining qualities.
Sustainable Information Development: a journal and a concept twenty-five years on
Authors: Sturges Paul
Published: January 2009

The twenty-fifth year of Information Development, the journal, prompts a reflection on what makes the concept `information development' sustainable. From the very beginning, the journal has been open to critical views of information programmes and policies in the developing world. Although the idea of `sustainability' has become something of a cliché, much that has appeared in the journal points in this direction. There is a strong argument that sustainability can only be built by providing information services that people want in forms and at venues that suit them. This means content and delivery that has strong roots in the culture and psychology of those to be served, as well as localised `ownership', low technology, and low cost solutions. It is suggested that mobile telephone technology meets these criteria and that it offers a more positive basis for sustainable information development than much that has been tried hitherto.