bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common haplotypes of the C-reactive protein gene and circulating leptin levels influence the interindividual variability in serum C-reactive protein levels
Authors: Martínez-Calatrava María José , González-Sánchez José Luis , Martínez-Larrad María Teresa , Pérez-Barba Milagros , Serrano-Ríos Manuel
Published: October 2007

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammation significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population. The aim of our current work was to study those clinical and genetic variables potentially associated with interindividual variability in serum CRP levels. A random sample of 844 participants (450 women, mean age 55 years) from a study carried out on the general Spanish population (The Segovia Study) was studied. Our results showed that age, gender, waist circumference, leptin, impaired glucose tolerance and smoking were the clinical variables significantly associated with variations in serum CRP levels. Among those, leptin showed the strongest association, explaining 11% of the interindividual variability in circulating CRP levels (p < 0.001). To study the effect of genetic variants on serum CRP levels, 10 SNPs within the CRP locus were genotyped in 756 participants. Four of these SNPs (rs1417938, rs1800947, rs1130864, rs1205) were significantly associated with CRP levels after adjustment for clinical variables. Among the common haplotypes inferred from eight SNPs, two (CCATGCCT, p = 0.025; CTATCCTT, p = 0.004) explained 2.9% of the total variation in serum CRP. The results here reported show that 2.9% of the total variation in circulating CRP levels seems to be explained by genetics variations within CRP locus. Furthermore, serum leptin levels are strongly associated with serum CRP levels in our Spanish population.
Arteriogenesis: A focus on signal transduction cascades and transcription factors
Authors: Deindl Elisabeth
Published: October 2007

In recent years intensive investigations have been performed to unravel the molecular mechanisms of collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis), a process designed by nature to compensate the devastating consequences of major arterial occlusions. Currently, a variety of gene products as well as signal transduction pathways involved in arteriogenesis have been identified. However, it is still not clear how the progression of cellular signals evoked by an increased blood flow and therefore mechanical stress proceeds. Literature research identified the transcription factors early growth response-1 (Egr-1) as well as serum response factor (SRF) and myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as liaisons connecting the key pathways of arteriogenesis, i.e.the Rho-kinase pathway and the MEK/ERK pathway, with each other as well as with downstream genes.
Elimination of platelet factor 4 (PF4) from platelets reduces atherosclerosis in C57Bl/6 and apoE-/- mice
Authors: Turrentine Tiffany , Dawicki McKenna Jennine , Rux Ann , Rader Daniel , Kowalska Anna , Sachais Bruce
Published: October 2007

Activated platelets, which release platelet factor 4 (PF4) are present in patients with atherosclerosis. To date, no direct invivo evidence exists for the involvement of PF4 in atherogenesis. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that PF4 is atherogenic, and that genetic elimination of PF4 would protect mice from atherosclerosis. We have bred PF4-/- mice onto two athero-susceptible backgrounds, WT-C57Bl/6(WT) and apoE-/- to examine the importance of PF4 in atherogenesis. In order to induce atherosclerosis, WT and PF4-/- mice were fed an atherogenic diet for 30 weeks, while apoE-/- and apoE-/- PF4-/- mice were fed a high-fat Western-style diet for 10 weeks. Examination of lesions in the aortic roots of atherogenic diet fed mice demonstrated reduced atherosclerosis in PF4-/- (20% compared to WT). Examination of apoE-/- mice demonstrated similar changes, with apoE-/- PF4-/- mice demonstrating 37% of the aortic atherosclerotic burden compared to apoE-/- mice. Although we found similar levels of total and non-HDL cholesterol inWT and PF4-/- mice, HDL-cholesterol levels were increased in PF4-/- on both backgrounds. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that the platelet specific chemokine PF4 promotes atherosclerotic lesion development in vivo.
Relationship between platelet count and 30-day clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions
Authors: Ndrepepa Gjin , Mehilli Julinda , Bruskina Olga , Schulz Stefanie , Schömig Albert , Kastrati Adnan , Iijima Raisuke
Published: October 2007

Platelets play an important role in the development of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The impact of platelet count on the outcome of patients undergoing PCI after pre-treatment with clopidogrel is unknown. The study included 5,256 patients enrolled in four randomized trials – ISAR-REACT, ISAR-SMART2, ISAR-SWEET, and ISAR-REACT2 – which assessed the value of abciximab in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing PCI after pre-treatment with 600 mg of clopidogrel. Platelet count was measured at baseline before PCI. Primary endpoint was the 30-day incidence of MACE, secondary endpoint was mortality. The tertiles of platelet counts were: lower tertile (<198x109/L; n=1,726), middle tertile (198–244x109/L; n=1,750) and upper tertile (>244x109/L; n=1,780). The 30-day incidence of MACE was 6.7% (n=116) among patients of the lower tertile, 6.3% (n=111) among patients of the middle tertile, and 7.0% (n=124) among patients of the upper tertile (P=0.76). The 30-day mortality was 1.2% (n=22) among patients of the upper tertile, 0.5% (n=9) among patients of middle tertile and 0.6% (n=11) among patients of the lower tertile (P=0.04). Q-wave myocardial infarction occurred in 1.3% of patients (n=23) in the upper tertile, 0.7% of patients (n=13) in the middle tertile and 0.5% of patients (n=8) in the lower tertile (P=0.02). Platelet count was an independent correlate of 30-day mortality (hazard ratio 2.69, 95% confidence interval 1.08–6.67; P=0.033 for the third vs. the first tertile). In conclusion, in patients with CAD undergoing PCI after pre-treatment with 600 mg clopidogrel, baseline platelet count predicts 30-day mortality.
All post-translational modifications except propeptide cleavage are required for optimal secretion of coagulation factor VII
Authors: Steenstrup Thomas , Kristensen Claus , Bolt Gert
Published: October 2007

Human coagulation factor VII (FVII) has two N-glycosylation sites (N145 and N322) and two O-glycosylation sites (S52 and S60). In transiently transfected COS-7 cells, all combinations of N- and O-glycosylation knock-out mutations reduced the release of FVII to the medium. Pulse-chase analysis of CHO-K1 cell lines expressing recombinant FVII demonstrated that virtually all wild-type FVII synthesized was secreted from the cells, whereas both N- and O- glycosylation knock-out mutations induced partial intracellular degradation of the synthesized FVII. Likewise, two thirds of the FVII synthesized in vitamin K-depleted and warfarin-treated CHO cells was degraded intracellularly, demonstrating the importance of gamma-carboxylation for the secretion of FVII. The furin inhibitor decanoyl-R-V-K-R-chloromethylketone inhibited propeptide cleavage, but FVII with propeptide appeared to be secreted equally well as FVII without propeptide. Propeptide cleavage was not inhibited by vitamin K depletion and warfarin treatment, suggesting that for FVII, correct gamma-carboxylation is not required for optimal processing of the propeptide. In conclusion, all post-translational modifications of FVII except propeptide cleavage were important for complete secretion of the synthesized FVII and to avoid intracellular degradation. Thus, the extensive post-translational modification of FVII seems critical for the intracellular stability of the protein and is required for keeping the protein in the secretory pathway.
Genomic Changes in Regenerated Porcine Coronary Arterial Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lee Mary Y.K. , Tse Hung-Fat , Siu Chung-Wah , Zhu Shu-Guang , Man Ricky Y.K. , Vanhoutte Paul M.
Published: October 2007

Objective—

Genomic changes were defined in cultures of regenerated porcine coronary endothelial cells to explain the alterations that underlie their dysfunction.

Methods and Results—

Regeneration of the endothelium was triggered in vivo by endothelial balloon denudation. After 28 days, both left circumflex (native cells) and left anterior descending (regenerated cells) coronary arteries were dissected, their endothelial cells harvested, and primary cultures established. The basal cyclic GMP production was reduced in regenerated cells without significant reduction in the response to bradykinin and A23187. The mRNA expression levels in both native and regenerated cells were measured by microarray and RT-PCR. The comparison revealed genomic changes related to vasomotor control (cyclooxygenase-1, angiotensin II receptor), coagulation (F2 and TFPI), oxidative stress (Mn SOD, GPX3, and GSR), lipid metabolism (PLA2 and HPGD), and extracellular matrix (MMPs). A-FABP and MMP7 were induced by regeneration. RT-PCR revealed upregulation of A-FABP and downregulation of eNOS and TR. The differential gene expression profiles were confirmed at the protein level by Western blotting for eNOS, F2, Mn SOD, MMP7, and TR.

Conclusions—

Cultures from regenerated coronary endothelial cells exhibit genomic changes explaining endothelial dysfunction and suggesting facilitation of coagulation, lipid peroxidation, and extracellular matrix remodeling.
Synergistic Proinflammatory Effects of the Antiviral Cytokine Interferon-α and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Ligands in the Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Niessner Alexander , Shin Min Sun , Pryshchep Olga , Goronzy Jörg J. , Chaikof Elliot L. , Weyand Cornelia M.
Published: October 2007

Background—

Interferon (IFN)-α is a pluripotent inflammatory cytokine typically induced by viral infections. In rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques, plasmacytoid dendritic cells produce IFN-α. In the present study we explored the contribution of IFN-α to inflammation and tissue injury in the plaque microenvironment.

Methods and Results—

In 53% of carotid plaques (n=30), CD123
+
plasmacytoid dendritic cells clustered together with CD11c
+
myeloid dendritic cells, a distinct dendritic cell subset specialized in sensing danger signals from bacteria and tissue breakdown. Tissue concentrations of IFN-α and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α transcripts were tightly correlated (
r
=0.76,
P
<0.001), suggesting a regulatory role of IFN-α in TNF-α production. Plaque tissue stimulation with CpG ODN, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 ligand, increased IFN-α production (57.8±23.7 versus 25.9±8.6 pg/mL;
P
<0.001), whereas the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide induced TNF-α secretion (225.1±3.0 versus 0.7±0.2 pg/mL;
P
<0.001). Treating plaque tissue with IFN-α markedly enhanced lipopolysaccharide-triggered TNF-α secretion (559.0±25.9 versus 225.1±3.0 pg/mL;
P
<0.001). IFN-α pretreatment also amplified the effects of lipopolysaccharide on interleukin-12, interleukin-23, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, suggesting that the antiviral cytokine sensitized myeloid dendritic cells and macrophages toward TLR4 ligands. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that IFN-α modulated the myeloid dendritic cell response pattern by upregulating TLR4 expression (
P
<0.001) involving both the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) and the PI(3)K pathway.

Conclusions—

In the atherosclerotic plaque, IFN-α functions as an inflammatory amplifier. It sensitizes antigen-presenting cells toward pathogen-derived TLR4 ligands by upregulating TLR4 expression and intensifies TNF-α, interleukin-12, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 production, all implicated in plaque destabilization. Thus, IFN-α–inducing pathogens, even when colonizing distant tissue sites, threaten the stability of inflamed atherosclerotic plaque.
Endothelial Programmed Death-1 Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Regulates CD8
+
T-Cell–Mediated Injury in the Heart
Authors: Grabie Nir , Gotsman Israel , DaCosta Rosa , Pang Hong , Stavrakis George , Butte Manish J. , Keir Mary E. , Freeman Gordon J. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Lichtman Andrew H.
Published: October 2007

Background—

PD-L1 and PD-L2 are ligands for the inhibitory receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1), which is an important regulator of immune responses. PD-L1 is induced on cardiac endothelial cells under inflammatory conditions, but little is known about its role in regulating immune injury in the heart.

Methods and Results—

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–mediated myocarditis was induced in mice, and the influence of PD-L1 signaling was studied with PD-L1/L2–deficient mice and blocking antibodies. During cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–induced myocarditis, the upregulation of PD-L1 on cardiac endothelia was dependent on T-cell–derived interferon-γ, and blocking of interferon-γ signaling worsened disease. Genetic deletion of both PD-1 ligands [
PD-L1/2
(−/−)
], as well as treatment with PD-L1 blocking antibody, transformed transient myocarditis to lethal disease, in association with widespread polymorphonuclear leukocyte–rich microabscesses but without change in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recruitment.
PD-L1/2
(−/−)
mice reconstituted with bone marrow from wild-type mice remained susceptible to severe disease, which demonstrates that PD-L1 on non–bone marrow–derived cells confers the protective effect. Finally, depletion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes reversed the enhanced susceptibility to lethal myocarditis attributable to PD-L1 deficiency.

Conclusions—

Myocardial PD-L1, mainly localized on endothelium, is critical for control of immune-mediated cardiac injury and polymorphonuclear leukocyte inflammation.
Effect of Endothelin 1 Genotype on Blood Pressure Is Dependent on Physical Activity or Fitness Levels
Authors: Rankinen Tuomo , Church Timothy , Rice Treva , Markward Nathan , Leon Arthur S. , Rao Dabeeru C. , Skinner James S. , Blair Steven N. , Bouchard Claude
Published: October 2007

Contributions of the DNA sequence variation at the endothelin 1 locus to the risk of hypertension and to endurance training–induced changes in blood pressure were investigated in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study and the Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training and Genetics Family Study cohorts. We identified 586 normotensive control subjects and 607 incident hypertensive case subjects from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study cohort (all whites) who were normotensive and healthy at their first clinic visit. The case subjects were diagnosed with hypertension during an average follow-up of 9.5 years, whereas the control subjects remained normotensive. The allele and genotype frequencies of 5 endothelin 1 haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the case and control subjects. However, we observed a significant (
P
=0.0025) interaction between the endothelin 1 rs5370 (G/T; Lys198Asn) genotype and cardiorespiratory fitness level on the risk of hypertension: among low-fit subjects, the rs5370 minor allele (T; 198Asn) was associated with higher risk of hypertension (odds ratio: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.36 to 2.81;
P
=0.0003), whereas the risk did not differ among genotypes in high-fit subjects. In the white Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training and Genetics subjects (N=480), the rs5370 T allele was associated with blunted systolic blood pressure (
P
=0.0046) and pulse pressure (
P
=0.0016) responses to a 20-week endurance training program. The Lys198Asn variant of the endothelin 1 locus is associated with blood pressure phenotypes in whites. However, the expression of the genotype effect is modulated by physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness level. Our study provides an illustrative example of how physical activity and fitness level modifies the associations between a candidate gene and outcome phenotype.
Self-Measurement of Blood Pressure at Home Reduces the Need for Antihypertensive Drugs
Authors: Verberk Willem J. , Kroon Abraham A. , Lenders Jacques W.M. , Kessels Alfons G.H. , van Montfrans Gert A. , Smit Andries J. , van der Kuy Paul-Hugo M. , Nelemans Patricia J. , Rennenberg Roger J.M.W. , Grobbee Diederick E. , Beltman Frank W. , Joore Manuela A. , Brunenberg Daniëlle E.M. , Dirksen Carmen , Thien Theo , de Leeuw Peter W.
Published: October 2007

It is still uncertain whether one can safely base treatment decisions on self-measurement of blood pressure. In the present study, we investigated whether antihypertensive treatment based on self-measurement of blood pressure leads to the use of less medication without the loss of blood pressure control. We randomly assigned 430 hypertensive patients to receive treatment either on the basis of self-measured pressures (n=216) or office pressures (OPs; n=214). During 1-year follow-up, blood pressure was measured by office measurement (10 visits), ambulatory monitoring (start and end), and self-measurement (8 times, self-pressure group only). In addition, drug use, associated costs, and degree of target organ damage (echocardiography and microalbuminuria) were assessed. The self-pressure group used less medication than the OP group (1.47 versus 2.48 drug steps;
P
<0.001) with lower costs ($3222 versus $4420 per 100 patients per month;
P
<0.001) but without significant differences in systolic and diastolic OP values (1.6/1.0 mm Hg;
P
=0.25/0.20), in changes in left ventricular mass index (−6.5 g/m
2
versus −5.6 g/m
2
;
P
=0.72), or in median urinary microalbumin concentration (−1.7 versus −1.5 mg per 24 hours;
P
=0.87). Nevertheless, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure values at the end of the trial were higher in the self-pressure than in the OP group: 125.9 versus 123.8 mm Hg (
P
<0.05) for systolic and 77.2 versus 76.1 mm Hg (
P
<0.05) for diastolic blood pressure. These data show that self-measurement leads to less medication use than office blood pressure measurement without leading to significant differences in OP values or target organ damage. Ambulatory values, however, remain slightly elevated for the self-pressure group.
Candidate Genes That Determine Response to Salt in the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Authors: Graham Delyth , McBride Martin W. , Gaasenbeek Michelle , Gilday Kirsten , Beattie Elisabeth , Miller William H. , McClure John D. , Polke James M. , Montezano Augusto , Touyz Rhian M. , Dominiczak Anna F.
Published: October 2007

The existence of blood pressure quantitative trait loci exaggerated by salt on rat chromosome 2 has been confirmed previously using congenic strains derived from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. This study aimed to dissect the implicated chromosome 2 region and to identify candidate genes based on microarray expression profiling and real-time PCR. A marker-assisted breeding strategy generated congenic strains SP.WKYGla2a (D2Rat13-D2Rat157), SP.WKYGla2c* (D2Wox9-D2Mgh12), and SP.WKYGla2k (D2Mit21-D2Rat157) using SHRSP as the recipient and WKY as the donor strain. The SP.WKYGla2k strain contains a 10-cM congenic interval, which is encompassed within the larger (64-cM) SP.WKYGla2a congenic region. Salt-loaded systolic blood pressure, measured by radiotelemetry, was significantly lower in the SP.WKYGla2a and SP.WKYGla2k strains compared with SHRSP. Salt sensitivity in SP.WKYGla2c* was not significantly different from SHRSP. Exclusion mapping identified a 6-Mbp region harboring genes responsible for salt-sensitive blood pressure regulation. Microarray expression profiling was carried out in whole homogenized kidneys from parental and SP.WKYGla2a strains. Examination of expression data within the minimal congenic interval identified the positional candidates
Edg1
and
Vcam1
, demonstrating significantly elevated renal RNA expression levels in the SHRSP compared with WKY and SP.WKYGla2a congenic strains. These results were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. DNA sequencing identified SNPs in both
Edg1
and
Vcam1
between SHRSP and WKY rats. In conclusion, we have identified a suggestive minimal interval encompassing a 6-Mbp region on rat chromosome 2. This region contains several physiological candidate genes for salt-sensitive hypertension in the SHRSP, including
Edg1
and
Vcam1
, which are differentially expressed and lie on common and functionally important pathways.
Maternal Supplementation With Citrulline Increases Renal Nitric Oxide in Young Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Has Long-Term Antihypertensive Effects
Authors: Koeners Maarten P. , van Faassen Ernst E. , Wesseling Sebastiaan , de Sain-van der Velden Monique , Koomans Hein A. , Braam Branko , Joles Jaap A.
Published: October 2007

NO deficiency is associated with development of hypertension. Defects in the renal citrulline-arginine pathway or arginine reabsorption potentially reduce renal NO in prehypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Hence, we investigated genes related to the citrulline-arginine pathway or arginine reabsorption, amino acid pools, and renal NO in 2-week-old prehypertensive SHRs. In addition, because perinatally supporting NO availability reduces blood pressure in SHRs, we supplemented SHR dams during pregnancy and lactation with citrulline, the rate-limiting amino acid for arginine synthesis. In female offspring, gene expression of argininosuccinate synthase (involved in renal arginine synthesis) and renal cationic amino acid Y-transporter (involved in arginine reabsorption) were both decreased in 2-day and 2-week SHRs compared with normotensive WKY, although no abnormalities in amino acid pools were observed. In addition, 2-week-old female SHRs had much less NO in their kidneys (0.46±0.01 versus 0.68±0.05 nmol/g of kidney weight, respectively;
P
<0.001) but not in their heart. Furthermore, perinatal supplementation with citrulline increased renal NO to 0.59±0.02 nmol/g of kidney weight (
P
<0.001) at 2 weeks and persistently ameliorated the development of hypertension in females and until 20 weeks in male SHR offspring. Defects in both the renal citrulline-arginine pathway and in arginine reabsorption precede hypertension in SHRs. We propose that the reduced cationic amino acid transporter disables the developing SHR kidney to use arginine reabsorption to compensate for reduced arginine synthesis, resulting in organ-specific NO deficiency. This early renal deficiency and its adverse sequels can be corrected by perinatal citrulline supplementation persistently in female and transiently in male SHRs.
Chemokine Receptor 2b Inhibition Provides Renal Protection in Angiotensin II–Salt Hypertension
Authors: Elmarakby Ahmed A. , Quigley Jeffrey E. , Olearczyk Jeffrey J. , Sridhar Aarthi , Cook Anthony K. , Inscho Edward W. , Pollock David M. , Imig John D.
Published: October 2007

The present study was designed to determine whether chemokine receptor 2b (CCR2b) contributes to the development of renal injury in salt-sensitive angiotensin II (ANG) hypertension. Rats were infused with ANG and fed a high-salt diet (HS) for 14 days. Rats were divided into 4 groups: HS; HS administered the CCR2b antagonist, RS102895; Ang/HS hypertensive; and Ang/HS hypertensive administered RS102895. CCR2b inhibition slowed the progression of blood pressure elevation during the first week of ANG/HS hypertension; however, it did not alter blood pressure in the HS group. At 2 weeks, arterial pressure was not significantly different between ANG/HS and ANG/HS hypertensive rats administered RS102895. Renal cortical nuclear factor κB activity increased in ANG/HS hypertension compared with the HS group (0.11±0.006 versus 0.08±0.003 ng of activated nuclear factor κB per microgram of protein), and RS102895 treatment lowered nuclear factor κB activity in ANG/HS hypertension (0.08±0.005 ng of activated nuclear factor κB per microgram of protein). Renal tumor necrosis factor-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression increased, and Cyp2c23 expression decreased in ANG/HS hypertension compared with the HS group, and CCR2b inhibition reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and increased Cyp2c23 expression. Histological immunostaining revealed increased renal monocyte and macrophage infiltration in ANG/HS hypertensive rats with decreased infiltration in rats receiving RS102895 treatment. Albuminuria and cortical collagen staining also increased in ANG/HS hypertensive rats, and RS102895 treatment lowered these effects. Afferent arteriolar autoregulatory responses to increasing renal perfusion pressure were blunted in ANG/HS hypertension, and RS102895 treatment improved this response. These data suggest that CCR2b inhibition protects the kidney in hypertension by reducing inflammation and delaying the progression of hypertension.
Introduction
Authors: Kirshner Ben
Published: October 2007

Recent studies have documented the potential of youth activism for influencing political change toward socially just ends. This special issue builds on such research by focusing on youth activism as a context for learning and development. What kinds of learning opportunities are generated through working on social action campaigns? How do adults support youth's participation in ways that foster youth engagement and leadership? In addition to previewing the articles in this issue, this introduction proposes and describes four distinctive qualities of learning environments in youth activism groups: collective problem solving, youth—adult interaction, exploration of alternative frames for identity, and bridges to academic and civic institutions. It concludes by highlighting directions for future research.
Bridging Intergroup Difference in a Community Youth Program
Authors: Watkins Natasha D. , Larson Reed W. , Sullivan Patrick J.
Published: October 2007

This article provides an intensive case study of a change process in which members of a youth program developed relationships with and altered attitudes and behavior toward diverse groups, including those defined by ethnicity, social class, religion, and sexual orientation. Latino and African American members of a community youth activism program were interviewed over a 4-month period, and supplementary data were obtained from participant observations and from interviews with the lead organizer. Qualitative analyses revealed a process in which youth were active agents of self-change. Their reports suggest three stages of change: developing relationships across groups, learning and discovery, and coming to act with awareness in relation to difference. The program facilitated this change not only by providing Allport's contact conditions and affording youth personalized experiences but also by providing them with critical understanding of the interpersonal and systemic processes that create marginalization and injustice.
Black Youth Activism and the Role of Critical Social Capital in Black Community Organizations
Authors: Ginwright Shawn A.
Published: October 2007

This article argues for a nuanced understanding of how Black youth respond, resist, and work to transform school and community conditions. It posits that community-based organizations in Black communities provide Black youth with critical social capital, which consists of intergenerational ties that cultivate expectations and opportunities for Black youth to engage in community change activities. Data for this study were collected from 3 years (October 2000—December 2003) of participant observation and interviews of 15 Black youth who were members of Leadership Excellence, a small community-based organization in Oakland, California. This study demonstrates how critical social capital is facilitated by challenging negative concepts about Black youth in public policy, cultivated by strengthening racial and cultural identity among Black youth, and sustained through ties with adult community members who help youth frame personal struggles as political issues.
West Asia
Authors: Ansari Hamid
Published: October 2007

Given the centrality of West Asia, and the dependence of the world on its energy resources, hegemonic perceptions of security in the region need to give way to cooperative ones. Some states of the Persian Gulf littoral have articulated the need to involve Asian countries like China and India in future security arrangements. The role of non-state actors—Hizbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine, and various resistance groups in Iraq—would make inter-state arrangements more complex. Procrustean formulae (that is to say attempts to fit the region into preconceived formulae in order to solve its problems) have failed to achieve results; hence there is a need to shape formulae to fit the region and its problems.
Regional Security Developments and Trilateral Cooperation
Authors: Ying Rong
Published: October 2007

As a regional organisation the SCO is increasingly embracing both Central and South Asia, and it will become an important platform for promoting the building of a harmonious region. New developments in the security situations of West Asia and Northeast Asia have far-reaching implications for international security dynamics. China, India and Russia should uphold multilateralism and prevail upon the United Nations to play the leading role in safeguarding peace and security. Complicated by terrorism and other non-traditional security threats, the current international security order is challenged as many old assumptions of regional orders, security thinking, planning and international security regimes are losing their relevance.
Proposals for Future Trilateral Cooperation
Authors: Jiali Ma
Published: October 2007

The article suggests proposals for future Trilateral Cooperation between China, India and Russia. The meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of China, India and Russia should constitute a regular consultation mechanism. Meetings between ministers of science and technology and ministers of energy should also be arranged. Trilateral consultation could also continue within other broader multilateral forums and organisations. Prior to each academic trilateral meeting each delegation should formulate its own proposals for trilateral interaction. During the meeting the proposals on which all three are in agreement can be identified. This latter set of proposals agreed to by all three delegations must then be presented by each delegation to their respective governments. The delegations would then have to prevail on their governments to consider, adopt and implement this set of proposals. Those proposals that are not agreed to by all three can be set a side for further research and consultation.
The Doha Round Deadlock and Trilateral Economic Cooperation
Authors: Zuming Chen
Published: October 2007

In discussing economic issues during the last two meetings of the trilateral academic China-India-Russia dialogue, some scholars raised the necessity of strengthening coordination of the Sino-Indian positions within the WTO framework. Russia is expected to complete bilateral negotiations for WTO accession by the end of 2007, entailing the need to understand WTO rules for trade. Currently, the issue raising the greatest concern within WTO is the collapse of the five-year long Doha Round negotiations and the uncertainty regarding their resumption. With these issues in mind, this article concerns itself with how China, India, and Russia can further deepen economic cooperation in the context of the Doha Round stalemate.
International Economic Management
Authors: Agarwal Manmohan
Published: October 2007

The article examines the performance of the Chinese, Indian and Russian economies in the context of the world economy. The major features of the world economy has been (i) its slowing down for all regions except Asia since the oil price shocks of 1973–74, (ii) the increasing integration of the different economies as barriers to trade have been reduced, and (iii) increasing importance of private capital flows. While the Russian economy, or that of the erstwhile Soviet Union, was not affected by the oil price shocks other economies apart from the Asian economies were. A major aspect of this effect is the decreasing productivity of capital. An important challenge is how the international economic system can be managed to return the world economy to higher rates of growth. In particular, how can growth rates in the developing world be raised? Trade liberalization must assist in this endeavor. Furthermore, increasing private capital flows have created the potential for destabilizing capital movements. It has been recognized that changes must be made in the international financial system. In this article we examine the interests of China, India and Russia in the international economic system.
Organization theory and the post-socialist transformation: Contributions to organizational knowledge
Authors: Soulsby Anna , Clark Ed
Published: October 2007

In unison with the authors of this special issue, we argue that organizational research in European post-socialist contexts over the last 17 years has made a significant and enduring contribution to organization theory. This proposition provides the rationale for the special issue, which focuses on the formative relationship between the body of organizational knowledge forged largely within stable western market-economies and the findings of organizational research conducted within institutionally unstable and ambiguous post-socialist environments. We develop our argument through three phases. First, we seek to clarify the reasons why the context and process of post-socialism have posed special challenges to the conventional wisdom of `western' organization theory. Second, we review post-socialist organizational research and consider how it has augmented our understanding of organizational structures and processes. Third, we place the five articles that comprise this special issue within this wider context, and outline their main contributions. The findings and lessons from post-socialist research have led organizational scholars to re-evaluate many established theoretical propositions, and, by questioning the underlying rationality of organization theory, to explore the possibility of developing a more globally relevant discipline.
Overlapping effects: Path dependence and path generation in management and organization in Russia
Authors: Schwartz Gregory , McCann Leo
Published: October 2007

An important contribution to our understanding of management transformation in post-socialist societies has been made by new institutionalism. The strength of this approach derives from its critique of normative models based on neo-classical economics, which has tended towards institutional and management voluntarism. It has been able to grasp complexity in societies undergoing structural change, stressing that path dependence in property, political and social structures helps to define business organization. The limitation of new institutionalism lies in its tendency to overstate institutional stasis, failing to treat (national) institutions as contradictory and transient (localized) expressions of global processes. Based on extensive qualitative data, our article extends the understanding of path-dependence. Rather than dispensing with key insights of new institutionalism, we bridge the notion of path dependence with the contradictory processes of institutional reshaping and adaptation. Using an adapted version of the `system, society and dominance' (SSD) model, we demonstrate that the nature of Russia's insertion into the global market has had a substantial impact on firm ownership and strategies, while simultaneously limiting reforms to management structures and work organization.
“Sowing the Seeds of Discontent”
Authors: Lowe Maria
Published: October 2007

Based on archival research and in-depth interviews conducted from 1999 through 2007, this article examines the role of Tougaloo College's Social Science Forums as a prefigurative collective free space in Mississippi's civil rights struggles. These Forums offered White and Black integrationists a unique opportunity to come together to hear lectures and discuss provocative ideas, some of which informed and inspired challenges to the state's system of White supremacy. By providing a location where integrationist networks and ideas were established and developed, the Forums helped to sow the seeds of discontent for challenges off campus and offered an interracial microcosm of the world that the Southern civil rights movement was trying to achieve. The article sheds light on specific ways an on-campus free space at a private Black Southern college fostered and mobilized oppositional ideas, interracial networks, and practices prior to and during the development of the Mississippi civil rights movement.
Modelling Lateral Spacing and Separation for Airborne Separation Assurance Using Petri Nets
Authors: Everdij Mariken H. C. , Blom Henk A. P. , Bakker Bert G. J.
Published: October 2007

Airborne separation assurance is seen as a promising option for the future air traffic management concept to provide an increase in capacity and flight efficiency while maintaining flight safety. So-far, studies or expectations are largely based on assumptions about the achievable spacing and separation criteria. These assumptions range from optimistic to reserved, when comparing these separation criteria to currently used radar surveillance-based values. In any case, there is a clear knowledge gap on this subject. Thus, it is important to assess the relationship between spacing and separation distances on one hand and safety on the other hand. This relationship directly affects the effectiveness of airborne separation assurance. The aim of this paper is to address this issue by conducting an accident risk assessment, including a bias and uncertainty assessment and an assessment of risk sensitivity to spacing and separation values. Each stage in the methodology used is illustrated by examples. It is shown that the methodology provides valuable feedback on both the airborne separation assurance operation and the accident risk assessment.
MEANS—MIT Extensible Air Network Simulation
Authors: Clarke John-Paul , Melconian Terran , Bly Elizabeth , Rabbani Fabio
Published: October 2007

In this article, the authors describe a model of the U.S. air transportation network in which air traffic service provider and airline decision making, the impacts of weather on airport capacity and decision making, the effects of stochastic phenomenon, and the movement of aircraft, crews, and passengers are simulated. The details of the underlying discrete event simulation framework and the constituent modules are presented, along with examples of the results that may be obtained.
A Full Driving Simulator of Urban Traffic including Traffic Accidents
Authors: Félez Jesus , Maroto Joaquin , Romero Gregorio , Cabanellas Jose M.
Published: October 2007

This paper describes a model for traffic simulation of an urban environment and its implementation in a driving simulator. The simulator is also able to reproduce realistic traffic accidents. In order to attain real-time simulation, the simulation environment has been partitioned considering the city as divided into segments of road, junctions, and sectors that minimize the interaction between the cars involved in the traffic simulation and the traffic simulation is considered only in a control zone centered on the driven vehicle. Simplified dynamic vehicle models have also been used when vehicles are not involved in the accident, allowing for a sufficiently realistic behavior. A traffic light regulation only in the area next to the driven vehicle is also included. A complex model for the vehicles involved in traffic accidents has been developed, including multibody components and different collision models. The developed model is then immediately applicable to large scale driving simulators.
I versus We
Authors: Ben-Dor Gabriel , Pedahzur Ami , Canetti-Nisim Daphna , Zaidise Eran , Perliger Arie , Bermanis Shai
Published: October 2007

This study examines conditions of peace and war to find whether the “rally `round the flag” effect is indeed attributed to rising levels of social collectivism. Reserve service motivation in peacetime and wartime was compared among 1,004 Israeli reservists. Levels of motivation and the factors that affect them were examined during the optimism of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process (February 2000) and about a year and a half into the second Intifada (October 2000). Findings suggest that motivation to serve in wartime is indeed higher than in peacetime. However, they also suggest that similar factors predict motivation in both times, although their relative impact is altered by the situation. Reservists were more likely to be motivated by individual rather than collective incentives (in both peacetime and wartime situations), thus suggesting that “rally `round the flag” occurrences are not necessarily reflective of the social cohesion and collective reasoning.
“The Stuff of Tragedy”
Authors: Moten Matthew
Published: October 2007

Damon Coletta's “Courage in the Service of Virtue” accuses General Eric K. Shinseki of publicly challenging administration policy in a way that “improvised in areas such as war-fighting and diplomacy beyond his official purview,” contradicted the combatant commander, aided the French, abetted the Democrats, emboldened Saddam, and damaged American civil–military relations because it dismissed the policy makers' “right to be wrong.” Shinseki did none of these things, including publicly challenging administration policy. This article will provide some historical corrective and context for this debate. It will examine Shinseki's options and argue that, rather than damaging civilian control, Shinseki protected it through acts of commission and omission, through forthrightness and restraint toward both sets of his civilian masters enumerated in the Constitution to control the military, the executive and legislative branches of government.
Sociology at Military Academies
Authors: Danielsson Erna , Weibull Alise
Published: October 2007

This article illustrates the role of sociology at the Swedish military academies. Finding a suitable balance between theoretical and practical education seems to have been a major thread in Swedish officer education from the eighteenth century to the present day. The emphasis has been on education that is closely linked to military war positions, with extensive elements of combat planning and carrying out military operations. But as tasks have changed, areas such as leadership and organizations have become more important, and the positions of sociological theories and perspective have gradually increased. The belief put forward here is that the demand for sociology will increase for two reasons: the current struggle to make Swedish officer education more university-like and, more important, the need for sociological knowledge that will grow the more the Defense Forces will be engaged in the international arena.
The U.S. Military's Implementation of the Joint Duty Promotion Requirement
Authors: Veneri Michael C.
Published: October 2007

Prior to 1986, the inability of the U.S. military to operate in a unified, multiservice, or “joint” manner affected operational effectiveness. The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 directed changes throughout the U.S. defense establishment to rectify this problem. This article looks at the implementation of the joint duty officer promotion requirement mandated under Title IV, Joint Officer Management, of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. The joint duty assignment requirement mandated that all officers serve in a joint duty assignment prior to promotion to Brigadier General or Rear Admiral (O7). This article examines the implementation of this policy, U.S. military compliance with this policy, and the impact of the joint duty assignment on an officer's promotion to O7. Findings indicate that the military services are not fully complying with this policy and that officer promotion time is adversely affected when an officer meets the joint duty assignment promotion requirement.
When the Military Leaves and Places Change
Authors: Hill Thanner Meridith , Segal Mady Wechsler
Published: October 2007

Fort Ritchie Army Garrison in Cascade, Maryland, slated for closure as part of the 1995 base realignment and closure (BRAC) round, officially ceased military operations on September 30, 1998. More than eight years later, a confluence of circumstances had prevented its reuse, and the community had yet to benefit from reuse efforts. To understand how such base closings affect the local community and the character of a place, an ethnographic case study and a post hoc social impact assessment were conducted. Told in this article is the story of how one community has responded and adjusted to the loss of the military, which provides lessons for other communities facing base closings and for federal entities tasked with overseeing and facilitating the process.
Shape memory training for smart fabrics
Authors: Stylios George K. , Wan Taoyu
Published: October 2007

Recent advances in shape memory alloys (SMAs) and shape memory polymers (SMPs) have inspired researchers to create intelligent textiles as self-regulating shape-changing structures responding to environmental variation, contributing to a new field in the scientific frontier of smart materials. This paper shows how appropriate shape memory training can engineer fabric designs to enhance their performance and their aesthetic appeal. Main technologies include the training procedure of shape memory effect (SME) in SMAs and SMPs, the regulation of phase transformation temperatures in SMAs, the manufacture of SMP yarns and SMP coating on fabrics for specific requirements of fabric design. Further attention is also paid to the combination of SMPs or SMAs with textile design of different fabric yarn for promoting specific dynamic aesthetic effects.
Body segment position reconstruction and posture classification by smart textiles
Authors: Tognetti A. , Bartalesi R. , Lorussi F. , De Rossi D.
Published: October 2007

Textile-based transducers are an innovative category of devices that use conductive fibres meshed with elastic textile fabrics. Within this paper, a new class of strain sensors, which represents an excellent trade-off between figures of merit in mechano-electrical transduction and possibility of integration in textiles, is presented. Electrically conductive elastomer composites show piezo-resistive properties when a deformation is applied. Conductive elastomer can be applied to fabric or to other flexible substrate and they can be employed as strain sensors. We integrated conductive elastomer sensors into fabrics to realize wearable kinaesthetic garments able to detect posture and movement of a user. This paper deals with the design, the development and realization of a set of sensing garments, from the characterization of innovative textile-based sensors to the methodologies employed to gather information on the posture and movement from the entire garments. Data deriving from the prototypes are analysed and compared with those deriving from a traditional movement tracking system. The realized kinaesthetic garments have shown very promising performance in terms of body segment position reconstruction and posture classification.