bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hazardous waste: the semiotics of ritual hygiene in Cuban popular religion
Authors: Wirtz Kristina 
Published: August 2009

Using a semiotic framework to examine different categorizations of ritually produced ‘hazardous waste’ in Cuban popular religions, I argue that the ways in which waste is produced and treated generate its social indexical value and its potential to act on people. I suggest a focus on the interactions between the materiality of ritual waste and its circulation as an object of discourse. In this view, subjectification and objectification processes are shown to be related, and the agency of subjects and objects is constituted within what Webb Keane calls the same ‘representational economy’. Ethnographically, I describe two different but overlapping explanatory frameworks in how religious practitioners and the Cuban state construe the dangers of ritual waste: a religious framework in which certain kinds of waste are spiritually charged, and an epidemiological framework based on long‐standing metaphors of racialized contagion.RésuméÀ partir de l'analyse, dans un cadre sémiotique, de différentes catégorisations de « déchets dangereux » produits par les rituels des religions populaires cubaines, l'auteure avance que la manière dont les déchets sont produits et traités génère leur valeur indexique sociale et leur capacité d'agir sur les gens. Elle suggère de se concentrer sur les interactions entre la matérialité des déchets rituels et leur circulation en tant qu'objet de discours. Selon cette approche, il apparaît que les processus de subjectification et d'objectification sont liés et que l'agencéité des sujets et des objets est constituée dans le cadre d'une même «économie représentationnelle », selon l'expression de Webb Keane. Du point de vue ethnographique, l'auteure décrit deux cadres différents, mais qui se recoupent, pour expliquer la manière dont les praticiens religieux et l'État cubain envisagent les dangers des déchets rituels : un cadre religieux dans lequel certains types de déchets portent une charge spirituelle, et un cadre épidémiologique, basé sur d'anciennes métaphores de contagion racialisée.
Absent powers: magic and loss in post‐socialist Mongolia
Authors: Højer Lars 
Published: August 2009

Across contemporary Mongolia, people feel that precious religious knowledge has been lost during socialism, and that an unbridgeable gap between pre‐socialist and post‐socialist times has emerged. Instead of viewing this as a passive lack of knowledge, however, this article explores the procreative aspects of absent knowledge. It is argued that such absence is a precondition for the efficacy of certain religious images and practices because it directs people's attention towards a compelling unknown. Here, religious knowledge is effective only insofar as it is revealed as a concealed but potent presence through magico‐religious charms and (post‐)socialist imaginations. It is argued that the presence of absent knowledge is a cause that does not contain its effects, and, hence, that relations to the unknown are also unknown relations.RésuméLes habitants de la Mongolie contemporaine ont le sentiment que des savoirs religieux précieux se sont perdus pendant l'ère socialiste et qu'un fossé infranchissable s'est creusé entre les époques pré‐ et post‐socialiste. Au lieu d'y voir un manque de connaissances passif, l'auteur explore ici les aspects procréatifs de l'absence de connaissances. Il avance que cette absence est une condition nécessaire à l'efficacité de certaines images et pratiques religieuses, parce qu'elle attire l'attention des gens vers un inconnu irrésistible. Les connaissances religieuses ne sont efficaces ici que pour autant qu'elles soient révélées comme une présence cachée mais puissante, grâce à des charmes magico‐religieux et à l'imaginaire (post‐)socialiste. L'auteur affirme que la présence de connaissances absentes est une cause qui ne contient pas ses effets et que, de ce fait, les relations à l'inconnu sont aussi des relations inconnues.
On the Epidemiological Microfoundations of Sticky Information*
Authors: Nunes Ricardo 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe estimate and compare two models in which households periodically update their expectations. The first model assumes that households update their expectations towards survey measures. In the second model, households update their expectations towards rational expectations (RE). While the literature has used these specifications indistinguishably, we argue that there are important differences. The two models imply different updating probabilities, and the data seem to prefer the second one. We then analyse the properties of both models in terms of mean expectations, median expectations, and a measure of disagreement among households. The model with periodical updates towards RE also seems to fit the data better along these dimensions.
Understanding Expertise
Authors: LUNTLEY MICHAEL 
Published: August 2009

abstractIt is sometimes said that experts know and decide ‘in the moment’, not by theoretical or propositionally articulated reflection. What differentiates expert from novice is not that the former know a lot more than the latter, but that their knowledge and the way they use it is qualitatively different. Although this idea is common in the education literature, especially the literature on professional education, it has received little sustained philosophical treatment. I shall argue that the idea of a distinct expert epistemology is not warranted. I argue that what differentiates the epistemic standpoint of experts is not what or how they know, let alone how they deploy knowledge in decision‐making, but their capacity for learning. This capacity for learning is plausibly a function of their epistemic station broadly conceived, in particular the nature of their capacities for attention.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effects of Peritoneal Fluid from Endometriosis Patients on Interferon‐γ‐Induced Protein‐10 (CXCL10) and Interleukin‐8 (CXCL8) Released by Neutrophils and CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Kim Ji‐Yeon , Lee Dong‐Hyung , Joo Jong‐Kil , Jin Jun‐O , Wang Ji‐Won , Hong Young‐Seoub , Kwak Jong‐Young , Lee Kyu‐Sup 
Published: August 2009

Problem  Intraperitoneal immuno‐inflammatory changes may be associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis. We evaluated the effects of peritoneal fluid obtained from patients with endometriosis (ePF) on the release of interferon‐γ‐induced protein‐10 (IP‐10/CXCL10) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8/CXCL8) by neutrophils, CD4+ T cells, and monocytes.Method of study  Neutrophils, CD4+ T cells, and monocytes were cultured with ePF and the chemokine levels in the supernatants were then measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results  The addition of ePF to cultures of CD4+ T cells led to a significant increase in the release of IP‐10 when compared with control PF without endometriosis (cPF). There was a positive correlation between the levels of IL‐8 and IP‐10 in ePF (R = 0.89, P = 0.041), but not between the levels of IP‐10 and IL‐8 released by neutrophils, CD4+ T cells, and monocytes. The levels of IP‐10 in ePF were positively correlated with the release of IP‐10 by ePF‐treated neutrophils (R = 0.89, P < 0.001), CD4+ T cells (R = 0.93, P < 0.001), and monocytes (R = 0.70, P = 0.01). Moreover, the addition of ePF significantly enhanced the interferon‐γ‐induced release of IP‐10 by nuetrophils and CD4+ T cells.Conclusion  These findings suggest that neutrophils and T cells release differential levels of IP‐10 and IL‐8 in response to stimulation with ePF, and that these cells are a major source of IP‐10 in the PF of endometriosis patients.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α‐Associated Mechanisms Affecting the Embryonic Response to Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Mammon Keren , Savion Shoshana , Orenstein Hasida , Fein Amos , Torchinsky Arkady , Toder Vladimir 
Published: August 2009

Problem  We have previously shown that TNF‐α−/− embryos are more sensitive to the exposure to cyclophosphamide (CP) compared with TNF‐α+/+ embryos; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, in our present study, we tried to identify those molecules that might be responsible for the protective effect of the cytokine.Method of study  CP‐treated TNF‐α−/− and TNF‐α+/+ embryos were analyzed for changes in apoptosis by TUNEL and flow cytometry, while cell proliferation was analyzed by BrdU incorporation. The expression of Bax, bcl‐2, p53, the p65 subunit of NF‐κB and IκBα was assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results  CP‐treated TNF‐α−/− embryos exhibited a more profound decrease in their weight, which was accompanied by an earlier appearance of cellular damage and apoptotic cells and an earlier decrease in cell proliferation in the embryonic brain compared with TNF‐α+/+ embryos. Also, an increased percentage of Bax‐positive cells and a decreased percentage of bcl‐2‐positive cells were detected in TNF‐α−/− embryos 48 hr after exposure, which were accompanied by a decreased percentage of p53‐positive cells.Conclusion  Our data implicate TNF‐α to be involved in the protection of the embryo against CP teratogenicity, possibly via alteration in Bax, bcl‐2 or p53 expression.
Laparoscopic obesity surgery in an Asian Institute: A 10‐year prospective study with review of literature
Authors: Lee Wei‐Jei , Ser Kong‐Han , Lee Yi‐Chih , Su Yen‐Hao , Chen Shu‐Chun , Tsou Jun Juin , Chen Jung‐Chien 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjective: Obesity surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and leads to dramatic improvement in related co‐morbidities. The aim of this study was to present the long‐term results of a prospective trial studying the efficacy of laparoscopic obesity surgery in a group of oriental patients.Method: From April 1998 to March 2009, 2385 patients who underwent obesity surgery in a single bariatric center in Asia were recruited. Various procedures have been adopted so far, including laparoscopic vertical banded gastric partition in 652 patients (27.3%), laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) in 1228 patients (51.5%), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in 226 patients (9.5%), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in 128 patients (5.4%), gastric balloon in 68 patients (2.8%) and laparoscopic revision surgery in 83 patients (3.5%). We evaluated the clinical data and effect of obesity surgery on different procedures.Results: Overall, the major complication rate and mortality were 1.5% and 0.12%. There was an increase of surgical risk in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic revision surgery patients. The mean total weight loss for the population was 28.1%, 33.9%, 21.3% 18.7% and 17.4% at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 years after surgery, respectively. LGB had a better weight loss (30.1%) than that of the restrictive‐type procedures (20.9%) at 5 years after surgery. After surgery, most of the obesity‐associated co‐morbidities were resolved or improved in these patients.Conclusion: Laparoscopic obesity surgery resulted in significant and sustained weight loss in morbidly obese Asian patients with resolution of associated co‐morbidities. LGB had a better result in weight reduction than other restrictive procedures.
Differential Effects of Tipranavir plus Ritonavir on Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Pham P. A. , la Porte C. J. L. , Lee L. S. , van Heeswijk R. , Sabo J. P. , Elgadi M. M. , Piliero P. J. , Barditch-Crovo P. , Fuchs E. , Flexner C. , Cameron D. W. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

To identify pharmacokinetic (PK) drug-drug interactions between tipranavir-ritonavir (TPV/r) and rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, we conducted two prospective, open-label, single-arm, two-period studies. The geometric mean (GM) ratio was 1.37 (90% confidence interval [CI], 1.15 to 1.62) for the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for rosuvastatin and 2.23 (90% CI, 1.83 to 2.72) for the maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
) for rosuvastatin with TPV/r at steady state versus alone. The GM ratio was 9.36 (90% CI, 8.02 to 10.94) for the AUC of atorvastatin and 8.61 (90% CI, 7.25 to 10.21) for the
C
max
of atorvastatin with TPV/r at steady state versus alone. Tipranavir PK parameters were not affected by single-dose rosuvastatin or atorvastatin. Mild gastrointestinal intolerance, headache, and mild reversible liver enzyme elevations (grade 1 and 2) were the most commonly reported adverse drug reactions. Based on these interactions, we recommend low initial doses of rosuvastatin (5 mg) and atorvastatin (10 mg), with careful clinical monitoring of rosuvastatin- or atorvastatin-related adverse events when combined with TPV/r.
Silica-Antibiotic Hybrid Nanoparticles for Targeting Intracellular Pathogens
Authors: Seleem Mohamed N. , Munusamy Prabhakaran , Ranjan Ashish , Alqublan Hamzeh , Pickrell Gary , Sriranganathan Nammalwar 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

We investigated the capability of biodegradable silica xerogel as a novel carrier of antibiotic and the efficacy of treatment compared to that with the same dose of free drug against murine salmonellosis. The drug molecules (31%) entrapped in the sol-gel matrix remained in biologically active form, and the bactericidal effect was retained upon drug release. The in vitro drug release profiles of the gentamicin from the xerogel and that from the xerogel-polyethylene glycol (PEG) were distinctly different at pH 7.4. A delayed release of gentamicin was observed from the silica xerogel network (57% in 33 h), and with the addition of 2% PEG, the release rate reached 90% in 33 h. Administration of two doses of the silica xerogel significantly reduced the
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium load in the spleens and livers of infected AJ 646 mice. The silica xerogel and xerogel-PEG achieved a 0.45-log and a 0.41-log reduction in the spleens, respectively, while for the free drug there was no reduction. On the other hand, silica xerogel and xerogel-PEG achieved statistically significant 1.13-log and 1.15-log reductions in the livers, respectively, while for the free drug the reduction was a nonsignificant value of 0.07 log. This new approach, which utilizes a room-temperature synthetic route for incorporating therapeutic drugs into the silica matrix, should improve the capability for targeting intracellular pathogens.
Microarray and Functional Analysis of Growth Phase-Dependent Gene Regulation inBordetella bronchiseptica
Authors: Nicholson Tracy L. , Buboltz Anne M. , Harvill Eric T. , Brockmeier Susan L. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTGrowth phase-dependent gene regulation has recently been demonstrated to occur inBordetella pertussis, with many transcripts, including known virulence factors, significantly decreasing during the transition from logarithmic to stationary-phase growth. Given thatB. pertussisis thought to have derived from aBordetella bronchiseptica-like ancestor, we hypothesized that growth phase-dependent gene regulation would also occur inB. bronchiseptica. Microarray analysis revealed and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed that growth phase-dependent gene regulation occurs inB. bronchiseptica, resulting in prominent temporal shifts in global gene expression. Two virulence phenotypes associated with these gene expression changes were tested. We found that growth-dependent increases in expression of some type III secretion system (TTSS) genes led to a growth phase-dependent increase in a TTSS-dependent function, cytotoxicity. Although the transcription of genes encoding adhesins previously shown to mediate adherence was decreased in late-log and stationary phases, we found that the adherence ofB. bronchisepticadid not decrease in these later phases of growth. Microarray analysis revealed and qRT-PCR confirmed that growth phase-dependent gene regulation occurred in both Bvg+and Bvg−phase-locked mutants, indicating that growth phase-dependent gene regulation inB. bronchisepticacan function independently from the BvgAS regulatory system.
Chlamydia muridarum-Specific CD4 T-Cell Clones Recognize Infected Reproductive Tract Epithelial Cells in an Interferon-Dependent Fashion
Authors: Jayarapu Krupakar , Kerr Micah S. , Katschke Adrian , Johnson Raymond M. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTDuring natural infectionsChlamydia trachomatisurogenital serovars replicate predominantly in the epithelial cells lining the reproductive tract. This tissue tropism poses a unique challenge to host cellar immunity and future vaccine development. In the experimental mouse model, CD4 T cells are necessary and sufficient to clearChlamydia muridarumgenital tract infections. This implies that resolution of genital tract infection depends on CD4 T-cell interactions with infected epithelial cells. However, no laboratory has shown thatChlamydia-specific CD4 T cells can recognizeChlamydiaantigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-I) molecules on epithelial cells. In this report we show that MHC-II-restrictedChlamydia-specific CD4 T-cell clones recognize infected upper reproductive tract epithelial cells as early as 12 h postinfection. The timing of recognition and degree of T-cell activation are dependent on the interferon (IFN) milieu. Beta IFN (IFN-β) and IFN-γ have different effects on T-cell activation, with IFN-β blunting IFN-γ-induced upregulation of epithelial cell surface MHC-II and T-cell activation. Individual CD4 T-cell clones differed in their degrees of dependence on IFN-γ-regulated MHC-II for controllingChlamydiareplication in epithelial cells in vitro. We discuss our data as they relate to published studies with IFN knockout mice, proposing a straightforward interpretation of the existing literature based on CD4 T-cell interactions with the infected reproductive tract epithelium.
Early changes in respiratory health in trades' apprentices and physician visits for respiratory illnesses later in life
Authors: Peters C E , Demers P A , Sehmer J , Karlen B , Kennedy S M 
Published: August 2009

ObjectivesAn inception cohort of trades' apprentices had rapid declines in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)) and rapid increases in bronchial responsiveness (↑BR) over the first 2 years of employment. We used physician visit data to assess respiratory health over the following 13 years.MethodsConstruction painter, electrician, insulator and machinist apprentices beginning at a British Columbia trade school in 1988 were invited to participate and were followed up 2 years later. Subjects were linked to provincial medical databases to examine physician visits for asthma and other respiratory illnesses for the 13 years following. Multivariable models with rapid decline in FEV1and rapid increase in BR from years 1 to 3 were constructed. Respiratory symptoms were also examined as predictors of visit rates and meeting a case definition (for asthma or other respiratory illness).ResultsThe cohort included 281 apprentices (97% are men). Sixteen subjects met the asthma case definition (≥2 visits coded as asthma in 1 year) and 20 met the other respiratory illness case definition (≥3 visits for bronchitis, emphysema, respiratory symptoms in 1 year). In models controlling for demographic factors and smoking, subjects with bronchitis symptoms at baseline were more likely to develop other respiratory illness during follow-up (RR 4.4, 95% CI 1.6 to 11.9). Apprentices who developed asthma symptoms over the first 2 years were approximately six times more likely to become asthma cases (95% CI 1.9 to 18.8). Those with a rapid increase in BR were at increased risk of becoming asthma cases (RR 5.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 16.1), as well as having higher asthma visit rates (RR 6.5). Subjects with rapid decline in FEV1were 3.2 times more likely to become asthma cases (95% CI 0.8 to 12.1).ConclusionsChanges in respiratory health early in adulthood, especially increased BR, are associated with respiratory physician visits. These findings are important for workplace screening and prevention and also suggest that physician visit databases are promising research tools in respiratory epidemiology.
EXTREMAL EQUILIBRIA FOR DISSIPATIVE PARABOLIC EQUATIONS IN LOCALLY UNIFORM SPACES
Authors: CHOLEWA JAN W. , RODRÍGUEZ-BERNAL ANÍBAL 
Published: August 2009

We consider a reaction diffusion equation ut = Δu + f(x, u) in ℝN with initial data in the locally uniform space [Formula: see text], q ∈ [1, ∞), and with dissipative nonlinearities satisfying s f(x, s) ≤ C(x)s2 + D(x) |s|, where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for certain [Formula: see text]. We construct a global attractor [Formula: see text] and show that [Formula: see text] is actually contained in an ordered interval [φm, φM], where [Formula: see text] is a pair of stationary solutions, minimal and maximal respectively, that satisfy φm ≤ lim inft→∞ u(t; u0) ≤ lim supt→∞ u(t; u0) ≤ φM uniformly for u0 in bounded subsets of [Formula: see text]. A sufficient condition concerning the existence of minimal positive steady state, asymptotically stable from below, is given. Certain sufficient conditions are also discussed ensuring the solutions to be asymptotically small as |x| → ∞. In this case the solutions are shown to enter, asymptotically, Lebesgue spaces of integrable functions in ℝN, the attractor attracts in the uniform convergence topology in ℝN and is a bounded subset of W2,r(ℝN) for some r > N/2. Uniqueness and asymptotic stability of positive solutions are also discussed. Applications to some model problems, including some from mathematical biology are given.
A flow calculus ofmwp-bounds for complexity analysis
Authors: Jones Neil D. , Kristiansen Lars 
Published: August 2009

We present a method for certifying that the values computed by an imperative program will be bounded by polynomials in the program's inputs. To this end, we introducemwp-matrices and define a semantic relation ⊧ C :M, where C is a program andMis anmwp-matrix. It follows straightforwardly from our definitions that there existsMsuch that ⊧ C :Mholds iff every value computed by C is bounded by a polynomial in the inputs. Furthermore, we provide a syntactical proof calculus and define the relation ⊢ C :Mto hold iff there exists a derivation in the calculus where C :Mis the bottom line. We prove that ⊢ C :Mimplies ⊧ C :M.By means of exhaustive proof search, an algorithm can decide if there existsMsuch that the relation ⊢ C :Mholds, and thus, our results yield a computational method.
Melatonin levels and enzymatic antioxidant defense system decrease in blood of patients with bronchial asthma
Authors: Gumral N , Calıskan S , Ozgüner F , Kaleli S , Akkaya A , Yılmaz H , Sen S 
Published: August 2009

The etiology of bronchial asthma (BA) is not clearly understood. In recent years, a few studies have investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the etiology of BA. There are some defense mechanisms in the organism to avoid the harmful effects of ROS. Melatonin (MEL) is synthesized by the pineal gland at night and exhibits antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate serum MEL levels, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the association of the respiratory function tests, namely dynamic lung volumes; the forced vital capacity (FVC/L, FVC%), the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1/L, FEV1%), and peak expiratory flow (PEF/L/s, PEF%) in 30 patients with BA and 30 age-matched healthy controls. The levels of serum MEL, the activities of erythrocyte SOD, and the values of FVC/L, FVC%, FEV1/L, and FEV1% were significantly lower in the patients with BA than in control group. The positive correlations were observed between FVC% with erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px, FEV1/L as well as FEV1% with erythrocyte SOD, whereas negative correlation was observed between PEF/L/s with levels of serum MEL. In conclusion, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of decreased antioxidant enzymes, MEL, and respiratory function test values in BA.