bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HIV INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: UTULU S. N. , LAWOYIN T. O. 
Published: March 2007

Summary.Women in Benue State have for years had the highest HIV rate in the country, but because the sentinel surveys are anonymized and unlinked, not much is known about the socio-demographic, behavioural and other risk factors that predispose these women to the disease. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria does not appear to be a single epidemic but rather multiple epidemics of varying magnitude and trends. This cross-sectional study was therefore carried out to identify the risk factors for HIV/AIDS among these women. A total of 404 consecutive consenting mothers enrolled at the booking clinic were followed up until delivery of their babies. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and tested for HIV infection using an ELISA-based kit after obtaining informed consent. Mean age of the mothers was 26±6·1 years, 94·8% were married while 50·5% had at least secondary level education. Sixty-one (15·1%) mothers were HIV positive with mothers aged 15–24 years being responsible for 50·8% of all infection. Following bivariate analysis, being single, having a partner with low level of formal education, living in a rural location, being in a polygamous/multiple partner union, being a higher order polygamous wife, being married more than once and reporting a history of a sexually transmitted infection were significantly associated with HIV infection. Monogamous women who lived apart from their partners and women who had ever had blood transfusion were also more likely to be HIV positive. Following multivariate logistic regression, a young age of 15–24 years (multivariate OR=3·3, 95% CI=1·2–8·4, p=0·02); ever had other STIs (OR=1·6, 95% CI 1·1–2·3, p=0·009); no formal maternal education (OR=0·6, 95% CI 0·4–0·9, p=0·021) and having one lifetime sexual partner (OR=0·4, 95% CI 0·3–0·5, p<0·00001) were significantly associated with HIV infection in the study population. Appropriate interventions must be directed at young people and should include STI control and abstinence education. Blood safety must be ensured as well as a general improvement in the level of formal and health education in this community.
Which variables matter in smell tests in the clinic?
Authors: Philpott C M , Wolstenholme C R , Goodenough P C , Clark A , Murty G E 
Published: March 2007

Background: Testing of olfactory thresholds in the clinic is becoming more common, with commercially produced tests now available. The effect of common potential variables in the clinic setting on these results is unclear. If many variables must be controlled, tests become more complex and a universally accepted olfactory test becomes less likely.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine which potential variables the clinician needs to consider when testing olfaction in the out-patient clinic.Methods: The study was conducted in a clinic setting at a university hospital, using 103 normal volunteers, comprising staff members and patients and relatives from the ENT clinic waiting room. The subjects recruited had no active rhinological complaints, were not taking any medications and were aged between 16 and 70 years. An olfactory threshold was established for each subject for the odour eucalyptol. Gender, smoking status, age, peak nasal inspiratory flow, ambient temperature and relative humidity were all recorded.Results: For eucalyptol, the distribution of values for olfactory thresholds in the normal population lies around the concentration 10−3 log vol/vol. There was no significant effect of smoking status, tester, ambient temperature or humidity on the thresholds obtained.Conclusions: The above variables do not have a significant effect on olfactory thresholds elicited in the clinic. The clinician therefore need not attempt to control these factors when testing olfaction in the out-patient setting. These findings bring the implementation of a universal, reliable and easily administered measurement of olfaction a step closer.
Frequent allelic loss at the FRA3B site in endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: association with clinical features and Epstein–Barr virus infection
Authors: Deng Y F , Zhou D N , Lu Y D 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to precisely define the patterns of allelic loss at the FRA3B site in endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to determine whether an association exists between allelic loss, clinicopathological features and Epstein–Barr virus infection.We examined the loss of heterozygosity in 40 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma from an endemic area in southern China, using eight high dense, polymorphic, microsatellite markers within or flanking the FRA3B site.Loss of heterozygosity at the FRA3B region was shown in 31 (77.5 per cent) primary tumours. Loss of heterozygosity was found most frequently at the D3S1300 (55.6 per cent) and D3S2757 (50.0 per cent) loci. The common area of deletion was located between the D3S4103 and D3S4260 loci. In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, loss of heterozygosity at the FRA3B/fragile histidine triad locus correlated with the following clinicopathological parameters: tumour T-stage, lymph node status, clinical stage, tumour differentiation and serum antibody titres of immunoglobulin (Ig) A against Epstein–Barr virus capsid antigen. Significantly frequent loss of heterozygosity was observed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with tumour stages T3 and T4, lymph node metastasis and advanced tumour–node–metastasis staging (III and IV). Very frequent loss of heterozygosity was also observed to correlate with World Health Organization type III nasopharyngeal carcinoma histopathology. We also found that nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with high titres of IgA against Epstein–Barr virus capsid antigen showed very frequent loss of heterozygosity.Allelic loss at the FRA3B site occurs significantly more commonly in endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. This suggests that the region between D3S4103 and D3S4260 may represent a preferential molecular target in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis.
Long time convergence of magnetohydrodynamic flows to alfvénic states
Authors: NÚÑEZ MANUEL 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAlfvénic states of a plasma, where velocity and magnetic field coincide, form a particular simple class of ideal equilibria and are also found in certain astrophysical phenomena. While transient processes of alignment in turbulent plasmas are well known and due to preferential spectral transfer, the possible long-term evolution of a magnetohydrodynamic plasma towards an alfvénic state has been rarely studied. It is shown that this tendency does not exist: neither specific ideal alfvénic equilibria nor the whole set of such states attract trajectories in any functional sense. Another possibility is that the perturbations of a static equilibrium could tend to become alfvénic, such as the classical Alfvén waves. We find that if these equilibria are current free, when a perturbation approaches an alfvénic state it immediately bounces away from it.
Whistler wave emission by a modulated electron beam injected into a plasma column surrounded by a uniform medium
Authors: KRAFFT C. , ZABORONKOVA T. M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe efficiency of whistler wave radiation by a density modulated and thin electron beam of finite length injected parallel with respect to the constant ambient magnetic field into a cylindrical plasma column surrounded by a uniform isotropic medium and aligned along the magnetic field is studied. A rigorous analytical derivation of the wave fields excited by the beam in the plasma column is presented. The time-averaged power radiated by the beam at the modulation frequency is determined. In particular, numerical calculations performed for physical conditions relevant to laboratory magnetized discharge plasmas show that, in the presence of a plasma column, the power lost by the modulated beam can be efficiently enhanced owing to resonant Cherenkov excitation of guided whistler modes at the beam modulation frequency.
Ethnic difference in the relationship between acute inflammation and serum ferritin in US adult males
Authors: PAN Y. , JACKSON R. T. 
Published: March 2007

SUMMARYThis study examined the ethnic difference in the association between increased serum ferritin (SF) (>300 μg/l) and acute inflammation (AI) (C-reactive protein ⩾1·0 mg/dl) between black and white males aged ⩾20 years. Using data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), we determined the risk for having elevated SF in black males (n=164) and white males (n=325) with AI present as well as black males (n=1731) and white males (n=2877) with AI absent. Black subjects with AI present were 1·71 times (95% CI 1·18–2·49), and 1·87 times (95% CI 1·46–2·40) more likely to have increased SF than AI absent blacks and AI present whites, respectively. Furthermore, with AI present, every increment of C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, serum albumin, lymphocyte count and platelet count was associated with higher odds of having elevations in SF in blacks than whites. Regardless of AI status, blacks were more likely to have elevations in SF than whites, and the prevalence of elevated SF was significantly higher in blacks than whites. This finding suggested that black males may respond to inflammation with a more aggressive rise in SF compared to white males. Future research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Failure to detect infection by oral polio vaccine virus following natural exposure among inactivated polio vaccine recipients
Authors: GARY H. E. , SMITH B. , JENKS J. , RUIZ J. , SESSIONS W. , VINJE J. , SOBSEY M. 
Published: March 2007

SUMMARYWhile oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been shown to be safe and effective, it has been observed that it can circulate within a susceptible population and revert to a virulent form. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) confers protection from paralytic disease, but provides limited protection against infection. It is possible, then, that an IPV-immunized population, when exposed to OPV, could sustain undetected circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus. This study examines the possibility of polio vaccine virus circulating within the United States (highly IPV-immunized) population that borders Mexico (OPV-immunized). A total of 653 stool and 20 sewage samples collected on the US side of the border were tested for the presence of poliovirus. All samples were found to be negative. These results suggest that the risk of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus is low in fully immunized IPV-using populations in developed countries that border OPV-using populations.
Kinetic analysis of GTP hydrolysis catalysed by the Arf1-GTP–ASAP1 complex
Authors: Luo Ruibai , Ahvazi Bijan , Amariei Diana , Shroder Deborah , Burrola Beatriz , Losert Wolfgang , Randazzo Paul A. 
Published: March 2007

Arf (ADP-ribosylation factor) GAPs (GTPase-activating proteins) are enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of GTP bound to the small GTP-binding protein Arf. They have also been proposed to function as Arf effectors and oncogenes. We have set out to characterize the kinetics of the GAP-induced GTP hydrolysis using a truncated form of ASAP1 [Arf GAP with SH3 (Src homology 3) domain, ankyrin repeats and PH (pleckstrin homology) domains 1] as a model. We found that ASAP1 used Arf1-GTP as a substrate with a kcat of 57±5 s−1 and a Km of 2.2±0.5 μM determined by steady-state kinetics and a kcat of 56±7 s−1 determined by single-turnover kinetics. Tetrafluoroaluminate (AlF4−), which stabilizes complexes of other Ras family members with their cognate GAPs, also stabilized a complex of Arf1-GDP with ASAP1. As anticipated, mutation of Arg-497 to a lysine residue affected kcat to a much greater extent than Km. Changing Trp-479, Iso-490, Arg-505, Leu-511 or Asp-512 was predicted, based on previous studies, to affect affinity for Arf1-GTP. Instead, these mutations primarily affected the kcat. Mutants that lacked activity in vitro similarly lacked activity in an in vivo assay of ASAP1 function, the inhibition of dorsal ruffle formation. Our results support the conclusion that the Arf GAP ASAP1 functions in binary complex with Arf1-GTP to induce a transition state towards GTP hydrolysis. The results have led us to speculate that Arf1-GTP–ASAP1 undergoes a significant conformational change when transitioning from the ground to catalytically active state. The ramifications for the putative effector function of ASAP1 are discussed.
Vasoactive drugs enhance pancreatic islet blood flow, augment insulin secretion and improve glucose tolerance in female rats
Authors: Huang Zhen , Jansson Leif , Sjöholm Åke 
Published: March 2007

Pravastatin, irbesartan and captopril are frequently used in the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes. These drugs also exert beneficial metabolic effects, causing an improved glucose tolerance in patients, but the precise mechanisms by which this is achieved remain elusive. To this end, we have studied whether these drugs influence insulin secretion in vivo through effects on islet blood perfusion. Captopril (3 mg/kg of body weight), irbesartan (3 mg/kg of body weight) and pravastatin (0.5 mg/kg of body weight) were injected intravenously into anaesthetized female Wistar rats. Blood flow rates were determined by a microsphere technique. Blood glucose concentrations were measured with test reagent strips and serum insulin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Pancreatic blood flow was markedly increased by pravastatin (P&lt;0.001), captopril (P&lt;0.05) and irbesartan (P&lt;0.01). Pancreatic islet blood flow was significantly and preferentially enhanced after the administration of captopril (P&lt;0.01), irbesartan (P&lt;0.01) and pravastatin (P&lt;0.001). Kidney blood flow was enhanced significantly by pravastatin (P&lt;0.01), irbesartan (P&lt;0.05) and captopril (P&lt;0.01). Captopril and pravastatin also enhanced late-phase insulin secretion and positively influenced glycaemia in intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests. In conclusion, the present study suggests that a local pancreatic renin–angiotensin system and pravastatin treatment may be selectively controlling pancreatic islet blood flow, augmenting insulin secretion and thereby improving glucose tolerance. Our findings indicate significant gender-related differences in the vascular response to these agents. Since statins and renin–angiotensin system inhibitors are frequently used by diabetic patients, the antidiabetic actions of these drugs reported previously might occur, in part, through the beneficial direct islet effects shown in the present study.
Study of supply cut‐off and bearing geometric parameters on design of hybrid journal bearing
Authors: Jadon Vijay Kumar , Singh Madhvender 
Published: March 2007

PurposeHybrid bearings have found increasing applications in various machines owing to their large number of favorable characteristics like high load carrying capacity, increased minimum fluid film thickness, long life and increased damping making them attractive for various applications such as turbo machinery, machine tool spindles, precision grinder spindles, etc. A careful design of such bearing for optimum performance has always been among the key issues of the researchers. The present work has been carried out to study the effect of bearing geometric parameters on performance of hybrid journal bearing and supply cut‐off behavior has also been studied for the improved performance.Design/methodology/approachThe generalized Reynold's equation governing the fluid flow in the clearance space between bearing and journal has been solved using finite element method to determine the pressure distribution, subsequently performance of hole‐entry hybrid journal bearing are computed. The journal centre equilibrium position for the given load is computed and the formulation is explained. The geometric parameters include aspect ratio, land width ratio, number of rows and number of holes per row. Further, performance of the bearing is computed with increasing the load, which induces negative pressure or the backpressure at the supply holes subsequently those are plugged to support the higher load.FindingsThe obtained results are presented in graphical form and logical conclusions are drawn and the modified configurations with reduced number of holes are suggested for higher load. It is observed that the bearing configuration with aspect ratio = 1.0 and land width ratio = 0.2 is best for high load support for low power requirement as less lubricant is required to be pumped in the bearing yet it provides sufficient fluid film thickness and lower values of maximum pressure. The load carrying capacity of the bearing can be further increased by plugging the holes on which backpressure is obtained for same bearing configuration. A feedback control with hybrid bearing system will sustain the sudden increase of load by shutting off the supply of the lubricant through supply hole where negative pressure is encountered.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the performance of non recessed hybrid journal bearings with wide range of geometric parameter. The results are quite useful for the bearing designer. The supply cut‐off is another aspect of originality of the paper as it provides the better load support.
Controlling your outsourced application development with ALM
Authors: Magid Daniel 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper examines application lifecycle management (ALM) and how it can benefit the outsourcing of application development.Design/methodology/approachThis is a viewpoint paper.FindingsALM products address the critical development needs of developers, IT managers, and CIOs by allowing all to function in a cohesive distributed environment with outsourced components.Originality/valueThe paper will be of interest to managers involved in the outsourcing of application development.
The “ICON” archetype
Authors: Pitt Leyland , Salehi‐Sangari Esmail , Berthon Jean‐Paul , Nel Deon 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between a firm's “ICON” archetype, turbulence in its operating environment and its performance.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire‐based survey of 258 marketing managers in South Africa used a modified ICON scale to identify archetypes, assess perceived turbulence, and measure performance with respect to profitability, market share and growth rate.FindingsThe archetype to which a firm conforms depends to some extent on its perception of environmental turbulence, and has an influence on all aspects of its performance. “Isolate” firms tend to under‐perform on all measures; “shapers” exhibit significantly higher rates of growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations are associated with mail surveys, single‐respondent bias, and subjective assessment of performance. The study nevertheless demonstrates the validity and usefulness of the ICON matrix and scale, and sets directions for further investigation.Practical implicationsOffers a simple yet powerful way for marketing managers and planners to identify their firm's ICON archetype, and illustrates the impact it can have on performance.Originality/valueA managerially useful adaptation of the original ICON scale is applied beyond the conventional setting of North America or Europe, in a challenging managerial environment.
Knowledge systems and value creation
Authors: Rezgui Yacine 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the role of knowledge management systems (KMS) in promoting value creation in the construction sector.Design/methodology/approachAn action research methodology using a multiple case study approach, which includes participant observation and semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThe findings indicate that KMS promote value creation when they embed and nurture the social conditions that bind and bond team members together. Also, to be effective KMS should be incorporated within a change management programme that promotes a “participatory” type of culture while taking into account the team‐based structure and discipline‐oriented nature of the construction industry. Therefore, much more consideration should be given to organisational change issues prior to deployment of KMS.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to organisations from the construction industry, but can be generalised to organisations from other sectors that exhibit similar characteristics.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used to guide management teams in deploying KMS to foster value creation as part of a wider change management programme.Originality/valueWhile related research tends to adopt an objectivist or subjectivist approach to knowledge management (KM), the present research argues that a third approach is required where issues related to technology, culture, and organisation must be blended successfully to address complex organisational barriers to effective KM leading to value creation.
Developing a BPI framework and PAM for SMEs
Authors: Khan Zulfiqar , Bali Rajeev K. , Wickramasinghe Nilmini 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe last decade has seen much interest in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from successive UK Governments highlighting the importance of this sector to the wealth‐creating process of the UK economy. World‐class manufacturing (WCM) is a set of methodologies that are used by organisations to compete globally and continuously improve their competitiveness. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are now competing at a global level and many are world‐class. The majority of the companies that make up the OEM's supply chains are SMEs. It is, therefore, imperative that SMEs also improve their competitiveness to a world‐class level. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a triangulation methodology consisting of a literature review, analysis of a 150‐company survey and semi‐structured interviews in the development of the business process improvement (BPI) framework and performance assessment methodology (PAM) tool.FindingsThis study advocates a planned and integrated approach for the gradual achievement of WCM in SMEs by a strategy of BPI through continuous improvement and structured training.Practical implicationsThe work is of value to SMEs since the study encapsulates the requirements of SME management into the BPI framework and considers their critique of present frameworks; hence a practical framework that is honed for SME application.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified need for SMEs to achieve WCM status and offers a novel/practical framework and PAM tool which are timely because the DTI is promulgating the need for SMEs to become world‐class.