Consequences of fathers' participation in family work: Parents' role strain and well-being.

Examined the relation of fathers' participation in child care and home chores to parents' role strain and well-being in an interview study of 160 Caucasian middle-class fathers (mean age 41.11 yrs) and mothers (mean age 39.38 yrs) of kindergarten and 4th-grade children. In half of the families, mothers were employed. Four forms of paternal participation were examined. Role-strain items referred to immediate and specific problems such as time and energy constraints and role conflicts. Well-being measures assessed self-esteem, life satisfaction, and quality of experience in the parental and marital roles. Regression analyses indicated that when the level of fathers' participation was controlled maternal employment did not condition the relation between participation and the outcome variables. Findings varied for the different forms of participation. For fathers, higher levels of participation were associated with feeling more involved and competent as a parent and with being more critical of wives' patterns and parenting. For mothers, those whose husbands were more participant praised their husbands' parenting, but they were lower in life satisfaction and were more self-critical about their balance of work and family responsibilities. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Women and gender in research on work and family stress.

Research on work-related stress has tended to focus on males and to neglect gender as a variable; often, findings from studies of men are incorrectly generalized to women. The failure to "build women in" to conceptual models has impaired our understanding of both work and family role stressors. This article focuses on assumptions, gaps, and biases in the literature; the home, for example, has been viewed as a stress-free sanctuary, whereas workplace stress has been overemphasized and seen as particularly dangerous for women. To better understand the costs and benefits of employment and of multiple roles for women, and the stressfulness of family roles, more attention to the qualitative aspects of roles is needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of indirect evaporative cooling and thermal mass in a hot arid climate

In this paper, we compare results of a long-term temperature monitoring in a building with high thermal mass to indoor temperature predictions of a second building that uses an indirect evaporative cooling system as a means of passive cooling (Vivienda Bioclimática Prototipo -VBP-1), for the climatic conditions of Sde Boqer, Negev region of Israel (local latitude 30°52′N, longitude 34°46′E, approximately 480 m above sea level). The high-mass building was monitored from January through September 2006 and belongs to a student dormitory complex located at the Sde Boqer Campus of Ben-Gurion University. VBP-1 was designed and built in Maracaibo, Venezuela (latitude 10°34′N, longitude 71°44′W, elevation 66 m above sea level) and had its indoor air temperatures, below and above a shaded roof pond, as well as the pond temperature monitored from February to September 2006. Formulas were developed for the VBP-1, based on part of the whole monitoring period, which represent the measured daily indoor maximum, average and minimum temperatures. The formulas were then validated against measurements taken independently in different time periods. The developed formulas were here used for estimating the building's thermal and energy performance at the climate of Sde Boqer, allowing a comparison of two different strategies: indirect evaporative cooling and the use of thermal mass.     

Determination of oxidizing anions in explosive mixtures by phase transfer

Inorganic oxidizing agents are used in various explosive mixtures that are analysed by analytical chemists. Among them are dynamites, ANFO, black powder, match heads, pyrotechnical devices and home-made bombs. The crucial step in post explosion analysis is the extraction and purification of the explosive residues from the debris. A unique, fast and selective extraction technique for inorganic oxidizing agents is described in this paper. The debris are first extracted with water to yield an aqueous solution of the ions. Oxidizing anions such as nitrate and chlorate, are selectively transfered into the organic phase by the use of lipophilic quarternary ammonium cations. Other anions such as carbonate, sulphate and nitrite are not extracted into the organic phase under these conditions. The extracted anions are then identified by infra-red spectrometry and chemical spot tests.     

Relative importance of the glycoprotein Ib-binding domain and the RGD sequence of von Willebrand factor for its interaction with endothelial cells

Endothelial cell adhesion to von Willebrand Factor is mainly mediated through an interaction between the alpha vbeta3 integrin and the RGD sequence of von Willebrand factor (vWF). To define the potential involvement of glycoprotein Ib alpha (GPIb alpha) as an endothelial vWF receptor, we compared cell adhesion to three recombinant vWF, the wild-type (WT-rvWF) and two mutants, RGGS-rvWF (D1746G), defective for binding to platelet alphaIIb beta3, and deltaA1-rvWF with a deletion between amino-acids 478 and 716, which does not bind to platelet GPIb alpha. Adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to purified vWF recombinants was measured by automatized cell counting using an image analyzer. Whereas cell adhesion to delta A1-rvWF was unchanged compared with WT-rvWF, reaching a plateau of 40% total cells at a concentration of 2.5 microg/mL rvWF, adhesion to RGGS-rvWF was only 10% of total cells. Cell stimulation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), reported to upregulate the expression of the putative endothelial GPIb alpha, did not modify adhesion to these rvWF. Monoclonal antibodies to vWF or GPIb alpha, blocking vWF interaction with platelet GPIb alpha, were unable to inhibit endothelial cell adhesion to rvWF. In contrast, antibody 9 to vWF, blocking the alpha vbeta3-dependent endothelial cell adhesion to plasma vWF, inhibited adhesion to WT-rvWF as efficiently as to deltaA1-rvWF (50% inhibition at a concentration of 11 and 15 microg/mL, respectively). In agreement with the fact that endothelial cell adhesion to vWF appeared independent of the GPIb alpha-binding domain, we were unable to detect endothelial surface expression of GPIb alpha by flow cytometry or in cell lysates by immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting. Moreover, expression of GPIb alpha mRNA was undetectable in endothelial cells, even after stimulation by TNF alpha. These studies indicate that GPIb alpha is not expressed in human cultured endothelial cells and is not involved in adhesion to vWF-containing surfaces. Thus, in static conditions, cultured endothelial cells adhere to vWF through an alpha vbeta3-dependent, GPIb alpha-independent mechanism.     

Municipalities and energy efficiency in countries in transition: Review of factors that determine municipal involvement in the markets for energy services and energy efficient equipment,or how to augment the role of municipalities as market players

It is widely recognized that many cost-efficient opportunities to employ end-use energy efficiency measures exist in countries in transition (CITs) and that municipal authorities have an essential role to play in capturing these opportunities. The aim of this paper is to review the factors that determine the degree of involvement of local authorities in the market for energy services and energy efficient (EE) equipment in three CITs: Bulgaria, Hungary and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (hereafter: Macedonia). We achieve this aim by examining the current status of local governments as the most powerful determinant of municipal market involvement. Two broad groups of factors are discussed: statutory obligations and powers of local governments, especially energy-related tasks, and finance. We explain how specific features within these two areas may influence the motivation of local authorities to improve energy efficiency and their capacity to do so. We argue that greater decentralization is the first step in augmenting the role of local authorities in the market for energy services and EE equipment. Based on the analysis we give recommendations on how to encourage municipal authorities to use market mechanisms more extensively to deliver energy efficiency.     

Argumentation in a changing world

Critical reasoning has been recognized as a valuable educational goal since the end of the nineteenth century. However, the educational programs to reach this goal have changed dramatically during the twentieth century and moved to a dialogic approach. The shift to dialogism in programs to promote critical reasoning brings challenges concerning evaluation. We depict such a program here. This program is based on the use of graphic tools for argumentation in e-discussions. We focus on one history teacher who implemented the program in his class during a period of 7 months. In a design-based research cycle, we investigate the process of finding proper criteria to evaluate the program and to improve it. We show that the criteria of coherence, decisiveness and openness are appropriate for evaluating the program as they stem from pedagogical principles (autonomy, collaboration, commitment to reasoning, ethical communication, procedural mediation, etc.) that are central to a dialogic approach for critical reasoning education. We show that the history course was successful according to those criteria, but not successful according to other more traditional criteria. We discuss whether these differential performances suggest new standards for critical reasoning, actions to improve the program, or both.     

Ser752 mutation to Pro or Ala in the beta3 integrin subunit differentially affects the kinetics of cell spreading to von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen

The beta3 cytoplasmic domain of the alpha v beta3 integrin is essential for intracellular signals required for cytoskeletal rearrangements. Expression of beta3Ser752Pro mutation in heterologous cells profoundly affects cell spreading and beta3 localization into focal contacts. However, the beta3Ser752Ala substitution mostly restores normal integrin functions, suggesting that the presence of Pro is responsible for the receptor's loss of function. To further assess the role of the Ser752 of the beta3 cytoplasmic domain in the cytoskeletal organization of adherent cells, we developed a computer-assisted method of image analysis allowing the automatic classification of spread cells according to the quantitative analysis of their cell morphology. We compared adhesion and spreading to von Willebrand factor (vWF) or fibrinogen (Fg) of cells expressing beta3 wild type, beta3Ser752Pro or beta3Ser752Ala mutated integrin subunit as a chimeric alpha v beta3 receptor. The beta3Ser752Ala substitution did not impair the general ability of cells to spread, but resulted in a delayed and reduced spreading on both vWF and Fg. Moreover, the beta3Ser752Ala mutation produced modifications of the morphology of spread cells, suggesting a disorganization of their cytoskeleton. Attachment studies showed that the beta3Ser752Ala mutation did not modify the capacity of cells to attach to the substrate, indicating no change in the ligand binding affinity of the alpha v beta3 integrin. Furthermore, we identified a slight defect of beta3Ser752Pro cell attachment to vWF and Fg, beside their impairment of spreading. Taken together, these results suggest a role of Ser752 of the beta3 cytoplasmic domain in the optimal cytoskeletal organization of adherent cells.     

A pharmacokinetic study of intravenous itraconazole followed by oral administration of itraconazole capsules in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection

A randomized, open-label, comparative study was conducted in 30 male patients with moderately advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to examine the pharmacokinetics of an investigational intravenous preparation of itraconazole compared with pharmacokinetics after administration of itraconazole capsules. The study also assessed whether adequate plasma concentrations of itraconazole could be rapidly achieved with the intravenous formulation and then maintained after cessation of intravenous therapy with itraconazole capsules. All patients received 200 mg intravenous itraconazole as a 1-hour infusion in 40% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) vehicle twice daily for 2 days, and then 200 mg intravenously once daily for 5 days. Patients then received itraconazole capsules, either 200 mg twice daily or 200 mg once daily for 28 days. Steady-state plasma concentrations of itraconazole were reached by day 3 with intravenous infusion, a much shorter time than observed with administration of itraconazole capsules. Steady-state concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole were effectively maintained during the rest of the intravenous infusions of itraconazole. Oral follow-up with administration of 200-mg capsules once daily could not maintain the plasma concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole obtained at the end of the intravenous treatment, whereas twice-daily oral administration maintained or increased these concentrations. Mean plasma concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole on day 7 were similar to those on day 36 in the twice-daily group. Mean renal clearance was comparable to mean total body clearance, and approximately 93% to 101% of the HP-beta-CD was excreted unchanged in urine within 12 hours of administration. The HP-beta-CD was essentially eliminated through the kidney, and little accumulation in the body was observed in this patient population. Adverse events during the intravenous phase were most commonly associated with intravenous administration. Intravenous infusion of itraconazole for 7 days followed by administration of itraconazole capsules twice daily for 28 days is an effective dose regimen in patients with advanced HIV infection.