bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cities, Social Cohesion and the Environment: Towards a Future Research Agenda
Authors: Cook Ian R. , Swyngedouw Erik
Published: May 2012

It will be argued in this paper that the problematic of social cohesion is also one of socio-ecological cohesion whereby the urbanisation of nature and its socio-environmentally enabling and disabling conditions are key processes. By viewing the contradictions of the urbanisation process as intrinsically socio-ecological ones, the terrain of social cohesion is shifted both epistemologically and politically. The paper critically examines three contemporary schools of thought that consider in different ways the relationship between cities, social cohesion and the environment. It begins with a critical examination of the notion of urban sustainability. The paper will then move on to consider two approaches that emphasise issues of (in)equality and (in)justice in the urban environment, those of environmental justice and urban political ecology. The final part of the paper pinpoints four areas of research that urban researchers must examine if we are to understand more fully—and act more politically on—the nexus between cities, social cohesion and the environment.
Beyond Bigotry
Authors: Ghoshal Raj Andrew , Lippard Cameron , Ribas Vanesa , Muir Ken
Published: May 2012

Researchers have demonstrated that unconscious prejudices around characteristics such as race, gender, and class are common, even among people who avow themselves unbiased. The authors present a method for teaching about implicit racial bias using online Implicit Association Tests. The authors do not claim that their method rids students of biases. Instead, the authors show that this approach helps students recognize that they and many other people may hold implicit biases that can affect perceptions and actions and realize that prejudice is not reducible to overt bigotry. The authors also show that the exercise helped some students recognize that talking about race and challenging unconscious associations are better methods of combating prejudice than simply pretending not to notice race. Qualitative and quantitative data reveal that the approach described here was effective in building students’ understanding of unconscious prejudice.
The Righteousness of God (Dikaiosunē Theou) and Verbal Genitives: A Grammatical Clarification
Authors: Burk Denny
Published: May 2012

This article proposes to narrow the range of possible meanings for the phrase δɩκαɩοσύνη θɛου̑. Because δɩκαɩοσύνη is the nominalization of an attribute, we have to rule out of bounds any notion of δɩκαɩοσύνη θɛου̑ as a subjective or objective genitive. Once these two options are eliminated, the remaining possibilities for understanding the genitive are significantly narrowed. The article also suggests that Käsemann’s interpretation is still possible even when rendering the phrase as a simple possessive genitive—God’s own righteousness (though the genitive of source is still within the range of possible meanings as well). When interpreted as a possessive genitive, righteousness at its root is an attribute of the divine nature that can stand metonymically for God’s redemptive work through Christ. The article closes with a brief sketch of how this understanding would inform the exegesis of Rom. 1.17 and 3.21-26.
Voice Quality after Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Resection and Immediate Reconstruction
Authors: Rohde Sarah L. , Wright Charles T. , Muckala Jennifer C. , Wiggleton Jamie , Rousseau Bernard , Netterville James L.
Published: May 2012

Objective

To evaluate clinician perception of voice quality, patient self‐reported psychosocial impact of dysphonia, and glottic closure in patients who have undergone resection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and immediate operative reconstruction during thyroid surgery.

Study Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Single tertiary care hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Nine patients underwent immediate operative reconstruction of the RLN by the senior author from 2002 to present. Outcome measures included (1) perceptual voice ratings assessed using the GRBAS (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain) scale, (2) psychosocial impact of dysphonia assessed using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and (3) assessment of glottic closure from laryngeal videostroboscopy.

Results

The RLN was reconstructed with primary anastomosis (4), free nerve graft (3), or vagus‐RLN anastomosis (2). Seven patients had voice samples and videostroboscopy examinations obtained at a minimum of 9 months from surgery. Six were judged to have slight disturbance of voice based on overall Grade scoring (G = 1). Five rated their voice as normal or mild on the VHI instrument (score range 8‐29). Laryngeal analysis revealed the immobile vocal fold in the median, physiologic phonating position with preserved bulk, recovered tension, and glottic closure during phonation. Three patients less than 9 months from surgery had an expected severe self‐reported rating of dysphonia.

Conclusion

Primary anastomosis, free nerve grafting, and vagus‐RLN anastomosis are viable options for RLN reconstruction. Patients who undergo resection and immediate reconstruction of the RLN are able to regain self‐perceived functional voices.
Topical knowledge and ESL writing
Authors: He Ling , Shi Ling
Published: May 2012

This study investigates the effects of topical knowledge on ESL (English as a Second Language) writing performance in the English Language Proficiency Index (LPI), a standardized English proficiency test used by many post-secondary institutions in western Canada. The participants were 50 students with different levels of English proficiency (basic, intermediate, and advanced) attending a Canadian college. Each student wrote two timed-impromptu essays: one responding to a prompt requiring general knowledge about university studies and the other pertaining to specific knowledge about federal politics. Results showed that students across three proficiency levels performed significantly better on the general topic than they did on the specific topic. The specific topic produced lower scores on content due to poor quality and development of ideas, implicit position taking, and a weak conclusion. Students also scored lower on organization and language on the knowledge-specific task because of weaker coherence and cohesion, shorter essays, more language errors, and less frequent use of academic words. Post-test interviews confirmed that participating students were challenged by the prompt that required specific topical knowledge. The study draws attention to the importance of developing appropriate prompts for ESL writing tests.
Test candidates’ attitudes and their relationship to demographic and experiential variables: The case of overseas trained teachers in NSW, Australia
Authors: Murray Jill C. , Riazi A. Mehdi , Cross Judith L.
Published: May 2012

One measure of the impact of a high-stakes test is the attitudes that test takers hold towards it. It has been suggested that positive attitudes produce beneficial effects while real or anticipated negative experiences can result in the development of attitudes that erode confidence and potentially impact negatively on performance. This study investigated test taker attitudes by exploring the opinions, beliefs, and feelings of a group of overseas trained teachers preparing for a professional gate-keeping test, and examining correlations between attitudes and demographic and experiential factors. The participants were 105 candidates who were enrolled in a preparation course for the Professional English Assessment for Teachers. They were asked to complete a written survey questionnaire with three parts: to determine the nature of their attitude towards the test, to explore the relationship of attitudes and demographic data, and to investigate their perceptions of the sources of their attitudes. Results indicated that there was a slight predominance of negative attitudes, particularly among candidates who had unsuccessfully attempted the test. The main reported sources which correlated with a negative attitude were personal experiences and feelings as well as the impact of other people: notably teachers and other candidates.
Assessing reading comprehension in adolescent low achievers: Subskills identification and task specificity
Authors: van Steensel Roel , Oostdam Ron , van Gelderen Amos
Published: May 2012

On the basis of a validation study of a new test for assessing low-achieving adolescents’ reading comprehension skills – the SALT-reading – we analyzed two issues relevant to the field of reading test development. Using the test results of 200 seventh graders, we examined the possibility of identifying reading comprehension subskills and the effects of task specificity on test reliability. Regarding the former, we distinguished three subskills indicating different levels of understanding (‘retrieving’, ‘interpreting’, ‘reflecting’). However, confirmatory factor analyses did not support the presence of these subskills. Task specificity refers to the situation that different tasks within a test are not uniformly difficult for individual test takers, which constitutes a form of error negatively influencing test reliability. However, Generalizability Theory analysis showed that such task-specific effects did not occur: the reliability of the SALT-reading was primarily affected by error associated with the score variance within tasks.
BAP updated guidelines: evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity: recommendations from BAP
Authors: Lingford-Hughes AR , Welch S , Peters L , Nutt DJ ,   With expert reviewers (in alphabetical order): Ball D, Buntwal N, Chick J, Crome I, Daly C, Dar K, Day E, Duka T, Finch E, Law F, Marshall EJ, Munafo M, Myles J, Porter S, Raistrick D, Reed LJ, Reid A, Sell L, Sinclair J, Tyrer P, West R, Williams T, Winstock A
Published: May 2012

The British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the treatment of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity with psychiatric disorders primarily focus on their pharmacological management. They are based explicitly on the available evidence and presented as recommendations to aid clinical decision making for practitioners alongside a detailed review of the evidence. A consensus meeting, involving experts in the treatment of these disorders, reviewed key areas and considered the strength of the evidence and clinical implications. The guidelines were drawn up after feedback from participants. The guidelines primarily cover the pharmacological management of withdrawal, short- and long-term substitution, maintenance of abstinence and prevention of complications, where appropriate, for substance abuse or harmful use or addiction as well management in pregnancy, comorbidity with psychiatric disorders and in younger and older people.
Behavioral Interventions to Address Sleep Disturbances in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Turner Kylan S. , Johnson Cynthia R.
Published: May 2012

Sleep problems are a common occurrence among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition to the adverse effects that sleep problems present for children’s neurodevelopment, learning, and daytime behaviors, these sleep problems also present significant challenges for the entire family. This article outlines the results of a comprehensive review of behavioral intervention literature to address sleep problems in young children with ASD using the National Autism Center (NAC) criteria. Results indicate that a variety of antecedent- and consequence-based interventions have been evaluated with young children with ASD to address sleep disturbances. The empirical strength of the literature reviewed reveals an emerging evidence base. These findings suggest the need for more research evaluating behavioral interventions with young children with ASD to contribute to best practices for early childhood special educators and practitioners working with these children.
The Context of Available Options Affects Health Care Decisions
Authors: Dumas Florence , Gonzalez Michel , Girotto Vittorio , Pascal Christophe , Botton Jean-François , Crupi Vincenzo
Published: May 2012

Background. When a given option is presented along with 2 alternatives, similar to each other, health care professionals choose it more often than when it is presented with just one of the alternatives. This inconsistent decision pattern may depend on the conflict generated from choosing between 2 highly similar options. Objective. To generalize the effect by using realistic scenarios that involve 2 alternatives displaying various degrees of similarity. Methods. One hundred fifty-five psychiatrists, 149 gynecologists, and 89 nurse managers had to indicate the treatment they would recommend in clinical scenarios containing either 3 options or just 2 of them. The similarity between the 2 alternatives varied across scenarios, ranging from a very high (psychiatric scenario) to an only moderately high (nursing management scenario) to a limited level (gynecological scenario). Results. Professionals chose the focal option more often when both alternatives were available. The paradoxical effect occurred for all scenarios—namely, when the alternatives were medication variants (psychiatric scenario), when most of the features they shared produced their effect at a different extent in the 2 cases (nursing management scenario), and some of their consequences were at variance (gynecological problem). Conclusions. The context of available options affects professionals’ choices when the alternatives are similar but also when they present diverging features. Professionals need to be aware of such a source of practice variability and are encouraged to consider each option per se before they compare the available options.
Oversight as Constraint or Catalyst? Explaining Agency Influence on State Policy Decision Making
Authors: Palus Christine Kelleher , Yackee Susan Webb
Published: May 2012

Do agency officials hold influence over the policy decisions made by state legislators and governors? For years, scholars have asserted the important informational role that bureaucrats play within the U.S. policy-making process. However, we have only limited knowledge of the theoretical mechanisms that may allow for this influence, or ultimately, whether this influence matters to public policy outcomes. We theorize that the political oversight of the bureaucracy by elected officials not only constrains the bureaucracy but also provides a pathway for agency officials to advance their preferences by communicating their policy expertise. We assess this argument with survey data from almost 600 state agency heads, drawn from the 50 states and across all agency types. Using a multilevel model, we find that the “oversight mechanism” is a key driver of agency influence over gubernatorial policy decisions; however, it does a poor job explaining agency policy influence within state legislatures. These results suggest that oversight allows agency leaders greater success in lobbying governors than more diffuse and diverse state legislatures.
Political Vision in the Discipline of International Relations
Authors: Beardsworth Richard
Published: May 2012

International Relations theory does not distinguish enough between prediction and vision, and, as a result, retreats unduly from practice. This article argues for the importance of political vision in the study of international relations by complicating the standard social science distinction between fact and value. Using Nietzschean genealogy, it argues for a dual relationship between the normative and the empirical: the deduction of norms from the constraints of history; and the normative, proactive responses to this history within these constraints. This dual relationship underscores the importance of political vision and political leadership in the study of international politics. The article then analyses present historical challenges and suggests several normative responses to them that can be understood in the terms of ‘political vision’ in International Relations. It finally takes the example of the present absence of vision and leadership in the European Union and argues for a political Europe, the Union as a political power.
Synoptic climatology and the analysis of atmospheric teleconnections
Authors: Sheridan Scott , Lee Cameron C.
Published: May 2012

Over recent decades, analyses of the structure and impact of atmospheric teleconnections have substantially increased our understanding of the climate system and the role of climate variability. Moving beyond simple correlations between teleconnection indices and temperature and precipitation anomalies, synoptic climatology has been able to provide insight on the spatiotemporal manifestation of teleconnection anomalies, as well as further understanding in terms of teleconnection-related anomalies in circulation pattern frequencies that can lead to extreme events over individual areas. In this progress report, we focus on a number of recent papers that, broadly defined, assess two realms of teleconnections: the North Atlantic circulation, largely focusing on the North Atlantic Oscillation; and the north and tropical Pacific circulation, as manifest in El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Pacific North American pattern, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. In each of these two regions, we highlight the major goals and results of recent synoptic research.
Efficacy and safety of 121 injections of the greater occipital nerve in episodic and chronic cluster headache
Authors: Gantenbein Andreas R , Lutz Nina J , Riederer Franz , Sándor Peter S
Published: May 2012

Introduction: Infiltration of the greater occipital nerve (GON) with local anaesthetics and corticosteroids is a treatment option for cluster headache.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the efficacy and safety of 121 GON injections in 60 patients with episodic or chronic cluster headache over a period of 4 years.

Results: Almost 80% of the infiltrations were at least partially effective (reduction of attack frequency, duration or severity) and 45% resulted in a complete response (no further attacks). The effect was maintained for 3.5 weeks on average in chronic cluster headache. In episodic cluster headache, the effect lasted for most of the bout. In 18 infiltrations, transient side effects were reported, such as local pain, steroid effects (facial oedema, sleeping disorders, acne), bradycardia or syncope.

Conclusion: Our data show that GON infiltration is a valuable and safe option in the clinical setting to treat patients suffering from cluster headache, especially for the episodic form of the disorder.
Time course of the haemodynamic response to visual stimulation in migraine, measured using near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Coutts Louise V , Cooper Chris E , Elwell Clare E , Wilkins Arnold J
Published: May 2012

Background: In patients with migraine, an abnormally large haemodynamic response to epileptogenic visual stimulation has previously been observed, consistent with the hypothesis of a cortical hyperexcitability. Ophthalmic filters have been used in the treatment of migraine, and they reduce the haemodynamic response.

Methods: The present study used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to characterise the haemodynamic response to a range of visual stimuli in 20 patients with migraine (15 with aura and 5 without) and paired controls in order to assess the effect of ophthalmic treatment. In an initial study, the response to three stimuli (chequerboard, and two gratings of different spatial frequency) was measured. In a second study, using the mid-spatial frequency grating as stimulus, the response was compared when precision spectral filters (PSF), grey filters or filters of control colour were worn as ophthalmic lenses.

Results: In the first study the time course of the response differed between the groups. The difference was most distinct for the grating with mid-spatial frequency. In the second study the PSF broadened (normalised) the haemodynamic response in migraineurs relative to controls, consistent with fMRI BOLD findings and suggesting a physiological mechanism for their reported efficacy. In neither study were there differences in the amplitude of the response between migraine and control groups or indeed between filters.

Conclusion: The time course of the functional response as measured by NIRS may be an effective tool to track therapy with PSF and explore the mechanisms of visual stress in migraine.
Characterization of headache after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Lucas Sylvia , Hoffman Jeanne M , Bell Kathleen R , Walker William , Dikmen Sureyya
Published: May 2012

Background: Headache is a common and persistent symptom following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Headaches following TBI are defined primarily by their temporal association to injury, but have no defining clinical features. To provide a framework for treatment, primary headache symptoms were used to characterize headache.

Methods: Three hundred and seventy-eight participants were prospectively enrolled during acute in-patient rehabilitation for TBI. Headaches were classified into migraine/probable migraine, tension-type, or cervicogenic headache at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months following TBI.

Results: Migraine was the most frequent headache type occurring in up to 38% of participants who reported headaches. Probable migraine occurred in up to 25%, tension-type headache in up to 21%, then cervicogenic headache in up to 10%. Females were more likely to have endorsed pre-injury migraine than males, and had migraine or probable migraine at all time points after injury. Those classified with migraine were more likely to have frequent headaches.

Conclusions: Our data show that most headache after TBI may be classified using primary headache criteria. Migraine/probable migraine described the majority of headache after TBI across one year post-injury. Using symptom-based criteria for headache following TBI can serve as a framework from which to provide evidence-based treatment for these frequent, severe, and persistent headaches.
The Political Economy of Human Capital
Authors: Folbre Nancy
Published: May 2012

In this paper I develop a critique of both standard neoclassical and standard Marxian conceptualizations of human capital that illustrates an important hypothesis of feminist political economy: collective conflicts based on class, gender, and age, as well as other dimensions of collective identity, affect the distribution of the costs of developing human capital.

JEL codes: B50; E11; E24
Female Infant Mortality Disadvantage in India
Authors: Chaudhuri Sanjukta
Published: May 2012

Son preference in India manifests into extreme forms of daughter avoidance either through pre-natal sex selective abortion or post-natal excess female infant mortality. These victims of daughter aversion are India’s “missing girls.” This paper demonstrates a novel methodology for estimating India’s missing girls. Estimates were made of number and incidence of missing girls due to sex selective abortion and excess female infant mortality by age one for the time period 1950-2010. State level analysis reveals wide variations in incidence and source of missing girls. National level analysis shows that between 1950 and 2010, a total of 58.29 million girls went missing, of which 28 percent were due to sex selective abortion and 72 percent due to post-natal excess mortality. Over the time period examined, the contribution of post-natal excess mortality to the number of missing girls has reduced while the contribution of sex selective abortion has increased. Policy recommendations are discussed.

JEL codes: J11; J13; J16.
The New “Voodoo Economics”
Authors: Davis Ann E.
Published: May 2012

Marx’s notion of the “fetishism of commodities” and money is used to analyze the modern phenomenon of the public/private divide, the apparent division of society into state and market. The public/private divide, in turn, provides greater insights into the sources and limits of public finance. The importance of the role of the state as the issuer of the currency is highlighted in the development of Marx’s analysis, as well as in recent debates regarding economic policy and the causes of global financial crises. Using Marx’s analysis of the rules of capitalist property, along with the distribution of the surplus and the formation of the equal average rate of profit, the illusion that money is productive is found to be the source of distortions in understanding, and erroneous policies for the management of, the capitalist economy. According to Marx, the existence of money as a commodity is a sign that the economy is already beyond social control.

JEL code: B51, P16, P43
Does Agazarian’s Systems-Centered® Functional Subgrouping Improve Mood, Learning and Goal Achievement? A Study in Large Groups
Authors: O’Neill Richard M. , Constantino Michael J. , Mogle Jacqueline
Published: May 2012

Agazarian’s (1997, 2001) systems-centered therapy and training (SCT)1 extends Foulkes’ (1964) concept of inseparable, interacting personal and group matrices to a three-level hierarchical matrix. SCT presents the group member nesting in a subgroup, in turn nesting in the group-as-a-whole. The SCT group member works by joining other members exploring a similar experience in the here-and-now, thus forming a ‘functional subgroup’ of the group-as-a-whole. In this study, two large groups (ns=76 and 91) used functional subgrouping during experiential SCT training. As hypothesized, more functional subgrouping predicts better member mood, more learning, and more goal achievement post-training. To our knowledge this is the first empirical demonstration of factors predicting outcome in large training groups.
Unpacking democracy and governance: Conceptualizing governance infrastructure
Authors: Baird Ryan G
Published: May 2012

This article argues that it is necessary to unpack and appropriately separate the concepts of democracy and governance. The impetus for this research comes from the ongoing and expanding convolution of the concepts of democracy and governance by academics, international institutions and policymakers. One of the more important areas of research that is affected by this convolution argues that democracies guarantee the rule of law and provide superior institutions which considerably influence not only developing states’ overall development trajectories, but also multinational firms’ decisions on where to do business. I argue that these superior institutions, such as the rule of law and quality bureaucracy, are separate from the institutions of democracy and constitute the concept of governance infrastructure. Moreover, it is the institutions that comprise governance infrastructure and not the institutions of democracy that are key institutional determinants of developing states’ economic outcomes. Therefore, only by appropriately conceptualizing governance infrastructure, as is done in this article, and separating it theoretically and empirically from democracy will scholars and policymakers move forward in understanding the determinants of economic development.
Possible environmental impacts of recycled glass used as a pavement base material
Authors: Imteaz Monzur Alam , Ali MM Younus , Arulrajah Arul
Published: May 2012

In theory, glass diverted or recovered from the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream can be used as feedstock (glass cullet) in the production of new glass containers. However, post-consumer glass typically contains a mixture of clear and coloured material and is often contaminated with other wastes; characteristics that are impediments to the production of new containers. Sorting and cleaning of glass diverted from MSW to make it feasible for use in bottle industries are also time consuming and costly tasks. There is, however, the potential to use recycled glass as a sub-base material for road pavement construction. Geotechnical investigations to date suggest that use of recycled glass as a roadway sub-base could be cost-effective, and thus preclude the need for expensive sorting. There is, however, the necessessity to further investigate the potential short- and long-term toxicity, health hazards, and/or environmental pollution associated with use of mixed glass cullet as an aggregate, considering conditions during stockpiled storage and after placement. The results of laboratory tests on recycled glass regarding its potential to release pollutants to the environment via leaching are presented herein. Five random samples of crushed glasses were collected from a recycling company in Melbourne, Australia. The parameters tested for each sample were total organic matter, heavy metals, sulfates, chlorides, conductivity, pH and surfactant levels. It wais found that in most cases, the contamination levels were within the State of Victoria’s Environmental Protection Agency-specified limits for manual handling, thus indicating that recycled glass could probably be safely used in pavement sub-bases.
Thermal and flame properties of calcium borate and intumescent ammonium polyphosphate in epoxy/glass fiber composites
Authors: Lim WK Patrick , Mariatti M , Chow WS , Mar KT
Published: May 2012

The thermal and flammability properties of halogen-free flame retardants, calcium borate and intumescent ammonium polyphosphate, were evaluated on epoxy/glass fiber composites. The evolved volatile products under thermal stresses were analyzed accordingly, and the thermal decomposition of the composites was studied. It was determined that ammonium polyphosphate and calcium borate releases water vapor and carbon dioxide during their thermal decomposition, as a method to overcome the fire. Ammonium polyphosphate that achieved the V-0 rating at 5 vol% loading had showed better fire resistance than calcium borate that failed to achieve any rating even at high loading of 20 vol%. However, the calcium borate had recorded higher residual content. The combination of 1 vol% calcium borate and 4 vol% ammonium polyphosphate exhibited a synergistic performance by mass producing more char as a protection for the composites. Nevertheless, this synergism was not observed with the other combination, which comprised a 50:50 ratio of ammonium polyphosphate–calcium borate.
Acute effects of methiocarb on oxidative damage and the protective effects of vitamin E and taurine in the liver and kidney of Wistar rats
Authors: Ozden Sibel , Catalgol Betul , Gezginci-Oktayoglu Selda , Karatug Ayse , Bolkent Sehnaz , Alpertunga Buket
Published: May 2012

Methiocarb (MC) is a widely used carbamate pesticide in agriculture and health programs. Although the main molecular mechanism of carbamate toxicity involves acetylcholinesterase inhibition, studies have also implicated the induction of oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of acute MC exposure on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense systems, histological changes in Wistar rats and the protective effect of pretreatment with vitamin E and taurine. A total of 48 rats were randomly divided into six groups. Rats in group I were given corn oil, while those in group III were dosed with vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) and in group V were dosed with taurine (50 mg/kg b.w.). Rats in group II were administered with MC only (25 mg/kg b.w., 1/4 of median lethal dose (LD50)), while those in groups IV and VI were pretreated with vitamin E (100 mg/kg b.w.) and taurine (50 mg/kg b.w.) for 20 days, respectively, and then exposed to MC (25 mg/kg b.w.). The rats administered with MC showed significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde in the liver and kidney as an index of lipid peroxidation. Levels of glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased, while activity of glutathione reductase remained unchanged in both the tissues after MC treatment. Mild degenerative histological changes were observed in liver tissue, while the changes in kidney tissue were more severe then liver after MC treatment. Pretreatment with vitamin E and taurine resulted in a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation and alleviating effects on antioxidant defense systems in both the tissues, while protective effects on the histological changes were shown only in kidney when compared with liver. In conclusion, the study has demonstrated that the acute MC exposure in Wistar rats caused oxidative damage on liver and kidney, which were partly ameliorated by the pretreatment of vitamin E and taurine.
Pilot Study on Executive Function and Adaptive Skills in Adolescents and Young Adults With Mitochondrial Disease
Authors: Schreiber Hope
Published: May 2012

High-functioning adolescents and young adults with mitochondrial disease are now attempting transitions to postsecondary environments. This pilot and case study explores factors that interfere with their successful transition through behavior-rating scales addressing academic skills and behavior. In the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, Spearman correlation matrices showed that students’ attitude to school was associated with depression and anxiety. Mothers’ reports linked internalizing disorders with somatic symptoms. Two case studies, with Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function profiles, show the role executive functions play in academic success. Attention to both cognitive and psychiatric concerns may increase success in academics and enhance the sense of well-being in older students with mitochondrial disease.
Homozygous Survival Motor Neuron 2 Gene Deletion and Sporadic Lower Motor Neuron Disease in Children
Authors: Liping Lu , Hongwei Ma , Lin Wang
Published: May 2012

A case of lower motor neuron disease with homozygous survival motor neuron 2 ( SMN2) gene deletion is reported in this article. A 7-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with main complaints of lower extremity weakness and difficulty squatting for the past year. SMN gene copies were quantified by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1 gene were normal, but homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN2 gene was identified. Homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN centromeric gene was detected, and exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1 gene were found to be normal in the proband. Two copies of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1 gene were identified, and zero copies of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN2 gene were found. We consider that this case represents a previously unrecognized type of lower motor neuron disease that resulted from homozygous deletion of the SMN2 gene.
Functional study of dextran-graft-poly((2-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) gene delivery vector for tumor therapy
Authors: Li Wen-Bin , Yuan Wei , Xu Fu-Jian , Zhao Chen , Ma Jie , Zhan Qi-Min
Published: May 2012

The obstacle of gene therapy is the shortage of efficient delivery system. The development of the gene delivery system with high transfection efficiency and low toxicity appears to be crucial. Recently, we reported that the dextran-graft-poly((2-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) (DPD) can be potentially used as efficient gene vector. Herein, DPD was systematically studied for its potential in tumor gene therapy. DPD was synthesized and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis, particle size and zeta potential. The particle size and zeta potential of the DPD/enhanced green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-C1) plasmid complexes at various N/P ratios were 130–150 nm and about 40 mV, respectively. The results showed that DPD exhibit a higher transfection effect compared with Lipofectamine 2K (Lipo 2K), a commercialized vector. The possibility of DPD in gene therapy was evaluated using p53, a gene that has been wildly applied in the research of cancer gene therapy. DPD/pEGFP-C1–p53 complex was found to be able to inhibit tumor cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, the tumor growth was found to be restrained when DPD/pEGFP-C1–p53 complex was used in a xenograft MCF7 tumor model in vivo. These observations indicated that DPD/pEGFP-C1–p53 complex may be considered to be an efficient delivery system for tumor gene therapy.
Influence of process parameters on filament distribution and blending quality in commingled yarns used for thermoplastic composites
Authors: Kravaev Plamen , Stolyarov Oleg , Seide Gunnar , Gries Thomas
Published: May 2012

A prospective method for manufacturing thermoplastic composites involves commingling to produce hybrid yarn consisting of two components: reinforcement fibres and thermoplastic matrix. In this work, various types of commingled hybrid yarns were developed to improve blend uniformity and achieve homogeneous filament distribution in two-component hybrid yarns. An experiment was carried out to examine the distribution of filaments in a series of glass/polypropylene commingled hybrid yarns. The influence of changes in process parameters such as the degree of overfeeding, production speed, and air pressure on the filament distribution in the cross-section of commingled hybrid yarns was investigated. In this study, new technological approaches to achieve blend uniformity in commingled hybrid yarns are developed. The radial distribution index and a new blending coefficient were used to evaluate the blending uniformity of the yarns.
Radiation vulcanization of thermoplastic low-density polyethylene/bromobutyl rubber blends
Authors: Maysa AM
Published: May 2012

Blends of thermoplastic low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) with varying ratios have been prepared. Vulcanization of prepared blends has been induced by gamma ionizing radiation of varying doses of up to 250 kGy. Physical properties, namely gel fraction percentage, and mechanical properties, namely tensile strength, tensile modulus at 50% elongation, percentage elongation at break, hardness and permanent set have been followed up as a function of irradiation dose and blend compositions. Moreover, measurements of thermogravimetric analysis and heat shrinking properties have been carried out. The results indicated that blending with LDPE has improved the properties of BIIR rubber. Moreover, the presence of BIIR enhances the heat shrinking properties of the obtained blends.
Saved by a Log
Authors: Wolfe Jeremy M.
Published: May 2012

Could you find 1 of your 1,000 Facebook friends in a crowd of 100? Even at a rate of 25 ms per comparison, determining that no friends were in the crowd would take more than 40 min if memory and visual search interacted linearly. In the experiment reported here, observers memorized pictures of 1 to 100 targets and then searched for any of these targets in visual displays of 1 to 16 objects. Response times varied linearly with visual set size but logarithmically with memory set size. Data from memory set sizes of 1 through 16 accurately predicted response times for different observers holding 100 objects in memory. The results would be consistent with a binary coding of visual objects in memory and are relevant to applied searches in which experts look for any of many items of interest (e.g., a radiologist running through a mental checklist of what might be wrong in a car-crash victim or an airport screener looking for any of a list of prohibited items in a carry-on bag).
European Forum On Antiphospholipid Antibodies: brief history report and governance document
Authors: Cervera R
Published: May 2012

The European Forum on Antiphospholipid Antibodies was conceived as a multidisciplinary network of different specialists working in the fields of internal medicine, haematology, rheumatology, obstetrics and gynaecology, neurology, paediatrics, cardiology and immunology, among others, that share a common interest in these antibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Centres with very good clinical practice in APS and with large cohorts of patients could join other centres with better research experience, thus allowing the study of basic patho-mechanisms in large series of patients. In addition, the specialists would be able to compare their cohorts of patients, which, being as they are recruited in very different fields of medicine, could enlighten the different aspects of APS. Finally, continuous comparison of patients’ data suggested that even the laboratory diagnostic procedures needed collaborative work in order to make reproducible results, at least of the classical tests – lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCLas) and anti β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-β2GPIs) – and of the consequent clinical diagnosis in different centres. In this way, the wide exchange of information could also favour the introduction and evaluation of new tests.
Occurrence of selected antiphospholipid antibodies in offspring born from mothers with autoimmunity
Authors: Mocková A , Ulčová-Gallová Z , Náhlovský J , Lukášová V , Dort J , Bibková K , Micanová Z
Published: May 2012

Autoimmune diseases can be accompanied by presence of various antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The laboratory criteria of antiphospholipid syndrome are based on detection of anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant or to antiβ2- glycoprotein I but currently a significance of other multiple aPL is being discussed. Because of their vascular and neuroinflammatory effect aPL, if being transplacentally transferred, might inflict damage in developing organism.

The aim of our study was to determine the occurrence of eight selected aPL in offspring of mothers with proven autoimmune disease with aPL positivity. The possible influence of aPL presence on clinical, ultrasound and laboratory outcome of children was observed as well.

The prospective study included 38 women: 17 women with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and 21 women with other diagnosed autoimmune disease with detected aPL. Also included were 39 children born to the above mentioned mothers between January 2009 and April 2010 in Perinatology Centre in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The control group consisted of 30 mothers without AD and their 30 healthy singletons.

Preliminary results of the study showed the presence of aPL in 42.1% neonates of aPL positive mothers with autoimmune disease, six month later aPL were present in only 37.5 % of these children. Observed occurrence of aPL positivity at 6 months of age in originally negative offspring could be attributed to vaccination or food exposure. Psychomotor development of children has proceeded without major deviations. The follow-up study continues and will evaluate both groups of children at two years of age.
When APS (Hughes syndrome) met the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA)
Authors: Blank M , Israeli E , Shoenfeld Y
Published: May 2012

Vaccination of healthy individuals is the most effective approach to protect the public from infections and prevent the spread of many infectious diseases all over the globe. Licensed vaccines are mostly safe, but in rare cases they may be associated with humoral response to self-antigens due to molecular mimicry, epitope spread, bystander activation or polyclonal triggering. Moreover, the clinical picture of autoimmune conditions following post-vaccination is rarer. Nevertheless, anecdotal case reports on the flare of autoimmune response with clinical manifestations were reported. Herein, we discuss this topic in relation to post-vaccination-induced antiphospholipid antibodies following tetanus toxoid vaccine, HBV and influenza associated in rare cases with antiphospholipid syndrome clinical manifestations. We will discuss the possible mechanisms which pertain to ASIA (Shoenfeld syndrome).
Thrombin generation in antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Zuily S , Aissa K Ait , Membre A , Regnault V , Lecompte T , Wahl D
Published: May 2012

Our objective was to study acquired Activated Protein C (APC) resistance in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) using a thrombin generation based assay. We compared patients with and without lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE). A parameter summarizing APC inhibition of thrombin generation with increasing APC concentrations (IC50-APC) was increased in all patient groups compared to controls: median values were 15.3 (interquartile range, IQR, 9.7 to 34.0) in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), 27.3 (IQR 23.5 to 43.5) in patients with SLE without APS, 64.1 (IQR 25.9 to 65.0) in patients with SLE/APS compared to 10.4 [IQR 8.5 to 15.8] in controls, respectively p = 0.003, p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0001.

In conclusion, patients with SLE and primary APS displayed a hypercoagulable state characterized by APC resistance.
Circulating β2 glycoprotein I-IgG anti-β2 glycoprotein I immunocomplexes in patients with definite Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Banzato A , Frasson R , Acquasaliente L , Bison E , Bracco A , Denas G , Cuffaro S , Hoxha A , Ruffatti A , Iliceto S , De Filippis V , Pengo V
Published: May 2012

Beta2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI), a relevant antigen in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), binds anionic macromolecules including heparin (Hep). A possible formation of ternary complexes between β2GPI, antibodies and Hep in APS is thus possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate Hep-β2GPI interaction in patients with APS. The affinity of Heps of different length, including unfractionated Hep (UFH), low-molecular weight Hep (enoxaparin) and pentasaccharide (fondaparinux), to human β2GPI was estimated by fluorescence spectroscopy, yielding dissociation constant (Kd) values of 1.1, 24.0 and 89.4 µM, demonstrating that the longer UFH binds to β2GPI far more tightly than the shorter ones. Plasma and protein G-purified IgGs from eight patients with APS (i.e. five with thromboembolic disease and three with catastrophic APS), were fractionated by affinity chromatography using a Hep (UFH)-bound column, eluted with a linear NaCl gradient. For each chromatographic analysis, fractions were collected in the whole NaCl gradient and tested by ELISA for the presence of β2GPI and anti-β2GPI IgG. The results of Hep-affinity chromatography and ELISAs concurrently indicate that either β2GPI and anti-β2GPI IgG elute from the Hep column in the same chromatographic peak, at a retention time identical to that of the purified, isolated β2GPI, thus suggesting that circulating immunocomplexes containing β2GPI are present in patients with APS.
Hypertension negatively affects the pregnancy outcome in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Canti V , Maggio L , Ramirez GA , Locatelli A , Cozzolino S , Ramoni V , Ruffatti A , Tonello M , Valsecchi L , Rosa S , Inversetti A , Manfredi AA , Sabbadini MG , Castiglioni MT , Rovere-Querini P
Published: May 2012

The impact of hypertension in the pregnancies from autoimmune patients is not unequivocally defined. We have prospectively followed 168 pregnancies from 135 patients from four Italian centres to verify the potential impact of hypertension in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The rate of preeclampsia, mean neonatal weight and gestational age at delivery were significantly lower in patients with both APS and hypertension than in patients with hypertension or APS alone. This information may be relevant for counselling and care of these patients.
Antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies in primary antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Hoxha A , Ruffatti A , Tonello M , Bontadi A , Salvan E , Banzato A , Pengo V , Punzi L
Published: May 2012

Antiprothrombin (aPT) antibodies may be detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a purified antigen or a phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex (aPS/PT). IgG/IgM antibodies directed against aPS/PT were assessed in 158 patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). They were detected in 80/158 (50.6%) PAPS patients; IgG alone was positive in 12 (7.6%), IgM alone in 36 (22.8%), and both IgG and IgM isotypes in 32 (20.2%) PAPS patients. IgG and IgM aPS/PT were significantly associated with both vascular thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. IgG aPS/PT was significantly associated with venous thrombosis ( p = 0.023), whilst IgG and IgM aPS/PT were associated with arterial thrombosis ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that IgM and IgG aPS/PT were independent risk factors for thrombosis (odds ratio (OR) 3.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–7.9] and OR 4.1 [95% CI 1.4–11.7], respectively) and IgM aPS/PT was an independent risk factor for arterial thrombosis (OR 2.7 [95% CI 1.1–6.7]). In conclusion, these findings indicate that aPS/PT are clinically relevant in PAPS.