bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking teacher preparation and professional development in Africa: an analysis of the curriculum of teacher education in the teaching of early reading and mathematics
Authors: Pryor John , Akyeampong Kwame , Westbrook Jo , Lussier Kattie
Published: December 2012

This paper reports research on the initial teacher training and continuing professional development of teachers in six African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda). The focus of the research was on the teaching of early reading and mathematics. The curriculum of both these areas was analysed in terms of (i) implementation by providers such as Colleges of Education, and (ii) impact in schools. The study found that there were many and deep gaps in the curriculum taught and consequently in teacher knowledge and skills in these two crucial subject areas. The paper sets out a series of recommendations for addressing this problem including an overall alternative approach to teacher education that emerges from the research findings as a whole.
A gating motif in the translocation channel sets the hydrophobicity threshold for signal sequence function
Authors: Trueman Steven F. , Mandon Elisabet C. , Gilmore Reid
Published: December 2012

A critical event in protein translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum is the structural transition between the closed and open conformations of Sec61, the eukaryotic translocation channel. Channel opening allows signal sequence insertion into a gap between the N- and C-terminal halves of Sec61. We have identified a gating motif that regulates the transition between the closed and open channel conformations. Polar amino acid substitutions in the gating motif cause a gain-of-function phenotype that permits translocation of precursors with marginally hydrophobic signal sequences. In contrast, hydrophobic substitutions at certain residues in the gating motif cause a protein translocation defect. We conclude that the gating motif establishes the hydrophobicity threshold for functional insertion of a signal sequence into the Sec61 complex, thereby allowing the wild-type translocation channel to discriminate between authentic signal sequences and the less hydrophobic amino acid segments in cytosolic proteins. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that the gating motif is conserved between eubacterial and archaebacterial SecY and eukaryotic Sec61.
Linking abnormal mitosis to the acquisition of DNA damage
Authors: Ganem Neil J. , Pellman David
Published: December 2012

Cellular defects that impair the fidelity of mitosis promote chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy. Increasing evidence reveals that errors in mitosis can also promote the direct and indirect acquisition of DNA damage and chromosome breaks. Consequently, deregulated cell division can devastate the integrity of the normal genome and unleash a variety of oncogenic stimuli that may promote transformation. Recent work has shed light on the mechanisms that link abnormal mitosis with the development of DNA damage, how cells respond to such affronts, and the potential impact on tumorigenesis.
Low-temperature transverse magnetic domains in nominally uniaxial La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 films on NdGaO3 (0 0 1)
Authors: Phillips L C , Ghidini M , Moya X , Maccherozzi F , Dhesi S S , Mathur N D
Published: December 2012

Epitaxial La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 films grown on orthorhombic NdGaO3 (0 0 1) substrates show predominantly uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. On cooling, we observe the growth of a biaxial contribution, which we quantify by fitting magnetometry data to a coherent rotation model. A film grown under deliberately sub-optimal conditions shows a relatively stronger biaxial contribution that results in a significant population of transverse magnetic domains below ∼200 K, as revealed by photoemission electron microscopy with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism contrast. Care should be taken to avoid these transverse domains in spintronic devices designed to exploit the high low-temperature spin-polarization of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3.
High colour purity single-phased full colour emitting white LED phosphor Sr2V2O7 : Eu3+
Authors: Zhou Zhi , Wang Nanfang , Zhou Nan , He Zhangxing , Liu Suqin , Liu Younian , Tian Ziwei , Mao Zhiyong , Hintzen H T
Published: December 2012

Single-phased white-light-emitting phosphor Sr2V2O7 : Eu3+ was successfully synthesized by the solid-state method. The result of x-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the obtained phosphor has the same crystal structure as that of Sr2V2O7. The synthesized Sr2V2O7 : Eu3+ was combined with near-UV light (365 nm) chips and then assembled into ligtht-emitting diodes (LED) devices, which generated white light with colour coordinates of (0.324, 0.317). The white light was generated from yellow–green and red emissions, which should be attributed to the host Sr2V2O7 and dopant Eu ions, respectively. The effects of the concentration of Eu ions and charge compensation on the emission intensity were carefully investigated. The results show that the energy migrates from the host to the dopant and also that Li2CO3 should be the best charge compensator for this single-phased phosphor. In addition, the colour rendering index and luminescence efficiency of the fabricated LED devices with Sr1.90V2O7 : 0.10Eu3+ phosphor were 91 and 32 lm W−1, respectively, suggesting that Sr1.90V2O7 : 0.10Eu3+ phosphor is a potential candidate for the phosphor-converted white-light-emitting diodes with near-UV chips.
Theoretical analysis of ion-enhanced thermionic emission for low-temperature, non-equilibrium gas discharges
Authors: Go David B
Published: December 2012

When thermionic emission is used in a gas discharge, the ions exiting the discharge will influence the local electric field at the cathode. This effect is similar to the Schottky effect, as the potential field due to the ion can effectively reduce the potential barrier (work function) at the cathode and increase emission. In this work, this enhancement phenomenon is treated theoretically to understand how Schottky emission is enhanced due to the presence of an ion—so-called ion-enhanced Schottky emission. The effect of a stationary ion is determined through the analytical and numerical solution of the potential energy fields involved in the problem, including the applied field, electron image charge, and the ion potential field. The time-averaged enhancement due to an ion drifting towards the cathode is calculated, and an effective emission coefficient is predicted. These analyses show that a single stationary ion can significantly enhance thermionic emission, more than doubling the emission current depending on its location, but the enhancement is less significant (∼5–10%) when the motion of the ion is considered. However, the enhancement effect is more pronounced at moderate electric fields (∼105 V m−1) due to the residence time of the ion near the cathode. These results reveal the impact ions in the discharge may have on emission and how this needs to be considered when designing devices that integrate thermionic emission and discharges.
Bipolar resistive switching based on SrTiO3/YBa2Cu3O7 epi-layers
Authors: Li Kun , Wen Zheng , Wu Di , Zhai Haifa , Li Aidong
Published: December 2012

Epitaxial SrTiO3/YBa2Cu3O7 bilayers are deposited on (0 0 1) SrTiO3 substrates. The resistive switching characteristics of Pt/SrTiO3/YBa2Cu3O7 sandwiches are investigated for nonvolatile memory applications. The Pt/SrTiO3/YBa2Cu3O7 structure exhibits liable bipolar resistance switching with an On/Off current ratio of about 30 and long data retention. Poole–Frenkel conduction is found to dominate the high-resistance state, while Schottky emission is suggested for the low-resistance one. A switching between the bulk and the interface-controlled conduction by voltage pulses with different polarities, which is governed by the migration and redistribution of oxygen vacancies around the SrTiO3/YBa2Cu3O7 interface, is proposed to explain the resistive switching in the heterostructures.
Characterization of edge radial electric field structures in the Large Helical Device and their viability for determining the location of the plasma boundary
Authors: Kamiya K. , Ida K. , Yoshinuma M. , Suzuki C. , Suzuki Y. , Yokoyama M.
Published: December 2012

This paper provides a systematic investigation on how plasma conditions (magnetic configuration, collisionality and beta) affect the edge radial electric field (E

r
) structure derived from charge exchange spectroscopic measurements in the Large Helical Device. We found that the location at which the spatial derivative in the E

r
structure (∇E

r
) had a local maximum value

shifts outwards from the vacuum last closed flux surface location

as the volume-averaged plasma beta (the ratio of the plasma pressure to the magnetic pressure, β ≡ 〈β
dia〉 measured by a diamagnetic loop) becomes large. The loss of electrons on the open field lines, leaving the ions behind, might be the physics that determines the positive E

r
structure just outside the plasma boundary. The collisionality dependence of the experimentally observed E

r
values inside the plasma boundary is found to be consistent with a neoclassical ambipolar condition, while the E

r
formation outside the plasma boundary is different from the trend that is predicted by the neoclassical theory inside the plasma boundary. Furthermore, experimental data on saturation in the shift of the

location even in a higher β regime (3% ⩽ β ⩽ 4.5%) are presented, inferring and predicting shrinkage of the plasma (i.e. a reduction in the averaged minor radius) in the higher β regime in which the Shafranov shift becomes larger.
Evaluating neoclassical tearing mode detection with ECE for control on ITER
Authors: van den Brand H. , de Baar M.R. , Lopes Cardozo N.J. , Westerhof E.
Published: December 2012

Neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) control on ITER requires detection of the mode location to be accurate and with low latency. This paper presents a systematic way to evaluate mode detection algorithms for ITER using numerical simulations of electron cyclotron emission (ECE), taking into account the radial asymmetry in the temperature perturbation by a rotating magnetic island. Simulated ECE is detected using a synthetic radiometer, in the ITER equatorial port plug, and processed by two detection algorithms for the 2/1 and 3/2 NTMs for a burning H-mode ITER plasma. One of the algorithms also incorporates simulated Mirnov data. The video bandwidth is set at 2 kHz. This allows for intermediate frequency bandwidths of B
IF = 400 MHz and B
IF = 300 MHz for the two algorithms, respectively. The intermediate frequency bandwidth provides a trade-off between radial accuracy (low bandwidth) and low noise/latency (large bandwidth). 2/1 and 3/2 NTMs, seeded with widths up to 9 and 11 cm, are detectable with the required accuracy within 250 ms. With appropriate settings for the radiometer, the NTM detection using ECE is accurate and with low latency. The algorithm that incorporates both ECE and Mirnov data showed the lowest detection latencies.
Traces of Hecke operators in level 1 and Gaussian hypergeometric functions
Authors: Fuselier Jenny
Published: December 2012

We provide formulas for traces of

p

t
h

p^{th}

Hecke operators in level 1 in terms of values of finite field

2

F
1

_2F_1

-hypergeometric functions, extending previous work of the author to all odd primes

p
p

instead of only those

p
≡
1

(
mod

12
)

p \equiv 1 \pmod {12}

. We first give a general level 1 trace formula in terms of the trace of Frobenius on a family of elliptic curves, and then we draw on recent work of Lennon to produce level 1 trace formulas in terms of hypergeometric functions for all primes

p
>
3

p > 3

.
Lagrangian cobordism. I
Authors: Biran Paul , Cornea Octav
Published: December 2012

We discuss Lagrangian cobordism between Lagrangian submanifolds (in the monotone setting) and we show that Lagrangian Floer and quantum homologies are rigid with respect to this type of cobordism. We also discuss obstructions to cobordism based on properties of Lagrangian quantum homology, relations to Lagrangian surgery, as well as examples of non-isotopic but cobordant Lagrangians. Finally, Lagrangian cobordism is used to structure the respective class of Lagrangians as a category and the results of the paper are interpreted as indicating the existence of a functor defined on this category with values in an appropriate (derived) Fukaya category and which is compatible with the triangulated structure of the target.
Competition in U.S. Farm Product Markets: Do Long‐Run Incentives Trump Short‐Run Market Power?
Authors: Crespi John M. , Saitone Tina L. , Sexton Richard J.
Published: December 2012

This article addresses the current status of farm buyer market power. We argue that buyer power concerns are often overstated because traditional models of buyer power are incapable of depicting the economic interactions that are fundamental to modern agricultural markets, where exchange is governed by stable contractual relationships. Exercising short‐run oligopsony power is inimical to the long‐run interests of buyers in these settings because below‐competitive returns will lead to the exodus of resources from input production. Policy proposals grounded in the presumed linkage between concentration, competition, and market power may well be misguided and detrimental to the objectives that proponents seek to advance.
Preparation of PEO/Clay Nanocomposites Using Organoclay Produced via Micellar Adsorption of CTAB
Authors: Gürses Ahmet , Ejder-Korucu Mehtap , Doğar Çetin
Published: December 2012

The aim of this study was the preparation of polyethylene oxide (PEO)/clay nanocomposites using organoclay produced via micellar adsorption of cethyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and their characterisation by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and the investigation of certain mechanical properties of the composites. The results show that the basal distance between the layers increased with the increasing CTAB/clay ratio as parallel with the zeta potential values of particles. By considering the aggregation number of CTAB micelles and interlayer distances of organo-clay, it could be suggested that the predominant micelle geometry at lower CTAB/clay ratios is an ellipsoidal oblate, whereas, at higher CTAB/clay ratios, sphere-ellipsoid transition occurs. The increasing tendency of the exfoliation degree with an increase in clay content may be attributed to easier diffusion of PEO chains to interlayer regions. FT-IR spectra show that the intensity of Si-O stretching vibrations of the organoclays (1050 cm−1) increased, especially in the ratios of 1.0 g/g clay and 1.5 g/g clay with the increasing CTAB content. It was observed that the mechanical properties of the composites are dependent on both the CTAB/clay ratios and clay content of the composites.
The Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on the Cross-Transfer of Strength
Authors: Goodwill Alicia M. , Kidgell Dawson J.
Published: December 2012

This study investigated whether the use of superimposed whole-body vibration (WBV) during cross-education strength training would optimise strength transfer compared to conventional cross-education strength training. Twenty-one healthy, dominant right leg volunteers (21±3years) were allocated to a strength training (ST,m=3,f=4), a strength training with WBV (ST + V,m=3,f=4), or a control group (no training,m=3,f=4). Training groups performed 9 sessions over 3 weeks, involving unilateral squats for the right leg, with or without WBV (35 Hz; 2.5 mm amplitude). All groups underwent dynamic single leg maximum strength testing (1RM) and single and paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) prior to and following training. Strength increased in the trained limb for the ST (41%;ES=1.14) and ST + V (55%;ES=1.03) groups, which resulted in a 35% (ES=0.99) strength transfer to the untrained left leg for the ST group and a 52% (ES=0.97) strength transfer to the untrained leg for the ST + V group, when compared to the control group. No differences in strength transfer between training groups were observed(P=0.15). For the untrained leg, no differences in the peak height of recruitment curves or SICI were observed between ST and ST + V groups(P=1.00). Strength training with WBV does not appear to modulate the cross-transfer of strength to a greater magnitude when compared to conventional cross-education strength training.
Novel Computational Methodologies for Structural Modeling of Spacious Ligand Binding Sites of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Development and Application to Human Leukotriene B4 Receptor
Authors: Ishino Yoko , Harada Takanori
Published: December 2012

This paper describes a novel method to predict the activated structures of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with high accuracy, while aiming for the use of the predicted 3D structures inin silicovirtual screening in the future. We propose a new method for modeling GPCR thermal fluctuations, where conformation changes of the proteins are modeled by combining fluctuations on multiple time scales. The core idea of the method is that a molecular dynamics simulation is used to calculate average 3D coordinates of all atoms of a GPCR protein against heat fluctuation on the picosecond or nanosecond time scale, and then evolutionary computation including receptor-ligand docking simulations functions to determine the rotation angle of each helix of a GPCR protein as a movement on a longer time scale. The method was validated using human leukotriene B4 receptor BLT1 as a sample GPCR. Our study demonstrated that the proposed method was able to derive the appropriate 3D structure of the active-state GPCR which docks with its agonists.
Bariatric surgery and endometrial pathology in asymptomatic morbidly obese women: a prospective, pilot study
Authors: Argenta PA , Kassing M , Truskinovsky AM , Svendsen CA
Published: December 2012

Objective

To determine the prevalence of occult uterine pathology in asymptomatic, morbidly obese women before and after bariatric surgery‐induced weight loss.

Design

Prospective, blinded, non‐interventional cohort.

Setting

Urban teaching hospital.

Population

Morbidly obese women.

Methods

Endometrial biopsies were obtained at the time of Roux–en–Y gastric bypass and again 1 year later. Both the patient and the physician were blinded to the results of the initial biopsy until the conclusion of the study. Specimens were independently reviewed by two blinded pathologists.

Main outcome measure

Effect of bariatric surgery‐induced weight loss on the prevalence of endometrial pathology at 1 year.

Results

Fifty‐nine women underwent an endometrial biopsy during bariatric surgery. The mean (range) age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were 42 years (22–62 years), 127 kg (87–176 kg), and 46.8 kg/m2 (36–64.3 kg/m2), respectively. Four women had hyperplasia (three simple and one complex), for an overall prevalence of 6.8%. The prevalence among women not receiving some anti‐estrogen therapy was 9.5%. Forty‐six women (78%) underwent follow‐up biopsy after a mean (range) weight loss of 42 kg (19–67 kg). Simple hyperplasia was identified in 3/46 women at the 1–year follow‐up (6.5%). Two women had resolution of hyperplasia, two women had persistent, simple hyperplasia, and one had had a normal initial biopsy. No woman showed progressive pathology or cancer. At the end of the follow‐up all but one patient had a documented resolution of endometrial pathology.

Conclusions

Asymptomatic morbidly obese women are at relatively high risk of harbouring occult endometrial hyperplasia. Bariatric surgery‐associated weight loss reduced but did not eliminate this risk for endometrial pathology.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome: nationwide changes in incidence, treatment and mortality over 23 years
Authors: SIGURDSSON M. I. , SIGVALDASON K. , GUNNARSSON T. S. , MOLLER A. , SIGURDSSON G. H.
Published: December 2012

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess population‐based changes in incidence, treatment, and in short‐ and long‐term survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) over 23 years.

Materials and Methods

Analysis of all patients in Iceland who fulfilled the consensus criteria for ARDS in 1988–2010. Demographic variables, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores and ventilation parameters were collected from hospital charts.

Results

The age‐standardised incidence of ARDS during the study period was 7.2 cases per 100,000 person‐years and was increased by 0.2 cases per year (P < 0.001). The most common causes of ARDS were pneumonia (29%) and sepsis (29%). The use of pressure‐controlled ventilation became almost dominant from 1993. The peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) has significantly decreased (−0.5 cmH2O/year), but the peak end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) has increased (0.1 cmH2O/year) during the study period. The hospital mortality decreased by 1% per year (P = 0.03) during the study period, from 50% in 1988–1992 to 33% in 2006–2010. A multivariable logistic regression model revealed that higher age and APACHE II score increased the odds of hospital mortality, while a higher calendar year of diagnosis reduced the odds of mortality. This was unchanged when dominant respiratory treatment, PIP and PEEP were added to the model. The 10‐year survival of ARDS survivors was 68% compared with 90% survival of a reference population (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The incidence of ARDS has almost doubled, but hospital mortality has decreased during the 23 years of observation. The 10‐year survival of ARDS survivors is poor compared with the reference population.
Hypersensitivity reactions to Patent Blue V in breast cancer surgery: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: BRENET O. , LALOURCEY L. , QUEINNEC M. , DUPOIRON D. , JAYR C. , ROSAY H. , MAVOUNGOU P. , MONNIN D. , ANCEL B. , MAGET B. , LOUVIER N. , MALINOVSKY J.‐M.
Published: December 2012

Background

An increasing number of immediate hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) have been reported after the use of Patent Blue V (PBV) for breast cancer surgery. This is the first study to publish prospective data with systematic allergological assessment.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre study in 10 French cancer centres for over 6 months. All patients scheduled for breast surgery with injection of PBV were included in the study. Patients were screened for past medical history, atopy, and known food and drug allergies. When suspected HSR or unexplained reactions occurred after injection of PBV, blood samples were taken, and plasma histamine and serum tryptase concentrations were measured. HSR to PBV was suggested if skin tests performed 6 weeks later were positive.

Results

Nine suspected HSR to PBV were observed in 1742 patients. Skin tests were positive in six patients, giving an incidence of 0.34%. Four grade I and two grade III HSR were observed, both requiring intensive care unit treatment. Mean onset time of the reaction was 55 ± 37 min. Plasma histamine was elevated in four patients, while serum tryptase was normal. We found no risk factors associated with HSR to PBV.

Conclusion

An incidence rate of one in 300 HSR to PBV was observed for patients exposed to PBV during sentinel lymph node detection. This rate is higher than rates reported after the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, latex or antibiotics.
Cannabis use and vulnerability for psychosis in early adolescence—a TRAILS study
Authors: Griffith‐Lendering Merel F. H. , Wigman Johanna T. W. , Prince van Leeuwen Andrea , Huijbregts Stephan C. J. , Huizink Anja C. , Ormel Johan , Verhulst Frank C. , van Os Jim , Swaab Hanna , Vollebergh Wilma A. M.
Published: December 2012

Aims

To examine the direction of the longitudinal association between vulnerability for psychosis and cannabis use throughout adolescence.

Design

Cross‐lagged path analysis was used to identify the temporal order of vulnerability for psychosis and cannabis use, while controlling for gender, family psychopathology, alcohol use and tobacco use.

Setting

A large prospective population study of Dutch adolescents [the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) study].

Participants

A total of 2120 adolescents with assessments at (mean) age 13.6, age 16.3 and age 19.1.

Measurements

Vulnerability for psychosis at the three assessment points was represented by latent factors derived from scores on three scales of the Youth Self‐Report and the Adult Self‐Report, i.e. thought problems, social problems and attention problems. Participants self‐reported on cannabis use during the past year at all three waves.

Findings

Significant associations (r = 0.12–0.23) were observed between psychosis vulnerability and cannabis use at all assessments. Also, cannabis use at age 16 predicted psychosis vulnerability at age 19 (Z = 2.6, P < 0.05). Furthermore, psychosis vulnerability at ages 13 (Z = 2.0, P < 0.05) and 16 (Z = 3.0, P < 0.05) predicted cannabis use at, respectively, ages 16 and 19.

Conclusions

Cannabis use predicts psychosis vulnerability in adolescents and vice versa, which suggests that there is a bidirectional causal association between the two.
Prospective correlates of drinking cessation: variation across the life‐course
Authors: Dawson Deborah A. , Goldstein Risë B. , Grant Bridget F.
Published: December 2012

Aims

To assess age variation in correlates of drinking cessation.

Design

Prospective study of a US general population sample.

Setting

Face‐to‐face household interviews.

Participants

Past‐year ≥ monthly drinkers interviewed at baseline and 3‐year follow‐up (n = 14 885).

Measurements

Baseline values and selected changes over follow‐up in alcohol consumption, alcohol use disorder (AUD), socio‐demographic and health characteristics, other substance use and psychiatric comorbidity were used to predict drinking cessation in three age groups.

Findings

Correlates of drinking cessation varied over the life‐course, with pregnancy/presence of an infant, nicotine or drug use disorder, incident AUD, cluster A personality disorder, liver disease and incident retirement being important at younger ages and high‐school graduation, family income ≥ $70 000, volume of ethanol intake, Asian race/ethnicity, mood disorder and incident cardiovascular disease being significant at older ages. Age‐invariant correlates included smoking cessation over follow‐up, odds ratio (OR) = 2.82 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62–4.92] to 3.45 (2.20–5.39); college education, OR = 0.42 (0.27–0.65) to 0.54 (0.36–0.83); black and Hispanic race/ethnicity, OR = 1.74 (1.18–2.29) to 1.88 (1.21–2.93) and 1.58 (1.11–1.25) to 1.73 (0.83–3.63), respectively, and months since last drink, OR = 1.24 (1.13–1.36) to 1.29 (1.19–1.39).

Conclusions

Factors associated with ceasing alcohol use in US adults appear to differ over the life‐course, reflecting age variation in both their prevalence and impact and supporting the importance of role transitions and health problems (the ‘sick quitter’ effect). The most consistent correlates of drinking cessation included factors reflecting ability/inability to give up potentially addictive substances and factors associated with perceived acceptability of drinking and subgroup‐specific drinking contexts that might facilitate/impede continued drinking.
Adenomas of cervical maldescended parathyroid glands: pearls and pitfalls
Authors: Lee James C. , Mazeh Haggi , Serpell Jonathan , Delbridge Leigh W. , Chen Herbert , Sidhu Stanley
Published: December 2012

Background

Missed parathyroid adenoma (PTA) is the commonest cause of persistent hyperparathyroidism. Although many are subsequently found in well‐described locations, some are found in unusual regions of the neck. This paper presents the combined experience of three large tertiary endocrine surgery centres with maldescended PTA (MD‐PTA).

Methods

Patients were recruited from the endocrine surgical databases of three tertiary endocrine surgery units. Patients with PTA found >1 cm above the superior thyroid pole or other cervical locations as a result of abnormal or incomplete descent were included for analysis.

Results

MD‐PTA was identified in 16 patients out of a total of 5241 patients who had undergone parathyroidectomies in the 7‐year study period (incidence 0.3%). Seven (44%) patients had minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, while nine (56%) had bilateral neck exploration. The mean excised gland weight was 750 + 170 mg. Cure was achieved in all patients with a minimum follow‐up of 6 months. The locations of MD‐PTA in this study included submandibular triangle, retropharyngeal space, carotid sheath (at carotid bifurcation and intravagal), parapharyngeal space (superior to thyroid cartilage or superior thyroid pole) and cricothyroid space.

Conclusions

Despite their rare occurrence, incompletely or abnormally descended PTAs can be encountered by any surgeon who performs parathyroidectomies. It is important to develop a strategy to systematically locate these glands. High cure rates can still be achieved with minimally invasive parathyroidectomy if confident preoperative localization is available. A sound knowledge of embryology and a thorough exploration also facilitate an overall high success rate with open exploration.
The emerging role of DNA methylation in epileptogenesis
Authors: Kobow Katja , Blümcke Ingmar
Published: December 2012

DNA methylation is a covalent chromatin modification, characterized by the biochemical addition of a methyl group (‐CH3) to cytosine nucleotides via a DNA methyltransferase enzyme. 5′‐Methylcytosine (5‐mC), frequently called the fifth base, has been implicated in genome stability, silencing of transposable elements, and repression of gene expression. Through the latter, DNA methylation dynamics broadly influence brain development, function, and aging. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns, either localized to specific gene regions or scattered throughout the genome, are associated with many neurologic disorders. Herein, we discuss the emerging role of DNA methylation in epileptogenesis and the perspectives arising from epigenetic medicine as new therapeutic strategy in difficult‐to‐treat epilepsies.
Trafficking mechanisms underlying neuronal voltage‐gated ion channel localization at the axon initial segment
Authors: Vacher Helene , Trimmer James S.
Published: December 2012

Voltage‐gated ion channels are diverse and fundamental determinants of neuronal intrinsic excitability. Voltage‐gated K+ (Kv) and Na+ (Nav) channels play complex yet fundamentally important roles in determining intrinsic excitability. The Kv and Nav channels located at the axon initial segment (AIS) play a unique and especially important role in generating neuronal output in the form of anterograde axonal and backpropagating action potentials. Aberrant intrinsic excitability in individual neurons within networks contributes to synchronous neuronal activity leading to seizures. Mutations in ion channel genes give rise to a variety of seizure‐related “channelopathies,” and many of the ion channel subunits associated with epilepsy mutations are localized at the AIS, making this a hotspot for epileptogenesis. Here we review the cellular mechanisms that underlie the trafficking of Kv and Nav channels found at the AIS, and how Kv and Nav channel mutations associated with epilepsy can alter these processes.
Dendritic ion channelopathy in acquired epilepsy
Authors: Poolos Nicholas P. , Johnston Daniel
Published: December 2012

Ion channel dysfunction or “channelopathy” is a proven cause of epilepsy in the relatively uncommon genetic epilepsies with Mendelian inheritance. But numerous examples of acquired channelopathy in experimental animal models of epilepsy following brain injury have also been demonstrated. Our understanding of channelopathy has grown due to advances in electrophysiology techniques that have allowed the study of ion channels in the dendrites of pyramidal neurons in cortex and hippocampus. The apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons comprise the vast majority of neuronal surface membrane area, and thus the majority of the neuronal ion channel population. Investigation of dendritic ion channels has demonstrated remarkable plasticity in ion channel localization and biophysical properties in epilepsy, many of which produce hyperexcitability and may contribute to the development and maintenance of the epileptic state. Herein we review recent advances in dendritic physiology and cell biology, and their relevance to epilepsy.
Why Power Matters: Creating a Foundation of Mutual Support in Couple Relationships
Authors: Knudson‐Martin Carmen
Published: December 2012

Research shows that equal power helps couples create intimacy and relationship success. However, though couples increasingly desire equal relationships, cultural models of mutual support are not well developed. Clinicians often approach heterosexual couple therapy as though partners are inherently equal, thus reinforcing unacknowledged gender inequities. This article examines research that shows why power imbalances are destructive to intimate relationships and focuses on four gender‐related aspects of mutual support: (a) shared relational responsibility, (b) mutual vulnerability, (c) mutual attunement, and (d) shared influence. Case examples illustrate how socio‐emotional attunement, interrupting the flow of power, and introducing alternative relational experience help couple therapists identify and address power disparities in these important relational processes. Encouraging the powerful person to take relational initiative and introducing alternative gender discourse are especially important.
The immunosuppressive tumour network: myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells and natural killer T cells
Authors: Lindau Dennis , Gielen Paul , Kroesen Michiel , Wesseling Pieter , Adema Gosse J.
Published: December 2012

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T (Treg) cells are major components of the immune suppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). Both cell types expand systematically in preclinical tumour models and promote T‐cell dysfunction that in turn favours tumour progression. Clinical reports show a positive correlation between elevated levels of both suppressors and tumour burden. Recent studies further revealed that MDSCs can modulate the de novo development and induction of Treg cells. The overlapping target cell population of Treg cells and MDSCs is indicative for the importance and flexibility of immune suppression under pathological conditions. It also suggests the existence of common pathways that can be used for clinical interventions aiming to manipulate the TME. Elimination or reprogramming of the immune suppressive TME is one of the major current challenges in immunotherapy of cancer. Interestingly, recent findings suggest that natural killer T (NKT) cells can acquire the ability to convert immunosuppressive MDSCs into immunity‐promoting antigen‐presenting cells. Here we will review the cross‐talk between MDSCs and other immune cells, focusing on Treg cells and NKT cells. We will consider its impact on basic and applied cancer research and discuss how targeting MDSCs may pave the way for future immunocombination therapies.
Carbon loss in drained forestry peatlands in Finland, estimated by re‐sampling peatlands surveyed in the 1980s
Authors: Simola H. , Pitkänen A. , Turunen J.
Published: December 2012

The total area of boreal peatlands is about 3.5 million km2 and they are estimated to contain 15–30% of the global soil carbon (C) storage. In Finland, about 60 000 km2, or 60% of the original peatland area, has been drained, mainly for forestry improvement. We have studied C inventory changes on forestry‐drained peatlands by re‐sampling the peat stratum in 2009 at the precise locations of quantitative peat mass analyses conducted as part of peatland transect surveys during the 1980s. The old and new profiles were correlated mainly by their ignition residue stratigraphies; at each site we determined a reference level, identifiable in both profiles, and calculated the cumulative dry mass and C inventories above it. Comparison of a total of 37 locations revealed broad variation, from slight increase to marked decrease; on average the 2009 results indicate a loss of 7.4 (SE ± 2.5) kg m−2 dry peat mass when compared with the 1980s values. Expressed on an annual basis, the results indicate an average net loss of 150 g C m−2 year−1 from the soil of drained forestry peatlands in the central parts of Finland. The C balance appeared not to correlate with site fertility (fertility classes according to original vegetation type), nor with post‐drainage timber growth.
Supporting the case for ‘progressive universalism’ in health visiting: Scottish mothers and health visitors’ perspectives on targeting and rationing health visiting services, with a focus on the Lothian Child Concern Model
Authors: Hogg Rhona , Kennedy Catriona , Gray Carol , Hanley Janet
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore parents and professionals’ experience of family assessment in health visiting (public health nursing), with a focus on the Lothian Child Concern Model.

Background.  Health visitors currently assess families as requiring core, additional or intensive support, and offer support at a corresponding level. The majority of families are assessed as core and receive no pro‐active support beyond the early days. Previous assessment tools, consisting of checklists, have been criticised as being ineffective in identifying a range of health needs and unacceptable to parents and health visitors. The Lothian Child Concern Model was developed and introduced in the study area to promote a partnership approach with parents and assess strengths as well as difficulties in parents’ capacity to care for their child.

Methods.  Qualitative methods were used. Ten mothers and 12 health visitors took part in individual semi‐structured interviews.

Results.  Most mothers were aware of the assessment process but some felt that they were not involved in the decision‐making process. Explaining the assessment process to parents is problematic and not all health visitors do so. The assessment process was stressful for some mothers. Health visitors find the model useful for structuring and documenting the assessment process. Many believe that most families benefit from some support, using public health approaches. Health visitors said that families are often assessed as core because there are insufficient resources to support all those who meet the criteria of the additional category and that managers assess caseloads in terms of families with child protection concerns.

Conclusions.  The study findings significant the concept of ‘progressive universalism’ that provides a continuum that intensity of support to families, depending on need. Mothers would like better partnership working with health visitors.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The study endorses proposed policy changes to re‐establish the public health role of health visitors and to lower the threshold for families to qualify for support.
Prevalence of postpartum depression in mothers and fathers and its correlates
Authors: Serhan Nilüfer , Ege Emel , Ayrancı Unal , Kosgeroglu Nedime
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectives

To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and its connections in a group of mothers and their husbands.

Background

Although postpartum depression in mothers during the postnatal period has been extensively studied, the courses of depression from pregnancy to postpartum and risk factors among mothers and fathers together are not known.

Design

A cross‐sectional design was used.

Methods

This study included 110 couples registered at a family health centre in western Turkey. For the data collection, the Mother Introduction Form, the Father Introduction Form and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale were used. The data were analysed by Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman correlation and logistic regression tests.

Results

The prevalence of postpartum depression was 9·1 and 1·8% for mothers and fathers, respectively. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale average score for mothers was 4·29 ± 5·33 points and 1·12 ± 2·75 points for fathers. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale scores were significantly higher in mothers who said that their relationship with their husbands was moderate or bad, who felt partly sufficient in the baby care, who were in difficulty in the baby care, who felt anxious for their motherhood and who said that they had not received support from anybody for baby care. The logistic analysis found that those feeling anxious about motherhood were at risk 5·6 times more than the others in developing postpartum depression.

Conclusion

Both mothers and fathers should be given consulting services about baby care and how they can manage with postpartum depression during postpartum period.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study highlights the utility of screening for the risk of postpartum depression during pregnancy and also during the early postpartum period.
Paediatric resuscitation for nurses working in Ghana: an educational intervention
Authors: Brennan M.M. , Fitzpatrick J.J. , McNulty S.R. , Campo T. , Welbeck J. , Barnes G.
Published: December 2012

BRENNAN M.M., FITZPATRICK J.J., MCNULTY S.R., CAMPO T., WELBECK J. & BARNES G. (2013) Paediatric resuscitation for nurses working in Ghana: an educational intervention. International Nursing Review60, 136–143

Background:  Deficiencies in the paediatric emergency systems of developing countries may contribute to avoidable paediatric mortality. Studies suggest that nurses and doctors may not be educationally prepared to provide immediate paediatric resuscitative care to acutely ill children. The purpose of this study was to determine if a 1‐day World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Triage and Assessment Treatment (ETAT) Program in paediatric resuscitation would increase Ghanaian nurses' knowledge and self‐efficacy of paediatric resuscitation.

Methods:  A pre‐experimental, one‐group, pre‐test, post‐test design was used to assess differences in the nurses' knowledge of paediatric resuscitation, and their perceived self‐efficacy of paediatric resuscitation after completing a 1‐day educational intervention in paediatric resuscitation. Forty‐one nurses from a public teaching hospital in Ghana were recruited and participated in the study.

Results:  Using a paired samples t‐test, there was a statistically significant increase in the nurses' perceived self‐efficacy of paediatric resuscitation in general (P < 0.000), perceived self‐efficacy of bag and mask ventilation (P < 0.000), and knowledge of paediatric resuscitation (P < 0.000).

Conclusions:  Findings from this study suggest that a 1‐day WHO ETAT Program may increase self‐efficacy of paediatric resuscitation and knowledge of paediatric resuscitation.

Clinical Relevance:  Policy makers in Ghana need to consider implementing education programmes in paediatric resuscitation for nurses as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve emergency systems and address preventable and avoidable infant and child mortality.
Neoliberalising the Fordist University: A Tale of Two Campuses in Frankfurt a. M., Germany
Authors: Belina Bernd , Petzold Tino , Schardt Jürgen , Schipper Sebastian
Published: December 2012

Abstract:  In 2009, the central building of the new IG Farben Campus of Johann Wolfgang Goethe University (JWGU), Frankfurt, Germany was occupied by students protesting against the neoliberalisation of higher education. While similar occupations at the old Bockenheim Campus were usually tolerated, if not welcomed, by the university management, this time 176 students and members of staff were forcefully evicted after only 3 days, when the university's presidential board called in the police. To better understand this way of ending such protest, a level of oppression almost unheard of at a German university in the last 20 years, we reconstruct the way in which JWGU, as part of the state apparatus university, has produced the two campuses as particular places that are bound up in and expressions of the national and local condensations of forces of Fordism and neoliberalism respectively.
Integrative Analysis of Cancer Diagnosis Studies with Composite Penalization
Authors: Liu Jin , Ma Shuangge , Huang Jian
Published: December 2012

In cancer diagnosis studies, high‐throughput gene profiling has been extensively conducted, searching for genes whose expressions may serve as markers. Data generated from such studies have the ‘large d, small n’ feature, with the number of genes profiled much larger than the sample size. Penalization has been extensively adopted for simultaneous estimation and marker selection. Because of small sample sizes, markers identified from the analysis of single data sets can be unsatisfactory. A cost‐effective remedy is to conduct integrative analysis of multiple heterogeneous data sets. In this article, we investigate composite penalization methods for estimation and marker selection in integrative analysis. The proposed methods use the minimax concave penalty (MCP) as the outer penalty. Under the homogeneity model, the ridge penalty is adopted as the inner penalty. Under the heterogeneity model, the Lasso penalty and MCP are adopted as the inner penalty. Effective computational algorithms based on coordinate descent are developed. Numerical studies, including simulation and analysis of practical cancer data sets, show satisfactory performance of the proposed methods.
The civic zeitgeist: nationalism and liberal values in theEuropean radical right
Authors: Halikiopoulou Daphne , Mock Steven , Vasilopoulou Sofia
Published: December 2012

This article examines the relationship between nationalism and liberal values and, more specifically, the redefinition of boundaries between national communities and others in the rhetoric of radical right parties inEurope. The aim is to examine the tension between radical right party discourse and the increasing need to shape this discourse in liberal terms. We argue that the radical right parties that successfully operate within the democratic system tend to be those best able to tailor their discourse to the liberal and civic characteristics of national identity so as to present themselves and their ideologies as the true authentic defenders of the nation's unique reputation for democracy, diversity and tolerance. Comparing the success of a number ofEuropean radical right parties ranging from the most electorally successfulSwissPeople'sParty, the Dutch Pim Fortuyn List and Party for Freedom to the more mixed French Front National, British National Party and National Democratic Party of Germany we show that the parties that effectively deploy the symbolic resources of national identity through a predominantly voluntaristic prism tend to be the ones that fare better within their respective political systems. In doing so, we challenge the conventional view in the study of nationalism that expects civic values to shield countries from radicalism and extremism.