bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commentary and Issues : Who knows best? Evidence-based practice and the service user contribution
Authors: Glasby Jon , Beresford Peter
Published: January 2006

This paper reviews the assumptions underlying traditional medical research and critiques the concept of ‘evidence-based practice’. In particular, it identifies and counters three basic tenets of this approach: the alleged need for objectivity in research, the notion of hierarchies of evidence and the primacy of systematic reviews. Instead, the paper argues for a new emphasis on ‘knowledge-based practice’, recognizing that the practice wisdom of health and social care practitioners and the lived experience of service users can be just as valid a way of knowing the world as formal research.
Effect on the Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption of Granite Powder Composites on Toughening Epoxy with Unsaturated Polyester and Unsaturated Polyester with Epoxy Resin
Authors: Ramakrishna H. V. , Rai S. K.
Published: January 2006

In this article a study on the tensile, flexural, compression, and impact strength of granite powder–epoxy composites on toughening epoxy with unsaturated polyester and unsaturated polyester with epoxy resin has been assessed. The water absorption studies revealed that an increase in the strength of the composites showed a positive toughening effect. The morphology study has also been carried out in order to study the interfacial region in the composites.
Studies on the Mechanical Performance of PMMA Toughened Epoxy–Silk and PC Toughened Epoxy–Silk Fabric Composites
Authors: Priya S. Padma , Rai S. K.
Published: January 2006

Epoxy was toughened with varying weight fractions of polymethyl methracrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) individually. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the toughened resin matrix were investigated. The blend matrix in the combination, which showed maximum strength, was chosen to prepare composites. Composites were prepared with varying weight percentage of silk fabric loading with PMMA toughened epoxy containing 4wt% of PMMA (which showed the highest strength) and PC toughened epoxy containing 6wt% of PC (which showed highest strength in epoxy–PC blend combinations). The mechanical strength of these composites were also assessed. The strength of the composites was found to increase linearly on increasing the silk fabric loading. An enhancement in the properties was observed after toughening the epoxy resin.
Effects of Chemical Modification of Paper Sludge Filled Polypropylene (PP)/Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) Composites
Authors: Ismail Salmah H. , Bakar A. Abu
Published: January 2006

The effects of surface treatment of paper sludge (PS) with acrylic acid (esterification) and acetic acid (acetylation) on torque, stabilization torque, mechanical properties, water absorption, morphology, and thermal properties of PP/EPDM/PS composites were studied. It was found that esterified and acetylated composites exhibit higher stabilization torque than untreated composites. The esterification and acetylation treatment have improved the tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus but have reduced the water absorption of composites. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of the tensile fracture surface of the esterified and acetylated composites indicates that the presence of acrylic acid and acetic acid increased the interfacial interaction between paper sludge and PP/EPDM matrix. The esterification and acetylation treatment also increase the thermal stability and crystallization of PP/EPDM/PS composites. It was found that paper sludge acts as a nucleation agent in the presence of acrylic acid and acetic acid.
Mechanisms Controlling Particle Distribution in Infusion Molded Composites
Authors: Fernberg S. P. , Sandlund E. J. , Lundstrom T. S.
Published: January 2006

This article presents results from an experimental investigation in which two grades of aluminatrihydroxide (ATH) particles are added to liquid resin and used in infusion molding experiments. Based on the results, potential key mechanisms controlling resin flow and hence also the final particle distribution are proposed. A pore doublet model is proposed to explain the seemingly random spatial distribution of particle-dense regions within the final material. These dense regions are found within flow channels, at locations where local shear strain rates are low. This suggests that they are formed as a consequence of a Bingham type of viscosity behavior observed for the suspension and/or due to filtering of particles during fiber bundle impregnation.
Hygrothermal Effects on Interfacial Stress Transfer Characteristics of Carbon Nanotubes-reinforced Composites System
Authors: Zhang Y. C. , Wang X.
Published: January 2006

On the basis of the existence of strong bonding between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polymer matrix, and considering the axial and radial thermal expansion coefficients of CNTs as nonlinear functions of temperature changes, this article presents an analytical method to investigate hygrothermal effects on the interfacial stress transfer characteristics of single-multiwalled CNTs-reinforced composites system under hygrothermal loading by means of thermoelastic theory and conventional fiber pullout models. According to the known literature, the thermal expansion coefficient of CNTs is considered as transverse isotropy, and is a nonlinear function of temperature changes. The thermal expansion coefficient of polymer matrix is isotropy, and is a linear function of temperature changes. Numerical examples show that the interfacial shear stress transfer behavior can be described and affected by several parameters such as the temperature changes in CNTs–polymer composite, the moisture concentration changes in polymer matrix, the layer numbers, volume fractions, and chiral vectors of CNTs. From the results obtained it is found that mismatch of the thermal and moisture expansion coefficients between the CNTs and polymer matrix may be more important in governing interfacial stress transfer characteristics of CNTs-reinforced composites system.
Effect of T-stress on Damage Zone Size Predictions of Notched Laminated Composites
Authors: Yeh Hsien-Yang , Rashid Hina Naz , Yeh Hsien-Liang
Published: January 2006

In this article, the influence of T-stress on the plastic/damage zone size of a precracked isotropic/composite plate is studied by using various failure criteria under tensile loading conditions. The results of this study indicate that the stress field with T-stress always yields a larger damage zone than the field without T-stress. Using experimental data for a symmetrical, generally orthotropic graphite–epoxy laminate, the damage zone sizes predicted by the average stress criterion and point stress criterion as well as the D-criterion are compared. Experimental measurements of crack-tip damage zone size are used to establish a physical reference point by which all the theories are compared.
Dynamic Modeling of Magnetorheological Damper Behaviors
Authors: Guo Shuqi , Yang Shaopu , Pan Cunzhi
Published: January 2006

Based on theoretical analysis and experiments, this article proposes a new model for a magnetorheological (MR) damper. The proposed model with a smooth and concise form can interpret the bi-viscous and hysteretic behaviors of the MR damper very well. The parameters in the model have definite physical meanings. The bi-viscous and hysteretic behaviors can be characterized by two parameters 0 and A3. The proposed model makes it convenient to study the effects of the bi-viscous and hysteretic behaviors on the performance of a system with a MR damper. As one application of the model, a vibration isolation system with a MR damper is investigated, and the effects of bi-viscous and hysteretic behaviors on system performances are studied by numerical methods and theoretical analysis.
A Comparison of Dynamic Piezoactuation of Fiber-based Actuators and Conventional PZT Patches
Authors: Nguyen Cu-Hai , Kornmann Xavier
Published: January 2006

This work aims to extend investigations of the dynamic flexural actuation of a cantilever beam to fiber-based actuators (e.g., active fiber composite (AFC) or macro-fiber composite (MFC)), which consist of a single level of unidirectionally aligned piezoceramic fibers surrounded by a polymer matrix and electrically loaded by interdigitated electrodes. The main advantage of such actuators is their poling in the same direction as the beam length, i.e., they are able to act with the piezoelectric strain constant d33 that is about two times higher than the piezoelectric strain constant d31 used in PZT patches. Modeling using the finite element method is based on the multiplication in both plane directions of a unit cell, which is taken as a fiber unit (with its matrix) within two pairs of half-electrodes of the same polarity. Modeling of the whole system is possible practically only with MFC actuators, whose fibers have a rectangular section, thus reducing the number of required finite elements. In addition to a non-uniform longitudinal free extension of the electrically loaded piezofiber-based actuator, a lateral free shearing has been calculated, which results in a non-planar deformation of the actuator. When two such MFC actuators are bonded on both sides of an aluminum cantilever beam and loaded in the antiphase mode, they conduct into all flexural resonance modes of the actuated beam, as expected. However, a slight interference by the torsion eigenmodes of the actuated beam has also been detected, which was not present in the actuation type using (leadzirconate titanate) PZT patches. The experimental validation of these FEM results first confirms the static values for free strain components of the MFC actuator depending on the loading voltage, then dynamic values regarding the eigenfrequencies, as well as the acceleration amplitudes of the MFC actuated vibrating beam.
The FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion gene cooperates with IL-5 to induce murine hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)/chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL)–like disease
Authors: Yamada Yoshiyuki , Rothenberg Marc E. , Lee Andrew W. , Akei Hiroko Saito , Brandt Eric B. , Williams David A. , Cancelas Jose A.
Published: January 2006

Dysregulated tyrosine kinase activity by the Fip1-like1 (FIP1L1)–platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) (F/P) fusion gene has been identified as a cause of clonal hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), called F/P-positive chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) in humans. However, transplantation of F/P-transduced hematopoietic stem cells/progenitors (F/P+ HSCs/Ps) into mice results in a chronic myelogenous leukemia–like disease, which does not resemble HES. Because a subgroup of patients with HES show T-cell–dependent interleukin-5 (IL-5) overexpression, we determined if expression of the F/P fusion gene in the presence of transgenic T-cell IL-5 overexpression in mice induces HES-like disease. Mice that received a transplant of CD2-IL-5–transgenic F/P+ HSC/Ps (IL-5Tg-F/P) developed intense leukocytosis, strikingly high eosinophilia, and eosinophilic infiltration of nonhematopoietic as well as hematopoietic tissues, a phenotype resembling human HES. The disease phenotype was transferable to secondary transplant recipients of a high cell dose, suggesting involvement of a short-term repopulating stem cell or an early myeloid progenitor. Induction of significant eosinophilia was specific for F/P since expression of another fusion oncogene, p210-BCR/ABL, in the presence of IL-5 overexpression was characterized by a significantly lower eosinophilia than IL-5Tg-F/P recipients. These results suggest that F/P is not sufficient to induce a HES/CEL-like disease but requires a second event associated with IL-5 overexpression.
Perifosine, an oral bioactive novel alkylphospholipid, inhibits Akt and induces in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity in human multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Hideshima Teru , Catley Laurence , Yasui Hiroshi , Ishitsuka Kenji , Raje Noopur , Mitsiades Constantine , Podar Klaus , Munshi Nikhil C. , Chauhan Dharminder , Richardson Paul G. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: January 2006

Perifosine is a synthetic novel alkylphospholipid, a new class of antitumor agents which targets cell membranes and inhibits Akt activation. Here we show that baseline phosphorylation of Akt in multiple myeloma (MM) cells is completely inhibited by perifosine [octadecyl-(1,1-dimethyl-piperidinio-4-yl)-phosphate] in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, without inhibiting phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 phosphorylation. Perifosine induces significant cytotoxicity in both MM cell lines and patient MM cells resistant to conventional therapeutic agents. Perifosine does not induce cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Neither exogenous interleukin-6 (IL-6) nor insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) overcomes Perifosine-induced cytotoxicity. Importantly, Perifosine induces apoptosis even of MM cells adherent to bone marrow stromal cells. Perifosine triggers c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, followed by caspase-8/9 and poly (ADP)-ribose polymerase cleavage. Inhibition of JNK abrogates perifosine-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that JNK plays an essential role in perifosine-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, phosphorylation of extracellular signal–related kinase (ERK) is increased by perifosine; conversely, MEK inhibitor synergistically enhances Perifosine-induced cytotoxicity in MM cells. Furthermore, perifosine augments dexamethasone, doxorubicin, melphalan, and bortezomib-induced MM cell cytotoxicity. Finally, perifosine demonstrates significant antitumor activity in a human plasmacytoma mouse model, associated with down-regulation of Akt phosphorylation in tumor cells. Taken together, our data provide the rationale for clinical trials of perifosine to improve patient outcome in MM.
Shedding of lymphocyte function–associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in a human inflammatory response
Authors: Evans Betsy J. , McDowall Alison , Taylor Peter C. , Hogg Nancy , Haskard Dorian O. , Landis R. Clive
Published: January 2006

Shedding of adhesion molecules has been described for members of the selectin and immunoglobulin superfamilies, but integrins are not known to be shed. Here, we describe shedding of the integrin lymphocyte function–associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) from human leukocytes during the cutaneous inflammatory response to the blistering agent cantharidin. Expression of LFA-1 was significantly diminished on blister-infiltrated neutrophils (P < .001) and monocytes (P = .02) compared with cells in peripheral blood, but expression on lymphocytes remained unchanged. A capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that LFA-1 was shed into blister fluid as a heterodimer expressing an intact headpiece with I and I-like epitopes. However, a CD11a central region epitope, G25.2, was absent and this remained expressed as a “stub” on the cell surface of blister neutrophils. Western analysis of soluble LFA-1 revealed a truncated 110-kDa CD11a chain and a minimally truncated 86-kDa CD18 chain. However, LFA-1 was shed in a ligand-binding conformation, since it expressed KIM-127 and 24 activation epitopes and bound to solid-phase ICAM-1. Shed LFA-1 was also detected in a synovial effusion by ELISA and Western analysis. We hypothesize that LFA-1 shedding may play a role in leukocyte detachment after transendothelial migration and in regulating integrin-dependent outside-in signaling.
Phase I/II Trial Assessing Bortezomib and Melphalan Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Berenson James R. , Yang Hank H. , Sadler Karen , Jarutirasarn Supol G. , Vescio Robert A. , Mapes Russell , Purner Matthew , Lee Shi-pyng , Wilson Joanna , Morrison Blake , Adams Julian , Schenkein David , Swift Regina
Published: January 2006

Purpose

Bortezomib has shown synergy with melphalan in preclinical models. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and response rate in a dose-escalation study of this combination for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients.

Methods

Bortezomib was administered from 0.7 to 1.0 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 28-day cycle for up to eight cycles. Oral melphalan was administered in escalating doses from 0.025 to 0.25 mg/kg on days 1 to 4.

Results

Thirty-five patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma were enrolled, 34 of whom were assessable for response. Dose-limiting toxicity of grade 4 neutropenia in two of six patients in the highest dose cohort led to the assignment of bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 and melphalan 0.10 mg/kg as the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD). Responses (minimal [MR], partial [PR], or complete [CR]) occurred in 23 of 34 patients (68%), including two CRs (6%), three immunofixation-positive CRs (9%), 11 PRs (32%), and seven MRs (21%). Responses were observed in five of six assessable patients (83%) at the MTD. Median progression-free survival for all patients was 8 months (range, 2 to 18 months). Grade ≥ 3 toxicities were related mostly to myelosuppression. Among the 15 patients with grade 1/2 neuropathy at baseline, it resolved during treatment in one, worsened in four, and remained stable in 10 patients. Eight other patients developed grade 1/2 neuropathy during the study.

Conclusion

Bortezomib plus melphalan given on a 28-day schedule showed encouraging activity with manageable toxicity and represents a promising treatment for myeloma patients.
Analysis of Micrometastatic Disease in Sentinel Lymph Nodes From Resectable Colon Cancer: Results of Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trial 80001
Authors: Redston Mark , Compton Carolyn C. , Miedema Brent W. , Niedzwiecki Donna , Dowell Jeannette M. , Jewell Scott D. , Fleshman James M. , Bem Jiri , Mayer Robert J. , Bertagnolli Monica M.
Published: January 2006

Purpose

To determine whether sentinel lymph node (LN) sampling (SLNS) could reduce the number of nodes required to characterize micrometastatic disease (MMD) in patients with potentially curable colon cancer.

Patients and Methods

Cancer and Leukemia Group B 80001 was a study to determine whether SLNS could identify a subset of LNs that predicted the status of the nodal basin for resectable colon cancer and, therefore, could be extensively evaluated for the presence of micrometastases. Patients enrolled onto this study underwent SLNS after injection of 1% isosulfan blue, and both sentinel nodes (SNs) and non-SNs obtained during primary tumor resection were sectioned at multiple levels and stained using anti–carcinoembryonic antigen and anticytokeratin antibodies.

Results

Using standard histopathology, SNs failed to predict the presence of nodal disease in 13 (54%) of 24 node-positive patients. Immunostains were performed for patients whose LNs were negative by standard histopathology. Depending on the immunohistochemical criteria used to assign LN positivity, SN examination resulted in either an unacceptably high false-positive rate (20%) or a low sensitivity for detection of MMD (40%).

Conclusion

By examining both SNs and non-SNs, this multi-institutional study showed that SNs did not accurately predict the presence of either conventionally defined nodal metastases or MMD. As a result, SLNS is not a useful technique for the study of MMD in patients with colon cancer.
CD9 controls the formation of clusters that contain tetraspanins and the integrin α6β1, which are involved in human and mouse gamete fusion
Authors: Ziyyat Ahmed , Rubinstein Eric , Monier-Gavelle Frédérique , Barraud Virginie , Kulski Olivier , Prenant Michel , Boucheix Claude , Bomsel Morgane , Wolf Jean-Philippe
Published: January 2006

The process of gamete fusion has been largely studied in the mouse and has revealed the crucial role of the tetraspanin CD9. By contrast, human gamete fusion remains largely unknown. We now show that an anti-α6 integrin mAb (GoH3) strongly inhibited human sperm-egg fusion in human zona-free eggs. Furthermore, a mAb directed against CD151, a tetraspanin known to associate with α6β1, partially inhibited sperm-egg fusion. By contrast, the addition of an anti-CD9 mAb to zona free eggs had no effect. The integrin α6β1, CD151 and CD9 tetraspanins were evenly distributed on human zona-intact oocytes. On zona-free eggs, the integrin α6β1 and tetraspanin CD151 patched and co-localized but the tetraspanin CD9 remained unchanged. CD9 mAb prevented α6β1 integrin clustering and gamete fusion when added prior to, but not after, zona removal. Antibody-mediated aggregation of integrin α6β1 yielded patches that were bigger and more heterogeneous in mouse oocytes lacking CD9. Moreover, a strong labelling of α6β1 could be observed at the sperm entry point. Altogether, these data show that CD9 controls the redistribution of some membrane proteins including the α6β1 integrin into clusters that may be necessary for gamete fusion.
The role of protein kinase C δ activation and STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation in insulin-induced keratinocyte proliferation
Authors: Gartsbein Marina , Alt Addy , Hashimoto Koji , Nakajima Koichi , Kuroki Toshio , Tennenbaum Tamar
Published: January 2006

Activation of the STAT family of transcription factors is regulated by cytokines and growth factors. STAT tyrosine and serine phosphorylation are linked to the transcriptional activation and function of STAT. We have previously described a unique pathway inducing keratinocyte proliferation, which is mediated by insulin stimulation and depends on protein kinase C δ (PKCδ). In this study, we assessed STAT3 activation downstream of this pathway and characterized the role of PKCδ activation in STAT3 tyrosine and serine phosphorylation and keratinocyte proliferation. Following insulin stimulation, STAT3 interacted with PKCδ but not with any other PKC isoform expressed in skin. Activated forms of PKCδ and STAT3 were essential for insulin-induced PKCδ-STAT3 activation in keratinocyte proliferation. Abrogation of PKCδ activity inhibited insulin-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, PKCδ-STAT3 association and nuclear translocation. In addition, overexpression of STAT3 tyrosine mutant eliminated insulin-induced PKCδ activation and keratinocyte proliferation. Finally, overexpression of a STAT3 serine mutant abrogated insulin-induced STAT3 serine phosphorylation and STAT3-induced keratinocyte proliferation, whereas STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation was induced and nuclear localization remained intact. This study indicates that PKCδ activation is a primary regulator of STAT3 serine phosphorylation and that PKCδ is essential in directing insulin-induced signaling in keratinocyte proliferation.
Desmocollin 3 is required for pre-implantation development of the mouse embryo
Authors: Den Zhining , Cheng Xing , Merched-Sauvage Maria , Koch Peter J.
Published: January 2006

Desmocollin 3 (Dsc3) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the cadherin family of cell adhesion receptors. Together with desmoglein(s), it forms the transmembrane core of desmosomes, a multiprotein complex involved in cell adhesion, organization of the cytoskeleton, cell sorting and cell signaling. Previous reports have suggested that Dsc3 synthesis is largely restricted to stratified epithelia, and that it plays a role in the proper differentiation of these tissues during mammalian embryonic development. To test these hypotheses, we generated Dsc3-null mice. Unexpectedly, homozygous mutants show a pre-implantation lethal phenotype. In fact, most mutants die even before mature desmosomes are formed in the embryo, suggesting a new and unexpected role of Dsc3 during early development.
Lapatinib: A Novel Dual Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor with Activity in Solid Tumors
Authors: Nelson Michael H , Dolder Christian R
Published: January 2006

Objective:

To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, adverse effects, and drug interactions of lapatinib.

Data Sources:

A PubMed search was conducted (1966–August 2005) using the following terms: lapatinib, GW572016, and dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Additional information sources included meeting abstracts, clinical trial data, and bibliographies from articles identified through PubMed.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Preclinical and clinical trials that evaluated lapatinib in cell culture, animal models, and human subjects were selected from the data sources. Pivotal in vitro data and all in vivo data published regarding lapatinib were included.

Data Synthesis:

The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has resulted from a search for targeted cancer therapeutics made possible by recent gains in our understanding of tumor cell biology. Lapatinib is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor selective for inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 autophosphorylation, leading to suppression of proliferation pathways of solid tumors. Lapatinib has shown clinical activity in solid tumors, with the most notable in advanced or metastatic breast cancer, including tumors refractory to trastuzumab. It has a mild adverse effect profile, with the most common adverse events being diarrhea and rash.

Conclusions:

Lapatinib has novel, dual tyrosine kinase inhibitory properties selective for factors overexpressed in some solid tumors. Results from preclinical and Phase I/II trials indicate activity in the treatment of solid tumors, especially advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Application for approval is anticipated pending results of ongoing Phase III trials.
Children's and adults' eyewitness identification accuracy when a culprit changes his appearance: Comparing simultaneous and elimination lineup procedures
Authors: Pozzulo Joanna D. , Balfour Janet
Published: January 2006

Adults' (N = 239) and children's (N = 177, age range 8–13 years) identification abilities were examined when a culprit underwent a change in appearance following the commission of a crime. Simultaneous and elimination lineup procedures were compared to determine the reliability of each under ‘change in appearance’ conditions. Participants viewed a staged, videotaped theft and then examined a target‐present or ‐absent lineup. Correct identifications (target‐present lineups) decreased following a change in appearance regardless of age of witness and lineup procedure. Children's correct rejection rates (target‐absent lineups) were lower than those of adults. The elimination procedure compared with the simultaneous procedure was more effective at increasing correct rejections when the lineup members matched the culprit's appearance for children and adults. When lineup members did not match the culprit's appearance, correct rejection rates were similar across the two identification procedures for both aged groups.
A community forensic intellectual disability service: Twelve year follow up of referrals, analysis of referral patterns and assessment of harm reduction
Authors: Lindsay William R. , Steele Lynn , Smith Anne H. W. , Quinn Kathleen , Allan Ronald
Published: January 2006

Background. Previous reports on the outcome of services for offenders with developmental disabilities have found recidivism rates of between 40% and 70% with an elevated prevalence of sex offending, fire‐raising, and aggression. Studies have also reported that female offending rates in the intellectual disability population are broadly similar to those found in mainstream populations. All reports have been conducted on in‐patient or prison samples. The present report is of a community forensic intellectual disability service.

Method. Two male cohorts of sex offenders (N = 121) and other types of offenders (N = 105) and female offenders (N = 21) are studied and compared. Data is reported on characteristics of the cohort, problems identified at referral, criminal justice disposal trends, index offences at time of referral, reoffending rates of up to 12 years after index offence, patterns of referral in the first 6 and second 6 years of the study period and the extent of harm reduction.

Results. There were no differences between the groups on IQ and the sex offender cohort tended to be older. Female offenders had higher rates of mental illness although rates for the male cohorts were generally high at around 32%. The sex offending cohort had fewer problems with anger and aggression and alcohol abuse but a higher level of daily living problems and relationship problems. Female offenders had high rates of all problems studied except daily living problems. Unlike certain previous studies, sex offences predominated in the sex offender cohort while other types of offences predominated in the other two cohorts. Average age was lower for more recent referrals. Among recidivists only, a considerable amount of harm reduction was recorded.

Conclusions. Fire raising and offences against children are not overly represented when compared with mainstream offenders. When compared with previous studies, it appears that a community forensic intellectual disability service may have an impact in reducing the number of offences committed over a 12 year follow up period.
Rape myth beliefs and prejudiced instructions: Effects on decisions of guilt in a case of date rape
Authors: Gray Jacqueline M.
Published: January 2006

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effects of pro and anti rape myth bias in judges' summing up statements on verdicts given by individuals.

Method. A convenience sample of 90 male and 90 female students from a British university completed the Rape myth acceptance (RMA) scale (Burt, 1980). A scenario depicting a date rape was read, ending with guidance that was either pro or anti rape myth, or neutral.

Results. Rape myth supporting guidance was associated with innocent verdicts, and anti rape myth guidance with guilty verdicts, regardless of degree of rape myth acceptance. Level of rape myth acceptance and gender were also found to predict verdict.

Conclusion. Rape myth biased guidance may influence verdicts in a rape scenario in which the attribution of blame to the man and woman depicted could be perceived as being ambiguous.
Uses and abuses of eyewitness identification confidence
Authors: Brewer Neil
Published: January 2006

When attempting to identify an offender whom they saw commit a crime, eyewitnesses are frequently asked to indicate their confidence in their memories. Confidence judgments may be expressed prior to seeing a line‐up, after making an identification decision or in the courtroom. Such judgments can exert an important influence on decision making within the criminal justice system. Here, I examine theory and evidence that bear on the likely usefulness of such confidence judgments for diagnosing the accuracy of the associated identification. Contrary to often expressed views, I argue that confidence recorded immediately after the identification test is informative about the identity of the offender. Confidence expressions obtained at other times are likely to be misleading. Important directions for future confidence research are identified.
Role of anticipated regret, intentions and intention stability in adolescent smoking initiation
Authors: Conner Mark , Conner Mark , Sandberg Tracy , McMillan Brian , Higgins Andrea
Published: January 2006

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of anticipated regret within the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) on intentions of adolescents to initiate smoking. To examine the moderating role of anticipated regret and intention stability on the relationship between intentions and smoking initiation in adolescents.

MethodsWe conducted two studies measuring anticipated regret within the TPB applied to adolescent smoking initiation. In the first study, 347 non‐smoking adolescents (between 11 and 12 years of age) completed the TPB and anticipated regret measures about smoking initiation. In the second study, 675 non‐smoking adolescents (between 11 and 12 years of age) completed the TPB, anticipated regret, and intention stability measures in relation to smoking initiation. Smoking was assessed objectively by carbon monoxide breath monitor 9 months later.

ResultsIn Studies 1 and 2, regret significantly added to predictions of intentions over and above components of the TPB (p<.001). In Study 2, smoking behaviour was predicted by intentions and the relationship of intentions to behaviour was moderated by regret and intention stability.

ConclusionsRegret and intention stability were shown to be important variables within the TPB in understanding intentions and behaviour of smoking initiation in adolescents.
The theory of planned behaviour and binge drinking: Assessing the moderating role of past behaviour within the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Norman Paul , Conner Mark
Published: January 2006

A sample of 398 undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing the main constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in relation to binge drinking, as well as past binge drinking behaviour. Of these, 273 were followed up at 1 week. Regression analyses revealed attitude, self‐efficacy, and perceived control (negative relationship) to be predictive of binge drinking intentions. Intention and self‐efficacy were, in turn, predictive of binge drinking at 1‐week follow‐up. Past behaviour was found to explain additional variance in intention and behaviour. In addition, past behaviour was found to moderate the attitude–intention and intention–behaviour relationships, such that weaker relationships were observed with increasing frequency of past behaviour. The results are discussed in relation to the need to develop and test alternative measures of habit. The implications of the findings for interventions to encourage more appropriate drinking behaviour are outlined.
A multicomponent model of the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Rhodes Ryan E. , Blanchard Chris M. , Matheson Deborah Hunt
Published: January 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the measurement and predictive structure of multiple components of attitude (affective and instrumental), subjective norm (injunctive and descriptive) and an alternative measure of perceived behavioural control (PBC; skills/ability, opportunity, and resources) in the exercise domain. An additional purpose of the study was to compare the validity of the alternative PBC measure to a standard PBC measure for predicting exercise intention and behaviour. Participants were 220 undergraduates who completed measures of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and a 2‐week follow‐up of exercise behaviour. Results supported the discriminant validity in the measurement domains of all TPB components. Predictive validity of exercise behaviour for these components, however, was only evident for attitude and PBC components. Our alternative PBC measure was found commensurate with the standard PBC measure. Finally, intention significantly (p <.05) predicted exercise behaviour (R2 = .42), while affective attitude, and perceived opportunity significantly (p <.05) predicted intention (R2 = .47).
Attributions for negative events in the partners of adults with Type 1 diabetes: Associations with partners' expressed emotion and marital adjustment
Authors: Wearden Alison J. , Ward Jonathan. , Barrowclough Christine. , Tarrier Nicholas. , Davies Rob.
Published: January 2006

Objectives An attribution‐emotion model of reactions to illness was tested in a sample of partners of 60 adult patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods Partners were interviewed using the Camberwell family interview (CFI), from which spontaneous attributions for negative events were extracted and coded. Events were classified into diabetes and non‐diabetes events. Partners also completed questionnaire measures of marital adjustment, anxiety and depression.

Results Compared with low expressed emotion (EE) partners, high‐EE partners attributed proportionally more negative diabetes events (e.g. hypoglycaemic episodes) to causes internal to the patient, and negative non‐diabetes events (e.g. patient characteristics and behaviour) to factors controllable by and personal to the patient. High‐EE partners were more anxious than low‐EE partners, and made more responsibility attributions (attributions rated as both internal and controllable and personal). Partners with poorer marital adjustment made more responsibility attributions, but only for non‐diabetes events.

Conclusion Whereas attributions for both diabetes and non‐diabetes events were related to partners' EE, attributions for diabetes events were not significantly associated with partners' marital adjustment.
Critical Role of Integrin-Linked Kinase in Granule Cell Precursor Proliferation and Cerebellar Development
Authors: Mills Julia , Niewmierzycka Agnieszka , Oloumi Arusha , Rico Beatriz , St-Arnaud Rene , Mackenzie Ian R. , Mawji Nasrin M. , Wilson Jason , Reichardt Louis F. , Dedhar Shoukat
Published: January 2006

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays an important role in integrin signaling and cell proliferation. We used Cre recombinase (Cre)-loxPtechnology to study CNS restricted knock-out of theilkgene by eitherNestin-driven orgfap-driven Cre-mediated recombination. Developmental changes inilk-excised brain regions are similar to those observed in mice lacking the integrin β1 subunit in the CNS, including defective laminin deposition, abnormal glial morphology, and alterations in granule cell migration. Decreases in 6-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse labeling and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in the external granule cell layer of the cerebellum demonstrated that proliferation is disrupted in granule cells lacking ILK. Previous studies have shown that laminin-sonic hedgehog (Shh)-induced granule cell precursor (GCP) proliferation is dependent on β1 integrins, several of which bind laminin and interact with ILK through the β1 cytoplasmic domain. Both ex vivodeletion ofilkand a small molecule inhibitor of ILK kinase activity decreased laminin-Shh-induced BrdU labeling in cultured GCPs. Together, these results implicate ILK as a critical effector in a signaling pathway necessary for granule cell proliferation and cerebellar development.
Spike Count Reliability and the Poisson Hypothesis
Authors: Amarasingham Asohan , Chen Ting-Li , Geman Stuart , Harrison Matthew T. , Sheinberg David L.
Published: January 2006

The variability of cortical activity in response to repeated presentations of a stimulus has been an area of controversy in the ongoing debate regarding the evidence for fine temporal structure in nervous system activity. We present a new statistical technique for assessing the significance of observed variability in the neural spike counts with respect to a minimal Poisson hypothesis, which avoids the conventional but troubling assumption that the spiking process is identically distributed across trials. We apply the method to recordings of inferotemporal cortical neurons of primates presented with complex visual stimuli. On this data, the minimal Poisson hypothesis is rejected: the neuronal responses are too reliable to be fit by a typical firing-rate model, even allowing for sudden, time-varying, and trial-dependent rate changes after stimulus onset. The statistical evidence favors a tightly regulated stimulus response in these neurons, close to stimulus onset, although not further away.
Calcium Calmodulin-Stimulated Adenylyl Cyclases Contribute to Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase in Spinal Dorsal Horn Neurons in Adult Rats and Mice
Authors: Wei Feng , Vadakkan Kunjumon I. , Toyoda Hiroki , Wu Long-Jun , Zhao Ming-Gao , Xu Hui , Shum Fanny W.F. , Jia Yong Heng , Zhuo Min
Published: January 2006

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) cascades are suggested to contribute to excitatory synaptic plasticity in the CNS, including the spinal cord dorsal horn. However, many of their upstream signaling pathways remain to be investigated. Here, we demonstrate that glutamate and substance P (SP), two principal mediators of sensory information between primary afferent fibers and the spinal cord, activate Erk in dorsal horn neurons of both adult rat and mouse spinal cord. In genetic knock-out mice of calcium calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase subtypes 1 (AC1) and 8 (AC8), activation of Erk in dorsal horn neurons were significantly reduced or blocked, either after peripheral tissue inflammation or by glutamate or SP in spinal cord slices. Our studies suggest that AC1 and AC8 act upstream from Erk activation in spinal dorsal horn neurons and the calcium-AC1/AC8-dependent Erk signaling pathways may contribute to spinal sensitization, an underlying mechanism for the development of persistent pain after injury.
Selective Attenuation of Afferent Synaptic Transmission as a Mechanism of Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation-Induced Tremor Arrest
Authors: Anderson Trent R. , Hu Bin , Iremonger Karl , Kiss Zelma H. T.
Published: January 2006

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventrolateral thalamus stops several forms of tremor. Microelectrode recordings in the human thalamus have revealed tremor cells that fire synchronous with electromyographic tremor. The efficacy of DBS likely depends on its ability to modify the activity of these tremor cells either synaptically by stopping afferent tremor signals or by directly altering the intrinsic membrane currents of the neurons. To test these possibilities, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of ventral thalamic neurons were obtained from rat brain slices. DBS was simulated (sDBS) using extracellular constant current pulse trains (125 Hz, 60–80 μs, 0.25–5 mA, 1–30 s) applied through a bipolar electrode. Using a paired-pulse protocol, we first established that thalamocortical relay neurons receive converging input from multiple independent afferent fibers. Second, although sDBS induced homosynaptic depression of EPSPs along its own pathway, it did not alter the response from a second independent pathway. Third, in contrast to the subthalamic nucleus, sDBS in the thalamus failed to inhibit the rebound potential and the persistent Na+current but did activate theIhcurrent. Finally, in eight patients undergoing thalamic DBS surgery for essential tremor, microstimulation was most effective in alleviating tremor when applied in close proximity to recorded tremor cells. However, stimulation could still suppress tremor at distances incapable of directly spreading to recorded tremor cells. These complementary data indicate that DBS may induce a “functional deafferentation” of afferent axons to thalamic tremor cells, thereby preventing tremor signal propagation in humans.
Mental Chronometry of Working Memory Retrieval: A Combined Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Event-Related Potentials Approach
Authors: Bledowski Christoph , Kadosh Kathrin Cohen , Wibral Michael , Rahm Benny , Bittner Robert A. , Hoechstetter Karsten , Scherg Michael , Maurer Konrad , Goebel Rainer , Linden David E. J.
Published: January 2006

We used the combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and event-related potentials to decompose the processing stages (mental chronometry) of working memory retrieval. Our results reveal an early transient activation of inferotemporal cortex, which was accompanied by the onset of a sustained activation of posterior parietal cortex. We furthermore observed late transient responses in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and late sustained activity in medial frontal and premotor areas. We propose that these neural signatures reflect the cognitive stages of task processing, perceptual evaluation (inferotemporal cortex), storage buffer operations (posterior parietal cortex), active retrieval (ventrolateral prefrontal cortex), and action selection (medial frontal and premotor cortex). This is also supported by their differential temporal contribution to specific subcomponents of the P300 cognitive potential.
Ectopic Cell Cycle Events Link Human Alzheimer's Disease and Amyloid Precursor Protein Transgenic Mouse Models
Authors: Yang Yan , Varvel Nicholas H. , Lamb Bruce T. , Herrup Karl
Published: January 2006

Nerve cells that re-enter a cell cycle will die rather than divide, a fact that likely underlies the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several mouse models of familial AD have been created, and although many display amyloid plaques in their brains, none captures the extensive pattern of nerve cell death found in the human disease. Using both immunocytochemistry and fluorescentin situhybridization, we show that neurons in three different mouse models reproduce the ectopic cell cycling found in human AD. The temporal and spatial appearance of the cell cycle events in the mouse closely mimics the human disease progression. The cell-cycle events are evident 6 months before the first amyloid deposits and significantly precede the appearance of the first CD45+ microglia. These data suggest that the ectopic initiation of cell-cycle processes in neurons is an early sign of neuronal distress in both human and mouse AD. The close phenotypic correspondence indicates a previously unsuspected level of fidelity of the mouse model to the human disease. Finally, the relative timing suggests that neither the activated microglia nor the amyloid plaques themselves are necessary to initiate the pathogenic events in AD.
Fluent Conceptual Processing and Explicit Memory for Faces Are Electrophysiologically Distinct
Authors: Voss Joel L. , Paller Ken A.
Published: January 2006

Implicit memory and explicit memory are fundamentally different manifestations of memory storage in the brain. Yet, conceptual fluency driven by previous experience could theoretically be responsible for both conceptual implicit memory and aspects of explicit memory. For example, contemplating the meaning of a word might serve to speed subsequent processing of that word and also make it seem familiar. We examined electrophysiological correlates of conceptual priming with 180 celebrity faces to determine whether or not they resemble electrophysiological correlates of explicit memory. Celebrity faces are ideal for this purpose because they carry with them preexisting conceptual information (i.e., biographical facts) that can selectively be brought to mind such that conceptual processing can be manipulated systematically. In our experiment, exposure to biographical information associated with only one-half of the celebrities yielded conceptual priming for those faces, whereas all faces were perceptually primed. Conceptual priming was indexed by positive brain potentials over frontal regions from ∼250 to 500 ms. Explicit memory retrieval was associated with later brain potentials over posterior regions that were strikingly similar to potentials previously associated with pure familiarity for faces (when a face seems familiar in the absence of retrieval of any specific information about previous occurrence). Furthermore, the magnitude of conceptual priming was correlated across subjects with the amplitude of frontal but not posterior potentials, whereas the opposite was true for explicit memory. Distinct brain processes were thus associated with conceptual priming and conscious recognition of faces, thus providing a sharper focus on the border between implicit and explicit memory.
Restoration of Neuronal Plasticity by a Phosphodiesterase Type 1 Inhibitor in a Model of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Medina Alexandre E. , Krahe Thomas E. , Ramoa Ary S.
Published: January 2006

Although some studies showed the efficacy of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors as neuronal plasticity enhancers, little is known about the effectiveness of these drugs to improve plasticity in cases of mental retardation. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of mental retardation in the western world. Using a combination of electrophysiological and optical imaging techniques, we show here that vinpocetine, a PDE type I inhibitor, restores ocular dominance plasticity in the ferret model of fetal alcohol exposure. Our finding should contribute to a better understanding and treatment of cognitive deficits associated with mental disorders, such as FAS.