bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NR4A1 (Nur77) Deletion Polarizes Macrophages Toward an Inflammatory Phenotype and Increases Atherosclerosis
Authors: Hanna Richard N. , Shaked Iftach , Hubbeling Harper G. , Punt Jennifer A. , Wu Runpei , Herrley Erica , Zaugg Claudia , Pei Hong , Geissmann Frederic , Ley Klaus , Hedrick Catherine C.
Published: December 2011

Rationale:

NR4A1 (Nur77) is a nuclear receptor that is expressed in macrophages and within atherosclerotic lesions, yet its function in atherosclerosis is unknown.

Objective:

Nur77 regulates the development of monocytes, particularly patrolling Ly6C
−
monocytes that may be involved in resolution of inflammation. We sought to determine how absence of nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1 (NR4A1) in hematopoietic cells affected atherosclerosis development.

Methods and Results:

Nur77
−/−
chimeric mice on a Ldlr
−/−
background showed a 3-fold increase in atherosclerosis development when fed a Western diet for 20 weeks, despite having a drastic reduction in Ly6C
−
patrolling monocytes. In a second model, mice deficient in both Nur77 and ApoE (ApoE
−/−
Nur77
−/−
) also showed increased atherosclerosis after 11 weeks of Western diet. Atherosclerosis was associated with a significant change in macrophage polarization toward a proinflammatory phenotype, with high expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide and low expression of Arginase-I. Moreover, we found increased expression of toll-like receptor 4 mRNA and protein in Nur77
−/−
macrophages as well as increased phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NFκB. Inhibition of NFκB activity blocked excess activation of Nur77
−/−
macrophages.

Conclusions:

We conclude that the absence of Nur77 in monocytes and macrophages results in enhanced toll-like receptor signaling and polarization of macrophages toward a proinflammatory M1 phenotype. Despite having fewer monocytes, Nur77
−/−
mice developed significant atherosclerosis when fed a Western diet. These studies indicate that Nur77 is a novel target for modulating the inflammatory phenotype of monocytes and macrophages and may be important for regulation of atherogenesis.
Sequential and Prosodic Design of English and Greek Non-Valenced News Receipts
Authors: Kaimaki Marianna
Published: December 2011

Results arising from a prosodic and interactional study of the organization of everyday talk in English suggest that news receipts can be grouped into two categories: valenced (e.g., oh good) and non-valenced (e.g., oh really). In-depth investigation of both valenced and non-valenced news receipts shows that differences in their prosodic design do not seem to affect the sequential structure of the news informing sequence. News receipts with falling and rising pitch may have the same uptake and are treated in the same way by co-participants.

A preliminary study of a Greek telephone corpus yielded the following receipts of news announcements: a malista, a(h) orea, a ne, a, oh. These are news markers composed of a standalone particle or a particle followed by an adverb or a response token ( ne). Analysis of the sequential and prosodic design of Greek news announcement sequences is made to determine any interactional patterns and/or prosodic constraints. By examining the way in which co-participants display their interpretation of these turns I show that the phonological systems of contrast are different depending on the sequential environment, in much the same way that consonantal systems of contrast are not the same syllable initially and finally.
Residential Segregation and Socioeconomic Neighbourhood Sorting: Evidence at the Micro-neighbourhood Level for Migrant Groups in Germany
Authors: Sager Lutz
Published: December 2011

This paper assesses the residential segregation of German immigrants from Turkey, Italy, the Balkans and eastern Europe with a special focus on the link between social and ethnic segregation. Microdata from the German Socioeconomic Panel Study (SOEP) are used. A new dataset provided by the microm Micromarketing-Systeme und Consult GmbH makes accessible information on participants’ immediate residential environments at the micro-neighbourhood level where an average neighbourhood contains only eight households. Substantial levels of residential isolation in the form of own-group overexposure are found for all four migrant groups. Based on previous research, an enhanced methodology is proposed to measure the effect of socioeconomic neighbourhood sorting on ethnic residential segregation. It is shown that differences in income, education, language skills and village/city size have the potential to account for 29–84 per cent of the residential isolation of the four migrant groups.
Constant Linguistic Effects in the Diffusion of Be Like
Authors: Durham Mercedes , Haddican Bill , Zweig Eytan , Johnson Daniel Ezra , Baker Zipporah , Cockeram David , Danks Esther , Tyler Louise
Published: December 2011

This article examines change in social and linguistic effects on be like usage and acceptability. Results from two studies are presented. The first set of data comes from a trend study with samples of U.K. university undergraduates collected in 1996 and 2006. While the effect of subject person, morphological tense, and quote content is constant in the two samples, the effect of speaker sex decreases. The second study is a judgment experiment with 121 native speakers of U.S. English, examining acceptability of be like in environments biasing direct speech and reported thought readings. The analysis reveals no interaction between age and the reported thought/direct speech contrast, suggesting no support for change in this effect on be like acceptability in apparent time. The two studies therefore converge in suggesting no evidence of change in linguistic constraints on be like as it has diffused into U.K. and U.S. Englishes.
Property-based rainwater drainage design and the impacts of climate change
Authors: Jack LB , Kelly DA
Published: December 2011

Property-based rainwater drainage provision comprises a number of components broadly categorised as roof, surface or underground drainage. These systems are relied upon to prevent water ingress to the building and to avoid localised ponding or flooding. Recognition of the inherently unsteady response of the integrated network, in part driven by a particular rainfall event but also due to the transient nature of the fluid flows therein, is important in allowing an understanding of system performance under both current and future climate conditions. Codes and standards suggest that roof drainage systems, conventional or siphonic, are designed using a single rainfall intensity figure, representative of the most intense part of a longer storm, whereas runoff to surface and underground drainage is typically based on a single-peaked rainfall profile. Together with the difference in event duration typically adopted as part of the design process, this means that, unless a straightforward uplift factor is applied, then understanding the potential impacts of climate change on overall system performance can be difficult. Using numerical modelling techniques to analyse the performance of a case study site located in Edinburgh, this research identifies an appropriate common rainfall event from which a system-specific exceedance threshold is identified. Specification of this rainfall intensity facilitates an exploration of the impacts of climate change undertaken within the context of UKCP09 projections. Using gutter overtopping as an indicator of failure, this paper explores possible changes in the frequency of system under-capacity under varying future climate change scenarios.

Practical application: Engineers are encouraged, in relevant codes and standards, to take account of the potential impacts of climate change when designing rainwater drainage systems for buildings. However, little guidance is offered therein on how to achieve this. This paper presents an example of UKCP09 climate change projections, specifically Weather Generator precipitation data, applied to a case study site that integrates roof, surface and underground drainage networks. Results illustrate the possible change in frequency of system failure, identified in this case as gutter overtopping.
The Great Recession and Compensation Practices
Authors: Perlman Bruce J.
Published: December 2011

This article introduces the Governance Matters essays for this issue. It discusses the Great Recession and its effects on Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining and the effects of these on compensation practices in State and Local Governments. The Great Recession is an enduring event in American government and politics. It has had marked impact on the structure and operations of State and Local government especially on budgets. Given, the large proportion of state and local government budgets devoted to compensation the Great Recession's economic and political effects may be greatest there. This article asks of the essays, whether changes in labor relations and collective bargaining due to the Great Recession are changing the rules for government compensation practices at the state and local level in the U.S. It concludes that they are, but the durability of these rule changes and the political impact is yet to be determined.
The Great Recession’s Institutional Change in the Public Employment Relationship
Authors: Levine Helisse , Scorsone Eric
Published: December 2011

Interest in public sector employee benefits and compensation has resurfaced due to the economic downturn spurring a wave of actions that may threaten a once secure future of millions of public workers. The purpose of this article is to explore the ramifications of compensation and benefit changes on the fiscal health of state and local governments. This article reviews the evolution of labor relations in the public sector, recent institutional changes in employment and compensation, and implications on the fiscal health of state and local governments and their employees. The authors argue that these changes or threat of such changes, including restructuring collective rights, unionization, union dues collection, and the issues that can be bargained, are shifting the playing field for public sector employees and employers. Not since the passage of the right to unionization and collective bargaining in the 1960s have such major changes been on the horizon. These institutional changes will have longstanding effects including cost of government, types of workers attracted to government and even type and quality of services provided. Given also that employee compensation typically represents a major portion of the overall cost of state and local governments, it is not unexpected that political officials will continue to seek to rethink the employment relationship in order to ensure the fiscal health of their governments and those who serve in the public sector.
The Necessity of Dissection of Level IIb in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dündar Rıza , Aslan Hale , Özbay Can , Başoğlu Sinan , Adadan Güvenç Işıl , Ay Öğredik Evren , Öztürkcan Sedat , Tayfun Mehmet Ali , Katılmış Hüseyin
Published: December 2011

Objective

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas readily metastasize to adjacent cervical lymph nodes. This is seen frequently in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and neck dissection may be performed in addition to excision of the primary lesion. The aim of this study was to define the frequency of level IIb metastasis to the lymph nodes in patients who underwent selective neck dissection because of LSCC.

Study Design and Setting

Cross‐sectional study with planned data collection in a tertiary referral hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty‐one patients diagnosed with LSCC were accepted into the study. One hundred forty‐eight neck dissection specimens were examined histopathologically, and those with level IIb metastasis were identified. The frequency of level IIb metastasis was evaluated in accordance with the primary tumor site, clinical N stage, central tumor presence, and T stage.

Results

Forty‐seven of 81 patients were clinically N−, and 34 patients were clinically N+. Level IIb metastasis was seen in 5 (6%) of 81 patients, representing 5 of 148 neck dissection specimens. Two of these 5 patients were clinically N+ (6%), and 3 were clinically N− (6%). The relationship between level IIb metastasis and clinical N stage was not statistically significant (P ≥. 05). Likewise, no statistically significant relationships between the other parameters and level IIb involvement were found.

Conclusion

Level IIb nodal involvement is very rare in LSCC. Therefore, the area can generally be preserved in elective neck dissection to lessen morbidity and, specifically, to avoid damaging the function of the spinal accessory nerve.
Issues in prognostication for hospital specialist palliative care doctors and nurses: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Pontin David , Jordan Nikki
Published: December 2011

Background:

Patients with advanced life-limiting diseases have high information needs concerning prognosis yet discussions between patients and healthcare professionals are either avoided or inaccurate due to over-optimism. Available prognostic models are problematic. Literature indicates that hospital specialist palliative care professionals are frequently asked to prognosticate, although their experience of prognostication is unknown. Identifying this experience will support the development of prognosis training for hospital specialist palliative care professionals.

Aim:

To explore hospital specialist palliative care professionals’ experience of prognostication.

Research questions:

‘How do specialist palliative care team members prognosticate?’; ‘How do they view prognostication?’

Design:

Qualitative research – focus group interviews.

Setting/participants:

Three UK hospital specialist palliative care teams. Participants included medical doctors and palliative care nurses. Inclusion/exclusion criteria: member of hospital specialist palliative care team with knowledge and experience of prognostication. Numbers of participants: four hospital specialist palliative medicine consultants, three senior doctors in training, nine clinical nurse specialists.

Results:

Two major themes: Difficulties of prognostication; Benefits of prognostication. Eleven sub-themes: Difficulties (Non-malignant disease; Communicating uncertainty; Seeking definitive prognosis; Participants’ feelings; Confidence in prognostication; Estimating prognosis; Dealing with reaction of prognosis; Prognostic error); Benefits (Patient informed decision-making prioritizing needs and care; Family-prioritizing commitments; Services accessing funding and services planning patient care).

Conclusions:

Findings highlight lack of evidence to support practice, and identify the complexity and emotional labour involved in prognostication by hospital specialist palliative care team members, and are used to discuss recommendations for further research and practice.
The business model of solid waste management in Sweden – a case study of two municipally-owned companies
Authors: Corvellec Hervé , Bramryd Torleif , Hultman Johan
Published: December 2011

This paper describes the business model of municipally-owned MSW (municipal solid waste) companies in Sweden. A comparative study of two of these companies shows that they combine three types of activities: public service activities that collect solid waste from households, commercial establishments, and industry; processing activities that transform this waste; and marketing activities that enable products and recycled material to re-enter the economy. The historical success of the two companies rests on their ability to create value by combining these three distinct yet mutually dependent types of activities. However, an ongoing legal controversy may develop into a threat to this business model and to the entire organization of Swedish waste management.
Socialist Neighborhoods after Socialism
Authors: Zarecor Kimberly Elman
Published: December 2011

The Czech Republic’s socialist-era neighborhoods are largely intact twenty years after the end of Communist Party rule. These buildings will be rehabilitated, but not replaced, because of financial and logistical constraints. In the context of the country’s accession to the European Union in 2004 and the recent global economic crisis, this essay questions what can and should be done in an effort to make these neighborhoods better places to live in the present and the future. It starts with a brief history of postwar housing construction and socialist-era design methodologies, exploring postwar architectural practice and innovations in construction technology that were connected to the industrialization of housing production. The role of the Baťa Company in the development of panelák technology is described. In the context of post-socialist rehabilitation efforts, the discussion addresses current housing policy including regulated rents and the shift in emphasis from renting to ownership. Government subsidies and grant programs are considered, as well as problems such as physical degradation and social segregation. The essay proposes that for the future the social and spatial ideas that were part of the original designs may be more important than the architectural style of individual buildings.
“Something like Happiness”
Authors: Harris Adrienne M.
Published: December 2011

This article uses the medium of film to analyze masculinities at the intersection of the regionally specific with the typical: the peripheral factory town with the universalizing panelák, or apartment block. This article addresses how the private spaces in industrial regions achieve new meaning when the role of the factory or public space, idealized in communist propaganda, has undergone a dramatic transformation. After the narratives that made spaces “great” became irrelevant in 1989 and the paneláky and factories lost their metaphorical meanings, they became simply apartment buildings and privately owned worksites. Within these spaces, many working-class men in industrial regions have faced more difficult transitions than women because they, as idealized workers under socialism, were more invested in the system and lost more from its collapse. Through an analysis of common themes in films released roughly fifteen years after the Velvet Revolution, the author asks how these men relate to the panelák, or private space, when excluded from the masculine, public space of the factory. How does the employment situation impact the family unit? What solutions do directors present to these men who find themselves ill-equipped for life in the industrial periphery after the post-1989 transition? This article draws from and contributes to recent work in the field of Czech gender studies and functions as a Czech case study on the relationship between gender and space in the former Eastern Bloc.
Modelling and optimizing the effects of process parameters on galvanized steel sheet resistance spot welds
Authors: Boriwal L , Mahapatra M M , Biswas P
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates the choice of input process variables that create acceptable welds in the resistance spot welding of galvanized steel sheets. The effects created by the interactions between the process variables in terms of the size of the weld nugget, tensile-shear strength, and peel strength are also investigated. Regression equations are obtained and their ability to predict the size of the weld nugget, tensile-shear strength, and peel strength is tested in a series of test cases. The obtained data is then used in response optimization studies. The predicted optimized input process variables were experimentally verified by comparing measured and predicted optimized target responses. The methodology adopted in the present investigation is shown to be able to model, predict, and response optimize the input process variables for resistance spot welding of galvanized steel sheets.
Needle accumulation rate model-based reconstruction of palaeo-tree biomass in the western subalpine Alps
Authors: Blarquez Olivier , Carcaillet Christopher , Elzein Tasneem M , Roiron Paul
Published: December 2011

An appropriate bioproxy is required to decipher Holocene tree biomass dynamics from the stand scale in relation to local processes such as disturbance or global climate change. Here we used plant litter collected in traps placed in subalpine forests, and data on the surrounding stands, to develop calibration equations for converting the observed macroremain accumulation rates to tree biomass (basal area) values. The needle accumulation rate (NAR) was modeled for Larix decidua and Pinus cembra. We then used the calibration equation developed from the trapped macroremains to reconstruct past tree biomass for sedimentary Holocene series from two subalpine lakes in the Alps. Our data show that NAR is significantly correlated with basal area. We found a clear overrepresentation of L. decidua NAR compared with its real basal area. This distortion potentially masks the occurrence of P. cembra, another important functional species of subalpine ecosystems, when macroremains are not calibrated. Without calibration, the use of NAR to describe past plant biomass always leads to an overestimation of L. decidua biomass and an underestimation of P. cembra biomass. Several shifts between the dominance of the two species, which were masked when using unadjusted NAR, were apparent and occurred at both sites. By comparing the reconstructed basal areas with fire frequencies, we found that P. cembra biomass accumulation preceded the increase of fire frequency and that fire frequencies superior to 0.0085 fire/yr could induce a long-term loss of resilience of cembra pine forest to the benefit of larch. This results to a slight dominance of Larix biomass from 2500 to 2000 cal. BP until the present day at the two sites. Our results provide increased understanding of tree biomass dynamics associated with specific vegetation phases, and shifts in dominant species, and highlight the needs to understand the causes of these shifts and identify how such processes are related to local environmental conditions.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Evaluate Association of Tobacco Abuse With Oral Submucous Fibrosis
Authors: Mehrotra Divya , Agarwal Girdhar Gopal , Kumar Sumit , Shukla Anand , Asthana Akash
Published: December 2011

Objective. Development of a reliable questionnaire to quantify habit of substance abuse with development of oral submucous fibrosis. Materials and methods. The questionnaire, substance abuse and precancer evaluation (SAPE) tool, was designed to assess the association of the habit of substance abuse with development of oral submucous fibrosis, a precancerous condition and various physical, social, psychological factors. Health professionals confirmed the content validity. Face validity was established by a participant focus group. The questionnaire was applied to 1100 participants with or without habit of substance abuse. Results. A total of 52 validated items were applied to the participants. Principal component analysis yielded 8 components having eigenvalues ≥2.0. Reliability was obtained by Cronbach’s α. The validity was measured by computing product–moment correlation coefficient between the diagnosis and the scores on the selected components. Conclusions. Preliminary reliability and validity of the SAPE tool has been demonstrated although more extensive testing is suggested.
Race, sport and social mobility: Horatio Alger in short pants?
Authors: Mackin Robert Sean , Walther Carol S
Published: December 2011

This article addresses sport as a vehicle of social mobility for athletes of all racial backgrounds. Utilizing two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we test two sociological models. The zero-sum model argues that any time spent on sports takes away from time that could be spent on academics, hindering performance in school and ultimately mobility. The developmental model suggests that participation in sport contributes in a variety of ways to the performance of student-athletes in school and in the labor market. We operationalize social mobility by years of education and educational attainment. We find limited support for the developmental model. The results indicate white men and African American men who participate at low and high-levels benefit. Sport participation has no statistically significant influence upon years of education and educational attainment for Hispanic men. We use a Heckman selection model and find that self-selection occurs among (American) football players. We conclude by suggesting future research.
Building social capital: Examining the impact of Street Soccer USA on its volunteers
Authors: Welty Peachey Jon , Cohen Adam , Borland John , Lyras Alexis
Published: December 2011

Most studies on the use of sport with marginalized populations have centered upon the impact on participants, with few studies examining the impact of these interventions on other stakeholder groups, such as volunteers. While it has been contended that volunteering provides a form of social participation and civic engagement that can foster development of citizenship and social capital, these ideas are disputed and lack empirical evidence. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Street Soccer USA on its volunteers. Street Soccer USA uses soccer to provide a support system to homeless individuals for making positive life changes. The findings of this qualitative study with five teams in the United States revealed that volunteering fostered the preconditions for and actual social capital development by enhancing awareness and understanding about homelessness, building community and relationships with the homeless, enhancing passion to work in the social justice field, and developing self-satisfaction through a ‘feel good’ mentality. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the use of sport to aid in social capital development. By creating increased understanding and a sense of community between different social groups, greater community cohesion and more inclusive social capital can be developed.
Probabilistic Low Cycle Fatigue Life Prediction Using an Energy-Based Damage Parameter and Accounting for Model Uncertainty
Authors: Zhu Shun-Peng , Huang Hong-Zhong , Ontiveros Victor , He Li-Ping , Modarres Mohammad
Published: December 2011

Probabilistic methods have been widely used to account for uncertainty of various sources in predicting fatigue life for components or materials. The Bayesian approach can potentially give more complete estimates by combining test data with technological knowledge available from theoretical analyses and/or previous experimental results, and provides for uncertainty quantification and the ability to update predictions based on new data, which can save time and money. The aim of the present article is to develop a probabilistic methodology for low cycle fatigue life prediction using an energy-based damage parameter with Bayes’ theorem and to demonstrate the use of an efficient probabilistic method, moreover, to quantify model uncertainty resulting from creation of different deterministic model parameters. For most high-temperature structures, more than one model was created to represent the complicated behaviors of materials at high temperature. The uncertainty involved in selecting the best model from among all the possible models should not be ignored. Accordingly, a black-box approach is used to quantify the model uncertainty for three damage parameters (the generalized damage parameter, Smith–Watson–Topper and plastic strain energy density) using measured differences between experimental data and model predictions under a Bayesian inference framework. The verification cases were based on experimental data in the literature for the Ni-base superalloy GH4133 tested at various temperatures. Based on the experimentally determined distributions of material properties and model parameters, the predicted distributions of fatigue life agree with the experimental results. The results show that the uncertainty bounds using the generalized damage parameter for life prediction are tighter than that of Smith–Watson–Topper and plastic strain energy density methods based on the same available knowledge.
Progressive Failure Analysis of Scaled Double-Notched Carbon/Epoxy Composite Laminates
Authors: Pham D. C. , Sun X. S. , Tan V. B. C. , Chen B. , Tay T. E.
Published: December 2011

This article presents progressive failure analysis of double-notched carbon/epoxy composite laminates with different scales. A numerical analysis strategy based on material property degradation method (MPDM) and cohesive elements (CE) is developed to model progressive failure of scaled double-notched composite laminates, where the material property degradation method is used to model the intralaminar failure and the cohesive elements are employed to account for the delamination at the interfaces. Different failure theories are considered in the material property degradation method–cohesive element approach and a comparative study of these failure theories is presented. The mesh dependency of the material property degradation method–cohesive element approach is investigated with different notch and element types for the double-notched composite laminates. Size scaling effects are also studied by traditional fracture models and the material property degradation method–cohesive element approach, significantly revealing a trend in strength reduction of notched composites with increasing specimen size. The predictions are compared with the experimental results and reasonably good agreement is observed.
Corrosion–Fatigue Life Prediction for 2024-T62 Aluminum Alloy Using Damage Mechanics-Based Approach
Authors: Hu W. P. , Shen Q. A. , Zhang M. , Meng Q. C. , Zhang X.
Published: December 2011

An approach based on the continuum damage mechanics was applied to predict corrosion–fatigue crack initiation life of 2024-T62 aluminum alloy. A fatigue test in air, a pre-corrosion–fatigue test, and a corrosion–fatigue test on smooth standard specimens were performed. The fatigue lives are strongly reduced by the corrosive environment of 5 wt.% NaCl continuous salt spray compared with non-corroded specimens. Damage evolution models for fatigue in air and pre-corrosion–fatigue of smooth specimens were established, which forms the basis for solving the corrosion–fatigue problem. Finally, the method of corrosion–fatigue life prediction was presented. The predictions comply with the experimental data.
Relative Deprivation
Authors: Smith Heather J. , Pettigrew Thomas F. , Pippin Gina M. , Bialosiewicz Silvana
Published: December 2011

Relative deprivation (RD) is the judgment that one is worse off compared to some standard accompanied by feelings of anger and resentment. Social scientists use RD to predict a wide range of significant outcome variables: collective action, individual achievement and deviance, intergroup attitudes, and physical and mental health. But the results are often weak and inconsistent. The authors draw on a theoretical and meta-analytic review (210 studies composing 293 independent samples, 421 tests, and 186,073 respondents) to present a model that integrates group and individual RD. RD measures that (a) include justice-related affect, (b) match the outcome level of analysis, and (c) use higher quality measures yield significantly stronger relationships. Future research should focus on appropriate RD measurement, angry resentment, and the inclusion of theoretically relevant situational appraisals. Such methodological improvements would revitalize RD as a useful social psychological predictor of a wide range of important individual and social processes.
Measuring Coalition Functioning
Authors: Brown Louis D. , Feinberg Mark E. , Greenberg Mark T.
Published: December 2011

Internal and external coalition functioning is an important predictor of coalition success that has been linked to perceived coalition effectiveness, coalition goal achievement, coalition ability to support evidence-based programs, and coalition sustainability. Understanding which aspects of coalition functioning best predict coalition success requires the development of valid measures of empirically unique coalition functioning constructs. The goal of the present study is to examine and refine the psychometric properties of coalition functioning constructs in the following six domains: leadership, interpersonal relationships, task focus, participation benefits/costs, sustainability planning, and community support. The authors used factor analysis to identify problematic items in our original measure and then piloted new items and scales to create a more robust, psychometrically sound, multidimensional measure of coalition functioning. Scales displayed good construct validity through correlations with other measures. Discussion considers the strengths and weaknesses of the refined instrument.
Replication study of 10 genes showing evidence for association with multiple sclerosis: validation of TMEM39A, IL12B and CLBL genes
Authors: Varadé Jezabel , Comabella Manuel , Ortiz Miguel A , Arroyo Rafael , Fernández Oscar , Pinto-Medel M Jesús , Fedetz María , Izquierdo Guillermo , Lucas Miguel , Gómez Carlos López , Rabasa Antonio Catalá , Alcina Antonio , Matesanz Fuencisla , Alloza Iraide , Antigüedad Alfredo , García-Barcina María , Otaegui David , Olascoaga Javier , Saiz Albert , Blanco Yolanda , Montalbán Xavier , Vandenbroeck Koen , Urcelay Elena
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives:

Ten genes previously showing different evidence of association with multiple sclerosis have been selected to validate.

Methods:

Eleven polymorphisms were genotyped with the iPLEX™ Sequenom in a well-powered collection of Spanish origin including 2863 multiple sclerosis cases and 2930 controls.

Results:

Replication extended to the following polymorphisms: PKN2 (rs305217), GTF2B (rs7538427), EPHA4 (rs1517440), YTHDF3 (rs12115114), ANKFN1 (rs17758761) and PTPRM (rs4798571), which did not reach the threshold of significance in a follow-up of the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in multiple sclerosis; TMEM39A (rs1132200), which appeared as a newly identified susceptibility gene in the same study; a gene previously reaching GWAS significance in Italy, CBLB (rs9657904); IL12B (rs6887695, rs10045431), a susceptibility gene shared by diverse autoimmune diseases and, finally, another gene showing inconclusive association with multiple sclerosis, CNR1 (rs1049353).

Conclusions:

Pooled analysis corroborated the effect on MS predisposition of three genes: TMEM39A [rs1132200: pM-H=0.001; ORM-H (95% CI)= 0.84 (0.75–0.93)], IL12B [rs6887695: pM-H=0.03; ORM-H (95% CI)= 1.09 (1.01–1.17)] and CBLB [rs9657904: pM-H=0.01; ORM-H (95% CI)= 0.89 (0.81–0.97)].
Voxel-wise magnetization transfer imaging study of effects of natalizumab and IFNβ-1a in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Zivadinov R , Dwyer MG , Hussein S , Carl E , Kennedy C , Andrews M , Hojnacki D , Heininen-Brown M , Willis L , Cherneva M , Bergsland N , Weinstock-Guttman B
Published: December 2011

Objective:

To determine the effects of intravenous natalizumab and intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) on the volume of white-matter (WM) lesions and normal appearing brain tissue (NABT) undergoing voxel-wise (VW) increases in magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) suggestive of remyelination in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Methods:

This prospective, open-label, single-blinded study enrolled patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (RSPMS) as well as a group of age/sex-matched healthy controls ( n=22). Patients with multiple sclerosis were assigned to receive natalizumab monotherapy ( n=77; RRMS/RSPMS) or intramuscular IFNβ-1a ( n=26) as either monotherapy (RRMS) or combined with pulsed i.v. methylprednisolone, as needed (RSPMS). The primary endpoint was the two-year change in volume of NABT VWMTR, by quantifying the number of voxels that increased (suggesting remyelination) or decreased (suggesting demyelination) in their MTR value.

Results:

The volume of tissue undergoing increases in VWMTR was significantly larger in natalizumab compared with IFNβ-1a-treated patients (year 1: p=0.001 in NABT and p<0.006 in WM lesions; year 2: p=0.008 in NABT) and compared with healthy control subjects (year 1: p=0.05 and year 2: p=0.007 in NABT). The larger volume within NABT undergoing decreases in VWMTR was detected in multiple sclerosis patients compared with healthy controls ( p<0.001), and in the IFNβ-1a group compared with the natalizumab group (year 1: p=0.05; year 2: p=0.002). One patient on natalizumab died from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy eight months after completing the study.

Conclusion:

Natalizumab may promote remyelination and stabilize demyelination in lesions and NABT in relapsing multiple sclerosis, compared with intramuscular IFNβ-1a.
“Thank you God”: Religion and recovery from dual diagnosis among low-income African Americans
Authors: Whitley Rob
Published: December 2011

People with lived experience of dual diagnosis face specific challenges in that they have struggled with both severe mental illness and substance use disorder simultaneously. I conducted a 6-year ethnographic study with poor African Americans with lived experience of dual diagnosis in Washington, DC, to assess barriers and facilitators to recovery. In this paper, I analyze the relationship between religion and recovery. I set out to answer two research questions: (a) What is the self-identified role of religious commitment and activity in participants’ recovery from dual diagnosis? (b) What (if any) religious activities, notions, and resources are positively harnessed to enhance recovery? I found high levels of Christian religiosity among participants. Participants perceived their ongoing recovery as a process reliant upon (a) an intimate and personal relationship with God, and (b) engagement in certain core private religious activities, most notably prayer, reading of scripture, and listening to religiously inspired radio, television, or music. Participants’ religiosity was underpinned by a Pauline theology of transformation and reconciliation. Psychiatric services serving an African American clientele with lived experience of dual diagnosis may increase effectiveness by better harnessing client religiosity to assist recovery.
Lingua receptiva (LaRa) – remarks on the quintessence of receptive multilingualism
Authors: Rehbein Jochen , ten Thije Jan D. , Verschik Anna
Published: December 2011

This article introduces and defines the notion lingua receptiva (LaRa) as a mode of multilingual communication in which interactants employ a language and/or a language variety different from their partner’s and still understand each other without the help of any additional lingua franca. The quintessence of lingua receptiva is discussed in terms of pragmatic, psycholinguistic and language psychology approaches to multilingualism. Moreover, the occurrence of this mode is documented across various language families throughout time and in various discursive intercultures which it creates. Furthermore, three central characteristics are discussed, namely ideological barriers resulting in asymmetry, ‘inference-making’ mechanisms and the function of idiomatic expressions. Finally, lingua receptiva is compared to other multilingual modes, especially with English as lingua franca.
Digital futures
Authors: Scanlon Eileen
Published: December 2011

The nature and extent of the impact of digital scholarship is a contested area; reviewing the arguments here, the article emphasises the importance of cultural communities and collaborative partnerships between disciplines, and looks to the potential of a new openness in scholarly practices for fostering and being fostered by such interdisciplinary working.
Pyrocarbon proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty: outcomes of a cohort study
Authors: McGuire D. T. , White C. D. , Carter S. L , Solomons M. W.
Published: December 2011

Pyrocarbon arthroplasty of the proximal interphalangeal joint is a relatively new concept. Early studies have been encouraging, reporting improved pain and function, but a largely unchanged arc of motion. Subsidence of the implant is common, but how it relates to outcome has not been analyzed. This study was performed to review the results of 57 pyrocarbon proximal interphalangeal implanted joints. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the arc of motion, excellent pain relief, and improved function. Subsidence was observed on radiographs in 40% of joints, but no correlation was found compared with arc of motion or function. The incidence of complications is fairly high and usually related to the peri-articular soft tissues, but they are usually minor and do not require further treatment. From this review, we can recommend the use of this implant for treatment of arthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Unfortunate First Names
Authors: Gebauer Jochen E. , Leary Mark R. , Neberich Wiebke
Published: December 2011

Can negative first names cause interpersonal neglect? Study 1 ( N = 968) compared extremely negatively named online-daters with extremely positively named online-daters. Study 2 ( N = 4,070) compared less extreme groups—namely, online-daters with somewhat unattractive versus somewhat attractive first names. Study 3 ( N = 6,775) compared online-daters with currently popular versus currently less popular first names, while controlling for name-popularity at birth. Across all studies, negatively named individuals were more neglected by other online-daters, as indicated by fewer first visits to their dating profiles. This form of neglect arguably mirrors a name-based life history of neglect, discrimination, prejudice, or even ostracism. Supporting this argument, neglect mediated the relation between negative names and lower self-esteem, more frequent smoking, and less education. These results are consistent with the name-based interpersonal neglect hypothesis: Negative names evoke negative interpersonal reactions, which in turn influence people’s life outcomes for the worse.
The supply chain for producing quality organizational knowledge
Authors: Cronin Matthew A. , Bendersky Corinne
Published: December 2011

Organizational phenomena emerge from the collective operation of forces spanning levels of analysis and disciplinary categories. Knowledge about organizations is based on studies of the individual forces and their joint operation in particular contexts. The complexity of such knowledge means that no single study, methodological approach, or even discipline will be sufficient for understanding organizational phenomena. We therefore suggest conceptualizing knowledge creation in organizational research with a supply chain. In the supply chain, quality knowledge is the product of specialized communities of practice that act in a coordinated system to combine and contextualize their knowledge. This approach illuminates how knowledge is transformed from generalized parts to contextual wholes, and what our field needs to change in order to promote this. We conclude by using the supply chain metaphor to suggest field-level mechanisms that can counteract the “specialization without coordination” approach that describes our field’s current approach to scholarship.
Antidepressants, metoprolol and the risk of bradycardia
Authors: Kurdyak Paul A. , Manno Michael , Gomes Tara , Mamdani Muhammad M. , Juurlink David N.
Published: December 2011

Case reports and pharmacologic theory suggest that some antidepressants can interfere with the hepatic metabolism of metoprolol by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), potentially increasing the risk of bradycardia. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical consequences of this potential drug interaction at the population level. We conducted a population-based, nested case–control study of Ontario residents 66 years of age or older receiving metoprolol. Cases hospitalized for bradycardia were compared with matched controls (4:1) to explore the odds ratio for initiation of antidepressants that inhibit CYP2D6 (fluoxetine and paroxetine) and those that do not inhibit CYP2D6 (fluvoxamine, citalopram, venlafaxine, and sertraline) 30 days before hospitalization. From April 1997 to March 2009, we identified 332,254 older patients continuously receiving metoprolol, of whom 8232 (2.5%) were treated in hospital for bradycardia. The adjusted odds ratio for exposure to fluoxetine or paroxetine compared with other antidepressants 30 days prior to hospitalization for bradycardia was 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.42–1.37). Among older patients receiving metoprolol, the initiation of antidepressants that inhibit CYP2D6 was not associated with a significant increase in the risk of bradycardia compared with antidepressants that do not inhibit CYP2D6.
Predicting adverse side effects of drugs
Authors: Huang Liang-Chin , Wu Xiaogang , Chen Jake Y
Published: December 2011

Background

Studies of toxicity and unintended side effects can lead to improved drug safety and efficacy. One promising form of study comes from molecular systems biology in the form of "systems pharmacology". Systems pharmacology combines data from clinical observation and molecular biology. This approach is new, however, and there are few examples of how it can practically predict adverse reactions (ADRs) from an experimental drug with acceptable accuracy.

Results

We have developed a new and practical computational framework to accurately predict ADRs of trial drugs. We combine clinical observation data with drug target data, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and gene ontology (GO) annotations. We use cardiotoxicity, one of the major causes for drug withdrawals, as a case study to demonstrate the power of the framework. Our results show that an in silico model built on this framework can achieve a satisfactory cardiotoxicity ADR prediction performance (median AUC = 0.771, Accuracy = 0.675, Sensitivity = 0.632, and Specificity = 0.789). Our results also demonstrate the significance of incorporating prior knowledge, including gene networks and gene annotations, to improve future ADR assessments.

Conclusions

Biomolecular network and gene annotation information can significantly improve the predictive accuracy of ADR of drugs under development. The use of PPI networks can increase prediction specificity and the use of GO annotations can increase prediction sensitivity. Using cardiotoxicity as an example, we are able to further identify cardiotoxicity-related proteins among drug target expanding PPI networks. The systems pharmacology approach that we developed in this study can be generally applicable to all future developmental drug ADR assessments and predictions.