bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A development environment for distributed synchronous collaborative programming
Authors: Boyer Kristy Elizabeth , Dwight August A. , Fondren R. Taylor , Vouk Mladen A. , Lester James C.
Published: September 2009

While collaborative approaches in the classroom have been shown to be highly beneficial for students of computer science, obstacles inherent in today's academic environment often prevent collocated collaborative approaches from being implemented. One solution to the collocation problem may lie with tools that facilitate distributed collaboration. This paper presents R
IPPLE
(Remote Interactive Pair Programming and Learning Environment), a development environment for distributed synchronous collaborative programming. R
IPPLE
is an open source software tool. Initial user tests demonstrate positive responses from students, and the potential for long term learning, motivation, and retention benefits is significant. In addition to its benefits for students, R
IPPLE
is a tool for computing education researchers who wish to collect data on collaborative programming.
Engaging with computer science through magic shows
Authors: Curzon Paul , McOwan Peter W.
Published: September 2009

We describe our experiences illustrating core concepts and enthusing children (age 11-17) about computer science through magic shows. We outline links between various tricks and computer science. The format of show we have trialed is to present real magic tricks with an underlying link to computer science. After each trick the audience is challenged to work out how it works. The mechanics are explained followed by the underlying computer science. Feedback with Talented and Gifted children has been exceptional. Informal feedback from younger children of varying ability has also been very positive.
An internet role-game for the laboratory of network security course
Authors: Catuogno Luigi , De Santis Alfredo
Published: September 2009

Over the last few years, many universities and educational institutions have introduced computer security related courses to their degree programs. The majority of these courses feature intensive laboratory activity based on live experiments of attack and defense techniques by means of team games organized as "cyber-wars". In this paper we argue that, although it is a useful tool for teaching and learning these techniques, the exercise paradigm does not cover all the aspects of security relating to a real-world scenario, with it not allowing students to experience the realistic needs of maintaining network services. In this paper we present the "role-game of the Internet" which was designed as part of the lab activity of our Network Security Course. In our game, instead of fighting against each other, student-teams had to cooperate in order to accomplish a list of business-like tasks over a simulation of the Internet while preserving the security and availability of featured network services.
Teaching game programming using XNA
Authors: Linhoff Joe , Settle Amber
Published: September 2009

As educators work to expand the audience interested in computer science, computer gaming programs have blossomed at a variety of educational institutions. Educators are coming to recognize that gaming is a compelling way to motivate students to learn challenging technical concepts such as programming, software engineering, algorithms, and project management. At the core of many gaming programs are game development courses, which teach technical aspects about software development in a motivating environment. While many game development courses share a common goal, the structure and goals of game development courses can be quite diverse. We describe a game development course that uses the XNA platform to allow a heterogeneous group of students to gain experience in all aspects of console game creation, an approach we believe has some interesting pedagogical benefits.
Course management with TrucStudio
Authors: Pedroni Michela , Oriol Manuel , Meyer Bertrand , Albonico Enrico , Angerer Lukas
Published: September 2009

Ever growing expectations from students, university management and other stakeholders make course preparation increasingly time-consuming. Setting up a course from scratch requires producing many supporting documents such as syllabi, schedules, and course web sites listing the concepts being taught. This can be a considerable effort, taking time away from tasks with a more immediate pedagogical value, such as answering student questions and refining the concepts themselves.

The TrucStudio course development framework supports a systematic approach to these necessary but arduous tasks. TrucStudio is organized like a modern programming environment, but its elements of discourse, rather than software modules, are units of knowledge such as
notions, Trucs
and
clusters
.

In addition to course development, applications of TrucStudio include checking sound coverage of topics and comparing courses on an objective basis. This presentation focuses on two novel features of TrucStudio: version management of knowledge units and course information; and generation of output documents in various formats from knowledge units and other material managed by TrucStudio.
A taxonomy of task types in computing
Authors: Bower Matt
Published: September 2009

Based on the systematic development of a curriculum for our undergraduate computer science units, an analysis of general education and CSE literature and consultation with other computer science educators, a taxonomy of task types in computing is proposed. These task types are related to one another in a hierarchical fashion based on their cognitive interdependencies. The taxonomy can be applied by academics to guide the development of curriculum that meets student process based learning needs rather than just content needs, the latter being the current norm.
An introduction to problem equivalence with combinatorics
Authors: Rubio-Sánchez Manuel
Published: September 2009

This paper proposes the use of several classes of simple combinatorial problems that share the same solution for teaching problem equivalence and recursion. Our focus is on counting problems that involve Fibonacci numbers. While these problems have simple recursive solutions, we propose that - for teaching purposes - they can also be solved by finding other isomorphic problems for which the solution is known.
Using DLSim 3
Authors: Salter Richard M. , Donaldson John L.
Published: September 2009

Students of Computer Organization should be able to "learn by doing" at all levels of computer design.
DLSim 3
is a multilevel simulation system that provides a unified platform for studying system structure, from low level combinational and sequential circuits, through design of a complete CPU. Using DLSim 3, students recognize the uniformity of system structure, as well as the principles of abstraction that link the various levels of design.
A sudoku game for people with motor impairments
Authors: Norte Stéphane , Lobo Fernando
Published: September 2009

Educational games are a beneficial activity motivating a large number of students in our society. Unfortunately, disabled people have reduced opportunities when using a computer game. We have created a new Sudoku game for people whose motion is impaired, called Sudoku Access. This special interface allows the control of the game by voice and/or a single switch. With this Sudoku puzzle we can help more people to get involved in computer games and contribute to develop logic thinking and concentration in students.
Java projects motivated by student interests
Authors: Djordjevic Mirela
Published: September 2009

We present four Java projects suggested by our student that were developed in Java CS1/CS2 course. What is in interest of our students who start programming? The answer might be different from the teachers or textbook approach. The themes include games, drawing, colors, measuring time, etc. Questions can be raised if we can just monitor a process of studying by watching the development of projects and simply making directions in different ways, or can we as teachers learn what major interests of our students are when learning to program. We share our finding of interesting examples.
Extending moodle for collaborative learning
Authors: Di Cerbo Francesco , Dodero Gabriella , Succi Giancarlo
Published: September 2009

In this demo, we present novel features added to the Moodle Learning Management System to achieve collaborative learning
Digital CS1 study pack based on Moodle and Python
Authors: Radenski Atanas
Published: September 2009

We believe that CS1 courses can be made more attractive to students:

by teaching a highly interactive scripting language - Python

by using an open source course management system - such as Moodle - to make all course resources available in a comprehensive digital study pack, and

by offering detailed self-guided online labs

.

We have used Moodle [1] and Python [2] to develop a "Python First" digital study pack [3] which comprises a wealth of new, original learning modules: extensive e-texts, detailed self-guided labs, numerous sample programs, quizzes, and slides. Our digital study pack pedagogy is described in recent ITiCSE and SIGCSE papers [4, 5]. "Python First" digital packs instances have already been adopted by instructors at several universities. This demonstration reveals instructor and student perspectives to the "Python First" digital pack. In particular, we demonstrate how instructors can use standard Moodle functionality to customize and manage digital packs. We also demonstrate several Moodle-supported, Python-based self-guided labs.
Greenfoot
Authors: Kölling Michael
Published: September 2009

Greenfoot is an educational IDE that makes it easy to write interactive graphical applications. It helps to solve several problems in the teaching and learning of object-oriented programming: It provides educational tools that aid in understanding fundamental object-oriented concepts, and it is highly motivational through instant graphical feedback.
Web-CAT
Authors: Edwards Stephen H. , Perez-Quinones Manuel A.
Published: September 2009

This demonstration introduces participants to using Web-CAT, an open-source automated grading system. Web-CAT is customizable and extensible, allowing it to support a wide variety of programming languages and assessment strategies. Web-CAT is most well-known as the system that "grades students on how well they test their own code," with experimental evidence that it offers greater learning benefits than more traditional output-comparison grading. Participants will learn how to set up courses, prepare reference tests, set up assignments, and allow graders to manually grade for design.
The future of ITiCSE
Authors: Cassell Lillian (Boots)
Published: September 2009

Now that ITiCSE has reached its teenage years, it's time to take a look at where we've been, where we are, and where we'd like to go. The panelists will offer a historical perspective of the conference, what makes it stand out from other conferences, and give some ideas of how they would like to see ITiCSE mature. Come hear what they have to say, and there will be plenty of time for the audience to offer their own suggestions of where they would like to see ITiCSE go.
What is masters level education in informatics?
Authors: Caspersen Michael , Cassell Lillian , Davies Gordon , Pears Arnold , Seidman Stephen , Topi Heikki
Published: September 2009

Adoption of the Bologna Accord in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) represents a concerted move towards harmonisation of educational outcomes in higher education at the Bachelor, Masters and PhD levels.

At a time when European systems are undergoing significant examination and modification, this project addresses the need for greater understanding of the nature of Masters level education in the Informatics disciplines across Europe and the United States. The poster presents the current findings of the project, and is intended to prompt discussion about the content and expected outcomes of such programmes world-wide.
Evaluating the extent to which sociability and social presence affects learning performance
Authors: Charlton Terence , Marshall Lindsay , Devlin Marie
Published: September 2009

Active Learning in Computing (ALiC) is the first Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) project for Computing Science in England. Funded by HEFCE, the initiative seeks to prepare students for the realities of working in their chosen field by aligning their learning experiences and transferable skill sets with those sought by today's software engineering industry. One way ALiC achieves this is by introducing cross-site, collaborative group-programming tasks into the curriculum. Running over an academic year, this approach encourages active interaction and dialogue between student teams at Newcastle and Durham universities, and develops strong, real-world problem solving skills in participants.

The ALiC project has thus far generated a great deal of positive feedback from undergraduates, and we feel our approach to inter-institutional teamwork offers students a realistic and relevant "real world" experience [2]. However, we are also becoming increasingly aware that time and resource pressures can make it difficult for students to maintain adequate levels of communication for any length of time [4], and once a team disperses it becomes difficult for its members to preserve the channels needed to interact and collaborate effectively.

Consequently, an emerging area of research at Newcastle University concerns how learning can be enhanced through the use of computer-mediated social networking environments - online communities such as
Facebook, Friendster
and
Bebo
- through which registered users connect with friends and colleagues to explore similar interests and activities. In a collaborative educational context, these online social networking services offer an attractive means to foster student interaction and community building by providing a means to explore the common ground that exists between participants. [1]

To that end, we intend to embed the communication and "social awareness" affordances - profile creation, synchronous and asynchronous chat, status updates, etc. - of popular social networking sites into our undergraduate, cross-site software engineering projects [3]. Social network analysis will be used to identify, map and analyse the flow of information and resources between distributed team members.

The pedagogic motivation behind this work is to foster greater group-oriented interaction by filling the communication void that often arises between face-to-face meetings [5]. By reducing the geographic and temporal barriers to interaction and community formation (especially where 'peripheral', passive team members are concerned), team members will become increasingly aware of each others' skills, personalities, work rhythms and needs - both online
and
off - within a pre-existing, persistent, convenient infrastructure.
A software development course for CC2001
Authors: Dooley John F.
Published: September 2009

In this poster, we describe our experiences over the past three years in developing and delivering a compressed course in Software Development and Professional Practice for our computer science major. This course is one of the core courses in the CC2001 small department model and brings topics in software engineering, design, code writing and reading, computer ethics, and professional practice into the heart of the major. The poster describes the course, the topics we cover, how the course is delivered, what's worked and not worked, and how it has evolved over the last three years.
An interoperable assessment language proposal
Authors: Barchino Roberto , de Marcos Luis , Gutierrez Jose M.
Published: September 2009

The activities related to the assessment process are essential in any learning action. We propose an XML-based language for the design of an assessment plan. The main purpose of this language is to make the assessment design interoperable among systems in a simple and efficient way. An adequate implementation will also reduce the time required to configure assessment activities, simplifying and automating them.
A multidisciplinary computer science master program
Authors: de Marcos Luis , Barchino Roberto , Gutiérrez José-Antonio , de Blas Juan-Manuel , Hilera José-Ramón , Oton Salvador
Published: September 2009

This paper presents the University of Alcalá attempt to join computer science and information engineering with other fields (business, law, pedagogy, nursery and humanities) in a Master's Program. The main objective of this approach is to attract graduate students to computer science offering them an alternative way to join its own knowledge and competencies with those in computing skills which are closely related.
Games developed in Java for teaching "Combinatorial Game Theory"
Authors: Reyes Miguel , Mata Agueda
Published: September 2009

In this poster we develop some games in java, and we give the mathematical theory necessary to obtain an optimal strategy to play. This games are "Scoring Cards", "Wythoff", and "Twins"; they frame within the course about "Combinatorial Game Theory", in which we applied a new method of learning, motivating to the student to make a work on the one hand cooperative, and by another competitive one. They will have to develop different strategies in games and they will try to win to each other.
Branches of professional organizations a way to enrich student's scientific and personal skills
Authors: Metrolho José Carlos , Costa Mónica Isabel Teixeira
Published: September 2009

This paper focus on our experience as student branch counselors regarding the strong benefit of student's branch activities to the student skills. These skills are not only from the scientific point of view but also from the reinforcement of the contacts network and personal development to face working teams and the labor market. The maintenance of a student branch, with the new reality after the Bologna treaty implementation, is not an easy task. This requires a strong activity also from the teacher's staff to keep alive this important component of the graduation cycle during graduation.
Drawing the line
Authors: Paterson James H. , Haddow John , Cheng Ka Fai
Published: September 2009

This poster presents the use of a customizable code pattern tool to provide support for teaching of binary class associations in object-oriented design and programming based on recent research on the semantics of associations.
WebTasks
Authors: Rößling Guido , Hartte Sebastian
Published: September 2009

Providing appropriate programming tasks for beginning students of CS is challenging - and is further complicated by the need to provide meaningful feedback to solutions. We present the
WebTasks
system, a web-based platform for submitting, testing, and discussing student solutions.
Toward a definition of the competences for global requirements elicitation
Authors: Romero Miguel , Vizcaíno Aurora , Piattini Mario
Published: September 2009

In this paper we summarize a study to define the competencies that a GSD engineer should have in order to face the problems of working with people of different customs and using technology to communicate.
A tool for teaching interactions between design patterns
Authors: Denegri Ezequiel , Frontera Guillermo , Gavilanes Antonio , Martín Pedro J.
Published: September 2009

We describe the
Patterns+UML
tool that has been designed to help students of a first year object-oriented programming (OOP) course to apply design patterns to UML class diagrams, to analyze the code generated after their application, and especially to learn how different design patterns interact each other when they share some classes that play a different role in each pattern.
Evolutionary approaches for curriculum sequencing
Authors: de Marcos Luis , Barchino Roberto , Martinez José-Javier
Published: September 2009

The process of creating e-learning courseware using reusable learning objects (LOs) can be broken down in two sub-processes: LOs finding and LO sequencing. Sequencing is usually performed by instructors, who create courses targeting generic profiles rather than personalized materials. This paper proposes an evolutionary approach to automate this latter problem while, simultaneously, encourages reusability and interoperability by promoting standards employment.
Bisection auctions
Authors: Herings P. Jean-Jacques , Müller Rudolf , Vermeulen Dries
Published: September 2009

In this note we give a survey of bisection auctions. Bisection auctions have been introduced in order to reduce the number of rounds and increase privacy of information in iterative implementations of Vickrey auctions. First, we present the case of discrete valuations. we discuss the strategic properties of this auction and recent results which show that--for 2 bidders--the auction dominates in a particular sense any other auction with respect to the number of bits revealed. For the case of continuous valuations we contrast its properties with the result that no practical query auction can achieve full efficiency in ex-post equilibrium.
Uncoordinated two-sided matching markets
Authors: Ackermann Heiner , Goldberg Paul W. , Mirrokni Vahab S. , Röglin Heiko , Vöcking Berthold
Published: September 2009

Various economic interactions can be modeled as two-sided matching markets. A central solution concept to these markets are stable matchings, introduced by Gale and Shapley. It is well known that stable matchings can be computed in polynomial time, but many real-life markets lack a central authority to match agents. In those markets, matchings are formed by actions of selfinterested agents, whose behavior is often modeled by Nash dynamics such as best and better response dynamics. In this note, we summarize recent results on Nash dynamics in two-sided markets.
Fetal liver X receptor activation acutely induces lipogenesis but does not affect plasma lipid response to a high-fat diet in adult mice
Authors: van Straten Esther M. E. , van Meer Hester , Huijkman Nicolette C. A. , van Dijk Theo H. , Baller Julius F. W. , Verkade Henkjan J. , Kuipers Folkert , Plösch Torsten
Published: September 2009

There is increasing evidence that the metabolic state of the mother during pregnancy affects long-term glucose and lipid metabolism of the offspring. The liver X receptors (LXR)α and -β are key regulators of cholesterol, fatty acid, and glucose metabolism. LXRs are activated by oxysterols and expressed in fetal mouse liver from day 10 of gestation onward. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate whether in utero pharmacological activation of LXR would influence fetal fatty acid and glucose metabolism and whether this would affect lipid homeostasis at adult age. Exposure of pregnant mice to the synthetic LXR agonist T0901317 increased hepatic mRNA expression levels of Lxr target genes and hepatic and plasma triglyceride levels in fetuses and dams. T0901317 treatment increased absolute de novo synthesis and chain elongation of hepatic oleic acid in dams and fetuses. T0901317 exposure in utero influenced lipid metabolism in adulthood in a sex-specific manner; hepatic triglyceride content was increased (+45%) in male offspring and decreased in female offspring (−42%) when they were fed a regular chow diet compared with untreated sex controls. Plasma and hepatic lipid contents and hepatic gene expression patterns in adult male or female mice fed a high-fat diet were not affected by T0901317 pretreatment. We conclude that LXR treatment of pregnant mice induces immediate effects on lipid metabolism in dams and fetuses. Despite the profound changes during fetal life, long-term effects appeared to be rather mild and sex selective without modulating the lipid response to a high-fat diet.
Immunodetection of DNA Repair Endonuclease ERCC1-XPF in Human Tissue
Authors: Bhagwat Nikhil R. , Roginskaya Vera Y. , Acquafondata Marie B. , Dhir Rajiv , Wood Richard D. , Niedernhofer Laura J.
Published: September 2009

The high incidence of resistance to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic drugs and severe side effects of chemotherapy have led to a search for biomarkers able to predict which patients are most likely to respond to therapy. ERCC1-XPF nuclease is required for nucleotide excision repair of helix-distorting DNA damage and the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks. Thus, it is essential for several pathways of repair of DNA damage by cisplatin and related drugs, which are widely used in the treatment of non–small cell lung carcinoma and other late-stage tumors. Consequently, there is tremendous interest in measuring ERCC1-XPF expression in tumor samples. Many immunohistochemistry studies have been done, but the antibodies for ERCC1-XPF were not rigorously tested for antigen specificity. Herein, we survey a battery of antibodies raised against human ERCC1 or XPF for their specificity using ERCC1-XPF–deficient cells as a negative control. Antibodies were tested for the following applications: immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation from cell extracts, immunofluorescence detection in fixed cells, colocalization of ERCC1-XPF with UV radiation–induced DNA damage in fixed cells, and immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded samples. Although several commercially available antibodies are suitable for immunodetection of ERCC1-XPF in some applications, only a select subset is appropriate for detection of this repair complex in fixed specimens. The most commonly used antibody, 8F1, is not suitable for immunodetection in tissue. The results with validated antibodies reveal marked differences in ERCC1-XPF protein levels between samples and cell types. [Cancer Res 2009;69(17):6831–8]
Perceived Level of Life Enjoyment and Risks of Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality
Authors: Shirai Kokoro , Iso Hiroyasu , Ohira Tetsuya , Ikeda Ai , Noda Hiroyuki , Honjo Kaori , Inoue Manami , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: September 2009

Background—

Perceived level of life enjoyment, a positive psychological condition that reflects the ability to engage pleasurably with the environment, may relate to risks of cardiovascular disease. This prospective cohort study attempted to examine the effects of perceived level of life enjoyment on cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality among Japanese community residents.

Methods and Results—

Subjects were 88 175 Japanese men and women 40 to 69 years of age who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline and followed up for a median of 12.0 years and were included in the Japan Public Health Center–Based (JPHC) Study Cohort. Data about psychological conditions and other confounding variables were obtained through self-administered questionnaires. Information on incidence and mortality for cardiovascular disease was collected through registered hospitals and public health centers. The multivariable hazard ratios of cardiovascular disease incidence for men in the high versus low perceived levels of life enjoyment group were 1.22 (95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.47) for stroke and 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.44) for total cardiovascular disease. As for mortality, Japanese men with low perceived level of life enjoyment showed increased risk: hazard ratios of 1.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.28 to 2.38) for stroke, 1.91 (95% confidence interval, 1.30 to 2.81) for coronary heart disease and 1.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.32 to 1.96) for total cardiovascular disease. For women, however, the perceived level of life enjoyment was not associated with risks of cardiovascular disease incidence or mortality.

Conclusion—

A lower perceived level of life enjoyment was found to be associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality among middle-aged men, suggesting a protective role of positive psychological conditions on cardiovascular disease.
Proteomic Analysis in Aortic Media of Patients With Marfan Syndrome Reveals Increased Activity of Calpain 2 in Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Pilop Christiane , Aregger Fabienne , Gorman Robert C. , Brunisholz Rene , Gerrits Bertran , Schaffner Thomas , Gorman Joseph H. , Matyas Gabor , Carrel Thierry , Frey Brigitte M.
Published: September 2009

Background—

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a heritable disorder of connective tissue, affecting principally skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems. The most life-threatening manifestations are aortic aneurysm and dissection. We investigated changes in the proteome of aortic media in patients with and without MFS to gain insight into molecular mechanisms leading to aortic dilatation.

Methods and Results—

Aortic samples were collected from 46 patients. Twenty-two patients suffered from MFS, 9 patients had bicuspid aortic valve, and 15 patients without connective tissue disorder served as controls. Aortic media was isolated and its proteome was analyzed in 12 patients with the use of 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. We found higher amounts of filamin A C-terminal fragment, calponin 1, vinculin, microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4, and myosin-10 heavy chain in aortic media of MFS aneurysm samples than in controls. Regulation of filamin A C-terminal fragmentation was validated in all patient samples by immunoblotting. Cleavage of filamin A and the calpain substrate spectrin was increased in the MFS and bicuspid aortic valve groups. Extent of cleavage correlated positively with calpain 2 expression and negatively with the expression of its endogenous inhibitor calpastatin.

Conclusions—

Our observation demonstrates for the first time upregulation of the C-terminal fragment of filamin A in dilated aortic media of MFS and bicuspid aortic valve patients. In addition, our results present evidence that the cleavage of filamin A is highly likely the result of the protease calpain. Increased calpain activity might explain, at least in part, histological alterations in dilated aorta.
Cardiovascular Mortality and Exposure to Airborne Fine Particulate Matter and Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Pope C. Arden , Burnett Richard T. , Krewski Daniel , Jerrett Michael , Shi Yuanli , Calle Eugenia E. , Thun Michael J.
Published: September 2009

Background—

Fine particulate matter exposure from both ambient air pollution and secondhand cigarette smoke has been associated with larger risks of cardiovascular mortality than would be expected on the basis of linear extrapolations of the relative risks from active smoking. This study directly assessed the shape of the exposure-response relationship between cardiovascular mortality and fine particulates from cigarette smoke and ambient air pollution.

Methods and Results—

Prospective cohort data for >1 million adults were collected by the American Cancer Society as part of the Cancer Prevention Study II in 1982. Cox proportional hazards regression models that included variables for increments of cigarette smoking and variables to control for education, marital status, body mass, alcohol consumption, occupational exposures, and diet were used to describe the mortality experience of the cohort. Adjusted relative risks of mortality were plotted against estimated average daily dose of fine particulate matter from cigarette smoke along with comparison estimates for secondhand cigarette smoke and air pollution. There were substantially increased cardiovascular mortality risks at very low levels of active cigarette smoking and smaller but significant excess risks even at the much lower exposure levels associated with secondhand cigarette smoke and ambient air pollution.

Conclusions—

Relatively low levels of fine particulate exposure from either air pollution or secondhand cigarette smoke are sufficient to induce adverse biological responses increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. The exposure-response relationship between cardiovascular disease mortality and fine particulate matter is relatively steep at low levels of exposure and flattens out at higher exposures.
Assessment of Sympathetic Cardiovascular Drive in Human Hypertension
Authors: Grassi Guido
Published: September 2009

Methodological refinements in the assessment of human sympathetic cardiovascular drive have allowed throughout the years to better define the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Earlier studies have provided evidence that indirect markers of adrenergic drive, such as plasma or urinary norepinephrine as well as heart rate, often display an increase in the hypertensive state. Direct recording of efferent postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve traffic via microneurography and regional norepinephrine spillover technique have conclusively documented the occurrence of an adrenergic overdrive in hypertension, showing that the sympathetic activation is directly related to the severity of the hypertensive state and is widespread to different cardiovascular districts. The present review will focus on some major features of the “neuroadrenergic hypothesis of hypertension.” In particular it will examine the mechanisms responsible for the adrenergic overdrive, the relationships between the sympathetic activation and the metabolic disarray of frequent detection in the hypertensive state, and the participation of neuroadrenergic factors at the development of the hypertension-related target organ damage. Further issues addressed will be the contribution of the hyperadrenergic state to the different patterns of the 24-hour blood pressure profile as well as to the day/night blood pressure variability described in the hypertensive state and the behavior of the sympathetic function in the hypertensive states complicated by the presence of other cardiovascular or metabolic disease. Finally, the clinical and therapeutic implications of the neuroadrenergic abnormalities occurring in hypertension, as well as the areas worthy of future research, will be highlighted.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Predictors of Progression of Prehypertension Into Hypertension
Authors: De Marco Marina , de Simone Giovanni , Roman Mary J. , Chinali Marcello , Lee Elisa T. , Russell Marie , Howard Barbara V. , Devereux Richard B.
Published: September 2009

Prehypertension (defined by the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) frequently evolves to hypertension (HTN) and increases cardiovascular risk. It is unclear whether metabolic and/or cardiac characteristics favor development of HTN in prehypertensive subjects. We evaluated baseline anthropometric, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics of 625 untreated prehypertensive participants in the Strong Heart Study, without prevalent cardiovascular disease (63% women; 22% with diabetes mellitus; mean age: 59±7 years) to identify predictors of the 4-year incidence of HTN. Diabetes mellitus was assessed by American Diabetic Association criteria, and a diabetes-specific definition of HTN was used. Four-year incidence of HTN was 38%. Incident HTN was independently predicted by baseline systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60 per 10 mm Hg; 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.00;
P
<0.0001), waist circumference (OR: 1.10 per 10 cm; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.30;
P
=0.04), and diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.73; 95% CI=1.77 to 4.21;
P
<0.0001), with no significant effect for age, sex, hemoglobin A1c, homeostatic model assessment index, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma creatinine, or urine albumin:creatinine ratio. Higher left ventricular mass index (OR: 1.15 per 5 g/m
2.7
; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.25;
P
=0.03) or stroke volume index (OR: 1.25 per 5 mL/m
2.04
; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.50;
P
=0.03) was also identified, together with baseline systolic blood pressure and the presence of diabetes mellitus, as an independent predictor of incident HTN, without an additional predictive contribution from other anthropometric, metabolic, or echocardiographic parameters (all
P
>0.10). Thus, progression to HTN in 38% of Strong Heart Study prehypertensive participants could be predicted by higher left ventricular mass and stroke volume in addition to baseline systolic blood pressure and prevalent diabetes mellitus.
Atorvastatin Treatment Is Associated With Less Augmentation of the Carotid Pressure Waveform in Hypertension
Authors: Manisty Charlotte , Mayet Jamil , Tapp Robyn J. , Sever Peter S. , Poulter Neil , McG. Thom Simon A. , Hughes Alun D.
Published: September 2009

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce cardiovascular events in hypertensive subjects, but their effect on carotid BP, pressure augmentation, and wave reflection is unknown. We compared the effect of atorvastatin with placebo in a substudy of the lipid-lowering arm of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT-LLA). Hypertensive patients (n=142; age=43 to 79 years; 127 male) with total cholesterol ≤6.5 mmol/L were randomized to atorvastatin 10 mg or placebo. Carotid BP and flow velocity were measured by tonometry and Doppler ultrasound. Augmentation index (carotid AI
x
) was calculated, and waveforms were separated into backward and forward components by wave intensity analysis. Brachial BP was similar in atorvastatin and placebo groups. Carotid AI
x
and augmentation pressure were significantly less in patients randomized to atorvastatin (mean [SD]: 21.7 [12.1] versus 25.9 [10.3] %;
P
=0.027 and 10.2 [6.5] versus 13.1 [6.6] mm Hg;
P
=0.016, respectively), and atorvastatin treatment was associated with significantly less wave reflection from the body. Carotid systolic BP was slightly lower in the atorvastatin group, but there was a statistically significant interaction between lipid-lowering and antihypertensive regimen with lower carotid systolic BP in patients randomized to amlodipine-based therapy and atorvastatin. Carotid wave velocity, timings of waves, and wave intensities did not differ significantly between atorvastatin and placebo groups. Atorvastatin treatment is associated with less augmentation of the carotid BP waveform and less wave reflection from the body. This could contribute to the reduction in risk of cardiovascular events by statins.
Augmentation Index, Left Ventricular Contractility, and Wave Reflection
Authors: Sharman James E. , Davies Justin E. , Jenkins Carly , Marwick Thomas H.
Published: September 2009

Augmentation index (AIx), a correlate of mortality, is thought to be influenced by left ventricular contractility and wave reflections. However, the relationship of AIx with left ventricular contractility changes has never been assessed, and the wave reflection theory has recently been questioned. This study sought to examine arterial waveform changes in response to reduced “wave reflection” and increased left ventricular contractility induced by dobutamine. Simultaneous radial tonometry (for AIx) and tissue Doppler echocardiography (for peak longitudinal systolic strain rate [SR] as an analogue of left ventricular contractility) were recorded at rest and peak dobutamine-induced stress in 50 patients (41 men; aged 62±10 years). From baseline to peak stress there was an increase in heart rate (70±11 to 127±17 bpm;
P
<0.001) and SR (−0.88±0.23 to −1.81±0.43 1/s;
P
<0.001), whereas AIx decreased (27±9% to −7±15%;
P
<0.001). There was also a greater increase in the systolic (compared with diastolic) pressure-time integral relative to cardiac cycle length (3.2±1.9 versus 1.8±1.1 mm Hg;
P
<0.001), indicating that wave reflection was not shifted into diastole as per the current belief. AIx was significantly associated with ejection duration (
r
=0.88), heart rate (
r
=−0.81), and SR (
r
=0.72;
P
<0.001 for all). However, when SR was heart rate corrected, there was no significant association with AIx (
r
=0.18;
P
=0.11). The strongest independent correlate of AIx was ejection duration, accounting for 78% variance (β=0.88; model
R
2
=0.77;
P
<0.001). Neither SR (β=0.12;
P
=0.18) nor heart rate–corrected SR (β=0.02;
P
=0.72) was associated with AIx. We conclude that AIx is determined by chronotropic rather than inotropic effects, as well as factors other than wave reflection.
Innovation in Child Psychoanalytic Training: an Implementation Study
Authors: Miller Jill M. , Emde Robert N.
Published: September 2009

A five-year evaluative research project regarding an innovation in psychoanalytic training within institutes of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) was conducted through the Committee on Child and Adolescent Analysis (COCAA) of its Board on Professional Standards, which led to significant policy changes within APsaA’s Principles and Standards of Education. Eleven candidates at four different institutes (Columbia, Denver, Houston-Galveston, and St. Louis) entered a pilot training program for child and adolescent analysis without the requirement of adult training. Satisfaction with training and supervision in these programs was rated high by candidates, faculty, and program directors, with additional flexibility for child analytic training seen as an advantage. The limitations and implications of this implementation study are discussed, including its encouragement of educational evaluation and further research.
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Child and Adolescent Analysts in New York City
Authors: Hoffman Leon , Karush Ruth K. , Garfinkle Michael S. , Roose Steven P. , Cherry Sabrina
Published: September 2009

The field of child and adolescent psychoanalysis has been considered an endangered specialty for many decades. This study surveyed the nature of the practice of child and adolescent analysts (graduates and candidates) affiliated with three institutes accredited by the American Psychoanalytic Association in the New York City area. Sixty-one percent of those surveyed (63 of 103) responded. The child and adolescent analysts in this cohort treat a total of 201 adult, child, and adolescent analytic cases ( M = 3.2, SD = 2.6). Of these cases, 17% are at a three-times-weekly frequency. Child and adolescent analytic practice is small, with a total of 56 analytic cases ( M = .9, SD = 1.2). While 64% of these analysts have no child or adolescent analytic cases currently in treatment, 24% have very active child and adolescent analytic practices, conducting 73% of all the child and adolescent analyses reported. Implications of these findings and recommendations for future work are discussed.
Factor Invariance Assessment of the Dean–Woodcock Sensory–Motor Battery for Patients With ADHD Versus Nonclinical Subjects
Authors: Finch Holmes , Davis Andrew , Dean Raymond S.
Published: September 2009

The current study examined the measurement invariance of the Dean–Woodcock Sensory–Motor Battery (DWSMB) for children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and an age- and gender-matched nonclinical sample. The DWSMB is a promising new instrument for assessing a wide range of cortical and subcortical sensory and motor skills and has been shown to conform to a three-factor latent structure for the nonclinical population. Because this instrument is used with a broad spectrum of individuals, including those with ADHD, it is important to verify that it does indeed measure the same constructs in the same way. The results of the invariance analyses showed that there were specific indicators on the DWSMB that were not invariant between the two groups, though the majority of the measurement model was found to be invariant. Specifically, several tasks that required sustained attention were not as effective for individuals with ADHD as they were for nonclinical subjects. In addition, certain measures of motor coordination were not as strongly associated with the latent variables for those with ADHD as compared with the nonclinical individuals. A number of clinical implications from these findings are discussed in detail.
Effects of Individual and Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Male Prisoners in Iran
Authors: Khodayarifard Mohammad , Shokoohi-Yekta Mohsen , Hamot Gregory E.
Published: September 2009

This study investigates individual and group cognitive—behavioral interventions in decreasing psychological symptoms and enhancing the psychological status of Iranian prison inmates. A random sample of 180 males is placed in three equal groups: an individual cognitive—behavioral therapy (CBT) group, an individual and group CBT group, and a control group. General Health Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist-90— Revised, and diagnostic interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.) are used before and after intervention. MANOVA indicates that both methods improve the psychological status of the inmates and reduce their symptoms, but the combined treatment is more efficient than the individual therapy. In a 1-year follow-up after inmate release, recidivism in the individual and combined therapy groups is zero. The return rate of participants in the control group is 15%. Results of the study demonstrate that both individual and group CBT are effective in reducing psychological symptoms. However, the impact of combined therapy is stronger than individual CBT.
A Retrospective Analysis of AIDS-Associated Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Patients With Undetectable HIV Viral Loads and CD4 Counts Greater Than 300 cells/mm3
Authors: Mani Deepthi , Neil Nancy , Israel Rebecca , Aboulafia David M.
Published: September 2009

Objective: To compare the clinical course of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) with CD4 counts >300 cells/mm3 and undetectable HIV viral loads (VLs) to patients with AIDS-KS with lesser CD4 counts and detectable HIV VLs.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 91 patients with AIDS-KS in a multispeciality clinic. We used χ2 and Student t tests to analyze intragroup differences; survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results: Twenty (22%) of the 91 patients had newly diagnosed, persistent or progressive KS despite CD4 counts >300 cells/mm3 and undetectable HIV VLs. Age, gender, ethnicity, mode and duration of HIV acquisition, type of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and KS therapy did not differ significantly (P ≤ .005) between this group and the remaining 71 patients. Although tumor stage and response to KS therapy were similar, there was a significantly greater risk of death among the patients with CD4 counts <300 cells/mm3 and detectable HIV VLs (P = .048).

Conclusions: In the highly active antiretroviral (HAART) era, a substantial proportion of patients with KS had undetectable HIV VLs and CD4 counts greater than the level typically associated with opportunistic diseases. They required systemic therapy to control their KS but were significantly less likely to die and demonstrated a trend toward better 15-year survival than patients having KS with lesser CD4 counts and detectable HIV VLs.
The burden of memory: Victims, storytelling and resistance in Northern Ireland
Authors: Hackett Claire , Rolston Bill
Published: September 2009

The article examines the potential and limitations of storytelling for victims of political violence. It rejects the view that storytelling is unproblematic, a way for victims to ‘get things off their chest’. It examines a wide range of literature on storytelling and testimony, from the Holocaust through to contemporary transitional societies. In particular, attention is focused on the experience of victims and survivors telling their stories in formal settings such as truth commissions and trials in South Africa and the former Yugoslavia, as well as at unofficial storytelling processes in Northern Ireland. The authors look at the potential of storytelling as resistance to injustice and conclude that while unofficial processes of storytelling present opportunities for collective solidarity, the stories often go unacknowledged by the wider society. Conversely, they also conclude that, while official mechanisms of truth recovery can ensure wide legitimacy for the stories of victims, this is often at the cost of marginalizing the storyteller and the story.