bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Hypoxia-Associated Factor Switches Cells from HIF-1α- to HIF-2α-Dependent Signaling Promoting Stem Cell Characteristics, Aggressive Tumor Growth and Invasion
Authors: Koh Mei Yee , Lemos Robert , Liu Xiuping , Powis Garth
Published: April 2011

Most solid tumors and their metastases experience periods of low oxygen or hypoxia, which is of major clinical significance as it promotes both tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Critical mediators of the hypoxic response are the hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α. The HIFs are nonredundant and regulate both overlapping and unique downstream target genes. Here, we describe a novel mechanism for the switch between HIF-1α- and HIF-2α–dependent transcription during tumor hypoxia caused by the hypoxia associated factor (HAF). HAF is overexpressed in a variety of tumors and its levels are decreased during acute hypoxia, but increased following prolonged hypoxia. We have previously identified HAF as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that binds and ubiquitinates HIF-1α by an oxygen and pVHL-independent mechanism, thus targeting HIF-1α for proteasomal degradation. Here, we show that HAF also binds to HIF-2α, but at a different site than HIF-1α, and increases HIF-2α transactivation without causing its degradation. HAF, thus, switches the hypoxic response of the cancer cell from HIF-1α–dependent to HIF-2α–dependent transcription and activates genes involved in invasion such as MMP9, PAI-1, and the stem cell factor OCT-3/4. The switch to HIF-2α–dependent gene expression caused by HAF also promotes an enriched tumor stem cell population, resulting in highly aggressive tumors in vivo. Thus, HAF, by causing a switch from a HIF-1α- to HIF-2α–dependent response to hypoxia, provides a mechanism for more aggressive growth of tumors under prolonged hypoxia. Cancer Res; 71(11); 4015–27. ©2011 AACR.
Mild Elevation of Body Temperature Reduces Tumor Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Hypoxia and Enhances Efficacy of Radiotherapy in Murine Tumor Models
Authors: Sen Arindam , Capitano Maegan L. , Spernyak Joseph A. , Schueckler John T. , Thomas Seneca , Singh Anurag K. , Evans Sharon S. , Hylander Bonnie L. , Repasky Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2011

Human and rodent solid tumors often exhibit elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). This condition is recognized as a prognostic indicator for reduced responses to therapy and decreased disease-free survival rate. In the present study, we tested whether induction of a thermoregulatory-mediated increase in tissue blood flow, induced by exposure of mice to mild environmental heat stress, could influence IFP and other vascular parameters within tumors. Using several murine tumor models, we found that heating results in a sustained reduction in tumor IFP correlating with increased tumor vascular perfusion (measured by fluorescent imaging of perfused vessels, laser Doppler flowmetry, and MRI) as well as a sustained reduction in tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, when radiation therapy was administered 24 hours postheating, we observed a significant improvement in efficacy that may be a result of the sustained reduction in tumor hypoxia. These data suggest, for the first time, that environmental manipulation of normal vasomotor function is capable of achieving therapeutically beneficial changes in IFP and microvascular function in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3872–80. ©2011 AACR.
Uncoupling Cancer Mutations Reveals Critical Timing of p53 Loss in Sarcomagenesis
Authors: Young Nathan P. , Crowley Denise , Jacks Tyler
Published: April 2011

It is well accepted that cancer develops following the sequential accumulation of multiple alterations, but how the temporal order of events affects tumor initiation and/or progression remains largely unknown. Here, we describe a mouse model that allows for temporally distinct cancer mutations. By integrating a Flp-inducible allele of K-rasG12D with established methods for Cre-mediated p53 deletion, we were able to separately control the mutation of these commonly associated cancer genes in vitro and in vivo. We show that delaying p53 deletion relative to K-rasG12D activation reduced tumor burden in a mouse model of soft-tissue sarcoma, suggesting that p53 strongly inhibits very early steps of transformation in the muscle. Furthermore, using in vivo RNA interference, we implicate the p53 target gene p21 as a critical mediator in this process, highlighting cell-cycle arrest as an extremely potent tumor suppressor mechanism. Cancer Res; 71(11); 4040–7. ©2011 AACR.
The Death of the Cancer Cell
Authors: Sonnenschein Carlos , Soto Ana M.
Published: April 2011

For a century, the perception that there are qualitative differences between a normal cell and a cell belonging to a tumor has dominated discussions aimed at explaining cancer. However, an analysis of the experimental evidence suggests that individual normal cells and individual cancer cells share the same two fundamental behavioral properties, namely, proliferation and motility. Each individual cancer cell carries no recognizable molecules or structures that make them consistently distinguishable from normal cells. Herein, we argue that the differences between normal and cancerous states are instead identifiable at the tissue level of biological organization, and therefore, the search for identification of a cancer cell should be abandoned. Cancer Res; 71(13); 4334–7. ©2011 AACR.
Silencing Survivin Splice Variant 2B Leads to Antitumor Activity in Taxane-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Vivas-Mejia Pablo E. , Rodriguez-Aguayo Cristian , Han Hee-Dong , Shahzad Mian M.K. , Valiyeva Fatma , Shibayama Mineko , Chavez-Reyes Arturo , Sood Anil K. , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel
Published: April 2011

Purpose: To study the role of survivin and its splice variants in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer.

Experimental Design: We assessed the mRNA levels of survivin splice variants in ovarian cancer cell lines and ovarian tumor samples. siRNAs targeting survivin were designed to silence all survivin splice variants (T-siRNA) or survivin 2B (2B-siRNA) in vitro and orthotopic murine models of ovarian cancer. The mechanism of cell death was studied in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer cells and in tumor sections obtained from different mouse tumors.

Results: Taxane-resistant ovarian cancer cells express higher survivin mRNA levels than their taxane-sensitive counterparts. Survivin 2B expression was significantly higher in taxane-resistant compared with -sensitive cells. Silencing survivin 2B induced growth inhibitory effects similar to silencing total survivin in vitro. In addition, survivin 2B-siRNA incorporated into DOPC (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) nanoliposomes resulted in significant reduction in tumor growth (P < 0.05) in orthotopic murine models of ovarian cancer, and these effects were similar to T-siRNA-DOPC. The antitumor effects were further enhanced in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy (P < 0.01). Finally, we found a significant association between survivin 2B expression and progression-free survival in 117 epithelial ovarian cancers obtained at primary debulking surgery.

Conclusions: These data identify survivin 2B as an important target in ovarian cancer and provide a translational path forward for developing new therapies against this target. Clin Cancer Res; 17(11); 3716–26. ©2011 AACR.
Differences in Base of Articulation for Consonants among Catalan Dialects
Authors: Recasens Daniel
Published: April 2011

Electropalatographic data for several front lingual consonants, i.e., the dental /t/, the alveolars /n, l, s, r/ and the alveolopalatals /t.,∫ ∫, λ, η/, show differences in constriction anteriority among Catalan dialects varying in the progression Valencian > Eastern, with the Majorcan dialect occupying an intermediate position. These differences do not conform to speaker- dependent differences in palate morphology and, to the extent that they operate on a varied range of consonants, may be attributed to base of articulation. Deviations from this pattern are associated with manner of articulation and symmetry demands. A specific dialect- dependent relationship between tongue dorsum contact and constriction fronting is interpreted assuming the existence of less laminal, more apical dental and alveolar stops, and less dorsal, more laminal alveolopalatals, in Valencian than in the other two dialects. These data are interpreted in terms of the articulatory characteristics for different tongue front settings which have been proposed in the literature.
Midbrain Atrophy in Vascular Parkinsonism
Authors: Choi Seong-Min , Kim Byeong C. , Nam Tai-Seung , Kim Joon-Tae , Lee Seung-Han , Park Man-Seok , Kim Myeong-Kyu , de Leon Mony J. , Cho Ki-Hyun
Published: April 2011

Background: Midbrain atrophy is a well-known feature of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Some clinical features of vascular parkinsonism (VP) such as pseudobulbar phenomena, lower body predominance and early postural instability suggest that the brainstem could be associated with VP. The aim of this study was to determine whether midbrain atrophy was present in patients with VP. Methods: We measured the midbrain (Amd) and pons area (Apn) of 20 patients with VP, 15 patients with probable PSP and 30 patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD). The Amd and Apn were measured on mid-sagittal T1-weighted MRI scans using a computerized image analysis system. Results: For the Amd, the patients with VP (99.86 mm2) and PSP (87.30 mm2) had significantly smaller areas than the patients with IPD (130.52 mm2). For the Apn, there was a significant difference only between the VP (407.23 mm2) and the IPD (445.05 mm2) patients. The Amd/Apn ratios of the patients with VP (0.245) and PSP (0.208) were significantly smaller than in the patients with IPD (0.292). Conclusions: Our study shows that brainstem atrophy often occurs in patients with VP and the midbrain is more vulnerable than the pons to atrophic changes.
Von Willebrand Factor and ADAMTS13
Authors: Stepanian Alain , Cohen-Moatti Marie , Sanglier Thibaut , Legendre Paulette , Ameziane Nejma , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Mandelbrot Laurent , de Prost Dominique , Veyradier Agnès
Published: April 2011

Objective—

The goal of this study was to search for an association between a desintegrin-like and metalloprotease thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) levels and the occurrence of preeclampsia, its characteristics (time-onset and severity), and its consequences (occurrence of fetal growth restriction or preterm delivery).

Methods and Results—

We studied 140 pairs of women in a case-control study with 3 matching criteria: maternal age, gestational age, and ethnic origin. We measured ADAMTS13 activity using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay with the fluorescence resonance energy transfer-VWF73 peptide. ELISA was used to assess protein antigen levels: ADAMTS13, von Willebrand Factor (VWF), interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, P-selectin, and thrombospondin-1. The lowest levels of ADAMTS13 (activity ≤70% or antigen ≤592 ng/mL) were significantly associated with preeclampsia (odds ratios [OR] [95% confidence interval] of 4.2 [1.1 to 15] and 14.3 [1.7 to 123], respectively). This association was independent of VWF levels and preeclampsia risk factors but dependent on interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels for ADAMTS13 activity. Levels of ADAMTS13 activity (≤57%) were significantly associated with early-onset preeclampsia (OR=2.5 [1.1 to 5.8]). Severe preeclampsia was associated with the highest levels of P-selectin (>57 ng/mL) (OR=3.4 [1.2 to 9.7]).

Conclusion—

Preeclampsia is associated with decreased levels of ADAMTS13, independently of VWF. This decrease is quantitative, occurs early, and seems to be dependent on inflammation. Our results suggest that ADAMTS13 could participate in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
PITX2
Insufficiency Leads to Atrial Electrical and Structural Remodeling Linked to Arrhythmogenesis
Authors: Chinchilla Ana , Daimi Houria , Lozano-Velasco Estefanía , Dominguez Jorge N. , Caballero Ricardo , Delpón Eva , Tamargo Juan , Cinca Juan , Hove-Madsen Leif , Aranega Amelia E. , Franco Diego
Published: April 2011

Background—

Pitx2
is a homeobox transcription factor that plays a pivotal role in early left/right determination during embryonic development.
Pitx2
loss-of-function mouse mutants display early embryonic lethality with severe cardiac malformations, demonstrating the importance of
Pitx2
during cardiogenesis. Recently, independent genome-wide association studies have provided new evidence for a putative role of
PITX2
in the adult heart. These studies have independently reported several risk variants close to the
PITX2
locus on chromosome 4q25 that are strongly associated with atrial fibrillation in humans.

Methods and Results—

We show for the first time that
PITX2C
expression is significantly decreased in human patients with sustained atrial fibrillation, thus providing a molecular link between
PITX2
loss of function and atrial fibrillation. In addition, morphological, molecular, and electrophysiological characterization of chamber-specific
Pitx2
conditional mouse mutants reveals that atrial but not ventricular chamber-specific deletion of
Pitx2
results in differences in the action potential amplitude and resting membrane potential in the adult heart as well as ECG characteristics of atrioventricular block. Lack of
Pitx2
in atrial myocardium impairs sodium channel and potassium channel expression, mediated in part by miRNA misexpression.

Conclusions—

This study thus identifies
Pitx2
as an upstream transcriptional regulator of atrial electric function, the insufficiency of which results in cellular and molecular changes leading to atrial electric and structural remodeling linked to arrhythmogenesis.
Epicardial-Derived Cell Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Fate Specification Require PDGF Receptor Signaling
Authors: Smith Christopher L. , Baek Seung Tae , Sung Caroline Y. , Tallquist Michelle D.
Published: April 2011

Rationale:

In early heart development, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor expression in the heart ventricles is restricted to the epicardium. Previously, we showed that PDGFRβ is required for coronary vascular smooth muscle cell (cVSMC) development, but a role for PDGFRα has not been identified. Therefore, we investigated the combined and independent roles of these receptors in epicardial development.

Objective:

To understand the contribution of PDGF receptors in epicardial development and epicardial-derived cell fate determination.

Methods and Results:

By generating mice with epicardial-specific deletion of the PDGF receptors, we found that epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was defective. Sox9, an SRY-related transcription factor, was reduced in PDGF receptor-deficient epicardial cells, and overexpression of Sox9 restored epicardial migration, actin reorganization, and EMT gene expression profiles. The failure of epicardial EMT resulted in hearts that lacked epicardial-derived cardiac fibroblasts and cVSMC. Loss of PDGFRα resulted in a specific disruption of cardiac fibroblast development, whereas cVSMC development was unperturbed.

Conclusions:

Signaling through both PDGF receptors is necessary for epicardial EMT and formation of epicardial–mesenchymal derivatives. PDGF receptors also have independent functions in the development of specific epicardial-derived cell fates.
Seasonal Prediction of Air Temperature Associated with the Growing-Season Start of Warm-Season Crops across Canada
Authors: Wu Zhiwei , Lin Hai , O’Brien Ted
Published: April 2011

Seasonal prediction of growing-season start of warm-season crops (GSSWC) is an important task for the agriculture sector to identify risks and opportunities in advance. On the basis of observational daily surface air temperature at 210 stations across Canada, this study found that the GSSWC in most Canadian areas begins during May–June and exhibits significant year-to-year variations that are dominated by two distinct leading empirical orthogonal function modes. The first mode accounts for 20.2% of the total GSSWC variances and features a monosign pattern with the maximum anomalies in central-southern Canada. It indicates that warm-season crops in most Canadian areas usually experience a consistent early or late growing-season start and those in central-southern Canada have the most pronounced interannual variations. The second mode explains 10.8% of the total variances and bears a zonal seesaw pattern in general, accompanied by prominent anomalies covering the west coast of Canada and anomalies with a reverse sign prevailing in central-eastern Canada. Therefore, a strong second-mode year represents an early GSSWC in western Canada and a late GSSWC in the rest of the regions. The predictability sources for the two distinct leading modes show considerable differences. The first mode is closely linked with the North American continental-scale snow cover anomalies and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the North Pacific and Indian Oceans in the prior April. For the second mode, the preceding April snow cover anomalies over western North America and SSTAs in the equatorial-eastern Pacific, North Pacific, and equatorial Indian Oceans provide precursory conditions. These snow cover anomalies and SSTAs sustain from April through May–June, influence the large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies during the crops’ growing-start season, and contribute to the occurrence of the two leading modes of the GSSWC across Canada. On the basis of these predictors of snow cover anomalies and SSTAs in the prior April, an empirical model is established for predicting the two principal components (PCs) of the GSSWC across Canada. Hindcasting is performed for the 1972–2007 period with a leaving-nine-out cross-validation strategy and shows a statistically significant prediction skill. The correlation coefficient between the observation and the hindcast is 0.54 for PC1 and 0.48 for PC2, both exceeding the 95% confidence level. Because all of these predictors can be readily monitored in real time, this empirical model provides a new prediction tool for agrometeorological events across Canada.
Politically Purposed Music Genres
Authors: Lena Jennifer C. , Peterson Richard A.
Published: April 2011

Building on previous work documenting musical genre forms in the United States, this exploratory study reports the discovery of a new type, which the authors term the politically purposed genre. They find two major types: those sponsored by governments, which benefit from national distribution and legal protection, and an anti—status quo type supported by an opposition party or constituency that shares its critique of the existing sociopolitical and economic order. Four nation-cases have been examined: the People’s Republic of China, Chile, Serbia, and Nigeria. The authors examine each case in turn and close with a discussion of the limitations and possibilities of this discovery.
Tapping the Principal Pipeline
Authors: Myung Jeannie , Loeb Susanna , Horng Eileen
Published: April 2011

Purpose: In light of the difficulty many districts face finding quality principal candidates, this article explores an informal recruitment mechanism of teachers to become principals, which the authors call tapping. The authors assess the extent to which current teachers are being approached by school leaders to consider leadership and whether this tapping prompts these teachers to consider pursuing leadership positions. Research Design: This study uses survey and administrative data on teachers and principals from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools from the 2007–2008 school year. The authors describe the extent to which principals tap teachers to become school leaders. They use multiple regression with and without school fixed effects to model which teachers are most likely to be tapped and which principals are most likely to tap teachers. They also estimate the extent to which tapping is effective at motivating teachers to become school leaders. Findings: A vast majority of principals report having been tapped by their own principal when they were teachers. The authors find that principals tend to tap teachers who feel better equipped to take on the principalship and who have more school-level leadership experience, but they also disproportionately tap teachers who are male and share their ethnicity. Conclusions: The findings provide evidence that principals are capable of effectively identifying and encouraging teachers with strong leadership potential to enter the principal pipeline, although additional training and a succession management plan may help ensure that teachers are selected based on clear leadership competencies.
Academic and family conditions associated with intrinsic academic motivation in Japanese medical students: A pilot study
Authors: Tanaka Masaaki , Watanabea Yasuyoshi
Published: April 2011

Objective: Intrinsic academic motivation is one of the most important psychological concepts in education, and it is related to academic outcomes in medical students. This study examined the relationships between academic and family conditions and intrinsic academic motivation.

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Setting: The study group consisted of 120 healthy second-year medical students.

Method: Participants completed questionnaires dealing with intrinsic academic motivation, lifestyle factors, academic and family conditions, and academic performance.

Results: In the multiple regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender, and lifestyle factors), taking pleasure in school and spending time with family were positively associated with intrinsic academic motivation scores.

Conclusion: Pleasure in school and spending time with family are correlated with intrinsic academic motivation among medical students. Good academic and family conditions may contribute to lowering the incidence of and/or increasing the rates of recovery from low intrinsic academic motivation.
Resisting the ‘condom every time for anal sex’ health education message
Authors: Adams Jeffery , Neville Stephen
Published: April 2011

Objective: Ensuring men who have sex with men (MSM) adopt and maintain condom use for anal sex is a challenging health education goal. In order to inform the development of social marketing practices to encourage safe-sex practices, the views of MSM about a key HIV health education message (‘using a condom every time for anal sex’) were sought.

Design: Individual and paired interviews were conducted face-to-face and online, with a total of 22 MSM who identified as low users of condoms. Transcripts of interviews were analysed thematically.

Setting: Online and various locations in Auckland, New Zealand.

Results: Two main themes were identified in relation to the men’s views of the condom every time message: (a) awareness and appropriateness of the message; and (b) resistance to the message. The men interviewed reported a contradictory view with respect to the condom every time message. While it is viewed as an appropriate message for MSM as a group, for some individual men, particularly those in relationships, the message has little resonance. One solution offered was for the sexual practices of such men to be recognized and for appropriate and more relevant health education messages to be developed.

Conclusion: Addressing the gulf between professional and (some) lay understandings of what is appropriate for messages that seek to encourage men to adopt and to maintain condom use, and therefore reduce the chances of HIV infection, remains a significant challenge for health promotion agencies.
Conductive CNF-doped laminates processing and characterization
Authors: Morales G. , Barrena M.I. , Gómez de Salazar J.M. , Merino C.
Published: April 2011

In this study, carbon nanofiber (CNF)/glass fiber/polyester resin laminated composites were prepared using two different manufacturing methods: Hand lay-up method and vacuum bagging. These techniques were used in order to compare their influence in the final properties of the composite. Every kind of laminate was loaded with CNF between 0 and 2 wt% with respect to the resin weight. It was found that the presence of CNF produced a reinforcement of the composites in both flexural and tensile strengths regardless of the manufacturing method. On the other hand, composites prepared by the vacuum bag technique showed an important increase in their mechanical properties due to the preparation method. Finally, the CNF-loaded laminates were found to be conductive with only 0.5 wt% CNF loading.
Short cellulosic fiber/starch acetate composites — micromechanical modeling of Young’s modulus
Authors: Madsen Bo , Joffe Roberts , Peltola Heidi , Nättinen Kalle
Published: April 2011

This study is presented to predict the Young’s modulus of injection-molded short cellulosic fiber/plasticized starch acetate composites with variable fiber and plasticizer content. A modified rule of mixtures model is applied where the effect of porosity is included, and where the fiber weight fraction is used as the basic independent variable. The values of the input model parameters are derived from experimental studies of the configuration of the composites (volumetric composition, dimensions, and orientation of fibers), as well as the properties of the constituent fiber and matrix phases (density and Young’s modulus). The measured Young’s modulus of the composites varies in the range 1.1—8.3 GPa, and this is well predicted by the model calculations. A property diagram is presented to be used for the tailor-making of composites with Young’s modulus in the range 0.2—10 GPa.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded particulate reinforced AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite
Authors: Bozkurt Yahya , Uzun Hüseyin , Salman Serdar
Published: April 2011

The purpose of the study is to present the feasibility of the joining of similar AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite plates by friction stir welding (FSW). Microstructure properties, microhardness, and tensile tests have been performed to evaluate the weld zone characteristics and the performance of AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite joints. The phase structure of a similar AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite weld was determined from X-ray diffraction (XRD). The temperature in the weld zone have been evaluated using thermocouples in order to demonstrate the FSWed joint of the AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite without melting. The obtained results revealed that FSW can be used in the joining of similar AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite plates. XRD measurements show that SiO2 phase was detected in the weld zones. It was determined that the peak temperatures achieved at 15 mm away from the weld center varied between 201°C and 270°C. In addition, the tensile strength of AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 butt joints was found to be approximately 20% lower than that of the base composite. The originality of this study is one of the preliminary studies on the detailed examination of the microstructural and mechanical properties of the AA2124/SiC/25p–T4 composite joint by FSW.
Composites of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and shape memory polyurethane for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Jin Xudong , Ni Qing-Qing , Natsuki Toshiaki
Published: April 2011

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and shape memory polyurethane (SMP) were used to prepare MWCNT/SMP composites for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The uniform distribution of MWCNTs was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrical conductivity of the composites was tested by the four-probe method, and the results suggested that the conductivity of the samples was significantly increased by the presence of MWCNTs. The conductivity reached 35 S/m when the MWCNT loading was 9 wt%. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the composites exhibited higher storage moduli than pure SMP. In addition, the shielding effectiveness (SE) of composites with various MWCNT loading and thickness were measured over 4–7 and 13–16 GHz. The highest SE achieved was close to 35 dB for MWCNT/SMP composites with the thickness of 2 mm and MWCNT loading of 9 wt%. The SE increased as the thickness and conductivity of the composites increased. Moreover, the SE was enhanced as the frequency increased.
From Gardeners to Tour Guides: The Epistemological Struggle Revealed in Teacher-Generated Metaphors of Teaching
Authors: Patchen Terri , Crawford Teresa
Published: April 2011

This study examines the relationship between epistemological beliefs and perceptions of practice through the analysis of teacher-generated metaphors. In a multilevel qualitative examination of the self-descriptive metaphors of 32 working teachers, the authors uncovered a dissonance between teachers’ metaphors and their epistemological positions. Metaphor topics initially seemed oriented toward participation-based instructional models, but deeper analysis revealed an overall defaulting to acquisition-based teaching models. Sharing these findings with participant focus groups resulted in the identification of a set of challenges to which teachers attributed these epistemological schisms. The results of this study call into question whether education is in fact making a move from the more traditional acquisition-based models of teaching and learning to more participation-based models, and more important, the discussion considers how the valuing of both models can be translated into the valuing of both practices.
A Framework for Professional Ethics Courses in Teacher Education
Authors: Warnick Bryan R. , Silverman Sarah K.
Published: April 2011

Evidence suggests that professional ethics is currently a neglected topic in teacher education programs. In this article, the authors revisit the question of ethics education for teachers. The authors propose an approach to the professional ethics of teaching that employs a case-analysis framework specifically tailored to address the practice of teaching. The framework is designed to expose the prima facie moral considerations that are relevant as teachers make judgments about ethics. The framework does not produce absolute answers, but it leads to a process that increases procedural objectivity in ethical decision making. It therefore helps respect student moral autonomy while resisting the slide into relativism.
Effects of Message Framing and Anchoring on Reaching Public Consensus on the Korea–U.S. FTA Issue
Authors: Lee Seyoung , Park Hyun Soon
Published: April 2011

This study examines how individuals perceive gains and losses through message framing and reference anchoring, focusing on social problems from the prospect theory perspective. The results indicate that message framing has a significant effect on agreement. In terms of framing the outcome, loss-framing messages are more effective than gain-framing messages in influencing agreement on the Korea–U.S. FTA (Free Trade Agreement). Furthermore, with respect to experimenter-provided and self-generated anchor inducements, the participants with experimenter-provided anchor values are more likely to agree with suggestions in messages than those with self-generated anchor values. The results have several practical implications.
Adhesion Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR 50)-based Adhesive in the Presence of Magnesium Oxide
Authors: Poh B.T. , Saari N.
Published: April 2011

Adhesion properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50)-based adhesive were studied in the presence of magnesium oxide. Coumarone-indene resin and toluene were used as the tackifier and solvent, respectively. A SHEEN hand coater was used to coat the adhesive on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate at 30, 60, 90, and 120 μm coating thickness. Viscosity was measured by a HAAKE Rotary Viscometer whereas loop tack, peel and shear strength was determined by a Llyod Adhesion Tester operating at 30 cm/ min. Results indicate that viscosity of adhesive increases steadily with magnesium oxide content. Loop tack and peel strength show maximum values at 30 parts per hundred parts of rubber of magnesium oxide where maximum wettability occurs. The 60-μm coated sample consistently exhibits the highest tack and peel strength. Shear strength, however, decreases with increasing magnesium oxide loading for all coating thickness investigated in this study.
Cartesian sliding PID control schemes for tracking robots with uncertain Jacobian
Authors: García-Rodríguez R , Parra-Vega V
Published: April 2011

Owing to the fact that desired tasks are usually defined in operational coordinates, inverse and direct kinematics must be computed to obtain joint coordinates and Cartesian coordinates, respectively. However, in order to avoid the ill-posed nature of the inverse kinematics, Cartesian controllers have been proposed. Considering that Cartesian controllers are based on the assumption that the Jacobian is well known, an uncertain Jacobian will produce a non-exact localization of the end-effector. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to solve the problem of Cartesian tracking for free and constrained motion subject to Jacobian uncertainty. These Cartesian schemes are based on sliding PID controllers where the Cartesian errors are mapped into joint errors without any knowledge of robot dynamics. Sufficient conditions for feedback gains and stability properties of the estimate inverse Jacobian are presented to guarantee stability. Experimental results are provided to visualize the real-time stability properties of the Cartesian proposed schemes.
Parents’ Marital Distress, Divorce, and Remarriage: Links With Daughters’ Early Family Formation Transitions
Authors: Amato Paul R. , Kane Jennifer B.
Published: April 2011

The authors used data from the Add Health study to estimate the effects of parents’ marital status and relationship distress on daughters’ early family formation transitions. Outcomes included traditional transitions (marriage and marital births) and nontraditional transitions (cohabitation and nonmarital births). Relationship distress among continuously married parents was not related to any outcome. Offspring with single parents and remarried parents had an elevated risk of nonmarital births and nonmarital cohabitation. Offspring with remarried parents with a high-distress relationship had an elevated risk of early marriages and marital births. These results, combined with analyses of mediating variables, provide the strongest support for a modeling perspective, although some support also was found for a perspective based on escape from stress.
Surviving and thriving as a 21st century knowledge and information professional
Authors: Dale Stephen
Published: April 2011

The volume of information continues to grow at an exponential rate; new products, social networks and web services appear almost daily. Government and public bodies are releasing more data for public scrutiny; companies are becoming more radical in the way they create and use information; global news and events reach us in near real time, 24/7. Professional and social networks proliferate. We are awash with data and information. This article describes five simple steps we can take and some of the tools we can use to become more effective in managing and using digital information and the social web for personal learning and development.
Current trends affecting providers of business information
Authors: Allen Katherine
Published: April 2011

This article considers the trends that are impacting on the providers of business information including technological innovation and economic pressures. It discusses how information providers are changing their products, services and pricing models.
The Aspect Hypothesis, defective tense, and obligatory contexts: Comments on Haznedar, 2007
Authors: Costello Willie , Shirai Yasuhiro
Published: April 2011

Haznedar (2007) argues that longitudinal data from a child learner of English who has Turkish as a first language (L1) constitute a counterexample to the Aspect Hypothesis. In this commentary, we show that her argument is not warranted because the Aspect Hypothesis does not presuppose that tense is defective, contra her claim. However, Haznedar’s finding that many achievement verbs in past tense context are left uninflected suggests that refinement of the Aspect Hypothesis may be needed.
Arm position during extracorporeal shock wave therapy for calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: a randomized study
Authors: Tornese Davide , Mattei Enrico , Bandi Marco , Zerbi Alberto , Quaglia Alessandro , Melegati Gianluca
Published: April 2011

Objective: To generate data on optimal shoulder position comparing two ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy techniques for the treatment of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder.

Design: Random assignment to two groups of treatment with three months follow-up.

Setting: The data were collected in outpatients.

Subjects: Thirty-five subjects affected by calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder were examined.

Interventions: Each subject received three sessions of ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy (performed weekly). Neutral position technique was used in group A (n = 17, mean age 53 ± 9.2 years) and the hyperextended internal rotation technique was used in group B (n = 18, mean age 52.2 ± 10.8 years).

Main outcome measures: The Constant and Murley method and radiographs were used to evaluate each subject before the treatment and at three months follow-up.

Results: There were no significant differences between changes in Constant total score and pain, activity of daily living and range of motion subscales of the two groups. Only the pain subscale showed a significant difference in favour of group B. Significant differences in the radiographic outcome were observed between the two groups: the percentage of total or subtotal resorption of the calcified deposits was 35.3% in group A (neutral position technique) versus 66.6% in group B (hyperextended internal rotation technique). The resorption of the calcific deposit positively influenced the clinical outcome.

Conclusions: Positioning the shoulder in hyperextension and internal rotation during extracorporeal shock wave therapy seems to be a useful technique to achieve resorption of calcific deposits.
Antipsychotic prescribing in Black and White hospitalised patients
Authors: Connolly Anne , Taylor David , Sparshatt Anna , Cornelius Victoria
Published: April 2011

Ethnicity may affect the prescribing of antipsychotic treatment. Previous UK studies conducted in south London have found few differences in antipsychotic prescribing quality for Black and White patients. This larger multicentre study examined the effect of ethnicity on antipsychotic prescribing quality in areas serving the largest proportions of Black patients in the UK. A cross-sectional survey with collection of multiple confounding factors potentially affecting outcomes in eight secondary care units in England over a three month period. Participants were Black or White inpatients prescribed regular antipsychotics on the day of the survey. Antipsychotic dose (expressed as a percentage of licensed maximum), high dose (being prescribed antipsychotic medication above maximum dose), polypharmacy (more than one antipsychotic prescribed), type (typical or atypical antipsychotic) and costs were the main outcome measures. Data were collected for 938 patients. There were no significant differences in any outcome by ethnicity: dose (adjusted percentage difference 0.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) −4.28, 6.22], p = 0.72); high dose (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.98 [CI 0.63, 1.51], p = 0.92); polypharmacy prescribed (AOR 1.15 [CI 0.87, 1.51], p = 0.33); polypharmacy administered (AOR 1.08 [CI 0.78, 1.49], p = 0.66); use of typical antipsychotics (AOR 1.25 [CI 0.87, 1.79], p = 0.22); and cost (adjusted effect size 1.75 [CI −9.81, 13.31], p = 0.77). Antipsychotic prescribing practice did not differ between Black and White patients.
A Programmatic Description of a Social Skills Group for Young Children With Autism
Authors: Leaf Justin B. , Dotson Wesley H. , Oppenheim-Leaf Misty L. , Sherman James A. , Sheldon Jan B.
Published: April 2011

Deficits in social skills are a common problem for children with autism. One method of developing appropriate social skills in children with autism has been group instruction. To date, however, group instruction has produced mixed results. The purpose of this article is to describe a promising method of teaching social skills to children in small groups.
Vestibular migraine – validity of clinical diagnostic criteria
Authors: Radtke Andrea , Neuhauser Hannelore , von Brevern Michael , Hottenrott Tilman , Lempert Thomas
Published: April 2011

Background: Clinical recognition of vestibular migraine (VM) is still hampered by the lack of consensus diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study is a long-term evaluation of clinical criteria for definite (dVM) and probable (pVM) vestibular migraine.

Methods: We re-assessed 75 patients (67 women, age 24–76 years) with dVM (n = 47) or pVM (n = 28) according to previously published criteria after a mean follow-up of 8.75 ± 1.3 years. Assessment included a comprehensive neurotological clinical examination, pure tone audiometry and caloric testing.

Results: dVM was confirmed in 40 of 47 patients with a prior diagnosis of dVM (85%). Fourteen of 28 patients initially classified as pVM met criteria for dVM (50%), nine for pVM (32%). Six additional patients with dVM and two with pVM had developed mild sensorineural hearing loss, formally fulfilling criteria for bilateral Menière’s disease (MD), but had clinical features atypical of MD. Seven of these also met criteria for dVM at follow-up. The initial diagnosis was completely revised for four patients.

Conclusion: Although VM diagnosis lacks a gold standard for evaluation of diagnostic criteria, repeated comprehensive neurotological evaluation after a long follow-up period indicates not only high reliability but also high validity of presented clinical criteria (positive predictive value 85%). Half of patients with pVM evolve to meet criteria for dVM. However, in a subgroup of VM patients with hearing loss, criteria for dVM and MD are not sufficiently discriminative.
Commentary
Authors: Roy Ananya
Published: April 2011

This essay uses critical transnationalism to place planning in the world. It examines two types of transnational practices: the enforcement of the global border in the Americas, and the transnational traffic of “fast” policy that increasingly characterizes the global nature of planning. The essay suggests counterpractices, “technologies of crossing” and forms of “slow learning,” that puncture such forms of dominance and hegemony. It presents critical transnationalism as a way of inhabiting borders and as a way of “seeing from the South.” Critical transnationalism, it argues, presents planning thought and practice with new spatial imaginations and thereby with new ethical frameworks.
Hydroquinone, a benzene metabolite, and leukemia: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Regev Lee , Wu Michael , Zlotolow Ronald , Brautbar Nachman
Published: April 2011

Hydroquinone is a phenolic metabolite of benzene, a known human carcinogen. Hydroquinone is widely used in the industry. We report a case of a 43-year-old male diagnosed with antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia following 16 years of occupational exposure to hydroquinone in radiographic developer solution. Cytogenetic studies revealed aberrations in chromosome 5 and chromosome 7. We review the literature on hydroquinone as a potential cause of hematolymphatic cancers and discuss the role of hydroquinone as a genotoxic and leukemogenic agent.
Perpetrators’ Self-Portrait
Authors: Skibińska Alina
Published: April 2011

The article is a fragment of a more comprehensive study and at the same time a continuation of the subject originated in the article “The Participation of Poles in Crimes against Jews in the Świętokrzyski” (Yad Vashem Studies, 2007, No 35). By the thorough analysis of the files of several dozen trials that had taken place in the courts of Kielce during the 1940s and 1950s, I am looking for the answers for the questions focused on such issues as specific and diverse circumstances in which the crimes emerged (direct reasons and situational conditions), perpetrators (their profile based on such criteria as position/function, age, marital status, education, financial and social status, etc.), witnesses (both of the defendant and the plaintiff), and defense (the analysis of the defense strategies and arguments used during the investigation and the main trial, as well as the pleas for parole and other letters applied to defend the accused people). Special emphasis is going to be laid on the final issue—defense strategies of the perpetrators—which should enable the reconstruction of the then and, probably, still unchanged, attitude of the villagers of central Poland toward the crimes committed there and their victims.
Governance Networks in City-regions: In the Spirit of Democratic Accountability?
Authors: Holmen Ann Karin Tennaas
Published: April 2011

Public policy making through networks raises democratic accountability concerns related to lack of control, transparency and predictability. There is a question of how democratic accountability can increase in governance networks. This article utilises an extended notion of democratic accountability to additionally include democratic dialogue and the wider accountability environment. Through three case studies, the article argues that governance networks involved in public policy processes have to take their role as democratically accountable actors seriously. In order to inspire confidence between governance networks and the regional society (political, administrative, private sector and civil society), inclusion of elected representatives (meta-governance) at different stages of the process is not alone a sufficient solution. Transparency through process openness, predictability and clarity in who is to be held responsible for their actions, in addition to control through open arenas and responsiveness, is essential for a governance network to be perceived as democratically accountable. These accountability elements can enhance trust relations between network and surroundings, and by this shape the basis for the crucial balance between network benefits and democratic ideals.
Dynamic surface characteristics during disc brake squeal: non-linear modelling and simulation
Authors: Kang J
Published: April 2011

This article studies the non-linear dynamic behaviour of a disc brake system during squealing induced by a disc doublet mode. The disc brake system is modelled as a rotating annular plate in contact with annular sector-friction material. In order to investigate the possibility of detachment over the contact area between the disc surface and friction material during squealing, the lift-off condition is applied to this model. Also, the non-linearity arising from the contact stiffness is considered on the basis of the load–deflection test for the friction material. Numerical results show that the vibration after the onset of squeal reaches the limit cycle. In the steady-squealing response, several interesting phenomena are observed: the stick-slip and lift-off over the specific regime of the contact area. It is shown that the dynamic surface pattern rotates due to the forward travelling wave of the squealing surface. However, the mark of the surface pattern does not seem to move because the speed of the travelling wave fluctuates at a double frequency of squeal vibration.