bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Patients with Non-Diagnostic CT in the Post-Acute Phase of Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Totaro P. , Toni D. , Durastanti L. , Bozzao L. , Gualdi G.F. , Raz E. , Kouleridou A. , Pantano P.
Published: January 2010

Background: Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) is the imaging technique used in acute stroke. In some cases it is unable to detect damage even 24–48 h after symptom onset. The aim of our work was to evaluate the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the post-acute phase of cerebral ischemia in patients in whom CT did not yield a definitive diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated DWI findings in 214 patients, out of a series of 1,680 patients admitted to our hospital following the acute onset of focal neurological symptoms, in whom non-contrast CT, performed within 30 h of symptom onset, was normal (123), incongruous, i.e. a marked hypodensity indicative of an old infarct or a slight hypodensity not consistent with the clinical findings (66), or leukoaraiotic, i.e. diffuse chronic hypodensities in the periventricular white matter (25). Results: DWI showed signs of recent brain ischemia in 125/214 (58%) patients: 64/123 (52%) with a normal CT, 41/66 (62%) with an incongruous CT, and 20/25 (80%) with leukoaraiosis (p = 0.027). Multiple lesions were detected in 16/125 (16%) patients, while single lesions were ≤2 cm in 83/109 (76%) cases. DWI showed signs of ischemia in 22/91 (24%) patients with TIA and in 103/123 (84%) patients with stroke (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: In a quite high proportion of patients with recent symptoms of transient ischemic attack/ischemic stroke and a repeat non-diagnostic CT, DWI may help in the diagnosis of ischemic stroke and in shedding light on the underlying pathogenic mechanism.
Natalizumab Reduces Clinical and MRI Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with High Disease Activity: Results from a Multicenter Study in Switzerland
Authors: Putzki Norman , Yaldizli Özgür , Bühler Robert , Schwegler Guido , Curtius Daniela , Tettenborn Barbara
Published: January 2010

Background: Natalizumab has been recommended for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in patients with insufficient response to interferon-β or glatiramer acetate (disease-modifying treatments – DMT) or in aggressive MS. The pivotal trials were not designed to investigate natalizumab monotherapy in these patient populations. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of natalizumab after treatment failure of previous DMT and in highly active MS. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study in Switzerland. Three major MS centers reported all RRMS patients who initiated natalizumab ≧12 months prior to study conduction. Results: 85 RRMS patients were included (72% female, mean age 37.3 years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 3.1; 88.2% were pretreated with DMT), and mean treatment duration with natalizumab was 18.4 ± 2.6 months. 79% of the patients were relapse-free during the observational period. The annualized relapse rate decreased from 2.0 ± 0.6 to 0.27 ± 0.2, and 92.9% were progression-free after 12 months (p < 0.001). The mean number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions decreased from 1.2 ± 1.2 to 0.1 ± 0.1 at 12 months’ follow-up (91.7% reduction).Discontinuation rate was 11.8% (7.1% for antibody positivity). Conclusions: Patients who initiate natalizumab after previous high disease activity experience a marked reduction of clinical and MRI disease activity.
Perforator Territory Infarction in the Lenticulostriate Arterial Territory: Mechanisms and Lesion Patterns Based on the Axial Location
Authors: Cho Hyun-Ji , Roh Hong-Gee , Moon Won-Jin , Kim Hahn Young
Published: January 2010

Background: We hypothesized that perforator territory infarcts in the lenticulostriate territory (pLSAIs) may have heterogeneous lesion patterns and stroke mechanisms. Methods: We reviewed prospectively collected patients who developed pLSAIs within 72 h after stroke onset. Lesion patterns were analyzed based on the six axial levels. Based on MR angiography, stenosis of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was classified into 3 groups. White matter hyperintensities were assessed by Fazeka’s scale of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH). Results: Of 221 patients, 159 were normal, 44 had mild stenosis, and 18 had severe stenosis of the MCA. Larger infarct volume was correlated with the severity of MCA disease (r = 0.289, p < 0.001). Lower lesion patterns were correlated with the severity of MCA disease (r = –0.294, p < 0.001). A higher lesion pattern was correlated with the severity of DWMH or PVH scores (r = 0.205, p = 0.002 in DWMH, and r = 0.137, p = 0.042 in PVH). Conclusions: Patients with MCA disease have larger and lower lesion patterns beginning from the proximal territory of the lenticulostriate artery (LSA). Patients with severe white matter changes have smaller and higher lesion patterns in the distal territory of the LSA.
Elevated Expression of the Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-1 Defines a Subset of High-Grade Breast Tumors
Authors: Insabato Luigi , Amelio Ivano , Quarto Maria , Zannetti Antonella , Tolino Fabio , de Mauro Gaia , Cerchia Laura , Riccio Patrizia , Baumhoer Daniel , Condorelli Gerolama , Terracciano Luigi , de Franciscis Vittorio
Published: January 2010

Objectives: Protein tyrosine phosphatases are key regulators of intracellular signaling that contribute to determining cancer cell growth, which thus makes them attractive targets for therapeutic and diagnostic agents. SHP-1 phosphotyrosine phosphatase is rarely expressed in epithelial tumor cells, but expression has been found in several breast cancer cell lines and tumors. To determine the potential significance of SHP-1 as a prognostic marker in the clinical setting, we examined SHP-1 protein expression in breast tumors. Methods: We analyzed SHP-1 expression by immunohistochemistry in a breast tissue microarray composed of 2,081 cores, either alone or in combination with known prognostic markers. Results: Our data showed that SHP-1 expression was confined to a well-defined subset of high-grade tumors characterized by unique biological parameters. SHP-1 expression correlated directly with expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor HER-2 and inversely with expression of the estrogen receptor, while it was weakly associated with Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions: Levels of SHP-1 were correlated with conventional pathologic parameters of tumor aggressiveness and were associated with reduced patient survival, suggesting that elevated expression of SHP-1 is a common molecular abnormality in a defined subset of breast tumors and might be used in routine diagnosis to identify patients with high-risk tumors.
Why Hasn’t Earth Warmed as Much as Expected?
Authors: Schwartz Stephen E. , Charlson Robert J. , Kahn Ralph A. , Ogren John A. , Rodhe Henning
Published: January 2010

The observed increase in global mean surface temperature (GMST) over the industrial era is less than 40% of that expected from observed increases in long-lived greenhouse gases together with the best-estimate equilibrium climate sensitivity given by the 2007 Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Possible reasons for this warming discrepancy are systematically examined here. The warming discrepancy is found to be due mainly to some combination of two factors: the IPCC best estimate of climate sensitivity being too high and/or the greenhouse gas forcing being partially offset by forcing by increased concentrations of atmospheric aerosols; the increase in global heat content due to thermal disequilibrium accounts for less than 25% of the discrepancy, and cooling by natural temperature variation can account for only about 15%. Current uncertainty in climate sensitivity is shown to preclude determining the amount of future fossil fuel CO2 emissions that would be compatible with any chosen maximum allowable increase in GMST; even the sign of such allowable future emissions is unconstrained. Resolving this situation, by empirical determination of the earth’s climate sensitivity from the historical record over the industrial period or through use of climate models whose accuracy is evaluated by their performance over this period, is shown to require substantial reduction in the uncertainty of aerosol forcing over this period.
The concept of poverty
Authors: Misturelli Federica , Heffernan Claire
Published: January 2010

Poverty is often presented as an evolving concept linked to dominant development paradigms. However, changes in the meaning of specific topics comprising definitions of poverty have been largely overlooked. Therefore, the authors adopted a synchronic approach to evaluate changes contained within 159 definitions of poverty offered over a 30-year period from 1970s to 2000s. Component terms were investigated for their stability in meaning, through the application of De Saussure’s concepts of signifier and signified. The results illustrate that terms often did not share the same signifier and, therefore, were accorded different meanings. In this manner, the authors argue that poverty is a highly contested concept
Electroless deposition of Nickel–cobalt–phosphorus nanoalloy
Authors: Srinivasan K N , Selvaganapathy T , Meenakshi R , John S
Published: January 2010

Electroless plating have unique metallurgical characteristics, and the deposits can be made onto a wide range of substrates, including both metallic and non‐metallic surfaces. In this paper, the authors have reported on the development of new bath formulation for getting Ni–Co–P nanoalloy deposit and optimised bath concentration and operating conditions. The alloy deposit contains 10·59%Co in the Ni–P matrix. There is an increase in hardness and corrosion resistance of the deposit with the incorporation of Co. Furthermore, from the XRD measurements of the deposits, it was found that the alloy is nanocrystalline in nature, and the particle size is around 37–45 nm. Atomic force microscopy results show that the height of the particles is in nanosize, and roughness of the surface is within 3 nm.
Surface treatment of stainless steel to improve coating strength of ZrO2 coated stainless steel needle
Authors: Chung H J , Rhee K Y , Kim M T , Jung Y C
Published: January 2010

In the present study, stainless steel 316L was coated with ZrO2, a bioceramic, to insulate the needles and improve their biocompatibility. Three types of stainless steel 316L specimens were used in the experiment: an untreated specimen (case 1), an electropolished specimen (case 2) and an electropolished and plasma treated specimen (case 3). The effects of electropolishing and plasma treatment on coating strength and the relationship between coating thickness and electrical conductivity were investigated. The result showed that the coating strength of case 3 was 130% greater than that of case 1 and 40% greater than that of case 2. The electrical insulation characteristic of ZrO2 coating on stainless steel 316L was superior to that of uncoated stainless steel 316L. It was also found that appropriate thickness of ZrO2 coating was 500 nm for the electrical insulation.
Effects of direct current field on powder pack aluminising
Authors: Xie F , Hu J , Zhou Z‐H , Hu H‐B , Li J‐H , Pan J‐W
Published: January 2010

Direct current field (DCF) has been applied on an aluminising specimen and powder aluminising agents to overcome conventional powder pack aluminising (CPA)'s shortcomings of high treating temperature, long soaking time and low efficiency in utilising aluminising media. The specimen in the shape of plate or tube was taken as cathode of the DCF. The anode in the shape of plate or column paralleled to the specimen. Effects of DCF on CPA have been studied. The treated case's microstructure, phase, thickness and oxidation resistance have been investigated. The results show that DCF has the function of enhancing aluminising with great energy saving, even at a temperature below 750°C. The aluminised case endows plain carbon steel with superior resistance to oxidisation in air at a high temperature of 850°C. Mechanisms of DCF's effects to CPA have been proposed, which were discussed from two aspects of the DCF's thermal and non‐thermal effects to the aluminising process.
Performance of nanolayer CrN/Ag coated cutting tools
Authors: Yao S H , Su Y L , Kao W H , Cheng K W , Su C T
Published: January 2010

A nanolayer CrN/Ag coating comprising a lamination of hard transition metal and soft metal was synthesised using an industrial scale four target dc closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating system (CFUBMSIPS). For comparison, a monolayer CrN coating was also grown on the same deposition system. Characterisation was conducted using SEM, TEM, XRD and Vickers microhardness and scratch testers. Wear behaviour was studied on an SRV wear tester. Performance of coated cutting tools was evaluated via two kinds of machining tests: one was using the coated microdrills to continuously make through thickness holes on FR4 printed circuit boards and the other using the coated turning cutters to machine S45C steel bars. The structural analysis showed that the nanolayer CrN/Ag coating with bilayer thickness λ 30 nm was composed of alternative stacking layers of pure Ag and CrN phases. The nanolayer CrN/Ag coating, in spite of having lower hardness than the monolayer CrN coating, showed great improvements in the wear resistance and microdrilling and turning performance, which could be attributed to the combination of multilayer structure and lubricating function of Ag.
Effect of binders and surface finish on wear resistance of HVOF coatings
Authors: Casteletti L. C. , Arnoni E. A. B. , Neto A. Lombardi , Fernandes F. A. P. , Totten G. E.
Published: January 2010

The high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process produces highly wear and/or corrosion resistant coatings. Tungsten carbide with a metallic binder is often used for this purpose. In this work, tungsten carbide coatings containing cobalt or nickel binder were produced by HVOF and characterised by optical and electron microscopy, hardness and a dry sand/rubber wheel abrasion test. The HVOF process produced dense coatings with low porosity levels and high hardness. The wear resistance of the specimens, which were surface treated, increased as the roughness percentage decreased. Tungsten carbide nickel based coating yielded the best wear resistance in the as sprayed condition. However, the wear rate and wear of the two coatings converged to the same values as the number of revolutions increased. Wear behaviour in the ground condition was similar, although the tungsten carbide cobalt based coating yielded better performance with increasing distance travelled during the wear test.
Validation, reproducibility and safety of trans dermal electrical stimulation in chronic pain patients and healthy volunteers
Authors: Lecybyl Remigiusz , Acosta Juan , Ghoshdastidar Joydeep , Stringfellow Kinga , Hanna Magdi
Published: January 2010

Background

Surrogate pain models have been extensively tested in Normal Human Volunteers (NHV). There are few studies that examined pain models in chronic pain patients. Patients are likely to have altered pain mechanisms. It is of interest to test patient pain responses to selective pain stimuli under controlled laboratory conditions.

Methods

The Institutional Ethic Committee approved the study. 16 patients with chronic neuropathic radiculopathy and 16 healthy volunteers were enrolled to the study after obtaining informed consent. During electrical stimulation (150 minutes for volunteers and 75 minutes for patients) the following parameters were measured every 10 minutes:

Ongoing pain: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Numeric Rate Scale (NRS)

Allodynia (soft foam brush)

Hyperalgesia (von Frey monofilament 20 g)

Flare

For each endpoint, the area under the curve (AUC) was estimated from the start of stimulation to the end of stimulation by the trapezoidal rule. The individual AUC values for both periods were plotted to show the inter- and intra-subject variability. For each endpoint a mixed effect model was fitted with random effect subject and fixed effect visit. The estimate of intra-subject variance and the mean value were then used to estimate the sample size of a crossover study required to have a probability of 0.80 to detect a 25% change in the mean value. Analysis was done using GenStat 8th edition.

Results

Each endpoint achieved very good reproducibility for patients and NHV. Comparison between groups revealed trends towards:

Faster habituation to painful stimuli in patients

Bigger areas of hyperalgesia in patients

Similar area of allodynia and flare (no statistical significance)

Conclusion

The differences demonstrated between patients and NHVs suggest that the electrical stimulation device used here may stimulate pathways that are affected in the pathological state.
Severe Plasmodium vivax malaria exhibits marked inflammatory imbalance
Authors: Andrade Bruno B , Reis-Filho Antonio , Souza-Neto Sebastião M , Clarêncio Jorge , Camargo Luis MA , Barral Aldina , Barral-Netto Manoel
Published: January 2010

Background

Despite clinical descriptions of severe vivax malaria cases having been reported, data regarding immunological and inflammatory patterns are scarce. In this report, the inflammatory and immunological status of both mild and severe vivax malaria cases are compared in order to explore immunopathological events in this disease.

Methods and Results

Active and passive malaria case detections were performed during 2007 in Buritis, Rondônia, in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 219 participants enrolled the study. Study individuals were classified according to the presence of Plasmodium vivax infection within four groups: non-infected (n = 90), asymptomatic (n = 60), mild (n = 50) and severe vivax infection (n = 19). A diagnosis of malaria was made by microscopy and molecular assays. Since at present no clear criteria define severe vivax malaria, this study adapted the consensual criteria from falciparum malaria. Patients with severe P. vivax infection were younger, had lived for shorter time in the endemic area, and recalled having experienced less previous malaria episodes than individuals with no malaria infection and with mild or asymptomatic infection. Strong linear trends were identified regarding increasing plasma levels of C reactive protein (CRP), serum creatinine, bilirubins and the graduation of disease severity. Plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) and also IFN-gamma/interleukin-10 ratios were increased and exhibited a linear trend with gradual augmentation of disease severity. Both laboratory parameters of organ dysfunction and inflammatory cytokines were reduced during anti-parasite therapy in those patients with severe disease.

Conclusion

Different clinical presentations of vivax malaria infection present strong association with activation of pro-inflammatory responses and cytokine imbalance. These findings are of utmost importance to improve current knowledge about physiopathological concepts of this serious widespread disease.
A rare case of pulmonary tuberculosis with simultaneous pulmonary and skin sarcoidosis: a case report
Authors: Mise Kornelija , Goic-Barisic Ivana , Puizina-Ivic Neira , Barisic Igor , Tonkic Marija , Peric Irena
Published: January 2010

Background

Tuberculosis and sarcoidosis are chronic diseases that rarely occur concomitantly. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder characterized pathologically by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in involved tissues. Tuberculosis is infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by granulomas with caseous necrosis.

Case presentation

We present a case of 43-year-old female refugee from Kosovo with microbiological confirmation of pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary and skin sarcoidosis at the same time. Three weeks after corticosteroid therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis was introduced, positive finding of mycobacterium culture of bronchial aspirate was observed. Based on these results, corticosteroid therapy was excluded and antituberculous therapy was introduced for six months. In the meantime, new nodes on face and nose appeared and skin sarcoidosis was diagnosed. The patient was given corticosteroids and colchicine according to the skin and pulmonary sarcoidosis therapy recommendation.

Conclusion

The authors of this study suggest that in cases when there is a dilemma in diagnosis between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis we should advance with corticosteroid therapy until we have microbiological confirmation of mycobacterium culture. This case is remarkable because this is a third described case of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis together (the first reported in Asia, the second in South Africa), and to authors knowledge, this is a first case report in Europe.
Reexamination of the Photochemical Primary Process of Photo-Fries Rearrangement Reaction as Studied by MFE Probe
Authors: Gohdo Masao , Wakasa Masanobu
Published: January 2010

A photo-Fries rearrangement reaction of 1-naphthyl acetate in n-hexane was studied by a nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique under magnetic fields of 0 to 1.65 T. The escaped yield of 1-naphthoxyl radical decreased with increasing magnetic field (B) at 0 < B ≤ 0.005 T, but inversely increased with increasing B at much higher fields of 0.005 T < B ≤ 1.65 T. Such inverted magnetic field effects (MFEs) can be interpreted with the hyperfine coupling and the Δg mechanisms through the singlet radical pair. The fact that MFEs are observed for the present photo-Fries rearrangement reaction suggests a singlet radical pair intermediacy with a lifetime as long as several ns.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior of Polyaniline/H2Ti4O9 Lamellar Nanocomposite
Authors: Liu Chao , Zhang Xiaobo , Wang Sheng , Liu Lin , Guo Lucun , Tong Zhiwei , Inoue Haruo
Published: January 2010

A novel polyaniline (PANI)/H2Ti4O9 lamellar nanocomposite has been synthesized by in situ polymerization using aniline intercalation compound (ANI)/H2Ti4O9 as the intermediate. According to the experimental results, the ANI within the interlayer spacing of the layered H2Ti4O9 material may be oriented in a single-layer arrangement, with the benzene rings perpendicular to the layer sheets. After polymerization, a monolayer of PANI chains within the confined galleries was produced. The PANI/H2Ti4O9 nanocomposite has been studied by electrochemical methods, which revealed good redox activity.
Hydroxyalkylation of p-Cresol to 2,2′-Methylenebis(4-methylphenol) Using Sn/Si-MCM-41 Catalysts
Authors: Garade Ajit C , Niphadkar Prashant S , Joshi Praphulla N , Rode Chandrashekhar V
Published: January 2010

Sn/Si-MCM-41 has exhibited an excellent catalytic activity [70% product yield with 88% selectivity to 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methylphenol)] for the selective hydroxyalkylation of p-cresol. At equal level of Sn loading, Sn/Si-MCM-41 prepared by direct hydrothermal synthesis showed higher activity than Sn-impregnated Si-MCM-41 catalyst.
A pH-stable Ruthenium(II)-based Sensing System for Dissolved Dinitrogen
Authors: Kizaki Tetsuro , Abe Takeru , Matsumoto Takahiro , Ogo Seiji
Published: January 2010

Building on a previous design for a Ru-based dissolved N2 sensor, we report an adaptation that allows for reversible data storage. The N2 complex can be “fixed” and made stable across a range of pHs by the substitution of OH− with F− to form [RuII(F)(TMC)(N2)]+ (1, TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). The addition of Ca2+ and irradiation with light at high pH removes the F−, thereby regenerating the sensor in its reversible configuration.
Monitoring of Photochemical Self-assembly of [Mo7O24]6− to {Mo142}-blue Nanoring by Using Mo K-edge XAFS
Authors: Mitani Yu , Oka Kazuki , Shibata Yoshiyuki , Konishi Kazushi , Obaid Diaa M , Ishikawa Eri , Izumi Yasuo , Yamase Toshihiro
Published: January 2010

The UV-induced self-assembly of [Mo7O24]6− to 28-electron-reduced {Mo142} at pH 3.4 was monitored by Mo K-edge XAFS spectra of photolytes. The EXAFS curve fit analysis indicates that the accumulation of [MoO4]2− in an equilibrium with {Mo8} was accompanied by the formation of two-electron-reduced {Mo14}, and the subsequent construction of the {Mo20} and {Mo21} building blocks provided {Mo142} through their reductive condensation.
The Diversified Reactivities of 1,5-Bisallenes
Authors: Chen Guofei , Jiang Xuefeng , Fu Chunling , Ma Shengming
Published: January 2010

1,5-Bisallenes may undergo radical, carbometallation, cyclometallation, cyclization, and consecutive cascade reactions to form many different 5–7-membered rings, showing diversified reactivities. There is no doubt that the chemistry of 1,5-bisallenes would be enriched by further study.
Ability grouping of gifted students: Effects on academic self‐concept and boredom
Authors: Preckel Franzis. , Götz Thomas. , Frenzel Anne.
Published: January 2010

Background

Securing appropriate challenge or preventing boredom is one of the reasons frequently used to justify ability grouping of gifted students, which has been shown to have beneficial effects for achievement. On the other hand, critics stress psychosocial costs, such as detrimental effects on academic self‐concept (contrast or big‐fish‐little‐pond effect).

Aim

The effects of full‐time ability grouping in special classrooms for the gifted on students' academic self‐concept and their experience of boredom in mathematics classes were investigated.

Sample

The sample comprised 186 ninth‐grade students (106 male) from eight classes at one Austrian high school. Four of these classes were part of a gifted track beginning from school year 9 on (N = 93).

Method

Students were assessed repeatedly within the first half of the school year, three times via self‐report questionnaires and once by applying a standardized IQ‐test.

Results and conclusions

Students in gifted classes reported a decrease in maths academic self‐concept which was most pronounced early in the academic year. Interventions to counterbalance the negative effect of exposure to a high‐ability reference group should therefore be implemented when ability grouping begins. No evidence for the boredom hypothesis was found (higher levels of boredom among gifted students in regular classes). However, students clearly differed in the reasons they stated for experiencing boredom. Boredom attributions changed over time and supported the assumption that gifted classes provide more appropriate levels of challenge.
Evaluation of convergent and discriminant validity with multitrait–multimethod correlations
Authors: Raykov Tenko
Published: January 2010

A procedure for evaluation of convergent and discriminant validity coefficients is outlined. The method yields interval estimates of these coefficients in a construct validation study conducted via the multitrait–multimethod approach, as well as permitting examination of their population relationships. The procedure is readily employed in behavioural research using the increasingly popular latent variable modelling methodology. The method is illustrated with a numerical example.
Young children's ability to distinguish past and future changes in physical and mental states
Authors: Busby Janie. Grant , Suddendorf Thomas.
Published: January 2010

Two studies (N = 108) investigated preschool children's ability to use descriptions of past and future events to infer current physical and mental states. In Study 1, stories described characters that either acquired an object or knowledge ‘yesterday’, or will acquire that object or knowledge ‘tomorrow’. Children were asked to identify which character currently possessed the object or knew the information. In Study 2, the terms ‘will’ and ‘did’ were used in the stories to identify past and future time. Ability to correctly respond in this type of task requires recognition of the different causal links past and future events have with the present. Five‐year‐olds consistently performed better than chance on these tasks. In contrast, 4‐year‐olds' performance was inconsistent across the studies. An appreciation of the fundamental distinction between descriptions of past and future events is essential to understanding the complexities of both the physical and social world. This research suggests that this understanding is acquired by 4–5 years of age.
Are psychoeducational smoking cessation interventions for coronary heart disease patients effective? Meta‐analysis of interventions
Authors: Huttunen‐Lenz M. , Song F. , Poland F.
Published: January 2010

Purpose. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychoeducational smoking cessation interventions for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients; and to examine behaviour change techniques used in interventions and their suitability to change behavioural determinants.

Methods. Multiple bibliographic databases and references of retrieved articles were searched for relevant randomized controlled studies. One reviewer extracted and a second reviewer checked data from included trials. Random effects meta‐analyses were conducted to estimate pooled relative risks for smoking cessation and mortality outcomes. Behaviour change techniques used and their suitability to change behavioural determinants were evaluated using a framework by Michie, Johnston, Francis, Hardeman, and Eccles.

Results. A total of 14 studies were included. Psychoeducational interventions statistically significantly increased point prevalent (RR 1.44, 95% CI, 1.20–1.73) and continuous (RR 1.51, 95% CI, 1.18–1.93) smoking cessation, and statistically non‐significantly decreased total mortality (RR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.46–1.15). Included studies used a mixture of theories in intervention planning. Despite superficial differences, interventions appear to deploy similar behaviour change techniques, targeted mainly at motivation and goals, beliefs about capacity, knowledge, and skills.

Conclusions. Psychoeducational smoking cessation interventions appear effective for patients with CHD. Although questions remain about what characteristics distinguish an effective intervention, analysis indicates similarities between the behaviour change techniques used in such interventions.
New model for predicting tensile strength and density of eucalyptus handsheets based on an activation parameter calculated from fiber distribution characteristics
Authors: Pulkkinen Iiro , Fiskari Juha , Alopaeus Ville
Published: January 2010

The activation parameter developed is based on the fiber wall thickness distribution, fiber curl distribution, and water retention value of the unrefined fibers. The mechanical properties of paper that contain chemical pulp depend, among other things, on the free fiber segment activation between fiber-fiber crossings that is created during drying. Experimental data revealed that the degree of fiber swelling is responsible together with the fiber shape factor (curl) and fiber wall thickness for the extent of fiber network activation. The amount of bonding between fibers also affects fiber segment activation. Based on the experimental data, it was deduced that interfiber bonding ability of fibers, characterized as the water retention value, was mainly responsible for the development of handsheet density. Tensile index development was more affected by the morphology of fibers, which was the main determinant for high activation potential of fibers. Factor analysis was used to identify the main causes of variation for a refining data set of 20 Eucalyptus grandis samples. Three independent descriptors were found to be responsible for the majority of the variation: the bonding and activation factor, the factor of microcompressions, and the factor of fiber wall thickness and fiber curl. The activation parameter developed in this study can be used to determine the effect of fiber segment activation and inter-fiber bonding on the inplane mechanical properties of paper.
Erk signaling and chromatin remodeling in MMTV promoter activation by progestins
Authors: Vicent Guillermo P. , Zaurin Roser , Ballaré Cecilia , Nacht A. Silvina , Beato Miguel
Published: January 2010

Transcription from the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter can be induced by progestins. The progesterone receptor (PR) binds to a cluster of five hormone responsive elements (HREs) and activates the promoter by synergistic interactions with the ubiquitous transcription factor, nuclear factor 1 (NF1). Progesterone treatment of cells in culture leads to activation of the Src/Ras/Erk/Msk1 cascade. Selective inhibition of Erk, or its target kinase Msk1, interferes with chromatin remodeling and blocks MMTV activation. A complex of activated PR, Erk and Msk1 is recruited to promoter after 5 min of hormone treatment and phosphorylates histone H3 at serine 10. This modification promotes the displacement of HP1γ and subsequent chromatin remodeling. Progestin treatment leads to the recruitment of the BAF complex, which selectively displaces histones H2A and H2B from the nucleosome containing the HREs. The acetyltransferase PCAF is also required for induction of progesterone target genes and acetylates histone H3 at K14, an epigenetic mark, which interacts with Brg1 and Brm, anchoring the BAF complex to chromatin. In nucleosomes assembled on either MMTV or mouse rDNA promoter sequences, SWI/SNF displaces histones H2A and H2B from MMTV, but not from the rDNA nucleosome. Thus, the outcome of nucleosome remodeling by purified SWI/SNF depends on DNA sequence. The resultant H3/H4 tetramer particle is then the substrate for subsequent events in induction. Thus, initial activation of the MMTV promoter requires activation of several kinases and PCAF leading to phosphoacetylation of H3, and recruitment of BAF with subsequent removal of H2A/H2B.
Progesterone Action in Human Tissues: Regulation by Progesterone Receptor (PR) Isoform Expression, Nuclear Positioning and Coregulator Expression
Authors: Scarpin Katherine M. , Graham J. Dinny , Mote Patricia A. , Clarke Christine L.
Published: January 2010

Progesterone is a critical regulator of normal female reproductive function, with diverse tissue-specific effects in the human. The effects of progesterone are mediated by its nuclear receptor (PR) that is expressed as two isoforms, PRA and PRB, which are virtually identical except that PRA lacks 164 amino acids that are present at the N-terminus of PRB. Considerable in vitro evidence suggests that the two PRs are functionally distinct and in animals, tissue-specific distribution patterns of PRA and PRB may account for some of the diversity of progesterone effects. In the human, PRA and PRB are equivalently expressed in most target cells, suggesting that alternative mechanisms control the diversity of progesterone actions. PR mediates the effects of progesterone by association with a range of coregulatory proteins and binding to specific target sequences in progesterone-regulated gene promoters. Ligand activation of PR results in redistribution into discrete subnuclear foci that are detectable by immunofluorescence, probably representing aggregates of multiple transcriptionally active PR-coregulator complexes. PR foci are aberrant in cancers, suggesting that the coregulator composition and number of complexes is altered. A large family of coregulators is now described and the range of proteins known to bind PR exceeds the complement required for transcriptional activation, suggesting that in the human, tissue-specific coregulator expression may modulate progesterone response. In this review, we examine the role of nuclear localization of PR, coregulator association and tissue-specific expression in modulating progesterone action in the human.
Hairless is a nuclear receptor corepressor essential for skin function
Authors: Thompson Catherine C.
Published: January 2010

The activity of nuclear receptors is modulated by numerous coregulatory factors. Corepressors can either mediate the ability of nuclear receptors to repress transcription, or can inhibit transactivation by nuclear receptors. As we learn more about the mechanisms of transcriptional repression, the importance of repression by nuclear receptors in development and disease has become clear. The protein encoded by the mammalian Hairless (Hr) gene was shown to be a corepressor by virtue of its functional similarity to the well-established corepressors N-CoR and SMRT. Mutation of the Hr gene results in congenital hair loss in both mice and men. Investigation of Hairless function both in vitro and in mouse models in vivo has revealed a critical role in maintaining skin and hair by regulating the differentiation of epithelial stem cells, as well as a putative role in regulating gene expression via chromatin remodeling.
Nuclear Hormone Receptor Architecture - Form and Dynamics: The 2009 FASEB Summer Conference on Dynamic Structure of the Nuclear Hormone Receptors
Authors: McEwan Iain J. , Nardulli Ann M.
Published: January 2010

Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) represent a large and diverse family of ligand-activated transcription factors involved in regulating development, metabolic homeostasis, salt balance and reproductive health. The ligands for these receptors are typically small hydrophobic molecules such as steroid hormones, thyroid hormone, vitamin D3 and fatty acid derivatives. The first NHR structural information appeared ∼20 years ago with the solution and crystal structures of the DNA binding domains and was followed by the structure of the agonist and antagonist bound ligand binding domains of different NHR members. Interestingly, in addition to these defined structural features, it has become clear that NHRs also possess significant structural plasticity. Thus, the dynamic structure of the NHRs was the topic of a recent stimulating and informative FASEB Summer Research Conference held in Vermont.
Control of oocyte release by progesterone receptor-regulated gene expression
Authors: Robker Rebecca L. , Akison Lisa K. , Russell Darryl L.
Published: January 2010

The progesterone receptor (PGR) is a nuclear receptor transcription factor that is essential for female fertility, in part due to its control of oocyte release from the ovary, or ovulation. In all mammals studied to date, ovarian expression of PGR is restricted primarily to granulosa cells of follicles destined to ovulate. Granulosa cell expression of PGR is induced by the pituitary Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge via mechanisms that are not entirely understood, but which involve activation of Protein Kinase A and modification of Sp1/Sp3 transcription factors on the PGR promoter. Null mutations for PGR or treatment with PGR antagonists block ovulation in all species analyzed, including humans. The cellular mechanisms by which PGR regulates ovulation are currently under investigation, with several downstream pathways having been identified as PGR-regulated and potentially involved in follicular rupture. Interestingly, none of these PGR-regulated genes has been demonstrated to be a direct transcriptional target of PGR. Rather, in ovarian granulosa cells, PGR may act as an inducible coregulator for constitutively bound Sp1/Sp3 transcription factors, which are key regulators for a discrete cohort of ovulatory genes.
Creative Methods: Problematics for Inquiry and Pedagogy in Health and Social Care
Authors: McIntosh Paul , Sobiechowska Paula
Published: January 2010

This article provides an overview of initial discussions emerging from the Creative Methods Network, an informal organisation concerned with the use of the creative arts in research, teaching and practice in health and social care. Key issues are presented and contextualised with regard to the current conditions in which health and social care research and education is practised. Our own discussions have come to question the seeming dominance of governance within professional education programmes in which there is a primary focus on developing technical skill and capacity. Such governance often extends itself to the measurement of the implementation of these technical skills and this is set against concerns about the absence of creativity and the humanities in the educational programmes of caring for human beings. Consequently, the article reflects a view that the use of the creative arts and humanities in the education of the human caring professions is being eroded away in favour of technical-rational reasoning. It is argued that this then presents an important problem manifested in an emphasis on established and quantifiable knowledge transfer which inhibits other forms of knowledge generation. For the purposes of this discussion we have viewed this problem through the lenses offered by Foucault and Bourdieu.
Academic Identities in Flux: Ambivalent Articulations in a Post-1992 University
Authors: Garratt Dean , Hammersley-Fletcher Linda
Published: January 2010

The discourse of power and agency in higher education (HE) is strongly linked to political notions of autonomy and ‘academic freedom’. Recently, however, such notions have been impacted by sustained and ongoing sector-wide reform. With various checks and balances of accountability, surveillance and new forms of regulation, this has led to a reformulation of the academic habitus, creating turbulent sites of struggle and contestation. The intrusion of new targets and technologies has in turn challenged the intellectual freedoms of academics, promoting new vistas of empowerment and constraint. Changing academic identities and social and pedagogical relations have produced somewhat ‘ambivalent articulations’, in Morley's words, around the future relationship of teaching, research and administration in HE. In this article, we draw attention to some of these pressures in a case study of a post-1992 university where, in spite of more recent calls for it to succeed, research has traditionally emerged a poor second to the delivery of taught programmes. The article discusses the attitudes of academics towards the context of changing values and conditions and further considers the contested freedoms that are part of the evolving landscape of contemporary HE.
Scrutinising the Process of Adaptation to the European Higher Education Area in a Spanish University Degree Using Power Analysis
Authors: Boni Alejandra , Peris Jordi , López Estela , Hueso Andrés
Published: January 2010

In this article the authors explore power imbalances in a decision-making process to define the contents of a new Spanish degree adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), specifically the industrial design and product development engineering degree which started in the academic year 2009/10 at the Higher Technical School of Design Engineering (ETSID) at the Technical University of Valencia (UPV). They start the article with a description of the tool they used to analyse the power issues: the power cube, developed by John Gaventa. Then, they briefly explain the process of adaptation of the Bologna Process at the UPV in general and at the ETSID in particular. They introduce the methodology used in their research by referring to the type of questions asked and the criteria used to select their informants. Subsequently, they discuss the answers, paying special attention to three aspects: the quality of participation and the quality of the process; the types of power; and the concept of education. Lastly, they propose a series of recommendations intended to improve the quality of participation in deliberative processes at university.
The Professionalization of Comparative and International Education: Promises and Problems
Authors: Wiseman Alexander W. , Matherly Cheryl
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this study is to identify, describe, and analyze historical trends in the professionalization of the field of comparative and international education, as indicated by the founding, expansion, and evolution of the professional associations and graduate programs serving the field. Using historical and university data as well as unique membership data from the Comparative and International Education Society, the authors find that (1) professional associations and university programs in comparative and international education contribute to and secure control over expert knowledge, training and credentials; and (2) the merging of ‘comparative’ and ‘international’ education has contributed to the professionalization of the field. In particular, the authors find a simultaneous and complementary process of professionalization and fragmentation occurring within the field of comparative and international education.
The Crisis of the Post-Soviet Teaching Profession in the Caucasus and Central Asia
Authors: Silova Iveta
Published: January 2010

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the status of the teaching profession has begun to erode in the Caucasus and Central Asia as evidenced in such indicators as a teacher shortage, the feminization of the profession, an over-aged teaching force, a low transition rate from teacher education graduation to professional service, and a decrease of enrollment in teacher education programs at colleges and universities. While all of these indicators have been well documented, this article considers another indicator which may signal the low status of the teaching profession – the comparatively low results of centralized university examinations among students entering pre-service teacher education programs compared to more competitive, high-demand higher education programs. Using data from centralized university admission tests in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan for the 2007–08 academic year, the article illustrates that it is the lowest-performing students who are typically entering pre-service teacher education institutions, thus further undermining the prestige of the teaching profession and the quality of education in the former Soviet republics of the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Teachers' Understanding of Reconciliation and Inclusion in Mixed Schools of Four Troubled Societies
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos , Bekerman Zvi , McGlynn Claire , Ferreira Ana
Published: January 2010

In this article, the authors examine how teachers in four troubled societies – Israel, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and South Africa – understand and implement reconciliation in light of the increasing diversity of these societies. The authors particularly pay attention to a dialogical encounter between reconciliation and inclusion, as they look for ways to contemplate how each might be of mutual benefit in educational theory and practice. In the first part of the article, the authors give an overview of current thinking on reconciliation and its role in education, and suggest that the notion of inclusiveness can enrich it. The context of the research is then provided by looking briefly at the socio-political and educational settings in which the study was conducted, followed by a discussion of the research methodology. The findings from the study are then presented with the main themes identified as arising across the four research locations. These themes concern understandings of reconciliation and inclusion, student diversity, teachers' challenges, helping students deal with conflict, and teachers' development. Finally, whilst acknowledging the exploratory nature of these findings, the authors discuss what policy makers, school leaders and teachers might change about policies and practices for reconciliation education in the four settings studied and, by implication, other comparable settings.