bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutralization of Soluble, Synaptotoxic Amyloid β Species by Antibodies Is Epitope Specific
Authors: Zago Wagner , Buttini Manuel , Comery Thomas A. , Nishioka Christopher , Gardai Shyra J. , Seubert Peter , Games Dora , Bard Frédérique , Schenk Dale , Kinney Gene G.
Published: February 2012

Several anti-amyloid β (Aβ) antibodies are under evaluation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinical studies using the N-terminal-directed anti-Aβ antibody bapineuzumab have demonstrated reduced brain PET-Pittsburg-B signals, suggesting the reduction of Aβ plaques, and reduced levels of total and phosphorylated tau protein in the CSF of treated AD patients. Preclinical studies using 3D6 (the murine form of bapineuzumab) have demonstrated resolution of Aβ plaque and vascular burdens, neuritic dystrophy, and preservation of synaptic density in the transgenic APP mouse models. In contrast, few studies have evaluated the direct interaction of this antibody with synaptotoxic soluble Aβ species. In the current report, we demonstrated that 3D6 binds to soluble, synaptotoxic assemblies of Aβ1–42and prevents multiple downstream functional consequences in rat hippocampal neurons including changes in glutamate AMPA receptor trafficking, AD-type tau phosphorylation, and loss of dendritic spines.In vivo, we further demonstrated that 3D6 prevents synaptic loss and acutely reverses the behavioral deficit in the contextual fear conditioning task in transgenic mouse models of AD, two endpoints thought to be linked to synaptotoxic soluble Aβ moieties. Importantly C-terminal anti-Aβ antibodies were ineffective on these endpoints. These results, taken with prior studies, suggest that N-terminal anti-Aβ antibodies effectively interact with both soluble and insoluble forms of Aβ and therefore appear particularly well suited for testing the Aβ hypothesis of AD.
RAE-1, a Novel PHR Binding Protein, Is Required for Axon Termination and Synapse Formation inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Grill Brock , Chen Lizhen , Tulgren Erik D. , Baker Scott T. , Bienvenut Willy , Anderson Matthew , Quadroni Manfredo , Jin Yishi , Garner Craig C.
Published: February 2012

Previous studies inCaenorhabditis elegansshowed that RPM-1 (Regulator of Presynaptic Morphology-1) regulates axon termination and synapse formation. To understand the mechanism of howrpm-1functions, we have used mass spectrometry to identify RPM-1 binding proteins, and have identified RAE-1 (RNA Export protein-1) as an evolutionarily conserved binding partner. We define a RAE-1 binding region in RPM-1, and show that this binding interaction is conserved and also occurs between Rae1 and the human ortholog of RPM-1 called Pam (protein associated with Myc).rae-1loss of function causes similar axon and synapse defects, and synergizes genetically with two other RPM-1 binding proteins, GLO-4 and FSN-1. Further, we show that RAE-1 colocalizes with RPM-1 in neurons, and thatrae-1functions downstream ofrpm-1. These studies establish a novel postmitotic function forrae-1in neuronal development.
An Essential Role for Modulation of Hyperpolarization-Activated Current in the Development of Binaural Temporal Precision
Authors: Khurana Sukant , Liu Zhiqiang , Lewis Alan S. , Rosa Kristen , Chetkovich Dane , Golding Nace L.
Published: February 2012

In sensory circuits of the brain, developmental changes in the expression and modulation of voltage-gated ion channels are a common occurrence, but such changes are often difficult to assign to clear functional roles. We have explored this issue in the binaural neurons of the medial superior olive (MSO), whose temporal precision in detecting the coincidence of binaural inputs dictates the resolution of azimuthal sound localization. We show that in MSO principal neurons of gerbils during the first week of hearing, a hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) progressively undergoes a 13-fold increase in maximal conductance, a >10-fold acceleration of kinetics, and, most surprisingly, a 30 mV depolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation. This period is associated with an upregulation of the hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel subunits HCN1, HCN2, and HCN4 in the MSO, but only HCN1 and HCN4 were expressed strongly in principal neurons.Ihrecorded in nucleated patches from electrophysiologically mature MSO neurons (>P18) exhibited kinetics and an activation range nearly identical to theIhfound in whole-cell recordings before hearing onset. These results indicate that the developmental changes inIhin MSO neurons can be explained predominantly by modulation from diffusible intracellular factors, and not changes in channel subunit composition. The exceptionally large modulatory changes inIh, together with refinements in synaptic properties transform the coding strategy from one of summation and integration to the submillisecond coincidence detection known to be required for transmission of sound localization cues.
Neurochemical Enhancement of Conscious Error Awareness
Authors: Hester Robert , Nandam L. Sanjay , O'Connell Redmond G. , Wagner Joe , Strudwick Mark , Nathan Pradeep J. , Mattingley Jason B. , Bellgrove Mark A.
Published: February 2012

How the brain monitors ongoing behavior for performance errors is a central question of cognitive neuroscience. Diminished awareness of performance errors limits the extent to which humans engage in corrective behavior and has been linked to loss of insight in a number of psychiatric syndromes (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, drug addiction). These conditions share alterations in monoamine signaling that may influence the neural mechanisms underlying error processing, but our understanding of the neurochemical drivers of these processes is limited. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design of the influence of methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and citalopram on error awareness in 27 healthy participants. The error awareness task, a go/no-go response inhibition paradigm, was administered to assess the influence of monoaminergic agents on performance errors during fMRI data acquisition. A single dose of methylphenidate, but not atomoxetine or citalopram, significantly improved the ability of healthy volunteers to consciously detect performance errors. Furthermore, this behavioral effect was associated with a strengthening of activation differences in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and inferior parietal lobe during the methylphenidate condition for errors made with versus without awareness. Our results have implications for the understanding of the neurochemical underpinnings of performance monitoring and for the pharmacological treatment of a range of disparate clinical conditions that are marked by poor awareness of errors.
Visuotopic Cortical Connectivity Underlying Attention Revealed with White-Matter Tractography
Authors: Greenberg Adam S. , Verstynen Timothy , Chiu Yu-Chin , Yantis Steven , Schneider Walter , Behrmann Marlene
Published: February 2012

Visual attention selects behaviorally relevant information for detailed processing by resolving competition for representation among stimuli in retinotopically organized visual cortex. The signals that control this attentional biasing are thought to arise in a frontoparietal network of several brain regions, including posterior parietal cortex. Recent studies have revealed a topographic organization in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) that mirrors the retinotopic organization in visual cortex, suggesting that connectivity between these regions might provide the mechanism by which attention acts on early cortical representations. Using white-matter imaging and functional MRI, we examined the connectivity between two topographic regions of IPS and six retinotopically defined areas in visual cortex. We observed a strong positive correlation between attention modulations in visual cortex and connectivity of posterior IPS, suggesting that these white-matter connections mediate the attention signals that resolve competition among stimuli for representation in visual cortex. Furthermore, we found that connectivity between IPS and V1 consistently respects visuotopic boundaries, whereas connections to V2 and V3/VP disperse by 60%. This pattern is consistent with changes in receptive field size across regions and suggests that a primary role of posterior IPS is to code spatially specific visual information. In summary, we have identified white-matter pathways that are ideally suited to carry attentional biasing signals in visuotopic coordinates from parietal control regions to sensory regions in humans. These results provide critical evidence for the biased competition theory of attention and specify neurobiological constraints on the functional brain organization of visual attention.
The Representation of Biological Classes in the Human Brain
Authors: Connolly Andrew C. , Guntupalli J. Swaroop , Gors Jason , Hanke Michael , Halchenko Yaroslav O. , Wu Yu-Chien , Abdi Hervé , Haxby James V.
Published: February 2012

Evidence of category specificity from neuroimaging in the human visual system is generally limited to a few relatively coarse categorical distinctions—e.g., faces versus bodies, or animals versus artifacts—leaving unknown the neural underpinnings of fine-grained category structure within these large domains. Here we use fMRI to explore brain activity for a set of categories within the animate domain, including six animal species—two each from three very different biological classes: primates, birds, and insects. Patterns of activity throughout ventral object vision cortex reflected the biological classes of the stimuli. Specifically, the abstract representational space—measured as dissimilarity matrices defined between species-specific multivariate patterns of brain activity—correlated strongly with behavioral judgments of biological similarity of the same stimuli. This biological class structure was uncorrelated with structure measured in retinotopic visual cortex, which correlated instead with a dissimilarity matrix defined by a model of V1 cortex for the same stimuli. Additionally, analysis of the shape of the similarity space in ventral regions provides evidence for a continuum in the abstract representational space—with primates at one end and insects at the other. Further investigation into the cortical topography of activity that contributes to this category structure reveals the partial engagement of brain systems active normally for inanimate objects in addition to animate regions.
iPP/CNTs Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposite
Authors: Kalakonda Parvathalu , Sarkar Sabyasachi , Gombos Erin A. , Georgiev Georgi Yordanov , Iannacchione Germano , Cebe Peggy
Published: February 2012

We present a hybrid structure of Isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposite with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The polymer component contributes to the optical properties, flexibility and integrity of the polymer film while the carbon nanotubes change the thermal and mechanical stability, electrical and thermal conductivity and sensitivity. The multifunctional characteristics of this nanocomposite material are enhanced by anisotropic organization of the nanotubes and polymer through melt shearing which provides organization of the structural constituents at the molecular, nano, and micro length scales. This results in anisotropy of the macroscopic composite film properties parallel and perpendicular to the direction of shearing. On the molecular scale, the CNTs control the arrangement of the polymer molecules in a crystal lattice. On the nanometer scale, the CNTs couple to and align with the smectic normal of the liquid crystal phase of iPP. On the micron scale and larger, the secondary polymer crystal structure is rearranged due to the pinning of the polymer at the CNT surface to form fibrillar rather than spherulitic structures. These multi-scale rearrangements affect the optical, thermal, electrical, mechanical and chemical properties of the nanocomposite film. Our findings indicate that the CNTs under shear induce a novel anisotropy to the various thermo-physical properties of the iPP/CNTs films. We introduce an approach to extract the shear induced orientational order from the thermal conductivity of the dispersed CNTs. The index of refraction of the nanocomposites was also estimated via ellipsometry and was found to decrease slightly when CNTs were added and also showed shear induced anisotropy. The comparison between the results from the different experiments methods for probing induced anisotropy by melt shearing shows that orientation in iPP/CNTs nanocomposites induces anisotropy in multiple macroscopic properties.
Sustainability index for industrial buildings
Authors: Cuadrado Jesús , Rojí Eduardo , José José Tomás San , Reyes Juan Pedro
Published: February 2012

Evidence that the construction sector is aware of sustainability issues may be found in the large number of tools and methodologies that exist to perform sustainability evaluation. The great majority centre on environmental parameters and only in a few cases are economic and social components studied. Within the sector, it is the industrial building that is the least familiar with sustainability, in an area where tools and methodologies for practical applications hardly exist at all. A methodology for sustainability evaluation that is applied to industrial buildings is proposed in this work. It not only takes account of environmental parameters but also examines economic and social ones, in order to generate a sustainability index value for industrial buildings.
Tracing impacts of partner abundance in facultative pollination mutualisms: from individuals to populations
Authors: Geib Jennifer C. , Galen Candace
Published: February 2012

Partner abundance affects costs and benefits in obligate mutualisms, but its role in facultative partnerships is less clear. We address this gap in a pollination web consisting of two clovers (Trifolium) that differ in specialization on a bumble bee pollinator Bombus balteatus. We examine how pollination niche breadth affects plant responses to pollinator abundance, comparing early‐flowering (specialized) and late‐flowering (generalized) cohorts of T. parryi and early T. parryi to T. dasyphyllum, a pollination generalist. Co‐pollinators disrupt the link between B. balteatus visitation and pollination rate for both clovers. Only for early‐flowering T. parryi do visitation, pollination, and seed set increase with density of B. balteatus. Bumble bee density also alters timing of seed germination in T. parryi, with seeds from plants receiving augmented B. balteatus germinating sooner than seeds of open‐pollinated counterparts. Benefits saturate at intermediate bumble bee densities. Despite strong effects of B. balteatus density on individual plant fitness components, population models suggest little impact of B. balteatus density on λ in T. parryi or T. dasyphyllum. Findings show that functional redundancy in a pollinator guild mediates host‐plant responses to partner density. Unexpected effects of pollinator density on life history schedule have implications for recruitment under pollinator decline.
Herbivory by an introduced Asian weevil negatively affects population growth of an invasive Brazilian shrub in Florida
Authors: Stricker Kerry Bohl , Stiling Peter
Published: February 2012

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) is often cited to explain why some plants successfully invade natural communities while others do not. This hypothesis maintains that plant populations are regulated by coevolved enemies in their native range but are relieved of this pressure where their enemies have not been co‐introduced. Some studies have shown that invasive plants sustain lower levels of herbivore damage when compared to native species, but how damage affects fitness and population dynamics remains unclear. We used a system of co‐occurring native and invasiveEugeniacongeners in south Florida (USA) to experimentally test the ERH, addressing deficiencies in our understanding of the role of natural enemies in plant invasion at the population level. Insecticide was used to experimentally exclude insect herbivores from invasiveEugenia unifloraand its native co‐occurring congeners in the field for two years. Herbivore damage, plant growth, survival, and population growth rates for the three species were then compared for control and insecticide‐treated plants. Our results contradict the ERH, indicating thatE. uniflorasustains more herbivore damage than its native congeners and that this damage negatively impacts stem height, survival, and population growth. In addition, most damage toE. uniflora, a native of Brazil, is carried out byMyllocerus undatus, a recently introduced weevil from Sri Lanka, andM. undatusattacks a significantly greater proportion ofE. unifloraleaves than those of its native congeners. This interaction is particularly interesting becauseM. undatusandE. uniflorashare no coevolutionary history, having arisen on two separate continents and come into contact on a third. Our study is the first to document negative population‐level effects for an invasive plant as a result of the introduction of a novel herbivore. Such inhibitory interactions are likely to become more prevalent as suites of previously noninteracting species continue to accumulate and new communities assemble worldwide.
Testing a pyroclimatic hypothesis on the Mexico–United States border
Authors: Fulé Peter Z. , Yocom Larissa L. , Montaño Citlali Cortés , Falk Donald A. , Cerano Julián , Villanueva-Díaz José
Published: February 2012

The “pyroclimatic hypothesis” proposed by F. Biondi and colleagues provides a basis for testable expectations about climatic and other controls of fire regimes. This hypothesis asserts an a priori relationship between the occurrence of widespread fire and values of a relevant climatic index. Such a hypothesis provides the basis for predicting spatial and temporal patterns of fire occurrence based on climatic control. Forests near the Mexico–United States border offer a place to test the relative influence of climatic and other controls in mountain ranges that are ecologically similar and subject to broadly similar top‐down climatic influence, but with differing cultural influences. We tested the pyroclimatic hypothesis by comparing fire history information from the Mesa de las Guacamayas, a mountain range in northwestern Chihuahua, with previously published fire data from the Chiricahua Mountains, in southeastern Arizona, approximately 150 km away. We developed a priori hypothetical models of fire occurrence and compared their performance to empirical climate‐based models. Fires were frequent at all Mesa de las Guacamayas study sites through the mid‐20th century and continued uninterrupted to the present at one site, in contrast to nearly complete fire exclusion after 1892 at sites in the Chiricahua Mountains. The empirical regression models explained a higher proportion of the variability in fire regime associated with climate than did the a priori models. Actual climate–fire relationships diverged in each country after 1892. The a priori models predicted continuing fires at the same rate per century as prior to 1892; fires did in fact continue in Mexico, albeit with some alteration of fire regimes, but ceased in the United States, most likely due to changes in land use. The cross‐border comparison confirms that a frequent‐fire regime could cease without a climatic cause, supporting previous arguments that bottom‐up factors such as livestock grazing can rapidly and drastically alter surface fire regimes. Understanding the historical patterns of climate controls on fire could inform the use of historical data as ecological reference conditions and for future sustainability.
A Comparative Study of Corrosive-Erosive Effects at AISI D3 Steel, 304 Stainless Steel and CrN/AlN Material
Authors: C. Caicedo J. , Cabrera G. , H. Caicedo H. , Aperador W.
Published: February 2012

Corrosive-erosive effect on AISI D3 steel, 304 stainless steel and CrN/AlN coating in aqueous NaCl slurries
was studied. CrN/AlN multilayer films with a thickness of 3 µm and bilayer period of Λ = 60 nm (50 bilayers) were
obtained by using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique (magnetron sputtering). The corrosion-erosion
experiments were performed in a test machine in which the impingement velocity, impact angle, concentration of solids
and pH of the solution were controlled. Polarization curves were simultaneously obtained to correlate the electrochemical
effects to the erosive wear mechanisms. The slurry used consists of silica particles suspended in a mixture of acid solution
and 3.5% NaCl, with a pH value of 5.6. Electrochemical results showed the best corrosion resistance for 304 stainless
steels. Additionally, the surface analysis by SEM micrograph revealed formation of cracks in CrN/AlN multilayers
coating and plastic deformation in both steel substrates (AISI D3 steel, 304 stainless steel), especially when the mean
impact angle is a critical value of 90°. Measurements of critical and passive current densities showed that the behavior of
coated materials differed depending on the substrate that is used. Nonetheless, in a general way, by increasing the impact
angle and by changing its incidence from normal to grazing, it led to a resistance to corrosion-erosion processes.
A County-Level Examination of the Relationship Between HIV and Social Determinants of Health: 40 States, 2006-2008
Authors: Z Gant , M Lomotey , H.I Hall , X Hu , X Guo , R Song
Published: February 2012

Background:

Social determinants of health (SDH) are the social and physical factors that can influence unhealthy or risky behavior. Social determinants of health can affect the chances of acquiring an infectious disease – such as HIV – through behavioral influences and limited preventative and healthcare access. We analyzed the relationship between social determinants of health and HIV diagnosis rates to better understand the disparity in rates between different populations in the United States.

Methods:

Using National HIV Surveillance data and American Community Survey data at the county level, we examined the relationships between social determinants of health variables (e.g., proportion of whites, income inequality) and HIV diagnosis rates (averaged for 2006-2008) among adults and adolescents from 40 states with mature name-based HIV surveillance.

Results:

Analysis of data from 1,560 counties showed a significant, positive correlation between HIV diagnosis rates and income inequality (Pearson correlation coefficientρ= 0.40) and proportion unmarried – ages >15 (ρ= 0.52). There was a significant, negative correlation between proportion of whites and rates (ρ= -0.67). Correlations were low between racespecific social determinants of health indicators and rates.

Conclusions/Implications:

Overall, HIV diagnosis rates increased as income inequality and the proportion unmarried increased, and rates decreased as proportion of whites increased. The data reflect the higher HIV prevalence among non-whites. Although statistical correlations were moderate, identifying and understanding these social determinants of health variables can help target prevention efforts to aid in reducing HIV diagnosis rates. Future analyses need to determine whether the higher proportion of singles reflects higher populations of gay and bisexual men.
Partner Referral by HIV-Infected Persons to Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) - Results from a Demonstration Project
Authors: Song Binwei , Begley Elin B , Lesondak Linda , Voorhees Kelly , Esquivel Magdalena , Merrick Ronald L , Carrel Jack , Sebesta Douglas , Vergeront James , Shrestha Dhana , Oraka Emeka , Walker Annisa , Heffelfinger James D
Published: February 2012

Objective:

The objectives of this article are to determine factors associated with refusal and agreement to provide partner information, and evaluate the effectiveness of referral approaches in offering PCRS.

Methods:

Index clients from 5 sites that used 3 different PCRS approaches were interviewed to obtain demographic and risk characteristics and choice of partner referral method for PCRS. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with providing partner information.

Results:

The percentage of index clients who refused to provide partner information varied by site (7% to 88%). Controlling for PCRS approach, index clients who were older than 25 years, male, or reported having male-male sex in the past 12 months were more likely (p <0.01) to refuse to provide partner information. Overall, 72% of named partners referred by index clients were located and offered PCRS. The proportion of partners who were located and offered PCRS differed by referral approach used, ranging from 38% using contract referral (index clients agree to notify their partners within a certain timeframe, else a disease intervention specialist or health care provider will notify them) to 98% using dual referral (index clients notify their partners with a disease intervention specialist or provider present).

Conclusion:

Success in obtaining partner information varied by the PCRS approach used and effectiveness in locating and notifying partners varied by the referral approach selected. These results provide valuable insights for enhancing partner services.
Development of shrinkage resistant microfibre-reinforced cement-based composites
Authors: Hamedanimojarrad P. , Adam G. , Ray A. , Thomas P. , Vessalas K.
Published: February 2012

Different shrinkage types may cause serious durability dilemma on restrained concrete parts due to crack formation and propagation. Several classes of fibres are used by concrete industry in order to reduce crack size and crack number. In previous studies, most of these fibre types were found to be effective in reducing the number and sizes of the cracks, but not in shrinkage strain reduction. This study deals with the influence of a newly introduced type of polyethylene fibre on drying shrinkage reduction. The novel fibre is a polyethylene microfibre in a new geometry, which is proved to reduce the amount of total shrinkage in mortars. This special hydrophobic polyethylene microfibre also reduces moisture loss of mortar samples. The experimental results on short and long-term drying shrinkage as well as on several other properties are reported. The hydrophobic polyethylene microfibre showed promising improvement in shrinkage reduction even at very low concentrations (0.1% of cement weight).
Femoral Neck Stress Fracture in a Military Trainee
Authors: Duquette Thomas L. , Watson Daniel J.
Published: February 2012

The patient was a 21-year-old female who was currently enrolled in a military security forces training program. She had a 1-month history of worsening left anterior hip pain that was insidious in nature and limiting her ability to run. The patient was diagnosed as having a left hip strain, prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, given a reduced activity waiver, and referred to a physical therapist. Despite previous radiographs of the pelvis and hips that were interpreted as normal, the history and physical examination findings led the physical therapist to be concerned about the presence of a possible femoral neck stress fracture. Immediate magnetic resonance imaging of the left hip was obtained, which revealed a stress fracture of the basicervical portion of the left femoral neck. The patient was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon for an expedited consultation and underwent open reduction internal fixation of the left hip later that day. After a period of convalescence and completion of a comprehensive rehabilitation program, the patient successfully returned to full military duty without limitations. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(12):834. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.0421
Reliability and Relationship Between 2 Measurements of Transversus Abdominis Dimension Taken During an Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver Using a Novel Approach of Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Jhu Jhong-Lin , Chai Huei-Ming , Jan Mei-Hwa , Wang Chung-Li , Shau Yio-Wha , Wang Shwu-Fen
Published: February 2012

Study Design

Reliability study of clinical measurement.

Objectives

The primary purpose was to develop a reliable method for measuring muscle length changes of the transversus abdominis (TrA) during contraction. The secondary purpose was to investigate the relationship between changes in thickness and length (as indicated by the lateral sliding of the anterior muscle-fascia junction) of the TrA muscle during an abdominal drawing-in maneuver. We also provide data on between-day reliability of change in thickness (ΔT) of the TrA.

Background

Ultrasound imaging measurements of TrA thickness at rest (Thr) and during maximal contraction (Thm) have been shown to be reliable. However, limited data exist on quantifying changes in TrA length (as indicated by the lateral sliding of the muscle-fascia junction [Δx]) and ΔT during contraction.

Methods

Eighteen healthy adults (mean ± SD age, 22.6 ± 2.5 years) participated in this study. Brightness mode ultrasound images of the TrA were collected at rest and during an abdominal drawing-in maneuver. Subjects were examined by the same examiner twice within a 48-hour period. ΔT, ΔT/Thr, Thr, Thm, and Δx of the TrA were calculated. Medial-lateral movement of the transducer during measurement was corrected through a custom-written program that used an internal marker created by an echo-absorptive thread attached to the skin. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1), within-subject coefficient of variance, and standard error of measurement were calculated. The relationship between ΔT and adjusted Δx of the TrA muscle was investigated.

Results

The ICC values for Thr, Thm, and ΔT of the TrA muscle were greater than 0.75, with the exception of the left ΔT (0.62) and left ΔT/Thr (0.49). After adjusting for medial-lateral motion of the transducer, the ICC values of adjusted Δx were above 0.75, and the within-subject coefficient of variance was below 10%. There was no significant correlation between ΔT and adjusted Δx of the TrA.

Conclusion

Ultrasound imaging measurements of TrA thickness and length change were shown to be reliable using a novel method to control for medial-lateral transducer motion. Measuring different but unrelated dimensional changes in the TrA might provide further insight as to the function of the TrA. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(12):826–832.doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3000
Femoroacetabular Impingement in a High School Female Athlete
Authors: Reiman Michael P. , Stovak Mark , Dart Bradley R.
Published: February 2012

The patient was a 17-year-old female who was referred to a physical therapist by her primary-care physician with a chief complaint of bilateral hip and groin pain. The patient was treated by the physical therapist for 8 weeks, but she was unable to successfully return to playing soccer. The patient was subsequently referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, who ordered a magnetic resonance arthrogram that did not reveal intra-articular pathology. To further evaluate bony morphology, computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstructions was ordered, which demonstrated findings consistent with cam-type femoroacetabular impingement.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(12):982. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0425
The Pearls and Pitfalls of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Spine
Authors: Elliott James , Flynn Timothy , Al-Najjar Aiman , Press Joel , Nguyen Bao , Noteboom Jon Timothy
Published: February 2012

Synopsis

Musculoskeletal imaging of the spine can be an invaluable tool to inform clinical decision making in patients with spinal pain. An understanding of the technology involved in producing and interpreting high-resolution images produced from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human spine is necessary to better appreciate which sequences can be used for, or tailored to, individual patients and their conditions. However, there is substantial variability in the clinical meaningfulness of some MRI findings of spinal tissues. For example, normal variants can often mimic significant musculoskeletal pathology, which could increase the risk of misinformed clinical decisions and, even worse, poor or adverse outcomes. This clinical commentary will highlight some of the pearls and pitfalls of MRI for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, and include cases to illustrate some of the common imaging artifacts and normal variants for MRI of the spine. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(11):848–860. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3636
Are We Asking the Right Questions?
Authors: Amundsen Cheryl , Wilson Mary
Published: February 2012

This is a conceptual review of the literature variously referred to as faculty development, educational development, instructional development, and academic development in higher education. Previous empirical reviews covering more than 30 years of published literature could draw only tentative and weak conclusions about the effectiveness of educational development practices. The authors used different questions that queried the nature of educational development practice and the thinking underlying practice. Their conceptual review yielded a framework with six foci of practice (skill, method, reflection, disciplinary, institutional, and action research or inquiry) that was drawn from an analysis of the design elements of the educational development practices in the research they reviewed and from an analysis of the conceptual, theoretical, and empirical literature cited by those articles. This six-cluster framework provides a new way of thinking about the design of practice and a more meaningful basis for investigating the effectiveness of educational development practice.
Decomposition Analysis of the Mechanism Behind the Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Changes in Carbon Bio-Sequestration in China
Authors: Zhan Jinyan , Yan Haiming , Chen Bin , Luo Jiao , Shi Nana
Published: February 2012

Great attention has been paid to carbon bio-sequestration due to increasing concerns over global warming. Understanding the relationship between carbon bio-sequestration and its influencing factors is of great significance for formulating appropriate management measures for global warming mitigation. Since change in carbon bio-sequestration is a complex process, it is difficult to take into account all of its influencing factors, while the panel data model may provide an effective way to measure their subtle effects. In this paper, decomposition analysis is applied to further analyze these influencing factors. The results indicate that climatic, demographic and geographical variables play important roles in explaining the spatial heterogeneity of carbon bio-sequestration in China, which is consistent with previous researches. Meanwhile, the irrigation rate is found to be the most critical factor influencing carbon bio-sequestration changes, followed by climatic and economic factors. These results may provide decision makers in China with important scientific reference information for formulating regional carbon bio-sequestration management policies, which are of great significance to alleviating and adapting to global warming.
A Review on Research on Replacement of CH4 in Natural Gas Hydrates by Use of CO2
Authors: Zhao Jiafei , Xu Kun , Song Yongchen , Liu Weiguo , Lam Weihaur , Liu Yu , Xue Kaihua , Zhu Yiming , Yu Xichong , Li Qingping
Published: February 2012

This paper introduces the research advances on replacement of CH4 in Natural Gas Hydrates (NGHs) by use of CO2 and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the method on the natural gas production from such hydrates. Firstly, the feasibility of replacement is proven from the points of view of kinetics and thermodynamics, and confirmed by experiments. Then, the latest progress in CH4 replacement experiments with gaseous CO2, liquid CO2 and CO2 emulsion are presented Moreover, the superiority of CO2 emulsion for replacement of CH4 is emphasized. The latest experiment progress on preparation of CO2 emulsions are introduced. Finally, the advancements in simulation research on replacement is introduced, and the deficiencies of the simulations are pointed. The factors influencing on the replacement with different forms of CO2 are analyzed and the optimum conditions for the replacement of CH4 in hydrated with different forms of CO2 is suggested.
The Driving Forces of Guest Substitution in Gas Hydrates—A Laser Raman Study on CH4-CO2 Exchange in the Presence of Impurities
Authors: Beeskow-Strauch Bettina , Schicks Judith Maria
Published: February 2012

The recovery of CH4 gas from natural hydrate formations by injection of industrially emitted CO2 is considered to be a promising solution to simultaneously access an unconventional fossil fuel reserve and counteract atmospheric CO2 increase. CO2 obtained from industrial processes may contain traces of impurities such as SO2 or NOx and natural gas hydrates may contain higher hydrocarbons such as C2H6 and C3H8. These additions have an influence on the properties of the resulting hydrate phase and the conversion process of CH4-rich hydrates to CO2-rich hydrates. Here we show results of a microscopic and laser Raman in situ study investigating the effects of SO2-polluted CO2 and mixed CH4-C2H6 hydrate on the exchange process. Our study shows that the key driving force of the exchange processes is the establishment of the chemical equilibrium between hydrate phase and the surrounding phases. The exchange rate is also influenced by the guest-to-cavity ratio as well as the thermodynamic stability in terms of p-T conditions of the original and resulting hydrate phase. The most effective molecule exchange is related to structural changes (sI-sII) which indicates that hydrate decomposition and reformation processes are the occurring processes.
Thermodynamic Stability of Structure H Hydrates Based on the Molecular Properties of Large Guest Molecules
Authors: Tezuka Kyoichi , Taguchi Tatsuhiko , Alavi Saman , Sum Amadeu K. , Ohmura Ryo
Published: February 2012

This paper report analyses of thermodynamic stability of structure-H clathrate hydrates formed with methane and large guest molecules in terms of their gas phase molecular sizes and molar masses for the selection of a large guest molecule providing better hydrate stability. We investigated the correlation among the gas phase molecular sizes, the molar masses of large molecule guest substances, and the equilibrium pressures. The results suggest that there exists a molecular-size value for the best stability. Also, at a given molecule size, better stability may be available when the large molecule guest substance has a larger molar mass.
A Flexible Object-of-Interest Annotation Framework for Online Video Portals
Authors: Sorschag Robert
Published: February 2012

In this work, we address the use of object recognition techniques to annotate what is shown where in online video collections. These annotations are suitable to retrieve specific video scenes for object related text queries which is not possible with the manually generated metadata that is used by current portals. We are not the first to present object annotations that are generated with content-based analysis methods. However, the proposed framework possesses some outstanding features that offer good prospects for its application in real video portals. Firstly, it can be easily used as background module in any video environment. Secondly, it is not based on a fixed analysis chain but on an extensive recognition infrastructure that can be used with all kinds of visual features, matching and machine learning techniques. New recognition approaches can be integrated into this infrastructure with low development costs and a configuration of the used recognition approaches can be performed even on a running system. Thus, this framework might also benefit from future advances in computer vision. Thirdly, we present an automatic selection approach to support the use of different recognition strategies for different objects. Last but not least, visual analysis can be performed efficiently on distributed, multi-processor environments and a database schema is presented to store the resulting video annotations as well as the off-line generated low-level features in a compact form. We achieve promising results in an annotation case study and the instance search task of the TRECVID 2011 challenge.
Impaired Iron Status in Aging Research
Authors: Xu Jinze , Jia Zhenhua , Knutson Mitchell D. , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan
Published: February 2012

Aging is associated with disturbances in iron metabolism and storage. During the last decade, remarkable progress has been made toward understanding their cellular and molecular mechanisms in aging and age-associated diseases using both cultured cells and animal models. The field has moved beyond descriptive studies to potential intervention studies focusing on iron chelation and removal. However, some findings remain controversial and inconsistent. This review summarizes important features of iron dyshomeostasis in aging research with a particular emphasis on current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying age-associated disorders in rodent models.
Antioxidant Activity of Mulberry Fruit Extracts
Authors: Arfan Muhammad , Khan Rasool , Rybarczyk Anna , Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: February 2012

Phenolic compounds were extracted from the fruits of Morus nigra and Morus alba using methanol and acetone. The sugar-free extracts (SFEs) were prepared using Amberlite XAD-16 column chromatography. All of the SFEs exhibited antioxidant potential as determined by ABTS (0.75–1.25 mmol Trolox/g), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (EC50 from 48 μg/mL to 79 μg/mL), and reducing power assays. However, a stronger activity was noted for the SFEs obtained from Morus nigra fruits. These extracts also possessed the highest contents of total phenolics: 164 mg/g (methanolic SFE) and 173 mg/g (acetonic SFE). The presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts was confirmed using HPLC method and chlorogenic acid and rutin were found as the dominant phenolic constituents in the SFEs.
Les button brooches de Picardie et du Pas-de-Calais : aperçus typologique, «généalogique » et chronologique
Authors: Suzuki Seiichi
Published: February 2012

Bei der angelsächsischen Fibel (button brooch) handelt es sich um eine kleine, runde, schalenförmige Fibel mit einem Durchmesser von ungefähr 20 mm, deren einziger Schmuck aus einer menschlichen Maske besteht. Der Artikel beginnt mit einem erschöpfenden Inventar der in Frankreich gefundenen angelsächsischen Schalenfibeln, deren Zahl sich im Januar 2007 auf 26 belief, dann werden die Fibeln unter dem typologischen, « genealogischen » und chronologischen Gesichtspunkt untersucht, wobei die Funde aus der Picardie und dem Pas-de-Calais besondere Berucksichtigung finden.
La nécropole mérovingienne de Saint-Sauveur (Somme) Suivi de : La nécropole de Saint-Sauveur (Somme). Chronologie
Authors: Legoux René , Ben Redjeb Tahar
Published: February 2012

En 1986 et 1987, dans la commune de Saint-Sauveur (Somme), quatre cents tombes mérovingiennes ont fait l’objet d’une fouille de sauvetage. Si quatre mois ont suffi pour sortir leurs occupants d’un repos qu’ils croyaient éternel, il aura fallu patienter vingt ans - presqu’une éternité ! - pour qu’ils livrent une partie de leur secrets. Occupée à partir du dernier quart du Ve siècle apr. J.-C., à partir d’un noyau fondateur, la nécropole s’est développée jusque dans le courant du VIIIe siècle, se caractérisant par une forte fréquentation au VIIe siècle. Celle-ci se traduit notamment par de nombreux recoupements inhérents à un espace clos. Sans être d’une richesse exceptionnelle, les sépultures qui ont échappé aux pillages systématiques ont cependant livré leur lot d’objets habituels qui viennent compléter le corpus de l’abondant mobilier mérovingien exhumé dans le département. Nous citerons notamment quelques grandes plaque-boucles d’une grandeur exceptionnelle, trois chaînes-ceintures et les éléments décoratifs d’une pyxide. La publication débute par la présentation de la nécropole et des rites funéraires. L’étude synthétique du mobilier précède l’inventaire exhaustif des sépultures, systématiquement illustré par les plans des tombes ayant livré du mobilier ou présentant des caractéristiques particulières. Enfin, afin d’être le plus complet possible, nous avons jugé utile d’insérer dans un CD le plan des tombes sans mobilier ainsi que l’intégralité de la documentation photographique. Nous avons cependant un regret. C’est de n’avoir pu bénéficier des premiers résultats de l’étude anthropologique et paléopathologique préliminaire de Saint-Sauveur menée dans le cadre du projet européen du Global History of Health. Cette étude, qui vient d’être achevée par une étudiante en PhD de l’Université de l’Ohio à Columbus, fera l’objet d’une thèse qui devrait être soutenue à l’automne 2007.
A PRACTICAL APPROACH FOR THE DERIVATION OF ALGEBRAICALLY STABLE TWO-STEP RUNGE-KUTTA METHODS
Authors: Conte Dajana , D'Ambrosio Raffaele , Jackiewicz Zdzislaw , Paternoster Beatrice
Published: February 2012

We describe an algorithm, based on a new strategy recently proposed by Hewitt and Hill in the context of general linear methods, for the construction of algebraically stable two-step Runge-Kutta methods. Using this algorithm we obtained a complete characterization of algebraically stable methods with one and two stages.
Factors Affecting the Academic Progression of Associate Degree Graduates
Authors: Munkvold Julia , Tanner Christine A. , Herinckx Heidi
Published: February 2012

The Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE) is a coalition of community colleges and the campuses of the Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), created to share a competency-based curriculum by which associate degree graduates from an OCNE campus are eligible to complete requirements for the bachelor’s degree after 1 year of additional full-time study. Since 2006, three graduating classes from consortium community college programs have graduated 760 students eligible for direct transfer to OHSU; however, only 228 (30%) have actually transferred. This study aimed to explore the factors that influenced the 208 graduates in the class of 2010 not to transfer. The primary reasons for discontinuing their nursing education, in ranked order, were financial concerns, conflict with time and energy for work, and conflict with time and energy for family. This study has implications for achieving the academic progression goals recommended in the Institute of Medicine’s
The Future of Nursing
report.
Lessons from the ITS Program
Authors: Norton Priscilla , Hathaway Dawn
Published: February 2012

Educators concerned with building technology-rich preservice teacher education seek inspiration in many places. Looking to successful graduate programs might serve to inform those who seek a foundation on which to build successful programs. With years of experience experimenting and studying teacher education at the graduate, inservice level have led to a set of design strategies the authors recommend as guides to making robust decisions about technology-rich preservice teacher education. This chapter is divided into three sections. The first section presents a brief discussion of preservice teacher technology education and the Integration of Technology in Schools (ITS) advanced studies graduate program. The second presents five guiding design strategies to inform the continuous process of technology-rich teacher education. The chapter concludes with a third section that discusses the implications of those design strategies for preservice teacher education.
Supplementing the Learning Management System
Authors: Jones Stephanie A. , Green Lucilia , Hodges Charles B. , Kennedy Kathryn , Downs Elizabeth , Repman Judi , Clark Kenneth F.
Published: February 2012

This chapter describes how and why Web 2.0 tools are being used in a completely online M.Ed. program in Instructional Technology. Examples of specific tools and their implementation are provided along with the theoretical or pragmatic bases for their use. McGee and Diaz’s (2007) categories for Web 2.0 tools, documentative, communicative, generative, interactive, and collaborative, are used to structure the examples. A description of the evolution of the M.Ed. program and reasons for supplementing learning management systems with Web 2.0 tools establishes the context of the discussion.