bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small-World Network Models of Intercellular Coupling Predict Enhanced Synchronization in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Authors: Vasalou Christina , Herzog Erik D. , Henson Michael A.
Published: May 2009

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is a multioscillator system that drives daily rhythms in mammalian behavior and physiology. Based on recent data implicating vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) as the key intercellular synchronizing agent, we developed a multicellular SCN model to investigate the effects of cellular heterogeneity and intercellular connectivity on circadian behavior. A 2-dimensional grid was populated with 400 model cells that were heterogeneous with respect to their uncoupled rhythmic behavior (intrinsic and damped pacemakers with a range of oscillation periods) and VIP release characteristics (VIP producers and nonproducers). We constructed small-world network architectures in which local connections between VIP producing cells and their 4 nearest neighbors were augmented with random connections, resulting in long-range coupling across the grid. With only 10% of the total possible connections, the small-world network model was able to produce similar phase synchronization indices as a mean-field model with VIP producing cells connected to all other cells. Partial removal of random connections decreased the synchrony among neurons, the amplitude of VIP and cAMP response element binding protein oscillations, the mean period of intrinsic periods across the population, and the percentage of oscillating cells. These results indicate that small-world connectivity provides the optimal compromise between the number of connections and control of circadian amplitude and synchrony. This model predicts that small decreases in long-range VIP connections in the SCN could have dramatic effects on period and amplitude of daily rhythms, features commonly described with aging.
Subjective Well-Being Is Modulated by Circadian Phase, Sleep Pressure, Age, and Gender
Authors: Birchler-Pedross Angelina , Schröder Carmen M. , Münch Mirjam , Knoblauch Vera , Blatter Katharina , Schnitzler-Sack Corina , Wirz-Justice Anna , Cajochen Christian
Published: May 2009

Subjective well-being largely depends on mood, which shows circadian rhythmicity and can be linked to rhythms in many physiological circadian markers, such as melatonin and cortisol. In healthy young volunteers mood is influenced by an interaction of circadian phase and the duration of time awake. The authors analyzed this interaction under differential sleep pressure conditions to investigate age and gender effects on subjective well-being. Sixteen healthy young (8 women, 8 men; 20-35 years) and 16 older volunteers (8 women, 8 men; 55-75 years) underwent a 40-h sleep deprivation (high sleep pressure) and a 40-h nap protocol (low sleep pressure) in a balanced crossover design under constant routine conditions. Mood, tension, and physical comfort were assessed by visual analogue scales during scheduled wakefulness, and their average formed a composite score of well-being. Significant variations in well-being were determined by the factors “age,” “sleep pressure,” and “circadian phase.” Well-being was generally worse under high than low sleep pressure. Older volunteers felt significantly worse than the young under both experimental conditions. Significant interactions were found between “sleep pressure” and “age,” and between “sleep pressure” and “gender.” This indicated that older volunteers and women responded with a greater impairment in well-being under high compared with low sleep pressure. The time course of well-being displayed a significant circadian modulation, particularly in women under high sleep pressure conditions. The results demonstrate age- and/or gender-related modifications of well-being related to sleep deprivation and circadian phase and thus point to specific biological components of mood vulnerability.
Fish Oil Supplementation Lowers C‐Reactive Protein Levels Independent of Triglyceride Reduction in Patients With End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Bowden Rodney G. , Wilson Ronald L. , Deike Erika , Gentile Mindy
Published: May 2009

Background: Inflammation has been identified as a marker for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of fish oil fatty acid supplementation on C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: The study uses a double‐blind, permuted‐randomized, and placebo‐controlled experimental protocol. Patients are randomly placed into a fish oil group or a control group. Thirty‐three patients in the experimental and control groups ingest 2 soft‐gel pills (1 g each) of fish oil supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or placebo at each meal. Patients follow the supplementation protocol for 6 months. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to measure pretest and posttest differences in the variable of interest. A Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test for normality is used to test whether CRP levels are normally distributed. Results: The Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test for CRP finds a P value of .273 (KS = .997), revealing that the distribution is normal. ANOVA reveals no statistically significant difference between groups at baseline for CRP (F = 4.118, P = .053). ANOVA reveals a significant main effect (F = 4.29, P = .048) for CRP, with the EPA/DHA group having a significant change in values from pretest (16 mg/dL, standard deviation [SD] = 13.80) to posttest (10.22 mg/dL, SD = 7.87). The placebo group's CRP levels do not change significantly from pretest (13.37, standard deviation [SD] = 7.94) to posttest (13.67, SD = 7.07). An observed power calculation using Cohen's D with a computed α of .05 is .588. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that consuming 960 mg/d of EPA and 600 mg/d of DHA can lower CRP.
Utilizing Affirmative Action in Public Sector Procurement as a Local Economic Development Strategy
Authors: Bates Timothy
Published: May 2009

Using detailed spending and survey data of a large local governmental authority, this study analyzes how actual preferential procurement policies affected minority business enterprises (MBEs) selling to government clients. Current public sector preferential procurement policies have evolved in an environment of legal constraints in which procurement spending targeting MBEs has often been viewed as reverse discrimination. The objective of achieving a “level playing field” was adopted in response to this legal environment. Preferential procurement policies often miss their objectives, achieving perverse outcomes such as minimal assistance to MBEs and negligible local economic development impacts. Strategies for simultaneously achieving fundamental fairness in government procurement while increasing MBE capacity and job creation are identified.
Gender Ideology Construction
Authors: Vespa Jonathan
Published: May 2009

Using life course and intersectional perspectives, this study examines how changes in life experiences such as marriage, parenthood, and work are associated with changes in individuals' gender ideology. Using longitudinal survey data and fixed effects, findings suggest that exposure to these experiences influences gender ideology, though with greater variation than previous work has detected. Marriage exerts an egalitarian influence on Blacks but a less egalitarian one on whites. Parenthood has a less egalitarian effect for all married parents but an egalitarian one for most unmarried parents. These findings suggest that gender ideology is dynamic and life experiences are important sources of change. Furthermore, this change depends on individuals' race-gender categories and the configuration of life events to which they are exposed. These nuanced findings amend past work by better identifying for whom and under which conditions life experiences shape gender ideology. In doing so, this study illustrates how the conceptual and methodological approaches help us understand gender ideology construction by revealing substantial variation that went undetected in past work.
Bethlem's Irish: migration and distress in nineteenth-century London
Authors: Bhavsar Vishal , Bhugra Dinesh
Published: May 2009

Association between migration and mental illness is widely reported. This study aimed to gain insight into the mental health of Irish migrants into Britain in the years 1843—53. Casebooks from the period were examined for Irish ethnicity, and clinical profiles were compared with those of age-matched control samples. Irish-born patients were found to have a greater proportion of diagnoses of mania than controls (p ≤ 0.01). They were more likely to be admitted for 12 months or longer (p ≤ 0.001) and more likely to receive religious attributions for illnesses by the treating physician. The more common diagnosis of mania in the Irish group can be explained in terms of the effects of migration, differences in idioms of distress, or in terms of prejudice.
Encountering hysteria: doctors' and patients' perspectives on hysteria in Denmark, 1875—1918
Authors: Møllerhøj Jette
Published: May 2009

The history of hysteria stretches over several millennia and contains a plethora of different understandings and interpretations. This paper focuses on a central part of its Danish history, from the last decades of the nineteenth-century `age of nervousness' until the end of World War I. It is argued that the understanding and negotiation of hysteria and its explanations took place in a complex interaction between doctors and their patients. Whereas the psychiatrists during this period moved towards an understanding of hysteria as a functional disorder, the patients, of whom approximately one-third were male, maintained that their illness was of somatic origin, and closely related to social, economic and working conditions.
The Evolution of Social Pacts in the EMU Era: What Type of Institutionalization?
Authors: Natali David , Pochet Philippe
Published: May 2009

This article examines the emergence and evolution of social pacts in European countries in the last 20 years. While the changing constraints related to the different phases of the Monetary Union and actors' interests and resources are usually interpreted as key variables, we add a more institutionalist perspective. We analyse four countries to trace the role of institutional dynamics: while in Ireland and Spain the first pacts have been stabilized, in Italy and Portugal we see a more limited or `uneven' institutionalization. The dynamic interpretation of institutional trends and critical events helps remedy some of the limits of the traditional literature on social pacts.
Holocene vegetation and environmental reconstructions from swamp deposits in the Dargaville region of the North Island, New Zealand: implications for the history of kauri (Agathis australis)
Authors: D'Costa Donna , Boswijk Gretel , Ogden John
Published: May 2009

Multiproxy analysis of two swamps, representative of numerous sites in the Dargaville area, provide a Holocene record of a transition from flooded marine valleys to freshwater swamp-forests. Dendrochronology of subfossil wood from these and other associated sites provide a record of kauri ( Agathis) growth and demise over 3600 calendar years. A discrepancy between the abundance of kauri pollen and the timing of maximum kauri forest development, as revealed by dendrochronology, suggests that kauri pollen abundance at our sites is determined by the wetness of the substrate rather than by proximity of source trees. This finding has implications for the palaeoclimatic interpretation of late Quaternary Agathis pollen curves. Kauri has been present in the Dargaville area for more than 7000 14C yr BP with suitable conditions for the preservation of wood leading to an apparent expansion in Agathis population after ~3600 cal. yr BP rather than representing a southerly migration of this species.
Lateglacial and Holocene hydroclimate inferred from a groundwater flow-through lake, Northern Rocky Mountains, USA
Authors: Shapley M.D. , Ito E. , Donovan J.J.
Published: May 2009

Climate-driven variations in lake-groundwater exchange are recorded by sediments in groundwater-dominated lakes. A groundwater flow-through lake in west-central Montana (USA) registers latest Pleistocene and Holocene hydroclimatic variation in fluid and solute balance, as controlled by rates and timing of groundwater recharge. Early Holocene warming occurred under conditions of relative aridity and low groundwater throughflow, punctuated by a c. 450-yr episode of lake dilution centered on 11 000 cal. yr BP. Maximum evaporative concentration of lake waters, registered in both δ18O values and mineralogy of endogenic carbonates, coincided with the early-Holocene peak in insolation seasonality at about 9750 cal. yr BP. Subsequently, progressively decreasing lake residence time drove a sustained long-term decline in salinity while having a very subdued effect on mean δ18O values. We explain this decoupling by (1) limits placed on oxygen isotope sensitivity by groundwater throughflow, and (2) a shift toward greater summer rain contribution to lake inflow after mid-Holocene time. Superimposed multidecadal- and century-scale variation in lake—groundwater exchange generated high-frequency but low-amplitude isotopic oscillations throughout the record. High rates of groundwater throughflow maintaining low lake salinity similar to that observed today were established around 1400 cal. yr BP. We infer reduced regional stream baseflow, decrease in permanent wetlands (relative increase in ephemeral wetlands) and enhanced lake and wetland salinity prior to this time, relative to the late Holocene.
A 900-yr diatom and chrysophyte record of spring mixing and summer stratification from varved Lake Mina, west-central Minnesota, USA
Authors: Jacques Jeannine-Marie St , Cumming Brian F. , Smol John P.
Published: May 2009

A high-resolution, independent pollen-inferred paleoclimate record and direct algal seasonality data from the actual time of sediment deposition are used to interpret the high-resolution diatom and chrysophyte record of varved Lake Mina, west-central Minnesota, USA during AD 1116—2002. This direct algal seasonality information was obtained by splitting varves into constituent winter-spring and summer lamina, and separately analyzing the siliceous algae in each layer. Analyses of integrated, continuous four-year diatom and chrysophyte samples from a sedimentary sequence show that the time period AD 1116—1478 (ie, the Atlantic-centered `Medieval Climate Anomaly' (MCA)) was characterized by periods of vigorous and prolonged spring mixing, suggesting that ice-out occurred early. However, the warm summer temperatures in the MCA, particularly in a massive drought spanning AD 1300—1400, frequently caused the lake to stratify strongly, leading to nutrient depletion. During AD 1478—1870 (ie, the Atlantic-centered `Little Ice Age' (LIA)), Lake Mina was characterized by weak spring circulation and increasing nutrient depletion, suggesting late ice-out conditions. Strong summer stratification and/or nutrient depletion in both time periods is shown by the occurrence of the nutrient-poor oligotrophic taxon Cyclotella pseudostelligera. The diatom and chrysophyte assemblages of the period of Euro-American settlement AD 1870—2002 show higher nutrient availability and increased spring mixing intensity, as a result of forest clearance and increasingly earlier ice-out (documented in regional historical records).
Jurisdiction and Scale: Legal `Technicalities' as Resources for Theory
Authors: Valverde Mariana
Published: May 2009

Since the 1980s, critical studies of law and space have fruitfully explored the insight that law's mechanisms can be understood in part as mapping exercises. Existing work on law's scales (especially that using a post-colonial studies frame) has delved into the qualitative as well as the quantitative dimensions of scale, thus exposing some key epistemological issues in law. This article moves the discussion forward by demonstrating that theoretical work on `scale' — outside and inside legal studies — could benefit from studying specifically legal mechanisms such as `jurisdiction'. Recent work has shown that the various modes and rationalities of governance that coexist in every political-legal `interlegality' are not necessarily tethered to any particular scale; thus, exploring jurisdiction's effects takes us beyond scale. As an example, the knowledge moves that constitute what in the USA is called `the police power of the state' are briefly discussed. The fact that the gaze of police science/police regulation is not simply geographically local, but is rather specifically urban, shows the importance of understanding the complex governing manoeuvres enabled by the legal game of jurisdiction — especially if work on `scale' and jurisdiction is then supplemented by a consideration of the plural temporalities of governance, since temporality tends to become invisible both in analyses that privilege space and in the somewhat static diagrams of governance that make up the game of jurisdiction.
Motor Development in Canadian Infants of Asian and European Ethnic Origins
Authors: Mayson Tanja A. , Backman Catherine L. , Harris Susan R. , Hayes Virginia E.
Published: May 2009

Ethnic origin is one factor that may influence the rate or sequence of infant motor development, interpretation of screening test results, and decisions regarding early intervention. The primary purpose of this study is to compare motor development screening test scores from infants of Asian and European ethnic origins. Using a cross-sectional design, the authors analyzed Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) scores of 335 infants of Asian and European origins. Factorial ANOVA results indicated no significant differences in test scores between infants from these two groups. Although several limitations should be considered, results of this study indicate that practitioners can be relatively confident in using the HINT to screen infants of both origins for developmental delays.
An International Criminal Tribunal for Iraq After the First Gulf War
Authors: Rhea Harry M.
Published: May 2009

After the First Gulf War in 1991, President George H. W. Bush called for creating an ad hoc criminal tribunal similar to the Nuremberg Trial that prosecuted the Nazi Major War Criminals at the conclusion of World War II, to prosecute Saddam Hussein and other Ba’ath Party leaders for crimes against humanity, genocide, and the crime of aggression. Excluding the United Kingdom, the idea of an international criminal tribunal to prosecute Saddam did not gain strong support in the international community and eventually the United States’ initiative diminished. After years of human rights atrocities and the belief of possession of weapons of mass destruction, the United States, along with the United Kingdom and other supporting states, invaded Iraq in March 2003. As a result, the moral authority of the invading states, particularly the United States, has become jeopardized throughout the international community. This article reviews the historical events of the First Gulf War, the consideration of an international criminal tribunal to prosecute Saddam Hussein by the United States from 1991 to 2002, and how the moral reputation of the United States in the international society may be different today if an international criminal tribunal for Iraq had been created after the First Gulf War.
Segregation and Disparities in Health Services Use
Authors: Gaskin Darrell J. , Price Adrian , Brandon Dwayne T. , LaVeist Thomas A.
Published: May 2009

We compared race disparities in health services use in a national sample of adults from the 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and data from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities Project, a 2003 survey of adult residents from a low-income integrated urban community in Maryland. In the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, African Americans were less likely to have a health care visit compared with Whites. However, in the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities Project, the integrated community, African Americans were more likely to have a health care visit than Whites. The race disparities in the incidence rate of health care use among persons who had at least one visit were similar in both samples. Our findings suggest that disparities in health care utilization may differ across communities and that residential segregation may be a confounding factor.
Development and Characterization of Spaghetti with High Resistant Starch Content Supplemented with Banana Starch
Authors: Hernández-Nava R.G. , Berrios J. De J. , Pan J. , Osorio-Díaz P. , Bello-Perez L.A.
Published: May 2009

Spaghetti developed by substituting semolina with 5, 10, 15, and 20% (w/w) banana starch were evaluated by specific physical and chemical parameters such as chemical composition, resistant starch (RS) content, diameter, bulk density, color, cooked weight, cooking loss, and firmness. They were also evaluated by their sensory attributes. In general, the addition of banana starch promoted a dilution effect on protein, lipid, and ash content, while moisture content was not affected. On the other hand, the content of RS significantly increased ( p50.05) with an increase of banana starch in the spaghetti. Spaghetti containing 5 and 10% of banana starch had similar diameter than the control spaghetti, but the diameter of spaghetti with 15 and 20% banana starch were significantly lower ( p50.05). The bulk density values of spaghetti with banana starch were all similar and not different from the control spaghetti. The values of ΔL* indicated that the color of spaghetti containing banana starch was darker than the control at all levels of substitution, while the values of ΔC* indicated that only spaghetti containing banana starch in the range of 10—20% was less saturated than the control. The evaluation of cooking quality demonstrated that the cooked weight of spaghetti containing banana starch was similar to the control, but their cooking loss was significantly higher and their firmness significantly lower ( p50.05) than the control. However, the values of cooking loss and firmness were in the acceptable range for good quality pasta. Sensory evaluation of the product showed that the addition of banana starch improved the acceptability of the spaghetti. The overall result of this study shows that spaghetti with up to 15% of banana starch addition could have great potential for commercial acceptability as a functional food with high levels of healthy RS.
Antioxidant and Nutritional Properties of Date Fruit from Elche Grove as Affected by Maturation and Phenotypic Variability of Date Palm
Authors: Amorós A. , Pretel M.T. , Almansa M.S. , Botella M.A. , Zapata P.J. , Serrano M.
Published: May 2009

Some parameters related to nutritive and functional properties were evaluated in date fruit from seven date palms from the Elche grove along the maturation process, in order to obtain information about differences due to phenotypic variability. Results showed that sugar and organic acid concentration were different depending on date palm, the highest levels being reached at 100% Rutab stage, with glucose and fructose as the predominant sugars and malic acid as the major organic acid. Hydrophilic total antioxidant activity (HTAA) was high and correlated to phenolic content, with maxima levels being found at early, medium or late Khalal stages, depending on date palm. In addition, significant differences were found in both, phenolic concentration and HTAA among date palm and maturation stages, while lipophilic total antioxidant activity (LTAA) was very low, without changes along maturation and not correlated to HTAA. Then, date fruit from Elche grove could serve as a good source of natural antioxidant and it would be advisable to consume them at medium or late Khalal stages, in order to achieve the maxima nutritional (high concentration of sugars and organic acids), organoleptic (appropriated firmness levels, yellow or red color and low astringency) and functional properties with benefits to human health.
State of the Field Review: Stories So Far: An Overview of the Research on Lesbian Teachers
Authors: Ferfolja Tania
Published: May 2009

This article examines the academic literature that addresses the experiences of lesbian teachers working in western schooling systems. It illustrates that although all individuals have a right to work in a safe and secure context, lesbian teachers face an on-going trend of silencing, marginalization and discrimination in the workplace. Issues of harassment and the need to negotiate one's sexuality continue to prevail. Although lesbian and gay research has been a burgeoning field of enquiry over the last two decades, no comprehensive review has been published that specifically targets the professional lives of lesbian teachers. This is despite the potential use of such knowledge in the development of educational, recruitment, and social policy and/or anti-discrimination legislation. This compilation seeks to address this lacuna and to simultaneously raise both researcher and practitioner awareness of the ongoing limitations, obstacles and injustices faced by lesbian teachers in the workplace. It also importantly illustrates the theoretical developments in understanding such experience while highlighting that these women are not simply oppressed victims but possess power and agency.
(S)excerpts from a Life Told: Sex, Gender and Learning Disability
Authors: Rogers Chrissie
Published: May 2009

This is an article about Sarah's sexual teenage journey, seen through the lens of her mother, the author. It tackles learning disability, sexual experimentation, education, governance and responsibility. By using an autoethnographical method the article speaks personally to these intimate lived experiences and yet broadly and contextually these issues can give further insight into the difficult social processes that permeate surveillance and control, of sexual activity amongst a particular group of adults (young, learning disabled), by way of legal practice and sex education; family practices and the negotiation of power and control over sexual activity; and sexual citizenship and rights to a sexual identity.
Becoming a Sexual Being: Overcoming Constraints on Female Sexuality
Authors: Wagner Brooke
Published: May 2009

Sexuality researchers have traced changes in intimacy across time. In this article, I outline the facets of what sexuality researchers note as 'modern' sexuality and 'postmodern' sexuality. I discuss how each type of sexuality carries a specific construction of intimacy. I present five autoethnographic stories developed from my field journals while studying the swinging 'lifestyle'. Using thematic analysis of narrative, I treat each story as data for analysis. By discussing my personal constructions of intimacy I create a relatable story that demonstrates the lasting elements of essentialist gender norms, consistent with modern sexuality, that are sometimes overlooked in postmodern sexuality research.
Creating space: hospital bedside displays as facilitators of communication between children and nurses
Authors: Lewis Peter , Kerridge Ian , Jorden Christopher F.C.
Published: May 2009

Over the past decades there has been a marked change in the physical environment of children's hospitals and the configuration of individual bed spaces. No longer the stark, clinical spaces typical of years gone by, the modern hospital bed space hosts a variety of visual displays reflecting different aspects of the child's life. Building upon ideas introduced by Lewis and informed by a recent qualitative study into hospital bedside displays, this article discusses the role that displays can play in developing, deepening and enriching relationships between nurses, patients and their families in the paediatric hospital environment. It discusses the links between hospital and home, the specific function of the display of photographs and the nurse's role in `knowing' the patient and facilitating links between hospital and home. It concludes that nurses' conscious observations of a visually rich environment may make a positive contribution to the care that they deliver for the benefit of their patients and themselves.
Qualitative evaluation of a young carers' initiative
Authors: Richardson Kathleen , Jinks Annette , Roberts Brenda
Published: May 2009

This focus of this article is a qualitative, evaluative study of three Crossroads young carers projects. Focus group discussions took place with 24 young people aged 11—16 years. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis approach. The themes of the research were: experiences of being a young carer, peer support, opportunities for time out and purposeful activities. The personal characteristics of the participants give rise to a number of worrying conclusions, that relatively young people were found to be undertaking primary caring roles over long periods of time. However, the groups were found to provide opportunities for young carers to experience a positive environment, participate in purposeful activities and have the chance to develop new friendships. Nevertheless, the literature suggests that provision of such projects is inadequate and under-resourced, which may disadvantage further a group of young people who are known to come from lower income families.
Continuities and Discontinuities
Authors: Michael Suzanne
Published: May 2009

Using the migration narratives collected during a qualitative study of immigrant adolescent girls from 35 nations living in New York City, this article explores the intersection between adolescence and migration, and how adolescent immigrant girls' family relationships are impacted by the pattern of their migration. Unit of migration, e.g. intact family, parent/child, and/or process of migration e.g. mother-first and prolonged parent-child separations, were found to frequently presage positive or negative post-arrival family experiences. The findings suggest the need for social work scholars and practitioners to focus more on the dynamic intersection of migration patterns and adolescent development. The article identifies specific interventions that may reduce the occurrence of immigrant related stresses amongst adolescents, as well as areas for further research.
Latin in Transition
Authors: Lister Bob
Published: May 2009

This article examines the challenges and demands — particularly those relating to the reading of Latin texts in the original — faced by Classics students in England in their first year of university study. Arguing that the examination system in schools encourages rote learning of texts rather than the development of reading skills, the article outlines an approach adopted with first-year students at the University of Cambridge to help them develop the reading strategies, especially the predictive skills, needed to move from laborious translation and memorization to confident, fluent reading of Latin texts. After setting this approach in a wider context the article concludes with a brief consideration of lessons to be learnt from a project in Belgium to introduce the `linear' approach to reading Latin.
young American immigrant children's interpretations of popular culture
Authors: Lee Lena
Published: May 2009

This article explores how young Korean immigrant girls (age five to eight) living in the United States interpreted American popular culture by discussing their interpretations of Disney animated films. In particular, it scrutinizes these girls' understanding of the idea of monarchy — in this case, the process of and the qualification for a ruler — in the films. In addition, this article looks closely at the girls' perspectives on what it means to be a princess in the films by connecting such perspectives to their sense of Korean ethnicity. Finally, it provides some suggestions and implication for researchers and early childhood educators.
Female Juvenile Delinquents’ Reactions to a Reading Program: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Sanger Dixie , Ritzman Mitzi , Schaefer Lauren , Belau Don
Published: May 2009

Older students who struggle with reading are more motivated to participate in instructional intervention if they are interested in the program. This mixed methods study examined opinions and reactions of 41 female juvenile delinquents on a 1-hour demonstration of the START-IN (STudents Are Responding To INtervention) reading program. Following a demonstration of the 16 reading tasks, participants ranging in age from 13 to 18 years responded to four multiple-choice and one open-ended item. Quantitative and qualitative findings revealed that one half or more of the participants reacted favorably to the level of difficulty, age appropriateness, importance of information, and future participants’ willingness to participate on tasks. Three themes, including their opinions of the task and reading, their prediction of how future participants would respond to implementation, and information pertaining to metacognition, emerged from 308 comments to open-ended items. Intervention implications were also considered.
The role of the gubernaculum in the descent and undescent of the testis
Authors: Hutson John M. , Nation T. , Balic A. , Southwell B.R.
Published: May 2009

Testicular descent to the scrotum involves complex anatomical rearrangements and hormonal regulation. The gubernaculum remains the key structure, undergoing the `swelling reaction' in the transabdominal phase, and actively migrating out of the abdominal wall to the scrotum in the inguinoscrotal phase. Insulin-like hormone 3 (Insl3) is the primary regulator of the first phase, possibly augmented by Müllerian inhibiting substance/anitmüllerian hormone (MIS/AMH), and regression of the cranial suspensory ligament by testosterone. The inguinoscrotal phase is controlled by androgens acting both directly on the gubernaculum and indirectly via the genitofemoral nerve, and release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from its sensory fibres. Outgrowth of the gubernaculum and elongation to the scrotum has many similarities to an embryonic limb bud.

Cryptorchidism occurs because of both failure of migration congenitally, and failure of elongation of the spermatic cord postnatally. Germ cell development postnatally is disturbed in congenital cryptorchidism, but our current understanding of germ cell biology suggests that early orchidopexy, around 6 months of age, should provide a significant improvement in prognosis compared with a previous generation. Hormone treatment is not currently recommended. Acquired cryptorchid testes may need orchidopexy once they no longer reach the scrotum, although this remains controversial.
Direct susceptibility testing for multi drug resistant tuberculosis: A meta-analysis
Authors: Bwanga Freddie , Hoffner Sven , Haile Melles , Joloba Moses L
Published: May 2009

Background

One of the challenges facing the tuberculosis (TB) control programmes in resource-limited settings is lack of rapid techniques for detection of drug resistant TB, particularly multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). Results obtained with the conventional indirect susceptibility testing methods come too late to influence a timely decision on patient management. More rapid tests directly applied on sputum samples are needed. This study compared the sensitivity, specificity and time to results of four direct drug susceptibility testing tests with the conventional indirect testing for detection of resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid in M. tuberculosis. The four direct tests included two in-house phenotypic assays – Nitrate Reductase Assay (NRA) and Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility (MODS), and two commercially available tests – Genotype® MTBDR and Genotype® MTBDRplus (Hain Life Sciences, Nehren, Germany).

Methods

A literature review and meta-analysis of study reports was performed. The Meta-Disc software was used to analyse the reports and tests for sensitivity, specificity, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curves. Heterogeneity in accuracy estimates was tested with the Spearman correlation coefficient and Chi-square.

Results

Eighteen direct DST reports were analysed: NRA – 4, MODS- 6, Genotype MTBDR® – 3 and Genotype® MTBDRplus – 5. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for detection of resistance to rifampicin were 99% and 100% with NRA, 96% and 96% with MODS, 99% and 98% with Genotype® MTBDR, and 99% and 99% with the new Genotype® MTBDRplus, respectively. For isoniazid it was 94% and 100% for NRA, 92% and 96% for MODS, 71% and 100% for Genotype® MTBDR, and 96% and 100% with the Genotype® MTBDRplus, respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curves was in ranges of 0.98 to 1.00 for all the four tests. Molecular tests were completed in 1 – 2 days and also the phenotypic assays were much more rapid than conventional testing.

Conclusion

Direct testing of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance in M. tuberculosis was found to be highly sensitive and specific, and allows prompt detection of MDR TB.
Generation of an external guide sequence library for a reverse genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Yan Qitao , Zhao Rui , Zheng Wenlin , Yin Changxin , Zhang Bao , Ma Wenli
Published: May 2009

Background

A method for inhibiting the expression of particular genes using external guide sequences (EGSs) has been developed in bacteria, mammalian cells and maize cells.

Results

To examine whether EGS technology can be used to down-regulate gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), we generated EGS-Ngfp-lacZ and EGS-Mtgfp that are targeted against Ngfp-lacZ and Mtgfp mRNA, respectively. These EGSs were introduced, both separately and together, into the C. elegans strain PD4251, which contains Ngfp-lacZ and Mtgfp. Consequently, the expression levels of Ngfp-lacZ and Mtgfp were affected by EGS-Ngfp-lacZ and EGS-Mtgfp, respectively. We further generated an EGS library that contains a randomized antisense domain of tRNA-derived EGS ("3/4 EGS"). Examination of the composition of the EGS library showed that there was no obvious bias in the cloning of certain EGSs. A subset of EGSs was randomly chosen for screening in the C. elegans strain N2. About 6% of these EGSs induced abnormal phenotypes such as P0 slow postembryonic growth, P0 larval arrest, P0 larval lethality and P0 sterility. Of these, EGS-35 and EGS-83 caused the greatest phenotype changes, and their target mRNAs were identified as ZK858.7 mRNA and Lin-13 mRNA, respectively.

Conclusion

EGS technology can be used to down-regulate gene expression in C. elegans. The EGS library is a research tool for reverse genetic screening in C. elegans. These observations are potentially of great importance to further our understanding and use of C. elegans genomics.
Risk factors for delirium in intensive care patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Van Rompaey Bart , Elseviers Monique M , Schuurmans Marieke J , Shortridge-Baggett Lillie M , Truijen Steven , Bossaert Leo
Published: May 2009

Introduction

Delirium is a common complication in the intensive care unit. The attention of researchers has shifted from the treatment to the prevention of the syndrome necessitating the study of associated risk factors.

Methods

In a multicenter study at one university hospital, two community hospitals and one private hospital, all consecutive newly admitted adult patients were screened and included when reaching a Glasgow Coma Scale greater than 10. Nurse researchers assessed the patients for delirium using the NEECHAM Confusion Scale. Risk factors covered four domains: patient characteristics, chronic pathology, acute illness and environmental factors. Odds ratios were calculated using univariate binary logistic regression.

Results

A total population of 523 patients was screened for delirium. The studied factors showed some variability according to the participating hospitals. The overall delirium incidence was 30%. Age was not a significant risk factor. Intensive smoking (OR 2.04), daily use of more than three units of alcohol (OR 3.23), and living alone at home (OR 1.94), however, contributed to the development of delirium. In the domain of chronic pathology a pre-existing cognitive impairment was an important risk factor (OR 2.41). In the domain of factors related to acute illness the use of drains, tubes and catheters, acute illness scores, the use of psychoactive medication, a preceding period of sedation, coma or mechanical ventilation showed significant risk with odds ratios ranging from 1.04 to 13.66. Environmental risk factors were isolation (OR 2.89), the absence of visit (OR 3.73), the absence of visible daylight (OR 2.39), a transfer from another ward (OR 1.98), and the use of physical restraints (OR 33.84).

Conclusions

This multicenter study indicated risk factors for delirium in the intensive care unit related to patient characteristics, chronic pathology, acute illness, and the environment. Particularly among those related to the acute illness and the environment, several factors are suitable for preventive action.
Determinants of postoperative acute kidney injury
Authors: Abelha Fernando José , Botelho Miguela , Fernandes Vera , Barros Henrique
Published: May 2009

Introduction

Development of acute kidney injury (AKI) during the perioperative period is associated with increases in morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and determinants of postoperative AKI after major noncardiac surgery in patients with previously normal renal function.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was carried out in the multidisciplinary Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with five intensive care beds. The study population consisted of 1166 patients with no previous renal insufficiency who were admitted to these intensive care unit (ICU) beds over 2 years. After admission patients were followed for the development of AKI, defined as proposed by The Acute Kidney Injury Network (increment of serum creatinine [greater than or equal to] 0.3 mg/dL or 50% from baseline within 48 hours or urine output < 0.5 mL/kg/hr for > 6 hours despite fluid resuscitation when applicable). Patient preoperative characteristics, intraoperative management and outcome were evaluated for associations with acute kidney injury using an univariate and multiple logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 1597 patients were admitted to the PACU and of these, 1166 met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-seven patients (7.5%) met AKI criteria. Univariate analysis identified age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, emergency surgery, high risk surgery, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart disease and Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) score as independent preoperative determinants for AKI in the postoperative period. Multivariate analysis identified ASA physical status, RCRI score, high risk surgery and congestive heart disease as preoperative determinants for AKI in the postoperative period. Patients that developed AKI had higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, higher PACU length of stay (LOS), higher PACU mortality, higher hospital mortality and higher mortality at 6 months follow-up. AKI was an independent risk factor for hospital mortality (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.41 to 6.93, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

This study shows that age, emergency and high risk surgery, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart disease, ASA physical status and RCRI score were considered risk factors for the development of AKI, in patients needing intensive care after surgery. AKI has serious impact on PACU length of stay and mortality. AKI was an independent risk factor for hospital mortality.
Thyroid Hormone (T3)-Induced Up-Regulation of Voltage-Activated Sodium Current in Cultured Postnatal Hippocampal Neurons Requires Secretion of Soluble Factors from Glial Cells
Authors: Niederkinkhaus Vanessa , Marx Romy , Hoffmann Gerd , Dietzel Irmgard D.
Published: May 2009

We have previously shown that treatment with the thyroid hormone T3 increases the voltage-gated Na+current density (Nav-D) in hippocampal neurons from postnatal rats, leading to accelerated action potential upstrokes and increased firing frequencies. Here we show that the Na+ current regulation depends on the presence of glial cells, which secrete a heat-instable soluble factor upon stimulation with T3. The effect of conditioned medium from T3-treated glial cells was mimicked by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), known to be released from cerebellar glial cells after T3 treatment. Neutralization assays of astrocyte-conditioned media with anti-bFGF antibody inhibited the regulation of the Nav-D by T3. This suggests that the up-regulation of the neuronal sodium current density by T3 is not a direct effect but involves bFGF release and satellite cells. Thus glial cells can modulate neuronal excitability via secretion of paracrinely acting factors.
The Trade-Off between Rigor and Relevance: Sraffian Economics as a Case in Point
Authors: Blaug Mark
Published: May 2009

Piero Sraffa published Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities in 1960, and this enigmatic little book invited explanations of its meaning, particularly as its subtitle, Prelude to a Critique of Economic Theory, held out hopes of an ambitious research program. In the almost half-century since its publication, it has attracted a small following, particularly in Europe, but it has failed to make much of an impact on American academic economics. This is odd because Sraffian economics in many ways satisfies the relentless concern of mainstream American economics with mathematical rigor. As a species of general equilibrium theory, Sraffian economics is indeed rigoros but it appears to be irrelevant to the sort of issues that concern modern economists.
Charles Dunoyer and the Emergence of the Idea of an Economic Cycle
Authors: Benkemoune Rabah
Published: May 2009

This article shows that Charles Dunoyer sought to reinterpret Sismondi's theory of crises in a manner that would render it compatible with Say's political economy. While Sismondi considered that crises of overproduction proved the dysfunctionality of an economy founded upon free competition and called for legislative intervention, Dunoyer drew the conclusion that such economies were naturally subject to alternating periods of “activity” and “relapse.” Using the innovative idea of the cycle, Dunoyer incorporated Sismondi's theory into the Sayardian conception of political economy in which men have to adapt their behaviour to the nature of things, or suffer the consequences.
Queer Family Romance
Authors: Munro Brenna M.
Published: May 2009

This essay examines the often overlooked role that the idea of gay rights played in producing the new imaginary of the postapartheid “rainbow nation”—and its neoliberal economic order. I suggest that the figure of the gay person became an embodiment of political change, symbolically mediating conflicts within multiracial modernity in South Africa's emergent public culture, and I analyze the work done by queer “minor characters” in novels by Nadine Gordimer and J. M. Coetzee. None to Accompany Me (1994), The House Gun (1998), and Disgrace (1999) all tell the story of white, middle-class Anglo-South Africans whose struggle to adjust to the new era includes dealing with the revelation that their children are not straight. These novels dramatize how the narrative of the nation as a raced, heterosexual family romance was in crisis after apartheid, and reconstitute their families in queer new configurations—raising questions about the flexibility and persistence of the trope of reproductivity. These texts ask how whites are to “come out” as national subjects and indicate that sexuality alone cannot be the grounds for reinventing race and nation without an attention to systemic economic injustice.