bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Failure of Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Leads
Authors: Borleffs C. Jan Willem , van Erven Lieselot , van Bommel Rutger J. , van der Velde Enno T. , van der Wall Ernst E. , Bax Jeroen J. , Rosendaal Frits R. , Schalij Martin J.
Published: April 2009

Background—

Despite the positive effect on mortality in selected patients, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy is also associated with potential malfunction of the implanted system. The present study provides the long-term lead failure rate in a large single-center cohort.

Methods and Results—

Since 1992, a total of 2068 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients with 2161 defibrillation leads were prospectively collected. Data of the implant procedure and all follow-up visits were recorded. All cases of lead removal or capping or placing of an additional pace or sense lead were noted and analyzed. Lead models were grouped by manufacturer and approximate lead diameter in French. During a mean follow-up of 36 months, 82 (3.8%) cases of lead failure were identified. Cumulative incidence of lead failure at 1 year was 0.6%; at 5 years, 6.5%; and at 10 years, 16.4%. The highest risk of lead failure was found in small-diameter leads. Adjusted hazard ratio was 6.4 (95% CI, 3.2 to 12.8) for Medtronic 7F leads, when compared with all other leads.

Conclusions—

In this large single-center experience, the overall incidence of lead failure was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.6) per 100 lead-years. Comparison of different groups of leads shows major differences in event rates. Specific manufacturer’s small-diameter defibrillation leads may have a higher risk of early lead failure.
Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Compared With Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Reynolds Matthew R. , Zimetbaum Peter , Josephson Mark E. , Ellis Ethan , Danilov Tatyana , Cohen David J.
Published: April 2009

Background—

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) has emerged as an important treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF). The potential cost-effectiveness of RFA for AF, relative to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy, has not been fully explored from a US perspective.

Methods and Results—

We constructed a Markov disease simulation model for a hypothetical cohort of patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF, treated either with RFA with/without AAD or AAD alone. Costs and quality-adjusted life-years were projected over 5 years. Model inputs were drawn from published clinical trial and registry data, from new registry and trial data analysis, and from data prospectively collected from patients with AF treated with RFA at our institution. We assumed no benefit from ablation on stroke, heart failure or death, but did estimate changes in quality-adjusted life expectancy using data from several AF cohorts. In the base case scenario, cumulative costs with the RFA and AAD strategies were $26 584 and $19 898, respectively. Over 5 years, quality-adjusted life expectancy was 3.51 quality-adjusted life-years with RFA versus 3.38 for the AAD group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for RFA versus AAD was thus $51 431 per quality-adjusted life-year. Model results were most sensitive to time horizon, the relative utility weights of successful ablation versus unsuccessful drug therapy, and to the cost of an ablation procedure.

Conclusions—

RFA with/without AAD for symptomatic, drug-refractory paroxysmal AF appears to be reasonably cost-effective compared with AAD therapy alone from the perspective of the US health care system, based on improved quality of life and avoidance of future health care costs.
Ca/Calmodulin Kinase II Differentially Modulates Potassium Currents
Authors: Wagner Stefan , Hacker Elena , Grandi Eleonora , Weber Sarah L. , Dybkova Nataliya , Sossalla Samuel , Sowa Thomas , Fabritz Larissa , Kirchhof Paulus , Bers Donald M. , Maier Lars S.
Published: April 2009

Background—

Potassium currents contribute to action potential duration (APD) and arrhythmogenesis. In heart failure, Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is upregulated and can alter ion channel regulation and expression.

Methods and Results—

We examine the influence of overexpressing cytoplasmic CaMKIIδ
C
, both acutely in rabbit ventricular myocytes (24-hour adenoviral gene transfer) and chronically in CaMKIIδ
C
-transgenic mice, on transient outward potassium current (I
to
), and inward rectifying current (I
K1
). Acute and chronic CaMKII overexpression increases I
to,slow
amplitude and expression of the underlying channel protein K
V
1.4. Chronic but not acute CaMKII overexpression causes downregulation of I
to,fast
, as well as K
V
4.2 and KChIP2, suggesting that K
V
1.4 expression responds faster and oppositely to K
V
4.2 on CaMKII activation. These amplitude changes were not reversed by CaMKII inhibition, consistent with CaMKII-dependent regulation of channel expression and/or trafficking. CaMKII (acute and chronic) greatly accelerated recovery from inactivation for both I
to
components, but these effects were acutely reversed by AIP (CaMKII inhibitor), suggesting that CaMKII activity directly accelerates I
to
recovery. Expression levels of I
K1
and Kir2.1 mRNA were downregulated by CaMKII overexpression. CaMKII acutely increased I
K1
, based on inhibition by AIP (in both models). CaMKII overexpression in mouse prolonged APD (consistent with reduced I
to,fast
and I
K1
), whereas CaMKII overexpression in rabbit shortened APD (consistent with enhanced I
K1
and I
to,slow
and faster I
to
recovery). Computational models allowed discrimination of contributions of different channel effects on APD.

Conclusion—

CaMKII has both acute regulatory effects and chronic expression level effects on I
to
and I
K1
with complex consequences on APD.
Redundancy, Self-Motion, and Motor Control
Authors: Martin V. , Scholz J. P. , Schöner G.
Published: April 2009

Outside the laboratory, human movement typically involves redundant effector systems. How the nervous system selects among the task-equivalent solutions may provide insights into how movement is controlled. We propose a process model of movement generation that accounts for the kinematics of goal-directed pointing movements performed with a redundant arm. The key element is a neuronal dynamics that generates a virtual joint trajectory. This dynamics receives input from a neuronal timer that paces end-effector motion along its path. Within this dynamics, virtual joint velocity vectors that move the end effector are dynamically decoupled from velocity vectors that do not. Moreover, the sensed real joint configuration is coupled back into this neuronal dynamics, updating the virtual trajectory so that it yields to task-equivalent deviations from the dynamic movement plan. Experimental data from participants who perform in the same task setting as the model are compared in detail to the model predictions. We discover that joint velocities contain a substantial amount of self-motion that does not move the end effector. This is caused by the low impedance of muscle joint systems and by coupling among muscle joint systems due to multiarticulatory muscles. Back-coupling amplifies the induced control errors. We establish a link between the amount of self-motion and how curved the end-effector path is. We show that models in which an inverse dynamics cancels interaction torques predict too little self-motion and too straight end-effector paths.
Deradicalization or disengagement? A process in need of clarity and a counterterrorism initiative in need of evaluation
Authors: Horgan John
Published: April 2009

As a result of the overwhelming preoccupation with uncovering the process of radicalization into terrorist activity, little attention has been paid to the related, yet distinct processes of disengagement and deradicalization from terrorism. This continuing neglect is ironic because it may be in the analysis of disengagement that practical initiatives for counterterrorism may become more apparent in their development and feasible in their execution. While a variety of deradicalization initiatives worldwide are currently receiving enormous interest, it is inevitable they be subjected to scrutiny regarding their alleged outcomes and claimed successes. A more immediate challenge, however, is to assert some conceptual and terminological clarity. While deradicalization has become a recent concern within counterterrorism, it is critical that we distinguish it from disengagement and stress that not only are they different, but that just because one leaves terrorism behind, it rarely implies (or even necessitates) that one become ‘deradicalized’. One of several implications arising from this distinction may be a more realistic appraisal of how our knowledge and understanding of the disengagement processes (and not undefined and poorly conceptualized deradicalization efforts) may be put to effective use in the short-medium term development of research agendas.
Motivos y procesos psicosociales que promueven la violencia y el terrorismo suicidas
Authors: de la Corte Luis , Giménez-Salinas Andrea
Published: April 2009

Este artículo realiza una revisión sobre los motivos que alimentan el terrorismo y la insurgencia suicidas. Después de subrayar los rasgos más característicos de esa clase de violencia se elabora una revisión crítica de sus hipotéticas causas, especialmente sus motivos de índole organizacional, con especial referencia al peso de la religión en las estrategias suicidas y motivos de índole individual. Además, se ofrece un esbozo de marco teórico sobre los principales procesos psicosociales que permiten generar los motivos subyacentes al terrorismo y la insurgencia suicida. El marco atiende a los tres planos desde los que suelen analizarse los fenómenos de violencia colectiva: un plano organizacional que aborda el proceso que determina los cambios o giros estratégicos hacia el uso de ataques suicidas por parte de organizaciones terroristas e insurgentes; un plano individual que aborda el proceso de radicalización necesario para entender la adscripción personal al suicido y, por último, un plano social que explica el proceso de polarización del que dependen el posible apoyo comunitario obtenido por los líderes y autores de las campañas suicidas.
Una evaluación de las dinámicas psicosociales relacionadas con la organización terrorista ETA y la política antiterrorista del gobierno español entre 2004 y 2008
Authors: Alonso Rogelio
Published: April 2009

Este artículo analiza las principales iniciativas adoptadas en relación con la negociación con la organización terrorista ETA por parte del gobierno español entre 2004 y 2008 demostrando la relevancia que destacados mecanismos psicosociales tuvieron para la defensa de la política antiterrorista aplicada en ese periodo. El examen de las medidas políticas adoptadas expone una profusa utilización, por parte del gobierno y de otros actores democráticos, de técnicas orientadas a la conformación de opiniones mediante la distorsión de la realidad del terrorismo de ETA. La manipulación de la realidad, ejercicio similar al acometido regularmente por ETA y por otras organizaciones terroristas, llevó al gobierno y a diversos medios de comunicación a tergiversar los argumentos fundamentales sobre los que se diseñó la política antiterrorista del periodo objeto de análisis con el fin de obtener el respaldo de la opinión pública. Por tanto se estudiarán las variables psicosociales utilizadas para construir discursos con los que se argumentó a favor de la política gubernamental, analizándose también las racionalizaciones con las que se justificó a pesar de unos costes constantemente negados.
Las oleadas históricas de la violencia terrorista: una reconsideración
Authors: González-Calleja Eduardo
Published: April 2009

El artículo revisa la hipótesis del carácter cíclico de las movilizaciones políticas que emplean el terror como instrumento estratégico preferente. Propone una periodización en cinco etapas: la oleada populista-nihilista en el tránsito de los siglos XIX al XX; el período de entreguerras centrado en el control totalitario de la población y la mística de la liberación nacional; la etapa de posguerra vinculada a la aparición, desarrollo y triunfo de los movimientos tercermundistas de independencia o de liberación nacional; el ciclo terrorista revolucionario producido en las sociedades del capitalismo tardío a partir de 1968 y el ciclo actual, caracterizado por elprimordia- lismo étnico y el fundamentalismo religioso. Se trata de demostrar que el terrorismo está condicionado en su dinámica interna por los grandes ciclos de la protesta revolucionaria o contrarrevolucionaria; que tiende a aparecer en los períodos de declive de estos ciclos generales de protesta, y que algunas manifestaciones de violencia terrorista han mostrado una notable capacidad de adaptación que les ha permitido superar esa fase de agotamiento y actuar como puente para “dar el salto” a un nuevo ciclo de protesta.
Peldaños de la violencia terrorista: ETA en la tregua de 2006–2007
Authors: Buesa Mikel
Published: April 2009

Este artículo examina las razones que condujeron al gobierno español a establecer una negociación con ETA durante los años 2006 y 2007. Para ello, la organización terrorista declaró una tregua que se concibió como un repliegue estratégico destinado a facilitar su fortalecimiento en los planos humano, logístico, financiero y político. Asimismo, puso sobre la mesa negociadora su exigencia de independencia para los vascos. La negociación se desarrolló en un clima de violencia creciente que se expresó en el terrorismo callejero, la extorsión a los empresarios y las acciones logísticas. El gobierno no pudo satisfacer las exigencias de ETA a pesar de haber aceptado entrar en el contenido político de la negociación. Como consecuencia, la política de negociación fracasó y ETA reanudó su campaña de atentados.
What makes terrorism tick? Its individual, group and organizational aspects
Authors: Kruglanski Arie W. , Fishman Shira
Published: April 2009

This paper explores psychological factors involved in terrorism and counterterrorism on individual, group and organizational levels of analysis. On the individual level, we describe attempts to understand terrorist behavior as a form of psychopathology, and/or as reflecting a unique constellation of personality traits. We also consider whether at the individual level there exists a uniform motivational basis for participating in terrorism. On the group level of analysis, we address the process of shared reality construction, social influence involved in recruitment of new members to terrorist organization, their indoctrination into terrorist ideology, and the use of language in creating terrorism warranting norms. On the organizational level we consider issues of training, logistics and cost effectiveness as they apply to the decisions to launch terrorist activities, or abstain from their deployment. We conclude by considering the implications for our analysis for possible ways and means for countering terrorism.
Procesos de radicalización yihadista en España. Análisis sociopolítico en tres niveles
Authors: Jordán Javier
Published: April 2009

Este artículo analiza los factores sociopolíticos que favorecen la radicalización yihadista. Vara ello se utilizan tres niveles de estudio: macro, meso y micro. El artículo presta una atención especial al nivel meso o intermedio. La radicalización yihadista es un proceso de aprendizaje social y es principalmente a través del nivel intermedio como llegan al individuo los valores, las emociones y los cálculos racionales que alimentan el proceso de radicalización violenta.
Convective-Scale Downdrafts in the Principal Rainband of Hurricane Katrina (2005)
Authors: Didlake Anthony C. , Houze Robert A.
Published: April 2009

Airborne Doppler radar data collected during the Hurricane Rainband and Intensity Change Experiment (RAINEX) document downdrafts in the principal rainband of Hurricane Katrina (2005). Inner-edge downdrafts (IEDs) originating at 6–8-km altitude created a sharp reflectivity gradient along the inner boundary of the rainband. Low-level downdrafts (LLDs) evidently driven by precipitation drag originated at 2–4 km within the heavy rain cells of each convective element. The IED and LLD were spatially separated by but closely associated with the updrafts within the rainband. The IED was forced aloft by pressure perturbations formed in response to the adjacent buoyant updrafts. Once descending, the air attained negative buoyancy via evaporative cooling from the rainband precipitation. A convective-scale tangential wind maximum tended to occur in the radial inflow at lower levels in association with the IED, which enhanced the inward flux of angular momentum at lower levels. Convergence at the base of the downdrafts on the upwind end of the principal rainband contributed to the principal rainband growing in length. New updraft elements triggered by this convergence led to the formation of new IED and LLD pockets, which were subsequently advected downwind around the storm by the vortex winds while additional new cells continued to form on the upwind end of the band. These processes sustained the principal rainband and helped to make it effectively stationary relative to the storm center, thus maintaining its impact on the hurricane dynamics over an extended period.
The Re-Segregation of Public Education Now and After the End of Brown v. Board of Education
Authors: McNeal Laura R.
Published: April 2009

Approximately 50 years ago, Brown v. Board of Education was viewed by many as a turning point in American history that crystallized a national movement to eliminate state-enforced racially segregated public education. However, in recent years many parents, educators, and policy makers in education have begun to question whether Brown has made a substantive or symbolic impact on racially desegregating or providing quality education equity. Growing concerns about the ability of Brown to bring about meaningful desegregation and equity in education are exacerbated by the 2007 Supreme Court decision in Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1. This article examines the re-segregation of public education in the post— Brown era, the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling on voluntary integration plans, and strategies school districts may employ to promote school integration within the parameters of this Court decision.
Assurance of Learning for Principles of Marketing Students
Authors: LaFleur Elizabeth K. , Babin Laurie A. , Lopez Tará Burnthorne
Published: April 2009

This article describes the process one marketing faculty followed to demonstrate assurance of learning for marketing students and presents longitudinal results associated with a course-embedded direct assessment device in the Principles of Marketing course. The process follows closely the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) new requirements for demonstrating assurance of learning and illustrates a methodology used to satisfy the requirements of multiple accrediting agencies. Although AACSB does not mandate assurance of learning at the major level, other accrediting bodies (i.e., regional agencies) do require this effort. Our focus on the Principles of Marketing course informs the assurance of learning in the foundations of knowledge for all business students, while simultaneously enabling continuous improvement with regard to education of marketing majors.
Femoral Avulsion of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament after Primary Traumatic Patellar Dislocation Predicts Subsequent Instability in Men
Authors: Sillanpää Petri J , Peltola Erno , Mattila Ville M. , Kiuru Martti , Visuri Tuomo , Pihlajamäki Harri
Published: April 2009

Background

The clinical relevance of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury location in primary patellar dislocation has not been studied.

Hypothesis

Prognosis after primary traumatic patellar dislocation may vary by MPFL injury location.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

The initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 53 patients with identical nonoperative management were retrospectively analyzed for medial restraint injuries. The MPFL injury sites were classified as follows: femoral, midsubstance, and patellar. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess initial and control articular cartilage lesions in the patellofemoral joint. After a mean follow-up of 7 years, 42 patients were evaluated for redislocations, subjective symptoms, and functional limitations.

Results

Based on the initial MRIs, MPFL rupture was classified as femoral in 35 patients, midsubstance in 11, and patellar in 7. At follow-up, 15 patients reported an unstable patella (13 femoral, 1 patellar, 1 midsubstance; P =. 01) and 9 reported patellar redislocations (8 femoral, 1 midsubstance; P =. 05). The proportion of patients who regained their preinjury activity level was significantly smaller among those with femoral MPFL injury than among those with midsubstance or patellar MPFL injury (P =. 05). The median Kujala score was as follows: 90 for femoral, 91 for patellar, and 96 for midsubstance (P =. 76). Control MRI showed full-thickness patellofemoral cartilage lesions in 50% of the patients, unrelated to MPFL injury location.

Conclusion

An MPFL avulsion at the femoral attachment in primary traumatic patellar dislocations predicts subsequent patellar instability. The authors suggest that MPFL injury location be taken into account when planning treatment of primary traumatic patellar dislocation.
Seeing satellite data
Authors: Phipps Molly , Rowe Shawn
Published: April 2009

Complex scientific visualizations are becoming standard parts of many educational experiences, both in and out of schools. We found that satellite visualizations used by ocean scientists were difficult for teachers, students, and museum visitors to understand. The research reported on here documents some of those difficulties and explores alternate visualizations that proved more robust for novice users of the data. Five different visualizations of two ocean properties as sensed by satellites are shown and their affordances and constraints for both scientists and novice users are discussed. We illustrate the importance of incorporating culturally meaningful color representations and measurement scales for designing education materials using satellite data.
Perceived Work and Family Conflict Among African American Nurses in College
Authors: Gipson-Jones Trina
Published: April 2009

Purpose: This article describes the perceptions of African American nurses regarding the interaction between work—family conflict, job satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Design and methods: A qualitative descriptive design was employed to conduct six focus group sessions with 23 nurses at three universities in the southeastern United States. Findings: Stressors such as racism or lack of teamwork and supervisor support caused the nurses to contemplate leaving a workplace or the profession. Family stressors, such as an ill family member, also influenced any decision regarding career longevity. Implications: Future studies examining work—family interface, especially positive spillover and psychological well-being are warranted.
Cultural Values and Political Economic Contexts of Diabetes Among Low-Income Mexican Americans
Authors: Clark Lauren , Vincent Deborah , Zimmer Lorena , Sanchez Jessica
Published: April 2009

Purpose: To explore the political and economic dimensions of diabetes self-management for Mexican American adults. Design and Methods: Critical ethnographic analysis of focus group data from caregivers and adults with diabetes. Findings: Three themes were identified: diabetes self-management is tied to other mental and bodily states, family and neighborhood environments cause stress and prevent diabetes solutions, and hassles of the health care environment subvert self-management. Discussion and Conclusions: Cultural constructs about diabetes merge with social—political forces in explaining diabetes. Implications for Practice: Cultural competence in diabetes care requires attention to the political economy of the disease and advocacy for healthful political and economic change.
Assessing Diabetes Dietary Goals and Self-Management Based on In-Depth Interviews With Latino and Caucasian Clients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Early Kathaleen Briggs , Shultz Jill Armstrong , Corbett Cynthia
Published: April 2009

Latino ( n = 10) and Caucasian ( n = 8) clients with type 2 diabetes receiving care at a community health clinic participated in individual in-depth interviews assessing diabetes dietary self-management goal behaviors. Themes from interviews were identified using content analysis, which revealed current and future goals, influencing factors, and motivators and barriers to dietary modification for diabetes management. Implications for practice include simplifying goal setting to those goals with the greatest potential clinical impact or the greatest significance to the patient, in a socially supportive environment. Results contribute to future survey development and understanding how to optimize diabetes education for these populations.
Assessing Transcultural Validity of the Transtheoretical Model With Chinese Americans and Physical Activity
Authors: Tung Wei-Chen , Hsu Chiu-Hsieh
Published: April 2009

Transtheoretical model has shown promise in promoting adoption and maintenance of physical activity and was used to guide this study. A cross-sectional design with snowball sampling was applied to recruit 201 Chinese Americans. Self-efficacy scores were significantly higher for participants in maintenance than those in precontemplation. There were no significant differences in perceived benefits and barriers in different stages. The transtheoretical model partially applied to the participants for whom the reinforcement of self-efficacy is more important than emphasizing the benefits or decreasing the barriers to regular physical activity. Cultural issues may play a critical role and should be further investigated.
Can High Group Cohesion Be Harmful?
Authors: Rovio Esa , Eskola Jari , Kozub Stephen A. , Duda Joan L. , Lintunen Taru
Published: April 2009

High group cohesion is considered to be beneficial and lead to better performance. This qualitative case study describes a case in which high social cohesion led to a deterioration in a team's performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between performance in a team sport and social psychological group phenomena such as cohesion, conformity, groupthink, and group polarization. The participants were members of a junior-league ice-hockey team, consisting of three adult coaches and 22 players aged 15 to 16 years. The data were derived from an interview with the main coach, continuous observation by the principal researcher, and a diary based on observations during one ice-hockey season. The Group Environment Questionnaire was used to assess group cohesion quantitatively. The qualitative data were analyzed by identifying themes that illuminated the research problem. In this study, the team did not perform as expected, and their performance deteriorated during the autumn. Social cohesion was high. In addition, the need to evaluate performance declined because of increased pressure to conform. Pressure to conform, groupthink, and group polarization increased owing to the high level of social cohesion which in turn was associated with the deterioration in the group's performance. Based on the findings it appears that high group cohesion may not always be beneficial to the team and does not necessarily lead to better performance in all situations.
Comparative Effectiveness of CAPA and FOCUS Online
Authors: Betz Nancy E. , Borgen Fred H.
Published: April 2009

The present study compared the effectiveness of two online career exploration systems in increasing the career decision self-efficacy and decidedness of 960 students enrolled in a program for undecided freshmen students at a large public university. Results indicated that both systems led to significant increases in career decision self-efficacy and college major decidedness in these students. The CAPA system, based on an integration of Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and traditional trait factor theory, led to proportionately greater increases in Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale scores in comparison to FOCUS for the total group and for women. The systems were comparably effective with African American, Asian American, and White students.
Are Late Life Gamblers a Lucrative Market in Gambling Tourism? a Case Study of Iowa, United States
Authors: Chhabra Deepak
Published: April 2009

This study investigated the lucrative potential of late life gamblers in terms of spending, switching, travel, and economic impact. It further offered comparisons with the non—late life cohort. A rigorous process of statistical testing indicated both similarities and dissimilarities between the older and the younger cohorts. Switching emerged as a significant predictor of spending. The economic impact model using IMPLAN software afterward indicated significant economic potential of the late life market in terms of direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
Community-Based Participatory Research With Native American Communities: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Authors: Jernigan Valarie Blue Bird
Published: April 2009

Health disparities among Native Americans persist despite efforts to translate evidence-based programs from research to practice. Few evidence-based, theory-driven prevention and management interventions have been successfully translated within Native American communities. The use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) has shown promise in this process. This article provides an overview of the use of CBPR with Native American communities and discusses the translation of the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, using a CBPR approach, with an urban Native American community. This article highlights not only how the CBPR process facilitates the successful translation of the Stanford program but also how CBPR is used within this community to build community capacity.
A Pragmatist Argument for Mixed Methodology in Medical Informatics
Authors: Scott Philip J. , Briggs James S.
Published: April 2009

The aim of this article is to advance the case of pragmatism as a research philosophy and to illustrate its applicability as a mixed methodology perspective in medical informatics. Epistemology is empirical not foundational. Pragmatism offers a practical starting point for a pluralist methodology. Medical practice is pragmatist, empirical, and situated. Medical informatics is a hybrid sociotechnical field that requires multimethod research.
'Trying to get it right'
Authors: Spencer Jon , Haslewood-Pócsik Ilona , Smith Emily
Published: April 2009

Race Relations in English and Welsh prisons have a history of critical events and flawed management. There is evidence that at the policy level the Prison Service has responded to policy directives to improve race relations. This article is based on research that examined the relationship between national legislation, Prison Service policy and practice. The focus of the article is the views of operational Prison Service staff, revealing the complexities in implementing race relations policy in the testing prison environment. The article concludes that the policies implemented by the Prison Service appear, theoretically, to be a rational and appropriate means of achieving positive race relations. Operationally the Prison Service has experienced the challenges of the prison setting, the need for proper resources and the stresses and strains in meeting the demands of its own race relations policy.
Toughness characteristics of arc enhanced magnetron sputtered SiCN hard films
Authors: Wang Y. F. , Ma S. L. , Chu P. K.
Published: April 2009

The toughness of arc enhanced magnetron sputtered SiCN hard films is determined using microindentation measurements. The effects of the chemical composition, hardness, and microstructure on the film toughness are investigated. The results show that the presence of Si and C affects the film microstructure. The films with the nanocrystalline/amorphous composite structure are highly resistant to cracking and the film toughness is almost proportional to hardness. Our data also reveal that SiCN films with smaller Si contents and larger C concentrations have better toughness albeit possessing high hardness of 37 GPa.
Air cooled bainitic steels for strong, seamless pipes Part 2 – properties and microstructure of rolled material
Authors: Gomez G. , Pérez T. , Bhadeshia H. K. D. H.
Published: April 2009

In the first part of the present study, two steels were designed with the aim of achieving properties consistent with the specifications for the manufacture of seamless pipes. The alloys were intended to develop into mixtures of bainitic ferrite and carbon enriched retained austenite during cooling to ambient temperature from the pipe forming operations, thus avoiding the need for subsequent heat treatment. Part 2 of the study deals with the characterisation and understanding of the mechanical properties of the two alloys. Good combinations of strength and toughness have been achieved.
Invited review: Data mining and informatics for crystal chemistry: Establishing measurement techniques for mapping structure–property relationships
Authors: Suh C. , Rajan K.
Published: April 2009

The present paper demonstrates how data mining techniques can be used to quantitatively assess multivariate material properties, such as electronic features and crystal structure parameters. Using AB2N4 spinel nitrides as a template for the present study, the authors have assessed the statistical interdependency of each of the descriptors that may influence chemistry–structure–property relationships of spinel nitrides. Using principal component analysis, the authors demonstrate that classical versions of structure maps from the early work of Hill based on heuristic observations for this class of crystal chemistry can in fact be reproduced via data mining. The informatics approach also provides an alternative method for visualising structure maps as well as interpreting structure–property relationships. Apart from being able to reproduce earlier versions of structure maps, an example is also developed for the case of a new informatics based structure map for spinel nitrides, showing data clustering associated with site occupancy.
Prospective isolation and molecular characterization of hematopoietic stem cells with durable self-renewal potential
Authors: Kent David G. , Copley Michael R. , Benz Claudia , Wöhrer Stefan , Dykstra Brad J. , Ma Elaine , Cheyne John , Zhao Yongjun , Bowie Michelle B. , Zhao Yun , Gasparetto Maura , Delaney Allen , Smith Clayton , Marra Marco , Eaves Connie J.
Published: April 2009

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are generally defined by their dual properties of pluripotency and extensive self-renewal capacity. However, a lack of experimental clarity as to what constitutes extensive self-renewal capacity coupled with an absence of methods to prospectively isolate long-term repopulating cells with defined self-renewal activities has made it difficult to identify the essential components of the self-renewal machinery and investigate their regulation. We now show that cells capable of repopulating irradiated congenic hosts for 4 months and producing clones of cells that can be serially transplanted are selectively and highly enriched in the CD150+ subset of the EPCR+CD48−CD45+ fraction of mouse fetal liver and adult bone marrow cells. In contrast, cells that repopulate primary hosts for the same period but show more limited self-renewal activity are enriched in the CD150− subset. Comparative transcriptome analyses of these 2 subsets with each other and with HSCs whose self-renewal activity has been rapidly extinguished in vitro revealed 3 new genes (VWF, Rhob, Pld3) whose elevated expression is a consistent and selective feature of the long-term repopulating cells with durable self-renewal capacity. These findings establish the identity of a phenotypically and molecularly distinct class of pluripotent hematopoietic cells with lifelong self-renewal capacity.
Cellular and subcellular localization of Marlin-1 in the brain
Authors: Vidal René L , Valenzuela José I , Luján Rafael , Couve Andrés
Published: April 2009

Background

Marlin-1 is a microtubule binding protein that associates specifically with the GABAB1 subunit in neurons and with members of the Janus kinase family in lymphoid cells. In addition, it binds the molecular motor kinesin-I and nucleic acids, preferentially single stranded RNA. Marlin-1 is expressed mainly in the central nervous system but little is known regarding its cellular and subcellular distribution in the brain.

Results

Here we have studied the localization of Marlin-1 in the rodent brain and cultured neurons combining immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and pre-embedding electron microscopy. We demonstrate that Marlin-1 is enriched in restricted areas of the brain including olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Marlin-1 is abundant in dendrites and axons of GABAergic and non-GABAergic hippocampal neurons. At the ultrastructural level, Marlin-1 is present in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of CA1 neurons in the hippocampus. In the cytoplasm it associates to microtubules in the dendritic shaft and occasionally with the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and dendritic spines. In the nucleus, clusters of Marlin-1 associate to euchromatin.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that Marlin-1 is expressed in discrete areas of the brain. They also confirm the microtubule association at the ultrastructural level in neurons. Together with the abundance of the protein in dendrites and axons they are consistent with the emerging role of Marlin-1 as an intracellular protein linking the cytoskeleton and transport. Our study constitutes the first detailed description of the cellular and subcellular distribution of Marlin-1 in the brain. As such, it will set the basis for future studies on the functional implications of Marlin-1 in protein trafficking.
Systematic comparison of SCOP and CATH: a new gold standard for protein structure analysis
Authors: Csaba Gergely , Birzele Fabian , Zimmer Ralf
Published: April 2009

Background

SCOP and CATH are widely used as gold standards to benchmark novel protein structure comparison methods as well as to train machine learning approaches for protein structure classification and prediction. The two hierarchies result from different protocols which may result in differing classifications of the same protein. Ignoring such differences leads to problems when being used to train or benchmark automatic structure classification methods. Here, we propose a method to compare SCOP and CATH in detail and discuss possible applications of this analysis.

Results

We create a new mapping between SCOP and CATH and define a consistent benchmark set which is shown to largely reduce errors made by structure comparison methods such as TM-Align and has useful further applications, e.g. for machine learning methods being trained for protein structure classification. Additionally, we extract additional connections in the topology of the protein fold space from the orthogonal features contained in SCOP and CATH.

Conclusion

Via an all-to-all comparison, we find that there are large and unexpected differences between SCOP and CATH w.r.t. their domain definitions as well as their hierarchic partitioning of the fold space on every level of the two classifications. A consistent mapping of SCOP and CATH can be exploited for automated structure comparison and classification.

Availability

Benchmark sets and an interactive SCOP-CATH browser are available at http://www.bio.ifi.lmu.de/SCOPCath.
A systematic classification of Plasmodium falciparum P-loop NTPases: structural and functional correlation
Authors: Gangwar Deepti , Kalita Mridul K , Gupta Dinesh , Chauhan Virander S , Mohmmed Asif
Published: April 2009

Background

The P-loop NTPases constitute one of the largest groups of globular protein domains that play highly diverse functional roles in most of the organisms. Even with the availability of nearly 300 different Hidden Markov Models representing the P-loop NTPase superfamily, not many P-loop NTPases are known inPlasmodium falciparum. A number of characteristic attributes of the genome have resulted into the lack of knowledge about this functionally diverse, but important class of proteins.

Method

In the study, protein sequences with characteristic motifs of NTPase domain (Walker A and Walker B) are computationally extracted from theP. falciparumdatabase. A detailed secondary structure analysis, functional classification, phylogenetic and orthology studies of the NTPase domain of repertoire of 97P. falciparumP-loop NTPases is carried out.

Results

Based upon distinct sequence features and secondary structure profile of the P-loop domain of obtained sequences, a cladistic classification is also conceded: nucleotide kinases and GTPases, ABC and SMC family, SF1/2 helicases, AAA+ and AAA protein families. Attempts are made to identify any ortholog(s) for each of these proteins in otherPlasmodiumsp. as well as its vertebrate host,Homo sapiens. A number ofP. falciparumP-loop NTPases that have no homologue in the host, as well as those annotated as hypothetical proteins and lack any characteristic functional domain are identified.

Conclusion

The study suggests a strong correlation between sequence and secondary structure profile of P-loop domains and functional roles of these proteins and thus provides an opportunity to speculate the role of many hypothetical proteins. The study provides a methodical framework for the characterization of biologically diverse NTPases in theP. falciparumgenome.

The efforts made in the analysis are first of its kind; and the results augment to explore the functional role of many of these proteins from the parasite that could provide leads to identify novel drug targets against malaria.
Ace-1 duplication in Anopheles gambiae: a challenge for malaria control
Authors: Djogbénou Luc , Labbé Pierrick , Chandre Fabrice , Pasteur Nicole , Weill Mylène
Published: April 2009

Background

Insecticide resistance is a rapid and recent evolutionary phenomenon with serious economic and public health implications. In the mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s., main vector of malaria, resistance to organophosphates and carbamates is mainly due to a single amino-acid substitution in acetylcholinesterase 1 (AChE1). This mutation entails a large fitness cost. However, a resistant duplicated allele of the gene encoding AChE1 (ace-1), potentially associated to a lower fitness cost, recently appeared in An. gambiae.

Methods

Using molecular phenotype data collected from natural populations from West Africa, the frequency of this duplicated allele was investigated by statistical inference. This method is based on the departure from Hardy-Weinberg phenotypic frequency equilibrium caused by the presence of this new allele.

Results

The duplicated allele, Ag-ace-1

D
, reaches a frequency up to 0.65 in Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, and is potentially present in Benin. A previous study showed that Ag-ace-1

D
, present in both M and S molecular forms in different West Africa countries, was generated by a single genetic event. This single origin and its present distribution suggest that this new allele is currently spreading.

Conclusion

The spread of this less costly resistance allele could represent a major threat to public health, as it may impede An. gambiae control strategies, and thus increases the risk of malaria outbreaks.
Research collaboration in Tehran University of Medical Sciences: two decades after integration
Authors: Majdzadeh Reza , Nedjat Saharnaz , Gholami Jaleh , Nedjat Sima , Maleki Katayoun , Qorbani Mostafa , Shokoohi Mostafa , Ashoorkhani Mahnaz
Published: April 2009

Background

In 1985 medical schools were integrated into the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education was created in Iran. Under this infrastructure education, research and service provision are unified, and it is expected that collaboration between researchers and decision makers become easier in such an integrated context.

The question here is how the researchers behavior in the biggest medical university of the country towards collaboration is, i.e. how much do decision makers participate in different stages of research? Which factors affect it?

Methodology

The samples under study were all Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) completed research projects that had gotten grants in 2004 and were over by the time this study was done. Two questionnaires were designed for this study: i) the research checklist which was filled for 301 projects, ii) the researcher's questionnaire, which was sent to principle investigators, 208 of which were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for evaluating the potential factors affecting individuals 'collaboration score'.

Results

Only 2.2 percent of TUMS' projects initiated in 2004 have had collaboration as a joint PI or co-investigator from non-academic organizations. The principle investigators mean collaboration score was 2.09, where 6 was the total score. So the collaboration score obtained was 35%. The 'type of research' had significant association with the collaboration score which is shown in the linear regression; collaboration was seen more in clinical (p = 0.007) and health system researches (p = 0.001) as compared to basic research.

Conclusion

The present study shows that not many individuals collaborated as co-investigators from outside the university. This finding shows that research policy makers need to introduce interventions in this field. And assessment of barriers to collaboration and its facilitating factors should be considered in order to make it actually happen.
Inhibitory effects of adenovirus mediated tandem expression of RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in HCT116 cells
Authors: Liu Xiang-ping , Wang Hai-bo , Yang Kun , Sui Ai-hua , Shi Qiang , Qu Shen
Published: April 2009

Background

RhoA and RhoC are deregulated by over expression in many human tumors, including colorectal cancer. Some reports show that they play a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis, tumor development and infiltration metastasis. In this study, for the first time we constructed recombinant adenovirus to investigate the inhibitory effects of RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in tandem expression on the cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer HCT116 cells.

Methods

The recombinant adenovirus carrying RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in tandem expression was transfected into HCT116. The mRNA transcription and protein expressions of RhoA and RhoC were examined by RT-FQPCR and Western blot respectively. Cellular proliferation inhibitory activity was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and invasive and migrating potential was detected through in vitro Matrigel coated invasion and migration assay.

Results

Both mRNA and proteins Levels of RhoA and RhoC were significantly reduced in HCT116 cells transfected with Ad-A1+A2+C1+C2 than those in Ad-HK group and control one. The relative RhoA and RhoC mRNA transcriptions were decreased to 40% and 36% (P < 0.05), while proteins expression reducing 42% and 35%, respectively (P < 0.05). Growth curves analysis showed that alive cell number in the Ad-A1+A2+C1+C2 group was lower than others in the third to sixth day and transwell chamber analysis showed that migration/invasion activity was significantly suppressed in Ad-A1+A2+C1+C2 group.

Conclusion

Our results indicate recombinant adenovirus carrying RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in tandem expression may inhibit the growth and invasion of HCT116 cells. Application of such vector to inhibit one or more genes may be a new method to cancer therapy.