bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thread-management techniques to maximize efficiency in multicore and simultaneous multithreaded microprocessors
Authors: Rakvic R. , Cai Q. , González J. , Magklis G. , Chaparro P. , González A.
Published: October 2010

We provide an analysis of thread-management techniques that increase performance or reduce energy in multicore and Simultaneous Multithreaded (SMT) cores. Thread delaying reduces energy consumption by running the core containing the critical thread at maximum frequency while scaling down the frequency and voltage of the cores containing noncritical threads. In this article, we provide an insightful breakdown of thread delaying on a simulated multi-core microprocessor. Thread balancing improves overall performance by giving higher priority to the critical thread in the issue queue of an SMT core. We provide a detailed breakdown of performance results for thread-balancing, identifying performance benefits and limitations. For those benchmarks where a performance benefit is not possible, we introduce a novel thread-balancing mechanism on an SMT core that can reduce energy consumption. We have performed a detailed study on an Intel microprocessor simulator running parallel applications. Thread delaying can reduce energy consumption by 4% to 44% with negligible performance loss. Thread balancing can increase performance by 20% or can reduce energy consumption by 23%.
Image and pattern analysis for the determination of the method of drawing celebrated thera wall-paintings circa 1650 B.C.
Authors: Roussopoulos Panayiotis , Papaodysseus Constantin , Arabadjis Dimitris , Exarhos Mihalis , Panagopoulos Michail
Published: October 2010

In this article, an integrated conjecture about the method of drawing of monumental prehistoric wall-paintings is presented and supported. Specifically, the article deals with paintings that initially decorated the internal walls of the highest floor of a building, called “Xeste 3”, at Akrotiri of the Greek island of Thera circa. 1650 B.C. It is argued that these wall-paintings could had been drawn while the brush was guided by an apparatus, which corresponds to advanced for the era of geometric prototypes with impressive precision. A set of assumptions concerning the actions the artists might have taken in order to create the spiral themes is stated and supported. These assumptions refer to the existence of a draft plan, the sequence of brush strokes, the placement of the brush on the wall, as well as the possible form of the apparatus. These conjectures are evaluated and tested by means of curve fitting and image analysis methods developed by the authors. The results indicate that all drawn contour parts optimally fit along a single prototype linear spiral with fitting error of less than 0.4mm, supporting existence of a very advanced culture for the era of geometric guide. It is statistically rejected that this guide could have the form of a stamp. Moreover, there is strong evidence that the painter might have used a draft plan of the spiral themes to prepare the final drawing and that the linear spiral guide has been used by alternating its placements in order to form the internal and external spiral contour.
AjaxScope
Authors: Kiciman Emre , Livshits Benjamin
Published: October 2010

The rise of the software-as-a-service paradigm has led to the development of a new breed of sophisticated, interactive applications often called Web 2.0. While Web applications have become larger and more complex, Web application developers today have little visibility into the end-to-end behavior of their systems. This article presents AjaxScope, a dynamic instrumentation platform that enables cross-user monitoring and just-in-time control of Web application behavior on end-user desktops. AjaxScope is a proxy that performs on-the-fly parsing and instrumentation of JavaScript code as it is sent to users’ browsers. AjaxScope provides facilities for distributed and adaptive instrumentation in order to reduce the client-side overhead, while giving fine-grained visibility into the code-level behavior of Web applications. We present a variety of policies demonstrating the power of AjaxScope, ranging from simple error reporting and performance profiling to more complex memory leak detection and optimization analyses. We also apply our prototype to analyze the behavior of over 90 Web 2.0 applications and sites that use significant amounts of JavaScript.
Mining Historic Query Trails to Label Long and Rare Search Engine Queries
Authors: Bailey Peter , White Ryen W. , Liu Han , Kumaran Giridhar
Published: October 2010

Web search engines can perform poorly for long queries (i.e., those containing four or more terms), in part because of their high level of query specificity. The automatic assignment of labels to long queries can capture aspects of a user’s search intent that may not be apparent from the terms in the query. This affords search result matching or reranking based on queries and labels rather than the query text alone. Query labels can be derived from interaction logs generated from many users’ search result clicks or from
query trails
comprising the chain of URLs visited following query submission. However, since long queries are typically rare, they are difficult to label in this way because little or no historic log data exists for them. A subset of these queries may be amenable to labeling by detecting similarities between parts of a long and rare query and the queries which appear in logs. In this article, we present the comparison of four similarity algorithms for the automatic assignment of Open Directory Project category labels to long and rare queries, based solely on matching against similar satisfied query trails extracted from log data. Our findings show that although the similarity-matching algorithms we investigated have tradeoffs in terms of coverage and accuracy, one algorithm that bases similarity on a popular search result ranking function (effectively regarding potentially-similar queries as “documents”) outperforms the others. We find that it is possible to correctly predict the top label better than one in five times, even when no past query trail exactly matches the long and rare query. We show that these labels can be used to reorder top-ranked search results leading to a significant improvement in retrieval performance over baselines that do not utilize query labeling, but instead rank results using content-matching or click-through logs. The outcomes of our research have implications for search providers attempting to provide users with highly-relevant search results for long queries.
Keeping Bits Safe: How Hard Can It Be?
Authors: Rosenthal David S. H.
Published: October 2010

These days, we are all data pack rats. Storage is cheap, so if there’s a chance the data could possibly be useful, we keep it. We know that storage isn’t completely reliable, so we keep backup copies as well. But the more data we keep, and the longer we keep it, the greater the chance that some of it will be unrecoverable when we need it.
COVERS Neonatal Pain Scale: Development and Validation
Authors: Hand Ivan L. , Noble Lawrence , Geiss Donna , Wozniak Laura , Hall Charles
Published: October 2010

Newborns and infants are often exposed to painful procedures during hospitalization. Several different scales have been validated to assess pain in specific populations of pediatric patients, but no single scale can easily and accurately assess pain in all newborns and infants regardless of gestational age and disease state. A new pain scale was developed, the COVERS scale, which incorporates 6 physiological and behavioral measures for scoring. Newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Well Baby Nursery were evaluated for pain/discomfort during two procedures, a heel prick and a diaper change. Pain was assessed using indicators from three previously established scales (CRIES, the Premature Infant Pain Profile, and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale), as well as the COVERS Scale, depending upon gestational age. Premature infant testing resulted in similar pain assessments using the COVERS and PIPP scales with anr=0.84. For the full-term infants, the COVERS scale and NIPS scale resulted in similar pain assessments with anr=0.95. The COVERS scale is a valid pain scale that can be used in the clinical setting to assess pain in newborns and infants and is universally applicable to all neonates, regardless of their age or physiological state.
Insulin Resistance, a Link between Maternal Overweight and Fetal Macrosomia in Nondiabetic Pregnancies
Authors: Ahlsson Fredrik , Diderholm Barbro , Jonsson Björn , Nordén-Lindberg Solvig , Olsson Roger , Ewald Uwe , Forslund Anders , Stridsberg Mats , Gustafsson Jan
Published: October 2010

Background/Aims: During the last decades the number of large for gestational age infants delivered by nondiabetic mothers has increased. Our aim was to investigate to what extent fetal growth in nondiabetic pregnant women can be explained by rates of maternal energy substrate production and resting energy expenditure. Methods: Twenty nonsmoking pregnant women without impaired glucose tolerance and with a wide range of fetal weights (0.2–2.7 SDS) were investigated at 36 weeks of gestation. Maternal lipolysis, glucose production, resting energy expenditure, body composition and insulin resistance were assessed.Results: Median (range) glucose production rate was 805 (653–1,337) µmol/min and that of glycerol, reflecting lipolysis, was 214 (110–576) µmol/min. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that maternal fat mass explained 36% of the variation in insulin resistance, accounting for 62% of the variation in glucose production. Further, glucose production explained 31% of the variation in fetal weight. Resting energy expenditure explained 51% of the variation in estimated fetal weight. Conclusion: Fetal weight is dependent on maternal glucose production, which is in turn determined by the degree of insulin resistance, induced in part by the maternal fat mass. The variation in maternal resting energy expenditure is closely related to fetal weight.
Trisomy of the Short Stature Homeobox-Containing Gene (SHOX) due to Duplication/Deletion of the X Chomosome: Clinical Implications on the Stature
Authors: del Rey Graciela , Jasper Héctor , Bengolea Sonia Viviana , Boywitt Adriana , De Bellis Rodolfo , Heinrich Juan Jorge
Published: October 2010

Background: The karyotypes of 2 patients with abnormal stature and different phenotypes revealed one similar structural abnormality in the X chromosome by conventional cytogenetic studies and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH). FISH strongly suggested the presence of two copies of the SHOX gene in the der(X) chromosome. Patients and Results: Patient 1 is a teenager girl with tall stature, behavioral disturbances and normal pubertal development. The abnormal X chromosome was present in all cells studied. Parent’s karyotypes were normal. Patient 2 is a girl with gonadal dysgenesis, mild Turner syndrome phenotype and short stature. The karyotype was a mosaic 45,X/46,X,r(X) and der(X) chromosome presented in most metaphases of the cell lines. Parent’s karyotypes were normal. Nearly all duplication of Xp and partial deletion of the long arm (Xq) from Xq27 or Xq21 to Xqter, in cases 1 and 2, respectively, were observed. In both patients, duplication of Xp translocated to deleted Xq occurred leading to a triplication of the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) where the SHOX gene is located (Xp22.3). Conclusions: We propose that in some cases of trisomy for the SHOX gene, the effect of overdosage per se may affect the stature, even in patients with preserved ovarian function (case 1), and that estrogen deprivation may not always be a contributor for tall stature (case 2).
Pulsed Magnetic Field Induces Angiogenesis and Improves Cardiac Function of Surgically Induced Infarcted Myocardium in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Wei Liping , Li Fei , Guo Wenyi , Li Weijie , Luan Ronghua , Lv Anlin , Wang Haichang
Published: October 2010

Objective: It was the aim of this study to investigate the impact of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) on ischemic myocardium, though it has been reported that PMF treatment is a safe and effective method to facilitate bone and cutaneous wound healing. Methods: In this report, we describe a study in which 10 Hz 4 mT PMF and 15 Hz 6 mT PMF was used to treat rats with myocardial infarction (MI). Results: After 28 days of treatment, the rats treated with 15 Hz 6 mT PMF exhibited decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and accelerated maximum dp/dt of left ventricular pressure when compared with the untreated MI and the MI + 10 Hz 4 mT groups. Additionally, capillary density was increased and infarction area size was decreased in the MI + 15 Hz 6 mT group. Furthermore, the plasma vascular endothelial growth factor concentration and the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in myocardial tissue were increased in rats of the MI + 15 Hz 6 mT group. Conclusion: This study shows that 15 Hz 6 mT PMF promotes myocardial angiogenesis and improves cardiac function after MI in rats. This suggests that there is a potential use for some PMF signal strengths in ischemic myocardial disease.
Divergent Results Using Clinic and Ambulatory Blood Pressures
Authors: Bakris George L. , Lindholm Lars H. , Black Henry R. , Krum Henry , Linas Stuart , Linseman Jennifer V. , Arterburn Sarah , Sager Philip , Weber Michael
Published: October 2010

Patients with resistant hypertension are at increased risk for cardiovascular events. The addition of new treatments to existing therapies will help achieve blood pressure (BP) goals in more resistant hypertension patients. In the current trial, 849 patients with resistant hypertension receiving ≥3 antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, at optimized doses were randomized to the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist darusentan, placebo, or the central α-2 agonist guanfacine. The coprimary end points of the study were changes from baseline to week 14 in trough, sitting systolic BP, and diastolic BP measured in the clinic. Decreases from baseline to week 14 in systolic BP for darusentan (−15±14 mm Hg) were greater than for guanfacine (−12±13 mm Hg;
P
<0.05) but not greater than placebo (−14±14 mm Hg). Darusentan, however, reduced mean 24-hour systolic BP (−9±12 mm Hg) more than placebo (−2±12 mm Hg) or guanfacine (−4±12 mm Hg) after 14 weeks of treatment (
P
<0.001 for each comparison). The most frequent adverse event associated with darusentan was fluid retention/edema at 28% versus 12% in each of the other groups. More patients withdrew because of adverse events on darusentan as compared with placebo or guanfacine. We conclude that darusentan provided greater reduction in systolic BP in resistant hypertension patients as assessed by ambulatory BP monitoring, in spite of not meeting its coprimary end points. The results of this trial highlight the importance of ambulatory BP monitoring in the design of hypertension clinical studies.
Ensemble Evaluation of Hydrologically Enhanced Noah-LSM: Partitioning of the Water Balance in High-Resolution Simulations over the Little Washita River Experimental Watershed
Authors: Rosero Enrique , Gulden Lindsey E. , Yang Zong-Liang , De Goncalves Luis G. , Niu Guo-Yue , Kaheil Yasir H.
Published: October 2010

The ability of two versions of the Noah land surface model (LSM) to simulate the water cycle of the Little Washita River experimental watershed is evaluated. One version that uses the standard hydrological parameterizations of Noah 2.7 (STD) is compared another version that replaces STD’s subsurface hydrology with a simple aquifer model and topography-related surface and subsurface runoff parameterizations (GW). Simulations on a distributed grid at fine resolution are compared to the long-term distribution of observed daily-mean runoff, the spatial statistics of observed soil moisture, and locally observed latent heat flux. The evaluation targets the typical behavior of ensembles of models that use realistic, near-optimal sets of parameters important to runoff. STD and GW overestimate the ratio of runoff to evapotranspiration. In the subset of STD and GW runs that best reproduce the timing and the volume of streamflow, the surface-to-subsurface runoff ratio is overestimated and simulated streamflow is much flashier than observations. Both models’ soil columns wet and dry too quickly, implying that there are structural shortcomings in the formulation of STD that cannot be overcome by adding GW’s increased complexity to the model. In its current formulation, GW extremely underestimates baseflow’s contribution to total runoff and requires a shallow water table to function realistically. In the catchment (depth to water table >10 m), GW functions as a simple bucket model. Because model parameters are likely scale and site dependent, the need for even “physically based” models to be extensively calibrated for all domains on which they are applied is underscored.
Diversion and Political Survival in Latin America
Authors: Miller Ross A. , Elgün Özlem
Published: October 2010

In spite of its long history among scholars of international conflict, empirical evaluations of diversionary theory have produced contrasting—even contradictory— results. We offer three reasons for these differences: choice of unit of analysis; failure to model the reciprocal relationship between threats to the survival of political leaders on one hand, and international conflict participation on the other; and measurement error in operationalizations of the independent variable—the incentive of leaders to divert. We construct an empirical test that addresses all of these concerns. Our analysis of data from Latin America during the period 1960-99 reveals robust evidence in support of diversionary theory. The results also expose the biasing effects associated with the failure to control for reciprocal causation and measurement problems.
Job Adequacy and Work-Family Balance: Looking at Jobs as a Whole
Authors: Bass Brenda L. , Grzywacz Joseph G.
Published: October 2010

Using an ecological person—process—context model and recent conceptualization of the “employment continuum,” this study examines differences in components of work—family balance among individuals in diverse types of jobs ranging from “inadequate” to “optimal.” Cross-sectional data from the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce ( n = 2,877) were used to test differences in work-to-family conflict and enrichment among individuals whose jobs have different constellations of favorable structural and psychosocial attributes. Results suggest jobs enriched with both structural and psychosocial attributes contribute to better work—family balance by reducing conflict and promoting enrichment. Similar patterns occurred regardless of family employment arrangement, but dual earner men reported higher levels of conflict compared with women when holding inadequate jobs. The pattern of results suggests that viewing jobs holistically is important for understanding the work—family interface.
Steroids and statins: an old and a new anti-inflammatory strategy compared
Authors: Vukovic Petar M , Maravic-Stojkovic Vera R , Peric Miodrag S , Jovic Miomir Dj , Cirkovic Milan V , Gradinac Sinisa Dj , Djukanovic Bosko P , Milojevic Predrag S
Published: October 2010

Objectives: This study compared the anti-inflammatory effects of methylprednisolone (MP) and atorvastatin and analysed their influences on clinical variables in patients undergoing coronary revascularization.

Methods: Ninety patients with compromised left ventricular ejection fraction (≤30%) undergoing elective coronary surgery were equally randomized to one of three groups: statin group, treatment with atorvastatin (20 mg/day) 3 weeks before surgery; methylprednisolone group, a single shot of methylpredniosolone (10mg/kg); and control group.

Results: Postoperative IL-6 was higher in the control group when compared to the methylprednisolone and statin groups (p<0.01). IL-6 was higher in the statin-treated patients (p<0.05 versus methylprednisolone). Administration of methylprednisolone as well as statin treatment increased postoperative cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index, decreased postoperative atrial fibrilation rate and reduced ICU stay (p<0.05 versus control). The number of patients requiring inotropic support was lower in the methylprednisolone group when compared with the other two groups (p<0.01). Tracheal intubation time was reduced in patients who received methylprednisolone (p<0.01 versus control).

Conclusions: Preoperative administration of either methylprednisolone or atorvastatin reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release, improved haemodynamics, decreased postoperative atrial fibrilation rate and reduced ICU stay in patients with significantly impaired cardiac function undergoing coronary revascularization. Treatment with methylprednisolone was associated with less inotropic support requirements and reduced mechanical ventilation time.
Normative data, preliminary inter-rater reliability and predictive validity of the Drive Home Maze Test
Authors: Krishnasamy Charmaine , Unsworth Carolyn A
Published: October 2010

Objective: The Drive Home Maze Test has been developed as part of a clinic-based driver assessment battery. This article reports normative data and preliminary inter-rater reliability for this test together with predictive validity for a clinical sample.

Subjects and setting: 223 individuals contributed to the normative data. Of these, data from 42 clients undergoing driver assessment as part of their rehabilitation or health care plan were used to ascertain the predictive validity of the Drive Home Maze Test for on-road driving performance (Pass/ Fail).

Main measure: The Drive Home Maze Test was developed for occupational therapy driver assessors to use with all older and/ or functionally impaired drivers prior to on-road testing. The test assesses a person s executive function, attention and visuoconstructive skills.

Results: The normative data indicated that time taken and number of errors on the maze increases with age. Performance on this test was strongly indicative of driver assessment outcome using the regression model: ln(Odds of failing on road) = 5.9451 + 2.7047 (log10 time taken to complete the maze). Excellent preliminary inter-rater reliability was also found using Ordinary Least Products linear regression analysis to test for bias between two raters for time taken and number of errors on the maze, with values ranging from r = 0.858 to 0.999.

Conclusions: The Drive Home Maze Test provides useful information concerning a person's cognitive skills prior to undertaking an on-road assessment. Time taken to complete this test is indicative of the outcome of an on-road driver assessment.
Learning Combinatorial Map Information from Permutations of Landmarks
Authors: Tovar Benjamín , Freda Luigi , LaValle Steven M.
Published: October 2010

This paper considers a robot that moves in the plane and that is able to sense only the cyclic order of landmarks with respect to its current position. No metric information is available regarding the robot or landmark positions; moreover, the robot does not have a compass or odometers (i.e., knowledge of coordinates). We carefully study the information space of the robot, and establish its capabilities in terms of mapping the environment and accomplishing tasks, such as navigation and patrolling. When the robot moves exclusively inside the perimeter of the set of landmarks, the information space may be succinctly characterized as an order type that provides information powerful enough to determine which points lie inside the convex hulls of subsets of landmarks. In addition, if the robot is allowed to move outside the perimeter of the set of landmarks, the information space is described with a swap cell decomposition, that is, an aspect graph in which each aspect is a cyclic permutation of landmarks. Finally, we show how to construct such decomposition through its dual, using two kinds of feedback motion commands based on the landmarks sensed.
Experimental Transmission of H-Type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy to Bovinized Transgenic Mice
Authors: Okada H. , Masujin K. , Iwamaru Y. , Imamura M. , Matsuura Y. , Mohri S. , Czub S. , Yokoyama T.
Published: October 2010

To characterize the biological and biochemical properties of H-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a transmission study with a Canadian H-type isolate was performed with bovinized transgenic mice (TgBoPrP), which were inoculated intracerebrally with brain homogenate from cattle with H-type BSE. All mice exhibited characteristic neurologic signs, and the subsequent passage showed a shortened incubation period. The distribution of disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc) was determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and paraffin-embedded tissue (PET) blot. Biochemical properties and higher molecular weight of the glycoform pattern were well conserved within mice. Immunolabeled granular PrPSc, aggregates, and/or plaque-like deposits were mainly detected in the following brain locations: septal nuclei, subcallosal regions, hypothalamus, paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis, and the reticular formation of the midbrain. Weak reactivity was detected by immunohistochemistry and PET blot in the cerebral cortex, most thalamic nuclei, the hippocampus, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum. These findings indicate that the H-type BSE prion has biological and biochemical properties distinct from those of C-type and L-type BSE in TgBoPrP mice, which suggests that TgBoPrP mice constitute a useful animal model to distinguish isolates from BSE-infected cattle.
Novel Betapapillomavirus Associated With Hand and Foot Papillomas in a Cynomolgus Macaque
Authors: Wood C. E. , Tannehill-Gregg S. H. , Chen Z. , Doorslaer K. van , Nelson D. R. , Cline J. M. , Burk R. D.
Published: October 2010

Betapapillomavirus is a genus of papillomaviruses (PVs) commonly found in human skin and associated with both benign and malignant skin lesions. Only 2 previous beta-PVs have been fully characterized in nonhuman species. This report describes a novel beta-PV, named Macaca fascicularis PV type 2 (MfPV2), isolated from exophytic skin papillomas on the hands and feet of a 2-year-old male cynomolgus monkey ( M. fascicularis). On histology the papillomas were composed of diffusely thickened epidermis with superficial foci of cytomegaly, cytoplasmic pallor, marginalized chromatin, and rare eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Positive immunostaining for p16 and the proliferation marker Ki67 was present multifocally within affected epidermis, most prominently within basal-type cells. Complete sequence identity (100%) was noted between PV genomes fully sequenced from hand and foot lesions. The MfPV2 genome was 7632 base pairs in length and included putative open reading frames (ORFs) for E1, E2, E4, E6, E7, L1, and L2 genes, similar to other PVs. The closest relatives to MfPV2 based on the L1 ORF sequence were all beta-PVs. These included human PV (HPV) 9, HPV115, HPV76, HPV75, and MfPV1 (60–70% pairwise identity for all), the latter of which was also isolated from hand and foot papillomas in a cynomolgus macaque. Phylogenetic analysis placed MfPV2 in a new species group (beta-6), distinct from HPVs (beta-1 to beta-5) and MfPV1 (beta-1). These findings characterize a new nonhuman beta-PV and provide additional support for the idea that tissue tropism among ancestral primate PVs developed prior to divergence of certain Old World primate lineages.
Long-term ecosystem dynamics of a small lake and its catchment in west Greenland
Authors: Presthus Heggen Marianne , Birks Hilary H. , Anderson N. John
Published: October 2010

We investigated the interplay between climate and the Holocene ecological development of a small low-Arctic lake and its catchment. The remains of terrestrial and aquatic oribatid mites, plant macrofossils, and other invertebrates in a sediment core from Lake SS16 in west Greenland revealed its palaeoecological history over the last 6950 years. Betula nana immigrated into Dryas fell-field and open grassland around 6600 cal. yr BP and then expanded to dominate dwarf-shrub heath that clothed the catchment for 4800 years. Like other lakes in Greenland, the mesotrophic SS16 became progressively oligotrophic as a consequence of nutrient depletion and reduced runoff from the maturing catchment vegetation. Abrupt declines of Lepidurus arcticus and Daphnia probably reflect the immigration of fish around 6300 cal. yr BP. After c. 2000 cal. yr BP, catchment heathland declined with Neoglacial cooling and reduced precipitation and was replaced by open Dryas grassland vegetation and bare soil. Lake productivity also decreased. The major early-Holocene catchment changes pre-date the aquatic changes, revealing decoupling of ecological responses to climate. In the late Holocene, however, climate change was the predominant driver in both lake and catchment. This multiproxy study shows the valuable contribution made by oribatid mites in the reconstruction of direct processes (e.g. precipitation:evaporation ratio), indirect processes (e.g. nutrient sequestration by maturing tundra vegetation, immigration of taxa), and internal feedbacks (e.g. trophic interactions) that controlled ecosystem development in the past.
Enhancement of gallic acid-induced human pulmonary fibroblast cell death by N-acetyl cysteine and L-buthionine sulfoximine
Authors: Bo Ra You  , Woo Hyun Park
Published: October 2010

Gallic acid (GA) has various biological properties including anti-cancer effect. However, little is known about the toxicological effect of GA in primary normal cells. Here, we evaluated the effects of GA on human pulmonary fibroblast (HPF) cells in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH). GA inhibited the growth of HPF cells at 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner. GA also induced HPF cell death, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; ΔΨm). GA increased ROS levels including O2•- and GSH-depleted cell numbers in HPF cells at 24 hours. Treatment with 2 mM N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) intensified growth inhibition and death in GA-treated HPF cells. NAC decreased ROS levels and increased GSH depletion in these cells. Treatment with 10 μM L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) also enhanced growth inhibition and death in GA-treated HPF cells. BSO increased ROS levels and GSH depletion in these cells. In conclusion, GA-induced HPF cell death was accompanied by ROS increase and GSH depletion. The changes of ROS and GSH levels by NAC and BSO appeared to affect cell growth and death in GA-treated HPF cells.
The Form and Function of Social Development
Authors: White David J.
Published: October 2010

Social environments can structure behavioral development and affect genetic and cultural evolution. Here, I review recent work on the development and function of social skills in brown-headed cowbirds ( Molothrus ater), a gregarious, brood-parasitic songbird. I manipulated social composition of captive flocks of cowbirds and studied the development of vocal and social behavior of individuals within the flocks. Results revealed dramatic flexibility in cowbirds’ traits that were never before considered to be influenced by the social environment, such as aggression, mate guarding, sexual preferences, and even their mating system (monogamy vs. promiscuity). Furthermore, behaviors most responsive to social influence during development (female- and male-directed singing) were the behaviors most closely related to reproductive success, revealing the traits on which selection may be acting. Taken together, these experiments highlight that social experiences throughout life organize effective species-typical behavior and influence fitness. This suggests that evolution acts on social skills: abilities that allow individuals to seek out and learn from their social environment.
Surprise and Awe: Learning From Indigenous Managers and Implications for Management Education
Authors: Schwabenland Christina
Published: October 2010

This article describes a self-reflexive exploration of five instances of encounters with indigenous managers that challenged my preconceptions about management. My focus is on the praxis of the moments in which these challenges occurred. I analyze these experiences to answer four questions: How did learning occur? What was that learning? How did it influence me? What might be the implications of this analysis for management education? My examples are drawn from two research projects with managers and students working in the nongovernmental organization sector in India and the United Kingdom. The encounters that I describe have been characterized by an initial experience of surprise and disorientation, followed by increasing awareness of new ways of conceptualizing the tasks of management. Along with Said, I suggest that developing the capacity for attending to surprise, as a means of “decolonizing the imagination” should form a significant element of management education for both teacher and student. Finally, I draw on my experiences as a teacher to offer some suggestions on incorporating surprise into management pedagogy.
On the fully elastic adhesive layer and sandwich core model: a spectral decomposition/ method of weighted residuals solution
Authors: Radice Joshua J , Malek-Madani Reza
Published: October 2010

To accurately model the stress transfer through a square-ended sandwich structure core and/or a square-ended adhesive layer, a biharmonic Airy stress function solution is derived using a spectral decomposition and a collocation expansion. The solution satisfies the zero stress conditions at the traction-free surfaces and the matched displacement conditions at the top and bottom material interfaces. The stress field is investigated for an idealized state of pure shear. For this example case, the shear and normal stress fields are found to be finite and differentiable everywhere in the domain. This includes finite valued stresses at the sharp corners of an elastic medium. The resulting stress components are compared with the Goland—Reissner, the Closed Form Higher Order, and COMSOL finite element models. The Spectral/ Collocation model is found to be superior owing to the satisfaction of the differential equations of deformation compatibility. It is also demonstrated that highly refined structural mechanics finite element models are unable to handle the stress-free conditions at corners of the traction-free surfaces.
It’s time to re-think mental health services for children in care, and those adopted from care
Authors: Tarren-Sweeney Michael
Published: October 2010

Much of what is written in this special issue points to the need for a clinical workforce that has much greater knowledge and skills for working with children with a history of alternate care, including those who are subsequently adopted. Standard child clinical conceptualization, assessment methods, and formulations miss the mark for these vulnerable populations in a number of critical ways. The present paper proposes 10 principles to guide the design of mental health services for children in care, and those adopted from care. Effective specialization in child welfare work by clinical child psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists, requires: (i) specialized knowledge and skills; (ii) a shift from traditional clinical practice to a clinical psychosocial-developmental scope of practice; and (iii) a strong advocacy role. To support such specialized practice, service design should be guided by: (iv) a primary—specialist care nexus, that includes universal, comprehensive assessments; (v) a shift from acute care to preventative, long-term engagement and monitoring; (vi) integration within the social care milieu; (vii) a shift from exclusion to active ownership of these client groups; (viii) normalization strategies; and (ix) alignment of services for these client groups. Finally, it is argued that mental health service provision for these children is strengthened by policy that promotes (x) “whole of government” accountability for their mental health needs.
Mental health services for children in public care and other vulnerable groups: Implications for international collaboration
Authors: Vostanis Panos
Published: October 2010

Children in public care and other vulnerable young groups (homeless, adopted, refugees) are increasingly becoming the focus of policy and service planning. There is strong evidence that all these client populations have high rates of mental health problems which are closely associated with other needs. We also have good knowledge on the factors that predispose individuals to and maintain mental health problems, as well as on the reasons for their not easily accessing and engaging with services. There is less evidence on the effectiveness of interventions or service models, although some interesting patterns are beginning to emerge. These include the need for inter-agency commissioning, clear care pathways, designated provision, applied therapeutic interventions, training for carers and frontline practitioners, and multi modal programmes. This paper discusses these issues, as well as ways forward, both for systems with relatively well developed child mental health services and for low-income countries. Service quality can be greatly strengthened by international collaboration on policy, practice and research networks, training and research.
Review: Mortality in schizophrenia: a measurable clinical endpoint
Authors: Bushe Chris J , Taylor Mark , Haukka Jari
Published: October 2010

Over the last five years, large data sets on mortality in schizophrenia have been published which have established mortality as a measurable clinical endpoint. Four issues need clarification: whether mortality rates are declining, what the causes of death are, the effects antipsychotic treatments have on mortality and whether these data inform as to how mortality may be reduced in the future. A PubMed search was carried out to identify relevant publications. The search strategy was conducted as a review focusing predominantly on data since 2006. A large number of retrospective epidemiological and prospective studies have been published on mortality rates and causation in schizophrenia, predominantly from 2006—2009. Data suggest that the mortality gap with the general population increased from the 1970s but may have peaked in the mid-1990s. The main causes of mortality are suicide, cancer and cardiovascular disease, with evidence that cancer mortality rates are similar to cardiovascular mortality rates. Mortality causation is dependent upon age of the cohort, length of follow up and type of study. Antipsychotic treatments reduce mortality when compared with no treatment and atypical antipsychotics do not appear to increase cardiovascular mortality and morbidity compared with conventionals; further research is required for any definitive conclusion.
Review: Suicide and schizophrenia: a systematic review of rates and risk factors
Authors: Hor Kahyee , Taylor Mark
Published: October 2010

Risk assessment is a core skill in psychiatry. Risk prediction for suicide in schizophrenia is known to be complex. We undertook a systematic review of all original studies concerning suicide in schizophrenia published since 2004. We found 51 data-containing studies (from 1281 studies screened) that met our inclusion criteria, and ranked these by standardized quality criteria. Estimates of rates of suicide and risk factors associated with later suicide were identified, and the risk factors were grouped according to type and strength of association with suicide. Consensus on the lifetime risk of suicide was a rate of approximately 5%. Risk factors with a strong association with later suicide included being young, male, and with a high level of education. Illness-related risk factors were important predictors, with number of prior suicide attempts, depressive symptoms, active hallucinations and delusions, and the presence of insight all having a strong evidential basis. A family history of suicide, and comorbid substance misuse were also positively associated with later suicide. The only consistent protective factor for suicide was delivery of and adherence to effective treatment. Prevention of suicide in schizophrenia will rely on identifying those individuals at risk, and treating comorbid depression and substance misuse, as well as providing best available treatment for psychotic symptoms.
Skeletal muscle myoblasts possess a stretch-responsive local angiotensin signalling system
Authors: Johnston Adam P W , Baker Jeff , De Lisio Michael , Parise Gianni
Published: October 2010

A paucity of information exists regarding the presence of local renin—angiotensin systems (RASs) in skeletal muscle and associated muscle stem cells. Skeletal muscle and muscle stem cells were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and examined for the presence of a local RAS using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Furthermore, the effect of mechanical stimulation on RAS member gene expression was analysed. Whole skeletal muscle, primary myoblasts and C2C12 derived myoblasts and myotubes differentially expressed members of the RAS including angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2). Renin transcripts were never detected, however, mRNA for the ‘renin-like’ enzyme cathepsin D was observed and Ang I and Ang II were identified in cell culture supernatants from proliferating myoblasts. AT1 appeared to co-localise with polymerised actin filaments in proliferating myoblasts and was primarily found in the nucleus of terminally differentiated myotubes. Furthermore, mechanical stretch of proliferating and differentiating C2C12 cells differentially induced mRNA expression of angiotensinogen, AT 1 and AT2. Proliferating and differentiated muscle stem cells possess a local stress-responsive RAS in vitro. The precise function of a local RAS in myoblasts remains unknown. However, evidence presented here suggests that Ang II may be a regulator of skeletal muscle myoblasts.
Outcomes of Antiretroviral Treatment: A Comparison Between Hospitals and Health Centers in Ethiopia
Authors: Balcha Taye T. , Jeppsson Anders
Published: October 2010

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) between hospital and health center levels in Ethiopia. Methods: Medical records of 1709 ART patients followed for 24 months at 2 hospitals and 3 health centers in the Oromia region of Ethiopia were reviewed. Noted outcomes of ART were currently alive and on treatment; lost to follow-up (LTFU); transferred out (TO); and died (D). Results: Of 1709 HIV-positive patients started on ART between September 2006 and February 2007, 1044 (61%) remained alive and were on treatment after 24-month follow-up. In all, 835 (57%) of ART patients at hospitals and 209 (83%) at health centers were retained in the program. Of those who were alive and receiving ART, 79% of patients at health centers and 72% at hospitals were clinically or immunologically improving. In addition, 331 (23%) patients at hospitals were LFTU as compared to 24 (10%) of patients at health centers (relative risk [RR] at 95% confidence interval [CI]: .358 [.231-.555]). While 11% was the mortality rate at hospitals, 5% of patients at health centers also died (RR at 95% CI: .360 [.192-.673]). Conclusion: Antiretroviral therapy at health centers was associated with more favorable outcomes than at hospitals.
Tenofovir-Associated Severe Bone Pain: I Cannot Walk!
Authors: Jhaveri Malhar A. , Mawad Hanna W. , Thornton Alice C. , Mullen Nancy W. , Greenberg Richard N.
Published: October 2010

Two adult patients living with AIDS presented with severe bone pain associated with tenofovir (TDF) use. Both were unable to walk without assistance and were severely restricted in their movement due to the bone pain. Both had mild renal impairment, Fanconi syndrome, and bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Bone pain and inability to walk were reversible with the cessation of TDF and supplementation with Vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphate. These cases appear to be examples of the severity of BMD loss associated with TDF use and suggest not only attention to renal function with TDF use, but also monitoring of alkaline phosphatase (bone fraction) and plasma phosphorus as indicators of BMD loss.
Active living—the perception of older people with chronic conditions
Authors: Fuller Beth G. , Stewart Williams Jennifer A. , Byles Julie E.
Published: October 2010

Objectives: To describe and understand factors which enhance and impede participation in physical activity for older adults with and without chronic illness and develop a framework of health behaviours for ‘active living’.

Methods: A contrasting group framework was used to compare discussions in two sets of focus groups with relatively healthy and less healthy older adults. The thematic analysis was informed by the Transtheoretical Model, the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory.

Results: All participants affirmed the health benefits of physical activity and there was broad agreement that social support and conductive environments contributed to the promotion of opportunities for physical activity. However, perceptions of specific factors needed to maintain and promote good health differed between healthy and less healthy participants. Connection to community, sense of place and ‘walkability’ of neighbourhoods were identified as motivators for undertaking physical activity, whilst barriers were associated with health, the environment, family and attitudes to physical activity.

Discussions: The focus groups highlighted the importance of social, behavioural and contextual factors in promoting opportunities for physical activity in older adults with and without chronic illness. The findings were used to propose an Active Living Framework which is the subject of ongoing research.
Patient engagement with a diabetes self-management intervention
Authors: Lindenmeyer Antje , Whitlock Sandra , Sturt Jackie , Griffiths Frances
Published: October 2010

Objectives: To explore how people living with type 2 diabetes self-manage their condition in everyday life and the impact of the Diabetes Manual programme, a one-to-one structured educational intervention aiming to increase skills and confidence for self-management.

Method: Semi-structured interviews with 12 participants on the Diabetes Manual trial, sampled purposively according to baseline self-efficacy and educational attainment.

Results: When describing their experience of living with diabetes, there was little difference between intervention and control participants, although those who had received the programme talked more about the use of blood glucose self-assessment. Programme users were grouped into three categories, Programme Engagers (n = 2), Programme Browsers (n = 4) and Information Seekers (n = 6). Of the two participants engaging with the programme, one described a very positive experience, the other felt unsupported by their practice. None noticed a difference in the approach used by their health professional. Participants’ approach to the Diabetes Manual programme suggests they will continue to use it as a resource in the future.

Conclusion: Participants used the Diabetes Manual programme in different ways, choosing the timing and depth of engagement. Their experience suggests that the programme requires close communication and openness towards collaborative approaches to improve skills and confidence for self-management.