bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HISTORICIZING AMERICAN TRAVEL, AT HOME AND ABROAD
Authors: BUTLER LESLIE
Published: March 2011

In the winter of 1859, the Boston poet Julia Ward Howe sailed for Cuba; and in the winter of 1860, Ticknor and Fields published an account of her travel.A Trip to Cubaappeared only months after the same firm had published Richard Henry Dana's story of his “vacation voyage,”To Cuba and Back. These two narratives responded to a burgeoning American interest in the Caribbean island that promised recuperation to American invalids and adventure for military “filibusters.” Howe's narrative demonstrated a self-conscious familiarity with antebellum travel writing more broadly, however, as she playfully resisted yet ultimately upheld various conventions of a genre that had become a staple of the American literary marketplace. “I do not know why all celebrated people who write books of travel begin by describing their days of seasickness,” she noted, before discussing her own shipboard illness. She followed similar cues as she blended elements of autobiography, the social sketch, nature writing, and political and social commentary. Across 250 “sprightly” pages, readers were offered a familiar melange of humorous portraits, detailed descriptions of “foreign” institutions, and extensive commentary on local customs and social mores.
Adhesion-dependent Skp2 transcription requires selenocysteine tRNA gene transcription-activating factor (STAF)
Authors: Hernández-Negrete Ivette , Sala-Newby Graciela B. , Perl Andras , Kunkel Gary R. , Newby Andrew C. , Bond Mark
Published: March 2011

Cell adhesion is essential for cell cycle progression in most normal cells. Loss of adhesion dependence is a hallmark of cellular transformation. The F-box protein Skp2 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 2) controls G1–S-phase progression and is subject to adhesion-dependent transcriptional regulation, although the mechanisms are poorly understood. We identify two cross-species conserved binding elements for the STAF (selenocysteine tRNA gene transcription-activating factor) in the Skp2 promoter that are essential for Skp2 promoter activity. Endogenous STAF specifically binds these elements in EMSA (electrophoretic mobility-shift assay) and ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) analysis. STAF is sufficient and necessary for Skp2 promoter activity since exogenous STAF activates promoter activity and expression and STAF siRNA (small interfering RNA) inhibits Skp2 promoter activity, mRNA and protein expression and cell proliferation. Furthermore, ectopic Skp2 expression completely reverses the inhibitory effects of STAF silencing on proliferation. Importantly, STAF expression and binding to the Skp2 promoter is adhesion-dependent and associated with adhesion-dependent Skp2 expression in non-transformed cells. Ectopic STAF rescues Skp2 expression in suspension cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that STAF is essential and sufficient for Skp2 promoter activity and plays a role in the adhesion-dependent expression of Skp2 and ultimately cell proliferation.
Development of an optical three-dimensional laser tracker using dual modulated laser diodes and a signal detector
Authors: Lee Hau-Wei , Chen Chieh-Li , Liu Chien-Hung
Published: March 2011

Laser trackers are widely used in industry for tasks such as the assembly of airplanes and automobiles, contour measurement, and robot calibration. However, laser trackers are expensive, and the corresponding solution procedure is very complex. The influence of measurement uncertainties is also significant. This study proposes a three-dimensional space position measurement system which consists of two tracking modules, a zero tracking angle return subsystem, and a target quadrant photodiode (QPD). The target QPD is placed on the object being tracked. The origin locking method is used to keep the rays on the origin of the target QPD. The position of the target QPD is determined using triangulation since the two laser rays are projected onto one QPD. Modulation and demodulation are utilized to separate the coupled positional values. The experiment results show that measurement errors in the X, Y, and Z directions are less than ±0.05% when the measured object was moved by 300, 300, and 200 mm in the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The theoretical measurement error estimated from the measurement model is between ±0.02% and ±0.07% within the defined measurable range. The proposed system can be applied to the measurements of machine tools and robot arms.
Giant Stark effect in double-stranded porphyrin ladder polymers
Authors: Pramanik Anup , Kang Hong Seok
Published: March 2011

Using the first-principles calculations, we have investigated the stability and the electronic structure of two types of recently synthesized one-dimensional nanoribbons, i.e., double-stranded zinc(II) porphyrin ladder polymer (LADDER) arrays. First, electronic structure calculations were used to show that the LADDER is a semiconductor. Most importantly, the application of a transverse electric field significantly reduces the band gap of the LADDER, ultimately converting the LADDER to a metal at a field strength of 0.1 V/Å. The giant Stark effect in this case is almost as strong as that in boron nitride nanotubes and nanoribbons. In the presence of an electric field, hole conduction and electronic conduction will occur entirely through spatially separated strands, rendering these materials useful for nanoelectronic devices. Second, the substitution of hydrogen atoms in the porphyrin units or that of zinc ions with other kinds of chemical species is found to increase the binding strength of the LADDER and reduce the band gap.
Formation of crystal nuclei near critical supersaturation in small volumes
Authors: Kožíšek Zdeněk , Sato Kyotaka , Ueno Satoru , Demo Pavel
Published: March 2011

This work deals with the nucleation of crystals in confined systems in response to the recent high interest in research on crystallization in emulsion and microemulsion droplets. In these confined systems, crystallization often occurs at high supercooling; thus, nucleation determines the overall crystallization process. A decrease in the volume of the confined mother phase leads to the higher supercooling needed for the phase transition. We have numerically solved kinetic equations in order to determine the conditions under which the first crystal nuclei are formed by homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation from supercooled melt and supersaturated solution, depending on the volume of the mother phase. Supersaturation (or supercooling) increases with decreasing volume of the mother phase. The nucleation barrier depends linearly on the logarithm of volume of the mother phase in all cases under consideration, as follows from the numerical solution of kinetic equations.
Enhanced resonant magnetoelectric coupling in frequency-tunable composite multiferroic bimorph structures
Authors: Finkel P. , Bonini J. , Garrity E. , Bussman K. , Gao J. , Li J. F. , Lofland S. E. , Viehland D.
Published: March 2011

We report on a giant tunable enhanced resonant magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in multiferroic magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composite bimorph structures. The approach uses a magnetic/electric field assisted stress-reconfigurable resonance to produce frequency tuning of up to 100%. The studies were performed by laser Doppler spectroscopy. We also show that this principle of a continuously tuned resonance might be used to improve sensitivity for ME magnetic sensors.
A method to characterize the sheet resistance of a laser doped line on crystalline silicon wafers for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Wang Kee Soon , Tjahjono Budi S. , Uddin Ashraf , Wenham Stuart R.
Published: March 2011

A theory is presented that correlates the different sheet resistance (Rsh) values of the same phosphorus laser doped (LD) line approximated by two different methods: the LD box and transfer length measurement (TLM) methods. By modeling the LD line junction profile, an effective Rsh value using the LD box method is obtained and used to derive the Rsh upper limit (Rsh.UL) of the LD line. This value matches within ±10% of the Rsh.UL value obtained using the TLM method across four lasing speeds. Subsequently, a LD box method is introduced to determine the LD line Rsh.UL easily without modeling work.
Direct laser immobilization of photosynthetic material on screen printed electrodes for amperometric biosensor
Authors: Boutopoulos Christos , Touloupakis Eleftherios , Pezzotti Ittalo , Giardi Maria Teresa , Zergioti Ioanna
Published: March 2011

This letter demonstrates the direct laser printing of photosynthetic material onto low cost nonfunctionalized screen printed electrodes for the fabrication of photosynthesis-based amperometric biosensors. The high kinetic energy of the transferred material induces direct immobilization of the thylakoids onto the electrodes without the use of linkers. This type of immobilization is able to establish efficient electrochemical contact between proteins and electrode, stabilizing the photosynthetic biomolecule and transporting electrons to the solid state device with high efficiency. The functionality of the laser printed biosensors was evaluated by the detection of a common herbicide such as Linuron.
ncIDP-assign: a SPARKY extension for the effective NMR assignment of intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Tamiola Kamil , Mulder Frans A. A.
Published: March 2011

Summary: We describe here the ncIDP-assign extension for the popular NMR assignment program SPARKY, which aids in the sequence-specific resonance assignment of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). The assignment plugin greatly facilitates the effective matching of a set of connected resonances to the correct position in the sequence by making use of IDP random coil chemical shifts.

Availability: The ncIDP-assign extension is available at http://www.protein-nmr.org/.

Contact:  k.tamiola@rug.nl; f.a.a.mulder@rug.nl; support@protein-nmr.org
SC2ATmd: a tool for integration of the figure of merit with cluster analysis for gene expression data
Authors: Olex Amy L. , Fetrow Jacquelyn S.
Published: March 2011

Summary: Standard and Consensus Clustering Analysis Tool for Microarray Data (SC2ATmd) is a MATLAB-implemented application specifically designed for the exploration of microarray gene expression data via clustering. Implementation of two versions of the clustering validation method figure of merit allows for performance comparisons between different clustering algorithms, and tailors the cluster analysis process to the varying characteristics of each dataset. Along with standard clustering algorithms this application also offers a consensus clustering method that can generate reproducible clusters across replicate experiments or different clustering algorithms. This application was designed specifically for the analysis of gene expression data, but may be used with any numerical data as long as it is in the right format.

Availability: SC2ATmd may be freely downloaded from http://www.compbiosci.wfu.edu/tools.htm.

Contact:  olexal@wfu.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Durability of the effects of testosterone and growth hormone supplementation in older community‐dwelling men: the HORMA Trial
Authors: Sattler Fred R. , Bhasin Shalender , He Jiaxiu , Yarasheski Kevin E. , Binder Ellen F. , Schroeder E. Todd , Castaneda‐Sceppa Carmen , Kawakubo Miwa , Roubenoff Ronenn , Dunn Matthew , Hahn Chris , Stewart Yolanda , Martinez Carmen , Azen Stanley P.
Published: March 2011

Objectives  To determine the durability of anabolic effects and adverse events (AEs) after stopping testosterone and growth hormone supplementation in older men.

Design  Secondary analysis of a double‐masked, randomized controlled trial of testosterone gel (5 or 10 g/daily) plus rhGH (0, 3 or 5 μg/kg/day) with follow‐up of outcomes 3 months later.

Participants  A total of 108 community‐dwelling 65‐ to 90‐year‐old men.

Measurements  Testosterone and IGF‐1 levels, body composition (DEXA), 1‐repetition maximum (1‐RM) strength, stair‐climbing power, quality‐of‐life (QOL) and activity questionnaires, AEs.

Results  Despite improvements in body composition during treatment, residual benefits 3 months later (week 28) were variable. For participants with improvements exceeding their week‐17 median changes, benefits were sustained at week 28 for lean body mass (1·45 ± 1·63 kg, 45% of week‐17 values, P < 0·0001 vs baseline), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM, 0·71 ± 1·01 kg, 42%, P < 0·0001), total fat (−1·06 ± 2·18 kg, 40%, P < 0·0001) and trunk fat (−0·89 ± 1·42 kg, 50%, P < 0·0001); retention of ASMM was associated with greater week‐16 protein intake (P = 0·01). For 1‐RM strength, 39%–43% of week‐17 improvements (P ≤ 0·05) were retained and associated with better week‐17 strength (P < 0·0001), change in testosterone from week 17‐to 28 (P = 0·004) and baseline PASE (P = 0·04). Framingham 10‐year cardiovascular risks were low (∼14%), did not worsen and improved by week 28 (P = 0·0002). The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis recovered completely.

Conclusions  Durable improvements in muscle mass, strength and fat mass were retained 3 months after discontinuing hormone supplementation in participants with greater than median body composition changes during treatment, but not in others with smaller gains. AEs largely resolved after intervention discontinuation. Additional strategies may be needed to sustain or augment muscle mass and strength gains achieved during short‐term hormone therapy.
Isolation of a Tridecapeptide from Natriuretic Fractions of Bovine Posterior Pituitary
Authors: Sedláková E. , Prusík Z. , Ŝkopková J. , Barth T. , Kluh I. , Cort J. H.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Crude Van Dyke protein prepared from frozen bovine posterior pituitary glands was treated with formic acid to release small bound and adsorbed peptides. Gel filtration, continuous free‐flow electrophoresis and descending paper electrophoresis were used to separate the small peptides into successively purer fractions which were assayed for pressor, uterotonic, natriuretic and melanocyte stimulating activities under double blind conditions. The highest peak of natriuretic activity was associated with only a small pressor and no uterotonic activities, and the same fractions contained a ninhydrin‐positive spot on paper electrophoresis, the mobility of which at pH 5.6 was similar to that of alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and ACTH‐(1–13‐amide)‐tri‐decapeptide (1–13 ACTH‐amide) but differed from vasopressin and oxytocin. Material from this spot had an amino acid composition which corresponded with the first 13 residues of ACTH. Quantitative bioassay of the final fraction in the frog demonstrated a melanotropic activity which, however, was lower than would have been expected for pure alpha‐MSH. The natriuretic activity of the isolated fraction was far higher than the potency of separately administered peptides which might be present: arginine‐vasopressin, alpha‐MSH or 1–13 ACTH. It is suggested that the isolated fraction represents a mixture of alpha‐MSH and 1–13 ACTH, and that alpha‐MSH may be an acetylated end‐product of ACTH cleavage in the pituitary.
Dynamics of Insulin Release and Microtubular‐Microfilamentous System
Authors: Somers G. , Van Obberghen E. , Devis G. , Ravazzola M. , Malaisse‐Lagae F. , Malaisse W. J.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The effect of colchicine upon glucose‐induced insulin release by the isolated perfused rat pancreas was examined in order to characterize the participation of the β‐cell microtubular apparatus in the biphasic insulin secretory response to glucose. After a short pretreatment (25 min.) with a low colchicine concentration (2.10−5 M), both the early and late phases of glucose‐induced insulin secretion were markedly enhanced. As either the concentration of colchicine or the length of the pretreatment period with this mitotic spindle‐inhibitor were increased, the facilitating effect faded out and partial inhibition of insulin release was observed. However, colchicine, even at high concentration, markedly enhanced the residual early release of insulin evoked by glucose in the presence of diazoxide (0.05 mg/ml). These findings suggest that (i) a fraction of the early phase of insulin secretion completely escapes from the inhibitory effect of colchicine and may correspond, therefore, to a modality of hormonal release which does not involve the oriented intracellular translocation of secretory granules; and (ii) extensive disruption of the microtubular apparatus is associated with inhibition of insulin release, especially during the late phase of the secretory response to glucose.
Stabilization of fibrin clots by activated prothrombin complex concentrate and tranexamic acid in FVIII inhibitor plasma
Authors: DAI L. , BEVAN D. , RANGARAJAN S. , SØRENSEN B. , MITCHELL M.
Published: March 2011

Summary.  Defective hemostasis in haemophilia patients with FVIII inhibitors results in a dramatic decrease in thrombin generation forming unstable fibrin clots that are susceptible to fibrinolyisis. In this study we tested whether the combination of plasma derived activated prothrombin complex concentrate (pd‐aPCC) with tranexamic acid (TXA) may improve fibrin clot stability in FVIII inhibitor plasma. A microplate assay for clot lysis time was used to assess clot stability in FVIII inhibitor plasma. The effect of pd‐aPCC on clot stability was first tested using the commercial FVIII inhibitor plasma. TXA (5 ∼ 10 mg mL−1) increased clot lysis time, but pd‐aPCC (0.25 ∼ 1.0 U mL−1) had no effect on it. The combination of pd‐aPCC and TXA significantly increased clot lysis time compared with TXA alone. The effect appeared to be limited to fibrin clot resistance to fibrinolysis, as TXA was found to have no effect on thrombin generation induced by pd‐aPCC. The effect of pd‐aPCC and TXA on clot stability was then tested and verified in plasma samples from ten patients with severe haemophilia A and inhibitors. The combination of TXA (10 mg mL−1) and pd‐aPCC (0.5 U mL−1) significantly increased clot lysis time compared to TXA alone. Our results suggest that the combination of pd‐aPCC with TXA improves clot stability in FVIII inhibitor plasma without additional increases in thrombin generation.
Trichothecene genotypes of Gibberella zeae from winter wheat fields in the eastern USA
Authors: Schmale D. G. , Wood‐Jones A. K. , Cowger C. , Bergstrom G. C. , Arellano C.
Published: March 2011

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused principally by Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum), is a devastating disease of small grains such as wheat and barley worldwide. Grain infected with G. zeae may be contaminated with trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). Strains of G. zeae that produce DON may also produce acetylated derivatives of DON: 3‐acetyl‐DON (3‐ADON) and 15‐acetyl‐DON (15‐ADON). Gradients (clines) of 3‐ADON genotypes in Canada have raised questions about the distribution of G. zeae trichothecene genotypes in wheat fields in the eastern USA. Tri3 and Tri12 genotypes were evaluated in 998 isolates of G. zeae collected from 39 winter wheat fields in New York (NY), Pennsylvania (PA), Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), Kentucky (KY) and North Carolina (NC). Ninety‐two percent (919/998) of the isolates were 15‐ADON, 7% (69/998) were 3‐ADON, and 1% (10/998) was NIV. A phylogenetic analysis based on portions of three genes (PHO, RED and URA) from 23 isolates revealed two species of Fusarium (F. graminearum sensu stricto and one isolate of F. cerealis (synonym F. crookwellense)). An increasing trend of 3‐ADON genotypes was observed from NC (south) to NY (north). Punctuated episodes of atmospheric transport may favour a higher frequency of 3‐ADON genotypes in the northeastern USA, near Canada, compared with the mid‐Atlantic states. Discoveries of the NIV genotype in NY and NC indicate the need for more intensive sampling in the surrounding regions.
The genetical theory of kin selection
Authors: GARDNER A. , WEST S. A. , WILD G.
Published: March 2011

Natural selection operates both directly, via the impact of a trait upon the individual’s own fitness, and indirectly, via the impact of the trait upon the fitness of the individual’s genetically related social partners. These effects are often framed in terms of Hamilton’s rule,rb − c > 0, which provides the central result of social‐evolution theory. However, a number of studies have questioned the generality of Hamilton’s rule, suggesting that it requires restrictive assumptions. Here, we use Fisher’s genetical paradigm to demonstrate the generality of Hamilton’s rule and to clarify links between different studies. We show that confusion has arisen owing to researchers misidentifying model parameters with thebandcterms in Hamilton’s rule, and misidentifying measures of genotypic similarity or genealogical relationship with the coefficient of genetic relatedness,r. More generally, we emphasize the need to distinguish between general kin‐selection theory that forms the foundations of social evolution, and streamlined kin‐selection methodology that is used to solve specific problems.
Crossover comparison of airway sealing pressures of 1.5 and 2 size LMA‐ProSeal™ and LMA‐Classic™ in children, measured with the manometric stability test
Authors: Karippacheril John G. , Varghese Elsa
Published: March 2011

Objectives:  To compare airway sealing pressures, air leak, optimal positioning of the LMA‐ProSeal™ and LMA‐Classic™ in children.

Methods:  A crossover, randomized study was conducted in children aged 6 months–7 years weighing <20 kg scheduled for minor elective surgery under GA with sevoflurane. Either a 1.5 or 2‐size LMA‐ProSeal™ or LMA‐Classic™ was inserted first. Optimal position of the devices was evaluated by fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). Airway sealing pressures were determined under standardized conditions by the manometric stability test at the proximal end of the LMA device. Gas leak observed by auscultation over the neck and epigastrium was noted at these pressures.

Results:  Twenty‐seven children of mean ages 29.48 ± 19.81 months and mean weight 11.23 ± 3.28 kg were included for evaluation. Airway sealing pressures were noted to be similar: 23.11 ± 8.28 cm H2O with LMA‐ProSeal™ and 23.26 ± 8.21 cm H2O with LMA‐Classic™. At these sealing pressures, air leak in the neck was observed in 21/27 children with LMA‐ProSeal™ compared with 24/27 with LMA‐Classic™ (P = 0.467). Optimal device positioning as viewed by FOB was seen in 14/27(51.8%) children with LMA‐ProSeal™ and 15/27(55.6%) with LMA‐Classic™. Airway sealing pressures with suboptimal position of LMA‐ProSeal™ was 22.23 ± 10.23 cm H2O and with optimal position 23.93 ± 6.25 cm H2O (P = 0.612).

Conclusion:  The LMA‐ProSeal™ and LMA‐Classic™ size 1.5 and 2 provide similar mean airway sealing pressures as assessed by the manometric stability test under standardized conditions, with similar air leak and optimal positioning.
Tracking shame and humiliation in Accident and Emergency
Authors: Sanders Karen , Pattison Stephen , Hurwitz Brian
Published: March 2011

In this paper, we reflect upon shame and humiliation as threats to personal and professional integrity and moral agency within contemporary health care. A personal narrative, written by a nurse about a particular shift in a British National Health Service Accident and Emergency Department, is provided as a case study. This is critically reflected and commented upon in dialogue with insights into the nature of shame and humiliation. It is suggested that Accident and Emergency is a locus that is latently prone to dynamics of shame and humiliation, a potential exacerbated within a culture subject to externally‐determined time targets that are enforced by a top‐down system of surveillance and management. The result is that nurses may lose their sense of professional competence and responsibility, moral agency, and integrity, to their own personal detriment, as well as to the detriment of patients with whom they work. Insofar as examining a small part of a whole may suggest insights into the operation and ethos of a very large system, this very particular case study narrative/reflection has some important implications and lessons for the wider organization and provision of health care in Britain and beyond.
Integrity at work: managing routine moral stress in professional roles
Authors: Cribb Alan
Published: March 2011

In this paper I consider the routine moral burden of occupying a professional role and having to negotiate tensions between the normative expectations attached to that role and one's own personal moral compass. Using an example to introduce this central issue I then seek to explore it through a discussion of the tensions between, and spaces between, ‘identifying’ with one's role and ‘separating’ oneself from one's role. I suggest that ethical integrity at work is revealed through the successful negotiation of these tensions, but that such negotiation depends upon the power and other resources available to individual professionals. Finally I argue that this discussion of ‘the ethics of role occupation’ has important implication for ‘the ethics of role construction’ and adds weight to concerns about the potential moral costs of managerialism.
Effects of lifestyle interventions and long‐term weight loss on lipid outcomes – a systematic review
Authors: Aucott L. , Gray D. , Rothnie H. , Thapa M. , Waweru C.
Published: March 2011

Weight and lipids are critical components of the metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Past reviews considering weight loss on lipid profiles have been for ≤1 year follow‐up and/or were for very overweight, obese or morbidly obese participants.

This systematic review includes lifestyle interventions for adults (18–65 years), with a mean baseline BMI < 35 kg/m2, with weight and lipid differences over 2 years. Between 1990 and 2010, 14 studies were identified.

Mean differences for weight and lipids were modest. However, weight loss at 2–3 years follow‐up, produced significant beneficial lipid profile changes. These were similar to previous reviews conducted on heavier target groups and/or over shorter follow‐up periods; cholesterol (1.3% decrease per kg lost) and triglycerides (1.6% fall per kg). Weight loss sustained longer than 3 years was not associated with beneficial lipid changes, suggesting that other lifestyle changes not just weight loss needs maintaining.

Evidence linking lifestyle induced sustained weight loss with lipid profile changes in the long‐term for this group is limited. Probable within‐group differences (treatment vs prevention), would make further group separation prudent. Individual patient data analysis would facilitate this, uncover baseline, medication and confounding effects, and may identify successful program components enabling more effective obesity prevention and treatment strategies.
An innovative concept map approach for improving students' learning performance with an instant feedback mechanism
Authors: Wu Po‐Han , Hwang Gwo‐Jen , Milrad Marcelo , Ke Hui‐Ru , Huang Yueh‐Min
Published: March 2011

Concept maps have been widely employed for helping students organise their knowledge as well as evaluating their knowledge structures in a wide range of subject matters. Although researchers have recognised concept maps as being an important educational tool, past experiences have also revealed the difficulty of evaluating the correctness of a concept map. It usually takes days or weeks for teachers to manually evaluate the concept maps developed by students; consequently, the students cannot receive timely feedback from the teachers, which not only affects their learning schedules, but also significantly influences the students' learning achievements. In this paper, a computer‐based concept map‐oriented learning strategy with real‐time assessment and feedback is proposed in order to cope with the problems mentioned above. Our approach provides immediate evaluation of concept maps and gives also real‐time feedback to the students. An experiment has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this new strategy in comparison with the conventional computer‐based concept map approach. It is found that our innovative approach can be significantly beneficial to promote learning achievements as well as the learning attitudes of students.
Social Capital and Unemployment: A Macro-Quantitative Analysis of the European Regions
Authors: Freitag Markus , Kirchner Antje
Published: March 2011

The policy of unemployment is probably one of the most controversial issues among economists, social scientists and politicians. In this article, we argue that European regions with higher levels of social capital will tend to have lower levels of unemployment. Using a macro-quantitative cross-sectional analysis of 134 European regions, we show that a great deal of variability in sub-national unemployment rates can be accounted for by a particular level of regionally aggregated measures of the density and depth of social networks between individuals. In other words, higher levels of social capital will lead to more efficient use of information about the labour market, to lower search and transaction costs on both sides of the market, to a higher quality of applicants, to the efficient placement of individual workers, to less conflict between insiders and outsiders and to more intensive efforts to find work. All in all, higher levels of social capital can be expected to limit the numbers of unemployed. Even when applying simultaneous equation modelling to counter against a possible endogeneity problem, our findings remain robust.
Understanding fear of cancer recurrence in terms of damage to ‘everyday health competence’
Authors: Horlick‐Jones Tom
Published: March 2011

Advances in clinical treatments are resulting in cancer patients living longer, but with the threat of the disease returning at some later date. Anxiety associated with this fear of recurrence, which seems widespread among patients, can lead to an enhanced bodily awareness and a pronounced tendency to interpret mundane sensations as symptoms of pathology. Relatively little sociological work has been done to systematically document, understand, and find ways of addressing, this syndrome and its impact on the quality of patients’ lives. It is argued that this syndrome is best understood not in cognitive terms, as a form of irrationality, but rather as resulting from damage to certain aspects of social competence, namely one’s ‘everyday health competence’. In investigating this issue, the author draws upon his personal experience of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery and adjuvant therapy; and on a broadly phenomenological approach to examining the relationship between bodily sensations and practical reasoning about experience. The implications for clinical practice are considered briefly.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose: senior NHS managers’ narratives of restructuring
Authors: Macfarlane Fraser , Exworthy Mark , Wilmott Micky , Greenhalgh Trish
Published: March 2011

The UK National Health Service (NHS) is regularly restructured. Its smooth operation and organisational memory depends on the insights and capability of managers, especially those with experience of previous transitions. Narrative methods can illuminate complex change from the perspective of key actors. We used an adaptation of Wengraf’s biographical narrative life interview method to explore how 20 senior NHS managers (chief executives, directors and assistant directors) had perceived and responded to major transitions since 1974. Data were analysed thematically using insights from phenomenology, neo‐institutional theory and critical management studies. Findings were contextualised within a literature review of NHS policy and management 1974–2009. Managers described how experience in different NHS organisations helped build resilience and tacit knowledge, and how a strong commitment to the ‘NHS brand’ allowed them to weather a succession of policy changes and implement and embed such changes locally. By synthesising these personal and situated micro‐narratives, we built a wider picture of macro‐level institutional change in the NHS, in which the various visible restructurings in recent years appear to have masked a deeper continuity in terms of enduring values, norms and ways of working. We consider the implications of these findings for the future NHS.
Relationship between the seasonal onset of chronic venous leg ulcers and climatic factors
Authors: Klode J. , Stoffels I. , Körber A. , Weindorf M. , Dissemond J.
Published: March 2011

Background  There have been reports indicating seasonal differences in the onset of chronic leg ulcers. The reasons for such seasonal fluctuations are not well understood. Therefore we decided to examine the seasonal incidence of chronic leg ulcers in our patient population, caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or mixed arterial and venous disorders, for any correlation with climatic factors.

Methods  We retrospectively analysed the data of 183 patients with chronic leg ulcers, evaluated the monthly and seasonal onset of the leg ulcers and investigated correlations between the incidence and climatic factors.

Results  The onset of chronic leg ulcers showed significant seasonal fluctuations with a decrease in summer and an increase in autumn‐winter. The ulcer onset in the cold months, autumn and winter, was significantly higher (P = 0.026) compared with spring and summer. Furthermore, in the bivariate correlation analysis of the variables temperature and ulcer onset, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between temperature and new ulcer onset. The colder the temperature was, the higher was the new ulcer onset with a correlation coefficient of −0.613 (P = 0.034).

Conclusion  The onset of chronic leg ulcers caused by CVI and mixed arterial and venous disorders in our patient population showed significant seasonal variations and demonstrated an inverse relationship to temperature. In summary, climatic factors appear to play an important role in the onset of chronic leg ulcers. Climatic factors may therefore need consideration in future clinical investigations and in the development of prophylactic therapeutic strategies.
The magnitude of reciprocity in chronic pain management: experiences of dispersed ethnic populations of Muslim women
Authors: Müllersdorf Maria , Zander Viktoria , Eriksson Henrik
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 637–645

The magnitude of reciprocity in chronic pain management: experiences of dispersed ethnic populations of Muslim women

Dispersed ethnic populations believe their health to be worse than the ethnic majority group in Sweden. Most studies in rehabilitation exclude dispersed ethnic populations who can not read or speak the national language although this group seems to be in need of rehabilitation to a larger extent than privileged majority groups. The aim of the study was to examine the experience of living with musculoskeletal pain and experience of health care among dispersed ethnic populations of Muslim women. The method used was inspired by Grounded Theory in this study. Interviews were made with five first‐generation Muslim immigrant women who had come to Sweden via Iraq as refugees. Two interviews were performed with interpreters. A preliminary core category ‘The magnitude of reciprocity’ based on three categories emerged from the analysis: (1) Impact of pain, (2) Managing pain and (3) Facing health care. Chronic pain limited the informants physically and emotionally, as well as impacting on their everyday life. Informants managed their pain primarily through medicine and physical activity, which gave at least temporary relief. Health care providers were perceived as doing their best but experiences of bad meetings were also witnessed. The factors important in achieving a good meeting in this study appeared to be; time, dialogue, honesty and understanding. Communication skills, feelings of being taken seriously and a sense of security were additional factors. Not being properly examined, or offered optimal treatment, not being believed or understood, were all seen as signs of dismissal within health care. The limitations of this study are primarily concerned with language difficulties resulting in various shortcomings. Reciprocal recognition and support connected to the specific life experiences of women that come with forced resettlement from the Muslim world to the European diaspora is a vital part of a holistic approach to pain management.
Advanced practice nurses’ scope of practice: a qualitative study of advanced clinical competencies
Authors: Nieminen Anna‐Lena , Mannevaara Bodil , Fagerström Lisbeth
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 661–670

Advanced practice nurses’ scope of practice: a qualitative study of advanced clinical competencies

Aim  To describe and explore Advanced Practice Nurses’ clinical competencies and how these are expressed in clinical practice.

Background  Discussion concerning advanced clinical practice has been ongoing in the USA since the 1960s and in the UK since the late 1980s. Approximately 24 countries, excluding the USA, have implemented the role of Advance Practice Nurse (APN). In the Nordic countries, especially Sweden and Finland, APNs have been introduced in some organizations but their competency domains have not yet been clearly defined.

Theoretical framework  The study’s theoretical framework emanates from Aristotle’s three‐dimensional view of knowledge that is epistêmê, technê, and phronesis.

Methods  Between October 2005 and January 2006, focus group interviews of Clinical Nurse Specialists who provide expert functions in pediatric, internal medicine, and surgical units (n = 26) and APN students (n = 8) were conducted. The data material was analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Findings  Grouped into five main themes, the study results indicate that APNs possess advanced level clinical competencies in: (A) assessment of patients’ caring needs and nursing care activities, (B) the caring relationship, (C) multi‐professional teamwork, (D) development of competence and nursing care, and (E) leadership in a learning and caring culture.

Conclusion  Clinical competencies consist of advanced skills, which typify an expanding role that offers new possibilities for holistic patient care practice. APNs’ scope of practice is characterized by responsibility and competence in making autonomous judgments based on expanded clinical competence. On an advanced level, clinical competence consists not merely of advanced skills for assessing and meeting the needs of patients but also the creation of safe and trustful relationships with patients and collaboration with colleagues. APNs can realize advanced skills in their actions through their manner of knowing, doing, and being.
Vasculogenic stem cell mobilization and wound recruitment in diabetic patients: Increased cell number and intracellular regulatory protein content associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors: Thom Stephen R. , Milovanova Tatyana N. , Yang Ming , Bhopale Veena M. , Sorokina Elena M. , Uzun Günalp , Malay D. Scot , Troiano Michael A. , Hardy Kevin R. , Lambert David S. , Logue Christopher J. , Margolis David J.
Published: March 2011

Diabetic patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapies (HBO2T) for refractory lower extremity neuropathic ulcers exhibit more than a twofold elevation (p=0.004) in circulating stem cells after treatments and the post‐HBO2T CD34+ cell population contains two‐ to threefold higher levels of hypoxia inducible factors‐1, ‐2, and ‐3, as well as thioredoxin‐1 (p<0.003), than cells present in blood before HBO2T. Skin margins obtained from 2‐day‐old abdominal wounds exhibit higher expression of CD133, CD34, hypoxia inducible factor‐1, and Trx‐1 vs. margins from refractory lower extremity wounds and expression of these proteins in all wounds is increased due to HBO2T (p<0.003). HBO2T is known to mobilize bone marrow stem cells by stimulating nitric oxide synthase. We found that nitric oxide synthase activity is acutely increased in patients' platelets following HBO2T and remains elevated for at least 20 hours. We conclude that HBO2T stimulates vasculogenic stem cell mobilization from bone marrow of diabetics and more cells are recruited to skin wounds.
Cellular sources and inducers of cytokines present in acute wound fluid
Authors: Grimstad Øystein , Sandanger Øystein , Ryan Liv , Otterdal Kari , Damaas Jan Kristian , Pukstad Brita , Espevik Terje
Published: March 2011

Acute wounds contain many biological active molecules, including several cytokines and growth factors. However, the cellular sources of each molecule, as well as the stimuli inducing them, are poorly characterized. We quantified the levels of 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in acute wound fluid in a luminex‐based assay. The acute wound fluid contained particularly high levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8, as well as elevated levels of MCP‐1, IL‐1RA, PDGF, IP‐10, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α. Surprisingly, the amounts of IL‐1β and IL‐10 were relatively low. To characterize the cellular sources of these molecules, we analyzed supernatants from monocytes, neutrophils, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells stimulated with pro‐ and anti inflammatory cytokines, and different Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands. The different cell types showed overlapping but distinct patterns of production of signal molecules, as well as sensitivity to ligands. Among pro‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β was the most potent inducer of signal molecule production. Furthermore, keratinocytes and endothelial cells were in particular responsive to the Toll‐like receptor‐3 ligand polyI:C. New interactions between cytokines and growth factors were revealed, which may have important roles in wound healing, including IL‐1β‐induced IFN‐γ and IL‐10‐induced VEGF.
The Initiation of Dating in Adolescence: The Effect of Parental Divorce. The TRAILS Study
Authors: Ivanova Katya , Mills Melinda , Veenstra René
Published: March 2011

This study examined the effect of parental divorce on the time it took adolescents to initiate their first romantic relationships. Individual differences in temperament and pubertal development and the age of the adolescent at the time of divorce were also taken into account. Hypotheses were tested using event history analysis with a sample of 1,487 Dutch adolescents. Results indicated that divorce sped up the transition to first relationship only when experienced in early adolescence. Findings are discussed in light of research on the heightened sensitivity to stress during transition periods such as the entry into adolescence.
Baseline B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide: A Gender‐Specific Predictor of Procedure‐Outcome in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation
Authors: MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA , MOHANTY PRASANT , DI BIASE LUIGI , RONG BAI , BURKHARDT DAVID , GALLINGHOUSE JOSEPH G. , HORTON RODNEY , SANCHEZ JAVIER E. , BAILEY SHANE , ZAGRODZKY JASON , NATALE ANDREA
Published: March 2011

Baseline BNP Predicts Ablation Outcome in Male AF Patients. Background: Close association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been demonstrated by several studies. Important gender differences exist in AF patients including a higher plasma BNP level in women. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the relationship between AF and BNP separately in men and women.

Objective: This study examined possible gender‐specific role of BNP in predicting procedure outcome in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation.

Method: The study population included 568 consecutive patients (age 62 ± 10, male 73%, paroxysmal 25%, persistent 38%, and long‐standing persistent AF 37%) undergoing AF ablation, who had structurally normal heart and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥45%. Baseline BNP was measured in all. Patients were grouped into “normal” and “high” BNP based on gender‐specific cut‐off values (<50 and ≥50 pg/mL in males, <100 and ≥ 100 pg/mL in females).

Result: Baseline BNP was significantly higher among women than men (126 ± 112 versus 87 ± 99, P = 0.009). At 12 ± 6 month follow‐up, 304 of 414 (73%) males and 98 of 154 (64%) females were AF/atrial tachycardia‐free off antiarrhythmic drugs (log‐rank P = 0.018). In multivariable analysis, BNP remained an independent predictor of AF recurrence (BNP ≥ 50: hazard ratio [HR] 2.54, P = 0.006) in males. No such association was observed among females (BNP ≥ 100: HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.43–1.42; P = 0.426).

Conclusion: Baseline BNP was found to be an independent predictor of AF recurrence in male patients undergoing ablation. This correlation between BNP and AF recurrence was not observed in females. Thus, BNP plays a gender‐specific prognostic role in AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 858‐865, August 2011)
Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characterization of the ovarian surface epithelium of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: RODLER Daniela , SINOWATZ Fred
Published: March 2011

Contrary to humans, most ovarian tumors in other species do not arise from the ovarian surface epithelium but are of follicular‐, stromal‐ or germ‐cell origin. One of the few species where ovarian cancer arises from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is chicken (Gallus domesticus). Little is known about the morphology of the OSE in other avian species. In our study we analyzed the OSE morphology of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) using ultrastructural and histochemical techniques. Carbohydrate residues have been studied by using a panel of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled lectins. Japanese quails are commonly used animal models in biomedical research as their housing is comparatively inexpensive and they show a short generation interval. Our ultrastructural and histochemical results demonstrate that the quail ovarian surface epithelium shows characteristic features which resemble the epithelia of both chicken and human. Additionally, the ovarian surface epithelium of the Japanese quail contains cytokeratin as well as vimentin intermediate filaments in their cytoplasm. Therewith and among other parts the quail OSE shows many characteristic features also seen in those of humans, which may qualify quail's ovary as a potential animal model for human ovarian carcinomas.
Whole‐cell biosensors for detection of heavy metal ions in environmental samples based on metallothionein promoters from Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Amaro Francisco , Turkewitz Aaron P. , Martín‐González Ana , Gutiérrez Juan‐Carlos
Published: March 2011

Heavy metals are among the most serious pollutants, and thus there is a need to develop sensitive and rapid biomonitoring methods for heavy metals in the environment. Critical parameters such as bioavailability, toxicity and genotoxicity cannot be tested using chemical analysis, but only can be assayed using living cells. A whole‐cell biosensor uses the whole cell as a single reporter incorporating both bioreceptor and transducer elements. In the present paper, we report results with two gene constructs using the Tetrahymena thermophila MTT1 and MTT5 metallothionein promoters linked with the eukaryotic luciferase gene as a reporter. This is the first report of a ciliated protozoan used as a heavy metal whole‐cell biosensor. T. thermophila transformed strains were created as heavy metal whole‐cell biosensors, and turn on bioassays were designed to detect, in about 2 h, the bioavailable heavy metals in polluted soil or aquatic samples. Validation of these whole‐cell biosensors was carried out using both artificial and natural samples, including methods for detecting false positives and negatives. Comparison with other published cell biosensors indicates that the Tetrahymena metallothionein promoter‐based biosensors appear to be the most sensitive eukaryotic metal biosensors and compare favourably with some prokaryotic biosensors as well.