bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motor preparation of spatially and temporally defined movements: evidence from startle
Authors: Maslovat Dana , Hodges Nicola J. , Chua Romeo , Franks Ian M.
Published: May 2011

Previous research has shown that the preparation of a spatially targeted movement performed at maximal speed is different from that of a temporally constrained movement ( Gottlieb et al. 1989b ). In the current study, we directly examined preparation differences in temporally vs. spatially defined movements through the use of a startling stimulus and manipulation of the task goals. Participants performed arm extension movements to one of three spatial targets (20°, 40°, 60°) and an arm extension movement of 20° at three movement speeds (slow, moderate, fast). All movements were performed in a blocked, simple reaction time paradigm, with trials involving a startling stimulus (124 dB) interspersed randomly with control trials. As predicted, spatial movements were modulated by agonist duration and timed movements were modulated by agonist rise time. The startling stimulus triggered all movements at short latencies with a compression of the kinematic and electromyogram (EMG) profile such that they were performed faster than control trials. However, temporally constrained movements showed a differential effect of movement compression on startle trials such that the slowest movement showed the greatest temporal compression. The startling stimulus also decreased the relative timing between EMG bursts more for the 20° movement when it was defined by a temporal rather than spatial goal, which we attributed to the disruption of an internal timekeeper for the timed movements. These results confirm that temporally defined movements were prepared in a different manner from spatially defined movements and provide new information pertaining to these preparation differences.
Attention to baseline: does orienting visuospatial attention really facilitate target detection?
Authors: Albares Marion , Criaud Marion , Wardak Claire , Nguyen Song Chi Trung , Ben Hamed Suliann , Boulinguez Philippe
Published: May 2011

Standard protocols testing the orientation of visuospatial attention usually present spatial cues before targets and compare valid-cue trials with invalid-cue trials. The valid/invalid contrast results in a relative behavioral or physiological difference that is generally interpreted as a benefit of attention orientation. However, growing evidence suggests that inhibitory control of response is closely involved in this kind of protocol that requires the subjects to withhold automatic responses to cues, probably biasing behavioral and physiological baselines. Here, we used two experiments to disentangle the inhibitory control of automatic responses from orienting of visuospatial attention in a saccadic reaction time task in humans, a variant of the classical cue-target detection task and a sustained visuospatial attentional task. Surprisingly, when referring to a simple target detection task in which there is no need to refrain from reacting to avoid inappropriate responses, we found no consistent evidence of facilitation of target detection at the attended location. Instead, we observed a cost at the unattended location. Departing from the classical view, our results suggest that reaction time measures of visuospatial attention probably relie on the attenuation of elementary processes involved in visual target detection and saccade initiation away from the attended location rather than on facilitation at the attended location. This highlights the need to use proper control conditions in experimental designs to disambiguate relative from absolute cueing benefits on target detection reaction times, both in psychophysical and neurophysiological studies.
Statistical assessment of the stability of neural movement representations
Authors: Stevenson Ian H. , Cherian Anil , London Brian M. , Sachs Nicholas A. , Lindberg Eric , Reimer Jacob , Slutzky Marc W. , Hatsopoulos Nicholas G. , Miller Lee E. , Kording Konrad P.
Published: May 2011

In systems neuroscience, neural activity that represents movements or sensory stimuli is often characterized by spatial tuning curves that may change in response to training, attention, altered mechanics, or the passage of time. A vital step in determining whether tuning curves change is accounting for estimation uncertainty due to measurement noise. In this study, we address the issue of tuning curve stability using methods that take uncertainty directly into account. We analyze data recorded from neurons in primary motor cortex using chronically implanted, multielectrode arrays in four monkeys performing center-out reaching. With the use of simulations, we demonstrate that under typical experimental conditions, the effect of neuronal noise on estimated preferred direction can be quite large and is affected by both the amount of data and the modulation depth of the neurons. In experimental data, we find that after taking uncertainty into account using bootstrapping techniques, the majority of neurons appears to be very stable on a timescale of minutes to hours. Lastly, we introduce adaptive filtering methods to explicitly model dynamic tuning curves. In contrast to several previous findings suggesting that tuning curves may be in constant flux, we conclude that the neural representation of limb movement is, on average, quite stable and that impressions to the contrary may be largely the result of measurement noise.
Research on Pump Volute Design Method Using CFD
Authors: Yang Sunsheng , Kong Fanyu , Chen Bin
Published: May 2011

Volute is an important hydraulic part of centrifugal pump, hydraulic loss within pump volute takes up a large part of total hydraulic loss within pump, thus appropriate design of pump volute has significant meaning to centrifugal pump performance. In this paper, numerical method was adopted to investigate volute main geometric parameters, including volute throat area, volute cross-section shape, design rule of spiral development area, and radial gap between impeller and volute tongue to pump performance. A design method of high-efficiency pump volute is developed through the influence of volute main geometric parameters to pump performance. This paper could provide theoretical guidance to high-efficiency pump volute design.
A Precise Measurement of the Oxygen Isotope Effect on the Néel Temperature in Cuprates
Authors: Amit E. , Keren A. , Lord J. S. , King P.
Published: May 2011

A limiting factor in the ability to interpret isotope effect measurements in cuprates is the absence of sufficiently accurate data for the whole phase diagram; there is precise data for , but not for the antiferromagnetic transition temperature . Extreme sensitivity of to small changes in the amount of oxygen in the sample is the major problem. This problem is solved here by using the novel compound ()() for which there is a region where is independent of oxygen doping. Meticulous measurements of for samples with and find the absence of an oxygen isotope effect on with unprecedented accuracy. A possible interpretation of our finding and existing data is that isotope substitution affects the normal state charge carrier density.
Differential Subordinations of Arithmetic and Geometric Means of Some Functionals Related to a Sector
Authors: Lecko A. , Lecko M.
Published: May 2011

Some general theorems on differential subordinations of some functionals connected with arithmetic and geometric means related to a sector are proved. These results unify a number of well known results concerning inclusion relation between the classes of analytic functions built with using arithmetic and geometric means.
Measurement of Terahertz Optical-Beat Frequency Using High-Order Harmonics of Microwave in a Photoconductive Device
Authors: Murasawa Kengo , Sato Koki , Hidaka Takehiko
Published: May 2011

A method for measuring frequencies of the terahertz (THz) radiation emitted by the antenna mounted on the photoconductive (PC) device is presented. Two laser beams with slightly different frequencies irradiate the PC device, producing a beat current of 1 THz in the photocurrent. A microwave signal is applied to the antenna electrode. The frequency of the THz wave is measured using the homodyne detection of the optical beat with the high-order harmonics of the microwave. It is being investigated that the high-order harmonics are produced by the PC device owing to its nonlinearity. Periodic peaks generated by the homodyne detection were observed in the photocurrent, as the microwave was swept from 16 to 20 GHz with a power of −40 dBm. Using the peak frequencies, the THz-wave frequency was determined to be  GHz. The measurement error is estimated to be less than 0.43 GHz. The proposed method realizes a compact frequency meter in the THz region.
Comparison of Two Methods for Assaying Reducing Sugars in the Determination of Carbohydrase Activities
Authors: Gusakov Alexander V. , Kondratyeva Elena G. , Sinitsyn Arkady P.
Published: May 2011

The Nelson-Somogyi (NS) and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assays for reducing sugars are widely used in measurements of carbohydrase activities against different polysaccharides. Using twelve commercial enzyme preparations, the comparison of the NS and DNS assays in determination of cellulase,β-glucanase, xylanase, andβ-mannanase activities was carried out. When cellulase activities against CMC were measured, the DNS assay gave activity values, which were typically 40–50% higher than those obtained with the NS assay. In the analysis of the xylanase,β-mannanase, andβ-glucanase activities, the overestimations by the DNS assay were much more pronounced (the observed differences in the activities were 3- to 13-fold). Reasons for preferential use of the NS assay for measuring activities of carbohydrases other than cellulases are discussed.
Practices in Wound Healing Studies of Plants
Authors: Thakur Rupesh , Jain Nitika , Pathak Raghvendra , Sandhu Sardul Singh
Published: May 2011

Wounds are the result of injuries to the skin that disrupt the other soft tissue. Healing of a wound is a complex and protracted process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. Various plant products have been used in treatment of wounds over the years. Wound healing herbal extracts promote blood clotting, fight infection, and accelerate the healing of wounds. Phytoconstituents derived from plants need to be identified and screened for antimicrobial activity for management of wounds. The in vitro assays are useful, quick, and relatively inexpensive. Small animals provide a multitude of model choices for various human wound conditions. The study must be conducted after obtaining approval of the Ethics Committee and according to the guidelines for care and use of animals. The prepared formulations of herbal extract can be evaluated by various physicopharmaceutical parameters. The wound healing efficacies of various herbal extracts have been evaluated in excision, incision, dead space, and burn wound models. In vitro and in vivo assays are stepping stones to well‐controlled clinical trials of herbal extracts.
Optimality Conditions and Duality for Multiobjective Variational Problems with Generalized ρ − (η, θ)‐B‐Type‐I Functions
Authors: Nahak C. , Behera N.
Published: May 2011

We use ρ − (η, θ)‐B‐type‐I and generalized ρ − (η, θ)‐B‐type‐I functions to establish
sufficient optimality conditions and duality results for multiobjective variational problems.
Some of the related problems are also discussed.
On the Boundary between Nonlinear Jump Phenomenon and Linear Response of Hypoid Gear Dynamics
Authors: Wang Jun , Lim Teik C.
Published: May 2011

A nonlinear time‐varying (NLTV) dynamic model of a hypoid gear pair system with time‐dependent mesh point, line‐of‐action vector, mesh stiffness, mesh damping, and backlash nonlinearity is formulated to analyze the transitional phase between nonlinear jump phenomenon and linear response. It is found that the classical jump discontinuity will occur if the dynamic mesh force exceeds the mean value of tooth mesh force. On the other hand, the propensity for the gear response to jump disappears when the dynamic mesh force is lower than the mean mesh force. Furthermore, the dynamic analysis is able to distinguish the specific tooth impact types from analyzing the behaviors of the dynamic mesh force. The proposed theory is general and also applicable to high‐speed spur, helical and spiral bevel gears even though those types of gears are not the primary focus of this paper.
A Comparative Electrochemical Behaviour Study and Analytical Detection of the p-Nitrophenol Using Silver Solid Amalgam, Mercury, and Silver Electrodes
Authors: De Souza Djenaine , Mascaro Lucia H. , Fatibello-Filho Orlando
Published: May 2011

This work reports a comparative electrochemical behaviour study and p-nitrophenol analytical detection using silver solid amalgam, hanging dropping mercury, and silver electrodes. For this, square wave voltammetry was employed, where the analytical responses and the redox mechanisms could be compared for reduction processes of 4-nitrophenol by analysis of the voltammetric responses. The analytical performance of the electrode was evaluated and detection and quantification limits, recovery percentages, repeatability, and reproducibility for the silver solid amalgam and hanging dropping mercury electrodes presented similar values; the results presented for the silver electrode indicated worse analytical parameters than the other electrodes. The results indicate that the silver solid amalgam electrode can be considered a suitable tool and an interesting alternative for the analytical determination of 4-nitrophenol, as well as for the determination of other biological and environmentally interesting compounds that present analytical responses on mercury surfaces.
Development of a Tool to Identify Poverty in a Family Practice Setting: A Pilot Study
Authors: Brcic Vanessa , Eberdt Caroline , Kaczorowski Janusz
Published: May 2011

Objective. The goal of this pilot study was to develop and field-test questions for use as a poverty case-finding tool to assist primary care providers in identifying poverty in clinical practice. Methods. 156 questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of urban and rural primary care patients presenting to four family practices in British Columbia, Canada. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses compared questionnaire responses with low-income cut-off (LICO) levels calculated for each respondent. Results. 35% of respondents were below the “poverty line” (LICO). The question “Do you (ever) have difficulty making ends meet at the end of the month?” was identified as a good predictor of poverty (sensitivity 98%; specificity 60%; OR 32.3, 95% CI 5.4–191.5). Multivariate analysis identified a 3-item case-finding tool including 2 additional questions about food and housing security (sensitivity 64.3%; specificity 94.4%; OR 30.2, 95% CI 10.3–88.1). 85% of below-LICO respondents felt that poverty screening was important and 67% felt comfortable speaking to their family physician about poverty. Conclusions. Asking patients directly about poverty may help identify patients with increased needs in primary care.
Venous Thromboembolism Following Colorectal Surgery for Suspected or Confirmed Malignancy
Authors: Sanderson Brenton , Hitos Kerry , Fletcher John P.
Published: May 2011

Surgery for colorectal cancer conveys a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The effect of thromboprophylactic regimens of varying duration on the incidence of VTE was assessed in 417 patients undergoing surgery between 2005 and 2009 for colorectal cancer. Low-dose unfractionated heparin (LDUH) was used in 52.7% of patients, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in 35.3%, and 10.7% received LDUH followed by LMWH. Pharmacological prophylaxis was continued after hospitalisation in 31.6%. Major bleeding occurred in 4% of patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.9%. The incidence of symptomatic VTE from hospital admission for surgery to 12 months after was 2.4%. There were no in-hospital VTE events. The majority of events occurred in the three-month period after discharge, but there were VTE events up to 12 months, especially in patients with more advanced cancer and multiple comorbidities.
Fasting Blood Glucose and Depressive Mood among Patients with Mental Illness in a Medicaid Managed Care Program
Authors: Kahn Linda S. , McIntyre Roger S. , Rafalson Lisa , Berdine Diane E. , Fox Chester H.
Published: May 2011

Objective. This study explores the relationship between depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9 depression screen and blood glucose levels among patients with diabetes enrolled in Gold Choice, a Medicaid managed care program for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse.Methods. The PHQ-9 was mailed to 454 Gold Choice members and a questionnaire was mailed to their physicians requesting current HbA1c% and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. The pearson product-moment correlation was used to describe the association between PHQ-9 scores and FBG levels.Results. The PHQ-9 response rate was 55% (N=249). Laboratory results were received for 141 patients. The correlation between FBG and PHQ-9 scores was modest but statistically significant:r=0.21,P=0.015.Conclusion. A statistically significant association was found between FBG and PHQ-9 depression scores. This finding supports current recommendations that physicians be alert to depressive symptoms among patients with diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism.
SPARC Stimulates Neuronal Differentiation of Medulloblastoma Cells via the Notch1/STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Bhoopathi Praveen , Chetty Chandramu , Dontula Ranadheer , Gujrati Meena , Dinh Dzung H. , Rao Jasti S. , Lakka Sajani S.
Published: May 2011

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) participates in the regulation of morphogenesis and cellular differentiation through its modulation of cell–matrix interactions. We previously reported that SPARC expression significantly impairs medulloblastoma tumor growth in vivo. In this study, we show that adenoviral-mediated overexpression of SPARC cDNA (Ad-DsRed-SP) elevated the expression of the neuronal markers NeuN, nestin, neurofilament, and MAP-2 in medulloblastoma cells and induced neuron-like differentiation. SPARC overexpression decreased STAT3 phosphorylation; constitutive expression of STAT3 reversed SPARC-mediated expression of neuronal markers. We also show that Notch signaling is suppressed in the presence of SPARC, as well as the Notch effector basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1 (HES1). Notch signaling was found to be responsible for the decreased STAT3 phosphorylation in response to SPARC expression. Furthermore, expression of SPARC decreased the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and supplemented IL-6–abrogated, SPARC-mediated suppression of Notch signaling and expression of neuronal markers. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor sections from mice treated with Ad-DsRed-SP showed increased immunoreactivity for the neuronal markers and a decrease in Notch1 expression and phosphorylation of STAT3. Taken together, our results suggest that SPARC induces expression of neuronal markers in medulloblastoma cells through its inhibitory effect on IL-6–regulated suppression of Notch pathway–mediated STAT3 signaling, thus giving further support to the potential use of SPARC as a therapeutic candidate for medulloblastoma treatment. Findings show that SPARC-induced neuronal differentiation can sensitize medulloblastoma cells for therapy. Cancer Res; 71(14); 4908–19. ©2011 AACR.
Differential Kidney Proteome Profiling in a Murine Model of Renal Fibrosis under Treatment with Mycophenolate Mofetil
Authors: Petrova Darinka T. , Brehmer Franziska , Schultze Frank C. , Asif Abdul R. , Gross Oliver , Oellerich Michael , Brandhorst Gunnar
Published: May 2011

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) using differential kidney proteome profiling of COL4A3-deficient mice as a model of progressive renal disease. Methods: Histological evaluation of kidney sections was performed. Total protein lysate from kidneys of placebo- and MMF-treated COL4A3-deficient mice was studied for significant differences in protein abundance using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Results: While tubulointerstitial fibrosis in COL4A3-deficient mice was inhibited by MMF, 19 proteins in the kidneys were regulated: 12 with lower (ATPO, TAGL2, CAH1, TPD52, VA0D1, SERPH, GNAL, PSB6, EF1D, OTUB1, NDUS8, and NAPSA) and 7 with higher (ACADM, ACY3, CK054, ACTB/G, ACTB, UBP5, and ACY1) spot intensity. Nine differentially expressed proteins showed interaction potential (ATPO, TPD52, PSB6, EF1D, OTUB1, NAPSA, ACTB, ACTG, and UBP5). Conclusions: The identified proteins take part in different signaling pathways. With the highest probability, the VEGF signaling pathway (TAGL2, EF1D, and ACTB) and hypoxia (CAH1, PSB6, and ACTG) were influenced by MMF in fibrotic conditions. Moreover, MMF may modulate antifibrotic and apoptotic pathways as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Different signaling pathways may be influenced by MMF therapy. These results suggest an inhibitory effect of MMF on renal EMT in COL4A3-deficient mice. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings.
Determination of age-specific and sex-specific familial risks for the different manifestations of venous thromboembolism: A nationwide family study in Sweden
Authors: Li Xinjun , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina , Zöller Bengt
Published: May 2011

This nationwide study aimed to determine whether differences exist in age-specific and sex-specific familial risks for pulmonary embolism (PE), venous thrombosis of the lower limbs (VT) and other forms of venous thromboembolism (OVTE) among offspring, siblings and spouses of affected individuals. The Swedish Multi-Generation Register was linked to the Hospital Discharge Register data for the period 1987–2007. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for individuals whose relatives were hospitalised for venous thromboembolism (VTE), as determined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and those whose relatives were unaffected by VTE. The total number of hospitalised VTE patients was 45,362. All VTE patients were categorised as PE, VT or OVTE according to ICD at first hospitalisation. For example, the parental SIRs for PE, VT and OVTE in offspring at age 10–19 years were 2.89 (95% CI 1.48–5.06), 4.99 (95% CI 3.22–6.10) and 3.89 (95% CI 2.51–5.75), respectively. The low spousal risks of PE (1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.13), VT (1.06; 95% CI 1.011.12) and OVTE (1.07; 95% CI 1.00–1.15) suggest the familial risks to be largely genetic. In both men and women, familial relative risks were increased for all the different manifestations of VTE with the exception of those older than 70 years. Familial history is a risk indicator in both sexes, and is potentially useful for clinical risk assessment for the different manifestations of VTE.
Use of statins and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion
Authors: Dentali Francesco , Gianni Monica , Squizzato Alessandro , Ageno Walter , Castiglioni Luana , Maroni Lorenzo , Hylek Elaine M. , Grandi Anna Maria , Cazzani Eugenio , Venco Achille , Guasti Luigina
Published: May 2011

Statins have important pleiotropic effects and have been shown to reduce vascular inflammation. Some evidence suggests that statins may have a role in the primary prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF), whereas little is know on the role of statins in patients with existing AF. We performed a meta-analysis of the literature to assess the effect of statins on the recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion or ablation. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to January 2010. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then calculated and pooled using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated through the use of I2 statistics. Sixteen studies were included in our systematic review. Statins did not reduce the risk of AF recurrence after ablation (four studies including 750 patients; RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.85–1.28, p=0.71; I2 = 34%). Conversely, the use of statins was associated with a significantly reduced risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (12 studies including 1790 patients; RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67–0.90, p=0.0003; I2 = 34%). This reduction was not statistically significant when the analysis was restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only (five studies, 458 patients, RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.48–1.20). In conclusion, statins may lower the risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion, but not ablation. However, this finding should be considered with caution, and larger RCTs are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.
Ischaemic stroke and bleeding rates in ‘real-world’ atrial fibrillation patients
Authors: Ogilvie Isla M. , Cowell Warren , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Welner Sharon A.
Published: May 2011

Stroke prevention guidelines recommend oral anticoagulants (OAC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at moderate/high risk of stroke, and antiplatelet or no therapy for those at low/moderate risk. Outcomes for AF patients receiving antiplatelet/no therapy in ‘real-life’ clinical practice were explored. This study compared clinical event rates (stroke/bleeding) for AF patients treated with OAC therapy, antiplatelets or no therapy in usual clinical practice to event rates in OAC-treated AF patients from optimally-monitored ‘real-life’ settings (anticoagulation clinics). We searched biomedical literature (1994–2010) using PubMed to identify ‘real-world’ studies of clinical event rates for AF patients receiving OAC therapy, antiplatelets, or no therapy; event rates were extracted for each treatment and setting. We identified 136 studies of thromboembolic events and 86 of bleeding events. Ischaemic stroke rates (30 studies) were higher for AF patients receiving no therapy (median: 4.45/100 person-years; range: 0.25–5.9) or antiplatelet-therapy (median: 4.45/100 person-years; range: 2.0–10) compared to OACtreated patients monitored in anticoagulation clinics (median: 1.72/100 person-years; range: 0.97–2.00), or from a non-specialized setting (median 1.66/100 person-years; range: 0–4.9). Major bleeding rates (32 studies) for patients receiving antiplatelet/no therapy were similar to OAC-treated patients from both clinical settings. As in randomised clinical trials, AF patients in ‘real-world’ clinical practice receiving antiplatelet/no therapy have higher rates of ischaemic stroke than OAC-treated patients. Antiplatelet/no therapy was associated with similar bleeding rates to OAC therapy. Increasing utilisation of anticoagulants in clinical practice could improve patient outcomes.
Atorvastatin reduces thrombin generation and expression of tissue factor, P-selectin and GPIIIa on platelet-derived microparticles in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease
Authors: Mobarrez Fariborz , He Shu , Bröijersen Anders , Wiklund Björn , Antovic Aleksandra , Antovic Jovan , Egberg Nils , Jörneskog Gun , Wallén Håkan
Published: May 2011

We investigated the effects of statin treatment on platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) and thrombin generation in atherothrombotic disease. Nineteen patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease were randomised to eight weeks of treatment with atorvastatin or placebo in a cross-over fashion. Expression of GPIIIa (CD61), P-selectin (CD62P), tissue factor (TF, CD142) and phosphatidylserine (PS; annexin-V or lactadherin binding) was assessed on PMPs. Thrombin generation in vivo was assessed by measurement of prothrombin fragment 1+2 in plasma (F1+2) and ex vivo by using the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT). During atorvastatin treatment, expression of TF, P-selectin and GPIIIa was significantly reduced vs. placebo (p<0.001 for all). No effect on annexin-V or lactadherin binding was seen. Thrombin generation was significantly reduced during atorvastatin as assessed by both the CAT assay (p<0.001) and by measurements of F1+2 (p<0.01). Subsequent in vitro experiments showed that when TF on microparticles (MPs) was blocked by antibodies, the initiation of thrombin generation was slightly but significantly delayed. Blocking PS on MPs using annexin-V or lactadherin resulted in almost complete inhibition of thrombin generation. In conclusion, atorvastatin reduces thrombin generation and expression of TF, GPIIIa and P-selectin on PMPs in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Microparticle-bound TF slightly enhances initiation of thrombin generation whereas negatively charged surfaces provided by MPs or lipoproteins could reinforce thrombin generation. Statins may inhibit initiation of thrombin generation partly through a microparticle dependent mechanism but the main effect is probably through reduction of lipoprotein levels.
Prognostic significance of mean platelet volume on admission in an unselected cohort of patients with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Saia Francesco , Rapezzi Claudio , Marrozzini Cinzia , Reggiani Maria Letizia Bacchi , Palmerini Tullio , Ortolani Paolo , Melandri Giovanni , Rosmini Stefania , Cinti Laura , Alessi Laura , Vagnarelli Fabio , Villani Caterina , Branzi Angelo , Marzocchi Antonio , Taglieri Nevio
Published: May 2011

Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been proposed as a marker of platelet reactivity and cardiovascular risk. Its prognostic significance has not been thoroughly investigated in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). We included 1,041 consecutive patients with NSTE-ACS. Patients were divided in quartiles according to the MPV value on admission (fl) i.e. Q1<7.5; Q2=7.5–8.0; Q3=8.1–8.8; Q4≥8.9. The primary study endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death and re-myocardial infarction (MI) at one year. Secondary study endpoints were individual cardiovascular death and re-MI. Patients in Q4 were older, had a higher prevalence of previous MI, peripheral artery disease and advanced Killip class compared to patients in Q1-Q3. Elevated MPV levels (Q4) was independently associated with gender, smoking status, platelet count and creatinine level. Overall, 210 patients (20.2%) reached the primary endpoint, 124 (12.1%) died from cardiovascular causes and 125 (12.0%) suffered from re-MI. On multivariable analysis patients in Q4 were at higher risk of primary endpoint (HR=1.41; 95%CI 1.06–1.89; p=0.02) whilst the association with cardiovascular death and re-MI was attenuated. MPV as continuous variable was independently associated with both primary endpoint (HR=1.19; 95%CI 1.06–1.33; p=0.003) and cardiovascular death (HR=1.23; 95%CI 1.06–1.42, p=0.006). The incorporation of MPV into a comprehensive model of risk significantly increased the likelihood ratio chi-square for prediction of both the composite endpoint (p=0.004) and cardiovascular death (p=0.009). Therefore, MPV may be useful to improve risk stratification in NSTE-ACS patients and should be included in future prospective studies evaluating the role of platelet function in promoting cardiovascular events.
On the Reliability and Validity of a Numerical Reasoning Speed Dimension Derived From Response Times Collected in Computerized Testing
Authors: Davison Mark L. , Semmes Robert , Huang Lan , Close Catherine N.
Published: May 2011

Data from 181 college students were used to assess whether math reasoning item response times in computerized testing can provide valid and reliable measures of a speed dimension. The alternate forms reliability of the speed dimension was .85. A two-dimensional structural equation model suggests that the speed dimension is related to the accuracy of speeded responses. Speed factor scores were significantly correlated with performance on the ACT math scale. Results suggest that the speed dimension underlying response times can be reliably measured and that the dimension is related to the accuracy of performance under the pressure of time limits.
Flexural properties of lightweight FRP composite truss structures
Authors: Ju S. , Jiang D.Z. , Shenoi R.A. , Xiao J.Y.
Published: May 2011

This article deals with the flexural behavior of a lightweight, long-span, and triangular cross-section fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite truss. Three-point bending tests are conducted for a 6 m long, triangular cross-section, glass fiber/epoxy composite truss and characteristic structural responses identified. Numerical analysis has been performed, validated by the experimental results. Stiffness to weight ratio of this truss structure made by different materials has been compared by numerical analysis under the same geometry dimension constraints. A parametric study has been employed to determine the effects of different geometric parameters on the flexural performance of this lightweight FRP composite truss. The composite truss is of bilinear behavior under three-point bending. The linear load capacity and flexural stiffness of this composite truss structures are identified. A relationship between the individual geometric parameters and the flexural properties has been obtained.
Historic Preservation and Residential Property Values: Evidence from Quantile Regression
Authors: Zahirovic-Herbert Velma , Chatterjee Swarn
Published: May 2011

Historic designation is increasingly used as a means to achieve both preservation and community economic development. This study considered the effects of historic designation on residential property values in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. The results support the well-established notion in urban economics literature that historic preservation has a positive impact on property values. However, appreciation of property values may displace less-affluent residents of historic districts after designation takes place. The results also show that the lower-end properties gain the most value from historic preservation. Thus, it must indeed be recognised that with increasing values comes the very real possibility that displacement of neighbourhood residents can occur.
Effects of Incentives and Prenotification on Response Rates and Costs in a National Web Survey of Physicians
Authors: Dykema Jennifer , Stevenson John , Day Brendan , Sellers Sherrill L. , Bonham Vence L.
Published: May 2011

Little is known about what strategies are cost-effective in increasing participation among physicians in surveys that are conducted exclusively via the web. To assess the effects of incentives and prenotification on response rates and costs, general internists ( N = 3,550) were randomly selected from the American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile and assigned to experimental groups that varied in the amount of a promised incentive (none, entry into a $200 lottery, $50, or $100) and prenotification (none, prenotification letter only, or prenotification letter containing a $2 preincentive). Results indicated that the response rates were highest in the groups promised $100 and $50, respectively. While the postal prenotification letter increased response rates, the inclusion of a small token $2 preincentive had no effect on participation. Further, unlike mail surveys of physicians, the $2 preincentive was not cost-effective. Among physicians, larger promised incentives of $50 or $100 are more effective than a nominal preincentive in increasing participation in a web-only survey. Consistent with prior research, there was little evidence of nonresponse bias among the experimental groups.
A Rasch and Factor Analysis of a Paramedic Graduate Attribute Scale
Authors: Williams Brett , Onsman Andrys , Brown Ted
Published: May 2011

This study examined the construct validity of the Paramedic Graduate Attribute scale (PGAS) using factor analysis and Rasch Analysis. A convenience sample was used in the study involving paramedics from all states and territories in Australia. Participants were asked to rate the importance of 47 graduate attribute items. Principal components analysis (PCA) was undertaken on the 47 items followed by Oblique Oblimin rotation. For the Rasch analysis item fit, item invariance and dimensionality were examined. A total of 872 paramedics participated in the study (23% response rate). PCA of the 47 items revealed seven factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, accounting for 40.6% of the total variance. The subsequent Rasch analyses based on the seven factors produced seven misfitting items and confirmed a 7-factor solution. The 7-factor PGAS produced a good fit to the Rasch Model and exhibited good reliability and unidimensionality, offering the Australian paramedic discipline a set of empirically based graduate attributes.
Against the politics of fear: On deliberation, inclusion and the political economy of trust
Authors: Azmanova Albena
Published: May 2011

This is an inquiry into the economic psychology of trust: that is, what model of the political economy of complex liberal democracies is conducive to attitudes that allow difference to be perceived in the terms of ‘significant other’, rather than as a menacing or an irrelevant stranger. As a test case of prevailing perceptions of otherness in European societies, I examine attitudes towards Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
Migration and identities in the globalized world
Authors: Bauman Zygmunt
Published: May 2011

The assumption that human socializing instincts are restricted to the community of birth and upbringing was long accepted without question. But today’s modern states have passed from the nation-building stage into that of multicultural belonging, and fluidity of membership allied to perpetual population shifts is the norm. This article traces changing patterns of global migration: first, territoriality plus rooted identity plus ‘gardening’; second, emigration to supposedly ‘empty’ lands; third, interlocked diasporas. How may we now live with and in the right to difference? Identity formation is never fixed, never final, veering between the pole of freedom and that of security. It is an intertwining of continuity and discontinuity that may now hold society together.
Just patriotism?
Authors: Macedo Stephen
Published: May 2011

Patriotism is subject to searing moral criticism, but is it necessarily a vice? The article offers a conditional defense of patriotism. It acknowledges that even at its best, patriotism is a dangerous virtue and prone to abuse. Nevertheless, we ought to acknowledge the truth that a just patriotism is possible, and we should seek to specify and bring about its conditions. Just as it is permissible to form deep attachments to imperfect others, so, too, it is not always wrong to feel a special attachment to and responsibility for one’s own country. Even so, addressing patriotism’s manifest dangers requires enacting practical institutional reforms. These include greater protections for rights of political dissent and contestation, insulating the school curriculum from politicization and bringing more attention to the nation’s shortcomings, and greatly expanding the role of international institutions and perspectives which furnish a salutary check on national self-preference.
Democracy and Islam
Authors: Ahmad Irfan
Published: May 2011

The dominant debate on Islam and democracy continues to operate in the realm of normativity. This article engages with key literature showing limits of such a line of inquiry. Through the case study of India’s Islamist organization, Jamaat-e-Islami, I aim at shifting the debate from textual normativity to demotic praxis. I demonstrate how Islam and democracy work in practice, and in so doing offer a fresh perspective to enhance our understandings of both Islam and democracy. A key proposition of this article is that rather than discussing the cliché if Islam is compatible with democracy, or Islam should be democratized, we study the ‘hows’ of de-democratization in Muslim societies.
Multiculturalism and the challenge of pluralism
Authors: Kaul Volker
Published: May 2011

Today we can identify two challenges of pluralism: the ever-growing conflicts between religious, national and ethnic groups on the one hand and the oppression of dissenting individuals by their respective communities on the other hand. Both intercommunitarian and intracommunitarian conflicts find their origin in a communitarian conception of our political, cultural, or religious identities. After presenting some of the problems of the communitarian solution in particular with regard to the challenge of internal pluralism, I introduce alternative conceptions of multiculturalism that consider our commitments to be part of our personal or individual identity. Distinguishing a conception of identity based upon self-knowledge from liberal, postmodern theories (Richard Rorty) and alternative non-cognitive theories (Bernard Williams) that consider identity to be individual in nature, I propose that the awareness of the individual nature of commitments makes it possible for us not to impose our values upon other individuals who do not share them while at the same time justifying the multicultural project.
Introduction: Addressing the politics of fear. The challenge posed by pluralism to Europe
Authors: Bosetti Giancarlo
Published: May 2011

The introduction to this issue is meant to address the ways in which turbulent immigration is challenging European democratic countries’ capacity to integrate the pluralism of cultures in light of the current state of economic instability, strong public debt, unemployment and an aging resident population. The Reset-Dialogues on Civilizations Association has organized its annual İstanbul Seminars in order to fill the need for constructive dialogue dedicated to increasing understanding and implementing social and political change.

Turkey’s accession to the European Union represents in this light a challenge to our liberal views, which must become more open-minded in order to address adequately cultural and religious differences, Islam included. We must set ourselves the task of finding a new perspective so that we may defuse the populist radicalization, fear-mongering politicians and xenophobia that are emerging in many countries. Yet it is equally essential that we reconfigure and recontextualize the traditional secular battle for freedom from the dominance of the Christian majority away from a binary opposition to a plural dimension that takes into account other religious communities.

After introducing the major challenges our seminars were organized to address, the introduction will summarize and explain the articulation of the contents of this issue in the following three parts: (1) realigning liberalism in the context of globalization (with contributions by Nilüfer Göle, Alain Touraine, Albena Azmanova, Stephen Macedo, Zygmunt Bauman); (2) different paths: towards modernity and democracy from within different cultures and religions (Fred Dallmayr, Sadik Al Azm, Irfan Ahmad, Ibrahim Kalin); and (3) philosophical presuppositions of intercultural dialogue and multiculturalism (Maeve Cooke, Sebastiano Maffettone, Volker Kaul).
Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Stroke Arm Ladder – a measure of upper extremity function post stroke*
Authors: Higgins Johanne , Finch Lois E , Kopec Jacek , Mayo Nancy E
Published: May 2011

Objective: To develop an adaptive measure, the Stroke Arm Ladder, to parsimoniously quantify upper extremity function post stroke.

Setting: Various studies conducted in Montreal and elsewhere in Canada.

Subjects: A total of 4058 persons with stroke who participated in various studies were assessed on different occasions post stroke. Assessments spanned from 3 days to 1 year post stroke.

Main measures: A calibrated bank containing 49 items from tests and indices designed to assess global motor recovery of the upper extremity, upper extremity function and activities involving the upper extremity was used. Data including all testing occasions were analysed to test whether they adhered to the expectations of the Rasch partial credit model and whether item hierarchy remained stable across testing occasions.

Results: Fifteen items did not meet the requirements of the Rasch model and were deleted. An adaptive measure of upper extremity function, the Stroke Arm Ladder, containing 34 items was created. The easiest item was partially executing the bilateral task of tying a scarf around one’s neck, while the hardest item was being able to transfer more than 60 blocks on the Box and Block Test. The items’ difficulty thresholds cover a wide range of difficulty levels from −7.4 to 6.2 and the global fit statistics (χ2: 331; probability: 0.18), confirmed content validity.

Conclusion: The Stroke Arm Ladder demonstrates adequate initial psychometric properties. Further testing of the measure in its adaptive format is necessary before it can be used clinically.
Why Jeremiah is Not Among the Prophets: An Analysis of the Terms ‭איבנ‬ and ‭םיאבנ‬ in the Book of Jeremiah
Authors: De Jong M.J.
Published: May 2011

This analysis of the terms ‭איבנ‬ ‬‭and ‭םיאבנ‬ in the book of Jeremiah, based on Jeremiah LXX and MT, challenges the view that the historical Jeremiah was a classical prophet of judgment. Historically speaking, Jeremiah acted as a prophet ‘pro society’. After 586 BCE, however, a tradition complex developed portraying Jeremiah as a figure ‘contra society’. Jeremiah, depicted as YHWH’s single mouthpiece, was deliberately not called a ‭איבנ‬ in order to distinguish him from the‭ םיאבנ‬, ‘the prophets’ (in general!), portrayed as deceivers of the people. This image of Jeremiah dominated the Jeremiah corpus in the exilic period. Later texts introduced quite another image of the ‭םיאבנ‬, that of faithful servants of YHWH warning the people, and a still later edition of the book presented Jeremiah as ‘prophet to the nations’. The drawing of a distinction of these different prophetic profiles leads to the conclusion that Jeremiah was not among the classical prophets.
The influence of self- and other-deprecatory humor on presidential candidate evaluation during the 2008 US election
Authors: Stewart Patrick A
Published: May 2011

This study considers the effect of participants’ evaluation of self-deprecatory and other-deprecatory (attack) humorous comments made by presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain during the 2008 electoral season. Humor, by evoking laughter in an audience, provides evidence of support for competitors for a leadership position through social contagion, and can be used to attack competitors ( Alexander, 1986 ) while sanctioning behavior at odds with group norms, whereas humor focused on oneself may be seen as a way of attending to egalitarian norms while ascending the dominance hierarchy ( Boehm, 1999 ). A total of 185 participants analyzed here took part in a web-based experiment carried out 2 weeks before the 2008 presidential election. Short video excerpts of the presidential candidates making both self-deprecatory and other-deprecatory humorous comments serve as stimuli. Findings suggest previously held opinions about the presidential candidates influence participant evaluation of humorous comments by the candidates. These comments, in turn, influence how participants evaluate the candidate making the humorous comment.
Forgiveness-related motives: A structural and cross-cultural approach
Authors: Ballester Sandrine , Chatri Fatima , Sastre Maria Teresa Muñoz , Rivière Sheila , Mullet Etienne
Published: May 2011

The structure of the motives invoked by people for forgiveness and for unforgiveness was assessed, and the relationships between these motives and demographic characteristics, conceptualizations of forgiveness, forgivingness, personality and culture were examined. Forgiveness appeared to be fueled mainly by three largely independent kinds of motives: having recovered sympathy for a repentant offender, applying a moral principle and preserving a meaningful relationship. Forgiveness may sometimes, however, amount to exploiting the offense for dominating or for challenging the offender as well as others. Unforgiveness appeared to be fueled mainly by persistent anger and indignation, sometimes associated with the desire for self-affirmation and self-protection, and, for a few participants, it was the only response to outgroup members. For each kind of invoked motive a meaningful pattern of relationships with the other measurements, including culture, was found.