bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consistent New Bone Formation in 95 Revisions: Average 9-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Mantelos George , Koulouvaris Panagiotis , Kotsovolos Hlias , Xenakis Theodoros
Published: June 2011

This study evaluates the use of Wagner cementless stem for femurs with marked loss of proximal bone stock. Ninety-five hips in 89 patients were revised with a Wagner stem and prospectively studied. The indications were as follows: aseptic loosening for 84 hips, periprosthetic fracture for 5, Girdlestone for 3, mechanical loosening for 2 and recurrent dislocation for 1. The mean follow-up was 108 months (range, 84–180 months; SD, 13.5). There was only 1 re-revision, 2 months after surgery, and the survival rate at 9 years was 98.5%. The mean Merle d’Aubigné score improved from 8.8 to 16.1 (P<.001). There were 15 (15.8%) intraoperative fractures, 5 (5.3%) dislocations, 2 (2.1%) thrombosis, and 2 (2.1%) sciatic neuropraxia. Significant bone formation occurred around the Wagner stem in 97% of the hips in these cases. No radiolucency or loosening had been diagnosed at the last follow-up.
A Service-Learning Experience to Teach Baccalaureate Nursing Students About Health Policy
Authors: O’Brien-Larivée Catherine
Published: June 2011

Incorporating health promotion strategies in practice, and in particular within healthy public policy based on the Ottawa Charter, is widely recognized as within the mandate of nursing, although evidence suggests that nurses are reluctant to take on this role. An innovative strategy was developed to facilitate baccalaureate nursing students’ learning about healthy public policy by immersing them in a real-world service-learning experience. Students partnered with a population, assessed the determinants of health, and implemented a population health promotion strategy that included attention to a health policy issue. Students identified strengths and weaknesses of the existing policy and were required to propose recommendations for change that addressed the social justice issues. Students presented their work to faculty, students, and community partners and developed a written position paper on the topic. Students evaluated the service-learning experience as an excellent experiential learning opportunity.
Nursing for the Future, from the Past: Two Reports on Nursing from the Institute of Medicine
Authors: Fairman Julie A. , Okoye Safiyyah M.
Published: June 2011

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine, in association with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released a major study of the nursing profession. The Institute of Medicine last published a major, broad-based study of the nursing profession in 1983. This brief historical analysis examines the context and key recommendations for each report and provides concrete examples of outcomes of the 1983 report. We argue that despite similarities in context and recommendations, the two reports differ in target audience and implementation strategies, and that nursing is currently better positioned to use the report as a blueprint to improve patient care, as well as garner outside support, than it was in 1983.
Through a Glass Darkly: Reflections on Change in Health Care, Nursing, and Blue Ribbon Committees
Authors: O’Neil Edward H.
Published: June 2011

The confluence of the Future of Nursing report and the calls for comprehensive reform of the health care system in the United States presents a unique opportunity for nursing to redefine its leadership role. This redefinition should be mindful of those places where nursing has and does provide leadership and the unique set of competencies that every nurse possesses that can be focused on leadership work.
IGF-I and Visfatin Levels in Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Cekmez Ferhat , Canpolat Fuat Emre , Çetinkaya Merih , Pirgon Ozgur , Aydinoz Secil , Ceylan O. Melih , Ipcioglu O. Metin , Sarici Serdar Umit
Published: June 2011

Purpose:

The authors hypothesized that circulating visfatin concentrations in preterm infants might be linked with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)-like insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels.

Methods:

The study group comprised 88 children born with a gestational age younger than 32 weeks between 2007 and 2009 who were screened and/or treated for ROP. The authors collected fetal cord blood (sample 1) and a blood sample at 4 to 6 weeks postnatal age (sample 2) for laboratory investigations.

Results:

The non-ROP group had higher visfatin-1, visfatin-2, insulin-1, insulin-2, (IGF-I)-1, and (IGF-I)-2 levels than the ROP group (P< .001 for all levels). Change in visfatin was positively correlated with change in IGF-I and change in insulin (P< .001 andP< .001, respectively). Change in IGF-I was positively correlated with change in insulin (P< .001).

Conclusion:

Similar to IGF-I levels, determination of visfatin levels can be a predictive marker of ROP, but more studies are needed.
Antimicrobial Activity of PLUNC Protects againstPseudomonas aeruginosaInfection
Authors: Lukinskiene Lina , Liu Yang , Reynolds Susan D. , Steele Chad , Stripp Barry R. , Leikauf George D. , Kolls Jay K. , Di Y. Peter
Published: June 2011

Epithelial antimicrobial activity may protect the lung against inhaled pathogens. The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein family has demonstrated antimicrobial activity in vitro. PLUNC (palate, lung, and nasal epithelium associated) is a 25-kDa secreted protein that shares homology with bactericidal/permeability-increasing proteins and is expressed in nasopharyngeal and respiratory epithelium. The objective of this study was to determine whether PLUNC can limit Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice. Transgenic mice (Scgb1a1-hPLUNC) were generated in which human PLUNC (hPLUNC) was directed to the airway epithelium with the Scgb1a1 promoter. The hPLUNC protein (hPLUNC) was detected in the epithelium throughout the trachea and bronchial airways and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from transgenic mice exhibited higher antibacterial activity than that from wild type littermates in vitro. After in vivo P. aeruginosa challenge, Scgb1a1-hPLUNC transgenic mice displayed enhanced bacterial clearance. This was accompanied by a decrease in neutrophil infiltration and cytokine levels. More importantly, the overexpressed hPLUNC in Scgb1a1-hPLUNC transgenic mouse airway significantly enhanced mouse survival against P. aeruginosa-induced respiratory infection. These data indicate that PLUNC is a novel antibacterial protein that likely plays a critical role in airway epithelium-mediated innate immune response.
Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy Using STAT3-Depleted Dendritic Cells with High Th1-Inducing Ability and Resistance to Cancer Cell-Derived Inhibitory Factors
Authors: Iwata-Kajihara Tomoko , Sumimoto Hidetoshi , Kawamura Naoshi , Ueda Ryo , Takahashi Tomomi , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki , Miyagishi Makoto , Takeda Kiyoshi , Kawakami Yutaka
Published: June 2011

STAT3 signaling constitutes an important negative feedback mechanism for the maintenance of immune homeostasis, a suppressive signal for the Th1 immune response in murine macrophages, and a cancer immune evasion signal in various immune cells. The strategy for STAT3 signal inhibition should be considered, because these features could impede effective cancer immunotherapy. We have evaluated the effects of STAT3 inactivation in dendritic cells (DCs) on immune responses in mice and humans. DCs derived from LysMcre/STAT3flox/flox mice displayed higher cytokine production in response to TLR stimulation, activated T cells more efficiently, and were more resistant to the suppression of cytokine production by cancer-derived immunosuppressive factors compared with DCs from control littermates. Antitumor activities of STAT3-depleted and control DCs were compared by intratumoral administration of gp70 Ag peptide-pulsed DCs in the therapeutic MC38 tumor model. Intratumoral administration of STAT3-depleted DCs significantly inhibited MC38 tumor growth of both injected and nontreated remote tumors. The inhibition was accompanied by an increase in gp70-specific T cell response as well as in systemic Th1 immune response. STAT3-depleted human DCs with adenoviral STAT3 short hairpin RNA were also capable of producing more cytokines with TLR stimulation and more resistant to cancer-derived factors, and they induced tumor Ag-specific T cells more efficiently than control DCs. The identified role of DC STAT3 signaling in both in vivo therapeutic tumor models in mice and in vitro-specific T cell induction in humans indicates that STAT3-inactivated DCs may be a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy.
Ly49D-Mediated ITAM Signaling in Immature Thymocytes Impairs Development by Bypassing the Pre-TCR Checkpoint
Authors: Merck Estelle , Lees Rosemary K. , Voyle Roger B. , Held Werner , MacDonald H. Robson
Published: June 2011

Activating and inhibitory NK receptors regulate the development and effector functions of NK cells via their ITAM and ITIM motifs, which recruit protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases, respectively. In the T cell lineage, inhibitory Ly49 receptors are expressed by a subset of activated T cells and by CD1d-restricted NKT cells, but virtually no expression of activating Ly49 receptors is observed. Using mice transgenic for the activating receptor Ly49D and its associated ITAM signaling DAP12 chain, we show in this article that Ly49D-mediated ITAM signaling in immature thymocytes impairs development due to a block in maturation from the double negative (DN) to double positive (DP) stages. A large proportion of Ly49D/DAP12 transgenic thymocytes were able to bypass the pre-TCR checkpoint at the DN3 stage, leading to the appearance of unusual populations of DN4 and DP cells that lacked expression of intracellular (ic) TCRβ-chain. High levels of CD5 were expressed on ic TCRβ− DN and DP thymocytes from Ly49D/DAP12 transgenic mice, further suggesting that Ly49D-mediated ITAM signaling mimics physiological ITAM signaling via the pre-TCR. We also observed unusual ic TCRβ− single positive thymocytes with an immature CD24high phenotype that were not found in the periphery. Importantly, thymocyte development was completely rescued by expression of an Ly49A transgene in Ly49D/DAP12 transgenic mice, indicating that Ly49A-mediated ITIM signaling can fully counteract ITAM signaling via Ly49D/DAP12. Collectively, our data indicate that inappropriate ITAM signaling by activating NK receptors on immature thymocytes can subvert T cell development by bypassing the pre-TCR checkpoint.
Cellular Competition Independent of BAFF/B Lymphocyte Stimulator Results in Low Frequency of an Autoreactive Clonotype in Mature Polyclonal B Cell Compartments
Authors: Nikbakht Neda , Migone Thi-Sau , Ward Chris P. , Manser Tim
Published: June 2011

The peripheral B cell prosurvival cytokine BAFF/B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) has been proposed to participate in the regulation of immunological tolerance. Selective elimination or reconstitution of B cells expressing transgene-encoded, autoreactive BCRs upon systemic BLyS depletion or supplementation, respectively, was observed in two separate studies. Such findings led to a model positing a higher dependency of autoreactive B cells on BLyS. We tested this model by exploiting two targeted IgH transgenic mice (H chain knock-in [HKI]) that produce large numbers of follicular (FO) B cells that are either weakly or strongly autoreactive with nuclear autoantigens. Even though HKI B cells do not exhibit classical features of anergy, we found that mature, naive, autoreactive HKI B cells are outcompeted for representation in the periphery by a polyclonal B cell population. However, this is not due to a higher dependency of HKI B cells on BLyS for survival. Additionally, excess BLyS does not rescue HKI B cells from selective elimination. These findings suggest that some autoreactive FO B cells can fully develop while in competition with non-autoreactive cells for BLyS, but remain at a competitive disadvantage for other trophic factors that regulate peripheral stability. As such, our data indicate the existence of peripheral tolerance mechanisms that regulate the frequency of autoreactive FO B cells independent of the BLyS pathway.
Membrane-Bound IL-22 after De Novo Production in Tuberculosis and Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis Effector Function of IL-22+ CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Zeng Gucheng , Chen Crystal Y. , Huang Dan , Yao Shuyu , Wang Richard C. , Chen Zheng W.
Published: June 2011

The role of IL-22–producing CD4+ T cells in intracellular pathogen infections is poorly characterized. IL-22–producing CD4+ T cells may express some effector molecules on the membrane, and therefore synergize or contribute to antimicrobial effector function. This hypothesis cannot be tested by conventional approaches manipulating a single IL-22 cytokine at genetic and protein levels, and IL-22+ T cells cannot be purified for evaluation due to secretion nature of cytokines. In this study, we surprisingly found that upon activation, CD4+ T cells in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macaques or humans could evolve into T effector cells bearing membrane-bound IL-22 after de novo IL-22 production. Membrane-bound IL-22+ CD4+ T effector cells appeared to mature in vivo and sustain membrane distribution in highly inflammatory environments during active M. tuberculosis infection. Near-field scanning optical microscopy/quantum dot-based nanoscale molecular imaging revealed that membrane-bound IL-22, like CD3, distributed in membrane and engaged as ∼100–200 nm nanoclusters or ∼300–600 nm nanodomains for potential interaction with IL-22R. Importantly, purified membrane-bound IL-22+ CD4+ T cells inhibited intracellular M. tuberculosis replication in macrophages. Our findings suggest that IL-22–producing T cells can evolve to retain IL-22 on membrane for prolonged IL-22 t1/2 and to exert efficient cell–cell interaction for anti-M. tuberculosis effector function.
Dichotomous Effects of IFN-γ on Dendritic Cell Function Determine the Extent of IL-12–Driven Antitumor T Cell Immunity
Authors: Harden Jamie L. , Gu Tao , Kilinc Mehmet O. , Rowswell-Turner Rachael B. , Virtuoso Lauren P. , Egilmez Nejat K.
Published: June 2011

Sustained intratumoral delivery of IL-12 and GM-CSF can overcome tumor immune suppression and promote T cell-dependent eradication of established disease in murine tumor models. However, the antitumor effector response is transient and rapidly followed by a T suppressor cell rebound. The mechanisms that control the switch from an effector to a regulatory response in this model have not been defined. Because dendritic cells (DC) can mediate both effector and suppressor T cell priming, DC activity was monitored in the tumors and the tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) of IL-12/GM-CSF–treated mice. The studies demonstrated that therapy promoted the recruitment of immunogenic DC (iDC) to tumors with subsequent migration to the TDLN within 24–48 h of treatment. Longer-term monitoring revealed that iDC converted to an IDO-positive tolerogenic phenotype in the TDLN between days 2 and 7. Specifically, day 7 DC lost the ability to prime CD8+ T cells but preferentially induced CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. The functional switch was reversible, as inhibition of IDO with 1-methyl tryptophan restored immunogenic function to tolerogenic DC. All posttherapy immunological activity was strictly associated with conventional myeloid DC, and no functional changes were observed in the plasmacytoid DC subset throughout treatment. Importantly, the initial recruitment and activation of iDC as well as the subsequent switch to tolerogenic activity were both driven by IFN-γ, revealing the dichotomous role of this cytokine in regulating IL-12–mediated antitumor T cell immunity.
Signal Regulatory Protein α Regulates the Homeostasis of T Lymphocytes in the Spleen
Authors: Sato-Hashimoto Miho , Saito Yasuyuki , Ohnishi Hiroshi , Iwamura Hiroko , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Kaneko Tetsuya , Kusakari Shinya , Kotani Takenori , Mori Munemasa , Murata Yoji , Okazawa Hideki , Ware Carl F. , Oldenborg Per-Arne , Nojima Yoshihisa , Matozaki Takashi
Published: June 2011

The molecular basis for formation of lymphoid follicle and its homeostasis in the secondary lymphoid organs remains unclear. Signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), an Ig superfamily protein that is predominantly expressed in dendritic cells or macrophages, mediates cell–cell signaling by interacting with CD47, another Ig superfamily protein. In this study, we show that the size of the T cell zone as well as the number of CD4+ T cells were markedly reduced in the spleen of mice bearing a mutant (MT) SIRPα that lacks the cytoplasmic region compared with those of wild-type mice. In addition, the expression of CCL19 and CCL21, as well as of IL-7, which are thought to be important for development or homeostasis of the T cell zone, was markedly decreased in the spleen of SIRPα MT mice. By the use of bone marrow chimera, we found that hematopoietic SIRPα is important for development of the T cell zone as well as the expression of CCL19 and CCL21 in the spleen. The expression of lymphotoxin and its receptor, lymphotoxin β receptor, as well as the in vivo response to lymphotoxin β receptor stimulation were also decreased in the spleen of SIRPα MT mice. CD47-deficient mice also manifested phenotypes similar to SIRPα MT mice. These data suggest that SIRPα as well as its ligand CD47 are thus essential for steady-state homeostasis of T cells in the spleen.
A Patient with Hemoptysis and Renal Failure
Authors: Dalal Pranavkumar , Phadke Gautam , Gill Amandeep , Tarwater Kurtis , Misra Madhukar , Pele Nicole , Odum Brian
Published: June 2011

Pulmonary-renal syndrome is a medical emergency; etiology of which has broad differential diagnosis. Delay in both diagnosis and initiation of management may result in end-organ damage. Management decisions may have to be empiric till a rapid, definitive tissue diagnosis is established. We present such a case where prompt recognition and immediate treatment was initiated, although the patient sustained irreversible end-organ damage. The case also highlights the need to interpret the kidney biopsy data (namely, immunofluroscence findings) in the context of clinical presentation.
Physicochemical and Electrical Properties of Praseodymium Oxides
Authors: Ferro Sergio
Published: June 2011

The industrial research is continuously looking for novelties that could improve the applied processes, increasing the yields, lowering the costs, or improving the performances. In industrial electrochemistry, one more aspect is the stability of electrode materials, which is generally balanced by the catalytic activity: the higher the latter, the lower the former. A compromise has to be found, and an optimization is often the result of new ideas that completely change the way of thinking. Praseodymium-oxide-based cathodes have been proved to be quite interesting devices: the hydrogen evolution reaction is guaranteed by the presence of a noble metal (platinum and/or rhodium), while the stability and poisoning resistance seem to be strongly improved by the presence of lanthanide oxides.
Pedagogías desde la diversidad cultural: una invitación a la investigación colaborativa intercultural
Authors: Sierra Zayda
Published: June 2011

A través de distintas re" exiones y preguntas, producto de distintas experiencias y proyectos en contextos culturalmente diversos, este artículo es una invitación a profundizar de manera colaborativa en las distintas pedagogías que coexisten en el contexto de América Latina (ancestrales, opresivas y coloniales, de resistencia, críticas, creativas, de-coloniales, de la Madre Tierra), lo cual nos permita replantear la herencia colonial y eurocéntrica de la formación docente que todavía prevalece en las facultades de educación. De allí construir propuestas educativas más creativas y pertinentes a los contextos locales – sin perder la perspectiva histórica global –, propuestas que fortalezcan el reconocimiento a la diversidad cultural, el sentido de comunidad y la capacidad de generar alianzas interculturales hacia una existencia en el planeta justa, equitativa y en equilibrio con la naturaleza.
Doutoras professoras negras: o que nos dizem os indicadores oficiais
Authors: Da Silva Joselina
Published: June 2011

Este texto se propõe a fazer uma análise sobre a participação das mulheres negras com doutorado ou mais e atuantes no ensino universitário, até o ano de 2005. Apoiamo-nos nos indicadores do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Superior (Sinaes) e Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (Inep), que aponta um total de 63.234 docentes na educação universitária, dos quais apenas 251 são negras. Segundo Bordi e Bautista (2007), há um número significativamente inferior de mulheres nos campos de representações de poder, no âmbito universitário, uma vez que o desempenho individual não constitui a principal chave responsável por permitir a ascensão na carreira. O trabalho de Kiss, Barrios e Álvarez (2007) acrescenta que o acesso àquele mundo inclui também as relações de poder mediadas pelas de gênero. Num dos esparsos estudos brasileiros sobre o tema, Carvalho (2007) nos fala do ambiente inóspito para os afro-brasileiros quando logram ingressar na qualidade de docentes. Assim, podemos pensar que o íntimo número de doutoras negras é uma consequência da conjunção de fatores como o sexismo e o racismo. Nosso intento é, portanto, demonstrar as acentuadas disparidades quando observamos a atuação das variáveis raça e gênero, notadamente no âmbito da Educação Superior brasileira.
The Impact of E-Banking on the Profitability of Banks: A Study of Pakistani Banks
Authors: Sumra Sana Haider , Manzoor Mohammad Khurram , H. Sumra Hassan , Abbas Momina
Published: June 2011

The proliferation and penetration of internet has opened new horizons and scenarios for the retail banking industry. The retail banks are now providing their products and services through the electronic medium; e-banking. E-banking is considered to have a substantial impact on banks’ performance. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of e-banking on the profitability of Pakistani banks, in particular. This paper covers twelve banks across Pakistan. The study is qualitative in nature which examines different objectives which determine the performance of banks mainly in terms of profitability. It also discusses the effect of customers’ literacy on provision of services from banks’ perspective. It also discusses the basic motive of banks to adopt e-banking services. The study is done through taking interviews from the managers of these banks.The results show that e-banking has increased the profitability of banks, it has enabled the banks to meet their costs and earn profits even in the short span of time. The illiteracy of customers is not regarded as a major impediment in provision of their products and services. For banks, the main motive to adopt e-banking is to increase their clientage and to retain their customers. The profitability of banks has augmented in transitioning to e-banking medium.
Clinical Evaluation of the Appropriateness Use Criteria for Single-Photon Emission-Computed Tomography: Differences by Patient Population, Physician Specialty, and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Druz Regina S. , Phillips Lawrence M. , Sharifova Gulru
Published: June 2011

Objectives. Determine outcome of the 2005 appropriateness use criteria (AUC) for SPECT in a diverse population of patients and physicians.
Background. AUC for SPECT were the first cardiology document to identify 52 clinical indications for imaging, 49 of them for stress SPECT. AUC have been proposed as cornerstone of responsible use of perfusion imaging.
Methods. 585 consecutive patients undergoing SPECT were evaluated prospectively. Appropriateness was examined for demographic variables, clinical variables, and for physician and patient subgroups. Combined end-point of total mortality, cardiac revascularization, and cardiac admissions at 1 year post SPECT was evaluated.
Results. SPECT indications were: appropriate, 63%; uncertain, 20%; inappropriate, 14%; not assigned, 3%. Most appropriate SPECT were observed in patients with known coronary disease (72%), chest pain syndrome (89%), high pre-test likelihood of disease (100%), men (70%), inpatients (72%), and cardiovascular physicians' referrals (69%). End-point was reached in 53 patients (97.4% follow up). Unadjusted event rates were: appropriate (12%), uncertain (7.1%), inappropriate (2.4%) SPECT (P=.01).
Conclusion. Appropriateness of SPECT differs in subgroups of patients and physicians. Clinically significant outcomes occur more frequently in the appropriate stress SPECT group. Focused efforts are need for outpatients, asymptomatic patients, women, and non-cardiovascular physicians.
The Tribe Alasmidontini (Unionidae, Anodontinae), Part I: Pegias, Alasmidonta, and Arcidens
Authors: Clarke Arthur H.
Published: June 2011

The taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution of fourteen species, comprising four traditional genera, are described. Discussions of morphology include descriptions of the shell, anatomy, and glochidium (where possible) of each species and of character variation, together with statistical tables, illustrations, and scanning electron microscope photographs. Distributional data include organized lists of all museum material, with distribution maps, and with special reference to recently collected specimens that are likely to represent living populations. Also discussed are some quantitative effects of water hardness and temperature on shell weight and on characters linked with shell weight, new glochidial characters as observed with the scanning electron microscope, the indirect determination of sex in non-gravid specimens by examination of the demibranchs (Ortmann's method), and taxonomic relationships of the Tribe Alasmidontini. Species recognized are: Pegias fabula (Lea), Alasmidonta {Pressodonta) viridis (Rafinesque), A. (P.) heterodon (Lea), A. (Alasmidens) mccordi Athearn, A. {Alasmidonta) undulata (Say), A. (A.) arcula (Lea), A. (A.) wrightiana (Walker), A. (Decurambis) marginata Say, A. (D.) atropurpurea (Rafinesque), A. (D.) raveneliana (Lea), A. (D.) varicosa (Lamarck), A. (/).) robusta (new species), Arcidens (Arkansia) wheeleri (Ortmann and Walker), and A. {Arcidens) confragosus (Say). A new subgenus, Alasmidens, is described
The Caridean Shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda)of the Albatross Philippine Expedition, 1907-1910, Part 1: Family Stylodactylidae
Authors: Chace Fenner Albert
Published: June 2011

The stylodactylid shrimps are reviewed, with keys to the three genera currently recognized. Sixteen species are treated, including three new species ofStylodactylus: S. libratus from Celebes, Indonesia, S. licinus from Palawan Passage, Philippines, and S. macropus from north of Samar, Philippines. Examination of male specimens, including the holotype, of Neostylodactylus amarynthis revealed that there are four large arthrobranchs in the gill series of males in this, the type-species of the genus, whereas arthrobranchs are quite lacking in females assigned to the same species.
The Tribe Alasmidontini (Unionidae, Anodontinae), Part II: Lasmigona and Simpsonaias
Authors: Clarke Arthur H.
Published: June 2011

—The taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution of eight species and subspecies, comprising two genera, are described. As in Part 1, discussions of morphology include descriptions of the shell, anatomy, and glochidium (where possible) of each species and subspecies, and of character variation, together with statistical tables, illustrations, and scanning electron micrographs. Distributional data include organized lists of all specimens in the major museum collections, with distribution maps, and with special reference to recently collected material that is likely to represent living populations. Species and subspecies recognized are: Lasmigona (Alasminota) holstonia (Lea), L. (Lasmigona) costata (Rafinesque), L. (L.) complanata complanata (Barnes), L. (L.) complanata alabamensis, new subspecies, L. (Platynaias) compressa (Lea), L. (P.) subviridis (Conrad), L. (P.) decorata (Lea), and Simpsonaias ambigua (Say). Addenda provide additional information about some of the species included in Part 1 of this monograph, including a description and SEM micrographs of the glochidia of Alasmidonta (Decurambis) varicosa (Lamarck).
A Contrastive Study of Grammar Translation Method and Communicative Approach in Teaching English Grammar
Authors: Chang Shih-Chuan
Published: June 2011

The Grammar Translation Method and the Communicative Approach have both played important roles in grammar teaching. Which is better, the Grammar Translation Method or the Communicative Approach? This paper aims to compare the controllability and feasibility of these two approaches and find out which one is more suitable for grammar teaching in Taiwan. Two classes were selected and taught by the Grammar Translation Method and the Communicative Approach respectively. The college admission test showed that they share a similar level of the overall English proficiency before the intervention. The pre-test demonstrated that there wasn’t any distinction between the two classes in their grammatical competence. The post-test embodied that there was significant difference in their grammatical competence between the two classes. The scores of the students in the Experimental Class were higher than that in the Control Class. The result showed that grammar teaching in the framework of the Grammar Translation Method is better than the Communicative Approach. Nevertheless, the Communicative Approach emphasizes fluency and the Grammar Translation Method is concerned with accuracy. Fluency and accuracy are the target for English learning. So the best way to improve the situation is to combine both methods in teaching English Grammar.
The Effect of Form versus Meaning-Focused Tasks on the Development of Collocations among Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners
Authors: Pishghadam Reza , Khodadady Ebrahim , Daliry Rad Naeemeh
Published: June 2011

This study attempts comprehensively to investigate the effect of form versus meaning-focused tasks on the development of collocations among Iranian Intermediate EFL learners. To this end, 65 students of Mashhad High schools in Iran were selected as the participants. A general language proficiency test of Nelson (book 2, Intermediate 200A) was used to measure their general language ability. Moreover, a teacher-made collocation test was implemented to examine the participants’ collocation knowledge. Participants were divided into: form-focused instruction group (FFI), meaning-focused instruction (MFI) group, and a control group. The FFI group performed dictogloss task (DT) which focused on both target items and meaning. The MFI group assigned communicative task (pair /group discussion task) which did not required attention to the target items. The control group is designated as the Conventional Group, simply to reflect the fact that they did not receive focus-on-form instruction but rather received combination of explaining collocation or new vocabulary and reading a text silently to mention its main idea or answer to comprehension questions. The results revealed the fact that FFI group (dictogloss task) significantly outperformed the other two groups on the collocation test.
A Model for EFL Materials Development within the Framework of Critical Pedagogy (CP)
Authors: Rashidi Nasser , Safari Faeze
Published: June 2011

Critical pedagogy (CP) is implemented in ELT programs aiming to empower both teachers and learners to unmask underlying cultural values and ideologies of educational setting and society, and subsequently to make them agents of transformation in their society. However, despite the increase in the number of publications in the field of critical L2 pedagogy, remarkably little has been done on materials development in CP. Considering materials as the core resources in language-learning programs (Richards, 2010), the present paper attemptsed to offer a model for ELT materials development based on the major tenets of critical pedagogy. The principles of the model were organized according to the main factors involved in materials development, i.e. program, teacher, learner, content, and pedagogical factors. This model is sensitive to the particularities of the local context and to the learner’s problems and concerns. It offers ways to help the learners to improve their second language skills while developing a sense of critical consciousness of issues of social structures in the world around them. It could be helpful for local materials writers and language teachers in developing and critically evaluating ELT materials. Subsequently, the model might contribute to students to be more critical consumers of information.
Factors Affecting the Implementation of Communicative Language Teaching in Taiwanese College English Classes
Authors: Chang Ming , S. Goswami Jaya
Published: June 2011

Foreign language teaching in many Asian-Pacific countries in recent decades has shifted toward communicative-focused instruction. However, researchers have reported a gap between policy and practice. To incorporate teachers’ voices in adopting the communicative approach in the curriculum, this study explores factors that promote or hinder EFL teachers’ implementation of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in Taiwanese college English classes. The findings indicated that the factors that impacted implementation of CLT related to teachers, students, the educational system, and suitability of CLT in the local context. Also, certain situational constraints were found to hinder the implementation of CTL. The article provides practical recommendations for teachers, educators, and policy makers to further improve teacher training, curriculum design, and situational constraints to ensure success in implementing the CLT approach.
A Study on the Relationship between University Students’ Chinese Writing Proficiency and Their English Writing Proficiency
Authors: Huang Xiaoyu , Liang Xueying , Dracopoulos Effie
Published: June 2011

Up to now, most researchers have been paying attention to the negative transfer of mother tongue to second language writing. Few studies, if any, have touched upon the positive transfer. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the positive transfer of Chinese to 26 first-year university students’ English writing holistically and segmentally in the use of words, grammar, coherence, and content and organization. The result of the Pearson correlation coefficient turned out to be 0.43 at the 5% significance level, indicating a positive relationship between the Chinese writing and the English writing. The questionnaires have also confirmed the result of the correlation analysis. In particular, the positive transfer of Chinese seems to be more apparent in the content and organization of the English writing, followed by coherence and use of words. Thus, it can be concluded that the positive transfer of mother tongue can facilitate English writing.
Learners' Performance in Doing Task with and without Teacher’s Presence
Authors: Rahimpour Massoud , Zakeri Elham
Published: June 2011

Recently task-based language teaching has attracted many researchers’, testers’ and syllabus designers’ attention and consequently a lot of studies are carried out in this field. This study was conducted in the task-based realm too. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of teacher’s presence on learners’ performance in doing task with and without teacher presence. The participants of this were forty (40) EFL intermediate male and female English learners who were chosen randomly. The results of statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that teacher’s presence affected the participants’ oral performance in terms of fluency but not their accuracy and complexity. The findings of this study have implications for language teaching, testing and syllabus design.
Announcement of Retraction
Authors: Yu Gavin
Published: June 2011

The editorial board announced this article has been retracted on April 27, 2017.If you have any further question, please contact us at: elt@ccsenet.org
Thinking of the Textbook in the ESL/EFL Classroom
Authors: Wen-Cheng Wang , Chien-Hung Lin , Chung-Chieh Lee
Published: June 2011

Textbooks provide novice teachers with guidance in course and activity design; it assures a measure of structure, consistency, and logical progression in a class; It meets a learner’s needs or expectations of having something concrete to work from and take home for further study; It may provide multiple resources: tapes, CDs, videos, self-study workbooks etc. While the quality of ESL reading textbooks has improved dramatically in recent years, the process of selecting an appropriate text has not become any easier for most teachers and administrators. Thus, the paper discusses for evaluating reading textbooks for use in ESL/EFL classrooms. Classroom teachers spend much time using textbooks in class, so choosing an appropriate one is important. And the paper describes the role of the textbook. Using this will make the textbook selection process more efficient and more reliable.
Investigating the Effects of Three Types of Corrective Feedback on the Acquisition of English Wh-question Forms by Iranian EFL Learners
Authors: Rassaei Ehsan , Moinzadeh Ahmad
Published: June 2011

The current research examines the immediate and delayed effects of three types of corrective feedback, namely recasts, metalinguistic feedback, and clarification requests, on the acquisition of English wh-question forms by Iranian EFL learners. To this end, 134 Iranian EFL learners comprising 4 intact classes participated in the study. Learners in 3 intact classes which were designated as feedback groups received feedback during a meaning-focused task, while learners in the control group received no feedback. The results of data analysis revealed the effectiveness of metalinguistic feedback and recasts in both immediate and delayed post-tests. Further inspection of the results revealed that while metalinguistic feedback was more effective than recasts in the immediate post-test, recasts had a more stable and enduring effect, compared with metalinguistic feedback, on learners' performance in the delayed post-test.
One‐Step Electrochemical Synthesis of Graphene/Polyaniline Composite Film and Its Applications
Authors: Feng Xiao‐Miao , Li Rui‐Mei , Ma Yan‐Wen , Chen Run‐Feng , Shi Nai‐En , Fan Qu‐Li , Huang Wei
Published: June 2011

This work describes a new one‐step large‐scale electrochemical synthesis of graphene/polyaniline (PANI) composite films using graphite oxide (GO) and aniline as the starting materials. The size of the film could be controlled by the area of indium tin oxide (ITO). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum (UV–vis) results demonstrated that the graphene/PANI composite film was successfully synthesized. The obtained graphene/PANI composite film showed large specific area, high conductivity, good biocompatibility, and fast redox properties and had perfect layered and encapsulated structures. Electrochemical experiments indicated that the composite film had high performances and could be widely used in applied electrochemical fields. As a model, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was entrapped onto the film‐modiﬁed glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and used to construct a biosensor. The immobilized HRP showed a pair of well‐deﬁned redox peaks and high catalytic activity for the reduction of H2O2. Furthermore, the graphene/PANI composite film could be directly used as the supercapacitor electrode. The supercapacitor showed a high specific capacitance of 640 F g−1 with a retention life of 90% after 1000 charge/discharge cycles.
Fabrication of Releasable Single‐Crystal Silicon–Metal Oxide Field‐Effect Devices and Their Deterministic Assembly on Foreign Substrates
Authors: Chung Hyun‐Joong , Kim Tae‐il , Kim Hoon‐Sik , Wells Spencer A. , Jo Sungjin , Ahmed Numair , Jung Yei Hwan , Won Sang Min , Bower Christopher A. , Rogers John A.
Published: June 2011

A new class of thin, releasable single‐crystal silicon semiconductor device is presented that enables integration of high‐performance electronics on nearly any type of substrate. Fully formed metal oxide–semiconductor field–effect transistors with thermally grown gate oxides and integrated circuits constructed with them demonstrate the ideas in devices mounted on substrates ranging from flexible sheets of plastic, to plates of glass and pieces of aluminum foil. Systematic study of the electrical properties indicates field‐effect mobilities of ≈710 cm2 V−1 s−1, subthreshold slopes of less than 0.2 V decade−1 and minimal hysteresis, all with little to no dependence on the properties of the substrate due to bottom silicon surfaces that are passivated with thermal oxide. The schemes reported here require only interconnect metallization to be performed on the final device substrate, which thereby minimizes the need for any specialized processing technology, with important consequences in large‐area electronics for display systems, flexible/stretchable electronics, or other non‐wafer‐based devices.
Which Forces Control Supracrystal Nucleation in Organic Media?
Authors: Goubet Nicolas , Richardi Johannes , Albouy Pierre‐Antoine , Pileni Marie‐Paule
Published: June 2011

Here, two mechanisms of fcc Au supracrystal (assembly of Au nanocrystals) growth are proposed. The sizes of the Au nanocrystals and the solvent in which they are dispersed are major parameters that determine the final morphology of nanocrystal assemblies; films by layer‐by‐layer growth (heterogeneous growth), characterized by their plastic deformation, or well‐defined shapes grown in solution (homogeneous growth). Experiments supported by simulations demonstrate that supracrystal nucleation is mainly driven by solvent‐mediated interactions and not solely by the van der Waals attraction between nanocrystal cores, as widely assumed in the literature.
Does achieving an intensive versus usual blood pressure level prevent stroke?
Authors: Lee Meng , Saver Jeffrey L. , Hong Keun‐Sik , Hao Qing , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: June 2011

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of achieving tight versus usual systolic blood pressure (SBP) control on stroke prevention through meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods:

We searched PubMed and bibliographies of recent review articles. Relative risk with 95% confidence interval was used as a measure of the association between an active treatment group with achieved SBP <130mmHg versus a comparator group with achieved SBP 130 to 139mmHg, and risk of stroke after pooling data across trials.

Results:

The search identified 11 studies with 42,572 participants and 794 stroke events. The final SBPs, weighted for trial size, were a mean of 126.5mmHg in the intensive treatment arms and 132.6mmHg in the conventional arms (mean SBP reduction, 6.1mmHg). Achieving a tight SBP level was associated with a lower stroke risk (relative risk, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.92; p < 0.01) and a lower risk of major vascular events (0.91; 0.86–0.96; p < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, subjects with risk factors but no established cardiovascular disease showed substantial reduction of future stroke risk with tight control (0.49; 0.34–0.69), but those with established cardiovascular disease at entry did not experience stroke risk reduction with tight control (0.92; 0.83–1.03).

Interpretation:

Achieving an SBP <130mmHg compared to 130 to 139mmHg appears to provide additional stroke protection only among people with risk factors but no established cardiovascular disease. ANN NEUROL 2012;71:133–140
Head injury, alpha‐synuclein Rep1, and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Goldman Samuel M. , Kamel Freya , Ross G. Webster , Jewell Sarah A. , Bhudhikanok Grace S. , Umbach David , Marras Connie , Hauser Robert A. , Jankovic Joseph , Factor Stewart A. , Bressman Susan , Lyons Kelly E. , Meng Cheryl , Korell Monica , Roucoux Diana F. , Hoppin Jane A. , Sandler Dale P. , Langston J. William , Tanner Caroline M.
Published: June 2011

Objective:

To test the hypothesis that variability in SNCA Rep1, a polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite in the promoter region of the gene encoding α‐synuclein, modifies the association between head injury and Parkinson's disease (PD) risk.

Methods:

Participants in the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) and the Study of Environmental Association and Risk of Parkinsonism using Case‐Control Historical Interviews (SEARCH), 2 independent case‐control studies, were genotyped for Rep1 and interviewed regarding head injuries with loss of consciousness or concussion prior to Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis. Logistic regression modeling adjusted for potential confounding variables and tested interaction between Rep1 genotype and head injury.

Results:

Consistent with prior reports, relative to medium‐length Rep1, short Rep1 genotype was associated with reduced PD risk (pooled odds ratio [OR], 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–0.9), and long Rep1 with increased risk (pooled OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.95–2.2). Overall, head injury was not significantly associated with PD (pooled OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9–1.8). However, head injury was strongly associated with PD in those with long Rep1 (FAME OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.5–19; SEARCH OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 0.6–9.2; pooled OR, 3.5; 95% CI 1.4–9.2, p‐interaction = 0.02). Individuals with both head injury and long Rep1 were diagnosed 4.9 years earlier than those with neither risk factor (p = 0.03).

Interpretation:

While head injury alone was not associated with PD risk, our data suggest head injury may initiate and/or accelerate neurodegeneration when levels of synuclein are high, as in those with Rep1 expansion. Given the high population frequency of head injury, independent verification of these results is essential. ANN NEUROL 2012;71:40–48
Preparation and properties of environmental friendly nonhalogen flame retardant melamine cyanurate/nylon 66 composites
Authors: Lu Xiushou , Qiao Xiuying , Yang Tao , Sun Kang , Chen Xiaodong
Published: June 2011

Melamine cyanurate (MCA) was utilized as an environmental friendly additive to prepare the nonhalogen flame retardant MCA/Nylon 66 composites by melt blending technique. Because of the strong hydrogen bond interactions and fine interfacial compatibility between MCA and Nylon 66, the resultant even dispersion of MCA filler in polymer matrix leads to the better toughness and strength of MCA/Nylon 66 composites than those of neat Nylon 66. Both Nylon 66 and MCA/Nylon 66 composites exhibit similar α‐crystalline structure, but the presence of MCA influences the distribution of α1 and α2 crystalline phases in Nylon 66 by inducing its hydrogen‐bonded sheet separation. Moreover, the blending of MCA and Nylon 66 increases the crystallization temperature and exothermicity but decreases the thermal stability of Nylon 66 and accelerates the degradation of MCA. The MCA/Nylon 66 composites show better flame retardancy at intermediate MCA contents of 10 and 15 wt %. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011