bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and Complementary Approaches for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Wald Arnold , Rakel David
Published: June 2008

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common conditions seen in primary care settings. Despite this, there is no consensus as to the pathogenesis of this disorder or a consistently effective therapeutic regimen for many patients. This has encouraged the use of various alternative therapies from behavioral or complementary medicine. This review will address the evidence for alternative therapies, including the following: cognitive behavior therapy, hypnosis, elimination diets based on food antibody testing, nutrition supplements (such as fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics), and, finally, peppermint, l‐glutamine, zinc, and cromolyn sodium. The review also explores the evidence for and the therapeutic ramifications of the hypothesis that increased intestinal permeability underlies the symptoms of IBS in many patients, and how a therapeutic plan that addresses nutrition, elimination diets, and nutrition supplements may be useful in restoring the integrity of the gut immune barrier.
Hegemonic Academic Practices: Experiences of Publishing from the Periphery
Authors: Meriläinen Susan , Tienari Janne , Thomas Robyn , Davies Annette
Published: June 2008

Drawing on a reflexive account of a British—Finnish joint publishing experience, we suggest that institutions of academic publishing are constantly reproduced through hegemonic practices that serve to maintain and reinforce core-periphery relations between the Anglophone core and peripheral countries such as Finland. The wider academic milieu with its taxonomies of academic performance and journal quality serves to perpetuate these practices. This results in academic researchers from the periphery contributing to `othering' within the publishing process.
The Transformative Educator as Learning Companion
Authors: Cranton Patricia , Wright Brenda
Published: June 2008

This study seeks to understand how adult literacy educators foster transformative learning through being a learning companion. Based on interviews with eight literacy educators, it explores how the educators deliberately and consciously create a safe environment, build trust, help learners overcome their fears, create possibilities, foster self-discovery, and work with the whole person.
The Joy of Inquiry
Authors: Montuori Alfonso
Published: June 2008

In this article, the author reflects on his own educational experiences as a starting point for an exploration of the way that education can be a joyful process if framed as an opportunity for creative inquiry. The author outlines some dimensions of an attitude of creative inquiry, focusing on Wonder, Passion, Hope, and Conviviality. The author then explores a number of different metaphors for inquiry and the way they can frame our attitude and evoke different moods.
The highest-copy repeats are methylated in the small genome of the early divergent vascular plant Selaginella moellendorffii
Authors: Chan Agnes P , Melake-Berhan Admasu , O'Brien Kimberly , Buckley Stephanie , Quan Hui , Chen Dan , Lewis Matthew , Banks Jo Ann , Rabinowicz Pablo D
Published: June 2008

Background

The lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii is a vascular plant that diverged from the fern/seed plant lineage at least 400 million years ago. Although genomic information for S. moellendorffii is starting to be produced, little is known about basic aspects of its molecular biology. In order to provide the first glimpse to the epigenetic landscape of this early divergent vascular plant, we used the methylation filtration technique. Methylation filtration genomic libraries select unmethylated DNA clones due to the presence of the methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease McrBC in the bacterial host.

Results

We conducted a characterization of the DNA methylation patterns of the S. moellendorffii genome by sequencing a set of S. moellendorffii shotgun genomic clones, along with a set of methylation filtered clones. Chloroplast DNA, which is typically unmethylated, was enriched in the filtered library relative to the shotgun library, showing that there is DNA methylation in the extremely small S. moellendorffii genome. The filtered library also showed enrichment in expressed and gene-like sequences, while the highest-copy repeats were largely under-represented in this library. These results show that genes and repeats are differentially methylated in the S. moellendorffii genome, as occurs in other plants studied.

Conclusion

Our results shed light on the genome methylation pattern in a member of a relatively unexplored plant lineage. The DNA methylation data reported here will help understanding the involvement of this epigenetic mark in fundamental biological processes, as well as the evolutionary aspects of epigenetics in land plants.
Script Concordance Tests: Guidelines for Construction
Authors: Fournier Jean Paul , Demeester Anne , Charlin Bernard
Published: June 2008

Background

SCT is used to assess clinical reasoning in ambiguous or uncertain situations. It allows testing on real-life situations that are not adequately measured with current tests. It probes the multiple judgments that are made in the clinical reasoning process. Scoring reflects the degree of concordance of these judgments to those of a panel of reference experts.

Method

SCT is an item format that is gaining acceptance in education in the health professions. However, there are no detailed guidelines on item writing, test scoring or test optimization.

Results

The item format is described and the steps for preparing and administering reliable and valid SCTs are presented.

Conclusion

SCTs probe examinees on a specific clinical reasoning task: data interpretation, a crucial step in the clinical reasoning process. It is inferred that a high degree of concordance corresponds to optimal use of information in the context of these specific tasks and therefore provides an indication of clinical reasoning quality.
Complex molecular mechanisms cooperate to mediate histone deacetylase inhibitors anti-tumour activity in neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Mühlethaler-Mottet Annick , Meier Roland , Flahaut Marjorie , Bourloud Katia Balmas , Nardou Katya , Joseph Jean-Marc , Gross Nicole
Published: June 2008

Background

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a new class of promising anti-tumour agent inhibiting cell proliferation and survival in tumour cells with very low toxicity toward normal cells. Neuroblastoma (NB) is the second most common solid tumour in children still associated with poor outcome in higher stages and, thus NB strongly requires novel treatment modalities.

Results

We show here that the HDACi Sodium Butyrate (NaB), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and Trichostatin A (TSA) strongly reduce NB cells viability. The anti-tumour activity of these HDACi involved the induction of cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, followed by the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, via the activation of the caspases cascade. Moreover, HDACi mediated the activation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bid and BimEL and the inactivation of the anti-apoptotic proteins XIAP, Bcl-xL, RIP and survivin, that further enhanced the apoptotic signal. Interestingly, the activity of these apoptosis regulators was modulated by several different mechanisms, either by caspases dependent proteolytic cleavage or by degradation via the proteasome pathway. In addition, HDACi strongly impaired the hypoxia-induced secretion of VEGF by NB cells.

Conclusion

HDACi are therefore interesting new anti-tumour agents for targeting highly malignant tumours such as NB, as these agents display a strong toxicity toward aggressive NB cells and they may possibly reduce angiogenesis by decreasing VEGF production by NB cells.
Association between meniscal tears and the peak external knee adduction moment and foot rotation during level walking in postmenopausal women without knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Davies-Tuck Miranda L , Wluka Anita E , Teichtahl Andrew J , Martel-Pelletier Johanne , Pelletier Jean-Pierre , Jones Graeme , Ding Changhai , Davis Susan R , Cicuttini Flavia M
Published: June 2008

Introduction

Meniscal injury is a risk factor for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis, yet little is known about risk factors for meniscal pathology. Joint loading mediated via gait parameters may be associated with meniscal tears, and determining whether such an association exists was the aim of this study.

Methods

Three-dimensional Vicon gait analyses were performed on the dominant knee of 20 non-osteoarthritic women, and the peak external knee adduction moment during early and late stance was determined. The degree of foot rotation was also examined when the knee adductor moment peaked during early and late stance. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the presence and severity of meniscal lesions in the dominant knee.

Results

The presence (P = 0.04) and severity (P = 0.01) of medial meniscal tears were positively associated with the peak external knee adduction moment during early stance while a trend for late stance was observed (P = 0.07). They were also associated with increasing degrees of internal foot rotation during late stance, independent of the magnitude of the peak external knee adduction moment occurring at that time (P = 0.03). During level walking among healthy women, the presence and severity of medial meniscal tears were positively associated with the peak external knee adduction moment. Moreover, the magnitude of internal foot rotation was associated with the presence and severity of medial meniscal lesions, independent of the peak knee adductor moment during late stance.

Conclusion

These data may suggest that gait parameters may be associated with meniscal damage, although longitudinal studies will be required to clarify whether gait abnormalities predate meniscal lesions, or vice versa, and therefore whether modification of gait patterns may be helpful.
Organization of the pronephric kidney revealed by large-scale gene expression mapping
Authors: Raciti Daniela , Reggiani Luca , Geffers Lars , Jiang Qiuhong , Bacchion Francesca , Subrizi Astrid E , Clements Dave , Tindal Christopher , Davidson Duncan R , Kaissling Brigitte , Brändli André W
Published: June 2008

Background

The pronephros, the simplest form of a vertebrate excretory organ, has recently become an important model of vertebrate kidney organogenesis. Here, we elucidated the nephron organization of the Xenopus pronephros and determined the similarities in segmentation with the metanephros, the adult kidney of mammals.

Results

We performed large-scale gene expression mapping of terminal differentiation markers to identify gene expression patterns that define distinct domains of the pronephric kidney. We analyzed the expression of over 240 genes, which included members of the solute carrier, claudin, and aquaporin gene families, as well as selected ion channels. The obtained expression patterns were deposited in the searchable European Renal Genome Project Xenopus Gene Expression Database. We found that 112 genes exhibited highly regionalized expression patterns that were adequate to define the segmental organization of the pronephric nephron. Eight functionally distinct domains were discovered that shared significant analogies in gene expression with the mammalian metanephric nephron. We therefore propose a new nomenclature, which is in line with the mammalian one. The Xenopus pronephric nephron is composed of four basic domains: proximal tubule, intermediate tubule, distal tubule, and connecting tubule. Each tubule may be further subdivided into distinct segments. Finally, we also provide compelling evidence that the expression of key genes underlying inherited renal diseases in humans has been evolutionarily conserved down to the level of the pronephric kidney.

Conclusion

The present study validates the Xenopus pronephros as a genuine model that may be used to elucidate the molecular basis of nephron segmentation and human renal disease.
Alternate delivery route for amifostine as a radio-/chemo-protecting agent
Authors: Praetorius Natalie P , Mandal Tarun K
Published: June 2008

Amifostine (ethiofos, WR-2721) is an organic thiophosphate prodrug that serves as an antineoplastic adjunct and cytoprotective agent useful in cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The selective protection of certain tissues of the body is believed to be due to higher alkaline phosphatase activity, higher pH and vascular permeation of normal tissues. Amifostine is conventionally administered intravenously before chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce cumulative renal toxicity associated with repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. It was originally indicated to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity from cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer although this indication was withdrawn in 2005. Amifostine is also FDA approved for patients with head and neck cancer to reduce the incidence of moderate to severe xerostomia in patients who are undergoing postoperative radiation treatment where the radiation port includes a substantial portion of the parotid glands. The potential of amifostine as a cytoprotective agent is unlikely to be fully realized if the method of administration is restricted to intravenous administration. Attempts have been made to develop non-invasive methods of delivery such as transdermal patches, pulmonary inhalers, and oral sustained-release microspheres. It is the goal of this article to explore non-intravenous routes of administration associated with better efficacy of the drug. This review will primarily focus on the variety of more recently studied (2002 and later) alternative modes for amifostine administration, including subcutaneous, intrarectal and oral routes.
Kinetic measurements of the hydrolytic degradation of cefixime: effect of Captisol complexation and water-soluble polymers
Authors: Mallick Subrata , Mondal Arijit , Sannigrahi Santanu
Published: June 2008

We have taken kinetic measurements of the hydrolytic degradation of cefixime, and have studied the effect of Captisol complexation and water-soluble polymers on that degradation. The phase solubility of cefixime in Captisol was determined. Kinetic measurements were carried out as a function of pH and temperature. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to assay all the samples of phase-solubility analysis and kinetic measurements. Chromatographic separation of the degradation products was also performed by HPLC. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to investigate the presence of any interaction between cefixime and Captisol and soluble polymer. The phase-solubility study showed AL-type behaviour. The pH-rate profile of cefixime exhibited a U-shaped profile whilst the degradation of cefixime alone was markedly accelerated with elevated temperature. A strong stabilizing influence of the cefixime-Captisol complexation and hypromellose was observed against aqueous mediated degradation, as compared with povidone and macrogol. The unfavourable effect of povidone and macrogol may have been due to the steric hindrance, which prevented the guest molecule from entering the cyclodextrin cavity, whereas hypromellose did not produce any steric hindrance.
Antidiabetic properties of the alcoholic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus in streptozotocin-nicotinamide diabetic rats
Authors: Prabhu Kirti S , Lobo Richard , Shirwaikar Annie
Published: June 2008

We have investigated the possible antihyperglycaemic effects of Sphaeranthus indicus extract in rats rendered diabetic by nicotinamide (120 mgkg−1 i.p.) and streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mgkg−1 i.p). Fasting plasma glucose levels, serum insulin levels, serum lipid profiles, magnesium levels, glycosylated haemoglobin, changes in body weight and liver glycogen levels were evaluated in normal and diabetic rats. Oral administration of S. indicus for 15 days resulted in significant decrease in blood glucose levels and increases in hepatic glycogen and plasma insulin levels. Fasting normal rats treated with the alcoholic extract of S. indicus showed significant improvement in oral glucose tolerance test. Glibenclamide was used as a reference standard. The findings demonstrate that the alcoholic S. indicus extract may be useful in the treatment of diabetes.
Enhancement of cytotoxicity of ribosome-inactivating-protein type I by saponinum album is not based on stimulation of phagocytosis
Authors: Weng A , Jenett-Siems K , Görick C , Melzig M F
Published: June 2008

Saponinum album, a mixture of triterpenoic saponins derived from Gypsophila species, led to an increased internalization of agrostin, a ribosome-inactivating-protein (RIP) type I in U-937 cells differentiated with interferon-γ or phorbol myristate acetate. Treatment with agrostin only showed no cytotoxicity. It was hypothesized that saponinum album stimulated phagocytosis and by that the uptake of agrostin. For this purpose phagocytosis experiments with Alexa-Fluor-488-labelled 1-μm amino-latex beads and FITC-labelled Escherichia coli (K-12 strain) were performed. The results indicated no stimulation of phagocytosis by treatment with saponinum album.
Self-Oscillating Polymer and Gels as Novel Biomimetic Materials
Authors: Yoshida Ryo
Published: June 2008

Stimuli-responsive polymers and their application to biomaterials have been widely studied. On the other hand, as a novel biomimetic polymer, we have been studying a polymer with an autonomous self-oscillating function by utilizing oscillating chemical reactions. So far, we have succeeded in developing a novel self-oscillating polymer and gels by utilizing the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. The self-oscillating polymer is composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), in which Ru(bpy)32+ is incorporated as a catalyst for the BZ reaction. Under the coexistence of the reactants (malonic acid, sodium bromate, and nitric acid), the polymer undergoes spontaneous cyclic soluble–insoluble changes or swelling–deswelling changes (in the case of gel) without any on–off switching of external stimuli. In this paper, our recent studies on the self-oscillating polymer and the design of functional material systems using the polymer are summarized.
“Syn Effect” in Nucleophilic Addition of Amines to 1,3-Dienyl Sulfone and Ethyl (E)-2,4-Pentadienoate
Authors: Yamazaki Masao , Guha Samar Kumar , Ukaji Yutaka , Inomata Katsuhiko
Published: June 2008

The stereochemistry of nucleophilic addition of amines to (E)-1-tosyl-1,3-butadiene was investigated. The Z/E ratios of the resulting allylic sulfones varied with amines, solvents, temperature, and concentration. When diethylamine was reacted in low concentration at high temperature, the corresponding sterically unfavorable (Z)-4-amino-2-butenyl sulfone was preferentially obtained. The stereochemistry of nucleophilic addition of amines to ethyl (E)-2,4-pentadienoate, which possesses an ester group as a conjugated electron-withdrawing group instead of a p-toluenesulfonyl (Ts) group, was also found to realize similar high Z selectivity. The predominant formation of Z isomers in both cases was rationalized by a “syn effect,” which might be mainly due to n⁄σ→π* interaction and/or 6π-electron homoaromaticity.
Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles in the Interlayer Space of a Layered Titanate Intercalated with 2-Aminoethanethiol
Authors: Ide Yusuke , Nakasato Yuri , Ogawa Makoto
Published: June 2008

The intercalation compound of a layered titanate with 2-aminoethanethiol was synthesized to prepare and support Au nanoparticles with morphology replicated by two-dimensional nanospace. The morphology of the formed Au nanoparticles was revealed to be plate, and the thickness and diameter of the platy particles varied with the added amount of Au source; less than 0.7 nm and ca. 6.8 nm, less than 0.9 nm and ca. 6.5 nm, and less than 0.9–1.0 nm and ca. 5.7 nm at molar Au/SH ratios of 0.5, 1.5, and 2.0 respectively. Platy Au nanoparticle-supported layered titanate (Au/SH ratio of 0.5) was thermally stable up to 180 °C in air and 160 °C in helium, respectively.
Controlled Synthesis of Monodispersed Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Sols Applicable to Preparing Ordered Self-Assemblies
Authors: Izu Noriya , Matsubara Ichiro , Itoh Toshio , Shin Woosuck , Nishibori Maiko
Published: June 2008

Highly dispersed metal oxide nanoparticle sols are of great interest in science and engineering because of their broad potential applications in optics, electronics, sensors, catalysis, biomedicines, and even in cosmetics. Here, we report the size-controlled synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticle sols by a reflux method with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as a coating agent to afford stable monodispersions of spherical particles with size of 50–120 nm. The size of nanoparticles can be easily controlled by appropriate adjustment of the molecular weight of the added polymer. Colloidal crystals of cerium oxide are also obtained by evaporation of the cerium oxide sol. As cerium oxide has a larger refractive index than silica and polymers typically used for the preparation of colloidal crystals, the present sols are expected to be useful for the fabrication of high-performance photonic crystals.
Understanding students' motivation in project work: A 2×2 achievement goal approach
Authors: Chia Liu Woon , Wang C. K. John , Tan Oon Seng , Ee Jessie , Koh Caroline
Published: June 2008

Background The project work (PW) initiative was launched in 2000 by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, to encourage application of knowledge across disciplines, and to develop thinking, communication, collaboration, and metacognitive skills. Although PW has been introduced for a few years, few studies have examined the motivation of students in PW, especially with the use of the recently proposed 2 × 2 achievement goal framework.

Aim To use a cluster analytic approach to identify students' achievement goal profiles at an intra‐individual level, and to examine their links to various psychological characteristics and perceived outcomes in PW.

Sample Participants were 491 Secondary 2 students (mean age=13.78, SD = 0.77) from two government coeducational schools.

Method Cluster analysis was performed to identify distinct subgroups of students with similar achievement goal profiles. One‐way MANOVAs, followed by post hoc Tukey HSD tests for pairwise comparisons were used to determine whether there was any significant difference amongst clusters in terms of the psychological characteristics and perceived outcomes in PW.

Results Four distinct clusters of students were identified. The cluster with high achievement goals and the cluster with moderately high goals had the most positive psychological characteristics and perceived outcomes. In contrast, the cluster with very low scores for all four achievement goals had the most maladaptive profile.

Conclusio The study provides support for the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework, and demonstrates that multiple goals can operate simultaneously. However, it highlights the need for cross‐cultural studies to look into the approach–avoidance dimension in the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework.
Fetal testosterone and autistic traits
Authors: Auyeung Bonnie , Baron‐Cohen Simon , Ashwin Emma , Knickmeyer Rebecca , Taylor Kevin , Hackett Gerald
Published: June 2008

Studies of amniotic testosterone in humans suggest that fetal testosterone (fT) is related to specific (but not all) sexually dimorphic aspects of cognition and behaviour. It has also been suggested that autism may be an extreme manifestation of some male‐typical traits, both in terms of cognition and neuroanatomy. In this paper, we examine the possibility of a link between autistic traits and fT levels measured in amniotic fluid during routine amniocentesis. Two instruments measuring number of autistic traits (the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST) and the Child Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ‐Child)) were completed by these women about their children (N=235), ages 6–10 years. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was measured in a subset of these children (N=74). fT levels were positively associated with higher scores on the CAST and AQ‐Child. This relationship was seen within sex as well as when the sexes were combined, suggesting this is an effect of fT rather than of sex per se. No relationships were found between overall IQ and the predictor variables, or between IQ and CAST or AQ‐Child. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that prenatal androgen exposure is related to children exhibiting more autistic traits. These results need to be followed up in a much larger sample to test if clinical cases of ASC have elevated fT.
An examination of emotion regulation, temperament, and parenting style as potential predictors of adolescent depression risk status: A correlational study
Authors: Betts Jennifer , Gullone Eleonora , Allen J. Sabura
Published: June 2008

Given that depression is a debilitating disorder, it is critical that we advance our understanding about the aetiology of this disorder. This study investigated both traditional (temperament and parenting) and novel (emotion regulation strategy) risk factors associated with adolescent depression. Forty‐four adolescents (12–16 years; 64% females) with high scores on a self‐report depressive symptomatology questionnaire were compared to a similar group of 44 adolescents with low scores, matched for age, gender, and ethnicity. Significant group differences were present on all assessed risk factors. The presence of high depressive symptomatology was found to be associated with (1) low levels of temperamentally based positive mood, flexibility, and approach behaviours, (2) a parenting style characterized by low nurturance and high overprotection, and (3) emotion regulation characterized by higher levels of expressive suppression and lower levels of cognitive reappraisal. It was concluded that, in addition to specific temperament characteristics and parenting style, use of particular emotion regulation strategies is associated with varying levels of depressive symptomatology. These findings reinforce the importance of incorporating emotion regulation into explanatory models of depression symptomatology. Further research that tests the direction of effects for these cross‐sectional findings is warranted.
Making risks visible: Identifying and interpreting threats to airline flight safety
Authors: Macrae Carl
Published: June 2008

This research investigated how new or previously unrecognized risks are identified in organizations by risk managers. Managing risk is an increasingly important and widespread task in modern organizations, and the initial identification of risks is one of the key challenges of risk management. However, the psychological processes through which risks are initially identified and interpreted in organizations remain unclear. This paper presents a qualitative study of airline flight safety investigators. The interpretive processes, knowledge, and assumptions underlying risk identification in this setting were examined. The findings suggest that risks were initially identified through an interpretive process of finding gaps or inadequacies in investigators' current knowledge. Investigators engaged in interpretive processes that aimed to construct small moments of doubt, where current knowledge was found to be questionable or suspect in some way. These interpretive processes were underpinned by assumptions that organizational knowledge was inherently limited, partial, and fallible. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to theories of organizational sensemaking, decision‐making, and expertise, and practices of risk management.
Effects of Hemoglobin (Hb) E and HbD Traits on Measurements of Glycated Hb (HbA1c) by 23 Methods
Authors: Little Randie R , Rohlfing Curt L , Hanson Steve , Connolly Shawn , Higgins Trefor , Weykamp Cas W , D'Costa Mario , Luzzi Veronica , Owen William E , Roberts William L
Published: June 2008

Background: Glycohemoglobin (GHB), reported as hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, is a marker of long-term glycemic control in patients with diabetes and is directly related to risk for diabetic complications. HbE and HbD are the second and fourth most common Hb variants worldwide. We investigated the accuracy of HbA1c measurement in the presence of HbE and/or HbD traits.

Methods: We evaluated 23 HbA1c methods; 9 were immunoassay methods, 10 were ion-exchange HPLC methods, and 4 were capillary electrophoresis, affinity chromatography, or enzymatic methods. An overall test of coincidence of 2 least-squares linear regression lines was performed to determine whether the presence of HbE or HbD traits caused a statistically significant difference from HbAA results relative to the boronate affinity HPLC comparative method. Deming regression analysis was performed to determine whether the presence of these traits produced a clinically significant effect on HbA1c results with the use of ±10% relative bias at 6% and 9% HbA1c as evaluation limits.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found in more than half of the methods tested. Only 22% and 13% showed clinically significant interference for HbE and HbD traits, respectively.

Conclusions: Some current HbA1c methods show clinically significant interferences with samples containing HbE or HbD traits. To avoid reporting of inaccurate results, ion-exchange chromatograms must be carefully examined to identify possible interference from these Hb variants. For some methods, manufacturers’ instructions do not provide adequate information for making correct decisions about reporting results.
Polar representations and symmetric spaces
Authors: Eschenburg J.-H , Heintze E
Published: June 2008

J. Dadok has shown by classification that any polar representation has the same orbits as the isotropy representation of some symmetric space. A conceptual proof of this result is given subject to some restriction.
Locally split and locally finite twin buildings of 2-spherical type
Authors: Mühlherr Bernhard
Published: June 2008

We prove a fixed point theorem for twin buildings of arbitrary rank. This theorem is then used to construct certain twin buildings whose existence was conjectured in [12]. As a consequence we obtain a classification of twin buildings whose rank 2 residues correspond to split algebraic groups over a field of cardinality at least 4. A similar result follows for twin buildings whose rank 2 residues are finite.
Generalized q-Schur algebras and modular representation theory of finite groups with split (BN)-pairs
Authors: Dipper Richard , Gruber Jochen
Published: June 2008

We introduce a generalized version of a q-Schur algebra (of parabolic type) for arbitrary Hecke algebras over extended Weyl groups. We describe how the decomposition matrix of a finite group with split BN-pair, with respect to a non-describing prime, can be partially described by the decomposition matrices of suitably chosen q-Schur algebras. We show that the investigated structures occur naturally in finite groups of Lie type.
Extending families of curves over log regular schemes
Authors: Mochizuki Shinichi
Published: June 2008

In this paper, we generalize to the “log regular case” a result of de Jong and Oort which states that any morphism satisfying certain conditions from the complement of a divisor with normal crossings in a regular scheme to a moduli stack of stable curves extends over the entire regular scheme. The proof uses the theory of “regular log schemes” — i.e., schemes with singularities like those of toric varieties – due to K. Kato ([12]). We then use this extension theorem to prove that under certain natural conditions any scheme which is a successive fibration of smooth hyperbolic curves may be compactified to a successive fibration of stable curves.
On the density of rational points on elliptic fibrations
Authors: Bogomolov F. A , Tschinkel Yu
Published: June 2008

1. Introduction

Let X be an algebraic variety defined over a number field F. We will say that rational points are potentially dense if there exists a finite extension K/F such that the set of K-rational points X(K) is Zariski dense in X. The main problem is to relate this property to geometric invariants of X. Hypothetically, on varieties of general type rational points are not potentially dense. In this paper we are interested in smooth projective varieties such that neither they nor their unramified coverings admit a dominant map onto varieties of general type. For these varieties it seems plausible to expect that rational points are potentially dense (see [2]).
Introduction to Special Issue: Advancing the Ethics of Community-Based Participatory Research
Authors: Shore Nancy , Wong Kristine A. , Seifer Sarena D. , Grignon Jessica , Gamble Vanessa Northington
Published: June 2008

Increasingly communities are engaging in community-based participatory research (CBPR) to address their pressing health concerns, frequently in partnership with institutions. CBPR with its underlying values challenges us to expand the traditional framework of ethical analysis to include community-level and partnership-oriented considerations. This special issue considers ethical considerations inherent in CBPR, presents examples of how communities have created their own processes for research ethics review, and identifies challenges CBPR teams may encounter with institution-based research ethics committees. Drawing upon the special issue articles and the work conducted by Community-Campus Partnerships for Health and the Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, we propose an approach and a set of strategies to create a system of research ethics review that more fully accounts for individual and community-level considerations.
Developing a Participatory Aboriginal Health Research Project: “Only if it's Going to Mean Something”
Authors: Jacklin Kristen , Kinoshameg Phyllis
Published: June 2008

Community-based research methods were used in a study of health needs with the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Ontario, Canada based on critical theory, Indigenous teachings and participatory action research (PAR). The process of developing the project led to the elucidation of eight key principles deemed necessary for the development of a project that is both culturally and community appropriate: Partnership, empowerment, community control, mutual benefit, wholism, action, communication and respect. Adherence to these eight principles appears necessary for an ethical and an effective research process in Aboriginal communities.
Gender Group Interest or Gender Ideology? Understanding U.S. Support for Family Policy within the Liberal Welfare Regime
Authors: Bolzendahl Catherine , Olafsdottir Sigrun
Published: June 2008

Many market-centered democracies have more comprehensive and generous family policies than the United States. While there is an assumed lack of public support for such policies, little research exists on Americans' family policy attitudes, especially in a comparative perspective. The authors examine the United States within the liberal welfare state framework, comparing it to nations with the greatest institutional, historical, and cultural similarities (Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand). Using data from the 1994 and 2002 International Social Survey Program, the authors explore support for and determinants of paid maternity leave and financial benefits for childcare. Results show that despite common assumptions, Americans are as supportive and often more so than citizens in other liberal welfare states. However, Americans differ significantly according to sources of policy support. Specifically, the gender gap in policy preferences is larger in the United States than in other liberal welfare states. Conversely, there is a weaker relationship in the United States between liberal work/family attitudes and support of these policies. The results have implications for proponents of family policy and theoretical debates concerning gender, public opinion, and family policy.
“The University Works Because We Do”: On the Determinants of Campus Labor Organizing in the 1990s
Authors: Dixon Marc , Tope Daniel , Van Dyke Nella
Published: June 2008

University campuses experienced a surge in protest activity around labor issues during the late 1990s, highlighted by several high-profile graduate employee unionization campaigns. Some scholars and activists attribute these developments to notable changes in the academy, while others note that this wave of activity coincided with revitalization efforts by the broader U.S. labor movement that included reaching out to new constituencies and college students in particular. The authors advance this discussion by analyzing the factors leading to graduate employee union organizing campaigns between 1996 and 2001. They draw from social movement and labor research to suggest how shifts in the nature of academic labor markets, local resources and opportunities for activism, and increased links between organized labor and college campuses influence the timing and location of organizing campaigns. Results from an event history analysis of campaign activity largely support these claims and highlight the importance of local resources and opportunities for campus organizing.
Student Ratings in a Consumerist Academy: Leveraging Pedagogical Control and Authority
Authors: Titus Jordan J.
Published: June 2008

This article is a qualitative examination of the impact of consumerism on pedagogical relationships and, in turn, its subsequent significance for standards of excellence in higher education. Based on seventy-five in-depth interviews, students' ratings of faculty are found to be normative assessments of a professor's conformity with students' pedagogical role expectations that have been derived from a market ideology and framed by a transmission model of education embedded in the rating form. When transformed into numbers, student ratings become misconstrued as quantified measures of teaching excellence that institutionally serve to provide an illusion of objectivity and penalize faculty who adhere to an alternative critical model of pedagogy. Through the use of rating forms, academic control and professional authority are transferred from faculty to students, who, as discriminating consumers, are granted the power to further their own interests and, consequently, shape the nature and form of higher education that serves them.
Investimento público em educação fundamental e a qualidade do ensino: uma avaliação regional dos resultados do Fundef
Authors: Sobreira Rogério , Campos Bruno Cesar
Published: June 2008

Desde 1998, o financiamento da educação pública fundamental no Brasil está submetido a critérios de vinculação de receitas governamentais regulamentados pelo Fundef (Fundo de Manutenção e Desenvolvimento do Ensino Fundamental e de Valorização do Magistério). Entre os objetivos do fundo está o de garantir recursos mínimos para o investimento público em educação fundamental, assegurando a qualidade do ensino oferecido e, por conseguinte, a melhora na proficiência dos alunos. Com base nos dados de volume de recursos investidos no ensino fundamental via Fundef e nos resultados das Saebs (sinopses estatísticas da educação básica), este artigo analisa os efeitos dessa política pública sobre o desempenho dos alunos da rede pública de ensino fundamental brasileira. Os resultados apontam a importância do aporte financeiro e da qualificação do magistério para o aperfeiçoamento da qualidade da educação pública.
Práticas escolares de mobilização de cultura matemática
Authors: Miguel Antonio , Vilela Denise Silva
Published: June 2008

Neste artigo, temos como propósito situar o leitor na complexa discussão contemporânea relativa a práticas escolares de mobilização de cultura matemática. Para isso, numa primeira parte, procuramos caracterizar algumas perspectivas teóricas bastante difundidas relativas ao modo de se compreender e explicar essas práticas. Numa segunda parte, consideramos perspectivas mais recentes e menos ressonantes que vêm levantando novos e pertinentes elementos para a consideração do problema aqui em foco.
PCR multiplex para identificação de isolados de Clostridium chauvoei e Clostridium septicum
Authors: Assis R.A. , Lobato F.C.F. , Lobato Z.I.P. , Camargos M.F. , Nascimento R.A.P. , Vargas A.P.C. , Salvarani F.M. , Uzal F.A.
Published: June 2008

Padronizou-se uma técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase múltipla (PCR multiplex) para detecção de Clostridium chauvoei e Clostridium septicum em culturas puras. Foram utilizados pares de iniciadores para segmentos específicos dos genes que codificam a flagelina de C. chauvoei e a toxina alfa de C. septicum. Para avaliaçã o da PCR multiplex, foram testados 16 isolados clínicos de C. chauvoei e 15 isolados de C. septicum provenientes de ruminantes, quatro sementes vacinais de cada um desses agentes. Amostras de referência de ambos os microrganismos foram usadas como controle. Para avaliar a especificidade, DNAs genômicos dos seguintes microrganismos foram usados: C. sordellii, C. novyi tipo A, C. novyi tipo B, C. perfringens tipo A, C. haemolyticum, C. botulinum tipo D, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli e Salmonella typhimurium. Todos os isolados e sementes vacinais de C. chauvoei e C. septicum foram detectados pela técnica. Não foram observadas reações cruzadas com as outras espécies de clostrídios, outras espécies bacterianas ou entre C. Chauvoei e C. septicum. As menores concentrações de DNA de C. chauvoei e C. septicum detectadas foram 45pg/µl e 30pg/µl, respectivamente. A PCR multiplex pode ser utilizada para a identificação específica de C. chauvoei e C. septicum em culturas puras.
Leucograma e teores plasmáticos de proteínas de fase aguda de eqüinos portadores de abdômen agudo e submetidos à laparotomia
Authors: Fagliari J.J. , Silva S.L. , Silva P.C. , Pereira G.T.
Published: June 2008

Foram examinados 20 eqüinos adultos portadores de abdômen agudo e submetidos à laparotomia. Dez recuperaram-se sem intercorrência pós-operatória (G1) e 10 foram a óbito sete a 10 dias após a cirurgia, com sinais de choque séptico (G2). Avaliaram-se temperatura retal, freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, tempo de preenchimento capilar e teores plasmáticos das proteínas de fase aguda - fibrinogênio, ceruloplasmina, proteína C-reativa, antitripsina, haptoglobina e glicoproteína ácida -, antes e até sete dias após a laparotomia. As leucometrias às 72h e no sétimo dia pós-operatório dos eqüinos que foram a óbito foram, respectivamente, 34,6% e 57,1%, mais altas que a dos animais curados. Os maiores valores de proteína de fase aguda ocorreram no sétimo dia após a cirurgia; os percentuais de elevação de fibrinogênio, antitripsina, glicoproteina ácida, proteína C-reativa, ceruloplasmina e haptoglobina de eqüinos do G2 em relação ao G1 foram 46,8%, 67,9%, 91,9%, 112,2%, 126,9% e 186,2%, respectivamente.
Refração por retinoscopia com luz em faixa em cães
Authors: Ranzani J.J.T. , Mobricci L.A.L. , Carvalho L.R. , Brandão C.V.S.
Published: June 2008

A refração ocular por retinoscopia com luz em faixa em 10 cães normais, sem raça definida, demonstrou que a maioria dos animais, independentemente do porte, apresentou tendência à hipermetropia, além de anisometropia e astigmatismo.
Quimionucleólise cervical associada à espondilectomia ventral em cães: aspectos clínico-cirúrgicos, radiográficos e histológicos
Authors: Daibert A.P.F. , Del Carlo R.J. , Monteiro B.S. , Viloria M.I.V. , Tsiomis A.C. , Pinheiro L.C.P.
Published: June 2008

Foram avaliados aspectos clínico-cirúrgicos, radiográficos e histológicos de discos intervertebrais cervicais caninos após quimionucleólise com quimiopapaína associada à espondilectomia ventral em 24 cães. Em todos foi realizada a espondilectomia ventral na região do disco intervertebral C2-C3 e quimionucleólises nos demais discos cervicais. Os cães foram sacrificados às 24 horas, e aos 8, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após aplicação da enzima para a obtenção de cortes sagitais dos discos intervertebrais tratados e das estruturas cartilaginosas e ósseas adjacentes. Nos mesmos períodos, foram realizadas radiografias para monitoração da espessura dos espaços intervertebrais. Todos toleraram bem o procedimento cirúrgico e não apresentaram alterações clínicas significativas. Na avaliação radiográfica, observou-se marcada redução dos espaços intervertebrais 24 horas após o tratamento. Do oitavo ao 90º dia após aplicação da enzima, foi verificada ausência total de espaço intervertebral na região dos discos tratados. Aos 120 dias, as espessuras dos espaços intervertebrais corresponderam, em média, a 59,1% da espessura anterior ao procedimento. Na avaliação histológica, foram observadas digestão nuclear e redução da intensidade de coloração pela safranina-O 24 horas após a quimionucleólise. A partir do 60º dia, havia material amorfo no espaço nuclear, que, aos 120 dias, tinha aparência fibrocartilaginosa. A quimionucleólise associada à espondilectomia ventral determinou a lise dos discos intervertebrais e lesões nas estruturas cartilaginosas e ósseas adjacentes, com tendência à reparação por tecido fibrocartilaginoso ao longo do tempo.
Estruturas de covariância de peso em função da idade de animais Nelore das regiões Sudeste e Centro-Oeste do Brasil
Authors: Valente B.D. , Silva M.A. , Silva L.O.C. , Bergmann J.A.G. , Pereira J.C.C. , Fridrich A.B. , Ferreira I. C. , Corrêa G.S.S.
Published: June 2008

Dados de peso de animais da raça Nelore de 90 a 450 dias de idade das regiões Sudeste (SE) e Centro-Oeste (CO) do Brasil foram utilizados para comparar estruturas de (co)variância de efeitos aleatórios em função de idade estimadas para as duas regiões por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória. Componentes de (co)variância referentes aos coeficientes de regressão aleatória foram estimados por EMREML por meio do programa REMLF90. Os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo e os efeitos aleatórios genético aditivo direto, genético aditivo materno e permanente de ambiente foram modelados por polinômios quadráticos de Legendre. As comparações envolveram estruturas de covariância e de correlação dos efeitos aleatórios, herdabilidades direta e materna e a razão entre variâncias genéticas de diferentes regiões. As herdabilidades e estruturas de covariância e de correlação apresentaram comportamento semelhante nas duas regiões. A variância residual e as variâncias de efeito permanente de ambiente foram menores no CO, bem como a variância genética aditiva materna dos 150 aos 400 dias de idade. Trajetórias dos efeitos fixos em função de idade de diferentes grupos contemporâneos apresentaram diferentes formas, sugerindo a necessidade de estimar um conjunto de coeficientes de regressão específico para cada grupo contemporâneo. A variância do efeito genético aditivo materno apresentou maior heterogeneidade entre regiões do que a variância genética aditiva direta.
Enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira com Saccharomyces cerevisiae para alimentação de ruminantes
Authors: Araújo L.F. , Silva F.L.H. , Brito E.A. , Oliveira Júnior S. , Santos E.S.
Published: June 2008

Avaliou-se o processo de enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) com levedura Sacharomyces cerevisiae em cultivo semi-sólido, visando melhorar o valor nutritivo da palma para ser utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes. A levedura foi utilizada nas concentrações de 1, 2 e 3% em base úmida no substrato formado pela palma forrageira, incubada em biorreatores durante 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. O conteúdo de proteína bruta quando se utilizou concentração de 3% de inóculo, no período de seis horas, aumentou de 4,4% na forma in natura para 10,4% após o processamento. Os teores protéicos na concentração de 1% do inóculo foram de 6,1, 8,1, 8,1 e 9,2%; na concentração de 2%, 9,6, 9,7, 9,8 e 9,8% e na concentração de 3%, 10,4, 10,4 7,9 e 7,9%, nos períodos de 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação, respectivamente. Uma fonte alternativa para arraçoamento de ruminantes, pode ser obtida pela bioconversão da palma forrageira.