bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of partners' abusive behaviors as reported by Latina and non‐Latina survivors
Authors: Glass Nancy , Perrin Nancy , Hanson Ginger , Mankowski Eric , Bloom Tina , Campbell Jacquelyn
Published: January 2009

This study builds on the existing knowledge of risk factors for lethal intimate partner violence (IPV) and typologies of IPV abusers by exploring patterns of abusive partners' behaviors among known risk factors for intimate partner femicide (i.e., murder of women) and determines if groups of survivors with similar patterns of abusive behaviors exist. The common patterns are then examined for differences among Latina and non‐Latina survivors. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with adult English‐ and Spanish‐speaking survivors of past‐year physical and/or sexual IPV using a validated risk assessment instrument, the Danger Assessment (DA) Questionnaire. Two‐hundred nine IPV survivors participated, 55% Latina. Unique patterns of abusive behaviors perpetrated by an intimate partner or ex‐partner across known risk factors for lethal violence were reported. The patterns clustered into five distinct groups: extreme abuser, physical and sexual violence/controlling abuser, forced sex/controlling abuser, threat/controlling abuser, and low‐level tactics abuser. Latina and non‐Latina survivors reported mean DA scores (13.0 vs. 18.5, respectively) that place them within the “increased danger” and “extreme danger” level, respectively, for lethal violence by an abusive partner. Although both groups were in extreme danger on average, the patterns of abusive behaviors differed. Latina women were more likely to characterize their partner as using forced sex to control the relationship, whereas non‐Latina women were more likely to characterize the use of all types of abusive behaviors (i.e., extreme abuser) or threats to kill them (i.e., threat/controlling abuser) to control the relationship. The findings of this study can be used to develop effective individualized safety plans that include culturally and linguistically competent strategies to reduce violence‐related morbidity and mortality. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding the phases of recovery from serious mental illness: the roles of referent and expert power in a mutual‐help setting
Authors: Beeble Marisa L. , Salem Deborah A.
Published: January 2009

This study explored an approach to studying recovery that is sensitive to the multiphase and contextual nature of the recovery process. The authors focused on the experience of recovery in a mutual‐help group, Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA). Prior qualitative research conducted with SA revealed that SA participants experience four phases of recovery: (a) mourning and grief, (b) awareness and recognition, (c) redefinition and transformation, and (d) enhanced well‐being and quality of life. Surveying a national sample of SA participants, they explored whether these four phases were predicted by different change mechanisms (i.e., referent and expert power) within SA and whether these mechanisms varied according to participants' role in the organization. Referent and expert power were found to differentially relate to the phases of recovery for members and leaders. They conclude that our understanding of the processes and contexts that facilitate recovery can be enhanced by using recovery models that are setting‐specific and reflect the multifaceted nature of the recovery process. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlates of anxiety sensitivity among African American adolescents living in urban public housing
Authors: Nebbitt Von E. , Lambert Sharon F.
Published: January 2009

This study examines individual, social, and contextual correlates of anxiety sensitivity among African American adolescents living in public housing. The study also reports prevalence of anxiety sensitivity among this population of youth. Participants included 238 African American adolescents (mean age=15.6) living in three public housing developments in a large Midwest city. These adolescents reported about their anxiety sensitivity, antisocial behavior, parental monitoring, affiliation with delinquent peers, and perceptions of their neighborhood. The study uses a cross‐sectional research design. Age and gender differences were not detected for anxiety sensitivity. Results indicate a significant association between neighborhood hazard and anxiety sensitivity. This association was exacerbated by exposure to delinquent peers. Parental monitoring and older age attenuated the relationship between neighborhood hazard and anxiety sensitivity. Findings suggest that interventions to prevent or ameliorate anxiety sensitivity among African American adolescents living in public housing must not only focus on reducing neighborhood risk factors but also on enhancing the protective factors available to the youth. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apoptosis in CADASIL: An in vitro study of lymphocytes and fibroblasts from a cohort of Italian patients
Authors: Formichi Patrizia , Radi Elena , Battisti Carla , Di Maio Giuseppe , Tarquini Ermelinda , Leonini Alessandra , Di Stefano Anna , Dotti Maria Teresa , Federico Antonio
Published: January 2009

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary disease affecting vascular smooth muscle cells of nearly all tissues. Clinical manifestations mainly concern the central nervous system with repeated TIA/stroke, migraine, psychiatric disturbances, and cognitive decline. Minor findings have been reported in muscle, nerve, and skin. CADASIL is due to NOTCH3 gene mutations. This gene has been identified as an up‐regulator of c‐FLIP, an inhibitor of Fas‐ligand‐induced apoptosis. The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis in cells from 16 Italian CADASIL patients. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and fibroblasts from CADASIL patients were exposed to 2‐deoxy‐D‐ribose (dRib), which induces apoptosis by oxidative stress. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, agarose gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy for caspase‐3 activation, phosphatidylserine exposure and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. PBLs and fibroblasts from CADASIL patients showed a significantly higher response to dRib‐induced apoptosis than those of controls. PBLs from CADASIL patients also showed a significantly higher percentage of apoptotic cells than PBLs from controls, even when cultured without dRib. The greater susceptibility of PBLs and fibroblasts from CADASIL patients to dRib‐induced apoptosis suggests that NOTCH3 mutations are an important apoptotic trigger. Since PBLs from patients showed higher levels of apoptosis even in the absence of an apoptotic stimulus, cells from CADASIL patients appear to be physiologically prone to apoptotic cell death. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 494–502, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) induces angiogenesis through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐mediated apoptosis
Authors: Ferrari Giovanni , Cook Brandoch D. , Terushkin Vitaly , Pintucci Giuseppe , Mignatti Paolo
Published: January 2009

VEGF and TGF‐β1 induce angiogenesis but have opposing effects on endothelial cells. VEGF protects endothelial cells from apoptosis; TGF‐β1 induces apoptosis. We have previously shown that VEGF/VEGF receptor‐2 (VEGFR2) signaling mediates TGF‐β1 induction of apoptosis. This finding raised an important question: Does this mechanism stimulate or inhibit angiogenesis? Here we report that VEGF‐mediated apoptosis is required for TGF‐β1 induction of angiogenesis. In vitro the apoptotic effect of TGF‐β1 on endothelial cells is rapid and followed by a long period in which the cells are refractory to apoptosis induction by TGF‐β1. Inhibition of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling abrogates formation of cord‐like structures by TGF‐β1 with an effect comparable to that of z‐VAD, an apoptosis inhibitor. Similarly, genetic deficiency of VEGF abolishes TGF‐β1 upregulation of endothelial cell differentiation and formation of vascular structures in embryoid bodies. In vivo TGF‐β1 induces endothelial cell apoptosis as rapidly as in vitro. Inhibition of VEGF blocks TGF‐β1 induction of both apoptosis and angiogenesis, an effect similar to that of z‐VAD. Thus, TGF‐β1 induction of angiogenesis requires a rapid and transient apoptotic effect mediated by VEGF/VEGFR2. This novel, unexpected role of VEGF and VEGFR2 indicates VEGF‐mediated apoptosis as a potential target to control angiogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 449–458, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sonography of the pediatric thyroid: A pictorial essay
Authors: Chang Yun‐Woo , Hong Hyun Sook , Choi Deuk Lin
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this article is to review the various pediatric thyroid diseases using sonographic images. These diseases included congenital hypothyroidism (dysgenesis [aplasia; ectopy; hypoplasia], dyshormonogenesis, transient hypothyroidism), thyroglossal duct cyst, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, suppurative thyroiditis, nodular hyperplasia (goiter) and thyroid mass. Thyroid sonogram is the primary method used for thyroid disease and can be used for guiding of fine needle aspiration to obtain a more accurate diagnosis for suspected thyroid lesions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2009
Spatiotemporal ablation of myelinating glia‐specific neurofascin (NfascNF155) in mice reveals gradual loss of paranodal axoglial junctions and concomitant disorganization of axonal domains
Authors: Pillai Anilkumar M. , Thaxton Courtney , Pribisko Alaine L. , Cheng Jr‐Gang , Dupree Jeffrey L. , Bhat Manzoor A.
Published: January 2009

The evolutionary demand for rapid nerve impulse conduction led to the process of myelination‐dependent organization of axons into distinct molecular domains. These domains include the node of Ranvier flanked by highly specialized paranodal domains where myelin loops and axolemma orchestrate the axoglial septate junctions. These junctions are formed by interactions between a glial isoform of neurofascin (NfascNF155) and axonal Caspr and Cont. Here we report the generation of myelinating glia‐specific NfascNF155 null mouse mutants. These mice exhibit severe ataxia, motor paresis, and death before the third postnatal week. In the absence of glial NfascNF155, paranodal axoglial junctions fail to form, axonal domains fail to segregate, and myelinated axons undergo degeneration. Electrophysiological measurements of peripheral nerves from NfascNF155 mutants revealed dramatic reductions in nerve conduction velocities. By using inducible PLP‐CreER recombinase to ablate NfascNF155 in adult myelinating glia, we demonstrate that paranodal axoglial junctions disorganize gradually as the levels of NfascNF155 protein at the paranodes begin to drop. This coincides with the loss of the paranodal region and concomitant disorganization of the axonal domains. Our results provide the first direct evidence that the maintenance of axonal domains requires the fence function of the paranodal axoglial junctions. Together, our studies establish a central role for paranodal axoglial junctions in both the organization and the maintenance of axonal domains in myelinated axons. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PPTX, a pentraxin domain‐containing protein, interacts with the T1 domain of Kv4
Authors: Harvey Margaret , Karolat Joerg , Sakai Yoshihisa , Sokolowski Bernd
Published: January 2009

Voltage‐gated K+ (Kv) channels reside as tetramers in the membrane. The events that coordinate folding, trafficking, and tetramerization are mediated by an array of associated proteins and phospholipids whose identification is vital to understanding the dynamic nature of channel expression and activity. An interaction between an A‐type K+ channel, Kv4.2, and a protein containing a pentraxin domain (PPTX) was demonstrated in the cochlea (Duzhyy et al. [ 2005] J. Biol. Chem. 280:15165–15172). Here, we present results based on fold recognition and homology modeling that revealed the tetramerization (T1) domain of Kv4.2 as a potential docking site for interacting proteins such as PPTX. By using this model, putative sites were experimentally tested with the yeast two‐hybrid system to assay interactions between PPTX and the T1 domain of Kv4.2 wild type (wt) and mutants (mut). Results showed that amino acid residues 86 and 118 in the T1 domain are essential for interaction, because replacing these negatively charged with neutrally charged amino acids inhibits interactions. Cotransfections of Chinese hamster ovary cells with PPTX and Kv4.2wt further revealed that PPTX increases Kv4.2wt expression in vitro when analyzing total lysates, whereas interactions with Kv4.2mut resulted in a decrease. These studies suggest that portions of the T1 domain can act as docking sites for proteins such as PPTX, further underscoring the significance of this domain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ginsenosides protect striatal neurons in a cellular model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Wu Jun , Jeong Hye Kyoung , Bulin Sarah Elizabeth , Kwon Sung Won , Park Jeong Hill , Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: January 2009

Ginseng, the root ofPanax ginsengC.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), is a widely used herbal medicine. Ginsenosides, the active ingredients of ginseng, are the main components responsible for many beneficial actions of ginseng. In the present study, we tested 10 different ginsenosides in the previously developed in vitro Huntington's disease (HD) assay with primary medium spiny striatal neuronal cultures (MSN) from the YAC128 HD mouse model. We found that nanomolar concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rc effectively protected YAC128 medium spiny neurons from glutamate‐induced apoptosis and that Rg5 was protective at micromolar concentration. The other seven ginsenosides tested were not effective or exerted toxic effects in MSN cultures. From further experiments, we suggested that neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides Rb1, Rc, and Rg5 could correlate with their ability to inhibit glutamate‐induced Ca2+responses in cultured MSN. From these results we concluded that ginsenosides Rb1, Rc, and Rg5 offer a potential therapeutic choice for the treatment of HD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of NF‐κB signal‐transduction pathways on the murine inner ear by acoustic overstimulation
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroshi , Omelchenko Irina , Shi Xiaorui , Nuttall Alfred L.
Published: January 2009

Nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) comprises a family of inducible transcription factors that serve as important regulators of the host immune and inflammatory responses. The NF‐κB signals are activated via the canonical and/or noncanonical pathways in response to diverse stimuli. The excessive action of NF‐κB signal‐transduction pathways frequently causes self‐injurious phenomena such as allergic diseases, vascular disorders, and ischemia–reperfusion neuronal damage. In the inner ear, the role of NF‐κB has not been clarified because the activated NF‐κB signals potentially induce both cytoprotective and cytotoxic target genes after ototoxic stimulation. In the present study, we investigated the response of NF‐κB in both the canonical and noncanonical pathways to acoustic overstimulation (117 dB/SPL/2 hr) and followed the change of inflammatory factors (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 [ICAM‐1], and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 [VCAM‐1]) in the cochlear lateral wall (CLW) and the rest of cochlea (RoC). By means of immunohistochemistry combined with confocal microscopy and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction techniques, we found the response of NF‐κB family members (NF‐κB1, 2, RelA, and RelB) at the transcription level. After the NF‐κB signaling, the inflammatory factors were significantly increased in the CLW and the RoC. Additionally, at the protein level, the prominent expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1) was observed in the tissue around the capillaries in the stria vascularis. These results show that acoustic overstimulation causes the NF‐κB signaling to overexpress the inflammatory factors in the inner ear, and the up‐regulation of the adhesion molecules (ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1) and iNOS potentially influence the hemodynamics and the cellular integrity in the stria vascularis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Knowledge integration for enterprise resources planning application design
Authors: Krone Oliver , Syväjärvi Antti , Stenvall Jari
Published: January 2009

In this paper we report findings that have been collected through the use of a mixed method approach to Finnish and German public and private Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects. These are examined in order to learn the influence that organisational structures exert on employees' willingness to exchange information and knowledge for the purpose of requirements engineering (RE). RE happens in multiprofessional settings, which requires that information and knowledge are exchanged, and be made understandable to other project members. Data indicate that departmental structures facilitate the development of dedicated knowledge and language sets. However, these sets of knowledge and language decrease options for direct communication across departments. Furthermore, the decision‐making and working modes in a dedicated department have an impact on employees' motivation to engage in the exchange of information and knowledge. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary tumor thickness as a risk factor for contralateral cervical metastases in T1/T2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bier‐Laning Carol M. , Durazo‐Arvizu Ramon , Muzaffar Kamil , Petruzzelli Guy J.
Published: January 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Contralateral cervical metastases represent an avoidable source of failure in squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) of the oral tongue. We sought to identify risk factors for the development of contralateral cervical metastases in T1/T2 oral tongue SCCa.

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Methods:

We reviewed the medical records of 50 sequential cases of Stage I/II SCCa of the oral tongue treated with surgery between 1983 and 2003 at Loyola University Medical Center and Hines VA Hospital. Clinical staging, primary tumor thickness, results of neck dissection, adjuvant treatment, site and date of recurrence, and final outcome were recorded. Follow‐up ranged from 0.2 to 17 years, with a mean of 5 years. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic, Cox regression analysis, and a classification and logistic regression tree analysis.

Results:

The odds ratio for risk of developing contralateral neck metastasis was 5% for each 1 mm increase in tumor thickness (P = .68). The risk did not change when controlling for the presence of ipsilateral metastasis. There was a significant relationship between contralateral cervical metastases and the development of recurrent disease at any site (P = .005). Classification tree analysis determined the risk for contralateral metastases and was greatest for patients with tumors >3.75 mm thick and ≤9.5 mm thick.

Conclusions:

This report is the first to our knowledge that evaluates thickness as a risk factor for contralateral cervical metastasis in oral tongue SCCa. We recommend consideration be given to treating the contralateral neck in cases where the primary tumor is >3.75 mm thick. Laryngoscope, 2009
Wildfire effects on soil erodibility of woodlands in NW Spain
Authors: Varela M. E. , Benito E. , Keizer J. J.
Published: January 2009

Knowledge of soil erodibility following wildfire is of crucial importance for prioritisation of post‐fire restoration practices for soil erosion mitigation. The present work therefore aims to determine the effect of wildfire on soil erodibility for common woodlands in Galicia, NW Spain. This is done by comparing selected topsoil properties of 28 pairs of recently wildfire‐burned and neighbouring unburned sites on different geologic substrates. The soil properties were selected for their supposed importance in erodibility, and include aggregate size distribution and water aggregate stability. Comparison of the burned and unburned sites suggested that wildfire had a noticeable negative effect on aggregate size distribution but not on particle size distribution. The effect on aggregate stability was highly variable. Aggregate stability was clearly lower at the burned than unburned site in about a third of the cases and in the remaining cases either basically the same at both sites or higher at the unburned site. The differences in aggregate stability, like those in aggregate size distribution, appear to be associated with changes in organic carbon content. The impact of wildfire on soil erodibility is supposed to operate through its effect on soil organic matter and, thus, to depend strongly on fire severity. Soil erodibility is then little affected by low‐severity wildfires but markedly diminished following high‐severity wildfires. All burned topsoils were strongly to very strongly water repellent. Fire‐enhaced repellency is therefore viewed as a key factor in the post‐fire runoff and erosion processes repeatedly observed in recently burned areas in NW Spain. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of DBS, premotor rTMS, and levodopa on motor function and silent period in advanced Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bäumer Tobias , Hidding Ute , Hamel Wolfgang , Buhmann Carsten , Moll Christian K.E. , Gerloff Christian , Orth Michael , Siebner Hartwig Roman , Münchau Alexander
Published: January 2009

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a widely used and highly effective treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Repetitive TMS (rTMS) applied to motor cortical areas has also been shown to improve symptoms in PD and modulate motor cortical excitability. Here, we compared clinical and neurophysiological effects of STN stimulation with those of 1 Hz rTMS given to the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and those following intake of levodopa in a group of PD patients with advanced disease. Ten PD patients were studied on 2 consecutive days before and after surgery. Clinical effects were determined using the UPDRS motor score. Motor thresholds, motor‐evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes during slight voluntary contraction, and the cortical silent periods (SP) were measured using TMS. Before surgery effects of levodopa and 1 Hz PMd rTMS and after surgery those of STN stimulation with or without additional levodopa were determined. Levodopa significantly improved clinical symptoms and increased the SP duration. STN stimulation improved clinical symptoms without changing the SP duration. In contrast, 1 Hz PMd rTMS was not effective clinically but normalized the SP duration. Whereas levodopa had widespread effects at different levels of an abnormally active motor network in PD, STN stimulation and PMd rTMS led to either clinical improvement or SP normalization, i.e., only partially reversed abnormal motor network activity. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
How cautious should we be when assessing apathy with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale?
Authors: Kirsch‐Darrow Lindsey , Zahodne Laura B. , Hass Chris , Mikos Ania , Okun Michael S. , Fernandez Hubert H. , Bowers Dawn
Published: January 2009

Current practice often assesses apathy with a single item from the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS, item 4). Yet, the relationship between the UPDRS item 4 and the validated Apathy Scale (AS) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the operating characteristics of UPDRS item 4 in relation to the AS. Three hundred and one patients with PD were administered the AS and the UPDRS. We compared the UPDRS item 4 to the standard AS classification of ≥14 as apathetic. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was obtained, and sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive power were calculated. The ROC curve showed area under the curve as 0.75. A cut‐off of 1 had good sensitivity (81%) but poor specificity (53%; high false positive rate). A cut‐off point of 2 had acceptable specificity (87%) but poor sensitivity (52%, high false negative rate). Continuing to increasing the cut‐off point (e.g., 3, 4) continues to increase specificity at the expense of dramatically reducing sensitivity. These findings suggest the use of caution when screening for apathy with item 4 due to its poor sensitivity in relation to the AS. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Proteome profiling of aging in mouse models: Differential expression of proteins involved in metabolism, transport, and stress response in kidney
Authors: Chakravarti Bulbul , Seshi Beerelli , Ratanaprayul Wongrat , Dalal Neville , Lin Lawrence , Raval Alpan , Chakravarti Deb N.
Published: January 2009

Aging is a time‐dependent complex biological phenomenon observed in various organs and organelles of all living organisms. To understand the molecular mechanism of age‐associated functional loss in aging kidneys, we have analyzed the expression of proteins in the kidneys of young (19–22 wk) and old (24 months) C57/BL6 male mice using 2‐DE followed by LC‐MS/MS. We found that expression levels of 49 proteins were upregulated (p ≤ 0.05), while that of only ten proteins were downregulated (p ≤ 0.05) due to aging. The proteins identified belong to three broad functional categories: (i) metabolism (e.g., aldehyde dehydrogenase family, ATP synthase β‐subunit, malate dehydrogenase, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone), hydroxy acid oxidase 2), (ii) transport (e.g., transferrin), and (iii) chaperone/stress response (e.g., Ig‐binding protein, low density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein associated protein 1, selenium‐binding proteins (SBPs)). Some proteins with unknown functions were also identified as being differentially expressed. ATP synthase β subunit, transferrin, fumarate hydratase, SBPs, and albumin are present in multiple forms, possibly arising due to proteolysis or PTMs. The above functional categories suggest specific mechanisms and pathways for age‐related kidney degeneration.
Vision‐based navigation through urban canyons
Authors: Hrabar Stefan , Sukhatme Gaurav
Published: January 2009

We address the problem of navigating unmanned vehicles safely through urban canyons in two dimensions using only vision‐based techniques. Two commonly used vision‐based obstacle avoidance techniques (namely stereo vision and optic flow) are implemented on an aerial and a ground‐based robotic platform and evaluated for urban canyon navigation. Optic flow is evaluated for its ability to produce a centering response between obstacles, and stereo vision is evaluated for detecting obstacles to the front. We also evaluate a combination of these two techniques, which allows a vehicle to detect obstacles to the front while remaining centered between obstacles to the side. Through experiments on an unmanned ground vehicle and in simulation, this combination is shown to be beneficial for navigating urban canyons, including T‐junctions and 90‐deg bends. Experiments on a rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicle, which was constrained to two‐dimensional flight, demonstrate that stereo vision allowed it to detect an obstacle to the front, and optic flow allowed it to turn away from obstacles to the side. We discuss the theory behind these techniques, our experience in implementing them on the robotic platforms, and their suitability to the urban canyon navigation problem. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mediation analysis with principal stratification
Authors: Gallop Robert , Small Dylan S. , Lin Julia Y. , Elliott Michael R. , Joffe Marshall , Ten Have Thomas R.
Published: January 2009

In assessing the mechanism of treatment efficacy in randomized clinical trials, investigators often perform mediation analyses by analyzing if the significant intent‐to‐treat treatment effect on outcome occurs through or around a third intermediate or mediating variable: indirect and direct effects, respectively. Standard mediation analyses assume sequential ignorability, i.e. conditional on covariates the intermediate or mediating factor is randomly assigned, as is the treatment in a randomized clinical trial. This research focuses on the application of the principal stratification (PS) approach for estimating the direct effect of a randomized treatment but without the standard sequential ignorability assumption. This approach is used to estimate the direct effect of treatment as a difference between expectations of potential outcomes within latent subgroups of participants for whom the intermediate variable behavior would be constant, regardless of the randomized treatment assignment. Using a Bayesian estimation procedure, we also assess the sensitivity of results based on the PS approach to heterogeneity of the variances among these principal strata. We assess this approach with simulations and apply it to two psychiatric examples. Both examples and the simulations indicated robustness of our findings to the homogeneous variance assumption. However, simulations showed that the magnitude of treatment effects derived under the PS approach were sensitive to model mis‐specification. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering of Dominant Active Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins That Are Resistant to Negative Regulation by Postnatal Central Nervous System Antineurogenic Cues
Authors: Geoffroy Cédric G. , Critchley James A. , Castro Diogo S. , Ramelli Sandra , Barraclough Christelle , Descombes Patrick , Guillemot Francois , Raineteau Olivier
Published: January 2009

Neural precursor cells (NPCs) are present in most regions of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Using NPCs in a therapeutical perspective, that is, to regenerate CNS tissue after injury or in neurodegenerative diseases, will require the efficient manipulation of their fate. Proneural gene overexpression in NPCs represents a promising strategy to promote neuronal differentiation. The activity of the proneural proteins is, however, context-dependent and can be inhibited/modulated by binding with other bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) or HLH transcription factors. In this study, we show that the two proneural proteins, Ngn2 and Mash1, are differentially sensitive to negative regulation by gliogenic factors or a gliogenic substrate (i.e., postnatal spinal cord slices). Coexpressing E-proteins with proneural proteins was efficient to rescue proneural proteins neurogenic activity, suggesting a central role for E-protein sequestration in mediating postnatal CNS gliogenic inhibition. Tethering of proneural proteins with E47 further insulated Mash1 from negative environmental influences whereas this strategy was not successful with Ngn2, suggesting that mechanisms of inhibition differ in between these two proneural proteins. Our results demonstrate that a better understanding of proneural protein modulation by environmental cues is a prerequisite to develop innovative approaches that will permit the manipulation of the fate of NPCs in the adult CNS after trauma or disease.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Precursors with Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Promoter Activity Transiently Generate GABA Interneurons in the Postnatal Cerebellum
Authors: Silbereis John , Cheng Elise , Ganat Yosif M. , Ment Laura R. , Vaccarino Flora M.
Published: January 2009

Neural stem or progenitor cells (NSC/NPCs) able to generate the different neuron and glial cell types of the cerebellum have been isolated in vitro, but their identity and location in the intact cerebellum are unclear. Here, we use inducible Cre recombination in GFAPCreERT2 mice to irreversibly activate reporter gene expression at P2 (postnatal day 2), P5, and P12 in cells with GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) promoter activity and analyze the fate of genetically tagged cells in vivo. We show that cells tagged at P2-P5 with β-galactosidase or enhanced green fluorescent proteins reporter genes generate at least 30% of basket and stellate GABAergic interneurons in the molecular layer (ML) and that they lose their neurogenic potential by P12, after which they generate only glia. Tagged cells in the cerebellar white matter (WM) were initially GFAP/S100β+ and expressed the NSC/NPCs proteins LeX, Musashi1, and Sox2 in vivo. One week after tagging, reporter+ cells in the WM upregulated the neuronal progenitor markers Mash1, Pax2, and Gad-67. These Pax2+ progenitors migrated throughout the cerebellar cortex, populating the ML and leaving the WM by P18. These data suggest that a pool of GFAP/S100β+ glial cells located in the cerebellar WM generate a large fraction of cerebellar interneurons for the ML within the first postnatal 12 days of cerebellar development. This restricted critical period implies that powerful inhibitory factors may restrict their fate potential in vivo at later stages of development.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Dopaminergic modulation of brain systems subserving decision making under uncertainty: A study with fMRI and methylphenidate challenge
Authors: Schlösser R.G.M. , Nenadic I. , Wagner G. , Zysset S. , Koch K. , Sauer H.
Published: January 2009

There is evidence that the dopaminergic system is involved in probabilistic reinforcement learning and reward‐related decision‐making. However, little is known about the effects of external dopaminergic challenges on processing of uncertainty in decision‐making tasks. Therefore, the present study examined changes in fMRI activation patterns in a natural sampling paradigm. Decision making under uncertainty was examined before and after administration of a single dose of 40 mg methylphenidate as an acute dopaminergic pharmacological challenge. We found that the level of uncertainty was positively correlated with activations in the prefrontal cortex. Conversely, negative correlations with uncertainty were found in the left hippocampus, right amygdale, and right middle temporal gyrus. The drug intervention with methylphenidate revealed a differential picture. Uncertain information processing was associated with higher activation in the parietal association cortex and posterior cingulate cortex after placebo relative to methylphenidate. The methylphenidate challenge relative to placebo was associated with higher left and right parahippocampal as well as cerebellar activation under uncertainty. Apparently, the pro‐dopaminergic pharmacological influence induces a relative shift towards recruitment of hippocampal areas under uncertainty, whereas under placebo conditions, higher levels of parietal cortex activations are involved in the task. The findings suggest a role of dopamine in uncertainty processing and shed light on the pharmacological mechanisms of methylphenidate. Synapse 63:429–442, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Current trends of international standardization activities on ultra‐high‐voltage technologies
Authors: Hidaka Kunihiko , Ikeda Hisatoshi
Published: January 2009

A world economy expands over boundaries between countries and regions. In Japan, there are many splendid technologies which the world requires. In order to transfer these technologies to the world an international standard which includes them as a standard is necessary. Activities by which 1100 kV UHV technologies are standardized in the IEC standard were conducted by starting with discussions in IEC/SB1. The activity has been followed by IEC/JICCG which coordinates IEC and CIGRE activities. The horizontal standards were started in advance at TC 8 and TC 28. The equipment standards will start from 2009 after the CIGRE committee finishes their reports by the end of 2008. Activities by the IEEJ standard committee have been carried horizontally to proceed with the UHV standardization rapidly and efficiently. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Technical requirements for UHV substation equipment
Authors: Ito Hiroki
Published: January 2009

CIGRE Study Committee A3 established WG A3.22 ‘Technical requirements for substation equipment exceeding 800 kV’ to review the state‐of‐the‐art technical specifications for substation equipment exceeding 800kV in accordance with a request from IEC SC 17A. WG A3.22 conducted the initial surveys and submitted the first Technical Brochure on technical specifications for substation equipment such as gas circuit breaker (GCB), disconnecting switches (DS), earthing switches (ES), high‐speed grounding switches (HSGS) and metal oxide surge arrester (MOSA) applied to 800 kV and 1100/1200 kV networks. The investigations include the insulation level, first‐pole‐to‐clear factor, DC time constants, transient recovery voltage (TRV), line surge impedance and secondary arc extinction time. WG A3.22 will provide the technical background of all aspects of the available specifications with the intention of identifying the best practice for ultra high voltage (UHV) transmission systems. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Development of 1100 kV gas circuit breakers —Background, specifications, and duties—
Authors: Yamagata Yoshibumi
Published: January 2009

In Japan, for the UHV AC transmission system, 1100 kV, 50 kA two‐breaks gas circuit breakers (GCBs) were developed. They apply a resistance closing and opening scheme to suppress switching overvoltages that dominate the tower size of transmission lines. To secure high reliability and economy, specifications for the interruption duties were determined by detailed system analyses considering the phenomena arising from the inherent characteristics of UHV systems. The transient recovery voltage (TRV) duties were specified based on the resistance interruption and high‐performance metal oxide surge arresters (MOSAs) arrangement, both of which effectively relax the TRV. Developed GCBs were subjected to various verification tests, and their long‐term reliability and performance have been confirmed by the field testing since 1996 at the UHV Test Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Development of 1100 kV a.c. high‐performance GIS‐arrester and its verification tests
Authors: Ishizaki Yoshihiro
Published: January 2009

For the purpose of realizing 1100 kV a.c. power transmission system to meet the demands for electricity in future Japan, the 1100 kV a.c. high performance gas‐insulated metal enclosed arrester (GIS‐arrester) was developed and its high reliability was confirmed by a long‐term performance verification test. The high‐peformance GIS‐arrester is a key component to determine the insulation level of 1100 kV a.c. power transmission systems and substation equipments. As part of a series of activities started around 1975 by the Special Committee on 1100 kV a.c. Power‐Transmission system, the high‐performance GIS‐arrester with the superior protective performance of the world highest level was developed by applying the ZnO elements developed and commercialized in Japan.

This paper introduces the application effects, duties, specifications, progress of development, and results of verification tests for the high‐performance GIS‐arresters for 1100 kV a.c. power transmission system. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Development and long‐term field tests for UHV, 3000‐MVA transformers in Japan
Authors: Shirasaka Yukiyasu
Published: January 2009

Development of UHV transformer in Japan has two big stages on 1970s and 1990s. First stage had been developed basic technology for a new insulation system, main elements like as an 1100‐kV lead, etc. and a test of prototype UHV transformer with performances and long‐term energizing in the factory. Second stage is including a fix of specification, test by prototype UHV transformer same as full size of one tank, a full size of factory test for completely assembled UHV transformer with some number of special tests and field tests with verifying of transportation, installation, and long‐term operation. This field test is continuing with energizing of higher voltage and simulated loading for over 10 years in the actual 500‐kV substation. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Radar cross‐section measurement method using a spatial filtering within a near zone
Authors: Yamazaki Hiroyoshi , Koshiji Kohji
Published: January 2009

A spatial filtering is a useful method for suppressing unwanted reflection from undesired scatters on radar cross‐section (RCS) measurements. Highly accurate RCS measurements for stealth‐designed targets are generally performed by using full‐scale models. However, it is difficult to carry out a measurement of a large full‐scale target, because a vast RCS measurement site which satisfies the far‐field criterion without undesired scatters is required. In this paper, we have applied the filtering method to RCS measurements in a near field and investigated the validity of that method by varying the scanning angular span. First, a distribution of scattering sources including undesired scatters is predicted from near‐field spherical‐ or cylindrical‐scanning data. Next, undesired scatters are suppressed using the spatial filtering. Finally, RCS values of the test target are calculated by taking the Fourier transform of the filtered scattering source distribution. Using electromagnetic simulations, we have validated the RCS measurement method by comparing predicted RCS with reference data as far‐field RCS of the test target. As a result, predicted RCS profiles closely matched with reference data. In conclusion, the proposed method is useful for RCS measurements within the unsuitable near zone. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Influence of transcranial magnetic stimulation on muscle activity during finger movement
Authors: Odagaki Masato , Fukuda Hiroshi , Hiwaki Osamu
Published: January 2009

In the present study, muscle activity was measured after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied over the primary motor cortex during finger tapping. The duration of finger tapping was increased by the application of TMS. A remarkable change in electromyogram (EMG) of hand muscles was also observed during and after finger tapping. The silent period, in which voluntary EMG during the finger tapping was suppressed by TMS, was observed. Integral EMG revealed that TMS increased muscle activity at the completion of the finger tap after silent period. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Observation of neutral density variations accompanying streamer progression across air gaps
Authors: Fukuchi Tetsuo , Nemoto Koshichi
Published: January 2009

Neutral density variations accompanying progression of streamers across needle‐to‐rod air gaps of length 0.75 and 1 m were observed with the use of a laser shadowgraph system consisting of astronomical telescopes for beam expansion and reduction, and an acousto‐optic laser deflector for high‐speed imaging. The system had a spatial resolution of about 1 mm over an annular observation region of outer diameter 28 cm and inner diameter 11 cm, and a temporal resolution in the order of microseconds. The system was also used to observe neutral density variations accompanying shock waves which resulted from a spark discharge. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Surface temperature of Pd/C catalyst under microwave irradiation in dechlorination process of PCBs
Authors: Kumada Akiko , Hidaka Kunihiko , Amano Kouji , Itoh Kohichi
Published: January 2009

In recent years, a new effective method of processing for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been developed: It enables PCBs to become harmless by dechlorinating them using a 2.45 GHz microwave (MW). Compared with conventional thermal heating, MW processing hardly produces any harmful byproduct materials, and has high reaction velocity. To investigate such promotion of chemical reaction by MW irradiation, the surface temperature of the catalyst is measured by an infrared camera just after the irradiation by MW. It is recognized that there are some heated regions on the catalyst and the temperature is not uniform. It is natural to say that chemical reaction is promoted well on such a heated region. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of trehalose accumulation on response to saline stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Mahmud Siraje Arif , Nagahisa Keisuke , Hirasawa Takashi , Yoshikawa Katsunori , Ashitani Kengo , Shimizu Hiroshi
Published: January 2009

To examine the effect of trehalose accumulation on response to saline stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we constructed deletion strains of all combinations of the trehalase genes ATH1, NTH1 and NTH2 and examined their growth behaviour and intracellular trehalose accumulation under non‐stress and saline‐stress conditions. Saline stress was induced in yeast cells by NaCl addition at the exponential growth phase. All deletion strains showed similar specific growth rates and trehalose accumulation to their parent strain under non‐stress conditions. However, under the saline stress condition, one single deletion strain, nth1Δ, two double deletion strains, nth1Δ ath1Δ and nth1Δ nth2Δ, and the triple deletion strain nth1Δnth2Δ ath1Δ, all of which carry the nth1Δ deletion, showed increased trehalose accumulation as compared to the parent and other deletion strains. In particular, our statistical analysis revealed that the triple deletion strain showed a higher growth rate under the saline stress condition than the parent strain. Moreover, some deletion strains showed further trehalose accumulation under non‐stress conditions by overexpression of the TPS1 or TPS2 genes encoding the enzymes related to trehalose biosynthesis at the mid‐exponential phase. Such increased trehalose accumulation prior to NaCl addition could improve the growth of these strains under saline stress. Our results indicate that high trehalose accumulation prior to NaCl addition, rather than after NaCl addition, is necessary to achieve high growth activity under stress conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HIV‐1 integrase trafficking in S. cerevisiae: a useful model to dissect the microtubule network involvement of viral protein nuclear import
Authors: Desfarges S. , Salin B. , Calmels C. , Andreola M. L. , Parissi V. , Fournier M.
Published: January 2009

Intracellular transport of karyophilic cargos comprises translocation to the nuclear envelope and subsequent nuclear import. Small cargos such as isolated proteins can reach the nuclear envelope by diffusion but movement of larger structures depends on active translocation, typically using microtubules. Centripetal transport ends at the perinuclear microtubule organizing centre called the spindle pole body (SPB) in yeast. Previously, we found by two hybrids that the karyophilic lentiviral‐encoded integrase (IN) interacts with two yeast microtubule‐associated proteins, Dyn2p (dynein light chain protein) and Stu2p, a centrosomal protein (de Soultrait et al., 2002). Thus, to investigate the hinge between cytoplasmic retrograde transport and nuclear import, we decided to analyse HIV‐1 IN trafficking in yeast as the model, since each of these biological mechanisms is evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotic cells. Here, we found an accumulation of IN at the SPB in yeast via Stu2p colocalization. Disruption of the microtubule network by nocodazole or IN expression in a dynein 2‐deficient yeast strain prevented IN accumulation in the nuclear periphery and additionally inhibited IN transport into the nucleus. By mutagenesis, we showed that trafficking of IN towards the SPB requires the C‐terminus of the molecule. Taking our findings together, we proposed a model in which IN nuclear import seems to depend on an essential intermediate step in the SPB. We found that Dyn2p and Stu2p play an important role in driving IN toward MTOC and could optimize nuclear entry of the retroviral enzyme. Our results suggest a new hypothesis in keeping with the current HIV‐1 intracellular trafficking model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.