bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting for information: Information and knowledge in the annual reports of FTSE 100 companies
Authors: Cummins Joanna , Bawden David
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess the ways in which a sample group of companies discuss information and knowledge. Quantitative and qualitative content analyses were used to survey the way that companies present and value information and knowledge, based on the annual reports of the FTSE 100. A novel content analysis approach is used, based on a set of categories proposed by Oppenheim, Stenson and Wilson. Many of the companies analysed made explicit the importance of information and knowledge, through either discussion in the text of the annual report or through an attempt to assign a monetary value to information assets. Where the importance of information and knowledge was not made explicit, the study revealed links between successful performance and effective use of information assets. Different categories of information assets were identified within the annual reports. Information and knowledge are demonstrably important to FTSE 100 companies, although the specific term ‘knowledge’ does not appear to have a special significance in the companies’ lexicon; certain sectors mention information and knowledge more than others.
Miniaturized versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass in high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Koivisto Simo-Pekka , Wistbacka Jan-Ola , Rimpiläinen Riikka , Nissinen Juha , Loponen Pertti , Teittinen Kari , Biancari Fausto
Published: February 2010

Objective: To review our results with the use of miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass (Mini-CPB) versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (C-CPB) in high-risk patients (additive EuroSCORE≥6) who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Patients and methods: This study includes a consecutive series of 236 patients with an additive EuroSCORE≥6 who underwent CABG, employing either C-CPB or Mini-CPB. Propensity score analysis was performed.

Results: The study groups had similar EuroSCOREs. Stroke rate was significantly higher among C-CPB patients (5.4% vs. 0%, p=0.026). In-hospital mortality (4.8% vs. 3.4%, p=0.75) and combined adverse end-point rate were higher in C-CPB patients (20.4% vs. 13.5%, p=0.18). Postoperative bleeding and need for transfusion were similar in the study groups, but re-sternotomy for bleeding was more frequent among C-CPB patients (4.8% vs. 1.1%, p=0.26). Seventy-four propensity matched pairs had similar immediate postoperative results: C-CPB patients had higher mortality (6.8% vs. 4.1%, p=0.72), stroke (5.4% vs. 0%, p=0.12) and combined adverse end-point rates (27.0% vs. 16.2%, p=0.11), but such differences failed to reach statistical significance.

Conclusions: Mini-CPB achieved somewhat better results than C-CPB in these high-risk patients undergoing isolated CABG. This study confirmed that cerebral protection could be the main benefit associated with the use of Mini-CPB.
Thirty years, five hundred patients: some lessons learned from running a lupus clinic
Authors: Isenberg D.
Published: February 2010

The lupus clinic at University College Hospital has been established since January 1978. It was started by Michael Snaith and has been responsible for the long-term care of over 500 patients. I have been involved with the clinic since July 1979 and in this article offer some thoughts about the complexities of managing systemic lupus erythematosus.
Diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus: new-generation immunoassays for measurement of anti-dsDNA antibodies are an effective alternative to the Farr technique and the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test
Authors: Antico A. , Platzgummer S. , Bassetti D. , Bizzaro N. , Tozzoli R. , Villalta D. ,   Study Group on Autoimmune Diseases of the Italian Society of Laboratory Medicine (SIMeL)
Published: February 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of four new enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for anti-double-stranded-DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, in comparison with the Farr assay and the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test (CLIFT). To this purpose, sera from four patient groups were collected: 52 sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); 28 from patients with other connective tissue diseases (CTD); 36 from patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; and 24 from those with acute viral infection. All sera were tested for anti-dsDNA antibodies by four EIA methods using a different antigenic DNA source [synthetic oligonucleotide (Method A), circular plasmid (Method B), recombinant (Method C), and purified extracted (Method D)], and by CLIFT and Farr assays. The diagnostic sensitivity of the assays was as follows: 84.6% (Method A), 73% (B), 82.7% (C), 84.6% (D), 55.8% (CLIFT), and 78.8% (Farr). Specificity was 82.9% (A), 97.7% (B), 96.5% (C), 94.3% (D), 96.5% (CLIFT), and 90.9% (Farr). From these data, we can conclude that the new-generation EIA methods evaluated in this study have higher sensitivity than the CLIFT and Farr assays and, with the exception of Method A, have specificity similar to the CLIFT and slightly higher than the Farr assay. These findings suggest that EIA tests may replace CLIFT as a screening test and the Farr assay as a specific test, for anti-dsDNA antibody detection.
Selling the countryside: Representations of rurality in Norway and Spain
Authors: Baylina Mireia , Gunnerud Berg Nina
Published: February 2010

This paper analyses how rurality is represented in two lifestyle magazines about country living: LevLandlig in Norway and Vivir en el Campo in Spain. Since material, imaginative and practised ruralities are intertwined and research indicates that representations of the rural affect residential preferences and other consumption activities, we argue that it is important to critically investigate potentially influential representations. Given that the majority of works on representations of the rural in mass media originate mainly from the United Kingdom and the United States, we aim to add the perspectives of a Scandinavian and a Mediterranean country. Furthermore, we analyse the gendering of the visions of the rural. We reveal that the ‘rural idyll’ is the main vision ‘sold’ in both magazines, and in both the same four sub-themes — ‘home’, ‘family’, ‘nature’ and ‘how to make a living in a rural area’ — stand central in the idyll. The gendering of the idyll and the meanings attached to the sub-themes vary between the Spanish and the Norwegian magazines, thus illustrating the contextual character of knowledge about rurality.
Competitiveness and health: The work of sport clubs as seen by sport clubs representatives - a Norwegian case study
Authors: Skille Eivind Å.
Published: February 2010

This article is study of sport club representatives’ considerations about the work of sport clubs. Sport clubs are first and foremost providers of sport activity. However, when it came to the work of sport clubs, it is discovered that the focus is on competitiveness, but sport clubs were also seen as a vehicle for promotion of ‘social goods’ such as health. Based on documentary analysis, observations and interviews with board members of sport clubs, and with a neo-institutional perspective of translation, this article discusses how local agents combine different institutional elements such as competitiveness and health and assemble them into a wholeness of sport activity. Without claiming to have found the final solution to this complex phenomenon, the article discusses whether health is utilized — or exploited — for legislation purposes only, or whether it can be combined with competitiveness.
The role of law in promoting women in elite athletics: An examination of four nations
Authors: Brown Katrina J. , Connolly Catherine
Published: February 2010

Globally, the participation of women and girls in sport has increased tremendously. Much of this growth has been attributed to relatively recent changes in national and international law, yet few empirical studies exist that test this assertion. In this study, the role of law, specifically gender-based sports doctrine, is examined across four nations: the USA, Australia, Canada, and Iran. Results are mixed, suggesting women have increased their participation in elite sporting events despite national legal and bureaucratic variations regarding women in sport. On this basis, liberal feminist reliance on law as the primary determining factor for promotion of increased international opportunities for women is questioned.
Evaluation of medication compliance in patients on antidepressants at an outpatient tertiary cancer center setting
Authors: Lal Lincy S , Hung Frank , Chun Feng  , Zhuang Amy , DaCosta Byfield Stacey , Miller Lesley-Ann , Adamus Andrea , Arbuckle Rebecca
Published: February 2010

Objective. The purpose is to evaluate antidepressant compliance in a cancer population at a tertiary cancer center and to determine if there are covariates of importance in predicting the level of compliance in the study population.

Methods. Patients who received at least three prescriptions covering parts of each month for a continuous 6-month period with at least one of the months being in 2006 from a tertiary cancer center were identified as the prevalent population of interest for this retrospective study. Data collected included demographics, cancer and co-morbid diagnoses, and compliance to antidepressant medication using medication possession ratio (MPR) by patient, medication class, and individual agents. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and logistic regression (using MPR ≥ 80 as cutoff).

Results. The study population included 297 patients with demographics showing 69% female, 71% Caucasian, a mean age of 52.94 (SD: 12.42), and an average 403 days of follow-up. The MPR for the total study population was 0.87 with 78% of the population having an MPR of ≥80% and 22% having an MPR of less than 80%. While there was no significant difference in MPR by different pharmaceutical classes, there were significant differences in the MPR by specific agents (p = 0.02), with nortriptyline having the lowest MPR of 0.79 and doxepin, fluoxetine, mirtazapine, and venlafaxine all having MPR over 0.90. There was also a trend toward a difference in MPR between Caucasians versus non-Caucasians, p = 0.055.

Conclusion. There appears to be relatively good compliance to antidepressant medications in the study population.
Architecture of the Component Collective Messaging Interface
Authors: Kumar Sameer , Faraj Ahmad , Mamidala Amith R. , Smith Brian , Dozsa Gabor , Cernohous Bob , Gunnels John , Miller Douglas , Ratterman Joseph , Heidelberger Philip
Published: February 2010

Different programming paradigms utilize a variety of collective communication operations, often with different semantics. We present the component collective messaging interface (CCMI) that can support asynchronous non-blocking collectives and is extensible to different programming paradigms and architectures. CCMI is designed with components written in the C++ programming language, allowing it to be reusable and extendible. Collective algorithms are embodied in topological schedules and executors that execute them. Portability across architectures is enabled by the multisend data movement component. CCMI includes a programming language adaptor used to implement different APIs with different semantics for different paradigms. We study the effectiveness of CCMI on 16K nodes of Blue Gene/P machine and evaluate its performance for the barrier, broadcast, and allreduce collective operations and several application benchmarks. We also present the performance of the barrier collective on the Abe Infiniband cluster.
Rethinking Emotional Intelligence: An Alternative Proposal
Authors: Lincoln Yvonna S.
Published: February 2010

Scholars new to the emotional intelligence (EI) literature will find that it is often confusing, with multiple proposals for what EI is, and how organizations should go about measuring it. Some major issues related to measurement are nominated and alternatives proposed for rethinking EI. Implications of these challenges and alternatives for HRD theory, research, and practice are briefly considered.
An Analysis of Emotional Intelligence and the Performance of Principals in Selected Schools in Kenya
Authors: Ayiro Laban P.
Published: February 2010

The article investigates the degree of association between the emotional intelligence (EI) of school principals and their performance rating. The concept of EI is defined and data collected using the Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test. This is related to the performance of the school in terms of test scores in national examinations as well as other measurable variables at the school level. The findings render valuable information indicating that there was a significant relationship between a school principal’s EI and the school’s success as measured by the rating of school principals who participated in the study. The study will enable further exploration into the emotional cognitive and psychological structures of these vital managers in the education sector using established HRD training programmes aimed at improving EI and performance of school principals.
Ultrasonic Coagulator for Thyroidectomy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zhang Zong-jiu , Peng Zhang  , Tian Jin-hui , Jun Li  , Lun Li  , Jing Tian  , Yang Ke-hu
Published: February 2010

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ultrasonic coagulator for thyroidectomy. Methods: randomized controlled trials were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCI, Chinese Biomedical Database, China Academic Journals Full-Text Database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and China Online Journals. The authors evaluated the quality of included studies by Handbook 5.0.0, and analyzed data by Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0. Results: A total of 11 RCTs with 1420 patients met the criteria. Between ultrasonic coagulator and conventional technique, there were significant differences in operative time of total thyroidectomy ( P < .00001) and amount of intraoperative bleeding ( P = .02). There were no significant differences in operative time of part thyroidectomy ( P = .07), amount of postoperative drainage ( P = .18), cases of transient hypocalcemia ( P = .41), cases of transient recurrent nerve paresis ( P = .21), and total cost in hospital ( P = .08). Conclusions: Current studies demonstrate that ultrasonic coagulator has a significant reduction on the operating time of total thyroidectomy and the amount of intraoperative bleeding in thyroidectomy, without increasing complications and total cost in hospital.
Lesser Toe Salvage With External Fixation and Autogenous Bone Grafting
Authors: Roukis Thomas S.
Published: February 2010

Lesser toe salvage secondary to soft tissue ulceration and underlying osteomyelitis is a challenge, and amputation is frequently the primary procedure recommended. The author presents an observational case series involving retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 4 lesser toe salvage procedures with external fixation and delayed autogenous bone grafting for the treatment of osteomyelitis in 4 consecutive patients. Each patient underwent initial resection of involved soft tissue ulceration and underlying osseous components of the lesser toe with application of external fixation and polymethylmethacrylate antibiotic-loaded bone cement spacer. Once eradication of osteomyelitis was confirmed clinically, the patient underwent delayed insertion of autogenous bone graft harvested from the ipsilateral calcaneus or osteocutaneous flap transfer from the fibular border of the ipsilateral great toe. There were 2 men and 2 women with a mean age of 56.5 years. Three patients had diabetes mellitus, and 1 had previous history of open fracture. There were 2 right feet and 2 left feet involved and 2 second, 1 third, and 1 fourth toe salvage procedures performed with a mean follow-up of 12 months. The external fixation device was maintained until complete osseous integration was verified, which occurred at a mean of 7.5 weeks. All procedures were deemed successful with complete osseous incorporation of the proximal and distal graft-host bone interfaces and no recurrent soft tissue ulcerations, osteomyelitis, toe deformity, or fracture about the bone graft sites.
Overexpression of Chromatin Assembly Factor-1/p60 helps to predict the prognosis of melanoma patients
Authors: Mascolo Massimo , Vecchione Maria Luisa , Ilardi Gennaro , Scalvenzi Massimiliano , Molea Guido , Di Benedetto Maria , Nugnes Loredana , Siano Maria , De Rosa Gaetano , Staibano Stefania
Published: February 2010

Background

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most lethal form of skin malignancy, which registers a constant increase in incidence worldwide. The identification of molecular alteration(s) involved in its biological aggressiveness represents a major challenge for researchers, considering that existing therapies are ineffective to treat metastasizing cases. The epigenetic control of chromatin dynamics during DNA synthesis, replication, and repair is fundamental for the orderly progression of cell proliferation. The Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF-1) complex acts as a major regulator of this process; its intermediate (p60) subunit has been recently proposed as a novel proliferation and prognostic marker for several tumors. We aimed to establish if the evaluation of the expression of CAF-1/p60 in primary CM may help define the prevision of outcome of patients.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry with anti-CAF-1/p60 was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 130 cases of primary CM retrieved from the archive files of the Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, Section of Pathology, University "Federico II" of Naples, Italy. Results were compared with histopathological and follow-up data of patients.

Results

CAF-1/p60 was expressed in all CM. A significant statistical association between the overexpression of the protein and the occurrence of skin, node and/or distant metastases (P < 0.05) emerged, independently from histopathological prognostic factors.

Conclusions

CAF-1/p60 looks promising as a new prognostic marker for CM and sheds new light on the molecular events associated with photocancerogenesis and melanoma biology.

The screening for CAF-1/p60 might contribute to the molecular sub-classification of CM, with improved translational outcomes.
Regulation and dysregulation of immunoglobulin E: a molecular and clinical perspective
Authors: Pate Mariah B , Smith John Kelly , Chi David S , Krishnaswamy Guha
Published: February 2010

Background

Altered levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) represent a dysregulation of IgE synthesis and may be seen in a variety of immunological disorders. The object of this review is to summarize the historical and molecular aspects of IgE synthesis and the disorders associated with dysregulation of IgE production.

Methods

Articles published in Medline/PubMed were searched with the keyword Immunoglobulin E and specific terms such as class switch recombination, deficiency and/or specific disease conditions (atopy, neoplasia, renal disease, myeloma, etc.). The selected papers included reviews, case reports, retrospective reviews and molecular mechanisms. Studies involving both sexes and all ages were included in the analysis.

Results

Both very low and elevated levels of IgE may be seen in clinical practice. Major advancements have been made in our understanding of the molecular basis of IgE class switching including roles for T cells, cytokines and T regulatory (or Treg) cells in this process. Dysregulation of this process may result in either elevated IgE levels or IgE deficiency.

Conclusion

Evaluation of a patient with elevated IgE must involve a detailed differential diagnosis and consideration of various immunological and non-immunological disorders. The use of appropriate tests will allow the correct diagnosis to be made. This can often assist in the development of tailored treatments.
Keratitis caused by the recently described new species Aspergillus brasiliensis: two case reports
Authors: Manikandan Palanisamy , Varga János , Kocsubé Sándor , Revathi Rajaraman , Anita Raghavan , Dóczi Ilona , Németh Tibor Mihály , Narendran Venkatapathy , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Bhaskar Madhavan , Manoharan Chockaiya , Samson Robert A , Kredics László
Published: February 2010

Introduction

Human infections caused byAspergillus brasiliensishave not yet been reported. We describe the first two known cases of fungal keratitis caused byAspergillus brasiliensis.

Case presentations

A 49-year-old Indian Tamil woman agricultural worker came with pain and defective vision in the right eye for one month. Meanwhile, a 35-year-old Indian Tamil woman presented with a history of a corneal ulcer involving the left eye for 15 days. The fungal strains isolated from these two cases were originally suspected to belong toAspergillussectionNigribased on macro- and micromorphological characteristics. Molecular identification revealed that both isolates representA. brasiliensis.

Conclusion

The twoA. brasiliensisstrains examined in this study were part of six keratitis isolates fromAspergillussectionNigri, suggesting that this recently described species may be responsible for a significant proportion of corneal infections caused by black Aspergilli. The presented cases also indicate that significant differences may occur between the severities of keratitis caused by individual isolates ofA. brasiliensis.
Coronin-1C is a novel biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma invasive progression identified by proteomics analysis and clinical validation
Authors: Wu Long , Peng Chun-Wei , Hou Jin-Xuan , Zhang Yan-Hua , Chen Chuang , Chen Liang-Dong , Li Yan
Published: February 2010

Background

To better search for potential markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion and metastasis, proteomic approach was applied to identify potential metastasis biomarkers associated with HCC.

Methods

Membrane proteins were extracted from MHCC97L and HCCLM9 cells, with a similar genetic background and remarkably different metastasis potential, and compared by SDS-PAGE and identified by ESI-MS/MS. The results were further validated by western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of tumor tissues from HCCLM9- and MHCC97L-nude mice, and clinical specimens.

Results

Membrane proteins were extracted from MHCC97L and HCCLM9 cell and compared by SDS-PAGE analyses. A total of 14 differentially expressed proteins were identified by ESI-MS/MS. Coronin-1C, a promising candidate, was found to be overexpressed in HCCLM9 cells as compared with MHCC97L cells, and validated by western blot and IHC from both nude mice tumor tissues and clinical specimens. Coronin-1C level showed an abrupt upsurge when pulmonary metastasis occurred. Increasing coronin-1C expression was found in liver cancer tissues of HCCLM9-nude mice with spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. IHC study on human HCC specimens revealed that more patients in the higher coronin-1C group had overt larger tumor and more advanced stage.

Conclusions

Coronin-1C could be a candidate biomarker to predict HCC invasive behavior.
Complication of nasal piercing by Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: a case report and a review of literature
Authors: Battagin Giuliana , Sarmati Loredana , Sordillo Pasquale , Picchi Giovanna , Calisti Giorgio , Ceccarelli Laura , Antonio Pellegrino , Nardi Paolo , Chiariello Luigi , Andreoni Massimo
Published: February 2010

Body piercing, a growing trend especially in young people, is often complicated by severe infections. We present a case of acute bacterial endocarditis by Staphylococcus aureus complicated by multiple cerebral, kidney, spleen embolisms in a young girl, with no known previous cardiac abnormalities, following the piercing of nasal septum. This case highlights the importance of education of patients with and without structural heart disease to the potential dangerous and even life threatening infectious complications of piercing, and stimulate further discussion on the possibility of antibiotic prophylaxis of such procedures.
No impact of early intervention on late outcome after minimal, mild and moderate head injury
Authors: Heskestad Ben , Waterloo Knut , Baardsen Roald , Helseth Eirik , Romner Bertil , Ingebrigtsen Tor
Published: February 2010

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on outcome after minimal, mild and moderate head injury.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty six patients underwent stratified randomization to an intervention group (n = 163) or a control group (n = 163). Every second patient was allocated to the intervention group. Participants in this group were offered a cognitive oriented consultation two weeks after the injury, while subjects allocated to the control group were not. Both groups were invited to follow up 3 and 12 months after injury.

Results

A total of 50 (15%) patients completed the study (intervention group n = 22 (13%), control group n = 28 (17%), not significant). There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention group and the control group.

Conclusions

There was no effect on outcomes from an early educational intervention two weeks after head injury.
Endogenous ligands of TLR2 and TLR4: agonists or assistants?
Authors: Erridge Clett
Published: February 2010

Review summarizes the evidence supporting the existence of endogenous ligands of TLR2 and TLR4 and proposes that many may be better described as PAMP-sensitizing molecules.

The mammalian TLRs serve as key sensors of PAMPs, such as bacterial LPS, lipopeptides, and flagellins, which are present in microbial cells but not host cells. TLRs have therefore been considered to play a central role in the discrimination between “self” and “non-self”. However, since the discovery of their microbial ligands, many studies have provided evidence that host-derived molecules may also stimulate TLR2- or TLR4-dependent signaling. To date, more than 20 of these endogenous TLR ligands have been proposed, which have tended to fall into the categories of released intracellular proteins, ECM components, oxidatively modified lipids, and other soluble mediators. This review aims to summarize the evidence supporting the intrinsic TLR-stimulating capacity of each of these proposed endogenous ligands with a particular emphasis on the measures taken to exclude contaminating LPS and lipopeptides from experimental systems. The emerging evidence that many of these molecules may be more accurately described as PAMP-binding molecules (PBMs) or PAMP-sensitizing molecules (PSMs), rather than genuine ligands of TLR2 or TLR4, is also summarized. The relevance of this possibility to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, tumor surveillance, and autoimmunity is discussed.
Our Phillis, Ourselves
Authors: Brooks Joanna
Published: February 2010

This essay challenges the image, popularized by Henry Louis Gates Jr., of eighteenth-century African American poet Phillis Wheatley “on trial” before a jury of eighteen white male judges. Brooks argues that there was no trial and that Wheatley instead made her career by cultivating an intricate network of relationships to white women. Because Wheatley crafted elegiac and occasional poems for her white female auditors in exchange for their support, these women exerted a disproportionate influence over the shape of her published Poems (1773). Their participation in this transactional, sentimental culture of mourning enabled white women to indulge feelings of self-consciousness, self-regard, and willful passivity imbricated with their increasingly privileged merchant-class status. It also allowed white women to evade taking responsibility for their economic privilege—a privilege capitalized on the unfreedom of enslaved men and women like Wheatley—and ultimately to evade their responsibility to the poet herself. This essay, then, explores the racialized and gendered dynamics of sentimentality in eighteenth-century American literature as well as their continuation in late twentieth- and twenty-first-century feminism.
Colored Empires in the 1930s: Black Internationalism, the U.S. Black Press, and George Samuel Schuyler
Authors: Taketani Etsuko
Published: February 2010

First in the chronological table of world affairs relevant to any argument concerning the black internationalism of the 1930s is the Italo-Ethiopian War. George Samuel Schuyler, then the most prominent black journalist in the United States, stood in for international-minded black Americans at the vanguard of the pro-Ethiopian campaigns.

For all its obvious concerns with issues of black internationalism raised by the Italo-Ethiopian War—and though it gripped the black popular imagination of its time—Schuyler's Black Empire, originally serialized from 1936 to 1938 in the Pittsburgh Courier, has not attracted much attention from modern critics, largely due to the uncomfortably violent racial scenarios it depicts. Yet, as Taketani's essay suggests, to address such seemingly objectionable scenarios is to confront the origins of black internationalism in the race war fantasy that gained global currency in the media surround of the mid-1930s, triggered by the rumored alliance of two colored empire-nations, Ethiopia and Japan.

Black Empire, narrated in the first person by one Carl Slater, ex-reporter for the Harlem Blade, presents a rendition of race war that both participates in and parodies the production of the mediagenic fantasy it reflects in the aftermath of the Italo-Ethiopian War. By allowing the signifying “colored empire” full play in the black imagination, Black Empire affords a deeper understanding of the objectives of mid-1930s black internationalism.
Ca2+ influx and protein scaffolding via TRPC3 sustain PKCβ and ERK activation in B cells
Authors: Numaga Takuro , Nishida Motohiro , Kiyonaka Shigeki , Kato Kenta , Katano Masahiro , Mori Emiko , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Inoue Ryuji , Hikida Masaki , Putney James W. , Mori Yasuo
Published: February 2010

Ca2+ signaling mediated by phospholipase C that produces inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and diacylglycerol (DAG) controls lymphocyte activation. In contrast to store-operated Ca2+ entry activated by Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, the importance of DAG-activated Ca2+ entry remains elusive. Here, we describe the physiological role of DAG-activated Ca2+ entry channels in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. In avian DT40 B cells, deficiency of transient receptor potential TRPC3 at the plasma membrane (PM) impaired DAG-activated cation currents and, upon BCR stimulation, the sustained translocation to the PM of protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ) that activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Notably, TRPC3 showed direct association with PKCβ that maintained localization of PKCβ at the PM. Thus, TRPC3 functions as both a Ca2+-permeable channel and a protein scaffold at the PM for downstream PKCβ activation in B cells.
Active Mek2 as a regulatory scaffold that promotes Pin1 binding to BPGAP1 to suppress BPGAP1-induced acute Erk activation and cell migration
Authors: Pan Catherine Qiurong , Liou Yih-cherng , Low Boon Chuan
Published: February 2010

BPGAP1 is a multidomain Rho GTPase-activating protein (RhoGAP) that promotes Erk activation and cell motility. However, the molecular mechanism of how these two processes are linked and regulated remains unclear. Here, we show that the RhoGAP domain of BPGAP1 interacts with the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPI) Pin1, leading to enhanced GAP activity towards RhoA. BPGAP1 also interacted with wild-type and constitutively active Mek2, but not with its kinase-dead mutant. However, only active Mek2 could bind Pin1, acting as a scaffold to bridge Pin1 and BPGAP1 in a manner that involves the release of an autoinhibited proline-rich motif, 186-PPLP-189, proximal to the RhoGAP domain. This allows the non-canonical 186-PPLP-189 and 256-DDYGD-260 motifs of the proline-rich region and RhoGAP domain of BPGAP1 to become accessible to concerted binding by the WW and PPI domains of Pin1, respectively. Interestingly, Pin1 knockdown led to ‘super-induction’ of BPGAP1-induced acute, but not chronic, Erk activation upon epidermal growth factor stimulation, in a process independent of GAP modulation. Reintroducing Pin1, but not its catalytic or non-binding mutants, reversed the effect and inhibited cell migration induced by coexpression of BPGAP1 and active Mek2. Thus, Pin1 regulates BPGAP1 function in Rho and Erk signalling, with active Mek2 serving as a novel regulatory scaffold that promotes crosstalk between RhoGAP, Pin1 and Erk in the regulation of cell migration.
Inverse, Classical, Empirical and Non-Parametric Calibrations in a Bayesian Framework
Authors: Fearn Tom , Pérez-Marín Dolores , Garrido-Varo Ana , Guerrero-Ginel José Emilio
Published: February 2010

The calibration paradigm for near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is explored in a Bayesian framework in which a model for the dependence of the NIR spectrum on the composition of the sample is combined with a prior distribution representing beliefs about the composition of the sample to be predicted. With appropriate choices for this prior distribution, it is possible to reproduce standard regression results, remove the shrinkage to the mean that is sometimes seen as a problem in inverse regression, or improve predictions by taking account of non-standard distributions of composition in the population of interest. These options are illustrated by applying them to the prediction of wheat and sunflower content using a database of 7532 commercial animal feed samples which has been studied extensively in the past. Various options for the modelling of the relationship between spectra and composition are investigated, including linear and non-linear regressions and a non-parametric approach based on kernels. This Bayesian kernel approach, which has features in common with local calibration methods, gave results better than anything previously achieved with the animal feed database.
Quantification of Absorber through a Scattering Medium of Different Thickness Using Evanescent Light Piping
Authors: Pandozzi Fabiano , Burns David H.
Published: February 2010

A non-invasive method has been developed for analyte quantification in fluids surrounded by optically-scattering, opaque walls. This method is based on steady state, visible wavelength reflectance measurements made simultaneously at multiple positions on the surface of a sample. Previous work has shown that reflectance measurements contain information about underlying scattering layers in layered scattering samples. We hypothesise that similar information about an absorbing layer below a scattering layer can be obtained from evanescent wave effects. Principal component analysis showed the data to be composed of three components, which were refined by a multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) approach with non-negativity constraints. The first component is related to the scattering layer thickness, the second is associated with analyte concentration and the third is due to a minor back reflection within the sample cell. Both MCR and stagewise multi-linear regression (SMLR) approaches were taken to estimate analyte concentration and scattering layer thickness, for samples having thicknesses between 1 mm and 8 mm. Results demonstrate that a simple experimental configuration can easily predict optical properties of unknown samples. With the adoption of a multi-wavelength approach to this method, it is expected that improved absorption coefficient (μa) estimation accuracy can be realised in a variety of application areas such as in analysis through opaque containers, in vivo measurements and in-line monitoring of reactions.
How Often Do References Need to Be Measured When Using a near Infrared Diode Array Spectrometer
Authors: Vallesquino-Laguna P. , Fearn T. , Garrido-Varo A. , Fernández-Ahumada E. , Pérez-Marín D. , Guerrero-Ginel J.E. , Gómez-Cabrera A.
Published: February 2010

The stability of a diode array spectrometer in the near infrared region has been investigated in two experiments where the frequency of passing of dark and white references, which need manual intervention, was varied. In the first experiment, an initial pair of references was used to standardise spectra taken over the next four days. In the second, references were taken at hourly intervals over a period of ten hours. The conclusion is that, in a reasonably well-controlled environment, the spectrometer is stable over long periods and the passing of hourly references conveys no advantage. An important implication is that this spectrometer may be used in on-line applications without the need to construct an automatic mechanism to measure references.
Quantitative Determination of Quality Parameters and Authentication of Vodka Using near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kolomiets Olga A. , Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Hoffmann Uwe , Siesler Heinz W.
Published: February 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the potential of using near infrared (NIR) transmission spectroscopy to build calibration models for the quantitative characterisation and qualitative discrimination of Russian and non-Russian (foreign) vodkas. The results of partial least squares models based on the NIR spectra of 109 vodka samples showed that the major constituent alcoholic strength (root mean square error of prediction ( RMSEP) 0.25% vol) and the physical parameter relative density ( RMSEP 0.0003) could be successfully determined quantitatively. The method failed, however, in quantifying certain minor components such as anions, cations and sugars. For qualitative discrimination, soft independent modelling of class analogy analysis (SIMCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were applied to the sample set containing both the Russian and the foreign vodkas. Despite the correct assignment of unknown test samples to the respective vodka species, both modelling approaches, however, did not prove reliable enough for unambiguous authentication purposes.
A pilot trial of telemedicine-assisted, integrated care for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers
Authors: Vitacca Michele , Comini Laura , Tentorio Marta , Assoni Giuliano , Trainini Debora , Fiorenza Domenico , Morini Roberta , Bruletti Gisella , Scalvini Simonetta
Published: February 2010

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) need a care programme as the disease progresses. We used telemedicine-assisted integrated care (TAIC) in 40 patients with ALS, for a mean duration of 8.6 months (range 1–12). A nurse-tutor played the key role, supported by respiratory physicians, neurologists and psychologists. Each patient used a portable pulse oximeter during the daily telephone contacts to assess clinical/oxygen variations. Patients also completed a satisfaction questionnaire. During the study period, each patient used TAIC at least five times per month. There were 1907 scheduled telephone calls (86% of the total) and 317 unscheduled calls. Of the unscheduled calls, 84% were managed by the nurse-tutor and only 16% of them required specialist intervention. The most common item was the ALS clinical interview (58%), followed by the description of acute symptoms, cough ability and oxygenation. TAIC staff recommended 4 out of 12 emergency hospital admissions (33%) and 77% of the other hospitalizations. Patients and caregivers were extremely satisfied (79%) with the nurse assistance provided and the patients' confidence in handling their disease improved in 71% of the cases. TAIC provides a nurse-centred, home-monitoring programme that can be a useful way of following up ALS patients.
Genetic identification of potential RNA-binding regions in a group II intron-encoded reverse transcriptase
Authors: Gu Shan-Qing , Cui Xiaoxia , Mou Sijiong , Mohr Sabine , Yao Jun , Lambowitz Alan M.
Published: February 2010

Mobile group II introns encode a reverse transcriptase that binds the intron RNA to promote RNA splicing and intron mobility, the latter via reverse splicing of the excised intron into DNA sites, followed by reverse transcription. Previous work showed that theLactococcus lactisLl.LtrB intron reverse transcriptase, denoted LtrA protein, binds with high affinity to DIVa, a stem–loop structure at the beginning of the LtrA open reading frame and makes additional contacts with intron core regions that stabilize the active RNA structure for forward and reverse splicing. LtrA's binding to DIVa down-regulates its translation and is critical for initiation of reverse transcription. Here, by using high-throughput unigenic evolution analysis with a genetic assay in which LtrA binding to DIVa down-regulates translation of GFP, we identified regions at LtrA's N terminus that are required for DIVa binding. Then, by similar analysis with a reciprocal genetic assay, we confirmed that residual splicing of a mutant intron lacking DIVa does not require these N-terminal regions, but does require other reverse transcriptase (RT) and X/thumb domain regions that bind the intron core. We also show that N-terminal fragments of LtrA by themselves bind specifically to DIVa in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggest a model in which the N terminus of nascent LtrA binds DIVa of the intron RNA that encoded it and nucleates further interactions with core regions that promote RNP assembly for RNA splicing and intron mobility. Features of this model may be relevant to evolutionarily related non-long-terminal-repeat (non-LTR)-retrotransposon RTs.
Cultural Factors Relevant to Secondary School Students in Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia: Relative Differences and Congruencies
Authors: Liem Gregory Arief D. , Martin Andrew J. , Nair Elizabeth , Bernardo Allan B.I. , Prasetya Paulus Hidajat
Published: February 2010

Waldrip and Fisher (2000) proposed seven culturally relevant factors that are salient in the educational setting (gender equity, collaboration, competition, deference, modelling, teacher authority, congruence). In relation to these factors, the present study examined differences and congruencies in factor structure (i.e., differences of kind) and mean scores (i.e., differences of degree) among secondary school students in Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. The Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ; Waldrip & Fisher, 2000) was administered to 920 students ( n = 230 for each country, with boys and girls equally represented; mean age = 16 years). Factor analyses showed congruencies across the four samples on five factors. Interestingly, items pertaining to students' deference to and modelling of teachers and peers grouped into one factor for the Australian sample, but separated into two factors (peers and teacher) for the South-East Asian samples. In terms of mean scores on each factor, Australian students were higher than the Singaporean, Filipino and Indonesian students in their inclination to challenge or disagree with the teacher. On the other hand, the three groups of South-East Asian students scored higher than the Australian students in their preferences for collaboration and conformity in the classroom. Implications for counselling relevant to multicultural classroom and school contexts were discussed.
Coping in the Cyberworld: Program Implementation and Evaluation – A Pilot Project
Authors: Lam Cecilia Wing Chi , Frydenberg Erica
Published: February 2010

As increasing numbers of adolescents become involved in online activities, many also become victims of cyberharassment. This pilot project investigates how a program teaching coping skills (Best of Coping program, BOC) and a program teaching cybersafety (Cyber Savvy Teens program, CST) can optimise adolescents' capacity to cope online. Thirty-three adolescents were divided into three groups: control, BOC and CST. Participants completed a questionnaire on cyberknowledge and habits preprogram; the Adolescent Coping scale and the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K-10) pre- and post-program; and a program evaluation form post-program. Participants in both intervention groups demonstrated improvements in their overall mental health and in making better online choices post-program. The BOC program was found to be a better program for improving general coping than CST alone, while the CST program was better at tackling cyberspecific issues.
Expression and activity profiling of selected cysteine cathepsins and matrix metalloproteinases in synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Požgan Urška , Caglič Dejan , Rozman Blaž , Nagase Hideaki , Turk Vito , Turk Boris
Published: February 2010

Cysteine cathepsins and matrix metalloproteases are considered to play important roles in the development of arthritic diseases. Their accumulation in synovial fluid of primarily rheumatoid arthritis patients is also well documented. However, a detailed comparison between the protease levels and activities between rheumatoid arthritis samples and osteoarthritis samples has never been made. Here, we report that both cysteine cathepsins B and S and matrix metalloproteases-1, -3 and -13 are detected in patient synovial fluid samples with significantly higher levels detected in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Among the proteases, cathepsin S was found to be significantly elevated, consistent with its critical role in the immune response. These results suggest that cysteine cathepsins have a major role in inflammation at least in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to proteases, interleukin-6 was detected at significant levels in most samples, suggesting that proinflammatory cytokines might be in-volved in the stimulation of expression of these proteases during inflammation.
Prostate-specific antigen: an overlooked candidate for the targeted treatment and selective imaging of prostate cancer
Authors: LeBeau Aaron M. , Kostova Maya , Craik Charles S. , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: February 2010

The role of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) as a biomarker for prostate cancer is well known; however, the precise physiological role of it's serine protease activity in prostate cancer remains a mystery. PSA is produced at high levels by both androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancers. Studies have documented high levels of active PSA in the milieu surrounding osseous and soft tissue metastases. This evidence, coupled with growing experimental evidence, suggests that PSA plays an important role in the pathobiology of prostate cancer. These observations support the development of PSA-selective inhibitors as useful tools for the targeted treatment and imaging of prostate cancer. Here, we review the research that has been conducted to date on developing selective inhibitors for PSA. The different approaches used to determine PSA substrate specificity and for creating inhibitors are discussed. In addition, the unique active site characteristics of PSA and how these motifs aided our research in developing PSA targeted agents are highlighted.