bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurements and Implications of the Membrane Dipole Potential
Authors: Wang Liguo
Published: May 2012

There are three kinds of membrane potentials: the surface potentials, resulting from the accumulation of charges at the membrane surfaces; the transmembrane potential, determined by imbalance of charge in the aqueous solutions; and the dipole potential, a membrane-internal potential from the dipolar components of the phospholipids and interface water. The absolute value of the dipole potential has been very difficult to measure, although its value has been estimated to be in the range of 200–1,000 mV from ion translocation rates (determined by the planar lipid bilayer method), the surface potential of lipid monolayers (determined by the lipid monolayer method), molecular-dynamics calculations, and electron scattering using cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). Spectroscopy methods have also been used to monitor the dipole potential changes on the basis of the observed fluorescence changes of voltage-sensitive probes. The dipole potential accounts for the much larger permeability of a bare phospholipid membrane to anions than cations and affects the conformation and function of membrane proteins.
Mass Spectrometry–Based Proteomics and Network Biology
Authors: Bensimon Ariel , Heck Albert J.R. , Aebersold Ruedi
Published: May 2012

In the life sciences, a new paradigm is emerging that places networks of interacting molecules between genotype and phenotype. These networks are dynamically modulated by a multitude of factors, and the properties emerging from the network as a whole determine observable phenotypes. This paradigm is usually referred to as systems biology, network biology, or integrative biology. Mass spectrometry (MS)–based proteomics is a central life science technology that has realized great progress toward the identification, quantification, and characterization of the proteins that constitute a proteome. Here, we review how MS-based proteomics has been applied to network biology to identify the nodes and edges of biological networks, to detect and quantify perturbation-induced network changes, and to correlate dynamic network rewiring with the cellular phenotype. We discuss future directions for MS-based proteomics within the network biology paradigm.
Firing patterns and functional roles of different classes of spinal afferents in rectal nerves during colonic migrating motor complexes in mouse colon
Authors: Zagorodnyuk Vladimir P. , Kyloh Melinda , Brookes Simon J. , Nicholas Sarah J. , Spencer Nick J.
Published: May 2012

The functional role of the different classes of visceral afferents that innervate the large intestine is poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests that low-threshold, wide-dynamic-range rectal afferents play an important role in the detection and transmission of visceral pain induced by noxious colorectal distension in mice. However, it is not clear which classes of spinal afferents are activated during naturally occurring colonic motor patterns or during intense contractions of the gut smooth muscle. We developed an in vitro colorectum preparation to test how the major classes of rectal afferents are activated during spontaneous colonic migrating motor complex (CMMC) or pharmacologically induced contraction. During CMMCs, circular muscle contractions increased firing in low-threshold, wide-dynamic-range muscular afferents and muscular-mucosal afferents, which generated a mean firing rate of 1.53 ± 0.23 Hz ( n = 8) under isotonic conditions and 2.52 ± 0.36 Hz ( n = 17) under isometric conditions. These low-threshold rectal afferents were reliably activated by low levels of circumferential stretch induced by increases in length (1–2 mm) or load (1–3 g). In a small proportion of cases (5 of 34 units), some low-threshold muscular and muscular-mucosal afferents decreased their firing rate during the peak of the CMMC contractions. High-threshold afferents were never activated during spontaneous CMMC contractions or tonic contractions induced by bethanechol (100 μM). High-threshold rectal afferents were only activated by intense levels of circumferential stretch (10–20 g). These results show that, in the rectal nerves of mice, low-threshold, wide-dynamic-range muscular and muscular-mucosal afferents are excited during contraction of the circular muscle that occurs during spontaneous CMMCs. No activation of high-threshold rectal afferents was detected during CMMCs or intense contractile activity in naïve mouse colorectum.
Damage- and Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns and Alarmins: Keys to Sepsis?
Authors: Denk S. , Perl M. , Huber-Lang M.
Published: May 2012

The concept that sepsis is the result of an uncontrolled inflammatory response of the host’s innate immune system towards invading pathogens has recently been challenged. Evidence is accumulating that, in addition, host-derived alarm molecules are released during sepsis- and trauma-associated cell death, thus triggering the host’s immune response. The identification and characterization of exogenous as well as endogenous danger molecules allowed significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of sepsis and may provide potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Translational platelet research in patients with coronary artery disease: What are the major knowledge gaps?
Authors: Roe Matthew , Jakubowski Joseph , Shah Svathi , Erlinge David , Goodman Shaun , Huber Kurt , Chan Mark , Cornel Jan , Tantry Udaya , Ohman E. , Gurbel Paul
Published: May 2012

Translational platelet function investigations performed in the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated population receiving clopidogrel have identified high platelet reactivity to ADP (HPR) as a major risk factor for both acute as well as long-term ischaemic event occurrence, including stent thrombosis. Recent studies have highlighted the relation of single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes involved in clopidogrel absorption and metabolism to reduced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses to clopidogrel. CYP 2C19 loss-of-function (LoF) allele carriage has been associated with increased thrombotic risk in the PCI population. However, there is no information regarding the utility of platelet function testing to predict outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease and in medically managed patients with acute coronary syndromes. Additionally, few studies have included longitudinal assessment of platelet function to assess a potential time-dependent relation to ischaemic event occurrence and no phase-III antiplatelet-therapy trial has included a large enough platelet function sub-study to examine the relation between on-treatment platelet reactivity, bleeding, and ischaemic event occurrence. Therefore, futher studies are needed to delineate the role of platelet function testing across the spectrum of symptomatic coronary artery disease.
Lyophilised reconstituted human platelets increase thrombus formation in a clinical ex vivo model of deep arterial injury
Authors: Raftis Jennifer , Lucking Andrew , Hunter Amanda , Millar Mike , Fitzpatrick Mike , Feuerstein Giora , Newby David , Joshi Nikhil
Published: May 2012

Platelets are the principal component of the innate haemostatic system that protect from traumatic bleeding. We investigated whether lyophilised human platelets (LHPs) could enhance clot formation within platelet-free and whole blood environments using an ex vivo model of deep arterial injury. Lyophilised human platelets were produced from stored human platelets and characterised using conventional, fluorescent and electron microscopic techniques. LHPs were resuspended in platelet-free plasma (PFP) obtained from citrated whole human blood to form final concentrations of 0,20 and 200 × 109 LHPs/L. LHPs with recalcified PFP or whole blood were perfused through the chamber at low (212 s-1) and high (1,690 s-1) shear rates with porcine aortic tunica media as thrombogenic substrate. LHPs shared morphological characteristics with native human platelets and were incorporated into clot generated from PFP or whole blood. Histomorphometrically measured mean thrombus area increased in a dose-dependent manner following the addition of LHPs to PFP under conditions of high shear [704 μm2 ± 186 μm2 (mean ± SEM), 1,511 μm2 ± 320 μm2 and 2,378 μm2 ± 315 μm2, for LHPs at 0, 20 and 200 × 109 /l, respectively (p= 0.012)]. Lyophil-ised human platelets retain haemostatic properties when reconstituted in both PFP and whole blood, and enhance thrombus formation in a model of deep arterial injury. These data suggest that LHPs have the potential to serve as a therapeutic intervention during haemorrhage under circumstances of trauma, and platelet depletion or dysfunction.
Duration of QRS Complex in Resting Electrocardiogram Is a Predictor of Sudden Cardiac Death in Men
Authors: Kurl Sudhir , Mäkikallio Timo H. , Rautaharju Pentti , Kiviniemi Vesa , Laukkanen Jari A.
Published: May 2012

Background—

Previous studies indicate that increased QRS duration in ECG is related to the risk of all-cause death. However, the association of QRS duration with the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not well documented in large population-based studies. Our aim was to examine the relation of QRS duration with SCD in a population-based sample of men.

Methods and Results—

This prospective study was based on a cohort of 2049 men aged 42 to 60 years at baseline with a 19-year follow-up, during which a total of 156 SCDs occurred. As a continuous variable, each 10-ms increase in QRS duration was associated with a 27% higher risk for SCD (relative risk, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–1.40;
P
<0.001). Subjects with QRS duration of >110 ms (highest quintile) had a 2.50-fold risk for SCD (relative risk, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.38–4.55;
P
=0.002) compared with those with QRS duration of <96 ms (lowest quintile), after adjustment for established key demographic and clinical risk factors (age, alcohol consumption, previous myocardial infarction, smoking, serum low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, type 2 diabetes mellitus, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness). In addition to QRS duration, smoking, previous myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and C-reactive protein were independently associated with the risk of SCD.

Conclusions—

QRS duration is an independent predictor of the risk of SCD and may have utility in estimating SCD risk in the general population.
Trends in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Steinberg Benjamin A. , Zhao Xin , Heidenreich Paul A. , Peterson Eric D. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Cannon Christopher P. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Fonarow Gregg C.
Published: May 2012

Background—

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EF) is a common syndrome, but trends in treatments and outcomes are lacking.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed data from 275 hospitals in Get With the Guidelines–Heart Failure from January 2005 to October 2010. Patients were stratified by EF as reduced EF (EF <40% [HF–reduced EF]), borderline EF (40%≤EF<50% [HF–borderline EF]), or preserved (EF ≥50% [HF–preserved EF]). Using multivariable models, we examined trends in therapies and outcomes. Among 110 621 patients, 50% (55 083) had HF–reduced EF, 14% (15 184) had HF–borderline EF, and 36% (40 354) had HF–preserved EF. From 2005 to 2010, the proportion of hospitalizations for HF–preserved EF increased from 33% to 39% (
P
<0.0001). In multivariable analyses, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers at discharge decreased in all EF groups, and β-blocker use increased. Patients with HF–preserved EF less frequently achieved blood pressure control (adjusted odds ratio, 0.44 versus HF–reduced EF;
P
<0.001) and were more likely discharged to skilled nursing (adjusted odds ratio, 1.16 versus HF–reduced EF;
P
<0.001). In-hospital mortality for HF–preserved EF decreased from 3.32% in 2005 to 2.35% in 2010 (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89 per year;
P
=0.01) but was stable for patients with HF–reduced EF (3.03%–2.83%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.93 per year;
P
=0.10).

Conclusions—

Hospitalization for HF–preserved EF is increasing relative to HF–reduced EF. Although in-hospital mortality for patients with HF–preserved EF declined over the study period, an important opportunity remains for identifying evidence-based therapies in patients with HF–preserved EF.
Long-Term Outcome of Aortic Dissection With Patent False Lumen
Authors: Evangelista Artur , Salas Armando , Ribera Aida , Ferreira-González Ignacio , Cuellar Hug , Pineda Victor , González-Alujas Teresa , Bijnens Bart , Permanyer-Miralda Gaietà , Garcia-Dorado David
Published: May 2012

Background—

Patent false lumen in aortic dissection has been associated with poor prognosis. We aimed to assess the natural evolution of this condition and predictive factors.

Methods and Results—

One hundred eighty-four consecutive patients, 108 surgically treated type A and 76 medically treated type B, were discharged after an acute aortic dissection with patent false lumen. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed before discharge, and computed tomography was performed at 3 months and yearly thereafter. Median follow-up was 6.42 years (quartile 1 to quartile 3: 3.31–10.49). Forty-nine patients died during follow-up (22 type A, 27 type B), 31 suddenly. Surgical or endovascular treatment was indicated in 10 type A and 25 type B cases. Survival free from sudden death and surgical-endovascular treatment was 0.90, 0.81, and 0.46 (95% CI, 0.36–0.55) at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified baseline maximum descending aorta diameter (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.32 [1.10–1.59];
P
=0.003), proximal location (HR: 1.84 [1.06–3.19];
P
=0.03), and entry tear size (HR: 1.13 [1.08–1.2];
P
<0.001) as predictors of dissection-related adverse events, whereas mortality was predicted by baseline maximum descending aorta diameter (HR: 1.36 [1.08–1.70];
P
=0.008), entry tear size (HR: 1.1 [1.04–1.16];
P
=0.001), and Marfan syndrome (HR: 3.66 [1.65–8.13];
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—

Aortic dissection with persistent patent false lumen carries a high risk of complications. In addition to Marfan syndrome and aorta diameter, a large entry tear located in the proximal part of the dissection identifies a high-risk subgroup of patients who may benefit from earlier and more aggressive therapy.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Deficiency Reduces Uterine Blood Flow, Spiral Artery Elongation, and Placental Oxygenation in Pregnant Mice
Authors: Kulandavelu Shathiyah , Whiteley Kathie J. , Qu Dawei , Mu Junwu , Bainbridge Shannon A. , Adamson S. Lee
Published: May 2012

Preeclampsia is associated with impaired uteroplacental adaptations during pregnancy and abnormalities in the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-NO pathway, but whether eNOS deficiency plays a causal role is unknown. Thus, the objective of the current study was to determine the role of eNOS in the mother and/or conceptus in uteroplacental changes during pregnancy using eNOS knockout mice. We quantified uterine artery blood flow using microultrasound, visualized the uteroplacental vasculature using vascular corrosion casts, and used pimonidazole and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α immunohistochemistry as markers of hypoxia in the placentas of eNOS knockout mice versus the background strain, C57Bl/6J (wild type). We found that increases in uteroplacental blood flow, uterine artery diameter, and spiral artery length were reduced, and markers of placental hypoxia in the junctional zone were elevated in late gestation in eNOS knockout mice. Both maternal and conceptus genotypes contributed to changes in uterine artery diameter and flow. Despite placental hypoxia, placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA, and in maternal plasma, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 were not elevated in eNOS knockout mice. Thus, our results show that both eNOS in the mother and the conceptus contribute to uteroplacental vascular changes and increased uterine arterial blood flow in normal pregnancy.
When Less Is More: Evidence for a Facilitative Cathodal tDCS Effect in Attentional Abilities
Authors: Weiss Michal , Lavidor Michal
Published: May 2012

Many previous studies reported that the hyperpolarization of cortical neurons following cathodal stimulation (in transcranial direct current stimulation) has resulted in cognitive performance degradation. Here, we challenge this assumption by showing that cathodal stimulation will not always degrade cognitive performance. We used an attentional load paradigm in which irrelevant stimuli are processed only under low but not under high attentional load. Thirty healthy participants were randomly allocated into three interventional groups with different brain stimulation parameters (active anodal posterior parietal cortex [PPC], active cathodal PPC, and sham). Cathodal but not anodal stimulation enabled flanker processing even in high-loaded scenes. A second experiment was carried out to assert whether the improved flanker processing under cathodal stimulation is because of altered attention allocation between center and surround or, alternatively, enhanced attentional resources. In this experiment, the flanker was presented centrally. The results of Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1's finding of improved flanker processing. We interpret the results from these two experiments as evidence for the ability of cathodal stimulation to enhance attentional resources rather than simply change attention allocation between center and periphery. Cathodal stimulation in high-loaded scenes can act like a noise filter and may in fact enhance cognitive performance. This study contributes to understanding the way the PPC is engaged with attentional functions and explains the cathodal effects, which thus might lead to more efficient brain stimulation protocols.
Task-relevant and Task-irrelevant Dimensions Are Modulated Independently at a Task-irrelevant Location
Authors: Lustig Audrey G. , Beck Diane M.
Published: May 2012

Single-cell and fMRI experiments indicate that task-relevant features are enhanced globally across the visual field (VF). Moreover, this global feature-based attention can spread to task-irrelevant features of the attended object. Here we ask whether a task-irrelevant feature, by virtue of being bound to a task-relevant feature, can also be enhanced at a task-irrelevant location. Specifically, we asked whether attending to the color of moving dots in one VF would influence the motion signal to colored moving dots in the other VF. Participants attended to either red or cyan dots, superimposed and moving in opposite directions. Critically, the color and motion of dots present in the opposite VF varied as a function of the attended dots such that they were either the same color/same direction, same color/opposite direction, opposite color/same direction, or opposite color/opposite direction as the attended dots. We found greater activity in ventral visual cortex when either the color or direction of motion matched the color or direction of motion at the attended location. Similar effects were found for direction of motion in human medial temporal/medial superior temporal cortex. Moreover, the color and motion effects did not interact in any region. Together, these results suggest that the coselection of an object's features modulates those features independently beyond the selected object.
Why Is Remote Sensing of Amazon Forest Greenness So Challenging?
Authors: Samanta Arindam , Ganguly Sangram , Vermote Eric , Nemani Ramakrishna R. , Myneni Ranga B.
Published: May 2012

The prevalence of clouds and aerosols and their impact on satellite-measured greenness levels of forests in southern and central Amazonia are explored in this article using 10 years of NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) greenness data: normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI). During the wet season (October–March), cloud contamination of greenness data is pervasive; nearly the entire region lacks uncorrupted observations. Even in the dry season (July–September), nearly 60%–66% of greenness data are corrupted, mainly because of biomass burning aerosol contamination. Under these conditions, spectrally varying residual atmospheric effects in surface reflectance data introduce artifacts into greenness indices; NDVI is known to artificially decrease, whereas EVI, given its formulation and use of blue channel surface reflectance data, shows artificial enhancement, which manifests as large patches of enhanced greenness. These issues render remote sensing of Amazon forest greenness a challenging task.
Vortex Stability in a Large-Scale Internal Wave Shear
Authors: Brunner-Suzuki Anne-Marie E. G. , Sundermeyer Miles A. , Lelong M.-Pascale
Published: May 2012

The effect of a large-scale internal wave on a multipolar compound vortex was simulated numerically using a 3D Boussinesq pseudospectral model. A suite of simulations tested the effect of a background internal wave of various strengths, including a simulation with only a vortex. Without the background wave, the vortex remained apparently stable for many hundreds of inertial periods but then split into two dipoles. With increasing background wave amplitude, and hence shear, dipole splitting occurred earlier and was less symmetric in space. Theoretical considerations suggest that the vortex alone undergoes a self-induced mixed barotropic–baroclinic instability. For a vortex plus background wave, kinetic energy spectra showed that the internal wave supplied energy for the dipole splitting. In this case, it was found that the presence of the wave hastened the time to instability by increasing the initial perturbation to the vortex. Results suggest that the stability and fate of submesoscale vortices in the ocean may be significantly modified by the presence of large-scale internal waves. This could in turn have a significant effect on the exchange of energy between the submesoscale and both larger and smaller scales.
Credibility Versus Competition
Authors: West Karleen Jones , Spoon Jae-Jae
Published: May 2012

How does a party’s size affect its decision to run a candidate for president? Consistent with the literature, the authors posit that environmental factors influence the likelihood that a party enters the presidential race. However, the authors argue that the effects of these factors are conditional on party size. Large parties are influenced by factors that increase their chances at being competitive, whereas small parties are influenced by factors that allow them to build their credibility. To evaluate the conditional effects of party size, the authors use an original data set of more than 2,400 party-level observations in 23 democracies across South America and Europe from 1975 to 2009. They find that small and large parties respond differently to several environmental conditions, namely, the presence of an incumbent, “crowded” plurality elections, and federalism. The findings have important implications for understanding party strategy and the factors that alter the competition for the most important of political offices.
Being an Ally
Authors: Neville Helen A. , Flores Michelle P. , Dodson Milo L.
Published: May 2012

We underscore the importance of this compilation in our response to the major contribution on the histories of the five major ethnic minority psychological associations (EMPAs). The description of the formation, mission, goals, and activities of the EMPAs will serve as a useful tool to educate counseling psychologists and other professionals about the under-examined contributions of the EMPAs in promoting psychology. There are lessons that the Society of Counseling Psychology (SCP) can learn from the EMPAs in terms of fostering a sense of belonging within the organization and strengthening its involvement of students and early career professionals. We hope that the SCP can join with EMPAs on future collective social justice efforts and that SCP can serve as an ally in promoting the interest and activities of the EMPAs.
Green With Envy
Authors: Carrico Amanda R. , Fraser James , Bazuin Joshua T.
Published: May 2012

Fertilizer application has many known environmental impacts, and household use of fertilizer for lawn cultivation contributes a significant amount toward these impacts. Previous study provides a compelling narrative of the social, political, and cultural factors that drive fertilizer application; however, the psychological factors involved are not well known. This article examines factors that motivate fertilizer application using surveys among a sample of 194 residents within an urban watershed. Measures included aesthetic preferences, financial concerns, social norms, and environmental concerns. A principal components analysis (PCA) revealed four orthogonal factors. Among them, individual interests and social pressures positively predicted fertilizer application, as did the likelihood that children and pets play on a resident’s lawn. Environmental concerns were not predictive. These data contribute to an evolving storyline suggesting that households make tradeoffs between lawn aesthetics and concern for the environment and exposure to chemicals in part due to strong social pressures surrounding lawn maintenance.
Analyses of forces and hole quality in micro-drilling of carbon fabric laminate composites
Authors: Rahamathullah I , Shunmugam MS
Published: May 2012

Aerospace, automobile and medical industries extensively use carbon fabric laminate due to their superior physical and chemical characteristics and, from performance point of view, micro-features are provided on certain components. In this work, an attempt has been made to drill micro-holes in carbon fabric laminate composites using 320 µm diameter carbide drills. Based on a preliminary study, drilling strategy with peck cycle is chosen for through-hole drilling in carbon fabric laminate. Micro-drilling experiments are conducted according to full-factorial design using five levels for both speed and feed with three trials for each condition. Thrust force and torque generated during machining are measured and power law based regression models are developed. Though the material is anisotropic and non-homogeneous in nature, the models developed follow the trend in the experimental results. Delamination damage, roundness error and diameter of these drilled holes are measured and analyzed with variation of the process parameters. The results indicate that the good quality micro-holes can be produced by selecting proper process parameters.
Effect of enzymatic pretreatment on the mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced polyester composites
Authors: Karaduman Y , Gokcan D , Onal L
Published: May 2012

The effect of various enzyme treatments on the mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced polyester composites was investigated in this study. Prior to composite production, jute fabrics were treated with pectinase, laccase, cellulase and xylanase enzyme solutions with varying enzyme mixtures and treatment time according to experimental design. The comparison of NaOH and enzyme-treated samples was also investigated. Jute fabric-reinforced polyester composite samples were produced using compression molding. The effect of enzymatic and NaOH treatment on fibers and fiber-matrix interface was investigated by scanning electron microscopy study. The mechanical properties of enzyme-treated and control (without enzyme treatment) samples were evaluated by means of tensile and flexural tests. It was observed that enzymes destroyed pectin, hemicelluloses and lignin substances from the fiber bundle interface which reduced the technical fiber diameter and hence increased the fiber aspect ratio. Therefore, a greater fiber-matrix interface area was created after enzymatic treatment, which facilitated better fiber-matrix adhesion and improved mechanical properties of the composites. The data indicated that enzyme treatment can be used as an effective, cheap and environmentally friendly fiber modification method for natural fiber-reinforced composite production.
The Influence of Process Drama on Elementary Students’ Written Language
Authors: Anderson Alida
Published: May 2012

This article describes the influence of process drama on fourth grade students’ written language productivity and specificity. Participants included 16 students with learning and/or behavioral challenges at an urban public charter school. The influence of process drama on students’ written language was compared across contextualized and decontextualized activities to identify associations between activities and language outcomes. Significant increases in students’ written language productivity and specificity were observed in contextualized dramatic arts activities, as compared to decontextualized language arts activities. Implications and directions for future research in arts integration within content area instruction for students in inclusive settings are discussed.
Towards Social Cohesion: Bridging National Integration Rhetoric and Local Practice: The Case of the Netherlands
Authors: Dukes Thea , Musterd Sako
Published: May 2012

Over recent decades, population diversity in the Western world has strongly increased. Cities in particular have over time become more diverse and multicultural. They face the complex challenge of maintaining and strengthening social cohesion among their diverse population, with its plural identities, lifestyles and behaviour. However, in Europe, the current (national) debates on integration, with their monocultural visions and strong emphasis on the risks stemming from ethnic and religious diversity, hamper fostering social cohesion at the level of the city and impede identity-building strategies of groups and individuals. Focusing on the Netherlands as a case study and using the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam as examples, this article shows that social cohesion policy would benefit from framing the integration debate differently. Research, performed in these cities, serves as a basis for alternative and more fruitful interpretations of diversity, identity and integration.
Context Effects on Habituation to Disgust-Relevant Stimuli
Authors: Viar-Paxton Megan A. , Olatunji Bunmi O.
Published: May 2012

Although exposure-based treatments appear to be efficacious for the treatment of anxiety-related disorders, many individuals experience a renewal of the original fear response at follow-up. In an effort to prevent fear renewal, researchers have begun to use exposure of the conditioned stimulus in different contexts during extinction. Although studies continue to accumulate, showing that conducting exposure in multiple contexts buffers against the renewal of distress responses to fear-relevant stimuli, it remains unclear how conducting exposure in multiple contexts affects the renewal of distress responses to disgust-relevant stimuli. In the present study, participants ( N = 52) were randomized to repeated presentations of disgust stimuli (vomiting in a toilet) in a single context or multiple contexts. Results revealed that those in the single context condition reported less distress after the exposure manipulation compared with the multiple context condition. Although there were no significant group differences in distress toward a novel disgust stimulus, the single context condition reported greater distress renewal than the multiple context condition. Furthermore, individuals in the multiple context condition showed significant reductions in distress at 1-week follow-up whereas distress in the single context condition remained stable. Subsequent analyses also provided moderate evidence for an effect of the disgust context manipulation on physiological arousal and disgust propensity, but not disgust-related behavioral avoidance. These findings offer preliminary evidence that renewal of distress toward disgust cues can be attenuated by conducting extinction in multiple contexts.
What Does It Mean to “Employ” the RE-AIM Model?
Authors: Kessler Rodger S. , Purcell E. Peyton , Glasgow Russell E. , Klesges Lisa M. , Benkeser Rachel M. , Peek C. J.
Published: May 2012

Many grant proposals identify the use of a given evaluation model or framework but offer little about how such models are implemented. The authors discuss what it means to employ a specific model, RE-AIM, and key dimensions from this model for program planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting. The authors report both conceptual and content specifications for the use of the RE-AIM model and a content review of 42 recent dissemination and implementation grant applications to National Institutes of Health that proposed the use of this model. Outcomes include the extent to which proposals addressed the overall RE-AIM model and specific items within the five dimensions in their methods or evaluation plans. The majority of grants used only some elements of the model (less than 10% contained thorough measures across all RE-AIM dimensions). Few met criteria for “fully developed use” of RE-AIM and the percentage of key issues addressed varied from, on average, 45% to 78% across the RE-AIM dimensions. The results and discussion of key criteria should help investigators in their use of RE-AIM and illuminate the broader issue of comprehensive use of evaluation models.
Psychometric Properties of the Listening Styles Profile (LSP-16)
Authors: Williams Brett , Brown Ted , Boyle Malcolm
Published: May 2012

The Listening Style Profile (LSP-16) measures people’s self-reported preferences for four listening styles that we habitually use when we listen. Research in this area is important for health care education since listening is a fundamental skill in all the health care professions. The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the LSP-16’s subscales when completed by a group of respondents from a large Australian university. Data from the LSP-16 completed by 860 undergraduate health science students enrolled in eight different courses (response rate of 59%) were analyzed using maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis. The model fit indices of the maximum likelihood analysis demonstrate that the resultant models did not fit the data well. One item exhibited model misfit and reliability estimates and factor loadings were modest. The confirmatory factor analysis results did not support the overall latent factor structure of the LSP-16 as initially proposed by its authors. Further work is required to examine the underlying construct validity and other measurement properties of the LSP-16.
Survey of Homophobia
Authors: Dickey Geraldine
Published: May 2012

It is estimated that there will be more than 5 million gays and lesbians aged 65 and over by 2030. This study examined attitudes of sexual orientation among a sample of certified nurse assistants who work in long-term care. A sample of 119 certified nurse assistants were recruited at a national conference and asked to complete a survey that included the Homophobic scale. Results indicate low levels of homophobia among the certified nurse assistants who participated. Age and acquaintances accounted for most of the variance in the homophobia scores of the certified nurse assistants. While scores show low levels of homophobia, caution is advised as scores may reflect a stereotype that elderly people are not sexually active and that their sexuality is no longer relevant.
Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase (Mkp)-1 Protects Mice against Acetaminophen-induced Hepatic Injury
Authors: Wancket Lyn M. , Meng Xiaomei , Rogers Lynette K. , Liu Yusen
Published: May 2012

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation promotes hepatocyte death during acetaminophen overdose, a common cause of drug-induced liver failure. While mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase (Mkp)-1 is a critical negative regulator of JNK MAPK, little is known about the role of Mkp-1 during hepatotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated the role of Mkp-1 during acute acetaminophen toxicity. Mkp-1+/+ and Mkp-1−/− mice were dosed ip with vehicle or acetaminophen at 300 mg/kg (for mechanistic studies) or 400 mg/kg (for survival studies). Tissues were collected 1–6 hr post 300 mg/kg dosing to assess glutathione levels, organ damage, and MAPK activation. Mkp-1−/− mice exhibited more rapid plasma clearance of acetaminophen than did Mkp-1+/+ mice, indicated by a quicker decline of plasma acetaminophen level. Moreover, Mkp-1−/− mice suffered more severe liver injury, indicated by higher plasma alanine transaminase activity and more extensive centrilobular apoptosis and necrosis. Hepatic JNK activity in Mkp-1−/− mice was higher than in Mkp-1+/+ mice. Finally, Mkp-1−/− mice displayed a lower overall survival rate and shorter median survival time after dosing with 400 mg/kg acetaminophen. The more severe phenotype exhibited by Mkp-1−/−mice indicates that Mkp-1 plays a protective role during acute acetaminophen overdose, potentially through regulation of JNK.
Spanish as a second language when L1 is Quechua: Endangered languages and the SLA researcher
Authors: Kalt Susan E.
Published: May 2012

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Quechua is the largest indigenous language family to constitute the first language (L1) of second language (L2) Spanish speakers. Despite sheer number of speakers and typologically interesting contrasts, Quechua–Spanish second language acquisition is a nearly untapped research area, due to the marginalization of Quechua-speaking people. This review considers contributions to the field of second language acquisition gleaned from studying the grammars of Quechua speakers who learn Spanish as well as monolingual Quechua and Spanish speakers in the contact area. Contribution to the documentation and revitalization of the Quechua languages is discussed as an ethical and scientific imperative.
Advances in single-beacon one-way-travel-time acoustic navigation for underwater vehicles
Authors: Webster Sarah E , Eustice Ryan M , Singh Hanumant , Whitcomb Louis L
Published: May 2012

This paper reports the formulation and evaluation of a centralized extended Kalman filter designed for a novel navigation system for underwater vehicles. The navigation system employs Doppler sonar, depth sensors, synchronous clocks, and acoustic modems to achieve simultaneous acoustic communication and navigation. The use of a single moving reference beacon eliminates the requirement for the underwater vehicle to remain in a bounded navigable area; the use of underwater modems and synchronous clocks enables range measurements based on one-way time-of-flight information from acoustic data-packet broadcasts. The acoustic data packets are broadcast from a single, moving reference beacon and can be received simultaneously by multiple vehicles within acoustic range. We report results from a simulated deep-water survey and real field data collected from an autonomous underwater vehicle survey in 4000 m of water on the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge with an independent long-baseline navigation system for ground truth.
Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior Lesions of the Shoulder
Authors: Weber Stephen C. , Martin David F. , Seiler John G. , Harrast John J.
Published: May 2012

Background:

Tears of the superior labrum (superior labrum anterior and posterior [SLAP] lesions) of the shoulder are uncommon injuries; however, the incidence of surgical correction seems to be increasing.

Purpose:

To report the findings of a review of a proprietary descriptive database that catalogs cases for the purpose of board certification on the demographics of SLAP lesion repair. It is the authors’ impression that the percentage of cases of SLAP lesion repairs reported by young orthopaedic surgeons is high and that complications associated with this are not insignificant.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We searched the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) Part II database to evaluate changes in treatment over time and to identify available outcomes and associated complications of arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesions. The database was searched for all SLAP lesions (ICD-9 code 840.7) and SLAP repairs (CPT code 29807) for the years 2003 through 2008. Utilization was analyzed by geographic region and was also obtained based on applicant subspecialty declaration.

Results:

There were 4975 SLAP repairs, representing 9.4% of all applicants’ shoulder cases. Mean follow-up was 8.9 weeks because of the time-limited case collection period. There were 78.4% who were men, and 21.6% of patients were women. The percentage of shoulder cases that were SLAP repairs increased over the study period from 9.4% to 10.1% by 2008 ( P = .0163). Mean age of male patients was 36.4 ± 13.0 years, with a maximum of 85 years. Mean age of female patients was 40.9 ± 14.0 years, with a maximum of 88 years. Pain was reported as absent in only 26.3% of patients at follow-up and function as normal in only 13.1%. There were 40.1% of applicants who self-reported their patients to have an excellent result. The self-reported complication rate was 4.4%. Declared sports medicine specialists had a higher percentage of SLAP repairs than did general orthopaedic surgeons: 12.4% versus 9.2%.

Conclusion:

The percentage of shoulder cases that are SLAP repairs reported by the candidates is 3 times the published incidence supported by the current literature. The large number of repairs in middle-aged and elderly patients is concerning. Focusing on educating young orthopaedic surgeons to appropriately recognize and treat symptomatic SLAP lesions may bring the rate of SLAP repairs down.
Whither the university? The Novum Trivium and the transition from industrial to knowledge society
Authors: Etzkowitz Henry , Ranga Marina , Dzisah James
Published: May 2012

Beyond the Bologna Process key objective of achieving a common structure of the European tertiary educational format is the fundamental issue of the changing content of higher education. The highly specialized curricula of the Industrial Society no longer fully meet the needs of an emerging Knowledge Society that requires citizens with entrepreneurial and inter-cultural capabilities to innovate and respond to change in an increasingly inter-connected world. In this article we propose an innovative approach to undergraduate education called the Novum Trivium, comprised of (i) academic specialization, (ii) innovation and entrepreneurship, and (iii) a language and culture in addition to one’s own, as a new higher-education paradigm for the Knowledge Society. This vision of undergraduate education aims to contribute to the realization of the Bologna Process objective of better integrating education, research and innovation. The Novum Trivium brings together three diverse, yet complementary, educational skill sets, in a modern version of the Tripos degree introduced by Cambridge University in the 17th century as an honours degree in mathematics that eventually became a format that encompassed three closely related disciplines such as politics, philosophy and economics. The Novum Trivium is also inspired by the medieval Trivium of grammar, rhetoric and dialectics (logic), the essential elements of education for all.
They can’t do nothin’ to us today
Authors: McDonald Kevin
Published: May 2012

Just as with the riots of 1981, the riots of summer 2012 will play a key role in the reshaping of British society. Most analyses frame these events as pathologies of the poor or as contemporary expressions of Mertonian anomie. Drawing on the work of Randall Collins, this article explores the riot as a form of collective action, considers the role of looting and arson within it, and the extent to which the actors involved find themselves part of multiple logics that mutually undermine each other. The analysis highlights the importance of the embodied, mobile, temporal and visual dimensions of the riot, and argues that the social sciences need to develop conceptual tools and methods to both engage with such embodied events and to be part of the social debate about their meaning.
Lobby Loyde: The G.O.D. father of Australian rock
Authors: Oldham Paul
Published: May 2012

This article contends that the influence of Australian rock musician Lobby Loyde has been overlooked by Australia’s popular music scholarship. The research examines Loyde’s significance and influence through the neglected sphere of his work (1966–1980) with The Coloured Balls, The Purple Hearts, The Wild Cherries, The Aztecs, Southern Electric, Sudden Electric and Rose Tattoo, and his role as producer in the late-1970s until his death. First, it explores how he has been discussed by his musical peers and respected Australian rock historians. Second, it details Loyde’s musical origins and work with early bands during the period in which he was first referred to as Australia’s first guitar hero. Third, it investigates the career and influence of The Coloured Balls, their relationship with the 1970s youth subculture known as the ‘sharpies’, and the media-fuelled moral panic which surrounded both the band and the sharpies. Fourth, it assesses Loyde’s work as a producer in the 1980s, and late-in-life recognition by the Australian music industry. In doing so, the article shows the nature and importance of Loyde’s contribution to Australia’s popular music industry and discusses why he is only known to a strong but small fraction of the Australian public.
Effect of blockage ratio on critical velocity in tunnel fires
Authors: Li Liming , Cheng Xudong , Cui Yu , Li Sen , Zhang Heping
Published: May 2012

Tunnel blockage ratio, φ, is defined as the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the fire source to that of the tunnel. These fire sources in reality correspond to those that have considerable cross-sectional area such as trains or heavy goods vehicles. The effect of tunnel blockage ratio on critical velocity in tunnel fires is numerically studied. A proposed empirical consideration that accounts for the blockage ratio effect has been verified. A new formula for predicting the critical velocity in blocked tunnels has been presented based on the above consideration. Data from present numerical simulations and previous full-scale and reduced-scale tunnel fire experiments that have considerable tunnel blockage ratios are employed to examine this formula. The formula shows good agreements with these data, which can be used appropriately to calculate the critical velocity for tunnels with blockage.
Becoming a Promotora
Authors: Squires Allison , O’Brien Matthew J.
Published: May 2012

Drawing from role theory, this study sought to explore the effects of assuming a new role on Latina community health workers (CHW) participating in a cervical cancer prevention program in a new Latino immigrant community located on the East Coast of the United States. Through a series of in-depth, Spanish language interviews with the 4 participants, the researchers explored the process and effects of assuming and enacting the CHW role through a narrative analysis approach. Themes that emerged from the analysis included “Reasons for becoming a promotora,” “Vision and reality of the role,” “Structuring interactions: The hierarchy of knowledge transmission,” and “Transforming identities.” Findings showed that assuming the CHW role had transformative effects on the participants that, in the end, allowed them to reconcile disparate aspects of their own immigrant identities. The findings have multiple implications for designing prevention programs employing CHWs and immigrant community strengthening.