bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: comparison of historical and current assessment of seropositivity
Authors: Ippolito A , Wallace DJ , Gladman D , Fortin PR , Urowitz M , Werth V , Costner M , Gordon C , Alarcón GS , Ramsey-Goldman R , Maddison P , Clarke A , Bernatsky S , Manzi S , Bae S-C , Merrill JT , Ginzler E , Hanly JG , Nived O , Sturfelt G , Sanchez-Guerrero J , Bruce I , Aranow C , Isenberg D , Zoma A , Magder LS , Buyon J , Kalunian K , Dooley MA , Steinsson K , Vollenhoven RF van , Stoll T , Weisman M , Petri M
Published: March 2011

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by multiple autoantibodies and complement activation. Recent studies have suggested that anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity may disappear over time in some SLE patients. Anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody titers and complement levels may vary with time and immunosuppressive treatment, while the behavior of anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) over time is less well understood. This study sought to determine the correlation between historical autoantibody tests and current testing in patients with SLE. Three hundred and two SLE patients from the ACR Reclassification of SLE (AROSE) database with both historical and current laboratory data were selected for analysis. The historical laboratory data were compared with the current autoantibody tests done at the reference laboratory and tested for agreement using percent agreement and Kappa statistic. Serologic tests included ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith, anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP), anti-Ro, anti-La, rheumatoid factor (RF), C3 and C4. Among those historically negative for immunologic markers, a current assessment of the markers by the reference laboratory generally yielded a low percentage of additional positives (3–13%). However, 6/11 (55%) of those historically negative for ANA were positive by the reference laboratory, and the reference laboratory test also identified 20% more patients with anti-RNP and 18% more with RF. Among those historically positive for immunologic markers, the reference laboratory results were generally positive on the same laboratory test (range 57% to 97%). However, among those with a history of low C3 or C4, the current reference laboratory results indicated low C3 or C4 a low percentage of the time (18% and 39%, respectively). ANA positivity remained positive over time, in contrast to previous studies. Anti-Ro, La, RNP, Smith and anti-dsDNA antibodies had substantial agreement over time, while complement had less agreement. This variation could partially be explained by variability of the historical assays, which were done by local laboratories over varying periods of time. Variation in the results for complement, however, is more likely to be explained by response to treatment. These findings deserve consideration in the context of diagnosis and enrolment in clinical trials.
Epitope mapping of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease
Authors: Somarelli JA , Mesa A , Rodriguez R , Avellan R , Martinez L , Zang YJ , Greidinger EL , Herrera RJ
Published: March 2011

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are autoimmune illnesses characterized by the presence of high titers of autoantibodies directed against a wide range of ‘self ’ antigens. Proteins of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP) are among the most immunogenic molecules in patients with SLE and MCTD. The recent release of a crystallized U1 snRNP provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the effects of tertiary and quaternary structures on autoantigenicity within the U1 snRNP. In the present study, an epitope map was created using the U1 snRNP crystal structure. A total of 15 peptides were tested in a cohort of 68 patients with SLE, 29 with MCTD and 26 healthy individuals and mapped onto the U1 snRNP structure. Antigenic sites were detected in a variety of structures and appear to include RNA binding domains, but mostly exclude regions necessary for protein–protein interactions. These data suggest that while some autoantibodies may target U1 snRNP proteins as monomers or apoptosis-induced, protease-digested fragments, others may recognize epitopes on assembled protein subcomplexes of the U1 snRNP. Although nearly all of the peptides are strong predictors of autoimmune illness, none were successful at distinguishing between SLE and MCTD. The antigenicity of some peptides significantly correlated with several clinical symptoms. This investigation implicitly highlights the complexities of autoimmune epitopes, and autoimmune illnesses in general, and demonstrates the variability of antigens in patient populations, all of which contribute to difficult clinical diagnoses.
Cellular localization of nuclear antigen during neutrophil apoptosis: mechanism for autoantigen exposure?
Authors: Midgley A , Beresford MW
Published: March 2011

Juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by hyperactive B-cells producing auto-antibodies directed against nuclear antigens. A potential source of these antigenic components is apoptotic cells. We have previously demonstrated increased dysregulated neutrophil apoptosis in JSLE patients. Here we investigate autoantigen expression on JSLE neutrophils during apoptosis. Neutrophils from non-inflammatory controls and JSLE patients were incubated with JSLE and control serum. Apoptosis and dsDNA expression was measured using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Increased neutrophil apoptosis and dsDNA expression was observed in JSLE and control neutrophils incubated with JSLE serum. During neutrophil apoptosis nuclear material was exposed on the cell surface rather than within the cell as seen with viable neutrophils. The increased neutrophil apoptosis induced by JSLE compared with control serum resulted in increased surface expression of nuclear antigens. This may provide an additional mechanism leading to the generation of autoantibodies in JSLE.
Acute lumbosacral polyradiculoneuropathy heralding transformation to systemic lupus erythematosus in a patient with discoid lupus
Authors: Yıldız ÖK , Balaban H , Senel S , Çevik S
Published: March 2011

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease with which a variety of neuropathic disorders have been associated. Among these, the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome has been well established. However, acute axonal lumbosacral polyradiculoneuropathy accompanied by albuminocytological dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid has been extremely rarely reported in SLE. We report on a 47-year-old woman with discoid lupus presenting with acute onset of flaccid paraplegia. Extensive investigations suggested the diagnoses of axonal lumbosacral polyradiculoneuropathy and SLE. Treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide resulted in clinical recovery. Development of immune-mediated polyneuropathy in a patient with discoid lupus should forewarn the clinician regarding transformation into the systemic form of the disease.
Socio-psychological determinants of public acceptance of technologies: A review
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Fischer Arnout R.H. , Frewer Lynn J.
Published: March 2011

Historically, many technologies have been associated with societal controversies, leading to public rejection of their use. It is therefore important to understand the psychological determinants of societal acceptance of emerging technologies. Socio-psychological determinants of public acceptance of 10 (controversial) technologies are reviewed. The results indicate that there has been an increased interest in and focus on public acceptance of technologies in academia. Risk, trust, perceived benefit, knowledge, individual differences and attitude were found to have been a focus of research in 60% of articles. The results of correspondence analysis suggest that some determinants have been used more extensively in association with some technologies compared to others. As the published research has predominantly been conducted in North America and Europe, research across different cultural contexts internationally is required if globally relevant conclusions are to be reached. Implications for future research are discussed.
Effect of Patient Education on Postcolposcopy Follow-Up
Authors: Olbrys Kathleen M.
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of patient education on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and abnormal Pap smears for women scheduled for colposcopy and their compliance to treatment recommendations. A convenience sample of 60 women was included in the study. The experimental group included 30 women scheduled for colposcopy who received education prior to procedure. Thirty patients in the control group were women referred for colposcopy the year before the study. Both groups were similar in age, ethnicity, insurance status, and histological findings. Recall rates were analyzed between the two groups and results demonstrated a statistical difference in the return rate of the experimental group. Patient education increased compliance to treatment recommendations post colposcopy. Findings provide important information on the importance of educating patients with abnormal Pap results regarding HPV and sequelae of infection.
Laryngeal Motor Cortex and Control of Speech in Humans
Authors: Simonyan Kristina , Horwitz Barry
Published: March 2011

Speech production is one of the most complex and rapid motor behaviors, and it involves a precise coordination of more than 100 laryngeal, orofacial, and respiratory muscles. Yet we lack a complete understanding of laryngeal motor cortical control during production of speech and other voluntary laryngeal behaviors. In recent years, a number of studies have confirmed the laryngeal motor cortical representation in humans and have provided some information about its interactions with other cortical and subcortical regions that are principally involved in vocal motor control of speech production. In this review, the authors discuss the organization of the peripheral and central laryngeal control based on neuroimaging and electrical stimulation studies in humans and neuroanatomical tracing studies in nonhuman primates. It is hypothesized that the location of the laryngeal motor cortex in the primary motor cortex and its direct connections with the brain stem laryngeal motoneurons in humans, as opposed to its location in the premotor cortex with only indirect connections to the laryngeal motoneurons in nonhuman primates, may represent one of the major evolutionary developments in humans toward the ability to speak and vocalize voluntarily.
Heart Rate Variability Response to Standing in Men and Women Receiving d,l-Sotalol Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Chenier-Hogan N. , Brown C. A. , Hains S. M. J. , Parlow J. L.
Published: March 2011

Heart rate variability (HRV), a quantitative marker of autonomic control of heart rate (HR), declines in men and women following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Although d,l-sotalol is prescribed following CABG surgery primarily for its antiarrhythmic effect, its effects on HRV have not been reported; the β-adrenergic antagonist effect of d,l-sotalol may attenuate sympathetically mediated HR and blood pressure (BP) responses to standing, resulting in postural hypotension. In this study, the HRV response to standing 4 days following CABG surgery in men and women prescribed d,l-sotalol was measured to examine the influence of d,l-sotalol on previously reported HRV responses, taking age and gender into consideration. Participants included 28 men and 10 women who completed testing in supine and standing postures; all had received low-dose d,l-sotalol daily since the first postoperative day. Data included continuous electrocardiograph recording of R-R interval for 10 min in each posture. Participants showed significant effects of standing on the autonomic modulation of HR, as seen by a decrease in parasympathetic indices and R-R interval and an increase in BP. In men, standing decreased parasympathetic modulation and increased the sympathetic nervous system indicator, but previously reported age effects were not seen. In women, standing decreased low frequency power and R-R interval and increased BP, with older women having a smaller increase in BP, suggesting an attenuated response. The differential autonomic nervous system modulation of HR as a function of gender and age after CABG surgery may be attenuated by d,l-sotalol.
The Potential Role of a Self-Management Intervention for Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Keefer Laurie , Kiebles Jennifer L. , Kwiatek Monika A. , Palsson Olafur , Taft Tiffany H. , Martinovich Zoran , Barrett Terrence A.
Published: March 2011

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory illnesses marked by unpredictable disease flares, which occur spontaneously and/or in response to external triggers, especially personal health behaviors. Behavioral triggers of flare may be responsive to disease self-management programs. We report on interim findings of a randomized controlled trial of gut-directed hypnotherapy (HYP, n = 19) versus active attention control (CON, n = 17) for quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC). To date, 43 participants have enrolled; after 5 discontinuations (1 in HYP) and 2 exclusions due to excessive missing data, 36 were included in this preliminary analysis. Aim 1 was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of HYP in UC. This was achieved, demonstrated by a reasonable recruitment rate at our outpatient tertiary care clinic (20%), high retention rate (88% total), and our representative IBD sample, which is reflected by an equal distribution of gender, an age range between 21 and 69, recruitment of ethnic minorities (∽20%), and disease duration ranging from 1.5 to 35 years. Aim 2 was to estimate effect sizes on key clinical outcomes for use in future trials. Effect sizes (group × time at 20 weeks) were small to medium for IBD self-efficacy (.34), Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) total score (.41), IBDQ bowel (.50), and systemic health (.48). Between-group effects were observed for the IBDQ bowel health subscale (HYP > CON; p = .05) at 20 weeks and the Short Form 12 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2) physical component (HYP > CON; p < .05) at posttreatment and 20 weeks. This study supports future clinical trials testing gut-directed HYP as a relapse prevention tool for IBD.
Enhancing the delivery of safeguarding services: A role for volunteers?
Authors: Tunstill Jane , Malin Nigel
Published: March 2011

• Summary: This article reports findings from an evaluation of the Volunteers in Child Protection (ViCP) pilot study commissioned by Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and conducted in two English authorities. The study examined expectations, experiences and identified benefits for three stakeholder groups – families, volunteers and social workers; and offered an opportunity to explore the implications of developing an expanded role for volunteers, within child protection services. The study sample comprised the first 14 families in the two authorities to be matched with a volunteer, and including the respective social workers and volunteers, in all 21 individuals were interviewed at two points in time.

• Findings: Conclusions to be drawn are that the ViCP project was successful at recruiting and mentoring volunteers to work with families with complex needs; and their contributions suggest that local authority social work could draw on such initiatives to provide support functions. Its inputs could mitigate the negative effects of frequency of change of social workers, and help reduce the increasing dominance of a narrow model of child protection.

• Applications: 1) There is an inevitable inter-dependent relationship between the culture of local authority children’s services departments, including the point at, and frequency with which, social workers can access supplementary family support services, from a voluntary sector agency such as ViCP. 2) A ‘shared ownership’ model of social work ( Laming, 2009 ) is explored whereby mentored volunteers help to broaden and enlarge the evidence-base on families to enable improved decision-making and risk assessment.
Difficult Diagnoses: Family Caregivers’ Experiences During and Following the Diagnostic Process for Dementia
Authors: Gibson Allison K. , Anderson Keith A.
Published: March 2011

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and adequately connecting families with information and supportive services continue to be challenging processes. Definitive diagnoses can take months and there is often little in place to systematically link families with community organizations. In this brief descriptive study, the researchers examined family caregivers’ (N = 106) experiences with these processes. While specialists and sophisticated tests were often used, 58% of caregivers reported that a definitive diagnosis still took 3 months or longer, with 12% waiting more than 1 year. Caregivers also indicated that they were not provided with adequate information about the disease or about community resources both at the time of diagnosis and 1-year following the diagnosis. These findings suggest that there is ample opportunity to improve services offered to families affected by ADRD and that additional training, coordination, and cooperation may enhance our ability to help during and following the diagnosis.
Mental Health Burden Among Impoverished HIV-Positive Patients in Peru
Authors: Shin Sonya , Muñoz Maribel , Caldas Adolfo , Ying Wu  , Zeladita Jhon , Wong Milagros , Espiritu Betty , Sanchez Eduardo , Callacna Miriam , Rojas Christian , Arevalo Jorge , Sebastian Jose Luis , Bayona Jaime
Published: March 2011

HIV and poor mental health are intricately related. In settings of poverty, both are often rooted in structural factors related to material and social deprivation. We performed a qualitative analysis to understand factors contributing to poor emotional health and its impact among impoverished Peruvian HIV-infected individuals. We conducted focus group discussions with patients and providers consisting of semistructured, open-ended questions. Qualitative analysis provided insight into the profound impact of depression, isolation, stigma, and lack of social support among these patients. Living with HIV contributed significantly to mental health problems experienced by HIV-positive individuals; furthermore, long-standing stressors—such as economic hardship, fragmented family relationships, and substance use—shaped patients’ outlooks, and may have contributed not only to current emotional hardship but to risk factors for contracting HIV as well. Once diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, many patients experienced hopelessness, stigma, and socioeconomic marginalization. Patients tended to rely on informal sources of support, including peers and community health workers, and rarely used formal mental health services. In resource-poor settings, the context of mental health problems among HIV-positive individuals must be framed within the larger structural context of poverty and social exclusion. Optimal strategies to address the mental health problems of these individuals should include integrating mental health services into HIV care, task shifting to utilize community health workers where human resources are scarce, and interventions aimed at poverty alleviation.
Clinical and Immunological Profile of Pediatric HIV Infection in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Brown Biobele J. , Oladokun Regina E. , Odaibo Georgina N. , Olaleye David O. , Osinusi Kikelomo , Kanki Phyllis
Published: March 2011

In spite of the increasing number of children living with HIV in Nigeria, published data on their clinical profile are few. We describe the clinical profile at presentation of HIV-infected children at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, in a prospective study. Among 272 children studied (149 [54.8%] males; mean age 4.2 years [range 2 months to 15 years]), infection was acquired through vertical transmission in 252 (92.6%), blood transfusion in 5 (1.80%), and undetermined routes in 15 (5.5%) cases. Clinical features included weight loss (62.5%), prolonged fever (55.4%), generalized lymphadenopathy (48.6%), chronic cough (45.4%), and persistent diarrhea (28.3%). Tuberculosis was present in 45.3%, World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stages 3 and 4 disease in 70.6% and severe immunosuppression in 44.5% of cases. Pediatric HIV in Ibadan is acquired mainly vertically and most cases present with severe disease. Improved access to prevention services and early diagnosis are recommended.
Human Herpesvirus 8 Infections and AIDS-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma in Zaria, Northern Nigeria
Authors: Ogoina Dimie , Onyemelukwe Geoffrey C. , Musa Bolanle O. P. , Babadoko Aliyu
Published: March 2011

Background/Objectives: Studies on human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection in patients with AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-KS), from Nigeria are lacking. We examined the seroprevalence of HHV8 infection in patients with AIDS-KS presenting to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria, and also described their clinical presentation. Methods: A total of 20 (11 males and 9 females) histologically confirmed adults with AIDS-KS were recruited consecutively in 2007. The clinical types of lesions, associated diseases, and the AIDS clinical trial group staging of AIDS-KS were noted. Anti-lytic HHV8 antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Kaposi sarcoma skin lesions were diverse but mostly nodules (19 cases) and papules (16). Majority (18 cases) had poor risk AIDS-KS, with 10 (50%) patients having concomitant opportunistic infections and 3 (15%) patients having generalized skin lesions. Females had a more severe disease. Seventeen patients (85%) were HHV8-seropositive. Conclusion: AIDS-KS is associated with high HHV8 infection and presents with a variety of skin manifestations that are often aggressive, advanced, and worse in females.
A high ankle-brachial index is associated with increased aortic pulse wave velocity: the Czech post-MONICA study
Authors: Wohlfahrt Peter , Palouš Daniel , Ingrischová Michaela , Krajčoviechová Alena , Seidlerová Jitka , Galovcová Markéta , Bruthans Jan , Jozífová Marie , Adámková Věra , Filipovský Jan , Cífková Renata
Published: March 2011

Background: Ankle brachial index (ABI) has been increasingly used in general practice to identify individuals with low ABI at high cardiovascular risk. However, there has been no consensus on the clinical significance of high ABI. The aim of our study was to compare aortic stiffness as a marker of cardiovascular risk in individuals with low (<1.0), normal (1.0–1.4), and high ABI (>1.4).

Methods: A total of 911 individuals from the Czech post-MONICA study (a randomly selected 1% representative population sample, aged 54 ± 13.5 years, 47% of men) were examined. ABI was measured using a handheld Doppler and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) using the Sphygmocor device.

Results: Of the 911 individuals, 28 (3.1%) had low ABI and 23 (2.5%) high ABI. There was a U-shaped association between aPWV and ABI. aPWV was significantly higher in individuals with low and high ABI compared with the normal ABI group (11.1 ± 2.8, 8.3 ± 2.3, p < 0.001; 10.8 ± 2.5, 8.3 ± 2.3 m/s, p < 0.001, respectively). In a model adjusted for age, sex, systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressure and examiner, aPWV remained increased in both extreme ABI groups compared with the normal ABI group. In logistic regression analysis, aPWV together with glucose level, male sex, and a history of deep venous thrombosis were independent predictors of high ABI, while cholesterol was not.

Conclusion: This is the first study showing increased aortic stiffness in individuals with high ABI, presumably responsible for increased left ventricular mass described previously in this group. These findings suggest increased cardiovascular risk of high ABI individuals.
Engaged scholarship and research impact: integrating the doing and using of research in practice
Authors: McCormack Brendan
Published: March 2011

Demonstrating impact from research has always been a key consideration in the knowledge production business. However, it can be argued that the models and frameworks available for enabling such impact to be demonstrated are poorly developed. Those that do exist are predominantly derived from a linear uni-dimensional perspective of the knowledge flow from the academy to practice. Little sustained attention has been given to the development of models and ways of working that go beyond traditional approaches to impact monitoring through impact factors and citation indices. Engaged scholarship offers a framework that has as an explicit intention, the creation of connections between researchers/universities and practitioners/health care providers.

In this paper a model is offered derived from the theory of ‘engaged scholarship’. The principles of engaged scholarship will be outlined, as well as an articulation of engaged scholarship as an approach to the co-production of knowledge. An example of a practice development and evaluation study will be offered that is consistent with the principles of engaged scholarship. The need for a strategic approach to the development of engaged scholarship will be highlighted, as well as the need for sustained partnerships between the academy and practice.
International principles of social impact assessment: lessons for research?
Authors: Taylor Julie , Bradbury-Jones Caroline
Published: March 2011

The ability and importance of being able to demonstrate how research has benefited humankind has been a by-product of global assessment exercises and has attracted only marginal interest. However, with the introduction of new indicators for ‘what counts’ in research, impact has now entered centre-stage. Nursing ought to have little problem with the concept of impact: we should be able to demonstrate the influence of nursing research on culture, health, society, policy (etc.) in a way that might be more difficult for disciplines that are less applied. Whilst the international principles of impact assessment are quite familiar to those working in the third sector and are encouraged by governments across the world, academic disciplines in general — and possibly nursing in particular — appear to lag behind in knowledge of these principles. Moreover, on examination, nursing has much that is congruent with the principles, but so far has left these unstated. In this paper we explore potential lessons from the principles of social impact assessment for nursing research. We use illustrative examples from our own area of expertise — child protection — but the principles apply across all substantive topics. Social impact assessment is underpinned by four principles that we explore first: the precautionary principle; then the principles of intergenerational equity; multisectoral integration; and subsidiarity. We go on to unpack the seven focus areas of impact assessment to demonstrate how these could be articulated within nursing research. Finally, we offer some pointers as to how nurse researchers might begin to assess and measure the social value of interventions and services through the framework of Social Return on Investment. Impact mapping can make useful delineation between outputs, outcomes and impact and as a framework, social impact assessment has much positive guidance to offer nursing research.
Ways of assessing the economic value or impact of research: is it a step too far for nursing research?
Authors: Hanney Stephen , Griffiths Peter
Published: March 2011

To identify lessons that could be applied to nursing research, this paper draws on some reviews of the increasing, although apparently still relatively small, number of studies that attempt to assess economic impacts from health research. One review describes several important steps, including identifying the health and other outcomes from specific bodies of research and then valuing the outcomes. We describe major studies in fields such as cardiovascular research that show how the economic value of health research can be demonstrated. In addition, we examine various nursing studies, including ones showing the benefits (especially economic) from nursing itself (as opposed to from nursing research), and also studies describing economic evaluations of new devices and techniques used by nurses, which have the potential to be used when trying to value the research. Currently, such studies rarely go on and demonstrate how the nursing research has had a wider impact on nursing policies and practice, and hence led to outcomes that could be valued. There is, nevertheless, scope to build on these existing nursing studies. Conducting impact assessments could potentially result in a portfolio of examples of nursing research that have informed policies and practices and led to economic impacts in terms of cost savings, and possibly also in terms of health gains that could be valued.
Diagnostics, Theragnostics, and the Personal Health Server
Authors: Armstrong David G. , Giovinco Nicholas A.
Published: March 2011

Over the past generation, significant advances in care have led to reductions in amputation worldwide. However, it may be argued that the most potent advances in healing have been in organization of care. Technologies are now emerging that may allow further enhancements of organization and integration of care while also bringing in much needed bedside, chairside, and in-home diagnostics to identify key points in healing and potential early warning signs for recurrence. This article reviews what are believed to be 6 key areas of change over the next generation. These include portability, durability, automation, intelligence, ubiquity, and afford-ability, all yielding specific advances in wound diagnostics. The authors believe that devices will be organized into personal health servers in cloud-synchronized devices already existing in the home (eg, a scale), the clinic, and on (or in) the patient.
Geography, nature, and the question of development
Authors: Sheppard Eric
Published: March 2011

During the last decade, geography has gained new salience as a development factor in the public imagination and policy realms, through the work of scholars located outside the discipline. Jared Diamond and Jeffrey Sachs have popularized the idea that a physical geographic backcloth, first nature, profoundly shapes the conditions of possibility for global economic prosperity or poverty, and sustainability. Geographical economists have built microfoundational accounts of second nature: how uneven geographies emerge on a uniform biophysical backcloth. ‘New’ development economists, now profoundly critical of neoliberal globalization, argue for both Keynesian and Hayekian alternatives. Notwithstanding their differences, these communities of scholarship share a sociospatial ontology that underwrites a stageist, teleological conception of economic development, to be made possible by globalizing capitalism. A geographical, relational/dialectical conception of the relationship between the economy, space/time and socionature, within a broadly political economic conception of societal change, creates space for multiple development trajectories and livelihood assemblages, deconstructing the global North as the natural locus of definitions of the good life and expertise about what constitutes development.
Perceived Social Support and the Voluntary, Mixed, or Pressured Use of Mental Health Services
Authors: Thoits Peggy A.
Published: March 2011

The network-episode model of service utilization and self-labeling theory underscore the importance of significant others in averting or prompting individuals’ entry into mental health treatment. Drawing from these approaches, three hypotheses are tested: (1) Social support generally reduces the likelihood of treatment entry, but (2) when individuals’ mental conditions are more serious, supportive relationships instead raise the probability of mental health utilization, and (3) for persons with greater social support, the more severe their mental disorders, the more likely they will enter treatment under pressure or with mixed volition. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication are used to test these hypotheses ( N = 5,692). Results confirm expectations. Findings also show that persons with greater social support perceived less need for mental health services, suggesting that supportive relationships might substitute for formal treatment or perhaps delay treatment seeking. Unmet need for psychiatric services may not be as great as indicated by low rates of service utilization among persons with disorders.
Parenthood, Life Course Expectations, and Mental Health
Authors: Carlson Daniel L. , Williams Kristi
Published: March 2011

Although past research indicates that giving birth at a young age and prior to marriage negatively affects mental health, little is known about the role of individual expectations in shaping these associations. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, the authors consider how individual expectations for the sequencing of marriage and parenthood and the timing of first births shape mental health outcomes associated with premarital childbearing and age at first birth, and they investigate variation in the role of expectations across gender and race/ethnicity. Results indicate that expecting children before marriage ameliorates the negative mental health consequences of premarital first births and that subsequently deviating from expected birth timing, either early or late, results in increased distress at all birth ages. In both cases, however, the degree and manner in which expectations matter differ by gender and race/ethnicity. Expectations for premarital childbearing matter only for African Americans’ mental health, and although later-than-expected births are associated with decreased mental health for all groups, earlier-than-expected births are associated only with decreased mental health for women, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites.
Taking Thy Husband's Name: The Role of Religious Affiliation
Authors: Abel Ernest L , Kruger Michael L
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis study examined the influence of religion on women's decision to retain their birth names after marriage. Samples (N = 2575) were derived from wedding announcements in the New York Times, a major US newspaper. Multivariate analysis, controlling for age and year of marriage, indicated that the net effect of religion accounted for 2.6 percent of the likelihood of name keeping (p<.001). The highest percentage of women retaining birth names were those marrying in civil ceremonies (55.9%). Women marrying in Catholic ceremonies were least likely to keep their birth names (24.6%), followed by those marrying in Protestant (27.9%) and Jewish (37.5%) ceremonies. There was a systematic age-related increase in the likelihood that a woman would keep their birth name that lessened the role of religion on name keeping. Women who married at 35–39 years of age were 6.4 times more likely to keep her birth name compared to women 20–24 years of age. Although women who married in 2007–2008 were 3.1 times more likely to retain their birth names than those married in 1990–1991, the interaction between time period and religion was not significant. We conclude that while religion still exerts a major influence on name keeping, that influence has been gradually diminishing as American women delay age of marriage.
Microcosmic mechanism of material softening and fracture in primary shear zone during high speed machining of hardened steel
Authors: Duan C. Z. , Wang M. J. , Cai Y. J. , Dou T.
Published: March 2011

The metallurgical observations of microstructure and fracture characteristics of the adiabatic shear bands, within the primary shear zones of the serrated chips produced during high speed machining 30CrNi3MoV hardened high strength steel, have been performed using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructure observations showed that the material softening occurred in the primary shear zones during high speed machining. A microcosmic model of microstructure development and rotational dynamic recrystallisation in the primary shear zone during high speed machining high strength steel was suggested by analysis of material softening mechanism. The fracture observations showed that adiabatic shear fracture was the primary reason of serrated chip formation during high speed machining. A microcosmic fracture model during adiabatic shear was proposed.
Current enhanced wettability of eutectic SnBi melt on Cu substrate
Authors: Xu Q. G. , Liu X. B. , Zhang H. F.
Published: March 2011

The effect of a direct electric current on the wetting behaviour of eutectic SnBi melt on Cu substrate at 220°C was investigated in the present study. It is found that the application of current enhanced the growth rate and lateral growth of interfacial reaction layer between eutectic SnBi melt and Cu substrate. Furthermore, with the increase in the current, the spread of eutectic SnBi melt on Cu is accelerated significantly and the steady state contact angle is decreased markedly. The reason for these is also discussed in the present paper.
Effect of chemical composition on work hardening of Fe—Mn—C TWIP steels
Authors: Bouaziz O. , Zurob H. , Chehab B. , Embury J. D. , Allain S. , Huang M.
Published: March 2011

The work hardening behaviour of Fe-Mn-C twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steels with a wide compositional range has been investigated. Based on the consideration that twinning provides a dynamic composite effect resulting in high work hardening rate in TWIP steels, the present work proposes a model to describe such behaviour as a function of chemical composition. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental observations.
Simulation study on horizontal continuous casting process of copper hollow billet under rotating electromagnetic stirring Part 2—effects of electromagnetic and casting parameters on solidification process
Authors: Li J. , Wang T. , Yan Z. , Cai S. , Du Y. , Chen Z. , Cao Z. , Li T.
Published: March 2011

The comprehensive three-dimensional mathematical model proposed in Part 1 is used to investigate the effect of rotating electromagnetic stirring on the solidification process of copper hollow billet during horizontal continuous casting. In this part, the model is used to investigate the effects of electromagnetic parameters and casting speed on the electromagnetic field, temperature field, fluid flow and solidification during the horizontal continuous casting with rotating electromagnetic stirring. The results show that electromagnetic frequency, current intensity and casting speed have significant influence on the tangential velocity, temperature gradient, liquid fraction and sump depth.
Silicon as grain refiner in niobium microalloyed hot rolled steel
Authors: Deva A. , Jha B. K. , Mishra N. S.
Published: March 2011

The effect of silicon on grain refinement has been investigated in industrially produced Nb microalloyed steel. The synergistic effect of silicon in the presence of Nb is found to favour grain refinement in hot rolled strip, which has resulted in very fine ferrite grains of <3; μm. Evolution of such a fine grain has been related to the enhanced precipitation of Nb(CN) in the presence of silicon. The concept of effective niobium (Nb + Si) in such steels has been introduced.
Effective thermal conductivity of Cu/diamond composites containing connected particles
Authors: Chen H. , Chu K. , Jia C. C. , Liang X. B. , Guo H. , Qu X. H.
Published: March 2011

An analytical model for the thermal conductivity of Cu/diamond composites with connected particles is presented by replacement of a cluster of connected particles with an equivalent polycrystal subsequently using a multiple effective medium approach. By applying this model to the measured thermal conductivity of Cu/diamond composites prepared by high pressure high temperature sintering technique reported in the literature, we show that it quite well describes the observed thermal conductivity enhancement induced by the connected particles. We estimate the value of connected particle loading in real composites and show that large particles are easier to form the bonding contact than small particles. The present work also demonstrates that the sensitivity of thermal conductivity contribution from the connected particles strongly depends on the particle size, and their pronounced thermal conductivity enhancement should lie within the certain particle size range.
Long term creep life prediction for Grade 22 (2·25Cr—1Mo) steels
Authors: Whittaker M. T. , Wilshire B.
Published: March 2011

Using new data analysis procedures, 100 000 h creep strengths are estimated by extrapolation of stress rupture values with creep lives <5000 h for Grade 22 tube as well as for annealed/tempered and quenched/tempered plates. In addition to allowing accurate prediction of long term strengths, the resulting property sets can be discussed sensibly in terms of the deformation and damage processes controlling creep and creep fracture.
Financial Ideas, Political Constraints: Sovereign Wealth Funds and Domestic Governance
Authors: Fini Michael
Published: March 2011

Rather than deconstruct sovereign wealth funds' (SWFs') significance for global capital markets, this paper asks the following question: why do SWFs exist at all? It consequently examines the politics behind SWFs' domestic origins, and the socioeconomic implications they pose for the constituents to whom they are ultimately accountable. It begins its analysis with the argument that SWFs are first and foremost domestic strategies of governance created to achieve specific short- and medium-term goals of the administrative state. The funds serve to immediately stabilize state actors' governance function by reconceptualizing problems of uncertainty in the quantitative and manageable terms of financial risk. This risk-based fiscal management strategy enables state actors to manage domestic expectations concerning various problems they may face: how to use extra-budgetary foreign exchange reserves, for example, or how to meet a future liability. For Ireland, the expectation that their highly depended-upon state pension system was unsustainable represented one such problem of uncertainty facing the Oireachtas in the late 1990s. Creating an SWF mandated to maximize financial returns through speculation thus immediately created forward-looking expectations of the Oireachtas' capacity to generate investment income and lessen the cost–savings gap. However, this paper also argues that the speculative financial ideology substantiating SWFs' institutional legitimacy problematically constrained Irish state agency between 2001 and 2010. This constraint was most evident following the Irish banking crisis of 2008.
Down-regulation of stathmin expression is required for megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production
Authors: Iancu-Rubin Camelia , Gajzer David , Tripodi Joseph , Najfeld Vesna , Gordon Ronald E. , Hoffman Ronald , Atweh George F.
Published: March 2011

The final stages of of megakaryocyte (MK) maturation involve a series of steps, including polyploidization and proplatelet formation. Although these processes are highly dependent on dynamic changes in the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton, the mechanisms responsible for regulation of MTs in MKs remain poorly defined. Stathmin is a highly conserved MT-regulatory protein that has been suggested to play a role in MK differentiation of human leukemic cell lines. However, previous studies defining this relationship have reached contradictory conclusions. In this study, we addressed this controversy and investigated the role of stathmin in primary human MKs. To explore the importance of stathmin down-regulation during megakaryocytopoiesis, we used a lentiviral-mediated gene delivery system to prevent physiologic down-regulation of stathmin in primary MKs. We demonstrated that sustained expression of constitutively active stathmin delayed cytoplasmic maturation (ie, glycoprotein GPIb and platelet factor 4 expression) and reduced the ability of MKs to achieve high levels of ploidy. Moreover, platelet production was impaired in MKs in which down-regulation of stathmin expression was prevented. These studies indicate that suppression of stathmin is biologically important for MK maturation and platelet production and support the importance of MT regulation during the final stages of thrombopoiesis.
Codanin-1 mutations in congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type 1 affect HP1α localization in erythroblasts
Authors: Renella Raffaele , Roberts Nigel A. , Brown Jill M. , De Gobbi Marco , Bird Louise E. , Hassanali Tasneem , Sharpe Jacqueline A. , Sloane-Stanley Jacqueline , Ferguson David J. P. , Cordell Jacqueline , Buckle Veronica J. , Higgs Douglas R. , Wood William G.
Published: March 2011

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type 1 (CDA-1), a rare inborn anemia characterized by abnormal chromatin ultrastructure in erythroblasts, is caused by abnormalities in codanin-1, a highly conserved protein of unknown function. We have produced 3 monoclonal antibodies to codanin-1 that demonstrate its distribution in both nucleus and cytoplasm by immunofluorescence and allow quantitative measurements of patient and normal material by Western blot. A detailed analysis of chromatin structure in CDA-1 erythroblasts shows no abnormalities in overall histone composition, and the genome-wide epigenetic landscape of several histone modifications is maintained. However, immunofluorescence analysis of intermediate erythroblasts from patients with CDA-1 reveals abnormal accumulation of HP1α in the Golgi apparatus. A link between mutant codanin-1 and the aberrant localization of HP1α is supported by the finding that codanin-1 can be coimmunoprecipitated by anti-HP1α antibodies. Furthermore, we show colocalization of codanin-1 with Sec23B, the protein defective in CDA-2 suggesting that the CDAs might be linked at the molecular level. Mice containing a gene-trapped Cdan1 locus demonstrate its widespread expression during development. Cdan1gt/gt homozygotes die in utero before the onset of primitive erythropoiesis, suggesting that Cdan1 has other critical roles during embryogenesis.
An important role of lymphatic vessel activation in limiting acute inflammation
Authors: Huggenberger Reto , Siddiqui Shoib S. , Brander Daniela , Ullmann Stefan , Zimmermann Kathrin , Antsiferova Maria , Werner Sabine , Alitalo Kari , Detmar Michael
Published: March 2011

In contrast to the established role of blood vessel remodeling in inflammation, the biologic function of the lymphatic vasculature in acute inflammation has remained less explored. We studied 2 established models of acute cutaneous inflammation, namely, oxazolone-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and ultraviolet B irradiation, in keratin 14-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and keratin 14-VEGF-D transgenic mice. These mice have an expanded network of cutaneous lymphatic vessels. Transgenic delivery of the lymphangiogenic factors VEGF-C and the VEGFR-3 specific ligand mouse VEGF-D significantly limited acute skin inflammation in both experimental models, with a strong reduction of dermal edema. Expression of VEGFR-3 by lymphatic endothelium was strongly down-regulated at the mRNA and protein level in acutely inflamed skin, and no VEGFR-3 expression was detectable on inflamed blood vessels and dermal macrophages. There was no major change of the inflammatory cell infiltrate or the composition of the inflammatory cytokine milieu in the inflamed skin of VEGF-C or VEGF-D transgenic mice. However, the increased network of lymphatic vessels in these mice significantly enhanced lymphatic drainage from the ear skin. These results provide evidence that specific lymphatic vessel activation limits acute skin inflammation via promotion of lymph flow from the skin and reduction of edema formation.