bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contextual Dynamics in Foreign Language Learning Motivation
Authors: Kozaki Yoko , Ross Steven J.
Published: April 2011

Learning context has increasingly been postulated to exert an influence on the dynamics of individual differences in language learning. In a longitudinal design that tested the proficiency gains of 1,682 learners over a 2‐year foreign language program, a multilevel modeling approach was deployed in this study to account for variation in second language (L2) growth over time. Different aspects of learner career and social aspiration were postulated as individual difference factors in addition to the more conventional constructs of extrinsic and intrinsic L2 learning motivation. Perceived attitudinal norms operating within 72 streamed classes were posited as contextual factors. Results of multilevel analyses indicate that the mediating effects of class context on the relation between the L2 proficiency growth and individual difference factors exert both positive and negative influences, suggesting malleability of individual differences factors.
Effects of Form‐Focused Instruction and Corrective Feedback on L2 Pronunciation Development of /ɹ/ by Japanese Learners of English
Authors: Saito Kazuya , Lyster Roy
Published: April 2011

Sixty‐five Japanese learners of English participated in the current study, which investigated the acquisitional value of form‐focused instruction (FFI) with and without corrective feedback (CF) on learners’ pronunciation development. All students received a 4‐hr FFI treatment designed to encourage them to notice and practice the target feature of English /ɹ/ in meaningful discourse, except those in the control group (n= 11), who received comparable instruction but without FFI on English /ɹ/. During FFI, the instructors provided CF only to students in the FFI + CF group (n= 29) by recasting their mispronunciation or unclear pronunciation of /ɹ/, whereas no CF was provided to those in the FFI‐only group (n= 25). Acoustic analyses were conducted on frequency values of the third formant (F3) of English /ɹ/ tokens elicited via pretest and posttest measures targeting familiar items and a generalizability test targeting unfamiliar items. The results showed that: (a) F3 values of the FFI + CF group significantly declined after the intervention, not only at a controlled‐speech level but also a spontaneous‐speech level, regardless of following vowel contexts; (b) change in F3 values of the FFI‐only group and the control group was not statistically significant; and (c) the generalizability of FFI to novel tokens remained unclear.
SOMA, SELF, AND SOCIETY: SOMAESTHETICS AS PRAGMATIST MELIORISM
Authors: SHUSTERMAN RICHARD
Published: April 2011

Abstract: This article explains the pragmatist project of somaesthetics in five different ways. First, it clarifies the notion of soma as encompassing both subjective intentionality and material objectivity in the world. Second, it highlights the social dimensions of somaesthetics, building on the basic insight that the soma is always shaped by the social and physical environments in which it is nested. Third, it examines the similarities and differences between somaesthetics and the Merleau‐Ponty tradition of somatic phenomenology, while answering some of the critical questions phenomenologists raise about the pragmatic value of reflective body consciousness. Fourth, in exploring the uses of reflective body consciousness, the article examines the continuity of learning over different levels and the different forms of evidence that can be used for empirical testing of the value of somatic reflection. It concludes with an overview of some of the main directions of future somaesthetic research.
A SELF FOR THE BODY
Authors: DE VIGNEMONT FRÉDÉRIQUE
Published: April 2011

Abstract: What grounds the experience of our body as our own? Can we rationally doubt that this is our own body when we feel sensations in it? This article shows how recent empirical evidence can shed light on issues on the body and the self, such as the grounds of the sense of body ownership and the immunity to error through misidentification of bodily self‐ascriptions. In particular, it discusses how bodily illusions (e.g., the Rubber Hand Illusion), bodily disruptions (e.g., somatoparaphrenia), and the multimodal nature of bodily self‐knowledge challenge a classic view of ownership and immunity that puts bodily sensations at its core.
Semi‐automatic volumetric assessment of perihemorrhagic edema with computed tomography
Authors: Volbers Bastian , Staykov Dimitre , Wagner Ingrid , Dörfler Arnd , Saake Marc , Schwab Stefan , Bardutzky Jürgen
Published: April 2011

Background and purpose:  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows perihemorrhagic edema (PHE) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with high contrast, but the procedure is often difficult or not available for clinical use. The aim of the present study was to establish and validate an observer independent method for quantification of PHE on computed tomography (CT) by comparing with simultaneously performed MRI.

Methods:  Patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH were included. Twenty‐two patients received coregistered MRI and CT on day 1, and 27 patients on day 5 after admission. Volumes for PHE and ICH were measured (i) manually on CT, (ii) manually on MRI (fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery sequence), and (iii) threshold based on CT. To identify optimal threshold values (Hounsfield units) for best correlation of CT with MRI, upper and lower thresholds were adjusted gradually until the PHE volume on CT best fitted the PHE volume on MRI. The established threshold range was prospectively validated in another 15 patients.

Results:  A threshold range 5–33 Hounsfield units (HU) resulted in best correlation both on days 1 and 5. Using these thresholds in the validation group, PHE volumes on CT and MRI were highly comparable (31 ± 26 ml vs. 30 ± 27 ml) with good correlation (R2 = 0.96, P < 0.01) and high inter‐ (0.96) and intraobserver (0.96) reliability. Manually traced PHE on CT was significantly larger (37.3 ± 37 ml vs. 30 ± 27 ml, P < 0.01) with worse inter‐ (0.89) and intraobserver (0.90) reliability.

Conclusions:  Threshold‐based CT volumetry of PHE with a threshold range 5–33 HU is a reliable and observer independent method for quantification of PHE after spontaneous ICH.
A Work‐In‐Process Literature Review: Incorporating Social Media in Risk and Crisis Communication
Authors: Veil Shari R. , Buehner Tara , Palenchar Michael J.
Published: April 2011

This work‐in‐process literature review gives an overview of recent insight in the incorporation of social media in risk and crisis communication. By marrying literature and examples of social media use with best practices in risk and crisis communication, this study demonstrates how communicators can embrace social media tools to better manage a risk or crisis. Best practices in risk and crisis communication are summarized, examples of social media tools used to manage risks and crises are expounded, and recommendations for practitioners are provided to incorporate social media tools in risk and crisis communication.
The dynamin‐related protein DRP‐1 and the insulin signaling pathway cooperate to modulate Caenorhabditis elegans longevity
Authors: Yang Christine C. , Chen Diana , Lee Siu Sylvia , Walter Ludivine
Published: April 2011

Here, we report that inactivation of the Caenorhabditis elegans dynamin‐related protein DRP‐1, a key component responsible for mitochondrial fission and conserved from yeast to humans, dramatically enhanced the effect of reduced insulin signaling (IIS) to extend lifespan. This represents the first report of a beneficial impact of manipulating mitochondrial dynamics on animal lifespan and suggests that mitochondrial morphology and IIS cooperate to modulate aging.
Attenuation of liver insoluble protein carbonyls: indicator of a longevity determinant?
Authors: Bhattacharya Arunabh , Leonard Shanique , Tardif Suzette , Buffenstein Rochelle , Fischer Kathleen E. , Richardson Arlan , Austad Steven N. , Chaudhuri Asish R.
Published: April 2011

Oxidative damage affects protein structure and function. Progressive accumulation of oxidized proteins is considered a putative mechanism of aging; however, empirical evidence supporting their role in aging is inconsistent. This inconsistency may reflect a failure to distinguish damage to particular cellular compartments. We found a significant reduction of protein carbonyls in the insoluble, but not in the soluble, fraction of liver tissues of long‐lived compared with their short‐lived counterpart. Of cellular components analyzed, only nuclear protein carbonyl level was uniformly reduced in long‐lived compared with short‐lived animals. This observation suggests that attenuated accumulation of protein carbonyls in the nucleus, where they can affect multiple aspects of gene expression and DNA repair, might contribute to the longevity in mammalian species.
Non‐Governmental Organizations, Democracy, and HIV Prevalence: A Cross‐National Analysis*
Authors: Shircliff Eric J. , Shandra John M.
Published: April 2011

Despite the scale, reach, and global impact of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), its study has remained largely at the purview of various micro‐level analyses (e.g., Gutmann 2007; Levi and Vitória 2002). However, differences in prevalence rates at the national level suggest that other forces might be at work. Following the work of McIntosh and Thomas (2004), the only cross‐national study of HIV/AIDS published to our knowledge, we conduct a cross‐national analysis that examines world polity ideas that higher levels of health and women’s non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) should be associated with lower levels of HIV prevalence. Initially, we find no support for these hypotheses. However, we respecify our models to test a political opportunity structure hypothesis that democracy enhances the ability of health and women’s NGOs to deal with HIV. We test this line of reasoning by including an interaction term between democracy and the health and women’s NGO variables. In doing so, we find that health and women’s NGOs are associated with lower levels of HIV prevalence in democratic rather than repressive nations.
Rally the People: Building Local‐Environmental Justice Grassroots Coalitions and Enhancing Social Capital*
Authors: Mix Tamara L.
Published: April 2011

Focusing on environmental justice (EJ) activists’ experiences with local‐level coalition building as a purposive organizational form, data sources for this manuscript include focus groups, face‐to‐face, and telephone interviews with a sample of activists across the United States representing community‐based, grassroots EJ organizations. From the perspective of EJ activists, what forms do local‐EJ coalitions take? What are the costs of coalition building and what strategies do EJ organizations use to promote local‐level coalitions as an organizational form? What are the benefits of coalition building and how may coalitions enhance movement success and community social capital? Findings indicate that activists view coalitions positively and that coalitions exist in three primary forms. Costs of coalition building are associated with a labor‐intensive education and outreach framework entailing significant personal communication, networking, and trust building. Benefits of coalition building include an enhanced understanding of local and community experiences, an opportunity to share resources, and a stronger voice to hold power accountable. Local‐EJ coalition efforts maintain attributes useful in building community social capital.
Joint Physical Custody and Neighborhood Friendships in Middle Childhood*
Authors: Prazen Ariana , Wolfinger Nicholas H. , Cahill Caitlin , Kowaleski‐Jones Lori
Published: April 2011

Almost half of first marriages end in divorce, which in turn may produce joint physical custody arrangements. Seen by many states to be in the best interest of the child, joint physical custody is increasingly common. Yet much is unknown about its consequences for children. This article considers how joint physical custody arrangements affect children’s neighborhood friendships, an important component of child well‐being because of their contributions to social and cognitive development. Thirteen parents and 17 children (aged 5–11) in 10 families, selected via convenience and snowball sampling, participated in semistructured interviews. The findings suggest that joint physical custody arrangements do not imperil children’s neighborhood friendships; indeed, most children and parents interviewed voiced contentment in this area.
Transitioning to digital radiography
Authors: Drost Wm Tod
Published: April 2011

Objective
–
To describe the different forms of digital radiography (DR), image file formats, supporting equipment and services required for DR, storage of digital images, and teleradiology.

Background
–
Purchasing a DR system is a major investment for a veterinary practice. Types of DR systems include computed radiography, charge coupled devices, and direct or indirect DR. Comparison of workflow for analog and DR is presented.

Summary
–
On the surface, switching to DR involves the purchase of DR acquisition hardware. The X‐ray machine, table and grids used in analog radiography are the same for DR. Realistically, a considerable infrastructure supports the image acquisition hardware. This infrastructure includes monitors, computer workstations, a robust computer network and internet connection, a plan for storage and back up of images, and service contracts. Advantages of DR compared with analog radiography include improved image quality (when used properly), ease of use (more forgiving to the errors of radiographic technique), speed of making a complete study (important for critically ill patients), fewer repeat radiographs, less time looking for imaging studies, less physical storage space, and the ability to easily send images for consultation.

Conclusions
–
With an understanding of the infrastructure requirements, capabilities and limitations of DR, an informed veterinary practice should be better able to make a sound decision about transitioning to DR.
Interventional cardiology for the criticalist
Authors: Scansen Brian A.
Published: April 2011

Objective –To review indications, procedures, and prognosis for common cardiovascular emergencies requiring intervention in small animals.

Etiology –Pericardial effusion, symptomatic bradycardia, and heartworm‐induced caval syndrome are examples of clinical scenarios commonly requiring intervention. Pericardial effusion in small animals occurs most frequently from cardiac neoplasia, idiopathic pericarditis, or congestive heart failure. Indications for temporary pacing include transient bradyarrhythmias, ingestions resulting in chronotropic incompetence, and emergency stabilization of critical bradyarrhythmias. Caval syndrome results from a large dirofilarial worm burden, pulmonary hypertension, and mechanical obstruction of right‐sided cardiac output with resultant hemolysis and organ dysfunction.

Diagnosis –The diagnosis of pericardial effusion is suspected from signalment and physical findings and confirmed with cardiac ultrasound. Symptomatic bradycardias often present for syncope and definitive diagnosis derives from an ECG. Caval syndrome is diagnosed upon clinical, hematologic, and ultrasonographic evidence of severe heartworm infestation, cardiovascular compromise, and/or mechanical hemolysis.

Therapy –Pericardial effusion is alleviated by pericardiocentesis in the emergency setting, though may require further intervention for long‐term palliation. Temporary transvenous pacing can be performed emergently to stabilize the symptomatic patient with a bradyarrhythmia. Dirofilariasis leading to caval syndrome requires urgent heartworm extraction.

Prognosis –The prognosis for pericardial effusion is dependent upon the underlying etiology; the prognosis for cardiac pacing is favorable, and the prognosis for caval syndrome is grave if untreated and guarded to fair if heartworm extraction is performed.
Clinical experience utilizing a novel fluoroscopic technique for wire‐guided nasojejunal tube placement in the dog: 26 cases (2006–2010)
Authors: Beal Matthew W. , Brown Andrew J.
Published: April 2011

Objective
–
To describe the clinical use of a novel, minimally invasive fluoroscopic technique for the wire‐guided placement of nasojejunal tubes (NJT) in dogs.

Design
–
Retrospective study (September 22, 2006–October 2, 2010).

Setting
–
University veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals
–
Twenty‐six consecutive dogs with intolerance of, or contraindications to gastric feeding that underwent attempted fluoroscopic NJT placement. No dogs were excluded from analysis.

Interventions
–
All dogs underwent attempted fluoroscopic NJT placement using a novel fluoroscopic wire‐guided technique.

Measurements and Main Results
–
Patient data were collected in concert with information about the NJT placement procedure as well as the maintenance and utilization of the tube. The primary diagnosis in dogs undergoing NJT placement was pancreatitis in 60%. The ability to achieve transpyloric passage of the tube was 92.3% (24/26) and the ability to achieve jejunal access was 78.2%. In the second half of the study period, the ability to achieve jejunal access was significantly higher than in the first half of the study period suggesting that technical proficiency improves over time. Mean duration of the procedure was 35.3±20 minutes. Significant oral migration was a complication of NJT placement in some dogs. The median duration of feeding was 3.3 days (range 0.3–10.5).

Conclusions
–
Fluoroscopic wire‐guided NJT placement is a viable method for sustained postpyloric feeding in dogs. Success in acquiring jejunal access improves with experience. The NJT may be utilized as a strategy to provide enteral nutritional support to the population of dogs with contraindications to, or intolerance of gastric feeding.
Introduction to interventional radiology for the criticalist
Authors: Weisse Chick
Published: April 2011

Objectives
–
To introduce the basic equipment necessary to perform interventional radiology (IR) techniques in the veterinary setting, particularly those procedures of interest to the criticalist.

Data Sources
–
Veterinary and human literature as well as author's experience.

Human Data Synthesis
–
Since the 1950s, diagnostic angiography has played an important role in human medicine. However, over the last 2–3 decades, this once purely diagnostic modality has become a subspecialty in human medicine with vast applications throughout the body. These techniques have replaced more invasive surgeries as the standard‐of‐care in many circumstances.

Veterinary Data Synthesis
–
Although comparable data are not available in the veterinary literature, many IR and interventional endoscopy techniques are poised to replace more invasive procedures in veterinary medicine. In addition, these techniques have already been shown to offer treatment options for patients in whom more traditional therapies have failed, have been declined, or are not indicated due to comorbidities or substantial risk to patient health.

Conclusions
–
Like our human medical counterparts, the use of IR techniques will likely play and increasingly important role in the care of veterinary patients. With this in mind, it is important to become familiar with both the equipment used in these techniques as well as their applications both currently in clinical cases and in the near future.
The genetics of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Marini Carla , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Nabbout Rima , Suls Arvid , De Jonghe Peter , Zara Federico , Guerrini Renzo
Published: April 2011

Dravet syndrome (DS), otherwise known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), is an epileptic encephalopathy presenting in the first year of life. DS has a genetic etiology: between 70% and 80% of patients carry sodium channel α1 subunit gene (SCN1A) abnormalities, and truncating mutations account for about 40% and have a significant correlation with an earlier age of seizures onset. The remaining SCN1A mutations comprise splice‐site and missense mutations, most of which fall into the pore‐forming region of the sodium channel. Mutations are randomly distributed across the SCN1A protein. Most mutations are de novo, but familial SCN1A mutations also occur. Somatic mosaic mutations have also been reported in some patients and might explain the phenotypical variability seen in some familial cases. SCN1A exons deletions or chromosomal rearrangements involving SCN1A and contiguous genes are also detectable in about 2–3% of patients. A small percentage of female patients with a DS‐like phenotype might carry PCDH19 mutations. Rare mutations have been identified in the GABARG2 and SCN1B genes. The etiology of about 20% of DS patients remains unknown, and additional genes are likely to be implicated.
Neuroimaging and neuropathology of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Guerrini Renzo , Striano Pasquale , Catarino Claudia , Sisodiya Sanjay M.
Published: April 2011

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in patients with Dravet syndrome and SCN1A mutations have shown abnormal findings in a small minority of patients. The origin of the structural abnormalities—such focal brain atrophy, cortical dysplasia, and hippocampal sclerosis—observed in some children remains unclear. There seems to be no correlation between the presence of MRI abnormalities and duration of epilepsy, age at seizure onset, or the frequency of episodes of status epilepticus having occurred early in life. Recent descriptions of Rasmussen syndrome and of the hemiconvulsion–hemiplegia syndrome in isolated patients with SCN1A mutations are of uncertain meaning but might indicate that co‐occurring immunomediated or seizure‐induced structural changes can, in turn, become a substrate for the severe epileptic encephalopathy. The few available neuropathologic studies of Dravet syndrome have provided inconsistent findings, including evidence of subtle brain malformation. However, the underlying dysfunction of the SCN1A gene might confer to the brain a unique profile of vulnerability whose consequences are not easily disclosed by neuropathology and require specific experimental settings to be fully appreciated. There would seem to be value in studies in animal models of these aspects, as well as prospective studies in humans, with a particular view to establishing if earlier diagnosis and efforts at seizure control may influence the development of any clinical, imaging, or pathologic deterioration.
Cognitive and behavioral characteristics of children with Dravet syndrome: An overview
Authors: Guzzetta Francesco
Published: April 2011

We report an overview on early development of children with Dravet syndrome. After a historical outline of literature data, we refer to an Italian multicentric project, partially still in course. Because in the first year of life development seems impaired in Dravet syndrome as studies on precognitive abilities would show, defects in early development of visual function were detected heralding the subsequent cognitive decline. The delay of cognitive development, due to stagnation rather than a real deterioration, begins after the second year of life, although the age of onset varies. The extreme variability of development phenotype is confirmed and widened including also cognitive decline and severity of different defects of neuropsychological abilities as well as behavioral problems, especially associated with the cognitive decline. Mechanisms underlying neurodevelopment disorders and possible role of genetics are discussed.
Dravet syndrome: The long‐term outcome
Authors: Genton Pierre , Velizarova Reana , Dravet Charlotte
Published: April 2011

Few studies focused on the long‐term outcome of Dravet syndrome in adulthood are available in the literature, but all are concordant. In this article, we consider the outcomes of 24 patients followed at the Centre Saint‐Paul, Marseille, up to the age of 50, and compare them to the patients reported in the literature. Five patients (20.8%) died, at a mean age of 24.8 years, one by status epilepticus, three by sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and one of unknown cause. Epileptic seizures tend to become less frequent and less severe after childhood. Fever sensitivity (temperature variations) persists throughout the clinical course of DS, but its impact on seizure frequency and severity is milder than in infancy. Generalized convulsive seizures, mostly reported as generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS), were the only seizure type observed in almost all of the patients, often with a focal onset. They are less frequent than in childhood and mostly nocturnal. Some of these major convulsive seizures have less typical aspects, for example, bilateral or asymmetric tonic posturing, followed in some cases by a tonic vibratory state or clonic movements (Oguni et al., Brain Dev 2001;23:736–748; Akiyama et al., Epilepsia 2010;51:1043–1052). Other seizures like myoclonic seizures, atypical absences, and complex partial seizures (CPS) are less common in adulthood: Among our 24 patients, only 6 had atypical absences, and one myoclonic and one complex focal seizures. Electroencephalography (EEG) also changes with age but is still multiple and heterogenous, interictally and ictally. Photosensitivity and pattern sensitivity also showed a tendency to disappear before the age of 20. Motor abnormalities are common. Cerebellar features, including ataxia, dysarthria, intention tremor, and eye movement disorder, become more prominent. Walking is markedly impaired, often due to orthopedic signs such as kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, flat feet, or claw feet. This symptomatology was minor during childhood and worsened during and after adolescence, despite physiotherapy. Mental retardation ranged from moderate to severe, with predominance of language impairment, and some patients had a major personality disorder, labeled autistic or psychotic. Dependency in adulthood is nearly constant: Only 3 of our 24 adult patients lived independently.
Insights into pathophysiology and therapy from a mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Oakley John C. , Kalume Franck , Catterall William A.
Published: April 2011

Mutations in voltage‐gated sodium channels are associated with epilepsy syndromes with a wide range of severity. Complete loss of function in the Nav1.1 channel encoded by the SCN1A gene is associated with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI), a devastating infantile‐onset epilepsy with ataxia, cognitive dysfunction, and febrile and afebrile seizures resistant to current medications. Genetic mouse models of SMEI have been created that strikingly recapitulate the SMEI phenotype including age and temperature dependence of seizures and ataxia. Loss‐of‐function in Nav1.1 channels results in severely impaired sodium current and action potential firing in hippocampal γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons without detectable changes in excitatory pyramidal neurons. The resulting imbalance between excitation and inhibition likely contributes to hyperexcitability and seizures. Reduced sodium current and action potential firing in cerebellar Purkinje neurons likely contributes to comorbid ataxia. A mechanistic understanding of hyperexcitability, seizures, and comorbidities such as ataxia has led to novel strategies for treatment.
Dravet syndrome: Insights from in vitro experimental models
Authors: Mantegazza Massimo
Published: April 2011

Dravet syndrome is caused mainly by mutations of voltage‐gated Na+ channels (most of them targeting NaV1.1) and in few cases by mutations of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor γ2 subunit. In vitro functional analysis has provided important information about the pathogenic mechanism of these mutations, which is in most cases consistent with reduced GABAergic inhibition and consequent hyperexcitability of neuronal circuits. However, interpretative difficulties have arisen, limiting the exploitation of the data generated with some in vitro experimental systems. I will review the functional studies of Dravet syndrome mutations that have been performed in vitro, highlighting the interpretative difficulties and the possible use of these data in the clinical practice.
The effects of stiripentol on GABAA receptors
Authors: Fisher Janet L.
Published: April 2011

The anticonvulsant stiripentol (Diacomit™) has been shown to have a positive impact on control of seizures for many patients with Dravet syndrome. As with most antiepileptic drugs, stiripentol has multiple mechanisms of action. Its direct anticonvulsant activity is likely due to enhancement of inhibitory, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission. Stiripentol was shown to increase the activity of both neuronal and recombinant GABAA receptors at clinically relevant concentrations. At recombinant receptors, stiripentol was found to act through a unique site in a subunit‐dependent manner. Positive modulation by stiripentol was most effective at GABAA receptors containing an α3 subunit. The expression of the α3 subunit is developmentally regulated, with highest levels in the immature brain. This subunit selectivity may explain the greater clinical efficacy of stiripentol in childhood‐onset epilepsies, including Dravet syndrome.
Comprehensive care of children with Dravet syndrome
Authors: Granata Tiziana
Published: April 2011

The comprehensive care of a patient with Dravet syndrome encompasses both the “care” and the “cure” of the patient, and requires cooperation among family, doctors, and several other specialized caregivers to search for the attainment of the best quality of life for the patients and their families. Several issues peculiar to the disease to be faced while dealing with the patient are: (1) SMEI is an “evolving” disease that appears in an otherwise healthy child with symptoms that appear and mutate throughout the course of the disease; (2) the severity of the disease is not fully predictable at onset and appears to be individual‐specific; (3) the seizures are invariably drug resistant and seizure freedom is not a realistic goal; and (4) in addition to seizures many other invalidating clinical problems, including cognitive impairment, behavior disorders, and a number of comorbidities characterize the disease course. The comprehensive caring must be physician‐guided and patient‐centered and implies a multidisciplinary approach to be built around the children and caregivers, who need to be guided through the steps of the diagnosis, treatments, and managements of the various comorbidities.
Dravet syndrome and parent associations: The IDEA League experience with comorbid conditions, mortality, management, adaptation, and grief
Authors: Skluzacek Joan V. , Watts Kathryn P. , Parsy Olivier , Wical Beverly , Camfield Peter
Published: April 2011

The advent of social networking via the Internet and the commercial availability of tests for SCN1A mutations permitted the rapid development and growth of parent‐led associations that provide advocacy and support, as well as promote education and research regarding Dravet syndrome (DS) in the last 10 years. The International Dravet syndrome Epilepsy Action League (IDEA League) is a partnership of parents and professionals united in the purpose of creating greater awareness and understanding of DS. In 2004, parents in the IDEA League support network began to collect data from families about their children with DS in order to investigate observations that, in addition to epilepsy, many of the children seemed to share similar problems. The information gained suggests comorbid conditions and raises many hypotheses for further research. The process has led to more rigorous formal studies and an increased understanding of the clinical spectrum of DS. There is an urgent need for collaborative research, comprehensive care, and professional and family education. Mortality appears high, primarily due to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and status epilepticus (SE). Most parents wish direct discussions with their child’s physician about mortality. The high risk of death and the many other stresses related to DS result in recurrent grief and loss for patients and families and highlights their need for additional advocacy and support.
Retrieval of a Fractured Zirconia Implant Abutment Using a Modified Crown and Bridge Remover: A Clinical Report
Authors: Roe Phillip , Kan Joseph Y. K. , Rungcharassaeng Kitichai , Won John B.
Published: April 2011

This clinical report describes a novel method to retrieve the internal connection of a fractured zirconia abutment through modification of a crown and bridge remover. Furthermore, the strengths and limitations of using a zirconia implant abutment will be highlighted.
Lifetime Assessment for Thermal Barrier Coatings: Tests for Measuring Mixed Mode Delamination Toughness
Authors: Hutchinson Robert G. , Hutchinson John W.
Published: April 2011

Mechanisms leading to degradation of the adherence of thermal barrier coatings (TBC) used in aircraft and power generating turbines are numerous and complex. To date, robust methods for the lifetime assessment of coatings have not emerged based on predictions of the degradation processes due to their complexity. In the absence of mechanism‐based predictive models, direct measurement of coating adherence as a function of thermal exposure must be a component of any practical approach toward lifetime assessment. This paper outlines an approach to lifetime assessment of TBC that has taken shape in the past few years. Most TBC delaminations occur under a mix of mode I and mode II cracking conditions, with mode II delamination being particularly relevant. Direct measurement of TBC delamination toughness has been challenging, but recent progress has made this feasible. This paper surveys a range of potentially promising tests for measuring the mode dependence of delamination toughness with particular emphasis on toughness under mode II conditions.
Explorations of Hybrid Sandwich Panel Concepts for Projectile Impact Mitigation
Authors: Yungwirth Christian J. , O'Connor John , Zakraysek Alan , Deshpande Vikram S. , Wadley Haydn N. G.
Published: April 2011

Previous studies have shown that while stainless‐steel sandwich panels with pyramidal truss cores have a superior blast resistance to monolithic plates of equal mass per unit area, their ballistic performance is similar to their monolithic counterparts. Here, we explore concepts to enhance the ballistic resistance without changing the volumetric efficiency of the panels by filling the spaces within the core with combinations of polyurethane, alumina prisms, and aramid fiber textiles. The addition of the polyurethane does not enhance the ballistic limit compared with the equivalent monolithic steel plate, even when aramids are added. This poor performance occurs because the polymer is penetrated by a hole enlargement mechanism which does not result in significant projectile deformation or load spreading and engagement of the steel face sheets. By contrast, ceramic inserts deform and erode the projectile and also comminute the ceramic. The ceramic communition (and resultant dilation) results in stretching of both steel face sheets and leads to significant energy dissipation. The ballistic limit of this hybrid is about twice that of the equivalent monolithic steel plate. The addition of a Kevlar fabric to the ceramic hybrid is shown to not significantly change the ballistic limit but does reduce the residual velocities of the debris.
The Luminescence Properties of Eu3+‐Doped Borotungstate Gd4B2WO12 Phosphors
Authors: Zhu Rui , Huang Yanlin , Seo Hyo Jin
Published: April 2011

The new red‐emitting phosphors of Eu3+‐doped borotungstate Gd4B2WO12 were prepared by the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The phosphors were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction technique. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, the fluorescence decay curves and the dependence of luminescence intensity on temperature were investigated. The phosphor can be efficiently excited by near UV light to realize an intense red luminescence (618 nm) corresponding to the electric dipole transition 5D0→7F2 of Eu3+ ions. The crystallographic site‐occupations of the Eu3+ ions in Eu4B2WO12 were investigated by the site‐selective excitation and emission spectra, and the fluorescence decay curves in the 5D0→7F0 region using a pulsed, tunable, and narrowband dye laser. The concentration quenching of the red luminescence together with the thermal stability were discussed on the base of the Eu3+ site‐distributions in Eu4B2WO12 host.
Effect of oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation treatment on corrosion resistance and cell adhesion of titanium surface
Authors: Yang Chih‐Hsiung , Wang Yu‐Tsai , Tsai Wen‐Fa , Ai Chi‐Fong , Lin Mau‐Chin , Huang Her‐Hsiung
Published: April 2011

Objective: The study was to investigate the corrosion resistance and cell adhesion of titanium (Ti) surface for dental implant application by oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation (O‐PIII) treatments.

Materials and methods: Commercially pure Ti discs (grade 2) were used as the substrate. O‐PIII surface treatments, with different oxygen doses (1 × 1016 and 4 × 1016 ions/cm2), were performed in a high‐vacuum chamber with a radio frequency plasma source. Atomic force microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer and nanoindenter were used to analyze surface topography, chemical composition (three samples per group) and mechanical property (twenty‐five samples per group) of Ti specimens, respectively. Corrosion resistance of Ti specimens (five samples per group) was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization curve measurement in simulated blood plasma solution. The adhesion and spreading of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on Ti surfaces were studied.

Results: The results showed that O‐PIII treatment had no significant influence on the surface topography of Ti specimens. The thickness of oxide layer (mainly as TiO2) on the O‐PIII‐treated Ti specimens increased with an increase in oxygen dose implanted. The O‐PIII‐treated Ti specimens possessed higher surface hardness and Young's modulus than the untreated Ti specimen. Potentiodynamic polarization tests revealed that the O‐PIII‐treated Ti surfaces had lower corrosion rate (Icorr) and passive current (Ipass) than the untreated Ti surface. The adhesion and spreading of hMSCs on Ti surfaces were improved by O‐PIII treatment.

Conclusions: O‐PIII treatment could enhance the corrosion resistance and cell adhesion of Ti surface for dental implant application due to the increase in surface thickness of Ti‐oxides (mainly as TiO2) on Ti.

To cite this article:
 Yang C‐H, Wang Y‐T, Tsai W‐F, Ai C‐F, Lin M‐C, Huang H‐H. Effect of oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation treatment on corrosion resistance and cell adhesion of titanium surface. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. xx, 2011; 000–000. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02132.x
Blood responses to titanium surface with TiO2 nano‐mesh structure
Authors: Huang Her‐Hsiung , Chen Jing‐Yi , Lin Mau‐Chin , Wang Yu‐Tsai , Lee Tien‐Lin , Chen Li‐Kai
Published: April 2011

Objectives: The goal of this study was to enhance the blood responses to titanium (Ti) surfaces used for dental implant application through the formation of a TiO2 nano‐mesh surface layer produced by a fast electrochemical anodization treatment.

Material and methods: Electrochemical anodization treatments with different anodization currents and temperatures in an alkaline solution were used to create a nano‐mesh oxide layer on polished Ti surface. Surface characterizations of the mesh structure were carried out using thin‐film X‐ray diffractometer, field‐emission scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscope. The blood responses, including the blood‐clotting ability and platelet adhesion morphology, to the test Ti surfaces were evaluated. The blood‐clotting ability, in terms of optical density of blood, was statistically analyzed using a nonparametric method, Kruskal–Wallis test, for the factor of anodization treatment.

Results: A multilayer TiO2 nano‐mesh structure was rapidly formed on the polished Ti surface using a simple electrochemical anodization treatment in an alkaline solution. The TiO2 nano‐mesh had an average mesh size between 34 and 93 nm, depending on the anodization current and temperature. The features on the TiO2 nano‐mesh structure on the anodized Ti surface were of a similar size scale as blood proteins, giving the material better blood clot ability (P<0.05) and improved platelet activation and aggregation as compared with an untreated polished Ti surface.

Conclusions: The formation of TiO2 nano‐mesh on the Ti surfaces was shown to enhance blood responses, which we expect to promote cell growth in the application of dental implants.

To cite this article: Huang H‐H, Chen J‐Y, Lin M‐C, Wang Y‐T, Lee T‐L, Chen L‐K. Blood responses to titanium surface with TiO2 nano‐mesh structure. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012; 379–383. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02152.x
Environmental gradients and the structure of freshwater snail communities
Authors: Hoverman Jason T. , Davis Christopher J. , Werner Earl E. , Skelly David K. , Relyea Rick A. , Yurewicz Kerry L.
Published: April 2011

A fundamental goal of ecology is to understand the factors that influence community structure and, consequently, generate heterogeneity in species richness across habitats. While niche‐assembly (e.g. species‐sorting) and dispersal‐assembly mechanisms are widely recognized as factors structuring communities, there remains substantial debate concerning the relative importance of each of these mechanisms. Using freshwater snails as a model system, we explore how abiotic and biotic factors interact with dispersal to structure local communities and generate regional patterns in species richness. Our data set consisted of 24 snail species from 43 ponds and lakes surveyed for seven years on the Univ. of Michigan's E. S. George Reserve and Pinckney State Recreation Area near Ann Arbor, Michigan. We found that heterogeneity in habitat conditions mediated species‐sorting mechanism to drive patterns in snail species richness across sites. In particular, physical environmental variables (i.e. habitat area, hydroperiod, and canopy cover), pH, and fish presence accounted for the majority of variation in the species richness across sites. We also found evidence of Gleasonian structure (i.e. significant species turnover with stochastic species loss) in the metacommunity. Turnover in snail species distributions was driven by the replacement of several pulmonate species with prosobranch species at the pond permanence transition. Turnover appeared to be driven by physiological constraints associated with differences in respiration mode between the snail orders and shell characteristics that deter molluscivorous fish. In contrast to these niche‐assembly mechanisms, there was no evidence that dispersal‐assembly mechanisms were structuring the communities. This suggests that niche‐assembly mechanisms are more important than dispersal‐assembly mechanisms for structuring local snail communities.
PPARgamma activators stimulate aquaporin 3 expression in keratinocytes/epidermis
Authors: Jiang Yan J. , Kim Peggy , Lu Yang F. , Feingold Kenneth R.
Published: April 2011

Abstract:  Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), a member of the aquaglyceroporin family, which transports water and glycerol, is robustly expressed in epidermis and plays an important role in stratum corneum hydration, permeability barrier function and wound healing. PPAR and LXR activation regulates the expression of many proteins in the epidermis and thereby can affect epidermal function. Here, we report that PPARgamma activators markedly stimulate AQP3 mRNA expression in both undifferentiated and differentiated cultured human keratinocytes (CHKs). The increase in AQP3 mRNA by PPARgamma activator occurs in a dose‐ and time‐dependent fashion. Increased AQP3 mRNA levels are accompanied by an increase in AQP3 protein in undifferentiated keratinocytes and a significant increase in glycerol uptake. Activation of LXR, RAR and RXR also increases AQP3 mRNA levels in undifferentiated and differentiated CHKs, but to a lesser extent. PPARdelta activation stimulates AQP3 expression in undifferentiated CHKs but decreases expression in differentiated CHKs. In contrast, PPARalpha activators do not alter AQP3 expression. AQP9 and AQP10, other members of aquaglyceroporin family, are less abundantly expressed in CHKs, and their expression levels are not significantly altered by treatment with LXR, PPAR, RAR or RXR activators. Finally, when topically applied, the PPARgamma activator, ciglitazone, induces AQP3 but not AQP9 gene expression in mouse epidermis. Our data demonstrate that PPAR and LXR activators stimulate AQP3 expression, providing an additional mechanism by which PPAR and LXR activators regulate epidermal function.
Recent Advances in Retromer Biology
Authors: McGough Ian J. , Cullen Peter J.
Published: April 2011

The endosomal network is an organized array of intracellular, membranous compartments that function as sorting sites for endosomal and biosynthetic cargo. The fate of endocytic cargo is reliant upon interactions with a number of molecularly distinct sorting complexes, which tightly control the relationship between sorting of their respective cargo and the physical process of membrane re‐scuplturing required for the formation of transport carries. One such complex, retromer, mediates retrograde transport from endosomes to the trans‐Golgi network (TGN). Disregulation of retromer has been implicated in a host of disease states including late‐onset Alzheimer's. Rather than give a broad overview of retromer biology, here we aim to outline the recent advances in understanding this complex, focussing on the involvement of both clathrin and the cytoskeleton in retromer function.
Interaction with the Histone Chaperone Vps75 Promotes Nuclear Localization and HAT Activity of Rtt109 In Vivo
Authors: Keck Kristin M. , Pemberton Lucy F.
Published: April 2011

Modification of histones is critical for the regulation of all chromatin‐templated processes. Yeast Rtt109 is a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) that acetylates H3 lysines 9, 27 and 56. Rtt109 associates with and is stabilized by Nap1 family histone chaperone Vps75. Our data suggest Vps75 and Nap1 have some overlapping functions despite their different cellular localization and histone binding specificity. We determined that Vps75 contains a classical nuclear localization signal and is imported by Kap60–Kap95. Rtt109 nuclear localization depends on Vps75, and nuclear localization of the Vps75–Rtt109 complex is not critical for Rtt109‐dependent functions, suggesting Rtt109 may be able to acetylate nascent histones before nuclear import. To date, the effects of VPS75 deletion on Rtt109 function had not been separated from the resulting Rtt109 degradation; thus, we used an Rtt109 mutant lacking the Vps75‐interaction domain that is stable without Vps75. Our data show that in addition to promoting Rtt109 stability, Vps75 binding is necessary for Rtt109 acetylation of the H3 tail. Direct interaction of Vps75 with H3 likely allows Rtt109 access to the histone tail. Furthermore, our genetic interaction data support the idea of Rtt109‐independent functions of Vps75. In summary, our data suggest that Vps75 influences chromatin structure by regulating histone modification and through its histone chaperone functions.